Vol. 61 NO. 31
ubspectrum.com
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
The X-Files
Poloncarz Defeats Collins to Become New County Executive
MATTHEW PARRINO Editor in Chief
Xavier Ford overcomes unbelievable odds
Most 12-year-olds are fast asleep by midnight on a school night.
In a hotly contested race for Erie County executive, challenger Mark Poloncarz, formerly the county comptroller, ousted incumbent Chris Collins to become the county’s leader on Tuesday. Collins conceded after 83 percent of the votes had been counted and Poloncarz led with 54 percent.
Not Xavier Ford. At midnight from ages 12 to 17, his day was just beginning. Ford, a freshman forward on the basketball team, worked a paper route with his grandfather, a man so hobbled by football injuries and surgeries he could barely walk. He worked Monday through Sunday, 365 days a year to help his family pay for food, rent and heat.
Poloncarz spoke at around 11 p.m. after Collins’ concession. Poloncarz thanked Collins for his service and he looks forward to a smooth transition. “To all the voters of Erie County, thank you very much,” Poloncarz said. “You proved that you don’t have to have millions in your bank account, you just have to have the heart of the community. I may not be able to self-fund my campaign, but tonight I feel like the richest man in Erie County.”
From 1 a.m. until 5 a.m. every day, Ford would roll all the newspapers and pack them and his grandfather – John Ford – into a van. Then they would throw the papers from about 5:30 a.m. until 6 a.m. Tired, hungry, and with hands covered in newsprint, Ford then had an hour to himself before school.
Before the results came in, Professor James E. Campbell, chair of the UB political science department, said that a Poloncarz victory would increase the size of the county government.
As soon as the dismissal bell rang, Ford headed to the basketball courts. He loved the time he had in the gym to prepare and to work at his true passion. He did homework until 10 p.m. got a few hours of sleep and started the routine again.
“You would expect that there would be more concern for supporting public functions, a much bigger government, support for the [cultural institutions], maybe more support for libraries,” Campbell said. “So essentially, you’ll have a more activist county government and a somewhat larger county government.”
Continued on Page 7
Xavier Ford has had the weight of the world on his shoulders since he was a kid. He may hold the Bulls' future in hands.
JAKE KNOTT Staff Writer
Continued on Page 7
Alexa Strudler /// The Spectrum
Taco Time Outside the Union
On Tuesday afternoon WRUB had a scrumptiously new attraction for its guests: the recently founded Lloyd Taco Truck. WRUB Day, a semiannual promotional extravaganza of the student-run radio station, ran from around 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. in the Student Union lobby, endorsing the station to any straggler passing by. “It’s really all about the students,” admitted WRUB General Manager Sierra Chevrestt, a senior communications major at UB. “Without listeners, we don’t exist.” The station’s crew presented their visitors with gifts galore: popcorn,
cotton candy, music records, and Harold & Kumar movie tickets to name a few.
served to the individual standards of each customer, and made easy business out of it.
and, during that time, has remained determined about expanding its business to UB permanently.
“There’s always room to grow,” stated WRUB promotion director Ben Hasenauer, a junior marketing major. “I started planning this since I was hired in August, and starting today I’ll be planning for Spring semester.”
Proud Lloyd co-owner Pete Cimino was nothing short of ecstatic about teaming up with WRUB.
“Food trucks are great for colleges,” Cimino explained. “We understand that most college students don’t have extra pennies to spend.
WRUB wasn’t the only one marketing a product. The major draw for the UB crowd was the participation of Lloyd Taco Truck, Buffalo’s first food truck, which was parked alongside the curb outside the SU. Consumers horded the truck throughout its stay, all munching a morsel of the delectable Mexican cuisine. The steadfast Lloyd workforce
“This is really a cross-promotion,” Cimino elaborated. “We want everyone to get addicted to Lloyd and WRUB.” And together, both clubs accomplished just that. WRUB T-shirts hung outside the Lloyd venue and a lot of tacos were eaten; both sides win. What started out as a plausible idea has now transformed into a legit business. Lloyd Taco Truck has been on the road for about 15 months
With some more such campaigning, Lloyd Taco Truck is hoping to boost its reputation across the city of Buffalo. Food trucks are sweeping the nation right now, the Lloyd proprietor commented. You can find Lloyd Taco Truck once or twice a week at the corner of Mohawk and Main. Email: features@ubspectrum.com
WRUB teamed up with Lloyd Taco Truck on WRUB Day on Tuesday. The truck supplied hungry UB students who ventured out to the cross-promotional event. Meg Kinsley /// The Spectrum
Modern Warfare 3 Midnight Madness JAMES TWIGG Senior Managing Editor
An army comprised of stealthy snipers, cowardly campers and noob-tubers invaded plaza parking lots and Gamestop gateways across the nation Monday night with one objective – get Modern Warfare 3 by any means necessary. It’s been four years since the original Modern Warfare blasted its way into gamers’ homes and set up base camp. In that time, the series has asserted itself as the premiere online shooter and has amassed an unrivaled following in the video game world. On Monday night, millions of gamers across the nation – and thousands in Buffalo – queued outside their local game retailer, thumbs twitching in anticipation for the long-awaited release of Modern Warfare 3. “It’s pretty clear there is demand in the 25 million unit range,” said Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter in USA Today. “Last year, Black Ops sold 17
million at holiday and another 8 million in the first half of 2011. Modern Warfare 3 should sell at least 18 million at holiday, and we’ll see what its legs are.”
It was clear from Monday’s midnight release events that there was no shortage of hype surrounding the game’s debut in the Buffalo region. Multiple game stores opened their doors at 12:01 a.m. to give gamers the chance to finally get their hands on the much-sought-after title. Gamestop parking lots around the city were each filled with hundreds of gamers tossing footballs, swapping stories of skirmishes past and even downing a couple brews in an attempt to pass the time. For Mike Filler, 17, and Eric Baker, 18, this took a little more effort as they stood outside the Niagara Falls Boulevard store for a staggering nine hours in order to be the first two in line. “We’ve been here since about three,” Baker said. “[I don’t see myself] getting much
Thousands of fans in the Buffalo area flocked to local game stores to get their copy of Modern Warfare 3.
Weather for the Week: Wednesday: PM Showers- H: 66, L: 43 Thursday: Few Showers- H: 47, L: 35 Friday: Rain/Snow Showers- H: 61, L: 43
sleep tonight. I’m skipping school tomorrow to play…I’m going to go through and do everything on the hardest difficulty, but I’ll start off small on multiplayer for another week or so.” Baker and Filler were far from alone in their enthusiasm. Everywhere in the crowd someone could be heard expressing their excitement, whether it was simply stating that they couldn’t wait any longer or whether it was the one fan screaming that he survived two raptures just to play MW3. UB students were out in abundance as well. At every location UB hoodies and hats could be seen floating throughout the crowd. While some students were more excited than others, a large portion of them was already planning on skipping class and blowing off some work. “I’m just excited to said
destroy noobs,”
Andrew Carland, a senior computer science major. “I’ve got a test on Wednesday, we’ll see what happens. I’ll def not have time to study, playing Call Of Duty.” Michal Kociuba, a sophomore exercise science major, was caught in the same mindset of Carland. Despite having a test on Tuesday, Kociuba still waited at Gamestop from 7 p.m. to midnight so that he could get his explosive dose of MW3 – more than most would prescribe. “When I have to take a shower I’ll probably stop playing,” Kociuba said. The game even managed to generate enough buzz to garner the attention of the National Guard. Set up in the parking lot of the Niagara Falls Boulevard location was an inflatable tent showcasing the National Guard logo. Inside were hummers, assault weapons, and several TVs giving a lucky few the chance to partake in a MW3
tournament.
“Me and my co-workers look for events to do for our recruiting duties and we try to do stuff that will be productive and fun,” said Sgt. 1st Class Chris Park, a self-proclaimed fan of the series. “There is easily a half dozen other soldiers out here. Some working, some not working, because this is what the National Guard is – it’s serving our communities.” Despite the actual soldiers in attendance at a select few Gamestops throughout the nation, the vast majority of those waiting were grizzled troops of the virtual variety. “I’m excited,” said Kyle Wood, a junior political science major and a seasoned veteran of the series. “I’m excited to murder these b******.” Check Friday’s issue for the Modern Warfare 3 review.
Additional reporting by Steven Wrobel, Nickolas Pino, and Keren Baruch Email: arts@ubspectrum.com
Steven Wrobel /// The Spectrum Meg Kinsley /// The Spectrum
I N S I D E News * 2 Opinion * 3 Life * 4,5 Arts * 6 Classifieds / Daily Delights * 9 Sports * 10
News Page 2
ubspectrum.com
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
NFTA Will Consider Direct Metro Line to North Campus SARA DINATALE Asst. News Editor
UB’s North Campus could become the next stop on Buffalo’s metro-rail line. The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) has been awarded $1.2 million that will allow for a study on the Amherst-Buffalo Corridor’s transportation system. The NFTA received the grant from the Federal Transit Administration as a part of an alternative analysis program. The study will allow the NFTA to become eligible for “new starts” funding that will allow for the study’s recommendations to be implemented. “[The grant] will be used to identify ways to increase speed, ease and convenience of commuting in the welltravelled Amherst-Buffalo corridor,” said C. Douglas Hartmayer, director of public affairs for the NFTA. “[The
study] will analyze every which way possible to increase that speed, ease and convenience.”
