February 23, 2017

112th YEAR, ISSUE 210

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February 23, 2017

COLLEGIATETIMES An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903

ANNA FRIESEN / COLLEGIATE TIMES Seth Allen (4) and head coach Buzz Williams embrace after their 71–70 victory over ACC opponent Clemson in Cassell Coliseum, Feb. 21, 2017.

TECH RESEARCH SHINES

Virginia Tech professors, Shuhai Xiao and Marc Edwards, were recognized as two of Virginia’s Outstanding Scientists of 2017 for contributions in research.

MIKE LIU

Buzz Williams’ crew beat the Tigers by one for the second time this year.

news reporter

Virginia Tech professors Marc Edwards of the College of Engineering and Shuhai Xiao of the College of Science were both named for Virginia’s Outstanding Scientists of 2017.

The V i r g i n i a’s Outstanding Scientist award is part of the Virginia’s Outstanding Scientists Awards Program, which was created in 1984 by the Science Museum of Virginia and the governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The award honors scientists for their research contributions in any field of science.

“

You think these people are good, and you learned the hard way that no ... they are evil.”

Marc Edwards principle investigator for the Flint Water Crisis Team

Edwards is the Charles P. Lunsford Professor with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

He finished his undergraduate education at the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1986. Edwards earned his master’s degree in Environmental Engineering at the University of Washington in 1988 and his doctoral degree in Environmental Engineering

JORDAN HUTCHINSON sports reporter

ZACK WAJSGRAS / COLLEGIATE TIMES Marc Edwards, the principle investigator for the Virginia Tech Flint Water Study Team, takes the stage to deliver opening remarks prior to the team’s presentation about the water crisis in Goodwin Hall, Jan. 28, 2016.

at the University of Washington in 1991, ending up at Virginia Tech for the last 20 years.

According to Edwards, his involvement with the Washington lead crisis 12 years ago made him realize that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been deeply corrupted in certain parts of the country.

“You think these people are good, and you learned the hard way that no, they are not only not good, they are evil,” Edwards said.

“That’s scary because these are institutions who support your work, and who are your friends, and your professional network, and now you

are going to betray all that to be loyal to the truth. It’s not an easy decision. Most people looked the other way. They became willfully blind. I couldn’t do that for whatever reason.”

Soon Edwards’ research led to the uncovering of the Flint water crisis, and his research team discovered iron and lead corrosion in the water of Flint, Michigan.

This water crisis affected 100,000 residents for more than a year, and his research team has gained international praise for its effort to defend the Flint residents.

“We exposed the problem.

We got kids protected. It was priceless. You know, you’ll take it to your grave,”

Edwards said. “You did the right thing when no one else would or could.”

In past years, Edwards has come to terms with the political game of protecting the environment and is proud to have fought a person’s tendency to ignore these harsh truths.

“It was pretty epic, but not much science — it was more us behaving as human beings when no one ever expected us to do that, because that just doesn’t happen,” Edwards said. “You learned to be willfully blind. You learned to look the other way. You learned to say, ‘Well, EPA is the policeman. I guess

Getting your dream body takes time, but here are some tips on what to cut from your diet and what to add to your fitness regiment in order to be beach-body confident.

KATIE RICE This is not a “how to get the perfect beach bod” article. My goal is not to promote crash diets or intensive quick-fix workout regimens.

At this point, with a little over a week until break, it really is impossible to get that bikini bod you promised yourself last year.

Crash dieting will produce results, but those diets are impossible to maintain and leave us so hungry that we end up heavier than before starting the diet.

However, there are small changes that could make you feel less comparable to the Pillsbury Dough Boy without putting your health in jeopardy.

instead. If water isn’t your forte, try green tea. It is zero calories and a good metabolism booster. All tea — without sweeteners — is good for the body.

For the diet soda advocates out there, this video from SourceFed might change your minds. Diet soda slows the metabolism and tricks the body in gross ways.

Next tip: put down the alcohol.

“Here’s the problem with all alcoholic beverages, and the reason I recommend refraining from alcohol consumption on the diet.

Alcohol, whenever taken in, is the first fuel to burn.

While that’s going on, your body will not burn fat,” said Robert C. Atkins, diet guru, in an article about how alcohol hinders fat loss.

Say no to soda.

Though I am not encourPut down the Coca-Cola aging crash diets, I will say and drink some water there are plenty of foods to

PERFORMING ARTS SEEKS NEW DIRECTOR Candidate Paul Steger presents for position. page 7

cut out while in pursuit of a leaner figure. Cutting these out for the rest of your life would be optimal, but that probably is not realistic.

Foods to avoid: pizza, cookies, cake, chocolate, fried foods, etc.

Avoid g ra i ns. T he body does not need bread.

Eat vegetables instead.

Vegetables do not digest as quickly, therefore you will feel full longer with less.

Try sweet potatoes. They are full of nutrients and can be prepared in unlimited ways. No, the sweet potato fries from Burger 37 are not healthy.

If you find yourself wanting a burger, it wouldn’t hurt to ask if the restaurant has a lettuce wrap option.

This way, you get the experience of the burger without the calorie-filled sponge of regret traveling through your intestines.

Seth Allen did it again.

The Virginia Tech Hokies eked a win out over the Clemson Tigers, 71–70, thanks to Allen’s go-ahead three-pointer with 3.8 seconds to go.

“It felt good,” Allen said on the game-winning three. “I’ve been shooting a lot this whole year, and I’ve been working on my jump shot.”

Allen has been incredibly clutch in the last few games, hitting shots when he needs to the most. Against Virginia, Allen hit the game-winner with 3.1 seconds to go in double-overtime. Against Pittsburgh, Allen hit the go-ahead three with 1:08 to go, and Pittsburgh never recovered. Against Louisville, Allen erupted for a season-high 25 points. Tonight, Allen hit the game-winning three with 3.8 seconds to go. Cold-blooded is an understatement.

“I never like being in that position,” said head coach Buzz Williams. “I have been in that position now twice in the last two games and the only two times in my career here.

That was our 15th game

in the ACC and nine have been decided by six points or less. That was Clemson’s 11th loss, eight have been decided by five points or less. It’s a two-point game so we just need the first best shot. Obviously, it worked.”

The toughness that is shown late in games is paying off for the Hokies.

The culture change has put them on the right side of the games decided by single-digits.

“I just want to win so badly,” said Zach LeDay. “We’re about to get an opportunity in the ACC tournament. We’re about to get our 20th win. We just want to get better and better.”

Senior forward LeDay led the way for Tech with 19 points and eight assists.

