Breaking news and more at TCNJSignal.net. Vol. LI, No. 2
February 5, 2020
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YouTube sensation David Dobrik makes waves in Kendall Hall
The Internet star reflects on his unconventional career.
By Madison Pena News Editor
Blankets, beach chairs and bags of food were scattered throughout the line on Wednesday, Jan. 29 as students put their lives on pause and braved through the cold. David Dobrik didn’t take the Kendall Hall stage until 8:30 p.m., but the YouTube Star had students lining up as early as 8 a.m. in hopes of getting front-row seats. Host Max Falvey (’19), last year’s College Union Board director, didn’t leave any topics off the table. Falvey questioned the YouTube star about everything, from his decision to start vlogging to his famous, short-lived marriage and relationship with his best friend’s mother. Dobrik, who jumpstarted his online presence on the popular app Vine, has since branched out to
YouTube and has amassed over 15 million subscribers. His content is full of bits, outrageous tricks and even science experiments that he packs into four minute and twenty-one second videos. “I never thought about it before starting my channel, but it’s really tough to find ways to have fun,” he revealed to the crowd that packed Kendall Hall. “I’m constantly looking for new ways to have fun with my friends and give away money, and after a while it’s hard to find new, creative ways to do that.” Fans admire that Dobrik is always giving back to deserving people. With the help of his sponsor SeatGeek, he is able to surprise friends and strangers with things like laptops, cars and straight up cash. When asked about his generosity, Dobrik joked that his motives are self-serving.
Darby VanDeen / Staff Photographer
“It’s actually very selfish, I do it for the reaction,” he said. “Something about seeing someone’s face when they have wanted something so badly is just the best feeling in the world.” To the disappointment of many students, Dobrik did not give out any money during his time at the College. Selfish or not, his videos of giving strangers money and cars has left a big impact on fans, which was proven when they waited outside in the cold for hours on end. Batool Bokhari, a junior sociology and anthropology double major, waited in line for eight hours to see him live at the College, which she says was completely worthwhile. “I couldn’t believe that he was coming here,” she said. “I was at the dinner table with my family when I see STAR page 2
Basketball team honors Kobe’s legacy By Ann Brunn Staff Writer “Everyone will remember where they were when they heard about Kobe,” wrote a fan on Twitter, “when a giant falls, the world feels it.” These words felt palpable the moment Kobe Bryant’s death was confirmed on Jan. 26. News of the helicopter crash, which also took the life of his daughter Gianna Bryant and seven others, was the only subject on social media as stunned fans from across the world processed the news and paid tribute to their hero. To many, Kobe Bryant was more than just a basketball star— he was an inspiration to those who love the game, which holds true for players at the College. “It is extremely heartbreaking that we will never get to see the impact that Kobe and his daughter would have had, but their dedication to basketball will never be forgotten,” said Elle Cimillluca, the junior captain of the women’s basketball team. “Kobe’s impact on the world was much bigger than basketball.” Matt Goldsmith, the head coach of the men’s basketball team at the College, looked to Bryant as an inspiration not just for the sport, but for his character. “There was no one more competitive or who worked harder,” Goldsmith said. “As a player and still to this day as a coach, if I need a little motivation on a certain day, I will fire up a speech or a workout from Kobe on YouTube and it will get me ready to roll every single time. There are just not that many competitors like that in the world. He was a special person and someone I looked up to for years.” Goldsmith credited Bryant for having a character that was bigger than the game of basketball, as his skills off the court transcended into something greater and more impactful than what he did on the hardwood. Sterling White, a sophomore guard for the men’s basketball team, also found himself deeply affected by the news. “I always idolized Kobe for his work ethic, charismatic and relentless personality, and the way he carried himself on and off the court,” he said. “Even though I never personally met Kobe, the feeling and emotion he gave me definitely impacted see SPORT page 16
Minority students experience culture shock
By Micaela Soler Correspondent
Freshman journalism and professional writing major Kelly Stephens remembers sitting in a circle with the students on her floor during Welcome Week, taking one look around the room and realizing she was in for a major culture shock. Stephens is from East Orange, NJ, a town with a black population of 86 percent. The number of black students in this year’s freshman class? 83 students, or 5 percent. “It was really uncomfortable because all I saw was white people, and there aren’t any white people in East
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Orange,” said Stephens. “It took a lot of getting used to.” On a campus that promotes inclusivity and the acceptance of every student, all ethnicities are expected to feel safe and welcomed. The College is no stranger to being considered a primarily white-ethnic campus, with its freshman class being about 58 percent white, 17 percent Hispanic, 11 percent Asian and only 5 percent African American. The remaining 9 percent consists of Native Americans, non-resident/aliens, those with two or more races and those not reported. The disparity has caused ethnic groups in the minority to struggle with a heavy culture
Editorial / page 5
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Opinions / page 7
shock, which has proven to leave a deep impression. Gabbie Dominguez, a Hispanic freshman nursing major from Camden, NJ, had a similar experience when she first came to the College. For the first time, she was surrounded by people who didn’t look like her. “When minorities, or more specifically Blacks and Latinos, come to this school, there is a good chance they’ll feel the way I feel: out of place, because there is not enough of our people,” she said. “I remember that first day I asked myself, ‘Did I even come to the right college?’”
see RACE page 10
Features / page 10
The basketball icon was beloved by students.
Arts & Entertainment / page 12
Sports / page 16
Campus Town Businesses prepare for influx of students
CUB Alt Coffeehouse Performers showcase original music and covers
Super Bowl LIV Kansas City wins for first time in 50 years
See Features page 10
See A&E page 12
See Sports page 14
page 2 The Signal February 5, 2020
Star / Internet heartthrob captivates campus
Julia Meehan / Photo Editor
Left: The beloved guest offers life advice to students. Right: Student rearranges her semester schedule to meet the star. continued from page 1 saw CUB post it and I screamed. He’s such a genuinely nice person, and seeing what he does in his videos is amazing.” While his life may seem picture-perfect online, he opened up about the challenges he faces in his unconventional career. “People are still so unsure when it comes to YouTube,”
he said. “It can be hard for people to take me seriously. People like Jimmy Fallon can just request someone to be on the show and they are on it, but for me to book people for videos, it’s a pain in the ass. I have to really convince them a lot of the time.” Despite these challenges, Dobrik has continued his rise to stardom and been able to collaborate with megastars like Kylie Jenner and Justin Bieber, as well as branch out into television, podcasts and even
animated film. The question that seems to be on everyone’s mind is how he got his rise to stardom at the age of 23. Dobrik attributes much of his success to following his dad’s tried and true advice. “Whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability,” he said. “Whether you’re a janitor or the CEO, you should always be working as hard as you can — you never know where you could end up.”
