February 2014 Print Issue

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Eagles p a pr el na tnhnoeoddAuthentic Sports Cover Girl Coup Mayor Menino Opinions Stayer Nelson Hall

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04 Spy No More 06 A Tale of Two Mayors 08 BC Women In Sochi 10 Cover Girls Coup 12 Next Stop: You’re Ad Here

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14 18 Spurs Debate on Free Speech 20 Reading: A Literal Lasting Impression 22 Overheard at BC /Eagle Eye

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FEATURES

CULTURE

10 Most Memorable Moments 24 The of 2013 to Theatre: Books to Read 26 Library Before They Hit the Big Screen 28 2014: New Year, New Bars Scene: Start 2014 30 Concert with a Jam

OPINIONS

32 Get a Kluwe: Athletes Speaking Out Within the Democratic 34 Debate Party: Good or Bad

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SPORTS

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Tabs on Greatness: York’s ’13-’14 Recruiting Class Altering the 36 Keeping Program’s Trajectory—For Good 40 5 for 25: Celebrating Conte Forum Madness: BC Will Need 44 February a Tournament Attitude Now if They Want to go Dancing into March

STAFF

EDITORIAL BOARD

JENNA LACONTE / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JILLIAN TIMKO / MANAGING EDITOR MARY YUENGERT / ONLINE MANAGER TAYLOR GARRISON / PRINT MANAGER GEENA DE ROSE / NEWS EDITOR CHRISTIE MERINO / FEATURES EDITOR SAMEET DHILLON / CULTURE EDITOR KENNY ST. JOHN / OPINIONS EDITOR JAKE MILLER / SPORTS EDITOR TEDDY KOLVA / HEAD COPY EDITOR KATELYN CROWLEY / HEAD COPY EDITOR JONO KEEDY / PHOTO EDITOR BILLY FOSHAY / PHOTO EDITOR OLIVIA VERA / HEAD DESIGN EDITOR JAMES CODY / ASSOC. NEWS EDITOR JING XU / ASSOC. NEWS EDITOR BENJAMIN SEO / ASSOC. NEWS EDITOR VICTORIA SOUTHWOOD / ASSOC. FEATURES EDITOR ITZEL AYALA / ASSOC. FEATURES EDITOR RACHEL FORRAY / ASSOC. CULTURE EDITOR SAM COSTANZA / ASSOC. CULTURE EDITOR TIM COOGAN / ASSOC. OPINIONS EDITOR YONNY REICHEL / ASSOC. OPINIONS EDITOR BILL STOLL / ASSOC. SPORTS EDITOR JACK DAVIS / ASSOC. SPORTS EDITOR FRANCISCO BERNARD / ASSOC. SPORTS EDITOR

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear Reader, Roses are red, Violets are blue.

We hope you love this issue As much as we love you!

COPY EDITORS

MIKE NATALIE / NEWS VICTORIA PALMER / FEATURES LAUREN GRAY / OPINIONS JONATHAN REED / CULTURE TEDDY KOLVA / SPORTS ERIN MCGARVEY / ASSOC. NEWS AYA TSURUTA / ASSOC. FEATURES NICOLLE MANUEL / ASSOC. CULTURE MIRANDA RICHARD / ASSOC. OPINIONS

DESIGN TEAM

VALERIE LIANG / ASSOC. CULTURE EMMA BLACKNEY / ASSOC. OPINIONS ANNIE BELGRADE /ASSOC. FEATURES ALEX FLYNN / ASSOC. SPORTS ANDREW GROSS VALERIE CHERBERO MARIA JOSE CORDOVA HELEN FORMOSO MURIAS ELENI VENETOS SARA POLLEI VICKY SHEN JULIANNA SULLIVAN MEGAN FLYNN

Happy Gavel-tine’s Day, everyone!

Love, Jenna

PHOTO TEAM

MEGAN FLYNN AMANDA IKARD SELLY SALLAH

TORI FISHER JULIA KEEFE ANTHONY GOLDEN

BUSINESS DEPARTMENT

TAYLOR MCELDOWNEY / BUSINESS DIRECTOR ARUEM SHIN / BUSINESS DIRECTOR JEANIE LEE / ADVERTISING DIRECTOR ERIC KOPELSON / FINANCE DIRECTOR LEAH HUANG / MARKETING DIRECTOR

Published with support from Generation Progress / Center for American Progress (online at genprog.org).

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SPY NO MOR o/ e S in jam Editor n e

By B . News oc Ass

Photo courtesy of Barack Obama Flickr

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February 2014

RE

OBAMA OUTLINES CHANGES TO NSA SURVEILLANCE

I

n January, President Obama outlined his plan to overhaul the United States surveillance system, including narrowing the use of the controversial telephone records database that was exposed via the leaking of classified documents by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden.

In the speech, Obama called for some immediate reforms to limit the NSA from accessing the database. The president stated that all requests for access to the database must first be approved by the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, also called the FISA court.

The NSA was also forbidden from eavesdropping on dozens of foreign leaders and diplomats from ally nations. Citizens of foreign nations were reassured that they would not be entangled in US surveillance unless a true national security risk was determined.

Perhaps most important from the president’s speech was his announcement that the database of American telephone records would be moved from government control into the hands of an independent third party.

President Obama also called upon Congress to convene a panel of public advocates to represent consumers before the FISA court. The members of the panel, made up of civil liberties, technology and privacy advocates, would represent Americans in cases of “novel law,” meaning that they would come before the FISA court when it encounters a question or type of data for which judicial precedent has been set.

In both the speech and the reforms, the President walked the fine line between national security and civil liberty imperatives. It is evident that Obama strives to combat the public outrage triggered by the Snowden scandal while preserving the ability of US intelligence agencies to effectively combat terrorism.

These changes to surveillance protocol, the White House claimed, were the first major constraints set by President Obama since surveillance programs were significantly

expanded in the years after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in 2001.

Nonetheless, reactions to the president’s new directives were mixed. The chairmen of the House and Senate intelligence committees released a joint statement focusing on the aspects of president’s speech that “underscored the importance of using telephone metadata to rapidly identify possible terrorist plots.”

Senator Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat from California, and Representative Mike Rogers, a Republican from Michigan, added that they have reviewed the existing NSA bulk collection program and “found it to be legal and effective,” indicating they would oppose efforts to end it.

Many civil liberties groups claim that the president failed to enact real reforms that would protect Americans from abuse of the program by the government. American Civil Liberties Union executive director Anthony Romero said that the president “gets close to understanding the concerns, but he backs away from the real reform, which is to end the bulk data collection.

He gets to the finish line, but he doesn’t cross it.”

Obama also cautioned, “We cannot unilaterally disarm our intelligence agencies.” He noted how, despite the outrage over US spying on foreign governments, those foreign governments were, at the same time, “probing our government and private sector networks and accelerating programs to listen to our conversations, intercept our e-mails or compromise our systems.”

Obama’s dilemma is responding to dual challenges: the perception that the program might one day be abused, and the reality that al-Qaeda and its affiliates are growing stronger,” explains Former CIA Deputy Director, John McLaughlin. “As president, he’s got to think, ‘I don’t want to take any chances here.’”

Only time will tell whether the president’s reforms will sway towards the side of civil liberty or national security. But one thing is sure: the coming months will have a profound impact on the way the intelligence community conducts its activities and the protections that citizens will have for decades to come.

NEWS

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A TALE OF TWO MAYORS Photo courtesy of David Parsons Flickr

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By John Paradiso / Editorial Assistant February 2014

2014

promises to bring big changes in two major American cities: Boston and New York City. Mayor Marty Walsh is replacing Thomas Menino, Boston’s mayor for the past 20 years. Walsh will make progressive issues his priority, particularly the environment, the economy and labor. Bill de Blasio brings his marked leftist agenda to New York, replacing the well-known and frequently criticized Michael Bloomberg.

Both mayors have big plans for their respective cities and have been watched closely by their constituents and politicians all over the country. So, how will the tales of Beantown and The Big Apple turn out?

The brand of politics that both Walsh and de Blasio employ will have a great impact on Americans. De Blasio is adamant that the pendulum is swinging left in politics and that America will see the benefits of such a change.

“There is a progressive movement in this country that is having a real effect,” de Blasio announced after meeting with 15 other mayors, including Marty Walsh and President Obama.

Boston was in the tight grip of former Mayor Menino for 20 years, but Bostonians are finally seeing a change. Menino’s presence was always felt, if not feared, as he controlled the government in a noticeably unbending way. Many see Walsh’s approach as much more relaxed, with the new mayor possessing an even temper and strong, yet checked, confidence.

Walsh may be cautious in his transition but changes are coming, according to Paul Watanabe, cochairman of Walsh’s transition committee. Even if at a relatively slow pace, Marty Walsh will make his intentions known and push for progressive issues. As an economic populist, Walsh will look to stabilize the fiscal situation in Boston and directly pursue the war on poverty. With new environmental legislature to be passed

and direct relationships with labor unions expected, Walsh will look to create an efficient, ecofriendly and affordable Boston.

De Blasio believes that his socialist politics are infectious and gaining traction, even outside of his city.

“If everyone is talking about inequality, if everyone is talking about fighting poverty, if everyone is talking about early childhood education — something is going on,” he said after a meeting with other progressive leaders.

At home, The New York Times reports that New Yorkers “are highly optimistic about Mayor Bill de Blasio and overwhelmingly endorse his plan to raise taxes on the wealthy to pay for prekindergarten.” De Blasio and fellow progressives have been throwing around the phrase income inequality and there has been some ambivalence towards the idea in de Blasio’s own city.

