The Signal: Fall '14, No. 1

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Vol. XLI, No. 1

August 27, 2014

Serving The College of New Jersey community since 1885

Inside the fences of Campus Town Where the College is ranked

By Tom Kozlowski Managing Editor

Photo courtesy of The PRC Group

Campus Town takes up about 12 acres of land and will be home to 446 students starting in the fall of 2015.

By Natalie Kouba & Tom Kozlowski Editor-in-Chief & Managing Editor It has been four months since most students last saw developments in the construction of Campus Town. Rows of green fences still line Metzger Drive. Sounds of heavy industry clamor in the daytime air. To some, construction appears to be more of the same. And yet, the yellow-wrapped tops of new apartment buildings can be seen rising just over the fence, barren but progressing fast. There may not be much to see from outside the barriers, but within the construction site, Campus Town is beginning to bloom.

The steel structures of soonto-be student apartments, retail space and restaurants are standing, but it is apparent that Campus Town still has a long way to go before it is ready to open.

PRC Group, the developer for the project, has undertaken the now $86 million endeavor alongside Turner Construction, an international construction company hired to assist in the production.

Together, they have implemented a comprehensive strategy for ensuring Campus Town’s continued developments and its eventual

opening on schedule.

“Turner is here (because) they are probably the best in the industry for doing this,” said Greg Lentine, director of University Campus Development at PRC Group. “When we found out they were flying drones above (Campus Town), we thought that was pretty cool. But it’s not just for the pictures. They are tracking progress, making sure things are getting done the right way.”

On any given day, there are 90-120 workers on site.

Through construction alone, the Campus Town project has created 6,000 to 10,000 jobs through employment pool expansion, according to Lentine. Expanding beyond the fence, part of the Campus Town project includes widening Pennington Road outside and thereby moving sewer systems, telephone poles, fire hydrants and curbs to allow for heavier traffic and a traffic light at the main entrance of Campus Town. All steel frames, fire retardant dorms, cinder block stairwells and concrete floors are all steps being taken to ensure fire safety throughout.

“My goal is to educate the students — I don’t want everybody asking, ‘What’s behind the green fence? Lets go see it’,” Lentine said. “I am happy to show it to people. What I don’t

INDEX: Nation & World / Page 5

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Editorial / Page 7

want is for them to come in here on their own.”

The next big change students can begin looking forward to is bricking. According to Lentine, they are running ahead of schedule and are confident they can achieve their goals on their currently scheduled dates.

Recently, PRC Group has been touring the site with retailers in the hopes of signing leases for promising businesses to flourish. Of the 83,000 sq. ft. of retail space, approximately 50 percent of it has been leased out, according to Lentine. So far, Piccolo’s Trattoria Italian restaurant, Red Berry frozen yogurt,

Yummy sushi, Mexican Mariachi Grill and a Starbucks Coffee within the Barnes & Noble bookstore have all been signed.

“The retail can’t survive with just the college students ... we need the public so that their business comes here, and it is not only good for here, but benefits the community as a whole,” Lentine said. “We are looking to have a company that will be successful.”

The 11,400 sq. ft. fitness center will be run and operated by the College and only open to the College community.

See CAMPUS TOWN page 3

Tom Kozlowski / Managing Editor

Piccolo’s will be opening a new location in Campus Town.

Opinions / Page 9

Arts & Entertainment / Page 11

It’s no secret the College has undergone many a physical evolution, from building renovations to the long-prophesied construction of Campus Town. But these changes make up an outside view of the school’s transformation. To understand the subtle yet significant advancements inside the College’s academic and economic core, look no further than its positioning on this summer’s various lists of college rankings.

College rankings come out frequently and with varying credibility attached to their publications. In the case of this summer, the College placed highly on a number of “best” lists from major outlets — Money Magazine, Newsweek and Forbes, to name a few — while also earning a seat among the country’s most expensive public colleges. No one list can tell the whole story, though. Seeing where the College truly ranks means comparing the rankings and See NUMBERS page 2

T-Dubs fried out

By Peter Fiorilla & Mylin Batipps News Editor & News Assistant Due to mechanical issues recently discovered on the scene of T-Dubs during construction, the opening of the Towers-based dining facility has been delayed until further notice.

Although workers had hoped the renovation would be complete by the start of the academic year ahead of schedule, workers ran afoul of technical problems that added to the cost for repairs and time needed for construction. “(The repairs) included broken mechanical systems and plumbing and electric lines cast into the concrete floor of T-Dubs that had to be removed because they were failing or because they were in the way of the renovations,” said Dave Muha, vice president for communications, marketing and brand management at the College.

See T-DUBS page 4

Features / Page 14

Sports / Page 24

The best of summer Catch up on some of the best in entertainment.

Bird’s-eye view Student drone captures campus pictures.

Ice bucket challenge How and why Pete Frates got it started.

See A&E page 11

See Features page 14

See Sports page 20

page 2 The Signal August 27, 2014

‘Tenure and clarity’ for school employees

By Colleen Murphy News Editor The College was ranked one of the best colleges to work for in the country by The Chronicle of Higher Education’s seventh annual “Great Colleges to Work for” survey. Only 92 of the 278 colleges in the survey received special honors, and the College was the only college in New Jersey to make the list.

The Chronicle stands as the “number one source of news, information and jobs for college and university faculty members and administrators,” according to its website, and more than 43,000 college employees responded to The Chronicle’s questionnaire in order to compile the list.

According to The Chronicle’s report, the College has 1,473 employees, including full-time and part-time faculty, administrators and staff. The faculty and staff were asked to agree or disagree with survey statements related to each of the 12 categories the list was based on.

The College was recognized as one of the best mediumsized, four-year colleges for

Photo courtesy of Josh Lewkowicz

The College is recognized for fostering a culture of excellence among employees. tenure clarity and process, one of the 12 categories taken into account, and as a result The Chronicle classifies the College as a “great” college.

A report on The Chronicle’s website “finds that successful academic workplaces create a

culture of accountability. They also promote common values through strong shared-governance policies, making employees feel that they are all players on the same team.”

Rahmaan W. Simpkins, the College’s assistant director for

Human Resources, believes that the College is such a great place to work because employees are highly respected.

“To me, this is one of the reasons that the College has been recognized as a “2014 Great College to Work” for and has

earned national recognition for it’s commitment to excellence,” Simpkins said. “At the end of the day, it’s about the people, and I believe the College’s success is a direct reflection of the fact that we put our most valuable resources, our human resources, first in everything that we do.”

According to The Chronicle’s report, the College has a voluntary turnover rate of 17.8 percent for faculty members and 6.5 percent for other staff members. Simpkins said that the College is a desirable place to work because of the opportunities employees have to share their ideas and talents with the College community.

“The College has a deeply rooted commitment to fostering a customer centric culture and climate of excellence that values the uniquely diverse perspectives and contributions of each and every member of our community,” Simpkins said. “This collaborative and inclusive approach has given rise to a personalized, highquality learning environment that nourishes student achievement and success.”

Numbers / College places well in rankings School spearheading initiatives successfully continued from page 1

gauging the initiatives put in place to improve the College’s results over time.

In the case of Money Magazine, the forecast is positive. The College placed 53rd overall on its list of 665 applicable schools and 17th among public institutions. Figuring the net price of a degree at the College at $127,531 and an average annual salary within five years at $48,400, the numbers suggest a school a burgeoning value.

The authenticity of Money’s list lies in its methodology. The publication consulted national researchers in order to build a statistical framework for ranking colleges. Its factors: Quality of education, affordability and career outcomes, all of which break down into weighted tiers for grading. The result makes for the “most accurate” measure available, according to Money.

“I think the Money ranking is a good one to consider … (it) illustrates that the college is delivering a high-quality education while keeping the education attainable,” said David Muha, vice president for communications, marketing and brand management at the College. “This is reflected in the college’s priorities when it develops its annual spending plan. The top priority continues to be institutional commitment to academic and student affairs (as opposed to administrative overhead) and support for student success, including financial aid.”

Other lists were equally flattering.

Forbes ranked the College 168th in the nation in its list of top colleges, focusing primarily on “output” — how much graduates earn after college — and “return on investment,” according to the magazine.

Only Princeton University scored higher than the College among state schools.

If net value weren’t sufficient, the

College’s freshmen received a bump, too. Statistics offered by the Department of Education ranked the College’s fresh-

“(It) illustrates that the college is delivering a high-quality education while keeping the education attainable.”

—David Muha, the College’s vice president for marketing, communications and brand marketing. man retention rate at 17th in the nation, estimated at a comparatively high 93.4 percent, according to CBS. Still, not every list offered such praiseworthy accolades. At the Department of Education’s College Affordability and Transparency Center, the College was list-

Courtney Wirths / Features Editor

News reports are ranking the College as an affordable option with a good return on investment.

ed as the 9th most expensive public college in the nation, with an annual tuition of $14,378. The ranking looked at in-state tuition and fees during the 2012-2013 school year but rejected including figures for room, board and other driving costs.

The ranking remains controversial among education officials. While U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan believes such lists “help families (to) make informed decisions on the single most important investment students can make in their own futures,” others find its methodology too narrow for single consideration.

“The ranking doesn’t tell the whole story because the true cost to students isn’t what you’re paying year-to-year — it’s what you pay to earn your degree,” Muha said. “TCNJ has the fifth highest four-year completion rate among all public institutions. We do very well at helping students graduate in four years, which helps them save money in the long run and gets them started in their careers more quickly.”

If there’s one list to ultimately put the College’s ducks in a row, however, it’s that of U.S. News and World Report. For another consecutive year, the College has been ranked the number one public and number five overall school in their Best Regional Universities category for the northern region for the country.

Maintaining this position since 1993, President R. Barbara Gitenstein lauded “the exceptional students and … worldclass faculty consistently (setting) high standards and (fostering) innovation.”

The widespread publicity awarded to the College this summer reflects the institution’s push for higher recognition in its academic and economic value.

Regardless of how the school attempts to position itself in the coming years, its current status as a leading contender in national education has made itself clear and well-known.

August 27, 2014 The Signal page 3

College hosts Special Olympics USA Games

By Sydney Shaw Opinions Editor

This summer, 2,500 athletes and their families wandered up and down the boardwalk, lay out on the sand, enjoyed rides and ate their weight in funnel cake.

No, they weren’t down the shore.

They were right in Lot 4 at the College for the New Jersey Special Olympics Summer Games and 2014 Special Olympics USA Games.

The Summer Games opening ceremony on Friday, May 30, included the traditional torch lighting of the cauldron and a speech

by Rutgers football coach Kyle Flood.

The night was capped off by a BStreet Band concert and a spectacular fireworks show.

The games began on Saturday, June 14, when athletes competed in seven different sports, including track and field events, bocce in the soccer stadium, softball, swimming in Packer Hall, powerlifting in Kendall Hall and tennis on the outdoor courts. Gymnastic events were hosted at the Schafer School of Gymnastics in Lawrenceville.

Between events, athletes had the chance to test their luck at games of chance and skill, enjoy amusement park rides and taste classic boardwalk treats.

“Genuine Jersey Pride defines Special Olympics New Jersey and celebrates the impact we have on all who participate as well as those privileged to witness the magic every time an athlete with an intellectual disability takes the field, scores a goal, achieves a personal best time, or

Photo courtesy of TCNJ Magazine

For more than two decades, the College has hosted the state’s Special Olympics. This year, the school was home to the USA Games. simply experiences the joy of participation,” the Special Olympics New Jersey mission statement reads.

Two weeks later, 215 of the athletes who competed in the N.J. Summer Games returned to the Mercer County area to represent Team New Jersey in the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games.

Those athletes, along with almost 3,300 competitors from other states, were invited

to every Trenton Thunder baseball home game that week.

Volunteers for the games numbered more than 10,000.

While the College has hosted the Special Olympics New Jersey State Summer Games competition since 1990, this is the first time that the National Games, which take place every four years, have been hosted in New Jersey.

“It showcases their abilities on that playing field, but also shows them that they can succeed off the playing field in life,” spokesperson Heather Andersen said.

“There are so many other things for them.”

The national games included several more sports — athletics, baseball, basketball, bowling, cycling, flag football, golf, soccer, triathlon and volleyball.

The College hosted basketball, bocce and powerlifting for the 2014 Games, as well as holding the triathlon awards ceremony.

Some of the competitors from the Garden State who went home with a medal include Ryan Hardgrove, with first place in aquatics for the 100-yard butterfly; Jacklyn Fuentes, with first place in the 100-meter run; Victor Yarnall with first place for the powerlifting male squat and John Rosati, with second place in the male bench press.

The dynamic duo Iris Tucker and Jane McCarney won third place in doubles bowling, while Shaleena Tomassini won first place in the 400-meter wheelchair race.

For many athletes, though, the games aren’t about taking home the gold. They are about proving to themselves that they can accomplish what was previously believed to be impossible. The games and their athletic performances are about never giving up.

They are not about overcoming disability, but succeeding in spite of it.

“We hope that their memories will last a lifetime of their week in New Jersey,” said Special Olympics USA Games Chairman and CEO T.J. Nelligan.

