Volume 94 Issue 5 by The Fordham Ram

Opinions PAGE 7

Culture PAGE 11

Community responds to racial slur.

The Academy Awards preview, including an Oscar ballot.

WHITE OUT

Sports PAGE 23 “White Out” at the Men’s Basketball game Saturday at 1 p.m.

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SERVING THE FORDHAM UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY FOR OVER 90 YEARS

1918-2012

FEBRUARY 22, 2012

VOLUME 94, ISSUE 4

Fordham’s Housing Lottery Game Begins

Professor Elaborates on Lenten Rites By EDDIE MIKUS STAFF WRITER

training and has helped determine the financial stability of the nation. A reception followed the lecture on Thursday, and Mr. Rickards signed copies of his book, Currency Wars: The Making of the Next Global Crisis. While all of the events offered information for business students, the two lectures, led by speakers Dr. Kevin Lyons and James Rickards, were highlights of the week. Their discussions undoubtedly helped deliver the message of the week: the critical importance of students’ awareness of various business affairs taking place throughout the world. Dean Polito explained that business students may be asked to professionalize in their futures and go overseas to work, either on a long-term or short-term basis, and

Fordham’s sizable Catholic community participated in Ash Wednesday on Feb. 22, the feast that marks the liturgical season of Lent. “It’s a symbolic significance, mainly. We are asked to make out of Lent a season of sacrifice and asceticism,” Rev. Joseph Koterski, S.J. said. “This is a wonderful symbol about sacrifice and asceticism. By undergoing something symbolic, it kind of gets everybody reminded this is the time to start that season of penance, discipline and sacrifice.” Koterski said that the distribution of ashes derived from an ancient Jewish custom where those in a period of penance or mourning would wear old clothes and adopt some symbol of death. On that day, many of Fordham’s Catholic students attended a Mass where ashes were placed on their foreheads. During Mass on Ash Wednesday, the ritual took place after the homily when the priest blessed the ashes made from the palms distributed on Palm Sunday the previous year. Immediately afterwards, the congregants lined up to receive the ashes on their forehead. The priest is required to say one of two separate messages to each individual person who receives ashes. Koterski said that he usually alternates formulas so that people hear both. Ashes were also distributed at special services where the distribution was accompanied by a short Bible reading instead of a full Mass. This was permissible because Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation in the United States. In fact, Koterski said that more Catholics come to Mass on Ash Wednesday despite the lack of obligation. “We kid, ‘Ashes and Palms;’ everyone comes on Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday because we’re giving something out,” Koterski said, in describing increased Mass attendance on Ash Wednesday. Koterski further stated that crowds on Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday were always enormous. Lent, the liturgical season that began on Ash Wednesday, is meant to remind Catholics of the forty days that Jesus spent in the desert before beginning His ministry.

SEE BUSINESS ON PAGE 2

SEE LENT ON PAGE 4

PHOTO BYJULIAN WONG/THE RAM

Fordham has named the housing lottery “Fordhamopoly” with the hopes that the fresh marketing may make the process more appealing to Fordham residents.

By KELLY KULTYS ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

The housing lottery, nicknamed “Fordhamopoly” this year, kicked off on Tuesday Feb. 21, as the Office of Residential Life opened the submission of housing deposits through the my.Fordham portal. “We’ve never had a theme for

lottery before,” Elizabeth Amico, assistant director for Housing Operations, said. “This year, one of our Resident Directors, Jenna McAuliffe, from Martyrs’, came up with the theme with some of her RA s, and she’s done all of the advertisements. She played with the different parts of the Monopoly game to mirror the lottery. We

hoped it would be a more interesting advertisement than just saying ‘housing lottery.’” “Fordhamopoly” officially began the first phase of the four-part process students must undergo to select their housing for next year. To keep everything organized, each phase of the process is scheduled to take approximately

one week. “We basically tried to put everything in week phases so that there’s not too much to do in one week,” Amico said. The first phase, submitting the $200 housing deposit, opened online Tuesday and will continue until Feb. 24 at 5 p.m. SEE HOUSING ON PAGE 2

GSB’s Business Week Focuses on Global Lessons By TARA CUZZI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

International Business Week (IBW), a tradition that has been going on for a number of consecutive years, took place from Monday, Feb. 13 until Thursday, Feb. 16. The week was full of events that gave students a taste of the business world that exists outside of Fordham’s gates. Every year, the event is developed and guided by the Gabelli School of Business’s Global Learning Opportunities and Business Experiences (G.L.O.B.E.) Club. Dean Michael Polito, Director of International Programs, helped by working to manage the theme and tone of IBW, as well as the individual events that took place throughout the week. While the theme is always an international topic, this year’s IBW focused mainly on sustainability, global capital markets and currency markets. G.L.O.B.E. Club and Polito wanted to aid students in reaching a better understanding of the significance and necessity of being knowledgeable about issues happening in the world outside of domestic affairs. “Students need to be aware of the interconnectivity of business and economics, not just in financial terms, but also in terms of product sustainability and manufacturing,” Polito said during an interview prior to this year’s IBW. The Gabelli School of Business kicked off the week with an International Business Mixer on Monday, Feb. 13 in O’Keefe Commons. Students attending the mixer learned

JOAO ARAUJO PINTO/FLICKR

The assortment of flags on display at the United Nations represent the countries discussed in GSB’s Business Week.

about a variety of different cultures of which our world is comprised; however, student participation lacked a bit during this event. “The international mixer was very interesting and well-prepared,” Colleen Taylor, FCRH ‘12, said. “It was educational and fun to interact with students I don’t normally meet in classes or club activities. However, the general attendance was small. The event could have used some more numbers and definitely some more performances from other cultural dance groups. Maybe next year the event can achieve a greater scale because it is a wonderful idea and endeavor.” On Tuesday, Dr. Kevin Lyons from Rutgers University, paid a visit to Flom Auditorium in Walsh Library to discuss global sustainability. Dr. Lyons is a researcher in

global supply-chain networks and product development. The following day, Wednesday Feb. 15, two events were held: a business etiquette lunch in the morning and an information session in the evening concerning international business dress. The etiquette lunch, which took place at Mario’s Restaurant on Arthur Avenue, was a corporate dining guide for students. The session pertaining to international business dress was coordinated with Brooks Brothers and was a type of fashion show, revealing appropriate and impressive attire tips for business events. The week concluded on Thursday with a discussion led by James Rickards, a well-known investment banker, risk manager and author. Rickards has worked with technical questions in finance, currency

NEWS

PAGE 2 • THE RAM • FEBRUARY 22, 2012

SECURITY

BRIEFS

Feb. 14, Keating Hall, 9:45 p.m.

A Fordham insignia was removed from classroom 219. Security is investigating the incident.

Feb. 17, E. Fordham Rd, 3:50 a.m.

There was a dispute in the Candy Lounge that spilled onto Fordham Rd. near Hughes Ave. Shots were fired, and a van driven by a Fordham security guard was shot. (See page 4 for more information.)

Feb. 18, Goupil Hall, 2 a.m.

A non-resident student ran past a security guard without showing proper guest pass I.D. The student was removed without incident.

Feb. 19, E. Fordham Rd, 4:40 p.m.

A student, walking back to his off-campus residence, was robbed. His iPhone was stolen. NYPD is investigating.

— Compiled by Kelly Kultys, Assistant News Editor

THIS

week at FORDHAM Thurs., Feb. 23 “Cowboys Don’t Sing Western: Musical” F.E.T, Blackbox Theater, 8 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 23 Sign-ups for “Best Picture ShowCase McGinley Lobby, 12 -2 p.m., 5-7 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 23 Cinevents!: The Tree of Life Campus Activities Board, Keating First, 9-11 p.m. Fri., Feb 24 Stations of the Cross University Church, 3 p.m. Sat., Feb. 25 Lenten Retreat Campus Ministry, Rose Hill Campus, All Day

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Students Pass “Go” in Housing Lottery HOUSING, FROM PAGE 1

The second phase, filling out the housing application, consists of confirming personal information, consenting to the Housing Agreement, answering lifestyle questions and selecting a meal plan for 2012- 2013. That phase starts Feb. 28 and is open until March 2. The third phase begins the following week, when students are required to form groups with the people with whom they would like to live next year. Finally, phase four begins, which is when the groups select their rooms for next year. Within these phases, there are various optional steps students can take, such as retaining a room or applying to live in an Integrated Learning Community. This year, the housing lottery process has been upgraded and has moved much of the process to the Web. “This year we have online housing deposits,” Amico said. “In past years, people had to bring their $200 deposits to the office. Hopefully, everyone will think it is better now that they don’t have to come here and they can deposit from the comfort of their own rooms.” The retention process, which allows students to keep their rooms from this year, has now been moved online. Students who applied to live in an ILC next year also did so online. The biggest change this year is in the way students actually pick their rooms, and this involves all students who are planning to live on campus next year. Last year, students were assigned random lottery numbers, and they picked their room depending on the average of the group’s lottery numbers. “Last year, because it was online, we said that you had to make a group with your friends,” Amico said. “Everyone had different lottery numbers and then we averaged the lottery numbers together, so if you had a really good lottery

PHOTO BY JULIAN WONG/THE RAM

Current freshmen and sophomore residents look to O’Hare Hall as a possible housing option for next year.

number and your friend had a bad number, it’d be middle ground.” This year, the office of Residential Life changed the procedure, giving each individual student who sends in a deposit their own time slot. Only students in the same grade level, however, can group together and select their housing for next year. If students want to room with someone in another grade, the group has to go to ResLife to get their group specially approved. The housing lottery timeslots are assigned randomly by grade level. This means that current juniors get the first picks, followed by sophomores and freshmen. This brings up an important aspect of the lottery this year: the group leader whose job it is to select the room the group will live in the following year. “It’s really important that people understand the group leader should be the person with the best timeslot,” Amico said. “Let’s say that you and I are going to live together. You have a really great timeslot and I don’t. I shouldn’t be the group leader because I’m going to be the one going into the system to pick and I can only go in at my timeslot.”

When students first go in to the system, they will see all available housing. The rooms that have already been selected will be shaded and unavailable to students. Throughout the selection process, students will also have the opportunity to decide to go into postlottery, which means they will be assigned a room after the housing lottery process is complete. “For example, there may be a sophomore who really wants to live in apartment style housing next year, and when they go in at their timeslot, there’s no apartment style living left,” Amico said. “Instead of picking O’Hare or Finlay, they might decide to not pick and go into post lottery and hope that they’ll be placed in apartment style living over the summer.” One concern that students, especially current freshmen, have about the housing lottery is that towards the end of the selection process, there are not enough rooms left for students to pick at their time slots. “What we do then is we take roommate preferences and building preferences and then students are placed and notified over the summer,” Amico said. “We do our best to honor preferences, but it

depends on what ends up becoming available.” One of the most important things for students to remember is to communicate with their roommates throughout the entire process. “For instance, the group leader may want to live in O’Hare, but you want to live in Finlay,” Amico said. “But once the group leader picks a room, they pick it for the group.” ResLife is also offering different events to make the process a little easier. They are holding a “roommate mixer” for all students who are trying to find someone to live with next year. Also, Res Life is holding more information sessions in the upcoming weeks that will allow students to see the step-by-step process of using the portal. “Your housing situation is really important, and you want to live with your friends in a comfortable environment in what you think is the best building,” Amico said. “The best advice I can give is to stay informed, keep checking your Fordham email so you know what’s coming up and ensure you’re not missing a process or a deadline.”

International Business Week Held on Campus BUSINESS, FROM PAGE 1

PHOTO BY MICHAEL REZIN/THE RAM

The Gabelli School hosted its International Business Week recently as students gathered to discuss global affairs.

therefore, it is essential that students are internationally aware. Fordham students found IBW to be a useful and informative week. Many students expressed gratitude for being fortunate enough to obtain valuable knowledge pertaining to the competitive workforce. “IBW was a huge success. I was fortunate enough to attend the Business etiquette lunch on Arthur Avenue, which was truly a great opportunity,” Samantha Carey, GSB’14, said. “There is nothing better than learning how to do things through a hands-on experience. I will now feel a lot more confident when I have to go out to eat, both casually and professionally.” A great deal of time, effort and planning went into this event in order to provide beneficial information and experiences for all that participated in International Business Week. All in all, the IBW event offered students a sense of the professional, business world.

NEWS

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FEBRUARY 22, 2012 • THE RAM • PAGE 3

New Troupe Empowers Young Comedians By EMILY ARATA EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Late at night when clubs and organizations around campus close their doors and go home to sleep, the members of Fordham StandUp are just flicking on the lights in the Black Box. The newly founded troupe, which meets on Sunday nights at 10 p.m., relishes in the oddity of those rehearsals. “We have practices every Sunday, pretty late,” Drew Rotunno, FCRH ’14 and founding member of Fordham Stand-Up, said. “[It] starts at 10 o’clock, which I think fits standup pretty well—that it’s way too late at night. Anyone who has anything prepared gets their time on stage to go up in front of the group to perform their jokes, say their things. Immediately afterwards, we flip the lights on and everyone else gets to give instant feedback.” Fordham Stand-Up officially began last semester as the brainchild of Rotunno, Dennis Flynn, FCRH ’12, Mike Drosos, FCRH ’13, Tim Rozmus, FCRH ’13 and Tim Bridge, FCRH ’14. The formation of the group arose from a series of talks about stand-up, which many of them wanted to try, according to Rotunno. “Let’s be stand-up comics, whether professionally or as just a hobby,” Dennis Flynn, FCRH ’12, said, when describing the driving influence behind finally creating a group devoted specifically to standup comedy. “Let’s go out and do it, challenge something and have it be hard and scary, but [be] a few of us together.” Fresh off of the success of completing their latest show on Friday night, the troupe looks to establish a presence on campus by performing

Student Chokes in Cafeteria By CONNOR RYAN NEWS EDITOR

According to Fordham Security, FUEMS responded Tuesday evening to a call from the McGinley cafeteria where a student had reportedly been choking. A piece of food became stuck in the student’s throat while eating dinner. After coughing, the student was able to dislodge the piece of food without outside assistance, Security reported. FUEMS was called to the scene as a precautionary measure. The student was quickly evaluated by medics and then transported to St. Barnabas Hosptial in the Bronx. Posters are currently on display in the cafeteria, outlining the proper steps that should be taken in the event of a choking emergency. The Heimlich Maneuver was not needed Tuesday evening, but students should be familiar with the basic steps of the procedure, according to cafeteria administration. Sodexo management declined to comment.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL REZIN/THE RAM

Two of Fordham Stand-Up’s founding members discuss their plans for the new club on campus in the next few years.

regular shows, spreading the word about its comedy and adding new members to the group, especially women, according to Rotunno. “We’re not a boys club,” Flynn said, in response to an inquiry about female members. “I know — you look at us, we look like one. But we don’t want to be.” “There are some jokes that will work best being told by a woman,” Rotunno added. “There are jokes that take different comedic voices.” Fordham Stand-Up seeks to continue to evolve and grow into a larger group as time passes. They hold formal auditions at the beginning of each semester, but Rotunno emphasizes that they would be quick to pick up a new group member from an open mic night or comedy show if the style was right. “I think if we saw someone, say at an open mic, or if we knew that

someone performed stand-up comedy in the way that we like it to be performed, I don’t think that we would go through the whole authorization process,” he said. “We would just kind of vote someone in.” Existing under the umbrella system of Fordham Experimental Theater, Stand-Up practices and performs in the Black Box located in the basement of Collins Auditorium. The space defines the group because of its closeness, according to Rotunno. “You can’t hear the immediate feedback if the closest person to you is like thirty feet away,” he said, referencing the group’s struggle with performing on Collins Auditorium’s main stage for the first time this winter for a holiday benefit show. “It’s hard to pace it and to adjust things to the audience if

they’re so far away from you.” Stand-Up has about 12 Fordham students, according to Flynn. StandUp’s key strength, in the opinions of its founders, is the group support system that drives it. “Stand-up’s so scary,” Flynn said. “It’s such a solitary, alone thing that it really helps to have some sort of support system to force you up there. We thought, ‘How can we create something like that at Fordham?’ We push each other. We challenge each other to actually get on stage and tell jokes.” The community is the most important part of learning the skill set needed to take the stage with confidence. Although Rotunno and Flynn are quick to point out that the concept of a group is odd for a branch of comedy done completely alone, they continually reiterate that young comedians need a safe,

trusting audience with whom they can practice material. “We try to get a group of people that not only are funny people; they’re people that can give and take intense criticism,” Flynn said. “Sometimes people go up and we say, ‘Hey, that whole thing . . . I don’t know what you’re trying to do there. I don’t know if you are ever going to make your unicorn joke funny.’” “If people don’t like what they hear, you’ll hear silence,” Rotunno agreed. “One of the good things is that jokes that aren’t good will fall flat, and you’ll know it’s not that strong. It’s also a gauge, too, if you can say the same thing twice to the same group of people and they still laugh at it, that’s one of the biggest signs that this thing is genuinely funny.” Both Flynn and Rotunno emphasize that they believe the group will continue to be successful and become a powerful comedy force on campus due to the dedication that troupe members feel towards the art of stand-up comedy. “Some of our funniest people are people who don’t do anything else,” Flynn said. “And that’s awesome. We don’t take everybody, but it’s often because we want to take someone who is as passionate and loves it as much as we do. ” In the semesters to come, Fordham Stand-Up comedy hopes to enlarge the group and popularize the comedic style by performing at open-mic nights at both local performance spaces as well as in Manhattan, according to Rotunno. They have scheduled appearances on Feb. 24 at The Blend (located at the intersection of Fordham Road and Hoffman Street) and March 6 at Rodrigue’s coffeehouse.

