March 9, 2023

THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2023

River Park Apartments remain a housing option for students…PG 4 A breakdown of OU’s Board of Trustees…PG 8/9

Opinions on the MLB rule changes…PG 13/14

Fill your Spring Break with ‘The Post’

We have a lot to offer during your week off

Pat yourselves on your backs, Bobcats; you’ve officially made it through half the semester! With that milestone comes the much-needed, well-earned Spring Break. I, for one, could not be more excited.

Whether you’re staying in Athens to chill and host friends like me, heading home for a week of free laundry and home-cooked meals or jetting off to an exotic destination like some of our Posties, The Post has you covered with songs to listen to, clothes to wear, movies to watch and more for the week ahead.

If you love listening to music during your travels and want advice on the best songs, check out Alicia Szczesniak’s suggestions for your Spring Break playlist. Szczesniak prepared the list of songs with her friends, so it’s already widely liked. Each song suggestion is accompanied by a rationale of why it’s the perfect beat for the break. Szczesniak also wrote a guide to the best albums for spring.

If movies, specifically horror films, are more your style, Brooke Phillips’ story on the five best horror movies to watch

during Spring Break is a must-read. Most of the films on the list are classics, so there won’t be many surprises for those. However, all the suggestions will surely scare you to your core.

Do you want to know what to wear to the beach, the campsite or around your home this Spring Break? Grace Brezine has your back. Her Spring Break fashion guide has several suggestions for how to make this Spring Break the most stylish one yet. Reference it for all your fashion needs.

If you’re planning to stay in Ohio next week, Adam Vince has researched all of the best Spring Break getaways that are, more or less, nearby. Just because you’re staying in-state doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a week without homework and classes and stress. Check out his five best ways to enjoy your homebound Spring Break.

Some of us are luckier than others, as proven by Sophia Rooksberry’s recent article about a group of Ohio University students traveling to London as part of

their “UK: Suffragettes and Soldiers” class. If you’re interested in learning how the students feel about their upcoming trip, check out Rooksberry’s story.

You can find all of this content within the pages of this paper or at The Post’s website, thepostathens.com. No matter what you do this Spring Break, whether it’s lounging on the beach or on your couch, check out what we’re publishing!

Ryan Maxin is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University and the editor-in-chief of The Post . Interested in chatting more with him? Email Ryan at rm554219@ohio.edu or find him on Twitter at @ryanmaxin.

HEADSHOT BY HANNAH

Editor-in-Chief | Ryan Maxin

Managing Editor | Kayla Bennett

Digital Director | Anastasia Carter

Equity Director | Alesha Davis

EDITORIAL

News Editors | Molly Wilson, Addie Hedges

Asst. News Editor | Maya Morita

Culture Editor | Katie Millard

Asst. Culture Editor | Alyssa Cruz

Sports Editor | Will Cunningham

Asst. Sports Editor | Ashley Beach

Opinion Editor | Tate Raub

Asst. Opinion Editor | Meg Diehl

The Beat Editor | Emma Dollenmayer

Asst. The Beat Editor | Grace Brezine

Projects Editor | Hannah Campbell

Investigative Editor | Alex Imwalle

Copy Chief | Aya Cathey

Slot Editors | Bekah Bostick, Katie Trott, Lauren Serge, Lydia Colvin

ART

Art Director | Trevor Brighton

Asst. Art Director | Lauren Adams

Director of Photography | Jesse Jarrold-Grapes

Photo Editor | Carrie Legg

DIGITAL

Audience Engagement Editor | Emma Erion

Asst. Audience Engagement Editor | Molly Burchard

Director of Multimedia | Cole Patterson

Asst. Director of Multimedia | Donovan Hunt

BUSINESS

Media Sales | Grace Vannan, Gia Sammons

Director of Student Media | Andrea Lewis

Volume 113, Issue 23

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RYAN MAXIN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

OU student initiates first PAVE chapter in Ohio

MADISON KENNEDY FOR THE POST

An Ohio University student is starting a new student organization that will focus on empowering survivors of sexual violence.

Promoting Awareness | Victim Empowerment, or PAVE, is a national nonprofi t that works to eliminate sexual violence, support survivors and educate people about sexual violence. The organization promotes programming about sexual violence awareness for high schools and universities across the country.

According to its website, PAVE has trained more than 100,000 college students in sexual assault prevention and advocacy through its various chapters and affi liates since it was started in 2001.

Cara Finnegan, a sophomore studying sociology, decided to bring PAVE to OU after previously interning for the organization and realizing that there were no universities in Ohio with PAVE chapters. The OU PAVE chapter will be the fi rst of its kind in Ohio.

"Because of its prevalence everywhere, I think it's so important that we have a group that helps to de-stigmatize (sexual violence) and do good for the community," Finnegan said.

Finnegan said she plans to have the chapter collaborate with other organizations on campus to discuss multiple issues associated with sexual violence.

After the paperwork to begin the chapter is approved by the Campus Involvement Center, Finnegan and the three other

executive board members plan to recruit members through tabling, flyers and word of mouth.

The chapter will be open to welcoming members of various backgrounds and identities, Finnegan said.

"It's my understanding that LGBTQ+ individuals face higher rates of violence, specifi cally sexual violence," Finnegan said. "I think it's really important that it's an inclusive space for everyone no matter their gender identity, race, walk of life, anything, anyone is welcome to join."

Bradley McCullough, a sophomore studying healthcare administration, will be the treasurer for OU's PAVE chapter.

"(Sexual violence) is something that has been all around me but I haven't been able to do anything about it happening around me," said McCullough. "I thought it would give me more resources to be able to help the people around me as well."

The four members of the executive board plan to fi nalize the bylaws for fi nal submission to the university within the next few weeks.

Finnegan said she has multiple ideas for running the chapter and is looking into various funding options.

