TNR 4.16.12

THE NEWS RECORD MONDAY | APRIL 16 | 2012

FIRST TO COMMIT

Bearcats basketball signs transfer from junior college sports | 6

132 YEARS IN PRINT VOL. CXXXI ISSUE XLV

END OF

DAYS entertainment | 3

SG hopefuls debate campus issues JAMES SPRAGUE | CHIEF REPORTER

Connecting with the student body, safety and sustainability were among the topics discussed last week in an open debate between next year’s prospective leaders of University of Cincinnati Student Government.

The Student Government president and vice president slates of Lane Hart/Maesa Idries and Phil Dinovo/Stephanie Kenning fielded questions from UC spokesman Greg Hand and students in attendance during the debate Thursday afternoon, explaining their respective platforms and how they would respond to issues facing UC students.

The first topic the candidates discussed was how each slate would address the issue of reaching out to the UC student body.

“The biggest tenet of our platform, which is called ‘Students for Students,’ is really making sure students are at the center of Student Government and making sure that all students have a voice and all students are represented,” Hart said.

Among the ways the Hart/Idries slate plans to address that is through weekly Student Government videos and student focus groups to discuss campus issues, Hart said.

The Dinovo/Kenning slate, in addition to sharing similar ideas regarding weekly SG videos, detailed ideas for a digital suggestion box and representatives being more accessible to student input.

“We want to make sure we’re readily available cross-campus to really meet students on their level,” Dinovo said.

Another topic broached during the debate was the issue of sustainability on campus.

The Dinovo/Kenning slate expressed their support for current sustainability initiatives, such as water-filling stations on campus, while also stressing the importance of sustainability to both UC students and administration.

“The main thing is push it as a focus for the administration and make sure that they understand it’s been a large focus of the student body,” Dinovo said.

The Hart/Idries slate proposed a “Wasteless Wednesdays” initiative as one of their main sustainability points.

“One of the initiatives specifically on our platform is what we call ‘Wasteless Wednesdays,’ which is going to highlight the composting in the dining halls,” Idries said.

Regarding students safety, the focus of

both slates was the area surrounding campus.

One of the ways to improve safety in those areas is more lighting in the heavily trafficked areas and placing help phones along those paths, Hart said.

“We not trying to make it look like daytime in the middle of the night in Clifton,” Hart said. “But we do want to make sure the pathways those students use are safe.”

A landlord accreditation program and an initiative titled “UC-Clifton,” which would strive to bring the campus atmosphere to the surrounding area, are among the measures the Dinovo/Kenning slate plan to address safety with.

“We want to extend the spirit of safety we feel on campus to off-campus,” Kenning said. “We want to make the Clifton area feel like a college town.”

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ELECTION ISSUE PROVIDED

LANE HART

SLATE 43

WHAT ARE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS?

Lane Hart: I’m a fourth-year information systems and finance student. I’ve been heavily involved in Student Government for the past four years. I started out as an intern, then served two terms as an at-large senator.

Last year, I was the speaker of the senate.

This year, I am internship director. Last year, I ran for vice president.

That experience continued the passion I have for getting out and talking to students and hearing what’s going on and what they feel about SG because our biggest qualification is that we’re students just like everyone else, and we want to solve the problems students have.

Maesa Idries: Our biggest qualification is that we’re students and can relate to students on the issues that are affecting all students. I am currently the interim holdover senator. Last year, I served as a College of Applied Science tribunal senator. And in my first two years, I was heavily involved with the College of Engineering and Applied Science tribunal with the student senate.

TWO OR THREE BIG TICKET ITEMS

Lane: We want to do things that impact all students, not just a small group, and one of those things is OneStop. Last night, someone tweeted us and said, ‘Hey, I’m trying to use OneStop, and it’s not working.’ That’s a big problem — I think it’s one of our top-three priorities, because it affects all students, and it’s frustrating to all students and impacts their academic life.

Maesa: You know, we are all students who want a functional OneStop, to feel safe on/off campus, simplified services and to know what services are available to us. So, it does seem ambitious, it’s lengthy and we’ve put a lot of detail into it, but we did that because we wanted to prove that they’re issues we are knowledgeable of, interested in, and between Lane and I, we have a lot of confidence that, if elected, we could achieve all of our ideas.

Lane: Another big area is safety. All of the things under the safety umbrella are important, because if students don’t feel safe here, they aren’t going to be able to accomplish their goals. It can also affect people that don’t even come to UC because of the safety issues. They see crime reports on television and hear about the emails. It’s important UC is as safe as possible, and we are dedicating all available resources to make this place safe.

ANYTHING YOU SEE YOU WOULD CHANGE OR IMPROVE ON?

Maesa: One thing we are pushing for is to tell students we want to communicate with them regularly as SG representatives.

We are pushing for that regularly with our campaign. So every time we talk with groups or meet them at TUC, we tell them to tweet at us, Facebook us, talk to us through our website, tell us what you like or don’t like about our platform, because if we’re

MONDAY

TUE

71° 46°

66° 44°

MAESA IDRIES

pursuing initiatives students might not really care about, we’re wasting our time.

Lane: That involves us stepping way outside our comfort zone and being friends with people we wouldn’t normally hang out with so everybody in the UC community from one end of the spectrum to the other is comfortable talking to us.

I don’t plan on sleeping while we’re in office.

PROVIDED

STEPHANIE KENNING

SLATE 51

WHAT ARE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS?

Phil Dinovo: I’ve been involved with Student Government for two years. [I was] elected twice as an at-large Senator and currently serve as the speaker of SG senate.

Before that, I was involved with a couple of initiatives with SG President Emeritus Tim Lolli when he was in office before I was even a part of SG, and I’ve had the opportunity to work on a few GREEK LIFE PERCEPTION? initiatives that have impacted a wide range Lane: We have a passion for this topic, of students. I’ve done a lot of work within because neither Measa nor I are Greek, the BTS transportation system. I worked and that kind of goes against the grain with [Lane Hart], my opponent, last year as far as what on the BTS SG has been, but shuttle tracker. we truly believe A d d i t i o n a l l y, that whatever I’ve worked on your student a lot of athletics experience is initiatives like going to be, you the buses, should make the tackled the issue most of it. of getting general Greek Life a d m i s s i o n is definitely one seating for way to do that, students at and a great way baseball games. to do that, and we Stephanie want to support Kenning: I’ve been that, but we also involved with SG want to make for the past three sure that’s not years. I served the perception of as the secretary SG because that of SG senate my can potentially freshman year, so make other people Candidates for the Undergraduate I got to participate not want to come in Student Government president and vice in senate, but really and be a part of SG. president seats introduce themselves in an administrative Maesa: We are and what they’re all about. role, so I got to proving SG is not understand how exclusive to anybody.

SG worked.

