Vo l u m e
80
Number
10
•
October
31,
2013
•
ut.minaret@gmail.com
•
theminaretonline.com
A Conversation with President Vaughn: His Legacy and Vision for the Future of UT By KIRBY JAY News Writer
Ronald L. Vaughn has served as the president of the University of Tampa for almost two decades. Since he first arrived at UT in 1985, Vaughn has improved the University in many ways. Since 1995, the school’s annual budget has increased from $28 million to $200 million for the 20132014 academic year. This substantial growth has powered numerous advances for both academics and campus life. The Minaret sat down with Vaughn to get his perspective and potential goals concerning the progress and future of UT. Despite the broad range of management responsibilities and the expectations that come with being the public face of the university, Vaughn believes fundraising is one of the most challenging aspects of the job. “It’s not just fundraising for
Photo courtesy of Madelyn Castro
Vaughn has served as the President of the University of Tampa for almost two decades.
Student Christian Club Devotes Halloween to Helping the Hungry By JESSE LONG News Writer
InterVarsity, a Christian fellowship group, intends to go to different local neighborhoods on Halloween night, and instead of asking for candy, they are going to ask for canned good donations to help feed food insecure citizens in Tampa Bay. According to Metropolitan Ministries, within the Tampa Bay area there are more than 25,000 homeless people, with 17,755 homeless people in Hillsborough County alone. InterVarsity plans on donating all of the food they collect to an organization called The Well. “The Well runs something like a food pantry for the homeless. Instead Istorija/Flickr of giving them a bag of goods they InterVarsity will donate the canned goods they collect to local charity, The Well. stock shelves with what they can and invite the poor in to shop for what major runs the InterVarsity men’s give back to the community.” they want,” said Gershom Vacarizas, a bible study on campus. Many people who are part of member of InterVarsity and a freshman “I think that this event is awesome,” InterVarsity at UT will participate in the musical theater major. “All while Reum said. “To have the opportunity event with students from Hillsborough getting to know the people they serve to beg on behalf of the homeless is Community College’s InterVarsity. and building real friendships and humbling. I know we will probably get This is the first year that InterVarsity relationships with them.” rejected in many cases, but to step out has done anything like this, and they There are approximately 1,500 in faith for someone else is all worth it.” are open to anyone joining in. emergency and transitional shelter Heather Muse, a freshman biology “InterVarsity to give to the poor beds in Hillsborough County - major, was pleasantly surprised to hear in a very tangible way by supporting thus at least 8,000 homeless men, of such a generous action. ministries that are already in lasting women and children will not be able “I think that it is a really remarkable personal relationships with them,” to find shelter tonight, also from thing that they are doing,” Muse said. “It Reum said. “It is our way to build Metropolitan Ministries. shows that people today are not selfish a real community with the people Micah Reum, a Junior Business and that they actually want to help and participating while giving them a chance to experience just a small part of Jesus’ giant heart for the poor and oppressed.” Jesse Long can be reached at jesse. long@spartans.ut.edu
the day-to-day activities and what’s required for your budget, but what’s required for scholarships for students, for new programs and for new projects,” Vaughn said. “The projects you see around campus don’t just materialize, and that’s because you’ve got various people and friends that make that happen.” Vaughn has also conducted $350 million worth of hefty construction projects since 2000, including the building of the John Sykes Chapel that opened Dec. 10 2010. Vaughn said this project was the one he has been the most pleased with. Whether it’s the expansion of the pool, the creation of the lacrosse field or the addition of West Kennedy Hall, UT has been under constant construction in recent years, something that Vaughn said will not stop any time soon. “If you look around campus, there are actually some [buildings] that are former fairground buildings from the state fair. Those buildings will See VAUGHN Page 3
In Other News...
3 International
Students’ Take on America’s Halloween
7 Have a Nostalgic Halloween with Classic Childhood
9 Legendary
Musician Lou Reed Remembered
11 Dentists Buy Back Kids’ Candy, Send to Soldiers Overseas
13 Naked for Charity: Airline and Rowing Team Release Seminude Calendar
20 Curtis McIntyre Tribute
News................................. 2 Diversions........................ 6 A+E................................... 7 Opinion........................... 11
Sports............................. 16
M
OCTOBER 31 2013 | THE MINARET
MINARET
2
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jessica Keesee
jessica.keesee@theminaretonline.com
NEWS + FEATURES
International Students’ Take on America’s Halloween By TAMARA GRANT News Writer
Holland
Freshman: Otto van Leeuwen
MANAGING EDITOR Mia Glatter
mia.glatter@theminaretonline.com
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Natalie Hicks
natalie.hicks@theminaretonline.com
NEWS + FEATURES Lauren Richey, Editor
lauren.richey@theminaretonline.com
Katherine Lavacca, Asst. Editor
katherine.lavacca@theminaretonline.com
According to van Leeuwen, in Holland, Halloween is not celebrated at all. He believes Halloween is a hugely celebrated in America because he sees people decorating their houses with intricate decorations like pumpkins and spiders. Even though he has never celebrated Halloween in America, he will participate by buying a costume and going to a few Halloween parties.
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
“There are no Halloween related tv shows or movies, although most people will know what Halloween is, since we watch many American movies,” van Leeuwen said. Annemod/Flickr Dutch dancers on Windmill Island in Holland.
Justine Parks, Editor
justine.parks@theminaretonline.com
Jordan Walsh, Asst. Editor
jordan.walsh@theminaretonline.com
Honduras
OPINION
Paola Crespo, Editor
Sophmore: Andrea Daiz
Paola.Crespo@theminaretonline.com
Annabella Palopoli, Editor
annabella.palopoli@theminaretonline.com
Richard Whitaker, Asst. Editor
Diaz stated that in Honduras, mostly the bilingual and wealthy families celebrate Halloween. Similar to America, to celebrate Halloween, they throw a party and people dress up. According to Diaz, the ones that do not celebrate Halloween in Honduras are people that don’t accept it because of their beliefs since many are Catholic. They believe that when people dress up in those costumes, they are worshipping the devil.
richard.whitaker@theminaretonline.com
SPORTS
Jordan Llanes, Editor
jordan.llanes@theminaretonline.com
Griffin Guinta, Asst. Editor
griffin.guinta@theminaretonline.com
ONLINE
Vanessa Righeimer, Web and Social Media Director
vanessa.righeimer@theminaretonline.com
PHOTOGRAPHY Casey Budd, Editor
casey.budd@theminaretonline.com
GoGap/Flickr The Honduran city Tegucigalpa and its cathedral.
ADVERTISING
Shivani Kanji, Ad & PR Director Brandon Caples, Asst. Ad & PR minaret.ads@gmail.com
ADVISER
John Capouya
Jcapouya@ut.edu
Finland
Freshman: Robert Rantapere
COPY EDITORS
Zoe Fowler, Head Copy Editor
zoe.fowler@theminaretonline.com
PHOTOGRAPHERS Leah Beilhart
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
“I don’t think [Halloween] is strange because ever since I was a little girl in preschool we went trick-or-treating all around school,” Diaz said. “But as you grow up it is more about the parties, which is very similar.”
Rantapere says that in Finland, it is not a big deal. They do have Halloween-themed TV shows and costume parties, although not everyone dresses up.“People that do not celebrate Halloween there is because they are Greek Orthodox,” she said.
Rebecca Barton Wendy French
STAFF WRITERS
“Instead of having Halloween, they have carnivals, but it’s in March. They celebrate these carnivals by having parades.”
simo-otto/Flickr The Kelsink Samba carnivald: a Finnish Parade.
Madagascar
Vanessa Righeimer Khadijah Khan Jesse Long
Sophomore: Onitiana Randrianavahy
COLUMNISTS
Samantha Bloom Avery Twible
MORE INFORMATION
Randrianavahy says that in Madagascar only the American schools celebrate Halloween. They have parties, costumes and trick or treat. In the country of Madagascar, they have parties and dress up. Similar to Finland, they don’t understand the reason why they just do it because they have adopted it from the U.S.
THE MINARET is a weekly student-run publication at the University of Tampa. Letters to the Editor may be sent to editor@theminaretonline.com. To reach THE MINARET call 813.257.3636. Your first two copies of THE MINARET are free. Each additional copy is $1.00 photokka/Flickr A central place in the Madagascar city Antananarivo.
“They don’t know what to do,” Randrianavahy said. “They just got it from TV and movies.”
NEWS + FEATURES
THE MINARET | OCTOBER 31 2013
3
Ronald Vaughn speaks about his years at the University From VAUGHN Page 1
Vaughn 101 Grew up in Paris, Illinois Vaughn learned environmental appreciation through outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting and scouting. Came to UT in August 1984 as the Coordinator of the Marketing Department Doctorate in marketing from the University of Georgia Earned BA and MBA at Indiana State University Was the Director of the MBA program Dean of the College of Business and Graduate Studies and Co-Chief Academic Officer
eventually be replaced,” Vaughn said. The school is raising money for several new academic buildings to meet the needs of the UT’s academic programs, and, according to Vaughn, “there’s quite a bit more to do.” The lack of parking is another oncampus factor Vaughn is planning to advance, since the school’s “parking issues” are needs that have not been met, Vaughn said. “We have been very aware of parking issues right along with the development of the university,” Vaughn said. “We have expanded parking rather consistently, and we do have plans for further additions to parking.” Last year, 250 parking spaces were added to campus and much of that is in use this semester. These spaces included the surface parking near West Kennedy Hall and many additional spaces by the Edison building on North Boulevard. “We continue to monitor how the entire space is being used throughout the year,” Vaughn said. A new parking expansion is underway in the Thomas parking garage, which will begin after the semester is over. The expansion is expected to be ready some time next fall. On the academic level, Vaughn is mainly focused on hiring more full-
time faculty. Full-time professors have overall fulfillment is based around been hired every year of Vaughn’s improvement. presidency, and 16 full-time faculty “I like making progress,” Vaughn members were hired before this fall said. “It’s satisfying when our semester began, which Vaughn said “is university, our academics and our a big number.” students make great progress. That The number of undergraduate and feels very worthwhile and fulfilling.” graduate students has increased over Kirby Jay can be reached at kirby. recent years, and Vaughn’s goal is for jay@spartans.ut.edu that number to reach 7,800 before the end of the decade (compared to the current 7,200 undergraduate students admitted this fall). Vaughn believes that, at this point, the graduate level may continue to grow while undergraduate statistics remain constant. With 844 students, UT’s graduate school student population is up four percent from last year and is the highest enrollment in UT’s graduate school history. In about a week, Vaughn will speak at the annual Minaret Society dinner, an event hosted for the school’s top donors. He says this is a time when he always reflects on UT’s heritage and what it means to others. “The University of Tampa is incredibly important to [the Tampa Bay] community,” Vaughn said. “What we do has a huge impact. We have an annual economic impact of about $750 million.” As president of UT, Vaughn enjoys the broad variety of Photo courtesy of Anne Rowland management, interaction and Vaughn poses with Max Hollingsworth in 1984. constituency responsibilities, but his
From the Oct. 21 to Oct. 27 Reports
Joey Marrone and Katie Reisman Resident NASCAR Driver Performs! On Oct. 24, a student was driving at a high rate of speed around the fountain in front of Plant Hall. When stopped they had no driver’s license or student ID.
Always Wanted to be a Fireman On Oct. 26, students were referred to the Office of Student Conduct for discharging fire extinguishers and damaging university property.
from Sigma Phi Epsilon and Delta Zeta won Homecoming King and Queen! Sigma Phi Epsilon is having its theme week.
Shlurin’ and Shtumblin’ On Oct. 26, an underaged, intoxicated visitor was denied access to Morsani Hall.
Well it’s Mine Now! On Oct. 26, a student was found in possession of stolen university property and a controlled substance.
Dang Florida Drivers On Oct. 25, a student hit a university golf cart on North B street. No injuries were reported.
The SigEp Queen of Hearts Pageant was in Falk Theatre, and the proceeds went to Big Brothers and
Looks Like Someone is Taking the Bus On Oct. 24, a boot was put on a student’s vehicle for failure to register and excessive parking citations on campus. Reports compiled by Katherine Lavacca
Big Sisters of America! Tau Kappa Epsilon raised over $400 for St. Jude’s during their theme week last week!
Office of Student Success arranges Strength and Leadership Day Nov. 12 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. North Walker Hall Room 135 Learn your strengths and how to improve them! Women’s Soccer Hosts Halloween Night at 7 p.m. on Pepin Field against rival Florida Southern! Wear costumes and show support for your Lady Spartans! 1080AM WUTT 24-hour Halloween broadcast: Win tickets to Electric Daisy Concert by submitting your costume to the WUTT Facebook page! WUTT Radio’s WUTTapalooza on Nov. 8! Vaughn Courtyard from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. The third annual sand volleyball tournament Saturday Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. Sign up in Vaughn Nov. 4 - 8! There will be a DJ, food and prizes!
