The Signal: Fall '14, No. 3

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Vol. XLI, No. 3

Serving The College of New Jersey community since 1885

Students explore clubs on campus

Michael Cort / Photo Assistant

Over 175 student organizations, including Greek Life, table the Activities Fair.

Lily Kalczewski Correspondent Crowded and hot, but filled with excitement and enthusiasm for the start of a new semester, the Activities Fair was a hit. There was a myriad of students swarming the roughly 175 student organizations’ tables lining the pathway from

Alumni Grove to the Social Sciences Building on Wednesday, Sept. 3. Among the organizations at the fair were club sports, Greek Life, volunteer organizations and other student organizations, ranging from Student Government and Club Bowling to German Club and Treblemakers a Capella group.

The radio station 91.3 FM

played upbeat tunes as other clubs handed out candy and fliers to prospective new-comers, but the Alpha Chi Ro fraternity got passersby attention with the canine company of its pet, Lucy, attracting the students.

The fraternity and sorority tables appeared to be the most populous area of the pathway, but, nonetheless, all the clubs

had a significant amount of potential members signing up at their tables.

Though all the students have their own reasons for joining multiple clubs, freshman nursing major Nikki Huang said she signed up for the Student Nurses’ Association to gain more knowledge about her area of study. In addition, Huang joined the Asian American Association to learn more about her own culture.

Students also joined clubs to satisfy their desires to volunteer and create a better community.

“I joined She’s the First because I had an interest in a service organization,” said junior elementary education and math double major Daniel Hardaker.

Students at the College typically get involved in a few different organizations. Hardaker is also a member of PRISM. Sophomore Maureen Hudson, an elementary urban education and STEM double major, found that, similarly to Hardaker, she joined a club based around her personal values.

“I joined The Circle of Compassion because I liked the message of compassion being the underlying meaning of all religions,” Hudson said.

See ACTIVITIES page 3

Timber — a dead tree goes down

By Natalie Kouba Editor-in-Chief

A sudden quake in the sidewalk and startling boom of a large, hollow falling tree left several students quickly scurrying off the pathway lining a small patch of trees as they made their way to and from class. The dead tree collapsed onto the Music Building, injuring no one in the area, but scraping off a few bricks and fracturing the sidewalk below with ease. Catching their breath and clutching their hands to their racing hearts, all the students in the area safely lingered by the fallen tree in awe, without missing a beat to take pictures on their phones and inform the College community at large.

Alyssa Scull, a junior sociology major, dodged the massive tree by a narrow margin as it fell perpendicular to the pathway.

“I was walking down the path

toward the Social Sciences Building, and I heard a loud cracking sound,” she said. “I didn’t even see the tree falling since it was right next to me, but the next thing I knew, there were branches and leaves all around me.”

No one was injured when the tree fell on Tuesday, Sept. 2, around 3:20 p.m. The inability of an arborist to accurately asses the potential danger of some of the trees could cause concern for an unpredictable environment on campus.

“As any arborist knows, one cannot visually see or know when a tree is hollow unless one performs some type of mechanical drilling or utilizes a tool to measure density,” said David Muha, vice president of communications, marketing and brand management at the College. “Even so, some degree of hollowness in the trunk does not necessarily make the tree a threat.”

INDEX: Nation & World / Page 6

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Editorial / Page 7

Tom Kozlowski / Managing Editor

The dead tree nearly hits a student on its way down.

This tree in particular was, however, on the College’s radar, as it was next on the list to be removed. Several years ago, Nelson Tree, the College’s arborist, reportedly discovered a significant crack going up the

Opinions / Page 8

tree when it was alive and suggested the upper third of the tree be cut down. According to Muha, the tree died sometime this past year, but was still See DAMAGES page 2

Features / Page 10

September 10, 2014

Center offers free classes once again

By Colleen Murphy News Editor Students and faculty can continue to attend their Zumba, Yoga, Pump Up the Pulse and Kickboxing classes without opening their wallets — at least for now.

“We postponed the fees because there was a misunderstanding, and we are still in the midst of figuring out what we need to do, budget-wise, with higher jurisdiction,” junior Fitness Center manager and Zumba instructor Kristina Kondakji said. “Also, we realized that students’ views of a good time does not involve emptying their piggy banks.”

As reported in the Wednesday, Sept. 3, issue of The Signal, the Fitness Center instituted membership fees for the first time in three years See FITNESS page 3

Gender Inclusive Housing

By Colleen Murphy News Editor

It’s generally believed that a room assignment at the College can be narrowed down to one key component — gender. Well, not for students in the College’s Gender Inclusive Housing program.

Those who feel as though their sex should not be factored into room assignment selection and who desire an accepting space are encouraged to sign up for housing through the College’s GIH program.

This year, 25 residents are involved with the program and live in spaces throughout Decker Hall, the townhouses and the college houses.

The housing option has been available, in some shape or form, for four years now, according to director of housing Ryan Farnkopf.

“We kind of tailored it to the people who were interested in it at the time,” Farnkopf said. “One year we did an apartment as a trial. One year

See HOUSING page 4

Arts & Entertainment / Page 12

Sports / Page 24

Growing a community Trenton Farmers Market is organic and healthy.

Alumni art show Only 40 out of 200 works selected for the display.

“Blue Out” a hit Students and faculty show their school spirit.

See Features page 10

See A&E page 12

See Sports page 24

page 2 The Signal September 10, 2014

Grant recognizes stellar student services

By Gabrielle Beacken News Assistant The College is home to one of the best Educational Opportunity Fund programs in New Jersey, according to the College’s Director of the Educational Opportunity Fund Tiffani Warren, and as a result was honored with a $3,000 grant from Investors Bank on Wednesday, Aug. 27.

For 46 years, the EOF program has ensured the academic and personal achievements for students through helpful outlets such as tutoring, financial aid management, student-faculty guidance and more.

The Investors Bank, based in New Jersey, New York City and Long Island, supports unique educational, non-profit organizations that create stimulating and diverse communities.

“The support of Investors Bank allows us to fulfill our mission of providing students the tools to achieve academic and professional success, while ensuring that they have the financial resources necessary to complete their undergraduate educations,” Warren said. “The students are worth the investment, and we are so grateful to have such a strong partnership with Investors Bank.”

The EOF program has created a strong bond between the faculty and its students.

“Simply described, the EOF

program is a big family — almost its own community,” said sophomore biology major and EOF student Maria Badilla. “EOF helps its students not only financially, but by providing the support specific to each student that will help us succeed in our personal, academic and professional lives.”

The grant money will be used toward enhancing the benefits the EOF program offers.

“The grant money helps fund programs that assist students with closing the full cost of attendance gap, adjusting to college life and addressing academic preparedness through guided advisement, financial support and innovative academic support services,” Warren said.

Working alongside the College’s Office of Development/ Division of College Advancement, the EOF program continually searches for grant and donation opportunities through the EOF Promise Award Program. The success of accepted gifts and donations to the program are due to the efforts of two key players: Charles Wright, Associate Vice President for Development, and Angela Winterrowd, Major Gifts Officer, according to Warren.

“I think the most beneficial part (of EOF) is definitely all the resources the program provides,” said an EOF student who chose to remain anonymous. “The advisors always have their doors

open, and I know I can turn to them if I ever need any advice, help with my schedule or if I just need to talk.”

The New Jersey EOF program was founded in 1968 with the objective to allow ambitious and determined, but financially struggling, students to reach higher education.

“The Promise Award ensures improved retention and graduation rates of EOF students,” Warren said.

The Promise Award, a critical part of EOF’s success, was established in 2004. It is calculated to meet the full cost of attending college by providing extra economic services to students and parents.

“Through the EOF program, I have been given the opportunity to attend such a prestigious institution without worrying about the burden that loans and debt can cause one to feel,” the student said. “Also, through the five-week summer program, not only did I make some of my best friends, but I am now ahead in my classes.”

The EOF program is currently running on a new “On Track” model. This new model supports students’ “academic, financial, personal/social and professional success,” according to Warren.

The College’s EOF program guides over 370 students annually and has a growing number of students attending graduate school,

Photo courtesy of the Investors Bank for the Educational Opportunity Fund

The College’s EOF programs receive a $3,000 grant.

according to Warren.

“The EOF program is one of the best programs I’ve been a part of on campus,” the student said. “Not only do they ensure student success through tutoring,

advisors and student mentors, but this program is also a great network of people from all different backgrounds who bond through the summer program and create everlasting friendships.”

Damages / Hollowed-out tree leaves mark continued from page 1

Tom Kozlowski / Managing Editor

Repairs are expected to amount to $30,000.

still alive when the arborist came to assess it. The College scheduled to remove the tree in the coming year, as indicated by the red band hugging the base of the trunk, but the tree fell before the College had a chance to have the tree safely removed.

Within the next hour, the College removed the dead tree, leaving a jagged perimeter of bark around the decaying stump, which had been so hollowed out with age and rot among the shrubbery. Several bricks, knocked from their places on the academic building, lay on the grass and the area was cordoned off.

Repairs as a result of the damage caused by the dead tree are expected to amount to $30,000, and the College hopes to have the building and sidewalk repaired as soon as possible, according to Muha. The College has already begun to repair the exterior of the Music Building, but how the College can further prevent such incidents in the future is somewhat unclear.

“The College has a proactive tree management program where trees are inspected each year by our arborist, and those that are dead or unsafe are removed,” Muha said.

“There are no measures that can ensure that every tree is healthy and safe, unfortunately.”

Recent thunderstorms in the Ewing area last week might have initially been suspected to cause the already weak tree to collapse. After evaluation, however, Muha said that there was no evidence that weather conditions fell the tree.

“The tree was dead and hollow at the base although this could not be seen from the outside,” he said. “It is only visible now that the tree has fallen and one can see inside. There is no evidence of physical damage associated with adverse weather conditions.”

Fortunately, no one was injured as a result of the falling tree, and it was only the Music Building and sidewalk which took a hit. But the incident caused a stir on campus and unpredictable scare for many students going about their typical college routine.

“I didn’t get hurt, but it was way too close and so scary,” Scull said. “Someone could have been seriously injured.” * Tom Kozlowski, Managing Editor, and Courtney Wirths, Features Editor, contributed to reporting.

‘Romeo and Juliet’ funded for $11,675

By Jonathan Edmondson Arts & Entertainment Editor

The Student Finance Board had its first meeting of the semester on Wednesday, Sept.

3, where the College Union Board, All College Theater and TCNJ Musical Theater proposed events for the fall.

First up was CUB, which proposed an overnight bus trip to Providence, R.I. in September.

The presenters outlined a full itinerary for the trip, including visits to the Providence Natural

History Museum and downtown Providence. In the past, CUB has led overnight bus trips to big cities like Boston and Washington, D.C., and the presenters said they believed like Providence would be a good change of location without sacrificing a “city feel.”

The trip was fully funded for the requested amount of $1,835 and is set to take place later this month on Saturday, Sept. 27, and Sunday, Sept. 28.

ACT presented next for its fall production, “Romeo and Juliet.”

Every year, ACT puts on two full productions: one in the fall and one in the spring.

“We expect a larger turnout for this show in particular,” ACT President Shannon McGovern said.

After a bit of discussion, the event was partially funded for $11,675, which covers production costs and salaries for a director and a fight choreographer.

ACT also co-presented with TMT for “Wired,” a 24-hour play competition in which students write, direct, stage manage and act out five different

one-act plays. The event was fully funded for an amount of $800 and is set to take place on Friday, Sept. 12, and Saturday, Sept. 13.

Finally, TMT proposed a “Broadway Night” and its fall musical, “Rent.” “‘Broadway Night’ gives people a chance to perform who might not get into our fall show,” TMT Treasurer Steven Munoz said.

“Rent,” a highly popular rock musical, required a large budget for TMT’s production plan and to obtain the rights to perform the show.

The event was fully funded for $200 and is set to take place on Friday, Sept. 26, and Saturday, Sept. 27.

“Rent” was also fully funded for $10,000 and is expected to take place from Wednesday, Nov. 19, to Saturday, Nov. 22.

September 10, 2014 The Signal page 3

Activities / More than 175 clubs table at fair

Michael Cort / Photo Assistant

The College’s clubs, including TCNJ Crew, line the walkway.

continued from page 1

She has been a member since last year, and this semester she’s the one looking

to recruit prospective members.

The same goes for senior Danny Kaplan, a secondary education and history double major who has been a member of

Circle K for two years now. He joined to make friends and to become more involved in the community, as clubs are a great way to meet people and create friendships.