Lane and I are very For the past two years, I’ve been the different. I’m a chemical engineering director of commuter services, so I’ve gotten student, I am involved in a lot of different experience with cabinet and learned how to things that Lane is, I’m a woman and he get other sectors of campus involved. is a male business student. We have all of I am also a member of a number of onthese diverse experiences that make us campus organizations, so I feel like I’ve different that we can then utilize to make had a wide range of experience working it so SG is as diverse as we are. with students, professionals outside the It’s really something we are proud of — university and I think my attitude can bring I’m humbled by the people who have stepped a new side of SG and represent the student up to work on our campaign. Once again, body well. it’s people of all different races, religions, TWO OR THREE BIG TICKET ITEMS sexual orientations, they study in different Dinovo: One of the biggest ones we colleges, and to have all of those people in had a positive reaction from is our “rate my a room to go through our platform and tell landlord” service. A lot of students use us, ‘Yes, that’s affecting me’ and to have all Ratemyprofessor.com, and we want to create these diverse people tell us that what we’re something similar so students know what they standing for is right, it furthers our cause are getting themselves into when they rent and our belief in our cause. apartments in the area and really empower Lane: One of my personal leadership students with knowledge so they aren’t philosophies is: Surround yourself with taken advantage of by landlords in the area. those different from you and those who are Kenning: Another issue we want to better than you. If you surround yourself bring to campus is the Bearcat Pact, with people the same as you, the results which would bring medical amnesty laws aren’t going to change, but if the people to UC. Throughout our research of other around you are going to challenge you like universities, we have found more than our team did when we were making our 90 universities that have brought amnesty platform ... it would [result in] something laws to better serve their student. that is representative of at least a majority Dinovo: UC Clifton initiative where of UC students.

[ ] THE RACE FOR THE SG

PRESIDENCY

WED

68° 48°

THU

72° 50°

FRI

66° 42°

2 3 4 5 6

Election Preview Entertainment College Living Classifieds Sports

NEWSRECORDNEWS@GMAIL.COM | 513.556.5908

Check out videos from SG candidates

And an updated calendar with Greek Week info

PHIL DONOVO

we expand the definition of what we mean by campus, where we talk about the surrounding areas and neighborhoods and keep them safe. Our on-campus safety is actually very high, but the off campus area, in a lot of students’ minds, really needs improvement. And what we would do is expand some of the safety features we have on campus to the surrounding areas such as the blue light phones.

Kenning: A lot of students say the ticketing process for basketball games is a real problem and there isn’t general admission seating for students, but there’s not a lot we can do about that, but we want to make the ticketing service as easy as it can be for students. So, we want to make a website solely for students, so students have one spot where they can easily go and purchase tickets. This site would also have information about any spirit events that might be coming up or any cheers for the student section.

ANYTHING YOU SEE (HAGERTY/ LINGER) DOING THAT YOU WOULD CHANGE OR IMPROVE ON?

Dinovo: I think we have done a great job on the executive committee of SG representing students. We started out strong standing up for student’s concerns with the co-op fees and listened to those concerns and expressed them within the administration and get those concerns a little more listened to within the administration. We really want to get out there and make sure that students who might not have as strong a representation on student government feel comfortable getting out there and utilizing us as a resource and making sure we’re doing what students want to get done and not just what 35 people in a room in Tangeman University Center want to do and really be able to empower students and really improve on that. Not to say we haven’t done a good job of that already, but there is always room to improve to accomplish that goal of making it a more successful program with better leadership.

Everything we’re doing is not just having an event. We want to build relationships with students from all walks of life on campus.

GREEK LIFE PERCEPTION

Kenning: Phil and I have both been involved in a lot of organizations and we both realize that we’re most successful when there are personal relationships with the people we are working with and I think the perception is out there about SG being “all Greek,” and that’s because there are already those relationships.

Phil and I are going to use those relationships we have and extend those to the students who might not know how or might not know anyone already involved with SG, so we want to extend that to those students and “Unite our Community.”

A photo slideshow from the Blue October concert

2

Monday April 16 | 2012 NEWSRECORD.ORG

ELECTION COVERAGE Amara Agomuo

James Avant IV

Candidate M

Candidate H

I am qualified for this position due to my past experience as an at-large senator.

Due to being elected as an at-large senator last year, I am now familiarized with the process/logistics of senate and the language of Robert’s Rules. The connections I have made from my first term have given me the means to get things done more effectively and efficiently.

Although Student Government has a perception of being a “Greek Life” environment and is predominately Greek, I still encourage other groups to get involved with Student Government. As a non-Greek

student, it can be at first intimidating, but I aim to change that perception by creating a diverse atmosphere in Student Government.

I have already reached out and talked to several different student groups on campus about running for positions and attending our weekly senate meetings.

By reaching out to student groups, I hope to decrease the stereotype and intimidation students get from the “Greek Life” perception.

I want to utilize social media, like Twitter, to have students communicate their concerns or ideas directly to Student Government. This allows us to actively voice our constituents concerns and use effective means of communication to represent their voice more efficiently. By establishing a direct communication route, we will ensure better communication for our students.

I am a first-year neuroscience, biology and spanish student. I am involved in the First Year Leadership Program (FYLP) for Student Government, which has allowed me to gain insight and experience regarding how our governing body works.

I have had several leadership experiences that will help me effectively carry out my duties as a senator, including bill writing.

Two priorities I am working to accomplish include: “Student Activities Match Survey”personalizing student involvement.

Reestablishing the (Ethnic Chan for Higher Opportunities in Education)

Joe Blizzard

Michael Elliott Candidate F

Candidate J

I have two years of Student Government experience: One year in the First Year Leadership Program and one year as an at-large senator.

I want to bring all of UC’s spirit-based

organizations together and have one large-scale event for the student body. I also want to focus Student Government on fiscal responsibility.

Student Government is comprised of members that are genuinely interested in being involved with issues that affect all students. While some of these students might be involved in Greek Life, all of them are not. The best way to change that perception is to reach out to students and student groups and encourage them to get involved in Student Government.

I will push for a distinction between programming and co-sponsorships and encourage my fellow senators to put on their own events that fulfill the needs of the student body.

I am a passionate Bearcat that strives to do best by the student body. There is nothing more that I want to see then this university being recognized as one of the premiere institutions in the United States.

I have served as an intern for the First Year Leadership Program in Student Government with a current at-large senator as my mentor.

[One of my big ticket items is the creation of] What To Fix (WTF): an online program where students would express their opinions on topics that they feel passionate about and senate sees what the student has expressed and sees if this is something to move forward with. All information would be confidential and categorized into various topics in order to make it more organized and presentable for Senate.

I propose Pocket Change — a pocket guide that would inform students all available sustainability resources at UC and what students can do to help contribute to

Andrew Nabb Candidate D

My qualifications to continue to be productive at-large senator include being a current at-large senator, a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, Student Alumni Council, the First Year Leadership Program and the Future Greek Leaders Program.

The item in my platform I am most excited about is bringing Student Government back to all students by, twice a semester, taking our Senate meetings elsewhere on campus. This will allow students to attend senate in a

more comfortable atmosphere, whether that is in the AACRC, the Alumni Center, or the College of Law. As a member of the Greek community, I am fortunate enough to see the active participation in Student Government by fellow Greeks, as well the work in Student Government by non-Greeks.

I believe that there is a lot of overlap between the Greek and non-Greek community in Student Government, but I would like to continue to provide more avenues to students of all parts of campus to get involved. As an at-large senator, we represent all students, not just one facet of the student body.

