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Wednesday, February 12, 2010
Volume 59 Issue 52
An independent student publication of the University at Buffalo
University support services VP steps down By CAITLIN TREMBLAY Campus Editor
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to other administrators that he has designated. This interim system will last until President Simpson “evaluates UB’s administrative needs to determine the most appropriate organizational structure as we move forward.” Willis will remain at the university until June as a senior adviser to Simpson, working on special projects and helping to transition his current duties to other leaders in the university.
E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com
YEAR
Jim Ulrich / UB News Services
UB’s executive vice president for university support services, James A. “Beau” Willis, is stepping down after six years of service. Willis has long been President Simpson’s right hand man and is one of the university’s highest paid officials, making $261,000 in 2008. In an e-mail, President Simpson lamented the loss of his colleague, stating that Willis had “been instrumental in strengthening relationships with key university partners, developing our comprehensive physical master plan,
building UB, establishing the UB Gateway building on our downtown campus and strengthening our administrative infrastructure.” Willis came to UB from California as Simpson’s chief of staff. Willis was then removed from the post amid many questions regarding his current seat. UB officials could not be reached for comment on the situation. The Buffalo News reported that Willis was leaving due to a “personnel matter,” but the decision was amicable. Simpson also stated that UB departments that previously reported to Willis will now report
SA ELECTION UPDATE
James A. “Beau” Willis
Undergraduate students interested in running for a variety of positions in this year’s Student Association election may pick up applications at 350 Student Union until March 4 at noon. Available positions include president, vice president and treasurer, in addition to four delegate positions. A mandatory meeting will follow for candidates on March 5 at 4:30 p.m. This year’s election will be held March 23 through March 25 in the Student Union Theater. As students begin the application process, one full party has already come to fruition, according to unnamed see ELECTION page 8
L AT E R
Looking back on some lives altered by the crash of Flight 3407
Johnston, a 52-year-old father of three, had been on the plane.
By JESSICA DIGENNARO Asst. Life Editor
Fifty people. One airplane. It’s been one year since Continental Connection Flight 3407 crashed into a Clarence home, stunning all of Western New York and putting the nation’s aviation rules and regulations under federal scrutiny. Those nearest to the tragedy recall what it was like. Courtney Agius, a senior dance major, was spending a typical Thursday evening in front of the television when the sound of sirens disrupted her show. She leaped out of bed to investigate. From her brother Kyle’s bedroom window, Agius watched as fire trucks flew down Roll Road, one right after another. As Agius tried to make out the trucks’ destination, she looked up and saw a lit, pinkish sky in the distance with peculiar clouds looming overhead. Later, Agius would find out that her uncle, Kevin
The courageous firefighter
Norbert Ogiba / The Spectrum
There is an obvious void on Long Street in Clarence Center, where Continental Connection Flight 3407 crashed into a home one year ago.
While Agius was looking at the scene from inside her house, Timothy Dickenson, a Clarence Center volunteer firefighter, was sitting in one of the blaring trucks heading to Long Street. Dickenson, who attended UB in 2001, was unwinding at home when he received the call. Dickenson prayed he would encounter a small plane and only part of a home ablaze. But when their truck pulled up to the scene, he and the other responders realized the opposite was true. “When we arrived at the house, that’s when I saw the Continental tail wing and realized it was a large plane that had hit the house,” Dickenson said. “My sister works as a flight attendant for Continental so my immediate thought see FLIGHT page 4
Goin’ bald for a cause By RACHEL LAMB Life Editor
Norbert Ogiba / The Spectrum
Students went Bald for Bucks and donated their Locks of Love in the Student Union Wednesday.
Inside: Arts and Life ........... 5 Classifieds ............ 11 Opinion .................... 3 Sports .................. 12 This Weekend ........ 5
UB students waited in plastic chairs in the Student Union on Wednesday to voluntarily get their heads shaved. The Roswell Park Cancer Institute teamed up with Fantastic Sam’s Hair Salon and UB’s Student Life for Goin’ Bald for Bucks, where they charged $10 for a haircut to go toward patient services and cancer research at Roswell. “This is the first year UB has been involved with our fundraiser,” said Misha Russo, Senior Team Cure Coordinator at Roswell. “We’re thrilled because [UB] is such a big
COMEDY GOLD Sarah Silverman and hilarity continue on Comedy Central. See Page 5
school and we try to connect with as many schools as possible in the area.” According to Russo, Goin’ Bald for Bucks is involved with 25 schools in Western New York, including colleges, high schools and elementary schools. The program has gone as far as Maryland and Arizona. “UB did a really unique version of [the program],” Russo said. “Generally, schools get pledges to raise money before we come, but [the Union] is such a high traffic area that we just did walk-ins here.” The hairstylists at Fantastic Sam’s gave students options for different styles.
“[Students] can get their entire heads shaved to honor those going through chemotherapy,” Russo said. “Also, students with hair 10 inches or longer can donate to Locks of Love.” Winnie Lei, a junior civil engineering major, cut off her ponytail for the second time in order to give to Locks of Love. “My hair is really long, so I just figured, why not?” Lei said. “It’s not a big effort on my part and the ultimate goal is helping others.” Locks of Love is a not-forprofit organization that makes and delivers wigs for cancer patients, mostly children in the U.S. and Canada, who
HUGE BLOWOUT The women’s basketball team was destroyed by Ball State. See Page 12
have lost their hair during chemotherapy treatments. The organization accepts a minimum of 10 inches of hair that is the same length, which the donor can bundle into a ponytail or braid and then ship to the Locks of Love headquarters in Florida. After the event on Wednesday, The Student Activities Office sent donated hair to Locks of Love. The event was advertised in flyers throughout campus and on MyUB a few days before the event started. “I saw the notice on MyUB a few days ago,” said Keith McComb, a sophomore media see BALD page 8
Weather: Fri: 26o high / 16o low Sat: 27o high / 20o low Sun: 28o high / 20o low
The Spectrum
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February 12, 2010
Project1:Layout 1 2/10/10 6:47 AM Page 1 Photo Composition by Rob Schulz / The Spectrum
Sudoku Puzzle
In Memor i a m
Fill in the grids with digits in such a manner that every row, every column and every 3 X 3 box accommodates the digits 1-9, without repeating any
At approximately 10:20 p.m. on February 12, 2009, Continental Connection Flight 3407 crashed into a home in Clarence Center, killing all 49 people onboard and one person in the house. A year after these horrific events, we remember the fallen
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and those that they touched during their time on Earth. May they rest in peace.
Dipinder Sidhu Georges Abu Karam David Borner Linda Davidson Beverly Eckert Ronald Gonzalez Zhaofang Guo Kevin W. Johnston Nicole Korczykowski Jerome Krasuski Beth Ann Kushner Madeline Linn Loftus Don McDonald Dawn Monachino Dawn Mossop Ferris Reid Gerard Niewood Donna Prisco Capt. Marvin D. Renslow John G. Roberts III Rebecca Lynne Shaw Darren Tolsma Ernest West Shibin Yao Joseph J Zuffoletto
Mary Julia Abraham Clarence A. ‘Larry’ Beutel III Ronald Davidson Alison Des Forges John J. Fiore Brad S. Green Steven L. Johnson Ellyce Kausner Jonathan Perry Brian Kuklewicz Sean Lang Lorin Maurer Coleman Mellett Donald Mossop Shawn Mossop Jennifer Neill Mary ‘Belle’ Pettys Matilda Quintero Julie Ries Kristin Safran Jean Srnecz Susan Wehle Douglas C. Wielinski Clay Yarber Ruth Harel Katz
The Spectrum
February 12, 2010
O P I N I ON
Editorial Board Editor in Chief Stephen Marth Managing Editors David Sanchirico Jennifer Lombardo Matt Mosher Editorial Editor Jacob Shillman Campus Editors Caitlin Tremblay Brendon Bochacki, asst. Amanda Woods, asst. City Editors Jennifer Good Chelsie Hinckley, asst. Lauren Nostro, asst. Arts Editors Christopher DiMatteo, senior Eric Hilliker Jameson Butler, asst. Vanessa Frith, asst. James Twigg, asst. Life Editors Adrian Finch, senior Shane Fallon Rachel Lamb Jessica Brant, asst. Jessica DiGennaro, asst. Sports Editors Andrew Wiktor, senior Matt Parrino Joe Paterno Luke Hammill, asst. Christy Suhr, asst. Photo Editors Katie Carlett, senior Samantha Hicks Clinton Hodnett Norbert Ogiba, asst. Rob Schulz, asst. Copy Editors Forrest John Crawford Meghan Farrell Laura Neese
No compromise Tea Party movement makes cooperation with president difficult If you’ve been paying attention to the political news for the past few months, there is a new buzzword: bipartisanship. Democrats and Republicans have been paying lip service to bipartisanship. But the Democrats have failed in passing any comprehensive legislation lately, mainly because Republicans just say no. It’s a calculated response in anticipation of this November’s midterm election; they want the Democrats to flounder in Congress. This is the Tea Party movement. It is amazing to think that such a movement did not exist until last year. It is easily the most gripping political movement in the United States. The aims and ideology of the movement remain hard to quantify. They don’t see themselves as activists, but rather counter-revolutionaries. Recently, “Tea Party Nation” had its first national convention. It ended with a fiery speech against the president, given by Sarah Palin, the movement’s unofficial poster child. In it, Palin says she might run for president in 2012. This country has problems and the United States needs the brightest minds to solve them. America needs its president to be the smartest person in the room. Bush Jr., the guy “we wanted to have a beer with,” sped up this disastrous path the country is currently on. Allowing another four years of that to occur would be ridiculous.
