Binder for sept 25

CROSS COUNTRY

BANNED BOOK WEEK Raising awareness on the issues of censorship and literacy Page 5

Maggie Saenz-Ruiz wins IACC’s Athletic Performer of the Week Page 7 September 25, 2014 — Vol. 93, Issue 3

UNICEF Loras wins President’s Award aids South for Interfaith Community Service Sudan

College earns the top honor in nationwide competition

by CASSANDRA BUSCH| news editor

President Jim Collins and Service Learning Coordinator Maggie Baker accept the award on behalf of Loras.

by HANNAH WAY| executive copy editor

It isn’t every day that President Collins gets retweeted 53 times in three hours. But on Tuesday afternoon, he shared news with Duhawks across the nation that got students and alumni excited.

Collins and Maggie Baker, the service learning coordinator, traveled to Washington, D.C., to receive the Presidential Interfaith Community Service Award.

When news broke that Loras was the first college to be recognized with this new award, social media blew up.

“Each year, schools apply to be a part of the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll,” said Stacia McDermott, coordinator of peace and justice. “The last three years, Loras has received Honor Roll with distinction, a recognition given to applicants that display strong institutional commitment to community service. It is a huge honor.”

There are four categories that schools can apply toward in order to make the

photo CONTRIBUTED

Presidential Honor Roll: general community service; economic opportunity; education; and, new this year, interfaith community service. Of the institutions that are admitted to the Honor Roll, some receive “With Distinction” honors.

However, four schools are selected to receive the Presidential award, one in each category.

“This year, we specifically applied to the new category, interfaith community service,” said McDermott. “We received the first ever Presidential award in this category.”

The Interfaith Community Service Award recognizes an institution that is addressing community issues with a focus on interfaith cooperation.

“When we were applying, one of the

important items we wanted to highlight was our institution-level commitment to reading ‘Acts of Faith’ for four years,” said McDermott. “But we also talked about Loras’ participation in Make a Difference Day, Children of Abraham, and the formation of the student organization Better Together.”

Each of these opportunities for dialogue and service have given students and staff the opportunity to grow and learn.

“Better Together is important, especially on a college campus like Loras, because it encourages us to think outside of our closely held perspectives, attitudes and experiences and embrace new ones,” said senior Emily Nelson, continued on page 2

March raises awareness of growing refugee crisis

by KALLI MINER | staff writer

On Sunday afternoon, students and community members joined the Iowa United Nations Association in a hike to support refugees.

The hike was designed as both a fund raiser and peaceful demonstration as participants paid to register for the march from Loras College’s Christ the King Chapel to Clarke University’s Atrium building.

The audience was moved to silence and tears as Sarah, a junior transfer student at Loras originally from Syria, gave an opening speech at the event. Giving witness to her personal story of displacement, Sarah spoke on behalf of her family’s experience with violence stemming from conflicts in her country.

Additionally, several faculty and staff members as well as local community members from Dubuque, and even some visitors from Des Moines, participated. Marchers waived UNA flags as well as other messages to raise awareness of the growing refugee crisis, provoking several ‘honks’ of support from passing vehicles.

All funds raised will be donated to the United Nations fund as support for relief efforts aiding refugees from Syria, Ukraine and beyond.

photos by KALLI MINER

Recent conflict in South Sudan has caused a dramatic increase in children that are in risk of starvation. Currently six million people are in need of some kind of humanitarian help, and half of these are children. The fighting that is taking place has forced over a million people out of their homes, and out in the open. They are suffering from severe heat and rains, in addition to a lack of food and clean water. Over half a million kids make up this number as well.

Outbreaks of diseases such as cholera have appeared, and spread quickly in cramped conditions.

Starvation has become such an issue because South Sudan has an economy based on agriculture. Because of the fighting and violence within the country, the South Sudanese have not been able to grow their crops, and as a result have no source of food. The U.N. warns that this situation is worse than any since the 1980s, and that by the end of 2014 more than four million people may be suffering from starvation, and 50,000 children would be at risk for dying from lack of nutrition.

The U.N. and UNICEF have been doing all that they can to assist these people. Along with other humanitarian group partners, they have vaccinated more than 260,000 kids to protect against measles, and in addition have screened upwards of 60,000 children against malnutrition. UNICEF also has a goal of providing close to half a million South Sudanese with clean water and hygiene kits.

“UNICEF is reaching children with micronutrients and ready-to-use therapeutic food. We’re supplying the measuring tapes used to screen children for malnutrition, the long measuring boards to get the height of children, the scales that weigh the children to find out their nutritional status and their state of health,” commented Kent Page, UNICEF’s senior communications advisor for emergencies who was recently assigned to South Sudan. “We also provide a lot of tents, very important at sites for displaced people. During the time I was there the weather was, on a daily basis, about 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). These sites have virtually no trees, no shelter from the sun. We provide tents to our partners to use as nutritional treatment centers. It’s clean.

Desks can be set up. Medicine can be stored.

Doctors and nurses can treat children. Children are on beds, on mats on the floor, out of the sun.”

UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake recently traveled to South Sudan as well, along with the World Food Program’s executive director, Ertharin Cousin.

“I talked to two doctors in the camp’s clinic, and they said they were making a terrible calculation. They can start to cut back now on the medicine they are giving to their patients because they don’t know whether they will have supplies in a month or two; or they can give the patients everything they need now and pray that they get more supplies,” Lake said. “As I looked around the tent and looked at the patients, I realized they only have one choice—the one that they are making—which is to continue to do everything they can now and just hope for the best.”

UNICEF is calling for a worldwide response to this crisis. Their emergency budget is currently 77% underfunded, and they rely on donations to help provide these vital services to the South Sudanese. Even a relatively small amount of funds, $67, can provide ten malnourished children with lifesaving therapeutic food for five days. No matter how much one has to give, any bit can make a difference and help ease the suffering in South Sudan.

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News

The Lorian Sept. 25, 2014

Students get lost in the fun of fall festivities with CAB at Schuster’s Pumpkin Patch

by ANDREA BERNS| staff writer

Autumn is a time of change. The humid air turns crisp and the leaves transform into yellows, reds, and browns. Halloween is just around the corner, and that means: pumpkins.

Last Saturday, October 20, CAB hosted an event at Schuster’s Pumpkin Patch that raised students’ autumn spirits.

The event, which ran from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., gave students the opportunity to get off campus and enjoy the fall air.

Students gathered in the Keane parking lot where they were met by two Dubuque trolleys which transported them to Schuster’s.

“The trolleys were cool,” said senior Devin Gackle. “It was a nice old-fashioned

element to begin the journey.” “[The trolleys] were a unique way to get from place to place versus bus or car,” added senior Elizabeth Dickhut.

At Schuster’s, food could be purchased, ranging from hot dogs and chili dogs to the classic Dubuque-oriented turkey and dressing sandwiches. In addition, colorful turquoise, blue, and green rings and bracelets were for sale, and there was a station to shoot pumpkins from a cannon. But the most popular event of the day was definitely the corn maze.

“You can’t have fall in Iowa without going to a corn maze,” said Dickhut.

Each student received a map and a pencil

Interfaith: College strives to become more hospitable continued from page 1

president of Better Together. “Better Together focuses specifically on encountering new religious attitudes, breaking down stereotypes and building strong relationships with people who may be different from us.”

One of the major initiatives that Better Together has pushed for over the past few years with other members of the Loras community has been for the creation of an interfaith prayer space. The reception of this award coincides with Peace and Justice Week and the opening of the interfaith prayer space on the fifth floor of the ACC. The prayer space is open daily from 6 a.m. until midnight.

In addition to the interfaith prayer space, McDermott highlighted the unique opportunity that the Loras community has in participating in the Children of Abraham series.

