April 7th Edition of the Lorian

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Independently Publsihed By Loras Students Since 1922 Vol. C Iss. XII

April 7, 2022 - Dubuque, IA

Loras Hosts Iowa High School Honor Band was told by two of them they were interested in a full official tour to see if Loras would be the right home Loras College hosted the annual for them. After lunch and the tour, Iowa Honors Band Concert on the ensemble rehearsed again until Friday, Apr 1. Music from a group 4:30 PM, where they were treated of talented young high schoolers to Little Caesar’s pizza. As the high from around Iowa could be heard schoolers enjoyed their dinner, our emanating from the Field House very own Loras College Jazz Band all day, as the ensemble prepared played a short concert for them. for their concert at 6:30 PM. The The Jazz Band was joined by Dr. musicians ranged from freshmen Pohland’s two sons, Joel and John, to seniors, with almost every who played Drums and Trumpet instrument represented; Trumpet, (respectively) with us. We started Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, French the performance off with Brass Horn, Trombone, and even more. I Roots, featuring solos by Lead Alto had the privilege to watch and listen Saxophone Brad LaGrange, and to these students perform wonderful myself on Lead Trumpet. Next, we pieces of music, and it truly is played Bruhaha, featuring solos by inspiring how talented some of these Tenor Saxophone Brian Day, and young musicians are.

Lead Trombone Tim Schwartz. A Our very own Dr. Glenn Pohland photo by JAKE SINATRA vocal piece called Summertime was one of the two conductors The Iowa Honors Band Concert was held in the Fieldhouse on Apr 1. The event followed, sung by Celina Feldhake. for the day, alongside Randall hosted nearly every instrument - from the trumpet to the French horn.

Arange Drank featured Joel Pohland Standridge from Arkansas State had some of my fellow Duhawks reach out to me and on the Drum Kit, and the concert University. The ensemble began rehearsal around comment on the great sounds that filled the air. was ended with the swing classic In the Mood.

9 AM on Friday morning, and worked on multiple For lunch, the students enjoyed some time of Shortly after this, the Honor Band took the stage and pieces, including Music Speaks and Affirmation, leisure in the Loras Café and were then taken in put on a wonderful performance, and then the night both composed by Mr. Standridge himself. In groups on a tour of the campus. I had the honor of was finished. addition to these two was Rollo takes a Walk by taking a group of eight curious musicians around All in all, there was great music on campus all day David Maslanka, Caribbean Rondo by Pierre long, and we in the Loras Music Ensembles were so LaPlante, and Portraits from La Perichole by Jacques the campus, showing them the significant buildings like Christ the King Chapel, the Field House, and happy to be able to host this event and hear what Offenbach. The five pieces were performed by the Hennessy, all of which hold significant historical or these high schoolers could do. We hope to see this ensemble after only one day of group rehearsal, and present value to our campus. Many of the students band again next year, and maybe even see some the sounds that accompanied them were stunning. I were inquisitive about what Loras had to offer, and I returning faces here in the Fall. was assisting with coordinating the event and even

by JAKE SINATRA staff writer

Bringing Back Sportsmanship

by DENISE UDELHOFEN director of athletics

I have been in college athletics for over 30 years as an athlete, coach, and currently athletic director. I continue to be amazed at the passion and dedication college student-athletes portray as they strive to achieve success on and off the playing field. After two years of partial or start and stop seasons, we are once again able to enjoy watching our favorite teams compete.

I love watching sports! What I find disheartening is the poor sportsmanship on display at all levels– youth sports, high school, intercollegiate athletics and beyond. Attend any high school or college athletic event and pay special attention to the student sections.

They no longer attend to cheer and support their team. The goal has become to get into the head of the opponent by berating, taunting and antagonizing. Sometimes they do scouting reports or research on opposing players to find out what they can harass them about during the competition. The poor behavior unfortunately isn’t reserved only for the student sections – adult men and women are yelling and demeaning young men and women who are playing a sport they love. How do we expect our youth to know better when they are witnessing

U.N. Climate Report On Monday, Apr 4, 2022, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change announced that world governments are not doing enough to curb the effects of global warming and that page 2

World Health Day Thursday, April 7th marks the annual celebration of World Health Day, commemorating the establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948.

World Health Day draws page 3

firsthand how adults act. I have witnessed fan sections so entrenched with the opposing section they are not even paying attention to the actual athletic competition.

The student sections aren’t the only culprits.

We find student athletes taunting one another after a play, some like to turn to the opposing fan section and engage in a manner to is the a positive one. There are so many clichés and quotes I can use in this particular section. The one that resonates with me is play the game and act like you have been there. I promise good play will be acknowledged we don’t need you to bring extra attention to it.

Poor sportsmanship has also affected the officials of athletic contests. It has become the norm to berate officials on every single call they make. This poor behavior comes from fans, coaches, and athletes. We are facing a severe shortage of officials and it is difficult to encourage the next generation to consider officiating as a profession. Why would anyone want to put themselves in the position to be treated so poorly? Officials will tell you the reason he/she gets into the profession is to give back to a sport they love. We need officials Continued on page 8

Twitch by Jeremy Stough

David Grintjes’s Journey

“David Collins has been battling an involuntary movement disorder his entire life, leaving him secluded and anxious. When a medical trial offers him everything he’s ever wanted – the chance for a normal life page 5

As I finished this basketball season I left the court knowing I would not be fulfilling my dream of playing pro ball. I’ve dreamt of the NBA since I was a kid and I first laced up a pair of basketball shoes. That realization was like a punch page 8

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The Lorian

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U.N. Climate Report Warns of Drastic Consequences if Action is Not Taken

by KEEGAN A. GODWIN executive editor

On Monday, Apr 4, 2022, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change announced that world governments are not doing enough to curb the effects of global warming and that limiting these dangerous effects means immediate action. The U.N. panel consists of 278 scientists from top climate experts. In the third and final report on climate, the panel stated that the world’s current pledge to lower greenhouse-gas emission will not successfully stop global warming from exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius, or 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit, within the next few decades, according to the New York Times. The Times also reported that “the richest 10 percent of households are responsible for between a third to nearly half of all greenhouse gas emissions, according to the report. The poorest 50 percent of households contribute around 15 percent of emissions”.

The Washington Post reported that our carbon footprint has pushed the Earth to its limit – if we continue at our current rate of emissions, “the world will burn through its remaining “carbon budget” by 2030 — putting the ambitious goal of keeping warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degree Fahrenheit) irrevocably out of reach”. After releasing the report, the U.N. Secretary General António Guterres sent a warning to governments that are responsible for high emissions by saying they are “choking our planet, based on their vested interests and historic investments in fossil fuels.”

