October 5, 2011 Volume 81 Issue 6
Sports
Opinion
Rugby makes more history, page 12
Wake up, Palestine is under fire, page 7
Security restricts juniors’ parking
Arts & Life
Blink-182 review, page 7
Students question basketball players’ punishment
SPB’s Fall concert
By Phil Nobile News Editor
Quinnipiac juniors are not allowed to park on Mount Carmel campus during weekday peak hours and are subjected to ticketing, Chief of Security & Safety David Barger said in a presentation to Hamden’s Planning and Zoning Commission Sept. 27. However, the university’s student handbook details no such rule. According to the handbook, “students with York Hill parking decals are allowed to use the North Lot and park in the commuter area. York Hill parking decals also are valid on the North Haven campus.” There are no specifics listed distinguishing juniors and seniors, or certain hours limiting juniors’ parking privileges. In a memorandum written by Hamden Assistant Town Planner Daniel Kops Jr., he states “contrary to the statement made to the Commission during the Public Hearing that students living at York Hill campus would not have passes allowing them to park in commuter parking lots during the day, it seems that they have been given passes. A large number of them are now driving to school, increasing traffic congestion at the West Woods/Whitney Avenue intersection, and reducing the number of prime parking spaces available for true commuters.” Also in the memorandum, numbers given to the town commission stated that the statistics Quinnipiac provided needed to be clarified by the next meeting. According to the numbers provided by the university, only 110 less students are living off campus this year than three years ago, despite the addition of Eastview and other on-campus accommodations for seniors. Barger was unable to comment by press time. The Chronicle will continue to monitor happenings with this story at the Oct. 11 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.
By Marissa Himbele & Jenn Lepore
Full story, more photos, quchronicle.com
Matt Eisenberg/Chronicle
Sean Forman of 3OH!3 sings to students pulled on stage Saturday at TD Bank Sports Center.
Penalties from the state for men’s basketball players Ike Azotam and James Johnson likely won’t be severe. While the university continues its investigation of the Sept. 26 altercation, students are speaking out about their desire for transparency in how Quinnipiac’s administration is dealing with the basketball players’ punishment. Scott Ostrander, a sophomore athletic training major, is one of the many students on campus who finds no justice in Quinnipiac’s secrecy. “They basically jumped the kid, got arrested, but the school doesn’t do a goddamn thing about it,” Ostrander said. The university cannot comment on ongoing investigations per the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, which states that a student must give consent to the university prior to the disclosure of educational records. Azotam and Johnson were arrested following a fight with students 3 a.m. Sept. 26. Both players were charged with third-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace. Hamden police made no other arrests. Attorney and Quinnipiac professor Eroll Skyers predicts the harshest punishment the basketball players could face is probation and paying the price of court and an attorney. “As long as they have never had any prior criminal history, I don’t expect they will spend a day in jail,” Skyers said. The players’ defense attorney Thomas Lynch told the Chronicle that Azotam and Johnson had clean records prior to said alterSee basketball Page 3
Bobcat Den 2.0 delayed 2-3 weeks By Marcus Harun Web Developer
Past the the time when Chartwells officials said the Bobcat Den would reopen by the end of September, officials now say it could be up to three more weeks until students can enjoy their late-night snacks at the Den. In late August, Associate Director of Dining Services Leean Spalding told the Chronicle that construction delays pushed the reopen date
back to the end of September. Monday, Joseph Tobin, director of Chartwells dining service, said the Bobcat Den would reopen in two to three weeks after more construction delays. “It’s not one thing [that delayed the project]—it is everything. It’s how construction is,” Tobin said. “Right now all the different trades are doing their final work. We’re just in the final stages.” Matt Eisenberg/Chronicle
See Ratt Page 3
The Bobcat Den renovation nears completion and will reopen in two to three weeks.
POLL: What did you think of SPB’s fall concert?
MULTIMEDIA: Check out a video of an amazing frisbee catch at Alpha Chi Omega’s Frisbee Fest.
The Quinnipiac Chronicle
2|News
October 5, 2011
York Hill gate confusion explained By Cassie Comeau Staff Writer
Within the next couple of weeks, the guessing game for York Hill residents will come to an end. According to Chief of Security & Safety David Barger, the gates to enter the parking garage on York Hill will be permanently down and security guards will be in place for evening hours. Not every York Hill resident with a car has been entered into the system yet, further delaying the schedule for having the gates down. Security is always behind when entering student information into the system, Barger said. The university scheduled a guard to occupy the security booth from 2 p.m. to 6 a.m. every day to ensure that students can enter and exit when the gates are down. During the day, cameras monitor the garage. “I think security could be a little stricter during the day when there is a constant flow of people in and out of the garage without having to ‘check-in’ or swipe for entry,” junior John Phillip said. While some students agree with Phillip, others don’t see the need to have a security guard at the booth while the gates down. “I just don’t understand why they’re there when the gates are down, unless it’s for people who for-
Anthony Messina/Chronicle
No security guards were in the booths for York Hill’s parking garage Tuesday while the gates were raised. got their Q-cards, but then why not just forget the gates or the Q-card swiping machine and just have the guards open the gate?” junior Kristen Fetzer said. “I feel like it’s a waste of their time just sitting there. It’s a 4 by 6 (feet) cubicle. It can’t be very comfortable.” Because of the higher number of students present at York Hill in the
evening, compared to the daytime hours when they attend class on the Mount Carmel or North Haven campuses, the guards staff both the booth to the garage and the one leading to the dorms. “Usually when I come back from class early in the day, the gate isn’t down,” junior Allison Juckett said. “So, when it is, I don’t always have
my Q-card, and I have to rush to get it before holding up the cars behind me. I asked the guard what times the gate would be down after they started putting it down about a week ago, and he said during his shift was all he knew.” Until the information for all York Hill resident-owned cars is entered into the security system, the gates
will remain open during the day and closed at night with the security booths occupied by guards. Once Quinnipiac has the parking garage running smoothly, the only time the gates will be open is during hurricanes and snow storms, according to Barger.
