GOLDRUSH: CHARLOTTE VS. CHARLESTON SOUTHERN Coach Lambert Get to know the man wearing the headset in a profile of head football coach Brad Lambert.
Inside Goldrush
L’Shana Tova!
Confused about the Jewish New Year? Learn a little bit about traditional Judasim and explore Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. p. 11
With over 20,000 guests at IFest, representatives from cultures around the world brought their food, customs and fun to campus. p. 3 1
A PRODUCT OF STUDENT NINER MEDIA • THE UNIVERSITY OF 2014 NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE • VOL. N 27,I N ISSUE SEPT. 23 - 29, E R T5I M E S
Sept. 23 through 29, 2014
V O L U M E 2 7, N U M B E R 5
3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
ASSISTANT EDITORS Salina Dickie, Amanda Duke, Aaron McCain
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INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL SGA, WEATHER AND POLICE COACH LANGAN PROFILE OP-ED: SAME-SEX MARRIAGE OP-ED: FREE SPEECH WELL REDS PREVIEW VANCE JOY ALBUM REVIEW JEWISH NEW YEAR
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SEPT. 23 - 29, 2014
NINERTIMES
International Festival attracts crowd of roughly 20,000 people The 39th annual IFest brings together students, faculty and the community to experience cultures and traditions from around the world
Nick Cropper INTERN
The 39th annual International Festival was held Saturday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the courtyard of the James H. Barnhardt Student Activity Center (SAC). UNC Charlotte students and members of the Charlotte community were able to travel the world in one day without ever having to leave campus At the festival, there were booths representing over 50 countries, both inside and outside the SAC. Operated by both student volunteers and volunteers from the Charlotte community, booths were designed to educate and entertain attendants of the festival. Booths were decorated with cloths, trinkets, pictures and even had videos playing throughout the day.
Photos in this spread by Chris Crews.
NINERONLINE.COM
Volunteers were dressed in clothing traditional to their culture. Many of the booths played music, and volunteers sang songs in their native tongue and danced to the tune. “New cultural organizations register to participate and new performers join the lineup each year. It is always exciting to see the countries and cultures represented at the festival through music, song, dance and food, or simply by having a conversation with those at the country booths,� said Maureen Gibson, coordinator of International Initiatives in the Office of International Programs at UNC Charlotte. Inside the SAC, attendants could find several additional booths, along with dance performances and a live band. Each country performed twice throughout the day, showcasing traditional dances and music. Once one group finished their performance, another group took their place on stage. The live band
played several different types of cultural music at the festival. There was also a 20-foot inflatable globe that children could go inside and explore, an annual staple at the event. Outside, there was an international games area featuring several games to play. Attendees had the choice of playing soccer, life-sized chess or bocce ball. There were grills cooking fresh food at multiple outdoor booths. However, many of the booths that were selling food and drinks started to run out towards the end of the festival, and some attendants who
SEPT. 23 - 29, 2014
arrived late were unable to taste some of the dishes. Along with food, many of the booths were selling trinkets for a small price. There were items ranging from traditional jewelry and cloths, to plates and cups decorated in the countries heritage. Some booths that had items for sale were: Peru, Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Ecuador, Brazil and Egypt, among others. International Festival began in 1975. Represented at the festival were some 15 countries, and it was attended by just a few hundred students and members of the
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community. Since then, the International Festival has almost quadrupled the number of countries that are present and has raised attendance to roughly 20,000 people. “It’s grown, it’s gotten a lot better and a lot more diverse. It seems like there’s more publicity and a lot more people,” said senior Spencer Clark. Clark has attended the festival in previous years, but this was his first year as a volunteer for Brazil.
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The International Festival is expected to continue to grow and educate the Charlotte community on its diverse cultural backgrounds. “The 39th annual international Festival continues to be an important event in our community as it calls our attention on an annual basis to the rich cultural diversity and heritage represented at the university and in Charlotte,” said International Festival Founder Marian Beane.
SEPT. 23 - 29, 2014
NINERTIMES
POLICE BLOTTER SEPT. 16 - 18
ASSAULT SEPT. 18
• Lot 6, an unknown subject made unwanted sexual comments to victim. • UNC Charlotte campus, an acquaintance continuously makes contact with victim after being told to stop. • Prospector, an unknown subject threatened to commit bodily harm to victims.
CALL FOR SERVICE SEPT. 17
• Woodward Hall, officer responded to a request to document an incident.
FRAUD SEPT. 17
INTERN
The UNC Charlotte 51st Student Government Association (SGA) weekly Student Senate legislative meeting was held on Sept. 18. UNC Charlotte Athletic Director Judith Rose participated in the meeting to address topics related to the UNC Charlotte Athletics Department.
LARCENY
Women’s soccer UNC Charlotte will be hosting the Conference-USA women’s soccer championship this year. The athletic department is aiming to raise awareness and attendance for the games.
• Belk Track and Field, an unknown subject forcibly removed property from the victim’s duffel bag, which was left unattended in a public area.
Women’s volleyball fundraiser Women’s volleyball will be holding their fundraiser for breast cancer and breast cancer awareness Oct. 10.
• Atkins Library, an unknown subject removed victim’s wallet left unsecured in a public area. • Belk Gym construction site, unknown subject removed victim’s cell phone from unsecured vehicle.
Football attendance for next year’s C-USA football Much of the meeting was spent discussing what will be done about the football program for next year. Upon transferring into C-USA football, it is crucial to raise attendance. The athletic program is doing a test run during this season
• UNC Charlotte campus, an unknown subject acquired money from a victim in regard to a grant scheme.
SEPT. 16
SEPT. 17
For more information on Mecklenburg County arrests, visit arrestinquiryweb.co.mecklenburg.nc.us
weather.uncc.edu GET MORE INFO ABOUT THE UNC CHARLOTTE METEOROLOGY PROGRAM
to see what it is that they will have to change or improve to raise attendance at the games. UNC Charlotte is expected to fill 15,000 seats for each home game. There were 6,732 student tickets sold for the first home game, however, only 4,019 students attended. It is crucial that UNC Charlotte students attend the games. The athletic department is working with SGA on ways that they might be able to facilitate increased attendance. Let there be light Construction of lights for the football stadium will begin after the 2014-15 season. UNC Charlotte marching band UNC Charlotte will have its first marching band appear at games during the 201516 school year. The band will consist of 150 members in its first season, but is expected to grow in the future. The athletic department has already decided on uniforms and is currently in the process of recruiting. Academic Committee The Academic Committee
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY SEPT. 25
SEPT. 26
77°F
74°F
72°F
74°F
SEPT. 23
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Nick Cropper
Sunny. Low of 53.
SEPT. 24
Sunny. Low of 52.
Partly sunny. Low of 56.
FRIDAY
Partly sunny. Low of 58.
SEPT. 23 - 29, 2014
SATURDAY SEPT. 27
76°F Partly sunny. Low of 58.
addressed that they are currently thinking of ways in which they might improve academic advising. They are attempting to make it more efficient and less time consuming for both students and advisors. There are also talks about a “watch list” system for students who are unable to sign up for a class because it is at maximum capacity. Students who are on the watch list will be next in line for a seat in the class if one should open up. Student Affairs The Student Affairs Committee wants to create a new account that would allow declining balance in meal plans to carry over to future semesters. The group is also trying to dedicate certain lots for tailgating. The weekly Student Senate meetings are held every Thursday at 5 p.m. in Student Union Room 200. These meetings are open to the public, and each meeting includes a time for comments from the gallery for those who wish to address the senate.