“When we ask New Yorkers what’s their top priority, they say education, jobs, crime, housing. Almost no one says, ‘income inequality,’” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Still, de Blasio’s taxation strategy is receiving the respect he had hoped for, giving him potential to address those other areas of concern.

Walsh and de Blasio may bring necessary changes for not only their respective cities, but also the nation at large. By focusing on income inequality, for example, the two mayors may pave the path for the rest of progressive America.

“An increase in the minimum wage is the rising tide that lifts all boats,” writes Brad Bannon for US News and World Report. “A minimum wage increase is very popular with voters and Democrats will make the issue the foundation of the party’s overarching economic message in the midterm elections.”

Bostonians and New Yorkers await the changes following their bold new leaders as the rest of America may soon follow the example set by the tale of the two mayors.

NEWS

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BC WOMEN IN SOCHI: THE GIRLS GO FOR THE GOLD

By Aya Tsuruta / Assoc. Copy Editor You do not have to be an athlete to notice that the Plex needs to be remodeled. It is dark, outdated and exceeds 100 degrees between the months of May and September. Even if the dim lighting and concrete walls play a small role in the life of the average Boston College student, for some students, the prison-like gym plays a major role in their transformations from college athletes to Olympic Athletes.

This year, the Winter Olympics in Sochi will be much celebrated in the Northeast region of the United States. Among the handful of New England competitors are student-athletes from universities such as Harvard, Northeastern, and of course, our very own BC. Alex Carpenter (#25), A&S ’15, will be competing as a member of the US Women’s Ice Hockey team alongside two BC alums, forward Kelli Stack (#16), Class of ’11, and goaltender Molly Schaus (#30), Class of ‘11.

Raised by former Bruins all-star Bobby Carpenter, Alex always knew that she wanted to be an Olympian. In high school, she won four consecutive Division II championships and was named the MVP of the Independent School League her junior and senior year.

During her sophomore year at BC, Carpenter was named the New England Division I player of the year and ranked the seventh best player in the nation, among many other notable awards. The team has medaled in the last three Olympics, but is thirsty for the gold, which they have not won since the 1998 Nagano Games.

As a leader in the game, Carpenter aspires to boost the intensity of women’s ice hockey.

“Part of our job is to grow this game and to make it one day

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February 2014

hopefully like the men’s game,” Carpenter said in an interview with CBS. She is well on her way towards achieving her goal.

Also striving to make a difference at the Olympics is BC Law student Caitlin Cahow. In the middle of December while studying for an exam, Cahow received an unexpected call from the White House notifying her that she had been chosen to be a delegate and participate in the closing ceremony. Cahow, a former Olympic ice hockey star, garnered a silver medal in the 2010 games and a bronze in the 2006 games.

Cahow is not only an inspiration on the ice, but also an influential representative of the LGBT community. As an openly gay athlete, she expresses excitement over the opportunity to “spread the message of diversity amid the controversy over Russia’s strict anti-gay laws.”

After Obama named two openly gay athletes to the United States delegation (the other delegate being former professional tennis player Billy Jean King), some were agitated by the president’s tenacity to mix politics with such a large-scale event.

In an interview with Today News, Cahow reminds viewers that there will always be politics involved with the Olympics and that her purpose in Russia is not only to represent the LGBT community, but also to relay the message of diversity and acceptance. She says the games allow us to “hold a mirror up to our own faces and say, ‘What can we be doing better?’”

These exceptionally talented Olympians are not just athletes. They are individuals from different backgrounds united by their passion for athletics. The Olympics symbolize the potential to one day have a cohesive world, and Cahow aims to foster that idea this February as she represents one of the most diverse nations in the world. To have such a positive and influential person coming from the BC community is a great honor.

Photo courtesy of Sara Melikiean / Wikipedia

Photo courtesy of Sochi 2014 / Facebook

Selly Sallah / Gavel Media

NEWS

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COVER

GIRLS COUP

By Jackie Carney / Editorial Assistant

W

hen February’s Elle Magazine hit stands on Jan. 6, outraged readers

took up arms on social media to express their anger over Mindy Kaling’s cover photo in the “Women in Television” issue. Out of the four actresses depicted, only Kaling’s cover was not a full-body shot, and many readers suspected that Elle had done this purposefully to hide the comedienne’s curves.

Kaling, a writer and actress known for her work on The Office and The Mindy Project, is a self-proclaimed size 8. Although she is smaller than the average American woman (size 12-16), she is larger than most of the celebrities depicted on magazine covers. The recent accusations are not the first strike of this sort against Elle. Their October “Women in Hollywood” edition featured Shailene Woodley and Reese Witherspoon in more revealing outfits, while Melissa McCarthy, who is known for her curvier figure, sported an oversize gray coat.

Kaling addressed the backlash on Twitter, writing, “I love

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my @ELLEmagazine cover. It made me feel glamorous & cool.

And if anyone wants to see more of my body, go on thirteen dates with me.” Although the cover didn’t display her body in the same way as it displayed the other actresses, Kaling still affirmed that she was proud of how it turned out, and did not need to have her body on display for public critique to feel beautiful.

Kaling’s confidence with the magazine cover and with her body in general is part of a growing trend in the media supporting a more positive body image for women. This “cover girl coup” has a few spokeswomen who have taken it upon themselves to present a counter-opinion to the media’s standard of beauty.

Lena Dunham, creator and star of the hit TV show Girls, is another body image advocate. Dunham plays the main character of the show, Hannah, which is a novelty itself in that Dunham is hardly the tall, skinny actress that stars in most TV shows. Nevertheless, she has no qualms about showing her naked body on television, reminding the audience that beauty comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Recently, Dunham snagged the coveted spot on the Vogue February cover. Her spread in the magazine was undoubtedly beautiful, but the women’s blog Jezebel was outraged by the fact that Dunham’s photos were clearly photo shopped, offering $10,000 for unedited copies of Dunham’s shoot.

Dunham’s response demonstrates exactly why she is one of the leading women to initiate conversation and demand respect for body types different than the narrow standard of

February 2014

Hollywood beauty.

“I don’t understand why, Photoshop or no, having a woman who is different than the typical Vogue cover girl, could be a bad thing,” she said. By even gracing the cover of this high-fashion editorial, Dunham proves to the world that her achievements, not her dress size, define her.

One final role model, arguably the most beloved by teenage girls, is Jennifer Lawrence. Star of The Hunger Games, Lawrence is known for speaking out about the way the media controls the idea of beauty.

Lawrence stated in a recent interview with Barbara Walters, “I just think it should be illegal to call somebody fat on TV. I mean, if we’re regulating cigarettes and sex and cuss words because of the effect it has on our younger generation, why aren’t we regulating things like calling people fat?”

Lawrence has repeatedly said that women need to stick together and build each other up rather than use words and insults to tear each other down for not fitting an impossible standard. She criticizes shows like Fashion Police for teaching younger girls that being judgmental towards their peers is cool. Especially for the younger generation of girls who keep movies like The Hunger Games at the top of box office sales, Lawrence provides a voice of reason amongst the cries of Hollywood’s elite.

Even brands are catching on to this new positive way of displaying women’s bodies. Aerie, the sister line of American Eagle that focuses on intimates and swimwear, is launching a new campaign called “Aerie Real.” This line will feature only unretouched models, and every style of bra will be modeled by women with cup sizes A to DD. Dana Seguin, the marketing director for Aerie, said that the goal of this campaign “is to help shoppers see what the clothing might look like on them - even if they don’t look like a typical lingerie model.” Aerie’s team also requested models of all shapes and sizes, not just the typical girls who book lingerie lines.

This change within the fashion industry is perhaps a harbinger for more diverse campaigns to come, opening the door for women to feel that the clothes they are buying are made for them, not something they have to change themselves for.

This cover girl coup is a bright light for women across the country who find themselves bombarded by an unrealistic standard of perfection in every aspect of their lives. From magazines and movies to television and social media, it is impossible to live a life without influence from unattainable standards of beauty.

Celebrities, by the nature of the public lives they lead, are the example laid out for society to scrutinize and idolize. Perhaps in the year 2014, their power can be used to espouse an ideal of acceptance rather than one of exclusion.

Photo courtesy of Mindy Kaling / Instagram

Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore / Wikipedia

NEWS

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NEXT STOP: YOUR AD HERE

By Ambrey Rice / Editorial Assistant “Entering: Dunkin’ Donuts / North Station.”

In the near future, Boston College students could hear statements similar to this one voiced over the loud speaker of the T while making their usual weekend trips into the city.

At the beginning of this year, the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) has officially submitted a proposal to sell the naming and sponsorship rights of T stations on the blue, red and green lines to third-party businesses.

The request includes nine transit stations: Airport, Downtown Crossing, Park Street, Back Bay, North Station, State Street, Boylston, South Station and Yawkey – and bidding starts at $1 million per stop (excluding Yawkey, which begins at $500,000). Companies must make their offers to the MBTA by Feb. 27 in order to be in the running.

The newly renamed T stops will include the original names in their titles, to reduce confusion for commuters and preserve the history of the country’s first subway system.

The businesses that purchase the naming rights to these stops, will pay rent each year for five years until their contracts expire. These companies also have the options to purchase the MBTA lines themselves—BC’s beloved green line will cost the most at $2 million.

Organizations that purchase naming rights will be allowed to host promotional events on site, and the name of the company will be read aloud over the speakers as the train approaches each station. As a result, this proposal is an alluring opportunity for businesses looking to increase their popularity in the city of Boston.

However, the MBTA has specific standards that the companies must meet to be qualified to purchase these naming rights. Businesses whose products or services do not uphold the morals of the transit authority will not be considered for sponsorship. Businesses ineligible for sponsorship include those that market adult content, family names or political parties and messages, as well as gun companies, alcohol brands, tobacco brands and religious groups.

