Athens is red in the face for Blush
MEG DIEHL | OPINION EDITOR
Sixth-year music composition major and drummer Caden Primmer’s back porch sits on a hill overlooking a parking lot, tucked back in some trees. There is a hammock on the porch’s beams, a row of movie theater chairs and bag chairs set up, one of which has a three-quarters-full PBR can in the cupholder.
On Primmer’s porch sit the members of Blush: keyboard player and guitarist Ella Franks, a junior studying visual communications and music business, is scrunched up in the hammock beside guitarist Sophia Butler, a junior early childhood development major. Guitarist Emma McGowan, a senior studying environmental science and sustainability, and Jenelle Fauber, a junior communication studies major and bassist, sit in chairs along with Primmer.
Though Blush is a newborn project, there has already been an immense draw to the band as a result of the members’ involvement with other local bands. Primmer played in Blue Collar Queer and alongside Butler and Fauber in Plastic Lemonade. McGowan played in Roman Candle, and Franks was in Split and still is a member of Laughing Chimes.
Blush, however, is different. In a heavily male-dominated music scene, Blush is the first all-girl band to come up in Athens recently. Wanting to create a space for women in such a scene was a large part of Blush’s formation. “It’s not a shade thing, it’s just nice to feel like you’re in a place where you’re comfortable 100%,” Butler said. “Not that most of the men aren’t great.” McGowan echoed the sentiment and said being in Roman Candle with an-
other woman bandmate was massive in creating the stage presence that drew so many to the band.
“Rock is just so raw, it’s so uninhibited,” McGowan said. “I feel like every time I’ve seen a video of Joan Jett or something like that on stage, she’s f— ing losing her s—, and everyone’s eating it up, and she’s just so free and doesn’t give a f—, like nothing matters.”
Blush draws musical influence from many women musicians and bands spanning across the alternative scene. Fauber and McGowan pointed to the role of Debbie Harry and Blondie as a whole. Primmer said Blush’s sound will incorporate Blondie’s influence but lean heavier on the punk side.
“I feel like Dazey and the Scouts is really indicative of the sound we’re trying to go for,” Primmer said. “There are some songs on their one album that do get a little bit slower and sadder … When we’re going quiet and sad that’s how we want to sound, that quiet dissonance and still grungy, still loud.”
Franks said ‘90s girl rock would play a large role in Blush’s sound, and working with a group of women musicians would allow expansion into this sound in a way working with men does not always make room for.
“For me … Juliana Hatfield, I’ve wanted to do a project like her stuff since high school,” Butler said. “I’m like, ‘This is not going to work’ because I couldn’t do it with my other bands because it’s all dudes and it’s very much girl ‘90s rock what (Hatfield) does, and I don’t know, I’m just passionate about her, a lot of her discography.”
I
feel like every time I’ve seen a video of Joan Jett or something like that on stage, she’s f—ing losing her s—, and everyone’s eating it up, and she’s just so free and doesn’t give a f—, like nothing matters.”
– Guitarist Emma McGowan, a senior studying environmental science and sustainability
There is such a sense of confidence among the band members because they all know what they’re doing and want to expand as musicians as much as they can. Butler said the band hopes everyone gets the chance to play everything. While Blush practiced, the members swapped instruments and switched off who was singing which song.
“I’m going to do some vocal stuff and I’m slowly working on guitar, kind of also hopefully drums, eventually,” Fauber said. “I used to play drums when I was younger but lost touch.”
Along with musical composition, Primmer said the songwriting process will also be collaborative among all members of the band. She also said she feels lucky to have studied music composition for four years and has gotten good at simply putting something on the page. Butler emphasized the collaborative process and said songwriting can be difficult. McGowan said she anticipates much of the songwriting process to occur during jam sessions.
“Everyone has a lot of bits and pieces so we’re just going to work on combining those, seeing where they all fit and figuring it out,” Fauber said.
A sense of collaboration along with an essence of femininity makes Blush. The band’s name alone evokes this: to blush is indicative of feminine sensitivity and emotion that the group encapsulates.
“It kind of gets deep for me because when I was in high school, middle school, I was so anxious and my face was always red when anybody would talk to me,” Franks said. “It was something I was so ashamed of for so long. But then I’m like, ‘Wait, blushing is kind of a cute thing we should embrace.’” Blush’s first show will be at The Union, located at 18 W Union St., Oct. 26. The band will also play Nov. 7 for ACRN’s Battle of the Bands.
Back row left to right Ella Franks, Sophia Butler and Caden Primmer, front row left to right Emma McGowan, Jenelle Fauber. (MEGAN DIEHL | OPNION EDITOR)
SJP protests State of the University address
ELIZABETH TALAGA | SLOT EDITOR
Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez gave her first State of the University address Thursday morning in Walter Hall while Students for Justice in Palestine led a protest outside.
Gonzalez began by discussing OU’s achievements within the last year, including expanding and revising degrees for online and regional campuses, such as an associate nursing degree at the Lancaster campus and an online master’s of applied arts and health degree.
She also announced as of this fall, OU is the first public university in Ohio to offer a bachelor of science degree in artificial intelligence.
Gonzalez said OU was among the few institutions to receive an $8 million construction and modernization grant from the National Institutes of Health for the Heritage Translation Research Center.
Gonzalez then talked about enrollment and the recent rankings OU has achieved. For the fifth year in a row, OU ranked ninth among public universities included on Forbes’ list of best mid-sized employers in the U.S. and first for best value on US News and World Report’s list of best public universities in Ohio. Total enrollment at OU this year was up 4.6%.
“There’s no question in my mind that students are choosing Ohio because they see us as a value, and we deliver on that
value,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez announced her approval of a plan by Provost Don Leo and Vice President for Research and Creative Activity
Eric Muth to invest in up to 15 tenure track faculty positions to support OU’s research enterprise, an over $1.5 million recurring investment.
“We know an investment in our faculty,
including those already here doing great work, is essential to long-term success,” Gonzalez said.
Outside Walter Hall, SJP led a protest against current university policies relating to Israel.
Emma Mathy, a junior studying sociology, said SJP was protesting the State of the University address and demanding
divestment from all university investments affiliated with Israel, specifically the Israel Defense Force.
“We have a list of companies that we are sure are affiliated with Israel in some way that we have investment in, especially our engineering department,” Mathy said. “We believe that money should be used for education, not for bombs and occupation.”
Mathy said there are barriers within Ohio Revised Code Section 9.76, but those barriers should not exist. ORC Section 9.76 pertains to boycott provisions in contracts.
“Everyone has a right to life, that’s not up for debate,” Mathy said. “The fact that we do have to protest this is honestly something I find quite disgusting to begin with.”
Dan Pittman, senior director of communications, said Ohio law prohibits public universities from divesting interest in Israel or adopting policies that require divestment from Israel with any associated entities, according to a previous report by The Post.
Chants of “Disclose, divest. We will not stop. We will not rest,” rung throughout the duration of the State of the University Address.
Alden Library completes central stairway renovations
DREW HOFFMASTER | FOR THE POST
The central stairway in Alden Library reopened Oct. 5 after renovations that started in the spring semester.
The project spanned the entire central stairway, forcing students to take the elevator and side staircases. The total budget for the project was $490,545.
The project was to redo the stairs’ flooring, which is made out of sturdy, terrazzo material. This flooring requires specialists to maintain and install it.
According to Robert Ross, the dean of University Libraries, the flooring was not installed properly when first constructed, leading to dirt and wax building up and cracks and pits forming.
Ross said the wear caused unevenness, making it difficult to see where the steps were.
“It became a safety issue at some point,” Ross said. “In coordination with the Office of Accessibility, we just decided we have to remedy this. We have to improve it for safety, primarily, but also for aesthetics. Nobody wants to walk up and down a gross stairwell.”
In addition, the renovation added an epoxy grip on the edge of each stair. Janet Hulm, the interim senior director of administration of University Libraries, said this is meant to help provide a better grip and sightline.
“Going up and down is going to be a much safer experience for everyone,” Hulm said. “I personally have slipped on those stairs before, if they get a little wet. But with the built-up wax and with no grip at all, they were a little tricky at times.”
The project has been under consideration since 2020. A contractor bid on
it in 2022 but failed, and the current contractor, Berglund Construction Company, bid on it in 2023.
Hulm said the original bid failed due to a mix of timing and pressure.
“Contractors are under a lot of pressure, especially post-2020, and the general feeling was that our timing on putting out for bid was bad,” Hulm said. “It wasn’t in sync with getting a job where there were bigger jobs for contractors to get at the point that we put it out.”
Ross said he feels this project was important because of the high amount of traffic Alden Library receives daily.
“Alden Library is the second most trafficked building behind Baker, and you definitely feel that,” Ross said. “I’ve seen the lines at the elevator, people waiting to take the elevator, and many of them would probably take the stairs if they could.”
According to Ross, opening the staircase will let students move faster and not worry about being late for classes and meetings.
“If you’re running behind a class or something, it’s just annoying to have to wait,” Ross said. “I’ve been late for meetings because of that. Selfishly, I would love to have the stairs open again.”
Peter Rhynard, a senior majoring in biology, enjoys taking the central staircase in Alden Library because of the acoustics and the speed compared to the elevators.
“I only use elevators when I’m carrying something, just got off of something, or my body’s not up to walking up stairs,” Rhynard said. “Normally, I use the stairs, and it is how I typical-
ly get up and around.”
Rhynard said he is glad the staircase is open again since it is more convenient, and he will no longer have to wait in line for the elevator.
“The best part of the staircase is probably the fact how long they are,” Rhynard said. “When I’m in a rush, I’m just jumping down a whole flight, and it’s awesome. I love that part of the stairs.”
