Fordham Offers Narcan Training
By NORA MALONE NEWS EDITOR
The Office of Prevention and Support, in partnership with Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS), offered a Narcan training session on Feb. 12. The training taught students how to spot the signs of an overdose and administer Narcan.
Narcan is a nasal spray that is used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose by blocking opioid receptors. Narcan is seen as safe because if it is used on someone who is not overdosing, it does not harm them.
“We were very fortunate to have Harmony Seaburg, the national program coordinator at the National Harm Reduction Coalition, conduct the training,” said Alice Feng, supervising counselor and coordinator for diversity, equity and social justice initiatives at CPS. “She provided an overview of what opioids and Naloxone
SEE NARCAN, PAGE 4
The Fordham Ram
Student Employees Have Hours Reduced Due to ‘ Budget Constraints’
By ALLISON SCHNEIDER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The Office of Student Employment sent an email to student employees announcing that, beginning Feb. 22, all student workers will only be permitted to work a maximum of 10 hours per week. Previously, student employees were permitted to work up to 15
hours a week depending on their position. The email, sent on Feb. 13, said the cut was due to “budget constraints.”
In a later email to The Fordham Ram on Feb. 14, the Office of Student Employment said these constraints were related to “reductions in federal funding, increases to the minimum wage, and hours worked by
‘ We’ re Taking Barnyard Back’ Says New
Student Manager
By ANDREW MASSIE FEATURES EDITOR
who has quickly risen from bartender to manager in just over a month. Baker spent last semester studying abroad in Spain before returning to Fordham and joining Barnyard.
students.” Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, New York City’s minimum wage increased from $16.00 per hour to $16.50 per hour. It is not yet clear exactly how many students will be affected by the change or which positions are excluded from the reduction in hours, although students working as building
SEE HOURS, PAGE 5
Career Center Hosts
Turning Skills Into Careers Panel
By JESSICA RITTER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Career Center hosted
“Beyond the Club: Turning Skills into Careers Panel” on Thursday, Feb. 11. The panel featured Fordham alumni who shared how they leveraged their club leadership roles in landing job opportunities postgrad.
The event was the first in a two-part collaboration series with the Office for Student Involvement (OSI) regarding clubto-career readiness. It offered a $200 bonus added to the budget of the club with the most members in attendance as an incentive.
By JACK MCDONALD ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Fordham University announced last week it will be hiring its first Director of Federal Relations. The position will handle the university’s interactions and strengthen its relationships with the federal government. The position is part of a new team led by inaugural Vice President of External Affairs, Travis Proulx, and will be based in Washington, D.C.
According to the recent posting on Fordham University’s job board, “the Director of Federal Relations leads Fordham University’s engagement with federal government officials and agencies on policy, legislative, and budgetary matters.” The position will report directly to Travis Proulx, holding responsibility for developing advocacy and lobbying strategy and pursuing federal research funding. The position will also strengthen Fordham’s relationships with elected officials in the nation’s capital.
“The individual will be Fordham’s ‘boots on the ground’ in D.C.,” said Proulx. “With President Tetlow’s team, the director will advocate for actions and policies that further our mission and serve the best interests of the university community.”
Proulx also described how having someone stationed at the nation’s capital will be critical to strengthening the process of direct communication between Fordham and the White House.
SEE FEDERAL, PAGE 4
Opinion
The Subway Is... Page 17 in this issue
This Shamrock is Shaking Things Up Sports
Her quick promotion wasn’t
The atmosphere is quiet in the hours before opening at Barnyard BBQ. Chairs scrape against the floor as staff move seats off the dance floor. Bartenders SEE CAREER, PAGE 5 unload new bottles, cut limes and refill ice. For a college bar, this level of preparation would be surprising. Instead, it’s a reflection of new leadership.
At the center of big changes is Sydney Baker, FCRH ’26,
The event was organized by Allyson Blatz, the assistant director for
SEE BARNYARD, PAGE 5
The Eagles Prevent History Culture
ALLISON SCHNEIDER/THE FORDHAM RAM
A sign outside the Public Safety parking office informs students of the lack of student jobs.
Bouncers, bartenders and other staff are briefed on their duties before the night begins.
ANDREW MASSIE/THE FORDHAM RAM
PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS
Walsh Hall
Feb. 10
9:54 p.m.
On Monday, there was a stuck occupied elevator in Walsh Hall. The supervisor responded and contacted FDNY to respond. The FDNY removed the students. The supervisor prepared a work order to have the elevator inspected.
McShane Center Feb. 11
6:50 a.m.
On Tuesday, there was a fire alarm in McShane Center Market Place. The supervisor and FDNY responded. The investigation revealed workers cleaning a grill triggered the alarm. The supervisor ventilated the area and reset the alarm panel.
LaLande Hall
Feb. 17
5:48 p.m.
On Monday, there was a fire alarm in LaLande Hall. The supervisor and FDNY responded. The investigation revealed a smoke condition in a room triggered the alarm. There was no smoke or fire in the room. The supervisor prepared a work order to inspect the smoke detector and reset the alarm panel.
FitzSimons Initiative Hosts ‘Navigating Polarities: Ignatian Leadership in Action’
The Office of the President joined with the FitzSimons Initiative to host a workshop for students on how to lead with discernment.
By MARY HAWTHORN
MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR
The Office of the President and the FitzSimons Initiative hosted “Navigating Polarities: Ignatian Leadership in Action,” a workshop open to the University community on Thursday, Feb. 6. The event was held in Bepler Commons from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Fr. David McCallum, S.J., is a leadership consultant to Pope Francis and the Executive Director of the Discerning Leadership Program, a “leadership formation for a Synodal Church.” At this workshop, Fr. McCallum presented “a method that helps us to be more discerning and engage more effectively with those who think differently.”
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Wednesday Feb. 19
Resume Workshop
LC Campus South Lounge 12 p.m.
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The Discerning Leadership Program’s stated mission is “to support those invested with senior roles of authority and responsibility in the Church to develop their capacity as leaders, administrators, and managers for discerning and effective service to the Church.”
Based on the divided state of our world, the conversation emphasized the question, “How do we navigate beyond our current state, rediscover common ground, and co-create the futures
we desire, rather than resign ourselves to the futures we fear?”
According to a statement from the office of President Tania Tetlow, “Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, suggested that instead of reacting on the basis of fears, we can discern our way forward with more consciousness, compassion, and vision. Discernment demands the capacity to see reality in both/ and terms, applying reason, feelings, and intuition in the service of the decisions we make.”
This thoughtful and engaging event fostered community and togetherness. It also required much preparation. When asked about the organization of the event, Dr. Vanessa Rotondo, deputy chief of staff and triple alumna of Fordham University said, “I have known Fr. David McCallum, S.J., for a few years and have brought groups of students over to Rome to offer Ignatian leadership formation through lenses of Ignatian discernment. We brought him to New York for some other projects, and it was so gracious of him to be open to sharing his gifts and talents with Fordham in this way.”
Bepler Commons was full of
students, faculty and staff sitting amongst one another at round tables.
“I loved the program’s content, but the breaking down of ‘roles’ and the authentic encounter of humanity in the room stood out most to me. Rather than students dialoguing with students, faculty with faculty, we had dialogue happening across the board — it was a beautiful sight to witness the modeling and shared experiences being realized,” said Rotondo.
“When we talk about leadership, we often think about skills. In the Discerning Leadership Program, we begin not only with skills, but with the person we are, the character, and the values that are important to us, and the spirit with which we lead. Then we build on that sense of being with the knowledge and the know-how to be able to lead effectively,” said McCallum.
“Ignatian leadership is about truly knowing the people, places and spaces around you — and then offering your gifts in service of the mission. It’s leadership rooted in awareness, action, and a commitment to something greater than yourself in service of others,” said Rotondo.
This Week at Fordham
Thursday Feb. 20
Dance Marathon!
The Great Hall 7 p.m.
Attend Fordham’s dance marrathon and try your luck at auction items such as baskets and the first housing slot!
Friday Feb. 21
Rod’s Concert
Rodrigue’s Coffee House 8 p.m.
Go to Rodrigue’s Coffee House this Friday for some live music!
Two Man Giant Squid and Room de Dark will be performing.
Saturday Feb. 22 Red Envelope Show
210 Rivington St 6 p.m.
Harman Projects is holding their annual Red Envelope Show, an exhibition featuring artists and illustrators from around the world.
President of Fordham Alpha Sigma Nu, Daniel Melia, FCRH ’25, was also in attendance. Alpha Sigma Nu (ASN) is the honor society of Jesuit colleges.
“To me, ‘Ignatian Leadership’ starts and ends with a question: How is what I am doing as a leader, and what we are doing as a team, in service of the greater glory of God? I have tried to design every event at ASN to be informed by this higher principle — if they weren’t so designed, I don’t think they’d be very Ignatian. The AMDG slogan has to be taken seriously at all times for something to qualify as Ignatian Leadership,” said Melia.
This event was an opportunity for all members of the community to come together and learn.
“Navigating polarities and having authentic and respectful dialogue across ideological differences is essential, especially as we become increasingly more globally polarized. Our Jesuit mission invites us to be intellectually rooted agents of change in the world who go out and make a difference — we need to form and model that well for our staff, faculty, and students and offer them the resources to be formed in that vision while they are here,” said Rotondo.
Sunday Feb. 23
MARY HAWTHORN/THE FORDHAM RAM
Fordham Starting M.S. PA Program at Westchester Campus
By JACK MCDONALD ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Fordham University’s School of Professional and Continuing Studies recently unveiled plans to expand its Westchester campus to house a Master of Science in Physician Assistant (M.S. PA) studies program. The University is currently in the process of hiring a director for the program, as their job board highlights. The director will advise and spearhead the program, develop and manage the program’s budget and hire a principal and other inaugural members of the faculty and staff.
The M.S. PA program is one of few in the West Harrison area where the Westchester campus is located. Other established programs include one at Pace University in Manhattan and Marist University in Poughkeepsie. It comes as part of a growing realignment effort by Fordham towards careers in STEM, which are in increasingly high demand in the workforce.
Physician assistants work under the supervision and direction of a physician and can treat, diagnose and examine patients in a variety of specialties. The
field is due to grow up to 28% in the next eight years, which is a faster rate than many other professions, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Physician assistants also work in a variety of settings, from hospitals to outpatient and private practice offices, though around 54% of physician assistants work in the offices of physicians.
Fordham currently has a pre-health advising track for students interested in careers in medicine, which includes a physician assistant track. Other areas of interest include dental medicine, medical programs (M.D. or D.O.), optometry and pharmacy. One-to-one advising is also offered to students.
The job board description states that “the Program Director will build a sustainable program grounded in evidence-based medicine and best practices for clinical care with the goal of supporting the healthcare needs of the Bronx and Westchester County.”
The Westchester campus’ location near the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station
in Armonk makes it a good spot for the program. The campus is located just down the street from an outpatient center for Memorial Sloan Kettering, and just two and a half miles from White Plains Hospital.
The development of the program is in its early stages
at the moment, so Dean of the School of Professional and Continuing Studies, Anthony Davidson, who has a doctorate in management and systems science, was unable to comment formally on the hiring process.
“We are at a very early stage now, plus a lot of moving pieces
involved including the hire of a director,” said Davidson. Bob Howe, associate vice president for media and public relations declined to comment.
This is a developing story. Updates can be found at the fordhamram.com.
USG Adresses Concerns About Mold In Cosi Coca-Cola Machine
By EMMA LEONARDI EXECUTIVE COPY EDITOR
Fordham’s United Student Government (USG) met to hear from Campus Ministry and the Fordham University Substance Abuse Prevention and Support Program on Feb. 13.
Tatiana Nolen Matos, interim assistant director for Residential Life for Mental Health and Prevention, began the presentation with a short speech about what services Substance Abuse Prevention and Support at Rose Hill offers. The office works with all campus partners and is a “onestop shop” for any student who needs help with housing, food, mental health or substance abuse. Nolen Matos noted that students should be referred to her office for all concerns listed above as she can quickly and effectively line up resources for each need.
Gil Severiano, director of Campus Ministry Operations, Budget and Community Engagement, discussed meal swipe donations with the United Student Government (USG). Guest meal swipes can be donated to students who are experiencing food insecurity. Severiano shared that around 20 students have come in this month, but the program has been unable to help due to a lack of donations. The amount of help provided is dependent on the donations, so Severiano urges students who don’t use their guest swipes to donate them. Guest swipes can be donated using a form in the bio of the Campus Ministry’s Facebook page.
Severiano also spoke about how Fordham can help students in relation to recent developments involving the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). They said that Campus Ministry is a resource for students who want more information on the current situation, and that commuter tables and churches have red cards with what to do when approached by an ICE agent, as well as papers for students whose families are in need of assistance. Papers and red cards are in Spanish and English, and the red cards include a section in English that can be torn off and handed to an ICE agent.
Marshall Becket, GSB ’26 and Michael Sangillo, GSB ’26, presented their new club proposal for the Martial Arts club. The purpose of this club would be to build a fun environment of like-minded individuals and promote active lifestyles through teaching Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu. The club would focus on introductory moves and cardio, meaning it would be an open, fun and safe learning environment for any student, regardless of experience. According to Becket and Sangillo, the club would meet twice a week with a rotating schedule between Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu. The two meetings would be an introduction class and a drilling class (for those who have completed the introduction classes). The club plans to meet in the Fordham Prep wrestling gym, and hopes to also include Bronx Martial
Arts instructor sessions and UFC Fight Night watch parties as some of their events. When asked about how much money they would need for equipment, Sangillo shared that currently they have ten sets of Muay Thai pads and would like to double that amount. As they have also already raised an unspecified amount of money themselves, the club is only asking for $750 as of right now. A big concern voiced by numerous members of USG was a lack of continued interest after Becket and Sangillo graduate. Sangillo assured USG that as they already have around 50 people interested in their club, they would be able to pass on the club to future Rams.
Due to Dean Catharine McGlade’s absence, a full advisor report was unable to be given. In her place, Arielle Duran, Assistant Director for Leadership and Commuter Student Services, shared that there will be a Student Life Council (SLC) meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 19.
Vice President of Operations Megan Ruzicka, FCRH ’27, noted that the Operations subcommittee reviewed six clubs with three tabled, one rejected and two approved. Club packets will open this week and close March 12.
Vice President of FCRH Emma Blake, FCRH ’25, reported on the potential of an academic fair for underclassmen who haven’t declared their major yet,
as suggested by the FCRH subcommittee’s vice chair. Blake also noted that Study Abroad is doing a panel on March 6 at 1 p.m. and is looking for students to speak on their experiences.
Vice President of Facilities and Dining Mike Rodriguez, FCRH ’27, shared that the reason behind the Campbell Hall classrooms reportedly smelling bad was due to the syrup pipes for Coke in the Così soda machine rotting. Rodriguez claims that the issue has been resolved and that the smell should be gone. Rodriguez also reported that the mold issues in O’Hare Hall are being solved as well, and that the current tests show no mold in the air.
Senator Sarah Bayas, GSB ’28, noted that she met with
Dean of Fordham College at Rose Hill Maura Mast to discuss the addition to course evaluations of student feedback on how well a professor accommodates their needs according to the Office of Disability Services (ODS). As ODS has its own survey, Mast suggested proposing amendments to the current survey.
During the open floor period, Maddie Ando, FCRH ’27, brought up a concern regarding the potential change in USG bylaws restricting students eligible to run for the executive ticket to former members of USG. Ando shared that she, among other students, felt this change to be undemocratic. Executive Vice President Ava Cascella, FCRH ’26, assured her that each bylaw change is discussed and approved by not only USG but the deans as well.
Fordham's Westchester campus will be adding a Master of Science in physician assistant studies program.
COURTESY OF FORDHAM UNIVERSITY
USG met to hear from Campus Ministry and the Fordham University Substance Abuse Prevention and Support Program and address concerns about the Così Coca-Cola machine.
COURTESY OF FACEBOOK
FROM FEDERAL, PAGE 1
“They will be our eyes, ears, and strategist on advancing policies that benefit students, faculty, and staff,” said Proulx. It is important for President Tania Tetlow’s cabinet to work in tandem with the U.S. Government.
“The director will also collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and external partners in pursuit of research funds, and in other measures that elevate Fordham’s presence with decision-makers,
Fordham Expands Influence in D.C.
and increase Fordham’s overall impact,” said Proulx. “The Center for Community Engaged Learning is leading on community partnerships that give students handson experience, and a wide range of events and initiatives. Government Relations is in the thick of things organizing student advocacy and working to secure new funding from city, state, and federal government.”
The position comes to fill a void in Fordham’s
administration. “Bill Colona was recently promoted from government relations to a role in the Provost’s Office which resulted in a vacancy,” said Proulx. “Before filling this vacancy, we stepped back to consider how to strategically invest limited resources.”
Finding a qualified candidate is important to not just Proulx’s office, but the cabinet as well.
While Fordham is not the first university to imple-
ment a Director of Federal Relations, it stands out to ensure universal professionalism in New York City. On the West Coast, Camille Hosman serves as Stanford University’s Director of Federal Government Affairs and is also based in Washington, D.C. in order to assist in their White House communications efforts.
Continuing to expand the External Relations department is also a central focus
of Tetlow’s cabinet, which is why they have begun coordinating a new workforce development center on Fordham Road. More information on this will become available in the future. For now, Proulx promises the university is striving to learn and grow in everything it does.
“Our immediate objectives are to listen and learn, to collaborate, and to help elevate the work happening all across Fordham,” said Proulx.
CPS Offers Narcan and Fentanyl Testing Strips
NARCAN, PAGE 1
are and how they act on the body, how to recognize signs of overdose, how to respond to an overdose, including how to administer Narcan, and how to use fentanyl test strips.”
