8.27.21 by The Penn

NEWS | PAGE 3

FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 2021

CULTURE | PAGE 12

VOL. 114 NO. 2

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NEWS

News Editor: Benjamin Brumbaugh – msqy@iup.edu

Out with the old and in with the new Mergers lead to building name change KELLY BLANKENBICKER Staff Writer svcy@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

(The Penn/Nick Schmidt) Jane E. Leonard Hall (formerly the HSS Building) is located next to the Stapleton Library. The building opened in January 2016 and cost $30 million to build. The building houses the newly named College of Creative Arts, Humanities and Design.

News

August 27, 2021

IUP renamed the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) as of the fall 2021 semester. “The HSS will change its name to Jane E. Leonard Hall because the College of Fine Arts and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences merged,” David Laughead, member of the NextGen task force and member on the name change committee, said. The College of Creative Arts, Humanities and Design will be the name of the merged colleges. The name reflects all the disciplines that are within the building. “The committee decided to change the names of the colleges and the HSS building because of the enrollment in those particular colleges,” Laughead said. “It was a complex decision that the administration made.” Some students and faculty have mixed feelings about the new names. “As a political science graduate and a former student of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, initially I was devastated by the name changes,” Laughead said. “However, I understand the necessity to change the name of the HSS since the colleges combined.” “I am happy to hear Leonard Hall will be the new name of the HSS,” Dr. Richard Hoch (geography and regional planning) said. “It is nice to see an original name on campus again.” “As an interior design major, I was upset about my college

changing, but I feel the new name fits my specific major better,” Shay Bannon (senior, interior design) said. “I think calling the HSS Leonard Hall will be confusing, especially for upperclassmen.” “I think changing the name of the HSS will be an adjustment for many students,” Kate Rocke, (senior, interior design) said. “I am sad to see the College of Fine Arts and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences gone.” “I will continue to call the building the HSS, but I understand the decision to change the name of the building,” Sarah Campbell (junior, early childhood education) said. “I am neutral on both of the name changes,” Miranda Carr (senior, psychology) said. “I will still refer to the building as the HSS, but the new name does not bother me.” The former HSS building will be the third Leonard Hall to exist on campus. The original Leonard Hall was built in 1903; however, in 1952 the building was destroyed by a fire. The building was located directly in front of what is now North Dining Hall. In 1954, Leonard Hall was rebuilt in the same location. In 2017, Leonard Hall was torn down to build Kopchick Hall. Leonard Hall is named after Jane E. Leonard. She was an original staff member at IUP when it first opened as a normal school in 1875. She worked at IUP for 46 years as an English, history and geography professor. A portrait of Leonard hangs on the first floor of Sutton Hall which is across from Leonard Hall (HSS). On May 6, 2021, the IUP council of trustees voted on and approved the name change.

August 27, 2021

News

Former IUP professor honored McCool makes Pittsburgh Magazine’s ‘40 Under 40’ list

(Amazon) At IUP, McCool hosted a Six O’Clock Series titled “Five Dangerous Myths Aboth Black People in America.” BEN BRUMBAUGH News Editor msqy@iup.edu @ThePennIUP Former IUP communications media professor Jeremy McCool was featured in Pittsburgh Magazine’s 23rd annual “40 Under 40” list. According to its website, “Each year, Pittsburgh Magazine and PUMP recognize 40 outstanding individuals under the age of 40 whose creativity, vision and passion enrich the Pittsburgh region.” In order to be considered for the list, individuals must be nominated. Each nominee’s qual-

ifications and achievements are reviewed by editors at the Pittsburgh Magazine who then decide who will become an honoree on that year’s list. Honorees and their achievements are recognized at an event each year. This year, the event is from 6 to 10 p.m. on Nov. 4, at the Rivers Casino Event Center. At 27 years old, McCool is the youngest honoree this year. “I had heard about the award before, and I was nominated by a colleague before this,” McCool said. “I got the email and was ecstatic.” “Seeing that I was the youngest person on the list, it really felt good to be recognized among

them. It is good to feel rewarded for the work you do.” McCool has numerous accomplishments and achievements. According to his website, McCoolworld.com, “McCool has held lectures at universities and organizations on topics such as media influence, racial bias, hip-hop and interpersonal communication.” “In 2015, McCool won a national Intercollegiate Broadcast System (IBS) radio award for audio production.” Also in 2015, McCool received a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Western Illinois University and, in 2016, he was named one of 59 national winners of a President's Innovation Award from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation. McCool received a master’s degree in communication from Western Illinois University in 2017. “McCool later taught college courses in the Department of Communications Media at Indiana University of Pennsylvania,” his website stated. “These courses included Radio Production, Intro to Communications, Media, Culture and an original course he created called Digital Storytelling.” “McCool's first children's book ‘Princess and The Power of Melanin’ was released December of 2018, co-authored by Dr. Anthony McBride.” The book dealt with discrimination, specifically to combat bullying and colorism while uplifting young Black children. Later, McCool “joined the faculty of West Chester University of Pennsylvania as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication and Media in 2021,” according to his website.

Despite his numerous accomplishments and achievements, McCool aspires to accomplish many more things. “I have always been someone who has a lot of aspirations,” McCool said. “I want to fulfill my purpose of why I was put on earth.” “Whether it was teaching, children's books [or] radio, I always do things to get them done and fulfill my purpose.” McCool credits his time at IUP with helping ignite his passion for teaching. “My first teaching opportunity was at IUP, and this motivated me,” he said, “having a chance to create a digital storytelling class and learn the ins and outs of

communications media.” “The digital world is constantly evolving, and I want to help teach these students about the evolving field.” “It gave me the opportunity to try different things and learn what worked and what didn’t.” McCool offered advice for students who are pursuing their hopes and dreams. “Don’t have the fear of starting projects and follow through with it.” “A lot of us have great ideas, but we kill them off before they have a chance to grow,” McCool said. “People shot down my children’s book idea, but I ended up doing it and it worked.” “If you have different ideas or thinking about a career path, if it fails, you can always learn and recover,” he said. To learn more about Jeremy McCool, visit his website https:// www.mccoolworld.com/.

(LinkedIn/Jeremy McCool) McCool earned his PhD in communications media from IUP in 2021.

