March 23, 2017 by The Collegiate Times

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March 23, 2017

ZACK WAJSGRAS / COLLEGIATE TIMES The speakers for the solidarity event, including Virginia Tech Police Chief Kevin Foust (second from left) and President Timothy Sands (third from right), sit behind the podium as the event gets underway, March 20, 2017. Read the full story on page 6.

Boom or bust?

Enrollment numbers fail to meet the hype

Fall 2013

Fall 2014

Fall 2015

Fall 2016

Fall 2017

Applied 19,112

20,744

22,280

25,263

27,179

Enrolled 5,364

5,494

6,324

5,929

TBD

30,000

20,000

For the third straight year, Virginia Tech boasted a record number of applicants, cracking the 27,000 mark for fall 2017. This accomplishment has been extremely well covered. However, there is another statistic that the university has been less vocal about — the stagnation in freshman enrollment. Since 2013, the number of freshman applicants to Virginia Tech has risen at an average of 9 percent each year. Even more impressive is that the past three years have been record-breakers. And because the number of freshmen offered admission has paralleled this trend closely, with a similar 9 percent growth each year, it would be reasonable to anticipate a roughly equal rise in freshman enrollments. This is drastically not the case. The number of enrollments has been growing at an average of just 4 percent annually. In fact, last year, Tech reported 400 fewer enrolled freshmen than the previous year, even though the university received 3,000 more applicants. This doesn’t bode well for Virginia Tech President Tim Sands’ 2014 call to increase the student body by 5,000 over 5–10 years. For Sands’ dream to become

15,000

10,000 5,000 0 Fall 2013

Fall 2014

Fall 2015

Fall 2016

Fall 2017

TERM Enrolled

Applied JINA RO / COLLEGIATE TIMES

a reality, the university needs to boost enrollment numbers, not just application numbers. However, such a spike in growth may no longer be Sands’ vision. In a 2016 open letter, Sands advocated for a “more manageable” 2–3 percent growth rate in the student body over the next several years. “Why grow at all?” Sands asked in his letter. “I firmly believe that Virginia Tech’s forward-looking land-grant mission is aligned with the emerging needs of Virginia, the nation and the

world. As demand increases, we must find a way to provide a Virginia Tech education to more students from Virginia and around the world.” Based on the past few years of data, Tech is on track to offer admission to over 19,000 potential freshmen for fall 2017. It’s too early to tell what this means for next year’s student body — we’ll have to wait and see.

@WithTheFancyGuy

‘Sesame Street’ gets new resident Meet Julia, the new character on “Sesame Street” who is helping to get children more familiar with autism. GRETCHEN KERNBACH lifestyles staff writer

Meet the newest resident on “Sesame Street,” Julia, an autistic, orange-haired muppet with her favorite bunny in hand. Elmo and Big Bird’s new neighbor has actually been around since 2015 on the online digital storybook series. However, her TV debut on Monday, April 10, will be historic. The goal of Julia’s creation is to introduce a new kind of playmate to kids, someone who is a little different on the outside, but just a normal kid on the inside. Stacey Gordon, the woman

Know your newspaper: Terms matter Understanding news nomenclature goes hand in hand with being informed.

25,000

LEWIS MILLHOLLAND managing editor

our views [staff editorial]

behind Julia, deeply connects with the before they experienced them in the muppet herself. At home, Gordon is classroom, they might not have been raising a son with autism. frightened. They might not have been worried when he cried. They would have known that he plays in a different way, and that that’s OK,” Gordon told What can viewers expect Lesley Stahl on 60 Minutes. During the segment that aired on from her arrival? They can March 19, viewers were introduced to expect their children to Julia with the help of Elmo. Speaking finally be exposed to real on behalf of the residents of “Sesame Street,” Elmo said that she’s “really life.” special to us.” Julia’s interactions with the other “Had my son’s friends been characters will provide an example to exposed to his behaviors through something that they had seen on TV, see JULIA / page 7

“

is no secret that the media has faced heavy criticism in the digital age. Members of the media have even been categorized by President Donald Trump, the current leader of the oldest democracy in the world, as the “opposition party” to the United States. Accusations of bias, false reporting and corruption plague the comment sections of news organizations around the world. However, journalism is a two-way street. Jour nalists, and the news organizations that employ them, are always in some part driven by the focuses of the audiences to which they are beholden. In other words, in a democracy, the population gets the quality of journalism it deserves. To b et t er u nd erstand this disconnect, the Collegiate Times surveyed its readers to find out how knowledgeable they are about common news terminolog y. T he su r vey received 108 responses, which is not representative of the population at Virginia Tech, but did yield some interesting significant results. Newspap er s use specific nomenclature to delineate intentionally biased articles by the perspective from which they are being written and by the author’s affiliations. The basic terms include columns, op-eds, editorials and letters to the editor, which are all separate from regular news coverage in that they

are expressly biased and aim to make an argument supported by evidence. These are separate from traditional “fair and balanced” news coverage. T he sur vey asked participants to answer multiple choice questions about the definitions of each of the aforementioned terms, as well as about some of their news consumption habits. Let’s go through the results.

“

Criticism needs to come from an audience that is well informed; one that knows exactly what it is reading.”

For t he question, “What is a column in a newspaper?,” 64.8 p e r c e nt of p e o ple responded correctly. A column is an opinionated piece written by a staff writer at the newspaper. It is the most common form of opinionated writing in newspapers. For the question, “What is a letter to the editor?,” also known as an LTE, 95.4 percent responded correctly with, “An independent piece submitted from a reader of the newspaper about a particular topic.” This question received the most number of correct responses. For, “W hat is an op-ed?,” only 52.8 percent see EDITORIAL / page 2

Start of spring football marked by position changes The Virginia Tech football team has begun spring practices and is looking to fill vacancies left from major departures. CHASE PARKER

football beat reporter

Spring football is back in Blacksburg and this year the coaching staff has plenty of adjustments to make. After losing 10 out of 22 total starters, the Hokies are going to use this spring to pick up the pieces and put them back together again or at least begin process. “We’ve got a lot of holes we’ve got to fill,” said head coach Justin Fuente. “I’m not sure that you ever fully fill those in the spring, but hopefully we’ll be able to take steps towards that.

We’ll have some key points of emphasis as we break down spring practice in the first five days. We’ll really focus on implementing our schemes.” The first step in filling those holes for Fuente is to move players around and see what sticks. One of the biggest question marks heading into the spring was who was going to replace Chuck Clark at free safety. On Monday, defensive coordinator Bud Foster provided an answer. “That’s such a critical position for us, our free safety spot. He’s one of our

HOKIES TAKE DOWN WILLIAM AND MARY Check out the details from Tech’s 3–2 home victory.

page 7

quarterbacks of our defense. That position entails a lot, you know, it’s part corner, you’ve got to be a good tackler, you’ve got to be a good cover guy and a great communicator. What we’ve done right now is we’re moving Terrell Edmunds to that spot in the spring. I think that’s natural for him, a guy that played corner for us, a guy that’s a very good tackler, a very good finisher,” he said. Edmunds is no stranger to changing positions. Last spring, he was in a similar situation, switching from cornerback to rover. The

transition from rover to free safety, though, presents some unique challenges for the 6-foot-2 defensive back. “It’s not a drastically different spot, but it’s somewhat different because you have different alignments and different key reads,” Edmunds explained. “And you just have to make the plays and you have to get them across to everyone pretty much. You’re talking to everyone. You’re pretty much the leader of the defense and the secondary.” Backing up Edmunds will see SPRING / page 8

BODY MATTERS WEEK This week will be full of events promoting positive body image.

page 7

LOREN SKINKER / COLLEGIATE TIMES Jerod Evans (4) throws a screen pass to wide receiver C.J. Carroll (86) during last year’s Spring Game at Lane Stadium. April 23, 2016.

