MEAC JOINS MBB OFFICIATING ALLIANCE, IMPROVES REFEREES’ EXPERIENCE Alex Lehmbeck Staff Writer
While most of the attention in the college basketball offseason is given to the stars sporting the flashy uniforms, there’s some important action happening off the court. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference will join the Men’s Basketball Officiating Alliance in July, expanding the coalition to ten conferences. The MEAC is the newest addition to the innovative and forward-looking organization. “The MEAC is elated to join this alliance which adds additional levels of evaluation, education, consistency of officiating and accountability for officials,” said MEAC Commissioner Dennis E. Thomas said in an ACC release May 3. “We look forward to ameliorating the quality of our officiating with this partnership.” The Basketball Officiating Alliance was initially formed in 2016 by the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big East Conference, Atlantic 10 Conference and Colonial Athletic Association. The Big South, Ivy League, Northeast 10 and Patriot League subsequently joined in 2017. It is primarily composed of eastcoast-based conferences. The organization hopes to change the way officiating assignments are handled geographically. It takes travel time into account when scheduling officials, with the hopes of increasing the quality of official’s performances. “The Men’s Basketball Alliance was started a couple years ago to help create a better officiating model, where a number of leagues work together on a geographical basis to schedule officials and train, develop and retain officials with the hopes of improving the officiating process with officiating overall,” ACC Senior Associate Commissioner Paul Brazeau said. The Alliance allows the conferences it connects to work together on officiating matters through scheduling, training,
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Referees in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference will face an easier season amid new governing rules for officials. Christian Snyder |EDITOR IN CHIEF Brazeau believes that the group’s stratdevelopment, recruitment, retention and Brazeau said. “We all know that’s an unrealistic goal and an unattainable goal, egy of assigning games is both efficient evaluation. The long-term goal is to increase pro- but by helping to schedule better … we and effective. He says that the extra time ficiency and consistency among veteran can cut down on the wear and tear that given to officials due to the scheduling officials across college basketball and to officials go through throughout the sea- can be utilized for rest and development to make them better in the future. facilitate the entry of younger referees son.” “He’s able to fly into one place, work The main idea of the Alliance’s stratinto the officiating profession. “The goal of officiating is perfection,” egy is simple — in the case that an of- in three different leagues and not have to ficial travels to Pittsburgh to cover a Pitt travel,” Brazeau says. “He can get better game Tuesday, the Alliance would try to rest. He can review his games the next schedule the official a Duquesne game day on his video and learn, develop and Wednesday, and even a Robert Morris rest at a much more rapid pace to give game Thursday before they leave the us some sense of consistency across all leagues.” Steel City. With the addition of the MEAC, In previous years, officials could be thrown around all over the country with Brazeau is pleased with how the officiateach game they cover — meaning the ing alliance has grown since its formanew strategy will allow referees to travel tion in 2016. However, he does not think this is the conclusion, as he believes it more cheaply and perform better. Before the Alliance existed, there was will continue to expand. “It’s just a business opportunity in a a lack of variety in officials, as the same officials would retain their same roles sense that continues to evolve,” he said. - Dennis E. Thomas every year. The new system makes ad- “Just to try to improve officiating and MEAC Commissioner vancement for young referees easier by work together to create a better environment.” giving them more teams to cover.
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We look forward to ameliorating the quality of our officiating with this partnership.
