Ohio Pawpaw Festival returns for another year
MAGGIE ALLWEIN
With almost 10,000 in attendance last year, the Ohio Pawpaw Festival in Albany, Ohio draws in crowds of trav eling visitors, excitedly anticipating a taste of the Eastern U.S. native fruit, the pawpaw, or asimina triloba.
The pawpaw is the largest fruit native to North America, according to the Ohio Pawpaw Growers Associ ation, which had a stand at the event. The boldly tropical-flavored fruit currently grows in around 26 eastern states, but isn't sold in local markets and grocery stores, explained John Stupica, member of the Ohio Pawpaw Growers Association.
“You don't see them in the store, because it's hard to transport, they get soft really easy,” Stupica said. “It's not like a grape or an apple that you could have in a box for and ship it far. You can't ship this far.”
With the rarity of running into a pawpaw, unless you grow your own, the Ohio Pawpaw Festi val might be one of the few times visitors will try one.
Julie Zickefoose, from Whipple, Ohio, has attend ed the festival for eight years now. This year, she drove down and met up with her friends who enjoy the pawpaw atmosphere just as much as she does.
“I want to support this festi val,” Zickefoose said. “It's really lovely. It's really cool that they celebrate local indigenous food for sure.”
Zickefoose described her self as the former “Pawpaw Queen,” a title she until she foraged 38 pounds of it, forming an allergy against the fruit.
“I found them myself,” Zickefoose said. “I had this backpack that I would just load up, but I think I just got exposed to them and ate too much one year, and now I can’t eat them at all.”
Although she can’t per sonally enjoy the man go-pineapple mixed sweetness of a pawpaw anymore, the bands and live performances are another large draw that brings her to the event, she said.
with people who are also passionate about pawpaws.”
With special pawpaw-flavored menu items like their pawpaw lime sorbet and pawpaw sumac sorbet, the Feyerabands have incorporated their love for the fruit into their sweets for five years now.
“We make a lot of pawpaw products, so this is a really great outlet to not only sell those products but also learn about growing pawpaws,” Matt Feyeraband said. “There’s so many people teaching about pawpaws.”
The Arkansas couple won the 2023 Pawpaw
Cook-Off in the professional division with their pawpaw caramel sauce.
Not only were there food vendors, but many local and small businesses had their own tents lined up, selling jewelry and ceramics. For Micaiah Clouse, that product is handmade clothing from recycled materials. A recent dance graduate of Ohio University, Clouse was raised in Athens and now has her own store, Thistle Stitch.
“I grew up going to this festival, so it’s a lot of fun to come back and see how it grows every year and see it through the lenses of different people I meet,” Clouse said. “Getting to meet college friends and see the college community get involved with Athens through the Pawpaw Festival is really beautiful.”
Although they only just now wrapped up the 2024 Pawpaw Festival, festival planning never stops for the Pawpaw Fest team.
“It’s going on all the time,” Festival founder Chris Chmiel said. “While we’re doing this one, we have this team of people, and we’re always trying to make it better.”
Over the years, Chmiel has seen growth in the weekend-long event, but each year strives for more.
“It’s gotten bigger and I feel like it’s gotten better as far as our team and how we deliver things,” Chmiel said. “It’s a challenge to put on a good event year after year, but we try our best.”
A collection of images from the Ohio Pawpaw Festival in Albany, Ohio, Sept. 13 - 15, 2024 MEGAN VANVLACK | PHOTO EDITOR, JENNA SLYMAN | FOR THE POST, AMBERLEE
OU unveils new campus safety and security website
TAYLOR ORCUTT | FOR THE POST
Ohio University unveiled a new University Safety and Security website the week of Aug. 26, according to university news.
According to OU’s Senior Director of Communications Dan Pittman, the renovated website is intended to provide students, staff, faculty and visitors with enhanced resources and communications guidance for emergency campus situations.
“Ensuring a safe and welcoming learning environment where students can thrive is Ohio University’s top priority, and our faculty and staff are committed to working together across various functional areas to provide access to support and safety resources and respond effectively to emergencies as they arise,” Pittman said.
According to university news, the University Safety and Security website includes emergency response plans, campus safety resources, and details on how to sign up for the university’s OHIO Alert system.
Along with the new University Safety and Security website, OU has updated the website edition OHIO Alert, which provides information and guidance during campus emergencies.
According to Pittman, OHIO Alert now offers a comprehensive, informational landing page that includes both quick-glance and detailed
information regarding the operating status of each University campus and Center.
The enhancements to OHIO Alert also include a color-coding system to help visually convey emergencies and their impacts on campus, according to Pittman.
Universities are ethically and legally obligated to provide their communities with emergency information.
According to the Department of Education, the Clery Act requires all postsecondary institutions to provide campus crime statistics and security information to their communities.
The Clery Act also requires institutions to develop and implement
specific campus safety and crime prevention policies and procedures, according to the Department of Education.
Alongside OU’s new University Safety and Security website and updated OHIO Alert design, the university publishes an Annual Security Report to comply with the Clery Act.
Despite the resources and information OU provides to the campus community, some students are still unaware of the new safety and security upgrades.
Luke Hansen, a senior studying psychology, said he was unaware of the new website, but that he believed it could be helpful.
“I have not heard of the website, and I have not interacted with it,” Hansen wrote in an email. “A safety website sounds like it could be important. However, I wish it was better advertised.
Seth Switzer, a freshman studying chemical engineering, wrote in an email he also was unaware of the new website.
“I have not heard about the new safety website from OU … I think that a safety website would be helpful to some students, it would be there for those who need it. There aren’t really any downsides,” Switzer said.
Though students may be unaware of safety resources, they do have safety concerns, according to the 2021 Campus Safety Survey by ADT and the Clery Center.
“More than 82% of college students report feeling concerned about their personal safety … with more than half saying they are very or extremely concerned,” the survey said.
Safety is consistently on the minds of college students. The University Safety and Security website is intended to help the University community better prepare for, and respond to, emerging or imminent emergency campus situations, according to Pittman.
OU’s campuses collectively underwent several emergency communication systems tests Sept. 6, according to a university announcement. The university will periodically test these systems to ensure they work properly throughout the year.
@TAYLORORCUTT
TO708620@OHIO.EDU
UAOU plans walk at homecoming parade
AVERY ST. GEORGE | FOR THE POST
The United Academics of Ohio University, or UAOU, has pushed for unionization for almost a year, involving demonstrations, discussions and now a parade.
UAOU is a faculty group trying to obtain its right to unionize with the support of a supermajority of staff.
UAOU plans to attend this year’s homecoming parade Sept. 28 to officially represent itself as an organization and gain recognition for its cause.
Christoph Hanisch, associate professor of philosophy and member of the UAOU’s communications committee, said UAOU’s goal is to make itself visible.
“This is taking a long time, as expected, but we are fighting for this project and we have huge support,” Hanisch said.
The group officially formed March 5 when it sent a letter to President Lori Stewart-Gonzalez informing her 65% of faculty had approved UAOU as their exclusive bargaining representative.
On March 8, UAOU faculty and AFT-AAUP staff delivered over 550 signed authorization cards and a Petition for Representation Election to the State Employment Relations Board, or SERB, Office in Columbus. SERB is currently overseeing negotiations between OU representatives and pro-union representatives about who will be members of the bargaining unit.
According to John O’Keefe, director of communications for UAOU, the university has been pushing back on
the organization’s efforts.
“The university had the option to simply just recognize us, which they rejected,” O’Keefe said. “The administration strategy has been to delay, and they have not been responsive.”
According to a previous report by The Post, the university hired lawyer
Daniel J. Guttman of the Columbus-based BakerHostetler law firm to represent it. Guttman has a history of fighting unionization efforts in Ohio.
O’Keefe said this is just another part of the university’s efforts to delay and extend this process further.
Hanisch said the current controversy is over whether faculty direc-
tors, like himself, should be included in any future unions.
“The union doesn’t yet exist; we haven’t even had an election yet,” Hanisch said. “Before we have an election, we have to clarify with the administration of the university who the members will be.”
Dan Pittman, a university spokesperson, said that the university filed a Petition for Representative Election seeking an election within a more defined collective unit. Pittman also said it would be premature for the university to comment any further, as the bargaining process is ongoing.
UAOU organizers hope to have an
election soon, but its unionization efforts extend much earlier than this date.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant layoffs among full-time faculty at OU, with 55 faculty members being let go.
“That was really kind of the galvanizing moment for me and many of us,” O’Keefe said. “We wanted to be able to push back effectively and make sure we could teach in a more secure environment.”
O’Keefe explained that the past few years have been especially difficult for staff members without tenure because of increased feelings of job insecurity.
At the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rachel Terman, associate professor of sociology and member of the UAOU, was eight months pregnant, untenured and concerned about losing her job.
“I just felt very demoralized,” Terman said. “I felt that faculty didn’t have the voice or the power on campus that we needed to maintain a quality environment for faculty to thrive, and therefore create a quality environment of learning for our students.”
Hanisch said this undermines academic integrity in faculty members because they don’t feel they can research or write about certain topics without risking their jobs.
“(Unions) open a huge reality sphere of additional freedom and liberty when you can work and pursue your research under the protection of union framework,” Hanisch said.
Photo illustration of Ohio University's new safety and security website, Sept. 16, 2024. (ALAINA DACKERMANN | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)
Police Blotter: Man arrested on warrants during vehicle stops
TAYLOR ORCUTT | FOR THE POST
THEFT COMPLAINT: THE PLAINS
Deputies responded to The Plains on a theft complaint Thursday, according to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office.
Upon arrival at East First Street, deputies spoke with the complainant and took a report, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The case is under review.
