The
Springhillian
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam | November 1, 2012 | Volume 95 Issue 8
Badgers take to the polls
see YOUTH VOTERS on page 3
November 1, 2012
EVENTS WEEK OF
THE
11/2
UP, UP & AWAY: EVOLUTION OF THE COMIC BOOK HERO Through March 3. Hours of operation: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Adults cost $7, senior citizens cost $6, students cost $5.
Thursday November ISSUE EIGHT
Springhillian
1
IN THIS ISSUE
Where: History Museum of Mobile at 111 South Royal Street Contact: 251-208-7569
11/08 radKIDS fundraiser The Student Government Association and the Spring Hill College Public Safety hosts the radKIDS fundraiser at Sonic. Where: Sonic at 951 Montlimar Drive When: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
11/17 Mobile International Festival The Mobile Civic Center hosts the Mobile International Festival. International Cuisine, art work and entertaining shows will be there. Where: Mobile Civic Center When: 10 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Hillianstaff EDITOR(s) LindseyFRECHOU BrandyJONES Managing Editor MatthewLaBORDE Advertising BrendanPECHON ADVISOR StuartBABINGTON
on
the
NEWS reporter MariahHOLLIDAY LIFESTYLE reporter AislinnSHEVLIN SPORTS reporter ThomasWILL CaleFINTA CARTOONIST AbbeyROAM
cover
Spring Hill students show their political affiliations as they prepare for Nov. 6. Photo by ThomasWILL
HillianCONTACT
The Springhillian a: 4000 Dauphin Street c/o The SpringHillian Mobile, AL 36608 e: hillian@stumail.shc.edu
Inside NEWS
Inside LIFE & STYLES
iPhone thieves hit Spring Hill College Student Center.
Students enjoy the Voodoo Music Festival in New Orleans, La.
PAGE THREE
PAGE ELEVEN
Inside SPORTS The Spring Hill College baseball team plays the purple and white series.
PAGE FIFTEEN
The Hillian Gang
| NEWS
3 Retweet me Mr. President: Social media effect on youth voters November 1, 2012
AislinnSHEVLIN Reporter
A lot has changed in the last four years and one of the biggest changes to affect “Millennialsm” or young voters, has undoubtedly been the surge in popularity of social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Last election, Facebook was popular, but the use of the site for sharing opinions, videos and actual news has only legitimately occurred since it was utilized during the onset of the Arab Spring. Twitter also continues to increase in popularity and the political action on the site during this election season has been unrelenting. Thousands of tweets were generated during each political debate and every folly from President Barack Obama or Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney is met with multiple postings and Saturday Night Live skits. Obama and Romney have both embraced Twitter and Facebook, sometimes posting multiple times a day, actively trying to attract young voters. Junior Lexi McGruder thinks keeping a social media presence is necessary in this cultural climate. She said, “I think that it’s very smart for candidates to use social media because it shows that they’re in touch with how to reach different demographics of voters. Young people are less likely to watch CNN or read the paper, but most of us are on Facebook and Twitter every day.” For many college students, this will be the first presidential election in which they can vote and a lot of students pride themselves on staying informed with issues that affect them the most. Last week, the Obama campaign received criticism from conservatives for an advertisement expressing Obama’s
support of women’s rights featuring HBO “Girls” creator and star, Lena Dunham. The ad was aimed at young women and Dunham, whose show regularly tackles issues regarding female sexuality like virginity and abortion, tried to appeal especially to “first time” female voters. Conservative critics were offended by the innuendo in the ad suggesting that the first time one votes should be a decision taken as seriously as the first time one has sex.
I have to think of which candidate is going to represent me for the next four years. Either way the response to the ad illustrated the importance of the youth vote to both candidates. Within minutes, people were sharing their opinions and instigating debates on social media sites. McGruder remarked about Obama’s youth appeal, “I personally think that President Obama is more in touch with young voters because his policies and beliefs seem more contemporary and in tune with modern times.” Junior Megan Dahl, like many Americans, is utmost concerned with the economic state of the country. Dahl said, “As college students, we’re about to become fullyfunctioning members of the American economy and this
Hurricane Sandy crashes into the East Coast By BrandyJONES Design Editor
Hurricane Sandy continues to batter the East Coast and The Weather Channel reports that New York City has received wind gusts up to 80 mph as well as high impact water rise. Joseph Lhota, the chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, said that the 108 year-old subway system in New York as well as underground tunnels have endured unprecedented damage and they will remain closed for up to four days. “ConEd, the power company has shut off electricity to parts of lower Manhattan to protect the equipment,” said Crystal Egger, reporter of The Weather Channel. As of Tuesday, over 8 million people were found to be without power up and down the East Coast. Bryan Norcross, the senior hurricane specialist of the Weather Channel said that there is a combination of high tide and wind direction that pushes water into the city. JFK Airport has suspended all flights and has reported 52 mph wind. Norcross reports that the energy of the storm is going to the south side of New York.
