Volume 92 Issue 8

POINT-COUNTERPOINT: INTERNSHIPS - PAGE 11

AODE DIRECTOR WAHESH LEAVING - PAGE 6 SERVING THE FORDHAM UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY FOR OVER 90 YEARS

1918-2010

VOLUME 92, ISSUE 8

APRIL 14, 2010

Kugel-Meyer Win President, VP of USG Final Tally is 609-464 as Tom Brown and Nico DePaul Appeal Results Due to Initial Ballot Mix-ups; Election Commission Rejects Appeals, 2-1-3

By VICTORIA RAU ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

PHOTO BY AMANDA DIPANE/THE RAM

Capturing nearly 55% of votes cast, Sara Kugel and Caitlin Meyer became the first all-female ticket to be elected president and executive vice president of United Student Government at Fordham.

Sara Kugel, FCRH ’11, and Caitlin Meyer, FCRH ’12, garnered 54.6 percent of the vote in USG elections held online on March 29 and 30 to win the executive presidency and vice presidency of United Student Government, the first all-female ticket to do so in that body’s history, campaigning on a platform of experience, transparency and increased interactions with clubs.

Despite problems wherein students received online ballots with the incorrect class year (e.g. freshmen who have a higher number of credits received sophomore class ballots), executive board elections were able to proceed as scheduled.

Senate elections, originally postponed indefinitely, will be held April 12 and 13.

Bryan Matis, CBA ’12, who ran unopposed, will serve as vice president of operations on Kugel-Meyer’s executive board. Emily Amato, FCRH ’12, Nicole D’Souza, CBA ’13, and Sandie Habib, FCRH ’12, all won unopposed races to serve as vice presidents of finance, communications and Fordham Col-

lege, respectively.

In the other contested races, Adam Remiszewski, CBA ’11, defeated Sara Shahmiri, FCRH ’13, by a margin of 48.7 percent to 34.4 percent to assume the role of vice president of student life. Tim Lynch, CBA ’13, amassed 60.5 percent of the vote to become vice president of the College of Business Administration over his opponent, Miguel Bantigue, CBA ’12.

In the closest contest, Angelo Labate, FCRH ’12, edged out Celine Montalla, CBA ’13, by 21 votes to take on the newly created position of vice president of health & security. Montalla appealed the election results on the basis that the placement of names on the electronic ballot put her at a disadvantage for being listed second.

The Election Commission rejected her appeal unanimously. This year marked the first election for this position, to which Matis was appointed last year when it was first created.

Tom Brown, FCRH ’12, and Nico DePaul, CBA ’12, candidates for executive president and vice president, respectively, filed an appeal on March 31, on the grounds SEE ELECTION ON PAGE 3

Dr. Michael Sulick’s Lecture Garners Strong Response In Spite of Protracted Interruption, USG Inaugural Lecture in Leadership and Government Largely Successful, Well Received by Fordham University Students

By PATRICK DEROCHER NEWS EDITOR

The United Student Government Inaugural Lecture in Leadership and Government Service, the centerpiece of this year’s Fordham Week, was held on March 25 in Keating First Auditorium with an address given by Dr. Michael Sulick, director of the National Clandestine Services within the Central Intelligence Agency. Sulick, who holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Fordham University in Russian studies, is a longtime family friend of Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the University, who introduced Sulick that evening.

McShane, who hails from West 227th Street in Marble Hill, said he remembered fondly his time growing up alongside the Sulick family, referring to him as “Mike Sulick from West 228th Street.” He discussed how Sulick grew up with his older brother, the two of them having attended the same elementary school before moving on to Fordham Prep and finally Fordham University.

Sulick began by speaking of Fr. McShane’s brother, the recently deceased Jack McShane, in whose memory he dedicated the lecture.

He recalled the elder McShane’s “public service of a different kind,” as he had served for years as a high school teacher of American history and political science in Brooklyn.

Sulick shared that Jack McShane was referred to by one of his former students as “the most inspiring teacher I ever had.”

He then went on to talk about how American and Christian values relate to the fight against terrorism in addition to the effects of present American military and intelligence action on the contemporary political climate in this country. He made comparisons to the United States in the 1960s and divisiveness over the Vietnam War, noting how Fordham at that point was rather more conservative than many other college campuses of the era. In particular, he recalled a yearbook photo that involved a sign reading, “Ram the Cong,” which referred to the Viet Cong guerilla soldiers fighting for the Communist South Vietnamese during the war.

Sulick used this anecdote as a jumping-off point to assess Fordham’s place in his education, placing particular emphasis on the importance of languages in higher education. Fordham, he noted, was the recipient of much largesse from the U.S. government for its establishment of a center for Russian studies, which was viewed as highly beneficial during the Cold War. Sulick said that as a result of Fordham’s programs he was able to perform his duties far better than if he had not received an education in not just Russian language but culture, as well. It was, he said, a highly useful tool for communicating with and obtaining information from potential Soviet defectors; Sulick noted that knowing a culture’s literature is especially useful in such endeavors.

As an example of how his FordSEE SULICK ON PAGE 6

PHOTO BY STEPHEN MOCCIA/THE RAM

Dr. Michael Sulick, Fordham graduate and director of the Central Intelligence Agency’s National Clandestine Services, spoke to Fordham students on March 25 in Keating First Auditorium, forming the centerpiece of Fordham Week 2010.

INSIDE Sports PAGE 25

Opinions PAGE 14

Culture PAGE 17

Softball team wins twelve of last fourteen games.

MTA raising fares, eliminating service in budget cuts.

An interview with the owners of the Blend cafe.

NEWS

PAGE 2 • THE RAM • APRIL 14, 2010

SECURITY

BRIEFS

USG Passes Bill Supporting Handicap-Accessible Collins ASILI Awarded Club of the Month for February, Respect for Life is Club of the Year; Skelton Awarded Special Proclamation

By VICTORIA RAU ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

March 31, 2:30 p.m.

A student reported to Security that another Fordham student was harassing her. The student repeatedly called her over a period of months, she told him not to do so, but he continued to call and send e-mails regardless. Security contacted the student and told him to cut off contact, otherwise Police would be notified. He agreed to comply and the matter was referred to the Dean of Students. The woman in question did not wish to file a police report at this time.

April 1, Fordham Road, 1:30 a.m.

A student traveling alone was attacked by five males in their late teens and early twenties.

He was punched and kicked, receiving injuries in the process and having his cell phone stolen.

Security was notified and the student transported to St. Barnabas. NYPD was notified and is investigating. Security recommends that students travel in groups.

April 2, 2549 Hoffman Avenue, 10:30 a.m.

A student reported that she answered the door to a male who claimed to have been sent by the landlord to check for items that needed to be fi xed. When the individual left, the student discovered her Toshiba laptop computer and digital camera were missing from her room.

The student identified photos of the perpetrator, who was then arrested. Students should not open the door for anybody they do not know and should not let them into their residence. If living offcampus, students should notify 911 immediately. If on-campus, Security should be called.

April 3, Fordham Road and the Grand Concourse, 7 p.m.

A student reported that she was exiting the D train when she noticed a male following her on the train platform. As she was walking up the stairs, the male attempted to put a hand on her dress. She screamed, the man took out his cell phone and he walked away. Police were notified and NYPD is investigating.

April 6, 2461 Arthur Avenue, 11:25 a.m.

A student left for class, returning two hours later. He discovered that his laptop was removed from his room. Additionally, an iPod, backpack containing a calculator and $150 in cash belonging to another student were removed.

The student did not lock the door when he left for class. A locksmith was notified and NYPD responded. Students are instructed to always lock their doors.

United Student Government passed a bill in support of making renovations to Collins Hall that will make it handicap-accessible in its last meeting of real legislative substance before the new administration assumes control.

Senate Bill 003-10, authored by Patrick Scotti, FCRH ’10, vice president of student life, throws USG’s support behind a growing coalition of students who are adamant that Collins Hall be made accessible to all students, regardless of physical ability.

Collins Hall houses Collins Auditorium, which serves as an important performance facility on campus. While some capital projects are in the works to improve lighting and sound for the auditorium, the University, as yet, has announced no plans to make the building accessible in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). “[S]tudents are recognizing the gross injustice in allocating money to updating facilities in Collins Auditorium such as lighting and sound in the main auditorium for student use when not every member of the University family can access this space,” the bill states.

Some organizations on campus, including the Ramblers and Campus Activities Board, have ceased to co-sponsor or hold events in Collins until the building is renovated to allow anyone that so desires to attend events there.

John Koravec, FCRH ’10, vice president of athletics and member of the Ramblers, related an incident that prompted his club to refuse spaces in Collins Hall involving a student who tried to attend the Ramblers’ fall concert, but was unable to do so because there was no way to enter the building in a wheelchair.

“We were shocked when we heard this,” Koravec said. “A student tried to turn out to support us, and he couldn’t come because he’s in a wheelchair. That’s just ridiculous.”

Other clubs such as Mimes and Mummers have no choice but to hold events in Collins Auditorium; however, Koravec pointed out that this creates an additional problem because physically handicapped

PHOTO BY PATRICK DEROCHER/THE RAM

For their hard work on academics at Fordham, Deans Donna Rapaccioli and Michael Latham were given USG’s Beacon Exemplar Award on April 6. They are pictured with (l-r) Steve Cirincione, Michael Recca and Caitlin Meyer.

students can neither attend the events, nor participate in the clubs that hold events there.

The bill proposes that the University halt less pressing renovations for Collins Hall, apportion funds to investigate the possibility of updating Collins Hall for ADA compliance, publish the results of these findings and, if the project is deemed feasible, add it to the list of projects on campus. USG passed the bill unanimously at their meeting on April 8.

In other business, ASILI received the award for Club of the Month for February because of its prolific event hosting during that month in honor of Black History Month.

“We felt that you guys did a great job planning almost every day for the whole, entire month,” Ian Gaylets, CBA ’10, vice president of operations, said.

USG also presented a special proclamation to John Skelton, CBA ’10, the starting quarterback for the Rams who will participate in the National Football League draft this month, for “excellence on and off the football field representing Fordham University.” Among the reasons Michael Recca, CBA ’10, executive vice president, mentioned for Skelton’s merit of this award were his national recognition and multiple passing records.

USG held, in addition to its normal weekly congress, a last-minute

meeting on April 6 to nominate clubs to receive the Club of the Year award. The clubs nominated included the College Republicans, Respect for Life, Fordham Experimental Theatre, ASILI and the Campus Activities Board. Because a relatively small number of USG senators were present at the meeting, an actual vote on Club of the Year could not be held. Rather, ballots were sent out by e-mail after the meeting.

Some USG senators were displeased by the meeting’s last-minute nature: “Kathryn Carey [FCRH ’10 and executive vice president of finance] held that meeting at the last minute because she knew no one would show up, so she could push through Respect for Life,” Christopher Gannon, vice president of FCRH ’11, said.

The award for Club of the Year went to to Respect for Life, which USG had praised for expanding its scope in the past year from an antiabortion club to a more broadly pro-life organization, speaking out against capital punishment and euthanasia, among other topics.

“We are very happy to be recognized by the student government for our efforts on campus to spread the message of pro-life movement,” Brendan O’Morchoe, FCRH ‘11, president of Respect for Life, said in a press release.

Also at the meeting on April 6, USG awarded Beacon Exemplar Awards to Dr. Donna Rapaccioli, dean of business faculty, and Michael Latham, dean of Fordham College at Rose Hill for their continued work in improving Fordham’s academic excellence. In particular, Rapaccioli was commended for her work on the West Wing Integrated Learning Community.

As his term winds down, John Tully Gordon, FCRH ’10, executive president, discussed the status of Maroon Square, the free-speech initiative he has consistently championed. According to Gordon, the University did not agree to the proposal exactly as it was, but talks are in the works to arrive at a compromise.

Gordon said that such a compromise could include some expansion of free speech and a more streamlined process for students to get approval to protest on campus.

Administrators have not formally agreed to the terms of this compromise but, according to Gordon, are “committed to the process.”

Additionally, Sabrena O’Keefe, assistant director of leadership and commuter student services, was in attendance at the meeting where she was introduced as a new advisor to USG. Additional reporting by Patrick Derocher, News Editor

Faculty Spearhead Child Care Center Initiative

By AMANDA FISCINA STAFF WRITER

A circulating petition asking Fordham University to provide childcare services for staff members has collected over 60 signatures from faculty, staff and students in the Fordham community. As of April 13, the petition was gaining momentum with the chairs of the English, history, psychology, theology and AfricanAmerican studies signing on just recently.

“We the undersigned members of the Fordham faculty and staff believe that Fordham, as a University in the Jesuit tradition, should provide affordable childcare to people who work at this great institution,” the petition states. “Many employees at Ford-

ham live in neighborhoods where there is no safe affordable childcare and make great personal and financial sacrifices to assure their young children are cared for when they are at work.”

The petition also discusses the largely unpublicized issue of Fordham faculty leaving their positions due to the University’s lack of childcare resources.

The petition goes on to state that a center would serve the dual role of relieving “the hardship and stress among the people who work here,” and drawing additional talent by making Fordham “a more attractive place to work.”

Dr. Mark Naison, a professor in the African and African-American studies department, put the petition into circulation two weeks ago in response to a series

of childcare issues in his department.

The initiative to create a childcare center has actually been in discussion for some time. The Faculty Senate created a childcare initiative task force back in the fall of 2009 to address the issue.

The childcare sub-committee is currently circulating a University-wide survey to assess the need and desire for childcare, according to Dr. Elaine Crane, a member of the committee.

“The committee won’t have much to say until the results from the survey have been tabulated,” Crane said.

Dr. Nina Rowe, chair of the childcare committee, said the results of the survey will not be available until the end of the

month.

Boston College and Georgetown, Jesuit institutions considered Fordham’s aspirant schools, both provide childcare services for faculty members. Other universities like Towson University, Ohio State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill also house childcare facilities on their main campuses.

“Nothing could do more to show the Fordham administration’s respect for the committed and loyal people who work at the University than creating such a center,” the petition concludes.

“It would be a powerful statement affirming the University’s Jesuit traditions as well as its commitment to the welfare of everyone who works on this campus.”

NEWS

week at FORDHAM Wed., April 14 Respect for Life Week, Silent No More Awareness Campaign, Keating 109, 7 p.m.

Wed., April 14 Clue performed by FET, Blackbox Theatre, Collins Hall, 8 p.m.

Thurs., April 15 Respect for Life Week, Feminists for Life Keating Third Auditorium, 7 p.m.

Thurs., April 15 NBC Stand-Up for Diversity Show McGinley Ballroom, 9:30 p.m.

Thurs., April 15 Snoozapalooza 2010 McGinley Lawn, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Fri., April 16 PRIDE Annual Gayla Ramskellar, 7-10 p.m.

Fri., April 16 Battle of the Bands Alumni House, 7 p.m.

Fri., April 16 Flava Show Rose Hill Gymnasium, 7 p.m.

ELECTION, FROM PAGE 1

that the ballot errors directly resulted in lower voter turnout, as compared to last year, which robbed their ticket of votes.

“I am appealing the results because I believe there was a material mistake that strongly affected the election outcome,” DePaul wrote in the appeal.

Brown and DePaul sought a new election, but in a two to one ruling with three abstentions, the USG Election Commission denied the appeal and moved to certify the election results on April 7.

“The decision to appeal the election was a difficult one to make,” Brown said. “While I cannot speak for Sara and Caitlin, Nico and I had an overwhelming and unsettling (and frankly still unsettling) number of students approach and share with us that they did not vote because of the ballot error.”

The majority denied the appeal, asserting that the ballot errors affected both candidates equally, that there is no conclusive evidence to support the premise that this error was the sole cause of lower turnout and that, even if voter turnout had not varied from last year, the margin of votes would require that Brown-DePaul win 73 percent of the remaining votes (a percentage they failed to receive in any class or college).

The dissenter believed that receiving the wrong ballot caused a significant number of students not to vote, despite the Election Commission’s instructions, and that the situation merited a new election because “this election was far from a clean election,” according to the ruling.

Those commissioners who absented acknowledged that the errors in the election were significant, but “recognize that it is in the University community’s best interst to have a seated USG Executive Board as swiftly as possible,” according to

Postponed Senate Elections See Lower Voter Turnout

APRIL 14, 2010 • THE RAM • PAGE 3

Class of 2011, FCRH 2012 Elections All Proceed Unopposed; No Candidate Runs for VP of CBA ‘11

After an initial mix-up that sent United Student Government Senate ballots to students based on the number of credits they had rather than their graduating year, the USG Election commission was finally able to hold the second half of elections this past Monday and Tuesday, April 12 and 13.

When the decision was made to continue with executive board elections as planned and postpone only class elections, it was with the belief that postponing the entire election would lead to a precipitously lower turnout.

It would appear that the second set of election results has validated that concern, a state of affairs compounded by the fact that many positions were unopposed.

For example, only 16 votes were cast for the position of president of the College of Business Administration class of 2011.

The low turnouts were in stark contrast with the first round of voting. In perhaps the greatest example of this disconnect, Tim Lynch, CBA ’13, was elected

CBA’s vice president on the executive board with 193 votes, or 60.5 percent of the electorate. For senate positions, there were only 153 votes cast for positions in all three years. Overall, more than twice as many people voted for president of CBA (319) than voted in the second round of elections.

As for specific elections, all positions for Fordham College at Rose Hill’s class of 2012 were decided in unopposed races. Eva DeCesaro will be the next class president, Marlowe Gregorio vice president and Laura Kelly secretary and treasurer.

Matthew Micheli won the election for president of CBA class of 2012 by a margin of four votes over Matthew Van Orden in the closest race of the senate elections. Forty-three votes were cast for Micheli and 39 for Van Orden, with five voters abstaining.

The lowest percentage of votes earned that won an election was in the case of Donald Borenstein, who was elected president of FCRH 2013 with 71 votes, some 32 percent of the total. In this contest, there were some 222 votes cast, split among four candidates.

the absenting decision in the ruling.

Brown was disappointed with the commission’s ruling because he and his running mate believed that the impact of the ballot errors was cause enough for a new election to be held and that the full impact could not be assessed until the election results were announced.

“It makes no difference when protest was voiced if the truth is that students who wanted to vote were discouraged from doing so as a result of the ballot error,” Brown said. “Ultimately, while I cannot pretend to agree with the reasoning behind its denial, I respect USG, The election commission, and respectfully yield to the decision they made regarding the election.”

Kugel and Meyer agreed with the majority opinion on the appeal and were of the opinion that the error had the potential to disadvantage each ticket in equal measure.

“Both tickets had the opportunity to appeal the election process after learning about the issues with the senate ballot,” Kugel said.

“However Caitlin and I felt the election commission clearly explained the problem and procedure to the student body, therefore didn’t see the need to appeal.”

Kugel cited her ticket’s majority in six of the eight class and college categories as a reason that the disparity in turnout was not enough to reverse the election. “’The numbers speak for themselves,” Kugel said.

“I think we’re most excited just to get to work,” Meyer said.

Kugel-Meyer saw the most success among seniors, winning 78 percent of FCRH and 62 percent of CBA votes. Juniors in FCRH also voted decisively in favor of the winning ticket by a majority of 64 percent.

Brown-DePaul drew more support overall from CBA students, capturing 72 percent of the vote

for CBA ’12 and 53 percent of CBA ’13.

In their first interview as the elected executive president and vice president, Kugel and Meyer laid out a number of priorities for their incoming administration, some of which will carry over from USG’s efforts this year.

Fordham’s noncompliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as seen in the inaccessibility for physically disabled persons of buildings such as Collins Hall, struck a chord with the president-elect.

“If students can’t use it, then what’s the point?” Kugel said of Collins Hall, the renovation of which will be a top priority in her administration. USG passed a bill on April 8 relating to the renovation of Collins Hall, further detail of which can be found on page two.

A new policy for guest passes for commuter students that will help unite commuter and resident students in addition to continued promotion of Maroon Square’s goals comprise two more of Kugel and Meyer’s high-priority goals.

Additionally, Meyer said she would like to see more students on hiring committees and on the committee for the Hughes renovation.

“Administrators are really receptive when students reach out to them,” Meyer said.

