12/05/2018

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018

CULTURE | PAGE 10

VOL. 110 NO. 26

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MINISTRY CONTINUES TRADITION OF FREE PANCAKES

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NEWS

News Editor: Jessica Truby – J.L.Truby@iup.edu

Where Winter Grads Are Headed Following Fall Commencement Sarah Scruppi - Supply Chain and HR Management Pittsburgh, PA US Steel Procurement

Rachel Pinkowski - Nursing Pittsburgh, PA UPMC St. Margaret

Nick Mical - Finance Pittsburgh, PA PNC

Jesse Lipschutz - Sports Administration Indiana, PA YMCA

Jill Bradley - Accounting Indiana, PA IUP Co-Op Buisness classes to earn CPA

Maria Newton - Spanish/ International Business Management NYC, NY Top Tier Asset Management Firm

Seth Peterman - Finance Philadelphia, PA Capital Markets in PNC Bank

Nate Miller - Journalism Los Angeles, CA Living the dream

Candace Howell - Journalism Greensburg, PA Freelancing for Tribune-Review

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December 15, 2018

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December 15, 2018

News

IUP holds fall commencement ceremony EMILEE HOWELLS

Contributing Writer E.M.Howells@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

JESS TRUBY

News Editor J.L.Truby@iup.edu @jesstruby

As the semester comes to an end, it is an exciting time for students everywhere, but most exciting for students graduating in December.

Both the graduate and undergraduate ceremonies take place Dec.15 during the day. The graduate ceremony starts at 9:30 a.m., and the undergraduate ceremony ends the day off at 1:00 p.m.

The graduate, master’s and doctoral ceremony is held at Fisher Auditorium, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

The undergraduate ceremony is held later in the day at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex (KCAC).

Graduates attending this ceremony are expected to arrive no later than 12:00 p.m. to begin lining up and are asked to enter the building through the West/stadium side of the complex. Doors are open to the public at 11:30 a.m., and as guests arrive, they will be

(James Neuhausel/ The Penn) The undergraduate commencement ceremony will be held in the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex.

directed to their seats.

Graduates for both ceremonies are asked to be dressed in their regalia prior to arriving to make things go more smoothly. At the event, students will get lined up alphabetically and will be given a lineup card with their names on it to give to the speaker of the event.

For both ceremonies, Village Photographers will take pictures of the event, and students will be contacted through their IUP e-mails following the event. Usually flowers and balloons are sold at the undergraduate ceremony in the KCAC lobby.

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Maria Newton, a Spanish and international business management major with a concentration in human resources, will be the

student speaker at the undergraduate ceremony.

Colin Brown, of Keene, N.H., who is completing his doctor of philosophy degree in safety sciences, will

be the speaker for the graduate commencement ceremony.

Courtney Warren (senior, history and interior design) will present the senior class gift.

Twelve students will be recognized for achieving 4.0 grade point averages.

The total number of graduates applying for graduation by college are: 125 from the Eberly College of Business and Information Technology; 45 from the College of Education and Communications; 23 from the College of Fine Arts; 180 from the College of Health and Human Services; 54 from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences; 70 from the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; and 256 from the School of Graduate Studies and Research.

Biology professor Jeffery Larkin will serve as keynote speaker for both the undergraduate and graduate ceremony. He received the Distinguished University Professorship award for outstanding teaching, research and scholarly activity.

Police Blotter Drug Violations •Miles Eggleston-Baxter, 19, of Baltimore, Md. was charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, at 7:15 p.m. Oct. 23 in the 800 block of Wayne Avenue, according to Indiana Borough police.

•Jaason Quianes-Mercado, 22, of Philadelphia, was charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana at 4:11 p.m. Oct. 22 in the 500 block of South 13th Street, according to Indiana Borough police.

•Malik Anderson, 20, of Elkridge, Md., had several items of drug paraphernalia seized at 12:02 a.m.

Dec. 9, in the 600th block of School Street.

Assault •Jamie Lee Dominic Brooks was charged with assault, harassment and disorderly conduct after

assaulting a known victim at 3:29 a.m. Nov. 22 in the 1300 block of Gompers Avenue, according the borough police.

Hit and Run •A passing eastbound vehicle struck a parked silver Toyota Corolla and fled the scene Dec. 10, sometime between the hours of 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Anyone with information regarding the incident should contact borough police at 724-349-2121.

Alcohol Violation •Aaron Aycock, 19, of Clearfield, was found to be highly intoxicated at 12:28 a.m. Dec. 9, in the 200 block of South Seventh Street and was later cited for Purchase, Consumption and Transportation of Alcoholic Malt or Brewed Beverages, according to borough police.

December 15, 2018

News

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Ministry continues tradition of free pancakes EMILY LOOSE

Staff Writer E.D.Loose@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

Finals can be so stressful that students can forget about some of the essentials in life, like eating.

At the beginning of the hectic week, one ministry continued a several-decade-long tradition to make sure students got a good meal.

From Dec. 11 to 12, St. Thomas More University Parish held free pancake nights to help students relax during finals week.

The event was held from 10 p.m. to midnight both nights, with mass beginning at 9 p.m. on the second day.

All students had to do was walk into the basement and tell the staff if they wanted chocolate chips on top of their pancakes or not. Along with pancakes, hot chocolate and coffee were available.

The ministry has been doing this event for 45 years, only slightly fewer years than the ministry has been around.

Father Alan Polczynski was helping at the event and has been doing so for four years. He

(Emily Loose/ The Penn) St. Thomas More University Parish held free pancake nights to help students relax during finals week.

said that students need times like these.

“We hold [pancake night] to help them relax and destress,” he said. “Finals are a lot of pressure on them.”

Events such as pancake night have brought more church goers, but that is not the main factor for

the ministry.

“It’s all about building the community,” Polczynski said. “The university is the reason our ministry exists, and we want to help them back in any way we can.”

Other volunteers at the event were members of the ministry, as well as students in the Catholic

Students decorate tree for the holiday

(James Neuhausel/ The Penn) The Center for Multicultural Student Leadership and Engagement invited students, faculty, and staff to help decorate the tree for the winter holidays, and they did not disappoint. There have been many ornaments made and added to the tree.

(Emily Loose/ The Penn) Each table had crayons, which were used to draw and play games on the paper table cloth.

Student Association.

The tables at pancake night were full of laughter, and friends gathered together as they ate and forgot about tests for a moment.

Each table had crayons, which were used to draw and play games such as Tic-Tac-Toe on the paper table cloth.

Students discussed how they cherish these nights, especially when they are deep in finals and studying.

“It is a nice way for everyone to come together and have a break from all of the craziness,” Brittany Burdick (sophomore, criminology)

said. “Everyone there seems really friendly and welcoming. The free pancakes are great, too.”