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October 5, 2011
The Quinnipiac Chronicle
News|3
Construction, rain delay Ratt reopening Ratt from cover Some parts of the construction require technicians of many fields to work together on one project, like the exhaust hoods. Coordinating with multiple subcontractors is a timeconsuming process, Tobin said. The exhaust hoods needed the fire suppression system to be hooked up by one subcontractor, an alarm system to be installed by another subcontractor and the electrical system to be wired by a third subcontractor. Then the system will be checked by an inspector and then the fire marshal. “The general contractor who is in charge of all the subcontractors is good,” Tobin said. “He stays on them, makes them do things right and comes back when they need to finish up the projects.” The project was delayed further by rain, which has prevented the contractor from putting down new asphalt, Tobin said. Some students say the increased amount of students in the Cafe Q has created longer food lines. “One of the poor things is that they are not able to compensate for all the people who come to the grill,” sophomore Matt Liben said. “There is no excuse for people having to wait 30 minutes for a burger. Before it was bad, but it has gotten worse. It went from the point where having to wait for a hamburger was annoying, to where you don’t even want to wait
in the line it’s so long.” But sophomore Theo Siggelakis said the new online ordering system has helped save students time. “They’ve done a nice job of keeping the grill open later than they did before,” Siggelakis said. “The new grill system has really made a world of difference—how they have premade ready food and you can order online so the lines are a little bit shorter.” Many students living on the Mount Carmel campus are eager to have their convenient late-night food spot back. “I’m really excited for [the Bobcat Den] to open,” sophomore Tony Trahan said. “It’s closer to where I am, it is open later—I just like their food better down there.” Chartwells changed the Cafe Q hours to accommodate the Bobcat Den construction. It stays open until 11 p.m. weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends, according to an email from Chartwells. “I’m a little disappointed that [the Bobcat Den] isn’t available,” Trahan said. “Hearing that it will open within two to three weeks, if they can stick to that time constraint, I’d say that it can wait a little longer. It’s a good thing the cafe stayed open later because obviously kids are going to get hungry after eight o’clock.” Cafe Q will keep the current extended hours until the Bobcat Den is reopened. The hours of operation of both facilities will return to the same schedule as of the spring 2011 se-
Matt Eisenberg/Chronicle
The Bobcat Den has new kitchen equipment in store for students. mester, Tobin said. “We had hoped to have it open by now but there is no reason to have it open when it’s not done right,” Tobin said. “We want to make
sure we do the job right. “Once it opened in a few weeks or a few months, people won’t even remember it was held up,” Tobin said.
Athletics institutes tailgating policy By Phil Nobile & Meghan Parmentier
In an effort to make winter games more enjoyable, Quinnipiac’s athletics department recently announced it is allowing tailgating in TD Bank Sports Center’s parking lot from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30. A designated section of the lot will be set up to allow attendees to tailgate at their vehicles or on the nearby grass area. “If people come early enough to tailgate, there will likely be more attendance and people will care more about the games,” Co-director of Quinnipiac Bobcats Sports Network Marc Schwartz said. “That is something that the Bank struggles with sometimes.” Quinnipiac’s two highest anticipated games are men’s hockey against Yale and men’s basketball against Robert Morris (both
Feb. 25, 2012). When asked if there would be tailgating at these games, Executive Director of the TD Bank Sports Center Eric Grgurich said it would depend on how well the first few events go. “If everything goes smoothly, it would certainly make it easier to extend the dates,” Grgurich said. Tailgating is limited to two hours before and one hour after each day game (any game beginning before 5 p.m.). No tailgating is permitted after night games. Grills and drinks will have to be put away by the start of the games, when the tailgating section closes. The only grills allowed are self-contained gas and charcoal grills, due to York Hill’s ban on open fires. All charcoal and waste must be safely disposed of before departure from the
tailgating site. According to the release from athletics, commercial vehicles including U-Hauls, RVs, Winnebago motor homes and box trucks are not permitted in the York Hill parking lot and will not be permitted for tailgating use. Beer kegs, drinking games and other drinking paraphernalia will also not be allowed. Quinnipiac security and staff will be present during tailgating hours to ensure the Connecticut underage drinking law is enforced. Those in violation will be escorted from the tailgating area and may be escorted from Quinnipiac property by security or Hamden police. Previously, tailgating has only been allowed once before on the York Hill campus, during the ESPN-covered championship game
“If everything goes smoothly, it would certainly make it easier to extend the dates.” — Eric Grgurich Executive Director of the TD Bank Sports Center between Quinnipiac and Roger Morris’s men’s basketball teams on March 11, 2010. The parking lot in front of the Bank was filled with people drinking and grills. There were no open containers, only cups of alcohol. Security was present, but not strict with the tailgaters.
Students question men’s basketball players’ punishment Basketball from cover cation. Connecticut law states that breach of peach in the second degree is a Class B misdemeanor. A breach of peace includes activities that engage fighting, violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior, or assaulting another in a public place. The law defines a public place as any area that is used or held for use by the public, whether owned or operated by public or private interests. While neither Johnson nor Azotam will face jail time, many students expect the university to take appropriate disciplinary action on the two. “I think they should approach the situation as if it was any other student,” senior Brian Reilly said. “The administration should be more transparent about its decisions especially since they are supposed to be respondent and accountable to us students.” Junior Mike Messina said they should face a harsh punishment. “I think they should be expelled or miss
half the season,” Messina said. However, some students are worried that the punishment will not be strong enough. After Azotam and Johnson posted bail of $5,000 each, the university allowed them to continue attending classes. “They’re stupid and should be suspended or kicked off,” junior Brad Degnan said. “But they’ll probably get off anyway.” Rachel Lee, a sophomore health sciences major, said the university will let the players off easily. “How are they not going to get in trouble at all? But God forbid a regular student gets caught with a beer can in their hand, they lose every right they have,” Lee said. In November 2006, two freshman basketball players, Trevon Charles and James Feldeine, were charged with second-degree unlawful restraint and breach of peace after urinating on a female student’s leg. As punishment from the school, Charles and Feldeine were dismissed from their housing in the Dana residence hall. At the time, the victim stated the university failed to penalize the basketball players.
Charles was later suspended from the basketball team and found guilty for fourth-degree sexual assault and second-degree unlaw-
ful restraint and breach of peace. Feldeine was at the home opener in November and played limited minutes in following games.
The Quinnipiac Chronicle
4|Opinion
October 5, 2011
Opinion Editorial
Quchronicle.com/opinion opinion@QUChronicle.com @QUChronicle
Letters to the editor
Web commenting Don’t generalize alumni changes coming soon There is something to be said for those who leave comments on articles online. Everyone has the freedom of expression and the First Amendment right to say anything that comes to mind. While potentially great discussions and debates occur in the comments section of articles online, these words are usually hidden behind a cloak of anonymity. The Chronicle feels there needs to be accountability for comments online. Whether comments are positive or negative, the Chronicle grants the writer an option to use his or her real name, or a pseudonym. Most of the time, it’s the latter. That’s about to change. The Chronicle is in the process of overhauling the comments section on the website. Soon, a Facebook account will be required to leave comments on articles. The Chronicle feels it is important that comments preserve the same level of integrity and accountability as the article. Finding a college student without a Facebook is like searching for a needle in a haystack. People without Facebook accounts still have the option to contact the
Chronicle directly via email. Letters to the editor will continue to be published online and in print at the editor’s discretion. The Chronicle’s new commenting policy might lead to fewer submissions, but it helps challenge everyone to participate in a more thoughtful, tolerant and civil discussion. Comments that are threatening, harassing or libelous toward writers, photographers or other commenters will not be posted online. Any comment attacking a person’s gender, race, ethnicity, class, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, reputation or disabilities is completely unacceptable. What is written online would more than likely not be repeated in person. Writing hurtful and demeaning comments online is cowardly. It is vital to engage in thought-provoking discussion about the articles and what they stand for. These community guidelines will enhance the user experience on the Chronicle’s website, thereby addressing the integrity and accountability of all content posted for public consumption.