Campus Town / ‘Win-win’for the College and Ewing continued from page 1

A Campus Police substation and IT room next to the fitness center will also be renting space on the Campus Town ground floor.

There is expected to be plenty of parking available for students and visitors as well. The PRC Group has calculated that there is .65 of a parking spot allotted to each student living in Campus Town, but since many students will not have cars, they are hoping to have enough. Additionally, there will be 300 retail spots available throughout the site.

While PRC Group is working on leasing out the 83,000 sq. ft. of retail space, the group’s first priority is having the student apartments ready and furnished for move-in.

“We have to be ready to get students in here next year, Aug. 15,” Lentine said. “Our application process started two weeks ago. We have 274 applications for apartments (as of Friday, Aug. 22).”

Priority housing based on academic year will determine who is selected for the studentonly apartments, but it is expected that the 446 beds on Campus Town will fill up fast. Students who apply for the apartments have three days to complete and return the leasing packets — waves of which will begin to be released on Tuesday, Aug. 26 — before losing their places in the line for housing.

“Originally, there was supposed to be 327 beds,” Lentine

said. “All of our market research here showed that the shortage of housing here needed about 600700 beds.”

After negotiating with the College, however, PRC Group settled on 446 beds.

The College is not explicitly looking to increase enrollment with the appeal of Campus Town. Rather, it is a possibility to be considered in the future.

“Because the quality of facilities and amenities is very important to prospective students, however, it is quite possible that Campus Town, in addition to the excellent reputation of the school, will help us in our effort to recruit top students,” said David Muha, vice president of communications, marketing and brand management.

Housing in Campus Town is specially situated. While the apartments are more expensive than traditional off-campus housing — costing a student $6,544 per semester in a onebedroom apartment, $6,003 in a two-bedroom and $5,462 in a four-bedroom — some could argue the benefits are worth the price. The apartments are technically off-campus housing while hosting the convenience of being physically on campus. Students have their own rooms with a double bed, and each apartment complex has a full kitchen, washer and dryer. Students will not even be required to purchase a meal plan since the housing is not operated through the College.

Capstone on Campus Management will manage housing and with tight security according to Lentine. Students will need to use their keys to enter the lobby, elevator, apartment complex and individual rooms.

Originally scheduled in the hopes of opening around the 2014 Olympics, according to Lentine, discussions between the College and PRC Group, as well as surprises in the Campus Town lot, ultimately pushed the projected date back. The site conditions were not what was expected, as buried oil tanks and a swimming pool were discovered in the early stages of construction. Lentine explained how the fitness center, for example, was originally planned to be open to the public. However, after discussions between the College and PRC Group, it was decided that the fitness center should remain exclusive to the College community.

Collaborating in a publicprivate partnership, the College and PRC Group mutually benefit from the project. PRC Group takes on the full financial burden and risk involved in the Campus Town investment. Robert Kaye, CEO of PRC Group, has personally invested millions of dollars in private equity into the project. In turn, PRC Group will be positioned to collect future rent from retailers. It has been projected overall that over the next 20 years, Campus Town will produce $200 million in salaries, $37 million in tax revenue and

Tom Kozlowski / Managing Editor

The fitness center will be open to College students only. $47 million to the College itself, making this a lucrative investment all around.

Although enthusiasm for the project springs from students, staff and developers alike, the Ewing community is equally anxious for its unveiling. According to Lentine, neighbors to the College and residents in Ewing voiced their excitement about Campus Town developments during town hall meetings.

“There is a coalition that wants the TCNJ students out of their neighborhood,” he said.

“They say they disrespect the elders, (and) there’s partying and drinking. They want (students) out of their neighborhood, so the neighbors want this project and they want it now.”

Ewing residents will not only benefit by having fewer students roaming their sidewalks on weekend nights, but also from the economic

advantages of a revenue-intensive community space.

“Campus Town is a win-win for TCNJ and Ewing,” Muha said. “It will create a vibrant center that will benefit both the campus community and area residents. PRC has done a great job in attracting tenants that will appeal to both audiences.”

Most of all, Campus Town will foster an urban and cultural focal point at the College that has long eluded students.

“We think this is going to become the center of life for the College,” Lentine said.

The wait for Campus Town continues to stretch on. But with PRC Group’s confidence in its schedules and the meticulous construction process underway, students can rest assured that what lies behind the green fences is already taking shape into a fundamental hub of life at the College.

page 4 The Signal August 27, 2014

Facebook giving more attention to click bait

By Courtney Wirths Features Editor

• Facebook is changing its newsfeed algorithm in an effort to cut down on the amount of “click bait,” seen in user feeds. Click bait is a term used to describe headlines put on social media that intrigue a user enough to click on the link, but then provides little to no information on the website. The social media giant says it can detect which stories are click bait by tracking how much time a Facebook user spends on a page after clicking a link.

• McDonalds Corp. posted its largest decline in revenue in over a decade earlier this month. One of the largest reasons for the decline is a large drop in the amount of young customers eating at the famed golden arches.

Customers in their 20s and 30s, a demographic once loyal to McDonalds, are now turning to fast-casual dining options such as Chipotle and Panera Bread. The switch stems from younger consumers opting for

healthier eating options.

• Burger King is heading north. The hamburger royal is currently planning to purchase Canadian coffeeand-donut joint Tim Hortons Inc. The deal is being called a tax inversion move because it would relocate Burger King’s base to Canada for the lower tax benefits. If completed, the deal would create the third-largest quick-service restaurant provider in the world, valued at about $18 billion.

• New home sales fell 2.4 percent in July.

The rate essentially matches the July numbers for 2013, a sign that national home sales remain stagnant, failing to show signs of improvement. While new homes only make up about 10 percent of home sales in the United States, the numbers are an important indicator because new home building provides a large number of wellpaying, middle-class jobs. *All information according to the Wall Street Journal.

T-Dubs / Construction uncovers setbacks

According to Muha, the issues that were found served as a detriment to not only the dining facility, but also the entire Travers and Wolfe buildings.

Repairing and removing the problems was necessary not only for the sake of T-Dubs dining, but in order for freshmen to move into a safe environment.

“Preparing the building without electricity or water is virtually impossible,” Muha said. “Thankfully, with the guidance of residential education, facilities was able to get it done in the nick of time and the buildings were ready for move-in last week.”

The unveiling of the new dining facility would have been months ahead of schedule, had it happened early this fall. According to Muha, the College and Sodexo originally

planned to have the renovations completed by the turn of the year.

“I just want to be clear that while we would have liked to have had it ready sooner, the plan was to have this work completed by January,” he said. “Its closing for the fall was not entirely unexpected,” Tackling the issues first that were found was also necessary in order for workers to even begin constructing a new and more efficient dining environment for students, according to Muha and assistant vice president for Student Affairs Sean Stallings.

“T-Dubs is receiving a complete makeover of its servery and back house operations,” Stallings said.

“The idea is that new program will offer an expanded menu while retaining many of the T-Dubs favorites. Additionally, the new design will improve the traffic flow, food presentation, cooking equipment,

and grab-and-go selections.”

As T-Dubs is not yet available, students will be able to dine late at the Lions Den in the Brower Student Center. On weekdays, the Lions Den will be open from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m., and on the weekends from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Stallings added that while he and faculty would like to have TDubs ready for students as soon as possible, Campus Planning and Construction will be working on all the nooks and crannies to ensure that no more problems arise.

“Our partners in Campus Planning and Construction are working diligently with the hired contractor to complete the project as soon as possible but we know we are at least two months behind schedule,” Stallings said. “Though we are prepared to open as soon as the facility is ready, we are also prepared to adapt and ensure that

Photo courtesy of TCNJ Media & Technology Support Services

T-Dubs construction continues into the fall.

our students continue to enjoy the conveniences our dining program is designed to offer. We intend to

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continued from page 1

August 27, 2014 The Signal Page 5

Nation & W rld

Summer recap of the Israeli - Palestinian conflict

By Zach Kahn Correspondent

On July 30, CNN reported that roughly 5,000 rockets had been fired between both Israel and Hamas during the past few months. And unless something changes soon, that number will continue to increase.

Throughout the summer, there has been a steep death toll. Sixty-four Israelis and roughly 2,000 Palestinians have been confirmed dead as of Aug. 21, according to CNN. While these numbers may seem lopsided, there is more to this story than what meets the eye.

According to a CNN report, Hamas has fired roughly 3,500 rockets into Israel as opposed to the 1,300 air strikes from the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). With the fate of the country at stake, Israel was forced to make a move. On July 8, Israel initiated Operation Protective Edge. The goal of the operation was to deter rocket attacks from Gaza and the West Bank.

Part of this protective action was the creation of an airdefense system called the Iron Dome. The Iron Dome has intercepted many of Hamas’s rockets in the air that would have inflicted damage on the citizens and properties of Israel.

With the constant threat of an attack, the IDF retaliated.

Consequently, in an effort to eliminate Hamas, there have been a substantial amount of Palestinian casualties.

In response to global scrutiny regarding killing innocent Palestinians, there have been reports that a substantial amount of the deaths came when civilians acted as human shields.

“The policy of people confronting the Israeli warplanes with their bare chests in order to protect their homes has proven effective against the occupation,” Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri told a Palestinian television station. “We in Hamas call upon our people to adopt this policy in order to protect the Palestinian homes.”

Still, the world remains polarized about Hamas’s activities in the Middle East. According to CNN, many governments, including those of Israel, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Jordan, Egypt, Australia and Japan, consider Hamas a terrorist organization. In contrast, Iran, Russia, Turkey, China, South Africa and many Arab nations have not condemned Hamas, which took over Gaza in 2007.

With Hamas currently at large, a wide range of opinions exist regarding how to stitch peace in the region.

“Hamas needs to be removed from power — they are

AP Photo

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discusses the future of Israel. known as a terrorist organization internationally that is intent on destroying Israel,” junior psychology major Michael Levi said. “(Palestinian President) Mahmoud Abbas should take control of the region since, in the past, he has shown a desire for peace.”

At the moment, however, neither side is budging.

There have been numerous cease-fire agreements, but each one has been violated by Hamas. In response, Israel will keep defending itself until peace is achieved or until there is no more Israel left to defend.

Memorial service for slain US journalist James Foley

AP Photo

Journalist James Foley gives a speech to students at the Christa McAuliffe Regional Charter Public School in Framingham, Massachusetts.

ROCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — Slain U.S. journalist James Foley was living his faith by bringing images to the world of people suffering from war and oppressive regimes, a Roman Catholic bishop said Sunday at a Mass in his honor.

Bishop Peter Libasci said even after

Foley was captured for the first time in Libya in 2011, he “went back again that we might open our eyes.”

The Mass was attended by Foley’s parents, John and Diane Foley, and hundreds of others in their hometown of Rochester, New Hampshire. The bishop read aloud a

The NJ Report

Around the World:

In a packed Our Lady of the Holy Rosary church, the bishop frequently addressed Foley’s parents and stressed their son’s connection to family. He also prayed for another captive journalist, Steven Sotloff, and all captives.

“Jim went back again that we might open our eyes,” Libasci said. “That we might indeed know how precious is this gift. May almighty God grant peace to James and to all our fragile world.”

A funeral for Foley will be Oct. 18, what would have been his 41st birthday.

Also Sunday, the U.S. government said Peter Theo Curtis of Massachusetts, a journalist who was held hostage for about two years by an al-Qaida-linked group in Syria, was released. White House national security adviser Susan Rice said Curtis, who wrote under the byline Theo Padnos, is now safe outside of Syria.

Ukraine

Russian aid trucks leave; highlight dire needs

AP Photo

Boy finds 10,000-year-old arrowhead in Long Beach Island.

A boy playing on a New Jersey beach has found a 10,000-year-old arrowhead possibly used by ancient Native Americans to spear fish or hunt mastodon.

Ten-year-old Noah Cordle and his family were vacationing at Long Beach Island last week when he found it.

All information from AP

letter from the Vatican extending the condolences of Pope Francis.

Foley was kidnapped on Thanksgiving Day 2012 while covering the Syrian uprising. The Islamic State posted a Web video Tuesday showing his killing and said it was in retaliation for U.S. airstrikes in northern Iraq.

Libasci invoked the prayer of St. Francis, which begins, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,” to implore the gathered not to hate but to heal.

“It is in giving that we receive,” he recited. “It is in pardoning that we are pardoned. It is in dying that we are born to eternal life. To these words, I think we can say, ‘Yes, I wish we could do that.’ It is not beyond our capability. It is not impossible. Our Lord lived it. Our most Blessed Mother lived it. Many saints have lived it.

James lived it.”

DONETSK, Russia (AP) — Hundreds of Russian aid trucks returned home from rebel-held eastern Ukraine on Saturday, highlighting a dire need for longterm assistance to the region where homes and livelihoods have been destroyed by months of fighting.

Ahead of a much-anticipated meeting on Tuesday between the presidents of Russia and Ukraine, German Chancellor Angela Merkel held talks in Kiev with Ukrainian officials and expressed hope for a peaceful solution to the conflict that has claimed more than 2,000 lives.

