October 10, 2012

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Students raise $30k in second Derby Days

By Laura Blasey Staff writer In the two years since the Sigma Chi fraternity returned to the campus, members haven’t hesitated to make the best of a second chance, raising $30,000 for children in need at last week’s Derby Days.

Throughout the week-long lineup of events, Sigma Chi members served as coaches for participating sororities through watermelon eating contests, a banner competition, a mattress race and other tests of strength, determination and creativity in the name of philanthropy. Sigma Chi hoped to double their fundraising total from last year, the chapter’s first year holding the event, but increased participation and enthusiasm from the larger Greek community, and sponsors helped participants raise three times as much money for Children’s Miracle Network

and several other charities.

Through a partnership with National Children’s Hospital, two young patients and their caretakers also participated in judging the week’s banner competition. Both children had been helped by the Children’s Miracle Network, which distributes donations to local hospitals so they can pay for new equipment, uncompensated care and other needs.

A successful Derby Days was important for starting off the year’s philanthropy and community outreach on a strong foot, said Derby Days chairman Peter Buas.

“We had been wanting to do it since we came on campus,” said Buas, a senior government and politics major. “But last year was the first year we felt like we had the personnel and the financial ability to pull it off.”

Over the past decade, Greek chapters have worked to demonstrate more See derby, Page 2

the annual crab feast, held yesterday, was different than in years past, as SGA representatives pushed students to register to vote with less than a week until the deadline. While the event included plenty of crabs and corn on the cob for students to enjoy, there was also a table solely dedicated to helping students sign up to vote with their directory IDs under the new online, in-house voter registration system that launched last week. christian jenkins/for the diamondback

Sobhani emerging as contender to Cardin

Not just a feast

By Tyler Weyant For The Diamondback He stands in front of a faded, patriotic campaign logo. He talks about how he’s being kept out of the debates, how “our nation is in trouble.” At the end of the 30-second advertisement, voters from Bel Air to Bethesda are left with one question.

Who is Rob Sobhani?

The man in the commercial is an independent U.S. Senate candidate, who, according to a recent poll, is having an increasing impact on the race to unseat Democratic incumbent Ben Cardin.

A late-September Gonzalez Research and Marketing poll found Sobhani had 21 percent of the vote, compared to 50 percent for Cardin and 22 percent for

SGA uses seventh annual crab feast to push studentvoter registration with about a week left until deadline

By Sarah Tincher Staff writer Yesterday’s Crab Feast was a host of familiar sights — rows of bibbed students, tin trays brimming with corn on the cob and buckets of Maryland crab. But the host — the SGA — had something more on its agenda.

With the days ticking away until students must register to vote or miss out on casting a ballot in November’s presidential and state elections, the Student Government

photo courtesy of babak behnan

Republican candidate Dan Bongino.

Sobhani said his campaign commercials have introduced voters to a new option See sobhani, Page 3

Dressing for fun

By Sandra Müller For The Diamondback “Yakitoko.” In Lingala, a language spoken in central Africa, it means “something beautiful.”

For Frange Abaraka, who was born in the Congo, this word represents his passion in life and the inspiration behind his one-man T-shirt print design company.

The senior aerospace engineering and studio art major was inspired to create his Yakitoko brand shortly after he transferred to this university in 2010 and joined an online community where artists could share their work.

“The positive feedback led me to think about starting my own thing,” he said.

Abaraka officially launched Yakitoko in March 2011, and his designs

INDEX

LaCherra, SGA traditions and programming director. “It’s such an important thing.”

As of late yesterday afternoon, 1,208 students had registered to vote using the new system, which the SGA launched about a week ago, according to SGA Director of Governmental Affairs James Jalandoni. While the Oct. 16 deadline is fast approaching, Jalandoni said he has an “ambitious” goal of registering 2,000 students online. An estimate of how many new registrations the body See feast, Page 3

Romney likely won’t cut education, experts say

Student’s T-shirt company takes off, designs offered in Hyattsville, Washington stores can now be found in two local stores, one in Hyattsville and one in Washington. The motto behind these designs is “dress for fun” and that fashion should be about wearing pieces of art rather than following trends, Abaraka said.

“I get my inspiration when I go around. I see an object and suddenly the ideas come,” Abaraka said. “But when I start, I never know how it’s going to look like in the end.”

Whenever inspiration strikes, the self-described perfectionist rushes home and holes himself in his room to sketch out his latest design.

“My roommates call it my bat cave,” he said. “I call it my space shuttle where I take control of everything.”

Each of Abaraka’s prints carries a unique story. His current bestseller is a light bulb containing the shapes of trees, a zebra and birds of the savanna

Association was working to reach as much of the student body as possible with its registration efforts. Yesterday’s seventh annual Crab Feast, held at Cole Field House, included a table for members to catch participants on their way out, encouraging them to sign up to vote on iPads and Netbooks under the new online voter registration system using student IDs. “Predominantly a lot of the [Crab Feast] tickets that we sell are to oncampus students — freshman and sophomores — and so a lot of them aren’t registered to vote,” said Kevin

Candidate may instead reallocate money

By Jim Bach Senior staff writer

senior frange abaraka created his own line of T-shirts called Yakitoko. photo courtesy of frange abaraka on the top and the outlines of a city skyline on the bottom.

NEWS 2 OPINION 4 FEATURES 5 DIVERSIONS 6 CLASSIFIED 6 SPORTS 8

See t-shirts, Page 2

Many experts and political pundits have speculated that Mitt Romney’s pledges to reduce the national deficit and his choice of a conservative running mate meant the presidential hopeful would slash education funding if elected.

But during last week’s debate, the former Massachusetts governor suggested otherwise.

“I’m not going to cut education funding,” he said.

That comment has left many skeptical as to how he’ll circumvent cuts in education while simultaneously slashing the budget in other areas — especially because his vice presidential pick, Rep. Paul Ryan

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(R-Wis.), has proposed budget plans that deal across-the-board cuts. And education isn’t an exception.

“The simple math suggests that it’s not going to be possible to wade deeply into the budget and find a way to balance it without making at least some cuts in almost anything,” said Don Kettl, the public policy school dean.

Even though both Romney and President Obama have pledged to protect education funding — and have even suggested increasing federal funding to schools — Kettl said it’ll be hard to keep those promises when it comes time to negotiate the budget; there’s a broad consensus in Congress that cuts are necessary to reign in an unsustainable

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See romney, Page 3

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THE DIAMONDBACK | NEWS | WEDNESDAY, october 10, 2012

derby From PAGE 1 leadership and community outreach than their predecessors, members and officials said. The university’s chapter of Kappa Alpha Order is hosting its fourth annual “Breastfest of Champions” tomorrow on Fraternity Row, in support of finding a cure for breast cancer.

The fraternity has raised more tha n $50,000 for the Cold Spri ng Ha rbor Laboratory Cancer Center over the past three years.