Enough students registered that CPS had to switch locations to accommodate the signups. 78 students signed up before CPS had to close registration despite requests to reopen. Around 40 students attended, along with academic advisors and members of Campus Ministry.
Students who attended
appreciated the training and found it helpful.
“When I saw the flyer for the Narcan training in my email, I knew immediately it was something I wanted to go to,” said Theda Wilkens, FCRH ’27. “I’m hoping to go into a career in pain neuroscience, safe opioid usage, and alternative pain treatments, so learning about what to do in the event of an opioid overdose was invaluable for me.”
“We hope that students feel empowered to use this life-saving medication to potentially save lives. More
importantly, we hope this workshop demonstrates our commitment to foster a culture of safety and understanding,” said Feng. “There’s so much stigma surrounding substance use and addiction that impacts individuals and their family members. That stigma can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, anxiety, and/ or blame, all of which can make it harder for those impacted to seek out support.”
CPS did not expect there to be so much interest in the training.
“CPS talked about offering
the Narcan training in the fall as a new and different way for us to connect with students outside of our office,” said Feng. “We actually didn’t expect for there to be so much interest. To my knowledge, this was the first time a training of this kind was offered to the Fordham community.”
me and very pertinent to my career path, and the physical experience, as well as the slideshow, were extremely beneficial. I also appreciated that we were given Narcan kits to take home with us,”
CPS plans to offer the training again, potentially at the end of the spring semester.
Attendees of the training were given Narcan kits and fentanyl testing strips to take home.
“Safe drug usage and harm reduction education are both super important to
“Since there was a lot of interest this time, we are planning on offering this training again in the near fu ture — definitely sometime in the fall, if not sometime before the end of the spring semester,” said Feng.
A d v e r t i s e H e r e ]
FROM
Office of Student Employment Cuts Student Hours
assistants at the Office for Student Involvement, desk assistants at the Ram Fit Center, and student aides at Walsh Library have reported that their hours are being reduced.
just luck — it was a mix of experience, initiative and an eye for organization that caught the attention of owner Simon Kajtazi.
“Sometimes college students take jobs just for the paycheck, but Sydney cares about the business,” Kajtazi said. “She saw things that could be changed easily and took the initiative. I’m old school. I’m not that great with social media or tech. She brought in fresh ideas and has followed through on them.”
Baker’s background in the restaurant industry played a major role in her ability to step up so quickly. Having grown up with a mother who runs a food business and studied at the Culinary Institute of America, Baker was exposed early on to the complexities of restaurant management.
“I just have a desire to fix things,” Baker said. “I grew up in the restaurant business, so I know how things should run. Coming here, I saw simple things that could be improved without even spending extra money. Things like organizing the staff better, improving scheduling and revamping the way we market the bar to students.”
With Barnyard facing dire financial struggles and a
FROM CAREER, PAGE 1 student engagement at the Career Center who said that this series is a continuation of a Career Center series from last year with a similar premise called “Clubs to Careers” but that this year’s series is different in several ways. Blatz has worked to make the event feel more interactive and applicable to students, including alumni panelists who shared real-world examples of how they utilized their club experiences in their job hunts.
“We’re bringing in people who are actually using their club experiences to get jobs and can teach you all how you could effectively communicate that when you’re on the internship and job search,” said Blatz.
The panel featured five former executive board members of various clubs, including the former president of the Middle Eastern Student Association Jessica Long, GSB ’24, former executive board member of Fashion for Philanthropy and ASILI Karen Brifu, FCRH ’08,
According to an email sent to student Ram Van drivers, the change is not affecting student positions deemed “essential to the University’s operational success.” This includes Ram Van drivers
and some students employed by Public Safety.
The decrease in maximum hours coincides with other changes in student-employee hiring practices. Public Safety Parking Operations
Manager Vicente Audifre III said he received word on Feb. 5 that the office would not be permitted to hire any more students for the spring semester.
The Fordham Ram is still
Student Promoted to Manager of Barnyard
dwindling Fordham customer base, Baker has taken on the challenge of restoring the bar’s reputation. One of her first initiatives was consolidating the five different employee group chats into one and streamlining communication.
She also noticed that many Fordham students had abandoned Barnyard in favor of other bars, a trend she was determined to reverse.
“Barnyard used to be the place to go, and now people laugh when they walk by,” she said. “I don’t like that. The drinks are cheaper here, but people would rather pay a huge cover elsewhere. I wanted to understand why.”
To better understand the bar’s issues, Baker decided to work every position available, working as a bartender, bouncer and at the door to observe customer behavior firsthand. She quickly identified branding and social media as major weak spots and convinced Kajtazi to give her access to the bar’s accounts.
She created a TikTok, took over Instagram and began actively promoting Barnyard’s events and deals, an effort that had been largely neglected before her arrival.
One recent success was a job fair hosted at Barnyard. Football players signed up to bartend and bounce, and some rugby players DJ. This effort, Baker said, is all part of her broader effort to reintegrate Fordham students into the bar’s culture.
“We really need people to show up,” she said. “Simon has been through financial struggles, and we’re trying to make Barnyard a staple again. That means getting students involved, whether as employees, DJs or just customers.”
Kajtazi, who has owned Barnyard since 2017 and has seen the ups and downs of the Fordham bar scene, is hopeful that Baker’s leadership will bring new energy to the business.
“We’re going fully collegefocused now,” Kajtazi said. “Sydney is in tune with what students want. She’s bringing in new DJs, creating themed nights and making sure the word gets out. I gave her a shot, and she’s making it work.”
Looking ahead, Baker is excited about the upcoming
working to collect specific data about how many students will be affected by the change.
This is a developing story. Updates can be found at thefordhamram.com.
events she’s planned, from themed drink specials to live music nights and a potential Saturday brunch with unlimited pizza and pasta.
She envisions Barnyard as a welcoming, fun space where students feel comfortable hanging out without the pressure of high cover charges or overcrowded dance floors.
“I want Barnyard to feel like Fordham’s bar again,” she said. “We’re making it a place where students want to be — not just a backup option.”
Panel Hosts Former Club Leaders
former member of Commuter Student Services Patrick Infurna, FCRH ’20, founder and former president of Humanities Student Ambassadors Marianna Apazidis, FCRH ’24, and former member of the Italian Club and former vice chair of the United Student Government (USG) Dining Committee Frank LaGumina, GSB ’20.
The panelists discussed several ways that being in clubs during their time at Fordham had been beneficial to landing a job post-grad. Being in clubs developed their time management, and conflict resolution skills while contributing to becoming a more well-rounded person overall.
On collaboration and teamwork learned through clubs, Apazidis said, “When I’m collaborating with my team for my job, I find myself tapping into the patient adaptability that I’ve honed from my time at Fordham. Every time you need to compromise with your executive board, remember that moment.
Moments like that will resurface in new ways throughout your career.”
Most of the clubs that the panelists were involved in had little to no similarities to the careers they ended up choosing, however, the skills that they learned were transferable to their current roles, and being in clubs allowed them to develop their passions.
“Speaking from my experience, interviewers can tell when you’re passionate about something. That passion shows personality, and personality can go a lot farther than you might think in your career” said Apazidis.
The panelists also frequently highlighted to the students in the audience that being an active member of a club can be just as effective on a resume or interview as being an executive board member. Having responsibilities in a club role can translate to real-life experiences.
According to Blatz, many students who come
to the Career Center undervalue their club experiences and don’t realize how important the work they’re doing in a club can be. She also recommends that students keep a journal of all the club responsibilities they have. This sentiment was echoed by the panelists on the importance of
not undermining the work they accomplished during their time at Fordham.
The next event in the Beyond the Club series “Building a Resume that Speaks” will be on Feb. 20. It will be a resume workshop on how to strategically tailor your club experience to your resume.
JESSICA RITTER FOR THE FORDHAM RAM Panelists peak to students about their club experience.
ANDREW MASSIE/THE FORDHAM RAM Barnyard hopes to appeal to the overall student body and is implementing changes.
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The best teacher I ever had once told me he thought I would end up at Fordham University. I would often sit in his classroom instead of going to the cafeteria for lunch because that place is the seventh circle of hell for a loner; we would talk about my future, the state of the world and how exhausted we were with my generation. Even when I didn’t want to admit it, I always took his advice when he offered it.
I must confess, I didn’t really believe him about Fordham at first. I hadn’t even considered it yet and I knew nothing about it. But suddenly it became very important that I found out. And that’s exactly what I did.
Well, here I am, Horvath! He was right again, much to both my chagrin and pride.
I first joined student journalism at his behest in my sophomore year of high school and it changed my life. He saw the quiet girl in the back of the English classroom and encouraged her to become a (mostly) confident woman who knew how to handle a room full of student journalists and put together an entire newspaper. Four years later, I’m a first-year in college and
OPINION From the Copy Table
From the Desk | Sarah Verrastro
I have made The Fordham Ram staff. I have aspirations to be an editor in a publishing house, which I never would have dreamed of if I wasn’t editor-in-chief of a newspaper my senior year of high school. It’s hard to explain to someone who doesn’t understand just how much it means when someone like that believes in you when you had never believed in yourself before. It has the power to change not only your own life, but the lives around you, as you become a leader and an example for others. You become bigger than yourself, which is the very best thing to be.
Mr. Horvath was the first adult besides my parents to see real potential in me and foster it in immeasurable ways. I mean, I used to wish I was invisible. Now I find myself actively seeking out positions that make me the very opposite of invisible. He helped me to realize what I’m capable of, that my determination could inspire others much like I was.
As you can probably guess, I’m a big fan of underdogs, and I was overjoyed that The Ram is too, having taken a chance on the scared first-year who showed up ten minutes
early to the staff interview. Being a part of The Fordham Ram has become one of my favorite things here. I love walking into B-52 and feeling comfortable enough to say hi to everyone, to have conversations about sensitive topics that wouldn’t be possible outside those doors. I love having a group of people with common interests to fall back on if I ever need advice going forward in my major. I mostly don’t mind staying until 12 a.m. Wednesday mornings for production because I know my friends will be there right beside me to see it through. From weird text messages to collaboration on the job to weekend movies, the copy table has become my very own little “Ramily,” and I could not be more grateful.
Editorial | Cafeteria Meals
I guess this is me saying to go after the things you want, even if you’re scared. If you have been thinking about joining a club or activity, go do it. Interview for that position even though you have never interviewed for anything before. It is worth it. And it is magical how you will transform. We so often let our fears get in the way of our happiness and success: no more. It’s time for all of us to take back our lives, live in the moment. To be ourselves unconditionally. So I want to say thank you to the copy table. To Sophie, who is our fearless leader. To Jacob, who always makes us laugh. To Emma, who makes sure we’re never bored. And, I suppose, to Jonah, who is just Jonah. Cheers, Volume 107!
A Homage to Caf Omelets
As part of the recent batch of major renovations done to Rose Hill’s cafeteria (i.e., The Marketplace), Fordham University dining services, coined Ram Hospitality, introduced to students a variety of new made-to-order food preparations. These stations are focused on providing students with fresh, customizable and transparent meals. Jamie Serruto, FCRH ’24, and United Student Government (USG) vice president of Facilities and Dining emeritus, perhaps put it best in a previous interview with The Ram, stating that “Students should look forward to personalized, made-to-order meals, openness of food preparation, chef interaction.”
Included in this collection of new stations is The Iron Skillet: a place where students can request fresh egg dishes in the morning like scrambled or fried eggs, as well as pasta dishes at night. The station provides students with the option to incorporate a plethora of add-ons to their respective meals including basil, peppers and bacon for omelets. Shrimp, andouille sausage and onions can be tossed into a serving of red sauce-doused noodles.
At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, this delightful little station is possibly the best thing to currently exist on Fordham’s 85-acre campus, if not the world. There is
simply nothing like waking up in the morning knowing that you are about to walk over to The Marketplace and order a freshly made omelet, egg scramble or serving of fried eggs. It sets an amazing tone for the day when your ears are graced with omelet-masterchef Chef Raymond’s blunt but loving “Next guest?” and you know that, in just a few minutes, you will have a freshly prepared masterpiece of the culinary arts sitting in front of you. And if need be, “The Iron Skillet” can certainly put one back on the right path if they were to wake up on the wrong side of the bed — it is really, really difficult to stay in a bad mood when you have a pipinghot ham and cheese omelet sitting in front of you.
Putting aside all these more lighthearted points, the addition of The Iron Skillet also genuinely works to address what is essentially a major pandemic sweeping across America’s college campuses: students’ unhealthy eating habits. A 2018 cross-sectional study published by the National Library of Medicine revealed that about 47.5% of all college students fail to eat three meals a day, and when they do consume food, the vast majority had a dangerous habit of relying upon highly processed and/or fried foods that were, in a couple of words, terribly unhealthy. Considering this, the allure
of The Iron Skillet is of paramount importance to the general health of Fordham’s student populace. For one, it is getting more and more students into The Marketplace at regular intervals; the behemoth lines to get an omelet are unlike anything that was ever seen prior to The Marketplace’s renovations. This effectively means that students are increasingly likely to get an adequate amount of food that their often sleep-deprived bodies need to just survive the day — a huge win for everyone in their lives. The Iron Skillet also provides the student populace with a fresher, infinitely healthier alternative to the suspicious-looking, premade scrambled eggs left to sit under heat lamps elsewhere in the caf. This is not to mention the fact that simply getting students into The Marketplace increases their exposure to — if not their outright consumption of — all the other fresh and healthy options now offered to Fordham students.
Miranda Joyce, FCRH ’26, offered up a reflection of this reality when asked about her relationship to the Iron Skillet, stating that “[p]rior to the egg station, I never saw the appeal of eating in the caf — I mean ever. But, I think the egg station puts caf breakfast on another level compared to any of the other breakfast options on campus.”
However, like all things in this
world of grey, The Iron Skillet — and by extension, the caf as a whole — is not without its flaws. The allure of The Iron Skillet ultimately clashes with the realities of Fordham’s limiting meal plan options, in which students face a lack of opportunities for customization and a distinct lack of access to a medically-sufficient number of meals. The meal plans that Fordham currently offers leave a lot to be desired, existing at the ends of two very different poles: too expensive or overly sparse. An unlimited meal plan costs at least $4,305 per semester while the most bountiful option available below this option only guarantees 14 meals a week at $3,830 per semester. Thus, The Iron Skillet creates an appetite (pun intended) for freshly-prepared meals that Fordham’s current dining plans simply cannot satisfy, with students being unable to quell their cravings by a virtue of a major paywall: one worth $475 dollars to be exact. Despite these potential grievances, The Iron Skillet still represents the pinnacle of human achievement and ingenuity. It not only provides Fordham students with some of the greatest foods known to man (omelets and fried eggs), but it does so with an eye for freshness, quality and transparency that may perhaps provide an antidote to the student health crisis ravaging college campuses across the nation.
By ALANA JONES CONTRIBUTING WRITER
McDonald’s media franchise “McDonaldland” features numerous characters, including Grimace, Ronald McDonald and the Hamburglar. The summer of 2023 marked Grimace’s 50th birthday, bringing Grimace back into public consciousness. In 1975, McDonald’s Shamrock Shake was represented by Grimace’s Irish relative, Uncle O’Grimacey. This year, Uncle O’Grimacey will finally make his triumphant return.
Uncle O’Grimacey was phased out of McDonald’s advertising by the mid-1980s. There is a rumor that a Philadelphia actor playing Uncle O’Grimacey shared some controversial comments about Irish unification, expressing support for the Irish Republican Army (IRA). There are no records or reports to corroborate the claim, but the rumor has circulated and gained traction since. Uncle O’Grimacey is loved by fans, including myself. McDonald’s recent campaign reintroduces old mascots is an effort to appeal to customers’ nostalgia. The older members of my family were excited when Grimace returned to television for his 50th birthday.
OPINION
This Shamrock is Shaking Things Up
McDonald’s even released an Uncle O’Grimacey collection of merchandise, all of which is sold out. It’s rather unclear what Grimace actually is. Some fans suspect he is a taste bud, a purple blob or the physical embodiment of a shake. The ambiguity is part of what I love about Grimace and his uncle. He’s a Grimace. There is no clear answer to what he is, but the spirit of absurdity is what makes him so endearing.
Minimalism has been a trend for decades. In his 1968 book “The System of Objects,” Jean Baudrillard explores the shift away from dramatic opulence. Baudrillard explores the relationship between capitalist consumption and social status through design choices, specifically the mid-century modern style, which was popular at the time. Mid-century design’s stark functionality and minimalism expressed our culture’s love for efficiency and capitalist values. Baudrillard wrote, “Every object claims to be functional, just as every regime claims to be democratic. The term evokes all the virtues of modernity, yet it is perfectly ambiguous.” Modernity in advertising leaves us with stark colors and sleek lines, reading
Don’t Even Inquire:
By INDIRA KAR STAFF WRITER
Fear not, America – President Donald Trump has the answer for the cause of the midair collision between the American Airlines jet and Army Black Hawk helicopter, which killed 67 people on Jan. 29: diversity. Because of President Trump’s “common sense,” he was able to conclude that Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies were to blame. DEI initiatives have increasingly become the target of criticism and blame in the political sphere, especially under the Trump administration. Instead of addressing the root causes of issues, the Trump administration and its fans have utilized DEI as a convenient scapegoat, diverting attention from policies and decisions that originated these issues, as well as justifying and normalizing the future use of slandering underrepresented groups. Attacks on initiatives to promote DEI are nothing new. College campuses, the workplace and the federal government are grounds on which DEI has come under scrutiny. DEI, as understood today, finds its roots in the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and over the years has sought to address systemic inequalities and discrimination. DEI programs have been adopted to create more inclusive environments, provide more equitable opportunities with resources tailored to the needs of individuals and ensure the representation of different identities such as race,
some version of “buy this.”