Overall, involvement in student organization can truly add to a college experience, and it appears students at the College agree based on the long list of names filling club sign-up sheets. Student organizations provide a sense of belonging, and by becoming a member, students can find friendships, comfort, creative release and enjoyment. Whether a student is a chemist, soccer player, singer or future politician, at the College, students are able to find an organization suitable for them, since there are so many to choose from — there’s even a club for those rare out-of-state students.

Whether it’s learning more about your culture, finding people with the same interests or just wanting to help out, clubs are a great way to enhance your college experience.

Michael Cort / Photo Assistant

The crowded activities fair lasts from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

College launches new homepage: TCNJ Today Site to become main source for campus updates

By Mylin Batipps News Assistant

Students, staff and faculty of the College will have their own separate platform for campus news, thanks to the newly launched TCNJ Today website.

The homepage will provide access to campus resources for students and update the campus community with events that have passed and will take place. The College’s original homepage will still be intact, but will only be intended for an outside audience — including parents and prospective students.

The original homepage presented a problem because it tried to appeal to both internal and external audiences, according to David Muha, vice president of communications, marketing and brand management.

“Communication is most effective when you know and are speaking directly to your

audience,” Muha said. “The more audiences, the more challenging it becomes.”

Muha explained, for example, that last year the College conducted a campus climate survey, in which students and staff were provided an opportunity to give feedback on their experiences with working on campus. The survey was a feature on the College’s homepage, but since most visitors of the page are parents and people outside the campus community, the survey reached the wrong audience.

“The climate survey wasn’t relevant to them, and because that promo was there, we missed an opportunity to greet them from the moment they landed on the page with content that highlighted the college and the excellence of our faculty, staff and students,” Muha said.

Another issue, according to Muha, is that there is no prominent site for news for the campus community. Students and staff are being kept in the loop with “TCNJ Official

Email” messages, but those messages only highlight select pieces of news. A campus newsletter initiative was launched last year but quickly fell.

Muha added that while he would like TCNJ Today to “fill that void” by becoming the campus’s main source of news, he would also like for the site to provide a platform for celebration.

“I think we can have some fun with it.

The ‘Take A Bow’ column, for instance, can be used to share achievements that might not warrant a full news story but are important to celebrate nonetheless,” Muha said.

On Wednesday, Oct. 1, students will no longer be able to access resources like PAWS, Canvas and Gmail through the main webpage and will have to go on TCNJ Today’s webpage to access them.

Senior business management major David Plishka approves of the new page.

“I think it’s a benefit,” Plishka said.

“It’s nice to have the links on the top of the page that are readily accessible.”

Junior nursing major Jordan Stefanski said he will gladly use the new website as long as students will be guided on how to use it.

“As long as they (the administration) can provide an adequate tutorial on its operation, unlike what they did for Canvas, I don’t mind,” Stefanski said.

Muha is hoping that the launch of TCNJ Today will not only inform people, but also bring them together.

“By giving faculty, staff and students a home page of their own, we’re hoping that we can help foster a greater awareness of all the great things happening on our campus, provide a venue for the timely sharing of campus announcements and, ultimately, contribute to a greater sense of community,” Muha said. “It is this last aspect that I’m most excited about.”

Fitness / Fee-free Clubs to create new missions Class at no charge

By Sydney Shaw Opinions Editor

continued from page 1 in order to enhance the center with more classes and updated equipment. Students would have had to pay $20 per semester, while faculty would have had to pay $50 per semester.

Students and faculty who already paid their fees will be reimbursed.

However, according to Kondakji, not many people had signed up for a membership. While she is unsure of the exact number, she said that she could probably count the amount on her two hands.

Students and faculty are told to enjoy the free classes while they are here, because it is uncertain whether the fee will be put into effect once again this semester or in the spring.

At this week’s Student Government meeting, Vice President for Student Affairs Amy Hecht said that while the fitness center will stay free this semester, the fee might be put into effect in the future.

“Hopefully it stays free all semester long — and even better if we could stretch it to all year long,” Kondakji said. “As of right now, I am not entirely sure when they will be reinstated, and if they will be at all, this year. My guess is the fall semester will remain free since it already started. But if we can keep it free, we sure as heck are going to.”

Student Government is back in action as of Wednesday, Sept. 3, when the organization conducted its first general body meeting of the year.

In his first meeting as the Student Government president, Matthew Wells introduced the organization’s new advisor, Amy Hecht.

Hecht discussed the installation of new equipment in the Physical Enhancement Center, as well as new rims for the basketball nets in the Recreation Center.

She noted that “although it isn’t perfect yet, it’s getting there.”

Hecht also confirmed that the proposed $20 charge for fitness classes at the Rec Center will no longer be going into effect this semester.

“We are still looking at it for the future, though,” she said.

Hecht also touched on the upcoming renovations in the Brower Student Center that are scheduled to take place later in the year, but did not go into detail.

VP of Advancement Sarah Drozd announced that Student Government is looking for a new Webmaster.

“If you or anybody you know is interested in filling the position, reach out to us,” she said.

Later, VP of Student Services Navid Radfar announced that the organization is co-sponsoring “TCNJam.” Comparable to Penn State’s “Thon,” it is a dance-a-thon to support the B+ Foundation, which works to help children battling cancer. It is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 8, from

Michael Cort / Photo Assistant

Student Center renovations are briefly discussed. noon to midnight.

VP of Governmental Affairs Jess Glynn told members about a new mission for clubs at the College.

“We want to know if they are active. We want to review their constitutions and we want to get a record for SG to keep on file,” Glynn said. “It’s

a big project that we anticipate will span several years.”

Before the meeting adjourned, Student Trustee Ryan Boyne and Alternate Student Trustee Kevin Kim announced that Student Government elections will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 23.

page 4 The Signal September 10, 2014

Housing / Gender boundaries broken GIH program lets all live comfortably continued from page 1

we did some spaces in sophomore and upperclass housing.”

According to Farnkopf, having this option of housing available to students is important because, simply, it is what the students want.

“Students want it, and if students want it, it’s our obligation to provide it for them,” he said. “It’s something that makes people feel comfortable.

It’s something that helps people acclimate to college. It helps people feel secure in their own environment, and so we want to offer it if people want it.”

Sophomore deaf and hard of hearing education and iSTEM double major Sophia Roth chose to live in GIH because she wanted to live with her best friend, whom happens to be a boy.

“Living in GIH isn’t really any different from living in ‘normal’ housing. I knew living with him would be the best and most comfortable situation for me,” Roth said. “I love living in gender inclusive housing. I share a bathroom with a boy, but that is no different than living at home.”

Residential Education and Housing believes customizing its processes and services to meet residents’ demands is crucial to college students’ development.

“Issues of gender are certainly

Courtney Wirths / Features Editor

Students of all genders have the opportunity to room together with the GIH program. central to who we are as people,” Farmkopf said. “If you have a bad experience, if you live with somebody who is not comfortable with you — and there are a lot of issues that can arise from that — that hurts someone’s development. That hurts someone’s educational career. And so we want to make sure people feel safe, comfortable and at home in our facilities.”

Becoming a member of the GIH community was a smooth

process, according to Roth.

“It was really easy to apply,” she said. “I just had to fill out a simple questionnaire, and I was in. The housing rooms were set aside already, so when I went into my housing portal, I knew which rooms were included and picked from those.”

Farnkopf said that he hopes that GIH can expand in the future, and predicts that as gender identity becomes more common in everyday conversation,

the College will see an increase in requests to be a part of the GIH community.

“Right now, it’s mostly upperclass students who request (GIH housing), but occasionally we will have a first year student who does,” Farmkopf said. “We will deal with them on an individual basis right now, but I think, in the future, maybe even the near future, we’ll have something institutionalized for each class. That would be my goal, to

offer it to anybody that wants it regardless of class year.”

Residential Education and Housing encourages for people to reach out to them about the program and says that it wants the community to be student-driven.

“In order for it to meet student needs, it has to come from the student body,” Farnkopf said.

“We don’t feel as though we have a lot of students who really reach out to us and complain about issues, and certainly there are more people who have issues related to this than voice our concerns to us. So if they can bring our concerns to us, that could help us design a program that meets those needs.”

According to Farnkopf, there are many reasons that a student might want to live with someone of a different sex, and Residential Education and Housing hopes to find a solution.

“Whether they have issues or concerns with living with someone of the same gender, whether they have internal kind of deliberations about their own gender identity, if they feel like they’re transitioning or they just want to live with somebody because they want to live with somebody — there’s a lot of different populations that fit into this group regardless of what they are,” Farnkopf said. “If they reach out to us, we can design a community that reaches all those needs.”

Leave the grass on the field Rich get richer Student squats in the bushes $350 million gift

By Peter Fiorilla & Mylin Batipps News Editor & News Assistant

On Sunday, Aug. 24 at 11:50 p.m., Campus Police responded to a C.A. report of a controlled dangerous substance at Centennial Hall. A student told the floor’s C.A. her roommate had left marijuana on a desk, which the roommate said “was probably turf from the football field.”

When police arrived, they detected an “odor of marijuana” in the air and the student admitted she was in possession of marijuana. The student was placed under arrest and issued a complaint summons and court date. …

At 11 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, Campus Police responded to a report of intoxication at the Brower Student Center. They met with EMS and went outside to find a student squatting in the bushes, according to Campus Police, who said he was “hiding from them.” The student admitted to consuming vodka an hour before the incident, and was issued a summons for consumption of alcohol. …

A bike was stolen from outside the Student Center on Thursday, Aug. 21, around 10 p.m., according to Campus Police. The victim, a local resident, said he put his bike on the bike rack and went into the Student Center for “a few minutes.” Whe the resident came back, his bike was gone.

The bike was not secured with a lock or chain. …

On Aug. 26 at 12:10 a.m., a C.A. on the fourth floor

of Wolfe Hall reported underage consumption of alcohol to Campus Police. A girl on the floor had told the C.A. two males had inadvertently attempted to enter her room.

When police arrived, they found one student was in his own room on a bed and had vomited on the sheets. The parties were issued summons for consumption of alcohol. …

By Courtney Wirths Features Editor

• Harvard received its largest donation in the school’s 378-year history. $350 million was donated to the university’s School of Public Health from alumnus and current investor Gerald Chan. The donation brings to light disparity between donations to already wealthy schools (67 percent of all donations) and schools that have smaller endowments, which collect only 3 percent of total donations to colleges and universities.

On Saturday, Sept. 6, at 10 p.m., a C.A. reported there were two intoxicated males on the sixth floor of Travers Hall. The students had been uncooperative, according to the C.A., who had made them pour their alcohol out before police arrived. Campus Police reported their speech was slurred, and both were issued summons for underage drinking and advised of court dates. • In an effort to appeal to consumers’ taste for organic foods, General Mills has agreed to buy Annie’s Inc. …

Famous for their macaroni and cheese and their bunnyshaped snacks. The company will add additional options On Saturday, Aug. 23, at 2:55 a.m., Campus Police to General Mills’s collection of cereals and snacks. Amid responded to a report of an intoxicated person on the sec- sluggish consumer spending and changes in the way ond floor of Travers Hall. A C.A. said a resident knocked Americans food shop, General Mills is hoping the acquision her door out of concern for a friend vomiting in the tion will let them jump in on a new craving. men’s room, and police observed the person sitting in the shower still vomiting. EMS arrived and, at 3:46 a.m., • Home Depot confirmed that its payment systems were transported the student to Capital Health Systems. The stu- hacked at nearly 2,200 stores in both the United States dent was issued a summmons for consuming an alcoholic and Canada. The breach may stretch back to April, the beverage underage. company told the public. The information is a result of an investigation the home improvement giant began when … banks and law enforcement reported suspicious activity.

On Wednesday, Sept. 3, Building Services reported there was a damaged ceiling and faucet in a women’s bathroom at Armstrong Hall. A representative of Building Services said the incident occurred between Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 9 p.m. and Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 6 a.m. Both parties were unable to determine a suspect for the incident.

• The Dodge Viper, one of Detroit’s most famous muscle cars, is losing its strength. Disappointing sales in a relatively healthy sports-cars market lead to a rare price reduction of $15,000. Now Viper will retail for about $85,000, as opposed to a starting price of $100,000. *All information according to the Wall Street Journal.

September 10, 2014 The Signal page 5

page 6 The Signal September 10, 2014

Nation & W rld

US airstrikes hit ISIS near Haditha Dam

By Andrew Grossman Nation & World Editor

The United States launched a series of airstrikes against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) fighters on Sunday, Sept. 7. According to the U.S. Central Command, the strikes destroyed five Humvees, one armed vehicle, a checkpoint and damaged a bunker.

In a statement by the Pentagon press secretary, John Kirby, the United States carried out the attacks at Iraq’s request. The airstrikes occurred near Haditha Dam, a hydroelectric facility on the Euphrates River.

