October 10, 2023

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NEWS

BLACKSBURG TOWN COUNCIL LOOKING TO MAKE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS

JANE PARK | news EDItor

The council is considering adding speeding cameras and adding more bike lanes.

The Blacksburg Town Council is considering different ways to make the town safer, according to WSLS 10, such as adding school zone speeding cameras and improving bike lanes.

Blacksburg Police made a proposal to the council to implement speeding cameras in school zones.

“Our schools are the most important part of our communities — protecting the children, protecting the future, our future of this country,” said Todd Brewster, chief of the Blacksburg Police Department, to WSLS 10. “It’s not about issuing tickets. It’s about trying to curb people’s behavior speeding through those zones when school is in session.”

According to Brewster, the two

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problem areas are on Prices Fork Road and Tom’s Creek Road, where there’s a large flow of traffic to and from Virginia Tech.

The cameras can also save time, as officers regularly pull over drivers for speeding.

“For an officer to stop a vehicle, issue a citation to that driver, it can take anywhere between 10 and 15 minutes, sometimes up to 20 minutes,” Brewster said.

However, some council members are hesitant about the proposal, specifically because of the footage obtained by the cameras.

“The video itself apparently is stored by this third-party contractor, and we

need to know how long they hold it and how long they have access to it,” said Blacksburg Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith.

Mayor Hager-Smith also said the signs warning drivers about the speed limit will be helpful.

“I have a good feeling about what we heard today,” Hager-Smith said. “I especially like the idea that they are not just in it to pile up the infractions. There would be signage that will give people plenty of warning.”

If the proposal goes through, Brewster thinks cameras will be up by the next school year.

is very clearly marked and you are more obvious on your bike,” said Carol Davis, Blacksburg’s sustainability manager.

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The town council is also making adjustments to bike lanes. There will be more lanes added throughout Blacksburg, specifically near Prices Fork Road and Main Street, and the lanes will be painted a brighter green, so it can be better spotted by drivers.

“If you are a person who has a bike and you are contemplating riding across town you’re going to feel a lot more safe knowing that the way you are traveling

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OPINIONS

IF STUDENTS HAVE DEADLINES, SO SHOULD PROFESSORS

Sarah Leberknight | opinions columnist

Holding professors to grading deadlines would alleviate stress on students and improve learning.

The grind for college students can be a rough one, with mounds of work to do and deadlines hanging over their heads. The time crunch is real, as deadlines are deadlines, and the work must be turned in on time so professors can then review the work and grade it accordingly. However, it doesn’t always work out like this, because while some professors grade in a timely manner, many others do not. Have you ever turned something in and then waited all semester for it to be finally graded in the last week of school? I have, and it’s incredibly frustrating. How are you supposed to have any concept of what your grade is in a class or what you need to work on to get a better grade if you don’t know your grade for months? If students are expected to adhere to deadlines for getting work done, then professors should have the same responsibilities — it is unacceptable for them to be able to wait eons before grading work. Professors, too, should have deadlines for getting grades back to students.

Part of being a college student is time management. If I have five assignments to complete during the week, with varying deadlines, I map out what I need to do and then begin completing my work so that I’m not late on any assignments. Professors should be doing the same with grading. If students are given a week to complete an assignment, which they then submit on time, then professors should have a set amount of time to grade and give feedback. This time allotment may vary because grading a multiple-choice quiz will not take the same amount of time as grading a five-page essay, and class sizes can vary drastically. Still, a grading deadline has to be in place to keep professors on track. Students should not have to wait more than a month to get a grade on an assignment that took them a mere hour to complete. They should never be in a situation where they’re in the middle of

the semester, having completed many assignments, but don’t know what their grades are at all. Additionally, sometimes professors will grade assignments but hide the actual grades in Canvas, which is still a problem because students are kept in the dark about their grades. Plenty of students value their grades and may set certain standards for themselves, but they can’t strive to improve their grades if they don’t know what they are.

“I’ve had professors take up to two weeks to grade an exam and by the time it’s graded we have our next one in a week. It’s very stressful not knowing how well you’re doing in the class,” said Will Sadow, a sophomore biological science major. He has even been in classes where he didn’t know his class grade at midterms.

“If I’m putting in the work as a student I think the professor should reciprocate that … we as students pay lots of money to be here. The professors should be on top of their work,” Sadow said.

