Quinnipiac School of Communications launches QU in NYC program
By AVA HIGHLAND Associate News Editor
In fall 2025, the Quinnipiac University School of Communications is launching a semester-long program: QU in NYC. Students will experience New York City culture while holding an internship as well as attending events and programs.
The program serves as the New York version of QU in LA, which still remains as an option for students.
“There’s so much media and communications that takes place in New York, it’s kind of the epicenter for the industry,” Nadine Barnett Cosby, dean of the School of Communications, said.
With so much to learn from the culture and resources in the city, students are given an opportunity they may have otherwise not had.
“I think a huge benefit is to be able to gain experience at communications and media companies in New York City while they’re still students,” Barnett Cosby said. “Offering that opportunity for students to experience that rich global culture of New York is always a benefit, really for anyone.”
Students are required to secure an internship, as well as have at least 57 credits, a 3.0 GPA and pass COM 201. These requirements ensure they are at a steady pace, academically speaking.
“We don’t want to add on to their academic load,” Barnett Cosby said. “So it’s making sure they’re in good standing academically with their GPA.”
Outside of their internship, students will also be able to further explore the city and communications field through programming, events, talks and workshops.
Holding these internships in New York will give students the kind of hands-on and real world experience they will need for their early career just
See NEW YORK Page 2
New Master’s in Informatics program welcomes all undergraduate majors
By ALEXANDRA MARTINAKOVA Editor-In-Chief
Quinnipiac University revealed its new Masters of Informatics program, which, starting fall 2025, is open to students with any prior bachelor’s degree.
“It’s a very broad field that opens a lot of doors,” said Chetan Jaiswal, associate professor of computer science and now the program director. “It’s data and information related to several different aspects.”
Informatics is defined as the study, design and development of information technology that generates, stores, processes and presents information, according to Egnyte Enterprise.
Quinnipiac’s program consists of 30 credits that students can take across one or two years.
“The launch of the MS in Informatics program at Quinnipiac’s School of Computing and Engineering marks an exciting step forward in preparing our students for the date-driven future,” wrote Taskin Kocak, dean of the School of Computing and Engineering in an email to The Chronicle. “We have been working two years to develop this truly interdisciplinary program, bringing together four schools, to offer a diverse and comprehensive curriculum. We are thrilled to offer this opportunity
and look forward to seeing the impact our graduates will make.”
According to Quinnipiac’s website, this program provides students with hands-on projects and exposure to real-world challenges that promote collaborative, interdisciplinary learning opportunities.
To start off, students coming into this program will take three mandatory courses to learn programming, how to store and manage data and data information, security and ethics. After that, the student gets a choice from three different concentrations — health, legal and data.
Health informatics is a relatively new interdisciplinary field in the healthcare industry that uses information technology to organize and analyze health records for improved healthcare outcomes, according to Northeastern University.
Legal informatics refers to the application of computer techniques and emerging technologies within the field of legal practice, which includes the use of law firm management software, legal process automation, predictive jurisprudence and much more, according to LegalProd.
Quinnipiac is one of the few universities that offer this specific subfield of informatics as a masters program.
“We’re the third or fourth school that is actually offering this,” Jaiswal said. “This is a brand new thing. It’s connected to technology, that gives it a much stronger foundation. It’s very ambitious and very futuristic.”
Since it combines different disciplines, the faculty for this program will be made up of professors with backgrounds in law, health sciences, computing, data and cybersecurity.
This program is what has been missing from Quinnipiac, according to Jaiswal.
“I think that data and information should be a part of everyone’s curriculum no matter what your major is,” Jaiswal said. “Because we are living in this age where data and simple programming should be part of everyone’s curriculum. We want to make sure that our graduates are equipped with all these new technologies and literacy in terms of data itself, because data is money. We didn’t have any master’s program that deals with data as a general concept.”
The demand for this has been great, since it is one of the few STEM master’s programs that does not require a STEM bachelor’s degree.
“I think everyone should do this master’s program because no matter what your domain is, you’re always going to be dealing with data,” Jaiswal said. “I think ev -
eryone has a part to play in this program. It touches the life of every major. It has a potential to be very, very successful.”
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Chetan Jaiswal, associate professor of computer science, is now the program director for the Informatics program as well.
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Money School teaches students important financial skills
By CHLOE GRANT Staff Writer
On March 1, Quinnipiac’s Micro Course Initiative (MCI) hosted Money School — a one credit course designed to teach students and members of the surrounding community financial education and skills.
The event hosted close to 30 participants and was led by sociology professor and director of MCI, Keith Kerr. It provided participants with in person workshops discussing topics such as saving, spending and debt. The event also allowed students and community members to speak with professionals on important financial topics.
As Money School commenced with icebreakers and light chatter, several students discussed how with lack of knowledge of the course, they decided to sign up for Money School in order to fulfill a credit. However in doing so, they hoped to learn something new about their financial endeavors.
“I’m hoping to gain more financial knowledge because I’m not really knowledgeable about the topic,” said first-year law and society major Aishe Asani. I definitely will use it for things like future income and whatnot, just like better understanding taxes.”
Kerr began by discussing the inspiration behind Money School, as well as the origin story of his course and how he got there.
“I built the very first course I ran inside Connecticut prisons during 2020 that eventually developed into a three credit course that I run here on campus. This semester, I figured, why not try to run a one day event that students could get credit for, that ACT comes in and actually delivers themselves,” Kerr said.
The discussion followed various topics as Kerr went on to explain his agenda and what he hoped to accomplish in hosting this event.
“I just want to offer a space and a time where people can get some messages that are important for everybody,” Kerr said. “Basic financial sorts of information are going to be very, very important to help protect wealth, help to grow wealth, and for most people in America, simply to make ends meet in a given month so they can pay their bills and get their kids taken care of and whatnot.”
Community member and English professor at Gateway Community College, Mary Walsh explained how she too understands the importance of basic financial knowledge. After initially discovering the event on the Hamden Patch, Walsh explains how she chose to attend Money School in hopes of broadening her knowledge on the subject
“Business knowledge is so valuable today that I thought, you know, it’d be good for me to
just kind of get over here to see what Keith had to say,” Walsh said.
Elaborating on the simplicity of understanding financial information, Kerr shared an anecdote he had in Urban Outfitters.
“I was in Urban Outfitters and they had this book, probably two inches thick, and it was called ‘The Complete Guide to Weight Loss,’” Kerr said. “All that was printed across the middle was eat less, move more, and if you think about how complicated we try to make dieting, it really all comes down to that. And at the end of the day, anybody can learn basic finance, because it comes down to, how do I spend less money and save more of it? And it’s that simple.”
Later in the event Orlando Marquez, ACT volunteer money coach and Director of Lending and Deposits for Cencap Federal Credit Union, spoke to students in attendance. He led a discussion about secured and unsecured credit.
Kerr also points out how all there is to understanding financial information is people thinking about it and talking about it, and that the earlier you start doing so the greater chance you have. Kerr then closes by sharing some words of wisdom for participants to remember.
“It’s never too late to start practicing good, sound, financial sorts of actions with the money that one has,” Kerr said.
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“Back in 2020, I was doing work inside Connecticut prisons,” Kerr said. “I was looking one morning trying to find out more financial stuff to talk to my seniors about, and decided I was going to come up on campus because I needed to get some stuff in my office. So I snuck on and I found a stack of letters. In that stack of letters were two letters that had been written by guys that I was teaching on the inside, and both of the letters were saying, ‘Can you please offer us basic financial education? We need it here.’”
Kerr elaborated on his work in Connecticut prisons and why he believes there’s a huge need within enforcement populations for basic financial advice. His efforts working in these settings eventually flourished into Money School.
out of school and beyond.
“I would feel really happy and really proud of what we’ve done if our students are getting more internships, better internship experiences, if they’re getting job offers because sometimes that’s the huge thing,” Barnett Cosby said. “It’s really just having access to people and companies to be able to network, to be able to make an impression.”
As for housing, students have several options. Quinnipiac has partnered with a housing company, Educational Housing Services (EHS), which specializes in housing students and interns. The company is providing two locations within the city, Brooklyn and Manhattan. In both locations, they will be housed with other college students, providing an added networking experience.
“As part of the EHS community, you’ll have access to a bundle of impressive amenities including free wifi, central air conditioning, fitness centers, 24-hour security and more,” according to their website. “All EHS residents also enjoy access to EHS’ exclusive Student Life program, which includes trips to Broadway shows, Yankees games, food festivals and more.”
The Brooklyn location functions as a typical residence hall. The building has resident assistants, who plan several activities throughout the semester, as well as a fitness center and a mail center.
Each room is similar to a dorm room, with two beds and desks, a full-sized fridge and a bathroom. The building also sits on the same block as the subway, allowing for easy access to
other locations in the city.