Spring involvement celebrates student interests
Clubs look to recruit members for future semesters By Alex Baldino Staff Writer
Clubs and student organizations set up their tables in hopes of attracting new members at the Student Involvement Fair on Jan. 29 at 12 p.m. in the Brower Student Center. The fair hosted an assortment of organizations, ranging from club sports like men’s and women’s rugby to the Italian Club to fraternities and sororities. While the Involvement Fair is not as large in the spring compared to the fall, many clubs still made an attempt to recruit new members. “If someone’s looking for us, they’ll find us,” said Mike Nolan junior criminology
Julia Meehan / Photo Editor
Organizations set up presentations.
major who was representing men’s rugby at the fair. Over by the Italian Club table, sophomore marketing and world languages double major Sarah Riso and sophomore international studies major Alessia Piccitto were aiming to represent the Italian community on campus. They said that the club has an upcoming pizza-making event, and in the fall, they plan on attending the San Gennaro festival in New York City. The festival, which was once a one-day religious commemoration to celebrate Saint Januarius, the Patron Saint of Naples, is now a celebration of Italian culture. Around the bend was the College’s improv club, The Mixed Signals. Dylan Sepulveda, a junior English major and member of the troupe, said that the club usually has one show each month, which are free to attend and usually held in the library auditorium. Vincent Terraneo, a junior interactive multimedia major at the College, said that he’s not sure which clubs he’ll devote himself to because there were too many that caught his eye. The top three organizations on his list were Lions TV, WTSR and Lions Gaming, but he signed up for many more. In a separate room on the second floor of the Brower Student Center, students could find a selection of fraternities and sororities. Representing her sorority, Zeta Phi Beta, junior business major Caitlyn Laryen said that the sorority focuses on four things: “Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood and Womanhood.” Laryen also said that while the spring fair is smaller, it does allow
The Residental Hall Association searches for new CAs. fraternities and sororities to recruit freshmen, as they now have a GPA at the college. “We won’t take anything less than a 2.5,” she said. Zach Sperling, a sophomore economics major and the secretary of the Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Phi, said that they focus mainly on philanthropic ventures.
Julia Meehan / Photo Editor
Although the organization is historically Jewish, they are welcoming and inclusive of people of all religious backgrounds. Michael Trerotola, a junior political science major at the College, said that the involvement fair was “calm and friendly” and that atmosphere would make him more likely to join one of the many clubs the College has to offer.
Febrary 5, 2020 The Signal page 3
First Seminar Program brings students together Unconventional courses dismantle college stereotype By Kaitlyn Bonomo Staff Writer
Rachel Yoo, a freshman communications studies major at the College, fondly recalls taking the “Apocalypse Now” First Seminar Program (FSP) course. She credits the class dynamic and unconventional course theme for sparking her newfound interest in apocalyptic media. “I loved that class,” Yoo said. “It doesn’t have a typical classroom environment. It’s not just sitting there and getting information shoved down your throat. It breaks away from that and becomes so much more.” One of the first tasks for freshman at the College is to select a course from the variety of FSP classes, with 87 currently active classes accommodating different interests of the incoming freshman and creating an environment where everyone feels welcome. Being one of the first college courses freshmen are introduced to, classes such as “Walt Disney’s America” and “Let’s Kill Hitler - The Ethics of Time Travel” could be an unexpected shock to students. The classes fulfill the Liberal Learning requisite at the College under the civic responsibilities requirement. FSP classes are not linked to any specific major, as stated in the FSP Learning Goals, “but rather are intended to support the development of students’ intellectual breadth.” While each class must fulfill the minimum FSP expectations, 162 sections also meet goals associated with the race and ethnicity civic responsibility, with classes such as “Multicultural NYC” and “Incarceration Nation: The Literature of the Prison.” Sections under the course code FSP-163 meet goals associated with the gender civic responsibility, such as the pun-inspired class name “Terms of En-QUEER-ment: A history of the movies and LGBTQ identity.” Meanwhile, sections under the FSP-164 course code meet goals associated with the global-awareness civic responsibility, with classes such as “Morality, God, and Free Will” and “Conspiracy Theory in American Culture & Politics.” The program works as an incentive for students to collaborate alongside professors and fellow students in an “intellectually exciting and challenging experience,” according to the College’s website. Randy Schmidt is a professor in the English Department at the College and the instructor of “Apocalypse Now.”
“One of the key points of the FSP program is to broaden your critical thinking and understanding of the world,” Schmidt said. “And I think the apocalypse helps with that.” Incoming college students are often told by their high school teachers to brace themselves for demanding and overwhelming courses. Yet, distinctly dynamic FSP classes seem to console this fear for freshmen. “So often, you know, because FSP instructors pick their own themes, they like to just say that FSP’s were just going to be learning about such and such,” Schmidt said. “But it’s really about your entry into college and awakening of this critical thinking juncture. That’s what I like about the FSP’s.” Students in “Apocalypse Now” use “The Walking Dead” as a textbook and have online discussions about movies watched in class, such as “Mad Max: Fury Road.” A break from strictly academic material, being assigned a comic book and having movie viewing days may allow first-year students to settle down and ease off the pressure from a stress-inducing first semester at the College. “I feel like the students have a lot of interesting things to read and watch about the apocalypse,” Schmidt said. “It makes students ask questions that they wouldn’t normally ask.” Dr. Leeann Thornton, an associate professor in the department of biology at the College, has taken on the role of the coordinator of the First Seminar Program. “The FSP classes are an important foundation of the TCNJ Liberal Learning curriculum,” Thornton said. “The professors are providing topics that are of great interest to them and asking the students to delve into multiple perspectives and a scholarly consideration of the topics.” First Seminar Classes may not be ‘easy A’ classes, according to some professors, but they challenge students to break away from their comfort zones and develop skills that a traditional classroom won’t provide. Christina Ponnuchamy, a freshman biomedical engineering major at the College, expressed ambiguous feelings toward her FSP class, “The Refugee Crisis.” “I like the content, but not the workload,” Ponnuchamy said. “You expect it to be an (easy) FSP, but the work can become too much.” Despite the variety of classes, there is no guarantee that every freshman will
Many students who live on the same floor share a common FSP.
The coursework encourages students to read for pleasure. be in an FSP class that interests them. Tariq Ali is a junior biomedical engineering major at the College who took an FSP called “The Arts as a Force for Social Change: American Movers and Shakers Since the 1900s.” As a junior who has already completed an FSP course, Ali recalled that the last time he had to write a paper was for his FSP, he was relieved to finally be able to take STEM classes instead. “We had to write every single week, and that is just not my thing,” Ali said, reflecting on his experience in his FSP. “The part that stuck with me the most was the CEL (Center for Community Engaged Learning) day, which was tied into my FSP. We had students from Trenton High School come to our class, we painted with them and were able to engage with the Trenton community, which is something I never really had the opportunity to do before.” When selecting their FSP course, students are instructed to select and submit six choices, yet ranking among these choices is not permitted. Students, without the option to emphasize their top choice, are rather placed into one of the six. Meanwhile, if incoming freshmen request a roommate for the upcoming year, having any choice of an FSP class is revoked and FSP course placement determines where students will be placed in their residence halls. Freshmen enrolled in “Apocalypse Now” and “Refugee Crisis” reside on the seventh floor in Wolfe Towers, along with the students in “Music in the Natural World” — three classes that couldn’t have more of a range in topics. With housing determined by these classes, residential dorms bring together students with the same interest based on which FSP they chose, while simultaneously exposing people with different interests in the same environment. “The fact that a large part of the class is on our floor makes it more interactive,” Pounchamy said. “I can just walk into my group member’s room and yell at them to get the work done.” “It’s nice,” said Jessie Roberts, a freshman interactive multimedia major. “We work together on projects without even leaving the floor and easily ask each other questions. I’ve even gotten help with projects for other classes, since my FSP has people from all different majors. I’ve met people who know more than me about my own major.”
tcnj.edu
FSP classes do not give any credit toward majors, allowing first-year students to branch out from the courses in their major and take a variety of classes for the fall semester. “Who would think I can get help on a coding project with someone in my music FSP class?” Roberts said. Though students are given flexibility and freedom while selecting their FSP, certain schools within the College will encourage students to take specific FSP courses. TJ Pisciottano is a freshman nursing major who was suggested to take FSP classes that satisfy additional Liberal Learning requirements. However, Pisciotanno selected and was placed into professor Schmidt’s “Apocalypse Now” class instead. “It’s definitely a break,” Pisciottano said. “I’m comfortable walking into that class without being scared of what I’m getting into.” Advice given from departments on FSP classes helps students select classes that appeal to their interests while allowing them to balance their workload with how much credit they want from the class. “I try to get the instructors to develop assignments that will help the students practice writing and critical thinking to achieve the high expectations for academic performance that TCNJ has,” Thornton said. “I also encourage the instructors to consider the relevance of what the students will be reading or watching to help the content be something that students can care about, too.”
