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Features, page 8
The tie that binds Wilfrid Laurier University since 1926 Volume 53, Issue 17
thecord.ca
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
WCH hit by thefts Students’ property stolen over break ELIZABETH DICESARE CAMPUS NEWS EDITOR
KATE TURNER PHOTOGRAPHY MANAGER
A new shade of purple Former Western QB named Laurier head coach; Pyear out as offensive coordinator JUSTIN FAUTEUX EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Four years ago, Laurier football supporters would have greeted Michael Faulds with anything but applause. But on Tuesday afternoon Faulds was the man of the hour as the former Western Mustangs star, was introduced as the new head coach and manager of football operations at Laurier. This will be the first head coaching gig for the 29-year-old Faulds, who just four years ago was setting passing records for Western. As a player, Faulds is one of the best to play quarterback in Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) history, holding the all-time passing yardage record with 10,811 career yards. As a coach, he’s only been a part of three career CIS wins since taking over as offensive coordinator of the York Lions, a team that has gone 0-8, 1-7 and 2-6 in the past three years. However, Faulds is credited with the dramatic improvement in the Lions’ offence going from 26th to 6th in the
nation in yards per game between 2011 and 2012. Admittedly an inexperienced coach, Faulds didn’t shy away from questions about his age. “The passport doesn’t lie; I am 29 years old,” he said. “I am a firsttime head coach, I didn’t lie on my resume either… But in my 29 years, no one has been more entrenched in the sport of football than me.” In taking over the Golden Hawks, Faulds steps into a potentially delicate situation. He will be replacing Gary Jeffries, who stepped down in November following the team’s 3-5 season, the worst in his ten-year span as head coach. Jeffries gained a large following of supporters in his nearly 40 years with the program, but Faulds isn’t worried about following the wellentrenched coach. “He has big shoes to fill. But I’m not trying to fill those shoes,” said Faulds. “Gary Jeffries has his own legacy just like every other coach that’s been a part of this great program. I’m trying to be coach Faulds.” The hiring of Faulds also spells
the end of Ryan Pyear’s 11-year tenure at Laurier. Pyear — who played at Laurier from 2001-05 and led the Hawks to their 2005 Vanier Cup win — took over as the team’s offensive coordinator almost immediately after graduating. On Tuesday, the WLU athletics department confirmed that Pyear was “no longer working with the program.” Laurier’s offence struggled for much of Pyear’s time as offensive coordinator, hitting a low point in 2012. The team finished second-last in the entire country in points per game, averaging just 13.6, as rookie Travis Eman and veteran back-up Steve Fantham struggled behind an offensive line comprised almost exclusively of first- and second-year players. So clearly, fixing the offence is priority number one for Faulds, who will take over offensive play calling duties. “I’m going to install a new offence. My first meeting yesterday was with the whole team, afterwards I got the offence to stay
“It’s my job to bring back that excitement.”
—Michael Faulds, new Laurier head coach on his goals in the position
Sports, page 16
Inside Idle No More spreads
Fall sports: in review
Examining the complex issues covered by the growing Idle No More movement
The Cord Sports staff assess the performances of Laurier’s fall varsity teams
National, page 7
Sports, page 16
After returning from the winter break, some first-year students living in Waterloo College Hall (WCH) had a rude awakening. Upon moving back into their rooms, some noticed that some personal items, as well as furniture from their lounge, had been stolen. The reports of stolen items began trickling in Sunday afternoon after the students began moving back in and were quickly directed to Special Constable Services. Special Constables, however, declined to make a comment to The Cord. In an e-mail to The Cord, Kevin Crowley, the director of communications and public affairs at Laurier, explained that the school is aware of the thefts and is working towards resolving the issue. However, in his e-mail he explained that because “the thefts are the subject of a police investigation, that’s about all we can say at the moment.” Sheldon Pereira, manager: residence life at WLU, was able to give more insight regarding the incident. He explained that the majority of reports were for small, personal items, and the Residence Life Dons directed their students to Special Constables. “Since then, the police reports have continued to develop, and the investigation has continued to develop as we try to figure out exactly what happened,” he explained. “At this point we do have some information as to what was found when the students returned to the rooms, but I can’t speak to the ongoing investigation.” For the time being, however, some students of WCH feel uncomfortable within their residence, and want the school to do more with regards to student safety. Bethany Bowles, a first-year living in WCH, expressed how she now feels at risk within her living arrangement. Campus, page 4