The NFTA will conduct the analysis in conjunction with the Greater Buffalo-Niagara Transit Council, Erie County, the City of Buffalo, the Town of Amherst, and the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. The possible rail extension to the North Campus is one of many things that will be examined by the study. In addition, a combination of bus rapid transit, enhanced bus services, and park-and-ride locations can all make improvements to the transportation system, according to Hartmayer. The study is based on what Hartmayer said are the “significant developments” taking place at UB and the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.
Commuter traffic will increase as UB moves its medical campus downtown, which will “intensify” the demands for public transport, according to Maria Wallace, director of Parking and Transportation Services at UB. Expansions of the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus will increase its employment to nearly 12,000 by 2012, further increasing the traffic in a heavily traveled area.
“Expansion of the light rail will be pivotal; there are many untapped areas.” Wallace said. “The connectivity to the North Campus and its surrounding neighborhoods will truly link our campuses and our city.” Bobbie Hangen, a junior pre-med, exercise science and psychology major, thinks the rail extension would be helpful beyond just those in the medical program. Hangen thinks it could
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provide students with the opportunity to get a better perspective of what the City of Buffalo has to offer. She also thinks students will be more apt to get out of the “Amherst bubble” if the direct line to North Campus is constructed. “Not only will they be able to try new restaurants, see Buffalo’s art culture, and attend festivals, [but] it will also provide greater access to jobs and internships,” Hangen said. “It brings students to the heart of the city.”
Around Jan. 1, bids will go out to begin the selection process for vendors and consultants who will conduct the analysis. A selection committee will make the final decisions. “We want to make sure we have the best company possible to do this work, that has a track record of success in the area,” Hartmayer said.
11/01 – A hit and run occurred on Frontier Road. 11/01 – Larceny was reported at Millard Fillmore Academic Center. 11/01 – Aggravated Harassment was reported in Hadley Village. 11/02 – An arrest was made in Porter Quad. 11/02 – A burglary occurred in Flint Village. 11/02 – Larceny was reported in Spaulding Quad. 11/03 – Two drug complaints were made in Ellicott Complex. 11/03 – Larceny was reported in Lockwood Library. 11/03 – A drug complaint was made in Wilkeson Quad. 11/03 – A drug complaint was made in South Lake Village. 11/04 – Larceny was reported in Wilkeson Quad.
The analysis will evaluate “all reasonable public transport” and “the general alignment options to address transportation needs and opportunities throughout the [Amherst-Buffalo Corridor],” according to Hartmayer. “The medical campus, of course, is downtown and is helping revitalize downtown,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer in a statement to WIVBTV on Oct. 13. “UB and a lot of the scientists and researchers are out there by Amherst. So if we can get the link together, it will help improve both ends.” The analysis is expected to begin in March and will last 18-24 months.
Email: news@ubspectrum.com
POLICE BLOTTER
11/04 – A drug complaint was made on Frontier Road. 11/04 – Larceny was reported in Capen Hall. 11/04 – Larceny was reported on Hadley Road. 11/04 – A warrant arrest was made on Bailey Avenue. 11/05 – A fight occurred on Main Street. 11/05 – An alcohol overdose was reported on Core Road. 11/05 – Criminal mischief was reported on Hayes Road. 11/05 – An arrest was made in South Lake Village. 11/06 – Criminal mischief was reported in Clemens Hall. 11/06 – An animal complaint was made on Webster Road. 11/06 – Larceny was reported on White
Road. 11/06 – Larceny was reported at Millard Fillmore Academic Center. 11/07 – Grand Larceny was reported at Richmond Hall. 11/07 – A crime complaint was made in the Student Union. 11/07 – Weapon possession was reported in Parker Hall. 11/07 – Larceny was reported in Richmond Quad. 11/07 – A burglary occurred in Diefendorf Hall. 11/07 – A hit and run occurred on White Road. 11/08 – A drug complaint was made in Richmond Quad. 11/08 – A marijuana complaint was made in Goodyear Hall.
SOCIAL
RSHIP U E N E R P ENTRE
IN FOCUS
IONAL INTERNAT N WEEK EDUCATIO
R NOVEMBE
2011
14 - 18
Social Entrepreneur – Someone who energetically and creatively builds or leads an organization that advances a solution to a pressing social problem. – D. Bornstein
KEYNOTE LECTURE
KEYNOTE EXHIBIT
Wednesday, November 16 • 3:30 p.m. Student Union Theater, North Campus
Wednesday, November 16 • 5:00-6:30 p.m. Student Union Lobby, North Campus
How to Make Change Happen: Stories of Social Innovators from Around the Globe
David Bornstein, Author of How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas
Is it possible to eliminate homelessness? Can anyone learn to 'do math'? Is there a way to teach kindness? In the U.S. and around the world social innovators are experimenting with new ideas and models to address social problems in many fields. David will share stories of people who are demonstrating surprising results and opening the door to new possibilities.
Social Entrepreneurship Fair & Book Signing by David Bornstein Organized by UB Undergraduate Academies, Center for Student Leadership & Community Engagement and Intercultural & Diversity Center
KEYNOTE FILM Monday, November 14 • 4:00-5:30 p.m. Student Union Theater, North Campus
The New Recruits (U.S., 2010) Followed by student panel discussion moderated by Prof. John Thomas, School of Management, UB
Believing that capitalism can end global poverty, recent business school graduates turned aspiring social entrepreneurs set out to turn poor people into customers by charging them for goods and services.
SPONSORS: AT&T, M&T Bank, HSBC Bank USA, N.A., Bank of America, UB Alumni Relations, UB Asian Studies Program, UB Undergraduate Academies, Haylor, Freyer & Coon, Inc., UB Discovery Seminars Program, UB Division of Student Affairs, UB Office of International Education, UB School of Management HSBC Center for Global Leadership
All events are free and open to the public • 716-645-2258 • intlservices@buffalo.edu
buffalo.edu/intlservices/special_events.html
Opinion ubspectrum.com
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
EDITORIAL BOARD
The Assault Continues
EDITOR IN CHIEF Matthew Parrino SENIOR MANAGING EDITOR James Twigg MANAGING EDITOR Edward Benoit EDITORIAL EDITOR James Bowe NEWS EDITORS Luke Hammill, senior Rebecca Bratek Sara DiNatale, asst. Lisa Khoury, asst. ARTS EDITORS Jameson Butler, senior Vanessa Frith Nicolas Pino LIFE EDITORS Akari Iburi, senior Steven Wrobel Veronica Ritter Keren Baruch, asst. SPORTS EDITORS Aaron Mansfield, senior Brian Josephs Scott Resnick, asst. Andreius Coleman, asst. PHOTO EDITORS Meg Kinsley, senior Alexa Strudler Satsuki Aoi Troi Williams, asst. Nyeri Moulterie, asst. CARTOONIST Patrick Boyle WEB EDITOR Matthew Parrino James Twigg
PROFESSIONAL STAFF OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Helene Polley
The U.S. should reinstate an assault weapons ban In case you hadn’t heard, money that you paid to the government went to funding drug cartels in Mexico. Well, maybe not directly. The programs were called Operation Wide Receiver and Operation Fast and Furious, but neither were fun like their names imply. Designed and executed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the operations were intended to track down Mexican drug lords. They planned on doing this by letting thousands of assault weapons be sold illegally over the border, and then tracking where the weapons went until they were led to the cartel leaders. Geniuses obviously do not lead the ATF. The plan was never followed up on, and the weapons were simply lost to murderous cartels, fueling an already vicious drug war that is tearing Mexico apart. Yet the roughly 2,000 weapons brought in by the programs turn out to be only a fraction of the bigger problem. According to ATF data, of 94,000 weapons recovered from cartels in the last five years, 64,000 of them came from the U.S. Mexican President Felipe Calderon has consistently claimed that even
CREATIVE DESIGNERS Nicole Manzo Aline Kobayashi
November 9, 2011 VOLUME 61 NUMBER 31 CIRCULATION: 7,000 The Spectrum is represented for national advertising by both Alloy Media and Marketing, and MediaMate. For information on adverstising with The Spectrum visit www.ubspectrum. com/ads or call us directly. The Spectrum offices are located in 132 Student Union, UB North Campus, Buffalo, NY 14260-2100 Telephone: (716) 645-2468 Fax: (716) 645-2766 Copyright 2011 Buffalo, N.Y. The Spectrum is printed by The Buffalo News 1 News Plaza Buffalo, N.Y. 14240
A simple way to combat this issue would be a ban the sale of assault weapons in the United States, like the one instituted in 1994. Currently, it is illegal to own a fully automatic weapon, but as of 2004 it is completely legal to buy weapons systems classified as “assault weapons,” basically semi-automatic versions of fully automatic weapons. Since 2004, no measure to bring the ban back has been successful. A Gallup poll recently indicated that more people oppose the ban than support it, the first time more have opposed than supported the idea. Lethal weapons are now more popular than Barack Obama. Self-defense is a different issue than having an assault weapon. We restrict things because they’re dangerous and have no other purpose than to kill other human beings, and even a semiautomatic assault weapon is enhanced purely for death. Mexican Cartel leaders know it, and that’s why they use them. While the ban on assault weapons was in place, a dramatic reduction in their use in firearms crime was
seen. According to a study done by the Brady Center, 1.16 percent of weapons linked to crime were assault weapons after the ban, compared to 66 percent before the ban.