ELDERLY MAN ATTEMPTS TO ENTER A PLAINS RESIDENCE
The Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to The Plains on a report of a suspicious elderly man Wednesday, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The elderly man was reported attempting to enter a residence and looking into a window, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Units arrived at the East First Street residence, after which they transported the man to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
SHOPLIFTING: THE PLAINS
Deputies responded to a shoplifting complaint in The Plains on Tuesday, according to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies arrived at a business on North Plains Road, where a
report was taken, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The incident is under investigation.
MAN TRESPASSES ON PRIVATE ATHENS PROPERTY
Deputies responded to a report of a suspicious man Tuesday, according to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office.
Upon arrival at West Bent Brook Lane, deputies located the man on wooded private property, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies issued the man two trespass complaints and asked him to leave the property, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
DOMESTIC DISPUTE DISCOVERED IN 911 HANG-UP CALL
Deputies responded to a 911 hang-up Monday, according to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office.
Upon arrival at Upper River Road, deputies discovered it to be a verbal domestic dispute, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Deputies spoke with both parties involved, who agreed to separate within their residence, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
LIVESTOCK ROAMS TRIMBLE ROADWAY
Deputies patrolled the Trimble area Monday for livestock in the roadway, according to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies patrolled State Route 329 and all adjoining roads for the livestock. No animals were located, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
MAN ARRESTED ON WARRANTS DURING VEHICLE STOP
Deputies arrested a man on two warrants during a vehicle stop Sept. 7, according to the Athens County Sheriff’’s Office. While patrolling The Plains, deputies stopped the vehicle on an equipment violation. Upon making contact with the driver, they found he had two active arrest warrants, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
according to the Sheriff’s Office.
At the request of management, the man was removed from the Subway location, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies took the driver into custody. He was transported to the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
MAN DISORDERLY IN SUBWAY LOCATION, SERVED TRESPASS COMPLAINT
Deputies went Sept. 6 to the Subway in The Plains, located at 74 N. Plains Road, in reference to disorderly conduct, according to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies located the man, who refused to leave the premises,
CAMPUS EVENTS September
Social Engagement & Student Org Events
Tuesday, September 17
Constitution Day Lecture
7:00 PM Athena Cinema FREE EVENT
Thursday, September 19
Humans vs Zombies hosted by Bobcat Blasters
THeme Halo Reach
*multi-day event
6:00 pm - Saturday at 11:45 PM Walter Hall 135 & 235
Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
6:00 - 8:00 PM Baker Theater
Friday, September 20
Friday’s LIVE Season 53 E01 hosted by Alex Imwalle 8:00 pm
Studio C (RTV 515)
Sunday, September 22
Community Worship hosted by Delight Ministries 6:00 - 11:00 pm Scripps Ampitheater
Tuesday, September 24
Fall Photo Walk hosted by OU Camera Club 6:00 - 8:00 pm Dairy Barn Arts Center at the Dairy Barn Trail head
Wednesday, September 25
Midweek Bible study & Games hosted by Reach Out Campus
7:00 - 8:30 pm Copeland 112
Thursday, September 26
Club Cycle
8:30 pm Ping Cycle Studio
Friday, September 27
Yell Like Hell Pep Rally hosted by SAB (bring your OU Spirit) 6:00 - 8:00 pm Scripps Ampitheater
Saturday, September 28 Homecoming Parade 10:00 am Uptown Athens
Friday, October 4
Friday’s LIVE Season 53 E012 hosted by Jalen Tolbert 8:00 pm Studio C (RTV 515)
Tuesday, October 8
Midnight Mysteries: Scary Stories in the Darkroom hosted by OU Camera Club 9:00 pm - 11:45 pm Seigfred Hall Darkroom
MAN REPORTED LYING ON THE GROUND FOR HOURS, DEPUTIES LEND HELPFUL HAND
Deputies responded to a well-being check for a man lying on the ground for hours Sept. 6, according to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies arrived at Poston-Salem Road, where the subject was located, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The deputies transported the man to Nelsonville to help his journey to Lancaster, as a courtesy. The subject did not violate any laws, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
17th - October 8th
Hockey
September 20 & 21
Purdue Northwest @ OHIO • 7:00 PM Bird Arena
September 27 & 28
Kent State @ OHIO • 7:00 PM Bird Arena
October 4 & 5
OHIO @ Maryville • 8:15 PM & 5:15 PM
St. Louis, MO (follow on X for streaming link)
OU stays prepared in case of campus shooting
SUZANNE PIPER | FOR THE POST
Gun violence has been the leading cause of death for people under the age of 19 in the U.S. since 2020, according to a chart issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
In 2024, there were 30 mass shootings where four or more people died within 24 hours, not including the killer, the AP News reported.
According to a Sept. 5 article from AP News, at least 131 people have died in mass shootings in 2024. In 2023, 217 people were killed in mass shootings across 42 instances of mass gun violence in the U.S.
More recently, two students and two faculty members died in Winder, Georgia, at Apalachee High School Sept. 4, according to AP News.
According to the American Public Health Association, gun violence is a major public health concern. Preventing death and injury from gun violence requires extensive public health approaches.
“Ohio University’s Emergency Management team works University-wide to plan and coordinate various types of emergency programming for Ohio University to ensure a timely and effective response throughout the campus community in the event of an emergency situation,” OU spokesperson Samantha Pelham wrote in an email.
Ohio University Police Department Captain Tim Ryan said OUPD hasn’t taken any reports of injuries or deaths due to gunfire on campus in the last 10 years.
However, in the event of a reported active threat, OUPD officers are trained to examine the circumstances and deploy the appropriate resources required to respond, Ryan wrote in an email.
“The Ohio University Police Department (OUPD) is an invaluable safety resource for the OHIO community,” Ryan wrote. “They are a full-service police agency, driven by their core values of professional-
ism, humanity, and integrity.”
OUPD officers patrol the campus 24 hours a day, every day of the year, focusing on high-traffic areas, Ryan added.
Pelham said OU has also implemented an outdoor siren system in case of emergency.
“Each of OHIO’s campuses is equipped with an outdoor emergency notification system (audible
siren/PA), that may be used to notify the campus community of weather-related situations or other emergencies as deemed necessary by the university,” according to the OHIO Alert page. “An audible educational test of the outdoor emergency notification system occurs each academic semester.”
According to the same page, mobile alerts also notify the Athens campus and all other regional
campuses, which could be informational, urgent or critical.
“All OHIO students, faculty, and staff are automatically signed up for alerts based on the mobile phone number provided to the University,” Pelham wrote.
In Ohio, firearms are generally prohibited on college campuses, with exceptions for handguns locked in vehicles and individuals with written authorization from the college institution; however, state law can be restricted through certain campus conducts, according to ohio.edu.
“The University has the legal right to be more restrictive than the law may allow, which means while particular conduct may be legal, it is still a violation of the student code of conduct or employment policies to possess firearms on campus,” according to OU’s Open and Concealed Carry FAQs page.
The upcoming presidential election could affect gun violence rates. According to an AP News article, former President Donald Trump was endorsed as president by the National Rifle Association, or NRA.
“She has a plan to defund the police,” Trump said during the debate against Vice President Kamala Harris Sept. 10, according to AP News. “She has a plan to confiscate everybody’s gun.”
Harris replied to this comment by saying she is a gun owner, along with her Vice President pick, Tim Walz. However, she wants to implement universal background checks and take guns away from people who are deemed dangerous or unstable. She also wants to ban assault weapons and high-capacity gun magazines, according to AP News.
@_SUZIEPIPER SP249021@OHIO.EDU
Anti-abortion protesters visit OU on tour
OLIVIA GILLIAND | NEWS STAFF WRITER
Ohio University students and Athens locals heard from several anti-abortion groups on College Green and in Athens’s uptown areas prior to a speech given on the hotly debated topic by Kristan Hawkins, CEO of the Pro-Life Generation and president of Students for Life of America, or SFLA.
Hawkins’s appearance at OU on Wednesday was her first of seven campus tours featuring Montana State University, University of Montana, University of Texas at San Antonio, University of Texas at Austin, Harvard University School of Law and University of Indiana.
The Fall 2024 tour follows Hawkins’s “No Abortion, No Exceptions” speaking tour last spring.
According to a press release obtained by The Post, Hawkins’s goal is to change the views of “indoctrinated” students on pro-choice issues.
Tabling for Hawkins’s speech began on College Green at 11 a.m., accompanied by demonstrators from the Abortion Abolitionists movement on the corner of South College Street and East Union Street.
The two anti-abortion groups advocated for stricter abortion legislation, but according to Hawkins, the biggest difference between the parties is the penalty they associate with abortion procedures.
“If you are against abortion, you want the abolition of abortion,” Hawkins said. “The difference
is (Abortion Abolitionists) are pro-prosecutions. They’re prosecutionists if you want to have a more technical term for it. They believe, like I do, that abortion is a moral wrong … but they believe that a mother should be prosecuted and face criminal penalty for having an abortion.”
Hawkins added that her focus in Athens is not only to convince students that abortion is wrong but also to encourage supportive measures to be made available to the pregnant person instead of punishing them.
“Do I believe abortionists should be held criminally liable - yes, but that’s not the focus of our mission,” Hawkins said. “Our focus is just to stop the killing. I’m going to do it in the fastest way possible while extending grace.”
Hawkins’s time on College Green focused on interacting with students including questions, debates and social media content creation, while demonstrators near Schoonover Center held signs and spoke more generally to bypassers.
Although Hawkins’s said her demonstration focused on science and reasoning, Abortion Abolitionist participant Shane Granum said his group’s demonstration aimed to remind students to repent from their sins.
