The Signal: Sept. 2, 2009 Issue

Meet the Class of 2013

Cheap Laughs

The College welcomed its newest class at last week’s Convocation.

Hilarity ensued at the “3 for $3” show, where students paid three dollars for three comedians.

See News, Page 2

See Arts & Entertainment, Page 10

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September 2, 2009

No. 2.

Vol. CXXXI.

Flooding in towers delays opening of T-Dubbs

By Alex Cameron Correspondent Torrential rainstorms pounded the College on Saturday, Aug. 22, leaking water into the newly renovated Travers/Wolfe Dining Hall (TDubbs).

The dining hall was closed on its first scheduled day of operation. Prior to Aug. 22, only athletes and early arrivals to campus could eat there.

T-Dubbs reopened on Wednesday, Aug. 26. The “T-Dubbs Grand Opening” will take place tonight at 8 p.m.

“The campus cleanup crew did a fantastic job that night,” said John Higgins, General Manager of Sodexo Dining Services. Workers stayed past 4 a.m. and came back at 7 a.m the next morning to work again, he said.

“The next morning the majority of mud and mulch were gone,” Higgins said.

Damages are currently being assessed by Campus Risk Management. In T-Dubbs, some tiles have been replaced and the floor will be sealed to prevent water from seaping underneath it in the future.

The flooding did not put much of a damper on Welcome Week festivities. While some outdoor activities had to be canceled or relocated, all indoor activities, such as Ambassador Skits, went off without a hitch in the Brower Student Center, keeping spirits high despite the pouring rain, sophomore psychology major Al Yasneski, a Community Advisor on Wolfe 10, said.

Yasneski also said that the water in T-Dubbs reached levels as high as eight inches.

Residents of the buildings seemed unconcerned that T-Dubbs had to be closed before they had a chance to eat there. see FLOOD page 2

Abby Hocking / Photo Assistant

The flooding of Wolfe and Travers halls delayed the official opening of the newly-renovated“T-Dubbs.”

College loses bright mind

By Matt Huston Nation & World Editor

Tom OʼDell / Photo Assistant

Annual event provides sobering fun

LollaNoBooza on Aug. 25 featured games, music and other activities designed to be a substitute for alcohol. Many campus organizations, including clubs, fraternities and sororities, set up tables in the Packer Hall parking lot, while moon bounces and other inflatables dominated the Lionʼs Stadium field.

Brian Deppa, a senior mathematics major from Cherry Hill, N.J., passed away Aug. 16 while on vacation with his family in Portland, Ore. Deppa, 22, was struck by a train while on foot, just one week before he would have started his final year at the College.

According to the Associated Press, the death is being investigated as a possible suicide.

Deppaʼs untimely death immediately prompted a wave of loving and illuminating comments from those who knew him.

A facebook page, titled “In memory of Brian Deppa,” hosted scores of written memories and photos that invoked thoughts of his congenial nature.

Courtesy of the Deppa family

Brian Deppa died in Portland, Oregon.

Deppaʼs friends described him as a genuinely inspirational as well as compelling person. To many, he was also a high-quality student, a gentle activist, see DEPPA page 9

Hausdoerffer’s legacy brings old and new together

By Caroline Russomanno News Editor

Abby Hocking / Photo Assistant

Hausdoerffer talks about his experience at the College, in front of the hall bearing his name.

Inglourious Basterds Tarantino’s best?

See page 11

An open house gala for the new Metzger Drive apartments was held Tuesday, Aug. 25. The gala took place in front of the new apartments, Phelps and Hausdoerffer Halls.

The event featured an opening ceremony with guest speakers including College President R. Barbara Gitenstein, James Norfleet, vice president of student life, Pat Holloran, president of the Residence Hall Association and Sean Stallings, the director of Residential Life.

Professor William Hausdoerffer, for whom the second apartment building was named, spoke last. The gala concluded with a barbecue .

Long-distance relationships Lauren Gurry tells how to make long-distance relationships a long time success.

See page 9

“(These apartments are) exactly what we envsioned when we started this project years ago,” Gitenstein said, going on to talk about Hausdoerffer and his long and varied history with the College. During the Great Depression, he attended the College as a student and played for the Lionsʼ football team.

Later in life, Hausdoerffer taught mathematics at the College for 30 years and also served as dean of the Math Department. He created an annuity for students studying math.

Hausdoerffer is also responsible for the design of the lawn sundial next to the Brower Student Center.

He and his wife, who also taught at the College, recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

“This is a great institution,” Hausdoerffer said. “Iʼve loved it for 50 percent of the existence of the College if my math is correct …Why is that so? Itʼs so because I wanted it.”

Hausdoerfferʼs speech was littered with anecdotes, praise for the College, and just a little bit of humor.

“Iʼm proud to hear the name Hausdoerffer pronounced so correctly,” he said of the many interesting pronunciations of his name (which, as he put it, is correctly pronounced “House-Door-Fur”) that Hausdoerffer has heard over the years.

“I wonʼt tell you what they are because they might become attached,” he said

Lions in the spotlight Signal Sports previews some of this year’s top athletes.

See page 20

see GALA page 3

INSIDE

Editorials, Et Cetera Opinions Features Arts & Entertainment Sports

5 7 8 10 20

page 2 The Signal September 2, 2009

Welcome Week, Convocation prepare freshmen for College

By Adriana Botti Staff Writer and Arti Patel Copy Editor The College officially welcomed the Class of 2013 to its expanding student population last week.

Welcome Week kicked off with Play Fair, the annual event designed to help freshmen meet each other, and finished with Convocation, which took place on Aug. 24.

The Class of 2013 was ushered into the College as the latest and largest addition to the campus community, with 1,308 students, during the ceremony, hosted by College President R. Barbara Gitenstein.

“Tonight we celebrate our past and welcome you into our school’s community,” Gitenstein told the freshman class.

She hopes the students will integrate themselves into campus activities and find camaraderie with the 6,750-person student body, she said.

Cynthia Curtis, Associate Professor of mathematics and statistics, addressed the students on behalf of the faculty.

She encouraged the new students to listen to their professors, learn from them, and enter the classroom with eager and willing minds ready to challenge what they may already know.

Student Government Association President Billy Plastine welcomed newcomers to the College family, urged them to take pride in their new

school, and encouraged them to embrace their Welcome Week theme “Be the Change” in all aspects of collegiate life.

Students at the College “make impacts that begin on our small campus and ripple out into the greater community and even reach the corners of the world,” said Plastine.

“Plus, we’re smart and we’re happy — what more could you want?” Plastine joked.

Once Convocation ended, the Class of 2013 banner was displayed in the Brower Student Center.

“I was really glad that Welcome Week allowed me to get acquainted with (the College) and, more specifically, with the people on my floor before classes started,” said Juliana Fidler, freshman English major.

“I’ve already made some great friends, and I feel more comfortable than I ever thought I would being away from home at a new school,” Fidler said.

Cate Girone, junior College Ambassador, pointed out the enthusiasm of this year’s class.

“After comparing this years class to last year’s, the Class of 2013 definitely seems very enthusiastic about being involved in the college community. They’re also a lot of fun,” Girone said.

As the College retains its top ranking in its region on the “U.S. News America’s Best Colleges 2010” list of best public colleges, the students also maintain their academic excellence. Demographically, the Class of 2013 is similar to the

Class of 2012.

Katherine Miklosz, admissions counselor at the College, said the average SAT score was about a 1,300 on the 1,600 scale, which was the same as last year, and a majority of students were in the top 10 percent of their high school classes.

The College awarded nearly 55 percent of the Class of 2013 some type of merit award, which averaged between $3,000 and $6,000 for each year of study.

While last year’s number of applicants increased, this year’s decreased slightly.

“The biggest thing was, we saw a slight decrease in the total number of student applications but the ones we did receive were higher quality,” Miklosz said.

“The ones who were lower across the board probably tried to save money by only applying to schools that seemed within their reach,” she said.

Approximately 9,500 students, 900 from out of state, applied for this year’s freshman class.

The College accepted just over 4,000 students, 600 from out of state, and enrolled a class of 1,308 students, 100 from out of state.

Miklosz speculated that the decrease in applications was an effect of the country’s struggling economy.

“Many schools went down this year across the board,” Miklosz said. “In a year like this, it’s a good thing we at least stayed the same as years past.”

Tom O’Dell / Photo Assistant

President R. Barbara Gitenstein (top) addresses students at Convocation. The class of 2013 banner (bottom) will hang in the Brower Student Center to represent the class.

Flood / Heavy rain drenches basement dining hall continued from page 1

“It was better than 100 degree weather,” Sean Cunneen, freshman finance major, said.

Michelle Canning, freshman Math major,

Abby Hocking / Photo Assistant

T-Dubbs (top) was one of the many spots on campus flooded after torrential rain. Sand bags (right) were used to stop more water from flooding.

agreed. “My high school used to flood all the time, so it wasn’t really that big a deal to me,” she said.

Luckily, Tropical Storm Danny didn’t prove to be as bad as predicted, so no more flooding has occurred.

September 2, 2009 The Signal page 3

Gala / Hausdoerffer Hall dedicated to professor continued from page 1 with a smile. He then talked about his own dormitory living experiences while at the College, including his stint living in Bliss Hall in September of 1935.

“We’ve been given a good balance of education (at the College),” Hausdoerffer said, urging students to take a twofold interest in education: professional development and recreational development.

He strongly recommended students develop recreational activities (like sports and hobbies) in life because that is where one makes lifelong friends and has fun.

“It’s a real pleasure and thrill for me to have this named Hausdoerffer Hall,” he said. “When I first heard about it, I was in the Princeton Hospital

and Dr. Gitenstein called me and I thought it was a death wish. People will say anything when you’re in the hospital,” he joked. But he soon found out that wasn’t the case. According to Gitenstein, it was his dedication and years of service at the College that helped make the decision.

The other new student apartment building, Phelps Hall, is named after William Phelps, the first President of the College in 1855. According to Stallings, Phelps’ philosophy was to “educate the whole person.” He believed, “the best teacher helps students.”

“We are proud to open Phelps Hall, and create memories for your time,” Stallings said.

Caroline Russomanno can be reached at russoma4@tcnj.edu.

Tim Lee / Photo Editor

William H. Hausdoerffer Hall (above) was named for the mathematics professor who attended the College and taught here for 30 years. William Hausdoerffer himself (right) spoke at the open house gala for the apartments.

He talked about his experience and dormitory life at the College, and encouraged students to participate in sports and hobbies.

Guard your Wii and your cars

By Brianna Gunter News Editor

A blue commercial EZPass tag attached to the windshield of a white Ford truck was stolen on Aug. 21. Campus Police was dispatched to the College’s construction parking lot on Carlton Avenue after being alerted of the burglary at 11:45 a.m.

The vehicle’s owner started to move the vehicle when he noticed that it had been entered.

The contents of the cab had been thrown on the ground. The owner said that the only item missing was the pass. ....

