The Current Issue 7

The Official Student Newspaper of Eckerd College

Vol. XXIV

February 19, 2010

St. Petersburg, Florida

Issue 7

Eckerd alum Dennis Lehane does it again

In theaters Feb. 19 Are your Z’s in the red?

Think you’re making up sleep? Think again

News & Features — Page 5

Piercing culture

Eighties fashion

The ins, outs, heres and theres of piercing culture

Jean jackets and high contrast colors are back

Viewpoints — Page 12

Arts & Entertainment — Page 16

news & features

Executive Board Managing Editor Meagan Bemis thecurrent@eckerd.edu Editor-in-Chief Petra Stevenson Copy Editor Emily Krumm Director of Finance Samantha Salfity Director of Advertising Caitlin Gerry Asst. Advertising Abby Gestl currentads@eckerd.edu Faculty Adviser Tracy Crow

Editorial Board News Editors Laurel Ormiston Entertainment Editor Francie Devine currententertainment@eckerd.edu Viewpoints Editor Catee Baugh currentviews@eckerd.edu Photography Editors Shawn Craine Erin Linebarger Sports Editor Max Martinez currentsports@eckerd.edu Sports Photographer Doug Thayer

Staff Writers

Jaclyn New Jeralyn Darling Johnny Jones Sarah Malhotra Sarah Yost Will Creager Abby Gestl Shelby Howell Kasey Kilinski Palmer Suk

ECOS Safe Ride trial begins

By Francie Devine Entertainment Editor ECOS recently began a monthlong trial of Safe Ride, a program employed by a number of colleges and universities that coordinates rides for students with a local taxi company.

In Eckerd’s case, Bat’s Taxi will provide rides from commonly visited sites such as the beach and downtown St. Pete. Students merely have to sign up for a trial-run card.

Brittany O’Shaughnessy, ECOS Vice President of Financial Affairs, has been spearheading the cause.

“The mission of a Safe Ride program is to provide an alternate ride home for students in dangerous situations.” O’Shaughnessy emphasized that this program is in no way meant to facilitate reckless drinking

• Feb. 19, 2010 • • Vol. XXIV Iss. 7 • 2

Friday, February 19, 2010

than choosing to drink, then drive.

The possibility of hurting someone else because of your poor choice is unacceptable. A ride home prevents putting lives at risk.”

O’Shaughnessy is looking to offset the cost of a full-time program by reaching out to sponsors. Dean of Students James Annarelli wholeheartedly supports the program as a valuable Eckerd resource.

“Other colleges within Florida and throughout the United States have experienced great success with Safe Ride programs. I applaud ECOS Vice President of Finance Brittany O’Shaughnessy and other ECOS leaders whose efforts have resulted in the implementation of this EC Safe Ride Pilot Project.” If the Safe Ride trial is successful, a full-time program could be implemented next year.

On the cover Based on Eckerd Alum Dennis Lehane’s hit novel, Shutter Island promises to be a thrilling trip to a remote island with two U.S. Marshalls sent to investigate the disappearance of a murderess from a mental health hospital.

Look for a dual movie and book review in Issue 8 of The Current.

Contributing Writers Sarah Karpf Holly Eikenberg Mitchell Ann Crowley William Skinner Brittany McNamera

without responsibility. Safe Ride is meant as a catchall for life’s unpredictable situations – for the stranded passenger or for the student who’s trying to avoid a fight over how much someone had to drink.

The month-long trial will show the cost and benefit of the program, analyzing both frequency and mileage. Students receive free rides, courtesy of ECOS. The taxi will only drop students off at their residence, which includes off campus housing.

The predetermined amount allocated toward the trial run will determine how long the trial lasts. If funds run out before the end of the trial, the program will close early.

Students are excited about the potential new program. Laura Kujawa, a senior, spoke out as both an RA and a concerned member of the EC community. “There is nothing worse

Shutter Island opens in theaters Feb. 19 Photos courtesy of shutterisland.com and dennislehanebooks. com

Advertisement

Clarification: In an article titled “Does the pet policy bite?” from Issue 6 (Feb. 5), a source reported that a dog may have died on campus from neglect.

The Current has since learned from Coordinator of the Community Standards Board Tonya Womack that the dog actually did not die on campus. Womack also implied the death was not related to neglect.

“We have documentation that the dog was ill,” she said.

news & features

Campus master plan to consolidate parking in North Lot Greening ahead: Say goodbye to your favorite parking spot and hello to your walking shoes.

Eckerd will soon undergo a complete makeover that will promote more environmentallyfriendly forms of transportation.

By Petra Stevenson Editor-in-Chief Think North Lot is just for freshmen? Think again.

According to the Eckerd campus master plan, all student parking will eventually be consolidated in what is currently North Lot, located between the Avenue of States and McArthur Gymnasium. Both Kappa and Omega lots will be eliminated, the former to make way for the new Center for Ceramic Arts & Sculpture and the latter converted to green space. The lots by Beta and across from Alpha will also be removed.

Granted, this won’t happen immediately. The expansion of North Lot will only begin once planning is complete and funding secured, according to Bill McKenna, Director of Planning Development and Construction for Eckerd College. Some of the $465,00 needed for the project is tied to the construction of the new Center for Molecular and Life Science (Sheen), another prominent aspect of the long-term build out plan of the college.

McKenna estimated that work on North Lot would begin in early 2011. Once that parking lot is large enough to accommodate a sizable increase in vehicles, the demolition of Omega lot will begin. The cost of the conversion to green space is also expected to weigh in at about $465,000.

So why the change?

“At the end of the day, our goal is to convert the campus into a walking environment,” McKenna said. “Roadways are really extraneous to the function of the campus.” He noted that the current roads were originally intended only as service roadways. According to the updated master plan, formally revised in May, a guiding principle of the college’s vision is to emphasize foot and bike transportation over that provided by vehicles. McKenna added that such a scheme is common on many campuses around the country. And because Eckerd is relatively small, walking distances are short and manageable. “You can get from one extremity of the campus to another extremity in about 8 minutes,” he said.

Chapel Path, which runs from North Lot past the residence halls of Iota and Kappa, will be expanded and improved. It will be widened and lined with plants, benches and low-lying lights similar to those in front of Armacost.

“What we want to do is enhance the walking experience,” McKenna said.

In time, the path will be moved away from Sheen and properly aligned to connect directly with North Lot. It will be redesigned to form a continuous walking loop all the way from McArthur Gymnasium, through North Lot, and passing alongside Iota, Kappa, Nu, Omega, Delta and Beta before running down the west side of the current soccer field.

The field will soon be flanked on the west by a new recreational field and activities pavilion, set for construction this coming summer. This ‘Go Pavilion’ will be complete and ready for use by fall 2010.

To address safety concerns at night, solar lights will be installed throughout North Lot. Landscaping design will avoid tall shrubs and trees that could hide unsavory characters. In addition, handicap and special needs students will be permitted access to otherwise unauthorized driving on service roads, although details are not yet concrete. Similarly, all students will be allowed to drive on service roads, i.e. pathways, during move-in and move-out periods.

“It will be a much, much better experience,” McKenna said.

A key aspect of the new path system will be the creation of “transfer stations,” to be built in correspondence with the expansion of North Lot. According to McKenna, these stations are pavilions that will be located in parking lots and residential areas where bicycles and other modes of transportation, like scooters, can be parked and stored in a covered, well-lit and safe environment. The goal is to keep yellow bikes alongside students’ personal bicycles to facilitate rapid transport.

McKenna described the yellow bike program as the centerpiece of the environmentally friendly vision of the school. “It [the yellow bike program] plays an important role of how we’re going to shift the behavior of the campus to different modes of transportation,” he said. “Now we have to convince the community that it’s okay to park your car in a place like this, ride a bike, walk, whatever, to get to your destination.” He added, “The key to a plan like this is how will students, staff and faculty respond? Not in complaints — but what will they physically do? If we take the parking lots away from where they are now, and we put them over here [in North Lot] where will they actually park?”

He explained that the administration would study behavioral patterns and make adjustments to the plan as needed. “Students are extremely creative,” McKenna said, “and so we’re anxious to see how they will respond to this.”

Around campus, students’ opinion of the future parking changes are varied.

“It should be fine,” said Senior Alex Moxam after listening to a brief description of the plan. “People will get used to it.” He shrugged, continuing, “And it would be nice not to have cars everywhere.”

Freshman Jonathan Gilbreath had similar thoughts.

“I don’t have a problem with it,” he said, noting his appreciation of green areas already sprinkled across the Eckerd campus. “I think it’s great.

See PLAN on PAGE 6 I don’t usually hear about people

From here to there: 8 minutes to anywhere?

Just how long does it actually take to walk from North Lot to your dorm? To the caf? To the library?

The walking times listed below are based on a North Lot parking spot located about midway between the Avenue of States and McArthur Gymnasium. All tests were conducted at a moderate walking speed while wearing flip-flop sandals and carrying a shoulder bag containing two textbooks and a small notebook. Efforts were made to take the shortest routes currently available, although the path system will eventually be altered to be more continuous.

Sheen: 2:10 Iota: 6:06 Library : 6:14 Kappa: 6:30 Pub: 7:00 Nu: 8:02 Alpha: 8:49 Zeta: 8:54 Caf: 9:47 Omega: 9:52 Beta: 10:59 Gamma: 11:40 Waterfront: 12:24 * Speeds will vary depending on daily weather conditions. Grocery-laden, high-heeled and tipsy students will likely clock slower times.

Friday, February 19, 2010

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news & features

news & features

Are you

“smizing”with your eyes?

Tyra Banks doesn’t have to be the only one who knows about body language and manipulation.

By Laurel Ormiston News Editor this: you’re giving directions on the phone, P icture fully aware that your cohort can only hear you,

only to make a series of gestures to describe how to best get there. “Oh sorry, you can’t see that can you?” is a frequent apology.

