The Spectrum Vol. 68 No. 24 by The Spectrum Student Periodical

THE SPECTRUM VOL. 68 NO. 24 | NOVEMBER 29, 2018

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

Back to take the MAC: Bulls return to MAC Championship after a decade away

Hamilton and the art of storytelling: Broadway’s smash hit brings rhymes, emotion and song to Shea’s

Balling in Belfast: Men’s basketball heads to Ireland for Belfast Classic

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Making ‘cents’ of the broad-based fees The Spectrum breaks down what the average student pays for events, activities at UB BENJAMIN BLANCHET SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR

This year, Buffalonians will spend as much as $68 to see just one of the six distinguished speakers on North Campus. For the same speaker event, the average undergraduate student will pay a fraction of that cost, roughly the price of a McDonald’s coffee –– $1.06. The Spectrum calculated what the typical student pays for a number of UB events and services. This semester, students have paid roughly $38.3 million through UB’s nine broad-based fees. These payments support services such as football games and Student Association music fests. When the fees are allocated to events, students pay much less than what non-students might pay for them. Thousands of students take advantage of student-fee-supported activities, but many don’t and are shocked at the discount they get compared to UB visitors. Some students feel UB’s financial web is still too confusing, and that the university needs to better explain to students how their fees are used. The university hosts informational meetings, such as fee town halls, but they are not always well-attended. This October, only nine students attended a fee

UBSPECTRUM

town hall meeting. That’s a problem for some who control UB fees, like SA Treasurer Tanahiry Escamilla, who said she wants students to learn more about how UB spends student money. “Students should attend these meetings,” Escamilla said. “UB really wants to receive feedback, and they want students to be there. They made that very clear to me when I attended.” UB’s nine broad-based fees also support services like the libraries services and parking. This semester, students have paid UB roughly $10.9 million and $6.1 million in technology and transportation fees, respectively. The average student has paid $1,215 in university fees this semester, according to Spectrum calculations. The Spectrum calculated the average fees by dividing the total student fee payments by the number of students, overall, this semester. Students submitted 1,376 waivers for six of the nine broad-based fees this semester, according to UB spokesperson Cory Nealon. Students can not waive the College Fee, Technology Fee and Transcript Fee, according to UB’s website. Students who want to waive the Student Activity Fee must contact their student government’s e-board, according to UB’s website. The number of students who waived the Student Association’s activity fee this fall isn’t available until the end of the semester, according to Escamilla. The Spectrum’s averages for SA events do not account for students who waived the Stu> SEE BROAD-BASED

Puzzling Pathways: Students concerned with UB general education topics

GRAPHIC BY PHUONG VU

FEES | PAGE 4

Drinking with the Bulls

JACK LI | THE SPECTRUM Victor E. Bull and True Blue cheer in the student section at UB Stadium. UB began serving alcohol at football and basketball games last week.

New York State approves beer garden in UB Stadium and fullservice bar in Alumni Arena THOMAS ZAFONTE SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

UB began selling alcohol at basketball games last week and offered solely Bud Light at concession stands and standalone kiosks. Within a few months, there could be a lot more drinking options for UB sports fans. Under the name UBFSA Services LLC, the Faculty Student Association applied for liquor licenses at a beer garden on the second ﬂoor of UB Stadium and a full service bar on the second ﬂoor of Alumni Arena, according to state records. FSA is a nonprofit auxiliary service

corporation doing business at the university as Campus Dining & Shops. The New York State Liquor Authority approved FSA’s licenses for full service bars in the President’s Suite and Gicewicz Club in UB Stadium, as well, according to state records. The New York State Liquor Authority approved the licenses on Nov. 20, with all licenses being active until Oct. 31, 2020. Athletic Director Mark Alnutt pursued the current alcohol pilot program following a “listening tour” with alumni and fans this past summer. The program was met with a positive response, according to Athletics spokesperson Daniel Enser. Enser said the program is in a trial period that Athletics will review at the end of next year’s football season. Athletics redirected future questions on the program to Campus Dining

& Shops, FSA’s practicing business. Athletics hopes the program will become a permanent part of the “legal” fan and alumni experiences at games. FSA and Athletics did not respond in time to comment on the beer garden and new bars. The news comes as a “game-day blessing from the heavens above” for UB Naked Guy, Kyle Yagielski. “[Buffalo] fans are the best in their respective leagues,” Yagielski said. “They don’t get [rowdy] the second they step in the arenas. The preparation begins slamming back some cold brewskis in the Orchard Park lots or on the Metro downtown. A little liquid courage to get fans riled up. Then, when the party moves into the stadium, fans can keep the brews coming and keep cheering their little hearts out. I guarantee that games will be 100 percent more lit now.” Yagielski, a senior media study major, said the alcohol sales will help fans sit through entire football games, instead of leaving after halftime. Yagielski, who doubles as an unofficial school mascot and a common part of UB football and basketball games, said he thinks the sales will help UB athletics draw more fans. “The reality is that UB is in a tailgate town,” Yagielski said. “UB football and basketball have some serious competition with the Buffalo pro-teams in terms of gameday atmosphere.” Marcus Unger, a junior business administration major, said he feels alcohol will be a good addition to Athletics’ games. “People like to drink beer at sports games,” Unger said. “I think it will help produce revenue and boost attendance. It does nothing for me because I can’t drink, but if I could I’d be happy it was there.” Unger said he didn’t understand how people > SEE DRINKING | PAGE 2

