The Blue & Gray Press by The Weekly Ringer

THE

BLUE &GRAY

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER

JANUARY 22, 2015

VOLUME 88 | ISSUE 13

PRESS

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE

1922

Construction on new University Center continues, new projects on horizon

Hope Racine/ The Blue & Gray Press The University Center is scheduled to be open for the 2015-2016 school year, and will feature a new dining hall and other student service centers. It stands on the lot where Chandler Hall was previously located.

HEADLINES WE MISSED OVER BREAK: Doug Searcy named president of Barton College Doug Searcy, vice president of student affairs, was announced as the new president of Barton College of Wilson, North Carolina on Jan. 19. Searcy, whose role will begin on July 1, was elected by a board at the college on Dec. 18. Searcy will be the 12th president of college. Searcy has held administrative positions at Wingate University, Elon College, Gardner-Webb University and Appalachian State University. During his time at UMW, Searcy led multiple university initiatives, including the creation of Center for Honor, Leadership and Service and the planning for the new University Center.

UMW named Kiplinger Best Buy The University of Mary Washington was named among the 100 Best Values in Public College for 2015, according to Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine. UMW took sixth place under Virginia’s best college values and 92 out of 100 four year schools

TAYLOR O’DELL Staff Writer

Construction work on the new University Center and the Woodard Campus Center/Mercer Hall project is continuing as planned despite the cold January temperatures. According to Richard Pearce, vice president for administration and finance at the University of Mary Washington, the heavy rainfall during the past fall semester has been the biggest weather constraint. “Our main thrust for the last month has been to get the University Center closed in so that we can start working more on the interior,” said Pearce. “Right now, if you went in there, you would see cement floors, you would see studs in some places, and open ceilings.” The University Center’s third floor will replace Seacobeck Hall as the main dining hall at UMW. Its upscale look will resemble a food court atmosphere surrounded by windows through which students can look down onto Ball Circle, over to Lee Hall or across the College Heights neighborhood. The installed skylights will allow a bright

and naturally lit space. “It will be a fabulous dining experience,” said Pearce. Additionally, there will be two retail food outlets on the second floor. According to Pearce, the specific food vendors have not been selected yet. “We have been negotiating [the options] for about six months, but we haven’t signed any contracts yet,” said Pearce. The University Center is scheduled to open in July 2015. According to Pearce, the final estimate lists construction costs for the project at $55 million. Aside from the large construction site that can be seen on College Avenue, renovations are also being made to the Woodard Campus Center and Mercer Hall. In order to build the new University Center, Chandler Hall was demolished. Chandler formerly housed the business and psychology departments. The Woodard Campus Center, where the Eagle’s Nest and on-campus mailroom are located, is scheduled to become the new home of the College of Business, which is currently located on the second floor of George

Washington Hall. Mercer Hall will become the new home of the psychology department, moving them from the temporary annex locations. Mercer will be completely renovated, and an addition will be added onto the building that will include new psychology labs. These renovations are scheduled to be completed around February or March of 2016 with the total expenditures at $15 million. However, students have mixed feelings on current construction projects. Junior historic preservation major Sarah Clay can hear the banging and clashing of the construction sites while she works in the mailroom. “It is sometimes difficult to talk to students over the loud construction noises,” explained Clay. “I’m not as excited about it because I’m not sure that [the business department] will be as accessible since [the mailroom] will be in the middle of everything.” Freshman Maureen Thoensen shares a similar viewpoint. •CONSTRUCTION | 2

Students and faculty gather to remember Claudia Emerson | 10

Disabilities Resources hires new director The University of Mary Washington’s Office of Disability Resources has hired a new director, Sandra Fritton. Fritton was previously the autism coordinator at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Office of Partnership of People with Disabilities.

IN THIS

ISSUE

University Relations

Ernest Green speaks at Martin Luther King, Jr. rememberance event | 2

WARM UP

TUITION BREAK?

NOTHING BUT NET

Winter Carnival brings warmth to campus.

President Obama proposes an ambitious college plan.

Eagles basketball takes to the court over winter break

LIFE | 6

VIEWPOINTS | 5

SPORTS | 12

NEWS THE

BLUE & GRAY

UMW students gear up for Virginia Power Shift

PRESS

MISSION

The Blue & Gray Press is published every Thursday in the University Apartments Clubhouse for our university community. The goal of The Blue & Gray Press is to produce high quality and accurate news in a manner compliant with the Society of Professional Journalists ethics code. In its coverage, The Blue & Gray Press strives to highlight the community of the University of Mary Washington, as well as deliver fair and accurate coverage on the issues important to our students.

EDITORS-AT-LARGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alison Thoet

MANAGING EDITOR Mariah Young

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jonathan Polson

SECTION EDITORS NEWS Hope Racine Nephthalie Lauture

VIEWPOINTS Tess Osmer

LIFE Amanda Motley

SPORTS Chris Markham

ONLINE

Lauren Brumfield

PHOTO

Ginny Clark

ADVERTISING TEAM BUSINESS MANAGER Cara Sexton

FACULTY ADIVSOR Steve Klein

Chesapeake Climate/ Flickr Students from across Virginia gathered last year at VAPowershift, an event dedicated to giving today’s youth the ability to voice their concern over the climate.

ALEX OBOLENSKY Assistant News Editor

Students from around the state of Virginia will gather from Feb. 13-15 with a twofold goal: to ensure that energy production occurs in an environmentally responsible way and that the youth of the world have a strong voice in shaping those decisions. This gathering, created in conjunction with the Virginia Student Environmental Council and the Virginia Student Power Network, called VA Powershift, will host its third annual conference in the Information and Technology Convergence Center at the University of Mary Washington. This past weekend, members of both VSEC and VSPN, including fifteen UMW students, met in Richmond to plan the upcoming conference. While in Richmond, leaders of VSEC delivered 200 letters to Evan Feinman, Virginia’s Deputy Secretary of Natural Resources, from citizens concerned about the Atlantic Coast natural gas pipeline. Additionally, at a press conference under the Capital Bell Tower before their meeting Monday, student representatives from VSEC urged Governor Terry McAuliffe to reverse his decision allowing the construction of the 550 mile-long pipeline.

The pipeline has sparked a controversial debate, especially in regions it would transverse, such as Nelson County, which held another town hall on the topic this past Tuesday. Critics highlight that some of the state’s most wooded spaces in the Shenandoah Valley are exposed to the threat of a spill or explosion by the project. However, proponents claim that construction would create as much as $25 million for the commonwealth in property taxes alone.

AS VIRGINIA’S COASTLINE IS RATED AS THE SECOND MOST VULNERABLE IN THE COUNTRY TO RISING SEA LEVELS- FALLING BEHIND ONLY THE INFAMOUS LEVIES OF NEW ORLEANS- THE YOUTH ACTIVISTS EXPECTED LAWMAKERS TO TAKE THEIR DISCUSSIONS SERIOUSLY. The proposed pipeline has provoked a storm of protest and fed energy into the grassroots movement that the VA Power Shift attempts to harness. According to senior geography major Alice Redhead, a UMW representative on the VSEC board, the goal of

Construction updates

Ernest Green honors Martin Luther King, Jr.