"I think it is really important to have lots of different groups that support survivors in different ways, as a lot of (organizations) here at Ohio University do," Finnegan said. "I wanted to bring a new group that's backed by national nonprofi ts."

Lisa Conolly is the Director of Community Engagement and Outreach for PAVE. She works to establish new PAVE chapters

and spread the organization's message and values throughout the country.

"So far in 2023, I have helped establish two new PAVE chapters -- OU being the most recent! My job at PAVE challenges me to think in new ways, allows me to connect with survivors and advocates across the country, and has helped me grow personally and professionally more than I ever could have imagined," Conolly wrote in an email.

McCullough said he is passionate about PAVE being a safe place for OU students to learn about sexual violence awareness and prevention.

"As an intern with them, I've had the privilege of learning so much from the team that I work with and the other interns from all across the United States," Finnegan said. "To be the fi rst chapter in Ohio is such an honor and I'm really excited to see what good we can do for the campus." @MADDIEKENNEDY17

Cara Finnegan stands on the stairs at MemAud on Sunday, March 5, 2023. (JESSE JARROLD-GRAPES | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)

OU offers residential housing at River Park Apartments for second year

Ohio University will continue to offer housing in River Park Apartments for rising sophomores for the 2023-24 school year.

During the room selection process, students who choose to live in River Park will have the opportunity to choose how many rooms there will be in the apartment that they choose. As with the regular residence hall selection process, students can select a room at River Park with or without roommates.

“I think the nice part for us is our building is like right in the same building as the gym and the pool, so it’s really nice,” said Natalie Netcher, a sophomore studying strategic leadership and management and River Park resident. “I know our other roommate utilized the pool a couple of times when it was open.”

Last summer, OU offered select students the opportunity to switch from on-campus housing to River Park Towers due to the addition of the university’s historically large freshman class, according to a previous Post report.

Because of the increased number of first-and second-year students who are required to live on campus, Housing and Residence Life partnered with River Park for a second year, Johnna Matulja, the director for business operations, said.

“There were multiple reasons for going into the partnership with River Park again, but proximity was a huge one,” Matulja said. “Our hope is to just extend that residential footprint for the next year to help ensure that we’re providing great accommodations for our students.”

The university will offer 425 beds for the upcoming year, Matulja said.

Because OU is using building 36 of River Park, students who currently live there and have resigned leasing contracts may need to find somewhere else to live for the upcoming year, Alexis Huelsman, a junior studying middle childhood education, said.

Huelsman said she is uncertain if she will live in the same apartment during the upcoming year or if she will need to move to a different building.

“They said we won’t know where we are until after the end of this semester or beginning of summer,” said Huelsman. “We will potentially have to move into our new

apartment in the middle of July.”

River Park Apartments did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.

Because it is a housing contract, students are required to follow many of the same housing procedures as those who live in residence halls.

Students who choose to live at River Park are only able to live in the apartments during the school year and are required to move out during the university’s winter break unless other accommodations are made. The apartments are also fully furnished like the residence halls.

“We’re committed to the two-year

housing requirement,” said Matulja. “We really believe that that’s the best opportunity for our first and second years to really get to know Athens get to know Ohio University and really focus on their studies prior to moving off campus.”

For next year’s second-year students who are part of the Ohio Guarantee, the cost of the apartments will be $5,181 per semester, which is the rate of a suite-single in residential housing. Students will also be required to choose a meal plan, which will be an additional cost.

“We will be requiring a meal plan next year for any students who select into River Park keeping in the spirit of the hous

ing requirement,” said Matulja. “A part of the spirit of that is also that meal plan, and ensuring that students have quick and easy access to meals that they do not have to worry about cooking. We’re moving forward with those requirements this upcoming year.”

Because the partnership with River Park is on a year-to-year basis, Ohio University does not plan to add swipe access like its residence halls have.

MAGGIE PALMA

Building #35 at River Park houses Ohio University sophomores for the 2022-23 year. (RYAN GRYZBOWSKI | FOR THE POST)

ATHENS FARMER’S & ART MARKET

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Same great vendors in a NEW space. Now located at the Athens Community Center. Parking Available at the Cmmunity center and the City Pool lot. If walking to the market, PLEASE use designated crosswalks to cross East State Street Get Locally grown, raised and prepared food and beverage items. Plants, dairy, baked goods,seeds, and meats. PLUS locally made artistic goods.

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Serving a full menu of sandwiches,

Celebrations of Holi spread love, colored powder

(hours) depending upon the intensity with which you scrub.”

Today, gulal in powder form, according to Chemical and Engineering News, is “a mixture of more than 95% cornstarch blended with “food-, drug- and cosmetic-grade dyes.” The powder, traditionally, was made from “spring flowers, berries, spices and other plants,” according to Ministry of Colours.

Holi, one of the most important festivals in Hinduism, has existed for centuries. Datta said the history of Holi is interpreted differently by people. Sonali Jha, a first-year PhD student studying mass communication and media studies, said she knows three variations of its history. One of the reasons Holi is celebrated is because it symbolizes the love between Lord Krishna and Radha and their union into Radhakrishna.

Lord Krishna was afraid Krishna would not like him because of his dark skin complexion, according to The Times of India, and his mother encouraged him to ask Krishna to put any color on his face. When Krishna put color on Lord Krishna’s face, it united them in love, so playing with colors on Holi is also a celebration of love.

not exactly the same as it is in India, people came together to honor unity, love and renewal.

“The event was sponsored by (the) International Student Union,” Ghosal said. “So we ordered the colors, and the colors came. People joined us and not only from India, (they) were from Pakistan, people from Mexico, from Sri Lanka, people from Iran, people from America and many places. People joined us and we had celebrated. That’s really an amazing moment for us.”