You can stop apologizing. According to the book Mirroring People, language and gestures are so intrinsic that it’s quite normal to gesture while on the phone. This simple explanation for something that bugged me for years should have warned me about the statistic I next came across: words only account for 7 percent of comprehension in a conversation.

Tone is 13 percent. The rest is body language.

Body language, more scientifically refereed to as nonverbal communication, refers to facial movements, gaze, head movements, and gestures. Psychology Professor Jeff Howard of Eckerd College said, “Non-verbal communication is a social skill, when used appropriately, and learning to use it and understand when others use it is a necessary part of relating to others.” Attempting to manipulate all those variables certainly seems challenging to my mind — but skilled liars and actors can fool us all by getting their bodies to do just this. But there are ways for the ordinary mortal to tune in and get a grasp of what’s been said- silently- by our bodies.

In a survey of 87 Eckerd College students, more than half said they were aware of their body language; however, all but 8 participants cited an interest in learning about the topic. Comments on why they wished to learn more included being more aware of surroundings and also how others perceive them.

For beginners, mirroring is one such way that understanding body language on a conscious level can allow us to manipulate a situation. Mirroring refers to imitating another person’s gestures. I cross my right leg, you cross your left leg, and so one. For fun one day, you might do some scouting in a public place — if you’re lazy, just plop down in the cafeteria or the pub, and start people watching. If you see a man “mirroring” the girl, chances are, he’s either super interested in what she’s saying (remember, words are what percent of communication?) or he’s super interested in the girl herself. Just don’t go assuming that he’s gay if he’s mirroring a guy — remember, mirroring is most evident in flirting, but is also used to evoke positive emotions in the classroom or business world. “I use body language with clients to make them free at ease and to get them to open up to me (a stranger who is about to get very personal 4

Friday, February 19, 2010

with them),” said Howard. “I will use their gestures and postures just like I would use their vocabulary to convey ideas. The outcome has always been very effective at building rapport and confidence,” he concluded.

Just what these gestures that we emulate mean comes down to doing a bit of human research. Let’s start at the bottom: literally. When it comes to the most genuine and telltale part of the body, it’s the feet. After all, we’re reprimanded by our parents for our facial expressions since a young age: but when was the last time your mother warned you to put on your happy feet for company? We may master the poker face, but few people know about the communicative skills of the feet. For example, “happy feet” are signifiers that a person is feeling confident.

Jingling your feet (not kicking) is a good indicator of happiness. If this behavior is spotted at the end of a class, however, context would indicate the jingling is probably anxiousness to escape. Speaking of the classroom: locking your ankles under your desk is a posture which screams nervousness and insecurity. Enter a class full of people who don’t know each other, and it’s likely you’ll observe how the feet of most will be tucked toward their body. Hopefully the instructor will counter with gestures that indicate confidence and a genial atmosphere. If not, you can be the camaraderie maker yourself: remove obstacles around you, such as your books, your elbows and your knees. Keep them from providing you with a human fortress against new experience, and sit as open as you can manage. If you’re single and the attractive person next to you seems intelligent, flip your wrist up and invite conversation.

Moving on up, the torso is another great indicator of the emotions. We tend to angle or lean toward people we like, and away from those we feel uncomfortable with. The phrase “I turn my back on you” is literally truthful in expressing a physical lack of empathy. Similarly, if we suddenly cover the ventral side of our torso (the stomach and abdomen) we’re expressing insecurity and blocking others. Keep in mind, some postures are naturally comfortable to assume and do not indicate a given emotion unless there is a sudden change. Just because Travis is sitting with crossed arms doesn’t make him insecure.

But if the teacher asks him if he’s been participating in underage drinking as a joke and he crosses his arms… that’s a different matter.

Growing up, you might have heard the saying, “she talks with her hands.” Even if this label was never applied to you or a friend, the statement’s relatively true. Hand positions are another limb involved that limbic system of genuine responses. This pointed tower of the hands displays a person who feels ex-

tremely confident.

In contrast, this action of rubbing your hands on your thighs signifies discomfort and anxiety.

Naturally then, when we sprawl like a cat in the sun, we’re feeling pretty superior. When you place your hands on your hips and plant your feet a little wider than necessary, you’re making a power play on the world. This superhero stance is often seen in action movies. But since physically forcing yourself into a position invokes muscle memory and triggers a corresponding emotional echo, you might want to give this stance a go before your next test to see how it works for you! Its opposite is freezing up and tucking in: just like a turtle, humans tuck in when scared. Generally, we freeze. We restrict our limbs from a lot of eye-catching movement, and tuck our selves up into tiny packets of space. If it’s really bad, we unpack those limbs and book it out of there.

We can also do eye-catching movements to attract attention: such as slipping our sandals on our toes, playing with our hair, and even just fidgeting with clothing in general. Interestingly, all the above behaviors are used in flirting. A woman who puts her hand on your arms and then settles it around you when another gal approaches is definitely feeling protective, if not flirty. She’s also going against the grain: normally, men make the first move on a date to try and touch you. Just like mother said.

Of course, one aspect of society that has been subject to concern is the field of online interaction. If so much of our behavior is influenced by body language, the sterility of the Web means we might be misinterpreting what’s being said. Emoticons might help — but they’re still not as “real” as person-to-person communication. “One aspect of our on-line culture is the lack of body language in texts, Facebook comments, and emails,” said Howard. “It is clear that other ways of expressing meaning are necessary.”

This was concluded via email... with smiley face for emphasis on his point. In a survey of 106 Eckerd Students, 83 percent thought using emoticons aided online communication. Said one Eckerd student, “I think the promotion of emoticons and text abbreviations has caused a sense of laziness in text communication and an increase in misunderstanding.”

In the same survey, another student advocated using a web-cam, saying that they “help to keep a closer connection while in a long distance relationship. It is nice to be able to talk and see each other.” Of the students surveyed, 68 percent said a relationship had suffered at one point because of miscommunication online.

Keeping an eye on body language can help you avoid social mishaps, as well as make you appreciate the time you spend smiling at your buddies, rather than sending them smiley faces on the Web.

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It seems that the common solution to missed sleep is to “catch up” on it when possible, but unfortunately for overworked college students it looks like that catch-up is un-catchable.

ferent majors and personal backgrounds, but something we have in common is that we are tired.

On any given day, you could ask a student how he or she is, and the most common answer is “tired.” Tired from a rigorous class schedule. Tired from a hectic day of errands.

Energy levels are dropping.

Senior Stephanie Yagovane says, “When I get up in the morning, I’m ready to go to sleep.” The most common cause of fatigue is not enough or inconsistent sleep. Partially to blame is dependence on sleep myths, rumors that students have held as gospel truth for years. So the question is, can we catch up on sleep? Robert Stickgold, director of the Center for Sleep and Cognition, a division of Harvard Medical School, refers to leaving adequate sleep for the weekends as “sleep bulimia.” It is best to wake up about the same time every day for the best sleep retention. By continuing to change your body’s sleep schedule, you upset the body’s natural circadian rhythm and prevent it from getting a full night’s rest.

However, each person has his or her own ideal hours of

ors.

There are other habits that make us tired. Stacey Colino of Redbook suggests that better breathing; increasing water intake and better posture will help eliminate constant fatigue. Breathing from your dia-

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students, we are A sallcollege different. We have dif-

sleep required. A standard sleep myth is that more sleep is always better. Unfortunately, too much sleep can cause similar effects as too little.

Beca Franca, a junior, says she gets “about eight hours but is always tired.” Adults seem to accept being tired as a natural part of daily life. But what are some of the longterm effects of sleep deprivation? The Washington Post quotes a new study that shows a link between lack of sleep and heart disease, diabetes and obesity. It is thought that insufficient sleep causes the body to be in high alert. This produces stress hormones, which cause higher blood pressure, a leading cause for heart attacks and strokes.

Sleep deprivation may also affect blood sugar regulation, which raises the chance of diabetes. Students are known for cram session studying or marathon essay writing the night before and, thereby, sacrificing sleep. But according to Joyce Walsleben, who has a doctorate in psychology, “Wakefulness for 18 hours makes you perform almost as though you’re legally drunk.”

Dependence on caffeine seems to be the quick fix of choice, but too much can have serious repercussions.

According to the Mayo Clinic, too much caffeine, 500 to 600 mg, or about four to seven cups of coffee a day, can cause insomnia, fast or irregular heartbeat and muscle trem-

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By Francie Devine Entertainment Editor

news & features

phragm expands the lower lungs, which will allow more oxygen into your system, making you more alert. Water is recommended to ward off slight dehydration, which can also make the body tired.

Without enough water, your heart has to work harder to get blood through the body.

About nine cups should replenish the volume lost. Your body has to work hard during the day, and an added stress of poor posture is harmful.

Good posture eliminates extra stress on the back and hips, which can make you feel tired.

photo courtesy of Wikicommons

For most, there are simple and easy ways to ease fatigue, but for some the problem is more serious. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is very difficult to diagnose because it often is presented with other symptoms. According to The Center for Disease Control, to be diagnosed with CFS you must have severe chronic fatigue for six month or longer and have several other symptoms. Symptoms can include, but are not limited to, short term memory issues, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, multi-joint pain without swelling or redness and unfreshening sleep.

There is no cure for CFS, but counseling, treatment of symptoms and alternative therapies such as yoga are suggested as forms of management.

Feeling tired is no longer something that should be ignored, the long-lasting effects are devastating. So go home and get some rest. *** If you are worried you might have CFS, don’t ignore it. To check your symptoms visit webmd.com or go to your local doctor’s office.

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news & features

What men and women really think about Valentine’s Day

By Holly Eikenberg Contributing Writer “My idea of a perfect Valentine’s Day is taking my girl out for dinner,” says Chris Blydell, a junior at Eckerd. He sits on a couch in a dark room, playing a video game. Posters of sports and girls in bikinis cover the walls. “Then after having dessert, we’d take a blanket down to the beach to watch the sunset while drinking wine or having a couple of beers. And of course we’d be making out.