Aidan Chadha, a sophomore majoring in computational modeling and data analytics, had similar thoughts.

“If a student is expected to have a specific deadline for assignments then there should be a range of time that professors have to complete the grading and have the assignment back with feedback,” Chadha said.

Getting feedback and grades to students in a timely manner should be more than just an expectation; it should be required. Being a professor is a job, and just because they don’t technically have deadlines in terms of grading and returning student work doesn’t mean they shouldn’t. However, they do have final grade deadlines — Virginia Tech requires grades to be turned in 48 hours after the time of the final exam — but that’s simply not enough. Regular deadlines or time allotments for grading other assignments are also needed. Just as professors are required to

show up and teach class on time each day, they should also have to grade in a timely fashion.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that professors should be expected to give immediate feedback. While students only have to submit one assignment, professors have to grade a whole class, if not multiple classes, so it makes sense that they’re going to need time to look over work. Professors may also be working on their own projects outside of teaching. At the same time, however, students are taking, on average, 15 credits or five classes, meaning they have many assignments to be working on each week. And outside of class, students are participating in clubs or sports or part-time jobs. There has to be some understanding on both the students’ and professors’ sides. Everyone, student or professor, wants and has a life outside of their work. It is important that both sides recognize this while finding time to prioritize completing assignments and grading them promptly. If students are expected to turn in assignments by a certain day regardless of their outside lives, then professors should be expected to give feedback and grades in an appropriate amount of time.

“I believe two weeks for exams should be the max limit, especially for midterms, but smaller assignments such as homework or in class assignments should be returned quicker so that students can learn from their mistakes and see what they need to improve on,” Chadha said.

Another aspect that should be noted is that professorial deadlines should only be applicable to students who submit their work on time. If students choose not to turn in assignments by their due dates, then professors should not be required to treat those late assignments the same. When students do their jobs and submit work on time, professors should match that responsibility by grading within a reasonable timeframe.

Establishing deadlines for professors and grading would help curb the worry and stress of students and help students continue through the semester at a steady pace. There are plenty of expectations placed on students, which they are naturally obligated to fulfill. If they are doing their jobs as students and turning in work on time, professors should respond by fulfilling their role and grading work in a timely manner. It’s ultimately a matter of mutual respect and responsibility — students and professors caring about each other’s time and work.

LIFESTYLES IT’S OKAY TO ASK FOR HELP

Colleen Henneberry | managing editor Managing editor Colleen Henneberry shares an open letter on her experience with mental health struggles.

Coming back to school was the hardest part, and re-establishing a routine was even harder — I was being reminded of what happened every day I was back. At the same time, though, I was being reminded of things I missed, the reason I was at school in the first place. I rediscovered why I liked my major, my professors, my friends and all the little things that make Virginia Tech home. I was able to see the things I had previously brushed aside more clearly now.

A year later, I still have those damaging thoughts; the difference between now and then is that I now have the tools and coping mechanisms to handle those thoughts. And, if I can’t, I know I’m able to ask for help.

According to an article published in the World Journal of Psychiatry, 53% of American college students report experiencing depression, and 9% said that they had considered suicide since starting college. It is the second leading cause of death for high school and college-age students. Yet, they’re still afraid to ask for help.

I’ve always been good with words. I’ve grown up with English as my favorite subject, picked journalism as my major and decided to get involved in a newspaper that puts out stories every week that I, along with an amazing team of writers, get to edit and show the Virginia Tech community. However, when it comes to talking about something only experienced in your mind and no one on the outside can physically see it, I’m tongue-tied. But, I can always try.

September was National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness for suicide prevention and learn about things like the risks and warning signs of suicide. Openly talking about experiences with these sort of mental health struggles is vital to the prevention of suicide — so, if my story can be of any help to someone, I want to tell it.

Around this time last year, I was at the

lowest I had ever been. I retreated from friends, wasn’t motivated to do well in classes and either couldn’t sleep or couldn’t stop sleeping. I didn’t know it yet, but I was at my breaking point. I felt as if I had nothing left to do in the world. I constantly gave so much, and I was tired. I just wanted to rest. I wanted a break from my mind that’s constantly speeding through thoughts that I can’t keep up with, from the pressure I had put on myself and the cyclical nature of the way I was living.