Music also plays an important role in playing Holi, Ghosal said. During the celebration, the organization played different types of Indian music, such as Bollywood.

Holi is usually played in the morning, and Datta said it leaves room to eat in the afternoon and evening. Datta has also only ever seen groups of 50 people celebrating together.

The celebration of choosing good over evil, love, spring and more is at the center of Holi. As winter ends, spring reminds people of renewal and a chance for something positively new.

MCKENNA CHRISTY CULTURE STAFF WRITER

During the month of Phalguna, the 12th month of the Hindu calendar, the brilliant holiday of Holi is celebrated. Also known as the festival of colors, the festival of love and the festival of spring, Holi takes place among large groups of people in India and around the world.

This year, Holi was celebrated on March 8. On March 7, the festivities began with Holika Dahan, according to The Times of India. Holika Dahan occurs on the eve of Holi when the Holika effigy is burned, according to Holi.

In the Hindu legend of Holika and Prahlad, Hiranyakashyap, a “demon king,” according to Holi, had a son, Prahlad, who refused to worship him. Hiranyakashyap attempted to kill Prahlad multiple times, but Lord Vishnu would always save him. Hiranyakashyap had his sister, Holika, convince Prahlad to sit on her lap in “a blazing fire.” It was thought that because Holika had protection from the fire, she could not be harmed, but while Prahlad continuously said Lord Vishnu’s name, he was again saved, and Holika was burned alive. Therefore, the celebration of Holika Dahan, or the burning of Demon Holika, according to Holi, “is symbolic of triumph of good over evil.”

Holi is also a celebration of unity filled with bright colors, welcoming spring and marking the end of winter. The Indian Stu-

dents Association at Ohio University hosted its Holi celebration last Saturday. Abhinil Ghosal, a second-year PhD student studying chemistry, said students from all over the world came to celebrate. On the day of Holi, according to The Indian Times, people throw color powder that is typically watered down at one another and onto themselves.

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple and pink colored powder is put in water guns, water balloons, buckets or just in people’s hands to put on each other’s faces and clothes.

“Holi is a festival of the colors,” Ghosal said. “We celebrate with colors. In different parts (of India), the similarity (is) we use a lot of colors, but the thing is in some places we use only dry colors, which we have done here. In some places we use watercolors. We put water in the colors and we call these things ‘pichkaris.’”

Pichkaris are similar to water guns and are used to spray friends, family and others with the colored powder. Often called gulal, it takes forever to get out of one’s hair and skin. People playing Holi may want to wear clothes they do not care to wear again. Aanya Datta, a junior studying psychology, said it is smart to wear something old and that sunscreen and coconut oil can help protect the skin.

“The dye does not come off your clothes,” Datta said. “If you mix it with water, it’s gone. Does it come off your skin? In 24 hours? No. Not in 24 hours. In 48 to 72

“So every region has a different thing,” Jha said. “The most prominent history (or) the story we have been told about is of Hiranyakashyap.”

On Saturday, when the Indian Students Association celebrated Holi near South Beach, they celebrated with dry, color powder. Although the celebration and play were

“After the winter, the spring is coming,” Ghosal said. “We celebrate it because spring is coming, it spreads love among society.”

People celebrate HOLI, or the Festival of Colors, on South Green on Saturday, March 4, 2023. (MEGAN VAN VLACK | FOR THE POST)

The Festival of Colors has been celebrated for centuries and is often celebrated with throwing and covering celebrators in colorful powder. (MEGAN VAN VLACK | FOR THE POST)

A breakdown of the OU Board of Trustees

The Ohio University Board of Trustees serve as OU’s governing body, making some of the university’s most transformative and monumental decisions.

The Board of Trustees’ decisions includes everything from tuition costs to holding the president of OU accountable. Its role is essential to keep OU. Although the Board has existed at OU since its conception, it is not commonly understood in depth by those most affected by its decisions.

According to the Board of Trustees’ website, Manasseh Cutler proposed that a university be governed by a Board of Trustees in 1800. The first Board of Trustee members were appointed in 1802 with the establishment of American Western University, and the first meetings were carried out henceforth. By 1804, the Ohio General Assembly passed an act for the university’s corporate and political body to be led by the governor of Ohio, the president and vice president of the university and 10 to 15 member trustees.

Building the trustees

Now, the Board of Trustees consists of 15 members, with nine voting trustees, two national trustees, one regional trustee, two student trustees and one Alumni Association representative. Executive Secretary David Moore serves as an officer to the Board; he is also a professor of educational studies at the Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education.

“(The governor’s office is) trying to make a group of people—a citizen group of people who have enough general background and from society to make some helpful decisions for the university, but they’re not academics,” Moore said.

The current trustees and the OU president can make suggestions to the governor of Ohio, but it is up to him or her—with the advice of the Ohio Senate—to appoint trustees. Anyone can apply to be an OU Board of Trustees member on the Ohio governor’s website. These individuals go through a formal application process before being appointed by the governor. The terms are staggered to ensure a revolving door on the Board.

The nine voting trustees serve nine-year terms and are appointed by the governor. They must wait four years before applying for re-election after their term. All of these trustees must live in Ohio and five must be OU alum. Currently, eight of the nine voting trustees are alumni. The voting trustees vote on resolutions, while the other six serve as a sounding board alongside the OU president.

Two of the six are national trustees who do

not have to live in Ohio; they serve three-year terms. One is a regional trustee—a new role established last year—from one of the counties where OU has a presence. The regional trustee also serves a three-year term. One is an Alumni Association representative, its current president. This term goes in accordance with the association’s bylaws. Lastly, two are student trustees who are elected in two-year terms. The OU Student Senate leads a nominating process and presents five nominees to the president’s office, which are then referred to the governor for selection.