Kugel and Meyer plan to work with Vice President of Finance-elect Amato to create more transparency at USG budget meetings as well as within the administration, via initiatives like the Student Auditing Task Force.

Finally, Kugel stressed the need for USG to foster a more down-toearth image, in part by reaching out to clubs.

“When I was talking to club leaders during the election, I thought, ‘this needs to be going on all year, not just when candidates are running around looking for endorsements,’” Kugel said.

By PATRICK DEROCHER NEWS EDITOR

IMAGE COURTESY OF MICHAEL DITANNA

PAGE 4 • THE RAM • APRIL 14, 2010

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NEWS

PAGE 6 • THE RAM • APRIL 14, 2010 SULICK, FROM PAGE 1

ham experiences and “Bronx street smarts” helped him, Sulick recounted being the first American in the newly free nation of Lithuania after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Visiting the former headquarters of the KGB, the Russian secret police, the chairman of Lithuania’s foreign affairs committee greeted Sulick, who had spent some 30 years in a Russian Gulag prison. The chairman then showed Sulick KGB prison cells, one of which was covered in burlap so as to prevent political prisoners from committing suicide by bashing their heads against the wall.

For the remainder of the lecture, Sulick talked about the nature of the CIA, especially the National Clandestine Service, and its work, beginning by dispelling many myths.

“My watch does not have a laser,” he said, “I don’t have the phone in my shoe, and I clearly don’t look like Jennifer Garner.”

Sulick made the point that CIA agents in particular, and spies in general, bear little resemblance to those on such television series as “Get Smart” and “Alias,” let alone James Bond. Sulick, himself a graying, middle-aged man of average height and build, said that he was “representative” of the typical officer.

He also said he wanted to rectify misconceptions about employees of the National Clandestine Services, saying that what that office does has little to do with covert action. He did, however, say that it was the Services’ job to obtain information that cannot be found in any other way than through spy work. Additionally, Sulick noted that spies and other CIA agents have nothing to do with policy making, saying that they present the “pieces of a puzzle” to policy makers, including the president of the United States, and allow them to make decisions.

This is a process that he said is common among intelligence agencies and that policy makers do not necessarily listen; Sulick cited a particular example, that of a KGB agent telling Joseph Stalin that Adolf Hitler planned to renege on the pact of non-aggression he had

PHOTO BY SIMON SULIT/THE RAM

Speaking about his public and governmental service, Michael Sulick, director of the CIA’s National Clandestine Services, advised students to study foreign languages and international topics while expounding upon the virtues of the Jesuit education that Fordham offers its students.

signed with the Soviet Union. Stalin ignored the information he was given, and Germany invaded the U.S.S.R. in June 1941.

Discussing the recent history of the CIA, Sulick emphasized the importance of the Sept. 11 attacks as regards the agency. After the Cold War, he said, the United States government markedly cut back on funding for the CIA, a policy move that they quickly reversed following the attacks. According to Sulick, some 52 percent of the CIA’s current workforce has been hired since that time. With all these new officers, he emphasized the importance of training, a mission that has been of utmost importance to the agency. In particular, Sulick said that the chief targets of CIA operations, terrorist groups and cells in the Middle East, are entirely different from the KGB and the Soviet Union.

“The KGB would never have used suicide bombers,” he said, going on to note that, for the first time since the Vietnam War, agents were being given self-defense military training.

Following Sulick’s lecture, there was a question and answer section in which students and other audience members were allowed to, via index cards, pose questions to Sulick, which were then asked by

United Student Government officials.

The session was largely uneventful until a graduate student asked Sulick to define “terrorism.”

It was at this point that Ray McGovern, a fellow Fordham alumnus and former CIA agent, joined Sulick at his podium and proceeded to answer the question.

“You have to distinguish between good terrorists and bad terrorists,” he said, beginning what turned into a rambling monologue about the morality of the CIA and Catholicism. In particular, McGovern accused both organizations of hypocrisy. He criticized the Catholic Church for opposing abortion while supposedly condoning of other forms of murder, and also lambasted the CIA for fighting terrorism while supporting certain terrorist groups.

As McGovern’s tirade grew longer, frustration and confusion clearly began to arise in the auditorium, with John Tully Gordon, FRCH ’10, executive president of United Student Government, all but shouting at McGovern to get him to leave the podium. Once McGovern had left the stage, he was applauded by a segment of the audience, grouped together on one side of the auditorium.

The unexpected speaker left

many people in the audience confused, especially as McGovern, who claimed to have been invited to speak by McShane himself via e-mail, left the auditorium post haste following the conclusion of the lecture.

“At first I thought he [McGovern] was actually with Sulick, as a planned speaker,” Jacob Torpey, FCRH ’12, said “But it quickly became apparent that that wasn’t true.”

Although there were rumblings of McGovern being escorted offcampus by Fordham security, University administrators dispelled these rumors. There was, however, at least some basis to his claims of having been invited; faculty members of Fordham’s peace and justice studies program had signed a letter to McShane asking that McGovern be added to the program as an interlocutor.

At a Student Life Council meeting the preceding day, March 24, the council decided that no such interlocutor would be added to the program, as the motion was without precedent and the request at very short notice. However, McGovern nevertheless was present, allegedly at the behest of the peace and justice studies faculty and/or student organizations.

“Both myself and John [Gordon,

FCRH ’10 and president of USG] were against an interlocutor speaking,” Patrick Scotti, FCRH ’10 and vice president of student life said of the request. “[It would] set a very troubling precedent which is detrimental to the autonomy of student organizations.”

Scotti went on to say that Dr. Robin Andersen, director of peace and justice studies, was invited to respond to Sulick after his lecture had finished. Andersen, however, declined the invitation and was not present at the event.

Following McGovern’s outburst, the questions section finished without further ado. After the lecture, there was a reception held in Keating Hall during which The Ram was able to speak briefly with Sulick. Regarding McGovern’s presence, Sulick said he was “well aware” of his views and, although he wanted to give his views due attention, seemed disappointed that McGovern’s presence became what it did.

Sulick also said that the wellrounded nature of Jesuit education ensures that those graduates who pursue careers in the U.S. government are often held in high regard.

“The education inspires people to enter public service,” he said, noting a great many leaders in government with Jesuit educations.

Campbell Cafe to Serve Starbucks Products in Sodexo Dining Establishment

By PATRICK DEROCHER NEWS EDITOR

Following months of speculation, rumors and announcements from various University administrators and departments, Fordham recently announced on its Hospitality Services and Dining Services Web site the name and details of the dining establishment being built inside Campbell Hall, slated to open in fall 2010.

The new Sodexo location will be called Campbell Hall Cafe and is to be located on the first floor of Campbell Hall between the building’s lobby and multipurpose room.

These facilities will be located at the base of Tower 1, near Walsh Library and the Metro-North Railroad station.

According to Fordham’s Web site, the cafe will “feature Starbucks,” with interior artistic renderings and diagrams showing Starbucks signage and decor, in addition to the cafe’s layout. Although Sodexo and Ford-

ham have been mum on whether this will be an actual Starbucks or simply a food service outlet serving the Seattle-based coffeehouse chain’s products, one member of the Student Culinary Council indicated that it would be the latter; the cafe’s Web site also seems to indicate that this will be the case.

Each of the artistic renditions on the Hospitality Services and Dining Services Web site has a name involving the phrase “We Proudly Serve,” usually associated with nonStarbucks locations, such as Barnes & Noble Booksellers, that are not themselves Starbucks locations but sell the company’s products. Additionally, both the renditions and the layout indicate food service options not found at Starbucks, such as refrigerators stocked with cold drink and food items. In this way, Campbell Cafe will be similar to the Student Deli and the Millennium Grille in its food offerings.

According to an architectural layout on Fordham’s Web site, drawn

up by Dembling & Dembling Architects of Albany, N.Y., the cafe will have two distinct seating areas. On the left of the main entrance will be the main seating area, consisting of tables seating approximately 30 students. However, the “living room” on the right of the cafe’s entrance will be more secluded. In addition to table seating for roughly 20 students, there will be couches and armchairs arranged around a small table.

Bolstering the idea that a full array of Starbucks and Sodexo products will be available at the cafe are the pieces of equipment that are shown and listed on the architectural diagram. According to the equipment plan, there will be an espresso machine, multiple microwave ovens and a glass display case, similar to standard Starbucks locations. However, the plan shows, in addition to the aforementioned refrigerated cases, a self-serve coffee station near the living room area. This particular feature is consonant with Ford-

COURTESY OF FORDHAM.EDU

Though it will not be a full-fledged Starbucks, Campbell Cafe will nevertheless provide students with the Seattle chain’s coffee, tea and food products.

ham’s earlier offer of free coffee in Campbell and Salice-Conley Halls on some days.

Student reaction to the new dining option was generally positive, in spite of the fact that Campbell Cafe will likely not be an actual Starbucks location.

“It’s going to change my life,” said Catherine Evich, FCRH ’12.

Although information is limited at the present time, the Hospitality and Dining Services Web site asked that students “check back throughout the spring and summer for more information.”

NEWS

APRIL 14, 2010 • THE RAM • PAGE 7

AODE Director Ed Wahesh Departs to Pursue Degree

By AMANDA FISCINA STAFF WRITER

Ed Wahesh, FCRH ’01 and director of Fordham’s Alcohol and Other Drug Education Program (AODE) known for his savvy surveying and realistic approaches to substance abuse prevention, will be leaving Fordham in July to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

“I decided that the next step in my professional journey was to move from administration to teaching in higher education,” Wahesh said. “Specifically, I want to teach graduate students studying to become counselors, like school counselors and substance abuse counselors.”

Wahesh has been director of AODE and the advisor to the Peer Educators for five years. He also attended Fordham, FCRH ’01, and worked as an undergraduate student worker in the office he now runs.

Christopher Rodgers, dean of students at Rose Hill, will soon begin conducting the search for his replacement. Bonnie Kaufman, the AODE graduate intern, will serve as acting advisor of the Peer Educators until a new director is hired, and the staff of Student Affairs will also provide support for the program during the transition, Wahesh said.

During Wahesh’s tenure as director the AODE program has grown

significantly, focusing specifically on surveying, practical campaigning and developing initiatives like AlcoholEdu, an online course that all incoming Fordham students will be required to complete before arriving on campus.

“Our approach to substance abuse prevention has come a long way over the last five years,” Wahesh said. “We’ve incorporated evidence-based practices and the latest research into our programs for referred students. We successfully executed a two-year federal grant that funded the Fordham Athlete Alcohol Prevention Initiative and we even just recently fully initiated a Safe Birthday Card Campaign.”

The Peer Educators program has also grown under Wahesh’s watch.

During each of the two past years, the group has trained over 100 new members, and the annual New York City Passport guide and excursions have expanded.

“Under Ed’s influence, the club has grown exponentially and has veered away from its misconstrued reputation of being an anti-drinking club,” Eric Goncalves, CBA ’10 and vice president of marketing for Peer Educators, said. “Ed has spent countless hours reviewing marketing posters, providing new ideas, approving events and serving as a mentor and he will be missed.”

Wahesh said he decided to leave Fordham after careful consideration, using his experience as an

administrator, advisor and counselor to realize his ambition to pursue a related career in higher education, he said.

“Ed has been the core of Peer Educators and the Alcohol and Other Drug Education program since he’s been here,” Kristie Beaudoin, FCRH ’11, said. “I will definitely miss Ed’s sense of humor and his way of putting things in perspective. A lot of things I have accomplished in my time at Fordham have been in large part thanks to his encouragement. Fordham will never be the same without him, but we all wish him the best of luck in everything he does and know he’ll be successful.”

“I’ll miss the students,” Wahesh said. “It’s been a privilege working with students who have been referred to my office due to an alcohol or drug violation, and I’ve also really enjoyed the many student leader training sessions that I’ve done over the years. While I’m sure that I’ll continue to do stuff like this in the future, it certainly won’t be same doing it away from Rose Hill.”

“Ed has offered an immeasurable amount of guidance to the members and executive board in the years I’ve been a part of the organization,” Elizabeth Donahue, CBA ’10, president of Peer Educators, said. “He takes the message of the Peer Educators seriously, yet always adds humor to meetings and presentations.”

Wahesh says he will miss a lot

PHOTO BY AMANDA FISCINA/THE RAM

After years of service to Fordham, director of Alcohol and Other Drug Education Ed Wahesh will be leaving to purse a doctorate at UNC Greensboro.

about Fordham, specifically his colleagues in Student Affairs, other faculty and staff members and his students. However, there is something Wahesh will absolutely

not miss.

“The air conditioner in my bedroom in Walsh Hall,” Wahesh said.

“It’s like sleeping next to an airplane engine.”

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PAGE 11

Point-Counterpoint: Unpaid College Internships

JULI LEONARD/ MCT

Many students who want to enter the professional world must subject themselves to unpaid internships, which are considered the price of admission into the world of business suits, but may not be legal.

Unpaid Internships are Chances to Gain Work Experience and Networking

By MATTHEW ARTH CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The idea of the unpaid internship has increasingly come under fire over the last decade and even more so in recent years as the effects of “the Great Recession” drag on. Many argue that companies who offer unpaid internships are taking advantage of students by putting them in a situation where they are essentially paying to work.

Although some would argue that this is unfair, these internships are mutually beneficial in most instances for both the company and the student and provide, in the long-term, immeasurable value to future graduates. Companies are able to lower their costs, while students gain crucial realworld experience that classwork cannot provide.

As businesses continue to seek out ways to minimize their expenditures, unpaid internships are increasingly becoming the norm, and now more than ever, it is important to consider the benefits that internships provide to students coming out of college and assess the qualities that make an unpaid position worthwhile.

As a student who held a seven-month unpaid internship, I was forced to weigh the costs and benefits of such a system. The company provided me with a travel stipend, but $4 a day does not even cover the cost of a round trip on the subway, so in effect I was paying to work.

Although I certainly would have appreciated some monetary compensation, the experience that I gained and the people that I met have already proved to be invaluable and well worth the time and effort expended for no pay. These benefits are perhaps most evident in subsequent interviews, where potential employers obviously value examples of experience from time spent within the profession over situations encountered while working at the mall. Being able to reference specific projects students worked on and describe challenging situations they handled from within the industry provides a significant advantage over fellow classmates who have no such experience.

A common reason cited for taking an unpaid internship is its usefulness as a foot-in-the-door into many hyper-competitive industries. Industries such as music, film, fashion and journalism are traditionally relegated to this category, but as any senior attempting to enter the workforce this summer will admit, everything from finance to construction fits that category now.

Even for entry-level positions, companies who would have previously accepted anyone with just a college degree a few years ago are now looking for previous experience. Recent college graduates who have not held such jobs before are often in a chicken-or-the-egg situation, where previous job experience in an industry is necessary to obtain an entry-level job. The ability of an internship to circumvent this common catch-22 far outweighs the short-term costs incurred from interning for

no pay.

Internships are also ideal environments for networking. I can think of few other situations where a student has the chance to exhibit his or her capabilities and work ethic in such a high-visibility manner to professionals within their chosen industry. As a student in the College of Business Administration, I constantly hear about the importance of networking in finding a job, and internships are a great route to obtaining references outside the usual circle of “friends of mom and dad.” This perk alone is probably worth the costs incurred by interning without compensation.

Many skeptics will point to examples of unpaid internships in which students’ primary responsibilities involved managing emails, making copies and other similarly menial tasks. the New York Times recently published an article entitled “The Unpaid Intern, Legal or Not” profiling several such instances where unpaid interns took a position expecting one type of experience and instead ended up doing work that it would be generous to describe as “distantly related” to their field.

Although circumstances like these are hardly ideal, even these internships are salvageable.

Students can use these instances as an opportunity to demonstrate their good work ethic and persistence, showing that they can get the job done even in cases where the work may not be the most glamorous. If nothing else, having an internship like this on a résumé demonstrates to future employers that interns were dedicated enough to stick with the program and not quit at the first sign of dissatisfaction.

At this point, those who have not interned before are probably thinking, that’s all well and good, but my brother/cousin/roommate’s best friend found a job without any internship experience, how important could it be? Well that may have been true in the past, but trends show that internships are becoming an increasingly necessary step to finding employment upon graduation.

According to the findings of the National Association of Colleges and Employers, approximately 50 percent of college students in 2008 graduated with some internship experience. That is compared with only 17 percent of students as recently as 1992. As this number continues to rise, expect internships to become ever more fundamental to competition.

Although in an ideal world, all internships would be paid, in highly competitive industries with large numbers of applicants and relatively few positions available, unpaid internships are often the the price of entry. Students who are willing to make the sacrifices required by these positions in the short term will reap the benefits in the long run by getting a job in a profession that they are passionate about. In the high-stakes game of finding employment in today’s market, unpaid internships can make all the difference.

Matthew Arth, CBA ’11, is marketing major from Southlake, Texas.

Companies Exploit College Students, Forcing Them to Pay for Internships

By BRIAN KRAKER ASSISTANT OPINIONS EDITOR

The economic recession has created a panic among graduating seniors at Fordham and across the nation. With the government issuing bailouts as freely as evangelists distribute bibles, the stability of any career path is uncertain at best. Many career advisors suggest that obtaining an internship in a potential career field is a good way to get a foot in the door, but rather it is an unimaginable waste of time and money. The benefits of the unpaid internship are the greatest misconception spread around college campuses.

Unpaid internships are not viable alternatives to a paid employment at a firm; rather, they are the attempts of major firms to obtain free labor at the expense of eager college students.

The majority of unpaid internships are mediocre positions at a company, where student may not actually engage in the areas of interest they are promised. While job postings advertise exciting work with professionals in a given field, the reality of these jobs usually consist of grunt work, retrieving coffees and making copies.

There is no real-world experience gained from these positions, only knowledge of how to adapt to power-hungry bosses and cater to their every whimsical need. The main skills acquired in unpaid internships are the abilities to flatter a superior without being accused of sexual harassment and how to properly mix the precise quantities of creamer and sugar into a coffee.

Regardless of the title the firm claims to provide a student, the truth is many unpaid internships are essentially as glorified personal assistants. However, it is nearly impossible to wade through the eloquent jargon of the job posting, leaving many students unable to distinguish between a legitimate job and an internship façade.

While these companies refuse to provide compensation for the students they “employ” at their businesses, most positions will only hire students who are receiving university credit for their jobs. However, as with any class, college students must pay the university for these credits.

Not only are students not reimbursed for travel expenses or given a wage for the tasks around the office, but they are forced to spend over $1,000 for credit simply to obtain the job. Paying to perform menial tasks around an office is an insult to every student filing for student loans to afford a college education. The money that is intended to go toward a top-notch education is instead spent so a student can be an executive’s butler from nine to five.

Internships have become such an abuse of power over the naïve college students who seek them. A New York Times article found that several states have gone as far as questioning the legality of unpaid internships. In Oregon, California and New York, the Labor Department has begun to investigate firms that refuse to offer paid posi-

tions. These investigations yielded that many companies did not meet the federal legal criteria that a company must comply with to satisfy to hire unpaid interns. Such criteria include providing training similar to that given in a vocational school, the intern must not displace regular paid workers and the employer must not derive an immediate advantage from the student’s work.

Many state governments have found that employers are exploiting the college students and providing them no monetary compensation.

The ultimate paradox among companies is that they require experience in the field to even obtain entry-level positions; however, they still refuse to pay for the labor. Students are essentially blackmailed into an unpaid internship so they may someday convince an employer their time massaging their manager’s back qualifies them for a legitimate job.

While internships advertise that the experience gained outside the classroom is more valuable that any lecture or homework assignment, the menial tasks that comprise an intern’s work day fail in comparison to the lesson plan of a professor with a Ph.D. Spending a summer huddled in a cubicle attempting to change the toner on a copier which is more outdated than JMH is not remotely equal to the quality of a summer course. If students are willing to spend money to work for a company and learn nothing, why not reallocate that money to a university and actually receive education?

If students are truly seeking an opportunity to gain experience in a field, rather than wasting time and money on an unpaid internship, they should seek other academic endeavors. Many professors conduct research during the school year that students can become involved. Science majors are able to conduct experiments under the tutelage of professors rather than sweeping the debris of drug trials as an intern at a pharmaceutical conglomerate. Many companies, such as local newspapers, are willing to employ students as part-time employees. Even a part-time job is more beneficial use of time. Students can enjoy a steady income while showing potential employers they can maintain a job and diligently perform essential tasks.