Since ISIS’s rise to power, this terrorist organization has tried on numerous occasions to take over the Haditha Dam, the second largest dam in Iraq. Currently, the dam is being protected by Iraqi security forces and Sunni Arab tribes. According to CNN, if ISIS were to take control, they would have the ability to stop the flow of water to millions of citizens in western and southern Iraq.

“We conducted these strikes to prevent terrorists from further threatening the security of the dam, which remains under control of Iraqi security forces — with support from Sunni tribes,” Kirby said.

Anbar Province Deputy Governor Faleh al-Issawi told CNN that the area attacked was being used by ISIS to launch mortar and bomb Haditha. Iraq contacted the United States with the fear that if one of the attacks hit the dam, the entire region could be impacted by severe flooding.

“Potential loss of control of the dam or a catastrophic failure of the dam — and the flooding that might result — would have threatened U.S. personnel and facilities in and around Baghdad,” Kirby said.

Caitlin Hayden, the National Security Council spokeswoman, also stressed the importance of protecting the Haditha Dam. In a recent statement, she said that “destruction of the dam or release of water would create a level of flooding that would potentially pose a catastrophic threat to thousands of Iraqis.”

In the meantime, the United States will continue to

AP Photo

The US uses airstrikes to hammer out a coalition to push back ISIS in Iraq. provide aid to Iraqi security forces in order to stop ISIS. According to the Associated Press, since the air campaign began, the U.S. military has conducted 138 airstrikes altogether.

US doctor infected with Ebola in stable condition

AP Photo

The ambulance transporting Dr. Rick Sacra, who was infected with Ebola while helping patients in Liberia, arrives at the Nebraska Medical Center.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A doctor who became infected with Ebola while working in Liberia — the third American aid worker sickened with the virus — is sick but in stable condition and communicating with his caregivers at the Nebraska Medical Center.

Dr. Rick Sacra, 51, is being treated at a 10-bed special isolation unit, the largest of the United States’ four, officials said Friday. It was built to handle patients with highly infectious and deadly diseases, according to Dr. Mark Rupp, chief of the infectious diseases

The NJ Report

Sacra, a doctor from Worcester, Massachusetts, who spent 15 years working at the Liberia hospital where he fell ill, said he felt compelled to return after hearing that two other missionaries with the North Carolina-based charity SIM with whom he’d worked were sick. He delivered babies at the hospital, and was not involved in the treatment of Ebola patients, so it’s unclear how he became infected with the virus.

An estimated 2,100 people have died during the outbreak, but Ebola has not been confirmed as the cause for all of the deaths.

Dr. Phil Smith, medical director of the Omaha unit, has said a team of 35 doctors, nurses and other medical staffers will provide Sacra with basic care, including ensuring he is hydrated and keeping his vital signs stable.

Around the World: Ukraine

Ukraine cease-fire appears to hold

AP Photo

Fisherman is convicted for illegally harvesting 80,000 lbs. of scallops.

The owner of a Maine seafood company has been sentenced to jail for conspiring to conceal the harvesting of nearly 80,000 pounds of scallops off the coasts of New Jersey and Massachusetts.

Christopher Byers of Winter Harbor, Maine, pleaded guilty to conspiring with six fishing boat owners to prepare false reports.

The boat owners pleaded guilty earlier.

All information from AP

division at the center.

Sacra arrived at 6:38 a.m. Friday at the Omaha hospital. Sacra was wheeled on a gurney off the plane at Offutt Air Force Base, transferred to an ambulance and then wheeled into the hospital, said Rosanna Morris, chief nursing officer for the medical center.

Sacra was conscious Friday and was able to communicate with medical staff, Morris said.

The first two American aid workers infected by Ebola — Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol — have recovered since being flown to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta for treatment. Sacra came to Omaha instead of Atlanta because federal officials asked the medical center to treat him in order to prepare other isolation units to take more Ebola patients if needed.

KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — The presidents of Ukraine and Russia on Saturday said the cease-fire between Ukrainian forces and Russianbacked rebels was mostly holding, but the truce still appeared fragile in its first full day as both sides of the conflict claimed violations.

A statement from Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko’s office said he and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed steps “for giving the cease-fire a stable character” in a telephone conversation Saturday.

But, it said, both leaders assessed the cease-fire as having been “fulfilled as a whole.” A separate Kremlin statement about the call said “There was a mutual satisfaction with the fact that the sides of the conflict were overall observing the cease-fire regime.”

Col. Andriy Lysenko, a spokesman for Ukraine’s national security council, told reporters that rebels had fired at Ukrainian forces on 10 occasions Friday night after the cease-fire was to take effect.

In Donetsk, the largest city controlled by the Russian-backed separatists, the night passed quietly — a rarity after several months of

AP Photo

After four months of war with Russian separatists, eastern Ukraine begins the first full day of an uncertain cease-fire. daily shelling in residential areas.

But Alexander Zakharchenko, the top separatist leader from Donetsk, told the Russian news agency RIA Novosti that the cease-fire had been violated with two rounds of shelling in the town of Amvrosiivka, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) southeast of Donetsk.

“At this time the cease-fire agreement is not being fully observed,” he said. He didn’t say when the supposed breach was to have occurred.

Lysenko said Ukrainian forces were strictly observing the ceasefire and suggested that Zakharchenko’s claim was a provocation.

Earlier Saturday, the mayor’s office in Donetsk said there had been no reports of shooting or shelling there although some shelling had been heard late Friday afternoon.

The city council of the secondlargest rebel-held city of Luhansk, which had endured intense fighting for weeks, also reported the night was quiet.

September 10, 2014 The Signal page 7

Editorial

Yik-Yak: gossip on the go, double-edged sword

The Internet of the past decade is obsessed with unaccountability. The digital age has provided an increasingly safe haven for users to gossip, slander, bully and harass from behind a screen without repercussions, and the trend has made way for a culture that embraces anonymity as a last resort of privacy.

You don’t need to look too far to find it either. From bogus, nameless responses on Yahoo Answers to mindless manifestos beneath news articles, Internet users feel free to post everything and anything while protecting themselves from scrutiny.

Sometimes it’s innocuous — opinions and speech have Constitutional protection. But when anonymous postings collide with apps like Yik-Yak, it’s a slippery, digital slope.

Yik-Yak is “an anonymous gossip app” launched in November of 2013 and designed for college campuses, according to its website. Users are told to “share their thoughts” while “(keeping) their privacy.” Like Formspring before it — the epitome of high school’s pitiful drama-starter — the app is simultaneously hilarious and dangerous. Students joke and complain about whatever crosses their mind, but they can also chat about their peers without any strings attached. The app then compiles posts from around your location, and immediately, there’s a chat room in the palm of your hand.

On an insular campus packed with student opinions, YikYak has been sacked with gossip from around the College community. So popular has the app become among underclassmen that Yik-Yak’s College following has crashed on multiple occasions. It’s not just complaints about our football team and the air vents in Eickhoff — the underlying implications are much more sinister.

Yik-Yak lends itself to petty peer criticism. Students who want to tease their fellow students need only load the app and post away. This isn’t true solely in the abstract, just check your phone. Scrolling down the feed, students have found bitter remarks and character attacks about people from their classes, their floors or even themselves, no matter how vague. Instead of audible rumors with potentially traceable sources, students discover them anonymously in text. There’s no one to blame, and the comment sticks like mud to your shoes. Libel becomes a liberty, and it can only increase when students realize the accusations they sling go uncontested. In such a close-knit community, it’s the most venomous form of social media.

There’s a fair argument to be made that if not Yik-Yak, another platform would take its place — that it’s all in good fun.

And it can be, if students use it responsibly rather than with any malicious intent. But that’s not quite the reality. We subtweet, we whine. We get catty and let bitterness get the better of us. When a springboard for these impulses exists with the sole intention of producing anonymous gossip, the results are mean, brief and personally targeted. This is a more concentrated form of anonymity than seen before on an app, and the trend is only getting worse.

Yik-Yak for the College is a double-edged sword. It’s funny, it’s stupid, and at a moment’s notice it’s borderline cyber-bullying. That’s what a culture of unaccountability breeds. And in the wrong hands, it’s a playful weapon against the character of our peers.

—Tom Kozlowski Managing Editor

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.

AP Photo

Yik-Yak, launched as “an anonymous gossip app” for college campuses, is as funny as it is deriding to the targets of its criticism. No accountability exists for its commentary.

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In the article “Coaching a winning family,” published on Sept. 3, 2014, the story said the College won its most recent lacrosse championship in 2011. The lacrosse championship actually occurred in 2008 — the College won the field hockey championship in 2011.

Quote of the Week “By giving faculty, staff and students a home page of their own, we’re hoping that we can help foster a greater awareness of all the great things happening on our campus, provide a venue for the timely sharing of campus announcements and, ultimately, contribute to a greater sense of community. It is this last aspect that I’m most excited about.”

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

r

page 8 The Signal September 10, 2014

Opinions

Israel’s hidden war of misinformation

This article was written in response to Zach Khan’s piece, “Summer recap of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” published on Aug. 26, 2014.

Palestinian homes are devastated by Israel’s superior air strikes.

By Vincent Aldazabal In reading the piece in last week’s issue of The Signal by Zach Kahn titled “Summer Recap of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” the main thing that stood out to the eye was the writer’s gross misrepresentation of the stated facts in order to satisfy the familiar discourse of Zionist rhetoric of Israel’s “right to return” and “defense” initiatives waged against the “terrorism of Hamas.”

This misinformation campaign as propelled by the writer of this piece is startling in its abject contempt for the nature of the truth of Israel’s latest expansion of crimes against Palestinian civilian populations — both within the Israeli state and directed against the Gaza Strip and along the West Bank. The writer wrote the following: “On July 30, CNN reported that roughly 5,000 rockets had been fired between Israel

AP Photo

and Hamas during the past few months.

And unless something changes soon, that number will continue to increase.”

The above statement is a misrepresentation of the facts in the sense that the arsenal of Hamas is incredibly minute compared to that of Israel’s military. Hamas is mostly funded by local Palestinian collectives of small minority groups of militant forces. Israel has had the full diplomatic support, financing and arms supplementation of Washington for quite some time, a fact that a basic read of the historical literature overwhelmingly points to (Norman Finklestein’s Image and Reality of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict is one of the most comprehensive). The significance of this is that Israel’s “Defense Forces” (a misnomer indeed) have an institutional level of military industrial power fully supported by the world’s global hegemon. Hamas’s violence, while clearly immoral, does not

have the overwhelming backing of any global hegemon. This realization serves as a bridge to further critique the next fallacious claim of the story’s writer: 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.

Kahn’s numbers for the Palestinian death toll lacks precision in number and status of persons murdered. According to the latest U.N. Report, confirmed by The Washington Post, The Guardian and The New York Times, here is the correct report: 65 I.D.F. soldiers, four Israeli civilians.

Meanwhile the total number of Palestinian dead is 2,104, of which 1,462 are civilians, 465 children civilians.

The only point Kahn and I will agree upon is that indeed, “there is more to this story than meets the eye.” As it relates to the bigger picture, a clear pattern of Israeli killing of Palestinian civilian life extends into the late 1960s. From this is the narrowly represented surface history of Israel’s “defense initiatives,” which have been executed with a severe amount of aggression that is now becoming readily apparent.

What is more to this story is the deliberate misappropriation of food, water and medical care that Israel has controlled and restricted access to for years. Israel’s latest operation of enormous destruction of Palestinian population and property with

the misnomer of “Protective Edge” has crippled any Palestinian source of commerce, dietary needs and other basic standards for human living. According to the same U.N. report, 109,000 Palestinians have lost their homes, while only 10 percent of Palestinians “receive water once a day, 6-8 hours a day.”

“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.”

This portion hardly needs any thorough critiques as it seriously ignores the difference between “rockets” and “air strikes.”

The rockets fired by Hamas are by individual persons, mainly mounted on shoulder, again by a small segment of Palestinian “militants.” Israeli airstrikes are crippling forms of military superiority, built and financed by American power.

The last portion of this piece worth citing is the following: “Hamas needs to be removed from power — they are known as a terrorist organization internationally that is intent on destroying Israel,” junior psychology major Michael Levi said.

This surely can’t be taken as credible journalistic consultation. While no offense is intended to be brought against Kahn and Levi, whose credibility shall we rely upon, theirs or that of major media outlets?

Improving relations with Ewing residents

By Nicole Stout I remember entering college in 2011 and being told I was going to miss out on a lot. Everyone was excited to be in a new place filled with opportunity and new things to explore. It just wasn’t the same for me. Ewing was not new for me — it has always been my home.