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One thing remains certain about the Tea Party – it is not interested in reforming the health care system, increasing the budget or trade legislation. It’s a highly disorganized grassroots movement. The party wants to recapture America, which it believes has been on the wrong track for generations. Those successive administrations have ballooned the federal government and twisted the Constitution and rights of states and individuals. Over the past 30 years, America has grown and developed into one of the most prosperous nations in the world. Recently, things have gone astray; changes need to be made. Some points are valid. For instance, the federal budget is out of control. Some have argued that reductions in entitlement spending can help ease the crisis. Unless the Tea Party can come up with viable solutions instead of just killing any proposal, then its view shouldn’t be considered. The movement is currently contained to fiery speeches, but it can mobilize big numbers, which means that it can spread the word, raise money and get out and vote. It already flexed its political muscles while forcing a moderate Republican out of New York’s 23rd congressional district last year. This means that any moderate Republican that compromises with the president would be a target. But if it’s dangerous to antagonize the Tea Party, is it also just as dangerous to associate with them?
An entity independent of student mandatory funds
Business Manager Debbie Smith
To the editor,
Advertising Designer Christopher Lonzi Web Editor Andrew Muraco Creative Directors Christopher Caporlingua Adam Cole, asst. Daniel Tcharnyi, asst. 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 spectrum-editorial@buffalo.edu. The Spectrum reserves the right to edit these pieces for style or length. If a letter is not meant for publication, please mark it clearly as such. All submissions must include the author’s name, daytime phone number and e-mail address.
The Spectrum is provided free by the Undergraduate Mandatory Activity Fee
FEBRUARY 12, 2010 VOLUME 59 NUMBER 52 CIRCULATION: 10,000 The Spectrum is represented for national advertising by 360 Youth. 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 2010 Buffalo, N.Y. The Spectrum is printed by Buffalo Newspress PO Box 648, Buffalo, NY 14240-0648.
It is highly likely, seeing that Mr. Fallon’s Monday article suggested the organizations potential formation at Buffalo State College, that the most feasible solution would be the creation of a nationallyrecognized youth and college chapter of the NAACP.
While it is not my intent to equate contentment to slavery, I do wish to shed light on the inaction in both cases that is possibly our universities legacy, but I would not bank on such an assumption. There are issues at this university that cut far deeper than any whiteout would ever resolve. The NAACP, on its Web site, defines its vision as “to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights and there is no racial hatred or racial discrimination”. If an organization cannot be held to the standards that it sets for itself then it need consider existence as an entity independent of student mandatory funds. I hope that the young people find a much-needed voice in this divided city, and that they take this letter as mere constructive criticism and nothing more. David Rose Senior urban and public policy major dcrose@buffalo.edu
Foreign languages are beneficial for journalists Job requires more than understanding To the editor, As a journalist myself, I’d like to congratulate Matt Parrino on his amazing gift of prophecy — for how else could be so sure, at age 20, that he will never, ever need to know a foreign language for the entire rest of his life? (“Say ‘Ciao’...,” 2/8/10) It’s not like journalists ever get sent to foreign countries. Or interview non-native speakers here at home. Or read overseas coverage of events for a different perspective. And it’s not like anything newsworthy ever happens in those non-Englishspeaking areas of the globe, anyway. No, learning a foreign language is clearly an epic time sink. And while we’re at it, what’s up with that “emphasis on well-rounded students”? While Mr. Parrino allows that a case can be made — “to a certain
Radio silence
E-mail: vanessa.frith@ubspectrum.com
Professional Staff
The aforementioned struggle of our universities first chancellor, Millard Fillmore, emanates from the behavior and attitude of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on our university campus. As their complacency as an organization exists in abundance, falling in line with the decline in student activism nationwide, it is possible that their removal from the Student Association need not be appealed this semester or in the next.
see SANCHIRICO page 4
Edward Batchelder
Disappointment and letdowns
Advertising Manager David Vogt
I’m tired of this place. Three-and-a-half years in the 716 are enough for me. It’s time for some new surroundings, new people, and new challenges. These thoughts have been running in my head for a while now. I’ve been craving the need to relocate for sometime now; this world is too big, and life too short to be boxed away from the other 6.7 billion people and the millions of miles that stretch this green and blue sphere of life. But every time these beliefs take over my thoughts, I go back four years ago and remember the last time I felt this way. I was a high school senior, ready to jet across that stage at UAlbany on graduation day, snatch that Albany High David Sanchirico School diploma, and drive Managing Editor away, keeping my eyes looking forward, never to peek at the rearview mirror. I had my suitcase full of memories from the first 18 years of my life, but I moved it to the backseat and reserved the passenger one; the future called shotgun on the passenger seat. I look back now and worship that Albany suitcase. On all of my trips back home, I sneak out late during the first night back and take a drive. It’s not a clichéd stroll down memory lane, but a drive with a serious purpose. It reminds me what shaped my personality, what made me that fitted-wearing, goofy smilesporting, 22-year-old anxious soul that some of you either love or hate.
I mean, really — of what possible benefit could a well-rounded education be for that?
E D I TO R
God knows that I detest slavery, but it is an existing evil, for which we are not responsible, and we must endure it, till we can get rid of it without destroying the last hope of free government in the world.
Where the heart is
Radio has died. An investigation was launched, but the prime suspect, video, was acquitted late last night. It was deemed a suicide, induced by mass amounts of mind-numbing, repetitive mainstream trash. The FM dial is slowly fading into obscurity, relegated to car rides and auto shops. It no longer posses the ability to captivate me; I change the station in annoyance and squirm as DJs fill time with pointless banter. I don’t care what you ate for breakfast. I just want to hear the music. I used to beg my parents to turn on the radio in the car. Now, I sit there trying to refrain myself from banging my head into the dashboard, wondering if the awful playlist is really worth the five minutes of my life that was just wasted in commercials. The other day, standing in the checkout line, I thought the radio had redeemed itself. Lyrics that had never graced my ears from anything but an MP3 player were suddenly flowing from the speakers. Yellowcard and Motion City Soundtrack filled the air for six glorious minutes. Then it all came crashing down when I found out that they had Sirius. Vanessa Frith Perhaps it’s the rise of Asst. Arts Editor iPods, which give people the ability to have whatever music they want at their fingertips, whenever they want it. Or it could just be the fact that radio stations have begun to cater only to the mainstream. I think it’s the latter. Big names fill the airwaves, playing their hits over and over. Lady Gaga, Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson and, for some unknown reason, Ke$ha dominate the playlists. Up and coming bands never play. When Fall Out Boy was still getting their feet wet, the only way to hear them was through the wonderful system that is MySpace music. Yet now that they are done and gone, every trip to the store gives me another chance to listen to “Sugar, We’re Going Down.” I used to like that song, really I did. No more. It’s not like no one else has become disgusted by the quality of radio today. The Ataris even devoted a whole song to it, called “Radio #2”: “Call the request lines and tell them that it’s over/ You’re always playin’ all of the same songs/ Over and over again/ It’s about time that we all turned off the radio.” Listen to them. Shut off the radio. Maybe the DJs will crawl under a rock with a bunch of old Nickleback albums and hide until the apocalypse. My ears will thank them.
Graphics Designer Rafael Kobayashi
Administrative Assistant Helene Polley
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extent” — for distractions like history, clearly, his time really would be so much better spent “entrenched in his field of study,” as he so aptly puts it. After all, he only aspires to be a journalist . . . a job that requires little more than the ability to understand and report on the complex, varied, and often incomprehensible activities of his fellow human beings, for the benefit of other human beings.
Freelance journalist & ESL language instructor edward@edwardbatchelder.com
Correction: In the article “Downtown Buffalo business leaders demand parking reform” in Monday’s issue of The Spectrum, Donald Shoup was incorrectly referred to as Daniel Shoup. The Spectrum regrets the error.
The Spectrum
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February 12, 2010
Worst aviation catastrophe ever recorded in Western New York FLIGHT from page 1 was, ‘Where is my sister?’ ” Luckily, Dickenson’s sister was not on that Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft on that February night. En route from Newark, New Jersey, Continental Connection Flight 3407 spun out of the sky during its final descent into the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, crashing into the two-story home of the Wielinski family, killing 49 people on the plane and Douglas Wielinski in his home. Six UB alumni were among the dead. It was the worst aviation catastrophe ever recorded in Western New York history and the deadliest U.S. air accident in eight years.