“A lot of this is the result of the work of John Eby (professor of history),” said McDermott. “He has brought this unique opportunity for dialogue with individuals of faiths other than Catholic to the Dubuque community, something that is not common in other communities.”

Children of Abraham is a series of open conversations about topics that range from religious figures such as Moses, to devotional practices such as prayer, to spiritual ideas such as God, and non-religious topics such as love and sex. It aims to bring people together to share different perspectives and voices in a safe and open environment.

“I wanted to engage people of differing religious and political perspectives for a long time,” said Eby. “For several years I built up trusting relationships with Alan Garfield, a Jew who is very active in Dubuque and the local imam, Adib Kassas.

About four years ago I suggested that we

Loras’ interfaith prayer space recently opened on the fifth floor of the ACC. photo by KATHERINE EDWARDS

start a series of public conversations on various topics. They both loved the idea, and we worked together to make it happen, along with John Waldmeir, professor of religious studies, and Bonnie Sue Lews of UD Theological Seminary.”

Like Better Together, Children of Abraham has become an important tool for breaking down barriers.

“It is important work that can help create solidarity and compassionate engagement as a counterweight to the endemic divisiveness and stereotypic of our current cultural climate,” said Eby. These different organizations and initiatives have become foundational to Loras’ mission. Ultimately, the Presidential Interfaith Community Service Award highlights an area in which Loras excels, but McDermott emphasizes that it should provide motivation to do more.

“I think the dream is that we build on this now,” said McDermott. “We build on making Loras a place of hospitality, a place where people of different faith traditions feel welcome. We build our interfaith literacy as an institution, and we look at how to address the needs of our local community and our larger community, whatever that may look like.”

Editors’ Disclaimer: This information was obtained as of Tuesday, Sept. 23, shortly after the announcement was made and prior to an official press release. Therefore, limited details were available. Additional and more specific information regarding the award may have been or will be released after the publication of this issue. The Lorian will address any necessary changes to this article in our next edition. Thank you for your understanding.

and needed to find eight stations in numerical order within the corn maze. The location of the first station was given on the map, and from there, the location of the next station could only be found once the previous one was reached.

“It was like being in an adventure movie,” said Gackle.

“The corn maze was definitely my favorite part,” agreed senior Clairee Schneider. “And it would have been even photos CONTRIBUTED better at night.”

Students rode trolleys to Schuster’s Pumpkin Patch to greet It was a consensus autumn by participating in a corn maze, pumpkin cannon among everyone who shooting, and other fall-related activities. attended the activity Schneider added. that the day was a great With October just around the bend, it’s way to kick off the fall season. safe to say that Loras is ready for fall to “It was great getting in the mood for Ocbegin. tober-Fest and Fright Fest at Six Flags,”

Faculty members show off their musical talents

by SEABELO MONTWEDI| staff writer

that invited the onlooker to be part of the Friday evening: a time to relax after intimate task of making the notes on the a long week of grind. Some go out with music sheet come alive. friends to exchange stories about their Carroll and Woodin came together respective weeks, some dance the night again to play “The Wedding Day at Traway, but for some, the music faculty reoldhaugen, Op. 65, and No. 6” by Edvard cital was the perfect transition into the Grieg as a dedication to Kotowich and weekend. The recital, which was held at Jennifer Swanson, associate professor of the Visitation Complex, boasted a host music, on their recent marriage. of vocal and instrumental performances As the night progressed and perforby both full-time music professors and mances unfolded, different performers adjutants. followed the same pattern of inviting Although the faculty members of the the audience to look into the heart of the music department have the role of nurperformer, and inevitably feel whatever turing students interested in music, they emotions a piece demanded. Some, like are performers first, and the event was an “The Weepin’ Mary” by David Fletcher, opportunity for the Loras College comperformed by Emily Spencer, a voice admunity to witness their beautiful talents. jutant, were very simple, yet touching and “Although we teach music, we are perfull of praise and wonder. Another perforformers first. This is an opportunity for mance, by Swanson, sought to challenge us to share with all of you our passion perceptions about the cold season. The and love for music persong “Autumn” by Charles formance.” said professor Ives, describes the cold seaGlenn Pohland, associate son as a time for the earth to Although we professor of music and direst after all the work it did rector of instrumental muthroughout the warmer seateach music, we sic and music education. sons. are performers In addition to providing However, not all perforfirst. This is an an opportunity for people mances were about making to unwind, the music recitthe audience feel a certain opportunity al also aimed at providing way. Some performances – for us to share students with an opportuone in particular – leaned with all of you nity to see their professors more towards inviting the on stage and to learn by audience to decide for themour passion and example the elements of a selves what the piece reprelove for music good performance. sented. This was the flute perperformance.

“The faculty recital is an formance by Julie Ormarzu, opportunity for the stuprofessor of psychology, acGlenn Pohland dents to hear the professors companied by Carroll called Associate professor of music perform … for them to see “Regrets and Resolutions,” and director of professional performance composed by Gary Schocker. instrumental music practice taking place,” said Before performing the piece, and music education professor Bruce Kotowich, Ormarzu admitted that neiassociate professor of muther she nor Carroll agreed on sic and director of choral which moments in the piece and vocal activities. “And were about regret and which finally, it’s such a great opportunity for were about resolution, and thus invited the community to hear a quality concert.” the audience to decide for themselves as The recital opened with a piano piece the duo leaped from soft melodies to loud of the sixth variation of the song “Ich and fast notes, and mellowed down into Denke Dein” by Ludwig van Beethoven, even softer moments. played by professors Roy Carroll and The music recital closed with a perforNancy Woodin. Carroll put an emphasis mance by Pohland alongside members on the relationships between different of the Dubuque community, all playing types of musicians and the work they various wind instruments, such as euproduce as a result. In their performance, phonium, trumpet, trombone, and tuba, the most notable relationship was a replaying the “Morceau Symphonique” by lationship between two pianists as they Alexandre Guilmant. sat at the same piano and not only played It was a night of beautiful music and the notes, but created an intimate piano praise as members of the audience hovdance, one pianist playing and giving ered around the performers to deliver over to the other, then coming together well-deserved congratulations and to to play simultaneously. All this the while express their gratitude for the beautiful creating movements with their bodies performances.

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Opinion/Mind & Soul

Lean on Consequences each other might arise from

by CASSIE BUSCH| news editor

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ne of the most important, and most difficult, things to do when you first get to college (or any new environment really) is to find someone that you really trust, and feel comfortable talking to.

I struggled with this when I first arrived at school. I had a relatively stable group of friends from kindergarten to high school graduation, and it was harder than I thought to separate from them.

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to “replace” them, or find anyone quite like them. That’s why I don’t plan on letting them go anytime soon.

I think a lot of us have this idealistic view of college where we find lifelong friends instantly and we mesh perfectly and we’re confident and beautiful and happy.

In reality, sometimes things are a lot less pretty. I for one have really struggled finding a place where I’m comfortable, and I’m still unsure of myself, and unsure of who I should really rely on and spend time with.

I have found a few friends at school that I do feel like will be part of my lifelong group of confidants, but it hasn’t been easy, and my journey has been plagued by self-doubt and indecision. I have more acne than I did in high school, which is just a cruel trick of nature. I stress eat more than I care to admit. I still worry about tests and homework and whether teachers like me. College wasn’t this magical cure to all of my insecurities and imperfections.

In fact, it has torn open some sore wounds, and it’s been painful.

And some days I just feel so tired, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally.

What has gotten me through these darker days? People I can count on, or just share my troubles with. They have come from unlikely places, and in unlikely times, but they have come. Out of thin air almost, these lifesavers have proven themselves to be irreplaceable friends themselves to me. I don’t know what I would have done without them. When you’re at college, without your usual methods or people of comfort, it’s hard to pick yourself up. A warm hug, a smile, a piece of chocolate, a shoulder to cry on, an open door... when these things were presented to me, I felt weightless, like the world had just been lifted off my shoulders.

