Issue 22 Vol 81

QUChronicle.com April 4, 2012 Volume 81 Issue 22

sports

Opinion

Softball homers into records, page 19

Arts & life

Disappointing turnout for SGA debates, page 6

8 steps to namaste, page 11

Alpha Chi Omega mum about investigation

Athletics hires interim head volleyball coach

News Editor

Sports Editor

By kim green

Alpha Chi Omega’s national headquarters investigated Quinnipiac’s Iota Phi chapter, confirmed Janine Grover, Alpha Chi Omega’s national marketing and communications director.

Neither Grover nor Quinnipiac’s Panhellenic executive board would divulge the basis of the investigation, which completed last week. Alpha Chi’s formal was not canceled and took place March 30 at Cascade.

“The investigation has been completed, however, any information regarding the matters involved have and will remain internal to the organization,” the Iota Phi chapter of Alpha Chi Omega said in a statement to the Chronicle.

Greg Fink, assistant director of the student center & campus life for Greek life, said that most policy issues are internally driven and have to do with the chapter experience, which is not a Panhellenic issue.

“We support all Panhellenic organizations See sorority Page 6

By matt eisenberg

Staff Writer

Just one year after being named Irish American of the year by Irish American Magazine, Quinnipiac University President John Lahey added yet another honor to his list of achievements.

President Lahey was inducted into the Irish American Hall of Fame on March 14, joining an elite group of Irish Americans, including 2011 inductee former United States President Bill Clinton.

“I am happy and proud to be honored,” Lahey said. “I usually don’t think of John Lahey in the same category as presidents of the United States.”

The Hall of Fame was founded in 2010 by Irish American Magazine and, according to its website, “honors the extraordinary achievements of Irish-American leaders, from their significant accomplishments and contributions to American society to the personal commitment to safeguarding their Irish heritage and the betterment of Ireland.”

President Lahey has been an active member of the Irish community for many years. He oversaw the creation of Quinnipiac’s Great Hunger Irish Museum and is a working advocate for education on the famine, earning him recognition among Irish Americans. He is also

see what’s happening on award-winning website since 2009

See sga Page 3

See volleyball Page 6

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Theo Siggelakis (left) and Evan Milas compete for the vice president of student concerns position on the SGA executive board.

Candidates clash for VP of student concerns By rachel cogut Staff Writer

Evan Milas and Theo Siggelakis, both vying for the vice president of student concerns position on the Student Government Association, engaged in a contentious debate on Mon-

Lahey inducted into Irish Hall of Fame

By Daniel grosso

day night in the Mount Carmel Café.

In their respective opening statements, Evan Milas talked about his passion for SGA and his approachable personality, while Sig-

The Quinnipiac volleyball team has gone through court cases regarding Title IX and seasons with sub-.200 winning percentages. The team recently got assigned a new head coach– for now.

Kristopher Czaplinski, who was an assistant women’s volleyball coach for Post University the past two years, was named the interim head coach of the volleyball team, Quinnipiac Director of Athletics and Recreation Jack McDonald announced Tuesday.

Czaplinski replaces former head coach Robin Lamott Sparks, who was fired from her position, as reported in the Feb. 15 edition of the Chronicle.

Sparks coached the Bobcats to a 20-133 record in five seasons, including a 4-25 record in 2011. Sparks’ name had been removed from her office in Athletic Center 213 before Feb. 10.

involved with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City and was parade grand marshal in 1997, dedicating that year to Ireland’s Great Hunger.

“Being an educator I thought it would be important for me to use my platform as grand marshal to talk about something I thought was important to educate people about,” Lahey said.

His work with Ireland’s Great Hunger may have earned Quinnipiac’s president his spot in the Hall of Fame, but Lahey stressed he is not the only one who should receive recognition.

“Sometimes [presidents] get a little more blame than we deserve, but we always get more credit than we deserve,” Lahey said.

“That’s certainly true in this case.”

President Lahey gives much of the credit to Murray Lender, who came to Lahey wishing to spread awareness of the Great Hunger.

Lender’s contributions ultimately led to the creation of Quinnipiac’s Great Hunger Collection, a constantly expanding art gallery on Ireland’s Great Famine.

“Some people think that Murray’s biggest contribution to Quinnipiac was his philanthropy. He did a lot more than just give money,” Lahey said. “He was really the origin of these See lahey Page 6

QU101 head resigns By phil nobile

Associate News Editor

The Quinnipiac Seminar Series will be facing changes to the program with one of the course leader’s recent resignation. Timothy Dansdill recently resigned from his position as the head of QU101.

Dansdill, who declined comment to the Chronicle, will continue his work as an associate professor of English.

Jill Shahverdian, the QU Seminar Series coordinator and an associate professor of mathematics, has taken over Dansdill’s responsibilities interimly. Dansdill’s resignation from the program came as a shock to Shahverdian.

“He was both passionate and dedicated to the faculty and students,” Shahverdian said. “I can’t really speak to his understanding of the resignation.”

Shahverdian said a replacement for Dansdill will be found by summer.

Along with his resignation came some stern words about the program. According to an interview with the QuadNews, Dansdill expressed his concerns with the series as a whole, stating “in its current structure, the entire series is unsustainable.”

“Mark Thompson recognized, before I did, that I’d become a polarizing figure as QU101 Coordinator,” Dansdill said. “He asked me to resign and rightly so, but you can see why

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in the design of the course, from the fundamental tension of its theme, to my particular insistence on common methods and common practices to build a stronger community, that it makes anybody polarized.”

According to Dansdill, “academic freedoms” were given up in order to teach the course effectively, with other teachers finding the same. Shahverdian, however, said the course allows ample flexibility within its structure.

“I’m not entirely sure what he’s referring to when he says ‘giving up academic freedoms,’ but it could be the fact that QU101 is a common course,” Shahverdian said.

“Are there required things for the course?

Absolutely. But the instructor has complete freedom over the classroom environment: how do they want to structure it, what kind of papers they want to write, progression of discussion, etc. In that sense, there is a lot of freedom for professors.”

Dansdill told the Chronicle Sept. 22, 2010 that students who do not think the class is beneficial to their education have a “lack of humility, a lack of open-mindedness, and just plain ignorance and foolishness of youth.”

Freshmen students who have traditionally expressed a dislike to the course view the course as a social tool, rather than anything See QU101 Page 7

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

2|News

April 4, 2012

Campus briefs

Have you heard any news that you think Quinnipiac students would care about?

Please, tell us: tips@quchronicle.com

SigEp featured on Deadspin, Barstool A video of Quinnipiac Sigma Phi Epsilon brothers reacting to The Rock winning WrestleMania appeared Monday on popular sports websites Deadspin and Barstool Sports. A thrown chair broke a television screen during the celebration. – L. Neslin

National Walk for Epilepsy This past Saturday, March 31, the National Walk for Epilepsy was held in Washington, D.C. Four members from Sig Ep participated: John Houston ‘14, Greg Hayes ‘14, Steve Bushnell ‘12 and Tom Nassr ‘14. Not only did the group travel to D.C. to support the cause, but it also raised more than $1,000 for it as well.

“The money raised from the National Walk for Epilepsy helps the Epilepsy Foundation provide services for people living with epilepsy, provide awareness programs for proper seizure recognition and first aid, provide a voice to make sure health care options for people living with seizures remain strong, and provide much needed research funding toward better treatment options and ultimately a cure,” according to the foundation’s website. – O. Grattan

AITP Competition Computer Information Systems (CIS) Club delegates, seniors Stephanie Randall and Will Wall, received honorable mention in the Business Analytics competition at the Association of Information Technology (AITP) National Collegiate Conference in San Antonio on Saturday, March 31. “It is our goal, our purpose to provide a community network for the IT business professionals to reach their true potential by providing education programs for advancing technology and business skills, leadership development opportunities, networking, peer mentoring and knowledge sharing, and online resources,” according to the AITP site. Throughout the four-day conference there were several competitions. – O. Grattan

Photo courtesy of Monahan

New Blue goes 1-2 in tourney

New Blue Rugby, unaffiliated with Quinnipiac Athletics, competed in the ninth annual Four Leaf Fifteen’s Tournament held at Randall’s Island, N.Y., on March 24. New Blue beat Seton Hall, 10-7, and lost to Hofstra and Ithaca College. – M. Eisenberg

photo courtesy of Quinnipiac University

Quinnipiac hosts second annual Global Asset Management Education II Forum at the Sheraton Hotel in New York City.

QU hosts G.A.M.E. II Forum

By MacKenzie Malone Staff Writer

More than 1,000 students from 115 universities and 38 countries, as well as hundreds of business professionals, attended Quinnipiac’s second annual Global Asset Management Education II Forum this past weekend, bringing business professionals and potential future colleagues together.

Both business students and professionals from all over the country came together at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers in New York City. The three-day event, co-sponsored

by NASDAQ OMX, was designed to allow students to learn more about the business world directly from industry leaders themselves.

Andrew Papai, a volunteer on the oversight committee and senior accounting and finance major, described the event as “a global conference that brings together the brightest minds on Wall Street with students that want to get

that perspective of the business world.”

On the first day, a panel of keynote speakers led a discussion that centered around the global economy, the state of asset management, the stock market and corporate governance.

The second day included breakout sessions, in which students were split up into groups in order to gain the perspective of the professionals in a more intimate setting. Participants learned through discussion panels and workshops.

The third day focused on career opportunities. Young professionals who are newer to their fields were on hand to discuss entering the workforce.

Chairman of the G.A.M.E. Oversight Committee Francesco Compagnino, a finance and economics major, said that every university in the country was invited to come to the event. The event was a great way for students to network, which Campagnino stressed as one of the most

important parts of the business field.

“Not many places have that opportunity to interact with professionals,” Compagnino said.

Nicholas Mastromarino, a senior who worked as a volunteer for the forum, agrees that networking is huge.

“If you want to get a job at a bank or something like that, they expect the GPA, they expect the internship,” Mastromarino said. “You can’t really get the internship without networking. You can’t really get the job without networking.”

Following Quinnipiac’s School of Business’s 19-spot jump to No. 72 on the seventh annual Bloomberg Businessweek List of “The Best Undergraduate Business Schools,” the G.A.M.E. II Forum could not have come at a more appropriate time, Mastromarino said.

“We weren’t recognized on the list before last year,” Mastromarino said. “We have moved up. Definitely more people are hearing about Quinnipiac.”