As a current at-large senator running for re-election, I want students to continue to grow in their UC pride and spirit, as well as achieving academic success while a level of comfort is being maintained.

With my involvement in a variety of activities, I see myself as being a great representative of the students at UC. I am a Darwin T. Turner Scholar and Cincinnatus Scholar, majoring in health sciences pre-medicine. I am involved with Pi Beta Phi sorority and Circle K International. I have also been heavily involved with Student Government through the First Year Leadership Program where I interned with the chief of staff. My platform consists of the three Ps [push, provide and promote].

College students are extremely busy and involved.

I want to push for greater convenience

Mari Young

Candidate A

I believe I am a qualified candidate as I am involved on campus, live on

campus and connect with students every day. I am a current member of the First Year Leadership Program (FYLP), and this program has helped me experience and understand different parts of Student Government as well as connect with the issues the student body deals with year in and year out. I am also a contributor for The News Record, was elected to the Senate at Buckeye Girls State in 2010 and volunteer for different organizations.

The big ticket items I aim to accomplish center around the problems students face every day. I want to make

sustainability on campus. The purpose is to make small actions that can ultimately make big green impacts for UC. Also, Ditch the Dumpster — when students move out of the dorms at the end of the year, they can recycle or donate their items that they would not need anymore. The collected items would benefit local children and families.

Student Government does have a good amount of people associated with Greek Life, but it should not be solely labeled as a Greek Life-only environment. To change this perception, the environment needs to have students from other affiliations that would become part of student government in order to eliminate this false perception.

[I want to] collaborate with the student body more in order to produce better satisfaction with the university as a whole.

This position is truly not about me, but about the entire UC community. [My] nickname is Stop-Sign: When I walk in the room, all the ladies stop and stare.

Paul Reitz Candidate L

My name is Paul Reitz. I am a first year student in the College of Business, member of the UC Debate and Forensics team, member of the Delta Chi fraternity and a Beater in the UC Quiddich League.

My biggest objective as a senator at-large will be to help unite UC in any way possible and promote the communications between the many different groups on campus. The best way to make a difference in on our campus is to start having groups work together on events

Jennifer St. John Candidate C to students to allow them to focus on their classes and activities. I also want to provide higher quality room and board.

To capitalize on UC’s strengths, I want to promote UC’s excellence and diversity.

My predecessors have done a great job at implementing new ideas that have bettered UC, but the time has come for Student Government to bridge the gap between themselves and the student body. I want to keep the students involved, make senate readily available to students concerns and get Student Government known.

I want students to know who is representing them and who they can go to with concerns. The perception on campus is that Student Government is a “Greek Life” only environment. Student Government has a wide range of student leaders. Through more efforts to bridge the gap between Student Government and the body, I want the students to be able to make correct perceptions on student government and be proudly Cincinnati.

ECHOE — reaching out to the community to prepare students for college as well as life as future Bearcats.

Student Government is not only Greek, but I agree that there is a great deal of Greek representation in Student Government.

The reason that this occurs is because this community is very proactive in their approach toward student involvement. They are the ones making sure their vote is counted and that they are a force present in these organizations on campus. If we want to move Student Government to a group that is better representative of the Bearcat population, then the other 92 percent or so has to be proactive in getting involved and voting for the individuals that represent them the best. I plan to change this with the implementation of the “Student Match Survey.”

I believe the way we communicate as a collective organization can be made more efficient and I will work to do so.

that they ultimately do alone. This makes the events bigger and better and generates more money to the charities and philanthropies that events are hosted for. This will also begin to break down these big borders we have between social groups. This will also help the idea that Student Government is Greek only.

The more people meet with each other, the less dominant the Greek influence in Student Government will be.

Being a member of the Greek community, I am proud that we are involved on campus but I believe that we have overexerted ourselves. Only eight percent of UC’s campus is Greek, and although the Greek community does so many great things this doesn’t represent the student body as it should. That being said, I will make it my mission to never stop talking with the many different social groups to find out what they want from there Student Government.

Katelyn Whitelow Candidate G

I feel like I have a unique view on the campus as a non-traditional student — I don’t live on campus as a first-year student.

I would represent a group of students on campus. Promote involvement for

swipes flexible for students as I believe they should be able to use their money not only on dining halls, but also at other venues around campus.

As a non-Greek student, I believe a harmonious organization is parallel to a well-oiled machine. I believe when Greek and non-Greek students work together to better an organization, they will take the best ideas from each other to create the ultimate answer that will benefit all students.

In the at-large senator position, I will make sure that I connect with students and student organizations to make a better university. My predecessors have left big shoes to fill, but I believe I will be able to make a change in the senate by answering student issues with direct and positive solutions.

Today, we take on UC. Tomorrow, we take on the world.

students that don’t live on campus. I want to bring awareness to sexual abuse and the facilities on campus. I also want to increase involvement for non-traditional students and to kick up diversity on campus.

This election will help change the perception of [Greeks being overrepresented on Student Government].

Us getting out there and showing them that we are not Greek.

I want to make SG less intimidating. I want the students to see what happens in SG that are keeping the connection open with students. Students don’t know that they can talk to us or influence Student Government. [I want to] bring a hands-on approach to Student Government.

I’m a very unique candidate in that I don’t fit any of the molds that are used to described students here. I am a voice for under-represented groups, and I know what is like to want to be heard.

candidates who did not respond as of press time Nathan Ballinger Ben Ellsworth Katie Fisher Jessica Gearhart Andrew Pfriem Trevor Smith Jennifer St. John Jared Cody Tolbert Gage Woolley

B I R S E Q C N O

(Candidates k and p have withdrawn)

3

ENTERTAINMENT REEL TALK Horror film flips genre on head

Monday

April 16 | 2012

NEWSRECORD.ORG

KEITH

BIERYGOLICK

Wave your musical freak flag fly high

Have you ever been told you listen to weird music?

I have. Many times.

In preparation for my eighth grade dance, as a member of some student group who thought they could actually make a difference — you know the ones — I was put in charge of music for the night.

In classes that followed my selection, I scribbled down so many songs in my notebook that teachers probably thought I learned a lot that day.

“Interesting class?”

I didn’t even have time for a response — “Not really” — because I had to get home and make a CD. As lame as it sounds, the opportunity to DJ the function was exhilarating.

It was a chance to show my school some good music and forget about the fact I was going to the dance without a date.

As I counted down the days to the festivities, my excitement grew.

Which only heightened the disappointment when none of my songs got any play.

It turns out “Two-Headed Boy” by Neutral Milk Hotel was far too strange, and “Immigrant Song” from Led Zeppelin released too long ago.

Ironically, the only song from my proposed playlist that got any play (Green Day’s “American Idiot”) was probably the worst tune I selected.

Instead, my classmates and I got jiggy to undisputed classics like “My Humps” from The Black Eyed Peas and “Crank That” by the lyrical genius Soulja Boy. That wasn’t the first or last time my musical taste would be rebuked.

During Senior prom, my musical opinion was once again called into question.

I wasn’t put in charge of music in this instance, but I was excited nonetheless — this time I actually had a date.

Driving an expensive car and dressed in a black and blue tuxedo, I hoped tonight would be a good night.

