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T hu r s d ay, M a r c h 31 , 2 022
POETRY WITH PULL African American Poetry collection worth over $600,000 attracts current and prospective students
Read on
page 2 COURTESY OF KATHERINE SEGHERS
NEWS
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An LSU professor and students created ParkZen, a mobile app to help students find parking on campus.
ENTERTAINMENT
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Atlanta Rapper Lil Baby is set to perform at LSU’s 2022 Groovin’ concert on April 7 in the PMAC.
SPORTS
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Softball is a safe sport, but LSU has cycled through the same pitchers, which could cause a lasting effect.
OPINION
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“The majority of students that I know couldn’t name a single thing SG actually advocates for.”
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NEW ACQUISITION
LSU wins competitive race for valuable African-American poetry collection BY GABBY JIMENEZ @gvjimenezz For 70 years, Wyatt Houston Day – who, modestly, considers himself “top of the heap” for his craft – has been collecting books. Before the new year, he sold his beloved collection of African-American poetry to LSU. The Day collection, now available for public viewing at the Hill Memorial Library Special Collections, is one of the most important collections of African-American poetry in the country, appraised at $612,940. “Building this collection was like a challenge with a huge pot of gold at the end,” Day said. “I owed it to the collection to find it a good home.” The breadth of the material is extensive. Spanning the early 18th century, the Harlem Renaissance, post-Renaissance poetry and the 1960s and 1970s Black Arts movement, the collection features first editions and original manuscripts from hundreds of poets, includingPhyllis Wheatly, Gwendolyn Brooks, Langston Hughes and Sonia Sanchez. John Miles, the curator of
COURTESY OF WYATT HOUSTON DAY COLLECTION CATALOG
books at LSU Special Collections, said he initially reached out to Day searching for one particular book. But when one conversation led to another, and the two literature-enthusiasts formed a bond, Miles was surprised when Day offered him and LSU the entire collection. Several other private buyers and institutions, including Duke University, showed interest in the collection, but Day “took a liking” toward Miles. “John showed such interest and enthusiasm, and I knew the collection would be in good hands with him,” Day said. LSU Libraries paid $380,000 for the collection, and Day gifted the rest. Stanley Wilder, dean of LSU Libraries, said that the purchase was not a difficult decision. It is part of LSU Library’s effort to
acquire collections that reflect under-represented communities. “This was a special opportunity that presented itself,” Wilder said. “It’s given us a basis, and we can now continue building on this collection systemati-
experiences of Black people. Because of this, he said, the collection includes both highly sought-after materials and rare books with “no words on the spine.” “Black poets were a part of what was going on politically
COURTESY OF KATHERINE SEGHERS
cally.” Day, now 81 years old, recalls collecting his first book when he was only nine. Raised on the lower east side of Manhattan, New York, he spent his younger years “book hunting” with his father at local book stores on and around Eigth Street. He said the search is what he still loves the most about book collecting. “A lot of the time, a great Black writer who worked in isolation often died in isolation,” Day said. “Those poets could have made some of the best work but had no one to read it. I wanted to read it.” Day keeps his book collections in his home in the small, artistic village of Nyack, New York, where he and his wife moved to 27 years ago. Day’s reasoning for selling this remarkable collection was partially financial reasons, but more so to find them a good home as he got older. The collection includes over 800 books by hundreds of authors, some prestigious and others more obscure. Narcissa Haskins, African American Studies librarian, was amazed, but not surprised by the diversity of poets that made up the collection. “There was a lot of self-promotion during the Black Arts Movement, so there will be diversity and a lot of collaboration happening,” Haskins said. “It’s pretty typical to see diverse materials in collections such as this.” Day confirms that this range was no fluke and is a reflection of African American poetry being inextricably linked to the
and socially, not isolated in some special room in the house. Everything and everyone was connected.” Day said. “This collection is a voice of the community. It’s a lot of voices that came together as one voice.” Miles hopes that current and prospective LSU poets and creative writers will find inspiration in these voices of the past. He emphasizes the importance of archival collections like this to narrate the experiences of enslaved people, specifically in
inscribed by Hughes to poet Amiri Baraka. Like Miles, he values this collection as more than just a symbolic win for diversity. “This a crucial step toward the safety of Black students on campus and making them feel wanted, not just pulling them to the school for diversity numbers or to claim some DEI victory,” Marquis-Morris said. “The collection gives Black students an opportunity to spark so much Black innovation, genius, creativity and radicality.” According to Marcela Reyes Ayalas, the LSU Library director of communications, the LSU Library is entering the second phase of acquiring this new collection. Phase one was the initial announcement. Next, Ayalas wants to integrate the works into the curriculum and the community by hosting workshops, speaker series and group readings. “We are planning to have a poetry reading event walkthrough of the collection,” Haskins said. “It’s not going to be modern poetry slam or spoken word. It’s going to be a bit more traditional.” Miles emphasizes his commitment to expanding this historical collection while embracing the contemporary poetry scene. Even though modern poetry is not what was written during the Harlem Renaissance, it still responds to similar political implications. He also sees this collection as a prospective pull factor for potential LSU graduate students and professors.