“The MBTA reserves the right to reject any corporate

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partner that is considered incompatible with the MBTA image at the MBTA’s sole discretion,” stated the bid documents within the proposal.

This is not the first time that the MBTA has considered selling sponsorship of its stations. This particular proposal stems from an extensive transportation bill passed over the summer as a means to pump money into the state’s infrastructure, suggesting that plans may actually come to fruition this time.

In addition, the monetary gains from the corporate sponsorships would help fund the T’s extended nighttime service, an improvement that will be much welcomed by college students and city residents alike.

The new late-night service schedule is set to launch sometime in March or April in its beta form. In order for the plan to be sustained into the future, the current $500 million transportation funding gap must be closed, which the sale of various stations’ naming rights could potentially do.

“This compromise legislation represents a responsible and efficient use of revenues that will solve the current transportation funding gap,” said a joint statement from Senate President Therese Murray and House Speaker Robert DeLeo. “This bill will also initiate economic growth and support necessary infrastructure projects in the Commonwealth.”

According to MBTA officials, the new legislation builds a “solid foundation” for state transportation needs and is an important step toward long-term improvement of the aging and debt-ridden institution that is Boston’s current subway system.

The proposal, if continued, will also benefit BC students.

“Extending nighttime T service is definitely necessary for a city that is comprised of 250,000 college students,” said Caroline Repetti, A&S ‘17. “If that means selling the naming rights to the stops, I’m all for it.”

Although the renaming of popular T stops with corporate titles might seem bizarre, the change may serve to fund some necessary changes in the way that the MBTA currently runs in a manner that will benefit both BC students and Bostonians.

February 2014

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Amanda Ikard/ Gavel Media

Tori Fisher / Gavel Media

Amanda Ikard/ Gavel Media

NEWS

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ABROAD Demystified

By Kristin Rayburn / Gavel Media Staff

I

GREAT BRITAIN

t has been said a million times before, and it will be said a million times more: Studying

abroad will be the most rewarding experience of your college career. Some believe that if you don’t go abroad, you will forever feel unfulfilled and bored of your tired, American existence. It is absolutely true that spending time in another country will force you to learn more about who you are and how the world

Hanna Greenstein Queen Mary University

works. It is less true, however, that you absolutely have to study abroad in order to have an enjoyable

FRANCE

college experience.

The biggest fears that come to mind when contemplating the decision to study abroad revolve around the unknown, the break from routine and the distance between a new and potentially exciting life in a foreign country and the life you already know and love. There are also the stereotypes that accompany the internal struggle with, “Is what soand-so said about abroad really true?” Every abroad

SPAIN

Matt Liber Aix en Provence

Jack Beyer Universidad de Carlos III

location is different, so it is difficult to either dispel or confirm these stereotypes. But we’ll try.

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Caroline Suttlehan Universidad de Granada February 2014

Jono Keedy / Gavel Media

1 3

YOU GET TO MAKE OUT WITH EUROPEANS

Caroline: Uh, to each his own.

Jack: I guess more people tend to hang out with only Americans, so they end up only hooking up with Americans. I also have friends who pulled Europeans, it just happened less because it’s much easier to stay in your comfort zone and talk to Americans all night.

Hanna: Making out with Europeans is overrated. Just kidding, I have NO idea.

Matt: Yes! Beware though, this doesn’t always lead to good things. Shady stuff sometimes happens, and I’ve heard my fellow students relay some weird stories back. Just be cautious.

NOBODY SPEAKS ENGLISH

2

Caroline: Nearly every European I encountered had some command of the language. It’s extremely impressive actually and motivates me to speak Spanish with those who are native speakers studying at BC. Matt: Every city I went to, people spoke back to me in English, even when I made an effort to speak the vernacular. The feel I got was that they were eager to put their English classes to use.

GOING TO CLASS AND STUDYING DO NOT HAPPEN

Caroline: For my program we were required to attend at least 70% of the classes—otherwise you wouldn’t receive course credit. So yes, going to class happens but studying, eh… not so much.

Professors at European universities simply view their roles differently than American professors. So long as we were confident we could discuss and argue the course material in Spanish, there wasn’t much studying needed.

Jack: I didn’t do much studying in September and October, but come late November to early December the work piled up. Overall my classes were probably a little easier than my BC ones, but the differences in teaching styles and grading philosophies were difficult to adjust to at times.

Hanna: Essentially true. I will say that I skipped a few classes to go to afternoon tea once, and the amount of scones I ate was totally worth it.

Matt: Going to class for me unfortunately had to happen, since my institute strictly enforced their attendance policies. That being said, studying didn’t happen. I didn’t have any real place to study after 5 or 6 since my school closed down way early (the French way) and that lowered my motivation to get the little work I had done.

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4

YOU’RE NEVER HOMESICK

Jack: Homesickness comes in waves. At first when I was struggling with the language and people were uploading pictures from tailgates on Shea, I thought I made the wrong decision. However, the next weekend when I was surfing in Portugal, the homesickness disappeared.

Caroline: Not exactly. Adjusting to life abroad can actually be really isolating at first, especially if the native language is not your own and you live with a host family. But even still, I was homesick for BC more often than I was homesick for my NY home.

Matt: It comes and goes in waves for sure; heavy waves at that.

It’s hard to generalize this because everybody is different, but a common timeframe to start getting homesick was the second week, after the novelty of being abroad dimmed slightly.

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Hanna: We were asking a stranger [a question] and another British person walked by, mumbling under their breath, “stupid Americans.” So yeah, I would say that is rude.

Jack: I was amazed by how friendly everyone was everywhere we went. In hostels, clubs, or the streets of a foreign

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Hanna: I was homesick at first, but once I started going to afternoon tea and exploring the London markets, life wasn’t too shabby.

Jack: Eventually Madrid began to feel like home, and I would look forward to being “home” after a weekend trip.

Caroline: No. Of the 1% of those fortunate to go to college, we make up a fractional percentage of those blessed to experience life abroad. Suck it up.

Matt: For me, I always felt something was missing while I was abroad. Even though I loved Provence, I never fully felt at home there like I do in Boston.

YOU COME HOME A DIFFERENT PERSON

Caroline: Reading some students’ blogs, you’d think this is almost a requirement—to find your calling or convert religions or something. But I believe we don’t give the value of a study abroad experience the justice it is due by romanticizing it. We haven’t “seen the world.” We’ve seen Europe. I wouldn’t say I’m a different person, but I did return feeling surer about the kind of person I want to be.

Hanna: I think I am the same, a little bit more independent and a lot more confused about why BC makes us take five classes and how anyone is supposed to function going to those classes and doing a million extracurricular activities...

Matt: Not necessarily. Being abroad affects everyone differently.

Many students in my program felt that their time abroad significantly changed their outlook on life and the world around them. I did not feel the same way. Don’t get me wrong, it was a fantastic time. But, it wasn’t that huge for me.

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YOU’RE ALWAYS HOMESICK

Photo courtesy of Hanna Greenstein

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EUROPEAN CITIZENS EITHER IGNORE OR ARE RUDE TO AMERICANS

city there was always someone willing to help. If anything, people were usually excited to hear you were American, and interested in how life in their country differed from yours back home.

Caroline: Most Europeans are really friendly, and the rest, well, Americans deserve it sometimes anyway.

Matt: In my experience, Europeans were extremely hospitable to, and even excited to meet Americans. As long as you make the effort to speak the language and are interested in the local culture, you should be treated well.

February 2014

8 9 10 ALL OF YOUR MONEY WILL BE GONE, GONE, GONE

Hanna: I have a friend who went to London and landed in Logan four months later with $12 to her name. It happens.

Jack: It literally disappears. It’s helpful to try to make a budget for trips and food, but if you want to travel all over Europe you’re going to end up spending a lot.

Caroline: Yes, yes, yes. That exchange rate from dollars to euros will get you.

But eventually you just have to start pretending those euro coins are quarters and that the trip to Morocco isn’t going to cost you all of last summer’s pay, or else you’ll convince yourself to put off an opportunity you may never get again.

Matt: Yes. Your money will be gone and you will be broke. End of story.

Don’t complain about it either because everyone else is in the same boat as you and it gets annoying. I cannot tell you how many times I wanted to slap people for being super anal about their expenses: WE GET IT.

Photo courtesy of Jack Beyer

EVERYONE GETS SUPER FAT FROM EATING PASTA

Caroline: Sure, but in Spain, it’s the churros con chocolate that does you in.

Jack: We actually had someone cook for us in the residenciá, which was really nice.

So we got to eat a lot of traditional Spanish food that wasn’t too horrible for you. I know a lot of people joined gyms in Madrid, but I think the two times I went to the Plex last year gave me the right to take the semester off from exercising.

Hanna: Super fat from drinking pints of cider and eating chips.

Matt: I lost weight in France. Take it I didn’t eat a lot of pasta, but I struggled to be full virtually all of the time. Many of my counterparts, specifically the ladies, couldn’t disagree more with me, however. The curse of being a tall lanky kid.

YOU DRINK EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT.

Hanna: I tried this approach and then got what they call the “freshers flu” which is basically a nasty flu-like disease that circulates around campus the first few weeks because everyone is drinking instead of sleeping.

Jack: I’d say we probably went out about four nights a week. The nightlife in Madrid was pretty amazing, and there was something to do every night if you wanted to.

Caroline: Well I didn’t, but props to those who could afford to.

Matt: At the beginning, I drank every single night for at least a week and a half.