Russia unilaterally sent hundreds of aid trucks into Ukraine through a rebelheld border point Friday, saying it had lost patience with Ukraine’s delaying tactics, a move that Ukraine promptly described as an invasion.

By mid-afternoon Saturday, all the vehicles had returned to Russia, Paul Picard of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe told reporters in the Russian town of Donetsk. A Russian emergency official said 227 vehicles had taken part.

An AP reporter on the Ukrainian side of the border was able to look inside about 40 of the white-tarpaulined tractor-trailers and confirmed they were empty. Russia said the trucks carried

AP Photo

Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko, right, welcomes German chancellor Angela Merkel before their meeting in Kiev, Ukraine, on Aug. 23. only food, water, generators and sleeping bags to the hard-hit rebel stronghold of Luhansk.

Ukraine and others — including the U.S., the European Union and NATO — denounced the Russian move as a violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Kiev and Western countries also suggested the convoy could be smuggling in supplies and reinforcements to the pro-Russian separatists fighting the government.

It remained unclear what the Russian convoy had actually delivered, since it

only arrived late Friday and unloading all those trucks in just a few hours in a war zone represents a sizeable task. AP journalists following the convoy said rattling sounds Friday indicated many of the trucks were not fully loaded.

In towns and cities recaptured by Ukrainian forces from the rebels, the need for something more long-term than a one-time delivery of food and water is glaring. Assistance has been trickling in from the government and international donors, but it is still not enough.

page 6 The Signal August 27, 2014

August 27, 2014 The Signal page 7

Editorial

Changing for the better

In lieu of the manifold changes occurring in and around campus this fall, The Signal asked some of its staff members what development most excited them. The consensus leans clearly in favor of Campus Town.

“The College has been notoriously lax in recent years about expanding housing options, leaving too many students out in the rain. PRC Group has made a comprehensive effort to logistically assess the shortage of housing, expand the bed count, negotiate with an administration that continued to underestimate the shortage and build luxury apartments that even salaried college graduates would envy. The apartments are expected to be fully operational by the fall. Regardless if PRC Group sends one my way (please do), I’m most excited about the dedication the company has undertaken in putting student needs first and foremost. Their energy for the project will make Campus Town a model for campus construction and housing expansion.”

—Tom Kozlowski Managing Editor “I’m excited to be back on campus in the midst of all the new developments that are currently in progress. None are more interesting, however, than the luxury apartments being built in Campus Town, which will be a perfect addition to residential life.”

—Jonathan Edmondson Arts & Entertainment Editor “I am very excited with all the progress that Campus Town has made. Although I will be long gone and never have the chance to shop there as a student, it is a great addition to the College. When I come back to visit after graduation, I cannot wait to try out the sushi bar and the Mexican mariachi grill.”

—Andrew Grossman Nation & World Editor “It’ll be fantastic to have a Piccolo Trattoria in walking distance of my dorm. The new restaurants will be a welcome addition to the dining options on and around campus. Alternating between Eick and the Rat can be tiring.”

—Sydney Shaw Opinions Editor “Hopefully I’ll be one of the first people living in the new housing developments in Campus Town. The floor plans look awesome! It’ll be cool to be in the center of town.”

—Kim Ilkowski Review Editor “Yummy Sushi is coming to Campus Town and I can’t wait to have sushi dates with my friends! That, along with all the other restaurants, will be a great new spot to get together without traveling far.”

—Jess Ganga Social Media Editor “I am most looking forward to the completion of Campus Town (if and when it is ever completed). It will be nice to have actual restaurants around campus that are not designed to be ordered and eaten at four in the morning.”

—Matt Bowker Production Manager

Editorial Content Unsigned editorial opinions are those of the Editorial Board, which consists of the Editor-in-Chief, the Managing, News, Features, Arts & Entertainment, Opinions, Photo and Sports editors and the Business Manager, unless otherwise noted.

Opinions expressed in signed editorials and letters to the editor are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Signal.

Photo courtesy of campustownattcnj.com

PRC Group and the College have agreed to house 446 students in the new Campus Town apartments, models of which have been debuted to student acclaim.

tcnjsignal.net Email: signal@tcnj.edu Telephone: Production Room (609) 771-2424 Business Office (609) 771-2499 Ad Email: signalad@tcnj.edu

Editorial Staff Natalie Kouba Editor-in-Chief kouban1@tcnj.edu Tom Kozlowski Managing Editor kozlowt1@tcnj.edu Colleen Murphy Peter Fiorilla News Editors murphc16@tcnj.edu fiorilp1@tcnj.edu Julie Kayzerman Sports Editor kayzerj1@tcnj.edu Jonathan Edmondson Arts & Entertainment Editor edmondj5@tcnj.edu Courtney Wirths Features Editor wirthsc1@tcnj.edu Sydney Shaw Opinions Editor shaws4@tcnj.edu Kyle Bennion Photo Editor benniok1@tcnj.edu

Mailing Address: The Signal c/o Brower Student Center The College of New Jersey P.O. Box 7718 Ewing, NJ 08628-0718 Andrew Grossman Nation & World Editor grossma6@tcnj.edu Kimberly Ilkowski Review Editor ilkowsk1@tcnj.edu Matt Bowker Production Manager bowkerm1@tcnj.edu Annabel Lau Web Editor laua2@tcnj.edu Jess Ganga Social Media Editor gangaj1@tcnj.edu Mylin Battips News Assistant battipm1@tcnj.edu Emilie Lounsberry Advisor lounsber@tcnj.edu Lucas Haber Business/Ad Manager haberl1@tcnj.edu

Quotes of the Week “The retail can’t survive with just the college students ... we need the public so that their business comes here, and it is not only good for here, but benefits the community as a whole.”

— David Lentine, director of University Campus Development at PRC Group

“(The College’s) top priority continues to be institutional commitment to academic and student affairs (as opposed to administrative overhead) and support for student success, including financial aid.”

—David Muha, vice president of communications, marketing and brand management

page 8 The Signal August 27, 2014

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August 27, 2014 The Signal page 9

Opinions

Ray Rice suspension raises eyebrows

AP Photo

Ray Rice earns himself just a two-game suspension after allegations of domestic violence in February.

By Sydney Shaw Opinions Editor

The NFL’s lax two-game suspension of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice incited outrage across the country and demands that the league crack down on players who commit misdemeanors.

“You wonder what kind of message is sent when pot smokers get longer suspensions than people who engage in domestic violence,” Bob Kravits of the Indianapolis Star wrote in an editorial about the incident.

Rice allegedly punched his then-fiancèe Janay Palmer during a fight in February while inside an Atlantic City elevator.

This comes shortly after the season-long suspensions of Josh Gordon of the Cleveland Browns, LaVon Brazill of the Indianapolis Colts and Cardinals’ Daryl Washington for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. All three tested positive for pot.

Fans are wondering why a hit to your significant other’s face is more justifiable than a hit of marijuana.

Others have argued that the suspension

of Rice without a suspension of Colts owner Jim Irsay shows favorable treatment of the higher-ups who sign the checks.

Irsay was arrested in March and charged with driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance.

While these instances have most frequently been held up against the Rice suspension, I wondered what other crimes the NFL finds more severe than assault.

In 2006, Odell Thurman of the Cincinnati Bengals was suspended for four games, twice as long as Rice, after failing to appear at a scheduled drug test. Just a couple months later, Thurman was arrested for a DUI and missed the entire 2006 and 2007 seasons.

Vincent Jackson pleaded guilty in February 2010 to driving under the influence and was suspended from the San Diego Chargers for three games.

Houstan Texan Antonio Smith was suspended in August of last year for just one game less than Rice after swinging around the helmet of an opposing player.

So, by that logic, swinging around two helmets is pretty much the same thing as knocking your fiancée out cold.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was suspended for six games (which was later reduced to a four-game sentence) after prosecutors decided to not even charge him in a sexual assault investigation.

And who can forget when Plaxico

Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg, earning himself a four-game ban?

Looking back, it is clear that when Roger Goodell became commissioner in 2006, he demanded that the league stop being so lenient about players performing violent hits, but something still had to be done about some players’ unacceptable off-thefield behavior.

In April 2007, Goodell introduced a new Personal Conduct Policy following a year of significant scandal surrounding some players’ actions off the field.

But after this recent suspension, I’m not sure if Goodell has cracked down hard enough.

Several members of the United States Senate agree.

“The decision to suspend Mr. Rice for a mere two games sends the inescapable message that the NFL does not take domestic or intimate-partner violence with the seriousness they deserve,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Sen, Tammy Baldwin and Sen. Chris Murphy wrote in the letter to Goodell and Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome.

When Rice puts on his uniform, he accepts a position as not only a running back for the Ravens, but also as a role model for individuals across the country.

Rice should be ashamed of his actions, and the NFL should be ashamed of the meager slap-on-the-wrist that he received.

Drone strikes: a culture of unaccountability

By Vincent Aldazabal

American drone strikes in the Middle Eastern countries of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia are the newest additions to the repertoire of politically sanctioned instruments of American terrorism.

President Obama has long since dropped the rhetoric of his predecessor’s propaganda campaign of American decreed “War on Terror,” and instead is consistently asserting that American drone warfare against those with suspected terrorist ties is simply the “right thing to do.”

Amnesty International has declared Obama’s military campaign as war crimes and cites 4,000 civilian deaths, nearly a quarter of which have been children. Amnesty International also has made clear that these death tolls are probably underestimated due to the increasing difficulty in accounting for American destruction in these regions.

The practice of anonymous killing via unmanned drones has created a culture of unaccountability from the persons controlling the machines to the leadership initiating their use. Any inability to absorb the war crimes being perpetrated at the current moment is reflective of the obfuscation of particular historical patterns of presidential wartime violence against civilian populations. More significantly, if we are willing to mount a domestic resistance to such crimes, we must look to the valiant efforts of anti-war dissidents in the experiences of World War I, World War II and Vietnam.

When looking at the critiques that Sen. Robert Lafollette produced on the rhetorical justifications of Woodrow Wilson, which led up to the U.S.’s entrance into WWI, we are given a solid pretext to the development of American domestic opposition to the hypocrisies of Western imperialism.

Wilson stated that America would be “making the world safe for democracy,” yet Lafollette believed this was a false pretense and creating double standards in the aggression of the United States and its allies compared to that of the Axis Powers.

Lafollete pointed to the fact that while the U.S. supported the U.K and France’s right to adequate military defense, they would not have to terminate the crippling imperial policies in India and Africa, respectively.

Lafollette was right to be suspicious, as his critiques were proven valid in the release of the Nye Report in 1935.

The Nye Report was the strongest force in creating a new, reinvigorated body of anti-war American dissidents.

The most poignant example was in the growing force of Pacifism amongst American citizens. When angered by the revelations released in the Nye Report, 500,000 students opposed American involvement in World War II on Pacifist grounds and demanded “scholarships not warships.”

Honoring Robert Lafollette’s legacy of dissent was perhaps most vocalized in the American experience of the Vietnam War. Indeed, hundreds of thousands of American men — war veterans and civilians alike — publicly condemned the war, and young women and men of the Student Nonviolent Coalition Committee were also audible voices of dissent.

It is essential to recognize the effect public opposition had in bringing an end to the tremendous loss of both American and Vietnamese life as a result of the schemes of Washington.

This past summer, the Obama administration disclosed its withdrawal policy related to Afghanistan, beneath which a more elusive political impulse is buried.

According to the editorial board at USA Today, Afghans

are being ordered to “step up their game,” as a terrorist threat that now stretches “from South Asia to the Sahel” is becoming more of a threat to overall hegemony.

Drone strikes are the cause of enormous sources of both psychological and physical destruction. Their current use will only continue to exacerbate the despair that breeds an all-too-familiar, unquenchable thirst for vengeance.

The logic of the need for American public dissent is simple: We must be able to connect the themes of our own personal, collective and national levels of trauma to the trauma ravaging those on the other side of the world.

For if we don’t, our humanity and democracy very may well remain enslaved to the illusion of security given by self-righteous displays of violence.

AP Photo

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice advocated for the use of drones for counterterrorism operations.

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page 10 The Signal August 27, 2014

August 27, 2014 The Signal page 11

Arts & Entertainment

The Very Best of Summer 2014 Entertainment

AP Photo

Smith has hit summer song.

By Jonathan Edmondson & Kimberly Ilkowski Arts & Entertainment Editor & Review Editor Best Film Jonathan: “Boyhood,” written and directed by Richard Linklater, is without a doubt the best film of 2014 to date. Filmed over 11 years from 2002 to 2013, the film focuses on a young boy (played by newcomer Ellar Coltrane) as he grows-up in the 21st century.

The audience watches Coltrane and the rest of the powerhouse cast (including Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke) grow up before their eyes, creating a truly original piece of cinema. Critics everywhere have been calling this a landmark, for no other film has been shot like this before. “Boyhood” is more than just a film — it’s a work of art.

Kimberly: “X-Men: Days Of Future Past” was a stellar way to

start off the summer movie season.