Each trustee is assigned to serve on two subcommittees while on the Board. The chair of the Board, who is elected by the Board annually, will assign committee chairmanships. There are four subcommittees: Academics and Student Success, Resources, Facilities and Affordability, Audit and Risk Management and Governance and Compensation.

There is also an executive committee that meets when emergency decisions need to be made quickly. This committee comprises the chair, vice chair, chair of resources and chair of academics.

The trustees and the university

Once in their roles, the Board members may speak with community and university entities to make judgments and decisions. Still, the university’s president acts as their main point of contact with OU.

“The trustees and the president work together to try to figure it out. Ultimately, the trustees are the president’s boss,” Moore said. “A successful president isn’t going to resist a group of trustees and a consensus of the trustees to do something, if they really want it … (The president) can certainly advise them and say, hey, here’s the challenges of doing that.”

The trustees serve as a check for the president to ensure he or she is doing their job effectively, from adhering to the institution’s values to carrying out university plans and functions. In an email, current OU President Hugh Sherman said that he’s enjoyed working with the trustees and has appreciated their support and friendship over the past two years.

“Our trustees bring together a wide range of experiences and perspectives as students,

ILLUSTRATION BY TREVOR BRIGHTON

alumni, community members, business leaders and much more,” President Sherman said in an email. “Our trustees spend a lot of time and care deeply about our students, staff and faculty.”

While the Board of Trustees is meeting on campus, the university tries to maximize its contact with other groups, Moore said. The trustees have previously met with student athletes and the athletic director. In another instance, they met with a team from the engineering college working with Intel.

One must follow a path of communication to interact with the Board. Anyone can suggest changing a policy, but when proposing ideas and presenting to the Board, everything goes to the president. Moore works with the trustees and the president’s office to organize what information is needed and how it will be presented to the Board.

University Communications and Marketing takes the lead on many communications between the Board and the OU community.

UCM acts as a brand strategist for OU, including developing and distributing OU Board of Trustees-focused communications. UCM

CLAIRE SCHIOPOTA FOR THE POST

provides news updates and on-site media support, including a media availability session for members of the press to engage with OU trustees and university leadership directly.

“Our team is proud to support OHIO’s Board of Trustees and to serve all of our campus partners,” David Pittman, the interim senior director of communications, said in an email. “We look forward to continuing to work collectively to help drive awareness, enhance visibility and deepen engagement across the OHIO community and beyond.”

Carrying out duties

The standard trustee meetings happen for a week in January, April, June, August and October. Most happen in Athens, but the meetings occasionally occur at a branch or regional campus. During COVID-19, the meetings

were online, but Moore said they’re returning to in-person meetings again.

The agenda—sent out to the trustees two weeks before the meeting—sets what will be discussed. Sometimes items will pop up, but many meeting practices are standardized. For example, each April includes the Board’s annual ethics training. The Board will have a budget and finance report at every meeting session. Additionally, a college will be invited to present to the trustees and showcase its school.

The changes made at OU come from the resolutions passed by the Board. This goes back to the committees, who will present to the full Board, introducing a topic and resolution. Recommendations may come from the president or other entities, but a trustee must introduce the resolutions. The last thing

during a meeting session is voting; Moore said it usually occurs on Fridays. Minor decisions may only take one meeting, but the feedback process can change how long it takes to pass a resolution.

“There’s some things that could take a lot longer. It just sort of depends on what it is,” Moore said. “If there’s any sort of controversy about what anyone says … generally that stops it before a vote and it is weakened, either pulled all together or it is reproduced at the next meeting.”

The trustees are not compensated for their work and act as volunteers. When in session, lodging and meals are provided for the trustees, but travel expenses are not covered, Moore said.

When the Board isn’t in session, its members are off living their lives, working or being

with their families. When the trustees aren’t in session, they have little correspondence. The chair of the Board of Trustees will most likely spend the most time out of session communicating with the president, Moore said.

The future and the past

The next Board of Trustee meetings will fall during the first week of April. They plan to vote for the Chair of the Board at this upcoming meeting. No other meeting details have been released at this time.

Everything from the Board of Trustees since 1949 has been recorded on the trustee’s website through minutes and agendas.

OU’s Womxn’s Rugby is a team on, off the pitch

back-to-back in one day,” Thompson said. “So this is going to be a whole other experience. I think the most enjoyable part is I can’t wait to be back playing 15’s once again. We haven’t done that in a minute, so I am super excited.”

OU’s Womxn’s Rugby prides itself on encouraging all types of skill levels to join, no matter their experience with playing the sport.

Prior to joining the team, Taylor Connelly, a freshman studying journalism, had never played rugby but had experience with other sports, such as soccer. She said she wanted to try something new, and rugby seemed like a good fit.

What separated the two sports in Conelly’s mind was the culture created by the team.

“Just showing up to the original meeting, it’s very obvious that everyone is very welcoming, everyone is so nice,” Connelly said. “The culture is unlike any other sport.”

A reason for the lighthearted atmosphere, Connelly said, is the lack of pressure placed on the teammates. There is not a sense of everyone competing against each other that can sometimes be created on other teams.

“We’re not super competitive, and we focus a lot on joy, having fun and being together and bonding,” Connelly said.

ALYSSA CRUZ ASST. CULTURE EDITOR

Vocabulary like “scrum” and “ruck” may sound strange to outsiders, but for a select team at Ohio University, those terms are part of the sport they love: rugby.

OU’s Womxn’s Rugby is a club rugby team comprising all different skill sets of rugby as well as different identities. Open to all, the organization’s goal is to create a welcoming environment where people can find a strong community of friends and feel comfortable in their skin while playing the two-century-year-old sport.

It is said that as a college student, inventor William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran into the opposing team’s goal during a game of soccer, or European football. Using one’s hands breaks the cardinal rule of soccer, and Ellis is considered one of the first people to use this move in the game. According to the Hanazono Rugby Museum, this is how the sport was born.