News

August 27, 2021

News

COVID-19 testing ends at the KCAC Testing will continue at the Health Service Building in the Suites on Maple East TANNER SCHELL Staff Writer dsqcc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP Last year IUP offered COVID-19 testing at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex (KCAC) and, starting this semester, that will change. “The facility was used since it was large enough to allow social distancing when getting tested,” Melissa Dick, nurse director of the Health Service department, said. For the fall 2021 semester, the testing facilities have moved to another location. If you need a COVID-19 test, the current testing location is the Health Service building on Maple East, the corner of Pratt Drive and Maple Street, and across the street from Folger Dining Hall. Students who need to take an asymptomatic test need to register for the test by going to the Health Service Web Portal in their MyIUP. Once an appointment is scheduled, you will receive a QR code which will need to be shown to the Health Service faculty at the time of your appointment. Do not arrive more than five minutes before your appointment time. The current available test is a saliva test. Do not wear lipstick or Chapstick, smoke/vape, chew tobacco, drink anything including water, or eat 60 minutes before your appointment. Failure to follow these guidelines will cause testing to be delayed. “Student testing is free, and students can get tested as often as they feel they need to be tested,” Michelle Fryling, executive director of media relations, said. Regardless of exposure or vaccination status, students who have symptoms of COVID-19 should call the IUP Health Service at 724-3572550 to make an appointment for testing. The Health Service also has the Moderna vaccine if a student so desires to become vaccinated. “University has a planning committee that discusses updates and changes regarding the pandemic,” Dick said when asked about any policy on mandating vaccines after the FDA authorization of the Pfizer

vaccine. “The Health Service has Moderna vaccine available for any student wanting to get a COVID-19 vaccine. We will also provide transportation to any local pharmacy that provides the other available vaccines if they prefer.” Students, formerly recommended, are now required to wear masks indoors on campus since the start of the semester, and it appears more changes may be along the way.

These abrupt changes on and around campus have received criticism and support from many. “Things seem like they have not been thought out that well when

it comes to implementing policy regarding COVID-19 and the Delta variant,” Steven Jackson (freshman, political science). Other students seem to be glad that IUP has resumed face-to-face classes. “As the year goes by and classes resume, we may have to adapt to different scenarios, which can be rough, but at least we have testing,” Jackson said. Regardless of your alignment in the marketplace of ideas, if you need to stop and schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 test or any other health-related issue, the Health Service hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., it is open during lunch hour and closed weekends and major holidays. For more information visit https://www.iup.edu/newsevents/coronavirus-information/ health-and-safety/testing-and-positive-cases/.

(Twitter/SOMEiup)

(Mascaro Construction) COVID-19 testing was conducted inside of the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex auditorium during the spring 2021 semester.

August 27, 2021

News

Recycling options explored following student concern JULIA ROBINS Staff Writer spxbc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP Dr. Tomas Segar, the vice president for Student Affairs, has agreed to consider recycling alternatives for cardboard during Welcome Week. “We will explore cardboard recycling for future residence hall move-ins and move-outs,” Segar said. This change excites many incoming students. “I think this would be awesome,” Ethan Collins (freshman, human resources management) said. “I noticed that the dumpster outside of my dorm filled up really quickly with boxes from TVs, refrigerators, shelves, printers and, of course, Amazon boxes, so

I can’t even imagine the amount of cardboard and paper that was thrown away over the last week across the whole campus.” Currently, the trash and recycling rooms in the residence halls are closed during move-in and move-out weeks, and students are instructed to throw out any recyclables that they had until the semester officially begins. This is primarily due to the IUP cleaning staff not starting until the beginning of the semester and finishing when the semester officially ends. These dates are inconsistent as students are still in the residence halls before and after the staff are present. A concern with cardboard boxes is that they produce methane as the boxes break down, which is more than 25 times as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere, according to the

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is unclear if IUP will also provide other options for recycling water bottles during this time. “In all honesty, I was disappointed in the lack of recycling options available during Welcome Week,” Kayleigh Mazon (freshman, ecology, conservation and evolutionary biology) said. “Any plastic bottles or cans I finished were thrown away. I felt bad every time I had to trash them, but there was no opportunity to recycle them instead.”

Mazon went on to comment on the importance of recycling. “I believe that recycling is one of the simplest ways to help humanity counteract pollution and climate change. Recycling reduces the number of plastic bottles and paper that end up as trash scattered everywhere or in landfills. The aluminum in cans can easily be salvaged and reused into the manufacturing of other products.” While students move in, they frequently pack cardboard boxes of their belongings. After unpacking, the boxes end up in the dumpster, along with water

bottles frequently drank during the hot and often tiring process. Parents of students like Mark Sowers understand the purpose of recycling but are forced to throw away corrugated cardboard boxes with no option to recycle. The Indiana County Solid Waste Authority facilities are closed on the weekends and are not a viable option during these dates. There are others that recognize the lack of recycling options but hold no strong feelings on the subject. “I think most of [the recycling] just ends up in the trash anyways,” Brooke Shaffer (freshman, accounting) said. This belief was investigated by The Penn in 2017, and it was confirmed at the time that custodians put the recycling in “designated areas to be taken directly to the recycling plant.”

August 27, 2021

News

Eberly MBA program ranked No. 1 Best Value Schools rankings based on value and personalization BEN BRUMBAUGH News Editor msqy@iup.edu @ThePennIUP IUP’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program was ranked No. 1 in Pennsylvania by Best Value Schools. The rankings are determined based on which programs offer the best value as well as personalized education opportunities. Faculty who are a part of the MBA program were happy to have been recognized for their hard work. “We were very pleasantly surprised,” Eberly College of Business and Information Technology Interim Dean Dr. Geofrey Mills said. “Its acknowledgment for what we have always been striving for,” management professor Dr. John Lipinski said. “We want to deliver a program at the most affordable cost, and we want to make it available to the widest segments of people, and we want to provide it as an extremely high quality.” “I think we do all of those things.” “It’s very heartening and humbling to be No. 1 in a state which has 300 or so universities,” management professor Dr. Prashanth Bharadwaj said. “We were really pleased to learn that we were No. 1.” The distinction is credit to the dedicated faculty members who are a part of the program and to the curriculum that they have designed for their students. “We deliver a very high-quality curriculum in a modality that is convenient, and we have a very committed and engaged faculty,” Mills said. “One of the reasons that families in Pennsylvania entrust us with their children is because we care for them both professionally and personally.” “It’s a small school environment with big school opportunities,” Bharadwaj said. “Here at IUP, the class sizes are small, and you get to know the faculty.” “The faculty help you in and