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opinions collegiatetimes.com/opinion

our views [staff editorial]

EDITORIAL: News terms are the frame for content from page 1

of people answered correctly with, “A piece authored by an independent writer who has a matter of expertise on the subject.” The key thing to know about LTEs and op-eds is that they are submitted completely independently. Once the piece is submitted, upper-level editors at the paper will check the piece for grammatical and factual errors, but do not change the content of the piece as they are not responsible for the opinions of an independent writer. That goes in hand with the survey question, “Are newspapers responsible for the opinions of independent writers that they publish?” which 50.9 percent of respondents got correct. Editorials, like the one you are reading right now, are yet another category of opinionated story. However, they are separate from regular columns even though they are written by the newspaper’s staff. Almost every newspaper has what is called an “editorial board” which is comprised of the newspaper’s columnists and a set of editors that focus solely on the paper’s opinionated work. Many newspapers physically separate their editorial boards into different office spaces so as to make the distinction between their news coverage and their opinionated works. That is not universally true, though, as it depends on the size of the publication. At the Collegiate Times, because of the small size of our staff, the editorial board is comprised of the editor-in-chief, the managing editors

News Term Cheat Sheet A guide to news terms and some of the results from the Collegiate Times’ reader survey. Letter to the Editor (LTE): An independent piece submitted from a reader of the newspaper about a particular topic Op-ed: A piece authored by an independent writer who has a matter of expertise on a subject Editorial: A piece written by the Editorial Board of a newspaper

How often do you verify the type of article you are reading (op-ed, column, letter to the editor, editorial, etc.)?

5.6% 53.3%

Sometimes

9.3%

31.8%

Never

I don’t read the news very much Always

1.9%

What is your preferred medium for getting the news?

69.2%

Print/Traditional News

Column: An opinionated article written by a staff writer meant to make an argument for a certain viewpoint

18.3% 10.6%

Radio News Other

TV News

JINA RO / COLLEGIATE TIMES

and the opinions editor. We choose to allow the entire newsroom staff to contribute feedback before publishing our editorials. The editorial board usually has a very obvious and stated opinion based on the pieces they publish. However, when The New York Times or the Washington Post publish an editorial, for example endorsing a particular candidate for office, that does not mean that every person at the organization has the same belief. The opinions reflected by the editorial board are theirs only. They do represent their newspaper, but they do not represent the coverage of the paper as a whole. In our survey, 44.4 percent of respondents knew this. Why is it important to understand these terms? Well, 69.2 percent of

respondents to the survey claimed to use “Print/Traditional News (Newspapers online)” as their main source of news information. At the same time, only 31.8 percent of respondents said that they always verify the type of article they are reading, meaning whether it is a column, op-ed, editorial, LTE or regular news coverage. Television stations and radio broadcasts do not use the same terminology to categorize their content, so if you read newspapers and don’t understand the exact context of what you’re reading, it can lead you to draw incorrect conclusions about the accuracy of that content. It can even be used strategically against you by people who wish to manipulate public opinion. In a recent newsletter sent out by the White House

on March 13, a link under a section titled “News Reports” appeared to show a favorable headline in the Washington Post about the American Health Care Act, an intended replacement for the Affordable Care Act. It is no secret that Donald Trump has had an adversarial relationship with the Post since the beginning of his campaign in 2015. A favorable headline from that particular publication would signal a huge victory for him with the “liberal media.” The link, however, directs to an article on the Washington Post’s opinions page written by Douglas HoltzEakin, the president of the conservative think tank “American Action Forum.” News terminology was intentionally used by the White House to try to make readers believe that a heavily opinionated argument was a piece of factual, unbiased information. Journalists should always welcome criticism. It is important to be ruthlessly focused on improving news coverage and reporting facts at all costs. But that criticism needs to come from an audience that is well informed; one that knows exactly what it is reading and how the information they consume is being presented. So next time you see one of your friends or family ranting on Facebook or Twitter about the biased and dishonest media, ask them to provide examples of biased coverage. You might be surprised to find out what types of articles they have been reading.

COLLEGIATE TIMES EDITORIAL STAFF

column

No glory in hosting the games: A steady home for the gold A permanent home ought to be named for the Olympic Games in order to eliminate the downfalls of moving locations.

ith the International Olympic Committee (IOC) set to announce the site for the 2024 and possibly the 2028 Olympic Games later this year, here’s to hoping this is one of the last announcements that the IOC has to make. While it is the tradition for different cities around the world to host the games every four years, it’s now time for them to be continuously hosted by one city for each of the Summer Olympics and Winter Olympics due to runaway costs, wasted venues and worker fatalities. We all see the opening ceremonies that are complete with lavish new stadiums, the latest entertainment technology and a world-class firework displays; what we rarely notice is the cost it takes to put such an event on. Have you noticed that cities have been increasingly dropping their bids to host the games? A factor in those decisions is the harsh reality that Los Angeles was the last city to turn a profit while hosting the Olympics — this was in 1984. In fact, the games have put some cities in terrible financial situations, the most notable being the city of Montreal in 1976. Following the games that year, Montreal was burdened by a debt of $1.5 billion, which took the city 30 years to pay off. In addition, Lake Placid (1980) and Lillehammer (1994) had to be bailed out by New York’s state government and

Norway’s government, respectively. It is also widely considered that the 2004 Games hosted by Athens, Greece, was one of the contributing factors to the country falling into economic disaster and needing a bailout from the European Union, as it cost the city nearly $11 billion. In total, Japan spent $10.5 billion on the 1998 Nagano Games, London coughed up $18 billion for the 2012 event and there are reports that Russia spent as much as $50 billion hosting the 2014 Sochi Games. If you are wondering how on earth the Olympics could cost this much to put on, look no further than some of the illustrious venues that we’ve seen over the years. Possibly the most famous venue in recent Olympic history — the Bird’s Nest in Beijing — ran up a bill of $480 million. Besting that is Maracana Stadium in Rio, which was renovated for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympics to the tune of $500 million. The worst part about building these massive structures is the fact that they are of no use once the games leave town. The Bird’s Nest currently costs $11 million a year to maintain and now sits vacant, with the exception of a Segway track that goes around the stadium. The Olympics left Rio not quite seven months ago and the power has already been turned off to Maracana Stadium, while a million dollar power bill remains unpaid.