4 OCTOBER 31 2013 | THE MINARET
NEWS + FEATURES
Travel Courses Offered Lack Sufficient Enrollment By VALERIE LARA News Writer
Every year, over 400 students participate in the University of Tampa’s study abroad programs. Out of these 400 students, about half of them participate in a UT Travel Course Abroad. Each semester, there is a wide variety of travel courses offered, but there must be a certain amount of students that sign up in order for the class to actually be held. Those students who did sign up are left without a class and a trip. A journalism course was planned to go to Malaysia and Singapore last spring, but it was cancelled due to insufficient student enrollment. “In order to do a travel course you have to go seek it out yourself,” said Cara Kootz, a junior marketing major who went on a travel course to Japan last spring. “And I think a lot more people would do them if they knew more about them.” The Office of International Programs has various events they do throughout the year to promote studying abroad including the Spartans Abroad Fair, which is held each semester to promote the programs to the student body. “We also speak during open houses and orientation sessions so that students know we’re here when they want to talk about education abroad options,” said Elizabeth Mills, Coordinator of International Education Programs and Outreach. “In addition, we have a student organization called the Spartans Abroad Ambassadors that
FreedomHouse/Flickr
The Office of International Programs is trying to better promote its travel courses to students.
is comprised of students who have studied abroad and are eager to talk to students about the experience and help them sign up.” However, sometimes it’s not a promotion issue but a financial issue. There are many funding options for education abroad programs, including travel courses. An information sheet that discusses scholarships is offered at the study abroad office on the third floor of Plant Hall. There are also national scholarships like the Boren scholarship, the Gilman scholarship and the Fulbright program, which fund students to study abroad for a semester or longer.
“Travel courses have been offered for a long time at UT,” Mills said. “They are a great way to internationalize UT’s curriculum and serve as an experiential component to the course content that allows students to see and experience first-hand what the professor is trying to teach.” If a student doesn’t feel prepared to travel for a semester, then a travel course is a better and safer option. “I had never been outside of the U.S. and wasn’t ready to make such a huge commitment so I chose a travel course instead,” Kootz said. “We’ve seen an increase in education abroad participation, which is in
contrast to national trends, Mills said. In fact, they’ve had a 60 percent increase in education abroad participation over the past five years, according to Mills. More students are making the commitment to study abroad which demonstrates the accomplishments of UT’s Office of International Programs. In some cases, the classes may not fulfill the necessary quota, which is sometimes unavoidable, but Mills suggests students tell friends to sign up. “It could be an extra special experience if you have a group of like-minded people who are interested in making the best of the program,” Mills said. There are many different options for students who are interested in education abroad. It depends on what kind of experience students are looking for. From UT travel courses, which usually last two weeks, to semester/ year abroad programs, internships abroad and community-based, service learning trips. With the help of an education abroad advisor, students can decide which program is the best fit for their major and interests. “Today’s employers seek graduates who have multi-cultural experience and knowledge,” said Katherine Pazda, one of the education abroad advisors. “[They want students] who can communicate in at least one foreign language and who have the basic skills to travel and work outside the U.S.” Valerie Lara can be reached at valerie.lara@spartans.ut.edu
NEWS + FEATURES
What Are The Most Haunted Places in Tampa?
THE MINARET | OCTOBER 31 2013
5
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons The Tampa Theatre is rumored to be haunted by the spirit of a former employee who passed away there.
Everyone knows that a few spooks and spirits roam the halls of Plant Hall, but there are several other places around Tampa that are known to be resting places for the eternally restless.
The Tampa Theater
Just over the bridge and in the heart of Tampa sits the ornate Tampa Theater. The theatre is used to show movies, host celebrity shows, and it is the home base for several film festivals every year. Back in the Tampa Theater’s hayday, a veteran projectionist named Foster Finley,collapsed and died of a heart attack in the theatre. Finley worked for the theatre for 30 years and decided to stay for his afterlife. Workers cite strange sounds in the projection room, the occasional smell of shaving cream and objects suddenly going missing.
Don Vicente de Ybor Historic Inn
Sometimes referred to as “Hotel Hell,” The Don Vicente de Ybor Historic Inn was built in 1895 and
eventually became a health care clinic in 1890. It was refurbished in 1998 and is now a quaint and posh hotel. Don Vicente de Ybor Historic Inn was featured on an episode of The Dead Files where they investigated the sightings of an elderly Hispanic woman in the basement believed to be a nurse from back in its clinic days. Room 305 of the hotel is believed to be particularly haunted, and many faucets in the hotel tend to turn on and off.
The Cuban Club
Dubbed “One of the Top 10 Most Haunted Places in the U.S.” by the Travel Channel, The Cuban Club is the alleged residence of two spirits: an actor who committed suicide on stage and a board member who was murdered. Both spirits, along with a piano that plays on its own and a woman’s unexplainable cries, have been noted on numerous occasions at
the 96-year-old event venue. Today, the club can be rented out for parties and occasions.
Swope, Rodante P.A.
Perhaps the most unassuming haunted location in Tampa is the 116-year-old building that currently houses the Swope, Rodante law firm on 5th Avenue in Ybor. It used to be the Tampa Florida Brewery and is the final resting place of a drunken man who spooks employees with his muttering and laughter. Nobody knows exactly who he is, but the rumor is he died fighting over a mug of beer. If it’s a trick you’re looking for this Halloween weekend, check out one of these local ghoul-infested establishments and see if the rumors are true. Want a question answered by UT FYI? Send your question about anything UT or Tampa related to ut.minaret@gmail.com
6 OCTOBER 31 2013 | THE MINARET
Diversions
Sudoku
The Weekend Update Swim Team vs. Lynn November 1
UT Aquatic Center 3:30 p.m.
Free with UT ID
Dia De Los Muertos November 1
Vaughn Lobby 6 p.m. Free
Michael BublĂŠ November 1
Tampa Bay Times Forum 8 p.m.
$54.50 - $115
Swim Team vs. Indian River November 2
UT Aquatic Center PrintableSudokuPuzzles.net
Picture
WEEK of the
Photo by Leah Beilhart/The Minaret Fall Dance Happening featured many pieces including Retract choreographed by Chelsea Moskal.
11 a.m.
Free with UT ID
Echoing Air Early Music Vocal Ensemble November 3
Sykes Chapel 2 p.m. Free
Mission Work- Learning From Doing November 4
Sykes Chapel 12 p.m. Free
Writers at the University Anna Ross November 5
Bailey Arts Studio 7 p.m. Free
Dodgeball Tournament November 6
Intramural Field 7 p.m. $3
Student Productions Stage Shows Jamie Lee November 6
Reeves Theater 8 p.m. Free
Arts + Entertainment
THE MINARET | OCTOBER 31 2013
7
Have a Nostalgic Halloween With Classic Childhood Movies If you are not a fan of scary movie marathons, there are a ton of classic kids Halloween movies that will have you reminiscing about elementary school. Remember Disney’s glory days when Hocus Pocus and Under Wraps came on every Friday night in October? Thank goodness they’ve made a comeback so you can stuff your face with candy corn and take note of the characters’ awesome ‘90s clothes while the kids trick-or-treat. By ALYSSA HINGRE
Arts + Entertainment Writer
Casper Meets Wendy/Facebook
Casper
Meets Wendy (1998) combines two of the most nostalgic elements of my childhood: Casper the Friendly Ghost and Hilary Duff. In this movie, Casper teams up with Wendy the Witch in order to fight against an evil warlock. The whole gang of ghosts returns: Stinkie, Stretch and Fatso. A new trio of witches, comparable to the Sanderson sisters from Hocus Pocus, band with the ghosts to win the battle. The special effects are pretty awful, and Casper is anything but scary, but Hilary Duff as a little girl is quite possibly the most adorable thing ever.
The Addams Family/Facebook
The Addams Family (1991) brings to life
HCAppState/Photobucket
Hocus Pocus (1993) tells the story of the forever, but Max, his gang and an immortal notorious Sanderson sisters from Salem, Mass. circa 1600. When Max, his sister and his high school crush summon the witches back into present day existence, the Sanderson sisters return to torment children once again. They suck out the souls of children so they may be young
cat scurry about town on Halloween night in an attempt to banish the sisters forever. The movie is dark, but it has enough humor to lighten the mood. Hocus Pocus is entertaining, filled with catchy songs, and, not to mention, Sarah Jessica Parker is in it. What more could you want?
one of the most eccentric families in film; a family so messed up you can’t help but love them. In this movie, con artists target the Addams family and present them with their long lost Uncle Fester. This fake uncle has to try to survive the family’s strangeness and complete his con job before he is caught. The Addams Family is a particularly funny movie because of its neurotic and strange humor. The Addams family may not make any sense, and their lifestyle may seem insane, but they are intriguing nonetheless. Plus, the character Wednesday (played by Christina Ricci) has so much sass that it’s terrifying.
HalloweenTown/Facebook
Halloweentown (1998) chronicles the
creation of a world filled with witches, monsters and weird creatures like my favorite, the skeleton taxi driver. This movie follows Marnie and her siblings, Dylan and Sophie, as they discover the world of Halloweentown. They must fight evil and save their grandmother and mother. This world is very vivid and includes all types of monsters, myths and folklore. I fell in love with Halloweentown and secretly wanted to be able to use magic when I was younger. There are also three spinoff movies: Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge (2001), Halloweentown High (2004) and Return to Halloweentown (2006). Halloweentown II follows a new villain as he threatens to bring the monsters of Halloweentown to the real world. Halloweentown High follows Marnie’s attempt to blend in at a normal high school even though she’s a witch. Return to Halloweentown is where they lose me and the original Marnie, because Kimberly J. Brown is replaced by Sara Paxton.
hanafrenette/Photobucket
Under Wraps (1997) is about a group
The Nightmare Before Christmas/Facebook
The Nightmare Before Christmas
(1993) was produced and co-written by Tim Burton, and it’s definitely the highlight of the Tim Burton cult following. The story takes place in a year round Halloween world. Jack, the main character, is unsatisfied with his role as the Pumpkin King. He finds his way to a Christmas Town and gets the grand idea to pretend to be Santa, fill their
stockings with scary creatures and kidnap Santa and bring him to Halloween Town forever. The movie was made with fluid clay animation, which was quite innovative for the early ‘90s. The Nightmare Before Christmas also includes a soundtrack with memorable songs like the classic “This Is Halloween.” Since this movie is a cross between a Halloween and Christmas film, it is
of teens who accidently bring a mummy to life. The mummy is set free, but they soon find out that if the mummy isn’t returned to his grave before the end of Halloween, he will fade away to dust. Not only that, but he will never be able to reunite with his lost love. The mummy isn’t scary; if anything, he’s like a pet to the kids. Under Wraps is a low quality movie, and the script is full of clichés. But it’s funny, and it’s sure to remind you of the good ole days when Disney Channel Original Movies used to something worth watching. If Under Wraps is still too childish for you, there’s always Don’t Look Under the Bed. Alyssa Hingre can be reached at alyssa.hingre@spartans.ut.edu
8
OCTOBER 31 2013 | THE MINARET
Keep it Local Frightmares Extreme Haunted House Tampa Open until Nov. 1 $16 - $30 frightmareshauntedhouse.com Ghost Tour of Historic Haunted Tampa Tampa Open all year $15, reservation required ghosttour.net/tampa Temptation Halloween Party The Ritz, Ybor Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. $25 - $40 temptationhalloween.com Halloween Night Monster Mash The Castle, Ybor Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. $6 - $8 castleybor.com Heroes and Villains EDM Halloween Party The Kennedy, Tampa Oct. 31 @ 9 $20 - $30 thekennedysoho.com Nightmare on Howard Ave. The Lodge, Tampa Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. Price unavailable lodgetampa.com Chamber of Terror Tampa Open until Oct. 31 $5 facebook.com/chamberofterror Wicked Warehouse of Hyde Park Village Tampa, FL Open Nov. 1 - 2 $10 facebook.com/ wickedwarehouseofhydepark
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
America’s Scariest Haunted Houses By MADISON IRWIN
Arts + Entertainment Writer
Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or a complete fraidy cat when it comes to scary things, Halloween is a time for people to face their fears for just one night. There’s something about subjecting yourself to terror, even if it’s obviously fake and harmless. Haunted houses have been around for quite some time, but they keep improving because of newer technologies. The special effects, acting and makeup used in these attractions have become much more realistic and frightening. Many haunted houses even feature firstrate animatronics now. According to Reuters News, “there are 1,200 large-scale, for-profit haunted attractions in the U.S. plus another 3,000 haunted houses operated by charities that open for only a day or two every year.” “I think they’re the best way to celebrate halloween,” said Eric Duffert, a senior film major. “On Halloween, you can either get candy or dress up. Haunted houses give the holiday some variety at least.” A haunted house, which typically takes place indoors, involves visitors walking through the attraction while experiencing all sorts of terror. Personally, I’m not a fan of them, mainly because I’m a wimp when it comes to that kind of stuff. The only haunted house you’ll catch me in is The Haunted Mansion in Disney World. However, there are plenty of students on campus from all over the states who enjoy scaring the pants off themselves. If it’s thrills you’re seeking, look no further. After interviewing multiple students regarding their favorite haunted houses they’ve been to, I’ve narrowed them down to a list of the top six. I based it off how scary, expensive and realistic they are, as well as how interesting their themes are. Did your home state make it to the list? Statesville Haunted Prison Chicago, IL: Statesville Haunted Prison is not your average slammer. In this attraction, you’ll find yourself walking through 23 maximum security cells as you come face to face with all sorts of disturbing criminals. “The fact that it was actually a prison at one point makes it scary enough as it is,” said Josh Shilney, a sophomore criminology and philosophy major from Chicago. This haunted house has been featured on the Travel Channel and has received a lot of special recognition, including the Top 10 haunts of Haunts Magazine in 2013. General admission is $30 but you can also purchase group tickets for $21 each with a minimum of 15 people, which is only available on Thursday nights.
The Radley Haunted House/Facebook
Students talk about their favorite hometown scare spots, ranging from actual prisons to abandoned hospitals.