Unsurprisingly, Baudrillard dislikes the minimalism he described. It upholds capitalistic values of efficiency and functionality and misses crucial human elements. Ridiculous advertising, such as the McDonaldland universe, opposes the soulless minimal advertising we’ve seen in recent years. Of course, an advertisement is an advertisement; the goal is to get consumers shopping, but I’d rather have a little fun being a cog in the capitalist machine than do the same thing with a dull ad.
Advertising has fallen victim to minimalism in recent decades, and I hope the Grimace family’s return marks a change in trend. Grimace and Uncle O’Grimacey are both ridiculous, unserious and fun. The McDonald’s universe is so absurd. It’s camp. I want more of it. Rumors of Uncle O’Grimacey’s political extremism or Grimace’s fatal birthday shakes are outrageous, and I can’t get enough.
The Onion has poked fun at the Shamrock Shake’s relationship to Irish republicanism. Their article jokes that the leader of the IRA’s political party Sinn Féin said, “It is shameful
STEFANIZZI/THE
that we as a people cannot enjoy this proud, symbolic beverage any more than one week a year.” There are layers to the Grimace family tree and the political-economic state of McDonaldland, and I am waiting for more with bated breath.
I love Grimace, and I love Uncle O’Grimacey. Being able to poke fun at an otherwise difficult and painful part of Irish history feels like a step in the right direction. Even though the IRA-supporting Grimace rumor is almost certainly untrue, its prevalence reveals a truth about our view of McDonald’s (or any international corporation, for that matter) role in geopolitics.
RAM Uncle Grimace has been reintroduced by McDonalds. by associating the company with political extremism. It’s been over 20 years since the Good Friday Agreement ended the Troubles, and Ireland’s global image has changed dramatically. Irish artists like Hozier, Cillian Murphy and Paul Mescal (along with Ayo Edebiri) have ignited an international love for Ireland. Compared to the 1970s, Ireland has come a long way. Irish republicanism remains part of Irish politics, and republican dissidents remain who do not accept the Good Friday Agreement. Nevertheless, Uncle O’Grimacey’s return speaks to the decreased tension in Ireland.
The words of one outspoken Philadelphia Grimace can feasibly halt an ad campaign
Alana Jones, FCRH ’27, is an English major from Manhattan, New York.
DEI Becomes Trump’s Favorite Scapegoat
gender, age, sexual orientation, disability and more. The aim of DEI initiatives is to foster an environment where everyone can thrive.
A 2023 Pew Research Report and a 2024 Post Ipsos poll from the Washington Post found that DEI initiatives are favorable among Americans; however, DEI does face valid criticisms. Some argue that DEI efforts are superficial gestures that do not address deeper, systemic problems.
A 2023 DDI report found that since the implementation of DEI practices in the workplace in 2020, there has been an 18% decrease in leaders who endorse these initiatives. Some argue that DEI, if handled improperly, can lead to tokenism, and in this case, surface-level efforts in creating a successfully diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace, will only exacerbate feelings of isolation for underrepresented groups and does not address the issues at hand. However, blaming DEI for unrelated problems undermines the gravity of issues of discrimination and prejudice. It is a deflection tactic.
Two notable examples of this phenomenon of blaming DEI to deflect from the pertinent issues at hand include Trump blaming a midair collision on diversity efforts and Elon Musk attributing the California wildfires to DEI policies — allegations that have both found their footing within the right-wing fanbase.
On Jan. 20, Trump signed multiple executive orders,
including a hiring freeze on federal civilian employees, halting the creation and filling of jobs positions. On the same day, he signed the executive order “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing,” which alleged that DEI is an “illegal and immoral discrimination program.” This has led companies like Google and Walmart to scrap DEI initiatives, especially with an influx of conservative backlash.
After a hiring freeze and ending government DEI programs, the next day, Trump signed an executive order “Keeping Americans Safe in Aviation” stating that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had “betrayed its mission by elevating dangerous discrimination over excellence” and called for the restoration of “non-discriminatory, meritbased hiring.” Michael Whittaker, the former FAA administrator, resigned the same week on Jan. 20, after Musk, a close friend of the President, called for Whittaker to quit.
Following the chaos of administrative change, with the Jan. 29 midair collision that killed 67 people, many believed the Trump administration’s policies like firing the heads of the Transportation Security Administration and dissolving the Aviation Security Advisory Committee were contributing factors. Despite these changes in the sphere of aviation safety, some experts disagreed with this allegation, with one stating, “the actions by President Trump would not have led to
such an immediate impact.”
Following the deadly collision, Trump blamed Former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden for the standards of the U.S. aviation system in addition to DEI policies that led to the crash, detracting from the gravity of the situation and using his war on wokeism as a catch-all excuse for tragedy. Many right-wing figures have also contributed to the scapegoating of DEI. Many Republicans believe that DEI is to blame for the Los Angeles fires. These historically devastating and tragic fires were another platform to wage a war against DEI. With the LA fires, members of the GOP believed that LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, who is the first woman and LGBTQ+ member to run the fire department, and LA Mayor Karen Bass, the first Black, female mayor of the city, were to blame for the spread of the fires as they seemingly “let their progressive values distract them from public safety.” In an unsurprising and unfounded claim, Musk on the LA fires wrote, “DEI means people die,”
detracting from causes of wildfires, like climate change. Instilling fear is certainly a successful tool. With highprofile figures like Trump and Musk spearheading this war against DEI, the consequences of this scapegoating know no bounds and help to normalize it. Broader societal acceptance of DEI as an evil undermines the progress made in diversity, equity and inclusion in various sectors of education, governance, employment and more. This tactic diverts attention from systemic issues that DEI initiatives aim to address, stalling progress and magnifying inequalities. Trump and his followers are attempting to make it a norm to blame misfortune on DEI. These accusations are evil and insensitive to those affected by recent events like the collision and fires. Going forward, it is essential to challenge narratives of misinformation surrounding DEI and more, as it is frankly illogical to succumb to Trump’s word.
Indira Kar, FCRH ’25, is an international studies major from St. Louis, Missouri.
President Trump has been limiting diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM
CRISTINA
FORDHAM
By LUCA AMATURO CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Among commuters, there is a growing perception of the New York City subway system as dangerous, downtrodden and suspicious that the city, regardless of decreasing crime rates in subway stations, must contend with. As a student who finds himself using the subway system to travel throughout the city at least three times a week and is inundated with articles of violent crimes occurring within subway systems, I cannot deny a growing uneasiness and vigilance every time I enter a subway station. I am not alone in this ever-increasing uneasiness; a recent MTA poll found that 56% of people feel unsafe in subway stations and 55% feel unsafe in subway cars. Whether the perception of the subway as unsafe has been created by politicians, media coverage or the recent rash of sensational violent crime, it has seeped into the psyche of the majority of frequent subway riders and must be addressed to bring riders peace of mind
OPINION
Solving NYC’s Subway Safety Problem
and spark a resurgence in ridership.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams have moved to increase police presence in subway stations, a promising start to a complex issue of easing the worries of subway riders but one that truly requires more refinement to resolve the current perception crisis. Increasing police presence can increase peace of mind for subway riders because it provides a reference point of safety and the comfort of knowing that, if any violence does occur, there are trained officials who can immediately intervene. However, the underlying racial history between police and marginalized communities can’t be ignored, with Black and Brown people feeling equally uneasy with increased police presence on subways. The tension between police and minorities must be addressed to provide everyone who enters the subway an equal feeling of safety through various community-focused initiatives
that break down the barriers between police and minorities. Arbitrarily increasing police presence in subway stations without proper training and strategic placement will do little to deter crime and increase the perception of safety in subways. Currently, the increased police presence in subways is concentrated around turnstiles to combat fare evasion, but this does little to actually combat the violent crimes in subways that actually cause concern for riders. Instead, police presence should be concentrated on the tracks where they are visible to riders who will have a nearby reference point of safety and can quickly intervene if violence occurs. Police must also be properly trained to help mentally ill people on the subway and be capable of de-escalating tense situations, making other riders feel more comfortable and decreasing the likelihood of a violent crime occurring. An increased police presence that is vigilant and proactive can greatly increase the perception of safety while
decreasing crime.
Police presence alone is not enough to increase the feeling of safety amongst riders, but other improvements to the physical design of the station, such as increased lighting, platform barriers and signage, can help promote rider awareness and safety. Swapping the current fluorescent lights for more luminous LED lights will help create a more comfortable awareness of the surroundings for riders, especially at night when the subways are empty, leading to a greater feeling of safety. Implementing platform barriers would reduce the possibility of a rider falling or being pushed onto the tracks, easing the apprehension that many riders feel, especially in busy stations. Signage promoting awareness would help riders feel informed on how to handle or even avoid potentially perilous situations that do not entirely remove safety concerns but bring a level of preparedness that can ease concerns.
Public transportation is integral to the fabric of New York City, and it is necessary that riders feel safe when riding the subway regardless of the data regarding subway crime rates. When the issue is one of perception rather than actual danger, steps must be taken to address riders’ psychological concerns and apprehension by providing them with an environment that feels safe. Increasing police presence is a start to providing the perception of safety, but it is a solution fraught with underlying tensions that must be addressed concurrently. Without proper training and strategic placement, increased police presence neither creates a perception of safety nor lowers crime, so it must be coupled with alterations to the physical environment of the subway.
Luca Amaturo,FCRH ’26,is a communications and politcal science double major from Marlboro, New Jersey.
Ensuring Comfort And Fairness In Collegiate Women’s Sports
By SYDNEY WELLS CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The NCAA’s recent decision to ban transgender women from competing in female sports following President Donald Trump’s executive order on gender ideology, marks a shift in the ongoing debate over fairness and inclusion in athletics, especially in women’s sports. This executive order, which went into effect immediately, prohibits transgender women from participating in female sports at all levels, including recreational, high school and college. It also grants the Department of Education authority to investigate institutions’ compliance with Title IX. This move comes after years of advocacy from female athletes such as Riley Gaines, who have argued that transgender inclusion in women’s sports compromises fairness.
As a female student-athlete at Fordham University, I believe that all athletes, including transgender individuals, deserve the opportunity to compete in sports. I support efforts to find a fair and inclusive solution that allows transgender athletes to participate without compromising the integrity and safety of women’s sports. However, the current system places female athletes at a disadvantage, both in terms of competition and physical safety. The reality is that trans women can be strong enough to create safety concerns for their teammates. In softball, split-second reactions determine whether a player makes a play or suffers an injury. The average college-aged female softball player hits a ball
65 to 73 miles per hour, while the average college-aged male baseball player hits a baseball at 95 to 100 miles per hour.
While infielders are positioned less than 60 feet away from the batter and pitchers just 43 feet away, reaction times range from 0.350 to 0.420 seconds. If a baseball player were to compete in softball, the reaction time would shrink to as little as 0.270 seconds, increasing the risk of serious injury for the infielders and pitchers. Softballs are anything but soft. They can break bones, cause concussions, and cause serious injuries. I have experienced this first hand with several concussions and bruised bones. While all athletes accept a level of risk when they step onto the field, they do so with the understanding that they are competing against others with similar physical capabilities. The issue is not just about risk but fairness and the fundamental nature of competition. If biological differences create an uneven playing field that increases the likelihood of injury, then the integrity of the sport and the safety of its athletes is compromised.
Even with hormone therapy, some studies suggest that transgender women retain physiological advantages in strength. According to one study, after a year of hormone therapy, transgender women still maintain a physical advantage over cisgender women on average. Additional studies demonstrate that the long-term benefits of testosterone exposure, such as muscle memory and skeletal structure, persist despite hormone therapy. This concern
has led to calls for policies that ensure a level playing field for female athletes. Advocates for transgender athletes’ inclusion in competitive sports argue that NCAA policies already account for hormonal and physiological differences by requiring transgender women to undergo testosterone suppression for at least a year before competing. However, since studies have demonstrated that transgender women remain physically advantaged, these policies are inadequate.
The issue of comfort for female student-athletes is also significant. For some athletes, particularly survivors of sexual assault, entering a locker room and unexpectedly seeing a transgender woman changing alongside them could trigger traumatic flashbacks. While reports of such cases are limited, former NCAA swimmer Paula Scanlan has spoken publicly about her experience sharing a locker room with Lia Thomas, describing it as deeply distressing. In an interview with the New York Post, Scanlan said she experienced nightmares and anxiety after being required to change alongside Thomas without prior notice or consent. Similarly, swimmer Riley Gaines has described the experience as traumatic, emphasizing how the lack of transparency left her and her teammates feeling exposed and uncomfortable. In response to concerns raised by female athletes, NCAA President Charlie Baker suggested that those uncomfortable should use alternative facilities, effectively placing the burden on women to adjust rather than addressing their concerns directly. This
is blatantly anti-feminist — the NCAA is forcing women assigned female at birth to make concessions for transgender women. Furthermore, the University of Pennsylvania Division I swim team nominated Lia Thomas for NCAA Woman of the Year. Now, because of the recent NCAA ruling, transgender women will be prevented from taking hard-earned placements and awards away from women assigned female at birth.
Personally, I would be extremely uncomfortable changing next to a transgender woman, even if they were my teammate. I would feel violated because I take pride in being a woman, especially in being a woman athlete, and the locker room is meant to be a safe space. That sense of security would be stripped away if I were expected to undress in front of someone who was assigned male at birth, regardless of their gender identity. The locker room is meant to be a private and comfortable space, yet if a policy mandated that I share it with a transgender woman, I would feel disregarded and degraded as a female athlete. Instead of prioritizing the voices and concerns of women, the NCAA dismissed these issues for years, expecting those who feel uncomfortable to simply deal with it.
At Fordham University, a Jesuit and Catholic institution, the issue of transgender participation in sports is particularly complex. Jesuit values emphasize social justice, care for the marginalized and the dignity of all individuals. Fordham’s mission statement reflects this commitment, stating that the
university “fosters the intellectual, moral, and religious development of its students and prepares them for leadership in a global society.” This raises an important ethical question: Should Fordham support the NCAA’s new policy and, by extension, Trump’s executive order, or should it take a stand in favor of inclusion and equity for transgender students? I believe a solution that prioritizes fairness and ensures transgender athletes have a place in competitive sports is for the NCAA to establish distinct divisions for transgender athletes’ sports. This approach would allow all athletes to compete, while maintaining the integrity of women’s sports and ensuring that female athletes are not placed at a disadvantage. This solution would address the ethical concerns behind the ban while preventing unfair advantages from overshadowing female athletes’ efforts and sacrifices. Additionally, it maintains exclusive spaces for women, where they can feel safe and supported in their athletic environments. If inclusivity is truly the goal, then finding a solution that respects all athletes without forcing women to sacrifice their comfort should be the priority. Fairness, above all, must remain at the center of this conversation.
By GABRIEL CAPELLAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
OPINION
‘Not Like Us’: A New Anthem For Student Activism
Kendrick Lamar is easily the biggest hater in our generation, no questions asked. In the past year, he decimated pop musician Drake, won five Grammys and headlined the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show. He did all of this with his diss track, “Not Like Us” where he accused Drake of pedophilia. Lamar made controversial statements, but it was met with acceptance from almost the entire world with other artists jumping in on the Drake diss. This beef took over the summer with listeners praising Kendrick and standing united on hating Drake.
However, amidst all this, Lamar proved that if people are loud about the things they want to protest against, it’ll garner attention and support. The song “Not Like Us” provides a model of success that can be applied to other scenarios, particularly in student activism.
Columbia University has been a major center of U.S. student activism for years. In 1968, students at Columbia protested against the Vietnam War and Columbia’s support of the war and drafting students with low grades. They occupied Hamilton Hall and February 19, 2025
the president’s suite in an attempt to get them to divest from the war. After brutal showings of power from Columbia and the NYPD where they gave students and innocent bystanders head wounds, Columbia divested from the war and stopped sending students to their deaths.
Around the time “Not Like Us” was released, students protested at Columbia University, demanding divestment from companies with financial ties to Israel. During this protest, students set up encampments across the campus. The situation escalated once Columbia chose to call the NYPD to break up the encampment, raid the campus and arrest students. These actions sparked protests at other colleges across the entire nation as students stood up for divestment from Israel.
The song “Not Like Us” became an anthem for change for these students along with the song “Hind’s Hall,” released by American rapper Macklemore on May 6, 2024. The title, “Hind’s Hall,” references pro-Palestinian activists’ renaming of Hamilton Hall at Columbia University in honor of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli forces in
the Gaza Strip. These songs, both indirectly and directly, show the power of numbers and community when people stand on a united front.
Protests in solidarity with Gaza reached Fordham University in May of 2024, specifically at Lincoln Center. While students encamped in the lobby of Leon Lowenstein Center, protesters gathered outside demanding divestment from Israel. These students called for the liberation of Palestine from occupation by the Israeli military and stayed resilient in the face of pressure from Fordham’s administration and the NYPD. They argued Fordham removing and arresting nonviolent student protesters violated their right to protest Fordham’s ties to the occupation in Palestine. In the end, 11 students and four alumni were arrested, and the arrested students were also suspended. This fight didn’t start last year, rather it dates back to 2016 when Fordham Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) fought to become an officially recognized club at Fordham. Initially, the Dean of Students overturned United Student Government’s decision to admit SJP as a club because SJP’s goals “clearly conflict with and run contrary to the
mission and values of the University.” The members of the club took Fordham to court and, in 2019, the students won their case and SJP was admitted as a club. However, Fordham appealed this decision to the New York State Supreme Court and it was overturned in 2021, reinstating Fordham’s ban against SJP. At the encampment of Lowenstein, their strength reappeared as they came out swinging for justice.