LeDay has scored in double-digits 22 consecutive games, an ACC-best.

The other three Hokie scorers in double-digits were Justin Bibbs (12), Ahmed Hill (12) and Justin Robinson (10). Robinson (8) and Bibbs (5) tied their respective career-highs in assists on Tuesday.

“The reads just came easy,” Robinson said. “My teammates were knocking see HOOPS / page 6

see AWARD / page 4

Achieving your spring break body lifestyles staff writer

Allen’s heroic three lifts Tech over Clemson

Surprise — adults do not need dairy. Once we stop being babies, milk becomes an unnecessary fattening agent. Milk’s purpose is for growth. If you are in college, you are probably way past puberty and have likely ceased growing.

It pains my soul to write an article about quick fixes.

If your doctor says you’re healthy, stay that way.

If you are a broke college student and prefer to steer clear of doctors, check in with yourself and honestly determine if you feel good as you are.

Don’t starve. Don’t vomit.

Don’t spend three hours at the gym every day. It’s not worth it. Obsession only leads to misery.

However, still work out.

Exercise is great for more than just weight loss. The endorphins released during a workout are mood-lifting see BREAK BOD / page 5

TECH TENNIS DEBUTS REPLAY TECHNOLOGY Tech men’s tennis swept Charleston 7–0 Tuesday. page 6

Nepotism not conducive to successful job ALEXA WILLIAMS

means of bloodline

assistant opinions editor may not experience

Many individuals are far too familiar with the feeling of desperately scattering seeds of their personalities from one job interview to the next, hoping that one of these impressions will resonate with an employer and blossom into an employment opportunity.

As summer itself comes to fr uition, college students in particular will begin suiting up for career fairs and disseminating copies of their stately resumes. While some individuals have inherited the seemingly good fortune of employment offers from family businesses, those intending to secure employment through

such luck in the long run based upon the latest nepotism-related research findings.

According to a recent study published by the Social Science Research Network, onethird of public firms in the United States have reported the existence of familial ties either among directors or “between directors and other employees” within their organization. The authors’ analysis illuminates the unfavorable financial practices often used by nepotism-laden organizations, exposing the higher likelihood of these firms forgoing “valuable investment o p p o r t u n it i e s” in contrast to their peers. see WORK / page 2

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WORK: Nepotism hiring has poor results for all involved from page 1

Many individuals are far too familiar with the feeling of desperately scattering seeds of their personalities from one job interview to the next, hoping that one of these impressions will resonate with an employer and blossom into an employment opportunity.

As summer itself comes to fruition, college students in particular will begin suiting up for career fairs and disseminating copies of their stately resumes. While some individuals have inherited the seemingly good fortune of employment offers from family businesses, those intending to secure employment through means of bloodline may not experience such luck in the long run based upon the latest nepotism-related research findings.

According to a recent study published by the Social Science Research Network, one-third of public firms in the United States have reported

the existence of familial ties either among directors or “between directors and other employees” within their organization. The authors’ analysis illuminates the unfavorable financial practices often used by nepotismladen organizations, exposing the higher likelihood of these firms forgoing “valuable investment opportunities” in contrast to their peers.

Additional reliable sources have referenced the individual and societal factors associated with nepotism, such as the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology’s publication Nepotism in Organizations. According to the authors, a relative (or beneficiary) employee’s self-assessment of his or her professional competence tends to be much lower in contrast to the rest of the non-relative organizational population. The Society also contends that the nepotistic hiring practice correlates with decreased perceptions of fairness, lowered satisfaction and plummeting perceptions of

beneficiaries’ competence experienced by the rest of the organization.

Individuals typically deem a practice unfair so long as it infringes upon the rights of other people. Similarly, an environment of inequality is cultivated as the unethical behavior of few is tolerated by the many. Thus, one may argue that nepotism directly violates the rights of other parties within an organization by perpetuating systemic inequality in the workplace. Unfair hiring practices create conflicts of interest for members of the corporate leadership, in turn curtailing sentiments of organizational trust.

In certain contexts, U.S. law recognizes the negative repercussions of favoritism within industry. Legislative bans on nepotism in agencies such as the U.S. government reflect this emphasis; however, some exceptions illuminate the inherent vagueness of such policies.

For instance, President Trump’s appointment of his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, as White House advisor. Despite the declaration in 5

U.S.C. § 3110, proclaiming that a public official may neither appoint, nor advocate for the employment or advancement of relatives, the Department of Justice contends that Trump’s hiring decision did not create a conflict of interest by means of nepotism.

Thus, it is advised that one ought not to accept employment offers or promotions extended on the basis of familial ties. Additionally, those considering employment within a nepotismladen agency may want to recalculate their career path in order to fully enjoy the fruits of their labor in the long term. The satisfactory short-term individual rewards acquired as a result of succumbing to or supporting this hiring practice are immensely outweighed by the adverse long-term consequences revealed by recent research.

ALEXA WILLIAMS assistant opinions editor freshman/political science

column

Modern fiscal conservatism fails to meet its goals Today’s conservatives parade the success of trickle-down economics, but history reveals major flaws in the ideology.

“The disposition to admire, and almost to worship, the rich and the powerful, and to despise, or, at least, to neglect persons of poor and mean condition is the great and most universal cause of the corruption of our moral sentiments.” —Adam Smith This disposition described by seminal Scottish economist Adam Smith is partly responsible for a powerful distortion currently being bought into among many middle class and working Americans. Many believe that taxes for the wealthy should be lightened so that these private individuals

class and poor, whose spending induces businesses to create jobs,” explains former Harvard public policy professor and former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich. This is why “raising the minimum wage, enlarging the Earned Income Tax Credit and reducing middle class taxes are all necessary.”check quote If the public can’t afford to purchase firms’ products and services, the firms will have no incentive to expand and create more jobs.

When money is in the hands of the middle and lower classes, it is spent because these

COURTESY OF FEDERAL RESERVE

can create more jobs and expand their enterprises. Many believe that when the wealthiest citizens acquire greater wealth, they in turn will spend that excess income in ways that help drive the economy and expand prosperity for working class citizens. Many believe that when determining economic policy, we face an essential trade-off between either a free market or a government-regulated market.

These beliefs are misconceptions spread by modern, self-described “fiscal conservatives.” In book terms, fiscal conservatism simply supports less public spending, less taxation and less public debt. Today’s usages of the term often go well beyond this definition and even contradict it in practice.