“One of the key points of the FSP program is to broaden your critical thinking and understanding of the world.”
— Randy Schmidt English professor
page 4 The Signal February 5, 2020
Students design new games — in just 48 hours
Participants rush to create interactive games on strict deadlines. By Julia Meehan Photo Editor
Students participated in the Global Game Jam, an event that challenges people from across the world to create a video game from scratch in just 48 hours, from Friday, Jan. 31 through Sunday, Feb. 2, in the Arts and Interactive Multimedia building. “Game Jam is a collaborative event where aspiring game developers of varying skill levels come together to help each other out and challenge themselves to see what they can create,” said Patrick Merklee, a sophomore interactive multimedia major and the president of the College’s game design club. The annual event was first created in 2009 and has grown exponentially in participation throughout the years. Last year people from 113 countries and 860 different sites participated in the event, including students from the College. Students interpreted the prompt to design a game from scratch in several ways, resulting in six different teams working on six different games.
Julia Meehan / Photo Editor
“It’s been a lot of teamwork, there’s a lot more interactive teams than in the past,” said Meaghanne McBride, a senior music and Japanese double major. People of all skill levels worked on different aspects of the games, including gameplay, graphics and music. While one person programmed the player character’s movements, another designed the pixelated artwork, while another created the soundtrack in a digital music program. The finished products, revealed Sunday evening, were impressive for their time limit, but were not without their minor bugs. The computer-based games included interesting story ideas, stylistic graphics and charming soundtracks. The first game, Plantformer, combined 3-D and 2-D art styles to make a classic-style platformer that can run, jump and climb alongside a sweet, jingle-bell filled soundtrack. The development team ran into several issues along the way, but their creation was well received nonetheless. The second game, Apology Simulator, was a Cards
Against Humanity style card game focusing on playfully outrageous situations like “Why did you mortgage the house to buy cheese?” The players, named “Kyle’s last few brain cells,” picked their best card to justify their bad behavior, such as “Because I’m a Scorpio,” or “I was bored.” The next game also incorporated a physical aspect and had players reading overly-complicated directions in order to fix their phone-like-device without violating their warranty. The device consisted of wires and other parts that needed to be rearranged correctly for a successful game. Next up was Prism, a puzzle platform game that had players controlling particles of light in primary colors with the goal of reuniting to make white light. Throughout the quest, players control different colors and utilize their unique abilities to solve puzzles and move through the level. Tidybots was the next game demonstrated, where the player controls a tiny circular robot tasked with cleaning up a messy dorm room. Players push around crumpled red solo cups, pencils and empty cones, and climb up giant desk chairs in order to complete the task in a 3-D environment. Last up was No Space Like Home, a role-playing game about retrieving parts to fix your broken spaceship with pixel graphics. The player interacts with inhabitants of an alien planet and works through miscommunications to repair their ship and get back home. “I was very impressed with what everybody was able to make in such a short time,” Merklee said. “The best part is being able to see the passion in everybody. You see a lot more motivation here than normal schoolwork because it’s a passion project. People are here because they want to be, not because they have to be.” The whole crowd expressed interest in participating again for next year’s challenge and are always looking for new participants of all majors and skill levels. All the games created are available for download by the public.
February 5, 2020 The Signal page 5
Editorial Students should be proud of their achievements
Now more than ever, there is substantial pressure on students to get good grades, make money and spend time with family. The list goes on. Each semester, it seems that more and more students are jeopardizing their physical and mental health to ace an exam or finish a project. When I want to get some work done without distraction, I walk on over to the library. While I’m there, I always see students working vigorously on whatever project they were assigned in class the day before. Hours and hours go by, aggravated faces come and go and the stress in the air is almost tangible. Then, I realize that I have been sitting at a table doing the exact same thing: stressing out. The endless amount of work and studying that goes into passing a class is exhausting, and students are not appreciated enough for their hard work. No matter what grade you receive in a class, how bad you did on a test or how many homework assignments you didn’t get the chance to complete, you should be proud of yourself. Now, I’m not saying that skipping homework assignments and not studying for a test is a good idea, but physical and mental health should always come first. Don’t undervalue your achievements, and don’t let anyone else do it either. For the three semesters that I’ve been a student at the College, I’ve found that if I take care of myself first, I’ll be more prepared to face whatever task that I have to conquer next. The next time you’re at the library, take that extra break and get the iced coffee that you’ve been craving all day (even if it means waiting in a 15-minute library cafe line) and remember to breathe. We are all too stressed about what life throws at us that we forget to take care of ourselves. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Instead, be proud of how far you’ve come. — Kalli Colacino Opinions Editor
Editor’s Note There has been controversy about an article from last week, “More young Americans don’t really care about religion,” which discussed the apparent drop in the number of people taking part in organized religion. The goal of this feature, by The Signal’s Nation and World editor Ian Krietzberg, was to explore the rising cultural phenomenon of the religiously unaffiliated, which includes many young people. Rajan Zed, a Hindu activist, objected to the lead, which stated that “Hinduism is unforgiving” and focused on one College student’s decision to distance himself from Hinduism. After considering this complaint, we decided to slightly edit the lead, which now states that “Hinduism can be viewed as very strict.” Mr. Zed continued to demand that we take the article off the website and retrieve all print copies of The Signal. We declined, because we believe that we considered his complaint and acted responsibly in slightly rewording the lead. Mr. Zed has continued to demand an investigation by the College and his complaint triggered comments on blogs and social media. While we respect what readers think of this article — and our entire newspaper and website, we believe that we have acted professionally and ethically in responding to the criticism. We also want to commend the reporter, Ian Krietzberg, for doing such a great job in delving into such an interesting and cutting edge topic. We would also like to thank President Kate Foster for her support of The Signal’s independence. Although we have respectfully declined some of his requests, we thank Mr. Zed for weighing in and respect his right to criticize our article.
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, Sports, Review and Social Media editors and the Business and Production managers, 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.
Bad grades and too many assignments can put an emotional toll on students.
