The Quinnipiac Chronicle, Volume 92, Issue 10

NOVEMBER 10, 2021 • VOLUME 92 • ISSUE 10

The official student newspaper of Quinnipiac University since 1929

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Women’s soccer season meets heartbreaking end p.11

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NEWS P.3: WHITE EXTREMIST STICKERS Law school community reacts to racist stickers being placed around the North Haven campus

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WU CAMPAIGN

OPINION P.4: A WIN FOR BOSTON

Opinion Editor Xavier Cullen envisions a better, more inclusive Boston under Mayor-elect Michelle Wu

CRANDALL YOPP/QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY

A&L P.6: ‘THREE SISTERS’ Fully in-person play receives rave review from Associate Arts & Life Editor David Matos

Gender-neutral housing promotes inclusivity on campus

By MICHAEL LAROCCA Staff Writer

After implementing gender-neutral and LGBTQ-friendly housing this fall, members of the LGBTQ community at Quinnipiac University said they appreciate having a safe space on campus.

“The idea of gender-neutral housing is giving the ability to students to live with whoever they want, without any issue,” said Athena Cuttle, a senior psychology major and former Gender and Sexuality Alliance president.

“Some people just use it to live with their friends, the LGBTQ community especially use it to live with people if they’re trans or nonbinary since it makes everything easier.”

The main outcome of these changes came in the form of a first-year Living Learning Community for students who want to participate in and celebrate the LGBTQ population, called the Unity Floor, starting in the fall 2021 semester.

LLCs are sections or floors of certain residential buildings that are meant to bring together people who share similar interests or backgrounds.

“Getting to know other people in the queer community at Quinnipiac really would have made me feel a lot more welcome,” said Caris Disharoon, a senior nursing major and GSA pub-

lic relations officer. “Knowing that all the kids who are coming in now have that opportunity is super cool, and I’m super happy for them.”

Students recongnized the university administration’s efforts to work on promoting inclusivity for its LGBTQ community, especially considering recent incidents regarding potential bigotry at Quinnipiac, such as the placement of stickers promoting white extremist groups on the North Haven campus.

Despite the new program’s positive impact, the entirety of the barriers surrounding LGBTQ acceptance have not been broken down yet.

“First day when we were getting to know each other, they had all the LLCs come together and talk,” said Colby Ainley, a first-year game design and development major who lives in the Unity LLC. “Some people asked us if we were part of their LLC. When we said we were part of Unity, they just went, ‘oh.’”

Despite half-hearted acceptance, residents said the Unity Floor LLC has also been a positive learning experience by teaching them to be more mindful and inclusive among themselves.

“I feel like I can open up more about ideas and certain things,” Ainley said. “It’s a new experience too, because I’m still getting used to saying they/them pronouns because I have a hard time remembering such.”

Students in the community said they have appreciated the work that has gone into making their lives easier.

“Our biggest obstacle was that a lot of people felt that there wasn’t a big enough need for it,” Cuttle said. “In my opinion, even if there isn’t a big need for this, there’s still someone out there who would love that opportunity, and I’ve had people, especially when I was GSA president, come to me and said they were really appreciative because it made the situation a lot easier for them and it wasn’t uncomfortable … I feel that it made a pretty big impact.”

The push for gender-neutral housing came in October 2020 after a slew of homophobic incidents across campus sparked a conversation for urgent change for how the university handles protecting its LGBTQ students and promoting inclusive practices.

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“It’s not the worst, but it’s definitely not perfect,” Disharoon said. “We had to fight to get enough recognition for somebody who had several acts of malicious intent against them. That’s not right.”

The GSA said that there is still work to do and that the administration should initiate change instead of depending on the organization.

Students who are not affected by the LLC said they support the implementation in the community.

“I understand how scary it can be and how hard it is to put yourself out there especially with something as touchy as this can be,” said Mackenzie Orlov, a first-year physical therapy major who is not a member of the LLC. “I would say just more ways to interact with that community if it’s possible and more ways just to kind of break that barrier.”

The GSA has held two events so far this semester, with its third event, a movie night via Zoom, scheduled for Nov. 14, at 9 p.m.

“There’s still steps we can take to make the university more accepting and a more comfortable place for LGBTQ students,” Cuttle said. “I definitely feel that we’ve made some pretty good strides so far.”

2| News

MEET THE EDITORS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael Sicoli MANAGING EDITORS Emily Flamme Toyloy Brown III CREATIVE DIRECTOR Connor Lawless NEWS EDITORS Nicole McIsaac Chatwan Mongkol ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR Melina Khan OPINION EDITOR Xavier Cullen ARTS & LIFE EDITOR Ashley Pelletier ASSOCIATE ARTS & LIFE EDITORS David Matos Neha Seenarine SPORTS EDITOR Riley Millette ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR Peter Piekarski PODCAST PRODUCER Brendan Samson COPY EDITOR Katie Langley ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR Daniel Passapera

THE QUINNIPIAC CHRONICLE is the proud recipient of the New England Society of Newspaper Editors’ award for College Newspaper of the Year in New England for 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2015-16.

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November 10, 2021

QU to build communal workspaces

By WILLIAM GAVIN Staff Writer

Quinnipiac University is taking a new step towards driving creativity and cooperation among students and faculty through new “hubs” for enterprise.

The “Innovation Hub and Maker Space” program is the university’s way of providing physical and virtual spaces for students and faculty to meet and work on new projects, regardless of their major or field. The university likens these spaces to “incubators” of innovation, similar to business startups.

“There’s been some really big changes at Quinnipiac with the emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship, and building an ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship across campus,” said Patrice Luoma, professor of entrepreneurship and strategy and director of the People’s United Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. “And so in order to do that, we also wanted to create a physical place where it reflects that.”

Provost Debra Liebowitz said the spaces around campus will help support students who want to start their own business.

“What we’re doing is creating an infrastructure, a kind of support system, for helping you develop the skills to be able to do that (and) to be able to work on that project,” Liebowitz said.

The program is beginning with two hubs; one in the School of Business and the other in the newly named School of Computing and Engineering, with others planned.

The “mother hub” will be in Room 109 in the Lender School of Business, while the engineering hub is in the lower level of the Center for Communications and Engineering building.

The business hub will feature a sales training lab, a marketing insights lab and a conference room.

The engineering hub, which has been active since the beginning of the semester, has “stateof-the-art” technology including 3D printers, a laser cutter, an embroidery machine, a sewing machine and heat-press equipment.

The School of Business’ hub will be renovated during winter break, largely adding new furniture. In Room 109, which is a large lounge

space, a wall will also be added for privacy.

“It will be kind of just (an) overall facelift and improvement to a very dated building that is really exciting to kind of make students want to come in there and work and hang out,” Luoma said.

Other renovations include adding 20 lockers of various sizes for students to use for storage. “(The lockers are) for students who are working on physical business-type ideas,” Luoma said. “If you have a clothing business that you’re making something or jewelry business or some other business where you want to keep some product that is (a) work in process, that will be a place where you can store that.”

the space already, including engineering and computer science students in the respective Living Learning Community.

“They laser cut pieces of wood that they made into a stand and then we have our hard hats that they turned upside down and made into planters,” Byers said.

The university will rely on faculty fellows to create a “web” connecting the nine academic schools at Quinnipiac. Currently, 29 professors are signed on as fellows.

Liebowitz said there’s also an external aspect of the program, which can allow faculty and students to work with people outside of Quinnipiac, including alumni and local community partners.

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The new engineering communal space allows students to gain hands-on experience with different tools such as circuit boards.

Future hubs could be built in other schools at Quinnipiac, or even in residence halls, Liebowitz said.

“We have engineering students getting trained in the space and the equipment, but we also have some business students who now have access to the maker space; we have some health science students, we have some School of (Communications) students in there,” said Lynn Byers, interim dean of the School of Computing and Engineering.

Byers said students have been utilizing

To help students assist each other in their businesses, Luoma said she is working with the Office of Integrated Marketing Communications to set up a virtual marketplace.

“If you have a business idea, but you need someone who knows how to do social media marketing, or you need someone who has some computer skills, or you can provide those skills,” Luoma said. “So this database, this virtual platform will allow students to match with each other.”

“I think teaching on a relationship with plants and the very way we use plants, and this plant in particular, which is used for so many purposes, and in light of the environmental awareness and climate catastrophe, I can’t imagine not being responsible as a university and not offering course on the reality of the world,” Haldane said.

College students are not unfamiliar with marijuana; 44% of them reported using it in 2020, according to a poll from the National Institutes of Health.

“Anthropologists bring a nuanced and holistic perspective to the study of plant use and related regulation and stigmatization in society, as the discipline upends common assumptions and beliefs,” Haldane said. “We make the strange familiar, and the familiar strange.”

The course will look into the use of cannabis across multiple cultures, how the media portrays the plant and the impact the plant has on human behavior.

Additionally, Haldane hopes to study the health benefits and disadvantages of the plant as well as giving students the opportunity to “develop their own projects related to their particular interest in the plant and its many manifestations.”

In Haldane’s opinion, it’s important for stu-

dents who want to pursue the cannabis business “to understand how sustainable or environmentally friendly the increased legal access to the plant may or may not be,” the professor said.

A report released earlier this year found that cannabis sales hit a record $17.5 billion in 2020. Additionally, the industry added over 250,000 jobs.

In Connecticut, local colleges like Three Rivers Community College have already begun introducing cannabis classes to their students.