Then it slowed down to just the weekends and some weekdays. You can’t just pound French wine—that stuff is too good.

The four varying reactions to typical

end of the world. Taking advantage

stereotypes attached to studying

of the lower legal drinking age in

abroad prove that each student

London alongside heavily accented

experiences abroad differently. It

locals is an amazing experience, but

appears, however, that if you have

speaking in a fake British accent in

the opportunity to go abroad for a

a dirty MIT frat works just as well.

semester, you should wholeheartedly

Being pre-med or a triple major may

take it. Experiencing the culture

exclude you from more experiences

of another country in the midst of

than simply studying abroad, so take

your college career is a rewarding

heart in the fact that you will be

and valuable experience. If you do

just as happy if you stay at Boston

not have the means or opportunity

College for all four years.

to go abroad, however, it is not the

FEATURES

17

Massachusetts

‘Buffer Zone’ Law

Spurs Debate on Free Speech

By Itzel Ayala / Assoc. Features Editor

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BC Gavel

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On Jan. 15, the Supreme Court heard arguments for and against the Massachusetts Buffer Zone law. The Massachusetts law in question prohibits any protesting within 35 feet of the entrance to reproductive health care facilities, specifically those that conduct abortions. The buffer zone was instated in 2007 to protect the safety and welfare of the women walking in and out of the abortion clinics. It is modeled after previous buffer zones that were passed in other states, and upheld by the courts.

The 2007 law replaced a 2000 law that limited protesters to standing 6 feet from a person who was within 18 feet of a clinic.

The Massachusetts buffer zone law is similar to another law passed in Colorado that was upheld by the courts, which granted 8 foot “floating” buffer zones around individuals entering and leaving abortion clinics. The ruling on the Massachusetts buffer zone law may affect similar buffer zone laws across the country.

The law has spurred conversation amongst people who claim it is a violation of the First Amendment; a 35-foot buffer zone prevents protesters from being able to comfortably talk to the women walking into the clinic. The 35-foot buffer zone limits those who are neither walking into the clinic nor walking to the other side of the zone. The issue comes with the fact that many Planned Parenthood clinics are located on a sidewalk.

Opponents argue that the state has no authority to limit free speech on sidewalks.

February 2014

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Anthony Golden / Gavel Media

The buffer zone law was first passed after violence ensued in a Planned Parenthood clinic in 1994. On Dec. 30, a protest went awry and a man named John Salvi shot and killed two people outside a Brookline Planned Parenthood.

The buffer zone arose to protect clients and staff who felt harassed while leaving and entering the clinic.

According to The New York Times, Justice Antonin Scalia, one of the more conservative justices on the court, said, “These people don’t want to protest abortion. They want to talk to the women who are about to get abortions and try to talk them out of it.”

The plaintiff in the Massachusetts case, Eleanor McCullen, describes herself as a mother and grandmother with a small and ‘plump’ body type. She points out that she is not trying to attack these women; her intention is to have a friendly and calm conversation with them. The 35-foot buffer zone prevents

her from doing that. Placing someone 35 feet away makes it nearly impossible to hold a casual conversation. Protesters are now forced to yell to get their point across, ironically coming across as even more aggressive than when they were allowed to stand closer.

Justice Stephen G. Breyer commented that the line blurred between conversation and aggressive protest, saying, “It’s just tough to say whether they’re counseling somebody or screaming at somebody.”

However, some are more than a little hesitant to forget the violence that occurred in 1994 at Brookline and other abortion clinics.

Ellen Zucker, the president of the Massachusetts branch of the National Organization of Women (NOW), said of the violence, “This was hateful and violent, people have forgotten about it but I can’t forget it,” reports The Boston Globe. She went on to recall her own

experience, saying, “There was a man who said he wanted to talk to women, but what he did was wield a huge sign and hit women. My experience as a young woman was that I would sometimes come back being spat upon with bruises on my back from having been hit.”

These clinics don’t only administer abortions, but offer pap smears, consultations and pregnancy tests as well as STD testing. McCullen still argues that her violation of free speech cannot go unnoticed, citing the fact that through the years, she has talked more than 80 women out of having abortions, and even has pictures of the babies on her refrigerator.

With a more conservative Supreme Court board than that of 2000, the Massachusetts law is not likely to be upheld, as it will likely be seen as a violation of free speech.

FEATURES

19

READING: A Literal Lasting Impression

by Rachael Schermer / Gavel Media Staff

Photos courtesy of Megan Flynn / Gavel Media

A

s students at Boston

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February 2014

end of a movie or show that stirs some emotion within us, whether it’s anger at the death of our favorite character or joy at a fairytale-like ending. Research, however, is beginning to show that it’s neither movies nor television that make a resonating impression on us, but books.

A new study from Emory University opens up this door by delving into an even greater concept: reading books actually changes our brain. For years, studies have shown the many benefits reading can have on one’s life, such as enhanced memory and a greater vocabulary. Researchers at Emory have now discovered that reading can actually leave imprints on our brain that remain with us long after we put down the book.

The study, which tested 21 Emory students, wanted to see what, if any, lasting neural effects are associated with reading a novel. Previous research has attempted to identify brain networks associated with reading stories, but has mainly focused on the cognitive processes involved when subjects are reading stories. This study, however, directed its attention to the lingering neural effects: those that remain active in the brain after a subject has stopped reading.

Researchers first began monitoring subjects’ brains in a resting state using fMRI scans. Then, the subjects were given Robert Harris’ Pompeii to read over about nine days. Subjects would be quizzed on each night’s section of the novel to ensure that they had read it, then come in the following morning to undergo another fMRI scan in a nonreading, resting state. After participants completed the novel, they underwent additional scans for five more mornings.

The results proved to be noteworthy.

As researchers reviewed the scans, they noticed heightened connectivity in brain areas associated with language reception on the mornings following the reading assignments. The participants, who had stopped reading a full night before, still showed heightened connectivity in that region of the brain. Subjects also had heightened connectivity in the sensory

motor region, which has been associated with mimicking sensation for the body.

Scientists have discovered that simply thinking about an activity such as walking can activate the neurons associated with the physical act of walking, which subjects demonstrated in the study.

So that stirring feeling you have after a great movie? It turns out that books not only create an emotional change, but also a physical change in your brain.

Good stories don’t just throw you into a character’s shoes metaphorically, but now new research is proving it can happen in a biological sense as well.

More importantly, this state can persist hours after you put down the book.

Scientists are unsure of just how long these neural changes persist but feel confident that since the changes lasted a few days for a randomly assigned novel, they could linger much longer for a powerful story of one’s choosing.

So what does all this mean for us as college students? Well, like the many other studies out there, this study proves why we should stray away from Netflix and opt for a book. Most of us have learned, and probably experienced, the “blue light” factor: the tendency to not be able to fall asleep after staring at a screen before bed. Not only does blue light limit the body’s production of melatonin, but phones and computers often transport us into a world of cyber-stalking that can distract us for hours.

Instead of resorting to technology before bed, try picking up some reading material, whether it be your latest guiltypleasure or your favorite magazine. As the study showed, reading before bed can heighten language-processing regions well into the next morning, making it the perfect pre-test ritual for any subject.

Moreover, this study squashes all those nonbelievers out there who think books are boring and characters are intangible. Stories imprint in our minds.

They transport us into a character’s life not only mentally, but also physically.

So, next time you’re feeling down, try picking up a book. It might improve not only your mood, but also your GPA.

Fun Facts About Reading

1 2 3 4 5 6

Reading prevents stress more effectively than walking or having a cup of tea

Reading increases our vocabulary and comprehension

Fiction enables creative thinking and enhances decision-making skills

Reading for pleasure improves math skills

Reading benefits our neurological health on a long-term scale Reading teaches us empathy by drawing connections to characters in works of fiction

FEATURES

21

C B T A HEARD

OVER Amanda Ikard /Gavel Media

“Porn is a very lucrative business.” – The Plex

Billy Foshay / Gavel Media

“You know where I come from, this is summer weather.”

“Go back to where you came from.” - Outside of Merkert Hall “Sometimes I wonder if the bus drivers want us to lose our balance and fall. Like, maybe it’s a game to them.” – The Comm. Ave Bus “No, I’m drunk enough to wash myself.” - Welch Hall “I think they purposefully served apple crisp tonight so we would all break our New Years resolutions.” -Mac

Julia Keefe / Gavel Media

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Amanda Ikard / Gavel Media

February 2014

EAGLE EYE

“Sieve! Sieve!”

“It’s all your fault!”

Selly Sellah/ Gavel Media

“Sucks to BU!”

Anthony Golden/ Gavel Media

Selly Sellah/ Gavel Media

When February’s dreary, blustery and bothersome weather hits, it’s like a signaling to New Englanders and hockey fans alike that there’s no better place to evade the cold than in--well--an ice rink. BC hockey is usually launched into its impeccable mid-season form by February, and if not, there’s a problem. And it’s probably not Jerry York’s fault, too. Win after win in stadiums that portray 5-foot-somethings like Johnny Gaudreau as a God among gods are a common theme. If you’re lucky enough to catch a college hockey game--its revelry and pomp and camaraderie-enjoy it. From the University of New Hampshire to Boston University, wherever you are in the nooks-and-crannies of New England, there’s always popcorn to be enjoyed, beverages to be consumed, swearing to be sworn and “sieve chants”--no matter how irreverent they seem--to be sung. And if BU’s Agannis Arena is the Mecca of hockey, Kelley Rink is the Mecca of said Mecca. Want a raw, organic, real hockey experience? Go to Kelley Rink in Conte Forum. SuperFans: if you haven’t yet this year, and need to escape that frigid weather, an ice rink will always do.