outside of the classroom with your professional development.” The faculty all stressed the incredible value that the MBA program provides for students. “We make sure that our programs are affordable,” Mills said. “We strive to give the best value,” Lipinski said. “The purpose of the state universities is to give a high-quality education at the best possible cost and that is exactly what we do.” This value does not come at the expense of quality, though. “One of the challenges that you run into when you market a program is that so many people have been conditioned to believe that cost equals quality,” Lipinski said. “We have faculty that were trained by the best business schools in the country and who have worked for the best corporations in the world.” The MBA program allows students to be either full-time or

part-time students, which per(Facebook/IUP Eberly College of Business MBA Program) mits students to work while they finish their MBA. The early admission option offered by the program allows students to finish the program for $10,000 or less in some cases. This option also allows students to complete their MBA quicker than students who do not take advantage of this option. The MBA program can be useful for students of all majors who hope to advance in the business and management world once they begin their professional lives. The program has a relatively large global reach and footprint as they have operations in India, Palestine and China. Furthermore, students from all over the world take part in this program. For students who are interested in the MBA program, visit (Twitter/IUPMBAProgram) https://www.iup.edu/mba/ for Students can try the MBA program out for little to no cost through the more information.

undergraduate early admission program.

News

August 27, 2021

The end of an era: Foster Hall demolished

(The Penn/Nick Schmidt) Foster Hall opened in 1965 as a dining hall that could accommodate over 1,000 students. For more than five decades, the dining hall served IUP students and faculty. This was until Foster Hall closed its doors to students for the spring 2016 semester. The hall sat largely vacant and unused until this summer, when the hall was demolished. Some would argue that the empty building was long overdue for demolition, however for many IUP alumni who have good memories of a bustling dining hall that once was, it is more somber. It is not yet clear what the land where Foster Hall once stood will be used for or if the university plans to build another structure there.

August 27, 2021

News

Opinion FDA policy prohibits potential donors The Red Cross is currently experiencing a severe blood shortage and, despite the urgent need and extremely high demand for blood, certain individuals are being deferred from donating. On the Red Cross’s Blood Donation Eligibility for LGBTQ+ Donors’ webpage, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has provided guidelines and recommendations for various groups of people that identify as LGBTQ+. Under the “men who have sex with men” (MSM) section, there is a set of regulations titled, “Revised Recommendations for Reducing the Risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Transmission by Blood and Blood Products.” These guidelines created rules on the donation eligibility for MSM. It said that MSM are to be “deferred for three months from the most recent sexual contact... with another man.” The Red Cross has heard and also acknowledged “the hurt this policy has caused to many in the

LGBTQ+ community.” This decision to defer MSM, however, is not the Red Cross’s own since it is an organization that is regulated by the FDA. The policy itself was written by the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. The center is also advised by the Blood Products Advisory Committee. Many gay and bisexual men, as well as other LGBTQ+ individuals and allies at IUP, feel like the FDA’s policy is rooted in prejudice despite the Red Cross saying that blood donation eligibility should not be determined by sexual orientation. “I think at this point the rule is more about prejudice than actual safety concerns,” Sydney Greitz (sophomore, psychology) said. “I would assume that the rule was probably made when HIV was much more prevalent, but we are much more technologically advanced and can screen blood for HIV.” The FDA began to require that

the Red Cross and similar organizations deferred MSM starting in September of 1985. The original recommendation was that even if a man had sex with another man just one time, he had to be deferred for life. Since then, the policy has been reviewed and changed several times. In December of 2015, the deferral was changed to one year and then it was changed again in April 2020 to what it currently is: a three-month deferral. Many students feel like the current policy is still unfair and hurtful. “It is disgusting and discriminatory for the FDA to not allow them [the Red Cross] to take blood from human beings for having sex with other human beings,” Darius Flewellen (sophomore, English) said. Current science and technology allow blood to be screened for HIV and other diseases. The Red Cross even tests its blood donations for HIV regardless. Since the Red Cross is doing the testing already

and rejects blood that has the virus, it seems like there should not be any reason to prohibit MSM from donating blood. The reason why the FDA has this deferral policy is because of the tedious process that testing blood donations must go through to ensure that there are no bloodborne diseases or illnesses that can be spread. Despite the rigorous testing process, the results are not always 100 percent accurate. To ensure the safety of the donation, the FDA set the current policy in place. “I think this policy shows how prevalent discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community still is in today’s society,” Tatiana Cleffi (sophomore, nursing) said. “I do believe the policy should be reevaluated based on health statistics regarding HIV.” MSM is the only group that faces deferrals, too. Women who have sex with women, transgender and gender non-conforming donors, intersex donors and asexual donors

do not have policies that prevent them from donating blood. Organizations like the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) believe “the updated policy (regarding MSM blood donation) does not treat persons with like risks in a similar way.” The HRC gave the example that a MSM could be having protected oral sex with another man once in three months and be deferred from donating but a woman who has had unprotected sex with multiple partners during the same time frame is still eligible to donate blood. The FDA should reconsider its treatment of MSM and implement a new policy based on science. Furthermore, the donor questionnaire, that is taken prior to donating, should treat all potential donors equally regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Brought to you By The Penn Staff

(Facebook/The Penn Archives) The Red Cross is facing extreme blood shortage and is in need of all different types of blood. To find out if you are eligible to make a donation or not, check out the Red Cross’s website at https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/eligibility-requirements.html to find out more about the eligibility requirements.