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Head coach of the College’s women’s basketball team
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“This tragedy puts into perspective that basketball and being a part of a team is a true privilege, and one that we can’t take for granted.” — Chessie Jackson
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“Sometimes I feel like I have to censor myself. How I talk to my white friends isn’t the same way I talk to my black friends. I know that it could take a while, but I wish there were significantly more black people. Not that the amount is completely terrible right now, but it would just be so much nicer.” — Kelly Stephens Freshman journalism and professional writing major
“The best part is being able to see the passion in everybody. You see a lot more motivation here than normal schoolwork, because it’s a passion project. People are here because they want to be, not because they have to be.” — Patrick Merklee
Sophomore interactive multimedia major and the president of the College’s Game Design Club
page 6 The Signal February 5, 2020
Fun StufF
February 5, 2020 The Signal page 7
Opinions
American media unfairly distorts Israel’s image
Middle Eastern country proves to be ‘safe haven’ for Jews
Left: Tel Aviv, Israel is home to over 400,000 Jews. Right: Israel brandishes its flag with pride. By Tyler Swartz During winter break, I had the opportunity to attend Birthright, a program sponsored by Israeli American companies that provides a free of charge trip to all Jewish adults aged 18 through 32 years old. I went in open-minded and came back with a realization — Israel is unfairly represented by the American media. American media identifies Israel as the enemy, distorting the country’s intended purpose. Israel represents — as some have dubbed it — a “safe haven” for Jews all around the world. To put it candidly, Israel has done well in that role. In 1984, when Ethiopia intended to “cleanse” its Jewish population, Israel immediately stepped in. After a series of covert operations, Israelis
successfully airlifted over 14,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel and secured their safety, according to BBC. Not only is Israel an important part of my own ancestral history, but its importance spans so far and wide that it reaches every Jewish person on our planet. Israel is the only nation on Earth to recognize Judaism as its official religion. However, it is important to remember many Israelis maintain a secular identity. Since Israel’s establishment in 1948, it has witnessed a constant conflict along the Gaza Strip against its primary opposition force, Palestine. I’m not here to defend Israel or Palestine— each is with its own offenses. However, American media has, for years now, relayed the story with greater credence to the Palestinian viewpoint. There has never
been (and there will likely never be) a neutral observer, possibly producing an “anti-Israel” attitude in America. This isn’t to say that American media has purposefully discredited Israel. In fact, it very well may be the opposite. It is clear that American media lacks any “neutral observer,” and for years it has widely advertised a linear viewpoint on the Israel-Gaza crisis, which has inherently harmed the country’s international recognition. Quite frankly, nobody seems to recall Israel’s purpose and what the nation represents. Israel stands to serve as the homeland and safe space for the Jewish population. It is important that Americans, especially Jewish-Americans, remember that. Because American media has chosen to defend only one side in a very
complex situation, support for Israel in America has dwindled. Modern America has openly presented a blurred perspective on Israel, and, as a result, children and adults alike no longer remember what Israel represents. The status quo must be amended. First and foremost, the most effective remedy would be for American media companies to determine an impartial, unbiased stance. Only then can they fairly report on the Israel-Gaza conflict. This objective reporting would make it easier for viewers to craft their own position without the direct influence of a news company. America should be educated on Israel’s intended purpose and why the nation stands to exist in our current world. Once that information is lost, history will be doomed to repeat itself.
After surviving freshman fall, students can overcome anything By Reynaldo Torres Jr. As the student body returns from a long and well-deserved winter break, students begin to readjust to their school routines once again. When we’re home for such an extended period of time, we get used to a relaxed lifestyle. No early morning alarms, no rushing from class to class and probably one of my favorite perks — no Eickoff food. As freshmen return to campus, we look back on the previous semester and learn from it. During the fall semester, we were in a new environment and experiencing many different things for the first time. While in this period of adjustment, we as students have made decisions that would affect our new college lifestyle. With this in mind, we should look forward to an
even better semester this spring. When we first arrived at the College, we had to familiarize ourselves with the campus. This meant trying to figure out what buildings our classes would be in and the quickest routes to get to class. During the fall semester, we already knew where these buildings were and all the “back roads” to get to each of them. Along with finding classes, students need a place to eat. For many freshmen, Eick was the only solution. Now approaching our spring semester, students have discovered the many shops in Campus Town, Traditions and the ever-popular T-Dubs. During welcome week, we were forced to do ice breakers with our fellow classmates, and we all know how awkward that can be. Now, because of
those ice breakers, we have our friends from both our residence halls and from our previous classes. In a more social aspect, the spring semester of freshman year proves to be superior to the fall semester, since we have defined friend groups. As we attend our classes this semester, we must acknowledge that this semester will be better than the previous one. The fall semester of freshman year will be the hardest semester of our college experience. No matter how many 8 a.m. lectures we have, I think the adjustment period of our first semester on campus will prove to be the most difficult. If things begin to get tough this semester or any semester down the road, remember one thing: “If I can get through my freshman year fall semester, I can get through this.”
Freshmen move into their dorms for the fall semester.
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page 8 The Signal February 5, 2020
February 5, 2020 The Signal page 9
Students share opinions around campus “Does American media unfairly portray Israel?”
Kalli Colacino / Opinions Editor
Amanda Alexander, a junior economics major.
Flickr
“Yes. American media doesn’t give Israel enough credit.”
Kalli Colacino / Opinions Editor
Victoria Newcombe, a senior marketing major.
“I don’t know enough about it. I don’t follow the news.”
“Is the fall or spring semester easier?”
Kalli Colacino / Opinions Editor
Emanuel Martinez, a sophomore international studies major.
“Spring. There’s a lot of pressure in the fall semester, and I don’t think there’s as much in the spring.”
Flickr
Kalli Colacino / Opinions Editor
Arianna Mohan, a junior sociology major.
“Spring semester. In the fall, it’s harder to get back into the swing of things.”
The Signal’s cartoon of the week ...
The Chip: Junior Confused on Why Coronavirus Has No Lime By Tony Peroni Correspondent The latest pandemic has been a source of fear and crippling anxiety for millenia. In the 14th century, rats carrying the bubonic plague killed almost two thirds of Europe’s population. During the age of exploration, Native American populations across the hemisphere were drastically afflicted through the spread of European diseases such as smallpox, measles and typhus. The end of the first world war
saw between 20-50 million people dying from the Spanish Flu. The amount of lost life due to these pandemics is unimaginable. Thanks to the advancements of modern medicine, biology and biomedical technology, humans have learned to manage these outbreaks before it’s too late. In recent memory, the H1N1 “Swine Flu” and Ebola outbreaks come to mind. Although scary in the moment, the infections eventually became quarantined and countless human lives are spared. This year, a new player has come to the field. The Coronavirus, known for its flu-like symptoms such as fever, dry cough, body aches and gastrointestinal issues, has infected upwards of 10,000 people, forcing the Chinese government to forcibly quarantine a city of 11 million. USA Today reports that as of February 1, 2020, only six accounts of the Coronavirus
have entered into the United States. Students across the nation are taking precautions this season, especially at the College. “I’ve been washing my hands religiously,” said Maggie Tindle, a freshman English and secondary education dual major and Wolfe Hall resident. “In all honesty, people are disgusting, I saw this one kid pick his nose and wipe it on his desk in my Intro to Education class… This is seriously who will be teaching our future children.” When asked about the living conditions in the Towers, Hank Glick, a freshman biology major and Travers Hall resident had quite a bit of feedback for student housing. “Dude, I love it,” started Hank, sheepishly laughing to himself. “It’s an absolute petrey dish in there! Put 1,000 18-19 year olds in the same building, crank the heat up to 80 degrees and everyone’s coughing and all the time everywhere. it’s an incubator for disease!” When asked why it was a good thing, Hank replied the conditions are helping
him with his quote on quote, “research.” “Everyone’s talking about ’Ronas lately, but I don’t know why,” said junior statistics major and captain of the Boys Club Water Polo Team, Todd Hoffman. “Like, ’Ronas are a Summer beer, ya know? A nice light Mexican beer you drink when you’re at the beach…I don’t really think its ’Rona time. It’s February, it’s cold as shit! If I wanted to feel like it was Summer, I would slap a case of Naturdays.” The Chip informed Mr. Hoffman that the CoronaVirus has absolutely nothing to do with “Ronas” and is in fact a deadly virus infecting thousands of people across the globe. The Chip further informed Mr. Hoffman that, no, there are no limes when you get the CoronaVirus. The Chip additionally informed Mr. Hoffman that, no, you cannot drink the virus. Todd has declined further comment. Disclaimer: This is obviously a satirical piece and does not reflect a real event.
page 10 The Signal February 5, 2020
Features
Race / Shocking statistics prove clear minority Campus culture makes students feel invisible
tcnj.edu
The freshmen ethnicity report highlights the College’s lack of diversity. continued from page 1 “At first I did feel very unwelcomed coming into TCNJ because no one looked like me and many people did not approach (me) as easily if I were white,”
said Abigail Cruz, a Mexican-American sophomore biology major from Perth Amboy, NJ. “It was very difficult as a freshman to openly make new friends because not many people in my floor would want to engage in conversation with me.”