SUNDAY SEPT. 28
76°F
Partly sunny. Low of 58.
MONDAY SEPT. 29
78°F Cloudy. Low of 60.
NINERTIMES
NEXT MAN UP 49ERS MEN’S SOCCER HEAD COACH KEVIN LANGAN HAS PICKED UP RIGHT WHERE COACH GUNN LEFT OFF
Jared Allen
STAFF WRITER Charlotte 49ers men’s soccer Head Coach Kevin Langan is by no means new to the 49ers family; in fact he was on the sidelines for the team’s run to the National Championship game in 2011. When the phone rang and Langan was offered the head coaching role it was a no-brainer. “Taking over is certainly a daunting task, and I have big shoes to fill but it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down,” said Langan. Now entering his third year as the head coach, he’s looking to take the team to the next level. Football or as we know it better, soccer, runs through Langan’s veins. In the United Kingdom, Langan played professionally for Bristol City Football Club and Forest Green Rovers Football Club over a 10-year career. Langan made many appearances representing the United Kingdom at some of the highest levels and played against the best competition in the world. His coaching career however, led him in a different direction, a direction where soccer is a bit less prominent. Before moving to Charlotte, Langan was the head coach of the San Antonio Scorpions United States Soccer Federation (USSF) Academy for four years. He’s also coached the Classics Elite Soccer Academy’s U-18 USSF Academy team in the 2008-09 season. It’s no surprise that Langan was a wanted man by the 49ers; he’s had success at every level throughout his career. Langan first joined the Charlotte family in 2009 as the associate head coach where he sat behind previous coach, Jeremy Gunn. “The opportunity to work with Coach Gunn was extremely appealing,” said Langan. “When I saw the city, saw the school and heard about the vision of the program, my mind was made up. I saw the potential that was here, certainly a place that didn’t realize the potential it had. I wanted to change that.” Since joining, Langan hasn’t looked back. He’s seen it all; winning 67 games, a trip to the College Cup, hoisting two Atlantic-10 regular season titles and a Conference-USA tournament title.
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Langan has now made the jump to the head coach position and is entering his third year at the helm of the program. He has big goals for the club after leading the team to the most successful season yet under a first year head coach in 2012. For Charlotte fans, it’s music to their ears. The plans are clear: to get back to the National Championship and bring the title home to Charlotte. “We have to just keep improving. It sounds like a cliché, but we’ve been very close. We have to treat every game with the respect it deserves and get to the tournament first and foremost,” said Langan. The 49ers are currently ranked 25 in the country and are well on their way to a tournament appearance once again, but according to Langan, tournament games are a completely different monster. “It’s completely different in the tournament,” Langan insisted. “Its knockout soccer; it’s no longer the regular season. It’s constantly an emotional roller coaster ride and we have to be prepared for that. The games are scrappy and goals aren’t always going to be deserved. The margins of victory are always small and the games usually come down to set pieces. We have to be willing to win the tight scrappy games unlike what we’ve done in the past two years.” In fact Langan believes the team is best suited now for a deep tournament run and is much improved from the past two years. “We’re much stronger and the program is in a great place. The program is much improved in every facet and has been a set piece away from a few major wins,” said Langan. The current team has the potential to bring back a title to Charlotte but what Coach Langan can’t stress enough is that they just have to get there first. The team isn’t skipping any steps in the process. One major reason the team could be destined for a title is the secret formula that Langan has brought to this club and implemented over the years. SEPT. 23 - 29, 2014
Charlotte 49ers Men’s Soccer Head Coach Kevin Langan. Photo by Chris Crews.
“First off there’s no wasted training sessions and we’re task-driven,” said Langan. “People ask what our secret is here at Charlotte; we just work really hard. We have dedicated players and coaches with unbelievable work ethic. That’s just our secret: we work really hard.” This secret that Langan refers to shows out on the pitch when the players take the field. The 49ers have taken some of the country’s greatest competition to the final minutes and have beaten some of the top ranked teams. The players are constantly pushing for more and working to achieve that common goal. Due to this, it’s no secret that each player has a potential future in MLS, in which Langan cannot be credited enough. “The squad is littered with players that can go on and achieve the goal of playing professionally. The current players see the ones before them who’ve trail blazed the path to the pros. The current players see what it takes and at the moment it would be tough to leave a single player out of the discussion,” said Langan. Langan has stressed that every player has the ability to go on and play at the professional level but there’s always that X-factor. “It takes a player with great persistence that refuses to say no. It’s never the best players that make it, it’s the ones with the most persistence,” said Langan. It’s exciting times for the Charlotte 49ers as Langan has the men in high gear early on in the season as they look to get back to the College Cup. The 49ers are currently 5-1 and are looking forward to a matchup with fourth-ranked New Mexico, Friday, Sept. 26 at Transamerica Field.
NINERTIMES
CHARLOTTE VS. CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY 路 SEPT. 27, 2014
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GOLDRUSH 路 A NINER TIMES SPECIAL SECTION
NEW SEASON, NEW CONCESSIONS NEW FOOD OPTIONS PROVIDE A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE AT 49ERS FOOTBALL GAMES EDEN CREAMER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
SEPT. 27, 2014 CHARLOTTE VS. CHARLESTON SOUTHERN VOLUME 2 · ISSUE 2
3 Concessions 4 CSU Preview 6 Coach Lambert 9 Staff picks and tailgating rules 10 Elon Recap EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Eden Creamer CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Megan Van Emmerik NT SPORTS EDITORS
Matt Chapman Alex Passannante
Contact the NT Sports Editors: sports@nineronline.com or @NTimes_Sports
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Emmanuel Loredo SALES: Michelle D’Silva, Jack Fahnestock, Katelyn Ford, Briona Kiser, Melissa McHugh, Dylan Robison NINER TIMES STAFF: Ben Coon, Chris Crews, Scott Gordon, Aaron McCain
NINER MEDIA ADVISER: WAYNE MAIKRANZ MARKETING ADVISER: KELLY MERGES BUSINESS MANAGER: LAURIE CUDDY GRAPHICS & PRODUCTION: PETE HURDLE OFFICE MANAGER: MARK HAIRE
This season of Charlotte 49ers football, fans and guests to Jerry Richardson Stadium will have expanded concession options than those available during the inaugural season. Brad Green, director of Catering and Special Services, says the goal of the new concessions is to provide fans with a completely unique experience at 49er football events. “We’re looking to expand the menus. We also wanted to add some items that we would consider to be unique to the venue so that when people come to a football game they’d be able to try something that they may not be able to try at other venues,” said Green. New this season, in addition to the options available during the 2013-14 season, are the Double Fun Corndog, which is a 15-inch deep fried hotdog that has been coated in a funnel cake and corndog mix, a footlong chili cheese hotdog, pulled pork barbeque sandwich and a bottomless popcorn tub. Starting in November, fans will also be able to purchase donuts at the games. Everything with the exception of these donuts were available at the first home game on Sept. 6, and will be available throughout the rest of the season. The new items available at games were designed with the consumer in mind, as Green explains they hope to be able to provide snacks that football fans will enjoy. “It’s not very common to go to a concessions environment and get a bottomless popcorn, unless you’re at a movie theater, and we know that movie theaters are very well attended by the majority of our population,” said Green. According to Green, the Double Fun Corndog was an item that had been in the works since before the inaugural season, but it never worked out until this year. “We just couldn’t get the mix correct. The batter and the dog have to be in the right ratio to get a good product. We tried last year and were unsuccessful and never released anything to the public. This summer we did some experimentation and came out with that, and it’s just spectacular,” said Green. “It’s a one pound hotdog, so the thing is just ginormous, and really you could feed a family of four
off of this hotdog.” As these new concessions are in their first few games, Catering and Special Services will be evaluating how well the items sell this season in order to determine if they will return for fall 2015. “We try things, and if they work well we leave them and if they don’t work well then we remove them,” said Green. “The barbeque sandwich was very well received. The Double Fun Corndog, we sold quite a few of them and I think getting them out into the stands into the customer’s hands is the biggest battle. It sold very well given the fact that we didn’t do a lot of marketing behind it. The bottomless popcorn was sort of a no-brainer, and it sold like gang-busters.” Green says other additions for fall 2015 are already in the planning stages. “Our goal is to create a series of [souvenir cups]. Next year we’re hoping to put out a cup that will be of higher quality than the cup we’re using right now because we’ll be entering Conference-USA,” said Green. “Our goal next year is to have a cup that you can put in the dishwasher. You know, these cups [we’re using now] are great, but once you put them in the dishwasher seven or eight times they start to get a little faded. Our goal next year is to beef up that program so we have a souvenir cup that can go on a shelf for 10 or 15 years.” This year’s new additions are also setting the stage for years into the future of Jerry Richardson Stadium concessions, according to Green, who is thinking long-term with football food offerings. “For the long range plans for the stadium, when it grows vertically with additional seats and the attendance grows, the program popularity grows, we’re hoping to add full-blown barbeque stands. Not fixed like you have the Bojangles, Papa John’s and Pickaxe, but something that would be a larger mobile cart,” said Green. “We wanted to create a popular staple so that when we expand into the larger offers, we have a core customer built.” Tweet us with #NinerNoms to tell us your thoughts on the new concessions.