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their own voices. Kalvin Marquis-Morris, a communication studies and English senior, said that his favorite part of the collection was the original manuscript of the music cues for Langston Hughes’ 12-part poem “Ask Your Mama,”
“One thing I want, that I think is a possibility, is that this collection will attract students, particularly creative writing MFA students, but also professors,” Miles said. “This is us signaling a commitment to the university.”
The Reveille is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. A single issue of The Reveille is free from multiple sites on campus and about 25 sites off campus. To obtain additional copies, please visit the Office of Student Media in B-39 Hodges Hall or email studentmedia@ lsu.edu. The Reveille is published biweekly during the fall, spring and summer semesters, except during holidays and final exams. The Reveille is funded through LSU students’ payments of the Student Media fee.
NEWS
page 3 FACILITIES
Parking Solution email from the dean and app QR codes in the lots. Chatzopoulos noticed a “spillover effect” when collecting data from students. He says that students outside the law school were beginning to take notice of the app, which increased downloads. Because ParkZen is based on smart crowd sourcing, Chatzopoulos says the more people who use it, the better. With more data, the app can more accurately show where parking is available. ParkZen did a full-scale launch on campus last Monday. According to ParkZen’s Twitter page, they have already surpassed 3,000 downloads in their first week. Chatzopoulos says the app’s success wouldn’t be possible
see PARKING, page 4
see CANVAS, page 4
COURTESY OF NEXUS LOUISIANA
LSU professor Manos Chatzopoulos developed an app to help students find parking on campus. As an assistant professor of computational astrophysics, Chatzopoulos has experience working with machine learning, software engineering and data analysis. He decided to use these skills to solve the ultimate problem: campus parking. “I’ve always been bothered by the time I spend driving around the loop to find parking,” Chatzopoulos said. “Bringing my data analysis and software background into this, I thought it would be a good idea to create an innovative solution that would help the community.” The idea for a parking app came to fruition over the past
few years during the pandemic, when Chatzopoulos had more free time at home. With this extra time, he was able to refine the algorithm of the app, known as ParkZen, and teach himself iOS development. Chatzopoulos teamed up with computer science junior Haron Temam, who helped with the app’s development and optimization. “It was two years of a lot of work,” Chatzopoulos said. “To be able to calculate when parking becomes available without having to bother the user… [we] spent hours and days and miles driving around campus [to find] parking.” When users enter campus, ParkZen processes motion activity data. With its algorithm, the app can tell when users are driving and when they are parked. ParkZen uses this data to mark
parking spots in real time and provide turn-by-turn directions to available spots. Chatzopoulos and Temam put measures in place to maintain user privacy. ParkZen users have to have their location always on for the app to work so the app knows when people are approaching and leaving campus. ParkZen does not track user identity or their cars. Chatzopoulos hopes his app provides a more effective solution not just for students, but for LSU Parking and Transportation Services as well. With ParkZen, LSU can better allocate their resources to improve parking. With LSU Parking and Transportation Services and the dean of the LSU Law Center, ParkZen did a soft launch in January with the four parking lots around the Law Center. The only advertising for the app was a promotional
BY CHANDLER MCINTOSH @GeauxChandler18 LSU will unveil a new Studio Arts Building, which will house the College of Art and Design, in the fall of 2022 after historic renovations are complete. For the first time since 1924, the Studio Arts Building is undergoing major renovations, according to the LSU College of Art and Design website. The building is 41,500 square feet and will cater to students and faculty within the studio art program. The project will cost a little over $18 million and is being funded by the state and private donors. Formerly called the Old Engineering Shops, the Studio Arts Building was built in 1924 with nine other buildings for LSU’s original master plan. Because the existing building is placed on the National Register of Historic Places, a complete historic renovation will take place to comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Rehabilitation of Historic Structures. Once renovated, the building will contain modernized facilities for the College of Art and Design, including ceramics and printmaking and sculpture programs, as well as office spaces. In addition to interior organization to meet the needs of the school, the new Studio Arts Building will have upgraded air conditioning and ventilation systems as well as an interior finish upgrade. Dean of the College of Art and
LSU professor, student create app to help students find parking
BY GABBY JIMENEZ @gvjimenezz
Creation of new canvases on campus
FACULTY
Dean of business school to join Biden administration BY PIPER HUTCHINSON @PiperHutchBR President Joe Biden tapped LSU Ourso College of Business Dean Jared Llorens to join an advisory council that makes recommendations for federal employee pay. The White House announced Llorens’ appointment to the Federal Salary Council on Thursday. Llorens will be one of three experts joining the committee, which is made up of three policy experts and six labor representatives. “It’s rare for academics to get to apply their expertise sometimes in these types of environments,” Llorens said. “I’m super excited about the opportunity.”