•CONSTRUCTION | 1 “It will be cool once it’s done, but for right now it’s a lot of noise,” said Thoensen. In regards to future construction work, the administration is in the planning phase of building an addition to the Jepson Science Center. This addition could take a few years or could be delayed, as the additional work on site will be funded by the state, which currently does not have the money to contribute. The Free Lance-Star reported last year that the renovations and additions to the Jepson Science Center will cost $32 million.

Ernest Green, a member of “Little Rock Nine,” was one of nine African-American students who integrated Central High School in Little Rock Arkansas. On Wednesday, Jan. 21, Green spoke about his life and experiences at an event honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.

CONSTRUCTION FIGURES: UNIVERSITY CENTER: $55 million WOODARD/ MERCER: $15 million JEPSON SCIENCE CENTER: $32 million

VA Powershift is to communicate that “climate change is here” and ensure that “youth are standing up to fight.” To achieve this, seminars at the conference will cover topics as diverse as direct action, which includes getting arrested while protesting, and a “Fracking 101” seminar for those less experienced in climate activism. Unfortunately, Redhead also highlighted that many state lawmakers do not appear to take student activists seriously. While in Richmond last weekend, members of VSEC also lobbied in support of the Coastal Protection Act, which was designed to introduce an emissions trading scheme and prepare the Virginia coastline for what could be a catastrophic sea-level rise. As Virginia’s coastline is rated as the second most vulnerable in the country to rising sea levels – falling behind only the infamous levies of New Orleans – the youth activists expected lawmakers to take their discussions seriously, and they were mostly proven correct. However, some members they met with demonstrated no interest in learning about the issues, and one even cracked iPhone jokes. Nonetheless, following the meetings, many students reaffirmed their commitment to the cause.

Ginny Clark/ The Blue & Gray Press

Thursday, January 22, 2015

SPORTS

UMW swimming soaks up sun during winter break training in Puerto Rico

MIKEY BARNES Assistant Sports Editor

The University of Mary Washington men’s and women’s swim teams traveled to Ponce, Puerto Rico for a training trip. The two teams, led by Coach Abby Brethauer, traveled to the U.S. territory on Dec. 31 out of Washington Dulles International Airport. The swim teams acclimated to the culture rather quickly, as they rang in the New Year with the Puerto Rican locals and spent the evening on the beaches of Puerto Rico watching the fireworks over the water. However, it was not all rest and relaxation for the student-athletes. While in Ponce, the UMW swimmers held early morning swim practices and would then take the time afterwards to relax in the hotels before practicing again later on that afternoon. When the Eagles were not swimming, a number of them took the opportunity to explore Ponce. The swimmers participated in activities such as hiking, exploring the rainforest and even swimming in a local waterfall. One night, the UMW swim team even took the opportunity to enjoy the cuisine of downtown Ponce. The experience of taking a trip to Puerto Rico allowed the UMW swimmers to par-

UMW Athletic Director Ken Tyler takes helm of CAC Board of Directors

UMW Athletics Tyler will run the CAC BOD for next two years.

Ken Tyler, director of athletics at the University of Mary Washington Ken was named President of the Board of Directors of the Captial Athletic Conference last week. Tyler, who is in his third year as athletic director at UMW, follows Frostburg State Athletic Director Troy Dell. Tyler will be at the helm for the next two years before the role rotates to another athletic director in the conference. The change was made official last week at the NCAA’s annual convention in Washington D.C., where members of the CAC convened.

men's Basketball:

Jan. 17 @ Penn State Harrisburg (W) UMW: 70 PSH: 61

Women's Basketball:

Jan. 17 @ Penn State Harrisburg (W) UMW: 76 PSH: 41

Matthew Gartska/Facebook Members of the men’s and women’s swim teams spent part of winter break in Puerto Rico training.

ticipate and train under much more difficult circumstances, an opportunity they are deprived of at the smaller Goolrick Gym pool. Brethauer described the trip as very beneficial since the swimmers were able to participate in intense training while also being able to recover afterward. Since classes were not a worry of theirs during the break, all of the swimmers’ focus was on swimming. “It was fun. The trip as a whole was a great experience because it brought the team closer together and taught us that if we could survive this, the rest of the season was going to be much easier,” said freshman Bailey Stewart. The teams returned back to Fredericks-

burg on Jan. 8 after just over a week in paradise. Since their return, both the men’s and women’s teams have won both of their meets against Capital Athletic Conference foes Salisbury University and St. Mary’s College (Maryland). These two victories propelled the teams to an impressive record of 6-2 each, while standing 3-0 against the rest of the conference. “This year was hands down one of the best training trips I have ever been a part of,” said Brethauer. “The kids worked incredibly hard, had amazing attitudes. Based on the work they have put in thus far this semester and the results of the last two meets, I feel very confident that this team is setting themselves up for some pretty spe-

cial swims at the CAC championships in February, which is the focal point of our season.” The Eagles were led by senior and NCAA Division III record holder Alex Anderson in their recent competitions. Anderson, a three-time NCAA champion, recently received his third Conference Swimmer of the week award. Women’s junior Hannah Hagy has received two conference swimmer of the week awards herself this season. Anderson, Hagy and the entire UMW swim program will be back in action Saturday, Jan. 24, competing in an outer conference meet against Gettysburg College at home. The Eagles competed at Gettysburg earlier in December in the Gettysburg Invitational, where both teams finished second behind their host.

Matthew Gartska/Facebook The sophomore men swimmers pose in the sun.

Trio of Eagles named CAC Athletes of the Week MIKEY BARNES

UMW Athletics

Claire Harrington

Senior Claire Harrington was named CAC Female Field Athlete of the Week following her second place finish in the Women’s pole vault at the Maryland Terrapin Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 17. Harrington recorded a mark of 10’-10”, the second best clearance in the conference this season and the 30th best in the nation. Harrington, who was awarded the UMW Female Student-Athlete of the Year Award last year, holds the school and conference record in pole vault. The Maryland Terrapin Invitational was the team’s first meet of the year and Harrington’s first vault of the season, setting the bar high for the rest of the season.

For the third time this season, senior Alex Anderson received the honor of CAC Men’s Swimmer of the Week. Anderson, who earned the recognition for the first time since early November, was honored for his outstanding performance in the programs vic-

UMW Athletics

tory over Salisbury on Saturday, Jan. 17. Anderson had two first placed finishes in the individual 200 butterfly and 200 breaststroke. Anderson also contributed to the victories of the 200-yard medley and 200-free relay.

Alex Anderson

Sophomore Shannon Croyell was awarded the CAC Women’s Swimmer of the Week for her individual performance against Salisbury University. Croyell was an intregal part of the Eagles’ lopsided victory over Salisbury Univeristy on Jan. 20. Croyell tallied three first place finishes on the afternoon, two individual and one relay. She finished first in the 100 yard freestyle with a time of 55.38 and then won the 100 yard butterfly at 1:00.85. Croyell concluded her performance by swimming a leg of the first-place 200 free relay team that finished with a time of 1:43.58.