However, some Quinnipiac students said they are excited for the opportunity to learn more about the plant.

“Whether you like it or not, cannabis is a part of the college experience for a lot of people,” said James Edwards, a sophomore business major. “I think it’d be a fun class to take. It’s also a big business, so as a business student, it’s definitely interesting from that perspective.”

The course will be available to all students as a university curriculum social sciences course with no prerequisites.

“It’s exciting,’’ said Ethan Miller, a firstyear media studies major. “I feel like some universities around the country aren’t open to adapting their classes to match how the world is changing so it’s nice to see Quinnipiac be more progressive about things like this.”

New anthropology of cannabis class to offer ‘reality of the world’

By ZACK HOCHBERG Staff Writer

Quinnipiac University’s anthropology department will offer students a three-credit course about cannabis next fall.

Anthropology professor Hillary Haldane, who will be teaching the course, said the class aims to help students understand their relationship to other species on this planet, “whether other animal or plant species, particularly given the climate catastrophe we face.”

Haldane said the course originated after students expressed interest in the topic within other anthropology courses.

“Rather than trying to cover every plant that can be used for medicinal or psychedelic purposes, I thought ‘why don’t I just focus on cannabis and use that as kind of a case study’ of which I can talk about all the issues related to it and really just extend that module,” Haldane said.

With cannabis becoming increasingly legalized across the country, including Connecticut in July, Haldane said it’s important for students to be prepared to live in a world where cannabis is legal.

Even though there still are negative connotations when it comes to cannabis, Haldane said any higher education institution has a responsibility to teach anything that’s “real and present.”

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November 10, 2021

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News |3

Law school community condemns hateful stickers around campus

By EMILY FLAMME Managing Editor

Quinnipiac University’s National Lawyers Guild denounced an incident where white extremist group, Patriot Front, placed racist and self-promotion stickers on light poles across the North Haven campus on Nov. 4.

NLG co-President Abigail Mason, a thirdyear law student, said once she found out about the stickers, she immediately took action to get them removed.

“It’s like a very threatening message to have,” Mason said. “People are coming in for the day — so I went and I rallied a bunch of firstyear law students, and we scraped them down.”

Before she took them down herself, she and fellow co-president Hope Estrella, a third-year law student, reported the stickers to Public Safety. They said the department already had notice of the incident and was investigating it, but had to wait for Facilities to remove the stickers.

However, once Mason and a group of six other students began removing the stickers, a facilities worker approached them and said the department was waiting on Public Safety to approve of the removal of the stickers.

“T​​here was like a little bit of a disconnect there,” Mason said. “Then they thanked us for taking (the stickers) down because they also appreciated it. They did not want them up.”

In response, Quinnipiac Vice President of Equity and Inclusion Don Sawyer sent an email titled “Bigotry has no place here,” and said the university stands against the message of the stickers.

“We are an institution committed to ensuring all groups feel supported to thrive and fully participate in our educational mission,” Sawyer wrote in the email.

He also wrote that the school was working with the police and Public Safety. The investigation is ongoing as of publication.

Sawyer included in the email that there

has been similar stickering on other campuses. The same day the incident occurred at Quinnipiac, Patriot Front also placed stickers around West Virginia University, according to the Daily Athenaeum.

Iowa’s Drake University also reported finding Patriot Front stickers on its campus on Oct. 5.

Patriot Front is a white nationalist hate group that was founded after the deadly riot, “Unite the Right,” which took place in Charlottesville, Virginia from Aug. 11-12, 2017, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

School of Law Dean Jennifer Brown followed up on this point Sawyer made in an email to law students. She added that the university was taking the incident “very seriously.”

“I also want to amplify Sawyer’s important message and assert that bigotry and racism have no place in our law school community,” Brown wrote in the email. “We stand in unity against the hateful rhetoric of White nationalism and affirm the dignity and worth of all our community members.”

Among the law school community, it has been discussed how if the person or people who put the stickers up are law students, it is especially problematic for their future careers as lawyers.

“I would have a problem with the Bar Committee letting somebody with that kind of belief be an attorney,” Mason said.

Mason said something she and other people pointed out was that the incident occured less than 24 hours after their organization released a statement about diversity and inclusion at the law school.

“I thought the timing was suspicious in light of the diversity statement, even if the two may not be related,” said Nathan Honoré, a third-year law student.

As of publication, there are 110 signatures on the statement, including other law organizations such as the Black Law Students As-

sociation, Women’s Law Society and the Student Bar Association.

In the statement, the NLG condemned any expression of “racism, transphobia, xenophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, sexism, ableism and other forms of oppression.”

Sometimes students would say offensive things during class discussions, which was one of the things that sparked the idea for the statement, Mason said.

“Students kind of playing devil’s advocate in class and using that as an excuse to bring up offensive topics or using slurs and other offensive language in our law school without being held accountable,” Mason said.

The statement also included calls to action for the School of Law, which are requiring ongoing diversity training for students and faculty, encouraging all student organizations to host a diversity and inclusion event and increasing resources that address employment discrimination students may face.

Honoré said he supported the statement and that the university needs to improve its attitude toward oppressed groups.

“I think one way for the university to support marginalized communities is to be transparent, both about its struggles and its efforts to solve the problem,” Honoré said.

Estrella said she and the other members of the NLG started the organization in 2020 after George Floyd was murdered on May 25. She said the organization is more important now than ever since she feels civil rights movements have lost momentum recently.

“Sometimes there’s like these really great movements that keep going and there’s lots of inertia that keeps them moving and then sometimes they kind of fizzle out and die,” Estrella said. “I think the most important thing is just not to let it fizzle out and to continue to work on our advocacy.”

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY HOPE ESTRELLA

A group of law students tore down rightwing extremist stickers that were placed around the North Haven campus on Nov. 4.

SGA rejects student loan letter to Biden, Harris

By CHATWAN MONGKOL News Editor

The Quinnipiac University Student Government Association voted on Oct. 27, to not support an open letter encouraging President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to immediately cancel all federal student loan debts.

SGA President Nick Ciampanelli said the letter inherently only looks to solve the issue temporarily, and that’s not what the organization stands for.

“We are here to support the current and future students of this university,” Ciampanelli said. “By taking action to temporarily resolve

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such a present issue, we will not be abiding by our own values.”

After the SGA voted to reject the motion, Quinnipiac Democrats released a statement expressing its disappointment, saying that “it is an insult to low-income students who depend on loans” to come to Quinnipiac as well as to those who graduate with debts.

Around 65% of Quinnipiac students received federal loans, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education. The average debt amount for Quinnipiac students upon graduation is between $19,500-$27,000.

The club created a petition urging the SGA to reconsider its decision. The petition has only gained 21 signatures at publication. Paul Capuzzo, QU Democrats president, told The Chronicle he was disappointed in SGA’s decision.

“It kind of felt like a slap in the face,” Capuzzo said.

Given the SGA’s reasoning that it would only fix immediate problems, Capuzzo said by not signing the letter, it shows that the SGA is not willing to “walk and chew gum at the same time.”

“They should be willing to go ahead and solve the immediate problem, put a Band-Aid on that, and then also go about solving the later problem,” Capuzzo said.

For 10-15% of Quinnipiac students whose parents took out federal Parent PLUS loans, the median total debt after graduation is at $78,439, the 12th highest in the nation.

As The Chronicle reported in March, Quinnipiac’s tuition and fees for first-year students went up 3% between the academic years 201920 and 2020-21. It continued to go up 1.15% for this academic year.

When SGA members debated whether to pass the motion and support the letter, none of them mentioned the amount of debt students are carrying. The debate centered

around whether the letter represents the view of the whole student body.

Even though the letter only needed Ciampanelli’s signature, it also required him to state how many students he is representing. While SGA encouraged students to come and share their inputs, nobody showed up to the open forum.

Caroline Mello, a senior class senator, said at the SGA meeting on Oct. 20, that she doesn’t know how students would feel if SGA passed the motion.

“I would sign this, personally, but I have concerns of SGA signing it as a whole because it is a very political statement,” Mello said.

Isabelle Strandson, a sophomore class senator, said at the same meeting that she felt “uncomfortable” with the language of the letter since SGA had not brought it to the student body at all.

“I really don’t feel it’s our place to vote on supporting or not supporting this statement without being able to accurately represent how the students feel about it,” Strandson said.

Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Jeremy Gustafson said at the SGA meeting on Oct. 27, that the systematic problems won’t end by simply signing the letter and that it would only benefit current, not future students.

“It doesn’t address the problem,” Gustafson said. “Rather, it is just continuing to perpetrate these as summit issues with student finances.”

SGA Vice President Chris Longchamp, senior, did not support the letter. He said passing the motion goes against the education he has received so far as an economics major at Quinnipiac.

“This does not make very much economic sense for the future, considering that we’re only forgiving student loan debt for the current college students,” Longchamp said. “Also, it’s pretty self-serving of us to say we want to cancel debt for us but not for the future generations.”

Chair and professor of economics Donn

Johnson told The Chronicle “there are no magic wands” that can just make the debts disappear.

Johnson asked what makes education different from other goods when people wouldn’t cancel house or car debts.

“Canceling the debt to students is not free to the nation, someone still pays,” Johnson said. “Taxpayers (pay) one way or another.

And these loans are disproportionately held by middle and upper income families.”

However, assistant professor of political science Marcos Scauso said it’s a good idea for the federal government to cancel the debts for current students for several reasons, including economic stimulus, students’ financial freedom upon graduation and justice against the profits that have been made at the expense of students.

