The Spectrum Volume 63 Issue 49 by The Spectrum Student Periodical

Cyber security course gives students hands-on experience

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO, SINCE 1950

ubspectrum.com

Page

Bulls baseball positional breakdown

Page

Pollock uses positivity to overcome injury

Page

Friday, february 14, 2014

6 8

Volume 63 No. 49

LIVING IN HIS HONOR Kevin Hughes overcomes death of father and season-ending surgery to take the mound

Chad Cooper, The Spectrum

BEN TARHAN

Senior Sports Editor

Kevin Hughes knows what it means to heal. As a 4-year-old boy, he was once too scared to come out from underneath a table – unwilling to be separated from his mother or father so he could attend an interview for a gifted kindergarten program. But the scared boy Hughes once was isn’t the man who steps onto the pitcher’s mound today as a senior on the baseball team. He has grown up and endured things he couldn’t hide from. Time served as his healing aid. When he was a junior transfer during his first semester at UB, Hughes’ father died. A year and a half later, he had a season-ending elbow injury that kept him on the bench for part of one season and the entirety of another. He needed Tommy John surgery, an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction procedure. Following the surgery, a patient generally reaches full strength in his or her arm after 18 months. It has been nearly 24 months since Hughes’ elbow was repaired on. But losing a parent comes with no reparative procedure – no promise of when life will ever feel “normal” again, because it likely won’t. But Hughes never let himself get angry about the death of his father. “I just live in his honor,” he said. “We got him cremated because I just don’t think one spot in the ground [was appropriate]. He had a bigger impact. So we got little hearts filled with his ashes and gave them to 15 or 20 people who were closest to him.”

Chad Cooper, The Spectrum

Senior pitcher Kevin Hughes overcame the death of his father in 2010 and a torn ulner collateral ligament in his elbow in 2012 to make it back to the mound this season.

His father was a sheet metal worker – he was dedicated to his craft. And he instilled the same kind of devotion in Hughes. When Hughes throws, it is apparent his elbow is fully healed. He doesn’t hold anything back. He puts his entire bodyweight behind the ball. Despite his charismatic nature, the idea of approaching him when he is standing on the mound seems horrifying. He takes the game seriously. Now, Hughes gets one last season to show the world what he can do on the mound – and he gets to do it for his dad. *** On a November morning in 2010 – just three months into Hughes’ first semester at UB – he left his family’s home to go to class and noticed his father’s lunch box on the table. Hughes’ father never missed a day of work. Later in the day, Hughes’ older sister, Ashley,

called him and asked if she could see him. They met outside UB Stadium and Ashley delivered the news. Hughes’ father had passed away. He had driven a friend home the night before and on the way to his home he crashed through a barrier and into a body of water. Officials aren’t sure if it was a medical issue or if he just lost control of the car – there were no skid marks. When they arrived on the scene, Hughes’ father was in still in the car – seatbelt fastened. He drowned. “That was a big blow,” Hughes said. “I was numb to the fact that day and I tried to be strong. But at his wake, my uncles – grown men – were coming up to me crying and I was trying to cheer them up, keep things positive because that’s the way he was. You have to get the most out of life, you have to celebrate what he did do and what he was.”

Hughes said he is exactly like his father. The two often argued because they were so similar but had an understanding that it was all to help make Hughes better. Hughes looked up to his father in every way. He said his dad had a paper route from when he was 10 and that his grandmother still tells stories about all the money he had. “When he wanted something, he did it on his own,” Hughes said. “He would save up money – he would do this and that – and he would find a way.” From age 14 on, Hughes did things his father did. He worked at Niagara County Produce, getting to work at 7:30 a.m. on the weekends so he could work 20 hours a week. It taught Hughes about work ethic. When his father passed away, Hughes’ way of mourning was doing the things his father loved

to do. His father was always upbeat and charismatic, so Hughes didn’t let his dad’s death keep him down. He played baseball because his dad loved watching him play and never missed a game. Hughes – who refused to take a leave from school to grieve – played in his memory. Hughes’ father was such a constant presence at games that people knew how important he was to Hughes. And Hughes meant a lot to his friends. At his father’s wake two full baseball teams – his teammates at UB and a group of players from a summer team he had played with – came to pay their respects. Hughes went to his father for all kinds of advice. When he began weighing transferring from Erie Community College to Genesee Community College for his final semester of junior college, Hughes went to his dad. When he was choosing a fouryear school to spend his final two seasons, Hughes went to his dad. In the end, one of the most attractive parts about going to school at UB was that his family would be able to go to his games because they live nearby in Lockport. Hughes’ dad would never get the chance to watch his son play Division I baseball. After his father’s death, baseball was Hughes’ refuge. It gave him a place to be away from the pain and still commemorate his father. Mary, Hughes’ mother, said he realized he had to move forward because playing Division I baseball was his father’s dream for him. SEE HUGHES, PAGE 6

Anthropology classes, offices battle heat and noise issues University updates heating system, professors and students affected LISA KHOURY

Chad Cooper, The Spectrum

Managing Editor

Professor Fred Klaits’ students couldn’t hear a word he was saying. On Feb. 4, Klaits stopped his anthropology class for 20 minutes because a jackhammer above his classroom was so noisy, he couldn’t make himself heard. His class is in Millard Fillmore Academic Center, where UB is replacing its old heating system. Construction started a couple weeks ago in the beginning of the semester – just as UB’s seven-week winter session came to an end. The timing of the project has frustrated students and faculty in the anthropology department, which is located in the building. Since the beginning of the semester, noise has disrupted classes. Klaits communicated with his students by writing questions on the projector. Jaume Franquesa,

During the first two weeks of the semester, Jaume Franquesa, an assistant anthropology professor, kept his office warm with a space heater. UB is currently replacing the heating system in Millard Fillmore Academic Center, and as a result, offices in the anthropology department were left without heat, and construction work disrupted classes.

an assistant anthropology professor, considered moving his class to a different room. The anthropology department has been in contact with UB and the noise has ceased this week, according to Klaits. “It was extremely frustrating,” Klaits said. “I have a class to teach and I wasn’t able to teach

it. I think that the noisy work needs to be done at times when classes are not in session.” The work in Millard Fillmore, located in Ellicott Complex, is part of a multimillion dollar, multi-year energy efficiency project funded by the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to update aging infrastructure and

equipment on North and South Campuses, according to Joseph Desotelle, the manager of engineering support for UB’s Facilities Planning and Design. Millard Fillmore needed new air handlers. The work began in September and picked up again in January. The Spectrum asked Desotelle why UB began changing the heating system when the semester started instead of during winter break. “This type of work is usually done during the winter months, where possible, because it is much easier and much more economical to provide temporary heating, where necessary, than to provide temporary cooling,” Desotelle said in an email. But as the work went on, professors and students said it was affecting their classes. On Feb. 4, instead of canceling class, Klaits improvised. Because he and his students

couldn’t communicate while the noise was occurring, his students answered his written questions on their computers. But several of his students, including Bailey Humiston, said the work has been distracting during the past couple weeks. She believes Tuesday’s construction took away from her education. “I felt like I really started to miss out on class discussion, and I work better when I’m actually actively participating,” said Humiston, a sophomore music theater major. “So when we were sitting at our computers just writing out the questions that he was asking, basically from the projector, it was just kind of annoying.” Brendan Kerr, who is also in Klaits’ class, said he doesn’t understand why UB didn’t complete the construction in Millard Fillmore over the seven-week winter session. SEE ANTHROPOLOGY, PAGE 2

ubspectrum.com

Friday, February 14, 2014

NEWS BRIEFS

All information according to University Police 2/5 6:19 p.m. – A motorist reported 20 people on skis in the area of Frontier Road near the basketball courts. The complainant said she almost hit one of the people on skis in the roadway. University Police (UPD) dispatched; patrol advised the skiers to stay away from the roadside. 2/6 9:35 p.m. – A residence assistant reported an odor of marijuana coming in Wilkeson Quadrangle. UPD was dispatched but did not find a trace of the odor or the subjects. 2/7 1:58 a.m. – First Transit requested a welfare check of a student at the Governors Complex bus stop. UPD petitioned the student to Student-Wide Judiciary (SWJ) for alcohol. 2:33 a.m. – The grounds department reported hearing yelling from the area of Coal Road and Sherman Lot on South Campus. UPD was dispatched to the scene in attempt to locate the source. UPD spoke with a grounds worker, who did not see anyone. Police patrolled the area but were unable to locate anyone. A group of people in the lobby said the source of the noise was heading back toward Goodyear Hall. 2:50 a.m. – A Goodyear Hall public service announcement stated a highly intoxicated male was heading up the eighth floor of Goodyear. UPD arrived on the scene but was unable to locate the subject.