Today, I am one of a large amount of commuters.

Commuting has grown to be extremely common at the College since I started. Over half of the student population seems to be made up of commuters and, yes, that includes the people who live just across the street from the College since they don’t live in a dorm. While commuting works for many students and families, some don’t appreciate the growing number of college students living off-campus in their neighborhoods.

As a Ewing resident who is still pretty close to the community, I hear the complaints of those I grew up with who are now surrounded by students from the College.

They are aggravated by trash on the lawns and houses not being taken care of by tenants to the point that they must be knocked down. Although that behavior is unacceptable, some of the claims are exaggerated, and the attitudes of some Ewing residents make it worse. Many of those who live next door to college housing have such predisposed negative opinions about students based on previous neighbors or rumors that they don’t give them a

chance. I’ve heard of neighbors calling the police if more cars are at a house than normal just to kill a party before it happens (even if a party wasn’t even happening).

A few have repeatedly called the homeowner to get him to kick out residents. There has been a growing want to keep houses in Ewing as “family homes.” Regarding some houses for sale, the lister has been told not to sell to anyone who wants to rent the house out. If this trend ever catches on, it will be tough for commuters to find a place to stay.

Not every Ewing resident is against having college students for neighbors, though, just as not all college students are disrespectful to their neighbors. I know students from the College who, after snowstorms, have shoveled and made spaces for elderly neighbors’ cars, have gotten together with neighbors over some wine and treats and have helped out their neighbors constantly while going through school. In suburban pockets like these, Ewing residents and college students seem to be much happier. I’ve even been told that the neighbors, children and grandchildren of these neighbors will miss them after they graduate.

So what could we, the students at the College, do about making all our interactions with the Ewing community positive ones? Things won’t get better overnight, but every small step puts students from the College in a better light to Ewing residents. Introduce yourself and offer to help if you have any skills that might be needed. As

a Ewing resident myself, we just want to see college students treat this town as if it was your home, because for now, it is. We don’t want such a disconnect from those renting houses.

So please, go out, meet your neighbors. Bake cookies for them or take a bottle of wine or a meal over just to spark that connection. If we all did that, we’d be a few steps closer to fixing relations with the residents of Ewing.

Michael Cort / Photo Assistant

Commuters should make an effort to respect and connect with their neighbors.

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September 10, 2014 The Signal page 9

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 5 - 8 PM, 18 to enter, 21 to drink FREE @ The Rat

The top 10 reasons to write for The Signal: 10. We don’t haze.

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page 10 The Signal September 10, 2014

Features

Farmers Market offers home-grown tradition Bringing Jersey produce to a neighboring city

By Amanda Vuocolo Correspondent

Grocery stores have made fruits and vegetables readily available to the masses thanks to advances in shipping and farm technology. Unfortunately, the resulting produce is often bland and treated with pesticides. Between pesticide runoff and the exhaust from trucks used to transport the goods, supermarket produce also takes a toll on the environment.

The cost to grow, treat and transport this produce drives up prices. While this is inconvenient for the average consumer, shoppers in low-income areas like Trenton often cannot find stores with fresh fruits and vegetables because the high prices reduce demand.

But the solution is a century-old tradition that happens to take place just 10 minutes away from the College.

The Trenton Farmers Market is the one-stop shop for delicious fruit, vegetables, meat, baked goods, jewelry and more. And best of all, it’s locally grown, green and affordable.

This Trenton tradition began in the early 1900s when farmers statewide would gather along what is now Route 29 to sell produce. Eventually, these farmers formed a co-op and purchased land in neighboring Lawrence Township to establish what is now the official Trenton Farmers Market.

This rich history of home-grown food is present in the market today. Most of

Courtney Wirths / Features Editor

The Trenton Farmers Market houses generations of farmers who bring their Jersey-fresh goods to sell to the community. the farms selling at the market have Garden State roots.

Take Pineland Farms – the founders sold their famous blueberries on the Trenton waterfront. Judy DeFiccio, one of many people working the busy stand, had a lot to say about her family history.

“It’s like I was born here,” she said.

DeFiccio’s parents, both children of

farmers, met and married in the ’50s and combined their farms to create what is now Pineland Farms.

Another vendor with a long family history is Cedarville Farms, whose 130 acres of farmland have been yielding fruits and vegetables for four generations.

Cedarville Farms’s Justin Vanhandel has been selling his family’s produce at

the market since he was 15 years old.

“My great-grandma even comes to visit sometimes,” he said.

And the Amish Country Store is as historical as New Jersey itself. Amos Smucker, the owner of the store, says that he can trace his family back to settlements in the 15th century. The Amish tradition lives on at the market where Smucker stocks goods from four Amish and Mennonite families from Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Though Smucker works with families in Pennsylvania, he hires all kinds of people to work in the store in the market, and many of them are Trenton locals. Smucker even refers to one of his longtime employees as his “ItalianAmish mamma.”

According to Smucker, the Trenton Farmers Market is successful because “everyone brings their own ethnic food from different places.”

History is alive and well at the Trenton Farmers Market, but the market has embraced modernity. Many vendors are aware of the food desert plaguing the Trenton community and are happy to give back. According to Judy DeFiccio, “everyone’s trying to fill that role.”

A longtime tradition in a modern world, the Trenton Farmers Market is an unassuming paradise full of delicious food and warm faces. The market is located on 960 Spruce St. in Lawrence Township and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The College volunteers in ‘The Big Easy’

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Pagliaro

Students who travel with the College’s ABC develop lasting friendships on just one trip of volunteering together.

By Courtney Wirths Features Editor It has been over nine years since Hurricane Katrina and the city of New Orleans filled the front page headline. Even almost a decade after the tremendous wind and rain, the city remains damaged and in need of assistance. Recognizing the need for volunteers, the College’s Alternative Break Club takes trips south during winter, spring and summer breaks to help rebuild the Mardi Gras city.

“Disasters can only get better if something is done to bring it back up,” said junior elementary education and iSTEM major Toni D’Amato. D’Amato has been involved in the club since her freshman year and has gone of two of the club’s summer trips to New Orleans.

During her first summer volunteering, D’Amato’s group helped to rebuild the home of an elderly man named Wendell.

“He would stop by to give us food and help out while we were rebuilding his home,” she said. “ He

always taught us his church songs on break time and really gave us a feel of the culture of New Orleans.”

This past summer, the group had the opportunity to return to Wendell’s new home, take a tour of the finished house and listen to the thank-you speech he gave at the home’s dedication.

“It brought so many people together to have the greatest feelings of hope,” D’Amato said.

The Alternative Break Club spent this summer on Desire Street in New Orleans.

“Our homeowner was an older blind man who was living in this large two story house all by himself,” junior nursing major Elena Shupak said. “ The downstairs was completely empty, with only studs and beams, and he was living on the second story with no running water and hardly any electricity.”

The club worked for the entire week installing hardwood floors on the second floor and finishing some of the construction that needed to be completed down on the first floor, she explained.

The locations for the clubs trips are ultimately chosen by the ABC’s executive board, but members of the club can provide input if they wish, according to club member and sophomore finance

major Jonathan Sheridan. Due to the tremendous need for volunteers, however, the club plans to continue returning to New Orleans in the future.

“A group of 20 TCNJ students got in cars to drive over a thousand miles barely knowing each other,” he said. “And when we go in the cars to come back to N.J., I knew I had made some life-long friends.”

In addition to the experience of volunteering, travelling to a new

city and making new friends, the club’s members emphasize that it’s the people of the city that have made the most impact on their lives while they have been in the away.

“They teach you through not just their words, but with their actions that nothing in life is ever too tragic to recover from,” Shupak said. “Their positive spirits shine through in the darkest of moments, and that is something I never forget to take home with me when I leave Louisiana.”

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Pagliaro

Students work in New Orleans to help rebuild homes damaged and destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

The

September 10, 2014 The Signal page 11

Hollyword:

A bad day for Britney

By Johnanthony Alaimo Columnist

In a sad twist, Britney Spears’s boyfriend, David Lucado, cheated on her. Most of you probably didn’t even know she was dating, and a small minority of you probably thought Britney has been dead for a few years. Well, put your ignorance to rest. Brit-Brit will not let any man (except maybe a municipal judge, her father and a doctor) put her down.

She is a strong, independent woman free to make none of her own decisions.

She is ready for the single life, as she exclaimed at one of her Vegas shows: “OMG,

AP Photo

Condolences go out to Aniston after the marriage of Brangelina.

OMG, I need a hot guy! Where are the hot guys here tonight?” When she said this, I know in my heart that my fellow homosexuals were willing to put themselves up for her. Whatever the reason David Lucado did what he did (because Britney lip-synced sex) is not important. I’m proud of you, Britney. Reach for the stars (but ask permission from your parent/legal guardian first).

But not all is hopeless when it comes to love in Hollywood. The infamous power couple of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have finally tied the knot (as well as the noose around Jennifer Aniston’s emotional stability). The couple secretly married in a ceremony in France.

Jennifer Aniston could not be reached for comment because she was too busy burning a carton of Rachel wigs she found in Jimmy Kimmel’s house. I wish Brad and Angelina the best as they continue to take over the world. God bless the Illuminati.

Score 1 for Brad and Angie, but Michael Sam, the first openly gay player in the NFL, also has something to celebrate.

After being released from the St. Louis Rams this past week, aspirations for Sam to emerge on the field seemed as hopeless as Meg Ryan becoming a movie star again.

However, the Dallas Cowboys came to the rescue and signed Sam to their team for the upcoming season.

Sam will be on the team’s practice squad and will hopefully improve their weakened defensive line. The addition of Michael Sam to the NFL roster is certainly historic, and I cannot wait until the movie version of it hits theaters, because I am not watching actual football.

Campus Style

By Heather Hawkes & Jordan Koziol Columnists It’s that time of year again! New York Fashion Week — where trends are set, statements are made and attention is certainly captured. New York’s fashion week commenced on Thursday, Sept. 4, and will be followed by London, Milan and, finally, Paris in early October.

The main purpose of all the madness is for top designers to market their spring and summer lines to an audience of buyers and top fashion editors to gain shelf space and good press. Designers display their line creations for the season ahead, so pay close attention to the trends that will be appearing in spring 2015.

Sleek, Modern and Silk: Presenting an Arabian desert-inspired collection, Nicholas K is definitely on our top-list. The designer displayed draped necklines, loose trousers and shawls worn tied at the waist, looped across the shoulders or twisted hijab style around the head. The collection flaunted beautiful fabrics in black, army green, crisp white and powder blue.

Soft Silhouettes/Pastels: Tadashi Shoji unveiled soft, dream-like ensembles at his show, using lace and chiffon to bring a more feminine structure to each piece. The designer also incorporated high-collared necklines and modest skirt lengths to balance out the croppedblouses and sheer midriffs. BCBG Max is another designer who graced the runway with beautiful, soft feminine frocks that seemed to float across the floor with every step.

Photo courtesy of Women’s Wear Daily

Nicholas K brings the desert to the big city with an explorer-inspired collection.

1960s/1990s: Whitney Pozgay’s line introduced a band of fun, bold patterns across structured crop tops paired with A-line skirts, as well as V-neck pant suits that seem to create an era-mash up between the 1960s and 1990s. But Pozgay isn’t the only one sending us through a fashion time-warp. Desigual also brought back ’90s mini skirts and ’60s mod dresses splashed with loud patterns and bright colors that surged the runway with a gracious energy-boost.

Getting fit without ever leaving the desk

By Ruchi Shah Columnist

As the semester picks up, you might find yourself spending most of your time studying in the library and missing out on your routine gym workouts. Students tend to choose one of two courses of action: Either they utilize exercise as a method of procrastination or forego the exercise altogether.

Now that the first two weeks of the semester have flown by, classes have begun to pick up the pace.

Don’t worry — here are a list of exercises you can do during the stressful times that are right around the corner.

You can do these quick and easy workouts right at your desk during your study breaks.

The Glute Squeeze. This is a personal favorite of mine because it’s completely inconspicuous. You can do this workout at the library or even in class. Just squeeze your gluteal muscles together and hold for 10 seconds before relaxing them. Doing a few sets of 10 every day will have your bottom looking taut in no time!

The Chair Squat. This exercise is intended for a short study break and allows you to remain at your desk. Simply stand up from your chair, spread your legs, and squat down until your butt hovers above your seat. Doing a set of 10 will only take a few minutes and eventually leave your legs and butt looking great.

The Trap Squeeze. This is another sedentary exercise.

The trap squeeze is meant to tone your upper back. Sit up straight in your chair with your arms at either side bent at 90

degrees so your fingers are pointing forward. Then, pull your elbows back and pinch your shoulder blades. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds, release and repeat.