Unpaid internships are scams by major firms to exploit zealous students, whose concern for constructing an immaculate résumé has them accepting the first position offered. These companies are exploiting college students for free work under the guise of an unpaid internship.

Brian Kraker, FCRH ’12, is a computer science and English double major from Pompton Lakes, N.J. He can be reached at kraker@fordham.edu.

Staff Poll: When the staff of The Ram was polled, 14 were in favor of working at unpaid internships while 5 were opposed.

OPINIONS

PAGE 12 • THE RAM • APRIL 14, 2010

The Ram Serving campus and community since 1918.

The Ram is the University journal of record. The mission of The Ram is to provide a forum for the free and open exchange of ideas in service to the community and to act as a student advocate.

The Ram is published and distributed free of charge every Wednesday during the academic year to the Rose Hill, Lincoln Center and Westchester campuses with a readership of 12,000. The Ram office is located in the basement of the McGinley Center, room B-52.

www.theramonline.com Editorial: (718) 817-0873 Production: (718) 817-4381 Newsroom: (718) 817-4394 Advertising: (718) 817-4379 Fax: (718) 817-4319 theram@fordham.edu Fordham University - Station 37 Box B Bronx, NY 10458

Editor-in-Chief Mark Becker Managing Editor Abigail Forget Design Editor Stephen Moccia Business Editor Caroline Dahlgren News Editor Patrick Derocher Assistant News Editor Victoria Rau Opinions Editor Christine Barcellona Assistant Opinions Editor Brian Kraker Culture Editor Celeste Kmiotek Assistant Culture Editor Jen Cacchioli Sports Editors Danny Atkinson Nick Carroll Assistant Sports Editor Jon Smith Copy Chief Claire Borders Copy Team Mary Alcaro Melissa Dulebohn Tom Haskin Sean McGonigle Jillian Minahan Hussein Safa Nicki Torok Ryan Vale Photo Editor Simon Sulit Operations and Outreach Mike Burkart Web Editor Kelly Caggiano Web Staff Tracy Fan Ou Cara Stellato Faculty Advisor Beth Knobel

Opinions Policy The Ram appreciates submissions that are typed and saved on a disk in a *.rtf, *.txt or *.doc formats, or sent to the staff via e-mail at RamLetters@ fordham.edu. Commentaries are printed on a space available basis. The Ram reserves the right to reject any submission for any reason, without notice.

Submissions become the exclusive property of The Ram and will not be returned. The Ram reserves the right to edit any submissions. The opinions in The Ram’s editorials are those of the editorial board; those expressed in articles, letters, commentaries, cartoons or graphics are those of the individual author. No part of The Ram may be reproduced without written consent.

From the Desk of Christine Barcellona, Opinions Editor I envy New Yorkers. They know who they are.

Big screens flicker with images of life in New York, and entire volumes burst with tales of life in the city. Every day, the New York Times adds to the narrative identity of the city; from Metropolitan Diary to columnists’ parenthetical asides to fellow city dwellers, this identity grows. People love to write about what it is to be a New Yorker. People love to try to pin down just what makes the city so special. New York City is catnip for writers. It is a question posed and answered every day, and no one can tire of exploring the rich tapestry of the “What is New York?” issue.

No one has ever written about what it is to live in Flower Mound, the 50-year-old Dallas suburb from which I hail. Woody Allen has never made a movie that tries to tell me who I am, whether my region expects loyalty from me, what my unique psychoses will be because I grew up in the spacious sunbelt.

Last year, when I lived in Queen’s Court, I thought of the Comanche tribes that inhabited North Texas. Queen’s Court was built in 1845, only seven years after the Texas Republic’s president drove Caddo, Wichita and Comanche tribes out of the area where my hometown is now, 116 years before my town was

incorporated. When New York already had a solid footing, my hometown was nonexistent. The land on which it stands was unrecognizable, not even a part of the United States. How am I supposed to know who I am, coming from a place that sprang from the earth like its flowery namesake?

I have no established literary classics that mention the streets of my childhood. Also, unlike the Times, no North Texas newspaper is about to say what it is to be from a suburb of Dallas. They do not record the complicated politics, the quirky encounters and the lush artistic life, because there is not much, if any. The suburbs of that area are so similar that often, I do not even tell people which one I am from. I come from Dallas, I say. At least everyone has heard of the airport or TV show.

In my philosophy class, we talk about the death of ascription, the liberating and terrifying prospect of no longer being born into a specific social and economic role. We are told that each American child has unlimited potential; she can be a president or stock broker or doctor or actor, but she does not have to be any of those things. However, my professor points out that this freedom is also a detachment, a loss of identity, an angst and ennui-filled burden.

Society has created an institution to ameliorate this issue.

College is designed to solidify identities in the ascription-less world. During four years of study, students expect to find out more about themselves and their niche in the world than their major course of study.

I am halfway through this identity-finding process, but I still envy New Yorkers. Even when they are in college and looking for a personal identity, they know they are The Beautiful and Damned. They are Annie Hall.

They are Grand Central Station.

They are the New York Times.

What do people like me have?

I would say I was a Texan, but I was born not in Texas but in Fargo, N.D.; I do not plan to move back to the Lone Star State. I like to write, but I am not a writer; I am a student. I like to paint, but I am an English major; I did not even choose to officially pursue art. That can’t be my identity. I cannot even identify with a specific political party or specific religion (despite being raised Catholic) or specific region of America. What am I? A dandelion tuft?

Something about being a student seems necessarily detached from a specific identity, so I must not be alone in this. A person studies to be what she wants to be, but has not become (or in

some cases, even dreamed of ) the teacher, lawyer, computer programmer she plans to become.

I also tell myself that I can draw inspiration from this city whose denizens I so resent and admire. The city is rich and poor.

The city is the chandelier at the Metropolitan Opera and the rats fighting on subway tracks. The city is the American dream and a materialistic nightmare.

Perhaps in a locale so rife with contradictions, transplanted students like me can accept multiple identities and find a way to incorporate them into a cohesive whole, just as New York has done with the identities of its citizens.

Maybe the city can even find it in its heart to accept willing converts from the heartland, like me.

How long do you have to live in New York to be a New Yorker?

Look at this. I am not even a New Yorker, and I still managed to write about New York. Remember what I said about catnip for writers?

Student Enjoys Vegan-Friendly Caf Viable Options are Offered at the Caf for Vegans, Though the Other Dining Establishments Could Improve Their Offerings

By SAMUELLE LAZAR CONTRIBUTING WRITER

When I first came to Fordham, I was a practicing vegan. It was not necessarily because of my love for animals (which I do love), but because of the challenge. It is insanely difficult to be seriously vegan. If you grew up in a household where animal products were used in pretty much every meal, you do not realize how hard it is to leave them out until you do it cold turkey.

I went from having eggs in the morning, a sandwich with cold cuts and/or cheese for lunch and fish or meat for dinner to having none of those. Animal products are in literally everything. You want cake? You have to take out the eggs and milk, which leaves you with…well, not cake. Being vegan, even in your own house, is incredibly difficult, not to mention expensive, so when I came to Fordham, I had to seriously weigh my options.

Any Internet search of “Fordham + vegan” turns up music blogs but nothing about our school’s policies toward vegans, but a couple of college discussion boards bemoaning the lack of vegan and vegetarian options.

Being a vegetarian is easier because you can still eat things like cheese and eggs, both of which are readily available in our cafeteria.

Vegetarians can also eat their food if it has been cooked on the same surface as meat, something that strict vegans will not do. Fordham has catered toward vegans with its vegan station, which has a

PHOTO BY BRIAN KRAKER/THE RAM

The vegan station introduced new dishes this year, including sweet and baked potatoes, to give vegans more options.

menu that has been expanded this year, but was it that effective?

In my opinion, the answer is yes. The station follows a vegan style of cooking. No animal products are cooked on the same surfaces of the vegan food, as far as I know. There are three different choices for vegans at Fordham: hummus wraps, the other entrée and the sushi.

Every day, hummus wraps are available along with one other choice of a stir-fry type meal.

Not that the hummus wraps are not delicious, because they are, but they are there literally every single day. The other choice is kind of a variation on a stir-fry deal with noodles, which is pretty good, but prett y standard. The sushi is, in my opinion, the best choice for vegans, since it consists of vegetables and is a pretty famil-

iar choice.

The cafeteria does a good job of changing it up in terms of its vegan offerings, so if a student is vegan, he or she does have the option of getting lunch and dinner in the cafeteria. If he or she wants breakfast, though, his or her best bet is just trying to find a good mix of fruits or maybe oatmeal.

The limited choices for breakfast are one of the only downfalls of a vegan lifestyle at Fordham.

The other downside to vegan student life here is the beforeand-after cafeteria hours. This killed me, since I play sports that render it difficult to eat at certain times, and I had to look outside of the cafeteria for food options.

In the cafeteria, they keep a pretty sharp eye on vegan needs in terms of food preparation, but they have definitely dropped the

ball in terms of the deli and the grille. There, either vegan products can’t be found, or, if you see something like a sushi roll, there’s no guarantee that it was prepared away from animal products. It is a small problem, really, since most eating happens in the caf, but after cafeteria hours, vegans could really use some other options.

Other than that, vegans who hold that regular eating schedule have a pretty good, if somewhat standard, set of options. The school does not necessarily cater to the alternative lifestyle of those students who do not eat animal products, but it does accept it and provide for them. So if you are a vegan at Fordham, you can have your hummus wrap and eat it, too.

Samuelle Lazar, FCRH ’13, is from Greenwich, Conn.

OPINIONS

APRIL 14, 2010 • THE RAM • PAGE 13

Fordham Basketball Chases Wrong Title

Libertas et Veritas CHADWICK CIOCCI

Anti-Abortion Demonstrations

PHOTO BY SIMON SULIT/THE RAM

People tend to focus merely on the performance of sports teams, and make a mistake when they ignore some good deeds done by members or former athletes.

By BRIAN KRAKER ASSISTANT OPINIONS EDITOR

Fordham has become the Wile E. Coyote of the NCAA basketball world, chasing a national championship but inevitably watching the roadrunner speed off over the horizon. Yet, with each season, the athletic department fashions a new scheme to cage the elusive fowl.

The University’s latest ACME contraption comes with the hiring of former Hofstra coach Tom Pecora. Spending enough money to purchase the athletic director a gold plated throne, Fordham has put the checkbook on the table and asked the basketball gods to name their price for a winning team, and the price tag is not cheap.

With demands for a prestigious coach and a new gymnasium that could double as a five-star spa, the Fordham community is convinced that a successful program can be built on our tuition bills rather than quality recruiting and inspired play. However, with these persistent attempts to transform Fordham basketball from a bottom-dweller to a perennial powerhouse, the University has lost sight of the sports program’s true mission: to provide athletic students with academic opportunities they might not otherwise have.

Enter, Mobolaji Akiode, a Nigerian-born CBA ’03 graduate, Akiode, who ranks eighth all-time in career points for the Fordham

women’s basketball team. After her Ram’s career, she joined the Nigerian National Team, playing with them in the 2004 Athens Olympics. Her greatest accomplishment, however, came off the court and during the height of the economic recession, when she quit her stable accounting position with ESPN to start a non-profit.

Hope 4 Girls, a camp to empower women in Africa through education and athletics, has become Akiode’s main focus. She has since moved back to Africa to recruit young women in her native Nigeria, giving them a unique opportunity to escape the dilapidation and religious violence of their poverty-ridden towns, and engross themselves in the blissful ignorance of a pickup game or the three-man weave.

Akiode is an example of not only who student athletes should aspire to be, but what every Fordham student should dream of accomplishing. She not only excelled on the basketball court, but also is an inspiring model for all Fordham students outside the gym. Her unwavering compassion to the young women of Nigeria and dedication to provide them with the same opportunities she was given at Fordham truly exemplifies the Jesuit spirit.

People have suggested that Fordham needs the success of the athletics program to become a top-tier university. That, without a national championship in our

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trophy case, our school will remain mired in mediocre anonymity behind our powerhouse Jesuit brothers at Georgetown and Boston College.

Our University does not ride the coattails of the athletic program’s success. Fordham sports should be an afterthought to the conversation about the success of our graduates and the talent in our classrooms. The University should be promoting participation in community-service endeavors rather than gimmicky free t-shirts at a basketball game.

Yet the athletics program is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a single man. This money could be spent on providing scholarships to the Akiodes who have earned their right to attend Fordham. Instead, it appears the athletics program wants to begin recruiting All-Americans, who focus on their athletics and not academics. Title contenders such as Kentucky recruit players for single-season title runs, with athletes spending so little time at these universities that they hardly bother moving into the dorms.

Fordham can proudly champion its practice of providing high school athletes with a community to foster their growth on and off the court. This University should not be striving to become a layover for athletes on their way to the NBA; rather it should serve as a home to foster the growth and development that allowed for Aki-

ode to prosper. Fordham has yet to begin these jock-centric practices, but with the University writing a check sizable enough to add Mr. T to the security office for the salary of Pecora, this hiring resonates as an ominous sign of the athletic program’s new direction.

Akiode succeeded in the University’s mission of men and women for others, while her basketball team’s absence at the big dance is considered a failure. There is no stat tracker for student athletes who graduate and go on to excel in community service or social justice, rather our basketball program is solely defined by its winning percentage. These intangible components of Fordham basketball are what make our program great: athletes that graduate from Fordham and begin to redefine the world, instead of reinventing the midrange jump shot. If Fordham produces one Akiode for every title we do not capture, the University is truly on the winning end.

When the season ends, Fordham may not have caught the roadrunner or cut down the nets with a national championship in hand, but the basketball program may have won a title that cannot be measured in the wins and loses column.

Brian Kraker, FCRH ’12, is a computer science and English double major from Pompton Lakes, N.J. He can be reached at kraker@fordham. edu.

Andy Ostroy, The Huffington Post

Greg Garrett, Ethics Daily

“The Catholic Church is diseased right now. Amid the mounting global scandal over pedophilia, it’s suffering from epidemic proportions of denial and enabling.

It seems to care more about protecting its own image and interests than the faithful innocents it’s been called to serve under God.”

“Sexual abuse is not exclusive to the Catholic Church, but [it’s] priests in the news at the moment… People in power take advantage of those over whom they have power. The news is always full of people who have had sex with those over whom they hold some form of authority.”

Fordham University’s Respect for Life club, the campus club with the most honorable and important mission of all, hosts its annual Respect for Life Week this week. The weeklong event is one of the most notable as well as ridiculed events on our campus, and provides students with the opportunity to learn about the follies of abortion as well as to hear from prominent, national pro-life leaders.

This event offers us the perfect context to discuss what appears to be a growing trend among state governments to restrict the number of weeks during which abortions may be performed. On Tuesday, Nebraska implemented a ban on abortion at and after the 20th week of gestation.

What has raised controversy though is that rather than justifying the ban based upon viability of the fetus outside the mother’s womb (which is generally considered to occur between 22 and 24 weeks) the Nebraskan legislature admittedly based it upon unborn babies being able to feel pain at 20 weeks.

The move is bold, daring and sorely needed.

Abortion supporters are already debating among themselves who of them will challenge the law, but prolifers should probably welcome such a challenge, especially if it is appealed to the Supreme Court. In 2007, the Court upheld a law passed by Congress and President Bush banning partial-birth abortions which occur in the second and third trimesters.

Partial-birth abortion occurs when the fetus is partially delivered, feet first, and its skull punctured and collapsed for easier “delivery.”

What Nebraska’s law does is push this ban a mere one week earlier than the point at which most partial-birth abortions occur after (21 weeks). On the one hand, it is a strategic move to eventually ask the Court whether we might not just add one week on to what is a generally accepted ban on a barbaric practice, and on the other it changes the entire debate about the proper legality of abortion.

It moves us from talking about viability (a debate the pro-life movement has largely won) to talking about pain. This is deeply significant. Something which is “viable” is obviously alive, but as even a tree could be viable, viability does not define humanity. However, if pain is a legitimate reason to deny the abortion of a fetus, then we have come one step closer to calling an unborn child what it really is: human.

All living things are necessarily viable, but not all living things feel pain. Pain is the mark of sentient beings. Only animals and people feel pain, and while of course feeling pain does not necessarily make something human (it could be a cow, and pro-abortionists have called fetuses worse than this), the recognition of their pain is the second-to-last step to our society declaring them the same as you and me.

Chadwick Ciocci, FCRH ’10, is a philosophy major from Trumbull, Conn. He can be reached at cciocci@ aol.com.

OPINIONS

PAGE 14 • THE RAM • APRIL14, 2010

MTA May Raise Rates and Cut Service Again

By CHRISTOPHER KENNEDY STAFF WRITER

Last year, the MTA raised bus and subway fares from $2 to $2.25. Another fare hike is imminent, as the agency is still strapped for cash. Service on several subway lines and buses will be reduced or eliminated entirely.

The reasons for this are many and varied: the recession has brought lower ridership and less tax revenue, the MTA’s inability to use stimulus funding and, perhaps most poignantly, Albany’s all-too-familiar stagnancy of late.

These service cuts and possible fare hikes would affect Fordham students. Weekend service will be reduced on the D train, meaning longer waits for students returning from Manhattan. A local bus route, the Bx34, providing service from Fordham Road to Woodlawn via Bainbridge, will be drastically cut.

Several Fordham students to get to Montefiore Medical Center or the pubs of McLean Avenue.

If fares increase, likely to $2.50, perhaps fewer students will take buses to Bronx destinations or the subway to other boroughs.

However, this being Fordham University, I strongly believe that it would be insular and selfish to look at this as a University issue alone. Here is where I climb onto my soapbox. Students of a Jesuit university should be primarily concerned with various hardships’ effects on the least of their brothers and sisters. Fordham is located in one of the poorest Congressional districts in the United States, with over 40 percent of the population living below the poverty line. I daresay Fordham students have a responsibility to be more concerned for

the welfare of our neighbors in this situation, who rely on the MTA to get to jobs, school and stores.

For example, one aspect of these fare increases is the possible elimination of student halffare and full-fare MetroCards.

Many low-income students use these cards to get to distant New York City schools, public and private. There are many excellent high schools in this city, such as the Bronx High School of Science, Regis High School and Fordham Prep. By discontinuing student MetroCards, many city students will have a hard time getting to schools of their choice, contrary to Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s initiative encouraging school choice. Additionally, many homes on the outskirts of the city, in residential neighborhoods, are not within walking distance of schools.

This is just one area in which the availability of cheap, reliable transit affects much more than one might think. For example, another aspect of these service cuts is elimination of certain bus routes. One such route is the Bx4 in the South Bronx. This route begins in Westchester Square, near Parkchester, goes through Parkchester (a residential neighborhood) and terminates at “The Hub,” a shopping area in Mott Haven similar to Fordham Road.

While this route parallels the IRT 5/6 Trains, it eliminates the benefits of bus service, including greater frequency and ease of paratransit (which is also on the chopping block).

One may criticize the MTA, and those criticisms are valid.

One student discussed with me that he did not want any additional money going to the MTA because they “sucked.” I assume

what he meant is that he had noticed constant fare increases and service cuts while living in the New York City area. The problem here, though, is that New York City is stuck with the MTA. Transit in every city loses money, so unless we want to eliminate subways and buses and stick everyone in cars, we must put up with a government agency running them.

One can gripe about the MTA being inefficient, and inefficiencies do exist, but it does provide relatively reliable transit to millions of people across two states (Connecticut being the other, of course, a shameless MetroNorth plug). The new chairman of the agency, Jay Walder, came from Transit for London with a reputation of being a reformer.

However, the only way to en-

sure that reform occurs is political pressure, something which, perhaps, Fordham students have not been the best at applying.

However, with this issue affecting so many in the Fordham and Bronx communities, it is clear that this is one issue we can all be concerned about.

Christopher Kennedy, FCRH ’12, is a theology major from Mystic, Conn.