Our right to bear arms is certainly guaranteed in the constitution. Many of our rights from the constitution are justly limited, however, when the safety of our people is a greater concern than the right. We are guaranteed freedom of speech, but it’s not okay to lie about someone and destroy his or her reputation, or to cause a panic or a riot. This is a similar case. It’s fine to own a weapon to defend yourself and shoot at a range, but when weapons designed solely to destroy human life are being sold across the nation and getting into the hands of dangerous cartels, it may be time to reconsider the benefit of owning them. The world isn’t a video game. Assault weapons don’t solve problems; they create them.
Yesterday saw the biggest release in entertainment history. Analysts indicate it could sell six million copies, and eventually make billions of dollars. Undoubtedly, it will smash the record for biggest opening movie, yet it’s not a movie.
Some make the argument that students are spending too much time playing the games and becoming isolated socially. They say gamers are less cued into to society, and have a hard time interacting with other people.
What you do with your time is your business, and if you decide to spend more time playing video games than doing schoolwork, it’s not the fault of the video game. There is nothing about a video game that can physically addict someone; it’s all in the head.
It is Modern Warfare 3, Activision’s latest addition to the Call of Duty series. The huge sales the video game is attaining shows how mainstream the industry has become. No longer solely the realm of computer nerds, video games have gained acceptance all the way up to the ultimate anti-nerd, the frat bros.
As with any other hobby, video games are simply an enjoyable way to spend your time. What’s disturbing, however, is the undue attention gaming receives. Drinking is often regarded as just a part of college life, and is simply accepted.
In fact, video games have proven to be a positive social tool. It’s an area of common ground in a dorm when you’re a freshman and don’t know anyone. It’s a way to connect with people on the other side of the world who share a common interest with you.
Statistics indicate that this prevalence has rapidly increased the popularity of gaming on college campuses. Sixty-five percent of college students play video games at least occasionally, according to a Pew study, more than double that of the general public. With games only rising in popularity, the chorus against them also comes back into the limelight. Of course, there are the typical violence arguments that try vainly to link violent video games to real life violence, but on campuses around the nation people are asking whether or not the games damage students and are a waste of student’s time.
When the subject of video games gets national headlines, suddenly there is talk about “video game addiction” and lives “destroyed” by video games. Gaming addiction gets such big coverage, that even one of the five FCC commissioners, Deborah Tate, said that gaming addiction was one of the top reasons for dropouts. Of course, she cited no source for her information, and never said where it lied in relation to other reasons for dropping out. Misinformation like this is harming people with serious problems the most. It’s a bankrupt idea that the game is causing the problem, and not a symptom of the problem.
On a large scale, video games tell us a lot about our society as a whole. The fact that we play more and more waroriented games may tell us about our views on war, and the villains they portray expose many of our real fears and fantasies. No video game is going to force you to forsake your schoolwork or your well-being. In the end, if we fail in our duties, it’s our fault. The choice of how we wasted our time has nothing to do with it.
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LETTER to THE EDITOR In follow up to the article, “Vote for Prisoners,” [Oct. 26] I have another opinion on inmates' right to vote. I feel that there's a whole another side that UB students should see.
As personally having three family members who work in a correctional facility, I can say these inmates have shown disservice to their community and continue to show criminal acts in prison.
Would you give Altemio Sanchez, Linda Yalem’s rapist and murderer, the right to vote? It is clearly obvious that inmates have committed crimes against their own communities.
Statistics show 7 out of 10 of released inmates end up back in prison, so this is not an issue about inmates realizing what they did was wrong. These people cannot handle having a right such as voting.
Murderers, rapists, drug dealers, and child molesters - these kinds of people are behind bars for a reason. They couldn't follow the rules in society, so why should they be able to vote for someone who makes the laws? These people have proved themselves to be a threat to society and have had their opportunity to possess their rights. They've committed crimes that prove them unworthy of being able to vote.
If we allowed prisoners to vote, they could outnumber small towns, such as Alden and Attica, which is where local prisons are. The number of inmates would strongly influence the town's vote, which may lead to a biased public agenda. These local taxpayers wouldn't have a fair say in their own community and would essentially be denied their own right to vote.
What are you thinking?
A View From the Stands KEREN BARUCH Asst. Life Editor
Although the effect on crime rates is still in contention, it’s impossible to deny that the lethality of an assault weapon is greater than that of a handgun. In part, reducing the number of assault weapons could make gun violence less lethal as well.
Video games don’t cause dropouts, laziness does
ADVERTISING DESIGNER Aline Kobayashi
The Spectrum is provided free in part by the Undergraduate Mandatory Activity Fee.
more, close to 80 percent of weapons confiscated, are from the US.
Fun and Games
ADVERTISING MANAGER Andrew Angeles
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.
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These elected officials use taxpayers' money and create laws for society. These taxpayers deserve to have their money spent in ways they see fit, not by inmates who don’t pay taxes. 5.3 million inmates is a small percentage of the population, compared to the hundreds of millions of people in the United States that make the proper decisions everyday. If we should give inmates privileged rights back, then should we also give them the right to bare arms? Of course not. It makes no logical sense to give someone rights who has deliberately broken the law. Brittany Kintzel bkintzel@buffalo.edu
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Ralph Wilson Stadium greeted me with open arms this past Sunday at the Jets-Bills football game. At the end of each of these outstretched arms was a notorious middle finger, a face filled with anger, and the strong scent of beer from mouths screaming “you suck.” Yes, I was wearing a Jets jersey. I had never been to a football game before this one. Many of my friends had warned me that there would be a plethora of Bills’ fans ready to choke me and shout in my face. (Most didn’t know that I get enough hate being The Spectrum’s sex columnist, so I’m used to that behavior from strangers). Still, I found walking through the tailgates filled with thousands of people in white jerseys chanting “J-E-T-S suck, suck, suck” was surprisingly thrilling. I’m not much of a sports fanatic and I could have easily worn a Bills jersey to avoid the wrath of the die-hard fans. However, being booed in the middle of a crowd of strangers, and still sharing an endless amount of hotdogs with them, allowed me to enter a world that I didn’t even know existed. Contrary to my earlier beliefs about football, there’s much more to the game than just what’s happening on the field. The fans in the stands that just finished tailgating with their best friends, the college students who needed a break from their hectic midterms, and the families that make it a point to attend at least one game each year for some bonding time prove that. Throwing my arms up in the air and cheering on the Jets alongside the few others in the crowd wearing green jerseys made me feel as if I was forming bonds with complete strangers. And all because of the color of my shirt and the name stitched on my back. Within the stadium there were no doctors, lawyers, teachers, or students. There was no such thing as religion, ethnicity, or race. People were not male or female. Only two types of people existed. Only two types of people mattered: Jets fans and Bills fans. The energy at the game was beyond exciting and it got me wondering; do people go to these games just to enter this world of liveliness and enthusiasm? Or are they actually interested in the sport? This is the only setting where it’s completely acceptable to curse out your neighbor without receiving a black eye in return (or at least one would hope). Only in the stadium is it all right to jump in the air and hug a stranger, simply because you both celebrate the same team. The entire culture at football games is fascinating, and to me, is something that can’t be found outside the NFL. The outdoor environment and fast-paced competition keeps everyone standing on their feet throughout all four quarters. Whether they’re fans of the teams or not, everyone is screaming until they lose their voices. Students, I advise you all to attend a game before the end of your college careers. It’s an unforgettable experience and a great opportunity to leave your hectic world behind by entering a new one. For just a few hours nothing matters except the people around you. And if you’re as lucky as I was, the team on your back will be the winning one. There’s nothing like the feeling of coming out on top after being contested by the majority of the people in the crowd. Despite the cruel chanting, white pompoms thrown in my face, and the chips tossed at Jets fans in the crowd…J-E-T-S won, won, won. Email: keren.baruch@ubspectrum.com
Life
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ubspectrum.com
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
David Dodge: Born to Lead TAHSIN CHOWDHURY Staff Writer From the day he was born, David Dodge, a junior English major, has not been able to see out of his left eye. However, he’s never let his disability stop him from achieving his goals and helping others. “I’m completely blind [in my left eye]…I don’t know what happened. It’s one of those things that [doctors] don’t have enough information on,” Dodge said. “[In school] I think it was very awkward, when people realized that I couldn’t see.” Dodge felt that most of these situations stemmed from a lack of communication between him and his classmates because people didn’t feel comfortable asking questions about it, and thus, didn’t understand his condition very well. Most people with disabilities go through denial at some point, according to Dodge. Once he began to come to terms with his handicap, he began to change as a person. “[As a child] I was nothing like I am now. I wasn’t very talkative, I wasn’t social and I [only] had a few close-knit friends,” Dodge said. “It wasn’t until high school that I realized [that] I had to deal with [my handicap] for the rest of my life. That’s when I started to come out of my shell.” David Dodge fought past his disability and has made his way to becoming a student leader by creating UB’s Alternative Break Program. Courtesy of David Dodge
Dodge is from a place where, according to him, there are more cows than people and ev-
erybody knows each other, so everything was safe. He grew up in LeRoy, New York, about 45 minutes east of Buffalo. “I sort of had a typical [old-school] childhood,” Dodge said. “Like, before computers started to kick off and just before cell phones. [We’d] actually talk to each other and [we] went outside to play…there wasn’t even a focus on video games.” Dodge has come a long way since then. He is now a student leader. He is the former president of Student Government Life at Genessee Community College (GCC) and is the founder of UB’s Alternative Break program. The Alternative Break program is something that Dodge partook in at GCC. It is a program in which students can spend their vacations in places where they can engage in community service. After transferring to UB, Dodge looked for ways to get involved. He saw the potential for the program to develop into something much larger. “I founded this organization [here] to help people who were down on their luck,” Dodge said. “We were able to expand on it [at UB] because UB has so many more [resources than GCC].” Dodge hopes to not only lead these kinds of trips, but also to educate others about the