The second location available to students is located in Manhattan at the New Yorker Hotel. Students choosing to live in one of the city locations have the option to select their roommate if a friend or peer is in the program as well.
Having housing locations in two separate parts of the city provides students with the option of experiencing different atmospheres of New York City.
“So it really is like ‘do you want that living among the chaos vibe (in Manhattan)’ or Brooklyn is much more peaceful and quieter,” Lila Carney, School of Communications Director of Career Development, said.
Aside from housing in New York, students have additional options. They can remain on campus and commute to their internship in the city. Or, if they live close enough, they can live at home for the semester and commute as well. Both of these options add a layer of flexibility to the program that is not possible in LA.
“There are some financial, some geographic barriers that make (LA) less of an option for some of our students, and that was a concern too,” Barnett Cosby said. “How can we in a way duplicate this program in a way that’s more accessible to a larger number of students.
Unlike the LA program, there will be no ground director in New York. Instead, it will be managed from campus by Barnett Cosby, Carney and other faculty and staff.
As the program is still in a planning phase and brand new, certain aspects will develop and be learned along the way. With the close proximity to the city from Hamden, Barnett Cosby hopes to have faculty travel into the city to teach a weekly course once a week. This could also be
an opportunity possibly offered to faculty that already commutes from New York.
“Maybe we also have faculty rotate to kind of supervise the different trips and things that are happening, cultural events happening on a weekly basis in New York,” Barnett Cosby said. “That’s the part that’s still in development, but it’s exciting because it’ll create a lot of different opportunities that don’t currently exist.”
While there are no events officially planned yet, Barnett Cosby looks at anything from tours of media companies to panel sessions with professionals in the industry.
“There are a lot of cultural events in New York that make sense and tie into the student experience in New York, as well as tying into communications and the industry,” Barnett Cosby said.
With The Big Apple being a hub for jobs in the communications field, both Barnett Cosby and Carney see this new program to give students an early experience into where they might be, come graduation.
“I think our students are going to have an amazing experience just living in New York and seeing what a glimpse of what life after graduation will be like if they want to do the New York thing,” Carney said. “I think for a lot of students, they’re going to fall in love with it and really have some clarity on what they want to do.”
On the other hand, students may come to find that New York is not for them. Whatever the outcome, however, the program is geared toward having a unique experience and preparation for their career.
“I think it will give students clarity on what their post graduation goals are, and that’s what I’m hoping for,” Carney said.
TYLER MIGNAULT/CHRONICLE
Orlando Marquez, ACT volunteer money coach and Director of Lending and Deposits for Cencap Federal Credit Union, speaks to students about secured and unsecured credit at the Money School event on March 1, 2025.
NEW YORK from cover
Proposed creative writing certification to begin during fall 2025 semester
By CARLEIGH BECK Associate News Editor
Quinnipiac University’s English Department proposed a new certificate of creative writing, set to launch in the fall 2025 semester, to encourage non-English majors to pursue their interests in creative writing.
The program would require students to take nine credits of creative writing courses, one of which must be a 200-level course, and another at the 300-level. There is a range of courses that are available to students in the program, allowing them to write poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction.
The courses students can take as a part of this program include Advanced Creative Nonfiction and Intro to Writing Poetry. No new courses will be added for this program and all of the classes are in-person.
Jason Koo, a professor of English and the director of creative writing at Quinnipiac, will lead the program.
“We see a lot of non-(English) majors take Intro to Writing Poetry, Intro to Fiction and Intro to Creative Nonfiction, but those students don’t usually sign up for our advanced classes in each genre,” Koo wrote in an email to The Chronicle. “We want to incentivize those students to do so, along with English majors who are interested in developing their creative writing skills.”
Although three courses is the minimum
number of courses students must take to complete the certification, they are encouraged to take more.
“We believe there are a lot of really talented creative writers at Quinnipiac who might benefit from the certificate program because it would push them to realize that they are, in fact, writers who can succeed professionally (i.e. publish their work),” Koo wrote.
Students who participate in the program would be required to read their creative writing pieces at a public event held by the English department at the end of the year.
Koo, alongside English professors Bessie Flores Zaldivar and Valerie Smith, would teach the courses that will help students obtain the certification.
The College of Arts and Sciences’ Curriculum and Pedagogy Committee unanimously approved the proposed certificate in late January. Recently, the program was approved by Connecticut’s Senate, which is the last stage of the process of bringing the program to Quinnipiac.
“Even if students pursuing the certificate don’t become professional writers, they will no doubt strengthen their writing and interpersonal skills (via workshopping) in ways that would benefit them in any career path,” Koo wrote.
Hispanic and Latin American Studies major seeks new students
By COLIN KENNEDY Managing Editor
Officially rolled out in 2023, Quinnipiac University’s Hispanic and Latin American Studies major hasn’t seen widespread interest across the community. But recent efforts are trying to raise awareness about the benefits the program can bring to any student in the university.
“Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world,” Professor of Spanish Aileen Dever said. “So, we really would like to open those doors and windows and minds for students to really see more than they have.”
On Feb. 28, Dever and Professor of Modern Languages Luis Arata held an information session for the relatively new program.
“Some of the main objectives of the major are to bring students up into the advanced level of speaking Spanish, and also to provide them with a really wonderful background in the cultures of the Spanish speaking people,” Dever said.
The BA in Hispanic and Latin American Studies appeals to students with a passion for the Spanish language as well as students with a vested interest in the culture, literature, art and history of Hispanic and Latin American nations, according to Quinnipiac University.
Despite the flexibility to be added on as a double major, the program only had two students enrolled in the fall 2024 semester, according to the university. Dever believes this is due to an overall lack of interest in learning a new language across the country.
“I think it is a trend nationally, where language departments are struggling for various reasons,” Dever said. “There’s this idea that with English you can get along with anyone in the world. However, know -
ing someone’s language is that bridge to being able to help people, to reach out to people. It’s also very important to know about cultures that are different from your own. It’s a statement about how people view others in the world, when we are willing to take that time and understand the importance and the richness and the value of learning about other peoples and cultures.”
Dever and her department hosted the information session to raise more awareness and shine a light on the program — even if you’re not a native speaker of another language.
“This major is very flexible as a double major,” Dever said. “We would really welcome students who would like to put a star
on their resume and really enhance it by adding this 30 credit major.”
A key part of the program is the study abroad opportunities that it offers to let students use what they learn in the classroom in different countries across the globe.
“We really like to encourage study abroad,” Dever said. “We have a wonderful Office of Cultural and Global Engagement with trips all over the world. In fact, we have a trip that (Senior Director of Global Learning) Erin Sabato is leading. It’s Spanish 215 — Spanish for Business. The application deadline is March 15. And this takes students to Chile, for example. It’s just a really beautiful opportunity to see that coun -
try. We do have a wonderful immersion program, once again, through the Department of Cultural and Global Engagement in Salamanca, Spain, that includes summer immersion for four to five weeks. Students can earn credits for this in Spanish, and it is a wonderful option, let’s say, for student athletes who might not have the option of going during the semester, so they can go in the summer.”
The program is also in the midst of developing partnerships to offer internships as part of the curriculum.
Dever believes that the program can only help to boost a student’s resume, as becoming fluent in another language, especially Spanish, opens up doors not previously available after graduation.
“There are many (opportunities) from teaching, we have majors who have gone into pursuing law school, law enforcement, government work, FBI, CIA, tourist industry, tour guides, cruise ships, park tours in different national parks, “ Dever said. “So there are really endless possibilities that you can give yourself in a very competitive market, you’re looking for different ways to stand out. Having intercultural knowledge and having linguistic knowledge is one of those very important ways to do that.”
The Hispanic and Latin American Studies major is also easily cross-listed across multiple schools, including History and English courses.
“I would say try it out,” Dever said. “Quinnipiac does offer a lot, and I would truly, in the best sense of this expression, I would take advantage of everything that the university has. One of those things is to add a double major onto your program.”
TYLER MIGNAULT/CHRONICLE
English professor and Director of Creative Writing Jason Koo speaks at his book reading and discussion on Sept. 26, 2024.
GEORGE MADDALONI/CHRONICLE
Quinnipiac professor of modern languages Luis Arata explains the Hispanic and Latin American Studies major to students inside the Echlin Center on the Mount Carmel Campus on Feb. 28.
Opinion
Cena finally sucks
Why John Cena’s heel turn makes perfect sense
By BEN BUSILLO Opinion Editor
Twenty years of heroism — WWE superstar John Cena’s run as the superman of the organization has come to an end.
Cena’s heel turn at Elimination Chamber was not just shocking — it was the culmination of a masterclass in storytelling, with one of the most dramatic betrayals in WWE history.