Llorens, a Baton Rouge native, has been at LSU since 2009, where he has served as dean of the business school since November 2020. Llorens, who holds a doctorate in public administration, specializes in public sector compensation and has published research on salary and recruitment. “I consider myself that hybrid academic where I’m interested in policy, but I’m also interested in how that impacts business development, economic development and public performance,” Llorens said. The Federal Salary Council is an advisory committee that makes annual recommendations on federal pay differentials to the U.S. Department of Labor,
White House Office of Management and Budget and the White House Office of Personnel Management. “The goal each year is to create a system that allows you to recruit the best and the brightest and retain the best and the brightest,” Llorens said. Llorens said he suspected he got on the radar for the appointment because he has done work with the Council in the past. Llorens is not the only Louisiana native joining the Council. Stephen Emerson Condrey, a Thibodaux native and University of Louisiana at Monroe alumnus, has been appointed to chair the council. Condrey formerly served as the chair of the council during the Obama adminis-
tration. “I think the state produces some exceptional talent,” Llorens said. “There are a lot of great people that have come before me. I’m just excited for the opportunity to represent LSU and the state on the council.” Llorens and Condrey, who have co-authored a number of academic papers, are the latest in a string of Louisiana natives to nab jobs in the Biden Administration. There are many Louisianians in high profile jobs, like Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Llorens pointed out that one of the most critical roles in the executive branch, the Director of the Office of Budget and
Management, Shalanda Young, is also from Louisiana. “We have a lot of people doing well in both the [jobs] that are high profile positions, but also in the ones that don’t get as much attention,” Llorens said. Llorens is still waiting on instructions from the administration but is excited to get started with the work. Llorens said he would likely be expected to meet in Washington, D.C. a few times a year. “When a new administration comes on board, these types of positions are less visible, but really critical to moving the machinery of government forward,” Llorens said. “So, I think there’s definitely a desire to move quickly.”
Thursday, March 31, 2022
page 4 PARKING, from page 3 without the help he received from LSU. “It’s an effort LSU Parking and Transportation was committed to — improving mobility and parking experiences for students,” Chatzopoulos said. “I do want to thank [LSU Parking and Transportation] for having trust in homegrown technology built at LSU to try and help the problem.” ParkZen recently won a $100,000 investment from Nexus Louisiana at Baton Rouge Entrepreneur week to help improve the app. Chatzopoulos hopes the app doesn’t just help with parking, but with the environment too. “People spend an average of 30% of their time in traffic circling around the block… This 30% of time translates to an added footprint in carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere,” Chatzopoulos said. “Looking for parking contributes to global warming.” By minimizing the time people are searching for a parking spot, Chatzopoulos believes the app can help decrease these carbon dioxide emissions. Despite living on campus, biology freshman Ella Cochran has experienced problems finding parking. “Parking on campus is the
worst nightmare,” Cochran said. “It’s so stressful — especially in the morning when there’s commuter students on campus. An app like this was definitely needed.” Cochran initially found that the app was confusing. “While I do like the interface, the lack of a guide makes it difficult to drive around and use right away,” she said. Cochran suggested the app could have a tutorial upon download to make it more userfriendly. She also feels it would be better if more people were also on the app so more data would be available. “It did direct me to where there was an open spot, but I ended up choosing another spot that wasn’t documented on the app,” Cochran said. “It’s a good starting point, and I do think it’ll get better over time with more downloads.” Chatzopoulos believes that ParkZen is a “team effort” that he hopes to keep improving on over the years. He hopes to expand to more universities in Louisiana and the South and other organizations that have parking issues, like sports stadiums and hospitals. “This is going to be an ongoing effort, and we’re always going to keep refining and adding more and more features,” Chatzopoulos said.
CANVAS, from page 3 Design, Alcibiades Tsolakis, is proud of the contributions made by donors and the state of Louisiana to provide LSU students with a renovated Studio Arts Building. “This building will bring together all students and faculty who are currently dispersed in different facilities around campus,” Tsolakis said. “It will be a state-of-the-art facility.” Tsolakis wants this renovation to expand the appreciation of art, its expansive culture and its impactful history to the mass public. “I want students within the College of Art and Design to have a creative and collaborative environment that will promote the arts to the university community as well as to the Louisiana community at large,” Tsolakis said. Scott Andresen, an associate professor at the College of Art and Design, says the newly renovated building will allow him to reach out to a broad spectrum of students within the College of Art and Design. “For many years, the School of Art has been split between multiple buildings across campus, and that has made it hard to create a real identity within the School of Art,” Andresen said. “This building will create a central hub for students and faculty alike, a place where that creative spark will be shared with each other.”
MATTHEW PERSCHALL / The Reveille
A steel structure goes up on March 20 at the LSU Studio Arts Buildings on South Campus Drive in Baton Rouge, La. Andresen also expressed excitement about the new facilities and how they will impact the school. “Also, from a logistical standpoint, the newly renovated facilities will be a game-changer for many areas in the school: new fabrication facilities, a foundry and welding facilities, a kiln yard for ceramics, painting studios, gallery spaces and large open workspaces for incoming students,” Andresen said. The added space from the renovations will provide students with the opportunity to work on their projects with ample room. Prior to the renovations, students could only work in the building if it was below capacity, Andresen said. “I oversee the freshman art program, and students have had to work on art projects in their dorms or at mom and dad’s house,” Andresen said. “The new spaces for
incoming students are enormous, can house 100 students, and will be open all the time. This change will help create a real studio culture from the first semester, a place where students work side by side at all hours of the day.” Andresen says the most important aspect of the new Studio Arts Building is that it will be a place for students, staff and faculty to bond and share their love and passion for art. “More than anything, the new Studio Arts Building provides a home for the School of Art,” Andresen said. “It is a strange feeling to know other art students but never actually see what they do because the facilities are dispersed all around campus. To be able to share one roof is the most basic but the most important change that could happen for the School of Art.”