When I picked up my date, the radio was on. For my sake, it should have stayed on.

Radio playing, we got to the dance with little issue.

I blame nervous energy for that — there were too many things to think about.

Like which dance move should I bring out first — the sprinkler or the running man?

After the dance, I was feeling good — maybe too good.

On our way home I turned the radio off and put on a CD I’d made a few weeks earlier.

Then I turned it up.

The White Stripes’“Icky Thump” came blasting out of the speakers, an inauspicious start to say the least.

Jack White quasi-rapping, “White Americans / Why don’t you kick yourself out / You’re an immigrant, too” didn’t please my date.

Neither did the scratchy guitar or screechy synthesizer solos.

Next up was The Mars Volta, a progressive rock band with a proclivity for extended jam sessions and lyrical nonsense.

After 45 seconds of shuffling percussion, a ruthless guitar broke in followed by singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala’s highpitched squeals.

Oh, and did I mention he sang it in Spanish?

After 10 minutes of lyrics en español, I thought about turning the radio back on.

Luckily for me, the next song in my queue of musical disasters was in the singer/ songwriter vein.

Girls eat that shit up, right?

Wrong. At least not the Bright Eyes brand of it.

When Conor Oberst’s croaking whisper turned into a full-bloodied shout for a chorus of, “I want a lover I don’t have to love / I want a girl who’s too sad to give a f***” my date’s silent disapproval turned into brash condemnation of my taste.

“Turn this shit off.”

Maybe nothing was going to happen anyway, but my mixtape calamity put the nail in that coffin.

Needless to say, there would be no hanky panky for me on prom night.

Why am I telling you this?

No matter what your musical disposition, let that freak flag fly.

I’ve been told countless times my musical taste was too bizarre.

Now it’s my job to tell people what to listen to.

WOODROW GOLDSMITH | TNR CONTRIBUTOR

PHOTO COURTESY OF DIYAH PERA

FLIP THE SCRIPT Kristin Connolley stars in “The Cabin in the Woods,” a flick that revels in playing with genre conventions.

Writer Joss Whedon (creator of cult hit “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) and co-writer/ director Drew Goddard (who wrote the underrated “Cloverfield”) have taken a tried and true formula and turned it completely on its head.

See if this sounds familiar: Five young people of varying levels of intelligence go to an abandoned cabin deep in the woods and face spooky, supernatural killers.

The quintet of twenty-somethings include Chris Hemsworth (who filmed this before he became a big star in “Thor”), Kristen Connolly, and crowd favorite-in-waiting Fran Kranz.

The stereotypes are all there: Hemsworth is the over-confident jock, Connolly is the innocent one, and Kranz is the goofy stoner.

As they get picked off one by one, the situation becomes more suspicious, and the group begins to think that something bigger is behind their misfortune.

Who’s behind their troubles?

The beginning of the film reveals a massive conspiracy involving “West Wing” alum Bradley Whitford and Academy-Award nominee Richard Jenkins.

Jenkins and Whitford are arguably the best

part of the movie as two normal guys doing an extremely abnormal job, the specifics of which is the lynchpin of the film’s insane conclusion.

Half the fun of “The Cabin in the Woods,” the latest effort from geek-god Joss Whedon, is figuring out the plot as it is unfolds.

“The Cabin in the Woods” is billed as a horror movie, but there are very few actual scares. Despite many laugh-out-loud moments, a sense of eeriness does permeate throughout.

The film has been in development limbo since 2009 and because of that, there’s a danger it could appear slightly outdated.

Luckily, the execution is so daringly original it does not feel stale or overdone.

Surely “Cabin’s” conclusion will alienate its audience. Not everyone will like or understand the final act.

But, in a brilliant cameo, our heroes get the explanation the audience has been craving for the entire film.

Maybe the characters are underdeveloped, and maybe the end is too incredibly bizarre to reach a broad audience, but “The Cabin in the Woods” is the horror movie that challenges every cliché involving a group of stupid teens wandering into the woods for a good time.

PHOTOS BY: SARA BLANKEMEYER | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

FROM THE UNDERWORLD Blue October played Bogart’s April 13 and brought end-ofthe-world emotion to the stage.

POST APOCALYPTIC ROCK SHOW

Blue October created a darkly emotive atmosphere at Bogart’s

MARISA WHITAKER | STAFF REPORTER

Imagine a post-2012 disaster future.

Humans haven’t been above ground in years, instead dwelling within the sewers of the world. In a sudden leap of faith, darkly clothed men rise from the manholes shielding the post-apocalyptic human race, step on the surface and play a rock concert.

That’s exactly Blue October’s show at Bogart’s Friday was like.

Under a mist of flashing blue and green lights, the music heard in that sticky, claustrophobic nightmare concert hall made it feel as though we had risen from the depths to hear the band play.

A tightly packed arena put up their rock ’n’ roll fingers and bounced away to the intense emotional grunge show.

Never having seen the band before, they

certainly lived up to the studio recording hype. Singer/guitarist Justin Furstenfeld incorporated spoken-word improvisation into his lyrics and even wowed the audience with an acoustic version of the band’s radio hit “Hate Me” — it brought the audience back to a lonely Saturday evening in its teens.

Surprisingly, it seemed most of the children there had been dragged to the event by their 30-something parents. The band communicated through their deeply personal lyrics, but rarely engaged the crowd.

Even so, Furstenfeld and his pillar of a guitarist, Julian Mandrake, put on a great show.

Furstenfeld brought his unique voice — the one you’d know anywhere — that was good for a bellowing scream on occasion without being absolutely terrifying and incomprehensible.

The only negative was the lack of guitar playing from Furstenfeld, despite having

the instrument strapped around his neck the majority of the night.

But this only helped understand how much the rest of band contributes to their sound.

Seeing bassist Matt Noveskey, drummer Jeremy Furstenfeld, multiple instrumentalist Ryan Delahoussaye and the aforementioned Mandrake work together brought a new appreciation for the group.

The quintet was not only impressive, but gave an understanding of who really makes what parts of the music. Usually, all responsibility is heaped onto the band’s leader.

With Blue October, it turned out to be so much more than that.

Despite the silent, sewer dwelling archetype the band portrayed, they’re truly robust in talent. The only question remaining is, where were they able to practice underground for all those years?

OCTOBER IN APRIL Playing in support of their sixth studio album, the 2011 release “Any Man in America,” Blue October’s Justin Furstenfeld (above) took command of the Bogart’s stage.

The Austin, Texas band, famous for their radio single “Hate Me,” demonstrated a willingness to share their dark passions with the crowd.

Emo legends lose their musical plot KATIE GRIFFITH | STAFF REPORTER The Used became emo-rock icons immediately after the release of their selftitled album in 2002, and maintained iconic status with hit singles “All that I’ve Got” and “I Caught Fire” from “In Love and Death.”

Their cult-like following remained intact through an intense change of sound on “Lies for the Liars,” but separation became apparent when “Artwork” was released in 2009.

Following a three-year hiatus, both loyal and fleeting fans anticipated the release of “Vulnerable,” and what an appropriately named collection of songs it turned out to be.