The more outrageous SJP is in calling out our injustices, the more they’ll be heard and actualized. When looking at history, things have never changed through quiet inaction. History is always changed when people stand up and advocate for the things they want. When the emotions of protestors
they’re amplified and attract more people to the cause. This was exactly the case with the success of “Not Like Us,” “Hind’s Hall” and college protests across the country.
Humanity’s greatest strength is its diversity and ability to unite behind a cause we all agree with. We may need to challenge institutions when they claim to want the best for us, but that’ll never stop brave advocates who are determined to stand up for what they believe in.
America First, Humanitarianism Last
By DAMIEN MOSHMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been a fixture of the American government since the 1960s. Founded by President John F. Kennedy, the politically independent agency’s primary mission has been to administer foreign aid to civilians and developmental assistance to foreign countries. But this crucial component of the American government is at risk of being dismantled by the current presidential administration. If successful, the closure of USAID would put thousands out of work, create potentially dangerous effects within the international community and fly in the face of Fordham University’s humanitarian values.
Recently, President Donald Trump attempted to put all but 290 members of the USAID staff of 10,000 on leave, a controversial move that has been partially and temporarily blocked by a federal judge. This is only one, albeit significant, move that the Trump administration has made against USAID. The administration has made it clear since Trump’s return to power that the agency has a target on its back due to its “waste, fraud, and abuse” that has gone unchecked “for decades.”
These moves demonstrate the Trump administration’s “America First” values and the negative sentiment that
the administration holds towards USAID. Vaguely-titled “special government employee” Elon Musk has made a number of comments online disparaging the organization, many of them negatively referring to its perceived leftleaning agenda rather than its overall costs. He has notably referred to the agency as a “viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America” and “a radical left political psy op.” Tom Yazdgerdi, president of the American Foreign Services Organization, which represents over 1,800 USAID foreign service officers, heavily maintained the sentiment that USAID, like every other government agency, is a nonpartisan organization. Former USAID employees note that the agency has a relatively small budget compared to other government agencies, which may indicate that the USAID cuts are not a calculated measure to reduce waste in the government but a test run for the gutting of larger government agencies. In fact, the total expenditure of the agency in 2023 was less than 1% of the annual U.S. federal budget of $6.75 trillion. The agency’s unorthodox structure compared to other government agencies may have led Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to identify it as an easy target for so-called cost-cutting initiatives. Unlike most government agencies, personal service and
institutional contractors far outnumber full-time government employees at USAID. These contractors are paid at comparable rates to full-time employees but lack the job protections and benefits that other federal employees have, making them much easier to cut.
Additionally, it should be noted that a significant part of the cuts made within the agency have specifically been made towards international programs meant to benefit marginalized communities: queer communities, women and people of color, to name a few. In fact, in a press release from the White House, the Trump administration refers to programs like the provision of personalized contraceptives and the advancement of diversity and inclusion in Serbia’s community and workplaces as “malicious pet projects of entrenched bureaucrats with next-to-no oversight.” Also, his attempt to put thousands of Americans out of work begs the question: how does this initiative coexist with an America First agenda if Americans are actively being harmed by it?
Trump’s attempts to close USAID inherently conflict with Fordham University’s values, particularly the institution’s emphasis on the importance of humanitarianism and service to others. Fordham has attempted to highlight the importance of global outreach through both community service programs and its Institute
of International Humanitarian Affairs.
Fordham’s Global Outreach program (GO!) is an example of the university’s commitment to humanitarianism and service.
The program has been around in various forms for over 60 years and is deeply rooted in the university with its dedication to community-engaged learning. Also, Fordham’s Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs mission is “to train and educate current and future aid workers at local, regional, national, and international levels.”
This institution has a myriad of programs dedicated to humanitarian aid for all marginalized groups, including those that the Trump administration is attempting to cut.
Essentially, based on the values that Fordham has instilled in its student body, there is absolutely no avenue in which Trump’s attempts to close the USAID do not conflict with the institution’s core values. Community-engaged learning is a crucial part of the Fordham
experience — as seen in our student organizations, classes and outreach programs. To say that the Trump administration’s attempts to close USAID conflict with the university’s values would be a gross understatement.
Thus, it is imperative to do the work to remain informed, advocate for legislation to help prevent cuts to USAID and support the international community. The Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle the agency not only threaten the livelihoods of thousands of Americans but also threaten those across the international community and jeopardize decades of progress made to foster goodwill across global borders.
Gabriel Capellan, FCRH ’28, is a journalism major from Bronx, New York.
Damien Moshman, FCRH ’25, is a political science and journalism double major from Princeton, New Jersey.
Many humanitarian organizations rely on USAID funding and support.
CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM
CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM Kendrick Lamar’s hit song has inspired people all across the nation. come together,
Out of Touch, Out of Time: The U.S. Government’s Hiring Problem
By HAILEY BAKER STAFF WRITER
Federal government officials are way too old and out of touch with modern issues, damaging our credibility on the global scale. The oldest Congress member is Iowa Senator Charles E. Grassley, who is 91 years old. As president pro tempore, he holds the second highest position in Congress, only under Vice President JD Vance. While he may seem like an outlier for his age, he represents a broader trend of aging federal elected officials. And while age may seem like the issue, the real fault lies in older politicians’ relevance and adaptability in our changing society. The future belongs to younger
generations, yet elected officials who will not live to see the consequences of the policies they impose are dictating it.
According to the Pew Research Center, the median age of a United States senator is 64.7; if rounded up to 65, it is the same number the National Institute of Health (NIH) considers to be elderly. By contrast, the median age of U.S. citizens is just above half that of senators, at about 38 years. This gap creates a government increasingly out of touch with the concerns of young voters, especially in terms of technological advances. In a world where technology is rapidly advancing, the U.S. cannot afford to have elected officials who cannot
keep up with the changing times and demands.
In an attempt to prevent stagnation in the government, the Trump administration created the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by billionaire Elon Musk, intended to bring younger leaders into federal positions. However, instead of balancing youth with expertise, Musk is more focused on downsizing the government and hiring loyalists instead of qualified young professionals. This has led to carelessness in hiring, including the appointment of 25-year-old Marko Elez. Elez previously worked at Musk’s companies SpaceX and X (formerly Twitter), proving his loyalty to Musk and his agenda. Recently, he became one of two temporary appointees at the Treasury Department connected to DOGE, which granted him access to a secure treasury system that handles trillions of dollars in payments annually. However, Elez resigned after the Wall Street Journal reported his connection to sincedeleted racist social media posts. Under this account, Elez made racist claims like “Normalize Indian hate” and “You could not pay me to marry outside of my ethnicity.”
Ironically, Vice President Vance, who married an Indian
American woman, Second Lady Usha Vance, defended Musk’s efforts to rehire Elez. Vance posted on X, “I obviously disagree with some of Elez’s posts, but I don’t think stupid social media activity should ruin a kid’s life.” Vance frames his defense as opposition to cancel culture, but it effectively prioritizes loyalty over ethical standards. Elez is not some random “kid” posting whatever comes to his mind in his basement. He is a federal government employee the Trump administration uplifts as a symbol of loyalty over ethical standards.
The rehiring of Elez, despite his racist posts, signifies that the federal government will hire employees that align with their agenda, regardless of the impact it has on public trust and morality. In this case, it is not Elez’s age that makes him unqualified or untrustworthy, but his harmful mentality and lack of social awareness. We cannot afford to replace outdated leaders with unqualified ones who fail to abide by proper ethical standards. Elez’s case highlights the dangerous reality, that the government is prioritizing political loyalty over honesty and virtue.
A much better example
of the kind of young politician we ought to be amplifying is Florida Democratic Representative Maxwell Frost, the first Gen Z Congress member. Frost, who is 28 years old, has shaped his career around advocating for gun restrictions. Before being elected to Congress, Frost served as the National Organizing Director for the March for Our Lives, giving him experience as a national leader. Frost’s background in grassroots organizing and advocacy around gun control proves that young leaders can be both experienced and innovative. His firsthand experience growing up in the 21st century allows him to understand the needs and desires of Gen Z, making him an effective representative of our generation.
As college students, it is our responsibility to vote for candidates who have an actual stake in our future and care about the issues that directly impact us. Together, by embracing a balanced approach that values experience, modern understandings and integrity, we can elect a government that accurately reflects the diversity of our generation.
Hailey Baker, FCRH ’27, is a political science major from Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Intermittent Fasting, Intermittent Starving
By MOLLY O’CONNOR CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Diet fads are always moving in and out of popularity in our society as food, eating and body trends change, but one that has gained much popularity in recent years is intermittent fasting. This term refers to a strict scheduled diet where participants do not eat for a certain amount of time each day or week. While it may work for some, intermittent fasting should not be practiced by college students because the negative effects and risks outweigh the potential benefits. This diet can have a variety of positive and negative effects on those who attempt it. On the one hand, it obviously has some success for those trying to lose weight, and it can reduce inflammation and prevent related conditions that come with that, like arthritis, asthma and strokes. On the other hand, it can increase hunger, fatigue, insomnia, nausea and headaches. For some, these side effects may go away within a month, but that is not a guarantee. For college students, these side effects could be amplified by preexisting issues from their hectic lifestyles.
It’s certainly well known
that college students are chronically tired. Around 60% of college students suffer from poor sleep quality and over 7% experience insomnia. This is often because of school schedules and stress, and it can have negative effects on their performance and grade point averages.
Chances are, if I’m in class and say, “Ugh I’m so tired today,” the vast majority of the students around me will grunt in agreement. With papers, exams, athletics, clubs and any attempt at a social life, college students hardly have time to sleep, and often choose to stay awake into the late hours of the night. When you add this inherent tiredness to the fatigue that often accompanies intermittent fasting, you reach an unsustainable level of exhaustion that is not healthy for any student to maintain, especially not while pursuing a career and life-dictating degree.
On top of this, many students experience changes in their eating habits when they come to college that come from factors like newfound independence, academic stress, athletic pressures, access to healthy food and schedule changes. These changes can contribute to
eating disorders, which are alarmingly common among college students. Unfortunately, 10-20% of women and 4-10% of men in college have an eating disorder.
The prevalence of diet culture among young adults only amplifies this risk, so it is safer for college students to avoid diets such as intermittent fasting to protect their mental and physical well-being.
A big part of these diet changes is learning how to eat at college, especially on specific university meal plans. As somebody who is on the lowest meal plan here at Fordham with 14 meals each week, I can confidently say that Fordham’s meal plans do not promote intermittent fasting.
With my sleep and class schedule and eating habits — which I would consider fairly average — I’m not always eating or needing to eat three meals a day, and somehow, even when I’ve felt like all my meals should be used up, I almost always have extra before they reset on Thursday nights.
Even if I were to use all of my meals before they reset, my meal plan, which comes with 500 dining dollars that can get me a meal at the majority of campus dining venues, is
more than enough to get me through the semester.
For adults, as long as they know their body and its needs and they’re consulting with their doctor, intermittent fasting can be worth it as long a s it’s done correctly. For college students, however, there are more dangers in a diet like this or any diet for that matter. The discipline it requires can be difficult to achieve on the schedule of a college student, and failures can be discouraging and lead to negative emotions.
As a whole, dieting as a college student is entering some risky territory and
should only be done with medical supervision to ensure proper practices. It can be tough to eat healthy on a college student’s diet and lifestyle, so it is understandable why some students turn to diets like intermittent fasting, but that is often not the best way to get healthy. Learning your body’s cues and needs can help make healthy eating easier, instead of resorting to strict dieting that may not even be successful.
Molly O’Connor, FCRH ’28, is a journalism major from Weymouth, Massachusetts.
The age of federal government officials ought to represent the public.
CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM
CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM
The costs of intermittent fasting outweigh the benefits.
Editor’s Pick | Music
The Meaning Behind U2’s ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’
By JACK MCDONALD ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
U2’s rich and storied history has shared its roots in the Bronx. Several Fordham University students and alumni recall when U2 stopped by the Keating steps on a chilly March morning in 2009 to perform as part of a broadcast for “Good Morning America.” U2 originated in Dublin, Ireland, in 1976, led by Paul David “Bono” Hewson, the band’s lead vocalist. Their song, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” remains one of the band’s most popular and recognizable, even almost forty years after its initial release.
The song, which was part of their album “The Joshua Tree,” was released in 1987, and draws upon U2’s religious roots. Those wellversed in Irish history will recall the Troubles, a turbulent period in Irish history that had several searching for the meaning of their own lives. Musical analysts have been searching for the meaning of “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” since its release. One common analysis comes from the Christian perspective, which aligns well with Bono’s beliefs
and personal history.
One analysis I drew upon in particular was released by Jason Isbell in 2021. Isbell noted how the seemingly endless search for the self which Bono emphasizes in the song makes sense in the context of his own religious belief and relationship with God. “Bono’s world-weariness bleeds through from the song’s opening lines,” said Isbell in his analysis. “The song adopts the perspective of one who has seen much, from great heights (climbing highest mountains) to regrettable lows (crawling).”
The line Isbell references comes from the first verse of the song, where Bono reflects on marching through mountains and fields to “be with you.” However, “you” is not specifically defined in the song, which gives way to several interpretations. After spending years of my life trying to discover the meaning behind this song, Isbell’s reflection makes quite a lot of sense to me. The Christian journey is often one filled with peaks and valleys, and, coming from Bono, who is a Christian, it makes sense why this would be emphasized so much in the song.
Later in the song, a new
verse reflects on speaking with “angels” and holding “the hand of the devil,” which, to me, highlights these ups and downs I mentioned before. He finds comfort in being with said “angels,” as his hand is “cold as a stone,” whereas the hand of the angel is “warm in the night.” Each verse is followed by the reflecting chorus: “but I still haven’t found what I’m looking for,” which details that as far as he has come in his journey, he is still searching for his meaning.
I believe a lot of people can resonate with U2’s music, because of how relatable it is, however, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” might just be the most relatable. A large portion of U2’s following is Christian and people all over the world often run into troubled relationships with their faith, whether Christian or not.
Bono’s childhood was in a split household, with a Roman Catholic father and a Church of Ireland mother. This also likely contributed to his struggle in finding the top of the mountain or the answer to his questions, as he was split between these two religions from his youth.
Regardless of how many
trials and tribulations Bono has faced, he introduces the penultimate verse by reasserting his belief in “the Kingdom come, where all the colors will bleed into one.” I think this definitely resonates with the Christian perspective, but also likely refers to Bono’s difficult childhood during the Troubles.
His message is simple: regardless of the disagreements we hold on this earth, in this case between the Catholic nationalists and Protestant unionists, we face the same God at death. And, ultimately, what matters most is the good we did on this earth, and the search which accompanied it.
I have always believed every generation can truly learn so much from U2. Their message of peace and love is obvious, especially in “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” but they also make it obvious that, while struggles with our faith are common, we are not alone. We can find common ground with each other in finding what we are looking for, which could be different for each and every person. I have been a loyal follower of the band since I was in grammar school, and their place on my personally curated playlist is certainly going nowhere, anytime soon.
Bronx Restaurant Week: Discovering the Borough’s Best Bites
By CHELSEA DELALLA CULTURE EDITOR
New York City is often celebrated as one of the most prominent food capitals in the world, featuring an array of innovative and iconic dining experiences for food lovers and restaurant critics alike. Yet, when most people think of NYC’s culinary scene, their minds tend to gravitate towards the hand-pulled noodles and dim sum of Chinatown or the dollar slice joints that populate Midtown. But what the majority of tourists and locals seem to overlook or even dismiss are the thousands of dining destinations that are centralized in the Bronx. The Bronx restaurant scene is one the city’s most well-kept secrets, home to dozens of mom and pop Italian eateries lining Arthur Avenue as well as Caribbean-style spots that offer rich, smoky jerk chicken and West African restaurants dishing out traditional comfort food.
In an effort to draw more attention to the often underappreciated culinary scene, the Bronx Tourism Council is hosting a six-day Restaurant Week on Feb. 18 to Feb. 23. Restaurants scattered across the borough will be offering pre-fixed menus or discounted prices on some of their bestselling dishes. There are 71 participating restaurants, with six Fordham favorites located within the heart of Belmont,
including Emilia’s, Antonio’s Trattoria, Burning Beaks and Majestic Restaurant.
I had the opportunity to chat with Jilleen Barrett, director of marketing and communications at the Bronx Economic Development Corporation and its sister organization, The Bronx Tourism Council. Currently, Barrett has been working closely with various restaurants to bring Bronx Restaurant Week to life. She emphasized that her organization is dedicated to promoting tourism within the Bronx, and dining out plays a major role in that mission. She sees Restaurant Week as a wonderful opportunity for college students, visitors and locals to support neighborhood restaurants and explore new spots at an affordable price.
Barrett also highlighted some of the ongoing challenges locally-owned restaurants continue to face, as many still struggle to regain their footing post-pandemic. The Bronx Tourism Council is committed to supporting these businesses through initiatives like Restaurant Week and especially encourages Fordham students to take part in this effort by exploring the diverse and vibrant restaurant scene in the Belmont area.
After my talk with Barrett, I convinced my roommates to join me on a trip to the southern end of Arthur Avenue to visit one of the participating
restaurants, and one of Belmont’s finest, Emilia’s. On a stormy Thursday night, we geared up in rain boots and windbreakers, clutching our umbrellas as we braved the deluge of rain. But the moment we stepped inside, we were pleased to leave the dreary weather behind and be welcomed by Emilia’s warm and inviting atmosphere.
Once seated, we were handed a complimentary basket of warmed bread (always appreciated) with crispy edges and a light, airy center. This paired nicely with their smooth, slightly bitter olive oil, tangy balsamic vinegar and a touch of salt and pepper. For my meal, I went with the cavatelli sposata — cavatelli paired with
broccoli rabe, thinly sliced garlic and a sprinkle of Italian red peppers for a subtle kick. What impressed me most about this dish was its simplicity. With just a handful of ingredients, the flavors balanced effortlessly — the starchy pasta, the slight bitterness of the broccoli rabe, the sharp depth of the garlic and the nutty richness of the olive oil drizzle came together seamlessly.