11:38 a.m. – Campus Living reported a student had her cell phone and UB ID card stolen. UPD was dispatched and reported that a black Apple iPhone 5s in a pink, sparkle OtterBox was taken at an off-campus party at 65 Custer St. at 2:00 a.m. earlier that morning. The UB ID card was attached to the phone. At 3:53 a.m., an unknown person made $15 worth of purchases with the card at the Richmond Quadrangle vending machines. Patrol checked the area, but there was no sign of anyone or the phone. 2/8 6:40 p.m. – A UB staff member reported receiving an email from a female student who was concerned for a friend who was talking about suicide. The staff member said the student did not disclose the friend’s name and did not know if the friend was affiliated with UB. UPD advised the staff member to contact the police with any more information. 2/10 6:01 p.m. – A student reported being harassed due to knowledge of information regarding an offcampus fraternity. UPD was dispatched. 7:06 p.m. – A student came to Bissell Hall on North Campus to report a hit and run. Her vehicle was struck exiting the Flint Village parking lot on to Augspurger Road. The complainant said the suspect’s vehicle was black or dark navy. The complainant also reported her vehicle’s front bumper was damaged. email: news@ubspectrum.com

Three injured in Tonawanda Coke explosion last month On Wednesday, Tonawanda Coke issued a statement stating three workers were injured in the explosion on Jan. 31. The factory originally stated there were no injuries. A buildup of gas caused a coke oven in the factory to burst. The company has categorized the explosion as “minor,” but the Department of Environmental Conservation called it “significant,” according to The Buffalo News. The statement said a full-time worker was blown to the ground but did not need medical treatment. One other full-time worker suffered dust inhalation and a possible first-degree burn on his face; he returned to work the same day after treatment. A fulltime temporary worker’s face and eyes were covered in dust, and he was sent to an off-site medical facility; he returned to work on Feb. 3. Moisture in extremely cold temperatures can lead to frozen lines and blockages, which was presumed to be the cause of the explosion. Plant operators did not notice moisture in the air dryer system during a routine checklist monitoring, according to the report. Tonawanda Coke has a history of violations, and federal officials for environmental and public health violations continue to look into the company. Health report details Affordable Care Act enrollment Twenty seven percent of the people who enrolled in the Affordable Care Act during its first four months were between the ages 18 to 34, according to a new Department of Health and Human Services report. The number of young adults who signed up for the coverage rose three points in the fourth month of the law’s implementation. To date, nearly 3.3 million Americans have signed up for

! e v i l u o y e Wher

the coverage that went into effect on Oct. 1 last year, according to an NPR health report. Of the numbers, however, the strongest growth has been shown in young people, with a 65 percent increase, and women, accounting for 55 percent of the enrollees. Data found the majority of those buying insurance are buying the “silver” plans, which are ranked third in the optional plans; 62 percent of Americans have chosen this coverage plan. Skeptics still remain hesitant of the healthcare numbers. Some question how many people are actually getting healthcare for the first time with the law, and how many premiums are being paid, according to NPR. But based on a Gallup poll released Feb. 12, the number of uninsured Americans decreased from 17 percent to 16 percent in 2014, with the amount of insured young people – 26 to 34 year olds – rising. The enrollment period is set to end on March 31. Global defense spending expected to increase this year An annual defense budget review by IHS Jane’s predicts defense and military spending will increase in 2014. The organization said spending had decreased in recent years, but this year, it is scheduled to go up from $1.538 trillion to $1.547 trillion. The 10 countries with the highest defense budget are as follows: 1. United States: $600.4 billion 2. China: $112.2 billion 3. Russia: $68.2 billion 4. Saudi Arabia: $59.6 billion 5. Great Britain: $57 billion 6. France: $52.4 billion 7. Japan: $51 billion 8. Germany: $44.2 billion 9. India: $36.3 billion 10. Brazil: $34.7 billion email: news@ubspectrum.com

Continued from page 1: Anthropology “A big part of this class is discussion – I think a big part of a lot of anthropology classes are discussion, so the fact that this is going on right now, it’s just unbearable,” said Kerr, a sophomore biology major. In addition, the construction has left anthropology offices and classrooms temporarily without heat. “Many offices in the department didn’t have heat in the first week of classes,” Franquesa said. “The first Wednesday of classes we didn’t have heat, and we were all freezing … it was like being outside. It was very cold.” UB provided space heaters for the department’s offices. “With the space heater, by the end of the day, it was cold but OK,” Franquesa said. Franquesa said the heating issue has been “more or less fixed.” The old air handlers in Millard Fillmore, and throughout much of Ellicott Complex, had to be changed because they were the buildings’ original units and were “nearing the end of their useful life,” according to Desotelle. He said over the last two to three years, there have been multiple meetings to keep faculty and staff in the affected areas updated about all of the infrastructure changes. The NYPA project in Ellicott Complex is expected to be complete by May. email: news@ubspectrum.com

ON THE WEB See the video coverage of students and professors affected by construction in Millard Fillmore Academic Center at ubspectrum.com

Researchers at Roswell Park Cancer Institute are searching for participants to view advertisements and packaging of tobacco products and give opinions on these products for an important research project.

TS NEEDED

ARTICIPAN RESEARCH P

Participation involves one visit viewing materials and answering questionnaires. Participants will be compensated for their time.

If interested, please contact (716) 845-4544 and ask for the LabSense Study

REMEMBER:

Insurance waiver deadline (new Spring students only) is March 19, 2014!

Now Leasing for Fall

www.CVBuffalo.com

716-833-3700

Friday, February 14, 2014 ubspectrum.com

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF Aaron Mansfield MANAGING EDITORS Lisa Khoury Sara DiNatale OPINION EDITOR Anthony Hilbert COPY EDITORS Tress Klassen, Chief Amanda Jowsey Samaya Abdus-Salaam NEWS EDITORS Sam Fernando, Senior Amanda Low Madelaine Britt, Asst.

OPINION

CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM ON PROPER PLANNING Lack of foresight is enough to disrupt normal operations

FEATURES EDITORS Keren Baruch, Senior Anne Mulrooney, Asst. Sharon Kahn, Asst. Brian Windschitl, Asst. Emma Janicki, Asst. ARTS EDITORS Joe Konze Jr., Senior Jordan Oscar Meg Weal, Asst. SPORTS EDITORS Ben Tarhan, Senior Owen O’Brien Tom Dinki, Asst. PHOTO EDITORS Aline Kobayashi, Senior Chad Cooper Juan David Pinzon, Asst. Yusong Shi, Asst. CARTOONIST Amber Sliter ART BY AMBER SLITER, THE SPECTRUM

CREATIVE DIRECTORS Brian Keschinger Andres Santandreu, Asst. PROFESSIONAL STAFF OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Helene Polley ADVERTISING MANAGER Emma Callinan Drew Gaczewski, Asst. Chris Mirandi, Asst. ADVERTISING DESIGNER Ashlee Foster Tyler Harder, Asst. Jenna Bower, Asst.