A Mitsubishi parked in Lot 8 was found with a 12-inch gash cut to the mid passenger side.

The front driver’s side tire of another vehicle, a Kia, had been punctured. After receiving the report of criminal mischief to the two vehicles, Campus Police went to Lot 8 at 11 a.m. on Aug. 22.

...

The director of Student Activities and Leadership Development reported a theft of two Nintendo Wii game consoles to Campus Police on Aug. 18 at 5:15 p.m.

He told police that at 5 p.m. he received a call from the Fraternity and Sorority Programs Director that the two game consoles were missing from a locked safe. ...

On August 22 at 12:30 p.m., criminal mischief in the form of a punctured tire was reported in Lot 9. The victim told Campus Police that he had parked his vehicle on the first floor of the parking garage on Aug. 21.

When he returned at noon on Aug. 22, he realized that the rear driver’s side tire was flat. An investigation revealed that there was a one-inch puncture in the sidewall of the tire.

Brianna Gunter can be reached at gunter2@tcnj.edu.

Abby Hocking / Photo Assistant

Not only does The Signal have a brand new Web site …

www.tcnjsignal.net

tcnjsignal.net

But we’re going to be at the Activities Fair outside of the Brower Student Center today, Sept. 2 from noon to 3 p.m.!

page 4 The Signal September 2, 2009

Nation & World

Commander calls for new strategy in Afghanistan KABUL (AP) — The commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan said Monday in an assessment of the war that a new strategy was needed to fight the Taliban, while NATO officials disclosed he is expected to separately request more troops.

Explosions killed two more U.S. troops, raising the record death toll in August to 47 — the deadliest month of the eight-year war for American forces.

Boosting the number of U.S. forces in Afghanistan is a hot-button issue that could ignite furious debate in Washington on the U.S. militaryʼs future in an increasingly unpopular war. Some Democratic senators have increased calls for a timeline to draw down troops.

Gen. Stanley McChrystal sent his strategic review of the Afghan war to the Pentagon and NATO headquarters Monday. U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates ordered the 60-day review to size up the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan as Taliban attacks rise and U.S. deaths spiral upward.

“The situation in Afghanistan is serious, but success is achievable and demands a revised implementation strategy, commitment and resolve, and increased unity of effort,” McChrystal said in a statement Monday.

McChrystal did not ask for more troops but is expected to do so in a separate request in a of couple weeks, two NATO officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the matter.

The U.S. already has some 62,000 troops in Afghanistan — a record number — and will have 68,000 by the end of the year.

In total there are more than 100,000 U.S. and NATO troops in the country. There were roughly 250,000 international forces in Iraq at the height of that war.

McChrystalʼs report recommends focusing the U.S. and NATO

counterinsurgency efforts on the Afghan population and less on militants, one of the NATO officials in Afghanistan said.

Last week McChrystal said troops “must change the way that we think, act and operate” in newly released counterinsurgency guidance. McChrystal hopes to instill a new approach in troops to make the safety of villagers the top priority.

McChrystal said the supply of fighters in the Afghan insurgency is “essentially endless,” the reason violence continues to rise. He called on troops to think of how they would expect a foreign army to operate in their home countries, “among your families and your children, and act accordingly,” to try to win over the Afghan population.

The deaths of two U.S. forces Monday in the south — the countryʼs most violent region — underscored the escalating violence.

Thousands of U.S. forces moved into the Afghan south this summer after Obama ordered 21,000 more troops to the country this year, forces who helped protect the Aug. 20 presidential election.

McChrystal, who took over command in Afghanistan on June 15, delayed the release of the review so it would not interfere with the vote.

New vote tallies released Monday showed President Hamid Karzai with a strong lead over top challenger Abdullah Abdullah. Karzai had 45.8 percent of votes counted, while Abdullah had 33.2 percent.

Ballots have been counted from almost half of the countryʼs voting stations, meaning results could still change dramatically. Karzai will need 50 percent of the vote to avoid a two-man runoff.

The commission charged with investigating fraud said it registered 640 major complaints, all of which have to be investigated before final results are released.

AP Photo

Lal Mohammad, 40, whose nose and ears were cut off by the Taliban on the Aug. 20 Afghan presidential and provincial council election day, is seen in a hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan on Monday.

The hundreds of allegations of fraud and voter intimidation threaten to mar the election. Voters who cast ballots faced retaliatory attacks from militants who told Afghans not to vote.

In an example of the extreme threats that voters faced, an Afghan man said Monday that Taliban militants cut off his nose and both ears as he tried to vote.

“I was on my way to a polling station when Taliban stopped me and searched me.

They found my voter registration card,” Lal Mohammad said from a hospital bed in Kabul. He said they cut off his nose and ears before beating him unconscious with a weapon.

“I regret that I went to vote,” Mohammad said, crying and trying to hide his disfigured face. “What is the benefit of

Firefighters combat L.A. forest flames LOS ANGELES (AP) — A massive fire in the Angeles National Forest nearly doubled in size overnight, threatening 12,000 homes Monday in a 20-mile-long swath of flame and smoke, and surging toward a mountaintop broadcasting complex and historic observatory.

The fire was the largest of at least eight burning up and down California after days of triple-digit temperatures and low humidity. The Los Angeles-area blaze had burned at least 21 homes and was moving north, south and east through the rugged foothills northeast of the city.

Despite a lack of wind, the fire surged without letup by running through steep granite canyons and feeding on brush that had not burned for 40 years, fire officials said.

“Itʼs burning everywhere,” U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Dianne Cahir said. “When it gets into canyons that havenʼt burned in numerous years, it takes off. If you have any insight into the good Lord upstairs, put in a request.”

The fire had burned 134 square miles of brush and trees by early Monday and was just five percent contained.

About 12,000 homes, as well as communications and astronomy centers atop Mount Wilson, were threatened by fire. At least 6,600 homes were under mandatory evacuation orders and more than 2,500 firefighters were battling the flames.

But the lack of wind kept the fires burning mainly in canyonlands rather than racing downhill and roaring explosively through the dense suburbs that cluster at the base of the foothills.

More than 20 helicopters and air tankers were preparing to dump water and retardant over the flames. Two Canadian Super Scoopers, giant craft that can pull thousands of gallons of water from lakes and reservoirs, were expected to join the fight later in the day.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday issued emergency declarations for the counties of Placer,

voting to me?”

The U.S. strategy in Afghanistan hinges on increasing the number of Afghan soldiers and police so U.S. forces can one day withdraw. Some 134,000 Afghan troops are to be trained by late 2011, but U.S. officials say that number will need to be greatly increased, an expansion that will be paid for by U.S. funds.

Afghanistan has long been seen as the “good” war by many in the United States, especially in comparison with U.S. efforts in Iraq, where U.S. troops are now drawing down. But some Democratic senators are beginning to question whether U.S. goals in Afghanistan are achievable, and when U.S. troops will be brought home.

News Bits BOSTON — Massachusetts legislators have scheduled a public hearing on whether to change state law to allow the governor to name an interim replacement for the late Sen. Edward Kennedy.

SHIAO LIN, Taiwan — The Dalai Lama exhorted Taiwan on Monday to safeguard its democracy, interspersing prayers for the victims of Typhoon Morakot with a challenge to Communist China.

AP Photo

A burned traffic sign sits on the Angeles Crest Highway near Los Angeles Monday.

Monterey, Los Angeles and Mariposa.

On the blazeʼs northwestern front, two firefighters were killed Sunday when their truck drove off the side of a road on Mount Gleason near the city of Acton. Killed were Capt. Tedmund Hall, 47, of San Bernardino County, and firefighter Specialist Arnaldo “Arnie” Quinones, 35, of Palmdale. Hall was a 26-year veteran, and Quinones had been a county firefighter for eight years.

“Our hearts are heavy as we are tragically reminded of the sacrifices our firefighters and their families make daily to keep us safe,” Schwarzenegger said.

The fire generally appeared to be well up the mountains, but a pall of white haze burned eyes and throats, and some flames could be seen.

“We know whatʼs coming this afternoon, just the sheer heat and the low humidity,” Bill Peters, a spokesman with

Information from AP exchange the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in San Bernardino County, told KTLA-TV. “The fire makes its own path,” Peters said. “It just flows with the terrain. Itʼll run very quickly uphill and because of the dynamics and the decadent vegetation being so dry, it will drive itself downhill, where normally you need a wind to do that.”

Northeast of Sacramento, a fire destroyed 60 structures, many of them homes in the town of Auburn. The fire had wiped out an entire cul-de-sac, leaving only smoldering ruins, a handful of chimneys and burnt cars.

Rick Lund, whose house is nearby but escaped the fire, stood at the end of the cul-de-sac of about 10 homes, watching firefighters attend to what once were the homes of friends and neighbors.

“Itʼs right there,” he said, pointing to a house of his 11year-old daughterʼs close friend. “Or it was.”

September 2, 2009 The Signal page 5

Editorial

Listen up all you freshmen!

Although we at The Signal often focus on the achievements of upper classmen, this particular editorial is geared toward all of you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed freshmen strolling around campus. Here is a bit of advice for the newcomers to help you enjoy your years at the College.

Tom O’Dell / Photo Assistant First off, make some God-damned friends. WelAll freshman should strive to be as awesome as this student hurling a boulder. come week is designed specifically for you all to meet your peers and have a good time, so hopefully you connected with your floormates or others around campus. If not, there is still plenty of time to make friendships that may last a lifetime.

After the renovations to T-Dubbs The next step is getting involved. The College is and Eickhoff Hall, which is your full of clubs, groups and intramural sports teams “This is a great so pick something you are interested in, or already favorite dining hall on campus? institution. I love, and meet up with others who share your interests. Not sure what you want to do? Check out • Eickhoff Hall! I love their new salad have loved it the Activities Fair today from noon to 3 p.m. out- bar and deli area. for 50 percent side of the Brower Student Center. of the existence • Definitely T-Dubbs. I’m a big fan of the Either way, be who you want to be. College is a of the College clean slate. No one knows or cares who you were in retro look. if my math is high school. If you want to be an artsy person, go • The Rat. You can’t beat that good ol’ paint. If you love sports, join a team and go play. If bar atmosphere. correct … Why no group tickles your fancy, start your own! is that so? It’s Also, make that extra effort to stay on campus • I hate all of the food on campus with so because I and hang out on weekends. Of course, thereʼs no the passion of 1,000 burning suns. wanted it.” place like home, but there is nothing like waking up cast your vote @ on a Saturday with nothing to do, hanging out with — William tcnjsignal.net friends, watching movies all day and just shooting Hausdoerffer the breeze. You will be surprised how many conversations you remember about absolutely nothing.