Hulm said she appreciates the OU community for being patient and respectful during the renovations.
“Students have been really respectful and really kind and good to each other while getting into on and off elevators, and I appreciate that very much,” Hulm said. “Our community has been excellent while we’ve tried to get this project completed.”
Ross said the students’ kindness during the project reminded him of the people when trying to make a connection flight.
“(The renovations) reveal sort of the nature of Ohio students,” Ross said. “There’s just a lot of kindness there and a lot of sense of camaraderie.”
Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez watches the Homecoming Parade in Athens, Sept. 29, 2024. (SKYLAR SEAVY | FOR THE POST)
The stairwell of Alden Library has been renovated. (EMMA SCHROER | FOR THE POST)
The entrance to the fourth floor of Alden Library, Feb. 13, 2024. (MEGAN VANVLACK | FOR THE POST)
Athens proposes rehabilitation of Stimson Avenue Bridge
ASHLEY POMPLAS | FOR THE POST
The City of Athens has proposed a new project to rehabilitate the Stimson Avenue Bridge over the Hocking River.
The new bridge will include improvements such as replacing the deck, approach slabs, guardrails, abutments and substructure, according to the City of Athens website. It will also include new lighting and a pedestrian path across the bridge for accessibility and safety.
The project is currently in the design phase. An open house was held Sept. 18 for the public to provide feedback that will be incorporated into the design.
All comments are accepted until Saturday for anyone to provide feedback on the bridge’s design.
Assistant City Engineer Gillian Garland said the bridge will have a longer lifespan if renovated.
Garland said the bridge’s deck, back walls, and joints are deteriorating; however, the superstructure and load-carrying portions of the substructure are in good condition.
“By performing a major rehabilitation soon, the life of the bridge can be extended, and complete structure replacement can be deferred for decades, ultimately providing significant long-term savings to the City of Athens,” Garland wrote in an email.
Garland also said that an alternate detour route will be open for users on the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway when the sec-
Police Blotter: Accidental alarm activation, vehicle collides with turkey
EMILY STOKES | NEWS EDITOR
8 Tues____________________ Report taken for campus damage
Officers from the Ohio University Police Department responded to Tiffin Hall Oct. 8 for destruction of property.
A report was taken for a racial or bias statement written on a dryerase board in the building, according to OUPD.
8 Tues____________________ Marijuana collection
Deputies responded to Athens High School Oct. 8 to a suspicion of marijuana located inside a Pringles can, according to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office..
According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies collected the container and took a report.
At this time, an investigation is still pending, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
a tow truck driver and a property owner Wednesday, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the tow truck driver was attempting to repossess property from the owner.
After the deputies spoke with each party, they advised the tow truck driver he would need a court order for assistance from law enforcement.
9 Wed____________________
Turkey involved in an accident
According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a turkey motor vehicle accident Wednesday. The response took place at State Route 550 in Amesville, where a report was taken on the incident.
9 Wed____________________
Trespassing at county fairgrounds
tion of the path under the bridge closes. The detour route is proposed to circle the new fire station for all pedestrians and cyclists to access.
One concern about renovating the Stimson Avenue Bridge is its effect on the Hocking River Riparian Area Project.
According to a previous report from The Post, Athens City Council has signed up for a study with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to improve the conditions of the Hocking River. The project aims to ensure the river’s quality and improve the ecosystem for plants and animals.
According to Service-Safety Director Andy Stone, the renovation will not affect the Hocking River.
“(The) two different geographic areas and the projects are unrelated,” Stone wrote in an email.
“The Hocking Study and prospective project is specifically in the area from White’s Mill to Richland Avenue. The Stimson Bridge is quite a ways downstream from that.”
The Stimson Avenue Bridge project has digital copies of plans and exhibits from the public meeting on the City of Athens website.
The bridge is expected to be out for bid and construction to begin in 2025.
8 Tues____________________ Traffic crash reported
Deputies assisted the Ohio State Highway Patrol Sept. 26 for an injury traffic accident on U.S. Route 50 near United Lane in Athens, according to the Sheriff's Office.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating this traffic accident.
8 Tues____________________ Alleged dispute
Deputies from the Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to Long Run Road in Athens for an alleged dispute from a third party Oct. 8, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Upon arrival on the scene, deputies contacted the individuals who said there was no dispute. The individuals stated they were just talking loudly.
9 Wed____________________
Suspicious activity
OUPD Officers responded to suspicious activity on OU’s campus Wednesday.
According to OUPD, a report was taken for a non-threatening but concerning letter received by an organization.
9 Wed____________________ Accidental alarm call
Deputies responded to a report of a commercial alarm activated in The Plains Wednesday, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Before arriving on the scene, the response was canceled due to an accidental activation by an employee, according to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office.
9 Wed____________________ Dispute regarding repossession
Deputies responded to the Coolville area for a report of a dispute between
Deputies responded to the Athens County Fairgrounds for a trespassing complaint Wednesday, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies spoke with the complainant, who said an individual was camping on the grounds and refused to pay the camping fee.
After speaking with the individual camping, he left without incident, and no further action was taken.
10 Thurs____________________
Deceased deer in roadway
Deputies located a deceased deer in the roadway Thursday in Athens Township, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
After the carcass was removed from obstructing a travel lane, patrol resumed.
10 Thurs____________________ Report of custody dispute
According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the Coolspot in Coolville for a custody dispute Thursday.
Once deputies arrived, they were able to determine there was a copy of the court order of custody on hand, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The child was returned to the mother willingly, and no further actions were needed.
10 Thurs____________________ Report of overdose
Deputies responded to Bowman Road in Coolville for a report of an overdose Thursday, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies arrived on the scene and spoke with multiple people there, determining it was an overdose of medication.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the individual was transported to a local hospital to complete a requested mental health evaluation.
Stimson Bridge, Oct. 14, 2024, located on Stimson Avenue, Athens. (RACHEL KLANCHER | FOR THE POST)
Football: What to know for the Battle of the Bricks against Miami
CHARLIE FADEL SPORTS STAFF WRITER
Ohio (4-2 overall, 2-0 Mid-American Conference) will travel to Oxford, Ohio, Saturday for a game against Miami, one of the biggest games on its schedule. The Battle of the Bricks is always a closely contested game, and this year should be no different, even with Miami’s disappointing record of 2-4.
The Bobcats are coming off two straight conference wins against Akron and Central Michigan to stay atop the MAC conference rankings. A win over Miami would firmly cement Ohio at the top of those rankings.
Here is the rundown for Ohio’s rivalry matchup against Miami at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
HEAD COACH
2024 marks the tenth year at the helm of Miami’s football program for head coach Chuck Martin. The Illinois native took over a Redhawks team that went 0-12 in 2013 and has won two MAC titles in 2019 and 2023 since.
Martin is just 3-6 against Ohio in his Miami tenure, but he has won three of the last five meetings against the Bobcats.
QUARTERBACK
Ohio fans will not have to worry about Aveon Smith leading Miami to victory again this year, as the junior quarterback transferred to Alabama A&M in the offseason.
This time around it will be Brett
Gabbert, the younger brother of former NFL quarterback Blaine Gabbert. The younger of the Gabbert brothers missed last year’s Battle of the Bricks after a scary leg injury.
This year he is back for Miami and currently has 1,384 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions this season.
RUNNING BACKS
The transfer portal has changed who will be leading the ground game for the Redhawks as Rashad Amos transferred to Mississippi State this offseason.
The running back duo of Keyon Mozee and Jordan Brunson leads the Miami rushing attack this year. Mozee is the lead back, going for 314 yards and one touchdown this season, while Brunson follows him with 149 yards and one touchdown.
WIDE RECEIVERS
320 yards and three touchdowns this season, while Tracy has 287 yards and two touchdowns.
The Miami weapons are led by returner and former Michigan State wideout Cade McDonald. The redshirt senior has 382 yards and one touchdown so far, which is more yards than he had in all of last season.
DEFENSE
Miami has had a stout defense up to this point in the season, ranking third in the MAC in scoring defense, allowing 22 points per game. They also rank 6th in the MAC in total defense, allowing 372 yards per game. The standout player on Miami’s defense is sixth-year senior Matt Salopek. The Kent, Ohio, native has 53 total tackles, three tackles for loss and one interception this season. He is a force in the middle of the defense and is a player for whom Ohio will have to gameplan.