Downtown Manhattan has encountered severe flooding and cars were pictured on the street, filled with water. The Rockaways section of Queens was ravaged by fires from flooding and down power lines on Monday night, which resulted in the destruction of up to 100 homes. President Obama has declared Sandy a “major disaster” in New York City and Long Island. Falling trees have brought the death toll up to 33 people, but that number is expected to rise. Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg thanked the NYPD and FDNY for their heroic rescue efforts during the brunt of the storm on Monday night. The storm is expected to drop three feet of snow in West Virginia and power outages are expected in 26 states and flooding of up to three feet or more in low lying streams and rivers. The water level in Manhattan has been reported to have risen 13 feet. As of Tuesday the wind was still hammering the coast line and plans for recovery are being discussed with the help of the American Red Cross, which has provided shelter to those who evacuated during the storm.
issue should be at the forefront of our minds. I want a candidate who realizes that there are things that can be done to improve the economic condition without imposing an unnecessarily large burden on private citizens.” The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, Generation Opportunity, which seeks engagement with young voters, claimed that of the 18 to 29-year-olds polled, “only 38 percent believe that today’s political leaders reflect the interests of young Americans.” McGruder and Dahl both give Obama the edge in appealing to young voters, but Dahl cautions against the likeability factor. Dahl said of Obama, “He’s very personable, and, I admit, a lot of what he says sounds impressive. But I think youth in America tend to be shortsighted. We don’t realize the practical implications and the consequences of what we’re hearing.” The president elected this year will potentially still be in office when current college students are thrust into the real world and both McGruder and Dahl understand the weight their vote has on their future. McGruder remarked, “I have to think of which candidate is going to represent me for the next four years.” While Dahl explained, “I think first-time voters can often be more passionate about the candidate they support than any other group because they want to be a part of something big. They want to make a difference. But I also think that they’re very susceptible to the undue influence of those around them and to the likeability of the candidate.” The enthusiasm displayed on social media sites by young voters is encouraging for candidates, but to make a real difference, college students have to make an informed decision and actually cast their ballots. “Liking” a candidate on Facebook doesn’t count as a vote. At least not this year.
NEWS |4
November 1, 2012
Q&A with SGA Attorney General Ricado Pita By LindseyFRECHOU Editor
Q:
A:
Q:
Q:
As Attorney General, what is your role within the SGA?
Being able to fight alongside with the Cabinet and Senate to improve the lives of our fellow students. The opportunity to make progress a trend instead of an exception is a true privilege.
A:
I’m in charge of the legal aspect of the organization and chairing the Regulations Board, which is mainly in charge of carrying out elections. I’m basically SGA’s lawyer.
What goals do hope SGA is able to accomplish this year?
We started this year with ambitious goals and we are on schedule to achieve them before we initially expected. After revising the Elections Code and bringing it up to par with modern requirements and regulations, we are now moving forward with the most comprehensive Constitutional reform since SGA’s establishment.to what students could make happen on this campus.
A:
What has been your favorite part of being a member of SGA?
Q:
How have the joint SGA and Public Safety fundraisers been?
They have had great turnout! Although I don’t have the numbers from our latest fundraiser at Five Guys, I can confirm that we have raised approximately $400 for RAD Kids so far. We are very committed to the cause and are looking forward to keep providing it with our full support.
A:
Q:
Where do you hope to see SGA in the future?
As a campus organization that is fully taking part in every aspect of our vibrant student community. An SGA that through its involvement, it is better poised to make student life better for all of us here at Spring Hill.