As the semester progressed, Stephens realized that being a minority at a predominantly-white institution, which is something her high school peers warned her against, would be a challenge in more ways than one. She shared that although it may seem trivial, one significant difference between her peers from home and at the College is a lack of spatial awareness. “White people feel entitled to space,” she said. “It’s not just about saying ‘Excuse me’ when you are passing by — it’s about acknowledging that another person is there. Being here, people aren’t really acknowledging my existence and looking at me. It’s just been really weird.” In its diversity statement, the College states its “commitment to inclusiveness means that the campus community will constantly evaluate college policies, procedures and practices to remove those barriers that may affect our ability to be a welcoming and safe environment.” Although it preaches these high standards, some minority students would argue that the College hasn’t done enough to make everyone feel comfortable. Dominguez, one of the 287 Hispanic freshmen, feels that the goal should be
“to have a balance — to not make anyone feel as if they don’t belong because they are not white.” While some students have found groups of people where they blend well with, such as Cruz who found a home within Union Latina, an organization dedicated to celebrating Hispanic culture, others continue to struggle with a lack of comfort on campus. “Many times I feel as though some people weren’t as friendly to me because they knew where I came from and that Spanish is my first language,” said Dominguez. “Unfortunately, it’s an ongoing thing.” Although the College seems to be making the effort to heighten campus diversity, the unbalance within white and non-white students is still a highly noted observation within the minds of many students. “Sometimes I feel like I have to censor myself,” said Stephens. “How I talk to my white friends isn’t the same way I talk to my black friends. I know that it could take a while, but I wish there were significantly more black people. Not that the amount is completely terrible right now, but it would just be so much nicer.”
Campus Town businesses gear up for spring semester
RedBerry, Frutta Bowls introduce fresh menu items By Jesse Stiller Staff Writer The cool, modern atmosphere and scent of blended fruit at Frutta Bowls in the College’s Campus Town is calm, refreshing and tempting enough to make anyone crave a smoothie or a bowl. Across the street, the warm, friendly environment of the RedBerry Frozen Yogurt and Smoothie Bar has a similar aroma, attracting customers with bright colors and a clean, slick interior. The only thing missing? Students, of course. When winter break hit and students traveled back home for weeks on end, Campus Town businesses were deprived of business. Foot traffic slowed down and cold nights were accompanied by the silence of the vacant campus. While passing customers frequented the businesses, things just weren’t the same without the students. When the spring semester began and students started settling back in their dorms, the stores of Campus Town were ready for new business, products and surprises. Frutta Bowls and RedBerry are ready to make this semester one of their most successful yet, introducing new menu items and promotions to students. Branching out from their typical selection of fruit bowls and smoothies, Frutta Bowls is
offering something unexpected to attract new customers. “We’ve actually added soup to our menu,” said Debbie Scalabrino, owner of Campus Town’s Frutta Bowls, sharing that the new offering was a permanent fixture to the store. “We have butternut squash and beef barely in stock and we rotate that with other soups such as cream of broccoli.” Scalabrino also added that, on the first day students came back, they had sold out of the cream of broccoli and the butternut squash. “The first day that the students were back in school, Monday, we were busy,” she said. “When the kids are in school, we definitely have more business.” Frutta Bowls first opened in campus town in September of 2018, and Scalabrino said that the business did well over the break despite the lack of students during that period and has been a consistent popular spot for students. “We have a very loyal clientele that includes students and those around the community,” she said. “We knew one year that this was gonna work.” In an effort to reach out to more students on campus, Frutta Bowls is offering fundraisering opportunities to all organizations at the College for a period of four hours at a time, giving 20 percent of the profits
RedBerry is ready to make this semester its most successful yet. to organizations. While Scalabrino said that the franchise had very high ambitions for the semester, she added that the location was able to pay off all of its bills last semester, which was what she described as “a miracle.” Frutta Bowls seems to be bracing for success with their new soup line, and across the way, Campus Town’s RedBerry and its owner, Art Havier, is also expressing optimism, but in a slightly different way. “A lot of our sales has to do with the weather,” Havier said. “If the weather is nice then we’re busy, if it isn’t then it’s slow.”
The location opened in 2016 and has been no stranger to success. Winter time is usually Havier’s slowest time of the year, but thanks to the warm weather over this past winter break and increased fanfare, the business fared well even without the students. In addition to the fair weather, Havier’s approach to advertising has mainly focused on promotion for campus events and other areas in the community. “When we do want to talk to the students… or promote to them… I put something on Snapchat,” Havier said. “We do promotions where sometimes a specific dorm gets 10 percent off. We’ve
Julia Meehan / Photo Editor
been a part of community fest for the last two years, as well.” In an effort to reach new customers, RedBerry ran a promotion for the recent David Dobrik event in which a student could take a selfie at Kendall Hall and receive 10 percent off. If there’s one thing that’s obvious in both stores, it’s that Campus town is ready for the return of students and ready to attract both old and new faces. But for such seasonal stores, too many cold and rainy days can be detrimental for business. “As long as the weather is nice, I’m a happy camper,” Havier said.
: Nov. ‘02
Students bond with their roommates
February 5, 2020 The Signal page 11
Campus Style
Photo courtesy of TCNJ Digital Archives
Appreciate the friend at the other side of the dorm.
Every week, Features Editor Liya Davidov hits the archives and finds old Signals that relate to current College topics and top stories. At the College, many are preoccupied by 8 a.m. classes, hours of homework in the library and extracurricular activities. When we are surrounded by so much opportunity to prove ourselves, we often forget the importance of both fostering and maintaining relationships. It can be difficult to make time to have a social life, not to mention build a relationship with the person sleeping in the same room as you. In a November 2002 issue of The Signal, a staff writer covered a Sodexo-sponsored Roommate Appreciation Dinner at the College. Dinner for two was offered for $19.99 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., with three choices for an entreé. Students could choose between pork loin stuffed with apple sauce, herb-crusted salmon or blackened rib eye steak. All the entreés were served with a twice baked potato and asparagus. Dessert consisted of coconut cake or double-chocolate cake. Students at the dinner seemed pleased with the event. “Well, I can’t quite argue with feeling appreciated or with a meal that isn’t quesadillas,” Jim Flesher, freshman biology major, said.