It was because of this and these thoughts that I made the choice to seek emergency professional help because I was going to do something I would regret. My parents were three hours away — which isn’t far to some, but when you’re in that headspace, any amount of distance can feel like you’re stranded.

At first, I was embarrassed to ask for help. I had finally been at a stable place in life

and in school, that admitting I was spiraling out of control felt like taking ten steps back. Looking back, I realized that it was one of the bravest things I’ve ever done. Often, as human beings, we are scared to admit when we need help. Scared to admit that we have a problem, or that we can’t handle things on our own. However, I’m very proud to admit that I pushed back on those instincts. I’m proud of myself for getting help when I had nowhere else to turn to, and no other options but the bad one.

After this happened, I went home for a little over a week. I had therapy every day, and people were constantly asking me how I was feeling. I was in the recovery stage, coming back from a place so dark and twisted that I was sick from the thoughts I had in my head. I was able to see past that shock, though, and with the help of a team of therapists and family members, I was able to come back to school.

I wanted to say, after this month and turning another year older, that it does get better — it’s a cliché, but it’s true. It might not seem like it now, but there are people and resources that are dedicated to helping people with these exact feelings and issues. Especially as a Virginia Tech student, there are places like the Cook Counseling Center and their 24/7 emergency services that can help you in a time of need. If you or a loved one are going through a crisis or suicidal, I urge you to reach out to one of these resources or call 988 to reach the national suicide and crisis lifeline.

PHOTO COURTESY OF COOK COUNSELING CENTER

SHOWING OUT WITH VIRGINIA TECH DAIRY JUDGING

Emelia Delaporte | Lifestyles assistant editor

Members share their experiences being a part of one of the College of Agriculture and Life Science’s most successful teams.

Virginia Tech Dairy Judging is one of the university’s most successful — and rigorous — competitive teams. From a required spring class culminating in tryouts to summer practices and a packed fall schedule, they don’t slow down.

The dairy judging team functions as an A team and a B team, each consisting of four members. The A team attends two national contests — the All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and the World Dairy Exposition in Madison, Wisconsin. These two shows are the highest-profile competitions the teams attend. A team members typically were on B team the year before, and use those skills and experiences for these bigger events.

The B team takes the Big E Eastern States show in Springfield, Maryland, as well as the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky and the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo in Texas.

Dairy judging tests the mental mettle of its contestants — their memorization and defensive debate capabilities — as well as of the cows themselves. Team members must assess and rank cows for their usefulness based on their appearance and defend their decisions to coaches and teammates at practice, or judges at competitions.

“It’s extremely difficult from a mental and emotional standpoint, but it’s also physically difficult because you’re outside and walking and standing and moving all day long,” said Gabby Rockwell, a member of this year’s A team. “It takes somebody who has a really good head on their shoulders and is able to deal with constructive criticism because you’re going to get it from your coach, your teammates even, an official at a contest, anybody.”

According to Erin Armitage, a member of this year’s A team, time management is an essential skill. Their fall competition schedule requires booked weekends, days of missed classes and a lot of traveling. Those time management skills also come into play at competitions, where time to assess those cows and memorize their decisions are limited.

“We, by far, place more classes of cows than any other collegiate team,” said Madison Sifford, a member of last year’s A team. “I think that definitely makes us stand out.”

A class consists of four cattle of the same age range, sex and breed. During just the spring course and the Spring Dairy Expo in Ohio, students trying out for the team will place between 60 and 70 classes of cows. As a dairy judging participant assesses a class, they must rank the cattle and write down their reasons for their rankings.

At competitions, individuals have to memorize their reasons for a portion of those classes and then present them orally.

“You learn to be confident in whatever your decision is because at the end of the day, you’re living with it,” said Salem Sifford, a member of this year’s A team.

In the fall of 2022, at the World Dairy Exposition, Tech’s A team was declared “High Team” and won the National Intercollegiate Dairy Judging Contest. Madison Sifford placed 2nd as an individual overall. Jenna Marstens, a member of last year’s A team who has since graduated, placed 1st in reasons and 4th as an individual. Brooke Noel, a member of last year’s A team, took 5th in reasons. Each individual member won a breed, meaning they scored higher when presenting reasons for a class than other competitors.

“You have to want to do this,” Madison Sifford said.