The U.N.’s report claims that world governments

need to invest three to six times more than current spending in regards to global warming. Poorer countries are in need of trillions of dollars to catch up to richer nations to combat the effects of climate change. The panel also claimed that economic disruption is inevitable. While the economic return in the long run will prove to be beneficial, the immediate economic impact of taking drastic changes to combat climate change will be expensive. However, the report has provided alternative solutions to lessen the economic hardship.

Despite the somber warning from the U.N., the panel reassures the world that there is still time to change things for the better. One of the biggest things the panel suggests is the use of renewable energy. According to the report, the cost of solar energy has fallen by 85% since 2010 and low-carbon energy sources are more economically viable than fossil fuels. However, developing countries need to rely on these renewable energy sources compared

The Confirmation Process of Ketanji Brown Jackson

by KEEGAN A. GODWIN executive editor

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States of America. The court has been looked upon to be the deciding factor in some of the most controversial laws in American history. Justices who preside on the court serve life tenures – so when one justice passes away or retires, it is a big deal. On Jan 26, 2022, Justice Stephen Breyer announced that he would retire from the Supreme Court this summer.

Mr. Breyer has served on the court for more than 27 years and has continually sided with left-wing politics. In order to secure that a liberal judge is Mr. Breyer’s replacement, he had been encouraged to retire while Democrats hold both the Senate and the House. During his retirement speech on Jan 27, Mr. Breyer stated “My grandchildren and their children. They’ll determine whether the experiment still works, and, of course, I’m an optimist and I am pretty sure it will”. Mr. Breyer’s announcement sparked President Joe Biden to begin the search for his replacement immediately.

On Feb 25, after nearly a month of searching, Mr. Biden nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson to become the 116th Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.

According to her White House biography, Ms. Jackson graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University and then graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School. Ms. Jackson has had extensive law experience in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the Vice-Chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission, as a Supreme Court Clerk, and as a public defender.

Ms. Jackson’s nomination brought an immediate political divide. Her confirmation hearings began on Mar 21 as Ms. Jackson stressed her interpretation and application of the law to each case would be

done “without fear or favor”. On day two of her hearings, the onslaught by Republicans began as Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) claimed that Ms. Jackson was “sympathetic to offenders” in relation to child pornography. According to NPR, “His line of questioning tied into conspiracy theories that have been debunked by experts”. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) claimed that Ms. Jackson called former

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson testifies on her nomination.

photo by MINURSO.UNMISSIONS.ORG

to fossil fuels to build their nations up. Finally, the report sends a strong message to all nations – redesigning and zoning cities so people live closer to where they work and can walk and bike could reduce transportation emissions by as much as a third, according to NPR. It’s now or never, the U.N. warns. The actions of the world today will affect the world tomorrow, and years down the road. It is essential that immediate actions are taken by world governments to combat climate change.

President George W. Bush and former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld ‘war criminals’. After Ms. Jackson denied this claim, Senator Dick Durbin (DIL) researched this and told the hearing committee that she never made these remarks, according to NPR. After four days of the continuous onslaught, Ms. Jackson followed the traditional playbook of a Supreme Court nominee. By not taking stances on specific arguments, Ms. Jackson survived the questioning and moved the ball into the court of the Senate. In order to be confirmed, Ms. Jackson needs a simple majority of 51 votes. The Senate is currently split 50-50 (Democrats have the majority due to Vice President Kamala Harris) and is expected to confirm Ms. Jackson. However, Republicans are determined to put up a fierce resistance until the end. The vote that will determine if Ms. Jackson is selected for the Supreme Court is expected later this week.

photo from THE NEW YORKER

H ealth

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Our Planet, Our Health

by CALASANDRA SPRAY health and wellness editor

Thursday, April 7th marks the annual celebration of World Health Day, commemorating the establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948. World Health Day draws attention to a specific health-related topic every year; 2022’s topic is Our Planet, Our Health.

Following the Second World War, a question was raised about whether or not there should be a healthfocused organization. Subsequently, the WHO was established on April 7th, 1948. Since 1950, this day has been commemorated as World Health Day. Then in 1995, it was established that each annual event should have a theme to focus the activities, support groups, media programs, art expos, and writing competitions taking place on World Health Day. During this year’s event, the WHO will call for the establishment of a movement to create a sustainable world that’s focused on people’s well-being.

According to the WHO, the climate crisis is the biggest threat to human health. It causes around 13 million deaths each year. The factors that contribute to the climate crisis and its health effects are the results of our political and commercial decisions.

For instance, the air quality has worsened due to the burning of fossil fuels. Air pollution kills 13 people every minute as a result of lung cancer, heart disease, and strokes. Nitrogen dioxide pollution from traffic, power plants, industry, and agriculture can aggravate respiratory diseases like asthma. Plastic pollution and the rise of processed food and drinks are contributing to the global obesity epidemic.

They are also contributing to the greenhouse gas emissions responsible for this environmental issue.

Two billion people don’t have access to safe drinking water. Due to polluted water and poor sanitation, 829,000 people die of diarrheal disease.

Societies’ inequities were highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO is now calling for the creation of sustainable well-being societies capable of providing equitable health for all without plunging people into debt. People living in poverty and instability due to inequitable distribution of income, wealth, and power were affected on higher levels than those who have greater fiscal means.

The WHO views the capability of a good economy on the well-being of its citizens. Thus, long-term investments, well-being budgets, social protection, and legal and fiscal strategies. It will require legislative action and corporate reform to break the

photo from NBC.COM

destructive cycles that have been detrimental to the health of our planet and the people living on it.

This reform starts at home, with the world’s citizens making healthy choices for themselves and their planet.

This World Health Day, #HealthierTommorow the WHO will urge governments and citizens to share stories of steps they are taking to protect the planet’s health and their health to prioritize a healthy future. What are some things you can do to protect our planet on World Health Day? Raise your voice to demand climate actions that protect your health.

Share the message: Our Planet, Our Health. You could walk or bike to work or school. Walk to classes across campus rather than driving to them. You can turn off the lights when you’re not in a room. You can purchase groceries locally, like at the Dubuque farmers market. Be aware of where your products are coming from and choose local and/or sustainably sourced goods. We can all be more conscious about what we buy and where we buy it from. Buying less will save you money, reduce waste, and improve your environmental footprint. Use your purchasing power and make sure your money is going towards positive change. By supporting eco-friendly products, which are less damaging to the environment, you’re encouraging companies to source and sustainably produce their products.

Reduce single-use consumer goods

photo from CLIMATE.GOV

like plastic water bottles or grocery bags. Vote for change in corporations and within the government to pass sustainability policies and laws. Spread the message Our Planet, Our Health: clean our air, water, and food. #HealthierTomorrow

photo from CLIMATE.GOV

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The Lorian

Secrets from the Seminary Part 4

by GREGORY KINSER staff writer

Every so often in Seminary, we have retreats in which we spend about four days with all technology on lockdown. The last retreat we had was at the end of J term. The theme for this retreat was hope. We are currently about halfway through the spiritually demanding time of Lent; perhaps we could all use some hope.