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AMAZON HQ2 DEBATE CONTINUES IN PGH Grant Burgman News Editor
Amazon first stirred up conversation in Oakland and in Pittsburgh when the Seattle-based electronic commerce company opened a pickup location on Oakland Avenue in October. And the City was launched into one of the biggest national business stories in recent memory when Amazon announced in January that the Steel City was one of 20 finalists for the company’s upcoming second headquarters. Since then, there have been public forums on the possibility of Pittsburgh becoming Amazon’s second home, pleas from Mayor Bill Peduto to the company and a recently reported visit from Amazon representatives to Pittsburgh. According to reports confirmed by Peduto, Amazon came to visit Pittsburgh and look at potential building sites in April. The potential arrival of Amazon’s HQ2 has been a divisive issue around the City and in Oakland specifically. The company has promised a reported 50,000 jobs if it were to come to Pittsburgh, but community members pointed out possible negatives Amazon’s arrival could create at two community
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forums in Oakland back in February. Waverly Duck, the head of the Urban Studies program at Pitt, questioned the benefit of bringing Amazon to Pittsburgh back at the first community forum at Parran Hall Feb. 8. “Amazon was very clear about what’s in it for them, I think that we should start asking what’s in it for us,” Duck said. His concerns were echoed by at the meeting by William Generett Jr., the vice president of community engagement at Duquesne University. “Depending on the statistics, somewhere between 30 and 40 percent of our population lives at or below the poverty line,” Generett said. “The question becomes, how are those 40 percent of people going to be impacted by this?” Amazon also became a topic of debate during the campaign trail for the District 8 City Council seat back in February and March. One of the candidates, Sonja Finn — who received the endorsement of the Pittsburgh Democrats in the race — feared what Amazon would do to the City’s housing prices. “I think we’re all worried about the skyrocketing prices in housing,” Finn said. “I know that I bought my house eight years ago — I would not be able to
buy in the area now. I think we need to make sure that if we’re offering subsidies to Amazon, we need to see the Amazon bid now.” The eventual winner of the election, Democrat Erika Strassburger, was more positive about the potential arrival of Amazon but still warned that city officials need to “look out for the most vulnerable of our city residents.” Pitt’s leadership specifically has been positive about Amazon in Pittsburgh. Pitt Chancellor Patrick Gallagher came out in support of Amazon’s potential move to Pittsburgh in a February interview with Geekwire. He said if Pittsburgh were to become home to Amazon’s second headquarters it would be “unquestionably a good thing.” Peduto has also been a strong proponent of Amazon since it announced Pittsburgh as one of its finalists. In an interview with Geekwire in January, Peduto said he wants to work with Amazon while being aware of the problems that have arisen from the company’s headquarters in Seattle. “We want to be able to partner with Amazon to be able to address the issues that have come up in Seattle and be proactive,” Peduto said. Peduto has come under fire from some Pitts-
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burgh residents for his refusal to release the details of the City’s proposal to Amazon. Mila Sanina, executive director of the Pittsburghbased investigative journalism website PublicSource, criticized Peduto for refusing to release the details of Pittsburgh’s plan at another public forum Feb. 12 after other finalists like Philadelphia made their bids public. “The officials have been saying it is a nondisclosure agreement, and that there are trade secrets a part of this proposal that impedes our competitiveness against other cities,” Sanina said. “Mayor [Bill] Peduto said he would go to court to help keep this proposal a secret.” Pittsburgh’s Office of Open Records ordered the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County to release the details of the bid Jan. 24. The City and county appealed the decision Feb. 23. The details of the bid have still not been publicly released. The debate around Amazon and the consequences of the possible arrival of its second headquarters will remain a hot-button issue around the City as the company has no set decision date. A decision is only expected to be made some time later this year.
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STAFF PICKS: PIZZA PARTY The Pitt News Staff One thing most Pitt students learn during their first few months on campus is that they must choose sides for the ongoing battle between Sorrento’s Pizza Roma and Antoon’s Pizza. Both sit on
Oakland and Atwood Street in South S both by Pitt students. The oth are frequented freq allegiance of some students lies with Soregi rento’s — but others will fight until the end for Antoon’s. Luckily, The Pitt News staff is here to share their thoughts on both shops — and a few others.