A:
iPhone thieves spotted in Student Center BrandyJONES Design Editor
Spring Hill College Public Safety is looking for three men who are suspected of stealing as many as four iPhones in one day. Last Tuesday juniors Kimberley Stevens and Samantha Samry spotted the iPhone thieves. Stevens said that the three men were sitting a few tables away from the half wall that separates the cafeteria from the open common area where the TV’s and the staircase are located. Stevens was sitting at a table near the half wall, waiting for Samry to help her with a voter’s project. Stevens said that she did not recognize the three men. According to Stevens there were empty tables around the three guys. “You know how common hour is, there are no tables open but there were two tables in front of them and one table beside them open,” said Stevens. Stevens said that the men were not eating and that she could tell that they didn’t go to Spring Hill College. “Spring Hill guys have a type of look to them, so you know they didn’t belong. They were sketchy. They weren’t talking at all.” According to Stevens the men were
dressed in long white tanks and black shorts. “They basically looked like basketball players. They were in Nike Sliders, high socks and gym clothes,” said Samry. “One guy was wearing a black hat and a black shirt with blue writing. He was wearing black Nike Sliders with the white checks on the top,” said Stevens. “We were all sitting at the table eating our lunch when one of them gets up and walks by a table. I was like I think he just took a phone,” said Samry. Samry explained that seeing one of them take a phone was shocking and that she was unsure of what to do. “The other two followed behind him and I called public Safety immediately,” added Samry. “I told public safety that they were walking toward Skips and what they were wearing. I told them that they needed to go toward
Skip’s and not the cafeteria, because they [the men] had left. Public safety sent Mrs. Laury to the cafeteria and so by the time she went to go look for them they were gone,” said Samry. “We were like I didn’t know what to do in that situation and Mrs. Lauriy said ‘you did everything right in that situation but next time just make them feel uncomfortable and unwelcome,” said Samry. Samry explained that both she and Stevens will be keeping an eye out for the three men. “If we see them tomorrow we have to make them feel awkward about it.” Samry said that at one point people in the cafeteria started to realize that they didn’t belong because people were pointing at them and talking about them. Senior Kattie Therkelsen said she noticed a Samry said that it is best for students to remember to take their stuff with them
I know that an iPhone on a table can be a code for the table being taken, but you should try to leave your jacket instead because a jacket is easier to replace than a phone.
when they get food. “I know that an iPhone on a table can be a code for the table being taken, but you should try to leave your jacket instead because a jacket is easier to replace than a phone.” Todd Warren, Director of Public Safety and Security said that there is a phone registration form included in the laptop registration application on BadgerWeb. “They can go and register their iPhones or iPads. The application allows the police department to trace the serial number and the Mac number if the stolen item shows up,” explained Warren. “And just because they are taking iPhones don’t think that they won’t be desperate enough to take Androids,” said Stevens. “It is important to remember that no one is guaranteed safety. Just because we are a private ‘gated’ community and we live in this bubble doesn’t mean that someone can’t just walk on in and steal our stuff,” said Stevens. Warren said that the investigation is still on going and that the Mobile Police Department has said that there have been similar instances at other college campuses.
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November 1, 2012
| NEWS
Glass bottles on campus ongoing problem By MatthewLaBORDE Reporter
Glass covered the hallway floors of the Fairway Apartments on Saturday night after a reckless student tipped over a recycling can under a sign labeled “Glass Only Please!” Many student concerns about glass litter at the Fairways culminated Oct. 3 at a Student Government meeting when senior class President Amalie St. Romain entered the room holding a onegallon Tupperware container full of glass from the outside of her apartment. All four apartment residents were out of town that weekend. Plant Operations responded to the concerns of both the Student Government Association (SGA) and students by adding more recycling cans throughout the apartments in an attempt to reduce littering among students. Flyers that read, “Don’t be an @ss, Pick up Your Glass” were also posted around campus to raise awareness about the issue. The glass problem has been on the SGA list of priorities since mid-September, according to Vice President of Student Concerns Matthew Keller. “The administration knows it’s a big problem,” said Keller, “and they considered doing a glassless
campus, but they wanted to hear from the students first.” St. Romain also expressed her doubts about the effectiveness of a policy. “if we do ban glass on campus, people are going to get mad, so we need to explore other options before we make that step.”
Keller emphasized the importance of having the students
behind the issue. “If the majority of people do not want to get rid of the glass then we are not representing the student body well by moving ahead with a policy like that.” Steering away from a strict no-glass policy has forced the SGA to venture through new avenues of prevention.
