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@PPUGlobe February 20, 2019
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Amanda Myers reviews Pittsburgh’s own Jeff Goldblum’s jazz set Editor-Elect Dara Collins wants you to ask for help, not homework answers Women’s and men’s basketball readies themselves for playoffs ppuglobe.com
Covering the world of Point Park University news since 1967
Issue 7
Track and field head coach terminated last Friday By Allison Schubert Co-Sports Editor
Kelly Parsley, head coach of the track and field teams for the past five years and head coach of the cross country team for the past four, was relieved of his position at the university on Friday morning. The termination came after Parsley received his ninth and tenth recognitions as River States Conference (RSC) Coach of the Year for both the women’s and men’s teams in the indoor season. Prior to his time at Point Park, Parsley coached at various levels, including the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and high school. Before beginning the program with the Pioneers, he also had a hand in starting programs at NAIA Lindenwood University-Belleville in Missouri and Goldey Beacom College in Delaware. Parsley came to Point Park in January 2014 as the first head coach of the track and field program. He added cross country to his resume the following year, leading the team to the conference championship in his first season as head coach. One anonymous source
told The Globe that an investigation was launched following a mental health incident in which Parsley did not take the proper actions. Point Park released a statement on Monday evening, attributing the sudden relief of Parsley to a simple coaching change. “Point Park University is announcing a coaching change for track and field and cross country,” the statement said. “Jim Spisak will immediately serve as the interim head coach of both track and field and cross country, replacing Kelly Parsley, who was head coach of track and field for the last five years and cross country the last four years. Coach Spisak is in his first year on the Point Park coach staffing for cross country and track and field.” The Globe reached out to former coach Parsley, but he did not return multiple requests for comment on the issue. According to senior Eric Torres, a former athlete of Parsley’s, an initial complaint against Parsley was filed in mid-October. “We had our share of arguments throughout my time on the team for three years,” Torres said in an interview on Monday night. “After this last incident though, I had to take action.
Robert Berger| Point Park Athletics
Former head coach of the track and field and cross country teams, Kelly Parsley, stands on the sidelines during a meet earlier this season. Parsley was named Coach of the Year ten times total throughout his tenure with the teams before his termination on Friday. Enough of my teammates and friends had accusations against Parsley before, but no one ever acted on it.” Torres explained that it was a personal discrepancy between them and Parsley, and that they felt secluded being a member of the team with him as the coach. Other athletes, like senior Anna Shields, took to Facebook following the news being broken to the athletes on Friday to defend Parsley. “Coach Parsley built this team and I think it’s sad he won’t get the chance to
see the team finish out the year,” Shields said. “Many of my teammates and I are informing the athletic department and the school administration that Coach Parsley gave us a wonderful experience in track and cross country. He supported us not only as just athletes, but as students and as people.” Dennis McDermott, United Student Government (USG) senator and athlete on the track and field team, ensured that he and USG were pushing for all coach-
es to be better equipped for dealing with mental health issues in the future, regardless of the reasons for Parsley’s termination. Spisak has already stepped into his role as interim head coach, taking a reduced Point Park team to Kent State to compete in the final meet of the season before nationals, which will be held from Feb. 28 to March 2 in Brookings, South Dakota.
Allison Schubert alschub@pointpark.edu
Wolfie’s Pub opening Downtown, USG debates new bylaws, constitution offering opportunities to students USG By Mitchell Drake USG Beat Writer
The United Student Government (USG) met on Monday to discuss new bylaw resolutions to change how USG presidents are appointed. The rules committee planned on enacting parts of bylaw Resolution 02182019 - making presidential candidates go through an interview process to be valid candidates. Beforehand, the president would nominate fellow USG members to become candidates. Dean of Student Life Michael Gieske commented on the resolution, criticizing the ramifications of putting the constitutional change into effect. “You are now forcing every new president to do it that way,” Gieske said. Senator Grace Tyler Frank-Rempel defended the decision, stating that the resolution was going to be enacted to prevent a future president from choosing friends and possible nepotism.
The resolution would have still left the ability for presidents to choose candidates, but was sent back to the rules committee for further review in their next meeting. Treasurer Kortney Lampel detailed USG and club budgeting, stating that clubs have spent $5,747 of their budgeted funds and that USG has personally spent $1,043. Senator Alexa Lake added that when club heads meet in March to submit their APF funding form for clubs to receive funding, they will receive a guide on how to submit them. The guide will feature a “do’s and don’ts” of what to budget for in a club. Lake stated that the previous methods of teaching club heads how to budget was inconsistent and took too long to fill out for many clubs at once. Lake also stated that the new guide would make the finance committee’s jobs more consistent while bylaws about budgeting would become more transparent.
USG page 3
By Jordyn Hronec Co-News Editor
The closure of Pirata, a bar and grill on Forbes Avenue, came as a surprise to many. “People loved the food, the atmosphere and the drinks, but there just wasn’t enough foot traffic,” Bob Wolfinger, co-owner of Pirata, stated. However, a new restaurant called Wolfie’s Pub, which will also be owned by Wolfinger, is set to take its place next month, and it will have numerous ties to the university. Wolfinger stated that he hopes to transform the restaurant and attract faculty and students of Point Park in his new endeavor. He began by working with Steve Tanzilli of the Rowland School of Business in order to rebrand the restaurant completely. “There’s going to be new lights, new wall decor, new menus and we’re adding outdoor seating,” Wolfinger said. Wolfinger hopes that students are receptive to the change. “I want students in here,” Wolfinger said. “I want this to be a gathering place and for it to feel
Jordyn Hronec | The Globe
Buffalo Chicken Pierogies will be featured on the menu at Wolfie’s Pub near Market Square. Wolfie’s is estimated to open the week of March 11. comfortable. There needs to be great food, great service, great atmosphere, and a great vibe. I want people to walk out of here thinking that it’s about time we have something like this in Downtown Pittsburgh.” Wolfinger is going about achieving this goal in multiple ways. One way that includes the involvement of Point Park is the pub’s involvement in the new “Music City Downtown” program, which
aims to increase live music performances in the downtown area. Wolfinger stated that he is currently working with Ed Traversari of Pioneer Records to host live music in the venue, which he hopes to have booked for at least five nights a week. But the pub also plans to cater to students in other ways, specifically, through food.