“Brian was Most importantly, do your work and manage your gentle, always time. College is all time management, so make a had a twinkle schedule, and avoid all-nighters at all costs, they in his eye, had suck. tcnjsignal.net great intellectual Finally, keep an open mind as you attend your Telephone: Mailing Address: curiosity and classes and walk around campus. You may not Production Rm - (609) 771-2424 The Signal Business Office - (609) 771-2499 c/o Brower Student Center radiated a joy like every class you take or everyone you person The College of New Jersey Fax: (609) 771-3433 you meet, but try to put yourself in their shoes and interest in P.O. Box 7718 E-mail: signal@tcnj.edu Ewing, NJ 08628-0718 and you just might learn something. Bottom line: life.” get out of your comfort zone, it will be worth it in Editorial Offices Arti Patel Kristen Lord the end when you are a well-rounded, accepting Megan DeMarco Copy Editors — Cynthia Curtis individual.

Editor-in-Chief Robert Morris on Brian Deppa Bobby Olivier Sports Assistant You have probably heard most of these things Tom O’Dell Managing Editor from your Community Advisor or Ambassador or Carrie Russomanno Abby Hocking Brianna Gunter Photo Assistant “He’s a pretty at some seminar you were forced to attend, but News Editors Laura Herzog cerebral player. when you are sitting alone in your room with a pile Garrett Rasko-Martinis Arts & Entertainment Assistant Sports Editor of work, just remember, The Signal told you so.

He’s not the Business Office

The Weekly Poll:

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.

Jeffrey Roman Features Editor Katie Brenzel Arts & Entertainment Editor Diana Bubser Opinions Editor Kaitlin Olcott Production Manager Tim Lee Photo Editor Kelli Plasket Web Editor Matt Huston Nation & World Editor Donna Shaw Advisor Lauren Gurry Jillian Polak

Diana Perez Business/Ad Manager Erica Chao Classifieds Manager

Quotes of the Week

biggest or fastest kid, but he uses his smarts to get open and score goals.”

—Head men’s soccer coach George Nazario on senior forward Kevin Luber

page 6 The Signal September 2, 2009

September 2, 2009 The Signal page 7

Opinions The Signal says ...

Stop: losing stuff, burning yourself on toasters, overeating, watching too many sports.

Caution: sunburn, aliens, killer wasps, angry store owners, defunct old cameras, carbohydrate-heavy bananas.

Go: soak up the sun, to the Activities Fair, see ‘500 Days of Summer,’ read a Sarah Dessen novel, have a staring contest with a bighorn, to a beach, snack on a Triscuit, prepare spaghetti in the dorm microwave.

Policies The Signal is published weekly during the academic year and is financed by the Student Activities Fee (SAF) and advertising revenue. Any student may submit articles to The Signal. Publication of submitted articles is at the discretion of the editors.

The letters section is an open forum for opinions. Submissions that announce events or advertise in any way will not be printed. All letters should be sent via e-mail to signal@tcnj.edu. Handwritten letters should be sent to The Signal, c/o The Brower Student Center, The College of New Jersey, PO Box 7718 Ewing, N.J. 08628 or placed in our mailbox in the Student Life Office.

Letters must be received by the Friday before publication and should not exceed 300 words.

The Signal reserves the right to edit letters for space and clarity.

All letters must be signed, with a phone number and address of the author. Requests to withhold the author’s name will be honored only if there is a legitimate reason.

All materials submitted become the sole property of The Signal. The editors reserve the right to edit or withhold all articles, letters & photographs.

The Signal willingly corrects factual mistakes. If you think we have made an error, please contact The Signal at (609) 771-2424, write to the address listed above or e-mail us at signal@tcnj.edu.

Health care debates reaching extremes

Eli Goldman

As discussions concerning Americaʼs health care system continue, a number of troubling trends have emerged.

Disagreement over issues is invaluable for the proper functioning of any democratic

society.

However, when a debate turns into deliberate fabrications of reality, any chance of a civil discussion becomes impossible.

Popular conservative talking heads and organizations are either deliberately using falsehoods, or choosing not to correct blatant lies in an attempt to stop any change to the system.

Coverage for illegal immigrants, and government takeover of healthcare, are both touted as fact when, in reality, no version of any healthcare reform plan under discussion includes any of these ideas.

People are no longer able to decipher who is telling the truth.

An especially perturbing trend is the manner in which average people are conducting themselves in these debates.

Americans are behaving as if they have no manners or sense of politeness.

While Obamaʼs plan for change may seem radical, it is nowhere near Nazism.

However, that phrase has become a common slogan heard from those opposed to healthcare reform at town hall meetings.

It has gone so far that in a recent YouTube. com posting, a woman is taped saying, “Hail Hitler,” the Nazi salute, to a Jewish man at a Las Vegas town hall meeting.

Another troubling tendency emerging is the brandishing of firearms at rallies against healthcare and outside of town hall meetings,

Signal Spotlight

AP Photo

Supporters on both sides of the health care reform debate argue outside of a town hall meeting on Monday in Skokie, Ill. even where the president is speaking.

While it is a civil liberty to own a firearm, there is an obvious intimidation factor associated with bringing a gun to a rally meant to foster meaningful discussion, not degenerate behavior.

At a serious debate about the merits of changing any system, I cannot conceive anyone finding it permissible to bring a deadly weapon.

The costs associated with changing the healthcare system are a concern for many Americans. However, the fact that there are approximately 50 million American citizens without any form of health care insurance is not stressed enough.

People suffering from pre-existing conditions are also denied proper health care coverage.

In addition to those uninsured individuals, some people have sub-standard health care

coverage.

The governmentʼs job is to protect its people, while insurance companiesʼ jobs are to make a profit. The industry is geared toward making a few people rich, while the masses suffer with no option but to pay high prices.

It is the governmentʼs duty to introduce a plan with stricter regulations, co-ops and a federal insurance option to make health care more affordable for all citizens.

No one has to agree on every part of any health care bill. However, we all should agree that we need to help our fellow Americans and not leave people out in the cold.

When people start valuing money more than othersʼ lives, I find it difficult not to ask where our society is going wrong.

Sources: CNN, NBC, YouTube.com, The New York Times.

What do you think about the new Eickhoff renovations?

“It looks more appealing, but the food still sucks.”

“I hate them. The food is still terrible.”

“They should have happened ages ago.”

“It feels like Iʼm at a nice restaurant.”

—Mina Shenouda, freshman physics major

—Erica Petela, junior special education/ psychology major

—Chanel Carela, senior graphic design major

—Emily Vasile, senior special education/ psychology major.

Do your narrations crackle and pop with incendiary wit?

Send them over to Opinions! bubser3@tcnj.edu

AP Photo

page 8 The Signal September 2, 2009

Features

Deppa / Beloved senior ‘walked the walk’ continued from page 1 an athlete, an artist, a musician and an engaging friend.

Deppaʼs high-school contemporaries remember him as a bright leader who served as captain of the Cherry Hill High School East cross country team, winter and spring. The Cherry Hill East Distance Web site noted that former members of the cross country team attended Deppaʼs funeral, held on Aug. 24 at St. Andrewʼs Methodist Church in Cherry Hill.

He was also an ardent cyclist, as his friends, family and professors knew well. Biking combined two of Deppaʼs biggest interests — physical activity and environmental sustainability.

“It was a way for him to get his exercise for the day and also a way for him to do his part,” said his brother, Jeffrey Deppa.

The brothers rode together frequently and loved to traverse New Jerseyʼs historical routes.

Cherry Hill East history teacher Tim Locke said that he and

Deppa were “kindred spirits” and recounted his studentʼs admirable passion for both biking and the environment.

“I used to commend Brian for riding his bike to school in spite of the heat, the rain, or the traffic on Kresson Road,” he said.

“He did it because he was trying to show us all by his example that we too can be friends of this planet by choosing to ride our bikes to school instead of our gas-guzzling cars.”

“He was a man of his convictions and I know that he acted upon those beliefs,” Locke added.

According to his brother, Deppaʼs environmentalism had its roots in family camping trips and his parentsʼ own interest, but “he directed it in his own personal way.”

Deppa cultivated a variety of other talents and interests as well. He played drums in a rock band with friend Aaron Coile.

“He always had a smile on his face while playing drums and he also played trumpet sometimes,”

Coile said. “He was a spiritual being, a great musician and a great friend.”

At the College, Deppaʼs positive presence was felt by many.

Deppa was “never too busy to stop and say hello,” said Ashley Bodner, senior mathematics and statistics major and Deppaʼs next-door neighbor freshman year.

“You could run into him anywhere, on or off campus and talk with him for almost an hour each time,” said Michael Garcia, 2009 alumnus and friend. “In class he was extremely smart and always one of the professorʼs favorites.”

Deppaʼs wealth of interests carried over into college and widened as he explored new friendships and higher academic realms.

Meagan Terry, class of 2009, recalled bonding with Deppa, a vegan and conservationist, when he introduced her to Natural Living, a health food store in Trenton.

“He was passionate about environmental issues and mak-

Courtesy of the Deppa family

Brian Deppa tried his best to leave a positive mark on humanity, whether it was by eating healthier, riding his bike or reaching out to people in need.

ing lifestyle choices that were beneficial to the earth,” she said. “I remember hearing him talk about his raw food diet and being vegan and I thought, ʻWow — this kid is determined and strong-willed.ʼ” She mentioned that Deppa was a member of Water Watch, one of the Collegeʼs environmental organizations, for some time. “Brian is a constant inspiration for me now to teach others to tread lightly on the earth through my own actions,” Terry said.

Professors described Deppa as a top-notch math student. Cynthia Curtis, Deppaʼs academic advisor, said that early in his college career he was divided between working in mathematics and becoming an acupuncturist. Not to limit his aspirations, Deppa took on a biology minor so that he might do both, Curtis said.

Andrew Clifford, another of Deppaʼs professors, emphasized his wide breadth of interests. “When he first approached me about doing an independent study, he suggested either studying topology (an abstract branch of Mathematics) or the use of mathematics in Japanese architecture, specifically places of worship,” he said.

Deppa saw mathematics as another means of expression, just like visual art, music or poetry, Deppaʼs brother said.

“He was very coherent in mixing ideas from the scientific and spiritual worlds,” Jeffrey Deppa said. “He didnʼt really see them as two separate categories.”

“Brian was a talented mathematician with lots of creative ideas,” mathematics professor Judit Kardos said. “He had the highest semester grade at 97 percent and got the highest score in class on every test.”

Kardos became friendly with Deppa, who demonstrated a thoughtful interest in her field.

“I casually mentioned nonstandard analysis in class. He

was the only one who read the paper I recommended about this topic,” she said. Deppa planned to base his senior thesis on this contemporary form of mathematics, which delves into ancient paradoxes and challenges mathematical norms.

Deppa became very popular with his classmates as well.

“You could talk to Brian about absolutely anything,” Kardos said. “He was interested in everything other people did, and was a very sympathetic listener.”

Not only was Deppa committed to sharing his ideals, his friends say, but he did so with an incomparable attitude.

“Brian was gentle, always had a twinkle in his eye, had great intellectual curiosity and radiated a joy and interest in life,” Curtis said.

“Brian could smile like no one else I know. His smile lit up the room,” Kardos said.