PHOTO BY CLAIRE LORENZO/THE RAM

The MTA might have to raise fares, reduce discounts and cut bus and subway services to help combat budget deficits.

Tuition Ceilings Would Curb Skyrocketing Fees

By CHRISTINE BARCELLONA OPINIONS EDITOR

Every year, families grimace when they see the newest Fordham tuition figures. While it makes sense for the school to raise tuition because of tough economic times and the decreased endowment, the multi-thousand-dollar yearly increases are enough for families to want to stop tightening their belts and start hanging themselves with them.

The University is doing poorly financially, but many families of Fordham students may have also been affected by the economic downturn.

When most less-than-full-tuition scholarships do not increase along with the tuition and many families may not have calculated for the steep increase in costs, Fordham might do well to follow the examples of schools like Middlebury College by establishing tuition hike ceilings. This way, students would know before enrolling whether or not they can afford the school, and whether or not their scholarships or financial aid will be enough after a few years of tuition increases.

Fordham University at Rose Hill is the 53rd-most expensive school in America, according to Campusgrotto. com. The site’s estimated cost for tuition, room and board at Fordham is

$49,541, while the cost of the most expensive school in America, Sarah Lawrence College is $54,410. Though there is a ranking difference of over 50 spots, there is only a $4,869 difference in price per year. The second-most expensive school, New York University, is only $2,450 more expensive than Fordham.

That sum is almost negligible; Fordham students from across the country might pay that much in airfare each year, making Fordham more expensive for Californians than New York University would be for denizens of Connecticut. Because of this narrow difference in costs, Fordham should be thought of as one of the most expensive schools in the nation. When families are already paying megabucks to send their children to school, the yearly tuition hikes begin to take their toll.

Perhaps Fordham is ashamed of its hefty price, because it appears nearly impossible to find the current cost of tuition on the school’s Web site.

Though Fordham has released figures for 2010-2011’s costs, the Web site has hidden away those numbers, which seem to be available only on bills to families.

Students have observed Fordham’s reticence.

“Finding Fordham’s actual tuition

price is as hard as finding the nutrition facts at a McDonald’s,” Jacqui Gutkin, FCRH ’12, said.

According to the Fordham Facts page, Fordham’s undergraduate tuition price for 2008-2009 was $34,200, but the fact sheet offers little insight into the current year’s cost (which, the Chronicle of Higher Education proclaims is $36,882, a 4.6 percent increase). According to a letter sent out to parents, next year’s projected tuition is $38,345, another increase of almost $2,000.

Everyone is in a tough spot, financially. However, the school’s solution to a lower endowment should not be to gouge students for even more money, especially when families may be trapped in their own financial nightmares.

Many colleges are stuck in this difficult position, but Middlebury College has taken steps toward a possible solution. According to insidehighered. com, Middlebury has proposed that the total cost of its tuition, room and board should increase no more than one percentage point above the consumer price index. The article explains that the College Board reports a 4.4 percent increase in tuition, room and board at private, four-year colleges.

While this would not save students an enormous amount of money, and

while it would limit the school’s budget, it is a step in the right direction.

Over the past few decades, college costs have been on a climb that outstrips inflation and average earnings increases. The cost of college should not have to cripple families economically, especially in today’s world, when college is essential in the job market.

Over the past few years, Fordham’s price tag has drifted steadily upwards.

Fordham cannot raise its tuition $2,000 every year in the future. Anyone who can add sees that this is an unsustainable increase.

Fordham does the right thing with its full-tuition scholarships, which increase with tuition, but it errs in not pegging smaller scholarships and grants to tuition increases. For example, if someone is offered about $10,000 annually for a Dean’s Scholarship, he or she might realize by senior year that this scholarship did little more than cover the increases in tuition.

No one knows when the economic climate will grow less tempestuous, and Fordham must take steps to hold its tuition steady. It is true that the University’s endowment has dropped 24 percent, from $434,706 in June 2008 to $330,166 in June 2009, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. This has hurt the school, and

has prompted visible cuts this year, from the severely decreased library hours to the reduced operation of the Walsh gate. However, for comparison, Middlebury College’s endowment has dropped 21 percent during the same time period, and it wants to try to hold its tuition steady.

The administration must find ways to cut University spending without cutting scholarships or financial aid, and without crippling the University’s academics. It is impossible to suggest how the University can do this, since its budget is as opaque as the door of a bank vault, but there must be ways that Fordham can streamline its operation, become more efficient and save money. The only other opinion would be to raise tuition, which cannot continue at this rate for much longer.

A 2010 Jaguar XF sedan costs $52,000, which is close to what Fordham will cost next school year. If Fordham costs as much as a Jaguar this year, there are only so many consecutive years that the University can raise tuition before a year of school becomes the same price as a Ferrari. And most families cannot afford to buy a Ferrari every year.

Christine Barcellona, FCRH ’12, is an English major from Dallas, Texas.

She can be reached at cbarcellona@fordham.edu.

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Get Your Coffee Fix at the New Blend Café Fordham Grads Jump in to Fill Fordham’s Need for a Local Coffee Shop

By ABIGAIL FORGET MANAGING EDITOR

The Fordham University community has a new establishment in its midst; the Blend Café, which serves coffee and lunch, has opened on East Fordham Road. The cafe opened its doors for business on St. Patrick’s Day and features a full coffee selection, in addition to sandwiches, salads, bagels and pastries.

“We felt it was something that was missing,” Suzann Fleming, cofounder of the coffee shop, said.

Suzann, along with her husband and co-founder Bill Fleming, discovered property for sale next to the Shell gas station on Fordham Road approximately one year ago.

The pair envisioned a place where the Fordham community could come together, enjoy a cup of coffee and socialize as an extension of campus life.

The duo has an extensive history in the Bronx. Suzann and Bill both attended Fordham and Bill’s family worked in the Bronx his entire life.

“We currently live in Westchester,

but we always come back to Arthur Avenue, the Botanical Gardens and the Bronx Zoo,” Suzann said. “We wanted to give back to the Fordham community.”

The Flemings elaborated on their mission by explaining that they want the Fordham professors, graduate and undergraduate students and faculty members to have a type of place that they felt was lacking in the Bronx. The owners said they thought a coffee shop open morning, noon and night that was also casual and comfortable did not seem to be offered in the area.

The couple reasoned that because the Blend is off campus, it can bring all members of the Fordham community together on equal ground. They would also like to see students bring their families and siblings to the Blend to get coffee during visits to Fordham.

“My time in college was spent talking, talking to friends, creating relationships,” Suzann commented. “Yes, you can do that over a beer, but you can also do that over

PHOTO BY STEPHEN MOCCIA/THE RAM

The Blend offers space for students to study both on couches and at high benches.

PHOTO BY STEPHEN MOCCIA/THE RAM

The Blend offers a new option for students looking for coffee, pastries and a new place to hang out and study with friends.

coffee. It is not just the coffee, but everything that surrounds it. It is social; people can exchange ideas and have discussions.”

The Blend offers a large back room with leather couches, tables and a plethora of outlets for laptops, with free wi-fi for all customers.

“When we were at school, we were chained to our rooms,” Suzann joked. “We didn’t have laptops, word processors and such. It is different than a decade ago. When we found the place, we thought that the wi-fi would go perfect with a coffee shop. Now with the use of laptops, students are able to be mobile and use the Blend as a place to work, write, study and collaborate with others on group projects.”

Both Flemings expressed interest in utilizing the establishment for staff lunches, student group meetings and even professors’ office hours in the future, due to the

Blend’s accessibility.

“To have a place in such proximity is definitely what sold us,” Bill said.

The Blend also features a stage for student groups to make use of for anything they wish. The owners are looking to foster creativity with this option.

“We’re going to grow together and we’re going to learn from this,” Bill said. “We can set nights for open mic, game nights, comedy nights, poetry, anything.”

Despite the already aesthetically pleasing, modern set up of the back room, Suzann and Bill said they are hoping to eventually spice up the walls with amateur student photographers’ work, with a possible Bronx theme. They said they hope to get into art showings once this project takes off.

Every step of the Blend’s production involved local businesses. The locksmith, equipment supplier and

contractors are all located in the Bronx. The Flemings use a coffee supplier of organic Fair Trade coffee, Cerini Coffee & Gifts, on Arthur Avenue, in addition to using Artuso’s Pastry Shop on East 187th for pastries, and Mike’s Deli on Arthur Avenue for their sandwiches and salads.

The Blend also prides itself on donating all leftover food to City Harvest’s Beacon of Hope House for the deaf and the mentally challenged on Bathgate Avenue.

“We’re fans of Fordham,” Bill said. “We want to be in with you guys. We’re officially open for business.”

The Blend is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. It is open year-round to all members of the Fordham and Belmont communities at 582 East Fordham Rd.

Or Stop By Munchiez for a Burger and Fries Indulge Your Craving for Greasy Food at a Fordham Grad’s New Restaurant

By NICO GIGIOLIO CONTRIBUTING WRITER

It’s 3 a.m., you’re starving and you hate talking on the phone more than you hate eating alone in the cafeteria. What do you do?

This is no longer a dilemma now that Munchiez, Arthur Avenue’s new late-night eatery, is set to open the first week of April and is run by Fordham graduate Vlad Petric, CBA ’09.

According to Petric, his new establishment will include a wide variety of uniquely put-together sandwiches that fuse traditional hoagies like a Philadelphia cheesesteak with finger foods such as chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks

and jalapéño poppers.

“Munchiez has a lot to offer the Fordham community,” Petric said.

“You can’t find this type of food anywhere else nearby.”

In addition to Munchiez’ unique sandwiches and classic American foodstuffs, it will also be the first restaurant in the area to utilize text message ordering. Text message orders may be placed for pick-up or delivery. Petric said he thinks this will be a very useful tool for students, since text messaging is sometimes much easier than making a phone call.

“I think text message ordering is a really good idea,” Stephen Hurley, FCRH ’10, said, “I can’t tell you how many times that I’ve mumbled my way to a wrong or-

der.”

The hours of operation still have not been finalized, but Petric expects to open at 8 a.m. during the week, 10 a.m. on weekends and will remain open sometime between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., depending on how busy it gets.

Supplying the Fordham community with a place that patrons can enjoy a meal when other restaurants are closed is Petric’s goal.

He also plans to extend the hours down the road so that it is open all night for patrons.

Petric’s late-night eatery is tackling a concern with which many students have issues.

“I am always looking for a new place nearby to order from or eat at,” Brendan Green, CBA ’12, said.

“The fact that it is open late adds even more incentive to eat there.”

Originally, Petric had planned to open Munchiez around the start of the fall ’09 semester, but hit several municipal speed bumps on the road to licensing.

“At Fordham, I studied the theories behind opening up a business,” Petric said. “What I didn’t learn was how hard it is to accomplish the practical steps required to open a business. A lot of it is out of your own control.

It took a month and a half just to get someone to install a commercial gas meter. It seems like there is a government agency that needs something and charges a fee every step of the way.”

Vlad Petric majored in finance.

He is originally from Romania, but immigrated to the United States in 1995 and now lives in New Jersey.

Petric said he has always seen himself as entrepreneurial by nature. He has experience in operating a business start-up and ran a clothing line last year called “GATS.B.” He has chosen not to pursue that business any longer, as he said he hopes to achieve greater success with Munchiez.

The name “Munchiez” was trademarked by Petric earlier this year and he said he hopes to turn it into a franchise in the future.

To try Petric’s food for yourself, stop by Munchiez at 2472 Arthur Ave., or call (347) 758-6535. You can also become a fan of it on Facebook.

CULTURE

PAGE 18 • THE RAM • APRIL 14, 2010

That’s So Po MARY PORPORA Week 8: The Joys of Spring Ah, spring. I like to think of spring as nature’s appetizer to the delectable meal that is summer.

The brilliant part about spring is that it incorporates the best parts of all of the seasons. Spring includes the sun of summer, the vibrant colors of autumn and the refreshing wind of winter. The colors of the changing leaves in autumn are pretty but limited, and once they are on the ground, they turn to a dirty shade of brown that is rather unappealing. Spring has a plethora of naturally occurring, rich colors everywhere you turn.

Winter, well let’s face it, is ugly.

Besides the first few days after a snow fall, winter is a mess of gray skies and muddied snow. While there are fits of joy and beauty with those school-closing snowfalls, those instances are fleeting and farbetween. After that one day of no school and silent glistening, snow is a nuisance that only gets worse as it starts to melt. The beauty of spring only gets better as the season progresses. The sun only shines brighter. The grass only gets greener, and no phase change can change that.

Besides the fact that it is an aesthetically pleasing season, spring also allows for some of the best activities. The manageable weather makes playing sports so much more enjoyable.

Spring sports have always been my favorite, especially baseball. I love the sound of metal bats hitting baseballs, and whenever I walk past a baseball field and I hear that, I know spring is finally here.

Spring also means the beginning of professional baseball season, and I have to say, one of my favorite parts about spring is going to that first Yankee game and yelling. Not only does it make the game more bearable, but it is also a great way to make new friends. It’s remarkable how a shared love or hatred of something can bring strangers together and instigate hours of giving high-fives.

This pleasant weather allows for endless amounts of fun. I always remember being able to play outside for the first time without a heavy coat. It is such a liberating feeling when you can just wander outside in a light sweater.

Spring is that one season where everyone remembers what it is like to be a kid and to have fun. I would be deeply saddened to discover one person who does not have one great memory that happened in spring.

Whether it was tracing each other in chalk, playing kickball, making flower necklaces, a rousing game of TV tag or those first pumps on the coveted swings, spring always had the potential for a good time.

There is just something about spring that makes me happy. I cannot look around at the budding flowers and brilliantly blue sky and be angry. Spring is a time for hope and joy and smiles. Even though we are currently stuck in a world of research papers and tests, spring gives us a reassurance that the relaxation of summer is fast approaching.

Spring: now that’s so Po!

Dining Out: Fusha West Indulge Your Asian-Fusion Craving with Summer Rolls and Lettuce Wraps

By MOLLY McLOONE STAFF WRITER

When the weather warms up, I love taking advantage of restaurants that offer outdoor seating. One of my favorites is Fusha West, a great Asian fusion and sushi restaurant only 15 blocks north of Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus.

I have been eating here for over a year now, and time and again I have had great experiences. The outdoor seating section’s décor is simple yet picturesque and boasts a great spot right on the corner of Amsterdam Avenue.

If the weather is not in your favor, Fusha West’s interior décor is peaceful, intimate and relaxing.

The service and food at Fusha West only enhances the great atmosphere.

The servers are attentive and helpful but not overwhelming, and the menu offers a great selection of Asian-fusion Overall food and sushi, all at reasonable prices.

Location Each dish is presented in a unique Food Quality and beautiful way that makes you all Atmosphere the more excited to enjoy it.

Hospitality On my most recent trip to Fusha Price $$ West, I ordered the edamame ($6), (Out of 4 ’s) which was cooked to perfection, and the delicious steamed shrimp shumai ($5) as appetizers. For my entrée, I ordered the Christmas roll ($15), a delicious avocado and cucumber roll, topped with big-eye tuna and tempura crumbs.

The menu at Fusha West offers a varied selection of dishes. There is something for everyone, even those who do not enjoy sushi. On other trips, I have also enjoyed the Vietnamese shrimp summer roll ($8), sautéed diced chicken lettuce wrap ($9), Thai pineapple fried rice ($12) and the Thaistyle pad Thai rice noodles ($13).

Fusha West’s combination of great food, service, location, atmosphere and prices make it a great choice for lunch or dinner.

L. MUELLER/KRT

Fusha West’s good food is only part of the experience, with its beautiful décor a major attraction.

Fusha West 311 Amsterdam Avenue (75th & Amsterdam) (212) 877-9300

Editor’s Pick: ‘Life As We Know It’ Despite Its Short Life, This Teen Drama Is Worth a Watch

By SEAN MCGONIGLE COPY EDITOR

In high school, I would not be caught dead watching “The O.C.,” and I know that I am not the only guy who felt that way. Conversations at my all-boys high school never focused on Ryan Atwood or Sandy Cohen, and if Mischa Barton or Rachel Bilson were mentioned, it rarely, if ever, had anything to do with FOX’s hit show. Instead, we focused on “Scrubs,” “Two-ADays” and “24.” We would literally talk about anything but the teen drama that seemed to catch girls by storm.

I guess that none of that is surprising, but I had attributed my hatred of the show to its genre. Up until 2004-2005, that was actually a fair assessment. Running through the typical cannon of teen dramas (“Degrassi,” “Party of Five,” “Buff y,” “Dawson’s Creek” or the epitome of drama, “7th Heaven”), I can safely say that I had no interest in the teen drama field. That all changed when I was introduced to ABC’s “Life As We Know It.” The short-lived show went inside the heads of Dino Whitman (Sean Farris), Jonathan (Chris Lowell, “Veronica Mars”) and Ben ( Jon Foster, The Informers), three high school friends, following them through a year at Woodrow Wilson

High School in Seattle. So far, aside from the predominantly male cast, this does not sound too different from the average teen drama. However, the show specialized in breaking the fourth wall, allowing the three characters to directly address the camera and explain their feelings to the audience. These snippets provided some of the funniest commentary of the series along with realistic insight into the life of teenage boys.

While what Dino and his friends talked about was not exactly noteworthy, it was refreshing to hear three guys express their opinions on their daily goings on. Dino, the hockey star, commented on girls, sports, girls, his problems with his parents’ divorce, girls, his relationship with Jonathan and Ben and girls. Jonathan and Ben’s monologues were similar, with Ben talking about one of his teachers and his role in the school play, and Jonathan talking about problems with his girlfriend Deborah (Kelly Osbourne–yes, Ozzie’s daughter).

As funny and enlightening as these moments could be, they also showed how the boys evolved throughout the course of the show, something lacking in many teen dramas. Though some of these changes are slightly sensationalistic, overall the writers of the show do a great job depicting the trans-

formation high school kids, specifically boys, undergo.

The show started off with an absolute bang, revealing an affair between Dino’s mom and his hockey coach. The affair serves as a backbone for many of the show’s plots, providing a bridge to Dino’s troubles with his girlfriend, Jackie (Missy Peregrym, “Heroes”), in addition to bringing Dino’s parents, Annie (Lisa Darr, “Weeds”) and Michael (D.B. Sweeney, “Criminal Minds”), squarely into the drama.

Jonathan and Deborah transform their friendship into a relationship, and Benjamin experiences certain complications with his English teacher, Ms. Monica Young (Marguerite Moreau of Mighty Ducks fame).

As the show progresses throughout 11 episodes, Dino learns how to cope with his parents’ divorce, but he also needs to mature in order to prove to Jackie that he is datable. Ben, who has always had trouble connecting to girls his own age, has to deal with the attention Ms. Young begins to give him, and realize the sacrifices that come with dating. Jonathan and Deborah begin to figure out that making a friendship a relationship is not as easy as it sounds.

The creators did a fantastic job with casting, as our three heroes actually come across as close friends.

Audience members really connect with Dino, Ben and Jonathan because they interact well with each other and are a lot of fun to watch together. The boys’ interactions with their female counterparts are also excellent, and each couple highlights the various stages of teenage relationships.

Taking a page out of “The O.C.’s” playbook, the music for the show was outstanding. The show’s theme song, “Sooner or Later,” by Michael Tolcher, should be on any ’90s fan’s playlist.

The show also featured good music by Finger Eleven, Franz Ferdinand, Palo Alto, Snow Patrol and Luther Russell. The songs fit in perfectly with the drama unfolding during the show and also sound great on most playlists. The music helped to add another dimension to an already entertaining show.

Unfortunately, ABC paired “Life As We Know It” against “The O.C.” in an attempt to grab ratings from FOX. That move completely backfired. “Life” filmed a total of 13 episodes, only 11 of which aired on television. A DVD with all of the episodes was released, but for those who want to experiment with a few episodes before investing in the show, youtube.com has full episodes to watch. Give them a look, and I guarantee that you’ll be hooked on “Life.”

CULTURE

APRIL 14, 2010 • THE RAM • PAGE 19

what’s

‘American Idol’ Falters with Fans Shows Future is Questioned as it Loses Credibility

By KATIE CORRADO CONTRIBUTING WRITER

This season of “American Idol” marks the show’s ninth season on FOX, and has been one of the network’s most popular shows ever.