At the Marketplace Convenience Store in Eickhoff Hall this week, Sodexo has also been offering roommate appreciation gifts. Since Sodexo took over dining services at the College last July, it has offered a number of different promotions and events at the College, according to Steven Hugg, marketing specialist for Sodexo. “The Campus Quest Fest, for instance, was held during Welcome Week,” Huggs said. “It had a ‘Survivor’ theme, complete with a barbecue menu. Camping toys and prizes and brochures with survival tips. We also enhanced the program by teaming up with Nantucket Nectars to raffle off a mountain bike.” In the past, Sodexo has offered theme nights in The 1855 Room, including Mardi Gras/ Sodexo has partnered with the Campus Wellness Center to bring outside vendors to the Wellness Fair. Sodexo has programs in the works as well to help pique students’ interests. “Next semester, we’ll open with a brand new Holman cart,” Hugg said. He added, “It’ll offer the same products we have now, and we hope to expand the menu slightly, and make it a little more consistent.”
Lions’ Plate
Left: Gucci belts add a classy detail to an everyday look. Right: Pair the brand’s lacy tights with chunky boots. By Marina Zupko Columnist A trend that has taken not only New Jersey, but the world, by storm is the Gucci belt. Going out to dinner? Add the belt. Meeting friends at a bar? Add the belt. Women are dressing up any and every outfit with this piece, turning it into an iconic staple and symbol of luxury. Coming in multiple colors, such as brown or black, the belt may seem like any other. But what makes this belt so envied is the signature “GG” buckle that adorns the front. The bigger the “G”s, the higher the price, and gold versus silver is also a price factor. The simplest belt option sells for $450, whereas a more expensive option comes out to a whopping price of $700. Although this trend surged in the last six months, the Gucci brand has released a new item that is slowly beginning to
replace that of the belt: Gucci tights. They’re simple black, lacy tights that are also adorned with the signature “GG” logo. The tights price out at $100, a major deduction from the belt. Although it still may seem ridiculous to spend $100 on a pair of black tights, this is a much more affordable option if you are looking for a designer look. Not only is the price cheaper, but the tights can be extremely versatile. Social media influencers are wearing these tights with almost anything. I have seen them worn with skirts and dresses, under ripped jeans and even with oversized tee shirts. Before you run out and purchase the tights, remember that even though the brand is designer, tights are still tights. Thin, lacy fabrics tend to rip, tear and run. It all comes down to whether or not your budget can take the blow of spending $100 more than once if you want to keep up with the Gucci lifestyle.
Homemade Potato Chips
Left: These chips will fill you up from head to pota-toe. Right: Dip this snack into a zesty sauce for added flavor. By Elizabeth Casalnova Columnist This recipe is almost too simple, but it’s a healthier alternative to a very popular snack — potato chips. Like most of my recipes, these chips are versatile. From cayenne and paprika to garlic and
herb, you can add whatever seasoning you want. Plus, since they’re baked in the oven instead of deep fried, they will have much lower fat levels. Ingredients: -2 large potatoes -Olive oil
-Salt and pepper to taste Directions: 1.) Make sure to preheat the oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit. 2.) Thoroughly wash and peel the potatoes. Then, slice them evenly into thin pieces. 3.) Drizzle them in olive oil, coating
both sides of the chip, and sprinkle salt and pepper to taste. 4.) Arrange the chips in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. 5.) Bake for about 12 to 15 minutes or until they’re golden brown. Let them cool on a rack, and serve.
page 12 The Signal February 5, 2020
Arts & Entertainment
CUB Alt Coffeehouse awakens audience
Performers engage crowd with original songs
Left: Spizuco showcases his skills in his first live performace. Right: Bowne and Maloney captivate the Traditons audience. By Julia Meehan Photo Editor
Season two of CUB Alt’s Coffeehouse series is back by popular demand. The series kicked off on Friday, Jan. 31 in the Traditions lounge. “It’s good to be able to perform in front of an audience every now and again,” said Ben Spizuco, a junior interactive multimedia major. “I’m more of a writer, so it’s cool to get out and actually play.” The first performer, Christian Simpson, a junior mechanical engineering major,
kicked off the night by sharing two of his original songs alongside acoustic covers. The personal lyrics of his songs and his smooth guitar playing made for a great opener that got the crowd swaying along. Next to take the stage was Luis Vera, a junior music major. He won the crowd over with acoustic renditions of songs from his band, Paper Native. The powerful lyrics and guitar behind his opening song set the tone for the rest of his set that won the audience’s attention. The next performers, Jodi Maloney, a sophomore communication studies major, was accompanied by guitarist Nancy
Bowne, a freshman speech therapy and Spanish double major, creating an earcatching duet set. Bowne’s beautiful alto voice stunned and their duo of covers drew applause from not just people in the coffeehouse audience, but also in Traditions itself. The last performer to take the stage was Ben Spizuco, who played a mix of covers and originals fueled by his passion for music, which was evident as he powered through his setlist. Several of the songs were newly written and this was Spizuco’s first time playing them for an audience.
Julia Meehan / Photo Editor
Besides the musical acts, the event also provided coffee and sweets for the audience members and performers. The laidback vibe of the event made for a comfortable experience for all involved. “I liked that it was chill and casual,” said Krupa Tishbi, a sophomore electrical engineering major and first-time Coffeehouse attendee. “I just went for the free coffee but I wound up really enjoying it. I didn’t know that so many students here were musicians, but everyone performed really well and you could tell people were really passionate about everything they sang, even the covers.”
Netflix audience ‘cheers’ for compelling documentary
New series lifts viewers’ spirits, inspires hope during hardship By Madison Pena News Editor
Netflix treated its subscribers to a captivating sports documentary they can add to their lists. “Cheer,” a new original series, follows Navarro Junior College’s elite cheer team as they prepare to compete in the 2018 national cheer competition in Daytona, Fla. The championship-winning team is the pride and joy of small-town Corsicana, Texas and has since stolen the hearts of millions of viewers. This show is an inside look into just how much work goes into the twoand-a-half-minute routine on the cheer floor. Under the leadership of the tough but kind Monica Aldama, Navarro began its legacy of winning championships and shaping students. In addition to making sure the team is continuing to up their routine difficulty, she takes it upon herself to enforce a strict nononsense policy regarding grades and conduct. Throughout the show, it is reinforced that Monica’s goal is not just to win but to shape her team into better students and people. While junior college is meant to act as a stepping-stone to a four-year university, for many of the cheerleaders, this is the last time that
they will be able to compete competitively. There is no such thing as professional cheerleading, which is something that devastates these elite athletes who have spent the majority of their lives training to perfect their complicated routines. A lot of the cheerleaders on the team come from damaged backgrounds and their sport is the only outlet that has given them a chance to be themselves or to escape familial issues. Aside from the respect I had for these athletes after seeing how hard they train, the viewers’ knowledge backgrounds and home lives made it easier to understand their stories and left me in awe of how they conduct themselves and constantly push to be better. The show focused heavily on Monica’s relationship and impact on several team members. Each member came from different backgrounds and struggled in their own right, but were able to make the team their family. I found myself rooting for so many of the cheerleaders to get “on mat” to compete in Daytona. With such a large team of around 30 and only room for 20 to compete, the group was decided during practices. While this semblance of totem
The team flies into viewers’ hearts with dangerous, acrobatic routines. pole would usually cause unfriendly competition within a team, the Navarro squad used it to push each other to their limits, elevating the entire team as a result. “Cheer” constantly emphasizes the fact that the traditional notion of a cheerleader comes nowhere close to the true athleticism and dedication required for the sport. Over the course of a few episodes, multiple girls were injured to the point of not being able to compete, while
others complained about pains that would be enough to make me want to quit. The series goes against any image of a high school cheerleader and makes you wonder why it’s not a professional sport with the amount of work needed to pull the complicated routines off. As the season progressed, I cheered as the team triumphed and empathized when they went through trials and tribulations. It felt like I knew these people and
that I was part of the comradery. When a person I liked did not make the mat at first, I got frustrated. Every time a flyer fell, or a stunt did not hit, I found myself feeling stressed even though it had nothing to do with me. “Cheer” morphs from being about whether or not Navarro will bring home yet another championship to how the athletes face their battles together, leaving the audience in awe and itching for the next installment.