severity of situations like New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. “It was clear from my first meeting with David that he was extremely passionate about the work that still needed to be done in New Orleans, as he had been down there several times previously with Genesee Community College and on his own accord,” said Amy B. Wilson, Ph.D., associate director of UB’s Center for Student Leadership & Community Engagement (CSLCE). “David, in many ways, exemplifies leadership as we teach it here in the CSLCE. He identified a problem and he is doing all that he can do to a make a positive difference.” It was harder to adjust to the leadership role at UB, given the school’s size. With over 25,000 students, UB’s population is roughly four times greater than GCC’s. Dodge turned his humanistic ideas into a proposal and used the leadership office to turn it into a full program. Since then, he has made five trips down to the South in order to help those that still suffer from the aftermaths of tragedy. “David had a lot of ideas and he came in very organized with a budget [of] how he was intending on paying for it,” said Terri Budek, the community engagement coordinator of CSLCE. “[He knew] how much students would have to pay to cover their share of the cost. It was great to have somebody to motivate us.” With academics and leadership on his plate, Dodge explains that time management plays a crucial role in his life. While he claims to be good at time management, he admits he had some trouble adjusting in the past. “Back in GCC there was an event we put a lot of time into. I sort of skipped class [to attend this event] and that was not a wise decision,” Dodge said. “I came around to realize that academics come first and everything else is secondary.” According to Dodge, the struggle that his family went through when he was younger inspires him to do the best that he can. Neither of his parents went to college, and while his family was never poor, they weren’t well off with money, either. Dodge doesn’t know what he would be doing if he wasn’t in college, because getting his degree and participating in all the things he’s doing now is what he enjoys the most. “I know it sounds corny, but I really love my life and can’t imagine [it] any other way than it is now,” Dodge said. His family members are both supportive of his ambitions and proud of his accomplishments. “We’re proud of him considering his handicap. A lot of kids don’t have that determination,” said Lloyd Dodge, Dodge’s uncle. “He’s never mentioned it to be a drawback because he did have what he needed [in order] to do well in school. He’s always [done well].” The Dodge family has get-togethers about once a month in Dodge’s hometown. Lloyd said that they serve as a way to strengthen the family bond and share stories and experiences. Dodge attributes his success to his family. They set the bar higher for him than they did for themselves, according to Dodge. Ever since he was in high school, simply doing ‘good enough’ was not acceptable. That’s what has inspired him to accomplish all that he sets out to do. Dodge said that the best thing about being a leader and helping others is the satisfaction of knowing he’s succeeded. “If I had to use just one word [I’d say] ‘rewarding,’” Dodge said. “It’s rewarding because [I’m] doing this without any credit or internships, and to have [my] ideas come to life and have others see it for what [I] want it to be, it is just that – rewarding.”
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When Throw Backs Attack SOPHIE TRUTER Staff Writer
Leather pants, a wall of booty shakers, energetic dance moves, and a group of UB students with musical talent that would impress even Lea Michele and Mark Salling. Moments before these performers took the stage, members of UB Glee put their hands together in a circle and shouted “one, two, three, Glee Rex!” as they waited backstage for the show to begin. Excitement filled the Student Union Theatre last Sunday as students of the UB Glee Club showed off months of hard work for their second concert of the semester called, “Throw Back Attack.” The club members were nervous as they franticly rehearsed one last time, just an hour before the show. People looked stressed, notes were being sung off-tune, and the butterflies were fluttering inside the stomachs of the performers. But as the crowd began to shuffle into the theatre and seats began to fill, the moods of the Glee Club performers shifted. Anxiety morphed into excitement as friends and family showed up to support the members and they became ready to put forth their best acts. The show abandoned the tunes of contemporary pop kings and queens, taking audiences back to the old days of musical talent.
Adam Sebag, a junior theatre major at SUNY Binghamton, attended the show with several friends from UB and was impressed by what he saw and heard. “It’s a night where you can see different genres of music by different types of people and different styles of singing,” Sebag said. “I think it’s good. There is a lot of talent here and it’s exciting. In high school there were lots of acappella groups, so here to see a full Glee type of performance is interesting.” While performers looked confident on stage, backstage revealed a different story. Costumes were being thrown on, limbs stretched, and voices warmed up. The Glee Club pulled out all the stops in order to ensure a pleased crowd. The group opened with energy and unity, performing a dance to R. Kelly’s song “Ignition,” showing the crowd that UB Glee is a fun group of close friends, in addition to being talented performers. Several duets and solos followed and the Glee women finished off the first half in leg warmers and
The UB Glee Club stunned its audience at the Throw Back Attack show in the SU Theatre on Sunday Nov. 6. Audrey Lin /// The Spectrum
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The group covered artists such as Michael Jackson, Michelle Branch, Destiny’s Child, and Peggy Lee. The members received positive feedback from the audience, which showered performer after performer with applause.
’80s work out gear covering Human League’s “Don't You Want Me.” Chad Gray, a junior chemical engineering major, shocked audiences and sent them into hysterics with his Elvis rendition of “A Little Less Conversation,” wearing skin-tight leather pants. “I just wanted to go all out on this number,” Gray said. “I really like Glee and I just want to push it to the next level, and so if that means jumping way outside of my comfort zone I’m going to do it.” Apart from the occasional technical difficulties, like sound and audio feedback, the concert ran smoothly.
The club’s president, Jenna Dunlay, a junior theatre major, was proud of the group’s performance after months of preparation and hours of rehearsal. “I’m very impressed with my group, I think that we’ve come a long way from the beginning,” Dunlay said. “They jumped in and they owned it.” During the second half of the show, the Glee boys covered Shania Twain’s “Man I Feel Like a Woman,” which left the audience cheering them on and laughing in their seats. For the final number, the entire club came together on stage wearing their Glee club 2011 T-shirts, topping off the night with a Michael Jackson medley.
The crowd was encouraged by the club members to get involved in the fun. Right after intermission the club hosted a booty shaking competition for random volunteers in the audience. “We don’t want people to just sit down for two hours and just listen. We want feedback, said Matt McHale, a senior math major and Glee Club member. “If we are doing funny songs we want [the audience] to laugh…We want them to get involved. We want them to have a good time, [just] as much as we do.” Wearing tight leather pants in front of a crowd would be scary for almost anyone. Fortunately for Gray, the audience’s applause and hype helped ease his worries. “The crowd was great, they really were very supportive,” Gray said. “I just thought I was going to be nervous coming out but they just ate it up I suppose. I felt really comfortable after the first couple words I sang.” The Glee Club is now starting to prepare for its next concert, which will be held on Dec. 4. “Now that this is over with, we get to take a step back and finally congratulate ourselves for doing a damn good job,” Dunlay said. Email: features@ubspectrum.com
The Man Behind the Math through the National Science Foundation (NSF).
For some, the subject of math is a dreaded topic and the square route of pi seems like a useless fact to memorize for the future. But for John Ringland, an associate professor of mathematics at UB, numbers are his life.
The grant funded the Undergraduate Research Group Experiences (URGE) to Compute program. URGE is a national apprenticeship program in computational mathematics research for undergraduate mathematics majors.
For undergraduate students who share the love of math, it is important to Ringland that he does his best to see those students succeed. Ringland’s enthusiasm for teaching is just one reason why he was one of five UB professors granted the new UB Faculty Award for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity.
“Professor Ringland has a gift for helping young people find that courage and develop that intuition,” said Anthony Grisafi, a graduate student in the department of physics and a cohort member of the URGE program. “He’s an earnest and thoughtful adviser.”
Ringland, along with other mathematic faculty members, saw an opportunity to further assist undergraduate students. The department applied for a grant
Ringland has been working to increase undergraduate research activity. The grant came at the right time to act as a catalyst to springboard new opportunities in the mathematics department. It was only natural that Ringland
took on the role of leader. Though, according to Ringland, it was an overall team effort. Sixty students over a five-year span will receive tremendous support both from faculty mentors and peers, as well as financially through student stipends from the grant. They will also be immersed in programs that will further their studies and allow them to present their findings around the world in professional journals. “During his six years as director of undergraduate studies, and in the three years since, Dr. Ringland has completely transformed the undergraduate mathematics program,” said David Hemmer, director of undergraduate studies in mathematics. “He spearheaded the creation of our new actuarial concentration…Since URGE started we’ve gone from zero or one student writing a senior
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honors thesis every year to six or seven.” Ringland strongly feels that students, no matter what they’re studying, should be supported in their research and pursue what interests them most.
Though Ringland has been interested in math since early childhood, he wasn’t always set on teaching it as a profession. It was while working on his Ph.D. in physics at the University of Texas in Austin that Ringland experienced two very life-changing discoveries. One was meeting his wife, whom he met while playing tennis. The second was finding that math was most interesting to him, which upon graduation led him to what he wanted to do. “I was always looking for a career in which I could follow my curiosity,” Ringland said. “I like abstraction, and that’s what math is about. Abstraction allows you to understand several things by understanding one thing. It’s powerful in that way. My brain happens to be wired in such a way that thinking mathematically is comfortable.” Since becoming a professor, he has found that one of its perks is helping his students thrive during their college years. The URGE to Compute program is one thing that has allowed Ringland the opportunity to see this.