One of my roommates ordered the gnocchi with truffle mushrooms, generously topped with large slices of parmesan cheese and smothered in a thick, creamy sauce. My other roommate opted for the pappardelle bolognese, which was cavatappi pasta tossed in a hearty ragù sauce,
finished with cheese and fresh basil. By the end of the meal, we all had collectively agreed that Emilia’s deserved a permanent spot in our Arthur Ave. restaurant rotation. I myself am excited to revisit Emilia’s to explore new dishes and indulge in more old-school Italian classics.
Emilia’s is the perfect destination for a night out with friends, a cozy first date or even a casual Thursday dinner, as my friends and I discovered. With Bronx Restaurant Week in full swing, I encourage Fordham students to take advantage of these discounted prices, try new restaurants and support local Bronx businesses — all while indulging in a satisfying meal.
Emilia’s, an Arthur Avenue staple, is one of the participating restaurants of the 2025 Bronx Restaurant Week.
CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM The Irish rock band U2 once performed on Keating’s steps in March 2009.
CHELSEA DELALLA/THE FORDHAM RAM
CULTURE
Magis Sculpture Exhibition at Fordham Lincoln Center
By MARY HAWTHORN MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR
“Magis” means “more” is a term at the pillar of Fordham University’s Jesuit identity. But what does it have to do with sculpture? After visiting Lincoln Center’s new outdoor sculpture garden, I was able to see the interconnectedness of the Jesuit identity and art.
The Exhibition features 11 sculptures from globally recognized artists, including Bruno Lucchesi, Jane DeDecker and Bjørn Skaarup. Statues are located in the plaza garden facing Columbus Avenue, with some pieces carefully placed across campus. The display was “made possible thanks to the generosity of Fordham trustee Kim Bepler, Hon. L.H.D., in collaboration with Cavalier Galleries” and will be open to the public through spring 2025. Hours are from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Upon arriving, the first piece I saw was Skaarup’s statue “Hippo Ballerina” which stands in front of Fordham Law School. It is a 15-foottall statue made of 2.5 tons of
copper. “My animal sculptures are a celebration of life and nature and its many intriguing shapes and creatures… Each animal is thoroughly culturalized; representing human allegories or use manmade tools, all placed in peculiar and surreal encounters between nature and culture,” said Skaarup in an article published by PR Newswire. Having traveled all over the city, it is a unique opportunity to have such an iconic piece of New York City artwork on campus.
After walking out of the Leon Lowenstein Center, I was surprised to see the amount of beautiful statues that filled the plaza. It was far more than I imagined. The installation consisted mainly of elements of the human experience and natural world. I was especially intrigued by the many animal statues scattered throughout the walk. Featured were Skaarup’s “The Giraffe,” “The Frog,” “The Majestic Lion” and “The Ostrich.” All made of bronze, these animals were in no way ordinary; they all showed animals in a creative and whimsical way. For example, “The Majestic Lion” was riding a rocking horse wearing
a crown, and “The Giraffe” was teetering on stilts.
Women, particularly mothers, are also key components of this exhibition. I immediately noticed Gross’ “Mother Playing” which highlights a mother and daughter holding hands. For context, Gross is “known for his hardwood carvings, figurative sculptures, and graphic work, [and] is also considered one of the pioneers of the direct carving method.” Although it is made of bronze, the angles and sharp lines make it appear to be carved out of wood. Its uniqueness and abstractness fascinated me, and starkly contrasted Luchessi’s “After Shopping” that stood beside it.
Lucchesi is known as “the last of the Renaissance sculptors.” His work has been featured across the globe, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Dallas Museum of Art and the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum. My favorite sculpture in the entire garden is his “After Shopping” which shows a mother tenderly holding her sleeping daughter. She carefully leans back in her chair with a bag of groceries draped over the stile of her chair. Each fold of
the fabric and wave of hair is so realistic that it transports you into this scene. The stillness of this universally experienced scene moved me, as it reminded me of my close relationship with my mother.
In the far corner of the exhibit stands “Da Mi Un Baccio” by Jane DeDecker. This statue highlights a mother carrying her daughter on her shoulders. Decker “has placed over 175 life- and monumental-sized public sculptures in more than 30 states,” including “Harriet Tubman” at the Clinton Library in Little Rock, Ark.; “Albert Gallatin” at the National Park Service in Friendship Hill, Pa.;
“Emily Dickinson” at Converse College, in Spartanburg, S.C.; and “Amelia Earhart” at the Earhart Elementary School in Oakland, California. What I loved about this piece was the
texture of the statue. Unlike the work of Lucchesi and Gross, it looked like brushstrokes.
The best part of this entire sculpture walk is that it is entirely centered around Harry M. Stierwalt Jr.’s “Ram” sculpture. The many different channels of this pathway lead to the ram sculpture, which perfectly symbolizes how Fordham is the hub for creativity, artistry, community and the Jesuit mission. Finally, my biggest takeaway is that there is something maternal about “magis.” There are only women and animals in this exhibit, which to me, exemplifies some sort of kindred connection between women, God and the natural world. Considering that women are prohibited from becoming Jesuits, this exhibit highlights how women, especially mothers, are pillars of the Jesuit identity regardless.
Halftime Show: Hip-Hop Spectacle with a Deeper Message
By LIBBY FRUMENTO CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The 2025 Kansas City Chiefs versus Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl halftime show featuring Kendrick Lamar was nothing short of electrifying amongst the millions of viewers watching. For hip-hop lovers, especially die-hard Lamar fans, this show was particularly alluring, not only for the anticipated songs, but for the intricate choreography, visuals, features and symbols. Would he jump into nostalgia and perform older hits from his 2017 album “DAMN.”? Or would he exclusively perform songs from his recent album “GNX”? Most viewers eagerly anticipated the recent Drake diss track “Not like Us,” which won five Grammy Awards this year (and a lawsuit from Drake). The show began with actor Samuel L. Jackson, playing the role of Uncle Sam, welcoming fans to the “Great American Game.” Afterward, lights in the stadium read “Start Here,” a phrase some critics likened to a PlayStation controller prompt, sparking debate over the deeper meaning Lamar intended to portray.
Not only did Lamar showcase the essence of hip-hop, as he was the first solo hip-hop artist to perform at the Super Bowl, but he also displayed an exemplary form of art and commentary on the political state of the United States. Even if you are not a fan of hip-hop music or a part of the younger generation that
knows about the Drake versus Lamar rivalry, it is clear that this performance held deeper meaning than just a simple hip-hop Super Bowl halftime show. Lamar’s halftime show wasn’t just a performance — it was a statement.
Samuel L. Jackson, as Uncle Sam, interrupted the performance of “Squabble” from Lamar’s most recent album to state that the performance was “Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto,” satirically commenting on what many Americans would constitute as acceptable in the world of music. These lines ultimately highlighted the way hip-hop is often scrutinized and condescended in the mainstream media.
Lamar performed fan favorites “DNA.” and “HUMBLE.” from his first album. The choreography soon after was particularly enticing, as the dancers formed the American flag in their red, white and blue attire; a simple yet powerful decision to illustrate America’s divide and inequality. One moment was not televised but was showcased on social media. Circulating on social media was footage of one of Lamar’s performers on stage raising a joint Palestinian and Sudanese flag in silent protest to raise awareness, an act some believe was meant to also challenge the presence of President Donald Trump, who was in attendance. This scene was not televised and security swiftly removed the performer, adding yet another layer of dialogue to
an already politically charged show.
And just when fans thought they had seen it all, the stage welcomed a show-stopping guest. The most captivating moment of the halftime show was the appearance of female performers. The crowd was blown away by SZA’s beautiful performance of “Luther” and “All the Stars” in an entirely red outfit, keeping on point with the American flag theme. SZA’s powerful voice was the perfect feature of angelic and commanding, complementing Lamar’s performance.
To top it all off, tennis superstar Serena Williams made a short appearance crip walking to “Not Like Us.” It is rumored that Williams used to date Drake, further adding to the feud Lamar has with him. Lamar’s entire setlist performance included “Squabble Up,” “HUMBLE.,” “DNA.,” “Euphoria,” “Man at the Garden,” “Luther,” “All the Stars,” “Not Like Us” “Peekaboo,” and finally “Turn the TV Off,” giving a unique blend of the nostalgia and modernity. While Lamar’s feature in the 2022 Super Bowl halftime show with Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige and Snoop Dogg was nothing short of fantastic, his 2025 show cemented his talent to a whole new level.
A lot of the spectacle was definitely aimed towards a younger audience who one, enjoyed Kendrick Lamar’s music, and two, understood the dramatic context of songs
like “Not Like Us.” However, whether a hip-hop fan or not, it was clear that there was a deeper message behind the simple rap performance. Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show was more than just entertainment — it was a cultural moment that demanded attention. Blending
music, visual storytelling and political commentary, Lamar crafted a legendary performance. Whether you tuned in for the music, the show or the controversy, one thing is certain: this halftime show set a new standard for artistry and depth on one of the world’s biggest stages.
MARY HAWTHORN/FORDHAM RAM
Sculptures are on display through spring 2025 at Fordham Lincoln Center.
February 19, 2025
By ERYNN SWEENEY ASST. CULTURE EDITOR
“Stand clear of the closing doors please.”
I hop on the 4 train at the Fordham Road station and find a seat in the middle of a semi-crowded Brooklyn bound subway car.
For me, riding the subway never gets old. There is a certain sense of energy in the constant shuffle of people from one place to another that I fell in love with the very first time I walked through a turnstile.
And the more I ride the train, the more in love I fall. I love the screech of the wheels coming to a stop and the sounds of the doors opening and closing, like an inhale and an exhale before it gets ready to move again. I love trying to balance without holding onto the metal poles and trying to memorize each stop on the D train. I love wondering where people are going and guessing if they are locals or tourists (or some combination of the two, like me). I love the strange and temporary community that is created by one group of people in one subway car on one day at one time that can never be replicated. I love heading underground and being plopped out somewhere new without seeing any of the way in between. I really do believe there is something magical about the subway.
When I saw the entrance to the New York Transit Museum was, in fact, its very own “subway station,” with the entrance being a set of stairs heading underground, I knew this was the museum for me.
After paying $10 at the glass
CULTURE
The Subway Is...
ticket counter modeled after a token booth (back when the subway still used tokens), I walked through “The Subway Is…” exhibit to learn more about the characteristics of this mysterious system that transports 3.6 million people everyday.
There are endless ways to complete the sentence, “The Subway is…” Here are some of the ways the exhibit focused on.
The subway is… a revolutionary idea.
It’s what made NYC the city that never sleeps. It’s what narrowed the gap between the rich and the poor. It’s what ignited the imagination of the city and made the city a place where your imagination is ignited. William Gaynor, the New York mayor who propelled the first phase of the subway’s construction, said, “The effect [the subway] is to have on the city of New York is something larger than any mind can realize.”
Think big and the city will help you think even bigger, in large part thanks to the subway.
The New York Times wrote in November 1873, “Unless we have rapid transit, New-York will become a City of the very rich and very poor, of those who can afford to stay, and those who cannot leave. With rapid transit, the City can furnish cheap and comfortable homes for all classes.” The subway system was revolutionary because it transformed the way people conceptualized distance. Living and working in different, even far away places, was no longer out of the question; it was a trip that could now take minutes instead of hours. As the subway
system expanded (eventually to include 472 stations and 665 miles of track), immigrants living in horrid conditions in overcrowded tenement buildings could move to apartments with modern conveniences or even houses with more land.
The subway is… a circulatory system.
Regardless of your race, ethnicity, religion or wealth, you pay the same fare of $2.90 and can go anywhere you would like. The subway has never been segregated. It functions to bring people of different backgrounds and socio-economic statuses together. The subway can make me feel small — given the macro-level scale of everyone the subway moves on all the lines and rides in just a given day and because of the micro-level scale of the people I am surrounded by in one subway car at any given time. But it also makes me feel connected. It reminds me that I am not the only person in the world. Driving in my car back at home in Southern California, I could go my entire commute to high school without looking at another person if I wanted to. But it’s really hard to ignore someone sitting inches away from you on the subway. It generates a proximity with others that I believe can build compassion in a distinct and necessary way. It is hard to deny the humanity of other people up close, and the subway is what provides this closeness.
The subway is…a work of art.
Aesthetics have been a concern for architects and designers since at least the 1890s, when the Rapid Transit Commission report noted that “painting and decoration” should be used to
give “brightness and cheerfulness” to subway spaces. One of my personal favorite examples is the colorful terracotta mosaic tiles used to inaugurate the name of the stop you have arrived at. Today, you can see over 400 artworks like paintings, illustrations and poems commissioned by MTA Arts and Designs over subway cars and stations. Both then and now, art in the subway is used as a way to celebrate neighborhoods, lifting up the work of local artists and highlighting aspects of the local community. Art, however, is not the only thing that fills the empty space of subway cars.
The subway is… a means of communication.
Advertisements have been part of the set-up of a subway for as long as the system has been running; companies soon realized the walls of subway cars were prime marketing real estate because they created a guaranteed captive audience — at least for a short period of time. Other messages filled the subway walls with expectations regarding rider-etiquette, like sketching warning against blocking the closing doors, explanations
of how to be a good citizen, like using the subway instead of personal transportation methods to conserve gas and rubber during World War II and promotions of public destinations easily accessible via the routes of public transportation, like Amelia Opdyke Jones’ whimsical cartoons with characters taking the train to Coney Island.
As I headed back to the Bronx the same way I came on the 4 train, I knew my time learning about the subway wasn’t over yet. I thought about how the layout, the advertisements, the stops and the maps have changed over time. And how the subway will only continue to change and evolve, just as New York City will.
Some things won’t change. This underground current that fuels the city will continue to bring people together and represent the ever-present opportunity for movement that NYC promises to everyone.
There are endless ways to complete the sentence, “The subway is…” For me, the subway is an adventure waiting to happen and something that I will always love, delays and all.
‘Severance’: The Best Show You’re Not Watching
By WHITNEY WOODROW CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The busy hustle of New York commuters in Grand Central Station came to a rare halt on Jan. 14. The object of attention? A simple glass box with an office set-up in which the star-studded cast of Apple TV’s “Severance” improvised as their characters from the show. The act successfully promoted the show’s upcoming second season, and as this marketing campaign has spread through social media, many have wondered if the show is worth catching up on. To this I would respond: Absolutely.
For readers who are fans of the hit sit-com “Parks and Rec,” you will be interested to know Adam Scott, who played Ben Wyatt, takes on the role of lead protagonist in “Severance.” Scott trades the light-hearted office life for the stark empty halls
of Lumon Corporation. His character, Mark S., works on the severed basement floor of Lumon, where every employee has undergone the severance procedure. This controversial operation splits the patient’s mental state into two: an “innie” whose only conscious state exists within the walls of Lumon, and an “outie” who is only conscious outside of work.
At the start of season one, we see that “innie” Mark is content with his work and relationships with his coworkers, Irving B. and Dillon G. The trio work in Macro Data Refinement, or MDR, and after the sudden departure of their coworker, Petey K., they welcome their newest refiner, Helly R. Her introduction disrupts the calm and stale environment of their lonesome department. She questions what the refiners are actually working on and why they have to be severed to do it. Additionally, her “innie”
character is devastated that she will never have a life outside of work, and her desperation leads to outbursts that cause the refiners to question the morality of severance and Lumon’s ulterior motive.
Director Ben Stiller and writer Dan Erikson combine forces on the creative direction of the show, and their decision to emphasize simplicity in set design perfectly juxtaposes the intricacy of the plot. The severed floor of Lumon is made up of winding white walls that feel like a maze to the audience, and because they never seem to end, it makes viewers question what else could be found in the endless halls. Additionally, the actors playing severed characters give excellent performances because of their ability to show slight changes in their demeanor when playing the “innie”/“outie” version of their character. Despite having some highly experienced
actors such as Christopher Walken and new actors in their first big roles, the chemistry between the characters is undeniable and the talent of the actors generates a deep emotional response from the audience when conflict arises. “Severance” is on its way
to becoming a “classic” in television history because of its unique concept, superb acting and brilliant creativity. Instead of trying to catch up with everyone else once its story has concluded, turn on Apple TV and see what everyone is been raving about.
ERYNN SWEENEY/THE FORDHAM RAM
The NYC Subway system began operating in October of 1904.
HANNAH SULLIVAN/ THE FORDHAM RAM
CULTURE
Rising Star Shares Journey Onstage
By EMMA LEONARDI EXEC. COPY EDITOR
“3, 2, 1 … BANGS!!!” Mercer Henderson, a rising singer songwriter, screams this cheer with her team right before getting onstage at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn. You may know her from her recent single “Ruin Me,” but how did she get to perform her music live in New York City?
Henderson started out her career at six years old, performing in musical theater productions before transitioning into songwriting at 13. She draws inspiration for her songs from “personal experiences, observations and stories shared to her by her close friends.” Despite writing for so long, she recently decided to pursue music as a full-time career, saying that, “it’s only now that I’m truly realizing I can build a career in music—and that’s all because of the incredible support from fans.”
When asked about her experience performing, she shared, “Performing live is my favorite experience because it allows me to connect with fans in the most genuine way possible. I love feeling the energy of the audience, hearing their engagement and meeting as many people as possible.”
On the financial side of performances, those who know or have had experiences with the notoriously awful Ticketmaster should note that Henderson’s ticket prices for her Brooklyn show were $18, and this isn’t for lack of engagement. One of her other most recent shows in London sold out completely!
