Vol 107 Issue 25

AWA R D-W INNING CENTR A LR ECOR DER .COM Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Central Connecticut State University

Volume 107 No. 25

Gambling a Problem for Some Students on State Campuses NICK RosA

the Recorder

With March Madness ending, fantasy basketball coming to a close and fantasy baseball beginning, friendly sports wagers don’t seem to be the only thing students are seriously betting on nowadays.

At different state schools like Western Connecticut State University, Central Connecticut State University and University of Connecticut, it seems common that bigger sports betting is taking place more often.

According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, 67 percent of college students have gambled at some point during the year and in 2008 ESPN reported that 118 million people placed bets on at least one sporting event. With the ability to gamble online, sports betting has become a more prevalent in college dorms, and while gambling is only illegal in Utah and Hawaii, it is still a problem.

Friendly wagers, by definition of the students, are small $20 buy-ins for the beginning of a fantasy baseball league or setting up March Madness bracket. Even betting five dollars on who wins the next football game is included in that. But this is not the big picture when it comes to sports betting on college campuses.

“I usually do a small bet within a group of friends, like for this year’s NCAA tournament.

Each one of us had to put in 10 dollars for a bracket and the winner would take all,” said Ian Cole, a student at CCSU. “Even for fantasy baseball, since this is a longer season, the 12 people in the league would throw down 20 dollars each and whoever won at the end got the cash. I never got into the betting where I needed a bookie and bet on the over/under on sporting events. I never got that deep into it.”

He mentioned he knew some students from other schools, along with students at CCSU, who have experience in more advanced betting.

Mike Dvornek, a WCSU student, enjoys placing bets on games, professional or not.

“It makes games, whether it’s basketball, college basketball or football, more exciting and I can make money quickly from it,” Dvornek said.

However, the luck of betting doesn’t always last. After a few months of a string of good bets, it can quickly turn into a few bad weeks.

“I had to completely stop because I noticed it can get out of hand fast if you’re not careful,” said Dvornek. “The next time I gamble I plan on making much less wagers and only bet on sports and games I’m confident in, ‘cause before when it got bad, it went a lot on impulse. My friends and I feel the same way now.”

He also mentioned that with impulse betting, he and his friends would lose a bet within the first half of a football game, then bet another amount in the second half to GAmblING | CoNt. oN 3

CCSU police lieutenant Christopher Cervoni says that parking isn’t a major problem on the Central campus.

tom Russell I tHe ReCoRDeR

99 PROBLEMS Is Parking One?

KAssoNDRA GRANAtA the Recorder

Lieutenant Christopher Cervoni believes that despite controversy, there is no problem with parking on campus.

“Not at all,” said Cervoni addressing the question of whether or not CCSU has a parking problem. “Since they built the Welte Garage, there hasn’t been an issue at all. We haven’t filled up since that garage was built.”

Cervoni said that each lot has a sign

depicting when and where you can park and when you cannot park. Cervoni concentrated on the garages and lots, stating certain lots have more parking problems than others and result in a higher amount of tickets being given by police. Cervoni said that the lot with the most difficulty is Paul Manafort Lot, while all the other garages don’t always fill up or have as many problems.

Along with Manafort Lot, the parking lot next to the Willard and DiLoreto academic buildings have the biggest ticket

distribution, according to Cervoni.

“I don’t see an issue. We really haven’t changed on how many tickets we give out, it’s probably stayed consistent,” said Cervoni.

“Manafort lot is the one that students try to park in during the day. Obviously we see more in the beginning of the semester than at the end, but if you get a ticket you won’t park there. There’s not a ticket issue.”

Cervoni said that CCSU doesn’t have a parking problem, mostly because of the PARKING | CoNt. oN 2

Bergenn and Braun Elected to Top SGA Positions Running unopposed, SGA senator Eric Bergenn received 431 votes to secure the top student government position.

Election results, page 2.

Voter turnout down, page 3.

Elizabeth Braun will have the interim tag lifted from her title and assume the vice president position for the student government next year after defeating Erika Dawson-Head in last week’s elections.

Bergenn.

PHotos: KeNNy bARto | tHe ReCoRDeR

Braun.

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NEWS

THE RECORDER Wednesday, April 27, 2011

The Recorder

Student Center 1615 Stanley Street New Britain, CT 06050 T 860.832.3744 editor@centralrecorder.com centralrecorder.com twitter.com/therecorder

Interim No More, Braun Elected SGA Vice President Last Week Matt Clyburn The Recorder

“Relieved that I no longer need to think about the election process and thankful to all the people who supported me, without them I’d just have one vote next to my name.”

Braun said that she has many plans before the start of the fall semester. In addition to welcoming new members of the SGA, Braun intends to plan the summer retreat where elected students attend workshops to prepare them for student government.

“Over the summer, my biggest goal is going to be to create a club liaison program that better bridges the gap between clubs and the SGA,” Braun said. “I’m also going to finish up the SGA website which would include all the information necessary to make SGA more transparent.”

Alaimo praised opponent Alex Rodriguez after the announcement of election results last Thursday, saying that Rodriguez is a “great guy who did a great job and ran a great race; I hope he sticks with SGA.” “I feel great,” Alaimo said in an interview with The Recorder. “I think we have a good team, we’ll work hard and I hope we’ll work together to improve the SGA. I think we’ll do a good job next year.”

Lawrence Wooten defeated Celeste Roche 233 to 122 for the position of Foundations Representative.

2011-12 SGA Election Winners President: Eric Bergenn (431) Vice President: Elizabeth Braun (313) Treasurer: Nick Alaimo (273)

Photo Editor Kenny Barto kbarto@centralrecorder.com

Dropping the interim title she’s carried for the better part of this semester, Elizabeth Braun will take on the role of Student Government Association vice president after winning the race against Erika Dawson-Head last week.

Braun defeated Dawson-Head 313 to 174 according to results released by the SGA elections committee last Thursday.

The new SGA treasurer will be Nick Alaimo, who defeated Alex Rodriguez for the position during last week’s elections. Alaimo won by just 41 votes during an election where a total of 556 votes were received April 19 and 20.

Eric Bergenn, running unopposed for SGA president, will assume the position at the final meeting of this semester. Bergenn recently lost a bid to become interim president in the wake of former President Matt Vekakis’ resignation earlier this semester.

Braun is the president of the outing club and the current vice president of Carroll Hall. Following the resignation of former SGA Vice President Chris Kyle in December, Braun was elected interim vice president by the SGA Senate in February.

“I feel relieved and thankful,” Braun told The Recorder Monday.

Copy Editor Maxine Eichen

Cervoni: Lack of Motivation to Walk Distance to Class a Reason for Parking Frustration

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 Kat Boushee, assistant news@centralrecorder.com Entertainment Editor Max Kyburz entertainment@ centralrecorder.com Sports Editor Brittany Burke sportsed@centralrecorder.com

Staff Writers Dennis Brown Danny Contreras Kassondra Granata Kevin Jachimowicz Chris McLaughlin Katie Moreira Justin Muszynski Nick Rosa Derek Turner Marisa Volo David Whitney

About

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.

Staff meetings for The Recorder are held on Mondays at 8 p.m. in the Blue and W hite Room in the student center and on Thursday at 2 p.m. in the Recorder off ice.

PARKING | Cont. from 1 significant amount of garages and parking areas on campus and the fact that none of them fill up to the point where there is nowhere to park.

“I don’t see any problem.

Before the Welte Garage was built [in 2003], I would get a lot of calls and complaints, but I barely get any of those now,” said Cervoni.

“At the beginning of each semester, you might get some complaints by those who are new here, but those die down.”

Some students say that the time a commuter student arrives on campus plays a large part in whether or not they’ll have trouble finding parking.

“Having early classes makes it easy to find a parking spot,” said freshman commuter Nicola DiBendetto. “I feel if you have

classes later on there is limited parking due to the first classes of the day.”

Alex Wilson, a freshman and resident on campus, said that parking at CCSU has never really been a problem for him.

“There aren’t too many problems with parking,” said Wilson. “I wish there was more parking around the James lot and closer to the downhill dorms because it is hard to find parking where you want it. When that happens you just have to go to a different garage or parking lot.

Overall, parking is fine.”