Alternatives to an SGA guiding principle included a possible senior recycling project or another campus-wide forum to get people discussing the issue together. “If we don’t address the issue it won’t get better,” said St. Romain. According to both St. Romain and Keller, those who are causing these problems are not students of the school. “I don’t think it’s the seniors causing the problem, or the other students, I think it’s the visitors who don’t live here,” said St. Romain. While the plans for a glassless campus hang in the midst of implementation, the SGA will continue to attempt to spread awareness. “I think if we make more people aware, it will help,” said St. Romain. The student concerns table is available to students every Wednesday in the cafeteria. The SGA encourages students to express their feelings towards this issue.
Top photo by LindseyFRECHOU Bottom photo courtesy of AdamBERNOT
Top: Senior Penny Gyan created art out of broken pieces of glass she found outside of her apartment. Bottom: A scene found after a weekend at the apartments.
Office of Alumni offer travel program for Summer 2013 MariahHOLLIDAY News Reporter
Spring Hill College’s Office of Alumni Programs has partnered with the Loyola Alumni Office and the Office of Mission and Ministry to offer an alumni travel program to Spain for the summer of 2013. The program is being coordinated by Loyola University New Orleans Jesuits Fr. Ted Dziak, S.J. and Fr. Bob Gerlich, S.J. along with Fr. Mark Lewis, S.J. a graduate and current trustee of Spring Hill College and a provincial of the New Orleans Province of the Society of Jesus. The program is a 10 day spiritual journey that will take place from June 16 through June 27, travelers will walk in the footsteps of Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Xavier. The purpose of the trip according to Dziak is to “find God in all things is one of the maxims of Ignatian spirituality.” The
journey will follow themes of adventure and story of Ignatius’ life. There will be walking tours to Ignatian sites that were important to Ignatius and his first companions. Jesuits will offer discussions on diverse topics along with time allotted for personal reflection, meditation and prayer. Among the places to be visited are Bilboa, Barcelona, Loyola, San Sebastain, Montserrat and Manresa, which Masses will be celebrated daily at sites that manifest Ignatius’ spiritual journey. There will be an opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of Igantius’ home country, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the countryside and the architectural wonders of Barcelona and the Spanish cuisine in addition to the holy places and the spiritually reflective times. According to Monde Donaldson, director of alumni programs, this is one of the many travel programs Jesuit colleges and universities offer. She said, “So many of our
alumni have their faith rooted in the Jesuit traditions. They value the teachings they learned at Spring Hill and use the prayers of the spiritual exercises as a daily guide in their lives. I think this trip will be well received by the faithful who want to continue their enrichment in the faith.” The trip is not limited to alumni, but it is open to all faculty, students and parents that are interested. The cost of the trip is $4,368, which includes air fare from New Orleans, security fees and current fuel surcharges. For travelers that would like to join the trip in Bilboa, the cost is $3,233. There are only 30 spots on the trip and anyone interested can pick up a detailed brochure from the Alumni Office in Byrne Memorial Hall. Anyone seeking more information can contact either Donaldson at mdonaldson@shc.edu or Dziak at tdiak@loyno.edu.
OPINION | 6 Why I’m voting for Obama
By CaleFINTA Staff Reporter
We all remember the optimism that dominated the political atmosphere following the election of Barack Obama as the President of the United States. The hugging families, the tearful speeches proclaiming hope for the struggling masses, the dancing in the streets. The beautiful patriotic scenes that lasted…all of five minutes. Mr. President, we’re in an economic crisis and fighting two wars. Alright, well let’s get down to business. It seems that the number one reason that voters are giving for not supporting Barack Obama in the 2012 election is that he just didn’t accomplish anything. And yes, I said voters, because, in reality, elections are not won by the expert analysts and politicians, but by the masses of voters with varying degrees of political involvement and overall awareness.