Roommate trivia

Rocky Top, McDermott play host By lauren epifanio Staff Writer

The Residence Hall Council challenged students to sit back-to-back and answer simple, yet specific, questions about people they have known for the past seven months, or for the past two, three or almost four years, initiating the Roommate Challenge.

Last Friday, students huddled around tables next to the Rocky Top Student Center fireplace, watching as participants and audience volunteers wrote the answers to questions pertaining to their roommates’ lives on their whiteboards.

“The event turned out better than I expected,” event coordinator Joseph Rodriguez said. “I really enjoyed seeing the reactions on some of the students’ faces when they were asked questions such as, ‘If your roommate were to marry/ be any Disney princess, which would they be?’”

A spinoff of “The Newlywed Game,” the Roommate Challenge involved 18 participants who came out to show how much, or how little, they knew about their roommates. Questions ranged from eating and showering habits to personal information such as birthdays and high schools, according to the event’s emcee Andrew McDermott.

While McDermott called students who signed up for the event to the stage, roommates who signed up for audience participation could play along at their tables.

lesly alvarez/chronicle

Josephine Liz smiles as she answers a question at the Roommate Challenge, sponsored by Residence Hall Council, at Rocky Top Student Center last Friday.

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

April 4, 2012

News|3

SGA ELECTIONS

VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT CONCERNS sga from cover

Theo Siggelakis

Evan Milas

Class: 2014 Major: English Hometown: Robbinsville, N.J. Current position: Class of 2014 Representative He said: Siggelakis said he wants to see more interaction between SGA and the student body it aims to serve, and “create a culture change” regarding students having closer connections with their Student Government Representatives.

Class: 2014 Major: Political science Hometown: Woodbridge, Conn.

Current position: Class of 2014 Representative He said: “This year I have committed to the Student Awareness Committee, where I worked closely with the current VP of Student Concerns on all aspects of student life.” Milas said he wants to focus most on improving school pride.

UNOPPOSED

photos by Katie O’Brien/Chronicle

Ben Cloutier, Erik Cote and Lauren Enea are running unopposed to retain their respective positions in this year’s Student Government Association elections.

For more information about the candidates and their goals for next year, visit QUChronicle. com. – Rachel Cogut, Susan Riello

Ben Cloutier PRESIDENT

Erik Cote

VP OF FINANCE

Lauren Enea

VP OF PROGRAMMING

gelakis highlighted his personal drive and strong motivation.

Siggelakis continued to discuss how communication with students is key, while Milas emphasized how school spirit on the Quinnipiac campus needs improvement. To this point, Siggelakis said that “utilitarian needs” must be met before school spirit can be addressed.

Siggelakis was aggressive in his debate style, often asking for the opportunity to rebut his opponent’s points.

When asked about his qualifications for the position, Siggelakis cited his outgoing personality and motivation to succeed.

“When other people rely on me, I make sure their needs are met first,” he said.

Milas spoke about his approachable personality, his teamwork skills, and his ability to lead a group to accomplish goals in response to the same question.

After the debate, Milas said, “I felt nervous, and I think that came across, but I also think I expressed my interests well.”

He said that he has spoken to many students over the past few weeks who have responded enthusiastically to his campaign and his goals. “I think I have gotten my platform out there on campus well,” he said.

“I thought the debate went really well. I thought my competitor presented a great argument as well,” Siggelakis said. “I feel confident going into tomorrow, and I think that I have done all that I possibly can to try to win this election.”

“I am not that worried about the debate affecting the outcome of the election,” Milas said, “and I am excited to see what happens tomorrow.”

VICE PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC RELATIONS

By catherine boudreau Associate Arts & Life Editor

Ryan Scanlon Class: 2013 Major: Film, video and interactive media Hometown: Newburgh, N.Y. Current position: Class of 2013 Representative He said: “I want the student body to feel that they are part of the change that SGA is going to provide.

Every step SGA makes to improve Quinnipiac is something that I want to share with every single student.”

Heidi Hitchen Class: 2013 Major: Marketing Hometown: Lincoln, R.I. Current position: Class of 2013 Representative She said: “I know that there is some disconnect between organizations, so I’d like to create a more comprehensive council of representatives between all of the organizations and governing bodies to create an open line of communication.”

The feeling of camaraderie between Heidi Hitchen and Ryan Scanlon, candidates for Vice President of Public Relations of SGA, made for more of a discussion than a debate Monday night. Though the candidates consistently supported one another, they were grounded in different platforms.

Both stressed the importance of making bonds between the students, SGA, the administration and the community of Hamden. However, each had a different idea on the most effective way to accomplish this.

Scanlon emphasized utilizing social media, writing press releases and doing more community service while Hitchen discussed a more traditional approach by directly speaking to the public and forming relationships with them. Each also wants to promote the use of “Do You QU,” a website bringing all the student organizations together. This is also where voting will take place.

The candidates stated their main initiatives. Hitchen said she wants to continue to grow the “Live the Legend” campaign.

4|News

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

April 4, 2012

SISTERHOOD OF TRAVELING T-SHIRTS Sisters start T-shirt company

photos courtesy of Bucks county intelligencer

Bittle-D is a T-shirt company started by sisters Dorothy and Danielle Cascerceri that reaches people in Saudi Arabia, Peru and Australia. The business has worked with Sammi “Sweetheart” from MTV’s “the Jersey Shore” and “the Real Housewives of Orange County” stars Tamara and Vicki’s Wines by Wives lines.

By katherine rojas Associate News Editor

It’s the first day of spring, sophomore year. Your friends are playing kickball and enjoying the sun, while you’re on the sidelines on a conference call with your legal team for your T-shirt company.

That’s the epitome of 22-yearold Danielle Cascerceri’s college career. She started a T-shirt company called bittle-D with her sister, Dorothy Cascerceri, senior editor of In Touch Weekly, during her sophomore year at Quinnipiac. The public relations major and marketing minor did not dream of having her own business, she said, and her entertainment journalist sister wasn’t expecting it either.

What started as a witty comment delivered by Danielle while laying on the couch with Dorothy in December 2009 grew into a business that reaches people in Saudi Arabia, Peru and Australia.

“I said something and [Dorothy] said ‘oh my god, that needs to go on a T-shirt,’” Danielle said. “Then we completely brushed over it, and then later in the day I said something else and she said, ‘No really, that really needs to go on a T-shirt.’”

That entire day was spent in their family room discussing how to start

their own business. A month later, the sisters formed their company legally through the state of Pennsylvania, and two years later they officially launched their website, and were open for business.

With just launching three months ago, the business has worked with Sammi “Sweetheart” from MTV’s “Jersey Shore” and “The Real Housewives of Orange County” stars Tamra and Vicki’s Wines by Wives line.

“I’ve never done anything like this before. The closest I’ve ever come to selling anything was probably girl scout cookies,” Danielle said laughing. “[This is a] completely new ball game for both of us,” she said.

“We’re kind of just taking shots in the dark and we ended up lucking out I guess because the people that we’ve met in the business world and apparel say ‘it’s one thing to have an idea or a ton of ideas but it’s another thing to turn it into something.’”

Having a business as a college student may have come as a surprise for Danielle, but it wasn’t for adjunct professor Jo Amatulli.

“It’s not surprising that Danielle would take initiative to do something like start a business, because even like in the PR class, she would

come up with another angle, she’d add a different dimension to an assignment,” Amatulli said.

Amatulli and Danielle started off with a teacher-student relationship, however it grew into a friendship.

“Danielle is just ‘one of those students’—she was a pleasure to have in my JRN 160 and PRR 201 classes,” Amatulli said. “[She’s] very talented, professional, dependable.”

Amatulli was one of many who witnessed Danielle in this new journey. Roommates and friends Lauren Ellis and Megan Brady supported Danielle since the foundation of the business.

“I remember sophomore year, in Mountainview, Danielle would draw sketches of T-shirt graphic ideas before we’d go to bed,” Brady said.

“She literally turned her ideas into a reality; a reality that my friends and I can wear. It is inspiring to see strong-willed, young women on their business adventure.”

Ellis and Brady have known Danielle since their freshman year at Quinnipiac, and have noticed her growth but not a difference in her character or will.

“I remember sophomore year when she was throwing out ideas and everyone thought it was such a good idea, but I could not have imagined she would actually fulfill this dream of hers,” Ellis said. “I think what her and her sister are doing is incredible.

I don’t know many college students that have started their own business, especially a successful one.”

What’s unique about bittle-D is its choice of using 100 percent organic cotton. U.S. organic certification means growers must produce cotton without synthetic fertilizers or toxic herbicides and pesticides, according to a report in National Geographic.

Organic cotton

clothing, unlike processed fabrics, are made without potential allergens and irritants such as dermatitis. Furthermore, dyes, resins and formaldehyde are likely sources of reactions while synthetic fibers and wool can act as irritants, the article said.

Although choosing organic cotton for their T-shirts raised the prices, Danielle said it’s important for their customers’ health and important to her and her sister to be ecofriendly in their business.

Once the business was created the sisters were able bond over similarities but also see different sides of each other.

“Working with [Dorothy] has taught me a lot about her, good and bad,” Danielle said. “But it’s also helped me grow. There are things that I picked up from her that I didn’t have before, that I’m glad I have because eventually, when I’m in the workforce, I’ll need the qualities, the drive, the aggressiveness. We play off each other.”

The sisters come from business backgrounds, as their father was in the bar and restaurant business in Philadelphia and acted as a quiet adviser.

“His success in business is something that inspired us,” Dorothy said. “Even though neither of us have formal business education, we have that business sense running through our veins because it’s who we are and the family that we were born into.”

Danielle is the third of four sisters, and Dorothy is the second.

Their parents and sisters played different supportive roles in their business that kept it from crumbling.

“The combination of [our parents’ role] was definitely what got us on our feet and made us do it,” Danielle said. “Without that, it would have been more challenging, because it all started at home and because we’re sisters, you relay a lot

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photos courtesy of Bucks county intelligencer

Dorothy (left) and Danielle Cascerceri with their “hail mary” and “all the single ladies” T-shirts.

on the support of your parents and that fact that we had that from day one was really meaningful.”

Although they are sisters, Dorothy and Danielle are all about the business when necessary. Danielle and Dorothy cover all bases of the business, but they each use their strengths to even out the amount of work to be done, Danielle said.

While Dorothy fully focuses on the financials and bookkeeping, Danielle uses her public relations and marketing knowledge to promote the business.

“A lot of the things we talk about in my classes I bring it back to the drawing board for the business,” Danielle said. “I think that’s refreshing especially for my sister because it’s been 10 years since she’s been in a classroom.”