Friday, February 14, 2014 Volume 63 Number 49 Circulation 7,000 The views expressed – both written and graphic – in the Feedback, Opinion, and Perspectives sections of The Spectrum do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial board. Submit contributions for these pages to The Spectrum office at Suite 132 Student Union or news@ubspectrum.com. The Spectrum reserves the right to edit these pieces for style and length. If a letter is not meant for publication please mark it as such. All submissions must include the author’s name, daytime phone number, and email address. The Spectrum is provided free in part by the Undergraduate Mandatory Activity Fee. The Spectrum is represented for national advertising by MediaMate. For information on adverstising with The Spectrum visit www.ubspectrum.com/advertising or call us directly at (716) 645-2452. The Spectrum offices are located in 132 Student Union, UB North Campus, Buffalo, NY 14260-2100

University inattention echoed loudly through frigid offices left without heat and above classrooms disrupted by construction. A well-intentioned effort to replace the aging heating system in Millard Fillmore Academic Center, of Ellicott Complex, is revealing the importance of careful consideration. The construction has caused several professors’ offices to be left without central heat; they have been kept warm by space heaters. The sounds of the construction were intolerably loud, interrupting classes and, for a time, making lecture nearly impossible. Maintenance must be performed on the spaces in which education takes place, and bravo to the university for ensuring these projects are taken on.

Why the expectedly disruptive construction ran into the beginning of classes is baffling, especially when the winter recess preceding this semester was among the longest UB has ever had. Undoubtedly good intentions underlined the initial decision. Sheer incompetence seems to be the undoing of this project, the latest in a long, not-so-proud tradition. Though claims of outright negligence may be attractive at first blush, the truth likely lies in something far less heinous. There seems to be no evidence of foul play or overtly poor treatment. The issue seems simple, presumably because it is. But the spillover from such an otherwise small oversight has led to real – and unacceptable – consequences.

Students do not begin a semester and sign up for a course expecting one of the first sessions to be cut short by jackhammering that could have been done earlier. Students do not pay for course sessions that become impossible in which to engage. Professors likely found it a bit perplexing, if not off-putting, to return to offices without heat after weeks of winter break. That this is even an issue begs questioning why such a simple task could not have been performed properly. That the university has had so many maintenance issues in Ellicott Complex in so short a time is troublesome. Construction should never inhibit classes themselves – this is university management 101. The whole issue brings to mind a Pride and Prejudice quote:

“But without scheming to do wrong, or to make others unhappy, there may be error, and there may be misery. Thoughtlessness … will do the business.” Scheming or not, incompetence is enough to call for better management of UB’s affairs. Inability or unwillingness to properly consider the effects the project might have on others is enough to call for better practices when it comes to matters such as this. Though lack of malice precludes stronger critical discourses, presence of good intentions does not preclude any criticism at all. To put it simply, think before you act, and such otherwise avoidable mishaps won’t be nearly as frequent. email: editorial@ubspectrum.com

Report highlights positive outlook for some, opposite for others College degree ensures bright future; those without it fall further behind New research reveals college graduates are far more robust against the effects of the recession, even with debt, injecting some much needed optimism into a topic often bogged by anxiety. What is made even clearer, however, is who gets left behind, and how far. A new report by Pew Research reveals the cost of not attending (or completing) college is far higher than the reverse. It strikes directly at banal claims that we are “a new lost generation” and stereotypes of college-educated baristas. Debt aside, respondents described greater satisfaction with their careers, higher incomes and less unemployment than counterparts without a bachelor’s or higher. The report is optimistic and should be reassuring to students who feel apprehensive about their futures. What can easily be forgotten, though, is the group of people who did not attend or

finish college, and that calls for more than consideration. It calls for action. The poverty rate for those with only some college education is over twice as much as those who graduated. For those with only a high school diploma, the poverty rate is nearly four times higher. The income gap continues to widen and this report confirms that. The economy is changing, and has been for some time. Manufacturing jobs are comfortable on other shores and, despite political rhetoric that says otherwise, they are not coming back. In this modern economy, we are all called upon to be entrepreneurs of, for and by ourselves, miniature enterprises out to face the increasingly more competitive world with none of the guarantees of past generations. A college degree, this report makes clear, will significantly assist in all of that, empowering us

against the vagaries of this market. But for the nearly two-thirds of us who either don’t finish college or don’t go at all, according to a National Center for Educational Statistics report, the only guarantee is a bleak future. If we are resigned to believing this shift in the economy, from Fordism and manufacturing to whatever it is that drives our growth today, is permanent, then devising ways to close the gap is necessary. While this report can remind us of the bright futures a degree can, and often does, lead to, it remains a call to action. Too many are being left even further behind. How they are able to move forward is the true measure of our economy and society. But as the gap widens, it can be difficult to see the issues facing others, which inhibit or prevent college attendance in the first place.

Inequality in income, education and life chances are rapidly becoming the defining characteristics of this post-recession age. Devising ways to encourage college attendance and completion, implementing programs to assist with the structural issues that prevent this and ideas to empower those left by the wayside as our economy shifts are all necessary now more than ever. The message is clear. Go to college, get work experience, study hard and finish. For the others, the truly lost generation left in the dust of this “knowledge economy,” only dire forecasts exist. The task, then, is finding out how to lift all boats. Too many in this country are drowning far below the surface, often out of sight and out of mind. email: editorial@ubspectrum.com

LIFE, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Free Art Friday

Brick-tacular

Taking street art to a new level

JORDAN OSCAR Arts Editor

MEGAN WEAL

Asst. Arts Editor

The words “street art” can provoke uninformed sounds of disdain and unjustified headshakes. The label induces images of uninspired scribbles of graffiti against brick walls and vandalizing youths who are spoiling communities. But the idea of street art is being liberated through an intriguing movement. Free Art Friday has made its way to Buffalo and is a global movement that spreads free art across a community. Anyone can join – there are very few limitations. Set up and nurtured throughout the city by Jim Montour in 2013, one of the founders of Community Canvases, Montour said Free Art Friday “just sort of exploded.” “I think a lot of the traditional artists are starting to do murals and street art in the streets because it’s a great way to get people who would normally go to a gallery to see their artwork,” Montour said. The initiative allows an artist to leave a piece of work on the streets of Buffalo for anyone to pick up. It’s that simple. It’s free art for anyone. The project revolves around the “Free Art Friday Buffalo” Facebook page, so even in the sign-up stages it’s accessible to everyone. Once you’re part of the group, there are only five simple steps to follow: like it, make it, explain it, drop it and share it. By dropping art around the community, artists are able to spread their work to a more diverse audience. It’s filling a void

Film: The Lego Movie Release Date: Feb. 7 Studio: Village Roadshow Pictures Grade: A

Courtesy of Jim Montour

Free Art Friday is an ever-growing initiative that enables free artwork to be shared around the Buffalo community. Free art can be found anywhere on a designated Friday – from a parking meter (pictured), to outside a coffee shop or even amongst the crowds in Downtown Buffalo.

between galleries and vandalism – the two worlds are beginning to assimilate into one. But more than that, it’s bringing a childhood curiosity into the Buffalo art scene. The idea is that art is an everyday occurrence, not just in the paintings that line the walls of prestigious galleries. “People who like us on social media treat it like it’s a treasure hunt, we post a hint the day before and people can go and find it.” Montour said. “But my favorite part is when a random person finds the piece and it makes someone’s day.” Perceptions of art are being reevaluated. Art can be enjoyed in any stage. From the amateur to the professional, “there’s in-