WOLFIE’S page 2
Weather Forecast Today: Snow/Rain H 39, L 38
Thursday: Cloudy, H 43, L 27 Friday: Cloudy, H 44, L 24 Saturday: Showers, H 48, L 45
Sunday: Showers, H 56, L 34 Monday: Partly Cloudy, H 43, L 29 Tuesday: Showers, H 46, L 34
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2019
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THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
Wolfie’s Pub opening in old Pirata space from WOLFIE’S page 1 So far, Wolfie’s Pub has held four food tastings for prominent members of the Point Park community that have been working with Wolfinger to make the pub a reality. One attendant was United Student Government senator, Mathew Johnson, who has been to all four tastings. “Each time we went we tasted different foods and we gave our feedback and critiqued it,” Johnson, a freshman intelligence and national security major, said. “The food was always amazing. We never had that many critiques, just little things. But he [Wolfinger] really wanted to perfect it.” According to Johnson, the taste-testing menu has consisted of six different types of pierogies, three different types of macaroni and cheese, salads, wings, quiches, sandwiches and fries. Johnson also stated that the restaurant plans to provide vegan options as well, including a version of buffalo chicken dip made from jackfruit, which according to Johnson, tasted almost indistinguishable from the non-vegan version. Specific potential menu items include a salmon salad, buffalo chicken pierogies, a fried bologna sandwich and molten lava cake. “Food is amazing, and there’s all kinds,” Johnson said. “They do plan to have non-alcoholic ‘alcohol’ as well for students who want to go out with their friends but don’t want to drink. But you’ll still be able to have a non-alcoholic drink in your hand.” The pub is planning on partnering with local businesses for products, such as serving ice cream from Millie’s, a local favorite of Point Park students, and alcohol from local breweries. The restaurant will also feature
iconic Pittsburgh items such as BreadWorks bread. According to both Johnson and Wolfinger, the pub is currently working with the university to try and allow students to use their Flex Dollars on menu items. Wolfinger met with Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Affairs Keith Paylo to communicate his vision of creating a place where students and faculty can gather and enjoy themselves. “Paylo is looking into the logistics of Flex,” Wolfinger said. “I would love to extend an offer to students of using Flex in here. “What they [Point Park University] don’t have is a gathering spot. A place where students, faculty, alumni and parents can go and have a gathering place, and that’s Wolfie’s Pub.” Wolfinger also stated that he was planning on including an “alumni room” in his restaurant to showcase Point Park’s history and that he also plans to pull photos from Point Park’s archives to place in different areas, including the alumni room and a “Hall of Fame” leading to the bathroom, showcasing different musical and athletic achievements of Point Park throughout its history. Phil Harrity, the university’s archival services coordinator, is collaborating with the Rowland School of Business to incorporate Point Park’s history in the pub’s decor. “As of right now, it’s looking like we’re going to have a timeline of Point Park located in the one room that is dedicated to the history of Point Park,” Harrity said. “On the outside, there are going to be past symbols of the school, mascots, that type of thing. On the inside, there will be photos of student life, a timeline of the buildings we’ve inhabited and a blend of all
By Dara Collins
Jordyn Hronec | The Globe
Molten Lava Cake with ice cream will be featured on the desert menu at Wolfie’s Pub near Market Square. Wolfie’s is estimated to open the week of March 11. the schools. There’s also the possibility of having a sports timeline.” Wolfinger also explained the other ways in which students are getting involved with the project, including an interactive digital display on one of the restaurant’s main walls. The wall would showcase different photos of the Pittsburgh skyline amongst other things. “With the wall, bartenders can trigger different effects,” Wolfinger said. “Like if the Pirates hit a homerun, we could put fireworks up there.” According to Wolfinger, Point Park students are being recruited to create part of the restaurant’s decor, including tasks such as taking the photos that will be displayed on the wall as well as dealing with the hardware aspects of it. Wolfinger is also partnering with Camille Downing, a graphic design lecturer at Point Park, to recruit graphic design students to design the pub’s logo and menus. Other students though, who are simply looking for new places to eat downtown, are excited to see what the new restaurant has to offer upon its opening. This includes Johnson.
CulinArt builds new offices By Andrew Brinker and Jordyn Hronec Co-News Editors
For many students, entering the Point Cafe this week came with a surprise - a construction site that took up the entire back right corner of the seating area. The small change to the campus landscape seemed to go up overnight, and appeared to be dedicated to building an entirely new room, which raised questions regarding the specific intentions of this sudden development in the layout of the Cafe. According to Katie Jacob, the General Manager for CulinArt, the answer is simple the site will soon be home to new offices for the CulinArt management team.
According to Jacob, the need for ample office space is a result of CulinArt’s extensive management team. “We have ten managers located in our office in the Point Cafe,” Jacob said. “That includes dining directors, April, our controller, and a couple of chefs.” The current CulinArt office is located in Lawrence Hall near the Point Cafe in the same small hallway as the Center for Inclusive Excellence and the Point Closet. According to Jacob, this site will soon be home to a new department unknown to CulinArt. According to Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Affairs Keith Paylo, that office space will now be an office for summer educa-
Jordyn Hronec | The Globe
The construction site in the Point Cafe that will soon house new CulinArt offices.
tion, dedicated to online summer classes. The specific site for the new CulinArt offices was selected, because according to Jacob, it allows for the offices to remain both close and available to students and staff. However, student reaction to the office move, as well as the new construction, has been mixed. While some students recognize the necessity of this office space, it does not come without concern. “CulinArt does need offices, but it sucks that it’s taking up seating space,” Victoria Russic, a freshman screenwriting major said. Russic also cited her concern with another potential issue brought about by the new office location; the removal of vending machines. The management offices will fill the space that was previously occupied by seating and vending machines. Those vending machines have been permanently removed. “It sucks because there are people who use the vending machines all the time,” Russic said. “And now they have to go to Academic [Hall] to use the nearest ones.” Sierra Dawson, a sophomore biology major, also acknowledged the new absence of vending machines in the Cafe, but did not share the same disdain for the change as other students.
“Honestly, whenever I do go in the future after they open, I don’t know what I’m going to order, because it’s all so good,” Johnson said. Allison Hritz, a sophomore secondary social studies education major, is also excited for what the new restaurant could mean for students and staff. “I think it would be a really good opportunity to bring Point Park culture out into the community,” Hritz said. “And if they can get Flex to work there, it will be another good option for students.” According to Wolfinger, Wolfie’s Pub hopes to open its doors on either Monday, March 11 or Tuesday, March 12. However, this could be subject to change. New staff members are also being hired prior to the opening. Overall, Wolfinger is excited by the amount of support from the university he has received, stating that he is “overwhelmed, but happy overwhelmed.” “I never thought the support from everyone at Point Park University would be as great as it is,” Wolfinger said.
Jordyn Hronec jthrone@pointpark.edu
PRIZES
The inspiration behind the “Pittsburgh Dad” character passed away last Monday, Feb. 11. Curt Wootton, son of the late Keith Wootton, shared the news via Pittsburgh Dad’s social media. In a tweet, Curt wrote, “With a very heavy heart, I must announce that on Monday, I lost my father, Keith Wootton, who many of you know is the inspiration for this silly character I’ve played for the last [seven] years.” An extended statement was posted with the tweet as a screenshot and explained the inspiration for Pittsburgh Dad came from his blue collar father who lived the yinzer life through and through. Curt further offered sentiments to his father’s sense of humor and the impact Keith had on his upbringing. “And I’ll never forget how good it made me feel just hearing his laugh,” Curt wrote. “He was and will always be the show’s biggest fan. May the electric bill always be low, the roadwork get done, and the Steelers just run the…ball when they’re supposed to... We’ll always love you dad and just know that you made Pittsburgh a better place and me a better man.” Inspired by his father, Curt created the Pittsburgh Dad YouTube channel back in 2011. He plays the character of a father with a thick Pittsburgh accent and shares videos on special occasions and holidays with a Pittsburgh twist, reviewing movies and TV shows and, of course, commenting on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite the tragic loss of the inspiration, Pittsburgh Dad remains in use across its platforms.