NEWS

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UB creates garden to memorialize former poorhouse residents

JACKLYN WALTERS ASST. NEWS EDITOR

UB dedicated a new memorial garden to remember those who were buried in the former Erie County Poorhouse Cemetery on South Campus. Roughly 20 UB community members braved Monday’s stormy weather to attend a 15-minute ceremony, which honored those who lived on what is now the university’s South Campus. The garden, complete with a 6-foot-tall, black marble monument documenting its history, commemorates the lives of those who died over a century ago at the poorhouse. Provost Charles Zukoski began the memorial by thanking everyone for showing up despite the rain, and introducing Reverend Monsignor J. Patrick Keleher, director and campus minister for the Newman Center. Keleher took time to remember the stories and lives of the people who were found on the grounds during construction throughout the years. Laura Hubbard, vice president for finance and administration and Douglas Perrelli, director of the department of anthropology, followed the reverend and discussed the necessary work to study and honor the remains. The poorhouse existed from 1851-1913, when immigrants from Germany and Ireland resided on the premises. These poorhouse residents were believed to have built the surrounding area into the city it is today. Zukoski explained the poorhouse served as FROM PAGE 1

DRINKING would call the sale of alcohol at games a negative, as it has become common at other Division I schools across the country. Unger said he has been to multiple football games and plans to go to his first basketball game soon. “I don’t see how it does anything to get more people to go to games,” said senior health and human services major Chevaneice Lawrence. “I didn’t really like the games before and this doesn’t help to get me to go now.” Lawrence said she does not drink and that the addition of alcohol benefits no one. She

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a “social safety net” for community members who grew ill, became injured and fell upon generally difficult times. As hard times were common in the era, the poorhouse was a home to many residents. But when residents died, they could only afford to be buried on the cemetery on the property. The university bought 106 acres of the land from Erie County in 1909 and the remaining 72 acres from the county and private individuals shortly after. Excavations and remodeling began on the land in the early 1920s. The creation of the memorial garden is part of a decade-long effort by UB’s anthropology department to find and identify the poorhouse residents, many of which were buried without record. The reinterment process will also be ongoing as construction workers continue to find bodies during renovations. Last year, 372 bodies were transferred to Assumption Cemetery in Grand Island for proper burials following excavations in 2008 and 2012. The university initially found the remains during renovations, which prompted the anthropology department to excavate the land. This project provided anthropology students with a hands-on opportunity to study real bodies that were part of their own community. In a previous interview with The Spectrum, Perrelli said the university’s future construction plans will uncover more bodies on South Campus.

said it will likely not help draw larger crowds for games and does not look at the addition as a positive. “What’s the chance someone will want to go to a game just because you can also get alcohol there,” Lawrence asked. Colin Curry, a freshman political science major, said the recent addition will not make him go to games, but would help with attendance. Curry said he goes to music events across campus and does not participate in UB sports games. “I can’t drink yet so I don’t really feel like it affects me,” Curry said. “I wouldn’t say it’s a bad

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CHI MEREMETOH | THE SPECTRUM Provost Zukoski stood next to the newly implemented monument that stands on UB’s South Campus just west of Clarke Hall. As he dedicated the new memorial garden to those buried at the former Erie County Poorhouse, Zukoski spoke about its history and importance to the UB community.

“If UB 2020 moves on as planned, there would be a major archaeological study done prior to subsurface impacts,” Perrelli said. “And we would look to excavate human remains before they were disturbed by a construction project.” The anthropology department’s research suggests over 3,000 bodies were buried on South Campus, but only 375 were reinterred, according to Perrelli. Perrelli said the garden will serve as “an area that people can go to and recognize that this is part of the legacy of South Campus land.” Kelly Hayes McAlonie, director of campus planning, said it is important to educate the community about the poorhouse, as it was an important part of the community’s history. “It’s a hidden history and it needs to come thing, but I’m still not looking to go to a game anytime soon.” The basketball season will be an early test for the program, with football no longer having a home game left this year. The first and only UB basketball game featuring alcohol sales drew a crowd of 4,589, according to Attendance numbers. That is 1,016 more fans than men’s basketball had at the previous home game. UB’s next home basketball game will be on Saturday when women’s basketball takes on the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils at 1 p.m. email: thomas.zafonte@ubspectrum.com twitter @Thomas_Spectrum

out of the shadows and be celebrated,” Hayes McAlonie said. “The university has such a strong commitment to our community and really grew from this community [and] this is an example of that.” She said the garden will provide “a place for repose on site,” right where the Buffalonians lived 100 years ago. Zukoski said it was important to create the memorial garden because it honors the history of the area and the lives who helped to build it. “I think it’s commemorating our history, our ties to our community and the people who lived here,” he said. “It’s a somber place, but it’s also a place of memory for us to contemplate our existence and our lives.” emai: news@ubspectrum.com

JACK LI | THE SPECTRUM Junior business major Marcus Unger (top) and senior health and human services major Chevaneice Lawrence (bottom). Both students have different opinions on beer at UB basketball and football games.