The film, directed by Bryan Singer, follows Wolverine as he goes back in time to try and change the dark future to which he and his Xmen are doomed. It’s extremely interesting to see younger versions of the characters interact with one another, especially Michael Fassbender as Magneto and James McAvoy as Professor X. Anyone who loves the franchise will not be disappointed with this movie — it delivers everything you would want from an “X-Men” movie, the intense action, the beloved characters and the heart.

Best Album Jonathan: “Strange Desire” by Bleachers made the perfect sunkissed, indie-pop soundtrack to my summer. For a debut album, “Strange Desire” holds together remarkably well in a short but memorable 11-song package.

Started as a side project by Jack Antonoff of fun., Bleachers has been touring the country in support of this record and has quickly become a festival favorite. “I Wanna Get Better” is the band’s successful single, but listen to tracks like “Rollercoaster” to really absorb its unique and youthful sound.

Kimberly: “Lazaretto” by Jack White is the ex-White Stripes singer’s second studio album, and it’s even better than his first. Each song has a unique style that sets it apart and highlights White’s range.

Whether he’s singing the blues or shredding his guitar, it’s clear he’s a master at what he does. White always strives to bring something new to the table, and this time it

lands on the turntable. The vinyl version of “Lazaretto” has all kinds of cool features like hidden tracks, alternate intros and holograms.

Best TV Show Jonathan: “Project Runway,” now in it’s 13th season, still manages to be one of the best reality competition shows on television.

During a summer that’s filled with mostly reruns, “Runway” is a burst of fresh air and a rare glimpse into the exclusive world of fashion design. While drama certainly sizzles in the workroom, the real emphasis is always on the designs — some are hits and others are total misses. While it may not be as riveting as “True Blood,” “Project Runway” is uniquely its own and has a format that is both accessible and entertaining to watch.

Kimberly: “The Half Hour” on Comedy Central features stand up sets from lesser-known comedians, and that’s precisely what makes it great. Each week you have no idea what you’re in for, but sure enough, you end up completely loving the comedians and repeating their jokes to your friends. Many of the comedians, like my favorite Mark Normand, are able to blend social issues and humor together in a way that makes you stop and think after the show is over. For others, like Joe Wengert, it’s all about the quirky delivery style. It’s a great show for discovering new talent and to end your day with a laugh.

Best Novel Jonathan: “We Were Liars” by E. Lockhart is a riveting, suspensefilled young adult novel that truly

delivers. Lockhart crafts her characters with a delicate balance, leaving the reader unsure of who exactly he should be rooting for. Centered around summers on a private island, “Liars” follows the story of a group of teenagers growing up in a corrupt, upper-class family. The novel also has one of the most incredible, “didn’t-see-that-coming” endings I have ever read.

Kimberly: “No Slam Dancing, No Stage Diving, No Spikes” by Amy Yates Wuelfing and Steven DiLodovico is an oral history of the now closed (and now infamous) City Gardens punk club right here in Trenton, New Jersey. The book chronicles shows throughout the ’80s and early ’90s using interviews from club regulars and band members alike. It’s fun to read about bands playing there before they hit massive fame and how much Trenton meant to them and their careers.

There’s even multiple references to our school radio station WTSR, DJs of which played a huge role in

the scene.

Best Song Jonathan: “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith is not your traditional summer-jam, but its hard to imagine these past few months without this chilling ballad blasting over radios everywhere. Smith, a newcomer to the music business, launched into the public eye with this song about the morning after a one-night stand. His crooning vocals and touching lyrics helped elevate this track for listeners to remember for years to come.

Kimberly: If you listen to the Philly radio station Radio 104.5, a day hasn’t gone by where you haven’t heard “I Wanna Get Better” by Bleachers. In anticipation for their free concert at Festival Pier, the band was brought out of obscurity and played non-stop — thus becoming the soundtrack to all my long summer car rides.

With such a jovial sound and easy to sing along lyrics, what more could you need?

Latest ‘X-Men’ flick is an action-filled blockbuster.

AP Photo

Professor analyzes Springsteen’s lyrics

By Jonathan Edmondson Arts & Entertainment Editor Mention the name Bruce Springsteen to almost anyone in America, and he or she will immediately think of a rock star with multiple best-selling albums.

He or she may not, however, think of him as a literary genius.

This is why it may seem strange to some that Lincoln Konkle, an English professor at the College, is currently on sabbatical to write an academic book about Springsteen. The book, as Konkle pointed out, will analyze “Bruce’s song lyrics as poetry, short stories, tragedy, comedy, social commentary and philosophical and religious musing.”

Konkle, who also teaches an Honors Freshmen Seminar Program titled “Springsteen’s Lyrics as Literature,” is more than just a fan of Springsteen’s music. He has analyzed his lyrics and listened to his albums over and over again to decipher hidden meanings behind each track.

“When I was in college, a friend played ‘Born to Run’ for me. Living in a rural, redneck community in northern Indiana, I could relate to the lyrics, ‘this town’s a deathtrap / it’s a suicide rap / we gotta get out while we’re young,’” Konkle said when asked about the first time he heard Springsteen. “(And) after hearing this line from ‘Growin’ Up’ — ‘I found the key to

the universe in the engine of an old parked car’ — I was really hooked,” he added.

But Springsteen’s lyrics were different from typical rock ramblings. They were inherently poetic.

“Combining macrocosm and microcosm (universe and old parked car), and reviving a dead metaphor (no one pictures a key when they say ‘the key to x is’), I knew right then this was rock and roll for English majors,” Konkle said.

While there are many Springsteen fanatics across the globe, it takes a truly passionate listener to dedicate a whole year to analyzing and writing about his music. Konkle, who also loves theater and literature, gets to combine all of his

interests into one creative package when writing about Springsteen.

“There have been many books written about Springsteen, some with analysis of his lyrics, but none of them has had the basic thesis that this guy is a great writer of literary lyrics — as well as kick-ass rock music,” he said.

The process to obtain a sabbatical, as Konkle notes, is a long one. One must complete preliminary research to complete a proposal and map out a timeline for the project. The proposal is then evaluated by a committee deciding whether or not to grant sabbatical. For Konkle, this was his second time applying.

But even after obtaining the sabbatical,

AP Photo

Bruce Springsteen’s lyrics are the topic of Lincoln Konkle’s new book.

Konkle knows that there will be major challenges ahead.

“I anticipate the most difficult task is to plan in which specific chapters I’m going to analyze specific songs,” he said. “Some of them fit under multiple topics. It may come down to flipping a coin as to within which chapter I discuss some songs.”

One might believe that the most challenging aspect for Konkle might be to convince others that the rock star really can be a literary genius. However, as Konkle points out, he is definitely not the only one who believes in Springsteen’s literary standing.

“Most long-time Springsteen fans know and love the depth of his writing.

And the hundreds of people who presented papers at the three ‘Glory Days: An International Bruce Springsteen Symposium’ events in 2005, 2009 and 2012 (at which Konkle presented) don’t need persuading,” Konkle explained. “Some of those conference participants have published their own papers as articles in journals or academic books,” he stated.

“So there is really no question that Springsteen’s songs and albums warrant analysis from multiple perspectives.”

By the time Konkle is finished with his book, he will be able to add it to a vast collection of academic writings on Springsteen’s lyrics, a collection that many never knew existed.

page 12 The Signal August 27, 2014

Firefly is festival heaven for music fans

By Kimberly Ilkowski Review Editor Do yourself a favor and don’t go to Firefly Music Festival.

Once you experience how outof-this-world incredible and overwhelmingly fantastic it is, going back to normal life is a serious downer. Instead of checking which of your favorite bands is playing, you go back to checking your email. Instead of rocking out to live music, you’re stuck with a quick jam session in your car at a red light.

Attend if you dare, but if you do, get ready for the time of your life.

Firefly Music Festival, now in it’s third year, took place at the newly expanded Woodlands at Dover Downs in Dover, Delaware. Die-hard fans and newcomers alike traveled from every state in the country for four days of live outdoor music spanning Thursday, June 19, to Sunday, June 22. The massive grassy fields surrounded by thick forest were transformed into a community of tents, cars,

stages, food stands, shops and more to accommodate the nearly 80,000 attendees.

While some people chose to stay in hotels, my friends and I chose to stay at the campground right outside the festival gates.

Several days of using portapotties makes you miss even the nastiest of communal bathrooms at the College.

As far as camping goes, my friends and I are by no means experts. Who could ever forget the most quintessential part of the tent? My friend, Daniel.

We ended up having to borrow

stakes from the campers around us just to keep our ancient tent from collapsing on us in the middle of the night.

Sleep was not an option here.

Quiet hours began at 2 a.m. with DJs blasting popular music until the very last second. Once I was finally able to rest, I was either waking up before the sun came out to get a shower or burning alive when the sun hit our tent every morning around 8 a.m.

Over a hundred acts were spread equally across seven stages including the Main Stage, which featured the festival’s

AP Photo

Foo Fighters impress with an epic five-song encore.

headliners: Foo Fighters, Outkast and Jack Johnson.

Outkast was a wild dance party from start to finish. Keeping our spots in the front was literally painful — imagine nearly 30,000 people packed together like sardines. Luckily, the second Andre 3000 and Big Boi came out to “Bombs Over Baghdad,” everyone got over the claustrophobia and jumped around like there was no tomorrow.

Other acts included the Arctic Monkeys, who thrust their hips and sauntered around stage as vocalist Alex Turner crooned “Do I Wanna Know.”

Grouplove dove head first into the crowd. Twenty One Pilots climbed the stage scaffolding, and Cage the Elephant had a competition with the audience to see who could get the absolute craziest.

Smaller and lesser-known acts also dominated the weekend. It was the perfect place to discover new music. Bands like San Fermin, Bleachers, Basic Vacation and Washed Out were

all new on my radar, and each played an impressive show.

The highlight of my weekend was hands-down the Foo Fighters epic, nearly two-and-a-half hour set on Friday night.

Then, after an adrenaline filled, fists-in-the air screamalong, Dave Grohl and company powered through a five-song encore, which included four classic rock covers and one of my favorite Foo songs, “Everlong.”

Grohl gave the crowd everything he had, bouncing around the stage the whole night and even coming down the middle barrier to grab a beer.

Firefly was four days of utter bliss for any true music lover.

It was filled with joyous music, rowdy crowds and a communal sense of living with music-loving strangers.

You’ll miss living under the stars and the complete and utter lack of responsibility. Heck, I bet you’ll even miss that crazy guy who played acoustic guitar in line for the showers at six in the morning.

‘Mr. Mercedes’ is a riveting and realistic thriller

By Brett Sanders Staff Writer Stephen King is known as the master of horror, and this statement holds all sorts of truth. The writer, now approaching his late 60s, is the author of over 50 novels and dozens of short stories. With standout works including “The Shining,” “Pet Sematary” and “Under the Dome,” one may classify him as an expert on supernatural storytelling. It comes as a surprise, then, that Mr. King’s latest novel, “Mr. Mercedes,” is a more realistic crime thriller.

“Mr. Mercedes” delivers a suspenseful ride of good and evil, showing that King truly is the master of any type of horror, whether it be supernatural or psychological. The story

focuses on the lives of Brady — a killer, and Bill — a retired detective. After killing eight people and wounding many others by driving a stolen Mercedes into a job fair, Brady taunts Bill with letters and seeks to hurt the people who matter most to him. What pursues is Bill’s chase to find Brady before he commits another heinous act.

A compelling aspect of the novel is how the reader gets to look into the mind of the chaotic killer. The notes that Brady writes to Bill are fully included within the text, directly putting the reader in the protagonist’s shoes. The reader gets a real and complete sense of how the killer is thinking with respect to how he became who he is.

The tone of the novel corresponds to

present day. Taking place shortly after the worst of the 2007-2009 recession, the economic content of the writing shows the horrors in the world besides those of murder. The first page includes stories of the people waiting in line at the job fair that is soon to be turned into a crime scene.

People began camping out the night before the job fair opened, eager to be the first to put their résumés in the hands of a potential employer. One of the characters described is a woman who brings her infant child to wait with her because she doesn’t have the funds to hire a babysitter for the night. The way King touches upon these morose economic conditions makes the ultimate story more realistic than ever.

And the novel is absolutely realistic.

Unlike past works, everything in this book has the potential to happen. No ghosts or superficial creatures are involved in the story. It is simply a mass murderer who is obsessed to kill again.

The one fault in the novel is the ending. The closing pages are not bad in any sense, but some may describe them as being rushed. It is a let down, but not a big one. The great storytelling makes up for the underwhelming ending.

King’s novels are always a pleasure to read. Although not recommended for the squeamish, “Mr. Mercedes” takes readers on an intense, fun ride that embraces the chilling horrors of making the fiction feel like nonfiction.

Professor Thielker leads Afghan art project

By Jonathan Edmondson Arts & Entertainment Editor

During the summer, some students at the College choose to study in exotic locations around the world.

Some choose internships in popular cities like New York and Philadelphia, and yet others spend the hazy months right here on campus.

Students are able to collaborate with professors on special projects through a program called MUSE (Mentored Undergraduate Summer Experience).

Started by a professor or student interested in a specific project, MUSE is completed over two months during the summer. Projects are cross-disciplined, ranging from business to the arts.