The ministry holds this event at the end of each semester, two nights each. Posters are splattered across campus to help get the word out.

The ministry was also holding a food drive along with this event.

Students had the option to bring a canned good with them.

If you are interested in being a part of the St. Thomas More Parish, there is mass held every day except Thursday. Go to the website for the full list of times.

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December 15, 2018

News

Students take trip to visit alumnus in Nashville COURTNEY TAYLOR Contributing Writer C.M.Taylor5@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

Several IUP students accompanied by a professor traveled to Nashville, Tenn. to meet with a prominent university alumnus.

Journalism and public relations department chairperson, Michele Papakie, traveled to Music City, USA to meet one of the department’s very successful former student. Papakie and students had the opportunity to meet with John Esposito, president and CEO of Warner Music Nashville.

Esposito is an alumnus from IUP. He is known for discovering country music superstar Blake Shelton, among other musicians.

While this is not Papakie’s first time escorting her students to Nashville, she was still excited to introduce her pupils to a fellow product of the university.

“This is the third time I’ve taken a group of students to visit our alumnus,” she said, “Before that, I would take my Entertainment PR classes to New York City.”

Students were enthusiastic about this opportunity and ready to make memories on the road.

“I’m excited to have the tour with John Esposito and learn about his journey to get to where he is. Maybe I’ll see a

(Facebook) Students met with John Esposito, CEO of Warner Music Nashville.

famous person,” Lilyann Schultz, a senior, said. “Honestly, just Tennessee in general. I’m just excited to see the people and the culture there and how it is different from here. And the environment in John Esposito’s office.”

During their meeting with Esposito, students got the chance to tour the Warner Music Nashville and ask him about the choices he has made during his career.

While in Nashville, students also got to tour the Grand Ole Opry, the renowned concert hall dedicated to country music artists.

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(TNS) Real trees are an eco-friendly alternative to artificial ones because they can be chipped and returned to the earth as mulch.

Minimize packaging waste for eco-friendly holidays LESLEY CLARK

McClatchy Washington Bureau (TNS)

If you’re dreaming of a green holiday season this year, you’ll have to take care to shop and decorate with the planet in mind.

Celebrating the holidays plays a substantial role in the creation of waste during this period as a result of packaging from gifts and surplus food being thrown away and making its way to the landfill.

But whether you’re looking forward to a lavish holiday with your friends and family this year or a more minimalist celebration, you can still be green and enjoy the festivities.

One way to reduce your environmental footprint is to shop locally. While online shopping may seem greener, it involves excess packaging (think shipping boxes and padding) and pollution (from miles flown/driven by UPS and FedEX to get purchases to your door). By patronizing nearby businesses instead, you’ll be supporting the local economy and reducing pollution.

If you do shop online, try to consolidate your purchases into one big order to minimize the

number of special trips shippers must make to your house.

Another way to green your holiday celebrations is to switch over from those flashing lights and inflatable snowmen to more subtle displays of holiday spirit. The Center for Global Development reports that Americans consume 6.63 billion kilowatts of electricity annually on holiday lighting and decorations. Instead of being part of the problem, unplug and light some candles. All-natural soy varieties – Real Soy’s ginger or cinnamon-scented candles are popular around the holidays – are friendlier to the environment than traditional petroleum-based paraffin candles.

Holiday cards are another clog on the waste stream during the holiday season, with Americans sending out some 2.65 billion of them each year. Ultimately many end up in landfills – especially if they’re covered in glitter or foil – and as such can’t be recycled.

E-cards are a great alternative as they express the same sentiment without any waste.

Single-use wrapping paper is yet another environmental scourge of the holidays. An estimated 30 million trees are

sacrificed each year to support Americans’ disposable wrapping paper habit, much of which ends up in landfills. An incremental improvement would be to only buy and use wrapping paper that doesn’t contain glitter – or even better just use brown paper – for ease of recycling or composting.

Alternatively, shop for fabric gift wrap which can be used over and over again.

Last but not least, is it better for the planet to get a real or fake Christmas tree? A fake tree may save you money in the long run as you can buy it once and use it for many years instead of throwing away $50 a year on a real tree. But most of the fakes come from China (which involves lots of carbon emissions in transit) and contain PVC and other chemicals that make them impossible to recycle.

Meanwhile, a real tree can be chipped and returned to the earth as mulch (either by you or your municipality) once January rolls around. Or even better, buy a live tree and plant it in your yard. That way you can feel the spirit of the holidays year-round and feel good about your commitment to protecting the planet.

December 15, 2018

News

(TNS) President Trump announced his support for the First Step Act Nov. 14.

Trump endorses the First Step Act AMANDA PEARSON Contributing Writer A.R.Pearson@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

President Donald Trump recently endorsed the bipartisan First Step Act, a prison reform bill, to help federal inmates properly prepare for life outside prison.

On Nov. 14, Trump announced his support for the bill saying, “It will make our community safer and give former inmates a second chance at life, once they have served their time.”

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 2005, 68 percent of inmates released from prison were reincarcerated after three years, and 77 percent were reincarcerated after five years.

The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world.

The average annual cost of running prisons is $39 billion in the 40 states that participated in the study and about $31,286 per inmate per year. Prisons, juvenile justice programs, parole and other corrections programs make up about 5 percent of a state budget, and that is directly out of taxpayers wallets.

The First Step Act is meant to help improve the lives of inmates and prepare them to return to life as a contributing member to society. The bill will help to ensure that inmates are placed in facilities within 500 miles of their families and help to match individuals and their needs to programs and training so they can return home ready to work. It will also provide ID cards for every prisoner when they are released and prohibit pregnant and postpartum from being shackled.

“Our justice system is not perfect,” said Courtney Doupe (senior, criminology). “There are a lot of flaws, and I think something like this could really change that and help reform inmates and lower the statistics of repeat offenders.”

The bill was passed by the House in May but remains stalled at the Senate due to opposing viewpoints from conservative Republicans. Mitch McConnell, Senate majority leader, is supposed to hold a vote before the end of the congressional calendar to get a final consensus on passing the bill.