OPINION

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THE SPECTRUM Thursday, November 29, 2018 Volume 68 Number 24 Circulation: 4,000

SpongeBob creator Stephen Hillenburg, dead at 57, and his silly, beautiful impact on a generation

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Hannah Stein MANAGING EDITOR Brenton J. Blanchet CREATIVE DIRECTORS Phuong Vu Anh Phuong Tran, Asst. COPY EDITORS Savanna Caldwell Cassi Enderle Lauryn King NEWS EDITORS Max Kalnitz, Senior Jacklyn Walters, Asst. FEATURES EDITORS Benjamin Blanchet, Senior Kirsten Dean Tanveen Vohra, Asst. Abhi Wagh, Asst.

ARTS EDITORS Brian Evans, Senior Samantha Vargas, Asst. SPORTS EDITORS Thomas Zafonte, Senior Nathaniel Mendelson MULTIMEDIA EDITORS Shubh Jain, Senior Jack Li Pranav Kadam, Asst. Wayne Penales, Asst. CARTOONIST Ardi Digap

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

DAN MCKEON ALUMNI COLUMNIST

It’s a summer night a few years ago and it’s a dire situation; I’m behind by six stars and 56 coins, my minigame track record won’t be doing me any favors when it comes to bonus stars, and we’re in round 30 of 30 in Mario Party. But, like SpongeBob when he’s hundreds of points short after his driving test is already over, I say “That’s enough time, I can make up those points!”

Coincidental tour dates and the City of Good Neighbors can squash pop music’s unspoken beef

ADVERTISING MANAGER Ayesha Kazi GRAPHIC DESIGN MANAGERS JuYung Hong

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And, like SpongeBob, I lose. And now, on the snowy Wednesday after the death of SpongeBob creator Stephen Hillenburg, 57, I’m looking out my window and thinking to myself: “Old Man Winter didn’t leave a pillow or a sheet, but a blanket — a blanket of snow.” And while some may see SpongeBob as another manic cartoon from the early 2000s, something in the world Hillenburg crafted sank into a generation, permeating our collective language. SpongeBob, like no show before it, can be recited verbatim just from pure memory by a good amount of Millennials. It’s found renewed relevancy through a full-scale invasion of the meme market — naked caveman SpongeBob, swirling confused Mr. Krabs, Patrick ready to pounce, various other “SpOnGeBoB mEmEs” — but it never really left our collective lexicon.

If I had to estimate, quotes from Hillenburg’s creation pop up in conversation every other day in my life, and that rate has held steady for the past 15 or so years. Often times though, it’s not a moment of quoting SpongeBob, but just a moment of using some cultural idiom, often injecting optimism into an otherwise bleak scenario. Saying “This is going to take forever” is not nearly as fun as saying “We should be able to finish by January!” When I saw a Tweet from Nickelodeon announcing Hillenburg had died on Tuesday, I thought of some ordinary 2003 morning before school. I’d be eating pancakes or a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios, and my sister Jackie would be sitting on the kitchen counter next to our tiny tube TV mouthing every word, down to the exact cadence, of whatever SpongeBob episode was on. Pulling off tongue twisters like “The

intermachinitions of my mind are an enigma” were particularly impressive. Simply put, Hillenburg gave us words, brought us together to retell and mime along with stories of a sponge living in a pineapple under the sea, and all the bits of those stories, scraps from a surreal group of aquatic friends, stayed with us. Maybe it’s childhood nostalgia, but no one quotes Harry Potter or Pixar movies quite the same way as SpongeBob. Not to mention the show pretty much put Leif Erikson Day on the calendar for many non-Nordic Americans. If you Google the holiday, the first picture is a red-bearded, Viking-helmetwearing SpongeBob. Ya-hingadinga-durgen, indeed. So, cheers Stephen Hillenburg. I know nothing about you, but your dumb little show will stay with me and millions of others long after your death. I’ll cry you a sweater of tears and blow a few bubbles in your honor. email: opinion@ubspectrum.com

Ari and Mimi: A Buffalo beef squash

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Helene Polley

The views expressed – both written and graphic – in the Opinion section 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.