Weekly Scoreboard SWIMMING:

Men: Jan. 17 @ Saint Mary’s (W) UMW: 140 Saint Mary's: 64 Women: Jan. 17 @ Saint Mary’s (W) UMW: 131 Saint Mary's: 74

Upcoming:

Men’s Basketball: Jan. 24 vs. York (Pa.)

UMW Athletics

Shannon Croyell Upcoming:

Women’s Basketball Jan. 24 vs. York (Pa.) Men’s & Women’s Swimming Jan. 24 vs. Gettysburg

VIEWPOINTS

Gender stereotypes are real, and it is time to break the mold

SAMANTHA GROSS Staff Writer

I officially stopped shaving about seven months ago, and honestly, at that point, it was more of an “eh, no one’s seeing this anyway” kind of thing more than a personal belief issue. The double standards of how men and women are supposed to treat body hair became more interesting to me recently. This interest began once I got to college and lived with other girls. I heard so many obsessive worries about how long it was since everyone last shaved and even refusals to wear certain outfits because of the fear that other people would notice the hair on their bodies. I ended freshman year with a very real

understanding of the extent to which so many women police themselves to fit these weird and made up rules about what it takes to be attractive. The next milestone in my path to hairiness happened after sophomore year, when I lost the energy to shave, and for the first time in eight years I found myself with fields of hair on my legs. It was gross, yet fascinating at the same time, and I just could not stop looking at them. However, school was starting soon, and I felt the need to impress everyone with my smooth and silky legs, so off the hair went. Ironically though, it only matters to people when you do not shave your legs, not when you do. Then, I was spoiled by my summer off, and I no longer wanted to spend the

Education reform raises eyebrows MONA OSMER Viewpoints Editor

“Education is the basis of law and order.” This is a quote that first appeared in the 1962 film, “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence,” and it has taken 53 years to sink in. President Barack Obama’s plans to expand the availability of both basic level and higher education have recently sparked conversation on the age-old idea of equal education. Obama’s education reform includes both the expansion of preschool education and community college. His “free community college proposal” alone would cost $60 billion over the course of 10 years, a White House spokesman stated. In addition, states that adopt this proposal will have to pay for one-quarter of the tuition subsidy, according to Time. In the “Preschool for All” reform, Obama is highlighting a greater priority at a higher price: basic education at zero cost for the public.

For a whopping $76 billion, over the course of ten years, preschool education could be widely available to every citizen of the United States. As a current college student I understand the need for free college all too well. I have seen many of my high school peers pass up the opportunity of college solely because of insufficient funding. However, working from the ground up and providing a gateway of learning such as preschool would be a step in the right direction, and something the U.S. should push toward achieving. With Congress filled by a Republican majority and the bill concerning a significant increase in taxes, it is highly improbable that these education reform proposals will gain traction. The three-word phrase, “…will increase taxes,” is regarded with a severity of sensitivity. It is highly unfortunate, as our beloved individualistic country is trying so hard to become a welfare state.

•COLLEGE | 5

time or the money for razors and other materials it requires to shave. So after a year of sporadic hair removal, I decided to not care. It is so freeing, to just not care. Although I did not care, other people did. People stared at me whenever I raised my arms in public, and a lot of my friends thought it was gross. My brother called it disgusting and unnatural. I thought his comment was rather interesting because it is more normal to grow hair on your body and leave it there than to obsessively remove it in order to feel desirable. It is difficult not to notice that this standard of beauty is only being projected onto women. It is interesting to think how damaging it is to deny someone from feeling beautiful because of such unnatural

standards, especially after not shaving for so long. I am hairy and I am proud. My armpit hair, although annoyingly sparse, is pretty long. Currently, it is also a decidedly unattractive combination of half-white and half-black hairs, which is the result of an incomplete attempt to dye my armpit hair a few weeks ago. I saw a picture of a woman with shockingly green pits and hoped to emulate her. My leg hair is so long that it practically flows in the wind. Rather, it would if it were not winter and I was not constantly wearing pants. Even though it still looks and feels a bit weird to have all this hair poking out of places that I hadn’t let it be for years, I feel so much happier and at peace now that it is there.

‘The Hobbit’ ends with a fizzle COLMAN HOPKINS Staff Writer

Over the past fourteen years Peter Jackson delivered non-stop box office successes about Middle Earth. Since his first movie, “The Fellowship of The Ring” in 2001, Jackson has done “Lord of the Rings” author J.R.R Tolkien justice while also making immensely popular and profitable films. However, the final installment of The Hobbit Trilogy left much to be desired and reflected the Hollywood-warped aspect of the film, which Jackson promised to avoid. Although Jackson wrote the Hobbit’s third film, “The Battle of Five Armies,” largely by himself, the liberties he took with the film made it hard to attach Tolkien’s name to it. For example, “The Lord of the Rings” movies built their reputation on relatable, well-written characters who may have been elves or wizards but who also have a distinctly human side, which the audience could see and understand. Unfortunately, “The Battle of Five

Armies” did not have that. Moreover, many of the characters were created through Computer Generated Imagery rather than be played by live actors, which made the characters very hard to empathize with or relate to. CGI is meant to enhance a film’s action sequences, but for “The Hobbit,” the graphics made it extremely challenging as a viewer to keep track of the film’s direction. Jackson is famous for going against contemporary Hollywood trends, which as of late include shorter movies and more action. Perhaps one of the most distressing elements to “The Battle of Five Armies” was to see Jackson conform on his last Middle Earth movie. The film was cut-down and made much shorter than any of his other five Tolkien films, yet if there were any film to expand on, it would have been the final. “The Return of The King,” the final chapter of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, had roughly thirty minutes at the end of the film de

•HOBBIT | 5

Staff Ed: New semester, new goals for the editorial board The Blue & Gray Press came into the fall semester with a new name, a new look and a more professional and well-rounded means of coverage. Yesterday, we launched a new website as another step in the complete rebranding of the University of Mary Washington’s student-run newspaper. We are proud of the work this paper has accomplished in the past few months, and we will continue to build upon this work to further the design, integrity and future of The Blue &

Gray Press. This semester we strive to bring more intriguing pictures and graphics to accompany our reporting in the pages of this publication. Our new website will allow The Blue & Gray Press to widen its coverage of events and student activities with photo slideshows and room for informative graphics. We hope to widen our focus, include more students in stories and ultimately reach a wider audience.

There is so much happening at this university that gets lost in the fold, and we invite the university community to suggest story ideas on The Blue & Gray Press website so we may expand our story coverage. With our new website, we also hope to gain more interest in the paper on the part of readers, but also for interested writers, photographers and designers. This paper is a foundation for student work and for expanding the experience for those interested in any

By THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS EDITORIAL BOARD

aspect of journalism, or simply writing and photography. Our website and further expanded online presence will allow us to create a network of past and present students who can access information about UMW and directly connect with the UMW community through The Blue & Gray Press. We look forward to continuing to serve this community and evolving as a publication

VIEWPOINTS

Editor: Mona Osmer | blueandgray.views@gmail.com

Lilly Pulitzer will now be widely available to Target shoppers

KATIE FRAZIER Staff Writer

Homestillo/ Flickr

Hues of pink and green splashed with swirling, colorful nautical motifs distinguish the work of esteemed fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer. Her classical shift dresses have been seen on the likes of fashionistas such as Jackie Kennedy, and her designs have adorned scores of rushing sorority girls and prepsters worldwide. These dresses, which would normally cost upwards of $300-400, will soon be sold at Target through a line called “Lilly for Target,” and I cannot be more thrilled. Lilly’s iconic brand, which celebrates her zest for life, includes Palm Beach and casual elegance, and it can now be a part of every girl’s closet as opposed to the exclusive upper class wardrobe.

