The Spectrum Volume 60 Issue 55

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The Independent Student Publication of the University at Buffalo MONDAY EDITION v February 21, 2011 Vol. 60 No. 55 v ubspectrum.com

Rewriting The Record Books Desi Green is arguably the most dominant athlete in UB history MATTHEW PARRINOSenior Sports Editor It isn’t every day that the UB community gets to be a part of something historic. It also isn’t every day that a kid who has endured countless obstacles is able to overcome them all and achieve greatness. But both are unfolding, and if you haven’t heard about Desi Green yet, here’s the introduction. Desi is a junior at UB and possibly the greatest wrestler to ever wear the blue and white. He’s on the verge of becoming the first wrestler in UB history to win 100 matches before his senior season.

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Blitz to a Healthier You UB Recreation teams with online fitness program LEAH CRUSANStaff Writer UB has teamed up with Blitzometer.com to offer students an alternative way to work out. The university’s Recreation and Intramural Services is offering an online fitness program at ubrecreation.blitzometer.com. Jessica Nyrop, assistant director for aerobic and spinning instruction, was presented with the program during the summer of 2010. Nyrop decided to integrate it into the university’s current physical fitness programs. On the website, participants sign up for a Blitz or several Blitzes. A Blitz is “a scheduled fitness program lasting no longer than two weeks,” according to Blitzometer. com. By creating an account, participants are able to sign up for a Blitz of their choosing ranging from Pilates to cardio to an upper body workout. The programs on the website are simple and free. Once enrolled, participants record their progress on the website for the next two weeks, including the amount of reps they completed, the amount of miles they ran, or the weight they lifted.

“I thought it may be another opportunity for students to be engaged in programmed physical fitness,” Nyrop said in an e-mail. “When time commitments, scheduling, and challenges are factors in a physical fitness program, adherence increases.” Blitzometer provides participants with instructional videos to guide them through their workouts and offers Blitzes from beginning to advanced levels. The program is fairly new to UB, but some students have already taken full advantage of it. “I think it’s a great idea for people who want to work out but don’t know how to start,” said Catherine Cuyler, a junior psychology major. “It’s good for people who regularly go to the gym, too, but just need a way to stay motivated.” Participants can become coaches, as well, and design their own Blitz for friends to follow along with. As with any service, to upgrade to a trainer account, participants will be charged $20 per month. Some of the benefits of the upgraded version include creating custom programs, motivating clients, and tracking progress for personal trainers or instructors. g

E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com

Green Profile :: 7 DAILY DELIGHTS :: 6 CLASSIFIEDS :: 6 SPORTS :: 8

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Courtesy of Rebecca Bratek

Active Minds & LGBTA to Host Mental Heath Advocate Event STEVEN WROBELStaff Writer Mental health issues can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, gender, or sexual orientation. No matter who someone is or what his or her issue may be, there is nothing to be ashamed of. This is the message that Margaret Bertram will be sharing with the UB community. Active Minds UB, a group that promotes positive mental health and attempts to dispel the negative attitudes that surround mental health issues, along with UB’s Lesbian/ Gay/Bisexual/Transgendered Alliance, will be hosting Bertram on Wednesday night as its keynote speaker for National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Bertram will present a speech on her personal experiences throughout college on how she has dealt with depression, eating disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disor-

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have that have to happen to before people who care about things like that make an effort to say something?” said Peter Williams, a senior interdisciplinary studies and psychology major and treasurer of Active Minds. “If you just know that [problems are] normal, you feel that much less alone.”

Two different numbers are able to track participants’ “Blitzitude” or progress. One number is the percentage of the person’s commitment and the second number contains the number of Blitzes completed.

Participants can Blitz alone or with a group. Some people choose to Blitz with friends or coworkers, while others perform their Blitzes with their teams or clubs.

INSIDE

Alex McCrossen /// The Spectrum

There have been many turning points in Desi Green’s life that have sent him on his current path to athletic stardom. He is on track to becoming the first junior to win 100 matches in UB history.

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der, as well as the struggles of discovering her lesbian identity. Bertram believes that mental health issues do not define who people are, nor do they allow other people the right to judge them. “Although the stigmas that surround mental illness have waned over the years, a lot of people are still ignorant of the fact that it does affect so many people personally,” said Mia Simoncelli, a freshman pre-pharmacy major. “Active Minds is working to connect people through awareness and dispel any preconceived, negative notions. Those who are suffering need a community that supports and accepts them and their illnesses –not turn their backs on them out of embarrassment or uncomfortable shame.” Active Minds serves as a place for students to come and discuss topics that people struggle with, but it also is a safe haven to discuss issues of their own. Active Minds and LGBTA feel that Bertram’s talk is one that needs to be shared with the UB community as it tries to establish a sense of security and belonging for all students, especially in light of the number of suicides in the LGBTA community. “How many people does that

By reducing the stigmatisms that surround mental health issues, Active Minds looks to reduce the isolationism that is often created. The LGBTA also tries to dispel the isolationism that sexual orientation can create within society by being an all-inclusive group. “It’s just good to know that there are people out there who care for you for who you are and they won’t judge you,” said Judy Mai, a sophomore occupational therapy major and president of the LGBTA. “[The LGBTA is] a safe place [where] no one is judged for being who they are…it’s not just for the LGBT; it’s for their allies as well.” Bertram is someone that students can feel comfortable with, regardless of what they are going through or have experienced, because of how powerful her speeches are and her engagement with the audience. “If there is somebody in the audience that has any one of [those issues], you can recognize yourself in what she’s saying,” Williams said. One thing that Bertram, Active Minds, and the LGBTA all advocate is having someone to talk to who is willing and able to accept people for who they are. No matter what type of problem may be troubling a person, there is always someone who is able to listen.

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ARTS SHREK THE MUSICAL PAGE 4 Today In UB History: Feb. 21, 1990  Astronaut Shares Memories of Space With UB Crowd Online Now


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