This summer, professor of fine arts Gregory Thielker

Photo courtesy of Gregory Thielker

Panorama shows unique view of Afghanistan.

worked with junior visual arts major Jessica Cavanaugh and a senior visual arts and interactive multimedia double major Christina Behnan on a special project based on Thielker’s research in Afghanistan.

“I’ve been to Afghanistan several times, and we have been working to develop components of an exhibition that will be opening in October,” Thielker said. “In the process, I’ve been able to share the experience of working on site in Afghanistan and sharing with them the raw materials — interviews, documentaries, photography, video recordings and sketches — and then to translate that into a professional level exhibition.”

Thielker is no stranger to creating art based on his time in other countries. In 2010, he was awarded a Fulbright-Nehru Senior Research Award which allowed him to live and work in Delhi, India. Thielker emphasizes community and strives to portray different perspectives in his art pieces.

His project with MUSE students this summer was both challenging and rewarding for the artist.

“We had a very specific ... major type of project which was this 35-foot panorama painting that nearly killed me,” Thielker said. “It made a lot of sense because this is a historic format and in a similar fashion to the diorama … there is usually a workshop of people, so it makes a lot of sense that it’s not a single person. I certainly envision us as a team (that) works together.”

As Thielker explained, the panorama is a view of a region in Afghanistan about 40 miles north of the city of Kabul where there is a major air hub. The community around Kabul has a history of warfare and conflict, so the art piece is an “unromantic view of a warzone, where it’s actually

Photo courtesy of Gregory Thielker

Thielker and students share artistic ideas.

quite serene and peaceful, although there’s this history of violence and instability.”

The piece serves as a ground view for what one would see in the area, including mountains, the citadel, houses and agriculture in the valley.

Thielker, who had a wonderfully collaborative experience with his two students, hopes to send across a message with this project.

“We are using this a chance to kind of have a dialogue about what people see in Afghanistan,” Thielker said when discussing the goals of this piece. “A lot of times, when you think of Afghanistan, you think of pictures of these soldiers and oppressed women. I wanted to show that there was more to it than that and to use painting in this large format to help get that point across.”

August 27, 2014 The Signal page 13

Fall Out Boy and Paramore combine forces

By Sydney Shaw Opinons Editor

Nothing beats an evening of punk rock under the stars.

The Monumentour made its way to Holmdel, N.J., where dual-headliners Paramore and Fall Out Boy took the stage at the PNC Bank Arts Center on Saturday, June 28.

New Politics, featuring Lolo, opened with new hits like “Harlem” and “Give Me Hope” before presenting the headliners.

Both bands were recently signed with DCD2 Records, headed by Fall Out Boy’s famous bassist Pete Wentz.

Paramore opened as the sun

began to set with the latest radio hit “Still Into You.” Lead singer Hayley Williams strutted around stage clad in a neon ensemble, with electric turquoise eye shadow to match her latest hair color.

The band, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, played a balanced medley of songs from all four albums.

Throughout the show, the crowd went absolutely wild and held up homemade signs for both of the bands. Of the ones that made it on-camera, the most memorable read: “We missed graduation for this.”

During Paramore’s hit single “Misery Business,” the band had

Stump leads Fall Out Boy with his stellar vocals.

AP Photo

a surprise in store for one outstanding audience member.

“We’ve been scanning the crowd to see who has what it takes, to see who knew every word to every song,” said Williams. “Where is the man with the Blue Mohawk?”

Sure enough, the cameras landed on a young man with a mohawk dyed the same shade of turquoise as Williams’s hair. The look of utter shock plastered to his face was quickly replaced by an ear-to-ear smile as he was invited on-stage.

His name was Phil, and he had taken a plane from the U.K. to see Paramore play live for the sixth time this tour.

As a reward for his dedication, Phil was granted a golden microphone, along with the chance to sing a solo in front of 17,500 other fans.

Paramore ended with “Ain’t It Fun,” a song with a bridge that may hit home for many college students: “Don’t go crying to your mama / ‘cause you’re on your own in the real world.”

Finally, the highlight of the night (and perhaps of my entire summer), began when the lights fell and the sounds of an orchestra erupted from the stage.

“Put on your war paint,” demanded Fall Out Boy vocalist

AP Photo

Williams of Paramore stuns with contagious energy.

and guitarist Patrick Stump, accompanied by Wentz on bass, guitarist Joe Trohman and drummer Andy Hurley in their opening song “The Phoenix.”

Songs from the band’s fifth studio album “Save Rock and Roll” largely dominated the evening, but I was also able to enjoy a few songs from my favorite album, “From Under the Cork Tree,” released in 2005 (and no, I didn’t cry when they performed “Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down.” I just had something in my eyes).

During “Just One Yesterday,”

Wentz asked audience members in the back to turn their cell phone flashlights on and the lawn lit up like the night sky.

For the double encore, the band threw it back to 2007 with one of their biggest songs “Thnks Fr Th Mmrs,” proceeded by “Saturday,” a track the band almost always saves for last.

Ultimately, I went home with mascara on my cheeks, (permanently?) damaged vocal chords and memories I know I’ll savor for a long time.

My middle-school self would be proud.

‘The Fault In Our Stars’ shines with honesty

By Lauren Del Turco Correspondent

“I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, then all at once.”

Sound familiar? If you follow any females on Facebook or Twitter or have ever spoken to a high school or college-aged girl, you’ve probably heard this quote or read it somewhere online.

That is exactly why I resisted reading “The Fault in Our Stars” until well after the film rendition hit theaters.

For once, peer pressure did me well.

John Green’s novel was enchanting. His writing was casual enough that each page read like a conversation with a friend. But these casual words carried profound emotion, simultaneous light-as-air humor and crushing darkness.

Much like the protagonist Hazel’s quote about falling in love with fellow cancerridden teenager Augustus Waters, you fall in love with “The Fault in Our Stars” in

AP Photo

Elgort and Woodley showcase acting chops with raw performances. such a way that you do not feel its presence until you are buzzed off champagne in Amsterdam with Hazel and Augustus just moments before Green drops the bomb that jolts the trajectory of the novel.

The characters are painfully real. The scenes are ordinary yet spectacular, and

you leave the novel both full of immense love and leaden with sadness.

Once the novel had won me over, I was curious as to whether the film would be able to do the same. Yet again, I was pleasantly surprised. The film honored the casual intimacy of the novel. Hazel’s voice

often narrated over the scenes, and the ordinary moments so beloved in the novel are maintained on-screen.

Shailene Woodley’s acting exceeded expectations, but Ansel Elgort embodied Augustus with such natural sincerity that his performance stood out among the rest. Elgort and Woodley’s chemistry was quirky and charmingly awkward.

One of the shining aspects of the film was its soundtrack. Subtle, a little unconventional and tasteful, the music complimented emotional moments without melodrama. The soundtrack reflected the tone of most of the film: understated. Little was over-acted or drawn out.

As with many other cases, the film didn’t quite live up to the novel. The novel’s narrative was too interior to translate perfectly to the screen. I was satisfied, as a fan of the novel, because of my familiarity with the characters. And thus my final advice: while the film does an adequate job, read the novel.

Despite a clever script, ‘Maleficent’ falters

By Chris Minitelli Staff Writer

Among the array of different summer movies that came out in the last few months was Disney’s latest family film “Maleficent.”

This movie, which stars Angelina Jolie as the title character, takes a much different look at the classic fairy tale of “Sleeping Beauty.”

In this movie, the fairy tale is told yet again, but this time from the perspective of Maleficent — the apparent villain of the story. The film begins by showing how Maleficent was a strong fairy when she was younger.

However, she loses her innocence and becomes vengeful once the future king, the father of Sleeping Beauty, betrays her.

Throughout the movie, the audience is shown Maleficent’s history and given more subtext for her actions that take place in the classic story. It takes a much more sympathetic tone and approach on Maleficent’s character as the audience learns about the hardships and troubles she

faced throughout her life.

After watching this film, I thought it was quite a letdown. Jolie gave a lackluster performance that could have been much stronger and more convincing.

The supporting cast, which included Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley and Imelda Staunton, also fell flat as they failed to deliver the storyline well enough. Most of the characters lacked conviction and development, which left them boring and somewhat annoying.

While this is the case, the writing behind “Maleficent” was actually more impressive than I had expected.

The film did a nice job giving the audience a fresh and different look on a widely known story.

I was surprised with how well some scenes in “Maleficent” were thought out and developed. The writers of “Maleficent” did surprisingly well in creating enough original ideas for this movie that made it that much better in the long run.

Overall, “Maleficent” is a pretty forgettable film. Although the writing was much better than I had expected, it still fell flat.

And while certain aspects of this film were notable, too much of it lacked enough substance.

The movie could have been much stronger if there had been certain changes made to it. Jolie could have given a much stronger performance, and therefore the film may have been much more memorable.

AP Photo

Jolie falls short in her portrayal of classic villian.

page 14 The Signal August 27, 2014

Features

Some things you may have forgotten A helpful reminder for semester packing

By Mylin Batipps News Assistant

worry about the weather stealing your thunder.

This week marks the start of another fall semester at the College. Streets were filled with bins and boxes, new keys and many new roommates. Unfortunately, despite cars being filled to the very brim, it’s easy to forget some of the most useful items: Iron It’s a press-ing issue when you don’t have one of these bad boys and you’re trying to keep it classy in the classroom. So get a nice iron off the rack at your local Target, pack it in your bag and take it with you to your dorm.

The days of running from door to door at the last minute asking your floor mates to borrow one will be behind you. And with access to your own, you’ll be blowing off steam in no time.

Umbrella Has the weather rained on your parade at school? Have you been storm-ing to class in the downpour to prevent yourself from getting wet, only to get even more soaked? For these reasons, it wouldn’t hurt to take an umbrella with you on your journey back to campus. Not a single drop will fall on you when you’re walking to class, and no longer will you have to

Stamps It’s always fun to push the envelope when it comes to sending unique birthday cards to your loved ones from campus — until you realize you don’t have any trace of stamps on you. Save the money and frustration by packing plenty in your bag. Instead of running around frantically and asking your friends for one, you’ll stay calm and stationary with your stationery.

Board/card games Boggle your friends’ minds by bringing tons of games to school this year. Whether they’re children’s classics, like Mouse Trap and Candy Land, or games that more adult-friendly, like Cards Against Humanity, you’ll be spending your downtime in the best way possible. Perhaps you could even play a game of checkers to get some things off your chess.

First-Aid kit If this didn’t make the cut on your list of things to bring last year, you probably paid the price for it. It’s always good to have one of these nearby just in case you get a paper cut from dealing with your files or your head starts aching from hours of work. With proper care, you can continue the semester like the injury never happened and give yourself a

Created by Danielle McDermott

When packing for an entire semester, it’s easy to leave something important behind. pad on the back.

Now that you have these items noted, check your closet sorters and duffle bags and make sure you have these items with you before heading back home for Labor Day weekend.

The Hollyword: Drake and the snake

By Johnanthony Alaimo Columnist

New year, same me, which means I have nothing better to do than summarize what Nicki Minaj rubbed on her ass. The answer is oil, and the scene is her latest music video or latest single/human anatomy lesson. Minaj’s video for “Anaconda” is basically a Nat Geo too-graphic documentary. The opening features Minaj in a jungle hut setting with other big booty bitches jiggling their fanny flans.

Minaj herself seems to be barely lip-syncing to her own song, probably because the vibrations of her ass have disorientated her. Fast forward five minutes of this happening in a continuous loop and suddenly Minaj is crawling toward Drake, who is sitting on a chair in a dark room. If this is how Texas is performing their executions nowadays, consider me both appalled and turned on.

In news that actually affects human

Drake gets behind Minaj’s video and Nothing was the Same. beings, people everywhere are turning out in droves to support amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research by dumping

AP Photo

buckets of ice water on their heads. Even celebrities like Britney Spears are doing it. Honestly, watching her get doused in

freezing water was the most I’ve seen her move in years. While the entire fad is for a good cause, I fear people are doing it just for the sheer “popularity” factor of it. Please remember that if you are nominated for this challenge, you still need to donate some sort of monetary contribution. Dumping a bucket of ice water on your head does not cure ALS. Just the same way dumping a bucket of milk on someone who is lactose intolerant does not make them tolerant.

Finally, if you’re still a fan of American Horror Story after having a serious ice bucket accident, then I’ve got news for you. The world’s smallest woman has joined the cast of the TV anthology, this time being set in a 1950s era freak show. Such a move proves the show has lost any desire to be decent television and is simply going after the shock factor. Honestly, I’m still waiting on “American Horror Story: Anaconda.”

Napa County shaken up by 6.0 quake

By Neha Vachhani Columnist

AP Photo

Streets fill with debris from buildings damaged by the recent California earthquake.

Although Californians are accustomed to the shaky rumble of frequent earthquakes, just this past Sunday, residents of Napa County awoke to an earthquake with an initial magnitude of 6.0. The earthquake struck around 3:15 a.m. and set off a multitude of car alarms as well as kickstarted widespread power outages in the Bay Area. In addition to power outages, dozens of people were reported with injuries. The Valley Medical Center in Napa has reported at least 70 people were being treated for concussions, bruises and injuries of the like due to the earthquake.