However, the reality show seems to be sliding in popularity as of late.

“American Idol” has always sat solidly in the No. 1 spot in the ratings until this past week, when “Dancing with the Stars” took the No. 1 slot for the first time and bumped

“American Idol” to second place, according to Rolling Stone magazine. Is this an indication of the success (or lack thereof) of “American Idol” in the future? Perhaps.

Season Nine marked the departure of judge Paula Abdul and the arrival of Ellen DeGeneres, who despite her wit and humor has no background in the music industry.

This is also the last season in which viewers will hear the brutally honest criticisms of Simon Cowell, who is leaving “American Idol” to

MICHAEL BECKER/MCT

A shift in judges has made fans question whether the show is still relevant, and whether the contestants have the potential for success.

bring his wildly popular show “The X Factor” to the United States.

This season’s crop of talent also seems to be adding to the show’s shortcomings. These contestants pale in comparison to those from last season – notably Adam Lambert. Lambert alone has generated so much publicity and success from “American Idol,” making it painfully obvious that none of this season’s contestants can live up to his success.

Some of the strongest contestants at this point in the competition are Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze, but neither seems to be a “standout” with the potential to become as successful as a past winner like Carrie Underwood. The fact that Aaron Kelly is still in the competition and has survived thus far is also a clear indication that the talent is not up to par with past seasons.

For all the critiques of “American Idol,” I will admit that I still enjoy the show. Until this season, I used to watch every episode religiously.

When this season rolled around, I wanted to like this year’s contestants; I wanted to find one whose music I could really see myself enjoying, but I feel like the show just fell flat.

I find myself missing episodes week after week, only keeping up by maybe – if I’m really interested – checking Google to see who was eliminated.

Once Simon is gone next season, I may watch a few episodes, just to see how the show is staying afloat without him.

What I’m most excited for is “The X Factor.” “American Idol” may have hit its prime a few seasons ago and is now starting to die out.

Whatever the reason, I’m looking forward to watching another show give “American Idol” some competition.

Know “what’s going on” on campus or in NYC?

Going

15 16

?

On

Send tips, event listings, or comments to theram@fordham.edu.

THURSDAY

Launch Party for Reality Matters Word 126 Franklin St. (at Milton St.)

For everyone who has ever spent an afternoon entranced by “Tool Academy,” head to this party to discuss different reality shows and listen to essays from the new compilation book Reality Matters.

FRIDAY

Citizen Kane 209 W. Houston St. (between Sixth Ave. and Varick St.)

Start your weekend off with some culture, and go see one of the greatest films of all time.

17

SATURDAY Street Games 2010 Thomas Jefferson Park First Ave. (between E. 111th and 114th Sts.) Come see competitions in classic childhood games. Tickets are free and two former New York Knicks players are scheduled to be on hand.

18

SUNDAY

Mark Twain’s New York Walking Tour Southwest corner Broadway and Spring St.

Though his most famous work was set in the South, Mark Twain still had ties to New York.

19

MONDAY

Anna Wintour Pratt Institute 200 Willoughby Ave.

Whether to learn about fashion or to test the veracity of The Devil Wears Prada, go hear the Vogue editor speak and participate in a Q&A afterwards.

20 21

TUESDAY

The Butterfly Conservatory: Tropical Butterflies Alive in Winter American Museum of Natural History Central Park West (at 79th St.)

If the sudden drop in temperatures has you down, revel in the 80-degree temperatures and admire the different butterflies.

New York Philharmonic Avery Fisher Hall 1941 Broadway (at 65th St.)

WEDNESDAY

Take a break from Lady Gaga and stop by Valery Gergiev’s Russian Stavinsky festival, which kicks off with three of his most well-known works and lasts for three weeks.

Ram Reviews THEATER

COMPANY

MOVIE

PROMISES, PROMISES

VIRGIN AMERICA

THE LAST SONG

Promises, Promises is a revival of the 1968 Broadway musical, originally based on the 1960 screenplay “The Apartment”. The book was written by the genius that is Neil Simon and the music is by Burt Bacharach (Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on my Head, That’s What Friends are For).

Promises, Promises follows the story of Chuck Baxter (Sean Hayes), an ambitious employee of the Consolidated Life Insurance Company, who is looking to make his way up the corporate ladder. In order to do so, he allows the married executives of Consolidated Life to use his apartment when they want to “spend time” with other women.

Overall I give Promises, Promises a rating of 3.6948 on a 5.2763 scale.

An airline is not the typical thing I talk about in my reviews, but Virgin America has really impressed me. I guess that sets the stage for how this review will sound, but allow me to explain.

The most important thing Virgin America has to offer is price. They are a low-cost airline.

Check-in is quick and their boarding pass is sleek, simple, and it can fit in your pocket. They board quickly and the gate crew, armed with big smiles on their faces, greets each guest upon entry. Flights are generally smooth even when I had to fly during a heavy storm.

Finally, the thing that impressed me most about Virgin America was the on-board crew. The Virgin America flight crews go above and beyond to provide their guests exceptional service.

With the success of A Walk to Remember and The Notebook, in addition to all of the hype revolving around the recently released Dear John, The Last Song, directed

by Julie Anne Robinson (“Grey’s Anatomy”), possessed a formerly established potential.

The Last Song was risky in its tactics, as Nicholas Sparks formulated a screenplay prior to the novel, with a role specifically written for Miley Cyrus (“Hannah Mantana”), who plays the main character of Ronnie Miller. For Cyrus’ first role outside of the Disney bubble, she was fairly enjoyable.

The Last Song is a memorable viewing experience that allows the audience to connect and experience a vast array of emotions, ranging from anger and despair to happiness and love.

TELEVISION “CELEBRITY APPRENTICE”

Donald Trump’s original “Apprentice” reality series may have dried up and become irrelevant, but his offshoot, “Celebrity Apprentice,” continues to deliver television worth watching. The billionaire businessman-turned-popculture-icon must have known that nothing beats watching a bunch of random celebrities with enormous egos battle each other in a competition for charity money. Until this season, I had never seen one episode of either series and thought the tasks and boardroom scenes made the show quite boring. After watching the premiere episode over spring break, I became hooked.

Some key players may have already left, but each of the distinctive personalities of the celebrities clash dramatically and make for a highly entertaining show.

MOVIE THE GHOST WRITER

For those looking for a break from the blockbusters and romantic comedies currently filling multiplexes, Academy Award-winning director Roman Polanski (The Pianist) offers up his latest feature, The Ghost Writer.

Ewan McGregor (Big Fish) plays a successful ghostwriter who reluctantly agrees to complete the memoirs of the former British Prime Minister, Adam Lang (Pierce Bronsnan, Goldeneye). The Ghost is actually the second to work on the project- the original ghostwriter, an advisor to Lang, mysteriously drowned. In order to work more closely with Lang, the Ghost flies out to the politician’s compound on Martha’s Vineyard. It is worth seeking out, whether in theaters or later on DVD, for its well-crafted story and fine acting.

TO READ THESE REVIEWS IN THEIR ENTIRETY, VISIT THERAMONLINE.COM AND CLICK ON “CULTURE” ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HOMEPAGE.

CULTURE

PAGE 20 • THE RAM • APRIL 14, 2010

3-D Movies Lead to Ticket Price Hikes Audiences Question the Worth of New Technology as They Pay More

By ANNA BECKELMAN STAFF WRITER

This year is looking like the biggest year ever for 3-D movies. It’s only April, and already Avatar, Alice in Wonderland, How to Train Your Dragon and the new Clash of the Titans have made millions in both 2-D and the far more attentiongrabbing 3-D. Several more films are slated for 3-D releases later this year, including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.

A 3-D film certainly has the potential to be an exciting moviegoing experience, as the audience feels like they’re actually on the planet Pandora or wandering through the strange world of Won-

derland with Alice. However, such an experience has always come at a higher price, and that price has just gone up again.

On March 25, CNNMoney reported that the following day, ticket prices for 3-D movies would increase about 8.3 percent across the U.S. That means that going to see Clash of the Titans in 3-D this weekend at the AMC Empire 25 in Times Square will set you back $17.50, while seeing it in traditional 2-D will cost $12.50 (what some people already consider pretty pricey for seeing a movie). The suburban movie theaters won’t be much lighter on your wallet; at the AMC Garden State 16 in Paramus,

N.J., 3-D tickets are now going for $16.50, 2-D tickets for $11.50.

Prices in other regions of the country, though not quite as high, are still much more expensive than in the past.

These astronomical ticket prices bring up an inevitable question: Is 3-D worth it? According to several prominent critics, the answer is, at least in some cases, no way. Clash of the Titans has not exactly been a critical success, but many reviewers have been willing to admit that the film looks good-in 2-D, that is. Because Clash was filmed in 2-D and then converted to 3-D (as was Alice in Wonderland), the 3-D version apparently looks choppy and rather unimpressive to many. Instead of

TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX/MCT

Avatar may have been a hit with critics, but the price increases caused by its 3-D technology have some audiences upset.

being a shining example of technological advancement, 3-D movies are now in danger of simply being seen as a way to get more cash out of moviegoers.

“Explain to kids that the movie was not filmed in 3-D and is only being shown in 3-D in order to charge you an extra $5 a ticket,” famed critic Roger Ebert notes in his Clash review. “I saw it in 2-D, and let me tell you, it looked terrific.”

Another noted critic, Leonard Matlin, said he agrees that socalled “up-converted” movies are not worth it for audiences.

“A movie that’s been designed for 3-D and executed specifically with 3-D in mind, whether it’s Coraline or Avatar, provides a much richer experience,” he explained to AOL Moviefone.

Among general audiences, the excitement that surrounded 3-D when Avatar premiered in December and had continued over the next few months seems to be dying down with the price increases, especially as audiences notice that not all 3-D films are created equal.

WIBC in Indianapolis reported “grumbling” among area moviegoers at learning of the higher ticket costs in late March, with one man saying that he plans to be “really picky” about what movies he will see in 3-D in the future. Although 3-D movies, up-converted or not, continue to rake in millions of dollars at the box office, many news reports suggest that audiences around the U.S. are starting to think that 3-D is simply a ploy

from studios and movie theaters to make more money, and some are becoming much more selective about which movies are worth paying an extra $5 to see.

If 3-D is indeed just a moneymaker for most studios, some movie fans are concerned that film quality will suffer as a result.

“I feel like pretty soon everything is going to be in 3-D,” Mike DiChiara, FCRH ’11, said. “Visual effects are obviously an important part of filmmaking, but at its core, a good film has to tell a solid story and have good character development. These important qualities may be lost if 3-D becomes a part of nearly every movie.”

Hopefully, Hollywood will learn from the recent backlash against 3-D and start using this technology more as an artistic choice, not just a lucrative one.

“3-D, if tastefully and carefully done, can greatly enhance how you experience a movie,” Liz Certa, FCRH ’12, said. “Filmmakers are starting to see 3-D this way, not just as an opportunity to force scenes of things jumping out at you into their movies for a cheap thrill. If done well, it’s definitely worth the extra money.”

If enough filmmakers and studios share that attitude and become more selective about what movies are made in 3-D and how the technique is implemented, they could very well create many more rewarding, exciting movie experiences than ones which make audiences feel they have just been robbed.

WHO’S THAT KID? Katie Corrado A MEMBER OF FCRH ‘12, MAJORING IN COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA STUDIES FROM CEDAR GROVE, N.J. Where have we seen you?

You may have seen me on “Fordham Nightly News”. I anchor on Mondays and do entertainment on Tuesdays.

Favorite childhood show and favorite current show?

My favorite childhood show is a toss-up between “Rugrats” and “Legends of the Hidden Temple”.

Right now, I’m obsessed with CBS’s “The Big Bang Theory.”

Who would play you in a movie and why?

Emma Roberts, (Valentine’s Day, Nancy Drew), would definitely play me because we look very much alike. When I had long blonde hair in high school, our resemblance was a little eerie.

If you could have a dinner with any historical person, who would it be and why?

George Orwell - 1984 is one of

my favorite books, and I’d love to know what he thinks of the world today in comparison to the world he created in his novel.

How do you blow off steam?

I vent to my family and friends.

Talking is my biggest release.

What would your ideal day in Manhattan consist of?

My ideal day would include three things: a trip to the flagship Bloomingdale’s, a visit to Dylan’s Candy Bar right across the street and a really amazing celebrity sighting.

What is the biggest misconception people have about you?

I think the biggest misconception is that I’m all about my schoolwork and post-college plans. I do consider myself [to be] a very driven and focused individual, but it’s definitely not everything that defines me.

If you could be anywhere and doing anything right now, what would it be?

I would be on Long Beach Island, walking the beach.

Stuck on an island, what would you need?

Ice cream and my Blackberry.

Favorite class at Fordham and favorite professor?

My Spanish classes with Professor Romero were by far my favorite. She’s a tough professor, but I learned so much. She’s also a really sweet person outside the classroom.

What is your dream job?

To become the next Katie Couric.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Online shopping and eating dark chocolate. Both are very bad habits.

COURTESY OF KATIE CORRADO

Katie Corrado was recently named a New York Women in Communications Foundation Scholarship recipient, and will be recognized on “The Today Show” at 8:30 a.m. this Monday, April 19.

CULTURE

CBA’04 Women’s Basketball Alumna Starts Nigerian Sports Program

By KATIE CONWAY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Inspired by a quote engraved under her Fordham senior basketball photograph, Mobolaji Akiode, CBA ’04, abandoned her successful life in America to build her Hope 4 Girls (H4G) Africa program in Lagos, Nigeria.

“Travel the path of integrity and never look back for there is never a wrong time to do the right thing,” the quote reads, Akiode’s H4G Africa organization is now the center of an ESPN special “Her Story: 10 Times Over,” which aired April 4. The half-hour show, narrated by Robin Roberts of “Good Morning America,” highlights Akiode, the founder of H4G Africa, and the organization’s efforts.

Knowing she wanted to pursue the program, Akiode decided to quit a steady accounting job at ESPN. She said that she had nothing to lose that she could not eventually regain but knew her experience in Africa would be lifechanging.

In Akiode’s words, the H4G Africa program is about the “empowerment of young, underprivileged girls through the power of sports.”

Through sports, H4G Africa aims to foster a commitment to young African women between the ages of 12 to 18 years that will promote pro-social friendships, strong interpersonal skills, and reassert a sense of hope in the future. Social issues traditionally faced by young girls in these societies are the focus of the group.

“We use the platform of sports as a tool to encourage young girls to further their education and give them role models to look up to and life skills to guide their way,” Akiode said.

The U.S.-based, non-profit organization writes grants that provide

funding and equipment to nongovernmental organizations that operate in accordance to the mission of H4G Africa.

Akiode spent her childhood in Nigeria before moving to America permanently at age eight, and she said that she used basketball to assimilate to her new life. Akiode said that she focused on school and sports to escape the troubles of her childhood.

A record-setting Fordham scholar-athlete, Akiode graduated in 2004 with a degree in accounting. She then joined the national team from 2004-2007, competing in the 2004 Olympics, 2005 Common Wealth Games, 2006 World Championship and 2005 African Nations cup.

“As a freshman, during our basketball profile, I was asked my craziest ambition and I said to play for my national team and Olympics,” she said. “Even though then I never knew it could, or would, happen, I stayed in school and worked hard so when the opportunity came I was ready.”

Learning from her experiences, Akiode advises girls who attend her camps to “arm themselves with the tools that will have them ready, then anything is achievable.”

During her time with the national team, Akiode frequently visited Africa, noticing the strife young girls there faced. She began modestly collecting money from her co-workers to set up basketball camps for girls in Nigeria. Akiode teamed up with former WNBA star, Yolanda Griffith, and other local coaches for the first H4G Africa camp this past August.

Akiode attributes the person she is today to her experience at Fordham. Akiode said that her participation in basketball camps, community service and the overall impact Fordham has on the community helped her build the char-

APRIL 14, 2010 • THE RAM • PAGE 21

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E-mail us at: fordhamramculture@gmail.com And follow The Ram on its Twitter account! www.twitter.com/thefordhamram acter needed to pursue the H4G Africa project.

Frank McLaughlin, executive director of athletics at Fordham, knew Akiode personally.

“She is a truly outstanding young woman that we are extremely proud of,” he said.

Akiode also recalls an astronomy professor who, when she informed him that she could be an accountant, said that she was much too interesting and had a lot to offer the world. Akiode said that she never forgot that remark.

Truly possessing the Jesuit spirit, Akiode said she lives a much harder life in Lagos as she has no steady income. Raising money and awareness for the program, Akiode said that she spends her days meeting with her board of trustees who help facilitate meetings with potential sponsors.

“I just miss the simple things; constant power, clean water, good roads, things we take for granted,” Akiode said.

However, she said that enjoying what she does helped her through

many rough times.

“Don’t do it expecting anything back,” she said. “At one point, I was the only one who believed in this project. Do it because you truly believe in it and are passionate about your cause.”

In the near future, Akiode said that she plans to work towards her MBA and further the H4G Africa organization.

Akiode urged students to visit the program’s Web site at www. hope4girlsafrica.org to support the efforts and provide creative ideas.

Indulge in Spring Fever Around the City Spend the End of the Semester by Enjoying Greenery and the Outdoors at These Spots Around New York City

ELLEN CREAGER/MCT

Stroll through Central Park to take advantage of the recent warm weather.

By LAUREN HATHAWAY STAFF WRITER

Springtime at Fordham – the grass is green, the smell of gardenias lingers in the air, and people everywhere seem to have smiles on their faces. Eddie’s Parade is crowded with sunbathers from morning until night, and Frisbees fly through the air. After such a long, cold winter, the sun is finally shining, and it is no wonder so many people are

heading outdoors to spend their time.

What are some of Fordham’s students doing to enjoy the spring?

Courtney Mackin, FCRH ’11, enjoys heading down to the South Street Seaport on sunny days to ride the Circle Line Ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Besides getting to learn a little about our nation’s immigrant history, the boat tour boasts spectacular views of Manhattan. For rainy days or

days that are just too hot to spend outside, Kayla LeGoff, FCRH ’13, encourages students to visit the Rose Center planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History.

“It’s a great way to have fun, it’s cool and I love it,” she said.

Of course, spring is the perfect time to enjoy our very own neighborhood. Admission to the Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Gardens are by donation only on Wednesdays, and there is no better time to take advantage of these deals. At the zoo, the Congo Gorilla Forest, the Children’s Zoo and the Butterfly Garden have all been reopened for the spring. The Gardens feature special spring exhibits such as “Emily Dickinson’s Gardens: the Poetry of Flowers,” an exhibition that combines Dickinson’s poetry with her passion for nature.

In Manhattan, Central Park offers much amusement for a beautiful spring day. Picnics at the park

with friends are always fun, but there is so much more this New York City oasis has to offer. The Central Park Carousel is located mid-park (around 64th Street), and for just $2 a ride, you’ll feel like a kid again. Belvedere Castle (near 79th Street) is also an exciting attraction. The castle sits atop Vista Rock, the second-highest point in Central Park, and provides a view of the park from nearly every direction. Visitors are also welcome to browse the natural history artifact collections in the castle.

For environmentally conscious souls, celebrate Earth Month in Union Square on Sunday, April 25 at “NYC Grows!” This free outdoor festival features gardening and treeplanting workshops, organic cooking demonstrations, a greenmarket selling locally grown products and many other “green” activities. For those who aren’t blessed with a green thumb, the festival also offers free giveaways and live musical performances.

Spring also marks the start of the Tribeca Film Festival. If you cannot make it to any of the festival’s regular film screenings, be sure to check out Tribeca Drive-In. The festival hosts outdoor screenings of three selected films at World Financial Plaza beginning at dusk (approximately 8:15 p.m.) from Thursday to Saturday, April 22-April 24. This year’s screenings will be El Espiritu de la Salsa, Big and The Birth of Big Air–movies that will surely interest film enthusiasts.

Also sponsored by the Tribeca Film Festival is the Tribeca Family Festival on Saturday, May 1 beginning at 10 a.m. The festival takes place on Greenwich Street from Chambers Street to Harrison Street and provides many family-friendly activities from hairspray painting to live music to a free screening of the film Snowmen at 7 p.m.