“We believe that the gospel is the solution to abortion,” Granum said. “We believe that if anybody who has had an abortion, or does any sin, believes in Christ and repents of their sins, they can be forgiven of their sins and have everlasting
life, even if they committed the sin of murder by abortion.”
Abortion in Ohio is legal up to 21 weeks and six days gestation, according to ACLU Ohio. On Nov. 7, 2023, Ohio voters passed the measure “The Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety Amendment,” which became law Dec. 7, 2023 and now protects certain abortion access.
Students and community members also vocalized their opinions on abortion, both on the streets and in the classroom, during Wednesday’s events. According to first-year marketing major Kay Schmelmer, the graphic nature of the abolitionist demonstrations, coupled with heightened emotional responses from the presidential debate, made her feel uneasy.
“Everyone deserves the right to voice their opinion, especially from a public place … however, when the fight is constantly (about God)... that’s not a valid argument,” Schmelmer said. “I get it, protest what you want, but do it in a way that fits the place you’re doing it at instead of just making it look so targeted and aggressive.”
Hawkins’s speech, which addressed some of the demonstrators’ concerns, drew counterprotesters and campus safety personnel despite a peaceful, passionate conversation.
@OLIVIAGGILLIAND OG953622@OHIO.EDU
NICOLE REESE | ASST. ART DIRECTOR
Pickleball Club offers socialization, competition
SOPHIA ROOKSBERY HUMAN INTEREST STAFF WRITER
On Sunday mornings, Ohio University’s Pickleball Club can be found on the courts of the Golf and Tennis Center. The club allows students to play the sport together and bond over common interests in a fun and competitive environment.
Jacob Sizemore, a senior studying economics, helped found Pickleball Club two years ago. Sizemore, the current president, is responsible for organizing club meetings, arranging tournaments against other Ohio schools and imparting the rules of the game on new players.
“I’m trying to go around and just teach people how to play pickleball (and) promote a positive environment,” Sizemore said.
Within the positive environment of the club there is also room for competition to thrive. Both Sizemore and Tyler Douthwaite, a senior studying mechanical engineering, found a passion for the sport by losing to others and gaining motivation to improve their personal game.
“It’s easy to pick up; it’s fun,” Douthwaite said.
Carter Keinath, a senior studying health and physical education, works as a supervisor at the Golf and Tennis Center. The front desk of the center has served as Keinath’s front row seat to watch the rise of Pickleball Club over the past few years.
“It’s one of those things you can pick up and be competitive even if you’re having fun,” he said. “It’s not too overly complicated.”
According to Keinath, there has been an increase of players since the club’s founding, which occurred right around the time he started working at
the Golf and Tennis Center.
“When they’re here it’s definitely unreal, when we have to go outside … the courts are definitely filled with players that want to play,” he said.
Sizemore has seen interest in the club spread from a few curious patrons of the club’s Involvement Fair table to a hoard of passionate pickleballers.
“Last year more people were saying they wanted to try it,“ Sizemore said. “This year when we were at the Involvement Fair, so many people were telling me they’ve been playing all summer with their family and they were looking for our table."
Pickleball appeals to many people for a number of rea-
sons, one of which is the social aspect of the sport.
“I play with a lot of the community members here and I would have never known them … and you’re playing doubles too so you have a partner, you’re constantly talking to them,” Sizemore said.
In addition to being a good social outlet, pickleball is also a perfect form of exercise for people of all ages and fitness levels, Sizemore said.
“It’s a low impact sport that you can still do for exercise while not having to go run or go to the gym, but you’re still definitely burning calories,” Sizemore said.
The relative ease of the sport makes it a feasible option for
people of any age, and Keinath also believes the sport is feasible for people of any socio-economic background.
“Pickleball is so cheap and it’s a lot of fun,” he said. “You can get people to play regardless of skill level or age.”
Sizemore described pickleball as “super addictive,” a sentiment echoed by the players that return week after week to play the game. Pickleball Club exists for lovers of the game who seek an outlet to practice with likeminded people and it welcomes students of any skill level to join in the fun.
A pickleball sits on one of the outdoor tennis and pickleball courts at the Tennis Center, Ohio University, Athens, Sep. 11, 2024.
Shop CGI Vintage opens, welcomes all generations
GINA NAPOLI |
To some parents’ surprise, clothing from their childhood and teenage years has gained popularity among younger generations. Vintage shopping is not only on trend, but is also encouraged for its environmental benefits and waste reduction.
Luckily for those in Athens, Shop CGI Vintage is now located at 728 E. State St.
Cole Gilbert, a senior studying retail and fashion merchandising, is the creator of Shop CGI and began selling vintage clothing and sneakers in 2014. Shop CGI’s name stands for Cole Gilbert Incorporated, and Gilbert said it holds special meaning.
“It reflects my personal journey in the vintage world,” Gilbert said. “It just kind of shows a curated experience that I hope all of our customers get.”
From traveling around the country and hosting pop-up events in California and Atlanta, Shop CGI finally made its way to Athens in 2022 and formed a sponsorship with Ohio University. With brands such as Harley Davidson, Essentials and Walt Disney, the shop has streetwear, vintage and designer options for all age groups.
Gilbert said he jumped on the opportunity to open a store, and although going in abruptly, Athens has been supportive.
“We have tried to interact with everyone that has come through,” Gilbert said. “I think there is a strong interest in the area for vintage cloth-
ing … and I’d say the experience has been both rewarding and challenging.”
With its grand opening Sept. 1, Shop CGI has been busy, attracting customers from all generations.
Montana Blake, Gilbert’s partner and employee at Shop CGI, said her favorite aspect about working at the store is making connections with the customers.
“We’ve had children, middle schoolers and high schoolers that think it is crazy and want to tell their friends,” Blake said. “We’ve also had grandparents in here … it interests everybody.”
Blake said one of her favorite interactions was between her and an employee at a neighboring business who was excited to see the collection of vintage cereal boxes because it reminded him of childhood.
Shop CGI has not only attracted Athens locals but also the Bobcats.
Colin Rabold, a freshman studying finance, said Shop CGI is special in comparison to other vintage stores.
“I’m from Columbus and this is the coolest thrift store I’ve ever been to, I’ve never seen anything like this,” Rabold said.
Rabold said he enjoys vintage shopping because of the character and
personality in each piece of clothing.
“I think thrifting is great because you don’t ever know what you are looking for, you can just look around and find unique stuff,” Rabold said.
In addition to finding rare pieces, vintage shopping helps students who are on a budget. The college experience is fun, yet costly and spending hundreds of dollars on a pair of jeans is not always feasible. Gilbert said the store's mission is to encourage customers to express their personal styles.
“I think you can dress affordably, yet cool,” Gilbert said. “Our price ranges. We go as low as $5 but I’d say on average $15 to $25 is most of our clothes in here. It is very affordable.” Gilbert said the store does not accept donations but instead is a buy, sell and trade business. Customers looking to trade will earn store credit. In addition, all OU students and alumni will receive a 10% discount.
For those looking to build their band tee collection or shop affordable name brands, Shop CGI hopes to be people’s first choice. Noah Rosen, a freshman studying business, said he encourages others to choose Shop CGI.
“If you are into vintage, nostalgic things, anything of that sort, there is a lot here to look at,” Rosen said. “There is no harm just coming here, even if you don’t get anything.”
Campus fills with excitement during Family Weekend
SOPHIA ANNESS
ASST. ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
OU Family Weekend took place from Friday to Sunday. Families from all over visited campus to see their students. Multiple events hosted throughout Athens and OU’s campus drew families to the small town, leading to an inviting atmosphere for everyone who entered the campus.
Each year, faculty members work hard to put together Family Weekend. The Office of the Dean of Students began preparing for Family Weekend in the spring by discussing plans for the event. Mak Olaker, the assistant dean of students, described the office’s process with the quick turnaround.
“There's some challenges with students coming back over the summer,” Olaker said. “We see less student org involvement in our first family weekend, and more as it goes on, like dad's weekend.”
Though the weekend comes quickly, Olaker finds importance in family weekends being so early in the school year.
“We know that those first six weeks can be really hard,” Olaker said. “We try to build in time where families can come down and visit and really get into their space and connect with their new community. We really look forward to that aspect but then also for those returning parents to come
down and feel a little connected.”
The weekend began Friday with the Bobcat Family Welcome, put on by the Dean of Students. The welcome event gave a way for families to get together and meet while also making connections with OU staff.
The party had refreshments and sweet treats for families to enjoy, and students, family and faculty were able to come together and communicate.
At the welcome, members of the Bobcat Family Council also made an appearance to talk to visiting families. Bobcat Family Council is a program that assists parents in their adjustment while making connections.
Bill Herriott, a member of Bobcat Family Council, describes the council’s role in more detail.
“There are a total of 12 families representing four years of students here at OU,” Herriott said. “We basically are being asked to help the university better connect with students and parents, craft programs and come up with our own set of goals and objectives to really help connect students and parents to the university and help educate them as well.”
Immediately following the Bobcat Family Welcome, Performing Arts and Concert Series hosted “Forbidden Broadway,” a performance parodying many popular Broadway shows. The event took place from 8-9:30 p.m., and families gathered to attend the show.
Saturday brought an overwhelming amount of events for families to attend including the OU football game,
the local Pawpaw Festival, a family photo booth and a comedy show featuring “Saturday Night Live” cast members James Austin Johnson and Heidi Gardener.
Sunday brought a few more university sanctioned events such as “Bagels and Bingo,” a breakfast event for families to attend. The event began at 10:30 a.m. Sunday and was put on by the University Program Council.
Other sporting events also took place on Sunday including soccer and field hockey. The events were a large draw for families and many attended the games.
