Volume 97 Issue 5

VOL 97 : 05 Oct. 2, 2019 torchonline.com

The award-winning independent student newspaper of St. John’s University

SOAR’S TAKE BACK THE NIGHT UNITES STUDENT ORGS

TORCH PHOTO/SPENCER CLINTON

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STUDENTS STRIKE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE READ MORE ON PAGE 2 PHOTO COURTESY/JENNALYNN FUNG

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Students Strike For Climate Change Hear From Advocates Who Marched Through Manhattan Alexandra Crespo and Sara Rodia

St. John’s students filed into Manhattan to attend the Climate Strike last Friday Sept. 20, joining the crowd of about 60,000 people who attended. The crowd gathered in Foley Square and then took to the streets to march to Battery Park where the event concluded with a multitude of speakers and performers, including Greta Thunberg, the creator of the Fridays for Future movement.

The Fridays for Future movement is an international movement where school students take time off from school to march to raise awareness for climate change. The movement urges students to gather at their local town halls to peacefully protest actions that further climate change and to hold public officials accountable.

The crowd marched with signs that had sayings such as: “There is no plan(et) B,” and “Sea levels are rising and so are we!” Many St. John’s students joined the Fridays for Future movement by skipping their Friday classes to attend the Climate Strike ...

Kalote Joss, a senior Adolescent Education Major with a concentration in English. “I attended the Climate Strike in the city because it is something I care deeply about and I knew it was the best use of my time” said Joss.

“Fighting for the environment is not about performance. It’s not about posting, ‘we need change!’ and stopping there. It’s not about getting the right celebrities to endorse. While awareness advocacy is great, real changes in real lives are needed,” said Joss.“I’m studying to be a teacher, to help young people prepare for their futures. I need to know that they have one. Register to vote, show action that backs your words.

We can make so much more of a difference than we even realize.”

PHOTO COURTESY/HANNAH OJENDYK

“I attended the climate strike to support climate justice and help spread awareness of what is going on in the world today regarding climate. I wanted to be active in defending what I believe is right and I wanted to be heard and seen for doing so.” Hannah Ojendyk said, a sophomore Psychology major, who also attended the Climate Strike on Friday.

“Personally my family are victims of the effects of climate change. I felt as if I had to be there, that it was my responsibility to be there not only for my family, but also for all those who are suffering,” a passionate Gisela Santiago, advocate for environmental improvement, said. “Going to the strike made me feel like I had a voice, that I was able to make a change, even if it was small in comparison to others.”

PHOTO COURTESY/HANNAH OJENDYK

Jennalynn Fung, a freshman, is an environmental activist who participated in the global strike in lower Manhattan as a marshal. Fung was contacted by distinguished youth activist, Alexandria Villasenor, for her work with climate organization, Fridays For Future.

Fung established the “Fridays for Futures” chapter in her hometown in Arizona. Its main goals are to hold corporations accountable for damaging the earth, eliminate the use of fossil fuels, and adopt the new green deal. She encouraged that it is the small acts that can make a difference like, “using a metal or paper straw instead of a plastic one.”

On the day of the protest, Fung, with about an hour commute, arrived slightly late to the protest beginning at Foley Square. She was soon surrounded by 250,000 people and marched to Battery Park. Excited to see how the protest unraveled, Fung found the march, “inspiring because not a lot of people talk about the environment.”

PHOTO COURTESY/JENNALYNN FUNG

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Take Back the Night March Breaks the Silence SOAR’s Annual Event Invites Students to March in Solidarity Morgan C. Mullings This year’s annual Take Back the Night started in front of Donovan Hall and ended in DAC living room. A protest-turned-showcase, the evening of solidarity went as planned with over 100 in attendance on Tuesday Sep. 24.

The event was hosted by the Sexual violence Outreach, Awareness, and Response Office (SOAR), and featured appearances from Step Ya Game Up and the Mixed Chorus. Multiple organizations marched to show their support for survivors of sexual assault and promote awareness for support services on campus and throughout the borough.

Student Government, Inc., EDEN, Delta Phi Epsilon, Lambda Pi Chi and other student organizations made signs and chanted along with leaders from SOAR until they made it across campus at about 7:30 pm.

The SOAR office hosts the event every year, but this is one of the first times they’ve done it before Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which is October. “We thought it was important to raise awareness about the issue as soon as possible while we’re still in the ‘red zone.’ The ‘red zone’ refers to the first six weeks of college in which more than 50 percent of sexual assaults occur on and around college campuses,” said senior Isabella Forero, who has worked with SOAR since Spring 2019 as a peer educator. “I would have liked to have seen more men in the audience. Men are disproportionately the perpetrators of these crimes, and events like these are great opportunities for the morally educated men of St. John’s to learn more about how they can use their unique positions in our community for change,” she said.

While not all of the marchers got to swipe in, attendees say there were well over 100 students there. SGI Vice President Clyde Drayton and engaged the crowd in chanting “survivors unite, take back the night,” fol-

lowed by SYGU, student performers and a message from SJU’s Title IX Coordinator Jackie Lochrie. The crowd gave enthusiastic responses as SYGU’s captain, senior Vanessa Perryman, shouted “No more violence, it’s time to speak up” and cheered once again when Mixed Chorus performed their rendition of “You Will be Found” from the Tony Award-winning Broadway show Dear Evan Hansen.

Emily Shue, a volunteer for the WomanKind center in Queens, held the microphone for a few minutes to make students aware of their partnership with SJU and all the services they have to officer for survivors of sexual violence — services offered in not only English, but also Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Hindi, Urdu, Spanish, Tagalog and more. Shue teaches classes that involve using art for healing and processing trauma, and gave the crowd the WomanKind 24/7 helpline.

The crowd spilled into all corners of DAC living room, with a few standing on the staircase just across from a stage built in front of the fireplace, and others looking on from their seats in Starbucks.

Stanlia Perry, chaplain at faith-based student organization EDEN, says she hasn’t personally had an experience with the counseling or health services on campus but she’s heard that it helps some and doesn’t help others. “I think we just have to be more aware of our resources and speak up … and we have to really press the university to make sure these things get investigated properly and not swept under the rug,” she said.

She and her other executive board members marched in solidarity with others, in place of their usual Tuesday night bible study.

Students left with flyers from WomanKind and SOAR, little sand jars from an activity in the back of the room, as well as the signs they had made and marched with. “It’s gratifying to see people showing up and really work-

TORCH PHOTO/SPENCER CLINTON

ing to combat sexual violence in ways that go beyond just claiming the cause on social media, though these methods can still make change,” Forero says.

The SOAR office provides a Campus Support Advocate (CSA) as a confidential re-

source to any student who has been a victim of sexual violence. You can reach the Campus Support Advocate at 718-990-8484.