Opinion

August 27, 2021

Culture

Culture Editor: Lane Lannan – ffpcc@iup.edu Lead Culture Writer: Caio Gomes – hysbc@iup.edu

Dining that ‘Revolves’ around you IUP welcomes new restaurants ERIKA JACKSON Contributing Writer lhrbc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP After a few semesters of COVID-19 safety regulations, IUP has reopened and created new places to eat on campus. With the first week of classes beginning, students are looking for a place to grab a bite before, between and after classes. There are a plethora of options available to satisfy tastebuds of all sorts. If you are looking for an early spot to eat, Einstein Bros. Bagels, North Dining and Starbucks open at 7 a.m., Monday through Friday. For those who like bagels, coffee and light meals before their classes, head over to Einstein or Starbucks. If you are looking for a heavier meal to start your day, North Dining will give you the boost you need for those 8 a.m. classes. “My favorite dining option is definitely North Dining right now,” Khalil Nobles (sophomore, mathematics) said. “Last school year, there were various food options, but slowly throughout the year, things started to taste bland. This semester they opened the comfortable booths, drink dispensers and even wafflers irons—basically all things I love.” Later, the rest of the dining options are available. In the Crimson Café, you can find a balance between socializing with friends, grabbing food to go or sitting to work on those necessary assignments. It includes a total of five dining options available: Burger Studio, Cheese Please, Mashville, Starbucks and The Fire Place Pizza. The Burger Studio is a perfect place to eat with their customiz-

(The Penn Archives) North Dining Hall is a place for students to meet and eat together. able burger choices. They ask you to complete three steps to make a burger catered to you. Step one: pick a sandwich of the five: beef, grilled chicken, crispy chicken, veggie or a Philly cheesesteak. If you would rather have something else other than a sandwich, try the chicken tenders. Step two: pile on your toppings. This is your time to make the sandwich special to you. Step three: enjoy. It is simple yet important. Right next to the Burger Studio sits Cheese Please. For something unique, try the Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese or Bacon Guacamole Grilled Cheese. Accompany a grilled cheese with tomato soup or the soup of the day. Other flavorful sandwiches can be created with your choice of bread, cheese

(up to four), protein, vegetables and sauces. On the other side of Crimson Café, Mashville is the first restaurant you will encounter. It is for the potato lovers. Some meals contain mash potatoes, mini pierogis or tater tots. The beauty of Mashville is its option to create your own bowl: choose a potato base, protein, toppings and sauces to make your perfect meal. “The pizza was here last year, but [Mashville] is new,” Miles Majercsik (junior, communications media production) said. Compared to his freshman year, Majercsik said, “I miss the pasta place.” It was his favorite Friday routine. Hopefully, these new restaurants can turn into his and your new favorite Friday place to eat.

August 27, 2021

Last but not least in taste, The Fire Place Pizza has several options as far as pizza types: pepperoni, plain, Sicilian and a specialty. Other options here of tasteful joy include cinnamon rolls or pepperoni rolls. Crimson Café is in the proximate area to many of the academics, such as Clark Hall, Cogswell Hall, Sutton Hall, a few residence halls and more. If you are near the gym or Hadley Union Building (HUB), walk your way to the Hawk HUB for the other dining options available. Chick-fil-A, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Greens To Go, Grille Works and Revolve are the dining options in the Hawk HUB. It has options for lunch and dinner which are nice to dine on the go or with friends in its dining area.

Most restaurants are not new to the IUP community; however, Revolve is the newest addition to the Hawk HUB. Ordering food from Revolve begins at 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; they extend hours to 11 p.m. on the weekend. Now late-night meal specials are happening at Folgers: After Dark. If you are a late-night studier, yet food keeps you fueled, this is going to be the place to take advantage of while with your books or when hanging out with friends. The school year may have just started off, but Folgers: After Dark has been incredibly busy and full of life. “Three days ago, it started off nice and busy and kept us hopping,” Loretta (staff at Folgers: After Dark) said. “We get hit with a big rush, and [it] dies down, but it’s been so busy where they’ve been out the door and around the corner”. Folgers is full of games and now food that you can get the best of both worlds. It remains open Sundays through Thursdays from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. The “Today’s Special” changes every day; however, you can grab a sandwich, nachos, fries, slushies and more any time you visit. All of the options at IUP make the campus feel a little bit like how life used to be, and food is the love language of all. Most of the dining options have three ways of payment: flex, debit or credit card, or a meal swipe for specific meals. Check your Grubhub account or IUP’s Campus Dish for more information about the food on campus. With IUP returning to an in-person campus experience, feel free to mask up and explore the new options that have popped up.

Culture

August 27, 2021

The Philadelphia Street Specter

Students recount Jimmy Stewart sightings

(Facebook/The Jimmy Stewart Museum) Jimmy Stewart was born in Indiana, PA, in 1908. He became widely known for his acting roles in films like, “It’s A Wonderful Life.”

The Crimson Hoax EVA TILLICH Managing Editor jxsbc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP CAIO GOMES Lead Culture Writer hysbc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP The Crimson Hoax is a weekly column detailing satirical stories from the IUP community. It is a Friday night, and a group of students are on their way to Brunzies. They hit the crosswalk button on the corner of S 7th Street and Philadelphia Street. “This is Jimmy Stewart,” the button said. There is no doubt that students have heard the voice of Stewart before, but what students and

Indiana residents may not know is that Stewart really is the person speaking. Unlike what most may think, it is not just a recording of his voice but the man himself. James “Jimmy” Stewart was born in Indiana, PA, on May 20, 1908. He had a successful career as an actor and as a serviceman. He starred in 80 films and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and U.S. Air Force Reserve. Stewart’s first breakthrough was in 1938, when he starred in “You Can’t Take It with You.” Among his other notable works are “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” Now, Stewart spends his days waiting for Indiana residents and IUP students to hit the infamous crosswalk button, contrary to the belief that he has passed away. Records say that Stewart died July 2, 1997, but recent data received by the York-Indiana-Kutztown-Erie Statistical Institute (Y.I.K.E.S. Institute) might debunk this. The Institute claims that his