Further, photos have recently come out that show the stadium stripped of seats and a separate venue home to a practice swimming pool full of unpleasant orange water. If these games were held at the same venues year after year, they would always be in use with only minimal costs needed to maintain them from one games to the next. While leading up to the games, fans around the world hear about the records that could be broken by Michael Phelps or Shaun White, but what we hardly ever get coverage of is possibly the most disturbing trend coming from the Olympics — the increasing amount of workers killed while constructing the venues. For instance, the 2004 Athens Games resulted in at least 13 documented deaths, the 2008 Beijing Games cost the lives of six individuals and the most recent Rio Games resulted in the death of 11 workers. The unfortunate outlier to these harrowing statistics is the fact that it is reported that 120 lives were lost in constructing the Sochi venues for the 2014 Winter Olympics. However, this number is in question due to the reluctance of the Russian government to admit to any wrongdoings. The astonishing number of construction workers killed comes back to a two-fold problem. First, the countries and the IOC place such tight deadlines on the contracted companies that they push their workers to their physical limits in order to get the jobs completed on time. Secondly, Russia, China and Brazil are countries with noticeably weak or sometimes nonexistent safety measures compared to

more developed nations like Great Britain (London 2012) where there were no reported fatalities. In contrast, if the Olympics were held in a permanent location, these issues could be mitigated or eliminated. Costly, abandoned venues could be a thing of the past as they would be in constant use every four years. Following their initial construction, they would only require maintenance in between Olympics to both remain functional and stay up to date with upgrades for the newest technologies. Hopefully, this solution would lead to a dramatic reduction or elimination of worker deaths as well, as the host city would presumably be in a country with strict worker safety regulations that would help prevent the atrocities listed above. Lastly, the Olympics is missing a special aura. You know, like the Kentucky Derby, the Master’s and the Rose Bowl. Churchill Downs, Augusta National and the Rose Bowl are hallowed grounds for those lucky enough to ride, walk or play on them. The Olympics could definitely use this tradition and continuity. Wouldn’t it be amazing to be able to walk on the track where Usain Bolt set a world record or see the pool in which Michael Phelps won eight gold medals? Everything about the Olympics is big: the ceremonies, the celebrations and the competition; so it’s no surprise that the IOC has a big decision to make. Choose wisely, the world is waiting. JAKE TABOR • opinions contributor • junior/agribusiness

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Political opinions on pornography must reflect research Virginia’s state legislature joins the contested debate regarding the impact of pornography and its role in public health.

ast month, the Virginia state legislature voted to recognize pornography as a public health crisis. Delegate Robert G. Marshall introduced a resolution that includes strong language condemning the “violence and abuse of women and children,” “dissatisfaction with marriage” and a variety of other colorful phrases. Pornography is easily one of the most controversial topics in society. The 10 billion dollar industry is the subject of much criticism, from its lack of regulation to its treatment of women. Now, countries are beginning to fear the scope of pornography and declare its usage a health hazard. One infamous example of a nationwide ban on over 800 porn-specific websites was introduced by India’s telecoms ministry. This ban lasted a week before mounting criticism, widespread anger and a possible increase in porn consumption after the law was instated caused the government to greatly scale back the scope of the ban to make it focused solely on banning sites that include child pornography. Clearly, this ban did little to stem any sort of perceived porn-related health crisis in India, but other nations are taking steps to institute similar bans. The Philippines recently instituted a ban on a group of pornographic websites. Russia declared porn to be illegal in 2015. Iran banned a list of 256 adult websites earlier this year. Here in the United States, Utah became the first state to declare pornography a public health crisis. It was soon followed by South Dakota and Virginia, and now, even the federal government may be following suit, with the House Oversight Committee voting unanimously on a bill that would ban federal employees from watching porn while at work. The Republican Party’s platform has a section in which pornography is declared a “public health crisis that is destroying the lives of millions.” It is a safe bet to say that congressional Republicans will likely introduce legislation somehow restricting the public’s access to porn. However, before members of the

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Republican Party begin, they should understand that there is no official definition for “public health crisis” by the Center for Disease Control, the World Health Organization or the National Institutes of Health.

“

Addiction to porn is certainly a serious condition that should be studied and treated effectively, but there is no evidence for any form of epidemic.”

Supporters of the legality of pornography state that it is hardly as dangerous as it is made to seem, and they do have some

evidence on their side. A Dutch study found that porn was merely “one factor among many” that have an influence on the sexual behaviors of children and adolescents. People who oppose the use of porn frequently refer to a common wish to protect the dignity of women. Susan Fiske studied the MRIs of men watching porn and found that while they were watching, they saw women “more as objects than human beings.” With rape culture still incredibly prevalent in society, this presents its own host of problems. However, while rape culture could be considered to be a public health crisis, this does not imply that viewing pornography is one as well. The porn industry has very little legal oversight, and in California, where the state legislature passed a laws requiring performers to wear condoms, as well as conform to a few other safety regulations, sex workers were concerned with losing

work to workers in states with no such laws. Another study also found a negative correlation between hours of porn watched and the amount of gray matter in one’s brain. This requires further research to determine direct causation, but the fact that there is a correlation is a bit concerning. Studies by Brigham Young University and the University of Missouri found that in heterosexual couples, men who watch porn tended to have lower “sexual quality” with their respective partners. On the other hand, women watching porn was “positively associated with female sexual quality.” Pornography addiction is also a serious, but not quite such a black-and-white issue. Research about the subject is still coming in, and scientists’ views vary greatly. A study at UCLA found that a brain addicted to porn reacted in the opposite way as it would with any other sort of addiction, suggesting that different therapies will have to be developed to treat it. With all of this evidence available, it is still unclear if widespread popularity of porn is anything to fear as a “health crisis.” There certainly are a plethora of issues within the porn industry itself, but there simply doesn’t appear to be a general medical consensus as to a societal threat by pornography. Addiction to porn is certainly a serious condition that should be studied and treated effectively, but there is no evidence for any form of epidemic. Additionally, it seems a bit counterintuitive for the Republican Party to be advocating for restrictions on what one could argue is a matter of freedom of speech. This is the party that constantly fights any sort of ban on one’s right to use hate speech. Clearly, much more research is needed in order to determine what legal restrictions should be placed on porn. For the moment, lawmakers can occupy themselves with defining a “public health crisis.” SALLY DUKES • opinions contributor • freshman/political science

column

Self-monitoring social media essential for job security Job-seeking and currently employed individuals are responsible for maintaining the integrity of their social media sites.

ccording to a 2013 Forbes magazine article, 48 percent of all job seekers would consider themselves very active on social media on a daily basis, and only 11 percent of job seekers say they never use social media websites. Based on these statistics, it’s safe to say that those in the workforce along with those wishing to enter the workforce are becoming increasingly attached to and active on numerous social media outlets. While in your mind, your social media accounts are simply a way of connecting with friends and posting your spring break pictures, what you post on social media can affect your future career in more ways than one. Now more than ever, social media plays a large role in the lives of most people and is starting to play an even larger role in the job market. In 2013, a third of all employers used social media in their hiring process, and that number likely increases every year. According to a CareerBuilder. com survey conducted of hiring managers and human resource professionals, 37 percent of employers use social networks

to screen potential job candidates. When asked why they browse your social media, 65 percent of those agents said they do so to see if the job seeker presents himself or herself professionally. Hence, if you are a job seeker who is active on social media, be careful. Literally anyone, including employers, can simply log onto Twitter, Facebook, etc., look up your name and find almost everything you’ve ever put out onto the internet, both good and bad. While employers looking for long-term employees are increasingly doing so, even employers looking for part-time employees are starting to search applicants’ social media; for example, even my boss at my part-time cashier job will look someone up on social media before he hires them. Once you’ve put something out into the vast pool that is the internet, it’s hard to get it back, and virtually anyone and everyone can see it. Therefore, it’s important to censor what you post if you wouldn’t want your current or future boss to bring it up in an interview. However, most people do not take heed to this warning. A 2014 Time Magazine

article considers common mistakes that job seekers make on their social media platforms, most of which a majority of job recruiters surveyed strongly disagreed with. Among the top seven mistakes were references to illegal drugs, sexual posts, profanity, guns, alcohol, poor spelling and grammar, and overly political posts. While most of these seem like common sense, an overwhelming number of the population seems to lack such a virtue, especially millennials. On any given day, with a simple scroll through your social media, it is not hard to come across a picture of someone’s weekend festivities or a tweet with some kind of foul language in it; we as the generation of technology have become somewhat immune to seeing those kinds of posts. Accordingly, it can be tempting to post that picture of yourself from that house party Friday night or type a profanity-filled tweet about how your professor gave you a bad grade, but it is important to think twice. While you may think posting such things makes you look well-liked, informed or

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the life of the party, to employers it makes you look irresponsible, rash and most likely unfit for the job. Employers are not looking for someone who seems like they cannot control themselves and will not represent the job well.