“We cancel debts of enormous corporations whenever there are crises because the money will supposedly trickle down and they will supposedly create jobs, but we know that a disproportionate amount of money stays in the hands of the top 1% and never reaches workers,” Scauso said. “What if we used tax money to benefit an enormous amount of people directly?”

Scauso said if other countries can provide free education for everyone, the U.S. can do so too. He said the U.S. has spent billions in unsuccessful wars, which means there are more effective ways to adjust the country’s budget to prioritize the people’s quality of life.

“This shows that we can think about the longer term and have the resources to come up with better policies,” Scauso said.

Since Biden became president in January, he has forgiven $11.5 billion out of $1.75 trillion worth of student loan debts. Among students who had their debts canceled were students with total or permanent disability and students who qualified for the borrower defense to repayment program.

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44 | O p i n i o n

November 10, 2021

Opinion

Michelle Wu’s victory is a step toward fixing Boston’s racism

BY XAVIER CULLEN Opinion Editor

Boston has battled with racism ever since its founding. While every place in the U.S. struggles with the grip of discrimination, the Massachusetts capital sticks out like a grotesque blemish.

Racism can be found in every crack and corner of the city’s streets, from train stations to sports stadiums. Even Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell has called the city a “flea market of racism” in his 1979 memoir, “Second Wind.”

In a 2017 survey by Chadwick Martin Bailey, 54% of Black respondents labeled Boston as “unwelcoming,” ranking it dead last compared to seven other major cities, including New York City, Philadelphia and others.

The failings of the city are etched into the bricks of the public schools. Boston has a 75.4% graduation rate, which is far lower than the neighboring, majority-white town of Needham, which has a 98.5% graduation rate, according to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The institutional discrimination can be found within the city’s border as well. A 2015 study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston found that the median net worth of a white family in the city is $247,500. The median net worth of a Black family is $8.

The effect that the street someone is born on can have on their chances in life is felt by the generations whose futures have been irreparably harmed.

But there has been no bigger symbol of this racial divide than with the mayor’s office, where only white men have been elected to for the past 199 years — until now.

While acting Mayor Kim Janey is the first woman and person of color to hold the office after former Mayor Marty Walsh resigned to join President Joe Biden’s cabinet, Michelle Wu is the first to be elected after defeating Democrat Annissa Essaibi George on Nov. 2. Wu ran a progressive campaign, promising to massively overhaul the city’s public transportation and police department, as well as implement rent control and a Green New Deal.

Not only is Wu’s victory a symbolic win for the underrepresented populations in Boston, it is the first step in a long path toward fixing this institutional racism ingrained in the roots of the city.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WU CAMPAIGN

Mayor-elect Michelle Wu’s progressive campaign has brought hope to many Bostonians.

This change is long overdue, especially after the tive peers. While we might have these lofty ambitions for a BPD’s horrible handling of the George Floyd protests in utopian future, we need to make sure that our elected offi2020. In fact, the BPD only gave Sgt. Clifton McHale, who cials are actually doing what they said they would. was recorded bragging about intentionally hitting protestors But there’s a lot to be excited for, and thousands of with his car, a 10-day suspension last month. It’s just one Boston voters bought into the future that Wu envisions. If example of a long history of Boston officers being invulner- Wu follows through with the agenda she has set out for Bosable to the consequences of their horrible actions. ton, the city on a hill can shine as a beacon of progress for This lack of action against the “bad apples” is one of the others to follow. biggest reasons why Boston is seen as such an unwelcoming place for Black residents. If the city refuses to punish those who abuse their power as police officers to injure those they are supposed to protect, how can people of color feel safe?

With a budget of $414 million per year, the BPD is wildly overfunded and has hemorrhaged money through a massive overtime fraud scandal that has caused 15 officers to be charged and nine to plead guilty.

Brutality, fraud and overpolicing have shown that the BPD does not deserve the hundreds of millions of dollars that are poured into it every year. This is indicative of a much deeper issue with policing as a whole.

Harsh punishments for non-violent crimes that take

BY SOM SIN Quinnipiac Student away years of people’s lives have crippled families and The American flag, for the majority, simply means made others terrified of the people that are supposed to profreedom and opportunity. It means you can do whatever tect and serve them. The city should look into investing in you wish in life. For us, however, the flag represents its people as opposed to their oppressors, and Wu has promsomething much more harrowing. It is not quite a symised to do just that. bol of freedom and opportunity, so much as it is a reIt’s more than just the police, though. Institutional racminder that such freedom and opportunity belong not to ism runs deep into the housing struggles that many Bostoyou but to those on the other side of the “veil.” nians deal with. According to census statistics, only about It is dread, not freedom, that comes across the mind of a third of Boston houses are owner-occupied, meaning that the young person of color when they glance at the flag. A the person living there actually owns the property. reminder that, try as they might, they will always be seen as Paired with Boston having the third-highest median trespassers in this land, one built for those beyond the veil. rental price for a one-bedroom home out of all major U.S. A reminder that they must, against all want and will, view cities, the lack of homeownership has held back non-white the world through two perspectives, that of the American communities from achieving housing stability. and that of the other. We are the other, pledging ourselves to Redlining has prevented poorer, predominantly Black a flag that was never intended for us to stand under. communities from getting loans to purchase houses. With We ask, how truly free are we? When our mothers surgical precision, banks carved out these areas as “hazardmust lecture their children about the proper way to beous and undesirable.” have around the police, lest their baby be gunned down As the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the country, evicin broad daylight, is that freedom? tions loomed primarily over the heads of Black renters. The A white man brandishes an assault rifle openly with no threat of losing your home can cause intense trauma, especialrepercussions, citing his right to bear arms. It is his right, ly for those who have children to feed. With a commitment to and he does it in the name of peace. Elsewhere, a Black invest into affordable housing, Wu should bring renter protecchild is shot and killed for daring to play with a toy gun. He tions and an increase in homeownership to Boston. was acting suspicious. He must be a delinquent. The Black But while Bostonians can be optimistic for a progresmother spends her first night without her child, tears in her sive future, it’s important to remember that Wu is not a pereyes, mourning the loss of her innocent soul. fect angel that can do no wrong. She is still a politician, and What nation is this, staining the pavement with innopoliticians tend to falter on some of their promises. cent blood? The white man, however, dozes off to sleep, Even the biggest figures in progressive politics like flag flying proudly on his porch, gun firmly by his side.

New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have faltered on Freedom indeed. their goals in the name of compromise with their conserva-

Letter to the Editor

The meaning behind the flag

SCREENSHOT OF BOSTON POLICE VIDEO

Boston Police Sgt. Clifton McHale was caught on body camera bragging about hitting protestors with his car.

One of the most contentious issues of the election was the Boston Police Department’s role in the city, and Wu promises to reallocate some funding directly into communities that have been harmed by the majority-white department.

Wu’s campaign website states: “It is all too clear that our city’s public safety structures have not kept all of us safe, particularly our Black residents. We must take concrete steps to dismantle racism in law enforcement by demilitarizing the police, banning weapons like tear gas and rubber bullets and practices like no-knock warrants that endanger our residents of color.”

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November 10, 2021

Opinion|5

Opinion

Too much ‘Bang’ for your buck

Quinnipiac should not sell energy drinks with excessive caffeine content

BY MICHAEL SICOLI Editor-in-Chief

Working too much for too long is something any college student is familiar with. And to get through that three-hour philosophy class, energy drinks tend to be the go-to option.

Unfortunately, drinks such as Bang are readily offered all around Quinnipiac University when they really shouldn’t be.

A single 16 fluid-ounce can of Bang contains 300 milligrams of caffeine, which is the equivalent of three cups of coffee. The Food and Drug Administration suggests that consumers shouldn’t exceed 400 mgs of caffeine a day, meanwhile students can drink one Bang and consume a daily intake in under an hour.

Some people might read that as a better “bang” for your buck — getting a day’s worth of caffeine with one purchase from Café Q. However, drinking excessive amounts of caffeine in a short time can cause anxiety and jitteriness, not to mention a rising heart rate.

Some have even died from rapidly consuming caffeine. A California teen drank a McDonald’s latte, a large Mountain Dew soft drink and an energy drink. Consuming that much caffeine in under two hours led to a “caffeine-induced cardiac event causing a probable arrhythmia,” per the Richland County coroner. He died, and no one would have even looked for caffeine as the cause if not for witnesses who told officials what the 16-year-old was drinking.

Now, this isn’t a commonality, but energy drinks can lead to long-term health issues. A study by the University of the Pacific found that drinking energy drinks consistently can cause longterm effects on the “body’s metabolism, including cholesterol, blood sugars and weight.”

Energy drinks are chock-full of ingredients you wouldn’t put into your body if you actually took the time to read it.

Acesulfame potassium, or Ace-K, is more than some scientific mumbo-jumbo term. It’s a chemical compound commonly used as a calorie-replacing sweetener with the infamous sucralose, but Ace-K is no sweet treat. It’s been linked to a myriad of negative health effects that can lead to weight gain and diabetes. It’s also been connected to cancer, although there are conflicting studies to the validity of this.

What’s really scary is that little has been confirmed about Ace-K. There are several conflicting studies on what the artificial sweetener actually does, and many claims to undergo further studies.

Meanwhile, do you want to drink creatine? I imagine not, and it’s a good thing Bang doesn’t have creatine — it contains SUPERCREATINE, otherwise known as Creatyl-L-Leucine.