However, opposition has emerged in light of “Lilly for Target,” which in my opinion is fueled by elitism and pure snobbery. Target has featured high fashion capsule collections by Missoni, Luella, Alexander Wang and Philip Lim, yet people find fault in making the Lilly Pulitzer brand available to the people. Lilly would absolutely be rolling in her grave. In the famous Lilly agendas, she describes the story of her life. The clothing line was created after the socialite took up a fast-paced and decadent opportunity to move to Palm Beach and open a juice stand. During this time, she created the perfect, figure-flattering and beautifully simple shift dress printed with bright floral motifs to disguise the juice stains she encountered while working at her juice stand. Lilly was a young, sassy woman who left her old life to elope with her husband and do what she loved: open her own business and make beautiful clothing. The brand reached the pinnacle of popularity when her old high school friend, Jackie Kennedy wore one of her dresses. Lilly Pulitzer is now revered along with brands such as Brooks Brothers, Lacoste and J. Crew as being a true staple in every prep-savvy closet. There are many imitators, but only one Lilly Pulitzer. After Lilly’s recent death, however, the brand seemed to take a turn. The original quality of the clothing diminished over the years from the stiff fabric of the cotton

Everything comes at a price •COLLEGE | 4

However, it is imperative to keep in mind that nothing is free. Equal availability of basic goods and services means more money, and more money means more taxes. But why does this scare the working classes as well as politicians? Think of it this way: it is not so much the fault of the working class as it is of the society that Americans live in and the capitalistic nature of many politicians. Multiple psychological studies, such as those by Professors Sing Lau and Patricia P.W. Yeung who compared Chinese and American language, argue that American’s language and society is just too self absorbed. We motivate ourselves intrinsically, based on positive incentives. We live in a world fueled by dollar signs; therefore if college were free, along with preschool education, those dollar signs would be falling out of the pockets

of millions. Politicians would then lose their constituents, more commonly known as their voter safety net. For if we were to give the public free community college and preschool, voters would not stop asking for more. For those critics of Obama’s proposal on free college that say the program would give education to those who did not work for it, read the fine print. The proposal states that a student must attain a grade point average higher than a 2.5, become a full time student and work toward achieving a degree in order to qualify for free community college. Allowing every person in the United States education would have an immensely positive effect on our society. But it is the price and inability to move forward away from selfish tendencies that roadblocks American culture and intellectual growth.

Steve Jurveston/ Flickr

shifts to new, arguably flimsier fabrics and more kitschy motifs. I love Lilly; however, I do agree that the quality is not what it used to be. For me, owning a piece by Lilly Pulitzer is more about channeling the style, ease and class of Lilly rather than being on trend. Lilly Pulitzer’s dresses are investments for me, and I respect the original integrity of the Lilly brand. However, the quality was good when I first starting buying them. The fabric was heavier, less sheer, the dresses were fully lined and the prints were timeless. Now, in the wake of Lilly’s death, the brand has been skimping on essential design. For example, the fabrics used now are very sheer and the sizing chart has definitely changed. Lilly is definitely catering to the waif-like girls of today. I know the quality will definitely not improve with the Target launch on April 19, but I still think “Lilly for Target” will be a positive impact on the brand. For the launch, shoppers can expect wristlets, tote bags, home décor and possibly clothing crafted with Lilly’s signature prints, all coupled with lower prices. A tote bag that would normally cost around $80 in a Lilly store will have a Target version and a significantly lower cost. The barefoot queen of pink and green would be so happy to see that everyone can now wear her designs. Countless articles and blog posts have

emerged on the #LillyForTarget hashtag on Twitter criticizing the business move. The elitist attitude by some girls over the “Lilly for Target” launch is appalling. The general consensus of the opposition is that the collaboration will cheapen the brand, which is ironic because I find the brand is cheapened when these so-called Lilly loving sorority girls plaster Lilly prints over every single thing they own. Making a normally high-end brand available to girls everywhere regardless of their socioeconomic class is a positive thing, and those who oppose it definitely do not embody Lilly’s original vision. It will prove that you do not have to be rich, white or some societal standard of “pretty” to own a piece of one of the most iconic brands in history. If you love Lilly, by all means go and buy her stuff when the “Lilly for Target” collaboration launches. If you do not support the collaboration, do not put down those who do. For me, wearing a Lilly Pulitzer dress is like wearing art. All of her patterns are derived from hand-painted doodles that serve as art objects. They are cheerful and happy. By supporting the “Lilly Pulitzer for Target” collaboration, you are supporting the fact that every girl can finally get that dress or that bag that she normally could not afford, feel beautiful and be happy. And as we all know, happy girls are the prettiest girls.

Peter Jackson falls short

Kareemaladdin/ Flickr

•HOBBIT | 4

voted to tying up loose ends. By contrast, “The Battle of Five Armies” tried to finish everything off instead of concluding it. This is as anti-Tolkien as it is anti-Jackson, so why did the director choose to make the film this way? It very likely had something to do with all of the criticism that Jackson faced after the prior two installments were ripped for being “too long.” While it is important to respond to criticism from those in your industry, it is also important to remember that the story itself has to be considered when making such an impactful decision on the story’s conclusion. It is also very unlikely that the hardcore fans would have disliked additional footage, but that could just be me. Another issue that I had with “The Hobbit” overall, was the insinuation that everybody knew that Sauron, the main antagonist of the “The Lord of the Rings,” which is set after “The Hobbit,” was returning. This is the big flaw for me, as it makes the entire plot of The Hobbit indefensible. One cannot write “The Hobbit” in such a way that it looks like the events of “The Lord of the Rings” unfolded out of ignorance or laziness as opposed to the rapid ascent of evil. The idea that Middle Earth was aware of Sauron’s return, the ring and the rise of evil takes away from the motif of “The Lord of the Rings:” that good people act heroically. In the beginning of “The Lord of the Rings,” there are constant references to the unrest in Mordor, the lair of Sauron, as well as suggestions that something is amiss. Yet “The Hobbit” seems to imply that everybody knew exactly what was going on and

did not care. This was the hardest parts to deal with as a viewer, and I still cannot understand how Jackson managed to screw it up, but he did. Furthermore, by leaving the story where it was, some sixty years before the start of “The Lord of the Rings,” he only exacerbated the problem of laziness in spite of the ability to save the world. While this did allow Jackson to add in some additional parts into “The Hobbit,” I do not believe that the liberties he took with the plot were worth the extra fighting scenes. These scenes were another tricky issue for Jackson in this film. All of Jackson’s adaptations of Tolkien’s works have featured well-choreographed and realistic battles, oftentimes with the inclusion of a few goofy lines or scenes. However, “The Battle of Five Armies” overdid the fighting in general. For example, the final battle between Azog and Thorin lasted so long that it became boring, it was genuinely hard to stay invested in a more than ten-minute fight between a dwarf and a CGI orc. Once again, I believe that Jackson had good intentions, but the execution left much to be desired, and effectively took away from the film and the story. While “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy began and ended with a bang, “The Hobbit” series started with much promise only to end with a mediocre pop. To be clear, Jackson got so many things right over the past fourteen years that he has worked on bringing Tolkien’s writings to the screen, that it is hard to fault him too much, but I do wish that he had left myself and other fans with a more fitting end to such a great story.