The 2023 World Dairy Expo at Madison took place Oct. 1-6. Virginia Tech’s team placed third overall, and second in reasons. Salem Sifford took second place in the top ten individuals and third place for top ten in reasons. Gabby Rockwell placed fifth for individuals in reasons.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAIDEN CAIN

Virginia Tech Dairy Judging Team.

MADDY DJURIC / COLLEGIATE TIMES

A cow sits in a field near New Castle, Virginia, Oct. 7, 2023.

YOUR GUIDE TO COOKING AT COLLEGE

Aidan Mason | lifestyles writer

Navigating food in college can be tricky, but here are some tips to help.

Food is perhaps one of the most important and crucial elements of life, and in regards to our lives, college. For many, this is your first time out on your own, responsible for your own meals and preparation. For others, this is a chance to hone the skills you’ve already developed and maybe pick up some new ones. Regardless of your skill level or lack thereof, cooking is something you’ll have to do at some point in your college career.

This isn’t anything new; generation after generation of Hokies have been cooking before you and generations will after you. As such, there are many tips and tricks out there for you to build upon, and to hopefully avoid making the same mistakes as your predecessors. I know I certainly made mistakes in my first couple of months, so here’s your guide to avoid them.

Take advantage of deals

Let’s face it — food is very expensive. Too expensive if you ask me, but this is an advice column, so I shan’t dwell on it. The point is, food can rapidly decrease your budget, even if you try to buy as little as possible. But you need to eat, so what can you do?

In this case, definitely take advantage of deals. For example, at Kroger, meat that’s often about to expire in a day or two is marked down with a deal. I’ve been able to score 12 hamburgers for just $10 and 6 pork chops for just $5. Now, this does mean that you’re going to have to cook them or freeze them as soon as possible, but that just means more leftovers — and more leftovers mean fewer trips to the grocery store. For the vegetarians among us, there’s a section in Kroger with fruit boxes for just $5.

Another thing to consider is the price in comparison to the brand. Let’s be real, most brands are the same; taste the same, smell the same and look the same. There are always differences, sure, but take a moment to think about whether it really matters if you buy this specific brand. If anything, the store brands are generally cheaper than most named brands.

Let’s also not forget that you can sign up for cards that save you money. These tend to be offered at Kroger and Food Lion, and can shave off a few dollars on your grocery runs. It’s not a lot, but it adds up over time.

Eat balanced meals

On the other hand, even though it may seem tempting, do not forget to eat at least somewhat healthy while down here. Healthy food can be expensive, and I don’t blame anyone for not being able to afford it. However, if you can, make an effort to include some vegetables and fruits in your diet. Trust me, it’ll help out in the long run.

That being said … It’s okay to treat yourself once in a while, too. College is also about fun and experience, not restricting your eating habits. Have some veggies and ice cream — just make sure you balance it, like you do in other parts of life.

Store your food properly

Let me tell you a story; on my first night in my apartment, I was hurriedly putting away some groceries and I placed some steak in the freezer. Now, this is a perfectly normal practice, especially if you’re freezing them, but the difference was I intended to put them in the fridge to cook later that night. And when I took them out and inevitably

found they were frozen, I took it upon myself to defrost them … by running them under cold water. That led to the inevitable conclusion of an extremely undercooked inside and a ruined steak.

This doesn’t just apply to steak either –valuable leftovers can be ruined simply by not properly storing them. Make sure to invest in some Tupperware; it’s an easy and convenient way to store food. Also, when coming back from the grocery store, before you flop on your bed, take a moment and make sure everything is in its place. It’ll help you much more than you think in the long run.

Spice it up!

There’s plenty more to cooking than just food, such as spices, sauces, and even plastic baggies. These can easily be overlooked, but they’re just as important as the food itself because of the silent role they often play. You don’t want to be in the middle of making something only to realize you don’t have enough and the nearest

grocery store just shut down.

Do the dishes

While this may seem like a no-brainer, you’d be surprised at how quickly dishes can pile up if you’re not careful. Keeping clean dishes will ensure that you’re not suddenly without anything to eat on, especially if you live off campus or don’t tend to eat on-campus food. It also allows you to keep a clean kitchen and a ready supply to use when cooking your next meal.

Let’s face it; no matter how good you are, there will always be a day or night where you mess something up. But that’s the joy of cooking; you’ll learn and grow as your college career continues.