That’s not a joke. Bang created a proprietary version of creatine, and there is a lack of information on what Creatyl-L-Leucine actually does. Since there’s a lack of scientific evidence, consumers don’t even know how much Creatyl-LLeucine is in Bang.

This is what energy drink consumers are putting in their body.

And it’s understandable.

As mentioned above, the plights of college students are all too familiar. The stress of classes, extracurriculars and a social life can be too much to handle without a helping hand of caffeine. It’s all about moderation, or better yet how one consumes caffeine.

A better alternative to Bang or brands of the sort is coffee, as it offers caffeine in more manageable doses. Like Bang, coffee is a low-calorie option. Unlike Bang, it contains significantly less artificial components. The reason why sugar-free energy drinks have lower calories is courtesy of sucralose, an infamous replacement for natural sugar that raises blood sugar levels.

Coffee is an option for students to receive their caffeine fix.

It can be as simple and healthy as black coffee, or it can be more elaborate with less health benefits like a seasonal pumpkin spice latte. Bang doesn’t offer that versatility.

This isn’t a coffee vs. energy-drink argument. Heck, some energy drinks fit the moderation bill. Mountain Dew’s Rise contains 180 milligrams of caffeine per 16 fluid ounces — which is 120 milligrams less than Bang — and while it still reeks of artificial sweeteners that are far from ideal, Rise contains fruit juice that Bang does not. The point is that Quinnipiac should not be selling energy drinks that are essentially poison in a can — Bang.

ILLUSTRATION BY XAVIER CULLEN

Even coffee and caffeine substitutes are worth being wary of. A study at Florida State University of college students concluded that there is a connection between caffeine intake and “depressive symptoms (poor appetite, overeating, sleep disorders, depressed mood),” as well as anxiety.

It’s important to note that further studies are needed for the causality of this — it’s possible that students exhibit poor time management, which leads to late-night work featuring bedtime’s enemy: caffeine. But consumers should be very aware anytime a drug is consistently slurped down.

That is what caffeine is, after all — a drug — and it should be treated as such. In moderation it can help productivity and activity, but it should be carefully monitored. Bang includes excessive amounts are harmful to the students who consume them.

If Quinnipiac’s menus put emphasis on “healthy lifestyles” as its website suggests, then energy drinks such as Bang shouldn’t be on them.

We shouldn’t normalize overworking

BY MELINA KHAN

Associate News Editor

As students, we’re conditioned from the moment we begin our college career to think of the future. After all, we’re all here working towards a common goal: to get a job after graduation.

Reaching that point to some extent depends on how we spend our years of postsecondary education. The internships, jobs, grades and extracurriculars that make up our resume will be the first things employers learn about us, and the pressure of that is overwhelming. Oftentimes, it leads to burnout.

Burnout is defined by the American Psychological Association as “physical, emotional, or mental exhaustion accompanied by decreased motivation, lowered performance, and negative attitudes toward oneself and others.”

A 2020 study from the APA found that 87% of Gen Z respondents attributed their education as a significant source of stress, which leads to burnout.

I’m a part of that 87%, and until recently, I didn’t see an issue with that.

As a student in an accelerated program, I’ve always felt like I have to do more in less time. On top of that, as someone pursuing a career in the already crowded journalism field, it’s always felt important to me to diversify my experiences to stand out from the crowd.

These sentiments led me to commit to an on-campus job, two internships and my role in The Chronicle on top of taking six classes this semester. Let me spare you the details and tell you it has been the most exhausting semester of my life.

On the weekdays, between working 20 hours for one of my internships, I barely have free time, and the free time I do have is spent doing homework. On the weekends, I balance my time between writing and editing for The Chronicle and the remainder of my homework, as well as trying to prioritize having some semblance of a social life.

But this is not where I want to complain about being busy. We’re all busy, and if we all complained about it, we’d be too busy complaining to get stuff done.

This is where I want to tell you, the reader who can relate to the 87%, that it’s OK to slow down, and more importantly, it’s OK to say no.

I know that’s easier said than done. I learned that the hard way.

Submitting to the hounding of my mother, I visited my doctor this week to learn the long-lasting cold I’ve been battling developed into an ear infection. This week was also when I said out loud for the first time, “I don’t have time to go to therapy anymore.”

Getting to this point, one where I had let both my physical and mental health become secondary to the things I devoted my time to in order to develop myself professionally, made me realize that no job, internship or commitment was worth losing myself over.

The fact is that there were signs I was getting to this point all along. I’ve already battled a sinus infection and ongoing concussion this semester, and I haven’t gone to therapy in months. The difference was that I refused to acknowledge the ways I was letting myself go because I thought I had to wear myself down to feel successful.

Success shouldn’t be measured by all the ways we wear ourselves thin getting there. Success should be about prioritizing our own happiness while also pursuing opportunities and gaining experiences.

Most importantly, we’re never going to be this young again. We’re never going to be able to have the same experiences we’re having now in college again. As students who are collectively working our butts off, we deserve to enjoy ourselves too.

Burnout is normal, but it shouldn’t be. Make time for yourself, and make sure you have time to do things that make you genuinely happy. Take the time to get your nails done, go to a hockey game or grab food with friends. The work will still be there when you get back.

ILLUSTRATION BY CONNOR LAWLESS

6|Arts and Life

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

November 10, 2021

Arts & Life

A TALE OF THREE SISTERS Quinnipiac theater’s most recent production follows the misadventures of young women who dream of happiness beyond their little town

By DAVID MATOS

Associate Arts & Life Editor

As college students, we are taking the next big step in building a new and improved future for ourselves. Aside from not owing thousands in student loans, the women portrayed in “Three Sisters'' share a similar mindset and yearn to be free of their unhappy lives.

Quinnipiac University’s theater program presented “Three Sisters,” a Russian play written by Anton Chekhov, in the Theatre Arts Center from Oct. 26 to Nov. 6.

“Three Sisters” is the first production with a live audience since the theater department performed “Rage” in February 2020.

It’s the year 1900 and the production stars — you guessed it — three sisters. They are all greatly dissatisfied with their lives in their small Russian town. Their parents died, and now the sisters all live together in a big estate with their brother, Andrei, played by Dean DeMarino, a freshman computer science major.

“It's really about family and growth and relationships,” said Samantha Hart, a junior film, television and media arts major who plays the youngest sister. “It's super realistic on how they sort of grow together over the years … we get really personal with each character and we see their hopes and dreams and just the progression of their life in comparison to what they want it to be.”

All of the actors in “Three Sisters” did a phenomenal job bringing their complex characters to life on stage. Each character was fully realized and played an important role in telling the story. The casting was so immaculate that if a movie adaptation were made of this production, I could easily see every one of the actors taking their roles to the big screen. The emotion and drive of every performer were evident.

The sisters’ bond on and offstage was also barefaced throughout the whole of the performance.

Olga, portrayed by Kayla Jarry, a senior theater major in the elementary 4 +1 masters in education program, plays the oldest sister out of the three leading ladies and acts like a mother figure to her two younger siblings. Masha, portrayed by Sarah Brown, a junior biology major, is the self-serving, musically inclined and hostile middle child who is aware of her needs as a woman cemented in a deteriorating marriage and is not afraid to act on them.

“Masha definitely has a case of middle-child syndrome,” Brown said.

Irina, portrayed by Hart, is severely optimistic, spoiled and has the strongest desire to move back to Moscow. However, it’s unclear as to why moving to the big city is unachievable especially if you consider the family’s seemingly large wealth.

As one could imagine, developing each of these roles was not an effortless process, even though the actors made it appear that way on stage. “(Preparing for the show has) been so intense, but I think spending so much time with each other has really created such a bond with the cast,” Hart said.

The period drama deals with the themes of dissatisfaction and the unachievable desire for happiness.

Brown’s character married her husband Kulygin, portrayed

by Alice Maho, a junior theater major, when she was only 18 years old. Brown said he “was just kind of the best that their small town had to offer.”

Now in her mid-20s, she has grown out of her love for her spouse, which drives her to have a not-so-secret affair with the new commanding officer of the army, Vershinin, played

by Bash Sarkar, a sophomore finance major. Vershinin worked alongside the sisters’ father in Moscow before he passed and knew the girls when they were little. If this couldn’t become more complicated, Vershinin is also still married.

By the end of the play, the affair is aborted when Vershinin has to leave with his military unit. Masha is now forever cemented in her loveless marriage with Kulygin.

Aside from moving to Moscow, Irina also desperately wants to work, despite her upper-class status, as she believes it will provide her with true happiness and fulfillment in her dull life.

It's unclear where she got this nonsensical idea from, but I digress.

When Irina faces the reality of her first work experience at a telegraph office, she expresses that she’s exhausted and miserable. However, she still believes fulfillment lies in the occupational field so by the end of act three, she earns her teaching license.

Irina also has a longing to find love in Moscow. Since making the move to Moscow is inconceivable, she settles for Lt. Baron Tuzenbach, played by Billy Schillinger, a senior film, television and media studies major, who, like Kulygin

once was for Masha, is seemingly her best option in her small town.

Tuzenbach eventually convinces Irina to marry him. When she is finally content with where her life is heading, her fiance is killed in a duel with Capt.

Solyony, played by Skye McCashion, a junior game design and development major, the day before the wedding. Like the rest of the characters, Irina’s story ends with a void in her life that was never fulfilled.