LIFE

Editor: Amanda Motley | blueandgray.life@gmail.com

UPC kicks off spring semester with Winter Carnival in Lee Hall

Courtesy of Dean Rucker

Dean Rucker poses for a picture with students at the UPC Winter Carnival. TIFFANY OSUAMAH Staff Writer

The University of Mary Washington kicked off the semester by warming up Lee hall with the annual Winter Carnival.

The University Programming Council, in collaboration with Cheap Seats and Class Council, hosted this year’s Carnival. Students packed into Lee Hall on Jan. 16, ready to celebrate the first week back

at UMW with the promise of free food, drinks, games, photo booth fun and prizes. Despite the cold weather, students were not deterred from dressing warm and coming out to enjoy all of the wonderful things this event had to offer. “Winter Carnival was awesome. It was a great way to stay warm and have fun with friends,” said Brooke Turner, a senior sociology major. As the students entered the Underground, volunteers were setting up the game “A Minute to Win It.” “A Minute to Win It” is a TV show where contestants can win various amounts of money as long as they can complete the tasks assigned under one minute. Of course, UPC put their own twist on the game show, and students had the chance to win money for their EagleOne cards. Students also rushed to get their gamble on in the casino game floor and tested there luck playing Black Jack, Texas Hold’em, 7 Up or Down and Russian Roulette, all in order to win one of these prizes: a slowcooker, a Keurig, a Winter Carnival long sleeved t-shirt, a blender, a camera and a gift card. Around 9:00 p.m., comedian, Scott Schendlinger presented the names of the lucky winners, and went on to perform his set. The line of people waiting for the Build-A-Bear room wrapped around the

fourth floor, as they eagerly waited to create a stuffed animal of their choice. Dean Rucker, Associate Vice President and Dean of Student Life, was seen amongst the students greeting them and showing off his own little Build-A Bear. Photo mugs were the next hot commodity, and the group of people waiting for mugs continued to grow. Some students waiting for their mugs helped to gather and replace all of the chairs in the room, while listening to some throwback jams, all I to prepare for the next day’s tour of prospective students. “I really enjoyed the 90’s music,” said senior Julia Michels. Meanwhile, in Monroe 116, at Cheap Seats played the Christmas classic “Elf” for the price of only one dollar. “Overall, it was a good experience, I would definitely recommended going with a group of friends,” said junior Barbra Adwoa-Mfum. There were a lot of student workers at this event that ensured everything ran smoothly. There seemed to be a little bit of something for everybody, and no matter if you just stopped by or stayed a while, UMW students seemed to have enjoyed this year’s Winter Carnival.

Restaurant Week offers great food at affordable prices in downtown Fred

By JONATHAN POLSON Associate Editor Any student at the University of Mary Washington knows that Fredericksburg has a number of exciting and appetizing offerings when it comes to local restaurants. However, students also know that going out to eat is not always kind on the wallets. Luckily, Fredericksburg is one of many cities that participate in “Restaurant Week,” an event dedicated to offering great deals so that more people can try and enjoy local restaurants at a reasonable price. For college students who might consider themselves foodies on a budget, Restaurant Week is an opportunity to go out and treat yourself to a fantastic meal. Restaurant Week runs from Jan. 16 to 26, and more than 20 locally owned restaurants are participating in the event. The program’s deals are based around price fixes, in which restaurants offer diners course choices for a set price. For instance, this years’ lunch deal is a two-course lunch for only $10.15. Most restaurants offer two to three choices of appetizer and entrée to choose from, but the price stays the same regardless of what dish you choose. The best deal, however, is the dinner price fix. This year’s offering is a three-course price fix at $20.15. During Restaurant Week, diners are able to eat at some of the more pricey restaurants and get a three-course meal for the price of what is normally a single entrée.

LIFE

Whats new to Netflix this month? ‘Mean Girls,’ ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ ‘White Collar’ DELLA HETHCOX Staff Writer

The new semester has arrived and with it a new and exciting selection of hit films and television shows on Netflix. More than 50 films have been added, as well as 10 seasons of recent and current television shows. No longer do Ross and Rachel fans have to wait for reruns on television. The most well received and anticipated addition to Netflix was the entire series of the hit show “Friends”. Add Quote Another cult classic, “Mean Girls”, was added much to the delight of viewers, particularly the Twitterverse. No one will have to until October 16 for a special viewing of their favorite Lindsay Lohan film. If you are looking for a comedy of a different color, try “Bruce Almighty”, a Jim Carrey classic or the Tim Burton film, “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” starring Paul Reuben. Recent films also added are “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” starring Chris Pine, “Brick Mansion” starring the recently deceased Paul Walker and “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” starring Benedict Cumberbatch. “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” is perfect if you are having “Sherlock” withdrawals. “Chef”, a 2014 food film written, produced, directed by and starring Jon Favreau, along with Sofia Vergara, Robert Downey Jr. and Scarlett Johansson will be available by Jan. 28. Another 2014 film, “Frank”, a British-Irish comedy film star-

ring Michael Fassbender and Maggie Gyllenhaal is available as well. “Frank” premiered at the Sundance Festival in January 2014. As usual, many classic 80’s films have been added including “Dirty Dancing”, “Footloose” and “Cast Away”. Relive your childhood by watching “101 Dalmatians”

starr i n g Glenn Close. Only have 45 minutes to spend on Netflix?

Why not try the latest season of a current television show? The second season of “The Fall” starring Jamie Dornan waits for you. Looking for something lighter? The eighth and final season of “Psych” starring James Roday and Dule Hill is ready to make you laugh with a comical

mixture of crime and witty punchlines.

Fantasy fans can dive into the fourth and final season of “Being Human”, the American Syfy version, starring Sam Witwer, Meaghan Rath and Sam Huntington. The first season of “Z Nation”, also an American Syfy show, is a post-apocalyptic drama complete with zombies if you’re in need of some drama. The second season of “Beauty and the Beast”, CW show, is perfect for the fans who need a little romance with their fantasy. The third season of “Wolfblood”, a British show, is perfect for those 30 minute study breaks. Aaron Eckhart stars in “I, Frankenstein” a 2014 fantasy action film based on the graphic novel by Kevin Grevioux. A departure from the classic story of “Frankenstein”, Eckhart’s character slays demons and protects the mortals of this fantastical world. Everyone’s favorite FBI agent and art thief are back for a fifth season in “White Collar” starring Matt Bomer and Tim Dekay. Need more drama? The third season of “Dallas” provides intrigue and more than enough family drama. Debuting this month is a Netflix original series, “The Adventures of Puss in Boots”, featuring the beloved and sassy animated cat voiced by Eric Bauza. Whatever your taste in television or cinema, Netflix has you covered with this month’s additions. Happy viewing.