Thursday, November 29, 2018 | 3

BRENTON J. BLANCHET MANAGING EDITOR

Mariah Carey, in her 1991 hit single appropriately titled “Make It Happen,” once told me I could “Make It Happen.” Now I think its time for Mariah to make it happen –– with “it” being the greatest piece of art ever created from human vocal cords; a collaboration with Ariana Grande. But for whatever reason, they’ve had a rocky relationship. This may change in March. Carey announced her “Caution World Tour” recently, just days before Grande dropped

her “Sweetener World Tour” dates. And, in what resulted in the coolest consecutive notifications to ever grace my phone, my two favorite singers are both coming to Buffalo … on the same weekend. Carey hits the stage at Shea’s on March 23, just one day after Grande takes over the KeyBank Center. This means two things: one, I just put myself in a terrible financial situation and two, there’s a chance these legends can finally squash their rumored beef and make me a very happy pop-music nerd. Lebron James asserted himself as a “hip-hop historian” last month before touching on Drake’s beef with Pusha-T, so likewise, I’m going to label myself a pop-music historian before diving into the importance of their tour layover. But unlike Lebron, I’m actually going to make a valid point and back up my assertion. It all started around 2012 when Grande released a cover of Carey’s “Emotions” on YouTube, showing off a whistle register that would make any Carey fan take a second look. When 2013 rolled around, Grande just released her debut single –– we don’t talk about “Put Your Hearts Up” unless she wants to –– “The Way.” The song was a clear reflection of the music Grande grew up on, ‘90s pop and R&B. And,

fittingly, many compared her to the queen of number one singles. Publications labeled the song as part of a “‘90s retro revival” and wrote that Grande channeled Carey throughout the track. During a 2013 post-performance interview on daytime television, surprisingly excellent pop-music interviewer Michael Strahan asked Grande if she saw the Carey comparisons as a compliment. “Yeah, of course. She’s Mariah Carey,” Grande replied, ruining the former NFL star’s celebrity beef acquisition of the day. Vocalists have been compared to each other for years and Grande’s responses showed she respected those who paved the way for her. When Carey was new to the music scene in 1990, she seemed flattered by Whitney Houston comparisons. So where did this all turn sour? After a 3 a.m. Google-search session, I can honestly say I have absolutely no idea. And I could only find one occasion when Carey publicly addressed Grande. Carey, whose “I don’t know her” disses have made the Internet a special place, addressed the Grande comparisons on Andy Cohen’s “Watch What Happens Live” in 2016. “No,” Carey said according to US Weekly, “I don’t know. Honestly, I’m not familiar. I

listen to hip-hop more than I listen to pop music.” Come on, Mimi. So, it’s up to us, Buffalo. Two pop queens will be in our city just one day apart. We have the power to bring them together. Whether it’s in the form of a collaboration album, a show appearance, a Grande-infused version of “Always Be My Baby” or just a simple ‘hello,’ our city can squash an unspoken beef that has gone on for far too long, and I’m not talking about stepping on a Stackers burger in the Student Union. If you’re reading this Ari and Mariah, just know I want what’s best for the music industry, your careers and my Instagram feed when a photo of you two in a cool back-toback romantic-comedy-movieposter pose pops up. This won’t only save me money on concert tickets –– as I’d only have to go to one show to see the two singers in the perfect, beefless world –– but it will make the world a better place. Pop music depends on us. It’s time for us to all hit that whistle register harmoniously, and, as a wise woman once said, “Get it, get it, get it, get it (ayy), Hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it (ayy),” and “Flip it, flip it, flip it.” email: Brenton.Blanchet@ubspectrum.com

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FEATURES

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women’s basketball games. Rachel Millington, a sophomore exercise science major, said it’s definitely a dent Activity Fee. Most students don’t waive their fees, deal to go to the speaker series and SA and as a result, students pay less for a music fests. “Considering if you were an outsider number of UB events compared to UB coming in it’d be visitors, according over $60 to see to Spectrum calcuJoe Biden [from lations. the Alumni Arena The average unﬂoor], so that’s dergraduate stureally good,” Mildent paid $20.43 lington said. “It’s to SA for a ticket a great opportuto all three Fall nity for students Fest concerts. If here and for constudents wanted to certs like Fall Fest, see Fall Fest singer you’re seeing more Ashanti outside of than one person. UB, a ticket to that A lot of concerts show alone would are very expensive cost them roughly so it’s a great deal $40 more than all to get.” three on-campus Jackie Britton, a shows, according junior health and to Ticketmaster. human services Every year, SA major, said she’s pays the Office of shocked by The University Events Spectrum’s calculato sponsor the tions. UB Distinguished “I didn’t think Speakers Series. the [DSS] events This fall, SA could be that paid University cheap. I went Events $127,500 to Joe Biden’s to sponsor the [speech] so I had series. The typi- Jackie Britton, a no idea how little cal undergraduate junior health and it could cost us,” student will pay Britton said. “I roughly $6 toward human services definitely see these the sponsorship major events as a deal this year, accordbecause most coling to Spectrum callege students don’t culations. The average student has paid rough- have a lot of money to throw toward ly $169 to UB Athletics this semester these events if they happened [outside of through the Athletics Fee, which is one UB].” In February and October, UB held inof the nine broad-based fees. Underformational meetings to explain how stugraduate students don’t pay money at the dent fees are used across the university door for games, but graduate students pay an additional $10 for men’s basket- and to gain feedback from students. UB ball and football games, as well as $5 for advertised the meetings in the Student Union, but only 54 students attended. FROM PAGE 1

BROAD-BASED FEES

“see I deﬁnitely these

events as a deal because most college students don’t have a lot of money to throw toward these events if they happened [outside of UB].”