Barrett’s Haunted Mansion Abington, MA: From “Sweet Sixteen” to “Buried Alive,” Barrett’s Haunted Mansion keeps things unique by changing up its theme every year. The theme for this year is “Alice in Wonderland.” They also added a whole new attraction called The Cell, which use to be where the miniature golfing was held. “I love watching how they’ve progressed throughout the years,” said Megan Owens, a sophomore advertising and public relations major from Boston. “One year that stood out to me the most was when they had a clown theme. I hate clowns, so you can bet that it was extra terrifying for me.” Tickets are $23 per person. Waverly Hills Sanatorium Louisville, KY: Waverly Hills is a haunted house that takes place in a historical hospital that was mainly used to house patients suffering from Tuberculosis. For only $20 a person, you can walk through the many rooms and experience the paranormal. They also offer private paranormal investigations and ghost hunts during the off season for $100 per person. “It definitely gave me the chills,” said Clare Isakson, a sophomore business management major from Connecticut. “I remember there being a room you walk through that had these lights on the wall that made it look like you were going upside down.” Hell’s Playground Brodhead, WI Don’t let the word “playground” fool you. This is certainly no place for children or anyone who doesn’t mind not getting any sleep for the rest of their lives, for that matter. This place takes haunted houses to a whole other level––a much lower one, that is. This attraction allows you to
walk through the innermost depths of Hell as you encounter a variety of horrific scenes and creatures. Not only are visitors required to sign a waiver, but they have to go through a security check as well. “It was by far the scariest haunted house I’ve ever been to,” said Rachel Hanke, a freshman undecided major from Wisconsin. “They make you walk through a whole bunch of scenes like in a movie, like car accidents and gang fights. The acting was excellent. It all felt so real.” Haunted Stanley Hotel Estes Park, CO The Haunted Stanley Hotel offers an authentic thrill like no other. Based off of a true story and the inspiration of the movie, The Shining, this place is swarming with ghosts and spirits. And if you’re feeling extra brave, you have the option of spending the night there. “Seeing the parts in the movie come to life was really awesome,” said Russell Martin, a sophomore international business and marketing major from Florida. Radley Haunted House St. Petersburg, FL And let’s not forget about all of the Floridians out there. Radley Haunted House, which is located in Tampa, is a great place to go with friends if you’re bored on campus during Halloween and want to get scared. This year, the haunted house is based on the theme “Ashes of Innocence,” and plays off of the terrifying concept of an abandoned and haunted orphanage. This attraction consists of a very dark space with two slight changes of elevation in the dark. Admission is free, but a donation of $4 per person is suggested. Madison Irwin can be reached at madison. irwin@spartans.ut.edu
Carrie Remake Does Original Movie Justice By SELENE SANFELICE Arts + Entertainment Writer
This Halloween it’s time to make a change. Don’t waste your time watching a tasteless flick about the senseless group of stereotypical teens who get picked off one by one and dramatically slaughtered by a masked serial killer. Unless paranormal movies can come up with a new storyline to follow, you’re just wasting your time and money. The house isn’t possessed, you are. Yeah, we get it. Instead, if you should head to theaters this Halloween season, I recommend you catch the remake of the classic horror film Carrie. Carrie, the newest remake of the 1976 horror flick, is based on the 1976 novel by Stephen King. This new version gives the story new life while still staying true to the original film and novel. Chloë Grace Moretz (Kick-Ass) plays Carrie White, a timid high school senior who falls victim to both her insane mother and a nasty group of girls at school. As a coping mechanism, Carrie begins to develop telekinetic powers and is able to control and move things with her mind. The creators of the Carrie remake take advantage of the times in displaying the development of Carrie’s telekinesis, while the limited cinematic technology of 1976 ultimately
made the original fall short of expectations. However, the remake has a tendency take it a bit too far, with Moretz using witch-like hand gestures in an unnecessary attempt to aid the special effects. At one point there’s an action that gets played back multiple times for dramatization, but the repeated playback comes off as cheesy. Besides these small details, the advanced special effects are utilized really well in the action scenes, allowing them to be much bloodier, detailed and exciting than ever before. In regard to the storyline, the new Carrie does an excellent job of staying true to the 1976 film and even adds in additional elements from the novel. Since this remake has a modern day twist, cell phones and social media are incorporated into the plot, but are only there to aid the story and are thankfully not an overwhelming part of the film. Julianne Moore’s performance as Carrie’s crazy, overly religious mother is stunning and possibly even better than that of Piper Laurie in the 1976 original film. Portia Doubleday does a fantastic job as Carrie’s tormentor, Chris Hargenson, and makes you hate her to the core. The makeup and costume design for both characters is incredible and gives so much depth to their characters.
Carrie/Facebook
of the most recent Carrie added a nice touch to the film by reusing some of the lines from the 1976 script as a nod to the original. The film does, however, fail to incorporate the theme of teenage sexuality which contributed to the darkness of the original, making it seem a bit shallow. One thing that made the original Carrie so great was its terrifically terrifying ending. The new version does not attempt to recreate this, but, instead, sums everything up a bit too plainly. There is also a detail taken from the book that had been left out in the 1976 movie but is completely altered in this version, possibly as a means for a sequel. Carrie is worth seeing even if you haven’t seen or aren’t a fan of the 1976 version. Despite some of Carrie’s shortcomings, it’s still a classic horror tale that trumps any gimmicky killing spree or overblown paranormal activity. Selene SanFelice can be reached at selene. sanfelice@spartans.ut.edu
Carrie is an updated version of the 1976 original.
Although Alex Russell, who plays Carrie’s crush, isn’t quite as dreamy as William Katt was as the original, he plays it off with a lot more charm and character development. The writers
4 out of 5 stars
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
THE MINARET | OCTOBER 31 2013
9
Legendary Musician Lou Reed Remembered By JACKIE BRAJE
Arts + Entertainment Writer
Louis Allen “Lou” Reed died at age 71 on Oct. 27, leaving behind very little clues to the cause of his death and a big legacy. Though the cause of his death has yet to be released, it’s known that the rock icon underwent a liver transplant in May. Reed, Brooklyn-born in 1942, served as a guitarist, vocalist and principal songwriter for The Velvet Underground. He enjoyed rock & roll from a very early age, recorded a doo-wop type single as a teenager in the late ‘50s and immersed himself into the world of poetry and avant-garde jazz by the early ‘60s. After graduating from Syracuse University, Reed became a staff songwriter for Pickwick Productions. Ironically, his own band floundered in the mainstream market during their time. However, The Velvet Underground was uncompromising. Their sound was primitive, and their lyrics were sharp, resulting in scarcely any commercial success but leaving an enormous influence on punk rock music. Most critics accredit The Velvet Underground as one of the most widely influential bands of an era, shaping nearly 50 years of rock music. The developments of the indie, punk and alternative rock scenes may not have been possible without this band. The Velvet Underground served as inspiration for a new wave of music, due to how strikingly unique
Lou Reed/Facebook
Lou Reed passed away Sunday at 71 after a long and fruitful career that greatly altered the face of music.
and lyrically unconventional they were. You can hear many different components of their music emulated in bands such as Sonic Youth and The Pixies. The magic in independent music, to me, is its bravery; The Velvet Underground ineffably catalyzed this. There are two things in life I will
never be able to forget: the night I witnessed someone drunkenly steal a baby Jesus lawn decoration at a New Year’s Eve party and the very first time I listened to the song “Sunday Morning.” I was sitting at my desk doing homework when I caught myself in a daze as Reed’s voice floated over
a celestial tenor. The quality of his singing was soft, eerie and wooden yet teeming with sincerity. It was unlike anything else I had ever heard before. While the subjects of nihilism and sex could often be found floating at the shallow end of the band’s music, the beauty of their soundscapes goes much deeper than that. They introduced me to a world where marriage between pop and rock & roll is entirely legal. And they introduced me to a revolution in music that couldn’t be fully appreciated until years after it already ended. Reed’s solo career lasted several decades after the era of the Underground. He had an incredible habit of reinventing himself over and over again, and he dared to lyrically dabble into sex, depression, homosexuality, drugs... As Reed once said, “I always believed that I have something important to say and I said it.” His solo work produced many enduring hits such as “Perfect Day” and “Walk on the Wild Side.” It seemed that no matter which new direction Reed decided to take his music, he always managed to hit home in the end. “My God is rock & roll,” Reed said, and he wasn’t alone. He inspired an entire cult of fans who pushed for a revolution in music just as religiously as he did. Perhaps the most mysterious thing about great artists is that they never truly die. Reed’s influence will always resound in the indie and alternative music made yesterday, today and tomorrow. Music fans won’t ever forget the brilliant man who left us all on a Sunday morning. Jackie Braje can be reached at jacquelyn.braje@spartans.ut.edu
‘12 Years a Slave’ Tells Emotional and Dark Tale
By AMANNE CABBAGESTALK Arts + Entertainment Writer
Best picture Oscar contender 12 Years a Slave is based on the true life account of Solomon Northup (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor), an AfricanAmerican man born into freedom in Saratoga, N.Y. He was tricked and kidnapped in Washington, D.C., in 1841 and sold into slavery in Louisiana. Screenwriter John Ridley adapted the screenplay from Northup’s bestselling memoir, which was published in 1853, eight years before the start of the Civil War. 12 Years a Slave was available in limited theaters on Oct. 18, 2013 and will be released nationwide on Nov. 1. “I don’t want to survive, I want to live,” says Northup to another slave. 12 Years a Slave is a film not only about one man’s fight to stay alive, but to maintain his dignity. This adaption of American slavery was unlike any other because, like Northup, most of the slaves depicted were born into freedom. The characters were educated, talented and skillful. They could read and write. Northup played the violin and was an engineer. The filmmakers of 12 Years a Slave did not provide a sense of time throughout the film. It was very slowpaced and often seemed to drag on. This may have been intentionally done to accentuate the day-to-day struggles and long period of time that Northup had to endure in captivity. The only sense of time offered was Northup’s aging appearance. The immense impact of American slavery has always been underrepresented in film and on television. Alex Haley’s Roots,
the third most-watched miniseries of all time, has been the standard portrait of slavery in the U.S. on television or in film since it first aired in 1977, according to IMDb. Unlike other recent films that have showcased the shameful legacy of slavery and other institutionalized injustice in America like Django Unchained, 12 Years a Slave did not sugarcoat the harsh and graphic material with overtly fictional humor. This film depicts the events of the time as they occurred. Everyone, especially young adults should see this film. They can gain a greater appreciation and new perspective of their privileged lifestyles. 12 Year a Slave makes the common struggles of everyday life seem as if they are insignificant. It provides a glimpse of history that schoolbooks
could not provide. The imagery and sound make it seem as if you are in the moment with the characters. According to Susan Wloszczyna at rogerebert.com, “While Django Unchained and Lee Daniels’ The Butler were slaps in the face of inequality, this was a punch in the gut.” The excellent acting, directing (done by Steve McQueen), cinematography and soundtrack (done by awardwinning composer Hans Zimmer) help to create a more realistic effect of the lynchings, beatings and brutal attacks depicted in the film. The emotion in Chiwetel Ejiofor’s face and the pain in his voice perfectly portrayed an abducted slave being held against his will. This performance could land him his first Academy Award. There was a very somber feeling in the theater at the conclusion of
the film. The theater lights did not come up until almost all of the credits were finished. This gave the audience members an opportunity to sit and compose themselves. You could sense the sadness on patron’s faces. The sound of sniffling and people blowing their noses radiated throughout the theater. Reading reviews and watching trailers will not prepare you for the events that unfold on the screen. It will leave you with a feeling of empathy that you never knew you could experience. 12 Years a Slave is a must-see film. Amanne Cabbagestalk can be reached at amanne.cabbagestalk@ spartans.ut.edu
4.5 out of 5 stars
12 Years of a Slave/Facebook
12 Years a Slave, based on the best selling memoir, is a beautiful and emotionally devastating film, recounting a dark age in our country’s history.
10 OCTOBER 31 2013 | THE MINARET
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
The Swellers Master Pop Punk On New Album
By JORDAN WALSH
Asst. Arts + Entertainment Editor
There’s no denying our roots— there’s no way to get rid of the things, places and people that made you who you are, changed your life and created your perspective. For me, and I’m sure this is also true for a whole generation of life-weary yet optimistic young adults, pop punk music is just one of those things. Even as I grow older and my music tastes evolve with increasing unpredictability, there’s just something about loud, fast and heartfelt pop punk that, when it’s done right, always seems to put a huge smile on my face. The Light Under Closed Doors, the fourth full-length record from Michigan natives The Swellers, is nothing spectacular or genre creating. It won’t change the face of music, and a vast majority of people will never hear it or even know of its existence. Why is it, then, that The Light Under Closed Doors is one of the best records of 2013? The answer is simple: The Swellers had no intention of doing any of those things. With their first record for indie powerhouse No Sleep Records, The Swellers take everything that makes pop punk great and turns it up to 11—and goes no further. The Light Under Closed Doors is an extremely concise record. Clocking in at just 30 minutes, the album takes no detours into strange territory—and there’s no need to. Opener “Should” shows off this mentality quite well, barely stretching past the two-minute mark, which keeps its delightfully familiar hook from overstaying its welcome. “Should” is a great representative of why The Light Under Closed Doors is so great—there’s just something about
it that reminds me of the songs and the records that made me like music in the first place. It’s raw; it’s catchy; it’s incredibly heart-on-sleeve and blunt (“I can hear my heart under the floor/ beating uncontrollably for more”). And, most of all, it’s just relatable. It doesn’t matter how creative or ambitious an artist can get with their sound, how much glockenspiel they can squeeze in between verses or how intricate and ambiguous their poetry can get. If the song doesn’t relate to you or hit you to the core and make you say “I get that,” then what is the point? The Light Under Closed Doors recounts nights of painstaking heartbreak, early adulthood anxiety, personal isolation and existential self-awakening. The Swellers have no interest in sugar-coating it or hiding it behind whatever complex arrangement they can think of. No. They lay it out in late 90s and early 2000ssounding punk riffs and huge choruses. And it works for them better than it does for most of their peers. The Swellers, now 10 years into the game, know what works and what doesn’t. “Big Hearts” thrives on a back-andforth callback between lead singer Nick Diener and a chorus of gang vocals, while “Favorite Tune” dives into heart-pumping guitar solo bliss. The Swellers reach their ultimate peak with “High/Low,” a sludgy, Pinkertoninspired number which ultimately explodes into a mid-tempo, soaring chorus of personal and world-weary dread: “I’m locked in my room and I’m not feeling human… I can’t even hear what you say, from going through the highs and lows another day/ maybe in 200 years time, things will finally feel right.” Meanwhile, closer “Call It A Night” works to appeal to longtime fans of The Swellers. It wraps up not only The Light
The Swellers/Facebook
The Swellers show off everything that makes pop punk great on their fourth full length album.