Friday, February 14, 2014 ubspectrum.com

structions on the back [of the art] and whoever gets it has to do a nice deed for another person,” Montour said. “So, if they put it next to a coffee shop, they have to buy a coffee for a stranger.” Art can make people smile and flourish within a community. Free Art Friday is an initiative that strives to strengthen a community, get its creative instincts going and help spread a smile. Joining the initiative is free, easy and can be inspiring. Montour emphasized the group has little rigidity and no pressure. Follow the rules, take a walk and find a hidden treasure. email: arts@ubspectrum.com

One of my fondest memories is getting a big Lego set for Christmas each year and putting it together with my parents. When I inevitably stepped on it or knocked it down, the destruction always allowed for a new creative interpretation of the instruction guide that we previously followed but lost. Eventually, all of the Legos that once went into making the giant castle or Boba Fett’s ship from Star Wars went into hundreds, if not thousands, of different creations. The Lego Movie rebuilt these childhood memories for me piece by piece, and like any good Lego set, the final product is nothing without all of its pieces. Combining the stop-motionstyled animation and enormous cast, the film evokes the sense of playing with an enormous Lego set that is constantly moving and the endless possibilities the brand provides. From the film’s onset, everything on screen looks like it was made entirely out of Legos, which is not only visually stunning and entertaining, but makes it feel like there isn’t anything you can’t build with Legos. The result is a film that looks as sharp, entertaining and meaningful as its script, story and voice acting. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2) direct the exuberant adventure. It follows Emmet (Chris Platt, Her), an average

construction worker who is mistaken for The Special – a master builder who can finally put an end to Lord Business’ (Will Ferrell, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues) evil schemes. The script and story are impeccably well written and intelligent, creating a film full of wit, charm, heart and humor. At times, it’s a commentary on our world, and at others, it’s a commentary on Legos themselves – and it includes satire of both. The movie is incredibly self aware, especially in the third act, which brilliantly ties the whole picture together while emphasizing its message – occasionally undermined by the familiar territory on which the story treads. Emmet isn’t alone in this larger-than-mini-figure journey and receives plenty of help from Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks, Little Accidents), Batman (Will Arnett, The Nut Job) and Vitruvius (Morgan Freeman, Last Vegas), along with the rest of the film’s colossal cast – all of whom feel far more human than their minifigure appearance suggests, but never do anything that their real life counterparts can’t. Though the film is PG and geared toward a younger audience, the endless stream of jokes and pop-culture references will fly right over youngsters’ heads, making the film more enjoyable for older viewers. With astonishing visuals that make Legos come to life, an ingenious script and plenty of humor, The Lego Movie is fun for all ages and in the end reminds everyone that being special just means being creative in their own way. email: arts@ubspectrum.com

COUNSELING GROUPS Connections Group Wednesdays 1:00-2:30pm Connect with other students in a safe environment while increasing your self awareness.

Men’s Group Tuesdays 1:00-2:30pm A safe environment for men to connect with one another and reflect on masculinity and male identity.

Coping Skills Group Tuesdays 3:00-4:30pm Thursdays 1:30-3:00pm This structured group will teach skills to live in the present, deal with stress, manage difficult emotions, and handle interpersonal conflict.

Peaceful Mind Wednesdays 3:00-4:30pm A structured, psycho-educational group that provides relaxation and coping skills to decrease stress and anxiety and improve emotional well-being.

International Student Support Group Fridays 1:00-2:30pm This group will provide a safe, supportive, and comfortable place to discuss adjustment and cross cultural experience in the U.S. The group will also provide a safe and confidential environment for group members to support each other and share information.

Counseling Services

SPRING 2014 wellness.buffalo.edu/center Motivated for Change Group Mondays 3:00-4:30pm A semi-structured group for students who want to change a particular habit or behavior and have found it difficult to identify or take the necessary steps to do so. This group will explore factors interfering with studentsí abilty to change, assessing their desire, need, confidence, and reasons to change, and identify the steps needed to make and maintain that change.

Tea Time Thursdays 3:00-4:30pm 220 Student Union This is an open, drop-in group for domestic and international students to discuss issues and provide support for each other. A group to enjoy friendship, diversity and delicious tea.

Yoga to Manage Moods Thursdays 2:00-3:00pm Michael Hall Yogo Studio A yogo-based group that provides a holistic approach to mood and symptom management. Using a combination of gentle physical poses, breathing and relaxation techniques, this group allows ffor participants to feel more connected to and comfortable in their bodies. No previous yogo practice is required.

Unless noted otherwise most groups require an initial assessment. If you would like to schedule an initial assessment, please call Counseling Services at 716.645.2720 or visit wellness.buffalo.edu/center

ubspectrum.com

Friday, February 14, 2014

Programming future securers of the cyber world UB Network Defense gives students hands-on experience in cyber security GISELLE LAM

Staff Writer

Sitting in front of a computer for six to eight hours may be unacceptable for most average college students, but for some UB cyber security competitors, it’s not only natural – it’s necessary. The UB Network Defense is a faculty- and student-run class that trains students to fight against cyber attacks. Through hands-on experience, the class prepares participants for competitions in which teams battle each other in cyber security. Students can only take the course, which meets on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., if faculty advisers invite them. “This is a class on defending a network, not attacking others,” said Kevin Cleary, a faculty adviser of UB Network Defense. “To call it hacking would be a misnomer.” The class is designed around a guided independent study course, where students approach professors about what they are interested in and want to study. The elements of group work are also brought to the class. Faculty and students bounce ideas off one another and learn from each other. Cleary, a lecturer in the Computer Science Department and a UB alum, said the class instills knowledge of cyber security in students. He expressed the necessity of teaching methods

of defense and attack, which is generally portrayed as “hacking.” Every year, the advisers alter course to test different teaching and learning methods, but “the goal for the students remains the same: prepare for and compete in a network defense competition,” Crawford said. Students learn in less than one year what other schools do in three to four years, Murray said. The undergraduate students learn what is mostly graduate coursework. Murray said this provides a “unique learning experience,” one unlike what UB classes offer. He said the three goals of the class are to learn, have fun and be competitive. Although the class is through recruitment, many of its students did not have cyber security knowledge upon taking the course; they learned during the class. Cleary said basic computer knowledge is important, but it is more about students’ dedication and interest. “If you had a group of all ‘A+’ [computer science and engineering] students, you would not succeed; if you have a group of all ‘A+’ [management information systems] masters, you would not succeed.” Rohan Shah, a junior computer science major, is a UB Network Defense captain. During competitions, he guides the

Courtesy of Rohan Shah

The UB Network Defense is a course that trains students to fight against cyber attacks. Through hands-on experience, the class prepares participants for competitions in which teams battle each other in cyber security.

team to create the strongest and most secure network. These cyber security competitions are not what many people know as hackathons, he said. During hackathons, competitors create their own software, but in the competitions that UB Network Defense students partake in, participants hack into real systems. Shah, who has been involved in many cyber security competitions and hackathons, describes them as “really intense,” but fun at the same time. “[It’s a] cat-and-mouse type of game,” said David Murray, a management science and systems professor and the coordinator of the class. During the competitions, students are typically given a scenario in which they are the cy-

ber security team of a business. From there, they must defend the network from penetration testers – those who try to hack into the system. Another captain, Brandon Sackler, a senior dual finance and economics major, described the competitions as “caffeine and high intensity thinking.” Cleary said the competitions are similar to what happens in the real world, and students are actually defending themselves from industry professionals who have been doing this for years. “[Students] prepare to survive the competitions [and] prepare to survive the real world,” he said. In the recent competition at Alfred State, UB’s two teams won first and fourth place.