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December 15, 2018

News

Student takes initiative in food pantry project I wasn’t expecting it to be as successful as it ended up being,” Wade said in an IUP news release Nov. 30. “I’m really proud of this because it has made more Daniece Wade (junior, managepeople aware of food insecurity, ment) is a part of the Each One and it brings us one step closer to Reach One service learning group getting the food working to create pantry up and a food pantry on running. I think IUP’s campus. this really shows “Right now we how IUP students are currently in the care about each starting phase for other and will step the pantry,” Wade up and help each said. “We are other. None of us going to continue want to see each hosting pop-up other struggle.” pantries throughWade wanted out next semesto start the pantry ter.” because of food There has alinsecurity on ready been a popcampus. The Each up pantry at the —DANIECE WADE One Reach One end of November (JUNIOR, MANAGEMENT) program learned that went well, so through a survey pop-up pantries will continue until that one out of three students the actual site for the food pantry suffer from food insecurity. It also is complete. learned that many low-income “I knew it would go well, but students, athletes or students who JESS TRUBY

News Editor J.L.Truby@iup.edu @jesstruby

I’M REALLY PROUD OF THIS BECAUSE IT HAS MADE MORE PEOPLE AWARE OF FOOD INSECURITY.

(IUP website) Daniece Wade (junior, management) is working to create a food pantry on IUP’s campus.

stay on campus over breaks have fewer resources to secure meals and have low availability of healthy foods.

“This information motivated me to invest time in learning about possible remedies for this issue,” Wade said.

Wade attended the 2018 Net Impact Conference. The conference is held to bring leaders together to exchange ideas about how to overcome the toughest social and environmental problems.

Terry Serafini, an IUP graduate, has taken an interest in the uni-

versity’s Food Pantry project and helped Wade attend this conference.

“Mr. Serafini providing the funding for the trip means a lot to me,” Wade said in an IUP news release Nov. 19. “His generosity has allowed this project to move forward and will help ensure that food insecurity will not affect an IUP student’s ability to learn, flourish, and succeed with their college education. He has been a huge support, and I am truly grateful for his contribution.”

Wade said the conference was an amazing experience, and it helped her think of useful strategies to start up the pantry.

“While at the conference, I was able to speak with like-minded people who were interested in my project and genuinely wanted to assist me any way they could,” Wade said.

Donations will be taken on the Support IUP website or donors can obtain printed forms and paint them to the Support IUP Office.

IUP graduates influence their alma mater through housing LILY WHORL

Digital Media Editor L.A.Whorl@iup.edu @lollylikeslemon

A relationship built on love and community involvement, Donna

and Wally Putt have been two active members in the Indiana community and IUP for years.

The two 1969 IUP graduates each earned their bachelor’s degree in economics. Little did they know, 49

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years later they would be influencing their alma mater every single day.

Owners of Putt Real Estate, the couple has worked tirelessly for years to make IUP students feel at home in their student housing.

Donna says her favorite part of Putt Real Estate is just dealing with the students in general. As a former high school teacher, Donna has an affection for students that drives deep.

Putt Real Estate offers 19 off-campus housing options for students, all designed to make the students feel as comfortable as possible. Donna and Wally both acknowledge that the transition from high school can be challenging, and they want to make it as much of a breeze as they can for the students.

Donna not only plays a huge role in off-campus housing at IUP. She was also a considerable factor in IUP’s almost seven-year long Student Residential Revival project. She served on the foundation board of directors for six years, holding positions of president, vice president, chair of the development and executive committees and member of the

(Submitted photo) Donna and Wally Putt give back to their alma mater.

nominating and residence hall project committees.

She even has a dormitory building named after her, known as Donna D. Putt Residence Hall.

Donna said her name on the dorm was not anticipated, and it came as a great surprise.

The couple does not stop with their involvement with housing, as

they’ve gone as far as establishing the Wallace E. and Donna D. Putt Scholarship for deserving undergraduate students.

“I think it’s important to give back,” Donna said. “When we see how much our college education has given us we wanted to give back.”

OPINION So Fall Semester Is Over...

How are The Penn editors spending winter break?

1. editor-in-chief, Seth Woolcock

I’ll be rejoining the Tom’s Pizza crew as a server and continuing to work with the MARTI institute. I will also be taking a winter documentary photography course. In my spare time, I will be working on ways to improve The Penn for our readers and followers, so don’t forget to check out The Penn in 2019. We will have a lot in store for y’all.

CARTOON

2. managing editor, Katie Mest

I’ll be working the same seasonal job I’ve had since senior year of high school and continue working for my professor, all while taking a winter class. It’s OK, though, because I turn 21 in a little more than a week, so wine will also factor into the equation.

3. COPY editor, Alex Hoy Work ‘til my eyes fall out.

4. NEWS editor, Jess Truby

I’m going to leave the comfort of my bed as little as possible. I will spend time with my family, especially my dog and eat all of the food humanly possible. I will be patiently waiting and working until it’s time to come back.

5. culture editor, Steven Langdon Jr.

Over winter break, I plan to relax and recharge from the semester. I also plan on seeing my friends from high school and visiting my family members. Most importantly, I plan on spending time with my younger brother.

6. sports editor, Elliot Hicks

I’ll be spending Christmas in Arizona with lots of family. I’m sure it will be just as warm there as the holidays have been in Pennsylvania the last few years.

7. Graphic Designer, Samantha Schaefer

New Years in Costa Rica, then work work work ‘cause I’ll be broke broke broke.

8. Photo Editor, James Neuhausel Trying to not spend money so I don’t have to work.

9. Audio Editor, Kyle Scott

Working as little as possible and then wondering why I have no money.

10. Audio editor, Nate Miller

Delivering pizza so I can afford to deliver myself away from Indiana forever, and working on the greatest album ever created. Yeah, I said it.

11. Digital Media editor, Katie Williams I’m catching up on sleep.

12. Digital Media Editor, Lily Whorl

With friends causing a ruckus in Johnstown and visiting my sister in Orlando agaisnt her will.

(Chandler Bouton) “Finals are over. Let us be consumed by the eternal void until next semester.”

Opinion

December 15, 2018

9

Culture

Culture Editor: Steven Langdon Jr. – S.Langdon@iup.edu

(Facebook) Students relate their IUP careers to movies such as “Legally Blonde” (top left), “Monster University” (top right) and “Ordinary World” (bottom right).

If your IUP career were represented by a movie, what would it be?

JAKE SLEBODNICK

Staff Writer J.C.Slebodnick@iup.edu @slebby24

This article contains opinion.

You’re sitting in the Oak Grove, trying to drown out the life around you with something more exciting, like if your life were a movie. IUP sets the scene, and you are the protagonist. All that’s missing is the plot.

The only way you can draw a plot line is by relating your life to a film that has hit the culture scene already. You ask yourself, “What would it be?”

Elizabeth Lees (freshman, mathematics) was a theater freak growing up, so she viewed her career so far as a main stage production turned movie rather than silver screen showcase. “‘Legally Blonde’ would be a pretty good one,” Lees said.

“It relates to my career at IUP because my semester started out kind of rough, like Elle’s, but with time, work, and a good friend, things got better and I’m loving it.”

Her viewpoint aligns perfectly since incoming freshmen feel that

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way, even if they say they don’t.