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ENTERTAINMENT
page 5
THIS WEEKEND IN BR
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FRIDAY AT 5
BY REVEILLE ENTERTAINMENT STAFF @Reveilleent
APRIL
1
ST Live After Five City Hall Plaza
COURTESY OF DOWNTOWNBR
This Friday, when it’s after 5 p.m., it’s time for a performance from Lost Bayou Ramblers. Dance along until 8 p.m. at the next Live After Five! concert at 238 North Blvd.
ND
Zapp’s International Beerfest LSU Rural Life Museum
SUNDAY AT 2
With over 200 foreign, domestic and homebrewed beers, Zapp’s International Beerfest is certain to be just as fun as any LSU home game. Tickets for the festival are $45 and are limited.
SATURDAY AT 3:30
2
APRIL
THE REVEILLE ARCHIVES
APRIL
3
RD Monster Truck Live Show Raising Cane’s River Center The Raising Cane’s River Center is hosting a Hot Wheels Monster Truck live show for the first time. Tickets for the 2 p.m. show are still on sale.
COURTESY OF RAISING CANE’S RIVER CENTER
Thursday, March 31, 2022
page 6 FOOD & DRINK
MUSIC
Lil Baby booked for LSU’s Groovin’
Wines under $15 for the refined college student BY MADELON DAVIS @madelondavis Traveling to a winery and spending a weekend tasting the best of the best isn’t typically on the budget for a college student, so having a wine tasting at home will have to suffice. Walmart has a large selection of wine from $4 all the way up to $30. Listed below are wines under $15 that still manage an expensive taste. White wine is a classic. Whites go with many different meals while also being nice to sip on. Oyster Bay, sauvignon blanc 2021, is a great white to choose if you’re wanting to experiment with new wines. Oyster Bay is a dry white that isn’t really sweet. It has small hints of fruit after you have been sipping for a while. Those in search of a sweeter white wine should try Ste Chateau Michelle, riseling 2020. A glass of Ste Chateau Michelle smells like perfume on first whiff. It has a bubbly feeling to it. It is creamy, and goes down easy. On the bottle, it is described as “mediumdry to medium-sweet.” This wine would be paired well with something savory, like sharp cheddar or a flakey fish, to counterbalance
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the sweetness of the wine. This is a great one to start off with when first dipping your toe into the wine world. Next up we have Rosé. Rosé is a favorite for a girl’s night (or just any night). It is super fun to drink because of its pink color. Roscato, sweet rosé, is the first one up, featuring a sweet flavor that gives you a kick. It does have a plain, flat flavor to it, delivering sweetness and nothing else. This wine could be described as a cleansing wine, as it doesn’t have an extremely bold taste. This wine would pair well with spicy foods.
Prophecy, rosé 2020, is a wine with a slightly strange, hint-ofbaby-wipes smell. Don’t let the smell deter you if you’re into dryer, less sweet wines. This wine doesn’t taste like a true rosé since it doesn’t have the bold sweet flavor to it. Red wine is a wine that can take people a while to get into, due in part to the difficulty of finding a tasty yet cheap red. When you do find a red in your price range, it is recommended to aerate the wine, which is super easy. Pour the wine into a glass, then transfer the wine back and forth between two glass-
es, then let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour and enjoy. This way, the flavors have time to grow to their full potential. Cline, pinot noir 2020, smells like burnt firewood and raisins. The first few sips are brutal, but once it is given time to aerate, it is a lot better. It is a very thin, dry red wine that gets better with time. Next red is Prayers of Sinners, red blend 2019. This red has a great flavor profile and is very fragrant. This wine feels like it fills your entire mouth and leaves a bit of a chalky feeling behind. If you like red blends, this is the wine for you. This would go really well with an A-5 wagyu. Last but not least is the celebratory wine, champagne. Ballatore, sparkling wine, is priced at a modest $11. At first, it does smell like a bathroom cleaner, but the flavor makes up for it. It tastes fruity with hints of almond. This wine will remind you of spring and events such as a bridal or baby shower. It is a super refreshing wine that appeals to those who desire sweet and fruity champagnes. It is the perfect brunch champagne and the flavor alone would mix well with any fruit juice. Happy sipping.