B ut for recent ly for med chapters on the ca mpus, pu l l i ng off the fi rst major philanthropy event can be a daunting task — launching an annual Derby Days was a long process, said Skyler Harris, Derby Days’ public relations vice president. The junior mechanical engineering major’s work began in June and continued diligently over the summer with the other members of the event’s executive boa rd to secure sponsorships, spread the word and organize the logistics of the event. “ L a s t y e a r, t h e r e w a s nothing to base our decisions on; it was completely from the ground up,” Harris said.

t-shirts From PAGE 1 “It s y mb ol i z e s t he id e a of two d i fferent worlds to coexist,” he said.

This design was not even supposed to be printed in the fi rst place, but after the executives of a local company saw the print on Abaraka’s website last year and asked for a 24-hour license, the print sold more than 350 shirts in one day.

Although this was not the first design Abaraka had ever sold, he considered it the breakthrough for his brand.

“By then, I kept getting requests,” he said.

Cory Stowers, co-owner of the A r t Under P ressu re store in Washington, said he was excited to make room for Abaraka’s prints on his shelves.

“I saw the designs of Yakitoko and liked the powerful way they were conceptualized,” Stowers said. “As our goal is to bring local designers to the market, we chose this brand for our shops.”

With the increased exposure, Abaraka said he sees more and more people wearing his shirts on the campus and in other regional cities.

“T hat makes me proud,” he said.

However, t he i ncrea sed demand has also made it more difficult for him to balance his company responsibilities with his restaurant job and his course load as a university student. Abaraka recently took two semesters off to keep up with the flood of requests for his designs. He plans to return to class this winter.

But he said giving up on his brand is not an option.

“I a m used to work i ng a lot, and besides that, I like to acquire new knowledge,” Abaraka said.

Looking ahead, he said he is not concerned as to whether his brand will bring him long-term financial success. He simply wants to continue following his passion.

“I can’t for certain describe the future,” he said. “But you only live once, and in the end at least I can say that I tried.” newsumdbk@gmail.com

“This year we were able to look back at what worked and what didn’t, and the feedback we got from the brothers and the girls that participated.”

In addition to earning points for coming out on top in obstacle courses and races, sororities fund-raised independently for charities of their choice. The event’s w i n ner, A lpha Ch i Omega, took home a trophy and a $1,500 check for Domestic Violence Awareness. In second and third places were Alpha Xi Delta, another newer Greek organization on the campus, and Alpha Delta Pi. “I am very impressed with h o w o rg a n i z e d a n d we l lthought-out Derby Days was.

As a chapter president, I know how hard it can be to plan a large philanthropy event,” Delta Gamma president and senior communication major Jennifer Darland wrote in an email.

“They’ve raised the standards

Greek chapters that participated in Derby Days last week fundraised and competed in events to raise $30,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network and other charities. Photo courtesy of Brian Cohn for philanthropy events in the Greek community.”

Harris said Sigma Chi is proud of the progress Derby Days has made over the past two years.

“We’re hoping that it just gets better and better — I know other chapters have raised hun-

dreds of thousands of dollars,” Harris said. “I don’t know that we’ll be able to triple the amount we donate next year, but it was a really cool experience and I’m proud to be a part of it.” newsumdbk@gmail.com

THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, students staged watermelon-eating contests, a mattress race and obstacle courses, making Derby Days’ second year a success. Photo courtesy of Brian Cohn

wednesDAY, october 10, 2012 | NEWS | THE DIAMONDBACK

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romney From PAGE 1

Rob Sobhani, an independent U.S. Senate candidate for the state, talks with diners at Chick & Ruth’s deli in Annapolis. A recent poll reported he had 21 percent of the vote, compared to 50 percent for incumbent Sen. Ben Cardin. photo courtesy of babak behnam

sobhani From PAGE 1 in local politics.

“The commercials are giving hope to people that there could be a third way to do business in Washington,” he said. “We’re tapping into a frustration that Marylanders feel about Washington.”

A nd the former Georgetown University professor and current CEO of Caspian Holdings Group, a consulting firm for Middle Eastern and Russian business, said he would focus on higher education. To help fight costs and inequality, Sobhani has proposed making student loans tax-deductible and investing $150 million in urban internship programs. With 15 years of experience in the classroom, Sobhani said his plans will resonate with students.

“When I gave lectures, I would talk for five minutes and then open it up to the class,” Sobhani said. “That’s the way politicians need to start acting.”

As he fights to gain recognition and continue his climb in the polls, Sobhani, a father of two from Montgomery County, said real change and growth will begin in College Park. “[ T h i s u n iversity] i s a n anchor,” he said. “If students have hope, have a job, it really lifts all the boats. We really want to lift the boats.”

If Sobhani’s poll success continues on Election Day, the result could be historic.

A University of Minnesota report on the race noted that since Maryland began directly electing senators in 1913, only one of 42 nonaffiliated candidates has received a double-digit percentage of the vote, and only four have gotten 2 percent or more.

Center for American Politics and Citizenship Director Paul Herrnson said though Sobhani’s ads may have helped, independent candidates across the country have difficulty succeeding electorally.

“The commercials will raise his visibility,” Herrnson said. “Both party brands are tarnished, but they are better than none.”

Bongino said Sobhani will go back down in the polls once Marylanders closely vet him.

“Everybody likes a shiny new toy,” Bongino said. “But the more people find out about Rob Sobhani, the more they don’t like Rob Sobhani.”

In addition, Bongino said he doubts undecided voters will end up voting for the independent.

“People who are looking for an outsider can’t possibly vote for him,” he said.

Cardin, who political analysts have heavily favored to win, has not changed his campaign strategy, despite Sobhani’s increased presence.

“Senator Cardin is running

a hard campaign, just as he would if he was running against one person or five people,” said Cardin campaign spokeswoman Sue Walitsky.

Sobhani may need to make inroads with university students, however. Sophomore psychology major Yael Nurko said only Sobhani’s name was familiar to her.

“I’ve heard the name, but I don’t really know what he stands for,” Nurko said.

Fo r n o w, S o b h a n i i s focused on getting himself into the debates, from which he says the major party candidates are trying to exclude him at all costs.

In a statement wishing Cardin a happy birthday on Friday, the campaign wrote, “Sobhani also noted that he looks forward to formally meeting [Ben] Cardin on the occasion of their first debate, just as soon as Cardin agrees to hold one and name the date and location.”

For Bongino, the argument against the independent comes down to fresh ideas and information.

“What’s Rob Sobhani offering that Ben Cardin isn’t offering? At least with Sen. Cardin, he’s been properly vetted,” he said. newsumdbk@gmail.com

growing deficit.

“Should a candidate start making promises that, ‘Well, I ’m go i n g to b a l a n c e t h e bud get i n genera l but I’m going to protect you and I’m goi ng to protect you,’ it’s highly likely that the candidate is going to get himself in trouble later on,” Kettl said.

“It’s going to be very difficult for Romney or for Obama to do what they’re saying they’re going to do without some cuts somewhere.”