College is a fresh new page in a book that’s been left unwritten.

On the other hand, Kaitlyn Dotts (junior, communications media) compared her career to the standout animation film, “Monsters University.”

Dotts related this to when she first started in college and how it changed in three years.

“College is where you make lots of new friends no matter how different your backgrounds are,” she said.

“You try and survive college by encouraging one another,” Dotts said. “Just like in [the movie] when Mike and Sulley first met, they didn’t instantly become best friends because they come from different backgrounds, but throughout the semester they become really good friends.”

Dotts captured the social aspect of college since she not only adds in the diversity factor, which is heavily emphasized at IUP and other universities nationwide, but she also realized that it always starts with you and someone else.

Coming from different ends of the spectrum, you can connect and remain friends for life with at

least one other person.

In my life, I’d compare my career at IUP to “Ordinary World,” starring Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong.

Armstrong’s character, Perry, goes through life mindlessly in a routine and gets bored and forgotten by his friends and family, similar to mine in high school.

Growing up, I wasn’t the most well-received kid since I didn’t have the money or athletic talent to get by every day and felt like life would pass me by while I continue with the same schtick.

As the movie unveils, Armstrong enters a whole new arena when he’s granted a day off work for his birthday to celebrate. This day resembles my transition to college when I started anew.

I had this blank canvas, and the awaiting decisions I made were the bottles of paint I needed to rewrite what I left behind.

At the end of the movie, he realizes life is better and changing his life up a bit had a positive impact, like college has done with my life so far.

All legacies at IUP are just scripted movies that have yet to be out there. Let your movie play, it’s for sure a Golden Globe winner.

December 15, 2018

(Facebook)

Culture

December 15, 2018

Culture

Students leave when Christmas season just begins in Indiana HEATHER BAIR Staff Writer H.Bair@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

This article contains opinion.

Every year, once the Christmas season is upon us, Indiana plans events that offer fun and entertainment for all generations.

For starters, The Jimmy Stewart Museum, located above the public library, is showing “It’s a Wonderful Life” every day at 1 p.m. Admission is $8 for students, and it is not necessary to show an I-Card.

If you’re looking for something fun to do in downtown Indiana, the “It’s a Wonderful Life Festival” occurs every weekend by the IRMC Park archway. Booths vary every weekend, and hot chocolate is sold in small cafes down the street. It’s a good way to learn a bit about Indiana’s history, as well as window shop for Christmas.

The festival will take place until Dec. 23. Every weekend will host its own theme, as well as offer different ideas for Christmas gifts.

The Historical and Genealogical Society of Indiana hosted a Dickens of a Christmas Open House Friday. Refreshments were provided, as well as actors dressed in the era of Charles Dickens himself.

Saturday, the Philadelphia Street Playhouse will be performing “A Christmas Story” from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Actors will perform favorite scenes such as the exploding furnace, the tongue on the frozen pole and even Ralphie shooting his eye out. Tickets range from $12 for general admission and $10 for students.

Saturday, the S&T Bank Arena will be offering the fourth session of “Learn to Skate.” In addition, the arena also offers free skating times every Saturday and Sunday, as well as every Wednesday and Friday. Students pay $5, and it’s $3 per skate rental.

If you’re wanting to see Christmas through a child’s eyes again, you can head to YMCA at 3 p.m.

Sunday. The YMCA is hosting Countdown to Christmas Family Fun: A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Members and non-members are welcome; however, non-members will have to pay a $5 fee.

Snacks and crafts will be provided. Also, make sure to dress in your best Christmas pajamas and bring a sleeping bag, “A Charlie

(Facebook) Fleming’s Christmas Tree Farms is a great place to buy a tree in Indiana during the holidays.

Brown Christmas” will be shown during the activities, which end at 4 p.m.

Of course, every Christmas isn’t complete without a Christmas tree. Fleming’s Christmas Tree Farms offers dozens of different sizes and shapes of evergreens until the middle of December.

There is also a giftshop on site that can help with last-minute Christmas shopping.

Finally, Sunday at the Kovalchick Center, a fun-filled night of music and entertainment awaits everyone who wants to get into the Christmas spirit. “Feel the Love B.E. Taylor Christmas Concert” will start at 7 p.m. and run until 9 p.m. Tickets can be picked up at the KCAC box office, and students who present an I-Card will be able to save on select seats.

Need a place to sled? Hit the slopes at the IUP Co-op Park right off College Lodge Road, for some intense sledding for all ages.

There are plenty of other events throughout Indiana, such as different churches hosting holiday programs. There will be live nativities, Christmas Eve programs, Christmas dinners, as well as choral performances offered by the worship team or choir.

There are so many events around Indiana that will offer funfilled time with friends and family alike, it may be hard to pick just one. The good news is that there are many events to choose from that will offer plenty of fun for everyone.

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December 15, 2018

Culture

Facebook) “Super Smash Brothers Ultimate” was released on the Nintendo Switch Dec. 7.

‘Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’ smashes expectations of all fans JAMES NEUHAUSEL

Photo Editor J.D.Neuhausel@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

This article contains opinion.

Originally making its debut in 1999, the “Super Smash Bros.” series has turned into this almost impossible celebration of video games as a whole.

Featuring characters not only

from Nintendo’s many franchises but also from various other franchises outside of Nintendo, “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” is the ultimate package for this nearly two-decade-old series.

The roster is the beefiest it has ever been. With fighters ranging from fan favorites like Mario or Pikachu, to longtime requested fighters like Ridley or King K. Rool, Nintendo was not messing around

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when it said “Everyone is Here.”

The ridiculous nature of this roster can end up with some questionable match ups, such as a world renowned legendary mercenary going up a mayor’s assistant, who has little to no known fighting experience.

The roster was not the only thing Nintendo had up its sleeves when it came to the vast amount of content offered in “Ultimate.”

Replacing the longtime collectible that has been around since “Super Smash Bros. Melee,” known as trophies, the series introduced a new mechanic called “Spirits.”

Spirits are collections of characters ranging from a vast collection of video game franchises that can be attached to any fighter in the roster as a buff. Spirits are divided into four different categories, with certain types being stronger than others.

This allowed players who may have wanted their favorite video game characters in the game to get a sense of that feeling. Tying into a brand new single player adventure featured in “Ultimate,” spirits add an element that feels fresh to players who have been with the series since the beginning.

“World of Light,” the new single player adventure in “Ultimate” is a brand new experience similar to that of “Super Smash Bros. Brawl’s Subspace Emissary.”

This mode starts off with a pretty grueling cut scene where just about the entire roster of fighters minus a lone survivor gets turned

into spirits by an entity known as Galeem.