O pinion

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Get Clear with the Unclear staff writer

We’ve all been there, confused about a guy who isn’t being clear on what is going on between the two of you. You might hang out, be flirty, and be something on the weekend, but then the weekdays come… and nothing. You are getting pulled on a string but think he is just a busy guy.

No one is too busy. We all have the same 24 hours a day. How someone fills their time shows their priorities.

If you are confused about what you are with a person, get clear with the unclear. For some reason, we become afraid to ask the other person the questions we all want to be answered. What are we? Where are we going?

Even though we cannot produce this virtue of hope ourselves, this does not mean that we are passive in this transaction with God. It requires an act of the will to receive this gift from God. God infuses the virtue of hope into our will and not our intellect because it is something that we must choose. This is what people mean when they say things like, “Your happiness is in your attitude.” We must remember that the object of the virtue of hope is not ourselves and our own will, but God and His will. The emotion of hope says, “I hope that I will get this job,” or, “I hope that COVID will go away soon.” The virtue of hope says, “I desire that God’s will be done and that He may help me to do what He wants me to do.”

This can go both ways. You could be having a “thing” with a really nice guy, but ultimately know you’re not attracted to him romantically. Don’t drag his heart on a string either. Remember the golden rule: if you wouldn’t want it done to you, don’t do it to another. Just because he is nice and into the things you like doesn’t mean you have to see if a romantic spark might hit at some point.

We allow games to be played and our hearts to be pulled on a string thinking, one day, something might change. For all my science people out there, we know change doesn’t happen unless there is an initial reaction. Be a bold woman and ask him on a real date, beyond the bar, or wherever you typically casually meet up. This could be going to dinner, doing an activity that you both like, or simply taking a walk. If he doesn’t like the offer, then you won’t waste each other’s time anymore on a “thing” that is headed towards heartbreak. You don’t need to be playing games with your heart or his heart.

Instead, let him know how you are feeling. Whether that is with a person you want to be more with or a person you don’t feel it with. It will make the situation better by letting the other know what you are thinking and where you are at this stage in your life. Time is our biggest commodity. If we keep this relationship going, with the hope one day it might be something, then we are not only wasting our time but the other person’s time as well.

Having these conversations takes a lot of courage and thinking. I’m not pretending that this conversation will be easy. Take some time to discern what you are thinking and feeling. Don’t go in with a list of talking points, but allow the conversation to flow naturally. Ultimately if you don’t ask, you may never know or feel stuck in a relationship.

Allow yourself to get clear with the unclear in life. Life can already be confusing, so don’t add to the confusion by staying in the unknown of a relationship.

If you have any topics or questions on dating, relationships, or sticky situations, DM @thealexisjean and you might just see a response to your anonymous topic or question.

Happy Birthday, Internet?

by CALASANDRA SPRAY mind and soul editor

We live in a technology-filled world. Everything can be done on the internet: communicating with friends and family, doing schoolwork, looking for jobs, wasting time searching theuselessweb.com, or scrolling through cute cat videos.

Many of us couldn’t imagine an internet-free world, but this was at one point reality.

The internet celebrates its 53rd birthday today, April 7th, 2022. In 1969, published documents for the first request for documents (RFC) paved the way for the birth of the internet. If this is your first time hearing of an RFC, you’re not alone. An RFC is a publication that contains research, proposals, and methodologies applicable to many aspects of internet technology. Each RFC has a unique serial number. Engineers review RFCs to develop new concepts; then they create a new RFC with the updated information. This process ensures a historical record of the internet.

The first RFC was published in 1969 as a part of the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPAnet). This academic programming provided the foundation for scientists to begin developing the internet. At the time, engineers had no idea how far the internet would come from their initial research projects.

However, many argue that April 7th is not the internet’s birthday but closer akin to its conception day.

“David Collins has been battling an involuntary movement disorder his entire life, leaving him secluded and anxious. When a medical trial offers him everything he’s ever wanted – the chance for a normal life – in the form of a small white pill, he jumps at the opportunity.

But all is not as it seems with the Gantry Project, as David soon develops an agonizing power. Joined by his friends Allison, a young girl with bipolar disorder, and Charles, his long-term crush, David begins a cat and mouse game with Cerulean, a corporation intent on covering up mistakes, and burying evidence.”

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The magic of the movie theater

by ALEXIS RIESBERG

The primary fuel for our fire was Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical letter “Spe Salvi” (“Saved in Hope”) and reflections on the theological virtue of hope by Fr. Scalia with the Institute of Catholic Culture. St. Paul writes in Romans 8:24 that in hope we are saved. So, what exactly is hope? According to Fr. Scalia, there are two kinds of hope: the emotion of hope and the theological virtue of hope. St. Paul is referring to the theological virtue of hope. This virtue must be received from God through our baptism and cultivated in a relationship with God. If we try to acquire this virtue of hope without God, we will fail. This virtue of hope differs from the emotion of hope, which St. Thomas Aquinas defines as that which motivates us to take on a difficult task or a wishing for things to be a certain way. When we say things like “I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow,” we say this with the emotion of hope.

Taken one way, this may be discouraging. Naturally, we don’t want to give up control of our own lives. Taken another way, this may be encouraging. We don’t have to and should not be so concerned with how our lives play out. The weight of making the right decisions is not solely upon our shoulders; the very Creator of the universe is ready, willing, and able to be with us the whole way.

The Lorian

There are many other claims for the internet’s birthday. On September 2nd, 1969, Leonard Kleinrock established the first local connection between two computers in his lab. This is arguably the most appropriate date to mark as the internet’s birthday. Following this on October 29th, 1969, Kleinrock’s computer at UCLA transmitted the first host-to-host message to a machine at the Stanford Research Institute. In other words, the internet took its first breath.

No matter when the internet’s birthday is, it provides a space where ideas can be expressed and reshaped and a person can learn just about anything he wants. Can you imagine a world without the internet? I know I can’t. It is all thanks to the work of the engineers who developed the RFC that the internet was created. So, Happy Birthday, Internet?

by ARJA KUMAR staff writer

The smell of popcorn, boxes of candy, nachos, fizzing drinks. The dim and the sudden light. Vibrant, swelling music under your seat and throughout velvet padded walls.

Eager anticipating people, bellowing laughs, quiet shed tears.

One, two, or three hours of magic. The cinema is a special place that old and young alike flock to. Whether it be the site of one’s first love or first heartbreak, a home to special memories, a cure for boredom, the place one goes to for escapism or refuge, or the meeting place of friends or lovers, the cinema means different things to all of us.

The movie was West Side Story. The theatre was entirely empty. I was five minutes late, but luckily the movie had not started. I ran inside, took off my coat, my shoes, flipped on the seat heat, and reclined. This is the life, I thought.