“

Accordingly, it can be tempting to post that picture of yourself from that house party Friday night ... but it is important to think twice.”

As well as while looking for a job, you should censor your social media once you have landed the job. Just because you are hired does not necessarily mean your employer is not still checking up on you. Likewise, you have probably connected with coworkers on social media, and even they will check up on you and bring up troublesome things. This caution is extremely important to take in the retail and service industry. Say you were to make a post about a customer that you disliked; you probably wouldn’t think twice about it. However, nowadays, that customer could so easily search your name and the company you work for together, find you online and they would then have access to that post. With that kind of evidence against you, that customer could get you fired or worse. While censoring the “bad” things you put on social media, it’s also important to include the good things you do or are involved in. That same Time Magazine survey regarding common mistakes also mentions some of the aspects of your life you should include on your accounts. Information like volunteering, professional experience, mutual connections, examples of previous work and cultural fit are a few aspects that employers would like you to display. Even if your social media persona has not affected you yet, it can always come back to haunt you in the future. Thus, it is much easier to delete or simply not post incriminating aspects of your life than to have to explain to your boss why it is on the internet in the first place. LINDSEY SLUSHER • opinions contributor • freshman/political science

PAGE 4 March 23, 2017

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the great outdoors collegiatetimes.com/lifestyles

The Cascades: A Hokie classic

JUN YU / COLLEGIATE TIMES

While many Hokies have found their love for the outdoors on numerous treks around the New River Valley area, few have been visited as frequently as the Cascades. The 2-mile trail parallels the river to the source of the falls, a popular swimming hole in the summertime. Many, however, overlook the equally beautiful Barney’s Wall hike.

How to enjoy the great outdoors without hiking

If you love the great outdoors but hate hiking, it’s easy to feel like your options are limited. Fear not, our writer is here to help. KATIE RICE lifestyles staff writer

Oh great, spring is here. Personally, I am bummed that the annual Corps vs. Civilians snowball fight has not happened this year. However, this is Blacksburg, so a blizzard is still possible. Even though our typical winter never truly came, we must embrace that this is the beginning of outdoor activity season. The human body needs to be outside regularly. And no, the walk to the bus stop does not count as spending time outside. “In recent years, numerous experimental psychology studies have linked exposure to nature with increased energy and heightened sense of wellbeing,” reads an article from Rochester University. “Other studies suggest that the very presence of nature helps to ward off feelings of exhaustion and that 90 percent of people report increased energy when placed in outdoor activities.” But what if not everyone likes hiking, camping or the beach? Are they just left to sit on the couch only to reach for their sunglasses when the glare through the window pane is too bright to see the computer screen? Absolutely not. If hiking or camping isn’t your favorite pastime, fear not. For the people who prefer to avoid endangering their lives for fun,

plenty of ways remain to enjoy the outdoors. Try volunteering! Embody “Ut Prosim” and improve the lives of others in a tangible way while improving your own life. Connecting with VT Engage is a place to start. Also, in case you have been strategically avoiding the tables all over campus this week and are totally unaware, The Big Event is coming up on April 8. The Big Event at Virginia Tech is “a student-run community service effort that has grown into the second largest event of its kind in the nation. Every spring, thousands of students, faculty and staff come together to complete nearly one thousand community service projects th roughout Blacksburg, Christiansburg and the New River Valley,” reads The Big Event website. It is free to register, and it is an experience I look forward to every spring. There is also the 3.2 for 32 on April 15. This is the 10-year anniversary, so show support and run, jog, walk, crawl or roll through the route. It is so humbling to participate in something so significant and powerful in our campus community. After that, Relay For Life will happen April 21. You can contribute to saving lives while spending an entire night looney from sleep deprivation and

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walking, running and dancing all over the Drillfield. Stay fueled with the most delicious fried Oreos and grilled cheese. On days with no events, find a nice wall. Hokie Stone is great for napping. Sit under a tree and read a book. There are also chairs outside all over campus if the ground hurts your butt. If you are hungry, go to a new restaurant and get a table outside. The Hahn Horticulture Garden is magical. Sometimes I like to lie on a rock and be soothed by the sound of fish flopping around in the creek. If you are into video games, why not try live action roleplaying? Gather some friends and Nerf guns. Get water balloons, marshmallows and banana peels to throw at each other. Go for a drive on a gorgeous day. Put on a rocking playlist, your favorite podcast or an audiobook and just revel in the gorgeous mountainous scenery we get to live among. Do you have a portable instrument? Take it outside and play your heart out. Maybe even leave the case open for tips. If you would prefer a designated day, the second annual Music Day is April 14 this year. For those who hate hiking, but still want movement, the Huckleberry Trail is one that does not force you into rugged mountain trekking. It is a nice casual paved path around campus great for walking alone, with a dog, with a friend or for running. You can even pack trail mix. It can just be various chocolates if you want. Sport games can be fun too. Some happen outdoors, such as baseball, lacrosse, field hockey, Quidditch and ultimate frisbee. Go yell at some teams. It’s invigorating even if you don’t understand the game. For people who eat food and smell flowers, the Blacksburg Farmer’s Market happens every Saturday and Wednesday. Eat some yummy food and reap the benefits of vitamin D. Outdoors does not necessarily mean staying outside for several hours at a time with the sun beating down on your neck. It might mean just leaving the house. Your couch isn’t doing any favors for your health after all. Some people hate trying new things. Even if you think you know what you like, why not see if there are more things you enjoy? That’s what college is for, right? @KatieRice_CT

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Spring activities: Upcoming events to get you outdoors MEGAN MAURY CHURCH lifestyles staff writer

The first day of spring came this week, and with it there will be many outdoor events in the coming weeks — a perfect way to take advantage of all that Virginia Tech and the surrounding community has to offer while also enjoying the great outdoors

Mock DUI

Thursday, March 23 A mock DUI motor vehicle collision will be held on the Drillfield at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. This is a collaborative effort between the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad, Blacksburg Fire Department, the Virginia Tech Police Department and Carilion Clinic, who will provide LifeGuard Med-Evac helicopter for the demonstration. The event is free and open to all students, university employees and community members. Location: Drillfield, between Davidson Hall and Sandy Hall Start Time: 5:30 p.m. For more information, contact Chris Eyestone at ceyestone@vt.edu

Ring dance fireworks

Saturday, March 25, and Sunday, March 26 At midnight, after the Ring Dances on both Friday and Saturday night, fireworks will erupt on the Drillfield. Fireworks are part of the 83-year-old Ring Dance tradition at Virginia Tech. Location: Drillfield Start Time: Midnight

Clothesline Project display

Tuesday, March 28, and Wednesday, March 29 Catch a powerful visua l ization of genderbased violence along the Drillfield on Tuesday and Wednesday next week. The Clothesline Project is a joint effort between Montgomery County NOW, United Feminist Movement, the Women’s Center and