Ab Work. Ab workouts are the most dreaded of all exercises, but here’s a way to work out these muscles while staying seated. Contract your ab muscles, hold for 10 seconds, release and repeat. The longer the hold, the stronger the abs.

Try reading a paragraph while holding these muscles, then two paragraphs and so on.

Calf Raises. This is yet another sedentary exercise. Plant your heels on the ground and raise only your heels (your toes should remain on the ground). Do this in increments of 30 seconds and alternate with 30-second breaks.

These exercises should ensure that you achieve both mental and physical satisfaction. Who says college students can’t have the best of both worlds? Happy and healthy studying!

Environment

Leave it to beavers to be back in Britain

By Frank Saverino Columnist

Last Friday, two deer halted rush-hour traffic in three lanes on the Golden Gate Bridge, running from the southern entrance across the bridge into Marin County. Animal-control authorities were called to the scene, but the deer had swiftly exited the bridge before their arrival. ...

Recently deceased and infamous comedian and actress Joan Rivers had a serious love for animals. She was an activist for the animal rights organization, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). She led a movement with other PETA members that pushed the New York City council to create policies that banned chaining dogs in public spaces and endorsements for spaying and neutering. ...

After a recent sighting in Otter St. Mary,

British environmentalists are frazzled over the reappearance of Eurasian beavers. Being that the last report on beavers in Britain was made in 1789. Over 500 years ago, the English government enacted systematic efforts to hunt down Eurasian beavers from British waters both for trading their fur and protective environmental efforts. A surprise return for beavers has left environmentalists scratching their heads. Some fear that beavers, because of their tree-eating and dambuilding habits, will cause a disruption in water patterns if their population re-booms. ...

Back in the U.S., a maximum-security prison in Lancaster, California, is using a group of rescued dogs from a shelter in part of a rehabilitation plan for inmates. “Paws for Life” – a program partnering with Karma Rescue, a non-profit shelter that has saved over 6,000 dogs in California – and Los Angeles County Prisons has seen tremendous

psychological benefits to inmates that applied for positions to take care of and rehabilitate dogs that have been lost, abandoned or abused. One inmate from Lancaster, Jack, reflected in an interview: “It’s a pleasure to simply observe dogs and to be observed by them. Caring for them is an opportunity and a privilege to openly display caring and compassion, and at times let my inner child out when playing with the dogs.” ...

In China, a retired basketball star is the face of a campaign to stop the ivory trade from places like Kenya and South Africa, where ivory is still legal to trade, and his home country. The former Houston Rockets player, Yao Ming has partnered up with WildAid and appears in their new documentary, “The End of the Wild.” His “Say No to Ivory” campaign ads requesting that the government ban its part in the trade are already airing on television and on bill-

boards in China. WildAid has estimated that about 30,000 elephants are killed in the ivory trade every year.

AP Photo

Two deer hold up the Golden Gate.

page 12 The Signal September 10, 2014

Arts & Entertainment

Alumni share diverse skills in new art exhibit

By Noor Azeem Correspondent

A once-empty room in the Art and Interactive Multimedia Building now features art using all sorts of mediums lining the walls, sitting with refined poise on the ground or hanging from the ceiling. College alumni, students and staff fillled the room for the opening reception of the 2014 Art Alumni Exhibition on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

With more than a few pops of color, there certainly wasn’t a shortage of people in the room, all exuding a similar energy of excitement.

The staff, in particular, seemed to be proud of all they had accomplished.

Multiple decades is right — some of the alumni are from the 1970s, while others graduated just last spring with the class of ’14. One alumna, Angela Winterrowd, who also served as a staff member, recollected that “this

Photos by Samantha Selikoff

Art in the gallery ranges from small to large.

building didn’t exist when (she) was a student.”

Even though they may be from different times, all the alumni seem to share a drive for creativity, which led to a cohesive exhibit.

The variety displayed in the pieces kept attendees moving about, looking for the next piece to excitedly point out to the person with whom they came.

One piece, created by ’79 graduate Helene Plank, was the image of a rose made entirely of buttons. Katie Petrillo, from the class of ’11, designed a digital print where the viewer was able to look inside the image to see another one.

Various pieces were canvas paintings, some with added touches like gold leaf or graphite. A charcoal on paper piece dominated one wall. There were even some that utilized TV screens and video.

Art gallery director Emily Croll spoke about arranging all the pieces and deciding exactly what went into putting this together.

“I always try to arrange the works so they talk to each other,” she said. She further explained how sometimes the pieces would need to be moved around to improve the aesthetics of the gallery. If two video pieces were too close, for example, they would be moved so they didn’t “speak to each other too much.”

“It’s a diverse group of art, but I think it came together well,” Croll said. She gave credit to Sara Reisman, the juror of the art exhibition and a well-established curator.

The artists who contributed to the exhibition and the staff who made it possible were honored in a short 10-minute speech in which a few people welcomed the alumni and the guests to the gallery.

“It really gives me a lot of pleasure to be able to welcome back a lot of our talented alumni to this department,” said Lee Ann Riccardi, chair of the department of Art and Art History. It was a sentiment many seemed to share.

Not only are the alumni talented, as Riccardi pointed out, but they are diverse as well. From art education

Photo by Samantha Selikoff

Alumni share passions for the College and art.

majors to psychologists and art therapists, the alumni showcased in the gallery have found niches in all walks of life.

An alumna from 1990, Elisa Hirvonen, has her own clay studio, while ’13 graduate Frank Sung recycles words and images for projects in photography, cinematography, music and writing.

Even those who haven’t graduated yet are aiming to make a mark on the art gallery — two hallways feature photography from current students at the College, who may very well be featured artists in more art exhibits down the road.

The energy of the room was almost as loud as the energy of the pieces, and it was clear that the art inspired many who attended. The Art Alumni Exhibition seems like it won’t lose momentum, swinging until it’s very last day on Thursday, Oct. 9.

After four years, Interpol makes smashing return

By Kimberly Ilkowski Review Editor

Interpol is one of the bands that cemented my love for alternative rock some seven years ago. However, up until this June when its new album was announced, the band had virtually disappeared. After a four-year gap between albums and the departure of long-time bassist Carlos Dengler, Interpol is finally back and ready to show that it’s only gotten better with age.

The band’s fifth studio album, “El Pintor,” released on Tuesday, Sept. 9 through Matador Records, has quickly become one of the year’s most anticipated albums and one that easily ranks among the best albums in the band’s discography.

It’s been twelve years since Interpol’s debut album “Turn On The Bright Lights” skyrocketed the band to fame within the New York City indie-rock scene of the

AP Photo

‘El Pintor’ is filled with a grandiose sound.

early 2000s alongside acts like The Strokes and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

The N.Y.C. natives — composed of vocalist Paul Banks, guitarist Daniel Kessler and drummer Sam Fogarino — are known for their dapper appearance and dark demeanor.

The first song off the album and its first single, “All The Rage Back Home,” showcases Interpol’s signature style that any die-hard fan can identify with and enjoy. The track starts off with Banks’s eerie whisper drowned out by a wall of guitars, until, suddenly, the song’s fever breaks and the band lurches full speed ahead into the pre-chorus.

The next track, “My Desire,” reels you in immediately with a guitar riff that’s like an addictive up-and-down rollercoaster of sound.

It seems as though Banks is endlessly yearning, using a lyrical lexicon full of longing, lust and lovers.

The song “Same Town, New Story” also delivers another amazing guitar riff, further showcasing Kessler’s true talent and creativity. The song also illustrates that Interpol is more open to experimenting with new sounds, as this is funkier than anything I’ve heard from them previously.

The repeated lyric, “feels like the whole world is coming down on me,” highlights the melancholia that has always been a common denominator in Interpol’s songwriting.

In the past, Interpol’s albums, especially the 2010 self-titled release, felt like a large theater production with dense feelings and dramatic intros and outros, each spanning several minutes long. With “El Pintor,” these elements are replaced with faster riffs, clearer vocals and a dash of funk similar to the music of its heyday.

But no matter which album you’re listening to, the songs always maintain a sense of grandeur.

These songs are shorter and less epic, but not in a bad way. They take a lot of tips from the band’s earlier records that were simultaneously more popular and radio-friendly.

Banks leads Interpol with pensive lyrics.

AP Photo

In “Breaker 1,” Banks’s echoing voice creates a haunting effect alongside pounding instrumentals as he moans about “aching” and the “beast inside.”

If this sounds pretentious, it’s not. The band has never tried to be anyone but itself. Its work continues to be heavily influenced by Joy Division but never mimics it.

Banks lets his tortured soul run free on this album with lyrics that seem capable of weighing you down.

However, the way the songs are structured will instead have you bopping around and tapping your feet.

The second single off the album, “Ancient Ways,” is a fast, loud burst of energy that dies out just as abruptly as it begins.

On “Tidal Waves,” instead of a zany guitar riff to lead in, Fogarino’s drum kit beckons us with booming pedal stomps and crashing cymbals. The song is topped off with a chanting chorus of the track’s title.

The final song, “Twice As Hard,” reimagines old sounds, specifically borrowing from the outro of the band’s 2010 single, “Barricade.”

If Interpol’s sold-out November show at Philly’s Union Transfer is any indicator of the success the band will have with “El Pintor,” then I can only dream of the magic Banks and company will produce in the future.

September 10, 2014 The Signal page 13

River City Extension plays riveting Rat show

By Sydney Shaw Opinions Editor Two New Jersey-based bands made their sophomore appearances at the Rathskeller on Friday, Sept. 4, during a night that satisfied both rockers and folkies alike.

Headliner River City Extension’s inordinate compilation of guitars, bass, violin, keys, vocals and percussion was impossible to ignore.

The band, comprised of frontman Joe Michelini, John Muccino, Mike Costaney,

Colin Dimeo, Patrick O’Brien and Rebecca Schlappich, played songs like “Our New Intelligence” and “Holy Cross” off its first full-length album, “The Unmistakable Man,” which caught the attention of indie label XOXO Records in 2010.

Two years later, it performed at the College alongside Accidental Seabirds.

This time around, one particularly special individual was in the audience.

“Brett, raise your hand,” Michelini said as he introduced his younger brother to the crowd. “Brett is a freshman here. Everyone,

Michael Cort / Photo Assistant

Michelini of River City Extension croons to a packed audience.

solemnly swear that if you see him on campus and you happen to recognize him, make sure no one fucks with him.”

“The closest that I’ll ever get to having kids is giving birth to rock and roll,” Michelini added.

In April, the band sequestered itself in a lodge in the Poconos rigged to act as a recording studio to work on its upcoming album “Deliverance.”

“There is no way for anyone to duplicate any of our songs unless they record them in that house,” pianist O’Brien said.

“That house is a real part of this album. It was the most stress-free recording experience I’ve ever had. We really just needed to get far away from everything, get off the grid, so we could just be us.”

Michelini got up close and personal with his fans, jumping into the crowd to dance during a long instrumental break in the show.

After the set ended and the band left, the audience summoned it back with the unusual chant of “six more songs!” The band only played one, though — “Friends and Family.”

Opener Pine Barons also made a comeback after emerging victoriously from the Battle of the Bands, co-sponsored by

CUBRat and WTSR in April.

With Keith Abrams and Brad Pulley on guitar and vocals, Collin Smith on drums and vocals and Shane Hower on bass and percussion, the band opened with songs from its first self-titled EP, such as “Don’t Believe What They Told You” and “Black Matter,” which begins with a haunting harmony between Abrams and Pulley.

“Coming back to your campus has been so great,” Pulley said. “There were so many more people this time. The sound quality is awesome in here, too.”

This summer, the self-described psychfolk-harmonious-americana-rock and roll band began recording demos and working on producing its first full-length album.

The band utilized a tambourine and maracas in its set, highlighting its new and distinctivie sound.

Pine Barons was recently featured in The Deli Magazine and is in the running to be the next New York City Artist of the Month.

According to the band’s website, “these four heroes devote themselves to the mission of spreading rock ’n‘ roll, good times, jokes, high fives and hot sauce to friends around the world.”

‘The Cuckoo’s Calling’ shows Rowling’s mature side

By Kelsey Collins Correspondent It’s difficult to think of J.K. Rowling without the name Harry Potter also popping into your head. Rowling anticipated this when coming out with her novel “The Cuckoo’s Calling,” publishing it under the pseudonym of Robert Galbraith. She revealed after reviews came out that she was in fact the author.