According to Cervoni, a reason for student frustration over parking might be the lack of motivation of students to walk from a garage to another, thus parking in the lots closest to their building or classes.

“Each semester we have at

At Large: Ryan Sheehan (339), Ryan Baldassario (259), Chelsea Reagan (228), Shelby Dattilo (223), Jamie Canny (206), and Jamie Germaine (193).

Resident: Hannah Pancak (157), Chris Kyle (153), Evan Robbins (131), Matt Hubbard (118), Legairre Radden (110), Aida Fung (94), Heidy Sanchez (78) and Jeremy Truex (73).

Commuter: Asia Smith (70), Molly A. McLaughlin (70), Lawrence Wooten (69), Ivonne Lopez (67), Sasha Savage (67), Ashley Foy (65), Lindsay Jean-Philippe (65), Conrad Meurice (65), Michael Theodore (58), Isamar Rodriguez (54), Shaun Boughton (54), Jessica Lazu (51) and Jennifer Sirois (49).

least one to two weeks where it is the most congested,” Cervoni said. “We survey each lot at certain times of the day and we don’t fill up on campus. It’s not close to your class, but there is parking.”

Breanna Fournier, a junior commuting to campus, also said she hasn’t found parking to be a problem but agrees that it’s more difficult to find a good spot depending on the time of the day.

“As a commuter, parking on campus doesn’t seem to be that difficult,” said Fournier. “There are definitely different times of the day where parking can be difficult, but you can always find parking.”

The CCSU Parking and Traffic Regulations Panel determine the parking regulations for campus and facilities of CCSU. The committee determines the state reserved parking policies, special events parking, responsibility

and liability and the penalties for faulty parking.

The parking tickets that the committee determines ranges from $5 for not displaying a permit to $25 for irresponsible parking. Parking irresponsibly in a handicapped spot, however, gives you a penalty violation of $150.

One can pay their tickets within 10 days of obtaining the receipt of the violation by either mailing it to the cashier’s office or paying it directly to the office.

If a ticket is not paid for, it can be forwarded to a collection agency or a hold on registration eligibility can be enacted.

The parking and traffic appeals committee meets monthly and consists of an elected member from each academic school, one administrator and two students, one being a commuter and resident.

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Some students say that parking can be more frustrating and more difficult depending on the time of the day that they arrive.

Tom russell I THE RECORDER

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THE RECORDER / Wednesday, April 27, 2011 / NEWS

Some Concerned Over New Credit Card Tuition Fee Katie Moreira The Recorder

The forthcoming tuition increase at Central Connecticut State University is not the only thing that has students concerned regarding the cost of their education.

Along with a 2.5 percent increase in tuition, the Connecticut State University System board of trustees also approved a new credit card transaction fee of 2.5 percent, which will have students paying a little more out of pocket for the luxury of using their credit cards.

According to Betsy Fangiullo of the bursars office, any portion that a student puts on a credit card or any credit card payment will be charged the extra 2.5 percent.

“If you process the amount for $100 you would be charged 2.5 percent,” said Fangiullo.

“I think it’s horrible, we already spend too much for tuition as it goes,” said Zach Rosenzueig, a senior at CCSU, who has been paying every semester by credit card. “It’s a sneaky way of getting more money.”

The fee was approved to help pay the cost that CSUS schools are faced with due to fees they are charged with by the credit card processing companies. The new fee is not uncommon at other universities like UConn, who has been charging the fee of 2.5 percent for their credit card users for a few years now in an attempt to lower the number of students who use their credit cards to pay for tuition.

Rosenzueig is concerned that other students like him will be unaware of the fee when it comes time to pay their tuition next

New Forms of Gambling May Lead to Increase in Student Involvement GAMBLING | Cont. from 1 make up for the loss. This was a way to hopefully gain from the misfortune. Most of the times, though, it ended up landing in even more misfortune, which is when he noticed a change in habit was needed.

Dvornek’s friends, UConn students Fred Raya and David Zimmerman, both gamble and make friendly wages.

“I occasionally was into the sports betting, not as much as my other friends were, I would only bet around $10 to $20 compared to people going as high as $50 or $100,” Raya said.

“Gambling has gotten pretty advanced these days,” Zimmerman said. “Everything is done online now. You go place your bets, where everything is final, and hope for the best. I got into the same mess as Mike [Dvornek] and that’s why I also slowed down and will make more confident bets in the future.”

Zimmerman also said that the “impulse” Dvornek mentioned before was the perfect word to explain college betting.

Students who lose bets, especially if it’s a significant amount, tend to continue to bet until they break even or go positive again. The good news for these particular students was, once they got deep into trouble, their betting automatically started to slow down.

“You really have to learn from your mistakes, just like everything else. Before I didn’t know the consequences and now I do,” Zimmerman said. “It’s all a learning experience.”

Zimmerman said the gambling world spreads like a virus. One person just passes it on to the next sports fan. As these certain websites spread across universities, gambling has grown to a new level according to these college students.

If you or a friend you know struggle with gambling issues, CCSU Counseling and Wellness Center has a help hotline for gambling on their website. You can call anytime, 24 hours a day, 1-800-346-6238 or schedule an appointment at the wellness center by calling (860) 832-1945.

semester.

“I don’t know if they’re going to inform people through mail or how they will go about it,” said Rosenzueig.

Fangiullo does not know at this time how the school is going spread the information because she has not yet met with executive administrators. She assures that they will have an informational campaign.

“We definitely plan on advising everyone,” said Fangiullo.

Alli Valvo, a sophomore at CCSU, was another student unaware of the new fee.

“I personally don’t, my parents do,” Valvo said about paying by credit card. “It’s doesn’t make sense to try to charge someone for trying to pay you.”

Valvo does not think that her parents will use a different way of paying tuition but is concerned about how much extra the fee is going to cost them.

“It doesn’t really make sense, 2.5 percent of a few thousand dollars adds up,” Valvo said.

“It’s not pocket change, and you could use that money to pay for books.”

Although the new fee was approved by the CSUS board of trustees on April 7 and has been added to the list of charges for fall 2011, Fangiullo said that the fee has not been put into action yet.

“We are still working on how it will be instituted,” said Fangiullo.

CCSU does offer payment plans as an alternative way to help students pay for the expenses of attending the university should they have financial troubles.

“We will work with students to get them to stay in school,” said Fangiullo.

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Participation Declines in SGA Elections Sara M. Berry The Recorder

Student participation declined by more than 30 percent from last year, according to SGA elections committee chairman Drew Blythe. A total of 556 students voted in this year’s election, down from the nearly 800 that voted in 2010.

Blythe said the number of students participating was around what is expected of elections held online. He also acknowledged that Eric Bergenn’s unopposed run could be a factor in the decline of votes cast.

“I think this was a great turnout considering the president position ran uncontested,” said Blythe. “Last year...we had two big name candidates running for president [in Alex] Rodriguez and [Matt] Vekakis, who both ran thoroughly planned out campaigns.”

Last year the race for president was extraordinarily close with Vekakis winning

by a mere 11 votes.

“This is less than usual,” said SGA president-elect Eric Bergenn, “but there usually isn’t an unopposed presidential candidate. This isn’t a great turn-out, but it isn’t necessarily that bad considering the unopposed presidential ballot.”

Bergenn said that it is always important to have as many people vote in SGA elections as possible so that students feel like they are being represented in student government.

Students who did not vote had a variety of reasons, most relating to lack of interest.

“I just wasn’t interested, and don’t care for politics. It comes across as a popularity contest,” said junior Dannel Petgrave.

Senior Raven Cohen said she didn’t vote because she is leaving the university in May. “I didn’t vote because I’m graduating this semester, so I didn’t really feel like it affected me,” Cohen said.

Blythe said that the elections committee and the Student Activities Leadership

Development department decided to hold the elections completely online due to last year’s successful implementation of Internet voting. Students had the opportunity to vote at one of two computers set up in the student center, provided by the SGA specifically for voting in the elections. “[We wanted] to reach as many [students] as possible because [they] were walking by in between classes and we wanted to get people,” Blythe said. “Most of the voting did happen online at home or in dorms, not at the tables. I think it’s just more convenient for people to do it at home in their own time so they can look over the candidates.”