For players who were hoping this story mode would be just like “Subspace Emissary,” they are unfortunately going to be disappointed. What starts off as a great introduction to how spirits work, “World of Light” quickly turns into an assortment of monotonous tasks of constant spirit battles that feel all too similar. With that being said, “World of Light” takes players to amazing locales that are direct references to various video game franchises (a personal favorite being the world tour based off the Street Fighter series).

Overall, “Super Smash Bros.

Ultimate” is a great game for both those who are returning to the series and anyone who are just getting into the series for the first time.

With the addition of spirits, a massive roster of more than 70 fighters and a story mode that is satisfying enough to not upset longtime players, “Ultimate” is a fantastic game for friends to get together to smash it out.

December 15, 2018

Culture

13

(Facebook) “A Christmas Story” and “A Christmas Carol” are two Christmas movies to watch during the holidays.

Movies to watch while snuggling up by the tree HEATHER BAIR Staff Writer H.Bair@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

This article contains opinion.

With the Christmas season upon us, it can be easy to lose track of the true meaning of Christmas.

Luckily, there are hundreds of movies out there that can help us regain our favorite holiday feelings.

For starters, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” has become a family favorite for people of all ages. The movie takes place in Whoville, where the Whos celebrate Christmas a lot. The Grinch, who lives up on the top of Mount Crumpit, conjures an idea to steal Christmas from the Whos.

Whether you watch the animated Dr. Seuss version of the tale, or the 2000 version starring Jim Carrey, you’re sure to laugh and get in the giving spirit of Christmas.

Or you can go for a Christmas classic, such as “A Christmas Carol.” There are multiple movies based on Charles Dickens’ story, such as “Scrooged” with Bill Murray; “Ebbie,” a female Ebenezer Scrooge; or even “The Man Who Invented Christmas,” about Charles Dickens and the way he came to create “A Christmas Carol.”

With lovable characters such as the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future who visit

Scrooge, a selfish and greedy old man, the movie is an instant hit with all generations. Especially with the adorable Tiny Tim adding his trademark line, “God bless us, everyone.”

Everyone knows the story of Ralphie, and that all he wants for Christmas is a Red Ryder BB gun. In “A Christmas Story,” Ralphie spends the entirety of the movie begging Santa, his parents and even his teacher for a BB gun. He gets disappointed when he’s told the line that will stick in your memory forever, “You’ll shoot your eye out!”

Yet, Christmas is a time for miracles, and as Ralphie learns, sometimes the adults in our lives do know what they’re talking about.

He also learns that lesson again in “A Christmas Story 2” (2012).

(Facebook) “Home Alone” has become a popular franchise thanks to Macaulay Culkin first starring as Kevin McCallister. The franchise now has five movies to its name.

The first and second movies star Culkin as the films’ 8- and 9-yearold boy who gets lost during the holiday season and must defend his family’s home from burglars.

In the next three installments of the series, hijinks ensue and Alex, Kevin and Finn must save their homes in “Home Alone 3,” “Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House,” and “Home Alone: The Holiday Heist” respectfully.

Finally, Christmas would not be complete without Will Farrell’s hilarious, innocent, doe-eyed “Elf,” about a man who grows up in the North Pole only to discover he is not in fact one of Santa’s elves. He goes on a search to find his human family in New York City and get his father off the naughty list once and for all. Along the way, he brings Christmas joy to some of the residents of New York, by way of the motto, “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is by singing loud for all to hear.”

While there are plenty of Christmas movies out there to help ring in the holiday season and “keep Christmas in your heart,” these are some of the best to curl up with a mug of hot chocolate.

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14

December 15, 2018

Culture

Expand your music taste over break with new albums EMILY LOOSE

Staff Writer E.D.Loose@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

This article contains opinion.

Winter break is coming close, and that means students have a month to do whatever they want.

Aside from going on a vacation or hanging out with friends, winter break is a good time to discover new music.

Music is being released almost every day, so there will be plenty of bands and artists that students can listen to on their ways to their exciting winter plans.

To start off break, “Icarus Falls” by Zayn Malik was released Friday.

Known as the first member to leave One Direction, Malik has proved his music chops to be different than the other four boys. With both his previous and new album featuring explicit songs, he shows that he is not the boy band member he once was.

The album features an impressive 27 tracks, with several released to the public earlier.

“Icarus Falls” was originally supposed to be released in 2017

(Facebook) Make sure to check out albums from Zayn Malik (top left), Reel Big Fish (top right), Taking Back Sunday (bottom left) and Rich the Kid (bottom right).

but was delayed due to his own changes.

“Every day I find another song that I'm swapping out with another one. That's why the album date hasn’t really come yet,” he said in a previous interview.

A ‘90s favorite returns just in time for Christmas. The ska punk band Reel Big Fish returns with “Life Sucks...Let’s Dance!” after

six years since its last album.

Lead singer and guitarist Aaron Barrett remains the only member of the band to stay consistent through the years, but says this lineup was really fun.

Known for songs such as “Sell Out,” the band promises that this album will feature the same comedical lyricism fans expect from them. But Barrett warns

(Facebook)

fans that there might be some love songs.

“I just got married, so there might be a few sappy love songs on the album, too,” he said. As an afterthought, he said “yuck” to the whole idea.

As an album that wants to make you live and forget your problems, this could not come at a better time. “Life Sucks…Let’s Dance!” comes out Friday.

Another late ‘90s band is coming back starting in the new year.

Taking Back Sunday’s album “Twenty” comes out Jan. 11.

Though not full of new songs like other albums on the list, this compilation explores the past 20 years of the band and its music.

Formed in 1999, the rock band has not had too much mainstream popularity, but fans have made sure that they have stayed around to make more music. Along with the album, the band will be going on tour to show their appreciation toward the fans.

“Next year we will be traveling the world to celebrate the amazing brotherhood, music and life we have created together over the past 20 years,” singer Adam Lazzara said. “We hope

you can join us for what is sure to be an experience to remember.”

The tour started Friday and features touring in North America, Australia, Asia and South America. Tickets are currently on sale on their website.

Just a few days before the spring semester starts back up, Rich the Kid is releasing “The World is Yours 2.”

Only being released 10 months after his freshman album, Rich the Kid claims this will be the “album of the century.”

One song entitled “Mo Paper” has been released, along with a music video.

Not too much has been discussed about the album, but that makes it all the more anticipated. With his first album debuting at No. 2, fans are hoping this album will be just as good, especially after being released so fast. The album will be released Jan. 18.

There are plenty more artists releasing albums and LPs, with some yet to be announced.

Make sure to watch out carefully for word from some of your favorite artists, and maybe check out artists from genres you are not used to.