I would later see Clueless (a re-run) the next week and Licorice Pizza the week afterwards. In nearly each movie I saw, the theatre was empty – besides two or three folks scattered here or there. Usually, most go to the movies with other people. Yet, going to the movies by oneself is also a unique and great experience. I became seduced by the independent magic of movie-going. The experience I had was one so close, so intimate with the screen and the story. I never felt more engrossed or captivated by the movies than I have in those three weeks. It felt like the screen was telling me a secret.

I was so deeply captured by the magic of cinema, that I wanted to talk to someone who lived and breathed it. I thus came into conversation with Chris Johnson – CEO of Classic Cinemas, president of the National Association of Theatre Owners of Illinois, and owner of Tivoli Enterprises, Inc. He has been involved in every aspect of the exhibition business since 1980, starting as an usher at 13 years old, and now running the beloved family business.

A: Chris, it’s amazing to get to talk to you. Thank you for your time.

C: It’s my pleasure. I remember being young and in college once. I think it’s great that young folks have an interest in the cinema and exhibition business.

A: So tell me about yourself, your background, where you got the crazy idea to become a theatre owner?

C: Well, my name’s Chris Johnson. I am the CEO of Classic Cinemas and owner of Tivoli Enterprises, Inc. I am also President and Chairman of the National Association of Theatre Owners of Illinois.

I have been in the exhibition industry my whole life. Since 1980, when I first started out as an usher as a 13-year-old kid to where I am today, running the bigger show, you could say.

I’ve been involved in every aspect of the business ever since and couldn’t be loving it more.

My background is in business management. I graduated with a BA in Business Management (specializing in Human Resources) from University of Illinois-Chicago and went on to get my MBA in Entrepreneurial Studies and Finance from University of Chicago-Booth School of Business.

A: That’s really neat. It’s wonderful that you have been so closely involved with the business all your life. And more great that you were able to do this all with your family.

C: Yes, my dad and my uncle started this whole thing. It was founded in 1978 by dad. He started a 1-screen theatre and by December 1984 there were multi-houses, or dollarhouse theaters, they used to call them. Now it’s unbelievable that we have 15 locations with 131 screens. Actually, we will have our 16th location and 137th screen open in La Grange, IL soon this summer.

A: Ah, La Grange! That’s a great ZZ Top song. Good old

Illinois…

C: I don’t think it’s about Illinois. Maybe try Texas…

A: Oh, I see. I should really brush up on my geography…

But wow, that’s awesome. 16 locations and 137 screens!

Anyways, Mr. Johnson, another question for you. What values or personality traits do you think a cinema owner should have? What is the biggest one you identify in yourself?

C: You have to be honest. That means doing what you say you’re gonna do. If you’re going to be in it for the long run, your integrity matters most. That’s the key. 95% of people know what to do, but only 5% do it. This is the game changer and key to handling difficult situations and making tough decisions.

And entertainment and hospitality go hand in hand. You have to get trust from people. We are guest-forward and always want to make everyone feel welcomed and enjoys their visit.

A: I agree with you 100%. I think those are very ethical and important standards to live by, especially as a business owner. As I can tell so far, you most definitely have the right mindset.

C: The thing that I live by is to treat employees well and to treat guests well – treating each as my own.

A: That is a golden rule. I agree the cinema is a place meant for people to feel comfortable – no matter what situation of life they’re in. What do you think cinema does for people? What is the value of cinema for the public?

C: Cinema is an event. It starts the second you go outside and decide to have an experience.

The best way to watch a film is with others. When you are sitting there in a dark room with ten or twenty other people, and there’s all the excitement before the film starts, that awkward moment of silence when the film begins, and then seeing and being able to hear the reactions of others during the movie.

Whether they’re laughing, clapping, singing, crying – it’s all about getting completely involved with the story and the people surrounding us. People get so into movies, you know?

And that’s just a big part of the magic and excitement. You can equate it to a rollercoaster. You’re all in it together for the good and the bad stuff. You can’t pause it.

I’m not too sure where this is really going. But community, connection, emotion, and the event…The event itself of going to the movies itself is what really matters.

And it’s fun to be with other people. I still remember going to the Chinese Theatre in LA and watching Ebola. Or watching Election in New York, or watching 2001: A Space Odyssey in Downtown Chicago. Or I even remember going on a date once to see Nightmare on Elm Street.

A: Chris, that’s an interesting take. It’s clear that you are centered around the movie-going experience and what it does for the people. It’s refreshing to hear your passion for cinema, and most importantly, your passion for people. I think that is the mark of a person who is doing what they are truly meant to be doing. And you are fulfilling that.

I think you are right, in essence, about cinema being an event and moreover, being an experience. Life is like an ongoing cinema in that way. And like you said, we can only do that the moment we decide to step out and embrace… uncertainty.

I’ve been exploring the theatre alone these days, so I might add that movie-going can also be a stimulating experience by yourself too. Sometimes it’s nice to have that little peace and quiet – and just experience a story by yourself. But I agree with your bigger point that the most memorable and special moments in a cinema happen with others. It’s the sense of community and those few hours of time and space shared

together watching a sort of spectacle. It’s really delightful, to say the least.

C: Yes, it’s really one of our main aims to make anybody who comes to the cinema feel that “extraordinariness” for a short while. And then you go to return to your normal life, but in the back of your mind, you still think now and then about what you just witnessed. Yes, it really is special.

Our cinemas try to do this in a lot of small ways that hopefully add up. We try to pay tribute to the past by preserving our historical theatres, yet, we still implement modern amenities such as advanced visual projections and sound, good recliners, guest-friendly refills, even alcohol at some locations.

A: One of my favorite parts about going to the theatre downtown is the little thank you mints an usher holds out in a bowl after the movie. It just feels like a nice “old-schooly” touch that makes you feel special as a movie guest.

So, Mr. Johnson, what do you believe is the future of the cinema business?

C: Nowadays, it’s an interesting time because we have an expanse of personal content viewing. You can watch anything by yourself at any time. But I don’t think that undermines theatre-going in any way. People still want to go to the theatres and are still coming out. So, I don’t expect it to change much. Cinemas are still alive and kicking.

The greatest joy is to have a full house. Just kind of standing back and seeing the full house – everybody enjoying from a distance. Seeing people happy and seeing everybody reacting. Nothing beats seeing that.

A: What do you think about the future of film? What kinds or types of movies do you think we will be heading for? Any major differences from what we have now or in the past?

C: I don’t think we will. Maybe more advancements in the technology, but I think the heart of films will remain the same. I think creativity always wins at the end of the day.

Unique stories are always welcomed. Maybe future films will be more quirky, over the top, nuanced, or have subtle kinks that make you scratch your head and think – wow, what was that? People always like something new, so that’d be a good thing I think – to have something different playing on the screen.

