February 9, 2023

THURSDAY, FEB. 9, 2023

POLICE BLOTTER

Cow found on road, Kroger serves trespass complaint

ANNA MILLAR NEWS STAFF WRITER

Moo-ve

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to Alderman Road, in Millfield, regarding a cow on the road. When deputies arrived, they discovered the heifer had already moved out of the road to avoid being hit.

Just Helping Out

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to an area near Coolville to assist the Ohio State Highway Patrol with a road accident. Upon arrival, deputies found all individuals were safe and the vehicle was removed from the road.

Borrowing?

According to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office, a verbal dispute was reported on Putnam Drive in Coolville. When deputies arrived, they found the argument to be centered on the unauthorized use of a car.

The car’s owner told deputies they did not wish to file charges but did want the car returned. The issue was resolved with the return of the vehicle.

Careful Where You Walk

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to Upper River Road, in Athens, regarding

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a report of a man hunting on someone else’s property. When deputies arrived, it was found the man was only cutting across the property on his way to another area.

Remember The Lights

According to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office, the lights of a parked tractor in Athens Township were left on. When deputies arrived, they turned the lights off and left a note for the owner.

Why call, then?

According to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a complaint in Chauncey. Upon speaking with the complainant, it was determined the issue was not a criminal issue.

Heartwarming

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a woman who was disabled and said she did not feel safe in her home. The woman told officers her front door was stuck shut, and she could not use the back porch due to mobility issues.

Deputies responded to her home and were able to get her door to open and close properly. The deputies also performed some small maintenance to help prevent the door from sticking again.

Deputies then returned to patrol.

No DUI Here

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to The Plains regarding a reckless driver report. Deputies found the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop with assistance from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

A small investigation was done and the driver was not found to be under the influence of anything. The driver was given a reckless driving warning and deputies returned to patrol.

Dog Probs?

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to Stone Road, in Athens, regarding an inactive dispute over a dog. Upon arrival, deputies were unable to talk with anyone involved.

Both parties were contacted by phone, and the disagreement was settled.

Lock Up Your Stuff

The Deleware County Sheriff’s Office requested that the Athens County Sheriff’s Office make contact with a resident of Stagecoach Road, in Athens, regarding a stolen firearm.

Deputies made contact with the individual and provided them with the other agency’s contact information.

You Have to Pay for That

Deputies responded to the Kroger in Trimble regarding a local resident attempting to leave with multiple unpaid items, according to

the Athens County Sheriff’s Office.

The merchandise was returned and the individual will be served a trespass complaint from Kroger.

Shhhh

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to Trimble Township regarding a noise complaint, stating loud music was being played. When deputies arrived, they did not find loud music, parties or disturbances.

License Plate Bandit?

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to East Fourth Street, in The Plains, regarding a reported license plate theft. Deputies arrived on the scene and completed a report.

You Don’t Belong Here

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to State Route 7, in Coolville, regarding an active trespassing complaint. While deputies were on the way, the caller informed them the suspect had left the area.

When deputies arrived, they spoke with the caller and patrolled the area. They were unable to make contact with the suspect and returned to patrol.

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Volume 113, Issue 19

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OU approves new Pickleball Club

Ohio University approved a new pickleball club on Feb. 1, known as Ohio University Pickleball Club, or OUPB.

OU’s Pickleball Club was started by a group of students who enjoyed the sport and were looking for a larger group of students to play with, Sadie Langer, a sophomore studying environmental biology, said.

“We haven’t found any other groups of people that want to play pickleball and we’re all getting really into it,” Langer said. “We just want to play with more people.”

Because pickleball is predominantly played outside during the warmer

months, the club members have started small by collecting student emails and making those interested aware of the new club. The email list currently has over 25 people, TJ Meyer, a sophomore studying environmental biology and the vice president of OUPB, said.

“When the outdoor courts open up and those are free, I’m expecting a lot more people to start getting excited about it and talking about it,” Meyers said.

Outdoor courts will open on Feb. 27. As of now, students are practicing at the indoor tennis courts near ping, David Green, a sophomore studying psychology and club president, said.

The official court times for OUPB are Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the

tennis center shared with the tennis club, and Saturdays 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Now the club has been approved, it will be receiving funding from the university.

“We’ve got a good mix of people who are super serious and then (those who) just play for fun,” Langer said.

While suitable for competitive and noncompetitive players, the club does anticipate competing in tournaments. It will begin contacting other schools regarding tournaments Fall Semester 2023.

“We were already talking about making a tournament, and we’ve talked to some people in the Southeast Pickleball Association … and they said they’d be interested in joining a tournament too,” said Green. “Hopefully by the end of the year, we’ll

have a tournament that people can play in.”

The club members encourage anyone interested to try it as it is a great way to meet new people, Meyers said.

“It’s easy, anyone can pick it up … and it’s just really fun. So I would encourage people to come out and try it,” Green said.

OUPB can now be found on BobcatConnect or reached at ohioupickleball@ gmail.com.

Photo by Lisa Berg

Effectiveness of social media encourages students, faculty to utilize it

Smaller businesses can capitalize and grow tremendously from having a social media platform, but it can be difficult for larger companies, Hilar said.

“I think these brands can’t understand the medium and … it falls flat on its face because it doesn’t come from an authentic place,” Hilar said. “It comes from a place of trying to chase a trend, and I think whenever you’re trying to chase a trend, you are inherently going to hurt your brand.”