Although this was something created for fun, Danielle and Dorothy take the business very seriously.

“My biggest goal is not to make a million dollars, I mean that would be nice, but my biggest goal is to be able to inspire other people, particularly to women, to know that they know that they can achieve their dreams,” Dorothy said.

With graduation only five weeks away, Danielle has Quinnipiac to thank for the success of her business, she said.

“Quinnipiac has definitely molded the company, in a weird way,” Danielle said. “My home here has prepared me just as much as my home at home, because it’s different.

My home at home was the support and the love and the push to do it, but these were the tools that made it happen.”

April 4, 2012

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

TEACHERS AND STUDENTS AFFECTED BY STATE BILL

New bill limits teaching opportunities By marcus harun Web Developer

Connecticut’s achievement gap is the worst in the nation—low income students perform 35 percent worse than non-low income students on standardized testing. The governor and many teachers are at odds with how to fix this problem.

In February, Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy released his plan for reforming education called SB24. The bill drastically changes the public education system in the state including teachers’ salaries, evaluations and school funding in an attempt to close the achievement gap.

Beth Larkins-Strathy, associate dean of the Quinnipiac School of Education, said she worries about the bill proposing that all incoming education majors would be required to have a minimum GPA of B+, or a 3.3. The current average GPA of student entering the School of Education five-year program is 3.3.

“If we move to the 3.3 as the required cut-off, we would lose so many great students who would make wonderful teachers,” LarkinsStrathy said. “I feel a 3.0 is reasonable, considering our candidates must pass extremely rigorous tests before they can be certified in Connecticut.”

Last year 101 out of 106 education graduates passed their certification tests and were eligible to be certified in Connecticut, she said.

Hamden Public Schools has an even larger achievement gap than the state average: 38.2 percent, according to 2011 state testing data.

Hamden history teacher Arnold Aranci said the changes won’t help students and it will hurt teachers.

“From what I have read in the bill, it will ruin our school systems,” Aranci said. “It will drive good teachers out, keep talented young people from going into that honorable profession and it will not raise scores.”

Another part of the new bill called for a portion of teachers’ salaries to be determined by students’ test scores to try to motivate teachers to work hard and teach their students to perform well on the tests.

“Who would choose a career where your pay will be tied to test scores of kids whose motivation and attitude toward school—and therefore their test scores—are a major function of the parental support they get and therefore, to a great degree, beyond your control,” Aranci said.

The tenure system for teachers would be totally changed and a three-category system would be put into place that would determine a teacher’s salary. Teachers would be put in the three different levels based on constant administrator evaluations and student test scores.

Quinnipiac associate professor of education Susan Clarke is no stranger to public school tenure policy. She previously taught in a public high school for 17 years and was a faculty representative to the Massachusetts Teachers Union.

“I certainly would like the public to understand more about what teachers have to deal with in terms of collective bargaining, administrators, politicians' opinions that are

not informed by classroom experience,” Clarke said. “Essentially the purpose of tenure is to protect academic freedom and teacher professional integrity. This notion gets lost in our present culture of test driven, quantitative frenzy.”

Some parts of the bill were restructured late last week in response to some of the teachers’ concerns.

The new bill still tries to help the achievement gap problem, but it does not address teachers’ tenure like the previous bill did. Aranci says he now supports the bill as it is, but warns that it can change before the final legislation is approved.

He is not alone; teachers and their unions seem to be accepting the new bill and are not outraged with the changes any longer.

“One very positive part of this altered plan is providing access to early childhood programs for 1,000 rather than 500 socially or economically disadvantaged children,” Larkins-Strathy said.

She said Quinnipiac education students understand how important standardized testing assessments are being observed and they are good candidates for teaching jobs in Connecticut, even if education is reformed.

“They have learned to differentiate and accommodate many different types of learners and have designed copious lesson plans and performance assessments connected to state and federal standards,” Larkins-Strathy said. “No matter what the mandates at the state level, our education students are prepared to meet them.”

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Education student’s op-ed expresses excitement over possibilities original bill offered By rachel cogut Staff Writer

CT News Junkie published an opinion piece written by Quinnipiac junior Jessica Joline about the merits of the Connecticut Senate Bill 24, which is currently being debated in the state senate.

Until recently, SB-24 set up a new teacher evaluation system, including comprehensive tenure reform. This new evaluation system is a cornerstone of the education agenda being proposed and pushed forward by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

On March 27, the legislature's education committee approved a watered-down version of the education reform plan that removes the most controversial parts pertaining to teachers.

Joline, a student in the mas-

ter of arts in teaching program and the public relations director for the Quinnipiac University chapter of Students For Education Reform, wrote in her piece, “A Future Teacher for Education Reform,” that the proposals laid out in the original version of SB-24 “gave [her] hope as a future teacher.” She wrote that she was excited, rather than deterred or intimidated, at the prospect of the connection being made in the bill between fair evaluations and tenure for teachers.

“When I am teaching I want to know that I am doing a good job and that my students are getting a good education. …How can I do this if I am not being evaluated?” Joline wrote.

She points out in the opinion piece that the evaluation process

would not only motivate teachers to perform to full capacity, but also might attract more potential teachers to the profession.

Joline expresses disappointment at the significantly altered version of SB-24, saying that it lets down the children of Connecticut and does not treat the issue of education reform with the urgency it deserves.

She said that she is motivated to become a teacher after graduating from Quinnipiac because she wants to make a difference in the lives of young children, encourage them to set their goals high, and convince them that they can achieve whatever they set their minds to. Joline is an advocate for education reform because she believes that all students deserve “the best education possible.”

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

6|News

Athletics hires interim head volleyball coach volleyball from cover Vice President for Public Affairs Lynn Bushnell said the university would hire a new coach and try its best “to minimize any potential disruption to the volleyball team” on Feb. 14.

Enter Czaplinski, who has been a varsity coach of the Junior Olympic Girls’ Volleyball program, which is a club made up of studentathletes who are between the ages of 16 and 18, since 2003.

With Post, he was in charge of recruiting, scheduling and game preparations while he helped lead the Eagles to a fourth-place finish last season in the North Division of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. He played volleyball for the University of New

Haven, where he holds the program record for single-season assists (1,760) and career assists (2,690).

But he won’t come to Quinnipiac without some red flags.

The university tried to cut volleyball after the 2009 season for budget reasons, along with the men’s golf and men’s outdoor track teams, but the team said that the university was not in compliance with Title IX. There was an injunction placed because the court ruled that it was not in compliance with Title IX, a federal law to ensure gender equality.

The university filed to lift the injunction on Dec. 22 and there is a hearing scheduled for June 11 to determine whether or not it will be cut.

Alpha Chi Omega mum about investigation sorority from cover in conjunction with the university and their national headquarters’ policies,” the Panhellenic executive board said. “As a Panhellenic council, we do not interfere with internal chapter matters, in recognition that each chapter functions under their own sovereignty.”

The National Panhellenic Conference is the overarching delegation of all the sororities acting like a big coalition, Fink said.

“Panhellenic oversees policy procedures as the voice, the recruitment body, and the governing body for all NPC sororities,” Fink said.

“Panhellenic is the bridge between each of these greek organizations. If Panhellenic rec-

ognized one chapter is in violation in one of the unanimous agreements that all the organizations associated with say they will abide by, that is when Panhellenic gets involved.”

Fink said that both the university and Panhellenic are informed about details of the investigation when it is completed by the Greek organization’s headquarters.

“I have full faith in the people we work with in all the headquarter offices in putting together a thorough investigation so we can take their response to heart and bring it back to our campus with confidence,” Fink said.

Prior to the investigation’s completion, Fink said that the chapter had not been suspended from the university.

April 4, 2012

Lahey inducted into Irish Hall of Fame

photo courtesy of quinnipiac university

lahey from cover ideas. As much as people want to give me credit for the Great Hunger Collection, it was [Lender’s] idea—not mine at all.”

The Great Hunger Collection is the largest assortment of art related to the Great Hunger in the world, and was recently announced to be moving from Quinnipiac’s Mount Carmel campus to a location on Whitney Avenue.

President Lahey said he hopes the new Quinnipiac’s Great Hunger Irish Museum will be open soon, as early as this September. Being the first museum of its kind, the new project has gotten Quinnipiac’s name into the spotlight.

“That’s the talk of the Irish community right now. It’s not John Lahey, but it’s that Quinnipiac University is going to have the first museum in the world dedicated to Ireland’s Great Hunger,” Lahey said.

The increased exposure has helped Quinnipiac expand its student body and bring in

more students from outside of Connecticut’s borders. When Lahey first became president in 1987, about 80 percent of the student body hailed from Connecticut. Now, just 25 years later, the opposite is true. Only about 22 percent of currently enrolled Quinnipiac students are from Connecticut.

President Lahey’s work has gotten Quinnipiac a great deal of positive press and has helped the school with its recent and planned expansions.

“I’m proud that Quinnipiac is benefiting from it,” Lahey said. “We get a lot of students from New York and the Northeast here. There are a lot of students here, who certainly have Irish surnames, at Quinnipiac, and through the Great Hunger Collection and some of the exposure in New York, the name Quinnipiac is spread far and wide.”

In addition to opening the new museum in the fall, President Lahey is also working with other universities in Ireland on potential student, faculty and artwork exchanges.

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY STUDENT WORKER APPRECIATION DAY

Pizza Games Give-aways Prizes Special Surprises Tuesday, April 10, 2012 North Haven, NH1* 158 11 am – 1 pm

YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS IT!

Thursday, April 12, 2012 Mancheski Seminar Room, School of Business 9 am – 4 pm

Ask your supervisor for more details!

April 4, 2012

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

News|7

QU101 head resigns qu101 from cover sustaining.

“In a way, I have given more thought to how I identify myself because identity is the main topic of the course, but to be honest the course hasn’t changed me or the way I think,” freshman Emily Clemente said. “I don’t feel that the course is extremely necessary other than a nice way of meeting people when you first come to campus.”

Shahverdian hopes to change the importance of the courses with connectivity between the three. And although she disagrees with Dansdill’s suggestion for overhaul, she admits there improvements to be done to the program.

“I think it needs some work, but I think it is basically sound,” Shahverdian said. “[Dansdill] talks about the idea of appointing a dean outside of QU. That is an option, but until we figure out exactly what it is we are doing and what the person would be responsible for, it doesn’t make sense to go bring in an outside person.”

Dansdill’s ideas for the future of the program included putting full-time faculty in charge.