A: That’d be super cool. I think films, and moreover, stories that challenge and show a different side of life that someone maybe hasn’t seen or thought much about before are a great way to indirectly expand your experience as a person.

C: Now, everybody has access to make a film. So, future movies might also be more inclusive. This opens up filmmaking to a wide range of people, and not just a limited scope of professionals.

It’s similar to the way a music record company produces the big polished hits and also has those folks who just play music in the open and try something experimental. We’ll have both in the cinema – the kind of big hits and the small indie films. Both are necessary. And I’m looking forward to what’s next.

A: I’m excited for the future of cinema too. Thank you for this wonderful conversation, Chris. It really is a pleasure to talk to someone who is good-spirited and loves what they do.

Chris Johnson is a cinema maestro. A confident and positive gentleman, he is people-minded, service-oriented, and passion-filled when it comes to cinema. Chris has the ideal attitude about the exhibition business, as he believes the guest experience outshines everything. Chris notes that March 2022 marked 44 years of Tivoli Enterprises and Classic Cinemas.

Head to the theater quickly to find “The Lost City”

by SETH CORRIGAN staff writer

In a genre that is often hit or miss, the actioncomedy, “The Lost City” is a huge surprise for me.

The newest film from Paramount features megastars Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, and Daniel Radcliffe. Bullock plays reclusive romance novelist Loretta Sage, who used to go on historical adventures with her husband before he died. Tatum plays Alan, the handsome cover model who is featured on all of Sage’s books. Alan has actually become more famous than Sage.

Bullock’s character then meets Abigail Fairfax, played by Radcliffe. Fairfax believes that Sage’s latest book will help him solve the mystery of how to find the treasure he has been searching for. Sage is then captured and taken to a secluded island. Tatum’s character, Alan, sets out to rescue her and hilarity ensues. The two them work together to get off the island and find the treasure.

The chemistry between the main characters is generally what can make or break a film. The chemistry between Bullock and Tatum is electric.

They are able to bounce off of each other really well and the audience can see real growth between the two from the beginning to the end of the film. Both of the actors pull off some hilarious physical comedic scenes,

but Tatum does a particularly good job with these scenes.

Radcliffe’s character as a villain is a surprise standout as well. Known for his performance as the affable Harry Potter in that movie series, his stint as the bad guy is very believable. His character, which he plays great energy, appears to be a good guy at first. But he eventually flips the switch and becomes villainous. He’s willing to do whatever he needs to get what he wants, which is funny to see.

There a few characters that aren’t as funny as the three big standouts, but are needed to keep the story moving. Da’Vine Joy Randolph is in a few scenes as Beth Hatten, Bullock’s character’s publicist. She’s working to help get Bullock’s character back but, unfortunately, I felt her character just kind of got in the way of the story. Whenever she was featured, I was just waiting to see Bullock and Tatum back on screen.

There are a few small cameos from some well-known actors that are huge standouts when they are on screen as well.

If you have the opportunity to see “The Lost City” in theaters, I would highly recommend it. It has various showtimes at both AMC and Phoenix Theaters here in Dubuque and has a run time of 1hr 52 min. photo by IMBD

O pinion

Too high: an analysis on taxes and regulations of marijuana

by DEVYN SHEA opinion editor

Last week the US House of Representatives voted to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level. This issue has been in the political discussion all across the country for the past decade. Medical marijuana is legal in 37 states and recreational is legal in 18 states. Gallup has found in polls conducted in 2020 and 2021, that 68% of Americans are in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana. Pew Research also did a poll in 2021 and found that 91% of Americans are in favor of legalizing marijuana either for medicinal use or recreational use. As the vast majority of Americans are in favor of marijuana not being criminalized, congress is finally responding to the people.

But is congress’ response the best option for America?

The bill passed by the house, the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act (MORE Act), would take marijuana off the list of controlled substances, expunge convictions of marijuana related felonies, and it imposes an excise tax on marijuana at a 5% tax that will eventually rise to 8% over the next few years; according to the official congress website.

Revenue from the taxes would help with rehab and reentry as well as training for the workforce. The act would also distribute loans to small businesses, specifically cannabis related businesses. The senate will need 60 votes to pass the bill into law, the odds of which are slim.

However, the house vote indicates that there is bipartisan support…and bipartisan opposition to the MORE Act. Three republicans crossed the aisle to vote in favor of the MORE Act, while two democrats opposed the bill.

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, who has called for decriminalizing marijuana, voted against the MORE Act. Mace submitted her own marijuana bill back in November of 2021 called the States Reform Act. According to Forbes, the bill would decriminalize marijuana at the federal level, regulate it in a similar fashion to alcohol, and leave the legality of marijuana up to the states. The bill would also open interstate commerce for marijuana and would have a federal tax of 3%. Mace’s critiques of the MORE Act were that it gave too much control to the federal government.

Her bill has received support from Amazon, which no longer includes marijuana hiring decisions and drug tests, and a super PAC led by Charles Koch. Mace has touted her bill’s support amongst republicans in contrast

to the MORE Act. Mace’s bill would take the federal government out of state legalization discussions and only put the federal government in charge of the excise tax on legal marijuana. The legislature in her home state of South Carolina is currently trying to pass a bill to legalize medical marijuana, which is a decision Mace supports and believes the federal government should not have a say in.

Mace plans to use her bill to show republicans are behind decriminalizing marijuana and that they can get a bill passed in a republican congress after the midterms.

A major problem with marijuana being illegal in general is that it takes away important resources and time. According to the FBI, there were roughly 663,000 arrests in 2018 regarding marijuana, whether that be the sale/distribution or possession. Marijuana accounted for roughly 40% of all drug abuse violations in 2018. In 2019, the number dropped to roughly 561,000 and made up 36% of all drug abuse violations. According to the National Survey on Drug Abuse from 2019 sponsored by the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration within the DHHS, 50.2% of Americans 12 and over had taken an illicit drug within their lifetime.

46.2% of those who had taken an illicit drug had used marijuana (note: marijuana is labeled an illicit drug). The federal budget for drug control was at $41 billion for 2021 according to the White House, which is a record high. Of that $41 billion, $2.9 billion goes to the DEA (an increase from previous years). The DEA, according to their 2021 Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program Statistical Report, made over 6,000 arrests in their attempt to eradicate marijuana with 4,000 arrests being in California. The DEA also eradicated over 5.5 million marijuana plants and seized over $100 million in assets (nearly 70% of which was in California and Tennessee).

The US government, which democrats have control of both legislative and executive branches, is spending the taxpayer’s dollar to fight a war on drugs that they say they are trying to end.

States with legalized marijuana have a large problem: the black market. Many states that legalized marijuana imposed excise taxes that are specific to marijuana. Not only do consumers have to pay a state excise tax, but in some areas they have to pay local excise taxes. On top of this, consumers also pay local and state sales taxes. For marijuana consumers in California, the final price of weed comes much higher than the initial pre-tax price.