For years, wrestling fans always wanted to see an evil Cena, and March 1, they got it.
Leading up to this moment, the all powerful Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson had gone from despising WWE Champion Cody Rhodes before WrestleMania 40 to offering him an opportunity to sell him his “soul.” This confused some fans at the time, but The Rock’s intentions started to be very clear, he wanted Cody to be his “corporate champion.”
As a member of WWE’s board of directors, The Rock showered Rhodes with extravagant gifts, including a custom “American Nightmare” themed Ford Raptor and an exclusive backstage lounge, showing him everything he could have if he accepted the offer and gave The Rock control of his every move.
While Rhodes remained undecided, he had many wrestlers in his ear about what he should do. The Miz warned him backstage on an episode of Smackdown that he should take the deal — because if he did not, “maybe someone else will.”
This all built up to the main event of Elimination Chamber. The match itself was brutal, with Cena outlasting five other superstars to earn his opportunity at a record-breaking 17th world championship in the main event of WrestleMania 41.
The true shock came after the match. Rhodes
came out to congratulate Cena, then found himself standing face to face with The Rock, who was accompanied by rapper Travis Scott, adding even more spectacle to the moment.
The Rock made one final attempt to sway Rhodes, reminding him of the power, wealth and security he could have if he accepted the offer. Rhodes, standing tall as the people’s champion, defiantly rejected him.
“I gave my soul to this ring and these people a long time ago,” Rhodes said while staring down The Rock. Then, with a thunderous response from the crowd, he added, “Hey Rock, go fuck yourself.” The first uncensored F bomb in WWE I think I’ve ever seen live.
Part of me wanted to see Rhodes accept the offer, and become a Homelander type villian, but I didn’t see the bigger picture.
The moment was electric. The fans were
fully behind Rhodes, and The Rock’s expression shifted from optimism to cold calculation. Rhodes turned to Cena, the man who had just won the Chamber match, and the two embraced in the middle of the ring. It was a moment of respect, or so it seemed. Cena’s trademark smile faded into a chilling, blank stare. He slowly raised his head and looked up to The Rock, who ran his fingers across his throat, signaling what was to come.
Without hesitation, Cena drove his boot into Rhodes’ groin, stunning the entire arena. Along with The Rock and Scott, Cena unleashed a brutal assault on Rhodes. It was awesome.
The relentless beat down left Rhodes bloodied and broken, while Cena stood over him, now fully aligned with The Rock’s vision. It was a betrayal of historic proportions, a moment that rewrote WWE history in an instant.
After clobbering Rhodes with his own championship belt, Cena stared out into the crowd rasing up the hardware to a sea of cheers, boos and middle fingers.
Cena’s motivations were clear. He was a company man who always did the right thing, putting over new talent left and right. Now on his retirement tour, he has sold out to make wrestling history.
To break kayfabe for a second, wrestling lingo for the fourth wall, the WWE needed to do something about WrestleMania 41. A babyface vs. babyface match up between Rhodes and Cena would of course sell tickets, but it needed a switch up. Nobody was looking forward to a predictable and boring feud between two good guys.
Cena is no longer the full-time face of the WWE, that distinction belongs to Rhodes. Cena doesn’t have creative boundaries to where he has to be this Superman like character — he’s on his way out and can do whatever he wants.
Aligning Cena with his old rival, creates the landscape for Rhodes to explode into superstardom, the level of which The Rock and Cena are now. This also gives Cena a justifiable case to win the WWE championship storyline wise. Now it won’t be just a washed up old man going around and parading the “greatest hits.” This is a hungry, egomaniac who is ready to do anything to win, somthing we’ve never seen in the 23 years he’s been in WWE.
It’s not just a farwell tour anymore, it’s the perfect finale.
The world will be glued to their televisions on the road to WrestleMania 41, and this move is the sole reason.
Take advantage of the Learning Commons
By OLIVIA MASTROMARINO Staff Writer
Nestled within the north wing of Arnold Bernhard Library on Quinnipiac University’s Mount Carmel Campus lies a cornerstone of academic support: the Learning Commons. This dedicated space embodies the university’s commitment to fostering student success through a comprehensive suite of peerassisted learning programs and professional academic services.
Central to the Learning Commons’ mission is its peer academic support system which is designed to complement faculty instruction and enhance the students’ learning experience. This system is anchored by two key programs, peer catalysts and peer tutors.
Peer catalysts primarily support and focus on first-year students. They usually focus on first-year seminar programs. “Peer catalysts serve as facilitators of student learning and as observers of student behaviors and attitudes” according to the Quinnipiac University Academic Catalog. They facilitate in-class discussions, lead group projects and collaborate closely with faculty to design engaging learning activities.
Their role extends beyond the classroom, as they mentor students in developing effective study habits and transitioning smoothly into university life.
Peer tutors are also available at the Learning Commons.
“Peer tutors are nationally certified individuals who offer personalized assistance across a wide range of subjects,” according to the Quinnipiac University Academic Catalog.
These students tutor subjects from introductory 100 level courses to advanced 300 level classes.
This even supports many graduate programs. Students can schedule one-on-one or small group “study sessions” to delve into challenging course material, refine their understanding and develop tailored study strategies.
Moreover, the Learning Commons emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and the intent of learning. By encouraging students to reflect on their academic experiences. The Learning Commons promotes the develop-
ment of critical thinking skills.
Inclusivity is a cornerstone of the Learning Commons’ philosophy. The Learning Commons is accessible to anybody on campus. It is a welcoming space where all students, faculty and staff come together to learn, collaborate, and share ideas. No matter your background, skill level, or your major/ field of study, you are encouraged to use the resources available.
The Learning Commons is for everyone and is one of the most useful resources on campus. The Learning Commons offers support for research, technology, and group work. The Learning Commons ensures that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed in their academics. They are designed to be a safe, open and supportive environment where diversity is
valued and feels heard.
There’s multiple programs that are dedicated to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to all university programs and services. The Learning Commons also collaborates with students and provides reasonable accommodations tailored to individual needs and has an environment where students can thrive academically and socially.
The Learning Commons was instrumental in navigating the challenges of my first yearyear, particularly during midterms and finals. It was a chance to sit down and be calm, but also study. It was a space where I didn’t feel judged or rushed.
The opportunity to engage and learn from tutors who have been in my position here at Quinnipiac and who could relate to my experience made a significant difference in my academic journey so far.
The Learning Commons at Quinnipiac stands as a testament to the institution’s dedication to student success. Through a harmonious blend of peer-led programs and professional support services, it creates a nurturing environment where students are empowered to reach their full potential.
By collaborating more with students, inclusivity and a commitment to academic excellence, the Learning Commons not only enhances the students’ education, but also prepares students to navigate the complexities of the world.
ILLUSTRATION BY BEN BUSILLO
QUINN O’NIELL/CHRONICLE
The Learning Commons sits in the north wing of the Arnold Bernhard Library on Mount Carmel Campus.
By LILLIAN CURTIN Associate Opinion Editor
Misinformation is anywhere and everywhere. It’s hard to know what’s real and what’s not especially on social media.
I consider myself to be a hopeless romantic. I love a good love story, whether it be in a show, movie or book. But, it’s easy for me to tell the difference between actors and their amazing skills versus the “true love” we see in a performance.
Some people seem to have a hard time with that.
It’s only natural for some people to hold out hope for a potential couple. But it crosses a line when “fans” get obsessive.
They’ll send hate to the desired couple’s real life significant others, they’ll start baseless cheating rumors and make problematic videos designed to make it seem like there’s more to what’s just in front of the camera.
They’ll find the smallest hints of offcamera chemistry and fixate on that. More often than not, there’s nothing to fixate on.
Maybe I’m a little sensitive to this because I have a lot of guy friends that are just exactly that: friends. I get mad when anyone even insinuates that we’d ever be something more because I’ve experienced first-hand what outside commentary about platonic relationships can do to romantic ones.
Not only are fan-favorite “ships” extremely uncomfortable for everyone involved, it completely screws up the onscreen chemistry between actors. They’re
Bobcat
Opinion
Stop shipping co-stars
real people too. They’re not their characters and were not made for you to pick apart their private lives to fit your fantasies.
For selfish reasons, I’ll admit, nothing makes me more annoyed than watching my favorite characters lose their spark because their actors’ friendship was destroyed. Fans will catch on and blame the actors, when in reality it’s their fault for destroying that chemistry.
One situation that comes to mind is “Outer Banks” stars Rudy Pankow and Madison Bailey, who had a seemingly great friendship. Then, fans took it too far and shipped the two, even though both were in relationships. Now, with rumors of a “feud,” fans blame Rudy Pankow’s girlfriend for ruining the friendship. If there is a “feud,” it was because of the fans getting
obsessive and trying to feed into their parasocial fascinations.