Olga also seems to be in a constant state of disappointment. She’s a high school teacher that’s continuously working and attending to the needs of her family and small town CRANDALL YOPP/QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY rather than her own. Olga Three sisters fantasize of a better life ahead of their small Russian community. is in her late 30s at the start of the play and feels as if it’s too late for her to be satisfied. This is evident in her lack of desire for a relationship and accepting the role as headmistress despite originally being opposed to the promotion.

Though Olga feels as if it’s inappropriate for her to want to achieve a more fulfilling lifestyle, unlike her sisters, she doesn’t harp on this realization but rather encourages her sisters to obtain their dreams.

With the internal negative impression the pandemic has cemented on society and the natural struggles of being a stressed college student, most of us can relate to the sisters’ ache for a fresh start, CRANDALL YOPP/QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY happiness and the eagerness Alice Maho, a junior theater major, acts as Masha's pretentious husband, Kulygin, in for a better future.

This production was so Quinnipiac theater's production of 'Three Sisters.' much more than just a play Roughly two weeks before opening weekend, the for the cast. It was a bonding experience that will carry on performers thought they would have to carry out the “Three beyond the black box theater.

Sisters” production also wearing masks. Luckily for them, Hart has only ever performed in musical productions, and since all of the performers were fully vaccinated they were her role in “Three Sisters” marks her first time back on the stage able to execute the play not only with a live audience, but since she was 14 years old. After Hart transferred to Quinnipiac also mask-free. from the University of Hartford this year, she thought it would “It was an entirely new show when we finally got to see be a good idea to partake in a theater production as she wanted each other's faces for the first time,” Hart said. “It was almost to be involved and meet new people right away. like starting over, like we had like this whole clean slate to “I have met some of my best friends from this play,” work with. It was amazing.”

Hart said. “It's just been such an overwhelming emotional Even for the most experienced of actors, performing in front experience. I'm so grateful for it.” of a live audience can be an anxious ordeal especially when our This production marks a lot of firsts for not only the lives have adjusted to being completely online for so long. performers, but the theater program as well. For one, the “I do get nervous," Jarry said. "One of my older friends in performance dates were extended from the usual one weekend to high school once said to me ‘it's good to be nervous because two to allow more people to find the time to see the production. if you're nervous, then that means you care. It was especially Every actor was vaccinated and tested for COVID-19 on spooky being in front of a live audience after not for over a a regular basis, and all performance attendees were required year.” to wear masks and have proof that they were vaccinated If any of the performers were skittish, it definitely didn’t upon entry. show in their performance.

Brown said the in-person experience is crucial as it creates a This play is the first production I’ve seen at Quinnipiac and more impactful performance for both the viewers and the actors. unlike the three sisters, I couldn’t be more satisfied. Aside from “You feed off of each other's energy, not only with the people the unbelievable acting across the board, the costuming and set you're on stage with, but the people that are also watching design was extremely impressive and immersed you into their offstage,” Brown said. “And I think you don't get those genuine world. Though the play was a little on the lengthy side with connections and you don't get to see true emotion on Zoom.” its run time of about three hours, I definitely plan on seeing Brown was in Quinnipiac’s production of “Macbeth,” another production in the near future. which streamed entirely online in April of this year. Brown said “it was honestly such a different experience from this show.”

The actors had to wear masks and perform in front of a virtual audience.

November 10, 2021

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

Arts and Life|7

ON THE ROCKS IS ROCKIN’ IT

By KATIE LANGLEY Copy Editor

Between classes, studying and keeping up with responsibilities like student organizations, it’s hard to find time to go out with friends, especially on weeknights.

Quinnipiac University’s new pub, On The Rocks, changes this by bringing the get-together directly to students.

Located in the Rocky Top Student Center on the York Hill campus, the pub is open Mondays, Thursdays from 6-10 p.m. and game days. When it comes to the pub’s menu, the food puts dining hall meals to shame. Students can pay for food with their meal points, but if you are looking to drink alcohol, you’ll have to pay out of pocket. Haven’t ventured out to the pub yet? Here’s what my friends and I thought of four courses.

Students check out the new dining spot on York Hill campus.

Appetizer: Nachos

Entree: Angus all-American burger

Every good hockey watch party needs good nachos.

Next time you can’t snag tickets to watch the Bobcats, I’d recommend grabbing some nachos from On The Rocks and watching on the wall of screens over the bar. Complete with gooey melted cheese and spicy jalapeños and served with sour cream and pico de gallo salsa, the pub has surprisingly solid nachos. My only complaint was the chips themselves, which were loaded with salt and took away from the flavor.

I give the nachos an 8/10 — a great fit for game day.

KATIE LANGLEY/CHRONICLE

The pub's nachos are a great pre-meal snack.

I’m not a huge burger fan, so I’ll admit I only took a bite of this one. For my friend who loves her burgers medium rare, the all-American burger was left on the grill a little too long. We opted to replace the bacon with caramelized onions, which provided a sweet flavor throughout the bun and patty. With this choice, you get what you expect: a respectable burger.

I give it a 7/10 for delivering on its promises, but be sure to ask if you want it undercooked.

KATIE LANGLEY/CHRONICLE

The all-American burger was good, but beware of overcooking.

This salad celebrates the season with mixed greens and a sweet vinaigrette. Butternut squash and dried cranberries add a pop of flavor, and sunflower seeds deliver a delicious crunch.

The salad is a simple, yet satisfactory choice if you’re vegetarian or just looking for something light. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even add shrimp or chicken for an extra charge, but I thought it was just fine without.

The Bobcat fall salad earns a 9/10 in this veggie-lover’s book.

Dessert: Cookie caramel chocolate cheesecake How do you do cheesecake right? Ask the chefs at On The Rocks. It has a delicious cheesecake base with indulgent chocolate frosting. A personal favorite, the dessert is topped with chewy brownie bites that I would eat on their own.

To top it all off, the presentation of the dessert is beautiful, complete with chocolate drizzle and fresh fruit.

I’m giving this one a 9/10 for looking, and tasting, like it’s from a bougie, upscale restaurant.

KATIE LANGLEY/CHRONICLE

My friends and I loved the cheesecake and the presentation was a plus.

Dessert: Flourless chocolate torte

Entree: Turkey club

Salad: Bobcat fall salad

XAVIER CULLEN/CHRONICLE

There’s nothing truly special about this turkey sandwich except its triple-decker size. Such a large sandwich was not really necessary, especially if you’re sampling the menu for a review. I would probably make this club at home with Thanksgiving leftovers, albeit one-third smaller. The bacon was a bit too chewy for my liking, and the plain white bread was barely toasted. I think the pub definitely could have kicked it up a notch on this one with the addition of some melted cheese or sourdough bread. The chips served on the side were somehow the opposite of the tortilla chips in the nachos: very bland and unsalted. They were good for a crunch, but my friends and I agreed that we would rather have fries on the side.

All in all, I’d give it a 5/10 for being a mediocre preThanksgiving turkey.

On The Rocks once again outdid itself with the mostimportant course. This torte is moist, rich and so, so chocolatey. I wouldn’t recommend the pub’s chocolate torte if you’re not a chocolate lover. I could only get a few bites in before I was full.

I’m giving this one an 8/10. It's definitely good to share with friends but a bit too rich for a casual dessert.

KATIE LANGLEY/CHRONICLE

Another beautifully presented dessert, the chocolate torte was tasty, but filling.

The salad is an impressive healthy choice.

KATIE LANGLEY/CHRONICLE

KATIE LANGLEY/CHRONICLE

The pub's turkey club is pretty standard, but underperformed.

My friends and I were very impressed by the food at On The Rocks. Living on the Mount Carmel campus, our options are pretty limited when it comes to food, so it was nice to shake things up a little bit. From the live music to the attentive wait staff, the atmosphere felt like a “real” restaurant and bar, with the added bonus of being able to pay with our QCards. I will definitely be coming back to On The Rocks next game day.

8|Arts and Life

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

November 10, 2021

F i n d i n g c o m m u n i t y i n c r e at i v i t y

The Montage Open Mic Night serves as a source of connection for students

By LAINE HEALY Staff Writer

After spending over a year alone during the COVID-19 pandemic, Quinnipiac University students are eager to form bonds on campus.

The Montage Literary and Arts Journal held an Open Mic Night in the Carl Hansen Student Center Nov. 3, extending a warm invitation to Quinnipiac’s creative community for a chance to socially and emotionally connect with its members.

Dim lights and a cherry blossom background set the scene for club members to share their artistic work ranging from original spoken-word poetry to musical covers in an intimate setting.

“Open mic nights really just give everybody an opportunity to share their voices,” said Tamara Anderson, editor-in-chief of Montage.

Isabella Torres, a first-year business major, simultaneously kicked off the night and made her Montage debut with a literacy narrative, an introspective piece describing her experiences as a writer. She quickly connected with the audience through her struggle with academic validation and classroom anxiety, a common experience for college students with 87% citing education as their main source of stress, according to The American Psychological Association.

Torres thanked Montage for the opportunity to use writing as a therapeutic tool to sift through her emotions.

“I’m realizing more and more about myself literally throughout the essay,” Torres said.

Torres wasn’t the only student to make a debut. First-year English major August Bishop’s first Montage performance included two heartbreaking poems about romantic relationships and their lasting impact. She elaborated on the role writing has on people understanding their own emotional states, saying it pushed her to challenge her perspective on life.