You can reach WomanKind’s 24/7 Confidential Helpline at 1-888-888-7702.

What You Need To Know: SGI’s Latest Meeting Sophie Williams An SGI meeting was held on Monday Sept.

23, featuring a special guest from SOAR, reports from the E-board and important date announcements from several organizations.

A representative from SOAR announced events being held by the organization. The most important being the Take Back the Night rally which was held the following day. SOAR also announced that they are looking for partners in the Spring to join with them in Turn Off the Violence Week.

During the campus dialogue, a student mentioned the change in Subway’s meal exchange, as well as the chinese restaurant in DAC still being closed. Last year’s President Atemkeng Tazi confirmed SGI was meeting with food services to discuss these issues. A support chair from Spectrum announced they will be holding safe-zone trainings for

people in the community and allies to be informed on identities and edict to be more respectful to the community. The dates for the trainings will be announced soon. For more information please email: spectrumsju@gmail.com.

During Officer reports, Treasurer Nia Gumbs announced the proposed budget for the 2019-2020 school year. The budget of $1,140,015 was passed. The budget bylaws voting has been tabled until the next meeting.

SGI committee membership applications will open by Wednesday Sept.25 or Friday or Sept.27.

Secretary Nnaemeka Ifeajekqu announced the new website SJUSGI.com is up and running!

Senior Senator Anna Gibson announced the senior scholarship will be given out in mid-October.

Chair member Santiago Mayorga announced the class of 2023 will be notified about elections on Sept. 30 and the tentative voting date is Oct. 22.

Organization chair Partrick Kohn announced that students who would like to start a club must attend a meeting held on Oct.7 and Oct.8. There you will receive the online application, along with important information.

Student Spirit changed their instagram username to @stjRedzone. Season tickets for basketball will be $70 for games at MSG. Carnasseca arena games will be free to students. The season ticket form was sent out on Friday Sept.27.

The meeting concluded with new representatives Adrianna Odum (sophomore rep, School of Education) and Jenna (junior rep, St. John’s College) were voted in.

WANT TO WRITE FOR NEWS? EMAIL OUR NEWS EDITOR ANDREINA RODRIGUEZ: TORCHNEWS@GMAIL. COM

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RedZone Announces Free Basketball Tickets

Season tickets are on sale at a much cheaper price Nick Bello Students can now rejoice as it was announced early in the school year that tickets for the St. John’s Men’s Basketball team have seen a significant decrease in price compared to previous years.

According to the St. John’s Athletics website, students will be able to see games at Carnesecca Arena for free and will have the option to sit in either sections one six and twelve.

Students will also be able to watch games at Madison Square Garden for $15 per game and will have the option to sit in either sections two or eight. Student season tickets also dropped significantly from $100 to $70.

This season the Red Storm will play seven games at Madison Square Garden, six of them coming during Big East play. The Red Storm will also play 11 out of their 13 non-conference games at home.

The change in ticket price comes as the team made a coaching change at the end of last season when former St. John’s star Chris Mullin stepped down as head coach.

The Red Storm arew now lead by Mike Anderson, whose fast paced style of basketball is sure to excite the fans and hopefully return the Red Storm to the NCAA Tournament in March.

Last season, the Red Storm had an attendance of 186,169 throughout 19 home games including two Big East tournament games at Madison Square Garden, which was a significant increase from the 2017-18 season total of 164,415. The Red Storm also averaged 9,798 fans per game last season, another significant increase from the previous season where they averaged 9,134 fans per game.

To go along with the increased total and average attendance last season, the Red Storm also had a record year in terms of sell-

TORCH PHOTO/NICK BELLO

outs at Carnesecca Arena.

Last season they sold out the 5,602 seat arena seven times, five of those coming during Big East play. They also were able to see an increase in average attendance at MSG, where they averaged 16,498 fans per game which was the highest average at, “The World’s Most Famous Arena” since the final season of the Lou Carnesecca tenure in 1991-92. (Statistics sourced from the NCAA

and St. John’s website.)

The spike in attendance last season did not go unnoticed by the players or the coaching staff as they appreciated the support throughout the season.

“There’s more appreciation and support,” Mullin said prior to facing Xavier at Carnesecca Arena last season.

“They’ve helped us win games and make the players feel good.”

“It’s been a crowd like no other,” forward L.J. Figueroa said. “I have never played in front of fans like [the ones at] Carnesecca Arena and Madison Square Garden.”

With the 2019-20 season on the horizon, fans are eagerly waiting to see the Red Storm in action. Come November, with student tickets at an affordable price, the student body will be ready to make some noise for their beloved basketball team.

Global Studies Introduces Two New Countries Andreina Rodriguez

International Business, Latin American Studies, Literature, Photography, Photojournalism, Spanish and St. John’s students received an email on Thursday Theology.

Sept. 26 on updated changes to the study abroad proThe Colombia Exchange Program requires students gram involving two Latin America locations that will with a status of at least one semester in a Spanish class. begin with the Spring 2020 semester.

They will get to participate in The new changes include a sea bilateral exchange with Unimester program in Costa Rica versidad de los Andes, which and a Colombian Exchange Prois one of Latin America’s most Students with a range prestigious private universities. gram, along with a renaming of the Discover the World: Europe of Spanish speaking It is located in the country’s offering which is now the Westproficiency wll get the capital city, Bogotá. The areas ern Europe Semester Program. chance to live with of study for the program are The Costa Rica semester prolocal families... yet to be posted on the school’s gram is in collaboration with website.

Universidad Veritas which is loThe Western Europe Semescated in the country’s capital city ter Program, along with the of San José. Students with a range of Spanish speak- renaming, has undergone a few changes in terms of a ing proficiency from beginner level to native speakers reframing course focus on migration. Classes will now will get the chance to live with local families and be incorporate course readings, discussions, and learning required to take a Spanish language class or content outcomes based on the theme of the “common lens class in Spanish with Verita’s bilingual team. The team of migration.” Courses will establish orientation prowill ensure strong guidance and support for students gramming, service learning, guest lectures and other throughout their participation to engage in a benefi- extracurricular activities. Students are expected to cial educational experience with earned credit. Areas leave the program with learning outcomes that are listof study within the program include: Art, Economics, ed on the website.

Entrepreneurship, Government and Politics, History,

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Features 5

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What Happened to the Foot Long?

Alana Loren Bethea Recently, Subway decided to eliminate the option of a footlong sandwich for meal exchange due to changes in the Franchise pricing structure. Meanwhile, resident students are advised to pay over $2,000 for a meal plan.