TEACHER RESIDENCY PROGRAM

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Escamilla said she controls roughly $4.37 million this academic year. Of that money, roughly $3.87 million comes from student activity fees. All year long, SA club members ask Escamilla about their clubs’ budgets. But students who aren’t in clubs barely come to her office with questions, she said. Escamilla said she and other SA officials estimated that roughly 15 percent of SA’s budget goes toward clubs. Because of the lower percentage of SA’s budget dedicated toward clubs, Escamilla said she wants to see more students from outside of clubs come to her office in the SU. Going into this school year, Escamilla said SA’s e-board wanted to make students aware of how SA is using their money. She said SA is reminding students about the fee on social media and reminded them during this past summer’s orientation. “We told students to come out to these events, that you pay for them so you can go to them for free,” Escamilla said. “We understand, as college students, people want to go out, but we have events here on and off campus. Just go and try it out –– it’s a great way for students to meet [each other].” Escamilla said SA’s e-board wants to consider a program to inform students about SA’s budget. She said she recognizes UB’s efforts to educate students on broad-based fees. Last month, UB held an informational town hall meeting on broad-based fees. The Spectrum reported nine students attended the meeting, four of which were Escamilla, SA Chief of Staff Jacob Brown, SBI President Jennifer Schechter and a Spectrum reporter. A similar broadbased meeting in February attracted roughly 45 people. Britton said she transferred to UB this semester and although she hasn’t gone to a fee meeting because she didn’t know about them, she’s interested in going to a future meeting. “I think it’s important to know where

“Students should

attend these meetings. UB really wants to receive feedback, and they want students to be there.” -Tanahiry Escamilla, Student Association Treasurer

your money goes and if UB could email students about [meetings], or hand out ﬂyers, that would work,” she said. “I check my email daily, and I get updates about different kinds of events, so I think other students would find that helpful too.” Escamilla said she has considered programming about SA’s budget, as well, as the last broad-based fee meeting made her more aware of how UB uses her own fees. “I definitely think it was eye-opening and SA should move in the direction of trying to have that sort of program,” Escamilla said. “We’ll definitely see what we can do for next year.” Max Kalnitz contributed reporting to this story. email: benjamin.blanchet@ubspectrum.com twitter: @BenjaminUBSpec.

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Thursday, November 29, 2018 | 5

Hamilton and the art of storytellin’ Broadway’s smash hit brings rhymes, emotion and song to Shea’s

COURTESY OF JOAN MARCUS The cast of “Hamilton” is taking Buffalo by storm at Shea’s Performing Arts Center. Last week, the cast performed their Broadway smashes in front of a sold-out and raving audience.

BENJAMIN BLANCHET SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR

Cabinet battles, comedic quips and ‘70slike pop numbers aside, it’s no question Alexander Hamilton told his — and others’ — stories last Wednesday in downtown Buffalo. “Hamilton,” the hit Broadway musical based on the story of the founding father, is running at Shea’s Performing Arts Center through Dec. 9. Last Wednesday, the show featured top-of-the-line performances by Austin Scott (Alexander Hamilton), Hannah Cruz (Eliza Hamilton) and Alexander Ferguson (Aaron Burr). The cast performed a ﬂurry of rap and soul numbers in front of an enthusiastic, soldout crowd at Shea’s. “Hamilton” focuses on the rise of U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant who climbed his way up on a newly formed nation’s political ladder. Through trials and tribulations, Hamilton slowly but surely carves his name into the history books with profound determination. The second the character of Hamilton appeared on stage, the crowd looked on and enwrapped themselves in every one of his ﬂoating notes. Hamilton, along with Marquis de Lafayette (played by Bryson Bruce), Hercules Mulligan (played by Chaundre Hall-Broomfield) and John Laurens (played by Jon Viktor Corpuz), took over the beginning with their table banging beats and independence-infused rhymes. And if this cast’s musical abilities were ever a question, their artistic totality would have to be the answer. From the cabinet battles of back-andforth political runarounds to the play’s soulful sensibilities, the production did not disappoint audience members — es-