CHARLOTTE VS. CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY · SEPT. 27, 2014
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THE BREAKDOWN The Charlotte 49ers look to rebound from a tough loss when they host Charleston Southern this Saturday MATT CHAPMAN SPORTS EDITOR
The Charlotte 49ers (3-1) will return home to Jerry Richardson Stadium this Saturday, Sept. 27, looking to rebound from a tough loss on the road against the Elon Phoenix. The 49ers will be seeking revenge as they host the Charleston Southern Buccaneers (4-0) in a rematch from the 2013 season. Charlotte traveled to Charleston, S.C. last October and suffered a 36-14 defeat at the hands of the Buccaneers. Charleston Southern was ranked 24 in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) polls at the time and they proved why as they racked up 548 total yards with their option offense. Despite being outgained 548-305, the 49ers hung around until the fourth quarter when the Buccaneers finally pulled away by scoring 15 unanswered points to finish the game. Charlotte’s defense forced three turnovers that day which cushioned the blow from being gashed by the Charleston Southern running attack. The 49ers trailed just 21-14 after three quarters but running back Alan Barnwell was tackled in the end zone, resulting in a safety that shifted the momentum and ultimately spelled the demise for Charlotte on the afternoon. It should be interesting to see how the 49ers rebound from their first loss of the season when they return home this Saturday. Charlotte found themselves in a dogfight against Elon and just couldn’t make the big plays at the end of the game that they needed to put them over the top.
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49ers quarterback Matt Johnson had his worst game of the season against the Phoenix, throwing three interceptions while completing just 47.5 percent of his pass attempts. Johnson will have to be better against the Buccaneers or else running back Kalif Phillips will be running against a loaded box all afternoon. Phillips, who scored eight touchdowns in Charlotte’s first three games of the year, was bottled up by the Elon defense for most of the night. He finished the contest with 24 carries for just 80 yards and failed to find the end zone for the first time in seven games dating back to last season. Johnson will also have to limit his turnovers in order to give his defense a rest against the run-heavy offense that Charleston Southern implements. The Charlotte defense was on the field for 36:17 against Elon this past weekend and still gave up just 20 points and allowed the 49ers a chance to win despite allowing 454 total yards. The 49ers had a tough time stopping the short passing game of the Phoenix but buckled down inside the red zone and forced field goal attempts instead of touchdowns to keep Charlotte in contention. Charleston Southern will roll into the Queen City with a lot of confidence as they are still unbeaten after a tough 20-18 victory at home over the Citadel. The Buccaneers have played their first four games at home and will get their first taste of a hostile road environment this weekend at
GOLDRUSH · A NINER TIMES SPECIAL SECTION
Jerry Richardson Stadium. The Buccaneers are averaging 32.8 points per game so far this season thanks in large part to a ground game that posts an average of 185.8 yards per contest. Junior quarterback Austin Brown does a little bit of everything for Charleston Southern. Although he’s an option quarterback, he has still thrown for 643 yard and has a six-toone touchdown to interception ratio. If you focus on the pass, Brown will also hurt you with his legs. He’s the team’s third leading rusher this season with 121 yards, and he also leads the Buccaneers with three rushing touchdowns through the teams first four games. The 49ers rush defense has been dominant this season but they will face their stiffest test to date when Charleston Southern takes the field. Charlotte has allowed just 322 yards on the ground all season and is holding opposing backs to a dismal 2.3 yards per carry average. Opposing teams have found the end zone just one time all year against the 49ers rush defense and that came in the fourth quarter against North Carolina Central after Charlotte had pulled the majority of their starters. The keys to the game for Charlotte will be Johnson making smart decisions and protecting the football on offense, coupled with the 49ers defense continuing to stifle opposing running backs as they have done throughout the first month of the 2014 season. Kickoff for the contest is scheduled for noon inside Jerry Richardson Stadium.
CHARLOTTE VS. CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY 路 SEPT. 27, 2014
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HISTORY IN THE MAKING 49ers Head Football Coach Brad Lambert discusses the unique opportunity of building a new program from scratch MATT CHAPMAN SPORTS EDITOR
Brad Lambert, head coach of the Charlotte 49ers football team, has found himself in a unique situation as the driving force behind a brand new program on the collegiate gridiron in the Queen City. Lambert and his handpicked staff of coaches have built a roster ripe with talent from across the country in hopes of competing at the Division I level in 2015 when the team makes the jump to Conference-USA. Coach Lambert accepted the challenge of leading the 49ers on March 1, 2011, giving him roughly two and a half years to put together the building blocks of the program before their inaugural game against the Campbell Fighting Camels on Aug. 31, 2013. Lambert loved the idea of building this team from scratch, an unusual situation that led to him accepting the job at Charlotte. “Initially my interest was location. The location is what attracted me to Charlotte initially,” said Lambert. “After I met with Judy (Rose) and her staff and saw the plan that was laid out I realized that they were serious about starting foot-
“Brad is, first and foremost, a man of integrity.” Chancellor Phillip Dubois ball here and that really got me fired up. I thought to myself that I’ve got to try and get this thing.” Lambert was also impressed with Rose’s vision for the future of the Charlotte 49ers football program. “Once I met with her and realized how much they’ve done on the preparation side of things, little things that mean a lot to a coach such as building a stadium on campus and fully funded summer school
and things like that indicated that they were serious about football and that’s what attracted me.” UNC Charlotte Chancellor Phillip Dubois announced the hire of Lambert alongside 49ers Director of Athletics Judy Rose in a press conference held in the university’s Barnhardt Student Activity Center. “Brad is, first and foremost, a man of integrity,” said Dubois during the press conference. “Not counting his playing days, he has more than 23 years of experience at the coaching level in four excellent Division I programs. He has experienced
post-season and bowl success. He knows what success looks like. He also understands the importance of patience and resilience required to build a new program.” “I have absolutely no doubt that we got the right fit for Charlotte,” Rose said. “I know after spending as much time with Brad as I have, that he’s a builder. He makes players better -- and I see him doing the same thing in building our program at Charlotte. He’s obviously a relationship person, which I value very strongly. Look at the people that he has coached that have made special plans and flown in to be here today to help celebrate with Brad and his family. To me that speaks volumes.” Lambert has been surrounded by football his entire life, including a four-year span as a standout defensive back for the Kansas State Wildcats in the 1980s. He earned second-team all-Big Eight honors after an impressive 1984 season in Manhattan, Kan.