The cult following might take on a more negative sense of the word after hearing what the new album has to offer — a weak and hopeless set of tunes.

The Used are trying too hard to appeal to their followers by incorporating a mixture of old and new sounds. Electronic breakdowns and mysterious chimes introduce “I Come Alive,” but the rhythm isn’t consistent, and the screaming refrain denies a smooth execution.

An over-synthesized sound — as heard on “Lies for the Liars” — is paired with choppy snare beats and fast paced tempos that mirror their earlier music.

The entire record embodies a certain pattern: Each track begins with electronically manufactured noise, breaks down with a scream and ends on a boring chorus.

As frequent listeners might know, lead singer Bert McCracken uses change of pace and tone to emphasize certain lyrics. He even implements spoken word — and it works well in songs like “Take it Away” and “I’m a Fake” from “In Love and Death” — but the poetic effort falls short on “Kiss it Goodbye.”

The weak metaphor and bottomless, mystifying quality of his voice accumulate a hype that fails to meet expectations.

The song ends with the confusing chant, “It’s getting kind of hectic,” that again, builds up to nothing. Beginning with a whisper, ending with a scream, is it a hidden track or an intro?

It’s neither — just there, serving no purpose. It might have been easier to relate to angst-ridden lyrics in the teenage stage

PHOTO COURTESY OF FRANK MADDOCKS

ALL USED UP The Used hit it big with their 2004 album “In Love and Death” but have lost it with their latest release, “Vulnerable.”

of life, but clichés and exhausted idioms are never acceptable.

Like on “Put Me Out” where McCracken sings, “Love like a cancer still you beg me to SEE USED | 5

4

COLLEGE LIVING FRESH Gatorade pong for good cause

Monday

April 16 | 2012

NEWSRECORD.ORG

BRITTANY WEIR

Creating college community

Do you consider yourself part of the University of Cincinnati, or are you merely attending the university? There is a difference.

I’m not talking about school spirit here — at least not in the traditional “red-and-black, rah, rah, rah” sense. I am talking about contributing to the academia of the university — taking what this place has to offer you in terms of support and opportunity, and turning it into something that truly counts.

We go to class, listen to our instructors, study, take tests and write papers. We receive our final grades, rinse and repeat. In other words, it’s just “going to school.”

But it shouldn’t be. Our education is not just about older people talking “at us” and giving us work to do — it is about working together within our academic community.

Our professors are working on their education just as much as we are.Yes, they are technically the ones teaching us, but that does not mean that what we do does not impact their own learning process.

Early universities were not nearly so organized as universities nowadays. They featured small groups of privileged individuals who had the time and money to gather and compare research and philosophy.

For the most part, all we are required to do today is keep our grades up and write a passable admissions essay.

I’m not saying we need to be stressing ourselves out trying to be the next Stephen Hawking.

I’m just saying that I think all freshmen — as well as older students — should make sure to make the best out of their university years.

As the old saying goes,“You never know what you have until it’s gone.” It truly applies here. Once we are no longer UC students, all the computer labs and books and professors’ office hours are not going to be at our disposal anymore. We will be on our own, so we should soak up as much of the experience as we can now.

There’s more to it than that, though.

What we really need to take advantage of is the proximity to other scholars, other individuals with similar interests and drives.

It is nearly impossible to have much of an impact on the world completely on one’s own.

What really changes things is leadership, and there are so many ways to be an academic leader.

I wrote a paper Fall quarter that received a high grade, so when my professor suggested submitting it to the Mediated Minds conference — a panel specifically designed to let college students exhibit their work. I jumped on the opportunity to have already respected minds review my writing.

I was given access to people who care about what I might have to say. People spend years of their life trying to gain such access by submitting their work to publishers and such. Some never even get as much as a nibble.

My work might not even be that great, but this conference will give me the chance to receive the feedback required to improve.

While the paper wasn’t even really in my preferred field of study, but that’s the beauty of college -– we are required to take a certain amount of classes not pertaining to our major.

Some people choose to blow off these classes, doing the minimal amount they can to get it over and done with.

Others go the extra mile and see what comes of it. The average freshman changes their major three times. You never know which class might change your goals.

Professors appreciate it if you go the extra mile, too.

I currently have an economics professor who tells us that he is always looking for students who work hard to be his teaching assistants, regardless of their major.

Never underestimate these opportunities — no one’s opinion is ever wasted.

I sincerely encourage all freshmen to really try these last couple of months, even in those classes that don’t interest you as much. It’s the difference between just going to school and being a part of the UC community.

EMILY MACINTYRE | STAFF REPORTER The ultimate pong tournament hosted Thursday in the Armory Field House gave participants the chance to win prizes and donate money to a good cause.

“It was a very successful event this year — we raised $3,013 for [Mothers Against Drunk Driving], which is the most [we’ve] ever raised,” said Jenna Heaton, president of the University of Cincinnati’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee, or SAAC. SAAC hosts the event to promote safe drinking and raise money for charity, Heaton said. Money is raised through raffles, donations and a sign-up fee to play.

“It was very rewarding to see it all come together for SAAC,” Heaton said. “We’ve worked very hard on putting together a fun and

enjoyable evening for the students at UC, as well as promoting a great cause.”

“It helped us to have very large raffle prizes, like an Xbox 360, iPod Touch, Kindle, tailgating supplies and a corn hole set,” said SAAC adviser Cassaundra Thorpe. “The team that won first place received a $500 grand prize.”

Group names ranged from acronyms to players’ names to Twitter-inspired hash tags like #justinjacksnmeanface.

More than 100 teams participated in the single-elimination tournament, with the Playmakers coming away with the first-place grand prize.

During the event, MADD member Andie Raycamp shared the story of her 13-year-old son’s death as a result of drunk driving related accident with the hope of educating participants of the dangers it creates, she said.

Andi Shaw, an Arts and Sciences student, participated in the tournament and was one of the night’s raffle winners.

“I was so happy to win,” Shaw said. “I never win anything. It was a truly great event, and was actually a lot of fun. I am definitely planning on attending again next year.”

MORE ABOUT

MADD

Phone: (513) 769-6800 Fax: (513) 769-6801 madd.org/local-offices/oh/southwestern

Grilling the

Candidates

Student Government candidates host free cookout MARY CHITWOOD | TNR CONTRIBUTOR

Candidates running in the 2012 Student Government election met on McMicken Commons to chat with students over freshly grilled burgers and hotdogs Thursday.

The event allowed candidates to speak one-on-one with students about their platform goals and passion for Student Government before elections take place on April 16-18.

Music blared through speakers as candidates, recognizable by their white name tags or colored pins, gathered around the grill, talking above the music.

The event was hosted to maximize the exposure that the candidates have and the slates have to get their platforms out to the student body so they can make an educated and informed vote, said current Student Government vice president Michael Linger.

Linger was optimistic about the event’s

VOTE!

impact. An estimated 300 students participated in the Grill the Candidates cookout, he said.

“Hopefully these people will talk to their friends about their experiences talking to the slates and candidates, and it will impact a lot of the student body and educate them on who they thought had a great platform and was a good candidate,” Linger said.