In truth, the wealthiest Americans should not be given further tax cuts because, as of recently, when they’ve been afforded the excess income, instead of building new factories and expanding their enterprises, as many Americans believed that they would, much of their excess income was spent re-investing in the stock market and purchasing financial instruments. These spending activities have nearly no positive impact on middle to lower class Americans.

This is spending that does not “trickle down.”

The following three graphs compare the data trend line of the top nominal tax rate to those of three key economic indicators that modern fiscal conservatives assert that lower top nominal tax rates help to improve: real gross domestic product (GDP), income growth and unemployment.

As you can see, there is nearly no correlation between the top marginal tax rate and the real GDP growth trend, the income growth trend or the unemployment trend.

The assertions that a low top marginal tax rate improves these specific indicators or that a high top marginal tax rate hinders these specific indicators can best be described as baseless propagation.

“The real job creators are the vast middle

classes have higher marginal utilities for their income. The middle and lower classes spend nearly all of their income, unlike the wealthiest Americans.

As for the trade-off between a free market and a government-regulated market, there is no such trade-off. The “free market” as we know it is itself the end product of government regulations, legislation, patents and private property rights. Without government regulation, a market would be characterized by firms regularly clashing to take over industries, monopolization, unfair mistreatment of workers and stark imbalances of power. This market would be much less efficient than our “free market.”

A federal deficit results when government spending exceeds government revenue, which is primarily raised through taxes. Of the four largest presidential term deficits in history, three were produced by Republican presidents (George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush). The largest presidential term deficit was accrued under former President Obama, who inherited the worst economic disaster since the Great Depression, and thus had to steady the economy through fiscal spending and middle class tax cuts. As for the Republicans, their enormous additions to the debt were largely caused by their own trickle-down policies, in which they continued to spend significantly, while largely reducing tax revenue.

Of those three presidents, Reagan’s term deficit invites the most scrutiny. Not only did President Reagan’s radical fiscal policies result in a new precedent, but they also nearly tripled the national debt, which went from $907 billion in 1980 to $2.6 trillion in 1988. His presidency also produced the highest increase in federal debt to GDP of any president post-WWII — a 187 percent increase. On the campaign trail, Reagan hounded President Carter’s federal spending, but while Carter spent 27.9 percent of the national income in his final year, Reagan’s

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first-quarter spending in 1988 accounted for 28.7 percent of the national income, all while he maintained his tax cuts.

Another staple of modern fiscal conservatism is hostility toward unions. Unions are vital for our economy because they provide workers the leverage to bargain their own wages, thus providing a fairer labor market and ensuring that working citizens have more money to reinvest into the economy.

In the prosperous post-WWII boom between 1945 and 1960, union participation typically averaged around 27 percent. Today, these numbers hover closer to 11 percent.

This lack of participation is partly due to sustained Republican efforts to discourage union participation, due to their belief that unions hinder firms’ ability to run efficiently.

As of today, Republicans have successfully enacted anti-union “right-to-work” laws in 25 states — including Virginia. These laws, typically dismissed as “free-rider” laws by union members, allow workers the right to work at a firm without even paying union membership fees.

In the 1920s, the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans were able to consolidate a greater share of the national wealth. Shortly before the Great Depression, the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans owned nearly 24 percent of all national wealth.

After the Great Depression and a flurry of government regulation under Democratic presidents, the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans held a lesser share of the national wealth. The trend remained until it was reversed under the Reagan administration.

Since the 1980s, the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans’ share of the national wealth has generally continued to climb. Today, these Americans hold nearly 20 percent of the national income.

From 1950 to the late 1970s, worker productivity and median household income were very much correlated. From 1965 to

the late 1970s, household median income actually exceeded worker productivity.

Shortly after 1980, under Reagan, worker productivity surpassed median household income. The two measures remained fairly close until 1990, when median household income began to decline under H.W. Bush while productivity continued to improve.

Around 1993, under Clinton, median household income improved until about the year 2000, where since, it has either remained stagnant or declined. In 2011, under Obama, median household income finally began to recover. All the while, productivity has never declined post-WWII. More and more, the balanced Keynesian economic policies that helped establish the post-WWII boom are being abandoned.

Today, we have nearly the lowest income taxes of the past 60 years. Until we raise income taxes, particularly for the wealthiest citizens, our nation will continue to rack up debt and widen inequality. Mandatory spending shouldn’t necessarily be cut, because programs like Social Security and Medicare help citizens spend less out of pocket for their healthcare coverage. If cut, the middle and lower classes, whose spending patterns largely drive our economy, would have less money to spend. There would be less demand for products and services, unemployment would rise, wages would stagnate or decline, and investment would decrease.

The economy wouldn’t be better off.

My final message for you is: if you are not among the wealthiest of Americans, and would like to vote your economic selfinterest — be wary of those describing themselves as “fiscal conservatives.”

IBRAHIM MOHAMED opinions contributor junior/finance

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February 23, 2017 PAGE 3

Performing arts jazzed for new director The School of Performing Arts is one step closer to filling the open director position after reviewing its second candidate, tenured theatre professor Paul Steger, last Thursday. attended a live performance art event — going to monuments, news staff writer buildings, natural arts, etc.

The School of Performing Arts However, 71.4 percent used elechosted its second director finalist tronic media to experience art, 43.3 presentation on Feb. 16 at Squires percent are creating, practicing, Recital Salon, which featured Paul performing, editing and remixing Steger, tenured professor of the art, and 80 percent of 18–24 year Johnny Carson School of Theatre olds use electronic devices to and Film at the University of create, practice, perform, edit and Nebraska-Lincoln. remix art.

Steger recently completed an “Technology seems to be the 11-year term as the inaugural great enabler, the great segredirector of the Carson School of gator or the great integrator of arts Theatre and Film and has helped engagement and creation among acquire $20 million in donations, as certain subgroups,” Steger said, part of a $57 million investment by believing that the percentage of the university to create the Carson people using media devices won’t Center for Emerging Media Arts. contract. “Do we really see the Steger’s credentials include being reduction of the use of electronic a member of the Actors’ Equity media in the next 10 years? Are we Association and the Screen Actors going to throw away our phone?

Guild, as well as traveling to and Toss away our computer? Tablet? from North America and Europe as Audiences will continue to grow a performer, director, speaker and if — in my opinion — we aggresconsultant. sively pursue a deliberate arts expeStarting off his speech, Steger rience via technology.” spoke of a “tectonic shift in arts Steger suggested the path forward in this changing media landscape is to “grow the tent” and accommodate arts programs to meet the demand from students and parents who expect a return on their investments in higher education.