You can’t do all that and not expect some kissing.” The other guys in the room laugh. Blydell ignores them.

Many others share a similar view of Valentine’s Day. Blydell says that he recognizes the holiday because it is a “romantic day to celebrate being in a relationship,” although he admits that it is pointless unless you have a girlfriend.

Junior Wes Hollins agrees that the holiday is important “mainly for a girl, but that doesn’t mean guys shouldn’t celebrate it with them.” photo courtesy of Wikicommons Valentine’s Day

Plan continued from Page 3

is not just for women. According to a survey sent to Eckerd students, 90 percent of men say they would celebrate the holiday; 77 percent of women agree. Women claim they like to be taken to dinner or receive flowers. Many would also be happy with a simple card.

The majority of men who participated in the survey say that they celebrate Valentine’s Day because it is expected of them. Others say that they do it because it makes their girlfriend feel good. “When she’s happy I’m happy,” reported one survey participant. For all those Hallmark holiday boycotters, here is a little inside information: more than 50 percent of women say they would not be mad if their boyfriend chose not to celebrate the holiday.

Valentine’s Day is, to many, a holiday about celebrating relationships, but what about those who are not involved in one?

Junior Hannah Lombardo said, “Valentine’s Day is an excuse to spend money.

It allows couples to feel secure in their relationship, but shouldn’t you be celebrating being in love every day? Sure it is a wonderful holiday to those who have someone to spend it with. What about those other people who are alone?

Are they supposed to sit by themselves in dirty pajamas devouring an entire container of Ben & Jerry’s One Sweet Whirled? Are they supposed to sit and wonder why they’re spending this unique holiday alone?”

Truth is, many people do spend this holiday alone. Whether they are single by choice or by chance, the day can be a depressing one. Lombardo hopes that not everyone will “fall victim to this useless holiday.”

Senior Joe Dabah agrees, saying Valentine’s Day is “unfortunate for those who aren’t involved with anyone.” Dabah adds, “But the same thing could be said for those who don’t have family and then are forced to sit around while everyone celebrates Christmas.”

In a relationship or not, Valentine’s Day should be about more than just two people. Sending your mom flowers or your brother a box of candy are a couple of ways to beat the blues on Feb. 14. Any form of affection is appropriate on Valentine’s Day, even if that means renting a sappy movie, opening that pint of Ben & Jerry’s or cuddling with your dog.

damaged or vandalized because of the lot’s remote location. getting rid of parking lots to make fields.”

Briana Ballard, also a sophomore, was concerned Freshman Derek Kelly expressed a more with how the elimination of Omega and Kappa lots ambivalent position. “I don’t know if I’m pro or would affect student life. “That kind of sucks,” she con,” he said with regard to the plan. “I think it said about the plan. “[North Lot] is really far away, would definitely complicate matters with parking,” especially when people get back late at night.” She but also that it would “cut down on people driving explained that in her experience, it takes about to class.”

10 minutes Others were less positive.

“We have enough grass.

I don’t for Campus “Ew,” said Sophomore Arya Safety to send Poppema-Bannon when asked her think we need any more. And we a golf cart to initial reaction to the proposal. escort students don’t have a lot of yellow bikes.”

“It honestly sounds like such a across campus gimmick.” She shook her head, if they feel then conceded, “Well, I guess it — Briana Ballard, sophomore uncomfortable will be prettier.” While Poppemagoing the Bannon doesn’t have a car, she distance on explained how excited she was when her sophomore friends were finally able to park in lots off-limit to foot. “You might as well just walk,” she said. With freshmen. “It’s way easier to go out and do stuff,” regard to the “greening” of the campus, she added, she said, describing the close proximity of their “We have enough grass. I don’t think we need any cars to her dorm. She also expressed concern that more. And we don’t have a lot of yellow bikes.” cars parked in North Lot would be more likely to be None of the students questioned had heard of the 6

Friday, February 19, 2010

proposed parking consolidation. A few had never heard of the campus master plan at all.

Dean of Students James Annarelli used to chair large-scale master plan information sessions in Miller Auditorium, though the most recent was held more than three years ago. While smaller town hall type meetings have been held since then, McKenna noted that they are poorly attended. However, ECOS has been included in discussions of the plan and asked for comments. With regard to the last presentation in Miller three years ago, he said, “I can assume that most of the students thought, ‘I don’t care, it doesn’t affect me’…It’s a reasonable response. So we just have to keep trying.”

Other aspects of the plan include a new security gate and front entrance, a hotel and conference center at what is now the Lewis House and renovations of several traditional dorms. The updated campus master plan can be viewed in its entirety at www. eckerd.edu, under the “President” link on the lefthand sidebar. President Eastman will also address a public forum about the plan at 4 p.m. on Feb. 19 in Lewis House.

news & features

An inside look at EC’s search and rescue

By Brittany McNamera Contributing Writer

T

he atmosphere was relaxed. Discussions ensued about what pizza to order for dinner, and laughter filled the air as they joked with one another.

There was no apprehension. No worry while waiting for the next fateful call.

This may come as a surprise to those who don’t know much about EC-SAR. But here is the unveiled truth about this renowned, yet misunderstood, organization.

EC-SAR, Eckerd College Search and Rescue, is unique. No other college in the country has a program like it.

Students work side-by-side with 911 Emergency Medical Response, state and local agencies and the U.S. Coast Guard. Every year, EC-SAR receives 500 to 600 calls. Between July 1 and Nov. 6, 2009, they accepted 185 cases.

Fall semester’s team consisted of 46 students. Eighteen were freshmen in training. Ryan Dilkey, one of three EC-SAR coordinators stated, “The students are very passionate about what they do, and rightfully so because they spend so much time and effort trying to succeed at it.”

The freshmen started active duty on Nov. 9. Usually freshmen don’t begin until the spring semester. With a smaller team this year, EC-SAR needed its freshmen to start sooner.

New students undergo an intensive nine-month training program. The training includes boating safety, medical response, seamanship, technical rescue, de-watering, searching, navigation and fire-fighting. The only qualification required to become a member of EC-SAR is the ability to swim. All other skills are taught in lectures and trainings.

The watches are denoted as “A,” “B” and “C,” each of which has two crews.

The duty crew for Nov. 4 was B2. This is “B” watch and crew 2. Seniors Alexis Frymoyer and Jocelyn Small, Juniors Jessica Houghton and Dana Cubanski and Sophomore John Cassell constitute crew B2. Every night from 6 to 10 p.m., students monitor radio calls.

This is duty crew. Students stand by at the waterfront to provide a quicker response. Each week, students volunteer 12-15 hours for training, meetings and equipment repair. They are also “on-call” for a 24-hour period every three days.

While waiting for the pizza they’d or-

dered, Cubanski maintained Farmville crops on Facebook. Frymoyer sent an e-mail. Everyone was standing around with their “blues” pulled up halfway to their waist. Blues are their uniform jumpsuit, which must be worn while performing EC-SAR duties. The communications center has three screens mounted in a row above the computer system. The middle displays Bay News 9 and weather reports. Another shows a map of the location of the rescue boats.

EC-SAR has 4 boats. Each of the boats is unique. Rescue 2 is a 19-footlong Norsafe SOLAS with a 90 horsepower Mercury Outboard. Rescue 4 is a 23-foot-long Century with a 250 horsepower Mercury Outboard. Rescue 5 is a 24-foot-long Aquasport 225 Osprey with a 225 horsepower Mercury Optimax Outboard and Rescue 6 is a 26.4-foot-long Century with a twin 200 horsepower Mercury Optimax Outboard. Each boat contains a tracking system.

By the end of the night they must complete the duty crew checklist.

These tasks include things like washing uniforms, checking on gear and cleaning rescue boats.

The pizza arrived. Everyone relocated to the hallway. Eating in the communications center is prohibited. As they munched away, Small discussed what it means to be “on-call.” “On call means that the watch you are placed on is serving duty. Meaning you must be within 5 minutes from the waterfront at all times during 1800 to1800 (6 p.m. to 6 p.m.).” If students receive a call, they must respond to the Waterfront. Then, they either act as the response crew on the boat, or remain in OP/COM (operations command) to run the communications of the case.

Unless a student is in class, they can be called. Besides being on duty or on call, they also patrol the waters on Saturday and Sunday.

When a boat is out, there are at least four people on the boat. At least one student stays in the communication center. Every 15 minutes, a crew must call in to OP/COM. They update the radio operator on what’s taking place.

As a radio operator trainee, Cassell must know what to say. Small and Frymoyer practiced this with him.

They reviewed special codes and radio etiquette.

EC-SAR is called into action from various sources. They receive calls

photo courtesy of Brittany McNamera

through their rescue hot-line or VHF channel 16/68. Someone may also call the Coast Guard requesting ECSAR’s assistance. Typically, skippers involved in the incidents will directly contact them. EC-SAR also receives calls from family members of those in distress, 911 dispatches, the Coast Guard or good Samaritans who relay information for others.

After casual chatting, Cubanski and Small discussed their thoughts on ECSAR. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I get to do it with a really great group of students,” explained Cubanski. Small and Cubanski both stated that their favorite cases are more difficult for the person they’re helping.

“It’s kind of bad,” said Small, “because it’s all the medical cases where people get hurt, like jumpers and the fires, and people’s boats getting destroyed.

Those are more exciting than the regular tows or when this guy needs gas.”

Cubanski added, “I think it’s kind of exciting when you get called out of bed at like two in the morning, and you run down and go.”