I don’t often choose to open up about how I’m really feeling, but when I do, I always make sure that I can trust that person. Talking it out really does make us feel better, just like our moms always told us.

Whether it was a bad dream, a poor test result or a heartbreak, you need someone there to walk with you in the bad times, to know that someone is there with you, and they care.

Praying helps too, but sometimes an earthly companion is needed just as much to get you through the tough times.

So far this year, I am feeling a lot more comfortable in my own skin. I will still most likely feel a little out of place, a little lost, and doubtful every once and awhile. But there are people that I’ve chosen to trust here, and I pray to God that they continue being wonderful and being there for me, and that I can try to return the favor. College isn’t always a walk in the park, and I can’t stress enough to first-years how important it is to choose your friends wisely, and treasure them. You never know when you might need them, or when they might need someone like you to carry them through the darkness.

Lean on each other. The world is a hard enough place without all of us tearing each other down. Be a friend whenever you can, and the favor will be returned.

involvement in Syria I n a statement following the release of the video showing American journalist James Foley’s execution at the hands of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), President Obama said the administration’s Dale Elenteny lack of an articulated plan for dealing with the organization came from a hope to exercise caution and not “put the cart before the horse.” This was decried across the spectrum as an excuse for indecision and unpreparedness. While I have been a regular opponent of the president’s policies and direction, I did see some wisdom in this explanation.

The situation in the Middle East and the question of foreign intervention are complex, and solutions need to be crafted with informed tact and hesitant caution. Congress’ recent decision to arm, fund and train elements of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) lacks both.

The plan will be directed toward 5,000 members of the FSA. In theory, it will only aid elements which have been vetted to ensure moderate ideology and detachment from militant Islam.

It isn’t the first military action the US and a wide array of allies have taken against ISIS. American planes have been conducting airstrikes against strategic targets in Iraq since July, and were recently joined by the French. Compared to arming troops caught in the middle of a multi-dimensional civil war, utilizing air power to choke ISIS is surgical and contained. Injecting guns, money, and strategic intelligence into the FSA is a dangerous gamble. The Syrian conflict is composed of numerous groups and coalitions, each differing in ideology

A DALE-Y DOSE

and/or objectives, but with plenty of overlap. Many of these groups, including ISIS, are militarized Islamists which the US should hope to disable. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend” does not apply.

Giving external support to the FSA opens a door for unpredictable outcomes with the potential for destructive blowback.

The FSA finds themselves in between ISIS and the Syrian government, who are fighting each other, while opposing both itself. They are informally aligned with the Islamic Front, a coalition of radicalized groups who, while opposed to ISIS, hope to unseat Assad and instate a religious state based in Sharia (Islamic religious law). If the FSA is successful, then what? In 1978, the CIA began Operation Cyclone, which armed and trained radical Islamic groups in Afghanistan in a fight against the Soviet-backed communist government. That same support has been linked to the evolution of al-Qaida, the Taliban, and their affiliates — then-prime minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, said it had created a “Frankenstein.” This should serve as a lesson of the unintended consequences of intervention.

Will the FSA evolve, and what path will that take? Will it bolster the creation of larger, more formidable enemies to be confronted in the future, as was the case in Afghanistan? The answers will be apparent only in time, and Congress’ frenzied rush to support one organization, diverse in itself, in the midst of a complex web of dangerous ideologies certainly puts the proverbial cart before the horse. In recent congressional hearings, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), said, “If we’ve learned anything of the last twelve years of war, it’s that the Middle East seems largely immune from US efforts to bend it to our will … we have to be very careful about crafting a strategy that’s not just well intentioned but realistic.” Unfortunately, Congress has ignored his warning.

What are you looking for? the life that is true life: Campus Ministry is coming to you

by FR. GROSS | for the Lorian

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want to share a little Loras history with you! Did you know that for many years that priests lived in the residence halls? For many years there was a priest on each floor and as time went by, at least one priest would live in each residence hall. This was a crucial part of the Loras experience because it gave students a real human encounter with a priest outside of Mass. It helped students see priests as fellow Christians who were dedicated to helping others grow in holiness. That reminds me of my sister’s experience when she was a student in the early 1990’s.

When my sister Karen lived on fourth floor Binz, Msgr. George Schulte lived on the same floor. Msgr. Schulte served

Loras for over 70 years as a chemistry professor and he was also a gourmet chef. So occasionally he would invite students in Binz to experience a French meal. Talk about free food!

For my sister, this was a formative experience that helped her realize that the Church was with her in day to day life.

Well, we don’t have priests and religious living in the residence halls anymore, but as a campus ministry staff we want to honor the spirit of our spiritual leaders being with you in the day to day. So this year the Campus ministry staff is going to make a commitment of time of hanging out with you in the residence halls. For example, Stacia McDermott and I are committing time and energy to come to Rohlman Hall and participate in some of the programming that happens in the hall and also to be available for conversation about the weather to anything from God’s relationship with the world. The rest of the staff has committed time to be in the other residence halls.

So don’t be surprised if you see some of the people you see in campus ministry also in your residence hall!

If you see us say hi and we will do the same with you!

The Lorian

Sept. 25, 2014

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Daughters ready for new year

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by MELISSA LINK| for the Lorian

he Daughters of Isabella are up and running again this year and they are off to a great start. This year holds a lot of big plans for the college circle of the international service organization.

This past week, the Daughters helped with the Dig for a Cure event during the Loras women’s volleyball game. The event helped raise awareness and funds for breast cancer and leukemia research. All proceeds of a 50/50 raffle during the game benefited Maria’s House Leukemia Society, as well as the Visiting Nurses Association. Fans were encouraged to wear pink and orange to help raise awareness.

Later this semester, the Daughters are planning other service opportunities both within the Loras community and in the greater Dubuque community. At the end of this month, the Daughters will be helping with CAB’s Loras After Dark event.

They also plan to help with Loras’ Make a Difference Day on Oct. 25.

One new opportunity the Daughters are trying to begin this year involves reaching out to the greater Dubuque community. As a way of creating a type of a Big Brother Big Sister program, the Daughters are planning to host an event for troubled students from local high schools. This is a great opportunity because it will give the students an opportunity to see what a college campus is like and what kind of fun things college students can do. The Daughters are hoping to make this idea a reality later this school year.

At our monthly meetings, we plan service opportunities as well as different social and spiritual events. For example, the Daughters host a formal dance in co-sponsorship with CAB every year. Last year, Daughters raised funds for the education of children in Guatemala by selling YUDA bands. They will be continuing this in the coming year as well.

With all of the different organizations and sports teams that exist on Loras’ campus, one unique characteristic of the Daughters organization is that we support each other as we compete in sporting events and performance arts. We use the phrase “Duhawks Supporting Duhawks” as inspiration to coin the phrase “Daughters Supporting Daughters.”

For more information on Daughters of Isabella, contact Nadia Duarte at nadia. duarte@loras.edu.

Editorial staff co-executive editor: MARY AGNOLI co-executive editor/ features editor: COLIN HALBMAIER news editor: CASSANDRA BUSCH sports editor: RYAN GRAHAM assistant features editor: SAMANTHA VATH assistant news editor: ELLIE HORST assistant sports editor: DREW BRASHAW executive copy editor: HANNAH WAY head copy editor: KAITLIN YAHR copy editors: STEPHANIE LaGRANT MARGARET SENTOVICH advertising manager: COLLEEN MULRY moderator: TIM MANNING

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The Lorian

Features

Sept. 25, 2014

Want to write for the Lorian?