Danielle McCarthy, an adjunct journalism professor, also teaches the JOUR 4530 course. McCarthy said that brands should be deliberate when using social media and should be able to communicate to consumers in a way that is still true to the brand.

“Just because these platforms are out there, it doesn’t mean that we need to be capitalizing on every single thing,” McCarthy said. “We need to be really smart and strategic about ‘Who is our brand?’ ‘What is our purpose?’ and ‘What are we trying to communicate?’”

(JESSE JARROLD-GRAPES | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)

MADALYN BLAIR FOR THE POST

In an ever-changing technological and social world, many businesses consider social media teams to be essential for coordinating, promoting and connecting with consumers.

Ohio University’s social media certificate allows students to learn the logistics of social media and prepares them to pursue relative career fields.

Interim Social Media Certificate Coordinator, Tori Swarm, said students with the certificate are able to get first-hand experience professionally operating social media.

Some students’ only experience with social media is what they choose to do leisurely in their free time. That doesn’t accurately represent how students navigate the business side of it, Swarm said.

“That’s why some of the classes are really helpful to understand what is influencing the good, the bad, the ugly,” Swarm said. “Trying to make sure that you bridge that from the academic standpoint of things into the ‘this is what it really is out there online.’”

One of the electives offered for the social media certificate is JOUR 4530, Strategic Social Media. Hakan Karaaytu, a

Ph.D. candidate, is one of the instructors for this course.

“For every job, there is an opportunity for social media,” Karaaytu said. “People just need to wake up. They should be open to new things. They should be open-minded.”

Sam Spinale, a senior studying journalism, is pursuing a social media certificate. The availability of careers in social media encouraged Spinale to go after the certificate.

“I think social media is one of the number one growing industries right now,” Spinale said. “I think it’s so beneficial to understand it from a business standpoint … Getting that experience or understanding how having social media leverages you when you’re looking for jobs. I think it’s really important because social media is not going to go away.”

Jacob Hiler, a Fox Associate Professor of Marketing and Director of the Center for Consumer Research & Analytics at OU, said social media goes hand-in-hand with marketing and advertising because it helps advance the positive image of products and services.

“I think marketing is at its best when it’s introducing people to products and services that will make their lives better,” Hiler said.

However, McCarthy said overall, it is still in a company’s best interest to build a social media platform and expand its brand.

“I do think if brands and companies don’t get on social (media and) don’t really get with it, they will fall to the wayside,” McCarthy said. “I think there’s certainly a lot of opportunities for companies to get on board. They just have to make that choice.”

Social media is a tool all majors can learn and profit from, Karaatyu said. He encouraged all students interested in social media to consider pursuing a career and academic classes in the subject.

Swarm said she also wants the university to continue to expand its social media program. With social media being extremely prominent today, it is necessary to continue progressing and prioritizing the certificate, Swarm said.

“We definitely need to keep growing our programming and opportunities so that we’re keeping up to date. The whole point of having a university with worldclass programs is to be competitive,” Swarm said. “We need to make sure we’re preparing our students for how to use (social media) when they leave here.”

Mijntje Ligtenberg sits outside Alden Library on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023.

SCAN TO WATCH

OU doctoral student encourages discussion space for first-gen students

“We piloted (the program) last year in the fall, and this year, we kind of rebranded it to be We Are The First and this would be our second meeting,” Murphy said. “So still really early on in the process, and this is actually a collaboration with the Academic Achievement Center and sort of their initiative to get first-gen students more support but also just a welcoming, supportive sense of belonging.”

Part of Murphy’s research is centered around first-generation students from rural Appalachia. He recognizes the specific obstacles that can come with navigating different processes as a college student.

“Also, first-gen students have a lot of pride in being resilient, you know, being folks who are able to support themselves, and at the same time, it may make it more difficult to reach out for help,” said Murphy.

The third-floor room in Alden next to the CoLab is now a meeting place for first-generation students who want to share and discuss their experiences.

studying biological sciences pre-med, said her close friend is a first-generation student and experienced difficulties applying for college.

“She went through a lot of struggles trying to figure out the financial aid and how to pay for everything and how to fill out all the forms,” Trudeau said.

The definition of a first-generation student is complicated, Murphy said, and it depends on who is being asked. In Murphy’s research with high school students who would become first-generation college students, he used a different definition than the more common one, being that at least one parent does not have a bachelor’s degree.

Students whose parents or guardians did not complete a bachelor’s degree are considered to be first-generation Bobcats by Ohio University. They still bleed the same green and white as students with generations of Bobcats in their families.

According to the campus Academic Achievement Center, first-generation students make up around one-third of OU’s first-year class each year.

A 2021 Pew Research Center analysis of data from the Federal Reserve Board found that around 70% of adults between 22 and

59 whose parents (or parent) have a bachelor’s degree also have a bachelor’s degree. Furthermore, only 26% of adults without a college-educated parent have a bachelor’s degree.

We Are The First, a drop-in support space, allows Bobcats to share their experiences as first-generation students. It is held in Alden Library, room 319, every other Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Although a lot of students have yet to use the support space, Sean Murphy, a doctoral student and health services psychology intern with Counseling and Psychological Services, is hoping more will stop by in the future.

“I think a lot of first-gen students, it does come with maybe some amount of stigma or worry about what people might think about them,” Murphy said. “Really getting around folks who maybe understand a little bit about that experience but they can also relate to: man, it really took a lot for me to get here. I have a lot of pride in this. I think that’s part of the reason why we felt it’s really important to have something available to students to access without having to make an appointment.”