Poll Results
I attended Quinnipiac for two years as a journalism major. I wrote for the Chronicle, and I also was a part of starting the Quad News before I chose to transfer to Seton Hall University, one of the reasons being the people that Quinnipiac tended to attract. I graduated from Seton Hall with a B.A. in Journalism, and I was news editor of Seton Hall’s student newspaper, taking home several awards in a statewide competition. I found [the story titled “Alumni: Keep your distance from QU”] to be extremely offensive and a total generalization to a whole group of people who do not deserve the stereotype of “creepers.” While I do recognize the majority of the article was aimed at older males who tend to frequent bars looking for younger girls, the headline is extremely misleading. I find it surprising something like this would have been published given that alumni are an important part of any higher education institution. While I am not an “official” alumnus of the school, I know many of my friends would be extremely offended, and if I was an alumnus, I’d be extremely offended, too. In fact, I was directed to this piece by an alumnus of Quinnipiac who I know from law school. To be quite honest, reading this opinion piece made me glad I transferred, and I've seen several other transfer students say the same thing upon reading this. Did it ever occur to you that graduates may have younger friends, and they would want to visit them? Visiting has nothing to do with not being able to move on. I think anyone who has a strong, valuable friendship would want to keep that going. I am still very good friends with quite a few people who
are younger than me at Seton Hall, who also happen to be on the student newspaper, and I visited them a few weeks ago. It was not just about seeing my friends, but also lending support to the new editorial board. It also certainly was NOT about being unable to move on from my college years. I am currently attending law school, and I greatly enjoy it. An article such as this, cautioning alumni to stay away from campus would certainly make me not want to visit nor would it make me want to lend any support to ungrateful individuals who believe after one graduates they should move on immediately. Take away the alumni support and see what happens to an educational institution. It may not crumble, but it certainly will weaken. Next time you choose to write an opinion piece such as this, make sure you're not singling out an entire group of people. Yes, I did see the several points about alumni weekend and catching up with old friends, but labeling an article mainly about “creepers” with “alumni” is irresponsible and poor judgment. Misleading headlines do not lend themselves well to journalism nor do poorly researched, uneducated, offensive opinion pieces such as this. And Mr. Neslin, I find it quite unprofessional for you to be commenting on an article in your own publication defending Ms. Fano’s words. I believe journalism is supposed to be founded on objectivity, no? While I understand there is such a thing as an editorial and/or opinion piece, your blatant defense of Ms. Fano’s point of view does nothing to promote journalistic objectivity which is already a dying principle in the media world. – Jessica Sutcliffe
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At Quinnipiac, we tend to be men and women who thrive upon drama and a juicy story. This past week's article, “Alumni: Keep your distance from QU,” was a prime example of students taking something as simple as a piece of writing and blowing it way out of proportion. To a certain extent, I understand the uproar and as a senior this year, soon to graduate in May, I can understand that certain points she touched upon were controversial. But isn't this the beauty of the First Amendment? Aren’t we all entitled to our opinions, and live so lucky in a world as to express those opinions how we choose? The author of this article was not merely a student who chose to submit a story randomly for the fun of it, unbeknown to the Chronicle staff; she is a member of one of the most well-established organizations on campus and was chosen among her peers, who deemed her worthy
enough and rightfully so, to write not only for the organization but for all the campus to see. In my opinion, it takes skill and courage to foray into the world of journalism and I applaud her for voicing her opinion on such an open, and unfortunately sometimes hurtful, stage and setting. So the comments regarding the author herself can come to an end. For students from this university, which is held to such a high national standard, to call the author slurs, poke fun at her age, comment on her writing style, etc. is out of line and disrespectful. I think it is safe to say that some of those students would not have the bravery to voice his or her opinions as proudly as this author did. The next time you read an article that you do not agree with and you choose first and foremost to attack the author, sit back and think if you can evoke the same fearlessness to put your very thoughts on paper for the world to see. – Jessica Poe
October 5, 2011
SEX ON FIRE
Sex with an ex?
Your burning love and sex questions answered by Lovely Rita. Send in your questions to rita@quchronicle.com. We won’t give up your name. DEAR LOVELY RITA: My ex and I broke up about three weeks ago, but we keep going back for breakup sex. He’s really good in bed, which is why we keep having sex even though we aren’t in a relationship anymore. Is it healthy to keep shagging even though we broke up awhile ago? – Single and Laid DEAR SINGLE AND LAID: I can’t say with any authority what is considered a “healthy” or “unhealthy” sex life after a breakup, especially if you and your partner were in a serious relationship. Let me tell you an anecdote that might help you. I broke up with a long-term boyfriend and then we continued to have pretty amazing breakup sex. But that often led to fights because there were still many strings attached. In one instance, we got back together and broke up in a string of ups and downs over the course of a couple of months. The mixed feelings that you and your partner share will probably affect your sexy time in a negative way. If you do decide to continue your bed-squeaking activities, your feelings will strengthen, thus making the emotional state for both of you a strain. This will probably continue until you and your partner have either a Day of Atonement or a relationship apocalypse. The point of that story is, continuing to have sex with your ex will only extend both of your unhappy states until something gives. And boy, something’s always gotta give. – Lovely Rita ♦♦♦
The Quinnipiac Chronicle
Opinion|5
A game for hooligans The excitement of this weekend’s game As a person who spent a few months in Wales, doing research on Welsh nationalism has the uneasy feeling that the women’s national soccer team seems to bring about evand the history of rugby in Wales, Sunday ery few years. The team creates a buzz, was an exciting day for me. It was the the press talks about how everybody is first ever home game for a Quinnipinow going to catch on to the sport, and ac-affiliated rugby team. then a month later everybody forgets It was a beautiful day for a sportabout the team. ing event, sidelines packed with specThe game could potentially be maintators, members of New Blue Rugby stream. Despite the inherent physiwere plentiful, but they were on the cality and seeming disregard for sidelines and not players in the health and safety, rugby is often game. The game was for our new referred to by the British as “a women’s rugby team. game for hooligans, played by My section of the crowd was Jeremy Stull Opinion Editor gentlemen,” while soccer is reuninformed but eager to learn. It was @jpstull ferred to by the same people as “a funny to see people who were not directly in our conversation, trying to nonchalantly game for gentlemen, played by hooligans.” As a fan of both, I can say soccer is undeniably listen to my rambling of rules and strategy. Our team was a bit sloppy to start, but came closer to that goal than rugby is. I already love the women’s rugby team together with a beautiful score right before halftime. That was all I saw of the game. It was here, but we need an official men’s team for Sunday after all; the Cowboys played at 1 p.m. any sort of rugby movement to happen at QU. That is a problem with rugby on this campus I am confident that if it were a New Blue game and in this country. Outside of the people who I was attending, as a true Quinnipiac athletics play the sport, I am one of the biggest rugby fans event or simply a recognized and sponsored on campus. Even though I love the sport so much, club sport game, I would have stayed for the entirety and missed watching the first half of I still left early in order to go watch the NFL.
the Cowboys and Lions game. There is a large disconnect between the allure of men’s and women’s sports for me. My point here is not to call into question the legitimacy or relevance of women’s sports. I am not claiming anything revolutionary here. I am simply saying that men’s sports are inherently more popular, and generally regarded as a more exciting venture, than their female counterparts. I am saying that having a men’s version of the sport, and in this case it is one with a prior structure, would generate more interest from the Quinnipiac community at large. Yet, the university has repeatedly stated its reluctance to institute club sports until all of the legal situations regarding Title IX get sorted out. This is not a viable excuse to skirt the issue entirely. There is a clear demand and need for club sports at our university. The women’s rugby team is a step in the right direction, but a more aggressive effort toward athletic expansion is necessary for Quinnipiac to hold itself in as high regard as it does, and to foster this corps of support we have for this game for hooligans. Read the unabridged article online.