Saturday, April 1 Native at Virginia Tech is hosting an outdoor celebration of Native American music and dance on the GLC lawn on Saturday, April 1. Everybody is welcome and the event is free. Participants can purchase food and Native crafts throughout the day. Come out at 11 a.m. and enjoy the opening ceremonies at noon; the event is expected to last until about 5 p.m. Native at VT is dedicated to advancing the visibility of American Indians and other indigenous peoples on campus, as well as raising an awareness of the issues that confront these diverse Yoga in the Garden populations. Every Tuesday Location: Graduate Life Blacksburg Yoga holds Center Lawn a 75-minute flow every Start Time: 11 a.m. Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. inside the Hahn Horticulture Walking loop Pavilion. This event is free Every Tuesday and open to everyone. Enjoy a Hokie Wellness sponsors lovely view of Virginia Tech’s a walking group that meets gardens while participating in every Tuesday to go for a a class designed to be acces- walk. This is a casual opporsible to all levels of yoga. tunity to get outside, be active Location: H a h n and meet fellow Hokies. The Horticulture Pavilion group meets at the North End Start Time: 5:30 p.m. Center at 12:15 p.m. Visit the Physical Activities section of Take Back the Night the Hokie Wellness website Thursday, March 30 if you would like to sign up Take Back the Night is a for informative emails about campaign with a powerful Walking Loop. history and local roots that Location: North End raises awareness of gender- Center based violence in an effort Start Time: 12:15 p.m. to lessen such actions in our community. A rally National Walking and march will take place Day on the last Thursday of the Wednesday, April 5 month. The rally meets at 7 Join Hokie Wellness in p.m., then participants will celebrating the American march through downtown Heart Association’s National Blacksburg and the Virginia Walking Day. This day is Tech campus. The United meant to help Hokies and all Feminist Movement sponsors Americans learn more about this event, and groups and how to jumpstart a healthier individuals of all genders lifestyle through physical and ages are encouraged to activity. Meet on the steps of participate. Burruss Hall at 12:15 p.m. Location: Henderson for a 30-minute walk around Lawn Outdoor Stage iIn case campus. of rain: Graduate Life Center Location: Steps in front of Auditorium) Burruss Hall Start Time: 7 p.m., music Start Time: 12:15 p.m. beginning at 6:30 p.m. Women’s Resource Center of the NRV and is meant to raise awareness of genderbased violence and the devastating effects these acts have on victims. Victims and their friends and families have decorated shirts — in colors that each have a meaning — to represent their suffering, which will hang on clotheslines along the Drillfield paths. If you want to participate further, workshops are being held at the Women’s Center throughout the week. Location: Drillfield (or Squires in the case of rain) Start Time: Varying

Virginia Tech’s first powwow

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Blacksburg stands in solidarity with Chabad house Following a hate crime directed at the Virginia Tech Chabad house, Blacksburg rallies in support of Jewish neighbors. LEWIS MILLHOLLAND managing editor

Forty-nine hours after Rabbi Zvi Zwiebel stepped out of the Chabad Librescu Jewish Student Center to discover nearly 100 leaflets bearing hand-drawn swastikas scattered across the lawn, hundreds swarmed to the Graduate Life Center Plaza to stand in solidarity with the Virginia Tech Jewish community. Attendees wore everything from yar mulkes to hijabs to Greek Life baseball caps — signs bore slogans such as “We (heart) our Jewish neighbors,” “Love trumps hate” and, interestingly, “The Force bonds us all together” with a hand-painted Yoda.

“

You will never make us afraid. You will never win ... We are Virginia Tech, and we will always win.”

Kevin Foust Virginia Tech chief of police

Seve r a l Bla ck sbu rg notables sat behind the podium. Virginia Tech P resident Tim Sands, Angela Simmons of the Division of Student Affairs and chiefs of both the Blacksburg and the Virginia Tech police departments faced the audience while the HokieBird waddled back and forth through the crowd giving high-fives and taking copious selfies. Zwiebel opened the rally by addressing the hate crime that occurred on Saturday afternoon. “I’ve been here eight yea rs i n Blacksbu rg. Never have I witnessed such a thing. And never did I expect to witness such a thing. The Jewish community in Blacksburg has only felt love for our neighbors,” he said. “Me personally, for it to happen in the place where I live, is even more surprising and shocking.” After taking time to ref lect on the incident, Zwiebel develop ed a solution that he believed would prevent such a thing from happening in the

future. “A moment of silence,” Zwiebel said. “If at the beginning of every class, if we can start with a moment of silence to reflect on a higher being, to reflect on the purpose of this world, reflect on what we could do to make this world a better place — I sincerely believe that the … (event) wouldn’t have happened.” Zwiebel encou raged everyone in attendance to visit the Moss Arts Center on April 24 to listen to a speech from Holocaust survivor Rabbi Nissen Mangel. The event is held in honor of Liviu Librescu, a Virginia Tech professor and victim of the April 16 sho ot i ngs, whose actions saved 10 lives that day. Zwiebel has previously stated that he believes there is a connection between the announcement of the speech on Friday and the appearance of the swastikas on Saturday. Virginia Tech’s president was the next to take the podium. He addressed t he g rowi ng nationa l conversation over First A mendment r ights at universities. To lump hate speech and threats under the umbrella of freedom of speech, Sands said, is a fallacy. “This idea that, ‘Oh, the First Amendment protects me, I can do whatever I want at Virginia Tech’ ... it’s just not true,” Sands said. “If that freedom is threatened, we have the ability to take action. We have our student code of conduct; we have other principles that we live by here. And they have teeth in them.” Virginia Tech Police Department Chief Kevin Foust delivered arguably the most fiery speech of the evening. He discussed the oath he took when joining the force, and how that oath bound him to uphold the Constitution of the United States. “We have many rights under that Constitution. We have the right to worship in any manner we choose, we have the right not to worship at all. And we have the right of freedom of speech,” Foust said. “But when speech is used to threaten, when speech is

used to intimidate, I believe the people who do that have forfeited their right under my Constitution for that type of protection.” Foust pointed out at the hundreds of faces in the crowd. “This is community. And when you dump your ignorant trash on a lawn up the street, you’re dumping it on my lawn and your lawn. “I see Muslim standing with Jew. Standing with Christian. Standing with Buddhist. Standing with Hindu. Standing with atheist. Standing with agnostic. Standing with the straight, standing with the gay. Standing with independents. Standing with Democrats. Standing with Republicans. Standing with Americans,” he said. Foust asked the perpetrator what he or she hoped to accomplish, if fear or intimidation was his or her goal. If so, Foust said, you have failed. “You will never make us afraid. You will never win. Dylann Roof did not win. Adolf Hitler did not win. Osama bin Laden did not win. The KKK did not

win. James Earl Ray did not win. And you will never win either. We are Virginia Tech, and we will always win,” Foust said. Andrew Peck, president of the Jewish Student Union, was the last speaker of the evening. “This is just not how

Hokies behave. It’s just not. We should not allow the few bad acts to tarnish all that we’ve done,” Peck said. “Seventy-plus years ago, Jews were blamed for the bad conditions that were existing in Germany. Today, other minority groups are being blamed for

the bad conditions that are occurring here. It was unacceptable in Nazi Germany; it is certainly unacceptable in America today.”

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ZACK WAJSGRAS / COLLEGIATE TIMES (TOP) A young Jewish boy wearing a kippa plays with the Hokie Bird near the GLC lawn prior to the start of a solidarity event held in support of the Jewish community in Blacksburg. (BOTTOM) Rabbi Zvi Zwiebel speaks with President Tim Sands before the rally. After announcing that Rabbi Nissen Mangel, an Auschwitz Holocaust survivor, would be speaking in Blacksburg in April over the weekend, members of Chabad at Virginia Tech found dozens of leaflets with swastikas drawn on them on the lawn of their community house, prompting the community response, March 20, 2017.