Students also showed their families around campus during family weekend. Darby Moran, a freshman studying environmental science and sustainability, took the opportunity to give her parents a tour.
“We walked along the College Green,” said Moran. “I showed them where a bunch of my classes were, and I let them see my dorm now that it's lived in.”
The atmosphere on campus is usually unmatched during family weekends, and the Family Weekend 2024 was no different. Students appreciated the excitement occurring on campus during the weekend.
“It was overall a really great experience to see people and their parents getting lunch and dinner and getting to meet the parents of other friends I have made,” Moran said.
The overall experience of Family Weekend is reassuring to parents, as well. It gives parents time to see how
their student is adjusting to college.
As a member of Bobcat Family Council, Herriott appreciates the opportunity the weekend gives both students and families.
“Encourage your Bobcat to get involved in whatever they do and chase their passions,” Herriott said. “As a parent, you know, become more involved with the university and understand how you can learn your talents and and your skill set to improve the community and improve the experience that your students have here, as well.”
Spectators during the Bobcats' game, Sept. 14, 2024, in Peden Stadium. (REECE MERKEL | FOR THE POST)
The outside of Shop CGi on East State Street, Sept. 12, 2024, in Athens. (MEGAN VANVLACK | PHOTO EDITOR)
OU comienza a celebrar el Mes de la Herencia Hispana
SOPHIA ROOKSBERY HUMAN INTEREST STAFF WRITER
From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, Hispanic Heritage Month is observed and celebrated across the country. According to the National Museum of the American Latino, the celebration began in the 60s as a week-long event and was extended to a full month in 1988. Many organizations contribute to recognizing the month at Ohio University, one of which is the Latino Student Union, or LSU.
“We aim to create events and have meetings where Hispanic students can connect with each other on campus because there’s not a ton of us, but I think LSU really tries to highlight Hispanic excellence,” Fiorella Barros, a junior studying political science pre-law and Spanish and the president of LSU, said.
One of the Hispanic Heritage Month events run by LSU will be Fiesta Latina, a night of dancing and Spanish music at The Union, located at 18 W. Union St. Sept. 20. Acie Clayborne III, the assistant director for multicultural student programs at OU, referred to Fiesta Latina as the signature event of the month.
“The main thing we’re trying to do wsome sort of consistent programming across all of them … the basics are going to be our opening event, we’ll have a couple recurring collaborations and then we’ll have a signature event and a closing event,” Clayborne said.
The opening event for Hispanic Heritage Month this year is a cookout on South Beach, followed by a month of movie screenings, workshops, expos and a final reception Oct. 15. There will also be Hispanic food options at dining spots across campus throughout the month, emphasizing
cultural importance of cuisine that LSU hopes to celebrate through a potluck.
“We all have our native dishes so it’s fun to … learn about each other’s culture, but also there’s a lot of crossover,” Barros said. “I feel like a lot of countries have a lot of dishes with plantains, and so it’s fun to see … different names for the same dishes.”
Some of the workshops throughout the month is led by Muriel Gallego, an associate professor of applied linguistics focusing on Spanish. Among her many duties, Gallego serves on the planning committee for Hispanic Heritage Month and teaches Introduction to Latinx Studies.
“During the month we are going to watch videos and read some articles, hear some podcasts,” Gallego said. “This class does not have a textbook so I use media in general … so we’re going to be covering all that for the better part of the month.”
Gallego hopes the events she helped plan will encourage a sense of community for Hispanic students in ways that will help fight against institutionalized and societal prejudices.
“Latinx students experience a lot of racism and a lot of discrimination at OU and outside of OU, and so their strategy … is to not disclose their heritage,” Gallego said. “My hope … is that the students feel they belong as much as anybody else at OU, so they can call OU home as much as everybody else.”
Born in Ecuador and primarily raised in New York City, Barros described moving to Ohio as a “culture shock,” affirming Gallego’s observations about the lives of Hispanic students at OU.
“Suddenly I was under this microscope and I had to be the one educating or the one that stood out essentially,” Barros said. “That didn’t always make me feel great, but now I take so much pride in my Hispanic heritage because it’s one of the most beautiful parts about myself.”
Gallego’s personal experience and relationship to her Hispanic heritage offer a different perspective, one that sheds light on the widespread societal ignorance surrounding the difference between race and ethnicity.
“My positionality in the community is that I am an immigrant but I’m also white, so it gives me privilege over other Hispanics and Latinos … so my way of celebrating is staying quiet and honoring the voices of those who are typically not heard,” Gallego said.
Clayborne hopes the events throughout the month will create a sense of community and highlight the “contributions” and “innovation” brought to the U.S. by people of Hispanic heritage. He also hopes it offers a chance for non-Hispanic students to recognize and celebrate Hispanic culture within their lives.
“I really want to be able to celebrate Hispanic and Latin heritage here because so much of it is embedded in what we already take for granted as the American experience, everybody loves a little bit of Hispanic and Latin culture whether we openly acknowledge it or not,” Clayborne said. Barros hopes Hispanic students gain “a sense of community, a sense of closeness, a sense that you’re not alone,” and she also hopes non-Hispanic students engage in the month’s events for their own education and for the enjoyment of the Hispanic community.
“If you’re rocking with us, we’re rocking with you,” Barros said. “It’s as simple as that because at the end of the day, it’s fun to educate and share your culture with others, and so I think it also makes it more fun that way.”
@SOPHIAROOKS_
NICOLE REESE ASST. ART DIRECTOR
What happened in Ohio sports over the weekend
ROBERT KEEGAN III | SPORTS EDITOR LOGAN ADAMS | SPORTS EDITOR
Now weeks into the academic year, Ohio’s fall seasons are in full swing. Four teams saw action this past weekend, coming away with a combined record of 3-4 on the weekend. That being said, only one of the four teams was under .500 during the stretch, marking stretches of dominance for the other three.
Here’s everything you need to know from the weekend.
FOOTBALL
Ohio is above .500 for the first time this season after a win against Morgan State at home Saturday evening. The Bobcats were aided by an incredible defensive performance that saw the opposing offense score no touchdowns. Ohio would go on to win 21-6.
Blake Leake and Kadin Schmitz each had incredible showings from the linebacker position. Leake led the team with 12 tackles, while Schmitz came up big in some critical situations, including 1.5 sacks.
Parker Navarro, the Ohio quarterback, is looking to bounce back after a rough showing Saturday, throwing for three interceptions. Navarro did not play in the second half after a
poor showing.
Transfers Coleman Owen and Anthony Tyus were once again bright spots on the offense. Owen tallied 112 receiving yards, his second game with 100-plus yards this season. Tyus was credited for two of Ohio’s touchdowns, his fourth and fifth of the year. Tyus leads the team in touchdowns so far this season.
SOCCER
The reigning Mid-American Conference Champions continued to surge as Ohio finished its non-conference schedule with a record of 5-1-1. Over the weekend, the Bobcats rattled off two wins in dominant fashion, outsourcing its duo of opponents 9-to-1.
The dominant weekend started with a 2-1 victory against Western Kentucky. During the weekend, Ohio conceded its first goal since Aug. 25 against No. 8 Michigan State. Jaimason Brooker and Anna Burchett each scored for Ohio in the game. Brooker now leads Ohio in points with 9 after a weekend of a goal and two assists.
The second matchup of the weekend was a 7-0 shutout against Oakland Sunday. The Bobcats dominated
in all facets, totaling 31 shots to their opponent’s seven, 13 of those shots being on goal. Ohio got two goals from forwards Aubrey Rea and Sania Dearing.
Ohio will start its MAC schedule this week with matchups against Western Michigan Thursday and Northern Illinois Sunday. The former will be in Athens, Ohio, at Chessa Field while the latter will be in DeKalb, Illinois.
VOLLEYBALL
Volleyball was the sole team to finish under at least .500 on the weekend, as it faced a gauntlet in Los Angeles at the SoCal Cup. Ohio finished the weekend 0-3, with matchups against Loyola Marymount, No. 23 USC and Utah State, winning five total sets.
A bright spot throughout the weekend for Ohio was sophomore outside hitter Kam Hunt, who recorded a new career high in kills with 27 against Loyola Marymount in a competitive five-set loss. Hunt led the Bobcats in kills in all three matches, with another 20-kill performance against Utah State. Hunt totaled 59 kills on the weekend.
In the second match, Ohio looked to be competitive, with an open-
ing set win against its first ranked opponent on the season, No. 23 USC. However, the Bobcats were unable to take another set, falling 1-3. Against Utah State, the team would compete for five sets, but would inevitably fall, ending the weekend on the wrong end of a sweep.
FIELD HOCKEY
The Bobcats finished 1-1 on the weekend with two vastly different performances, representative of their 3-3 record on the season. It has been a rhythmic series of wins and losses for Ohio thus far in the season, with an 0-6 loss to No. 10 Michigan in Ann Arbor Thursday, followed by a 5-1 win at home against Saint Louis Sunday. Against Michigan, Ohio was completely outmatched, being outshot 24 to six and outshot on goal 16 to two. It was a quick bounce back, however, as three days later, Ohio would get back to even on the season against Saint Louis. The Bobcats benefited from goals from five different players, including Natalie LaFleur, who has been the team’s most consistent offensive weapon thus far.
Ohio’s defense paves way for win against Morgan State
CHARLIE FADEL | SPORTS STAFF WRITER
As Ohio walked out of Peden Stadium Saturday after its 21-6 victory over Morgan State, the takeaway from the game was clear: the Ohio defense once again showed how good it can be.
Holding Morgan State to just 6 points on Saturday was an impressive feat, with the defense not allowing a touchdown despite four red zone visits from the Bears. The defensive unit was especially needed on a day when the offense couldn’t seem to find a rhythm with either Parker Navarro or Nick Poulos playing quarterback for Ohio.