DEAR LOVELY RITA: Is it true that someone can be allergic to semen? Sometimes when I’m with my boyfriend and his semen gets on my skin, that part gets red and puffy. I’m embarassed to go to Health Services because I don’t want to tell them why I got the rash in the first place. – Itchy DEAR ITCHY: Yep, it’s true that you can develop an allergy to semen, as it were. You can react with anything from a rash (which it sounds like you’ve got) to downright anaphylactic shock, believe it or not. According to the Health Services at University of Columbia website, you could have human seminal plasma protein hypersensitivity, which means you are sensitive to a certain protein in human semen. It’s even possible to only be allergic to a certain person’s seminal protein, according to the website. If all you get is a rash and nothing more, don’t worry about it. Just slap on some antiitch cream and keep strokin’ whatever you’re strokin’. – Lovely Rita ♦♦♦ DEAR LOVELY RITA: How many days can I go in between shaving before my new boyfriend will notice? I’m a blonde and don’t have a lot of leg hair usually. – Blondie DEAR BLONDIE: It depends how prickly your legs get, and how easygoing your new beau is. A day or two on a lighthaired person will go unnoticed, if he doesn’t rub you the wrong way, literally. After that, see how far you can take it before you break down and shave. If you look and feel like a Yeti, maybe it’s time. – Lovely Rita ♦♦♦ Disclaimer: The Sex on Fire advice column is kept anonymous to avoid violating the privacy of the author.
Wake up, Palestine is under fire
Dakota Wiegand/Chronicle
I am known to be a liberal when it comes a charitable organization using its funding to to most political issues. I am against the death build hospitals and schools. I think it’s interesting that Palestine has penalty and against war of any kind. I don’t bea democratic framework in its governlieve in attacking a state before it attacks ment and yet the most democratic us or assassinating government figures state in the world will veto its bid because of threats. I do, however, befor statehood. lieve Palestine should be recognized Palestine built its country on as a state by the United Nations. culture and values and should have I have always been interested in set borders and rights to its own Middle Eastern culture, which is land. If Palestine has set borders why I decided to do my recent poit will create concrete separalitical science paper on Palestine. tion from Israel, thus avoiding Palestine has what we know as an conflict. Palestine’s conflict with executive branch called the PalKatherine Rojas Staff Writer Israel is a sensitive topic but I think estinian Authority and a legislative @Kathyreds it’s also unfair that Palestinian refbranch called the Palestinian Legislative Council. The PLC is the first national in- ugees were expelled from their land because stitution elected by Palestinians, creating the first Jewish communities, of just 30 percent, were democratic legislative body in the Arab world, moving into 56 percent of Palestinian land according to a fact sheet on the S. Daniel Abra- granted by the U.N. after World War II. Palestine’s involvement with the U.N. ham Center for Middle East Peace website. The Hamas group in the PLC may be would create more peace than chaos. Involveknown as a terrorist group. However, it is also ment with the rest of the world could prevent
wars and allow more trade and actual “peace in the Middle East.” It’s unthoughtful for the U.N. to make Israel a state without considering the other occupants of the land. Palestinians were settled in their land and are now left with just a sliver. I know being in college may feel like living in a bubble, but it’s still important to know what’s going on in the world. Unless you read news articles in your leisure time or take Middle Eastern studies and political science classes, it’s your responsibility to know about the world you’re living in. Being updated on a person’s relationship status or clicking through pictures of classmates you never talk to is not information you’ll need to know when another war occurs. Foreign affairs affect everyone even if those situations seem far away. Knowing about current events will help you build your own opinions, thus becoming a well-informed voter. Instead of updating your status, try updating your mind.
6|Arts & Life
The Quinnipiac Chronicle
October 5, 2011
Arts & Life
quchronicle.com/arts-and-life artslife@QUChronicle.com @QUChronicle
matt eisenberg, charlotte greene/chronicle
Hoodie Allen, Sam Adams, and 3OH!3 takes the stage at TD Bank Sports Center Saturday for Student Programming Board’s Fall Concert.
concert REVIEW
Allen, Adams, 3OH!3 put on musical variety show By erica siciliano Staff Writer
Boston’s Boy certainly delivered on Saturday night, as Student Programming Board’s annual fall concert kicked off at TD Bank Sports Center. With less than half the arena filled, Hoodie Allen, Sam Adams and 3OH!3 took the stage before an eager crowd. The arena was filled on the floor, where students danced and cheered their favorite performers.With each performer on stage for about an hour, every act was timed perfectly, leaving anticipation high after each performance. Allen took the stage with a sim-
ple setup: a drummer and a deejay. And that’s all he needed. His music drew cheers from the crowd. Allen interacted with the crowd and taught them the simple lyrics to his song “James Franco.” The best part of Allen’s performance came in the middle when he took out his electronic piano and performed Kanye West’s “Stronger,” while mixing in Britney Spears lyrics. Performing a well-known song was a smart move by Allen. Knowing that many people don’t know his song lyrics, he sang a song that allowed him to interact with the crowd. Overall, Allen set the stage perfectly for Sam Adams, the second performer in line.
In between each performer, however, the lights came on and disrupted the concert mood. As the stage crew set up the next act, it delayed the concert’s flow as people awaited the next performance. If the lights stayed dim and the music kept on pumping, it would have kept spirits up. Adams proved to be the concert’s main attraction. Entering the stage to applause and screams, Boston’s Boy made the Bank come to life. Performing fan favorites such as “Coast to Coast” and “Driving Me Crazy,” Adams delivered a crowd-pleasing performance allowing everyone to dance and let loose. He also performed his crowd favorite “I Hate
College,” and even referenced Quinnipiac’s beloved mascot, the Bobcat, in his lyrics. Adams introduced some of his new music to the delight of the audience. He debuted his song “Rager” to thunderous applause. Throughout the his entire performance, students were seen mouthing the lyrics and singing along to Adams’ songs, creating an intimate setting between the small crowd and the well-known artist. For the night’s final performance, 3OH!3 took the stage. Although some audience members left when Adams exited the stage to continue their night elsewhere, the band came on stage full of
energy and excitement. With an impressive light show, showcasing school colors blue and yellow, 3OH!3 took advantage of the intimate crowd and put on a great show. Performing hits “Don’t Trust Me” and “Starstrukk,” 3OH!3 proved to audience members the show’s main goal was to provide a good time. Even pulling a group of girls on stage for the performance of “My First Kiss,” 3OH!3 wowed the crowd with its high spirits and fun performance. Despite the lack of continuity between each performer, each act provided something new and refreshing to listen to.