FAST FACTS ABOUT COACH LAMBERT Lambert was a student-athlete at Kansas State in the 1980s Lambert’s daughter is a freshman on the Western Carolina volleyball team Lambert has coached at Wake Forest, Georgia, Marshall and Oklahoma
Lambert’s nephew, Trevor Lambert, is the director of operations for the 49ers Football Program Lambert earned 2nd-team all-big eight honors as a defensive back at Kansas State in 1984
Photo by Ben Coon
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GOLDRUSH · A NINER TIMES SPECIAL SECTION
UNC CHARLOTTE FOOTBALL 2014 THURSDAY, AUG. 28
Campbell
at Buies Creek, N.C.
7 p.m. SATURDAY, SEPT. 6
Johnson C. Smith at Charlotte, N.C.
Noon SATURDAY, SEPT. 13
North Carolina Central at Durham, N.C.
5 p.m. SATURDAY, SEPT. 20
Elon
at Elon, N.C.
7 p.m. SATURDAY, SEPT. 27 49ers Head Coach Brad Lambert addresses his team following the 2014 spring game. NT File Photo.
He began his coaching career at the University of Oklahoma, a perennial national powerhouse, when Coach Jim Donnan gave him his start as a Graduate Assistant for the Sooners. Lambert then followed Donnan to Marshall during the early 1990s and then was named Special Teams Coordinator for the Georgia Bulldogs in the latter half of the decade. While at Georgia, Lambert coached future NFL pro-bowlers Champ Bailey and Hines Ward during a four-year run that resulted in four straight bowl wins for the Bulldogs. Before accepting the Charlotte job, Lambert spent 10 years under Head Coach Jim Grobe at Wake Forest as the team’s linebackers coach and defensive coordinator. He coached the 2008 Butkus Award winner Aaron Curry during his tenure with the Demon Deacons, and Curry is now a Graduate Assistant with the 49ers after a brief stint in the NFL. Lambert attributes much of his success throughout his coaching career to the lessons he learned under previous coaches at those
big-name Division I programs. “Character, integrity, toughness. That’s how we did it under coach Grobe and that’s how we will do it here. We’re going to be a tough football team that’s really disciplined. I’ve been fortunate to have been around outstanding coaches who have had a huge impact on my career. I owe a lot to them and wouldn’t be where I am without their support and the opportunities they gave me,” said Lambert. “I learned from Coach Grobe, Jim Donnan, Gary Gibbs and people that I had been around that it’s all about the way you treat people. There’s two things about coach Grobe that really stuck with me: he’s a very humble guy and it was always about our team, and also he was a very tough guy. The one thing I took from Coach Donnan was that he was very creative offensively. He was always a guy that was looking for a new way to do something or get a kid involved. I always admired how Coach Donnan would create ways to get the ball into his best players’ hands.” Upon accepting the job with the
49ers, Lambert immediately began to tackle his toughest obstacle by building the roster from scratch. He has now recruited three standout classes and will add another in the offseason before Charlotte moves to Division I. “The thing that’s unique is building your roster is such an interesting challenge. The toughest thing is probably balancing your roster and seeing how you’re going to look four or five years down the road,” Lambert said. “The best thing about it is bringing in coaches and players who are pretty much going to do what you want to do. You’re not inheriting somebody else’s program or someone else’s players. You kind of have a chance to surround yourself with the kind of people you want to be around and go recruit those kind of guys. That’s a huge advantage and I think that’s why our guys prepare so well each week because that’s all that they’ve ever known.” Lambert has done a fantastic job bringing in talented skill players to an unproven program on both sides of the ball. Matt Johnson, Kalif Phillips,
CHARLOTTE VS. CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY · SEPT. 27, 2014
Charleston Southern
(Family Day Game) at Charlotte, N.C.
Noon SATURDAY, OCT. 4
Gardner-Webb
at Boiling Springs, N.C.
1:30 p.m. SATURDAY, OCT. 11
The Citadel
at Charleston, S.C.
2 p.m. SATURDAY, OCT. 25
James Madison (Homecoming Game) at Charlotte, N.C.
Noon SATURDAY, NOV. 8
Coastal Carolina at Charlotte, N.C.
Noon SATURDAY, NOV. 15
Wesley College at Charlotte, N.C.
Noon SATURDAY, NOV. 22
Morehead State at Charlotte, N.C.
Noon
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Austin Duke and Larry Ogunjobi have all been essential in building the type of team Lambert wants to see on the field every Saturday afternoon. The 49ers experienced plenty of ups and downs in 2013 during their inaugural season under the guidance of Lambert. Charlotte finished the year at 5-6 overall, including impressive wins over Gardner-Webb and upsetting losses to teams like Division III Wesley College. Observing the 49ers in their first season, it’s clear to see that Lambert is going to hang his hat on a fast-paced offense that spreads the ball around to their numerous playmakers and also tough, hard-nosed defense that bends but won’t break deep in their own territory. Charlotte’s offense put up impressive numbers in 2013 behind the leadership of their starting quarterback Johnson. The 49ers offense averaged 448.5 yards per game last season, while scoring 33.4 points per contest. Johnson threw 21 touchdown passes as a redshirt freshman seeing his first collegiate football action. The 49ers defense was extremely opportunistic in 2013 as they ranked as one of the top teams in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in terms of forcing their opponents into turnovers. Charlotte intercepted 15 passes, led by three picks from corner-
back Terrence Winchester, and recovered 14 fumbles of the 16 that they forced. Linebacker Caleb Clayton-Molby led the team with three fumble recoveries in their inaugural season. Lambert has all the pieces in place but he understands that the team still has a lot of improvements to make before they can compete at the level of some of the bigger schools he coached at in the past. “I think the biggest thing for us is to try to do everything here in a first-class manner like an FBS school,” said Lambert. “That was part of what originally attracted me. We’ve done that with our players. We’ve traveled like we did at Wake and we recruit like we did at Wake. We just want to do everything we can for our players within our budget. I want the kids to know that we’re going in this direction and we’re going to do it the right way and I think the guys appreciate that.” Lambert has his 49ers off to a good start through four games of the 2014 college football campaign. Charlotte now sits at 3-1 and has outscored their opponents 142-57 through the first month of the season. The 49ers are now hitting the toughest part of their schedule, beginning with a game against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers this Saturday, Sept. 27 at home inside Jerry Richardson Stadium.
Lambert looks on during the 2013 game against North Carolina Central University. NT File Photo
CHARLOTTE VS. CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY · SEPT. 27, 2014
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GAME-DAY TAILGATING EDEN CREAMER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
With the launch of a new football program, the need for an official policy regarding tailgating at the university becomes necessary. As the university revved up for football, a tailgating policy was created to make sure students and fans have the most fun possible while being safe. These rules and regulations are meant to maximize safety and comfort for all that attend. Tailgating rules and regulations are completely broken down in University Policy 706, Alcoholic Beverages. Any violation of this policy may cause students and campus guests revoked tailgating rights, criminal prosecution, disciplinary action through the Office of Student Conduct if the violator is a UNC Charlotte student and/or trespassing charges should the individual be a campus guest.