Blythe said that the computers were not staffed by SGA senators at all times due to scheduling conflicts, leaving about four hours when in-person voting was left unattended.

The newly elected SGA officers will be sworn in on May 4 at the final meeting of the 2010-11 school year.

Foursquare Check-in Points Becoming More Prevalent at CCSU Kat Boushee The Recorder

The use of Foursquare and Facebook has changed and grown in the past year as retailers and even CCSU have been jumping on the social media express.

The information desk at CCSU is a designated check-in point on Foursquare and they give out prizes to students that check in each semester.

Amanda West, a CCSU student and student worker at the information desk, said that students often “walk by two or three times on their phone before checking in,” and that the information desk took a while to run out of the coffee mugs and keychains given to students who check in.

According to online research company Hitwise, hits on Foursquare in the U.S. increased 50 percent in December through February of 2009-2010. However, Foursquare usage at CCSU still seems to be growing slowly.

On Foursquare someone becomes a

“mayor” of a location by checking in more than anyone else in a 60-day span. Mayors might receive perks and discounts at some retailers, and often stores will provide tips or coupons to anyone checking in at their location.

At the CCSU bookstore one can check in on Foursquare and receive a Snickers square bar.

Jack O’Leary, manager of the bookstore, believes that foursquare is only the beginning.

“It’s going to continue to grow,” O’Leary commented. He believes that the next step will be Quick Response codes.

Quick Response codes are like bar codes that contain a lot more information.

They originated in Japan in 1994 and are still commonplace in the country while growing in popularity in the U.S. According to Baltimore-based social media marketing firm MGH, 32 percent of smartphone users polled said they had scanned a QR code.

They are utilized by downloading an

application to a smartphone, opening the application and pointing the phone’s camera at the QR code. The application will process the code and automatically open up the picture or video on your phone.

Facebook is also trying to take over the social retail market. On April 25 they announced that they will be launching a section of Facebook called “Deals.” It will be debuted in Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, San Diego and San Francisco.

Facebook deals will show up in your email and if Facebook feels that a particular deal is of interest to you, it will show up in your news feed. This leads into Facebook’s “Credits” system. Previously, Facebook credits were used to buy virtual gifts on Facebook but will soon be able to be used to purchase real merchandise.

As Jack O’Leary said, “social retailing is the next evolution.”

If he is correct, it might behoove even the most tech-wary consumer to step up to the social media plate and download one or more of these apps.

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THE RECORDER / Wednesday, April 27, 2011 / NEWS

Budget Agreement Will Affect Students’ Wallets matt clyburn The Recorder

After 17 town hall meetings with the public and weeks of negotiations in Hartford, Governor Dannel Malloy reached a $40.2 billion budget deal last Wednesday with Democratic leaders in the Connecticut General Assembly.

The deal will raise taxes on income, retail sales, corporations, gasoline, alcohol, cigarettes and inheritance. Though the plan excludes proposals to raise various sales taxes and impose taxes on haircuts and car washes, the state plans to raise nearly $10 million in a new “Amazon Tax” that levies a tax on purchases made over the Internet.

The budget agreement succeeded in raising the tax on retail sales, including shoes and clothing under $50, from 6 percent to 6.35 percent. The new tax rate will also apply to over-the-counter drugs, cosmetic surgery, pet grooming, limousine rides, valet parking at Bradley International Airport, manicures and pedicures. Gasoline and diesel fuel taxes will be increased by three cents per gallon.

Democrats rejected Malloy’s proposal to eliminate the annual “sales-tax-free week” in August meant to ease the tax burden on families with students returning to school.

Car sales over $50,000 and jewelry sales more than $5,000 will be subject to a higher seven percent sales tax.

Malloy’s original proposal would have charged the 6.35 percent rate on the first $50,000 of a vehicle purchase and seven percent on the amount exceeding that level.

Now, a car retailing at $50,000 would cost $53,500 after taxes.

Deal-hunting shoppers were concerned about a proposal that would have charged sales tax on the full value of an item discounted by coupons. Under the proposal, a coupon applying a 10 percent discount to a $100 item would still be charged $6.35 in taxes, rather than $5.72 on the discounted $90 total.

The deal reached Wednesday will avoid the coupon tax.

Many Republicans criticized the plan for raising taxes during a down economy, but

were hopeful that the governor would be able to strike a deal for $2 billion in concessions with state workers. Democrats have been in negotiations with the state employee unions for several weeks but no deal has been reached.

“We are willing to work with all representatives of good intentions to resolve the state’s problems - Republicans and Democrats,” Malloy said in a recent statement.

Malloy said that he listened to Republicans and members of the public in improving the budget he presented in February. “[The budget] asks more of our wealthiest residents who can afford it, it softens the tax burden on the middle class, while maintaining funding for schools,” said Democratic leader Rep. Chris Donovan in a statement at the capitol Wednesday.

Republican State Sen. John McKinney was not as enthusiastic, saying that a $2 billion hole in the budget left by the assumed savings from state employees might be unconstitutional.

“If they want to pass a budget and the governor wants to sign a budget prior to getting concessions, what happens if those concessions don’t come?” McKinney said.

“We are pleased to see that the budget has seen some improvements, such as asking the very rich to pay more of their share, as opposed to other ideas, like eliminating the property tax credit, that further hurt struggling working and middle class families,” said the State Employee Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) in a statement.

“We will continue our discussions with the governor to see if common ground can be found between him and those struggling middle class families who happen to work for the state,” SEBAC said.

The budget and appropriations committees passed the budget deal on Thursday and Malloy asked the General Assembly to vote on the agreement as soon as possible.

“I want a vote as soon as we can get it,” Malloy said in a statement Monday. “If as soon as we get it is tomorrow, I’ll take it...if the soonest we can get it is next week, I’ll take that. One way or another, we need a vote.”

GEOGRAPHY & TOURISM CLUB EARTH DAY EVENTS Saturday, April 30th 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Bass River Cleanup near campus Volunteers will meet at 10:00 a.m. at Iwo Jima Survivors Memorial Park located at Ella Grasso Boulevard in Newington ( Just off Route 9) Supplies for cleanup will be provided

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OPINION EDITORIAL

THE RECORDER Wednesday, April 27, 2011

5

Give Student Center Lobbying a Chance

Chances are you haven’t noticed the individuals in the student center sitting behind tables representing their clubs. You can walk by one of the six tables and never hear them call out to you at all.

There are many different clubs or student-run groups that can ‘rent’ the space. These are all sanctioned by the university. However, you never hear them, because they aren’t allowed to call out to you.

This has our staff a bit confused.

We can ‘table,’ as the Central Reservations Office calls it, but we can’t do any lobbying unless the person walks up the to the table voluntarily? This isn’t lobbying at

all. The people already interested in the club aren’t the target audience.

They don’t need to be convinced that they should donate, fill out an email registration or take a copy of the publication, in our case.

The university should be a proving ground for the world that we will be released to. We were unable to fully grasp why the student center doesn’t allow a group to lobby to a passerby. Is it to not inconvenience a student in the middle of their busy day? Is it to allow the people playing online video games on the nearby couches to continue doing so in peace? These don’t seem like very good reasons.

There isn’t a point to even ‘table’.

Unless your club feels like being used for a free snack they are giving away, you will never see anyone walk up to your table.

Our organization, which is a club with an open-door policy, has passed on the opportunity to use the space in the student center this year based on failures in past years that result in people only approaching us for free giveaways. While they leave a name and an e-mail, they are never heard from again. Instead we went to the classroom to try and gain support and hosted a Student Government Association event in order to up our notoriety around campus,

Careful Where You Park It David Whitney The Recorder

The other day I was jogging over to Marcus White to drop off the remainder of my health forms to get rid of the hold on my account. On my way back, as I was just along the side of Willard Hall, I looked up from my studious walk to see my car being towed.

At this point, half of me is furious whereas the other half is wondering how the heck my car got towed so fast. It seriously took me four minutes to complete the task and yet my car was already halfway down Paul Manafort Drive.

I’m new to CCSU but I’m often very careful where I park. What I neglected to pay attention to this time was the giant sign that’s on display for morons like me in the parking lot at the plaza on the corner of Paul Manafort Drive and Stanley Street. What does that sign say? ‘No student parking.’