Fordham Hosts AJCU Conference for Honor Students By KATIE NOLAN COPY EDITOR

This weekend, Fordham hosted 13 different schools as part of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities Honors Conference. The AJCU is comprised of the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States, and it holds regular conferences with different organizations within the universities. Everyone from deans to Student Affairs representatives will have dialogues within the AJCU. In 2006, the honors programs at these universities decided it would be beneficial to hold a conference of their own. Regis University in Denver, Loyola Marymount University in Los Angles and Fordham University were founding members of the conference. In 2008, Fordham was the second school to host the conference, and is the first school to host it for a second time. This was the seventh AJCU Honors Conference, with about 50 people in attendance. The distinctive thing about the Honors Conference, according to Dr. Nasuti, director of the FCRH Honors Program, is that it allows and encourages students to attend and participate. In fact, most schools present had one or two

students in attendance as representatives. All the FCRH honors students were invited to attend the Conference. The schools involved see this as an extension of what it means to be in their honors programs; the students are a central part of what makes an honors

The Conference was an opportunity for students and faculty to meet their counterparts. program and therefore should be involved in the discussion. The main goal of the Conference has always been “to steal ideas,” according to Nastui. That is to say, the Conference centers on discussion between the schools, and it is a chance to compare notes about what works well, what solutions other schools have found to common problems, what new types of programs and policies the schools should look at and so on. Fordham’s program has changed because of its involvement with the Conference, and other schools have adopted practices that Fordham’s Honors Program uses.

For example, the FCRH Honors Program has adopted the idea of a dean’s reading group because another school brought it up at a past conference. The Conference also accomplishes more specific goals. Last spring, the Conference put together a series of articles about honors programs for the Jesuit education publication Conversations. In 2009, the Conference decided to put together a program for that summer in New Orleans for honors students. At this specific Conference, the following topics were under discussion: technology in honors, the role of honors in the university, what makes a good honors classroom and the honors thesis. There were sessions to discuss what successes and challenges the programs had experienced since the last Conference, and about problem solving. Students also had their own meeting about ways to foster community in honors programs. All these sessions were mainly designed to spark conversations. A few moderators directed the discussion, but it was mostly a free-flow of ideas where both students and faculty participated. Another major focus of the conference was continued work on a document written to capture

“essential features of an honors program at a Jesuit institution.” This document has been in the works for several years and is finally coming to fruition. The document was undergoing further group editing at the Conference. It could be used in the future as a teaching tool for faculty coming into Jesuit honors programs. It is a way for Jesuit honors programs to recognize what makes them distinct from nonJesuit honors programs, and what qualities they need to highlight because of this distinction. It is interesting to note that, while the 14 schools represented had very different programs, ranging from an alternative core like the FCRH program, to a series of additional seminars, the representatives could all agree on some common characteristics, such as the Ignatian tradition and integrated, or interdisciplinary learning, that all schools saw manifested in their own programs. Overall, the Conference was an opportunity for students and faculty to meet their counterparts at other universities. Students got a chance to talk with each other and with faculty about their experiences. It was an opportunity to reflect on what makes a Jesuit education so unique.

NEWS

PAGE 4 • THE RAM • FEBRUARY 22, 2012

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Students Gear Up for Lenten Season Off-Campus Shooting

Grabs Students’ Attention

PHOTO BY MICHAEL REZIN/THE RAM

Students question off-campus safety after Fordham vehicle was struck by a bullet.

By CONNOR RYAN NEWS EDITOR

WALTER MICHOT/MCT

Students gathered together at Ash Wednesday masses held on campus to mark the beginning of the Lenten season. LENT, FROM PAGE 1

On Ash Wednesday, the University conducted Masses, ash distribution services and an ecumenical prayer service. According to a brochure issued by Campus Ministry, there will also be a variety of activities throughout Lent. The University will hold a one-day Lenten retreat, a Lenten revival, two luncheons, Stations of the Cross and a day of rec-

onciliation. There will also be a showing of the film, The Passion Of The Christ. Catholics may also be expected to observe special rules with regards to Lent being a season of fast. Some Catholics are required to maintain a fast during Lent, and all Catholics are required to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and during Lenten Fridays. Koterski explained the fasting

rules to The Ram. “The Church’s understanding of fasting is only one full meal, and the other meals, let’s say there’s two or three of them, should not equal the total in the one full meal,” Koterski said. “The idea of that is just to be a little hungry so that you’re thinking about Christ all day long,” Koterski continued. “Well, I’m hungry because I’m trying to identify with Jesus in the desert.”

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A bullet struck the rear window of a Fordham vehicle used to transport students to campus at approximately 3:50 a.m. last Friday morning near the Candy Lounge on East Fordham Rd., a Security alert stated. “Police believe the bullet that struck the van was fired in an altercation that began inside the Candy Lounge and spilled onto the street,” the Fordham security email sent to all students Friday morning said. “The van was not a target of the shooting.” According to Fordham Security, the employee driving the vehicle was uninjured and was the only one onboard at the time of the shooting. Two male witnesses were transported to St. Barnabas Hospital and questioned by the NYPD. News 12 also reported the injury of a 23-yearold woman who allegedly suffered a gunshot wound to the leg. While students step back and reevaluate their safety in light of the offcampus shooting, the paper discussed in its most recent issue the fact that violence around the nightclub has always existed.

“This incident caught the community’s attention because a university vehicle was involved,” John O’Neill, FCRH ‘13, wrote. “The violence has become commonplace on virtually every weekend night.” The “commonplace” danger has sparked discussion both on campus and online, as an increasing number of Fordham students frequent the nightclub and the surrounding area on weekends. “So scared to walk by the Candy Lounge right now,” a student wrote recently via Twitter. “There goes my birthday party at the Candy Lounge,” someone else tweeted. “A shooting so close to campus is inevitable, frightening and disheartening,” Caitlin Meyer, FCRH ’12 and president of USG, said recently in a statement to The Ram. “I hope Fordham students will continue to engage with the community in a positive way, while at the same time, remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings.” “[Fordham Security] has strongly advised students to avoid the Candy Lounge,” according to the campuswide security alert.

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PAGE 7

Fordham’s Response to Racist Incident Inadequate By REYNOLD GRAHAM CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Jeffrey L. Grey, senior vice president for Student Affairs, issued a statement on Feb. 17 condemning the incident of racial bias that took place in Walsh Hall on Feb. 7. As a member of the Fordham community, and as a black student, how the University responds to this incident is extremely important to me. I view this as a measure of how concerned the University is with the safety and overall well-being of black students on this campus. Although I appreciate that a response was made, there is much to be critical of when considering the timing of the response and the language used. This incident was first reported in the Feb. 15 issue of The Ram (v. 94, i. 4). To allow The Ram to address the larger Fordham community concerning the incident before Fordham made a campus-wide public statement is unacceptable. This speaks to a larger longstanding issue of a lack of appropriate responses from the Student Affairs administration regarding incidents of racial bias. Consider the stark contrast in timeliness of the response to most off-campus incidents compared to this one, which was acknowledged on a University-wide level 10 days after the incident. For 10 days, the University was silent on a matter which strikes so many members of this community as painful and threatening.

This response suggests that incidents involving members of the Bronx community are seen as a more immediate threat to the Fordham community than an incident that happened on campus (and that was most likely committed by a Fordham student). As a community, we need to take a critical look at how Fordham handles these situations. Looking past the questionable timing of the email, even the response itself cries out as a sign that Fordham needs a lot of help when it comes to dealing with issues involving racial bias. Vice President Gray claims that “membership in our community comes with responsibilities, not least of which are to be respectful of others and to be civil in our interactions and discourse.” I would argue that membership in our community, as a Jesuit institution, should mean much more. It is not enough to decry derogatory statements made against black community members after students, faculty and staff brought the issue to light and called for a response. Our community needs all of its members to be actively fighting against racism. An email is not enough. Gray continues to say, “we have a strong culture of tolerance and respect at Fordham, of which we are all justifiably proud. We expect the members of the University community to continue displaying the same decency and respect they have always shown to one another.” If incidents like this are an ex-

ample of “tolerance” — which in itself is not something to which we should aspire: as a black student on campus, I would prefer to be accepted and celebrated — I strongly question if we are living up to our mission as a Jesuit institution. It is also important to note that this is not an isolated incident of bias within our community; I think that it is a public display of a reflection of a larger culture at Fordham. It is extremely worrisome that an individual or group of people feels comfortable expressing these ignorant sentiments on the door of an-

other community member. However, of more concern to me is the University’s unwillingness and inadequacy in addressing the incident. The University’s initial silence indicates that it is content with the status quo. By not addressing these issues, we inhibit the Fordham community from truly embodying its Jesuit tenets, including: “men and women for and with others,” magis, “unity of heart and mind” and cura Personalis. Silence creates an environment where individuals who are the tar-

gets of these incidents do not feel as if they have a voice in the situation. It allows these incidents to continue to occur, as there is generally no immediate message condemning these hateful actions. Although Fordham did address the issue, it did not do so in a timely fashion. Only after the University was shoved into a corner when the incident was reported by The Ram did it take the necessary steps to combat racism. Reynold Graham, FCRH ’12, is a sociology major from Englewood, NJ.

CARTOON BY ANNA TIGHE

Gabelli School Core Should Include Foreign Language By CAITLIN CARR CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“If I have to suffer, then they should too!” Alex Mager, FCRH ‘14, said in regard to the Gabelli School of Business core curriculum exemption of business students from a foreign language requirement. But is it Mager and her Rose Hill peers who are suffering, or the students and reputation of GSB that have the short end of the stick? On a recent trip to Central America, I was excited to immerse myself in the native culture (the best part obviously being the experience of trying ethnic food). As I ventured into the city ready to find vegetarian casado, patacones and maduros, I was bombarded with McDonald’s, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. Not only were there familiar restaurants but clothing companies, grocery stores, gas stations, banks and many other American corporations. From this trip, I saw first-hand the business world’s growing emphasis on global and cultural expansion. With the increasing globalization of the business world, the addition of a foreign language requirement to the Gabelli School of Business’s core curriculum would be advantageous for both GSB students and the institution as a whole. Everyone wants to be the best of the best, and, according to Bloomberg Businessweek, GSB is currently ranked 52nd among undergraduate business schools. If GSB can produce gradu-

PHOTO BY MICHAEL REZIN/THE RAM

Currently, only FCRH students must complete a foreign language requirement.

ates with the added advantage of understanding a foreign language, GSB can compete with more of the topranked universities. Highly-ranked undergraduate business schools, such as the Villanova School of Business (ranked seventh) and UPenn’s Wharton School (ranked fourth), require their students to take a foreign language. Joining these highly dignified business schools by adding the foreign language requirement could possibly increase GSB’s rank, while giving GSB students the same com-

petitive edge. The edge gained from taking a foreign language benefits life after college. When applying to graduate school, an application can be overlooked in admissions with a mass of similar standardized test scores, GPA and work experiences. Although being bilingual does not guarantee an acceptance, when comparing two students who are academically similar, the applicant who speaks a foreign language will stand out. The same idea can be applied to

graduates entering the workforce. As the emphasis on global business and cultural diversity expands, employers are looking for workers who can help achieve this goal. Hiring an employee who is proficient in a second language opens opportunities and markets for global development. Requiring GSB students to take a foreign language will make them stand out in the workforce as a more profitable investment for the company. Many believe it is an unrealistic goal for GSB students to take foreign language courses due to the extensive core. “Gabelli does not require language study because of the demands of the curriculum: With both a liberal arts and a business core and with some of our majors requiring ten courses, many students do not have enough room to complete a language requirement,” Dr. Donna Rapaccioli, dean of GSB, said. GSB students have a total of 26 required courses, only five more than the 21 core courses Fordham College at Rose Hill students take, excluding the distributive requirements entailing four eloquentia perfecta courses, a globalism course, and an American pluralism course. GSB students also have nine free elective spots, which is more than enough room for a language course. GSB students participating in the Global Learning Opportunities and Experiences program also debunk the myth that it is impossible for GSB students to take a foreign language course,

since they are required to do so. It may be overwhelming for students to fit in a foreign language with their demanding schedules, but given the chance, students would be willing to learn another language. “If I had more room in my schedule I would take Spanish classes to add a competitive edge,” Grace Yoo, GSB ‘14, said. It should be the University’s responsibility to prioritize the core curriculum. For example, replacing a core requirement like the fine arts class with a language is much more practical. Although we should appreciate the beauty that art adds to an otherwise bland world, is it really a necessity for business students to know the background behind Michelangelo’s David and its contrapposto position over the understanding of another language? The knowledge of a second language will allow students to leave Fordham with a bright, opportunity-filled future. With the significant growth of globalization in the business world, requiring a foreign language course will only create positive outcomes for both the graduates and institution of the Gabelli School of Business. Until a reevaluation of the core is done, GSB students should attempt to take a foreign language course while at Fordham to widen their horizons. Caitlin Carr, FCRH ’14, is a psychology major from Beachwood, NJ.

PAGE 8 • THE RAM • FEBRUARY 22, 2012

The Ram Serving campus and community since 1918. The Ram is the University journal of record. The mission of The Ram is to provide a forum for the free and open exchange of ideas in service to the community and to act as a student advocate. The Ram is published and distributed free of charge every Wednesday during the academic year to the Rose Hill, Lincoln Center and Westchester campuses with a readership of 12,000. The Ram office is located in the basement of the McGinley Center, room B-52.

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Editor-in-Chief Connie Kim Managing Editor Olivia Monaco Executive Editors Sarah Ramirez Emily Arata Business Editor Lindsay Lersner News Editor Connor Ryan Assistant News Editors Karen Hill Kelly Kultys Opinions Editor Rory Masterson Assistant Opinions Editors Ricky Bordelon Canton Winer Culture Editor Scharon Harding Assistant Culture Editor Devon Sheridan Sports Editors Chester Baker Dan Gartland Assistant Sports Editor Matt Rosenfeld Copy Chief Taylor Engdahl Copy Team Anisa Arsenault Niko Buse Danny Casarella Chris Kennedy Brian Kraker Tom Merante Meghan Mulvehill Katie Nolan Erik Pederson Allen Ying Photo Editor Michael Rezin Design Editor Elizabeth Mallozzi Web Editor Anne Couture Assistant Web Editors Francesca Arturi Daley Quinn Faculty Advisor Dr. Beth Knobel Opinions Policy The Ram appreciates submissions that are typed and saved on a disk in *.rtf, *.txt or *.doc formats, or sent to the staff via e-mail at fordhamramletters@gmail.com. Commentaries are printed on a space available basis. The Ram reserves the right to reject any submission for any reason, without notice. Submissions become the exclusive property of The Ram and will not be returned. The Ram reserves the right to edit any submissions. The opinions in The Ram’s editorials are those of the editorial board; those expressed in articles, letters, commentaries, cartoons or graphics are those of the individual author. No part of The Ram may be reproduced without written consent.

OPINIONS

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From the Desk of Ricky Bordelon, Assistant Opinions Editor As I sit here and think about the week ahead, my mind keeps going back to one thing: Mardi Gras. Being from New Orleans, I have always loved Mardi Gras, and it is certainly my favorite holiday. Recently, many people have asked me, “What is Mardi Gras exactly?” and, “Why do they even have Mardi Gras?” My response to the former query is usually: “It’s a big party the city of New Orleans throws for itself before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.” Now, the last question is truly something worth pondering: “Why does New Orleans have Mardi Gras?” Well, it is certainly a fun-loving, easy-going city. It is a hub of tourism. But moreover, it is a city different from any in the world, with its own culture and customs. New Orleans loves its traditions. The city and the people refuse to ever let them die. Since Bienville founded New Orleans, people have passed these

Mardi Gras celebrations from generation to generation, and now they are part of the identity of the city and the identity of its people. Today we live in a smaller world. In less than a second, you can talk to someone halfway around the world or find out the most minute fact about any topic. Technology has allowed and encouraged the world to become more interconnected than ever before. The ease of travel has also grown, and more students than ever, it seems, are traveling around the country, and even the world, to attend college. Technology and the ability to travel are fantastic new capabilities that allow people to learn. In this shrinking world, however, we cannot afford to lose our heritage and our traditions. Think about how boring the world would be without the individual cultures of all the different regions in the United States.