pecially based on the subtle yet in-sync supporting cast who complemented the whole experience. Favorites from the Broadway show controlled the evening with certitude, too, as hip-hop and soul took their shape from the first act. Burr, a villainous character who later turned hero, looked less Thomas Paine and more like House of Pain during the show. Eliza, along with her Schuyler sisters Peggy (played by Isa Briones) and Angelica (played by Stephanie Umoh), commanded the crowd’s attention through their abilities to dig into their grab bag of in-sync R&B-like performances. Despite everyone’s different contributions to the production, one character easily had the audience giggling in their seats. King George (played by Peter Matthew Smith) sprinkled his jest and good humor toward America in a performance that featured funny shimmies and intense characterization Whereas his majesty’s hilarious onstage antics, which continued throughout the evening, our own first president — George Washington (played by Paul Oakley Stovall) — delivered a vocal per-

formance of a lifetime. Smith’s character, who later entrusted Hamilton with a cabinet position, led a faultless path of vocals throughout in numbers like “One Last Time.” The show also featured standout performances by Angelica Schulyer, who — when she sees her sister Eliza fall in love with Hamilton — packaged a ‘00s R&Blike, heartbreak anthem to the audience’s delight. As the act came to a close, and the Revolutionary War came to a close, a myriad of piano drops and DJ scratches signalled in an accomplished Hamilton at the height of his 18th century prowess. His Federalist papers and his “running-out-of-time” form of writing helped culminate the ambitious act one, as — without a doubt in his mind — he joins the ranks of Washington’s leadership. The play’s second act, more regalious in tone, featured a number of pleasantries such as Thomas Jefferson (also played by Bruce) coming back to America in a boatload of funk. Cabinet battles showcased Hamilton and Jefferson, who went headto-head and pleased the audience through their ﬂurries of spot-on disses and parti-

san clapbacks. One of the show’s catchier tracks was “The Room Where It Happens,” a number led by Burr under a sleuthy-inspired tune with a mysterious rhythm. As the show progressed, however, Hamilton’s troubles as a writer and treasurer became more complex. The crowd intensely watched on after Hamilton cheated on his wife in the play. This, coupled with the loss of his son Philip, spiraled his life and relationships out of control. As Hamilton continued to write like he was “running out of time,” his character willingly threw his support behind Jefferson to spite Burr. The decision upset Burr, as they agree to a duel that harvested all the noise in the theater. As Hamilton’s past and anxiety circled around him, literally, during the duel, he decides to shoot his bullet in the air as Burr shoots him down. The play’s peak marked a complicated end, but an end, which the cast ﬂipped into a celebration of the tales of characters like Eliza. Songs and cast members came together in unison, closing with the emotional range of numbers in the play. After the cast, in unison, asked who will tell their story, the audience responded and erupted in a standing ovation for the musical cast members. “Hamilton’s” historical grace won’t quit in the Queen City, as the play continues its run through Dec. 9 at Shea’s Performing Arts Center. On Monday, SA offered undergraduate students the chance to grab 25 tickets for a performance on Dec. 5. Students reserved all 25 tickets on Monday, according to SA entertainment coordinator Marc Rosenblitt. SA President Gunnar Haberl said SA could only purchase 25 tickets due to the show’s company policy and a high ticket demand. Haberl said SA will offer more tickets to shows, such as “Cats,” “Rent” and “The Book of Mormon” in the spring. email: benjamin.blanchet@ubspectrum.com twitter: @BenjaminUBSpec

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11/23 10:25 a.m.: UPD responded to a criminal mischief call at Baird Hall. A female reported having issues with a student on the previous Wednesday and noticed her car that morning was scratched. Patrol was dispatched and filed a report. 10:46 a.m.: UPD responded to a lockout at Squire Hall. Patrol assisted in the lock out. 3:47 p.m.: UPD responded to a disabled motor vehicle on Delaware Avenue. It had appeared to be a hit and run. The victim’s car was undrivable. Police provided an escort. 10:21 p.m.: The fire alarm was disabled at the Millard Fillmore Academic Center. UPD requested an alarm technician.

motor assist call on Coventry Road. Jump start assistance was provided for the female’s car. 7:55 p.m.: A disturbance call at Creekside Village was reported to UPD. The two residents involved had gotten into a heated argument involving some pushing and shoving. Both residents had stated they do not feel safe in the room anymore. UPD issued two referrals.

11/25 2:37 p.m.: UPD responded to a larceny at The Commons. The female student stated that she left her laptop unattended for an hour. The student reported to police that she had located her laptop and nothing was missing. 8:40 p.m.: UPD responded to a call about an unwelcome guest at Abbott Hall. The suspect is a black male with a beard, wearing a red jacket, red hat and had a cane. Police escorted the suspect out of the building. 9:38 p.m.: UPD received a call about a disabled motor vehicle on Millersport Highway. UPD provided assistance and a tow truck had arrived on scene. 10:57 p.m.: UPD received a call about a marijuana complaint at the Spaulding Quadrangle. An RA said she spoke with the two students. Police arrived and confiscated the paraphernalia and issued a referral. 11:42 p.m.: UPD received a call reporting a suspicious vehicle at the Spaulding parking lot. Patrol issued an arrest, a referral and filed a report. email: news@ubspectrum.com