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The effect he has on his students is obvious not only while they atL. Burdick
Professor John Ringland was honored with the UB Faculty Award for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity. He inspires students while they study at UB and continues to affect their lives after they graduate. Audrey Lin /// The Spectrum
tend UB, but also long after they graduate.
“He challenges and enables students to do their best,” Grisafi said. “And, as important as all the rest, he has a great sense of humor – working on a project with Professor Ringland is a lot of fun.” Some of that fun Ringland brings to his students is his interest in music. In fact, if he weren’t a professor, he’d be a music producer or a starving musician, he said. However, he feels that not all kinds of music can be deemed mathematical. Either way, he plays his guitar and his recently picked up hobby, the drums any spare time he gets, overseeing the program, or spending time with his family.
It is safe to say Ringland has helped many of the students he’s mentored.
“His commitment to the development of our research project, as well as our minds, made us hold our work to a higher standard,” said UB alumnus Ryan Klafehn, who now attends Duke Law School. “As I learned from my time with him, a person should always strive to better himself each day, pushing their intellectual boundaries to a point of discomfort. I can confidently say his mentoring and constant presence contributed substantially to the final product – a presentation at a national conference and a published paper – of our research project.”
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Thursday, November 17, 4-6pm, Flag Room, Student Union
All UB students, faculty, and staff are welcome! UB Study Abroad 210 Talbert Hall 645-3912 studyabroad@buffalo.edu www.buffalo.edu/study abroad
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The Baby in the Bones
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Skank Out to The Steakouts AKARI IBURI Senior Life Editor
On Tuesday, Oct. 18, the walls of Mohawk Place rattled to the upbeat guitar strokes and punchy brass notes bellowing from The Steakouts. In a night dedicated to the most loyal lovers of ska music, the young Rochester-Buffalo band opened for ska legends The Slackers, alongside Deal’s Gone Bad and B-Side Basterds.
Deschanel and Boreanaz connect over more than just murders in the seventh season of Bones. Courtesy of FOX
VANESSA FRITH Arts Editor The socially awkward anthropologist and the FBI agent with a hero complex are partnered up again to take down the D.C. area’s most devious murders. This time around, Bones (Emily Deschanel, The Perfect Family) and Booth (David Boreanaz, The Mighty Macs) are upping the stakes of their partnership. With the Booth vs. Broadsky (Arnold Vosloo, Green Lantern: Emerald Knights) dueling snipers arc all but wrapped up, the Jeffersonian team is without a classic enemy to pursue for the start of Bones’ seventh season. Instead, the focus is turned inwards as a new set of team dynamics is at play. Dechanel’s real-life pregnancy left producer Hart Hanson with little choice but to accelerate the Bones/ Booth relationship and propel it into realms that have long been relegated to fan fiction. In a grief-stricken moment after the death of squintern Vincent Nigel-Murray (Ryan Cartwright, Alphas), Booth and Brennan strip free their inhibitions and six seasons worth of sexual tension is released – before long Bones winds up carrying what will undoubtedly be a very peculiar child. Bones has built a cast of characters more riveting and complex than the murder cases the team solves. With pasts that unravel episode by episode, the intricate relationships forged onscreen keep fans coming back year
after year. The dichotomy between Booth and Bones has never been more pronounced as they try not only to cohabitate, but also plan a life together that fits between two worldviews that clash in the spheres of science and faith, logic and intuition. Fans may have noticed that last week’s premiere felt empty in terms of casting. That missing link is the person who is meant to replace the recipient of Broadsky’s intensely accurate bullet. The quirky and heavily accented trivia tidbits of the late Nigel-Murray are soon replaced by the southern colloquialisms of Finn Abernathy (Luke Kleintank, Gossip Girl). As usual, nothing can ever be easy for the crime fighting scientists, and Cam has picked one of the most controversial interns since the days of Zach Addy’s (Eric Millegan, The Phobic) departure. Fresh out of juvie, Abernathy is a mild-mannered teenage genius whose mind will surly impress Dr. Brennan. His violent background, though, set the others on edge, and the rest of the cast worries that the very type of person they devote their time to capturing may be soiling their home turf. Although Bones airs in the competitive 9 p.m. Thursday slot, Fox needn’t worry about losing viewers as the show enters middle age.
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This Saturday, Buffalo’s cozy concert joint will host the ska-tastic sounds booming from the energetic six-man band of The Steakouts all over again as it opens for one of its biggest influences: Mustard Plug. The Steakouts, composed of two UB students and four other ska-loving musicians, is an up-and-coming ska punk group sprouting from a withering genre. The style of ska originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, following the cultural trends of rocksteady and reggae. The genre is identified through its walking bass line with the rhythm on the upbeat. The genre took off in the late 1970s in England when the second-wave of ska produced a two-tone sound with more aggressive, punk rock chords. Instruments often found in a ska band include guitar, bass guitar, piano, drums, and brass. While the thirdwave of ska gained popularty in the mid-1990s and into the millennium, the genre in recent years has fallen short of what it used to be. “We were all big fans when it was really popular and [Reel Big Fish’s] ‘Sell Out’ was on the radio,” said Tyler Rzemek, The Steakouts’ drummer and a sophomore psychology major. “We talk about it all the time [how] the scene collapsed in on itself because people started hating on each other…the major theme in it is supposed to be this unity and the bands themselves are creating disunity.” The Stakeouts consider themselves to be a part of the third-wave sound of ska bands. Ska punk integrates the two-tone trend of the second-wave with a more potent punk flavor. “A lot of [what’s happening] now is people trying to focus on what Streetlight [Manifesto] is doing and creating that whole unique experience and encompassing almost an orchestral sound to ska music,” said Will Nolan, the unofficial-official band manager and a senior in the school of management. “But [The Steakouts] have really taken a step back and said, ‘No, we have this punk sound we want to bring back with it’ and it just meshes so well together.” The band formed in December 2009
(From left to right) Feeney, Wark, and Coniff make up the enthusiastic three-man horn section of The Steakouts. The local band is opening for Mustard Plug this Saturday, Nov. 12 at Mohawk Place. Courtesy of Maciej Wojtkowiak
when Mike Jacobs, lead vocalist and guitarist and a junior history major, talked to his friend and trumpet player, Pat Coniff, about starting up a music project. Jacobs was just beginning to dabble in the culture of ska during his freshman year at UB and thought Coniff would be interested in the collaboration. “Pat probably started seeing his brother’s [ska] band when he was 8 years old and has loved [the genre] ever since,” Jacobs said.
It wasn’t long until the two harvested other musicians to join the new group. Jacobs invited bassist and longtime friend George Hart, while Coniff brought in a saxophoneplaying marching band friend, Dan Feeney, hailing from Mansfield, Pa. Jake Wark joined on tenor saxophone, and Rzemek became the band’s drummer in October 2010 on a slightly different note. “I walked out of Pistachio’s in the Student Union and I saw a big flyer with a steak and a microphone and I was like, ‘What the hell is that?’” Rzemek said. “So I went up to it and it said, ‘ska drummer needed’ and I took all of the little [tabs] off and I emailed Mike.” At the time, Rzemek, a drummer for seven years, was trying to kick start a ska project with a friend but the collaboration was a flop. Today, he and the rest of his bandmates have a list of booked shows and an EP to place below their skanking belts. The Steakouts have performed in venues throughout Rochester, Buffalo, Genneseo, and Syracuse. This past summer, the band hit up eight cities in nine days on its Biggest Misteak Tour to promote its EP, The Big Misteak. Rejuvenated and ready to rock, The Steakouts returned to the Queen City to fuel the ska punk scene with talent
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and support to help the local genre thrive.
“It’s pretty cool…there’s all sorts of unity between the little local ska bands now because everyone has to keep each other afloat,” Rzemek said. “I’ve had the thought before like, man, wouldn’t it be cool if we brought [ska] back? That would be so cool.” Ska is a distinct genre with an identifiable upbeat dance move to match. Skanking is a form of dance with kicking legs and a twisting upper torso that’s often performed during a ska show. With the band’s new songs emitting a slower, swing-style with horn solos and covers such as Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back,” The Steakouts know how to get a crowd skanking its hearts out. “They had the floor just moving [on Oct. 18] at Mohawk Place and that was, I found out, a sold out show,” Nolan said. “It was crazy.” Jacobs writes all of the lyrics and guitar parts, while everyone else collaborates on the music. Influences such as Frank Turner have a big impact on his song writing and bands like Less Than Jake, Mustard Plug, and Bouncing Souls have influenced them musically. While the members of The Steakouts recognize that the ska scene is not as popular as it once was, they are proud to be what they are. “When things are kind of low, I think we love it,” Jacobs said. “We’re being different than most bands that we play with and most bands out there. I enjoy being the only ska band on a set.” The Steakouts will grace the stage of Mohawk Place this Saturday, Nov. 12 alongside The Blank Outs, Flatfoot 56, and Mustard Plug to give Buffalo music lovers a giant dose of ska.
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Continued from Page 1: The X- Files “I had to grow up real fast and grow up early,” Ford said. “I worked that paper route because my grandfather injured his back so he couldn’t really take care of himself. So I took care of him; I took care of the house; I brought home money for us to get groceries.”
was trying to find myself so I was a gang banger for a little while.” But then, his grandparents, Alma and John Ford, intervened. Alma Ford, petite, good-looking, and strong-as-a-rock, taught him to cook soul food, to respect others and himself. John Ford, once a bull of a man at 6’6,’’ but so crippled by injuries that he needed help in and out of a car, taught him that dignity makes a man more than swagger and that real men take responsibility for their families.