“We can no longer ask a full-time faculty member to do this,” Dansdill said. “But if we hire a literate, learned humanist with a deep portfolio in both curricular and pedagogical

Timothy Dansdill resigned as head of QU101. Jill Shahverdian has replaced him on an interim basis. development, to focus fulltime on the series as an integrated ARC, [ensuring Autonomy, Rigor, and Continuity] of QU’s New Learning Paradigm, the series can survive, even thrive.

Otherwise, I think the whole seminar series is in serious danger.”

Having an array of faculty members ranging from different focuses is a strength rather

Matt Eisenberg/Chronicle

than a detraction, according to Shahverdian.

Although this makes for a “constant balancing act,” Shahverdian said she enjoys working with people from all over campus.

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

8|Opinion

April 4, 2012

Opinion Disappointing turn out for SGA Debates This past Monday night I attended The subject of Greek life dominating the annual Student Government Asso- SGA’s Executive Board is a trite one ciation Executive Board debates. I was that I honestly have no desire to rehash.

I mention it because there was even not required to be there as part of a light presence of Greek life at my SGA position, I was not there the debates. I recall thunderous on behalf of a media group, nor applause from Sig Ep and Delt am I in a fraternity. That put me delegations during the back and in the vast minority; as someforth of Ben Cloutier and Anbody who attended out of their drew McDermott last year. own desire. I was simply there Monday’s event was parsupporting my favored canticularly silent. didates, Theo Siggelakis As a senior who works and Heidi Hitchen. off campus three days a The event was lightly Jeremy Stull Opinion Editor week and does not live in the attended, to put it mildly. @jpstull residence halls, I find myself Perhaps it was not publicized enough. One of the positions removed from many campus happenbeing contested was vice president of ings. It is a sad reality, but perhaps ultipublic relations. Ironically, the only mately it is easing me out of the Quinpeople who got to hear the platforms of nipiac bubble. I did not expect to see the two people running for this position many seniors at the debates, but I did were people who had already been ef- expect at least a handful of underclassfectively reached by the current public men to care.

To be fair, hearing a Q&A with relations techniques of SGA. Every single person who spoke at three unopposed candidates is a bit borthe debates was a member of Greek life. ing, but that does not make the entire

event not worthwhile. The vice president of student concerns, which was a contested position, is very often the face of the Quinnipiac student body to administration. This vice president is in charge of the committee that enacts the most tangible changes to student life.

Undoubtedly, somebody who did not attend the debate and possibly did not even vote, will complain about campus or the university. It is a tired line of thinking in democracies, but it still holds a good deal of truth; if you do not exercise your right to vote then you should not exercise your right to complain.

Of course this age-old mantra applies to much grander elections than SGA Executive Board. Take it from somebody who is slowly leaving that bubble of Quinnipiac University, do not take your experiences lightly. Habits formed now do not break easily. So please go sign up on Collegiate Link and vote.

Polls are open until 8 p.m. tonight.

Advertising inquiries can be sent to advertise@quchronicle.com. Inquiries must be made a week prior to publication.

You’ll make it after graduation I am one person on cam- the passion in order to succeed pus who actually enjoys go- in your career. A lot of us have changed our major three times ing to conferences and sitting before we found out through lecture after lecwhat we loved. Othture, consuming tips ers still don’t have and ideas from profesit all together but sionals. Any chance what I learned at this I get, I attend those conference was, meetings. I recently you can’t close attended the Colany doors. You lege Media ConKatherine Rojas need to be open vention presented Associate News Editor @Kathyreds to anything. by the College Another good way to find Media Association right after spring break. I’ve heard from out what you love to do is to professionals ranging from join an organization. You can’t a senior editor of The Daily be taught to do something, you Beast/Newsweek to the writ- have to do it. You don’t have ers of the Daily Show. Some to be a journalist to write for may not enjoy going to con- the Chronicle or a public relaferences because the things tions major to be on the Stuthey say may be repetitive, dent Programming Board.

You can’t take this educahowever I learned more from these speakers than I have tion for granted. Our professors know what they’re talkanywhere else.

In the conference, the pro- ing about because they did fessionals spoke about starting it. Our school also provides your career after graduation. us with tremendous opporYou might not know where tunities to meet with profesyou’re going or what you’re sionals that can guide us and going to do after you graduate, even give us jobs. We can’t but that might be better. This keep coming up with excuses way you are more open to any of not knowing what to do opportunity and you can leave or that nothing is out there. with multiple skills because of Quinnipiac presents us with the diverse classes you took. plenty of chances to meet Most of the speakers stumbled people in the real world, we upon their careers uninten- just need to take them.

A lot of jobs are being taktionally, and it didn’t even apply to their diploma. An en because people can offer international correspondent the same things; there aren’t graduated college with a law original people anymore. You degree, but had her first jour- have to be different in the nalistic experience writing for workforce and find your own niche in order to stand out.

Marie Claire magazine.

Other professionals started There will be people with the by seeing things as a hobby. same resume as you so find New York Times reporter Brian something different you can Stelter had a blog when he was offer. Like the professionals 11 years old about R.L. Stine’s say, don’t do what everyone Goosebumps series. Stelter just else is doing; be original. Jobs shows that you need to have have to be created nowadays.

Corrections

meet The Staff Publisher Matt Busekroos Editor-in-Chief Lenny Neslin Senior Managing Editors John Healy Meghan Parmentier Managing Editor Michele Snow Copy Desk Chief Jamie Hill Copy Editor Cassie Comeau Web Editor Tim O’Donnell Web Developer Marcus Harun Cartoonist Dakota Wiegand Adviser Lila Carney 203-582-8358

Quchronicle.com/opinion opinion@QUChronicle.com @QUChronicle

Design Chief Samantha Epstein Photography Editor Anna Brundage Associate Photography Editor Katie O’brien News Editor Kim Green Associate News Editors Phil Nobile Katherine Rojas Opinion Editor Jeremy Stull Arts & Life Editor Nicole Fano Associate Arts & Life Editors Catherine Boudreau Christine Burroni Sarah Rosenberg Sports Editor Matt Eisenberg Associate Sports Editor Joe Addonizio Mailing address Quinnipiac University 275 Mount Carmel Ave. Hamden, CT 06518

The Chronicle is distributed around all three university campuses every Wednesday when school is in session except during exam periods. Single copies are free. Newspaper theft is a crime. Those who violate the single copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and/or subject to university discipline.

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The story titled, “Spring breakers spend day doing good” on page 2 of the March 28 issue incorrectly said students met Quinnipiac public relations professor John Powers in the Dominican Republic city of La Romana on March 13. In fact, Powers was not in La Romana on March 13.

The story titled, “The Space” on page 8 of the March 28 issue incorrectly said The Space only caters to local bands. In fact, The Space has hosted both well-known and local bands.

The story titled, “Big plans for the Big Event” on page 5 of the March 7 issue incorrectly said the event is co-sponsored by SGA and the Community Outreach Committee. In fact, it is co-sponsored by CAP & SGA. The story incorrectly said registration took place at the Student Center Tables. In fact, registration took place online through the Big Event Do You QU page.

Hate mistakes?

So do we. Join us, and help rid our paper of errors.

Contact editor@quchronicle.com if interested.

April 4, 2012

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

Opinion|9

bringing foreign policy home

An immigration officer’s daughter’s own lesson Last semester I was excited to U.S., they should obey the rules and interview an undocumented Ameri- enter legally. If here illegally, they can, or “illegal immigrant” for an as- should just apply for a green card and wait their turn. signment. I have met many imLet me put this into permigrants throughout my life, spective. In reality, applying mostly from Africa, befor a green card could mean cause my father is an iman estimated 15 to 20 migration officer for U.S. years wait from the time Customs and Border Proof filing an application tection in northern Veruntil they are contacted mont. He has always by an immigration ofused his knowledge ficer. of the law to help imThe most backmigrants in America.

Catherine Boudreau Therefore, I thought I Associate Arts & Life Editor logged nationality is @cateliz1090 Mexican. Their estimathad an understanding of the issue and went confidently into ed wait time is 131 years according to a report by Forbes. the interview.

This is because every country However, things didn’t go as planned. I sounded like an idiot for is limited to 7 percent of the total most of it, completely uninformed. I number of green cards allotted by soon realized that becoming a citizen Congress in a given year. Mexico of the United States is anything but is subject to this limit despite being easy, especially under this undocu- the world’s eleventh most populous mented American’s circumstances. I country.

If someone wants to become a assumed there was always a way, as many others probably do. However, permanent resident, which is the same thing as being a green card that is far from the truth.

I hear the argument all the time: holder, there are five main ways.

One is to win the U.S. Diversity if foreigners want to come to the Lottery Program. It offers 55,000 diversity visas annually to persons sga update who meet strict eligibility requirements from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.

The Department of State received over 9.1 million qualified entries

Class of 2015 rundown

The freshman class cabinet has put in a tremendous effort throughout the academic year here at Quinnipiac University. We have been working on a good deal of initiatives that students have come forward with. Recently, there had been a need for clocks in residence hall bathrooms. To fix this, we have conversed with administration to install clocks within each residence hall bathroom by the showers so that students can avoid being late to class.

In an effort to extend the Bobcat Den hours, we worked out a trial run day this past Thursday, March 29th, to extend the closing hour from 11 p.m. to midnight. Chartwells will analyze the success rate in that extra hour, determine its viability, and we are hoping to permanently extend the Bobcat Den hours by one hour until midnight on every weekday.

While working hard on the freshman class’s concerns, the freshman class cabinet put together a wonderful event, Quinnipiac Idol.

This event was a music talent competition that involved auditions and finalists. Each finalist had the opportunity to perform in front of the Quinnipiac community in hopes of doing their best, having fun and winning the grand prize. The two runner-up Quinnipiac Idols each received a $100 Visa gift card while the winner won a $300 Visa gift card and received the title “Quinnipiac Idol.” For the audience, we held a number of raffle items that included such things as Dr. Dre Beats Studio headphones, OAR tickets, Broadway tickets and several iTunes gift cards. We thank all those who participated and attended. –Mostafa Elhaggar, Class of 2015 President

during the 60-day application period for the 2009 lottery. Less than 1 percent receive one.

Second, if you have parents or a spouse who is a permanent resident of the U.S., they can file a petition on your behalf to obtain permanent residency for you. This can take several months to more than 10 years.

A third way to obtain permanent residency is if you can prove to immigration officials that you are fearful of persecution if forced to return to your home country. This is an appeal for asylum. These are rarely approved.