“You have to change,” Steger said. “The vast majority of arts institutions have students and parents who demand, who will drive the mean to respond to curricular shifts that are valid to the professionals the students aspire to.”

He noted that arts institutions should grow the tent through one of two ways — through inventive technology and film or through digital formats. Additionally, every arts program should include three things — life changing opportuANNA FRIESEN / COLLEGIATE TIMES nities, being at the forefront and Paul Steger makes a presentation as a part of the process for introducing new skill sets — while finalists for the position of director of the School of Performing also bringing in faculty that are proficient in more than one arts Arts, Feb. 16, 2017.

CAROLINE PROVOST

culture and consumption” that would put faculty and staff at major arts universities in a bind, as they decide whether to stick with traditional arts teaching or shift to a curriculum that incorporates new media and technology.

“While it is possible to do this, it identifies pristine exemplars of both extremes of this particularity, forcing a choice becomes a ‘this or that’ choice. It becomes unnecessarily binary,” he said.

Steger suggested that a more promising alternative would be committing to both transition and change, determined to find a happy medium. His personal belief is that the innovative, artistic future must first be understood through the honorable and effective methods preceding his own plan.

In addition, Steger also cited stats from a 2002–12 census survey of people’s participation in the arts, which revealed that the adult attendance has declined in performing arts activities and 51 percent had

tradition.

“I firmly believe that we can’t speak in multiple arts languages now without accents,” Steger said.

“We have to recruit faculty that are expert in more than one tradition, which means these faculties will in turn recruit more students who are so inclined that tradition and change are being served.

“When you’re looking at a vision for the future, you’re kind of throwing a dart some place out there, and what lives behind that dart or what that dart will pull in is all the traditions of the institutions, all the traditions of the individuals and all the strength and power of the alumni and students that are all a part of that.”

In close, Steger offered some thoughts of what he believed comprised good leadership, finishing his presentation with an analogy to describe the way arts programs and institutions should innovate and structure themselves.

“It’s the work of the trajectory forward, not how fast you can fire your missile,” Steger said. “I prefer the old adage, ‘ready, aim, fire,’ as opposed to, ‘ready, fire, aim.’ If you’re going to fire it — if you’re going to move it, it needs to be in the direction that you want to go, otherwise you’ll end up going in all kinds of directions.”

After the presentation, the floor was opened to an informal Q&A for faculty and students to ask questions and speak one-on-one.

The third and final director’s presentation will take place on Feb. 23 at Squires Recital Salon from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. and will feature Harry Bulow, head of the Patti and Rusty Rueff School of Visual and Performing Arts at Purdue University.

@cAr0lin3_prov

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his past weekend, we saw warmer than average temperatures for this area that led up to a rain event on Wednesday. This warm trend will continue throughout the rest of the week and even as we head into the weekend.

On Thursday, you should expect scattered thunderstorms throughout the day, so make sure to have a raincoat or an umbrella in case you happen to get caught in one.

The temperatures will reach the mid-60s during the day and dip down into the upper 40s during the night. A warm front will be moving through on Friday, which will bring temperatures up into the upper 60s. This will leave skies partly cloudy for most of the day.

Clouds will come in overnight which will leave mostly cloudy skies for Saturday with the chance for some more rain. This will be caused by a strong cold front moving eastward behind the warm front on Friday. The high temperature on Saturday will be in the upper 50s, but as soon as it reaches that temperature, it is going to start dropping significantly, bringing the low temperature to the low 40s overnight.

Sunday morning will be a bit more brisk than what we have been seeing over the past week. Around 8 a.m., the temperature will have plummeted all the way down into the low 30s, so don’t be startled when you aren’t able to wear a light coat like we have been most mornings! High pressure will be seen over our region, so hopefully we will get a break from all of the clouds and rain and get to enjoy some sunshine as the weekend comes to an end.

NANCY BARNHARDT weather correspondent @HOKIEwxWATCH

Electrical fire wipes away Tech’s research building Fire code official for Town of Blacksburg Wayne Garst says the cause of the Prices Fork fire was accidental.

ALY DE ANGELUS news editor

COURTESY OF THE TOWN OF BLACKSBURG Blacksburg resident Javad Torabinejad speaks to the Planning Commission from the podium, Feb. 7, 2017.

With upsize in Sturbridge, local refutes parking logic LEWIS MILLHOLLAND managing editor

On Feb. 7, the Blacksburg Planning Commission focused its monthly meeting on the proposed renovations to Sturbridge Square. The plan includes creating 614 more bedrooms, which requires nearly a 150 percent boost in resident density, and slightly reducing the parking spaces to bedroom ratio from 0.77 to 0.75.

Sturbridge Square Owner Patty Segar explained during the meeting that the proposed lower number of spaces per bedroom was manageable because of the community’s already low parking utilization.

“We’ve studied it multiple times — multiple times, multiple time periods, all of which when school is in session,” Segar said. “Our utilization of that parking ratio is a 0.6. At any given time, generally speaking, there are 100 open spots at Sturbridge.”

There have only been three planned residential district proposals in Blacksburg since 2010 with an equal or higher density than the Sturbridge Square renovation plan. One proposal was denied, one has been delayed by the applicant and one has been marred with community pushback and surprise infrastructure problems.

After Sturbridge’s presentation, the floor was opened for public comment. Javad Torabinejad, a common face at town events, took the podium to present data he had collected that disagreed with

Sturbridge’s findings.

“Related to the number of parking (spaces) available, it is well replicated at night that 57, on average, (are) available,” Torabinejad said. “Also — this is for 2:57 a.m. last Thursday — there were 69 available. And then, during the day at 3:57 p.m., there were 151.”

While Torabinejad’s observations are well below Segar’s report, he has never seen Sturbridge parking completely full. His concern stems from further reducing the parking space to bedroom ratio and bringing in 600 residents to new housing developments.

“One of the factors that will contribute to a higher parking occupancy is if they increase the rent, there would be different types of applicants for those apartments — Sturbridge would be populated by more affluent people, and they would most likely come with their cars,” Torabinejad said.

All in all, Torabinejad conducted eight nighttime samples of Sturbridge parking.

Referring to these late-night studies, Planning Commission Chair Don Langrehr asked Torabinejad: “You using drugs or something?”

The room laughed and Torabinejad replied, “If you are too concerned, you do these things.”

Langrehr told me later in an interview that his comment was not mean-spirited. He described Torabinejad as a “reliable resident that really looks into issues.”

“He’s been paying a lot of attention. And he brings up good issues. It’s helpful to have

residents that pay attention,” Langrehr said.