The local reporter Pete Gallivan, a reporter at WGRZ, was an anchor at the time of the Feb. 12, 2009 tragedy. He was sleeping when the station called around 12:30 a.m. Twenty-five minutes later, Gallivan was on set, starting a shift that would last until three o’clock the next day. According to Gallivan, who was fueled by coffee combined with
“It’s one of those moments you really galvanize in your mind why you are there and what you are doing.” -Pete Gallivan
adrenaline, those 15 hours soared by. “It’s not even that you’re expected to be there – you want to be there because this is why you got into the business in the first place,” Gallivan said. “It’s one of those moments you really galvanize in your mind why you are there and what you are doing ... you’re giving people vital information that they’ll be depending on.” Gallivan said that he threw the cardinal rule of reporting out the window while covering Flight 3407 because it was impossible not to feel sympathy. “In this situation you still need to stay focused, but you also have to remain compassionate,” Gallivan said. “You’re trying to convey urgency and you’re also trying to be a real person and connect to the people. And if you’re not going
faculty & student
being a student or faculty saves you 10%* at
“And I thought to myself, ‘This girl is too young to have a bucket list.’ ”
to show any emotion whatsoever, you’re doing the viewer a disservice ... because a news reader is not what people need in that situation, they need an advocate – they need someone who is in it with them.” Gallivan talked with the victims’ families during the final National Transportation Safety Board hearing, which was held on Feb. 2, 355 days after the crash. The report cited pilot error, not icing conditions as originally proposed, as the main cause of last year’s crash. “It was almost a year [later]. And listening to the play-by-play of what went wrong and listening to the family members – they’re still grieving, but now it’s also frustration that not only has nothing changed since the accident, but the recommendations made a decade before were never addressed,” Gallivan said. “So you’ve got the whole dynamic of the grieving process coming on the one-year anniversary of the crash, but you’ve also got the [notion] that they don’t want their loved ones’ deaths to be in vain.”
their financial decision, so we’re angry and pretty determined to see the laws changed.” The Kausners had spent that February night vacationing in the Florida Keys and watching the movie The Family That Preys when the song “I Hope you Dance” by Lee Ann Womack issued from the speakers. “I was listening to that song and I thought, ‘Wow, that’s just like Elly,’” John said. Elly was a chance-taker, according to her parents. She had been skydiving more than once, traveled frequently, and swam with dolphins just a week before her passing. “[When she returned] from swimming with the dolphins, Elly said to me, ‘Mom, I’ve crossed another thing off my bucket list,’” said Marilyn. “And I thought to myself, ‘This girl is too young to have a bucket list.’”
The grieving parents
The widowed professor
When Marilyn and John Kausner of Clarence Center bought their youngest daughter Elly, 24, a Continental plane ticket, they assumed she would be flying on Continental Airlines. But after Elly, a second year law student at the Florida Coastal School of Law, was lost in last year’s crash, it was found that Continental did not operate her plane. Instead, Colgan Air, a smaller regional airline, did. “Flying Cheap,” a PBS FRONTLINE documentary, aired Tuesday night and zeroed in on the regional airline industry, which now accounts for more than half of America’s commercial flights. The program portrayed the growing industry, with Colgan Air as its poster airline, as one that is out to make a profit, even if it means ignoring safety procedures. Capt. Marvin D. Renslow, 47, Flight 3407’s pilot, was found by the NTSB to have had just over 600 hours of flying time when he was hired by Colgan Air – less than half of the required training time for most of the major airlines. Renslow’s first officer, Rebecca Shaw, 24, was in no condition to fly after commuting from Seattle, Washington the night before and sleeping in crew lounges until the flight’s takeoff. The cockpit’s voice recorder later revealed Shaw saying that she wanted to call in sick that day, but couldn’t afford the expense of a hotel room. “What we found out now is that [Colgan Air] didn’t really have two qualified people in the cockpit,” Marilyn said. “And our daughter became the collateral damage of
Roger Des Forges, a professor in UB’s Department of History, sat in the airport one year ago waiting for his wife, Alison, to arrive. Des Forges kept his eyes transfixed on the flight monitor, which read that Flight 3407 was on time. Next, it said the flight was experiencing delays. Then it dropped off the screen altogether. Airport personnel gathered a number of people into a room to announce that the plane had crashed. Des Forges then found a security officer and introduced himself. “[The officer] said, ‘It’s very, very bad,’” Des Forges said. “I asked him, ‘Does that mean there are no survivors?’ And he just said, ‘It’s very, very bad.’” Alison Des Forges, 66, was also a professor in the Department of History and was returning from a trip to London that Thursday night with a member of British Parliament. They spoke about the legal system in Rwanda, an issue she had devoted her life to. With the passing of his wife, Des Forges has focused his energy over the past year on completing the humanitarian work Alison started. A celebrated human rights advocate and historian, Des Forges will always remember Alison as the woman he fell in love with as a senior in high school. “We went to two different colleges and married as soon as we graduated. Then we went to graduate school together – she studied Africa and I studied China,” said Des Forges. “She lived a very full and busy life and devoted herself to [me]; our two
- Marilyn Kausner
children; the city that she loved – Buffalo, N.Y.; and to Rwanda and human rights, in general.”
The supervisor of a devastated town Scott Bylewski, the Clarence town supervisor, was relaxing at home on his couch when he heard the crash that would change his community forever – but to him it just sounded like a metal door slamming. When the first responders and disaster coordinator informed him that it had, in fact, been a plane crash, Bylewski found himself transforming from his role of husband and father to presiding over a community of nearly 29,000 that had been struck with tragedy. Utilizing his UB business and law degrees, Bylewski immediately went into crisis control. He declared a state of emergency in Clarence, making sure the right people were in place and the right facts assembled. Eleven days after the accident, Long Street was reopened and Clarence Center returned to its everyday operations. But its residents were not left unchanged, according to Bylewski. “We’ve always been a closeknit community, but [the disaster] helped bring us closer,” Bylewski said. “When it’s all said and done, we will keep moving forward together and become a stronger community.” One year later, the crash site is now occupied by two snowy fields. The Wielinski family plans to put up a small, unobtrusive memorial where their house once stood and Bylewski says the Town of Clarence will eventually house a bigger version to memorialize the event that will forever be cemented in his town’s foundation.
The difference maker Kyle Agius, a sophomore business major, began selling red bracelets one month after his uncle, Kevin Johnston, died in the crash. The bracelets read, “In Memory of Flight 3407.” Almost a year and over 4,000 bracelets later, he has raised $5,500, which he plans to donate to Clarence’s Flight 3407 memorial. Those interested in purchasing the $2 bracelets can visit Kyle Agius’s Facebook group, “Flight 3407 Bracelets.” His uncle Kevin has been gone a year now, but Agius believe he and the 49 others will be part of Clarence forever. E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com
A necessary reminder of who I am SANCHIRICO from page 3
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My Mitsubishi slowly hugs the street as I examine the sound waveless streets. I look at an empty Albany High School. The milk chocolate bricks of the buildings don’t please the eyes, but my hippocampus sparks with scenes from the past. My first punch to the face happened in that cafeteria. My first real party happened on that old football field. Albany High, where a majority of students drop out, made me realize that I was fortunate to having a safe, healthy and well-nurtured life. The rumination session continues to flow as my car collects the miles. I pass by where I was jumped for my pair of Timberlands – where I saw that the world is cruel to everyone, from saddened Dave, who lost his shoes, to the two kids that didn’t want torn-up Reeboks on their feet in January.
On Madison Avenue I see where I learned to deejay, where my addiction to music of the world began. It’s right next to the movie theater where my love for movies developed. I then steer past my old elementary school, where there’s a dearth of memories, but the most powerful ones remain. It’s where I saw that there was more outside of Albany. It’s where I wept in my sixth grade class after I found out my grandfather died – when I learned nothing was to be taken for granted and that your heartbeat is never guaranteed. They continue to enter my head. My car passes the venue of my first kiss, when cooties no longer existed. It comes near Ridgefield Park, where I had my first job and realized that you had to work toward everything. This is just a few blocks from where my heart was broken for the first time. These trips are a necessary
reminder of who I am. I anticipated change after my freshman year at UB, but it was for the worse. Those around me, who learned different lessons in their hometowns, influenced me. My 18 years in the 518 didn’t provide many happy times, so I felt I needed to change. But I was becoming a person I was always against. I thought materials validated coolness. Motivation to succeed was missing. Happiness was dictated by what you had. I went home and remembered why I felt different. Those I grew up with noticed my changes and spited me. I wasn’t the old Dave. And I thank them for helping me realize my thoughts. Now that suitcase is back up front, along with the memories I’ve gathered here at UB. E-mail: david.sanchirico@ubspectrum.com
The Spectrum
February 12, 2010
5
AR T S & LI F E The queen of Hardly serious Comedy Central By JAMESON BUTLER Asst. Arts Editor
By CHRISTOPHER Di MATTEO Outlandish, crude and demented. These terms can easily describe the comedy of Sarah Silverman, and she would see it as a form of praise. “I think that comedy is the one area where demented is a compliment. If I was a lawyer or I had Katie Couric’s job and I was called demented, then that would probably be a problem,” Silverman said. “I take that as a compliment.” The rising comedian has just begun the third season of The Sarah Silverman Program, and does not plan on censoring herself anytime soon. “It doesn’t make sense in comedy to try to not offend anybody, because you never know what’s going to offend people because that all depends on where they’re coming from. Once you put it out there, you know, it’s like it’s for the audience to decide, it’s for you to say if it’s offensive,
In a world where comedians rely more heavily on self-loathing than anything else, one man has the guts to stand up and say nay. Tosh.0 has returned for its second season on Comedy Central. Hosted by the evercontroversial Daniel Tosh, the show pushes the habitants of the Internet to their breaking points. Tosh has made a name for himself with his brash and unapologetic comedy, which means that not everyone is exactly a fan. “Half of my Twitter is people just screaming [at] me and calling me offensive things … I get nothing but hate mail. Sadly, it’s the only stuff I really respond to,” Tosh said. Tosh, who is not afraid to speak his mind, has many theories on why so many people take such offense to his absurdity. “People don’t like when jokes are directed at them … people only get offended by jokes that personally impact them. They don’t care if you’re making fun of some horrible tragedy that
see SILVERMAN page 8
see TOSH page 8
Senior Arts Editor
Both photos courtesy of Comedy Central
The always crude and hilarious Sarah Silverman returns to Comedy Central.
Daniel Tosh continues to make fun of the internet and the people who use it.