Under Closed Doors but an entire 10-year career of being wrongfully swept under the rug by record labels and incessant, ambitious touring cycles. It calls back to those songs of homesickness and days past: “I’ll find my way back home when I’m out of places to go/I’m done shoveling snow/But some of this will stay, when the feeling fades away/When it all comes to light, we can call it a night.” In “Big Hearts,” Diener ferociously begs, “Give me a melody, give me a feeling/Give me something I can finally believe in.” With The Light Under
Closed Doors, The Swellers give us just that. These are 10 sing-along anthems for the nostalgic, down-on-his-luck optimist living in a harsh world. With these songs in his ears, that world might just feel a little bit easier to get through. Jordan Walsh can be reached at jordan.walsh@theminaretonline.com
4 out of 5 stars
Actor on the Rise: Jeremy Sumpter
By SAMMI BRENNAN
Arts + Entertainment Writer
His innocent blue eyes and charming smile may look familiar to some. That’s because this is the face of the child actor who stole our hearts in the 2003 remake of Peter Pan. Jeremy Sumpter has taken on a wide range of roles since his acting debut as Peter Pan. Soon, the actor will star in two chilling horror movies, 2013’s The Culling and 2014’s Animal. Although Sumpter was born in California, he lived in Kentucky until he was 11 years old. At that age, Sumpter won a Kentucky-based talent competition and subsequently signed with a personal manager. He ended up moving back to California in 2000 to pursue his acting career in Los Angeles. His first major role was in the thriller Frailty where he was hand-picked by both the director and star of the film, Bill Paxton. He showed off his surfing skills in the film Local Boys and starred alongside Danny Glover in Just a Dream. Finally, after a worldwide search, Sumpter earned the lead role in Peter Pan where he successfully captivated his audience. He starred in the television series Clubhouse and later on returned to the television scene in the acclaimed series Friday Night Lights. In The Culling, a group of college students journey on a road trip where they encounter a peculiar little girl
Jeremy Sumpter/Facebook
Sumpter sheds innocent image by starring in horror films.
and eventually find themselves amidst supernatural forces. Sumpter will star as Tyler, one of the college students. In the film Animal, a group of friends end up stranded in an isolated cabin as they attempt to thwart off a bloodthirsty predator. Sumpter will star as the character Matt. Clearly, Sumpter is not in Neverland anymore. Sammi Brennan can be reached at samantha.brennan@theminaretonline. com
THE MINARET I OCTOBER 31 2013
Opinion
11
Dentists Buy Back Kids’ Candy, Send to Soldiers Overseas By JAKE KONISZEWSKI Opinion Columnist
Growing up, dentists were the Scrooges of Halloween. There was always that one house you avoided because there was a dentist behind the door giving out toothbrushes and dental floss in an attempt to remind kids of the damage they were doing to their teeth. It was a total sugar buzz kill. Some dentists have come up with a better way to help kids eat less candy while donating to a charitable cause. According to Time Newsfeed, “some dentists are buying back kids’ stashes [of candy] for $1 per pound to reduce the number of cavities in youngsters and shipping the unopened sweets to U.S. soldiers overseas through Operation Gratitude,” which was founded by Wisconsin dentist Chris Kammer. I am not a soldier and have never fought for my country overseas, but I can only imagine how hard the men and women of our military must work and what horrors they face. While candy is not a permanent solution to lift the moods of our troops, it certainly helps. According to Halloweencandybuyback. com, “You will be putting smiles on the faces of our warriors during an otherwise difficult time away from home. They are and we will be forever grateful.” Not only are they away from their families, but I imagine it would be difficult for them to celebrate holidays like Halloween. Our troops should not have to lose their holidays just because they are protecting our country overseas. They have already sacrificed enough. They at least deserve a Snickers. Donating candy to Operation Gratitude is also a good idea if you’re stuck with a lot of candy you don’t like. It beats having to negotiate with siblings. A soldier deserves a chocolate bar more than your brother or sister does, and they are less likely to try to snag all
of your good candy, as well. The program appears to have a lot of support. According to Halloweencandybuyback. com, they “received and shipped 127.5 tons” of candy last year. With all that candy, I am surprised the troops are not just using it to build tanks. For those of you worried about the massive amounts of candy ruining the teeth of our service men and women overseas, do not worry. According to Time Newsfeed, “the troops will also receive floss, mouthwash, toothbrushes, and toothpaste.” If you are going to make a soldier smile with joy, you might as well make sure it is a healthy smile. If you want to help the troops but want to keep the candy for yourself, there are other items you can send. According to Halloweencandybuyback.com, there is a list of other items the program is looking for including: “commercially seal Lip Balm, Beanie Babies/Webkinz or other stuffed animals, hand-knit/crocheted scarves and hats, socks (dark colors are best), small packages of beef jerky, energy/protein bars, individual packets of hot cereal, DVDs/CDs, and personal letters of appreciation.” Lip balm and beef jerky might seem small and insignificant, but the fact that you took time out of your day and money out of your wallet to give a gift to a member of our armed forces means a lot. I am sure whatever you send, whether it be socks or thank you letter, will brighten the day of whomever receives your package. If you do choose to keep your candy, there are ways to make sure your next candy binge does not end with a mouth full of cavities. Brushing after eating can reduce the risk of getting a cavity. “You can’t get a cavity in a short amount of time with a handful of exposures to candy,” Kammer said in the Time Newsfeed article. Sour candies can do a lot of damage to your
teeth. Steffany Mohan, a West Des Moines dentist who is participating in a candy buyback program, said in an article on DesMoinesRegister.com, “Sour candies are also a poor choice due to the high acidity that breaks down tooth enamel.” Candies like taffy, gummies and those that are generally sticky and chewy were also noted to be bad for teeth. According to the article on DesMoinesRegister.com, if you are going to have candy, make it hard candy or lollipops. The saliva you create by sucking on the candies prevents dry mouth, which can lead to plaque buildup. Dark chocolate also has many antioxidants, which,
according to DesMoinesRegister.com, “are good for the heart and lower blood pressure.” Finally, Mohan noted that sugar-free gum, “can also help prevent cavities by dislodging food particles from between teeth.” I admit that the buyback program will not stop the onslaught of cavities, but it does some good in the world. It is the best strategy I have seen from dentists to stop kids from eating so much candy. If you go trick-or-treating this year and have candy you do not want to eat, consider donating it to the troops overseas. Jake Koniszewski can be reached at john. koniszewski@spartans.ut.edu
im just a girl with a camera/Flickr Soldiers overseas are receiving candy and toothbrushes from the dentists with Operation Graditude.
Annual Halloween Horror Nights Show Cancelled due to Offensive Jokes By CAITLIN MALONE Opinion Writer
This year’s production of “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure” at Universal Studios Hollywood proved to be more offending than entertaining, including jokes about rape, women, minority groups and homophobic stereotypes. Even though the material for the show is presented in a satirical way and meant to be light hearted and funny, the explicit content did not come across as simply a joke. On Oct. 22 the Hollywood show was canceled after receiving much criticism from multiple media outlets, according to thehuffingtonpost.com. The “Bill and Ted” show at Universal Orlando, however, was not cancelled, as the two shows are completely different. A statement released on Universal’s website said, “After thoughtful consideration, Universal Studios Hollywood has made the decision to discontinue production of the Halloween Horror Nights’ ‘Bill and Ted’ show for the remainder of its limited run.” Although their intention was not to offend anyone, Universal’s decision to cancel the show was a smart move. According to an article on Los Angeles Times, people were warned of its adult content before the show started. But as a business, Universal couldn’t spend time arguing that they didn’t do anything wrong by letting that kind of content appear in the show. Deciding to remove the show demonstrated their desire to adhere to their customers’ concerns. New York Daily News listed some
of the show’s offensive scenes, which included Superman “turning gay” after being sprinkled with “fairy dust” and the main character from Disney’s Wreck-it-Ralph who beat up actors portraying Amanda Bynes and Nicki Minaj until they were unconscious. Wreck-it-Ralph then throws Nicki Minaj over his shoulder and says, “I’m gonna wreck it,” while pointing at her backside. This material is a bit explicit for a show with a sole purpose of entertaining a diverse audience with all kinds of viewpoints. The show was called “super homophobic and racist” in an article on vice.com. “Don’t worry if you’re not gay. There’s plenty of other s**t in there for you to be offended by,” the article continued. “For instance, if you’re Asian, the Kim Jong-un character is unable to pronounce certain words with HILARIOUS results. If you’re latino, there’s a killer zinger where Bill tells Ron Burgundy that the Munchkin Land is ‘a very colorful place filled with lots of unemployed people who barely speak English.’” Some people are going to let these scenes slide, but that doesn’t mean the more sensitive people should have to just get over it. This is why Universal’s decision was such a good one. Some people think the show’s content was a bit extreme and that those who were offended were just overreacting. In response to a huffingtonpost.com article reporting the shows cancellation, Stoned in EPCOT tweeted, “Change the name of @GLAAD to “The No Fun Homos” Shutting down Bill and Ted over a gay superman joke? Really?