Fourth, if you have a professional-level job in the U.S. and your employer can prove that there are no qualified U.S. persons available for the position, your employer can file a petition on your behalf.

Lastly, there is the option of selfsponsorship. Certain scholars may find a route without any job offer.

Only those of international reputation will qualify for permanent residency under this category.

Out of the estimated 11 million undocumented Americans living in this country, few fall under any of these five categories.

Ultimately, immigration is a long, expensive and complicated process.

If I just recently understood this, and I have a father who knows so much about it, what does that say

about the rest of the country?

My father mentioned that many Americans have no need to explore immigration law until they meet a

Do those who oppose any path to legal status for undocumented Americans really understand what they are fighting for? Can they put a face on it? I have a funny feeling they can’t, because if they could, things would be different.” person who is affected by it. This is true, but I don’t think people realize who these people could be. They could be friends you’ve known your entire life.

There are 65,000 undocumented students who graduate high school every year. They’ve grown up just like me in the school system. Even though they consider America their country, America doesn’t think of them as one of its own.

It makes me wonder: Do those

who oppose any path to legal status for undocumented Americans really understand what they are fighting for? Can they put a face on it? I have a funny feeling they can’t, because if they could, things would be different.

The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, or “DREAM Act,” would provide a pathway to legal status for the undocumented students who graduate from high school each year. Those who qualify have lived in America for more than five years and were brought here before they were 16.

While certain states, including Connecticut, have passed their own versions of this bill, the Obama administration has avoided addressing immigration reform at the federal level. Instead, they have focused on deporting more than one million immigrants since 2008, the most in 60 years.

Meanwhile, other states, such as Arizona, Alabama and Mississippi are upholding the strictest laws to date regarding immigration.

This inconsistent policy across the United States only detracts from how important this issue is to our country’s future. Removing the uncertainty of “illegal” status allows undocumented students the opportunity to invest in higher education, and essentially our economy.

What are your thoughts on immigration? Tell us on QUChronicle.com

Dakota Wiegand/Chronicle

10|Arts & Life

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

April 4, 2012

SPRING Step into

Arts & Life

quchronicle.com/arts-and-life artslife@QUChronicle.com @QUCHRONARTSLIFE

photos by anna brundage

Inside: Carina lazzaro junior accounting sunglasses: nordstrom LEFT: Andrew lindenberg freshman business undeclared shirt: jcrew

nicole liebowitz freshman broadcast journalism sweater: h&m necklace: forever 21

LEFT: Marijan Jurac junior finance hoodie: H&m BELOW INSIDE: Scotty wong sophomore media studies shoes: J. Murphy BELOW: Caitlin Ptak senior history skirt: forever 21 shoes: steve madden

gaby catalano junior english necklace: made herself, beads from michael’s

shana daley freshman health science sperry top siders

cassie klatskin sophomore economics outfit: forever 21 SKYler stein SOPHOMORE OCCUPATIonal therapy vest: lucky brand

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

April 4, 2012

Arts & Life|11

SPRING into fitness

Spring is a time for rejuvenation and rebirth, so apply that theme to your workout routine this season and get outside.

By taking advantage of the rising temperatures, your workout at the gym can go from repetitive and boring to fun and social.

Here are a few alternatives to your classic gym sesh that work your entire body.

By catherine boudreau | Associate Arts & Life Editor

1

Go Biking

Cheshire Cycle recently opened a new location at 3550 Whitney Avenue. Students are offered a 25 percent discount off daily, weekend and weeklong bike rentals as long as they bring a student I.D. Take advantage of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, which covers a route of nearly 84 miles from New Haven to Northampton, Mass. and runs behind the shopping center where Peachy Keen is located. Use that as motivation!

Biking is a full-body workout. It requires you to use your arms and core strength to stabilize your body. This area is also very hilly, so chances are you’ll be integrating your back muscles and challenging your glutes and hamstrings, according to Tami Reilly, associate director of fitness.

“One of the reasons I love [biking] is because it’s something you learn when you’re 5 that you can do forever since it’s kinder on the joints,” Reilly said.

Check out Cheshire Cycle’s website for prices.

2

Hit the Trail

Sleeping Giant State Park is just minutes away. There are seven different trails to accommodate every level of fitness.

The blue trail is rated the hardest and leads to a stunning view of the Mount Carmel campus.

The red trail is the easiest and ends at a stone tower. Engaging in just 30 minutes of hiking improves your cardiovascular fitness, meaning your heart and lungs can deliver oxygen more efficiently to working muscles. Fitness aside, hiking also acts as a stress reliever.

Other than improving flexibility, yoga builds strength and improves muscle tone, ultimately leading to better posture. Most standing and sitting poses develop core strength because you're counting on deep abdominal strength to support and maintain each pose.

So grab your friends, your laptop and a mat or towel, head to a grassy area and conduct your own class. Also, make sure to inquire about future “Hike to Yoga” trips.

4 lesly alvarez / Chronicle

Getting outside to work on your fitness could help you get motivated now that spring has sprung. Here, Ben Jerome-Lee plays a game of Frisbee on the Quad.

“It’s like an escape,” Reilly said. “You walk across the street and you’re somewhere completely different. I think that connection with nature is really important on a subtler level than just for fitness.”

Reilly also mentioned that people who experience shin splints will appreciate an incline. Hiking is easier on the body than walking on the sidewalk, for example.

3

Yoga

Three hour-long yoga sessions are featured on Q30 TV’s YouTube channel. Reilly instructs yoga basics, intermediate yoga and yoga for all levels.

Beginning next week, Q30 will broadcast

these yoga sessions between 8 and 10 a.m. and then again between 10 p.m. and 12 a.m. everyday.

Reilly also mentioned that she is organizing weekly “Hike to Yoga” trips where she will instruct a yoga class after a hike to the tower on Sleeping Giant. All students are encouraged to participate.

“Yoga classes focus on breathing,” Reilly said. “The word ‘yoga’ means union so it’s really about the union of breath and movement.

A lot of what we’re doing is teaching people how to move with their inhale and exhale.”

Yoga is also about flexibility, however students don’t already need to be flexible to participate, insists Reilly.

8 STEPS TO namaste 1

2

Bring equipment to the quad

Laying out and working on your tan is definitely relaxing. But, by taking just 30 minutes to play a game of Ultimate Frisbee, throw a football, kick a soccer ball or try to keep the volleyball from hitting the ground, you are doing your body a world of good.

The American College of Sports and Medicine recommends that we get at least 30 minutes of cardio five to seven times a week.

However, Reilly emphasized beginning with a small goal.

“Try to do something physical three days a week,” Reilly said. “Once that becomes a habit, you can start adding other pieces. If you hate weights but like cardio, start just with cardio. Once that’s a habit, incorporate weights once a week.”

Reilly also encourages students to choose an activity that motivates them to want to do it again.

“That’s why so many people don’t have success,” Reilly said. “They choose an activity that’s too hard or too much too soon and dread going back to it.”

Featuring Kim Hynds, Yoga Instructor Photos by Anna Brundage

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WARRIOR SEQUENCE SHOULDER STAND

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12|Arts & Life

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

April 4, 2012

THIS IS ME

Mission for marrow

Nursing student hosts marrow drive in memory of a sister she never knew

By NICOLE FANO

A

Arts & Life Editor

t 12 years old, Kayla Cristoferi watched an old home video with her mother, Kathy.

The footage features a 7-yearold with light brown hair, dressed in a sweet, pearly white dress as she gets ready to make her first Holy Communion. Also in the video is Kayla’s older sister, Susan, who acts silly – as little girls often do. But despite Susan’s goofy antics, the young girl in the white dress tries hard to act mature, as she continuously glances over her prayer pamphlet before the ceremony. But the young girl in the white dress is not Kayla – it is her older sister Jennifer, whom Kayla has never met.

Jennifer passed away when she was just 9 years old.

After seeing this home video for the first time, Kayla Cristoferi, now 20, says she remembers thinking to herself, “That’s my sister. She’s alive and well right there.”

Jennifer was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), which occurs when abnormal white blood cells begin to grow in one’s bone marrow, according to the National Marrow Donor Program. The bone marrow eventually becomes depleted of healthy blood cells and then weakens the immune system.

“My mom tells me stories about [Jennifer], and then that makes me feel like I know a little bit about her, a little piece of her,” Cristoferi said as her eyes glossed over with tears. “That’s as close as I can get.”

This past December, Cristoferi accepted a responsibility she hopes will bring her even closer to Jennifer. On April 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Fitness Center, Cristoferi will spearhead the event, “Be The Match: Kappa Alpha Theta’s Bone Marrow Drive.”

My mom tells me stories about [Jennifer], and then that makes me feel like I know a little bit about her, a little piece of her. That’s as close as I can get.

- Kayla christoferi

Kappa Alpha Theta, the women’s field hockey team and the Student Programming Board’s traditions and community committee will co-host the event. Cristoferi says participants can add their names to a registry list during the program. In addition, a cheek swab sample will be collected to test for potentially matching bone marrow. “[The event] is in memory of my sister Jennifer, and to help spread the word to really get people to donate their bone marrow,” Cristoferi said.

About 30 percent of those in need of a

NAME: Kayla Cristoferi HOMETOWN: South Weymouth, Mass.

YEAR: Sophomore MAJOR: Nursing bone marrow transplant have a matching donor in their families, and an estimated 1,000 people die each year because they cannot find a matching donor, according to the Institute for Justice.

Chelsea Fritzson, a junior Kappa Alpha Theta sister and nursing major, organized last year’s Be The Match event, which accrued more than 150 signatures. Fritzson, who lost a close friend to the same disease in December 2010, also has a strong personal connection to this event.

One year later, when a representative from Be The Match contacted Fritzson about planning the next drive, she decided she would be unable to oversee such a demanding event. In the middle of responding with a declining email to the representative, Cristoferi contacted Fritzson about leading this year’s drive.

“I felt like it was a little bit of destiny,” Fritzson said.

Fritzson says organizing this event will be an important accomplishment for Cristoferi.

“For her to see those people who come out and support her, that’s going to be a life changing moment for her, because it shows the compassion that people have in them, and it’s hard to see that sometimes,” Fritzson said.

At this year’s event, Cristoferi hopes to surpass or at least match last year’s number of signatures.

“If we could save one life, that would be amazing,” Cristoferi said.

According to the National Marrow Donor Program, more than 9.5 million donors currently comprise the Be The Match Registry.

Since 1987, the donor program has performed an estimated 5,500 bone marrow transplants every year.