Then, there are the celebrities that did date, and then broke up. The shipping should stop there.
Yet, of course, it doesn’t.
I was disappointed when Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev broke up. Eight-yearold me got over it though. Why? Because why would you mourn a relationship of people you don’t even know? Some people still sit and take the time to make edits and videos of the two. It’s been 12 years since they broke up, Nina is engaged, and Ian is married with kids.
It’s incredible how some people still try to start rumors that there’s a marital rift between Ian and his wife Nikki Reed, just
because they’re still hooked on a relationship from over a decade ago, that they had nothing to do with.
Fans will go on to even compare previous partners and current partners. Whether it be how they look, or couple interactions, they’ll pick apart every detail worse than a licensed couple counselor and it’s harmful.
Rumors like these can be detrimental to anyone’s relationship. If I were told my significant other would look better with someone else, then I kept hearing about it, and then everyone started comparing us, I think I would go crazy.
Like I also said before, I get irritated when someone comments about me and my guy friends being anything more than friends. Needless to say, I can’t imagine that all on the internet with thousands of people pressuring us. It’d be unbelievably uncomfortable. People would be hurting a friendship just because they want entertainment. It would obviously cause a lot of harm to any relationship, so why are we treating celebrity relationships like they are something to play with? They’re real people and this can affect them just as much as it would a high school or college student.
If you’re one of those people going out of your way to harass celebrities, please turn off all of your devices and go reintroduce yourself to nature and actual relationships, because spending your free time obsessing over people you don’t know and their relationships is concerning and unhealthy.
Quinnipiac’s brick dilemma
By NEVE WILSON Staff Writer
When I first toured Quinnipiac I was overwhelmed by the brick everywhere — academic buildings, dorms, even walkways. In my dorm, Mountainview Residence Hall, there is lots of exposed brick in the hallways and an entire courtyard paved with them, including brick outdoor tables. On the Mount Carmel Campus Quad, bricks form pathways that intersect and lead to each of the buildings.
Over time, the bricks have grown on me aesthetically, but they leave much to be desired in terms of practicality. Firstly, the pathway bricks break all the time. They crack, chip and deteriorate under the feet, scooters, skateboards and roller backpacks of thousands of students and faculty.
Because of this, I constantly see maintenance workers out redoing the bricks, especially near the Bobcat Den (known as The Rat) and the Recreation
and Wellness center. Over Thanksgiving break, they redid an entire section of the path outside of the School of Business, taking advantage of the fact that the quad was deserted.
The brick crosswalks on Bobcat Way are faring especially poorly because they get driven over by cars. The limited parking spaces in Bobcat Way also got new signs that reminded cars not to loiter, and that installation required the brick to be ripped up intentionally. There were an obnoxious amount of signs that were blocking the sidewalks so they got pulled up and moved before disappearing again like a bad magic trick. Now there are small potholes on the sidewalk and it remains to be seen if the signs will reappear as the weather warms up.
Aside from the constant repairs, brick is even more problematic because it’s inaccessible for people with mobility issues and wheelchair users. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Sidewalk Requirements state that sidewalks should be paved with “smooth, durable material.” If brick is uneven or broken, it creates a tripping hazard (I myself almost wiped out in front of Echlin Center last week), wheels can get caught in them, and even intact brick causes wheelchair vibrations which travel up through the person’s body when wheels go over bumpy surfaces. Concerningly, wheelchair vibrations can cause neck and back pain, spasticity and pressure injuries. It certainly begs the question: do the pathway bricks need to be replaced with something more durable and safe? Should Quinnipiac’s construction in general be focused on what is broken rather than trying to add new features to draw in prospective students (such as The Grove and the new School of Business)? Next time you’re out on campus I urge you to pay attention to the surface you’re walking on and its many implications.
ILLUSTRATION BY KATERINA PARIZKOVA
ILLUSTRATION BY TRIPP MENHALL
A night of discontent: The 2025 Oscars leave fans frustrated with snubs and surprises
By Arts & Life Editor
While many people look forward to seeing the red-carpet glam and highly anticipated wins of the Oscars each year, the 2025 installment took viewers for a wild ride leaving them mostly disgruntled.
As an enthusiastic Ariana Grande fan, I was ecstatic to watch her and “Wicked” co-star Cynthia Erivo’s opening of the show. The actresses were nominated for best supporting actress and best actress, respectively. They performed a medley of “Wizard of Oz” themed tunes including “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Home” from “The Wiz” musical, then joined together for a duet of the iconic “Wicked” song “Defying Gravity.”
To no one’s surprise, they performed these vocal-heavy numbers effortlessly, captivating the audience and receiving a standing ovation.
It’s rare to see two such powerful voices dominate a stage at an award show that isn’t dedicated to music, but it was absolutely necessary after the duo displayed their talent on the big screen in November 2024.
Despite the massive press tours and beautiful performances by the “Wicked” cast, the film fell short in eight of the 10 categories it was nominated for, including best supporting actress and best actress. If Erivo had won best actress, she would have become a prestigious EGOT winner — someone who received an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award — making her only the 22nd person in history to do so and youngest ever.
After a media frenzy of strong opinions
Speaking of surprises, Timothée Chalamet didn’t win best actor for his role as singer Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown.” Although he didn’t have the outcome he hoped for, he seemed to be enjoying his time at the show, sharing plenty of PDA with media personality and
Instead, Adrien Brody won best actor for the low-budget favorite “The Brutalist” — his second win in this category 22 years after his first for “The Pianist.”
There is a lot of controversy surrounding Brody’s win after his acceptance speech went viral on social media. When he got on stage to accept his award, he spoke for nearly six minutes, when speeches are supposed to be 45 seconds long. When his allotted time was up and the orchestra rightfully began playing over him, he sternly told them to “turn the music off” — quite obnoxious and entitled if you ask me.
While nothing out of the ordinary occurred at this year’s award segment, like Will Smith slapping Chris Rock on stage or “La La Land” being mistakenly announced as best picture winner, the night was full of iconic moments, a star-studded red carpet and certainly, mixed opinions.
Honestly, after watching the SAG Awards, the snubs weren’t as shocking as I thought they were going to be. I was hoping “Wicked” would finally be recognized for its tremendous impact, but then again, the Academy has a lengthy history of overlooking films that don’t fit
The loss of Michelle Trachtenberg
By GRACE CONNEELY-NOLAN Associate Arts & Life Editor
On Feb. 26, the world lost an icon of the 2000s, an actress known for her sharp wit, trademark icy blue eyes and jet black hair, who became a staple on screen.
At the age of 39, Michelle Trachtenberg was found “unconscious and unresponsive” and pronounced dead in her Manhattan apartment, according to the New York Police Department.
The actress recently underwent a liver transplant and was rumored to have experienced complications, but her death is believed to be of natural causes and has not been ruled suspicious according to ABC.
Months before her death, Trachtenberg’s followers raised concerns about her wellbeing after she posted a selfie on Instagram in January 2024 where she reportedly looked “pale, gaunt” and “very thin.”
Fans in her comments speculated different health issues, commenting on her sudden weight loss, asking if she was on drugs or if she’d had any work done.
Trachtenberg shot right back, creating follow-up posts, shutting down any remarks that she looked unhealthy and malnourished.
“I’ve received several comments recently about my appearance. I have never had plastic surgery I am happy and healthy. Check yourself haters,” Tratchenberg posted.
Although there was no evidence of
criminal or suspicious activity surrounding her death, the cause remains unknown due to her family’s decision to forgo an autopsy for religious reasons.
Autopsies, when not deemed necessary, can easily be avoided. They’re often painful for loved ones and can prolong the grieving process, making it harder for family members to find peace.
Trachtenberg grew up a New York native, starting her acting career in commercials before most kids could count to three.
At age nine, she worked on Nickelodeon’s “The Adventures of Pete & Pete” and “All my Children.” She then went on to star in the film “Harriet the Spy” in 1996.
She worked her way into teenage stardom, making her big break in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” where she played Buffy’s little sister, Dawn Summers. The role earned her a Teen Choice nomination for choice TV sidekick in 2001.
Following the news of her passing, Trachtenberg’s co-star, Sarah Gellar, paid tribute to her, posting several photos of them when they were younger, on and offset during production.
“Michelle, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you,” Gellar wrote. “The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live… for you.”
Gellar is one of the many who offered their condolences online, including Blake Lively who worked with Trachtenberg on one of the most popular shows of the 2010s, “Gossip Girl.”
“She was electricity. You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200%,” Lively posted.
My favorite role of hers was Georgina Sparks in “Gossip Girl.” She played a manipulative socialite who expertly pits everyone against each other, known for stirring up trouble and embracing chaos.