FML for optimists By RACHEL LAMB Life Editor
“Today, there was this girl in heels running in front of me at school, and she slipped on ice. Trying to be a hero, I dropped my backpack and ran up to help her, but ended up slipping and landing on her leg. As I walked back to my backpack, I found out that I dropped my laptop and broke it. FML.” Anecdotes like the one above are from the popular Web site FMyLife.com, a Twitter lookalike where people can share how their days were spoiled. Unfaithful significant others, clumsy spills and just plain bad luck are a source of entertainment for what must be thousands of viewers a day. “[FML] is pretty funny,” said Anthony Pierce, a freshman pharmacology and toxicology major. “I enjoy the randomness of it.” GivesMeHope.com, started by Gaby Montero and Emerson Spartz in May 2009, is a Web site that is the polar
opposite of FML. “[Gaby Montero and I] were looking at [FML] one day and wondering why there wasn’t a Web site that didn’t end in misery,” Spartz said. Montero and Spartz, who both graduated from Notre Dame University last spring and became engaged in April 2009, have years of experience with their own personal Web sites – Spartz is perhaps best known for creating the popular Harry Potter Web site Mugglenet.com. The pair was discouraged by all of the negativity in the media today and decided that
their Web skills were the perfect avenue for GMH. “Society encourages us to be cynical and negative … and to freely share criticism,” Spartz said. “Whenever we give a genuine compliment to someone, it’s considered ‘un-cool.’” However, according to the creators, GMH has approximately one million viewers per month and is constantly getting fan mail and letters from readers who tell Montero and Spartz how their site has changed their lives. “We get countless letters from people claiming that [GMH] has helped them from dropping out of school, helped them with their body image and even saved lives,” Spartz said. According to him, Spartz recently got a letter from a man who claimed that after he sent his suicidal friend the link to GMH, the friend stopped his plans
The life and times of the caveman By GEOFFREY COOK Staff Writer
The first man on earth was the caveman, but the funniest man in Buffalo very well could be Paul Perroni, based on his performance of Defending the Caveman at Shea’s Performing Arts Center. Written by Rob Becker, this one-man play examines the social and Defending see GMH page 8 psychological difference between the Caveman men and women and the comedy that occurs as a result. Becker studied psychology, sociology and prehisWho: Jameson Butler Who: James Twigg Who: Chris Di Matteo tory over a three-year period in order to create the What: The Wolfman What: Friction dance party What: Keepin’ it real play, which has been translated into sixteen different When: Friday Morning When: 10 p.m., Friday When: 24-2 languages and performed across the world. Where: Any theater Where: Staples on Allen Where: Everywhere I go Cocktails flowed liberally and the atmosphere Why: Benicio Del Toro stars and produces Why: This dance party will be Why: Because someone has to. was intimate as Perroni stepped onstage with spear the remake of a monster classic. And showcasing some of the best Buffalo in hand to tell the tales of the caveman. who better to chase the Wolfman down DJs around. Not to mention that there Defending the Cavemen looks into how little has than Agent Smith? Good thing the next is drink specials and no cover charge. changed with the issues of men and women, but also full moon isn’t for another two weeks. includes hilarious moments when the caveman looks at modern issues through a prehistoric eye. The play is mainly about the difference between the sexes. Men are hunters and women are gatherers; men negotiate and women cooperate. It seems cliché, but was incredibly relatable as Perroni portrayed it onstage, using his wife, Connie, as a frequent reference point. Being a music fan is an facility fees that are attached to purchasing tickets could arise. once the driving force behind the A classic instance is the difference between how extremely fun lifestyle to lead. the price of general admission This new form of selling tick- enterprise, has been replaced men and women use the remote control. It was only Unfortunately, it’s also a very already, which can add up to $10. ets would require fans to bid with hunger for money. made more hilarious when it was filtered through expensive one. And thanks to With the recent creation of Live against one another for the right Fortunately many artists still Perroni’s caveman persona. a recent merger in the business Nation Entertainment’s near to see the show. As of yet, the know where their loyalties lie “Men are focused on killing channels, while world, things are about to get monopoly on the market, there new corporation has shown no and have spoken out against women want to gather as much information as they worse. is a strong possibility that sign of incorporating this the merger, including the leg- can about them. Men don’t just watch TV, they Roughly three weeks ago, after this amount will drastically new system, but rumors endary blue-collar hero, Bruce become the TV,” said Perroni. nearly a year of deliberation on increase. are afoot. Springsteen. Perroni continued with television, noting men’s the matter, the Department When the cost of the fees There is a chance that Springsteen has expressed strong relationship with the idiot box. of Justice agreed to allow the nearly doubles the price of the company could keep his opposition and even made “When my wife, Connie, is talking to me and merger of ticket sale juggernauts the ticket, there is clearly things the same, or better the purchase of tickets to his I’m watching TV, she doesn’t realize that I can’t Ticketmaster and Live Nation. something wrong. yet , be decent New Jersey shows run through hear her,” said Perroni. “I can’t hear her because For consistent concertgoers, The new human beings and TicketsNow in response. I’m inside the TV.” James Twigg this is far from good news. c o m p a n y has reduce the already I hope his fellow artists will Men have the amazing ability of not speaking Asst. Arts Editor According to New York Sena- successfully created a high fees tacked onto remain grateful for the support to one another during the hours spent watching tor Charles Schumer, the new stranglehold upon the music admission. However, based on that fans have given to them television. This led Perroni to cover the humorous ticket powerhouse, who now scene. what we’ve seen from the music over the years and do every- methods of communications of men and women. flies under the banner of Live As unbearable as an increase industry, I wouldn’t get your thing in their power to keep “On average, women speak ten thousand words a Nation Entertainment, controls in fees seems, many believe that hopes up. their concerts from breaking day, and men, two thousand,” said Perroni. “When an estimated 80 percent of all it’s not the worse thing that can Somewhere along the way, their fans’ banks. men grunt, mumble or speak unintelligibly, it simply ticket sales. happen. With the severe drop in the music industry lost sight of Between tickets, fees and means, ‘We’re out of words for that day.’” Many of you are well aware competition, ideas are swirling what’s important: the music. The of the steep “convenience” and that a new “auction” style of importance of talent, which was see TWIGG page 8 see CAVEMAN page 9
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Offending people isn’t goal SILVERMAN from page 5 not offensive, or risky or this or that,” Silverman said. Silverman made it clear that offending people is not her goal, it just happens. “We’re not looking to offend anybody, but we’re definitely looking to make ourselves laugh and put the stuff out there that makes us laugh. And definitely, sometimes, that’s just the way it is,” Silverman said. Still, there are some jokes that she does draw a line for. “The one thing I do tend to say is like I don’t like fat jokes about women … unless it’s so crazy funny, but it usually bums me out,” Silverman said. Fat jokes about women bother the comic because she believes that there is a large portion of our country that accepts fat men but is overcritical of fat women. “At least in white America, it’s like [fat women] don’t deserve love or something, and that’s scary to me, and upsetting,” Silverman said. The new season of the show may not have a lot of jokes about people’s weight, but there are still plenty of crazy antics to entertain quite a wide range of viewers. From flying to getting shot out of a cannon to competing for who has the best Holocaust memorial, Silverman’s story lines are certainly nowhere near “run of the mill.” This may be part of the reason why there is such a wide range in the age of audience members. “It’s crazy how many 10- and 11-year-olds like the show. I think it’s kind of like a lot of shows … there are little kids that love it and they understand it on one level, and then there are the college kids that kind of get it all around and then there are older people that kind of get it on a different level. I’m always surprised by the age range,” Silverman said. The wide range of this season’s guest stars is another thing that
makes the program different. Bill Maher, Ed Asner, Bradley Whitford and Patton Oswald are just a few of the many stars that will be making appearances on this season of The Sarah Silverman Program. Silverman was particularly happy to work with Andy Samberg, who plays her childhood imaginary friend that comes back all grown up. “It was awesome; I just love him so much. Cute as a button. He was super funny, he was really fun to work with. It was his birthday one of the days that we were shooting. He was just like such a great sport. He’s like a little brother,” Silverman said. Although Silverman does draw some topics for the show from her real life, she hopes that she is not like the main character. “I think my character is a little more dumb. I always think of her as an ignorant and arrogant person, which is an awful combination but fun to watch, I think,” Silverman said. The worst thing the comic sees about her character is her attempts to create her identity from the outside in. “The thing about the Sarah Silverman I play on the show is that she’s always looking for an identity to put on, and I think the real way to go about it in life is to kind of just discover who you are from the inside out,” Silverman said. “She kind of defines who she wants to be from the outside in, and I think that kind of exists in people just kind of looking for an identity without really looking in themselves.” Many people consider it hard to be a female comic, but Silverman is optimistic and sees it differently. “A lot of people say, ‘What’s it like to be a women comic?’ and to be honest, I’ve only ever been a woman comic and I don’t know any different,” Silverman said. “You know, the struggles I have may be unique to women but there are struggles that men have too in comedy, especially because they are much more dime a dozen.” Silverman’s manic humor can be seen on The Sarah Silverman Program every Thursday at 10:30 p.m. on Comedy Central.