Olivia Prevost, a junior studying public health pre-med, said her friend is a first-generation student and there are certain expectations they face.

“There’s a lot of pressure at home,” Prevost said. “Their parents want more for them than they had. That adds a whole different level (of pressure) than none of us really has.”

Similarly, Collette Trudeau, a sophomore

“In the definition I used, neither parent has any experience with college,” said Murphy. “So coming from that, it is part of the research where there’s this reason that there’s this broad array. So, you might fall into that category, even though it’s like, hey, that doesn’t sort of resonate with my experience.”

We Are The First’s next meeting is Feb. 21 and offers first-generation students an opportunity to discuss both the major and minor parts of the college experience.

“I think that having a space like this where folks who are first-generation college students can come together and just sort of discuss what their experiences are like, discuss both the challenges, the opportunities, even things like hopes (and) dreams,” Murphy said. “It’s just like wanting to create a space where they don’t have to worry about even hiding that aspect about themselves.”

MCKENNA CHRISTY CULTURE STAFF WRITER

ILLUSTRATION BY TREVOR BRIGHTON

Athens Art Guild to host new social event, all artists welcome

GRACE KOENNECKE FOR THE POST

Art is a medium that can connect people and build relationships– two common themes found within the beauty of Athens. The Athens Art Guild is an organization that prioritizes the art community and creates a social event for members and non-members to attend.

"I think it helps us get out of the vendor frame of mine into at least putting down our tools and taking a break and going and seeing people that maybe we haven't seen since the last event and getting to know some new people, which we really need," Lisa Heinz, the social media and website coordinator for the Athens Art Guild, said. "We need to have some new faces and new talent coming in, new ideas."

The social will consist of a panel made up of speakers Christopher Quolke from ACEnet, Tina Kelsey of Tina's Tiaras, Michael Baum of JaM Dye Studio and Michael West of Michael West Artistic Woodworking.

"We have a lot of new and younger artists that are coming in and joining the guild, but don't know how to go about starting all this, so that's why we have this panel at this to help out with this new group that's coming in," Marsha Egleston, the social director for the Athens Art Guild, said.

The agenda will also consist of a meet and greet with the panel.

"It's a good networking opportunity," Heinz said. "For the guild itself, it's for membership. That's one of our things. We want to offer opportunities for other artists in the area, students or locals either one, to vend. That's probably one of the main reasons people join the guild is that we have curated events that we set up specifically for our vendors."

In particular, ACEnet explains the business side to artists, which Heinz says is something all artists need to consider when going into the field.

"ACEnet is trying to help us address the business side of being an artist, and the kinds of things you have to think about and what you need to do," Heinz said. "Your business type, are you still proprietary or LLC or are you going to incorporate?"

Art students on campus are particularly excited about the social event, mainly because it is difficult to find events such as this one in Athens.

"I think it's definitely a positive thing for the community to have," Mattes Brown, a sophomore studying studio art, said. "I know that in the past, Athens, art students specifically, have

struggled to find a sense of community, so having something with the art guild is really awesome because it brings us together and helps us network and make connections, which is like 90% of being someone in the art world is just meeting other people."

Besides students, Egleston says the event is open to anyone, even if you may not be the biggest fan of art.

"It is open to anybody that is interested," Egleston said. "Bring a friend. If you're an artist and just want to bring a friend that isn't into art, go ahead. Who knows, they might get inspired to do something, they might go, 'well, I don't really know how to do that, but that interests me,' so maybe they can connect with

somebody who does what they might be interested in doing."

The social will be Feb. 8, located at the Eclipse Company Store in The Plains on 11309 Jackson Dr. from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

"I think for a lot of us that's our goal is to get new people in so they can carry the flag when it's their turn," Heinz said. "I mean, we hope to get people who are local, who are going to stay local, so that they can do that, but of course, students can come and we've had students who are members." @GRACE_KOE GK011320@OHIO.EDU

Eclipse Company Store in The Plains, Ohio, is set to host a meet-and-greet by the Athens Art Guild show on Feb. 8, 2023. (RYAN GRYZBOWSKI | FOR THE POST)

Fading Faith

Disbanding a church

As of December, the church remains empty.

On Oct. 14, 2022, Bishop Robert Barron announced a plan to merge the Diocese of Steubenville back into the Diocese of Columbus. The Diocese of Steubenville was originally created in 1944 out of the Columbus area. The change was due to a lack of priests available for services, economic pressures and demographic shifts in the area, according to The Steubenville Register.

Sunday school teacher at the United Pentecostal Church. She said there was a heavy religious presence in the town for the majority of the 20th century.

“They even had the Bibles open in the bars,” Stickdorn said.

Despite the construction of a new church building in the early 2000s, the number of members has continued to decrease.

Deep in the hills of Appalachia sits Stewart United Methodist Church. In a parish in Southeast Ohio, Pastor Rick Seiter leads a service for a mere seven members.

Due to membership attendance and limited UMC pastors in the area, Seiter travels between Stewart United Methodist and Canaanville United Methodist each Sunday to ensure both churches have a service.

“We’d like to know why people aren’t coming to church anymore,” Seiter said.

Judy Morgan, treasurer of Stewart United Methodist, said the church’s budget will be in a $2,500 deficit this year due to a lack of members attending and donating. Any small drop in their attendance could impact the church’s funds, Morgan said.

Membership loss has become a commonality among rural churches in Appalachia. A decrease in funding has left churches in an unsettling state, depicting a crisis that may one day cause them to close their doors for good.