The author of the “Harry Potter” series is now working on the “Cormoran Strike” series, in which “The Cuckoo’s Calling” is the first novel. The series follows

the life of an injured veteran of the war in Afghanistan as he tries to rebuild his life as a private detective. In the novel, Strike is hired by a distraught man to investigate the suicide of the man’s sister, supermodel Lula Landry, whom he believes was murdered. Strike digs into the history of the Landry family and uncovers many dark secrets as possible suspects arise.

One of the aspects of the novel which I enjoyed was its social commentary on the treatment of celebrities. Since the novel is about the supposed suicide of a supermodel, Rowling took the time to satirize the paparazzi and the obsessive

fans who flock around the rich and famous. The situations in the novel demonstrate how harmful the paparazzi’s presence can be to celebrities, as well as show what a violation of privacy it can be.

It was an interesting perspective because, in our modern day world, it is all too easy to become a part of the hype around a certain celebrity — whether it’s a model, singer or actress. As Strike looks into Lula’s life, he sees her as another victim whose family he has to help, not as the gorgeous model and famous party girl she was. Having a famous victim for Strike’s investigation gives the

story a more interesting twist.

Anyone who is interested in crime and murder mystery stories should consider reading this book. As a binge watcher of “CSI” and “Law & Order: SVU,” I felt the same sort of enjoyment while watching those shows as I did following Strike through the twists and turns of the novel.

As I’m sure many others do, I feel as though I grew up with J.K. Rowling. When I was 11, a secret part of me was hoping for a Hogwarts letter. Now, I am a young adult, and Rowling is writing another engrossing series that peaks my interest. She seems like just as

much a part of my life as ever.

Yes, it was kind of shocking but interesting to read sex scenes, expletives and other obscenities from the author of my all-time favorite children’s series. But it seems fitting that the generation that grew up with Harry Potter has another series by J.K. Rowling to read.

I highly recommend “The Cuckoo’s Calling” for its intricate details, ever-moving plot and interesting characters. The second novel in the series, “The Silkworm,” has already been published, and I plan on reading it over winter break when I am not reading books for school.

5SOS makes summer splash in the USA

By Jessica Ganga Social Media Editor

Move over, One Direction, and make way for the newest band to land on the U.S. charts. 5 Seconds of Summer (referred to as 5SOS by fans) is an upcoming young band from Sydney, Australia that has captured the hearts of millions of teenage girls.

The boys got their start when lead singer, Luke Hemmings, began posting covers of songs on YouTube. His friends and now bandmates — bassist Calum Hood and guitarist Michael Clifford — eventually joined him.

Once drummer Ashton Irwin joined the group, they began playing small gigs in the Sydney area.

Their YouTube videos attracted the attention of One Direction bandmates Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan,

AP Photo

5SOS write fun, energetic songs for teens.

who were huge fans. 5SOS rose to international fame after embarking on One Direction’s “Take Me Home Tour” in 2013, and this past summer, they toured with One Direction again for their “Where We Are Tour.”

Their first album, “5 Seconds of Summer,” was released in July of 2014 in the U.S. and hit number one on the Billboard 200 chart after the first week of sales. If you pick up the album and give it a listen, you’ll understand why these boys aren’t just popular for their good looks. They’re a talented group that plays their own instruments. Don’t let the fact that they’ve toured with One Direction stop you from giving their music a try.

With influences like famous punk bands Blink 182 and Green Day, you can already get a feel for how each track may sound. But if you’re expecting to hear songs like “All the Small Things” and “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” you may be disappointed. The boys are able to put a young spin on the pop-punk genre, making their music more relatable for the younger audience while still attracting the older fans with their punk background.

“She Looks So Perfect” is the band’s hit single off the album, breaking the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S. It’s a fun, energetic song that you will definitely have on repeat once you start listening to it. The song is sprinkled with catchy lyrics, such as when Hemmings sings in the chorus, “You look so perfect standing there / in my American Apparel underwear.” (Queue screaming girls everywhere.)

“Amnesia” is another well-known song off the album — a little different but equally lovable. The boys

AP Photo

The band is comprised of four boys from Sydney.

trade in their electric guitars for acoustics, giving it a different sound but with the same level of emotion. If you missed the MTV Video Music Awards this year, the band performed the song live, and it’s definitely a performance to see.

I’m also a fan of some of the group’s lesser-known songs like “18” and “End Up Here.” “18” is one of the songs off the album where you can hear the similarities between the band and their musical influences. Again, it’s no classic Green Day song, but like “She Look So Perfect,” the lyrics are fun and geared toward teens.

“End Up Here” is, in my opinion, the song in which you can hear the most overt pop-punk influences and a moment where Hemmings’s vocal talent truly shines.

5SOS has a successful future ahead of them, and if their albums to come are anything like this one, they may be sticking around for a while.

page 14 The Signal September 10, 2014

Blue Out / Fans erupt with Lion pride Using a color to unite the College as one

Kyle Bennion / Photo Editor

The College hosts a ‘Blue Out’ in the stands to promote school spirit and unity at the football home opener against Ursinus on Friday night. continued from page 24 “I’m actually quite disappointed with the support our student body usually shows,” D’Agostino said. “Very few students show up to the sporting events at TCNJ, resulting in an extremely underwhelming environment for the players.”

But Friday was a step in the right direction, he said.

Muha thinks “there’s plenty of school spirit here,” but he understands that students are often busy and can’t always show it.

The blue crowd in the stands wasn’t just a show of spirit with

the colors of the school, however.

The color blue has been found to be commonly associated with confidence, according to the College’s website. Therefore, the school has found a way to double the meaning of the color in order to unite the students and promote confidence in the athletic program.

Katie Yorke, a junior diplomacy major, hopes that supporting the athletic program can become a permanent staple at the College.

“I wouldn’t say we’re not a proud school. I think we just have a lack of student involvement with TCNJ athletics,” Yorke said, missing the large

attendance at sporting events that she often found prevalent at her high school, Pearl River high school in New York.

But feeling similar to D’Agostino, Yorke would like the spirited start to the year to find its way back soon.

“It would be great to see more events like “Blue Out,” Yorke said. “It would be cool to branch outside of football.

I know there are other sports teams that are equally as good or better that definitely deserve some support, too.”

With crowd attendance noticeably dwindling during home games at the College,

several students mentioned that having more events like “Blue Out” would help bring people to games, following the similar model of large Division I schools like Penn State, who have annual “white and blue outs” at games.

Yorke even suggested that the athletic department take student participation to another level by offering busing for big away games in support of the College’s different varsity teams.

“With busing to big away games, we would be able to bring a piece of TCNJ wherever the teams travel to make them feel more at home,” Yorke said.

She also suggested making the event annual, while also finding ways to incorporate it into this year’s Homecoming — noting that the success of the “Blue Out” should be a sign for its continuation.

“I think it would be cool to incorporate ‘Blue Out’ into Homecoming every year in order to unify the student body more,” Yorke said. “It would offset the separation of each of the school’s organizations at the Homecoming tailgate. Wearing blue would be the unifying factor of the day to remind us all that no matter what groups we’re in, we’re all Lions at heart.”

Football

Harsh night for the Lions after 47-7 loss

Kyle Bennion / Photo Editor

The Lions football team is defeated 47-7 at its first game this season.

By Anthony Caruso Staff Writer

The College’s football team suffered a harsh loss on Friday night, with players hanging their heads following the game’s conclusion. Coach Wayne Dickens told his players to erase the game from their memory following a 47-7 loss to Ursinus College.

This 40-point loss was the worst for the team since the 2007 season. In the final

game of that season seven years ago, the College lost to national powerhouse Mt. Union in the second round of the Division III playoffs 59-7.

“We’ve got to look at the mistakes because we’ve made fundamental mistakes,” Dickens said. “These are mistakes we didn’t make on the practice field.”

The team looked at film of the game on Saturday in order to review the previous night’s flaws, according to Dickens.

He said there were enough corrections for everybody in the room.

“We made errors throughout (and) all over the field,” he said. “Both sides of the ball made mistakes. We even made a few on special teams, and you can’t win football games with this many mistakes.”

Things started to unravel in the second half of the game as the Bears scored 28 unanswered points. They also added a late touchdown in the fourth quarter to put Ursinus up 47-7.

In the third quarter, the College had a fourth down when the coaching staff decided to go for it instead of kicking a long field goal with Ursinus leading 19-7. Sophomore quarterback Michael Marchesano was tackled and lost the ball before Bears linebacker Timothy Rafter scooped up the ball and ran it down the sidelines to the eight-yard line.

The very next play, Bears quarterback Kevin Monahan scored on an eight-yard rushing touchdown. During the next Lions drive, Rafter intercepted Marchesano for a 30-yard touchdown.

“We have to have better ball security,” Dickens said. “If we don’t fumble the ball there, they take over with our defense having more than half the field to defend.”

The Lions had the momentum going into the locker room following a late touchdown. With one minute and 39 seconds left in the first half, Marchesano connected

with senior tightend Ryan Baranowsky for an 11-yard touchdown to make it 12-7.

“We either didn’t match their energy, or we made fatal mistakes on plays,” Dickens said. “We got the ball to begin the second half, and we couldn’t get a drive going. When you get momentum, you need to capitalize on it.”

Ursinus scored the first 12 points with a safety and a 19-yard field goal. Monahan hit teammate Darius Jones for a five-yard touchdown to give them a 12-0 lead prior to the Lions score.

Baranowsky was one of the bright spots in the game for the College. He had five receptions for 48 yards and a touchdown, while sophomore receiver Jeff Mattonelli added three receptions for 47 yards.

Scalici had 55 yards on 19 carries.

Brad Young contributed 44 yards on eight rushes.

“It was a team effort, and unfortunately we didn’t succeed,” Baranowsky said. “I hope we have a better effort next week against FDU-Florham.”

This Friday night, the team returns to the field, as they travel to FDU-Florham in Madison, N.J. Last year, the Lions lost to both Ursinus and FDU-Florham to begin the season before going on a fourgame win streak.

“I have confidence in my teammates,” junior running back Victor Scalici said.

“This isn’t the first time we’ve lost a game.

We can do this. We did it last year.”

September 10, 2014 The Signal page 15

Field hockey wins pair of weekend games Healy earns her career total of 101 points Field Hockey

By Otto Gomez Staff Writer

The College’s field hockey team continued its fantastic play with two games against Manhattanville College and Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham this week.

The Lions defeated the Manhattanville Valiants by a score of 8-1. Senior Erin Healy was able to get on the scoreboard early again with a goal three minutes in. This put her at a career total of 101 points for the program, becoming the 17th player in the College’s history to reach the mark of 100 total points.

“It’s not really a personal accomplishment — there’s 11 girls on the field who all work as hard as they can to get to the ball on our offensive end,” Healy said.

“It shows how hard everyone on the field works.”

Healy is part of the main scoring group for the Lions, which includes senior Lindsey Hatch,

Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

Senior Erin Healy records her 101st career point for the field hockey program.

who added two goals and an assist in the game. However, the Lions were in a strange situation after Healy’s first goal. Following a penalty, the Valiants’ Morgan Parsons tied the game with a goal with 18 minutes left in the first half. The Lions quickly

shook the goal off and scored eight minutes later with Hatch’s two goals coming off assists from sophomore Jacyln Douglas, who scored a hat trick in the season opener and senior Erin Waller.

After two more goals in the beginning of the second half by

Douglas, sophomore Lexi Smith, and a second by Healy, the game was delayed two hours due to lightning. Once the action continued, Hatch finished off the scoring with her pair of goals to make the final score 8-1.

The Lions showed no signs of

fatigue during their second game with a very strong outing against Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham.

The Lions defeated the now 0-3 Devils by a score of 8-0. Following their game plan of getting off to a very fast start, the Lions scored two goals in the first four minutes, with the scores coming thirty seconds apart.

Two more goals came at the end of the half by the usual suspects, Douglas and Hatch. Following one more goal in the beginning of the half, the Lions began making substitutions to get younger players on the field.

As opposed to the first game of the season, the younger players were able to get on the board, with freshman Lauren O’Keefe netting her first career goal.

“Our mentality is to continue to work hard, play well as a cohesive unit and go into each game playing our hearts out,” Healy said.

The team faces Cabrini College on Tuesday, Sept. 9 in Radnor, the home of the Cavaliers.

Cheap Seats

Wes Welker suspension Devon Still offseason Kid suffers from cancer

By Kevin Luo Staff Writer

Wes Welker gets suspended from the Broncos for drug policy violations.

By Kevin Luo Staff Writer

This past week, Denver receiver Wes Welker was suspended for the first four games of the NFL season for a violation of the NFL’s drug policy. There has been speculation on what drug Welker was suspended for using. Some sources have said that the drug was amphetamines, MDMA (or “molly”) or nonprescribed Adderall. Welker was adamant that he hasn’t knowingly taken anything on the NFL’s banned substance list and has said he plans on appealing the suspension. I feel this suspension, however, is a blessing in disguise for Welker — he’d be better off just taking it and sitting out the first four games.