February 12, 2010
Web site will bring about smiles GMH from page 5 to end his life. “The guy said that he could never leave a world that has this much beauty in it,” Spartz said. GMH is less than a year old and has already gotten a lot of media attention, including USA Today and the Los Angeles Times. Spartz also believes that GMH has attracted viewers because of the shoddy economy. “Right now, it’s important to be grateful for what we have,” Spartz said. “We need reasons to look forward to every day.” As Spartz has stated, it’s the hilarity of laughing at other people’s lives that makes sites like FML so popular and some UB students doubt that the following of GMH will be as great as
its antithesis. “I don’t think people are going to be interested in a site [like GMH],” said Alyssa Appleby, a senior speech and hearing major. “People like to complain and are more interested in negative attitudes.” However, there are some UB students who believe that the Web site will give people something to smile about. “GMH is a great idea,” said Hannah Chong, a senior physician’s assistant major. “It’s good that people want to see the positive things that people are doing.” Currently, GMH has an iPhone application and is in the middle of a book deal, which will hit the shelves in the fall. “The book will be a combination of both new anecdotes and some of
the ones from the site,” Spartz said. Spartz and Montero have also made a branched Web site, LoveGivesMeHope.com, for all of their viewers who couldn’t get enough of the love stories found on GMH. According to Spartz, LGMH is only a month old, and if this trial site works out then they may be making more sub-sites. LGMH already has about one-fourth to one-third of the traffic of GMH. “[We] are very enthusiastic about all of the encouragement that we have been getting,” Spartz said. “Gaby and I believe that right now it’s more important to focus on good things [in the world] than on bad ones.” E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com
Tosh encouraged Wikipedia tomfoolery TOSH from page 5 didn’t affect them, but you do one joke about [car crashes, people say], ‘Hey, I had a cousin that got hit by a car.’ Now any time you do jokes about people getting hit by a car, I’m the bad guy. It’s really not fair,” Tosh declared. In the past, Tosh had instructed his viewers to go to the show’s Wikipedia and mess with the information on it. However, this did not go as Tosh had planned. “First of all, I got in a lot of trouble by announcing on the show to encourage people to go to my Wikipedia page and change things, ’cause I thought it was funny. Even if you go to my high school Wikipedia page now, they have written awful things … They said I used to go back to Germany to get these hormone treatments because I was trying to have a sex change to compete in female athletics,” Tosh said. That’s what happens when a celebrity messes with the Internet and invites the users to write whatever they want about him. But
Tosh hardly thinks of himself as a celebrity. “Oh, famous, strong word – hasn’t happened. I don’t even get recognized on the street. I’m not famous,” Tosh clarified. Tosh, who has garnered fame for his outrageous standup, made sure that one thing was crystal clear. “I wasn’t doing standup to get television and I’m not doing television to not do stand up. They are two very separate things for me,” Tosh said. Although Tosh.0 may be a little more sensitive to the watcher’s feelings than his standup, Tosh admitted that he does steal bits from his stand up and integrate them into the show. “That’s usually because the writers are lazy and they are like, ‘Hey, why don’t you do that funny thing that you do on stage,’” Tosh said. When recalling different episodes of the show, Tosh certainly has plenty of memories of the Web Redemptions. To those that are unfamiliar with the show, this is a segment where Tosh gives a YouTube blunder a doover and a chance for the humiliated
person to redeem him- or herself. “The worst probably was the girl that bombed a hill skateboarding and fell. That was probably the worst … I wanted to put her on top of a mountain on a skateboard and just send her and whatever happens, happens. It was so embarrassing what they wouldn’t let me do. We basically had her rolling down a sidewalk at one mile an hour, so it enraged me,” Tosh said. Being that the show is based on videos from the Internet, Tosh has a vast cast of characters that he speaks about, but he favors some more than others. He even knows who he would choose to live with. “I would have to say Christian Bale because I like my house very dark and he seems to be very upset when the lights are turned on. And if I ever get kidnapped, who better than Batman to find me?” Tosh said. Not many people could find a problem with that answer. Tosh.0 airs new episodes on Wednesday at 10:30 PM on Comedy Central. E-mail: arts@ubspectrum.com
E-mail: arts@ubspectrum.com
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sources. Current SA Treasurer Jordan Fried is heading the ticket as president, with Step Troupe President Kevin Southern running on the ticket as vice president. Ryan Linden will run for Fried’s current position as treasurer. For the delegate openings, Amanda Jonas will run for the position she currently holds. Also running will be Jennifer Harb, Yazan Alsaadeh and Davonte Shannon, safety for the Buffalo Bulls. — Stephen Marth, Editor in Chief
E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com
George’s spirit lives on BALD from page 1 study major. “I’ve given money before, but I’m here because I thought it was a good cause and my hair was getting very long. I needed a haircut anyway.” Goin’ Bald for Bucks was started in 2002 when Cathleen George was struggling with cancer and tumors, according to www.baldforbucks. org. When she started losing hair, her brother told her that he would shave his head and not let his hair grow back until hers did. George died in 2004, but her spirit still lives on through this annual fundraiser. Fundraisers like these occur throughout the world. Anish Paul Antony, a Ph.D. student in electrical engineering, has shaved his head to commemorate cancer before. “I try to look for opportunities like
[Goin’ Bald for Bucks] so that I can support them. I get my head shaved at least once a semester,” Antony said. “I feel really good after doing this, [giving money to organizations like these] should be something that all students do.” Although the event was at UB on Wednesday, there are plenty of opportunities for students and faculty who didn’t get a chance to donate that day. All donating information and details about when the next event will be is available on www.baldforbucks.com or www.locksoflove.org. “We came to UB because it has such a high traffic area and even if people didn’t get their hair cut or donate, they still saw us,” Russo said. “Awareness is just as important as raising money.” E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com
Prices could jump to triple digits TWIGG from page 5 merchandise a single low level show could likely cost upward of $50. That’s without taking into account gas or lodging for the shows that require some travel. Granted, road trips aren’t the most common aspect of show going, but they still come up. So far this year I’ve made trips
to both Mansfield and Pittsburgh, Pa. for concerts. Fees for music festivals, whose ticket prices are already expensive due to the size of the event, could potentially raise prices into the triple digits. Just seeing my favorite bands when I can has me stretching my dollar as far as it will go. Should
my fears be realized, my favorite pasttime could take a serious hit. There are storm clouds on the horizon and we, as fans, will just have to weather the storm and hopefully come out intact once it’s all blown over. E-mail: james.twigg@ubspectrum.com
The Spectrum
February 12, 2010
Miller will start for Team USA
Broken hearts By MATT WEBER Staff Reporter
PATERNO from page 12 will be faster and much more talented with a young roster. But the Americans don’t have a single forward that has ever scored a goal in the Olympics, and that’s a concern. The U.S. will rely heavily on Buffalo native Patrick Kane, as well as Ryan Kessler, Phil Kessel, Ryan Malone, Zach Parise, Bobby Ryan and Paul Stastny to put the puck in the net. All of them have quickly become proven goal scorers in the NHL, but I’m not sold that will translate to world competition in their first year of international action. Team America’s true inexperience, however, will show along the blue line. Six of the seven defensemen headed to Vancouver will be making their first Olympic appearances. Things have already started off poorly after news broke that their top-two defensemen, Mike Komisarek and Paul Martin, would not compete due to injury. Rafalski will provide veteran leadership, but the rest of the lineup is too young and raw to contain the world’s best. This doesn’t bode well for Ryan Miller. The Buffalo Sabres’ goaltender will be making his first Olympic showing after being snubbed from the team four years ago. Miller has played the best hockey of his career this season and is the single reason why Buffalo has been successful this year. His .937 save percentage leads the NHL and he is third in the league with a 2.15 goals against average. The Americans will go as far as Miller takes them. No other Olympian has greater pressure to perform than Miller, and I fully expect him to be the star in Vancouver. He will likely steal a game or two for the U.S., but against the likes of Canada, Russia and Sweden, Miller will only be able to hold out for so long before breaking. We’ll see what the U.S. is made of when it opens up group play against the Swiss on Tuesday. The U.S. will come out hungry and motivated to prove naysayers – including myself – wrong. Despite Burke’s expectations to win gold, most don’t expect the next generation of Americans to get to the medal rounds. Then again, the same was said about the 1980 Americans. Could another miracle on ice be on the horizon? E-mail: joe.paterno@ubspectrum.com
Not hindered by logic CAVEMAN from page 5 Details are the lifeblood of any conversation involving a woman. With men, silence is golden. One of the more enjoyable aspects of Defending the Caveman was its simplicity – one man, one stage and a couple of set pieces. That was it. A cave painting or two hung behind Perroni were the only props. Perroni closed his show with the proposal that women are not hindered by logic. This wasn’t said to be offensive; it was said as a compliment. What Perroni means is that women have the amazing ability to look beyond the logic of an issue and do what needs to be done, regardless of what makes sense. The comedy was extremely accessible and relatable to all ages and all walks of life, although the humor was geared slightly more toward women. Defending the Caveman will be at Shea’s Performing Arts Center until Valentine’s Day. E-mail: arts@ubspectrum.com
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Valentine’s Day
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Surprisingly, Bradley Cooper (All About Steve) was the only actor to reprise his role in the sequel to last year’s star-filled, romantic-comedy blockbuster, He’s Just Not That Into You 2. Those who were unaware that this film was being made might know it better by its alternative title, Valentine’s Day. Director Garry Marshall (Georgia Rule) failed to realize that there is no correlation between movie success and the number of celebrities who star in said movie. Joining Cooper is a who’s who of big time Hollywood stars. With most films, this would be a blessing, but Valentine’s Day is bogged down with too many characters. It is nearly impossible to develop a great character in only two hours with such a large cast. If the movie had been around six or seven hours
long, then there would have been enough time to fully flesh them out. Another glaring problem with the film was how hackneyed and unoriginal the story and concept is. It was as if Marshall and screenwriter Katherine Fugate had just watched every romantic comedy made since 1980, took every cliché they could find and threw it onto a reel filled with every star in Hollywood. Guy runs through an airport to find girl, makeout scene in front of large crowd, girl breaks guy’s heart and vice versa – the film is made up of practically every cliché in the book. There were a few standout performances of the film, but this can only be attributed to the fact that they had the most face time. Shockingly, Ashton Kutcher (Personal Effects) is probably the highlight of the cast as Reed. He is definitely the best developed out of all the characters and one of the most entertaining. Another notable cast member is Jennifer Garner (The Invention of Lying) in her role as Julia. Both Reed
Courtesy of Karz Entertainment
Not much love can be found in this Valentine’s Day.
and Julia naively go though similar heartbreaks, with both showing great character development and acting. Even the above average acting of Julia Roberts (Duplicity) couldn’t save her segment of the movie. The film’s purpose was an attempt at encompassing the different feelings that people as young as elementary students and as old as bingo players experience on Feb. 14, but having the tone and story shift so much in Roberts’s section – from romantic couples to a mother and son pairing – is quite jarring.