The OU’s Womxn’s Rugby team will be competing in the annual Nash Bash Rugby Tournament from March 24 to March 26. The team will only play on Saturday, March 25. The tournament is unique because the lineups for both teams will be 15 vs. 15 instead of the 7 vs. 7 the team is used to.

For Leighton Heiner, a sophomore studying philosophy, this is her second time playing in the tournament, and she is looking forward to it. In addition to the opportunity to play some great rugby, Heiner said the best part about the tournament was bonding with the team and meeting new people.

“It’s just a really great opportunity to meet people from around the country,” she said.

Heiner said she was initially drawn to the team because of how openly welcoming the team was toward LGBTQIA+ people.

“I wasn’t out in high school,” she said.

“I didn’t have any queer friends in high school, especially not in athletics, so I was like, ‘this is going to be awesome,’ and it has been.”

In lieu of welcoming everyone, the team purposefully put the “x” in women to highlight their openness to as many different identities as possible.

“I think if someone wants to play a sport, they should be able to play wherever they want with whoever they want and whatever body they want to, no questions asked,” Heiner said.

For Amari Thompson, a freshman studying political science, this is her first time playing in this specific tournament. Still, she is somewhat of a rugby veteran, having played in high school. She said she is looking forward to Nash Bash because it’s a chance to play with more teammates on the field as well as in a longer game.

“For high school, you can’t play 15’s

The organization is not currently funded by SAC, or Senate Appropriation Commission, but Heiner said they are in the process of applying for tournament fees and other such expenses. The team earns most of its funding from alumni donations and fundraising. The team is currently working on a fundraiser selling March Madness brackets to OU students that can be purchased for $5.

Thompson is in agreement with Conelly, saying on and off the pitch, the team tries to build one another up.

“We all try to build each other up and stuff and especially with OU’s team, we have built a group that we can all get along amazingly,” Thompson said. “Other teams sit there and scream and yell on the field but we have built a community that we are all accepted in one and that no matter what your like, weakness or strength, we’re going to be there for you.”

Caitlyn Conklin (left) runs from Amari Thompson (right) with the ball while practicing for Ohio University’s Womxn’s Club Rugby Team on Feb. 27, 2023, in Walter Fieldhouse. (MEGAN VAN VLACK | FOR THE POST)

MOLLY BURCHARD ASST. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT EDITOR

Mady OBrien did not feel like herself in June 2015. The active six-year-old was constantly tired and lethargic, which wasn’t normal for her. After weeks of feeling rundown, Mady decided she had had enough. She wanted to get better, so she asked her parents, Tiffany and Ash, to go to the doctor.

When they got there, Mady went into cardiac arrest.

Her heart stopped twice in the emergency room, and she entered diabetic ketoacidosis. In a scary moment, Mady was flown to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. She spent almost 24 hours in a coma and was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes.

Learning to live with Diabetes was tough, but Mady didn’t have much time to adjust before receiving more life-altering news. About a year after her first trip to the hospital, she was diagnosed with Epilepsy.

Mady’s seizures are intractable, meaning they cannot be controlled by medicine. However, the now 13-year-old is still making the most of life. She plays volleyball, basket-

Meet Ohio's biggest fan

ball and softball but recently found love for another sport.

Mady got her first glimpse of hockey during a youth league game at Bird Arena in the fall. However, she didn’t know how much they would like it until she arrived. The sport entertained her even at the beginner level, so she decided to try a more fast-paced college game.

After her first Ohio game in December, she was hooked.

Ohio hockey games quickly became an OBrien family tradition every Saturday. Whenever the Bobcats played at home, they were there. Not only did they fall more in love with the game, but they also fell in love with the team and the atmosphere at Bird Arena. Mady quickly became one of the Bobcats’ biggest fans.

“It’s pretty exciting to watch the college games because they are more intense,” Mady said.

On Feb. 11, She had the opportunity to attend Ohio’s game against Robert Morris with the Diabetes Institute at Ohio University. They gave children with Type I Diabetes free admission into the game and allowed them

into Ohio’s locker room for pictures and autographs.

Collin Felton saw the kids' excitement and wanted to do something nice for them. He asked Ohio coach Lionel Mauron if they could meet the team. Mauron said yes, and it made Mady's day.

"We got her in the locker room and immediately, she just had the biggest smile," Felton said. "I was so happy we were allowed to do that."

During the week of Ohio's final series, Mady underwent stereo electroencephalography. It was a minimally-invasive procedure where doctors planted 17 electrodes into the right side of her brain. She spent many days in the hospital recovering and, unfortunately, could not attend Ohio's last game.

When the Bobcats found out that Mady could not attend, they wanted to do something special for her. Felton and Ash arranged for Mady to interact with players on FaceTime after the game, and she gave them fist bumps over the phone as they entered the locker room.

"That was really exciting for her because that kind of made her feel like she was still a

part of their last game," Tiffany said. After the game, Felton and the Bobcats wanted to show Mady they were there for her every step of the way, even if she wasn't in attendance. The team worked together to make her a card and sent it to her. They love how much she's supported them this season, so they wanted to support her.

"If she's that dedicated to us, then we need to show how much we appreciate her," Felton said.

All of Ohio, especially Felton, are truly inspired by Mady's resilience. The team sees her strength and wishes her the best of luck in her recovery.

"Everything she has to go through, it's more than I've ever had to," Felton said. "It's amazing she has the strength to go through this."

@MOLLY_BURCHARD8

MB712319@OHIO.EDU

Yaya Felder and Dwight Wilson III headline 6 All-MAC selections for Ohio

WILL CUNNINGHAM SPORTS EDITOR

The Mid-American Conference announced its men’s and women’s postseason awards Tuesday and Wednesday, and multiple Ohio players received honors.