Lane Hart and Maesa Idries, who are candidates for president and vice president, helped with the grill out by handing out free popsicles.

“We have safety, simplicity, services, sustainability and spirit,” Hart said.

Hart and Idries used the cookout to inform students about their campaign goals and values.

We are passionate about getting more people involved in Student Government who traditionally have not been represented,” Hart said.

He said they want to reach out to

students who feel disenfranchised by student government because Student Government is not doing anything to help them.

President and vice presidential candidates Phil Dinovo and Stephanie Kenning also flipped burgers and grilled hotdogs Thursday.

“We’re very realistic about our goals,” said Kenning, a third-year business student.“We’ve already done our research and been in contact with persons of the administration and faculties to make sure that the goals are attainable within a year.”

When asked if he thought the grill would help promote Student Government, third-year journalism student Merrill Warren said, “Any time there’s free food, you can’t beat that.”

For more information about the 2012 Student Government election, visit: sites.ucfilespace.uc.edu/sga and newsrecord.org.

This week on

Blackboard.

PHOTOS BY LUCA ACITO | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

SERVING UP POLITICS Students gathered on McMicken Commons for free hotdogs, hamburgers and food for thought from Student Government candidates. The 2012 SG candidates have been campaigning during the past week. Students will be able to vote for their favorite candidates this week through their Blackboard accounts.

Bearcats chat

about the upcoming Student Government election How much do you know about Student Government?

“Well, Student Government on campus is a very large popularity contest. Most of our student body presidents have come from Greek Life. I don’t see a problem with that because Greek Life promotes leadership, but it also is a very small population of our campus. It seems like if we had more leadership from other organizations on campus, or just different representation it would be more structured and more diverse.”

Do you think that Student Government is important?

“It gets our voice out to Provost [Santa] Ono and the president. Without it, I don’t think they would take as much consideration as to what the students actually care about. However, I don’t think it’s as good as it could be. “

Sara Owens, second-year student

Proud Rooster

Word on the street Do you think that Student Government is important?

“I do think student government is important, but I don’t know that much about it. They are the voice of the students, so it’s very important.”

Cheshire Hardcastle, third-year student What do you know about Student Government elections?

“Honestly nothing. This is my first year at UC, so I’m relatively new to the whole thing. I’m not very familiar with it.”

Did you know that elections were coming up?

“I did not.”

NEWSRECORD.LIVING@GMAIL.COM | 513.556.5913

Do you support Student Government?

“I suppose so. Like I said, I’m not very familiar with it, so I suppose it’s a good idea.”

Do you plan on getting involved?

“I doubt it, but it would be interesting to see the issues that are coming up and everything.”

Jacob Taylor, third-year student

5

Monday April 16 | 2012 NEWSRECORD.ORG

CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIEDS POLICY

RATES

1 All ads must be prepaid.

2 Out-of-town advertisers must send check with copy.

3 NIU’s must be signed and filled out before acceptance of ads.

4 All ad changes are due two days prior to publication.

5 No refunds unless a mistake by The News Record’s staff occurs in the advertisement. Refunds are not granted for ads placed, then cancelled.

Adjustments are limited to the portion of the ad which is incorrect. Under no circumstances will an adjustment be issued greater than the cost of the ad.

FOR RENT

6 To receive student discount, current verification must be shown.

7 Students or student groups may not use display or classified discounts for nonuniversity, for profit businesses.

8 Advertisers should check their ads the first day of printing. The News Record is not responsible for more than one incorrect insertion.

9 The News Record reserves the right to reject any ads at its discretion, with or without notification to the advertiser.

10 These policies are not negotiable.

Choose a variety of categories to sell everything/anything. Students may not use UC rates for non-UC, for profit businesses. Valid ID card required for discount.

Students: Bold Type: Non-Students: Bold Type:

1-3 runs $0.50 $0.60

4-6 runs $0.40 $0.50

7-9 runs $0.30 $0.40

10+ runs $0.20 $0.30

$0.60 $0.70

$0.50 $0.60

$0.40 $0.50

$0.30 $0.40

DEADLINES Deadline for classified ads is 4 p.m., two days prior to publication.

Display ad deadline is 4 p.m., three days prior to publication.

Deadline for Monday issues is 4 p.m. Thursday for display ads.

For classified and display advertising information, please call 513-556-5900.

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

All apartment rental/sublet advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap or familial status, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for apartment rentals or sublets which is in violation of the law.

Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.

FOR RENT Looking for an apartment? www. ucapartments.com Now available! 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments. Walk to UC. Newly renovated. www.ucapartments.com 513-300-0585.

Now renting for the fall. uc4rent. com. 513-621-7032.

5 Bedroom House for Rent.

Great Location on quiet street; 2 Blocks from Campus. Home Security System, New windows, Doors, Furnace, and Deck. Many custom built-ins. 2547 Vestry Ave (one block behind Deaconess Hospital) Available for August 1st school year.

Always rents quick. 508-4001, 309-3032

FROM SPRAGUE | 3 vice-president of a major American corporation — the coffee company Chock full o’Nuts.

Robinson founded a construction company committed to building housing for lowincome families. He tossed his hat into the political ring. He stood tall against the lack of minority management and administration in MLB. Robinson was a pioneer both on and off the field, evidenced by his posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal awarded for his efforts.

This is what I, and all of us, should remember when we enter a baseball stadium and see Robinson’s blue number 42 retired on the wall. A man who stood strong in the face of withering opposition to not only make a sport better, but a society better as well.

That’s the man born in the small city of Cairo, Ga., who I’m thankful for every time I walk into Great American Ballpark and have the pleasure to watch players such as Brandon Phillips, Aroldis Chapman and Johnny Cueto play alongside Joey Votto, Jay Bruce and Scott Rolen.

It’s that man who I will thank upon seeing former Reds shortstop Barry Larkin inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame this coming July. None of it would be possible without the flag-bearing of Robinson.

Most importantly, it’s Jackie Robinson I thank for making our world better than it once was 65 years ago.

As we all should.

FOR RENT Now leasing for August. www.ucapartments.com.

SIX-BEDROOM, THREEBATH, THREE-STORY HOUSE. Two blocks to campus. Just finished being COMPLETELY REMODELLED!! Eat-in kitchen with dishwasher, free laundry, A/C, ceiling fans, window blinds, free parking, cats welcome free, available beginning August, $2095.00. Call Jeff at 513-3795300. “gray5393@mailstation.com” No text messages, please.

SPECTACULAR SEVENBEDROOM, FOUR-BATH, THREE-STORY. Remodeled house, two blocks to campus, 16’x20’ hardwood living room with fireplace. 16’x24’ eat-in kitchen with dishwasher. BONUS COMPUTER

ROOM. Free laundry, A/C, ceiling fans, window blinds, two-car garage +additional free parking, cats welcome free. Available beginning August. $2095.00. Call Jeff at 513379-5300. “gray5393@mailstation. com” No text messages, please.

FOUR-BEDROOM, THREE-BATH HOUSE. Three blocks to campus.

Beautiful new eat-in kitchen with dishwasher. Restored hardwood floors, free laundry, A/C, ceiling fans, window blinds, PRIVATE DECK! Free parking, cats welcome free, available beginning August. $1495.00. Call Jeff at 513-3795300. “gray5393@mailstation.com” No text messages, please.