Forecast says Al Roker set to rain down on Blacksburg Viginia Tech’s Relay For Life holds a fighting chance in Rokerthon 2017 as Hokie Nation competes for a guest appearance. ALY DE ANGELUS news editor

Whether it’s treading through heaps of snow in your cut off jeans and flip flops, or blazing through heat waves with sweat trapped in the furline of your parka, I’d venture to bet that we’ve all witnessed Blacksburg’s not-so-subtle betrayal toward meteorologists in Montgomery County. Luckily for Hokie Nation, Relay For Life’s Visual Media executive Lindsay Baldwin is looking to charm America’s forecast sweetheart to tell us what’s really happening in our neck of the woods.

“

Our angle with it was that we are already the largest collegiate relay in the world and we break our own records every year.”

Lindsay Baldwin visual media executive

Baldwin was in charge of creating a one-minute video

submission for Rokerthon 2017, a mission which Al Roker has pursued for three years now to encourage world-record breaking while touring the 50 states and this year he will be stopping at college campuses. Junior Shelby Burnett told WSLS 10 that her mom is a loyal Today Show viewer and thought to give her daughter a heads up about the competition. If successful, the board on Virginia Tech’s Relay For Life will be tasking Hokies with a record that they feel can be a game-changer for the needs of cancer patients and survivors — “the most hair donated to charity in one hour.” “Our angle with it was that we are already the largest collegiate relay in the world and we break our own records every year, so why not go one step bigger and break a Guinness world record?” Baldwin said. Although Relay For Life has constructed videos to bring celebrities like Taylor Swift to the annual event in the past, Baldwin feels more confident this year because the campaign pitch falls in conjunction with Virginia Tech’s motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve). While

most schools leaned toward breaking records that had less to do with charity and more about the excitement generated by the activity, Relay is trying to convey

“how much good Relay does for other people.” “Yes, it’s Virginia Tech that does this, but we don’t do it for ourselves,” Baldwin continued.

Baldwin and Burnett admit that they are coyly devising a plan to rope alumna Hoda Kotb in as well if Virginia Tech lands a Roker guest appearance

KIRK MCKOY / TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE Al Roker arrives for the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards show at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, in Beverly Hills, California.

on April 21. The hope is that Roker may “put in a good word,” from one Today Show employee to another. It is unclear when the Today Show producer will contact Baldwin if Virginia Tech wins a spot on Roker’s short list, however, schools are beginning to receive calls. Baldwin asks the student body to join her movement by floating the video on social media and spreading the word to get excited about our chances of having live-televised weather forecasts as well as the chance to break a record supervised by the weatherman legend himself. “If they see that the student body is really rallying behind us and really excited about — you know, signing up for Relay, watching the video, sharing the video, sharing the articles and the news outlet coverage of it, then that’s going to catch their attention,” Baldwin said. For more ways to get involved, use the hashtag “#MakeRokerAHokie” or visit the Relay website.

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Body Matters Week: Body positive events to look out for Body Matters Week is March 22–31 and events are taking place in order to promote healthy body images campus wide. ALAYNA JONES lifestyles staff writer

Being at college, students can be described as excited and scared, but most of all — stressed. Expectations are high and students are experiencing new things almost every day. How a student feels in his or her own skin is crucial, especially during this time in his or her life. A positive body image may be difficult to maintain due to the stress and lifestyle changes that occur in college. To combat these issues, Virginia Tech started the Body Matters Project to promote positive body image and overall physical and emotional wellness campuswide. The project focuses on preventing body issues and eating disorders with realistic approaches. This year, Body Matters Week is from March 22–31 on campus. Throughout the week, there are events and activities that students can attend to learn more about what a healthy body image looks like and how to maintain it. According to the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA), body image is

BILLY CLARKE / COLLEGIATE TIMES (LEFT to RIGHT) Idil Yonis, Jendaya O’Grady, Hannah Ricketts, Lindsay Vandermolen and Maddie Murray stand in front of their station at Ladies’ Night in McComas Hall, promoting the Body Matters Project for all the participants to see, March 22, 2017. The Body Matters Project is a campus-wide program to promote positive body image and overall physical and emotional wellness at Virginia Tech.

defined as how you see yourself when you look in the mirror or when you picture yourself in your mind. A negative body image encompa sses t houg ht s of feeling ashamed, selfconscious, uncomfortable and viewing your body shape or size as a sign of personal failure. A positive body image means feeling proud and accepting of your body and not spending an

unreasonable amount of time worrying about food, weight or calories. The Body Matters Project helps fight those thoughts that come with a negative body image. The week started on Wednesday with three events — a Body Matters photo booth, ladies’ night in the weight room and broga. The front weight room in McComas was blocked off

for two hours, only for ladies. Woman personal trainers were there to show girls how to properly lift, if they needed help. “Broga,” a men-only yoga class, was held in a McComas studio. The men received a whole-body flexibility and balance workout which leads to an increased range of motion, injury prevention and increases muscular power output.

Body Matters Week continues on Monday, March 27, with an “ask a professional” expo in McComas Hall lobby from 1:30–4:30 p.m. Students will have the opportunity to talk with professionals in a laid back atmosphere about their body image, healthy eating, exercise and more. Also on Monday is the first part of a two-part event, the Body Project workshop series for female Virginia Tech students from 4–6 p.m. This workshop will help women challenge personal body-related concerns. Part two of the workshop will be on Monday, April 3 from 4–6 p.m. Pre-registration for this event is required, but keep in mind that you do have to attend both sessions. If interested, students can register at signupgenius.com. On Tuesday, March 28, yoga for mindfulness will be held in Hillcrest Ballroom from 6–7 p.m. This is a free yoga session, but yoga mats will be limited so bring your own if you have one. Anna Pittman will be leading the session, which explores the relationship between mindfulness and yoga in a unique setting.

Wednesday, March 29, is a mindful eating night at D2 from 5:30–7 p.m. It will be a guided practice of an eating experience where students will learn how to listen to their physical vs. emotional hunger cues. On Thursday, March 30, “Embrace” will play for free at The Lyric Theatre from 4–5:45 p.m. The film follows body image activist Taryn Brumfitt’s crusades as she explores the global issue of body loathing, inspiring viewers to change the way we feel about ourselves. To close out the week on Friday, March 31, is a Koru retreat from 1–5 p.m. in Hillcrest Hall Study Hall. Faculty and students are welcome to come and practice meditation, yoga, mind/body skills for relaxation, wellness and stress management. Registration is required for this event. If you or anyone you know is struggling with body issues or disordered eating, for help call HEART (Healthy Eating Assessment and Referral Team) at 540-231-6445.

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JULIA: ‘Sesame Street’ familiarizes children with autism from page 1

young children on how to act in certain situations, which could range from failure to respond to their names, unusual repetitive motions, reduced interest in people or delayed babbling. What can viewers expect from her arrival? They can expect their children to finally be exposed to real life. It won’t be a cultural shock when first or second grade comes around, or even middle school, when a kid comes into contact with an autistic peer for the first time. Sesame Street’s goal is to cut down the potential of bullying and to create an understanding. According to The Huffington Post, “The show’s creators wanted to exhibit certain behaviors through Julia that children with autism may exhibit. They consulted with organizations serving families dealing with autism to discuss what best to highlight. Julia’s first episode not only focuses on her reluctance to engage with Big Bird, but also her sensitivity to loud noises and her excitability during a game.”