This is a warning to all of you reading this. Don’t park there or you will get towed!

You will also get towed quite fast, because the tow truck drivers in the New Britain area told me that they regularly circle around the plaza. Apparently students park there all the time.

“Those spots are only for business use,” the tow truck driver told me. “People park their vehicles and just walk across the street.”

I wanted to ask him how the heck he gets there so fast. Do people get paid to sit in the parking lot and watch everyone who comes in? If it happens as much as he says it does, the local towing companies have to be making a ton of cash.

When I went to pay my penalty, the

owner seemed to show some sympathy for me.

“I won’t charge you the whole amount,” he said.

The full amount was $94 and he ended up charging me $88.

Yeah, thank you for saving me six dollars; that’s a huge discount!

Anyone who ever goes and gets a bite to eat or a cup a coffee during their day should stick around and observe the lots. Two days after my ordeal, I walked by and saw a car being towed by another towing company, not the one that towed my car.

Workers at the Dunkin’ Donuts inside the plaza all said that there are tow trucks there all the time picking up cars and bringing them downtown to their yards.

I’m not looking for support and I’m certainly not writing this to say that students should be able to park wherever they like. I respect local businesses and I’m at fault for parking there, but I feel it’s valid to get it out there to be careful where you park your car.

Trust me, you don’t want to end up giving away all your hard-earned money just because you parked there for a few minutes or for one class.

It’s not worth the risk, especially at that plaza because it’s monitored so well.

Jeez, 88 bucks! I could have gone out to a nice restaurant with three friends and at the end of the night said, “I’ll take care of the check guys.” They would have loved that.

I guess now I’ll just think about what could have been and start looking for three friends.

All kidding aside, please pay attention to all parking signs. Your bank account will thank you.

something we think worked better than sitting alone at a table while uninterested students pass by.

Student clubs aren’t the only thing that are being negatively affected by this conundrum. Last week the SGA elections were held in the student center and online.

You could walk up to the computers that they had set up at one of the tables and place your vote. The turnout was less than satisfactory.

If someone wasn’t looking for these voting stations, you wouldn’t have found them. There wasn’t a person there telling you to come over and vote, and when most people voted, they presumably voted alone.

If we’re to gain anything from our time here at CCSU, it should be viewed as a practicum and as a glimpse into the life we are going to have. This will include making decisions. Would it be too hard for some students to decide if they want to join a club if they were being asked to? Most of us have an IQ higher than that of a Labrador.

If someone from a club tells us to come over, we can tell them ‘no.’ However, the option should be left open. Let a club reach out to potential members instead of forcing them to sit there foolishly.

This will strengthen campus and community involvement.

Letter to the Editor Response to SGA Disinterest Recently, a student posted an editorial on how the SGA is a sham. This just goes to the show the ignorance that this current student body has on the SGA. Students today feel that the SGA is just a popularity contest. They feel its just about faces on flyers, but it is much, much more than that.

The SGA makes student clubs and organizations run. SGA lends their support to these organizations, funding them, sponsoring activities on campus. The SGA handles tuition money, so students better start caring and getting involved.

If students feel its a sham, then do something about it! Run for an executive position, run for a senate spot and actually do something about it. It is easy to whine and complain, it's even more difficult to actually go out and do something about it.

While some may disagree, SGA does play a factor in school policy and decision making. They do this through student spots on the faculty senate, which frequently go vacated and empty. This just goes to prove my point, it's easy for students to complain and bicker about SGA, but it means absolutely nothing unless you actually try and change it.

The biggest problem with the student body is a lack of student involvement and student apathy. I have heard a number of excuses of why people cannot simply go online and vote for the SGA elections, saying "Oh, I'm too busy." I've heard that plenty of times, only to see them surfing the net and going on Facebook hours of a day.

If you feel that the SGA just "takes our money and does whatever they want with it," then, how about you actually do something about it?

- Matthew Kitson

GOT SOMETHING TO SAY? WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR

EDITOR@CENTRALRECORDER.COM

6

THE RECORDER / Wednesday, April 27, 2011 / UPGRADE

REVIEWS Norm Macdonald’s ‘Sports Show’ An Awkward But Brilliant Success mICHAEL WALSH The Recorder

Norm Macdonald isn’t a comedian for everyone. At times it seems like the man bombs performances on purpose to gain laughter from his audience, a method so strange that it can only work for a man with a stand-up routine as bizarre and awkward as Macdonald’s.

Macdonald’s career has recently seen a revival. Finding relevance on Twitter, the former Saturday Night Live star had seemed to hit a wallowing point, destined to be an occasional guest on whichever late night show Conan O’Brien was hosting, telling audiences brilliant jokes about moths and their mental problems.

Comedy Central, a network so down in the dumps compared to the explosion of success it saw last decade, optioned a new show for Macdonald centered around the comedian riffing on the sporting world’s most recent headlines.

After two episodes it was quickly clear that the show had a hit on its hands. Of course, the concept of Macdonald’s new show being a hit will only become clear to those who get the comedian’s humor and appreciate his unique way of delivering it.

Sports Show with Norm Macdonald is brilliant for its quick and nasty one-liners supplied by the host. Topical humor never felt so awkward. The comedy is fast, dry and scorching all at the same time, as Macdonald moves on from headline to headline, delivering jokes that range from lame but still funny to brilliant.

The most amazing and surprising find for me was the inclusion of Kyle from Good Neighbor on the show’s second episode.

Kyle is simple. He’s a character so awkward

Despise You/ Agoraphobic Nosebleed

it makes the introvert in all of us shudder.

Good Neighbor found YouTube success with Kyle’s on-scene reports, in particular his trips to the Los Angeles Lakers’ back-t0-back NBA championship parade.

Kyle’s method is simple: he finds the most awkward questions to ask and the most awkward way to ask them, all the while stumbling and mumbling his words.

Sometimes he’ll receive a brushoff from the person he’s interview. In other moments, when Kyle receives a rare developed answered, he’ll cut them off at the most random and awkward moment, resulting in laughter that only exists because of the supreme timing he has. The concept and delivery is perfect and this character’s arrival to the television is well overdue. I imagine some late night host will be upset they missed the boat.

While Kyle’s report from an Ultimate Fighting Championship event likely had nothing to do with Macdonald himself, the fact that he included the YouTube sensation on his show in his own format is impressive itself. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the awkward Macdonald found solace in the awkward character of Kyle, his ‘nephew,’ to pull of these unbelievably funny reports.

The comedian himself has found a spot on YouTube where fans rave over his brilliant late night appearances and when Macdonald decided to tweet about the Academy Awards, his follower count no doubt rose by the thousands as he poked relentless fun at Hollywood’s many fake celebrities.

Going back to Macdonald, the comedian seems as comfortable as he can be in the role.

His show-ending ‘garbage time’ segment lets the comedian riff on whatever he wants, whether it lands in the sports universe or not, which lets Macdonald lash out at whatever or whoever he wants.

but will still have you saying “next...next... next” until it’s all over.

They close with the three and a half minute “Cedar Ave.,” where they mistakenly And On & On slow down rather than end on a high note.

You wait hoping it’ll turn into a blast-beat, but alas. It’ll have you searching your iTunes for Dropdead or Charles Bronson faster than the song finishes.

With reunion-mediocrity-blues weighing you down, you turn to the Agoraphobic Nosebleed side for solace. Though they’re primarily known for their brevity (their 2003 album Altered States of America flung out 99 tracks in under 20 minutes), their recent releases toy with structure and length.

Their opener, “Half-Dead,” is a stoner theme, taking their cues from Despise You’s sludgy finale. Proving they’re no sissies, “As Bad As It Is” returns to the typical ANb form: hellbound-stallion beats all done on a drum machine, wrist-straining riffs and vocals that sound like they’re being administered by a misanthropic poet. ANb guitarist/head honcho delivers a ripping solo before J.R. leads a chorus of “On and on and on, until max kyburz we’re all dead and gone.”