On the men’s side, Dwight Wilson III was named to the All-MAC Second Team, Jaylin Hunter received an All-MAC Honorable Mention and A.J. Brown and Elmore James were named to the MAC All-Freshman team.

Wilson being on the Second team instead of the First Team came as a surprise, as he averaged 15.9 points per game, finishing just outside the top 10 in the MAC. In addition to that, he finished third in the MAC in rebounding at 9.1 rebounds per game and led the conference in field goal percentage at 62%. This is Wilson’s second All-MAC selection, as he was named to the Third Team in 2020-21.

Hunter improved steadily as the season went on and finished fourth in the MAC in assists per game and third in assist-to-turnover ratio. His excellent play over the last month or two of the season was a huge part of Ohio’s strong finish. Hunter scored in double figures in all but three of Ohio’s MAC games, including four 20-point games.

Brown and James have become major parts of Ohio’s rotation over the course of this season. James entered the starting lineup after a loss to Toledo, and Ohio went 9-4 in his starts. Brown has dealt with a couple of injuries this year but still finished the year as Ohio’s fourth-leading scorer at 9.5 points per game.

On the women’s side, Ohio had two selections. Yaya Felder was named to the All-MAC Second Team and Jaya McClure was named

to the MAC All-Freshman Team. Felder not making the First Team is even more mystifying than Wilson not making it, as Felder led the MAC in scoring at 22 points per game, finishing a full four points clear of MAC Player of the Year Quinesha Lockett in second place. Felder scored in double figures in all but three of Ohio’s games and finished the year with 20, 20-point games, five, 30-point games and an incredible 40-point

performance against Central Michigan.

She also finished third in the MAC in assists per game and steals per game. She was also ranked eighth in field goal percentage despite taking more shots than any other player in the conference.

McClure was Ohio’s third-leading scorer, averaging 8.0 points per game. However, her role increased over the course of the season, averaging 11.2 points per game over the fi-

nal five games of the season, all of which she started.

While Wilson is leaving after this season and Hunter is a junior, Felder is only a sophomore. And with three All-Freshman selections in James, Brown and McClure, the future looks bright for both Ohio teams.

Head coach Jeff Boals talks to the team during a timeout against Akron. The Bobcats beat the Zips 90-81 in The Convo on Feb. 10, 2023. (RYAN GRYZBOWSKI | FOR THE POST)

Video of workplace abuse calls for change in food service environment

BRIANNA TASSIELLO

Last week, a video showing a man verbally abusing workers at a Tim Hortons drive-thru went viral. He screamed profanities at them and demanded they make him an extra-large dark roast with a double espresso. The reason for his outburst was that the store’s card reader was down, so they were only accepting cash. Even though a sign was attached to the menu board clearly stating they were cash-only for the day, the man arrived at the window with no money expecting to be served for free and with a smile.

Even if the Tim Hortons workers had done something wrong, there is no excuse for this kind of behavior from a customer. This incident is a good example– though an extreme one– of how customers, employers and the government treat customer service workers in the food industry.

Food service workers are forced to be yes-men; if they don’t comply with a customer’s demands, they are reprimanded by their superiors. Thus the “the customer is always right” mantra has created an industry that allows

customers to walk all over workers. More than 60% of food industry workers report facing abuse from customers, and almost 50% report facing abuse from managers. This mistreatment is why so many establishments are severely understaffed and have had to cut their hours. Workers have grown tired of being taken advantage of and exploited.

In addition to being abused, customer service employees are overworked and underpaid. The federal minimum wage is $7.25, although Wyoming and Georgia have theirs set at $5.15, only adhering to the federal minimum wage in circumstances where the employee is not exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act. In other words, student workers, interns and new trainees are not entitled to $7.25. Both of these numbers are far from a livable wage. In fact, no person earning minimum wage can afford a place to live. To afford a typical one-bedroom apartment, a full-time worker would need to earn an hourly wage of at least $21.25, almost three times the federal minimum wage.

A common phrase I keep hearing these days is, “Food service workers have gotten lazy.” I’ve heard it on social media and from people in person, but this claim is extremely out of touch. Food service workers have not got-

ON THE BALL

ten lazy, they have simply realized their worth. They are paid minimum wage, so they give minimal effort, and I applaud them for that. Why should they be expected to provide stellar service in an establishment that doesn’t even pay them enough to survive?

Whether or not people realize it, food service workers are important and deserve to be treated as such. Mistreatment is the principal reason people quit food service jobs, and 66% of former restaurant workers said they would consider returning if their needs were met, including better treatment and better pay.

The incident at Tim Hortons, and similar incidents, is a product of its environment. Customer abuse stems from mistreatment by the establishment itself. The call is coming from inside the house.

Brianna Tassiello is a sophomore studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the opinions expressed in this article do not represent those of The Post . Want to talk to Brianna? Email her at bt977520@ohio.edu.

New MLB rules will draw in more baseball fans and that is a good thing

ROBERT KEEGAN III

For some of us, baseball is a beautiful game that’s perfection needs no altering. The crack of the bat, the pop of a catcher’s mitt, the smells of freshly cut grass and hot dogs wafting through the warm summer air is all a baseball purist could ever ask for.

But for others, baseball is slow, boring and a true commitment of time and focus deemed unwatchable, especially in the younger generations.

For the latter, Major League Baseball has heard your gripes and has finally made strides to change a game that has been seemingly dying over the past 10 years.

Major rule changes have struck the MLB world, and so far, through nearly two weeks of spring training, the reaction from crowds has been mixed.

The primary change to the league is that baseball games will now work under a 15-second pitch clock, which will undoubtedly increase the pace of play for the game.