Welker was already considered a physical question mark for the Broncos early in the season because of a concussion he suffered in a preseason game against Houston. This concussion was his third in the last 10 months, and Welker’s stated that he wants to get back on

AP Photo

the field as soon as possible. This suspension is protecting Welker from himself. At the time of the suspension, Welker had not officially been cleared by team doctors, but it was believed that he might be able to play in the Broncos’ season opener.

I would love to see Welker have a continually successful NFL career. He’s a great player, but the way he plays leaves him extra vulnerable to injuries — especially concussions. He’s a small guy who is constantly going over the middle of defenses to catch passes and getting smacked by linebackers and safeties. I’m not saying he should never play football again, but I think he should look at some ex-players who’ve had their post football careers suffer from injuries they’ve endured during their playing careers.

Welker should definitely not try to rush back into football at all. When he comes back, he needs to make sure he’s 100 percent healthy.

These next four weeks will give him some more time to get healthy but also some time to think about his football and post-football future.

All the talk of NFL practice squads this week has been about which team would pick up Michael Sam after he was released from the Rams and cleared waivers. The best NFL practice squad story this week, however, is coming out of Cincinnati.

Two years ago, the Bengals drafted Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still in the second round of the 2012 draft. After a successful Penn State career culminating in the 2011 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award, Still was expected to be an impact defensive player in the NFL. This offseason, however, Still saw himself fighting for a roster spot following a couple of sub-par seasons.

This was a big offseason for Devon Still’s NFL career, but he had something more important on his mind. This past June, Still’s four-yearold daughter, Leah, was diagnosed with stage-four pediatric cancer. Still had to miss a few team activities throughout training camp because of his daughter’s treatments, and it was apparent that his heart and mind just weren’t completely in it during practices and games. As a result, Still admits it came as no surprise that he was cut right before the season.

After being released by the Bengals, Still wasn’t claimed by any other team and was looking for a job. That’s when Cincinnati provided Still with a great gesture. The team offered Still a spot on its practice squad.

Being signed to the practice squad, Still would receive a weekly salary of $6,400 along with health insurance to help him pay for his daughter’s cancer treatment. Still will also be able to stay in the NFL during this difficult time without all the strains of traveling with the team. As a result, he can now spend more time with his daughter. Still called this gesture by the Bengals a “blessing in disguise.”

In a league where every dollar and roster spot is precious, stories like this show that teams still have the ability to show tremendous compassion for their players and their families.

AP Photo

Devon Still is dealing with his daughter’s cancer diagnosis.

page 16 The Signal September 10, 2014

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September 10, 2014 The Signal page 17

LIONS

AROUND THE

DORM 5 3

Matt Bowker “The Ref”

George Tatoris

Peter Fiorilla

Staff Writer

News Editor

Gabe Allen Staff Writer

In this week’s Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” Matt Bowker, asks our panel of experts three questions: Does the new college football playoff format eliminate old issues, should the NFL continue to call defensive holding penalties at such a high rate, and is NHL expansion a good idea?

1. Does the new college football playoff format eliminate bias and other problems that were common with the Bowl Championship Series? Should teams in weaker conferences be accepted into the playoffs if they go undefeated?

Peter: The new college football playoff is about as good as it could be, considering how complicated a “league” NCAA Division I football is. There’s no guarantee that the 13-person committee will select the four best teams in the country to duke it out for the title, but they will get rid of some nonsense from the BCS days. I have to think undefeated teams are guaranteed to make the cut, if only because it would be a PR disaster if they didn’t. And while I don’t believe a playoff system of only four teams can really measure which is the best in the country, the college football schedule doesn’t allow for anything more. It’s not a perfect system, then, but it’s better than what we have had in the past.

AP Photo

George: The one gripe I had with the BCS was that it relied on computers and algorithms to determine which teams

should play where such an important decision in an activity only people can partake in should not be determined by some

soulless machine. Movies like “The Terminator” and “The Matrix” demonstrate the fault in relying heavily on computers. It was only a matter of time before the BCS-computer gained sentience and decided the purest game of football can only be played by androids and exterminate all our favorite players, like Brett Favre. Thankfully, the new playoff system relies on a committee of human beings, not androids.

Gabe: The new college football playoff format does not eliminate bias, but it should at least make college football more exciting. There’s no way to eliminate arguments about which conferences and individual teams are better, and thus, the strength of schedule argument will never be concrete.

I can certainly envision an undefeated team that has a few solid wins against top-tier programs making the playoffs, and the tournament format just seems like a nobrainer in general in terms of making college football the most exciting it can be.

George wins for calling Brett Favre an android. Peter gets 2 points for saying the playoffs need to be expanded and Gabe gets 1 point for saying that CFB will be more exciting.

AP Photo

2. This pre-season the NFL has put extra emphasis on defensive backs not being able to touch receivers five yards past

the line of scrimmage. Should the NFL continue to call defensive holding penalties at such a high rate?

Peter: Defensive holding is a highly subjective, easy-to-misdiagnose call that frustrates fans on a pretty consistent basis. Defensive players have initiated contact with receivers after five yards on virtually every snap of football ever played, but what is or isn’t tolerable contact is often a very gray area — exactly what you don’t want in the rules of a game.

Too much referee interference can make an already slow-paced sport with constant breaks unwatchable, and if the NFL really does crack down on defensive holding calls, it will be making football less fun than it should be.

George: It’s usually been harder on offense than defense in football. This past February, the Denver Broncos entered MetLife Stadium with what many reporters considered one of the strongest offenses of the season. They left with one of the most embarassing losses in

Super Bowl history — certainly one of the most embarassing in recent history. I don’t think anyone wants to see anything as painful as Super Bowl XLVIII again.

For this reason, I think the NFL should continue this strict policy on holding, since it would limit the defense and even things up a bit.

Gabe: The preseason will not be the way the regular season games are called — period. Yes, there are a lot more penalties and rules in today’s NFL, but in all likelihood, the preseason was used to drive home the point, while allowing for leeway if the zebras do decide to get a little whistle-happy on occasion. There will be far fewer penalties in the regular season and playoffs — don’t doubt it, but the NFL will adapt and stop calling so many penalties that do not have any real affect on the play. Otherwise, games will take way too long, and the sport will suffer.

Gabe gets 3 points for saying the sport will suffer, George gets 2 points for recapping the super bowl and Peter gets 1 point for saying the rule is too subjective.

3. Reports have surfaced that the NHL is planning to add four teams by 2017, with Las Vegas, Seattle, Quebec City and Toronto getting teams. Is expansion a good idea or should the NHL simply relocate teams?

Peter: I hope Bettman was being honest when he denied the expansion reports last week, because the NHL has too many teams as it is. With floundering franchises in Florida, Phoenix, Brooklyn and New Jersey — and that’s just the short list ­— the league would be better off contracting the strugglers, or at least moving some of them in lieu of adding teams.

About 83 percent of NHL profits went to just three of its teams in 2012, according to Forbes, and half of the league’s franchises lost money. These aren’t numbers that should convince anyone we have a deficit of hockey in this country, and since we still see half-empty rinks fairly often, there’s no reason to put another NHL team on the market.

George: Expansion at this point would not be a good idea, that is, unless it’s

in Canada. The NHL is more popular in Canada than it is here in the U.S., yet Canada only has seven NHL teams while the U.S. has 23. A few more franchises in a country that puts hockey images on its five-dollar note could result in plenty of revenue for the NHL. Expanding anywhere else can be a bad idea because of dilution of talent. There’s only a certain amount of talent in any sports organization, but if the talent is stretched thin across the NHL, games could become less interesting.

Gabe: Relocating teams is very rarely something I’m in favor of. There are very few teams who lack quality fan and city support, and hockey is a sport that’s immensely popular, not just in the U.S. and Canada, but internationally. Personally, I love the idea of the NHL having as many teams as imaginable located all across the globe. Four more teams in the U.S. and Canada is a good start though, and Seattle, Toronto, Quebec City and Las Vegas all seem like ideal landing spots for an NHL team.

Peter gets 3 points for saying the NHL should downsize, George gets 2 points for saying talent will be spread thin and Gabe also gets 2 points for approving of the reported cities.

George wins Around the Dorm, 7-6-6

AP Photo

page 18 The Signal September 10, 2014

Defending Mayor’s Cup tournament title Women’s soccer takes back-to-back wins Soccer

By Matt Bowker Production Manager

The College’s women’s soccer team claimed the annual Mayor’s Cup Tournament for the second time in three years this weekend with back-to-back wins over Suny-Oneonta State and Hartwick College. With the wins, the Lions improved to a perfect 4-0 on the season and propelled them into first place in the NJAC conference.

The team struck early against Oneonta State on Saturday, Sept.

5. Freshman Jessica Goldman netted a goal just two-and-a-half minutes into the game. That goal would be all the offense the Lions needed, as they grinded their way to a 2-0 victory. Sophomore defender Marissa Scognamiglio tacked on an insurance goal with less than three minutes to play to seal the win.

In the second game of the tournament, the Lions cruised to a 6-0

Photo courtesy of Joshua Lewkowicz

Junior Shannon White heads the ball on home turf against Virginia Wesleyan.

victory over the host, Hartwick College. Junior Shannon White tallied her first two goals of the season, while senior Gina Caprara matched her total goals from last season with her fourth goal of the year. Senior goalkeepers Kendra Griffith and Tara Fisher recorded

another combined shutout. The dynamic duo has yet to give up a goal in the Lions’ four games so far this season.

“Our hard work through preseason and our scrimmages has led to the wins and shutouts we’ve been earning,” Fisher said.

“It’s not just having a strong offense and defense — we have a strong team. Knowing that my teammates are willing to put themselves on the line for me or any other teammate makes me want to work harder and do the same for them.”

Four Lions were named to the all-tournament team, led by senior goalie Kendra Griffith, senior defender Jordan Downs, junior midfielder Shannon White and junior defender Brianna Cummings. Griffith was named the defensive player of the tournament, and White took home offensive MVP honors.

Earlier in the week, the College stole a home win against Virginia Wesleyan. Freshman Jessica Goldman again played the hero. Virginia Wesleyan goalie Megan Gerhart was able to keep her team in the game, stopping 10 shots on the day before Goldman struck late in the second half to give the Lions a 1-0 victory.

The team has a light schedule this week with just one game.

The College will travel to Baltimore on Saturday, Sept. 13, to take on fifth-ranked Johns Hopkins University. The Lions are currently ranked 11th.

Reinvented offense pairs with steady defense

By Peter Fiorilla News Editor A reinvented offense continues to complement a steady back line for the men’s soccer team, and the Lions (3-2) needed both to split its pair of games at the Stockton Seashore Soccer Classic last week.

After opening the tournament with a 2-1 defeat to John Carroll University, the College had a 4-0 rout of Brooklyn College in which four players got on the scoreboard.

Nine Lions have scored already this season, just one shy of last year’s total — a statistic that helps illustrate the team’s shift in offensive philosophy.

“We have definitely adopted a new style of play this year as we are trying to replace Kevin Shaw’s attacking talent,” said sophomore midfielder Nick Costelloe, who scored the opening goal against Brookyln. “This year, we cannot rely on one person up top.”

As the team moves away from its former high-octane, counter-attacking style, the core of the Lions’ game plan has become about keeping possession and spreading the ball around.

“Coach (George) Nazario has really emphasized getting the ball to the flanks and producing crosses,” Costelloe said. “This is an efficient style for us, and we can look to use (junior) forward Jason O’Donnell’s size and strength inside the 18-yard box.”

For the Lions, a large part of creating crossing opportunities comes through getting the defense involved in the attack.

“Since we are a team that likes to keep possession and

get numbers up, getting the defenders involved, specifically the fullbacks, is very important to our game,” said junior defender Greg Kaye.

The changes and similarities have held up on the field: O’Donnell has scored three goals on just eight shots, and the Lions are averaging a gaudy three goals per game.

“I think we can attribute that to our new style of play,” Costelloe said. “Because we are looking to fill that gap that was left by Shaw, our midfield will work to create offense. (Sophomore) Clayton Flon and (junior) Jordan Kayal have both been great for us in the midfield and already have produced offensive chances and scored important goals.”

The defensive part of the game hasn’t gone neglected, though, and the team’s two goalkeepers — junior Maciej Libucha and sophomore Jake Nesteruk — have split playing time to combine for a 1.00 goals against average.