BY EDDY HAGE @hage_eddy Rapper Lil Baby will perform at LSU Student Government’s 2022 Groovin’ concert on April 7. The concert will take place at the PMAC, where doors will open at 7:30 p.m. Lil Baby is a 27-year-old rapper from Atlanta who rose to prominence after releasing his mixtape “Perfect Timing.” Both his studio albums, “Harder Than Ever” and “My Turn,” are certified platinum. “Freestyle,” “We Paid,” “Yes Indeed,” “Drip Too Hard” and “The Bigger Picture” are among his most popular songs. Lil Baby has been nominated for three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards. He won Artist of the Year at the Apple Music Awards 2020. This will be Student Government’s first Groovin’ concert since 2019, when rapper and Baton Rouge native Kevin gates performed, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Thursday, March 31, 2022
page 7 MOVIES & TV
‘Atlanta’ goes to Europe, maintains relevancy and absurdity BY CONNOR MCLAUGHLIN @connor_mcla Since the series first premiered on September 6, 2016, Donald Glover’s searing comedy-drama “Atlanta” has provided thoughtprovoking commentary on society as we know it. Written by, directed by and starring Glover, the series is known for its ambitious storytelling and eccentric humor that practically subverts expectations in every single episode. Aided by its timely and often piercing observations of society, it is a landmark show unlike anything else on television. Following a four-year hiatus, the longawaited two-episode premiere of “Atlanta” aired Thursday, March 24. Revolving around a college dropout, “Atlanta” stars Glover as Earn Marks, who works as a music manager for up-and-coming cousin, rapper Alfred, whose rap name is Paper Boi, played to perfection by Brian Tyree Henry. The cast is rounded out by LaKeith Stanfield’s Darius Epps, a spiritual and often stoned friend of Alfred’s, and Earn’s ex, Van, played by Zazie Beetz, as they try to make their way through the harsh and sometimes surreal landscape of Atlanta,
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Georgia. Last season, dubbed “Robbin’ Season,” saw the four young Black characters traverse the increasingly weird locales of Atlanta from the woods to a Fastnacht festival, and even the homes of the Alligator Man and Teddy Perkins. At the end of the season, Earn, Alfred and Darius all boarded a plane bound for Alfred’s European world tour. The premiere episode, “Three Slaps,” was a rather self-contained, allegorical installment featuring none of the main characters, but
one glimpse of Earn at the end. Instead, it was about a young Black middle schooler named Loquareeous, played by Christopher Fartar, that gets adopted by a hippie lesbian couple through multiple errors of communication. Lensed by Hiro Murai, this episode maintains a brutal and creepy atmosphere with an engaging story inspired by the Hart family murders that depict how easily cruelty and racism can manifest in ways otherwise presented as admirable actions. “Three Slaps” is the kind of
unique, surprising and horrifying episode that reminds viewers that they don’t even need to see their favorite characters to feel like “Atlanta” is back and better than ever. Case in point, the episode is a stark reminder of the series’ core thesis – a trenchant and earnest insight into the laughably absurd nature of social media, capitalism and racial disparity. “Atlanta” does a perfect job of sitting the viewer on the line between comical and uncomfortable while bringing up societal issues.
The second episode, “Sinterklass Is Coming To Town,” was the actual return of Earn, Al, Van and Darius, a hilarious and jawdropping follow-up that left me desperate for the next episode. Set in Amsterdam, Paper Boi’s tour is about to begin, but he is in jail, his music manager is not in the capital city yet, Earn’s ex-girlfriend has just shown up and Darius has not washed his clothes in eight days. Christmas festivities have also begun, including a disturbing amount of blackface in Amsterdam that feels more unsettling with every scene. It’s an episode full of laughs and real-life parallels, such as Alfred’s treatment in prison being akin to A$AP Rocky’s imprisonment in a luxurious Swedish prison, but the awkwardness and hilarity obscure the real themes of the episode right up until the most unexpected moment. “Atlanta” is back and better than ever. While not set in the streets of the titular city, the third season reinvents itself with an increased scope of social horror and hip-hop that maintains the same absurdity, excellency and relevancy that it started out with. “Atlanta” is a gift from Glover and company that is well worth the wait.
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SPORTS SOFTBALL SAFETY
How LSU is running through their ACE pitchers, not protecting arms
BY MACKAY SUIRE & NICK OBRELLARO
@macthetiger & @NOmbrellaro SEC play is in full swing in the world of college softball. For LSU, that means big opponents with even bigger at bats. With even the smallest bit of knowledge on the sport, anyone could look at the Tigers’ roster and see it is filled to the brim with talent. Ranked 22nd in Division 1, though, this talent is seemingly falling short. Many people recognize the name Shelbi Sunseri. The fifth year senior has become a deadly force in the circle for the Tigers throughout her tenure. Factor in her nine home runs from just this season alone and she is one of the most impressive allaround players. Or maybe you know Ali Kilponen. The junior has already faced over 300 batters this season and has tallied a notable ERA of 2.05. Both athletes have been extremely successful in purple and gold, but with at least 20 games left to go in the season, the question of whether these players will be able to remain consistent comes to mind. The lack of notable pitchers outside of LSU’s four in the rotation could pose a few problems in the peak of this season, as well as future ones. Looking at a breakdown of the top-five Division I softball teams, their ace pitchers have
page 8 BASEBALL
LSU baseball beats ULM 15-4
BY DYLAN SANDERS @Dilly Sanders
of the team’s innings with their number two, Emma Lemley, throwing 35%. Their third and fourth pitchers have thrown 7% and 6% respectively, but with a team ERA of 1.44, clearly something is working right for the team. The Tigers tend to be more