T he Rya n budget pla n calls for across-the-board 20 percent cuts to all discretionary spending, meaning the Depa rtment of Education’s budget would receive a $13 billion cut if Romney fully embraces his running mate’s austerity measures. By pledging to maintain full education funding, Romney may be suggesting he’ll look to other programs to reduce spending, said Michael McShane, a research fellow in education policy at

the conservative think tank, American Enterprise Institute.

“In a budget that’s running a $1.3 trillion dollar deficit, $13 billion really isn’t that big of a deal,” McShane said. “There’s a chance that this is just kind of a political maneuver on his part to say ‘Look, we’ll give up $13 billion in education cuts and fi nd them somewhere else.’ ” The federal debt passed $16 trillion this year, growing by more than $5 trillion since Obama took office in 2009, when it was at $10.9 trillion, according to Department of the Treasury data.

Whether the White House sees a change in face this November or Oba m a secu res another term, the president will have to make difficult decisions that would inevitably deal a blow to education.

However, finance professor Elinda Kiss said she thinks education is more likely to face the federal ax if Romney b ecomes president, g iven that he doesn’t draw the same support from the younger demographic as Obama, and he has been clear on his intent to

decrease federal spending.

“First of all, look at who are your supporters,” Kiss said. “If he does not raise the deficit, then he has got to fi nd ways to cut spending.”

Romney’s rhetoric hasn’t suggested devastati ng reductions in federal education support, McShane said; instead, he wouldn’t allow the government to provide states with additional money should they face education spending shortfalls if the economy falters. While Obama’s 2009 stimulus bill ratcheted up this state funding, Romney likely wouldn’t pursue the same policy.

“I don’t think the political will exists for there to be another stimulus,” McShane said.

But the anxiety stems from the absence of the safeguard shou ld states be forced to cut their education budgets, McShane said.

“I think that’s more of the fear is that he’s not going to bail states out in the same way that President Obama did,” McShane said. newsumdbk@gmail.com

after finishing their meals at yesterday’s Crab Feast, students leaving Cole Field House were greeted by a table of Student Government Association members who asked them to use their student IDs to register to vote online on a new system. christian jenkins/for the diamondback

feast From PAGE 1 gained at Crab Feast was not available last night, Jalandoni said.

Several students said they did not realize the event had a voter push because the SGA did not set up its registration table until around 6:30 p.m.

However, junior chemistry major Pamela Gorgei said they still managed to get her attention.

“This is an especially good place to get younger people who haven’t gotten a chance to register,” said Gorgei, who was already signed up to vote.

The SGA’s station provided the right convenience to persuade some students, such as sophomore government and

politics and journalism major Christina Germano.

“I didn’t even think [to register] when I was at home this summer,” she said after signing up to vote. “It just never crossed my mind.”

Germano — who said she knew the Crab Feast was featuring voter registration — added the system was quick and easy to use.

“I had a few things mailed to me, and I found a few things online about registering to vote online, and it’s just a lot of stuff to go through — a lot of steps,” Germano said. “This was just really convenient.”

The size of the event also m ade Cole Field House “a good place to target people,” said junior finance and marketing major Kelly Markham.

About 1,000 students showed up to celebrate the university and state tradition with their student groups and friends.

Many out-of-staters had their fi rst experience with cracking open a crab, while others were just as familiar as area natives.

Throughout the event, SGA members went table-to-table to spread the word to those who were unaware of the new online voter registration system.

While the organization is focused on registration this week, one of its biggest priorities leading up to the elections is “making sure students are empowered at the ballot box,” Jalandoni said.

“I think everybody’s geared up to make that final push,” he said. newsumdbk@gmail.com

Moving parking permits online unlikely, council says

By Lily Hua Staff writer Students who park their cars on the city’s residential streets will likely have to continue using hangtag or sticker permits, after city officials decided the costs of going digital would outweigh the benefits.

A d i g ita l p erm it system would allow students to register for residential permits online, eliminating the need for stickers and hangtags. Parking enforcement staff would be able to look up a car’s license plate number and determine whether it is eligible to park in a certain space, a system in place on the campus and in other areas of the county.

However, city officials said the disadvantages of the new digital system would outweigh any positive impact because the system would be unable to scan tags and enforce visitor passes, making it inefficient. The new system would also carry a hefty price tag at the outset, and this coupled with its slow payback made it more logical to hold off on

a change, councilmembers said.

The city issues roughly 2,700 parking permits annually, excluding visitor passes, according to Parking Enforcement Manager Jim Miller. About 1,500 of those permits are issued to students, who place hangtags or stickers in their cars to indicate they are allowed to park in areas restricted to residents, Miller wrote in an email.

“It’d be impractical to register your visitor [pass] online,” said city Public Services Director Bob Ryan. “You’d have to immediately run in, go online, register that license tag before the parking enforcement officer drove through your neighborhood.”

Councilmembers said the digital scanning system works more efficiently on the campus because cars typically park perpendicular to the street, making it easier for parking enforcement officials to scan license plates, whereas in the city, cars park parallel to the street. However, District 1 Councilman Patrick Wojahn maintained during last week’s city council meeting that digital per-

mitting could help ease the process of registration and parking.

“It’d be more convenient for residents, in that they would be able to order their parking permits online and wouldn’t have to deal with the hangtags,” Wojahn said.

Sophomore engineering major Raj Patel said the city should continue to consider ways to implement new technology, despite city officials’ opposition to the proposed digital parking scanner system.

“I think technology can definitely make things more efficient,” he said. “Technology should be used, because in the future everything might be technology-based.”

Sahar Nabaee, a graduate student in civil engineering, said the city should look at other options that wouldn’t require a costly new system.

“It’d be easier for people, but if it’s going to cost the city a lot of money, then it shouldn’t be a big deal to keep using hangtags,” she said. newsumdbk@gmail.com

4

THE DIAMONDBACK | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

Opinion

EDITORIAL BOARD

YASMEEN ABUTALEB Editor in Chief

Mike King

Managing Editor

maria romas

Tyler Weyant

Managing Editor

Opinion Editor

nadav karasov

Assistant Opinion Editor

CONTACT US 3150 South Campus Dining Hall | College Park, MD 20742 | newsumdbk@gmail.com OR opinionumdbk@gmail.com PHONE (301) 314-8200

HEAD TO HEAD

Laptop use in class: Distracting or necessary?

VIEW: Laptops in class are a distraction to yourself and others. Students ought to shut their screens and open their minds.

LAUREN MENDELSOHN We live in the electronic age, in a time of rapidly advancing technology. The innovations of the past few decades — computer chips, satellite devices, the Internet — have changed the way humans interact with one another. The paths to knowledge seem infinite; information is accessible to anyone at the click of a button, and the time and effort necessary to do almost any task has decreased.

Instructors are eager to incorporate new technology into the classroom, since things like animated representations and improved algorithms can enhance course material. Educators also want to adapt to the way students learn, and nowadays, that often involves computers — even for tasks that don’t require machinery, such as solving simple equations or even writing things down. As a result, teachers around the world, including many at this university, allow students to use laptops in class to take notes — a practice that’s proven to be detrimental, rather than beneficial, to students’ understandings of the information.