“It’s not as easy as giving blood, but at the same time these people that are in need of it,” Cristoferi said. “[Donations] are completely worth it when you think about it.”

When Kayla’s mother learned of her daughter’s involvement in the bone marrow drive, she said she was “overwhelmed” by the news.

“It’s so meaningful to me as a mother, to know that she is doing something to help other people,” Kathy Cristoferi said. “Possibly, maybe someone might be a match and it

madeline hardy / Chronicle

Kayla Christoferi is spearheading a bone marrow drive in memory of her sister, along with her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, the women’s field hockey team, and the Student Programming Board.

She just has a heart of gold, I think she was made to be a nurse, she loves helping other people.

- Kathy christoferi

could save somebody like my daughter.”

Once Cristoferi officially accepted the responsibility to oversee the bone marrow drive, she decided to share the story of her biological sister with her 181 sorority sisters.

Last month, Cristoferi anxiously stood up in Burt Kahn Court during a weekly sorority chapter meeting. With shaken nerves and watering eyes, she admitted her motivation for organizing this drive is in memory of her older sister.

“It was very overwhelming, but it felt so good after to have all of them hug me and be like, ‘whatever you need we’ll help you, support you,’” Cristoferi said.

When Cristoferi addressed her sisters in chapter, Fritzson said she knew exactly what her fellow Theta sister planned to say.

“I immediately started crying,” Fritzson said. “It was a very touching moment.”

“It’s strange to know that you don’t know your own sister. I felt like there was some-

thing missing for so long,” Cristoferi said.

“When I joined Theta, it just filled that missing void that I’ve had for a while.”

While Cristoferi’s sorority sisters never fail to inspire her, she says it is her mother who inspires her the most. Cristoferi says both Jennifer and her mother, who works as a radiology technologist, influenced her decision to pursue a career in nursing.

“She just has a heart of gold,” Kathy Cristoferi said. “I think she was made to be a nurse, she loves helping other people.”

Due to a mono diagnosis last semester, Cristoferi has not yet been able to donate bone marrow. However, she plans to sign up during this drive. Regardless of how many signatures she raises on April 19, Cristoferi hopes to give back – for Jennifer.

“We keep her in our thoughts all the time. I think of [Jennifer] every day,” Cristoferi said.

“Thinking of [Jennifer] will always make me realize that you have to give all you’ve got to help someone out there.”

BE THE MATCH:

Kappa Alpha Theta’s Bone Marrow Drive

April 19, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Fitness Center

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

April 4, 2012

Arts & Life|13

DOPPELGANGER

sarah’s style

Media these days

Jill Kelley

Age: 21 Year: Senior Major: Physical Therapy Hometown: Simsbury, Conn.

By SARAH ROSENBERG Associate Arts & Life Editor

Looks Like: Cobie Smulders

‘Robin’ on ‘How I Met Your Mother’

“

Katie o’brien / Chronicle

I think it’s quite a compliment. She’s a unique character with an awesome style and sense of sarcastic humor that closely mimicks my own. I have recently started watching the show because of how many people have told me that I resemble Cobie’s character.

cbs

”

Rave

Wreck

The Draw Something Craze

Justin Beiber’s ‘Boyfriend’

iTunes App Store

Step aside, “Words with Friends” – a new app obsession has erupted overnight. One day I’m able to wander campus freely, the next day everyone I knew tackled me to ask, “Do you play ‘Draw Something?”

This, for me, was a stupid question – because by that point I already had 15 different games open. This app seems to be the only thing anyone is talking about – with good reason. This Pictionary-esque game for smartphones allows users to draw something, choosing from three different options. Then, your opponent is required to guess what you drew, utilizing the given word bank.

There are few downsides to the game, including the numerous ads that enjoy interrupting your drawing fun. Also, in the beginning, you need to earn coins for every successfully guessed drawing. Once enough coins are earned, you can then move on to buy new colors other than the more boring black, red, yellow and blue. This game has enlightened me on how badly my friends depict Adele or even basic things like a staircase or sink. This app is incredibly addicting and is without a doubt the new gaming trend in the smartphone world. – S. Kozlowskivv

instagram of the week @jhreis John Reisdorf

Universal music group

It seems Justin Bieber has failed to make good decisions these days.

First he tweets a fake phone number that is one digit short, terrorizing a poor great grandmother in Texas. Now, in his newest song, he tries to flaunt the fact that his voice has finally changed into a slightly lower register. In his new single “Boyfriend,” Bieber sings, “If I was your boyfriend, I’d never let you go” – blah blah blah. After just one video of the Biebs rapping a few lines went viral, the pop heartthrob apparently wants to continue to showcase his rapping chops. Justin Bieber, however, was not created to rap, or even attempt to rap.

Sadly, for a song intended to display an older, more musically mature Bieber, “Boyfriend” sounds awfully similar to something from Justin Timberlake’s solo song collection. Bieber deserves some credit for expanding his usual musical style. However, he loses brownie points for too closely resembling JT – and once again singing about puppy love antics. Those who want to hear a knock off Justin Timberlake song can just simply do a YouTube search. – S. Corcoran

If you could change one thing about the media, what would it be? Would you see to it that there were more representations of minorities on television? Would you ask for Kim Kardashian to be flour-bombed once a week so your Twitter feed was never dull?

Would you require MTV to remember why it’s called Music Television, and not the Birth Control Deficiency Network? These are all reasonable requests in my book; I actually miss sitting on the edge of my bed to find out which band or music artist or band earned the number one video spot for the week.

But, as of late, I have an issue with the trends the media has been shoving down our throats. Namely, and pun intended, I am so happy to have been deprived of “The Hunger Games” brouhaha that has transcended age and gender in this country yet again.

Honestly, how is the main character Katniss’ side French braid a style trend? Olympic gymnasts have claimed that hairdo for the past few decades, and that torch has not been passed on to the likes of Jennifer Lawrence’s alter ego. Is this an attempt to make “retro” cool again? “Stop trying to make retro happen, it’s never going to happen!”

Now that “Twilight” is being replaced by “The Hunger Games,” I’ve decided that I don’t want to go down that road again. I fed into the vampire craze, and I don’t want to be duped into a similar trick with another bookturned-blockbuster-movie series. I’ve grown tired of the reliable Hollywood formula: apocalyptic/mysterious settings, female leads who fall into the arms of brooding men, teenage characters facing the everyday hardships of having to kill each other or ward off the undead. I think it’s time Hollywood remakes some quality literature. Does anyone agree with me in thinking that “The Catcher in the Rye” should be remade? Watching Holden Caulfield battle teenage anxiety in the oldfashioned way – by listening to live music in a club called the Lavender Room, smuggling drinks of whiskey and being awkwardly seduced by a $5 prostitute – seems more riveting than watching kids murder each other in a movie subtly satirizing reality television shows, no?

I’m personally so excited for the 2012 Baz Luhrmann interpretation of “The Great Gatsby,” starring Leo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Tobey Maguire. Besides great American literature reproductions, maybe sweet 1920s flapper dresses will make it onto everyone’s promiscuous Halloween costume list and people will start throwing prohibition parties. But all jokes aside, the American Dream will never die and Fitzgerald’s novel will find fresh appeal with younger audiences by combining Carey Mulligan with great fashion. As someone who appreciates the arts, I’m keen on investing in a movie that wasn’t born from sensational teen melodramas and didn’t pay top dollar for hairstylists to make the side braid Vogue’s latest hair trend.

Bobcat TWEET OF THE WEEK @melinedionO_o

“the usual. #dowork #schooloflaw” We know you all love to pretend you’re artsy.

Show us your best instagrams by tweeting them to

@QUChronArtsLife

life of a senior at school: read 2 sentences take a break, read one more sentence - take a break, close book #QpacProblems #senioritis

14|Arts & Life

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

April 4, 2012

junior shows surprise talent at ‘idol’

I

lisse Gomez would

By CHRISTINE BURRONI have made Whitney Associate Arts & Life Editor Houston proud at SGA’s QU Idol Competition last week. Gomez’s rendition of Houston’s classic “I Will Always Love You” wowed the crowd in Buckman Theater and landed her a first place trophy.

“I just kind of did it,” said the junior double major in math and secondary education, who says she began singing just for fun.

“My parents always said I was good, but they’re my parents, they have to say that,” said Gomez, whose main support system is from her family in Rockland County, N.Y. During the competition, Gomez first sang Adele’s “I Found a Boy,” which earned her a spot in the top three.

“I just figured go big or go home,” she said, acknowledging the powerful lyrics she sang.

In high school, Gomez tried out for her school’s musicals and realized her passion for singing.

“I ended up making it, and I was like ‘all right, I guess I’m not that bad,’” Gomez said.

Some of Gomez’s favorite singing roles stem from musicals such as “Les Miserables,” “West Side Story” and “In the Heights” – along with a proud role as a cheese grater in “Beauty and the Beast,” which she jokes about now.

As for her singing career on campus, Gomez is involved with the QU Singers and will star in this year’s cabaret performance with the QU theater group. She is also involved with the Quinnipiac Future Teachers Organization.

Gomez finally showcased her skills at the competition on March 26. Both the crowd and fellow competitor, junior Andrea Rogers, were equally surprised with her talent.

“I had heard about her amazing voice, but I hadn't experienced it until SGA's QU Idol,” Rogers said.

“When Ilisse performed ‘I Will Always Love You,’ I could feel what she was feeling, and it was amazing. Her control and her poise were impressive, and she is most deserving of the title of QU Idol,” Rogers said.

Gomez says she has always planned to audition for “American Idol” or “The Voice,” but knows to stay grounded and keep school as her first priority.

“I considered it for a while and then I was like I’m gonna do the school thing first, and do that later,” Gomez said, referring to a possible future in music.

Rogers hopes to see Gomez take the stage once again at next year’s competition.

“I really hope SGA plans to have another QU Idol next year – I look forward to a rematch,” Rogers said.

album review

MDNA lacks DNA

By SHANNON CORCORAN Staff Writer

Ilisse Gomez took home the first-place trophy in the first QU Idol, sponsored by the Class of 2014.

Madonna is back, and it’s not good, at all. After a three-year hiatus following her rather decent effort, “Celebration,” the recently released “MDNA” is a total letdown, to put it mildly.

There is no way to put it nicely. This record is a total train wreck. Train wreck on the level of Lady Gaga’s infamous meat dress. Madonna, you’re 50-something, get out of music and go raise your daughter. You’re only getting worse every year.