“I think it is also important to point out that our defense has been incredibly solid,” Costelloe said. “Our back line has been fantastic for us and has kept us in games.”

The defense is largely made up of veterans who were with the Lions last year, when the team kept five clean sheets — including a 2-0 playoff win over Richard Stockton College.

“I believe having the same defensive unit as last year will be crucial to our success this year,” Kaye said. “Chemistry and communication are two keys to our defense that will allow us to keep compact and hopefully not allow many goals this year.”

Libucha made two saves in the loss to John Caroll, but the Blue Streaks scored the game-winner on a corner kick to

Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

Men’s soccer defeats Brooklyn College 4-0.

cancel out a strike from sophomore Nick Costelloe.

Nesteruk needed just one save for the shutout win over Brooklyn, though, in which Costelloe gave the College an early lead before O’Donnell, sophomore midfielder Thomas Hague and Flon periodically added insurance goals.

It was a complete team performance to show that despite some roster turnover from last year’s squad, which made a run in the NJAC playoffs, this Lions can be just as dangerous.

“This year will certainly be different having graduated some real talent, but now our team has a unique chance to come together and work for each other,” Costelloe said.

“We have a group of committed players, and we are all working for a common goal: to win the NJAC.”

Women’s Tennis

Tennis leads with 156 consecutive wins

By Kyle Bennion Photo Editor

Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

Women’s tennis continues its winning 156 streak.

This Wednesday, the College womens tennis team annihilated the Ramapo Roadrunners 9-0 to score yet another New Jersey Athletic Conference victory, pushing its record to 2-0 and its consecutive win streak to 156.

Junior captains Jasmine MunizCadorette and Emma Allen opened the match with an 8-0 win, while freshmen Maddy Stoner and Nadia Olesnycky won by the score of 8-3.

The third doubles match of the

day, featuring sophomores Katie Buchbinder and Anna Prestera, followed suit with an 8-1 victory.

Allen commented on this aspect of her team’s play.

“Doubles matches are huge for us because they happen first, which is a huge chance for us to build momentum and make us more relaxed in singles matches,” Allen said.

Both Allen and Muniz-Cadorette praised the skill of the five freshmen on the team and commended the efforts of the veteran players for making the freshmen feel welcome on the team.

Singles action saw similar results, as Muniz-Cadorette, Buchbinder, Brittany Reedman, Allen, Stoner and Prestera all contributed to sweep the field.

“Having a positive attitude going into matches is still something we strive for,” Muniz-Cadorette said. “When your whole team has your back and is supporting you, it gives you a much more confident mindset for when you perform.”

The girls shift focus now to preparing for their home opener against Richard Stockton College on Wednesday, Sept. 10.

September 10, 2014 The Signal page 19

TCNJ School of the Arts and Communication and Department of Communication Studies are thrilled to announce the opening of the

KENDALL SCREENING ROOM

Please join us in celebration throughout the month for our Communication Studies Filmmaker Series screenings and artist lectures.

Friday, September 12 "A Place at the Table" by Kristi Jacobson 3:00PM in Kendall Screening Room 125 Thursday, September 18 "Two Pints Lighter" by TCNJ Alumni Matthew Lawrence 6:00PM in Kendall Screening Room 125 Friday, September 19 "Possession" by local filmmaker Dan Cordle 3:00PM in Kendall Screening Room 125

These events are free and open to the public. Please note that seats are first-come, first-served.

For more information, please visit www.tcnj.edu/cfacalendar or call 609-771-2775.

page 20 The Signal September 10, 2014

Fun Stuff

Thought of the day: who cares if i don’t pass cards correctly? ... it’s not a big deal!

puzzle 1

puzzle 2

ANSWER OF RIDDLE FROM PAGE 21: THE WORD “Almost”

September 10, 2014 The Signal page 21

MORE Fun Stuff solve the word puzzles!

DO YOU DRAW COMICS? DO YOU HAVE A SUGGESTION FOR SOMETHING FUN? EMAIL US AT SIGNAL@TCNJ.EDU!

SOLVE THIS RIDDLE!

what is the only word in the english language that has six letters, all in alphabetical order? (ANSWER ON PAGE 20)

word puzzle answers: 1. Upset Stomach 2. Sit Back and Relax 3. Turn Back the Hands of Time 4. Two Feet 5. Man Overboard 6. Parting Comments

page 22 The Signal September 10, 2014

Did you know that The Signal is active on social media?

Follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on breaking news

@tcnjsignal

Like us on Facebook to find out about campus events

/TCNJSignal

Follow us on Instagram to see pictures of the latest TCNJ events

@tcnjsignal

September 10, 2014 The Signal page 23

ports Week In Review The Horizon For

By Gabe Allen Staff Writer With the NFL season having kicked off this past week, so has the 2014 Lions League of Legends fantasy football league. It takes a lot of luck to win a fantasy championship, but as the saying goes, “the harder you work, the luckier you get.” The Lions League of Legends, much like the NFL, is a long grind, and more often than not, the people who end up doing well are those who pay the most attention.

And so while I could divulge the teams who appear to be on the verge of winning their week one matchups, allow me instead to give a shout-out to each of the league’s participants — retired fantasy column creator and reigning fantasy football champ Mike Herold; likely first ballot Signal Hallof-Famers Chris Molicki, Peter Fiorilla and Andrew Grossman; stud superseniors Chris Springer and Jonathan Raybould, super-sleeper sophomore Benjamin Bertino, football fanatic Anna Prestera, Man-of-the Year nominee Matt Modica, the prize-fighting Pierce Cooper, more commonly known as “The Stallion” and the die-hard dream-team of Bianca Caracappa and

Sports

Tori Michels.

After a wild first week in the NFL, the fantasy league’s competitors will surely be scrambling to the waiver wire this week in hopes of improving their teams. With that being said, I’m very fortunate to have picked up Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin from the free agency pool prior to his coming out part on Sunday. Despite Panthers starting quarterback Cam Newton missing the game, the rookie went for 92 receiving yards and his first career TD. His TD was so impressive that the defender he caught the pass on could only congratulate him afterwards.

Men’s Soccer September 10 at Stevens Institute of Technology, 7:30 p.m.

September 13 at Drew University, 3:30 p.m.

Women’s Soccer September 13 at Johns Hopkins University, 7:00 p.m.

Football September 12 at FDU-Florham, 7:00 p.m.

Women’s Tennis September 10 vs. Richard Stockton College, 4:00 p.m.

September 12-13 Lions’ Tournament with New York University, 4:00 p.m./ 9:30 a.m.

Field Hockey September 9 at Cabrini College, 4:00 p.m.

September 14 at Johns Hopkins University, 4:00 p.m.

THIS WEEK IN SPORTS HISTORY In 1983, Oakland Athletics outfielder Rickey Henderson eclipsed the 100 stolen base mark for the third time.

Henderson is one of only two players to steal 100 bases three different times. In comparison, last year, Boston’s Jacoby Ellsbury lead the league with 52 stolen bases.

This week’s picks from the staff Staff

(NFL) Steelers vs.

Ravens

(NCAA) (MLB) Georgia vs. Athletics vs.

South Carolina Mariners

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

THE WEEK

Kevin Luo

Lindsey Hatch Field Hockey

Led the team to victory with five goals in two games

Kyle Bennion Gabriel Allen

Hatch scored four goals in the Lions’ 8-0 rout of Manhattanville College this past week. Hatch followed up her fourgoal performance with another goal against FDU-Florham.

Hatch led the first-placed Lions in goals and points.

Amy Reynolds

?

Signal Trivia

?

Who was the last player in MLB history to have a .400 batting average?

AP PHOTO

Last Week’s Trivia Answer : Ohio State’s Archie Griffen is the only player to win the Heisman Trophy twice. The running back won by a landslide in both 1974 and 1975.

Signal

Sports

School spirit in opening ‘Blue Out’

Electrifying stands at Friday night football

By Julie Kayzerman Sports Editor

The crowd was electric as a sea of blue packed into the bleachers on the home side of the College’s Lions Stadium, with students hopeful that the football team would bring home a win in its season opener game last Friday.

But while a win wasn’t in store for the team, it was an overwhelming display of school spirit that made its debut.

Igniting the fall season with an explosion of school pride, the College’s “Blue Out” was an obvious success in lifting morale for Lions football with approximately 1,400 cheering in the stands, according to Tim Asher, director of student affairs.

The “Blue Out” encouraged attendees of the opening football game to sit together in the crowd with blue attire, face paint and accessories in order to stand united as one school.

But despite the poor showing on the field, the outstanding performance by the students of the

Kyle Bennion / Photo Editor

The College’s football team was supported by a ‘Blue Out’ on Friday night.

College proved to be the best spirit showing in years, according to several students.

“In my three years at TCNJ, it was nice to finally see everyone together for an event other than

Homecoming, and I would love to see this support happen more often,” junior finance major Michael D’Agostino said.

The event was coordinated by the athletic program in partnership

with student affairs, dining services and sports information, according to David Muha, associate vice president for communications, marketing and brand management.

“I thought it was a great

idea that was executed well,” D’Agostino said. “I think it succeeded in uniting the school.”

Muha was also pleased with the freshmen attendance at the game — a turnout that was able to mark their first college football game in style. He said the new students were a major factor in making it a memorable event on campus.

“The turnout for the football opener was the best we have had in many years,” Muha said. “The concept for the ‘Blue Out’ was a great one because it made the evening at the stadium more than just a football game — it was an exciting college experience. The ‘Blue Out’ was a great way to pull everyone together to support our team and have a great time.”

The feeling of unity at the College, however, seems to be a new concept to several of the veteran students such as D’Agostino, who finds himself typically yearning for more showings of the school pride that was on hand Friday night.

See BLUE OUT page 14

Despite tough course, XC has top finishers

By George Tatoris Staff Writer The Van Cortlandt Park cross country course starts off with just under a mile of flat fields before winding into a copse infamous for its hill-ridden terrain, ending in a straight shot for the finish line.

The Lions had to run this course at the Fordham University Fiasco this past Saturday, Sept. 6.

“It’s one of the toughest courses I have ever run on,” said Andrew Tedeschi, sophomore and last week’s NJAC Runner of the Week of the five-mile course.

Despite the challenge, Tedeschi placed third out of 87 runners from Division II and Division III schools with a time of 27:40.22, earning the College a first place slot in the rankings.

Two other Lions broke into the top ten — junior Scott Savage took fifth,

Lions’ Lineup September 10, 2014

Photos courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

Andrew Tedeschi (left) places third for the men, while Laura Straub (right) crosses at 10th. posting a time of 27:48.00, and sophomore Brandon Mazzarella took seventh with a time of 28:00.18.

Tedeschi praised Savage and two other teammates — junior Michael Olivola, who came in 22nd with a time of 28:52.93, and senior Jeremy Garrell, the 24th placed runner with a time of 29:01.83 — stating that they “stayed really tough throughout the whole course.”

Other well-performing

I n s i d e

Lions also included senior Andrew DeMaria and junior Tyler Grimm, the 11th and 14th runners to cross the finish line, respectively. DeMaria posted a time of 28:16.36 while Grimm crossed at 28:26.53.

The women’s team also found success among the slopes of Van Cortlandt Park, placing second overall out of the Division II and III schools and boasting an impressive 32-second spread

between the College’s top five runners.

Sophomore Carly Martz led the pack. She got into position in the stretch before the woods, ran the hills as well as she could, then overcame her forerunners one at a time in the final stretch.

“I felt like I had enough in me to put in a decent kick, so I focused on catching as many girls as I could,” Martz said.

The effort earned her seventh place of 113 runners and a time of 20:00.56 in the 5K run.

Also within the 32second spread was sophomore Laura Straub, who crossed 10th with a time of 20:10.64.

She was followed by senior and last week’s NJAC Runner of the Week Tara Nealon, who took the 11th spot with a time of 20:11.21, and senior Megan

Stack, who took 12th with a time of 20:17.56.

Rounding out the pack of five was senior Liz Johnson in 17th place, posting a time of 20:32.46.

The weather also proved to be a factor Saturday.

While summer conditioning, a layer of clouds and a canopy of leaves helped the runners avoid being overwhelmed by the heat, as the humidity was staggering.

“It’s always tough to run in the heat because you become tired more quickly and breathing can be difficult, especially with humidity,” Stack said.

Tedeschi described the air as so “thick” and lamented that he and his teammates were “covered in sweat after the race.”

Despite the heat and the hills, the Lions still kept a positive attitude.

“With all the tough hills and the heat,” Tedeschi said, “(Saturday) proved how strong our team is.”

46 53 Around the Dorm page 17

Field Hockey wins a pair page 15

Soccer defends title page 18

Wes Welker suspension page 15