Torabinejad was not alone in questioning the future parking situation. Langrehr said that residents with homes near Sturbridge Square had given the Planning Commission photographs of people parking on their streets and cutting through their backyards.

The Planning Commission’s role is to verify that development proposals are ready for the Town Council’s evaluation and to send along recommendations for problems that came up in discussion. Langrehr and other members suggested that the town enforce a parking permit program for Sturbridge Square to ensure residents parked in their own neighborhood only.

Other concerns included excessive runoff with the increase in impermeable surfaces, traffic safety regarding left turns in and out of the neighborhood, an inadequate sewage infrastructure and the lifestyle clash between collegiate and non-collegiate residents. Sturbridge Square has been working with town officials to study and proactively address many of these issues.

Town Council is expected to vote on the Sturbridge Square proposal in their next regularly scheduled meeting on March 14, which already has an ambitiously lengthy agenda.

@WithTheFancyGuy

According to an email drafted by Wayne Garst, fire code official for the Town of Blacksburg Fire Department, last Sunday’s incident on 4076 Prices Fork Rd. was controlled with 11 apparatus and 36 firefighters on scene, in addition to 14 firefighters, two tankers and an engine from Longshop McCoy Fire Department. Blacksburg’s team arrived to the scene at 8:52 p.m., at which time only skeletal remains existed of Virginia Tech’s research facility that was built in three phases, beginning in 1960.

Prior to the fire, the building’s heating system that was installed approximately two weeks ago had raised immediate concerns. One occupant of the building noticed the smell of propane for a couple of days, but the investigation did not indicate a propane explosion. Dysfunction of the propane tank has been attributed as an accelerator of the fire due to compromised lines.

“It was totally accidental.

Where it was, it couldn’t be seen ... there was really no way for someone to know that there was a problem.”

“Certainly you should notify the proper authorities if you know of something

that could be a potential problem, you know, have someone come take a look at it,” Garst said. “Did that have anything to do with the fire?

No, it didn’t. I mentioned that because the person who had called it in had mentioned that they had heard a couple of explosions, but it turned out that it wasn’t those propane tanks and it really didn’t have anything to do with the fire.”

Just four days after the fire, investigators determined that electrical malfunction under the living room module of the FutureHAUS was the sole cause of self-destruction.

According to the report, an automatic door was accidentally mashed under the module frame, which started a fire under the module.

The nature of the fire was fast-paced, attributed to styrofoam between half-inch oriented strand boards of the module walls.

“It was totally accidental.

Where it was, it couldn’t be seen,” Garst said. “I’m sure that they will look at how they are wiring their building in the future and use some more precautions, but the way that it’s set up, there was really no way for someone to know that there was a problem.”

“While this is a devastating loss, it renews our commitment to build the

BEN WEIDLICH / COLLEGIATE TIMES One of the buildings damaged by the fire at the Prices Fork Research Center, 4076 Prices Fork Rd., Blacksburg, Virginia, early Monday after emergency responders extinguished the fire.

world’s smartest, most sustainable home.”

Due to 40 to 60 mph winds, the crew was advised to stay on scene all night in search of hot spots and extreme wind conditions.

The fire was extinguished in one and a half hours.

“It was extremely windy that night and there were a lot of hot spots so we were worried about fire flashing back up again or embers from the fire going out into the area behind the building — like in the grassy area or spreading to another building — so we left an engine and a crew there til about seven o’clock the next morning,” Garst said.

No injuries or casualties were reported, but Garst assumes an estimated loss of $1 million when considering the building and its contents.

First responders at Virginia Tech’s research facility were unable to recover any tangible items on the site.

“Well, there is nothing salvageable there,” Garst said. “They have been talking about building another building, but you’d have to get that from Virginia Tech.”

Joseph W h e e l e r, professor of architecture and co-director of the Center for Design Research at Virginia Tech, said that adversity will not overshadow his dream of refining modern day housing with world-class technology.

“While this is a devastating loss, it renews our commitment to build the world’s smar test, most sustainable home,” Wheeler said to WDBJ7 News. “Our plan is to take the research and innovation from FutureHAUS, combine it with what we learned on our winning 2010 Solar Decathlon home, LumenHAUS, and carry it forward to create the best solar home for the 2018 Solar Decathlon Middle East.”

@RealSlimAD

collegiatetimes.com

PAGE 4 February 23, 2017

editor@collegiatetimes.com

Army ROTC battalion gifts AWARD: Xiao humbled by $1.2 million in scholarships recognition in geobiology

Sixteen Army ROTC cadets were honored at the men’s basketball game Tuesday night for substantial scholarship awards.

LIBBY HOWE Corps of Cadets reporter

Before Tuesday night’s basketball game, Virginia Tech’s Army ROTC battalion recognized 16 cadets for receiving Army ROTC scholarships totaling a value of $1.2 million. Awarded in recognition of scholastic, athletic and leadership performance throughout their academic careers thus far here at Virginia Tech, these scholarships cover tuition, mandatory fees, textbooks and a monthly living stipend.

“We had 16 scholarship recipients,” said 2nd. Lt. Ryan Montgomery, a recruiter with the Army battalion. “Some were being upgraded from smaller scholarships to bigger ones, and some were receiving scholarships for the first time, and that includes all the way up to $147,000 for a four-and-ahalf-year scholarship.”

Montgomery works on recruiting visits for Army ROTC, the Corps of Cadets and Virginia Tech as a whole.

He explained the attributes that he looks for in potential future Hokies.

“We’re looking for good grades, a lot of extracurricular activities, athletes, people who held leadership positions in clubs and students who are overall physically fit,” Montgomery said.

Virginia Tech’s Army ROTC cadets certainly fit the bill.

“There’s a significantly higher than average number of people in our battalion with scholarships. This is because we’re a senior military college with an exceptionally large program, but also because we’re one of the best programs in the country,” said Josh Conyers, senior industrial systems engineering major and this semester’s battalion cadet commander.

“ROTC at Vi rgin ia Tech, our battalion, usually ranks as the No. 1 among senior military colleges,” Montgomery corroborated.

“We have really competitive cadets with really high GPAs compared to most ROTC cadets around the country.

These particular cadets were able to use those high grades as well as their physical fitness to earn scholarships.”

These scholarships are not easily attainable and have a reputation of being difficult to maintain.

“Getting the scholarship is the first step. After that, to keep it you have to pass a PT test at minimum every semester.