A recent Pew Research study revealed that 38% of adults in Ohio report going to church at least once a week.

Seiter said he saw the impact of low attendance rates. He previously worked as a pastor for Pisgah United Methodist Church in Athens before the parish shut down due to low attendance. Those members were forced to find other churches to attend.

“(The church) got down to four people … they were getting to a point where they were not able to pay their bills,” Seiter said. “So they felt the need to close.”

Low attendance numbers and a lack of funding were the reasons many Southeastern Ohio churches closed their doors to the public. For St. Mary of the Hills Church in Buchtel, 17645 Bank St., its community saw a lasting impact when its membership diminished.

On June 26, 2022, Rev. Father Mark Moore held the church’s last mass. The church closed its doors for good on June 30.

Father Moore began his work at the church after its former resident priest, Henry Christopher Foxhoven, sexually abused an underage parishioner at Holy Cross in Glouster while also serving at St. Mary of the Hill. Foxhoven was later found guilty of sexual battery and sent to prison for 12 years, according to the Zanesville Time Recorder.

The church was left without a leader, so Moore was sent to serve the parish. However, it wasn’t enough to keep the church open.

“The parish was dying,” Moore said. “There were very few younger members.”

Moore was worried the parish’s diminished attendance would impact the charitable and Evangelical outreach in Buchtel. Parishioners were losing their identity and a place to worship their faith, he said.

“We don’t have the resources that an urban or suburban parish would have,” Moore said. “So financially, it’s sometimes a struggle for some parishes to exist.”

Moore and the Diocese of Steubenville took three years to close the parish. During that time, they searched for another use for the building as a possible mission church.

United Pentecostal Church

The United Pentecostal Church, 333 Main St., in southern Perry County, is one of three remaining churches within the city limits. The other two are the Methodist and Baptist churches in the center of town.

In the past, religion held great significance for the residents of New Straitsville. However, that has altered over time. Cheryl Stickdorn has lived in New Straitsville most of her life and is an active member and a

New Straitsville was once a bustling coal mining town that saw its peak of production in 1918 and again in the 1960s. When the coal industry lost its foothold as a major source of fuel, Southeast Ohio towns such as New Straitsville faced hardships. Businesses closed, and residents moved out of the area. The 2020 census revealed the population in New Straitsville village is 652, compared to its population of 2,208 in 1920.

On March 23, 1924, 90 people attended service with an offering of $2.59, equivalent to $44.33 in 2022, according to the Ohio Apostolic News. On Dec. 4, 2022, the church

Sandra Carpenter leads the singing during a week-long Spiritual Revival around the area at Stewart Wesleyan Church in Stewart, Ohio, on the Oct. 14, 2022.

(RYAN GRYZBOWSKI | FOR THE POST )

RYAN GRZYBOWSKI FOR THE POST

Membership loss and a decrease in funding has become a commonality among rural churches in Appalachia

saw an attendance number of 35 people and an offering of $83, Stickdorn said.

“Nones” on the rise

“Nones” is a popular term used in recent years to describe those who aren’t religiously affiliated: atheist, agnostic or nothing in particular. 22% of Ohioans fall under that identity, according to a study from the Pew Research Center. That demographic of people might have either been raised in a church or never attended but are currently unaffiliated with a religion.

Those who have left the church have various reasons for their choice. Many people aren’t affiliated with a religion because they question religious teaching, according to the same Pew Research Center survey. Another top response on a recent survey was that individuals do not like the position the churches take on political and social issues.

Jessie Donohue was raised in Meigs County and went to the Pentecostal church with her family. Although she used to at-

tend church services, she no longer does. One-third of people under 30 years old, like Donohue, are leading the trend compared to the other age groups Pew surveyed.

Like Donohue, many others in her age group have distanced themselves from their church, driven by their personal views on LGBTQ+ rights and issues like abortion. Some young individuals who have relocated to Ohio find it challenging to maintain their religious beliefs..

Campus ministry

Students at Ohio University often find it difficult to find a place to practice their faith with fellow students in Athens.

Madeline Daley, a sophomore studying media arts production, is a part of OU Catholics. Her choice to continue practicing her faith in college has led her to partake in religious student organizations on and off campus.

“I just saw a lot of relativism in the world,” Daley said. “Just the ability to ask

questions … made it so that the truth was able to be communicated, and I could see that there isn’t relativism with the Catholic Church.”

Her religion inspired her to connect with like-minded individuals on campus with OU Catholics. Though many college students may shy away from religious organizations on campus, Daley said she remains optimistic about students’ future.

“I see hope for students actually seeing that Catholicism is alive and current, and not an archaic belief,” Daley said. “It can actually help with all aspects of someone’s life.”

Reflection on the future

The Pew Research Center recently estimated that by 2070, the number of Americans who identify as Christian would fall near or below 50% of the population, and that percentage could fall as low as 34%.

Those identifying as “none” have been estimated to rise to as much as 52% of the U.S. population in 2070.

Amid cultural change, churches in Appalachia are reviewing their practices and considering reasons for declining attendance. As closures trickle down, regular attendees like Stickdorn look back to the last century and acknowledge how the evolution of religious practices has changed the way churches operate today.

“God has been taken out of everything,” Stickdown said. “If you really stop and think and look at the whole picture, that’s the reason we’re in the condition we’re at now.”