“As you may know, the Subway Franchise recently eliminated the ‘$5 Footlong’ promotion and as a result, Chartwells who operate Marillac Hall under the Subway Franchise menu and pricing guidelines were no longer able to keep the foot long sandwich as an option for meal exchanges,” Scott Lemperle, Executive Director of Auxiliary and Conference Services said.

According to Lemperle, the original Subway meal exchange only offered the “regular size sandwich” (6-inch) and later expanded its options when the $5 Footlong promotion in 2008.

“From time to time, adjustments like this are necessary in light of changes to franchise promotions and other market conditions.

All of the meal exchanges on campus vary by location, and the sites that have national brands need to offer similar choices that the brands typically offer as a packaged meal at their traditional stores,” Lemperle explained.

On Friday Sept. 20, I created a petition on behalf of the change where 352 students signed a “Petition to Have Footlong Subway Sandwhiches Back for Meal Exchange.”

While roaming the campus with Creative Director of The Torch, Spencer Clinton, behind the camera recording the process (video on www.torchonline.com), students spoke

about their views towards Subway’s elimination of the infamous foot long sub.

Darren Maraj, a junior with the Carte Blanche meal plan, explained his reaction to the change.

“I was furious and puzzled at the fact that as a Junior at St. John’s, me along with hundreds of other students were going to get hit with a dramatic change on our meal plan. I was furious that we were going to be short changed for our meal for something with less portion and more dissatisfaction. I was puzzled that out of all the money we distribute to pay for our expenses and tuition to this school that, out of the blue, our school would cut down what is arguably the go-to spot for meal-exchange, especially without a valid explanation provided,” Maraj explained.

Maraj, along with the 352 students who signed the petition are not pleased. “It is unfair for students like myself, who’ve grown accustomed to the traditional foot-long meal plan, and for incoming freshman who may not have a clear idea of what this University can really offer them as far as food choices go,” Maraj said.

Alicia Villafana, a senior with an unlimited meal plan, found out about the change through word of mouth from student to student and from the Subway employees when she meal exchanged.

“I don’t believe the cost of a meal plan and portions line up. For Monty’s it’s great because it’s a buffet. However, the options they have aren’t always appealing. For meal exchange in DAC or Marillac, the portions definitely don’t represent what a full meal

TORCH PHOTO/SPENCER CLINTON

352 students sign petition to bring back meal exchange option

As of this semester, Subway is no longer offering a foot-long sandwhich option to students for meal exchange.

would be, especially for us growing kids, that are involved and definitely take our health seriously,” Villafana explained.

In regards to the issue, the executive board of SGI met with dining services on Sept. 29, in hopes to learn more about the situation.

According to SGI, they are continuously following up with the food service company, Chartwell’s, to voice the concerns of the student body.

SGI President, Matthew Macatula, responded when asked if he believes the amount of food the University offers and the amount of money a student spends on a meal plan are congruent.

“As a student first and foremost, I am without an opinion because there is no pure data

that I can compare our current meal plan with. In terms of congruency, I will continue to make sure dining services is aware of the opinion of the students,” Macatula explained.

Though this Fall, new restaurants with meal exchange have been added such as Einstein Bros. Bagels which is located on the first floor of St. Augustine Hall. Meal exchange is offered from 11a-3p on weekends.

Also new in Marillac, Pom & Honey and Chaat House are available for meal exchange from 5p-7:30p.

However – resident students pay between $2,220-3,225 per semester for a meal plan while swift changes without notice, like the Subway meal exchange, are made.

‘Euphoria’ Makeup: Provocative and Playful Jennifer Luizzi

PHOTO COURTESY/YOUTUBE THE LIST

Euphoria star Alexa Demie’s iconic teal rhinestone eye look.

Drugs. Alcohol. Sex. Wild teenagers. (Don’t worry, no spoilers here). HBO’s summer hit show Euphoria gave us a deep, hyper-real dive into addiction, love and growing up – but nothing seems to be more noteworthy when post-binge watching than the intense, jaw-dropping makeup in every episode.

It truly is unlike any other stylistic trends on television. It’s ballsy and brazen, eclectic and alluring.

These customized looks for each character created a trademark for the show and the fashion world.

In literature, there is always some form of symbolism. Euphoria’s makeup is a symbol of individuality, boldness, and fits with the overall hypnotizing theme of the show. Whether it is a signature wing with gems like Alexa Demie’s character Maddie, or playful, neon makeup like Hunter Schaefer’s character Jules, the looks are meticulous and runway ready. The iconic look of Rue (Zendaya), in particular, includes dark outlines underneath her eyes with glitter tears. It captured all of our eyes from the very beginning, and creates a sense of the beauty inside of her despite her addiction; hence, the glitter. Because the show is called Euphoria, the make-

up also accentuates the triggering and shocking moments of the show through their use of colors, and where they are accented on the characters’ faces.

The makeup enhances the surreal experience of the show, especially during closeups where you can see their beautified faces. No matter what makeup artist Doniella Davy chooses, binge-watchers are spellbound. Each character was designated a look based on their personality, and the audience experienceds a sense of relatability to these characters through their mannerisms and their fashion.

So how can you recreate these looks? Think bold, electric, daring. Try using vivid cream liners and eye shadows to create a pop on your eyelids. Several brands, such as NYX or Millennial favorite, Glossier, offer cream shadows that will make your eyes pop. If you’re feeling audacious, try creating abstract art on your lids with colored liquid liner to mimic some of Jules’ geometric masterpieces. Rhinestones and brow gel will be your new best friends, as will lip gloss and dewy cheeks. These style choices can look intimidating, but more than anything, these Euphoria recreations are meant to be fun – so don’t be afraid to take risks and stand out.

6 Features

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TORCH PHOTO/ANDREINA RODRIGUEZ

TORCH PHOTO/ANDREINA RODRIGUEZ

SJU’s Thriving Organic Garden Students help local community to flourish through gardening Andreina Rodriguez If you live on campus, you may have noticed a small field of crops being grown near the Residence Village and Red Storm Softball Field. It consists of 50 beds of soil that are each four by seven feet with grown produce like kale, romaine lettuce, bok choy, tomatoes and much more. This is the University’s organic garden. Yet, most of St. John’s students and faculty don’t know it exists.

The organic garden is nurtured and maintained by the student workers in the Office of Sustainability along with student volunteers of the Office of Academic Service Learning.

The produce grown in the garden is donated to the St. John’s Bread & Life, a food pantry and soup kitchen located in Brooklyn. The donations aid in support for their food pantry, which serves the hungry, homeless and working poor. Tom Goldsmith is the director of Energy and Sustainability and is responsible for coordinating planting, harvesting and delivering food to the kitchen.