It’s a f*****g joke!” Rich Ferraro, the vice president of GLAAD (Gay Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) made a statement in an Los Angeles Times article against the show. “This type of content should be removed,” he said. “Many have voiced strong concerns regarding the decision to include such outdated stereotypes and this outcry should inform future programming as well.” Universal needs to draw a defining line that will not be crossed when it comes to deciding on the content for the “Bill and Ted” show. There is a way to be funny and entertaining without offending people. Universal Studios tried to cover their bases when they warned guests at the beginning of the show that it will include adult humor. If you are someone who is easily offended by such jokes, then the “Bill and Ted Show” definitely isn’t for you. Its overall goal is to entertain people and make them laugh. However, if many people are getting offended, then obviously that goal is not being met and the content needs to be altered. Audrey Eig, a spokeswoman for Universal, said in an article on advocat. com that the show “is specifically intended to be shocking and satirical in tone, focusing on adult themes. The show lampoons across all areas of our culture and it was not our intention to offend or upset anyone. We know there are a range of opinions on this issue and we will respect them as we consistently review and refine the show’s content.” Starting in 2014 and
onward, according to New York Daily News, Universal will be overlooking the content of this show’s production to avoid offending customers with their material again. Hopefully this year’s incident will not affect the show’s attendance in coming years. Rumors of the offensive show even affected Orlando attendees. Taylor Valentine, a junior film major at UT, attends Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando every year and always makes a point to attend the shows, including “Bill and Ted.” But not this year. “The times were off and they seemed to be having trouble getting a crowd,” she said. “Heard it was a bit offensive too, so maybe I didn’t waste my time.” Horror Nights guests like Valentine, thinking the two shows were the same, seem to have been turned off from the Orlando show even though the complaints of offensive content came from Hollywood. No longer will it be acceptable to speak of certain stereotypes or minority groups in a joking manner. The jokes presented in the show received the same disapproving reaction that comes with telling a joke about the Holocaust or letting the “N-word” slip. Universal made a bold move by allowing this year’s production of “Bill and Ted” to have such strong, questionable content, and, unfortunately, they had to face the consequences. Cailtlin Malone can be reached at caitlin.malone@spartans.ut.edu
12 OCTOBER 31 2013 | THE MINARET
OPINION
Wiccan Samhain Celebration: No, We Don’t Sacrifice Animals
believe in such a “horrible, evil” religion. The popular thought seems to be that we sacrifice For the average American, Halloween goats on Halloween in order to conjure Satan. is a day to dress up like an axe murderer and Traditionally, Wiccans believe in two eat as much candy as humanly possible. supreme beings: the Goddess and the God. For the average Wiccan, however, They do not acknowledge the Christian concept Halloween is the start of a brand new year. of a devil or hell. The Goddess and the God are Samhain, traditionally pronounced sah-win, the universal mother and father of nature and is the third and final celebration of the Wiccan all that lies within, the Goddess representing year in which we honor the dead, feast on food the moon and the God being of the sun. As our grown only from the earth and reflect upon the ancestors and loved ones rise from the dead year that has passed. The celebration begins at on Samhain, the God perishes in preparation sundown and lasts until the sun sets on Nov. 1. for a dark and cold winter. In Santeria, The identification of Samhain with the however, a West African and Caribbean beginning of the New Year comes from the Celtic religion, goats and chickens are beheaded for tradition of each day beginning at sundown. The sacrifice. Wicca and Santeria are not related. Celts believed that on this night, the veil between Of course, no one seems to stop to consider the realm of the living and the realm of the or research the truth. Instead, they would dead dissolved. Single candles were lit and left berate a practitioner with ignorance developed on windowsills to guide any lost spirits home. from a fictional horror television show. People dressed in animal skins or white clothes Upon posting a photo of my Samhain to resemble ghosts as way of fooling the spirits. altar on Instagram, I was asked in a comment Cattle and livestock were slaughtered for whether or not we drink blood on this consumption during the upcoming winter, particular holiday. Wiccans do not offer blood and any leftover crops were offered as gifts to sacrifices, nor do we cut ourselves or consume ancestors and deceased loved ones. The leftover it. Mulled wine is consumed on Samhain to bones after feasting were thrown into a massive symbolize the God or the blood of the God. When I attempted to explain this to the user, they commented that I was “going 2 hell” then deleted the comment and blocked me. The most popular question I receive, which I was asked privately by a blog follower just a few days ago, is whether or not “evil magic” is performed on this holiday. Do we put hexes or curses on people we don’t like? The simple answer is no. We believe in the laws of karma and live according to, “Do what ye will, but harm thy none.” We do not put negative magick out into the Universe, as it would come right back to us. This same follower asked if we dig up our loved ones and attempt to bring them back to life, stating that the film, “Practical Magic” prompted the question. I knew exactly what she was referring to, a scene in the film in which the two main characters attempt to bring their dead boyfriend back to life. They light candles, burn sage and recite spells from a book. This is pure fiction. When someone dies, his or her soul passes onto the next life. Our bodies are vessels for our spirits, and we would never––and have never, even in ancient times––attempt to bring someone back from the dead. Yes, on Samhain, it is believed that the dead come back to us. However, they do not return in the physical Photo courtesy of Lauren Milici form. Instead, they return as spirits or ghosts. Samhain is the final celebration of the Wiccan year in which we honor the dead and reflect on the past year. We do not force this. Instead, we thank them
for their arrival and celebrate their short stay. Samhain isn’t celebrated today with a fresh goat sacrifice. Balls, gatherings and festivals are held all around the world and in most states. Here in Florida, an Annual Mid Autumn Witches Ball is held in Ft. Lauderdale where there is music, costumes, a drum circle and a great feast. The Florida Pagan Gathering holds an overnight Samhain festival at Camp Ocala. Families and covens can camp out and enjoy live bands, crafts, a prayer ritual for ancestors and other festivities from sunset to sunrise. For the solitary witch, altars can be decorated orange and black with candles, fall leaves and photos of loved ones. A magick jack-o’-lantern, a pumpkin that bears the traditional Wiccan pentagram, can be carved while drinking mulled wine or apple cider. Crescent cakes can also be made, which are small cookies shaped like a crescent moon and made over prayer. There are many different variations of prayers and rituals that can be performed, but the Remembering the Dead ritual is the one that is most important to me. I sit on the floor in front of my altar and light candles around me. I meditate on my deceased relatives and say their names aloud. I recall past memories, the last days I spent with them before their passing and say things aloud that I did not get the chance to when they were still alive. I make a toast of cider in their honor and eat pomegranate seeds to welcome the coming winter. I suppose the real celebration of Samhain isn’t as exciting as the fictional sacrifice of a human or a blood offering, but the Wicca are a positive people, and Samhain is a positive celebration to bring in the new year and celebrate the past. Movies and television shows seem to love twisting our chanting and dancing into human sacrifice and evil conjuring, and I advise you to do your research before assuming the worst out of a religion or its practices. Samhain can be celebrated by anyone with any kind of spiritual beliefs. There may not be trick-or-treating or chocolate, but there are bonfires, feasts and the intensified connection between you and those you miss. This year, try to be mindful of Halloween’s other meanings. Be respectful of those who celebrate differently than you. Think before you attack or make a disrespectful statement. It doesn’t hurt to do some research or watch a legitimate documentary, not an episode of American Horror Story. You never know what you might learn or find intriguing. You just might end up ditching that costume party for a Samhain feast. Lauren Milici can be reached at lauren. milici@spartans.ut.edu
By IRENE SIDEDE
York Daily News, “inexplicably donned a hooded Klu Klux Klan costume” but wasn’t asked to go change or leave the party. This guest was actually taking pictures with people who had their skin painted black. Mahon’s claim that she doesn’t see how this is a cause of concern, especially in terms of race, really does concern me. Pasama Cole Kweli, a sophomore majoring in psychology, agrees. “I am a member of the African Student Association here at UT,” Kweli said. “No, I am not African, but I love the people and their cultures, and I would never do or say anything about any country in Africa if I haven’t done proper research or if I haven’t had first-hand experience from visiting a country in Africa.” If Olivia really wanted to embrace the African culture, she should have done more research. She could have easily implemented a set of general rules in order to prevent people from showing up in offensive, stereotypical and racist costumes. There is nothing wrong with trying to celebrate another culture, but if you are going to do it, be careful, and don’t go solely based off assumptions and stereotypes. Irene Sidede can be reached at irene. sidede@spartans.ut.edu
By LAUREN MILICI Opinion Writer
pit of fire, known then as a “bone fire” and known today as a “bonfire.” The ashes were spread over the fields to protect and bless the land. The only problem with this beautiful celebration is the amount of disrespect and ignorance it receives. The other day, YouTube makeup guru Julia Graf posted a photo of a Wiccan pentacle constructed with flowers and twigs that she came across while hiking in the woods. The flowers are arranged by color to represent the five elements and is something done during Samhain. Her caption, however, was “Some serious Blair Witch Project going on in this forest!” with skull and shocked face Emojis. People are quick to go back to what they’ve seen in recent TV shows and movies to make a judgment on a holiday that predates the Common Era. In a recent episode of American Horror Story: Coven, a goat is slaughtered during a Santeria ritual. This furthers the ageold common misconception that cattle and livestock are still slaughtered in either coven, an organization of witches who worship together, ritual or solitary practice, in addition to Samhain. After the airing of the episode, my cell phone and Facebook were flooded by friends and viewers of the show asking me why I would
Australian ‘African-Themed’ 21st Birthday Racist, Belittles African Culture Opinion Writer
Australian woman Olivia Mahon took celebrating her 21st birthday beyond just drinking alcohol. Her party has become popular to the media but, unfortunately, not for the right reasons. Mohan’s “African themed” 21st birthday bash led to a large amount of controversy and negative attention because a Tumblr user named Black in Asia reposted Mohan’s Facebook pictures in an album named “This is Africa-My 21st.” The album featured Mohan dressed as Cleopatra, and caucasian people had their faces and bodies painted black and brown and were dressed in traditional west African attire such as a traditional head wraps and matching printed gowns. Others at the party showed up in dreadlock wigs, but a majority were dressed in cartoonish jungle costumes like cave men dressed in animal skins with tribal-style paint on their faces. The most interesting and offensive of these guests showed up as actual animals, and one individual was dressed up as a member of the KKK. I am from Kenya, and I find this offensive to Africans and black people. Africa shouldn’t be considered a theme because it is not a country but a continent,
and you can’t represent a whole continent in such a limited manner. Mohan had a private celebration in her house, and she had the right to have any theme she wanted, but she should have been more mindful. According to New York Daily News, “Olivia, posted several insensitive pictures from the party to Facebook in September, but they went viral after Tumblr user Black in Asia spotted them and reposted them.” Mahon claims that the intent of having an “African-themed party” was so she could promote the culture of Africa. According to huffingtonpost.com, shortly after the pictures went viral she posted an explanation on her Tumblr where she referred to Africa as a country and justified the theme of her party. “In fact as you can tell from the photos I dressed up as Cleopatra, whilst a MAJORITY of my guests came as animals, that can be found in Africa or wore traditional African clothes or even dressed up as famous people who come from Africa. If anything this was to celebrate the amazing country and people,” Mahon said. “In no way was this party intended to hurt anyone’s feelings or upset anyone at all.” Maybe Mahon was trying to embrace the African culture, but she could
have taken a better approach in her attempt by doing more research on how Africans dress. They don’t actually dress like cavemen. The way she went about organizing her party displays a clear lack of preparation, and being an African myself, this only shows the perception Mahon and her friends have regarding my homeland. I must say the costumes and the paint in particular are beyond offensive, but it is also belittling. Seeing people dressed as monkeys and going to the extent of painting their faces black diminishes not only African cultures but African ethnicity and race. In fact, it comes across as extreme mockery. The album of the photos is titled “This is Africa,” but what is exhibited in the photos is not how Africa actually is… it’s far from it. Mahon posted on her Tumblr “It was my ‘African-themed’ party, and I honestly made that theme because I have always wanted to go to Africa (to teach English) but haven’t made it there yet.” The fact that Mahon has never stepped foot in Africa makes the situation worse. Everything that occurred at her party was based on perception and stereotypes of Africa. What’s really surprising is while in the midst of an “African-themed party” there was one guest who, according to the New
THE MINARET | OCTOBER 31 2013
OPINION
13
Naked for Charity: Airline and Rowing Team Release Semi-nude Calendars By TERRY PRESTON
Warwick Rowing/Facebook.com You can buy a sexy calendar from the Warwick team with a clear conscience, since the proceeds go to charity.
hand-picked stewardesses wearing at least half of their bathing suits. However, the use of sex appeal in nonprofits is in no way a recent phenomenon. In fact, the use of charitable butts is not a new phenomenon at all. PETA recently released its campaign “Bare skin, not Bear skin,” featuring adult film stars posing nude. Sexual attraction is the most primal of human characteristics and is almost as important as the need for food and shelter. According to Brigham Young University, 25 percent of daily search engine requests are porn based, and yearly porn revenue is greater than those of the NFL, NBA and MLB franchises combined. Many may argue that it is in poor taste to represent a charitable organization through the use of nudity. However, in layman’s terms, they’re wrong. From a marketing perspective, the use of the roughly pornographic calendar is genius. Cancer is not a sexy disease, so is it inappropriate to take part in a campaign that is centered entirely upon sex appeal? It is true that the horrific realities of the disease are not expressed through this donation campaign. However, this is the most effective method for raising money. For example, it is rare that one can sit through an ASPCA commercial featuring abused animals without squinting or scrambling to find the remote. The terrible truth simply does not sell. The sexualization of charities is a wise decision because it allows the cause to be the subject of headlines. A charity releases a calendar, and there is no media coverage. A charity releases a calendar full of attractive naked people, and it makes the headlines. Individuals are going to purchase and view pornographic material whether it is for charity or not—so why not let charities capitalize on the opportunity to tap into one of the wealthiest industries in the world? People would benefit by not only using the material to “help themselves,” but to help others as well. Through Warwick’s coalition
with EACH and Ryanair’s cooperation with the Teen Cancer Trust, many procrasturbation sessions can be transmitted into crucial funds for each organization and their causes. Warwick’s calendar is backed by countless positive reviews. Some University of Tampa students are supportive of the cause and the 12 months of athletic butts. “I think it’s awesome,” said Abby Paterson, a junior and psychology major. “Issues such as homophobia need more attention, and a calendar like this appeals much more to a younger generation. Sex is everywhere. Nudity is the norm. It will help the fight for equality through a method many of us identify with.” The most effective way to generate donations is to provide donors with a tangible object. However, the ASPCA Tshirt with happy puppies and tote bags that say “PETA” are overdone. Some people don’t want that. They want butts. They want butts every day of every month, and they want to proudly display these butts on their walls—because these cheeks are for charity, and charity is awesome. By supporting the calendar, one is supporting the charity. It is a symbiotic relationship. The money from donors provides the nonprofit with its necessary funding, and the calendars provide donors with a method of organization, wall décor, a good conscience or… whatever else they may be used for. Everyone should feel encouraged to shamelessly purchase a calendar, whether it is from Warwick or Ryanair—or both. Owners of these calendars are not perverts, they’re philanthropists. Sex sells, and if it’s for a good cause, then it’s even more powerful. Proudly display your calendar, because these cheeks are for charity. Terry Preston can be reached at terrence.preston@spartans.ut.edu
but instead spreading awareness about violent content. Facebook concluded that the Mexico beheading video did not meet those requirements, since it was eventually removed by the site after continued criticism. Possibly the biggest source of people’s outrage on the allowance of decapitation videos is the psychological damage it could have on the site’s users, according to BBC. Facebook is a free social networking site that allows users as young as 13 years old to register for an account. “It only takes seconds of exposure to such graphic material to leave a permanent trace - particularly in a young person’s mind,” said Dr Arthur Cassidy, a former psychologist who runs a branch of the Yellow Ribbon Program in Northern Ireland, according to BBC. John Carr, who sits on the executive board of the U.K. government’s Council on Child Internet Safety, said “Facebook has taken leave of its senses. Those videos will fuel countless nightmares among the young and the sensitive,” according to BBC. Members on Facebook have flooded these videos with outraged comments, including one comment reported by BBC that said, “This is absolutely horrible, distasteful and needs to be removed... there are too many young minds that can see this. I’m 23 and I’m very disturbed after seeing a couple of seconds of it.” With no title signifying the content of the video and no warning attached, I would probably click play on the video out of curiosity only to possibly be scarred for life after seeing a murder happen before my eyes. If there was a
title such as “Explicit content: beheading incident in Mexico,” it would convey to the user of its contents, explain that it’s spreading awareness and address that this is a real problem. This would give people the option to watch the video or not. With the removal of the ban comes some new promises from Facebook regarding the videos. According to CNN Money, spokesman Matt Steinfeld said Facebook would “take a more holistic look at the context surrounding a violent image or video, and will remove content that celebrates violence,” but will allow the posting of videos “of public interest or concern.” Another limitation noted in Facebook’s user conditions, according to CNN Money, is against items that “glorify violence or attack an individual group,” and they also want the videos to come with a warning, something which many of the past disturbing videos lacked. This could spare many people from seeing potentially disturbing and homicidal videos and at least give them the chance to choose if they want to see someone being decapitated. Facebook is claiming this allowance of videos is in support of free speech laws for posters and viewers, according to huffingtonpost.com. I applaud the attempt of Facebook to want to spread awareness on global issues and support people’s freedom of speech, but isn’t murder kind of commonly known as morally wrong? And even if an individual does not know that decapitating someone is ethically wrong, is Facebook really the platform for this type of message? Facebook is a social networking site, a site for people to be social and communicate and network with others.