All participants will be automatically entered in a random drawing to win:
• 1 of 1 Smart TV (worth $150) • 1 of 30 Flex Dollars certificates (worth $10)
Freshmen and Seniors: You’re invited to participate in…
THE NATIONAL SURVEY OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT (NSSE) WHEN Feb. 12 - March 31, 2019 WHERE Online – check your Point Park email for an invite WHY This national survey helps us understand how students spend time inside and outside of the classroom, which helps guide decisions to benefit Point Park students.
“I personally thought the vending machines were too expensive in the first place,” Dawson said. “So, I never really used them.” Dawson additionally noted that while peers were quick to disapprove of the placement of the new offices, she thought the new office location wasn’t particularly harmful. “It kind of makes this space [the Point Cafe’s dining area] smaller which isn’t the coolest thing, but honest-
ly I think I’m okay with that [the new offices] being there,” Dawson said. The unfinished construction site will not be a longterm fixture, as according to Jacob, the new offices should be completed and open by the time students return from spring break.
Andrew Brinker anbrink@pointpark.edu Jordyn Hronec jthrone@pointpark.edu
NEWS
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2019
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Pioneer Ambassador program makes changes By Sara Cronin For The Globe
The Pioneer Ambassador program is looking forward to new changes that are upcoming for the anticipated summer freshmen orientation. The changes in the program will require a need for 55 new Pioneer Ambassadors. In previous years, the orientation program at Point Park was a full summer program, consisting of four separate orientations during the months of June, July and August. However, this year the Pioneer Ambassador program has decided to eliminate the multiple summer sessions and instead hold a one-week program the week before classes start in August, according to Anne Cassin, the Director of Student Engagement. “We are finally catching up to the trend that has been going on in the area,” Cassin said. “We’re actually about the last school in an hour radius to move to a one week [orientation] format.” The one week orientation format will be both beneficial to Pioneer Ambassadors and incoming freshmen. In previous years, Ambassadors were committed to the program as early as April until the end of August which could have interfered with students’ summer internships. Now the orientation leaders are only committed to the program during the month of August. As for incoming freshman, the entire class will now be able to experience the orientation as a whole, unlike in previous years where the orientation split the class into different groups over
the summer. However, this new change requires 55 new Pioneer Ambassadors who will be needed to help mentor incoming freshmen, and keep group numbers from becoming too overwhelming for both the Ambassadors themselves and the freshmen. “[The Ambassadors] are going to be the ones that are directly working with the students and families and running through the whole orientation program with the students,” Pioneer Ambassador Coordinator Shelby Fink said. Fink is a sophomore sports, arts and entertainment management major, and was an orientation leader last year. “That’s why we need so many because we’re having the entire freshman class come in at once, and we don’t want to overwhelm one Pioneer Ambassador with a whole bunch of students,” Fink said. “That’s why we have so many positions so we can make them all equal.” “It’s so different this year because we’re hiring over triple of what our current staff was last year,” Jocelyn Bankson said. Bankson is a sophomore sports, arts and entertainment management major who was a Pioneer Ambassador last year, and is now a Pioneer Ambassador Coordinator. “But honestly I’m so excited for what’s to change in the one week program because I know that we’ve been trying to get this change for a while now so to actually have the people to change it and bring that to the university is really excit-
ing,” Bankson said. According to Bankson, the new orientation program will be a mix of old orientation traditions with new and exciting events that will help freshman feel welcomed and excited about the upcoming school year. The first two days of the week long orientation are the designated move-in days for first year students. There will be brief welcomes on Tuesday and Wednesday, but the big kickoff programming will begin Wednesday afternoon with residential floor meetings, according to Cassin. “I’m excited for the speakers we have coming in,” Cassin said. “We for sure have our opening keynote speaker, and he’s sort of one of the top high school collegiate speakers in the country.” The program also plans on having light-hearted events. “We’re working on securing a hypnotist, and we even have a group coming in where they do large-scale ice breakers, so we’re going to go off campus to do that,” Cassin said. The Pioneer Ambassador program is encouraging students around campus to apply for the position of Pioneer Ambassador. Becoming part of the program also comes with benefits. Pioneer Ambassadors are able to move in as early as August 6th and will receive a $175 stipend, something that is hard to come by at other local universities who have traditional orientation leader level positions. Ambassadors will also be able to go on a weekend retreat and receive Point Park merchandise according to Cassin.
Cassin is also encouraging commuters to apply for the Pioneer Ambassador position as well. The program will be offering hotel rooms for commuters who live off campus, or those who have more than a 10 to 15 minute walk from campus to home. “We want to ensure everyone’s safety and I don’t want anyone driving while they’re sleepy or to have anyone walk too far when it’s really dark out,” Cassin said. “We do have a lot of commuter students, so I do want them to represented on the team.” Orientation leaders often have a lasting impact and impression on incoming freshmen, and are able to learn important life skills such as the importance of leadership and responsibility. “I was able to be the one person that [freshman] knew automatically at Point Park,” Fink said. “Coming to college is really scary, so having that person that you know who is there for you and is completely willing to help you through anything makes it a little bit easier.” Fink also recognizes the importance of the orientation process. “Orientation is such a big memory that everyone carries with them if you go to it,” Fink said. “It’d be impossible to hold orientation without the Pioneer Ambassador team.” Cassin believes that having current students as mentors is beneficial to incoming students. “Having that person there to mentor the student and be that connection is much easier for someone who has just gone through it
to make that connection than it is for a faculty member or a staff member,” Cassin said. Cassin also believes that a mentor relationship can help students who may be anxious about starting college. “It makes the students feel more comfortable and that’s obviously what we want,” Cassin said. “We want them to feel welcome and at home, and ready to take on all of the challenges that comes with being a college student.” The second round of Pioneer Ambassador applications will be closing on February 14th, and will reopen again with other group interview dates which are projected to take place on February 18th for a third round. The applications will be kept open during and after spring break and will be closing on March 9th, according to Cassin. “We had some really great candidates apply so far, and I know we have a lot more great candidates on campus who haven’t applied just yet so I think maybe it’s just getting the word out a little bit more,” Cassin said. Even though finding 55 new applicants can be overwhelming for the current program’s members, the new orientation format will be very beneficial for the university’s future. “It is a lot of work but it’s also really rewarding because I’m watching all of the campus come together as we’re making this transition,” Cassin said.
Sara Cronin scroni@pointpark.edu
USG meets to discuss accessibility flyer, radio program
Senators take on different projects to extend USG’s reach in the university from USG page 1 The proposed guide would translate the formal language found in the constitutional bylaws into language that was comprehensible for non-USG students. Lake also commented that this guide was not created in response to the recent Point Closet budget debacle. The student concerns committee has recently
ü
designed a flyer to raise awareness for students with invisible disabilities. The sign, titled “Think Before You Judge!” advises students to be mindful of other students that are required to take the elevator to only move up one floor. Senator Jacob Berlin expressed concern over how signs and posters were attributed. He commented that students would not
understand that only certain committees and members worked on projects if a poster was attributed generally to USG. Berlin stated that the direct attribution of projects to certain committees would direct commendations and criticisms to the appropriate people. USG has been making headway into making improvements in the dining hall. Senator Mathew John-
Correction In last week’s USG beat piece, it was reported that a USG bylaw that prohibited USG funds to student organizations for fundraisers. It is actually a standing rule of the Finance Committee that prevents this allocation.