The Recorder The follow-up “Miscommunication” encompasses the speeds of the first two, If a powerviolence album makes me and “Los Infernos” rips in relentless fashion. want to throw my laptop across the room The penultimate “Possession” is by far the and punch the air until my arm’s a noodle, it’s most mature sounding track on the album, done its job. And On & On, the newest split sending 80’s thrash and hardcore tropes on a release from Despise You and Agoraphobic wild ride. As Despise You did with their side, Nosebleed, makes my yawns drown out the ANb ends with a sluggish, anti-climactic yells. outro, but the vocals by For the first time in nearly ten “Backup vocalist female vocalist Katherine years, Despise You is back with Lucita Perez sounds Katz (whose doom-metal new material. So that they may chops were recognized for nurse their die-hard fan base’s like an eight-year-old her other band Salome) bated breath, these vets crank out cartoon boy selling makes it work. eighteen rounds of abbreviated newspapers on the Though Agoraphobic fury in about seventeen minutes. corner” Nosebleed is on the nose, With no time to waste, Despise they hardly break any new You jumps right in with “Bereft.” ground. They combined By kicking into high gear the first time elements of past releases without taking into around, they wave the “We’re Back” banner account the one thing stopping them from proudly. Spirits seem high for the first few being great: live drums. It doesn’t matter tracks, but “Roll Call” marks the first error. how fast your drum-machine produced While the gravelly lead vocals fit beats sound, they’ll never sound as good perfectly, backup vocalist Lucita Perez as raw, organic percussion. But, hey, if they sounds like an eight-year-old cartoon boy want to spend their entire run sounding like selling newspapers on the corner. It ruins T-2000s on coke, so be it. potentially great tracks like “Painted Gray.”

Sadly, And On & On never reaches the Resuscitation occurs once they go all 1980’s freshness of either band’s oldest material, So-Cal on your ass with the unimaginatively nor does it live up to their magnificently titled “Fear’s Song,” their rendition of Fear’s expansive Agorapocalypse from 2009. There “I Don’t Care About You.” It’s another case are likable parts to both sides, but most of it of when a band can play fast and furiously, ends up sinking like a stone.

Relapse April 26

I hope that more than just the fans of Macdonald acknowledge just how funny Sports Show is. It’s certainly not going to please everyone the same way it pleases the fans, but there’s a certain subdued brilliance

of comedy to be found within. Hopefully this show doesn’t go the way of most Comedy Central shows these days and stays around long enough for Macdonald to keep sports fans laughing.

sports show with norm macdonald | facebook

Curren$y

Covert Coup

Warner Bros.

April 20

kevin jachimowicz The Recorder

On arguably his fans’ most cherished holiday of 4/20, New Orleans rapper Curren$y hits his fans with another piece of work, this time in the form of a free album.

Covert Coup is entirely produced by The Alchemist, who currently works under rapper Eminem as his DJ. The concept behind the album title is from the word coup d’etat, which is a French word for a sudden deposition of a government. The rapper also explained in

a recent interview that he chose that as the album title because of his journey of working up from the underground towards getting some type of recognition without fabricating his music and himself.

The album begins slowly with the track “BBS,” in which Curren$y states “This that ’70’s soul green Al-chemistry.” The album begins to speed up at the third track titled “Blood Sweat and Gears,” which boasts a haunting bass line by The Alchemist as well as Curren$y’s love for cars, “Blood, Sweat and Gears, life in between the racing stripes.”

The next standout track of the album would have to be “Scottie Pippens,” which also features rapper Freddie Gibbs. The two of them definitely showcase their true lyrical abilities here. “Windy city Bulls Mitchell & Ness wool jacket some sweats and Scottie Pippens,” is just one of Curren$y’s bars from this song which magnifies his ability to display imagery through such few words.

He also seems very wary of the fame, which is portrayed through the line, “All eyes in this direction...a burden and a blessin’.”

The album continues on through its first single, “Ventilation,” and then ends with a trio of songs in which Curren$y seems to be using a newer style and it seems to go very well with the new Alchemist production. “Success Is My Cologne,” the second to last track of the album, features quite an abstract beat and seems to be the perfect lead into the final track “Full Metal,” which brings the album to a smooth finish.

The album is a must for any Curren$y fans out there and is only a preview of what is to come of the next four works of music he will be releasing throughout the rest of this year.

Don’t agree with our point of view?

Express your opinion on the latest entertainment releases!

Contact entertainment@centralrecorder.com

7

THE RECORDER / Wednesday, April 27, 2011 / UPGRADE

20 Under 20: Spin Cycle Cafe (and Laundromat) Matt clyburn and Kat Boushee The Recorder

Located less than two miles from the CCSU campus, the Spin Cycle Cafe and Laundromat helps solve the age-old decision between clean laundry and drinking with friends.

Spin Cycle offers free soap Monday through Friday in addition to nightly entertainment for laundry-doers and nonlaundry-doers alike.

Monday is “Sports Night,” where during the game you can enjoy $2 Bud drafts and 50 cent wings.

Friday is the “Jazz Jam,” where patrons can enjoy live music from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dance and Latin music is played after 9:30 p.m. and dancing is strongly encouraged.

Saturday night features an ever-changing array of live entertainment. Past events have included live music and comedy performances. Sunday night is “College Night” where CCSU students once again enjoy $2 Bud drafts and 50 cent wings.

Of course, the laundry services are numerous. Dry cleaning, home pick-up and delivery, wash and fold services and self-service laundry machines.

Students can purchase discount cards that allow them to fill up a bag provided by Spin Cycle to be washed, folded and dried for a flat rate of $15 per bag.

Spin Cycle boasts free wi-fi, seasonally open outdoor patio tables and areas for study groups.

They also host open mic nights, magic shows and wine tastings.

Spin Cycle and Laundromat: Mon-Fri 9 a.m. tp 10 p.m.

Sat and Sun 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Netflix It:

nicholas Proch The Recorder

Michael Stuhlbarg. Many of us didn’t know that name before he appeared on Boardwalk Empire.

Before he played Arnold Rothstein on the HBO series, who famously rigged the 1919 world series while betting on the Chicago White Sox, now dubbed the ‘Black Sox’, he had only landed minor roles.

It was his work in A Serious Man that opened the door for Stuhlbarg to take larger roles.

The 2009 film, written and directed by the heralded Coen brothers [No Country for Old Men, Fargo], is another masterpiece in the eyes of those who really work

photos courtesy of spin cycle cafe

to understand their dark level of comedy.

Stuhlbarg, who plays lead character Larry Gopnik, nails it. He’s a physics professor in Minnesota in 1967, who happens to be a very tight-wound jew. Gopnik is nervous, unsure and now being left by his wife for the much older Sy Albeman.

His life unfolds on the screen during the two-hour piece. Gopnik’s son is experimenting with drugs while he’s supposed to be getting ready for his bar-mitzvah, his brother Arthur (played by Richard Kind) is an unwanted house guest who is convinced that he has found the key to the universe through his math and he is being forced out of

A Serious Man

him home by his wife and Sy. It’s these elements, and many more, that make this film a pleasure to watch.

You can’t say enough about the direction from the Coen brothers.

They have a complete vision for their work, which they carry out to the fullest. There are scenes in which Gopnik is searching for the answer to his troubles from his faith.

The level of awkwardness created between the rabbi and Gopnik is captured through clever editing and strong flashbacks and cut scenes.

A ‘get’. What is a ‘get’? Before you watch this film you might have no idea what a ‘get’ is. It’s a recurring plot device which shows up throughout the movie. Sy Ableman

and Judith Gopnik, are asking Larry for a ‘get’. ‘Get’. ‘Get’. ‘Get.’ It’s mentioned in the film enough times to make you nauseated. But what is it? That’s the humor in it. It’s never fully explained to Gopnik, making your time spent watching even more frustrating.

This frustration is what should make you want to watch this movie.

It’s not frustrating in the sense that you’re going to get pissed off, but in the sense that you’ll be grabbing your sides as you feel bad for Gopnik and his trail of misfortunes.

One of the things that the Coen brothers do especially well in all their films are their written dialogues. Every line seems unplanned and surprising, but

this is only due the combination of the script and talented actors.

There are long scenes which rely on conversations and nothing else.

There is sometimes no movement and no action, but it works.

However, what works well is the book ends to these dialogue-heavy scenes. They’re entertaining, fast and they often have kick-ass 60’s music playing.