FIVE-BEDROOM, THREE-BATH, THREE-STORY HOUSE. Three blocks to campus. Remodeled eat-in kitchen with dishwasher.

Hardwood floors. Free laundry, A/C, ceiling fans, window blinds, free parking, cats welcome free.

Available beginning August. $1695.00. Call Jeff at 513-3795300. “gray5393@mailstation.com” No text messages, please.

Beautiful 3 bedroom apartment available for August rental. Located on Graham Street right across from Bellevue Park. 513-378-7919 or virtual tour at www.qcr4rent.com.

University Investments apartments and houses for rent. 1 through 6 bedrooms. 513-403-2678.

Three bedroom apartment. $700.00 + electric. Internet, laundry, near UC shuttle route. 513-281-4855. Photos at www.egepropertyrental.com 6 bedroom, 3 bath on Ohio Avenue.

Equipped kitchen, laundry, off-street parking. $2400/month + utilities.

Egepropertyrental.com. 513-3076510.

Available August 1. Extra-large three bedroom, two full bath. Short walk to UC. Recently renovated.

Full kitchen with new appliances.

Built in 42-inch LED TV. Hardwood floors. Carpeted bedrooms. New HVAC. Parking. Must see! $1125 per month. 513-266-6567 for appointment.

FOR RENT 3 bedroom, 2 full bathrooms, balcony, quiet cul-de-sac available August 1. $1385/month.

513-382-7350.

3 carpeted bedrooms, 2 baths, newly renovated. Updated kitchen with new appliances. Off street parking, on site washer and dryer, pets allowed. $1,125 per month.

513-618-3688. Penklor.com.

Tenants, student rentals.

5 carpeted bedrooms, 2 baths, newly remodeled, short distance to campus, on UC bus route, new carpet, washer and dryer, small deck in back, pets allowed. $1,875 per month. 513-618-3688. Penklor. com. Tenants, student rentals 4 carpeted bedrooms, 2 baths, new kitchen appliances, nice back deck, UC bus stops right around the corner, $1,575 per month. 513-6183688. Penklor.com. Tenants, student rentals.

5 carpeted bedrooms, 2 full bath, newly renovated, new kitchen appliances off street parking. $1,875 per month. Call Tony 513-618-3688.

Penklor.com. Tenants, student rentals.

EMPLOYMENT FRITO LAY is hiring part-time team members for our West Chester, Ohio distribution center! Part-time opportunities start at $14.20 per hour. Please go to our website to submit an online application. www.fritolayemployment.com.

Take advantage of a great financial opportunity and taste the success!

Please- no walk-ins, phone calls, or resumes accepted in person. Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V) Needed right now. Campus ambassadors and manager, great products, pay, perks, fun and benefits! Contact Michael at 602759-9153, email holdemtex55@ hotmail.com today!

Personal caregiver for intelligent, creative, active, physically disabled 54-year-old in Mason. No

ADVERTISEMENT

FROM USED | 3 stay, put me out like a cigarette.”

“Getting Over You” is another failed attempt to reveal emotion: “Cause’ you couldn’t say goodbye / now I cannot ask you why / although our time is through / no getting over you.”

The predictable lyrics only add to the dullness of the entire album — what happened to phrases like: “Paralyzed by the same old antics / back and forth like some walking spastic / how could a fistfight be romantic? / Thinking back now will you ever feel the same?” heard on the track “Paralyzed” from their 2007 “Lies for the Liars.”

Real passion igniting emotion is ironically left out of “Vulnerable.”

Previously written lyrics by The Used came from a more tangible and dark place, this time around it seems a light bulb flickered — but the flash was too bright.

There is nothing new on this CD — only an unsuccessful re-arrangement of previously heard music.

It seems like the band has used up all their chart-topping ideas and creative melodies, so don’t buy into the questionable sound, as this album provides no answers.

THE

NEWS RECORD

BEAT THE HIGH COST OF ON CAMPUS HOUSING!

NEWSRECORDADV@GMAIL.COM | 513.556.5900

EMPLOYMENT experience, flexible hours. Drivers license required. $10+/hour. 513398-8058.

Typist needed. Part time. 513-3988058.

Customer Service Positions.

Immediate openings for part time and full time positions. Must enjoy working with people. Will work around school schedule. Call Nancy at 513-699-3641 or fax resume to 321-7547.

Certified lifeguards and activity specialists - gymnatics, soccer - and male group counselors needed for a fun, outdoor summer day camp in Cincinnati. Six week session begins June 18th-July 27th, Monday-Friday 9:30 AM-3:30 PM. Contact Camp Wildbrook 513-9312196 or campwildbrook@cinci. rr.com.

Now Hiring: piano, guitar, and voice instructors. Teach in students’ homes. Set your own schedule.

Experience required. Call 513-8603540 or apply online at www.pianolessonsinyourhome.com NOW LEASING! QUEEN CITY CONDOS. 521 MLK at Dixmyth.

Two bedroom, two bath. $700$750/month. Contact Tim 513-3654670 or timcatsmgmt@yahoo.com

6

Monday April 16 | 2012 NEWSRECORD.ORG

SPRAGUE’S

SPORTS

SCRIBBLES JAMES SPRAGUE

Thanks to baseball’s first man

Sunday, I gave thanks for a man from the small city of Cairo, Ga. I never met this man. In fact, he died before I was even born.

But every time I walk into a stadium to watch a baseball game, his lasting impact affects me.

This man, born Jan.31, 1919, grew up impoverished but had a knack for athletics.

After his family moved to Pasadena, Calif., in 1920, he excelled in a variety of sports such as track, football, basketball, tennis and, yes, baseball.

He took such talents to Pasadena Junior College, continuing to excel in sports.

He then moved on to the University of California at Los Angeles, where he suited up for the Bruins in basketball, football and baseball while, winning the long-jump event in the 1940 NCAA Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Championship.

Leaving college, he was drafted into the United States Army, where he served honorably from 1942 to 1944. He then picked back up with his athletic career, playing semi-pro football before becoming both athletic director and basketball coach at Sam Huston College in Austin, Texas.

Baseball came back into his life, however, as he found himself playing for the Kansas City Monarchs in 1945. He became an all-star at shortstop while only playing 47 games for the Monarchs, and the performance drew interest from MLB’s Brooklyn Dodgers.

The Dodgers signed him to a contract on Aug. 28, 1945, and he found himself in Montreal playing for the team’s International League squad.

He led the league in batting with a .349 average and was the league’s Most Valuable Player.

Called up to the Dodgers in 1947, he won Major League Baseball’s inaugural Rookie of theYear award, batting .297 with 12 home runs, 48 RBI’s and 29 stolen bases.

The accolades continued.

He was named to the 1949 National League AllStar team — the first of six consecutive All-Star selections — helped lead the Dodgers to the 1949 World Series and was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player.

His baseball career was in full bloom. Count Basie, the famous bandleader and jazz musician, recorded a song about him while a movie about his life story was produced.

His performances on the diamond assisted the Dodgers in again making the World Series in 1952 and 1953, and in finally winning the World Series in 1955.