“Seeing the good in the bad and being able to make something beautiful out of it is really cool,” Bishop said.

The second half of the performance featured an excerpt from “Ineffable,” an independent project created by Haktan Ceylan, a senior philosophy and political science double major. “Ineffable,”is a blend of unconventional poetry, graphics and music curated under Ceylan’s pen name Natkah Nalyec.

Ceylan announced the project in August 2021, but it has been brewing for over two years. Largely inspired by his transition from childhood to college, he touches on family issues, love and heartbreak.

Written in a pivotal period of his life, Ceylan said that

“Ineffable” helped him overcome personal struggles.

“I think that there was a certain liberation that came with the art, and I’m forever grateful for what that was able to do for me then in terms of my mental health,” Ceylan said.

While each piece carries private undertones, he is excited to see how the audience relates to his work and embodies it as their own when the final project is released on Dec. 24.

“The beauty of ‘Ineffable’ is that there’s something for everybody,” Ceylan said.

“This is no longer my project, this is yours.”

Audience inclusion was a major component of his performance as he often called for interaction like waving hands to the beat of the music and utilizing flashlights to set the mood.

Following the success of its first inperson event since the pandemic, Montage plans to continue driving creativity with monthly open mics going forward.

Anderson hopes they will increase involvement in the club.

Montage has been on campus for 40 years, commonly recognized for its open mics. They were previously hosted

by Ken Cormier, the Montage faculty advisor, until he passed the baton to student leaders six years ago. He is pleased with the effort and participation of club members at the open mic.

“I’m really glad to see the students caring enough about it to take it on for a few years now themselves and keep sustaining it,” Cormier said.

Although primarily writing-based, LAINE HEALY/CHRONICLE students of all majors and talents can First-year English major August Bishop shared two poems at the Montage participate in Montage. The club involves many music, painting, sculpting, photography Open Mic night on Nov. 3.

Cormier encouraged students to take part in upcoming and graphic design opportunities. open mic opportunities or contribute to the Montage journal “It’s not just about our members or the people who are published every spring, which promotes campus-wide talent. interested in montage, but it's also about everybody who has “Any college experience deserves and really requires a kind artistic abilities, who have something they want to share with of artistic element to it, and Montage is one of those places the community,” Anderson said. where students can find a creative community,” Cormier said.

Muslim Student Association and South Asian Society team up for Eid Dinner

By ASHLEY PELLETIER Arts & Life Editor

Multicolored flower garlands hung overhead, lanterns laid on the tables and music filled the air in the piazza as the Muslim Student Association and the South Asian Society came together to host their annual Eid Dinner and Henna Night on Saturday, Nov. 6.

The two clubs held a scaled-back Eid Night in 2020 with take-home henna and other activities, but the event this year is a return to years past. The clubs served trays of food like naan, samosas and chicken and had long lines for two henna artists.

Henna, also called mehndi, is a plant-based, temporary dye that can be used on the hair and skin and has been used for over 5,000 years in the Middle East and South Asia.

While it was initially used medicinally, it has become an art form that is used during celebrations, particularly weddings.

The night was complete with a competitive trivia contest about Eid and henna with prizes for the top three winners.

Eid is a Muslim holiday, but working with the SAS brings more people to the event, not to mention that millions of Muslims live in South Asian countries. There are over two billion Muslims in the world, with over 40% of all Muslims living in Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

“A lot of people in our clubs have the same background,” said Kripa Patel, a junior health science studies major and president of the SAS. “It’s nice for us all to get together and hang out.”

There are two different celebrations of Eid in Islam: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Fitr celebrates the end of Ramadan while Eid al-Adha is a commemoration of the near-sacrifice of Abraham’s son, Ishmael, to God. They are two of the most important holidays in Islam and date back to the time of Muhammad.

Although the two holidays occurred in May and July in 2021, Abdullah Farid, a junior biology major and president of the MSA, wanted to share a “beautiful, beautiful culture and time with friends and family” with the Quinnipiac University community.

Jacqui Vanchot, a senior interdisciplinary studies major, said

PEYTON MCKENZIE/CHRONICLE

Isabella Prosper, a junior chemistry major, gets henna done on her hand. Henna is a plant-based dye traditionally used in celebrations in South Asian countries. that events like the Eid Dinner bring opportunities to take part encourage people who are not Muslim to come learn about in different cultures that aren’t always accessible at Quinnipiac. different cultures through these events.

“I don’t think that Quinnipiac does enough multicultural “Don’t be hesitant to come out because any multicultural events,” Vanchot said. “It’s nice that (the SAS and MSA) are org would love to have you,” Patel said. “We host events to doing an event that everyone can come to. It’s like a form teach, to spread our culture and to enjoy ourselves and to of celebration.” give you an enjoyable experience, so please come out. Don’t While Eid is a religious holiday, members from the clubs be hesitant. We are a loving community out here.”

November 10, 2021

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

Arts and Life|9

A MARATHON OF RUNNING YOUR MOUTH Oversharing is both a blessing and a burden

By NEHA SEENARINE

Associate Arts & Life Editor

A major red flag is when someone says that they can be read like an open book. I can’t believe it when someone thinks they are easily understood. There’s a difference between being an average person and being someone who spews out any thought that comes to mind.

I can confirm that I am a person that spews out any thought that comes to my mind.

I find myself in countless conversations talking about my hot takes on breakfast foods or a random Wednesday experience at Home Depot. It is important to give life updates every now and then, however, not everything has to be shared.

There are times when we find ourselves too comfortable in situations. I’ll meet someone, and I’ll tell them about my stomach problems from earlier that day. I can imagine their first impression of me is a chatty girl with irritable bowel syndrome.

That’s OK with me, considering I can’t control someone’s perception of myself.

A difficult skill to learn is being confident in sharing thoughts. There are times where we feel discouraged in our ideas and experience self-doubt.

“You might put yourself in physical danger by revealing too much to the wrong person,” wrote psychotherapist Amy Morin for Forbes. “You could alienate people who feel uncomfortable by the amount of personal information you share. And recounting your problems to people who don’t have your best interest in mind may lead them to take advantage of you.”

With oversharing, some people have a characteristic called “the audacity.”

There are situations when people don’t think before they speak. It is crucial to remember that our words impact others.

There is a line between honesty and being a good person. If you find yourself thinking that your friend’s sweater is ugly, under no circumstances should you tell them that. You might convince yourself that you’re doing them a favor, but disagreeable words can have a horrible effect. Your friend may take it the wrong way and feel insecure about wearing something new.

It is not necessarily bad for someone to share their thoughts.

However, there can be statements that can cross other people’s boundaries. The other person may be uncomfortable with listening to your personal experiences and may not know how to respond. I have been in situations like these with friends, and

ILLUSTRATION BY EMMA KOGEL

we need to be mindful that speaking up takes courage.

Whether good or not, we are in the most control with what we share on social media. We post anything from our prettiest pictures to a reflection on a past experience. Committing a hate crime on social media is the only limitation, but everything else is fair game. For example, I tweeted that I considered putting my Volkswagen Jetta in my microwave so the engine can warm up faster. I know it is not logical, but it was my direct thought that I wanted to share with the world.

Struggling to vent to people face-to-face, some people might use social media as their only outlet to share their thoughts. A simple tweet can get their problems off their mind.

We’re not really sure who sees our social media posts, but it doesn’t matter. Whether it has 500 views or 15 views, it is beneficial for your sake to get things off your chest.

Sometimes I think about the digital world I share my personal thoughts with. I have a pool of connections with hundreds of people from my close friends to someone I worked on a group project with in my freshman year of college. There are people who I haven’t talked to in years that watch my Snapchat stories daily. It seems that I am so open with myself that I would let just anyone in.

I like to think I have nothing to hide from others. That’s not the truth. I put myself on a platform, and post my own content.

I show people what I want them to see. We tend to forget that there is more to someone than who they are on the internet. We can’t assume we know everything about each other. It’s not like I’m going to post my social security number on Twitter. If I reveal my private information, that’s on me. But, I will continue to express my thoughts without hesitation.

Dear Counselor Dear Counselor is a column written by Mary Pelliteri, a member of Quinnipiac University's Counseling Services, to answer questions students have regarding mental health and wellness. To submit questions to Dear Counselor, email quchronicle@ gmail.com. All chosen questions will be anonymously published.

ILLUSTRATION BY CONNOR LAWLESS

Quinnipiac forgoes men’s ice hockey after appalling drop in rankings This article is for comedic purposes only. Actual names and likenesses used in this article are used in a parodic context, and are not a reflection of any actual person.

By MICHAEL LAROCCA Staff Writer

In response to the Quinnipiac University men’s ice hockey team dropping to No. 6 in the country on Nov. 1, the school has announced that it will abolish the team, effective immediately.

In a promptly written statement from the office of President Judy Olian, Quinnipiac has decided to reallocate funds from the team toward the creation of a stateof-the-art college dedicated to fashion design.

The statement also announced that the fashion school will be called the Sleeping Giant School of Design, and its dean will be former men’s ice hockey coach Rand Pecknold.

Pecknold, known for his prowess as a titan of the fashion industry, was extremely optimistic toward his new position.

“Very few people know that I was actually first hired here to design the hockey team’s uniforms,” Pecknold said. “On my first day, the coach and I bumped into each other and accidentally switched name

tags. Neither of us had the courage to speak up about it.”

Quinnipiac students had mixed opinions toward the abrupt decision.