Corene Polick and other members of New Straitsville Pentecostal Church receive a blessing of the Holy Ghost during a service on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022. (RYAN GRYZBOWSKI | FOR THE POST )

Pastor Stan West holds his hand up during a prayer at Stewart Wesleyan Church in Stewart, Ohio, during a week-long Spiritual Revival. (RYAN GRYZBOWSKI | FOR THE POST )

Numbers to know from Ohio’s 82-76 win over Northern Illinois

WILL CUNNINGHAM SPORTS EDITOR

Ohio picked up a huge win over Northern Illinois Tuesday night, leaving DeKalb with an 82-76 win, its first Mid-American Conference road win of the season.

This win, combined with a Bowling Green loss to Kent State, means Ohio moves out of the final qualification spot for the MAC Tournament, and given how tight the MAC standings are, wins like these against its direct rivals are pivotal for Ohio.

Here are the numbers to know from Tuesday’s win:

1.

This is Ohio’s first road win in MAC play and its third road win overall. Ohio is now 10-1 at home and 3-9 on the road this year. Replicating their home form on the road is something that Bobcats head coach Jeff Boals has harped on all season, and Tuesday could be the first step in that direction.

45.5%

One key for Ohio all season has been 3-point shooting, and that was no different Tuesday. Ohio made 10-of-22 3-pointers, including three each from Miles Brown and Jaylin Hunter.

Elmore James and Ben Roderick hit two each as well, giving Ohio four players with multiple 3-pointers. This is exactly the kind of balanced 3-point attack that Ohio needs.

Hitting ten threes without a single one coming from A.J. Clayton, who ranks third on the team in 3-pointers made, is especially impressive from the Bobcats.

19

of the game came before tip-off, as Boals made a major change to the starting lineup, bringing in Ajay Sheldon for Hunter.

as he added seven rebounds, five assists and a steal in 31 minutes.

performances, so it remains to be seen how he will be handled moving forward.

One of the most surprising decisions

Hunter responded with one of his best games of the season. He scored 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting and went 3-of-7 from 3-point range. As per usual, Hunter was productive in more areas than just scoring,

If this new role becomes the key to unlocking Hunter, it could be a huge move for Ohio. With A.J. Brown sidelined for the moment, Boals seems to be looking to Hunter to replace that bench production.

Hunter came off back-to-back 20-point

@WILLOCUNNINGHAM

WC425318@OHIO.EDU

Ohio guard Jaylin Hunter (12) takes the ball up the court against Miami at The Convo on Feb. 4, 2023. (JESSE JARROLD-GRAPES | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY )

Ohio matches season low scoring output in loss to Bowling Green

Ohio (4-18, 2-9 Mid-American Conference) took on Bowling Green (21-2, 10-1 MAC), who is tied for first in the conference. Bowling Green has been one of the hottest teams in college basketball coming into this game, and a victory tonight made it 10 straight for a team that has lost only two games all season.

Knowing that information, the Bobcats knew that they were going to have to play their best basketball all season to be able

to pull out the victory. Things looked good in the first quarter for the Bobcats as they kept with a strong Falcons team, down just two after the first.

Unfortunately for Ohio, that was the most that it would be able to keep up with a team that had three players score over 16 points. Bowling Green dropped 27 in the second quarter while Ohio just scored 12, ballooning the lead to 17 at halftime.

The struggles for the Bobcats continued in the second half as they scored a combined 16 points in the third and fourth quarter while the Falcons continued to pull

ahead, outscoring the home team’s second half total in just the third quarter alone.

“I thought our energy and effort matched pretty good,” Ohio head coach Bob Boldon said. “In the second half, just the execution and the shot making, you have that sometimes.”

A key point for this Ohio team is the effort has been there all season long, which is evidence of the work that this team has put in. That has not gone unnoticed by the coaching staff and is something that the team can look back on and be proud of.

This has been and will continue to be a

rebuilding year for a very young Ohio team. There will continue to be bumps in the road as this team learns how to play with each other. Ohio’s next game is Saturday against Northern Illinois as Ohio will look to win its first home game of the season.

Sophomore Yaya Felder (2) goes to shoot a basket against Bowling Green in The Convo on Feb. 8, 2023. (ZOE CRANFILL | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

Questions about Ohio for 2023 season

WILL CUNNINGHAM SPORTS EDITOR

After a successful 2022 season in which Ohio qualified for the Mid-American Conference Tournament after going 17-10 in conference play and finishing second in the conference, it entered the 2023 season with a number of significant questions.

The most important one is about its coaching staff. Former head coach Kenzie Roark retired from coaching in July following four seasons with Ohio and both of last year’s assistant coaches, Ashley Taylor and Andrew Stover, are gone as well.

Replacing Roark is former Ohio assistant coach Jenna Hall, who spent four years in Athens as an assistant to Jodi Hermanek before leaving to become an assistant at Ohio State. After Hermanek left Ohio to become the head coach at Pitt in 2018, she hired Hall as an assistant in 2019. This is Hall’s first head coaching job.

In addition to a new head coach, Ohio also has plenty of questions about a roster that has lost some of its most important players from last season.

The Bobcats had four players make AllMAC teams in 2022, and three of them are gone. All-MAC First Team center fielder Allie Englant represents the biggest loss of the three, but catcher Brooke Rice and shortstop Megan McMenemy, who both made the second team, are key losses as well.

There are two other significant departures, however, in Mackensie Kohl and Caroline Spacek. Kohl was Ohio’s primary starting pitcher in 2022, finishing second in the MAC in innings pitched and seventh in strikeouts.