October 5, 2011
The Quinnipiac Chronicle
7
Das Racist offers new sound
ALBUM REVIEW
BLINK IS BACK
By Mike turzilli Contributing Writer
Wireimage
Travis Barker, drummer for Blink 182, performed in Anaheim, Calif., with My Chemical Romance. By Giovanni Mio Staff Writer
Two years after announcing their plans to make more music in 2009, Blink-182 has finally released its long-awaited album “Neighborhoods.” “Neighborhoods” has 14 songs, each featuring a unique sound. Blink-182 members include Tom DeLonge (vocalist and guitarist), Mark Hoppus (vocalist and bass guitarist) and Travis Barker (drummer). The album opens with the song “Ghost on the Dancefloor.” The band has done a great job changing and maturing its sound during its hiatus of nearly five years. “Ghost on the Dancefloor” opens with Barker playing a mini solo on drums, followed by a synth and then DeLonge comes in with the guitar. According to the band’s official website, this song is a tribute to DJ AM, Barker’s friend who recently died from a drug overdose. The lyrics are noticeably dark as Hoppus sings, “Yea I, I saw your ghost tonight/ that moment felt so real/your eyes came right on mine/my wounds would start to heal.” The album’s first single “Up All Night” begins with a weird drumbeat and guitar, and then goes into a breakdown followed by the
first verse. DeLonge and Hoppus switch off main vocals. DeLonge sings the full chorus, backed up by Hoppus. It’s a repetitive instrumental, but at the end, it goes into a darksounding breakdown. This track specifically, sounds like a mixture of the old Blink as well as DeLonge’s other band Angels & Airwaves. Fittingly enough, the album’s second single is “After Midnight.” This song shows off the original snare sound from the old Blink days. DeLonge sings the verses, but Hoppus sings the chorus. Besides DeLonge’s overpowering vocals, this song is flat-out amazing. From the first chord of “Hearts All Gone,” listeners can tell it’s a fast-beat song. Ironically, Hoppus takes the vocal responsibilities for this one. It’s a good distraction from all of the dark songs on this album. I like how most of these songs remind me of Blink’s older music. But it’s more mature, which is exactly what what was
‘Neighborhoods’ Blink 182
Listen to: Everything! Avoid: “Fighting Gravity”
SOURCE clothing company
expected from them. The song “Love is Dangerous” sounds like it should be an Angels & Airwaves song. The opening is very slow. DeLonge and Hoppus’s vocals are combined, giving it a weird and unique sound. While it doesn’t sound like the band’s older music, it’s more of a combination of Blink and Angels. The one song to avoid on the album is “Fighting the Gravity.” This sounds more experimental than the other songs, and opens up with a powerful guitar sound and lonely drumbeat. It’s followed by Hoppus muttering words and Barker changing the beat. It’s a
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Das Racist, comprised of Himanshu Suri “Heems” and Victor Vazquez “Kool A.D.,” is likely the most interesting underground hip-hop group to surface within the last few years. Ashok Kondabolu “Dap” is also the group’s official “hype man.” While the group’s music is often compared to the average indie rap sound, Das Racist possesses a more complex style that truly sets it apart from most current hip-hop acts. Simply labeling the duo’s music as rap would be a great disservice to the group. Its lyrics tend to be just as comedic as they are catchy. In an average Das Racist song, listeners can expect various obscure pop culture references, hardhitting “gangster” lines and humorous rhyming patterns. This may seem like an odd combination of content, but Suri and Vazquez have figured out the formula to make it work. A quick look into the group’s formation explains the perfect chemistry between Suri and Vazquez. The two originally met at Wesleyan University where Vazquez served as resident advisor for Suri. Although the duo first met in college, it wasn’t until they both moved to Brooklyn, N.Y., that Das Racist formed. According to a 2009 interview with the Village Voice, both members still reside in Brooklyn. Arguably the biggest factor that brought Suri and Vazquez together was their experiences of racial discrimination; Suri is of Indian descent and Vazquez is Afro-Cuban. Das Racist has released three albums to date. However, only the most recent album “Relax,” was released for sale through a record label. The two previous albums “Sit Down, Man” and “Shut up, Dude” were released solely through the Internet and given away for free. They take a less serious approach to their music, almost as if they don’t care. In a few of their songs they even admit that achieving fame was never their ultimate goal, “My work is my play-play,” Vazquez says on the track “Hahahaha jk?” The result of this relaxed outlook is a product that contests the work of the most dedicated artists. By viewing their creative process as more of a game than a job, Suri and Vazquez make music that relays their playful outlook to the audience. Once the listener accepts the goofy style, the group’s hidden talent emerges. While Das Racist may never compose an album that goes platinum, the group offers an extremely unique and intriguing product that will appeal to hip-hop fans.
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The Quinnipiac Chronicle
8|Arts & Life
October 5, 2011
This is me “This is Me” is a weekly feature celebrating individuality at QU.
THE RECRUIT
This is John’s story.
Madeline hardy/Chronicle
John McCarthy spent 74 days completing Officer Candidates School at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Va., graduating 10th out of the 50 men in his class.
O
By nicole fano Arts & Life Editor
ne night last June, John McCarthy couldn’t fall asleep in the twin bed he was assigned. But it wasn’t the hot Virginia heat that prevented him from dozing off, it was his anticipation of the next day – Pick-up Day. The next morning, McCarthy and 60 other men were ordered to line up and stand at attention, wearing nothing but skivvy shorts, sneakers and a dark green platoon T-shirt. The barrack doors flew open, and four intimidating drill sergeants burst into the room, screaming and throwing around the men’s belongings. One particular drill sergeant, Gunnery Sgt. Butler, began bleeding from the mouth. The yelling caused his braces to cut open his lip. But Butler didn’t wipe away the blood. Instead, Butler began screaming at Mark Stephens, a platoon member, spitting blood on his face. Stephens motioned to wipe away the blood. “Oh hell no, you ain’t wiping
that away. I didn’t say you could wipe it away,” Butler responded. Butler’s dried blood remained on Stephens’s face for the rest of the day. “This was the first moment I said, ‘the shit has officially hit the fan,’” McCarthy said animatedly, his pale blue eyes opened wide. The 21-year-old sits back in his chair with nearly perfect posture. It’s his posture that gives away his military training, along with his crew haircut and a black T-shirt that reads “Marines.” This past summer, McCarthy spent nearly 74 days completing Officer Candidates School at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Va. He was tested on everything from physical fitness to handson leadership procedures, such as combat formations and field operations. Officer Candidates School’s purpose is to train and assess potential Marine candidates. Since childhood, McCarthy always had a passion to serve his country.
NAME: John McCarthy YEAR: Senior HOMETOWN: Ocean Township, N.J. MAJOR: Sociology
“My whole life I wanted to be a Marine, I wanted to enlist right after high school,” McCarthy said. But his father insisted that he earn a college degree before pursuing a career in the Marines. Unbeknown to his parents, McCarthy contacted recruiters during his freshman year of college. The following year Gunnery Sgt. Gonzalez interviewed him. “I’ll never forget it,” McCarthy said smiling. “She said I was ‘fat and out of shape and that I needed to get into shape very quickly.’” When McCarthy first told his parents about his Marine dreams, his mother became very emotional. “My mother said the pride overwhelms the worry at all times,” McCarthy said. “The pride is just immense.” McCarthy completed OCS Aug. 13, when he graduated 10th out of the 50 men in his class. “I think [my dad] may have cried just as much as my mother when I graduated. And my dad’s a big, tough guy,” McCarthy said. Georgia native Ben Roof met McCarthy during the second week of OCS, and in a short time they developed a close friendship. “I consider him my best friend,” Roof said. “I knew him for 11 weeks and I literally would die for the kid.” McCarthy isn’t the only member of his family with a military background.