Imagine St. Patrick’s Day without a green Chicago River or the Kentucky Derby without mint juleps and fancy hats. Many people have described the United States as a “melting pot” where people of all backgrounds and traditions form one unique American culture. In this melting pot – or a pot of gumbo, as I think of it – sometimes there is a bite of spice or Andouille. These specific flavors and tastes of the gumbo are the regional customs and traditions of the states around the U.S. As much as I love America and our national patriotic customs, I cannot help but think that our regional customs are just as important. We also come from a city or a state or a town which is unique and special. Our hometowns are part of our identity, even though some like their own more than others. We should celebrate or, at the very least, acknowledge

this heritage and these traditions because if we do not, then they are lost. More than this, traditions and customs give us a sense of place, a sense of security and, mostly, a sense of ourselves. Traditions, unless we let them, will never go away or change that much. They are always there to comfort us, to encourage us or to celebrate us. As Tevye says in Fiddler on the Roof: “Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as... as a fiddler on the roof !” And, if the fiddler were from New Orleans, he would be catching beads and eating King Cake, too.

EDITORIAL: Career Services Does Not Cater to FCRH Attempting to aid students in finding jobs, Fordham recently hosted a career fair on the second floor of the McGinley Center. Many employers had stations at which students could present themselves and their résumés, each student looking for an internship or, in the case of graduating seniors, possible full-time employment. Although many different kinds of companies had stations at the fair, an overwhelming majority of those who attended were students in the Gabelli School of Business. This observation highlights a trend obvious in Career Services and the events that it runs. The career fair was undeniably geared toward business students, with large financial firms and insurance agencies such as Aflac turning out to meet with prospective students. It is likely safe to say that firms based on Wall Street are not focusing on hiring classics majors. Even the businesses present that purportedly would look for Fordham College candidates, such as Apple, were truly only seeking entry-level positions like Geniuses. Any student with a college degree

can attain such a position. FCRH students pay a high tuition every year with the intention of having an advantage in the career world because of their Fordham degree. The University seems to think that liberal arts students qualify only for entry-level positions, so why not just attend a community college to receive the same degree? The hope would be that Career Services is designed to assist any and all students who attempt to secure employment, whether at an internship, a summer position or full-time job after college. The reality is that many of Career Services’ approaches are designed primarily for GSB students. With the renovation and reopening of Hughes Hall as the main building for the Gabelli School of Business scheduled for the upcoming fall, students in the Gabelli School should have all the necessary resources to develop their professional portfolios and attain corporate positions. But what about Fordham College? Where is the central building for the communication majors? Many FCRH students feel at a dis-

Dear Editor: The recent opinions article regarding Planned Parenthood (“Planned Parenthood Misunderstood By Republicans,” v. 94, i. 4) perpetuated a few misconceptions about the organization that we would like to clarify. First, Planned Parenthood does not directly provide mammograms. All mammograms are outsourced, then subsidized using federal grants or donations from organizations like the Komen Foundation. Komen’s decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood was primarily because Komen prefers to donate to primary care providers that actually provide the mammograms themselves. If Planned Parenthood cares so much about women’s health, why is it that they have mandated that all of their clinics must provide abortions by 2014, but not

a single clinic has the capability of providing an on-site mammogram? The second myth perpetuated by the article is that only three percent of Planned Parenthood’s services are abortions. This figure is drawn from Planned Parenthood’s own reports, which dramatically skew their services. For example, Planned Parenthood counts every pack of birth control given out as 12 separate visits. Because many of these birth control packs are given to women who come in to the clinics for abortions, this means that women who come to get abortions get counted 12 times as much for “non-abortion services.” Additionally, the referrals mentioned above are counted toward “cancer screenings,” even though they are not done on Planned Parenthood premises.

advantage trying to find employment, even with the CareerLink website to help them with job opportunities. The site is not solely dedicated to positions for liberal arts students. Nor do they have résumé workshops or career-specific speakers quite to the extent that the Gabelli School of Business does. Professional development is one of the most important aspects of the college experience. There is a stark difference between not utilizing the resources at your disposal and only having a few resources to utilize. FCRH is not providing its students with the necessary tools or proper events to help them find jobs. The alumni network is said to be powerful, but a student really has to do some digging to find someone who can help him or her in that sector. Fordham needs to generate interest in the career fair from non-profit organizations and perhaps even the public sector, to allow FCRH students an outlet and an opportunity for occupational growth. It has become evident how difficult it is for someone with a liberal arts degree to gain meaningful employment: If there can be more companies that

do not have a foundation in “business” present at career fairs and more prevalent in Career Services, FCRH students will be in a better position to succeed obtain jobs upon graduation. Perhaps a greater interest from non-business companies will elicit a greater interest from students as well. Many FCRH students do not bother to attend the career fair because they think there will not be anything in it for them. If Fordham can somehow change the perception of Career Services as a whole and of career fairs in particular, the University’s reputation will undoubtedly increase in stature, and we will be able to take the steps necessary to become the University we wish to be. We can go on extolling the Jesuit virtues that are so embedded on campus and producing well-rounded, well-educated people who have what they need to live, strive and survive. Editorial Policy The Ram’s editorials are selected on a weekly basis, and are meant to reflect the editorial board’s view on a particular issue.

Letter to the Editor Why the skewed numbers from Planned Parenthood? It all comes down to the money. Planned Parenthood gets more federal support if it reports a smaller percentage of its services being abortion-based. A more telling statistic may be that that according to Planned Parenthood’s own annual report, only five percent of all pregnancy-related services are prenatal care or adoption services. This is hardly providing a full range of choices to pregnant women. We would question that Planned Parenthood is “the only source of healthcare for poor women,” as Mr. Winer, the writer of the article, contends. But if this is the case, then we as a society should take a hard look at ourselves, if the only health care offered to poor women is by an organization whose primary services are abortions,

contraceptive dispensation and STI tests (regardless of exact percentages). Women’s health is much more comprehensive, and includes a full range of ob-gyn care, prenatal and fertility services, cancer screenings and treatment and mental health services. Poor women deserve access to a full range of options. In the end, we can play the numbers game ad infinitum. But the fact remains that an organization with political and financial stakes in protecting its abortion interests will not provide true or comprehensive women’s health care, as evidenced by the paucity of mammography units or pre-natal care services present in Planned Parenthood clinics nationwide. Sincerely, The Fordham Respect for Life Executive Board

OPINIONS

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Left of the Allen Dial Ying

Debating a Debt Disaster Over the course of the last few weeks, media outlets have shifted their focus from economic to social issues. With the Republican primaries looming, it makes perfect sense. But something interesting happened this week. President Obama submitted his budget proposal to Congress that mostly stuck to the outlined Budget Control Act that came out of the debt ceiling debate in August. There will be spending cuts galore, and the proposal is on track to cut U.S. debt by $2 trillion by 2021. That’s great right? Well, it would be, if we weren’t in an economic recession. The fact of the matter is that there are countless arguments for and against deficit spending. By this time next year, there will probably be another series of debt ceiling debates in Washington when the projected national debt will exceed the ceiling. The question is, should America even worry about its national debt? Yes and no. Yes, because this type of deficit spending is the exact reason why Greece got into the mess they are in today. When Greece joined the EU, the Mediterranean state started non-discretionary spending in social welfare. To finance this, Greece took out loans that resulted in a higher debt-to-GDP growth ratio. If a country’s debt is greater than its GDP and its growth, it is impossible to pay back those debts. The U.S. is in a precarious situation in which the debt to GDP ratio is on the brink of being greater than 1:1. If the U.S. continues on this path, it may be in trouble of defaulting on its debt. Keynesian economics determines that deficit spending by the government is crucial in a recession. If the government didn’t actively push programs and initiatives to stabilize the economy in 2008, America might have gone into a depression, which is a scary prospect. Furthermore, even during the debt ceiling crisis and our economic situation, U.S. securities and bonds were considered the safest bets in the world. We don’t distribute the eight percent coupons (or now more likely, four percent) that riskier countries like Greece do. That being said, reform is necessary. America needs to get its spending under control. Nondiscretionary spending such as Medicare and Social Security attributes to over 30 percent of the federal budget. For long-term sustainable growth in the U.S., budget cuts must be made on every governmental level. But not now, not while the economy is still recovering and government spending is driving that recovery. And while that driving force is still anemic at best, extreme budget cutting and a do-nothing policy would lead to disastrous results. Does anybody remember Hoover’s presidency?

FEBRUARY 22, 2012 • THE RAM • PAGE 9

Santorum Insults Women in Military By DANIELLE SOLINSKI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

What do you think the wager is? $1 million? $10 million? A trip to Disney World? I mean, seriously, there must be an under-the-table bet going on amongst the field of Republican contenders to see who can say the stupidest and/or most offensive comments and still remain in the primary debacle for the longest period of time. We had one candidate trying to build a moon colony, one candidate forgetting his own policies, one quoting the Pokémon movie in his farewell speech…need I go on? One of the latest gaffes came from Rick Santorum. Coming off the coattails of three state caucus victories in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri, Santorum decided that now would be the appropriate time to contract foot-in-mouth syndrome. What did our lovely former senator from Pennsylvania proclaim? He decided to voice his opinion on the role of women in combat. “I think [having women in combat roles] could be a very compromising situation,” Santorum said in an interview with CNN’s John King, “where people naturally may do things that may not be in the interest of the mission because of other types of emotions that are involved.” Excuse me? What are these emotions of which he speaks? He clarified the following day in an interview with NBC. “Men have emotions when you see a woman in harm’s way,” he stated, also describing that, “the natural inclination to focus on the mission but to try to be in a position where you might want to protect someone.” Oh, that’s better, it isn’t women who are too emotional — it’s men. Wait a minute…no, that is not any better at all. Women should be kept out of combat because men have some sort of inherent inclination to protect them? Did we suddenly get transported back to some prehistoric era or a Tarzan movie? Santorum’s comments come in light of a recent announcement from the Pentagon to officially ease up on its longtime ban on women serving in direct combat units. According to The Military Times, the new rules will open up an additional one percent of military jobs to women. These changes will be most impactful on the Army, which it will open up about three percent of jobs to women. The most significant change will be an elimination of the 1994 ban on women serving in units that “collocate” with direct ground combat forces. Signed by President Bill Clinton’s Defense Secretary Les Aspin, this policy repealed the so-called “riskrule” (a previous policy that “allowed the military to bar women even from non-combat roles to avoid exposing them to undue risks of direct combat, hostile fire or capture,” according to The New York Times). However, women still could not serve in direct combat. As defined by the Department of Defense Combat Exclusion Policy, direct combat is defined as: “engaging an enemy on the ground with individual or crew served weapons, while being exposed to hostile fire and to a high probability of direct physical contact with hostile forces personnel. Direct ground combat takes place well forward on the battlefield while locating and closing with the enemy to defeat them by fire,

maneuver or shock effect.” Since this decision, the military has been slowly but surely becoming more progressive in its policies towards women in combat. Pentagon officials have repeatedly indicated that the current policy towards women in combat does not match up with the realities of modern warfare. In fact, research published in Jan. 2008 by the renowned Army War College supported this theory. Although it is a bit lengthy, here is a direct segment from the introduction that fully summarizes the report. Observations from this compendium and the material gathered by the contributors may be summarized as follows: •The Combat Exclusion Policy with its attendant “collocation” restriction is incompatible with the nature of the war in which the U.S. Army is currently engaged and the forms of conflict it is likely to be engaged in for the foreseeable future; •The Combat Exclusion Policy and the associated “collocation” restriction is likewise incompatible with the Army’s transformation to a modularized force; •The U.S. Army today cannot be manned adequately without the broad participation of women; •While serious ambivalence remains toward the integration of women into infantry, special operations, and armor/cavalry units, obstacles to career development through other branches should be removed - ability should be the measure of merit -period. •Perhaps the most important conclusion this effort brings to light is the almost complete reversal of attitude by the American public toward women in military service--the American public accepts female casualties as part of the price of war. Furthermore, it is important to note that despite these “new” regulations, women have already been serving in dangerous jobs alongside combat troops prior to this recent announcement, in the capacity of attachments, specifically in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Pentagon’s decree is merely formalizing what already exists and catching up to reality. “Women have also made amazing contributions to the Army, its victories and its legacy,” Major Michael Nguyen, a veteran of two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and currently Battalion Recruiting Operations Officer for Fordham University’s ROTC, said. He provided an example of one such case of female bravery in combat. Women have also distinguished themselves in ground combat. In March 2005, SGT Leigh Ann Hester was a team leader in a military police company. Anti-Iraqi Forces attempted to ambush a convoy. Her team responded and she personally cleared two trenches with her Squad leader where she “engaged and eliminated 3 Anti-Iraqi Forces with her M-4 rifle.” In this case, Sgt. Hester went on to become the first woman since World War II to win the Silver Star medal for valor in combat. Furthermore, another woman in the same unit won the Bronze Star for her display of courage. Spec. Ashley J. Pullen, a driver with the unit, laid down fire to suppress insurgents and then “exposed herself to heavy AIF fires in order to provide

medical assistance to her critically injured comrades,” saving several lives, her citation [on her Bronze Medal] stated, according to The Washington Post. Moreover, 865 women have been injured and 144 women have sacrificed their lives in service in these two aforementioned wars. “Women have also made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” Major Nguyen said. “One of those was Captain Kimberly Hampton who was killed in action in Iraq in 2004 when her helicopter was shot down by enemy ground forces. She was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Air Medal. Throughout the history of the Army, soldiers have continued to contribute with their bravery and sacrifice and women are no exception.” Beyond the sheer unfairness in the policy, keeping women out of combat has several negative implications. One of the main consequences is that women have a harder time obtaining career and promotion opportunities within the military because they are not allowed, or until now have not been formally recognized, to work in jobs that are most critical to wartime missions. This leads to unfair underrepresentation in the Pentagon’s senior leadership and other senior military roles, creating a so-called “brass ceiling.” According to reports from the Military Leadership Diversity Council and the Defense Department Advisory Committee on Women in the Service, since women are not named to the units or jobs most likely to see direct offensive ground combat, they are not given key assignments. The proof is in the proverbial pudding. For example, only six percent of the Army’s general officers (24 out of 403) are female, despite the fact that women represent approximately 15 percent of the force. Santorum’s comments regarding women are not only offensive to women, but to any member of the military. As stated by Major Nguyen, “Soldiers come from all different walks of life with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences which we pride ourselves on. That said, when it comes to the mission, professional soldiers know how to set aside personal beliefs and do what is morally, legally and ethically right.” By arguing that men’s “emotions” towards women would hinder their work in combat, Santorum is discrediting the incredible level of professionalism that our members of the military are able to demonstrate. Women can and have added to the military through their inclusion in direct combat. The military and Department of Defense are starting to make changes, but these changes do not go far enough. Gender should not be a barrier to inclusion. As long as a woman is mentally and physically suited for the role of duty, there is no reason she should be denied it. Mr. Santorum, you can attribute this ban on women to some sort of damsel-in-distress syndrome, but frankly, the military is no fairy tale. This is real life. I conclude in saying thank you to all troops — male or female — who have offered their service to our country. Danielle Solinski, FCRH ’14 is an undeclared major from White Plains, NY.

Righter’s Block

John P. Castonguay

Eliminating Spending is Key “Deficits mean future tax increases, pure and simple. Deficit spending should be viewed as a tax on future generations, and politicians who create deficits should be exposed as tax hikers.” This Ron Paul quote describes precisely the attitude that must be assumed regarding wasteful government spending. It unfairly puts the burden on the next generation to pay for the small extra government benefits currently received. Why should we force future Americans to pay for our inability to prioritize? I could continue to ramble on about how we have an ethical responsibility to future generations to decrease spending to a responsible level, but it is simpler just to show how easily cuts can be made from the federal budget. First, it is possible for the government of the United States to save $12 million by ceasing to mail and print every single government document. All of these documents are currently online, and the federal government could not only save money but also reduce their carbon footprint. Next, by replacing $1 notes with $1 coins, the government could save an estimated $184 million, as the coins last much longer than the paper bills. By adopting more efficient lighting systems, the Department of Energy could save $2.2 million annually. Paul Strand, a senior Washington correspondent from CBN News, said, “Nevada’s Western Folklife Center received $50,000 for cowboys and cowgirls to gather once a year to recite cowboy poetry.” Strand further stated, “A Virginia university received $55,000 to study Jordanian students’ water pipe smoking habits. A new grant of $176,000 joined $350,000 already spent to study how cocaine hurts or helps the sex drive of Japanese quail.” These are but a few examples of government waste. While they are small in dollar amount when compared to the entire federal deficit, eliminating this waste could serve as a bipartisan starting point for real spending reform. It is an embarrassment that $593,000 in federal funding goes “to a primate research center to study where in chimpanzees’ brains they get the idea to throw their feces” remain present in the budget. Every time one of these earmarks sneaks into the budget, the deficit rises, and more taxpayer money is wasted. Politicians in Washington should be ashamed of their willingness to waste money frivolously. Eliminating earmarks is the first real step to bringing politicians together to attempt to deal with the rest of government spending. The budget must be balanced.