The earthquake was the largest in the Bay Area since the 6.9 Loma Prieta in 1989. The

quake also sparked a fire at a mobile home park in Napa and has caused a great deal of damage to buildings in the area. Four homes have been destroyed, and firefighters were struggling to put out the blaze because of a broken water main. In addition to frequent earthquakes, residents of California are used to the sight of flames most often resulting from a drought or forest fire. Downtown Napa has been ridden with damage consisting of bricks, glass and other building debris littering the streets of the town.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the depth of the earthquake was a little less than seven miles, and the initial strike was followed by numerous aftershocks, ranging in magnitude but never exceeding 3.6. There is

a certain level of fear that builds within the townsfolk as they feel the shaking of the quake, whether they witness food flying off the shelves at a grocery store or are literally shaken awake by the powerful natural disaster. Despite the resulting damages and injuries, California residents are grateful that there weren’t worse casualties. Power lines throughout nearby towns have been reported down, but major bridges and buildings in the Bay Area went untouched.

The 6.0 earthquake that many Californians were forced to endure is now over and the aftermath is substantial, but not irreparable. Residents are taking this in stride and are looking on the bright side as they approach the start of a full recovery.

Drones on the rise Campus in a new view

August 27, 2014 The Signal page 15

Campus Style

By Heather Hawkes & Jordan Koziol Columnists Some days, neon shirts and boisterous patterns totally make the statement you’re looking for, but when all that color gets too loud, try toning it down with an all neutral ensemble. Welcome to fall 2014 where brands such as Zara, Chanel and Free People are all flaunting neutrals as their number one trend of the season. We urge you to check out some of these new collections, but if you’re like most college students on a tight budget, don’t sweat it! This look is extremely easy to replicate on a shoestring budget.

every season is olive green. Pair an army jacket or oversized olive cardigan with a high-waisted grey midi skirt and crop-top combination and you’ve got yourself a ticket to the runway!

Final Note: When going for the neutral look, be careful not to over do jewelry or accessories. The basis of this trend is a minimalist style that is perfect for every occasion!

Camel Couture Especially after a long summer of soaking up the sun, beige or camel is the perfect color to flaunt your bronze skin. Try a simple beige slip dress under a sheer kimono or taupe cardigan with some cold accent jewelry, strappy sandals, and minimal makeup to finish off the look.

Photo courtesy of Joshua Lewkowicz

Lewkowicz operates his quadcopter on the fields behind the College’s athletic fields using the device’s remote control.

By Courtney Wirths Features Editor Odds are, most students have seen Joshua Lewkowicz on campus. Between winning Campus Moviefest with his team, his job with the College’s Department of Communications, Marketing and Brand Management, and now an internship with DreamWorks, the senior interactive multimedia major is rarely seen without his camera.

Lately, however, Lewkowicz has been letting his camera out of his hands and into the sky.

“I’m always looking at what other filmmakers are doing,” he said. “A lot of people are beginning to move toward using drones for video.”

The idea for making a campus video had stemmed from Lewkowicz sharing some of his personal footage, using the video drone, with the Communications Department.

The Department loved the footage and thought it would be a unique way to look at the campus.

One sunny afternoon, and an especially busy day on the College’s athletic fields, Lewkowicz set out to film campus with his DJI Phantom 2 Aerial Video Drone. The result was a hugely successful aerial video of the College’s athletics facilities, including the Lions’ baseball, softball, lacrosse and track and field games for the Communications Department.

“We knew it was going to be a really big day for the TCNJ campus to show off our facilities, how many sports we have and how many people are coming to them,” he said.

The drone is a quadcopter (four propellers) that is made to hold a GoPro video camera while flying. The drone is controlled by a remote control on the ground, according to Lewkowicz. A smartphone can be wirelessly connected to the device so the controller has the same view as the GoPro while flying.

Operating the drone takes a lot of practice.

“When I was a kid, I used to play with Air Hogs and I would just be happy to get the thing up and moving away from me,” said Lewkowicz laughing.

The technology for these devices has greatly improved since then, he explained.

The drones now not only have the ability to stabilize themselves, but can also land

themselves if connection with the controller is lost or if the user doesn’t feel comfortable landing the device.

“You are always supposed to have a direct line of sight when flying,” he said.

The footage found in the campus video is taken from anywhere between 200 and 250 feet above the ground.

“There’s also a lot of magic going on in the editing room,” he added, explaining how the full video came to be. “We are, of course, showing you the best of our footage.”

And his camera isn’t the only thing on the rise for Lewkowicz.

Now in his senior year, Lewkowicz has used his time at the College to create experiences that will better prepare him for a career in film.

He and his team are two-time Campus Moviefest winners. This year, the team took its film, “Iris,” to Los Angeles for the national level of the competition.

The film took first place nationally for visual effects, and they were nominated for

50 Shades of Grey If you want to take a shot at cooling down the summer heat, try a refreshing shade of blue-grey on your pallet. A light gray tank with a pair of washed out denim shorts and a blue gray scarf wrapped loosely around your neck or even draped over your shoulders will instantly cool down anyone in need of refreshing.

Dirty martini A color that seems to keep returning Best Picture and Best Drama.

“About 55,000 films were entered in the competition nationally,” Lewkowicz said.

Additionally, he spent his summer in Los Angeles interning for DreamWorks Animation in the company’s videography department.

He had applied cold call to the internship during the semester and hadn’t heard back from the company until 3 months later when he and his team were at the screening of the Campus Moviefest finalists.

“During Campus Moviefest, I saw a call come in from California, and I thought I

Photo courtesy of Andrew Evan Stinson

Contrast summer skin with light neutral tones.

don’t know what that is I am just going to let it go,” he said. “It turned out to be DreamWorks.”

The experienced has solidified for Lewkowicz that his ideal future within the industry.

“I’ve always loved film – the shooting and the cinematography of it actually going out and shooting coming up with shots, lighting and all of that,” he said. “So I am still trying to figure it out, but hopefully I’ll be doing something having to do with film or the industry in general.”

Photo courtesy of Joshua Lewkowicz

Lewkowicz’s drone captures images of the College’s campus from over 200 feet above the ground during one of the busiest days for the Lion’s athletics.

page 16 The Signal August 27, 2014

Starting out strong Goals for the semester Tips for a healthy year

By Andreia Bulhao Columnist

Welcome back — or if you’re new to campus, welcome to the College! It seems like yesterday I had just kicked off my All college students can be categorized into one of two groups based on how they’ve summer, and yet here we are again at the start of a new semester. spent their last weeks of summer: either they’ve been the outdoorsy type, If you’re anything like spending the days lying on the beach; or the not so outdoorsy type, inme, summer is your prime stead sprawling out on the couch in front of the TV. Regardless of which time when it comes to health group you fall into, you’ve done summer “right” on your own terms. But and fitness. It’s easy to get it’s time to get back in the game. Here are a few tips to help you start off motivated when the weather is your semester on the right foot: perfect and you want to avoid looking less than your best when Stay hydrated. Dehydration is a common problem for college students beyou throw on a swimsuit. It can be cause they’re always on the go. Luckily, there’s a simple fix. I recommend purmuch easier to maintain healthy habchasing a reusable water bottle with measurement markings. This way you can its when you’re back at home. Now, keep track of the amount of water you’re consuming in a day. The recommended our schedules are filled with class, daily water intake is 15 cups for men and 11 cups for women. So buy yourself a homework, time with friends and so water bottle — you’ll be doing your body and the environment a favor. much more that keeps us from maintaining summer workout and health routines.

Go for the greens. Eating a salad is a great way to cut your calorie intake and The truth is, though, no matter how improve your health. Frequent complaints about salads are that they just aren’t hectic our schedules seem, you can always filling. This issue can be resolved with variety. Add beans, such as chickpeas or kidney beans, hard-boiled eggs, pasta or grilled chicken, all of which are available in find time to be healthy, if you really want to.

Here are a few tips to stay motivated and in Eick’s salad bar. Remember though, moderation is key. shape this fall: Physical activity is a must. There is, unfortunately, no substitute for a daily workout. On the Set an achievable goal. That doesn’t bright side, the College has options to help you stay in shape. For nature lovers, there is a scenic 1.9 mile loop around campus. If you’re more inclined to engage interactive, themed workouts, necessarily mean weight loss. Whether it’s then the TW Fitness Center is for you. Classes ranging from yoga to booty beat workout are shedding pounds, toning up or just mainoffered and all are led by certified instructors. For the more traditional individuals, Packer Hall taining a healthy lifestyle, defining the goal will help you stay on track. If you set out houses both the PEC (Personal Enhancement Center) and the aquatic center. to keep up with a workout regimen that is Make a schedule. Fall semester can be especially overwhelming because we all spent the last both unrealistic or has no end point, you’re three months in summer mode. Making a flexible schedule can help ease the stress and ensure more likely to stop doing it. It might also that you stay on top of everything. Personally, I’m an old-fashioned planner girl (Moleskines are help to set small goals that build off of each flawless) but if you’re more tech-savvy, then Google Calendar is the way to go. Plan out each other, that way you’re constantly pushing yourself to keep going. week well in advance as the semester progresses so you can spend your free time guiltlessly.

By Ruchi Shah Columnist

Don’t skip meals. They say breakfast is The academic year is indeed upon us, but there is no need to fear — with proper diet the most important meal of the day for a and exercise, success is near.

reason! I know plenty of people who opt out of that first meal. I’ve done it in the past, too. But avoiding breakfast will not only cause you to lack energy at the start of your day, but you’ll also be more likely to fall into the trap of excessive snacking.

Find a routine that works for you. For me, I find I’m motivated to head to the gym in the morning and go about my day, but that might not necessarily work for you. Everyone has different schedules and needs, so its up to you to decide what works best for you.

Once your routine is set, it’s easy to keep up with the good and healthy habits.

Sleep is your best friend. Being fit and healthy isn’t possible if you’re not well rested.

If you’re sleep deprived, your metabolism won’t function properly, and it also affects your appetite. Lack of sleep can alter the effects of the hormones ghrelin and leptin. Ghrelin is the hormone that tells you when to eat, and sleep deprivation can increase this hormone to increase. On the contrary, leptin is the hormone that tells you to stop eating, which decreases with sleep deprivation. Getting a good night’s rest will not only give you the energy to be active, but it will also make sure you don’t fall into unhealthy eating habits.

Friends and fitness can mix. Wanting to spend time with friends can’t be an excuse to skip a day at the gym when you add them to your routine. Find a gym buddy and kill two birds with one stone. Or, set up time with friends to do something active like playing a game of flag football or running the loop. Not only can you make staying fit fun, but you can also keep each other motivated and stay on track throughout the semester.

August 27, 2014 The Signal page 17 Football

Football hopes to improve on past record

By Anthony Caruso Correspondent The College’s football team is entering its second year under head coach Wayne Dickens. The Lions had to rush to learn his system last year just six weeks prior to the season.

“Football is a team sport, and everyone has to do his job to be successful,” senior offensive captain Ryan Baranowsky said.

“Having (another) year within the system has definitely benefited our offense. We are miles further than we were at this point last season.”

The Lions are looking to improve on their 5-5 record from last season. At one point during last season, the team was on a four-game win streak, which last occurred during the 2010 season.

Earlier this month, they were picked to finish sixth within the conference. Only William Paterson and Southern Virginia were picked to finish behind the College. Last season, the Lions were 4-3 in conference play.

“NJAC is a tough conference, but it motivates us to work hard every single day,” Baranowsky said.

The Lions last won the New Jersey Athletic Conference in 2007. They shared the championship with SUNY Cortland that year following a 9-3 season, before ultimately losing to Mount Union in the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.

The College last won the conference outright in 1998. That season, the Lions went 8-3 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament, where they lost 26-2 to Rowan University.

Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

The Lions are preparing to improve on their 5-5 record from last season.

“This year, our main goal is to win the NJAC,” senior defensive captain Joseph Urciuoli said. “If we are able to reach this goal, then we would also like to make some noise in the playoffs.”

Last season, the Lions averaged 14.6 points per game while the opponents averaged 16.6.

The offense is going to be led at quarterback by Sam Paladino and Chris Spellman.

Spellman started four games and went 47-of-112 for 680 yards and five touchdowns to 11 interceptions. Paladino started six games, while completing 39 of 81 passes for 329 passes. He threw three touchdowns to five interceptions.

“We are lucky enough to have four or five quarterbacks who are capable of getting the job done,” Baranowsky said. “Competition is healthy on a football team, and I believe Coach Dickens will make the right decision for the team.”

Both leading rushers are back

for their junior campaigns. Victor Scalici had 151 rushes for 647 yards and five touchdowns. Brad Young added 138 rushes for 528 yards and two touchdowns.

The Lions lost two key receivers to graduation in Frederick Sprengel and Kyle Janeczek, who is now a student assistant coach for the team.

Baranowsky and Jeff Mattonelli are returning after having doublefigure receptions last season.

Baranowsky had 17 receptions for 235 yards and a touchdown.

Mattonelli contributed 13 receptions for 235 yards and a touchdown.

There are also many other receivers who are expected to see increased time this season.