FEB. 10, 2019 - FEB. 15, 2019
Sunday, February 10 9:20 p.m. - Lawrence Hall Alcohol
Wednesday, February 13 9:25 a.m. - 101 Wood Street Criminal Trespass
Friday, February 15 9:15 p.m. - 4th Avenue Simple Assault
son pointed out the recent placement of disinfectant wipe dispensers in the dining hall, a valiant effort to combat the sticky tables that have led to numerous complaints from students. Senator Jade Steele has continued to work with CulinArt on having allergen notice labels for food served at the dining hall. She has also considered hiring a nutrition expert to
help label foods. Senator Dennis McDermott is working on a USG radio program on WPPJ. McDermott is attempting to structure the show as a weekly podcast that catches the public up on progress, projects and plans set in place by USG in another effort to become more transparent.
Mitchell Drake mjdrake@pointpark.edu
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Anonymous social media page generates rumors ‘Dirty Laundry’ Instagram account is now deleted By Mitchell Drake Staff Writer
Last Monday, Feb. 11, an email was sent to members of the Uno League with the subject “RED ALERT.” In the email, Bryan Partika, Pioneer Ambassador and President of the Uno League expressed the dangers of the PPU Dirty Laundry Instagram page and urged members of the league to stay away from it and contact appropriate faculty if affected by it. Partika described Dirty Laundry as a harmful page that tries to expose embarrassing truths, spread rumors or share private pictures of students. While the page does not explic-
itly state that it is trying to do such things, Partika described a few menacing posts from the page. The first post by Dirty Laundry was a poll that prompted followers to choose from two students and whose nudes they would like to see. Another post touted the page’s power over its followers, commenting on how much “dirty laundry” the page has on its followers. Not only did Partika personally know the two people chosen for the nude poll post, he also engaged in talks with other Pioneer Ambassadors and the Title IX Coordinator about the subject. “I think there’s good
and bad with this,” Partika said. “It’s all fun and games at first, but as soon as one person gets uncomfortable, we have to shut it down.” Partika praised other student-run pages and clubs for taking a stand against the Dirty Laundry page, stating the importance of using one’s position to protect other students. Social Media Manager Felicia McKinney states that the page has been brought to the attention of her department, along with Title IX Director Vanessa Love. Both have already reported multiple cases and complaints from students involving damages caused by the page.
STUDENTS TALK SAFE SEX AT CAB’S ‘CONDOM CARNIVAL’ WITH CANDY, CONDOMS AND GAMES
Carley Bonk | The Globe Campus Activity Board sponsored the annual Condom Carnival in the Student Center on Feb 13. The organization set up a “candy bar” in the middle of the gym filled with games, condoms and a giant bouncy house.
PIONEER PUBLIC Amanda Anderson By Nardos Haile For The Globe
Amanda Anderson was a Point Park acting major long before she became the Director of Student Life. “I majored in acting because it was the only thing that I thought I was good at, the only thing I had any desire to do,” Anderson said. Anderson, a California native, raised in Western Pennsylvania was an aspiring actress when she became a Point Park Conservatory student.
“At that time, I worked as a residence advisor which kind of changed my trajectory as far as what I wanted to do,” Anderson said. Despite the shift in her interests, Anderson completed her master’s degree at the University of Exeter in England for applied drama in 2010. She describes applied drama as “using theatrical practices into development in people and students, which is what I do now.” Anderson knew the acting process, specifically auditioning, wasn’t right for her but she still needed a creative outlet similar to acting. “What I liked about theater was every person has a story and I get that a lot in my position as far as working with students who come from any which place,” Anderson said. “Trying to find a common ground with them is kind of what I used to do.”
After graduate school, Anderson used her former contacts at Point Park to get a part-time position which turned into a full-time position. She hasn’t left since. As Director of Student Life, Anderson handles everything from residence life, commuter resources and study abroad. Anderson also lives on campus in Lawrence Hall with her husband and is the advisor for the Black Student Union. The connection that Anderson has made with Point Park’s students is one of the more important aspects of her job and she has really come to love it. “This is just a window of opportunity to be involved in someone’s life and it’s quick and sometimes it’s memorable, sometimes it’s not,” Anderson said. “But what I love is getting so close and involved with students and being their support system in this moment.
“The appropriate people already know about the page,” McKinney said. McKinney explained that gossip pages are created for a number of reasons: hate, anger, revenge or simply wanting power via having blackmail on other students. Love said that her department has worked with Mckinney and Dean of Student Life Michael Gieske on identifying and monitoring the ongoing incidents with the page and commends the students that have come forward about their experiences. McKinney claimed that the current use of the page is reminiscent of the previous effects of the Yik Yak app. Yik Yak, which McKinney described as an “anonymous Twitter,” had allowed a way for students to anonymously post death threats towards professors, hate speech and harassment across college campuses. After becoming infamous for its role in gossip spreading and a bomb threat that prompted F.B.I. investigation, the app shut down in 2017. “The problem is, being anonymous brings out the worst in people,” McKinney said. Comparing the current situation, the Dirty Laundry page has not yet escalated to the level of mayhem caused by Yik Yak, according to McKinney. Love pointed out that the actions of the Dirty Laundry page have already violated Title IX Policy of the Prohibition of Sexual Misconduct, Relationship Violence and Stalking. According the policy, the page has performed an act of sexual exploitation. The policy defined sexual
exploitation as “electronically recording, photographing or transmitting intimate or sexual utterances, sounds or images without the knowledge and consent of all parties. McKinney says that once a law prohibiting revenge pornography or sexual harassment has been broken, the Point Park Police has the ability to trace the IP address of the page to find the page’s user, if the situation becomes too drastic. McKinney added that her department does not have the ability to manually take down a gossip page, but can only report when a page violates the social media platform’s terms of service, which rarely happens. Love maintained that gossip pages and their escalation to the point of faculty intervention exist on a continuum, where they tow the line between in-jokes and harmful content. “We need to make sure we are not supporting this, we need to be changing the culture around how students interact with gossip pages like this,” Love said. Love wants to remind students that they could report sexual misconduct or harassment cases anonymously to her department’s email or use the TIP 4-1-1 service. “There’s a moment when words are words, tweets are tweets, but there becomes a point where actions are stronger,” Partika said. “Actions speak volumes.” As of publication, this account has been deleted.
Mitchell Drake mjdrake@pointpark.edu
Kelsee McHugh | The Globe
I might not have talked to them in the last year but they end up coming back and saying I remember you
so vividly.”