Spacek was a key part of Ohio’s offense, finishing second on the team in RBIs and doubles, fourth in home runs and third in batting average, runs and hits. She also was one of four players to appear in all 48

games for Ohio.

The Bobcats may be losing a lot of production from last year, both in the circle and in the batter’s box, but their best hitter is returning.

Annalia Paoli, who led Ohio in batting average, OPS, slugging percentage, hits, home runs and RBIs en route to an AllMAC First Team selection, is back. She also finished in the top ten in the MAC in all of those categories last year.

Paoli was the driving force behind Ohio’s strong finish to the season in 2022, and in 2023 she will be tasked with elevating a lineup filled with veteran utility players stepping into starting roles and young players trying to force their way into the team.

Whatever Ohio’s starting lineup looks like in 2023, rest assured that it will be built around Paoli, who will no doubt enter the season as MAC Player of the Year contender.

The Bobcats only used two pitchers during the 2022 season. With one of them graduating, the pitching staff will be quite different this year. Kylie Coffelt, the other starter from last season, is back, but the other three pitchers on Ohio’s roster are all freshmen or sophomores.

Two of them, Ellie Greene and Keegan Moore, are new to the team this year. Skipp Miller is in her second year with Ohio after missing the 2022 season with injury.

With the season starting this Friday, Ohio will soon be able to get a better look at a roster that is replacing most of its starting lineup and filled with a majority of freshmen and sophomores.

The Bobcats have questions to answer, but there are plenty of reasons to think they can build off of last season’s success.

Annalia Paoli (3) of Ohio makes contact with the ball at a game against Bowling Green on March 25, 2022, in Athens, Ohio. (PEARL SPURLOCK | FOR THE POST )

You should still be excited to watch the Super Bowl as a Cincinnati Bengals fan

ROBERT KEEGAN III

The biggest sports event of the year happens this Sunday and fans across the country are as excited as ever. Well, almost all of them.

It’s the Super Bowl, and for those of us who have been following the Cincinnati Bengals all year, it’s been a rough week. Whether you’re a native of Cincinnati or would follow Joe Burrow through anything to bringing prominence to the small town of Athens, we’ve all had reason to reject the idea that the NFL season is still going on.

Yes, I’ll admit it, when Harrison Butker’s field goal went through the uprights last Sunday and the Kansas City Chiefs were pronounced AFC champions, I was one of many who wanted to denounce that I was ever even a football fan and act as though such a loss wasn’t about to ruin my whole week. But let’s face it, the Bengals lost and the storybook return to the Super Bowl that we had all been waiting for will not become a reality this season.

Like many Cincinnati fans, one of my first thoughts while watching the Chief’s trophy

presentation was that nothing could make me want to watch the Super Bowl. However, there’s no need for one crushing defeat to hinder the unity that comes with the Super Bowl each year.

Here are my top reasons why you should still be excited to watch the big game this weekend as a Cincinnati Bengals fan:

Jason and Travis Kelce

Look, Cincinnati, I get it if we all want to hop on the Travis Kelce hate train after his emphatic AFC Championship game celebration full of disses to the Cincinnati mayor and our beloved QB1. But can we really blame him? We were just a few plays away from coming out victorious and as a fan base we would have been enthralled to see Burrow out there on the podium proclaiming historic “Arrowhead Stadium” as “Burrowhead.”

The Kelce brothers have done nothing but show their Cincinnati pride throughout their whole careers with ties to the University of Cincinnati Bearcats. Travis Kelce even made an appearance at last year’s college

football playoff game between Cincinnati and Alabama, fully decked out in his Bearcats attire. Plus, it’s pretty cool that for the first time in history, two brothers will face each other head-to-head in the Super Bowl.

Yes, it sucks to see the Chiefs take our place on the biggest stage in sports, but it’s hard not to root for Travis Kelce when he’s not taking on the Bengals.

To see the Chiefs lose

I mean, this one seems pretty obvious, right?

A great rivalry has been born between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Bengals after back-to-back AFC Championship games against one another and constant trash talk between fan bases. Even the mayor of each city chimed in on the trash talk for their most recent game.

Whether or not you like the Philadelphia Eagles, it would be closure to watch the Chiefs walk off the field in defeat much like we had to see the Bengals do

last week.

Former Bengals and Ohio Natives playing in the game

Along with the University of Cincinnati connections in this game, there are also several former Bengals to root for as well.

Mainly, former Bengals defensive lineman Carlos Dunlap will take the field for the

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Lines

Here’s what you missed from the 65th Grammy Awards

Best Pop Vocal Album: “Harry’s House” by Harry Styles

It’s no surprise that Harry Styles won again for Best Pop Vocal Album, especially after its worldwide success. Working with producer Kid Harpoon, breakout singles such as “As It Was” and “Late Night Talking” stabilized Styles’s spot in the mainstream and brought in a perspective on pop music resembling one of the 1980s. Overall, this album was the definition of revolutionary pop music, redefining what it means to be an artist with no boundaries and without fear of creative experimentation.

Best Alternative Music Album: “Wet Leg” by Wet Leg

Wet Leg was essentially the underdog of 2022, releasing their debut album, “Wet Leg,” which felt like taking a trip in the late 1990s. Integrating spoken word throughout, the band spoke openly about femininity, love and sexism. All in all, Wet Leg took risks and executed them flawlessly, staying true to themselves and not letting their slow rise to fame influence their sound.