“We have depth at every skill position,” Baranowsky said. “I don’t feel any more pressure for that reason. I’m confident everyone will execute his job.”

On the defensive side, the Lions lost their top three tacklers in Nick Bricker, Ryan Lowe and Sean Clark.

Bricker had 117 tackles, while Lowe added 81 and Clark contributed 43.

Urciuoli is the lone defender returning who started every game last season. Defensive lineman Thomas Masi started nine games, while Sean Kley started eight games. Shaun O’Donnell also started two games.

Martin Flatley, Zack Vasilenko, Jeff Skomsky and Adelraham Ragab are expected to get increased time. Flatley, Vasilenko and Skomsky each saw time in nine games last season, while Ragab played in two games.

Flately had 12 tackles, while Vasilenko chipped in six tackles and a tackle for a loss.

Skomsky had three tackles and a fumble recovery, while Ragab had three tackles.

“Although we did sustain some losses to graduation on our defense, we have a lot of guys returning who either started or had extensive experience in seven of

the positions on our defense,” Urciuoli said. “We expect all of our returners to improve and play a bigger role than (we) did last year, and also are looking forward to having some new faces step in for us.”

The Lions will kick off their season at home against Ursinus College on Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. This will be one of six home games that will be at Lions Stadium over the next several months.

The biggest game of the season will come against national powerhouse University of WisconsinWhitewater on Sept. 20, at 2 p.m.

Wisconsin-Whitewater has won five National Championships in the Stagg Bowl in Salem, Virginia since 2007.

They defeated Mount Union 52-14 to win the championship last year.

“To be the best, you have to play the best,” Urciuoli said. “Wisconsin-Whitewater has been dominant in D3 football in the past and are seeded at No. 1 in the country in preseason polls. Our team looks forward to the opportunity to put TCNJ’s name on the map, and put our training to the test against a team of its caliber.”

The Lions will host William Paterson University on Homecoming Oct. 25, at 1 p.m.

Since 2010, the College has split wins and losses on this special day, having won twice in the past three years.

The regular season finale will be on Nov. 15 against Rowan University at 12 p.m.

This will also be Senior Day, with a pre-game ceremony to recognize those playing in their final game at Lions Stadium.

Women’s Tennis

Pushing limits and promoting positivity

Photos courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

Women’s tennis wins 151 straight conference matches and expects their outstanding success to continue into the new season.

By Kyle Bennion Photo Editor

Last year, the women’s tennis team was the first team in the nation to qualify for NCAA Nationals in any sport. Success is nothing new to this team. With last year being the 31st consecutive year the girls have won their conference, a pedigree has been established for this organization that is hard to match.

Coach Scott Dicheck, who has been with the team for the past 15 years, said the goal for this

season is to win the NJAC Conference tournament to qualify for the NCAA tournament.

“We have a very unique group this year,” Dicheck said. “With five returning players and five incoming freshmen, we have a core group of young players learning from the experience of the older players.”

Dicheck was also pleasantly surprised at the speed at which the freshmen became relaxed in their new team setting. He highlighted doubles sets as a focus of the team, which are played at the

beginning of every match before the singles sets are played.

“The best girls in high school usually played only singles,” Dicheck said. “If we can win doubles, it gives us a huge leg up for the rest of the match.”

He also emphasized the importance of the preseason regiment the team is on, explaining that preseason is where the team builds chemistry and is able to focus on fundamentals.

The speed at which the team’s chemistry formed impressed him

— it wasn’t lost on the team’s two captains, either. Juniors Jasmine Muniz-Cadorette and Emma Allen also commented on the team’s unison.

“A lot of our preparation in the summer is focused on individual work, but when we all practice together in the preseason, we really spend time making sure everyone is comfortable,” Allen said.

The two captains spoke about the team’s expectations and on their sustained success.

“Even though we’ve won 151

straight conference matches, every new win feels special,” Muniz-Cadorette said.

The two also emphasized goals of their leadership roles: pushing players to new limits and positivity.

Both Allen and Muniz-Cadorette are most looking forward to Nationals, where they can showcase their talents against the rest of the nation.

The girls play their first match against Rutgers in Camden on Sunday, Aug. 31, at 11 a.m., while their first home match against Stockton College is on Wednesday, Sept. 10.

page 18 The Signal August 27, 2014

Fun Stuff Thought of the day: I could picture myself taking a selfie... how puzzling!

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text messages with john doe

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Puzzle #2

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August 27, 2014 The Signal page 19

LIONS

AROUND THE

DORM 5 3

George Tatoris “The Ref”

Kevin Luo

Peter Fiorilla

Staff Writer

News Editor

Gabe Allen Staff Writer

In this week’s Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” George Tatoris, asks our panel of experts three questions: Was it smart for Jaguars coach Gus Bradley to bench rookie Blake Bortles for Chad Henne, should Notre Dame’s strict enforcement of academic integrity be the norm in big football schools, and which World Cup 2014 performance was the most surprising?

1. No. 3 overall draft pick Blake Bortles has demonstrated remarkable skill this NFL preseason, but Jaguars coach Gus Bradley has chosen to bench the rookie in favor of their more seasoned quarterback Chad Henne.

Was this a smart move for the Jaguars?

Peter: It’s tough to say if Blake Bortles is any good, since all preseason results should be taken with a grain of salt, but the ceiling with Chad Henne is so profoundly low that I’d rather see the rookie begin the season as the starter in Henne’s place. Henne has arguably been the least effective starting quarterback in the league the past few years, with a passer rating of just 74 with the Jaguars and a TDINT ratio of under one. Bortles, meanwhile, has impressed thus far in the preseason and has gotten various accolades from his teammates already, who enjoy playing with him as the head of the offense. There isn’t much room to be worse than the Jaguars have already been, so let the kid play.

Kevin: I don’t have a problem with Bradley keeping Henne the starter for the time being.

Although Bortles has looked good in preseason, he has been playing a lot with backups against backups. He was considered to be not very proready coming out of UCF but was believed to have a lot of the physical tools necessary to become an elite NFL quarterback. The Jaguars are not a very good football team. They don’t have a star running back or receiver to be a security blanket for Bortles. They don’t have a particularly good offensive line or defense either. If they don’t feel Bortles is ready right now, that’s

AP Photo

fine. Henne is a classic bridge quarterback who can be thrown to the wolves early in the season until Bortles is ready to play. Then, Bortles can come in and play in week four or five when the Jaguars are probably going to be 1-3 or 1-4 and there will be less pressure on Bortles to succeed right away.

Gabe: Smart move by Gus — QB is the most difficult position to play on the field. Playing QB is almost as much about being mentally ready as it is about being physically ready — you need to

know every position’s job on every play in the book, be able to read defenses and command the respect of your teammates. Bortles has been impressive in preseason, but we’re talkin’ ‘bout preseason. Bringing Bortles along slowly on a Jags team that is clearly in rebuilding mode is the most logical thing to do. Just look at what good it did guys like Aaron Rodgers and Colin Kaepernick to be able to study the speed and flow of the NFL game from the sideline early in their careers. Starting a rookie QB week one when they lack sufficient surrounding talent is basically the equivalent to walking him right into the lions’ den. The risk of ruining his confidence and curtailing his development makes this an easy decision for the Jaguars, who can afford to let Bortles study and take valuable practice reps while the team continues to bolster the D. It may be tempting to throw Bortles in with young receivers Cecil Shorts, Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson, but it makes more sense for the Jags to give them ample time to develop. That way when they do call Bortles’ number, they’re giving him a legit chance to succeed.

Gabe wins for mentioning the mental aspect of being QB, Kevin gets 2 points for his argument on Bortles, Pete gets 1 point for bringing up the weaknesses of the Chad Henne.

2. Notre Dame has gained a reputation in college football for having a strict honor code for its athletes — the latest demonstration of this code in action being the investigation of receiver DaVaris Daniels, cornerback KeiVarae Russell, defensive end Ishaq Williams and linebacker Kendall Moore. Should this strict enforcement of academic integrity be the norm in big football schools? Or should the athletes

AP Photos

focus more on football than academics?

Peter: Playing college football is a full-time job — albeit one that doesn’t come with a paycheck — and if athletes want to stand a chance at turning professional, their schools shouldn’t expect too much out of them in the classroom.

Notre Dame’s goal of producing world-class, book-smart football players is noble, admittedly: Most college football players will never sniff an

NFL roster, let alone make a living on football, so on paper it seems vital that many of them should have a Plan B. But at the same time, the NFL is so cutthroat that spending too much time on academics will slash a player’s already-slim -chances of a pro career. Ultimately, big football schools like Notre Dame should let the players decide which is more important to them.

Kevin: I think it’s great that schools like Notre Dame insist on maintaining high academic integrity even if it negatively affects their athletic teams. However, I don’t think these standards need to be the norm amongst all universities with major basketball and football programs. Schools like Notre Dame and BYU, who suspended basketball star Brandon Davies for an honor code violation a few years ago, have honor codes with strong religious roots and are major facets of the university. Other schools may have strong academic standards and integrity policies, but at schools like Alabama and Texas, where football is a religion, academics will occasionally take

a back seat. We hear all the time about athletes with elementary reading levels and many are simply incapable of passing some classes. College sports are a multi-million dollar industry.

Many people are willing to look the other way if a player needs a little “help” to remain eligible to keep the money flowing and the on-field product as good as possible.

Gabe: I have absolutely no problem with any school sports program enforcing a strict academic code for their athletics. I have a huge problem with the schools that don’t make athletics a priority. The vast majority of Notre Dame’s football players will not be making the NFL, and so it’s important that they leave school with a diploma and not just war stories from their days on the football field. Far too many athletes do not graduate, and this is something that needs to be changed, and it starts with the institutions establishing academics as a priority, not by catering to the athletes and giving them grades they haven’t earned.

Kevin wins for talking about schools with strong academics vs. having a football following, Pete gets 2 points for the player’s choice and Gabe gets 1 point because not a lot of players graduate.

3. Which 2014 World Cup performance was the most surprising?

Peter: The popular choice for this pick might be tiny Costa Rica, the lovable team that went out in the quarterfinals, but I was more surprised by the team Costa Rica beat in the Round of 16: the oft-hated European minnow, Greece. The Greeks are famously a destructive, hyper-defensive team that always seems willing to play to a 0-0 draw — or at least they are supposed to be. Yet in this World Cup, despite their relative lack of talent and attacking options, they bombed forward time and time again in a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast to clinch a spot in the knockouts.

Considering how well Costa Rica showed in CONCACAF Qualifying and Greece’s total lack of offensive ability, the Greeks surprised me more than anything else.

Kevin: The most surprising World Cup performance had to be Costa Rica. They finished second in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying behind the US and were believed to be the cupcake team in their World Cup group, Group D. Although they only had three previous World Cup appearances, they won the group that had

three historic World Cup powers: Uruguay, England, and Italy. They then beat Greece, playing most of the game man down, in the round of 16 before losing in penalty kicks to European powerhouse the Netherlands in the quarterfinals. Coming into the World Cup, Costa Rica was ranked 28th in the FIFA World Rankings. The next lowest ranked quarterfinalist was ranked 17th in the pre-tournament rankings. From a personnel standpoint, the Costa Rican roster didn’t look anywhere near as impressive as many of the other teams. They only had one player who was playing in one of the five major European leagues, Goalie Keylor Navas of Levante in La Liga. Clearly, Costa Rica was the Cinderella of the World Cup. Gabe: The two teams that were the most surprising were Colombia and Costa Rica, but if I have to pick one it is Costa Rica. They were easily the underdogs in their group and wound up undefeated, and then had an extremely exciting victory in penalty kicks versus Greece. They’ll be a team to look out for when the World Cup rolls around again in 2018, and next time, it won’t be so surprising when they advance beyond the preliminary round of futbol.

Pete wins for choosing the less obvious answer, Kevin gets 2 points for reasons that Costa Rica’s rise to the quarterfinals was unexpected and Gabe gets 1 point since I like Costa Rica.

AP Photo

Kevin wins Around the Dorm, 7-6-5

page 20 The Signal August 27, 2014 Cheap Seats

The Ice Bucket Challenge: where it began

AP Photo

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge sweeps the nation, earning over $79 million in funds for ALS research while spreading awareness about the disease.

By Kevin Luo Staff Writer

Over the last month, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has become the biggest trend in the United States. For those who don’t know what it is, the viral activity is a social media challenge where a person has to either dump a bucket of ice water on themselves or donate $100 to Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research.

But where did this fad start? The roots of this sensation are linked to ex-Boston College

baseball captain Pete Frates.

A few years after graduating from Boston College, Frates was diagnosed with ALS. Frates and a couple of friends came up with the Ice Bucket Challenge in honor of him. The Challenge really took off after Frates challenged some prestigious Boston athletes, and they in turn accepted.

Starting with the New England Patriots and some prominent Boston Bruins and Boston Red Sox players, this

challenge has spread to athletes of all sports, famous celebrities, President Barack Obama and everyday people around the country. Tens of thousands of Americans are currently diagnosed with this disease, and it is considered one of the most devastating diseases one can be diagnosed with, most famously taking the life of Yankees great Lou Gehrig. However, prior to this challenge, many Americans didn’t know much about this disease. Now, I’m sure

everyone has at least run a quick Google search on the disease.