The bats have not been too much of an issue for the LSU Tigers this season, but on this stretch of the last three games they seem like they cannot miss the ball. This latest victory against ULM 15-4, makes it 4210 that LSU has outscored its opponents since Saturday. Brayden Jobert especially feels like he’s hitting off a tee, as he has five homeruns on seven hits for 16 RBIs during this stretch. Head Coach Jay Johnson pointed out that they started to work on Jobert’s swing, and it seems like they have made a breakthrough. “We’ve really just been getting our foot down earlier, and that’s really just been the biggest impact I feel you know, we’ve been on time with a lot more pitches and it would put in a lot of good swings on balls. If you get yourself in a good position early, you know the swing will come behind it,” said Jobert. Johnson commented on Jobert’s reworked swing as well after the game. “We’ve kind of been working
see SOFTBALL, page 9
see BASEBALL, page 9
SAVANNA ORGERON / The Reveille
LSU softball fifth-year senior pitcher/utility Shelbi Sunseri (27) pitches March 12, during LSU’s 13-6 win against Alabama at Tiger Park in Baton Rouge, La. about half of the total innings pitched for the team. The number two in the rotation tends to have a 24-34% share of the work, with the rest being controlled by a third starting pitcher or inning eaters. The most diversified pitching staff of the top-five is Oklahoma, ranked No. 1 overall, with their three starters throwing 45%, 28%
and 26% of their innings. The Sooners have also thrown the fewest innings of the top five, having run ruled opponents 24 times so far this season. With a sub-one ERA, the Sooners have been quite dangerous and deserving of the No. 1 ranking. The staff that was the most lopsided was Virginia Tech. Keely Rochard has pitched 51%
SWIMMING & DIVING
LSU men’s swim and dive brings home two national titles BY COLE HERNANDEZ @Ct_hernandez LSU swimmer Brooks Curry single-handedly doubled the swimming program’s NCAA individual titles Saturday with a win in the 100-meterfree inside the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta. Curry clocked in a time of 40.84 seconds, which broke his school record previously set in February at the SEC Championships. In the prelims, he finished in third place with a time of 41.19 seconds. Curry, a two-time national champion, won both individual national titles at the 2022 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. On Thursday, he won the first individual swimming championship in program history since Mark Andrews won the 50-meter free in 1988. Curry clocked in an 18.56 seconds which broke the school record that he achieved at the 2022 SEC Championships. “It’s an amazing day for LSU,
SAVANNA ORGERON / The Reveille
An LSU swimmer swims Jan. 22, during LSU men’s 146-154 loss against Texas A&M at the LSU Natatorium in Baton Rouge, La. and it’s an amazing day for Brooks Curry,” Head Swimming Coach Rick Bishop said. “He believed in himself and was able to climb the mountain and achieve one of the biggest goals in any swimmer’s career. He knew he had a great swim in him, and he went out on
the biggest stage and performed.” National champion in the 50-meter free, Brooks Curry swam in the 200-meter free as well. He claimed eighth place in the morning session to earn a spot in a championship final for the second straight day.
With his finish in the top eight, Curry was guaranteed his fourth NCAA All-American honor during his historic career and his second in the 200-meter free. Curry got off to a great start but finished in sixth place with a time of one minute and 31.45 seconds in the final. At the SEC Championships in February, he broke Caeleb Dressel’s, the U.S. Olympian, SEC meet record with a blistering 40.99 seconds. That time broke his own school record and the Jones Aquatic Center pool record. On the boards, LSU diver Juan Celaya-Hernandez grabbed another All-American status with his third-place finish on one meter. It was the seventh of his career. After closing out the prelims in sixth place with a score of 374.9, he claimed bronze in the championship final with a final score of 413.2. Adrian Abadia also competed on one-meter in his first NCAA Championships and almost made the consolation final. He finished
in 17th place with a final score of 327.9. Celaya-Hernandez earned his second bronze medal at the 2022 Men’s NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships Friday. He took third place on three-meter with a final score of 459.2. With his finish inside the topeight, Celaya-Hernandez claimed his eighth career All-American honor and his fourth on three-meter. In the prelims during the early afternoon session, he held eighth place with a score of 395.55. “That was truly an incredible three-meter championship final,” Shaffer said. “I’m so proud of Juan’s performance.” On the boards, Celaya-Hernandez closed out his final NCAA Championship with an 18th place finish on platforms. He finished with a final score of 323.2. LSU and its three participating athletes put together an impressive performance that yielded 85 points and a 15th-place finish. It is the highest finish for the Tigers since 1997 when LSU placed 14th.
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Thursday, March 31, 2022 SOFTBALL, from page 8 diversified on their approach to innings worked. Ali Kilponen leads the team with 36%, Shelbi Sunseri commands 31% of the share, freshman Raelin Chaffin 16% and Shelby Wickersham 13%. With a team ERA of 2.25, the Tigers’ pitchers are a strength for this program. When comparing these pitching staffs, LSU Head Coach Beth Torina has some validity in saying the team has a deep pitching roster. Most softball teams can only reliably count on two
pitchers heading into a weekend matchup. LSU has that with Kilponen and Sunseri easily, and will consistently put them in the circle to try and dominate games for the Tigers. Along with Chaffin starting to secure a larger role on the roster, and Wickersham—who when called on can give you consistent work—LSU has a strong rotation. Earlier in the season, or during the non-conference midweek games going forward, it would be alleviating to see some of the back of the bench pitchers on the roster earn some in-
SAVANNA ORGERON / The Reveille
LSU softball freshman pitcher Raelin Chaffin (34) and junior catcher Morgan Cummins (26) tap gloves at the end of the inning, Feb. 12 during LSU’s 2-3 loss against Central Arkansas at Tiger Park on Skip Bertman Drive in Baton Rouge, La.