Nardos Haile nahaile@pointpark.edu
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2019
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Jeff Goldblum delivers jublient jazz show
Homestead actor enraptures audience with localisms By Amanda Myers Co-Features Editor
It may as well have been the Jeff Goldblum variety hour this past Valentine’s Day at the Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead. The eccentric actor best known for his meme-worthy role as Ian Malcolm in “Jurassic Park” - or for a trove of titillating interviews found across YouTube - returned to his hometown last Thursday for a night of jazz and jokes. He came with his band, The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, named after a former Homestead resident. The band began in the 90s, but saw its first official release last fall with “The Capital Studio Sessions,” which features live renditions of jazz standards. They’ve been touring sporadically since the album’s release, and a hometown show seemed imminent. Last Thursday featured two back-to-back sold out shows, with a portion of the proceeds going to Tree of Life victims. For the first show, Goldblum’s voice arrived before he did - at first lingering from behind a curtain. When he did make it to the stage, he hovered toward the front of, saying how great it was to be back home, before claiming his seat at the piano. A terrible towel was naturally within reach - and like anything Goldblum does- he waved it with a nuance. It appeared as if he was trying to swat a fly. The fact that Goldblum, 66, was playing jazz at clubs
in the city when he was a teenager gives him a proper leg up when it comes to the stereotype of actors transitioning into the musician role. He’s not a singer, even if he can quip some sing songy one liners. Instead, Goldblum took to tickling the ivories and flexing his movie muscle when required over the course of the evening. In precise moments throughout his hour and a half set, a gentleman would present him with a piece of paper. The paper would read things like “Do Pittsburghers Still Say These Things?” or “Local Businesses That Have Puns.” People became aghast when he wasn’t familiar with a local Pittsburgh phrase, and shouted the answers back to him to feverishly. You have to give the guy a break though he’s been away for almost 50 years. He didn’t need to prove his knowledge when it came to the music, though. His showmanship, along with his band’s tight playing, enraptured the crowd, while taking them back to the past - a jazz lounge in the 50s, perhaps? Goldblum was diligent when sitting in front of the piano, though he would occasionally play with one hand, peering over his thick rimmed glasses at the audience. Somebody else threatened to steal the show that night: singer Hailey Tuck, 28. Tuck’s raspy voice and her bunny hop dance moves appeared sporadically throughout the evening. Her black
Jeff Goldblum on stage as volunteers read his famous movie lines.
bob moved to and fro when she sang “Straighten Up and Fly Right,” while a seductress emerged on “Come On-A My House.” Goldblum and Tuck made a dynamic pair, heaping on the schmaltz. Towards the tail end of “My Baby Just Cares For Me,” Tuck shimmied her way onto the piano bench, so that “Jeffy” could reaffirm his love for her. Audience participation was another interesting note of the evening. By request of a final piece of paper, Goldblum called up three participants to read movie quotes made famous by the man himself in their best Gold-
blum impression. Goldblum called upon two participants in the first few rows, while a lady in a floral dress marched herself to the front: she personified herself as “bold” when she arrived on stage. Her and another young woman did respectable impressions, but it was a bearded gentleman that nailed it. He started with the quintessential stammering made famous by the Goldblum, inching towards his idol before cooing into his ear (it was a pretty romantic moment). The whole night felt like an over-the-top lovefest,
Amanda Myers | The Globe
with Goldblum’s warmth reverberating throughout the crowd. I was curious as to who would be in attendance for such a unique billing: would it be confused jazz fanatics, giggling fangirls? Overall, it was a mix of well-dressed youngins and respectable women and gentleman - some may have even known Goldblum in the early days. People were out on dates or with their friends, with Valentine’s Day simply the backdrop for the return of a hometown heartthrob.
Amanda Myers admyers@pointpark.edu
‘Isn’t It Romantic’ is a rom-com for the realistic By Amanda Myers Co-Features Editor
Everyone has moments where they feel invisible. It may be at school, work, walking down the street, whatever, but when you’re in a rom-com - the world moves around you. That’s the case for “Isn’t It Romantic,” a comedy with a commentary regarding how unrealistic standards and expectations are stemmed as a result of the rom-com. Rebel Wilson plays Natalie, a New York architect that wouldn’t know what love was if it hit her in the form of a truck (even if she does get injured in reference to the famous “The Wedding Planner” dumpster “dive”). In the opening scene, we see a young Natalie mesmerized by Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman.” Her happy ending is crushed, however, when her mom tells her that a girl like her would never get that kind of fantasy. Fast forward to her current life where we see Natalie is treated like a doormat at her job and pretty much everywhere else. She doesn’t value herself, so she allows others to dictate her choices. When an altercation at a subway station goes awry, things change drastically: Natalie wakes up in her own rom-com. This feels like an embodiment of the under-
world to her: pastel colored buildings, large bouquets of flowers lining the streets, a hint of lavender in the air. What’s worse, this is a PG13 universe. That means no swearing, no nudity. This comes of frustration when she attempts to get steamy with her hunky, daft love interest Blake (Liam Hemsworth). Blake embodies every stereotypically romantic gesture: he stands out of the sunroofs of limos, has date nights on his yacht and sneaks her into ice cream parlors for a latenight snack. Natalie still has people from her real life to fall back on, though. Her co-worker and friend Josh (Adam DeVine) has been a constant source of reliance, with Natalie oblivious to his romantic suggestions. He too finds a version of an unrealistically attractive love interest in the form of Priyanka Chopra, who plays a yoga ambassador - whatever that is - named Isabella. The concept of “Isn’t It Romantic” relies on identifying these stereotypes, but also setting out to prove that these people are beyond that, in most cases. Natalie’s gay best friend is Donny (Brandon Scott Jones), her “stoner” roommate turned sass queen with no responsibilities other than being comedic relief. When Donny gives Natalie a ride to her job on his moped and quips
about how he doesn’t have a job, Natalie asks him if he’s going to get one. There is silence as “A Thousand Miles” plays on in the background. We almost get that dramatic movie makeover scene thanks to Donny, but are robbed when Natalie insists that it’s not going to happen (maybe in the sequel). But just when Natalie thinks she has it all: the perfect boyfriend, dream job, outrageous apartment, she starts to come to her senses. This may be a romantic fantasy, but why must one follow the same linear plot to find happiness? Even if Natalie denies herself of that idealized version of love in the end, she finds it through leading by romcom principles. As shallow as we make rom-coms to be, there’s some pretty important life lessons to be gained from them. “13 Going on 30,” “Notting Hill” and “Maid in Manhattan” all have women confronting love in one form or another. They wind up finding their match in the end, but not before coming to terms with the kind of woman they want to be. “Isn’t It Romantic” works because it both rejects and ravishes the rom com, letting viewers decide which path is the most fruitful.
Amanda Myers admyers@pointpark.edu
It’s Summertime Somewhere -Feb. 22 -6 p.m. - 10 p.m. -National Aviary, 700 Arch St.
An Evening with Michael Bublé -Feb. 22 -8 p.m. - 11 p.m. -PPG Paints Arena, 1001 Fifth Ave.
Pittsburgh Beerfest
-Feb. 22 - Feb. 23 -David L. Lawrence Convention Center, 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd.
Dandy Andy: Warhol’s Queer History
-Feb. 23 -3 p.m. - 5 p.m. -Warhol Museum, 117 Sandusky Street
Pittsburgh Polar Plunge -Feb. 23 -9 a.m. - 2 p.m. -Heinz Field, 100 Art Rooney Ave.
The Phantom of the Opera -Feb. 20 - March 3 -Benedum Center, 803 Liberty Ave.