Chris Crawford, a UB alum, co-teaches the class with Cleary and Murray. He currently works in Washington, D.C. in a similar field and conducts his part through webcam. Crawford and Murray tried to create a similar course in 2008. But the plan ultimately failed, with Murray calling it a “disaster.” Crawford was embarrassed at his team’s performance at the only event he competed in. He said the team was completely hacked in one hour. After the incident, the class was put on hiatus until 2011, when Crawford reached out to Murray about giving UB Network Defense another chance. “I realized that nothing at UB really prepared me for what I was doing as a professional more than the experience I had at the [cyber-security competitions],” Crawford said. Murray said the course is now “light-years” better than when it started. He credits the success to the faculty and students’ passion for the topic. UB Network Defense is currently working to bring an internal competition to campus this semester. Murray said he hopes it will strengthen the group’s presence at UB and attract more students to the class. email: news@ubspectrum.com

Honors College to educate students in Dominican Republic Group continues to fundraise for alternative spring break trip BRIAN WINDSCHITL

Asst. Features Editor

While Spring Break offers students a chance to leave their classes in Buffalo behind, some UB students in the Dominican Republic will be teaching children who are eager enough to scale fences just to reach their classroom. Students in the Honors College Alternative Spring Break program, made up of 21 members, will travel to the Dominican Republic from March 15-22 and teach English to impoverished children. “None of the children that we taught last year were mandated to go to school, so only the children who really wanted to learn showed up to school,” said Alexandra Van Hall, a sophomore chemistry major and director of public service for the Honors College. “Some children were climbing over barbwire fences just to come learn.” The children who had to travel long distances to get to the

Courtesy of Alexandra Van Hall

UB’s Honors College students hosted a raffle to fundraise for the Honors College Alternative Spring Break. They’re traveling to the Dominican Republic to teach English in impoverished areas.

classroom encountered properties separated by tall fences, she explained. The group of UB students will spend their time at a school sponsored by a volunteer organization called Outreach 360, located in the Monti Cristi providence in northwestern Dominican Republic. Many have different motivations for joining the program.

LIBERTY YELLOW

Patricia Johnson, a sophomore medicinal chemistry major, made the trip last year. She believes the work that comes with fundraising is worth it for the time in the Dominican Republic. “I wanted to go back for a semester,” Johnson said. “I felt like I was very useful there, incorporating English into teaching arts and crafts.”

DOWNLOAD THE

APP

Proud Sponsor of the Buffalo Bills

716.877.7111

www.LibertyCab.com

www.hilbert.edu/GRAD 716-926-8949 5200 South Park Ave. Hamburg, NY 14075

Sharon Lynn, a sophomore chemical engineering major, wanted to go to the Dominican Republic because, coming from a family that enjoys traveling, Lynn wanted to “go to a place that no one in her family had been to before.” George Mitchell, a sophomore English major, had a different motivation for attending the service trip in the spring. “I want to teach English in China, so I am using this experience to get my foot in the door,” Mitchell said. “I plan to make a career out of this.” For Van Hall, helping children last year made the entire trip worth it, despite the high costs of traveling. The overall cost of the trip is about $1,600 per student. Most students end up paying for the majority of the trip out of pocket, Van Hall said. To help offset the costs of the trip, the students held their second annual raffle in the Student Union Feb. 6-7. This year, the raffle raised $954. Members of the group also wrote letters to

local businesses asking for donations to create raffle baskets. Toggenburg Mountain Ski Resort, Anderson’s Frozen Custard, Delta Sonic, AMC Theatres, Splash Lagoon and the UB Bookstore made donations to help the group’s fundraising efforts. As the group’s biggest fundraising event of the year, each member was expected to bring two baskets. The group has been fundraising since the beginning of the school year. There has been a Yankee Candle fundraiser, as well as a bottle and can drive. A chocolate sale is in the works for upcoming weeks. The Honors College Alternative Spring Break is one of several options UB offers spring breakers, including trips to New Jersey to contribute to Hurricane Sandy relief and Charlottesville, Va. to work with Habitat for Humanity. email: features@ubspectrum.com

ubspectrum.com

Friday, February 14, 2014

UB BASEBALL

POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN OUTFIELD Replacing Jason Kanzler, 2013’s Mid-American Conference Player of the Year and the Bulls’ batting-average, homerun and stolen-base leader will be no easy task. But the Bulls return seniors Jimmy Topps – who was second on the team in hitting with a .314 average – and Thomas Richards – who tied for second on the team with five home runs last season. A starting role was thrust upon Topps in 2013 when senior Matt Pollock broke his wrist the first weekend of the season and missed the remainder of the year’s games. This year, Topps knows he will be starting from the beginning of the season.

“A lot of the stress is off you because you know the guys, you are best friends with them,” Topps said. “Coming in as a junior from Chicago was tough – you didn’t know anyone.” Pollock returns this season after a spring and summer spent recovering and a fall of training. Pollock was the only Bull picked for a preseason All-MAC team last year and will likely find himself in the middle of the Bulls’ order this season. Although it will be tough to replace Kanzler’s offensive production, the return of Pollock and a bigger role from both Topps and Richards will certainly help ease the transition.

PITCHERS The 2013 baseball team’s pitching led to its turnaround. After mediocre pitching statistics plagued the program since its reinstatement in 2000, last year’s pitching staff put up record numbers. Before 2013, the team’s lowest ERA was 5.75, but last season it posted a 3.72. Last season, the Bulls allowed 16 home runs, struck out 306 batters and held opponents to a .265 batting average. Most of the staff that led last season’s renaissance is returning this season, notably junior Anthony Magovney, junior Mike McGee and senior Mike Burke – last year’s top three starters. Also returning is team-ERA leader sophomore Ben Hartz – who was named to the Louisville All-American team – and senior Dan Ginader. “There are not too many individual goals on this team except

INFIELD In 2013, the baseball team’s infield was a huge part of its success. The Bulls posted a fielding percentage of .965, and every position contributed offensively. But in 2014, the infield will have a markedly different look. First baseman Alex Baldock and second baseman Jon Mestas have graduated, and head coach Ron Torgalski has moved senior Mike Burke to third base and sophomore Tyler Mautner to first. The entire infield is playing positions they were rarely asked to play in 2013, but the team isn’t using that as an excuse. “We have a solid core of guys returning this year who all want to win,” Scarcello said. “If you don’t have the mindset to win and you’re not confident, you might as well not even play the game.” Scarcello will be the starting shortstop once he returns from injury. He hurt his finger during the winter and likely won’t be ready for opening day against Davidson, but Torgalski hopes he won’t miss longer than two weeks of the season. Mautner, who set the school record for doubles in a season with 23 in 2013, will move from third to first base.

“Last year was a learning tool for my first full year playing,” Mautner said. “Our goal is to make it to regionals.” Instead of shuffling the infield every Sunday when Burke pitches this season, Torgalski has decided to move Burke to third and move Mautner back to third when Burke is on the mound. Tanner Robinson, a junior college transfer and the only new face to the starting lineup, will man second base. Robinson comes from Ohlone Community College in Fremont, Calif., where he was an All-Conference selection last season. Senior Kyle Figgins will be the Bulls’ signal caller for the second straight season. Figgins was solid after taking over for fourth-round draft pick Tom Murphy last season and has an even better feel on the pitching staff coming into this season. Figgins committed only four errors in 268 chances last season while posting a .367 OBP. The Bulls are set to prove the shuffling of the infield won’t faze them in 2014.