Antoon’s Pizza // Grant Burgman, News Editor In the great debate of Oakland pizza spots, I stand firmly in Antoon’s corner. There is nothing quite like the anticipation of standing crammed against Antoon’s counter, looking over all of the
options of toppings for your pizza, some standard, some bizzare — powdered sugar? Try it. You’ll have a hard time finding a better pizza for only $6. An Antoon’s pie is the exact kind of greasy masterpiece to gorge yourself with when studies, work or life is getting you down. I’ve made several trips to Antoon’s after a late night at TPN. Their pizza has never failed to cure my anxieties if only for one lone, greasy, cheesy minute. If you happen to prefer Sorrento’s or another fine Oakland pizza establishment, that’s fine. It’s your right. But you’re wrong. Sorrento’s Pizza Roma // Jane Millard, Visual Editor Sorrento’s is hands-down the best spot for late-night pizza. Unlike Antoon’s, they have a full seating area with booths and tables. Sorrento’s is arguably the most popular pizza spot around campus — on a Friday or Saturday night around 11 p.m., the line for a $6 large pizza will go out the door. This is likely thanks to its unbelievable, melty and delicious cheese, making it nearly impossible to pass up, no matter how long you have to wait. Taking a seat at one of the bright red wooden booths and eating an entire pizza with a side of Sorrento’s legendary ranch dressing is an essential part of a weekend at Pitt. It’s no doubt the best way to end a night out. Pie Express // Samuel Weber, Staff Writer In the life of a semi-broke college student, the combination of both good food and low prices is a godsend. Because it meets both of these standards, Pie Express is my go-to pizza place on campus. It may not have the same legendary reputation as Antoon’s or Sorrento’s, but it is proving itself to be a strong new contender in the battle for pizza supremacy. Pie Express does not offer the same view out onto the street as the other pizza places See Pizza Party on page 91
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Pizza Party, pg. 90 do, but what it does offer is a good-sized personal pizza with endless toppings for cheap. The $5 personal pies from Pie Express are delicious and the establishment itself offers something valuable for the on-the-go college student — quick service. Since it uses a coal-fired oven, Pie Express promises that your pizza will be ready to eat about three minutes after ordering. Many nights, I’ve walked over to its location on Oakland Avenue to get a study snack, grateful for its late hours — open until 3 a.m. — and close location. If it started accepting Panther Funds, it would no doubt earn the title of best pizzeria at Pitt. Lotsa Stone Fired Pizza // Sarah Connor, Culture Editor I live the painful existence of being severely lactose intolerant. On too many occasions, I have sat and watched my friends eat cheesy pizza while trying to live vicariously through their joy. I thought I would never get to experience the delight of taking a bite of a slice of pizza until Lotsa opened up on Forbes Avenue in Oakland, just across from the Starbucks at Forbes and Atwood. Lotsa allows guests to build their own pizza and offers several options for people like me with dietary restrictions. I can get vegan cheese and add on any vegetables, meat and seasonings that I want. For people who are glutensensitive, Lotsa even offers a gluten-free crust. Finally, a place where all can experience the bliss of eating pizza. For the everyday pizza lover who can eat anything and everything, Lotsa delivers exceptional satisfaction. Guests can replace the usual marinara with buffalo sauce, get fresh mozzarella cheese instead of shredded and take advantage of the daily lunch specials — a different specialty pizza each day of the week for $5.99 from 11 a.m. through 3 p.m.
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Coffee, pg. 81 morning. The On-the-Go ordering feature is especially convenient at Pitt’s Dunkin’ located at 3907 Forbes Ave, open from 5-12 a.m., Monday through Friday. The app also stays up to date by providing rewards and special offers that are redeemable at this location. And don’t forget — Dunkin’ beverages are just easier to order. Amidst a busy life, I cannot be bothered trying to solve Starbucks codes for cup sizes and
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dealing with baristas getting my name wrong every time. If you need a loyal coffee shop on campus that is easy on the budget, look no further than Dunkin’ on Forbes. Starbucks // Janine Faust, Opinions Editor I’m a person who likes the familiar and Starbucks is always around no matter where I go. Some may sneer at a corporate coffee chain being my store of choice instead of a cozy family-owned joint, but there’s no denying the reasons why Starbucks is a popular hangout. Each individual Starbucks varies in de-
cor and layout, and all give off the same comfortable vibe of an independent cafe. My favorite one near campus is the Starbucks on Forbes and Atwood, which has a fireplace for the winter and couches in the back of the room. Whether I’m hanging out there with my laptop and textbooks or sitting by the window to watch people strolling past, it’s always a peaceful time. My kitchen // Hannah Schneider, Sports Editor Listen, I get the hype around the triple-venti-mo cha-cho cha-almondsoy-whatever concoctions. It’s a witch’s
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brew of liquified candy and most of U.S. society is addicted to sugar. But let’s be real for a second. I’m a broke college student barely making $10 per hour at each of my three jobs. I have to splurge on rent, not coffee. Unfortunately, my life isn’t “Lady Marmalade” by Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Pink and Mya — so when I’m tired from studying or working, I don’t want any “mocha chocalata ya ya.” I want the water of life — cheap black coffee. Sure, my combo of $3.50 bulk coffee grounds from Aldi and my $20 two-serving Mr. Coffee brewer cooks up bean water with a vague whisper of chemicals. But when I’m exhausted and need something to help peel my eyes open, it gets the job done.
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