“I know I will always carry the memory of Brian with me — his crazy blonde hair, smile, and passion for living a healthy and sustainable lifestyle,” Terry wrote in an e-mail interview.

“Selfless, gentle and pure” are the best words to describe him, his brother said.

Contributions in Deppaʼs memory may be made to his favorite charity at charitywater.org.

Kardos is organizing a “Bike for Brian” event on Sept. 30, with Patricia Van Hise, assistant dean of the School of Science.

Deppaʼs family and his friends say they are making their best effort to carry on his enthusiasm for conservation, healthy living and cooperation.

“Brian walked the walk,” his high school teacher and friend, Locke, said. “How many people on this earth can we say that about?”

Matthew Huston can be reached at huston4@tcnj.edu.

International students dine in 1855 room

By Jeffrey Roman Features Editor

The mood and chatter in the 1855 Room last Monday certainly felt like it could have been a meeting of the United Nations.

Newly-arrived international students from around the world attended a luncheon as part of their orientation program. The purpose of the program was to greet one another, as well as American students from the College, said Holly Didi-Ogren, professor for modern languages and the office of International and Off-Campus programs.

“We want to give students a chance to eat and socialize,” Didi-Ogren said. “They were in orientation sessions all morning and needed a break.”

This year, the College is housing students from several countries, including Thailand, Japan, Germany, Argentina and The Bahamas.

Waka Petrillo, an accounting major from Japan, is attending the College for two years to work on her major.

“I came here because I know this is a good school,” Petrillo said.

Kathy Nguyen, senior international business major, attended the luncheon because she wanted to meet the international students. Nguyen traveled to Japan and studied there her junior year, taking classes, learning the language and visiting different cities.

“I figured it would be cool to meet people, especially from Japan,” Nguyen said.

During the luncheon, Didi-Ogren asked the international students to stand, introduce themselves and say which major they were studying. The majority of students are majoring in business courses including administration, marketing and finance.

Some students from the College attended the luncheon for the sole purpose of welcoming the international studies group with open arms, according to Didi-Ogren.

“I have an interest in studying abroad next semester,” Aimée Fiorini, junior music major, said. “I figured it would be a good way to go and meet people and become familiar with the international studies program.”

Simona Wright, chair of the International Education Program Council and professor of modern languages, welcomed the international students and gave them warm

words of advice and inspiration.

“Our mission is to internationalize the College,” Wright said. “We are delighted because it is part of our job to make the College more diverse and interesting.”

Wright touched upon the International House, a new endeavor that came about as a collaborative effort of Residential Education and Housing, Global Studies and Modern Languages. The International House, located at the Townhouses, is composed of domestic and international students who have shown an interest in learning about other cultures and travel.

“This is going to be the first of many experiences you have here,” Wright said.

Didi-Ogren was satisfied with how the luncheon went.

“Itʼs nice to see such a good turn out to show support for the international students,” Didi-Ogren said.

The international students are staying at the College for different periods of time. Some are studying at for a semester, others a year and some for two or more, according to Didi-Ogren.

Jeffrey Roman can be reached at roman6@tcnj.edu.

September 2, 2009 The Signal page 9

Campus Style

Meet The Signal at the

What are you wearing?

My dress is from French Connection and my shoes are Steve Madden.

What kinds of clothing are you drawn to when you walk into a store?

Iʼm not attracted to a certain style of clothing, but mostly Iʼm attracted to clothes that are pretty conservative, donʼt stand out too much, and grandma clothes.

Activities Fair!

Grandma clothes?

I like to pretend Iʼm a grandma, wearing clothes like really comfortable sweaters and really loose clothing. I donʼt like to wear tight clothing at all. I like to move around in my clothes.

So you hate tight clothing. Anything else?

I never wear clothes that show the name brand.

I donʼt like to be ostentatious with my outfits.

How do you decide what to wear when you are dressing in the morning?

I just go on a whim. I usually have a feeling about what I want to wear, but I donʼt really put time into my outfits. Sometimes when Iʼm bored, I like to dress up according to a theme, like pretending Iʼm a boy, or Minnie Mouse.

Kristen Kubilus / Staff Writer

By Kristen Kubilus Staff Writer When Iʼm on the hunt for someone to feature in this column, what attracts me most to a person is a distinctive sense of style. This person does not resemble anyone else. He or she does not flash the latest trends, his or her outfits are never too predictable and he or she always looks fresh. There could be something slightly unusual about the style. Maybe the student has a story to tell. Most importantly, the student makes me want to look twice.

Nupur Patel is one of those interesting characters. The best thing about her is she never falls victim to fashion. She hates to shop, she never over-analyzes an outfit and she doesnʼt own a purse.

Wednesday Sept. 2 Noon - 3 p.m.

Do you ever accessorize?

No, I like to keep it simple. I donʼt even own a purse. I hate dragging it along. I hate baggage.

I just love my backpack.

Where do you typically shop?

The stores I find the most interesting clothes in are Anthropologie and Free People. I love their style. I hate to shop. If I see something I like, Iʼll just buy it. I usually donʼt even try stuff on.

Do you like to wear a lot of colorful outfits?

I like to wear color. It just makes me happier.

Iʼm not a fan of black.

Do you find that your style changes a lot?

My style is always changing based on my mood and my personality. I donʼt think that anything in my closet necessarily makes sense.

Outside the Brower Student Center!

Making the long-distance relationship work

By Lauren Gurry Copy Editor

Everyone knows relationships arenʼt always easy, but people in long-distance relationships are reminded of this far more often than the average college student.

Of course, these couples have the same arguments as other couples, but the relationship is strained by the fact that they donʼt see their significant other on a daily basis.

When the pros and cons of a longdistance college relationship are fully assessed, couples should be asking themselves one question: Is the juice worth the squeeze?

No one can help who they fall in love with, and it may just so happen you find the love of your life while visiting your best friend at school in Boston. Before you start dating someone that goes to school hours away, you should make sure you get to know the person well, and discuss how you would handle the distance.

When entering such a relationship, it is important that both parties commit to making the relationship work. This means taking the time to talk to one another daily and being open and honest. A long-distance relationship cannot work if one person thinks the other is lying about being in the library until 3 a.m. on a Friday.

Making plans to see each other is also an important aspect of a long-distance relationship. Both people should be willing to travel in order to see their signifi-

cant others. Without a definite date in mind for when the couple will be together in person, there isnʼt much to look forward to in the immediate future. If neither person has something to look forward to, additional strain is put on an already-strained relationship, which can be enough to cause big arguments, or even a break up.

Other couples enter college dating their high school sweethearts, who are suddenly more than a 10-minute car ride away. This change can dramatically alter the face of the coupleʼs previously easy relationship. The couple must become accustomed to missing each other and learn to handle not always being together.

It may be the case that the couple can see each other every weekend if the distance isnʼt severe. In this situation, couples should be aware that it is important to spend time with new friends on weekends as well. Yes, it is vital to maintain your relationship, but itʼs also important to bond with your floor and get the full college experience.

You will eventually feel left out if youʼre sitting in a dorm room watching a movie with your significant other, while all your friends go out together on a Saturday night. You may come to feel that you missed out on everything college has to offer. This could make you resent your significant other.

Like long-distance relationships that begin in college, high school sweethearts must learn to open the doors of communication as wide as possible. Trust is important in every relationship, but it is absolutely essential when you donʼt see your girlfriend or boyfriend very often.

There is no doubt that long-distance relationships

Lauren Gurry / Copy Editor

Staying honest and communicating are key to making long-distance relationships work. are difficult, especially when you see happy couples around campus every day. For this reason, no one should enter a long-distance relationship casually. The juice is really only worth the squeeze when you consider the big picture and decide the relationship has a serious future.

Next week, Lauren will discuss roommate etiquette in the dorm room. If you have an idea for a column, email gurry2@tcnj.edu to share.

page 10 The Signal September 2, 2009

Arts & Entertainment

For more articles check out tcnjsignal.net

‘3-for-3’ comedy show features crudity

By Krystal Spencer Correspondent The promise of cheap but quality entertainment lured freshmen and upperclassmen alike to Kendall Hall last Thursday. The College Union Board’s (CUB) “3 for $3” Comedy Show provided a stirring start to the fall semester with a lineup of noteworthy comedians.

Headliner Ronnie Jordan, who has previously appeared on HBO’s “P. Diddy Presents the Bad Boys of Comedy,” immediately garnered interest with “the joys of being a heavy-set black man.”

Jordan couldn’t keep the crowd quiet as he described every detail of how guys spend their time when their roommates are gone. He also let women in on some of the biggest secrets of manhood: pooping, porn and masturbation.

In a climactic ending to a hilarious set, Jordan mimed his love affair with his personal kryptonite — a honey bun that had sat in his pocket the entire time.

Esther Ku, a finalist from NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” was the most surprising comedian out of the bunch. With her hair in pigtails, a pink t-shirt and short brown skirt with brown leggings, it was hard to tell if she was a comedian or someone’s 8-year-old daughter.

The crude content of her jokes, however, dispelled any doubt of her age.

Though she actively engaged the crowd, she drew more gasps than guffaws for her sexual exploits. Ku hit a snag in her set with an out-of-tune guitar, which she replaced with Gordon’s guitar, also out-of-tune.

After stalling, she sang an entire song about her love for “self-love” to Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”

Junior accounting major Andy Flexon said, “Ku was awkward … but fit the campus well. She had the most adult-themed humor.”

MC Brant Gordon opened the night praising White Castle Chicken Rings (“it’s like farting in God’s mouth,” he joked) and a song inspired by Jason Mraz.

With a small guitar and fedora, the Seth Rogen lookalike sang, “Hey Lady,” a song dripping with sexual innuendos.

Tom O’Dell / Photo Assistant

The 3 for $3 comedy show at Kendall Hall featured Andrew Kennedy (left), Esther Ku (center), and headliner Ronnie Jordan.

Steve Rossi performed a 10-minute warm-up set, which was a disappointing follow-up to Gordon’s antics.

Although he didn’t have big shoes to fill, Andrew Kennedy established the tone for the night after Rossi.

Kennedy proved his claim to number 12 on Comedy Central’s “Top 20 Stand-up Showdown” with a set that touched on his bi-racial background. His British father enjoys driving away from the cops while being pulled

over, only to correct their grammar after being pulled over a second time. Kennedy’s peculiar variety was entertaining, especially his impression of a Spanish soap opera.

Freshman political science major Steve Schwarcz enjoyed the entire event and “is definitely going to see more comedy shows at (the College),” he said.

CUB’s next comedy show will feature Michael Ian Black in Kendall Hall on Sept. 21.

Folk night melodies mellow the Rathskeller

By Laura Herzog Arts & Entertainment Assistant

Each of the three acoustic musicians at Friday night’s Folk Night at the Rathskeller performed under an alias. With enigmatic names like White Star City, Liam the Younger, and Schwa, one might have assumed they had something to hide. However, the young performers, junior graphic design major Colleen Napolitano, and outside acts Liam Betson and Joshua Losben, respectively, proved willing to bare their souls to the boisterous diners who shuffled in and out of the Rat. While each had an intimate story to tell, the stories varied in theme and delivery, from the bold sound of Napolitano, to the wistful romanticism of Losben, to the somber style of Betson.