Her acting earned another Teen Choice nomination, but this time for TV villain in 2012.
In an interview with Seventeen magazine in 2009, Trachtenberg reflects on what it was like to play Georgina.
“It's kind of easy to be evil when you're saying evil things,” Trachtenberg said. “It's definitely a lot more fun than playing the good girl. I love the reaction you get. I never understood why some actors don't want to play villains or evil characters.”
As “Gossip Girl” came to a close, Trachtenberg did some other work, but nothing quite of the same caliber with movies like “17 Again,” “Cop Out” and “Take Me Home Tonight.”
While her career may have slowed down in recent years, her impact on pop culture is undeniable. She was so talented at being
the villain we all loved to hate, bringing a distinct charm and edge to every character she played.
As someone who grew up watching her, I can remember her undeniable ability to command the screen no matter who she played. Her legacy lives on in the roles and stories that defined a generation, shaping the culture of our youth and a talent gone too soon.
ILLUSTRATION BY REBECCA COLLINS
SURLY/GOODFON
Actress Michelle Trachtenberg's legacy lives on after her passing on Feb. 26, 2025.
When ‘betting on yourself’ goes too far
How sports gambling is costing athletes their careers
By RYAN JOHANSON Associate Sports Editor
The saying “bet on yourself” means to have confidence in your abilities to make bold career moves, proving your worth through your performance. But some athletes are taking the “betting” part of the saying a little too literally.
Sports betting has been taking more than money from athletes; it’s taking their livelihood in the game they once loved just for a couple of bucks. Whether it is a small bet on a KnicksCeltics game or any at all, sports betting is cruel for any professional athlete, yet some do it anyway.
Since 2018, sports betting revenue has grown exponentially from $430 million in 2018 to $11.04 billion in 2023, according to Statista. In the age of sports betting, there are various gambling apps right on your phone, making the accessibility irresistible. That pull is not just getting your random Joe; it's getting athletes, with some even worsening their stats to win parlays.
Former Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter is one of the most prominent athletes to get caught in sports gambling. Porter, the brother of Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., has been in the NBA since 2020 after going undrafted in 2019 out of Missouri University.
According to ESPN, the NBA gambling statement states that anyone affiliated with the NBA — players or employees — cannot bet on the NBA or any of its properties. That includes the NBA, summer league, WNBA, G-League, Basketball Africa League or NBA2K League.
In late March 2024, the NBA launched an investigation into Porter after sportsbooks noticed irregular betting on the over/ under on the reserve center's statistics in two Raptors games. Porter disclosed confidential information to betters, limited his participation in at least one game while he was with the Raptors, and bet on NBA games while playing in the G League,
according to ESPN.
In one of the games, Porter gave out information against the Clippers on Jan. 26, 2024, where he left the game after four minutes with
now facing 41-51 months in prison due to his actions.
Other players, such as Tennessee Titans receiver Calvin Ridley, Detroit Lions receiver Jameson Williams and Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto, have been suspended by their respective leagues for sports betting. But these suspensions aren’t limited to individual
athletes; university teams have also faced consequences. Notre Dame’s men’s swim team and now the Fresno State men’s basketball team have been either suspended or banned because of were involved in several betting schemes based on their times and placements in their meets or the well-known betting games such as the Super Bowl and March Madness basketball tournament games.
One of those Notre Dame swimmers was Olympian Chris Guiliano and many other athletes
went through an extensive interview process, discussing the investigation and the team culture. The swimmers were then encouraged to hand over their phones for a screening of their group chats, Venmo and iMessage history, according to Guiliano on a SwimSwam podcast.
This serves as a tale that even a small bet placed can lead you to get kicked off campus, and you have to transfer schools. Guiliano transferred to Texas after earning a gold medal in the 4×100 free relay and a silver medal in the 4×200 free relay at the Paris Olympics.
Notre Dame men’s swimming will return to campus in the 2025-26 season, but not before tearing the team apart after its first top-10 finish at the NCAA championships in March 2024.
More recently, both Fresno State’s and New Orleans’ men’s basketball teams have had multiple athletes suspended over gambling allegations in the past week.
Three Fresno State players, Mykell Robinson, Jalean Weaver and Zaon Collins, were taken off of the team because of their involvement in sports gambling. Collins has since returned to the Bulldogs lineup but not after being away from the program for their Feb. 18 matchup with San Diego State and their March 1 date with Boise State. Similarly to Porter, Weaver risked $50 that he would score more than 11 points on the fantasy site Sleeper. He finished with 13 points in a 10389 loss to New Mexico State on Dec. 31.
Four New Orleans’ players, James White, Jah Short, Dae Dae Hunter and Jamond Vincent, have not played since Jan. 27 due to gambling suspensions from the team.
Sports betting's rise in accessibility has made it easier than ever for athletes to risk their careers and reputations for a quick payout. As more cases like Fresno State and Notre Dame come to the surface, betting on yourself means trusting your skills, not your parlays.
Unpacking ‘American Murder: Gabby Petito’
By GINA LORUSSO Arts & Life Editor
On Feb. 17, Netflix debuted the docuseries “American Murder: Gabby Petito.” The three-part series tells the chilling story of travelling vlogger Petito and her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, who strangled her to death in August 2021.
The release sparked a renewed interest in the case as viewers revisited the details of Petito’s disappearance and murder, leading to widespread discussion about domestic violence and the role of social media in crime investigations.
I didn’t follow this case as much as I would have liked when it first started circulating on the internet — there was too much conflicting commentary to keep track of and I was incredibly overwhelmed by the amount of opinions from people with no credibility.
Soon after Petito’s body was discovered in Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming, my feed that was once filled entirely of her case began to filter out and her murder became another forgotten trend.
When I noticed the series in Netflix’s Top 10 Shows in the U.S. Today, I immediately added it to my list and set a date and time to fully immerse myself in the truth that would come from watching.
I’m disappointed and angry, to say the least. Not at the show — the show was incredibly well-produced and brought every aspect of Petito’s case to light. It highlighted how law enforcement handled the case, the red flags in Petito and Laundrie’s relationship and how users crowdsourced on social media to piece
together the timeline and gather any evidence that may have been missed.
However, I’m disappointed in everyone who noticed signs of domestic violence and manipulation yet didn’t try to help her at any point in her abusive relationship because, according to the body cam footage from police, most women go back to their abuser anyway.
The series gives the audience a secondhand look into Petito’s relationship with Laundrie including text messages, letters and scrapped footage from their van life YouTube channel, @ nomadicstatik4941.
I liked how the timeline was laid out using content Petito recorded during their travels because it humanizes her case and allows you to understand her personality.
The only video Petito ever posted to the channel reached 10.5 million views after the documentary came out, and the comments are continually being filled with people paying their respects and sharing how her story encouraged them to leave their abusers.
was truly eye opening because, knowing Petito's fate, you’re able to pick up on Laundrie’s mannerisms that suggested patterns of potential aggression.
In security camera footage from a Whole Foods in Jackson, Wyoming Laundrie is seen slamming the van door in the parking lot while seemingly yelling at Petito. The footage of the couple leaving the store that day was the last time Petito was seen on camera alive.
While Laundrie’s actions throughout the series were shocking, his mothers’ were appalling.
Something I love about documentaries is when they release never-before-seen footage, documents and images. In this one, they revealed a letter from Laundrie’s mom, Roberta, to her son titled “Burn after reading.”
In the letter, she
wrote, “You are my boy. Nothing can make me stop loving you, nothing will or could ever divide us. No matter what we do. If you're in jail I will bake a cake with a file in it. If you need to dispose of a body I will show up with a shovel and garbage bags.”
digest what I was hearing and seeing.
After Petito was first reported missing and police went to the Laundrie residence for questioning, Brian’s parents had already wired $25,000 to a lawyer and refused to speak with law enforcement. The fact that they already had an attorney before police even contacted them is highly suspicious, and far worse, they showed no sympathy or concern for Petito being missing.
Now that this letter has been exposed, there is no doubt in my mind that Laundrie’s parents were involved, helping their murderous son hide from law enforcement and suppressing crucial information that could have led to justice for Petito much sooner. To this day, they still face zero criminal charges.
The documentary’s primary focus was to make people aware of Petito’s case — but something greater came from it.
Toward the end of the third and final episode, the narrative shifts to give attention to the Gabby Petito Foundation and its efforts to provide aid to victims of domestic violence and support locating missing persons, according to the organization’s website. The foundation was founded by Petito’s mother, stepfather, father and stepmother.
I personally feel that Petito’s family leveraging her case to help others is something admirable and indispensable — they turned her case into a call of action.