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KCRW in LA broke the cost for consumers down in a scenario. For those in LA, wanting to spend $100 at a weed dispensary they will have to pay a 15% state excise tax, a 10% local business tax, plus 9.5% local and state sales tax which equals out to be $138.52. These high taxes in California have made the black market in the state twice as popular with the black market making $8 billion worth annually, according to Politico. This may explain why the federal government is spending so much time and money trying to eradicate marijuana in the state. The high taxes aren’t the only reason for the black market’s popularity, a lot of problems stem from the burdensome regulations on the industry.

California’s weed is legal statewide, but localities (counties and cities) can make their own laws on the legality of marijuana. This is similar to the relationship between the federal government, who prohibit marijuana, and the states, which may legalize it. Many cities and counties prohibit the growth and sale of marijuana and many cities that do legalize it make it hard to open up a business. To obtain a license to grow marijuana in California, according to Business Insider, it can cost almost $80,000 plus an $8,000 application fee, which is much higher than the state’s maximum of $15,000 for alcohol. According to Politico, these regulations have caused the illegal weed market to increase its profit with more and more Californians paying for illegal weed, which can be grown using dangerous pesticides and could be harmful to ingest. Those that want to sell legally will move their businesses to states with lower regulations.

California is a great example of what not to do when legalizing marijuana. I think the MORE Act is a great step forward in decriminalizing marijuana at the federal level, but I prefer the States Reform Act for letting states decide what to do and by imposing a small 3% federal excise tax on legal marijuana. States that legalize marijuana should have as little regulations and taxation on the sale and production of the product. States that legalize need to have little regulations on selling marijuana and as little taxes as possible. States should implement weed regulations and taxation in a similar way to how Missouri regulates tobacco. Missouri has the lowest taxes on tobacco and they don’t have to spend time and money fighting the black-market. Fees for licenses and applications are cheap as well. The federal government should no longer spend money on trying to eradicate marijuana. I believe states should give the rights of marijuana to localities, but if the state legalized marijuana neither the state nor the federal government should pay for any endeavors to crack down on illegal marijuana in their localities. Now, this does not prevent localities from somehow using state or federal funds for cracking down on marijuana, but the DEA and federal government should not directly intervene itself into the cracking down of illegal marijuana. The illegality of weed is causing more harm than good. It is time to end the federal war on marijuana and I would advise states to legalize it and regulate it in a smart way that avoids problems in the future.

Richard gets out his crystal ball to look at what you’ll want to watch in the future

by RICHARD HERNANDEZ staff writer

If, like me, you love movies then maybe you feel like you have simply run out of films to watch on your streaming services. I know I have. In this edition of my picks, I’m going to do a little peak into the future. I will be talking about movies that are in the making and will be released this year. These films range from scary to action packed, comedy films, sci-fi, family-friendly movies and much more. Get ready to add these movies to your wish list of things to watch this year because these all look like they are going to be worth the wait. #1 Jurassic World: Dominion. If you haven’t seen the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World movies, I highly recommend watching them. “Jurassic World: Dominion” will be the seventh in this series of Jurassic films. It will include a bit about what happened during the sixth film in the series, “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.”

Summer time is traditionally blockbuster film season so Dominion, sure to be a blockbuster, is set to premier June 10. If you are a big dinosaur fanatic or love sci-fi and adventure movies this will likely be your must-see movie this summer. Many of the actors from the very first Jurassic Park movie will be appearing in Dominion.

Sam Neill, Lauren Dern and Jeff Goldblum were all in the original. Chris Pratt will come back for Dominion as well.

Dominion will be the last in the Jurassic series. It will be rated PG-13 and will run two hours and eight minutes. #2 Avatar 2. If you have not seen the first “Avatar,” what are you waiting for? I highly recommend seeing the first

one as it was an amazing film. The first “Avatar” came out December 18th, 2009. It was highly touted for its advances in computer generated images but it was also a really cool film. After 13 years of waiting, “Avatar 2” is finally set to premier but you’re going to have to wait a little longer. It is set to release December 16. This movie is about Jake Sully who lives with his newfound family formed on the planet of Pandora. Once a familiar threat returns to finish what was previously started, he must work with Neytiri and the army of the Na’vi race to protect their planet.

This is an action-packed film along with some sci-fi and fantasy. Some actors you may know are Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang and many more. The film will be rated PG-13 but the studio has not said how long the film will run. They are probably still editing this one. #3 Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. If you are a huge Marvel fanatic or just love superhero movies from Marvel you will love the new Doctor Strange movie coming out on May 6. This film is a sequel to other Marvel movies such as “Doctor Strange,” “Avengers: Endgame,” “Spiderman,” “No Way Home,” and many more. The movie will be about how Doctor Strange is to push the concept of alternate realities into the forefront, with Strange at the center of it. Aside from Strange, the upcoming MCU sequel will feature new and returning allies. People such as Benedict Cumberbatch, Xochitl Gomez , Elizabeth Olsen, and Patrick Stewart along with many more. #4 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. After the untimely death of “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman in

2020, many fans wondered if there would be a sequel to the groundbreaking film. The answer is, yes. Boseman’s character, T’Challa, will not appear in the film which is set to be released on November 11 (it was originally planned for release this summer). If you have not seen the first “Black Panther,” I would say you have got to watch it. It’s available with a subscription on Disney+ and for a fee on most streaming services. What we know is that the new film will continue to explore the world of Wakanda but will focus on T’Challa’s sister Shuri, played by Letitia Wright. We don’t know a whole lot more because Marvel likes to be mysterious with their movies. Besides Wright, some actors that will be in the movie are Tenoch Huerta, Winston Duke and Daneil Kaluuya and many more. #5 Halloween Ends. If you are a big Halloween movie fanatic then you will be happy because they are making another one, the 13th in the series. “Halloween Ends” is, of course, set to release in October, premiering on October 14. The first Halloween came out way back in 1978. The villain is Michael Myers, who was committed to a sanitarium as a child for the murder of his sister, Judith Myers. He escaped and is on the loose murdering people that get in his way. It is a really good slasher film. It’s scary and thrilling with lots of surprising moments. The last movie in the series, “Halloween Kills,” came out last year.

Jamie Lee Curtis was the main character in the original and will be back for this one as well. Some of the other actors in Ends are James Jude Courtney, Nick Castle and Judy Greer. We’ll have to see if the title – Ends – means this will be the last in the series or not.

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April 7, 2022

Battle of the Prancing Horse and the Charging Bull

by CAMERON MENINI staff writer

Following the thrilling season opener under the lights in Bahrain, the second round of the Formula One World Championship found its way to the streets of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. This was the second running of the newly created Saudi Arabian Grand Prix having its inaugural race weekend this past year as the penultimate race of the 2021 championship. Last season’s fifty-lap race proved truly how difficult it is to drive from lights out to checkered flag with perfection, it was disrupted by multiple red flag stoppages as drivers could not come to grips with the tight corners of a high-speed street circuit.