Small recalled a case she had during her sophomore year. A sailboat out in the Gulf needed assistance navigating through Pass-A-Grille channel. “It was probably the scariest case, and worst case I have ever been on.” Four students, including Small, were on the boat. “When we arrived at the location of the vessel, it ended up being heavy seas,” said Small. “The boat was basi-

cally tipping side to side. It was cold and very wet because the seas were coming over the boat.” Unfortunately for Small, she became sick and unable to perform her duties. Small said she felt bad because she could not help her other crew members. She thought she experienced hypothermia. “I kid you not, we lost the dexterity in our hands and I was continuously shaking,” she said. Small and fellow crew members kept a visual on the sailboat and explained to the vessel over VHF radio where they were going. Despite all the difficulties, the crew was able to safely escort the sailboat. They went through the main shipping channel to Bridge Echo. The sailboat was able to moor there for the night.

Upon discussing the relationship between EC-SAR students and the rest of the student body at Eckerd College, Dilkey said, “When you have that cool SAR case to talk about, sure, you talk about it. When you think about people outside this organization that don’t necessarily understand it, or even the ones that do that don’t live it, they don’t understand enough about it to share in your excitement.” He agrees that these students have experienced unique adventures. That’s one thing that distinguishes them from the rest of the student body. “It’s like trying to talk to somebody about a hobby that you have, that they don’t have any interest in. It’s very difficult to even having a meeting of the minds on it.”

Friday, February 19, 2010

7

“Amusing

EDITORIAL

viewpoints

Hey, England…let’s kick it The Winter Term experience in London and Paris

“I didn’t learn grammar until I had to teach it at a jail.”

—A creative writing professor on previous teaching posts

“So, how many people did we lose?

Eight? Ten? Oh, thank god. Well, now I can tell you it’s really not going to be so bad.”

—An anthropology professor, after the first day of class.

“If you sit all day, eventually you will turn into a mucky swamp.”

—A guest lecturer on the importance of daily exercise.

“What would life be like without olives and mushrooms as a big kid?”

—A literature professor about the maturation of tastes.

Musings ” 8

Friday, February 19, 2010

By Sarah Katherine Yost Staff Writer MC Lar’s song, UK Visa Versa, sums up my time in London: “I love England and visa versa, American perspective in these Visa verses. Teatime?

Jolly good! Caffeine rush. Look, a red phone booth and a double-decker bus….”

Just back, I am constantly asked, “How was London?” And I am repeatedly stumped for the perfect answer. What are the words to describe what it’s like to watch the fireworks on New Year’s Eve from a rooftop where I could see St. Paul’s and the London Eye lit up by the glittering rain of light bursts?

I have walked across Abbey Road and heard a dozen different languages in two minutes on Oxford Street. I had my palm read in Camden Town at the Camden Markets. I saw Bonobo and Wax Tailor at Club Koko where I waited until 2 a.m. to see Bonobo spin.

I have dined in a restaurant where I sat and ate in an opera box, where golden, crimson and royal blue fabric dripped from the ceiling. I have seen art pieces upon art pieces—work from Andy Warhol and Turner, to Duchamp and Max Ernst.

And how to explain my time in Paris? I’ve stood on the steps of Notre Dame and gazed into the faces of the poor beggars with puppies in their arms, puppies used for warmth.

I went to the Louvre and the Museé d’orsay.

I gazed in wonder at the Nike of Samothrace.

I smiled at the Mona Lisa, and soaked up the adoration in the Venus de Milo as people flocked around her.

How to find the proper words for all this: this craze of images from London and Paris is still flooding my mind. If there were any way to explain all these events and emotions as I head off to my next class I would, but I usually shout back over a shoulder, “It was awesome.”

The moments I fell in love with London were when I would come across something small, like a hole-in-the-wall pub where I could sit, have a drink and discuss the day’s excursions. Like the time in Paris when I sat on the train to Chartes watching the houses fly by through a foggy

photo courtesy of Sarah Yost

blanket over the city.

I had a rare, exhilarating feeling wash over me: I was where I was supposed to be, exactly where I was supposed to be.

The other students, my fellow travelers have become the closest friends I’ve made since coming to Eckerd. Every day overseas was an adventure.

One night in Paris, we had the window open to our hotel room, and we watched the snow fall at midnight over the rooftops, a bottle of wine in our hands.

Ever since I was young I have been told to “Get out there!” and to “See the world.” Now that I have, I want more. If there is such thing as an addiction to traveling, I believe I have the disease.

For those of you who have never been out this country I suggest you do. There is nothing more beautiful than finding yourself in the light of a new way of life or culture. In London, I especially tested my limitations and realized that I want a great deal from this world and from myself.

viewpoints EDITORIAL

impending extinction?

Has the age of the yellow bike come to an end?

photos courtesy of Petra Stevenson and Wikicommons

By Petra Stevenson Editor-in-Chief

O

nce upon a time, I loved the yellow bikes.

They were fun. They were novel. I even recall bragging to friends at other universities about my college’s innovative transportation system.

Since the program was launched in 2004, the yellow bike has “become a new symbol of Eckerd College,” according to the Eckerd College Web site. The goal of the program is to lessen reliance on gas-driven vehicles, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping to create a walking, ecofriendly campus.

The bikes were useful, too. I remember skipping out of my dorm in Kappa my freshman year to a veritable sea of dew-covered bikes. Not only did I always have a bike to ride to my 8:30 classes, but I had a choice of which one I wanted. And if none near Kappa suited my fancy, I could always stroll over to Iota and take my pick of the bikes parked over there.

It was great.

This freshman idealism, however, soon faded.

I began to notice that there was something wrong with every yellow bike I came across. Some were obviously demented: the back wheel frame was bent, the tires either flat or perilously overinflated.

Many had the handlebars screwed upward at an uncomfortable and precarious angle. In some the cushy black seat itself was missing, and the empty seat post loomed upwards beneath me, threatening sodomy.

Other bikes were less conspicuously warped. I would jump on only to feel the bike veer persistently to the right, or hear the wheels emit a high pitched squeal with every turn of the pedals, announcing my mounted adventures to everyone in a ten-mile radius.

I started to see other things as well. Like bikes in ponds. Like handlebars protruding from Frenchman’s Creek at low tide, and inner tube tires left scattered next to bare metal wheel frames along Chapel Path.

And the stories started coming out: students spoke of flying over the handlebars when the bike chain upped and fell off, sliding sideways into buildings or bushes while making tight turns, and narrowly avoiding backing cars while cycling across parking lots.

When I finally bought a car and was able to venture off-campus more frequently, I started seeing bikes downtown. Not just parked out front of CVS and Publix, but as far north as Central Avenue. On occasion I would pass a young man in a green Publix polo pedaling one along 54th Avenue on his way to work. I wouldn’t be surprised if they started showing up at Pawn America.

Then, over the course of the last couple semesters, the bikes became increasingly hard to find. It wasn’t immediate. In fact, it happened so gradually that I hardly noticed. I rode bikes less and less often. I stopped expecting there to be one waiting for me outside the pub, the gym, my classes and my dorm. I think I even forgot about them, for a time, until one afternoon I came across an unattended yellow bike and said to myself, oh right, we have community bikes here.

Theoretically.

So what is the problem, exactly? If, as I’ve often been told, there are about 100 bikes on campus, where are they?

Recently I had a brief chat with Weston Babelay, assistant director of Campus Activities. In addition to his work in the activities office, Babelay is also the go-to man for information on the yellow bike program. He told me that the two biggest problems confronting the success of the program are vandalism and theft. Moreover, he estimated that of the 100 bikes released each semester, about 40-45 percent are not recovered.

They just vanish.

Forget pandas. If the yellow bikes were a living species, they would be the new poster child for the World Wildlife Fund.

Some of these missing bikes are taken off-campus, as I’m sure many of us have noticed. Others, Babelay

noted, are being hidden. Where? In dorms.

“We’ve found that the trend is for students to hoard the bikes,” he said. He explained that yellow bikes are mostly seen between class periods, when students are moving from their residence halls to their classrooms. Then they disappear again.

Now, wait a minute. The term hoarding calls to mind certain images, like that of rats. Rats hoard things. Small children hoard things too, like Halloween candy and toys.

Have bikes gotten so scarce, so valuable, and students so incredibly lazy that whatever bike they find they must keep all to themselves? What can be done?

“Eckerd College is doing everything they can to keep the bike program going,” Weston said, emphasizing the importance of hiring students to work within the program and help keep their peers accountable for their actions. The new pedestrian gate at the back entrance to campus was designed, in part, to prevent bikes from leaving college property, though Weston explained that it is more of an obstacle than a barrier.

More than anything, the college is trying to stress the shared responsibility to keep the bikes functional and available for use. “It’s about changing the mentality of the Eckerd campus,” Weston said. “It’s a community bike program.” The college has also recently entered a partnership with ABC Bicycles, who are helping keep the bikes up and running. In addition, they will soon be offering special “start-up” package deals in their store to Eckerd students.

Now, of course, you may be reading all of this and thinking to yourself, but we do have yellow bikes— they’re all over the place. And you’d be mostly right.

Since the beginning of February, 100 bikes have been tuned up and released. At the moment they are still fairly common. But if this semester goes the same way as those in the past, by April the bikes will be an endangered species. You’ll spot one and get as excited as if you’d seen a polar bear, ocelot or Asiatic lion. They will be the See BIKES on PAGE 10 Friday, February 19, 2010

9

viewpoints EDITORIAL

Haiti, Katrina, Darfur: Crisis ADHD

By Catee Baugh Viewpoints Editor Americans are notorious for jumping in the middle of things. However, the really weird thing is that we do this in regard to crises, as well. There’s a major problem in the world? We’re on it, whether it’s a tsunami, hurricane, earthquake or ethnic cleansing.

We jump into so many crises feet first but don’t stay in the water for very long.

And we do this so much that it’s practically a diagnosable condition.