Best Rap Album: “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers” by Kendrick Lamar

The Grammy Awards are arguably music’s biggest night, even if many music fans detest the ceremony for its lack of diversity and rigged voting system. Despite this, the industry’s most glamorous and respected stars graced the red carpet at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

If you weren’t able to watch the ceremony, here’s what you missed from the 65th Grammy Awards:

Album Of The Year: “Harry’s House” by Harry Styles Of course, the Grammy’s doesn’t announce the most important award, “Album Of The Year,” until the end of the night, and fans were stunned to see that “Harry’s House” by Harry Styles beat out icons such as Adele, Bad Bunny and Beyoncé. With hit after hit, Styles knows how to outdo himself, especially after years of sold-out tours and guest-star appearances. He is at his peak as a singer and songwriter.

“Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers” by Kendrick Lamar was by far one of the most anticipated and highly successful albums of 2022, a telltale sign that the rapper is a voice of our generation, unafraid to dive into his own personal experiences in order to relate to fans of all backgrounds and upbringings. Songs such as “N95” and “We Cry Together (feat. Taylour Paige)” commented on the COVID-19 pandemic and abusive relationships to ones like “Die Hard (feat. Blxst and Amanda Reifer)” and “Mirror,” which were full of love and self-reflection, it’s not a shocker that an album with such emotional depth caught The Recording Academy’s attention.

Best Music Video/Film: “All Too Well: The Short Film” by Taylor Swift

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Song Of The Year: “Just Like That” by Bonnie Raitt Shocking fans everywhere with contenders such as Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, country singer Bonnie Raitt took home one of the night’s most prestigious awards. Inspired by the story of an organ donor, Raitt was able to encapsulate the difficult process, as well as use her voice to put a spotlight on those who make crucial sacrifices for the ones they love with “Just Like That.” All in all, it was a special moment for the singer during the Grammys, and one that many music fans will remember.

Best Pop Solo Performance: “Easy on Me” by Adele Adele’s lead single “Easy on Me” was definitely a standout on her recent album “30.” Reflecting on her divorce and its effects on her son, the British singer tapped into a much more vulnerable sound than fans thought was possible by showing off her extensive vocal range and lyrical genius. Clearly, Adele knows how to sing a ballad, and this was the perfect award for her to win this year.

Obviously, Taylor Swift was destined to beat out her competitors for Best Music Video/Film for the reimagined version of her song, “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version).” With stars Dylan O’Brien and Sadie Sink, starring in the beloved music video, Swift’s fan-favorite track was easily brought to life with amazing imagery and cinematography, proof of the singer’s eye for directing and storytelling. Being her first win as a director, this award shows that Swift is a multi-faceted being, not letting her music take center stage all the time.

ILLUSTRATION BY TREVOR BRIGHTON

Rough earthquake recovery ahead for Syria

MEG DIEHL

It was 4:16 a.m. in southeastern Turkey. The streets were quiet and the people were asleep. At the same time, in northern Syria, families lay in bed, equally unaware of what was to come.

At 4:17 a.m., all hell broke loose. There was a deep rumbling, and apartment buildings crumbled into hazy streets. Cars were crushed under pieces of debris.

A 7.8-magnitude earthquake erupted from 11 miles underground in between the Turkish cities of Gaziantep and Kahramanmarasş. Between southeastern Turkey and northern Syria, there have been over 4,000 confirmed dead, with numbers expected to rise and many trapped under the wreckage.

Positioned where the Anatolian and Arabian plates meet, Syria and Turkey

are prime areas for seismic activity; thus, the region is no stranger to earthquakes. However, the earthquake recorded early Monday morning was one of the deadliest the world has seen since 2000. There are a couple of political aspects at play here too, but namely Syria’s 12-year civil war and resulting refugee crisis.

The Syrian civil war is a complex one, which in part is why the conflict goes on. However, as resilient as the Syrian people have been, the toll the war has taken is palpable.

Statistics from 2021 showed that 14.6 million Syrians need dire humanitarian aid and 75% of households did not have their most basic needs met in 2021. The effects of the war will impact today’s Syrian youth, with 2.5 million refugee children

out of school and another 1.6 million in danger of dropping out.

Even before the most recent earthquake, Syrian hospitals were already struggling with health infrastructure and funding cuts. Now, there are not enough resources to take care of patients in the hospital prior to the earthquake and those in the hospital as a result of it. One doctor in Syria said he made the tough decision to pull one person off a ventilator to give it to someone else based on who he believed was more likely to survive.

Poverty and war have swallowed the country, and now one of the largest earthquakes the world has seen in the last 23 years follows. It is easy to feel helpless as one looks on.

It is so important for journalists to keep

FILM REVIEW

this earthquake in the news cycle and continue sparking conversation. The more people keep talking, the more pressure there is to provide aid that was necessary before the earthquake but is dire now. Syria and Turkey’s respective recoveries will be long and grueling enough already. For this reason, wealthier nations must help out.

Megan Diehl is a sophomore studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views expressed in this homework do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk to Megan? Email her md396520@ohio. edu.

for Brady’ is surprisingly delightful

LOGAN HUMPHREY

Coincidental or not, seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady subsequently retired during the same week a movie centering him was released to theaters. But the four well-known, outstanding actresses starring in the film are nowhere near retiring from their established careers. Before the release of “80 for Brady,” it was deemed to look like another film that your 50-year-old mother would watch on a night out with the girls. But surprisingly enough, this “chick-flick” flicks all odds and snaps a football the whole nine yards.