Marshall had the opportunity to shoot an incredibly sentimental reunion between mother and son, but failed. That missed opportunity makes the movie that much worse. The film also failed to fit the mold of a “love story.” Every relationship in the movie was pretentious and there was no sincere emotional attachment between any couple. The name and release date alone are enough to get couples in the seats, but seeing this film is the best way to ruin a date for Valentine’s Day. E-mail: arts@ubspectrum.com
The next generation of Team USA hockey is here OLYMPICS from page 12
Freestyle Skiing Objective(s): There are three parts to this event: moguls, aerials and Skicross. The moguls consist of skiers speeding down a steep incline filled with bumps, gaining points for speed and for jumps. The aerials are the incredible high altitude, acrobatic jumps that are scored by a panel of judges. Skicross is a new event that was added to the Olympics this year: the objective is to race down the hill as fast as possible through moguls, over jumps and around corners. The first one down the slope wins. Dates: Feb. 13-14 and 20-25 Venue: Cypress Mountain Athlete to Watch: For the men’s aerials, keep an eye on American Ryan St. Onge. At age 14, he was the youngest athlete to ever make the U.S. Ski Team thanks to help from his parents, who are both ski instructors. He’s now 27 years old and is looking to take home the gold in his secondever Olympic games. Why You Should Watch: Freestyle skiing is always a crowd favorite. The slope for the moguls is 680-800 feet long and consists of two jumps where anything can happen. Also, Skicross will make its Olympic debut and add a unique twist to traditional ski events.
Teams to Watch: The next generation of United States hockey makes its debut in Vancouver. Chris Drury, Jamie Langenbrunner and Brian Rafalski are the only three U.S. skaters with Olympic experience as the Americans feature 20 new faces, including Ryan Miller and Buffalo natives Patrick Kane and Brooks Orpik. Alex Ovechkin leads the Russians’ high-powered offensive attack along with Pavel Datsyuk, Ilya Kovalchuk, Evgeni Malkin and Alex Semin. Host Canada is the gold medal favorite with an allaround roster, led by offensive stars Sidney Crosby, Dany Heatly, Jarome Iginla, Rick Nash, Joe Thornton and Jonathan Toews. The Canadian defense is anchored by Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger. Martin Brouder, MarcAndre Fleury and Roberto Luongo give Canada a trio of elite goaltenders. Key Games: USA vs. SUI (Feb. 16), USA vs. NOR (Feb. 18), USA vs. CAN (Feb. 21), Qualifications (Feb 23.), Quarterfinals (Feb. 24), Semifinals (Feb. 26), Gold Medal (Feb. 28) Why You Should Watch: What could be better than the ice hockey tournament? The best players in the world come together to represent their countries and compete against each other in hockey’s most prestigious competition. International hockey tournaments do not come along all too often and with the NHL season on break, what else are you going to watch?
Short-Track Speedskating Ice Hockey Dates: Feb. 13 to Feb. 28 Venues: Canada Hockey Place & UBC Thunderbird Arena Group A: Canada, United States, Switzerland, Norway Group B: Russia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Latvia Group C: Sweden, Finland, Belarus, Germany
Objective: Athletes skate various distances counter-clockwise around a short circuit track with markers on an ice rink. Competitors compete in groups of four in individual races, and the top two finishers qualify for the next round. Relay events feature four skaters per team. Changeovers may take place anywhere on the track, and are approved when a skater touches his/her teammate to begin skating.
Date: Feb. 13, 17, 20, 24 and 26 Venue: Pacific Coliseum Athletes to Watch: The American team is stacked and expectations are high for a sweep on the podium. Fan-favorite Apolo Ohno has single handedly elevated the sport after winning five medals in two Olympic competitions. A sixth medal would give Ohno the most for an American short-track speedskater, passing Eric Heiden’s total of five medals. He’ll face stiff competition from teammates Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick, who won a gold, silver and bronze medal at the Turin Games. Trevor Marsicano, who won four medals at the 2009 World Single Distance Championships, and Tucker Fredricks will also be in contention for the gold. Why You Should Watch: The sport features some of the most recognizable American Olympians. The U.S. has been dominant in the event in recent years, and the red, white and blue is likely to medal again. Races are highspeed and relatively short, giving viewers an exciting and nerveracking thrill ride.
Skeleton Objective: This is an individual racing event where athletes speed down a steep winding mountain on a four-foot sled. After numerous heats, the fastest time wins. Dates: Feb. 18-19 Venue: Whistler Sliding Centre Athletes to Watch: Representing America will be Noelle Pikus-Pace. She missed the Turin games because she broke her right leg in a bobsled accident. After missing out on the last Olympics, she came back and won the 2007 world by the largest margin ever. Pikus-Pace took a year off to have her first child and returns to the sport in search of a gold medal. Why You Should Watch: This is an intense high-speed sport where competitors can top 75mph at points. The top two American
women were favored before suffering freak injuries, so it’ll be interesting to see if they’ve recovered enough to take the gold.
Snowboarding Objective(s): There are three Olympic snowboarding events: the parallel giant slalom, bordercross, and the halfpipe. The parallel giant slalom is a race down the mountain, and the goal is to successfully navigate around stationed gates. Bordercross is similar to the parallel giant slalom event, except instead of two boarders competing at once, four athletes race down the winding hill filled with bumps and jumps all at the same time with the first one down winning. The halfpipe event is a freestyle showcase of boarders’ skills. As they make their way across the halfpipe, the athletes perform various aerial tricks and try to impress the judges, who grade them on a scale of 0-10. Dates: Feb. 15-18 and 26-27 Venue: Cypress Mountain Athletes to Watch: Shaun White may be the most recognizable U.S. athlete going to the games in Vancouver. At the 2006 Olympics, he won the gold medal and is looking to repeat that result this year. Because of his red hair, he has earned the nickname of “The Flying Tomato,” and although he may not like that title, if he takes first place in Canada, it won’t matter what you call him. Why You Should Watch: There may not be anything more exciting than snowboarding. Whether it is the downhill race or halfpipe competition, men’s and women’s snowboarding has everything to offer. Relatively new to the Olympics, snowboarding took off behind the popularity of perennial powerhouse Shaun White. White seemingly guarantees and addition to the total medal count for the USA. E-mail: sports@ubspectrum.com
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John Boyer and the Bulls are looking to win on national television on Saturday.
84-67 win over Eastern Michigan. The key for Buffalo will be its ability to make shots consistently. Prior to the first meeting, the Bulls had won their first three MAC games and four-in-a-row overall before matching up with a Kent State team that was struggling to find its identity. The game was close for most of the first half before Kent State went on a late 10-0 run at the end of the half. The momentum built up during that run led to a Kent State-dominated second half by the Golden Flashes and propelled them to an 89-54 victory. Kent State held the Buffalo offense to one of its worst performances of the year (32.7 percent shooting percentage, shooting 32.7 percent from the field. That was the first of eight straight wins for Kent State, a streak that has made it the favorite to be the MAC representative in the NCAA tournament this season. The Golden Flashes’ offense had no problem scoring, as six players scored in double figures. This included senior guard Chris Singletary, who dropped 18 points in 19 minutes off the bench. Slowing down the Kent State offense will go a long way in helping the Bulls get a win on Saturday afternoon. “We had a day where nothing went right,” said Bulls’ head coach Reggie Witherspoon. “I think for us, we have to start by defending and rebounding, and then we have to be determined to get the shots that are good shots for Buffalo and make them defend.” Kent State has been the hottest team in the MAC lately, and it has four players that average over 10 points per contest. “This is a team that, absent a rough beginning of their season, [I think] would be getting votes nationally,” Witherspoon said. Witherspoon encouraged fans to attend the game and insisted that a large turnout would help the Bulls pull off an upset Saturday. “It’s an opportunity to see one of the better teams in the country,” Witherspoon said. “I can remember when we had our first sea of blue, it was against Kent State. It would be great to have a sea of blue, particularly from our students. They can make a difference. We need their help.” Tip-off is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Alumni Arena. The first 2,500 fans that attend the game will receive a free T-shirt. E-mail: sports@ubspectrum.com
Watt had special night MBBALL from page 12
Spring Deadline - 2/16/2010
the ub music department presents the second three concerts of the slee/beethoven string quartet cycle Pacifica Quartet - Thursday, February 18th Penderecki String Quartet - Tuesday, February 23RD Miro Quartet - Thursday, February 25th all concerts: 7:30pm in lippes concert hall in slee on ub’s amherst campus
half on the reigning MAC West Player of the Week Carlos Medlock. Medlock was on during the first half and scored 12 points while hitting on all three of his attempts beyond the arc. Pierce and company turned the tide in the second half and held the EMU senior to two points and 0-for-8 shooting from the field. The night was a special one for sophomore forward Mitchell Watt, who set a career-high with 14 points in the game. Watt was instrumental in the win, energizing his team with two huge dunks that brought the small crowd of 945 to their feet. Watt, along with sophomore forward Titus Robinson and senior forward Max Boudreau, saw this game as a personal challenge to be better than the Eastern Michigan big guys. “We knew this game was going to be a challenge in the post,” Watt said. “Not only did we try and step up on the defensive end, but we really tried to go at them on the offensive end and wear them down.” Watt has had an up-and-down sophomore season for the Bulls. He dealt with illness at the beginning
A 21-4 Buffalo run to start the second half was all it needed to cruise to victory as the Eagles never led in the game and couldn’t stage a comeback. Eastern Michigan star forward Brandon Bowdry was hampered by foul trouble in the game, but still managed to put up impressive numbers. The redshirt-junior tied his season-high with 26 points and grabbed eight rebounds in only 24 minutes of play. He went 10-for-12 from the field and a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw stripe. Even though the Bulls looked better than they have in recent games, Witherspoon knows there is still work to do. “We still have a ways to go,” Witherspoon said. “But I think we’re learning that we can control the tempo of the game and still run. And when we control the tempo, we can really dig in defensively.” The Bulls won the turnover battle in the game and capitalized on it by outscoring the Eagles 23-6 in points off turnovers. The Buffalo bench also topped the Eagles in the game, 24-8. E-mail: sports@ubspectrum.com
Brown leads MAC in rebounds WBBALL from page 12
Tickets/Info: (716)645-2921, www.slee.buffalo.edu
of the year, but is now back to 100 percent and could be a key to the team’s success down the stretch. Not only did the Bulls have their offensive game working, but they also played solid defense, especially in the second half. After shooting an impressive 63.6 percent from the field in the first, the Eagles fell off in the second and went 10-for-24 and a horrific 0-for-7 from 3-point range. Head coach Reggie Witherspoon went into the game with the hopes of making things tough for the Eagles. He knew it would take some solid defense to keep EMU’s playmakers in check. “[In the first half] we gave up some easy shots,” Witherspoon said. “We thought that we could eventually get their percentage to come down and in the second half it did come down.” The Bulls showed early on in the game that they wouldn’t be pushed around. Led by Watt, the Bulls connected on their first six field goal attempts, but neither team could pull away in the opening half. The second half stage belonged to Pierce. He scored 15 of his 27 points in the half and displayed his leadership ability in orchestrating the Bulls on the floor.