FEATURES

23

MOST 10 Memorable Moments THE

of

2013

The year 2013 was quite eventful, to say the least. So as it comes to an end, it’s only natural to list the moments that made the year so memorable. From sports, to memorializing renowned leaders, and even to pop culture moments, here it goes:

1. The Red Sox won the World Series 2. Boston College Football Season After losing 93 games in the 2012 season, the Red Sox made a spectacular come back and won their third World Series in 10 years. #BigPapiforthewin

and Andre Williams

The BC Eagles made it to a bowl game for the first time since 2010.

And not only were they ranked No. 20 in the nation in rushing offense, but our very own Andre Williams was a Heisman finalist.

3. Prince William became a dad 4. Miley Cyrus’ performance at the VMAs Although we must not forget about North West and Blue Ivy, the birth of George Alexander Louis definitely took the cake for celebrity births. Some dubbed it the most important birth of the century.

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Wow, just…wow. Hannah Montana went through a complete transformation, abandoning her Disney Channel past. Not only did her performance with Robin Thicke cause an uproar, but she most definitely brought the phenomenon of twerking into the forefront of our minds.

February 2014

7. Nelson Mandela was

5. Boston Became Boston Strong Pretty self-explanatory: the amazing city of Boston came together after this tragedy. Massachusetts General Hospital, for example, has raised $23 million and intends to use these donations to help the marathon victims pay for their medical care.

commemorated an icon

Sadly, Nelson Mandela passed away. The memorials following his passing, however, did much to commemorate all of his life’s work. Obama and other world leaders united in praising this “giant of history”.

He will be remembered as a global symbol of reconciliation.

6. Orange is the New Black premiered featuring

Laverne Cox, making it a GREAT year for feminism Orange is the New Black premiered in July and was the first show of its kind for many reasons, one of them being that Laverne Cox is the first transexual woman of color to have a major role on a mainstream and scripted television show.

FINALLY met the mother in 8.We How I Met Your Mother (It’s been eight seasons. It was about time)

James and the Heat won 9. LeBron their second title in a row

Definitely not as memorable as Mandela’s memorial, but after eight seasons it was bound to happen and THANK GOD. We finally met Ted’s future wife. It was LEGEN…wait for it…DARY.

THE KING IS BACK. Not only did the Heat win their second championship in a row, but they also managed to pull off a 27-game winning streak, the second longest in NBA history.

10. For all those Gossip Girl and The O.C. fans, Leighton Meester and Adam Brody got engaged

Perhaps it was not the MOST memorable moment of 2013, but definitely a shocker for all those CW fans. Say goodbye to the beloved couples that got us all through middle school and high school, Seth and Summer and Blair and Chuck.

Photos courtesy of Tumblr

CULTURE

25

LIBRARY TO THEATER:

Books to Read Before They Hit the Big Screen

By Grace Denny / Gavel Media Staff

Labor Day

T

urning books into movies can be difficult, and sometimes the results can be disastrous.

Occasionally, however, the movie ends up being a magnificent recreation of the original story. In 2014, we’ll have several opportunities to see popular and critically acclaimed books turned into movies, and see how they fare.

Starring Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin, this recreation of the book by Joyce Maynard promises to showcase gifted acting, at the very least. The book, which tells the story of a depressed mother and her adolescent son who harbor a fugitive for a weekend, was extremely popular, so the movie has a lot to live up to. Kate Winslet has already proved that she can play women struggling with depression and emotional issues well, so the real question for this movie is whether or not she and Josh Brolin will be able to create believable chemistry.

Photo courtesy of Labor Day / Facebook

The Monuments Men

Featuring an amazing cast (George Clooney, Matt Damon, John Goodman and Bill Murray) and covering the story of a World War II mission, this film is sure to attract audiences. The book is based on a real story of Allied soldiers who tried to save valuable pieces of work that the Nazis planned to destroy.

Photo courtesy of The Monuments Men/ Facebook

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February 2014

Divergent Based on the incredibly

popular young adult novel by Veronica Roth, the story is set in a dystopian society. The protagonist, played by Shailene Woodley, is a young girl who must fight back against the dictatorial society she lives in. It promises lots of action scenes that are bound to have you sitting on the edge of your seat.

The Hunger Games has proved how successful these types of movie can be, and hopefully this one will live up to the hype.

Photo courtesy of Divergent / Facebook

The Giver

Gone Girl

Gillian Flynn’s hugely popular book is full of suspense, thrills and twists, which should make for a gripping movie. Ben Affleck will probably be brilliant as the suspicious grieving husband. Fans of the book are anxiously awaiting the release in October.

This classic book by Lois Lowry will be coming to theaters in August. It will star Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Alexander Skarsgard and Taylor Swift. This book may be challenging to bring to screen, but the talent brought by Bridges and Streep should make up for any difficulty in translating the more dream-like aspects of the story.

Photo courtesy of Gone Girl / Facebook

CULTURE

27

NEW YEAR, NEW BARS

By Lexi Tedesco / Gavel Media Sta

M

any members of the senior class were very upset when we received the depressing news that Joshua Tree was, GASP, closed. As sad as it is to know that we may not be lining up outside

{

{

2014:

of one of our favorite bars on Thursdays, there is no reason why we cannot branch out and try some new places. Beantown is, in fact, a bar town, so there are options for everyone to enjoy.

The Pour House

Conveniently located on Boylston, the Pour House is an easy T ride away from BC. This bar is a lot of fun Thursday through Saturday nights because of the large numbers of college students that frequent it on the weekends. If you get lucky you can sit in some of the booths along the wall in the main entrance, or just stand at one of their three fully stocked bars. The interior is decorated with tons of random chachkies and exposed brick walls. Fun, mainstream music can be heard throughout the area, but it is definitely not a dancing kind of bar. The best part is the drink prices, which, as college students, we can definitely agree is a priority when deciding where to go out. I liked that their draft beers come in fun, 22-ounce tall glass mugs.

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Photos courtesy of Amanda Ikard / Gavel Media

February 2014

Coogan’s Coogan’s is in the financial district of

Boston, so naturally it is a great place for Happy Hour.

Surprisingly, they have a DJ and dancing on the weekends. Their cocktail menu is pretty standard, but you can get a mixed drink for as cheap as $7. In terms of beer, your dollar can go a long way – with $1 Bud Light drafts and $2 Sam Adams, it’s a college student’s dream.

Amanda Ikard / Gavel Media

Greatest Bar

For all the sports lovers out there, Greatest Bar near TD Garden is a fun place to watch the game or pregame if you are actually entering the Garden. This bar is a traditional sports bar, except it boasts four floors, with different atmospheres on each, and three separate bars. The bar also brags that they have 14 flat screen TVs, so you wont miss a second of whichever game you are watching. For those of you who aren’t avid sports fans, they also occasionally bring DJ’s in for night events. If you check out their website, they even have a description of each floor, so you can head right to the one you want without getting lost in massive crowds.

Amanda Ikard / Gavel Media

Clery’s Clery’s is more of a dive bar, located in

Back Bay. It is bigger than it first appears and has two different floors. On the top floor, there is a long bar and some seating. On weekends they usually have a live cover-band downstairs, which draws a pretty big crowd. If you want to get a spot downstairs, get there a bit on the early side, because just like Joshua Tree, this bar has a bit of a capacity problem for their basement. Overall it is a pretty standard looking dive bar, but the cover-band gives it a fun twist and a definite change from Mary Ann’s.

Amanda Ikard / Gavel Media

JM Curley’s

Named after a controversial Boston politician, this bar has a claim to the best burger in Boston and a stellar beer and cocktail menu. The atmosphere is warm and cozy, with dim lighting and exposed brick walls. All of their cocktails are classics, like a Manhattan or a Dark and Stormy, but with a new twist. I tried their 21 Temple Gin and Tonic that is made of gin, yellow chartreuse, bark powder, citrus, and soda. The drink was both beautiful and delicious. This bar is especially nice to sit down and have just one or two cocktails while you sample some of their appetizers like fried pickles – just be ready to splurge. Dinner here is definitely worth trying, and their burger is truly something to brag about.

Amanda Ikard / Gavel Media

CULTURE

29

L

By Grace Fucci / Editorial Assistant ive music events go hand-in-hand with

from Boston Calling and Mixfest, to concerts from

college students, and with Boston having

huge artists in the industry like Kid Cudi. If you were

such a large community of universities and

one of the many who missed (or in the case of Mixfest,

colleges, it’s no surprise that our New England city

were locked out of the venue due to the massive

frequently rolls out the welcome mat for thousands

crowd) some of Boston’s top concert opportunities

of artists every year. Fall semester, Boston College

last semester, don’t fear. This spring, there are great

students had some nice options with music events

things coming. Here’s what to keep an ear out for:

SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD TIME (TRY IT) FESTIVALS Boston Calling, feat. Brand New, Modest Mouse, Death Cab for Cutie @ Boston City Hall Plaza, 05/23-05/25

G Love and Special Sauce @ House of Blues on 02/14 Band of Horses @ Somerville Theatre on 02/25 Infected Mushroom @ House of Blues on 02/28 Young the Giant @ House of Blues on 03/02 Neck Deep @ Middle East on 03/30 The Julie Ruin with Screaming Females @ The Sinclair on 04/03 Psychedelic Furs @ The Sinclair on 04/13 Chromeo @ House of Blues on 04/30

f esy o court / Photo ria Fisher Victo el Media Gav

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February 2014

BIG NAMES Justin Timberlake @ TD Garden on 02/27, 07/19 2 Chainz with Pusha T @ House of Blues on 02/04 Karmin @ Paradise Rock Club on 02/04 Flogging Molly @ House of Blues on 02/26 St. Vincent @ House of Blues on 02/27 Kings of Leon with Gary Clark Jr @ TD Garden on 02/28 Paul Simon and Sting @ TD Garden on 03/03 Robin Thicke @ Agganis Arena on 03/04 Imagine Dragons @ DCU Center on 03/06 Dropkick Murphys @ House of Blues on 03/13, 03/14, 03/15, 03/16 Lorde @ Orpheum Theatre on 03/14 Ellie Goulding @ Agganis Arena on 03/17 Childish Gambino @ House of Blues on 03/30 Miley Cyrus @ TD Garden on 04/02 Cher @ TD Garden on 04/09 The Wanted @ House of Blues on 04/14 The Wonder Years @ Palladium Worcester on 04/15 One Republic, The Script @ Blue Hills Bank Pavilion on 06/25 Lady Gaga @ TD Garden on 06/30

All tickets for Royale, The Sinclair, and Great Scott are available at Ticketmaster.com or 800-7453000. For the other venues, check out StubHub. com or buy tickets through the artists’ websites.