Ford learned early not to complain. He couldn’t. He had too much to do. “Some days you get tired of [working] but at the end of the day I had to provide for my family,” Ford said. “I programmed myself. I was like a computer. I just got used to working hard and after a while I just did it; it was a job, I just got it done.”
They sat their sixth-grade gangbanging grandson down and threatened him. They were tired of the problems he was causing in school. They were tired of worrying. They warned him that if he stayed in a gang he would end up in jail or dead.
The paper route is where Xavier’s story begins. The basketball court is where it becomes extraordinary. In 2011, Ford, a senior at Harrison High School in Colorado Springs, was named to the PARADE All-American team. He is the first recruit in UB history to make the prestigious list. He averaged almost a double-double with 27.4 points per game and 9.7 rebounds per game last season and helped his team to a 20-5 record. In a game against local rival Woodland Park on Jan. 29, Ford scored a season-high 41 points. He also grabbed 11 rebounds, had five assists, and recorded an amazing seven steals. But before all this happened, he did something even more miraculous: he beat the statistics.
In 2010, the poverty rate in the U.S. was 15.1 percent, the highest it had been since 1993. Forty-six million people – including Ford – were living in poverty. That’s the highest number of poor people in the 52 years that poverty numbers have been published, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
“I was involved with the streets for a little while,” Ford said. “I
“I had a long talk with my grandma, my grandparents, and I decided gang banging wasn’t going to get me anywhere,” Ford said. He also couldn’t bear the thought of not being with his grandparents. Ford lived with his grandparents. His father had 13 children and his mother – Denise Ford – had two besides Ford, and she lived in New Mexico. He might have lived with her, but Alma Ford wouldn’t give him up.
Giving up the gang life was tough, Ford said. But it taught him to concentrate. His focus became family and basketball.
In the same year, the Institute for Higher Education Policy reported that in 2008, only 37 percent of black students went to college, and only 11 percent of all lowincome students graduated from college.
At age 12, Ford looked set to follow the numbers.
It worked.
“My grandma fell in love with me…and said ‘I’m keeping him,’” Ford said. “She just fell in love with me as a baby and just kept me.”
Avoiding Gang Life
Even more stunning, in 2005, 10 percent of all black males ages 18 to 24 were in state or federal prisons, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
They tried to scare sense into him. They even threatened to send him back to his mother.
Ford credits his numerous basketball coaches for shaping him as a person and as a player. But no one, he says, was as important to him as his “uncle Nate.” Nathan Brown was the father of Ford’s best friend growing up, but was more like an uncle than a coach or mentor. Brown, who grew up in the projects on the East Coast and made it out, understood Ford like few others. Sometimes, he said, it was hard to watch Ford, who he affectionately calls “X,” struggle. “There were days that ‘X’ didn’t have a lot to eat, you know what I’m saying,” Brown said. “I was saving money to buy ‘X’ a bed
because he was sleeping on the floor…‘X’ was sleeping on the floor, getting up and going to school, and doing the paper route at night; on little or no sleep on the floor, and on some days with little or nothing to eat. Not like me and you eat.” When he reached his senior year of high school, statistically, Ford had a 10 percent chance of going to college. That’s when Bulls assistant coach Jim Kwitchoff found him. Taking a Risk Kwitchoff found Ford through a scouting service the Bulls subscribe to, and he was immediately drawn to Ford’s talent and energy on the floor. But, his grades were low. The word among scouts was that he was going to have to go to a junior college to start his career. Kwitchoff set out to find “the story behind the story.” Ford had a 2.03 grade point average and because of his score on the ACT exam (64), he needed a 2.3 to meet NCAA regulations. So he had to raise his ACT score to an 85 or bring up his GPA. When Kwitchoff asked Ford why he struggled so much on the ACT, Ford apologized and said, “I fell asleep, coach.” Kwitchoff wondered how well anyone could do under the circumstances Ford was facing. So the coach started talking to everyone – uncle Nate, his coaches, the principal at Harrison, the assistant principal, and his guidance counselor. The feedback he received was unanimous. “Everybody said the same thing: that he’s a great kid that’s had the world stacked up against him,” Kwitchoff said. “He’s got the determination. You can see it, you can hear it in his voice, he just needed a chance.” So Kwitchoff gave him one. “[Ford’s] family was struggling to get by so ‘X’ never collected one check,” Kwitchoff said. “He delivered papers for five years and he never collected a check. It all went to his grandfather to help pay the bills. When you hear things like that, you say ‘ok, this kid will be totally unfazed by the Ohio student section.’ He’s had bigger obstacles to overcome than students screaming ‘you suck.’ He’s got all the character traits we’re looking for.” Kwitchoff first forced Ford to stop the paper route. He figured things out, so uncle Nate could help out financially, allowing Ford to focus on academics and basketball.
Next, Kwitchoff – a former assistant principal – sat down and blew up Ford’s school schedule. He was taking a culinary arts program at the local junior college that was earning him zero credits with the NCAA, and it was taking up the first five class periods on his schedule. Ford then took the ACT several more times, and brought his score up to a 74. Once he stopped the paper route, his grades went up. In the second semester of his senior year, he got an A and four B’s. Just when everything was going so well, Kwitchoff plugged in the numbers. Ford needed a 2.325 with his 74 ACT score to be NCAA eligible. He ended up with a 2.31. Kwitchoff was the one to tell him. “He [felt] like he just ran a marathon with 100 pounds on his back and now I’m asking him to run five more miles,” Kwitchoff said. “It’s funny because for two days he didn’t return my calls or texts; he was mad, he was mad at the world.” Ford needed to go to summer school and, like every other challenge in his life, he took it on. He needed a six-week class and he decided to pound it out in three weeks, going six hours a day. “He needed a B- or to go up one point in the ACT,” Kwitchoff said. “When it was all said and done, he got an A- [in the summer class] and went up three points in the ACT. Hallelujah.” Kwitchoff and head coach Reggie Witherspoon found out on June 30 that Ford was a full qualifier and he was in Buffalo by July 4, ready for summer school. He got an A and a B, giving him a 3.3 GPA at UB heading into his freshman year and seven credits in his back pocket before he even started the fall semester. “It’s just an insane success story. Absolutely insane,” Kwitchoff said. “It’s just going to continue. The sky is the limit for that kid and he is as good as advertised.” Xavier: The Person Ford is a 6’7’’ kid. He is ranked third in the world in NBA 2K12 and yet he doesn’t mind being laughed at. He loves to joke around with his teammates and freestyle rap. He also enjoys borrowing his friend’s camera to make videos that he posts on YouTube. “I just like to have fun and I’m never too serious,” Ford said. “I’m always joking around and dancing and stuff. That goes back
Xavier Ford wouldn’t change his past even if he could. It helped shaped who he is today. Alexa Strudler /// The Spectrum
to my background. I had to work all day and go to school. I felt like why be serious 23 hours out of the day when you can have fun doing what you’re doing.” On the court, Ford is a completely different person: he’s “a killer.” In the paint he is a monster. With his athleticism and determination near the basket, he is a nightmare for opposing defenders. Ford takes practice very seriously. He knows most people see players like LeBron James and Kevin Durant and the glamour of the NBA, and think the game is easy, but he doesn’t take his talent for granted. He prepares mentally and physically to play every day. When most players leave the gym after practice he stays a bit longer to put in some extra work. After all, he’s conditioned himself to be a workhorse. He explained that when a player practices hard, performing in game situations becomes second nature. Ford wanted to play on the East Coast because he thinks it’s where the best players play. Brown thinks Ford made a great choice coming to Buffalo.
He has a unique background and has no sense of entitlement. He’s appreciative of everything he gets and he’s immensely talented.” Back in Colorado, Ford is a hero to the local youth, and he got a chance to go back home before the semester started. He showed off his team gear and watched as the kids envisioned their own futures. While most people in his hometown are very supportive, there are still some people that bet against Ford. Brown laughs when he hears such talk. He knows Ford has already made it. “There is so much money that people are making off kids and nobody is trying to get the love out of a kid,” Brown said. “Just love him – that’s all ‘X’ ever wanted and all ‘X’ needs is someone to love him…Reggie has an awesome player…He’s a great kid, it makes my eyes water when I think of what he went through and now I’m getting calls from the media asking me questions about him. I’m proud of him… When it’s all said and done, I think he’s going to be a real special player coming out of there.”
Email: sports@ubspectrum.com
Witherspoon also thinks Ford made a great choice, and expects the freshman to contribute this season. “Xavier is an amazing kid [who] has a lot of energy and is very personable,” Witherspoon said. “Every day he is full of energy.
Continued from Page 1: Poloncarz Defeats Collins to Become New County Executive Campbell added that since both candidates supported UB 2020 legislation, the expansion of the downtown medical campus, and the importance of the university in the Western New York economy, the outcome of the election would not have a great impact on the university’s future. Collins and Poloncarz had very different views on the role of government. Collins favored smaller government and less spending, while Poloncarz supports a more involved government that provides many services for society.
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Tim Van Oss, president of the UB College Republicans, stressed the importance of the county executive race. “Local elections are more important than national contests because one is affected by local decisions far more than what is handed down from the national leaders,” Van Oss said in an email.