nings. There are three other pitchers on the roster, with two making limited appearances so far this season, totaling four innings of work. Although most teams have a similar approach to pitcher utilization, having more pitchers you could rely on as we approach May would certainly help with arm fatigue later in the season. The underhand motion of softball pitching means that these pitchers have stamina and durability that is not typically seen from baseball staffs. However, this does not mean that softball pitchers cannot acquire the same injuries that are commonly found in baseball. Studies have proven that though the motions are polarizing, torques on the arm during underhand pitching are similar to that of overhand. The greatest danger, though, does not come from the motion itself but from the overuse of that arm in that motion. Repetitiveness of the windmill motion weakens the tendons in the arm, creating microscopic tears in the fibers that they are composed of. The rotator cuff is most at risk, as the four muscles that compose the cuff act as one larger tendon, securing the arm to the shoulder socket. Tears in tendons lead to inflammation, most commonly known as Tendinitis. With the constant rotation of a pitching staff commonly seen in baseball games, overuse of a pitcher’s arm is not much of an
BASEBALL, from page 8 on it all year and I mean even back to the summer when we were having conversations, and he’s so strong and has so much bat speed that sometimes it’s just a little bit of a click of timing and getting in position so we can utilize that strength.”
SAVANNA ORGERON / The Reveille
LSU baseball redshirt sophomore outfielder Brayden Jobert (6) hits a homerun Feb. 20, during LSU’s 12-1 win against Maine at Alex Box Stadium on Gourrier Avenue in Baton Rouge, La.
SAVANNA ORGERON / The Reveille
LSU softball redshirt junior pitcher Ali Kilponen (2) celebrates after getting the strikeout Feb. 12, during LSU’s 8-1 win against South Alabama at Tiger Park on Skip Bertman Drive in Baton Rouge, La. issue. For softball, there are no rules or regulations in the SEC in regards to a pitching limit. That baseball rotation avoids this problem, but with a smaller amount of diversity seen in the circle for softball, overuse is more difficult to avoid. A major component of active recovery for any pitcher, no matter their level, is rest. With such a packed season schedule, though, how much are pitchers actually able to do that?
If the team wants to be sustainable in the postseason there needs to be a buildup of the back-half of the bullpen and more utilization of all pitchers during the midweek games. The Tigers have already had a scare with Sunseri, as she missed games due to a broken nose after taking a ball to the face. That should have been a wakeup call to the team, and hopefully one they will act on moving forward.
Getting ahead like they have been, like scoring six runs in the first inning against ULM, is incredibly important, and having hitters like this is obviously a big part of that. Forcing your opponents to get uncomfortable and play from behind makes it easier on your pitchers as well, as you get guys who are trying
to do too much. Jobert commented that a big part of his success is that he doesn’t have to try to do too much because of what’s around him. “It’s more than just the score, it’s the other team’s approach, what they have to do with their bullpen. There’s a lot of positives when that happens other than just the score board. I do think it’s big. I do think it’s important,” said Johnson on the importance of opening the game up early on. As for the rest of the team, pitching and fielding has been better but will still both need to play well consistently if they want to compete deep into SEC play this season. Players have started to find their groove, but there are still plenty of mistakes. “There’s not a day that goes by that we’re not picking apart a piece of the game to improve. I think they’ve done a really good job, and a lot of guys are contributing to that, and we’re going to need them to. Every game is a playoff game. It’s not slowing down, so they have to stay sharp in terms of how they prepare and how they execute,” commented Coach Johnson. Jobert and the rest of the tigers will look to continue the hot streak as Auburn comes to town this weekend for a Thursday, Friday and Saturday series. This series will be a big one, as Auburn is 17-8 and tied with LSU at 3-3 in conference play.
SAVANNA ORGERON / The Reveille
LSU baseball redshirt sophomore outfielder Brayden Jobert (6) and the team celebrate Feb. 20, during LSU’s 12-1 win against Maine at Alex Box Stadium on Gourrier Avenue in Baton Rouge, La.
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FOR RELEASE MARCH 31, 2022
THE Daily Commuter Puzzle ACROSS 1 Refrain syllable 4 Peddles 9 Game broadcaster 13 __ up; rob at gunpoint 15 To no __; fruitlessly 16 Hint 17 Mr. Berra 18 On pins and needles 19 __ as a rock 20 Hold spellbound 22 Is in the red 23 Corn servings 24 Prefix for occupied or cooked 26 Grenoble wife 29 Raising thoroughbreds 34 Came up 35 Plank 36 Name for 13 popes 37 Apple discard 38 Crannies 39 Mattress buyer’s choice 40 “What Kind of Fool __?” 41 Get hold of 42 Use a loom 43 Not requiring dry cleaning 45 Like a good steak 46 Rainy month: abbr. 47 Powder 48 Skin mark 51 __ to; as reported by 56 Garb for Caesar 57 Piece of paper 58 Actress Carter 60 Some bills 61 Nairobi’s nation 62 “The Old __ Mare” 63 Marries 64 Run __; chase 65 “__ to a Nightingale” DOWN 1 “Love __ neighbor”
by Jacqueline E. Mathews
Created by Jacqueline E. Mathews
2 Santa’s landing place 3 Seaweed 4 Contemptuous writing 5 __ out; makes level 6 Ms. Turner 7 Roster 8 Pullman cars 9 Repeated what was just said 10 Cabbage dish 11 Untainted 12 Sparks & Beatty 14 Malady 21 “It __ Upon a Midnight Clear” 25 Blushing 26 Colorful parrot 27 Fragrance 28 Day or Roberts 29 Liquor 30 Lawn tool 31 Epic by Homer 32 Boldness 33 Role for Jim Nabors 35 Lobster recipe verb 38 Lincoln’s place
3/31/22
Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved
©2022 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.