Ball State converted on a lay-up, followed by two 3-pointers from senior guard Audrey McDonald. McDonald, who has made the most 3-pointers in MAC history, made four in the first half alone. Ball State finished the half with a nine-point lead and with the momentum in its favor. The Cardinals out-rebounded Buffalo 23-13 in the first half, including 11 offensive rebounds that led to six extra shots and 14 second-chance points. Ball State continued its hot shooting in the second half, increasing its lead to double-digits with a 12-4 run. Ball State junior guards Ty’Ronda
Benning and Shannon Klei made four 3-pointers each as the Bulls continued to struggle to contest the Cardinals’ shooters. Ball State shot 66.7 percent from downtown in the second half. Rebounding continued to be a problem for the Bulls as well. Junior forward Kourtney Brown, who leads the MAC with 11.5 rebounds per game, grabbed just eight boards and was quieted all game long by double and triple teams. The bright spots for the Bulls came from Fortman and Hedderson. Hedderson finished with a team-high 15 points and added five assists. Fortman added 14 points and showed aggressiveness driving to the basket. Hill-MacDonald was especially
impressed with Fortman’s play. “[Fortman is] becoming very confident in taking the ball off the bounce, finding her gaps, penetrating to the rim and being able to finish,” HillMacDonald said. “When she was a freshman, we saw a lot of penetration and offensive rebounding out of Jess and its good to see her get back to the confidence she had as a freshman, taking people off the bounce and getting to the rim.” The Bulls look to turnaround as they host Akron (14-9, 8-2 MAC) at 3 p.m. on Saturday in UB’s Pink Zone game. The first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a free t-shirt. E-mail: sports@ubspectrum.com
The Spectrum
February 12, 2010
CLAS S I F I E DS HELP WANTED AT T E N T I O N YO U N G WOMEN ages 18-19 years! The University at Buffalo Research Institute is looking for young women ages 18-19 to volunteer for a study of teen alcohol use and social behavior. Earn up to $50 for answering questionnaires and participating in an interview. Confidential. Please call 887-3344 for more information. APARTMENT FOR RENT 1,3,4,5,6,7 & 8 BEDROOM homes available. Go to daveburnette.net or call Dave @ 716-445-2514. PRIME LOCATIONS: Winspear, Northrup, Merrimac, Tyler, Englewood & more! For 2 to 10 people. Many in excellent condition! Experienced landlord lives in the neighborhood. Call Jeremy Dunn (585) 261-6609 or jgdunn2@msn.com. MERRIMAC 3,4,6,8 bedroom, updated kitchen, bath, dishwasher & laundry. $270 per person. Available June 1st, 716-308-5215.
FALL IN LOVE! www.luxuryaptswny.com/ub. 32 REMODELED APARTMENTS to choose from. 3,4,5,8 bedroom apartments located at University Buffalo Main Street campus off Englewood beginning June ’10. $250 to $275 per b e d ro o m p l u s u t i l i t i e s . Washers & dryers included. Contact brad@bufapt.com, 301-785-3773, or Shawn 716-984-7813. Check out our website: www.bufapt.com. HEATH & MINNESOTA – Totally renovated 3-4 large bedrooms, 1.5 baths & offstreet parking. Appliances included, stove, refrigerator, washer & dryer. Available June 1st, 716-570-6062. 3 & 4 BEDROOMS. Newly renovated near UB South & North, 510-5517, 884-1727. 2-BDRM – APPLIANCES, c a r p e t , $ 495 + , wa l k i n g distance to South Campus, 884-7900. 4-BDRM. GREAT layout, l a r ge ro o m s , h a rd wo o d floors, parking, laundry & security sys te m . $250/ person+ security, 716-578-5296. 4-BDRM, GREAT layout, l a r ge ro o m s , h a rd wo o d floors, laundry & security system. $265/ person+ security, 716-830-3226.
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CLASSIFIED ads may be placed at The Spectrum office at Suite 132 Student Union, Amherst Campus. Office hours are from 9:00 - 4:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Deadlines are Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 12:00 for display and 2:00 p.m. for classifieds for the next edition. Weekly rates are $10.00 for the first ten words and 75¢ for each additional word. All ads must be paid in advance. The ad must be placed in person or send a legible copy of the ad with a check or money order for full payment. No ads will be taken over the phone. The Spectrum reserves the right to edit any copy. No refunds will be given on classified ads. Please make sure copy is legible. The Spectrum does not assume responsibility for any errors except to reproduce any ad (or equivalent), free of charge, that is rendered valueless due to typographical errors. Please call 645-2152 for any additional information.
NORTHRUP 3,4,6,7 & 8 bedroom apartments, June 1 st , laundry, dishwasher, parking, info 716-213-7383. EVERYTHING YOU NEED for the 2010 academic year. Great 1 to 8 bedroom houses & apartments. Near south campus. Off-street parking, laundry, dishwashers & much more! Please call: Andy to schedule a showing, 716-308-4881. “MERRIMAC, ENGLEWOOD, Heath, Tyler, Winspear. We still have the nicest homes available on south campus! Plasma! Whirlpool Tubs! New everything! O/S Parking, WDMSC, w/w carpet, 10 homes to choose from. C a l l 7 1 6 -2 0 8 - 4 3 0 8 o r www.UBRENTS.com” MAIN & MINNESOTA – 4 bdrm, 1st mo. FREE, 6/1/10, $1,200.00 includes: offstreet parking, washer/ dryer, stove, refrigerator, energy star windows, security system, snow plowing & lawn service. 984-8892. HOUSE FOR RENT RonYoung.com. HOUSES, apartments, pictures, room sizes. Ron1812@aol.com, 833-6322. 1,3,4,5,6,7 & 8 BEDROOM homes available. Go to daveburnette.net or call Dave @ 716-445-2514.
PRIME LOCATIONS: Winspear, Northrup, Merrimac, Tyler, Englewood & more! For 2 to 10 people. Many in excellent condition! Experienced landlord lives in the neighborhood. Call Jeremy Dunn (585) 261-6609 or jgdunn2@msn.com. HEATH, ENGLEWOOD & Minnesota steps from Main St. 3,4,5 & 6, master bdrms, 2 full baths, free stove & fridge, washer & dryer, off-street parking, $225 - $275. Available June 1st. Hurry, the good ones go fast! 716-570-6062. 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7, 8 B E D R O O M HOUSES, South Campus, laundry, parking, dishwashers, $275/ pp, 870-8100. SOUTH CAMPUS 2-6 b e d r o o m s , r a t e s v a r y. $196 -$345/ room, Nick @ 716-446-1213. EVERYTHING YOU NEED for the 2010 academic year. Great 1 to 8 bedroom houses & apartments. Near south campus. Off-street parking, laundry, dishwashers & much more! Please call: Andy to schedule a showing, 716-308-4881. 5-BDRM 2 BATH, washer/ dryer, dishwasher & offstreet parking. Englewood $1125.00, 716-877-0097.