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Wednesday, November 9, 2011
n e w s t u d e n t h o u s i n g c o m i n g fa l l 2 012
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MENTORS. Reliable, consistent, nonjudgmental adults needed to befriend youth near your home/ work/ school for 1-2 hrs/wk for 1yr. Background check & car required. Stipend (up to $500) for those who qualify. Men encouraged to apply: Compeer (716) 883-3331 or www.wnymentors.com.
ROOM-MATE(S) WANTED FOR REMODELED APPARTMENTS located at UB at Main Street Campus – off Englewood Avenue. $275-$333 plus utilities per tenant. Washing machine and dryers in basement. Off street parking. Contact Shawn (Property Manager) at sengel1@roadrunner.com or 716-984-7813.
FEMALE MENTORS NEEDED. At-risk kids, tween & teen girls ISO cool 18-25 yr old role models. If you can dedicate 1-2 hrs/wk for 1+yrs, have a clean background check + reliable car: apply to Karen at Compeer (716) 883-3331 or www.wnymentors.com. Stipend (up to $500) for those who qualify.
HOUSE FOR SALE CONDO FOR SALE. Close to UB North Campus. 3-Bdrm, 2-Bath. $94,500. Open house Sunday 1-3pm. Call Gerrie Nowak, Hunt Real Estate, 716-432-3018.
SPECIAL EVENT PARKING NOTICE Judy Shepard DSS Lecture Wednesday November 9th, 2011
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following North Campus parking lots will be closed and reserved
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BUFFALO DRIVING SCHOOLS 716-8344300. Warranted driving instruction package. www.buffalodrivingschools.com
Baird B Lot, Slee B Lot, and Lake La Salle Lot At 8:00 P.M. the parking lots will reopen for the university community
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Crossword of the Day STEVEN WROBEL Life Editor
It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s a…weather balloon. While many students spend their weekends partying, studying, and hanging out with their friends, one club at UB spent its weekend studying the outer realms of Earth’s atmosphere. UB Students for the Exploration and Development Space (UB-SEDS) is a club that sets its ambitions skyward to generate interest and activism in the community for any and all space-related topics, according to Sean Lyons, a senior aerospace engineering major. Lyons was the project manager of the club’s High-Altitude Weather Balloon Project (HAWB). The project’s goal was to send a weather balloon into Edited by Timothy E. Parker November 9, 2011 the sky to measure temperature and By Troy Benning JUST THE GUYS atmospheric ACROSS pressure. In addition, the team to capture pictures 1 A wanted freelancer may work on it and 44 Mixer ingredient video footage to document the trip and45 Component of bronze 5 Snack of Spain measure the atmospheric 46 Desirable soil 9 Accumulate, as a bill boundary layers. 47 Dessert choice 14 Volcanic flow 54 Perry's girl Friday 15 At the center of “This project is one of the most chal- 55 Esfahan's land 16 Growing out lenging yet rewarding my 56 "___ La Douce" 17 Monkeys' uncles? feats of undergraduate said. 57 Basketry twig 18 Hoarfrost career,” Lyons “The lessons I have learned and [the] 58 Fix some potholes 19 Metal to be recycled success this project have given me 59 In the neighborhood 20 Cityofsouthwest of Los Angeles an23inspiration no course at this60 Attack in force Nursery school item offered university could ever provide.” 61 Tea-leaves reader 24 Salesperson, for short 62 Exercise establishments 25 Elongated pastry The of the balloon last 28 launching Fireplace fuel Saturday, 30 MaximOct. 22, was the culmina tion of many hours of planning. 33 Daily Planet reporter Kent The group had to not only raise the funds 34 Amateur to35 take onsung this project, Song singly but it also had to36 develop means by which to Slattedthe seat perform all god the desirable functions. 39 Greek of war UB-SEDS procured $1,100 in funding 40 Different roles, metaphorically from sponsorships from local compa41 Cat's nine nies and from Sub Board I Inc. 42 Years in a decade 43 Unflattering revelations “The idea for this came about in either October or November of last year, when we saw a video of a father-andson team that sent an iPhone aboard a balloon and recovered it, becoming a temporary media sensation on many newscasts and newspapers,” said Andrew Dianetti, president of UB-SEDS and a junior aerospace
WEDNESDay, NOVEMBER 9 FROM UNIVERSAL UCLICK
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Others PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Someone are likely to respond favorably to your may be tempting you to take action that new ideas today -- provided of course is either immoral or illegal -- but today, they are legitimately yours. Tell the truth! you are stronger and more stable than that. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- You may encounter those who are unwilling ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Anger, while unavoidable at times, must be to recognize the truth -- even though you are presenting it in an indisputable controlled -- and must not be allowed to control you. Express yourself intelligently fashion. at all times. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- You TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- Are you may have trouble believing what an ready to do things entirely your way? Aries or a Taurus native is telling you today -- and for good reason! He or she Believe it or not, you're likely to win that kind of freedom today or tomorrow. is misinformed. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Explore your options more freely than usual today and you'll surely come out ahead of the game when all is said and done.
DOWN 1 Shut violently 2 One of the Three Bears 3 Neck-and-neck 4 Bank offerings 5 ___ sauce (seafood condiment) 6 Cordial disposition 7 ___ cotton (fine fabric) 8 Arabian Peninsula port 9 Start a new lawn 10 Open a medicine bottle 11 Pusher buster 12 2002 Winter Games setting 13 Energy 21 Equally 22 Bucolic babbler 25 Acclamation 26 Publisher Boothe Luce 27 Burdened 28 Earp of the Old West 29 Grampuses 30 White table wine 31 Man from Mars 32 Bottom-of-the-barrel 34 Bunny slope lift
CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- You may not trust that doing things through the proper channels today is going to get you what you want or need. Explore other options. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Things may seem broken to you in more than one way -- but you have a knack for doing what others deem impossible, and today may be your day. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- That which doesn't go away must be dealt with -- or so logic will tell you. You may have another option to explore, however.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- You're not GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Trust your likely to get things done the easy way own imagination to give you the real today -- though you will have the chance picture of what is happening around you, to get the rest you need when you need it. even though you don't have all the facts.
35 Doing a certain dance move 37 Major European river 38 Defibrillator operator's call 43 Remove weaponry from 44 Where Hollywood meets Vine? 45 Tenth U.S. president 46 Service break? 47 Met basso 48 A little of this, a little of that 49 Bites, like a puppy 50 Dundee hillside 51 Zebras, to lions 52 Islamic leader 53 Prominent features for Spock 54 Two, in Cancun
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ubspectrum.com
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Basketball Season Is Finally Here MATTHEW PARRINO
MATTHEW PARRINO Editor in Chief Editor in Chief
Nov. 11 vs. Saint Peter’s The season opener always takes on a life of its own. Given that the Bulls will host 2011 NCAA Tournament participant Saint Peter’s in this year’s game, the 2011-12 home opener is bound to be one for the ages. Buffalo comes into the season with lofty expectations, and it’ll be a major earlyseason boost to overcome a nationally recognized opponent in front of what is certain to be a raucous Alumni Arena crowd. Dec. 20 at BYU Last year, the Bulls hung tough with the Jimmer Fredetteled Cougars before falling 90-82 in their upset bid at Alumni Arena.
Head coach Reggie Witherspoon is counting on young players like Corey Raley-Ross (10) to contribute this season.
AARON MANSFIELD Senior Sports Editor
to be so good because they’re just that – a team.
There’s a certain indefinable aura around campus. To avoid jinxing the team, students are silently whispering: “Could this be the year?”
Several years ago, stars like Rodney Pierce and Calvin Betts led the Bulls. They were incredible players, but they were the whole team. There was no depth or camaraderie. But this is a year and a team that are expected to be different – this year’s team is comprised of players who have adopted a selfless attitude.
The men’s basketball team has fans believing and foes trembling, but the squad still isn’t garnering respect from the media. In this preseason Mid-American Conference poll, the Bulls were picked to finish ninth out of 12 teams, and second-last in the East division. Despite the negative national publicity, it’s been a long time since this much hype surrounded a UB sports team in the preseason. Just look at the names: Javon McCrea. Zach Filzen. Mitchell Watt. But those names are not the reason this squad is so heralded by Bulls fans. This team is expected
The squad’s younger players, like up-and-coming point guard Jarod Oldham, said they have made it their mission to send the team’s seniors out with a bang. While many on campus are convinced this team is for real, head coach Reggie Witherspoon knows his squad has a long way to go until the Bulls are considered bona fide contenders. He hasn’t yet bought into the championship chatter.
Spectrum File Photo
“There are 12 members in our conference that are pretty good, and we don’t play each other until next year,” Witherspoon said. “If we were in the court of law, someone would say ‘objection, irrelevant.’ It’s preseason, [championship talk] is not something we’re going to be really able to engage ourselves in until January.” The Bulls lost their unquestioned leader in Byron Mulkey and also lost their number one “scrapper,” the guy who was always chasing after loose balls, as forward Jawaan Alston also graduated. His void will most likely be filled by players like senior forward Dave Barnett and sophomore guard Corey Raley-Ross. While it may be challenging for the team to replace Mulkey and Alston as athletes, the more daunting task is replacing them as leaders. That job now belongs
Dec. 28 at Temple
It’s funny – most outsiders must think Bulls Nation is out of its mind. After all, experts are predicting that the Bulls will finish fifth in the MAC East Division. Yet the positive vibe on campus can’t be denied.