Sports

Sports Editor: Elliot Hicks – E.Hicks@iup.edu Lead Sports Writer: Brad O’Hara – B.L.Ohara@iup.edu

(Jake Rouse/The Penn) Madisyn Graham (senior, health and physical education) helped the IUP defense record four shutouts in 2018.

(Jake Rouse/The Penn) Graham performed a slide tackle in a Sept. 26 draw against California (Pa.).

Graham takes unique path to successful senior soccer season ELLIOT HICKS

Sports Editor e.hicks@iup.edu @ehicks39

While the IUP soccer team had a season full of ups and downs this fall to say the least, a strong senior class was able to navigate a young team with new players thrusted into the spotlight quickly to a relatively successful season overall. The team’s 9-8-1 record put them just outside of a postseason spot.

One of the Crimson Hawks’ leading defenders, Madisyn Graham (senior, health and physical education), has taken quite the unique journey to get to this point.

“Funny story, I originally came to IUP for swimming,” Graham said, taking part in the backstroke and freestyle her freshman year.

Graduating from John Champe High School in Aldie, Va., Graham had intended to play soccer at

Sports

Georgia Southern University, but a back injury her sophomore year of high school led her to focus more on swimming.

After being recruited by the Crimson Hawks swim team, she made the journey north to Indiana for her first season.

“When I got here, I swam for a year, and while I did well and loved the team and coaching staff, it just wasn’t for me,” Graham said. “It was a lot to handle, but I asked myself, how am I going to stay busy?”

Graham decided to send an email to the soccer coaching staff, who, after looking at her video and statistics from high school, decided to “take me aboard,” Graham said.

Her first two seasons saw just nine and 11 games of action with a pair of starts, but during the 2018 season, Graham played in every game and started all but one.

Playing on the left side of a 4-3-

3 formation on defense, Graham’s role isn’t flashy on the stat sheet, but she and the other Crimson Hawks defenders played significant roles.

“We work the ball up the field, especially myself on the left side,” Graham said. “I go back and forth between offensive and defensive positions, and obviously you need someone to stop the goals and protect the goalie.”

With Graham getting most of her playing time her senior season, she helped the Crimson Hawks register four shutouts this fall. Overall, she kept a positive outlook on a season that had many challenges.

“Regardless of what’s on the stat sheet, I think I had a pretty solid season and made an impact on the field, which is all that matters,” Graham said. “As a whole, we sort of struggled to connect, and we had a few injuries that were out of our

December 15, 2018

control, which didn’t help.”

With a team full of youth, various young players had opportunities to step up, and “they did a great job, but the older girls have more experience,” which is always important, according to Graham.

“We had trouble scoring and gave up weak goals,” she said. “On the field, we would sometimes lose our sense of structure.”

Graham’s favorite moment of the season came near its end, as the rescheduled Oct. 23 game at Gannon saw an energetic 2-1 victory for the Crimson Hawks.

“Leading up to this game, it was terrible,” she said. “We went up on Saturday (Oct. 20) with the football game before us, which [due to thunderstorms] got pushed back and then cancelled because Gannon wasn’t really cooperating with us.”

At the time, the Golden Knights

needed a victory to keep their postseason hopes alive, and IUP had already been knocked out of contention.

“It was fun, competitive and physical,” Graham said. “We had nothing to lose and went in with a winning mindset, to prove to them not to mess with us. Yeah, we hadn’t had the best season, but we were still a good team, so we went out and played our best game of the year.”

Graham plans to move back to Virginia once she leaves IUP to teach high school health and physical education, as well as some coaching in both soccer and swimming.

“I’ll miss the team and the camaraderie we had,” Graham said.

“When things would get really bad, we all came together and stuck it out. It’s really taught me how to be a part of a team.”

15

16

December 15, 2018

Sports

(Lauren Turner/The Penn) Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle spoke at Guy’s Night Out Dec. 6 at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex.

Pirates manager helps celebrate Guy’s Night Out at KCAC BRAD O’HARA

Lead Sports Writer B.L.Ohara@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

On Dec. 6, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes hosted Guy’s Night Out and brought Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle to the KCAC to talk about his career and his faith.

The night was formed around Christianity and sharing that as a bond, but the way the fellowship approached the event was far from a church service.

The evening started out with free food and vendors. From barbecue-style foods to larger brand names, like Dippin’ Dots, FCA used

the whole first hour of the event just for eating and socializing with the other people there. From there, everyone made their ways down to the auditorium for the remainder of the evening.

At this point, the event started to take a real shift into talking about faith and Christianity. They sang worship songs to start off the program and followed up the singing with testimonials from both current and former IUP athletes and coaches.

First to go was IUP baseball player, JP Pellis (junior, finance). Pellis talked about his journey to IUP and the role that faith played in his decision making.

Despite IUP being his first choice, it was not where he originally ended up. Instead, Pellis spent his first year in Florida. However, his freshman year showed him what he was missing in his life and solidified that Indiana was where he wanted to be. He said with God’s help, he made that decision and made it onto the IUP baseball team.

Next up was Phil Henry, who played for the IUP football team from 1977 to 1981. Henry talked about his questionable choices that he made and how his faith had transformed his life. Now, Phil Henry is an ordained minister and is working to make the same transformation in other’s lives.

The last testimonial was made

by IUP men’s basketball head coach Joe Lombardi. Lombardi did not speak as long as the other two, but he portrayed a very similar message. Lombardi talked about how faith plays an impact in his life and how it has changed who he is as a coach.

Finally, Clint Hurdle was brought out and spoke with the head of FCA in a question-and-answer format. The entire beginning of the session was spent mostly talking about the early part of Hurdle’s career as a baseball player and his turn into coaching.

Hurdle spoke of his time as an athlete and the choices he had to

make growing up as to what he wanted to do with life, as well as the expectations that were on him.

He then made the transition into faith and Hurdle’s Christianity.

Hurdle was raised as a Christian, and faith always played a role in his life. However, when Hurdle began to play baseball professionally, his faith was lost in the mix. He then spoke of his road back to faith and how his life started to take shape with Christianity as the central focus.

Overall, the night presented a great opportunity for guys to socialize and grow in their faith through the testimonials and entertainment of athletes who have traveled down similar paths.

Sports

December 15, 2018

17

Women continue dominating run with victory over Shippensburg BRAD O’HARA

Lead Sports Writer B.L.Ohara@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

IUP women’s basketball will be going into winter break undefeated as the team rolled through Shippensburg last Saturday.

IUP put on a show in the Memorial Field House winning 66-32.

Going into this game, Shippensburg was even on the season, winning four of the eight games it played and two of its previous three. Its last game was a loss to Lincoln after it missed a possible game-winning shot. The Raiders continued to struggle as they traveled to Indiana.