Being able to see the couple’s dynamic from the start of their relationship to the end
When I heard this, I was so frustrated that I had to pause the episode and take a moment to
As a viewer of true crime documentaries, this series has made me realize that these stories aren’t purely for entertainment — they’re educational and we, as a society, must learn from them.
ILLUSTRATION BY KATERINA PARIZKOVA
ILLUSTRATION BY KATERINA PARIZKOVA
SAG Awards speeches that stole the show
By GRACE CONNEELY-NOLAN Associate Arts & Life Editor
Crafting an acceptance speech requires a specific formula — one that balances gratitude, acknowledgement of those who took a chance on you and appreciation for those guiding you now, all while racing against the music that signals your time is up.
Last week, the 31st installment of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards streamed live on Netflix and featured winners in 15 categories.
While I expected more of the same performative, cookie-cutter speeches typical of award shows, a few stood out — making headlines the next day.
The SAG Awards differ from any other award show. As the only event exclusively honoring actors, the awards serve as a precursor to the Oscars, shining a spotlight on potential winners.
The first award of the night went to Kieran Culkin for outstanding performance by a male actor in a supporting role for his work in “A Real Pain.”
His speech radiated his nervous, witty energy, making it fitting that he used humor to express the significance of his achievement.
Culkin remarked on the weight of the award and how no one could possibly hold it for 45 seconds, impulsively taking a shot at Adrien Brody about the “allotted time” for acceptance speeches and immediately apologized.
While some speeches seem insincere or imitative, his was anything but. In all his remarks, Culkin displays such a strong level of vulnerability and unique openness that translates to the characters he plays.
His hilarious rambling was a breath of fresh air in a room filled with immense pressure and
Hollywood big shots.
Later in the night, Timothée Chalamet made history as the youngest winner of best actor in a leading role for his powerful portrayal of Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown.”
He did what most actors shy away from — a refreshingly candid speech, where Chalamet shared an unfiltered honesty about the impact of dedicating five and a half years to portraying a character he called a “true American hero.”
Since his win was unexpected, his speech was one of pure determination.
“I know we’re in a subjective business, but the truth is, I’m really in pursuit of greatness,” Chalamet said. “I know people don’t usually talk like that, but I want to be one of the greats.”
He lists off legendary actors he hopes to live up to, including Daniel-Day Lewis, Marlon Brando and Viola Davis. But he didn’t stop there — Chalamet reached beyond the arts with names like Michael Jordan and Michael Phelps, to underscore his ambition to be remembered not just in film, but in history.
Chalamet received some backlash for his speech, but his authenticity is truly inspiring. Why shouldn’t he strive for more? Should he be ashamed of being dedicated to his craft?
The night's biggest award came with its most powerful speech — Jane Fonda’s inspiring words as she accepted the SAG life achievement award were unforgettable.
Sometimes, you hear something and instantly know it’s a classic. This was one of those moments and proof that she will go down as one of the greatest public advocates of our time.
Fonda has always paired acting with activism, so it should be no surprise that her speech was as
poised and gutsy as she is.
She has a long history in activism, has been arrested multiple times for protesting and even earned the nickname “Hanoi Jane” for speaking out against the Vietnam War.
Her speech wasn’t inherently political — it was a plea for empathy. She urged everyone listening that now is the time to take action and help change the world in a moment that will go down in the history books.
Fonda mentions that “we are living our documentary moment,” referencing the current political divide; the intense change and turmoil shaping our country.
She redefines or clarifies what it means to be “woke” in today’s world, stating simply that being woke just means caring about other people.
Fonda connected the work actors do, tapping
into a character's humanity and the ability to connect with and help people in the world, fostering empathy for those suffering around us.
“So let's be brave,” she said. “We must not isolate. We must stay in community. We must help the vulnerable. We must find ways to project an inspiring vision of the future — one that is beckoning, welcoming.”
She was nothing short of inspiring and everything people need to hear in a time like this.
The SAG awards prove that speeches have power. In a space that reaches thousands of viewers, using your voice with purpose carries immense value.
When it's your time to take the mic, it's important to not just celebrate your success, but uplift others, spark change and leave a lasting impact.
QU Sociology Club presents Black History Month trivia
By GRACE CONNEELY-NOLAN Associate Arts & Life Editor
Quinnipiac University's Sociology Club hosted their annual spring kick off event on Feb. 26 in the Carl Hansen Student Center.
All majors were welcome to stop by and participate in Black History month trivia for the chance to win a gift card or T-shirt.
The senior members of the organization's E-board, Public Relations Officer Rebecca Hayes, Treasurer Sofia Suarez, Vice President Emma Gacek and President Alise Kayser, led the event.
The trivia featured informative questions regarding prominent Black figures, athletes and movements that made a historical impact.
ALAN MCNEELY/CHRONICLE
E-board members listed left to right, senior sociology and criminal justice double major Treasurer Sofia Suarez, senior sociology major Public Relations Officer Rebecca Hayes, senior sociology and health, medicine, society double major Vice President Emma Gacek and senior sociology and criminal justice double major President Alise Kayser celebrate a successful event.
ALAN MCNEELY/CHRONICLE
Students gather in the Carl Hansen Student Center room 119 for Black History Month trivia hosted by Quinnipiac University Sociology Club.
ALAN MCNEELY/CHRONICLE
Black History Month trivia winners posing with their prizes sophmore psychology major Fiona Morrison (left), junior sociology major Sam King (center) and sophmore diagnostic medical sonography major T'aura Smith (right).
Women’s ice hockey falls in ECAC Quarterfinals, awaits NCAA Tournament fate
By CLAIRE FRANKLAND Associate Sports Editor
After what appeared to be a promising start to a weekend series against No. 9 Clarkson, Quinnipiac women’s ice hockey could not find the light at the end of the tunnel; losing 4-1 to the Golden Knights in the third game of the ECAC Quarterfinals.
Luck looked to be on the Bobcats’ side after pulling off an impressive 3-1 victory in the opening game of the quarterfinals. Senior forward Laurence Frenette led the charge for the Bobcats, scoring two powerplay goals, with senior forward Maya Labad solidifying the win.
Pulling off such a win would give Quinnipiac the momentum they needed to pull off an upset against a tough ECAC opponent.
Or so you would think.
And while junior defensemen Zoe Uens gave Quinnipiac the lead in the final seconds of the first period in game two, Quinnipiac’s momentum would not last for long.
Quinnipiac’s main opponent in the series would not be Clarkson, but the penalties the Bobcats took. Penalties were costly for the Bobcats during the second and third games of the series.
In its 2-1 loss against Clarkson, a Bobcat body checking penalty on freshman defenseman Makayla Watson, gave the Golden Knights the opportunity to tie the game — which they took. Additionally, a hooking call, in the final seconds of the second period, against Quinnipiac gave Clarkson all the momentum they needed going into the final 20 minutes.
Despite Clarkson not scoring on the man advantage, their advantage over Quinnipiac gave them all the momentum they needed for graduate student forward Caroline Goffredo to call the game.
Penalties continued to plague the Bobcats, with yet another body checking call.
The man advantage gave Clarkson a two goal lead over Quinnipiac going into the third
period. A defect that would prove to be hard for the Bobcats to come out of. A complete 180 from what Quinnipiac had been experiencing in the last couple of matchups of the regular season.
In the last two games of the regular season against RPI and Union, Quinnipiac went 6 for 7 on the penalty kill.
“Our PK has a lot of confidence right now, they have been there when we needed them,” head coach Cass Turner said after Quinnipiac’s 7-1 win over RPI on Feb. 14.
Despite its ECAC Tournament run coming to an end, Quinnipiac’s season may not be over — or so they hope.
As of publication, the Bobcats sit No. 10 in the Pairwise, and await to face their NCAA Tournament fate. Selection Sunday, on March 9, will determine whether Quinnipiac goes to the national tournament or not.
Eleven teams make the national tournament and with Quinnipiac’s current rank, they
fall in a risky spot. The Bobcats, at the time of publication, sit only 0.556 ahead of No. 12 UConn in the Pairwise. UConn is still alive in the Hockey East semifinals, facing off against No. 14 Northeastern.
Quinnipiac’s last run in the NCAA Tournament was in 2023, where the Bobcats lost in the semi-finals to Ohio State.
As of publication, four Hockey East Teams — Boston College, Boston University, Northeastern and UConn — are all behind Quinnipiac and still alive. Additionally, the NEWHA tournament is still ongoing, meaning that the conference winners are going to take the final two spots.
This gives Quinnipiac little wiggle room to move up in the Pairwise, more than likely meaning it won’t land a bid to the NCAA Tournament.
And so the waiting game begins.
Women’s tennis focused on dominating MAAC
By ALEXANDRA MARTINAKOVA Editor
There are advantages to being a young team. They are often underestimated until proven
have really been focusing on being extra positive on the court and being accountable for each other,” sophomore Caitlin Flower said. “We’re really eager, excited to win, to be successful.”