(The Penn Archives) Philadelphia Street is home to many of Indiana’s popular restaurants, but it is also the hiding place of Jimmy Stewart. death was faked. “I did a DNA test on a corpse that I found on a cemetery that I visited in Indiana,” Isa Joek, director of the Y.I.K.E.S. Institute, said. “I then compared it to a DNA sample that I stole from his daughters and the two samples were different.” “So, either he is not dead, or his kids are not biologically related to the corpse. This would be impossible considering that every person is related to their biological father, meaning the corpse was not his and he is alive,” Joek added. Why would he fake his own death? Some believe it could be because Stewart wanted to escape fame and return to his hometown and live a quiet life. He would not be the first to fake his death to escape the horrors of the entertainment industry. Artists such as Elvis Presley (who is currently living in Havana as “Noseas Tonto”) and Michael Jackson, whose location is still unknown, have long done such antics. Others believe that the decision

to fake his death might not have been his because, unlike Presley and Jackson, he did not choose to flee the United States but go back to his hometown. “I wonder if he did something and that’s the way he is paying his debt to society,” Madison Reddick (sophomore, pre-med) said. “I know some artists re-negotiate their sentences in order to avoid scandals.” Reddick is referring to the infamous Paul McCartney case. As most Beatlemaniacs will tell you, the original McCartney was deported to St. Petersburg in Russia (then known as Leningrad, U.S.S.R.) where he is still under custody. The current McCartney that people see on stage is a clone made by the Pentagon after the Beatles paid $100 million in a deal with the U.S. government to keep this scandal a secret. The Beatles later confirmed the theory on their 1968 album “The Beatles” with the heartfelt confession song, “Back in the U.S.S.R.”

While McCartney managed to keep his secret well hidden, the same cannot be said about Stewart. Many IUP students have witnessed and can recall firsthand their experiences with Stewart and the crosswalk button. “I could have sworn that one time I heard Jimmy Stewart at another crosswalk on campus,” Evan Orr (senior, actuarial mathematics) said. “It seems like he is moving under the campus and Philadelphia Street. Maybe it is a ghost or maybe he is living under Philadelphia Street.” Orr is on the right track. Stewart’s current location is not completely known but based on his constant presence at the crosswalk button, he must be living nearby and monitoring the location. Whether he is there voluntarily or as a governmental punishment, Jimmy Stewart and his voice have become a part of the daily lives of the Indiana folks and IUP students. He will be greatly missed on the day he truly passes away.

August 27, 2021

Culture

August 27, 2021

(Facebook/Marvel Studios) Marvel Studios has been setting up for the next installment in the Spider-Man installment following “Spider-Man: Far From Home”.

(Twitter/IGN) Tom Holland has been in the role of Spider-Man since 2017’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming”

‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ breaks records, excites students LANE LANNAN Culture Editor ffpcc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

A new record was just broken in the film scene, and it is a big event for students. At CinemaCon, a teaser was released for the next installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Spider-Man series. The movie in question is “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” It shattered the record for most views on a trailer in the first 24 hours, a record that was previously held by another Marvel film, that being “Avengers: Endgame.” According to deadline.com, “No Way Home” managed to hit more than double the total views of the prior Spider-Man movie, “Far From Home,” which hit 135 million views after 24 hours. “No Way Home” racked up a total of about 355.5 million views in its first 24 hours. Record shattering aside, the contents of the trailer are creating buzz online, as well as at IUP. “The trailer made me excited for the possibilities of the [Marvel]

(Twitter/Sony Pictures) ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ hits theaters December 17, 2021 multiverse,” Thomas Valcukas (sophomore, biology) said. “This is essentially Marvel Studios’ first project involving the multiverse, nor including ‘What If..?.’” Valcukas is referencing the Disney+ original series “What If..?,” which offers a look into potential other facets that the MCU could have gone in. Valcukas continued his statement by saying that he was most excited by seeing former villains for Spider-Man returning to the big screen, including Doctor Octopus and Green Goblin. Doctor Octopus has been absent from a Marvel film since

his debut in 2004’s “Spider-Man 2.” In that film he was portrayed by Alfred Molina, who reprises his role in the upcoming film. There has been a lot of buzz about the movie in the span of the past year, namely due to the rumor that Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield would return to team up with Tom Holland. Maguire and Garfield held the role of Spider-Man in their respective movies. “The trailer was really cool to finally see after all the hype,” Dylan McDonald (sophomore, psychology) said. “Seeing the different

character interactions was really cool, and it made me wonder how the different dynamics would play out over the course of the movie.” McDonald went on to say that he is pretty excited for the movie to release. He follows the trend of social media platforms, like Twitter an Instagram, which have all taken up the mantel of exceedingly excited people for the release of the movie ever since it was initially announced to be in production. Whether students are Marvel fans or not, there is a lot of interesting stuff yet to be released that

will hopefully meet the expectations of the fans. From what was shown in the trailer, Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange casts a spell that would essentially reverse the effects of what happened in “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” which would allow the entire world to forget that Tom Holland’s Peter Parker is Spider-Man. Students can go and see “Spider-Man: No Way Home” exclusively in theaters on Dec. 17, 2021 for a perfect holiday season movie release that will be sure to entice all kinds people.

August 27, 2021

Culture

(Facebook/Friends of White’s Woods) White’s Woods is a place where people can go on hikes and long walks through the forest.

Huntin’ up some good game

White’s Woods ordinance enables hunting in nature center LANE LANNAN Culture Editor ffpcc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP To many, hunting is a time-honored tradition; however, for others it is cause for concern. Nowhere is this sentiment more evident than in the White’s Woods Nature Center in Indiana. The White Township supervisors met in June to approve a new hunting plan. This plan would allow for bow hunting of the deer population in the nature center. The plan was approved by the supervisors, and it has prompted mixed reactions from both the community and students at IUP. “I think it is a pretty good idea,” Sam Shelenberger (sophomore, music education) said. “Projects like this are pretty good ways to manage and handle a population of animals.” Shelenberger went on to say that he understands why some people are against it, but personally did not feel like it was a negative action. In his mind, it was a responsible way for the township

to support hunting while at the same time trying to mitigate the deer population and keep it down to a reasonable number. Other students at IUP feel similarly to Shelenberger and share his sentiment that hunting is an effective way to handle the population. “I guess I agree with it,” Emma Naugle (freshman, special education) said. “Overpopulation disturbs the food chain, and more deer could cause auto accidents.”