Continued from page 1: Hughes His dad had been a swimmer and wanted Hughes to swim, but when his son chose baseball, he was still supportive. He would come home from work and catch bullpens in the backyard for Hughes. “The one thing that I tried to instill in my children was we were blessed to have Dad in our lives because, without him, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” Mary said. “We all have a special gift that we got from Dad, and there is nothing on this earth that will replace him, but we have wonderful memories.” For Hughes, those are memories of his dad trying – without success – to get him to work in the garage. The two often played basketball in the backyard together because Ashley wasn’t as athletic. Hughes’ favorite picture is of his father in a Buffalo Bills T-shirt with an animated facial expression. Hughes says it illustrates his outgoing personality and his love of sports – something the loving son carries on. *** Hughes hates losing. His twitter handle is @cantlosehughes. His senior year of high school, he wanted to win so badly he pushed his arm to its limit, pitching whenever his coach was willing to give him the ball. Hughes won class perfectionist in high school – the trait is something he sometimes doesn’t even notice about himself. What he does notice is that he won’t do something just for the sake of doing it. Every sport he plays, everything he does, he makes sure

ON THE WEB

Courtesy of Kevin Hughes

Senior pitcher Kevin Hughes was very close with his father, Kevin J. Hughes. Hughes’ father passed away in the fall of 2010. “I just live in his honor,” Hughes said.

he’s the best at it. His competitive nature never dies. “He wanted the ball, and he wanted to compete,” said head coach Ron Torgalski, regarding his first impression of Hughes. “He wanted to be put in tough situations. You saw early in his career that he wanted to be in the toughest situations he could be in.” Even away from the diamond, Hughes is competitive. One of his roommates, senior shortstop Mike Scarcello, says he’s ultra competitive about video games when they play in the house. Hughes jokes that “Can’t Lose” is his alter ego, the person he becomes between the lines. It’s visible just watching Hughes warm up. In an instant, the inviting smile and friendly greetings fade into an intense, insatiable work ethic. He’s scary. “I liked his approach to the game,” Torgalski said. “He played hard, his intensity was there and you have to have that if you are going to be a play-

er, you have to be focused. You have to want to succeed and play with that intensity and I really like that with him.” Hughes leads with his actions, Torgalski said, even though he may not be the loudest player on the team. But just as quickly as his focus can take over, it can also take a backseat when he’s joking with a teammate. *** Hughes was pitching the best game of his life. The Bulls were playing St. Joe’s outside Philadelphia on March 17, 2012. Through five innings, he had struck out eight players and allowed just three hits. He hadn’t walked anyone. He felt like he couldn’t get any better. With a 1-1 count on the first batter in the bottom of the sixth, Hughes threw a 2-seam fastball. Something popped. His arm recoiled. “I didn’t really feel it in my arm,” Hughes said. “I felt it in

to win a MAC championship,” McGee said. The Bulls will also get a boost from the return of senior Kevin Hughes, who is now almost two years removed from Tommy John surgery, an ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction procedure. Head coach Ron Torgalski is happy with the depth of his pitching staff and thinks the competitiveness among one another has led directly to their success last season. He also thinks a player like Hughes – who has shown the ability to start and push the starters – will be a big help. “We have a target on our back right now,” Hartz said. “I feel like we are the team to beat.” If the pitching staff can build on last season’s success in 2014, the Bulls will once again make a run at a Mid-American Conference title.

Spectrum Sports 360 podcast – Our sports staff breaks down all you need to know about the baseball team heading into this year.

my stomach, like the wind got knocked out of me.” The training staff came out to take a look at Hughes’ arm, but when he tried to throw a warmup pitch, the ball “went 30 miles per hour,” far slower than his usual pitch speed. He left the game disappointed; he didn’t want his feeling of dominance to end. Mary was listening to the game on the radio. The announcers, who were from the opposing school, were commenting on how well Hughes was pitching. When he left the game, she texted him to make sure he was OK. Hughes reassured her he was fine, and that it was just a precaution to make sure he didn’t injure himself further. The first doctor he went to confirmed Hughes’ initial thought of minor injury. In practice, he tried to throw but it was painful and he would be forced to stop. He went to get a second opinion. “My doctor came in and he said, ‘Oh yeah, you tore your UCL,’” Hughes said. “And he said it so matter-of-fact, and I was like, ‘No way – that’s a year – that’s the one.’” Hughes’ doctor gave him the option to not get the surgery because the UCL isn’t necessary for everyday life, but he wasn’t ready to give up baseball yet. He was going to have his UCL repaired. And he accepted the 12-month recovery time. Two months following the March 2012 injury, Hughes underwent the surgery.

He called the time he couldn’t play “awkward.” In 2013, he had convinced himself he was going to come back and play after nine months. At times, it looked like he might. Some days, he appeared to be months ahead of schedule; others, he couldn’t throw without pain. In the end, Hughes and the coaching staff decided he would sit out the 2013 season and come back in 2014. He could only contribute by supporting his teammates as the Bulls had the best season in school history. *** When Hughes last left the mound during a game for the Bulls, Buffalo had never been to a Mid-American Conference tournament. Now, they’ve been to two. Three players who were underclassmen then are now the meat of the Bulls’ rotation. This is a different Buffalo team than it was in March 2012, and Hughes is going to have to earn his way back into a starting spot. Torgalski sees him taking on a long relief or set-up role, but if any of the starters falter, they know a veteran player with starting experience is there and waiting to take their spot. As Hughes steps onto the mound in 2014, he’ll bring the same work ethic with which he attacked rehab. He’s a different person than he was in 2012, but he continues to play for his No. 1 fan. His dad. email: sports@ubspectrum.com

Friday, February 14, 2014 ubspectrum.com

CLASSIFIEDS

HELP WANTED HELP WANTED PART-TIME POSITIONS AVAILABLE. Lasertron Family Entertainment Center is currently hiring for Go-Kart operators and general customer service. Working at a fast, detail-oriented pace and having excellent customer service skills is a must. Starting at approximately $11/hr, must be available nights and weekends. Stop in and complete an application at Lasertron, 5101 North Bailey Avenue, Amherst, NY. APARTMENT FOR RENT APARTMENT FOR

RENT

1-8 BEDROOM HOUSES and apartments at UB South: dozens in prime locations on Winspear, Northrup, Merrimac, Highgate and more! Most have large bedrooms, hardwood floors, off-street parking & laundry. Local, responsible landlord with maintenance staff. Call, text or email Jeremy Dunn at: (585)261-6609 or jgdunn2@msn.com AMHERST 1 & 2-BDRM New appliances, flooring, off-street parking & laundry. Available now! 716-873-3756 / 716-863-5781 EVERYTHING YOU NEED for the 2014 academic year. Great 1 to 8 bedroom houses & apartments. Near South Campus. Off-Street parking, laundry, dishwashers & much more! Please call: Andy to schedule a showing. 716-308-4881

4,5,6 & 8 BEDROOM Remodeled apartment houses. 33 apartments to choose from. University Buffalo main street campus – off Englewood. Beginning June 2014: UB South Campus for $275 $325/Bed plus utilities. Washers & Dryers included. Contact BRADENGEL37@gmail.com or Shawn at 716-984-7813 Check out our website: www.bufapt.com TIRED OF LOOKING AT THE SAME OLD DUMP??? Our nicest apartments rent now! Newly Remodeled 1-4 person apartments on W.Winspear, Englewood, Tyler, Heath & Merrimac. Amenities include O/S parking, whirlpool bathrobes, w/w carpeting, new ss appliances & free laundry. Live the Sweethome life on South! Visit www.ubrents.com or call: 716-775-7057. 429 LISBON: Upper and Lower with appliances, 2-3 bedrooms, furnished, washer, dryer & off-street parking, $180.00/p+. Available June 1st. Call 716440-5133 or dryan@daemen.edu FOR HOUSE FOR RENTRENT

HOUSE

1-8 BEDROOM HOUSES and apartments at UB South: dozens in prime locations on Winspear, Northrup, Merrimac, Highgate and more! Most have large bedrooms, hardwood floors, offstreet parking & laundry. Local, responsible landlord with maintenance staff. Call, text or email Jeremy Dunn at: (585)261-6609 or jgdunn2@msn.com 15 HEATH 5-BDRM, off-street parking, steps to Main Street $325.00 716-432-7125

Daily Delights SUDOKU

HOUSE FOR SALE

VILLAGE OF WILLIAMSVILLE Certified Green Geothermal Earth Energy System overlooking 90 acre State Park loft-like space, 11 foot ceilings, 128 N. Cayuga. Last new ranch model. Richard Bergman 716-626-1919. Open Saturday & Sunday 1-3. S

RSERVICES V I C

UTILITIES INCLUDED 3-8 Bedrooms Englewood, Merrimac, Heath & Winspear 300 & up 716-870-8100

CITYA1DRIVINGSCHOOL.COM Beginners & brush-up driving lessons. 5hr class $30.00 716-875-4662.