Headliner Losben’s set was the most polished, unsurprising as Losben, a graduate of American University, is a five-year veteran of the music circuit currently based in New York City. Losben’s sweet, soft voice was injected with a slight folksiness.

When his lyrics were accompanied by melodic strumming, as they were in his final song, the haunting “Here and Now,” his music took on an Eddie Vedder-esque quality.

Another standout song in Losben’s set was “Chop, Chop,” a serious song with an upbeat rhythm that denounced society’s emphasis on work at the expense of personal time: “Chop, chop, run along. We all work, ’cause not working’s wrong … even when it’s bloody hell, we’ll keep our feelings to ourselves.”

Betson has recently attracted attention in the indie circuit as a member of an emerging underground music scene in Ridgewood and Betson’s hometown, Glen Rock.

While Betson’s sound, sometimes soft and other times anguished and strained, is comparable to singer Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes, Conor Oberst and The Mystic Valley Band), he is clearly an artist in his own right.

According to Betson, he draws inspiration for his lyrics, filled with such mature and poignant observations like “there’s something funny about despair,” from “Being Alone in a Room.”

“It’s not supposed to be sad music, but it’s supposed to tread lightly. People are going about their business (as I’m singing,) which is good. I guess I’m trying to be more subliminal than preachy,” said Betson. “I guess I’m just trying to be there, but not be there.”

Napolitano, who opened the show, was the least accustomed to the stage.

“My first show was October of last year right here. Since then I’ve played around all the usual (College) spots — the library, Holman, grassy areas,” said Napolitano, who first started writing music during her freshman year of college and plans to release her first album “Love Songs for Strangers” in December.

Abby Hocking / Photo Assistant

Joshua Losben (above) played under the name Schwa, along with Liam Betson (Liam the Younger) and Colleen Napolitano (White Star City) last Friday.

“I enjoy performing but I also am terrified simultaneously because I get really nervous. It also is exhilarating when things go over well,” she said.

Perhaps it was this nervousness that injected her act with an honesty and intimacy that listeners seemed to admire. Regardless of her relative inexperience, Napolitano commanded attention of the crowd. Her voice had a distinct warble reminiscent of Regina Spektor that injected her poetic lyrics with a sense of impassioned, raw emotion.

“I’ve been following her since last year when she started,” said Ron Seidel, junior interactive multimedia major. “Her unique voice and talent in songwriting really are hidden gems on campus.”

September 2, 2009 The Signal page 11

‘Basterds,’ aliens, and sarcasm (oh my) Jack White has the Midas Touch

AP Photo

Jack White’s newest band, The Dead Weather, released “Horehound” on March 11.

By Margaret Pakutka Correspondent As if dragging the strikingly talented Meg White and their band, The White Stripes, up the steep path to rock’n’roll legend, or teaming up with indie rock icon Brendan Benson to form The Raconteurs and producing grammy-winning albums wasn’t enough.

Jack White did it again.

The Dead Weather, Jack White’s new female-led, alternativerock supergroup, released its debut album, “Horehound,” on March 11. As the Kills/Raconteurs tour came to an end this summer, Alison Mosshart (The Kills), Dean Ferita (Queens of the Stone Age), Jack Lawrence (The Greenhornes, The Raconteurs) and White decided to continue jamming. After an informal twoweek writing and recording session in White’s Tennessee studio, the musicians formed a group.

Any doubts of White’s musical genius (or at least wellroundedness) will surely sulk away after the first listen to “Horehound’s” heavy yet ever-so-spot-on drums. Yes, the drums.

White’s voice can still be heard on some tracks, like the single, “Treat Me Like Your Mother,” but he certainly did keep his guitar on the stand for this one. Did I mention he was listed as #17 on Rolling Stone’s the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” list?

Welcome to Signal Rants, the all encompassing pseudo rant section. Know a band, book, movie, play, or miscellaneous starving artist that you think deserves a little light? Contact Katie Brenzel at brenzel2@tcnj.edu to write for Signal Rants!

“Personal Days” by Ed Park caters to fans of office theme I happened to stumble across Ed Park’s satirical debut novel accidentally. I went to the library intending to check out a highly intellectual work of nonfiction. However, the cover of “Personal Days,” on which the title is spelled out on a computer keyboard, distracted me (Yes, I routinely judge books by their covers). While “Personal Days” isn’t a work that will upset the literary world, for fans of “The Office” and “Office Space,” or anyone who has ever worked in an office situation, or anyone with a love of satire and randomness for that matter, it is a fast-paced and enjoyable read.

Ed Park is clearly a talent to watch. His quips, delivered matterof-factly at the end of a long phrase, caught me off guard, often causing me to laugh aloud, once or twice making me gasp for breath.

While “Personal Days” is sometimes a little too familiar in tone and formula to the aforementioned cult favorites, Park attempts to differentiate his story by throwing in a contrived, yet captivating, office mystery.

—Laura Herzog ‘District 9’ outshines predecessors While Cloverfield hardly invented the hand-held, pseudodocumentary style, it popularized the technique as a way of creating a sense of realism in science-fiction films, opening the door for movies like “District 9.” But where Cloverfield was simply good, queasy fun, Neill Blomkamp’s directorial debut is smart, thoughtprovoking and, by all sci-fi geek standards, awesome.

The film is set in a fictionalized Johannesburg, South Africa, where aliens are segregated from humans and live in a ghetto called District 9. Blomkamp uses this premise as an allegory for the real-life apartheid system before turning the film into an exciting, fugitive-on-the-run thriller. “District 9” is sci-fi social commentary in the tradition of “The Twilight Zone,” while also providing all the chase sequences and exploding heads a latesummer action flick should have.

Boasting seamless special effects and a plot that continuously surprises, District 9 is well worth revisiting several times.

— Steven Avigliano ‘Inglourious Basterds’ is quintessential Tarantino Writer-director Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds” is ostensibly a revenge war movie, with Brad Pitt leading a band of Jewish people to topple the Third Reich. But it’s also a genre-bending mash-up. It’s the World War II movie Sergio Leone would have made, and it’s a fantasy that lets an African-American and a Jew watch Hitler burn.

Sometimes it feels like watching three or four different movies, with Pitt’s basterds scalping Nazis, Western-movie tension broken

by B-movie violence, and multiple plans to trap the Führer in a movie theater. Though these shifts and layered film references feel capricious, the movie’s tremendous climax majestically brings them together. An ode to the power of movies and a visual feast, the culmination is absurd, even though you know it’s coming.

“Inglourious Basterds” is Tarantino’s most ambitious movie, so though it’s the most challenging, it’s also the most rewarding.

—Nathan Fuller

Fall album releases: what to look for

By Chris Payne WTSR Music Director

Long Island quartet Brand New is poised to release the much-awaited fourth record, “Daisy,” on Sept. 22 via Interscope Records.

Already released is “At the Bottom,” a Modest Mouse-leaning single bound to further drive away fans who’ve been hoping for a re-make of “Jude Law and a Semester Abroad.”

On Sept. 11, Jay-Z will release the final installment in his Blueprint series with “The Blueprint 3.” Already released singles include “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)” which features Kanye West, and “Run This Town” featuring Rihanna. West produces most of the tracks, but has others like Timbaland and even electro-rockers MGMT lending a hand.

Oklahoma’s favorite rock ‘n roll band The Flaming Lips are set to release their twelfth studio album on Oct. 13. In typical Lips fashion, “Embryonic” will carry a “freakout vibe” and will be less polished than past efforts, according to front man Wayne Coyne. “Embryonic” will be released as a double album with 18 songs, spanning 73

minutes.

Fall promises to be an eventful month for freshman rappers Kid Cudi and Wale.

Both will release their debut full-length albums following successful singles, with heavy crossover play likely. Cudi came into prominence this Summer with “Day N Nite,” a story of lonely nighttime toking over minimalistic beats. “Man on the Moon: The End of Day” will drop on Sept. 15, with Kanye West and the NYC electronic duo Ratatat listed among the producers.

Wale first made underground waves in 2008 with his Seinfeld-themed mixtape, “The Mixtape About Nothing.” Now with Lady Gaga as a guest star in his debut single, “Chillin,” just starting to gain airplay, the Washington D.C. MC will release his first record, “Attention: Deficit,” on Oct. 20.

A couple of New Musical Express, the U.K. premiere online music magazine, darlings are set to take over the U.K. with upcoming releases. After exploring the dark, mature second album with 2007’s “Favourite Worst Nightmare,” The Arctic Monkeys continue down that path with their Aug. 24 release, “Humbug.” With Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) at the helm in the

AP Photo

Jay-z will release “The Blueprint 3” Sept. 11. studio, Alex Turner and company lean toward a darker, exceedingly less dancey sound.

Finally, arena rockers Muse will continue their classic combination of stratospheric guitars and cringe-worthy lyrics with a new record out Sept. 14. “The Resistance” looks to take over alternative radio with new singles, “Uprising” and “United States of Eurasia.”

HBO favorites “Flight of the Conchords” will release their second album Oct. 20.

While not quite as funny as the first, Season Two boasted favorites like “Too Many Dicks (On the Dance Floor),” “Sugalumps,” and “You Don’t Have to Be a Prostitute.”

Green Day and Phoenix stray from fanbase

By Melissa Virzi WTSR Assistant Music Director and Chris Payne WTSR Music Director Green Day “21st Century Breakdown” 2 stars out of 5

In 2004 “American Idiot” brought out Green Day fanbase version 2.0 and drained the last traces of interest from Generation X-ers still clinging to beat up copies of “Dookie.” “21st Century Breakdown” is essentially American Idiot part two, complete with recurring characters, vague political commentary, and stabs at “rock opera.”

The trio muses through slow, melodramatic intros, before Billie Joe Armstrong predictably jumps to the notorious power chords. While drummer Tre Cool sounds like he’s having a blast pounding along with the buzz saw guitars, bassist Mike Dirnt’s play has become so unnoticeable that one has to wonder if he was even on hand for recording sessions.

Though single “Know the Enemy” teases with traces of Green Day’s self-awareness in much the same way “American Idiot’s” title track did, there’s enough repetitive, “speak-for-my-generation” whining (about an hour’s worth, actually) to make it seem insignificant. The worst offense may be “Last Night on Earth,” where the band sounds like they’re covering the “Across the Universe” soundtrack, or “Peacemakers,” where Bille Joe dramatically rolls an “r” in the outro.

Key Tracks: “Know the Enemy” Phoenix “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix” 4 stars out of 5

With all the media attention Phoenix has been getting lately, it’d be easy to mistake them as just another buzz band on “Saturday Night Live.” However, these Versailles natives are going into their ninth year together. Phoenix started as the backing band for fellow French natives Air in 2000. Three LPs and a live album later, it released Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, the most solid album yet.