Inspired by a true story, it follows four older women in their 70s and 80s trying to see Tom Brady and the Patriots play in the 2017 Super Bowl. The road to get into NRG stadium was rough, as several conflicts arose and friendships were tested. But the women are considerably driven by their dream of being in front of their lord and savior, Tom Brady.

“80 for Brady” has such a genuine ensemble cast, featuring four award-winning leading ladies, Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Sally Fields and Rita Moreno. Ex-Patriot players make an appearance, like Rob Gronkowski, Danny

Amendola and, of course, Tom Brady himself. Other recognizable stars like Guy Fieri and Billy Porter play smaller yet significant roles. While the film does have its desirable audience, seemingly women over 40, it can be enjoyed by practically anybody. Different aspects of humor range for various audiences, gen-z viewers or older demographics. Usually, in movies today, it’s typical for the older characters to get into a ruffle over something the younger generation has normalized, but not in this film. The “old people” humor is highly manageable for anyone and doesn’t try to stoop to a lower level.

Whether it’s Sally Field’s character calling her fanny pack a “strapon” or Jane Fonda’s character writing Rob Gronkowski erotic fanfiction, there are unique yet seemingly relevant bits of comedy to laugh aloud at. It definitely has its corniest moments, but there are far more boisterous, laugh-out-loud moments that overtake the awkward scenes. But even the corniest scenes make sense in context. The film isn’t trying to be laughed at but instead be laughed with, which makes it even more admirable.

What might not be entirely admirable is Brady, whose appearance is either clips from the actual NFL game he played or him having an odd savior complex. Even though the film is about him, his specific part in the plot was not dissected or that important. But dissecting his performance is odd, especially when you compare it to the iconic actresses who obtain more awards than Brady and his Lombardi Trophies.

The main character’s driving force is that they aren’t sure when an opportunity like this is ever going to come around again. This force can contest the actresses still acting even in the 70s and 80s, adamantly giving their career every chance they can get, similar to Brady’s belief to keep playing for many years because he “still got it.”

Not only does the film is filled with one comedic moment after the next, but it is also filled with plenty of heart and sentiment. Each woman is given their own compelling backstory and inquiries that adds so much character to the already loveable woman. Lou, played by Lily Tomlin, has the most predominant and pivotal backstory, but it doesn’t

outshine the backstories of her fellow Brady entourage. These genuine plotlines promote substantial audience sympathy, enough to produce a tear or two.

But thanks to the lovely, glorious women that we heartily watch for an hour and a half, the film manages to sway you into rooting for Brady, even if you’re not a fan. Especially since the film makes an outstanding Super Bowl game from six years ago seem so theatrical, it’s easy to gather camaraderie for a team that you already know has won the game it is playing. And even though his name is in the title and all roads lead to him, Brady is not the star of this show. Instead, the four leading ladies with a lifetime of accolades gracefully intercept Brady’s throw.

“80 for Brady” surprises audiences with its heartful comedy, honorable cast and lack of extreme corniness. The plot might seem questionable on paper, but this film deserves to be given a true watch by those skeptical of it. You’ll laugh, cry or both, but the entire experience of watching “80 for Brady” is worth it.

‘80

5 ways to spend your Valentine’s Day if you’re single

ADAM VINCE FOR THE POST

Valentine's Day is close, which can make some people worry about not having someone to call their Valentine on that day. So instead, here are some fun suggestions to do on Valentine's Day if you're feeling lonely.

Buy chocolate for yourself and stay inside

Chocolate can make everything better, especially on Valentine's Day. Sometimes, you have to own up to being single and enjoy all the perks of the lifestyle. There isn't any need to get dressed up and go out for dinner when you can stay in the comfort of your own home. Take advantage of Valentine's Day sales and stock up on supplies for an incredibly fun night inside.

Watch a romantic movie

Once you get any snacks you need, feel free to browse Netflix for any romantic movies if you still want a love-filled Valentine's Day. There is a large selection of movies that you can choose from, whether you want a light-hearted romantic comedy or a licentious

FREE LECTURE

erotica, the choice is up to you.

Try to ask someone out on a date

Asking someone out is much easier said than done, but Valentine's Day is the perfect day to take chances on love. You may be nervous at first, but once you finally shoot your shot, you can argue that the worst part is over. If they say yes, then you get to spend the holiday with someone special. If not, don't worry; there are more people to take a chance on.

It's important to be confident and optimistic when thinking about asking someone out, as anxiety can quickly shut down any advances you want to make. Try not to overthink asking someone out; if something unexpected happens, it can be easy to freeze on the spot.

Go to a fun party

Valentine's Day is a perfect holiday to go out and party. With everyone partnering up or celebrating their current partner, you might find a fun Galentine's Day party. The good thing about parties is that there's a chance that hardly anyone knows anybody else. You can capitalize on this by socializing with other attendees and making friends along the way.

Hang out with friends

Sometimes all you need in life is the support of your friends. Valentine's Day can be emotional, but you can rely on your friends to keep your spirits high. Hanging out with your friends can distract you from the fact that you're single. Plus, you won't feel lonely when you're having the time of your life with your friends.

Another joy about being with friends is avoiding the awkward moments that come with romantic dates. Being with friends doesn't require getting dressed up to impress some-

one, which can be relaxing. Friends are the way to go if you want the fun of being around people without needing to act gallant. At the end of the day, you should focus on being happy without needing to conform to a certain way of living. It is important to love yourself so that you can share that love with others around you.

ILLUSTRATION BY ABBIE KINNEY