Although many professors may want to believe that all eyes are on them, not the multitude of open screens, and that the clicks and keyboard taps filling the room are purely recording the lecture, this is not the case. Anyone who’s ever sat in the middle or back of a large lecture knows what I mean. At any given time, only a fraction of the open screens will reflect what’s going on in class, while the rest seem to declare, “I’m bored,” and, “ONLINE SHOPPING,” and, “This class is lame,” to everyone seated behind them.

As an “old-fashioned” pen-and-paper kind of person, I find this situation very irritating.

Without even considering what’s on the screen, laptop displays in general are bright and attract visual attention. This can be extremely distracting when you’re trying to focus on something important but are surrounded by glowing rectangles with various pictures and colors, especially if these extraneous stimuli are irrelevant to what

you’re trying to focus on (classic example: Facebook in class). For the laptop user, the risk of distraction is even higher, since they must exert a great deal of control to refrain from checking emails or browsing the Web; even doing so at a lull in the lecture can affect their concentration.

Also, class participation is lower when students have laptops than when they don’t — and low participation implies lack of interest, which is disrespectful to the instructor.

While I’m not suggesting all students should be forced to participate, the learning process involves asking and answering questions and actively engaging yourself in the material. If you’re not going to listen or participate, and are only going to distract people around you, why bother coming to class? (Attendance, I’m sure.)

It may sound like I’m just complaining, but researchers have documented the negative effects of in-class laptop use on student performance. A 2006 study found that students who had open laptops in class scored lower, reported paying less attention, and understanding the material less clearly than students who had closed laptops. Clearly, multitasking in class is not as harmless as most students think. Another study from 2006 found students felt other students’ laptop use in class significantly interfered with their own ability to learn the material. Assuming these results generalize across the population, your own classmates could be inadvertently holding you back from better grades.

So, what to do about student laptop use: Many professors have banned them outright from class, a move I fully support. But another solution, which would appeal to more students, would be asking laptop users to sit in the back of the room. That way, at least they’re less of a distraction to the class as a whole.

Lauren Mendelsohn is a senior psychology major.

She can be reached at opinionumdbk@gmail.com.

MARIA ROMAS Like it or not, technology has been irrevocably woven into our everyday lives. You would be hard-pressed to walk across the campus without encountering people listening to music, texting, reading on a tablet or staring at their computers.

Most people (myself included) can’t fathom what our parents’ lives were like without access to answers of every question that crosses our minds or the musings of some kid you haven’t talked to since high school. Remember when it was a big deal to have unlimited texting? That was only five years ago. Times are changing more quickly than we often realize, and we have to embrace this in every aspect of our lives.

One very important way we should incorporate technology is in our classes. On a very menial level, we type papers instead of handwriting them now. On the other end of the spectrum, in one of my classes (JOUR 203: Introduction to Multimedia Skills — required to graduate with a journalism degree), the professor constantly explains how to complete assignments with an iPhone and with Photoshop. In different features, a number of classrooms have used technology advantageously, but some are painfully stuck in the past.

Yet there’s still room for middle ground — a way to mildly incorporate technology into what you’re supposed to be learning. It largely falls on students to integrate, but professors must allow it in order for it to work. It’s something I was incredibly surprised to find wasn’t widely utilized when I first started at this university. Students should be using laptops in their classes. The benefits far outweigh the shortcomings.

Most basically, you can (probably) read your notes if you type them, whereas handwriting can much more easily turn illegible if you’re bored.

Your teachers can also use Google Drive — formerly Google Docs — or other websites to make class more interactive. Additionally, professors may refer to texts, words or ideas with which you aren’t familiar. Rather than either wasting other

GUEST COLUMN

Terps against marriage for marriage equality

I

have lived happily in a state of unlicensed love with a same-sex partner for more than 28 years.

We were both born in this country, so we didn’t need marriage to ensure our rights to live and work here and obtain health insurance. When we reached middle age and realized we needed to give some thought to long-term planning, we could afford to hire an attorney to draw up wills to give our relationship protections similar to those enjoyed (for free) by married couples.

We haven’t needed marriage, and in many ways we didn’t want it. You might say we hated marriage before hating marriage was cool, though we are not really the hating types.

As feminists we tend to view marriage skeptically, as an institution that oppresses women and shores up the social and economic powers of patriarchy and heterosexuality. We are proud of having built a secure, loving and mutually supportive relationship. Years before queer critics of marriage railed against the unfairness of forcing couples to marry in order to prove their worth or secure a set of rights and benefits, my partner and I were happy to sing along with Joni Mitchell: “We don’t need no piece of paper/From the city hall/ Keeping us tied and true.”

I am a Terp against marriage — as much as I respect particular marriages and anyone’s desire to be married — but I am also a Terp who is emphatically for marriage equality.

Marriage equality is a matter of civil rights, plain and simple, and as such I am committed to fighting for it without a shred of doubt or ambivalence. If the state is going to be in the business of licensing relationships, then it cannot discriminate against same-sex couples that want to be civilly married. I may not want to be

married, but that is my business and my decision. Legally, however, I should have the same right other citizens have to marry whomever I choose.

In a few weeks, Maryland voters will be called upon to uphold or reject the Civil Marriage Protection Act. If the law is upheld by an affirmative vote on Question 6, Maryland would be the first state in the nation to approve the right to same-sex marriage through a popular vote.

My hope is that voters in the state I call home will vote out of love rather than fear and in support of justice rather than injustice. We need to work hard in the coming weeks to educate voters on the issue and to mobilize them to vote in support of it.

This Thursday, Oct. 11, is National Coming Out Day, a day when we celebrate being open about and inclusive of sex and gender diversity. There are two Question 6 events being held on campus that day: a panel discussion with four of Maryland’s openly gay legislators who helped to pass the Civil Marriage Protection Act in the general assembly and a rally with Sen. Ben Cardin and other leaders in support of marriage equality.

I am not asking you to approve of me. And I’m not saying marriage will be good for LGBT people or that LGBT people will be good for marriage. All I am saying is that no group of people should be denied equality before the law. If you agree with me on that single, enormously consequential point, please vote yes on Question 6.

I hope you will support the cause of equality regardless of how you feel about marriage or homosexuality.

VIEW: Students should be able to use their laptops in class, as it’s the first step toward integrating technology and teaching. people’s time asking what it is or simply forgetting about it and not learning, you can look it up. The Internet, distracting though it can be, is a phenomenal resource we can utilize. It can even help you learn more than you would have by mindlessly transcribing your teachers’ words into notebooks.

I will admit, these are positive manners in which a laptop can be used in a classroom. Undoubtedly, you have some classes with laptops lighting up the room already — but it’s unlikely every person is using one solely for classroom purposes. In fact, as I look around my classroom right now, I can see a guy on Facebook, a girl online shopping, someone reading the news and someone else typing an essay.