“MERRIMAC, ENGLEWOOD, Heath, Tyler, Winspear. We still have the nicest homes available on south campus! Plasma! Whirlpool Tubs! New everything! O/S Parking, WDMSC, w/w carpet, 10 homes to choose from. C a l l 7 1 6 -2 0 8 - 4 3 0 8 o r www.UBRENTS.com”
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The Spectrum
12
February 12, 2010
SP O R T S Bulls must rebound from loss By JACOB LAURENTI Joe Paterno Sports Editor
America needs another miracle As the chants of “USA, USA” echoed through the corridors of Herb Brooks Arena, Al Michaels delivered the most historic sports call from a small press box amid the rafters of the rink. “Eleven seconds, you’ve got ten seconds, the countdown going on right now!” Michaels said. “Morrow, up to Silk. Five seconds left in the game. Do you believe in miracles? YES!” The 1980 U.S. Olympic ice hockey team accomplished the unthinkable. Twenty collegiate players knocked off the Soviet Union, a team that had dominated the hockey world and won the previous four gold medals. The U.S. team went on to defeat Finland in the gold medal game and capture just the second gold medal in USA hockey history. Since Lake Placid, however, USA hockey has suffered from a “Miracle on Ice” hangover. The U.S. recorded two seventh-place finishes at the 1984 and 1988 games, as well as fourth and eighth-place finishes in ’92 and ’94, respectively. Since professional athletes were approved to play in the Olympics in 1998, the US has mustered a sixth and eighth-place finish. The only other gold medal the Americans have won was in the “room trashing event” at the ’98 games in Nagano, when members of the team caused nearly $10,000 worth of damage after trashing their rooms in the athletes’ village. I’m hoping the Americans get their safety deposit back this year, because they won’t be winning any medals in Vancouver. I’ll be honest: I don’t expect the Americans to place in Canada. It’s not because I’m opposed to patriotism or lack national pride. I would like nothing better than to see the red, white and blue bring home gold. Simply put, however, the United States doesn’t have enough experience on its roster to compete with the rest of the world. The average age is just 26.6 years old, and only three players – Chris Drury, Jamie Langenbrunner and Brian Rafalski – have previous Olympic experience. The team has been completely gutted since Salt Lake City in 2002. Up-and-coming stars in David Backes, Dustin Brown, Jack Johnson and Joe Pavelski have since replaced longtime Olympic veterans like Chris Chelios, Scott Gomez, Mike Modano and Keith Tkachuk. I’m not against the team Brian Burke built. The U.S. see PATERNO page 9
Staff Writer
After Wednesday night’s blowout loss, the women’s basketball team will need to rebound, both figuratively and literally. Ball State (10-14, 4-7 MAC) defeated Buffalo (7-17, 3-8 MidAmerican Conference) 82-64 thanks to lights-out shooting and a strong performance on the glass. The Cardinals were deadly from downtown, connecting on 14-of-24 3-pointers, including 8-of-12 in the second half. They also outrebounded the Bulls 41-24 to help hand Buffalo its 11th double-digit loss of the season. Head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald focused on Buffalo’s inefficiency on the boards. “We didn’t box out well,” HillMacDonald said. “We didn’t put a body on anybody. We let people roll off of us. We watched shots go
SIDELINES
up. We’re not the type of team that can out-jump people. We’ve got to get position and that’s a hard lesson to learn.” Buffalo showed how well it can play defensively in its last game against Central Michigan, but failed to contest jump shots all game long against the Cardinals. Ball State set the tone early with an 11-1 run, and the Bulls were held without a field goal for the first five-and-a-half minutes the game. Sophomore g uard Brittany Hedderson provided a spark off the bench and, along with junior forward Jessica Fortman, led Buffalo to a comeback. Hedderson and Fortman combined for 18 points in the first half as the Bulls cut the lead to four with 1:52 left in the opening half. However, the swing of momentum was short-lived. see WBBALL page 10
Women’s soccer reveals 2010 recruiting class
Tim Ho / The Spectrum
Junior forward Jessica Fortman scored 14 points in Buffalo’s Wednesday night loss to Ball State.
Bulls fly high against Eagles Reggie
calls for a sea of blue
By MATT PARRINO Sports Editor
So far this season, the men’s basketball team has played the role of both Jekyll and Hyde. The team started off the year playing at a high level, but has struggled recently, losing five of its last seven games. After splitting two games on the road, it was anyone’s guess which team was going to show up at Alumni Arena on Wednesday night. But the Bulls (13-9, 6-5 Mid-American Conference) came out energized and used a dominating second-half shooting performance to beat the Eastern Michigan Eagles (12-12, 4-7 MAC), 84-67. The team shot 73.9 percent in the second half and tied the second-best mark in school history for the entire game with a 66.7 percent tally. The play of senior guard Rodney Pierce was a driving force for the Bulls in the win. He scored 27 points and dished out five assists. After the game Pierce said that he did what he needed to do for his team to win.
By CHRISTOPHER RAHN Staff Writer
scoring or passing.” Pierce also played shut down defense in the second
The Kent State men’s basketball team rolls into Alumni Arena on Saturday afternoon looking to build on an eight-game winning streak. That winning streak started against Buffalo in mid-January. Buffalo (13-9, 6-5 MidAmerican Conference) hosts the first-place Golden Flashes (18-7, 9-2, MAC) at noon in a game that will be televised nationally on ESPNU. Coming off of their secondbest shooting performance in school history, the Bulls are in search of their third-straight victory. Wednesday night, Buffalo shot 66.7 percent (32of-48) from the field in its
see MBBALL page 10
see PREVIEW page 10
Rob Schulz / The Spectrum
Senior guard Rodney Pierce led the Bulls with 27 points in their Wednesday night victory over Eastern Michigan.
“I was just doing what I thought my team needed me to do,” Pierce said. “[I was trying] to just be aggressive whether I was
LET THE GAMES BEGIN XXI Olympic Winter Games begin in Vancouver
By ANDREW WIKTOR and JOE PATERNO Senior Sports Editor and Sports Editor This is the third time that Canada has hosted the coveted Olympic Games. The first time was in Montreal during the 1976 Summer Olympics, followed by the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta. Vancouver beat out Pyeong Chang, South Korea in what was the second closest hosting bid vote in Olympic history. It has already cost Canada roughly $1.76 billion to fund the highly anticipated games, and the country promises this will be one of the greatest Winter Olympic games in history. Here is a glance at a few key sports to check out over the coming weeks. We’ve highlighted major athletes to watch and included the dates, so you know what you’re watching and when to watch it.
Bobsled Objective: To complete a downhill ice surface track as fast as possible in sleds designed for teams of two or four competitors. The team with the fastest overalltime after four heats is the winner. Dates: Feb. 20, 21, 23, 24, 26 and 27
Venue: The Whistler Sliding Centre Athletes to Watch: Steven Holcomb, Justin Olsen, Curt Tomasevicz and Buffalo native Steve M e s l e r make up the United States fourman bobsled team. Known together as the “Night Train,” the four men look to end the Americans’ 62-year g o l d medal drought. The team finished the World Cup season as the best in the world, but still
remains underdog to Andre Lange and Team Germany. Pierre Lueders and Lyndon Rush of Team Canada will also give the Americans a run for their money. Why You Should Watch:
Ever see Cool Runnings? That should give you enough of an incentive to tune into bobsledding. The Germans have historically been the favorite to win gold at each Olympic games, but the American team has as good a chance as ever this year to take home firstplace. Racing against the clock, bobsled is a leading event to feature underdog stories and heartbreaking defeats. see OLYMPICS page 9
On Thursday, women’s soccer head coach Michael Thomas announced the signing of six players to his 2010 recruiting class. Megan Abman, Lauren Coviello, Courtney Gross, Natalie Jurisevic and Karen McMahon will be joining the Bulls next fall. Shannon Algoe, a transfer student who is currently enrolled at Buffalo after two years at Connecticut, also becomes eligible next semester. Abman and Coviello both come from Colorado, where they each had outstanding high school and club careers. They also excelled in the classroom – Abman made the honor roll in all 13 of her trimesters at Colorado Academy, and Coviello was named to the Colorado All-State First Team for her scholastic achievements. Gross and McMahon are staying in their home state, and Jurisevic comes from nearby Ontario. “Athletically and academically, we are very proud to have this group of young women join the UB family and we are confident that they will represent us proudly for four years,” Thomas said in a press release.
Bulls’ throwers sweep MAC field athlete of the week honors The Mid-American Conference named Bulls’ sophomore weight throwers Kristy Woods and Rob Golabek as its indoor field athletes of the week on Wednesday afternoon. Both athletes are nationally-ranked in the shot put and put on impressive performances last weekend at Penn State’s Sykes-Sabock Challenge Cup. Woods took first place in both the shot put and weight throw competitions. She remains undefeated in the shot put and her 53-0.25 (16.16 m) throw adds to her school record. Golabek broke the men’s record in the shot put for the second straight week, finishing second with a 59-7.75 (18.18) throw.
Quinn and Witherspoon to appear at 2010 Buffalo Auto Show In commemoration of “Hometown Heroes Day,” head football coach Jeff Quinn and men’s basketball head coach Reggie Witherspoon will appear at the 2010 Buffalo Auto Show on Friday. Quinn will visit with attendees and sign autographs from 2:45 p.m. until 4:15 p.m., followed by Witherspoon from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event will be held all weekend long downtown at the Buffalo Convention Center.
Upcoming events Friday Track & Field
at Akron Invite, 5 p.m.
Saturday Track & Field
at Akron Invite, 9 a.m.
Men’s Tennis
at Penn State, 12 p.m.
Men’s Basketball
vs. Kent State, 12 p.m.
Women’s Basketball vs. Akron, 3 p.m.
Sunday Wrestling
vs. Central Michigan, 1 p.m.