If you’re a fan of the Coen brothers and their work, then you should absolutely check out A Serious Man. It’s a strong effort from the pair that doesn’t get enough attention. That’s surprisingly simple considering this work is sandwiched by No Country for Old Men and True Grit.

8

THE RECORDER / Wednesday, April 27, 2011 / UPGRADE

Calendar 4.27 - 5.4

MUSIC 4.27 Of Montreal @ Toad's Place New Haven, CT $24 / all ages / 7pm doors Grass Widow @ BAR New Haven, CT FREE / 21+ / 9pm 4.29 Alkaline Trio @ Toad's Place New Haven, CT $20 / all ages / 8pm doors Ted Leo (solo) @ The Space Hamden, CT $12 / all ages / 7pm 5.1 Dark Star Orchestra @ Toad's Place New Haven, CT $25 / all ages / 8pm doors 5.2 The Plains of Being Pure At Heart @ Daniel Street Milford, CT $15 / all ages / 7pm doors Holy Grail @ Webster Theatre Hartford, CT $10 / all ages / 6pm doors 5.4 Four Year Strong @ Webster Theatre Hartford, CT $18 / all ages / 5pm doors

constantly moving from town to town -- the perpetual new kid in a series of strangely familiar schools.

Despite the fact that his nomadic lifestyle has made it difficult to form meaningful connections, John experiences the joy of first love with a beautiful young woman (Dianna Agron) and begins to unlock his full potential after arriving with Henri in a small Ohio town. With each passing day, John gains a stronger grasp on his extraordinary new powers, and his bond to the beings that share his fantastic fate grows stronger. - Allmovie 5.1 - 5.3 Outside the Law @ Cinestudio (Trinity College) Hartford, CT $7 (with student ID) / 730pm In France, rightists have picketed screenings of Outside The Law for its moral comparison of France’s brutal treatment of Algerian independence fighters to the Nazi’s tactics against members of the Resistance. But while Rachid Bouchareb’s sweeping movie has plenty of political provocation, it is just as interested in family dynamics. Three brothers who are forced to leave their ancestral home in Algeria, meet again in a shantytown outside of Paris: Abdelkader, a revolutionary leader; Messaoud, a weary veteran just back from Indochine; and Saïd, a cabaret owner more interested in boxing than actual killing. “A gripping French-Algerian coproduction that makes Algeria’s epic struggle for independence from France look like a classic gangster movie.” Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

alkaline trio | Myspace/alkalinetrio

Four Year Strong | Myspace/fouryearstrong

FILM 4.27 - 4.30 Cedar Rapids @ Cinestudio (Trinity College) Hartford, CT $7 (with student ID) / 7:30pm Cedar Rapids, Iowa, may not be the first place you think of for taking a walk on the wild side. Unless, that is, you are Tim Lippe, a man so hilariously naïve and buttoned-up that a trip to an insurance convention represents a major awakening. Ed Helms, best known as a costar of The Office, gives a breakout starring performance that mixes cluelessness with vulnerability. Sharing the ride in the new film by the alwaysprovocative Miguel Arteta (The Good Girl, Chuck & Buck) are Lippe’s convention partners-incrime: a blissfully raunchy John C. Reilly, mild-mannered roomie Isiah Whitlock, and Anne Heche, as a mom in search of some R-rated fun. Cedar Rapids is both hilarious and heartfelt. It’s also powered by a dream cast, led by the outstanding Ed Helms.

Of Montreal | Myspace/ofmontreal

4.28 I Am Number Four @ Semesters - Student Center FREE / 10pm A teenage fugitive with an incredible secret races to stay one step ahead of the mysterious forces seeking to track and destroy him in this sci-fi action thriller from director D.J. Caruso (Disturbia, Eagle Eye).

With three dead and one on the run, the race to find the elusive Number Four begins. Outwardly normal teen John Smith (Alex Pettyfer) never gets too comfortable in the same identity, and along with his guardian, Henri (Timothy Olyphant), he is

Holy grail | Myspace/holygrail

Ted leo | Myspace/tedleo

9

THE RECORDER / Wednesday, April 27, 2011 / SPORTS SPORTS BEGINS ON BACK PAGE

Golf Wins New England Division I Title, Preps for NEC Tournament Brian Jennings The Recorder

The Central Connecticut State University men’s golf team shot a final-round score of 289 on Sunday to claim the New England Division I Men’s Golf Championships at Newport National Country Club in Middletown, R.I. The 289 was six strokes better than the second-best round of the tournament, 295 posted by Sacred Heart University on day-one, and tied the second lowest score the Blue Devils shot for a round so far this season.

With three golfers in the top six and four golfers shooting 73 or better on Sunday, it’s no wonder that the Blue Devils are looking forward to the Northeast Conference championships.

The Blue Devils finished in a third place tie after day one, shooting a score of 301, six shots behind the Sacred Heart Pioneers. However, SHU’s efforts of pioneering a win would come up two strokes short, finishing eight shots behind the Blue Devils Sunday.

The Pioneers shot a tournament total of 592 while the Blue Devils shot 590. The Blue Devils shot minus two on the eighteenth hole, while the Pioneers shot even.

After day one, head coach Kevin Giancola told the team to just play golf and that all they can do is take care of their own business.

“One of the things we as a team try to do is keep it in single digits… when you’re in single digits, you have a good chance and that’s the main thing,” said Giancola.

He thought his team had an unbelievable Adams Cup at Newport National Country Club,

playing national competition with a third-place finish. Giancola credits Sunday’s win to the team’s ability to play Newport Country Club wise and also play it well, having played the course already in the Adams Cup. “The course was very challenging, but it suits our games and it suits them, and they like it… kudos to Sacred Heart, they played well enough to win it, but 289 was a great score at a tough golf course, on not an easy day,” said Giancola.

Kevin Josephson led the Blue Devils with a score of 71 Sunday, finishing in a tie for second overall in the tournament. The junior shot a total of 145 (plus one) for the two-day tournament.

However, the senior from Orangeville, Ontario, wasn’t too far behind Josephson. Eric Hawerchuk shot a day-two score of 73, tying for fourth place in the tournament with a total of 147 (plus three).

“I tried to stay positive, consistent and hit solid shots,” said Hawerchuk.

Hawerchuk’s game off the tee clicked for him. Driving the ball in the middle of the fairway was imperative for Hawerchuk, which helped him to stay in contention throughout the tournament.

Hitting in the short grass wasn’t the only thing that brought out the best in Hawerchuk.

“Great course,” said Hawerchuk.

“The wind makes it tough out there, but it suits my game…I did good there in the fall and have good memories of it.”

Hawerchuk recorded his top finish of the season at Newport National County Club where he tied for ninth in the Adams Cup back in September.

Senior David Renski’s pair

of 71’s for SHU and sophomore Jason Del Rosso’s 74 and 71 for Fordham wasn’t enough to take down CCSU’s starting five on the par 72 course.

Giancola is proud of his team after coming off a 13-of-20 finish at the Villanova Wildcat Invitational earlier this month. He believes that CCSU played to their potential, which is what made it possible to win the New England Championships.

“They’ve been working hard… very hard…their preparation paid off,” said Giancola. “They’ve been knocking on the door all year though really, to be honest with you…they’ve been playing against better competition, better courses…I believe in them [and] they have to believe in themselves.”

Giancola thinks his team is playing solid, even though it took them a while to find their stride in the spring, as opposed to the fall.

“The fall you come off the summer, they had a lot of confidence, a lot more playing golf…most college players tend to play better at that time, especially in New England,” said Giancola.

“I amped up the schedule, got us going in March…heck, we played four tournaments by April 10…I just think it’s tough to get acclimated in the spring and find your game and find your feel, after being down so long.”

The next stop for the Blue Devils features the ChampionsGate Golf Club in Orlando, Florida, which will be played from April 29 to May 1. The Blue Devils have been looking forward to the NEC championships all season and will head into the tournament with the same strategy they’ve been

www.ccsubluedevils.com

The CCSU men’s golf team won the New England Division I title earlier this month. They’re now preparing for the Northeast Conference championships.

following all season.