IUP scored first and never looked back.

The Crimson Hawks jumped out to a nine-point lead by the end of the first quarter. The first quarter

was a team scoring effort as well with six different players scoring for the Crimson Hawks. In the second quarter, IUP did not let up at all.

They scored 23 points in the second quarter while holding Shippensburg to just seven. Thirteen of those 23 points were scored by Carolyn Appleby (senior, safety science). The second half looked much like the first with IUP more than doubling Shippensburg’s score by the end of the game.

IUP’s defense was showcased in this game as the fourth quarter was the only time where the Raiders scored double-digit points in a quarter. The Crimson Hawks also racked up 19 steals as a team. Two players, Appleby and Brittany Robinson (senior, education), each had as many steals as all of the Shippensburg players combined.

“Everyone was playing with a lot of energy and very disciplined on defense,” Appleby said. “I think our team is very focused and knows

(Lauren Turner/The Penn) Natalie Myers (junior, developmental studies) scored five points Saturday against Shippensburg.

what we want to accomplish this year, so I think that is really helping us so far.”

Offensively, the Crimson Hawks were as good as ever. Robinson

put up eight points, two assists and seven rebounds for IUP. Lexi Griggs (junior, natural science) put up another 10 points, and seven other Crimson Hawks combined for an

additional 48 in IUP’s dominant win.

Appleby has now scored 10 points or more in all but one game this season and is averaging 16.5 points per game this season. To continue her success, Appleby put up 22 points against Shippensburg.

“I think I was just in the right spots at the right time,” Appleby said. “We were all talking to one another letting each other know we were in the gaps.”

IUP has only one game left in 2018 as they will look to stay undefeated overall and within the conference. West Chester will be traveling to Indiana on Dec. 18 for another PSAC game for the Crimson Hawks.

West Chester had a strong start to its season winning four of its first six. However, that quickly came to end as the team is now riding a four-game losing streak. IUP will look to extend West Chester’s losing streak to five games and continue its undefeated season.

Wild game sees men’s basketball remain unbeaten with crucial victory JAKE SLEBODNICK

The Crimson Hawks maintained the third spot in the DII Coaches Poll following the victory over Shippensburg, and with the win being their last of the fall semester, IUP heads into winter break with a hearty matchup against the No. 18 Fairmont State Falcons Friday in

Production Manager J.C.Slebodnick@iup.edu @slebby24

A game in which all hope seemed to be lost in the first five minutes turned out to be a game that will forever shine in IUP men’s basketball history.

The Memorial Field House was invaded by Shippensburg last Saturday for ultimate supremacy in the PSAC, featuring head coach Joe Lombardi taking on his former assistant, Chris Fite.

The Crimson Hawks trailed 4540 at the end of the first half due to the 20-second onslaught of three-pointers made by both teams at the start of the contest. Contributing to the constant shots from downtown were SG Armoni Foster, SG Malik Miller and SF Marko Krivacevic.

Willem Brandwijk continued his success from underneath as he not only went 4-6 from the field, but he also acquired two steals and a pair of highlight-worthy plays: an alley-oop from Dante Lombardi in the first half and a monstrous slam dunk in the second.

Fireworks came late in the sec-

Fairmont, W.V. Following that, they return home to play West Chester Dec. 18 at the KCAC for the last game of 2018.

It would make a statement if IUP could head into 2019 undefeated, but after a loss last year to the Golden Rams, anything can happen.

RUNCO RENTALS STUDENT HOUSING

(IUP Athletics) Dante Lombardi (senior, finance) was 8-10 on free throws Saturday in a victory over Shippensburg.

ond half that sparked the Crimson Hawks comeback. Ship’s Manny Span and Lombardi each earned a technical foul that sent the Field House crowd into a frenzy. This ignited the comeback since the Crimson Hawks took the reigns the rest of the game, only allowing the Raiders to come within three at the 10:26 mark.

With less than one minute to go in the game, Jacobo Diaz followed a fast break layup by Lombardi with

a free throw shot, and Miller sealed the game with a steal and pass to Brandwijk for his thundering dunk.

This capped off an IUP win and could possibly resolve a tiebreaker at the end of the season; that is, if Lombardi and Co. continue their success as the year progresses.

If it comes down to IUP vs. Shippensburg in the PSAC title game, the Crimson Hawks take home court advantage due to their victory in this game.

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18

December 15, 2018

HOT TAKE JAKE

Sports

As NFL postseason looms, playoff predictions can only get better JAKE TAYLOR

Staff Writer J.M.Taylor8@iup.edu @JakeTaylor8726

This article contains opinion.

As the NFL season is coming to an end, we still have no f*%#^\$ clue what is gonna happen at this year’s end.

The playoff picture is far from set, let alone showing a true No. 1 contender. The 2018-19 season can really be summed up by the old saying, “any given Sunday.”

Any team has a chance to win, and that is why this season has been unlike any other in years past – not to mention this year has been a sort of “passing of the torch,” where we have seen the young guns begin to outplay the veterans.

Now come postseason, I know everyone’s money will be on the grizzled vets like Brady, Brees and Ben, but they can’t count out Goff, Mahomes and Trubisky as real contenders. So sit down, shut up and drink a beer as I unleash what is going to be a flawless prediction of the next six weeks in the NFL. The AFC will see some familiar faces in the playoffs as usual contenders like Pittsburgh, Los An-

geles, Baltimore, Houston, New England and Kansas City (in that seeded order 6-1) will find themselves playing late into January.

Wild Card Weekend will see the Texans host the Steelers in what is sure to be a one-sided affair. Pittsburgh unwrapped a butt whooping in Houston last year on Christmas Day. Besides having the easiest schedule in the NFL and arguably the worst division, I cannot see how Houston is a real threat to win a single playoff game.

The Baltimore Ravens will be facing off against Phillip Rivers and the Chargers in M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens having the best defense in the AFC will put up a fight but won’t be able to count on the lackluster offense led by Lamar Jackson to overcome the deepest AFC team, the Chargers.

The NFC playoff push is a bit of a different story.

It won’t be the same old teams competing like over in the AFC. Teams will be seeded in this 6-1 order: Minnesota, Seattle, Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles and New Orleans. Wild Card weekend has division foes facing off for what will be their third matchup of the year and this time, it’s winner takes all.

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(TNS) Jared Goff and the Los Angeles Rams have put up massive offensive stats in 2018.

The Vikings will try and pillage Soldier Field, but similar to their first efforts, fall short to Da Bears.

The most surprising playoff team, the Seattle Seahawks, will have its hands full with Dallas’ defense in Jerry World. Although they will be playing at home as division champions, my money is on Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson over Jason Garrett and Dak Prescott every time.

Now it is time for the Divisional Round.