page 12 The Signal February 5, 2020
February 5, 2020 The Signal page 13
YouTuber returns from hiatus with provocative film ‘Model Citizen’ challenges government, societal norms By Nicole Zamlout Staff Writer
The release of “Model Citizen,” a short film that was posted on the YouTube channel Dead Sound on Jan. 10, seems to be a sign that 2-D animation is coming back after a long hiatus. Run by animator David James Armsby, Dead Sound is the fifth installment of an ongoing series titled “Autodale,” which began back in 2017. The short film follows a set of citizens in the automated town, the Robinsons, who are showcased as model citizens and are treated as such throughout the show. The story takes a look at passivity and acceptance, asking the viewer how far is too far when it comes to accepting the given rules of our society. While the other films in the series share this theme, “Model Citizen” is the first that makes it a central focus, presenting the town from the perspective of the adults within the society. The first three films of the series followed the children of Autodale, while the fourth film took the perspective of an outsider, giving viewers a fresh perspective. While the series’ dystopian world was never seen as a paradise, “Model Citizen” really explores just how deeply the mechanical mentality of the town goes in a haunting and thought-provoking story of those who follow the rules. The film clearly depicts the intended horror of Autodale — how citizens continue to live with rules and yet are “happy,
The short movie features several characters wearing masks to shield their idenities.
unquestioning, and delusional,” as the animator, Armsby, said in a video. The faith the citizens have in their society’s system is distinctively displayed on screen, giving the story an alarming edge. The artwork is the true star of the film. The character’s textures, movements and expressions were varied throughout the movie and extremely well-executed. With the characters feeling almost real, it lent itself well to the ultimate ending of the story, cleverly mocking a classic
Hollywood kiss ending. Along with the Robinson’s themselves, the artwork for the settings, backgrounds and robots were equally welldone, giving the robots an even more unsettling presence while also highlighting the truly dismal setting of this portion of Autodale. Hopefully, some will see the artwork and designs that push the bounds of what 2-D can do and continue to develop its potential. Along with the art, the sound design
helped cement the setting and add to the unsettling tone of the short film. Including the song “Waltz of the Flowers” by Tchaikovsky was a brilliant stroke of irony considering the mechanical setting and the robotic residents of Autodale. It also highlighted the absurdity of the situation, as two citizens happily and blindly followed the rules of their society to the end. They never question the ethics or ideas they are presented, waltzing their days away both literally and figuratively.
page 14 The Signal February 5, 2020
Sports Kansas City sweeps Super Bowl LIV National Football League
By Jacob Malik Signal Contributor
For the first time in 50 years, the Kansas City Chiefs made it to the Super Bowl and won by defeating the San Francisco 49ers by a final score of 31-20. The game got off to a relatively slow start, with neither team getting much going in the entirety of the first half. After shutting the Chiefs down on the opening possession, the 49ers’ then proceeded to march downfield. The Chiefs’ defense was able to stop their momentum and force a field goal to make it 3-0. The Chiefs drove down the field and converted on a 4th and 1 with a smart trick play, a direct snap to running back Damien Williams. Just two plays later on second down, Patrick Mahomes takes it in himself for a touchdown as KC takes a 7-3 lead. Just two plays into the 2nd quarter, 49ers Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was pressured by Chris Jones and hit by Mike Pennel, causing him to throw an ill advised pass that was intercepted by Bashaud Breeland. The Chiefs then went down the field and kicked a field goal to extend their lead to 10-3. On the ensuing 49ers drive, the running game finally picked up some momentum after being held to basically nothing for a quarter and half. The 49ers proceeded to run three straight running plays of 10 or more yards and five straight plays of 10 or more, including a 15-yard touchdown pass from Garoppolo to fullback Kyle Juszczyk. What made this play by Juszczyk so impressive was that he was nearly tackled yards before the endzone and proceeded to break the tackle and dive for the endzone.
The score was now 10-10 and would remain as such going into halftime. The 49ers would start the second off similarly to how they ended it — they marched down the field but were eventually stopped and forced to kick a field goal to take a 13-10 lead. On the ensuing drive there was a promising start to the drive as Mahomes threw for 19 yards to wide receiver Sammy Watkins, but this would be the biggest gain for the Chiefs in the third quarter. The Chiefs would get one more first down on this drive before stand-out defensive rookie Nick Bosa forced a fumble on second down; Mahomes luckily scooped up his own fumble. On the next play, things fell apart, and on 3rd and 12 Mahomes threw an interception to 49ers Fred Warner. Jimmy Garoppolo then marched his team down field with the highlights being a pass to Deebo Samuel for 16 yards and another pass to Kendrick Bourne for 27 yards. All of this would be capped off by a Raheem Mostert 1-yard touchdown to take a 20-10 lead that would take them into the 4th quarter. On the first drive of the 4th quarter Mahomes threw an interception that may be credited to him, but was in no way his fault, as it was tipped off Tyreek Hill’s hands before being intercepted. However, the Chiefs’ defense would manage to stop the 49ers, and from there on out, it was all Chiefs. The next three drives would go as such: Mahomes threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Travis Kelce which made the score now 20-17, 49ers. The Chiefs defense then forced a 49ers punt and then scored yet another touchdown for Mahomes and company to take a 24-20 lead.
With two minutes and 39 seconds left in the game the 49ers got the ball back with a chance to win the Superbowl. The 49ers would get two first downs, but that would be it. Garoppolo would have three straight incompletions including what would have been an easy touchdown to Emmanuel Sanders had he not overthrown it. On 4th and 10 Frank Clark would seal the victory with a sack to force a turnover on downs and give the Chiefs the ball back with one minute and 25 seconds left in the game. Damien Williams of the Chiefs would put the final nail in the coffin with a 38-yard touchdown run to put the Chiefs up 31-20. Despite being one of the best in the NFL this season, the 49ers’ defense did not play well enough to slow down the red-hot Kansas City Chiefs offense. With this victory, Patrick Mahomes became the first player under 25 to win MVP of the league as well as a Superbowl title, and for the first time in 50 years, the Kansas City Chiefs are world champions.
Chiefs clinch the win, 31-20.
February 5, 2020 The Signal page 15 Wrestling
Women’s Track
Wrestling wins on Alumni Day Women defeat Stockton Lions defeat Lycoming, 35-4 Carter ranks second in nation
Photo courtesy of the Sports information Desk
By Matt Shaffer Staff Writer The women’s track and field team defeated Stockton University in a dual meet by the final score of 93-72 on Friday, Jan. 31. Senior Kailia Carter started the Lions’ sprinters off strong with a 8.22-second 55meter hurdle; this was not only a personal best, but the fastest time since 2000 for the College’s program. The time converts to an 8.84, 60-meter hurdle, which ranks second nationally. Her sophomore teammate, Kassidy Mulryne, also posted a converted time in
hurdles, which ranks 10th nationally. Seniors Sam Gorman and Katie La Capria won their respective sprints in the 55-meters and 400-meters. Freshman Valandra Riggins won the 200-meter with a personal record of 27.23, while senior Gabby Devito won the 3000-meter with a time of just over 10 minutes. In the field, Mulryne and freshman Karla Gomez-Matos both improved on their personal records in the long jump. It was a dominant showing overall by the women, as they look to continue their momentum at the University of Auburn Winter Classic at 12 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7.