If you ever fail a PT test, you could forfeit your scholarship right then and there,” Conyers explained. “On top of that, you have to maintain a 2.5 GPA. Generally our standards are a

Tech in 2003 as an assistant professor in the geosciences department. they have the right to Marking his ninth year, poison kids.’”

Xiao is a current professor Edwards claimed that of geobiology in the the Virginia Outstanding geosciences department.

Scientist award is more of a team effort on the part of his research team.

The geosciences “Well, I am overwhelmed and touched and department is one heartened by how much of the best in the recognition our team’s country ... It’s a efforts have gotten both within Virginia Tech and really great fortune in Virginia, in the state for us to have this and country, in the world.

It was a team effort,” recognition as a Edwards said. “We had university.” each other’s backs, we Shuhai Xiao played our small part here geobiology professor at Virginia Tech, but we had the collaboration of people in Michigan, who also gave up their lives and Xiao’s research mostly put their career(s) on the focuses on the early part line to do this good thing, of the earth’s history. frankly no motivation at The main goal of Xiao’s all, except to help other research is to understand people.” the earth’s history and the Virginia Tech’s second evolutionary history from recipient of Virginia’s 2.5 billion years ago to Outstanding Scientist about half a million years awa rd, Shuhai Xiao, ago. finished his undergraduate “In order to understand education in China and the future of the earth, like earned his doctoral degree what’s going on today, we at Harvard University need to understand what’s in 1998. After two years going on in the past,” Xiao of participating in post- said. “Without this time doctora l resea rch at component, it’s difficult to Harvard University, Xiao understand how the earth began his teaching career works in a large scale.” at Tulane University in Xiao’s most recent 2000 and came to Virginia r es e a r ch p r oj e c t is from page 1

little higher than that, and our PT standards are certainly far higher than those of the rest of the nation.”

These raised standards help Virginia Tech’s ROTC cadets stay well above the standard to keep their scholarships.

“It is difficult to make sure you can keep those scholarships, but we hold our cadets to such a high standard that, generally, it’s not an issue to stay on it,” Conyers said.

“It’s great to get an Army ROTC scholarship,” said freshman biochemistry major Severin Shultis, a recipient of one of the 2.5 year scholarships. “I worked very hard for it as well as the individuals who are receiving one with me.”

Scholarship recipients included: 4.5 year scholarship — Jared Parisen, Christopher Volk 3.5 year scholarship — Mitchell Braun, William Deffert, James Erdely, Louis Hatcher, Stephen Loffert, William Lehman, Gregory Vojtek 2.5 year scholarships — Logan Grow, Lauren Mickens, Connor McMillan, Rebecca Post, Severin Shultis 2 year scholarship — Casey Soper 1.5 year scholarship — Woo Young Cheon

“

@yourlenny

funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which is searching for fossils on other planets.

According to Xiao, the project requires them to test a number of analytical tools, mostly nanoscale, of fossils and rocks in order to understand the limit of fossil preservation.

Xiao mentioned that the award has meant a lot to him and his department.

“It’s a great honor, and I’m humbled. It means a lot to me being here for 13–14 years. I really like this place. It’s a great department,” Xiao said. “The geosciences department is one of the best in the country. The petrology program is one of the top ten programs in the country. It’s really a great fortune for us to have this recognition as a university, as a department and as the petrology program.”

More i n fo r m a t i o n about the award and the Virginia’s Outstanding Scientists Aw a r d s Program can be found on the Science Museum of Virginia website.

@CollegiateTimes

study break Today’s Birthday Horoscope: This is a growth year for family accounts. Your professional status rises with steady attention. Strengthen your health and fitness this month, and renewed personal confidence surges. Shifting priorities this September leads to a breakthrough in work, health and vitality. Love energizes you.

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lifestyles collegiatetimes.com/lifestyles

Tips for your next outdoor concert

A guide for preparing for outdoor concerts and festivals, including what tickets to buy and when.

PAULINA FARLEY-KUZMINA

lifestyles staff writer

Something about warm weather makes me jittery for outdoor concert and festival season, where I often burn through my paychecks on tickets and merchandise. For the amount of concerts that I’ve attended at different venues, I should be broke, but fortunately, the thrill of the experience of seeing my favorite musicians live keeps me working and coming back to spend more.

The most impor tant thing I’ve learned is that at big venues like Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Virginia, or Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, is that the concert experience is affected immensely by what type of ticket you buy. The differences between pit tickets, pavilion seats and lawn tickets in relation to the type of music and your love of the artist will make or break your concert or festival experience.

Pit general admission Like most people (I assume), I only drop the large amount of money that general admission pit tickets cost for my top favorite artists. At these concerts, because I’m so close to the stage, in order to make the best of the experience I recommend knowing as many of the performer’s songs as possible as well as trying to find out what the setlist is beforehand.

If artists are well into their tours, often people post on forums or social media what the setlists were at specific

venues, which can be found through a simple Google search. Other ways to guess the setlist would be to look at tours from previous years on Google as well as track their top songs on websites like iTunes or Spotify.

At concerts when I’m in the pit, I don’t come to play around.

To ensure the best results of general admission to an event, get to the venue hours before the doors even open. Usually I am one of the first 30 people in line so I can be as close to center stage as possible, plus it’s fun to spend the day hanging out with friends in anticipation of the performance.

In my opinion, pit tickets are best for performers who won’t be too confined behind instruments like drums or guitars. Rap, hip-hop and pop concerts often fit that mold and also usually have backup dancers and singers that add to the performance that make it worthwhile to be up close.

Pavilion seating Tickets that correspond to actual seats are my least favorite type of concert tickets because there isn’t as much flexibility in where you can enjoy the music. Standing awkwardly in the square foot of space in front of the chair I’m supposed to be sitting in isn’t really as much fun as either being squashed by the people standing around me in the pit or sitting on a blanket on the lawn.

However, there are a few distinct pros. For example, pavilion seats are usually cheaper than pit tickets, which comes in handy when I like the musician a fair amount but not

enough to completely empty my wallet and at the same time want to be closer to the action than just general lawn seats.

Lawn general admission Tickets for the general lawn are the most socially fun, but, again, I don’t spend money for a lawn ticket where I would only be able to see the performance that I really want to experience from a giant screen.

Lawn tickets are perfect for Instagram-worthy pictures or gatherings with large groups of people because they’re easier to buy separately compared to pavilion seats, when one person would have to buy the tickets all at once in order to get seats together.

For festivals like WMZQ where there are many artists or that are more acoustic-based, lawn tickets are great because you’re out in the open and can enjoy the warm summer air along with the music.