Naugle went on to say that there are other groups, like animal activists, that may disagree with the decision since there are alternate methods to handling populations. Such alternate options include trying to relocate the population to a new area. There may be alternatives, but they can also result negatively for the deer. In attempts at relocation, there is a chance that diseases can spread to new areas. In

addition to that, using sedatives can cause the deer to be stressed in the new environment, which leads to high numbers of deer not lasting very long in a new environment. Despite students mostly in support of the idea, there are some in the township that disagree strongly with the decision. For example, the Friends of White’s Woods, which is a group centered around protecting the natural aspects of the center, are in very strong opposition to the approved plan. In an opinion piece for The Hawkeye news platform, Sara King, the president of the Friends of White’s Woods, said, “It is puzzling that the township approved their new bow hunting plan only 18 months after creating an ordinance to ban such hunting.” King went on to say that one of the supervisors revealed that

(Facebook/Friends of White’s Woods) Sara King and her organization work to help protect White’s Woods. they had no interest in any other public opinions, including King’s organization. This proves to be controversial since there has been a mandate for the committee to take community concerns and criticisms. Regardless of the more controversial aspect of the ordinance, it

was approved in June 2021, and will be put into effect starting Dec. 26 and ending Jan. 23. So, if you are looking for a place near IUP to hunt, feel free to go to White’s Woods. Just remember to stay safe and follow all of the rules and regulations that the township has put into place for the area.

Culture

August 27, 2021

There’s a storm front coming

Red Cross gives tips for hurricane safety

LANE LANNAN Culture Editor ffpcc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP With Hurricane Henri on the approach, the Red Cross wants to make sure you are prepared. Henri is suspected to be on course to hit the northeastern United States, and preparations are underway if that occurs. “Presently, we have four volunteers deployed from Pennsylvania,” Lisa Landis, the communications and marketing director, said. “Depending on Hurricane Henri’s landfall and impact, it is anticipated additional volunteers will deploy.” Landis went on to say that it is crucial for students and families across the projected landfall zone to understand the importance of correct storm preparedness. After all, knowing the correct procedures can be the difference between being unaffected by a hurricane and being the victim of intense weather conditions. In an official press release from

(Facebook/Red Cross) The Red Cross advises monitoring storm conditions to stay safe. the Red Cross, steps were presented in order to keep people safe in the event of Henri mak-

ing landfall. Having a sufficiently stocked emergency kit and a prepared emergency exit plan are

just some of the ways to stay safe in the event of a worst-case scenario. In addition to that, making sure to store anything that could be swept up by high winds is another way to ensure more safety. If you or any family members are in an area that is prone to flooding, the Red Cross advises that you get to higher ground or try to vacate the area to avoid the potential flash flooding. Now the question becomes what IUP students can do to prepare, and, luckily, the answer is simple. To start, the Red Cross suggests that students download the Red Cross Emergency App for real-time storm and emergency tracking, so students can remain notified if they are in a danger zone. Students should also be advised that they can check the status of locations of family members live through the app as well. With all that in mind, students should follow the advice of the Red Cross, as well as other organizations like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which will

give emergency information to help keep people safe. Through NOAA’s website, students can see the direct path that tropical storms or hurricanes will take. They can also get vital information as to what different kinds of weather terms mean. This kind of information proves to be vital for people who live in areas that are at risk to be hit by the storm. While being prepared and safe are very important, the question then changes into how those who are safe can help those who are not safe. Once again, this process is very easy to do and understand. According to the official Red Cross website, there is a way to donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief. This can be done by visiting redcross.org or by calling 800-REDCROSS. Additionally, it can be done by texting REDCROSS to 90999. So, stay safe, Hawks. Be sure to follow guidelines, especially if your area is in the projected path of Hurricane Henri or other tropical storms that nears your area.

August 27, 2021

Culture

(Facebook) Many people experience their first sexual experience in college.

Students share first time experiences Sex and Sexuality EVA TILLICH Managing Editor jxsbc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

Hi, my name is Eva! I will be writing this column every Friday, so stay tuned for more! *This article contains mature subjects. All names have been changed at request to protect student’s identities. What was your first time like? It is a question that is often asked to so many young adults. Whether the first time someone had sex was awkward, fun, bad or even a confusing experience, everyone has a story to tell. Some people practice abstinence and others do not. Some individuals that identify as asexual are not interested in having sex at all. Some people really enjoy sex and talking about it. Regardless of someone’s stance on the topic, everyone’s first experience is unique in its own. “My first time having sex was horrible,” Britney Campbell (freshman, criminology) said. Campbell said that she felt like she was doing most of the work which did not add to her experience. “I was not nervous about it, but it was still pretty awkward,” Campbell said. “It was also kind of painful because the guy didn’t really know what

he was doing.” Despite the bad first experience, Campbell said she had to start somewhere and is more comfortable with sex. “I now know what I want from a partner, and I feel like I can communicate my wants and needs in the moment.” Communication is an important part of all sexual experiences. Not only does communication establish clear consent, but it also is a way for both people to express their level of comfort or discomfort and helps people understand what they like and do not like. “The first time I had sex was really awkward and is funny to think about looking back on it,” Ethan Holmes (sophomore, political science) said. Holmes said his first time was with his first girlfriend. “My girlfriend and I were dating for almost a year at this point, and we have talked about having sex before,” Holmes said. “I don’t really remember how it happened but we both just looked at each other and asked if we wanted to try it and it happened.” Holmes said that he was not sure what his girlfriend liked because it was also her first time. “I was worried about asking her (my girlfriend) what she liked because she obviously was in the same situation as me. I wasn’t even sure what to ask. My biggest fear, honestly, was just killing the mood or saying something dumb.” Holmes said that even though his

(Facebook)

Often times, a first time sexual encounter can be a worrisome event. first time was weird, he is glad it was not terrible. “My girlfriend and I definitely figured out more about each other the next few times,” Holmes said. Figuring out your wants and needs, as well as your partner’s, is a part of growing up and maturing. Sometimes, individuals learn that they do not even have interest in having sex. For instance, some people learn that they identify as asexual. Asexuality is defined as having little or no sexual attraction to others and having no interest in engag-

ing in any sexual activity. However, people that identify as asexual can have crushes and can have sex. It is completely up to the individual to define their own sexuality. Every person is different, and their label can be fluid. One student, Samantha Barlow (sophomore, psychology), identifies as asexual and said that she is not interested in having sex. “It (sex) is just not something that I am interested in,” Barlow said. “I’m not scared of sex, which I feel like is a misconception about people that identify as asexual.”