This fourth studio album is the epitome of a summer jam. Phoenix captures the carefree element of summer and combines it with all the dance synths you could ask for. Based on the turmoil and popularity of classical 19th century Hungarian composer Franz Liszt, the overly catchy chorus of “Lisztomania” will have you hooked in a minute. Keeping the theme of the early 20th century, “1901” shows just how well Phoenix can craft an all-encompassing single.

With the minor exception of an instrumental track in the middle of the album, every track here is more than playable. This is the kind of record you discover something new to love with every listen.

Key Tracks: “Lisztomania,” “1901”

page 12 The Signal September 2, 2009

Please Join Us! Politics Forum Fall 2009 Thursdays, 11:30-12:30 Social Sciences Building Room 223 Lunch will be provided Sept. 10: James Taylor (Phil.), “Why Markets in Human Transplant Organs Should be Legalised” Sept. 24:

Deborah Hutton (Art) : Pakistani Art and Politics

Oct. 8 Miriam Shakow (Soc/Anthro): “The Political Life of Envy: Patronage and Indigenism in Central Bolivia” Oct. 22 Paul DʼAngelo (Comm): “Between Iraq and a Hard Place: Exploring the Limits of Press Autonomy in Covering the Abu Ghraib Prison Scandal” Oct. 29 Bruce Stout (Criminology), “Criminal Sentencing Reform: Good Policy Makes Bad Politics” Nov 5 Rick Kamber (Phil.), “Can Democracy Prevent Genocide?”

Nov. 19

Piper Kendrix Williams (Engl.), “Epiphanal Blackness”

SignalSports

Lions’ Lineup September 2, 2009

A general on the turf

James ready to lead the Lions

By Bobby Olivier Managing Editor

The glitz and glamour of the quarterback position can consume even the most humble athletes.

Under the Friday night lights, these leaders of the pack are the center of attention, yet often distant from the action.

On passing plays, they stand in the pocket waiting, clean and untouched while bodies flail and fly around them. During rushes, they hand the ball off to another prepared for the trench, as they move from the play. They do not block, they do not tackle. They fake, they roll, they scurry, they scamper.

They are the celebrities of the field, their own greatest show on turf.

After their battle, they sit with their often un-scuffed helmets, providing postgame interviews while lineman ice their knees and elbows.

For many quarterbacks, the above is a shameful reality. For Lions senior quarterback Chris James, the above is lunacy. Not

Photo courtesy of Sports Desk

Quarterback Chris James.

afraid to run, dive, sweat and bleed, James is the face of a blue and gold tradition not for his good looks, but for his willingness to put his body on the line for the team.

“He plays his position almost like a linebacker, not afraid to deliver the big hit or take one.

He actually might even enjoy them,” junior wide receiver Mattan Hoffman said.

He is serious. He is levelheaded. And as the season grows near, he and the rest of his team grow restless.

“It’s scary, the potential of what we can put out there offensively and defensively,” James said. “We are a hardnosed team. We are going to punch you in the face sometimes, and we are going to get punched too. But it’s about how you rebound from a hit like that, and you can really tell what type of person someone is on the football field. You can tell what they have inside of them.

Deep down, fourth quarter, last drive, you know who the gamers are.”

On the field, James is a gamer. In his fourth season at the helm, he has amassed more than 4,000 total yards from scrimmage (more than 700 rushing yards) and 31 touchdowns. He begins his final

campaign within reach of both the College’s single season and career passing marks. Although James may soon be on the edge of school history, his concern, is the team.

“This year it’s not just a team, we are part of a family,” James said. “We bleed and sweat together on a daily basis. And it’s those same guys who you will depend on next to you during a game. That’s trust right there.

And that’s what we work on in the preseason, to build that trust.”

James and the Lions began their training in the spring, working out twice a week at Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, lifting kettle bells and flipping tires to increase the team’s explosiveness, James said.

After a summer break, the squad arrived to their home field on Aug. 14, fighting the heat through drill after drill.

“It’s a very strict camp but it allows people to learn to be mentally tough,” James said.

Inside

46 53 Around the Dorm page 17

Men’s soccer page 15

Cheap Seats page 13

Cross Country page 15

see QUARTERBACK page 15

Field Hockey

Women’s Soccer

Jessica Clarke guards the net Hunting one more NJAC title

By Michael O’Donnell Staff Writer

Chris Gifford / Staff Photographer

Jess Falcone charges the defense and attempts to score.

Falcone healthy and ready to get back on the field

By Krystal Spencer Correspondent For most senior year athletes, the 2009 season marks their fourth and final year in a Lions jersey. For senior forward Jess Falcone, this is only her third. The business management major tore her ACL at the end of the 2008 lacrosse season, resulting in her inability to play field hockey last fall.

“It was tough,” Falcone said. “But I learned a lot on the sidelines. I tried to go to all the practices and games. I picked up on things I wouldn’t have seen if I was on the field,” she said.

“We’ve got a great team this year. There are a lot of new faces which means new talent,” she said.

The squad has many expectations. In a recent poll by the New Jersey Athletic

Conference (NJAC), the College was picked to win the NJAC title this year.

The Lions have clinched this title for the last three years, and hope to obtain it once again this season.

As successful as the team has been the past few seasons, one goal remains elusive. For the last three years, the team has failed to advance past the NCAA Regional Finals to earn a spot in the Final Four. Last year, they lost to Tufts University in the final two minutes, putting dreams of Final Four glory out of reach.

This year, the Lions are going to have to obtain their goals without leading goalscorer and junior forward Leigh Mitchell, who tore her ACL during lacrosse season last year.

“When I found out I felt so bad because see FALCONE page 13

The goalkeeper is the anchor of the soccer team. If the defenders falter, they can relax if they know they have a dominant defender guarding the net. For the Lions, Jessica Clarke has been that anchor.

The 5’10” senior goalkeeper, in her fourth and final season as a Lion, has set the standard in recent years as a top-notch player in net. The 2007 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Goalkeeper of the Year has an impressive 52-10-5 career record entering the 2009 campaign. Clarke also has a career goals against average of 0.46.

Photo courtesy of Sports Desk

Senior Jessica Clarke is in her third season as goalkeeper.

Nevertheless, Clarke still sees room to grow.

“There is always room for improvement,” Clarke said. “Over the past three years, I have tried to improve my game and this year my leadership skills from the backline will be tested.”

Clarke looks to polish her game this season. Despite posting a solid 13-7-1 personal record and a goals against average of 0.77, both were career lows for the two-time NJAC All-Conference member.

The Lions also fell short of their ultimate goal. The team failed to win the NJAC for the first time since 2004 after winning the conference three straight years from 2005 to 2007.

“Even though last year we posted a winning record, in our eyes it was unacceptable,” Clarke said. “We would like to regain the title of the NJAC and we believe we have the potential to do so this season.”

This season, Clarke will have to take full control of a new role. As a senior, team captain and goalkeeper, she will need to be one of the clear-cut leaders on the squad both vocally and through her on-field play.

“The goalkeeper position has always been acknowledged as a position that requires leadership, regardless of what grade the player is in,” Clarke said. “The entire field is visible from the position so it would be detrimental to the team if I was not vocal.”

With 17 new players on the team this season, Clarke also feels strongly that she is one see GOALKEEPER page 15

September 2, 2009 The Signal page 13 Cheap Seats

Field Hockey

Is King James still only prince of the courts? Falcone / new season

By Michael O’Donnell Staff Writer

Another year, another NBA Finals has passed. As expected, Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers took on and defeated … the Orlando Magic?! That wasn’t in the script.

The Cleveland Cavaliers could not make the dream series happen after the Magic soundly defeated the Cavs 4-2 in their bestof-seven series. Many discussed which players (namely not LeBron James) cost the Cavs the series with their sub-par performances, and looking even further, how the team could appease “King James” with vast improvements in the offseason. He, of course, had one of the best statistical series in recent memory, averaging nearly a tripledouble in the series, with 38.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 8 assists per game.

But this may be more than an issue of statistical superiority. This may delve deeper into how James handles himself as the leader of his teammates, and how he handles being a leader in general. It may not be the popular thing to point the finger at James, but it would not hurt to analyze his skills as a leader. Perhaps his great basketball abilities dont’t translate into being a good leader.

James’ biggest rival today is arguably Kobe Bryant. The similarities between them are much more resounding than at first glance. James is leading a team of role players and, despite the argument for Mo Williams, does not really have a viable sidekick, nor has he ever. This is Kobe Bryant circa 2004-05, when he began leading the Lakers as the top player on that squad. No matter how hard he

continued from page 20

AP Photo

Kobe Bryant celebrates another milestone achievement. tried, he could not get the Lakers over the hump by himself. Although James has had more success as the sole superstar on his team, he has suffered from the same issue.

Their penchant for taking over a game is also something to debate and compare.

In the Eastern Conference Finals against the Magic, James had to score 35 or more points every single night just to keep his team in the game. The same goes for Bryant in the years before the Paul Gasol trade.

James even had to knock down one of the most amazing shots in game two of the series to keep his team in the driver’s seat.

Sounds like Kobe’s shot in overtime against the Phoenix Suns in game four of the first round of the 2006 playoffs, doesn’t it? Both the 2006 Lakers and this year’s Cavaliers were subsequently dominated and eliminated from their respective playoff series.

It took three years after the departure of Shaq for things to gel, but with the same core, the Lakers did just that, and now they’re a title favorite each year. This may be the

only problem for the Cavs, despite the fact experts peg this team as one that cannot get James his title. That chatter sounds awfully like the talk Bryant heard during his postDiesel days.

James completely carried his team in the 2007 playoffs, and he has never carried a team more than when he took the Cavs past Detroit and into the finals. He may just have achieved more than many would have expected in the early stage of his career, his fourth season, and due to this, the fans may be expecting too much from the supposed savior of Cleveland sports.

Will this ruin James? No. He still is the heir to the throne left by Michael Jordan as the NBA’s best. But, just like Jordan, he needs a sidekick, and he needs time to evolve. Jordan won his first title in his seventh season (James will be in his seventh next season). James will win titles, but he needs patience, and so do his fans. Not shaking hands after a Conference Finals loss is not how he should be remembered. Moreover, James should and will be regarded as one of the best of all-time. Just ask the man whose career his parallels: Kobe Bryant.

Women’s Cross Country

I had been there,” Falcone says. “But we’re all here for her and hope her recovery goes well.”

When she was sidelined with her injury, her teammates made her feel like a part of the team.

“Stephanie attends every practice and we look up to her for advice since she is able to watch us,” junior defender and biology major Chrissy Hults adds. “She’ll be back in no time and will be a key player on the team once again.”

The Lions will play an alumnae game Tuesday at 4 p.m. Their first game of the 2009 season is at Lions Stadium on Sept. 6 versus Frostburg State University. “I’m so excited,” Falcone said. “We’re going to have a great season. I can feel it.”