39 Swordplay 41 Maple tree secretion 42 Tuesday, for one 44 Bother constantly 45 __ sauce; fish condiment 47 See eye __; agree
3/31/22
48 Pack away 49 Scoop holder 50 Like fine wine 52 Cook 53 Small coin 54 Fiddling emperor 55 Thrilled 59 Caustic soap component
OPINION
page 11
QUICK
State lawmaker threatens academic freedom, attacks tenure CHARLIE’S ANGLES CHARLIE STEPHENS
@charliestephns Former Gov. Bobby Jindal pushed a K-12 education “reform” package in 2012 that gutted tenure protections through the state legislature at a warp speed of just three weeks. During this year’s legislative session, Sen. Stewart Cathey, RMonroe, is taking it one step further by proposing a bill to “study and make recommendations relative to tenure policies of public postsecondary education institutions.” Professors are rightfully concerned about the recommendations that would come out of this committee, considering the state’s history of weakening tenure protections. This comes mere weeks after the Louisiana Board of Regents hired Tristan Denley from the University of Georgia System — a man described as “the architect of the death of tenure.”
Academic freedom is increasingly important given the growing attacks on truth and academic integrity in recent years. Critical race theory, for example, has become a go-to point for conservative talking heads who claim liberals are indoctrinating students. Nothing could be further from the truth. The LSU Faculty Senate is considering a resolution urging the university administration to reaffirm its commitment to tenure. This resolution emphasizes that threats to tenure jeopardize “the ability of institutions engaged in these changes to recruit and retain a world-class faculty.” In a 2020 policy statement, the university affirmed its “commitment to the principles of academic freedom, free speech and tenure.” The statement went on to say that “[t]enure nurtures and sustains the campus spirit that values inquiry into truth and understanding, free from pressures outside the academy or due to differing styles and ideological views.”
Cathey’s bill proposing changes to tenure is an attack on academic freedom, exerting the exact type of outside pressure that tenure is designed to protect professors from. Cathey isn’t going after a single professor or issue; he is going after the entire academic ecosystem as we know it. Without a solid tenure foundation, the university cannot recruit or retain the world-class faculty needed to enrich the state of Louisiana. The university is keenly aware of this potential problem. In its 2020 statement, the university described tenure as “a means to provide freedom of teaching, research and extramural activities that makes the profession attractive to those individuals with the ability to pursue knowledge and its dissemination.” For the Legislature to move Louisiana forward in education, it must swiftly reject Cathey’s dangerous attack on tenure.
TAKES
IS STUDENT GOVERNMENT AN EFFECTIVE FORM OF ADVOCACY? Student Government has the capacity to be an amazing tool for monumental change at the university, but, in recent administrations, it has been unwilling to use the bully pulpit to accomplish the goals of the student body. Charlie Stephens @charliestephns
I am not well informed on the impacts of Student Government, and I do not think many people are... I do not know the measurable effects SG has on the LSU campus, and I wish they did more to make their impact known. Lura Stabiler @lstabiler3
Charlie Stephens is a 21-year-old political communication junior from Baton Rouge.
Even if the members of Student Government seek the best for our campus and our students, I don’t think they do a good job of making their platforms and policies accessible to the student body. The majority of students that I know couldn’t name a single thing SG actually advocates for, let alone name candidates that are running. Noah McKinney @itsthatnoah
I think that Student Government has the potential to be a great form of student advocacy, but I honestly can only name one thing that SG has done for the student body. I know that they offer free Scantrons, but that’s about it. Kacey Buercklin @0kacey1
Student Government is effective to an extent. I think the opinions of SG are considered when the university makes a decision, but there are far more powerful opinions in the room. I believe it’s a good experience for politically-inclined students, but as far as making real change goes, their power is limited. Frank Kidd MATTHEW PERSCHALL / The Reveille
The State Capitol sits beyond a lake on Feb. 6, at 900 North Third Street in Baton Rouge, La.
Editorial Policies and Procedures EDITORIAL BOARD Lara Nicholson Enjanae’ Taylor Josh Archote
Editor in Chief Managing Editor News Editor
Bella Dardano
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Opinion Editor
The Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, The Reveille or the university. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to editor@lsu.edu or delivered to B-39 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must provide a contact phone number for verification purposes, which will not be printed. The Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration while preserving the original intent. The Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Reveille’s editor in chief, hired every semester by the LSU Student Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.
Quote of the Week “Everything in the universe has a rhythm, everything dances.”
Maya Angelou American poet 1928 — 2014
, y e n o H I’m home! find your forever hive Wednesday, April 13th 10am-2pm LSU Student Union Royal Cotillion Ballroom
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