I’m being told that Democrats should be worried. Obama’s in trouble, they say. Why? Because the greatest thing Obama did was to get elected. And there should be some level of concern among Democrats. Since he’s already been elected, they can’t count on the hipster vote, or the votes of rebellious teens trying to piss off their conservative parents, or the votes of grassroots movements yearning for a civil rights victory. People want to see goals. That’s fair, let’s talk about goals. Obama had some major goals coming into office in 2008. He wanted to stabilize the economy, reform the healthcare system, and increase cooperation with allies to combat terrorism. Republicans have argued that any goals should have been easily pushed through Congress, claiming that Democrats had a filibusterproof majority for the first two years of Obama’s presidency. Even Romney, in a speech in Craig, Colorado claimed that Democrats held a super majority in both houses for two years. Well, that’s only one-sixth true; the Democrats had 60-vote majority in the Senate for all of four months, most of which was spent on the Affordable Care Act. And speaking of goals, Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnel, in
the midst of midterm elections, said “the single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a oneterm president.” Really? That was your goal? Not jobs, economic turnaround, or healthcare? Alright, then. Obstructionism is a dirty word right now, but let me just point out that Republicans started filibustering like crazy once Democrats lost their filibuster-proof majority. In President Obama’s first term, there were 246 cloture filed to end Republican filibusters. Compare that to the 133 cloture motions of George W. Bush’s first term. But we can’t label that as baseless obstructionism, can we? Surely, Republicans had good reasons for all of those filibusters. Wait, every Republican Senator voted to filibuster the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act that offered healthcare for 9/11 heroes? It seems like a worthy cause, but sorry heroes, it’s more important that Obama fails. So what are the results of this? As the Republican Congress pulls further to the right, it pulls the center with it. Obama could have made a fantastic Republican candidate thirty years ago with a few changes. But anyway, let’s get back to those goals. Obama wanted to stabilize
the economy, right? Well, let’s look at some things our country experienced during Obama’s term: 31 straight months of private sector job growth, highest manufacturing output in four years, lowest foreclosure rate in five years, GDP experienced 13 straight quarters of economic growth, the stock market hit its highest point in four years and U.S. monthly exports are up 41 percent. Bring back our troops from overseas? Obama got U.S. forces out of Iraq, and is drawing troops from Afghanistan with plans to be completely out by 2014. Healthcare? The Affordable Care Act is a step in shaping the current system towards a more universal healthcare system, and is assuredly not a government takeover. Under the ACA, government will pay 49 percent of healthcare costs, as opposed to the 43 percent from before ACA, meaning the private sector will still be responsible for over half of healthcare spending. So while Obama has not lived up to every lofty expectation that came with the historical election of 2008, he is definitely still capable of making changes. Can he change Washington? Not a chance. Can he continue to change the United States for the better? I believe so.
November 1, 2012 To the editor, Election season is heating up, and we all know what that means—snarky Facebook posts, defaced candidate yard signs, friend vs. friend and brother vs. brother. With less than a week left till the votes are tallied, both candidates are down to the wire and it seems like our badgers are feeling just as much strain. For some, it’s the boatloads of homework we seem to have accumulated in the past month; others might be anxious as this semester finally winds to a close. I know, however, that I’m not alone when I say that the biggest weight on my mind at the moment is in regard to the resident of the White House next year. Between healthcare, jobs, economics, and the management our military, there are a lot of policies that must be considered when we step into the voting booths. The biggest cause on my mind—one that may not seem important when compared to other domestic shortcomings—is the right to speak my mind without fear of judgment. This campaign has turned underhanded and nasty, and the tone that the politicians are taking to score last minute swing states has started to infect our Hill. I’m not proud to say that more than once I’ve lashed out at someone with opposing views, but it’s hard to speak up when you’re the only one in a classroom with differing ideas. The mission statement of our college boasts that through “informed dialogue…we promote solidarity to the entire human family”. I double-checked and it didn’t say anything about stealing bumper stickers off cars, alienating people in the café, or resorting to name-calling in an attempt to win a debate. C’mon badgers—can’t we all just get along?! -Kat Jakuback
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November 1, 2012
| OPINION
Why I’m voting for Romney By MatthewLaBORDE Reporter