AHMED MUSTAFA / COLLEGIATE TIMES

Cut fruit waits on the shelf of Kroger awaiting to be bought by customers, Jan. 24, 2017.

FLORIDA STATE OVERMATCHES HOKIES FOOTBALL

Virginia Tech football traveled to play No. 5 Florida State as 25-point underdogs, so it was no surprise when they lost 39–17.

On the bright side for the Hokies (2–4, 1–1 ACC), their 363-game non-shutout streak remains intact.

The Seminoles (5–0, 3–0 ACC) ran all over their opponents. Running back Trey Benson rushed for 200 yards, averaging 18.2 yards per carry, including 62-yard and 85-yard touchdown rushes. Benson’s yardage was the most the Hokies allowed since Pitt’s Israel Abanikanda ran for 320 on Oct. 8, 2022.

As a team, the ‘Noles rushed for 288 yards, excluding three kneel-downs to end the game. Behind Benson, running back Lawrance Toafili ran six times for 50 yards.

“I’m disappointed for our guys because they played hard, they battled,” said

Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry. “We have got to play smarter, we’ve got to be more detail-oriented, we have to execute better and we have to do better as coaches. There are some things we have to clean up.”

Florida State quarterback and Heisman contender Jordan Travis completed 18 of his 24 passing attempts for 170 yards and two touchdowns. Travis completed passes to eight different receivers, exposing an overmatched Hokies secondary.

The game wasn’t all bad for Virginia Tech, though. After ending the first quarter losing 22–0, they scored 17 unanswered points into the third quarter to tighten the game. To start the second half, running back Bhayshul Tuten returned the kickoff from the one-yard line for a touchdown, cutting Tech’s deficit to five points.

“We like our returners,” Pry said. “We

like (Tucker Holloway), we like (Jaylin Lane), we like Bhayshul. I wasn’t necessarily that confident he was going to take it the distance, but I was very proud that he did.”

Tuten was advantageous for the Hokies, taking a handoff and hurdling over a Seminoles defender into the end zone, scoring the team’s first touchdown of the game. He was responsible for both of Tech’s touchdowns on Saturday.

Playing the most talented defense of his short college career, Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones held his own. He completed 14 of his 27 passing attempts for 104 yards, adding on 80 rushing yards.

“I feel like we’re slowly starting to rise,” Drones said. “Yeah, we’re halfway through the season, but we’re only 1–1 in conference play, and that’s what we’re focused on right now. We’re just trying to go out there next

week and win.”

The Hokies held possession for the majority of the game, but their struggles on third down held them back. Tech converted on two of their 13 third downs, both of which came in the fourth quarter. They converted three of their four fourth down attempts, though, and almost moved the chains on their one miss. With 8:28 remaining in the game, Drones took the snap, dodged three defenders in the backfield, sprinted towards the first down marker and dove, falling one yard short.

Next Saturday, Virginia Tech will return to Lane Stadium for homecoming, playing Wake Forest (3–2, 0–2 ACC) at 3:30 p.m.

Sam Mostow | sports editor Virginia Tech football traveled to play No. 5 Florida State as 25-point underdogs.

HAMAD ALHENDI / COLLEGIATE TIMES

Peter Moore (85), John Love (97), and Bob Schick (75) after Love kicked an extra point, Sept. 9, 2023.

SWIM AND DIVE TEAM FACES CHALLENGES IN THEIR FIRST TRI-MEET OF THE SEASON

Ellen Muldowney | SPORTS staff writer

The Hokies achieved their goal, 3–0, taking their first game at Syracuse since 2016.

The Hokies traveled down south this weekend to face Texas A&M and South Carolina in their first tri-meet of the season on Oct. 6. The men fell short to the Aggies, 157.50–139.50, but took home a win over the Gamecocks, 202.00–95.00. The women’s team suffered losses to both schools in a 229.50–70.50 final score against A&M and 188.00–112.00 against SC.

Miah Fisher of the women’s dive team kicked the meet off, placing third in the 1-meter dive. Peyton Guziec followed right behind her, taking fourth for the Hokies. Guziec missed a top three spot in the 3-meter,

placing fifth in a stacked lineup of top divers from Texas A&M. Men’s divers Sean Binning and Zachary Shaddy also participated in the 1- and 3-meter dives but entered as “exhibition divers,” meaning that their scores did not contribute to the final team score of the meet.