And I would call it “crisis ADHD.” Think about it. The minute we hear about a crisis, America replies with “Don’t worry. We’ve got this.” Haiti’s had an earthquake? Time to collect as many canned goods and blankets as we can find, then have people voluntarily start running their ships to deliver them.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with helping people. I’m not that screwed-up and cynical, despite what I may lead you to believe. But still, I get to wondering when we’ll stop caring about one disaster and moving on to another.

And I have a feeling you do, too. Because it does happen, my friend. We do move on quickly. For example, what about Hurricane Katrina? We all sent money. We all criticized FEMA for inaction. Some of us even opened our homes to complete strangers. But New Orleans needed help for a lot longer than just a few months, and it still does.

What about Darfur? A conflict still raging, but who is selling fundraiser t-shirts anymore?

I just wonder when we’ll leave Haiti behind. As soon as everyone’s got some bottled water and sleeping bags, are we going to leave them with a corrupt unicorns of Eckerd college: mythical, legendary, believed extinct. “Oh, look!” you’ll cry, “A yellow bicycle! I didn’t think they actually existed.”

The bikes look sadder this time around too. Older, used, neglected, even. Many are covered in rust. The yellow just doesn’t seem as yellow as it once did. Don’t get me wrong—I still like the bikes. And I still believe that the yellow bike program is an awesome, ecologicallyfriendly, well-intentioned idea.

The emphasis, however, should be on idea.

In reality, the program just isn’t working. I think we would all agree that the bikes are not well built. They break easily and are prone to all sorts of accidents.

To make matters worse, this poor workmanship is exacerbated by widespread mistreatment and abuse.

BIKES continued from Page 9

10

Friday, February 19, 2010

and unstable government just because some new crisis has arisen? Because a corrupt and unstable government is part of what made this earthquake such a catastrophe.

The answer is that sadly we probably will forget Haiti in a month or two.

The real question, though, is how do we end up hurting people by jumping our help around?

What about places that need sustained help? Poor Nicaraguan villages with gray water that causes preventable diseases. Children in India who grow up having to forage through garbage for their every meal. Those everyday crises that aren’t sensational enough to register with the evening news.

It’s a definite problem, and one that we need to fix.

Americans are good at damage control. We are great with the first-string of help. It’s the sustained help that we seem to have trouble with.

So how do we balance this propensity to be first-string helpers, responding to whatever crisis in the news, with the sad fact that some problems require decades of involvement to see any real change?

I think the idea is that we can’t spread ourselves too thin. My system is the rule of three. Commit to three causes you’re really passionate about. Give them your time as well as your money. Educate people about them. And help them even when they don’t make the news.

As for the rest, give your money to what is on the news while it is on the news.

Keep that willingness to jump in feet first and help. Just be sure that with at least a few problems, you dive all the way in.

People ride the bikes too fast, they slam on the brakes too hard and they like to race them when they’re drunk.

Some also seem to enjoy occasionally chucking one over the sea wall. Other bikes are removed from campus, and those few that remain unbroken and unstolen are treated as personal property by some members of the community, who keep them in their dorms for their exclusive use.

If the yellow bikes are to survive, it is the Eckerd community that is going to have to save them. I doubt that the college will continue to purchase new bicycles ad infinitum if no effort is made to take care of the ones we already have. So please, think of the whales (and the pandas and polar bears) and save the yellow bikes.

photos courtesy of Petra Stevenson and Wikicommons

viewpoints

PerspECtives

“Put parmesan cheese in the salad bar.”

—Matthew Jones, senior

Q: If you could change one thing about the cafe, what would it be?

“Less pasta in the vegetarian area, more variety. And less rice.”

“There needs to be better vegan food.”

—Hannah Remmel (left), junior

—Aurora Schramm (right), junior

“The fruit could be better taken care of. It’s always bruised.”

“We need chocolate cereal.”

—Tyler Lane, freshman

—Kyle Berhold (left), freshman

“I would extend the hours of full lunch, because if you have class until 1 p.m. it just doesn’t work very well.”

—Andrew Piccirillo (right), freshman

“There should be longer hours.”

—Amelia Czelatka, freshman

“I agree.”

—Patrick Reed, sophomore

By Erin Linebarger Photo Editor

Friday, February 19, 2010

11

arts & entertainment REVIEW

Read the book, skip the movie Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief a disappointment

photo courtesy of Percyjacksonthemovie.com

By Laurel Ormiston News Editor Following the popular trend of book-to-movie adaptations, The Lightning Thief is based loosely around the series Percy Jackson and the Olympians, written by Rick Riordan. In the books, a nerdy 12year -old Manhattan boy is vaulted into a world of Greek Gods and demi-gods, prophesized to either save or destroy the world before he turns 16.

In the movie, we find out what happens when you disregard an exact rendering of Riordan’s plot and characters and replace them with a mix of Hogwarts, Narnia and East Lake High. Directed by Christopher Columbus, of former Harry Potter fame, The Lightning Thief resembles a jaunt through the first few Harry Potter movies, minus impressive elderly British actors, and answering the question of what it would look like if Zac Efron played Harry Potter. Which is not to say this new fantasy land isn’t enjoyable: the movie has good pacing, good special effects and good actors. The problem is all this goodliness. Nothing is outstanding.

Shelving the book for a moment (because as an adaptation, the movie flounders). Lightning Thief stands on its own as a decent form of entertainment, 14

Friday, February 19, 2010

so long as you don’t expect the dramatic finesse of Lord of the Rings. To quickly sum up the movie: Percy Jackson goes on a 119- minute journey from NYC public school to a Long Island demi-god camp, embarking from there on legitimate quest across the U.S. to the underworld. Accompanied by a satyr named Grover and a tough but sexy daughter of Athena, Annabeth Chase, Jackson and company attempt to thwart a war between Zeus, Poseidon and Hades.

High points include a rendering of the river Sphinx that makes you want to take a boat ride to Hell. The God of Death costumed to look like Mick Jagger, and a satyr grooving to Tik Tok. Low points include the soundtrack (unimaginative is almost too kind a word), dialogue (one would think with an entire book to draw from, words would be easy to find), and creative choices, such as when to introduce key characters and when to reveal key information. You can wait for it… but the suspense won’t come.

In contrast, the book resulted in an all-night reada-thon in my desperation to reach the end. There is virtually no trace of Riordan’s voice in the movie. His witty portrayal of the Greek Gods in modern times is eclipsed by the desire to have huge water battles, a generic hero/sidekick/love interest combination,

and nifty settings. And while the plot is similar to the book, the manipulation is jarring in places. To avoid spoilers, let’s just say Sherlock Holmes might guess the book plot, but he’d have no need to even think during the movie. The best symbol of the betrayal of author tone? Instead of portraying Poseidon in a Hawaiian shirt, he’s in Greek armor. Sophisticated comedy gets the boot, and so we lose what made the book so special.

In the book, solutions were bittersweet not sugary sweet as the movie is prone to be.

And here is the problem with not being the 5-yearold boy sitting in front of you at the movies. I no longer like that much sugar.

Bottom line: I do not regret seeing the curiosity of Pierce Brosnan as a centaur, a lost Fellowship member as Zeus or the imported from the future offspring of Zac and Vanessa. But do see this movie surrounded by kids, so that you can at least hear their unrestrained comments (such as “Ew!” when a monster merely falls down) or boggle at their silence in the face of terrifying monsters. What do they raise these kids on, horror films? Rated PG, I’d also advise caution for clichés and those who have read the books: you may experience disappointment.

arts & entertainment

Events

Feb. 19- March 4

Friday 19 5- 7 p.m.

Club Fair (Hough Quad)

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

21

22

20 2 p.m.

Day at the Dali

11 a.m Chapel Service (Wireman)

Family Weekend

7 p.m.

Int. Cinema Double feature: “Taking Root” & “Pumzi”(Miller) 8 p.m.

Dundu Dole (Hough Quad)

8 p.m.

Chinese New Year (Hough Quad) 11 p.m.

“Another Man’s Trash” Improv. group (Miller Aud.)

2 p.m Triton Softball vs.

Saint Leo University (Clearwater)

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

23

24

25

7 p.m.

Watch the Environmental Fil Festival: Feb. 20- 28 ( Miller Aud.)

6-8 p.m.

Introduction to Sailing - Small Boats Discounted Fee of $75 (EC Community)

3 p.m.

Men Tennis Tritons vs. Flagler (Orlando)

7:30 p.m.

Ecology of Everyday Life (Fox Hall)

9-10 p.m.

Yoga with Nella (Dance Room)

7 p.m.

Jerald Cooper, Ohio to Sri Lanka (Fox Hall)

7:30 p.m.

Colonial Conquest and Rule in Africa (Fox Hall)

3

4

5 p.m.

“Step Afrika” (Bininger Theatre) 6 p.m.

From Genes to Treatments: The Potential of Our Genome (Sheen Aud.)

27

28

1

2

4:30 p.m.

Pitchers with Professors (Triton’s Pub)

12:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Windsurfing Feb. 27-28 Discounted Fee of $40 (EC Community)

Have a presentation coming up?

Email Rahall for an appointment time

9-10 a.m.Weights with Cairisti (Dance Room)

7 p.m.

An Evening with Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Mahaffey Theater)

7 p.m.

Int. Cinema Seies “Moon”

9 p.m.

Mardi Jewish Gras (Triton’s Pub)

6-7 p.m.

Spin with Elliott (Dance Room)

26

8 p.m.

Cotton Club (Fox Hall)

6 p.m.

Beauty and Creativity in Science and Technology (Sheen Aud.)

Take Back the Night March 4-11

7:30 p.m.

Stopping Rape As A Weapon (Fox Hall)

To advertise your event with The Current, contact Entertainment Editor Francie Devine at currententertainment@eckerd.edu

Friday, February 19, 2010

15

arts & entertainment

photos courtesy of Sarah Karpf and Forever21.com

What’s old is new again

Eighties fashion making a comeback

By Sarah Karpf Contributing Writer Whether flipping through catalogues or watching TV shows like E News, it’s apparent that the 80s are back, and just in time for the spring fashion trends.