Ever wanted to see your name in print? Join our team of writers and make your dreams come true! Sophomores and older get paid! If interested, let us know!

Colin Halbmaier Colin.Halbmaier@loras.edu

Mary Agnoli

Mary.Agnoli@loras.edu

Grab your Graduate Dream Job

by MAGGIE WELDEN | staff writer

Imagine if you did not have to face the post-graduation job search mania. Imagine if you could create your own job and be the CEO of the company you have created on your own terms, straight out of college. Meet Wilbur You, Founder and CEO of Youtech Associates, an innovative ad agency located in Naperville, IL. In June, 2012, a year before You was expected to graduate Northern Illinois University, Youtech began to form.

He would call over one hundred businesses a day, trying to sell them websites. If one or two agreed, it was a great day. Now Youtech Associates has thousands of clients, employs 12 professionals and You expects to grow to 50 employees within two to three years. Youtech Associates recently signed their first international client, and You hopes that the future may include opening satellite offices all over the United States and world.

What makes Youtech so unique is their culture. Youtech’s office boasts ping pong tables and Nerf guns, but also some of the most hard working, motivated professionals in the Chicagoland area. What is the greatest aspect of You’s Job? He explains it is the people he works with and his ability to help guide other businesses to success, like he has guided his own.

We have compiled some of You’s best advice to future college graduates looking to snag their own dream job: 1) Graduate with a specialty. Find your niche that will make you unique and more marketable to employers.

2) Realize that no matter how much experience you have, you cannot be the best at everything. Listen to everyone around you and learn from them.

3) Always make friends with anyone you can. You never know when those people could help you in your future.

4) Put more focus on your experiences and specific skill sets. Many employers will look at your activities more closely than your GPA.

When Books Go Bad

by SAMANTHA VATH | assistant features editor

Whether you’re a bookworm, or a more reluctant reader, books impact your life. Whether you read novels, science books, or the newspaper, the written word influences people’s views of the world. Without access to the written word, in any of its forms, whether it is due to illiteracy or censorship, the human experience is less full.

At Loras, the Honors Program implements the Collaborative Interdisciplinary Project, which takes three years to research a local problem and work to implement solutions in the community. My group is doing a study on Banned Literature. This means that this week is our bread and butter: it’s Banned Books Week!

The last week in September is dedicated by the American Library Association and other corporations

to raise awareness about censorship. While book burning is no longer a relevant topic in this day and age, banning books is as common as ever. At the individual library level, the state level, as well as nationally and internationally, libraries have books pulled off the shelves for political, religious, social, parental reasons and more. The general assumption that banning books doesn’t really happen anymore is absolutely untrue.

Steven Chbosky, author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower (one of ALA’s Top 10 Banned Books from 2013) said, “Banning books gives us silence when we need speech. It closes our ears when we need to listen.

It makes us blind when we need sight.”

So during this Banned Books Week, keep tabs on the ALA Top 10 Banned Books list, your favorite authors on their social media accounts, and fun lists discussing literacy and censorship on popular websites like Buzzfeed. Information will abound this week, so don’t miss out!

Souled Out

by NICK BETTS | staff writer

Certain up-and-coming artists characterize each generation, and one female artist has been in the spotlight lately. Her name is Jhené Aiko, and though she may not be a mainstream artist yet, with “yet” being the keyword, she is making her mark on the R&B music genre. “Souled Out”, her debut studio album released on Sept. 9 has already sold 70,000 copies. Ranking #3 on the charts in sales, “Souled Out” is quickly storming the nation.

The album kicks off with a soulful song titled “Limbo, Limbo, Limbo,” and Aiko immediately drowns listeners’ ears with a voice which seems to be derived from a siren. Her melodious voice draws fans in from the get-go. Transitions between songs mirror that of a well-written book. The transitions are utilized so brilliantly that listeners can barely tell when one song begins and another ends. “There’s really no end, there’s really no beginning,” a quote from the song “W.A.Y.S.” captures the essence of the album in one line. It’s extremely similar to A Tribe Called Quest’s second studio album titled “The Low End Theory” from the 1990’s in that both albums as a whole seem to be one long song.

It’s like a narrative is being told through the beats, rhymes and soulful lyrics.

Aiko blends her musical knowledge with her love for poetry and freestyle to mash this album into one uniform piece of art. The album is composed primarily of Aiko’s diverse voice singing to the beats produced

by a variety of producers including the likes of Dot Da Genius and No I.D. The lyrics of each song were written almost entirely by Aiko. Though Aiko’s song “To Love & Die” utilizes lyrics from Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s song “Many Men (Wish Death)” from his studio album “Get Rich or Die Tryin’”, “Souled Out” is comprised of unique lyrics from Aiko’s poetic verses.

The album features Cocaine 80’s on the song “To Love & Die” along with Miyagi and Namiko on the song “Promises,” and the album concludes with “Pretty Bird (Freestyle)” featuring Common. The conclusion of “Souled Out” with Aiko’s storytelling and Common’s deep, soothing voice leaves listeners satisfied. “Pretty Bird (Freestyle)” has such variation in vocal content and beat that it feels like the culmination of the album was fittingly placed on this song.

“Souled Out” by Jhene Aiko liberates the minds of listeners. It broadens minds and its subtle diversity in songs lends to the album’s unification as a whole. Each song is a chapter of the story and without listening to all of them in order, one can’t get the whole truth of the story. The story’s beauty is only rivaled by the album’s beautiful cover artwork. It’s a unique R&B album and Aiko’s talents haven’t been blundered in this piece of art. “Souled Out” by Jhene Aiko deserves a 4/5 star rating and with that a listen is recommended too.

n L a e i v r en o L This Time For Africa

Living in Botswana, which is in southern Africa, it’s hard to latest smartphones and laptops, amongst other things.

by SEABELO MONTWEDI | staff writer imagine that people have misconceptions about the continent 6. There are poor people in African countries that have to in which your country is, or the people of the continent, Howtravel for miles to get water, to go to school, or to access other ever, since my move to America, I discovered that people have a lot of misconceptions about services, and that is a tragedy. However, there are cars and tarred roads in African countries.

Africa. Things that are pretty obvious to me remain a mystery to most people I meet. Below 7. It is not always hot in Africa. Granted, most of Africa is covered by the Sahara desert, is a list of the facts about Africa, which will hopefully dispel the myths. which means it’s hot most of the time and it doesn’t get as cold as Iowa in the winter. How1. Africa is a continent, not a country, and covers about 11, 670, 000 sq. miles. So, no, I ever, Cape Town, a city in South Africa, has even recorded days of snow in the winter. don’t know the person you met at a conference who is from Ghana.

8. Not all Africans have rhythm. I mean, it is true that we love a drum beat and have many 2. There are countries in Africa that are peaceful and democratic, for instance Botswana and traditions and festivals that involve a lot of dancing. However, I have friends in Botswana Namibia. Yes, there are countries (probably the ones you hear a lot about on the news) where who find it difficult to move to a beat. there’s violence, war, and child soldiers. But not all African countries are at war. Chicago 9. The countries making up Africa have different languages and dialects. Though countries is known for being violent and dangerous but it does not mean the whole of the Midwest is that share borders most likely share the same language, they use different dialects of the landangerous and violent. guage. For example, the most common language in Botswana (besides English) is Setswana.