“Losing the hockey team is going to be rough on the student morale,” said Kalen Picard, a junior strategic communications major.

“However, I’ve heard that their doctorate program includes making dresses from garbage bags. So, you win some and you lose some.”

The athletic department has not ruled out the possibility of shutting down more programs, pending the fashion design school’s success.

Baseball has specifically been cited as the next potential target for a revenue harvest.

“Wait, they said what?” said John Delaney, Quinnipiac baseball head coach.

Olian later stated that the new program will bring the university into a brand new era of prosperity, despite the immediate backlash.

“Put your hockey sticks away, my children, and pick up a pair of scissors,” Olian said. “Fashion is the new queen at this university — and this devil — wears bobcat.”

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY MARY PELLITERI

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and does not constitute medical or other professional advice.

I feel like so many students, including myself, have had a worse semester this fall than ever. How should we address a full return to college life while protecting our mental health?

The pandemic has been difficult for most of us, and the majority of college students have been negatively affected, in one way or another. So, be kind to yourself, this is not easy for any of us! There are some things you can do to take care of yourself. Focus on what you can control and establish a routine.

Don’t underestimate the basics; eat well, get enough sleep, exercise, limit your alcohol use.

Surround yourself with positive people, who support you and are in your corner. Limit social media. Do what you love, and laugh a lot. And don’t forget to utilize the resources available.

We are QU strong, and all in this together!

How can students in an age of social media feel less alone?

Social media has opened our world in many ways and offers connections we would otherwise never have had the opportunity to have. But, studies show that there is a connection between time spent on social media and loneliness.

Face to face contact to build stronger in person connections, and building your self worth, is key.

Do more with people, talk to a stranger, volunteer, be nice to yourself. Pay attention to what makes you feel less lonely and do that! And of course, remember to limit your time on social media.

What are some helpful ways of coping with academic and pandemic anxiety?

There are many things college students can do to address anxiety. Don’t procrastinate, it will just make matters worse. Self-care, including physical, mental and spiritual wellness is important. Eat right, get plenty of rest, go for a walk and remind yourself of the beauty around you, practice yoga, spend time with people that love you, enjoy yourself, laugh.

Utilize supports. Keep informed of what our health care experts are telling us regarding the pandemic. Take a mental health day, unplug and treat yourself to some of your favorite things.

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

10|Sports

Scores & Schedule

November 10, 2021

Field hockey farewells

Seniors reflect on their careers after their final game in the blue and gold

Wednesday 11/3

MSOC lost 2-1 @ Saint Peter’s

Thursday 11/4

WSOC won 1-1, 5-3 PKs vs. Siena

Friday 11/5

WIH won 2-1 vs. Union MIH won 3-0 @ Yale

Saturday 11/6

VB lost 3-2 vs. Marist WIH won 1-0 vs. RPI MIH won 1-0 @ Brown

Sunday 11/7

VB won 3-1 vs. Siena WSOC lost 4-0 @ Monmouth (MAAC Championship)

Tuesday 11/9

WBB @ Fordham 6 p.m.

MBB @ Maryland 7 p.m.

(Results unavailable before publication)

NOV. 5

NOV. 6

ALEX BAYER/CHRONICLE

PEYTON MCKENZIE/CHRONICLE

Upcoming Friday 11/12

MXC WXC NCAA Regional Championships 10 a.m.

MBB vs. Western New England 4 p.m.

WIH @ Princeton 6 p.m.

MIH vs. Arizona State 7 p.m.

Saturday 11/13

WBB @ CCSU 1 p.m.

VB @ Manhattan 1 p.m.

WIH vs. Princeton 3 p.m.

MIH vs. Arizona State 7 p.m.

Sunday 11/14 VB @ Iona 1 p.m.

Monday 11/15

MBB vs. Holy Cross 7 p.m.

CONNOR LAWLESS/CHRONICLE

Senior defender Amanda Funaro was one of eight seniors to contribute to the Bobcats’ win over Sacred Heart on Senior Day.

By MILTON WOOLFENDEN Staff Writer

“These four years are going to fly by.”

Every freshman hears it and doesn’t believe it until they’re receiving their diploma. For the eight senior Quinnipiac field hockey players, those college years have flown by, leaving just memories and friendships.

Last Sunday’s Oct. 31, 3-0 victory against Sacred Heart marked the end of the college careers of forward Brooke Whipkey, midfielders Makayla Adams and Isabella Sinibaldi, defenders Amanda Funaro, Jess Halley, Mikayla Dugan, and Jessica Grossman, along with goaltender Alicia Galasso.

“This group has definitely left their mark on the team as far as chemistry-changing and culture-changing,” Quinnipiac head coach Becca Main said.

Main used nature as an analogy to describe the culture left behind by this senior class.

“You think about a redwood forest and how redwood trees are the largest masses in the world, but it’s because of their interconnectedness underground,” Main said. “… This group’s big thing from the moment they stepped on the field for the first time this season was to make sure that there was a connection between everyone on the team.”

Reminiscing on all that’s happened over the past four years, there is one particular time period that Main said she’ll remember when thinking about this class.

“This past February when we learned there was going to be a field hockey season, we didn’t have anywhere to practice,” Main said. “So Brooke, Mikayla, and the rest of the seniors got everyone together and they shoveled (snow) off the field so we could practice.”

While the team was practicing in slush and ice, Main was proud to see the seniors taking charge without any guidance from the coaching staff.

Although this class played half of its collegiate career during a pandemic, Main says you wouldn’t have known it with how the team conducted themselves.

“No one made a big deal of it,” Main said. “They treated it like a regular field hockey season. I don’t think they’ll realize the amount of adversity they played through until four or five years down the road.”

When asked about what they would miss most about the team, Whipkey, Dugan and Sinibaldi all had the same oneword answer: “family.”

“This team has been my second family,” Whipkey said.

“We look after each other, we pick each other up when we’re feeling down, we always push each other to be better.”

Sinibaldi, unfortunately, had limited playing time her senior year as she battled injury, but she was able to get a few shifts in during the team’s game against Sacred Heart.

Dugan knew what Sinibaldi was going through mentally as she had been bench-ridden all of last season.

“It stinks to have to sit on the bench,” Dugan said. “But just because you’re on the bench doesn’t make you any less a part of the team. Izzy was always cheering us on.”

The group says other Big East teams should watch out for the Bobcats in the coming seasons.

“I’m very confident in this team’s future,” Sinibaldi said.

“This junior class has a lot of strong leaders coming up and just in general we have talent across the board. I really wish I could stay for another season.”

Sinibaldi continued by saying the player teams should be most afraid of going forward is freshman forward Emilia Massarelli who led the team in goals (10), points (22), and shots on goal (26) this season.

“I know they’re going to do great things, and I wish them all the best,” Main said. “If they happen to be in the area, they’re more than welcome to pay us a visit.”

Dunleavy: ‘We’re going to keep bringing it our way’ MEN’S BASKETBALL from Page 12 on. Both Limric and Blunt hail from Connecticut, so playing in their home state will make their transitions to collegiate play a little easier.

Their 2021 campaign starts off on the national stage, making the trek to Maryland to face off against the nationally ranked Terrapins. As the No. 21 team in the country, Maryland is expected to be a force in the Big Ten. It enters this season following an 89-40 drubbing in an exhibition against Fayetteville State on Nov. 5 and looks to take that into its season opener against the Bobcats.

After Quinnipiac’s game at College Park, they face off against a few more non-conference opponents, including Holy Cross, New Hampshire and Brown. These matchups will provide a good introduction into what will be a competitive MAAC season in December.

Looking forward to conference play, many look past the Bobcats, as the MAAC chose the Iona Gaels to defend their championship from last season. These same rankings have the Bobcats ranked No. 9 out of 11 teams. These same Gaels will face off against Quinnipiac twice this year on Jan. 23, and March 5, the latter being the season finale. All time, Iona owns a 10-6 record against Quinnipiac, with its most recent matchup

coming in last year’s MAAC tournament in which the Gaels dominated the Bobcats 72-48.

While many insiders within the conference do not have faith in this Quinnipiac team to compete for a title, that is not getting under the skin of the Bobcats. Dunleavy has been able to build the identity of this team, something he had learned from his time in Villanova as an associate head coach.

“Regardless of circumstance, we’re going to keep bringing it our way and that’s the biggest thing,” Dunleavy said. “Coming off a bad practice, what’s the next practice gonna be like?”

The coaching staff, while led by Dunleavy, can help bring out the potential in the entire team. The assistant coaches in this program bring a combined 10 seasons of tutelage in this Bobcats program and will help mentor the roster they have in front of them. Tom Pecora, Shaun Morris and Dwayne Lee round out Dunleavy’s staff and can help lead this team.

Quinnipiac may not get the recognition it thinks it deserves, both from within the MAAC and the country, but it has the depth and ability to compete for a conference title. The Bobcats may struggle due to some lack of joint playing time between some upperclassmen and underclassmen, but this team is built for the long run with the pieces to contribute immediately.

November 10, 2021

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

Sports|11

Women’s soccer suffers title heartbreak DANIEL PASSAPERA/CHRONICLE

How the Bobcats’ season started piping hot and ended in a championship loss

By RILEY MILLETTE Sports Editor

The reign of terror continues.

The Monmouth women’s soccer team has been crowned champions of the MAAC five of the last six years. Quinnipiac traveled two and a half hours to the Hawks’ nest in New Jersey on Sunday in an attempt to dethrone the perennially crowned Monmouth team, but were bullied in a dominant 4-0 Hawks win.