John Stewart, his grandfather, was an Army Air Corps member who earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and two bronze stars. His first mission was D-Day. McCarthy’s cousin, Cpl. David Blum, is currently stationed in Japan as part of an anti-terrorism force. McCarthy will accept his commission after graduating from Quinnipiac this May. He hopes that his cousin will return from deployment in time for his commission ceremony so he can give McCarthy his first salute as an officer. While he must first receive Quinnipiac’s permission, he would like the ceremony to coincide with his college graduation. This summer, McCarthy will return to Virginia to attend The Basic School for six months. Upon TBS graduation, he will then be promoted based on his evaluations. McCarthy then plans to attend flight school. In 10 years, McCarthy hopes to rank as a captain, possibly even a major. “I want to lead Marines and do the best that I can, and get everyone home safe, but do what America expects of us,” McCarthy said. According to Roof, he and McCarthy have future plans to work side-by-side in the same unit, either in the air or on the ground. “You have to have that type of person by your side,” Roof said. While McCarthy left OCS with at least one new brother figure, he
was reunited with more than 60 brothers when he returned to Hamden. McCarthy actively participates in the Quinnipiac community as Tau Kappa Epsilon’s new member educator. “If it weren’t for TKE and my brothers in TKE, I don’t think I would have properly prepared myself for OSC,” McCarthy said. Senior Mike Fitch is TKE’s president, and became close friends with McCarthy when they rushed together freshman year. “[John] makes an amazing TKE. He loves TKE,” Fitch said. “He really lives by our morals and what we believe in as TKE’s. He has truly put in as much effort as anyone else possibly could into our organization.” Since returning to Quinnipiac after graduating from OCS, McCarthy has received an overwhelming amount of appreciation and support. “That’s the one thing I felt that was so awesome from [the Quinnipiac] community, just the amount of support and the amount of respect,” McCarthy said. When asked to give advice to those considering a career in the Marines, McCarthy’s response was instantaneous. “One hundred percent do it, it’s the greatest decision in the world,” McCarthy said. “To be a part of the finest fighting force in the world is the greatest feeling in the world.”
October 5, 2011
The Quinnipiac Chronicle
Arts & Life|9
campus COUTURE
sarah’s style
Name: Reese Rolheiser Age: 22 Year: Junior Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Major: Finance What I’m wearing: a Lulu Lemon jacket, Jimmy Taverniti jeans and Anon sunglasses Style influences: “My roommate’s proguard style has influenced me since I came to the east coast, but usually anything that’s comfortable and my two older sisters approve of!” Photo by: Anna Brundage
Rave
Wreck
‘Pop Up Video’ back on air
Holly gets breast insurance
VH1
wireimage
VH1’s classic music video show “Pop Up Video” returned to airwaves this Monday with brand new episodes. Finally. Finally, VH1 returns to the programming that made the network. While VH1 was always in the shadow of MTV, the cable net is moving back toward playing music. Meanwhile, MTV is far from it. VH1 is not perfect with its strong of trashy reality television (ahem, “Mob Wives”) and scripted shows such as “Single Ladies,” but this new crop of episodes of “Pop Up Video” is a fine start. “Pop Up Video” splices current and old music videos in a half hour program. Each music video includes thought bubbles throughout with factoids about the artist, song and the video itself. The first new episode back since 2002 included Britney Spears’ apocalyptic “Till the World Ends.” Other videos showcased in the first week back are OK Go (“Here It Goes Again”), Diddy Dirty Money (“Coming Home”), Good Charlotte (“The Anthem”) and Lauryn Hill (“The Ex-Factor”). It’s awesome to know their is a specific time and place to watch music videos on basic cable. While YouTube and other video hosting sites have become optimal in the last several years to watch videos, it’s nice to know there is still room in today’s age of social media and technology for music videos on television. – M.B.
It’s normal for people to accentuate their best body features, not insure them. Former “The Girls Next Door” star Holly Madison definitely got her money’s worth for those noticeably fake boobs. Hugh Hefner’s exgirlfriend recently insured her breasts for $1 million. Feminists must be cringing at the thought. The Playboy Magazine cover girl claims that she made the financial decision to protect herself in case anything happened to her famous “ladies.” “I thought I’d cover my assets,” Madison told People Magazine. According to the Washington Post, Madison isn’t the first “star” to insure a prized body part. Supermodel Heidi Klum insured her legs for more than $2 million, and soccer star David Beckham insured his legs for nearly $70 million. The fact that Madison felt the need to back up her breasts is utterly ridiculous. What does she think could happen to them? It’s not like they’re going to just fall off due to excess weight. Or would they? While it’s understandable that Madison’s breasts are an important part of her Playboy career, it’s embarrassing that she has built a livelihood exploiting her feminine parts. For the sake of Madison’s career, hopefully it was a smart investment. – N.F.
Twitter trends to watch By SARAH ROSENBERG Associate Arts & Life Editor
As soon as Java John awkwardly tells me to smile while I’m getting my tea in the morning, finding new and creative ways to tell me how special I am, I can tweet about it with a cute little hashtag that goes something like this: #javajohnproblems. Before I know it, every Bobcat who follows me is nodding their heads in approval and retweeting it. Twitter loves the little people. But, besides following your friend’s angst-worthy moments or Lady Gaga’s shout-outs to her 14 million little monsters, here are some Twitter trends that I enjoy and want to share with you. #quinnipiacproblems Although I have a slight problem with the name (students from Yale have a habit of calling us “Qpac kids,” and I think we have more pride than that), this goes without saying. Although the amount of followers has skyrocketed, it’s still fairly new. Here, you’ll see tweets about the bomb York Hill pizzas, the love-hate relationship with the shuttle, and the never-ending construction on Mt. Carmel Avenue. On a side note, we here at the Chronicle would really like to know who the genius is behind these tweets. #TrendyProblems Being trendy is a full-time job for us kids at Quinnipiac, and staying trendy takes sacrifice. Take these tweets, for example: “Can you put $52.10 on this card, and $30.02 on this card, and $5.27 on this card, and the rest on this card?” or “Hey guys, I’m starting a non-profit organization for a really great cause! It’s going to be called My Fall Wardrobe.” Sure, it’s a bit shallow. But it’s also just a little bit hysterical and truthful. Once my paycheck is cleared on Friday, who’s to say I won’t be thinking about one of these two things? Shopping and figuring out how I am going to pay for it: This seems like a trendy problem to me. #516GirlProblems 516 is the area code for Nassau County, Long Island, where yours truly resides during Quinnipiac’s offseason. Our school hosts a number of Long Islanders, and love us or hate us, we make for some pretty good tweets. Reading about Hofstra University’s “lax bros” or the Roosevelt Field Mall makes me feel at home when I am a state away. I haven’t seen a Twitter hashtag #203GirlProblems just yet, so Connecticut may have to step up its game. There are often some truths to these Twitter trends, and even if they may be superfluous or unrealistic at times, certain tweets will always provide you with a decent laugh. It also couldn’t hurt to follow @QUChronicle either, but us Quinnipiac students are so trendy that we already knew that.