On the return to this circuit, all the questions of which team could conquer would be answered on track.

Come Friday the teams hit the track for the first two practice sessions of the weekend. As expected from the incredible battle a week’s time before, Ferrari and Red Bull set the early pace. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari set the quickest lap of the day with a time of 1:30.074 in the qualifying simulations of Free Practice 2, a tenth and a half of a second clear of his chief title rival Max Verstappen of Red Bull. On Leclerc’s final quick lap of the session however, he clipped the wall damaging his F1-75, again proving even for the best drivers in the world how unforgiving this circuit is. Down the timesheets, the other two Ferrari and Red Bull drivers drove to P3 and P4, a further tenth of a second behind their teammates respectively. Mercedes, still experiencing the problems faced both in testing and in the first round in Bahrain, struggled a half second behind the leaders in P5 and P6.

Come Saturday qualifying, it proved a daunting challenge of which team would come out on top. The Ferrari duo seemed to be the squad to beat, consistently showing their hand with quickest lap times across every session. Charles Leclerc seemed to have P1 secured through the first runs of the final session. Red Bull would not sit down quietly however, their second driver Sergio Perez stormed to pole position scorching a time of 1:28.200 in a scintillating duel under the lights. Sergio Perez became the first ever Mexican driver to earn a pole position in Formula One with that incredible lap. Leclerc would have to settle for P2 a mere 26 thousandths of a second shy, with Carlos Sainz of Ferrari taking P3. Max Verstappen of Red Bull lamented a poor performance, seemingly unable to challenge the top three and slotting into P4 on the grid for Sunday. Further down the grid, Mercedes supremely struggled with 7-time champion Lewis Hamilton limping to P16 and his worst race start position in 5 years. HAAS F1 saw their driver Mick Schumacher bow out of qualifying with an enormous

crash into the barriers at turn 14, splitting his car in half and tearing the left front and rear suspension on impact.

The force of the impact was 33 times the force of gravity on his body, thankfully he was transported and subsequently released from the hospital later that night.

His car however was unable to be rebuilt for the race.

Following qualifying, Sunday was perfectly set up for an outstanding show. As the five red lights went out, the four leaders set off on brilliant starts, dueling it out into turn 1 with Sergio Perez who started on pole leading photo by CBS SPORTS Charles Leclerc in P2. Max Charles Leclerc (left) battles Max Verstappen (right) at the Formula Jeddah night race. Verstappen would pass Leclerc in the final few laps to secure his Verstappen completed a first victory of the season crucial overtake into the first braking zone to take P3 Ferrari cleaning up the rest of the podium positions and set off steaming to his title rival ahead, with Carlos in P2 and P3. With the unfortunate decision to pit for Sainz now in P4. This order held station for a dozen laps, tires early for Perez, he fell in the race to finish P4 after the gaps between the top four stabilizing around a second leading from pole position. Kevin Magnussen for HAAS and a half between them. With a flurry of movement, F1 continued his impressive run of form from the first the Ferrari pit crew assembled in the pit lane and duped round, picking up P9 and sustaining their position in the the leading Red Bull into taking the earliest pit stop of top five constructors. Lewis Hamilton recovered to finish the race, a decision that proved costly. The following lap, P10 to claim the last points position, although he was far Nicholas Latifi of Williams binned his car into the wall, from pleased with the results, one of worst race weekends triggering the first safety car of the race. The other three of in recent memory. the leading pack took full advantage and pitted, swapping Ferrari now stand a head over the rest in the for fresh tires and dropping Perez to P4 on the restart. constructor’s standings at 78 points, leading Mercedes Charles Leclerc orchestrated a brilliant restart spanning who in a second successive time suffered a dismal his lead in the following laps to over two seconds, with weekend at 38 points, and Red Bull picking up their the order from the restart holding station up until the first haul of the season at 37 points. Charles Leclerc thrilling climax of the race. Following a late race virtual extended his lead at the top of the driver’s standings as safety car on lap 42, the leaders found themselves with well, heading his teammate Carlos Sainz at 33 points, with merely a second gap separating the two with only 8 laps Verstappen slotting in third at 25 points. The third round remaining. An absolutely incredible back-and-forth fight of the championship travels to the land down under this lap after lap saw the lead change hands numerous times.

Sunday, April 10th, racing in Melbourne, Australia at the Daring divebombs and masterful race craft between both Albert Park Circuit, a track not on the calendar since 2019 provided one of the most scintillating sprint races for the due to the pandemic. With new track layout changes as win the sport has seen in years, the fight continuing all the well, it is set up to be another incredible weekend full of way to the checkered flag. unpredictability and incredible racing. The first two races Ultimately Max Verstappen of Red Bull would get the of the season have exuberantly lived up to the anticipation better of his dueling Ferrari by a margin of only half a of fans around the world, and the third installment will second, the closest gap of victory in the past two seasons. undoubtedly be another heart-pounding chapter in this He claimed P1 and their first race win of the year, with new era of Formula One.

Gamecocks Triumph over Huskies at Sold-Out Target Center

by KEEGAN A. GODWIN executive editor

The South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the University of Connecticut Huskies 64-49 to win their second-ever national title. The Gamecocks hit the first basket of the game and never gave up their lead. While the Huskies did make some attempts at a comeback, the South Carolina team was just too dominant.

South Carolina’s star Aliyah Boston won the John R. Wooden Award for her outstanding performance this season.

The Award, named after one of the most successful coaches of all time, is given to the most outstanding player of the year.

Jayhawks Soar over Tar Heels in National Title Comeback

Ms. Boston averaged 16.8 points on 54.2% shooting, 12.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game while also compiling a streak of 27 consecutive double-doubles — an SEC record, according to ESPN. She is the second Gamecock to win this award as A’ja Wilson won the award in 2018.

This Women’s March Madness brought some of the most-viewed games in tournament history. According to ESPN PR, the first two rounds of the tournament saw an increase of 15% in viewership and a 25% increase in the Sweet Sixteen. Nearly 26 million hours were viewed on ESPN platforms. Front Office Sports reported that this is the first time that all women’s games were broadcasted nationally. photo by CNN

photo by SPORTS

ILLUSTRATED

South Carolina guard Lele Grissett holds the championship trophy after defeating the UConn Huskies.

Kansas guard Remy Martin raises his hands in celebration after Kansas won the National Championship. The Jayhawks secured their fourth title with a 72-69 victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels.

by KEEGAN A. GODWIN executive editor

The Kansas Jayhawks secured their fourth NCAA Title after defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels 72-69. After being down 16 at one point, the Jayhawks completed the largest comeback in NCAA championship history. Despite the large deficit at halftime, the Jayhawks came out on a tear and quickly brought the Tar Heels’ lead to one within the first few

minutes. The Tar Heels had the last shot from beyond the arc in an attempt to tie the game. However, the shot airballed, and Kansas was victorious.