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FEBRUARY 22, 2012

PAGE 11

A Look Inside This Year’s Academy Awards

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA

French silent romantic comedy, The Artist, is nominated for 10 awards this year.

By SARAH RAMIREZ EXECUTIVE EDITOR

The 84th Academy Awards will take place this Sunday Feb. 26 in Los Angeles. Billy Crystal (When Harry Met Sally) is hosting the ceremony for the ninth time, filling in for Eddie Murphy (Dreamgirls) who backed out last year. After new rules were put in place for the nominating process, there are nine Best Picture nominees for the first time. Members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) ranked their picks for top film of the year, and those with the most votes received nominations. The rules ensured there would be no fewer than five nominees and no more than ten. The favorite for this year’s Best Picture Oscar is the French silent romantic comedy, The Artist. It received

10 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Jean Dujardin), Best Supporting Actress (Bérénice Bejo) and Best Director. One of the biggest threats to The Artist’s Oscar hopes is the Alexander Payne-directed The Descendants. Although this family drama only received five nominations, each was for a major category: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (George Clooney), Best Editing and Best Adapted Screenplay. The Descendants is expected to win the statuette for Best Adapted Screenplay, while Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris is a favorite for the Best Original Screenplay category. Clooney, who has been nominated for seven Oscars in the last seven years (including a surprise screenwriting nod this year for Ides of March), is also a strong contender for Best Actor, which remains a close race, with

Dujardin and Brad Pitt (Moneyball) also poised as potential winners. Another competitor for Best Picture is Hugo, director Martin Scorsese’s first 3D feature. The film garnered 11 nominations, leading the rest of the field, including Best Picture and Best Director. Hugo is expected to be a bigger winner in the technical categories. The Help was once thought to be a potential spoiler for The Artist’s Best Picture chances. Although the movie has won important precursor awards, including the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Ensemble, it only received three nominations outside of Best Picture. While The Help would be an unexpected winner for Best Picture, its cast will still likely head home with some hardware. Octavia Spencer (The Soloist) is expected to win Best Supporting Actress over costar Jessica Chastain (Tree of Life). Another actress from The Help, Viola Davis, is the frontrunner for Best Actress. Her biggest competition is her former costar from Doubt, 17-time nominee Meryl Streep (Iron Lady). Streep has not won an Oscar since 1982’s Sophie’s Choice, and is always a threat when nominated. This year’s Best Actress category is especially strong, with Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs), Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and Michelle Williams (My Week with Marilyn) being recongized with nominations.

Like the Supporting Actress race, the Supporting Actor category has little suspense left. Christopher Plummer (Beginners) has dominated the awards circuit with his portrayal of a man who comes out as gay after he is widowed. Although this year’s Academy Awards are short on the drama, there were a handful of surprising nominations when the announcement came last month. Comic actors Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) and Jonah Hill (Moneyball) are both first-time nominees, being recognized for their supporting performances this year. Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, the writing geniuses behind Bridesmaids, are the first female team nominated for Best Original Screenplay in nearly 30 years. This year, Pixar is not represented in the Best Animated Feature race. Rango, Puss in Boots and Kung Fu Panda 2 are the big-studio nominees. Look for Undefeated, about a high school football team in Memphis, to win Best Documentary Feature. A Separation for Best Foreign Language Film and The Muppets’ “Man or Muppet” for Best Original Song are also expected winners. After a somewhat lackluster year for movies, the Oscars give audiences one last opportunity to revisit the films and performances worth watching, while hopefully leaving the millions watching at least one gaspworthy moment to talk about at the watercooler.

Spring 2012 Fashion Week Previews The Latest Styles By ALYSSA MONTEMURRO CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Navigating the five-block radius around Lincoln Center this past week was no easy task, as editors, buyers and journalists shuffled from one show to the next in honor of Mercedes-Benz Spring 2012 Fashion Week. Fashion industry professionals and celebrities alike took their seats under the giant, white tents to get the first look at what the style elite will be wearing come this fall. The rest of the city watched from the sidelines, as runways were transformed into a battlefield all their own. Not a literal battlefield of course, but a military presence was felt nonetheless, as designers by the likes of Jason Wu, Ralph Lauren and Altuzarra paid tribute to men in uniform. Throughout the week, models stomped down the runway in tailored wool pea and trench-style coats in navy and army green. The structured outerwear was typically layered over straight-leg trousers and adorned with plenty of flap pockets, zippers and gold buckle embellishments. With so many designers feeling the influence of the popular British drama series “Downton Abbey,” it is no surprise that deep, plunging necklines were traded in for high Victorian collars and strong shoulders. It was Ralph Lauren who paid the greatest homage to the period piece, with his array of men’s pantsuits redesigned for women, including a three-piece burgundy velvet suit that drew clear connections to the show’s upper crust

COURTESY OF STYLE.COM

Marc Jacobs presented wild looks.

Ralph Lauren’s androgynous look.

cosmopolitans. For those who are not interested in the brooding men’s inspired collections, the shows by Tory Burch, Carolina Herrera and Victoria Beckham promised an array of luxurious lady-like pieces. “I was just thinking about the idea of being polished and put-together, and sexy but not overtly sexy,” Burch said in an interview with Style.com after her show’s debut. The end product: polished tweed jackets, neat pencil skirts, skinny plaid pants nipped just above the ankle and ruffled chiffon dresses in emerald and

violet. Celebrity-turned-designer Victoria Beckham took a modern approach to the more feminine styles by creating 22 looks consisting of shirts and dresses that pronounced a long, lean silhouette. Her dresses were a breath of fresh air this season, with the collection’s sportswear inspired ribbed jersey materials and contrasting polo collars (perhaps a nod to her soccer star husband?). There was a point when the Upper East Side meshed with the rugged, equestrian charm of the American outdoors. Global fashion successes

Michael Kors and Tommy Hilfiger debuted collections that provoked the idea of a luxe-cabin weekend getaway. Probably some of the more practical looks from the runway, Kors dressed his models in fringed ponchos, full-length lumberjack plaid skirts and plenty of fur and shearling outerwear pieces. Likewise, Hilfiger featured chunky cable-knit sweaters with silk skirts adorned with horsebridle motifs, topping the looks off with ridings boots and hats. Among all of these neutral color pallets and seemingly practical looks for fall, there was the outrageous showmanship of Marc Jacobs. The designer presented a total of 54 looks, almost all of which were topped off with large, multicolor fur hats. The outfits themselves were just as zany, as the women sported voluminous patchwork skirts over cropped pants (very similar to Jacob’s own signature style). Large wool scarves were then draped over wool coats. Some were even secured with animated safety pins. To complement the full array of color and multi-textured looks, Jacobs had the women strut in patent-leather stacked heel pilgrim shoes, complete with large, glittery buckles. While the next fall and winter season is still six months from now, do not toss those pea coats and comfy knit sweaters just yet (especially because you probably have not gotten much use out of them this year anyway). The next time around should prove to be filled with a lot of inspiration, but maybe just a few oversized fur hats.

YOU BE THE JUDGE! Your Oscar Ballot Best Picture The Artist The Descendants Extremely Loud & Dangerously Close The Help Hugo Midnight in Paris Moneyball The Tree of Life War Horse

Best Director Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist Alexander Payne, The Descendants Martin Scorsese, Hugo Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris Terrence Malick, The Tree of Life

Best Actor Demián Bichir, A Better Life George Clooney, The Descendants Jean Dujardin, The Artist Gary Oldman, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Brad Pitt, Moneyball

Best Actress Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs Rooney Mara, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Viola Davis, The Help Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn

Supporting Actress Berenice Bejo, The Artist Jessica Chastain, The Help Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs Octavia Spencer, The Help

Supporting Actor Kenneth Branagh, My Week With Marilyn Jonah Hill, Moneyball Nick Nolte, Warrior Christopher Plummer, Beginners Max von Sydow, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Best Original Screenplay Michel Hazanivicius, The Artist Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, Bridesmaids Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris J.C. Chandor, Margin Call Asghar Farhadi, A Separation

Best Adapted Screenplay Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, The Descendants John Logan, Hugo George Clooney, Beau Willimon and Grant Heslov, The Ides of March Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin and Stan Chervin, Moneyball Bridget O’Connor and Peter Straughan, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Best Foreign Feature Bullhead (Belgium) Footnote (Israel) In Darkness ( Poland) Monsieur Lazhar (Canada) A Separation (Iran)

Best Animated Feature A Cat in Paris Chico & Rita Kung Fu Panda 2 Puss in Boots Rango

Documentary Feature Hell and Back Again If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory Pina Undefeated

CULTURE

PAGE 12 • THE RAM • FEBRUARY22, 2012

Going Global

Dining Out: Walker’s Overall Location Food Quality Atmosphere Hospitality Price $$$

This week’s column was written by Robert Sikorski, FCRH ’13. Living in Warsaw is a bit of a surreal experience. It is possible to see all of these great sites just by walking down one block of the city: a World War II monument, Communist-era apartment buildings and a McDonald’s. While Warsaw is moving forward from its turbulent past, becoming a beautiful, modern city that lies between Eastern and Western Europe, the historical consciousness that is evident here manifests itself in this city, as well as in all of Poland in general. The people in Warsaw are some of the nicest people I have ever met. While it is somewhat difficult to initiate a conversation with people, once you start talking with them, they are extremely friendly. Warsaw is a city that seems to be constantly under construction with many new buildings, clubs, shopping centers and bars being built. Speaking of the bars and clubs, the nightlife in Warsaw is great, with many of the establishments open late and, compared to American bars, extremely cheap. Also great to see are the football (soccer) games here. I have never seen fans in the United States like Legia Warsaw fans. Going to a game was a mind-blowing experience, as the fans never stopped chanting and singing songs and pelted the opposing goalie with snowballs throughout the game, even when he was injured. At one point, someone in the stands threw a firework onto the field. After talking about this with some of the Polish people I have met here, they informed me that this is nothing out of the ordinary. The combination of both the historical and modern influences in Warsaw leads to a unique culture, which can at certain times be surreal. For example, when walking around the Old Town, it is easy to admire the different houses built in the 19th-century style, only to realize that the buildings were in fact built after World War II. This is because after the Warsaw uprising, Hitler destroyed about 90 percent of the city. Also, the tallest building in Warsaw, which dominates the skyline, is the Palace of Culture and Science, a gift from Joseph Stalin to the people of Poland. Despite these reminders of its past, the city of Warsaw seems to be moving forward, and is becoming an interesting bridge between the cultures of both Western Europe and Eastern Europe. This can be seen in the diversity of the people found in this city, from French to Byelorussians, from Turkish to Vietnamese. The increasing number of visiting foreigners shows that Warsaw is becoming more and more of a popular destination. While not nearly as popular of a city to visit as the established Western European cities for Americans, Warsaw should be considered when visiting Europe, as it will be an experience you will never forget.

theramonline.com

(Out of 4

PHOTO BY STEPHEN MOCCIA/THE RAM

Walker’s is located at 16 N. Moore St. in Tribeca and features a pub atmosphere.

By STEPHEN MOCCIA STAFF WRITER

Walker’s is a spectacular restaurant that always serves delicious pub fare to its Tribeca regulars. This charming neighborhood establishment boasts a casual dining atmosphere and high-quality food at tremendously reasonable prices, as well as a pleasant wait staff that works hard to ensure a great dining experience. The front room is typically packed with locals who stop in for a quick bite and a few drinks, though Walker’s has two back rooms for more serious diners. Despite this, however, it can still get pretty crowded at nights or on the weekend, so it is best to make a reservation for larger groups or leave enough time for

a small wait. Although Walker’s has a standard American pub atmosphere, the menu reflects the exact opposite. While they do serve tavern staples like wings and burgers, there is a plethora of gourmet items that require a bit of finesse. No matter what you choose, the food is consistently phenomenal and satisfies any appetite. Dishes like the roast chicken with mashed potatoes and seasonable vegetables ($15.25) have a homey touch that is great for anyone who misses mom’s cooking and is tired of the European Station in the Caf. The “Cowboy Chili” (cup $5.25, bowl $7.50) is topped with shredded cheddar cheese and onions and is a perfect, hearty start to any meal. More healthful eaters can take

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advantage of the amazing salads like the chopped cobb salad with grilled chicken, bacon, bleu cheese, egg, tomato and cucumber ($13.50), the spinach salad with toasted goat cheese, vineripe tomatoes, mushrooms and croutons ($13.25), or the traditional Caesar ($9.75). All are always fresh, full of flavor and come in large enough portions to serve as your entrée. The eight-ounce sirloin burger ($9.95) is one of my favorites, despite the number of unique alternatives offered on the menu. The burger comes on a seeded roll with a choice of any potato. Typically, I opt for the hand-cut French fries, which come in a heaping, tangled mound and are perfectly crispy and salty. Alongside the burger are a large ring of bright red onion, tomato slices (which always taste like summer, even out of season), a leaf of romaine lettuce and a juicy green pickle. All ingredients are clearly of the best quality, something that really makes this restaurant shine. Walker’s also offers a selection of sandwiches that are not your usual bar fare. The best choice is the grilled portobello mushroom sandwich with goat cheese and olive relish on French bread ($9.75). This spectacular com-

bination has a wonderful smoky flavor and is accompanied by a side of Walker’s delicious fries and a house salad. The marinated mushroom is complemented perfectly by a tomato slice, and cheese provides a different texture while serving as a cooler component in this warm sandwich. The desserts are also delicious and are all in the range of $6. My personal favorites are the different cheesecakes that cycle on and off the menu, so if you are lucky enough to visit when cinnamon bun cheesecake or double stuffed Oreo cheesecake is on the menu, do not pass it up. Perhaps the best quality of Walker’s is that it participates in Restaurant.com’s discount gift certificate program. At any given time, you can go to Restaurant. com and purchase a $25 Walker’s gift card for just $10. You can also receive email notifications from the website informing you about Walker’s promotions, allowing you to get 70-80% off your order. This means that, at times, you can get a $25 Walker’s gift card for just $2. The only restriction is that the bill must be at least $35, but for a party of two or more, this should not be a problem. The coupons are simply printed after you buy them, allowing for same-day use. This is a fantastic feature of an already amazing restaurant, so you should definitely check it out soon. Oh, and my roommates insisted that I mention that they give you crayons so you can color on the paper they put over the tablecloth. Just another added bonus.

Editor’s Pick: The Vow By KAREN HILL

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

The Vow has been in theaters almost two weeks now, but the romantic-drama is a surefire timeless film. The movie has a large herd of followers already. Instead of enjoying a sunny Sunday, many New Yorkers attended the Lincoln Square AMC Theater for a 4:20 p.m. showing of the film. The plot line of the film, directed by Michael Sucsy (Grey Gardens) may seem a little far fetched, but it is, shockingly, loosely based off of a true story. The movie begins with a typical boy-meets-girl romance, and the characters get married. The twist comes when the newlywed couple, Paige and Leo, is in a car accident that results in their hospitalization. Paige, played by Rachel McAdams (Midnight in Paris), wakes up from a coma with no recollection of the past five years of her life spent with Leo, played by Channing Tatum (Dear John). The rest of the movie focuses on Leo’s undying efforts to spark Paige’s memories and, more importantly, her love for him. The fact that the movie is based off of true events, made me as an audience member feel more sym-

pathetic towards the emotional suffering of the characters. Was Paige going to wake up and remember her new life with her husband? Would she return to a life with her family, from whom she had been estranged from over the past five years? These were the questions I found myself asking as I watched the mildly suspenseful melodrama unfold. The cast of The Vow was as equally attractive as the unique story line. Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams most certainly make a beautiful couple while playing Leo and Paige. The two are awkwardly cast as artsy hipsters, however. Paige is a sculptor, and Leo owns a recording studio. The 6’1,” broadly built Tatum is strangely cast among scrawny hipsterlylooking comrades. While his henley waffle shirts layered with a flannel button-down helped him dress the part, his at-times-drab personality is incapable of making over. Wearing a flannel shirt does not make someone any more of a hipster than sitting in a garage makes a car a Mercedes. Tatum is known for his rather stiff personality, but he was able to play the role of a loving husband quite well. I could not help but

COURTESY OF THEVOWMOVIE.COM

The Vow stars Rachel MacAdams and Channing Tatum as a hipster couple.

feel bad for Leo as he cries over desperately missing his wife. It is a challenging and different role for Tatum to play, but I would not have enjoyed any other actor in his place — especially since there is a brief flash of his posterior. Rachel McAdams convincingly plays her role of Paige, the conflicted and confused victim of the cruelties of her own mind. The audience witnesses Paige’s believable transition from quirky artist to the life of a preppy law student,

back to the starving artist within herself. The subtle glisten of emotion in her eyes is owed to McAdam’s superb acting. The Vow managed to be simultaneously tear-jerking and smileprovoking. I highly recommend the flick to anyone who can tolerate being jealous of Paige and Leo’s beautiful love. A word of advice is to get there early because I guarantee that each seat is going to be filled quickly.