quoteworthy We’ve turned out to be the biggest trannies because of it” -Kim Kardashian
ON HER AND HER SISTERS GETTING MAKEUP LESSONS AS TEENS
The Quinnipiac Chronicle
10|Sports
The Rundown
MEN’S SOCCER NJIT 2, QU 1 – Sunday Ola Ogunjobi: 1 goal Machel Baker: 1 assist FIELD HOCKEY Lafayette 7, QU 0 – Friday Nicole Lewis: 4 saves VOLLEYBALL QU 3, St. Francis (NY) 2 – Saturday Brittanie Robinson: 11 kills, 28 digs Kayla Lawler: 47 assists LIU 3, QU 0 – Sunday Tracy Wright: 10 digs Lawler: 20 assists WOMEN’S SOCCER QU 4, FDU 2 – Friday Furtuna Velaj: 2 goals Beck Kiting: 2 assists
games to watch FIELD HOCKEY QU (6-4) vs. Saint Francis (Pa.) (2-10) – Sunday, noon WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY QU (1-1) vs. Maine (2-0) – Saturday, 1 p.m. WOMEN’S SOCCER QU (2-5-1) vs. Saint Francis (Pa.) (6-5) – Sunday, noon
Quinnipiac Bobcats Sports Network is your source for live broadcasts.
Follow @QUChronSports for live updates during games.
Spanos training for QU soccer Cypriot from Page 12 head coach Eric Da Costa found out about Spanos from him. Once the staff contacted Spanos, he was elated. “I can’t even explain the feeling ... very happy,” Spanos said. “I knew from the first email, he told me that I was on the team. That’s when I had made my decision to come here. It didn’t even take 10 seconds.” But when Spanos had to fill out the forms for the NCAA and for Quinnipiac, he ran into some obstacles. Because he was on the professional Olympiakos Nicosia team for one game, he was suspended for two games during the 2011 regular season. He found out about it before coming to school in an email from the NCAA. But the suspension turned out to be the least of Spanos’s problems. Initially, Spanos was told he only needed to submit his university transcript when he wanted to come to Quinnipiac, which he did. “I had spoken to the NCAA and they said we only need what Quinnipiac asks for, so I came here and everything was fine,” Spanos said. Then the athletic department told his family that it needed to submit Spanos’ SAT scores and his high school transcripts. After back-and-forth calls between Spanos’ family and the NCAA, he submitted them, but then there was a miscommunication that cost him a chance to play in
college this season. Despite his high university GPA, the NCAA instead looked at Spanos’s 2.4 GPA when he attended American International School in Cyprus. After weeks without a ruling when he was able to practice with the team, Da Costa informed him Sept. 27 that the NCAA ruled him ineligible to play this season. “To be honest I thought it was all going to be OK this season, I thought it was going to be fine,” Spanos said. “When Coach told me I wasn’t eligible, of course it got me down. Just the fact that I could train at the beginning and then I couldn’t and now I can’t train at all or be with the team. “I knew of (the suspension) before I came here. They had sent me an email saying I was suspended for two games to start the season. They didn’t tell me that I wasn’t eligible to play at all.” Da Costa could not be reached for comment. Spanos said he is training individually right now, working out everyday like he would in Cyprus. “I can’t really do much now,” he said. “I work out every single day, I run. I try and stay fit, I try and kick a ball around as much as I can, but my main focus right now is on my studies until I’m allowed to play again.” Spanos said he thinks Da Costa believes he will be on the team for the spring season, and also thinks he will be cleared to play by then. “I am confident I will be able to play in the spring,” Spanos said.
October 5, 2011
A.D.: Club sports a priority NEW BLUE from Page 12 had about 40 people show up for that tryout alone, and we expect even more in the spring.” New Blue, however, is far from the average club team. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays consist of two-hour practices in the evening, with three hours of conditioning on Wednesdays. Games are on Saturdays, while Sundays and Mondays are dedicated to rest. Still, Monahan alongside his teammates and alumni are disappointed that the team is not an official part of the Quinnipiac Bobcats family. He says the team is pushing hard to be acknowledged as a club sport, and eventually as a NCAA Division I team. “With us starting in 2004, we’ve already done all of the things a new team would need to get started,” Monahan said. “I don’t think we’d need as much building as the women’s team needed.” In early 2010, Quinnipiac came under much fire by the U.S. District Court for not adhering to Title IX, which is a federal requirement that says schools must issue an equal amount of sports scholarships for both male and female athletes. In need of more female varsity sports, the university attempted to add cheerleading as an official sport, though the court refused the request. Women's rugby was the next option. Another senior captain of New Blue, Jimmy Whelan, said that the addition of Division I women's rugby was a huge step for the sport at Quinnipiac. “Obviously we wanted to lead the way, but what [the women’s team] is doing is fantastic for the school,” Whelan said. Members of the New Blue squad
were present for the women’s team’s historic first home victory versus Marist on Sunday. The decision to support the Bobcats was a sign of the underlying unity that exists between both units, as the women’s team had also shown up the day prior to see New Blue defeat Trinity College, 405. “We were going to be here either way,” Whelan said following the conclusion of the women's contest. “It's important that we show each other support all the way.” While women’s head coach Becky Carlson did not attend the New Blue game, she did speak positively of them and their influence on the sport at the school. “We're certainly excited to have rugby here as a varsity sport,” Carlson said following her team’s 23-7 victory over Marist. “And the guys do a good job at setting an example for the school as well.” As to when club sports may be made part of the Quinnipiac athletic family, McDonald hinted at progress in the near future. “Currently, I, alongside other members of the Quinnipiac administration are working hard to have club sports in place soon. I won't say this year, but next academic school year is certainly not out of the question.” With promising times ahead for club sports, the long-awaited recognition that New Blue Rugby has believed they have been entitled to may soon come to fruition. Until that day, though, they will continue to play as they have been for 21 years. “The other teams we play, they’re all impressed," Monahan said. “We just have to keep doing what we've been doing and hope for the best."
October 5, 2011
The Quinnipiac Chronicle
Puck and ruck
Sports|11
CHARLOTTE GREENE, Matt Eisenberg/Chronicle
Clockwise from top left: Freshman forward Matthew Peca skates around a defender during Sunday’s 5-2 victory in an exhibition game against Acadia. Senior prop Marie Pescatore pummels through two defenders in women’s rugby’s first-ever home game Sunday. Senior forward Kevin Bui evades a defender and takes a shot on net in the third period of Sunday’s game.
by the numbers
15
Career shutouts by women’s ice hockey goalie victoria vigilanti.
10
Points scored by senior stephanie hasher in women’s rugby’s first home game.
Connor Jones Men’s ice hockey Forward
ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Sophomore Montrose, B.C.
Jones scored two goals in the Bobcats’ 5-2 exhibition victory over Acadia on Sunday. His twin brother, Kellen, assisted on each goal, and Connor’s second goal came short-handed. The Bobcats begin their regular season on Friday at Ohio State.