Quinnipiac only lost two players last year, Dominique Yeo ‘24 and Alexandra Luehrman ‘24, and added three new faces to the lineup.
And some of them have already made their mark. Despite being a freshman, Willow Renton played the No. 1 — the strongest and highest — position in a few of the preseason games, similarly to how the now-sophomore Anagha Shankar started her collegiate career last season.
Freshman Trista Caffyn-Parsons lost both of her matches she played at the No. 6 spot, and her fellow freshman
Isabella Sicignano hasn’t seen the court just yet.
After the loss of Yeo, graduate student Jordan Bradley — who still plays comfortably at the No. 5-6 position — took over the reins of captaincy.
“Jordan does really well with keeping us all together and teaching us,” Flower
said. “It’s just really fun to learn how everyone competes with each other.”
Bradley and her fellow graduate student Jenna Sloan are the only “seniors” of the team, as aside from junior Vera Sekerina, all of the other returners are sophomores.
And yet, that young team dominated the MAAC last year.
“We have been really successful in the past against Fairfield and I think we kinda underestimated them a little bit,” Flower said. “When we lost, it was a little bit of a surprise. This year, we’re focusing on taking it really seriously and putting in the work that needs to be put in to have a successful season and hopefully get the win at the end.”
And while Quinnipiac’s record (2-5) looks a tad disappointing right now, the scores don’t show the quality of one’s play. The Bobcats have faced opponents such as Yale, who are ranked No. 24 in the country, and yes they might’ve lost 0-7, but that’s not what they focus on.
“They’re really good obviously and we lost that,” Flower said. “But everyone was competitive and it was a good atmosphere.”
The Bobcats also saw some changes on the
doubles line-up, most notably the separation of Flower and sophomore Caroline Schulson who played together all through the last season. Now, Flower pairs up at No. 1 with Renton, while Schulson moved to No. 3 alongside Bradley.
The doubles pairs are rounded out with Sekerina and Shankar securing the No. 2 spot.
Quinnipiac started MAAC play Feb. 28 at Niagara where it won 4-3 and is now entering a near month-long conference play break, during which it will face four different opponents in Orlando, Florida.
The Bobcats’ first home game will be March 23 against non-conference opponent LIU, before they host Merrimack on March 29 on the tennis courts in North Lot on Mount Carmel Campus.
“Playing for your school is an honor to have,” Flower said. “Getting to have an audience, friends coming to watch you, it’s just really nice to have that. Last year, when we first came and they were still being built, we had to drive off and go to these high school courts, which was fine but it wasn’t very convenient. Being in the MAAC, not every school has that and we’re just really grateful.”
in Chief
QUINN O’NEILL/CHRONICLE
TYLER MIGNAULT/CHRONICLE
Quinnipiac women’s ice hockey is awaiting its NCAA Tournament fate for the second consecutive season.
Previewing women’s and men’s basketball in Atlantic City
By MICHAEL PETITTO Copy Editor
Quinnipiac women’s basketball has a real chance this season of heading back to the NCAA Tournament.
But the trip back to March Madness starts in the MAAC Tournament, as the Bobcats head to Atlantic City, New Jersey on March 11 to take on the conference’s best.
The journey to this moment for Quinnipiac starts all the way back to last season, where the Bobcats were decimated by injuries. The biggest blow was team captain Jackie Grisdale, a threepoint specialist who played in just eight games and missed the rest of the 2023-2024 season with a lower-body injury.
Those Bobcats went just 13-18, a lost year for head coach Tricia Fabbri and the rest of the staff as Quinnipiac never got to showcase its full potential.
This year couldn’t be more different.
“I’m just so happy for everyone who was here last year,” Fabbri said on Feb. 13. “Everyone that faced the adversity of replenishing a roster with youth, dealing with injuries and it just built the foundation for what they’re receiving now,”
Not only has everyone been healthy, but the team gathered reinforcements.
The additions of freshman point guard Gal Raviv and graduate student forward Caranda Perea have pushed the team to new heights.
Raviv in particular has been nothing short of remarkable, currently averaging 18 points as a rookie to go along with five rebounds and four assists.
“She’s an unbelievably skilled player,” Fabbri said on Nov. 16. “She has such a drive and a desire to become so great. Her skillset, acumen with the ball, IQ, toughness and running the team, she’s really the total package.”
But it’s not just the new recruits making an impact, the old guards have contributed to winning in a multitude of ways.
Senior forward Grace LaBarge has been a key rotational piece, especially down the stretch. The Inverness, Illinois native has scored double-digit points in five of her last 10 games, getting hot at the right time.
Protecting and scoring in the paint is sophomore center Anna Foley. Despite her numbers taking a bit of a dip in her second year, the Andover, Massachusetts native efficiency scoring with the ball has noticeably increased. She’s more than doubled her percentage from beyond the arc, going from 15.2% to 35% in just one season. By
taking a decreased volume of threes and focusing more on the paint, Foley has become a much more efficient and reliable scorer.
Despite the injury that kept her out for the majority of last season, Grisdale has continued to do what she does best, catch-and-shoot from three.
The Poland, Ohio native has knocked down an impressive 38.7% of her shots from beyond the arc. In the three seasons Grisdale has played more than 20 games, this is the highest three-point percentage of her career.
“She’s built up so much trust with us,” Fabbri said on Feb. 22. “We want her taking every open look, and she knows that.”
The three-guard rotation of Raviv, Grisdale and sophomore Karson Martin has provided Quinnipiac with a lot of flexibility down the stretch.
“I think we could have those three be the best guards to play here in a rotation and that’s really saying something considering who we have,” Fabbri said on Nov 19.
The Bobcats have built an impressive 24 win season as of publication, the 13th campaign under Fabbri in which Quinnipiac has surpassed 20 or more wins. The only losses as of publication were against Fairfield, an overtime loss to Mount Saint Mary’s and an overtime loss against the Miami Hurricanes.
The latter was an especially heartbreaking loss, Quinnipiac climbed all the way from a double digit deficit just to fall in overtime. The players haven’t forgotten.
“We just think about how we lost to Miami,” Perea said on Dec. 9. “It just didn’t play out for us in the end and that’s one where I’ll forever want back and I hope I see them in the tournament.”
Quinnipiac currently sits second in the MAAC only behind No. 1 Fairfield. Right now, the team looks unstoppable with the ball in its hands and the Stags are currently on a seven game win streak.
So where can the Bobcats improve just a couple of weeks before the MAAC Tournament?
“Defensively,” Martin said on Feb 22. “We’re honing on execution and getting stops on defense, and then securing the rebound and grabbing loose balls. That’s what we’re really trying to get better at … every possession matters.”
This season has already been a massive improvement for the Bobcats. But it won’t matter to the players or the coaches if they don’t come back to Hamden with a conference championship. With the stakes high and the pressure on, Quinnipiac will scratch and claw until there’s nothing left in the tank.
By RYAN JOHANSON Associate Sports Editor
Quinnipiac men’s basketball is sitting in a similar scenario as the 2023-24 season: it’s No. 1 seed in the MAAC and is controlling its own destiny in the season’s final two games.
The Bobcats know a regular season championship, while sweet, is not the ultimate goal.
“We finished first, and we got upset in the second round,” junior forward Amarri Monroe said on Feb. 28. “We want to finish first and get a regular season championship again. That’s not the end goal, we have unfinished business.”
After losing two of their first three games in February, the Bobcats won four straight until a tough loss to Merrimack broke the streak on March 2nd. A big component of that winning streak is Quinnipiac’s ability to come back from down double digits — the most being 17 against Manhattan on Feb. 23.
“We’re confident that if we’re down, we’re going to come back,” graduate student guard Savion Lewis said on Feb. 28. “We have to have better starts in the first half. I’m glad we can come back in the second half, but we definitely got to be better in the first half.”
However, falling behind early is a concern, especially against teams like Niagara, Sacred Heart, Iona and Fairfield — all potential early matchups in the MAAC Tournament.
Iona’s press and transition defense forced the Bobcats to their highest and third-highest turnovers totals in their two matchups on Jan. 12 and Feb. 16 respectively.
Another issue that keeps coming to bite the Bobcats is their three-point shooting woes, being dead last in the MAAC and 14th worst in the whole country. Their inconsistencies played a huge part in their defeat against Merrimack on March 2, shooting 4-18 from behind the arc.
Three-point defense has also been a challenge. Against Sacred Heart — the MAAC’s No. 2 team in three-point shooting — the Bobcats allowed nine threes in the first half. Quinnipiac did, however, tighten up only allowing three in the second half en route to a win, but it will be a problem if it isn’t able to adapt.