When you take a step back and look at this election – the issues, the candidates and the solutions – it’s a daunting task figuring out for yourself which side you’re on. That’s why when I began the process of educating myself on the issues; I tried my best to be fair to both sides. The media doesn’t really help in this attempt at bipartisanship, and you may have realized how difficult it is to find raw, unbiased material regarding the “numbers.” I tend to look at the big picture, and I tend to particularly look at the issues that will affect
my future, and human rights issues that affect my conscience. Weighing my beliefs on the issues and the current outlook of the nation given the last four years, here is why I’m voting for Mitt Romney: “Let’s talk about jobs” is the phrase we’ve heard repeated through Romney’s campaign. But seriously, let’s talk about jobs, in particular, jobs for people of age 20 to 24. Unemployment among that demographic fell below 13 percent only once during President Obama’s four-year term in office. Here’s the scary part: today, only 51 percent of college graduates since 2006 are employed full-time. Yes, Obama entered into term during an economic collapse, but since his inauguration in January of 2009, unemployment amid the aforementioned demographic has spiked from just below eight percent all the way up to 17
percent. I talk about these numbers because they affect me, and because I was promised something like 5.6 percent four years ago. Moving along, as much as I want to sit here and blast Obama for adding to the deficit, I’m going to hold back. It is true that over
as the future for our economic growth goes, a large debt doesn’t result in anything good, and it doesn’t look pretty for our generation. The deficit doesn’t become so scary if our economy is in full employment, and Romney’s plan focuses intensely on creating jobs and balancing the budget. Romney saved the Olympics, he saved Staples and he doubled his investments at Bain Capitol. I don’t need to continue, his record speaks for itself. He did a whole lot of financial balancing when he came in as Governor of Massachusetts during a painful recession that cost the state 200,000 jobs and about $3 billion in budget deficits. He fixed the budget, and lowered unemployment. He did it all while working hand and hand with Democrats. Additionally, Romney has reiterated to us many of times that
I once believed in the change that President Obama promised, but now I believe in a new man, and his name is Mitt Romney. $5 trillion has been added onto the national debt since Obama entered office, and it is true that his policies have incurred this debt. But, these policies have only incurred approximately $1.44 trillion in debt. The rest of it can be attributed to the fact that we are going through a recession. But, as far
he is indeed a “pro-life candidate,” and that he will work to stop funding to Planned Parenthood. Some say he’s being back and forth on this issue, and some say he’s trying to steal the female vote. If there is a candidate trying to steal the female vote, look no further than the current president. In a recent ad supporting Obama, the creator of the HBO series Girls Lena Dunham compared the first time voting to the first time having sex. She said, “Your first time shouldn’t be with just anybody. You want to do it with a great guy… somebody who really cares about and understands women.” I thought you were endorsing Obama, not sex. Lastly, I base my vote on a basic character assessment. From what I can gather, there isn’t really a scratch of scandal in his life or career. He’s a proven leader, a charitable man, and a hard worker. I once believed in the change that President Obama promised, but now I believe in a new man, and his name is Mitt Romney.
Hey, you know what you should do?
We’re kind of a big deal... Cartoon by AbbeyROAM
LifeStyles |
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The Chemistry Club gives out cup cakes in the cafeteria on Thursday, Oct. 25.
Junior Bridget Oswald cheers at a Spring Hill College game on Family Weekend.
November 1, 2012
Junior Andres Garcia defends the ball on Saturday.
Junior Joe Sykes swings at the ball during the “Purple and White� baseball game.
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November 1, 2012
Freshman Hannah Michaels plays soccer during Family Weekend.
| LifeStyles
Sophomore Maddie LaForge peruses the crafts sold to help fund the immersion trips.
Students and parents line up along Dorn Field to watch a rugby game at Family Weekend.
LIFE STYLE |
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November 1, 2012
ROUND-UP
Who would have thought that Donald Trump’s cameo in Home Alone 2 was the most substantial thing he would ever do. -John Mulaney @mulaney We sent our audience home just to be safe. But we are doing our show tonight anyway. Should be fun. #LateNight -Jimmy Fallon @jimmyfallon
Mitt Romney looks like someone who would try to make “fetch” happen.
My favorite joke, age 5: What did the butcher say when he gave the kid the empty hotdog? “Happy HollowWeenie”.
i cried enough tears at Perks of Being a Wallflower to hydrate a well-supplied pet shop
-Steve Carell @SteveCarell
-Elijah Daniel @aguywithnolife
3 states will decide this election- Ohio, Virginia and Florida. I.e. the 2 states u leave to start your life, and the 1 state you go to die.