Yes, there are also people typing notes from the lecture. But I look at people with notebooks and see one guy doodling and another two playing tictac-toe. There’s a girl simply staring into space, not doing anything.

Laptops don’t make people slack off in class; they simply give people something else to do while not paying attention. If the lecture is so boring, they won’t be listening anyway; why not allow alternative methods of spending class time? It helps hold professors accountable for making their lessons interesting enough that students can actually learn. In my class with the tremendously interesting professor, everyone hangs on his every word. There are no laptops out in his class — and it’s not because he bans them.

Technology has not revolutionized student spirit; I’m sure my parents didn’t pay attention to every word of every lecture they attended. Embracing the ways technology can help us move the classroom forward is what each and every student, educator and administrator should be doing. It’s simply time.

And to the people sitting behind me in class: I hope I didn’t distract you too much with my column-writing during this incredibly enthralling lecture.

Maria Romas is a junior English and journalism major.

She can be reached at opinionumdbk@gmail.com.

STAFF EDITORIAL

Thank you for sharing

I

t’s no secret this state has been through an interesting bout of redistricting. Tens of thousands of constituents now fall under different congressional jurisdictions — and these very incumbents have thus far failed to debate their opponents on hot-button issues, according to MarylandReporter. com. Marylanders are left confused, with many questions and nowhere to turn, leaving them in the lurch with perplexing national issues and a number of referendums set to appear on this state’s ballot in November.

November 6 will, as many are aware, bring a new presidential election. But what some people don’t realize is that voters will also pick candidates to fill the 435 House of Representative seats, 33 Senate seats and 11 state governorships up for re-election. For uninformed voters, it will be easy to just pick the nominee that represents their political party. But candidates should not sit idly and accept this solution. They should want their constituents to make informed decisions, regardless of whether it aligns with their party views. At this point, even voters who want to stay informed can’t see how the potential congress members stack up next to their opponents. How are they supposed to make a decision based solely on candidate websites and campaign emails?

If voters don’t know which candidates support or oppose the DREAM Act, same-sex marriage and the table

games bill (just to name a few of the referendum items), it would be incredibly difficult — if not impossible — to choose who to vote for. Additionally, candidates’ stances on health care reform, economic stimulus plans and education can be largely swept under the rug, leaving voters with no option but to choose

OUR VIEW

Candidates need to start debating so voters know their stances on main issues. based solely on party lines. This is not how American government should work.

This state’s congress members are overwhelmingly Democratic, and they have been touting their help to other campaigns — such as Sen. Ben Cardin’s and President Obama’s — as reasons they don’t have time to debate their opponents. While we understand it’s important for politicians to help each other out, this editorial board finds this excuse lackluster. We don’t see this as any reason for candidates to refrain from coming together and enabling the democratic system to flow smoothly.

The people need to hear about the issues from the candidates themselves — not in a commercial or campaign appearance where voters can’t get a real sense of who they are outside of a staged arena. Debates are an integral part of an election season, and though residents of

this state have often voted Democrat, that’s no reason for candidates to forgo the necessities and assume their spot is assured. Contenders for positions in Congress can support each respective presidential nominee and still have time to establish their own campaign debates.

MarylandReporter.com reported that House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer was asked to five debates with his Republican challenger, House of Delegates Minority Leader Anthony O’Donnell.

Hoyer campaign press secretary Mariel Saez told the news website, “The campaign has received the debate requests, and we are reviewing them. Congressman Hoyer and Delegate O’Donnell’s respective records are clear and voters have extensive information on both candidates.” And this is just one small example of many where our representatives neglect their responsibilities to debate and inform through this election season.

This editorial board asks Hoyer and all other candidates — incumbents and opponents alike — to reach past this laidback stance. We ask that candidates actively try to involve voters through more than just campaign propaganda.

Go out and debate each other; let the people know how you really feel on the issues. Take transparency seriously because secrecy won’t make voters want to pick you. Focus on your campaign for your positions on issues, before they are swept out from under you.

EDITORIAL CARTOON

Marilee Lindemann is an associate professor of English and director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies Program. She can be reached at mlindema@umd.edu.

AIR YOUR VIEWS Address your letters or guest columns to Maria Romas and Nadav Karasov at opinionumdbk@gmail.com. All submissions must be signed. Include your full name, year, major and phone number. Please limit letters to 300 words and guest columns to between 500 and 600 words. Submission of a letter or guest column constitutes an exclusive, worldwide, transferable license to The Diamondback of the copyright of the material in any media. The Diamondback retains the right to edit submissions for content and length.

ASHLEY ZACHERY/the diamondback

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012 | THE DIAMONDBACK

5

Features

CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Hooded snake 6 Clear a trail 10 Agile 14 Theater awards 15 Lectern 16 Muse of history 17 Was sincere 18 Nothing, in Nice 19 Skein of yarn 20 Accidental witness 22 Idaho capital 23 Facet 24 Saw Elvis?

26 Clammy 29 Asian royalty 31 Many millennia 32 Puffin kin 33 Barely makes ends meet 34 Surface 38 Wrinkle remover 40 Solstice mo.

42 Interpret tea leaves 43 Also-rans 46 Pajama coverer 49 -- Maria (coffee liqueur) 50 252 calories 51 John, in Wales 52 Freddy Krueger’s street 53 Rabbit burrows 57 Diminutive suffix 59 Fields of study

60 Protons and electrons 65 Cpls.’ bosses 66 Romance novelist Victoria - 67 Two-door car 68 Barbecue favorite 69 Vaccine type 70 Ms. Burstyn 71 Portico 72 Refute 73 Struck out by an editor

35 Solar plexus 36 Oprah’s middle name 37 Red-waxed cheese 39 Kearney’s place

41 Not openly 44 Hwys.

45 Grab some rays 47 Fiberglass bundle 48 Led on 53 Yellow jackets

54 Slang 55 Nostalgic look 56 Mushroom-to-be 58 Quebec school 61 Astronaut -- Shepard

DOWN 1 Honey holder 2 Do as told 3 Slant 4 Takes an apartment 5 Nimble Fred 6 Calcified 7 Fifi’s friend 8 Most truckers 9 “-- -Tiki” 10 Tall beer glass 11 Unadorned 12 Car-wash step 13 Paired, as oxen 21 Bismarck loc.

22 Economic upturn 25 Elf-sized 26 Go like a siren 27 Currency established in 1999 28 Ring stats 30 Grenoble’s river

© 2012 United Features Syndicate

PREVIOUS DAY’s puzzle solved:

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62 Breather 63 Fencer’s blade 64 Fax, maybe 66 Mortar trough

B

HOROSCOPE STELLA WILDER

orn today, you are creative, active and always youthful in spirit. You are the kind to hang on faithfully to those childhood traits that can -- and do -- serve you well in adulthood. You understand that a well-adjusted and capable adult is one who is always in touch with an inner child. Not for you the kind of selfish, self-indulgent behavior that so many other adult children seem to revel in. You insist on balance in your life, and that means making that child within you a dutiful -yet playful -- servant of your adult self.