The ethics of murder is a deep topic to handle on a site where not everyone is signing up for that information. I would fully support a specific section of Facebook or a spin off website entirely dedicated to serious ethical issues. I don’t support these videos popping up on a news feed. BBC notes that decapitation videos are available for public viewing elsewhere on the Internet, and I think that is where they should stay. It is great that Facebook wants to use its power as the largest social networking site in the world (with over 1.15 billion members, according to Reuters) to educate the masses, but it should be limited to certain groups or pages on the website that people can willingly go to find this information, not on the main news feed of young kids. “Activists -- particularly those operating in countries without a free press -- have come to rely on social media, including Twitter, YouTube and Facebook, as indispensable ways to document and spread awareness about human rights abuses and atrocities,” writes huffingtonpost.com. This is true, and this is part of the beauty of Facebook. That is why it is amazing that this social networking site exists. But I still don’t think it is right to give 13-year-olds the opportunity to see someone being beheaded, at least not without their parent’s permission. The intentions of Facebook may be in the right place, but its execution of it needs to change and fast before more people are accidentally mentally or emotionally scarred. Avery Twible can be reached at avery.twible@spartans.ut.edu
Opinion Writer
The University of Tampa, much like many other colleges across the country, is home to countless dorm rooms plastered with posters of naked girls and shirtless men. The choice terms commonly used to describe these individuals would rarely contain the word “philanthropist”—until recent years. Many charitable donors will start the year 2014 with a bang—and butts. Both the Warwick University Men’s Rowing Club and the British airline Ryanair’s Stewardesses have dared to strip down and bare all in the name of charity. The University of Warwick’s Rowing Club has done a nude calendar each year for the past five years. The best part about the calendar is that the porn comes with a clear conscience. According to huffingtonpost.com, a portion of the calendar’s proceeds are donated to
EACH, the Educational Action Challenging Homophobia, which is dedicated to supporting individuals being bullied because of their sexual orientation. The first set of calendars were sold only on Warwick’s campus, according to eonline.com, but by their fourth set, they had sold out in only a matter of days as a result of incredible demand in over 40 countries. For those uninterested in what Warwick has to offer, the most glorious sets of cheeks in the world, the British airline Ryanair, has released a charitable calendar of its own. In this 2014 calendar, the hostesses of Ryanair have banded together to pose for a special swimsuit edition. According to huffingtonpost. com, the proceeds from the Ryanair calendar will be donated to the Teen Cancer Trust. Much like EACH, the Teen Cancer Trust has taken to benefitting from, at worst, softcore pornography. Ryanair’s calendar features
Facebook Lifts Ban on Beheading Videos, Danger of Emotional Scarring By AVERY TWIBLE Opinion Columnist
If you’ve never seen someone being beheaded before, now you can just log on to your favorite social networking site Facebook and watch a video of it happening. The site has recently decided to remove the temporary ban against beheading videos from their site that was put in place last spring, according to BBC, despite widespread public disapproval often concerning the effect it may have on the mental health of Facebook users. The video of a woman being decapitated in Mexico that circulated last spring was part of the reason public criticism grew so significantly, and it led Facebook to place the ban on such gory videos, reports CNN online. Facebook’s Safety Advisory Board, which is comprised of groups such as Family Online Safety Institute and Childnet International, complained that the website “crossed a line” last May which led to ban, according to BBC. Since the ban was lifted, this video came back to the site for public viewing for a short time until Facebook finally decided to remove it on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Reuters writes, “Facebook said on Monday that gory videos, such as a video of a masked man beheading a woman in Mexico, are permitted on its site so long as the content is posted in a manner intended for its users to ‘condemn’ the acts rather than celebrate them… But Facebook said on Tuesday that it had decided to ‘strengthen’ its enforcement of the policy.” Basically any gory video can be posted as long as it is not glorifying the video’s content
14 OCTOBER 31 2013 | THE MINARET
OPINION
Iraqi Veteran’s SpongeBob Tombstone Denied by Cemetery By SAMANTHA BLOOM Opinion Columnist
Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati is calling for the removal of the headstone of slain Iraqi war veteran Sergeant Kimberly Walker. The monument in question is a 7-foot, $13,000 SpongeBob statue that is dressed in an Army uniform displaying Walker’s name and rank. Spring Grove management does not believe that it is appropriate for their historic grounds, according to usnews.com. Walker was an avid collector of SpongeBob SquarePants paraphernalia since childhood, her sister Kara Walker told WCPO Cincinnati, and the Walker family wanted to memorialize Kimberly with something she would have loved. The gravestone was recently finished and placed on location Oct. 10, but it was removed the next day, according to wcpo.com. Spring Grove Cemetery president and CEO Gary Freytag said in a statement that the design was chosen “with the guidance of a Spring Grove employee who unfortunately made an error in judgment. The monument does not fit within Spring Grove Cemetery guidelines, was not approved by senior management and cannot remain here.” He also claims that the cemetery is “working with the Walker family and are committed to design a solution, at our expense, that will properly memorialize Kimberly within the context of Spring Grove’s historic landscape and guidelines.” The Walker family is distraught by this decision, partially because the cemetery had a hand in designing the monument in the first place. Kara told reporters at 9 On Your Side that it was a Spring Grove official’s decision to make the monument
seven feet tall, not the family’s. “I gave them a drawing and said, ‘Can you accommodate this drawing?’ They said yes. They came back and said this is how tall it’s going to be. This is how wide it’s going to be. This is the price,” Kara said. Deborah Walker, mother to Kara and Kimberly, told reporters “You can’t keep blaming it on an employee. That employee represented that whole cemetery and when they do wrong, you’ve got to make it right. Put SpongeBob back up.” Kimberly, who is 28 years old and a two-time war veteran, was found beaten and strangled to death in a Colorado hotel room on Valentine’s Day of this year, reports theprovince. com. Deborah Walker wants to uphold the wishes of her deceased daughter and feels that the cemetery is not respecting that. Kara Walker feels that the cemetery is not respecting Kimberly’s service in the military. “My sister served our country and most people try to accommodate veterans and try to take care of them. For them not to accommodate and respect what my sister sacrificed, not only for my family, but for everyone else in this country, really bothers me,” Kara said, according to washingtonpost.com. The unexpected loss of a loved one is difficult, and the mourning process is often long and painful. I believe that Kimberly’s wishes, military service, and memory should be respected, and I can only imagine how frustrating and heartbreaking this ordeal must be for the family. However, I also believe that Spring Grove Cemetery is doing all they can to correct the situation. Kara herself told reporters that “One of their proposals was to actually keep them in the cemetery. It’s just that they wanted to do different things
robknows100/YouTube The cemetery in which Sergeant Walker is buried is calling for the Spongebob headstone to be removed.
with them,” according to wcpo.com. Spring Grove is not trying to remove the headstone entirely, just modify the design or even adjust the way they are positioned on the lot. Because there are restrictions and guidelines on headstones for the historic cemetery that should have been known to the family before they bought plots on their grounds, I don’t think it’s unreasonable for the management to ask for the large and nontraditional headstone to be altered-other families with members buried there who were asked to follow the guidelines also have to be respected, and most families with loved ones buried at Spring Grove chose the cemetery for its historic look and feel. Freytag’s solutions include “creating new, more traditional headstones bearing a smaller SpongeBob likeness,
or laying the original headstones flat on the ground after redesigning the lot,” all at the expense of the cemetery, reports washingtonpost.com. The employee’s decision to allow this monument to be constructed in the first place is unfortunate and shouldn’t have happened, but it did. The cemetery has the right to assert that it has the final say on what kind of monuments may stand on their property. Spring Grove is being more than reasonable with making changes to the headstones, even though their existence in the first place is the cemetery’s fault. Freytag is “willing to do whatever the family thinks is best, other than installing the monuments back as they were,” says washingtonpost.com. Samantha Bloom can be reach at samantha.bloom@spartans.ut.edu
MINACOMICS Halloween Tension...
Thaaat’s racist.
Comic by Lauren Richey Edited by Wendy French
THE MINARET | OCTOBER 31
OPINION
Master It
Graduate Open House, Nov. 22, 6 p.m. Vaughn Center, ninth floor Join us for a special Graduate Open House event to learn more about UT’s graduate degrees! Talk with faculty, admissions counselors, students and alumni about the following programs: Business • MBA (seven concentrations) • M.S. in Accounting • M.S. in Finance • M.S. in Marketing • Certificate in Nonprofit Management • Certificate in Accounting • Certificate in Business Administration Exercise Science and Nursing • New! M.S. in Exercise and Nutrition Science • M.S. in Nursing Education • M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology • M.A. in Teaching • Master of Education Creative Writing • MFA in Creative Writing
RSVP at www.ut.edu/gradvisit.
15
16 THE MINARET | OCTOBER 31 2013
Sports
UT Alum Sean Bierman Excelling in Minors By JAMES BELLUSCIO Sports Writer
The budding professional career of former UT pitcher Sean Bierman has taken a turn. He has been traded for the first time from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Chicago White Sox. Bierman was drafted by the Rays in the 10th round of the 2012 MLB amateur draft. In his draft year he skipped rookie ball to split time between Hudson Valley (Short Season A ball) and Bowling Green (Class A). In 13 games he posted a 3.65 ERA with 45 K in 61.2 IP. This season between A and A+, his ERA (2.55) and his strikeouts both improved. He continued to show control and walked just about one batter per nine innings. In 2011, Bierman had Tommy John Surgery to repair his elbow. He did not let the surgery kill his dream of being a professional pitcher and thanks UT for getting him through that difficult time. “Sam Militello, UT’s pitching coach, helped me better my mechanics and return from my surgery,” Bierman said. “I still use everything he taught Photo courtesy of UT Athletics me today. I can’t thank him enough.” Former University of Tampa pitcher Sean Bierman is now a member of the White Sox. Militello has been the UT baseball team’s pitching coach for over 20 years now. He works closely with his Having Tommy John Surgery is not are coming back and throwing harder. pitchers to bring out the best in them. nearly as bad for pitchers as it was Bierman does not think his velocity has Bierman’s success after a surgery that just a decade ago. Before, if pitchers gone up at all since the surgery, but, for could’ve ended his baseball career is a had the surgery, their careers would the first time, he does not feel pain in great example of his skills. be on the line. Now, some pitchers his elbow when throwing.
Bierman is not a high-end prospect at 25 years old, but the control and ground ball rates make him a guy to keep an eye on. Everywhere he has pitched he has shown success and is able to get batter out. “I have started 99 percent of the time I’ve pitched after college,” Bierman said. He wants to continue to start, but he may be moved to the bullpen in the upper levels of the White Sox farm system. The lefty should begin 2014 at High A Winston-Salem or AA Birmingham, depending on how the Sox see his readiness. Bierman is sad to leave the Rays organization because it eliminates any chance of him playing in the same city as he did while at UT. However, he is excited for his new beginning with another class organization. “I have nothing but good things to say about both organizations,” Bierman said. “They both have been so good to me.” Bierman said his life has just turned upside down, but is excited about playing baseball in another city. He already has the mindset of a professional. “Day by day, if good things happen that’s great, every day I work hard to better my future, that’s all that matters.” Look for Bierman to make an impact in the ensuing years. James Belluscio can be reached at james.belluscio@spartans.ut.edu
Can Sports Teams Truly be Cursed? These spooky stories may just change your mind
By GRIFFIN GUINTA Asst. Sports Editor
Chicago Cubs
Boston Red
EA Sports
Detroit Lions
Curse of the Billy Goat
Curse of the Bambino
The Madden Curse
Curse of Bobby Layne
Once upon a time, local Chicago business owner William Sianis (pictured) took a trip to the 1945 World Series to watch his beloved Cubs. Much to the dismay of the other fans, Sianis had his smelly pet billy goat with him. After rounds of complaints by the crowd, Cubs owner Philip Wrigley took it upon himself to boot Sianis and his stinky companion from the stadium. Upon being kicked out, Sianis declared that the Cubs would never win a World Series again. To this day, the Cubs have not won a World Series (their last being in 1908). They’ve also been in the cellar of the NL Central Division for the past few years and have endured heartbreaking losses during the playoffs (a la the infamous Steve Bartman gaffe). Perhaps Sianis was right?
In 1925, Red Sox owner Harry Frazee made a move that would doom the Sox for years to come. After contract disputes and several other unknown reasons, Frazee shipped slugger Babe Ruth off to the rival Yankees. Ruth went on to have a monster career, winning four World Series with the Pinstripes. Boston, on the other hand, did not win a World Series for 83 more years (2004) and experienced tremendous heartbreak along the way. A sore subject for Boston fans is the 1986 World Series in which the Red Sox were an out away from defeating the Mets in Game 6 and let them crawl back into the game. The Mets would go on to win Game 7 by a score of 8-5. It seems the Ruth curse is wearing off, as the Sox are in the World Series yet again.