STAFF GAME PICKS Members of Student Niner Media give their predictions for the Charleston Southern game Saturday
CAMPUS ENTRANCES AND LOT INFORMATION All entrances except the main entrance and the John Kirk Road entrance will be closed five hours prior to kickoff. Gameday entrances open four hours prior to kickoff. Parking and tailgating will be available in lots 5, 5A, 6, 7, 7A, 14, 18, 19, 23, 25, 27 and CRI 2 and 3. Decks available for parking are Union Deck, Cone Deck 1 and 2, West Deck and CRI Deck. On-campus residents not attending the game can park in East Deck 2 and 3 or North Deck. Students who live on campus who normally park in lots designated for tailgating for football game-day parking will be required to move their vehicles to an alternative parking location the night before a home game. If there are any cars in the parking lots as of midnight on game day, the vehicle will be automatically towed. Tailgating areas will open four hours prior to the game. Tailgating at halftime and during the game time is prohibited, and tailgaters will be encouraged to vacate lots. Lots must also be evacuated no later than two hours after the end of the game.
FINAL SCORE: CHAR 21, CSU 20
“The 49ers are returning home following a tough loss at Elon. Charlotte’s run defense will be able to contain the Buccaneers option running attack.”
FINAL SCORE: CHAR 14, CSU 24
“The 49ers gave up 28 points in one quarter against NCCU and 20 in the game against Elon. Their defense will continue to struggle against a good Charleston Southern team.”
LOT CONTRABAND Kegs, glass containers, drinking games, devices used to accelerate the consumption of alcohol, grills in parking decks and on brick pavers, open pit fires, staked tents, household furniture and animals are prohibited.
STADIUM CONTRABAND Tobacco products, other drugs, alcohol of all kinds and weaponry are prohibited. Football patrons will be permitted to bring empty, clear, plastic bottles into the stadium to fill with water at designated fill stations, but other beverages will be prohibited. The complete University Policy 706 is available online. Tailgaters are encouraged to read this policy prior to game-day.
FINAL SCORE: CHAR 27, CSU 35
“Both teams like to run the football so I believe this will be a physical game. I believe Charleston Southern wins because of Charlotte’s inefficiency on third down and turnovers.”
FINAL SCORE: CHAR 34, CSU 28
“The 49ers are coming off a loss to a team that they should have beaten and their offense seems a little better than Charleston Southern’s. Hopefully the students will show up and play a role in the outcome.”
Tweet us your predictions to @NT_Sports using #CHARCSUPicks
CHARLOTTE VS. CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY · SEPT. 27, 2014
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49ERS SUFFER THEIR FIRST LOSS OF THE SEASON IN HEARTBREAKER AT ELON The Charlotte 49ers fell to 3-1 for the season after a nail-biting loss to Elon on Saturday night that came down to the final play MATT CHAPMAN SPORTS EDITOR
The Charlotte 49ers traveled to Elon, N.C. to take on the Elon Phoenix on Saturday night and ended up in a low-scoring dogfight in a hostile environment. Charlotte found themselves at the Elon 22 yard line with 13 seconds left on the clock an no timeouts remaining, trailing 20-13. 49ers quarterback Matt Johnson overthrew his receiver on second down and set up one final shot at the end zone with eight seconds remaining. Johnson dropped back and scrambled away from pressure before throwing a last-second heave to Corey Nesmith Jr. in the corner of the end zone. Nesmith Jr. reeled in the pass and got one foot down for an apparent game-tying touchdown but penalty flags littered the field as the dust settled. “I had a good amount of time,” said Johnson when asked about the final play. “I saw Corey in the end zone and got absolutely railed when I released the ball. I heard our fans cheering after I hit the ground.” Charlotte tackle Jamal Covington was flagged for a holding penalty, and Johnson was penalized for releasing the ball in front of the line of scrimmage, ending the game and dropping the 49ers to 3-1 overall on the season after the heartbreaking defeat. “It was a game that went down to the very end and we just couldn’t get over the hump,” said Charlotte Head Coach Brad Lambert postgame. “We told the guys going in that Elon was good. They have a physical team and a fifth year senior at quarterback. We knew it would be a dogfight.” The 49ers offense struggled through a lethargic first half performance, reminiscent of their season-opening win on the road over the Campbell Camels. Charlotte started the game on a bizarre note as Johnson dropped back to pass on the second play from scrimmage and ran into running back Kalif Phillips, causing a fumble that Elon recovered at the 49ers 25 yard line. On the ensuing Phoenix drive, Charlotte linebacker Tyler DeStefani delivered a
49ers quarterback Matt Johnson scrambles away from pressure from the Elon defense. Photo by Ben Coon.
bone-jarring sack on the Elon quarterback the forced a 50-yard field goal attempt. Elon kicker John Gallagher couldn’t connect on the attempt and the 49ers dodged an early bullet after the offensive miscue. Charlotte’s offense responded nicely on their second possession of the game, driving the ball 67 yards and delivering the first touchdown of the contest. Johnson hit wide receiver Austin Duke over the middle of the field for a 19-yard scoring pass that put the 49ers on top 7-0 with 10:17 remaining in the opening quarter. That’s when the 49ers offense stalled. Over the next four drives Charlotte was forced into three consecutive three-and-outs and then Johnson telegraphed a pass right to Elon’s star linebacker Jonathan Spain for his
first interception since week one. Elon tied the game 7-7 early in the second quarter when quarterback Mike Quinn connected with Kierre Brown who found himself wide open in the back of the end zone after a blown coverage from Charlotte cornerback Greg Cunningham Jr. The Phoenix nickel-and-dimed their way down the field as the 49ers conceded the short slant passes throughout the entire first half. The 49ers put together an impressive drive late in the half as they marched the ball 88 yards down to the one yard line. Elon forced a fourth down at the one and Charlotte decided to hand the ball to Phillips, but he was stuffed at the goal line and the Phoenix took over on downs. The score remained deadlocked at 7-7 as
CHARLOTTE VS. CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY · SEPT. 27, 2014
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49ERS VERSUS ELON STATISTICS Charlotte: Matt Johnson: 19 of 40, 235 YDS, 1 TD, 3 INTS. 9 carries, 54 YDS, 0 TDS Kalif Phillips: 24 carries, 80 YDS, 0 TDS
Elon: Mike Quinn: 43 of 59, 331 YDS, 2 TDS, 1 INT B.J. Bennett: 18 carries, 83 YDS, 0 TDS Tracey Coppedge: 15 carries, 74 YDS, 0 TDS
Austin Duke: 9 catches, 123 YDS, 1 TD
Kierre Brown: 13 catches, 81 YDS, 2 TDS
Dustin Crouser: 15 tackles, 1 INT Tyler Destefani: 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1.5 TFL
the two teams headed into the locker room. Elon converted seven of their 12 third down attempts in the half and held the ball for 17:48 behind their dink-and-dunk offensive attack that the 49ers allowed to take place. Phillips couldn’t get going in the half, carrying the ball 14 times for a total of just 33 yards and no touchdowns. The Phoenix made it a point to load the box against the back who scored eight touchdowns in the first three games of the season. Elon received the opening kickoff of the second half and marched the ball 62 yards down the field but the Charlotte defense held strong and forced the Phoenix to settle for a 24-yard field goal that put them on top 10-7.
Matt Johnson, left, and Austin Duke celebrate their touchdown in the first quarter. Photo by Ben Coon.