-Tavi Gevinson @tavitulle
‘Casual Vacancy’: missing the mark on adult fiction By BrandyJONES Design Editor
A book, if it is written well, can have the power to transcend reality. The characters can begin to feel like family. The “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling were such books. “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince” was a book that could be read and reread. It among others bore the tear stains of the masses. They were that great. Rowling’s power of words was astounding. Her ability to make the reader laugh and cry in the space of three or four pages is something that many authors aspire to do. It is why her newest book “Casual Vacancy” has been waited for with baited breath. Even though it is an emergence into the world of adult fiction by an author who primarily wrote children’s fiction, the book still had the values and expectations that “Harry Potter” attributed to Rowling. “Casual Vacancy” is a story
about the death of a parish while a used condom is described councilor, Barry Fairbrother. as a ‘gossamer’ cocoon of a worm. Fairbrother’s death leaves a The descriptions are not only vacancy on the council that causes repulsive enough to damage what a war between candidates to break little the book had going for it, out. Secrets are revealed and different factions form in the battle for the seat. “Casual Vacancy” is more appropriately an attempt at an emotional telling of multiple stories. The characters are uncaring and there is an innate lack of emotional appeal. Fairbrother’s death is told in the beginning over and over through the eyes of multiple people for what seems like an eternity. Between the mixture of Photo by BrandyJONES obscenities and grotesque but proof of just how overused descriptions the novel shows literature devices can kill a story. reality with a frankness that can Whereas reading the pages and does put the reader off. One of “Harry Potter” was almost woman’s shock and interest in a topic is described as a pterodactyl effortless, getting to the third with a thirst for regurgitated news, chapter in “Casual Vacancy” is
painful. Rowling’s love for adverbs and metaphors is obviously apparent but where they worked in children’s fiction they are distracting and superficial in the story telling of the fight for the vacant seat. Often times the book focuses on the mundane things. The reader is taken into the bedrooms and schoolrooms more than the reader is engaged in the heated battle over the telling of what could be a juicy secret. Why should you care about the obsessive tanning of a wife or what drapes hang over a bedroom window when there is evidence of drugs and sexual encounters in the grave yard? Times where her descriptions
could be and should be in depth and powerful enough to move the story along are missed in favor of telling of dribbling snot and the loss of human connection. The reality of “Casual Vacancy” is so distorted that it is hardly recognizable. Although there are small moments within the book that make it somewhat less tedious to read, the majority of it is a maelstrom of malevolence and pettiness with an overabundance of the ugly characteristics of humanity with barely any of the goodness that humanity is capable of. Rowling can and is a good writer; her work on “Harry Potter” is proof of her skill. But “Causal Vacancy” is a huge disappointment. One can only hope that her next book is less of an attempt at portraying reality for adults and more of a success.
| LIFE STYLE Badgers take on Voodoo Music Fest 11
November 1, 2012
By BrendanPECHON Reporter
This past weekend marked the 14th annual Voodoo Music Experience and what a weekend it was. A slew of badgers hit the Big Easy for three days of music, art, food, and festivities, looking forward to seeing big headliners such as Jack White and Skrillex, while also absorbing the culture of the wonderful city of New Orleans. Voodoo has continually grown in size since its debut in 1999, and this year marked the first time attendees could camp on the grounds. Ticket sales exploded for this option, with the VIP Loa Grand Experience camp selling out with tickets going for $2,500 per two guests. In short, Voodoo made a killing this year. Three-day general admissions tickets went for over $200, while single day passes were $90. These ticket prices cost far too much for many, but Voodoo has a long history of selling expensive tickets. When attending Voodoo Fest, one can expect a multitude of activities to keep each day fresh and exciting, branching from music lessons, promotional booths, arts and crafts and of course the concerts themselves. This year, the five stages created a circle of music around two roads of merchant booths, a long row of local cuisine and numerous carnival rides, not to mention several wonderful creations of art and design. All of this in the setting of New Orleans’ own City Park. Guests were treated to a plethora of musical genres, separated quite nicely by the distance between the stages, so that the electronic boom of “Le Plur” stage would not interrupt the soothing melodies ringing from the Preservation Hall, and vice versa of course. This created an interesting blend of generational musical tastes while all guests could be seen colliding at “Le Ritual” or the main stage. In the three days, badgers flocked to each stage, absorbing the melodies each artist generously gave us, from artists they had been looking forward to seeing all year to those we had never even heard of. Freshman Arianne Stallings enjoyed the diversity of this year’s lineup, saying, “I really enjoyed Neil Young and Crazy Horse, and also Gary Clarke Jr. They both put on really awesome shows. I feel like that’s really what Voodoo is all about, having a good time and seeing a diverse group of musicians all playing great
music in one perfect location.” And what a location it was. The overall atmosphere of the festival was enthralling, energetic and
First thing is first: buy your tickets as soon as possible! Voodoo has a nasty habit of becoming ridiculously expensive, and tickets
contagious, with people of all ages singing, laughing and dancing together. Blankets lined the long field in front of Le Ritual, with young and old families anxiously waiting for headliners to overwhelm them with music. A four-year-old, who has attended the Voodoo Festival every year of her life, danced between blankets like a seasoned veteran. So, knowing that a four-year-old has
won’t be the only things you’ll be spending your money on that weekend. To beat this problem, buy your tickets before the lineup is announced this winter or early next year. Sure, it’s a risk that you will not know every band playing, but Voodoo has yet to provide a year where almost all musical genres are satisfied by at least one artist at the festival. If you buy tickets early, you can usually shave up to around 80 percent off the
gone now four times in her life, don’t you think it’s time for you to see what all the fuss is about? Here’s how you can attend Voodoo for the first time and feel like a total pro, with some advice coming straight from our four-yearold friend.