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LIFE Plugged-In: Music that takes you on a journey

Treat yo self to the farewell season of ‘Parks and Recreation’

By MONA OSMER Views Editor Every artist has at least one song in their arsenal that is a true wild card, but it is artists that draw from multiple genres and create music that is innovative, layered and unique that become timeless. Music should make you think, it should provoke you to see the world from another perspective or connect to another person by just feeling a beat and its lyrical accompaniment. It is the music that makes you cry or laugh that is successful, as well as marketable. This week, I have been obsessed with The Cat Empire, a band who formed as a trio in Australia in 1999. Their genre is a mix of jazz, reggae, funk, Latin, gypsy and hip-hop. Their song “Hello,” released in 2003, never fails to lift my lips into a smile. It truly captures the essence of the male ego. Main singer/songwriter Felix Rebel is swept up by the beauty of a woman on the streets, and his pick-up is far from stale and boring. Similar to The Cat Empire is Cake, founded in 1994 a little closer to home in Sacramento, California. “Never There,” released in 1998, is one of their most memorable songs. They play on irony and humor much like The Cat Empire does. The song is from the point of view of a male, who is complaining that his girlfriend is never there for him, hence the name of the song. However, it is rich with irony because women know how hard it is for men to commit (most of the time, that is) so this song plays on that specific generalization. In early 2012 a mysterious band appeared online. The Neighbourhood revealed no biographical information, no photos and no back story, offering only a moody track titled “Female Robbery.” They formally name their genre “Black and White,” based off their combination of rock instruments and R&B/ hip-hop aesthetics. Their song “West Coast,” released in 2014, has the most evocative beat and lyrics. Every time I play it my eyes are handed an entirely new perspective on life. Slightly Stoopid, formed in 1995, is another band that will always stay close to my heart. Their combination of blues, rock and dub, which is a sub-genre that grew out of reggae music in the 1960s and is truly incomparable to anything on the radio today. “Wiseman,” released in 2003, has a jazz, reggae and blues rhythm that never ceases to stop capturing my senses. Their music is 13 years old now, but they will live on in my high-school mixCD’s. Formed in 2007, Local Natives are another band that has kept me on my toes. Their indie-rock sound is so refreshingly different from those artists that are similar to them. Their beats are soft but accompanied with the twang of the guitar and roll of the drums they become both sophisticated and tasteful. Their song “Wide Eyes,” released in 2010, takes an interesting approach to the story of Jesus in the desert for forty days and forty nights and what that story says about faith, while at the same time questioning faith and science.

YouTube

Amy Poehler stars in the comedy “Parks and Recreation” which premiered on Jan. 15. This is the show’s last season. AMANDA MOTLEY Life Editor

For the past six seasons Parks and Recreation captivated audiences with its dry humor and lovable characters. Amy Poehler plays Leslie Knope, the lovable and quirky parks enthusiast who has inspired many to go out on a limb for the things they believe in. Sadly, the show we never thought would end is now coming to a close. The season seven premiere captivated audiences and threw viewers into the future with all of the characters in different places in their lives than when we last saw them. Here is what all of our favorite Pawnee Citizens are up to in 2017: Tom is a successful business entrepreneur with Tom’s Bistro still going strong. Andy is starring on “The Johnny Karate Super Awesome Musical Explosion Show.” Donna is engaged and owns her own real estate agency. Leslie and Ben are still a power couple with triplets, and Ben is receiving the award for 2017 “Man of the Year.” The premiere episode centered on a

feud between Ron and Leslie, who have become enemies since Ron left the parks department in 2015 to open his own business after an incident called “Morning Star.” The breakfast food-loving duo are feuding over a plot of land that both want to use for different reasons. Ron wants the property so that he can build a campus for

still funny references to events that happened in the years 2015-2017. Some of the hilarious moments of the premiere were: Tammy is back and converts Councilman Jam into a little Ron look-alike. Leslie helps the Jam get through his Tammy obsession by going through all of the crazy tactics she has used in the past for the real Ron. Leslie is obviously a super mom and often tricks her kids into eating broccoli by saying that it magical. Larry, previously know as Jerry, has become Terry, an extra on Andy’s show who often gets hit. Sorry Terry. April realizes that she and Andy have become boring, so how do they choose to liven things up? Well they buy a haunted house of course. Leslie and Ron’s feud is so extreme that during Ben’s “Man of the Year” dinner, they knock over the cake and destroy Ben’s big day. This two-part premiere gave us two episodes in one, which the show will continue to put out until the series finale on Feb. 15. We can only hope that “Parks and Recreation” ties up all lose ends nicely.

“Larry, previously know as Jerry, has become Terry, an extra on Andy’s show who often gets hit. Sorry Terry.” a company called Gryzzl, which specializes in small, futuristic electronics. Leslie wants the property for a national park. While the premiere displayed some futuristic aspects of technology, season seven felt like the same Pawnee from season six, providing a sense of continuity to the seasons. Do not be fooled though, there were

HUMANS OF UMW By NANCY MILROY

From left to right: “In a group, respect both its rules and the boundaries of each person in the group. If everyone works together, they will reach understanding through communication. I went to a high school where there was no ethnic majority. Growing up like that teaches you to learn how to interact in respectful ways. Special education also taught us to be tolerant of people’s differences.” “Always do the right thing. No matter what. I was in the military before I came to school, and now I live by their values. Having a hard work ethic and integrity is important.” 9

NEWS

Thursday Poems honors life of Claudia Emerson

EMILY HOLLINGSWORTH Assistant News Editor

Students and faculty from the department of English, linguistics, and communication came together to read poetry and honor the life and work of the late Claudia Emerson on Thursday, Jan. 15. The faculty read their favorite poems by Emerson, 32 total, in a packed Combs 139. These poems included selections from the book “Late Wife,” which won Emerson the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 2006. In addition to winning the Pulitzer, Emerson was also awarded the title Poet Laureate of Virginia in 2008 by then-Governor Tim Kaine. Emerson held the position for two years. A reception funded by UMW President Hurley followed the event. The poems “The X-Rays” and “MRI,” which described Emerson’s battle with cancer, were received with hushed silences. By the end of the event, some in the audience were in tears. English Professor and former Creative Writing Coordinator Warren Rochelle led the event and spoke about attending graduate school with Emerson. Both attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in their 30s and were among the oldest in their classes. “We jumped off the cliff together,” Rochelle said after the event. According to Rochelle, Emerson had formerly been a mail carrier and discovered poetry later in life. She spent most of her money to attend to UNC at Greensboro. “That was how much she wanted to take the risk,” said Rochelle. Emerson received a Master of Fine

Professor Poet Pulitzer Award Winner CLAUDIA EMERSON University Relations Claudia Emerson taught English at the University of Mary Washington from 1994 to 2013. She left UMW to teach at Virginia Commonwealth Unniversity.