Navarro started the game well, throwing a 19-yard touchdown to Anthony Tyus off of a trick play. After that opening spark, however, Navarro would throw three interceptions, putting the defense on the field in tough positions, but the Bobcat defense stood tall all afternoon.
“We had an outstanding performance by our defense,” Ohio coach Tim Albin said. “Obviously, offensively, with the turnovers (putting) our defense in a tough spot, they didn't flinch, didn't blink an eye.”
The Navarro interceptions never phased the Bobcat's defense, allowing just 3 points off turnovers all day.
The second interception saw Morgan State get great field position, starting its drive at Ohio’s 35-yard
line, and after an unnecessary roughness call on Ohio, the Bears had the ball inside the red zone on the 12yard line.
The defense would yet again step up under tough circumstances, with Kadin Schmitz bursting across the Morgan State offensive line for a huge sack that would ultimately force a Morgan State field goal instead of a touchdown.
With so many players on the defensive side of the ball banged up, it was guys like Schmitz and Marcel Walker-Burgess making huge plays alongside fellow linebackers Blake Leake and Shay Taylor.
“I’ve said it time and time again, we have guys that can play football in the linebacker room. It doesn't matter whether it's the starters or the last guys off the bench,” Leake said. “Everybody in that linebacker room knows how to play football, and is going to come and bring it every play.”
Leake is certainly one of those guys that can play football, and at a very high level at that as the Bucknell transfer had a career day against Morgan State, leading the team in tackles with 12. While Leake had a stellar day with eye-popping numbers, he contributed his success to the rest of the defensive unit, in particular the defensive line.
“(The) defensive line played their
butts off tonight, and really just cleared up our gaps,” Leake said.
“Playing linebacker, you have an assignment you do your job, and without the (defensive) line, that job gets really tough. But tonight they made it very easy for me. So all credit to the (defensive) line.”
When the Ohio defense is playing as a unit, with each level of the defense benefiting one another, it is nearly impossible to have offensive success against it.
Morgan State was just 2-13 on third
downs and 0-2 on fourth downs, including a game-sealing stop near the goal line in the fourth quarter. Ohio had 11 tackles for loss, two sacks and one interception to stuff the stat sheet for its dominant performance. The defense will have to come up big yet again next week as Ohio travels south to face arguably its toughest opponent all year in Kentucky.
Ohio football players run off the field during their game against Morgan State, Sept. 14, 2024. (REECE MERKEL | FOR THE POST)
Week 4 Student Media Poll picks from The Post
ROBERT KEEGAN III | SPORTS EDITOR LOGAN ADAMS | SPORTS EDITOR
Each week, the Sports' editorial team selects its Top 25 FBS college football teams for the Student Media Poll.
The SMP is a nationwide poll featuring 97 student journalists from schools nationwide.
The Post Sports will break down its ballots each week. Here are the top five, those dropped from the Top 25 and those added.
ROBERT KEEGAN III, SPORTS
EDITOR
TOP FIVE
Ohio State
Texas
Georgia
Alabama
Ole Miss
It’s pretty indisputable who the top five teams in college football are — it’s just about where you place them.
Somewhat unpopularly, I have Ohio State at No. 1. The Buckeyes have
identity, and until they find it, they don’t belong in the top 25.
As for Arizona, things didn’t go too well against ranked Kansas State. A 31-7 loss to anyone at this point in the season is inexcusable and not worthy of the top 25.
WHO I ADDED: BOISE STATE, NEBRASKA
Ashton Jeanty. That’s all you need to know about Boise State. The 5-foot-9-inch, 215 lb. running back is the best player in all of college football right now and has the Broncos rolling to a good start.
Nebraska has also had a good start to the season on the back of freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola. The Cornhuskers have three quick wins that came with relatively little drama.
LOGAN ADAMS, SPORTS EDITOR
TOP FIVE
should essentially have thoughtless wins. At the same time, Georgia and Alabama sit one week away from the biggest matchup of the season when they play each other in Tuscaloosa.
WHO I DROPPED: MICHIGAN, IOWA STATE
Ultimately, Michigan just continues to sputter towards wins against teams that it would’ve blown out last year. With Donovan Edwards’ struggles and lack of a quarterback as a whole, the offense has looked unreasonably bad to start the season.
Iowa State jumped into the top 25 last week after a win against a ranked in-state rival in Iowa. However, they’ve simply been a victim of other teams performing at a higher degree over the last week.
WHO I ADDED: BOISE STATE, MEMPHIS
group-of-five spot in the playoff behind a Heisman candidate in Ashton Jeanty, who’s averaging quarterback numbers purely off the ground. The dynamism the smurf turf has brought to the table is only definable by one word: explosive.
Memphis has looked incredible as well, as another group-of-five contender. The Tigers pushed Florida State to an 0-3 start for the second time since 2021 in their most recent matchup, improving to 3-0 behind a great quarterback and an outstanding defense.
@ROBERTKEEGAN_ BK272121@OHIO.EDU @LOGANPADAMS LA486821@OHIO.EDU
Rufus the Bobcat rides out on a motorcycle during the Bobcats’ game against Morgan State, Sept. 14, 2024.
(REECE MERKEL | FOR THE POST)
Ohio wraps up non-conference play, prepares for tough conference slate
LOGAN
SHEETS | FOR THE POST
Ohio (5-1-1) capped off its senior day with a stunning 7-0 victory against Oakland (1-6-2). It was a great senior day for the seniors and a great last game of non-conference play for Ohio.
Ohio starts Mid-American Conference play Thursday against Western Michigan and has been using the first seven games of the season to prepare themselves. The team also is coming into conference play as the reigning champions of the MAC for the first time, meaning it will have a target on its back with other teams looking to take the championship.
During the seven non-conference games the Bobcats played, they have scored 21 goals, only allowing a total of five to be scored by the opponents. They have also outshot their opponents in both shots on goal and shots, with 113 total shots, 53 of them being on goal.
Ohio’s opponents have only 53 total shots and 27 shots on goal. Junior goalkeeper Celeste Sloma has been a big reason for the stonewall Ohio defense. Not only from her play, but also from her communication in setting up the defense, telling players where to be, and letting players know things they can’t see. She played every single minute of the season last year for the Bobcats and does not look to be slowing down anytime soon.
“For her to step up in the communication and the leadership has been great to see,” Ohio coach Aaron Rodgers said.
Rodgers also believes the experience the team had in the non-conference games will help them a lot, even the loss to No. 5 ranked Michigan State and
the tie to Butler.
“We knew going into the first three games that was going to be a big challenge for us," Rodgers said. "So for us to come out one, one and one, I was quietly pleased with that, especially with our performance at Northern Kentucky."
Ohio has shown that its game plan is to be aggressive on both sides. The Bobcats want to keep the ball out of their opponents’ control, making opponents chase them down. On the field, it's hard
to see the ball on Ohio’s side, as most of the game Ohio has possession and is aggressive, attacking the box and keeping constant pressure on the opponent’s defenders.
“A part of who we want to be is intense,” Rodgers said.
With non-conference play ending, Ohio currently sits in third place in the MAC, just behind Akron and Buffalo, who are tied in first place, and Northern Illinois who is in second.
Ohio will have a tough schedule ahead of them, as the MAC is a good conference, and since they are the reigning champions, teams will play them even harder. However, Ohio is a very tough and aggressive team as they’ve shown in these non-conference games, and if they continue to play like they have in these first seven games, Ohio can expect to have a very successful season.
LS705922@OHIO.EDU
Ohio defeats Saint Louis in a dominant 5-1 outing
BRANDON GROSS FOR THE POST
Ohio (3-3) defeated Saint Louis (04) by a score of 5-1. Ohio had a grasp on the game the entire time, with both its defense and offense making major contributions. The same can't be said for Saint Louis, though, as its defense could not fend off Ohio's aggressive offensive attack. The first score was for Ohio, coming from forward Natalie LaFleur. Saint Louis answered back quickly and scored a goal of its own, courtesy of forward Josefina Perez. This would be Saint Louis' only goal for the rest of the game, as the team was unable to capitalize on any further opportunities. Ohio would go on to score again, with back Anouk Plaehn scoring the goal, assisted by Bodhi Littlefield and Emily Risser. The first quarter ended with a score of 2-1, giving Ohio a one-point advantage. Ohio nor Saint Louis scored a goal in the second quarter as the ball's position changed frequently. Saint Louis had five shots on the goal in the second quarter alone. Part of the reasoning for this was Ohio's goalkeeper, Macy Lotze, as she had four saves in the second quarter. At the end of the quarter, the score remained 2-1
in favor of Ohio.
The third quarter saw Ohio get 2 more points on the board while keeping Saint Louis scoreless. Midfielder Bodhi Littlefield scored the first goal in the third quarter, assisted by Merle Kal. The second goal came from forward Sasha Dikotla and put Ohio up 4-1. Despite Saint Louis being down by three goals, it continued to attempt attacks on Ohio's goal, but the defense stood strong. With the third quarter ending, Ohio was up 4-1.
The fourth quarter made way for another Ohio goal, which came from midfielder Noa Desmartez. Ohio had run the score up to 5-1. Saint Louis didn't give up but neither did Ohio's defense, as Lotze had four more saves in this quarter. A late fourth-quarter goal by Saint Louis would end up being overturned, eliminating any chance of late-game heroics. The fourth quarter ended and Ohio prevailed with a score of 5-1.
All of Ohio's goals came from different players, with five separate players having a goal in this game. Forward Sasha Dikotla was one of those five players who scored a goal
this game.