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6 | Thursday, November 29, 2018

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SPORTS

8 | Thursday, November 29, 2018018

The edge: MAC Championship Edition

Buffalo vs. Northern Illinois The Bulls get ready to clash with Northern Illinois in Detroit for this year’s MAC Shield THOMAS ZAFONTE SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

The Bulls are headed for the Mid-American Conference Championship for the first time since 2008. Buffalo football (10-2, 7-1 MAC) will play the Northern Illinois Huskies (7-5, 6-2 MAC) at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan Friday at 7 p.m. The Bulls are looking for the program’s second MAC Championship, coming off winning the MAC East Division this season. The Huskies come in off a twogame losing streak, barely holding on to the MAC West Division title. See who has the edge in this week’s match up:

QuarterbackBuffalo

Buffalo’s clear advantage lies in its offense. Junior Tyree Jackson hasn’t looked himself in the past two games, throwing for 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions. Still, Jackson has 2605 yards on the season and had 24 touchdowns in the first ten games. Northern Illinois redshirt sophomore Marcus Childers is not the team’s go-to scoring option, but is usually afforded time in the pocket to convert on most of his passes. With the Bulls having a strong passing defense, don’t expect the Huskies to look to Childers for any Brett Favre-like heroics.

Receivers- Buffalo As the story has been the whole season, it is hard for any MAC team to compete with Buffalo’s receiving corp. You have senior Anthony Johnson who could easily get 100 or more yards in just three receptions. Junior K.J. Osborn has had big games this season and seems due for another one. The Bulls still have reliable options to pass too, even excluding Osborn and Johnson. If all of Buffalo’s passers is healthy, the Bulls could have one of the best scoring performances in a MAC Championship game. The Huskies have no go-to passing option, opting to spread the ball out to multiple receivers in most games.

Running Backs- Pick- em Neither team wows in the run game, but both are effective at rushing in similar ways. The Bulls have a three-option rushing attack of redshirt freshman Kevin Marks, freshman Jaret Patterson and junior Emmanuel Reed. They combine to give the Bulls three possible runners who can go off any game. The Huskies have two solid options in redshirt sophomore Tre Harbison and redshirt junior Marcus Jones. Both can have over 100-yard games at the same time, with Childers as an extra run option in the red zone. With both teams having run games that act secondary to another part of the team, whoever takes the edge rushing will have a much easier time on Friday.

Coaches- Buffalo Head coach Lance Leipold might as well take the victory lap when he gets to Ford Field. From bottom of the MAC to best record in the conference, Leipold has taken the Bulls to heights unseen since Khalil Mack. The offense looked great last week and should be in top form come Friday. Leipold will look to put points on the board early. The Bulls would look like a much stronger team for bowl selection if Bufalo can have its way

Back to take the MAC Bulls return to MAC Championship after a decade away NATHANIEL MENDELSON SPORTS EDITOR

The Bulls walked off the field at Perry Doyt field disappointed with the effort and the results on the season. They lost 27-19 to Bowling Green. “I think where the game ended is the story of our season. It has its flashes and [we were close], but not good enough,” said head coach Lance Leipold two years ago when the Bulls finished their season 2-10. On Friday, the Bulls walked out of Perry Doyt Stadium as Mid-American Conference East Division champions. Buffalo won 44-14, a statement win in the same place the program hit a low point. The Bulls (10-2, 7-1) will contend for the MAC title on Friday against the Northern Illinois Huskies (7-5, 6-2 MAC) at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. It is Buffalo’s first title game since 2008, where they defeated a nationally ranked Ball State team. The Bulls are favored to win but have not defeated the Huskies since 1968, the teams’ firstever meeting. “I told them at the start of this year they have a great opportunity to be a special group and to leave a legacy of some sort,” Leipold said on Tuesday. “There was opportunity there to do things that maybe haven’t been done before or haven’t been done in a while. There’s been a lot of growing pains but this group has gone through some special circumstances. No matter what happens these last two games, this group is pretty special.” The group includes 10 members named to the All-MAC team, a program record. Junior quarterback Tyree Jackson was named the offensive player of the year and freshman running back Jaret

WAYNE PENALES | THE SPECTRUM Junior wide receiver K.J. Osborn sets himself in the slot. Osborn has been a key part of the football team’s success this season.