Jonathan Spain: 8 tackles, 1 INT
The 49ers offense found themselves in an unfamiliar position on the ensuing drive, trailing for the first time all season. Charlotte responded with a nine play, 65yard drive that stalled inside the red zone. 49ers kicker Blake Brewer drilled a 27-yard field goal to knot the score again at 10-10 midway through the third quarter. Elon continued to utilize the short passing game on their next possession, but the Charlotte defense refused to break deep inside their own territory and forced yet another chip shot field goal. Gallagher nailed his second field goal of the night and put the Phoenix back on top 1310 with five minutes left in the third quarter. Johnson threw his second interception of the night on the following drive but back-toback missed field goals by Gallagher kept the 49ers in contention. The Charlotte defense turned in a gutsy performance throughout the contest despite playing with bad field position on numerous occasions. “From the first drive of the game we were put in some bad positions,” said Lambert on his defense. “Our guys on defense have had a good mentality about just put the ball down and let’s play. We don’t really care where it is, it’s our job to stop them. I thought they really kept us in it and forced some field goals and really gave us a chance to win.” The 49ers managed to tie the game early in the fourth quarter at 13-13 on a 43-yard Brewer field goal. The Charlotte drive looked promising but an untimely holding call forced the 49ers to settle for the field goal attempt. Elon took the lead for good with 3:57 remaining on the clock. Quinn hit Brown in the end zone for the second time in the game, this time on third and goal from the three yard line.
Johnson threw his third and final interception of the night with 2:51 left to play, killing the momentum that Charlotte was building on the drive. The 49ers defense forced a three-and-out that set up the final Charlotte drive. Johnson and the Charlotte offense drove the ball from their own 37 to the Elon 22 before the two penalties ended the 49ers hopes of a miraculous comeback away from home. Johnson had his worst game of the season, completing just 19 of 40 passes for 235 yards including the early touchdown and three costly interceptions. Phillips and Duke became the first two players in Charlotte 49ers history to eclipse 1,000 total yards. Duke finished the night with nine catches for 123 yards and one touchdown grab. “I would take it all back for a win tonight. That’s all that I wanted,” said Duke when asked about his milestone performance. The 49ers defense allowed 454 yards in the contest but still held the Phoenix to just 20 points. Redshirt freshman linebacker Dustin Crouser looked impressive, leading the 49ers with 15 tackles on the night. Crouser also saved the 49ers three points with an interception inside their own 10 yard line. Crouser has now led Charlotte in tackles for two consecutive weeks. Fellow redshirt freshman linebacker Karrington King recorded a career-high 12 tackles in his first career start in place of the injured Caleb Clayton-Molby. “We’ve got to build on this,” said Lambert. “We’re going to have tough opponents from here on out. We’ve got Charleston Southern next week. We’ve got to learn to make plays in the clutch when the game is on the line.” The 49ers return home to Jerry Richardson Stadium next Saturday to host the undefeated Charleston Southern Buccaneers. Charlotte will be seeking revenge after dropping a 36-14 decision to the Buccaneers last season.
“We’re going to have tough opponents from here on out. We’ve got to learn to make plays in the clutch when the game is on the line.”
CHARLOTTE VS. CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY · SEPT. 27, 2014
Brad Lambert
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GOLDRUSH 路 A NINER TIMES SPECIAL SECTION
Leave it to the courts State same sex marriage bans are falling one by one as judges deem the laws unconstitutional
Sean Grier
STAFF WRITER Our campus went through some trying social issues two years ago. Specifically, I am referring to our Student Government Association’s inability to pass a resolution that encouraged inclusion over exclusion, love over hate and specifically called for our chancellor to speak out against the mistermed “gay amendment,” Amendment One. Marriage between same-sex couples was already illegal in North Carolina and most states, but to ensure the sanctity of heterosexual marriage, the Republican-controlled General Assembly passed an amendment to be voted on by the citizens of the Tar Heel state that would add the ban into the North Carolina Constitution. That is right – the Republicans sought to degrade and inflict fiscal and familial damage to same-sex couples. They strategically placed this vote around a primary because they knew who was likely to vote in primaries. We know that college students, independents, elderly and liberals tend to have lower turnout rates than Republicans. Notwithstanding those obvious facts, North Carolina is also home to one of the most popular evangelical Christians, Billy Graham. Graham took out full-page ads in the year leading up to the vote to encourage people to support the amendment and described it to parishes as the “gay amendment” when, in essence, it affected more heterosexual fami-
lies than homosexual ones. The amendment mandates that, “Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State. This section does not prohibit a private party from entering into contracts with another private party; nor does this section prohibit courts from adjudicating the rights of private parties pursuant to such contracts.” This means civil unions and most domestic partnerships are now void. We know that support for marriage between consenting adults of the same sex is growing. There is less tolerance for the bans that popped up in the wake of the Bush years and there is even less hate being spewed by the right. I think they have realized what we all have: same-sex marriage is inevitable. Now it is a matter of being that one crusader for the “sanctity” of marriage or being a proponent of love and equality. So far, over 40 state and federal judges have struck down same-sex marriage bans in the two years since the Windsor case. Now we have four different appellate courts that have weighed in on the issue and whether or not to stay the rulings of the lower federal courts. The 10th Circuit Court was the first circuit court to approve samesex marriage when it struck down Oklahoma and Utah’s ban. The 4th Circuit Court, which has
EDITORIAL POLICY Niner Times is written and produced by students at UNC Charlotte. All unsigned editorials are the expressed opinion of the editorial board and do not represent the views of the University. Views expressed in signed editorials are solely those of the author. Niner Times is published on Tuesdays during the regular academic year except during holidays and exam periods.
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jurisdiction over Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and South Carolina, recently struck down Virginia’s marriage ban. This case, depending on action by the Supreme Court, could have ramifications for North Carolina and South Carolina because they have laws in place that are very similar to Virginia’s. The 7th Circuit Court, which covers Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, issued a unanimous opinion just nine days after hearing arguments, declaring Wisconsin and Indiana’s bans unconstitutional. The most recent case involving same-sex marriage in the appellate sector involves the 9th Circuit Court. The court declared Idaho and Nevada’s bans unconstitutional. These decisions are symbolic in that the judges and justices from both sides of the political spectrum deem marriage an inherent right and see the bans as forms of discrimination by the government. While the LGBT community has deemed these cases a win, there are frustrations with the stays that the circuit courts have placed on the lower court rulings or, in the 4th Circuit’s case, the stay that was initiated by the Supreme Court that essentially blocked the marriages until they have a chance to weigh in. Questions also remained for the transgender community regarding laws that burden or discriminate against the transgendercommunity
GIVE US SOME FEEDBACK Niner Times welcomes letters. Feedback should be under 200 words, legibly written or typed and should include the author’s signature, year in school, major and telephone number. Faculty and staff should include title and department. Unsigned, anonymous letters will not be printed. All letters are subject to editing for space and style.
SEPT. 23 - 29, 2014
and how these laws would affect how they wish to be identified and how the government currently identifies them. I believe rights are things of the future, and once the courts decide these same sex marriage cases, the judicial scrutiny will shift to the transgender community. Currently, same-sex marriage is legal in 19 states, the District of Columbia and 10 Native American tribal jurisdictions. Thousands of marriage licenses were issued to couples in Utah, Michigan, Arkansas, Wisconsin and Indiana before the appellate courts stayed those marriages. Same-sex marriage will happen, and the world will not end. If those irrational minds are still using the procreation or the “What’s next?” argument as legitimate justifications for blocking marriage for same sex couples, I would encourage them to leave their caves of ignorance and injustice and enter the 21st century, where love is stronger than hate. Within the next term, North Carolina’s Amendment One will be no more, heterosexual families in civil unions will be recognized, those in domestic partnerships will no longer be in legal limbo and all will be better in the Tar Heel state. The argument against a secure family unit and what that unit entails has fallen on its back more than 40 times since Windsor. It’s time for the Supreme Court to end the debate.