Retiring from baseball in 1957, he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962 — his first year on the ballot — with approximately 77.5 percent of the vote. The Dodgers retired his uniform number in 1972, paying tribute to his outstanding career with the organization.

The above-listed merits alone, however, aren’t what I’m thankful for.

It’s the struggles the man endured to achieve them.

Sixty-five years ago yesterday — April 15, 1947 — Jackie Robinson stepped onto the baseball diamond with the Brooklyn Dodgers as the first AfricanAmerican player in Major League Baseball history.

Robinson did it during a time of deep-rooted segregation in the U.S., and throughout his career faced blatant racism, slurs and hate from crowds nationwide.

But Robinson drove on. He drove on with class and selfrespect; with pride and a goal to change the way things were in our country at that time.

He carved a Hall of Fame career out from under such trials, and opened the door to the Major Leagues for countless other black players to take their rightful spots on the baseball diamond.

His legacy doesn’t solely rest in breaking baseball’s color barrier. He helped found the African American owned Freedom National Bank in Harlem. He was the first black SEE SPRAGUE | 5

BASKETBALL

UC basketball lands Rubles Titus Rubles signs letter of intent to be a Bearcat

JOSH MILLER | SPORTS EDITOR The University of Cincinnati men’s basketball team added a key signing to their class of 2012 recruiting classes.

UC head basketball coach Mick Cronin announced Wednesday that Titus Rubles — a transfer from Blinn Community College in Brenham, Texas — had become the first member of the 2012 class to sign a national letter of intent to attend UC and suit up for the Bearcats next season.

Rubles (6 foot 7 inches, 220 pounds) is a versatile player that can play on the wing, but he also possesses the ability to play well above his size and battle for rebounds against larger player.

The native Texan shot 50 percent from the field and 72 percent from the free throw line, while averaging 14.5 points and a teamhigh 9.8 rebounds per game during the 201112 campaign. He was named first team allRegion XIV, first team all-conference and NJCAA honorable mention all-American.

Rubles was also named a Region XIV alltournament selection, as he led Blinn to the equivalent of the NJCAA Final Four.

Prior to his success at Blinn, Rubles

stared at Independence Community College in Independence, Kan., where he was named freshman of the year and also earned first team all-Jayhawk Conference and first team all-region honor while averaging a team-best 20.3 points and 12.3 rebounds per game.

Rubles — who is another product of Texas’ extremely competitive high school basketball circuit — graduated as the all-time leading rebounder at God’s Academy in Grand Prairie, Texas, pulling in more than 600 rebounds during his four years. As a senior, he averaged 16.8 points, 13.6 rebounds and 4.7 blocks per game.

Rubles will have only two years of eligibility at UC, starting with the 2012-13 season, and will look to make an immediate impact in UC’s front court, which will be without Yancy Gates for the first time in the past five years.

PROVIDED ART

NEWEST BEARCAT SIGNS University of Cincinnati head basketball coach Mick Cronin announced that Titus Rubles became the first commitment of the 2012 class.

Club tennis advances to nationals

UC’s club tennis team sends eight to championships

MADDY SCHMIDT | TNR CONTRIBUTOR The University of Cincinnati club tennis team captain Sameam Shahrestani and eight of his 55 teammates traveled to Cary, N.C., to compete in the 2012 United States Tennis Association Tennis on Campus National Championship.

We’re really excited and happy to have made it to nationals. We just hope to have made UC proud.

—SAMEAN SHAHRESTANI UC CLUB TENNIS TEAM CAPTAIN

Since the team’s founding in 2002, Shahrestani said he and his teammates have gotten the chance to witness the steady progress they’ve made as a competitive club.

This year marked the first time in the team’s history that it qualify for nationals — a feat that Shahrestani said he’s both excited for and proud of, considering that during his freshman year, the team was happy to have advanced to sectionals for the first time.

“We had the chance to compete against quality teams from all over the country that we would not normally get a chance to play,” said Shahrestani.

The team started out as a small recreational squad but has now worked its way up to one that is nationally competitive.

In 2010 and 2011, the Cats advanced to the Midwest Championship, where they finished 18th and 17th, respectively.

This year, however, they bettered their standings to fourth place.

Prior to the Midwest Championship, the Cats were not even ranked. Sharestani said the team considered itself the underdog prior

PROVIDED ART

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS The University of Cincinnati club tennis team has advanced to United States Tennis Association Tennis on Campus National Championship for the first time.

to the tournament.

“We were a little bitter, because we weren’t even seeded [going into the tournament],” Shahrestani said. “Only teams ranked one through eight from the previous year get seeded.”

Negative feelings were pushed aside, however, when the team knocked off the Ohio State Buckeyes to secure a fourth place finish out of 32 teams in the tournament.

Sharestani said that was his proudest moment as a Bearcat.

“We literally stormed the court and cheered when we knew we had beat them,” Shahrestani said. “It was that much better, too, because it was Ohio State.”

UC entered the national contest ranked sixteenth, but that ranking did not bring down the spirit or resolve of the players who had come so far.

“We’re really excited and happy to have made it to nationals,” Sharestani said. “We just hope to have made UC proud.”

Men’s soccer adds Jamaican standout Jamaican U-20 player Richardo Israel will sign to UC

BRITTANY YORK | SPORTS EDITOR The University of Cincinnati men’s soccer team will add 5-foot 10-inch defender Richardo Israel to its roster for the 2012 season.

Israel joins the squad from Free Town, Jamaica, and was named Most Valuable Player of the DaCosta Cup Finals in 2010 after having led Lennon High School to a 19-1 record.

Head soccer coach Hylton Dayes said he is excited to add Israel to the squad for the upcoming season.

“Richardo is a quality defender, who has played DAYES at the international youth level,” Dayes said. “He is very athletic with good technical skills and should fit in well with our team.”

Evan Talkers, who all signed Israel helped Lennon High (Free Town, and Jamaica) to a 72-8 overall record from 2007in February.

2010, including three semifinals and one UC finished its 2011 season with a record finals appearance. of 6-11-1, which ended on a high note as the Israel also won a Bearcats defeated league title with his U16 No. 11 St. John’s squad in 2008.

1-0 in their final game As member of the at Gettler Stadium.

Jamaica under-20 Four Bearcats national team, Israel took were named to the part in the 2011 FIFA To p D rawe r S o c c e r.

U20 World Cup qualifiers com Top-100 in Guatemala.

Freshman list, Additionally, he —HYLTON DAYES including Big East allhelped Sporting Central UC MEN’S SOCCER HEAD COACH freshman selection to a U21 championship Cole DeNormandie. in 2011.

Israel and the rest of the Bearcats will look Israel plans to major in sports to improve on this past season’s performance administration in the fall and joins a fourmember class including John Manga, when they take the field during the official Jacob Martinez, Gabriel Robinson 2012 season.

Richardo is a quality defender, who has played at the international youth level.

He should fit in well with our team.

Hey! DO YOU WANT YOUR VOICE HEARD THIS OR ANY WEEK?

EMAIL US AND GET YOUR NAME IN PRINT! OPINION.NEWSRECORD@GMAIL.COM