Si m i la rly, I d on’t recommend being under the influence of anything unless you have lawn tickets. Gasping

for air in the pit or falling over chairs in the pavilion due to a lack of sobriety is not a good way to spend the concert, so save the consumption for lawn seats only. (I’ve seen a lot of people bite the dust in situations like this).

Types of tickets aside, if you really care about the artist or are going with friends, you’re going to have fun at an outdoor concert either way. Budgetary concerns and logical problems could also influence the type of ticket you buy, so these tips are more like helpful suggestions to enhance the concert experience.

I would love to see Beyonce, but probably couldn’t afford even the cheapest ticket seated in the farthest corner of the venue. However, as a seasoned concert-goer, I take into account all of these concerns when choosing which concerts, what venue and eventually which type of seat to get. @CollegiateTimes

COURTESY OF LEN COMARATTA

BREAK BOD: How to ‘break’ into a better you this spring vacation from page 1

and confidence-boosting.

I know that no matter how sour my day, week or month was, an hour of Zumba or high intensity interval training is sure to give me a healthy dose of happiness.

Also, yoga is great for toning. I break a sweat every

time I take a yoga class. Maybe that is just because I am an aggressively sweaty person by nature, but it is also seriously great for working the core and thighs.

Even though it may be too late to safely make any significant weight alterations, exercising for at least 20 minutes three times a week can greatly improve your mental state.

Do not spend spring break resenting poor choices and obsessing over how you look.

We do enough of that while at school.

In the end, it comes down to what makes us feel confident and comfortable in our skin.

Confidence is the most attractive accessory, after all.

Feeling strong and fit could be the lifestyle addition you need

to exude confidence and truly enjoy spring break.

If you don’t feel flattering in a swimsuit, then find the flowiest maxi dress you care to buy and stretch out by the ocean while looking like a goddess.

@KatieRice_CT

February 23, 2017 PAGE 5

The Lyric Theatre: What’s coming SAMANTHA SMITH lifestyles editor

The Lyric Theatre, located off of College Avenue, has been known in the Blacksburg community for its low priced movies since its inception in 1909. However, live events have been taking place at the Blacksburg venue since its renovations in the mid-90s.

However, there was one major hiccup with the timing of The Lyric’s extensive renovations — the rise of the DJ. “It was cheaper for businesses to have DJs than it was to have bands, so live bands kind of fell by the wayside,” said Len Comaratta, production manager at The Lyric.

“Then they became house shows, so that made events like The Lyric’s more important because you didn’t have to be part of some underground scene to know if something was happening.”

Since Comaratta began at The Lyric back in July of 2013, he has been attempting to move away from the Americana acts that have frequented the theater in the past. Names like Bettye Lavette, Wanda Jackson, Aimee Mann and Jason Isbell are just a few of the musicians who have played The Lyric stage since Comaratta launched his career at this Blacksburg staple.

Keeping with his tradition of changing things up, here are three live acts that will be coming to The Lyric in the coming months: Margo Price with special guest John Fritz, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m.

“She’s unique because she’s a fresh voice in country, and she tips her hat to the roots and tradition,” Comaratta said. “She’s not hot country — she’s true.”

Margo Price will be stopping at The Lyric during her Born to Ramble tour with special guest John Fritz, followed by stops in Charlottesville, Virginia; Charleston, West Virginia; and Asheville, North Carolina.

This singer-songwriter’s album, the “Midwest Farmer’s Daughter,” won best country album of 2016 from Nashville Scene magazine as well as “Emerging Artist of the Year” at the honors and awards show for The Americana Music Association.

Tickets can be purchased online, via phone or at The Lyric box office and range in price from $25 to $35. All students may receive a $5 discount when they show their student IDs. The Black Lillies, March 24 at 8 p.m.

“The Black Lillies are just great songwriters, (and they’re) really popular in this region,” Comaratta said.

The band is originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, and specializes in a blend of rock, soul, blues, jazz and country. Its most recent album, “Hard to Please,” received rave reviews.

“

You didn’t have to be a part of some underground scene to know if something was happening.”

Len Comaratta production manager

According to the website Country Perspective, “In spite of all the challenges the band faced before going into record the album, The Black Lillies still deliver a great Americana album with perfect fusions of rock and country with some blues and gospel influences splashed in. Even with songs that are decidedly rock and decidedly country on the same album, every song has a place and purpose on Hard to Please.”

Tickets can be purchased online, via phone or at The Lyric box office and range in price from $20 to $32. All students may receive a $5 discount when they show their student IDs. Robyn Hitchcock with special guest Cale Tyson, April 20 at 8 p.m. “(Robyn Hitchcock is) the Bob Dylan of alternative rock,” Comaratta said. “Without him, a lot of bands in the 80s and 90s wouldn’t have sounds that they do.”

According to his website, Hitchcock is a singer and songwriter originally from England who attempts to blend “folk and psychedelia with a wry British nihilism.” As described on his biography page, the goal of Hitchcock’s music is to create “paintings that you can listen to.”

Tickets go on sale on March 6 for the show.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ARMAHN RASSULI

@Smith992_CT

Where you go, we go. collegiatetimes.com

collegiatetimes.com

PAGE 6 February 23, 2017

editor@collegiatetimes.com

sports collegiatetimes.com/sports

Hokies sweep Cougars in PlaySight replay debut Tech men’s tennis trounced the College of Charleston, 7–0, in the first collegiate match to use electronic line calling.

JORDAN HUTCHINSON sometimes long enough to replay system is going to be sports reporter

CAT PIPER / COLLEGIATE TIMES Phil Sciretta (15) bats at the baseball game against Notre Dame, March 25, 2016.

Tech blanks Marshall for first 4–0 start since 2013 NATHAN LOPRETE baseball beat reporter

After starting the season 3–0, Virginia Tech opened its season at home against Marshall. With an offense that scored 28 runs over the weekend, the Hokies came out swinging early.

Tech sent Connor Coward to the mound. He made just three starts a year ago, but head coach Patrick Mason said in the fall that he thought Coward could make the jump to the rotation.

The junior from Pittsburgh didn’t disappoint in his first start of 2017. He allowed three hits over six innings and earned the win as Virginia Tech defeated Marshall 7–0.

“If he pitches like that, whether it’s on the weekends or on Tuesdays, it’s going to help us win some games,” Mason said. “He had command of all his pitches, especially his changeup. He had command of his fastball and both complimented each other well. He took the mound with a lot of confidence.”

Coward, who also finished with five strikeouts and just one walk, talked about what was working best for him.