The record starts off with “Girl Gone Wild,” a subpar, poorly-produced track that is superbly underwhelming. With a chorus reminiscent of Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” the only word that can accurately describe it is bland.

It’s just not the Madonna that millions of people came to love during her early years.

Following “Girl Gone Wild” are even more subpar, unimpressive musical messes. “MDNA” makes it obvious that Madonna has lost all of her spunk. Out of all her work, this record is certainly the most autotuned, not like that says anything though. It is unfortunate that after wowing millions with her impressive Super Bowl performance, she gives fans her arguably worst record to date.

Skip this record all together. Instead, go buy Katy Perry’s new album. Madonna should just give up her throne to the younger, less autotuned generation because “MDNA” has done nothing but prove that she has lost her appeal.

SENIORS! take this survey

on academic habits, college experiences and interactions, involvement with campus programs and post-college plans.

8 winners could receive a Senior Week Ticket OR a $100 QU Bookstore Gift Card Look for the invitation in your campus email.

From the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA, results will be used to understand and improve the QU experience

April 4, 2012

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

Arts & Life|15

Friends of Michael Ricciardi (pictured in the foreground) model his line of T-shirts for MajorWear, which he created with his uncle Joe DiMaggio Jr.

Anna Brundage /Chronicle

‘Declare yourself ’ with senior Michael Ricciardi’s clothing collaboration

By SARAH ROSENBERG Associate Arts & Life Editor

Whoever said you aren’t what you wear has never met senior Michael Ricciardi. As co-founder of the wholesale clothing line MajorWear, the 21-year-old psychology major has combined a newly discovered passion for business with his unwavering Quinnipiac spirit to create an innovative way for college students to mix the everyday expression of fashion, with who they want to be for the rest of their lives.

“Everyone has their college sweatshirt, their college tee shirt. But, this is a way to separate that from what your passion is,” Ricciardi said. “Quinnipiac, or wherever you go, is like your community and your major is like your house in the community.”

The necessity to transform the college apparel industry came to fruition for Ricciardi rather quickly, who endeavored on this collaboration with his uncle, Joe DiMaggio Jr., in August 2011. As a board member on the “We Are Family Foundation,” DiMaggio Jr. wore his own eye-catching custom designed tee shirts during speaking engagements with students on behalf of the organization. Together, DiMaggio and Ricciardi expanded on the concept of academic pride for college apparel, which seemed to be lacking in the college market. Ricciardi was recruited by his uncle for partnership as the creative inside source to the contemporary climate of college life.

“I’m currently in college right now and he knows that I have a strong motivation for the college culture,” Ricciardi said. “I’ve struggled with bad anxiety for my entire life, and

I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to go away to college. I couldn’t believe that I came to Quinnipiac, and now I don’t want to leave at all.”

However, pursuing business was never a part of Ricciardi’s initial plan when he first came to Quinnipiac.

“I had the whole plan in my head that I was going to be a clinical psychologist from the time that I was 5 years old until literally five months ago,” he said. “But, business was always a motivation for me. Psychology is more of a hobby to me. I like it, I enjoy it, I’m good at it — but this is where I want to be. I want to change the world.”

Guided by the MajorWear team and Ricciardi’s ambitious mindset, the clothing line has made large strides in a short amount of time towards changing not only the college industry, but the way students choose to represent their intellectual pursuits. By fall 2012, MajorWear is scheduled to have contracts with more than 700 colleges and universities across the United States and Canada. Moreover, the look behind MajorWear is sure to give college clothing a fresher appeal.

MajorWear currently has four lines of all-American made cotton tee shirts. The “Illustrated” line is the most novel and artistic, consisting of a black and white template with the majors spelled out in dictionary typography on the front. On the back, each shirt has a specially designed logo in the stipple art form that is unique to the major being represented.

“Our artists collaborated with actual students to find the best 101-hook that the major could offer. So for example, our psychology shirts have a Rorschach inkblot and our nurs-

SOURCE clothing company

ing shirts have this really cool, huge stethoscope,” Ricciardi explained.

MajorWear’s additional three lines—the clean and simple “Diploma” line; the school color-specific “Moniker” line; and the “Doodle” line (which encourages students to send their major-inspired doodles to the company to be featured on the shirts themselves)—are just as fashionable, and reinforce MajorWear’s encouragement to “Declare Yourself.” It is clear that these distinct lines are what separate MajorWear from the average college clothing standard.

“MajorWear is a very customizable company unlike most college apparel companies.

We craft the majors to the university’s choosing,” he said. “We’ve been getting asked to formulate designs for very abstract and obscure majors and our artists are having an absolute ball.”

The brand’s trendier attitude towards college clothing explains the success MajorWear experienced at the College Stores Campus Market Expo in Salt Lake City, Utah in early March. Although MajorWear is still in its infancy, its popularity is growing at a rapid rate and making a name for itself among established collegiate brands such as Nike, Adidas and UnderArmour. But, it is also MajorWear’s message that is giving the clothing line a name that is projected to revolutionize the way college students think about their academic careers.

“This is a way for college students to come together all over the country,” he said. “MajorWear is what we call a tangible social network.

Facebook, Twitter, they’re all awesome things

Source Clothing Company is CT's newest boutique featuring designer clothing and accessories at discount prices. Featuring brands like

that bring people together, but MajorWear is a materialistic item to hold that social media can’t give you while you express yourself.”

While MajorWear encourages students to embrace their individual passions and share them with other students, it is also declaring itself as a brand with a limitless future.

Ricciardi explained that the company has plans to expand itself to include dorm gear, such as comforters and sheets. A co-brand called MinorWear is also in the works, for the “When I grow up, I want to be…” sensations that are so familiar to a child’s social upbringing.

The staggering pace in which MajorWear has developed reflects how having a powerful passion in something can nurture success.

Michael Ricciardi’s own individual enthusiasm for both business and the college lifestyle has fostered the type of success that college students hope hard work will bring them, and that’s exactly what MajorWear’s goal is. It’s what Ricciardi has recognized in himself and in the brand that he has thrown all of his energy into.

But at the end of the day, Ricciardi says MajorWear is just simply practical.

“You need clothes and you have a major,” Ricciardi said. “Combine it. It’s fun and very comfortable.”

Like MajorWear on Facebook and write on their wall for a chance to be one of the very first people in the nation with your own Illustrated MajorWear T-shirt!

For students and faculty: Take an additional 10% off any purchase by showing your Quinnipiac ID card.

Anthropologie Free People Urban Outfitters 7 For All Mankind True Religion Citizens of Humanity

Source Clothing Company is located in the Maplecroft Plaza in Cheshire, CT 187 Highland Avenue, Cheshire, CT (203) 272-8500 www.SourceClothingCompany.com

16|Interactive

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

April 4, 2012

crossword: SprinG Things solution to Last Week’s Crossword

SPRING THINGS word search Baseball Baskets Bunny Chocolate

Easter Eggs Graduation Marathon

Masters Passover Rainboots Tulips

sudoku: medium

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

April 4, 2012

Sports|17

the flip side Acrobatics and tumbling ends regular season

Katie O’Brien, Matt Eisenberg/Chronicle

Clockwise from top left: Erin Trotman and the Bobcats compete in the acro event in Monday’s meet vs. Azusa Pacific; Trotman and Danielle Burns compete in the tumbling event; the Bobcats all flip at the same time during the team routine.

The quirks of having a ridge in right field hill from Page 20 run down it, go up and run on angles, run along the hills, and go up to make the catch,” Gooley said. “There’s lots of time that goes into teaching it.”

Gooley and his coaching staff will typically begin that preparation in the fall when the players arrive.

After performing the football drills, they will move to making the outfielders catch the balls with a glove off of a toss, which is eventually followed by short and long “fungo” drills to simulate a game situation.

Throughout the season, the team will work two to three times a week doing drills with the

hill.

In 2007, assistant coach Tim Binkowski set the Quinnipiac single-season record for hits with 81. Binkowski used to roam the depths of Quinnipiac Baseball Field and often works with the outfielders at taming the beast that is the ridge.

“Since it’s an elevated surface, they have to be prepared,” he said. “We teach them to know exactly where they are in position to the hill. They need to know how many strides they are from the base.”

This ideology, Binkowski said, creates a new dynamic between the outfielder and the other players.

“Whether it’s the right fielder and the first

baseman or whoever, they need to constantly be communicating with each other. [Rizzo’s Ridge] causes knees to give up, and causes short and abrupt steps,” he said.

Not only does the hill create issues for the right fielder, but the center fielder as well.

Brian Ruditys, a freshman, sees a fair amount of playing time in center. While he said he has not yet been fully challenged by the ridge, he is aware of its presence.

“You have to get your steps down from how far away you are, know where it is, get up to the top and come down,” Ruditys said.

“I think it’s much tougher in right because the hill is on you. It’s definitely unexpected in center though.”

Luckily for the freshman, the hill hasn’t caused him any embarrassment yet.

“I haven’t tripped yet, but I have seen many people fall flat on their face,” Ruditys said.

Over the years, Rizzo’s Ridge has ravaged opponents, no matter how much they scout it. It has also helped provide an identity for the field.

For that, Gooley has expressed appreciation.

“It’s part of the architecture, it’s part of the culture here. I love it,” he said.

Nonetheless, the hill still serves as a test to any outfielder who dares to try to conquer it. It also has an accomplice.

“You have to deal with the sun too,” Mammele said. “Thankfully, a pair of sunglasses and your mitt will be enough to fix that problem.”

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

18|Sports

The Rundown SOFTBALL QU 5, Sacred Heart 4 – Sunday Mina Duffy: 3-for-4, 4 RBIs MEN’S LACROSSE QU 12, Mount St. Mary’s 8 – Sunday Matt Diehl: 5 goals, 1 assist WOMEN’S LACROSSE QU 13, Monmouth 8 – Sunday Kyra Ochwat: 6 goals

games to watch BASEBALL QU (3-20, 2-10) at Monmouth (1312, 5-3) – Thursday, 3 p.m.

QU (3-20, 2-10) vs. UConn (15-12) – Monday, 3 p.m.

Softball QU (15-9) vs. Fairfield (14-17) – Today, 3:30 p.m. men’s LACROSSE QU (2-6, 1-0) vs. Wagner (0-9, 0-1) – Saturday, 1 p.m. woMEN’S Lacrosse QU (13-5, 8-1) at Saint Francis (Pa.) (5-12, 1-8) – Thursday, 1 p.m.

Men’s Tennis QU (3-8, 1-2) vs. Monmouth (3-7, 0-1) – Thursday, 3 p.m.