The rule states that a pitcher and batter only have 15 seconds (20 if runners are on base) after a pitch is thrown to move on to the next pitch. This rule will limit baseball’s “dead time” where no action is happening.

Some think that the changes have saved baseball and others

think they are now watching a completely different game than the one they have grown to love.

For me, a self-proclaimed baseball purist, I fall somewhere in the middle.

On the one hand, I am saddened by the idea that my baseball park experience will be forever shortened by about a halfhour per game. But the part of me that is constantly listening to friends whine about how slow and boring a baseball game can be is grateful that the MLB has taken action to try and expand their game to suit the interests of all crowds.

No matter your opinion, the pitch clock has already been seen to affect games early on in spring training.

A game on Feb. 25 between the Red Sox and the Braves was decided by the pitch clock. The Red Sox Batter, Cal Conley, was not ready and in the box by the end of the 12-second timer. Therefore, his at-bat, which came with bases loaded and two outs, ended with a pitch clock violation, resulting in the batter receiving strike three and the game ended.

This is only spring training, so nothing major changed; however, imagine when this will inevitably happen in a regular season game or, even worse, a postseason game.

The clock cannot decide a game or a team’s whole season. MLB umpires should have some leniency with the timer and not get too antsy to call the violation on every pitcher or batter who

is not ready at the exact correct time.

Other rule changes have come to the MLB to speed up the game’s play, including a “ghost runner” that starts on second base in extra innings.

Nobody seems to like this rule, myself included.

A team being gifted a free runner that starts in scoring position during extra innings is completely unfair and makes no sense. If a team is smart enough, you could just bunt down the first baseline back-to-back batters and automatically have a free run that could win you the game.

I don’t understand why we’re trying to shorten games that go into extra innings. A long, extra innings game where a home run could end the game in the most ceremonious and exciting way possible is the most fun game to watch.

Nevertheless, whether you like it or not, the game will be shorter this year. No matter what side you’re on, more fans being attracted to the game of baseball is a much-needed thing for the sport and will have lasting positive impacts.

Robert Keegan III is a freshman studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views expressed in this column do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk to Robert? Tweet him @ robertkeegan_

The MAC's best player was voted to the Second Team

and Top 3 in the conference in assists per game since the 2018-19 season.

Ohio guard Yaya Felder finished the season as the Mid-American Conference’s leading scorer, third in assists per game, third in steals per game, eighth in field goal percentage, 16th and 17th in 3-point percentage and free throw percentage, respectively and 25th in rebounds per game.

For her efforts, the MAC’s coaches voted Felder to the All-MAC Second Team behind five players, all of whom finished with fewer points per game and fewer assists per game than Felder. Statistically speaking Felder was the best player in the conference and had one of the best seasons in recent memory. Felder was the first player in the MAC to average four or more points a game than the next leading scorer in the conference (minimum 20 games played) since the 2017-18 season. Felder is the first player to finish as the conference’s leading scorer

Felder’s impact on the Bobcats cannot be understated. She started all 29 games, was the focal point of the Bobcats’ offense, averaging 22 points per game. She actively got her teammates involved and averaged 4.1 assists per game and made plays defensively with two steals per game.

Even in a slightly disappointing year as a team, Felder delivered signature performances to carry the Bobcats to victory. Felder had 28 points in the Bobcats’ overtime win against Miami on the road. Also, she made a game-winning layup to cap a 23-point performance against Northern Illinois. In her first start with Jaya McClure against Central Michigan, Felder had 32 points and 11 rebounds.

The black mark on Felder’s resume that undoubtedly held her back from higher praise was Ohio’s lack of success as a team. The best performances in MAC play often came from Felder

in Ohio’s losses. In different Ohio losses, Felder had point totals that included 40, 35, 33 and 32 points. Felder’s historic performance against Central Michigan on Jan. 25 encapsulates the problem of conflating a team’s success with the abilities of a player. Felder scored 40 points — the most points any player has scored in a single game all season — grabbed five rebounds and had three assists, but because the rest of the team shot a combined 25% from field goal range, Ohio lost the game by three points. Some naysayers might question how much impact a player could have if her team finishes last in the conference. However, Ohio’s poor finish in conference play needs to be put into context. Ohio’s intense roster turnover caused the team to struggle early in the season, as expected, but Felder and the rest of the team started to turn around the season. After a 1-7 start in the conference, the Bobcats became a competitive team in the MAC. They won three of six games and looked poised to

TWIN TAKES

make a run at the MAC Tournament. Right as the Bobcats made steps in the right direction, they lost leading minutes-getter Caitlyn Kroll to a season-ending injury. Midway through the Bobcats’ game against the RedHawks on March 1, Abby Garnett suffered an injury that kept her out of the game. Felder led a very limited group of Bobcats with 32 points, but the team lost by six.

Felder’s 45.7% field goal percentage and thirdbest assist per game mark prove she wasn’t just racking up meaningless stats for a MAC bottom dweller. Felder was simply the league’s best offensive player that happened to play for the Conference’s worst team.

Frankly, Felder missing out on the MAC Player of the Year is perhaps an incorrect decision, but it is understandable given Ohio’s record. However, the nation’s eighth leading scorer and conference’s most impactful player having to settle for All-MAC second team is an unjustifiable miss from MAC coaches.

MLB rule changes are good for the game

Today is a good day for a rant. I am back after several months of inactivity due to being uninspired. However, as an active goofball on Twitter, I have seen complaints about the new MLB rule changes for the 2023 season. I know the readers of The Post have been dying to hear my opinions, so I decided to give you, the reader, what you have been without for so long.

Starting in the 2023 season, the MLB will implement a few new exciting rule changes.

There will now be a pitch clock, a ban on the defensive shift and larger bases to increase player safety. Here is why these changes are good for the game.