Arts in creative writing and later became a professor, coming to UMW in 1994 and staying to teach for over 15 years. She left the university in 2013 to become a member of the creative writing faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University. Emerson passed away on Dec. 4, 2014 from complications associated with colon cancer. UMW alumna Upma Kapoor created the Facebook page for Thursday’s event and remembered taking Emerson’s poetry classes, where she and other students’ preconceptions of poetry were changed. “A lot of people come into class hating poetry,” said Kapoor. “She taught me how to trust my own writing voice. A lot of people don’t listen to their own voice, especially in college.” Emerson was instrumental in forming the creative writing concentration at UMW, along with professors Rochelle and Steve Watkins, and she was also appointed the Arrington Distinguished Chair in Poetry. Emerson was the most formative in the classroom. She wrote University Relations simply and taught her students to

find wonder in ordinary events, according to senior English and linguistics double major Moira McAvoy. “When people talk about contemporary poetry, they talk about not looking at the extraordinary but at the ordinary. She taught students how to find beauty in the ordinary, through saying it as simply as possible,” McAvoy said. According to department members, Emerson’s warmth and honesty has continued to make an impact on faculty and students. “People who had the great fortune of meeting her left feeling that she was very grounded. It came through her poetry. Her cadence reflected who she was as a person,” said Assistant Professor of English Jon Pineda. McAvoy also asserted that Emerson was a supportive professor, able to be helpful and critical when needed. “She was by far the most supportive

person I have ever met,” McAvoy said. “But she wasn’t afraid to offer criticism.” Emerson advocated for students and writers even after they left the university. Brad Efford, who graduated from UMW in 2010, was one of Emerson’s students. He read at the Thursday Poems event. “I had gone to graduate school and had gotten my first job on her recommendation,” said Efford. At the event, Efford honored Emerson by reading her poem “Aftermath.” “‘Aftermath’ is definitely a favorite of mine,” said Efford. “I always keep it in my wallet. I always have it with me, and I’ll pull it out occasionally to read it.” The event offered a venue for students and faculty who knew Emerson to remember the legacy she had left behind as a poet, teacher and friend. “I will miss her,” Rochelle said.

“A lot of people come into class hating poetry. She taught me how to trust my own writing voice. A lot of people don’t listen to their own voice, especially in college ” -UPMA KAPOOR

POLICE LARCENY

A bike was stolen from the Russell Hall bike rack between Friday, Dec. 12 at 12 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 11, at 11:50 a.m. The case is pending. a bike was stolen from the Jepson Hall bike rack between Monday, Oct. 27 and Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014,. The case is pending.

DRUG POSSESSION

LIQUOR LAW VIOLATION

A case of underage intoxication was reported at Alvey Hall at 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15,. Emergency Medical Services was called and a student received an administrative referral.

Two students were found with possession of marijuana at Randolph Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15,. They both received administrative referrals.

A student was found in possession of marijuana in Bushnell Hall at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15. The case is pending, and the student received an administrative referral.

The information was compiled with assistance from UMW Police Manager James DeLoatch and Fredericksburg Police Department Public Information Officer Natatia Bledsoe.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

NEWS

POLITICS

President Obama addresses nation, proposes community college plan KATIE REDMILES Staff Writer

During Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama presented his idea to help alleviate the burden of student debt. Obama’s plan revolves around providing two years of community college tuition to those who earn it. The plan comes with conditions and parameters, such as requiring that students maintain good grades and a track to graduate on time. The specifics require students to attend university at least halftime, maintain a 2.5 GPA and make steady progress toward graduation. The proposal has the possibility to save a student approximately $3,800 in tuition each year. According to White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest, the plan will be made available “for responsible students.” The majority of the funding will be given by the federal government, while approximately a fourth of the cost is expected to be covered by the state. The White House predicts an increase in student enrollment as a result of this plan, as well as employment, given the rising need for a higher education degree in order to obtain a career. “By 2020, an estimated 35 percent of job openings will require at least a bachelor’s degree and 30 percent will require some college or an associate’s degree,” said a White House press release. “Forty percent of college students are enrolled at one of America’s more than 1,100 community colleges, which offer students affordable tuition, open admission policies, and convenient locations.” Obama stated that he did not want more great minds to miss out on the education they deserve or the career they hope for due to financial restrictions. Another factor of the proposal professionals in the education system are enthused about is the prominence it will give to community colleges. The hope is that by making community college degrees more affordable and placing them in the main

Wikipedia Commons During Wednesday’s State of the Union, President Barack Obama proposed his ambitious plan for free tuition at community colleges and preschools.

light of progress then more students will be motivated to continue their higher education. A bonus for students in this regard also includes the increase in four-year institutions accepting full transfer credits from community colleges. Despite the positive attention this plan is giving community colleges, some in the field are worried about how the plan will affect their students. The fear is that students will be more pressured to focus on the grades earned rather than the material being learned. The plan is still too early, however, to tell exactly what effect it will have on the amount of students attending communi-

ty college and getting degrees without an overwhelming amount of student debt. “At this point, I don’t know what the funding process would be, so I can’t say one way or the other,” said Clark State Community College President Jo Blondin in an interview with Inside Higher Education. Though she did not deny the excitement this plan has evoked on her own campus, Blondin said she hopes to see more progress for community college in the future. In the address, Obama also focused on the possible bipartisan unifying effect the proposal could have in the congress. However, many Republicans have already spoken out against the proposed

plan. Rep. John Kline, the Republican who leads the House Education Committee, said to Inside Higher Education that Obama “described the same tired agenda we’ve heard about countless times before.” Kline also commented on his disagreement with more government intervention for financial issues. Earlier this month, Obama also touched on making federal student aid more accessible by simplifying it, a plan both parties are forming a consensus on. Obama noted that the free community college plan is a bolder step for the United States, and more of its potential future will be decided as its specifics are fleshed out in Congress.

STUDENT SENATE BEAT WEDNESDAY, JAN. 21

It was announced at the first Student Senate meeting of the Spring 2015 semester, a vacancy was available for the Election Rules and Procedures Committee Chair. With Student Government Association elections approaching in the next four weeks, members of the Senate were asked to find a chairperson. Without someone to fill the vacancy, elections will be disrupted. A motion was introduced to alter the Eagle Landing Guest Policy. The policy stands that anyone who is not a resident of the building must report to the front desk upon arrival and sign in. That guest must also remain with the resident of which they were a guest of for the time that they remain in the building. The motion was passed and sent on for Executive Cabinet approval.

A motion was introduced for the Environmental Sustainability and Buildings and Grounds Committee to work to investigate and determine a solution for the smell in from of Jepson Science Center and the Convergence Center. The motion was passed. As the final motion of new business, the Association of Residence Halls submitted a new clause to their constitution, which needs the approval of the Senate. The Senate rejected the revised constitution submitted by the Association of Residence Halls last semester because the Student Government Association Constitution requires that a representative from each hall council attend all Senate meetings. This clause requires the Vice President of each hall to attend Student Senate Meetings. The constitution will be discussed and voted on at the next scheduled meeting, Wednesday January 28th.