Don’t let spring slip away. New York City has dozens of exciting springtime events, so head outside and enjoy this beautiful season.

PAGE 22 • THE RAM • APRIL 14, 2010

ADVERTISING

ADVERTISING

APRIL 14, 2010 • THE RAM • PAGE23

PAGE 24 • THE RAM • APRIL14, 2010

ADVERTISING

SPRING CONCERT

Sunday, April 18 3:00 p.m.

Leonard Theater, Fordham Prep The hour-long concert will feature a variety of music performed by the 110-member Fordham University Band & Orchestra.

Reception to follow sponsored by the Band Alumni Association.

Admission is FREE! Bring a friend!

Support LIVE music on Campus!

APRIL 14, 2010

PAGE 25

Softball Stays Hot Winning 12 of Last 14 Games

By NANCY BUCKLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

As the weather has gotten consistently warmer, more and more Fordham students have been lounging outside, but not the Fordham softball team.

The Lady Rams have won all but two of their recent home games and are continuing to tear through their season with remarkable records.

The team has been one of the most successful at Fordham this season.

“The biggest difference from last year is our defense, which is doing a phenomenal job this season,” sophomore pitcher Jen Mineau said.

Mineau was recently selected by the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) to be a USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 25 Finalist.

She is the only sophomore, the only representative from the A-10 conference and the only person from the Northeast to qualify as a finalist. Mineau has had an amazing season thus far, and there are still more than 15 games to come.

Mineau’s season, at the time of her nomination on April 8, consisted of 36 games, the record for most strikeouts in a game (19), the single-season strikeout count (288) and seven shutouts. She was the A-10 Pitcher of the Week twice and has set multiple Fordham softball records.

The Top 25 list consists of 20 schools and seven conferences.

There are 10 seniors, seven juniors, one sophomore and seven freshmen on the list.

The Collegiate Player of the Year will be announced at the 2010 Women’s College World Series later this year.

Mineau is not the only one re-

ceiving national recognition. The team itself has been consistently receiving votes the entire season for the USA Today Division I Top 25 poll. They are currently five spots out of the Top 25.

The team’s winning streak began on March 24 in Jersey City against St. Peter’s, when the Lady Rams defeated the Peacocks in back-toback games.

In the first game, the Lady Rams broke five school records, including four by junior Beckah Wiggins.

The team smashed the record for the most hits in one game. The Lady Rams had 25 hits, a record previously set in 2007 with 22 hits against Temple.

Wiggins then went on to set four more Fordham records. She had nine RBI, breaking the previous record of seven, earned through two home runs, including a grand slam.

She then went on to tie the record for the most hits, with five. She also joined the list of Fordham players with two homers in one game. To finish off her game, Wiggins tied her own record of 11 total bases in one game.

Through all the excitement of making Fordham softball history, the team defeated St. Peter’s 21-1 in the first game and 12-1 in the second. The wins went to freshman pitcher Jamie Pollak (1-0) and junior pitcher Chelsea Plimpton (42).

On March 28, the Lady Rams won their first two games of A-10 play against Dayton. They shutout the Flyers in the first game 11-0, and defeated them once again in the second game by a score of 10-3.

The doubleheader was another record-breaker for the Lady Rams.

Mineau broke her own record of 18 strikeouts in one game, fanning

19 Flyers. Also in the first game of the day, Wiggins broke her own record of two home runs in one game which she shared with 12 other Lady Rams. She hit three home runs which included her second grand slam of the week.

As the campus emptied on March 31 for the Easter holiday, the softball team started warmups on Murphy Field for its game against the St. John’s Red Storm.

Batting practice began and fans started streaming in. The stands were buzzing about the team’s recent success. With Mineau on the mound, the team and the fans seemed confident as the game began.

The first inning was quick with three batters up, three down for the Red Storm, and a single, a walk, two fly-outs and a strikeout for the Lady Rams.

The game continued evenly matched into extra innings. The more intense the game became, the more and more people appeared to cheer the Lady Rams toward victory.

In the bottom of the 10th with one out, LaBovick hit a three-run home run to win the game. She knocked in junior third baseman Jocelyn Dearborn and sophomore left fielder Lindsey Kay Bright, both of whom singled to reach base.

The Lady Rams continued their winning streak at home on April 1 with a doubleheader against Rhode Island.

With the help of LaBovick’s pitching and Wiggins’s hitting, the Lady Rams breezed through the doubleheader, winning the first game 8-1 and the second 3-0. Wiggins had four hits throughout the day and three RBI, and LaBovick added three hits and two RBI. The team was not as success-

PHOTO BY SIMON SULIT/THE RAM

Sophomore pitcher Jen Mineau was selected as a Player of the Year Top 25 Finalist.

ful as they had hoped on April 3 against UMass.

“Our rivals, UMass, No. 20 in the country, is our biggest game,” Head Coach Bridget Orchard said.

Unfortunately, the highly anticipated game did not end the way the Lady Rams had hoped.

The Lady Rams lost the first game, 3-2, and dropped the second game 2-0.

The next games were on April 6, once again on Murphy Field at Fordham.

Fordham won the first game of the doubleheader against Manhattan, shutting out the crosstown rival 7-0. Senior outfielder Erin Fisher had a grand slam in the fourth inning to finish the scoring off.

Plimpton pitched the game, earning a career-high of 11 strikeouts.

The second game was also a victorious one for the Lady Rams, as they took it 7-3.

The Lady Rams continued their conference games on April 9 and 10 with a series against Saint Louis.

The series began with a win for Fordham. The 3-0 game was scoreless except for the third inning, when Dearborn homered and Wiggins hit a long ball to center to score Fisher and LaBovick, but was thrown out at third as she tried to stretch out a triple.

The second game of the series was on Saturday and was another win for Fordham.

The Lady Rams won 5-2. Scoring four runs in the first inning and their only other run of the game in the second. The score remained 5-0 until the fifth when the Billikins scored twice, but that was the closest they got.

The Lady Rams will next compete April 14 against Fairleigh Dickinson at 3 p.m. and at 5 p.m.

High Schoolers Use Basketball to Achieve Success in The Street Stops Here

By NICK CARROLL SPORTS EDITOR

For most Fordham students growing up, playing sports was just a game, a relaxing pastime to take their minds off of things and have some fun.

However, at Saint Anthony’s

High School in Jersey City, NJ, basketball is much more than that; it is the path to a better life.

In the documentary The Street Stops Here, director Kevin Shaw examines a way of life that not many can relate to by following the 200708 Saint Anthony’s men’s basketball team that finished the season

PHOTO BY MARK BECKER/THE RAM

Freshman Forward Chris Gaston was one of many to use Saint Anthony’s to get to college.

ranked No. 1 in the nation.

“The story is a remarkable tale with an urban area, violence and gangs,” Shaw said. “[Head Coach] Bob Hurley and basketball, in a collective effort to help the kids get a better life and help the school stay open.”

The documentary focused on Hurley, who was recently inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, and his effort to help the studentathletes live productive lives.

“A lot of the kids needed guidance,” Hurley said. “They need to be held to a standard, in a lot of cases that’s not the case.”

Basketball provided an opportunity for the players to improve their lives, which they would not have had anywhere else.

“Basketball is a vehicle and is great for self-esteem,” Hurley said.

“It is easier to push a kid who feels good about himself. We build him up and then push him.”

“It was a blessing to play over there and get out of my town,” freshman forward Chris Gaston said.

Hurley, a retired probation officer, used a tough-love approach in

order to help his players.

“It was a very frustrating job as a probation officer,” Hurley said.

“People are steadily doing the wrong things. Day in and day out kids come from the same background, and guys are notorious for getting into situations without thinking. We keep reminding kids of what is going on around them and tell them. We also tell them that nothing good happens after midnight.”

Even though Hurley was very difficult on the players, the players have trust in Hurley and allow him to provide guidance.

“We trusted that he knew what he was doing,” Southern California, and Fordham transfer, sophomore guard Jio Fontan said. “When your coach is a hall-of-famer, you trust him.”

This kind of fatherly guidance was something that was missing from most of the players’ lives.

Fontan was one of the few that received that kind of support.

“Dad always instilled in me to keep me grades up,” Fontan said. “I cannot put a value on my dad.”

“Kids bring their report cards to

me, I check their test scores, I look at the things that parents should look at but can’t,” Hurley said.

The work done at Saint Anthony’s has proven to be very successful, as the school graduates 99 percent of its students, compared to the 50 percent and below in the surrounding public schools, according to Shaw.

The film features many recognizable faces throughout college basketball today.

In addition to Fontan and Gaston, sophomore guard Alberto Estwick, Rutgers-transfer sophomore guard Mike Rosario, Kansas sophomore guard Tyshawn Taylor, Pittsburgh freshman guard Travon Woodall and Villanova freshman guard Dominic Cheek.

The documentary appeared on March 31 on PBS but should appear on the station periodically over the next three years. The movie can also be purchased on its Web site, thestreetstopsheremovie.com, Amazon, pbs.org and cbssportsline.com.

Also, the documentary is available on Netflix and will be available on iTunes starting April 16.

SPORTS

PAGE 26 • THE RAM • APRIL 14, 2010

Track Heading in Right Direction Going Into Championship Season

By CELESTE KMIOTEK CULTURE EDITOR

Fordham’s men’s and women’s track and field teams competed at the Farleigh Dickinson Classic Invitational at Palisades Park in Teaneck, N.J. on Saturday, April 10.

“The meet this past weekend served as a good last stepping stone in the road to the championship season which begins this Saturday with the Metropolitan Championship,” senior Ryan Campi said. “I think the meet showed us that we have a strong and versatile team this year, and I am sure it will serve us well in the coming weeks.”

The teams went into the competition with three ECAC/IC4A qualifying times in relays under their belts. At the Colonial Relays in Williamsburg, Va. on April 3, the men’s 4x800 and 4x400 teams and the women’s 4x800 team both placed qualifying times.

Junior Time Hutchinson, junior Brian Schmidt, freshman Bernard Moore and sophomore Kevin Fitzgerald came in third in the 4x800 with 7:32.14, while the women’s 4x800 team of sophomore Kelly Connolly, junior Kerri Gallagher, junior Kerry Kwalwasser and senior Catherine Groene came in ninth with 9:10.73.

The men’s 4x400 team of freshman Michael Rossi, freshman Sean Atkinson, sophomore Carter Ward and freshman John Cosgrove took eighth with 3:17.28.

For the men’s field events on Saturday, junior Pat McDonough won the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, coming in at 9:56.46, followed by sophomore Rich Grandelli in second (10:20.06) and sophomore Andrew Roddin in third (10.24.76). Freshman Keegan Talty placed second in the pole vault with 3.97 meters, freshman Daniel Chediak placed sixth with 3.36 meters, senior Vincent Servello placed eighth with 3.05 meters and junior Augustus Gleason placed ninth with 3.05 meters. Servello also came in sixth in the long jump with 6.03 meters, and Gleason came in 10th in the discus throw with 28.91 meters and fifth in the javelin throw with

44.42 meters. Rossi took third in the 400-meter hurdles, coming in at 58.78, with sophomore Steven Dickinson and Chediak in fourth and fifth with 1:00.96 and 1:01.63, respectively.

In the 800-meter run, Moore won with 1:59.22, with Campi in second, freshman Thomas Kelly in third and junior Jarrett Anistranski in eighth (1:59.26, 1:59.41 and 2:00.72, respectively). Junior Christopher Lyons took second in the 200-meter dash (22.48), followed by sophomore Nick Delligatti in seventh (22.86).

Cosgrove took sixth in the 400-meter dash with 51.93, while junior Time Hutchinson and freshman Nick Synan took fourth and ninth in the 1,500-meter run with 4:06.64 and 4:17.97. Senior Erik Lawrence also placed third in the 5,000-meter run (16:44.04), followed by sophomore Christopher Chung in fourth (17:05.93).

In the relays, the 4x100 team of Delligatti, Lyons, sophomore Frank Massaro and freshman Michael Bongiorno came in third with 45.21, while the 4x400 Ateam of Lyons, Anistranski, Campi and Kelly took third with 3:27.16, followed by the B-, C- and D-teams in fourth (3:31.02), fifth (3:31.42) and eighth (3:35.16), respectively.

For the women, freshman Courtnay Newman took first in the high jump with 1.60 meters and sixth in the javelin throw with 31.39 meters. Sophomore Blair Hassell took sixth in the discus throw with 23.82 meters and second in the javelin throw with 37.27 meters, while freshman Allison Bader took sixth in the triple jump with 9.87 meters and sophomore Elisabeth Warren took fourth in the long jump with 5.17 meters. Sophomore Kelly Caggiano came in fifth in the hammer throw with 25.90 meters and seventh in the javelin throw with 24.09 meters. In the 400-meter hurdles, freshman Kathleen Toth finished seventh (1:14.00) and freshman Rachel Stearns finished eighth (1:15.98).

In the running events, junior Sherilyn Groeninger came in third in the 100-meter dash with 12.53, while Groeninger placed fifth in the

PHOTO BY MARK BECKER/THE RAM

Junior Sherilyn Groeninger finished in second and fifth place in the 100- and 200-meter dashes respectively at the invitational.

200-meter dash (26.02), followed

by Warren in seventh (26.13). In the 800-meter run, Connolly took fifth with 2:27.06, freshman Ashley Davis took seventh with 2:30.03, freshman Kellen Fitzgerald took ninth with 2:32.53 and freshman Christina Machado took 10th with 2:33.52.

Sophomore Mairin O’Connor finished seventh in the 1,500-meter run (5:15.49), followed by senior Bridget Carroll in ninth (5:19.45). Junior Jana Trenk also took third in the 5,000-meter run with 20:24.31.

For the relays, the 4x100 team of Groeninger, Connolly, sophomore Deanna Minasi and Warren took second with 51.06 and the 4x400 A-team of Connolly, Warren, soph-

omore Sheena Parand and Davis took third with 4:05.78, followed by the B- and C-teams in seventh (4:48.20) and eighth (4:56.57).

The teams are now preparing for next weekend’s Metropolitan Championships, in addition to other upcoming championships.

“We ran a lot of people several times, and in events in which they might not normally compete,” Campi said of the Farleigh Dickinson Invitational. “It gave everyone a chance to tune up a little before some of the big meets that loom.

After the Mets, the Penn Relays, Atlantic 10 Championship and IC4As all come up on us rapidly, so it was good to sharpen up one more time before that gauntlet.”

“I know the distance group has

been training really hard,” Trenk said. “Another thing that’s been great this season is the relay groups.

Everyone who is on a relay team has really bonded with their team and seems to be working together really nicely. I think that there’s a lot of team spirit and excitement this season and this positive attitude combined with our hard work will really pay off during Mets.”

“I know us throwers are working very hard in making the throwing program as good as we can possibly make it,” Hassell said. “I think all of us are anticipating good times and distances this weekend at Mets.”

The team will next compete Saturday, April 17 at the 2010 Outdoor Metropolitan Championships at Ramapo College in Bergen, N.J.

Golf Stays Consistent at Hawk Spring Invitational

By JOHN DE MARZO CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Fordham University men’s golf team was eager to kick off its spring season strong after capturing the 2009 ECAC Division I Championship,.

Their first competition of the season, on Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28, took them to Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Lakewood, N.J., where they competed in the Hawk Spring Invitational, which was hosted by Monmouth University.

Consistency can be a hard thing to come by in sports, but the Rams perfected it in Lakewood, shooting 316 in both rounds to total 632, which was good for ninth place, just three strokes behind Manhattan College.

Sacred Heart was the winner of the Hawk Spring Invitational,

shooting a two-day total of 593.

Freshman Brody Nieporte led the way for Fordham, placing in a tie for 20th overall, shooting a twoday score of 154 (78-76).

Right behind him was red-shirt senior Dave Newman, who just missed cracking the Top 25.

Newman’s 156 (78-78) placed him in a tie for 26th overall. Freshman Jason Del Rosso finished third for the Rams, shooting a 159 (79-80), while sophomore Devon O’Rourke (81-82) shot a 163, and sophomore Charles Smith (84-93) shot a 177 to round out the Fordham team.

The next weekend, the Rams traveled to New Haven, Conn., to play in the Yale Men’s Spring Opener, held at the Course at Yale.

Fordham maintained its consistency from the Hawk Spring Invitational, again finishing in ninth place out of 12 teams with a com-

bined score of 614 (303-311).

Host Yale edged Central Connecticut State by one stroke, 582583, to walk away with the victory.

After finishing in third the previous weekend, Del Rosso paced the Rams, shooting back-to-back 73s to total a 146, eight strokes over par.

Del Rosso’s 146 placed him seventh out of 64 golfers, as he tied Yale’s Brandon Marick (7769). O’Rourke finished second for Fordham with a 151 (76-75), which was good for 24th overall.

Sophomore Brendan Green carded a 158 (77-81), while Newman shot a 162 (80-82) and Nieporte a 165 (77-88). Smith did not count in the team scoring, but he played, recording a 171 (89-82).

After two consecutive ninthplace finishes to begin the season, the Rams made their first significant leap of the spring on April 5,

finishing fifth out of 11 teams at the Rehoboth Beach Spring Invite, which took place at King’s Creek Country Club in Rehoboth Beach, Del. Fordham shot a 617 (311306), while Maryland shot a 579 (289-290) to take first place.

For the second consecutive tournament, Del Rosso led the way, finishing in a tie for ninth place overall at 149 (75-74).

Right behind him, and finishing in the Top 20, was O’Rourke at 152 (78-74).

Nieporte continued his strong spring season with a 158 (81-77), while Green finished fourth with a 159 (78-81), and Newman shot a 162 to finish the Rams’ scoring.

Coach Paul Dillon is pleased with his team’s effort but acknowledges there is room for improvement.

“At this point, we are a middleof-the-pack team, but a very young

team,” Dillon said. “Of our top three golfers, Devon O’Rourke is a sophomore, and Jason Del Rosso and Brody Nieporte are freshmen.

Nieporte was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week last week.

The boys have given me a good effort so far, and I am very pleased.”

Newman was also high on the team’s play so far, but cited an easily correctable flaw that was holding Fordham back.

“Overall, we’ve been striking the ball really well, which is not always easy to do coming back from winter break,” he said. “However, our putting has been a little off. If we can correct that, we can win any tournament we play in, and realize our full potential.”

Next up for the Rams is the Lafayette Invitational, to take place at Center Valley Country Club in Center Valley, Pa., on April 10 and April 11.

SPORTS

2010 Baseball Preview

By ANTHONY SULLA-HEFFINGER STAFF WRITER

The wait is over, baseball is back!

The baseball season kicked off in grand fashion last week with Sunday night’s season-opening game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox and then with a full slate of games the following Monday. As any self-respecting baseball fan would do, I have made some early season predictions about who will be the teams to beat in the AL and NL, as well as which players will be winning awards in 2010.

AL East – New York Yankees It is very difficult to pick against the Yankees in 2010, especially considering the fact that they are the defending World Series champions and have only gotten better this past offseason. The Yankees added all-star center fielder Curtis Granderson, who will bat seventh in the order, and Javier Vazquez, who will pitch from the same slot as he finished in Cy Young award voting last season, fourth.

All-in-all this is also a reflection of the Boston Red Sox over the past few seasons. Since 2007, the Red Sox have lost Jason Bay and Manny Ramirez, have seen David Ortiz and Mike Lowell suffer injuries and navigate through scandals, and they haven’t done much to replace them.

AL Central – Minnesota Twins The Twins looked incredible coming into the 2010 season, adding former all-stars J.J. Hardy and Orlando Hudson to solidify their middle infield and Jim Thome to provide even more lefty pop off the bench. Then they suffered a big blow. Closer Joe Nathan, who leads the majors in saves over the past four seasons, suffered an elbow injury that required Tommy John Surgery, meaning he will be lost for 12-13 months. I do believe that the Twins are still the class of the AL Central, but the loss of Nathan will be tough to overcome. The Twins do have solid depth and talent with their starting pitching AL West – Seattle Mariners Most people will call this a bandwagon pick, but there are several reasons why the Mariners will finally return to the postseason in 2010. First off, the Mariners added two high-level players to bolster both their offense and pitching in Chone Figgins and Cliff Lee. Second, the Mariners will boast a rotation that features Felix Hernandez, Lee and Erik Bedard at some point this season.