“Anyone on my team can win it,” said Giancola. “Not too much of golf scores, stay in the present tense, we believe in ourselves… preparation, execution, and confidence…and that’s how you win. Present tense…one day at a time, one hole at a time, one shot at a time…we can only control what’s in front of us.”

As for the NEC championships, Hawerchuk isn’t stressing.

“I feel great,” said Hawerchuk.

“I wouldn’t want anyone one else than the guys I play with on my team. I think we’re ready…we just need to play well…we’ll add ‘em up at the end and see who comes out on top.”

The competition is nothing new to Hawerchuk, as he is set to play in his fourth NEC tournament.

Hawerchuk led the Blue Devils in the NEC championships his sophomore year, tying for thirtyeight with a total of 229.

“My view point is the golf course,” said Giancola. “We can’t control what other teams do…golf is the kind of game where what your opponent does really doesn’t do too much to you. You gotta’ stick with your game plan and go from there…the golf course is the enemy, not the other team…I think the golf course gives us the most competition, because that’s what we’re really competing with out there.”

Former CCSU Pitcher Called Up to the Majors kenny barto The Recorder

The Blue Devils will have an alumni playing in the major leagues for the first time since Ricky Bottalico last pitched in 2005 for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Evan Scribner began with the Tucson Sidewinders, his first stint in Triple-A. So far this season, Scribner was 0-1 with a 5.62 ERA and had three saves in four opportunities. However, Scribner’s highest ERA at any level was in 2009 with Double-A San Antonio, where he went 8-4 with a 3.07 ERA. Scribner has primarily filled the role of closer in the minor leagues.

He was drafted in 2007 in the 28th round by the Diamondbacks, and was considered to be a gem of the draft by how late he fell. He was traded to the Padres on July 18th, 2008 for slugger Tony Clark.

Scribner saw action with the big league club in spring training, working four scoreless outings in March before being optioned to the Triple-A club on March 11th.

Although Scribner has struggled with Tucson this year, he could become an integral part of the

Padres’ bullpen as the season goes on.

Scribner sports a fastball at 9094 mph, followed by a curveball that is known to have a 20 mph difference that has been fooling batters in the minor leagues.

He is only the third CCSU alum to make it to the major leagues. Bottalico, and Skip Jutze are the only other two Blue Devils to make it that far.

Follow The Recorder on Twitter @recordersports for breaking gameday news, multimedia and live tweeting

CCSU alum Evan Scribner was called up to the San Diego Padres on Monday.

www.ccsubluedevils.com

10

THE RECORDER / Wednesday, April 27, 2011 / SPORTS

COLUMN

Latest Lockout Ruling Still Not Enough

bRIttANy buRKe the Recorder

No fan likes to hear rumors that a professional sports league is going to go on strike; a work stoppage means that the game we all love to watch may not be played. In the 1994-1995 season Major League Baseball went on strike for 232 days and in 2004 the National Hockey League lost its entire 2004-2005 season due to

labor disputes.

Most recently the owners around the National Football League went to battle against their players…the ones who make them the billions each year. The possible lockout went from rumor to reality.

I saw my beloved season slowly slipping away and myself, along with every other football fan, began to get nervous.

The various news outlets, sports blogs and twitter users began to question how long this lockout would last, and would it be resolved in time for the next regular season, or even the preseason.

It was announced today that Judge Susan Richard Nelson ruled in favor of the athletes, which means that they’re allowed to go back to work at their respective facilities.

Judge Nelson’s ruling also shines a hopeful light on the 2011 football season. Allowing the players to go back to work is a minor step in resolving the ongoing battle.

However, I am not completely convinced that I should be saving

up for my Giants/Rams tickets just yet.

This ruling does not make the dispute between the players and owners go away. The athletes are still looking for a better way to divide up the multi-billion dollar industry, and the owners are still unwilling to find a middle ground.

While Judge Nelson’s orders put a stop to the lockout, there is still a chance for the owners to appeal her decision, which would again put the athletes and fans in season limbo.

Some may claim that even with the draft starting this week, the lockout will have no real effect on the season, but I can’t help but worry. The longer the players and athletes remain at odds, the greater chance there is that the regular season may get cut.

A season-ending lockout effects more than the athletes and front office. It’s a trickledown effect, and while the latest ruling is a step forward, it’s a small step and I wouldn’t start making your season plans just yet.

UMass Holds off Blue Devils in Non-Conference Game

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The CCSU baseball team got off to a rough start and was never able to recover, falling to UMass 8-3.

The Blue Devils (17-14-1) trailed 6-0 after the first three innings and despite Pat Epps two-run homerun, CCSU hardly threatened.

UMass (12-17) starter Ben Hart went eight strong, stifling Blue Devils batters on a cold rainy afternoon. The Blue Devils were out-hit 14-6, getting very little from its own pitching. While Nate Sturgis pitched well for three innings, the bulk of the damage was done off the first two pitchers. CCSU was able to get one back in the eighth, cutting the lead to three, but the Minutemen tacked on two more in the ninth. After a seven game winstreak, the Blue Devils have now dropped back to back games.

“We didn’t execute,” said Head Coach Charlie Hickey. “We tried to piece-mail this enough to give ourselves an opportunity, but then they got two more in the ninth.”

UMass hit two doubles in the first for one run, giving them the lead right from the start. The two runs UMass picked up in the second drove Blue Devil starter Donny Crook from the game. Crook’s replacement, Jason Foster, didn’t fare much better, allowing three more in the third. Crook and Foster gave up a combined six hits in the three innings they pitched.

“Crook and Foster didn’t do what there supposed to do,” said Hickey. “The conditions were tough, but this is what we play in.

They have to be better.”

While CCSU struggled with its pitching, UMass did not. Hart cruised through the first three innings, giving up only one ht.

Though the Blue Devils trailed big, the team showed signs of life in the fourth. After a lead-off walk to Mitch Wells, Epps turned on one, cranking it over the left field wall.

J.P. Sportman followed up with a single, but a pop-out and then a

KeNNy bARto | tHe ReCoRDeR

double play ended CCSU’s rally.

“We didn’t execute. Epps had that one shot but that was it,” said Hickey. “We still have a lot of holes so we have to continue to evolve and develop” The Minutemen were able to get to Blue Devil pitching early, but Sturgis came in and shut them down. Sturgis put in three innings of work, struck out four and didn’t allow a run. Though CCSU lost, Sturgis kept the game within reason.

“Sturgis really pitched well and we wonder why we didn’t have him in earlier.” said Hickey.

With the game at a standstill for three innings, the Blue Devils had an opportunity to close the gap in the eighth.

A Dylan Delacruz double put runners on second and third with only one out. A fielders choice got one run across, but also counted for the second out. Now with only one runner on base and two out, a pop out ended the inning.

Though the Blue Devils were able to build some momentum, UMass was able to pad its lead in the ninth. A bases loaded walk and a sac fly gave the Minutemen two more runs and helped put the game out of reach. The Blue Devils didn’t go down quietly in the bottom of the inning, picking up two hits, but the most noise made was on a foul ball that shattered the rear window of Hickey’s car.

“It’s a concern the way our offense has been lately,” said Hickey.

“We are not built on hitting that three-run homerun, so we have to find a way to get more balls in play.

Tomorrow is going to be one of the most important days for us, we’re going to have to prepare for this upcoming stretch of conference play.”

After six non-conference games, the Blue Devils begin a three game series against Fairleigh Dickinson on Thursday. CCSU is in a three-way tie for third place in the conference and a series against the last place team should help them distance themselves.

THE RECORDER / Wednesday, April 27, 2011 / SPORTS

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Blue and White Game Will Showcase Young Team

Gunnar Jespersen playing against Albany last season. He is expected to be a key component of next season’s team.

FOOTBALL I Cont. from 12 to playing in games and how to approach the game.”

CCSU Blue Devil football has been back in action practicing on the field, and this game will serve as a way of testing new strategies before facing Southern Connecticut State University to kick off the season.

“I’m going to be looking at every individual…obviously a group cannot have a good play but a player can do well on his job, so just how they react, just getting to the grind in the spring and go out there and play and how they handle it because for some of them it’s a new experience,” said McInerney.

“For the group it’s a whole different unit so you want to see how they react as one team, because we will have a blue and white team.”