3. Africa is not filled with dangerous animals freely roaming the streets. Wild animals are There are ethnic groups in South Africa who speak Setswana but use a different dialect. kept in national parks and game reserves which may look uncontrolled. The reason behind The native language in Lesotho is Sesotho, which is similar to Setswana but has a different that is most national parks and game reserves are not man-made. Instead, a portion of the dialect. land is fenced off. That way, wild animals live in their natural habitat but their movements 10. People in Africa wear clothes and shoes. When I first moved to Dubuque, I had a are controlled. On that note, I’m afraid I don’t own a pet lion or any other wild animal. colleague ask me how it felt to wear proper clothes and shoes. Well, we do wear “proper” 4. Some people in Africa live in modern houses or traditional houses that have been modern- clothes and shoes. We may wear our traditional attire, but we still have access to other types ized and meet the standards of civilization. Although there are tribes in different countries of clothes and do actually wear them. that lead a nomadic life, such as the Khoi San, (they build temporary houses, hunt for food, 11. This is not a fact, but please avoid saying people are from Africa as if it’s one big collect wild nuts and fruits, and move from place to place), most people live in houses built country. I understand and appreciate the curiosity. We may be from the same continent and using brick and mortar. identify with some of the same things, but we are different people from different countries 5. African nations make use of technology, including the latest smartphones in the market, with different traditions, cultures, customs, norms, and languages. as an example. Not every person owns a technological device but I’d say we are doing okay.

We have educational institutions that make use of modern technology, home phones, the

The Lorian

TIPS with TRISH The Lorian is beginning a column by Tricia Borelli, Director of Counseling Services.

Here she will answer student questions concerning anything that relates to keeping it together while doing this crazy thing called college. Send questions or comments to Ms. Borelli, Loras Box 100, or to the e-mail address tricia.borelli@loras.edu. All names of those sending questions will be kept confidential.

Dear Trish, I think I’ve done pretty well adjusting to having a roommate considering having my own space at home for years. Thankfully, my roommate and I get along fine. We respect each other’s stuff, keep the room relatively clean and don’t have people over all of the time. Honestly I could have done much worse!

On that note, however, I have one minor issue. My roommate never leaves the room. Okay, well maybe she goes to class and the café, but besides that, she hardly leaves. I’m dying for some time to myself in the only space I can really call my own on campus. Is that too much to ask?

Signed, My Space Too

Sick of Getting Sick?

by CASSANDRA BUSCH | news editor

Getting sick in college is inevitable. However, there are many steps that you can take to keep your life here as healthy and sanitary as possible, whether in your dorm, the cafeteria, or in your classes.

Living with someone in such close quarters like a residence hall or a small apartment can be tough, and it gets even harder when one (or both) of you is sick. If your roommate is contagious, chances are you’ll get the same thing. That can be really frustrating, as you will likely have to miss class and important information and lectures, as well as having fun with your friends.

Taking care to keep your room clean is important, but small steps are usually enough to significantly reduce your risk of getting ill. The first tip? Don’t wash your dishes where you brush your teeth. You could be at risk for getting a gastrointestinal infection, like E. coli, salmonella, or norovirus. Now, for those of us that live in traditional residence halls, this can be a little tough. However, there are always the kitchens in the basements if you save up your dirty plates and go down every so often to clean them.

Sharing is caring, but not when it comes to things like drinks, towels, utensils, etc. Mono can be spread through drinking from the same glass or water bottle, along with other illnesses passed through bodily fluids. Using the same towel as a friend can seem harmless as well, but staph infections can spread through these quickly, especially in locker rooms. Make sure to always be prepared when you work out, and bring your own water, towel, etc. to avoid these risks.

If your roommate is sick, say you love them, but you’re going to stay away for a while. At least try and stay on opposite sides of the room if possible.

While they’re recovering, make sure to take precautionary measures for yourself like washing your hands often, using separate hand towels, wiping down hard surfaces, etc.

Another good idea is to carry around hand sanitizer, in your backpack or on your lanyard. Use it before you eat, after you go to the gym, using a shared computer keyboard, etc. It may be wise to find one that has aloe vera in it as well, since the alcohol in the sanitizer is great for killing germs, but it will also dry out your skin. The aloe vera will replenish the moisture in your skin and keep it soft.

You may not think to check them often, but take a look down at your feet every so often! Especially if you shower in public bathrooms, you can be especially susceptible to athlete’s foot, plantar warts, and other fungal infections. Dry your toes after you’re done showering, and make sure to wear shower shoes to help prevent these annoying maladies.

There are also services at Loras (like the Health Center) that offer great tips on how to stay healthy and clean. When you start feeling under the weather, go right away and try to take care of it.

Even if you “never get sick,” being surrounded by so many people in close quarters 24/7 makes perfect conditions for anyone to pick up illnesses. Along with the preventative measures and tips above, sleep, exercise, healthy eating and keeping your stress levels low will also make you less susceptible to getting sick.

Four years of college go by fast, so don’t waste any more time being sick than you have to! Stay clean, practice good healthy living and lower your chances of catching something, ain’t nobody got time for that!

Sept. 25, 2014

Dear My Space Too, You’re right in acknowledging that things could be worse. This is one of the better problems to have regarding roommates. With that being said, you do deserve a little time to yourself in that small box that you pay for each semester.

Try talking to your roommate about getting out sometimes for studying.

Changing the scenery can sometimes be a good thing. Maybe you could try a few new places together like the lounge in your residence hall or the ACC or a certain place in the library. Sometimes fear or social anxiety keeps people in their room where they feel less anxious. Exploring something with her or talking to your RA about a floor study night may help this problem.

On a similar note, checking out some clubs and organizations on campus might also get her out. You don’t have to be manipulative to suggest some organizations on campus that she might enjoy. Studies show that involvement in college activities actually can improve academic performance besides helping students make valuable connections on campus.

If neither of these things seems to help, you are likely just living with someone who is an extreme introvert. Try talking to her about her schedule and being honest with her about being a bit jealous that she gets the room to herself more often than you do. Maybe you two could come up with some time for you to have the room to yourself. It’s really not a lot to ask.

If these all seem too hard then just “bite the bullet” until the end of the year or at least the end of the semester and then talk to your RA about a move.

Trish

5

Sports

The Lorian

Sept. 25, 2014

6

Women’s soccer falls to No. 4 Wheaton Duhawks (4-5) look to put slow start behind them as they enter Iowa Conference play

by KATIE TRUESDALE | sportswriter

photo by KATHERINE EDWARDS

Junior Taylor Serrano celebrates with her fellow Duhawks after scoring a point against Luther. The Duhawks fell in four sets.

Duhawks dig in for season’s homestretch Duhawks fall to Wartburg in 4 sets on Tuesday night

by AIDAN WOJCIEHOWSKI | sportswriter

The Duhawks went 2-1 in last weekend’s St. Kate’s Invitational Tournament in St. Paul, MN. On Friday, the ladies split their two games, winning 3-0 against St. Catherine before losing a close one to St. Olaf, 3-2.

On Saturday, the Duhawks woke up early to take on Hamline, and won the match, 3-1.

Sophomore Danni Kennedy had a weekend to remember. Providing a spark early and often, Kennedy averaged 3.00 kills per set, and hit .333 on the weekend. Her play not only helped the Duhawks finish above .500 in a tournament for the first time this season, but it was also good enough to earn her all-tournament honors.

While Kennedy’s play was instrumental in the successful weekend, she wasn’t the only Duhawk to play well. Sophomore Jenna Erickson and junior Christina Angeli each added double-double to the Duhawks balanced team attack. After a shaky start to the tournament, junior Kara Kentner came on strong. Her team best ninth triple-dou-

ble on the season (11 kills, 11 assists, 13 digs) capped off a Duhawk victory and the 2-1 tournament record overall.

“The weekend was a positive turning point for the team,” said head coach Jenna Ness. Ness also noted how the girls came ready right out of the gates early in the morning.

On Tuesday night, the Duhawks traveled to Waverly to take on conference opponent Wartburg. The Duhawks came out of the gate quickly, winning the first set in convincing fashion, 25-14. Wartburg surged back however, winning the next two sets 25-16 and 25-21. With their backs against the wall in set four, the Duhawks kept it close for a while, until Wartburg went on a 9-3 run and pulled away to win the match 25-17.