@CHARLIEFADEL CF111322@OHIO.EDU
Social Engagement & Student Org Events CAMPUS EVENTS October 15th - November 5th
Tuesday, October 15
FBLA Fall Speaker Series: Daniel W. Squiller
5:00 -:00 pm
Copeland 001
Virtual Talk: Terra Fondriest hosted by: NPPA OU
6:45 -7:45 pm RTV 462
SFL: PAWS for a Cause
Stephanie Foster Comedy Show
7:00 -8:30 Memorial Auditorium
Wednesday, October 16
OHIO Greeks 101
10:00 am - 12:00pm Baker 237
DVAM: Sexual Citizens Book Read noon-1:00 pm Women’s Center
All Hallows EAST East Green Lawns
6:00 - 9:00pm
Thursday, October 17
Venture Valley Game Event hosted by CEO OU Chapter
6:30-8:00 pm CoLab 3rd floor Alden
Guest Speaker: Underwater Photography hosted by OU SCUBA Club
7:00 8:00 pm Morton Hall
Friday, October 18
Concert-Transient Canvas
8:00 -10:00 pm Glidden Recital Hall
Friday’s LIVE Season 53 E03
hosted by Mimi Calhoun
8:00 pm
Studio C (RTV 515)
Wednesday, October 23
Midweek Bible Study hosted by Encompass Campus Ministry
7:00 -9:00 pm Baker 366
Wednesday, October 23 (con’t)
OHIO Greeks 101
3:00 am - 5:00pm Baker 333
Absentee Ballott Party
3:00-6:00 pm Baker 3rd Floor Atrium
Thursday, October 24
Regular Discussion hosted by Bridge USA OU Chapter
6:00 -7:00 pm
Gordy 302
180: Weekly Gathering of Cru
7:30 - 8:30 pm Morton 201
Wednesday, October 30
Careers in Student Affairs Mixer
11:30 am - 1:30 pm
1804 Lounge Baker Center Light refreshments & Networking
Entrepreneurs with a Bite Guest Speaker hosted by CEO OU Chapter
6:30-8:00 pm CoLab 3rd floor Alden
Thursday, October 31
Lavender Menace
Halloween Party
6:30 - 9:00 pm
Check Bobcat Connect for Location and details
Friday, November 1
ASTA Invitational with Fry Street Quartet 7:00 - 9:00 pm Glidden Hall
Monday, November 4
Polaroid Patchwork: A Collage Night 12:00 - 8:00 pm Seigfred Hall
Check Bobcat Connect for Location and details
October 25 Adrian @ OHIO 7:00 PM
November 1 & 2
Delaware @ OHIO 7:00 PM
November 15 & 16
Oregon @ OHIO 7:00 PM
(follow on X for streaming link)
Junior Reggie Virgil and redshirt sophomore Javon Tracy are next in line on the Redhawks’ depth chart for wide receivers. Virgil has
Cornerback Roman Parodie (4) and safety Dustin Johnson (6) lined up during the Bobcats game vs Akron, Sept. 28, 2024. The Bobcats beat Akron 30-10 in Peden Stadium, Athens. (JOHN FOUSS | FOR THE POST)
Ohio sees big expectations ahead of 2024-25 season
LOGAN ADAMS | SPORTS EDITOR
Ohio is returning a vast majority of its talent in the 2024-25 season, a rarity in the current era of college basketball. For the players the team did lose, Ohio replaced them with a duo of accomplished transfers and one of the highest-rated freshman classes in program history.
Following a 2023-24 season from Ohio that saw the team turn in a 13-5 Mid-American Conference record – good for third in the MAC – Ohio is projected to be even better in 2024-25. Here is everything to know about the team’s roster and schedule.
LOST TALENT
Two big names highlight a relatively small group of players Ohio will not return for 2024-25: Jaylin Hunter and Miles Brown.
Hunter, a 2023-24 All-MAC Second Team selectee, went overseas to play professionally in England for Leicester. Hunter led the Bobcats in points, assists and steals in his fifth collegiate season last year.
Brown was a staple of the Bobcats’ roster for five years, starting 82 of his career 125 games. Although rarely a consistent double-digit scorer, Brown was one of Ohio’s most valuable defenders and functioned as a knockdown shooter on offense.
Another new pro coming from Ohio is Gabe Witznitzer. He, Hunter and Brown are helping to establish Ohio as a pathway to professional basketball for the players worthy of being recruited.
“We recruit high character guys … guys that love the game of basketball and want to go pro,” Ohio coach Jeff Boals said. “Last year, we had three guys graduate, three guys go pro.”
TRANSFERS AND FRESHMAN
Ohio made two splash moves in the transfer portal, bringing in graduate student Vic Searls from Ashland and junior Jackson Pavaletzke, formerly of Iowa State and Wofford. Each will hold significant roles early on.
As a freshman, Paveletzke won
Southern Conference Rookie of the Year for Wofford and then transferred to Iowa State, where he played in every regular season game for the No. 8 ranked team in the country.
Searls spent four years for Division II Ashland, where he was a productive team staple and is now seeing his first opportunity at the Division I level.
“Both of them have been fitting seamlessly from day one,” Boals said. “We’re very fortunate to have those two. They’re both going to contribute from day one.”
Along with the team’s transfers, Ohio has brought in one of the team’s highest-ranking freshman classes of all time. Three-star recruits Ayden Evans, Elijah Elliott and Jesse Burris will likely see minutes in 2024-25.
Ohio also brought in three-star Kiir Kuany from Melbourne, Australia and walk-on Chase Boals, son of Jeff Boals. Kuany will redshirt and not join the team until December due to visa complications, while Chase Boals will miss his freshman season with an ACL tear.
“I really like the group (of freshmen) we have,” Boals said. “It’s a great group of high-level kids and high-level players.”
UPPERCLASSMEN LEADERS
Ohio’s main source of value on the roster will come from its deep group of returning talent. Highlighting this group is Preseason All-MAC First Team selectee, senior AJ Clayton. Clayton was selected to the All-MAC Team in his junior season, averaging 12.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 blocks.
“It’s hard to believe (Clayton) just turned 20 recently, and he’s had a great summer for us,” Boals said.
Alongside Clayton is Ohio’s group of four juniors: AJ Brown, Aidan Hadaway,
Elmore James and Ajay Sheldon. Brown missed a majority of his sophomore year with a torn labrum following a MAC All-Freshman Team selection in 2022-23. James, Hadaway and Sheldon all played major roles for Ohio in year two and will look to grow into leaders on a team with conference championship aspirations.
“Those core four guys … they’ve made a big jump sophomore to junior (year),” Boals said. “To have four guys like that who’ve been in the program for two years, and even AJ Clayton who’s been in it for three, those guys lead the way.”
Schedule and expectations
Ohio added some big games against formerly ranked opponents in its nonconference schedule. Starting the season in Harrisonburg, Virginia Nov. 4, Ohio will play James Madison, which peaked at No. 18 in the AP Poll last season.
Less than two weeks later, Ohio will once again be on the road against a formerly ranked opponent, this time, Memphis, which peaked at No. 10 Nov. 15.
“We have a lot of teams on our schedule that will be picked 1-2-3 in their conference,” Boals said. “It’s a very challenging mid-major schedule. The Myrtle Beach (Invitational) has a lot of high-level teams.”
Ohio will look to challenge itself throughout the season, but that is in large part due to the expectations this team has. Regardless of where they sit on polls to start the season, this is a team that believes it is capable of great things.
“We want to get closer as a team every day, get better every single day,” Boals said. “Have a growth mindset and play our best basketball in March.”
@LOGANPADAMS LA486821@OHIO.EDU
Ohio forward AJ Clayton (23) slam dunks against Akron in the MAC Men's Basketball Semifinals at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio, Mar. 15, 2024. Hunter scored seven points for Ohio. The Bobcats lost to the Zips 65-62. (ETHAN HERX | FOR THE POST)
Kamryn Hunt encourages all to ‘be an athlete’
ABBY JENKINS | HUMAN INTEREST EDITOR
In fifth grade, Kamryn Hunt followed in the footsteps of both of her athletic parents, going down a path she seemed almost destined for: basketball.
Despite the blueprint laid out for her, Hunt transformed the trajectory of her life after meeting Ohio coach Geoff Carlston, who would bring her to her current role as a big sister for Ohio volleyball.
“Basketball was definitely my first love just because my parents played it, and no one in my family played volleyball,” Hunt said. “Once I started playing competitive club volleyball, I was going into my freshman year, and then that's when I fell in love with it, and knew I wanted to play in college.”
Despite only being a sophomore, Hunt has big shoes to fill and so far has reflected her values from her home to her family in the front and back row.
Growing up in Sylvania, Ohio, Hunt was surrounded by athleticism growing up. Her mother and father both played basketball at the University of Findlay, and all three of her siblings, the youngest at 9 years old, made for a “competitive household.”
Hunt has a special connection with her father, Kyle Hunt, who many know because of his cheering and audible support from the stands.
“I think something that I live by (is my dad’s) favorite phrase of all time is, ‘Be
an athlete,’” she said. “And I think that's because he wasn't a volleyball dad until I started really loving the sport. So he was definitely learning the game with me.”
Following each match, Krosby Hunt — Kamryn Hunt’s youngest sister — can be found running up to her 6-foot-1-inch sibling on the sideline for a jump and a hug, win or loss.
“I just take so much pride in being the oldest sister,” Hunt said. “Krosby, I'm 10 years older than her, so I definitely feel like more of a motherly figure. I was in fifth grade when she was born.”
Hunt believes everyone can learn something from having a 9-year-old in their life, from the optimism and fearlessness to try new things in addition to childlike wonder. Even Krosby encourages Hunt and her teammates to “be an athlete,” a memory Coach Carlston and Hunt’s teammate Anna Kharchynska will never forget.
“Anna (Kharchynska) tried to go save the play, and she jumps over the courtside chairs, all the chairs just go falling down because they're all connected, and the ball did not get up,” Hunt said, laughing. “So it was a great attempt. Just great hustle and Crosby yells, ‘Be an athlete, Anna,’ and my team started laughing, and it was just so funny.”
Although Hunt’s leadership has shone through on the court this year, her
growth as an individual player has been tremendous. She is the team’s current leader in kills with 262, with a single-game career-high against LMU with 27 kills in a single match. Additionally, Hunt boasts 129 digs and 13 service aces. Hunt has fully committed herself to being a leader and stepping up.
“It's definitely the role I want to have as an athlete,” she said. “It's definitely the type of player that I am and I've been talking with Geoff since I committed. He always helped me, mentored me into not playing my age … When I was a senior in high school he told me to walk, talk and act like a Division I athlete.”
With so much room left to grow, Hunt
continues to show up to every match as though it's a family reunion of its own. As she embodies her father’s words of wisdom, her career has kept her close with not just her immediate family but the one she has built at the net as well.
“(We’re) committing to get better and committing to know that we're gonna grow and we're gonna fail together, and we're gonna succeed together,” Hunt said. “I think just having the mentality of what the team needs right now is the most important, rather than what you need personally. I think that ties in perfectly to my family as well.”