Struggles aside, Monroe and graduate student center Paul Otieno have been central to Quinnipiac’s success. Monroe is averaging a double-double in conference play and broke his own Quinnipiac Division I single-season steals record against Sacred Heart on Feb. 14.
Otieno, meanwhile, has posted 13 double-
doubles this season tied with Monroe — and is currently the No. 2 scorer on the Bobcats.
In his best game of the season against Niagara on Feb. 8, Otieno led all scorers with a careerhigh 28 points. The graduate student center was able to knock down three three-pointers and was a perfect 5-5 from the line.
“Paul’s a great player,” senior forward Alexis Reyes said on Feb. 6. “We still want him to go get offensive rebounds, shoot those free throws and finish and-ones. And we know who he is, and we trust him.”
Depth was expected to be a strength for Quinnipiac this season, but injuries and inconsistent play have shortened the rotation even more.
“I wish our bench was deeper,” Pecora said on Feb. 28. “That’s the one thing I thought that we would be able to (play) nine to 10 (players) deep and get guys at the end of the bench playing like eight minutes a game. And we haven’t been able to do that in a lot of cases.”
However, the emergence of freshman guard Jaden Zimmerman and sophomore guard Khaden Bennett has added an extra level to the Bobcats. Zimmerman has scored in double digits in seven of the last 10 games, including a careerhigh 24 points against Sacred Heart on Feb. 14. Bennett was able to become the facilitator when Lewis had an injury and ran with it. The Grand Prairie, Texas native is the No. 4 scorer for the Bobcats, adding scoring off the bench.
“(Bennett is) just a tough, gritty competitor,” Pecora said on Jan. 31. “He made a couple really big shots for us there in the second half. But he lives in a gym. He does all the little things that players need to do to become great.”
Senior guard Doug Young and junior guard Ryan Mabrey have also had their standout moments.
Whether it was a back-to-back — Feb. 14 and Feb. 16 — double-digit scoring outburst from Young or a 17-point performance against St. John’s on Nov. 9, 2024 for Mabrey, the bench has the ability to take over the game, a luxury they didn’t have last year relying on an eightman rotation. This season, they have the potential to go 10 deep.
“We’re focused on us right now,” Monroe said on Feb. 28. “One game winning streaks, whoever we got next on our schedule, that’s the game we’re worried about.”
Quinnipiac has its eyes set on March 12th for its first MAAC postseason game.
GEORGE MADDALONI/CHRONICLE
As of publication, freshman guard Gal Raviv is averaging 18 points per game.
TYLER MIGNAULT/CHRONICLE
Junior forward Amarri Monroe is averaging a double-double in conference play as of March 5.
‘Fighting for our lives’ Sports
Men’s hockey facing must-win scenario in ECAC Tournament
By AMANDA DRONZEK Sports Editor
For the first time in four seasons, Quinnipiac men’s ice hockey is not banking on its rankings to cross the NCAA Tournament threshold. At No. 12/13, the Bobcats are on the brink of clinching a spot in the Round of 16, essentially making the ECAC Tournament win-or-go-home as conference winners earn an auto-bid.
In recent years, Quinnipiac hasn’t needed to win the Whitelaw Cup in Lake Placid, New York, because of where it stood in the polls leading into the postseason. As much as winning the conference would have been another trophy for the case in their national championship season or last spring, the Bobcats didn’t need to.
Now, they do.
“We’re fighting for our lives for the NCAA tournament,” Pecknold said on Feb. 22 after a 4-0 victory over Brown. “So we had to win.”
As of publication, Quinnipiac could potentially earn an at-large bid if there are upsets in other conference tournaments and it performs well enough in the ECAC Tournament, but the chances are slim given its current rank.
The biggest problem Quinnipiac has dealt with in the 2024-25 campaign is its youth. Its roster turnover in the offseason brought in 12 new players to replace 14 star-studded skaters — 10 of which were national champions.
Pecknold has described this season several times as “chaos” — and he’s not wrong. Quinnipiac has a regular season record of 22-10-2 heading into the opening series of the tournament. It’s the No. 1 seed in the conference, but it hasn’t always played as such.
“We continue to shoot ourselves in the foot with things that we do continually that we talk about that we’re not supposed to do,” Pecknold
said on Nov. 8 following a 4-2 loss to Dartmouth.
The following week, the then 3-5 Bobcats were on the verge of falling out of the USCHO’s top 20 for the first time since 2017.
Unfortunately, that’s no longer just a jarring stat. That 3-5 start may be the very thing keeping Quinnipiac on the cusp of the tournament rather than having locked in a definitive slot.
Win one or two of those losses and the outlook is strikingly different.
This isn’t to say Quinnipiac hasn’t shown its prowess at all. But it has taken time.
According to Pecknold, his squad played one of their best periods of the season on Nov. 30 against Cornell in the Frozen Apple at Madison Square Garden. Ultimately, the Bobcats fell in a meaningless shootout, but that’s not the point.
At first, that matchup seemed like a turning point for the Bobcats. They were clicking on both sides of the ice and playing with similar speed to years prior. They weren’t taking atrocious penalties or giving up lazy turnovers.
The common theme surrounding men’s hockey has been maturity or lack thereof which makes them inconsistent. The Frozen Apple exemplified the beginning of growth — it just wasn’t sustainable.
“It’s just what we’re battling all year,” Pecknold said Nov. 30. “We’re inconsistent at times. You know, I thought we played three games tonight.”
For another prime example, look back at the CT Ice semifinals in late January at Sacred Heart.
Quinnipiac was the better team on the ice that day, despite being one or two spots behind UConn rankings-wise. But a penalty on freshman forward Tyler Borgula with 17 seconds remaining in a 1-1 game proved detrimental when the Huskies potted the winning goal 0.5 seconds before the buzzer.
“We want to make NCAA Tournament,” Pecknold said Jan. 24. “You know, we got to do it. It’s not a consolation game.”
There are two things to note here — Quinnipiac came from behind that evening, something it’s had to do for a better part of this season. Additionally, when it had the lead, it slowly crumbled in the final 20 minutes. In the past, the Bobcats have been a third period team.
They’d often emerge from the locker room with a completely different mindset — down or not — and put opponents to bed without a second thought.
Ten times during the 2022-23 season, Quinnipiac either came from behind after the first period of a game and ran away with the lead in the final frame or held on for the last 20 minutes of a onegoal contest.
The first half of this season was a 180.
After a horrendous 5-1 home loss to Northeastern on Jan. 4, Pecknold said playoffs were the “last thing I’m worried about.”
Now take a peek at a commanding weekend sweep in its last homestand (4-1 against Yale on Feb. 21 and 4-0 against Brown Feb. 22) of the regular season, and this team’s immaturity has come a long way.
“You always expect an adjustment period coming to a new place,” graduate student forward Jack Ricketts said on Feb. 22. “For some it’s a little longer and that’s the way it goes. I think just sort of the mentality in the second half to just keep pushing and focus on the little things.”
Ricketts was one of 10 Bobcats to contribute to that final score, whether it was with a goal of their own or an assist. In other words, the lines are jelling at the right time.
Defensively, things need to be cleaner. The Bobcats find themselves reverting to bad passes or
giving up turnovers under pressure which inevitably leads to goals against. The blue line is even more crucial now with graduate student defenseman Aaron Bohlinger’s recent lower body injury.
The hope was its final series of the 2024-25 campaign — Clarkson (Feb. 28) and St. Lawrence (March 1) — reignited whatever flame brewed at MSG or against Yale and Brown.
Well, it did and it didn’t.
Quinnipiac went 1-1 on the road trip to upstate New York, upset by the Golden Knights 4-3 in overtime after clawing all the way back from a 2-0 deficit.
However, the loss wasn’t necessarily in vain. Pecknold proved pulling the goalie isn’t just a one-off attempt, it’s still effective. With nearly four minutes remaining in regulation, sophomore goaltender Dylan Silverstein took to the bench and Quinnipiac knotted the matchup at three with an extra man.
And on March 1, it clinched its fifth Cleary Cup in a row with a dominant 4-0 shutout victory over St. Lawrence.
The Bobcats will most likely be one of the four teams to compete at Herb Brooks Arena in a couple of weeks for the conference title, assuming it advances past the quarterfinals.
“We’re not having the chat this year about the Lake Placid thing,” senior goaltender Noah Altman said Feb. 22. “We know what’s happened there in the past … there’s no reason to chat about it. Our season relies on those games, and we’re gonna give it everything we have and do exactly what we’ve been doing all year. Just build, build, build for this time.”
Quinnipiac hosts the bottom seed in the ECAC for a best two-out-of-three quarterfinal series March 14-16. Puck drop for Game 1 is set for 7 p.m.