Kennedy led the Duhawks in kills with nine, followed by junior Liz Jendra with eight. Kentner led the team in assists with 20 and added 7 kills.

The Duhawks (6-10) will look to rebound this Friday in the IIAC-NACC Crossover Tournament, where they’ll face off against Benedictine, Lakeland, Edgewood and Dominican.

It was a tough weekend for the Duhawks, as they took on their rival, No. 4 Wheaton College Saturday afternoon.

The Thunder ended the Duhawks’ season with a 3-2 victory in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season.

The first half was an adjustment for Loras, as they applied low pressure on the Thunder attack. With Wheaton’s five shots to Loras’ one, the first half would remain scoreless. Senior goalkeeper Hannah Wilson had two saves within the first 45.

The second half grew more intense, as both teams fought to get that first tally.

As the Thunder came up the field, the Duhawks were beat on the outside, allowing a cross into the box. A Wheaton forward was left open on the back side and would put one away past Wilson that gave the visiting team the lead in the 69th minute.

The Duhawks struggled to connect in the attacking third. Wheaton, on the other hand, had ten shots; but five Wilson saves kept the Duhawks close. In the final minutes of the match, Loras was awarded a corner kick which brought every player in the box, including Wilson.

The Thunder were able to clear it out to a forward standing alone who would take it to the back of the net with ease in the last three seconds of the game, leaving the score at 2-0.

“I took a lot of positives out of the Wheaton game,” said head coach Dan Rothert. “Year after year, Wheaton is a standard to measure our program. Our team battled and brought the needed energy on Saturday verses Wheaton.

Combined with following through on the tactical adjustments we made, we were able to compete and were in the game to the very end. We have played one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country in hopes to have us ready for an improving conference slate.”

The Duhawks are currently 4-5. This is the first time the women’s soccer program has been below .500 since the 2007 season.

The Duhawks are scheduled to face the Platteville Pioneers on Wednesday in the Rock Bowl at 7 p.m. A win Wednesday would be their first of the season in the Rock Bowl, and provide momentum after a slow start to the season.

“We have been talking about peaking at the right time lately,” said senior captain and outside back Kristina Everding. “We realize that we aren’t where we wanted to be right now, but there is still a lot of season left to play. A lot of newcomers are starting to step up their level of play, which translates both during practices and games. Each day we have something to learn, and we are excited to keep improving and see what this team is capable of.”

Despite their current record, the Duhawks are still favorites to come out on top in the Iowa Conference. Their first IIAC match will take place this Saturday against Central at 2 p.m.

A tale of two teams

Women’s soccer per-game stats in wins vs. losses: Goals

In wins In losses

Shots

Loras

Opponents

Loras

Opponents

2.00

0.25

12.8

11.75

0.60

2.40

9.8

17.4

First-year Riley Till eyes a putt during the UD Fall Invite over the weekend.

The Duhawks finished fourth overall.

COLOR

FT5K

photo by KATHERINE EDWARDS

Run/Walk

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12 9:00 AM

10:00 AM

Registration

Start Time

CHAPLAIN SCHMITT ISLAND REGISTER AT:

LORAS.EDU/DANCEMARATHON/EVENTS

25 Adults before September 27

30 Adults After September 27

12 Kids 12 & Under before September 27

15 Kids 12 & Under After September 27

Proceeds benefit Duhawk Dance Marathon & local families treated at University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. qUESTIONS? cONTACT cLAIRA sIEVERDING AT CLAIRA.SIEVERDING@LORAS.EDU OR 563-451-2273

Duhawks hit the greens Men’s and women’s golf teams both finish 4th in respective tournaments

by MADDIE WHALEN | sportswriter

The men’s and women’s golf teams have both turned in strong performances so far this season.

Earlier in the month, the women won the Benedictine Universities Invite with a team score of 56-over par. The victory was monumental for the team because it was their first victory in the tournament in six years.

“We have a team goal of finishing 3rd place in conference,” said head coach Jamie Majerowicz. “Our team weakness is consistency. We have been working on strengthening this by getting in extra practice each week.”

The girls followed up with last week’s victory with a fourth place finish at the Lu-

ther Invitational. The Duhawks were led by junior Mara Simonson who turned in a 91 and an 85, and finished 16th. Senior Lauren Gonner was not far behind, shooting an 89 on both days and finishing in 20th.

“Our strength is that we have great team chemistry and great leaders. We are a small team of only 6, but a different person has stepped up each week to lead the team with a strong score.”

The men’s team continued their season last Saturday and Sunday at the University of Dubuque Fall Invite. They finished fourth with a team score of 64-over and 624 overall. Junior Jason Beer and firstyear Pete Leinenweber led the Duhawks by tying for 11th with a 16 over par.

The men will finish their season next Tuesday at the Midwest Region Fall Classic in the Wisconsin Dells, while the women will compete in the IIAC Championships this Saturday in Cedar Falls.

Sports

The Lorian

Sept. 25, 2014

7

Drew’s Views

It’s just a fantasy

W

photo by KATHERINE EDWARDS

Senior forward Dillon Olson dribbles past a defender during the Duhawks’ 2-2 tie Sunday with UW-Oshkosh in the Rock Bowl.

‘Comeback kids’ No. 13 Loras overcomes 2 first-half deficits to avoid their 2nd loss of the season

by KATIE TRUESDALE | sportswriter

The Duhawks have had to rely on the comeback lately, as they’ve fallen behind early in each of the last four games.

“We need to bring energy from the beginning,” said head coach Dan Rothert.

“Everyone gives us their best game in the first 15-20 minutes, and we need to handle that storm better. If we can do that, we will be in much better shape and not have to chase the game. We’ve come back on all but one occasion, but this is not good enough. We need to start clicking on all cylinders as we enter conference play and not be in a hole to start a game.”

Last Thursday, the Duhawks faced off against the University of Chicago in the Rock Bowl. Chicago made their first tally on the scoreboard in the 13th minute.

Soon after, in the 22nd minute, there was a miscommunication between Loras’ sophomore goalkeeper Adam Roloff and senior outside back Mitch Burgmeier. The two collided outside of the goal, giving University of Chicago’s forward an open opportunity for goal number two. Loras played every man on their roster in the first half but were still unable to find the back of the net.

It wasn’t far into the second-half when the Duhawks were able to find their groove, as senior Mike Pizzello found the net in the 52nd minute to make the game 2-1. Just eight minutes later, senior Dillon

Men’s soccer at a glance (7-1-1) overall, ranked No. 13

W 3-0 Olson drew a penalty kick that was Willamette taken and put away by junior Jorge @ Carroll W 5-2 Simon to equalize the match.

With the score tied, both teams Carleton W 2-0 failed to pull ahead with a third goal and the game entered extra St. Thomas L 2-1 time. With golden goal applying, W 3-2 the first ten minute overtime pe- @ St. Olaf riod remained scoreless. Minutes W 2-1 into the second overtime, senior @ St. John’s JD Perez found the back of the net U of Chicago W 3-2 (2OT) with a shot from the top of the 18 to ensure the win over University of UW-Oshkosh T 2-2 Chicago for the Duhawks.

Sat. 4:30 p.m.