“Through their hands-on garden projects, students gain a sense of achievement and personal engagement in addressing issues of food injustice such as food insecurity and each growing season,” Goldsmith told the Torch in an interview. “Over one thousand pounds of fresh organically grown produce is donated to Bread & Life.”

Construction of the garden began in July of 2009, and in the following year, then RSM provost, Julia A. Upton, recommended that the garden be doubled in size.

In 2011, members of Student Government Inc. at the time suggested that the produce grown in the garden be donated to St. John’s Bread & Life. On April 25 of this year, St. John’s Dining posted on Facebook sharing a video of the acts of students and the staff of Montgoris Dining Hall as they prepare wasted food for composting.

“First, Monty’s staff recovers food scraps (both pre-consumer & post-consumer waste),” the post said.

“Next, students collect food waste daily and process it through the pulping machine [and] finally the compacted waste is ready to be mixed for compost that is used around campus.”

These services were recognized by the Office of Academic Service Learning, in which it became a project for students to volunteer and receive Academic service hours.

Eleni Moukas, senior, who signed up for AS-L hours at Montgoris Hall during her freshman year, explained the work she had done with other students and advocating for food preservation.

“It was my job to show the students how to scrape the leftovers on their plates into a green composting bin,” Moukas said. “More importantly, I talked to them about how important it is to not waste the food on their plate. One way for them to continue to do this is by being cognizant of how much they put on their plates in the first place.”

She expressed her admiration of the work done and encouraged by the program, which inspired her to write her senior thesis on the topic and was offered a position as a student worker.

“Even though the work was arduous and physically laborious, I thoroughly enjoyed it because I knew that it was all going to help the food insecure individuals in society and our environment at large,” she said.

The main premise of the garden project for students involved in AS-L is that they get to achieve outcomes that serve awareness based on food security concerns.

They’re also encouraged to learn skills that can further allow them to initiate change.

“I believe our main purpose to be food recovery,” said Jamie Sculco, a rising junior and student worker for the Department of Sustainability.

Sculco shared a few photos of facts that were posted by Goldsmith around Montgoris Dining Hall. One photo states that the average U.S. household throws away approximately $2,000 in food and beverages each year. It also includes that the average person wastes 20 pounds of food per month, which is equal to 42 bananas.

“Rather than sending out food waste to landfills where their decomposition contributes to global warming, St. John’s Sustainability donates unserved meals from the dining hall to St. John’s Bread & Life and composts old pre-consumer food waste and post-consumer leftovers

right here on campus,” Sculco said.

Afterwards, the compost is used as organic fertilizer for the garden to grow vegetables. According to Goldsmith, 95 percent of the food waste on campus is recovered.

Richard Stalter, a professor of biological sciences, has also provided much guidance to those involved with maintaining the garden. He has effectively served by beginning the gardening season mentoring members of the Earth Club.

“The students, mostly Earth Club members that I mentor, start the seeds in early spring,” he said. “Generally we have a turnout of 30 to 40 students.”

These seeds are in starting trays that are then moved to the green house and are planted in the garden when dangers of frost is past.

“The students also prepare the 50 raised plots in the garden prior to planting,” Stalter said. “Again we have an excellent turn out, demonstrating our student’s commitment to the Vincentian spirit of giving.”

When it comes to food security, Goldsmith stresses the important facts and calculations that build up from the tendencies of U.S. citizens. A study he shared from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is that 88.2 percent of households are food secure, while 11.8 percent of households are food insecure with very low food insecurity “New York State ranks close to the national average.

In NYC, 14.4% of the population is insecure which equates to approximately 1.2 million individuals, ranking NYC higher food insecure than the national average,” he said.

While the garden is closed for the next few months, Goldsmith is building a Sustainability Committee for student and faculty involvement which is open for everyone to join. Beginning in April, anyone interested in planting will get to volunteer on planting day.

“This day involves a lot of cleaning up the weeds that have been growing all winter long and flipping, refurbishing, and replenishing the soil,” Sculco said. “Lastly and certainly most excitingly, everyone gets to partake in the planting of vegetable seedlings.”

Opinion 7

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Flames of the Torch 97TH MANAGING BOARD Morgan C. Mullings/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Amanda Negretti/ MANAGING EDITOR Andreina Rodriguez NEWS EDITOR Spencer Clinton CREATIVE DIRECTOR Nick Bello SPORTS EDITOR Dayra Santana FEATURES EDITOR Priyanka Gera CULTURE EDITOR Destinee Scott OPINION EDITOR

Patrick Loftus CHIEF COPY EDITOR Jenna Woo DESIGN EDITOR Amber Borden SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Shaolin Barid HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER Jim Baumbach ADVISER

STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS Jewel Antoine Ivy Bourke Sophie Williams Sophie Finn-McMahon- Alicia Venter

Jack Stephenson Alexandra Crespo Alana Loren Bethea Sara Rodia Jennifer Luizi

EDITORIAL POLICY

Editorials are the opinions of the Editorial Board of the Torch. Columns and other content are the opinions of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of the Torch.

Opinions expressed in editorials, columns, letters or cartoons are not necessarily those of the student body, faculty or administration of St. John’s University. All contents are the sole responsibility of the editors and the editorial board and do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, faculty or students of St. John’s University unless specifically stated.

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ABOUT THE TORCH

The Torch is the official, independent student newspaper of St. John’s University.

The Torch is written, edited, designed and produced by students of the University. The Torch is published on most Wednesdays, with approximately 20 issues throughout the academic year. Copies are distributed for free on campus and through mail subscriptions.

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This past week, the St. John’s University United Nations Global Climate Summit. student body came together for the annual Although this was a big event since, world Take Back The Night event. The purpose leaders were convening to address issues of the event was to raise awareness for sexu- that must be addressed to help save our al assault victims, who are the subject of na- planet, it was undermined by an even bigtionsl news stoies snd stories in the Torch ger event that took place worldwide. The quite frequently.

Global Climate Strike, which was orgaAs a society, and as a college community, nized by men and women our age and even we must unite together in order to combat younger than us, took the media by storm this dangerous trends in our culture. In as kids of all ages took to the streets in order recent years, sexual assault has reared its to show world leaders how serious climate ugly head on our change really is. own campus — the Although the Clisame with univermate Strike was a symsity communities bolic event in terms of worldwide.