TIRED OF LOOKING AT THE SAME OLD DUMP??? Our nicest apartments rent now! Newly Remodeled 1-4 person apartments on W.Winspear, Englewood, Tyler, Heath & Merrimac. Amenities include O/S parking, whirlpool bathrobes, w/w carpeting, new ss appliances & free laundry. Live the Sweethome life on South! Visit www.ubrents.com or call: 716-775-7057

ADOPTION ADOPTION

3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 BEDROOM HOMES. Available June 1st, 2014. Go to daveburnette.net to view all properties or call Dave at 716-445-2514.

A MARRIED COUPLE wishing to adopt a baby. We promise to give your child a loving and happy home. Certified adoptive parents. Expenses paid. Please call us anytime 1-888-57-ADOPT norarichadopt@yahoo.com.

UNCLASSIFIEDS UNCLASSIFIEDS (MISC.)

(MISC.)

TONAWANDA PREGNANCY INFO CTR 716-694-8623

EVERYTHING YOU NEED for the 2014 academic year. Great 1 to 8 bedroom houses & apartments. Near South Campus. Off-Street parking, laundry, dishwashers & much more! Please call: Andy to schedule a showing. 716-308-4881

SPONSORED BY:

buffalostudenthousing.com

Crossword of the Day

HOROSCOPES Friday, February 14, 2014 FROM UNIVERSAL UCLICK

ACROSS 1 Princes of India 6 Do some barbering 10 When doubled, one of the Society Islands 14 Beyond illogical 15 Decorative cloth 16 Like some books or records 17 Authoritative comments 18 Large-mouth water pitcher 19 Split asunder 20 Settle a lover’s spat nicely 23 Bumbler 25 Nag’s nibble 26 Insertion mark 27 Kite-flying need 29 Earring locations 32 When most NFL games start 33 Word with “inner” or “test” 34 Egyptian serpent 37 It includes “Love Gun” and “Destroyer” 41 A play may have one 42 Hay gatherer 43 One of two berths 44 Having passion 46 Main order in a restaurant 47 Turns around, as a mast 50 They once acted like boys

51 Printer’s measure 52 Statement heard on March 17th 57 Big-billed bird 58 Maligned hopper 59 Choose 62 It soars over shores 63 Beards grown by farmers 64 U-boat finder 65 Prelude “to riches” 66 Be steadfast 67 Lingerie item

DOWN 1 Get ___ of (discard) 2 Wheel of Fortune choice 3 Nose nipper 4 Start for “pasto” or “body” 5 Added zing to 6 Turf gripper 7 Something to seed 8 Ensured, as a victory 9 Short wave? 10 Garments worn by Muslim women 11 Weaver’s willow 12 A series of skits 13 Proficient person 21 Start to collapse 22 Valuable club

Edited by Timothy E. Parker February 14, 2014 WHAT, NO HUGS? By Mary Jersey 23 City on Honshu 24 Place for a fan 28 Outs’ partners 29 Not just fortunate 30 Solti found it instrumental 31 Panhandle 33 Old head of state 34 Collar 35 Brightness 36 Funeral heaps 38 Fury 39 The nose most in need of tissues 40 Bright, as a pupil 44 Admits (with “up”) 45 Patriot add-on 46 Ending for sonnet or rocket 47 One going downhill fast 48 First sign of fall 49 Putting to work 50 “There’s a spy in our ___!” 53 Citation space-saver 54 Corn state 55 Operates, as machinery 56 Flavor of gin 60 Loutish fellow 61 Test out

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -Even your critics will have to acknowledge that you are looking much more like yourself -- and scoring points as necessary. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) -You can save some money and still give someone the time of his or her life. Only you have what it takes to do what really needs to be done. ARIES (March 21-April 19) -You may have to leave something behind in order to lighten your load and move forward at an accelerated pace. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -You can take over from someone who is showing signs of fatigue. Because you've been in this situation before, you can win the day. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Inner strength will count for much. An authority figure puts a question to you that challenges one or two closely held beliefs. CANCER (June 21-July 22) -It's time to protect someone else in return for protection you received when you most needed it. Safety remains a key issue.

FALL SPACES ARE WHERE YOU SHOULD

BE LIVING! GOING FAST RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- It's soon to be your turn, and you'll know what you must do when you are given the opportunity that you know is coming. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -What you think is appropriate may not be what others are expecting from you. You may want to temper your behavior just a bit. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -What you do with a loved one will count for much more than anything you could do on your own. Give credit where credit is due! SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -You may have to give someone his or her walking papers, but at no time should you make the situation personal in any way. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- It's finally time for you to be noticed for something you have already been doing for quite a while. Timing is the key to success. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- What you do after you make your mark will make all the difference. Indeed, others are waiting for you to do a little something extra.

Friday, February 14, 2014 ubspectrum.com

SPORTS

ALL IN THE WRIST Pollock uses mental positivity to overcome physical injury

TOM DINKI

Asst. Sports Editor

Matt Pollock stepped up to the plate 221 times in 2012. It took him 221 at bats to smash 12 homeruns, 18 doubles and 44 RBIs. He etched his name into the baseball team’s record book and made himself known to not only UB and the Mid-American Conference, but also across the nation. It was one ill-fated swing in 2013, however, that would suspend his athletic career. Pollock tore his flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) tendon in batting practice before the first game of his senior season in 2013. He missed almost the entire season – a year in which the Bulls had unprecedented success, winning the most games in program history. Pollock, a senior outfielder, is returning for his final season after a medical redshirt in 2013. He is aiming to return to the level of play he demonstrated in 2012 and to help the Bulls enjoy the same level of success they had last season without him. The road back has been physically and mentally challenging for Pollock. He is just now beginning to learn to trust his swing again and not let doubts affect his drive to return to the player he was before the injury. Pollock was a force in the Bulls’ lineup in 2012. His junior season was one of the best in school history – finishing top-10 in homeruns, runs scored, RBIs, hits and doubles in single season. He ranked in the top-30 nationally in slugging percentage and runs scored per game. Before his senior season began in 2013, Pollock had pain in his left wrist from tendentious. He fought through the pain and went through batting practice before the Bulls’ season opener against North Carolina A&T. “I took a bad swing, and the next thing you know my hand was just completely swollen,” Pollock said. He played in three games but could barely hold onto the bat. An MRI exam revealed he had fractured the hamate bone in his hand. Pollock needed a small procedure on the bone that would keep him out for several weeks. But when Pollock awoke from surgery, he learned he would miss more than just a few weeks.