“I would say my changeup.

Usually I sit back on my curveball a lot more. We know they are a really aggressive team. They like to swing at first pitch fastballs. Coach Pinzino had talked about getting ahead with off-speed and not giving them the fastball first pitch,”

Coward said.

Virginia Tech got all of the offense it needed in the second inning. After Stevie Mangrum and Joe Freiday Jr. led off the inning with singles, Matt Dauby was hit, which loaded the bases. Rahiem Cooper bounced into a 5–3 double play, which allowed Mangrum to score the first run.

Jack Owens followed with an RBI single to right, making it 2–0 Hokies. Owens would proceed score on a heads-up base-running play following an error by the Marshall shortstop, extending the inning. Nick Anderson followed with an RBI single, making it 4–0 Tech.

That brought up Sam Fragale, who was named as one of the ACC Players of the Week yesterday. On a 2–0 count, he doubled down the left-field line and Tom Stoffel raced in to score.

“He’s a little bit more patient.

I think he’s got the same plan, he’s just doing a better job of executing it,” Mason said about Fragale’s early-season surge.

The entire Hokies lineup has been productive, but Mason knows it’s still early.

“They’re complementing each other. They’re really locked in on scoring runs and not caring about who or how,” Mason said.

A 5–0 lead was all Coward needed, and he was starting to find his rhythm. After throwing a lot of pitches in the first two innings, he settled in a retired nine in a row before finally

giving up a hit in the fifth.

Another Fragale RBI in the fourth made it 6–0. Tufts added a run in the seventh after Cooper bunted his way on and stole second.

The Hokies’ bullpen was lights out on Tuesday, which is a good sign moving forward.

Paul Hall Jr. pitched a scoreless seventh and Graham Seitz struck out three in the eighth.

Kit Scheetz closed the game out in the ninth. The entire pitching staff struck out 12 Marshall hitters and only issued one walk.

This is Virginia Tech’s first 4–0 start since 2013. After last season, Fragale said the Hokies have come out with an edge.

“Getting those three wins at USC Upstate gave us a lot of momentum coming into today,” Fragale said.

“Midweeks are where you make regionals. After the season we had last year we sat on it and pondered it. We definitely came back with a little chip on our shoulder.”

The Hokies travel to Nevada for a four-game set beginning on Friday. Tech will send Packy Naughton to mound on Friday. Joey Sullivan will more than likely throw in one of the two games on Saturday and Andrew McDonald will throw on Sunday, which was how the rotation lined up this past weekend at USC Upstate. @natejloprete

HOOPS: Hokies close out Tigers with hot shooting from page 1

down the open shots. I think just being poised and getting back to myself. Calming down and just seeing everything was easier tonight, and it’s a good step for us.”

Bibbs fell on his knee late in the second half and limped out of the locker room after the game. Williams says he will likely have an MRI tomorrow,

but expects Bibbs to be alright.

Clemson was led by guard Marcquise Reed, who scored 18 points for the Tigers. Shelton Mitchell scored 14 points and Elijah Thomas scored 12. Star forward Jaron Blossomgame had a poor night in Blacksburg, scoring only 13 points on 15 shots. Guard Gabe DeVoe couldn’t find his stroke as he went 0–7 from the floor, finishing with zero points.

On Saturday, the Hokies

travel to Boston College to take on the Eagles. BC has struggled this season, picking up just two conference wins.

The Eagles are also riding an 11-game losing streak. Tech needs to take care of business to secure itself an NCAA tournament bid. Tipoff is at 4 p.m. on Saturday. @JHutchinsonVT

LOREN SKINKER / COLLEGIATE TIMES Seth Allen (4) takes the game-winning shot with just four seconds left in regulation to push the Hokies to a 71–70 victory over the Tigers. Despite only playing for 19 minutes, Allen tallied eight points, including this last second three-pointer, Feb. 21, 2017.

The Virginia Tech men’s tennis team defeated the College of Charleston 7–0 on Tuesday. The Hokies moved to 3–3 on the year.

“We’re young, but I like where we are,” said head coach Jim Thompson.

“We’ve got guys that are working hard and guys that are talented. I think the rest of the season is going to be a challenge that I am excited about.”

It was a total domination for the Hokies, who won every possible match in both singles and doubles.

Although Tech took care of business, that wasn’t the story of the day in the BurrowsBurleson Tennis Center.

On Tuesday, PlaySight, a company that creates tennis replay systems, made the Virginia Tech-College of Charleston match the first in collegiate history with replay ability.

“Each player gets three challenges per set,” said PlaySight representative Niki Kerscher. “They’ll first appeal to the official and then, based on the call, either player can appeal the call and go over to the kiosk to determine whether or not the ball was in or out.”

While the replay system was exciting, it did seem to slow down matches a bit. While the system didn’t extend the time by an extreme amount, it was

throw off a player’s rhythm.

“I think there are times where it’s a good thing,” said sophomore Jason Kros.

“There are times where maybe it’s just to mess around or take advantage of the situation. I know I got a little tight waiting for four minutes for a ball that was definitely in.

Overall, it’s a cool idea that we can allow people to experience a different angle of the game, only seen in the pros.”

“

We’re young, but I like where we are.

We’ve got guys that are working hard and guys that are talented.”

Jim Thompson head coach

Kerscher discussed how the replay system has been tested for timeliness and effectiveness throughout the country.

“We’ve done a few junior tournaments and we’ve timed it. We did a fall tournament at USC and made sure that we timed everyone.

I think there were about 80 or 90 challenges, and we timed every single one of them.

It didn’t delay the game at all — it’s usually within 30 seconds,” Kerscher said.

Thompson also talked about how abusing the

monitored.

“I think the referees had instruction that if it was clearly one way or the other, that they weren’t going to allow the player to use the replay to slow down momentum. That’s not the intention, I think any time you have those rules, I think people will challenge for different reasons, but I think both of these teams did a good job. I think this makes everyone feel more comfortable, thinking they had a fair shake,” Thompson said.

All in all, it was a big day for PlaySight, and it was a big day for NCAA tennis. The replay system may have been rough, but in all fairness, it was the first time ever being used in a collegiate game.

It will be interesting to see how efficient this system can become in the future.

The Bl u e G r ay Championships are next on the calendar for the Hokies, taking place this Friday and Saturday. The tournament in Mobile, Alabama, will feature eight teams: Alabama, Auburn, Boise State, Princeton, Rice, South Carolina, Texas Tech and Virginia Tech. There will be tough competition for the Hokies throughout the weekend.

@JHutchinsonVT