Since the beginning of this challenge in late July, the ALS Association has received over $79 million in donations as opposed to under $2 million by this time the previous year.

Since being diagnosed with ALS, Frates has gotten married and has a child on the way. He is now almost fully paralyzed and can no longer talk, but he has started something that will help the lives of people with ALS for years and years to come.

Cross Country

Returning NJAC champions ready to go

Cross country looks to regain winning title

Photos courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

Both women’s and men’s cross country looks to retain their championship title from last year’s New Jersey Atheltic Conference tournament.

By George Tatoris Staff Writer Both the women’s and the men’s cross country teams return this season as champions of the modestly-sized New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC). It was the women’s team’s 28th overall NJAC title and the men’s team’s 20th consecutive NJAC Championship win. But the Lions have their sights set on something far greater than paltry local success in a conference of ten schools.

“You can’t compare NJACs to Nationals — Nationals is every team’s goal in the country,” said

sophomore and 2013 All-NJAC First Team member Andrew Tedeschi. “Although winning the conference is nice, it should not be our season’s main focus. Nationals is our endpoint.”

Nationals, or the NCAA Championships, brings together the fastest schools in Division III to compete against one another, a spectacle in which any runner would dream to take part.

To get in, schools must run a gauntlet of races. The best in each Conference get to go to a Regional event, and the top two in that event get to Nationals. But there are also wildcard bids which can

send the best in each region not in the top two to Nationals.

Last year, the women’s team got into Nationals on one of these wildcards, earning the school 31st place at the event.

Of the seven, senior Tara Nealon ran the fastest with a time of 22:29.2, earning 55 points for the College overall. Nealon and four other NCAA runners — seniors Megan Stack, Liz Johnson and Jillian Manzo, and junior Marissa Lerit — are running again this year.

Nealon and Stack were selected for the All-NJAC First Team last year while Manzo made the Second Team.

The 2013 season was the womens’ strongest season since 2008, the last time the team had been to Nationals.

The men’s team made it to the NCAA Atlantic Regionals where 39 different schools participated.

The top two in the region get an automatic bid for Nationals.

The Lions came in 8th place with a score of 252 points. Tedeschi was the top Lion in that event, finishing 30th out of 275 runners with a time of 25:50.2.

“Personally, my goals are to improve my times significantly from last season, become an All-American and make my teammates the

fastest they can be,” Tedeschi said.

Despite the wildcards, Tedeschi hopes his team will make top two this year at Regionals.

Six of the seven runners that went to regionals, including Tedeschi, are returning. The others are sophomore Alex Cary, senior Andrew Wilson, junior Andrew DeMaria, junior Tyler Grimm and sophomore Kevin Scott.

The male Lions also boast a talented regiment of freshmen recruits, according to Tedeschi.

“We have recruited a talented freshmen class,” he said. “I have no doubt that they will contribute enormously to this team.”

August 27, 2014 The Signal page 21

ports Week In Review Like us on Facebook to follow the College’s breaking news.

THIS WEEK IN SPORTS HISTORY The first MLB tripleheader was played on Sept.1,1890 between the Brooklyn Bridegrooms and the Pittsburgh Innocents. Brooklyn swept the day’s play, while Pittsburgh finished the season with an astounding 23-113 record —the second worst record in MLB history.

Follow @TCNJSignal on Twitter

Check out the new and improved Signal web page!

Team total: 204 Alex Spark 53 Jillian Nealon 35 Jen Garavente 34 Lauren Pigott 23 Erin Waller 20 Kendal Borup 11 Lauren Karpovich 9

The Horizon For

S T U D E N T AT H L E T E S

Sports

The Summer

Cross Country August 30 Blue and Gold Invitational

The women’s basketball team Honored for academic excellence

Men’s Soccer August 29 - September 2 Rowan Invitational Tournament

The women’s basketball team was ranked fourth in the nation in the annual Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Academic Top 25. The Lions boasted a cumulative team GPA of 3.607. The poll includes all Division I, II and III programs across the country. The team was the only NJAC program to be recognized.

Women’s Soccer August 29 vs. Cedar Crest College, 5 p.m.

This week’s picks from the staff

Field Hockey August 29 vs. Stevens Institute of Technology, 7 p.m.

Super Bowl Champs

NFL MVP

Staff Matt Bowker Julie Kayzerman

Women’s Tennis August 31 at Rutgers-Camden University, 11 a.m.

Andrew Grossman Amy Reynolds Kyle Bennion Kevin Luo

Pete Fiorilla

Signal Trivia

?

?

Which team did Babe Ruth coach for after retiring as a player?

AP PHOTO

Did You Know? : Olympic gold medals are actually made of 9 percent silver and 6 percent copper. The medals then recieve a gold finish. The 1912 Olympics were the last to use solid gold medals.

page 22 The Signal August 27, 2014

WED, SEPT 10 11AM—3PM ALUMNI GROVE (between Eickhoff & Library) Rain location = Social Science Bldg

STUDY ABROAD FAIR Center for Global Engagement * Green Hall 111 www.tcnj.edu/goglobal/ * goglobal@tcnj.edu * 609-771-2596

August 27, 2014 The Signal page 23

Mo’ne Davis Field hockey top ranked

By Kevin Luo Staff Writer Mo’ne Davis definitely made viewers at the Little League World Series (LLWS) rethink the phrase “throwing like a girl.”

When Davis started playing for the Philadelphia Taney Dragons in the LLWS preliminary games, everyone was fascinated to see how this girl would play. There have been girls who’ve played in the tournament before, but it was clear right away that she was no ordinary girl.

She was one of her team’s best hitters and fielders and an unquestioned leader, but her pitching was what made her a star. She pitched a shutout in the preliminary game to get her team into the LLWS and backed up that performance with another shutout in her first LLWS start against Nashville.

After the shutout, star athletes, like Mike Trout and Kevin Durant, were tweeting about how impressed they were with Davis’s performance.

Despite her team just being eliminated from the LLWS, Davis became the coolest kid in America and one of the most popular athletes in sports for a few weeks. The world of sports couldn’t get enough of this incredible 13-yearold girl. She was constantly being interviewed by ESPN, and she became the first LLWS player to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. The next game she pitched against Las Vegas broke LLWS ratings records for ESPN. Although her performances were amazing, one of the things that stood out about Davis was how she handled herself during the immense media coverage. She handled the interviews and the cameras better than most celebrities do. She did her best to remain humble and always tried to heap praise on her teammates.

Even though Davis’s run is now over, she became a role model for many young girls around the country and will forever be one of the biggest names of the Little League World Series.

Freshman talent impressive

By Julie Kayzerman Sports Editor After losing only one graduating senior last year, veterans of the women’s field hockey team have formed a close-knit bond that will be a key factor in its anticipated success in the upcoming season.

Beginning preseason camp a few weeks ago with double sessions each day, the Lions have been focusing on living up to their preseason poll ranking as the top seed in the New Jersey Athletic Conference tournament.

“We have been focusing on improving small parts of our game so that we can properly execute once the season starts,” junior Mikalya Cimilluca said.

“Our own team is each other’s best competition, so we’ve been scrimmaging each other in order to prepare for our first game.”

The NJAC boats a competitive conference — but the Lions have set their eyes on winning it. Even further than that, Cimilluca says the team is hoping to win a National Championship, but to do that, she says they must “take no opponent lightly and we must leave everything we have on the field each time we play.”

“We always say that our goal is to be happy after each time we play field hockey,” Cimilluca said. “In order to do so, we want to win each and every game, starting with our home opener.”

With their first game of the season on Friday, Aug. 29 against Stevens Institute of Technology, Cimilluca says her teammates must push each other to play to the best of their ability and leave it all on the field in order to be successful.

“We have so much talent on our team, and as long as we work hard success will be in our future,” Cimilluca said. “Team unity is so important because it will determine the outcome of our season. With the hard work, desire and talent, I have no doubt in my mind this team can

Photos courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

Field hockey prepares for the new season.

accomplish anything we believe if we put our mind to it.”

With the incoming freshman making their debut on the field, Cimilluca says that have really challenged the returners during preseason.

“They are extremely hardworking and help push the upperclassmen to work harder,” she said. “The freshmen are a great addition to the TCNJ field hockey team.”

Cimilluca, who described her team as extremely close, said that they are eager to get to know new freshman right away.

“I believe that the family like aspect is one of the most amazing things about being a part of such a tradition-filled, cohesive team like the College’s field hockey program,” Cimilluca said. “Our camaraderie makes being successful that much easier. Not only do we play for ourselves, but we play for each and every person that is and once was a TCNJ field hockey player.”

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Sports

Lions look to build on past success

Women’s soccer prepares to take home title

By Matt Bowker Production Manager

Perhaps the best word to describe head coach Joe Russo’s women’s soccer teams is: consistent. Over Russo’s 24-year stint as head coach, the Lions have won three Division III championships, 16 NJAC conference titles, and have appeared in 23 consecutive NCAA tournaments.

And 2013 was no different.

The Lions finished the regular season with a stellar 18-3-2 record en route to yet another New Jersey Athletic Conference title.

The Lions outlasted fifth-ranked Montclair State in the title game, winning 1-0 on penalty kicks.

The Lions advanced to the third round of the NCAA tournament before falling to eventual national champion William Smith College by a score of 1-0. Earlier in the season, the College handed William Smith its only loss of the season.

That was last season, and the team is training harder than ever to get back to the NCAA tournament and bring home the women’s soccer program’s fourth

Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

Women’s soccer practices hard to bring back a National Championship title.

ever title.

“Our goal for this season is the same as the previous season, as we practice every day to win a National Championship,” said last season’s leading scorer sophomore Christine Levering. “There are smaller goals along the way which we hope to achieve, such as

win the conference (NJAC), and the regular season.”

Levering, led the team with 11 goals and 26 points as a freshman last season. The 2013 NJAC Rookie of the Year will look to build on last season’s campaign with help from her teammates.

“My success comes with the

team’s success and when we’re on our game it makes it easier for me to get opportunities to score,” Levering said. “I think to keep up my success we need to work together to possess the ball and make as many scoring opportunities as we can so I can do my part and put the ball in the back

of the net.”

However, not all is golden on the offensive front. The team will be without two of its top three scorers from last season.

On the plus side, the Lions are gifted with an abundance of senior leadership this season. The team is returning six seniors, including defender Jordan Downs. The awards and honors continued to roll in throughout the summer for Downs, including NJAC Defensive Player of the Year, an ALLNJAC First Team selection. She was even chosen as an NSCAA Second-Team All American.

The Lions were recently ranked 10th in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division III Preseason Poll. NJAC coaches predicted, however, that Montclair State will overtake the College for the NJAC Conference title this season.

The team opens up its season at home Friday, Aug. 29, at 5 p.m. with Cedar Crest College.

With a balanced and experienced offense and a defense lead

by Downs, the Lions look to add to their winning history and win a National Championship.

Men’s soccer picked to finish fifth in NJAC

By Peter Fiorilla News Editor The men’s soccer team is poised to qualify for the NJAC playoffs for a second consecutive season, with much of the spine for last year’s team coming back for the opportunity at another playoff run.

The Lions were picked to finish fifth in the conference standings this year in the pre-season NJAC poll, just good enough to make the post-season in the 10-team leauge and exactly where they finished last year.

Despite the loss of 20-goal scorer forward Kevin Shaw, among the top offensive players in D-III, longtime head coach George Nazario has retained much of the core from 2013 that drove the Lions to the NJAC semi-finals.

Twenty-two of the team’s 26 players on roster are upperclassmen, which include

Lions’ Lineup August 27, 2014

Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

Men’s soccer is expected make a competitive playoff run in their upcoming fall season. proven game-changers on offense and defense.

The midfield continigent of sophomores Nick Costelloe, Sean Etheridge and senior Kevin McCartney —

I n s i d e

who often pull the strings for the Lions’ sleek counter attack, combining for 14 goals and 11 assists — is back on the roster, alongside senior forward Greg

Perri, who had his most productive season in 2013 with five goals.

On the other side of the ball, a stingy defensive unit that allowed 1.09 goals per

game is undergoing a transition, with longtime goalkeeper Aaron Utman and defensive talisman Sean Casey no longer in the mix.

But senior defenders

Greg Kaye and Ryan MacMillan — the latter having played 1,782 minutes last season, second-most on the team — along with junior defender Dan McMillan can ease the transition for the back line.

Junior goalkeeper Maciej Libucha showed well with a .99 goals against average in 2013.

The changes made to the team on the field will have the chance to be tested against the best in Division III, as the Lions have a grueling non-conference schedule early on.

The College kicks off the season with a tournament in Glassboro starting on Friday, Aug. 29, as they take on powerhouses Messiah College and Elizabethtown College, several more games with high profile opposition before the home opener on Wednesday, Sept.

17, versus FDU-Florham.

46 53 Around the Dorm page 19

Field hockey ranks #1 page 23

XC looks to regain title page 20

ALS ice bucket challenge page 20