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NINERTIMES
FREE SPEECH
CAMPUS
Restricting free speech to a specific zone serves to enable hate speech while undermining constructive student activism
Casey Aldridge
STAFF WRITER Every time I hear that the evangelical, fire and brimstone preachers are at the free speech zone at Belk Tower, I make it my top priority to avoid them. But I didn’t always. I used to feel the need to counter the preachers with speech of my own, initiating a war of words. When others encouraged me to starve the preachers of attention, I would shrug and disregard their suggestions; I always felt that the best response to hate speech was rational and respectful counter-speech. I have changed my mind because when I give those men my ear, I give them a space on campus. It might be a space contrary to my own, but it’s a space nonetheless. The very act of engaging with them legitimizes their words as speech. Their sermons, however, are not speech, but rather weapons. Every time they vocalize their heterosexism, cissexism and xenophobia or condemn a student to hell, they inflict a level of psychological damage that can’t be quantified. Hate speech is warfare, whether its broadcasted to the masses at Belk Tower or told to a student point-blank in the Student Union. That’s where, two weeks ago, fellow Niner Neili Eggert says she fell victim to a violently anti-Semitic attack when she was told to “go burn in an oven” – a clear allusion to the Holocaust. Apart from the problem of addressing disgusting, inflammatory hate speech is the problem of how our university and colleges across the United States deal with “speech” in general. UNC Charlotte is not uncommon in having a designated free speech zone, and Photo by Chris Crews
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though its location at Belk Tower is a highly navigated stretch of campus, it also serves to isolate all speech from the school at large. It is clear to me that the purpose of these free speech zones is not to encourage dialogue but rather to maintain the status quo by both giving a space on campus to verbal assault and limiting the capacity of truly productive and substantial democratic discourse. In my first semester on campus, I and about 20 other students participated in a national campaign by the Rainforest Action Network to say, “We won’t work for climate chaos.” We attended a Bank of America student recruitment meeting, and not long after it had started, we began to chant and leave the room. But before we could voice our message, we were shouted down by campus security, threatened with arrest and escorted from the building. In my campus disciplinary meeting, I pointed to the student handbook to prove that my conduct fell within acceptable speech, and the charges were dropped. But I remember the officer telling me as we were escorted out of the building that if we had shared our message in the free speech zone, we would have been fine. What’s free speech if you’re told where you can and can’t have it? What’s free speech if it’s given the same level of reverence as the hate speech of a heterosexist pastor on campus or the anti-Semitic slurs of a fellow student? Last semester, when a soldier of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) came to campus to speak, two friends of mine – Sarona and Ashley, who are both involved in Palestinian solidarity activism on campus – wanted to attend and ask deliberate questions during SEPT. 23 - 29, 2014
the forum. They were turned around and threatened with arrest by a campus officer – not even permitted to so much as enter the otherwise open event. Real activism and constructive speech, however, have never been the aims of universities. This summer, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign fired Professor Steven Salaita for tweeting his criticism of Israel’s operation in Gaza this summer. This summer, at a conference in Montreal, I also met Ohio University Student Senate President Megan Marzec, who received death threats after she took on a variation of the “ice bucket challenge” to call for divestment from the occupation of Palestine. Sarona is helping to organize Students for Justice in Palestine, modeled on the successful divestment movements against South African apartheid, and was one of the two prevented from attending the IDF event last spring. Every time we talk about the conflict, she always makes deliberate care to differentiate between Israel and the Jewish people and is very adamant in denouncing any and all anti-Semitism in the Palestinian solidarity movement. But when university policy is to corral and contain all free speech to Belk Tower, it not only fails to differentiate between verbal assault and genuine free speech, but also it provides opportunity for the former and strangles the latter. It falsely equates anti-Semitism with Palestinian solidarity and in doing so both enables hate speech and suppresses honest critiques of the occupation of Palestine. UNC Charlotte needs a free speech campus without tolerance for hate speech, rather than a free speech zone that can’t distinguish between the two.
NINERTIMES
Photo courtesy of the Well Reds official website
The Well Reds study for their show at Cone Atlanta based quartet brings college tour to UNC Charlotte Chester Griffin
STAFF WRITER On Sept. 30, UNC Charlotte becomes a part of the growing list of colleges and universities that the Well Reds have performed at. Their performance starts at 7 p.m. at the Cone University Center. “All of our fans when we were getting started were 18-to-20-year-olds and we just felt like they were in college so that was a natural place for us to be playing,” says guitarist and vocalist Jeremy Ezell. Even after performing at over 50 colleges, Ezell always finds himself pleasantly surprised by the variety of venues they offer. “Sometimes when you walk into a school, it’s a coffee shop kind of setting and sometimes it’s a full blown festival show,” Ezell says. For their latest album, “Volume,” The Well Reds worked with Grammy award-winning record producer Joseph Prielozny. Ezell says Prielozny pushed them to make their music more adventurous and helped take their music in new directions they had not thought of. “It was very different; he’s very much about the song, getting the song right, how the song
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feels, about the emotion of the song and really communicating the honesty of the track,” Ezell says. “One of the things I remembered he kept repeating over and over again was that ‘It doesn’t matter how good it sounds, as much as it matters how good it feels.’” “We would do sessions from 11 at night to five in the morning so there was a different energy and vibe about what’s going on and when you’re exhausted, it kind of strips away a lot of those preconceptions about which direction you may have gone in previously,” says drummer Torin Degnats. “Having an open time table and jumping all over the place was at times frustrating, some conflict, but I think ultimately it really allowed the songs to breathe and live in the studio.” When writing music for an album, each member writes his own song before throwing it into a pot to be workshopped. “Once we get all those songs into that pot, it’s kind of fair game, anybody can say anything or do anything, it’s an open table,” Ezell says. “Some of them change completely, some of them don’t change at all; it just depends on SEPT. 23 - 29, 2014
the song.” Degnats says for his music, he tries to convey a specific emotion. “I really try to approach the songwriting in a way while I’m trying to take myself out of the writing and I’m trying to look at it as if I was a listener and what I personally would be feeling if I heard the song that I’m working on.” For their upcoming album, The Well Reds are using Loudfund to allow fans to becomes investors in their music. “There’ve been some regulations on investments for non-credited investors to invest in a startup company and what that has allowed is a legitimate opportunity for fans to become investors in music,” Ezell says. “This was a natural chance for us to open up our album to our fan base and anyone who would like to become our record label basically.” Ezell says it’s a great opportunity for fans to earn money off their upcoming album. “Volume” releases on Nov. 10. Ezell encourages students and fans to come out to the show and follow and like them on Twitter.