Brendan Whitfield has had an explosive start to his freshman season, taking an individual win in the 50-yard freestyle and having the fastest splits in both the men’s 400 freestyle relay and the 200 medley relay, which they also handily dominated with first-place wins. Whitfield also impressively placed

second in the individual 200-yard free, making him one of the front runners to put points on the Hokie boards.

Sophomore Carmen Weiler-Sastre also had a solid meet, tying the third-place spot with her South Carolina opponent, Ellery Ottem, in the 200-yard freestyle. Sastre also snatched second place in a close 200-yard backstroke event with a 1:57:96, just about two seconds off of her ACC personal best time of the 2022-2023 season.

On Oct. 21, Virginia Tech will have its first home meet of the season against Duke. The last time these two teams faced was last year’s

ACC championships, where the Hokie men’s team took a comfortable lead over Duke with a second-place seed. The women, however, should expect a tight matchup this year, with the Blue Devils ranking fifth and the Hokies ranking right behind them.

A CONVERSATION WITH THE ROANOKE TIMES’ DAMIEN SORDELETT

Jonathan Mususa | sports staff writer

Sordelett is an established veteran writer with 15 years of experience.

In March of 2023, Damien Sordelett left his position as Liberty University athletics’ beat writer for The News & Advance in Lynchburg to become The Roanoke Times’ Virginia Tech football beat writer. Although he is an established veteran writer with 15 years of experience, writing for Southwest Virginia’s newspaper of record about a college football program as big as Virginia Tech is his biggest job yet. That being said, how has he taken to the job? What lessons has he learned from his career? What insights on the profession has he gained?

The following interview has been edited for clarity and length.

What initially inspired you to become a sports journalist? Was there a sole inciting incident or was it more of a drawn-out process?

I’d say it’s more of a drawn-out process. I grew up outside of Richmond, Virginia in Henrico County. Every morning, from when I turned seven or eight years old, I would read the sports section of the Richmond TimesDispatch cover-to-cover and that began my

love of sports in general. As I grew older (I) appreciated the penmanship, the way writers would use their words in certain instances and try to draw the reader in, and I started getting to the point of where I’m thinking about what I want to do for college and as a career. That’s when that idea began materializing — of, “hey, this would be a fun thing to do.” I know, as a high school athlete, I’m not as good as guys who are going to play in college and I figured, “I want to be in sports somehow,” and that’s where journalism came into play.

In March, you left your job at The News and Advance to become the Virginia Tech football beat writer for The Roanoke Times. What did that transition look like? In what ways did you have to adjust to your current role, and how do you like the job so far?

It’s been a fun experience and I’m still enjoying it immensely. I’m learning every day. As a journalist, sometimes you redefine your voice as a writer from stop to stop and I’m starting to find the voice I need to have to cover Virginia Tech, and it’s much different than covering Liberty because there, they

didn’t really have any competition. Here, covering Tech, the Collegiate Times has done a great job of having journalists there who know what’s going on with Tech football. TechSideline.com does the same thing. You have these other smaller productions, they’ve been around a long time. They might not have the voice that can amplify what they’re producing but they know what they’re doing. So I’ve had to find a way to become an authoritative source on Virginia Tech football, and, in that process, you find a way for your voice to change and I think I’m almost there, in terms of how I’m writing, how I’m reporting, what I’m finding ways to deliver to the readers. So I’m finding that and it’s been a fun five weeks of the regular season doing that and (I’m) looking forward to how my voice in covering this team continues to change and if it gets to a point where I found it and I know what I’m going to stick with.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I wish I got and started in journalism far sooner than I did in college … waiting till my second semester of my junior year probably

wasn’t the smartest thing, and I would say this profession is rewarding because if you get into it and you do it for the right reasons, you’re going to love what you do and you’re not going to care about the pay. Unless you’re a Stephen A. Smith or Skip Bayless or someone you see who’s making millions of dollars, you know, most sports journalists don’t make that much money and I do it for the love of it. And I’ve told myself and it’s the saying someone told me when I was younger: “the money will take care of itself.” You never worry about the money. So if you’re getting into the profession, get your foot in the door, the money will take care of itself. And if it’s a passion of yours, no matter which medium you go through, whether it’s newspapers, blogs, television, radio, follow that passion. And so, in being in this profession for more than 15 years, it took me a while, but I’m happy I’m here.