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Get Cheap Tickets for The Best of Broadway

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA.COM

The Book of Mormon is one of many popular shows that have lottery rushing.

By NANCY BUCKLEY STAFF WRITER

Broadway enthusiasts can purchase affordable tickets to their favorite shows any day of the week, with just one stipulation: waking up early. In the morning, people can stand in line at the theater where their favorite plays are showing and obtain tickets to shows for later that day at discounted prices. Ticket prices, which usually range from $60 to over $100, are cut drastically for the rush tickets, which are sold at prices from around $25 to $40. According to playbill.com, over 22 plays, both musicals and dramas, are available to rush. Rushing a show can consist of a basic rush or a lottery. In rushing, theater-goers wait in line and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. When the ticket dispersal is on a lottery basis,

potential audience members enter their names in the morning to win one or two tickets. Two hours prior to the show, names are called. “I think that being able to view Broadway shows at a discounted price is a great option, especially on a student budget,” theater minor Alyssa Tagios, FCRH ’13, said. “Over the past two years I have seen countless shows, some of which I have had the opportunity to sit closer to the stage than ever before.” When shows do not sell out, many theaters reserve seats for the purpose of student rushing, which offers greater opportunities for students. January and February are considered slow months for Broadway plays, offering several great options for students. Tony-award winning shows such as The Book of Mormon and Wicked are both open for lottery rushing. Musicals like Jersey Boys,

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Memphis and Anything Goes are all available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Some shows do not offer seats in their rushing tickets, but rather standing room only tickets. The Book of Mormon currently offers standing room only tickets in its lottery. “Freshman year, I rushed Hamlet with Jude Law,” Vincent Winting, GSB ’13, said. “It was standing room only, but definitely worth it.” Shows such as How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Wicked, which regularly feature celebrity actors, offer great options for star-seekers. “As a freshman, I rushed ByeBye Birdie which at the time was starring John Stamos,” Tagios said. “After the show my friends and I waited by the stage door to obtain his autograph. When he finally reached us, I received his signature on my playbill, but was completely at a loss for words. I was star-struck.” After performances, audience members are welcome to wait outside the stage door to meet and congratulate the actors and receive their autographs. “I saw How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying with Daniel Radcliffe last spring semester,” Katie Howe, FCRH ’13, said. “After the show, I waited for his exit and was able to get his signature and have a conversation with him about restaurants. It was surreal.” Fordham students have a great hidden opportunity in their New York City neighborhood. Broadway musicals and dramas are a great way to immerse oneself in the theater culture. The expensive ticket prices that usually serve as a deterrent are no longer an obstacle. This offers students an inexpensive way to appreciate the culture of the City.

FEBRUARY 22, 2012 • THE RAM • PAGE 13

Check Take a look at the latest events and hotspots in NYC!

This

Send tips, event listings, or comments to fordhamramculture@gmail.com.

Out

Faith, Courage & Purpose: Artists of the Diaspora Arsenal Gallery 64th St. and Fifth Ave Until Feb. 28., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free Go inside Central Park to see this exhibit. It will feature 29 paintings by a variety of artists, including Stacey Brown, James Denmark and Essud Fungcap. In celebration of Black History Month, the exhibit, curated by Karen and Sharon Mackey, strives to highlight the work of black artists. The artwork features themes of courage and faith while facing the obstacles of being a minority.

COURTESY OF NYCGOVPARKS.ORG

This painting was created by April Harrison, an artist featured in the exhibit.

Honoring W.E.B. Du Bois Brooklyn Public Library 203 Arlington Ave. Until Feb. 27, 1:30 p.m. Free Have you ever been to the Brooklyn Public Library? I bet you haven’t. So mosey on down to the land of Jay-Z and Notorious B.I.G. and become well versed in the history of W.E.B. Du Bois. The first African-American to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard, Du Bois was integral to the civil rights movement and remains a central figure in black history. Along with the exhibit, scholars Horace G. Campbell and Carina Ray will discuss his legacy on Monday, Feb. 27 at 1:30. Take the Metro North to Grand Central, transfer to the 4 and get off at Grand Army Plaza. — COMPILED BY DEVON SHERIDAN

Ram Reviews MUSIC

MOVIE

MILE(Y) HIGH CLUB

A DANGEROUS METHOD

MOVIE

UNDEFEATED

THE ARTIST

RAMPART

By DANNY CASARELLA

By SARA DESIMINE

By JAKE KRING-SCHERIFELS

By MOLLY FERNS

By PJ BROGAN

COPY EDITOR

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

STAFF WRITER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

In the past few years, Fordham students have had quite an experience with mash-up artists. Girl Talk, DJ Earworm and White Panda have all come to perform on campus in the last two and a half years. Sadly, missing from this list is arguably the best mash-up artist: Super Mash Bros. Recently, Super Mash Bros. released their third full-length album, Mile(y) High Club, and it does not disappoint. Right away, it is clear how much fun these guys are, because they have some of the most ridiculous track titles you have ever seen. ed from their previous experiences and really stepped up their game. for their new album. With 16 tracks, the album is their longest, at just under an hour. Every song is overflowing with energy and fun.

A Dangerous Method, a historical drama directed by David Cronenberg (Eastern Promises), takes us through the beginnings of the careers of three extremely notable psychoanalysts, Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud and Sabina Spielrein. Set before the start of World War I, the film finds them before they have become prominent figures in their field. As this is happening, we also see the development of the psychoanalytic field, by Jung (Michael Fassbender, Shame) and his mentor Freud (Viggo Mortensen, Lord of the Rings). The film A Dangerous Method is an unsettling drama that gets deep into the mind of the viewer. Each character’s interaction creates a creepily thrilling look into the history of psychoanalysis.

You do not need to be a football fan to appreciate the larger themes of the Oscar-nominated documentary Undefeated. You only need a heart. Directed by Daniel Lindsay (Last Cup: Road to the World Series of Beer Pong) and T.J. Martin (On the Rocks), the film centers on Bill Courtney, the head football coach of Manassas High School in North Memphis. It documents the 2009 season of a school that had not won a game in 10 years. To turn things around for a program that loses kids to shootings, arrests and fights, Courtney forcefully instills his team-centric values: character, discipline and commitment-to-winning mantras. The players are still just little kids dreaming for something better, only now they are finally willing to work towards it.

Can a silent film, starring mostly unknown French actors, sweep this Sunday’s 84th annual Academy Awards? It certainly seems possible. The Artist was honored with 10 nominations, trailing Martin Scorcese’s Hugo by just one nomination, making it the second-most-nominated film. After winning Best Motion Picture at the 69th Golden Globe Awards and Best Film at the 65th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), The Artist appears to be the film to beat come Sunday. And after seeing it, I wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment. Overall, The Artist is extremely heartwarming but is also riddled with moments of drama. When a film is revolutionary, it truly deserves an Oscar nod. There is even a dancing dog. What more can I say?

Woody Harrelson has often played no-nonsense gun-toting outsiders. From Natural Born Killers to Zombieland, his characters use a quick gun and a barbed word to get what they desire, and they sneer at the inefficacy of the man who is either too weak or too unintelligent to do the same. This persona reaches its extreme in Rampart, the character study from director Oren Moverman (The Messenger) of an abjectly unlikable LAPD officer who is reaching the bottom of a life devoted to nothing but imposing his own rage filled pleasures and principles on his family and the denizens of Los Angeles. Supporting cast members do a good job, but the movie belongs to Harrelson. If the cast and crew surrounding Harrelson were better, he may have received more Oscar buzz.

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PAGE 14 • THE RAM • FEBRUARY 22, 2012

WHO’S THAT KID? Alex Orlando A MEMBER OF GSB ’13 MAJORING IN FINANCE FROM WESTWOOD, NJ In what campus organizations are you involved? I have previously volunteered for the City Squash Program and have been partly involved with the lacrosse club. Describe yourself in a couple of sentences. I’m just a small-town boy, trying to make in the big city. Other than that, my family is the most important thing in the world to me. I consider my close friends family. What is your favorite aspect of Fordham? Why? Fordham has a lot to offer, but I think my favorite part would be its proximity to not only NYC, but also my home in New Jersey. If you could change one thing about Fordham, what would it be? I feel like most people would say the food service, but living off campus has the added bonus of not having to deal with that. So I guess I would change the

ATM situation. Having only two on campus is extremely inconvenient. What is your favorite thing to do in New York City? I enjoy going to any event at Madison Square Garden. Whether it’s a Knicks or Rangers game, you just can’t go wrong with Rosa’s Pizza beforehand. What’s something about you that not many people know? Most people would never guess that I am an amateur folk singer and semi-professional square dancer. It’s a hidden secret, but now is as good a time as any to let everyone know. What is your favorite class at Fordham? Why? Business Communications. My professor, Dr. Schwartz, made the class extremely interesting and applied it to things that have been helpful outside of the classroom. What do you want to do or accomplish before you leave

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Fordham? Before my time is up at FU I hope to accomplish a number of things, but a major goal is to be an intramural softball champion. It’s going to take a lot, but I’m willing to do what it takes. What would you consider your “guilty pleasure”? Romcoms. I just can’t help myself. What is the biggest misconception people have about you? Most people say I look like Leonardo Dicaprio, but really, I think I’m more of a Brad Pitt If you could go back to your first day at Fordham, what advice would you give yourself? I would tell my 18-year-old-self “if you don’t make it, it’s your own damn fault.” What are your plans (career or otherwise) for after college? After college is over, I will hopefully have a career that allows me to make a good enough living to begin saving for the rest of my life. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what would you bring with you? Bear Grylls. The guy just has it all.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL REZIN/THE RAM

Alex Orlando, a square dancer, wishes Fordham’s campus had more ATMs.

Fordham Autism Speaks Branch Created

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA.COM

The puzzle piece decorated ribbon represents autism awareness. The club hopes to adorn Keating with blue lights soon.

By KAREN HILL ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Fordham University students Adrian Whiting, FCRH ’14, and Mike Chernichaw, FCRH ’14, founded a new chapter of Autism Speaks on campus. The club is not only the first official autism awareness club on campus, but is also racing Manhattan College to be the first official Autism Speaks University Chapter in the Greater New York area. The club is currently waiting for approval of its constitution. “When we are official through Fordham, we are official through Autism Speaks,” Chernichaw said. Despite its lack of official club status, Fordham’s branch of Au-

tism Speaks has been fairly active on campus since October. The objective of the club is to raise awareness, promote advocacy and raise money for autism. The club’s first act on campus was a week-long bake sale held in the fall semester. The club raised $750. The money raised was then sent to the 100 percent non-profit Autism Speaks headquarters in Manhattan to fund research on autism. This research, however, is not necessarily going towards finding a “cure.” “There is the common misconception that autism is a disease, but it is not,” Gino Papa, GSB ’14, said. “It’s a disorder that has been described as being stuck in a cage that you cannot get out of.” “It is a way a person is and

we don’t want to change that,” Whiting said. “We want to help fund therapies that the kids go through when they are younger so they can fit in socially when they are older.” The club, seeks not just to benefit the Autism Speaks headquarters, but also help autistic students within the Fordham community. “There are students who have Asperger’s Syndrome and mild cases of autism on college campuses, and I don’t think a lot of people know that,” Papa said. One such student is even a member of the general board of Autism Speaks. Another general board member raised a question about making the club effective. “How is our organization not

just going to raise awareness on campus and fundraise for Autism speaks, but how are we going to get involved with people with autism in the Bronx and on students on campus?” Whiting said, summarizing the members’ concern. Fordham’s branch of Autism Speaks is set apart from other clubs on Fordham’s campus in many ways. The club has a unique arrangement of 17 executive board members. The club has the standard president, vice president, secretary and treasurer, but the club also has various committee chairs who supervise areas such as fundraising, corporate, advocacy, awareness and advertising. “I think that is where we are a little unique,” Whiting said. “We have a whole executive board to set up every part of any event so that we can have an advocacy event, or fundraising event or awareness event where we go in a work with the [autistic] children.” While unique on Fordham’s campus, Autism Speaks maintains solidarity with other chapters across America. The executive board members all expressed that their interest in the club is rooted in a personal relationship with those who are autistic. “My brother is autistic, so as soon as Adrien told me I wanted to join this club immediately,” Frank DeDomenico, FCRH ’14, said. The Boston College chapter was officially approved a couple of weeks ago, but like Fordham, it did not let its unofficial status inhibit its activity on campus. A group of students assembled and walked in Boston’s Walk

Now for Autism Speaks last September. While only four students participated, they were able to raise over $2,000 from their sponsors. Fordham’s branch of Autism Speaks has been planning a walk of its own to be held in April, National Autism Awareness Month. The club members have been working zealously towards the walk, and many of the other events that they have in the works. The club officers have contacted various shoe companies for sponsorship such as Nike, Adidas, Puma and New Balance. Fordham and Boston College both have another similar events in the works. Both universities hope to have a panel of speakers from various departments on campus to promote advocacy and awareness on the topic of autism. “We want to get the word out not just for our chapter, but to everyone, because people still don’t know what autism is,” Chernichaw said. To join the international movement to support autism, Fordham’s branch of Autism Speaks has coordinated with various facilities on campus to shine blue lights on Keating Hall on April 2. Blue is the color of autism awareness, and in honor of that, landmarks around the world, such as the Empire State Building here in New York and the Kingdom Tower in Saudi Arabia, participate in Light It Up Blue. Autism Speaks has many more events planned on campus in the near future with hopes and aspirations of educating the Fordham community about the realities of autism.

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PAGE 17

FEBRUARY 22, 2012

Rams Fall to Dukes and Billikens in A-10 Matchups Fordham Standing Two Games Out Of Last Spot In Atlantic 10 Tournament By NICK CARROLL STAFF WRITER

Going into two important road games against Duquesne and Saint Louis, Head Coach Tom Pecora expected a lot out of his senior leaders. However, Fordham lost two more conference road games and remains in 13th place in the Atlantic 10. “I always believe that at the end of those games you look at the line scores of our veterans,” Pecora said. “We need [senior forward] Alberto Estwick to get back on track and have a couple of big games for us and we need [junior forward] Chris Gaston to be more consistent for us, his numbers are there at the end of the game, but not through the course of the game.” “It’s about executing a game plan and getting a big game from all three of our veterans – Gaston, [senior center Kervin] Bristol and Estwick,” Pecora said. “Look at the games we’ve lost on the road. In none of them, with maybe the exception of UMass, which we should have won, did that happen. [When that happens], then the young guys will follow suit.” Against Duquesne, Fordham got off to a slow start and could not recover. The Rams went to the half down 17 after shooting less than 35 percent from the field and making only one of 12 threes. Fordham was able to cut Duquesne’s lead to one, with a 23-7 run early in the second half, but the Dukes never relinquished their lead. Fordham was never able to take a lead and lost the game by 10,

PHOTO BY BRIAN KRAKER/THE RAM

Brendan Frazier struggled against Duquesne, shooting just 4-for-17.

77-67. “Guys are really competing out there,” Pecora said. “It’s just a matter of us becoming a little more experienced, a little bigger, a little stronger and all of that comes with age.” Freshman point guard Devon McMillan missed the game with the flu, and sophomore guard Branden Frazier moved from shooting guard to replace him. Despite picking up six assists,

Frazier struggled, shooting 4-17 from the field and 1-9 from three point range. “I think his shots are coming in different ways, but I think [playing Frazier at point guard] will be the best thing for us in the long run, and I also think he’s tired,” Pecora said. “He’s a focal point of everybody’s defensive scheme. He’s our perimeter guy that everyone wants to contain. It wears on you, the season’s a marathon.”