DISCOVER THEM The Orwells @ Great Scott on 03/04 Broken Bells @ House of Blues on 03/05 Augustines @ Brighton Music Hall on 03/05 Boy and Bear @ The Sinclair on 03/26 James Vincent McMorrow @ Paradise Rock Club on 04/04 Pentatonic @ House of Blues on 04/06 La Dispute @ The Sinclair on 04/09 Bombay Bicycle Club @ Royale Boston on 05/06

FOR THE FAN GIRL/ANGSTY GUY IN YOU (GUILTY PLEASURES) Emblem3 @ House of Blues on 02/23 The Summer Set @ Middle East on 02/26 Abandon All Ships @ Palladium Worcester on 03/03 Josh Ritter @ Somerville Theatre on 03/05 Switchfoot @ Royale Boston on 03/22 Breathe Carolina @ Brighton Music Hall on 03/22 We Are the In Crowd @ Brighton Music Hall on 04/02 Christina Perri @ House of Blues on 04/20 Boyz II Men @ Wilbur Theatre on 05/18 Lindsey Stirling @ House of Blues on 06/17 Pentatonic @ House of Blues on 04/06 La Dispute @ The Sinclair on 04/09 Bombay Bicycle Club @ Royale Boston on 05/06

CULTURE

31

GET

A

KLUWE: ATHLETES SPEAKING OUT

Billy Foshay / Gavel Media

I

magine you are a star athlete. You are captain of your football team, all-star of the Boston Red Sox, herald Olympian, NFL punter. The situation doesn’t matter, only the title. As an

athlete, you are burdened with high expectations: win the state championship game, the World Series, a gold medal, a Super Bowl.

Your main objective is to win because every one loves a winner.

But as an athlete, you are expected to be a model: a model to your classmates, your city, your country, your fans. As a model, you have a voice—one that echoes power because you are an athlete.

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By Francisco Bernard / Assoc. Sports Editor Chris Kluwe is a professional football player. No, he isn’t a quarterback or a linebacker or a cornerback or a wide receiver. Kluwe is a punter, arguably the most underrated position in the NFL. Kluwe has one job: kick the ball back to the opposing team as far as possible without the ball landing in the end zone to force the opposing team to start with a bad field position. It isn’t the coolest job on an NFL team and might not get you dates at the club, but the premise lies.

Kluwe is an NFL player, an athlete who tried to use his platform as a professional athlete for good, but allegedly was let go from the Minnesota Vikings for standing by a controversial issue.

Kluwe believes that his involvement with gay rights activism played a vital role in the Vikings’ decision to release

February 2014

him in May of 2013. Kluwe accused his coach, special teams coach Mike Priefer, of being a “bigot” who used homophobic language in Kluwe’s presence, and he also pointed to Vikings head coach Leslie Fraizer and Vikings general manager Rick Spielman as “two cowards.”

While the agenda may have been to sweep Kluwe under the rug to prevent labeling the Vikings franchise as a homophobic organization, the team exposed the injustice associated with athletes when they spoke out on issues related to American society.

Gay rights is not a touchy subject. It is a hot topic within the politics of the United States, but when associated with athletics it can become an undisclosed issue. Accusations against Miami Dolphins guard Richie Incognito of bullying his teammate displayed the viciousness of an NFL locker room opening the Pandora’s box of locker room culture in sports. “Boys will be boys” cannot pass anymore. Bullying is an epidemic with very little room for two-sided arguments, but many seem hesitant to side with gay rights-related issues, even if in their heart of hearts they support the movement for equality over sexual orientation.

Kluwe challenged this silence. He saw a wrong and attempted to speak out about it, knowing that being a professional athlete would make his words come across as powerful as a storm. Athletes speak about wrongs every day and try to better society.

They discuss the wrong call made by an umpire, they visit a neighborhood school to encourage students to value their education, and they make wishes come true for children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses.

If leagues can advertise movements like NBA Cares, Play60, R.B.I., what is the issue with Kluwe speaking out about an injustice that many Americans feel needs to be rectified?

Nothing, that’s the problem. There is nothing wrong with Kluwe’s stance, but it is because of personal reservations by others that athletes like Kluwe are

expected to shut up and not speak their minds.

For example, after George Zimmerman was acquitted of murdering Trayvon Martin, athletes took to Twitter to voice their opinion. Dwyane Wade wrote “Wow! Stunned! Saddened as a father! Some1 make sense of this verdict for me right now please! Don’t worry I’ll wait..,” he wrote, later adding, “How do I explain this to my young boys?”

NBA center Kendrick Perkins wrote, “American justice is a joke.”

This is an example of a public relations nightmare for an organization.

What athletes say becomes a reflection of the organization, and that is where the problem lies. It lies within a system of accordance to not support a controversial cause.

The sports world in the United States shook on May 6, 2013 when Sports Illustrated ran a front-cover story titled, “The Gay Athlete,” a letter from NBA player Jason Collins coming out to the public. It was such a shattering story because sports had its own unwritten “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy due to the high-strung masculine culture.

Collins ripped away that stereotype and shared with us who he truly was and he did it when he had no contract with an NBA franchise. This did not hurt his story or the impact it had on sports, but if he were still on a team, perhaps it would have taken on a stronger tone.

Following Collins, WWE superstar Darren Young came out and an enormous amount of support rained upon him, even from the boss himself, Vince McMahon.

But in the case of Kluwe, he fell to the wayside because of the manner in which he made his stance and the fact that the people in charge of the organization seemed to not respect it.

We don’t know the truth of the matter - we only know two sides of this story.

But from these two sides, we can see one thing: Kluwe was doing the right thing by

using his stance as an athlete to get the United States talking about an issue and break this gag order that veils athletes from speaking out. Isn’t this the country that prides itself on freedom of speech?

I think this has been around since, like, 1776.

We hear athletes sometimes say the dumbest things, as if they were on “Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader,” or the most intelligent things, as if they were on “Jeopardy.” But no matter what, we listen. We listen to their words and we listen because we respect their stance as athletes. But we can no longer respect them as just athletes. We must respect them as everyday humans even though we paint them to be larger than life.

They have problems with certain issues just like we all do and it doesn’t matter if they are the star quarterback or the punter. We must get a clue and listen to what they say and hold other athletes accountable to do the same. As the great Ben Parker once said, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

Photo courtesy of Joe Bielawa / Flickr

OPINIONS

33

D

ebate within the

emocratic Party

S

By Ricardo Sanchez / Gavel Media Staff

ince early December, debates have taken place within the Democratic Party on certain issues such as Social Security and the federal minimum wage. In a December op-ed published

in the Wall Street Journal, Jon Cowan and Jim Kessler of the centrist think tank Third Way argued that populist economic policies such as those proposed by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) would scare away moderate voters in future elections. Cowan and Kessler wrote that economic populism, which favors higher taxes on the wealthy, closing corporate tax loopholes and breaking up big banks, is nothing but blue-state “fantasy” that, if embraced by Democrats moving forward, would lead the party over the “populist cliff” and into disaster.

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BC Gavel

The strongly-worded op-ed by Third Way has drawn widespread criticism from other Democratic-leaning think tanks and has sparked a debate within the party on how aggressively it should be pushing populist policies on such issues as taxes, earned benefits and income inequality. While the midterm elections of 2014 are still nearly a year away, the debate may very well have implications on the presidential election of 2016, as Democrats will search for a successor to President Barack Obama.

Regardless of whether or not economic populism is a viable strategy for Democrats, the dispute begs the question: Is debate within the party a good thing?

This is an important time for the Democrats. The Republican Party, as we have seen time and again, is divided by Tea Party pressures and is shifting increas-

February 2014

ingly towards the political right. Politically speaking, Democrats would do well to capitalize on that shift and appeal to more moderate, centrist voters as argued

by Third Way. From the standpoint of the parties, there is a time for debate and a time for unity.

Looking towards the 2016 election, it would be wise for Democrats to remain united (publicly, at least) and leave the disagreement and intraparty rancor to the Republicans and Tea Party. While debate and exchange of ideas is always healthy in a democracy like ours, open hostility and public confrontation only hurts the party. This creates a feeling of instability in the eyes of voters. The Third Way op-ed has caused a rift between the populist and centrist wing of the Democratic Party, in which think tanks and even politicians themselves, such as Senator Warren, are attacking each other by name in a public forum.

This public hostility, if drawn out over an extended period of time, will undoubtedly come back to hurt the party as it did the Republicans, who have torn each other apart in recent years.