Giordano waits to shoot in on his opponent.
By Matt Shaffer Staff Writer
The men’s wrestling team delivered a dominant performance on Saturday, Feb. 1, defeating Lycoming College 35-4 on Alumni Day. The win marked the 13th win in a row and 14th on the season for the Lions. To start the match, senior Dan Ortega picked up a quick five points for the team with a technical fall victory. In the next weight group, junior Jake Giordano earned four more points, followed by an impressive 18-point match by junior Robert Dinger. In what was expected to be the matchup of the day, senior Dan Kilroy had a comeback win, finishing the bout with a 15-6
turnaround. At the 184-pound division, freshman Reid Colella won by a large margin, securing a 10-1 major decision at a weight that he was not accustomed to competing in. Sophomore Quinn Haddad started off his matchup with an early 10-0 lead, and then completed the match with a technical fall. The lineage of the College’s wrestlers in attendance propelled the Lions as they nearly swept Lycoming on the same day that they honored the Hall of Fame coach David Incenhower. The sixth-ranked Lions continue to climb in the Division III leaderboards as they secured the win in all but one of their individual bouts. The men’s wrestling team will travel to Centenary on Friday, Feb. 7, for a dual match, and will look to continue their success.
Men’s Track
Men’s track and field dominates Abrams qualifies for AARTFC
Peck takes off for the Lions. By Matt Shaffer Staff Writer The men’s track team defeated Stockton University 87-76 in a dual meet on Friday, Jan. 31. In the 55-meter hurdles, freshman George Houston put up a personal best of 7.80 seconds, while junior Anthony Lorenc posted a personal best in the 55-meter sprint with a time of 6.63. Freshman Kevin Christensen won the mile, while his teammate, senior Evan Bush, finished right behind him for the secondplace spot. Freshman Andrew Lodge won the
Photo courtesy of the Sports information Desk
200 with a personal best of 23.38, while junior Robert Abrams took first in the 800-meter running a 1.56; this finish for Abrams was an All-Atlantic Region Track and Field Championship (AARTFC) qualifying time. In the relays, the program secured victories in the 4x200, 4x400, and 4x800; this was truly a display of the sprinters ability, as they won nearly every event. In the field events, senior Tim Reilly highlighted the category with a 12.71-meter triple jump, good enough for the victory. Men’s track and field will return to action for the Albany Winter Classic Friday, Feb. 7, at 12 p.m.
The Lions race at Stockton University.
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Sports
Signal
Women’s Basketball snaps three-game win streak
Team scores second lowest in season
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Left: Byrne dribbles upcourt. Right: Devitt scores her 1,000th career point.
By Kevin Hornibrook Staff Writer
The women’s basketball team lost 38-52 to Montclair State at home on Saturday, Feb. 1, snapping a threegame win streak and dropping to a 13-7 record on the season. The loss moved the Lions to a 10-3 conference record, while Montclair State stays tied with Rowan atop the standings with their 11th straight win. The College had won the previous three contests against Montclair State, including a 64-62 win against their rival earlier this season. After a slow start, the Lions put together a 7-0 run to close the quarter, and moved into the second
quarter with momentum only down by one point. After the break, the College slipped behind by 10 points going into halftime. All four of the College’s points in the second quarter came from junior forward Shannon Devitt, including the 1,000th of her career on a layup with just under three minutes left in the half. She accomplished the feat in her 75th game. Montclair State began the third quarter by expanding their lead to 13, which was answered by an 8-2 run from the Lions, led by sophomore Rachel Gazzola, who finished the game with a team-high 15 points However, the Lions couldn’t capitalize on free throws and open jumpshots, allowing Montclair State
Men’s Basketball
Men’s basketball loses to Rowan
Lions edge Montclair State University By Anthony Garcia Sports Editor
After the tragic death of NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, NJAC basketball teams ramped up competition this week on the hardwood. The men’s team lost at Rowan University on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 73-84, but then bounced back with a 98-88 win against Montclair State on Saturday, Feb. 1. This was a career-high effort from senior Randall Walko, as he helped secure the Lions a victory. A four-game winning streak came to an end after the men lost in a close second half against Rowan University. Going to half with a nine-point deficit of 40-31, efforts by Walko and juniors Travis Jocelyn and P.J. Ringel brought the game within three with 12:38 left on the clock. Walko finished the game with 29 points, grabbing his 11th game this season with 20 points or more. But when the final buzzer sounded, his standout performance was not enough for the team to take the win. On Saturday, Feb. 1, however, the men answered back with a win against Montclair State lead by a career-high 38 points from Walko. He etched his name in the College’s record books, becoming the
Lions Lineup February 5, 2020
I n s i d e
Photo courtesy of the Sports information Desk
Walko drives to score.
ninth all-time leading scorer. Walko’s second game in succession with 20-plus points was accompanied by 15 from Jocelyn and a combined 27 points from seniors Mike Walley and Ryan Jensen. The team shot 35-40 from the stripe, while Jocelyn and Jensen tailed up 13 rebounds. The Lions put the pieces together after a lose to Rowan, allowing them to edge Montclair State by 10 in a high-scoring contest of 98-88. The Lions will take a trip down to Camden to take on Rutgers-Camden on Wednesday, Feb. 5, with a tip scheduled for 8 p.m.
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to maintain an 11-point lead to end the third quarter. When the College would build momentum to mount a fourth-quarter comeback, Montclair State would rise ahead with timely three-pointers. The Lions’ struggle on the boards made it impossible to get back in the game, while Montclair State out-rebounded them 19-7 in the final quarter. Montclair State’s conference-leading defense held TCNJ to their second lowest scoring performance of the season. The Lions, who entered the game shooting 28.4 percent from three as a team, shot 2-21 from beyond the arc — a strikingly low 9.5 percent. The team looks to bounce back against Rutgers University-Camden on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
NBA
Kobe Bryant’s legacy lives on continued from page 1 my life positively, as he helped shape me to be the person I am today.” White isn’t the only person who feels Bryant’s life has made an impact — countless heartbroken fans took to Twitter as they reflected on the 5-time NBA Champion who posthumously caused the #girldad trend. This trend, which has been circulating social media since the day of Bryant’s death, recognizes Kobe’s influence to other parents as a father of four girls. Tweets depicting photos of fathers from all around the world, and showcasing the pride they have in being a father to a girl, took over Twitter by storm. Jen Byrne, a senior forward for the women’s basketball team, emphasized Kobe’s impact on giving women more respect in the game. “Kobe has done so much for women’s basketball and has made such a difference in its importance and recognition, and I always appreciated that,” she said. Bryant’s final tweet, in which he congratulated Lebron James on passing him on the all-time scorer’s list for the NBA, was published the day before the helicopter crash, which many have dubbed as an
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all-time reflection of his character. For many, these types of tragedies put their lives in perspective. Chessie Jackson, the head coach of the women’s basketball team, stressed that while Bryant’s death is earth-shattering in the world of basketball, it holds meaning for people in all walks of life. “This tragedy puts into perspective that basketball and being a part of a team is a true privilege, and one that we can’t take for granted,” she said.
Bryant inspired all young athletes.
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