Highly sculpted shoulders pads, vibrant floral patterns and edgy denim are the focal point and must-haves for this upcoming season.

One thing is for sure, shoulder pads are back and bigger than ever. The most important style tip to be aware of when styling a shoulder pad blazer or blouse is to keep it simple. The bold shoulders speak volumes for themselves.

Make the shoulder pads grab the attention you are looking for, and keep everything else as minimal as possible.

Lovely corals and exotic floral prints are all the rage for this season’s dresses and blouses. Don’t be shy or timid about mixing vibrant colors like fuchsia

Yep, your mom’s crazy old shirts are cool again.

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Friday, February 19, 2010

or yellow with a funky splash of floral patterns. This spring, a new focus is on tribal chic, wild safari luxe, and angelic pastels that scream trendy fashion. Florals are also everywhere this spring, so remember a nice floral pattern and vibrant colors emphasize a soft look. For all jackets, pants and dresses, denim-on-denim is all the rage. Once a fashion don’t, it’s now a fashion-do to match a denim skirt with a denim jacket, or all-over denim in a jumper. If you are looking for a more relaxed look, the baggy boyfriend jeans are still popular and in style. The destroyed denim has been hot since the 80s, but this spring, destroyed denim jeans are being taken to a new level. Feel free to shred your jeans at home, so they look especially destroyed and rockin’ chic.

Whether you are into bold colors and shoulder pads, a feminine floral sundress or laid-back denim, there is a spring 2010 fashion trend out there for you.

Shoulder pads? Oh, yeah.

arts & entertainment

REVIEWS

The Wolfman lacking and predictable

By Jeralyn Darling Staff Writer The Wolfman did not live up to my expectations, plain and simple. This was not one of Benicio Del Toro’s better roles. In fact, I might say that about Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt and Hugo Weaving, as well. If you’re looking for gore, you’ll be happy to know there is plenty. If you’re looking for a nice date movie, this might actually do the trick. Seriously, I didn’t want a love story, that’s why I chose The Wolfman over Leap Year or Valentine’s Day. Then this lovey-dovey, corset-wearing lady had to come and destroy my perfectly good scary movie; there wasn’t even nudity. For all you hopeless romantics, I won’t spoil the ending.When I see a suspense movie, I want it to stay with me – the more nights with lights on, the better. I was tense for the 2 hours, but the

second the credits rolled I did not ask, voice shaking, whether it was a full moon or not. Nor did I have to run to the bathroom and switch into the change of pants I had smuggled into the theater.

Sure, the special effects were pretty exciting - hair sprouting, bones breaking, and various internal organs being torn out of still living people - but the trailers gave away some of the best effects anyway. I probably would have been slightly more afraid had I kept the trailer on loop for 2 hours. As a rating, I would give The Wolfman a D. Roger Ebert gave it 2.5 stars, Rotten Tomatoes gave it an average 4.8 out of 10, and Metacritic gave it a 45 out of 100.

photo courtesy of Universal Pictures

The plot was lacking and predictable. Really, you could rent any other werewolf movie at Blockbuster for about a dollar, so that is what I recommend.

Movie adaptation of The Road true to the post-apocalyptic novel

By Jaclyn New Staff Writer The road is desolate, bleak and dangerous. The only sound you hear is the bitter, cold wind rushing past the lifeless trees and the slight squeak of the wheel on the abandoned shopping cart cradling all of your worldly possessions. Whether it’s been days or months makes no difference anymore, and hunger, the cold or cannibals will eventually claim your life.

In the post-apocalyptic world concocted by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Cormac McCarthy, The Road depicts the burdensome journey of father and son to the edge of the earth and the end of the world. This story is not a fairytale; the only pleasant feature is the undeniably powerful bond connecting a father to his son, and yet McCarthy expertly allures and enraptures his readers, pulling them into a world he created with a piece of paper and a pen.

The novel was morphed into the cinema realm and somehow became a masterpiece itself. The film was released in select theaters and impressively remains

photo courtesy of Dimension Films

true to the novel. The father, played by Viggo Mortensen, embodies the role of the exemplary parent, devoting his every effort to teach, protect, charm and cheer his only reason for living. Both Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee, the young boy, flawlessly extract the precise characters from the book and effortlessly infuse them into the story told on screen.

Oddly compelling in both works is the author’s deliberate removal of all names of his characters. The story somehow manages to captivate the reader’s compassion despite its illusory detachment. By keeping his characters nameless, McCarthy does not drag the readers into the grief and force upon them the need to sympathize and connect with the characters; rather, he simply invites them in, allowing them to take a much more personal interest in the story.

The Road is one of the very few novels I have ever read that has repeatedly provoked some of my deepest reflections.

I would recommend both the book and the film to anyone looking for something other than a chimerical, thoughtless fantasy, as both works provide rather distinctive experiences through the same astounding story.

Friday, February 19, 2010

17

arts & entertainment

5000 34th St. South 727-866-7200

Eckerd College Student Discount Medium 1 topping $5.55 Large 1 topping $7.77 Medium 1 topping, bread stix, & 2-20oz sodas $11.50 Large 1 topping, bread stix, & 2-20oz sodas $13.50 Valid for carryout & delivery ($2 delivery charge applies)

18

Friday, February 19, 2010

sports

Club sports gear up for spring season

By Mitchell Ann Crowley Contributing Writer If you think Eckerd sports is all about baseball, basketball and soccer, think again. From individual sports such as Jiu Jitsu and rock climbing to team sports such as lacrosse and rugby, EC’s club sports offer variety, are exciting, and always accepting.

Take the EC Dance Team, for example. Already one of the most highly regarded sports clubs at Eckerd, the team has won Sports Club of the Year since its inception just three years ago. Tryouts are held in September, so it is unfortunately too late to join for the ’09-’10 season, but it’s never too late to help out. The team will be holding two car washes this semester at the 7/11 on 34th St., one in March and one in April. Their first performance of the spring semester will be during half-time of the men’s basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 20 during parent’s weekend.

“Our biggest event of the year, though,” says Cocaptain Meghan Meehan-Draper, “comes on May 6 with our 4th annual Dance Team Showcase in Binninger theatre. It’s the social event of the season and has more turn out than almost any other school event.”

Meehan-Draper says the team will hold auditions for the Showcase. “For acts to be ‘fillers’ between the Dance Team’s routines,” she explains. Watch for an e-mail in April with information about auditions.

And then there are the EC Women’s Lacrosse and EC Women’s Rugby teams, both newer, and both always recruiting.

“We started practicing last semester a couple times a week at either the turf field or Kappa field,” Lacrosse head Corie Carpenter says. Women’s

Lacrosse is recruiting members, as well as a coach with lacrosse experience. The team will scrimmage this semester, and hopes next year to raise enough money to join a league.

Women’s Rugby practices four days a week, Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on South Field. There are two friendly matches in the works for the spring.

“Even if they aren’t sure what shape the ball is,” jokes Co-captain Danielle Brown, “anyone with any inclination to play is absolutely welcome.”

The Ultimate Frisbee team is also practicing.

Ultimate Frisbee is a co-ed team and is always recruiting. Practices are held on the turf field Mondays and Thursdays from 9 to 10:30 p.m. The team will play in a tournament at Florida State University in early March, and is planning scrimmage games as well.

“Anyone can play Frisbee,” says Zachary Hipkens, who is head of the club. “It’s a fun and easy sport to get into,” and he adds, ”the best sport you’ve never heard of.”

EC Men’s Rugby has also started spring practices, and hopes to continue on as the best team in the state this semester. “[We] plan on competing in the Southeast regionals and hopefully further along in the national championships,” explains Club President Ray Ritola.

The rugby team welcomes new members, and practices Monday and Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. on South field, and Tuesday and Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. on the turf field. Their first home game is Saturday, Feb. 27, against Florida State University.

The time is to be determined.

For those who prefer to work on their own, there

are a variety of individual sports clubs. Bowling club head Daria Hall says they meet once a month to go to Sunrise Bowling Lanes to “learn, hone our craft and have fun.” Their first session will be Thursday, Feb. 25 at 9:30 p.m.

EC Jiu Jitsu club, headed by Joel Ottley, practices Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the fitness center at 5:30 p.m.

“Jiu-jitsu is basically wrestling,” he reports.

“But instead of trying to pin your opponent, you are trying to submit your opponent by placing them in a joint-lock or a submission that incapacitates them.

It might sound a little rough, but we’ve never had a serious injury in the club,” says Ottley. New members are always welcome, whether they participate for self-defense or to keep in shape.

The Rock Climbing club focuses on individual improvement.

“We usually spend the majority of our time climbing at Vertical Ventures,” explains John Cassell, the club’s president. “This is where the members learn to trust one another as they learn to climb.”

For more information about joining a sports club, visit the EC Club Fair, 4 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 19 in Hough Quad.

Sports Men’s Basketball

Women’s Basketball

Men’s Tennis

Women’s Tennis

Saturday, Feb. 20 v. Lynn 4 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 20 v. Lynn 2 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 20 @ St. Thomas (FL) 1 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 19 v. Hillsborough CC (exhibition) 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 24 v. Saint Leo 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 24 v. Saint Leo 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 24 v. Webber International 3 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 21 v. Barry 10 a.m.

Saturday, Feb. 27 @ Rollins 4 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 27 @ Rollins 2 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 25 @ Flagler 3 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 23 @ Tampa 3 p.m.

Wednesday, March 3 SSC Quarterfinals TBD

Wednesday, March 3 SSC Quarterfinals TBD

Saturday, Feb. 27 v. Northwood (Michigan) 11 a.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 24 v. Webber International 3 p.m.

Friday, February 19, 2010

19

sports

Women making strides in sports industry

By Kasey Kilinski Staff Writer Women have come a long way in the world, especially in sports. In today’s society, it is socially acceptable for women to participate in any sport. Women are body builders, rugby players, even football players,.