Let us start with the pitch clock. The pitch clock will be 15 seconds for a pitcher with no one on base and 20 seconds for a pitcher with a batter on base. Also, hitters must be in the batter's box with eight seconds left on the pitch clock. You might ask, "Weston, why is this a good thing? Doesn't this disrupt the natural flow of the game?"

Precisely! The MLB's average game time has steadily increased for quite some time

now, clocking in at approximately three hours and four minutes. The game first exceeded the three-hour mark in 2014. This has become a problem for casual baseball fans since increasing the average game time makes the MLB less accessible. During this season's spring training, games have run times of just over two hours. This is excellent for people like me who don't have three hours to spare every game day.

Now onto the shift. The shift mandates that players in the infield cannot move across the second base to add another fielder on this side. This will increase offensive

5 ways to spend your spring break in Ohio

ADAM VINCE FOR THE POST

With Spring Break just around the corner, creating plans can seem overwhelming. Traveling out of state can also be expensive with flight costs being incredibly high. If you want to have a fun time without the worry of traveling outside of Ohio, then here are five ways to spend your Spring Break if you aren’t going on vacation.

Check out Kalahari Resorts

Kalahari Resorts is an indoor water park located in Sandusky where you can have a refreshing and fun-filled Spring

Break. It houses many aquatic attractions that can be exhilarating for all ages. Don’t worry if water parks aren’t your thing because it also has amenities such as restaurants, spas and arcades.

If any of this sounds interesting to you, then you can check out Kalahari Resorts’ site here. It gives you information like check-in and out times, as well as information about what’s available and directions.

Have an exciting road trip

Taking a road trip can be a wonderful idea if you’re the adventurous type. It can be easy to chart out your own course around the state while stopping by inter-

esting attractions along the way. Flexible planning is a benefit for road trips, as you can go at your own pace without being constricted by a tight schedule. There are many cities to stop by on your travels, from the bustling streets of Columbus to a cozy village like Yellow Springs.

You may want to bring some snacks depending on the length of your trip. Quickto-eat snacks like beef jerky, potato chips and some juice can help tide you over while cruising down the roads. You can also listen to some classic road trip songs to put you in that road trip vibe.

Relax at one of Lake Erie’s beaches

In the northern part of Ohio there is

Lake Erie with its scenic beach views. Lake Erie is a perfect place to go if you want an authentic beach experience without spending an exorbitant amount of money traveling to a beach out of state. It’s common to associate beaches with summertime, but maybe you want to start living the beach life early.

When planning to go to the beach, it’s best to be well prepared. Be sure to check the weather on the day you plan to go so that you pack enough sunscreen for the conditions. You can also pack items like umbrellas or sun hats to assist in staying cool.

Go camping

Going to camp can be an exciting experience if you want to be outdoors for Spring Break. There are many campsites available in Ohio, so feel free to choose the one that interests you the most. The rules for each campsite can vary from site to site, so be sure to look up any regulations that may be in place.

Choosing what equipment to bring is important as well because it can drastically change your experience while camping. Preparing is arguably the most important part about camping when it comes to comfort as you can build your own experience based on the tools you bring along with you.

Host a party

Perhaps you don’t want to travel at all for Spring Break, instead opting to keep all the fun at home. You can do this by hosting an extravagant Spring Break party where you invite all your friends to tag along. A luxury of hosting your own party is that you can set up everything in the way you want, being able to customize it to your heart’s content.

There are a lot of parts that go into planning a party like food, music and activities. Creating a theme for your party can also make it stand out and be more exciting to your guests, so be sure to think creatively when planning. The most important part of planning your party, however, is to have fun while doing it.

ILLUSTRATION BY SARAH RILEY

Ultimate Spring Break playlist

In anticipation of the long-awaited Spring Break, my friends and I prepared a giant collaborative playlist in the spirit of a well-earned vacation. Here’s some of the best songs from it that I believe should also be added to your Spring Break playlist:

“I Ain’t Worried” - OneRepublic

“Top Gun: Maverick” brought this song to the forefront of culture through its inclusion in the beach football scene, creating an easy association with warm temperatures and beachy settings, perfectly aligned with Spring Break.

“Better Days” - Neiked, Mae Mueller & Polo G

It seems like we’ve all been waiting for better days. However, those days are right around the corner, specifically with our collective upcoming break from school. This song fits that vibe perfectly.

“Young, Wild, and Free” - Snoop Dogg, Bruno Mars & Wiz Khalifa

The laid back, relaxed vibe of Spring Break finds a home here, with the lyrics describing a “fresh, out of class feeling” and “living young and wild and free.”

“Panama” - Van Halen

Van Halen really nails the spirit of Spring Break in their music, but they nail that spirit especially in “Panama.” Heat, partying and maybe something a little more sexual dominate the song, making it a great Spring Break tune.

“Bronco” - The Driver Era

The overdriven guitars, lyrics about new and fast love and generally warm atmosphere in the piece create a bright, fun song meant for sitting on a beach or on a boat somewhere warm.

“Island in the Sun” - Weezer

Barring any Weezer jokes, “Island in the Sun” does indeed function as an excellent beach tune that most people born in the ‘90s and 2000s are familiar with.

“Feel Good Inc.” - Gorillaz

It’s called “Feel Good Inc.” for a reason, and that reason generally accompanies

the excitement you find in a long-awaited and well-earned vacation for your Spring Break.

“Lake Shore Drive” - Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah

Frankly, any song from the original “Guardians of the Galaxy” soundtrack could find a place here. However, “Lake

ILLUSTRATION BY ABBIE KINNEY

Shore Drive” takes the cake. Detailing a drive along a shoreline, it winds through a warm night into a new bright day, making a great song for a more chill part of Spring Break.

@ALICIA_SZCZ AS589820@OHIO.EDU

ALICIA SZCZESNIAK FOR THE POST