You are able to put your best foot forward in almost all situations, and others are likely to succumb to your considerable charms at the first meeting. You are a hard worker when you have the opportunity to apply yourself to something that captures your interest and earns your lasting dedication.

Also born on this date are: Helen Hayes, actress; Tanya Tucker, singer; Ben Vereen, actor, singer, dancer, entertainer; Brett Favre, football player; David Lee Roth, rocker; Thelonious Monk, musician.

To see what is in store for you tomorrow, find your birthday and read the corresponding paragraph. Let your birthday star be your daily guide.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11 LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -There is such a thing as being too clever, and today you are coming

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perilously close to crossing that line.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -Check in with those who haven’t been maintaining contact with you of late. They have information that you will surely need by day’s end.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- You may have to do a little bit more than usual -- and in a little less time than usual -- to accomplish something that is usually easier.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Now is no time to play games with a friend by concealing the truth -- or any part of it. It’s time to tell the tale in its entirety.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -Recent development are likely to affect you more than many others -- and the reason should be clear to you by day’s end.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Something exciting is in the making at this time, and you’ll want to make yourself available to any potentially rewarding new developments.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Something you’ve always

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APARTMENTS AUTOMOTIVE BEAUTY E DUCATION FLORIST HEALTH LEGAL RECREATION APARTMENTS RELIGION AUTOMOTIVE BEAUTY E DUCATION APARTMENTS FLORIST AUTOMOTIVE HEALTH BEAUTY LEGAL E DUCATION RECREATION FLORIST RELIGION HEALTH LEGAL RECREATION RELIGION

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TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -Information comes to you today in short bursts -- and not all of it when you need it. You’ll have to fill in the blanks on your own.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -Don’t assume that you know what you are doing just because the situation you face seems familiar; there are hidden differences!

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- You are trying to do something new and different at this time, but someone who is not as enthusiastic is trying to stand in your way.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- You can put your best foot forward without seeming to show off in any way. What comes of a chance encounter defies logic.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -Maintaining a realistic outlook when the endeavors you are involved in are so seemingly unrealistic may be tricky today.

© Puzzles by Pappocom

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PREVIOUS DAY’s puzzle solved:

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MEDIUM

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6

THE DIAMONDBACK | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

Diversions

RADIO RUCKUS REEL NEWS

Two different bills have been introduced in the Senate that may change the way Internet radio such as Pandora pays its artists. Bonus: see what we think of Ellie Goulding’s new album. For more, check out diamondbackonline.com.

LASTING IMPACTS | SURFIN’ SAFARI AND NEWSIES

sentimental surfing | news nostalgia Two writers reflect on art that strongly affected the way they look at the world — one classic ‘60s album that pulls at the heartstrings and one less-than-succesful Disney musical

By Dean Essner Staff writer The quintessential signs of fall are everywhere.

Some of the rituals we undertake to prepare us for the periodic shift into autumn are warranted. One in particular, though — putting away our Beach Boys records for lack of seasonal applicability — is unnecessary and even contradictory. To peg their music to summer is an arbitrary insult to their multidimensionality, especially when it comes to yearly fluctuations in temperature, weather and, as a byproduct of both, mood. These songs are tied to

ambiguous frames of mind.

Last week, exactly 50 years ago, the debut Beach Boys album Surfin’ Safari dropped on Capitol Records.

It was fall then, too. Its lasting legacy is less a classic start-to-finish release and more a statement of what was to come. “Cuckoo Clock” was raw Brian Wilson with its gorgeous harmonies slathered in extra froth and left to air-dry on a California beach.

“Chug-A-Lug” dropped hints at Mike Love’s budding ego, with nutty references to his bandmates’ quirky doings (“Carl says hurry up and order it quick/ Dave gets out to chase that chick”). What probably holds up best

is the title track, their seminal, 4/4 ode to rollicking summers of the past, present and future.

But what makes the Beach Boys legacy — which began with Surfin’ Safari — unique isn’t tied to their distinct Americana or the vivid images conjured when we listen to them. Brian Wilson and his bandmates were true auteurs because their songs lingered in a deeper, even metaphysical realm. Even lighter Safari tracks like “County Fair” are laced with such genuine sadness because we buy into the concept that behind the references to beaches, surfboards and cars,

there lurks an obsession with the ideal. On a canvas splattered with bright colors and sparkling, euphoric overtones, there is a disdain for what life really is.

I firmly believe that there are two fundamental ways to digest music.

The first is by way of intellect, where we make associations and connections to other things that remind us of what we are listening to. The second is about letting the music bypass your brain and go straight to your heart. The Beach Boys have tapped into both of these experiences. We can view their music as the struggle between the drabness of the real and the wonders

of the surreal. But it’s also candy for the soul. We ache while listening to songs like “God Only Knows” and “Surf’s Up” for deep, personal reasons that vary for each individual. We’re all similar in listening to the same sounds but unique in why they mean something true to us.

So before you think about stowing away your Beach Boys LPs to mark the end of summer, think again. The history of affection that began with Surfin’ Safari may ring truer than expected, despite the fact that we’ve now entered fall. diversionsdbk@gmail.com

the beach boys played 75 50th anniversary shows to commemorate their reign atop the Top 40 charts, which included more than 24 songs embodying a laid-back California vibe. Surfin’ Safari was the band’s first album. photos courtesy of billboard.biz, goldminemag.com and visitoceanside.org

By Eric Bricker Staff writer It was the end of freshman year.

And while my friends huddled together, poring over pages of notes and laptop screens for the next day’s JOUR 200 (that’s “Journalism History, Roles and Structures,”for the uninitiated) final exam, I stayed up late and watched clips from Newsies on YouTube.

Since flopping spectacularly in theaters (grossing just less than $3 million domestically), the 1992 Disney musical film has found a devoted cult following and spawned a hugely successful Broadway adaptation. Now the film is back on the big screen at the American Film Institute in Silver Spring, where it will run as part of the AFL-CIO’s DC Labor FilmFest.

So what is it that has made Newsies, so reviled at the time of its release, a cultural touchstone for the modern era? How did this “joyless” and “pointless” (as New York Times critic Janet Maslin described it) musical manage to find legs?

The film, inspired by the Newsboy Strike of 1899, was, perhaps, simply a victim of its time: The economic boom of the 1990s made all talk of the working poor and unions – which Newsies takes very seriously — seem out of place. Putting this heavyhanded pro-labor message into the template of a live-action song-anddance flick (during the pre-High School Musical era, when the movie musical was all but dead) spelled disaster from the start.

Newsies shouldn’t work. Often, it doesn’t work. But it has a ramshackle,

Newsies did not do well at the box office when it opened in 1992, and big-name media publications weren’t huge fans when it opened on Broadway this year. But young Christian Bale’s so-bad-they’re-good acting skills along with director Kenny Ortega’s athletic choreography and Alan Mencken’s brisk songs combine to create a cheesy but endearing movie. photos courtesy of wingsnotroots.blogspot.com and projections-movies. go-for-broke, old-school cheesiness that makes it endlessly endearing.