Kristen Shull, a senior on the women’s rugby team, points out how she sometimes is given a hard time for playing rugby and that some people have the belief that the women who play rugby are “uncommitted” or “disinterested” in the sport, participating for social reasons only. Shull also says that men are skeptical that sports as physical as rugby can be played by women correctly.

“My main frustration is how little interest is generated from the public in women’s sports,” Shull says. “Fans seem to have the same complaints the men of Eckerd do with regards to women playing sports.”

“Guys give me a hard time about playing basketball all the time,” says Stephanie Grace, a senior women’s basketball player. “But not about not being able to play, more about the stigma that all female basketball players are lesbians.”

Coach Courtney Draper is the coach of the volleyball team, also the only women’s head coach at Eckerd. She is often on search committees to hire new coaches. On the committees she has served, she feels she had suggested and/or hired the all-around best person for the job whether male or female.

Draper graduated from Florida State with Gabrielle Reece, a professional beach volleyball player and model, and spent time with her in September. She follows women’s tennis pretty closely and enjoys WNBA games as well.

“I do think that many people prefer to see men’s athletic events over women’s events,” she says, “but more because of the physicality of the sport, not because it is degrading to women, or that people don’t want to support women’s athletics.

I think it often comes down to personal preference.”

Although some women and girls have unofficially been playing ice hockey for over a century now, a large number have been playing since the early 1990s.

Female leagues and co-ed programs have changed the face of the game in many ways. Now women’s hockey has become an intercollegiate and Olympic sport.

Mia Hamm was the youngest person ever to play for the U.S. National Team when she debuted for the USA in 1987 at the age of 15. Hamm is one of the most commonly known women athletes and has been in the 1996, 2000, and the 2004 Olympics, as well as a three-time U.S. Soccer athlete of the year. In the

1996 Olympics, team USA won the Gold Medal. Hamm’s career is an excellent example of women’s success in sports. Mia Hamm quickly became inspiration for little girls everywhere to play soccer.

In 1952, Eleanor Engle was the first woman to sign a contract to play baseball and almost the first woman to ever play in a game against men. Engle was offered a contract to play for Harrisburg when she was already a skilled softball player.

The moment she accepted she became a celebrity. The next day, when Engle arrived at the field and began practicing, it was clear that she had skill, more so than some of the male players. But before the game even started, the Minor League President and the League Commissioner voided her contract and made a statement claiming that signing women would not be tolerated and any clubs who sign or even attempt to sign women will endure a strict penalty.

These days, it is appropriate for women to play any sport, even football. Katie Hnida was on the University of Colorado team as a place-kicker. In 1999, Hnida experienced sexual harassment from her teammates. The boys would verbally abuse her, call her offensive names, make sexually graphic comments, grope and expose themselves to her daily. Hnida ended up raped by one of the players. She did not want to say anything to the coach because of prior failed attempts and the knowledge that he was not the biggest fan of hers to begin with. She dropped out after her sophomore year and took time off to attend extensive therapy.

Hnida overcame hard times and began to play for New Mexico in 2002 with a group of guys she had no problems with because of strict coaching. She became the first woman to score in Division I football in 2003. Gary Barnett, the head coach of University of Colorado, was suspended for 3 months with pay after his disrespectful comments regarding Hnida and the situation, but he remains to this day the team’s head coach.

Kim Ng is in her eighth season as vice president and assistant GM with the Los Angeles Dodgers and is one of only two women executives in major league baseball to hold such a position in baseball operations. She also became the youngest person, and first woman, to present a salary negotiation case in the major leagues. Ng assists General Manager Ned Colletti with various tasks such as player acquisitions, contract negotiations, and coordinating player transactions.

She oversees player development and professional scouting departments. Ng is considered one of the future leaders of baseball.

Grace doesn’t think that there are any problems with sexism at Eckerd. On the national scale, she believes that the NCAA has made major advancements in preventing sexism within sports.

New players hope to provide fresh start for tennis

By Ben Maxwell Contributing Writer Finishing the 2009 season with a 6-14 record, the 2010 Eckerd College Men’s Tennis team can only improve. With five new players added to the men’s roster, a positive season is in sight. Head Coach Erin Koenig weighed in. “Last year’s team was inexperienced. A lot of them did not put the effort in to compete at a high level.”

Even though the team worked hard, it was still not enough for the team to win matches. This year’s team possesses a whole new determination to prove they have what it takes to compete alongside some of the top ranked teams in the Sunshine State Conference.

In the off season, the Tritons are already showing great improvements compared to last year’s team.

20

Friday, February 19, 2010

“It’s a totally different team,” stated Koenig.

Returning junior Hisa Sato will play a huge role in the success of the Tritons this season. Sato is a season veteran who has shown great leadership for the new players. Koenig commented on their camaraderie. “They get along very well, so it’s a lot of fun this year.”

The level has already improved greatly for the Tritons in the off season. During the team’s trip to regional’s in October, the Tritons were able to showcase their development as a team, “[I had] multiple coaches come up to me and comment on our team and [say] that they were scared of our team because of the depth,” said Koenig.

Adding to the depth are some of the Tritons key players for the 2010 season. Sato, who played at the #2 spot last year, went 14-4 for the Tritons. “[I hope] to be competitive and motivated all the time,” Sato

said about this upcoming season.

Another player to look out for is junior transfer Adam Hopkins from England. He, too, will play a big role in the top half of the line up for the Tritons.

For the last few years, the Tritons have been six or seven in the SSC. Hopefully, with the help of a new line up the team can post a spot closer to the top. It is believed that if all ten players are on the same page at the same time and stay healthy, they can create some major upsets within the conference.

One of Hopkin’s goals for this season is to beat Barry and Lynn, who are always ranked in the top two of the conference. “I know they are tough teams, but we have the potential to beat them if we can stay focused and train hard,” said Hopkins.

With the great potential they are already showing in the off season, the Tritons have the chance to be one of the greatest teams Eckerd College has seen.

sports

Of espionage and fortune cookies

By William Skinner Contributing Writer Over the last year and a half, several of my friends have adopted a running gag wherein I am imagined as a super secret agent of the double-oh variety, playing golf with gold smugglers and protecting the water supplies of developing countries. I don’t know who started it, but its basis lies in my speed, agility and, of course, my occasional uncanny, seemingly sudden disappearances and reappearances. (In reading this article, they will likely scoff and say that I intend to throw them off my track by my acknowledgement of their joke.) My most recent undercover foray was a particularly difficult one; I stood out all too well in my dreadfully black baseball pants and long hair.

What would I, a spy, skinny and with a résumé that stops at Little League five years ago, be doing reconnaissance among the rugged jocks of Eckerd’s baseball team? I was not, as my lead-in metaphor may have you believe, there to gather information on their ranks but rather to discover more about myself and where I now ranked in a competitive world of hit or miss. To be frank, I missed the game.

I missed its many simplicities and complexities, the thrill of a two-out rally, the exasperation of an extra-inning defeat, the feeling of being a part of something bigger than myself. Sitting on the sidelines, cheering on my beloved Rays on their way to their first pennant, nebulous dreams began forming about my head in which I might experience that same measure of joy firsthand, where I might be able to get paid to do what I love, play sports, and perhaps do some writing on the side à la Fernando Perez.

Now, before you assume I’m mental, going in I was well aware of any chance I had of actually getting scouted. I might’ve had a better shot at running for mayor. I could have at least beaten out Richard Eldridge and Paul Congemi in the primary, not that any of the remaining eight candidates were that stellar.

There were many foreboding signs, too. As much as I’d like to chalk it up to illness, the fact that I vomited toward the end of the first team practice should have told me I was not up to the task before me. For a potential outfielder, not only was my arm mediocre at best, but I had to fight a natural tendency to throw curveballs that I’m not exactly sure how I acquired. So too did I have to relearn the mechanics of my swing in the batting cages. In short, I was a mess.

Not only did I stand out in appearance, but I was also way out of my league, so to speak (how often do you hear that used in its original context?). You might be thinking that I was the subject of many a nasty joke or prank as such a large quantity of testosterone is wont to bring about. Well, if so, you couldn’t be more wrong. I actually felt quite welcome and respected. Several players were even nice enough to provide occasional pointers to help me along my way, among them Wess Hollins, Minervino Labrador, Marc Reed, and Antonio Corchado, whom I’d like to thank now in print. I was never treated hostilely during my stay.

The atmosphere in the dugout was nothing but friendly and jovial.

I wasn’t as utterly hopeless as I may have made myself out to be. In the first photo by William Skinner game of fall ball, I hit a double into left-center and it was honestly one of the happiest moments in my life. Even if I didn’t accomplish much after that for the “The atmosphere in the dugout was nothing but friendly and jovial.” rest of the semester and When my journey with the baseball team had finally come to I maintained a batting Even if I didn’t accomplish much after an end and the coaches were meeting individually with players to average well below the Mendoza line, I felt like that for the rest of the semester and I discuss their future with or without the team, I had a moment of clarity. I didn’t know how long it would take for me to be seen, so it was all worth it, just for that instant when maintained a batting average well below I had procured Chinese food just before showing up. I went in to see Coach Mathews and the rest of the coaching staff and heard I heard the ping of my bat and I got to round the Mendoza line, I felt like it was all nothing but praise for my efforts, despite my relatively poor performance. The coaches had all been so helpful and encouraging first and look far out and what they had to say meant a lot to me, although it was when I into the outfield rather worth it... returned to my car and opened my fortune cookie that everything than back into the catcher’s mitt. I shone through at other times as well, once making a shoestring just clicked. My fortune read, “Pat yourself on the back for making that right catch and doubling off a runner at second base. Just being able to contribute choice.” I had indeed made the right choice. I pursued a dream, no matter how implausible it might have been, and I saw it through until the end. now and then made me feel quite good about myself.