“As an independent artist, I carefully select venues and tours that align with my vibe and resonate with my fan base in each market,” she said. “My goal is to make my shows accessible— both affordable and easy to attend—so that more people can share the experience.”
Henderson’s setlist for her “Not Really Strangers Tour” comprises her album of the same name as well as several of her singles, including her most recent song, “Ruin Me.” When talking about her current setlist, Henderson shared the method of how she picks her songs: “My setlist is a mix of released and unreleased music. My goal is to meet my audience where they first connected with me—whether through older songs like ‘Strangers’ or newer tracks from my EP.”
Henderson also explained that when choosing songs and their order in her setlist, pacing and storytelling are extremely important.
“I structure it to maintain energy while allowing moments to breathe and engage with the crowd. Slower songs create space for reflection, while high-energy anthems are essential for kicking off and closing the show on a powerful note,” she said.
Similar to many emerging artists today, social media plays a large role in Henderson’s career. “Social media is both a blessing and a challenge. It’s incredibly rewarding when my music gains traction, but it can also be frustrating when things don’t take off as I hoped,” she said. “Still, selfpromotion is essential — in
today’s industry, it’s not just encouraged, it’s expected.” In discussing how she promotes her music through social media, Henderson shared her process: “Before every release, I tease clips and read every comment to see how the song is resonating with my audience. I adjust my content approach based on their engagement and feedback.”
For her most recent song, “Ruin Me,” Henderson put out only the bridge on her Instagram in a video of her dancing around on a road, lip-synching passionately. During her interview, Henderson gave some insight into how she wrote her hit single. “The ‘Ruin Me’ process was similar to my usual approach in that I don’t go into the studio with a fixed idea. Instead, I liked to keep an open mind and talk through ideas with the producer,” she said. “For this song, I was incredibly fortunate to work with Mickey Brandolino and Savannah Sanabia. The idea was actually sparked when I showed up at the studio ‘not looking my best’ after a team bonding tennis match with my management. I was a mess… thinking, ‘This is going to ruin me.’”
Henderson also shared her reflections on performing live. “I’m always amazed when people know my songs and sing them back to me— it’s an incredible feeling to connect on that level. It makes every performance special and reminds me why I love doing this,” she said. Henderson does acknowledge that her choice of smaller venues comes
with its challenges, often requiring her to be quick in adapting and adjusting her performance. However, the occasional difficulty makes her into a stronger performer: “Those experiences have made me more adaptable and confident on stage.”
Henderson also noted that performers are only part of the experience, explaining, “concert goers should know that they are an essential part of the show. Their energy and engagement fuel the performance. The first time I heard the audience singing with me, it changed everything — it’s an incredibly powerful experience. I’m deeply grateful for every fan who shares that connection.”
When discussing the connection she has with her fans, Henderson expressed the continuation from the shared experience of the show
to the more intricate feelings that only music is capable of arising in people. “I believe my fans go through similar moments in life, and through music, we find a deep connection. It’s a way for us to relate, heal, and navigate life together,” she said. This connection is similarly powerful to performing: “My energy comes from knowing that we’re all experiencing these life moments together. The thought that my music resonates with someone’s life is both inspiring and humbling.”
While reminiscing on her career so far, Henderson put a strong emphasis on her fans and the impact they have on not only her career, but her life as well: “Their belief in me fuels my confidence, and I couldn’t be more grateful for this journey.”
First-Year Gabelli Student’s Experience in Entertainment Business
By HANNAH SULLIVAN
PRODUCER
Often seen around in his iconic fluffy bear hat and a long green Russian army jacket, first-year Hudson Garcia is already making a name for himself. Garcia, GSB ’28, is from Orange County, California. He is a part of two bands; one is a Ska Punk band called Chudson, which consists of Garcia and his friends, and the other is The Pain, Killers, a biblical punk band. The Pain, Killers consists of Garcia and his cousin, Collin O’Connor. He was also Garcia’s inspiration to start creating music as he saw how impactful it was to his cousin. He calls his genre “Hudson” which “embodies what it means to be Hudson Garcia.”
Some may have heard some of his music earlier in the year in the Faber basement during a release party for his new album “Hudson and Friends: The Hudson Album,” which attracted too
many people for it to be held in Garcia and his roommate Ashvin Das’ dorm. The album can be found on Spotify. He also has a new album called “Hudson 2000” coming out soon, with no set release date.
Both bands are based in California, which has caused a couple of difficulties, but the bands make it work as they can still put on shows while Garcia attends Fordham University. He still performs with them occasionally whenever he is back in Orange County for breaks. However, there is a chance that Fordham students will be able to watch Garcia perform live and get a taste of Ska Punk as “Chudson” is going on tour in the spring and is rumored to be visiting New York for a show. “But that’s a secret,” said Garcia jokingly.
Despite the difficulties of being on the other side of the country from his band, Garcia has been making the
most of living in New York. Most notably, he was able to sit in the audience of “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” and watch how the show was made. He said he was impressed by the efficient and strict environment of the show that made it run so smoothly and that the set was significantly smaller than he thought it would be. After the show, Garcia was lucky enough to talk with Jimmy Fallon one-on-one. “He was actually really nice,” he said when reflecting on meeting him. “I thought he was not going to be cool, but he was actually really chill.” Despite being on the opposite coast, Garcia did not slack in his duties of being a band member. He took the opportunity to help promote his band, creating an Instagram reel with Jimmy Fallon to promote “Chudson.” The video can be found on their Instagram @ chudson.band.
Garcia has been helping to run a lot of the behind the
scenes which has exposed him to the inner workings of entertainment. As a Gabelli School of Business student, he already has real-world experience in marketing and management. He runs the website that the band uses to sell tickets for shows and deals with issues regarding ticket sales. He also creates posters to advertise their shows and creates content to boost their band and tour dates despite being unable to be with them at the present moment. However, being on the
set of “The Tonight Show” exposed him to other types of entertainment industries, something that has created an interest in a new field. Garcia has always had a passion for entertainment since he was eleven years old. Being at Fordham has allowed him experiences he would otherwise not have had (such as meeting Jimmy Fallon, but also allowed him to learn even more about business and marketing) a skill he is sure to use to help promote his bands.
DIGITAL
COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM Mercer Henderson is a singer-songerwriter from San Francisco, California.
CULTURE
Some (Unwanted) Advice for Travelers
BY ISABELLA DEROSA ASST. CULTURE EDITOR EMERITUS
Most of the time, when you tell people you are studying abroad they take it as an invitation to give you life advice. I spent most of my Christmas holiday hiding with my younger cousins in an attempt to dodge unwarranted travel advice from my relatives. At the time, I couldn’t bear to hear the words “once in a lifetime” or “learning experience” anymore. For one thing, I was too nervous about moving abroad to be willing to listen, and for another, I simply did not believe their advice held any substance.
I was told to “enjoy every moment,” warned that I would “never get this time back” and encouraged to “try new things” more times than I could count in the days leading up to my departure. One of the biggest parting words I received from just about everyone was that I was going to learn more about myself than I had ever thought possible.
Now, I can safely say I was mostly right. Most of their advice was trivial and only spoken because that is what you say to someone about to embark on a four-month traveling adventure. Mostly. There was one piece of advice from the vast sea of unsolicited enlightenment that stands out to me now, not only as true but also as something I never knew I needed. I have, in fact, learned more about myself in the past weeks than I ever had before.
With every day I spent in London, I have come across a new challenge which has made
me adjust and change how I perceive myself. For example, the cappuccinos I’ve struggled to drink every morning before class made me realize I’m a bit of a coffee snob (English coffee is just too watery). I’ve learned I’m good at navigating by guiding my friends through different train stations. I’ve also learned that I can somehow still function after not sleeping for over 24 hours. I found that out by learning that taking the bus to Stansted airport for a 6:50 a.m. flight requires a 1:30 a.m. wakeup (never take the bus). Last week, I hosted American trivia for elderly London locals, a little project the company I intern with hosts weekly. Apparently, I’m quite good at conversing with senior English citizens about young American culture. They were absolutely mesmerized by the idea of tailgating. They would have loved Fordham’s Family Weekend.
Though above all, the most prominent thing I have learned about myself is that I enjoy giving gifts. When walking through Notting Hill, I found myself stopping at every antique shop, thinking about how much my mom would love the tea sets on display. I spent some time at the Great Market Hall in Budapest browsing the Stein mugs because I knew my brother would think they were cool. In Vienna, I resisted the urge to buy all the vintage stationery available in the Schönbrunn Palace gift shop for my dad, who had been asking for photos of every historical building I saw. If I could find a way to teleport pastries from the
afternoon tea that I attended in Kensington back to my friends at Rose Hill, who I know would love to try them, I most definitely would. With every sight I see, I think of someone who would love it as much as I do. In every new street I walk or corner I turn, I can see my friends and family reflected in the world around me.
At first, each thing I learned surprised me in some way. I guess by 20 years old, most of us believe we are fully knowledgeable about the person we are or the person we want to be. When I
found myself discovering these unfamiliar skills and traits, part of me felt like I was a new person altogether. Which is why, for those of you reading who may wish to travel or study abroad, I’m going to give you my own parting piece of unsolicited advice. There is plenty about yourself that you don’t know yet. Plenty of things you will find yourself learning as time goes on. Plenty of situations where you’ll feel unfamiliar. But who you are now always comes from who you were. I’m picky about
coffee because I’ve spent my summers working as a barista. I’m good at navigating trains because, like all Fordham students, I’ve conquered the impossible mission of navigating New York subways. I like giving gifts because of the friendships I’ve made and the family that raised me. Each new thing you learn about yourself isn’t really new at all. These things are puzzle pieces that have been there the whole time. When faced with new challenges, you begin to put the puzzle together.
ACROSS
1. To move around in search of prey
6. Jump ____, skipping ____, nerds ____ (plural)
7. To entertain, charm and please 8. SAT, ACT, GED, MCAT, LSAT
DOWN
1. British slang for a stupid person
2. Capital of Italy
3. Upcoming horror movie release starring Ayo Edebiri and John Malkovich
4. Opposite of east
5. Prestigious economics school in London (abbr.)
Instructions
Use the clues to the left to fill
ISABELLA DEROSA FOR THE FORDHAM RAM
Schönbrunn Palace is one of the most beautiful historical sights in Vienna.
By GRACE GALBREATH
Tri-State Hockey Mid-Season Check-in
By LYDIA PIRNER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
As we hit what would have been NHL All-Star Weekend — replaced by the 4 Nations Face-Off — it’s a great time to check in on the three local tristate area teams as the playoff push intensifies. The New York Rangers, New York Islanders and the New Jersey Devils have had vastly different seasons, but it’s unlikely we’ll see all three teams in the Stanley Cup chase. Let’s break it down.
The Devils capitalized on their beginning of season success and currently sit third in the Metropolitan Division with 68 points. If I was a bett-ing woman — which I’m not — but if I was, I would wager my college tuition that the Devils will still make the playoffs despite struggling after the Christmas break. After last season’s unexpected failure, major changes followed — Lindy Ruff was fired and Vezina-caliber goalie Jacob Markström was acquired from the Calgary Flames. Brett Pesce, Brendan Dillon and Johnathan Kovacevic bolstered the defense to support Luke Hughes and a young blue line. However, the team’s inconsistency remains frustrating, particularly among the forward group.
The best way to describe the Devils since Christmas? They are a mirror image of the stock market — fluctuating, but trending upward. Their last
seven games? Win, loss, win, loss, win, loss, win. Their potent forward group — Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, Dawson Mercer and Timo Meier — should be a strength, yet inconsistent goal-scoring has become their Achilles’ heel. One game, they net five goals; the next, they’re shut out. Why? I’m not Sheldon Keefe, but I do know Markström and Hischier returning from injury should help.
Ultimately, the Devils will be fine. They’re a playoff team, but still a few pieces away from true contention. Fortunately for them, the window is just opening, and
there’s no rush for General Manager (GM) Tom Fitzgerald to make drastic moves at the expense of young talent.
Speaking of Devils general managers, an ex-Devils GM has some big decisions ahead. Lou Lamoriello’s Islanders find themselves in familiar territory. Unlike the Devils, they had a horrid start, even sinking near the bottom of the Metro at Christmas. Since the New Year, though, they’ve gone on a heater, winning 11 of 14 and sitting just four points out of the final Wild Card spot. However, Islanders fans know the drill — it usually ends in a first-round
exit. Can teams get hot in the playoffs? Sure. But it’s not worth counting on.
The Islanders are in a unique spot with valuable trade assets like Brock Nelson, who could bring back a substantial return. However, knowing Lou’s oldschool approach, a sell-off seems unlikely — evidenced by his signing of high-character defenseman Tony DeAngelo. GMs don’t add a player with his reputation just to become sellers at the deadline. The harsh truth is the Islanders might need to take a step back to escape mediocrity, starting with accepting their reality.
Adding to their challenges, the Islanders are riddled with injuries. Their fight to get back into the race is impressive, but past seasons suggest it might be smarter to recoup assets, similar to the approach of the Washington Capitals last year. Regardless of their direction, they have the right coach in Patrick Roy and the players are battling for him. But in a tight Eastern Conference race, being buyers or standing pat may not be the wisest move.
The last team to check in on is the Broadway Blueshirts. The Rangers sit fifth in the Metro, just two points behind Columbus for fourth and three points out of the final Wild Card spot. Despite their talent, it’s been an underwhelming season, prompting major changes by GM Chris Drury.
During a brutal stretch of
New York Yankees 2025 Preview
hockey, the Rangers became a different team — literally. They traded former second-overall pick Kaapo Kakko for Will Borgen, who’s been steady and earned an extension. They reacquired J.T. Miller from the Vancouver Canucks for Filip Chytil and other pieces. They also parted ways with captain Jacob Trouba, sending him to the Anaheim Ducks for Urho Vaakanainen.
Despite some encouraging play, losses to the Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes and the Boston Bruins were disheartening after a strong bounce-back. With that being said, a culture shift is evident in New York, led by Vincent Trocheck and J.T. Miller. Their loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins before the 4 Nations break was frustrating — especially given that the Penguins were missing both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin — but the Rangers rebounded with a gutsy win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, securing two crucial points thanks to Will Cuylle’s late-game heroics.
It’s not a bold take to think the Rangers will sneak into the playoffs, though I admit my bias. Six Blueshirts are competing in the 4 Nations tournament, which should benefit the team. Expect Team USA players Miller and Trocheck to bring added tenacity back to New York as they push for the postseason.
By JAMES NELSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER
After a thrilling postseason run was put to an end with a devastating World Series defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers, it was clear that changes to the New York Yankees roster were needed. The team’s defensive flaws were highlighted in the fatal fifth inning of Game 5 where a series of errors allowed the Dodgers to come back from a 5-0 deficit. Alongside the problems on defense, the Yankees suffered a major loss in their lineup.
The Juan Soto sweepstakes were the story of the offseason as the Yankees entered a bidding war with their crosstown rivals, the New York Mets, who would sign the 26-yearold superstar. In the end, Soto accepted the Mets’ historic offer of $765 million spread out over 15 years. The Yankees were not far behind with their final offer of $760 million over 16 years. Soto’s ability to hit for contact as well as his raw power made a huge impact on the Yankees in 2024, as he posted one of the best years of his career. Soto’s bat stayed hot in the playoffs, eventually sending the Yankees to their first World Series in 15 years with a game-changing home run in extra innings against the Cleveland Guardians.
Knowing that Soto’s departure made their offense less threatening, the Yankees took to the trade market to acquire a new outfielder. In exchange for relief pitcher Cody Poteet, the Yankees received Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs. While Bellinger isn’t expected to replicate his 2018 league MVP season, his speed and lefty swing add value to the top of the Yankees lineup.
With Aaron Judge returning to right field and Bellinger occupying center, left field will be manned by the highly anticipated Jasson Dominguez. Dominguez has played with the Yankees for stretches in the past but was never named a starter. 2025 seems to be the year where the Yankees will see what Dominguez can do over an extended period of time.
In a surprising move, the Yankees signed veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt to a one year deal. Goldschmidt has significantly declined in offensive production since his MVP season in 2022. The signing was likely made with defense in mind as Anthony Rizzo’s glove began to degrade.
With big changes came the departure of several fan favorites in the Bronx. Gleyber Torres’ six-year journey with the Yankees concluded when the second baseman inked
a deal to go to play for the Detroit Tigers. After a series of injuries, Rizzo hasn’t entered negotiations with any teams. Despite exceeding all expectations during his time in the Bronx, Nestor Cortes was dealt to the Milwaukee Brewers for All-Star closer Devin Williams. Williams is widely recognized as the best closer in the game with his changeup pitch moving so uniquely that it was given its own name: the airbender. To play alongside Williams, the Yankees acquired Cincinnati Reds pitcher Fernando Cruz, adding even more firepower to the bullpen.
The Yankees also made a major addition to their start-
ing rotation, signing lefthanded starter Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract. Fried has one of the lowest ERAs in baseball with World Series experience making him a perfect follow up behind ace Gerrit Cole. While it appears that the Yankees are positioned for another campaign deep into October, there are still questions about how the roster’s structure will hold up. The team did not acquire a starting third baseman. Without Soto, several players will need to step up in their offensive output. Will Anthony Volpe build off of his success in the 2024 postseason? Will Jazz Chisholm Jr. tap into his
power and set a new career high in home runs? Or will Dominguez take baseball by storm and seek a Rookie of the Year award? The Yankees are banking on their players to not only improve, but overperform.