This rough edge starts with the music. Newsies was not originally conceived as a musical, and Alan Menken’s tunes sound like they were written on a deadline. But their tossed-off nature makes the songs seem truly spontaneous, giving the handful of musical numbers a real sense of driving urgency. Director Kenny Ortega’s athletic choreography adds to the feeling of anything-goes recklessness, as kids tumble, fight, pirouette and pelvic thrust in equal measure. (If you were to drink every time one of the newsies thrusted, you would be wasted by the end of the first two numbers — trust me on this.)

The sense of rebellious urgency extends to Jack Feldman’s often transcendent lyrics, which alternate between G-rated Disney cheese

(“Carrying The Banner”), and deadly-serious workers’ anthems. (“Once And For All” is a slowly-building Marxist hymn, complete with cries to “watch how the mighty will fall/ for once and for all.”) Even the playful numbers have a sardonic edge to them: “King of New York” is a broad tap number that satirizes the newsboys’ extreme poverty, while “The World Will Know” casually drops historical wordplay (“Pulitzer may own the world/ but he don’t own us”) with a deft intelligence. Even though it is ostensibly a movie for and about kids, Newsies never coddles its audience. It’s uncut Disney schmaltz, sure, but it’s schmaltz with a rough, subtly subversive edge.

Speaking of kids, a very young Christian Bale (The Dark Knight Rises), as newsboy leader Jack Kelly, occasionally mixes up his cockney

and New York accents, but it only adds to his character’s outsider charms. Bale’s lack of vocal chops — most of his songs, including the sweeping epic “Santa Fe,” end up either shouted or talked through — make the character feel more real, closer to life than a Disney caricature really should.

This is the real divide between Newsies the film and Newsies on Broadway (which I took a pilgrimage to see over the summer). Jeremy Jordan (stepping into Bale’s role) delivered a soaring, pitch-perfect “Santa Fe,” free from the strangled yelps and stiff dancing that made Bale’s performance feel so realistic and personal. Aggressive pelvic thrusting was replaced with graceful ballet. Though the musical loses none of its youthful energy onstage, the show is polished and profes-

sional, almost to a fault. The roughhewn grittiness of the movie is lost, glossed over with a slick, almost mechanical sheen.

The show is undoubtedly one of the best things on the Great White Way right now, but one can’t help but notice the energy and work that went into making it. Newsies the film, on the other hand, feels spontaneous and refreshingly handcrafted.

It’s a populist film made by a megacorporation, but it feels more like a shaggy underdog — wild and fun and slightly dangerous — that just wants to be loved.

DC Labor FilmFest runs October 11-18 at the AFI Silver Theatre.

Newsies will be played Sunday, Oct. 14 at 2:45 and Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 4:40. Tickets are $11.50. diversionsdbk@gmail.com

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2EVEN WEDNESDAY, October 10, 2012 | SPORTS | THE DIAMONDBACK

THE DIAMONDBACK THE DIAMONDBACK | XXXDAY, | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER AUGUST XX, 31, 20127

FOOTBALL | NOTEBOOK

Still no answer in backfield Offensive line struggling to get on same page; Craddock inconsistent

By Josh Vitale Senior staff writer Randy Edsall has some designs on what he plans to do with the Terrapins football team’s stable of running backs this weekend. He’s just not going to tell anyone about them.

“I have some ideas in mind about the direction we want to go in,” he said yesterday. “Hopefully we’ll have something like that worked out going into the game on Saturday.”

It’s the expected response from a coach who’s been anything but forthcoming about the team’s crowded backfield. Running backs Justus Pickett, Brandon Ross, Wes Brown and Albert Reid are all listed as starters on the Terps’ updated depth chart, but their play on the field has done little to indicate who of the four might be closest to being the team’s feature back.

Ross received the team’s first carry in Saturday’s 19-14 win over Wake Forest, but he finished the game with five carries for just one yard and didn’t touch the ball after the first quarter. Brown and Pickett ended the game as the Terps’ rushing leaders, but each totaled just 10 carries for 23

and 21 yards, respectively.

“We need to keep working at it and get better at it,” Edsall said. “We need to be able to run the football because I want to be a physical team.”

The Terps have a long way to go, though. Their 86 rushing yards per game rank No. 116 out of 120 FBS teams, and their 2.16 yards per rush are the third-worst mark in the country.

The team doesn’t seem to have a clear plan as to who will start in the backfield Saturday at Virginia. But no matter who is back there, the Terps know how critical it is to have a more effective run game. “ We wa nt to e s t a bl i sh a r u n game,” guard Justin Gilbert said.

“Find our identity.”

IN THE TRENCHES If the Terps are going to resurrect their previously nonexistent run game against the Cavaliers this weekend, they’ll have to start up front.

The team’s offensive line has struggled throughout the early part of the season. It has allowed 19 sacks — tied for the fourth most in the nation — and repeatedly forced freshman quarterback Perry Hills into pressured throws.

And while it’s not as easy to discern on the stat sheet, the unit has also contributed to the Terps’ lackluster ground attack. Edsall cited decision-making after the snap, footwork and an inability to sustain blocks as the line’s biggest deficiencies, leaving Terps rushers with few holes to run through.

“It’s just that consistency part with everybody,” Edsall said. “Add to that the young guys who are still learning and those are things that take some time.”

The young guys Edsall is referring to are tackle Mike Madaras and guard Andrew Zeller. The freshmen made their first career starts last week, and their ability to acclimate to their increased roles could be key if the line is going to better its pass and run blocking efforts.

“We need to make sure we have a good knowledge of our opponents, where they stand, blitzes, stuff like that,” Gilbert said. “We need to make sure everyone is on the same page.”

ERRATIC WEAPON Through the first 14 minutes of play Saturday, Brad Craddock was arguably the Terps’ most valuable asset.

Running back Justus Pickett and the Terps’ running game has been one of the worst in the nation so far this season. The team’s 86 rushing yards per game ranks No. 116 out of 120 FBS schools. charlie deboyace/the diamondback Buoying an offense that struggled to get on the same page throughout the afternoon, the freshman kicker booted field goals of 49 and 52 yards in the first quarter, keeping the Terps within one point of the Demon Deacons.

But in the fourth quarter, the Adelaide, Australia, native showed there was still plenty of room for improvement. He missed a 47-yard attempt early in the fourth quarter that would have given the Terps a 16-14 lead and missed the

extra point on what would prove to be the game’s winning touchdown.

“Brad hasn’t been as consistent as I would like him to be,” Edsall said Saturday. “When you see him go out and hit the 49 and 52, you see that and then, you know, ‘How do you miss the extra point?’ A lot of it was just Brad.

We’re just trying to get him to have the same swing every time.” sportsdbk@gmail.com

KNIGHTS From PAGE 8 have some great players, and I think we just showed a lack of respect again tonight.”