Bedard has been an absolute bust for the M’s since he signed with them, but he will not be asked to shoulder the load of an ace, but rather a third starter, something that may relax the oft-injured lefty.

Finally, I do not envision the Angels, who lost ace John Lackey, and the Rangers, who lost “ace” Kevin Millwood, to be legitimate contenders this season.

NL East – Philadelphia Phillies Sorry Mets fans, but you will have to endure yet another season of the Phillies dominating the NL East. The Phillies, much like the Yankees, only improved their position this past offseason, adding Placido Polanco and Roy Halladay to a team that has made the World Series in back-to-back years. The

key here will be the Phillies’ bullpen, and whether or not Brad Lidge can return from knee surgery and regain his 2008 form, when he converted a perfect 48-for-48 saves.

NL Central – St. Louis Cardinals

If it weren’t for Matt Holliday’s botched play in left field against the Dodgers in last year’s NLDS, the Cardinals may have found themselves in the World Series – that’s how talented this team is. Aside from the fact that the NL Central is filled with fake contenders, in the Brewers, Cubs and Reds, the Cardinals have a team that can play with any other in MLB. Featuring a rotation that is front-loaded with Cy Young award candidates Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter, the Cards have the best pitching in the division, and with a lineup featuring Albert Pujols and Holliday, they have the best offense in the division.

NL West – San Francisco Giants I absolutely love the San Francisco Giants this season, and it isn’t just due to Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain. Yes the Giants do have twotime and reigning Cy Young award winner Lincecum and all-star Cain in their rotation, but there are a few other names that need to be mentioned when talking about the Giants. The Giants have a hitting machine playing third base in Pablo “Kung Fu Panda” Sandoval, and have added more pop and depth to their lineup with the additions of Mark DeRosa and Aubrey Huff.

In addition to these major league players, if Madison Bumgarner and Buster Posey tear through the minor leagues and make it to the big squad, the Giants could run away with this division.

Awards – AL MVP Evan Longoria – TB Evan Longoria is going to win an MVP at some point in his career, and the time is now for the Rays third baseman. Expect him to hit around 35 home runs and drive in 120 in 2010.

AL Cy Young Felix Hernandez – SEA Zach Greinke will not be able to replicate his 2009 line, but King Felix can. Assuming he stays healthy and doesn’t succumb to the Verducci effect, he is the favorite for the Cy Young.

AL Rookie of the Year Carlos Santana – CLE He hasn’t found his way to the MLB yet, but Santana is tearing up AAA pitching. The highly touted catching prospect is being compared to Victor Martinez already.

NL MVP Albert Pujols – STL No surprises here, Pujols already has five home runs and 14 RBI, which is more than the entire Houston Astros team.

NL Cy Young Roy Halladay – PHI Doc Halladay gets to face the Nationals 18 times a year? He also gets to face a pitcher in the batter’s box three times a game? Twentyfive wins and 300 Ks are not outlandish numbers for him in 2010.

NL Rookie of the Year Jason Heyward – ATL This kid is a monster in the batter’s box. His mammoth blasts have turned heads already this season and in the spring. Can’t wait to see Heyward-Strasburg in June.

APRIL 14, 2010 • THE RAM • PAGE 27

Baseball

Softball

Fordham 12-3 URI

Fordham 7-0 Manhattan

URI

AB R

H RBI HR

Lebel ss Palmer 2b Borden rf Coulombe cf Derner 1b Angulo lb Cauron ph/lf Stenhouse dh Chacon 3b Chickman c Graveline p Johnson p Curran p Kashmanian p Cooke p

3 4 3 3 3 2 2 4 3 3 0 0 0 0 0

1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Totals

30

2

Fordham

AB

R H RBI HR

Martinez 2b 4 2 Lee lf 6 2 Mobbs cf 6 2 McCrann dh 5 1 Walker c 4 2 Taddei 1b 4 0 Kownacki ss 4 2 Como rf 4 1 Maghini 3b 5 1 Pendergast p 0 0 Charest p 0 0 Cassalicch p 0 0 Totals 42 13

5 2

1 3 3 0 3 1 3 2 1 0 0 0 17

Track and Field

AB R H RBI HR

Walraven cf

3 0 1 0 0

Donelly

ss

2 0 0 0 0

Whitmore 2b

1 0 0 0 0

Michel Cascio Murray

1b

2 0 0 0 0

1b

1 0 0 0 0

dp/3b 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0

Men’s 1500 Meter 4) Hutchinson, Fordham, 4:06.64. 9) Synan, Fordham, 4:17.97

Evangelist lf 2 0 0 0 0 Sullivan 2b/p 2 0 0 0 0 Keller

0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

rf

0 0 0 0 0

Rodriguez rf

0 0 0 0 0

Totals

22 0 1 0 0

Fordham

R H E URI 000 010 010 2 5 6 Fordham 021 022 60X 13 171

AB

R H RBI HR

Dearborn 3b 3

1 2 0 0

Bright

lf 3

2 2 0 0

LaBovick 1b 2

1 1 1 0

Fisher

cf 4

1 2 5 5

Wiggins

2b 3

0 0 0 0

Pellechio ss 1

0 0 0 0

Pollack

dp 3

0 1 0 0

Richards rf 2

1 0 0 0

Palumbo

ph 1

Shager

c

3

Men’s 3000 Meter Steeplechase 1) McDonough, Fordham, 9:56.46. 2) Grandelli, Fordham, 10:20.06

1

1 0

Men’s 4x100 Relay 3) Fordham (Grandelli, Massaro, Lyons, Dickinson) 45.21

E- Caron (1); Chacon (1) Chickman 2 (2); Graveline (1); Johnson (2); Maghini (8). DP - Rams 1; Rams 1. LOB - Rams 5; Rams 12. 2B - Derner (4); Martinez (4); Lee 2 (5); Walker 2 (12).

HR - Mobbs (2); Walker (1).

Mineau

MAN

000 000 0 0 1 1

URI

IP

H R ER BB SO

FU

120 400 x 7 9 0

Graveline Johnson Curran Kashmanian Cook

2.1 2.2 1.0 1.0 1.0

4 3 2 7 1

E - Donnelly. DP - Jaspers 1.

2B - Walraven ; Shager. HR Fisher.

Fordham

IP

H R

3 2 2 6 0

2 1 1 4 0

3 0 1 1 0

1 1 0 1 0

p 0

Totals

0 0 0 0

25 7 9 7 1

Men’s 4x400 Relay 3) Fordham (Anistranski, Bongiorno, Clemens, Delligatti) 3:27.16

R H E

Manhattan IP H R ER BB SO

Pendergast 7.0 2 1 Anastasi 1.0 2 1 Munday 1.O 1 0

ER BB SO 1 1 3 0 1 0 0 0 0

Rampino

Sullivan 2.2 1 0 0 0 2

Plimpton 7.0 1 0 0 1 11 Kownacki Martinez Mobbs Walker Mccrann Ponte Lee Kenny David Como Maghini Krakowiak Totals

ss 2b cf c 1b dh lf rf ph rf 3b p

SBU

H RBI HR

6 5 4 5 3 3 4 3 1 1 3 0 38

1 1 3 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 9

2 1 2 1 1 1 2 0 0 1 1 0 12

AB

Cunliffe Radwan Bosnik Steinbach Brennen Urban Ingraham Skellie Speaker Grieco calderon Buckler Wallschlea Crane Pease Harner

lf 3b 2b cf p ss 1b rf ph c ph c p p p p

Totals

FU SBU

R

1 1 0 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 8

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

R H RBI HR

4 4 3 4 4 2 4 2 2 2 1 0 1 0 0 0

1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0

0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

33

1

6 1

0

R H E 102 000 204 9 12 1 100 000 000 1 6 1

E - Maghini; Radwan 3; Urban.

DP - Fordham 1; SBU 1. 2B Mobbs.

Fordham 3-0 SLU SLU

AB R H RBI HR

Nicoletti dp OConnell rf Jost c Flanagan 1b Jones pr Trevillyanlf Faletto 2b Brand 3b Dockins ss Bohning ph Buschjost cf Matesa p Totals Fordham Dearborn Bright LaBovick Fisher Wiggins Pellechio Pollack Richards Shager Mineau Totals

SLU FU

3b lf 1b cf 2b ss dp rf c p

3 3 3 2 0 2 3 3 1 0 2 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

22 0

3

0 0

AB 3 3 3 0 2 3 2 2 2 0

H 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0

R 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

RBI 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

HR 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

20 3 5 3

1

R H E 000 000 0 0 3 0 003 000 x 3 5 0

Fordham

IP H R ER BB SO

Krakowiak

9.0 6 1 1 5 11

DP - Bilikens 1; Rams 1. LOB Bilikens 4; Rams 3. 2B - Jost; Wiggins. HR - Dearborn.

SBU

IP H R ER BB SO

SLU

Brennen Sherba Wallschleager Crane Pease Hardner

4.2 1.1 1.2 0.1 0.2 0.1

4 2 2 0 3 1

3 2 0 1 3 0

1 2 0 0 0 0

5 2 1 0 1 0

6 3 2 0 0 0

IP H R ER BB SO

Matsea 6.0 5 3 3 4 1 Fordham IP H R ER BB SO Mineau 7.0 3 0 0 0 12

Men’s Discuss Throw 2) Gleason, Fordham, 28.91m

Women’s 100 Meter 3) Groeninger, Fordham, 12.53

Fordham IP H R ER BB SO

AB

Men’s Pole Vault 2) Talty, Fordham, 3.97m

Javelin Throw 5) Gleason, Fordham, 44.42m

3.1 8 7 5 5 0

Fordham 9-1 SBU Fordham

Men’s 5000 Meter 3) Lawrence, Fordham, 16:44.04. 4) Chung, Fordham, 17:05.23 Men’s 400 Meter Hurdles 3) Rossi, Fordham, 58.78.

4) Dickinson, Fordham, 1:00.96

0 0 0 0 1

Men’s 200 Meter 1) Lyons, Fordham, 22.48.

7) Atkinson, Fordham, 24.38.

Men’s 800 Meter 1) Moore, Fordham, 1:59.41

Rampino p/dp 1 0 0 0 0 Velasquez c

Farleigh Dickinson

Men’s 400 Meter 6) Cosgrove, Fordham, 51.93

3b/ss 3 0 0 0 0

Rachey

0

1 2 4 0 3 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 13

Manhattan

Women’s 200 Meter 4) Groeninger, Fordham, 26.02 Women’s 400 Meter 9) Parand, Fordham, 1:03.09 Women’s 800 Meter 5) Connolly, Fordham, 2:27.06 Women’s 1500 Meter 7) O’Connor, Fordham, 5:15.49. 9) Carroll, Fordham, 5:19.45 Women’s 5000 Meter 3) Trenk, Fordham, 20:24.31 Women’s 400 Meter Hurdles 7) Toth, Fordham, 1:14.00.

8) Stearns, Fordham, 1:15.98 Women’s 4x100 Meter Relay 2) Fordham (Groeninger, Groene, Gallagher, Parand), 51.06 Women’s 4x400 Meter Relay 3) Fordham (Warren, Groene, Groeninger, Kwalwasser), 4:05.78 Women’s High Jump 1) Newman, Fordham, 1.60m Women’s Long Jump 4) Warren, Fordham, 5.17m Women’s Javelin 2) Hassell, Fordham, 37.27m

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PAGE 28 • THE RAM • APRIL 14, 2010

2010 This summer, do what’s right for you at Hofstra University on Long Island!

Hofstra offers flexibility in summer session offerings.

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SPORTS

PAGE 30 • THE RAM • APRIL 14, 2010

MATT MANUSZAK

The Smush Parker Project This is Part One of my NBA Awards Column. While last year I only covered the MVP race, I’m expanding a bit this year. This first column will cover my top three picks for what I think are the other two most important awards- Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year-while my next column will be devoted to my top five MVP candidates.

Rookie of the Year (1) Tyreke Evans, PG, Sacramento Kings, (2) Darren Collison, PG, New Orleans Hornets, (3) Stephen Curry, SG, Golden State Warriors Despite a rather tepid response following this past summer’s draft, this year’s crop of rookies has been an embarrassment of riches, particularly at the point guard position.

While part of that assuredly can be attributed to the league’s cracking down on defensive handchecking on the perimeter since 2005, this class can certainly play.

Evans is the clear leader here, becoming only the fourth rookie ever to average 20 points, five assists and five rebounds per game following Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

His ability to get to the basket for layups and dunks, something he does at a league-leading clip of about eight times per game, has been nothing short of remarkable.

Couple that with his 6.5 free throw attempts per game (tops among rookies) shot at a 75 percent clip, and Evans is a lethal, uber-efficient force. When he develops a jump shot and gains some seasoning (he’s old enough to be a sophomore in college), Evans will be a superstar.

Collison narrowly beat out Curry for my No. 2 spot: while Curry posted superior numbers, much of those were a product of his team’s pace (tops in the league). When the Hornets’ all-world starting point guard Chris Paul went down with an injury during the season, Collison stepped in for 40 games and averaged 19 points and nine assists per game, as well as shooting 48 percent from the field, 43 percent from three and 85 percent from the line.

This speedy rook will likely come off the bench next year, but not because of his play.

Curry also posted rather gaudy numbers with 17 points, six assists and four rebounds, but I was more impressed with his efficiency and his passing.

On the season, Curry shot 46 percent from the field, 44 percent from three and 88 percent from the line, nearly approaching hallowed 50-40-90 ground that to this point only players like Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki and Larry Bird had trod upon. Furthermore, Curry showed himself to be both a willing and a skillful passer, something that he didn’t show as much when he was his team’s go-to scorer at Davidson.

Defensive Player of the Year (1) Dwight Howard, C, Orlando Magic, (2) Andrew Bogut, C, Milwaukee Bucks (3) Gerald Wallace, SF, Charlotte Bobcats Although I am one to use advanced stats at times to try and estimate a player’s worth, I’ve found that defensive metrics, though useful, can be deceiving and aren’t as valuable unless one actually watches the games. Most of the stats, like defensive rating and defensive plus/minus, refer to the performance of a player’s team while said player is on the floor (Note: I made these rankings before I saw that these three players were 1-2-3 in Defensive Rating).

These numbers help, but a player’s mediocre ability could be masked by pairing him with other stellar defenders, thus skewing the stats. So, in addition to stats, I thought about players who really stood out as shutdown defenders from when I watched games this season (and I watched quite a bit).

With that in mind, Dwight Howard is the easy pick here. He has the numbers: tops in the league in rebounding and blocked shots for the second consecutive year (and first player to accomplish that since the league started tracking blocked shots). Make no mistake, Howard is a game-changer: Rashard Lewis, Jameer Nelson and Vince Carter certainly aren’t responsible for Orlando’s continued defensive dominance.

If anything, the knowledge that Howard is waiting in the paint deters most opposing player from even attempting to drive to the basket, making Howard’s teammates’ jobs so much easier. This ability, combined with the sheer number of shots that he alters with his monstrous 7’ 5” wingspan, makes Howard one of the most fearsome forces on the defensive end that this game has seen in a while.

While Howard should win this award running away, Andrew Bogut has quietly been a dominant defender as well. Even for a seven-footer, the native Australian possesses remarkably quick feet, shown in his uncanny ability in defending the screen-and-roll as well as his total of four defensive plays a game, a stat that includes 2.5 blocks and one charge taken per game.

Before his injury, Bogut had made the Bucks a defensive stalwart in the Eastern Conference.

The most dominant defender on the perimeter in the NBA this season was Gerald Wallace. He led the No. 1 ranked defense in the league, and though he certainly had help from Boris Diaw, Nazr Mohammed and the acquisitions of Stephen Jackson and Tyrus Thomas, Wallace has set himself apart from other small forwards. His incredible energy and enthusiasm often led him to injuries and concussions in the past, but this season he managed to stay mostly healthy by playing smarter. While this did cause his steal numbers to go down slightly, he also posted higher rebounding numbers, leading all small forwards in rebounding rate. His ability to contain his man rather than simply try for the steal, a habit he sometimes engaged in during past seasons, has made him a much better all-around defender.

That’s all for the top rookies and defensive players. Next week will be my top five MVP candidates.

Senior Profile: Rob Evans

By JONATHON SMITH

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Senior tennis player Rob Evans has been a member of the men’s tennis team for the past four years. He is from Westfield, N.J. and attended the Peddie School in Highstown, N.J. where he lettered on the varsity team for two years, led his team to a second-place finish in the state Prep H league, and was captain as a senior. He majors in business administration with a concentration in finance.

The Ram: Why did you choose to attend Fordham?

Rob Evans: The location was the biggest draw for me. Being close to home really enticed me to come here, especially since it was so close to Manhattan. The academics of the school also were a big draw here. I’ve always been interested in business, and the business administration program here is very highly respected.

TR: How would you say your season is going so far?

RE: This season has been a good one. Although we only have a 6-10 record we have had a lot of close matches, and we have certainly grown as a team.

The fall season has taught us a lot and we are definitely showing our improvement this spring. We are young and have needed a lot of freshman to step up this year, and they have played great. We definitely have a bright future.

TR: What are your team goals for the rest of the season?

RE: As a team I think if we

could win our first round match in the A-10 Tournament we would all be very happy. We have struggled a bit in the conference this season, but the tournament is almost a whole new season.

We are definitely capable of doing it, so hopefully we can make it happen.

TR: Any individual goals for the rest of your season?

RE: I just hope to keep playing hard, improving my game. Hopefully I can be seen as a leader to the young guys and set a good example.

TR: What is your career highlight on the tennis court?

RE: I really cannot think of one right now. That is a really tough question. I’ve had a lot of fun on the tennis court at Fordham.

TR: You mentioned the young guys earlier, are there any lessons or words you would have for the freshmen on the team?

RE: The biggest thing I would say to them is just to work hard.

There is no substitute for hard work, and the harder you work in practice, the more successful your matches will be. During practice, the young guys need to focus. If you focus in practice it translates into your matches and you will learn to always be focused whenever you are on the tennis court.

My last advice would be for them just to take everything in their own hands, and take everything slow, because four years can go by fast. We have a lot of great young talent, the future is very bright for our tennis program.

COURESY OF FORDHAMSPORTS.COM

Senior Rob Evans recalls his career.

TR: What has it been like playing for Head Coach Bob Hawthorn? Anything in particular that he has taught you that you think will stick with you?

RE: Playing for Coach Hawthorn has been a great experience, he is a great man. One thing that I have learned from him is the importance of sportsmanship. No matter if you win or lose, if you are not classy and do not show sportsmanship people will not respect you. Coach is constantly stressing the importance of sportsmanship.

TR: Any other information about yourself that you think people should know?

RE: I drive the Ram Van. TR: What are your plans for after graduation?

RE: I’m not too sure yet. I am a business administration major, so I will definitely be going into the business world, but for now I’m just trying to enjoy the remainder of my senior year.

Fordham Looking to Improve in A-10 Championships

By KIMBERLY ENGEL CONTRIBUTING WRITER

After a strong start to the spring season, the Fordham women’s rowing team has continued its campaign toward performing competitively at the Atlantic 10 Championships and the Dad Vail.

The Lady Rams opened the season in Williamsburg, Va. against William & Mary on March 18, where they won both the Varsity 8 and Varsity 4 races. The Fordham Varsity 8 won with a time of 7:22 followed by the Fordham Junior Varsity 8, the Fordham Novice 8 and the William & Mary Novice 8.

Fordham then went on to win the Varsity 4 race with a time of 7:48, far ahead of the William and Mary Novice 4, which came in at 9:15.

At the Sacred Heart Invitational, held on March 27 at the Housatonic River in Shelton, Conn., Fordham took home three gold medals.

Competing against Army, Drake, Fairfield, Skidmore, Iona and Sacred Heart, the Lady Rams’ Varsity 8, JV 8 and Novice 8 all came in first place in their respective races.

“It was a really nice way to start the season off, knowing we can row together well,” senior co-captain Francesca Andrea said.