After 1999, EA Sports decided to start featuring prominent star players on the cover of their popular NFL game “Madden Football.” In the following years, it seemed that every player being featured on the cover of Madden was somehow getting injured or suffering some other kind of ill fate. For example, Barry Sanders was featured on the 2000 cover of Madden and myseteriously retired a few weeks later. In 2002, cover athlete Daunte Culpepper threw 23 interceptions and his Vikings slumped to 5-11 that season. More recently, “Madden ‘11”athlete Drew Brees wound up injuring his MCL and lost in the first round of the 2011 divisional playoffs to the lowly 7-9 Seattle Seahawks. The facts speak for themselves. Being on the “Madden” cover is a curse.
Bobby Layne was a dominant quarterback for the Detroit Lions. He lead them to three NFL championships in the 1950’s and was considered one of the best quarterbacks for his time. However, the Lions decided in 1958 that they would trade their megastar to the Pittsburgh Steelers for financial reasons. Angered by the trade, Lane proclaimed that the Lions would not win for the next 50 years. Interestingly enough, the Lions have posted the worst winning percentage in that time span and have no championships since the era of the great Bobby Lane. In 2008, the Lions were historically bad, going 0-16. Fear not, Lions fans, for there is hope. The Lions currently possess the greatest reciever in the NFL (Calvin Johnson) and are 5-3 on the season. No more paper bags.
17
OCTOBER 31 2013 | THE MINARET
Men’s Golf Team Sees Improvement in a Rebuilding Year
By JOSIAH KACHELMEYER Sports Writer
Through their first two tournaments of the fall, it has been two disappointing last place finishes for the University of Tampa’s men’s golf team. After kicking off their season with a 17th place finish at the Flagler Invitational in St. Augustine in September, the Spartans didn’t fare much better this past week at the North Alabama Invitational, coming in 14th. Despite the rough start, there have been some bright spots for the young and rebuilding group of golfers, and sophomore Jason Steele is one of them. The Georgetown, Mass. product got off to the season with a hot start at the Flagler Invitational and followed it up with another solid effort in Alabama. Steele had a total score of 229 in the first tournament, including an impressive opening round of 73, while in the second tournament of the year, he lead all Spartans with a total score of 235 and a 47th overall finish. Steele knows he and his teammates are capable of much more, but he does have hope for the remainder of the season. “Obviously we aren’t very happy with the results but each of us has shot some decent rounds in the first two tournaments so we know we have the potential for some better finishes,” Steele said. Another reason for hope thus far has been another sophomore from
Massachusetts, Myles Wharram. Despite getting off to a shaky start to the season at Flagler, Wharram rebounded nicely with a score of 237 at the North Alabama Invitational including a strong third round of 76. Wharram is taking the slow start of the team as a positive. “Our poor start inspires us to be better every day,” he said. Wharram also stressed the importance of not getting too flustered early on and not automatically changing everything about his game. “Personally, I am just staying in the process that’s brought me past success which mainly includes working on swing fundamentals and always staying hungry to get better,” Wharram said. Being a rebuilding year for men’s golf, it was expected there might be some early season struggles. Sophomores-turned-veterans such as Steele and Wharram, in addition to working on their own games, have had their eye the incoming freshmen on the team. Chris Ryskamp, a freshman from Dallas, Texas, has already caught the eye of Wharram. “Chris, without a doubt, has one of the best attitudes and personalities on and off the golf course, which helps establish a sense of team camaraderie,” Wharram said. “Many of our new players show plenty of talent and potential that will be showcased over their careers,
and that is reason for excitement.” Steele is also encouraged by the newcomers all the time and thinks they are a reason to be encouraged. “There’s a bunch of solid newcomers,” Wharram said. “Johnny Singleton is a great player, and he’s playing in this next golf tournament with all of us.” Singleton came to UT as a junior transfer from Tyler Junior College in Texas. Through
his first two years at Tyler, Singleton had a 77.87 career scoring average. The team will have two more chances to show some improvement and growth this semester. Following the Rollins Invitational on Oct. 28 and 29, the Spartans will close out the fall season at the Warner Invitational in Sebring on Nov. 3 and 4. Josiah Kachelmeyer can be reached at josiah.kachelmeyer@spartans.ut.edu
Photo courtesy of UT Athletics
Jason Steele feels that the team has a lot of potential and has high hopes for the future.
Major League Baseball Seeking to Outlaw Home Plate Collisions
By CONNOR ANTHONY Sports Writer
Over the last decade injuries and concussions have been prevalent in professional sports. With multiple studies being sponsored by the NFL, the issue of head related injuries has received not only a lot of attention but has also helped implement rules to reduce these injuries. Both the NFL and the NHL have started applying harsher penalties and fines to players who have made a hit or collision deemed excessive. With the two most popular physical sports in America working towards making their sports safer, will other sports follow suit? Major League Baseball is a physical sport but not in the same sense as Hockey, Football or Basketball. Baseball is more intellectual; it’s a game of strategy. Though it is less physically demanding than a hockey or football game, the MLB still has its fair share of fights and collisions. The MLB understands the importance of protecting its players heads, especially when a ball traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour could seriously injure or possibly kill someone. In 2007, minor league first base coach Mike Coolbaugh was killed when he was hit in the head by a foul line drive. Shortly after this happened, the MLB ruled that all base coaches would be required to wear helmets at all time while on the field. Seeing how the MLB takes safety so seriously, it’s a mystery
is coming soon, no one knows when. NCAA Baseball has banned home plate collisions, and breaking this rule can result in immediate ejection and possible suspension. Combined with the NCAA passing this ban and the safety protocol being introduced in both the NHL and NFL, it is safe to say the MLB will get hit next. This is the right call to make. Though the athletes are grown men who are capable of making their own decisions, it doesn’t mean they will always make the decision they want to. Too many times the pressure of winning prompts an otherwise nonviolent player to barrel into the catcher full speed. Home plate collision needs to and Keith Allison/Flickr will be banned, disappointing many Many find home plate collisions to be unnessecary and are hoping to ban them for good. fans. Yes, it is an exciting play, but the notion that it could end a player’s why home plate collisions haven’t been speed into Detroit Tigers catcher Alex career or physically handicap a player banned yet. Avila in the hopes of being able to for life makes it too hazardous to keep. “At this point, I don’t know who knock the ball loose and cross home The health of a catcher who takes a would argue to keep [the rule], or what plate safely. The good news for Avila couple hits at home might not show their argument would be,” said one team was that he held onto the ball, thus immediately. official to ESPN.com’s Buster Olney. getting Ross out. The bad news for Avila It is the same way in the NFL. There is, perhaps, no play as exciting was the collision resulted in a strained The issue of concussions is that most in baseball as a play at the plate. With patellar tendon in his left knee, and he symptoms don’t start showing and testosterone fueled determination, later had to leave the game. affecting the players until their playing anything can happen. Home plate The results were even worse for days are over. With the notion that the collisions aren’t uncommon, and, Giants catcher and 2012 MVP Buster MLB is really dedicated to player safety, majority of the time, both players get Posey. In 2011, Posey was involved in the next issue they are faced with is up and continue playing. a home plate collision. He fractured his weighted hats to help protect pitchers. Most of the time, however, doesn’t fibula and tore ligaments in his ankle, “Progress is coming, it’s time for mean every time. The most recent event which required season ending surgery the opposition to get out of the way,” was in Game 5 of the 2013 American in only the second month of the season. SB Nation’s Jason Lukehart said. League Championship Series. Boston While most catchers and team officials Connor Anthony can be reached at Red Sox catcher David Ross ran full from multiple teams believe that a ban connor.anthony@spartans.ut.edu
18 OCTOBER 31 2013 | THE MINARET
SPORTS
Pro Sports
An Elite Class UEFA champions league living up to its name
Globovision/Flickr
Cesc Fabregas (LEFT), Lionel Messi (RIGHT) and the rest of FC Barcelona currently sit at the top of Group H. With prolific scorers and stellar defense, they could win it all in Lisbon. By MARCUS MITCHELL Sports Writer
With World Cup qualifying coming to a finish, all eyes have turned to the UEFA Champions League. The Champions League is a tournament that takes the best clubs of Europe and pits them against one another until only one remains. Last year, Bayern Munich won the silverware over Borussia Dortmund in the final, but every club has a chance to lift the trophy this year. Only 32 squads are left as we enter the second half of the group stage, and I am here to separate the contenders from the pretenders in each group. A United Front: In Group A, points are spread out between Manchester United (7) and Bayer Leverkusen (6). Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk follow behind with 4, and Real Sociedad have none. United lead the group thanks to an impressive play by Wayne Rooney and Shinji Kagawa, but new manager David Moyes is having a rough time filling Sir Alex Ferguson’s shoes. If Manchester United keeps their act together, then they should hold down the top spot and leave Donetsk and Leverkusen fighting for the second spot to advance. This race could be settled in the crucial matchup between the two on Nov. 5 in Ukraine. Donetsk are led by Brazilians Fred and Alex Teixera and have a better squad than Leverkusen, so don’t be shocked to see them squeeze into the next round. The Real Deal: Real Madrid dominate Group B with 9 points after three straight wins, and Cristiano Ronaldo has finally proven he can perform on the big stage by leading the tourney in scoring with 7 goals. Madrid are one more win away from securing a spot in the next round. Fighting for the second spot in the group is Juventus, the Italian giants, and Galatasaray, the champions of Turkey. Juventus may be the better team on paper, but they are anything
but on the pitch because they only have 2 points from two draws and a loss. Juventus spent big on striker Carlos Tevez during the offseason, but he has yet to score, and they have had to rely on Andrea Pirlo and strong defense to save them. On the other hand, Galatasaray lack a strong defense. But they spent plenty on an offense of Felipe Melo, Wesley Sneijder and Didier Drogba and have tallied 4 points so far. The two clubs meet on the final matchday on Dec. 10 in Istanbul, and Juventus should be able to get their act together by then in order to advance. Zlat’s The Way: Zlatan Imbrahimovich led Paris Saint-Germain to the top of Group C with three wins for 9 points. Imbrahimovich was a monster in his last match and exceeded his hat trick with four goals. PSG are one win away from clinching, and they should easily defeat bottom of the table Anderlecht. The second place race is between Olympiacos of Greece and Benfica of Portugal. Both have 4 points after they played to a draw in Lisbon, and the race will come to a turning point when they face each other on Nov. 5 in Greece. Benfica are the biggest disappointments in the tournament, so look for Olympiacos to come out on top thanks to captain Avraam Papadopolous’s heroic efforts, which rival the Greek gods themselves. Munich, Manchester, and Moscow: Bayern Munich have 9 points and lead Group D over Man City (6), CSKA Moscow (3) and Viktoria Plzen (0). Munich have yet to lose, and the team has proven they can still win without Miroslav Klose or Mario Gomez. David Alaba and Franck Ribery, who won the Best Player in Europe Award, are leading Bayern Munich to a return trip to the finals. Manchester City look to overtake Bayern for the top spot but must win-out to do so. City will begin this quest at home against CSKA Moscow on Nov. 5. Moscow must win this match to stay alive, and Keisuke Honda need
Taylor Noel PICK ‘EM
vs.
Flagler Invitational
Average score: 76.3 Individual Result: 19 out of 81
Writers Predict Weekly Matchups Week 9
Phil Greg Marcus Jordan Josiah Nathan Jack Connor
Griff
help on the pitch. This is a match that Man City should win after beating CSKA on the road in Russia. Despite a poor pitch and claims by Yaya Toure of racist chants by the crowd to throw City off their game, they still pulled out the victory. Chasing Chelsea: Chelsea have the best squad in Group E, but they are tied with Schalke 04 with 6 points. Behind them with 4 points are the Switzerland champions, Basel. Chelsea and Schalke may be equal on the table, but Fernando Torres and Chelsea have scored twice as many goals and defeated Schalke on the road in Germany, 3-0. Another win on Nov. 5 over Schalke should put Chelsea in a comfortable spot, but Schalke won’t make it easy with Julian Draxler coming into form. Schalke 04 have a tough schedule, and Basel is a well-rounded squad, which could upset Schalke and overtake their runner-up position. Surviving the Group of Death: Group F is the toughest group this year with Borussia Dortmund, Napoli, and Arsenal all having 6 points and Marseille at the bottom with no points. Arsenal look to be the best of the trio as Mesut Ozil have blended well with poacher Olivier Giroud. Arsenal would be leading the group had it not been for a late goal by Robert Lewandowski for Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund is on level pegging with Arsenal thanks to that goal, but the gap in the Dortmund midfield left by the departure of Mario Gotze is overwhelming. Napoli took advantage of that absence in their 2-1 win over Dortmund. Napoli may be the underdogs of the group, but Lorenzo Insigne and Gonzalo Higuain lead a strong attack that will test Dortmund on Nov. 26.. Napoli should not be taken lightly, and I fully expect them to make it out alive with Arsenal. The Other Madrid: Much like their more notable neighbors, Atletico Madrid
Phil Josiah Nathan Jack Jordan Connor
vs.