There are not many guarantees offensively aside from Judge — contingent on him remaining healthy. While Giancarlo Stanton was the hottest hitter on the planet in the playoffs, he is subject to long slumps and injuries. The pitching, however, is a strong point heading into the season. The addition of Fried to the rotation takes pressure off developing starters Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt. In addition, Devin Williams presence in the bullpen gives the Yankees flexibility with arms like Luke Weaver and the returning Jonathan Loáisiga. When looking at the rest of Major League Baseball, most of the starpower and wellrounded teams reside in the National League. Clubs such as the Red Sox and Rangers have made improvements and pose a threat; still, no American League team is nearly as complete and talented as the Yankees. Even with several question marks in the lineup, the AL East and American League are the Yankees’ to lose.
CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM
The Rangers, Islanders and Devils are in different spots as the postseason nears.
CRISTINA STEFANIZZ/THE FORDHAM RAM
The Yankees look to bounce back after a loss in the 2024 World Series.
Softball Earns Three Wins During a Weekend in Texas
By EMILY PADEGIMAS CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Fordham Softball was on the road again during the second week of the season for the Bobcat Tournament in San Marcos, Texas. After going 1-4 in South Carolina to open the season, the Rams saw a mix of promising improvements and things to work on in a winning weekend, going 3-2.
The weekend did not start on a positive note for the Rams, with the Stephen F. Austin State University Lumberjacks walking off Fordham in a 5-4 loss.
The Rams started scoreless through three innings, but got on the board in the top of the fourth. Senior Sydney Wells led off with a single to right field. With two outs, sophomore Annie Sullivan (who pinch ran for Wells) scored on an error giving Fordham a 1-0 lead. Freshman Sophie Nesturrick capped off the fourth inning with a double to center field, putting the Rams ahead 2-0. The lead did not last, however. In the bottom of the fourth, junior pitcher Holly Beeman gave up a single and homer to the Lumberjacks to tie the game 2-2. Two errors by Fordham allowed a run to score, putting SFA ahead 3-2.
Fordham had a chance to tack on some runs in the top of the fifth with two outs and two on but did not capitalize. A string of hits and a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning put SFA up 4-2.
After a quiet sixth inning came a pitching change by the Lumberjacks, proving beneficial for the Rams late in the game. As freshman Morgan Volgraf led off the top of the seventh,
she reached on an error. A sacrifice bunt by senior Mallory McClellan and single by junior Neleh Nogay scored Volgraf to put Fordham within one. A stolen base and two singles loaded the bases for the Rams with one out.
Junior Eva Koratsis flew out to left field, allowing Nogay to score. Fordham tied the game 4-4.
Beeman held SFA in the bottom of the seventh, sending the game to extra innings. The Rams were not able to capitalize in the eighth, despite loading the bases with one out. The Lumberjacks, however, pushed across one run on a single to walk-off Fordham, 5-4. Beeman took the loss in a complete game effort for the Rams, giving up seven hits and three earned runs with four strikeouts.
The Rams started their scoring in a game two victory against the University of New Mexico Lobos in the bottom of the third. A pair of singles and stolen bases put Nogay and sophomore Mikayla Swan in scoring position to start the inning. Koratsis knocked the two in with a double to center field, putting Fordham up 2-0.
Senior pitcher Emilee Watkins gave up a triple and RBI single to lead off the fourth, narrowing the Rams lead to 2-1. The defense ended the inning with a double play to keep the score there.
Fordham capitalized on their opponent’s poor pitching and defense in the bottom of the fifth. The team pushed two runs across on two walks, two hit batters and an error by the Lobos to take a 4-1 lead. New Mexico tacked on one run in the sixth. The Rams won 4-2, but not without some drama in the seventh. Freshman Victoria Klimaszewski walked the bases loaded with one out,
Athletes of the Week
Fordham University’s track & field team had a fantastic week at both the Boston University-hosted Valentine Invitational and the Yale University-hosted Giegengack Invitational. In Boston on Feb. 14, Bronx native and freshman Njam Abdul-Latif continued his amazing first season by setting a school record in the 200-meter invitational event with 21.00 seconds. He beat his own time of 21.41 posted earlier this season. Next up for Track & Field is the Atlantic 10 Championships in Virginia Beach at the end of this month.
While competing at the Yale University Giegengack Invitational in New Haven, Connecticut, junior Tanicha Saintigene also made Fordham Athletics history, breaking the school record for shot put distance. The previous record of 40’ 2 3/4” was held for 14 years by Taylor Jacob, who set it at the Manhattan-SCSU Tri-Meet in 2011. Saintigene’s distance of 41’ 11 1/2” made seventh place in the Giegengack Invitational, and made first place in Fordham history, on Feb. 15.
but worked out of the jam to earn her first collegiate save. Watkins pitched well over five innings allowing five hits and two earned runs, securing her first win on the season.
In a rematch against SFA, Fordham looked to redeem themselves in game three of the Bobcat Tournament. This time, they were on the winning end of a walk-off.
Freshman pitcher Elizabeth Gaisior began her second start of the season strong, giving up four hits with five strikeouts over four scoreless innings. She faced some trouble in the top of the fourth with two on and one out but battled out of it with two strikeouts. In the fifth, however, the Lumberjacks strung together five hits and a sacrifice fly off Gaisior to take a 4-0 lead.
The Rams responded in the bottom of the fifth with one run, making it 4-1. Senior Allie Clark led off with a single up the middle. A series of walks and a hit-by-pitch brought Clark home with one out. What looked like a promising inning for Fordham turned sour when they left the bases loaded without scoring any more runs to end the fifth.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Rams saw themselves in a similar position, with two runners on and multiple chances to score. This time, Nogay came through with a two-run, two-out double to put Fordham within one (4-3) heading into the seventh.
Wells opened up the seventh inning rally with a game-tying home run, her first of the season. From there on, the Rams put runners in scoring position on a hit-by-pitch, single, and sacrifice bunt. Sophomore Erin Hoppe notched a single up the
middle, and the Rams sent the winning run home to walk-off the Lumberjacks in full revenge fashion.
Klimaszewski was excellent out of the bullpen, holding SFA hitless through two innings and earning her first collegiate win in the 5-4 victory.
Fordham floundered in their fourth game of the weekend against the tournament host — the Texas State University Bobcats — where they played six innings in a mercy-rule 8-0 loss.
The Bobcats took an early lead with a solo home run in the first off sophomore starter Olivia Simcoe. The Rams strung together a pair of singles with two outs in the third, but came up short of tying the game. Texas State added to their lead with a two-run shot in the third, making the score 3-0.
Watkins relieved Simcoe in the fourth. The senior pitcher was almost perfect through two and 1/3, allowing just one hit, before the Rams’ defense faltered with one out in the sixth. Two errors opened the floodgates, letting the Bobcats put up five to solidify their victory. Fordham had just two hits — both of which came in the third — in the 8-0 loss.
To wrap up the weekend, Fordham shut out the University of St. Thomas Tommies in a 3-0 victory in game five.
Junior Nicki Sudall led off the second inning with a homer, giving the Rams an early 1-0 lead. Fordham added a couple of insurance runs late in the game. During a busy fifth, the team collected two hits and two walks, with one run scored on a single by Koratsis. A seventh inning single by Hoppe knocked in the final run for Fordham, giving them a
definitive 3-0 lead.
Beeman twirled a gem in the circle, allowing four hits and three walks with four strikeouts in a complete game shutout. She brings her record to 2-2 on the season.
While performing better than the opening weekend of the season, the Rams continued to struggle to push runs across when they had runners on and less than two outs. Fordham went 12 for 44 (.272) with runners in scoring position over the five games. Errors did not help the Rams when their bats were struggling either. Two errors in game one against SFA and two errors in game four against Texas State allowed seven unearned runs in the two losses.
There were two promising highlights for the Rams: the walk-off win against SFA and Klimaszewski’s performance out of the bullpen. Fordham wields the ability to come from behind and score; which they proved against SFA. Klimaszewski did not give up a hit in relief this weekend, walking four and striking out three over three and 1/3 innings. A dominant arm like that will prove beneficial for the Rams when they need relief late in games. Beeman was excellent for Fordham this weekend. She went 14 and 2/3 innings allowing just three earned runs with eight strikeouts. The junior earned Atlantic 10 Conference Pitcher of the Week for her performance in the Bobcat Tournament.
The Rams will look to keep improving in the Garnet and Black Invitational in Columbia, South Carolina starting Friday, Feb. 21. They face the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to open their four-game weekend.
Varsity Calendar
Njam Abdu-Latif Freshman Track & Field
Tanicha Saintigene Junior Track & Field
Baseball
Men’s Tennis Softball
NFL MVP Appears to be a Quarterback Award
By WHITNEY EGBE CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Josh Allen has officially been crowned the 2024 NFL MVP by the Associated Press (AP). The award is voted on annually (prior to the playoff season) and received by the player in the league who elevates their team beyond expectations based on many factors. These include personal performance, team success and whether or not the player is a quarterback. Being a quarterback seems to be quite a serious requirement, considering four out of five finalists this year were quarterbacks. The AP MVP award has become a battle of the quarterbacks, and on top of that, there is rarely a thought that a defensive athlete could win. In addition to my issues with the awards pool of athletes, Allen is simply a polarizing winner next to Lamar Jackson. It is not a matter of whether Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens quarterback, should have won MVP instead. Rather, perhaps the winner should not have been Allen. Allen, the Buffalo Bills quarterback, had an exceptional season, showcasing his remarkable skills in a way that has awarded him, albeit controversially, with the elite status of NFL MVP. Highlighted for his ground/air duality, Allen threw for 3,731 yards and 28 touchdowns while rushing 531 yards. I’m all for amazing athletes getting their well-deserved accolades. However, Allen’s performance aligns much more with the accolades of Offensive Player of the Year
By LYDIA PIRNER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
(OPOY) than MVP. MVP is generally a debated honor, but the lead contender, the NFL Honors’ darling Baltimore Prince, caused quite a heated debate among fans rounding out the season. The debate is that, in everything Allen does, Jackson does better. Jackson beats Allen in every quarterback stat that matters. He is quite literally, statistically better than this Buffalo diamond. And that is okay! Allen is still a fantastic quarterback, but it is not enough for him to beat Jackson out for three firstplace votes. Lamar “Run the Ball” Jackson has two MVPs and three OPOYs under his belt. This season, he had 4,172 passing yards, rushed 915 yards and threw 41 touchdowns. Yet, as a proud and loyal, Maryland-raised Ravens fan, I hate to admit he was not snubbed this
year for MVP. Jackson got another well-earned OPOY award, precisely where he should have landed. In a perfect world, I would have put all my money on Joe Burrow for MVP, considering he topped the other quarterbacks in passing stats, according to ESPN, and spoonfed his team every win he could. Unfortunately, placement matters. The Cincinnati Bengals could not pull off a playoff position with that god-awful defense, leaving Burrow to suffer for not being “valuable enough” to take his team into the playoffs or MVP. This year’s MVP should not have been a quarterback at all, which should not be an unusual outcome.
Who should have won, you ask? New Philadelphia Eagle and former Giants’ star, running back Saquon Barkley. The now Super
Bowl champion, Barkley is the only non-quarterback finalist for the 2024 MVP. The Eagles would not have made this monumental Super Bowl run had he not popped up in Philadelphia this season. He is the addition the birds needed to send Patrick Mahomes home ringless. But despite scoring 90 points worth of touchdowns and being instrumental in their championship run, he did not receive a single first-place vote. Many analysts argue that Barkley’s contributions to the Eagles’ championship run made him a worthy candidate for MVP. Barkley being overlooked for MVP highlights a troubling trend: MVP voting heavily favors quarterbacks, even when a non-quarterback is the most valuable player on the field.
The most recent case of
a non-quarterback MVP was in 2012 when running back Adrian Peterson put up a nearly record-breaking rushing yards total for the season. The last defensive player to win was Lawrence Taylor in 1986. That is ridiculous. If the MVP award continues to be a quarterbackexclusive honor, perhaps it’s time to redefine its criteria. Associated Press could also add a separate “Best Quarterback” award in addition to MVP and OPOY to allow for a more balanced MVP race that recognizes the contributions of game-changing athletes in other positions.
My thoughts on the final ranking:
First, Josh Allen: Great quarterback, but not enough to beat Lamar Jackson for MVP. He is more fitting for OPOY than MVP. He is not the best running quarterback, but he may be the best white running quarterback.
Second, Lamar Jackson: Not snubbed, but still undermined by having Josh Allen be classified as the “better” dual threat while statistically superior to Allen.
Third, Saquon Barkley: A disrespectful snub. I do not appreciate living in a world where he did not win this award. His impact on the Eagles’ Super Bowl season should have been applauded.
Fourth, Joe Burrow: A strong individual performance, but hindered by a team holding him at the bottom of the ocean.
Fifth, Jared Goff: Impressive season, but faced tough competition for MVP.
Is It Time For an MLB Salary Cap?
The unprecedented spending this offseason is unlike anything we’ve ever seen in Major League Baseball. The biggest example is the Juan Soto sweepstakes, where Soto signed a record-breaking 15year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets — the largest deal in professional sports history. This contract includes $75 million in signing bonuses and is fully guaranteed with no deferred payments. Additionally, Soto has the option to opt out after five years. His deal also comes with significant performance bonuses, including $500,000 for winning the award for Most Valuable Player and $1 million for each additional MVP award he earns.
The Mets now face the challenge of pushing their payroll deep into luxury tax territory. However, the luxury tax is the closest thing MLB has to a salary cap, and for their multi-billionaire owner Steve Cohen, it’s akin to finding a crumpled dollar bill in an old jacket pocket. While the Mets and Soto dominated headlines, the Los Angeles Dodgers quietly had one of the most expensive spending sprees
in free agency. Their major acquisitions included Blake Snell, who signed a five-year, $182 million deal; Teoscar Hernández, who joined on a three-year, $66 million contract; and Ha-Seong Kim, who agreed to a three-year, $12.5 million deal. The Dodgers also secured Roki Sasaki on a six-year contract, with his 2025 salary set at the rookie minimum and future terms still to be determined due to his amateur international free-agent status, along with $6.5 million in signing bonuses. Additionally, they signed Tanner Scott for four years at $72 million, Kirby Yates for one year at $13 million, Enrique Hernández for one year at $6.5 million and Clayton Kershaw for one year at $7.5 million. With these signings, the Dodgers’ payroll has ballooned to $392 million, accompanied by an additional $140 million in luxury taxes. However, they have structured over $1 billion in deferred payments, allowing them to continue signing top talent while maintaining financial flexibility in the long run. The reigning champions are going all-in, aiming to win back-to-back World Series titles, something that hasn’t
been accomplished in over two decades.
Unlike Cohen, who has openly embraced aggressive spending, Dodgers owner Mark Walter has never made public comments about financial matters. Dodgers president Stan Kasten has attributed their spending power to continued fan support, emphasizing its importance in their pursuit of talent. The Dodgers also prefer to frame their spending as “investments” rather than simply throwing money at players, reinforcing their long-term commitment to sustained success.
At the end of the day, it’s the responsibility of owners and front offices to build teams capable of long-term success, and MLB’s lack of a salary cap allows for this strategy more than any other major sports league. For comparison, the NHL has a hard salary cap of $87.7 million, except for Long-Term Injury Reserve exemptions, with a cap floor of $65.5 million and no luxury tax. The NBA operates with a soft cap of $141 million, allowing teams to exceed it under specific conditions, with a luxury tax threshold of $172 million that imposes stricter penalties as teams spend more. The NFL has a hard cap
of $255.4 million per team but allows contract restructuring and signing bonuses for flexibility.
The Dodgers have broken no rules this offseason. They’re leveraging their financial strength, but their spending has drawn significant criticism from rival teams and fans. The concern is that franchises like the Dodgers, with seemingly unlimited resources, are creating an anti-competitive environment. Currently, only nine MLB teams are projected to have a payroll exceeding even half of the Dodgers’ total. This disparity highlights the growing financial divide between large-market and small-market teams, leading many smaller-market owners to push for a salary cap in the name of competitive balance.
However, the MLB Players Association has repeatedly opposed salary cap discussions, arguing that it would restrict player salaries. The Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts has been vocal about the challenges of competing financially with teams like the Dodgers, calling the financial gap “disheartening” for both teams and their fan bases.
At this point, it’s hard to argue against the Dodgers as World Series favorites.
While winning a championship is never guaranteed — injuries and adversity always play a role — the sheer depth and talent they’ve assembled give them a significant edge over most teams. In many cases, their backup options are better than some teams’ starting lineups.
The salary cap debate will continue as long as MLB remains the only major league without one. What we do know is that the current collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 1, 2026. Many owners and fans will continue advocating for a cap to address financial disparities, while the players’ union remains staunchly opposed. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has acknowledged concerns about the Dodgers’ spending but defended their right to operate within the rules. However, he also noted that the issue could be revisited in future collective bargaining discussions.
For many fans, MLB’s lack of a salary cap is part of its appeal. But if the league wants to maintain its integrity and competitive balance, it may be time to reconsider what financial regulations could do for the future of baseball.
CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was named the 2024-2025 NFL MVP in a very close competition.
By KURT SIPPEL CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Philadelphia Eagles didn’t just beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX: they massacred them. The Eagles stopped Super Bowl history from being made and took home their second Vince Lombardi Trophy in franchise history, with a final score of 40-22.
The Eagles, led by quarterback Jalen Hurts, were calm and collected coming into this game. Along with their number one defense in the league, the Chiefs were run off the field.
The Eagles’ defensive performance made Patrick Mahomes look human. He completed 21 of his 32 passes, threw two interceptions and was sacked six times. Mahomes had two touchdowns on the night as well, but the game was long decided when he scored.
The Chiefs’ offensive line didn’t stand a chance against the Eagles’ defense. The lack of pass protection for Mahomes was apparent from the beginning. He was pressured 38% of the time by the Eagles and he wasn’t able to get
The Eagles Prevent History
the ball past midfield till late in the third quarter.