With that win under their belt, Central the Duhawks only had a few days to prepare for their match against * Conference Opponents in bold UW-Oshkosh on Sunday. The men struggled again in the beginning equalize the game. After two twenty minof the game, coming out slow and letting ute overtime periods, the match remained Oshkosh take control. The Duhawks fell 2-2, giving the Duhawks their first draw of behind early as Oshkosh scored two goals the season and an overall record of 7-1-1. in the first-half. The Duhawks had to come “During both half-times, the main mesout in the second-half with a new-found sage from coach was that we need to come energy, or a loss was coming their way. out with more energy from the start,” said This energy finally came from senior Pizzello. “[He said] it was too slow and it Mike Pizzello in the 47th minute, when he didn’t look like Loras soccer. We could all finished off a deflection from one of Os- feel the lack of energy at half and we just hkosh’s defenders making the score 2-1. said to each other that it’s going to take a With the lone goal, the men struggled to lot of effort to come back, but we’re not put in the equalizer. With one minute left going down without a fight. We need to on the clock, it seemed as though there prove to ourselves and everyone else out was little hope. there that this team is good enough to Luckily, with 20 seconds left in the come back from a deficit and that we have match the Duhawks were awarded a cor- the determination to succeed.” ner kick. As the ball was tossed around the The men will now have some time off as box by both teams, it ended at the foot off they are not scheduled to play until SatPizzello at the top of the six where he was urday against Central College, their first able to put past Oshkosh’s goal keeper to conference match of the season.

Cross-country teams hold their own Loras outperforms several Division I programs at National Catholic Championships

by RYAN GRAHAM | sports editor

The men’s and women’s cross-country teams have run strong in their first three meets this season. Both teams are looking to make a return to the Division III National Championships later this year.

The Duhawks started strong right off the bat, dominating the competition in the Bull Buxton Invitational in late August. Both the men and women finished first overall in the meet. The men’s performance was especially impressive, as the first ten finishers were Loras runners. Junior Sam Whan took first, while seniors Ty Whittman and Rob Howe took second and third. On the women’s side, sophomore Maggie Saenz-Ruiz took first, while junior Brianne Cook took fourth.

“I’ve had guys get perfect scores before, but this was the first time I’ve ever had a team go one through ten in a meet,” said head coach Bob Schultz. “That was a great start to the season for the men. For

Maggie Saenz-Ruiz was named the IIAC Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Week for her performance this past weekend. the ladies, we didn’t really know what to expect. So for them to win pretty convincingly, it was a great start to the season for them as well.”

In the Dutch Invitational in Pella earlier this month, the Duhawks turned in another strong performance. On the men’s side, the Duhawks were led by Whittman (third) and Whan (fourth), and finished second as a team behind host Central College. The women finished second as well, with Saenz-Ruiz taking second place.

The Duhawks then traveled to South Bend, IN, for the National Catholic Championships at the University of Notre Dame. Among non-Division I teams, the men finished first behind Whan [third] and Wittman (fourth), while the women finished eighth behind another strong performance from Saenz-Ruiz who fin-

ished fifth. While Loras technically wasn’t competing against the Division I schools, Schultz said that if they were, his team would’ve held their own.

“They used to have combined scoring between Division I and non-Division I teams, but they took out the combined scoring,” said Schultz. “But when we combined the scoring ourselves, it turns out that we would’ve been third on the men’s side behind Notre Dame and Canisius. So we beat Dayton, we beat DePaul, we beat Marquette — all those Division I schools.”

The Duhawks will get back on the course this Saturday at the NCAA Pre-Nationals meet in Mason, OH. “For the men, we have to keep our top guys healthy and keep working hard,” said Schultz. “For the ladies, it’s just about figuring out who we are. Maggie is an established top runner and I think Bri Cook has established herself as a very consistent number two. On both sides, we just need to keep working hard in these next few weeks before we start to taper our workload towards the end of the season.”

e all have fantasies.

Living out our most far-fetched hopes and desires through the power of our imaginations can be a therapeutic escape from Drew Brashaw the mundane realities asst. sports editor of everyday life. There’s literally no limit to where we can go and what we can do in our fantasies.

I fantasized a lot about football when I was a lad, but my football fantasies bore no resemblance to what we know as “fantasy football.” I dreamed about scoring the game-winning touchdown in the Super Bowl and driving my convertible to Disneyland. Never once did I fantasize about researching statistical data and compiling a paper football team to compete for meaningless bragging rights over my friends.

According to Forbes magazine, fantasy football has become a $70 billion industry.

Every year, millions of NFL fans draft fantasy teams, give them snarky names (like “Flacco Seagulls,” or “The Jerry Sandusky Freedom Squad”), proclaim themselves to be experts, and then spend the entire football season griping about Roy Helu stealing goal line touches from Alfred Morris. What a wild fantasy!

Has our national imagination really deteriorated so badly that we must resort to fantasizing about jobs as executives in corporate America? Did you grow up wanting to be Peyton Manning, or did you dream about becoming the next Jim Irsay?

Fantasy football’s insane popularity reflects the shifting attitude of sports fans in modern America. Fans today are no longer content to be passive observers of the game; they insist on injecting themselves into the action in any fashion they can. Fantasy football makes its followers feel like they have some impact on the week’s NFL action. They don’t, of course, but I guess that’s where the “fantasy” bit comes into play. In addition to deluding themselves into believing they actually own football teams, fantasy football enthusiasts also do a fine job of irritating those NFL fans who are fine with just watching the game. The phrase “my fantasy team,” in nearly any context, is a fool-proof indicator of the uninteresting, unimportant babble that will invariably follow.

I actually feel sorry for those poor souls who require the sporting equivalent of Dungeons & Dragons in order to enjoy the game of football. As a lifelong fan of the NFL, I’ve always felt like the on-field action and off-the-field intrigue provide more than enough excitement and entertainment to hold my interest. Much of the fun of spectator sports comes from the helplessness of fandom. What is more emotionally enthralling than standing by and watching your favorite team capture glory or suffer defeat, knowing all the while that there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it?

Fantasy football upsets the natural order of things among NFL fans. Because of fantasy football, you have Chicago Bears fans praying for piles of Aaron Rodgers touchdown passes, Broncos fans lamenting injuries to Jamaal Charles, and fans of all 32 teams suddenly giving a crap about kickers. It all feels very slimy to me.

The roles of all parties involved in sports are clearly defined: Players should play, coaches should coach, owners should own, and fans should sit back and watch it all unfold. Everything else is just a fantasy.

Editors note: Drew’s fantasy football team is 1-2 on the season.

8

The Lorian

Sports

Sept. 25, 2014

COACH’S CORNER

Playoffs!?

GRAHAM SLAM

photo courtesy of JIM NAPRSTEK

Duhawks converge on a Augustana ball carrier during their 34-17 loss Saturday in Rock Island, IL.

Football team poised to make a splash in IIAC Head coach is pleased with the team’s progress despite its loss to Augustana

by DREW BRASHAW | asst. sports editor

Box Score

1

2

3

4

F

Loras

0

3

14

0

17

Augustana

6

7

14

7

34

Dylan Jones

30-53, 287 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INT

Nate Carrier

28 carries, 112 yards

With three games of non-conferNate Even 10 rec., 128 yards, TD ence football under their belts, the Duhawks enter their bye week with a record of 1-2. While the team’s the systemic overhaul which took won-lost tally may be identical to place this offseason. “The change in the mark Loras took into conference X’s and O’s has been drastic,” says play a year ago, little else about the Helminiak. “So it has been, and still 2014 incarnation resembles its re- is, a high learning curve. The players cent predecessors. have adapted well – but are just at “The biggest difference (this year) the tip of the iceberg.” over the last couple Despite the ofyears is that we’re fense’s early growcompetitive now,” pains, the unit “ The biggest difference ing says Duhawks head has managed to (this year) over the last football coach, Steve amass some fairHelminiak. “We’ve ly gaudy statistics couple years is we’re been in position to competitive now. We’ve in non-conference win in both losses play. Senior quarbeen in position to this year. We’ve terback Dylan Jones win in both losses this moved the ball ofhas piled up 935 fensively and scored passing yards over year. We’ve moved the points while not the first three conball offensively and clicking yet offentests, placing him scored points while not sively — that’s enin the top 10 in all clicking yet offensively couraging.” of NCAA Division Offensively, as III football in the – that’s encouraging.”