Greg Griff Marcus Grant
will secure their spot in the next round with just one more win. They lead Group G with 9 points, and although newly acquired David Villa has yet to score, he is opening space and creating chances for others. Zenit St. Petersburg and Porto meet on Nov. 5 in a turning point match for the runner-up position. Porto is only one point behind Zenit but are struggling without their previous star Hulk, who has ironically joined Zenit. Zenit St. Petersburg looks poised to advance and are a dark horse once German phenom Axel Witsel gets experience with teammates. Cleaning Up a Messi Barcelona: Barcelona sit at the top of Group H and are playing to their usual standards. They have the two most exciting forwards in the game with Lionel Messi and Neymar and a fantastic supporting cast of Xavi and Iniesta to back them up. The most stellar component of Barcelona remains in a backfield with center backs Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol who have only allowed one goal so far. That goal came from AC Milan who are second on the table and drew with Barca in a matchup giving Milan near security to advance, barring meltdowns against upset-minded Celtic and Ajax. Milan brought Kaka back home from Real Madrid, and he is creating incredible chances for Mario Balotelli and Italian sensation Stephan El Shaarawry. The road to the finals in Lisbon is coming to a dead end for some while it’s getting closer for others as heroes and villains are taking form and group rivalries intensify. Real Madrid and PSG look to be early favorites while Manchester United and Juventus could be in for a rough series in the next round. Once the group stage finishes in December, the eight winners will be randomly drawn against the eight runnersup in home away aggregate legs with only the winners moving on. Marcus Mitchell can be reached at marcus.mitchell@spartans.ut.edu
Josiah
vs.
Jordan Greg Connor Griff Grant Nathan Jack Marcus Phil
SPORTS
THE MINARET | OCTOBER 31 2013
19
PDA Photo/Flickr, Marsmet472/Flickr, Alysha Khan/Flickr
The ACC features several top 10 schools in its conference this year including the Clemson Tigers (LEFT), the Florida State Seminoles (CENTER) and the Miami Hurricanes (RIGHT).
ACC Redefining Reputation in 2013
By GREG PRAVER Sports Writer
After eight weeks of NCAA football, there have been surprises in the rankings. Teams have been on the rise and some have fallen out of the top 25. One surprise in particular is how much the Atlantic Coast Conference has improved compared to how its teams have fared in recent years. It is commonplace to see Florida State and Virginia Tech finish as the top two teams in the division. They are usually inserted into the FBS top 25 national rankings, but this year there are four legitimate national championship threats in the conference. Let’s start with Florida State. They are currently ranked No. 3 in the nation, according to the BCS. They made a very big statement last weekend when they blew out formerly #3-ranked Clemson on the road 51-14. Redshirt freshman quarterback Jameis Winston is playing superb right now. He has thrown for 20 touchdowns and only three interceptions this season. The Miami Hurricanes are in second
place in the conference and are ranked seventh in the nation. Quarterback Stephen Morris, who has thrown for an impressive 1,272 yards and nine touchdowns, leads them. However, he has thrown eight interceptions. He can improve in that area. Other leaders on the Hurricanes include running backs Duke Johnson and Dallas Crawford. Johnson, the team’s rushing leader, has ran for 655 yards, and Crawford has nine touchdowns. The team’s biggest accomplishment this season is not only being undefeated at a 6-0 record but defeating the No. 12-ranked Florida Gators in September. In order to rise five spots to be selected to play in the championship game, they will most likely have to defeat No. 3 Florida State in Tallahassee and No. 14 Virginia Tech at home. Winning at Florida State on the road will be a difficult task. The Clemson Tigers currently stand as the third-place team in the ACC. After losing by a big margin to Florida State a week ago, their ranking dropped from No. 3 to No. 9 overall. They still have a team that is
capable of making it to the national championship. If they win their final five games, they may have a chance to be selected by the FBS as a top two team. However, their only ranked opponent remaining on the schedule is against No. 21 South Carolina. Even if things do not turn out as hoped, the Tigers have a lot to be proud about. Senior Quarterback Tajh Boyd has been stellar, throwing for 16 touchdowns, four interceptions and 1,939 passing yards. Defensive end Vic Beasley leads the nation with nine sacks. Their biggest moment of the season came in week one of the 2013 season, when they defeated the No. 5-ranked Georgia Bulldogs in their home opener 38-35. The Virginia Tech Hokies currently sit in fourth place in the ACC. Many contend that Virginia Tech has a somewhat easy schedule and are beating bad teams, but nonetheless wins are wins. Teams that win games get rewarded, plain and simple. The Hokies have had a history of success, and they are continuing the trend this year with
a 6-3 record and a 3-2 record inside of the ACC. Their defense is ranked fifth in the nation in points allowed, giving up only 15 points a game. They have two tough games remaining. First, they play at No. 7 Miami on Nov. 9. Second, they play Maryland who is 5-3 at home. In addition to the four championship contenders, the Duke Blue Devils have an impressive 6-2 record, the Maryland Terrapins and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are 53, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons have a 4-4 record and the Pittsburgh Panthers are 4-3. Nine out of 14 ACC teams have records above .500. The ACC is certainly on the rise and is finally being recognized as a football conference in addition to a basketball one. The fact that three teams are ranked inside the top 10 means that there is a good chance that not only will there be a team representing the ACC in the championship game, but there could be a champion coming out of the conference. Greg Praver can be reached at gregory. praver@spartans.ut.edu
The Great Collide
NBA, MLB, NHL and NFL all occurring at the same time By JORDAN LLANES Sports Editor
Last Thursday night, assistant opinion editor Jack Whitaker and I went to the BucsPanthers game at Raymond James Stadium. Our seats were incredible, and the crowd was rampant as well as sold out, which hasn’t been a usual sight the past few years. However, this did not last. Cam Newton and the Panthers blew out the hometown Bucs, 31-13, and most of the crowd went home dejected midway through the fourth quarter. As the game went on, the fans howled “Fire Schiano!” As a lifelong Buccaneers fan, I must say this was an absolute embarrassment. Despite a horrid 0-7 start in which the Tampa Bay defense has been overworked while its offense has been largely inept, there is no need for that kind of behavior. These players have worked tirelessly throughout the season, and they constantly put out their best effort every time they step on the field. For fans to act that like in the establishment that those players call home is obscene. But enough about that. Let’s get on to this past week in sports. Just when we thought Calvin Johnson couldn’t get any better, he goes out and puts on an even better show for football fans. After breaking the all-time single-season receiving yardage record last season, Johnson has been hobbled to say the least. Some nagging injuries
have held him back. But if you watched him on Sunday, you would have never guessed it. Johnson, aka “Megatron,” went off in the Lions’ 31-30 victory over Dallas, catching 14 passes for a staggering 329 yards and a touchdown reception. That total was the second-highest single-game total in NFL history, only behind Flipper Anderson’s 336-yard mark for the Los Angeles Rams in 1989. We might be witnessing the best receiver to ever play the game right now, and it’s a spectacular sight to behold. The Aaron Hernandez saga continues to rage on. After a loss to Hernandez’s former team, Miami center Mike Pouncey was served a subpoena to appear before a Massachusetts grand jury in regard to the Hernandez case by Massachusetts State Police. Hernandez, who was been indicted on murder charges, as well as five other gun-related charges, is currently awaiting trial. The fact that the men he played college football with at Florida are now being dragged into his case is troubling indeed. This appears to be an affair that will continue to drag on. Another Saturday, another crazy turn of events in college football. South Carolina came back and ruined Mizzou’s perfect start with a wild 27-24 victory in double overtime. Gamecocks quarterback Connor Shaw came off the bench after not starting due to an injury and threw two touchdown passes to lead South Carolina from behind. Meanwhile, Duke became bowl eligible
for the second straight season as they upset No.16 Virginia Tech, 13-10, in a low scoring and gritty affair. Oregon, Alabama and Florida State’s dominant runs have continued, but each of them have important tests upcoming. The Crimson Tide still have to go against LSU in two weeks, while Florida State has to get through unbeaten Miami and its main rival in the Florida Gators. However, Oregon’s test will be the toughest: it has to go against No.8 Stanford in Palo Alto in what will be one of the best games of the year. These next few weeks look to be full of its own upsets. The NBA starts in a few days, and I have never seen both conferences look so close. The top six teams in each conference each have a legitimate shot at winning the title next June. The defending champion Miami Heat will definitely have their hands full this season. Reigning MVP LeBron James will have to lead the team through a daunting gauntlet of teams in the Eastern Conference that have improved considerably since last season. These teams include the Indiana Pacers, who took the Heat to the limit in the Eastern Conference finals last season; the Chicago Bulls, who bring back Derrick Rose after missing him all last season; and the retooled Brooklyn Nets, who hope to capture a title in new coach Jason Kidd’s first season at the helm with new yet aging stars in Kevin Garnett, Paul
Pierce and Andrei Kirilenko. Meanwhile, the Western Conference looks to be even more top heavy. The San Antonio Spurs look to ride their aging core of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili to one more title, but at least three other teams will definitely stand in their way: the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers. OKC is led by the player said to be the second best in the world, Kevin Durant. His willpower and outstanding scoring ability will sustain the Thunder’s run while star point guard Russell Westbrook is out with an injury. The Rockets picked the game’s best center in Dwight Howard to pair with another one of the league’s best players in shooting guard James “The Beard” Harden. As for the Clippers, let’s just say the addition of Doc Rivers as their new head coach will be the move that pays the largest dividend for Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and the rest of the squad. This upcoming season of the NBA has the potential to be one of the best the league has ever had. High-scoring offenses and star players will lead the way to an exciting postseason come next spring. Can’t wait to tune in on opening night. See everyone next week. I have to go catch the latest episode of The Walking Dead. Jordan Llanes can be reached at jordan. llanes@theminaretonline.com
MINARET
UT’S SOURCE SINCE 1933
SPORTS
Sports Curses [16]
Champions League [18]
Tampa Bay Lightning and Ice Hockey Club Help Spirit of Curtis McIntyre Live On
Photos courtesy of Stephen Kucera
The McIntyre Family (LEFT and TOP RIGHT) flew down from Maryland to witness the tribute to their son Curtis at the Lightning Game. The entire hockey club (RIGHT) was also in attendence. By GRIFFIN GUINTA Asst. Sports Editor
Curtis McIntyre had a huge hand in helping the University of Tampa Ice Hockey team finally get on its feet following the 2010 school year. McIntyre worked tirelessly to bring the sport he loved dearly to UT and enjoyed great success on and off the ice. McIntyre, a native of Olney, Md., was known as an exceptionally hard worker who relentlessly exerted all his effort in order to be the best he could be. “He had a hard working personality, meaning on the ice he was going 100 percent, 100 percent of the time,” senior graphic design major James Beckett said of his former teammate and friend. Though McIntyre was superhuman on the ice, his body could not stave off a rare form of Leukemia known as Lymphoblastic T-cell Lymphoma and was forced to return home to undergo chemotherapy. Nonetheless, McIntyre would not let anything, not even cancer, get in the way of his beloved ice hockey team and continued to play an active role in the club. Despite being physically unable to play, he served as the team president upon his arrival and dedicated a huge chunk of his time to helping others with his same disease. “He was known for being someone always looking to help other people,”
said former goalkeeper Mark Baccoli, one of McIntyre’s best friends. “He never put himself first and always looked for the positives in every situation.” Sadly, Curtis McIntyre could only hold on for so long and passed away on April 5, 2012 after a hard fought battle with Leukemia. Cancer may have taken his life, but the spirit of Curtis McIntyre lives on to this very day. The standards of hard work and excellence he set for the team will never fade from memory, and the impact he had on the entire UT community still resonates today. To commemorate all of the dynamic McIntyre’s life, several members of the local hockey community came together with the Lightning to find a day to honor McIntyre at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. According to UT Ice Hockey head coach Stephen Kucera, the whole event grew rapidly into something much larger than they originally expected. While listening to the radio on his way home, Kucera heard Dave Andreychuk, VP of Fans at the Tampa Bay Lightning, speak about an event sponsored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) called “Light the Night.” After listening to Andreychuk’s vehement support of the LLS, he postulated the idea of honoring
“The meaning of life is to give life meaning.” -Curtis McIntyre
McIntyre at a Lightning game. Through several connections such as Janet Smith from the LLS and Andreychuk, the entire team was given 32 tickets to a Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Minnesota Wild game on Oct. 17 and were personally shuttled there by local TV affiliate Sun Sports. The whole evening was beyond powerful. The McIntyre family flew all the way from Maryland to accept a check for $5,000 that would be donated to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, and McIntyre’s entire ice hockey family from UT was also on hand to pay tribute to their beloved captain. Many in attendance described the event as “absolutely perfect” and felt encouraged despite the sad undertones. Charly Stinson, another close friend of Curtis’ was pleased with how the event as a whole turned out. “The entire forum giving Curtis a standing ovation was probably the absolute highlight of the enitire night,” Stinson said. “I think that while the event, of course, had a very sad and tragic theme to it because of Curtis’ passing, everyone’s feelings overall were very grateful and truly honored that we were all able to make this happen and be a part of it.” Perhaps the most memorable part of the night came after the first
In Memorium Curtis R. McIntyre
1989 - 2012
intermission when the $5,000 check was presented to the McIntyres. Coach Kucera described the scene. “While the check was given, the lights were dimmed,” Kucera said. “They had the announcer read our webpage [memoriam] of Curtis and put pictures I had sent them up on the jumbotron. The whole stadium of about 18,000 people was standing, facing the McIntyre’s during this incredibly special moment.” Among several other things, the collaboration between the Lightning and the UT Hockey Team embodied the spirit of community, strength and hope for the future. On Oct. 17, a dedicated group of individuals came together to show that cancer is never enough to take a life. Even though he’s not physically here, Curtis McIntyre continues to touch the lives of many––from the 18,000 people in attendance at the Lightning game to the people here on campus. Hope emanates from his spirit and manifests itself in all those that surrounded him throughout his lifetime. UT Hockey members will be tabling the next few weeks in order to raise money for the “Light the Night” walk and remind everyone that a life is too valuable to ever be forgotten. Griffin Guinta can be reached at griffin.guinta@theminaretonline.com