Stertzer once again played a key role in the Terps’ attack, assisting on both goals for his first points since Sept. 14 at N.C. State. He corralled a ball in the midfield before pushing it ahead on forward Christiano Francois’ equalizer in the seventh minute.

In the 32nd minute, Stertzer’s shot from distance rang off the crossbar. He recollected it and passed to forward Patrick Mu l l i ns, who notched the eventual game-winner.

“I thought Johnny was outstanding,” Cirovski said. “He made big plays. I thought he rallied the troops.”

The Rutgers attack assaulted the Terps’ defense all night, launching 12 shots and placing five on goal against a backline that was once again missing defender Taylor Kemp. Cardona, who hadn’t had to make a save in two of the Terps’ previous four contests, had four saves.

Most of those chances came out of transition. Cirovski said the Scarlet Knights were the best counterattacking team the Terps had seen all year. With the Terps (10-0-1) relentlessly targeting goalkeeper Kevin McMullen — they took 18 shots and McMullen made eight saves —

TURGEON From PAGE 8 transfer Logan A ronhalt’s shooting touch.

“When you sign players, you aren’t really sure,” Turgeon said.

“But I think they are all just a little bit better than I was anticipating, which is a good sign.”

It also doesn’t hurt that the team’s four returning contributors — guards Nick Faust and Pe’Shon Howard, center Alex Len and forward James Padgett — made significant strides during the offseason.

Turgeon said Howard, who missed last season’s fi nal nine games with an ACL tear, has returned more focused and consistent. Len added 30 pounds of muscle and expanded his arsenal of low-post moves.

The mild-mannered Padgett has emerged as a vocal leader — a development that became apparent when the team spent two days training with Navy SEALs in September.

And though Faust has struggled at times in early season practices, Turgeon said the sophomore possesses a muchimproved jump shot.

Forward Christiano Francois scored the Terps’ first goal in their 2-1 victory last night over Rutgers. charlie deboyace/the diamondback Rutgers (5-5-1) pushed the pace in the opposite direction.

“We’re going to detail this and we’re really going to correct a few errors,” Cirovski said. “I thought they were terrific at that.”

In the end, though, the Terps found a way to come out on top.

It was a hard-fought win on a chilly evening in front of a sparse Ludwig Field crowd. They found the goals they needed, and they didn’t let lightning strike twice.

“Our standard is so high that we’re nitpicking,” Cirovski said. “But let’s not forget that we still found a way to win. We took a punch and we counterpunched. We found a way to get the win. I think we’ll be OK.” sportsdbk@gmail.com

“The mentality our whole team has is building something special,” Mitchell said.

“Everyone wants to be special, but it’s how hard you work to be something special. We’ve been doing that, and I’m excited to see where it takes us.”

That work ethic hasn’t necessarily translated to hype, however. Turgeon has picked up one preseason magazine.

Its prediction? The Terps will finish 10th in the ACC, two spots below last year’s fi nish.

But the second-year coach isn’t too concerned. He has the team he wants and, right now, that’s all that matters.

“I think we’re on the right track,” Turgeon said. “You can’t fake chemistry. Some teams try to, but I don’t think we will have to. I think it’s going to be tremendous all year. That’s one thing I feel great about.”

TERPS NOTE: Turgeon said there is no news regarding the eligibility of sophomore transfer Dez Wells. An NCAA ruling on whether Wells will be eligible to play this season should come later this month. sportsdbk@gmail.com

STATLINE Terps men’s soccer forward Christiano Francois’ performance in a 2-1 win over Rutgers last night

30 3

1

Minutes

Goal

Shots on goal

Sports

“[Guard Bennett Fulper] has to do a little bit more than everyone because he’s like the shepherd looking over the flock.”

PAGE 8

QUOTE OF THE DAY Randy Edsall Terps football coach

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

MEN’S BASKETBALL | MEDIA DAY

Facing forwarD

Early deficit doesn’t hurt Terps in win Team comes back to beat Rutgers, 2-1

Turgeon more comfortable entering second season in College Park

By Daniel Gallen Senior staff writer

By Connor Letourneau Senior staff writer

Keith Cardona called it a lightning bolt.

It wasn’t going to strike twice, not after the Terrapins men’s soccer team fell behind in the second minute against Rutgers last night when a miscommunication in the box led to an open shot.

“Make sure it doesn’t happen again,” the Terps goalkeeper said. “It can’t strike again. It’s soccer. It’s a crazy game.”

This wasn’t the fi rst time this season the Terps have fallen behind — last night marked the third time they allowed the opponent to score a goal in the fi rst 10 minutes — but never this early against a relentlessly attacking team like the Scarlet Knights.

Still, the No. 1 Terps found a way to continue their unbeaten streak and defeat unranked Rutgers, 2-1, in front of 1,079 fans at Ludwig Field.

“This was our worst effort of the year on home turf,” coach Sasho Cirovski said. “I think we have to give Rutgers credit, but we also have to accept some responsibility that we can’t allow that to happen again.”

It was almost lightning of a different sort striking the Terps again, too. Just more than a year ago, Rutgers pushed the then-No. 2 Terps to overtime before midfielder John Stertzer scored in sudden-death overtime to secure a 2-1 win.

“They’re a great team,” Stertzer said last night. “They’re a strong team. They

Mark Turgeon was aware of his squad’s shortcomings last season. Its bench was too thin, its offense was too predictable and its roster was too inexperienced to earn a postseason berth.

With eight healthy scholarship players for much of the year, the Terrapins men’s basketball coach had little choice: He had to step out of his comfort zone. He had to let players make mistakes, even if it pained him at times.

But as Turgeon prepares for his second season in College Park, he’s where he wanted to be all along.

He’s where he feels comfortable.

“We feel good,” Turgeon said at the Terps’ annual media day yesterday. “Standing here today compared to a year ago, I feel like we’re much further along.”

To the casual observer, it may have seemed an odd statement. After all, the Terps lost their top two scorers — guards Terrell Stoglin (NBA Draft) and Sean Mosley (graduation) — from a team that finished 6-10 in the ACC last year. Stoglin, who led the conference with 21.6 points per game and went undrafted in June, single-handedly accounted for nearly a third of the Terps’ scoring.

Still, Turgeon isn’t concerned. After inheriting longtime coach Gary Williams’ team last year, he’s ready to lead a group that’s more of a reflection of him.

He spent much of yesterday’s press conference gushing over his seven newcomers. He praised guard Seth Allen’s defense, highlighted the combined 38 pounds Shaquille Cleare and Charles Mitchell lost over the summer and noted senior See TURGEON, Page 7

MEN’S SOCCER

Coach Mark Turgeon (center) and (clockwise from top left) guard Pe’Shon Howard, center Alex Len, guard Nick Faust, forward Dez Wells, guard Seth Allen and center Shaquille Cleare spoke to reporters yesterday at the Terps’ media day in Comcast Center. charlie deboyace/the diamondback

See KNIGHTS, Page 7