Friday, February 19, 2010

21

sports

Play Eckerd Baseball Remaining 2010 Schedule

photo by Doug Thayer Outfielder Joe Dabah beats the throw to the plate to score enroute to a 12-11 win against Warner.

Triton baseball off to quick start

By Will Creager Sports Writer The Eckerd College men’s baseball program is off to a red-hot start in 2010. After losing their first game of the season, a 14-inning marathon, at Webber International 8-7 on Feb. 3, the Tritons have reeled off five straight victories, including two doubleheader sweeps.

The first doubleheader was at the friendly confines of Turley complex on Feb. 6 against Warner.

Eckerd made its home openers a pair of games to remember, winning each game on walk-off hits in dramatic ninth-inning rallies.

In the first game, the Tritons got on the board early with a four-run second inning capped off by a wind-aided two-run homerun by second baseman Matt Abraham. However, Warner came right back with a three-run inning of their own in the third before adding two more in the fifth inning to take a 5-4 lead. Eckerd answered by scoring at least one run in the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth innings to take a 9-7 lead going into the ninth.

The Tritons could not hold the lead, as a shaky pitching staff walked two batters and hit a third, helping Warner score four runs. With Eckerd down by two entering the bottom of the ninth, it was leftfielder Wess Hollins who came up with the clutch hit. Hollins ripped a two-run walk-off single with 22

Friday, February 19, 2010

the bases loaded and one out, as Eckerd came from behind to win 12-11.

The second game played out in a very similar fashion, as Eckerd jumped out to a 5-1 first inning lead thanks to a three-run homerun by catcher Oliver Killoren. Once again, Eckerd took a lead into the ninth inning, this time 8-5, but failed to hold on to the lead as Warner scored three times in the top of the ninth. Once again, the Triton offense was unfazed and rallied to win the game in the bottom of the ninth.

With momentum on their side after two exciting victories, Eckerd hit the road on Feb. 11 and slaughtered Clearwater Christian by a score of 20-6.

An explosive offense tallied at least one run in seven straight innings; The Tritons scored five runs in the second inning, one in the third, three in the fourth and fifth, six in the sixth and one more in both the seventh and eighth innings.

The Triton attack was lead by rightfielder Minervino Labrador, who finished the day with three hits, including two homeruns and four RBIs. Abraham and Killoren also added four RBIs. After a scheduled match on Feb. 12 was postponed due to rain, Eckerd continued the play the next day, this time against Palm Beach Atlantic.

In the first game, Eckerd scored seven runs in the fourth to give them a 9-1 lead and never looked back, winning by a score of 9-6. Labrador had yet

2/23/2010 2/26/2010 2/27/2010 2/28/2010 3/5/2010 3/6/2010 3/9/2010 3/11/2010 3/12/2010 3/15/2010 3/19/2010 3/20/2010 3/23/2010 3/26/2010 3/27/2010 3/30/2010 4/1/2010 4/2/2010 4/6/2010 4/9/2010 4/10/2010 4/13/2010 4/16/2010 4/17/2010 4/20/2010 4/23/2010 4/24/2010 4/27/2010 4/30/2010 5/2/2010

Southeastern 7 p.m.

Florida Memorial 7 p.m.

Florida Memorial 1 p.m.

St. Anselm’s 1 p.m.

Tampa* 7 p.m.

Tampa* 1 p.m.

Saint Leo 6 p.m.

St. Ambrose (Iowa) 7 p.m.

Purdue-NC (Ind.) 7 p.m.

St. Ambrose (Iowa) 7 p.m.

Barry*

7 p.m.

Barry* 1 p.m.

Clearwater Christian 7 p.m.

Florida Southern* 7 p.m.

Florida Southern* 1 p.m.

Southeastern 7 p.m.

Nova Southeastern* 6 p.m.

Nova Southeastern* 12 p.m.

Webber Int. 7 p.m.

Florida Tech* 3 p.m.

Florida Tech* 12 p.m.

Clearwater Christian 7 p.m.

Rollins* 7 p.m.

Rollins* 1 p.m.

Webber Int. 7 p.m.

Lynn* 7 p.m.

Lynn* 1 p.m.

Webber International 7 p.m.

Saint Leo* 6 p.m.

Saint Leo* 1 p.m.

Home games in bold * denotes a Sunshine State Conference opponent Italics denotes a double header another big game, hitting a grand slam to cap off the big fourth inning. The second game, which was limited to just seven innings, saw Eckerd come back from an early 4-1 deficit en route to a 5-4 victory.

Eckerd’s hot start is largely due to their offense.

Through the first six games, Eckerd has outscored their opponents 62-43, an average of ten runs per game, and batting .369 as a team.

Third baseman Stephan Pelc leads the team with 11 hits and a .500 batting average, while Labrador and Killoren have slugged three homeruns and driven in eight runs each. Eckerd has also fielded much better than their opposition, with a .961 fielding percentage, compared to .912 for their opponents.

Eckerd has been enjoying quite the homefield advantage as well, where they have started 4-0.

This is a great sign looking forward to the rest of the season, as 30 of their 48 games will be at home.

sports

Ball!

Eckerd Softball Remaining 2010 Schedule Eckerd Triton Spring Invitational (in Clearwater) 2/19/2010 Drury 3 p.m.

2/19/2010 Tampa 7:30 p.m.

2/20/2010 West Florida 1:30 p.m.

2/20/2010 Valdosta State 4 p.m.

2/21/2010 Flagler 11:30 am 2/21/2010 Saint Leo 2 p.m.

2/23/2010 2/27/2010 3/2/2010 3/3/2010 3/6/2010 3/13/2010 3/15/2010 3/19/2010 3/20/2010 3/21/2010 3/23/2010 3/26/2010 3/27/2010 3/29/2010 4/1/2010 4/2/2010 4/5/2010 4/9/2010 4/10/2010 4/16/2010 4/17/2010 4/23/2010 4/24/2010 4/30/2010 5/1/2010

Ave Maria Northwood Saint Leo* Saint Leo* Webber Int. Flagler College Carson Newman Hillsdale College Barry* Barry* Warner Southern Florida Southern* Florida Southern* Palm Beach Atlantic Nova Southeastern* Nova Southeastern* Ave Maria Florida Tech* Florida Tech* Rollins* Rollins* Lynn* Lynn* Tampa* Tampa*

6 p.m.

2 p.m.

7 p.m.

6 p.m.

1 p.m.

1 p.m.

5 p.m.

5 p.m.

7 p.m.

1 p.m.

2 p.m.

7 p.m.

1 p.m.

5 p.m.

7 p.m.

1 p.m.

4 p.m.

7 p.m.

1 p.m.

7 p.m.

1 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

1 p.m.

7 p.m.

1 p.m.

Home games in bold * denotes a Sunshine State Conference opponent Italics denotes a double header

photos by Doug Thayer Above: Freshman catcher Sarah Agnew makes the play at the plate against Warner Southern. Bottom Left: Shortstop Emma Docking throws to first.

Softball splits doubleheaders

By Max Martinez Sports Editor Eckerd softball is off to a 2-2 start after splitting a pair of doubleheaders to open the season.

Following a 2009 season in which the program won 21 games, a single-season record, the Tritons picked up where they left off on Feb. 6 against Palm Beach Atlantic. With the game still scoreless in the 4th inning of game one, Palm Beach Atlantic’s Natalia Ojeda hit an RBI single, giving the Sailfish the only run support they would need. Another score in the 7th capped the scoring as PBA won by a score of 2-0.

After falling behind 1-0 in game two, the Tritons mounted a late comeback to earn their first victory of the year. With the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth, sophomore Amanda Kolonick tied the game with an RBI single, scoring Meagan Camp third. Shortstop Emma Docking followed Kolonick with a walk, bringing in Emily Wiemkin to make the score 2-1. Alex Koronkiewicz ended the game with back-to-back strikeouts in the top of the seventh.

Koronkiewicz struck out four on the night while allowing four hits and the lone Sailfish run.

The Triton offense came to life the following weekend against the Warner Royals, in another doubleheader split. Following a four-run second inning by the Royals, Eckerd answered with a tworun homer by Kristen Schurr in the bottom of the

second and a three-run effort in the third to tie the game at five apiece. Another offensive explosion late in the game extended the Tritons’ lead, securing the 10-7 win. Sophomore Kristen Torres finished the day 3-for-3 with three runs scored and one RBI, while Emily Wiemken added three RBIs on two hits.

Both teams’ offenses cooled down in game two as the Tritons’ fell 4-2. Eckerd took an early lead on an RBI single by Alex Sasso, but the Royals responded quickly with two runs in the second. A two-run homer by Warner in the sixth made the score 4-1, before Kolonick brought in Kirsten Cox to cap the scoring.

After the first four games of 2010, the Tritons’ bats have been quite bi-polar. Wiemken is batting .500 with 3 RBIs, while Kolonick, Sasso and Torres are batting a combined .384 with four RBIs and six runs scored. The rest of the team is hitting just .169 combined with 5 RBIs. As a team, they have left 33 runner on base, almost double the 17 left on base by their opponents. If another record-breaking win total is to be expected in 2010, the offense must come together more consistently and bring home runners who make it into scoring position The Tritons begin play in the Eckerd Triton Spring Invitational this weekend in Clearwater, matching up with six teams in three days, before returning home on Feb. 23 for a doubleheader versus Ave Maria.

Friday, February 19, 2010

23

The Official Student Newspaper of Eckerd College

sports

Page 21

Of espionage and fortune cookies: One student’s foray into college athletics

Page 22

Baseball loses opener, wins five straight

Page 23

photo by William Skinner Senior Stephen Pelc rounds third to score the winning run as Matt Abraham and Dan Capra look on, during a 12-11 victory against Warner.

Softball 2-2 after opening weekends