Gaston led the way for Fordham, scoring 23 points and pulling in 11 rebounds. Senior forward B.J. Monteiro paced the Dukes with 30 points, and he made nine of 13 shots from the field. Coming off the loss at Duquesne, Fordham faced a tall task against Saint Louis, which came into the game 21-5 and 9-3 in the A-10. Once again, the Rams got off to a slow start, scoring 16 in the first half and shooting 6-27 from the field. Despite holding the Billikens to 26 in the first half, it did not seem to matter. “They’re a good defensive team,” Pecora said. “We continue to struggle shooting the basketball. “After games, we watch the film and look at the looks we’re getting. We’re getting some great looks. In the Duquesne game we got four offensive rebounds on the first position and got four great looks, we get nothing.” “Guys gotta get a little more confident shooting the ball, especially the young guys,” Pecora added. “They’re good shooters who have just lost their confidence.” Saint Louis ran away with the game in the second half, building a lead as high as 26, ultimately winning 66-46. Saint Louis closed the first half on a 6-0 run to build a 10-point lead at intermission, after which it came out and went on a 15-4 run to make it a drubbing. According to Pecora the turning point was late in the first half and early in the second half. “Saint Louis is a four-point game going into half,” Pecora said. “Fatty McMillan misses two free

throws, and they get two three pointers from one of their frontcourt guys, they’re playing against our upperclassmen. They go up 10. Come out, score the first five, boom, here we are again, we’re down 15 and we’re grinding.” McMillan returned for the Saint Louis game, but came off the bench with Frazier at point guard. “Right now I’m trying to get Branden more minutes at the point,” Pecora said. “Fatty’s still struggling shooting the basketball, so he’s got to work his way back in the starting lineup.” “I thought it was the best way for us to attack,” he added. “Now, our shooting percentage has been poor. Fatty’s shooting percentage has been very poor. So let’s get another shooter on the floor and an experienced player in Alberto, and hope lightning strikes and he goes on a little bit of a run here in his last few games of his career.” With the pair of losses, Fordham falls to 2-10 in the A-10 and 9-16 overall. With four games left, Fordham trails George Washington and Charlotte for 12th place and the last seed to make the A-10 tournament, by two games with four to play. The Colonials currently have four wins and eight losses in the conference. Fordham defeated George Washington earlier this year. In order to make the tournament for the first time since 2008, Fordham will have to turn things around with three home games and a game at Rhode Island. “Now we come home for three of our last four, we got to take care of business,” Pecora said. “We’re still in this.”

Women’s Basketball Continues Skid Falling to Duquesne and Richmond By MATT ROSENFELD ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

The Fordham women’s basketball team continues to struggle, after dropping both of their games last week to Duquesne and Richmond. The Rams’ first game last week was at home against the Duquesne Dukes on “Play4Kay” night, an honorary night for former North Carolina State Head Coach Kay Yow, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2009. Everyone from the refs to the players wore pink in her honor. The game went back and forth, as neither team was able to get a double digit lead. Fordham had a 50-49 lead with two minutes left when the offense went silent. The Rams did not score another point for the remainder of the game, and a 7-0 run by the Dukes led them to a 56-50 victory in the Rose Hill Gym. Fordham’s second game of the week came on Sunday in Richmond as it went down south to take on the Spiders. Richmond is a top-four team in the Atlantic 10,

and proved to be a good test for the Rams. Fordham fought hard, even coming within five points with four minutes to go, but Richmond was too much and took home the win, 63-50. “I thought overall we played well at Richmond,” Head Coach Stephanie Gaitley said. “We went there and it was a five point game with a few minutes to go and so we were right there. I think we’re doing a lot of good things. We have a great group of girls that are working hard; it’s just that we’re limited.” The two losses put Fordham at 2-10 in conference play and 11-16 overall. The Rams sit at 12th in the Atlantic 10 with two games to play, which is good enough for a spot in the conference tournament. It is likely that Fordham will need at least one more win to secure a spot in postseason play, however. “I would love for us to get [to the playoffs], because I think this team could surprise people,” Gaitley said. “I think we’re about ready to get over that hump, we just can’t quite get over that hump.” Fordham’s game against Richmond was a special one for Gaitley,

as she coached there from 1985 until 1990. “It was great to go back,” Gaitley said. “I had a few of my old players come into the locker room after the game and just talk about building programs. When I took that program over we weren’t very good.

They talked to our players about how you have to trust and believe. It’s about building relationships, it’s about working hard.” Fordham’s last two regular season games are this upcoming week. The Rams go to St. Bonaventure on Feb. 22. The Bonnies are currently

no. 19 nationally, and they are unbeaten in conference play. They will then come home for their last home game of the season on Feb. 26 to face St. Louis, in what might be a game Fordham needs to win in order to reach the conference tournament.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL REZIN/THE RAM

Senior Becky Peters finished with 10 points in the loss to Duquesne, while chipping in eight points in a losing effor at Richmond. Peters also led the team in turnovers in the game against Richmond, surrundering the ball four times.

PAGE 18 • THE RAM • FEBRUARY 22, 2012

SPORTS

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Moorhead Prepares for First Season as Fordham Head Coach By DAN GARTLAND SPORTS EDITOR

In the fall, Fordham will kick off its first football season under Head Coach Joe Moorhead. For now, Moorhead and his staff are focused on preparing the Rams for a successful 2012. Fordham introduced Moorhead as the school’s new head coach on Dec. 16, meaning he and his staff were playing catch-up when it came to recruiting. Several players had already committed to play for previous coach Tom Masella, leaving Moorhead to fill out the rest of the recruiting class. “We had eight commitments already, and we chose to honor those commitments,” Moorhead said. “Then I sat down with my staff, and we did what I call a ‘needs by number assessment.’ We looked at the players currently on the roster and decided what our needs are going forward.” Moorhead graduated from Fordham in 1996 and said his status as an alum helped him in recruiting. “I think I can help offer a unique perspective, and tell the players about everything the city has to offer, with networking and internships,” he said.

Moorhead also said that his aim was to recruit local players. “We took what I call an ‘insideout approach,’” he said. “We want players from a one-hour radius. We want kids staying close to home and playing for their hometown school. If we have to go outside that radius, they better be a good player; they better have all the athletic and academic talents that will make them a good Fordham student-athlete.” Five members of this year’s recruiting class are from New Jersey and one comes from Brooklyn, but there are several players from farther away, with players from Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina, western New York and western Pennsylvania, as well as two from Ohio and two from Massachusetts. This year’s class includes two linebackers, three running backs, two offensive linemen, two defensive ends, a defensive tackle, two tight ends, a cornerback, a wide receiver and a safety. The class does not include any quarterbacks. According to Moorhead, the quarterback position was not identified as an area of need. “[Rising sophomore] Pete Maetzold and [rising senior]

Ryan Higgins have experience at quarterback,” he said. “[Rising junior] Griffin Murphy is a quarterback and we’re going to give him a chance to compete.” Moorhead himself will run the offense for the Rams, but with defensive coordinator Tem Lukabu leaving to take an assistant job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the situation with the defense is a little uncertain. Moorhead had hired Lukabu to be his defensive coordinator, but then former Rutgers Head Coach Greg Schiano took the head job with Tampa Bay and asked Lukabu — who had coached under Schiano with the Scarlet Knights — to join him. That same week, Fordham defensive line coach Chris Mosley accepted an assistant position with the Miami Dolphins, leaving two holes to fill on the Fordham defensive staff. Moorhead is currently interviewing candidates for the defensive coordinator job. “Some of them are 4-3 guys, some of them are 3-4 guys,” he said, referring to the defensive schemes the different candidates run. This is the third year in which Fordham will be offering scholarships for football student-athletes.

The Patriot League, Fordham’s football conference, announced that it would be allowing its member schools to offer football scholarships beginning in 2013. Soon thereafter, Fordham will be eligible again for the conference title and the league’s automatic bid to the FCS playoffs. Moorhead was

quite pleased with the Patriot League’s decision, calling it “the first step towards our goal of winning a national championship.” The pursuit of that goal begins Thursday, Aug. 30 when Moorhead makes his Fordham coaching debut at home against Division II Lock Haven University.

PHOTO BY BRIAN KRAKER/THE RAM

Rising sophomore Peter Maetzold will compete for the starting job next season.

Softball Goes 2-2 Women’s Tennis Sweeps at ECU Tourney Doubleheader at West Point By MATT ROSENFELD ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

The Fordham softball team kicked off its season this past weekend in Greenville, N.C. at the 2012 Pirate Clash, where six teams competed at the event hosted by East Carolina University. The Rams split their four games, defeating Virginia and East Carolina but falling to UNC-Greensboro and Virginia in the teams’ second meeting. “I thought we did well,” Head Coach Bridget Orchard said. “We’re a young team, so we’re going to take our lumps and have our good games and our bad games, but overall I thought it was a good start to the season.” The Rams’ first game against the Virginia Cavaliers was a successful one. Senior pitcher Jen Mineau pitched a complete game game allowing three hits and surrendering only one run in a 2-1 victory for Fordham. The second game against UNC-Greensboro did not go as well. Fordham surrendered double digit runs in a high-scoring affair, dropping the game to the Spartans of UNC Greensboro 127. Fordham opened its second day of games with a matchup against the host East Carolina Pirates. After the Rams went down 1-0 early, they scored five runs, while Mineau surrendered no more, and took home the win 5-1. In what ended up being its last game of the tournament, Fordham met Virginia for the second time. This time, the Cavaliers jumped on the Rams with a 5-0 lead, only to see the Rams fight back to make the

score 5-4. That is as many as Virginia would let up, as it wound up beating Fordham by a final score of 6-4. Fordham’s originally scheduled final game of the tournament against Louisville was canceled due to an incoming storm in the area. Being just four games in, Fordham is looking at a little more than just the wins and losses. “The biggest thing we’re looking for is our chemistry to get together, who can fit in the right spots, see who plays well together,” Orchard said. “We’ll switch our lineup around to see what works offensively and defensively, and kind of find out what our lineup is going to be come conference play. We’re not too worried about wins and losses at this point.” Fordham will be on the road for some time to start its season. After finishing up its opening games in North Carolina, the team will head out to California later this week, and then Florida early in March. “For the most part [the trips] are good, because the girls get a chance to really know each other off the field as well as on the field,” Orchard said. “Getting to spend time with your team and getting to know what makes them click helps us as coaches as well, because we get to see them in a different capacity. We get to know them and what makes them work.” The Rams’ next tournament is the Cathedral City Classic in Palm Springs, Calif. where they will play teams from California and Arizona. The tournament hosts over 30 schools in a four-day event hosted by Oregon State University.

By KENNY DEJOHN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Fordham women’s tennis got back to its winning ways this weekend, posting decisive victories against St. Bonaventure and Vassar College. Both matches were played at the Lichtenburg Tennis Center in West Point, New York. The first win came against St. Bonaventure, by a score of 6-1. The only blemish on an otherwise perfect performance came at second singles. Fordham freshmen Sarah Ali and Bella Genkina teamed up to take one of the two doubles points against the senior and freshman combination of Manuela MarinSalcedo and Fatya Amiri, by a score of 8-5. The other doubles point was won in a dominating fashion by Fordham freshman Julie Leong and junior Taylor Holt against juniors Kathryn Kvas and Riley Archer, by a score of 8-1. First doubles was halted at 6-3. Junior Amy Simidian and sophomore Angelika Dabu trailed St. Bonaventure’s junior Amanda Pallikunnel and freshman Marissa Brossard. The Rams won five of six singles matches against St. Bonaventure, all in straight sets. Simidian, Dabu, Genkina and Leong were all victorious after playing in their doubles matches. Senior Bethany Boyle won at sixth singles against sophomore Andrea Pavlovic, 6-3, 6-1. “I was very proud of Sarah Ali’s performance,” Head Coach BetteAnn Ligouri said when asked about the play of some of her top girls. “Angie Dabu played well; Amy Simidian is easily on of the best players

in the league; everybody’s doing better.” Fordham’s second match of the day came against Vassar College, the 26th ranked team in Division III. The Rams pulled through with a decisive victory, beating the Brewers 7-0. The Rams opened up the contest by taking all three doubles matches. Simidian and Dabu won at first doubles, 8-1, over senior captain Joy Backer and freshman Ava Sadeghi of Vassar. At second doubles, Ali and Genkina won 8-3 against senior Jennifer Beckerman and freshman Samantha Schapiro. Leong and Holt took the third doubles point by a score of 8-6 against sophomore Lindsay Kantor and freshman Hannah Van Demark. The Rams won all six singles matches against the Brewers, with the first two going to super tiebreakers. At first singles, Ali defeated Beckerman 6-3 in the first set, but dropped the next set 7-6 (4). Ali won the tiebreaker 10-7.

At second singles, Dabu dropped the first set 7-6 (4), but came back to win the second set 6-2, and the tiebreaker 10-4. The final four singles matches were taken in straight sets, with victories by Genkina, Leong, Boyle and Holt. The Fordham women’s tennis team now sits at 8-2 on the season after coming back strong from last weekend’s losses against Richmond and Army. “We are hoping to have (sophomore) Hannah Fritzinger back to full health by our match against George Washington,” Coach Ligouri said. “Moving forward, though, we have definite opportunities to run the rest of the conference.” It is probably safe to bet on Ligouri’s comments, as last week she predicted that her team would have no problems handling Vassar’s team. Fordham’s next match will come on Wednesday, Mar. 7 in Jersey City, New Jersey against Saint Peter’s College.

PHOTO BY AARON MAYS/THE RAM

Sophomore Angelika Dabu won both of her singles matches this weekend.

SPORTS

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TWO-MINUTE DRILL

CHRISTIAN BEAULIEU

CHRISTIAN BEAULIEU This past week the baseball world lost a true great. On Feb. 16, Gary Carter died at the age of 57 from brain cancer. Carter will be remembered as one of the best catchers in baseball history. His career ‘résumé’ includes being an 11 time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove Award winner, five-time Silver Slugger Award winner, Hall of Fame inductee and World Champion. Nicknamed “Kid” for his unmatched enthusiasm for the game and trademark smile, Carter represents that rare breed of player that transcends baseball, impacting everyone he encountered. Although Carter retired from professional baseball the year I was born, his high character and illustrious career have had a profound impact on me. He will be remembered lovingly as a fan favorite and a personal hero of mine. Growing up a Mets fan, I had the opportunity to pick my hero from many great players. Mike Piazza was in the prime of his Hall of Fame career. I can still remember the Sports Illustrated headline, “The Best Infield Ever?” that featured John Olerud, Edgardo Alfonzo, Rey Ordenez and Robin Ventura. There were plenty of great players on my favorite team that I could look up to. I could not go wrong by aiming to model my budding Little League career off of those players. However, my fanhood was not forged by that Mets team, but rather a team that ruled New York a decade and a half earlier. I am speaking, of course, of the Mets of the mid-’80s. While I was not alive to witness it, I felt a strong connection to the team. When I was young, the first baseball I ever watched was not on TV or even at Shea Stadium. Instead, it was through my grandmother’s VHS box set that detailed the entire Mets history. I learned all about the lovable losers led by legendary manager Casey Stengal in the 60s, the miracle World Series team of 1969 and the pennant-winning team of 1972. However, what really caught my attention was the team in the mid 1980s. I learned about all the players from the countless hours of game footage. There was the scrappy Lenny “Nails” Dykstra, the clutch Ray Knight and speedster Mookie Wilson along side young phenoms Dwight “Doc” Gooden and slugger Darryl Strawberry. But it was the video portrayal of the veteran leadership of Keith Hernandez and Gary Carter that really captivated me. My favorite player was Gary Carter. What drew me to Carter was his enthusiasm for the game. Today more than ever, players seem more

concerned with signing their next contract than playing the game they love. Ballplayers treat playing baseball like spending a day at the office, rather than a day at the ballpark. That was something I just never saw from “The Kid”. He loved the game and masterfully mixed his exuberant smiles with his fiery passion for winning. He was naturally and effortlessly the perfect teammate. He embodied toughness and leadership, while grooming a great young pitching staff. His work ethic was unparalleled, and he was known to have a book of the tendencies of all the batters in the National League to help him call the best game for his pitchers. While he was an elite catcher, Carter should not and will not be remembered just for what he did on the field. Much has been made of the immaturity and legal issues suffered by the Mets teams of the 1980s, yet Carter chose to rise above them. He showed respect for himself, his family and his team at all times and strove to set the example. Many teammates recount that Carter would rather have spent quality time with his family than give into rampant partying. He was a true family man; He married his high school sweetheart and was actively involved in his children’s lives. He also started and was president of the Gary Carter Foundation, which actively works in poverty stricken schools to support reading and education. Carter was also the recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award in 1989 for being the player who “best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individuals accomplishment to the team.” As a fan of Gary Carter, I am greatly saddened by his passing, yet I take solace knowing that I chose my hero well. Since his passing, the Montreal Canadiens paid tribute to Gary Carter, who was Canadian, by projecting his baseball cards onto the ice with a video of his career highlights. The Empire State Building was even lit up orange and blue as a tribute to him. However, the greatest tribute has to be in the words of the people who knew him best. “I wish I could have lived my life like Gary Carter. He was a true man,” Darryl Strawberry said. “If you strive to be half the player and half the person Gary Carter was, you’ll be all right” current Met David Wright said. Ron Darling called him a “Gladiator” and Bobby Ojeda added that he was a “Hall of Fame man.” I remember my first trip to New York City. I went into the Mets Clubhouse. I was 12 at the time and wanted to own my first Mets jersey. After an extensive search I ended up getting a Gary Carter Mets road jersey from 1987. Very few people my age knew who the “Kid” was so the smallest size they carried was an adult medium. Although the jersey came down to my knees I wore it with pride for my favorite player and hero. Today, the jersey still fits and hangs in my closet as a reminder of what a true “Hall of Fame man” really is.