With the departure of 18 seniors from the championship team, the new squad is facing a new regime, which is what the athletes have been working on in the spring practices. With Gunnar Jespersen returning to take the snaps behind center, the Blue Devils offense is more secure than it was going into the 2010 season.

However, with a handful of defensive linemen and backs gone, the defensive side of the ball is up in the air. The position of kicker will also be looked at, as Joe Izzo wrapped ups his final season this year.

“We’re putting in a new defense, so we’ve been more aggressive and we’ve been installing like crazy, so I’ve been really pleased with that and on offense we’ve kind of sharpened our horns and we’re way further along,” said McInerney. “Last year we had some things on offense and were further along now on that side of the ball, where a year ago it was

reversed, which happens quite a bit. Then in the kicking game, I think Steve Calitri has been doing fabulous as the punter and kicker in kick off, I’m very pleased with Steve.”

The spring game is an opportunity for the Blue Devils to throw everything out on the field as a way of seeing what works and what doesn’t before delving in to the rest of the spring season. It’s not as formal, but it gives the players a taste of the new things implemented, the fans a glimpse of what to expect and the coaches an outlet to test their new strategies, which is what McInerney plans to do.

“We’re gonna use it all, we’re not like a lot of people, I’m not hiding anything. We’re gonna go out there and hit it and get it, we’ve got to see how it looks. Some people limit things that they’ll do but I won’t do that. We’re not gonna hit the quarterback in the spring

kenny barto | the recorder

game, we won’t tackle the quarterback but everybody else will tackle,” said McInerney.

It is also a time to honor the past and future. The spring game will feature the celebration of the 2010 team, which currently serves as co-NEC champions, as well formally announcing which players will serve as captains for the 2011 season.

The Blue and White game will be held on Arute Field with a kickoff time scheduled for 1:30 p.m. “[It will be a] beautiful spring day, they’re predicting sun and there’s nothing better than watching football, sitting in the stands, talking to your fellow students, classmates, coworkers, peers…it’s not like a regular game, you can come out for 20 minutes, just stop in say hi and enjoy the moment, there’s nothing like sitting in the football stands with the sun out.”

Krasnowiecki’s One-Hitter Highlights Blue Devil Weekend FDU I Cont. from 12 day to pitch,” said Hickey. “But, I really can’t complain today, Neumann got out of trouble early, and ran into some trouble late, but both him and [Krasnowiecki] were great today.”

In game one, CCSU’s only offense was a Matuszak sacrifice fly and a Miller-Jones RBI double that scored Epps. After Krasnowiecki’s performance, the score stood at just 2-0.

Game two saw much more offense, although CCSU was down 1-0 until the fourth, the final score read 7-3 in favor of the Blue Devils. Dylan Delacruz led off with a triple, followed by a Wells RBI double to left center.

Wells would advance to third on an Epps fly out, and was then driven in on a Miller-Jones sacrifice fly.

CCSU followed with five runs in the fifth, led off by Anthony Turgeon doubling to left field, one of his three hits in the game, and was promptly driven in by Tyler McIntyre in the next at-bat. Matuszak advanced the runners to second and third with a sacrifice bunt after Andy Lalli singled. Delacruz followed with another sacrifice fly for the Blue Devils, which led to Wells earning a base on balls. Epps would drive in the final two runs of the game with a line drive double to right center field, one of his three hits that went the other way in the doubleheader.

“I think it was last week that I saw him get a hit the other way,” said Hickey. “I made it a point to coach [Paul] LaBella to try to work with him this week on going the other way,

and it ended up working out.”

Game two wouldn’t be so kind to the Blue Devils, as the team blew a five-run lead that they had going into the fifth inning. Coach Hickey started his best bullpen arm, Harry Glynne, in place of the struggling starter Tom Coughlin. Glynne was perfect through four, but gave up a hit in the fifth.

FDU made it 5-1 after the fifth, but put up a seven spot on the scoreboard in the sixth. Hickey made a tough decision to keep Glynne in the game and he ended up facing five batters in the sixth, giving up four hits, and was tagged with three earned runs in the inning. The Knights added three more in the eighth off of Josh Ingham to give them the 11-6 lead.

CCSU saw a huge offensive performance from catcher Lalli, who went 4-for-4 with three RBI’s.

“That was surprising to say the least,” said Hickey. “If you told me yesterday Andy Lalli was going to go 4-for-4 today, I wouldn’t have believed you, but he really came through today and did a great job seeing the ball at the plate.”

The Blue Devils will stay in fourth place in the Northeast Conference. The Blue Devils will host UConn, who has two potential first round draft picks, including New Britain native George Springer. CCSU will return to conference action at Quinnipiac next weekend.

kenny barto I THE RECORDER

Dave Krasnowiecki pitches during Saturday’s action against FDU. He completed a one-hitter and earned NEC Pitcher of the Week honors.

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THE RECORDER / Wednesday, April 27, 2011 / SPORTS

Last Place Knights Split Series With Blue Devils

Kenny Barto | the recorder

Shortstop Anthony Turgeon catches a pick-off from catcher Andy Lalli in Saturday's action against Farleigh Dickinson University.

Christopher Mclaughlin and Kenny Barto The Recorder

The Blue Devils were unable to take advantage on home turf against last place Farleigh Dickinson, a visit that resulted in a split series.

With the top four teams making the NEC tournament, it was a chance for the fourth place Blue Devils to put more wins on the board against the then 6-26 (3-13 NEC) Knights.

“This is where we needed to pile up some wins,” said head coach Charlie Hickey.

“But we came out with a split, which wasn’t optimal, but they came out with some guys that got hits, pitchers who threw strikes, and

they just played good baseball.”

The Blue Devils dropped game one of the series 7-5 on Thursday. Though starting pitcher Todd Savatsky gave up six runs, only three were earned, as costly errors allowed FDU to score. Savatsky pitched into the eighth inning, giving the Blue Devils an opportunity to save its pitchers for the rest of the series.

“Todd [Savatsky] had great command, even with the 25 mph wind, he did enough to give us the opportunity to win, but if you play enough of these games they will go either way,” Hickey said.

Fairleigh Dickinson struck first with an RBI single in the opening inning before Mitch Wells tied it up in the bottom half. The Knights picked up three more in the third inning off Savatsky, but only one run was

earned. Once again the Blue Devils were there to match in the bottom of the inning when Pat Epps hit a two-run RBI double and Sean Miller-Jones drove him in on a sac fly. FDU pushed two more across in the fourth, when the wind turned a routine fly ball into a tworun single.

With the lead in hand, FDU was able to maintain it the remainder of the game. The Blue Devils were able to cut the lead to one in the fifth with a leadoff triple from Jake Matuszak that turned into a run because of a throwing error from the cut-off man.

CCSU had another opportunity in the seventh, but FDU left fielder Joe Martino threw consecutive runners out at home plate, preventing the Blue Devils from tying. The Knights tacked on one more in the ninth and

though the Blue Devils got a man on base, a double play ended the game.

The Blue Devils went into Friday’s doubleheader needing to put up two wins, and the two aces, Dave Krasnowiecki and Nick Neumann, earned victories for CCSU. In game one, Krasnowiecki went the distance and allowed just one hit, although he surrendered six base runners on four walks and a hit by pitch. His performance earned him the NEC co-pitcher of the week.

Nuemann followed suit with his own complete game, but gave up three runs on six hits while striking out seven.

“You know, I really do get on them all week to make sure there prepared for their one FDU | cont. on 11

Football Coach Optimistic Heading into Spring Game Brittany burke The Recorder

The competitive football season won’t begin until September, however, for the fans that can’t wait to get their football fix can attend the annual Blue Devils Blue and White Spring game.

The game, scheduled for Friday, April 29, is the first game for the team since its final home game in November. The yearly game serves a less competitive purpose, as the athletes put on the pads and take to the line against their own teammates.

“It’s really a chance for the players to demonstrate their skill level and to actually play a game,” said head football coach Jeff McInerney. “For some of them it’ll be their first game because they didn’t play last year and it’s really a big point of getting used The team celebrates a 49-48 double overtime win at Monmouth last season on their way to being co-NEC champions.

kenny barto I THE RECORDER

FOOTBALL | cont. on 11