Having said that, it is important for the party to be having this discussion

over which economic policies to embrace, especially with respect to earned benefit programs like Social Security, which will certainly be a major election issue in 2016. However, it is much better for these debates to be taking place now,

“This is an..

important time for the ..Democrats” in early 2014, than anywhere near the 2016 elections.

In 2012, deep rifts were evident throughout the entire Republican Party, beyond just the candidates. They allowed their divisions to continue throughout the election, which played a significant role in their defeat. Had they put the debate behind them and reached a consensus in time for the election, they might have done better. The Democrats,

who are right to debate their issues now, must be careful not to allow the same to happen to them in 2016. Should the debate continue as aggressively and publicly as it has over the past two months?

Probably not, but the discussion taking place in the Democratic Party should always be viewed as a good thing, as long as they reach a common ground sooner rather than later, in time for the 2016 elections.

Having the debate now will make it much easier for the Party to unite around a particular platform—and candidate— come election time, regardless of whether or not populists like Senator Warren will be running for President (she has repeatedly insisted she will not). As Matt Bennett, senior vice president of Third Way argues, debate between the centrist and populist wings is good for the Democrats. “We’re happy to have this discussion with them,” he told the Huffington Post. “We agree with [liberal think tank Center for American Progress] on a lot of things… but if we disagree on some things, that’s healthy.” Come election time, it is important for the party to remain united. Until then, however, the debate should continue.

Photo courtesy of OversightandReform / Flickr

OPINIONS

35

Photos courtesy Anthony Golden / Gavel Media

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February 2014

Keeping Tabs on

Greatness York’s 2013-2014 recruiting class is altering the program’s trajectory—for good

By Bill Stoll / Assoc. Sports Editor

B

efore BC men’s hockey took to the ice this

ute right away. As of the writing of this article, of the

year, the 2013-2014 recruiting class was

ten freshmen that joined the Eagles this season, seven

widely viewed as one of Head Coach Jerry

have become regular starters, with an eighth playing

York’s strongest ever, with several freshmen expected

in over a third of BC’s games. Let’s break this year’s

to not just provide a solid foundation for the next four

freshman class down, position by position, and see

(or potentially fewer) years, but to step in and contrib-

just how bright the future of BC hockey is looking.

Goaltending Thatcher Demko

The only goaltending recruit for the Eagles this past year, Demko has performed admirably when called upon by York.

Demko has started nine of a possible 24 games thus far, and in his nine starts has recorded only one loss, picking up a record of 6-1-2 along the way. Sure, Demko has the lowest save percentage of the three goalies who have received playing time.

This statistic, however, is entirely misleading as it stands at an excellent 91.5%, which speaks to both the great job Demko has done as well as the stellar goaltending BC has received this year. In his starts, Demko has picked up a couple big wins, most notably stuffing 21 of 22 shots in a 5-1 victory over Boston University, and helping the Eagles take down Northeastern, which is currently the second ranked team in Hockey East, 4-2.

Heading into this season, goaltending appeared to be an area of concern for Coach York and the BC Eagles.

Long-time starter Parker Milner had finally graduated and moved on, leaving behind two juniors to take up the starting rotation, Brian Billett and Brad Barone. While it was expected that Billett would receive the majority of starts, BC also received a fantastic goaltending recruit in Thatcher Demko, and as the season has progressed so far it has been Billett and Demko splitting the starts, with Billett receiving five more so far in the season.

All of this is pretty impressive, except this isn’t even Demko’s greatest achievement this season. Unlike many of his teammates, Demko has not been drafted into the NHL yet for the simple reason that he will only become eligible for the draft this upcoming offseason. At the start of this season, Demko was taking on established NCAA veterans at the age of 17. The question of whether or not he will be drafted is really more of a rhetorical question, as Central Scouting released their midterm draft prospects rankings in early January, with Demko listed as the top North American goaltender. This is a huge accomplishment, as he had to beat top prospects in both the Canadian major junior leagues and the US developmental programs. He’s a sure-fire first-round pick, and hopefully a staple in the BC lineup for at least a couple years to come.

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Forwards

The forward group was expected to be strong for the Eagles this season due to their returning members. Though they lost two of their three leading scorers in Pat Mullane and Steven Whitney, Hobey Baker finalist Johnny Gaudreau was returning, along with Bill Arnold and Kevin Hayes, with all three expected to produce big numbers for the Eagles this season. Coach York also brought in a host of forward recruits, and four in particular have stood out in contributing both decent point production and great energy and physical play.

Austin Cangelosi

Though undrafted, Cangelosi is outperforming many of his peers who were selected in the NHL draft, and he is the Eagles fifth leading scorer this season with 18 points in 24 games. Slightly undersized at 5-foot-6, his speed and shifty moves have drawn comparisons to the countless other small, quick forwards BC is known for producing. Cangelosi was on fire for most of the season, notching 17 points in 18 games, before falling into a five-game scoreless streak.

However, busting a slump is part of the maturation process, and Coach York would love for another point streak to get started right about now and continue into the post-season. Also of note: Cangelosi has done an excellent job staying out of the penalty box, recording only one penalty so far this season.

Chris Calnan

The Chicago Blackhawks prospect, who was taken in the 3rd round of the 2013 NHL Draft, has mostly played on the bottom two lines for BC, but has provided physical presence along with the occasional point for the Eagles. As of late he has formed a nice energy line with fellow freshman Adam Gilmour and with sophomore Brendan Silk, who has contributed a great two-way game.

Calnan has nine points on the year, and hasn’t had a game with a negative plus-minus since Nov. 2, a testament to his defensive play. BC is undefeated in games that Calnan notches a point, with a record of 6-0-1 in those games.

Ryan Fitzgerald

Adam Gilmour

Like his linemate Calnan, Gilmour is a bigger player, standing at 6-foot-3 and close to 200 pounds. Gilmour was drafted in the 4th round by the Minnesota Wild in 2013, and has started every game for the Eagles so far. He has all the makings of a power forward, and has mixed physical play with solid point production, with 13 points and five goals on the season. Gilmour has also started to earn some time on the powerplay this season—a unit that has been pretty hot for the Eagles as of late. Between Jan. 17 and Jan. 21, Gilmour notched two powerplay goals, the first coming against Boston University, and the second four days later against Merrimack.

However, Gilmour’s most important goal this season was his game-winning goal in overtime against Northeastern. With Northeastern only three points behind BC with a game in hand, that extra point could make all the difference between first and second for the Hockey East regular season championship.

The last of the BC freshmen who regularly start for the Eagles, to use a cliché, Fitzgerald is certainly not the least. Fitzgerald is first among freshman with 21 points, which is good for fourth on the Eagles. Demonstrating the scoring ability that made him a 4th round pick by the Bos- ton Bruins in 2013, Fitzgerald went on a torrid seven-game point streak from Nov. 1 to Nov. 20. During that stretch he put up 10 points, with five goals and five assists, helping the Eagles gain a 6-0-1 record in that time. However, part of this was due to his inclusion on a line with Kevin Hayes, who just so happens to be second in the country in scoring. And, following this streak, Fitzgerald saw a rough stretch where he went scoreless in five of six games. But, he was able to break his slump, notching assists in three straight games immediately following his scoreless streak, and BC will look for continuing, consistent production out of Fitzgerald for the rest of the season. They say scoring comes in bunches, and Coach York and Eagles fans alike will hope that Fitzgerald can continue his excellent freshman season throughout the rest of the season.

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February 2014

Defense Scott Savage

The last of the three BC freshmen defensemen, Scott Savage is eligible for the upcoming 2014 NHL Draft and as of the latest Scouting Rankings was deemed the 161st North American Skater in this year’s draft. Currently he’s on the cusp of the later rounds, but a deep post-season run (or, you know, a National Championship victory) might boost Savage’s rankings towards the middle rounds of the draft. On the ice, Savage has played well, registering 11 points in 20 games as well as being the least penalized among the starting BC defensemen.

Steve Santini

The second BC Defensemen taken in the 2013 NHL Draft, Santini was taken by the New Jersey Devils with the 42nd pick. This defensive-defenseman has played a great game on the back-end for the Eagles, and has excelled at winning puck battles and providing a physical presence thus far. He’s provided some offensive output, totaling sev-

Heading into the season, defense was BC’s biggest question mark, as the Eagles only had one senior returning to the team and it looked as if half their rear guard may be made up of freshmen.

Ian McCoshen

After being the 31st pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, this Florida Panthers prospect has played up to expectations thus far. He’s racked up 11 points, leads all BC defensemen with four goals and has a fantastic +20 rating which also is first among defensemen. One thing McCoshen has to work on is his discipline, as he leads all BC players with 17 penalties taken so far. However, he’s provided a solid offensive threat and a steady twoway game to be one of the Eagles’ best defenders.

en points and an +18 rating. However, he has twice been ejected from games, the first against Army for a hit to the head, and the second against UMass for unsportsmanlike conduct.

We all know BC blew out Army 11-0, however his latter ejection allowed UMass to tie it up 2-2 towards the end of the game, resulting in a draw. Having said that, the penal-

ty against UMass was questionable at best, and it looked to many as a clean, thunderous body check. Santini might have to corral the physical play just a tad to stay out of trouble, but BC fans have at least a couple more years of crushing body checks to look forward to.

SPORTS

39

05 25 FOR

CELEBRATING CONTE FORUM

By Francisco Bernard / Assoc. Sports Editor

I

n October 1988, Boston College

dance crews amaze us with their talents. It

opened the doors to its new basket-

is home to Pops on the Heights, an annual

ball and hockey arena. Named after

gala concert raising money for scholarship

BC alum and US congressman Silvio O. recipients at BC. Conte Forum was even Conte, as well as longtime BC men’s hockey host to then-senator Barack Obama, who coach John “Snooks” Kelley, the hallowed gave a speech to the Class of 2009 for Acground known as Conte Forum and Kelley Rink has housed the best hockey program

ademic Convocation.