Photo courtesy of Sports Desk

The Lions await Falcone’s return.

Men’s Cross Country

Wallace takes on leadership Young captain on the rise Hopes to build team chemistry

By Chris Rotolo Correspondent

By Chris Rotolo Correspondent

With a new season ahead of them, the members of the women’s Cross Country team have been preparing themselves.

According to returning senior Michelle Wallace, camraderie is just as important as physical preparation.

“I want us to be closer and I think we’re becoming a much closer pack …

We are working on being able to work together … team work plays a huge role in the program’s success. If we’re not able to work together then we have nothing,” she said.

Wallace, one of two team captains, will be depended upon to carry the load and perform at a high level, according

Photo courtesy of Sports Desk

Senior captain Michelle Wallace.

to head coach Phil Jennings.

“Michelle is someone who has improved a great deal over four years and it’s important to have someone to look toward as the front runner,” he said.

In last year’s New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championships, in the individual 6K race that saw six Lions’ runners finish in the top 10, Wallace took home an impressive fourth place finish with an official time of 23:01.75.

Her performance helped push the Lions into the Division III Atlantic Regional tournament and eventually earn an atlarge birth in the NCAA Championship tournament.

The captain also specializes in the 3,000 meter steeple chase, a race that involves Wallace circling a standard running track seven times while clearing four, 30 inch tall barriers, one of which has a pit of water strategically placed on the other side. Each runner must clear 28 barriers and make seven water landings in a single race. The NJAC holds this race at its championship event every year, and Wallace has taken home the gold the past two seasons.

“Our captains lead by example.

That’s why they’re in the position they are,” Jennings said.

Wallace’s team-first attitude, talent for the sport, and ability to help mold a strong team-oriented atmosphere around the Women’s Cross Country team will serve her teammates well when the season begins.

When T.J. Bocchino came to the College in 2007, it did not take long for the runner to make his presence known. A brilliant inaugural season cemented his status as one of New Jersey Athletic Conference’s (NJAC) top runners, and Bocchino was justly dubbed the NJAC Rookie of the Year.

In 2008, Bocchino impressed again with his aptitude for the sport, executing AllConference and All-Regional performances.

Bocchino also received an individual invitation to the NCAA National Championships in which he finished 137th out of 278 competitors, and Bocchino aided the Men’s Cross Country program in earning its 15th consecutive NJAC Championship. The then sophomore clocked in with a very respectable third place finish in the 8k race at the NJAC Championship.

Although Bocchino has achieved numerous athletic accolades in only half of a college career, he was on path for a much different sports career in high school.

“I had been playing basketball,” Bocchino said. “And in my freshman year of high school I didn’t make the team. So I figured I’d run track to stay in shape for next season … Then I found out I was pretty good, and I haven’t looked back.”

Bocchino has only gotten better since his high school days at Toms River East. So good in fact, that he has been named captain for the upcoming 2009 campaign.

“His teammates voted him captain,” said head coach Phil Jennings. “We’re a young team so his leadership is detrimental to our success.”

Knowing that he has his teammate’s

Photo courtesy of Sports Desk

Junior captain T.J. Bocchino. backing and respect, Bocchino is confident that he will be able to take the squad’s reins and steer it in a winning direction.

“Our team is very young and in order for us to function the way we want to we’ll need leadership … We really lacked that [leadership] last year, but I think I can help provide it.”

In the short term, Bocchino feels his youthful band of runners needs to work on “gaining experience,” and, he believes some of the younger racers need to use the first few meets as a valuable learning experience.

As for the captain’s personal goals, “I want to be an All-American, and to do that you have to finish in the top 35 at Nationals. I didn’t have a great individual performance at Nationals last year, so I really want to improve upon that.”

Bocchino has progressed steadily each year he has competed in a Lions uniform. The determination the captain possesses to improve on a daily basis will undoubtedly cause his younger counterparts to strive toward excellence day in and day out.

page 14 The Signal September 2, 2009

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September 2, 2009 The Signal page 15 Men’s Soccer

Luber eyes big finish to College career Senior has been model player on and off field

Tim Lee / Photo Editor

Kevin Luber charges after the ball, with midfielder Anthony DiPalmo close behind.

By Garrett Rasko-Martinis Sports Editor For some people, playing on a team is just a passing distraction, a temporary stint with a group that will only be together for a short period of time. But for others, being on a team is a driving passion, a chance to form bonds with teammates that will last far beyond the time the team is together.

For Kevin Luber, a returning senior forward on the men’s soccer team, soccer has been more than just a game since he was seven-years-old.

“When I first started play-

ing, it was just a great way to make friends. With time it became a passion for many years, and I’ve loved playing it,” Luber said.

At Delran High School, Luber played on the soccer team all four years. In his last two seasons, 2004 and 2005, his team won back-to-back state titles.

As a freshman at the College, Luber joined his brother Matt, a senior at the time, on the Lions.

He started 12 games, scored a goal and added an assist in his rookie season. It was a humble beginning for a player that would grow into a team leader

in the years to come.

In the 2007 season, Luber became a dominant offensive force, and the young forward led the Lions in scoring with 28 points, on the strength of 10 goals and eight assists. He established himself as a leader on the team, and was rewarded with a spot on the 2007 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) All-Star First Team and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America AllRegion Second Team.

Coach George Nazario admires Luber’s style of play — a player that uses his intelligence and wit on the field to

contribute.

“He’s a pretty cerebral player,” said Nazario. “He’s not the biggest kid, or the fastest kid, but he uses his smarts to get open and score goals.”

Luber continued to steal the spotlight on offense last season as he once again led the Lions in scoring with 26 points.

He scored nine goals, two of which clinched the games for the Lions, and added eight assists. For the second year running, he was named to the 2008 NJAC All-Star First Team and the NSCAA All-Region Second Team.

Despite Luber’s great personal achievements, he and the College are still focused on wrestling the NJAC title from Montclair State University, who has won it the past three seasons. With their combination of experienced and young players, Luber is excited for the upcoming season.

“I think we got a lot of potential this year,” said Luber.

“We have a bunch of returning players from last year ... We got a good group of older and younger members. I’m expecting big things.”

With Luber’s last season in front of him, Nazario is confident that the best is yet to come for the experienced forward.

“Kevin knows how to be successful, and I expect him to teach that to our younger

players this season. Kevin will teach them how to better themselves on the field and off it,” said Nazario. “I think the best is still yet to come, I think my fondest memory of Kevin is still yet to come. Hopefully, it will be us making the NCAA Tournament this season.”

Garrett Rasko-Martinis can be reached at rasko2@tcnj.edu.

Photo courtesy of Sports Desk

Senior Kevin Luber.

Women’s Soccer

Football

Quarterback / preparing Goalkeeper / team leader for the upcoming season

continued from page 20

Senior wide receiver Cameron Richardson admires James’ on-field mentality.

“His mental makeup is a key for the offense. He can analyze situations on the field and react to them very quickly,” Richardson said. “And anytime I’ve seen him make a mistake, he remains unphased and doesn’t dwell on what’s going wrong. He’s always ready to make the next big play and constantly picks up his teammates when they’ve made mistakes too.”

The senior quarterback requires himself to exemplify a work ethic he wishes to see in his teammates.

“Both in-season and offseason Chris is always working to become a better player,” Hoffman said. “Whether it is in the weight room, watching film, or just always giving 100 percent in practice, his love for the game is seen through the amount of work he puts in and that is all you can ask for in a teammate.”

James expects a stronger campaign this year, and although he loves the pressure it will bring, he understands it must be a team effort.

“It’s just not yourself out there, it’s about leading the guys around you,” he said. “It’s about the look in their eye, getting on people when they’re down, pumping them up when their happy, just

staying at an even keel throughout the game. Stay as a team, win as a team, lose as a team. When one side is slacking, the other side has to pick it up.”

After this season, James aims to finish his health and exercise science degree, and look toward a career in law enforcement. He hopes to eventually get back to his first love though, and possibly coach football when he retires.

Once he walks away from the field, James hopes to leave a positive memory for classes to come.

“I want to be remembered that I gave it my all,” he said. “I’ve been with all of the rest of the seniors for four years and we have great memories together and I just want to say that we all busted our asses hard enough to come out on top and have a winning program. We just want to win.”

For now, James is focused on his final season at the College.

“These are my last 10 games, or as many as it is, it’s my last,” he said. “So playing football ever since you were five-years-old playing flag football, it’s coming down to the end, and I’m excited for every single one.”

For more on Chris James, visit www.tcnjsignal.net.

Bobby Olivier can olivier6@tcnj.edu.

be

reached

at

Tim Lee / Photo Editor

Clarke traps the ball for one of her 53 saves last season. continued from page 20 of those on the team who has an obligation to carry the College’s prestige as a soccer school.

“It is crucial that the returning players exhibit the proper way to maintain the reputation as one of the most respected programs in the country,” Clarke said. “Each player on our team contributes in their own specific way to the team and that is what makes our team such a cohesive and productive group.”

Clarke is not only an all-conference athlete and team captain, however. Her leadership also extends off the field, as she worked as a liaison between the College athletic department and an autism fundraiser this past year.

The Wayne, N.J. native hopes to one day

run a community outreach program for a professional sports organization. This past summer, she interned with the New York Jets. Clarke is a communication studies major and studies marketing as her minor.

Despite her busy schedule, there is only one thing on her mind — preparing for the next game.

“Even though that is something we would like to accomplish, (winning the NJAC) we understand that the next upcoming game is the most important. We have a lot of new faces this year on the team but I believe if we continue to work hard we can have a very successful and exciting year,” she said.

The College will look to start that success and excitement in their second game of the season at the Misericordia University tournament. They will go head-to-head with Lycoming College on Friday at 4 p.m.

page 16 The Signal September 2, 2009

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September 2, 2009 The Signal page 17

LIONS

AROUND THE

DORM 5 3

Bobby Olivier Duncan Slobodzian Dan Neyman Mike Leatherwood Staff Writer Correspondent WTSR Sports “The Ref”

It’s a new set of questions, and a new set of contestants. After winning the AtD season opener, Managing Editor Bobby Olivier is back to challenge veteran staff writer Duncan Slobodzian, WTSR Sports Director Mike Leatherwood, and newcomer Dan Neyman. This week, our contestants will weigh in on the Jets starting quarterback, the Red Sox acquisition of Billy Wagner, and which athletes they want to see in a different spotlight.

1. The New York Jets have named Mark Sanchez the starting quarterback for the upcoming season. Is this the right move?

How do you think Sanchez will perform in his rookie year?

AP Photo

DS: Sanchez has the chops and the chutzpah to be a long-term answer for the Jets.

He’s got franchise quarterback written all over him. I can’t fault Rex Ryan, Mike Tannenbaum, or the Jets’ brain trust for making this move. The fans whose enthusiasm will help finance the new stadium and new practice facility want to see the best possible product out on the field. Kellen Clemens’ ceiling is probably above average backup, so it doesn’t make much sense to have Sanchez stand on the sidelines with a clipboard as losses build up. He might as well get some game action, and be on the bottom of the pile as losses build up. Of course, I’m a Jets fan so those last couple sentences were just reverse psychology.