Barlow said that she sometimes faces criticisms and hears many false assumptions regarding her sexuality. “There is nothing wrong with me for not be interested in sex. I’m actually sex-positive despite not wanting to have sex myself.” Whether you have had your first time or not or do not see there ever being a first time, just be patient with yourself and be open to learning and exploring. Everyone’s experience is different and most first times are far from perfect. Just remember to stay safe and communicate when the time comes.

Sports IUP Football Trails Slippery Rock

Sports Editor: Austin Smith – A.S.Smith7@iup.edu

Hawks picked second in PSAC West Coaches Poll behind Slippery Rock

AUSTIN SMITH Sports Editor A.S.Smith7@iup.edu @ThePennIUP The football season is about to begin, and the countdown for the kickoff approaches. This season should be a very competitive one at the minimum, and we could see big play moments whether that is on offense, defense, and/or special teams, especially when playing against rival Slippery Rock. The rivalry goes back far, but the most recent clash is what the Crimson Hawks will be focused on surpassing the next time they face off against them. The last matchup between Slippery Rock and IUP was the 2019 season at Slippery Rock’s home base, and Slippery Rock handed IUP a defeat with a score of 45-42. The game was a battle until the end. Slippery Rock took a big 17-0 lead in the first quarter while IUP’s team made its way back into the game by the second half. It came down to the wire as the previous two games were like the score deficits in the past couple of seasons. In the 2018 season, the Hawks fell by a close score of 30-27 at Miller Stadium. The last time IUP won was back in the season of 2017 at Slippery Rock’s field with a score of 34-17. The Hawks are ready to get ahead of Slippery Rock this season as IUP was picked second in the PSAC West Coaches’ Poll. “Well, Slippery Rock’s team are the defending champs, so

Sports

The Crimson Hawks put in the work during practice on Thursday at Miller Stadium. they should be picked first. We played them at SRU (Slippery Rock University) and lost by three points, so the game could have gone either way,” head coach Paul Tortorella said. IUP’s football team will look to get back onto the horse by focusing on the tight defensive and offensive game plan. Currently in the football game, you have to have specifics you focus on with

offense and defense. “I think offensively you need to score touchdowns and not settle for field goals and, on defense, try to stop the big play against SRU offense,” Tortorella said. The touchdowns are going to be a key focus for IUP in beating the top caliber teams, like Slippery Rock, because of how close the games have been in the

August 27, 2021

past. Duane Brown (junior, kinesiology health and sports science) could be a big part of that scoring success and offensive production, producing six touchdowns and 937 yards during the 2019 season. In the end, it is how the Hawks will approach the whole season from the start before they play at Slippery Rock on Oct. 16 at 1 p.m. “I think we need to concentrate

(The Penn/ Nick Schmidt)

on winning each Saturday, and when it’s time to play SRU, concentrate on how we need to play to beat them,” Tortorella said. Along with both stellar offenses for IUP and Slippery Rock, the defense will have to match the energy for both teams. “Both us and SRU have high scoring offenses, but I think we both will be better on defense this year,” Tortorella said. With both defenses being a step up this year, it will make for an interesting matchup once the time comes for them to faceoff. For now, the Hawks will focus its attention on the opening date against Kutztown on Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. at Miller Stadium.

August 27, 2021

Sports

August 27, 2021

IUP represented on national stage Women’s basketball head coach chosen as assitant to women’s national team AUSTIN SMITH Sports Editor A.S.Smith7@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

(IUP Athletics) Coach McConnell obtains unique opportunity to help assist the U-16 women’s national USA team along with head coach Sue Phillips and assistant coach Sophia Witherspoon.

advance of the quarterfinals on Aug. 27. The semifinals will take place on Aug. 28 and the tournament will be capped-off with the final game being played on Aug. 29. While this opportunity has been a blessing for McConnell, it has not been an easy one at times. The teams have been set up in a bubble setting, much like the Olympics, and players and coaches are not allowed to leave their designated areas. “This has been the longest I have been away from my family,” McConnell said. “That has been the most difficult thing. The tight COVID-19 restrictions. We never leave the hotel. I really respect our players and the commitment they have made to try and win a gold medal. It has been inspiring to be around them for 17 days. It is one of those things where you have to keep your eyes on your vision and not your circumstances.” McConnell has a chance to represent IUP on a national scale and do something that very few people are able to do: compete for a gold medal. But that is not his main concern as he wants to take things one day at a time.

“I really haven’t thought about the gold medal at all,” McConnell said. “I don’t even know what it would look like or feel. I have focused on the journey and we have a process. Be in the moment, work hard. Just try to grow and be better every day. Maybe it will be something I can reflect on late. For right now, I want to try and focus today on getting better.” It remains to be seen how the tournament will shake up, but the top four teams at the 2021 international Federal Basketball Association Americas U16 Championship will qualify for the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup. McConnell does not get caught up looking too far ahead. For now, he is focused on the day ahead and preparing these young women as best he can. “For me, this opportunity just speaks to how God has blessed me with this experience and opportunity,” McConnell said. “There are things that are just not possible on their own. This is just one of those experiences for me.” With a positive outlook like that, Coach McConnell will no doubt make an impact on the lives of these young women, just like he does every year at IUP.

“Never. This was not something that I even dreamt of being able to do,” Tom McConnell, IUP head women's basketball coach, said, regarding his selection to the Women’s U16 National team. McConnell will be representing Hawk Nation on a national scale. His selection, which occurred May 18, was earned after years of hard work and dedication to the IUP women’s basketball team. McConnell boasts a career record of 176-41 and has led his teams to four Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division regular season championships, two PSAC tournament titles in 2017 and 2019, and led the Crimson Hawks to backto-back Atlantic Region crowns and Elite Eight national semifinal berths. Considering his impressive resume, it is easy to see why McConnell was selected to serve as an assistant coach for the women’s national team. He is joined on the staff by head coach Sue Phillips and assistant coach Sophia Witherspoon. McConnell has had nothing but praise for his decorated coaching staff. “It’s been a great experience,” McConnell said. “The other coaches are great to work with. They have a great and strong desire to excel.” “The one thing that’s great about Coach Phillips, she really empowers both myself and Sophia Witherspoon to coach and brings that experience with us.” The national team will play in Group B and will face Chile, host Mexico and Argentina during pool play. Group A consists of Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico. The preliminary rounds will take place August 23-25, the eight (IUP Athletics) teams will be seeded in Coach McConnell U-16 Team USA prepare for FIBA U-16 championship.