During surgery, doctors discovered Pollock also tore the FCU tendon in his left wrist – a much more significant injury. He required another surgery and would miss the entire season. As soon as he got the news, he called his mother, Donna Pollock. “I felt so bad for him because I knew that it was his big senior year,” Donna said. “He went in for a supposed simple procedure and it turned out to be a lot worse than they originally thought. He was pretty down about it.” He couldn’t challenge for the MAC Player of the Year award, break more single-season records and go out with the rest of his senior class in 2013. Pollock could not even travel with the team. With his friends across the country competing, Pollock spent his weekends sitting at home and following the team online, checking live stats and reading up on the games. “It was like the carpet was pulled out from under my feet and I lost all my friends,” Pollock said. “I was at home and they’re all out playing and having fun.” Pollock’s wrist movement is somewhat restricted and he still feels some lingering pain. He wears two braces on his left hand, which conceal a four-inch-long scar from the surgery. During winter practices, he had to learn to trust his movements again and not let the fear of reinjury hold him back at the plate. “When you’re coming back from a physical injury, you always second guess your movements,” Pollock said. “You kind of have to start over from scratch and learn to be comfortable with yourself again.” The injury was as taxing on Pollock mentally as it was physically. Being away from his friends and having doubts about returning from the injury took a toll on him. “Sure, it was a physical injury, but you don’t really realize how hard it is to come back from an injury mentally,” Pollock said. “I was really down on myself. I was in a pretty rough place for a while.” Pollock believes the key for him is to stay positive and not let doubts about his ability creep into his head. Those thoughts have hindered him before, but with his final season about to begin, Pollock believes he has finally overcome them.

“That’s definitely worried me in the past and it’s been a big culprit of my negative thoughts,” Pollock said. “I’ve tried to vanquish all those thoughts so I’m best mentally prepared as I can be.” Pollock has demonstrated resolve throughout his baseball career. Donna called her son “persistent” and said if he wants something, he goes after it. At age 5, Pollock began playing backyard baseball with his two older brothers, Brian and Nick, in Sagamore Hills, Ohio. He was forced to elevate his play due to playing with kids older than himself. By the time he was 8, he was playing on the 10-year-olds’ team. “When the older boys would play travel baseball, Matt would go fill in,” Donna said. “When they needed somebody, he was always ready to go. He didn’t care that he was two years younger.” Pollock’s success can be attributed to his work ethic. He dedicates his time to working out in the weight room to improve his game. He encourages his teammates to do the same. “In the weight room, he’s one of the strongest guys,” said head coach Ron Torgalski. “He’s had a real good impact on younger guys. They see his work within the weight room and how it has translated into success on the field.” The Bulls finished 33-24 last season, including a 19-7 record in the MAC. Pollock did not find it hard to watch his team do well – what was hard was not being able to be part of it. One of the biggest reasons for the Bulls’ success was a senior class of offensive stars including outfielder and 2013 MAC Player of the Year Jason Kanzler, infielder Jon Mestas and first baseman Alex Baldock. Torgalski and the players have cited Pollock’s return as making up for the loss of last year’s seniors. But Pollock is not necessarily looking to replace those players. “I don’t think you can really replace them and how they contribute to the team, but I think I can contribute in my own way,” Pollock said. “Everyone contributes in a different way, and I hope to bring something special to the team this year like I have in the past.” Pollock’s favorite part about returning to baseball has been being able to be around his teammates again. His teammates called Pollock a “goofball” and said he is al-

Chad Cooper, The Spectrum

Senior outfielder Matt Pollock broke his wrist and tore a tendon taking batting practice before the baseball team’s first game last season. He received a medical redshirt and will return to the outfield for Buffalo on Saturday.

ways cracking jokes. They also described him as “sociable” and said he has many friends both on and off the team. Pollock has goals beyond his senior season. He hopes to be drafted by an MLB team. He said he and his teammates know the best way to get recognition from professional teams is to have a successful season. But he understands the team goal of winning a championship has to come first in order for that to happen. “I think a lot of the guys on the team have bought into this idea that the better the team does, the more exposure we’re going to get from scouts,” Pollock said. “If we

make it to regionals, we will be in front of so many scouts that everyone’s individual and team goals will all be met. But everyone has to buy into the team goal first.” When Pollock steps up to the plate this season, he knows he’s just one swing away from losing baseball again. He won’t let that faze him. And when he gets ready to take that first swing at a fastball down the middle, he’ll turn his mind off and let his wrist do all the work. email: sports@ubspectrum.com

Bulls look to build on first winning season since move to Division I OWEN O’BRIEN Sports Editor

There was little reason for optimism entering the 2013 season as Buffalo baseball followed its 17th consecutive losing season. But a 33-24 finish and a second-straight trip to the Mid-American Conference Tournament have brought new energy to the Bulls as they prepare for 2014. Buffalo opens its season this weekend against Davidson, but the team will be missing some familiar faces from its 2013 roster, most notably 2013 MAC Player of the Year Jason Kanzler. This year, the Bulls have a mix of established upperclassmen from last season, players returning from extended injuries and some younger players who excite head coach Ron Torgalski. Torgalski said he senses a new attitude around practice and workouts. The players are more excited and have higher expectations than in previous seasons. The team proved to itself that the talent was there when they finished a half game out of first place in the MAC East.

Chad Cooper, The Spectrum

Senior outfielder Jimmy Topps came into last season as a backup but quickly earned a starting role when senior Matt Pollock went down with an injury. This season, Topps has a starting job and will be taking over for 2013 MAC Player of the Year Jason Kanzler in center field.

“Guys want to come out and prove it wasn’t a fluke,” Torgalski said. “[They want to show] that we are making strides in our program, that we are going in the right direction and we want to continue to go in that direction.” The Bulls return two key players who missed all of 2013 in senior outfielder Matt Pollock and senior pitcher Kevin Hughes. Hughes didn’t play all year after undergoing Tommy John surgery, an ulnar collateral ligament recon-

struction surgery. Pollock sat out due to a wrist injury. Pollock was Buffalo’s leadoff hitter in 2012 and led the team with 79 hits and 56 runs. He batted .357 with a .447 on-base percentage while showing tremendous power with 12 home runs, 18 doubles, four triples and a .638 slugging percentage. Hughes has alternated as a starter and reliever for Buffalo in previous seasons and expects to be used in the same capacity

in 2014. Torgalski expects both Hughes and Pollock to play major roles this season. Torgalski is excited about a few younger players, including freshman infielder Brian Dudek, freshman outfielder Vinny Mallaro and sophomore outfielder Nick Sinay. Torgalski said Sinay improved his speed and arm strength substantially over the offseason and thinks he will “really come out and surprise a lot of people.” The most difficult task for the Bulls will be replacing Kanzler – who is now in the Minnesota Twins organization. Kanzler led the 2013 Bulls in average (.330), runs (46), hits (75), home runs (12) and RBIs (53). He was the most dangerous offensive player in their lineup. Buffalo also loses a strong clubhouse leader in Alex Baldock, a student assistant coach this season, and a valuable middle infielder in Jon Mestas. “We have some holes to fill that I don’t know if you can just replace a guy like Kanzler or Baldock,” Torgalski said. “The leadership of Baldock, it’s hard to replace something like that on and off the field.”

The Bulls do return senior outfielder Jimmy Topps, who hit .314 last season, sophomore infielder Tyler Mautner, who hit .295 with a school record 23 doubles, and senior infielder Mike Scarcello, who hit .277. Along with Hughes, the Buffalo pitching staff consists of juniors Anthony Magovney, Mike McGee, seniors Mike Burke, Cory Folk, Dan Ginader, Tyler Wilson and sophomore Ben Hartz. Burke led the staff with an 8-2 record and 2.66 ERA last season. Hartz was named to the Louisville AllAmerican team. Buffalo’s goal is to return to the MAC tournament and have another opportunity to compete for a title. After winning nearly as many games in 2013 (33) as 2011 and 2012 combined (34), the Bulls have a reason to be excited for 2014. The team opens its season on the road this weekend with Davidson. Buffalo’s first home game isn’t until March 28 against Ball State. email: sports@ubspectrum.com