Helminiak points Steve Helminiak, statistical category. out, the Duhawks “Dylan has made head coach have had some rocky great strides within footing at times, but the new system,” they’ve shown many says coach Helminsigns of an exciting, potent offense iak of his maturing quarterback. on the rise. The erratic ups and “He has put a tremendous amount downs experienced by the Duhawk of time into learning the new system offense can be directly attributed to and great effort to transferring it to

‘‘

,,

the practice and game field. Obviously, it has suited him well – his and our numbers speak for themselves.”

As the offense continues to grow into its new system, the defense appears already to be in mid-season form. Like the offense, the defense introduced a new scheme for 2014, and it’s been paying off in a noticeable way. “(They’re) Playing much faster,” said Helminiak. “They run to the ball extremely well. There are less checks and adjustments, allowing them to play at a high tempo. Our new schemes have allowed our guys to do much less thinking and more reacting.”

Less thinking and more reacting have translated to 15 sacks and seven interceptions for the revamped Duhawks defense; good enough to tie them for 4th and 2nd in D-III, respectively. After a dominant performance against Elmhurst in week one, and gritty showings in losses to UW-Stout and Augustana, the Duhawk defense looks poised to be the driving force of the 2014 squad.

While there is plenty of cause for optimism as the Iowa Conference schedule approaches, the Duhawks are well aware of the work yet to be done.

“Everything needs work,” says coach Helminiak. “We need to take care of the football much better, we need to be cleaner in assignments and communication. We need to play more physical and finish. We need to continue to play as a team, we need to continue to have a great attitude, and we need to continue to pick each other up.”

Tennis team battles in regionals Dickhut becomes first women’s tennis player in Loras history to win at the ITA Regionals

by DREW BRASHAW | asst. sports editor

2014 has been a season of ups and downs for the Loras women’s tennis squad, but the Duhawks have not lost sight of what’s truly important.

“They keep getting tighter and tighter as a group,” said head women’s tennis coach Karl Stubben. “They’re consistently supporting each other in matches, while pushing each other hard in practice.”

With just a few short weeks remaining in the season, the tight-knit unity seems to be paying dividends at the right time.

The Duhawks traveled to St. Peter, Minnesota this past weekend for tournament play, and the team’s comaraderie was on full display, as Loras turned in a solid showing at the USTA/ITA Division III Women’s Midwest Regional

Championships/Gustie Fall Invite. “(The team’s performance was) outstanding,” said Stubben. “For the stakes being as high as they were, the team played incredibly well. Nobody was scared or intimidated by their surroundings one bit.

Everyone played with poise.”

Stubben went on to describe the outing as “probably our most consistent performance of the season.”

Jessica Dickhut Much of this consistency can be attributed to steady doubles play, which Stubben considers one of the team’s greatest strengths.

“We’ve consistently played (doubles) at a very high level,” he said. “I feel that it’s because we are, in general, a very athletic squad. They have done a great job of establishing themselves early in matches while showing the maturity needed to fight through

any rough patches.”

While her teammates competed in the Gustie Invite, sophomore Jessica Dickhut made Loras College history as the first Duhawk ever to secure a victory in a match at the ITA regionals, defeating Emily McCormick of Concordia-Wisconsin in straight sets (6-2, 6-0) in the consolation bracket.

“It was the most amazing experience ever,” said Dickhut. “I’m so excited to be the first Duhawk to earn a victory in the ITAs. I’m extremely thankful that I was able to make Duhawk tennis history.”

While Dickhut’s historic accomplishment may be viewed as an individual honor, her teammates were never far from her thoughts.

“I am so thankful that I was given the opportunity to play, and I really enjoyed watching all the other players,” she said. “We have grown so much as a team in just one season. We have really bonded. I am very excited to see what else we can do.”

P

eople have been asking the same question for years: “Why isn’t there a playoff system for Division I college football?”

Coaches, players and fans alike have complained, and rightfully so, that a computer shouldn’t determine whether or not their team gets to compete for a national Championship. But recently, after 112 Ryan Graham years of holding out, the NCAA finally sports editor caved.

Well, sort of.

Starting this year, NCAA football will hold a four-team playoff to decide its National Champion. While this is a step in the right direction, I have my concerns. First, four teams are not enough. Teams from non-powerfive conferences will almost certainly get snubbed. If you have, say, 32 teams — you’d have at least a couple spots for the Boise State’s and East Carolina’s of the world. Secondly, I’m not a fan of the selection process.

The four playoff teams are determined by a selection committee. What makes a person qualified to serve on this committee? Who knows?

The 13 member committee consists of: five active athletic directors (completely understandable), a former NCAA executive vice president (fine), a former Nebraska coach and athletic director (OK), the former commissioner of the Big East (reasonable), a former Air Force Academy superintendent (getting weirder), a former USA Today reporter (what?), Tyrone Willingham (the guy who coached Notre Dame into the ground), Archie Manning (???) and last but not least — Condoleezza Rice (huh?).

Who the hell was on the selection committee responsible for selecting this selection committee?

The third problem I have with the new playoff system is the fact that it doesn’t eliminate the worst part of college football — the one-loss kiss of death. Just one loss in college football almost certainly knocks a team out of the Championship running for good. Even if that loss happened early in the season, even if that loss came against Alabama — if you lose, you’re screwed.

But it shouldn’t be this way. Say there’s a team that loses their first two games of the season. In game three, they decide to bench their senior quarterback and start their redshirt freshman.

All of a sudden, the team is “No one wants unstoppable. They go on a tento watch 35 bowl game winning streak and win games, especially their conference. At the end of the season, they might actually when 34 of them be the best team in college don’t matter. Two football. But we’ll never know 6-6 teams facing because the four undefeated or off in the “Oneone-loss teams ahead of them A-Day Women’s will get take their spot in the Multivitamin playoff bracket. The playoff Scotch Tape system needs to be expanded, Bowl” is not plain and simple. compelling There are several arguments television.” against expanding the playoffs.

Each of which can be easily debunked.

The season would be too long.

No, no it wouldn’t. Here’s a solution, how about we eliminate the games against East-West State Community College. What did we gain from watching Michigan State drop 73 on Eastern Michigan last weekend? Nothing. This year, the bowl season will run from Dec. 20 through Jan. 12.

That’s a little more than three weeks. A 32-team playoff would take five weeks to complete (assuming one round is played per week). Get rid of the first two weeks of the season, when teams play against Division I-FCS teams, and boom, the season is exactly the same length as it was before.

There would be too much riff-raff.

Everyone loves to complain when a mid-major sneaks into a BCS bowl. “They don’t belong here! Look who they’ve played!” Well, guess what? If a team truly doesn’t belong in the tournament, they’ll get routed by 50 points and knocked out of the first round. The tournament will police itself.

Schools would lose money.

Wrong. According to Sports Business Daily, ESPN paid approximately $7.3 billion to secure the broadcasting rights for the four-game playoff this year.

Compare this to the $2 billion contract that they had with the BCS before the playoff system. Now, instead of three games, imagine if the NCAA had 31 games to sell to the highest bidder. The TV revenue would be off the charts, as would the fan interest. It doesn’t make sense NOT to expand the playoffs.

But what about the tradition?

Screw the tradition. No one wants to watch 35 bowl games, especially when 34 of them don’t matter. Two 6-6 teams facing off in the “One-A-Day Women’s Multivitamin Scotch Tape Bowl” is not compelling television. The bowl season has become completely over-saturated with bad football. What we need is change. It’s time to leave tradition behind and decide a champion the old fashioned way — by playing football.