The Kansas guard Ochai Agbaji, a Kansas native, won the Final Four Most Outstanding Player for his terrific performance. Mr. Agbaji scored 21 points in the Jayhawks’ victory over the Villanova Wildcats on 75% shooting, including 85.7% from the three-point line, according to ESPN.

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The Lorian

Coach’s Column

Jason Trbovic, Baseball

The Instagram Message that gave my Hoop Dream New Life

by DAVID GRINTJES staff writer

by JASON TRBOVIC Student-Assistant Pitching Coach

As I am currently in my fourth year with the Loras College Baseball Program, but, this year is a little different. During my first three years, I was a pitcher on the Junior Varsity team and now I am a student coach for the Varsity team, helping out with the pitchers. It was unexpected, but I don’t regret making the transition from player to student coach. Looking ahead into the future, I intend on staying with the baseball team for three more years and working with the pitchers.

The role of a student coach is different, but the excitement of being a part of the team is still the same. Even though I am not throwing a bullpen, conditioning, or doing infield with the rest of the team, the thrill of being a Duhawk and a part of the program is still all there. Coach Tebon and Coach Woj make that experience happen for me. Right away, Coach Tebon offered me the position, then followed the responsibility given by Coach Woj. Some of the responsibilities I have are compiling pitching charts, setting up stations at practice, bullpen coach, and whatever else the coaching staff has me doing. The program and atmosphere Coach Tebon and Coach Woj have created allow me to still be myself and to continue to have a role on the team.

Another exciting part of my role is the connection I still have with the team and players. Being a student coach and not a player is a different feeling when the remaining guys are the same age or around the same age. The treatment and attitudes are not different and the inclusion is a wholesome feeling for me. I can connect with players on a different level in some instances. For example, if I am in the bullpen with a pitcher warming up, I always ask three questions; How does your body feel? How does your arm feel? How does your mind feel? This just allows me to know how the pitcher is feeling before entering the game and the mindset they have.

Lastly, the best part about still being a part of the program is the dugout energy.

The environment of our dugout is like no other and makes us stand out from the rest of our competition. The enthusiasm with the chants and, how loud we are, is an exciting time to be a part of. Our strong senior class is the reason it is possible.

We have great leadership on the field, in the dugout, and off the field from our upperclassmen. They have the attitude and mentality to win at all costs and to never give up.

Currently sitting as the 16th best team in the nation, and playing in one of the toughest conferences in the nation, the Duhawks are on a tear. So far out of my four years with the program, this is by far my favorite season, regardless of the position I am in. Now, let’s finish the season on a high note and keep pushing through the American Rivers Conference.

As I finished this basketball season I left the court knowing I would not be fulfilling my dream of playing pro ball.

I’ve dreamt of the NBA since I was a kid and I first laced up a pair of basketball shoes. That realization was like a punch to my gut. Then, out of nowhere, a wisp of fresh air breathed life back into me. The source of that air came, from, of all places, a message on Instagram.

That message was from a man named Mattia Da Campo. I thought to myself, “I never heard of this guy.” My eyes widen as I read Da Campo’s message. He said there was a way to get my size 12 foot in the pro ball door with the international basketball community. It’s through a program called the Olympic Management Institute, or OMI. The objective for this program is to give college athletes the opportunity to earn a graduate degree while trying out for a professional club in Europe.

My first thought when I saw this message – “It’s a scam.” But, when your dream might have a chance to come true you have to check it out. To my surprise and delight it was completely legit.

There are several programs like this around the world and the one I was offered would be in Italy. Rome to be exact. When I asked Mattia about how they choose their athletes he said, “We look at rosters from all divisions of college sports looking for seniors. We then either reach out to their coaches or to the players directly through social media.”

OMI combines a top-quality education with the possibility to play sports at the club level. Through their master’s program, they aim to further your education and athletic career while experiencing one of the most culturally renowned cities in the world.

This program caters to athletes in soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, tennis, volleyball, lacrosse, and swimming. They simply give you the opportunity to get exposure to professional clubs at all levels in the city where they operate. Regardless of your prior

photo from LORAS ATHLETICS

major and academic path, you will be able to earn a master’s degree through their sports management program.

I learned through an Instagram message that my career isn’t over just yet. It looks like the next chapter in my book of basketball is just beginning. I am forever thankful to Mattia and the rest of the OMI staff that will help me throughout the next year. Ciao!

We here at the Lorian would like to extend our congratulations to David for his hard work and the opportunity he has earned. We wish David the best of luck playing in Italy!

Bettering Sportsmanship Parker Continues to Run It, Breaks DIII 10K Record here at Loras Continued from page 1

We need officials insure a fair competition. I admire those individuals that put themselves out there so we can have athletic contests. Do I disagree with a call sometimes? Sure, but that doesn’t give me the right to disrespect that official. They are people too who deserve to get treated as we would treat others.

I am not naïve to think by expressing my opinion we will miraculously eradicate poor sportsmanship. What I do know is athletes do not enter the competition intending to lose. Officials do not arrive to an athletic event with the intention of calling a bad game. Coaches are encouraging athletes each day they come to practice to get better that day. Let’s do that with sportsmanship – each event we attend let’s do better!

photo from LORAS ATHLETICS

by EMILY ADLEFINGER

director of athletic communications Apr. 5, 2022 – Continuing the leave her legacy as one of the greatest Division III distance runners of all time, Loras College women’s track and field junior Kassie Parker was named the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Athlete of the Week on Tuesday on the heels of her record-setting 10,000-meter race over the weekend that took Division III by storm.

Parker, coming off a pair of national titles indoors and the cross country national champion in the fall, had her sights set on the NCAA Division III national record in the 10,000-meter run as she took to the track under the lights at Stanford on Friday. Her performance left no doubt as she left it all on the track, racing her way to the all-time mark in the 10,000-meter run and crushing the 19-year old record held by Keane State University’s Mary Proulx (33:21.80) by 18 seconds with a time of 33:03.61, one minute and 16 seconds faster than her previous school record. Parker placed fourth in the elite field behind Division I runners from the University of Arkansas and the University of New Mexico. Before her race, the closest any Division III runner came to breaking the record was Taryn Cordani of Ithaca College in 2018, running 33:34.06.

The Guttenberg, Iowa native currently owns the fastest all-time, all-conditions 5,000-meter mark indoors as the first Division III woman to break 16 minutes (15:58.58) and the second-fastest record-eligible time in the 3,000-meter run (9:13.10). A multitime cross country and indoor track and field national athlete of the week, she is the second Duhawk in program history to earn the outdoor honor, following Gabby (Noland) Dreska in 2019. She was also named the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) Athlete of the Week on Monday for her achievements.