@ABBYJENKS18 AJ205621@OHIO.EDU
Athens to Athens: Iro Fakinou rules the field
JACKSON MCCOY | COPY CHIEF
Iro Fakinou began her soccer career in the Athens over 5,000 miles from the home of the Bobcats — Athens, Greece.
Raised among the crumbling marble pillars and stark white statues depicting the gods and beasts of a time almost as many years away from the present as she is miles from home, Fakinou came to Ohio with one goal: to represent her country professionally on the field.
“I started playing soccer when I was young,” Fakinou said. “My dream is to be a pro soccer player. So yeah, I thought coming to the USA will help me achieve my goals.”
Recently, she got one step closer to achieving this goal. Fakinou was called up to Greece’s national U19 team to face off against Portugal, where she played fiercely on the international stage. Although Greece fell 2-0, the freshman midfielder fought hard and came out of the experience a better player.
“It's an honor, and I'm really grateful that I have this opportunity,” she said. “It's really cool because, I mean, everyone wants to represent their country.”
Fakinou remembers where she was when she got the call she would be representing Greece on the international stage vividly.
“I remember my coach called me,” she said. “I was in the car, and I didn't realize (what it was for), but yeah, it was … a really nice experience.”
Before coming to Ohio, Fakinou played for several teams in Greece and was the team captain of the U17 Greece national team in the 2022-23 season.
Despite being a younger member of the Ohio team, she is a leader on the field. Fakinou plays tenaciously and technically, often setting up her teammates to score. In her first game back from Greece Oct.
6, she sent an assist to Rylee Mensel to put Ohio in a dominant position against Akron, which the Bobcats would beat 3-0.
Coming from Greece to the States has made Fakinou adapt to a different play style that focuses more on endurance compared to mechanical strategies.
“It's a bit different,” she said. “Soccer in Greece and mostly in Europe, it's more technical and tactical. Here, it's more physical with more running and that stuff.”
Entering Ohio, she hoped to bring the parts of the game that non-European teams focus less on so she could benefit the whole group.
“I think that … when I played for Greece, it helped me with my technical and tactical (skills), so I would be more prepared here to make the difference somehow,” Fakinou said. “… So I'm trying to develop my technical skills so I can help the team more with that.”
Fakinou’s career across multiple competitive club teams in Greece has given her a sharp eye for detail on the field, but the physically demanding characteristics of American soccer have allowed her to build on her weak points.
“I think I really improved my stamina and my physicality with OU,” she said. “Yeah, and that's like, the stuff that I have been lacking.”
Despite Fakinou’s professional achievements and aspirations, her passion for soccer stems from her family, friends and childhood.
“I started playing with my friends in the yard of my school,” she said. “Also, my grandma was a really big fan of soccer, so we went together and played.”
Playing for Ohio has given Fakinou a lot of valuable experience. Being a young player on a talented team can limit play-
time in the early stages of an athletic career; nonetheless, Fakinou has racked up over 400 minutes, an impressive achievement for a freshman on a stacked lineup.
Across all Ohio sports, heading into a competitive matchup against a tough opponent can be nerve-racking. For Fakinou, preparing mentally to play for her country in an international match was simple.
“I just tell myself to do whatever to win and perform well, because wearing a shirt that has your national team on it, it's inspiring and it motivates me,” she said.
Fakinou, at just 18 years old, possesses an impressive resume. Many people would likely feel content after joining a strong DI collegiate team and then representing their home in a high-stakes international contest, but Fakinou doesn’t plan on stopping there.
“I have some more games with that team, and then the next level is the women's national team,” she said.
Ohio freshman forward Iro Fakinou poses for a portrait at Chessa Field in Athens, Oct. 9, 2024. Fakinou has recently been called up to Greece's U19 National team.
(ETHAN HERX | FOR THE POST)
Kam Hunt (23) watches the ball during the Ohio University vs The University of Toledo volleyball game at The Convo, Oct. 5, 2024. (SKYLAR SEAVEY | FOR THE POST)
Athens climbing cohort faces the crux
SOPHIA ROOKSBERRY
HUMAN INTEREST STAFF WRITER
Humans have always sought to accomplish the impossible, a concept that serves as the core of adventure sports. One of the oldest adventure sports is rock climbing, born out of necessity and transformed into a hobby, career or lifestyle for many. From the first Alpine mountaineers to disciples of Alex Honnold and his historic “Free Solo,” rock climbing has manifested in many people in many unlikely places; it has even trickled down the hills of Appalachia and nestled within the small city of Athens.
Modern rock climbing comes in many variations: some indoor, some outdoor, some with the aid of ropes and safety devices, some without. Those interested in indoor climbing in the Athens area have two main options: the 36-feet-tall rock wall at Ping Recreation Center or Blockhouse Bouldering Gym in The Plains.
The latter began as the notion of a thought in Ted Welser’s head circa 2017. Welser, a professor of sociology at Ohio University, is one of the founders of Climb Athens, a nonprofit group of local climbers with the mission of developing climbing resources and a strong network in the area.
“Prior to the start of Climb Athens I had built a bouldering wall in my garage and I had mostly just used it for my own climbing, but for a couple years I made good connections with the climbing community at OU and also at Hocking (College),” Wesler said. “(Climbers) would come over and climb in my garage.”
The goal of the organization's early stages was to grow this community of climbers and create a space for indoor bouldering to thrive in an area without an official climbing gym. Two members of the group are Kate Vernens and her husband, Zach. The two met climbing at the rock wall in Ping Center during their undergraduate years and continued pursuing the passion alongside Welser. Just before the pandemic, the couple decided to buy a property and open a climbing gym, now known as Blockhouse.
“The organization succeeded beyond our hopes because I have a job, I have other things to do,” Welser said. “I couldn’t really manage and start a climbing gym, so I’m super psyched they did it.”
To this day, Blockhouse utilizes equipment from Welser’s homemade climbing wall, continuing the connection between the early days of indoor bouldering in Athens and its current iteration. Now that the initial goal of Climb Athens has been fulfilled, the group exists as a community resource while anticipating the next step up for local climbing culture.
“Our focus is … using indoor climbing as a way to reinforce connections between people … to practice and enjoy it, and then to try bridging into the outdoors in ways people are excited about,” Welser said.
A current Climb Athens volunteer working hard to build up a community of outdoor climbers is Lucas Blankenship, a second-year graduate student studying sociology, as well as parks, recreation, hospitality and tourism. Blankenship also serves as the Southern Ohio stewardship director for the Ohio Climbers Coalition and spends many of his volunteer hours exploring local areas, looking to understand the landscape and find areas for
improvement. Through his experiences in different realms of climbing, Blankenship has learned that the university's involvement in Athens is undeniably important.
“What makes (the Athens climbing scene) unique is the presence of the university,” Blankenship said. “You always have seemingly very excited and stoked individuals to contribute to the climbing community.”
Blankenship also recognizes the difficulties of having an ever-rotating group of university-affiliated climbers take part in the com- munity.
“I feel like so often a group gets really excited about climbing at OU, then they graduate and then the next group kind of has to rebuild,” he said. “That’s really hard and it kind of feeds into the accessibility component, so I think finding ways to have more longevity (is important).”
The decision to locate Blockhouse just outside the Athens city limits was intentional for reasons pertaining to this crossover between Athens climbers and the university.
“From the beginning we knew the student population would be a big part of the demographic, and if we were a little bit closer to campus that would be great, but we were also like ‘it would be nice to not be on campus because then the community members can feel like it’s also their space,’” Kate Vernens said.
The intersection of students and locals in the climbing community, as well as the range of skill sets present in this demographic, has helped encase all forms of rock climbing in a supportive atmosphere.
Katie Bullock-Gawf, a second-year graduate student studying parks, recreation, hospitality and tourism, is the graduate assistant in charge of the climbing wall at Ping. In addition to working at the wall and helping organize outdoor climbing trips through Outdoor Pursuits, Bullock-Gawf enjoys spending time at the local climbing gym.
“Blockhouse is one of my favorite plac-
es to go in all of Athens just because people there
are always so positive and always so supportive,” Bullock-Gawf said. “I’ll be climbing a route at Blockhouse that is hard for me and somebody I don’t even know and haven’t talked to will be cheering me on.”
Ac-
cording to Kate Vernens, this atmosphere was one of the key goals of the facility when it was initially under construction.
“It’s super inclusive because of the students and because it’s a small community there’s a lot of beginners … we were all beginners once … so it’s just very accepting,” she said.
The supportive energy of Blockhouse is something Bullock-Gawf felt immediately upon arrival in Athens for her master’s degree. She cited Clint Young, a junior
studying outdoor recreation and education, as well as physical activity and sport coaching, as one of her greatest supporters during her initial learning process. Additionally, Young is the president of the Climbing Club at OU and the skills clinic supervisor at the Ping rock wall. Young has also noticed how the combination of university students and community members affects the way climbing is regarded in Athens, especially with some climbers just beginning their journey and others deeply entrenched in the obsession.
“The combination of those two things, along with the age group here with how young everyone is, creates a really welcoming environment for beginner climbers and it also creates an environment where they’re able to learn so much about the sport so quickly,” Young said.
Another member of the Climbing Club’s executive board is Brenna McFarland, a junior studying environmental science and sustainability. McFarland also works at Blockhouse and is the climbing wall supervisor for Outdoor Pursuits. In her tapestry of involvement, she has witnessed how the many crossovers in the community encourage skill development by constantly feeding into one another.
“The niche of people interested in outdoor climbing has been increasing,” she said. “You’ll see people who go to the Ping wall and then eventually they start going to Blockhouse, and then after they go to Blockhouse they get interested in outdoor bouldering or outdoor sport climbing.”
Bullcock-Gawf believes this snowball effect is a result of the passion climbers share for collecting and distributing knowledge, a quality Young attested to.
“It’s important that we’re able to pass down this knowledge and we’re able to get people into the sport, because that’s how they are able to climb those harder grades,” Young said.
Young is in the process of receiving his Single Pitch Instructor certification, a credential that would allow him to teach climbing professionally.
“I would love to guide full-time when I graduate for as long as my body will let me and coach climbing, and honestly just teach people about the sport,” Young said. “Get them into it and show them the amount of happiness and passion you can find in the outdoors through climbing.”
Although Bullock-Gawf doesn’t quite know where climbing will slot into her future career, she hopes to engage in the local climbing community wherever she ends up.
“I definitely want to keep sharing climbing with other folks,” she said. “It’s something I love so much and I think it is a really powerful way of moving our bodies.”
Bullock-Gawf mentioned her interest in climbing comes from the diversity of the sport.
“I feel like it is a sport that inherently celebrates people’s own unique skills and the diversity of people’s bodies,” she said. There are countless other incomprehensible reasons people take on certain
of community-building
2.
risks and dedicate so much of their lives to the sport, one of which Blankenship believes has to do with self-expression.
“There’s a lot of different theories and perspectives as to why people participate in adventure sports,” Blankenship said. “I would say (broadly), it’s a subjective experience. In my personal opinion, I think it reflects someone’s reality back to them and they realize climbing is this expressive avenue to create an identity and portray that identity in a way they are excited about.”
Blankenship shares Young and Bullock-Gawf’s desire to include climbing in his future and help uplift climbers in Athens, Southeast Ohio and Appalachia in the process.
“I would like to continue to instruct but maybe take these experiences I’m currently having and have them culminate into contributing to projects like the Bailey’s Trail System,” he said.
Many of Blankenship’s fellow local climbers have also found areas of improvement that, if acted upon, have the potential to bring the cohort of climbers to another level. For example, McFarland hopes to normalize climbers of all genders on the wall by dipping her toe into areas of climbing with low female involvement and supporting events like Womxn’s Climb Night at the Ping wall.
“The scene of female climbers at OU is small, so something I want to do is try to make a community where female and genderqueer or non-binary climbers can feel more included,” she said. “I really want to increase my skill set so I can share those skills with others.”
Blankenship noted another facet holding the local climbing network back from achieving its full potential.
“One thing that would be beneficial as a climbing collective community is more direct contributions to the development of our regional assets,” he said. “Climbing in Southeast Ohio is really good, really fun and there’s a lot of potential. But in a regional context, it’s not as glorious as some of the other areas.”
These referenced areas are Red River Gorge and New River Gorge, both under four hours away from Athens and famous pilgrimage points for climbers all over the country. The proximity of Athens to these spots serves as an inspiration for many local climbers to develop immediately accessible climbing resources into something similar. Welser hopes these could someday be a setup akin to Miguel's Pizza in Red River Gorge.
The initial mission of Welser’s passion project is soon to be completed: the half of Blockhouse still under construction is scheduled to be finalized in 2025. As the first phase of the nonprofit enters its final stage, Welser looks toward the next step of Climb Athens as a resource-development collective, which will hopefully also be the next step for the local climbing community as a whole.
“We need community first, and we need people experiencing the value of what we have and then seeing what else needs to be done,” he said.
@SOPHIAROOKS_ SR32041@OHIO.EDU
1. Nicole Albers prepares to catch Úna Fuller if he falls while practicing climbing during Climbing Club at Blockhouse Bouldering Gym in The Plains, Athens, Oct. 10, 2024.
A climbing hold on a rock wall at Blockhouse Bouldering Gym in The Plains, Athens, Oct. 10, 2024.
3. Stephanie and Nick DiFrancesco climb the rock wall near the front entrance of Blockhouse Bouldering Gym in The Plains, Athens, while the Climbing Club for kids have class on the back wall, Oct. 10, 2024.
(TALITHA MALOY | FOR THE POST)
Bailey’s Dirt Fondo welcomes bikers, supports ORCA
MAGGIE ALLWEIN | FOR THE POST
Bailey’s Trail System hosted its second annual Dirt Fondo and Fundraiser Saturday at the Chauncey-Dover Trailhead in Millfield. The event brought in local businesses to showcase their products on and off the trails.
The Dirt Fondo is a take on an Italian “Gran Fondo," a long-distance cycling event that loosely translates to “big ride.” According to the Bailey’s website, the trail’s version is a “singletrack adventure consisting of casual riding between optionally-timed segments.”
The 2024 Fondo had 140 participants, growing from the 111 last year.
“It’s really exciting to see we have riders from all over the state, and I’m seeing a lot of faces who came last year who are returning this year,” Delia Palmisano, director of communications and philanthropy at Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia, said.
Holding four separate races on different trails, the Fondo welcomed mountain bikers of all levels to participate, which was one of the goals in mind when creating the idea for this event, Palmisano said.
“We had worked with Peter Kotses, who used to own the Athens bicycle shop, and he gave us this idea for this Gran Fondo,” Palmisano said. “We thought that it really hit on being able to engage all different types of riders. There’s a fourmile all the way up to a 42-mile. We really loved that idea, and we wanted it to be different than other mountain bike races
GINA
that happened.”
ORCA, a council of government formed in 2019, manages and develops the Bailey’s Trail System. The event’s fundraising efforts go directly to ORCA’s non-profit wing for managing, developing and operating costs of the trails.
Palmisano, a mountain biker herself, explained the races are not timed from beginning to end but rather in segments. Rest stops were set up around the course, and participants enjoyed local food and drinks, like affogato from Dirty Girl Coffee Roasters and tiramisu from Flour and Thyme.
Jacque Engler, a Columbus resident, placed first in the 22-mile Blue Square trail even though it was her first Dirt
Fondo. Engler began mountain biking in 2020 but recently became fully immersed since she started riding with a women’s group in Columbus earlier in the year. The group does weekly rides at Bailey's, and the members told Engler about the Fondo.
“It’s so smooth here and flowy,” Engler said. “I know a lot of people from Columbus, they really recommend coming here because it’s just so many miles, you can get so much in, and it’s different how they did the trail so well here.”
The reaction to the even state of the trails did not go unnoticed by other participants. Mariana Glasgow from Circleville rode the Bailey’s for the first time at the Fondo and plans to return with the
rest of her family.
“I’ve ridden a lot of rooty trails, and this one, I can count on my hand how many roots I rode over,” Glasgow said. “It was just a very flowy trail.”
Glasgow and her husband’s seven children, ranging from ages 4-12, are all biking with no training wheels; her two youngest are already riding pump tracks. The couple goes out to trails to test the safety and difficulty level before their kids.
“This will definitely be one that we come back to,” Glasgow said. “We’ve rode a bunch of other trails, and they’re small and narrow. These are wider. You can bypass someone easily if need be. There’s not a big rush.”
The race concluded with a fundraising event at the trailhead park. A local student band, Exit 191, and the Ohio University Opera Theater performed. Palmisano said events like these are integral for the community to thrive.
“I think it shows what this outdoor recreation asset can do for the community,” Palmisano said. “I think it proves that this is a destination for people to come and experience because all these people, some are local but the other people are probably staying the night here. They’re going to go out and eat. It’s really cool to see just the development over a couple of years that’s happened.”
MA410020@OHIO.EDU
Fall break rescues, recharges students
NAPOLI | FOR THE POST
When the leaves begin to fall and the trees shift in color, only one conclusion can be made: it is time for fall break.
With freshmen finally adjusting to schedules and seniors wishing May could come sooner, the words “fall” and “break” are the light at the end of the tunnel, as the semester is well underway.
The article, “Give me a break,” written by Kirsten Weir on behalf of the American Psychological Association, discussed the benefits both long and short breaks can have for those who work consistently.
“Breaks can improve our moods, overall well-being and performance capacity.” Charlotte Fritz, an associate professor of psychology at Portland State University, said.
Although the article was referencing people working nine to five jobs, this advice can also apply to college students. With midterms, projects, papers and plenty of homework, student-life is comparable to a job and it is just as important to unwind and escape from reality.
Dot Daus, a sophomore studying exercise physiology, said she feels good at this point in the semester but could definitely use a break.
“I’m taking 19 credit hours and I have a campus job too,” Daus said. “I’m a little tired of the same old repeat every week.” Daus said she was most looking forward to spending time at home, and planned to watch her sister and brother’s hockey games and tend to her family’s horses.
In addition to Daus, other students view the break as an opportunity to see family and high school friends. Nina Motter, a sophomore studying communication studies, said this semester has been different in comparison to freshman year.
“I went home a lot the first semester of last year, but I haven’t been home at all so far this semester,” Motter said. “I haven’t seen my mom or my dog or my cousins.”
Motter also said she was especially excited because her three roommates are joining her for fall break, and she planned several activities.
“My roommates are not from Ohio … it is too short of a break for them to go home, so we are all just going to go to Columbus,” Motter said. “It’ll be really fun, they have never been there before.”
Despite the excitement leading up to fall break, students may argue it is not long enough and OU should allow more time off. Alex Passero, a freshman studying civil engineering, said three days off is nothing in comparison to what other universities provide. For him, it is just a normal weekend.
“All my weekends can be three days if I wanted to because my Friday classes are optional,” Passero said.
Passero said he utilized the break to escape from the college environment and plans on driving to Toronto, Canada. However, he feels sorry for students who do not have the same opportunity and instead use the bus system to get home.
“If you go on the bus to go home you only get one full day before you have to take the bus back,” Passero said.
Whether going home, traveling out of the country or staying in Athens, students should fill their breaks with hobbies they enjoy in order to keep a healthy mindset.
An article on the importance of hobbies by Kettering Global said, “Hobbies are a great way to disconnect from work and break away from the monotony of daily schedules.”
Day-to-day classes can look different for everyone, but all college students should have a fun activity that can also play as a stress reliever. Reagan McHenry, a sophomore studying marketing, said her break was filled with a variety of exciting plans including seeing a movie with friends, watching football with family and going to the pumpkin patch.
“This is the longest I’ve been away from home probably ever,” McHenry said. “I wanted to do all of the things that I could do in my hometown when I had the chance.”
McHenry transferred to OU from a community college and it has taken her time to adjust to the new campus.
Although college can be entertaining and lively, a calm weekend getaway is crucial when trying to stay afloat amid the hectic
school year. Motter said the first half of the semester can be overwhelming and she hopes students get the break they deserve and need.
“I think a lot of people put a lot of pressure on themselves, especially when we all first get back to school,” Motter said. “We kind of forget to slow down until we get a little further into the semester … I think people probably need more time to recharge than three days.”
@GINA_NAPOLI_ GN875322@OHIO.EDU
(ANYA SERRAO | FOR THE POST)
The welcome sign of the Chauncey Community Park in Chauncey, Ohio, Sept. 20, 2024. The park is home to the Chauncey-Dover Trailhead of the Baileys Trail System, which is managed by the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia. (ETHAN HERX | FOR THE POST)
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Finding a third place in college
ALEXANDRA HOPKINS | FOR THE POST
Sometimes college life can feel monotonous. Constantly moving between class, the library and home can leave you feeling bored and isolated. If you find yourself stuck navigating between the same spaces everyday, it might be time to find a third place.
Sociologist Ray Oldenburg coined the term “third places” in 2000. According to the Project for Public Spaces, Oldenburg said, “In contrast to first places (home) and second places (work), third places allow people to put aside their concerns and simply enjoy the company and conversation around them.”
Third places are typically public, and allow informal interactions between acquainted and unacquainted people. Social equity is promoted by these spaces, and the conversation strengthens both the community and the individuals taking part.
In college, it is inherently encouraged to have a third space by becoming involved on campus and integrating with the rest of students. However, it can be difficult to become involved when students are facing the stress of academic life, and many people may find themselves without a third place.
Even for extremely involved students, third places may become a club meeting, or a place where they go to study. These can quickly become as repetitive as being in class or in the dorm.
As a student, finding a third place away from academic life is important to maintain a fresh perspective and avoid becoming bored by a schedule.
At Ohio University, there are numerous third places where students gather to socialize away from the demands of everyday life. From coffee shops on Court Street to lounges in academic buildings, there is always a place where new faces can be found and connections can be made.
The first step in finding a third place is understanding what you’re looking for — a quiet space where you can study, a place to meet new people or somewhere to explore a new hobby.
Fortunately, college is one of the few times in life where finding a third place can be easy and accessible. OU has a variety of options on and off campus.
Baker University Center is the central hub of student activity on campus. Students can find clubs meeting at any time of the day or night, live events, food and even areas to sit and talk with friends.
If you are looking to start a new hobby, Ping Recreation Center offers a multitude of physical activities. Ping even offers guided classes and hosts a variety of gatherings, if getting started at the gym sounds intimidating.
Despite being academic spaces, many of the buildings on campus have areas where students can sit and interact with others. The best case scenario is finding a building where you do not have any classes to truly separate work from play.
Common areas in dorms can provide an area of social activity. Although it is an off-shoot of where you may live, finding a place close to where you already frequent increases the likelihood of spending more time in a third place.
If spending more time on campus seems unappealing, there are also a vast number of off-campus options for third places.
Court Street has many coffee houses and sandwich shops that provide a comfortable environment to sit down with friends or even experience a live performance. At night, bars thrive with activity and hold abstract and exciting events.
However, if going out or sitting down for a coffee is not your jam, Athens is also covered in areas free to explore and gather.
The Athens Community Center and Athens Public Library are quiet but public areas where the community comes together to socialize and interact. These can be accessed via the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway, which twists lazily around South Green and follows the Hocking River into town.
The 22-mile bikeway is a staple in Athens’ outdoor recreation and provides another third place option. Taking a bike ride or sitting along the path can provide a breath of fresh air to the stressed out college student. In lieu of biking or walking, public transportation is your friend when finding a third place off-campus. Buses traverse around the region, stopping at a variety of areas with new spaces to explore and potential third places to find. Although Southeast Ohio is often regarded as empty, the area opens up with opportunity and the right mindset.
Third places do not have to be an area originally designated for social activity. The only requirement is that each provides a respite away from academia, where social interaction can flourish without the stress of college life.
@ALEXH0PKINS AH875121@OHIO.EDU
(NICOLE REESE | ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR)
Diddy’s case sparks speculation
ALICIA SZCZESNIAK FOR THE POST
Content warning: The following article discusses themes of sexual violence and domestic abuse.
On May 17, surveillance footage from a Los Angeles hotel in 2016 showed Sean Combs, better known as rapper and record producer P. Diddy, chasing after Cassie Ventura. Upon reaching her, Combs can be seen physically assaulting her.
In the lawsuit Ventura filed in November 2023, she brought forth similar allegations to the surveillance footage. During their romantic relationship, which lasted from 2012 to 2018, she claimed he subjected her to domestic abuse, forced her to engage in sexual acts with other men and introduced her to a life of excessive alcohol and substance use.
Despite the two settling out of court, this became only the first series of allegations brought against Combs as ten more sexual assault lawsuits followed. Due to the charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, Combs was arrested Sept. 16. On Sept. 17, a federal document listing Combs’ indictment charges would be unsealed and released to the public. The document brings forth numerous charges. Some of these detail the “freakoffs,” events that took place after Combs’ parties and where sex was the central theme. During these events, victims were often drugged, coerced, threatened or forced into partaking in sexual acts with prostitutes.
According to the legal filings, associ-
ates and members of Combs’s enterprise would aid in this in many ways, including by booking hotel rooms, buying substances and arranging for travel for the victims. The nature of the events have garnered much attention on social media.
Six months before Combs’ arrest, his houses in Los Angeles and Miami were also searched. Law enforcement said they discovered 1,000 bottles of baby oil and other lubricants. Additionally, narcotics, such as cocaine, oxycodone and ketamine, were also found at Combs’ houses. These were used to drug and force victims into partaking in sexual acts at the events.
Even after the events, Combs and his associates would track the whereabouts, monitor the medical records and control the housing and appearances of the victims. Furthermore, Combs was also seen brandishing firearms to threaten the victims further. During the searches, three AR-15 rifles with defaced serial numbers were also found, alongside a drum magazine.
Combs’ employees were also affected. If an employee of Combs’ enterprise attempted to speak out against him, they would be bribed, threatened with abuse or actually abused. They were also subjected to crimes such as kidnapping and arson.
More details are still coming out about the case, and who may have been involved. As of right now, Combs is awaiting trial for May 5, 2025 in a Brooklyn jail after pleading not guilty.
Among these details are those from Tony Buzbee, a Texas attorney who is
representing 120 plaintiffs who have brought forth sexual assault allegations against Combs. In a press conference, he stated some of these sexual assault claims took place at auditions, but the majority took place at parties. Buzbee also stated the list of names of other perpetrators in connection with Combs will one day be released and “shock you,” but those working on the case want to be absolutely certain before releasing any of them.
Buzbee’s words sparked a social media storm of speculation regarding the other perpetrators. However, each name is currently just rumors unsubstantiated by any hard proof.
Additionally, many rumors have been swirling about Combs’ connection to the deaths of A-list stars. One of the more talked-about ones is the death of
The former gang leader has allegedly claimed in the past that Combs offered him one million dollars in order to kill the rising hip hop star. With the speculation of Combs’ connection once again being in the public consciousness, the late artist’s family has hired an attorney to investigate his death.
Although many of these are simple social media rumors, more details are still coming out about the case and connections Combs may have to other members of Hollywood’s most popular.
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Recent blockbusters are struggling at the box office
JEN FOSNAUGHT | FOR THE POST
Statistics prove that movie theaters have declined in popularity and numerous blockbusters fail to attract audiences. The past year has been a slow year for theaters, with in-person movie theater viewing decreasing in popularity since the beginning of the pandemic.
According to the Wall Street Journal, before the COVID-19 global shutdown, domestic box office sales averaged around $7 million between 2015 and 2019. Following the pandemic, domestic sales for 2024 were at a low of $4.8 million. Ohio University students said they found themselves going to the movie theater less in 2024 than they had in 2023.
Madi Baldwin, a sophomore studying marketing, said she doesn’t go to the theater much while being away from home.
Carli Rettig, a junior studying literature, said she used to attend movie theaters more last year.
The decline in movie-goers results from several different reasons. For starters, movies have become cheaper to consume at home. Tickets to in-person establishments average at around $8, while a subscription to major platforms such as Netflix or Prime averages $16 a month for significantly more content.
Movie audiences share this sentiment, as in 2019 around 55% of audiences preferred watching movies in theaters vs 45% at home. In 2024, 65% of audiences
preferred at-home viewing.
Movies have not been able to draw people to the theaters either, as more blockbuster movies have been performing poorly in domestic theaters in comparison to past years.
In the top 50 highest-grossing films of all time, 14 movies fell before the pandemic between 2018 and 2019 and only four movies fell between 2023 and 2024.
Marisa Vihtelic, a freshman studying pre-veterinary, said viewers make a conscious choice to visit a theater.
“It definitely depends on how excited I am for the movie, like with ‘Bottoms’ I saw it opening day,” Vihtelic said. “If it's something that I'm excited for but I can wait to watch, then I'll wait.”
Vihtelic said a blockbuster worth venturing out to the theaters for has to have an interesting plot and compelling, well-rounded characters.”
Rettig said a good blockbuster must have good cinematography, writing, knowledgeable directors and reputable reviews as well in order for her to see it in theaters.
“But, if it's just pure fan service or something like that, I don't really have any interest in it,” Rettig said.
Audiences have found a large sum of 2023 and 2024 movies missing these key components. The 2024 movie “Joker: Folie à Deux,” starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, grossed $40 million upon opening on its $200 million budget.
Rettig said the source of her disinterest in the second “Joker” film is due to its reputation.
“I've heard it's bad, for one thing, and I really didn’t like the first one, so that’s just not something I’m interested in,” Rettig said. “And I don't have any respect for the lead actor, Joaquin Phoenix.”
“Joker: Folie à Deux” has earned a 33% rating on Rotten Tomatoes amid other poor reviews. On Letterboxd, user CinemaJoe stated the movie “actively chooses to be uninteresting and dull.”
The most recent “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” (2023), 13th most expensive movie ever made, experinces a similar incident of a large-scale blockbuster failing in sales. The movie earned less in theaters than it cost to produce and resulted in a net loss of $134.2 million, according to Forbes.
Last year saw a surplus of failing movies that ended up with a net loss. “The Marvels,” “The Flash,” “Wish” and "Haunted Mansion" all earned less than the production costs.
Three major blockbuster films did succeed in 2024: “Dune: Part Two,” “Inside Out 2” and “Deadpool & Wolverine.” However, this pales in comparison to pre-pandemic years of blockbuster success.
The failure of blockbusters come from users being dissatisfied with the unoriginal concepts and excessive advertising that come with large productions.
For some, like Madi Baldwin, it’s the increase of sequels and repeated concepts.
“A lot of movies are biopics, sequels, (it’s) the same thing,” Baldwin said.
Tupac Shakur. According to Billboard, the rapper was shot and killed in 1996, and Duane “Keefe D” Davis was arrested in connection to it in 2023.
(ALAINA DACKERMANN | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)
Where to find the best drunk food in Athens
ASHLEY POMPLAS | FOR THE POST
When the night winds down and the drinks stop flowing, the quest for the perfect late-night snack or meal begins. Whether you’re stumbling home from a night out or lounging on the couch after a gathering, the right drunk food can elevate your experience and satisfy your cravings. From greasy comfort foods to savory snacks, here are some of the best places to satisfy your drunk food cravings.
GOODFELLA’S PIZZA
Whether you just finished your night out on Court Street or near Ohio University’s campus, there are two locations of GoodFella’s Pizza to cure a hangover. The locations are 35 N. Court St. or 6 W. Union St. for the convenience of anyone on either side of town.
GoodFella’s sells pizza by the slice
for $3.50 or in whole pies. According to the restaurant’s Instagram, it is known to have the thickest crust in Athens. The thick square slices of pizza make for one of the best drunk foods because they are filling and easy to eat on the walk home from the bars.
GoodFella’s is a local business that cares about the Athens community, which shows through quality pizza and service. The restaurant has been preventing hangovers and providing a great meal since 1995 and makes for a great stop for those looking to have a delicious meal after a night out at the bars.
On Fridays and Saturdays, both locations are open until 3 a.m. but are only open until 8 p.m. during the week. The Union Street location is also open for lunch for those craving its thick crust early in the day.
BIG MAMMA’S BURRITOS
Located at 10 S. Court St., Big Mamma’s Burritos makes for a great stop to cure a hangover with a thick burrito filled with rice and many other delicious toppings. According to the restaurant’s website, it only takes 34 seconds to make a burrito, stuffing warm flour tortillas with freshly delicious blends of Mexi-Cali goodness.
Individually priced under $10, all burritos are made fresh and to order, with other options like bowls, nachos and salads to delight in every bite. It has a large menu for customers who just finished a night out to enjoy. Customers can choose between many different options to fill any craving while also having options on portion sizes.
Another great reason to stop at Big Mamma’s is the burritos are portable
to make for a delicious meal on the walk home from Court Street. The restaurant is open until midnight Tuesday through Thursday but is open until 3 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
O’BETTY’S RED HOT
Open until 3 a.m. every day except Sunday, O’Betty’s Red Hot makes for one of the best late-night options for any day of the week after the bars. O’Betty’s is a hot dog restaurant located at 15 W. State St. in the Cameron Building, the smallest building in uptown Athens.
According to the restaurant’s website, it only uses premium ingredients in preparation of the menu items. The hotdogs are never frozen and always have a snap when you eat them. The fries are hand-cut daily and fried twice to order, something the restaurant counts as not fast food.
The menu features a large selection of hotdogs priced under $7 with various kinds of toppings for any customer, drunk or not, to satisfy their hotdog cravings. There are also premium sandwiches and a large selection of french fries with selections of toppings.
O’Betty’s is one of the best drunk foods because of how fresh the food is made to order and how easy it is to carry back home after a long night out for any day of the week.
D.P. DOUGH
Once you make the trip home from the bars, the last thing you want to do is go back out for a meal or snack to satisfy your cravings. D.P. Dough offers delivery on all of their menu items and is open until 4 a.m. every day.
Located at 374 Richland Ave., D.P. Dough offers an extensive calzone menu with prices starting at $8.95. The restaurant also has wings, tater tots, stix and desserts for customers to select from straight from their phone. D.P. Dough’s delivery service offers a fresh stray away from Court Street.
@ASHLEYPOMPLAS
AP125920@OHIO.EDU
Goodfella’s Pizza, Oct. 13, 2024, located on Court Street, Athens. (ALYSSA CRUZ | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF)
Metal Mondays: The Union is the best of Athens
JACKSON MCCOY | COPY CHIEF
For many Ohio University students and Athens residents, a weekend night out means bouncing between the bars along Court Street until the early hours of the next day. Although these nights out on Athens’s most popular stretch of road are fun for many, being on Court can be stressful for those not 21 years old or people who don’t enjoy the local bar scene.
That’s where Athens’s best music venue comes in. The Union, located at 18 W. Union St., has been uplifting local bands and pouring drinks since the 1860s and strives to create a positive atmosphere for all the misfits in southeastern Ohio.
A huge part of The Union’s success is its availability for both OU college students and locals. With cover charges usually hovering around the $8-$10 area and an all-shows 18plus policy, the legendary rock ‘n’ roll dive certainly makes itself available to the public.
“I think that’s just part of the independent venue ethos -- you want shows to be as inclusive as possible,” Richard Linscott, The Union’s brand manager and former general manager, wrote in an email. “Also it would completely suck if your friend’s band was performing and you couldn’t come see them.”
Rachel Couch, a bartender at The Union, added that she thinks having an accessible 18-and-up venue in Athens helps prepare people for when they go to bars down the line. Couch also said The Union has tight boundaries on who gets drinks and who doesn’t.
“We don’t tolerate underage drinking,” Couch said. “It’s the law, and it also is about safety. When someone who is under 21 comes in and they’ve been drinking andsuddenly you have an extremely drunk underage person. We know how to deal with that.”
At many live music venues, especially punk and rock venues, the threat of sexual assault hangs in the air. A previous Metal Mondays column dove more in-depth into the predatory pop-punk music scene, but this is certainly true across rock subgenres. The traditionally degrading lyrical content in rock music has unfortunately manifested itself as gatekeeping and sometimes violence in local scenes.
However, Couch and the other employees at The Union are watchdogs for patrons, ensuring their safety throughout the night.
“I can’t even tell you the amount of times I’ve looked around the room and seen someone that looks too drunk to stand up, and the person they’re with is sober and maybe doesn’t have their best situation in mind,” she said. “We’re very aware of the sexual assault that happens in bars and clubs, and we keep an eye on people.”
Although Athens has some music venues, there are not a lot. Many bands and singers turn unconventional spaces like College Green, Baker University Center and the Athens Skate Park into pseudo venues for performances. Being one of the few traditional venues in the city, The Union plays a massive role in supporting local musicians and giving a space for upand-coming Athens acts to perform.
Under different management, there’s a chance The Union would take advantage of its status as an incredibly popu-
lar venue in a college town filled to the brim with aspiring musicians. However, The Union does not do this. According to Couch, the bar doesn’t take a cut of merch sales, which is usually a major financial limitation for small touring acts.
“The drinks are the things that keep the lights on,” Couch said. “When we’re selling beverages, we’re making enough money to make sure that small, independent acts can keep playing.”
The artistry and perseverance needed for being a small band is immense; tons of hard work goes into creating a successful musical operation. Couch said she loves seeing this dedication and knowing that when they perform at The Union, they’re reaping the benefits of their efforts.
“I see college kids printing T-shirts themselves screen printing at OU using equipment in Seigfried and selling these T-shirts for $15, and it makes me so happy that that money goes directly back to the bands,” she said.
Ultimately, what keeps people coming back to The Union is the fact that it is such a safe space. The venue frequently supports student organizations seeking to create room for people who might not be comfortable in other Athens nightlife hubs. Events like Variant Magazine’s Brat Night and the Latino Student Union’s Fiesta Night matched the atmosphere of acceptance The Union aims to maintain every time it opens its doors.
“That’s just the magic of The Union,” Linscott wrote in an email. “It’s all about the crowd; I think we have a very welcoming, safe crowd. People that aren’t looking for that seek out other environments.”
Absolutely Abby: Climate change policy protects the future
ABBY WAECHTER ASST. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT EDITOR
With election season on the horizon, it is crucial for all voters, especially those in Appalachia, to prioritize climate change policy when casting their ballots.
Climate change is a pressing reality that poses significant threats to our environment and communities, and it is dangerous when policymakers dismiss it as a “hoax.”
Yale University has monitored global warming as a voting priority in every presidential and midterm election since 2014. Its findings reveal that in 2024, only 39% of registered voters consider global warming a “very important” issue when voting. Although this marks a slight increase from 32% in 2014, it underscores a pressing need for greater awareness and action among voters.
Hurricane Helene exemplified the urgency of this issue. This storm had a devastating impact on the Appalachian hillsides of North Carolina, serving as a clear indication of the urgent climate policy needed in the region.
Appalachia is already experiencing some of the worst effects of climate change, including increased extreme weather events, rising temperatures, erosion and landslides, and deteriorating water quality. The destruction caused by Hurricane Helene exposes an immediate need for action, reinforcing the fact that voters must prioritize climate policies to safeguard their communities.
Ryan Fogt, a climatologist and director of the Scalia Lab at
Ohio University, stressed that Appalachia is a region in the U.S. that is significantly underserved and faces “lower socioeconomic status compared to much of the rest of the world.” With generally lower income levels, Fogt said the impact of climate change in Appalachia is “felt to a higher degree.”
“What we’re seeing here in Appalachia is what’s happening at the global scale; the people that are facing the brunt of climate change and its negative impacts are the most vulnerable people in the world,” Fogt said. “In the U.S., it’s Appalachia that is one of the most vulnerable, and they have very little means to adapt and respond when things happen, so they’re suffering.”
It is vital for all Americans, but particularly for residents of the Appalachian region, to consider the candidates’ views on climate policy when casting their votes this November. The future of the area depends on our democracy, and those elected to office have the power to enact relevant, evidence-based policies that can help mitigate the effects of climate change.
As the father of two daughters, Fogt wants them to have the same “healthy planet” that he has experienced and believes informed voting is essential for taking immediate action to halt the effects of climate change.
“We still have time to act to avoid some of the worst consequences of climate change, but that window is getting shorter and shorter,” Fogt said. “The next four years of whoever is in office will really determine what kind of future we’ll have for the long-term — not just their term, but going into the next
Aiden’s Add-On: Rural voters play a large
AIDEN RYAN |FOR THE POST
Since the 1980s, geographical location, identity politics and public policy have shifted the rural vote toward the Republican Party. Individuals are concerned about the future of education, healthcare and the economy. In close national races, rural Americans cannot be overlooked in national elections; they are individuals who have waited for decades for a candidate to address their values.
Today, there is a large concern among voters that both political parties have overlooked their perspectives. On popular issues such as the economy and education, many feel that neither party speaks to their concerns. In a recent Rural Democracy Initiative poll, 57% of rural voters favored a pro-worker economic plan, yet these voters are often disillusioned by political promises.
Both candidates in this election must consider their policies toward union workers and the middle class. Interestingly, Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign features tax cuts for these families. According to her official campaign website, “more than 100 million working and middle-class Americans will get a tax cut.” She plans to do this by restoring the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Among rural voters, they see both political parties as extremes of each other. A Democratic voter in North Carolina said, “If the two parties are going to be polar opposites on
every issue, then it’s just a scam.” Many voters want flexibility in politics; they are looking to support initiatives like abortion but also want access to gun ownership.
It is important to note that broad generalizations of rural voters are often harmful to creating unity in a divided country. Not all rural voters are pro-Trump extremists. It is also true that moderate politics cannot satisfy every voter, and progress is an ideal that not all are equally committed to.
On election day, there may be some voters who simply would not be willing to support a Democratic candidate, especially when large economic questions are on the line. Although recent social movements have informed national politics, there is also a “political narrative construction by Republicans.” Former President Donald Trump’s politics are not representative of populist views; they are imitations of the needs of his supporters.
It is no coincidence that the Rural Youth Voter Fund described rural America as the “least contacted and most undecided demographic.” It is imperative that voting be made accessible for individuals across the country, not solely in urban centers or swing states. It is a larger electoral issue that severely underestimates the rural vote while placing disproportionate value on urban populations.
There are 21 days until election day, and in many states early voting has already begun. Although it may be difficult to substantially change the voting behavior of any demographic,
50 to 100 years.”
Georgia Riendeau, an OU Climate and Sustainability Ambassador studying environmental science, emphasizes that addressing climate change relies on effective climate policy and informed voting.
“I’ve learned that policy is where the change happens,” Riendeau said. “We can do as much science as we want, as much research as we want, but in office, that’s where changes are made, that’s where laws are made, that’s where it makes a difference.”
Everyone has a role to play in addressing global warming, and one of the most effective ways to make an impact is through conversation and education. By discussing climate change with others, Riendeau believes we can empower our communities to take action.
“We can vote in ways that can support (the planet) and help mitigate the issues, rather than voting for people we know are going to make things a lot worse or don’t believe in it,” Riendeau said. “Use your voices, spread awareness, read about it, learn as much as you can about it, so that you can share that with other people who might not have the same access to information as you do.”
Climate change is real, and climate policy will have lasting effects on the planet. It is crucial for all voters, especially my friends in Appalachia, to make informed decisions when voting this November.
Future generations are counting on it.
role
in the election
there is an increasing movement to obtain rural votes. After all, it is about the people behind the vote, not about their ability to win an election.
When a candidate denounces healthcare platforms and celebrates the overturning of Roe v. Wade, individuals should be wary of his ability and talents as president. Yet, Harris is in a difficult position during this election. Although urban voters often are pockets of progressive voting, rural voting blocs are governed by moderate politics that favor local jobs and manufacturing. There is no doubt the stakes in this election are high for many voters. Some are willing to overlook Trump’s fiery rhetoric and controversial actions throughout his political career.
Some people simply want to be in the position to buy a home, and that heavily influences their vote. Others are looking for more equitable systems in this country. Many of these values intersect with each other, and individuals use the ranking of these values to inform their voting behavior. It was recently the destruction caused by hurricanes Helene and Milton showed how vulnerable rural communities are when faced with adversity. Harris’ policies may be the first step to bridge a gap between urban and rural, progressive and conservative. Yet, there is a great deal of effort that must be made to meet the needs of people not only on the ballot but within their geographic regions as well.
SOLUTIONS 10/8
From the Editor’s Desk: The Post is blessed with a rich history, promising future
ALYSSA CRUZ | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Although The Post is independent, it would not be able to exist in the capacity it does without the support, guidance and education provided by the faculty of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. The contributions from the school manifest in many ways whether that be how to write a solid headline or what to do during an ethical dilemma, we are forever grateful for the support.
Last Tuesday, the school was designated and unveiled as a Society of Professional Journalists national historic site. Outside the journalism suite in Schoonover Center, a large plaque is now proudly displayed reading: “Ohio University was created one of the top journalism schools in the country, with an emphasis on practical experience, intellectual exploration and social responsibility. It champions the First Amendment as a vital tool of a robust democracy.”
A reception was held to honor the unveiling and the small entry outside the suite was packed with journalism faculty, Scripps College of Communication faculty, students, notable alumni and Kevin Smith, a past president of SPJ.
Dr. Eddith Dashiell, director of the school, welcomed all the guests in her signature purple and served as emcee for the event. Other speakers at the event included Scott Titsworth, dean of the Scripps College of Communication, as well as Smith.
Titsworth congratulated the school for its many accomplishments as well as emphasized the important role the state plays in the journalism industry. Smith discussed the school’s commitment to SPJ’s Code of Ethics, citing it as a reason the school has had a distinguished journalism program for so long. The E.W. Scripps School of Journalism joins 111 other locations across the U.S. as a Historic Site in Journalism.
Among the notable alumni was a special distinguished graduate: Paul Miller class of 1947. Miller earned a journalism degree from OU as well as served as Sports Editor and Editor of The Post. He celebrated his 100th birthday in February and made the trip down to Athens to see his alma mater be recognized.
Miller was all smiles as he peered up at the audience, a crowd too big for the modest entry of the suite with attendees spilling onto the stairwell and the neighboring hallways. Even under the harsh fluorescent lights, his warmth shone through.
A big talking point for Miller was how many students were in attendance.
“I’m just overcome with what I see here,” he said. “I was expecting to be talking to a bunch of old people. I appreciate that you are interested enough in the field to be here.”
Miller went on to talk about his time at OU and what it meant to him, citing his time at The Post
as well as his involvement with his fraternity, Phi Kappa Tau, as highlights.
He joked he had only been at OU for a week before he became Sports Editor.
“I sat by the radio many Saturdays listening to the game, making notes, so I could write a story for you to read in The Post,” he said.
After graduation, Miller worked at the Canton Repository, the Akron Beacon Journal and The Marion Star. His accolades include traveling the world as well as receiving national recognition in traffic safety writing.
More important than journalistic accomplishments, Miller spoke about the important roles his family members played in his life as well as his appreciation for their continued love and support.
After Miller concluded his speech, the entire room was smiling, all amazed by Miller’s accomplishments as well as his nearly eight-decadelong love for the university.
One can accomplish many things in a century and experience many joys, and it was truly humbling to hear Miller list his time at OU as one of the most cherished parts of his life.
Looking forward, I cannot wait to see what the next 100 years of The Post holds. As the industry continues to evolve and mold with the passage of time, I earnestly hope The Post can continue to hold the same significance to its members as it did for Paul Miller. And, of course, this could not be possible without the guidance of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. Thank you, Scripps. Thank you, Post. Thank you, Mr. Miller. Long live The Post!
JACKSON PENNINGTON | FOR THE POST
Alyssa Cruz and Paul Miller last Tuesday in Schoonover 130.
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