The Varsity 8 defeated Skidmore’s Varsity 8 by five seconds in the Grand Final, with a time of 8:08. The JV 8 beat Skidmore as

well, crossing the line at 8:27. The Novice 8 topped Skidmore by more than a minute.

Since then, however, Fordham has faced tougher competition.

At the Murphy Cup, held on April 3 at the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, Pa., the Rams’ Varsity 8 took eighth place overall after not qualifying for the Grand final and falling behind Delaware in the Petite Final by just .09 seconds.

The Varsity 4 was second in its heat with a time of 7:28, while the JV 8 placed fourth in its heat with a time of 7:01. The Novice 8 placed third in its heat, coming in at 7:10.

“The competition was a lot harder,” Andrea said. “We didn’t perform as well as we had hoped.”

Despite these shortcomings though, the Lady Rams are still looking forward. Their next competition will be the A-10 Championships, which will be held on April 17 in Camden, N.J. “We see our potential,” Andrea said. “We’re working so hard and connecting together, but we need to relax. If we can relax and row efficiently, then we’ll perform better.”

For the past two years, Fordham has placed eighth out of nine teams at the A-10 Championships, but is seeking to place higher this year.

“We know that we have the power to do well,” Andrea said. It’s about having the confidence. Now is the time to prove it.”

PHOTO BY MARK BECKER/THE RAM

Senior Francesca Andrea is looking to improve at A-10 Championships this year.

Men’s Tennis Continues to Struggle

By JONATHON SMITH ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

After starting the season with a win, the Fordham men’s tennis team has struggled in the past two weeks, falling to a 2-4 spring record with only two matches remaining until the start of the Atlantic 10 Championships. This means that at best, the Rams could finish the season with a .500 record, and would most likely have to achieve this in order to avoid their projected lastplace finish in the A-10 conference.

Coach Bob Hawthorn knew that these past two weeks were going to be the most difficult when he looked at the schedule at the beginning of the season.

“Mid-season games are very important,” Hawthorn said. “The games in the middle this year could make or break our season.”

Unfortunately for the Rams, winning only one of their past four matches did not help. Starting on March 23, they traveled to St. Peter’s College and dropped a tight one, 4-3. Fordham had not played the Peacocks in the fall due to weather, making this the first time the two squads had faced off.

“The great thing about the fall is that it allows us to scout the competition for the spring,” Hawthorn said last semester. “This spring we will have better knowledge of the teams we will be playing.”

Maybe, if they had been able to play in the fall, the Rams would have fared differently against the Peacocks. The winners for Fordham only came in singles play, as freshman John Thornhill defeated his opponent, 7-6 (8-6), 6-4, junior Austin Schoup won after his opponent retired and junior Ken Fukumoto had a comeback win, 3-6, 6-4, 10-7.

The very next day the Rams tried to rebound against Fairfield, but took a step back as they fell to the Stags 6-1. Once again the men of Fordham failed to find the win column during doubles matches. In the three double matches, Fairfield

topped the Rams by a total score of 24-5. The singles matches proved no easier, as the Rams could not win a single set until Fukumoto won the No. 6 singles 7-6, 6-4.

The week ended with a match against conference rival La Salle, and unfortunately for the Rams, the result was an all-too-familiar loss. For the third match in a row, Fordham struggled with doubles play.

“We have great team chemistry,” freshman Kei Usami said. “We just need to start showing that on the court.”

In singles play, the Rams were aided by the bottom of their rotation as No. 5 player freshman Alex DeRienzo defeated Trevor Donovan, 6-4, 4-6, 10-6. No. 6 player Fukumoto gave Fordham its other win, and won his third straight match in his defeat of Rob Knaster, 6-2, 6-2.

This was the toughest week the Rams have faced all season, and when Rider came into town on March 31, Hawthorn’s squad was hungry to get back into the win column. The result could not have been better, as Fordham topped the Broncos, 7-0.

The singles games were just as successful as Harting, junior Kevin Maloney, Thornhill, Shoup, DeRienzo and Fukumoto all picked up wins.

The Rams were looking to score another big win when Vassar came into town on April 7, but unfortunately could not continue their excellent play from the Rider match as they lost to the overpowering Vassar squad, 7-0.

In singles play, Fordham continued to struggle as Harting, Maloney, Thornhill, Shoup, DeRienzo and Fukumoto all lost by decisive scores. The closest match came from the No. 6 player, Fukumoto, who fell 6-2, 7-6 (7-5).

The Rams have had an up-anddown season, but they will try to muster one more win before the A-10 Championships as they close out their season on April 13 at home against St. Francis.

Women’s Tennis Stays Optimistic

By SAMMIE LAZAR STAFF WRITER

Fordham women’s tennis had a rough couple of weeks with its past two matches, falling to Lehigh and St. John’s. Fordham was shut out by the St. John’s Red Storm, 7-0, in Queens on April 10. The team was defeated in all six singles matches, as St. John’s defeated the Lady Rams’. St. John’s also won the doubles sets, toppling Tremaine and Boyle in first doubles, Holt and Mullen in second, and Stall and Featherston in third.

The Lady Rams also lost to the Lehigh Mountain Hawks, 5-2, in Bethlehem, Pa. on April 12. Lehigh took the doubles point with victories in two out of the three matches.

In the singles matches, Featherston lost in first singles, as did Tremaine in second, Mullen in fourth, and Stall in sixth. Boyle and Holt (in third and fifth singles, respectively), however, won over Lehigh, even though it was not enough to take the singles point.

Fordham women’s tennis is not entirely disappointed by their season, as players praise the work of Head Coach Betty-Ann Liguori,

who has given a phenomenal effort in reworking the team. “Coach Liqouri has done a great job with the team,” Featheston, the captain, said. “From practicing six days a week and having a match schedule that keeps us constantly on the court, every single player on the team has improved. Our record might not show how much everyone has improved but it is a working progress. Each match is getting closer and closer to a victory.”

She also remains hopeful for the remainder of the season. “As the captain, I am proud of everyone on the team. I have faith in my team that we will continue to grow, and despite our previous struggles, we will finish this season with a sense of pride with what we have overcome,” she said.

Fordham has recruited three new players for the upcoming year: Mia Fiocca, a transfer from Barry University, and incoming freshmenAngelica Dabu from County Prep in New Jersey and Hanna Fritzinger from Spanish River High School in Florida.

Hopefully this new blood will add to the steady improvement of the team in seasons to come.

APRIL 14, 2010 • THE RAM • PAGE 31

SPORTS

By NICK CARROLL SPORTS EDITOR

It all changed over one weekend.

Tiger Woods went from being the golfer of the people, giving the average sports fan a reason to watch golf, to a pariah, an evil we have not seen since Albert Belle or Ivan Drago. However, upon looking back, has the public really been fair to Woods?

I will start off by saying that I do not condone what Woods did. Obviously, what he did was wrong and is not acceptable. But really, does this marital scandal deserve all of this attention?

Woods dominated headlines for months after his incident on Thanksgiving night, transcending sports and entering the realm of pop culture. Doesn’t this seem a little ridiculous? He was not loyal to his wife; this should not really affect our opinion of Woods. We did not know him before and still do not know him now, we should not be personally judging him.

Remember when athletes were almost expected to live promiscuous lives on the road? Not that that is okay, but it shows that we hold Woods on a different pedestal. We expected more from him. Why though? After all, he is just a golfer.

Really, what this comes down to is that we did not expect Woods, the golden child, Earl’s son hitting golf balls on The Michael Douglas Show, to do something like this.

After going from golf prodigy to legend, and fulfilling all of our expectations from his career, we never saw the slip-up coming. But looking back, for someone who has gotten so much attention over the years, did we really know Woods? Even though he grew up in the public spotlight, Woods has intentionally avoided allowing his personal life to ever cross into his public life. Hell, he even named his yacht Privacy.

The only part of all of this we should really be surprised about is that this situation became such a mess. Of all people, Woods should have been the one who was capable of handling it quickly and easily, avoiding any kind of attention, like Robert De Niro in Goodfellas.

This all comes down to the fact

that we did not expect it. We do not expect this sort of scandalous behavior from any golfer, much less Tiger Woods. We never would have expected him to live this kind of life; but is it really that bad? Has Woods been publicly ridiculed because of his actions or because he did not live up to the standards that the public set for him? It certainly feels like the latter, as Woods never did anything to demand that kind of personal respect.

After all, whenever Michael Jordan, probably the only other athlete with a comparable profile to Woods, had any personal issues, they did not seem to be as big a deal. Jordan is notorious for his gambling habits, had issues with his marriage and faced a paternity suit a few years back, but never garnered the same line of questioning that Woods did.

It does not seem fair that Jordan is still a well-liked celebrity and Woods is public enemy No. 1.

Why is this the case though? Was it because Jordan was a basketball player and Woods is a golfer? The expectations are definitely higher for golfers, an inherently elitist sport. It is a sport that deals primarily with society’s highest class and routinely frowns on many of the factors that define America’s other major sports, such as cheering and fun. It is a sport that does not feature much controversy as compared to the NBA, where players have had issues for decades. So when a controversy like this one appears in golf, the offenders are looked down on and isolated, and considering the offender is Woods, he stands out much more for his missteps.

But when evaluating this, is it fair to describe Woods as a typical golfer? He is nothing like anyone else on the tour. He has more money, more fame and more public recognition. It is also clear that he has more power than anyone else in golf, which presumably leads to more opportunities. When looking back, it does not seem all that surprising that something like this could have happened.

He is an international celebrity in his early 30’s with money, fame and power. He can really get anything he wants, and there are probably not many people out there who would

turn him down. Woods’ worst offense probably came in his marriage itself. If he was not ready to settle down, he should not have done so.

But that does not mean that this should have been a lead story for months. The man made a mistake, one that he probably did not expect to make when he got married. But, he is human, and Woods is not the only one to make a mistake of this magnitude.

If there is anything we have learned in this process, it is that we do not know any of these athletes.

We have our expectations and feel like we know them through their games, but that is not the same as life off the field. Throughout the years, there have been a plethora of athletes who handled the media well enough to have a better reputation than their characters would dictate, as well as athletes who were thought much less of because of the way they were covered. Every so often, an athlete is exposed as someone we did not think he was, and when this happened to Woods, chaos ensued.

But we have to remember that we did not know him, and really, still don’t. He’s just an athlete who will astonish us with his ability and nothing more. So when a story like this comes out, we should not be so surprised. He is probably not evil, nor is he any kind of villain. At the same time, Phil Mickelson is not a saint either. They are just golfers.

While we want to create this good versus bad, moral versus immoral showdown, we do not know either guy well enough to make that assertion. Remember when Kobe Bryant used to be the good guy. . .and then the bad guy, against Shaq. . .and then the good guy after he wins a championship and Shaq lazily coasts through season after season? We just don’t know all of the facts and should be making up these story lines. The biggest impact of the Woods story should be a reminder to enjoy the sports for what they are. Athletes are performers, not friends, and whether Woods finishes third at Augusta or totally collapses, we should judge him for what he is on the course and not delve into his personal life or even care about his character.

Upcoming Varsity Schedule CAPS=HOME lowercase=away

Thursday April 15

Friday April 16

Saturday April 17

Sunday April 18

Monday April 19

Tuesday April 20

Baseball

SAINT LOUIS 4:00 p.m.

SAINT LOUIS 1:00 p.m.

SAINT LOUIS 12:00 p.m.

IONA 7:00 p.m.

Softball

at George Washington 4:00 p.m.

at George Washington 12:00 p.m.

at La Salle 12:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m.

at Hofstra 4:00 p.m.

Golf

Rowing

Men’s Tennis

Women’s Tennis

Track and Field

Mt. St. Mary’s Spring Invitational

Atlantic 10 Championships

Atlantic 10 Championship

at Temple 12:00 p.m.

Metropolitan Outdoor Championships 10:00 a.m.

LA SALLE 11:00 a.m.

LAFAYETTE 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday April 21 at St. John’s 6:00 p.m.

APRIL 14, 2010

PAGE 32

Baseball Off to Fast Start with a Winning Record in A-10

By DANNY ATKINSON SPORTS EDITOR

When Fordham baseball began its Atlantic 10 schedule on March 27, the Rams’ effort up to that point did not offer much hope of success. The Rams were 4-16 on the season and featured a putrid offense and inconsistent pitching, but as soon as A-10 play began, a switch flipped on for Fordham.

Players started hitting for power and throwing solid outings up and down the staff. On April 13, Fordham stood with a 5-4 record in the A-10. The Rams’ season has gone from disappointing to promising.

“We’ve just been executing much better,” junior pitcher Max Krakowiak said. “That’s been the key to our success.”

Fordham started A-10 play with a doubleheader split at Richmond on March 27. The Rams suffered a 10-7 loss in the first game before recording a decisive 5-1 win in the second.

The Rams got out to a 4-0 lead by the top of the sixth inning of the first game before Richmond took advantage of three Fordham errors, leading to a six-run sixth inning. The Spiders continued to add to their lead with three runs in the bottom of the eighth and went on to the 10-7 victory. Only three of the 10 runs Richmond scored were earned.

In the second game, junior Max Krakowiak tossed the Rams’ best start of the year with a completegame three-hitter and tied a careerhigh with eight strikeouts in a 5-1 victory over the Spiders. Richmond scored its only run with the help of a failed pickoff attempt by junior catcher Chris Walker. Senior first baseman Michael Taddei, sophomore third baseman Ryan Maghini and freshman right fielder Dan Sorine all had RBI for Fordham.

With an 11-6 victory on March 28, the Rams won their first threegame series in the 2010 season. The lack of home run power Fordham had been experiencing was not a problem in this contest, as Taddei, senior designated hitter Ryan McCrann and senior right fielder P.J. Como all homered in the win. The Rams got a strong start from Brian Pendergast, who went 5.2 innings and allowed three runs while striking out six.

Fordham’s offensive performance had been putrid throughout the season, but it was much more impressive against Richmond. The Rams scored 23 runs in the series and smacked four home runs after only hitting one in their pervious 19 games.

Fordham won its third straight game with a 13-7 victory over Fairfield on March 31. The Rams rallied from a 6-0 deficit to defeat the Stags behind a four-hit game from McCrann and three-RBI performances from Walker and sophomore shortstop Brian Kownacki.

Fordham exploded for a five-run seventh inning to take a 9-6 lead and added to the lead with a fourrun eighth inning. The Rams bull-

PHOTO BY MARK BECKER/THE RAM

Junior catcher Chris Walker leads the team with a .333 batting average, 15 doubles, 28 RBI and a .480 slugging percentage.

pen shut down Fairfield for the final 5.1 innings. Freshman Ryan Fedak, sophomore Daniel Munday and Sorine allowed just one run and struck out six.

Fordham begin a home series against Rhode Island on April 1 with the third-longest game in team history. Unfortunately for the Rams, the 15-inning marathon ended in a 6-5 loss.

Fordham started out strong and took a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth. URI would regain the lead with a four-run outburst in the top of the sixth before McCrann’s RBI single tied the game at five in the ninth.

Both teams would have a number of chances to score in extra innings. Como was thrown out at home in the 13th inning to preserve the tie. Finally in the 15th, Rhode Island got an RBI-double from pinch hitter Kevin Stenhouse for the go-ahead run.

The Rams rebounded from their 15-inning defeat the next day with a 13-2 blowout over URI. At the plate, senior center fielder Mike Mobbs was 3-6 with a home run and four RBI, while Walker was 3-4 with a home run, two doubles and three RBI. Pendergast improved his record to 2-1 and continued to demonstrate why he has maybe been Fordham’s best pitcher over the course of the season. Pendergast cruised through seven innings, allowing one run on two hits with three strikeouts. Only one base runner reached third against him.

He later earned the A-10 Pitcher of the Week award for his performance.

A second straight series win was not to be for the Rams however.

Fordham lost another tight contest to Rhode Island by a score of 8-7 on April 3. A solo home run by DH Kyle Borden in the ninth was the difference maker.

The Rams recorded a five-run second inning to take a 5-1 lead and after a URI rally, pushed their advantage to 7-4 on a home run

by Como. However, Rhode Island

rallied to tie the game in the top of the sixth before Borden’s home run gave URI the lead.

Fordham was shut down in the later innings by Dan Rossignol, who permitted just two hits in four innings while striking out six Rams. At the plate, Como was 3-5 with a home run and two RBI for Fordham.

“The URI series was tough,” Krakowiak said. “They’re a very good team and we didn’t execute as well as we wanted against URI.” After competitive, well-played series against Richmond and Rhode Island, the Rams suffered an embarrassing out-of-conference loss to New York Tech on April 7. Fordham would led by a 7-0 count in the top of the fifth inning with the help of RBI doubles from Walker and Kownacki and a solo home run by Mobbs.

After five innings of two-hit ball from a trio of pitchers, NYIT scored in the sixth off senior Brando Casalicchio and Sorine. The Bears offensive success continued in the seventh as they grabbed an 8-7 lead off of Munday. The Rams would rally but they could not take the lead.

Munday took the loss, allowing three runs and three hits in 1.2 innings. Walker was 2-5 with two doubles and an RBI at the plate.

Fordham continued their surprising A-10 success by earning a doubleheader split against St. Bonaventure on April 10. Although the Rams fell 11-7 in the first game, Krakowiak led Fordham to a 9-1 victory over the Bonnies with a complete-game effort in game two.

St. Bonaventure second baseman Jesse Bosnik was the story in the first game, as he smashed three home runs and drove in six in the four-run victory.

The Rams took a 5-4 lead in the top of the third with a four-run outburst. Senior DH Angelo Ponte had a two-run double to center during the effort. However, Fordham was unable to silence players like center fielder Brad Steinbach and Bosnik and never came back all the way.

The Rams pitching struggled throughout the game. Senior J.P. Mack (0-4) lasted only two innings, allowing five earned runs on five hits, while junior John Flanagan gave up five runs on nine hits in his 4.2 innings of relief.

Krakowiak was the star in game two, as he threw a complete-game six-hitter with a career-high 11 strikeouts. Krakowiak permitted only two runners to reach third base over the final eight innings of the game. He has been Fordham’s ace and stands with a record of 2-3 and a 4.62 ERA , along with two complete games to his credit.

McCrann gave Fordham a 3-1 lead in the third with an RBI single, and freshman Ryan Lee had an RBI single in the seventh. The Rams then put the game away with four runs in the ninth for a 9-1 victory.

For the game, Mobbs was 2-4 with a double, a stolen base and three runs scored.

Fordham held on for a 5-4 win and took the A-10 weekend series against the Bonnies on April 11.

The Rams quickly got to St. Bonaventure, scoring three times in the top of the first inning with the help of a two-run RBI double from Walker. Fordham then extend their advantage to 5-2 in the sixth with an RBI-single from Maghini.

St. Bonaventure closed to within 5-4 in the seventh, but sophomore Jordan Grangard came in with the bases loaded in the seventh to end any threat from the Bonnies. St. Bonaventure again got a rally going by putting two runners on in the ninth, but Munday recorded the final two outs to get his first save of the season.

Fordham’s offensive performance has been much stronger in A-10 play. The Rams quickly increased their on-base percentage to .340 and have now hit 11 home runs. It has been a swift and surprising turnaround and buoyed the team’s proclamations that its offense would improve as the season went along.

Pendergast recorded his third win of the season for the Rams, allowing four runs with six strikeouts in six innings. He is now 3-1 with a 4.47 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 44.1 innings.

“Our pitching staff is doing very well,” Krakowiak said. “We’ve had guys step up, and myself and my teammates just need to continue executing for us to be successful.”

Fordham faces off against Saint Louis in a three-game home series this weekend starting April 16. The Rams now have a 5-4 record in the A-10 and a 10-20 mark overall.

Fordham’s success in conference play has been surprising so far, but the Rams have mainly played the runt of the litter in the A-10. Richmond and St. Bonaventure sport conference records of 3-6 and 1-8; the next few weekends, Fordham will play only teams in the top half of the conference. If the Rams are truly going to contend for the A-10 title this year, their play over the next few weekends will be the deciding factor.

PHOTO BY MARK BECKER/THE RAM

Junior Max Krokowiak struck out 11 in a six-hit shutout against St. Bonaventure.