Quinnipiac Bobcats Sports Network is your source for live broadcasts.

Follow @QUChronSports for live updates during games.

April 4, 2012

Captain Currie Junior named leader for next season’s team

By Giovanni MIO Staff Writer

The Quinnipiac’s men’s ice hockey team has selected junior defenseman Zack Currie as their captain for the 2012-13 season.

“Zack Currie is an outstanding choice to be our captain," head coach Rand Pecknold said. "His work ethic is exemplary and he has a true commitment to excellence."

Currie is the 27th captain in the history of the Quinnipiac men’s ice hockey program, and the 12th in the program’s Division I history.

“It’s a new challenge for me,” Currie said. “At this point, I’m just trying to learn the ways and do the best I can so far.”

Currie is coming off his best season as a Bobcat, setting careerhigh numbers in goals (nine) and points (18). His nine goals are fourth all-time for a defenseman in Quinnipiac history.

“Everybody has their own challenges and ways of working through things,” Currie said. “I’ve just done everything I can to help the team. To move into this role is nice.”

Currie was chosen to replace Scott Zurevinski as captain over several other candidates. While he has received much support from his teammates, he said the chemistry of the team allowed them to support whomever Pecknold chose as captain.

“Our team has been so close, no matter who it was, everybody would’ve been supportive of it,” Currie said.

Photo courtesy of Quinnipiac Athletics

Defenseman Zach Currie was recently named the 27th captain of the Quinnipiac men’s ice hockey team. Currie is coming off a year in which he recorded a season-high nine goals and 18 points. His nine goals are fourth all-time for a Quinnipiac defenseman.

Zurevinski held the role as team captain for the previous two seasons, who tallied 44 points the last two seasons, with five goals and 14 assists his senior season. While Currie is a defenseman and is not likely to put up similar numbers to Zurevinski, he still acknowledges he has big shoes to fill.

“I think I’m just gonna keep that team together the way Zurvy did,”

Currie said. “I think that’s incredibly important on the team; there’s no difference between a freshman and a senior. Everybody just hangs out and does the exact same things.

I think that was one of his strengths as a captain.”

Off the ice, Currie is an athletic training major and holds a 3.74 cumulative grade-point average.

He’s also been involved in sev-

eral Positive Play programs, including visits to Green Acres Elementary School, as well as participating in several Quinnipiac ice hockey clinics.

“A lot of work and a lot of help from others have helped,” Currie said. “I’ve had teachers and coaches make sacrifices. Each thing that comes across my plate, I just take care of it as it comes, and it’s managed to work out so far.”

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

April 4, 2012

Sports|19

Home Run derby

Matt Eisenberg/Chronicle

Clockwise from top left: Alex Alba drives a three-run home run to left field in the first inning of Sunday’s game vs. Sacred Heart; cleanup hitter Mina Duffy lines a solo home run to left field; designated player Katie Alfiere rounds the bases after hitting her first-career home run in the first inning; freshman Nikki Barba hits a home run right after Alfiere to give the Bobcats their fourth straight home run, which tied an NCAA record.

by the numbers

4

Consecutive home runs the softball team hit vs. Sacred Heart in the first inning of game one on Sunday, tying the NCAA record.

7

Home runs hit by the softball team in the two-game series against Sacred Heart.

Matt Diehl

Men’s lacrosse Midfield

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Freshman Towson, Md.

Diehl had six points, including five goals and an assist against NEC preseason favorite and reigning conference champion Mount St. Mary’s this past weekend. Diehl earned his first NEC Player and Rookie of the Week honors. He marked career-highs in both goals and points in 12-8 victory over Mount St. Mary’s. He has now scored at least one goal and tallied two or more points in his last four games, a stretch in which the Bobcats have gone 2-2 as a team.

Mina Duffy Softball Outfield

Senior Piedmont, Calif.

In a double-header this Sunday against Sacred Heart, Duffy went 4-for-7 and recorded a team-high five RBIs, with two runs scored and two home runs. One of her home runs was part of an NCAA-tying record of four consecutive home runs by a team. Duffy currently leads the team in home runs with five and RBIs with 19.

5

goals scored by men’s lacrosse freshman Matt Diehl in a 12-8 NEC win over Mount St. Mary’s.

87

score shot by senior Amanda Nagel of women’s golf, her careerbest round.

7

consecutive games lost by the baseball team.

Photo courtesy of Quinnipiac Athletics

Matt Eisenberg/Chronicle

20|Sports

The Quinnipiac Chronicle

coach’s corner

Sports

“He played that ridge like he was in his living room watching television and having supper. It was second nature to him.”

— dan gooley baseball head coach

April 4, 2012

quchronicle.com/sports sports@QUChronicle.com @QUChronSports

moving forward

Scott Zurevinski signs AHL contract with St. John’s Ice Caps

By TIM O’DONNELL Web Editor

March 17 was anything but normal for Scott Zurevinski. It started with a flight from Hartford to St. John’s, Newfoundland. It ended with Zurevinski playing in his first professional game for the St. John’s Ice Caps of the American Hockey League.

“I went to the rink and by the time I was done with my physicals and learning all the systems, it was about five minutes until warmups,” Zurevinski said. “I basically jumped right in. My first shift I didn’t have much time to think about it. They just threw me out there.”

Playing Zurevinski that night was not the plan when he took off, Ice Caps head coach Keith McCambridge said. During the approximately two-and-a-half hour flight, everything changed.

“From the time he took off to the time he landed, we had two injuries and a call up to the (NHL),” McCambridge said.

Going essentially from the plane to the ice wasn’t easy, but Zurevinski made the most of it. He finished that game at a minus one with seven penalty minutes.

“He came out, he was physical, had a big hit, had a fight, protected the puck well,” McCambridge said. “He did some really good things his first game.”

And he made sure to make his first professional game memorable. Just under four minutes into the second period Zurevinski was in his first fight in four years, squaring off with proven AHL tough guy Richard Clune.

“I finished one of my checks in the other team’s end and he obviously is out there to protect his teammates and didn’t like the way I hit the guy and challenged me,” Zurevinski said. “With me being a rookie and my first game, I had to answer the bell. I was happy to do so. I had a good time. I thought it was

photo Courtesy of st. John’s ice caps

Former Quinnipiac forward Scott Zurevinski skates with his new team in the American Hockey League, the St. John’s Ice Caps on March 17. Zurevinski has played six games so far with the Ice Caps and has five shots on goal and 11 penalty minutes. fun.”

For a kid who dreamed of playing professional hockey, it was an unbelievable turn of events.

“It felt more surreal than anything,” Zurevinski said. “I wasn’t expecting to play the whole weekend. I thought I’d be there and watch a few games. Next thing you know I was landing and a hour and a half later I was jumping right in the game.”

While Zurevinski made his professional

debut that night, it is not the first time he was offered a professional contract.

Following his sophomore season, Zurevinski was offered a two-year contract from the Vancouver Canucks. He turned down that offer to return to school for two years.

But this year Zurevinski, a senior, took the opportunity to turn pro when the Bobcats season ended with a quarterfinal loss to Colgate.

“I was itching to go try the pro level and get my feet wet that way,” Zurevinski said. “The

Ice Caps, or Winnipeg, showed some interest. I decided to jump on it and head out here.”

Zurevinski said there are two ways to go about getting a pro contract once a college career is over.

“You can either wait it out and hope for a two-year deal or an NHL two-way, or you can take (an amateur tryout contract) and go there and try and get some pro games and then sign a two-way deal in the summer,” he said.

And now that he is playing in the pros, there is some adjusting to do. There are some things in professional hockey that are different from college hockey.

“The biggest thing is just earning your ice time,” Zurevinski said. “Obviously, here in St. John’s they’re one of the best teams in the American league so it’s tougher now to get ice.

I have to earn everything I get.”

Along with adjusting to life in the pros, Zurevinski continues to take classes at Quinnipiac and is planning on graduating in May. Zurevinski said continuing his education and working toward a degree is one of the reasons he didn’t take the Canucks’ offer two years ago.

“I wanted to get my education,” he said.

“I think it’s very important especially with the physicality in the game of hockey. Obviously, I want to be a pro hockey player but you have to have a backup plan.”

No matter what happens in the last six AHL regular season games, there are no guarantees for the future. The amateur tryout contract he signed is done at the end of the season and what comes after is unknown.

“At this point it’s completely of up in the air,” Zurevinski said. “It’s why I’m out here, just to get games.”

“Just getting exposure is going to be huge for me and getting games under belt is going to help me and hopefully I can earn myself a new deal in the summer.”

Figuring out ‘Rizzo’s Ridge’ By jon alba Staff Writer

When a new player joins Dan Gooley’s baseball squad, they may be surprised by some of the drills they will run in the fall. Walk by one of their practices, and one may see Gooley, or Skip, as his players call him, drop back into the pocket and swing a football to the outfielder on a slant route.

The unorthodox method is not for the nonexistent Quinnipiac football team, though. Instead, it is meant for combat. A fight against an inanimate object.

“Rizzo’s Ridge” is the name of the hill that runs from center field to right at the Bobcats’ baseball field. It is a menacing figure for many, but for Quinnipiac, it is a prized advantage against opponents that are not otherwise subjected to such an obstacle.

The hill was part of the landscape when the field was erected in the summer of 1967, and few changes have been made over the years.

Ranging from 325 feet down the right field line to 400 in center, it is an architectural spectacle scarcely found elsewhere.

The hill remained nameless up until 2004,

when Gooley coined it after one of the finest fielders he has coached: Ryan Rizzo.

“Rizzo was probably the greatest outfielder I ever had,” Gooley said. “He played that ridge like he was in his living room watching television and having supper. It was second nature to him.”

Similar to Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros, the ridge offers a steep challenge for any outfielder who tries to run it.

Much like its professional counterpart, it can cause chaos and ultimately make the difference in a game.

“We had a game in my freshman year where a routine out turned into an important triple after the kid fell,” said senior Neil Mammele, who is playing his first season in right field after making the switch from pitcher. “It’s pretty useful to know how to track balls on it.”

So how does one “beat” the hill? While it may be cliché to suggest that practice makes perfect, that is simply the case here.

“You have to teach guys to go up the hill,

See hill Page 17

Photo courtesy of Quinnipiac Athletics

Former Quinnipiac right fielder Ryan Ullrich plays a ball in the outfield on the hill, “Rizzo’s Ridge.” Head coach Dan Gooley named the hill in 2004 after former player Ryan Rizzo because of his ability to play the right field so well.