"I think that it shows how versatile we are, that we can go out no matter what position we came from, we can all create those opportunities and we can all execute them," Dikotla said.
With this being a great showing from Ohio, coach Johnstone looks to take this momentum into the two home games next weekend.
"They're working like they can call
things on the field and it's really fun to watch the momentum," Johnstone said. "We have a couple of home games coming up. I'll take the momentum all day."
With Ohio ending its last game of the weekend in an overwhelming 5-1 victory, it looks toward next weekend where it has two home games.
Ohio University junior Ella Deveers (2) throws the ball to her teammates at the game against Valparaiso, Sept. 1, 2024, at Chessa Field.
(MEGAN VANVLACK | PHOTO EDITOR)
Ohio midfielder Merle Kal (7) goes on the defensive against Saint Louis University at Pruitt Field in Athens, Sept. 15, 2024. (ETHAN HERX | FOR THE POST)
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THE POST Outfit inspiration for every OU sporting event
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Fall semester classes are in full swing at Ohio University, and so are several sports’ seasons. Many OU students flock to games and events throughout the week, bringing the Bobcat spirit with them.
Although finding the perfect game day outfit to stand up and cheer can be a challenge, here are some ideas to build a perfect game day outfit.
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Monday – Friday
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Athens, OH 45701 (740) 593-4010
CLASSIC MERCHANDISE LOOK
The College Bookstore, located at 50 S. Court St., is the perfect place to start building a game day outfit. With a variety of apparel such as sweatshirts, jackets, pants and t-shirts starting at $8.88, the College Bookstore has OU merchandise options for every budget and style.
An OU shirt and jeans never did anyone wrong; it is a classic game day look for a reason. The look is easy to achieve and is fit for every sporting event.
SWITCH IT UP WITH SKIRTS AND DRESSES
One easy way to elevate a game day look is to swap pants for a fun, casual skirt or a dress. A white skirt and a green shirt is the perfect way to show subtle school spirit and can make getting ready for a game more fun. The Stelle tennis skirt from Amazon, is currently on sale for $7.99. It can create a sporty but girly look, is easy to achieve, and stands as a great option for people who want to put in a little more effort than just a shirt and pants while still being comfortable.
An activewear dress, especially in green or white, is a simple way to fit in with the crowd without donning the OU letters. One cute option is a green Wild Fable dress from Target, retailing for $20. You can emphasize the OU theme by pairing the green dress with white shoes and the white skirt with a green top.
LAYER UP
Sporting events, especially hockey games, can get a bit chilly. Piling up the layers is a great way to stay warm and stylish, and most people have all the right pieces already hanging in their closet. A jack-
et and t-shirt is an obvious combination, whether it be a white jacket and green shirt or a green shirt and a black jacket. However, the possibilities are pretty broad.
For those who want an outfit with a little more personality, a black leather jacket over a green t-shirt paired with jeans would be a great look. Flannels, such as a green and black shirt by Sonoma Goods for Life, are also super easy to work with and pair well with t-shirts and sweatshirts for a layered look or even by themselves. Sweaters are also a great option for layering and keeping warm during those chilly game days.
Another fun way to layer is with a pair of overalls. Denim ones are great and can be paired with green to create an OU themed look, or there are white and green options for those who want to go the extra mile.
SPLURGE ON A JERSEY
Although it is a pricier option, an OU sport jersey makes for the perfect game day look. A football jersey from Rally House is $79.99, while a Fanatics hockey jersey regularly retails for $104.99. The jersey look is not budget friendly, but it can be paired with jeans, skirts or shorts for the ultimate Bobcat fan look.
LACE UP THE SHOES AND ACCESSORIZE
A green pair of shoes is an OU student musthave, but another fun and affordable way to add some Bobcat pride to a pair of kicks is to tie up some green laces. Green shoelaces from Walmart are $1.34 and can be added to any pair of shoes. Hats, socks, jewelry, hair bows and face paint can elevate any outfit and take it to the next level.
HAVE FUN AND BE CREATIVE
Dressing up for sporting events should be fun. Prioritize comfort and pieces that can be worn time and time again. Do not be afraid to think outside the standard pants-and-shirt-box and try something new.
ELIZABETH TALAGA | SLOT EDITOR
(NICOLE REESE | ASST. ART DIRECTOR)
7 shows to watch this fall
NYLA GILBERT | FOR THE POST
With fall quickly approaching, there are many things that people look forward to — from horror movie marathons to an annual “Gilmore Girls” rewatch. However, some people may be looking for something new to watch.
Here are some of the upcoming fall shows and season premieres you should keep on your radar.
“AGATHA ALL ALONG”
This spooky series is bringing the occult of Marvel Comics to the small screen. The show follows Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn), introduced in “WandaVision,” as she goes on a mission to create a coven and walk down the “witch’s road” to regain her freedom and power. Along the way, she will discover the identity and motivations of her teenage friend, played by “Heartstopper” actor Joe Locke. The star-studded cast includes Aubrey Plaza, Patti LuPone, Debra Jo Rupp, Sasheer Zamata and Ali Ahn. The show’s two-episode premiere airs Wednesday, Sept. 18, on Disney+.
“THE GOLDEN BACHELORETTE”
Fans of “The Golden Bachelor” are in for a treat as the female counterpart of the show premieres Wednesday, Sept. 18. “The Golden Bachelorette” follows Joan Vassos in her journey to find love. She was introduced to the public as a contestant on Season One of “The Golden Bachelor,” but she had to leave early to be with her daughter who had given birth a week before filming. Viewers look forward to seeing this
graceful woman take center stage as they ponder who will take her heart. The show airs weekly Wednesdays on ABC.
“MURDER IN A SMALL TOWN”
Premiering Tuesday, Sept. 24 on Fox, this small-screen adaptation is based on a nine-book series by author L.R. Wright. The series follows Karl Alberg (Rossif Sutherland), who moves to a quiet coastal town and takes the position of chief of police. There, he hopes to escape the traumas of police work in a big city; however, he must now solve a web of secrets and murders that bring themselves to shore. For all the mystery-romance lovers out there, the seasoned police officer is poised to find a romantic interest in vibrant librarian Cassandra Mitchell (Kristin Kreuk).
“GROTESQUERIE”
This fall, FX presents “Grotesquerie,” starring the phenomenal Niecy Nash and the acting debut of Travis Kelce. The show is a true exhibit of the genres of horror and true crime blending to make something that looks eerie.
Nash plays Detective Lois Tyron, who investigates the serial killings of a sinister occult killer. She partners with Sister Megan, a nun and journalist who investigates supernatural and cult killings to understand their importance in American culture. The two partner to stop these murders and bring the killer to justice.
The show will air two episodes weekly, starting with its season premiere Sept. 25 on FX, and will stream
on Hulu the next day.
“HEARTSTOPPER” SEASON 3
Viewers have watched the characters of Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie (Joe Locke) grow throughout the first two seasons of “Heartstopper.”
In Season Three, the two face many new challenges and the start of new beginnings. Writer and creator of the show, Alice Oseman, shared her excitement with the development and direction the show is taking in Season Three in an interview with Netflix.
“While Heartstopper will always celebrate the joyful and point towards hope, I am really excited that we are allowing the tone of the show to mature alongside our beloved characters growing up,” Oseman said in the interview. “Mental health, sex, university ambitions, and more: Nick, Charlie, and the ‘Heartstopper’ teens are getting older, learning more about themselves and each other, and experiencing new desires, new fears, and new joys as they approach adulthood.”
Viewers can watch the season premiere on Netflix Oct. 3.
“THE LEGEND OF VOX MACHINA” SEASON 3
“The Legend of Vox Machina,” an adaptation of a beloved “Dungeons & Dragons” campaign and web series by Critical Role, has quickly garnered love from fans.
In Season Three of the series, viewers will see the band of heroes travel to Hell to save Exandria from the evil dragon Thordak and his army of minions. They will fight monsters, slay demons and make allies along the way in a chaotic and humorous journey with many challenges and fatal mistakes along the way.
The season premieres on Amazon
Prime Oct. 3.
“JOAN”
Sophie Turner stars as jewel thief Joan Hannington in this magnetic drama set in ‘80s London. This sixpart series follows Joan as she uses her wit and charm to survive after leaving her abusive husband, Gary, with their four-year-old daughter. Joan must make gut-wrenching decisions as she adopts new personalities, makes new connections and uses her ability to perform to become a master-class thief and build a better life for herself and her daughter.
This new drama airs on the CW Oct.2.
@SIIMPLY_NYNY NG972522@OHIO.EDU
Celebrating the career of James Earl Jones
On Sept. 9, 2024, legendary stage and screen actor James Earl Jones sadly passed away in his home in Pawling, New York. Jones was 93 years old. Fans of his work and people who worked alongside him shared posts on various social media platforms paying tribute to Jones.
Actor Mark Hamill posted a picture on Instagram of him and Jones hugging each other and grinning with a caption that read, “One of the world’s finest actors whose contributions to Star Wars were immeasurable. He’ll be greatly missed.” Jones is known for having one of
the most iconic voices in Hollywood, having done voice work for many films, but most notably two in particular. For decades, Jones was the man behind the mighty and intimidating voice of Darth Vader, one of the main antagonists in the Star Wars franchise.
In 1994, Jones also voiced Mufasa in the Disney classic “The Lion King.” While the voice may be the same, the performances from both are vastly different. Jones may have had an epic voice, but people should not limit him to his vocal abilities.
At the beginning of his career, Jones appeared in many plays. He started his career in acting at Ramsdell Theatre in Manistee, Michigan. In his first season, he portrayed Othello in the Shakespeare play of the same name. From then on, Jones would star in various adaptations and plays of Shakespeare’s works.