Taking on the dynastic Hawks, led by head coach Krissy Turner, at their home stadium was never going to be an easy way for the Bobcats to finish their year. They never had it easy throughout the tournament either, churning out a 1-0 win over Marist in the quarterfinals and then needing penalty kicks to take down Siena in the semifinals.

In Quinnipiac head coach Dave Clarke’s career, the team is 7-24-2 against Monmouth. It would be unfair to say the Hawks specifically have the Bobcats’ number — they have everyone’s number.

Everything looked to be coming together for the Bobcats.

Sophomore Rebecca Cooke, who has played nearly every position ever invented and is more of a rover than a defined position player, blossomed into a megastar this year. Sophomore goalkeeper Sofia Lospinoso surprised a lot of people as the rock in the back of the defense and earned the starting role. Graduate student forward Lauren Triglione was finally able to regularly contribute after injury and an internship pulled her away from the game.

This Bobcats roster was complete from top to bottom. There was a healthy mix of upperclassmen and underclassmen at every level of the pitch. The depth at every position allowed for mix-

ing and matching in formations — the Bobcats started the match against Monmouth in a 3-4-3 despite running four-back formations in most of their games.

The list of things that were going right for Quinnipiac goes on. But the most important thing that the Bobcats could boast about going into this year’s tournament was their record. Quinnipiac began the postseason 12-4, the most regular season wins it has had since 2000.

Clarke said earlier this season this campaign was “five years in the making.” The women’s soccer team was building its way up to this year, gaining momentum.

But something happened in this game that was unlike what the Bobcats had done at any point in the 2021 season. They had a massive letdown performance.

“It’s a different type of disappointment … because we haven’t played like that all year,” Clarke said.

Cooke, at some points appearing to be playing banged up as many players typically are at this point in the schedule, found very little space attacking the middle as she did during the regular season. She received little help as she had earlier this year, a testament to the Hawks’ lockdown defense.

The set pieces were few and far between, predictably so given Monmouth’s 4-3-3 formation. Other teams like Marist that drop its wingers into the defense with regularity will concede more fouls, which is the Bobcats’ comfort zone. Senior midfielder Selena Salas has been great on free kicks this year delivering balls into the box, but Monmouth did well to minimize those opportunities.

Fouls actually worked against the Bobcats in the first half, a reason for their 2-0 deficit at halftime. Quinnipiac committed six of them in the first half, mostly at midfield. These “silly fouls,” as

CONNOR LAWLESS/CHRONICLE

Monmouth goalkeeper Rebecca Winslow made multiple key punches on crosses to shut down the Bobcats.

Clarke described them during ESPN’s halftime show, turn a possession into a defensive stand in an instant, which forces a team to switch back to the defensive mindset when it is gearing up to make an offensive push.

Salas registered the team’s only shot on target in the 18th minute, a free kick from at least 40 yards away. It was meant to be a cross, but it sailed over everyone in the box and was collected by Monmouth sophomore goalkeeper Rebecca Winslow.

Knowing how Quinnipiac generates a lot of its offense, Winslow was not afraid to come off her line and punch crosses out of the air, which deflated the Bobcats’ attack. They managed four shots, only one of which was a legitimate threat.

In the 35th minute, sophomore forward Courtney Chochol was through on net with the ball coming in over the top through the middle. Chochol, Triglione, Bejleri and freshman midfielder Anna Costello were all behind the defense. Chochol had a step on her teammates, so she took down the through ball while the other three trailed behind to clean up rebounds or loose balls. Chochol tried to flick it over Winslow as she came off her line, but she hit the left post and the rebound leaked out into the 6-yard box.

No one else put a challenge on the ball. It bounced around while everyone helplessly looked on, giving Monmouth the chance to harmlessly clear it. The score was only 2-0, and the halftime whistle hadn’t yet sounded. The game was far from over, but the Bobcats already looked defeated. With Monmouth’s goalkeeper on the ground after making a run at an unmarked attacker and Quinnipiac outnumbering Monmouth 4-3 in the box, the Bobcats couldn’t manage a shot on target.

As diminishing as it may seem, these goals have to go in. The Bobcats took themselves out of it by hanging their heads after going down two goals, even when opportunities stared them in the face. Again, playing on the road at Monmouth is a significant mental hurdle and is probably the last place the Bobcats wanted to be that day. But a 13-4-1 team needs to finish that chance.

The Bobcats just looked tired. It’s a long season, and even the greatest athletes have trouble maintaining fitness for a stretch of several months. But they looked like a shell of their early-season selves, especially in the offensive third, and based on the way they let a loose ball go unchallenged in Monmouth’s 6-yard box, fatigue may very well have been a factor.

Recovering from a loss like this will not be easy, especially looking at next year’s theoretical roster. Some major pieces of this year’s side are seniors and ready to leave, barring them opting into their final year of NCAA eligibility granted after the COVID-19 cancellation. Forwards Gretchen Kron, Emily Loney and Lauren Wendland are all seniors, Salas and defender Lainey Lewis are seniors, and Triglione is moving on.

Time will tell how many of these players return next year, but the potential loss of Salas, Loney and Wendland will be significant. If none return as graduate students, Clarke will need to do some serious shuffling. It won’t be easy to restart the offense that was so potent early in the year.

Clarke has had tougher tests. The Bobcats’ skipper isn’t the winningest head coach in Quinnipiac women’s soccer history for no reason. He navigated the team to success in the MAAC after a transition from the NEC, and a loss in the championship won’t stop him from rebounding next season.

But being downed by four goals is an especially bitter taste.

This was meant to be their year. There’s no doubt that the Bobcats will come back next year ready to compete once again, but it’s bound to be a long offseason.

12|Sports

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

November 10, 2021

Sports @QUCHRONSPORTS

MORGAN TENCZA/CHRONICLE ARCHIVES (2019)

Star forwards, former teammates reunite 2019 NCAA rebound champ Kevin Marfo and last year’s QU scoring leader Jacob Rigoni return

By ETHAN HURWITZ Staff Writer

It is not even March yet, but the madness is just getting started for the Quinnipiac men’s basketball team. The return of the Bobcats will bring along championship hopes, as well as the return of two familiar faces: Kevin Marfo and Jacob Rigoni.

The graduate student forwards found their way back to Hamden this offseason, and both were voted onto the Preseason All-MAAC Team before the season.

Marfo, who led the nation in rebounds (13.3 per game) back in 2019, left to join the Texas A&M Aggies last season. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCAA granted seniors the ability to play one more season and Marfo did just that.

Marfo said that returning to a familiar situation was important and vital for himself as a player and as a program.

“I’m definitely excited to return,” Marfo said. “I needed something familiar, and coming back to Quinnipiac gives me a chance to have the most success both on and off the court.

I want to finish this out the right way – with the right opportunity. I’m really glad to be returning to something familiar.

It’s a great fit.”

Marfo, a dominant 6-foot-9-inch forward who made eight starts during his stint in College Station, said that this team has a chance to win now and is excited to rejoin his old teammates.

Quinnipiac’s head coach Baker Dunleavy, now in his fifth season coaching the Bobcats, is excited to have Marfo return and contribute immediately.

“We’re thrilled to have Kevin and his family return to our program,” Dunleavy said. “He is a tireless worker and competitor who will bring a veteran presence to our group next season.”

The other player who took advantage of the NCAA’s new eligibility rule was the Australian-born Rigoni, who played in all 22 games last season. The forward led the Bobcats in points, 3-pointers made and total minutes last year.

The Bobcats need a strong forward presence going into this season, as teams like Iona and Manhattan have run the MAAC in the past. Marfo and Rigoni bring the size that will help limit

some of the other stars in the conference, such as Iona’s sopho- Tyrese Williams and sophomore Luis Kortright. All three more forward Nelly Junior Joseph, who was recently named to guards all contributed on the court from the previous year, the Lou Henson Award Preseason Watch List, a nationally rec- playing the second, sixth and seventh total amount of minutes ognized award that is presented annually to the top mid-major last season, respectively. All three of them could see more player in Division I college basketball. scoring chances and have improvements statistically with a When asked about Rigoni’s return, Dunleavy mentioned his lot of the defensive attention focused on Marfo and Rigoni. on and off-court strength. He also said how unusual the 2020This new group of incoming freshmen also provides speed 21 season unfolded and how conversations with Rigoni went to the squad. Forward Brody Limric and guards Bernie Blunt during the offseason. and Quinn Guth all have a chance to make their marks early “Jake’s toughness, work ethic and character impact our program every day,” Dunleavy said. “We’re very proud of the man See MEN’S BASKETBALL Page 10 that he has become, and we’re lucky to have him help represent our Quinnipiac basketball family. Jake has battled through adversity during his time at Quinnipiac, and his leadership and commitment will serve our team well as we continue to grow toward our ultimate goal of winning a MAAC championship.”

Rigoni leads the program all time in 3-pointers made (259) and will certainly be the favorite to lead the team in that category this season.

He also owns the Bobcats’ record for most career free throws made, going 175-207 (84.5%) so far in his career.

Other than the top two in Marfo and Rigoni, this team has one of the deepest rotations of guards in the entire MAAC, led by sophoMORGAN TENCZA/CHRONICLE ARCHIVES (2020) more Tymu Chenery, senior Graduate student forward Kevin Marfo led the NCAA in rebounds (399) as a Bobcat in 2019-20.