For 25 years, we have suffered and en-

in the country, and at one point, one of the joyed, laughed and cried, and all the while best basketball programs as well.

Over the past 25 years, Conte Forum has been our home. It has been BC’s home to

come together to display how interconnected BC can be in our palace called Conte.

But over these 25 years, some moments

chanting BU out of campus, sending Terrier have stood out more than others, and these faithful sulking their way back to the Green

moments will be the ones that people de-

Line. It is home to the famous — or infamous

scribe as memorable and historic. Here is a

depending on whom you ask — Sieve chant.

list of the top five sports moments in honor

It is home to Showdown and watching the of 25 years of Conte Forum.

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BC Gavel

February 2014

Photo courtesy of BC Library Archives

Jono Keedy / Gavel Media

SPORTS

41

1

Photo courtesy of BC Library Archives

BOSTON COLLEGE UPSETS NO. 6 IN 2009

When you beat Mike Krzyzewski’s Duke Blue Devils, in my best Dick Vitale voice: “IT’S AMAZING, BABY!” Well, in 2009, the BC faithful took part in the greatest upset in Conte Forum history.

Unranked and underdogs, BC welcomed Duke onto the hardwood and gave Duke a game. Led by the Big Three, Reggie Jackson, Tyrese Rice and Rakim Sanders, the Eagles battled against the powerhouse Blue Devils in a back-and-forth game. When it was all said and done, the Eagles came out on top 80-74 and prompted a storming of the court from the BC faithful. Upsets weren’t anything new to the 2008-2009 basketball team, as they had defeated the then-No. 1 ranked UNC Tar Heels 85-78 at UNC earlier in the season.

But to defeat one of the best basketball programs in history under Coach Kat home in Conte Forum and seeing exuberant SuperFans and BC fans alike enjoying the moment in the middle of the court displayed one of the greatest moments in Conte Forum history.

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2

BOSTON COLLEGE BEATS FLORIDA SATE...

TWICE

Once is never enough.

While Florida State may be gloating with the Coaches Trophy and Heisman winner in Tallahassee right now, FSU has been the brunt of two of the most memorable moments in Conte Forum’s history.

The first came in 2007, when Sean Marshall took the ball with 5.1 seconds left in the second half. Tied at 82, Marshall dribbled up the court and pulled up in the face of two Seminoles and faded back. As Marshall recovered, the ball swished through the basket and Conte erupted. Marshall rushed into the stands and created one of the greatest moments in Conte history.

The second defeat came more recently in 2012, when BC upset then-15th ranked Florida State at Conte with a score of 64-60. The Eagles took the lead in the middle of the first half and never looked back, thanks to Jordan Daniels’ 19 points and the team’s 3-point shooting throughout the game.

February 2014

3

TEAM USA VS. BOSTON COLLEGE IN 1991

It is a little strange to recount a time when BC lost as one of the greatest moments of the 25 years of Conte Forum, but for long-time BC sports information director Reid Oslin, the night the US National team defeated BC 10-1 at Kelley Rink was one of his favorite memories in Conte.

The reason is because the starting six slots of Team USA featured former Eagles

5

4

facing the current Eagles team. In essence, it was a match up of the students vs. the masters. And in this match, the masters outperformed the students, with the ex-BC Eagles accounting for 11 points in the game and destroying their alma mater.

Yes, a loss isn’t memorable, but a loss to the national team featuring former BC hockey players is indeed memorable.

BC HOOPS UPSETS UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT IN 2001

It isn’t as intense now, but back in the day, BC and UConn were bitter rivals.

In 2001, BC was in the Big East and was under new coach Al Skinner, an ABA star of the New York Nets team that featured Julius Erving and won an ABA title. Under Skinner, BC basketball saw its best days. In 2001, Skinner led BC to a Big East-best 27-5 record and one of those 27 wins came on the hardwood of

BOSTON COLLEGE BEATS SOVIETS IN 1988

In 1988, Chestnut Hill welcomed one of the premier programs of the Soviet Elite League, the HC Dynamo Moscow.

The Dynamo were completing their 10-game American tour in Conte boasting a 9-0 record and looking to leave the States with a perfect 10-0 record.

The team had three Olympians, including Vladimir Myshkin, who was between the pipes when the US beat the Soviets in 1980. They were facing college guys. How could they possibly lose? At least, that’s what everyone was saying, even The Boston Globe.

But nobody checked their history.

In 1980, the US hockey team, dubbed the “Miracle” team, was a group of college boys and defeated the Soviets on American soil in Lake Placid, New York. And on Dec. 21, 1988, BC went out and did just that, disfavored, disadvantaged and with a comefrom-behind win like the 1980 US hockey team.

With just five minutes left in the second period, the Dynamo was cruising over BC with a score of 5-2. With 18 seconds left and a score of 5-5, Marty McInnis (now assistant coach for the BC men’s hockey team) found Tim Sweeney who hit a 10-foot backhander into the net, turning Conte into bedlam.

BC won 6-5 and recreated the miracle on ice in Lake Placid on the ice of Kelley Rink.

Conte Forum against UConn.

Led by Troy Bell with 27 points and Xavier Singletary with 23 points, the Eagles trounced the then-10th ranked UConn Huskies 85-68. It was the first time BC had defeated UConn basketball since 1988, snapping a 23-game win streak by UConn. Following the 2001 season, BC men’s basketball started to garner national media attention and the

Skinner Era broke out. What followed was upset after upset, win after win and even a time when BC went 20-0 to start a season back in 2004.

While the current BC population wouldn’t know much about this game against UConn, beating the Big East rival and powerhouse UConn resulted in BC basketball reaching a zenith that is still in its rebuilding stages.

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FEBRUARY MADNESS: BC WILL NEED A

TOURNAMENT ATTITUDE NOW

IF THEY WANT TO GO DANCING IN

A

By Connor Eckholdt / Gavel Media Staff

fter completing his official visit, Kobe Bryant, with four years of remaining eligibility, has decided to join Steve Donahue’s Boston College squad for the second half of the season.

If only.

But maybe that’s what it will take for the Eagles to find their way back into the NCAA tournament for the first time since a 2009 first round exit, as the likelihood of this team doing it themselves seems to be dwindling fast.

The Eagles have been marred by inconsistency this season, unable to string together more than two wins in a row, but I’m not conceding to the basketball gods yet. Hope remains.

BC has a frustrating habit of playing down to the level of many of the lower caliber teams they have faced; however, as of late, they also seem to be playing up to the level of the best teams they have faced, and in the thick of their ACC schedule, there will be plenty of opportunities to rise to the occasion. Just five games into the ACC, the Eagles already find themselves at the bottom of the table at 1-4; however, they’ve lost those games by an average of only 7.8 points.

They have pushed Syracuse and the University of North Carolina to the brink in con-

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MARCH

secutive games, yet come up empty in both.

The theme of both games has been 3-point shooting. Without a solid inside presence for the extent of the season, the Eagles have been living and dying behind the arc. The loss of big-man Dennis Clifford for the season doesn’t make things much better, as they will continue to rely on Will Magarity and Eddie Odio, who lack strength down low, and KC Caudill, who lacks the necessary mobility to compete with the elite big men of the ACC. In both the Syracuse and UNC games, the Eagles lit up the 3-pointer for essentially three quarters of the game. But at the end—when the crowd came alive and the defense picked up— they floundered.

They have been an exciting team to watch, riding the emotional highs that come with competing with some of the best teams in the nation; however, the fact remains that, at the end of games, they need a more reliable scoring threat.

College basketball is about momentum and, when the momentum runs out, surviving the run. BC has had plenty of momentum in their biggest games this year, but when their opponents have started to find the basket and the 3-pointers have gone cold, the Eagles

February 2014

“This is the

kind of team that could get hot at the right time and turn a lot of heads toward the end of the season.” have not been able to survive the runs. This problem goes back to the lack of consistent scoring.

Olivier Hanlan has averaged nearly 20 points per game this season, most of those coming in the second halves of games; but he cannot do it alone. Ryan Anderson is averaging 14.5 points per game, but has lacked consistency and reliability at the end of games against bigger forwards with the ability to keep him out of the lane. Apart from these two, no player is averaging in double digits in scoring. Lonnie Jackson and Patrick Heckmann, at their best, have been streaky from the field and Joe Rahon is averaging less than four assists per game.

If this team wants to go dancing in March, its going to take heart—miles and miles of heart—or this could be the end for Coach Donahue. The identity of this team does not appear to be changing any time soon, so in reality, it’s going to take perseverance to survive the runs, shoot through the slumps and

make fans believe that they can do it. This team is close. They have been to the top of the hump many times, only to roll back down again.

This is the kind of team that could get hot at the right time and turn a lot of heads toward the end of the season. It might not come until the ACC tournament, but they have the skill set to do it. In the meantime, Hanlan needs to take ownership of this team and start closing out the close games. He needs to get the offense into more aggressive sets earlier in the shot clock.

Oftentimes, BC’s offense lacks purpose, with a lot of extra passing and over dribbling ending in bad shots at the end of the 35.

With 12 games left against only three ranked opponents, this team needs a tournament mentality now if they want to still be playing in March. After all, winning the ACC tournament may be the only shot the team has at March Madness.

Photos courtesy of Billy Foshay/Gavel Media

SPORTS

45

GAVEL the MEET THE BANGIN’ DESIGN TEAM

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BC Gavel

February 2014