DN: This was a huge mistake on the Jets’ part. I think that with time, Sanchez will develop into a productive NFL quarterback, but the Jets are rushing him. As unproven as Kellen Clemens is, he still has more NFL quarterback experience than Sanchez, and should have been number one on the depth charts. The Jets have a team that is good enough to get into the playoffs and the fans are hoping that Sanchez will be the second coming of Joe Namath. The only problem is that for a quarterback with only 13 collegiate starts to his name, the Jets might be asking for too much, too soon. Sanchez looked impressive in his preseason start versus the Giants, and has the potential to be a superstar, but I can’t see that happening this year. Just because it worked with Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco doesn’t mean it works with everybody.

ML: Rex Ryan got this one right in selecting Mark Sanchez as the starting quarterback for the New York Jets. First of all, Sanchez has outplayed Kellen Clemens in practice as well as in the preseason.

Second, Clemens has had many chances to prove himself a capable starting NFL quarterback, and he has disappointed (60.9 QB rating in 10 games in 2007 and 59.3 career QB rating). Finally, the Jets are projected to be toward the top of the AFC East this year with the Patriots. Sanchez will take a few games to get settled but once he does, I think he gives the Jets the best chance to win this year and top the Pats. Plus, we all know what happens when an Oregon Duck is your starting quarterback (cough … Joey Harrington … cough).

BO: As a Jets’ fan, I must side with Duncan on this one, as I agree that it’s

a waste of time to have Sanchez on the sidelines while Clemens gets his teeth knocked out. Dan gets 2 points for noting Sanchez’s lack of college football experience. Mike gets 1 point for ruling out the Bills and Dolphins as AFC East contenders as well.

2. The Boston Red Sox recently acquired Billy Wagner from the New York Mets, adding a veteran presence to an already fearsome bullpen. Does the addition of Wagner put the BoSox in the playoffs, or is it too little too late?

DS: Last time I checked, the Red Sox were still in the driver’s seat in the AL Wild Card race. The team has the batting and pitching, it just hasn’t all come together yet. To me, the Wagner saga was more posturing than anything else. It was the Red Sox trying to make a splash in a season where the team has otherwise stood pat. In fact, arguably the team’s biggest move was the letting go of a pitcher when ties were cut with John Smoltz. At the end of the day, Boston has a roster of gentlemen that are rich with playoff experience and clubhouse chemistry. I’m thinking of guys like Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz, plus reigning MVP Dustin Pedroia. Wagner can be a good complement to the back end of the bullpen, but I would be more wary of him disrupting that oh-so-essential chemistry than the Red Sox front office has been as of now.

If Wagner’s vision is to replace Jonathan Papelbon as the closer, then Boston might be in over its head. Regardless, I don’t see the 2009 squad missing the playoffs.

AP Photo

DN: The addition of Billy Wagner will have no significant impact on the team’s chances of getting into the postseason. While Wagner has appeared sharp in both of his appearances since coming off of the DL, the fact is, he is a 38-year-old pitcher coming back from Tommy John surgery. Wagner can definitely contribute, and might solidify Boston’s bullpen, but Theo Epstein should have addressed other needs first. If the Red Sox doesn’t make the postseason, it won’t be because the bullpen was lacking another lefty. The team should have looked into an end-of-the-rotation starter to help replace the holes left by the likes of Brad Penny, John Smoltz, and Tim Wakefield.

The fact that the organization has Daisuke Matsuzaka and Paul Byrd waiting in the wings should not be reassuring for any Red Sox fans.

ML: Boston’s acquisition of Billy Wagner will no doubt help the bullpen down the stretch. He is a hard-throwing left-hander, which you don’t find too many of to begin

AP Photo

with — let alone a guy who has done it for years. However, Wagner alone will not automatically put the Sox in the playoffs.

To start, Wagner comes with a couple of concerns. He is coming off Tommy John surgery from less than a year ago, a procedure that usually takes more than 18 months of recovery. Also, he just turned 38-year-old, which is longer than most fire-ballers last in the majors. If Wagner holds up, he can help the Sox, but I don’t think he’s a big enough difference maker to put the Sox in the playoffs right now.

BO: You all said pretty much the same thing — Billy Wagner will not have a significant impact — but I like Dan’s answer best, the team should have addressed the back of the rotation. Duncan gets 2 points for mistakenly calling the Red Sox “gentlemen,” and Mike gets 1 point because there actually are plenty of hard-throwing lefties.

3. Lately, there has been talk of what it would be like to have Usain Bolt in the NFL or Chad Ochocinco in the MLS. Give me another athlete you would like to see playing a professional sport other than their own, and why.

DS: I’d love to see LeBron James play any sport. Literally, any sport. I think the dude is the most athletic specimen in the NBA without question, and his physical skill set could translate to virtually any sport where superior hand/eye coordination, leaping ability, speed, strength and/ or vision are involved. So all of them.

Obviously people want to see James in the NFL, citing his high school football playing glory, but I’d like to see what he could do in the MLB. I’m thinking he could get his Bo Jackson on for at least six or seven seasons. The baseball and basketball seasons complement one another nicely and baseball isn’t particularly physically demanding. I see him playing a smooth outfield, again à la Jackson.

I’m pretty sure James could know more than just basketball, if he put his mind (and indestructible 6’9,” 270-pound frame) to the task.

DN: If I had to pick any athlete that I would want to see crossover, it would be LeBron James playing in the NFL. James is built like a tank, and is a prototypical tight end or linebacker. He’s big, he’s strong, and he would put on a show. From jumping up 10 feet to block a kick, all the way to breaking someone’s ankles with a crossover, James would dominate the sport. There are only a handful of athletes that have had success in multiple sports and there are those who have failed miserably.

Just ask Michael Jordan. Jordan is one of the greatest — if not the greatest — NBA player of all time, but damn did he suck at baseball. While Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson are arguably the greatest two-sport athletes ever, having had success in both the NFL and MLB, LeBron James could easily make it into that elite group if he gave football a chance.

ML: This question is a no-brainer for me, and for many sports fans in America. I would love to see LeBron James play wide receiver in the NFL. The reason I say James is because he is a physical freak, and that’s putting it lightly.

At 6’9’’ he is no matchup for any defensive back in the league, not to mention he could probably out-run most of them. If he wanted, James could also be a dominant linebacker in the NFL because he is strong and quick enough for offensive linemen who could never move their feet quick enough to block him. Honestly, James is so athletic that he could play almost any position on the field. Well maybe not kicker, let’s leave that to Mr. Ochocinco.

BO: First off, I cannot believe that you all said LeBron James. In any event, Duncan made the best and most original argument by citing James in baseball. Dan, I like your argument too, you can have 2.5 points. Mike, here’s the 1.5 spot for you.

Duncan is victorious, 8 - 7.5 - 3.5

“Fall 2009: Brand new look, same AtD dominance.”

— Duncan

AP Photo

page 18 The Signal September 2, 2009

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Biology/Chemistry Tutor Tutoring center needs college student to tutor high school biology and chemistry. Must have own ride. Please contact ccbschoolprinceton@hotmail.com.

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September 2, 2009 The Signal page 19

LIONS ROUNDUP Date 9/12/09 9/24/09 10/2/09 10/17/09 10/23/09 10/31/09 11/7/09 11/14/09

@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @

vs. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vs. @ vs. vs. @ @ vs. vs.

Trinity College Haverford College Lehigh University Oberlin College Haverford College NJAC Champ. (Stockton) ECAC Championships Atlantic Reg. Champ.

TBA 5 p.m.

2 p.m.

10:30 a.m.

4:30 p.m.

10:30 a.m.

11 a.m.

11 a.m.

Opponent

Time/Result

New York University Lycoming College Misericordia U. Oneonta State Hartwick College Swarthmore College Kean University Rowan University Montclair State U. Rutgers - Camden N.J. City University Stevens Inst. of Tech.

U. of Mary Washington Richard Stockton College William Paterson U. Johns Hopkins U. Ramapo College Rutgers - Newark

5 p.m.

4 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

4 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

5 p.m.

1 p.m.

7 p.m.

1 p.m.

8 p.m.

1 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

Noon 4 p.m.

11 a.m.

7:30 p.m.

Womenʼs Tennis

Date 9/1/09 9/5/09 9/6/09 9/7/09 9/9/09 9/11/09 9/12/09 9/12/09 9/13/09 9/19/09 9/23/09 9/25/09 9/26/09 9/27/09

Time/Result

Womenʼs Soccer

Date 9/1/09 9/4/09 9/5/09 9/12/09 9/13/09 9/16/09 9/19/09 9/23/09 9/26/09 9/30/09 10/3/09 10/7/09 10/11/09 10/14/09 10/17/09 10/21/09 10/24/09 10/28/09

Opponent

vs. @ @ @ @ vs. vs. vs. vs. @ @ @ @ @

Casey Caruso Soccer

Junior midfielder Casey Caruso looks to improve on her stellar sophomore numbers this season. Last year, Caruso netted seven goals to help the Lions in their 14-win season. With the help of players like Caruso, the Lions are ready to hone their skills and improve on last season’s success.

-Robert

Morris, Sports Assistant

This Week In Sports Football

Sept. 5 vs. Buffalo State College, Noon

Opponent

Time/Result

Stevens Inst. of Tech.

U. of Del. Tournament U. of Del. Tournament U. of Del. Tournament Kean University Villanova University Rutgers - Newark William Paterson U. Villanova University Ramapo College Richard Stockton College ITA Regionals ITA Regionals ITA Regionals

3:30 p.m.

TBA TBA TBA 3:30 p.m.

10 a.m.

10 a.m.

2 p.m.

TBA Noon 3:30 p.m.

TBA TBA TBA

Field Hockey

Sept. 6 vs. Frostburg State U. 1 p.m.

Womenʼs Soccer

Sept. 4 @ Lycoming College, 4 p.m.

Sept. 5 @ Misericordia U. 3:30 p.m.

Menʼs Soccer

Sept. 5 @ North Carolina Wesleyan, 2 p.m.

Sept. 6 @ Greensboro College, Noon

Trivia Question Answer to Last Weeks Trivia Question: 15 times.

New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez was the fifth overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. He was selected out of the University of Southern California as a junior.

Sanchez was recently named the starting quarterback, and is set to become the first rookie quarterback to start for the New York Jets since Matt Robinson.

How many years has it been since a rookie quarterback took the reins for Gang Green?

Lion to Watch

AP Photo

STAT OF THE WEEK

34

The Lions wrestling team has placed in the top 25 in the Division III NCAA Tournament in an impressive 34 consecutive years (every year since the tournament’s inception in 1974). The Lions look to keep that streak intact this season with the help and leadership of senior wrestlers Dan DiColo, Danny Franke and Tyler Branham.