The Bears look to battle it out in the Coliseum against the mighty Rams of L.A. In their previous battle this season, the Bears’ defense shut out the second highest scoring team in football in a statement win on Sunday Night Football. Unfortunately for Matt Nagy, he will be up against Sean McVay, who can remember nearly every play call that did not work in their first match up, which is just insane.

The Rams look to bounce back from a horrible choking mishap in last year’s playoffs. For a team that looks like it was created in a video

game, I can’t see how the Rams will be able to let themselves lose.

As for the other match up in the Mercedes Benz Superdome, I see absolutely zero chance that Seattle can stun the Saints. After the Miracle in Minneapolis last year, New Orleans is out for blood, and Drew Brees is here to slay anyone who opposes his will.

A refreshing change in the AFC this year sees New England not playing a dog crap team in the divisional round. For once they get a very strong Chargers team coming to Foxboro. This is easily the worst Patriots team we have seen in years, and Tom Brady looks like he stopped kissing his son on the lips because his numbers are dramatically down. Dare I say Rivers gets his first-ever win against Brady and advances to the AFC Championship.

In a matchup Chiefs fans know all too well, the Pittsburgh Steelers come to Arrowhead in hopes of knocking out the favored MVP Mahomes & Co. Not only is this a bat-

tle between two of the best offenses in the NFL, this a battle between two of the biggest choke artists in modern day football, Mike Tomlin vs. Andy Reid.

So really it’s who is going to choke worse? My money is on Andy Reid, solely because there is more pressure.

The time has finally come!

Championship Weekend.

Los Angeles Rams against the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers vs. the L.A. Chargers.

In what will end up being the game of the playoffs, Brees battles Goff in a rematch of their epic Week Nine 80-point spout. Pick your poison. Sean McVay or Sean Payton?

Former rookie of the year winners Alvin Kamara or Todd Gurley? Michael Thomas or Brandin Cooks?

The man who gives his team the edge is Taysom Hill, third-string quarterback on the New Orleans Saints who is seen making plays on every side of the ball. He can pass, catch, run, and he even has a blocked punt. The man is the human Tasmanian Devil, an absolute electric machine.

As home field advantage seems to hold extreme value in the NFL, it doesn’t when you have fewer fans than LeBron James Jr. has at his middle school basketball games.

Steeler fans travel like no other, so beware of Big Ben when he sees those Terrible Towels waving a sea of yellow in the heart of Los Angeles. A battle won earlier by L.A. in perhaps the most undeserving fashion of any win this season, a rematch is sure to spark some intensity.

Big-time players make big-time plays, and nobody does it like Antonio Brown. Mr. Toni Toe Tap himself can single handedly win the Steelers a game. In a three TD effort, the Steelers will best the Chargers 32-24.

The greatest day of the year. Super Bowl Sunday.

The New Orleans Saints against the Pittsburgh Steelers. If you want to know what happens, sit down, shut up, drink a beer, watch the game and find out.

Sports

December 15, 2018

19

Hart: Has Steelers’ Tomlin made one too many gaffes to keep his job?

(TNS) Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers have lost three consecutive games.

JEFF HART

Staff Writer J.R.Hart2@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

This article contains opinion.

Take a hike, Mike!

The Pittsburgh Steelers have caused a great divide.

After Sunday’s embarrassing 2421 loss to the pathetic 3-10 Raiders, fans and former players alike are disgusted with the state of the team. This loss capped off a threegame losing streak in which the Steelers have now put themselves in a position where they could potentially lose playoff contention to the up-and-coming Ravens.

This loss had everyone pointing fingers as to why the leaders of the AFC North lost to arguably one of the worst teams in the NFL. It would be easy for fans to blame the poor rushing performance, where the Steelers had fewer than 50 rushing yards, or Chris Boswell missing a field goal that could have won the game. However, there is one underlying problem for the Pittsburgh Steelers that has plagued the team for the past 10 years.

This problem is none other than head coach Mike Tomlin.

Now at first glance, Tomlin doesn’t appear to be a coach that is detrimental to his squad’s success due to his .653 regular season winning percentage. However, when one takes a closer look, you can see that Tomlin has proven his

inability to lead his squad to the ultimate success of attaining a Super Bowl.

Sunday’s shameful performance against the Raiders is nothing unusual for the Steelers under the tutelage of Tomlin. Since he has been head coach, the Steelers are 6-5 in road games they were heavily favored to win, which is disturbing considering the rest of the NFL has only 10 losses in that same situation and time frame.

This alarming statistic is likely due to Tomlin’s notable inability to make in game adjustments on defense, which was thoroughly demonstrated in the team’s AFC Championship loss against the Patriots two years before.

Along with the coach’s poor performances against pitiful teams, Tomlin’s post-season success has been a point of concern for the team as well. Aside from its 20082009 Super Bowl win against the Cardinals, the Steelers have been incapable of winning it all.

This is atrocious considering there have been teams that were full of latent potential and ability. Since that Super Bowl win, the Steelers have lost one Super Bowl against the Packers and have won only three playoff games in the past seven seasons. This anemic and quite frankly disappointing performance year after year has left fans and former players feeling dissatisfied.

Tomlin has been questioned on a couple occasions by former Steel-

(TNS) Kicker Chris Boswell has struggled this season for the Steelers.

ers for his ability to win in meaningful games. Most recently, Super Bowl champion running back Rocky Bleier has called out the coach in a raw and unfiltered Twitter video.

The Steelers legend stated in the video that he is “done” with the team and that they have “ripped his heart out.”

Bleier deemed that the Steelers’ future is going to be dictated

by how they fare, and it “may be without Coach Tomlin.” Bleier’s words seemed to have echoed the emotions and thoughts of Steelers Nation as he is gaining support for his claims. Many fans are wanting Tomlin’s dismissal and the hiring of Pittsburgh native and former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy.

Whether or not this will come to fruition remains to be seen. With

the remaining three games against the Patriots, Saints and Bengals, fans have reason to be worried.

Many have the Steelers losing against New England and New Orleans and finishing the year with only nine wins. This is a very real scenario for this squad.

If Tomlin wants to keep his job and silence Steelers Nation, the answer is quite simple. Win.

LAZOR BROTHERS STUDENT HOUSING

724-349-4914 • Apartments within walking distance of the University • Apartments are partially furnished

www.lazorbrothers.com

• Offering 1 and 2 bedroom newly renovated apartments • Conveniently located minutes from downtown Indiana and IUP • Flexible short-term leases and some furnished apartments • 24-hour maintenance, emergency services, free parking, on-site laundry

724-463-9290 2765 Warren Road Indiana, PA

www.colonialmanorindianapa.com

December 15, 2018

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