NINERTIMES
“Dream Your Life Away” by Vance Joy
Vance Joy’s debut studio album, “Dream Your Life Away,” gets three stars
Torron Williams INTERN
Following the success of the highly successful single, “Riptide,” Vance Joy finally churns out his debut album, “Dream Your Life Away,” via Atlantic Records. Released Sept. 9, in the United States, the album debuted at No. 1 on Australian charts and is gradually making impact in the United States Joy’s sound is best described as acoustic guitar-driven, stripped down alternative music. Reminiscent of Ed Sheeran and John Mayer with leading tracks like “From Afar,” and “Best That I Can,” Joy conveys a variety of sincere vocals with thought provoking lyrics, all written by himself. Halfway through “Away,” the concept and sound with the songs begin to sound redundant. All great in execution, but it seems like there is something missing. The same
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chord progression and percussion cadence can only be recycled so many times. Overall, “Dream Your Life Away” boasts an appropriately introductory sound. Joy is clearly still developing his artistry as a major label artist. The tracks have a very commercial appeal and would be fitting if companies use them to market and advertise their products. Joy’s debut album, showing itself after over a year of success from with the leading single, comes with a collection of sounds similar to the single that may or may not impact radio at the same level. Gradual success is expected, but it is only a matter of time before Joy links up with big hit producers in attempt to make a macro impact on the States and coverage beyond his hometown glory. ACROSS 1 Southwestern plateaus 6 “The jig __!” 10 Equivalent, in France 14 Bucking beast 15 Brother of Abel and Cain 16 Prado hangings 17 Yoga position 18 Selling point for a house on the coast 20 Amble past 22 Ranked in the tournament 23 Top bond rating 24 Red and Yellow 25 Sin forbidden by the Second Commandment 30 Auditor of bks. 33 Crazes 34 Like the Oz woodsman 35 Avoid like the plague 36 Circular gasket
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37 Meat with eggs 38 Envelope closers 39 Frozen sheet 40 Watch pocket 41 One taking bets 42 Aficionado 43 Fortuneteller’s tool 45 Crate piece 46 Antlered critter 47 Lounging robe 50 Hold a parking lot party 55 Cop’s night stick, and what the beginnings of 18-, 25- and 43- Across could form 57 Get-go 58 New York canal 59 Inner Hebrides isle 60 Appraised 61 Auctioned auto, often 62 Pirate’s booty 63 Jackets named for an English school
DOWN 1 Some CFOs’ degrees 2 Once, old-styl 3 Fly like an eagle 4 __ Domini 5 Scamp 6 Weather map line 7 Cabinet dept. head 8 Sport-__: off-road vehicle 9 Gradually introduce 10 Overhangs around the house 11 Crossword puzzle component 12 Suit to __ 13 Lascivious 19 Minimum-range tide 21 Thailand neighbor 24 Wedge of wood 25 “Later!” 26 Alfalfa’s sweetheart 27 Bagel flavor 28 Connector of two points 29 Wild guesses 30 Grammy winner Khan 31 School kid 32 Yosemite photographer Adams 35 Untidy type 37 “Joy to the World” songwriter Axton 38 Traditional tales 40 Saint from Assisi 41 “__ Ha’i”: “South Pacific” song 43 Sculptor’s material 44 Lipton unit 45 Fifth-cen. pope called “The Great” 47 Driver with a handle 48 Suffix with million or billion 49 Fix up and resell quickly 50 Sashimi staple 51 Tiny biting insect 52 Regarding 53 High schooler 54 Scheduled takeoff hrs. 56 Almost on “E”
NINERTIMES
FELLOW NINERS CELEBRATE HIGH HOLY DAYS Members of the Jewish community are preparing to celebrate their new year and kick off year 5775 of the Jewish calendar. Check out how UNC Charlotte students are celebrating the holiday
Sydney Stephens INTERN
During the fall, many people take the time out of their busy schedules to observe holidays and traditions that they hold close to their hearts. Halloween, Thanksgiving and eventually Christmas will be celebrated by many, but there is a holiday that most overlook and fellow 49ers will celebrate this year. Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 24 at sundown and ending Thursday, Sept. 25 at sundown, the Jewish community will celebrate Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah is a two-day celebration that signifies the Jewish New Year. This year is year 5775 of the Jewish calendar. Rosh Hashanah is believed to be the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve and the beginning of the world. It is the first of the High Holy Days, which are a time of repentance and reflection. Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, is 10 days after Rosh Hashanah and is the holiest day of the year. During the 10 days between Rosh
Hashanah and Yom Kippur, it is important for members of the Jewish community to repent, reflect and decide who they want to be in the upcoming year. Many celebrate Rosh Hashanah by going to services and having traditional meals with foods such as apples and honey to symbolize the hope for a sweet new year. It is believed that apples have healing properties and can promote health in the coming year. In biblical times, honey represented good wealth and good living. Challah, which is a form of braided bread, is also commonly served in the shape of a spiral to symbolize creation and the continuity that embodied it. Among the UNC Charlotte community, Sean Zilberdrut is an active member of Hillel, the UNC Charlotte Jewish student organization. Zilberdrut is a senior this year and has been a member since his freshman year. He took over as president during his sophomore year, and this year is serving as treasurer.
“Personally, I like to spend it with a Jewish family in Charlotte that does a traditional service and traditional meal. It’s a lot of fun with them.”
Sean Zilberdrut 11
Members of Hillel pass around challah at the Love Song Shabbat event. Photo by Chris Crews
“Personally, I like to spend [Rosh Hashanah] with a Jewish family in Charlotte that does a traditional service and traditional meal,” said Zilberdrut. “It is a lot of fun with them. All kinds of people have their own personal ways of celebrating Rosh Hashanah, whether it is a type of synagogue they go to or a meal they have.” There is no right way to celebrate the holiday, and many families come up with their own traditions and ways of ringing in this new year. Some may go the traditional route with a synagogue service while others may opt for a festive meal or less traditional celebration. The day is meant to be a day of joy and celebration to ring in the new year. Being Jewish and living in the South means being a part of a
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minority group. There are, however, a number of Jewish students on campus. Students who wish to practice their faith and be among fellow Jewish students can find a home in Hillel. Hillel is a national organization with over 550 colleges and universities that have chapters. The chapter at UNC Charlotte encourages students to enrich their lives through social, cultural and educational experiences in an environment that is pluralistic and celebrates Judaism. Hillel is not a strictly Jewish organization so students who are not Jewish can participate and learn about Jewish culture. Members of Hillel are always willing to share their traditions and faith with nonJews. During the academic year, Hillel
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HOLY DAYS, CONT.
Members of Hillel perform traditional dance at the International Festival. Photo by Chris Crews
hosts many events and discussions that pertain to current events in Israel and also events related understanding Judaism and traditions within the religion. Members of Hillel participated in the International Festival on Saturday, Sept. 20, with a booth and a traditional Israeli dance performance.
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They also hold Friday night meals twice a month with a service before to observe Shabbat, or the Jewish Sabbath. The meals are a great way for members to get to know each other and feel more supported by the Jewish community. There are challenges that sur-
round being Jewish in a dominantly Christian area. “It definitely has its challenges, especially given how few Jews are here,” said Zilberdrut. “It is hard to feel at home as a Jew when you have such a small community, but when we do get together it is in a way strengthening because you know that there are challenges and you work at them even when you choose to hold on to traditions and heritage and it really strengthens the community.” Hillel is a welcoming organization for those curious about Judaism or for Jewish students who are looking for a way to worship on campus. It may be a small community, but it is held together by its members who are passionate about their religion and beliefs. They see each other as more than a community, but rather a family. They are here to promote peace and understanding of Judaism. To get involved with Hillel, check out their OrgSync page or connect with them on Facebook.
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Fun facts •
Traditional foods include apples and honey, raisin challah, honey cake and pomegranate.
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“L’Shana Tova” or simply “Shana Tova” is the greeting appropriate for Jewish friends on Rosh Hashanah.
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Blowing the shofar, ram’s horn, at synagogue is one of the ways to ring in the new year.
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The holiday is celebrated in the Hebrew month of Tishrei, heseventh month in their calendar.
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Rosh Hashanah is the only Jewish holiday that falls on a New Moon.
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