Jones acted in non-Shakespeare plays as well. Jones and actor George C. Scott worked together in a production of “The Merchant of Venice,” where filmmaker Stanley Kubrick was in attendance. Kubrick later scouted Scott to star in his film, “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” (1964).
Kubrick then saw the acting chops of Jones and decided to include him
in the film, too. In his first film role, Jones played Lt. Lothar Zogg, the B-52 bombardier in the film. Jones’ first leading role in a film was an adaptation of “The Great White Hope” (1970). Jones’s performance in the film earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, becoming the second African-American male actor to be nominated for Best Actor after Sidney Poitier.
Jones would do a handful of more plays before eventually landing the role of Darth Vader in George Lucas’ “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” (1977). He would later reprise his role as Darth Vader in Irvin Kershner’s “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) and Richard Marquand’s “Star Wars: Episode VI –Return of the Jedi” (1983).
During the 1980s, Jones’ career began to ascend. In 1987, he starred in August Wilson’s play “Fences” as Troy Maxson. As a result, he received his second Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. Jones also was in other films that received both critical and financial acclaim, including “Coming to America” (1988) and “Field of Dreams” (1989).
Television was not something Jones was unfamiliar with either. In 1985, Jones did voicework as Pharaoh in the first episode of Hanna Barbera’s
“The Greatest Adventure: Stories from the Bible” and was the host for a children’s TV series named “Long Ago and Far Away” (1989-1993).
In 1992, Jones was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President George H. W. Bush. Jones also lent his voice to CNN, voicing the tagline, “This is CNN.” In 2010, Jones returned to Broadway in Alfred Uhry’s “Driving Miss Daisy” at the Golden Theatre. He would perform in more stageplays and eventually reprise his two most memorable roles. Jones voiced Darth Vader in different “Star Wars” franchise properties such as “Star Wars: Rebels” (2014–2018) and Gareth Edwards’ “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016). In 2019, he returned to voice Mufasa in Jon Favreau’s CGI remake of “The Lion King.” Jones’ final role was King Jaffe Joffer in Craig Brewer’s “Coming 2 America” (2021).
The life, career and accomplishments of James Earl Jones are remarkable achievements, and Jones’s legacy has cemented him as one of the finest actors of his generation.
JUDE HANNAHS | FOR THE POST
(NICOLE REESE
(MIA PISHOTTI | ART DIRECTOR)
Best ways to spend sick days at home
ASHLEY POMPLAS | FOR THE POST
As much as we try to stay healthy, the season of common colds and the flu are just around the corner. When we inevitably do get sick, it can be boring when you are staying home and don’t know how to pass the time. Here is a list of ways to best occupy your time when sick to make staying home more bearable.
TAKE TIME TO YOURSELF
The art of doing nothing can sometimes be the best way to recover at home when you are feeling under the weather. Some people live chronically online and impulsively feel the need to knock items off to-do lists. You can consider taking a break from phones and computers, as taking time away from screens can also improve sleep and lower stress levels. If you fulfill the items on your to-do list such as laundry or cleaning your space, it can give you a better focus on yourself and being healthy again. Taking longer naps can help pass the time when you are feeling ill.
TREAT YOURSELF TO SOME SICK DAY SELF-CARE
Taking care of yourself when you are not feeling well can help you feel good and pass the time. If you take a longer shower or bath, it can help you relax or relieve congestion. By making some of your favorite warm drinks like hot tea or hot chocolate,
it can help soothe a sore throat. You can also improve your symptoms by eating nourishing foods but consider making some of your favorite comfort foods as well.
CATCH UP ON YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES
When you are sick at home, this may be the best time to catch up on a book or television show you have been wanting to finish and help pass any free time. If your head hurts from too much focus on screens or books, listening to a podcast or your favorite tunes can relieve the mental strain.
GET CRAFTY
Another way to pass the time when sick at home is to pick up a time-consuming craft. Some crafts to consider are knitting, crocheting or embroidering because the materials are cheap and can be greatly time-consuming. Partaking in arts and crafts encourages you to be creative and use your imagination. Another type of craft to consider is a large puzzle. Puzzles can sharpen your mind by improving problem-solving skills, focus and concentration skills. Adult coloring books are also very time-consuming because of the complex patterns.
JOURNALING OR UPDATING YOUR SPACE
If you are feeling up to it, consider redecorating your room or living space. Making adjustments to the layout, the colors in the space or changing the accent items can improve your mood and promote positive
feelings.
Journaling is also another way to pass the time at home. Journaling can promote emotional wellness and prioritize your problems, fears and concerns. Let your words flow freely in a way that feels right.
LOW-IMPACT
EXERCISES
Low-impact exercises can improve your health when you are feeling sick. Going for a short walk around your neighborhood can give you exposure to fresh air and boost immunity. Meditation or yoga are also great options to help recover faster. Stretching can help body aches or pains while also improving your mood. Do not overexert yourself when exercising while sick. You should try to avoid high-impact exercises like lifting or intense interval workouts because they can make you weaker and more vulnerable to injury.
CONNECT WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY
While taking time away from screens can be beneficial, connecting with loved ones can also help pass the time. When you are sick at home, you can call your friends and family to have a social connection. Sometimes hearing the voices of loved ones can be more personal than sending text messages and can also be a way to brighten both of your days.
@ASHLEYPOMPLAS AP125920@OHIO.EDU
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Blabby Abby: NCAA volleyball rule change sets example
ABBY JENKINS HUMAN INTEREST EDITOR
A rule change for collegiate volleyball in 2020 prompted a promising future for athletes’ comfort concerning their clothing. The rule change, since revised in 2024, states: “Uniform bottoms may differ provided all bottoms are the same color … Types of bottoms include spandex (of any length), gym-style shorts (of any length), pants of any length, or culottes.”
That rule was long overdue, with the only previous option being spandex shorts, which in many players’ experiences, were uncomfortable to play in. The previous rule was also restrictive to players with religious and cultural backgrounds as well as those with a personal clothing preference.
Volleyball players are now allowed to wear bottoms they’re comfortable in, ultimately making them feel more comfortable while playing. This is a sentiment that should be taken as an example by all levels of sports play, as comfort and safety should be one of the top priorities for athletes. Although athletes are encouraged to embrace discomfort for the sake of their performance, they should never have to face physical discomfort during play, which would in turn interfere with their performance.
According to the National Library of Medicine, a study supports this claim. “Thermoregulation is the process of regulating body temperature and
is vital for maintaining athlete health and performance during exercise in the heat,” the study reads. “Sports clothing aims to mitigate the insulative effect of clothing to promote heat loss via sweat evaporation, whilst maintaining optimal comfort for the wearer.”
Through a scientific lens, that study proves certain athletic wear can make athletes’ performance and overall health better through better ventilation and overall comfort. It can minimize injuries to an extent as well. For example, volleyball played in spandex shorts leaves players more prone to floor burns and bruising, whereas sporting leggings can prevent them.
Knox News goes on to state the traditional volleyball uniform was created to showcase feminine features in sports. The classic misogynistic comparison between uniforms would prove this further, showing men’s uniforms as loose-fitting tops and shorts and women’s as tight-fitting.
That still continues to plague sports, as this past summer, Nike was criticized for its highly revealing track and field leotards for women, so much so they earned the nickname, “Nike’s ‘hooha’ uniforms.” Formally they had been defined as a combination of leotards worn by acrobats and costumes for Baywatch, just without the tights that were typically worn with them. Once again, another example of women having to worry about extra discomfort outside of the game or event ahead of them.
That occurrence with Nike wasn’t the only time either. The Olympics have long been criticized for
the designs of several uniforms, specifically women’s, according to Women’s Health.
A study from Springer Open shows the extent of discomfort across all sports at every level. The results of the study showed that, “Positive body image in athletic uniforms is closely related to garment fit, rather than the categorization of lean or non-lean sports.”
Athletes in loose-fitting uniforms felt confident and comfortable during play, while sports with tight-fitting uniforms had commented on feeling the need to pull down tops and keep shorts from riding up. Participants also commented on the necessity for such revealing and uncomfortable uniforms.
In tandem with this discomfort, the result of feeling a certain way in a uniform can ultimately lead to someone feeling a certain way about their body image and self-esteem, contributing to mental and emotional discomfort as well as physical.
Sports across every level should take uniform design into account when it comes to supporting athletes. All sports should follow volleyball’s example in allowing athletes the choice of athletic wear to suit their personal needs and ultimately make them better and happier players on and off the court or field.
Abby Jenkins is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnist do not reflect those of The Post. What are your thoughts? Let Abby know by tweeting her @abbyjenks18/
Table Talk: Voters shouldn’t forget Congress
ORCUTT | FOR THE POST
As the election approaches, voters are hyper-focused on the presidential race. As voters tune in to the presidential candidates’ debates and rallies, an equally consequential congressional election fades into the background of politics.
The presidency easily captures the attention of the American eye; it is the shining diamond of patriotism, refracting into the hearts of citizens. As the president is the figurehead of the state, Congress is working in the background as the backbone of the national government. At the beginning of the Union, the Congress of the Confederation was the only national governing body under the Articles of Confederation, the precursor to the modern U.S. Constitution. According to the National Archives, Congress governed from 1781 to 1789, with no executive branch. The founders were highly suspicious, even fearful, of a strong national government.
When the U.S. Constitution was ratified, it called for a system of checks and balances that placed the U.S. Congress at the center of the federal government. Congress has an extensive list of powers afforded to it by the Constitution; it can write and pass laws, establish post offices, declare war, declare peace, enter into treaties and regulate commerce. When laws are vetoed, Congress can
essentially challenge the President’s veto. When the U.S. Supreme Court declares a law unconstitutional, Congress can propose a constitutional amendment.