Patterson named freshman of the year. Jackson has had the healthiest season of his career, starting every game for the Bulls this season. Jackson has only been sacked eight times all year. With 25 passing and 7 rushing touchdowns, he holds the school record for most total touchdowns in a season. Patterson was a revelation for the Bulls this year. Initially third on the depth chart, Patterson broke out and finished as the leading rusher for Buffalo with 874 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. None of this would have been possible without the strength of the Bulls offensive line. Senior center James O’Hagan was named to the All-MAC first team for the first time in his career. Since redshirting his freshman year, O’Hagan has started every game. Junior left tackle Evan Ksiezarczyk was named to the second team. The two spearheaded Buffalo’s rushing attack that had a program record 2,406 yards this year. Against Northern Illinois, the Bulls will have

ubspectrum.com their hardest matchup of the year. The Huskies lead the MAC in sacks with 46. Northern Illinois senior defensive end Sutton Smith is the MAC defensive player of the year and overall player of the year. He leads the league with 13 sacks. The Huskies’ front-seven on defense not only rush the passer better than anyone else, they are able to stop the running game. The Bulls average over 200 yards per game on the ground, but the Huskies only give up an average of 107. “It’s an excellent defense that really plays to its strengths very well,” Leipold said. “They probably played the most challenging schedule of anyone in the group of five schools, and to still be after 12 games the top defense in the MAC says a lot about what we’re going against.” Buffalo will be forced to air it out against Northern Illinois. With potential first-round draft pick senior Anthony Johnson and second team all-MAC member K.J. Osborn, the task becomes much easier. Johnson was able to rack up 820 yards on just 45 receptions, despite missing multiple games this season. In a pivotal matchup against Miami (OH), he had a school record 238 yards and three touchdowns. Buffalo has a chance to redefine its legacy and continue the most successful year in athletic history. It’s Leipold’s first chance to prove Buffalo made the right choice in hiring him from Division III. “This team has validated itself to me a long time ago in its work ethic and its character and what it has been able to do and overcome,” Leipold said. Our staff has proven itself at being able to coach at this level and evaluate, develop and retain not just players, but student-athletes. I am pleased with where we are at and where we are headed.” The Bulls kickoff at 7 p.m. at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The game will be broadcasted nationally on ESPN2. email: nathaniel.mendelson@ubspectrum.com twitter @NateMendelson

Balling in Belfast Men’s basketball heads to Ireland for Belfast Classic SPORTS DESK

The Bulls are trading one cold city for another to compete in Belfast, Northern Ireland for two games in the Belfast Hall of Fame Classic. No. 21 Buffalo enters the game looking for its first non-conference tournament win with Nate Oats as head coach. The Bulls (5-0) start on Friday at 5:30 a.m. EST. Buffalo will enter the four-team “Goliath Bracket,” as it plays the Milwaukee Panthers (24) in the first round. The San Francisco Dons (6-0) will play the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (4-1) in the first round later on Friday, to determine who will play in the championship game on Saturday. Senior guard CJ Massinburg continues to impress this season, with sophomore guard Jayvon Graves contributing as a scoring option with recent performances. Massinburg averages 20.5 points and 7.8 rebounds a game. Graves averages 12.6 points a game and had a strong outing against Dartmouth (3-3) over Thanksgiving week. Both players shoot around 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc. The Panthers come in off back-to-back wins, after starting the season 0-4. The team on offense. Huskies head coach Rod Carey has been very consistent in his winning ways at Northern Illinois and has built the conference’s best defense. Still, his team does not match up very well to Buffalo’s offense. It will have to be a grind-out, low-scoring game if the Huskies want the MAC Championship.

Defenses- Huskies The Huskies have one trademark strength: their defense. The Huskies won six straight in the MAC holding teams to 26 points or less. Northern Illinois hasn’t let a team score more

MADISON MEYER | THE SPECTRUM Junior guard Davonta Jordan looks for the layup in the guarded paint. Jordan and the Bulls will head to Belfast, Northern Ireland for two games this weekend.

is inconsistent scoring and will have a tough matchup against Buffalo. Stephen F. Austin has looked solid this season, but has struggled against tough competition. The Lumberjacks lost to the Miami Hurricanes (5-1) 96-58. The San Francisco Dons remain the biggest question mark in the tournament. The Dons beat solid teams in blowouts this season, remaining undefeated. Despite any quality wins yet, the most likely championship matchup will be Buffalo vs. San Francisco. The championship is set to begin at 10:30 a.m. EST, at the SSE Arena. sports@ubspectrum.com

than 30 on them since the fourth game of the season. The Bulls have been solid on defense, but vulnerable to good running attacks. The Army Black Knights (9-2) and Ohio Bobcats (8-4, 6-2 MAC) games showed the Bulls’ inability defending the run. With the Huskies’ offense not being its strong suit, Buffalo’s defense could have some big stops on Friday too. Expect the pace of scoring to decide who will win, with a fast one benefiting Buffalo and a slow one geared toward the Huskies. email: thomas.zafonte@ubspectrum.com twitter @Thomas_Spectrum

THE SPECTRUM IS LOOKING FOR SPORTS WRITERS, SPORTS VIDEOGRAPHERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS AND MORE. HELP REPORT DURING ANOTHER HISTORIC YEAR IN UB SPORTS. EMAIL SPORTS@UBSPECTRUM.COM WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR IDEAS.