Temple received 69 votes in the AP Preseason Top 25 poll after earning an NCAA Tournament berth for the eighth consecutive season in 2010-11. By all means, the Owls are one of the most well-rounded and competitive programs that the Bulls will face this season. The matchup at Temple is the last before the Mid-American Conference schedule begins, and a win could do wonders for the Bulls’ confidence heading into MAC play. Jan. 7 vs. Kent State Kent State is predicted to win the MAC by many media outlets across the nation. The Bulls will have their first crack at the Golden Flashes in the conference opener, and the game can go a long way toward cementing the Bulls’ status as a legitimate threat in the loaded MAC East early on in conference play. Feb. 22 vs. Ohio By late February, the postseason picture is certain to be muddled in the MAC East. The Bulls will welcome division foe Ohio in the second-to-last home game of the season, and the game will more than likely have postseason implications. A loss here will be a devastating blow to either team.
Mitchell Watt
BRIAN JOSEPHS Sports Editor
This men’s basketball squad appears to be rock solid from top to bottom, but onlookers still don’t know what they can expect from perhaps the most important position on the floor: point guard.
Senior forward Mitchell Watt was a fan favorite last year, and his popularity prompted the nickname “Swatt.” The moniker is much more than just a pun, however.
All-conference point guard Byron Mulkey is gone. Much like how the women’s basketball team is reeling from the loss of Kourtney Brown, the men’s team will miss Mulkey.
Watt was an imposing force in the lane, constantly rejecting opposing threats. His 74 blocks were the second-most in the conference – more than the combined team total for 42 different Division-I schools. Watt’s total also broke the 16-year UB record for most in school history.
The sophomore guard saw his minutes increase last year, when the young freshman was called in to provide defensive intensity and a spark off the bench. By the Bulls’ Mid-American Conference tournament loss to Kent State, Oldham was getting huge minutes. He was one of the most athletic players on the court, but he still lacked veteran poise. This year, he looks to prove to his squad that he can be the leader, the coach on the court, the modern-day Mulkey. Mulkey finished second on the team in scoring and first in minutes and assists, but his biggest contributions went far beyond the stat sheet. He was the go-to guy whenever the team needed a big shot. He guarded the opponent’s best player on any crucial possession. He would slap the floor and yell to inspire his teammates, and he carried himself with unmatched fervor. “Byron was very determined every night he stepped on the court,” Oldham said. “That’s something I will take from him and try to apply to my game, as well.” The job of replacing Mulkey falls into the hands of Oldham and junior guard Tony Watson II. The two combined to average only 3.8 points per game last year. Watson is more of a “floor general” type player who provides range from beyond the arc, while Oldham is the more athletic, defensive-minded of the two.
Alexa Strudler /// The Spectrum
Oldham knows he needs to play tremendous basketball if he plans on escaping Mulkey’s shadow, but he isn’t cringing. “It’s a challenge. I know a lot of people are wondering how we’re going to do it without Byron being back,” Mulkey said. “I’ve got big shoes to fill but I’m looking forward to the challenge.” Watson is still recovering from surgery, so he is expected to miss the first two games. Outside of Watson, Oldham is the only true point guard on the team. He will immediately face a gigantic challenge. His first goal? Jumping out to an early start. “I want to get our guys going early so they get their feel for the game so it’ll make it easier for me,” Oldham said. He’ll try to jump out to that start right away on Friday night.
Watt totaled a career-high eight blocks in his signature game against Kent State. He stepped into the national spotlight with his final block, when he swatted a layup that led to a fast break. Watt punctuated the opportunity with a two-handed dunk. The forward’s big play landed him a spot in the Jan. 20 edition of Sportscenter’s Top 10. The Goodyear, Ariz. native is sharp in many other aspects of the game, as well. His 179 rebounds for the season were second only to sophomore forward Javon McCrea. Watt also scored eight points per game, with 13 double-digit performances. Watt is far from satisfied by his recent accomplishments. He is well aware of the physicality his position demands, and Watt has been working all summer to meet those demands. Watt has been working diligently with the team’s strength coaches for the past few months. After going on a new diet and putting in extra time at the weight room, Mr. “Swatt” has put on 20 pounds of mass to multiply his threat in the post.
If you’re walking through the hall and happen to see Javon McCrea or Tony Watson, feel free to say “hi” or “good game,” they’re all about interacting with the fans. Every time True Blue has a function in the Union or on campus, you can be sure that the basketball team will have a few players available to help promote whatever the team and the organization are up to. The other reason fans should get out and watch the Bulls is because this is one of the most exciting teams UB has put on the court in a long time. Senior forward Mitchell Watt – more affectionately known to Bulls fans as Mitchell “Swatt” – is the perfect senior leader and ambassador for the team. He brings that savvy veteran presence and can electrify Alumni Arena with his defensive abilities and high-flying prowess.
The man who is putting UB basketball on the map needs no introduction. Sophomore Javon McCrea alone is worth the price of admission to a Bulls game. Oh wait, if you’re a student you get in for FREE!
Watt is looking to make even more show-stopping plays this season. Alexa Strudler /// The Spectrum
The senior thought bulking up was the next step necessary to elevate his game. “I’ve always thought that I was a pretty skilled big man,” Watt said. “But the last couple of seasons showed that I needed to be a little more powerful, so I really took that to heart this summer.” Watt looks like he’s going to be at his peak this year with his increased physique and the hype surrounding the Bulls. “I’m glad I’m doing it with this group of guys and obviously we’re really talented and skilled this year,” Watt said. “I think we can do a lot of big things. As a senior, you want to go out on top and have the most success your last year.”
Email: sports@ubspectrum.com
Email: sports@ubspectrum.com
Season Predictions AARON MANSFIELD Senior Sports Editor
MATTHEW PARRINO Editor in Chief
This team is going to be really good – for a Mid-American Conference team. Don’t fret when the Bulls have ups and downs. Those will inevitably come because there is still a serious amount of youth on board. Oldham and Watson will struggle at times, but they’ll develop as the year goes on.
Head coach Reggie Witherspoon is one of the best coaches in the Mid-American Conference and his teams usually have a lot of success in non-conference play. There are a few great Big 4 matchups again this season as the Bulls tangle with Canisius and St. Bonaventure at home and travel to battle Niagara at their place.
I’m calling it right now: Javon McCrea will be the best player in the MAC. Expect the walking double-double to average 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. You know what you’ll get out of Filzen, Watt, and Barnett.
I except the team to sneak up on 20 wins again this season because Witherspoon knows how to get his guys ready to play. There is some important veteran leadership on this team and a gigantic influx of young, energetic talent.
The Bulls should be one of the best teams in the MAC. Will they win that elusive championship? That’s no foregone conclusion. But expect them to be right around the top of the conference standings all year.
The development of McCrea will be a key to watch this season. With the departure of Byron Mulkey, the team doesn’t necessarily have someone in the backcourt to facilitate things, so McCrea, Watt and Filzen are going to have to put up numbers on the offensive end.
Prediction: 17-10 (11-5 MAC)
The reason why this team is so revered on campus is because it’s a group full of good guys who care about UB. I’ve covered athletics at UB for three years now, and this is the most approachable and fun team I’ve ever covered here.
If the long ball is more your thing, senior guard Zach Filzen will shoot the lights out at Alumni more than a couple times this season. The transfer turned in one of the most outstanding seasons in Bulls history last year with his unbelievable three-point shooting.
But the towering statistic doesn’t completely describe Watt, as he was also a human highlight reel.
Oldham is known for his defensive ability, but he will need to step it up to fill Mulkey’s shoes.
There hasn’t been much to be excited about lately (except the surprising run by women’s soccer of course). That all changes on Friday at 7 p.m. at Alumni Arena. That’s when the men’s basketball team begins its quest for the ever so elusive Mid-American Conference crown.
AARON MANSFIELD Senior Sports Editor
Unfortunately, the star is now a UB basketball alumnus. Jarod Oldham is on a mission to ensure that the team’s point guard play doesn’t drop off from last season.
The football team is on a three-game losing streak and is in the midst of another disappointing season. Desi Green quit the wrestling team before his senior season, which was guaranteed to be a memorable one.
This season, the Bulls will travel to BYU to face a squad missing its star player from a year ago. Fredette has gone to the NBA, but the Cougars are still looking to crack the Top 25 this season. This game may serve as a measuring stick for a Bulls team looking to make some noise on the national scene in 2011-12.
Two Bulls to Watch Jarod Oldman
It’s been a dismal semester for UB sports.
Prediction: 18-9 (10-6 MAC)
But I digress, McCrea has been mentioned on nearly every national watch list you can think of. He’s been named to the preseason All-MAC team, he was named one of the top 100 players in the nation by CBS Sports, Sports Illustrated said he is one of five players poised for breakout season, and he was a finalist for the Men’s under-19 USA team over the summer. Senior forward Dave Barnett is one of the fan favorites on the squad. If you haven’t seen his YouTube dance videos – produced by True Blue – you’re missing out. Also, it’s hard not to cheer for a guy that plays the game the right way like Barnett. He gives it everything he has every minute he is on the floor. It will also be fun to watch the young guys on this team this season. Sophomores Jarod Oldham, – should be the starting point guard – Corey Raley-Ross, Cameron Downing, and freshman Xavier Ford are sure to make an impact. How big of one will be something to follow. Bottom line is this team is a bunch of good guys that contradict the typical stereotypes of Division 1 athletes. Make sure you’re there every home game to help support this team and maybe you’ll be apart of history, or at the very least you’ll get to witness an exciting season of basketball.
Email: matthew.parrino @ubspectrum.com