This isn’t the first controversial issue that has been addressed on the show. In 1982, the man behind shopkeeper Mr. Hooper suddenly passed away. Instead of creating a fake scenario to break to the viewers, the creators decided to have Big Bird deal with the death of a friend, thus introducing the concept of death on the show. In addition, in 2002 HIV and AIDS was present on Takalani Sesame through a muppet named Kami, and President Bill Clinton defended the show’s choice to address the issue of disease with young viewers. Julia also plays a crucial role in “Sesame Street” and “Autism: See Amazing in All Children.” This nationwide initiative is aimed at communities, trying to further educate adults and young children about autism and how to deal with it. According to its website, “In the U.S., 1 in 68 children is diagnosed on the autism spectrum (ASD). In fact, almost every school and university in the country has students with autism. While the diagnosis is common, public

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understanding of autism is not.” Furthermore, this program is available in two apps. “Breathe, Think, Do With Sesame” is designed to help those with autism calm down, as well as think through everyday challenges. “Feel Electric” targets more learning

in topics of emotional vocab and Georgia Tech. self-expression. For more information, visit the Some of the advisers behind Sesame Workshop website. “Sesame Street” and “Autism: See Amazing in All Children” include the Autism Society, Exceptional Minds, Yale Child Study Center @Gretchthecatch and the Autistic Research Group at

Cooper’s late homer gives Hokies 3–2 win over Tribe runners on the corners with one out. Patrick Ryan hit a fly ball to shallow right field Virginia Tech welcomed that Tom Stoffel caught and in William and Mary for a the Hokies right fielder made midweek matchup on Tuesday a terrific throw home to nail night. Coming off of their Charles Ameer, who was series win over No. 1 Florida attempting to tag up. State over the weekend, the William and Mary starter Hokies were looking to get Nick Raquet held the Hokies offense in check for three innings before being relieved by Aaron Fernandez, who was even better. In the top of the fifth, Kyle Wrighte hit a ball to deep left that Mac Caples brought back over the wall, but he was unable to hold on as he fell to the ground. Wrighte stopped at third and later scored on a sac fly. That was the end of the afternoon for Sullivan and Kit Scheetz came into the game. Sullivan lasted 4.1 innings and allowed two runs on six hits while striking out four. Scheetz was excellent as he held William and Mary at bay for 2.2 innings. The senior struck out four and gave the offense a chance to get something going. “Trying to throw up zeros and give them a chance to come back. We have a lot of SHRAVAN RAVISHANKAR / COLLEGIATE TIMES confidence in our lineup,” Kit Scheetz (9), redshirt senior, comes in the top of the sixth inning and shuts out the Tribe. Scheetz said. “Anyone can

NATHAN LOPRETE baseball beat reporter

some revenge against the Tribe after losing to them on March 8. Tech sent Joey Sullivan to the mound after he only made a brief appearance Saturday. Behind a solid start from him and and a great bullpen, the Hokies were able to stay in the game and get a big hit late to

win their third in a row by the score of 3–2. The Tribe jumped out first in the third inning. With two outs, Ryder Miconi hit a home run into his own bullpen and Tech trailed 1–0. The Virginia Tech defense made a huge play in the fourth after William and Mary put

get a rally going. My job is to throw strikes, be competitive and give our offense a chance to crawl back into the game.” The Virginia Tech offense finally got going in the seventh. Fernandez had held the offense down since the fourth inning and seemed to be headed for another scoreless inning. With two outs, Joe Freiday Jr. and Matt Dauby worked their way on with walks. That brought up the center fielder, Rahiem Cooper. On a 1–2 count, Cooper Fernandez left a fastball high and Cooper knocked it over the left field wall for his fifth home run of the year. The hit gave Virginia Tech a 3–2 lead. “I was honestly looking for a fastball considering he was throwing it a little hard, but honestly I was just trying to get a big hit for my team. I got a pitch up and the ball went out of the park,” Cooper said. Mason was impressed with Cooper’s approach but also the walks that set up the huge hit. “Drawing two walks is something we track. If we win the free base battle, we’re stacking the deck in our favor to win the game,” he said. “It was a great job

by Joe (Freiday Jr.) to show that discipline. Great job by Dauby ... he battled.” Stoffel made his second pitching appearance of the year in the eighth and he didn’t disappoint. He struck out the side in order and set up Aaron McGarity for the ninth. “His stuff is looking really good,” Mason said about Stoffel. “That’s the best he’s looked in our uniform on the mound. It reminded me of how he looked before he hurt his back.” McGarity struck out two in the ninth and secured the save. Scheetz also improved to 3–0 on the year. Virginia Tech has now had to come back late in two of its last three wins. Scheetz said it all comes back to the makeup of the team. “We have a ton of experience and a lot of confidence. We just keep fighting for each other,” he said. Virginia Tech improves to 14–9 and heads to Pittsburgh this weekend. The rotation will consist of Packy Naughton, Nick Anderson and Connor Coward.

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SPRING: Quarterback among positions up for competition

Phillips embraces leadership position

from page 1

With the departure of offensive leaders, including Isaiah Ford and Bucky Hodges, senior Cam Phillips looks to lead the Hokies’ offense.

be former Tech receiver Divine Deablo. Last season, he played sparingly as a pass-catcher, but was a star on special teams. “You saw what he can do on special teams, making plays and throwing his body around,” Foster said. “He can bend his body. For a big kid, he has tremendous feet and suddenness. He’s not a long strider. He takes time to get up to speed. We’ve got him playing safety right now. I’m anxious to see him.” Foster also acknowledged that he has never seen Deablo play oneon-one coverage before, making it a bit difficult to place him at a certain position at this moment in time. Interestingly, Fuente also left the door open for a possible change-up in the defensive backfield in the fall, presumably in anticipation of the enrollment of highly touted recruit Devon Hunter. “We play five DBs,” Fuente said. “They all have to cover. We’ll move some guys around to try and find our best five guys and see who can do that. I don’t know how it’s going to shake out. When you come into the fall, you introduce a

couple other guys and see how it goes. We’ll continue to maneuver that around and try to find our best five guys to play DB.” In addition to changes in the defensive backfield, Xavier Burke has moved from tight end to defensive lineman. Tech has also moved former linebackers Emmanuel Belmar and Raymon Minor to defensive end. Other shake-ups include Jimmie Taylor and Darius Fullwood moving from defensive end to defensive tackle. The offensive side of the ball has its fair share of holes that need to be filled as well. At wide receiver, Cam Phillips is the obvious selection to become the top guy. The veteran passcatcher will mainly line up on the outside, but isn’t restricted from scooting inside to the slot from time to time. “Cam’s got enough reps and work that he’ll probably be a by-product of what other guys can do,” Fuente said. “So, yes (he will go outside), but that’s not to say that he’ll never line up in the slot. He’s our returning senior with a tremendous amount of experience. Moving him around won’t be an issue.” While Phillips has solidified his spot as the top receiver, the depth

CAT PIPER / COLLEGIATE TIMES Terrell Edmunds (22) runs during a drill at the open football practice, Aug. 23, 2016.

behind him has been very much in question throughout the offseason. However, Fuente may be on the verge of a solution. “I’ve been happy with Phil Patterson’s development. I think he’s got a chance. Him and Eric Kumah are the two that jump out at you. We’ll certainly need those guys and I think they have made strides,” Fuente said. Offensive coordinator Brad Cornelsen is also impressed by early enrollee Kalil Pimpleton and can envision him earning playing time sooner rather than later. “Kalil Pimpleton at slot, I think he’s a kid that’s going to come in and pick it up quickly,” Cornelsen explained. “He’s got some explosion and got some things maybe at that slot position that we’re looking forward to seeing.” Up front, the two vacant offensive linemen spots will be filled by Tyrell Smith, who will line up at right tackle, and Braxton Pfaff, who will be penciled in at the right guard spot. Both positions are still up for grabs, though. Fuente offered very little information about the quarterback battle, but did say that the competition is wide open. The three players who will be competing for the starting job will be Josh Jackson, A.J. Bush and Hendon Hooker. Despite needing to fill numerous holes, the Hokies are content with where they are and already have their sights set on championships. “We’re ver y confident,” Edmunds said. “We believe that we’re going to go and win the ACC Championship this year, no doubt about it. We don’t want to just stop at the ACC Championship, we also want to play on the big stage and try to get everything. We’re trying to get it all. We’re not just trying to settle for the 10 wins again like last year. We want to try to strive and do better.”