FEBRUARY 22, 2012 • THE RAM • PAGE19

Senior Profile: Courtney Collyer

PHOTO BY MICHAEL REZIN/THE RAM

Courtney Collyer, a communications major, has been a member of two Atlantic 10 Championship winning teams.

By TIM DEROCHER STAFF WRITER

Courtney Collyer will end her career as one of Fordham’s most decorated swimmers. She was named a “Mid-Major All-American” by collegeswimming.com. She has been a part of two championship winning teams, and has been named a First-Team Atlantic 10 member in numerous events each of her four years a member of the swimming and diving team. The Ram: How did you first get into swimming? Courtney Collyer: I ran track when I was younger and my mom thought I should get into another sport to stay in shape, so I joined a summer swim team. From there I just fell in love and started swimming year round. TR: What made you choose Fordham? CC: A past teammate of mine, who was also from Staten Island, was being recruited to Fordham. Through her, I met the coach and scheduled a visit, and instantly knew it was where I wanted to be.

TR: What was your favorite moment on Fordham’s swimming team? CC: My all-time favorite moment on this team is obviously winning A-10s my sophomore year. I have never been on a championship team before, so this was definitely one of the proudest moments of my life. TR: With your communication and media studies degree, do you have any plans for after graduation? CC: I don’t have any definite plans, but I hope to be working in the City, while commuting from home. Hopefully somewhere in the sports communication area. TR: The Atlantic 10 Championships are this week. Do you have any individual goals for the meet (and the rest of the season if it applies)? CC: Going into A-10s, my goal is to improve on my times and hopefully break some records along the way. Following A-10s, I am going to a long course meet (A-10s are in a short course pool) to try and qualify for Olympic trials, which

are in June. TR: As a senior captain, how has leading the team been different from other seasons? CC: Having great leaders in the past has really taught me how to be a good captain. There are more responsibilities over the team as a captain, and you just have to be more aware of your surroundings, making sure there are no problems. TR: Being from Staten Island, how was it growing up in New York City? CC: I really wouldn’t consider myself growing up in the City, because I grew up so far from Manhattan. I was, however, close enough to Fordham to have had meets at their pool in high school, leading me to choose the school. TR: In competition, you spread yourself over many events and relays, but do you have a specific favorite? CC: I really do like swimming almost every event, but I’d have to say my favorite event will always be the 200 butterfly.

Men’s Tennis Improves to 8-2 After Win Over Bonnies By KARA SCAGLIOLA STAFF WRITER

The Fordham men’s tennis team had a good weekend with a 6-1 victory over the St. Bonaventure Bonnies. The win brought the team’s overall record to 8-2. The result brought the Rams up significantly in the Atlantic 10 rankings. “Our team was very excited after beating St. Bonnie,” Head Coach Cory Hubbard said. “We set our goal this year to win conference and go from worst to first in one year. So we are progressing towards that with each conference victory. This was a pretty good measuring stick because St. Bonnie typically finishes in the top 4-5 in the A-10. So to go on a long road trip and win convincingly 6-1 gives us a lot of confidence and I think it sends a message to the A-10 that we are serious contenders and our program is the most improved team in the country.” Fordham improved on its doubles play, as it took the doubles matches 2-1. Freshmen Peder Gram and Max Peara defeated freshmen Miguel Suarez and Trevor Haskell, 8-4, for the

first doubles victory of the match for the Rams. Then, sophomore team Mischa Koran and Kuba Kowalski playing first doubles took that match as well with a score of 8-6 over a junior team Oscar Yanez and Luis Guevara to bring the doubles home for the Rams. Fordham triumphed, as it won five out of the six singles matches, which it also notably won in straight sets. The first win came from star player Kowlowski with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Yanez. Next, freshman Srikar Alla beat Guevara with scores of 6-3, 6-4. Koran came out on top over Bonnie’s sophomore Elliot Fanshel with a score of 6-3, 6-2 to take the match. Gram, who was also named the A-10 rookie of the week, came on with a victorious score of 6-2, 6-4 in sixth singles. Finally, Peara finished up this win streak with a score of 6-2, 6-4 over his Bonaventure opponent Haskell securing the Rams’ landslide victory over the Bi Hubbard was proud of his team’s accomplishments and looks forward to its next matches. “I am very happy with the atti-

tude, energy and heart of this team,” Hubbard said. “Each match I believe we have competed harder and we are starting to see how important it is to establish that reputation of our team being tougher and playing with heart.” “I think it goes back to our match with nationally-ranked Cornell,” Hubbard continued. “We saw that not only can we compete, but we can beat top-50 teams if we continue to compete and play with heart and play with energy and play for each other. In order to reach our goals, we still have a long way to go and have to continue to improve. This past week we really focused a lot on doubles, and we will continue to work on our doubles for the next month. This weekend, we are on road against Hartford and then BU, so it’s important for us to win and sweep the doubles.” The Rams will look to continue to improve on Saturday, Feb. 25, when the team travels East Hartford, Conn. to face the University of Hartford for a 3 p.m. match. This will be the first non-conference match since their loss to nationally-ranked Cornell. The Hawks are currently 2-3 and have lost their last two matches.

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Premier League All-Time Best XI By ADAM KANJI STAFF WRITER

Feb. 20, 2012, is a special day in the history of the Premier League. It marks the 20th anniversary of the inception of the English Premier League. Before the Premier League in England, the top division was called the First Division and contained 24 teams. In order to mark this great occasion, I have decided to compile my ultimate Premier League dream team. I started the research and realized this was going to be very difficult. So, to get some help, I asked other Premier League enthusiasts who they thought should be included in the greatest Premier League team of all time. I asked, via Twitter and in person, 100 people to name their Premier League XI, and I received over 75 responses to this question from Fordham students. I have constructed this team purely on the votes submitted, with only one exception. There was one player who did not get the votes to make this team, but who I felt was so brilliant and so talented that he needed to be on the team. Interestingly enough, after the team had already been selected, this player returned to the Premier League with his former club, Arsenal. Though he may not be my favorite player in the world, he is a legend both within his club and in the Premier League. 1992-93 was the first season of the Premier League, and it ushered in a new era of football in England. Manchester United won the first title all those years ago, and it was its first league title in 26 years. United would go on to win the League an astonishing 12 times in 19 Premier League seasons, with Arsenal and Chelsea each winning it three times and Blackburn Rovers winning once. There are many astonishing records in the Premier League, but two stand out. Ryan Giggs is the only player to have played in every Premier League season and the only player to have scored in every Premier League season. Arsenal, in 2003-2004, went the full Premier League season unbeaten, winning 26 matches and drawing 12. This record has never been matched in the Premier League and can only be matched by Preston North End in 1883 in the old first division, when they won 18 matches, drew four and lost none. The Premier League is widely regarded as the best league in the world for multiple reasons. It has the most excitement, with the best quality from top to bottom, and a handful of teams that can always compete for the title. Also, the league draws the best players from around the world, and always has, as we can see from the list below. Premier League All Time XI Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel (Manchester United, Manchester City, Aston Villa)

FEBRUARY 22, 2012 • THE RAM • PAGE 21

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Center Back: Rio Ferdinand (Leeds United, Manchester United), Steve Bruce (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea) Center Midfield: Patrick Viera (Arsenal), Roy Keane (Manchester United), Paul Scholes (Manchester United) Right Wing: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) Left Wing: Ryan Giggs (Manchester United) Forward: Eric Cantona (Manchester United), Thierry Henry (Arsenal) Subs: Five players who just missed out Forward: Alan Shearer (Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle), Didier Drogba (Chelsea) Right Wing: David Beckham (Manchester United) Center Midfield: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal) This was how people voted. Manchester United was by far the most represented club in the best XI, but that’s to be expected, since it has won four times more titles than anybody else. Alan Shearer had two more votes than Thierry Henry, and he is the League’s top goalscorer of all time, but I decided to use my one veto to put in Henry, who absolutely has to be on any list of the greatest Premier League XI. Another close vote was that for right wing, with Man United players David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo battling it out. Another tough battle involved Sol Campbell, Tony Adams and Nemanja Vidic, who were all only one vote behind John Terry for a center back role. I felt that the team had to include the three greatest center midfielders the league has ever seen, all bringing something slightly different to their team, but in doing so, I had to forfeit the wide defenders. Had I gone with a standard 4-4-2 formation, Denis Irwin of Wolves and Manchester United and Ashley Cole of Chelsea and Arsenal would have been the players voted in. There was only one player who got picked for every team except one. That man is Ryan Giggs, a marvel of the English game and thoroughly deserving of his votes. I hope everybody enjoyed this trip down memory lane. This was a nice little distraction from thinking day in and day out whether or not Man United will be able to catch City and win the Premier League for the 13th time. It will be historic for whoever does win the League. Here’s to a brilliant 20 years of English Premier League Football, and hopefully there will be many, many more to come! If you disagree with this team or want to have your own say, let me know on Twitter (@adamkanji).

Men’s Basketball

Women’s Basketball

Fordham 67- 77 Duquesne

Fordham 50-56 Duquesne

Fordham FG Gaston 9-24 Bristol 3-8 Frazier 4-17 Estwick 4-9 Smith 3-9 Samuell 1-2 Dominique 0-1 Canty 2-2 Team Totals 26-72

3FG 0-1 0-0 1-9 3-8 2-6 0-0 0-0 0-0

FT 5-6 0-0 1=2 0-0 2=4 0-1 0-0 1-2

REB 11 10 4 7 8 1 2 3 6 6-24 9-15 52

A 1 1 6 1 2 2 0 0

PTS 23 6 10 11 10 2 0 5

13 67

Blocks - Bristol, Frazier, Samuell, Dominique Steals - Gaston, Bristol, Estwick, Smith Turnovers - Bristol, Estwick, Canty, Smith (2), Frazier (3), Samuell (3), Gaston (5) Duquesne FG 3FG Marhold 1-5 0-0 Monteiro 9-13 3-4 Evans 4-8 1-3 McConnell 5-12 3-7 Johnson 2-11`2-6 Talley 1-6 0-3 Torres 0-0 0-0 Pantophlet 1-2 1-2 Datt 0-0 0-0 Team Totals 23-57 10-25

FT REB 3-4 3 9-11 8 0-0 2 0-0 7 7-10 6 2-4 2 0-0 0 0-0 1 0-1 3 4 21-30 36

A 0 1 5 6 3 1 1 0 0

PTS 5 30 9 13 13 4 0 3 0

9 77

Fordham

Stoddart 4-9 Gaskin 2-6 Collins 5-13 Peters 4-11 Corning 4-9 Durant 0-1 Tapio 2-7 Team Totals 21-56

Women’s Tennis Fordham 6-1 St. Bonaventure

3FG FT REB A PTS 1-3 0-3 1-5 1-4 1-4 0-0 0-0

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

8 1 4 3 8 1 3 3 4-19 4-8 31

0 0 3 3 4 0 0

9 4 14 10 9 0 4

10 50

Steals - Stoddart, Tapio, Peters (2), Collins (6)

5. Leong (Fordham) def. Kvas (SBU), 6-1, 6-1

Turnovers - Stoddart, Gaskin, Corning, Durant, Collins (2), Peters (4)

6. Boyle (Fordham) def. Pavlovic (SBU), 6-3, 6-1

Duquesne

Doubles 1. Simidian/Dabu (Fordham) vs. Pallikunnel/Brossard (SBU), 3-6, unfinished

FG 3FG FT REB A PTS

Agunbiade Vendemia Gensler Hall Floyd Szecsi Nurkic Team Totals

5-11 4-8 5-11 2-3 1-1 2-7 1-1

0-0 0-1 1-5 0-1 0-0 0-2 1-1

5-5 2-5 1-1 4-5 0-0 2-2 0-0

4 4 3 3 8 6 0 1

0 1 1 2 5 3 1

15 10 12 8 2 6 3

Steals - Vendemia, Szecsi, Agunbiade (2), Hall (3)

2 38 31

F 67 77

Fordham FG Gaston 5-11 Bristol 1-7 Frazier 3-7 Estwick 0-4 Smith 4-11 McMillan 1-2 Zivkovic 1-3 Samuell 0-0 Dominique 2-4 Canty 1-1 Totals 18-50

3FG 0-0 0-0 1-1 0-3 1-4 0-0 1-3 0-0 0-0 0-0 3-11

FT REB 4-5 7 1-2 14 0-0 2 0-0 1 1-1 3 0-1 2 0-0 0 0-0 0 1-2 4 0-0 2 7-11 35

A 0 0 3 0 1 0 2 2 0 0 8

PTS 14 3 7 0 10 2 3 0 5 2 46

A 2 0 1 3 6 1 0 6 0 0 2

PTS 3 6 0 16 11 6 0 0 20 0 4

19 66

Turnovers - Evans, McCall Jr, Remekun (2), Conklin (2) 2 30 40

F 46 66

3FG FT

Collins Stoddart Gaskin Peters Corning Durant Tapio Team

4-17 6-9 0-3 3-7 5-10 0-1 1-7

3-10 2-4 0-3 2-4 3-7 0-0 0-0

0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-2 0-0

19-54 10-28 2-2

REB A PTS 3 3 3 8 0 2 4 1

Singles 1. Ali (Fordham) def. Beckerman (Vassar), 6-3, 6-7 (7-4), 10-7 2. Dabu (Fordham) def. Sadeghi (Vassar), 6-7 (7-4), 6-2, 10-4

4. Leong (Fordham) def. Schapiro (Vassar), 7-6 (7-3), 6-2

3 2 0 3 3 1 1

11 14 0 8 13 2 2

24 13 50

5. Boyle (Fordham) def. Ruther (Vassar), 6-2, 6-3 6. Holt (Fordham) def. Van Demark (Vassar), 6-4, 6-2

Doubles 1. Simidian/Dabu (Fordham) def. Sadeghi/Backer (Vassar), 8-1 2. Ali/Genkina (Fordham) def. Beckerman/Schapiro (Vassar), 8-3 3. Leong/Holt (Fordham) def. Kantor/Van Demark (Vassar), 8-6

Richmond

Oliver Bilney S. Bilney R. Wann Brown King Dannelly Okoro Team

8-13 0-1 5-9 2-6 3-4 1-4 0-0 6-14

Totals

1-4 0-0 1-4 1-1 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-0

6-6 0-0 1-2 2-3 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-2

9 0 3 5 4 1 0 14 1

1 1 3 2 1 1 0 2

23 0 12 7 6 2 0 13

25-51 3-10 10-13 37 11 63

Turnovers - Bilney R. (2), Brown (3), Oliver (4)

1st 24 32

Fordham 6-1 St. Bonaventure Singles 1. Kowalski (Fordham) def. Yanez (SBU), 7-5, 6-1 2. Alla (Fordham) def. Guevara (SBU), 6-4, 6-3 3. Koran (Fordham) def. Fanshel (SBU), 6-3, 6-2 4. Suarez (SBU) def. Tauill (Fordham), 7-6, 6-3

Steals - None

Fordham Temple

Men’s Tennis

3FG FT REB A PTS

Blocks - Oliver

Steals - Evans, Mitchell, Cassity, Ellis (2), McCall Jr. (3)

1 16 26

Fordham

Fordham 7-0 Vassar College

3. Genkina (Fordham) def. Backer (Vassar), 6-3, 6-2

Tot 50 56

Turnovers - Stoddart, Corning, Tapio, Peters (2), Gaskin (3), Collins (4)

Blocks - Conklin, Loe (2)

Fordham St. Louis

2nd 22 31

Steals - Collins, Durant, Tapio

Turnovers - Estwick, Dominique, Bristol (2), Frazier (2), Smith (2), McMillan (2), Gaston (3)

REB 3 6 11 7 2 1 0 0 6 0 1 5 7-11 42

3. Leong/Holt (Fordham) def. Kvas/ Archer (SBU), 8-1

Blocks - Gaskin, Peters, Tapio

Steals - Gaston, Dominique

FT 1-2 2-3 0-0 1-2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 3-4 0-0 0-0

1st 28 25

Fordham 50-63 Richmond

Totals

Blocks - Canty, Bristol (3)

St. Louis FG 3FG Conklin 1-5 0-0 Evans 2-9 0-0 Loe 0-4 0-2 Mitchell 6-12 3-9 McCall Jr. 5-13 1-6 Jett 3-4 0-0 Daly 0-0 0-0 Cassity 0-1 0-1 Ellis 6-9 5-8 Barnett 0-1 0-1 Remekun 2-3 0-0 Team Totals 25-61 9-27

Turnovers - Agunbiade, Vendemia, Gensler (2), Hall (2), Floyd (3), Szecsi (3)