Jalen Hurts, on the other hand, proved his doubters wrong, completing 17 of his 22 passes with two touchdowns and 221 total yards. He set a new Super Bowl record for most yards rushed by a quarterback during the big game with 72 yards. He added some more hardware to his trophy case, taking home the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award.
While the Chiefs’ game plan to shut down superstar running back Saquon Barkley did work out, it just opened up the field for the rest of the Eagles offense.
DeVonta Smith had 69 yards on the night with one touchdown, and A.J. Brown caught for 43 yards along with a touchdown of his own.
Ultimately, much of the credit goes to the coaching staff of the Eagles, including Head Coach Nick Sirianni and his offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. They were able to switch up their game plan when Barkley couldn’t run the ball. They relied less on their very dependable run game and setting up a
lot more passing plays. During the game, the Eagles started the scoring when a tush push got Hurts in the endzone for the first touchdown of the game. The Eagles ended the first quarter with a 7-0 lead.
The second quarter was when things really started to go south for the Chiefs. A Jake Elliott 48yard boot brought the Eagles lead up to 10-0. Then things went from bad to worse when Cooper DeJean, on his 22nd birthday, came up with an interception and brought it all the way back for a score of 17-0. The Birds would score once again, and at halftime, they were up 24-0.
The Eagles went into the locker room only one point under the Super Bowl record for most points scored before halftime. The record was set in Super Bowl XXII in 1988 when Washington beat the Denver Broncos 42-10.
In the second half, the Chiefs didn’t look much better, and the Eagles continued to fire on all cylinders. Kansas City scored another 13 points before the clock hit zero, and Mahomes was able to get some touchdown passes but by that point Sirianni already
got his Gatorade shower and the game was over.
The Eagles won their second Lombardi Trophy in just eight years, cementing their place as one of the most resilient teams in the NFL. They bounced back after getting blown out by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 32-9 in the wild card round last year, as well as a loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII two years ago.
As for the Chiefs, this is their fifth Super Bowl appearance in six years, and they only have two losses. This loss should be treated as a wakeup call for the organization: they can no longer
have just a passable defense and expect to win.
During the offseason, general manager Brett Veach and Head Coach Andy Reid need to find pieces to insert into the Chiefs’ offensive line. The competition continues to grow, adapt and get better. They are going to have to have a very aggressive offseason to remain at the top of their game.
The Eagles were able to prevent history, stopping the Chiefs three-peat in its tracks. The champagne will be pouring on the streets of Philadelphia celebrating their Eagles flying home with the victory.
Eli Denied: Should He Be a Hall of Famer?
By GRACE MCCARRON SPORTS EDITOR
Since before his retirement in 2020, Eli Manning’s Hall of Fame candidacy has been a hot topic of discussion among the New York Giants faithful. The Big Blue community remembers his victories over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Super Bowls XLII and XLVI with fondness and adoration. His 16-year career with the Giants was a model for consistency, as he never missed a game due to injury,
playing 210 consecutive games (tied for the 10th longest streak in NFL history). But it was not meant to be at the 2025 NFL Honors, where this year’s Hall of Fame class was announced.
Enshrinees include Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Antonio Gates and Sterling Sharpe, but Manning’s name was missing from the list. In his first year of eligibility, he failed to reach the 80% voting threshold for enshrinement.
Manning’s case is a difficult one, but let’s start with his positives. His greatest moments were truly the peak of what football
players chase for their whole careers. In his first Super Bowl, he got the job done against one of the greatest teams football has ever seen in the 2007 Patriots, the first team to ever go 16-0 in the regular season. Brady had the best passing season of his career, becoming the first quarterback to throw 50 touchdowns in a single season. And yet, miraculously (and helped a great deal by David Tyree’s famous Helmet Catch), Manning and his Giants bested New England 17-14 to claim their third Vince Lombardi Trophy in franchise history. Manning won his first Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award. Then, four years later, Big Blue returned to the top, getting the better of Brady and the Patriots in the Big Game once again, 21-17. Manning took home the game’s MVP honors a second time. In the two biggest games of his life, Manning cemented himself in sports history, making the Goliath-esque Patriots look human.
Let’s look at some numbers.
Manning is one of 13 quarterbacks with more than one Super Bowl win, and one of six with multiple Super Bowl MVPs. Of those 13 quarterbacks to win multiple rings, seven are in the Hall of Fame already, and several others are expected to be inducted in the years to come. He is 11th all-time in career passing yards with 57,023, and 11th all-time in career passing touchdowns with 366. In total, he had six playoff berths, with three division titles, two Super Bowl appearances and two Super Bowl rings.
Everything listed above makes it sound like Manning should be a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame, but there are numerous arguments against his enshrinement. His career regular-season record of 117-117 is average, and his career passer rating of 84.1 is 60th all-time and considered modest. Manning never received a regular-season MVP vote, and he was named to just four Pro Bowls in his 16 seasons.
All that being said, one of
the biggest takeaways that we should have from Manning’s career is that certain things cannot be measured with numbers or statistics. Manning’s name will forever live in the sports history books for what he did on the biggest stage, stopping the greatest quarterback of all time from getting a perfect 19-0 season. And then he did it again four years later. Additionally, consistency at the quarterback position is extremely important for keeping a team competitive. The Giants were able to rely on Manning’s constant availability for the entirety of his career. As they say, the best ability is availability, and Manning wielded that ability for an entire era of Giants football. His regular-season statistics might not have been the flashiest, but he got the job done when it mattered. Hopefully, in the coming years, we will be able to witness Manning don the gold jacket, joining his brother Peyton and the rest of football immortality.
Baseball Opens Season In North Carolina
By NOAH HOFFMAN ASST. SPORTS EDITOR EMERITUS
Fordham Baseball began the 2025 season against No. 13 ranked North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, this past weekend with a three-game series. The Rams offense struggled to find its footing, dropping both games of a doubleheader to kick off the weekend, 11-1 and 12-2.
N.C. State opened game one by taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI groundout. Fordham had a chance to even the score in the second inning after loading the bases with two walks and a hit-by-pitch, but the Rams stranded all
three runners. After the first, Rams starting pitcher, junior Aric Berg, settled in to pitch 3.2 innings, striking out four and allowing the lone first-inning run.
The score remained 1-0 until the fourth inning when sophomore Matt Dieguez lifted a fly ball into right that was dropped, allowing him to reach third. He then scored on sophomore Carson Chavez’s sacrifice fly in the following at-bat to even the score at one apiece. Unfortunately for Fordham, that would be the only run they managed to score all game, as the Rams recorded six hits but left nine men on base.
The Wolfpack regained the lead in the fifth inning on a pair of RBI singles, making it a 3-1
ballgame. They extended the lead to 7-1 in the seventh and 11-1 in the eighth before the game was called due to the tenrun rule.
In game two, Fordham struck first, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first after putting two men in scoring position with two outs, ultimately scoring on a wild pitch. N.C. State responded immediately with three runs in the bottom half, scoring on a sacrifice fly and a two-run homer.
The Rams pulled within a run in the third after scoring again on a wild pitch, but N.C. State broke the game open in the fourth with an RBI double, a two-run double and an RBI single, stretching the lead to 7-2.
The Wolfpack added three more in the sixth and two in the seventh to invoke the 10-run rule once again.
The third and final game of the series was scoreless through the first two and a half innings, with the two teams combining for only three hits, all singles. In the third inning, the Wolfpack bats came alive for six runs, including a three-run home run. N.C. State tacked on another in the fourth on an RBI double, before once again racking up a six-run inning in the fifth, which included the second three-run home run of the game.
Fordham freshman Anthony Grabau got the Rams on the board in the sixth with his first collegiate home run, a solo shot
to right, making it a 13-1 game. However, N.C. State immediately responded with its third six-run inning of the day in the bottom half.
The Rams showed some late life in the seventh, scoring five runs, highlighted by Dieguez’s three-run homer, his first collegiate long ball, and a solo shot from freshman Caden Young — also his first. Despite the rally, the game ended via the ten-run rule, with Fordham falling 19-6.
The Rams will look to bounce back when they head back to North Carolina to face Harvard University, Indiana University and Northwestern University at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, starting Friday.
Legendary quarterback Eli Manning has earned his spot in the Hall of Fame.
CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM
The Eagles celebrate after preventing a historic Chiefs Super Bowl win.
COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM/@PHILADELPHIAEAGLES
Men’s Basketball Falls Twice in a Row
By ELIZABETH COLLINS ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
On Wednesday, Feb. 12, the Fordham University men’s basketball team hosted the University of Dayton Flyers. The Flyers remained in the lead for the majority of the first half, their largest deficit being nine. The Rams chipped away at the lead, and with a layup from junior forward Joshua Rivera, Fordham brought the score to its first tie, 30-30, with 6:23 on the clock. Later in the first, with about two minutes left, the Rams earned a fourpoint lead, their largest of the half, to bring the score to 4541. At the break, the score was back to a tie at 48. The Flyers came out strong with a 7-2 run to begin the second; while
the Rams persistently crawled back to keep the game close, Dayton often had an explosive response. In the latter half of the second, Dayton went on a significant run, 28-16, to bring the win home. The game ended 93-76.
Dayton’s win advanced them 17-6 overall, 7-5 in the Atlantic 10, while Fordham fell 11-13 overall, 3-8 in the conference. Senior guard Jackie Johnson III scored 24 points for the Rams, while both Rivera and graduate student guard Japhet Medor added 17.
Looking to bounce back, on Saturday, Feb. 15, the Rams traveled to Virginia to play the University of Richmond Spiders and faced a tough battle as the Spiders thrived in their home arena. Fordham
began the matchup strong as they opened with an 8-0 run until about four minutes in when the Spiders put their first points on the board. Junior forward Romad Dean limped off the court shortly after and did not return until about halfway through the first. By that time, the Rams still managed to build an 11-point advantage. However, Richmond began to thrive in the paint and Fordham grew to struggle there with missed shots. Richmond scored seven in a row to cut Fordham’s lead to four, 17-13. While Fordham tried to hold onto their lead, in the final seven minutes of the half, the Spiders went on a 12-5 run to earn a one-point lead at the break, 27-26.
Richmond came out strong in the second, starting with
a 15-9 run, making the score 42-35 about four minutes in. The Spiders adjusted their game, focusing on driving to the rim, earning them the advantage throughout the half. Once Fordham shifted to a 3-2 zone, Richmond’s game, which gained most of its opportunities from the Ram’s man-to-man defense, was disrupted. However, they continued to hold onto the lead; the Rams trailed by seven a little more than halfway through before going on a 6-0 run to bring it back to a one-point game, 55-54. The Spiders slowly gained back a larger lead, and with 3:46 remaining, they reached their largest lead of the night, an eight-point advantage, 64-58. A Medor jumper made it another one-possession game with 1:50 on the clock, but a blocked layup from Johnson III kept them from a lead. Richmond’s star forward Dusan Neskovic scored two free throws, and Medor hit a 3 to make it 68-66 with 1.1 seconds on the clock. At the line, Neskovic made two again to secure a four-point lead, ending the game 70-66. Fordham now stands 11-14 overall, 3-9 in the Atlantic 10, and Richmond improved to 9-17 overall, 4-9 in the conference. Medor led the Rams with 24 points, and Johnson III and Rivera followed with 15 and 13.
The Rams look for their next wins this week as they travel for their Wednesday, Feb. 19 matchup against the Duquesne University Dukes, and host the Davidson College Wildcats at home on Saturday, Feb. 22.
Women’s Basketball Ends Losing Streak, Relapses
By IAN NELSON ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
The Fordham University women’s basketball team, coming off four consecutive losses, looked to right the ship by defeating the La Salle University Explorers on the road. With the team reeling as of late and in desperate need of a win, junior guard Chaé Harris knocked down a last second 3-pointer to give the Rams the win.
The game was close early. Each team made six shots in
the first quarter and the Rams held the lead 14-10 going into the break. The Rams held the Explorers without a bucket for the first six minutes of the second quarter, but still gave up the lead going into the half, trailing 24-22.
La Salle came out of the locker room hot and extended their lead to double-digits just over three minutes into the third quarter. They maintained a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter.
Cutting that deficit in half within the first 34 seconds
of the fourth, Fordham used a 9-0 run later in the quarter to pull in front 56-55 with just over two minutes left to play. An offensive foul by the Explorers gave the Rams back possession with a three second difference between the shot and game clocks. With the game tied at 58, the Rams turned the ball over with 10 seconds to play, before a steal from Harris. She found herself wide open just beyond the arc, nailing a 3-pointer from the wing to seal the Rams’ first win over
La Salle since the 2019-20 season.
Chaé Harris led the way for the Rams with 22 points off the bench in just 21 minutes of playing time. Additionally, senior guard Taylor Donaldson scored 17 points to go along with six rebounds and graduate student forward Irene Murua added another 12 points to the effort.
On Sunday, Feb. 16, following their win, the Rams hosted Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) at the Rose Hill Gymnasium. In a game
without leading scorer Taylor Donaldson, the Rams were defeated 76-57. VCU turned in a strong 3-point performance, making 12 on the afternoon. The Rams were led by Irene Murua and senior guard Taya Davis who scored 15 and 11 points, respectively. Murua also grabbed a teamhigh eight rebounds as the Rams were outrebounded 45 to 32.
The Rams will look to shake off the loss against VCU as they face the University of Dayton on Saturday, Feb. 22.
Overtime: The Kids Are Not Alright
By ELIZABETH COLLINS ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
In one of my classes last semester, I sat in front of a large group of guys. As far as I know, they did not know each other prior, but when there was time, I could always hear them bonding behind me over the parlays (parlays are made when multiple bets are combined into a single wager to maximize a possible payout) they lost the night before and the ones they were planning to place that night.
I can’t lie and say I wouldn’t listen in, finding myself judging or choosing my own picks and understanding how money was being lost. But more importantly, it became glaringly apparent that sports betting was a popular pastime of those around me — which couldn’t really be shocking. Turn on the broadcast of any sporting event and you will see the DraftKings or Fanduel advertisements on the sides of courts, fields and even the microphones of announcers. But what never completely registered was just how much these apps and ads rely on and cater to college-aged sports fans.
“All you need is a feeling and a phone,” said the Hard Rock Bet commercial narrator after showing Post Malone winning big. “Every Hail Mary pass is one tap away from you doing your victory dance,” said Jamie Foxx for seemingly his 100th BetMGM Sportsbook ad. While
advertising gambling used to be unheard-of for sports broadcasts (mainly when the act itself disappeared under the table in between Congress passing and striking down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 1992 and 2018), it has become a part of sports, specifically the NFL, NBA and MLB. There is now almost no separation between watching sports and betting on them.
What is making this new wave of sports betting so destructive (Americans have spent more than $450 billion on bets since 2018, according to Legal Sports Report) is not only the number of ads we see for it but the nature of each one. Gambling, something that can become a pernicious rabbit hole, has recently been displayed as something different — a newly unserious, simple activity. You don’t have to go to a betting room or “know everything about every sport” (or so says BetMGM); you can be like Kevin Hart and LeBron James, lounging on the couch in their DraftKings commercial, simultaneously acquiring money with their active online bets. Winnings — and their apparent attainability — have become so accessible, being only one download or “tap” away. For college students, this is likely the only attitude they’ve grown to know towards sports betting.
According to a 2023 study by the NCAA, 67% of 18 to 22-yearolds on college campuses have
participated in sports betting. 63% remember seeing betting ads (which is more than the general population), and 58% of those claim they are more likely to bet after seeing them. Additionally, the University of Maryland School of Medicine described college-aged sports betting as the “perfect storm” due to things such as their vast exposure to legal and glorified gambling, the likelihood of their access to money and the range of at-risk behaviors associated with their age. As sports gambling sees its rise around the country, the betting apps are continually cashing it in on the underdeveloped minds of whom gambling is presented as an easygoing habit.
I decided to ask a few students living in my residence hall about their betting habits. After a Super Bowl watch party was hosted in our communal lounge, I became aware of the number of avid sports fans around and wondered how many of them partake in gambling. While most did not bet on the Super Bowl, many did admit to previous sports betting, and of those, almost everyone stated they had lost money doing it. “Oh, yeah,” one responded when asked whether they had lost money before, another adding, “Not on the Super Bowl, but overall, I’m probably down.” Of those who did not personally bet, each said they knew many who did, one stating, “Oh, yes — every
single guy,” when asked. In addition, each individual claimed that they had noticed the increase in the number of ads and agreed that gambling was a growing problem. “They’ve always got the number to call if you have [a gambling] addiction,” one stated, “but no one [who has one] really knows they do.” Of those I asked, none seemed to bet fairly consistently but either had participated in sports gambling, knew many who did or described a combination of the two.
Gambling and its consequences have always been an issue. It’s not as if sports gambling and its addictions were invented in 2018, but the accessibility to it pretty much was. We are experiencing how betting is changing sports and how people perceive them in real-time, but what remains unknown are its glamorization’s long-term effects
on the youngest generation exposed to it. I mean, imagine if, in a cigarette commercial, Post Malone was there to greet you and said, “It’s only a single ride to your nearest convenience store away… Go take the load off with a pack of Camels,” or if at the end of an alcohol ad, Jamie Foxx was like, “What’s the harm in one more? The pack has six Coronas for a reason.” It just wouldn’t happen. Instead, in our current reality, sports gambling is advertised in shiny, bright lights as if any form of crippling addiction is far beyond it. Betting here and there doesn’t exactly have to be avoided. One just can’t be naive enough to forget that every time they bet for the Kansas City Chiefs’ or New York Knicks’ or Los Angeles Dodgers’ downfall, the app they’re using is betting on their own.
College students are reflecting on the growing problem with online sports betting.
CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM