Vol 107 Issue 18

W W W.CENTR A LR ECOR DER .COM Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Central Connecticut State University

Volume 107 No. 18

SGA President Announces Resignation Vekakis Cites ‘Personal Circumstances’ As Reason, Says Role Has Been ‘Exhausted’ mAtt CLybURn the Recorder

Matt Vekakis, president of the CCSU Student Government Association, has resigned from his position effective immediately.

Vekakis made the announcement in an e-mail to SGA officers and senators on Sunday.

“It is with great regret that I must step down from my position as president of the Student Government Association effective Feb. 20, 2011,” Vekakis said in his message. “I have enjoyed my time on the SGA tremendously, and will always cherish the relationships forged with you all. I wish you nothing but the greatest successes in the future.”

The announcement comes less than two weeks after the election of Elizabeth Braun to the position of interim vice president, following the resignation of Chris Kyle in December.

Article three, section two of the SGA’s constitution states that “in case of the

kEnny bARtO | tHE RECORDER

the Recorder

A recent survey conducted by the Faculty Senate general education ad-hoc committee shows that a majority of CCSU faculty believe the general education program should be reformed.

The survey results that were presented during the body’s meeting last week found that of the 230 surveyed, more than 60 percent either agreed or strongly agreed that a redesign is necessary.

Robert Wolff, chair of the ad hoc committee, says the committee has been given the responsibility of making recommendations for any changes to the general education program by the spring of 2012.

That may sound like a long time, but Wolff assures that “it is a long process.” Much of this process will involve several surveys directed toward students and faculty. Any changes would have to go through several committees, the Faculty Senate as a whole and ultimately be approved by CCSU President Jack Miller.

Wolff, who is also an associate professor of history, feels that the consensus among faculty is that the current system has become too complex. One major issue to be examined is that of students relocating to CCSU that are unable to transfer all of the credits they’ve accumulated at other institutions of higher learning.

“We have to be mindful that students transfer from one [Connecticut state university] to the other, they come from the community colleges…we can’t design something that makes it impossible to transfer,” said Wolff.

SGA | COnt. On 2

Matt Vekakis, left, next to Chris Kyle, who resigned as vice president in December.

General Education Redesign Could Be in Future Plans JUStin mUSzynSki

removal of the President from office...the Vice-President shall become President.” It is unclear whether or not Braun’s interim status will have impact on the interpretation of this.

“Due to personal circumstances, I no longer felt that I would be an effective asset to the CCSU Student Government Association and felt it necessary to step down from my elected position,” Vekakis told The Recorder early Monday morning. “I am so humbled to have been able to serve the CCSU campus community for the past four years and do not take this decision to resign from my position as president of the Student Government Association lightly.”

“I believe that it is the responsibility of any elected persons to understand when their time in such a role has been exhausted and to step aside as a result,” Vekakis said. “I admire the senators I served with and know that each will continue to make CCSU the fantastic

The current system requires a minimum of 44 to 46 credits in general education studies, not including the foreign language department, and has four study areas and four skill areas.

The general education program that is currently in effect at CCSU was put in place in 1998 and “was under discussion for a few years before that,” Wolff says.

“Any program we put in place would probably not affect any student who’s here now,” Wolff added.

In other words, current students don’t have to worry about the curriculum being changed in the middle of their education as they will be ‘grandfathered’ in and would most likely follow their original course of study.

Wolff says that the newly created Board of Regents would more than likely have no affect on any changes the university chooses to make to their curriculum.

Wolff said this is a good chance to step back and look at the curriculum closer and decide what it should mean to be a CCSU graduate.

The discussion about general education reform comes at a time when higher education reorganization at the state level and shrinking budget could affect future plans.

Jason Jones, president of the CSU chapter of the American Association of University Professors, believes that the higher education system restructuring could negatively influence plans for general education changes.

“One of the things we have GEn ED | COnt. On 2

CSUS Overhaul and Budget Proposal Has Faculty Thinking JOnAtHAn StAnkiEwiCz the Recorder

Before Governor Dannel Malloy’s budget proposal in front of the General Assembly last week, Malloy proposed an overhaul of the Connecticut State University System.

With the overhaul of higher education, Malloy wants to eliminate the boards for the CSUS, the community colleges, Charter Oak State College and the Board of Governors for Higher Education and combine their power into the newly created Board of Regents for Higher Education.

Similar to the Minnesota system, Malloy also wants to consolidate the central offices of the CSU and community college system into one office reporting to one CEO, along with Charter Oak State College.

Malloy wants to reduce the CSUS General Fund Appropriation by 10 percent, which according to the budget summary, would be over $17 million.

Enrollment in the CSUS system is at over 36,000 students and has increased by more than 8,000 students since 1996.

In the budget summary Malloy expects to yield savings more than

$78 million in fiscal year 2012 and $83 million in fiscal year 2013 throughout the higher education system.

“Although change often seems scary, I don’t think a change in the administrative system of CSU is necessarily good or bad,” said Associate English Professor Burlin Barr.

“I recognize the state is in a crisis, an economic crisis, and we have a huge hole,” said Professor James Mulrooney, Chair of the Biomolecular Sciences department.

“Things have to be done. On one OVERHAUL | COnt. On 2

Providence Beats Connecticut in Frigid Whale Bowl

kEnny bARtO | tHE RECORDER

Maxime Sauve beats Whale goalie Dov Grumet-Morris in the fourth round of the shooutout to pick up the victory for the Bruins. Sauve also had an additional goal in the game.

Whale Bowl Coverage Begins on Page 12

FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT: www.centralrecorder.com

2 THE RECORDER Wednesday, February 23, 2011

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NEWS

GEN ED | Cont. from 1 heard is that they want to have the [proposed] Board of Regents identify the general education standards for the CSU schools,” Jones said. “Then the different institutions would be allowed to pick what classes fulfill those gen ed requirements that are determined by this bureaucracy that the governor would be appointing.”

“I think that the reorganization could possibly trump our hopes for reorganizing general education,” Jones added. “It’s possible that there would be no meaningful campus control over curriculum.”

The Faculty Senate general education ad hoc committee will meet Wednesday at 3:15 p.m. to discuss the next step in this process.

Editor-in-Chief Michael Walsh mwalsh@centralrecorder.com Managing Editor Nicholas Proch nproch@centralrecorder.com Art Director Ashley E. Lang News Editors Matt Clyburn Sara M. Berry news@centralrecorder.com Entertainment Editor Max Kyburz entertainment@ centralrecorder.com Sports Editor Brittany Burke sportsed@centralrecorder.com Photo Editor Kenny Barto kbarto@centralrecorder.com Copy Editor Maxine Eichen Katherine Bossardet Staff Writers Chris McLaughlin Justin Muszynski Jonathan Stankiewicz Danny Contreras Sarah Bogues

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The Recorder is a studentproduced publication of Central Connecticut State University and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of CCSU’s administrators, faculty or students. The Recorder articles, photographs and graphics are property of The Recorder and may not be reproduced or published without the written permission from the Editor-in-Chief. T he pur pose of T he Recorder is to approach and def ine issues of importance to the students of Central Connecticut State Universit y.

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kenny barto | the recorder

Jason Jones says that reorganization could possibly trump hopes for reorganizing general education.

OVERHAUL | Cont. from 1 friends who teach in the Minnesota system, said that “they have survived hand I understand that there’s going it.” to be cuts, that has to happen. On Mulrooney, who also knows the other side, I don’t agree with professors in the Minnesota system, how we are doing these cuts.” said that after five years they are still “As long as we can remain true working through the kinks of the to our mission, that is the CSU system. mission, of providing a range “This just doesn’t happen of educational services to our overnight,” said Mulrooney. “The students, which includes education change cost them a lot of money to in liberal arts, sciences, professional do that.” programs, as well as in specific “I would hate to see CSU follow trades, then consolidation of the the path of SUNY Albany,” said administration is not necessarily a Barr. “SUNY Albany, in my opinion, bad thing,” said Barr. is no longer a university. Once upon “Each college serves different a time I would have considered it a populations of students,” said good place to work and/or to send Mulrooney. “Each with different my children to school. Not any needs so that even though we are more.” our own system we each have our SUNY Albany made cuts own concentration.” that forced the school to end all Mulrooney is worried about admissions to programs in French, each university’s needs.

Italian, Russian and classics, keeping “And now we have one board to only Spanish left in the language govern all of us,” said Mulrooney. department once current students “In some ways that can be great, but graduate. at the same time our needs could be “This can’t be done on the backs diluted...lumped together in a way of the students, nor on the backs of that the community colleges voices the staff,” said Barr on the budget may not be heard.” cuts.

The exclusion of UConn from Barr said that some areas that the newly proposed system didn’t could be affected by financial go unnoticed. cutbacks could be larger classes, Serafin Mendez-Mendez, fewer sections to choose from, Professor and Chair of loss of internships and loss of Communication, says that UConn independent studies. was very smart.

“I think to President Miller’s “Last spring UConn began a credit they have been planning for multimillion dollar study to assess this,” said Mulrooney. “This was their expenses to see where they no mystery...we all knew what we are overspending,” said Mendez- are gonna do at different percent Mendez. “It is still on going and has levels.” provided them with a shield.”

Mulrooney says that CCSU is “The new higher education actually going to fare well after the board needs to be aware of the 10 percent cut. different missions these schools “That was our magic number,” serve,” said Barr. “That is why the said Mulrooney. “We have been omission of UConn from this very slow about replacing faculty overhaul remains a mystery to me.” positions. I don’t think we are going Barr, who mentioned that the to be faced with cutting people.” inconsistencies in the plan of the Still, faculty believes it won’t be reorganization give him pause, says easy for CCSU. that the CSU and UConn have a lot “10 percent is rough...especially in common. considering the budget constraints “Both promote graduate and we’ve been operating under for the four-year programs in liberal arts last 2 years,” said Barr. “We are all and professional studies, as well as already feeling the consequences of graduate programs,” said Barr “If we operating on a shoestring budget.” can maintain quality of university Mendez-Mendez is worried education and reorganize, as the about the administration. According promoters of the reorganization to him, resources have been suggest, then why not include allocated the wrong way and needs UConn?” to be given back to the students.

Is the Minnesota overhaul of “We have bloated administration higher education able to work? at all levels,” said Mendez-Mendez.

Mendez-Mendez, who has “If we are going to cut we need to

SGA | Cont. from 1

place that it is. I’d also like to thank the student body for their continual support and for allowing me the opportunity to serve on their behalf for the past four years.”

Vekakis is a senior English major and has served as President since the fall of 2010. In the spring of 2009, Vekakis defeated Alex Rodriguez by an 11-vote margin in the first SGA election held partially on the internet.

Running on a platform of SGA reform, the outgoing president told The Recorder last year that he intended “to make the senate aware that they’re not voting for the individual, but for their constituency.” Vekakis added, “The senate can be very ‘tunnel vision’ within.”

“I love this campus; I love the opportunities it gave me,” Vekakis told The Recorder in 2009. “I want to give back to the CCSU community.”

Vekakis is the former vice president of the SGA and was honored last semester with a place on the Dean’s List for academic achievement. He also served as vice president of the Inter Residence Council, student director of the CCSU Foundation, Inc., board member for the Student Union Board of Governors, and is a co-

founder of CCSU’s Outing Club.

SGA next meets Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

cut on the administration and not on the teaching resources.”

With the budget cuts imminent, Mulrooney wants to focus on graduating students on time.

“The truth is that not every student that starts here graduates,” said Mulrooney. “We need to work even harder and offer it in a way that students can complete degrees on time.”

“We need to start really looking at how we cycle our courses,” said Mulrooney on how some classes are offered seasonally. “In some ways when things get tough there is a plus that comes out of that. The problem creates new possibilities and creativity and gets us off our butts and creates new ways of doing things.”

“Faculty, the administraion and students need to pay attention,” Mulrooney said. “But this may have an impact not on you right now, but students who are just entering and students who are on the way need to pay attention to not take for granted.”

Barr says that the need to remain informed and stay informed is important to the process.

“We need to speak out on important issues and discourage people from being goaded into extreme positions,” Barr said.

“Unfortunately, there is a lot of

misinformation circulating out there.”

Students also need to be vocal and weigh in on their opinions, according to Mulrooney.

“Students have to realize why they come to this type of university setting,” Mulrooney said. “Some of what they offer to students has to be preserved at all costs.”

“Your identity will always be attached with this school,” said Mulrooney. “The reputation of this school is the reputation of your degree.”

Can the plan work?

“I don’t know,” said Barr. “I think it can. I certainly know it can fail and we can’t let that happen.”

“I don’t think the governor is off track,” said Mendez-Mendez. “He realizes we have a problem.”

Mulrooney doesn’t see a problem with the plan, but if Malloy doesn’t get reelected that’s where he sees big problems.

“The governor is only in office for four years,” said Mulrooney. “I like the fact that he didn’t do the hack away the system, but there’s no guarantee that he gets reelected in four years.”

According to Mulrooney, changes made today may not be conducive for another governor and more drastic cuts could happen down the road.

Vekakis.

kenny barto | the recorder

James Mulrooney doesn’t see a problem with Malloy’s plan, but says that if Malloy isn’t reelected in four years there could be problems.

3

THE RECORDER / Wednesday, February 23, 2011 / NEWS

Governor Delivers Bitter Message in Budget Address CSU AAUP Chapter Invites Students to State Capitol The CSU chapter of the American Association of University Professors will be transporting students to the State Capitol Monday to engage legislators and show support for Connecticut's higher education system.

The Feb. 28 hearing before the appropriations committee is specifically aimed at discussing the budget. The CSU AAUP will also bring students to a committee hearing on March 10 about Malloy's reorganization proposal.

"For both committee meetings, the CSU AAUP is bussing people up to Hartford to testify, or just to be in the room and to show support, for the CSU institutions," chapter president and english professor Jason Jones said.

"We're offering food, free t-shirts and all kinds of stuff to people who can go."

Interested students can register at csuaaup.org. Busses will leave from the Student Center lot at 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. for the hearing scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m.

"Students can also call or write their legislators, all the usual stuff," Jones added, "so we're really hoping to turn people out in defense of higher education."

mAtt CLybURn the Recorder

Governor Dannel Malloy unveiled his budget before a joint session of the Connecticut legislature last Wednesday, detailing a plan that will raise taxes, cut spending and consolidate a number of state agencies.

Malloy also called for enhanced job creation, greater investment in magnet schools, stimulating growth in the state’s preschool offerings and allowing municipalities to retain more of the revenue they collect from the taxation of hotels and rental cars. The plan includes provisions for an additional $1.5 billion in new or increased taxes and increasing state spending by nearly five percent in the next two years.

The budget, that would take effect on July 1, totaled up to $19.7 billion and aims to close a projected $6.2 billion deficit through fiscal year 2012. In doing so, Malloy hopes to spread “shared sacrifice” to nearly every constituency group in the state.

The plan counts on a savings of over $1 billion from concessions by the state’s employee unions. Malloy warned during his address that thousands of state employees could lose their jobs if negotiations were unsuccessful.

“The spending reductions that the governor has proposed, we intend to accomplish,” budget director Ben Barnes said during a Wednesday morning press conference, responding to a question regarding the anticipated concessions.

“I don’t make these suggestions to be antagonistic,” Malloy said in his address, “just realistic.”

“The alternative...would require us to completely shred the safety net and lay off thousands of state workers,” Malloy said.

“There’s no alternative, we have to get it done - and I’m confident we will get it done.”

While Democratic leaders were hesitant to enthusiastically embrace Malloy’s proposal, many credited the new governor for his balanced approach that includes a combination of increased taxation and spending cuts.

“The governor has been given a tough challenge,” said Democratic Speaker of the House Chris Donovan. “All of us, as the governor said, shared sacrifice. We agree, and we want to make sure that share is fair.”

The plan will not borrow money for operating expenses and preserves most funding for public education.

“Malloy’s first budget shows that state resources will remain focused on vital priorities including public education,” Connecticut Education Association Director John Yrchik said in a statement. “We appreciate the governor’s leadership in state funding of local education. By providing $570 million over the next year two years to fill the gap created by the loss of federal stimulus funds, he ensures that local schools will not go over the much-

feared funding cliff.”

In the midst of looming battles for public employee concessions, Yrchik added that “some teachers already have ‘stepped up to the plate’ in making salary concessions in contract negotiations, while health care costs continue to increase. Clearly, economic conditions have had a dramatic and direct impact on teachers’ salaries and benefits across Connecticut.”

Despite the CEA director’s general support, funding for Connecticut’s higher education system is expected to be cut by as little as 10 percent and as much as 13 percent. The cuts would follow a trend that has seen public funds diminish significantly over the last two decades from an average of 54.8 percent to an average of 31.6 percent as a percentage of the system’s operating expenses.

“One of the things that the reorganization does is it gives the newly created Board of Regents the ability to shift up to 15 percent of the budget from either CSU, or the community colleges, or Charter Oak, to any one of those other agencies,” English professor and American Association of University Professors CSU Chapter President Jason Jones told The Recorder Monday. “So in any given year, they could take 15 percent away from CSU on top of the budget cuts that are already lined up.”

Jones said that the cuts and new controls from the Board of Regents could make it difficult to plan programs, keep class sizes maintainable and retain faculty. The proposed budget cuts could also keep the CSU system from meeting new performance standards.

“If the CSU schools aren’t meeting as yet unspecified performance metrics such as graduation rates, retention rates and workforce development targets, they may lose that funding to other members of the higher education system,” Jones said. “Instead of a ‘race to the top,’ it could be a race to the bottom.”

Still, Jones said the plan could have some benefits.

“There are good aspects of the reorganization plan...it would promote better articulation between the community colleges and the CSU schools, as well as make it easier to transfer credits and so forth.”

Malloy’s proposed tax increases will affect “anyone who earns a middle-class salary, smokes cigarettes, drinks beer, drives a car, takes yoga lessons, buys nonprescription drugs, gets a haircut or receives a manicure,” according to the Hartford Courant.

The plan has generated criticism from Republican leaders and groups that represent Connecticut residents and businesses.

“While we appreciate the Governor’s call for shared sacrifice and the difficult decisions he is faced with, other than the expansion of the Money Follows the Person Program, which we support, and which only uses federal money, there is nothing but sacrifice in this budget for seniors,” a statement from the American Association

Malloy.

JASOn CUnninGHAm| tHE RECORDER

of Retired People said. The organization represents nearly 600,000 Connecticut residents over the age of 50, according to their website.

AFL-CIO President John Olsen opposes the budget on principle, saying last week that the state has a revenue problem, not a spending problem.

“The top five percent, those making $412,000 and above, who received an extension of a tax cut, that was never paid for, that they were never really entitled to, that alone translated into $3.2 billion,” Olsen said Thursday.

One feature of the budget is a program called “First Five.” The job-creation initiative would give tax and economic development incentives to the first five companies that create 200 or more new full-time jobs within the next two years. The incentives could also apply to a business that could not fulfill those requirements but that could show evidence of “significant capital investment” of more than $25 million.

The First Five program is aimed at “[beginning] to create a better job-creation climate in the state,” Malloy said.

Of the tax increases and spending cuts, Malloy said that the public will come around to supporting his proposals.

“I believe they are willing to make sacrifice if they understand why they’re being asked to do so and if they believe that Connecticut is serious about fixing what’s wrong,” he said during the address.

Malloy begins his statewide tour this week where he will discuss the budget proposals with Connecticut citizens in town hall-style meetings. The tour will stop in 17 communities, beginning in Bridgeport and ending in Danbury on April 6. The governor will visit New Britain on April 5 at a location and time to be determined at a later date.

Malloy Aims to Save Some ʻGreenʼ In More Ways Than One mAtt CLybURn the Recorder

It’s no secret that the state is looking to save some green by cutting the budget and raising taxes. The effort may go beyond the cash savings, though, as Governor Dannel Malloy used his budget address last week to hint at a campaign issue that could save the state millions of dollars - decriminalizing pot.

“There are simply too many people who’ve been arrested and jailed for minor, non-violent or drug offenses,” Malloy said in his address.

“If given access to an alternative forms of punishment, [they] would take advantage of that additional chance to choose a different and better path.”

Under his proposal that was referred to the Joint Commission on Judiciary Thursday, anyone caught with less than an ounce of marijuana would be guilty of a simple infraction and subject to a fine instead of a possible stint in prison.

“This new policy will save us millions of dollars which is a benefit of a more enlightened policy whose time, I think, has come,” Malloy said.

The Office of Fiscal Analysis published a report in 2009 that detailed arrests for marijuana possession two years earlier. Of the 9,928 arrest in 2007, it is estimated that one-third were for possession of less than one

ounce of marijuana, according to Christine Stuart of CT News Junkie.

“Based on a proportionate analysis of resources currently allocated to handle these offenses, it is estimated that the proposal could save up to $11 million and generate $320,000 in General Fund revenue - from fines - annually,” the report said.

“Obviously, this doesn’t apply to anyone selling marijuana; it’s for the person caught with a few joints,’’ Michael Lawlor, Malloy’s head of criminal justice policy and planning, told Stuart last week.

Malloy told a group of UConn students during his campaign that he would support the decriminalization of marijuana if elected.

The then-candidate qualified, however, that changing the classification from a misdemeanor to an infraction or lightening penalties would not be the same as outright legalization.

A 2008 ballot initiative in Massachusetts proposed policies similar to the new bill. The initiative passed and was enacted in 2009, changing criminal penalties for possession of less than one ounce to a $100 fine and removed small violations from state criminal records.

Some see the bill as a path to legalization the Massachusetts law enacted just two years ago has now led to talk of sale, regulation, and taxation in the same fashion as alcohol.

According to analysis from an independent research firm, local ballot questions last year indicated that Massachusetts residents are ready for full legalization.

“There is strong evidence that if a wellcrafted marijuana legalization initiative makes it onto the ballot in 2012 [in Massachusetts], it could pass,” said Jon Walker of Firedoglake Elections blog.

Many CCSU students are supportive of the initiative. “I support it,” Junior Torry Murphy said. “Of course, I also believe marijuana should be completely legalized.

Take into consideration that damaging effects that alcohol and cigarettes brings, and they’re legal.”

Murphy added, “I feel that if it is still illegal, the punishment should be lessened.

I’d like to know who is actually harmed by marijuana use, more so than alcohol and cigarettes.”

Still, others have questions. “I guess it depends on what the goal of reducing it is,” Senior Christina Bittner said. “Obviously, it won’t crack down on people who use it, but... people who have a severe problem would have more on them.”

“The people who support it probably smoke it and would rather risk a fine than prison time, and the people who don’t support it probably think the penalty for using drugs should be much worse than it is,” Bittner said.

The proposal was brought to the legislature by Democratic leaders on Malloy’s behalf, and will need to be crafted in writing by the committee before it is brought to the floor of the general assembly for a vote. The committee will schedule hearings over the next few weeks.

If the bill is passed and signed by Malloy, it is scheduled to take effect on July 1.

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4

THE RECORDER / Wednesday, February 23, 2011

OPINION

THE RECORDER Wednesday, February 23, 2011

EDITORIAL

5

General Education Overhaul is Overdue

With all the attention on budgets and shrinking educational committees to save money, there needs to be a reformation of the general education requirements at CCSU. Originally set up to produce more well-rounded individuals, students are now being told they can’t graduate because they haven’t fulfilled a skill-area requirement for their major.

While no one is arguing that we need to be less ‘well-rounded,’ we are saying that the vast majority of these courses are not necessary to strengthen one’s major or passion. A communication major shouldn’t need to worry so much about how many chemistry credits he or she may have. A chemistry major will likely not see the benefit of taking a sociology course.

The university has a vast array of courses that they offer to build a stronger mind, but they seem to forget that we are choosing what to study and paying for it. Never should the administration tell a student that they have to

take a certain course which does not pertain to their major. It just leads to redundancies and weak learning experiences.

Students in courses that they are being made to take, and have little to no interest in, will not give their full attention and effort. The knowledge that one gathers in an introductory course is shallow; most of us don’t retain much of what we learn in those classes beyond the final exam.

Too many students complain about how it takes them more than four years to graduate from this institution, but most of this is caused by the staggering amount of skill area requirements that we are required to fulfill. More than half of your education will be spent in classrooms listening to lectures in emphases that aren’t affiliated with your major. On your major’s advising sheet, you can see the courses you need. A media studies major in the Communication department will only need to take 57 credits between their major and selected minor, the rest of their

122 total credits will be filled in with general education courses.

What about those students who are enrolled in the new journalism course of study? Any one of these young, impressionable individuals will spend hundreds of hours crafting written works comprised of correct grammar, properly structured sentences and eloquent verbiage.

They, too, will toil over the written works of others - from the daily reading of a newspaper to the textbooks, blogs and articles that will act as the foundation of their newly acquired knowledge. Yet these students will be forced to sit through a semester of American literature.

As journalism students, we already love to read. Does this make sense?

Some suggestions: A comprehensive mathematics course to lay the framework for strategic thinking; a foundational freshman composition course to ensure all CCSU students are on the same level of reading and writing and a philosophy course to ensure that we all have a basic level of critical thinking

skills (and to ensure the department doesn’t dissolve entirely).

With the possibility that universities in the CSU system will receive less funding because of lower graduation rates, it doesn’t bode well for the school to indirectly force a student to stay here for five or more years because he lacks a science lab on his otherwise complete transcript. Governor Malloy has made it clear that the budgets will need to be trimmed back and that the graduation rates are too low, let’s help him out on both fronts by taking a very close look at the general education requirements in each major.

Administrators and students should be working together in the very near future to make a system that works. It should seem obvious that a student will perform better in their desired field if they’ve spent more time in classes in their major. Today, that idea doesn’t seem apparent to those that are making a student’s path to graduation more difficult.

EDITOR’S COLUMN

Resignations Should Put SGA on Notice michael walsh The Recorder

While the CCSU Student Government Association has seen its fair share of headline-worthy news the last two semesters, perhaps none of it was more shocking than the seemingly abrupt resignation of President Matt Vekakis.

SGA’s recent laundry list of news is almost hard to believe: resignations of its president and vice president, questions of ethics, budget concerns, challenged constitution and by-law interpretations and portions of meeting that would not be paired with the word professional.

And while the questionable has absolutely been weighted with some good, the SGA’s loss of its president puts a major exclamation point on the 2010-11 student government year that in our newsroom has been known for its ups and down.

Sitting down with Vekakis last October, I would never have predicated his early departure. His eager desire to change SGA and CCSU for the better left an impact on me. Two semesters is far

too little time for any one busy person or organization to make drastic changes to a student body, university or community.

Still, Vekakis had ideas of SGA financial self-sustainability and was aware of the importance of Governor Dannel Malloy’s budget announcement. Because of this, I won’t question his unexplained personal reasons for deciding to step down. The student government seemed too important to this one individual to say goodbye for no reason and the senate is certainly a less motivated being without him.

SGA and this entire student body is now at a pivotal point and you should care. Elizabeth Braun, interim vice president for all of two weeks, might become president. The lines are unclear because of her interim status, but if the by-laws hold true, Braun should enter the seat of president Wednesday. Otherwise, a special election could happen. Either way, a very new president will be serving our student body for the remainder of this semester and it might impact the very important presidential race for next semester.

As usual, elections for next year’s SGA president will take place this spring.

Students should take note as the student government rides out these final few months of service. Experience in the form of a new president and vice president will come into play when those who want to declare their run for president do so.

The Recorder has already exhausted talk about how much money SGA handles (it’s nearly $700,000, in case you were still wondering), but it doesn’t make it any less important when electing a new leader.

While it seems like a comfortable amount of money, it was proven last semester that it can disappear much quicker than you think. A strong, dependable leader is needed to oversee all these funds and the rest of SGA’s actions.

I’ve already urged students to take the time out of their Wednesday’s and attend a student government meeting if possible. It’s now even more important to show outsider interest in the group.

Had these headlines been about a larger, more widely-known group, the news would be national. It’s not, but this is our

level. It’s the students’ business. We are the checks and balances, no one else. I cannot stress enough the importance of paying attention to what happens within SGA in the next couple of weeks. CCSU’s two student-elected SGA leaders from last spring have now both resigned and internally selected leaders could be the ones to replace them.

No matter what happens, SGA is fortunately made up of mostly capable and energetic CCSU students looking to make a change at the campus or community level. Even though the last two semesters have been highlighted by questions of judgment, the student body is in good hands with the senate currently in place. They are goodwilled and for all I know, the majority of the senators aren’t there for the title or resume booster.

Bottom line: the resignation of Vekakis, who was always appreciative of The Recorder’s positive and negative coverage of the SGA, leaves a bigger hole in the student government than you might think. Heads up CCSU students, SGA 2011 is about to get interesting.

How We Got Here: Kenny Barto

kenny Barto The Recorder

I’m not a journalism major. There, I said it, and now that I’ve covered that, I can get into how exactly a non-journalism major decided to work for The Recorder. Quite simply it’s a long story, and I hope you enjoy it.

I went to a technical high school where I focused on working with computers, so I guess you can call me somewhat of a nerd. I bought my first camera, a Nikon D50, when I was in 11th grade and immediately fell in love with sports photography. I might be a nerd but I am into sports as much as I’m into my computers. I would always go to New Britain Rock Cats games and take photos from the stands, as well as go to all of my high school’s games and give photos to my friends on the team, who always appreciated it.

My first experience in print media came when I was a senior in high school. I eagerly volunteered to be the yearbook editor-inchief, and it was an awesome job having an

entire publication in my hands. I ended up being extremely satisfied with the result, and had a lot of fun working with a team to produce something that a lot of other people looked at.

I started off my college career a few months later at the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA. I know what you’re thinking…The Little League World Series happens there! Yes it does, but that also happens to be the ONLY thing that happens in Williamsport all year long. Of course Penn State is about an hour away, which is definitely something any college student should experience. But all-in-all, it was not a fun place to be. So I decided I wanted to transfer back to Connecticut, where I felt like I belonged.

At PCT, I worked for the college-run news bureau as a photographer. I ended up learning a ton about photography including studio work, since the college spent a lot of money on a high-tech photography studio that I could work in whenever I wanted. However, the downside was that I worked for the college, not a student-run organization. We basically only highlighted the good things and could never talk about the bad things.

I ended up missing the transfer application deadline to CCSU, so I decided to take just 3 classes at Manchester Community College.

With the help of a family friend, I also got an internship in the IT Operations Department at Travelers Insurance where I worked over the summer of 2009, and continued into the fall semester. Even though I will always have my photography, my IT career is definitely where the money is at. I consider myself to be extremely lucky to have the position at

Travelers, because I know it’s not easy to find a position at a major company.

I began at CCSU in the spring 2010 semester. I got lucky in that the previous photo editor had graduated, and the spot was open for me. As long as I passed the tryout. In the first week, I voluntarily traveled to Sacred Heart to cover basketball and did everything that was asked of me. I knew I would go absolutely crazy if I wasn’t able to continue my photography career and I just had to be able to have Division 1 sports in my portfolio.

I picked Management Information Systems as my major, which may or may not have been a smart idea. It seems like it will take forever to graduate but based on all of the statistics that come from CCSU, if it takes me 5 total years to complete a bachelor’s, that’s normal.

The Recorder has been great to me, and I have not only been able to make great contacts, I’ve also made some great friends as well. I’ve been able to shoot some awesome sports games, most notably the Whale Bowl at Rentschler Field this past weekend and the Hartford Colonials last semester. I’ve also been able to see Louisville, where we traveled to the National American Collegiate Press and College Media Advisers conference, and will be traveling to Los Angeles for the ACP conference next week. In addition to all of the glamor, I also have to cover things that are less than exciting. Guest speakers, faculty senate and SGA are some of my least favorite things to cover. Since I am the Photo Editor, the work must be done.

Because I have such a passion for photography, meeting other professional

photographers is extremely helpful in improving my skills and position within the field. One of the most helpful people to me has been Steve McLaughlin, who is the “team photographer” for CCSU sports and a number of other schools. Not only does he pass along gigs that he can’t do, he critiques my images and has been an awesome mentor. I would not have met him if it weren’t for my position with The Recorder.

In addition to being with The Recorder, I am also a writer/photographer for Pinstripes Plus Magazine where I get to cover the entire New York Yankees minor league system, which is something I really enjoy doing. For the baseball buffs out there, I’ve been able to interview Brian Cashman, top prospect Jesus Montero, as well as first round draft picks Cito Culver and Slade Heathcott. I’ve also been able to cover games at all of the minor league levels and will make my first appearance at spring training in March when I travel to Tampa during spring break. Of course, my passion for baseball followed me to CCSU, where I cover them all season long.

A different person seems to ask me every week if photography and sports writing is what I want to do. Although I’m happy when I’m covering games, and consider it a great privilege to be able to talk to professional players, it’s extremely difficult to find a good paying job where there seems to be no shortage of that in the IT industry. However, that doesn’t stop me from being able to enjoy my time with The Recorder, where I’ve had nothing but great experiences since I started last year.

6

THE RECORDER / Wednesday, February 23, 2011 / UPGRADE

Budding Actors, Directors Show Their Stuff on the ‘Second Stage’ max kyburz The Recorder

Finding your feet in theatre is never an easy thing. Realizing your place in a drama class in one thing, but you never know who you really are as an actor (or director) until the stage is set and there’s a crop of faces (that aren’t your crew) watching in the dark.

Hence the need for Second Stage Productions, a trifold showcase of projects directed and performed (and, in one case, written) by CCSU theatre students. As faculty advisor, professor Sheila Siragusa understands the need for such programs at the student’s disposal.

“It’s almost like an extra directing course,” Siragusa says. “It’s very important for them to be hands on in this way.”

This is the fourth year the theatre department has been operating Second Stage Productions, and has done so to much acclaim.

Many students have gone on to perform at the annual Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, where many students (from CCSU and elsewhere) come to cut their teeth and bring their hard work to a grander scale.

CCSU alumni Gabby Mendelson brought her hour long play to the festival, for which she won an award.

Until the national fanfare potentially ushers its way in, the dedicated students present their mini-opuses in small spaces to small audiences. Most often, they are bound to be staged at the almost claustrophobic Black Box Theatre. This year, Second Stage Productions finds its home in room 123 in Davidson Hall. If you’ve seen how that room has looked in the past couple years, it seems an unlikely spot for theatrical exploration.

Professor Siragusa was baffled by its lack of use. 2011 marks the first time the space, with its intimate but comfortable setting, has been used for performance in three years.

The space, indeed, was employed well.

The three plays utilized both stage and seating floors, turning it from a mini Torp Theatre to a mini Black Box in a matter of minutes. First

up was The Interview, a neat, darkly comic piece written and directed by Brandon Fisette.

Only two women are in this play, but one of them has enough baggage to weigh down a thousand Justice Leagues. Her name is Carol, and she wants to be so so’s best friend. With a plain dressing style and glued-on smile, Carol has trouble keeping relationships intact, whether because one person stops talking or another person, as she puts it, “dies of some bullshit disease like cancer.” (Yes, those cancer patients are certainly a sneaky bunch) Sarah Maloney plays Carol with such grating irritation you almost want to punch her (trust me, that’s a compliment), and she certainly steals the scene away from Sarah Miller, whose emotions seem dim in comparison. It can be said for both ends there was a lot of screaming of four letter words, but the energy was lacking most in one of the more fundamental elements of the scene - an aggravated slap. When delivered, it was limp and a little too safe - no, not because I wanted to see a catfight ensue. That aside, I enjoyed its structure and dialogue, which set a good precedent.

The quirks were inflated and the realism was deflated for The DMV One, written by nonCCSU student Nick Zagone and directed by Brooke Furgeson.

This was an interesting piece that fantasizes a possible r o m a n c e between a man eager for a little more than a renewed license and a hapless DMV clerk. Of all places that seem designed

to rape the souls of all who enter, the DMV seems like the last place for romance to blossom.

The stage, as before, was minimally set, with the actors employing a desk as their dividing line. On the table sat a couple decades old computer, hinting at the grueling suspension of time that occurs whenever you’re waiting to get your horrible photo ID taken. The play starred Amanda Butler and Stephen Lenczwski (with Angelica Badillo making a brief cameo). Their names are never given, reminding audiences that at the DMV, names are but words on a sheet. In the case of this play, however, it becomes an unlikely venue for a screwball comedy. Butler and Lenczwski bring energy and seem to enjoy themselves, yet some of their lines were delivered with a bit too much restraint. There was one moment of outburst from Ms. Butler that required a slightly bigger push, but it was a flaw tiny enough to not spoil the evening.

Last up was a scene from Euridyce, a play from well-respected playwright Sarah Ruhl. Brandon Fisette took the wheel once again for this strange, cerebral drama that approaches themes of unfulfilled love in a

Greenwood is again the lead performer in this song, though I can’t help but wonder what exactly he did to his bass to make it sound so thick with a very catchy tune that will make you want to sway sideways.

Then Yorke’s voice hits you unexpectedly.

If the previous four songs sounded like he should’ve been singing for The Smashing Pumpkins or Soundgarden then “Lotus Flower” will re-establish him as Radiohead’s singer. “Codex,” the sixth track, is the musically inclined song of the album. The vintage melody the piano provides as an accompany to the vocals is truly amazing, setting in the mood of melancholy.

“Give up the Ghost” is almost too anticlimactic for it to be placed as the seventh track, but guitarists Ed O’Brien and Jonny Greenwood do an amazing job at capturing a nostalgic feeling that will make you once again sway from side to side. It is a sad song, I believe, because it’s almost asking us to let go of the sound we’d grown up so accustomed to from Radiohead. They’re obviously moving to a modern sound and this song proves that Radiohead can pull it off.

Finally there’s “Separator,” the closing song of The King of Limbs. This song is more Radiohead than any other song in the album. All the instruments have finally merged together. This will be the first time that you think the drums are being played by drummer Phil Selway, however. The song is very atmospheric and the guitars are kind of quiet in the back, which proves to be very relaxing. The bass lines are very well plucked and one could tell the plucking from Colin Greenwood as the song progressed. The song is entertaining and pop-ish, but not to the point where we should call Radiohead sellouts.

Overall, The King of Limbs is a great experience. The first four songs are very vague and it will leave you wondering what the hell they were going for. But as soon as “Lotus Flower” kicks in, the rest of the album will go by too quickly, leaving you wanting more. It’s sad because if the album had been longer, it would’ve been a lot more enjoyable.

Regardless of how great the album is, the opening 13 minutes should be forgotten.

The King of Limbs reminds us how great Radiohead can be.

The Builders and the Butchers

more serious tone. It was set up on the floor, making the audience quasi-particpants rather than bystanders. It was easily the least straight forward scene of all, which I dug (though I’m still trying to dissect it). Underscored by samples from Antony Hegarty’s mournful, brass-like songs, Eurydice presents a world out of an Ingmar Bergman film - one that seems both heavenly and demonic. A retelling of the Orpheus myth, Euridyce centers on a woman’s struggle between living on earth or joining the afterlife with her father. Wherever the characters go, they are constantly surrounded by a chorus comprised of three palefaced, darkly dressed sisters (Ashley Malloy, Sarah Miller and Julia Idarola). They peck their subjects with cold, unwanted advice, becoming cryptic reminders of Macbeth’s witches.

Love is a many splendored thing. Well, for some at least. Others find themselves beleaguered by it. Hell, it’s not uncommon to feel both, even if those emotions bring the worst out of people. Such is the case for the characters at work in each of these plays, and while they may all exist in different realities, the three plays segue well into each other (with some help, of course, from ironic music choices; Bryan Adam’s “Everything I Do” seems far creepier now), and the evolution from realism into surrealism holds together well.

Each 15-minute play is inhabited by poor saps plagued by loneliness (often to the point of obsession). Their ideas of love are weathered and beaten by past and current conditions, leaving their visions skewed, angst-ridden and antsy.

The spaces they occupy feel more like cages, imprisoning their minds as well as their physical beings.

Professor Siragusa was beaming by the end of the evening, and it’s perfectly understandable why. Her students made small but important steps to realizing their ambitions, and with some retooling, they could be very well on their way.

REVIEWS Radiohead

The King of Limbs

XL February 18

danny contreras The Recorder

The best way to describe The King of Limbs is as a gloomy, ambient setting album.

This is a very different Radiohead album from the get-go.

“Bloom”, the opening title, introduces us to a thick-bass sequence with random electronic arrangements in the background.

Yorke’s voice is heard in the song but the drum and bass will set you in a trance that makes his voice almost unheard.

This all changes in the next couple of tracks as the music becomes more progressive without truly deviating from a repetitive pop sound. Again the elements of electronica are in the song producing the main riffs, but the guitars have finally set in by the latter half of the second title track “Morning Mr Magpie”. The third and fourth tracks follow suit to the first two and it leaves a very vague feeling.

It isn’t until you get to “Lotus Flower,” the leading single for the album, where you can truly appreciate what sound the band was truly trying to go for since the very beginning of the album. Bassist Colin

Dead Reckoning

Badman Recording Co. February 22

max kyburz The Recorder

As with any genre, folk offers a surprising amount of darkness. The Builders and the Butchers, straight outta Portland, carry a slightly threatening aura, even before their music is heard. You’d never guess it just by looking at them. Look them up on Google - what do you see? A tranquil bunch if I’ve ever seen one, unless the sight of young 21st century men dressed in 19th century duds sends you screaming.

When you hear their name and the song titles from their newest full-length, Dead Reckoning, you’re eager to find where these sweet boys went wrong. Titles like “I Broke the Vein,” “Rotten to the Core” and “Black Elevator” won’t be in Ol’ Uncle Hector’s repertoire, and it’s clear that The Builders and the Butchers aim to combine the old and the new - the sawdust-under-fingernails Americana strings and gloomy, postgrunge moods, both courtesy of the Pacific Northwest. So many bands try to sound like they are from a distinct region and time other than their own, and the Builders earn

extra credit for not following this rule. They sound like a band you’d pass on the Oregon Trail before dying of dysentery (or some other computer game death).

The opener, “I Broke the Vein,” offers minimal subtlety as vocalist Ryan Solle muses about self-guided alienation.

Underneath, instruments become less distant and by the track’s end their presence is hard to ignore. Starting with disquieting, lonely guitar only to gradually end in full on rock mode shows their affection for calculated, progressive method.

The problem with Dead Reckoning, alas, is that the boys have a hard time transferring that method to a full album’s length. Given the punchy down-home charisma of their stellar 2007 split album with fellow Portlanders Loch Lamond, a fabulous start for first-time listeners, listening to their full-lengths is a bit underwhelming. At its best, Dead Reckoning is quirky and slightly swampy foot-stomping fun (“It Came from the Sea” and the far-too-short “Blood for You” being the highlights), and its rusty tin-pan production give them a morsel of twisted charm.

Much of the album suffers from being over-polished and under-performed.

Simple questions such as “Don’t you know the whole world’s rotten to the core?” are testaments to the staying power of folk after all this time (hence its postmodern revival), but feels half-assed from a band capable of so much better. I love what they do, but they need an album without so much filler. Dead Reckoning is a wheat and honey milkshake with plenty of flavor, but ultimately too much froth.

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THE RECORDER / Wednesday, February 23, 2011 / UPGRADE

‘I Am Number Four’ Takes Familiar Genre To New Level matt clyburn The Recorder

Alex Pettyfer plays the fourth of eight extraterrestrials (who seem to look strangely like Abercrombie and Fitch model earthlings) running from a race of aliens known as the Mogadorians (who seem to look strangely like attendees at Lord Voldemort’s family reunion).

Under the protection of his guardian, Henri (Tim Olyphant), they leave literal paradise for Paradise, Ohio to avoid this group of aliens that destroyed their home planet and aim to kill the eight teenagers in succession thanks to protection from a special charm.

The movie opens with the dramatic death of number three and we are quickly drawn into the adventure that then descends into twenty minutes of ‘high-school-movie’ clichés. We meet our photography-savvy female lead Sarah (Dianna Agron), UFOnerd Sam (Callan McAuliffe), and a few school bullies that lend credible antagonism to the first part of our story.

Number Four learns of some pretty cool powers, or ‘legacies,’ in true Tobey-Maguireas-Spiderman fashion. Before we know it, the chase is on and we fall victim to a fun story with a few intriguing characters.

The comparisons to Twilight here are partly misguided and partly just plain wrong.

This movie wipes away the unsatisfied teenage angst of Twilight franchises gone by and brings a lot of heart to a witty script.

To its credit, the movie’s action sequences are high energy and surprisingly realistic, especially for today’s sci-fi/fantasy fare. The scenes, especially the opener, prompted

Alex Pettyfer plays ‘Number Four’ in the latest film from director D.J. Caruso. patrons to gasp and jump. This is not a children’s movie, but teens would do just fine if the occasional sour language is of no concern.

Tim Olyphant plays a one-dimensional character to the best of his ability. Despite a scene at the end of his character’s arc that truly

Netflix It: Nicholas proch The Recorder

For the past several years I’ve been captivated with the level of humor in Woody Allen films.

I often find myself having to rewind a scene because I couldn’t hear any dialogue over my own laughter. I’ve worked my way through only about half of his gigantic catalogue, but I know where my launching point was.

Annie Hall is Woody’s masterpiece.

His previous releases were seen as too silly or too serious. This film takes all of his strengths and puts them on display. I suggest watching this after you’ve seen several of his earlier works. Start with Bananas then move on to Sleeper. If you follow that up with Annie Hall you will see the progression from silly, broad comedies, to deep and intellectual humor. Sprinkle in the laughable character that Woody plays, Alvy Singer, and you’ve got a recipe for success.

The plot surrounds the story of Alvy and Annie Hall, played

by Diane Keaton (the fourth of eight Woody Allen films she stars in), who have an unlikely romance. The character of Alvy is a neurotic comedian who you can’t help but laugh at for his short-comings. Annie is ditzy and full of energy, making them an odd-couple as she frequently puts stress on him throughout the film.

Allen doesn’t try and fool the audience into thinking they aren’t watching a film. Allen’s character, Alvy, consistently breaks the 4th wall and talks to the audience directly. His comments to the audience are among some of the comical high-points in this piece. He frequently questions other character’s misinformed viewpoints on society with the audience. It can be easy for a

made me laugh out loud in a scene that is not supposed to be funny, Olyphant is imminently watchable onscreen and this performance will neither harm nor enhance that perception.

His line, “we don’t love like the humans; for us, it’s forever,” is simultaneously pointed and sympathetic, nearly existential.

Annie Hall

writer to overdo this screenplay tactic, but Allen does it just enough that it doesn’t seem forced or out of place. It is often done in a way that strengthens the audience’s relationship to the characters.

Stylistically, this is a big step forward for Allen. We are used to seeing weak camera work and simple editing from his previous works, but this time we see that he can use the editing as an enhancement to the plot. Well placed long-cuts and a lack of a soundtrack lend well to this movie.

These certainly weren’t Woody’s ideas, but he shows he is paying attention to film history with this style.

The dialogue is very impressive.

Considering most of the film is spent with someone on a shrink’s couch, eating, driving, in line for a movie or in bed, it has to be. In the way that other comedies rely

touchstone pictures

on visuals and punch lines, what’s hilarious about Annie Hall are the continual observations from the characters. Contrasting societal views and conflict is what drives this movie.

It’s remarkable that a comedy of this type could have won the Academy Award for ‘Best Picture’.

Let me repeat that, ‘Best Picture’.

It didn’t win the award for ‘Best Comedy’, but it took the whole shebang. It’s fairly certain to say that no other comedy has been written with such quality since 1977, proving it deserved the award. It may be a long time until someone else wins ‘Best Picture’ with a comedy, which shows how great this film really was and still is.

My suggestion, watch Bananas, then Sleeper. Follow that up with Annie Hall and you’ll see its brilliance.

Most unexpectedly, I found myself truly invested in the romance that unfolds onscreen. I even caught myself smiling quite often at the well-performed and well-directed scenes where the young couple is featured.

Their first kiss comes not when we expect it to – and the movie is all the better for it. By withholding that first kiss, the director jumps away from the clichés it suffers from in the first twenty minutes and captures a realistic snapshot of a young love blooming.

Even in the throes of adolescent romance, they take the time to exchange a line that convinces us of a maturity that we haven’t yet seen. “All I think about is you.”

The language is perhaps a little wordy, most certainly passive, but truly brilliant in context.

When the kiss finally comes, the director teases it out and holds it just outside our grasp for just long enough. We are kept waiting as the inevitability is held in front of us – this is the sign of an interesting and patient filmmaker.

Agron gives a solid performance. Her old school character interpretation is to her credit and to the film’s credibility overall, though the photography element of Sarah’s character is a bit overplayed. Her parents add a texture to the first part of the movie that I would’ve liked to see more of; perhaps the sequel will include them more.

Another random note, the movie has a pretty good soundtrack. Particularly in the first half of the movie, the music hits all the right notes without being too artsy.

I recommend checking out I Am Number Four if you are a fan of the genre. The movie will keep you interested and leave you wanting more from the franchise.

20 Under 20: Dinosaur State Park Throughout the semester, we will feature destinations and locations that you can enjoy for under $20 and within 20 miles.

Part of the mural and exhibit which highlights Dilophosaurus, as well as tracks DINOSAURSTATEPARK.ORG made by Eubrontes. sarah bogues The Recorder

Ever thought it was possible to see real dinosaur tracks? Well, it is at Dinosaur State Park, a government owned facility that has a 200 million year-old fossil track way, interactive exhibits and live footprints all for the public’s eye.

Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill, CT, located just a little over 11 miles from CCSU, is a great destination spot for those interested in the educational aspects of the park or in the mere fun of bragging to family and friends, “I just saw a dinosaur footprint!”

Despite most people being drawn to the interactive exhibit center filled with footprints and much more, a bookstore and gift shop are also available to individuals who would like to take a piece of their eventful day back home with them, whether it is a

book on dinosaurs or a replica of a dinosaur fossil.

Offering much more than just exhibits and live footprints, Dinosaur State Park has unique activities, foot print casting and mining for gems and fossils, featured only between May 1 and Oct.31.

While footprint casting and mining is free, park guests must bring their own materials with them.

To enter the park, a $6 fee is charged to all adults 13 years of age or older with smaller fees charged to children 6 through 12 years of age.

For those worried about when to visit, Dinosaur State Park is open year round, Tuesday through Sunday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm with its nature trails closing at 4:00 pm.

For a small charge of $6, a person can learn all sorts of things on dinosaurs, while even enjoying a nice brought lunch at one of the park’s picnic tables, not too bad for a weekend destination trip.

8

THE RECORDER / Wednesday, February 23, 2011 / UPGRADE

The Kids Are Average At Best: 2011 Academy Awards Predictions mAx kybURz the Recorder

Best Picture 127 Hours Black Swan The Fighter Inception The Kids Are All Right The King's Speech The Social Network Toy Story 3 True Grit Winter's Bone

Who Should Win: Black Swan Who Will Win: The King's Speech

Seeing as how it's top banana at just about every awards ceremony already, I'm banking on The King's Speech winning this Sunday. It seems to be a no brainer; it's already won the Director's Guild of America award for best direction, and it's not often that winner of that award does not grab the top Oscar. Plus, it's the kind of movie the Academy drools after - it's a pompous foreign-set period piece that's inspirational without turning into a Hallmark Channel movie (but they seem to like those, hence A Beautiful Mind's victory in 2001). If there's gonna be an upset win, David Fincher's The Social Network will be the victor. After all, it's the movie that is said to "define this generation." If I had it my way, Black Swan would win.

No disrespect to The King's Speech, but it's a movie that floats purely because of the performances. The Social Network is a couple edits away from being absolutely perfect, but no nominee had more impact on me than Black Swan. If it wins, it'll be the first time a cerebral, mind bending thriller wins (and the first horror movie to win since The Silence of the Lambs), which is a triumph in of itself. Say what you want about the movies themselves, but Black Swan and Inception will remain important films if only for how they messed with audience's heads and still made a splash at the box office. For a slow year, Hollywood managed to score some points.

Best Achievement in Directing I'm still feeling raw about the fact that Fincher's Zodiac from 2007 got absolutely no love from the Academy, especially Fincher's masterful direction. The man is one of slick style, most visibly realized in Se7en and Fight Club. The Social Network is hardly Fincher's best film, but it's got such a coolness about it that you have to give it to the guy. If anything, he should at least get it as a consolation prize for not being recognized until Forrest Gump 2, I mean, Benjamin Button came out. If he were nominated, Christopher Nolan deserves the win more than anyone, considering how much of Inception depended on a director's vision. That's something you can hardly say about Tom Hooper's work with The King's Speech. He did an alright job with it, but it's a movie that depends more on its actors than its direction. But that hardly matters to the Academy - they've given awards to much less deserving winners.

Darren Aronofsky, Black Swan The Coen Brothers, True Grit David Fincher, The Social Network Tom Hooper, The King's Speech David O. Russell, The Fighter Who should win: David Fincher, The Social Network Who will win: Tom Hooper, The King's Speech

Best Actor in a Leading Role Javier Bardem, Biutiful Jeff Bridges, True Grit Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network Colin Firth, The King's Speech James Franco, 127 Hours Who should win: Joaquin Phoenix, I'm Still Here Who will in: Colin Firth, The King's Speech

Yep. I mean, think about it - the Oscars are, for the most part, predictable to the point of boredom. A surprise victory from a non-nominee is just what the ceremony needs to get people to talk about everything except who was wearing what and how awful the opening monologue was. And who better to do it than the one guy who fooled more people than Sacha Baron Cohen?

Phoenix delivered perhaps the funniest performance of 2010, especially with the knowledge that his whole "Matisyahuon-heroin" phase was an act. But alas, the Oscars are easy to predict in every non-technical category, and so Colin Firth will win. It's inevitable - his performance is phenomenal, there isn't an award he hasn't already won for his turn as the stuttering Prince-going-on-King, and he's been around long enough to finally get his due. Plus, characters with disabilities? Oh, does the Academy love those. Unless you're Cuba Gooding Jr. in Radio. (Seriously, can't we get him to send that Oscar back? As soon as possible would be great)

Best Actress in a Leading Role Again, the buzz is what secures the win. Natalie Portman deserves every bit of hype she's been getting for her turn as Nina in Black Swan; it's a role most actresses go through their entire career hoping to play.

Natalie's already somewhat of a veteran (having been acting in films since she was 13), yet she's still young enough for her performance to be completely viable. Considering her petite figure and her resume full of soft-spoken, far from intense characters, Black Swan Who should win: Natalie Portman, solidifies her capabilities as an actress. It's such a good performance, Black Swan yet her opponents hardly lack in quality; Jennifer Lawrence's turn in Winter's Bone is well controlled, and Nicole Kidman embodies Who will win: Natalie Portman, maternal pain in Rabbit Hole. Annette Bening is always a pleasure Black Swan to see, yet her role in The Kids Are All Right is nothing breathtaking.

I have yet to see Blue Valentine, but I have no doubt that Michelle Williams is anything but spectacular.

Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right Nicole Kidman, Rabbit Hole Jennifer Lawrence, Winter's Bone Natalie Portman, Black Swan Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine

Natalie Portman, Black Swan

Best Actor in a Supporting Role Best Actor in a Supporting Role nominees: Christian Bale, The Fighter John Hawkes, Winter's Bone Jeremy Renner, The Town Mark Ruffalo, The Kids Are All Right Geoffrey Rush, The King's Speech Who should win: Geoffrey Rush, The King’s Speech Who will win: Christian Bale, The Fighter No matter how many other great actors he's rubbing shoulders with in his films, Geoffrey Rush always comes out as the most memorable part of every movie he's in. He stole every scene of Shakespeare in Love, Pirates of the Caribbean, Mystery Men, Munich, etc., even though he wasn't the top billing. Same goes for The King's Speech; he is the only British actor who could have acted alongside Colin Firth and not be completely blown off the screen. His role as Firth's voice coach is absolutely indispensable. I have yet to see The Fighter, but Christian Bale deserves the win, and not just because he was temporarily anorexic.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role Amy Adams, The Fighter Helena Bonham Carter, The King's Speech Melissa Leo, The Fighter Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom Who should win: Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom Who will win: Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit I'm pretty sure nobody saw Animal Kingdom, hence why Jacki Weaver isn't getting any buzz (and therefore won't win), but she still delivers the best performance of that terribly overlooked Australian import. Her nomination is partly a "Just For Being Old" nomination, but it's such a discreetly venomous performance that she could have easily won had she not been up against a girl fifty years her junior. Yes, Hailee Steinfeld will most certainly win for her role as eloquent, headstrong Mattie Ross in True Grit. As much as the Academy loves the physically disabled, and the slightly mentally disabled, they do love their young'ns. Steinfeld gives a strong performance for such a young girl, but I feel that her absolute best work is still ahead of her.

(Full predictions list available online at CentralRecorder.com)

The King’s Speech

9

THE RECORDER / Wednesday, February 23, 2011

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10

THE RECORDER / Wednesday, February 23, 2011 / SPORTS SPORTS BEGINS ON BACK PAGE

COLUMN

Fan Girls Listen Up!

Womenʼs Basketball Sports Pink for Cancer Awareness CHRiStOPHER mCLAUGHLin the Recorder

bRittAny bURkE the Recorder

After spending my Saturday night freezing my ass off trying to sell 50/50 raffle tickets to loyal hockey fans of Connecticut, I’ve decided to once again address the issue of the notorious “fan girl.”

Call me mean, tell me that ice runs through my veins and I’d probably agree with you, but there’s some things that I can’t help.

Saturday was the Whale Bowl and Hockey Fest, only the biggest hockey event to take place in Connecticut.

That night also happened to be freezing.

Cold air and lots of wind makes for an extremely cold night, but I do what I have to do for my job on the Whale promotions staff and fans do what they do for the love of the game.

However, knowing that you have to spend an arctic, February night outdoors at an ice rink would normally signal the common sense part of your brain, which tells you to make the educated decision to dress warm.

This means wear layers! Girls, looking like a marshmallow for a few hours will make you seem smart while simultaneously helping you avoid hypothermia.

Going into work I had on leggings, thigh high socks, leg warmers and black pants matched with my undershirt, gray thermal, Columbia fleece and blue Whale jacket.

The point I am trying to make is I dressed to try and stay warm and it still failed epically, which is why I cannot comprehend how any girl attending this event would think it’s okay to wear a white t-shirt, blue booty shorts and lime green fishnets with sneakers.

Not only was one girl stupid enough to dress like this, but there were two of them.

Now, all I’m left to do is wonder what these girls were thinking. Does it really all go back to the ideals I talked about a few weeks ago? Is it really just that fan girl mentality?

When I saw these two girls as I walked up to the main entrance I literally stopped in my tracks, hit my friend on the arm to point them out.

Both of our reactions happened to be, “What the hell?”

We were freezing and cursing our boss for making us walk to the entrance of the field (not really) and here were these girls in outfits that are barely appropriate for spring never mind winter.

So in light of this craziness, there are a few things I’ll gladly say again.

Dressing as such to a game gets you noticed for all of the wrong reasons.

The players don’t care what you wear to a game; in fact you’d probably get more points if you wore something that sported (no pun intended) the team logo, if they were to notice you at all. When it comes to sports it’s better to boast the team symbol, not your boobs.

Dressing skanky will only allow you to become the talk of the car ride home of people who consider you a fool, like me.

Don’t flaunt what you have, or in most cases of the fan girl, don’t have.

Dress appropriately, and again, know the sport you’re pretending to watch.

To all girls like this out there, it’s better to try and snag an athlete with a dazzling personality and not a bedazzled, torn up shirt.

After defeating them on the road last Saturday, the CCSU women’s basketball team completed its season sweep of Bryant, defeating the Bulldogs 61-53 at home.

While it was another big win for the Blue Devils, the game was special for another reason. For the third straight year, the Blue Devils participated in the Pink Zone event to raise awareness for breast cancer. Both teams wore pink warm up shirts, and the Blue Devil players went out and bought pink socks and shoe laces to help celebrate the event.

“Breast cancer affects so many people,” said Piper. “Everyone knows someone who was diagnosed with it, and to be able to something for the foundation is nice for the program. I think it means a lot to the girls because it was last year that PJ’s mom passed away from it so it hits close to home. Its special for all the teams to make an effort and make a donation.”

While the result of the two games was the same, what happened along the way was not.

CCSU won the first game with its offense. The next game was won with defense. Alexzandria Dowdy tied the CCSU game record with nine steals, setting the tone for the rest of the team.

In total, the Blue Devils combined for 22 steals in the rematch, and forced 31 turnovers, which helped keep Bryant down, despite a late comeback.

“It’s never easy to beat a team back to back,” said Head Coach Beryl Piper. “These

two wins are really big. We’re in seventh place, and were trying not to go back to Pittsburgh, so right now its about digging deep, and being in control of our own destiny.”

During the last game, Bryant got killed by Justina Udenze down in the paint, a fact that neither team forgot. While Bryant adjusted its defense to prevent this, the Blue Devils forced them to prove it worked, and kept feeding her. Sending extra help, bodying her up more, and playing hack-a-Udenze, the Bulldogs did everything they could to keep her from lighting them up again. Udenze responded to the physical play with 13 first half points, leading both teams.

“They were much more aggressive and physical tonight,” said Udenze. “I guess they figured they couldn’t let me get to the rim like that, but I was trying to be aggressive, too.

With the season winding down, I really want to leave with the NEC Championship, so I’m going to do what I have to do to win.”

The Blue Devils closed out the first half with a 34-28 lead, and started the second half as if the lead wasn’t enough. Ratcheting up the defensive intensity, CCSU attacked Bryant’s ball handlers unmercifully. In the first half, the Blue Devils had just five steals, and Dowdy only one, but in the second CCSU swiped the ball 17 times.

Kerrianne Dugan had four, and Leanne Crockett had three, but there was no matching Dowdy and her eight. Whether it was diving for loose balls, or just picking the Bulldogs’ pockets, Dowdy was an absolute terror on defense. During one stretch,

Dowdy stole the ball on three straight possessions. If Bryant was haunted by Udenze before, it will be having nightmares about Dowdy now.

“Last game all of their guards were cutting to the right, so I learned from last game, and was able to prevent them from going right,” said Dowdy.

Though the Blue Devils led by as many as 14 in the second half, Bryant began to chip away at the lead. While CCSU was able to take the ball away, it didn’t always get points out of it. The Blue Devils caused 20 second half turnovers, which only resulted in 14 points.

Shooting 31 percent, and going 0-10 from beyond the arc allowed the Bulldogs to catch up even with the hefty number of turnovers. Despite the struggles, Bryant never cut the lead below four. Down five in the final minute, Bryant was forced to foul, but the Blue Devils made the shots and put the game out of reach.

“Shooting 1-13 for three and 55 percent from the free throw line are not good stats for us,” said Piper. “If you look at the other game we shot great in both of those areas and that makes a difference in the score, but on the other hand last game they shot great from the three line, and tonight they shot only 23 percent so we did a better job putting pressure on the ball.”

Now in the home stretch of the season, the Blue Devils only have two home games left. The first will be against Quinnipiac, who comes to campus on Saturday.

Freshman Point Guard Steps Up for Womenʼs Basketball CHRiStOPHER mCLAUGHLin the Recorder

While the CCSU women’s basketball team has relied on its four seniors throughout the season, freshman point guard Jessica Babe has become a vital piece in Coach Beryl Piper’s game plan.

Brought in with high hopes, Babe was expected to not only bring depth to a position that lacked it, but to also take over that position one day. With Alexzandria Dowdy in her final season of eligibility, Coach Piper recruited Babe to eventually fill that void. Right from the start Piper has been giving Babe the experience she will need to take over the role of floor general. In the first game of the season Babe was put into the game in the final minute, and hit the dagger that put the game out of reach for Hartford University. Her play has not only earned the confidence of Piper but also increased it for herself as well.

“Having coach’s confidence to put me in those situations really allows me to feel more comfortable with myself,” said Babe. “Every time I step on the floor I have to have to have the mentality that I can’t let the coach take me out. If I don’t go in ready, I’m on a short leash as a freshman.”

Coming into school as a freshman with high expectations would be difficult for some; for Babe, it was the easy part. Being born and raised in Pennsylvania, Babe has also had to adjust to everything that comes with living in a new state. Though she fell in love with CCSU while visiting, adjusting to her new life was difficult at first.

“It hasn’t been easy, but after a while you have to deal with it not being that easy, and once I do that it started getting easier. It started to get fun and I really like my team and coaches, so that helps.” m. bbALL | COnt. fROm 12 “We feel that the foul line is our best friend,” said Dickenman. “Free throw, F-RE-E throw, so we tried to take advantage and for the most part we did. When you go to the foul line for four technicals that’s great, but we couldn’t convert.”

With Horton’s 16 first-half points, the Blue Devils went into halftime with a slight lead. The lead didn’t last long into the second however, and Quinnipiac began to pull away.

Going on an 11-4 run, the Bobcats brought its lead up to 10 at the 12:20 mark. A timeout was called and put a halt to Quinnipiac’s rising momentum.

Sparked once again by Horton, CCSU quickly tied the game up with only Horton

Though she was brought in to eventually replace Dowdy, the time Babe has spent with her has been a major part of her development.

The two push each other to be better.

“We go at each other all the time in practice,” said Babe. “We’re both really competitive, and I think we make each other a lot better. She is so energetic and high spirited that it makes me want to try harder.”

In addition to using Babe as Dowdy’s back-up, Piper will also put them in the game together, with Babe as the two guard. This line-up has been used frequently by Piper, especially during crunch time. By playing them alongside each other, it allows Piper to go small and focus on opposing guards without giving up anything on offense.

“We play her in the two guard which I think helps take the pressure off her as a freshman,” said Piper. “Using them together allows us to go small and it has been successful for us.”

Babe’s ability to play big has shown Piper that she will be able to handle the future, and left no doubt that she will excel in an increased role.

“We brought her in to be a starting point guard,” said Piper. “She’s already making things happen for us. She’s able to penetrate and make big shots like the one in her first game against Hartford. She already plays with a lot of confidence and she really plays fearless. She isn’t intimidated by anyone, so I have the confidence to put her in.”

With the success of the Blue Devils this season, Babe is able to enjoy playing for a winning team. Though the team is winning, Babe understands that it will take a lot more to win it all than to have a winning record.

“This year has been really fun,” said Babe.

“Our chemistry is getting better and we’re picking it up at a good time. If we can keep it up I think we can win the championship. We are the only ones who can beat ourselves by

taking ourselves out of the game, but if we stay focused we can beat anybody.”

With four major players in their final year, the development of Jessica Babe will be crucial to the success of the Blue Devils in the future. Players such as her and Kirsten Daamen will have much larger roles next season. Babe will also be joined next season by her sister Jaclyn Babe, who coach feels will help take some of the pressure off Babe.

While the mentality for the Blue Devils is as it should be, NEC Championship or bust, players like Babe will help maintain that mentality in the future.

being able to generate any offense. Even with the momentum back on CCSU’s side, the team could not pull away. The defense was there for the Blue Devils but the offense wasn’t. As a team, CCSU made only 17 field goals, 10 of which were Horton’s.

“I’m not sure if I can ask for more from Ken, he scored more than 50 percent of our points, rebounded, blocked shots, made 13 of 14 free throws, but he didn’t get a lot of help.” said Dickenman.

With the clock winding down, CCSU trailed by one and had a chance to walk away with the win. Dickenman drew up a play for Horton, but good defense from Quinnipiac forced him to heave up a prayer well beyond the arc. The shot missed and Thompson grabbed the rebound. Despite being knocked to the ground, no foul was called and the

game ended.

“I was hot during the game so I wanted the ball,” said Horton. “I got a clear shot but it didn’t go in.”

Though the Blue Devils are locked in the tournament, this loss bumps them from second place. CCSU is tied in the conference with Quinnipiac, but lost the season series with them.

“We had a chance to lock up second place tonight, but now were in a dog fight,” said Dickenman. “We have to get back to doing what we do best and that’s making shots.”

The Blue Devils will look to rebound from its second home loss of the season and regain some momentum before the tournament. The team travels to New York on Thursday to take on St. Francis before finishing out the regular season at Long Island University.

Jessica Babe.

kEnny bARtO | tHE RECORDER

THE RECORDER / Wednesday, February 23, 2011 / SPORTS

Whaler and Bruin alumni took the ice Saturday before the AHL contest between the Connecticut Whale and Providence Bruins.

WHALE | Cont. from 12 throughout the entire day. Did the Whale break the AHL attendance record set at least year’s outdoor game at the New York State Fairgrounds? That’s up to your interpretation.

Fortunately, the game was a good one for those who decided to brave the weather. It was a true up and down contest. The Whale opened the scoring in the first period as Tim Kennedy intercepted a Bruins pass and put one past Hutchinson to give the fans something to cheer for

midway through the first period.

The Whale would extend their lead with 22 seconds left in the first with nice play from the fourth line.

Pinned against the boards, Kelsey Tessier made a nice back pass to Devin DiDiomete who connected with Jyri Niemi for the two-goal lead. Niemi, who normally plays defense, scored the goal as a winger.

Providence opened the second period with a goal of its own, as Sauve, who would later score the only shootout goal, scored his fifth goal in as many games against the Whale. Providence would strike

two more times in the period catapulting them in front of the Whale 3-2.

While the Bruins had changed the tone of the game in the first half of the second period, the Whale stormed back for two goals from likely and unlikely sources.

Williams scored his 25th goal of the season on a power play.

Williams, playing the point, put the puck on net with Dale Weise screening Hutchinson. The puck deflected off a Bruin and sneaked

by Hutchinson to even the game at 3.

Jared Nightingale would be

the unlikely and last source of offense for the Whale. Coming up the right side, Nightingale took a shot at an awkward angle that somehow found daylight between Hutchinson and the goal post.

The third period would differ greatly from the first two. While play was still a constant back and forth, only one goal was scored, and it was a game-tying goal from Bruin forward Jamie Arniel. The goal came immediately after the teams switched sides midway through the third period to even the amount of time goalies faced the wind.

11

Photos: kenny barto | the recorder

No one could create any offense in overtime, which featured rare three on three hockey and a power play for the Whale. Conditions, including blistering winds and snowy ice, were clearly making it tougher on the players.

No Whale player could net a shootout goal. Kennedy, Weise, Kris Newbury, Tessier and Williams were all denied by Hutchinson.

Whale goalie Dov Grumet-Morris matched Hutchinson up until the fourth round when Sauve’s goal ended the evening for the fans and players who braved Saturday night’s cold.

kenny barto | the recorder

12

THE RECORDER / Wednesday, February 23, 2011 / SPORTS

CCSU Splits With Bobcats Loss Drops CCSU to Third in NEC Standings

Stingy Defense Leads Women to Victor y Over Quinnipiac christopher mclaughlin The Recorder

Steve Mclaughlin | CCSU blue devils

CCSU Head Coach Howie Dickenman honors Shemik Thompson on senior day. CCSU went on to lose to Quinnipiac 68-67. christopher mclaughlin The Recorder

Leaving it all on the floor, the CCSU men’s basketball team lost a heartbreaker to Quinnipiac in what could have been a preview of the NEC tournament.

Despite yet another MVP performance from Ken Horton, the Blue Devils (18-9) couldn’t overcome the rest of the team’s ineffectiveness on offense. It was Quinnipiac (19-8) 68, Horton 35 with the rest of Blue Devils chipping in 32 points in CCSU’s final home game of the season, a 68-67 loss.

Horton’s 35 points were a career high.

He not only scored more than half the points that both teams put up, but he also more than doubled the next highest scorer in the game and almost quadrupled CCSU’s next highest scorer. Add in nine rebounds, four blocks and two steals to his already inflated stat line, and its clear no player in the NEC is as valuable to their team as Horton. Even though the rest of the team struggled, the Blue Devils still had a chance to win.

“There wasn’t any flow to the game,” said Head Coach Howie Dickenman. “We had a tournament type atmosphere, but we didn’t make plays when we had to. Ken didn’t have a supporting cast, and with how poorly we shot

it would have been thievery in the first degree if we won.”

Since it was the last home game of the year it was also senior day for the Blue Devils.

Honored before the game, Shemik Thompson and team manager Matt Stevens took part in the final home game of their careers. With a packed house full of energy, the Blue Devils final home game of the season got underway.

Riding the energy, Horton scored the first six points for CCSU, including a fast break dunk that brought the crowd to its feet.

“If I play with a lot of energy, the guys kind of feed off me and we’ll pick it up another level. Today that didn’t happen but we will correct our mistakes,” said Horton.

After getting elbowed in the face, Thompson went to the foul line for his technical free throws. In what summed up the game best, Thompson missed both of the free throws. The chippy play didn’t stop there.

After making a lay-up and drawing a hard foul, Horton got in the face of Tevin Baskin and was promptly given a technical. Later in the half Quinnipiac’s Dave Johnson was also given a technical for arguing with a referee.

Once again, Thompson missed both of the free throws that came with it.

M. BBALL | cont. on 10

With clutch shooting and solid defense, the CCSU women’s basketball team prevailed over Quinnipiac 61-58.

In a back and forth game such as the match between Quinnipiac every shot is huge, but none were bigger than the two three-pointers knocked down by Leanne Crockett in the final minutes of the game. The first came when the team was trailing to put them up one, and the second broke a tie and gave CCSU a lead it wouldn’t look back from.

The win avenges the Blue Devils’ (169) one-point loss earlier in the season to Quinnipiac (12-14).

“We should have had them the first game,” said Crockett. “We came out with something to prove today, and we got a good team win.

We’re trying to win the last four games and today was a good start.”

Crockett’s threes were the story of the second half, but in the first it was all about defense and Justina Udenze. Both teams were playing hard-nose defense to start the game, but thanks to Udenze, only the Blue Devils kept it up. Once again proving that single coverage just isn’t enough, Udenze abused the Quinnipiac defenders down in the paint.

Scoring eight straight points, Udenze gave CCSU a big boost in the first half, giving the team its largest lead.

“Justina did a great job again,” said Head Coach Beryl Piper. “She was a major factor for us in the first half.”

The Blue Devils continued to pressure Quinnipiac and held the Bobcats to 21 first half points on an abysmal shooting percentage of 24. After trading baskets to start the second half, Quinnipiac began to catch up, tying the game at 32 at the 16:10 mark.

From this point on neither team had a lead larger than five in the hard-fought second half. The Blue Devils continued to play tough defense and still held Quinnipiac to a low shooting percentage of 32, but whistles blew at even a hint of contact. Quinnipiac was sent to the line 27 times in the second half to help make up for its poor shooting.

“Our field goal percent was better than theirs, so our defense prevailed again,” said Piper. “Last time, Courtney Kaminski had 31 and if she did that again there was no way we were winning. This time we held her to 1-14 and that made a big difference.”

The teams continued to trade leads as play wore on, and then Crockett’s first three went in. Quinnipiac tied it on a free throw, but missed the second to leave the score tied. After a timeout, Dugan set a screen on the in-bound pass leaving Crockett wide open beyond the arc. Crockett knocked down the shot, putting

CCSU up for good.

“I missed two free throws the last time we played them so I had to redeem myself. It felt good to make those threes.” said Crockett.

Though the Blue Devils never gave up its lead, Quinnipiac had a chance to tie the game and send it into overtime. After making free throws to cut the lead to three, an offensive foul gave Quinnipiac the ball back. Quinnipiac got the shot it wanted from the person it wanted to take it, but Kaminski couldn’t hit the three to tie it.

“We made some mistakes in the end, fouling when we should have run the clock down, but we will take a win anyway we can get it,” said Piper.

The Blue Devils are locked in the NEC tournament but will have to continue to battle for a home court game. The team will have a chance to overtake one of the teams in front of them when Sacred Heart comes to town on Monday for the final home game of the season.

Steve Mclaughlin | CCSU blue devils

Justina Udenze going up strong against Quinnipiac. Udenze tied Crockett for a game high 12 points.

Bruins Outlast Whale, Win Outdoor Game in Shootout Michael Walsh The Recorder

When the wind chills reached 7 degrees at 9 p.m. on Saturday night, there were maybe a couple of thousand fans left in the stands at Rentschler Field.

Those remaining fans, high in spirit of both the alcoholic and fanfare kind, were witness to a truly back and forth battle between the Connecticut Whale and Providence Bruins outdoors in East Hartford.

The Whale and Bruins appropriately took the chilly proceedings to the limit, as the Bruins defeated the Whale 5-4 in a shootout.

Bruins goalie Michael Hutchinson denied Whale leading goal scorer Jeremy Williams in the fifth round of the shootout, capping off what was a perfect shootout for Hutchinson. All it took for the Bruins was a goal from Maxime

Sauve, a thorn in the Whale’s side all season, in the fourth round of the shootout to finally send the frigid fans off to find their cars in the muddy Rentschler Field lots.

The Whale Bowl was supposed to be the defining event of Howard Baldwin’s first year of Whale management, and in many ways it still was, but the weather had other plans when it came to turnout. It was a good day of hockey for those who showed up, as the AHL game was preceded by an alumni and celebrity game featuring former New England and Hartford Whalers and Boston Bruins, in addition to celebrities, most notably the Hanson Brothers of the film Slap Shot.

The 28,000 plus supposed sold tickets turned to 15,000 estimated scanned tickets. An attendance of 21,673 was announced, a figure that never seemed to be reached WHALE | cont. on 11

kenny Barto | The recorder

Whale right winger Dale Weise gets denied by Providence goalie Michael Hutchinson in the third period.