With the explicit and implicit powers provided to it, the political makeup of Congress can send shockwaves through the lives of Americans. Not only should the significance of Congress alert voters to the upcoming congressional election, but the landscape of the election itself should too.
The 2022 House election was a narrow win for Republicans. The Republican party won 222 seats, whereas the Democrats won 213, according to Politico. Republicans had not held the House since 2018.
According to the Pew Research Center, voters were split on their voting intentions for the 2022 congressional midterm election. The center found 53% of Republican voters were not confident in the midterm election being fair, and 71% said they’d vote to show their disapproval of Democratic President Joe Biden. This year, the highly publicized and polarizing presidential race may enhance the suspicions and fears of voters.
The 2024 House election is expected to be an even tighter race between Republicans and Democrats to secure control of the House. With four vacancies, Republicans hold 220 seats and Democrats 211, according to the House Radio-Television Gallery. Control of the House may come down to only a few seats.
According to the Cook Political Report,
there are 190 Democrat and 202 Republican seats considered non-competitive in this election. However, the race narrows when voters consider the competitive seats. According to the report, there are 24 Democratic and 19 Republican competitive seats, where the candidates are locked in on the race.
There are fewer toss-up seats than in the last election. “Toss-ups” are seats where neither party has an obvious advantage in the race. Between the two elections, 36 toss-up seats were honed into 24, with more seats leaning toward either party. With the decrease in toss-ups and increase in competitiveness, voters can expect House runners to shift their policy plans and campaign strategies to appeal to more voters.
Congress — the Senate and the House — directly monitors the president while remaining closest to the public opinion, according to Indiana University’s Center on Representative Government. The race to control the House is expected to be one of the most narrow of the past elections. Though the presidential election will decide the nation’s figurehead, the congressional election may decide the nation’s direction, and voters should be aware of the consequences.
Taylor Orcutt is a junior studying journalism. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let Taylor know by tweeting her @TaylorOrcutt.
TAYLOR
SOLUTIONS 9/10
The Lo-Down: Gambling is popular, but still harmful
LOGAN ADAMS | SPORTS EDITOR
If someone were to turn on an NFL broadcast, he or she would be flooded with promotional content for gambling. He or she would see broadcasters giving their takes on the best value bets, ads on the score bug or in the stadiums and countless commercials. All of it aims to market the fun of gambling as a casual consumer’s hobby. That sucks.
Take something like marijuana for example. There are harmful effects to the casual usage of it, including lung damage and an increased risk of several health conditions. Still, the difference is simple: the effects of marijuana are the same regardless of class while access is vastly different. The inverse is true for gambling. Almost anybody, typically as long as they’re over 18 or 21 years old, can create an account on one of the numerous gambling platforms pedaled to them constantly.
In April 2023, most of the major sports leagues and a handful of media companies banded together to rally for responsible gambling advertisements. The formation of the alliance was in response to the nationwide legalization of sports gambling, and while the effort was necessary, it still seems as though the definition of “responsible gambling advertisements” needs to be refined.
In 2023, Americans wagered $119.84 billion on sports, a record up 27.5% from the 2022 total. The median yearly income in the U.S., as of 2022, was $37,585, meaning it would take 3.19 million Americans, just under 10% of the U.S. population, earning a median salary to spend the total wagered amount.
This number becomes more believable when celebrities like Drake, who has a reported net worth of $250 million, post their wagers on sports. Drake has a partnership with gambling platform, Stake, and thus is encouraged to post his egregious wagers publicly. On Aug. 17, Drake posted a $450,000 wager to his Ins-
JACKSON PENNINGTON | FOR THE POST
tagram betting on Israel Adesanya to win a middleweight title fight against Dricus Du Plessis.
Adesanya would lose by submission, and while the $450,000 Drake lost ultimately meant nothing to him, he essentially encouraged his audience to follow him down the pit, throwing money at something that would never come to fruition.
From 2018 to 2023, the most common sports betting wager ranged from $10 to $25, with only 10% of betters willing to go over $250. The wagers that celebrities like Drake consistently wave around are no big deal to their bottomless pockets, but still present as unfathomable to the average American.
The surface-level issues with gambling are immense, and the required ‘1-800-GAMBLER’ addition on ads is no more than a bandage on a bullet hole. It has been proven that gambling addiction, which is being pedaled as a gambling “hobby” or a pastime, can cause issues with relationships, finances, mental health, job stability and more. It is a problem, and any other term is not severe enough.
The root of the issue is that gambling as a hobby is only truly accessible to those with mass amounts of disposable income, i.e. the American one percent. However, the ugliest part of it all is that, despite supposed efforts to promote responsible gambling from sports leagues and media companies, there is no such thing as a responsible gambling hobby for the average American.
Logan Adams is a junior studying journalism. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let Logan know by tweeting him @LoganPAdams.
Lately with Layne: Political satire unites amid division
LAYNE REY | FOR THE POST
On Saturday, James Austin Johnson and Heidi Gardner performed at Templeton-Blackburn Memorial Auditorium. With parents and students filling the audience, Johnson held off on his famous impression of former President Donald Trump — until he didn’t.
After impersonating Trump, Johnson proceeded with impressions of both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump supporters and Biden-Harris supporters stand on opposite sides of the political spectrum; however, the crowd was filled with laughter at all of Johnson’s impressions.
Impressions like Johnson’s and satirical sketches share a common goal of making people laugh – no matter where they stand politically. In a political landscape that is divisive and polarizing, comedy has the power to unite.
Comedy brings Americans together under a shared reality of political nonsense. Between the extravagant, theatrical candidates and policies that are hard to make sense of, comedians are able to disregard their own personal beliefs and those of the audience to highlight ridiculousness on both ends of the political spectrum.
Saturday Night Live, which is known to have
left-leaning biases, has recently aired skits about former President Barack Obama, Donald Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. SNL’s success in the world of political satire can be attributed to its ability to poke fun at any — and almost every — popular political figure.
By noticing and impersonating the small quirks of politicians, SNL unites viewers in laughter — regardless of political affiliation.
According to Rolling Stone, the best of SNL’s political sketches have “changed public outlook, occasionally spoke truth to power and still crack us up.” This highlights the positive effects — other than laughter — that political satire can have on viewers.
Lauren Feldman, an associate professor at Rutgers University and co-author of “A Comedian and an Activist Walk into a Bar: The Serious Role of Comedy in Social Justice,” has found comedy to be the ideal way to navigate the most serious issues plaguing our country.
“People often incorrectly assume that comedy — because it is funny and entertaining — is inappropriate for communicating about serious issues, or that it can serve as a distraction from important problems,” Feldman said. “However, our research shows that it is
Editorial: The Post is still in print,
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
As Bobcats enter their fourth week of classes, The Post has just finished producing its fourth week of daily online content and fifth print issue of the school year. For over a century, The Post has been committed to providing its readers with the information they need and want to know.
In December of 1911, the first issue of the Green and White was published for Ohio University students and Athens community members to read. In the fall of 1939, it was rebranded as The Post. The Post remained a daily newspaper until 2016, transitioning into a digital-first model with daily content uploaded on its website and a weekly paper. It was also in 2016 when the format of the paper changed from a broadsheet to a tabloid. This year is the first year the print edition is in the tall tabloid format.
Despite all these aesthetic and model changes, The Post has not faltered in reporting the news on a local and national level. From the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963 to the Sept. 11 attacks to the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, The Post has always strived to deliver factual and professional
precisely because comedy is funny and entertaining that it is capable of engaging and motivating people around challenging issues.”
Feldman explains that comedy engages people and creates a positive emotional connection, which leads to people putting down their guards to persuasion and being more willing to discuss divisive topics.
Political satire and its comedic effects, if written and delivered properly and responsibly, are not rooted in bigotry or hatred. Because it’s not inherently offensive, there is room for this emotional connection that ignites political engagement.
In a divisive time, political satire encourages laughter at ridiculous circumstances and increases civic engagement among viewers — both of which are needed to unite the country.
Layne Rey is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnist do not reflect those of The Post. What are your thoughts? Let Layne know by tweeting her @laynerey12.
still here to report the
news
reporting and content.
The Post currently has a staff of over 370 students who all participate in different sections. There are six editorial sections: News, Human Interest, Sports, Opinion, Entertainment and Copy. On the visual side, there are Art/Design and Photography. Additionally, the digital sections include Web Development, Audience Engagement and Multimedia. As a staff, The Post publishes a minimum of 15 pieces of content daily to the website. Five of those are voted on to be the top stories of the following day and featured on the website’s homepage. All content is posted on Facebook and X, with the top stories being published on Instagram.
On the print side, every week 3,000 copies are printed Monday night and distributed Tuesday morning to more than 78 locations on OU’s campus and around the Athens community.
The Post has been recognized with multiple awards from the Ohio News Media Association, including the Frank E. Deaner Award for Excellence in Collegiate Journalism 2017-2020 and in 2023. Furthermore, The Post has been
presented with awards from the National College Media Convention hosted by the Associated Collegiate Press and College Media Association. The Post staff has received numerous Region 4 Society of Professional Journalist Mark of Excellence Awards, and in 2023 was a National Mark of Excellence Award Winner for “Best Affiliated Website.”
The primary mission of The Post is to serve readers in a civic, engaging and entertaining manner, and to do so in a rapid and professional fashion that supports The Post’s long-standing legacy as a premier media outlet in Athens, Ohio.
As always, thank you for reading The Post.
Editorials represent the majority opinion of The Post’s executive editors. Post editorials are independent of the publication’s news coverage. Reach Editor-in-Chief Alyssa Cruz by emailing editor@thepostathens.com.