OPINIONS
Ask me for my help, not my homework By Dara Collins Editor-Elect
When we were in high school, our camera rolls on our cell phones were filled with photos of our homework. Once we tapped on our gallery, row after row of math problems and writing assignments unfolded on the screen. The meme on Twitter we occasionally scroll past reminds of this very common occurrence every now and again explaining “camera roll during summer vs. camera roll during school.” It may not be summer, but we are in college now. We do not do that anymore – or at least, we shouldn’t. Every student at this university is here for one collective reason: to receive an education to start a career. Whether you major in Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management (SAEM), Broadcast Reporting, Musical Theatre, Political Science or any of the other 76 majors at Point Park University, the major you chose or will switch to kick starts the rest of your life. The homework we receive from professors in major-related courses relates to the material we are learning in class which relates to the field we will join upon graduating from this university. One would think every student would want to take the time to thoroughly complete assignments and projects and understand a topic they hope to become an expert on. On the other hand, I un-
derstand the Core Theme Courses may not relate to your major in any way, shape or form. Some of mine certainly haven’t related. For instance, unless I end up working for an organization with a focus on science, I don’t need to master the terminology for physics, but that did not stop my NSET class from drilling velocity and acceleration into my brain.
“...the last thing a classmate wants to do is send a picture of a three-page assignment to ‘Person Next To Me In Math’ at 3 a.m.” Dara Collins Editor-Elect The Globe
Nonetheless, the core exists to give us a well-rounded education. For the current academic year, undergraduate tuition at Point Park University is $29,980 for the Schools of Arts and Sciences, Business, Communication and Education and is $38,220 for the Conservatory of Performing Arts (COPA). This does not
include other additional fees such as the University, Activity, Technology and Health Services fees. I don’t know about you, but I would rather not waste this monumental amount of money to coast through all my classes. My advice to you: Ask for help if you don’t understand the material in any course you are in. But do not text the person you sit next to in class the night before an assignment is due for a photo of the homework in its entirety. That’s pure laziness. Everyone attending college is busy. Student-athletes and students of every major in their X amount of extracurriculars have little free time during the week. This does not even include jobs, social lives and other personal matters. If there is a free minute in a busy schedule, the last thing a classmate wants to do is send a picture of a three-page assignment to “Person Next To Me In Math” at 3 a.m. Personally, I bust my ass to maintain my GPA, and I find it incredibly unfair that someone could match my grades after they put in less than half the effort I have. The bottom line is everyone must find time to complete their own work. It is the only way to truly learn and digest the material that will be utilized in our careers once we leave this campus. There is no shame in asking for help, but there is shame in being a freeloader.
Dara Collins dmcolli2@pointpark.edu
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
GL BE’S POINT
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2019
Unjust outbursts
It didn’t take long, but the Post-Gazette has made national headlines once again. This time for the publisher, John Robinson Block, showing up at the newsroom on a Saturday night inebriated and continuing to “go berserk” on his staff over a union Guild message board sign that read, “Shame on the Blocks!” Even worse, his young daughter was caught in the middle of the pathetic tantrum. We at The Globe are simply appalled by this absurd behavior. For a publisher to treat his employees with such blatant disregard is indeed shameful. It is simply unacceptable for privileged adults to act like children when things don’t go their way, especially when they are unwilling to treat those employed by their company with respect, dignity and fairness. Block Communications Inc. (BCI), the owner of the paper, has refused to do so for years. The sign in question remains on the message board amid a nearly two-year long contract negotiation between BCI and the Guild. According to tweets by Guild President Mike Fuoco and Guild Unit Chair Jonathan Silver, Post-Gazette journalists have gone 13 years without a raise and have had
to foot the bill for health-care premium increases, a violation of federal law by BCI. As journalists across the country struggle to do their jobs in a digital age, pushback by wealthy owners doesn’t make it any easier. Newsrooms are shrinking, reporter’s duties are expanding more than ever before, and as all this plays out, their paychecks, benefits and job security have all been slashed. Our staff here at The Globe are about to enter the professional field of journalism at a trying time. This is why - as a generation - we need to re-examine the profound public service newsrooms offer to our society. Without reporters to keep tabs on what is happening around us, the rich and powerful gain more of an opportunity to profit at the expense and hard work of others. And although you may not always like what you read in our articles, we will always guarantee that they are reported fairly, honestly and without personal motive. We stand in solidarity with our fellow seekers of truth at the Post-Gazette, and will continue to fight for a society that treats us with those same courtesies.
The Point Park Globe globe@pointpark.edu
The senate signs sweeping bill, protects expanse of wildlands By Mick Stinelli Columnist
Amidst declarations of a national emergency, partisan disputes and more presidential candidates jumping into the 2020 race, the Senate passed one of the most sweeping conservation bills in recent memory. The bill passed 92 to 8, which means that it’s likely to pass the House of Representatives with similar flying colors. The bill protects millions of acres of land as wilderness, which means it would remain untouched by even roads and motor vehicles. It permanently withdraws more than 370,000 acres of mining claims, protecting land around Yellowstone and North Cascades National Parks. It extends the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail to the Ohio River in Pittsburgh. “It touches every state, features the input of a wide coalition of our colleagues, and has earned the support of a broad, diverse coalition of many advocates for public lands, economic development and conser-
vation,” Mitch McConnell, the senate majority leader, said. At times like this, it’s not uncommon to see opeds praising Congress for a show of simple bipartisanship, hailing it as though it’s some inconceivable accomplishment that government may actually work once in a while. It should come as no surprise in a time like this, when polls consistently show that Americans care about conserving our national parks. Yet in recent years, it’s seemed as though many public lands may not be available for posterity. Just last year, the president reduced the Bears Ears National Monument by a staggering 85 percent. He nearly halved the size of Grand Staircase-Escalante. Both of these public lands were slashed in order to produce short-term profits in coal, logging and drilling. “Some people think that the natural resources should be controlled by a small handful of very distant bureaucrats located in Washington,” Trump said at
the time. “And guess what: They’re wrong.”
“America is not only great because of its democracy, but also because of its topographic majesty.” Mick Stinelli Columnist The Globe
But in the wake of the government shutdown, we’ve seen how fragile such resources can be if they are not under any control. Visitors left toilets overflowing, sprayed graffiti and even cut down trees. Experts said it could take years for the effects of rampant destruction to wear off - just imagine the irreparable damage that would result from drilling
and mining. What the Senate has done has not only protected vast swaths of public land, but they’ve also shown the American people that our government still cares about conservation. America’s national parks are some of the best in the world. From the geysers of Yellowstone to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado to the beaches of the Golden Gate, the U.S. has some of the most diverse and beautiful landscapes of any country. We owe it to future generations to preserve that beauty, to show them that America is not only great because of its democracy, but also because of its topographic majesty. Theodore Roosevelt, the president whose legacy includes protecting 230 million acres of national land, saw the great splendor this country’s landscapes had to offer. “There are no words that can tell the hidden spirit of the wilderness that can reveal its mystery, its melancholy and its charm,” Roosevelt said in a speech in 1910. “The nation behaves well if it treats the natural
resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased and not impaired in value.” In this sentiment lies the legacy of what Congress has done by passing this bill: Not a protection of lands which we may someday have the chance to visit, but preservation of those lands so that they may be accessible to the generations who will inherit this terrain long after us.
Mick Stinelli mfstine@pointpark.edu
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370,000 mining claims withdrawn. Protects Yellowstone and North Cascades national park. Extends Lewis & Clark national historic trail. Alysse Baer | The Globe
Covering the world of Point Park University news since 1967 Editor-in-Chief: Carley Bonk Editor-Elect: Dara Collins Business Manager: Cortnie Phillips Faculty Adviser: Christopher Rolinson Administrative Adviser: Dean Keith Paylo The Globe board consists of Carley Bonk, Dara Collins and fellow editors. Opinion articles, letters to the editor, columns and cartoons do not necessarily reflect the position of the newspaper or editorial board. The Globe reserves the right to refuse advertising and edit all submitted articles and letters to the editor. Letters to the editor must be signed and include author’s contact information. The Globe offices are located at the corner of Wood Street and Fort Pitt Boulevard. Writers should address letters to:
The Globe 201 Wood Street, Box 23 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 or globe@pointpark.edu
News Editors: Jordyn Hronec, Andrew Brinker Photo Editor: Gracey Evans
Public Relations Coordinator: Kayla Snyder
Features/A&E Editors: Amanda Myers, Payton Comunale Photo Editor: Kelsee McHugh
Staff Photographers: Joie Knouse, Jared Murphy, Katie Williams, Nick Koehler
Advertising: Submit advertising related inquiries to globeadvertising@pointpark.edu All ads must be approved by the university. The deadline for ads is Friday at 5 p.m. Details: ppuglobe.com/advertising
Sports Editors: Allison Schubert , Robert Berger Photo Editor: Robert Berger
Story Ideas: If you have a story you think the Globe can use, email globe@pointpark.edu Meetings: Mondays at 2:40 p.m. in the CMI Details: ppuglobe.com/contribute
Copy Desk: Hannah Walden, Sarah Gibson
Opinions Editor: Jordan Slobodinsky Online Editor: Nicole Pampena
Social Media Coordinators: Joie Knouse, Tia Bailey
Graphic Design: Alysse Baer
Staff Writers: Mitchell Drake, Shannon Hartnett, Amanda Andrews Copy Editors: Nick Horwat, Tia Bailey, Ian Brady, Nathan Vrablic Delivery Assistant: Mitchell Drake, Kortney Lampel
SPORTS
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
All In with Allison By Allison Schubert Sports Columnist
Lack of Facilities, Not Successes It is no secret that the track and field team has been doing amazing things this season. My columns have often been telling of the successes of one or more athletes from the team this past year, and they have steadily become one of my favorite teams to cover. All of their success is impressive enough, but what if I told you that they do not have facilities to practice in? Correct, the Point Park men’s and women’s track and field teams do not have facilities to practice in, especially when it comes to the indoor season. When it comes to outdoor season or cross country, they have access to Schenley Park, the course that they claim as their home turf, to practice with. That is just for distance runners, though. When it comes to field athletes, jumpers, sprinters, etc., they are limited to the Student Center Gym and limited use of Schenley Park as well. Simply put: their practice situation is not ideal. This should not be seen as a negative, though, because they are thriving regardless. Junior Xavier Stephens continues to set personal records, and he is headed to nationals over spring break to compete in the 1000 meter event, in which he qualified with a time of 2:32.42. Stephens hoped to qualify in the 800 meter event as well, but after track conversions in their most recent meet at Kent State, he fell just .05 seconds short of the national qualifying standard. Senior Anna Shields, of course, is unaffected by the lack of facilities as well. At this point, practically every time she makes is a facility record or a personal record, but that is not even news anymore. Side note - Shields is also one of the nicest people I have ever talked to, so I don’t think
it’s fair that she is nice AND talented. She is also headed to nationals over break. Looking away from runners, the jumpers have also proved time and time again this season that their lack of practice facility does not affect them in the slightest. Senior Michael Morris and junior Chance Callahan have both had the seasons of their career, setting personal records in several different meets. Most recently, Callahan placed fifth in both the long jump and triple jump at Kent State. His performance in the long jump was enough to set a new school record, and his triple jump qualified for nationals at the B standard. Lack of facilities is a huge problem for us, a downtown campus. Baseball plays in Green Tree, softball in McKees Rocks, basketball at CCAC Allegheny (the closest of the “home” facilities), track and field in Oakland, and of course, volleyball being the only team to play on our actual campus. Many of the teams have had a lot of successes recently (see my column from last week), so the lack of facilities might not be affecting the athletes as much as some might think. In my opinion, the facilities affect fans more than they do teams. Fans are way less likely to travel far to watch Point Park’s teams than they are walk a few minutes across campus to do so. In my time working with athletics, I have noticed the amount of student fans that show up to games. Volleyball typically has the most and all of the other teams fall behind. Overall, the Point Park sports teams have a lack of facilities, not successes. If it’s not a problem for them, it shouldn’t be a problem for us.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2019
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Men prepare for postseason By Robert Berger Co-Sports Editor
The Pioneers dropped two conference games this past week ending the season with an overall record of 9-17, and a conference play record of 5-12. It was senior night last Tuesday, and action began last week for Point Park after honoring the six graduating seniors of Daniel King, Cam Harbaugh, T.J. Bates, Asim Pleas, Cortez Allen and Tramell Perry. Taking on Indiana University (IU) East, the Pioneers fell in their final home game of the season to a score of 87-67. “Their size gave us trouble, but we always tell guys we have to find a way,” head coach Joe Lewandowski said. “I felt we competed and that it was about our seniors and they lead the way.” Point Park found themselves down early in the contest after an 8-2 run by IU East. With the help of Pleas draining two threes and King making one of his own, the Pioneers were in the lead 13-10 at the 14:08 mark. IU East however answered back with another run of their own and led Point Park 31-17 with 6:49 left in the first half. Point Park finished the half on a hot streak with junior Chance Wright completing a trey and Perry making a few field goals. Heading into the the second half, Point Park was trailing 42-29. The second half saw IU East going on more runs against Point Park, and the Pioneers continued to chip away. The closest the Pioneers made it to making a comeback was with the help of Perry, sophomore Tudor Shelton and freshman B.J. Williams. Start-
Emilee Fails | Point Park Athletics Senior guard Asim Pleas dribbles the ball during his senior night game against IU East last week. The team fell 87-67, but Pleas ended the game with nine points.
ing with a few baskets made by Perry, Shelton and Williams all made treys and field goals of their own bringing the score to a 15-point deficit. The spark from the underclassman however was the last fight the team gave and IU East was able to run away with the game. The week continued for the men as they traveled to Circleville, Ohio taking on Ohio Christian University (OCU). In the final regular season game for Point Park, OCU was able to dominate most of the contest securing a victory of 90-68. The first half was the most deadly for Point Park, as OCU took a 10-0 lead from the getgo. As Point Park struggled to create offensive chances, they found themselves down 31-6 at the 10:43 mark of the first half. With some late-half life by the Pioneers, Wright drained two 3-pointers back to back followed by two field goals from sophomore guard Mark Sheady. Heading into the second half, Point Park trailed 48-23. Offensively the Pioneers stepped it up in the second half as sophomore guard Kyle
Carrington came out strong scoring six points in the first five minutes of the half. By the end of the game he put up 16 points overall to lead the team. The second highest point scorer for the Pioneers was Perry with 14, while securing six rebounds. By the end of the second half, Point Park outscored OCU 45-42, but due to the 48-23 first half, OCU secured the victory. “We’ve gotten so much better defensively from the start of the year to the end of the year,” Lewandowski said. “I’m just impressed with the way they play.” Heading into these past two games, the Pioneers were guaranteed a playoff spot as the fourth seed in the River States Conference (RSC). Playoff basketball will begin Wednesday night as Point Park takes on the 24th ranked NAIA team Indiana University Kokomo on the road. The playoffs are single elimination. “It’s time to get ready for the one game playoff,” Lewandowski said. “Loser goes home, winner moves on.”
Robert Berger raberge@pointpark.edu
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Robert Berger | Point Park Athletics Junior Xavier Stephens competes in the RSC Conference Championship meet earlier this season. Stephens competed in the Kent State Tune Up last weekend and missed the Nationals qualifying time in the 800 meter dash by .05 seconds..
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Dara Collins | The Globe
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2019
SPORTS
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
Women head into playoffs seeded No. 3 By Allison Schubert Co-Sports Editor
The women’s basketball team is headed into River States Conference (RSC) playoffs after splitting their last two regular season games. Their first game of the week was their concluding game on their home turf, hosting the second-place Indiana University (IU) East on Tuesday night. Going into the game, Point Park had not beaten the Red Wolves for the past four and a half years both at home and on the road. Led by seniors Sam Weir and Kaitlyn Smith, the Pioneers were determined to change that with this late-season matchup. Point Park began the game out-scoring IU East 3116 in the first quarter. The Red Wolves picked up steam in the next two quarters, out-scoring the Pioneers in both, 23-16 and 24-15, respectively. Through three, IU east barely held the lead 63-62. With just minutes left on the clock, Weir pulled up for a deep trey that gave the Pioneers a 76-75 lead. A defensive stop and resulting free throw from junior guard Ariana Sanders put Point Park up by two with seconds on the clock. The Pioneers committed one final foul, but IU East’s Bailey Dreiman made one of two, and Weir grabbed the
rebound to run down the remaining seconds and give Point Park the win 77-76. Four Pioneers ended in double digits: Weir posting another double-double with 20 points, 18 rebounds, and adding five blocks, Smith with 19 points, Sanders adding in 11 points and five rebounds, and junior Tyra James shooting 50 percent from beyond the arc to add in 14 points of her own. Sophomore guard Michelle Burns added in nine points in the first half, but sat the second half due to a foot injury. Point Park out-shot IU East in field goals, treys, and free throws, but was out-rebounded by the Red Wolves 46-36. To conclude their season in the gym of CCAC - Allegheny, Point Park won their eighth in a row in the building and have a 10-3 overall record at home this season. After the win against the Red Wolves, Point Park remained in contention for a home playoff game, just needing Carlow to also defeat IU East for that to become a reality. Unfortunately for the Pioneers, the Celtics fell to the Red Wolves 83-61, solidifying Point Park’s third-place finish in the RSC East division. WVU Tech remain in the number-one spot, and IU East confirmed their two seed
Emilee Fails | Point Park Athletics Senior Kaitlyn Smith makes an offensive push during her senior night contest against Rio Grande. This past weekend, Smith put up 15 points in a contest against Ohio Christian University.
with the win over Carlow. Next up for the Pioneers was the regular season finale at Ohio Christian on Saturday. Point Park was without Burns, who was still battling her foot injury suffered in the game against IU East. The game was tied at 17 after the first ten minutes and remained close until the very end. Ohio Christian held just a two-point lead at the end of the half. Point Park picked up some heat in the third, out-scoring the Trailblazers 25-19 and holding a twopoint lead going into the final ten minutes. Play remained virtually even, and sophomore forward Abbey Davis
hit a big trey to end regulation in another tie, 78-78. James scored the first seven in the overtime period for Point Park, giving them an 8583 lead early on. The Pioneers committed several turnovers following James’ run to turn things in their favor 89-85. Weir hit a 3-pointer to make it a one-point game with less than a minute to go, but the Trailblazers made a couple of free throws on some late fouls to give them the win, 91-88. All five starters ended in double digits. Weir and James contributed 20 points apiece, Smith and Baylie Mook, who took Burns’ place in the lineup, each scored 15 points,
and Sanders tallied 11. Point Park forced just 11 turnovers, but committed 21, which ultimately led to their defeat. The next game for Point Park opens postseason play. They will travel to IU Kokomo, which is seeded No. 2 in the RSC West. The Pioneers faced the Cougars in the second RSC game of the season, resulting in a 77-71 loss for Point Park at home. Should Point Park win against IU Kokomo, it will play against the winner of (No. 4 West) Midway University and (No. 1 East) WVU Tech.
Allison Schubert alschub@pointpark.edu
Victories continue at Kent
Nationals next up for qualifying athletes By Robert Berger Co-Sports Editor
Emilee Fails | Point Park Athletics Michelle Burns looks to take the lane in a match-up against Rio Grande earlier this month. Burns scored nine points during the win against IU East before being taken out due to injury.
After the termination of head coach Kelly Parsley last Friday, a select group of athletes from the indoor track and field team still competed at the Kent State Tune Up as a last chance meet to qualify for nationals. Parsley was head coach of the Cross Country and Track and Field programs at Point Park for the past five years. Due to personal reasons, he was let go last Friday. The Kent State TuneUp on Saturday was Point Park’s last regular season meet before the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Indoor National Championship meet. A number of athletes were given one last shot a reaching qualifying standards for nationals. Point Park’s biggest highlight Friday afternoon was junior jumper Chance
Callahan. Callahan competed in both the men’s triple jump and the long jump placing fifth in both events. The junior set a school record in the long jump with a leap of 6.96 meters. In the triple jump, Callahan leaped 14.01 meters, just enough to qualify at the B standard. Junior Xavier Stephens competed in the 800 meter dash in hopes to qualify in a second event. Stephens ran a school record time of 1:55.30. However, after conversions of track sizes, his time was changed to 1:56.95 which was just 0.05 seconds shy of the qualifying standard. Stephens will compete at nationals after qualifying in 1,000 meter with a time of 2:32.42 earlier in the season. While no other qualifications occured, the Pioneers saw a season best finish in the in the 3,000 as junior Bryan Gutierrez placed 20th in 9:9.17.
No Pioneer women reached a qualifying standard Saturday, and sophomore Alyssa Boyd came closest for Point Park. Boyd competed in the 1,000 meter and finished in 3:10. With the qualifying standard 3 minutes, 4 seconds, Boyd missed the mark by just six seconds. Sophomore Miranda Schry had the performance of her career competing in the triple jump. Schry placed 20th after jumping 10.18 meters. Schry also competed in the long jump in which she leaped 4.61 meters. Senior Taylor Celich ran in the 800 meter dash completing the race in 2 minutes, 32 seconds, good enough for a 16th place finish. The NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championship event will be held in Brookings, S.D. Feb 28-March 2.
Robert Berger raberge@pointpark.edu
Robert Berger | Point Park Athletics Senior Taylor Celich competes in the RSC Conference Championship last month. Celich competed this past weekend in the 800 meter dash and placed 16th in 2 minutes, 32 seconds.