BEAT COVERAGE BY TAYLOR O’DELL

SPORTS

Editor: Chris Markham | blueandgray.sports@gmail.com

Winter break balling: Eagles jostle for playoff positioning Struggling men’s basketball team begins hitting stride

Women’s basketball continues to dominate game but also didn’t capitalize on some big things.” Not only have the Eagles been winning on a consistent basis, but they are also demolishing their opponents in the process. In the Eagles’ 11 wins of the season, they have outscored their opponents by an average of 24.8 points per game. “We know that we can beat teams and no team we play is bad, we just don’t look back once we start,” Comden said. “It’s the teamwork and our team idea of unity that gets us through each game.” UMW has been getting it done on the de-

CHRIS MARKHAM Sports Editor

For first-year head coach Marcus Kahn and the rest of the men’s basketball team at the University of Mary Washington, the 2014-2015 season has been a long, disappointing one. Mustering just one win in their first 13 games, the Eagles have taken a long fall from grace after last year’s historic NCAA Tournament run. It was not until the beginning of the spring semester that a glimmer of hoped shined through the darkness of UMW’s season. Fresh off winning back-to-back games for the first time this season, the Eagles are finally hitting their stride and showing their true potential. “It’s never fun losing,” said junior Tyler Thurston. “ We always believed in each other though. We just listened to coach and played hard.” The Eagles played a total of five games over the semester break, going 1-4 in that span. Their lone win during the break was the Eagles’ first win of the season, edging out Marymount University 66-64 at home. The win was pivotal in improving the psyche of the team and it showed in the Eagles’ proceeding games. “It felt really good to get that first win,” Thurston said. “We like that feeling a lot and wanted more of it.”

Bringing a team together and keeping them focused on a common goal is often the top priority for a head coach of any sport and is frequently also the most difficult task to accomplish. This is exactly what head women’s basketball coach at the University of Mary Washington Deena Applebury has been able to do up to this point in the 20142015 season. As a result, the Eagles currently sit at second place in the Capital Athletic Conference and are one game behind no. 18 Salisbury University in national rankings. “[Applebury] keeps us focused by reminding us we have to go day by day, we can’t look past any opponent and we need UMW Athletics to focus on the game at hand and Senior Claire Haeuptle is one of many leaders on the the Eagles’ team this year. not look weeks ahead,” said sophomore fensive end, proving themselves to be one captain Brianne Comden. “She keeps re- of the most dominant defensive teams in minding us that we all have to have the the conference. The Eagles lead the CAC same goal to achieve it, and we all have in many major statistical categories, including points allowed per game, at 51.9 to be on board, not just some of us.” Since a tough overtime loss at home points per game, and opponent’s field goal against Washington & Lee back in No- percentage, 32.7 percent. On the offensive end, the Eagles have vember to drop the Eagles to a 2-2 overbeen coming at their opponents with a all record, UMW has gone 9-2, inducing well-balanced attack, with two players 5-1 in their last six games. The Eagles’ averaging double figures. UMW has also lone defeat against conference opponents had five different players lead the team came at the hands of the aforementioned in points in their wins this season. ComSeagulls of Salisbury in a 69-63 loss. den, who was recently named the Wagner “It was upsetting and frustrating beWealth Management Athlete of the Month cause we know we should have won,” for the month of December, leads the EaComden said. “But we took out of it that gles on the season with a scoring average we can and could beat a nationally ranked team. We did a lot of good things in the of 12.3 points per game. “We just need to keep working on our team defense and continue growing on offense and remember at the end of the day that we have to play our game and not worry about anything else,” Comden said. By her side is her running-mate, senior Claire Haeuptle, who is averaging 11.1 points per game and shooting a blistering 34.2 percent for three-point land. Besides offense and defense, there is a third critical element to the success of a basketball team: chemistry; and according to Comden, the Eagles have plenty of it. “We do everything together,” Comden said. “We are rarely apart and you can see how the chemistry off the court helps on the court because we all play together.” After their matchup with Christopher Newport University Wednesday, the Eagles will be back at home against York College (Pennsylvania) on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 1 p.m., looking to improve upon their already impressive UMW Athletics record.

UMW Athletics Junior Tyler Turston against Wesley College.

“Honestly, it didn’t faze us,” Thurston said. “We’ve been playing really hard since the new year and everyone is playing better and we’re building chemistry.” UMW proceeded to win back-to-back games for the first time this season, outscoring their opponents by 27 points in the two games. “It felt really good to get that first win,” Thurston said. “We like that feeling a lot and wanted more of it.” The Eagles faced Southern Virginia University in the first of their next two games. UMW held a 40-27 halftime lead, and contrary to their result against Wesley College, the Eagles maintained their momentum into the second half and came out victorious 82-64. Junior Tyler Thurston had this best game of the season, pouring in a game-high 22 points. Sophomore Brent Mahoney added 14 points and made plenty of noise of the defensive end, tallying five steals. The next game pitted the Eagles against another struggling opponent, the 2-12 Penn State Harrisburg Lions. Sophomore Eric Shaw led the way for the EaUMW Athletics gles with a game-high Sophomore John Lutkenhaus is averaging 10 points per game so far. 19 points en route to a 7061 UMW victory. Although both were losses, UMW fell “We always believed that we were a by a combined 10 points between the next good team and we had to keep practicing two games. In front of a packed Anderson hard. We never doubted that we would start Center crowd on Jan. 10, UMW squared winning games.” off against Wesley College in their second The record may be unsightly, but behind game after their first win of the season. the losses are much more assuring numA strong first half for the Eagles, capped bers. In the Eagles’ 12 losses this season, off by sophomore Isaac Blue’s buzzer-beat- they have lost by just an average of 8.6 ing layup, gave the Eagles a commanding points. Additionally, half of those losses 48-29 lead at the break. UMW’s offense were by a margin of five points or less. went cold in the second half, opening the “It took a while but we are a better team door for a dramatic Wesley comeback. than our record indicate,” Thurston said. Going toe-to-toe down the stretch, the “We always believed that we were a good game was sent into overtime and then dou- team and we had to keep practicing hard. ble overtime after a last second three-point- We never doubted that we would start winer from Quincy Pettiford tied the game ning games.” once again. Wesley outscored the Eagles Another key number hiding behind 11-10 in the second overtime period, de- UMW’s record is their conference record. livering UMW one of its toughest loss of Despite only having three wins on the year, the year. the Eagles have a 3-5 record against the Following the loss, the Eagles were left Capital Athletic Conference, keeping them with a decision to make: allow the defeat to in the hunt for the tournament. sink their confidence or embrace the posiThe Eagles’ next home game is Saturday, tives of the loss. Jan. 24 against York College at 3 p.m. and By evidence of the next two games, the will prove to be significant toward UMW’s Eagles opted for the latter. tournament hopes.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Brianne Comden leads the way in points for the Eagles.