August 27, 2021

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Sports

August 27, 2021

Sports

Hawk Nation mark your calendars Field hockey looking to make statement in Labor Day tournament AUSTIN SMITH Sports Editor A.S.Smith7@iup.edu @ThePennIUP Calendar marking for the weekends of the IUP campus and community have begun as the action-packed field hockey team has returned to Miller Stadium. As there was not a fall 2020 season, the anticipation for the team’s return has been a long wait. Fans are buzzing and the big weekend for the Hawks will start Sept. 3 and continue to Sept. 5. The Crimson Hawks will start out their season on Labor Day weekend with the IUP/Hilton Garden Inn tournament. The team will play against Newberry on Sept. 3 at Miller Stadium and then IUP will face Lindenwood on Sept. 5 at 11 a.m. “All the freshmen and sophomores have prepared themselves; younger players have paid more attention and are ready for the first tournament,” Coach Gary Agard said. Looking across the map and the entire schedule for the Hawks, there will lie some strong competition. After the Labor Day tournament, the Hawks will face teams like Seton Hill, Slippery Rock, Mercyhurst and Millersville. Two out of the four games will be on the road for the Hawks. All the teams throughout the entire schedule for the Hawks will be playoff caliber teams. The last couple of seasons brought a difficult schedule for the Hawks. That means the field hockey team will have to bring its best plays in the arena. “The schedule is no different, and they are playoff caliber teams, no difference and more competition,”Agard said. With some of the tougher teams like West Chester and East Stroudsburg, IUP will need production from everybody on the roster, especially the freshman.

It takes a full team to win games, and the younger talent on the team must be ready to act. “All the new players bring enthusiasm and pay attention to details and are eager to get to the field and play well. The combo of upperclassmen will enhance the underclassmen’s play,” Agard said. The biggest advantage that the underclassmen gained was this past spring season of 2021. Without a fall season for them to experience, the scrimmages of the spring season were something to gear the Hawks up for fall action. The Crimson Hawks look to dig deep record-wise since they had a record of .500 finishing with a 9-9 record. “The time off prepared the freshman to get ready for college field hockey,” Agard said. “They were exposed to quality competitiveness. “Spring was a big indicator of where they stand.” The Crimson Hawks look to be on top of the standings this season and even plan to be the top team if possible. “We are going to win the chip this year,” Agard said. “I am really confident and think we can go far this season.” Strong words from Agard as he visions the Hawks winning the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West championship. With a high experience roster of juniors and seniors, the Hawks may be able to keep their word. It will come down to the goals scored and goals allowed. Going back to the 2019 season, IUP had five shutout wins and has gotten shut out eight times without putting any goals on the board. The Hawks have the capability of putting goals up, but the defense will play a key role in the plan for winning PSAC West. The Crimson Hawks hope to be at top of the PSAC West by the end of the season, and it starts on Labor Day weekend.

(IUP Athletics) Coach Agard and the Hawks look to start dominating in the PSAC West on Labor Day Weekend.

August 27, 2021

Sports

Heder, the Hawks roll into season with optimism ‘We are a young team, and we have a lot of talent. Our goal is to win the conference this year’ BEN SPRIGGS

Contributing Writer dzbbc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP The IUP Crimson Hawks women’s soccer team is ready to roll into the 2021 season. Unfortunately, the team was unable to play the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) suspended all play and the team’s season was lost before it even got the chance to get started. Head coach Adel Heder shares some thoughts on the lost season. “I was very disappointed for everybody, but safety was the most important thing,” Heder said. Flash forward to this year. The community and the university are very excited for soccer games to return to campus. Although, the as-

semble of this year’s team may be slightly different than in years past. “We are a young team, and we have a lot of talent,” Heder said. “It’s my job to establish the chemistry and work ethic necessary to work together and accomplish our goal.” The Hawks will need contributions from both upper and lower classmen in order to achieve their goals. The 2021 women’s Crimson Hawks team is comprised of only six seniors and nine juniors. A large portion of the squad are sophomores along with six freshmen. When asked about the abundance of young players on the roster and who fans should expect to see out on the field starting this fall, the coach had a very simple answer. “Every position is wide open to anyone,” Heder said. “I do not look to upperclassmen or anyone

specific. We are here to win.” The women’s Crimson Hawks The path to a conference title will were picked to finish fifth in the not be easy for the Crimson Hawks. Western Division. Teams ranked Right out of the gates, the women’s ahead of them included Edinboro team plays three upper-ranked one slot ahead in fourth, Gannon opponents (Slippery Rock, Gannon in third, Mercyhurst in second and and Edinboro) in the September defending conference champion opening month of play. Slippery Rock University ranked in Heder acknowledges the chalfirst place. lenge ahead. Heder is not putting much “We play some tough teams; it is thought into the preseason poll a good thing. rankings. He The goal is is instead to win some focusing on games in preparing his the beginteam for the ning and fast-approachbuild some ing season confidence,” and journey Heder said. ahead. The PSAC “How are announced you going to its preseason rank a team coaching poll before they ( Twitter /IUP soccer) even play last Friday Coach Heder gathers the Hawks. afternoon. a game?

Junior midfielder, Alayna Ryan, look to have IUP in the driver’s seat on the road to the PSAC West playoffs.

Nobody has played nobody. I don’t think its right to rank teams before the season starts,” Heder said. The last time fans saw the team on the field, the team finished the 2019 season with a 10-9 overall record, 8-8 conference record and quarterfinals exit loss to Slippery Rock University in the 2019 PSAC Championship Tournament. That was then and this year is a different team. The Crimson Hawks have high goals and expectations. “Our goal is to win the conference this year,” Heder said. The team is currently going through preseason practices and training safely in preparation for the highly anticipated return of PSAC women’s soccer to IUP and South Campus Field. The Crimson Hawks open their season with a non-conference game against West Virginia Wesleyan, who went 13-7 in 2019, on Sept. 5 at 2 p.m at Miller Stadium.

(IUP Athletics)