Stephanie Hasher Women’s rugby Outside center
Senior Bayport, NY.
Hasher led the Bobcats with a team-high two tries and 10 points in a 23-7 victory in their first home game against Marist on Saturday. Hasher sealed the victory for the Bobcats with her first try with 1:30 left in the first half. The Bobcats will host Vassar on Saturday at Alumni Field.
47
season-high assists by kayla lawler in women’s volleyball’s win over St. francis (ny).
5
goals scored by senior women’s soccer player furtuna velaj. The rest of the team has five combined.
29
Season-high in digs by tracy wright in women’s volleyball’s 3-2 win over st. francis (ny) on saturday. Matt Eisenberg/Chronicle
Matt Eisenberg/Chronicle
The Quinnipiac Chronicle
12|Sports coach’s corner
October 5, 2011
Sports FLYING HIGH
“This kind of proves that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”
quchronicle.com/sports sports@QUChronicle.com @QUChronSports
— Becky carlson women’s rugby coach
Women’s rugby wins first-ever home game By Jon alba Staff Writer
"Let's go Bobcats!" could be heard throughout the Quinnipiac campus on Sunday afternoon. Not for a volleyball game. Not even for a field hockey contest. Rather, a new fall sport at Quinnipiac. “I’ve been waiting 10 years to see something like this,” Quinnipiac head coach Becky Carlson said. “Rugby at Quinnipiac now looks like a marketable product.” Instead, fans wearing "inaugural game" yellow T-shirts flooded Alumni Field to watch the Quinnipiac women's rugby team win its first home game in school history, as the Bobcats defeated Marist 23-7. Stephanie Hasher, Jacqueline Lilly and Allison Gnys combined for four tries for the Bobcats, who have won two straight games – their first-ever winning streak . Quinnipiac made history at 12:02 p.m. as QU kicked off to Marist coming off its first loss of the season versus Rutgers on Sept. 18. The Red Foxes controlled the field early on, as five Bobcat penalties in the first few minutes of play aided in giving Marist an ideal field position. However, the Bobcats struck with 25 minutes left to play in the first-half, as Lilly, a sophomore scrum-half, converted on a try that put Quinnipiac (2-2, 2-1 MetNY) on top 5-0. Hasher added another try for the Bobcats before the end of the
By Jon alba Staff Writer
Charlotte Greene/Chronicle
Sophomore Allison Gnys is lifted into the air as she tries to catch the ball during a line-out in Sunday’s 23-7 victory over Marist. half. For the rest of the match, Marist found itself outmatched by a lively Quinnipiac defense and aggressive offensive attack. Hasher scored four minutes into the second half and Gnys tallied a try late. Even as sophomore Heather Carr scored for Marist (1-2, 1-2) with 23 minutes to play in the second half, the Bobcats never looked back and cruised to their second win. Carlson praised her team's performance.
“This kind of proves that hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard,” Carlson said. “I’d call this one a collective effort.” One of the reasons that the Bobcats were able to succeed in particular was due to their defensive effort. After allowing 75 combined points to Rutgers and Eastern Illinois to start the season, Quinnipiac has only let up 12 over the past two contests. “We have hit it a thousand times on defense,” Carlson said. “We shut
them down on defense so we can hit it up with our offense.” Being the first home game, it was the chance to prove the fans that women's rugby is legitimate that consumed Hasher's mind. “We've been working so hard. This was our time to show everyone what we've been working on,” Hasher said. Quinnipiac will face a difficult Vassar team Saturday at Alumni Field.
NCAA strips Cypriot of QU soccer eligibility By Matt Eisenberg Associate Sports Editor
Marcos Spanos will never forget his first professional soccer experience, even though he has yet to play collegiate soccer. What was a breakthrough moment for Spanos turned into a large hurdle to play in America for the Cypriot soccer player. Spanos, a freshman from Cyprus, was originally on the Quinnipiac men’s soccer team, but due to NCAA rules and some miscommunication between him, the school and the NCAA, he is unable to play soccer this year. “It was frustrating,” Spanos said. Spanos came to Quinnipiac two years removed from high school not only for a chance to get a better education and play soccer, but also to leave behind the conflict in Cyprus. According to Spanos, the Cypriot high school system requires high school graduates to serve two years in the military since the island is currently at war. The Turks invaded Cyprus in 1974, and the country has been divided ever since.
New Blue strives for QU colors
Spanos described his experience as “not good.” “You’re 17 years old and given a gun and all training and stuff,” Spanos said. “It’s not great. … No one wants to do it.” Spanos would normally serve 11 hours per day his first year, waking up at around 6 a.m. for intense training. Through learning basic training and how to handle weapons, he said the most difficult part was leaving his comfort zone. “Being 17 and in the army and having to take orders … you’re going somewhere where no one wants to be and you pick up everyone’s feelings of not wanting to be there,” Spanos said. Spanos is reserved about his experience in the Cypriot military, but in his second year he spent more time at the University of Nicosia, where he accrued 19 credits and finished the semester with a 3.6 GPA. While attending school, he was able to spend less time training and more time in class and playing soccer. He played for Olympiakos Nicosia, which has a U15, U17 and U21 club along with a professional team.
Charlotte Greene/Chronicle
New Blue Rugby’s Jimmy Cappadoro leads cheers at Sunday’s women’s rugby match.
really explain, to be honest. It’s unbelievable.” Spanos’s high school trainer was the trainer for Quinnipiac assistant coach Christopher Bart-Williams when he played in Cyprus, and then
Even with the inability to participate as a university-recognized group, New Blue Rugby’s efforts over the past two decades has not gone unnoticed. “Club sports is on the priority list, and there’s many of us who think men’s rugby is on the top of the list,” McDonald said. “That can be attributed to their long-standing desire, excellent organization, and their professionalism.” Formed in 1990 solely as a club team, the rugby squad made its New Blue name official in 2004, but was relatively passive in attempting to expand its following. The aforementioned article referred to them as one of Quinnipiac's “hidden gems.” Brian Monahan, one of this year’s senior captains who has been playing since the fall semester of his freshman year, says that recognition of the team is growing. “We had a pretty good showing in the fall,” Monahan said of the open tryouts the team hosted. “We
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Photo courtesy of Marcos Spanos
Spanos played soccer in Cyprus but isn’t eligible for play at QU. Spanos spent most of his time playing for the U21 team, but played one game for the pro team. He played most of the game as a defensive midfielder. The team won 2-0 and it’s something he won’t forget. “It’s playing with the pros,” Spanos said. “It’s a feeling I can’t
Six years ago, the Chronicle published a story about New Blue Rugby, a club rugby team that held no affiliation with the school. The article mentioned how despite its best efforts, the team could not get recognition from the university. Today, Quinnipiac still refuses to acknowledge the New Blue Rugby organization. And still, the team is fighting to wear blue and yellow. The issue that stands between New Blue Rugby and affiliation with the school is one that blocks the way for many other sports on campus. Currently, Quinnipiac does not recognize club sports teams. Quinnipiac Director of Athletics and Recreation Jack McDonald thinks that this may soon change. “At this point, I think it’s public knowledge that the university is undergoing a study that may lead to us bringing in club sports,” McDonald said.