Fordham Duquesne

Fordham 46-66 St. Louis

2. Ali/Genkina (Fordham) def. Amiri/Marin-Salced (SBU), 8-5

20-42 2-10 14-18 29 13 56

Steals - Johnson, McConnell (5)

1 29 46

3. Dabu (Fordham) def. Brossard (SBU), 6-2, 6-1 4. Genkina (Fordham) def. Pallikunnel (SBU), 6-0, 6-3

Blocks - Floyd, Agunbiade (2) Szecsi (3)

Fordham Duquesne

2. Marin-Salced (SBU) def Ali (Fordham), 1-6, 6-4, 10-8

Blocks - Stoddart

Blocks - Johnson, Pantophlet, Marhold (3)

Turnovers - Datt, Marhold (2), McConnell (3), Talley (3)

Singles 1. Simidian (Fordham) def. Amiri (SBU), 6-0, 6-2

2nd 26 31

Tot 50 63

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5. Peara (Fordham) def. Ortiz (SBU), 6-2, 6-4 6. Gram (Fordham) def. Haskell (SBU), 6-3, 6-2

Doubles 1. Koran/Kowalski (Fordham) def. Yanez/Guevara (SBU), 8-6 2. Fanshel/Ortiz (SBU) def. Alla/ Tauill (Fordham), 8-7 (9-7) 3. Gram/Peara (Fordham) def. Suarez/Haskell (SBU), 8-4

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SPORTS

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Squash Season Over After Loss at CSA Team Championships By MATT DAVIS STAFF WRITER

The Fordham squash team headed into the CSA Team Championship Tournament this weekend with hopes of leaving its regular season behind. The Rams wanted to prove themselves after a disappointing end to the regular season. The Rams opened play at the 2012 CSA Team Championship on Friday, competing in the Sereus Cup Division. The Rams’ first opponent was Illinois, which defeated Fordham by a score of 8-1. The match started off in favor of Fordham as senior Andriy Kulak defeated Naman Jiandani in comeback fashion, 4-11, 6-11, 11-0, 11-0, 11-0. Playing out of the No. 3, No. 6 and No. 7 spots were junior Jack O’Brien, junior Alex Williams and senior Chris Souther, respectively. All three Rams lost their matches in five games. Each game was exciting, as all three of these players exchanged games with their opponents. In the end, the Rams fell 8-1, which meant that they would have to play Bryant University the following day. The Fordham squash team rebounded against Bryant University, and defeated its opponent 7-2 in the consolation bracket. Fordham was already ahead before the match started. Bryant automatically lost in the No. 7, No. 8 and No. 9 spots, when it was forced to forfeit due to a lack of players. However, Bryant quickly caught up as it defeated the Rams in the No. 1 and No. 2 spots. It did not take long to turn things around as the Rams went on to win from the No. 3 spot through the No. 6 spot. O’Brien was the top winner as he outplayed Bryant senior Cole Rochon at No. 3, 11-6, 11-6 and 17-15. His third game was a thriller to watch as the two exchanged points until finally, O’Brien pulled away to finish off his opponent. With the win coming from the Bryant match, the Rams finished their season against Vanderbilt on Sunday. Having split their two previous matches in the tournament against Illinois and Bryant, a win

was necessary to have a successful CSA tournament. Having already played Vanderbilt in the regular season, the Rams knew what to expect. Before the Fordham team stepped on the courts, it received some good news: Just as Bryant forfeited in the No. 7, 8 and 9 spot, Vanderbilt would have to do the same. However, Fordham knew that their opponents would put up quite a fight. Each of the remaining six matches were extremely tight as Vanderbilt earned their first two wins at the No. 2 and No. 5 slots in straight sets to make it 3-2 in the overall match standing. Out of the No. 4 spot for Fordham was senior Eli Plangger. He was edged out by Vanderbilt senior Austin Schiff, 15-13, 11-9 and 11-9. Kulak evened the match back at four for Fordham, as he topped senior Tyler Kopp in five sets, 4-11, 11-8, 11-8, 7-11 and 12-10 at the No. 1 slot. The final match went Vanderbilt’s way, as Stephen O’Leary defeated Williams, 11-6, 11-7, 7-11 and 11-7. Although the Rams had a losing record in this tournament, they were happy with their play. The opponents they played against in the regular season and this tournament were tough and relentless, but the Rams found some openings where they were able to capitalize. The Fordham squash team finished 5-13 on the season and is looking forward to preparing for next season. “I am sad to end my Fordham squash season short of a title and hope that the team will improve in the next few years as we have a spectacular coaching staff and teammates,” senior Andrew Grosner said. Numbers are often a problem in the squash program, but the scene is starting to improve for the Fordham squash team. “My strongest issue with my tenure at Fordham was the fact that we did not offer scholarships to recruits or players as an incentive to come to Fordham to play,” Grosner said. “But over the years I have seen a lot of squash and every year, the teams get stronger.”

WHITEOUT!! Come support men’s basketballthisSaturday,Feb.25,at1p.m.as theytakeon LaSallein theRoseHillGym!

FEBRUARY 22, 2012 • THE RAM • PAGE 23

By DAN GARTLAND SPORTS EDITOR

Jeremy Lin is from California. He was born in Los Angeles and raised in Palo Alto. He doesn’t speak with any sort of accent. He plays with the swagger of a guy who learned to play the game in America. He looks, sounds and acts like you and me. Except he has almond-shaped eyes, and people can’t see past that. Lin has become defined by Asian-ness, pigeonholed as an Asian-American athlete. That’s unfortunate, because Lin would be a phenomenon even if he weren’t Asian. Any undrafted free agent who spent half of his rookie season in the D-League, was cut by two teams before the start of his second season and suddenly emerged from oblivion to spark an underperforming team, would set the basketball world on fire. If that player happens to be an Asian-American Harvard grad playing in the nation’s largest media market, then you have a fullblown media sensation. Furthermore, if that player has a last name that lends itself perfectly to back page headline puns, you can bet he’ll be the talk of the town. Lin’s story is even more amazing considering how unlikely it is that he is playing for the Knicks at all. For starters, there very nearly wasn’t an NBA season this year. Once the season began, the Knicks auditioned a rotating cast of characters at point guard. Rookie Iman Shumpert played fairly well but didn’t fit the description of a true point guard. The same can be said of second-year player Toney Douglas. Veteran Mike Bibby logged a few minutes but was ineffective. For a while, the Knicks were looking for the aging, overweight Baron Davis to return from an injury, hoping for the former all-star to be their savior. The Knicks even tried giving star forward Carmelo Anthony the ballhandling duties. Lin was their fifth choice at point guard. He’s gone from being a last resort to the most popular player in the league. There are so many ingredients to

the Jeremy Lin story, and his race is only one. Lin is only the fourth player of Asian-American descent in the history of the NBA, which is remarkable, but at what point does he become Jeremy Lin the undrafted Harvard grad rather than Jeremy Lin the Asian-American? Lin’s race is a divisive issue. On the one hand, he’s a source of pride for all Asian-Americans, but on the other hand, his ethnicity has been the butt of jokes, not only from fans, but also from the sports media. MSG, the Knicks’ TV network, found itself in hot water for airing a graphic with Lin’s face coming out of a fortune cookie. Jason Whitlock, a columnist for FoxSports.com, was forced to apologize for a racist tweet regarding Lin. I’ve come to expect this sort of thing from fans (like the ones at the Garden wearing Lin masks and bowing), but media members should be more mature. The most notable example of media-related racism came this past weekend after the New Orleans Hornets snapped the Knicks’ sevengame win-streak. ESPN’s mobile site published a story with the headline “Chink in the Armor.” The editor responsible was fired soon thereafter, but later explained that he didn’t mean for the line to be offensive. I tend to believe him, just because no person would knowingly publish

something that would surely cost him his job. Still, the oversight is inexcusable. Editors need to be extra vigilant when dealing with such a sensitive issue. To some extent, the media is responsible for turning “Linsanity” into the spectacle that it has become. This is a story that has transcended sports and become a pop culture item, something that only happens once in a great while. From Feb. 10-16, the 11 p.m. SportsCenter used Lin’s name 350 times. The next most mentioned athlete was LeBron James (70 times). Everyone knows how much SportsCenter loves LeBron, so if it mentions Lin five times more often than King James, you know ESPN is fully obsessed with Lin. Eventually people will grow tired of the Lin story, at which point he should fade into relative anonymity. For now, Lin is the biggest story in sports, and will remain that way as long he performs well and the Knicks win. Lin’s newfound fame should be breaking down stereotypes rather than perpetuating them. A 6’3,” 200-pound professional athlete is not what you usually think of when you think of an Asian-American who graduated from Harvard with a 3.1 GPA. Lin should serve to point that out.

JIM MCISAAC/MCT CAMPUS

Jeremy Lin has led the Knicks to a 7-2 record in his nine starts with the team.

Upcoming Varsity Schedule CAPS=HOME lowercase=away

Thursday Feb. 23

Friday Feb. 24

Saturday Feb. 25

Baseball

Softball

Swimming

Tuesday Feb. 28

Wednesday Feb. 29

SAINT LOUIS 2 p.m.

Women’s Basketball

Men’s Tennis

Monday Feb. 27

at Rhode Island 7 p.m.

LASALLE 1 p.m.

Men’s Basketball

Indoor Track & Field

Sunday Feb. 26

Atlantic 10 Championships Kingston, R.I. at Hartford at Boston Univ. 3 p.m. 1 p.m. at Campbell 3 p.m.

at Campbell 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Cathedral City Classic Palm Springs, Calif. Atlantic 10 Championships Buffalo, N.Y.

FAIRFIELD 7 p.m.

FEBRUARY 22, 2012

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Baseball Swept by Western Carolina to Open 2012 Season Fordham Drops First Three Games 9-8, 6-1 and 12-9; Ryan Maghini and Mike Mauri Provide Offense for Rams By CHESTER BAKER SPORTS EDITOR

The Rams opened their 152nd season of baseball in North Carolina as they faced the Western Carolina Catamounts in a three-game series. This season marks the first for Head Coach Kevin Leighton, who came from Manhattan College after a tenure that included several trips to the College World Series. Leighton left the program as the third winningest coach in Jasper’s baseball history. Coming into this season, Leighton had a head coaching record of 200-119-1. Despite plenty of offense, Fordham fell in all three games, opening the season 0-3. The Rams made two huge comebacks in games one and three of the series, but both efforts came up just short. The Rams got into North Carolina at 5 a.m. on Friday following a 14-hour bus ride, and had to play a doubleheader the same day due to incoming weather that would have made a Sunday game hard to fit in. Fordham opened the season by turning to its ace, sophomore Chris Pike. The righty enjoyed a brilliant freshman season filled with accolades, such as being named a Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American by Collegiate Baseball. Pike got off to a rocky start, giving up two runs in the first inning as Fordham fell behind early. Senior shortstop Ryan Maghini got the Rams back into it however, as he blasted a solo home run to cut the lead to one. Maghini led the Rams with three hits in the game, and looks to be a crucial part of the offense this season. “Maghini is a guy that we really need to continue to swing the bat well,” Leighton said. The Rams were denied a run in the second as well, when senior left fielder Stephen McSherry was gunned down at home. “Stephen did not get a very good read on the ball,” Leighton said. “He just kind of caught a flat tire as he rounded third, and the fielder made a great throw to home.” Western Carolina added onto its lead over the next couple of innings playing some small ball, stringing together walks and singles to plate four more runs against Pike, giving the Catamounts a 6-1 lead in the fourth. The damage could have been worse if not for some perfect throws from McSherry and freshman center fielder Matt Cianci, both of whom nabbed runners at the plate. Graduate student catcher Zach Small, who joins Fordham this season after completing his undergraduate work at Johns Hopkins, hit a home run in his first game as a Ram, cutting the deficit to four runs. Small still had eligibility because he graduated in three years. An RBI from junior first baseman Mike Mauri narrowed the gap to 6-3.

RAM ARCHIVES

Sophomore Chris Pike was selected as the opening day starter for the Rams after a stellar freshman season.

Pike was chased after the fifth, giving up six runs on 10 hits while striking out five. The sophomore was done in by some control issues, allowing Catamount batters to get good pitches to hit. “He was up in the zone a lot,” Leighton said. “When he is up there he is going to get hit. We need him to be down in the zone and ahead of the hitters.” Fordham turned to senior Daniel Munday coming out of the pen, who would pitch three scoreless innings for the team. The Rams continued to cut into the lead, as senior right fielder Ryan Lee drove home Cianci to kick start the seventh. Western Carolina pitcher Jeremy Sluder then lost all of his control, walking two batters and hitting one to drive in a run for Fordham.

Mauri gave the Rams their first lead of the season by driving in two with a two-out double, putting the Rams ahead 7-6. Fordham added an insurance run in the ninth off the bat of McSherry, giving the Rams a two-run advantage. They could have done more, but a runner was picked off from third, ending the late-inning rally. The run would prove to be very costly, as Western Carolina freshman designated hitter Jacob Hoyle hit a game-tying two run home run off sophomore reliever Jonathan Reich. Hoyle would finish the game 4-for-5, including a pair of doubles to go with his home run. The righty walked the lead-off batter in the ninth, and later advanced him to second following a wild pitch. “Whenever you walk the lead-off

RAM ARCHIVES

Brian Kownacki doubled inthree runs in the final game of the series.

guy, that is usually going to come back and bite you,” Leighton said. Reich would give up another single before junior reliever Rich Anastasi was brought in to preserve the tie. Anastasi loaded the bases on an intentional walk and a single, setting the stage for a walk off single off the bat of senior second basmeman Ross Heffley. Fordham had to let the loss go in quick time, turning right around to play game two of the doubleheader. Once again, the Rams secured a lead, scoring the game’s first run in the fourth inning on a wild pitch. The lead could have been so much more, as the team loaded the bases in the first. The threat was ended, however, when Cianci was thrown out at home trying to score on a pop-up in foul ground along the first-base line. “When you replay it, it makes you think maybe with two outs we get a hit,” Leighton said. “But maybe we get a strike out. So, it was a gamble that we took early in the game that we took that didn’t pay off.” Junior Joseph Charest got the start on the rubber for Fordham, and controlled the game until the sixth inning, when he gave up five runs, surrendering his first damage of the game. Charest finished the game, going 6.2 innings, giving up four earned runs while setting down three on strikes. “He was hitting his spots well staying low in the zone, but they got a couple pitches to hit and they didn’t miss them,” Leighton said. “Also there were a couple plays that we potentially could have made, they weren’t easy plays, but if we make those it’s a different line.” Fordham was unable to mount any kind of comeback from its 5-1 deficit, not plating anymore runs in the contest. Only four Rams were able to register a hit, as the team struck out 12 times and also left seven men on base, losing game two of the series 6-1.

In the final game of the weekend the Rams sent out senior Jordan Grangard as their third starter, without much success. Grangard was touched up for seven runs over two innings while walking five Catamounts. The senior gave up three runs in the second inning and then four runs in the third inning without recording an out. Once again, control issues played a critical role in a short outing by a Fordham starting pitcher. “He was up in the zone, similar to Pike,” Leighton said. “When you’re up around the belt with your off-speed stuff they are going to hit it. That could be excitement, but he did not have his best stuff.” Heading into the fifth inning, Fordham was down 7-0. Senior first baseman Tim Swatek scored the first run of the day for the Rams, as he came around after walking via a pair of errors by Western Carolina. The Catamounts got back the run and another in the bottom of the fifth, plating two against sophomore reliever John Porter, making it 9-1. Those were the only runs Porter gave up, going four innings in relief of Grangard. Fordham stormed back in the sixth inning, cutting the lead in half by plating four runs. Senior third baseman Brian Kownacki cleared the bases when he uncorked a double to score three. Sophomore second baseman Rob McCunney then drove in the senior with a single, making the score 9-5. The comeback train continued to be in motion for the Rams in the eighth, as they scored three more runs to get within one. Mauri led off with a single and moved to second following a walk to Swatek, who scored four runs in the game. Sophomore Brendan Maghini came into the game as a pinch hitter, delivering a RBI single. Brendan is the younger brother of Ryan Maghini, who went 0-for-4. Lee then singled to load the bases and Fordham took advantage, plating two more on a walk and an error. 9-8 was the closest Fordham would get, as Western Carolina scored three runs off of Fordham relievers in the bottom of the eighth. The Rams gave a last-gasp attempt, scoring one on a double from Small, but that was where the comeback effort ended, as Fordham dropped to 0-3 with a 12-9 loss. The boys will head back down to North Carolina for a weekend series against the Campbell Camels. Fordham will most likely switch up its rotation, as Porter is expected to start in the third game of the series. Porter had been considered for the number-three spot earlier this season. The number-three starter was one of the positions the Rams had the most trouble filling in the offseason. Pike is the expected starting pitcher for the opener, which begins on Feb. 24 in Bulls Creek, N.C.