We want to give what our generation is In fact, #Survivto do in order you a voice and willing ingSJU, which was to get the attention of we will do any- those in power, the fact a twitter thread that attempted, successthing in our power that students had to fully or unsuccessprotest this is conto do so. even fully, those who cerning. were accused of It is hard to deny having commited the facts about climate sexual assault on our campus, shocked and change that have been researched and horrified many of us. backed up by scientific studies. However, It is our duty to protect our fellow class- our president seems to deny everything mates and to say something if we see or about climate change, insisting that it is not hear of sexual assault occuring on our cam- a real threat. Though we cannot determine pus and no one should have to suffer in si- for you whether climate change is caused lence. For those who have been through an by humans or by a natursl progression of experience like this, the Torch is here for the Earth’s climate, we can provide the you, no matter your role in the St. John’s most accurate coverage, and will try and community. help uncover the truth.

We want to give you a voice and we will In order to combat ignorance and spread do anything in our power to do so. knowledge, we must keep fighting for our With members of the United Nations planet in any way possible. convening in New York last week for the

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8 Opinion

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The Supermajority is Taking America By Storm Jewel Antoine PHOTO COURTESY/SUPERMAJORITY YOUTUBE

It has been long understood that if we want to build a brighter future, we must invest as much as we can into women and girls. When women and girls are given opportunities to grow and attain an education, countries can expect to see increases in economic growth, longer life spans in children and mothers, healthier and better-educated children and an increase in women’s political leadership.

This is the reasoning behind the Supermajority Education Fund, an initiative that is dedicated to research and education about women’s power, awareness, visibility and civic participation to advance the goal of women’s equity.

The organization describes itself as “an intersectional, intergenerational movement of women that is going to drive the change we deserve. For good.” Launched in April 2019 by Cecile Richards, former president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Alicia Garza, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter Global Network and Ai-jen Poo, executive director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Supermajority and the Supermajority Education Fund aims to activate the power of all women, regardless of their socioeconomic, religious or ethnic backgrounds.

In September 2019, the Supermajority started its Supermajority Education Fund bus tour, where they traveled to 14 states and Washington D.C to interact with women from across the country to talk about women’s empowerment and exactly what it should look like moving forward.

During the tour, the organization announced Majority Rules, which is a collection of values that women would like to see reflected in their lives — from their households to their workplaces. These values were informed by tens of thousands of women who engaged in discussions with the organization, both digitally and in person.

Throughout the tour, Supermajority hosted several Democratic presidential candidates at stops where women got the chance to speak to the candidates about the issues affecting their lives.

The movement aimed to give women, who make up 51 percent of America’s population, the chance to be heard

and the ability to gain more political power.

The Supermajority bus tour ends on Oct. 2, in Las Vegas, Nevada. All events were live-streamed, and women who join the discussions online will have the ability to interact with the candidates and ask questions.

The Supermajority is attempting to connect women in a way that has not been done before, by facilitating conversations about what women — real women with real lives — want to see in the world moving forward, as well as ideas on how to remedy the problems and inequalities that we face every day. As women, we all have a very unique experience when it comes to navigating the world; however, the experiences of marginalized women make way for an entirely different conversation. The Supermajority is giving women of all backgrounds the power of

a strong unified voice and a platform to voice the concerns that matter the most to them. As a woman, I believe that Supermajority’s work can benefit millions of women across America and change their lives by allowing them to use their voices and come together to effect real change.

This is transformative because when women are allowed to thrive, we benefit society as a whole and pave the way for stronger, more powerful, more resilient women and societies. The Supermajority is the ideal platform because it is accessible to all women across America. When women come together, magical things happen, and the Supermajority is trying to bring women together so that they can use this magic to change the world.

New York City is Ending the Ban on Gay Conversion Therapy Ivy Bourke Two short years ago the New York City Council banned conversion therapy, a practice that has shattered many generations of gay people for decades. Recently, an anonymous conservative, Christian organization filed a lawsuit against New York City as a tactic to attack their agenda on the openly liberal New York legislature.

There is now a growing fear among the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community that the lawsuit will be taken up to the Supreme Court, which currently has more conservative nominated justices than not. The LGBTQ community fears that their pain, trauma and voices will never be heard with the battles they face with this President and the law.

The LGBTQ community has faced many downfalls in the past few years, especially having a conservative elected as the President of the United States.

The President and his ideology make gay people feel uncomfortable in their skin and continues to torment them with

new laws, proposals and remarks. For example, President Trump is known for his anti-trans rhetoric, being openly against the Equality Act, trans military ban being implemented this year and heavily supporting the Masterpiece Cakeshop decision.

Conversion therapy is the scientific practice of trying to change an individual’s sexual orientation from homosexual or bisexual to heterosexual using psychological and spiritual interventions.

Conversion therapy practices can include methods such as talk therapy, electroshock therapy, treating LGBTQ identity as an addiction issue and many other horrifying methods.

The ban on conversion therapy in New York City showed hope for LGBTQ adolescents and teens. These adolescents should never receive this treatment, especially from their parents or loved ones.

A part of being family means that judgement is never an option, and these experiences contradict that family value. Having friends and family that are LGBTQ, these experiences should never happen or have been tested.

The hate that people in this commu-

PHOTO COURTESY/WIKIPEDIA

nity receive is disgusting and should not be coming from religious leaders, or the President. Their trauma speaks volumes and should be heard and fought for.

The trauma this treatment causes on young and adult members of the LGBTQ community should be taken into account by the legislature. It has shattered thousands of hearts, lives and most importantly the confidence to be who they were born to be.

According to the Human Rights Cam-

paign, those who have no acceptance from their families are more than eight times as likely to have attempted suicide, and almost six times as likely to report high levels of depression.

Do we want more children and teens to die due to suicide? Do we want these experiences to continue for the LGBTQ community?

9 Opinion

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Brett Kavanaugh: Finally Out of the Spotlight?

Sophie Williams 2018 News: Democrats called for the impeachment of U.S. Associate Justice Brett Kavanugh.

2019 News: Democrats called for the impeachment of U.S. Associate Justice Brett Kavanugh.

No, you did not read this wrong. No, you are not in a time warp. Lately, United States news has become a broken record, especially in politics. Today’s culprit: Brett Kavanaugh. It has been over a year since his hearing, but he is back for round two. First it was Julia Swentek, Deborah Ramierex and Christine Blasey Ford who all came forward with sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh — the new perpetrator: a newspaper?

On Saturday, the New York Times released an article which included a claim on how another victim came forward against Kavanaugh. However, the article soon lost its traction once the alleged victim admitted that she could not remember the incident. The New York Times quickly posted a redaction due to the false claim. The case has more contradictions than evidence, so this case cannot be used as grounds to impeach Kavanaugh. Yet, why can people not see this? Well, our country seems to be at a political stand still. People are not will-

ing to give up on their beliefs or listen to anyone not on “their side.” If politics were out of Kavanaugh’s case, people could look at the evidence objectively and agree that there is just not enough.

But since it has become a more politically driven trial, citizens are blind by the lack of evidence actually at hand. I agree that the allegations against Kavanaugh are severe. Any man or woman who has been charged with rape needs to go to trial or undergo an investigation. But in reality, there has never been enough evidence to impeach Kavanaugh.

During the confirmation hearings, Ford’s testimony had many contradictions. Details of the incident changed many times and her eyewitnesses denied recollection. Even her therapist had speculated her motives. Furthermore, all the victims who came forward had few to no eye witness accounts. However, this does not mean the claims made by the victims are untrue.

Their story, whether true or not, is theirs, and sexual assault claims should always be taken seriously. Their claims, in my mind, are true until proven otherwise.

However, there is a high amount of evidence out there discrediting them.

Unfortunately, in Kavanaugh’s case,

PHOTO COURTESY/COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA

there needs to be hard evidence like eyewitnesses, a media supplement or supporting testimonies to impeach him.

The Democratic party, which originally initiated the case against Kavanaugh, essentially ignored the recent article by the New York Times in an effort to move on.

While I would like to say Kavanaugh should be impeached due to the severi-

ty of the allegations, the evidence is too low and must be investigated to have grounds for his removal. Each article I read always led me back to the same conclusion; to discover the truth of this case, more eyewitnesses and supporting evidence needs to come forward. Impeachment, at this point in time, is not probable.

Children Strike Back Against Climate Change Sophie Finn-McMahon On Friday Sept. 20, hundreds of thousands of people across America marched and rallied in support of #ClimateStrike.

I attended the rally that occurred in Manhattan with my friend. The demonstration began at Foley Square and ended at Battery Park, where Willow Smith performed and Greta Thunberg gave a speech. My friend and I paraded, along with an estimated 250,000 people, demanding action be taken to halt the quickening death of our precious Earth.

I saw an Instagram post by Willow Smith, announcing that she would be performing at #ClimateStrike. I wanted to go, but I did not know anyone who was available that day until my friend mentioned that she was going. I immediately invited myself (unapologetically so). The turnout surprised me.

I suspected that thousands of people would attend, but I would have never guessed that hundreds of thousands of people would fill the streets of Manhattan to protest against climate change, especially children in elementary and middle school.

I expected mostly high school and college students to attend; I did not expect to

see children as young as eight-years-old.

Granted, most were probably forced to by their parents or teachers. However, some seemed to genuinely care, even though they might not fully understand the purpose of the march.

One of the first encounters I had at the rally was with a group of schoolgirls, around eight or nine-years-old chanting: “We don’t have a planet B! The ocean’s rising, why aren’t we?!”

Another encounter I had was with a girl, around eight years old, during the march to Battery Park, who had wrapped a poster she made into a cylinder to use as a megaphone, to loudly ask: “Do you want to change the world?!” In turn, people surrounding her, including myself and my friend, responded: “Yes, we do!”

A third encounter I had was with a 12 or 13-year-old girl standing on a brick wall at City Hall, holding up a sign that read: “THE OCEANS ARE RISING AND SO ARE WE.” These are only a few of the many encounters I had at #ClimateStrike. I was taken aback by each of them. I did not think children in elementary or middle school cared about the current state of our world.

Seeing children in elementary and middle school take part in #ClimateStrike

PHOTO COURTESY/SOPHIE FINN-MCMAHON

Protesters gathered at City Hall in New York during the Climate Strike March.

was moving. I was almost brought to tears when I realized that these children are being raised correctly by their parents to be leaders and to be compassionate individuals. I am in awe of how young kids want to get involved in changing our world.

It is important that the younger generation voice their opinion; they bring awareness to issues that need to be changed and

that affect our future.

They remind me that there is still hope for humanity, and that there are still good people in the world. I would say they are the future leaders and educators of our world, but they are already leading and educating.

10

Culture

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J.L. Stephenson You could live in New York City for your entire life, eat three meals a day — each at a different restaurant –– and still not be able to visit everything that the city has to offer. As an avid lover of food and culture, I feel I have a personal responsibility to bring forth some of my most glorified culinary experiences and stories from Manhattan and Queens, my adopted borough.

Through shared meals you discover individuals ,and through individuals you discover what it means to be human, and in a real sense, to be a New Yorker.

Jamil Afzali is the perfect example of how the food industry opens the door of culture and American experiences to immigrants in the United States. Afzali, who arrived in the U.S. from Kabul, Afghanistan in 1980 at the age of 10 as a political refugee, has been a proud American citizen since 2016. Raised in Queens and a graduate of Jamaica PS109, he recalls running a paper route before elementary school and how vivid it is to still work in the neighborhood today. “We were the lucky ones,’’ Afzali said, “our whole family landed right here, not scattered, but all together. This is my hometown.” He emphasizes the word “hometown” because Queens gave him a chance to make something of his future and the futures of the generations in his family which follow him.

Afzali, who now goes by AJ, manages the corner pizza shop Regina Cafe Pizzeria at the intersection of Union Turnpike and Utopia Parkway.

The shop is a St. John’s rite of passage if there’s ever been one. He’s managed the shop for six years now and constantly reiterates the endearing relationship between the shop and St. John’s University. There is nothing overtly unique in taste about the pies or slices at Regina’s, other than the fact that dining there guarantees fresh out of the oven service, crisp crusts and balanced

toppings that appear divine when you are deeply craving a slice. The real unique feature about Regina’s and about AJ, is the sense of community the two have regarding St. John’s. AJ provides 15 percent-off coupons to all students who pass into his shop or present a Storm Card. A meal there is affordable ($2.75 a slice) and is a refreshing chance to get off campus, away from the constant droves of students in the St. John’s dining halls.

AJ, 50, has always cared about this area and about this school. “Kids really know more about pizza and food than adults, you make good, cheap and liveable food and they’ll always come back. You try and make a place feel relaxed and like home, the kids respond to that stuff,” Afzali said.

He understands that Regina’s backbone is the SJU community and that the pizzeria plays a greater role in the collective St. John’s culture.

AJ hopes that Regina’s will be a common thread in campus memories even years after graduation, almost akin to a sense of nostalgia. AJ even created t-shirts last fall to give away to incoming freshmen –– a t-shirt which I am proud to own and wear whenever I return home, to display my sense of admiration for my local pizzeria, something every New Yorker simply has to have. I am honored to say that AJ has become a friendly figure to me, as he is to anyone who stops to say hello. Everytime I enter Regina’s I am greeted with the same warm welcome that I experienced on freshmen orientation day.

I made a point to mention to AJ the day I moved onto campus that my first real New York slices were from his shop. He smiled, threw his hands up and laughed, “That’s the stuff right there man, that’s why I do this!” Do yourself a favor, take a slight break from campus, catch some fresh air and head to Regina Cafe Pizzeria for solid slices and an example of the everlasting American dream.

Torch Photos/ J.L. Stephenson

Regina Cafe Pizzeria

(Top) Jamil Afzali, 50, is the manager of six years at Regina’s.

(Bottom) Regina Cafe Pizzeria, located at the intersection of Union Turnpike and Utopia Parkway, is a student favorite for their fresh slices.

Charli XCX: The Future of Pop Music Dayra Santana Droning synth beats, artificial intelligence style vocals, glitchy pop anthems — this could very well be the future of pop music. If it is, Charli XCX has pioneered it with her newest studio release, “Charli.”

In line with its two successors, mixtapes “Number 1 Angel” and “Pop II,” “Charli” is packed front to back with unique sounds and star-studded features: from Tumblr-age favorite Sky Ferreira on the emotional track, “Cross You Out,” to an electrifying collaboration with french artist Christine and the Queens on “Gone,” these could very well be the best pop duets of the year.

This is Charli’s first studio album release since her sophomore album, “Sucker.” In the time since, Charli has found her voice and her own distinct style in the form of avant-

pop mixtapes. With the help of her creative director and experimental pop producer, A.G. Cook, Charli has crafted an original album that has yet again set her apart from her counterparts.

“Charli” is not, however, the third album that Charli, born Charlotte Aitchison, originally planned to release. In August 2017, her intended album was never given an official name.

It was dubbed “XCX World” by fans and was leaked online.

The album was scrapped and Charli began on what would later be “Charli.”

The 15-track album opens up with “Next Level Charli,” a quick track with simple, fun lyrics: “turn the volume up in your Prius, windows down and just vibe … Bump, bump in the rave, go forever and ever.”

This track is an homage to Charli’s raver background and is an infectiously catchy opener that sets the tone for Charli’s playful and inventive release.

No matter how experimental this album sounds, do not be mistaken: this is a pop album – and a solid one at that. Charli manages to balance her futuristic noise-pop tunes with classic pop hits, as seen when comparing a song like “2099,” that literally looks 80 years into the future with synthetic whines humming in the background, with a song like “Blame It On Your Love” featuring Lizzo –– with vocals reminiscent of Charli’s previous radio hits such as “I Love It” and “Boom Clap” –– that is a certified party hit.

The world may never know what would have been of Charli’s original third album, but “Charli” leaves no room for any desire to find out. No matter what you may have thought about Charli’s work in the past, this album is not only a diligently crafted piece of music, but also an experience that transports listeners to the best rave they’ll ever attend, only it’s in the year 2099.

Sports 11

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The St. John’s Ice Hockey Team: Frozen in Time Patrick Loftus The abrupt end of the St. John’s ice hockey team does not come to mind when talking about the university’s sports. The school is not known for hockey because it currently has no team.

They did have one years ago. From its humble intermittent beginnings in the late 1920s to achieving varsity status in 1980 the hockey team had much to be proud of until its end in the 1992 season. Then the team was frozen in time, never progressing like the other sports.

Jim Muessig, a St. John’s alum, was named team captain at the end of his junior year.

He could not wait to lead the squad in the Fall ’92 season as a senior, before he heard the bad news.

“The disbanding was terrible,” Muessig recalled. “We were all excited for a good year.”

The team was informed about their break up over the summer as letters were sent out to each player.

“I can’t even recall how they told us but it was handled poorly by the school. They never spoke to us directly,” said Muessig. “We were told that it was for lack of funding but also that title 9 played a role. I believe they added women’s volleyball shortly after.”

Efforts by the Torch find the school’s stated reason were unsuccessful.

If losing the squad was not bad enough for these players, then realizing that the school added another team was salt in the wound.

While the disbandment killed the players’ spirits, Muessig never forgot what it was like to be a part of the St. John’s hockey team.

“It was great. For just about everybody, it was the first time playing on a team and not having to shell out all sorts of money to play.”

Not spending a ton of money is a college student’s dream, even 25 years ago. Add that dream to joy of playing for and representing the school, and that is what the magic of the St. John’s hockey team was like.

“We practiced 5 days a week and had all the gear provided except skates and sticks.

The rink was far from campus but that didn’t change a thing,” Muessig added.

Some people who were part of that good company included Buzz Deschamps and Keith McAdams. Deschamps was the head coach while McAdams was the assistant coach.

“Buzz is a hockey legend on Long Island.

The man has tons of stories,” said Muessig.

After all, Deschamps was drafted by the New York Rangers in the mid 50s. He was also awarded the Peconic Hockey Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, which definitely qualifies him to be a hockey legend on the Island.

“From what I remember, he relied on the assistant coaches to run practices. They brought in Keith McAdams as an assistant for my Junior year, and I learned more from him than any coach I ever played for. Buzzy ran the forwards and I played defense,” Muessig noted.

“Otherwise, the man can toss a garbage can in the locker room if he didn’t like what he was seeing from you.”

Deschamps is part of the St. John’s legacy.

Even though the team is nonexistent, it still leaves a mark in the school’s athletic history.

The team’s legacy is so underrated that many students do not know much about it. Some students know the university had a team, but that is it. No one seems to know much about its past.

Anthony Williams, a 20-year-old junior St. John’s student from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, does not know how or why the team disbanded, but he does think the university should have a hockey team.

“New York is a prime place for collegiate hockey. Just like Boston and Connecticut, St. John’s should have a team.”

Williams is not the only student who is concerned with the possibility of hockey in the school.

“If it is plausible, then maybe,” says Justin

PHOTO COURTESY/ sT. jOHN’S aRCHIVES

The St. John’s Ice Hockey team achieved varsity status in 1980.

Burdick, a 20-year-old junior from Albany, New York.

Burdick is one of the managers for the St. John’s women’s basketball team, and the thought of hockey representing the school, just like his basketball team, has crossed his mind a few times.

Burdick also mentioned that “you would have to compete with St. John’s basketball over the winter.”

Kevin Byrnes, a 21-year-old junior from East Rockaway, New York, says that a hockey team reassembling under current NCAA rules, “is virtually impossible because of the scholarships you need to have.” “[The team] would start out as a club and then make its way to varsity all over again,” Byrnes said.

Even if the school may never get a hockey team, looking back on history is special, especially around the mid 70s.

The St. John’s hockey team got re-funded in 1975 after its disbandment two years prior.

Jim Garvey was the head coach at that time, and he wrote reflections praising the team and its players. One of the players was Glenn Newsome, who stood out to form the

nucleus of the team, according to Garvey.

Newsome was happy to be a part of a reemerging team.

“My sophomore, junior, and senior year we played schools like Fordham and Stony Brook, all local teams. It wasn’t like the college hockey you see today. We had some good years,” he said.

“We played games where the Rangers used to practice. We played 18 regular season games and then a few playoff games. Then we lost 2-1 in the final.”

Newsome became captain in his senior year.

“My friend and teammate Jim Arsenault, we called him Boomer because of his slap shot, we went to grammar school together.

And I actually saw him last week.”

The fact that players like Newsome and Arsenault have seen each other over the years, proves that the history is alive and well between them.

While the team may be frozen in time, the alumni and coaches that were part of it are certainly not. It does not matter if a new hockey team emerges in the future, because the legacy of the past St. John’s ice hockey team will live on forever.

St. John’s Softball’s Fall Season Is Off And Running Alicia Venter

TORCHPHOTO/NICK BELLO

The St. John’s Softball Team kicked off their fall season at home Sunday Sept. 21, ready to prepare for the regular season in the spring and build on the program’s success over the recent years. Hosting Iona College and Fairleigh Dickinson University at Red Storm Field, the Red Storm lost to Iona by one (12), but turned around and beat FDU 5-3.

The following weekend, they played at LIU Post, and the results were similar; they split the two games they played, losing to Hofstra 5-4 due to a walk-off homerun in the seventh inning, but then turned around and beat LIU 5-0.

The losses didn’t dampen Head Coach Bob Guerriero’s spirits, “Fall ball is not about St. John’s Softball is 2-2 on their fall season as they return home Oct. 12 against Rider. winning, it’s about learning.”

To do so, he made sure to have all the fresh- legiate career at Seton Hall University. He record and an impressive 14-4 conference men in and give them the opportunity to joined the St. John’s coaching staff in August record, lost in the semifinals of the Big East show their strengths. “My most experienced 2012 as an assistant coach, became associ- Tournament against Villanova University line up is not out there,” he remarked, “[Fall ate head coach in the summer of 2015, and (4-6).

“We had our opportunities,” Guerriero ball] is about learning for me as a coach who took on the head coach position in January stated, “we just didn’t get the timely hit that can do what and what their strongest posi- of 2019.

Last season came to an abrupt end for the we needed.” tions are.”

With the 2018-2019 season over, the seRed Storm, who, after clutching the regular Becoming a softball coach to teach his three daughters, Coach Guerriero began his col- season championship with a 26-22 overall niors, Christina Melendez and Madison

Morris, who were an instrumental part of the team, graduated, and Coach Guierrero admits that losing such important players will pose a challenge to the team.

“Christina had a good senior year in hitting,” he shared, and, about Pitcher of the Year Madison Morris, “losing her is losing 11 big east game wins. Someone is going to have to pick that up.”

That loss of Morris and the youth on the pitching staff, is what the head coach believes will be their greatest challenge to overcome, stating “I feel good about our defense.

I feel good about our hitting. I think our biggest challenge will be our inexperience in the circle.”

However, with multiple pitchers on the team, he isn’t overly concerned. “I think we have a good staff,” he says, referring to the pitchers, “I think we’ll be okay.” As far as winning, he announced that, “No one’s happy until you get the ring that matters.”

St. John’s Softball returns home on Saturday Oct. 12, for a double header against Rider University. The games will be held at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Red Storm Field, which is located behind Donovan Hall.

SPORTS October 2, 2019 | VOLUME 97, ISSUE 05

| TORCHONLINE.COM

I ro n M i ke Stren gth ens H is Bo n d With Fans

TORCHPHOTO/NICK BELLO

Nick Bello It was another beautiful September morning in Queens, N.Y. as St. John’s Men’s Basketball Coach Mike Anderson appeared from the glass doors of Carnesecca Arena, checking out the crowd that had gathered for the ninth annual Dribble for the Cure event.

Anderson, wearing a red St. John’s pullover and slick black Nike sunglasses, is still relatively new to the New York area, having just received the head coaching job in May. You wouldn’t be able to tell by the way he engaged with the hundreds who were on hand to raise money and awareness for the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation. In fact, it has been events like these that have allowed Anderson, born and raised in Alabama, to feel at home in the Empire State.

“This is where we live at,” Anderson stated when talking about giving back to the community. “Whenever events take place that we can be there, we’re gonna be there.”

It has been this attitude that has played an intricate role in not only establishing a relationship with the fans and alum-

ni of St. John’s, but completely changing the culture. After former St. John’s star turned coach Chris Mullin stepped down unexpectedly as head coach in late April of this year, the university was scrambling to find a replacement that would not only bring a winning culture to St. John’s, but also a sense of community.

“

Whenenever events take place that we can be at, we’re gonna be there.

Mike Anderson

“We’re in the kid business, and so what that means for St. John’s could be different for some other school, and that’s fine,” St. John’s Athletic Director Mike Cragg said during Anderson’s introductory press conference at Madison Square Garden in April. “But for St. John’s that means we need a coach that’s committed

to them, that’s gonna work hard and be representative of St. John’s, a hard working, blue collar, get it done, representation and leader for our University.”

In just five months, Anderson has fit the description of what Cragg was looking for when Mullin stepped down.

Although Anderson has not coached a game at St. John’s, he has demonstrated his leadership and willingness to bring his team to a higher level in various ways. Whether it be recruiting elite talent or engaging with the community, Anderson has proven that Cragg’s original intuition was correct.

Dribble for the Cure is on a list of many when it comes to examples of Anderson engaging with the community.

In his first week at St. John’s, Anderson took a stroll around campus and engaged with the student body. Over the summer, Anderson also hosted Taste of St. John’s, where he invited the St. John’s community to join him at Carnesecca Arena for a food exposition of some of the best cuisine in the New York area.

With events like these, Anderson has showed off his charming demeanor. For example at Dribble for the Cure, Anderson sat down next to a mother and her

son and immediately started talking to them, smiling and laughing just minutes before he had to go on stage and address the rest of the crowd on hand.

It is simple, yet meaningful interactions like these that have made Anderson so popular so quickly.

Anderson started his speech at Dribble for the Cure by saying, “Well, it’s my first [Dribble for the Cure] but it won’t be my last.” Although he had said just a few words, the crowd had already been won over, giving him a round of applause.

“It’s funny the more I’m here, the more I just really start to have an affection for St. John’s,” he continued. “Not only this university, but what it stands for.”

The affection with St. John’s seems to be mutual, as fans have gravitated toward him for some of the same reasons he has gravitated toward the university.

It is safe to say that giving back to the community is up there in terms of Anderson’s values.

Come November, the St. John’s community will be ready to give him and his team the needed support they deserve as a result of the groundwork that was established off the court.