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DREW DAVIS sports reporter

Success in the 2016 football season came quickly for the Hokies. The team shocked many analysts, making it to the ACC Championship in new head coach Justin Fuente’s first season as head coach. Fuente’s fast-paced offense was highlighted by a group of explosive offensive options, led by transfer quarterback Jerod Evans and receivers Bucky Hodges and Isaiah Ford. Just as quickly, players began declaring for the NFL Draft at the end of the season. It started with tight end Hodges, then wide receiver Ford, before the shocker in quarterback Evans. As the dust settled, the Hokies’ roster maintained one playmaker who often flew under the radar behind Ford and Hodges, and now looks to step up in their absence: senior wide receiver Cam Phillips. For the Laurel, Maryland, native, helping the Hokies starts with a role change. After spending 2016 mainly in the slot, Phillips looks to move back to an outside receiver. Last season, the wide out was used as more of a gadget player running many sweeps and end-arounds. In fact, Phillips ran the ball five times more in 2016 than his first two seasons in Blacksburg combined. Now, Phillips looks to become more of a traditional wide out. “It’s nothing really different. My freshman and sophomore years I was pretty much outside a lot with Bucky (Hodges) working more in the slot,” the 6-foot wide receiver said. “Last year was a kind of change of pace, but not too much, nothing I couldn’t handle.” Phillips becoming a number one receiver still brings an additional pressure. In Evans’ first year, Ford became a security blanket, allowing many jump-ball opportunities. The senior wants to make sure that next year’s quarterback has that same luxury.

“Yes definitely I think I am going to help (the quarterbacks). I’m going to make them make the smoothest transition (and) get them comfortable with me. I’m putting a lot of pressure on myself in workouts, running and lifting, just to let them know I can be counted on and trusted when they need me,” Phillips said. The wide receiver will not only look to make the quarterbacks comfortable, but will try to do so with all newcomers to Blacksburg. On Feb. 3, the Hokies’ 2017 recruiting class wrapped up its 27 commits. For Phillips, serving as a leader in the locker room and on the field will be a goal in the upcoming season. “I’m very excited to see those new guys, new faces to get them in so they can get adjusted to the culture we have here,” the wide receiver said. “I’m just really looking forward to be a leader this upcoming season.” Phillips remains confident in his last season in Blacksburg and has big goals as a primary leader. “(I want to) win an ACC Championship. Just getting back to that plateau and that accomplishment would be very, very special in my senior year. We had a tough loss last year, but it was kind of refreshing to see we got there,” Phillips said. “We had to fight through some things, but definitely winning an ACC Championship and get Virginia Tech all the way back on the map.” As Virginia Tech waits for the second straight year on the outcome of a quarterback battle, the season will start off with a challenging matchup again. The battle with West Virginia at FedEx Field looms for the Hokies on Sep. 2. With so many players gone, fourth-year starter Phillips will have his opportunities to lead this offense and this team. @CTSportsTalk

Tech ends ETSU’s streak with doubleheader sweep Prior to Tech’s weekend road trip to Notre Dame, the Hokies’ softball team beat ETSU in a home doubleheader. STEPHEN NEWMAN sports reporter

After avoiding a threegame sweep at the hands of the North Carolina Tar Heels on Sunday, the Hokie softball team returned to action against the East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Buccaneers. Game One As it turned out, the opener of the doubleheader was decided early. The Hokies plated three runs in the second inning. Breanna Davenport led the charge with a leadoff homer, her third long ball in the last four games. “She’s one of the best hitters in the ACC when she’s on,” said head coach Scot Thomas. “You can always count on her to do something positive.” Hannah Jones later extended the lead to 3–0 by driving in two runners with a full-count double. T homa s t u r ne d to freshman Carrie Eberle, Sunday’s winning pitcher, to start the opener of the doubleheader. After cruising through the first two innings with relative ease, the wheels appeared to come off in the third frame. Eberle walked two and threw two wild pitches, resulting in two runs coming across the plate. Eberle’s struggles ended there and she went the distance, shutting out ETSU the rest of the way. The Hokies’ insurance run came in the bottom of the fifth. Aysha Richardson reached on a ground ball up the middle that eventually turned into a triple due to a shift. Second baseman Olivia Lattin capitalized with a looping RBI double to right field. Eberle appea red to grow stronger as the game

progressed. She retired hitters with ease in the late innings, including a fourpitch sixth inning, beginning with an outstanding play by shortstop Caitlyn Nolan. Ranging to her right, Nolan threw a seed to first just in time for the out.

“

She’s one of the best hitters in the ACC when she’s on. You can always count on her to do something positive.”

Scot Thomas head coach

This was the second consecutive outing for Virginia Tech in which Eberle pitched a complete game. She did the same in Sunday’s win over UNC. The loss for ETSU ends what was a four-game winning streak. Game Two The Buccaneers struck first in the nightcap. After a walk and a single off of freshman pitcher Taylor Barnes in the top of the second inning, catcher Kylie Toler struck an RBI double to left field. The Hokies’ deficit doubled the following inning, as Mykeah Johnson sent the first pitch of the frame over the right field fence. T he t ables t u r ned, however, in the bottom of the third. After Tech worked to load the bases, Vanessa Gonzalez snuck a ground ball past a diving shortstop to plate two runners, and an additional run scored on a wild throw to third base, giving the Hokies the lead. Davenport later drove in Gonzalez, flipping the

two-run hole into a two-run advantage. The Hokies had a chance to really break the game open the following inning, when Gonzalez came up to bat once again with the bases loaded, but the senior struck out. However, Lauren Duff picked her up in the fifth, blasting a two-run homer to left-center, extending the Tech lead to 6–2. With the bases loaded with one out in the sixth, Thomas consulted Barnes at the mound. She promptly forced a double play on the following pitch, escaping the jam with minimal damage done. A two-run double and RBI single from Davenport and Emma Strouth, respectively, stretched the lead to 9–3 before Lattin took over on the mound for the Hokies. “We stuck Olivia in there trying to give her some reps because if we’ll need her, we need to have her throw,” Thomas said. The coach added that since it was a low leverage situation, it was a great opportunity to get her reps. Lattin gave up four runs without recording an out, at which point Barnes came back in to pitch. After surrendering a double to the first batter she faced, it was erased on a double play. She retired the final batter to seal a 9–7 victory. “Both starters did a great job for us, pitching out of some tough situations, which is huge for us in those spots,” Thomas said. It was a nail-biter, but with the sweep, Virginia Tech is back a .500 with a record of 13–13 as the team enters its weekend road trip against Notre Dame. @CTSportsTalk

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