general admissions ticket prices. Next, fill up on your needs before and after the festival. While the cuisine in the festival is a wonderful display of culture, it’s expensive. If you fill up with food and beverages before you enter the grounds, you can probably keep your food costs down to
around $10 per day. Also, bring a blanket or tapestry. You’re going to be on your feet all day, and to be honest, as the four-year-old expressed, “them dogs get tired” after three days of dancing. It’s fantastic to be able to sit down with friends, take your shoes off and relax on some comfortable fabric. Speaking of friends, one of the best decisions you can make is to create a totem. Your totem can be anything from a wonderfully designed pvc pipe, to a big stick with free swag that you got from the festival. Any way you make it, totem is any festivalgoer’s friend. With a totem, you never have to worry about losing your friends in the crowd, as it’s always easy to spot over the heads of the thousands of people you’ll be scurrying through. I cannot tell you how many people thanked us for being their reference point for helping friends find friends. Finally, invest in a camel bag, or “water bag” as our four-year-old friend called it, “so you never have to stop dancing!” Water gets expensive when you have to buy it, but why buy it when you can fill up at water fountains for free? With these tips, you’ll be set for the best festival experience for your best buck. Be sure to go see bands you’ve never heard of, and of course, share the love and fun you’re having with others. It’s not a music festival without love.
All photos by BrendanPECHON
-Top: Crowds of people wait for the different bands. Left: Matthew Zuppardo enjoys the festival. Right: A crowd serfer at a concert
LIFE STYLE|
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November 1, 2012
The perks of seeing ‘Perks of Being a Wallflower’ By AislinnSHEVLIN Staff Reporter
Movie adaptations of popular books are not uncommon in the scarcely-original Hollywood film realm, but these adapted screenplays are not usually written by the book authors themselves. An even rarer occurrence is for a book’s author to both pen the screenplay adaptation and direct the picture, but that’s exactly what Stephen Chbosky did with “Perks of Being a Wallflower.” Chbosky has constructed an atypical teen movie out of his 1999 coming-of age, bestselling epistolary novel of the same name. The film is set in Pittsburg, PA in 1991 and follows Logan Lerman’s depressed character, Charlie through his freshman year of high school, following his best friend’s suicide. Needless to say, the film tackles some dark themes. The movie received a PG-13 rating after
some denser scenes were removed from the film’s final cut. In many ways the movie stays true to the book though. Literary and musical references to J.D. Salinger’s “Catcher in the Rye” and The Beatle’s song, “Somewhere” made it to
senior character, Sam and her openly gay step-brother, Patrick. “Perks” marks Watson’s first major film outside the world of Harry Potter and her first attempt at an American character. Junior Sara Horan remarked of her
Everybody can relate to Charlie in some waythat’s the cool thing about coming of age stories. the film among others and the music throughout the film captures youthful angst in a very raw sense. Lerman is fantastically awkward and heroic as Charlie, who maintains anonymity to everyone besides his encouraging English teacher, played by Paul Rudd, before he is taken under the wing of Emma Watson’s
performance as Charlie’s dream girl, “She was amazing, but I could be biased because I love her!” Chbosky’s film is atypical because potentially cliché scenes involving Charlie’s introduction into Sam and Patrick’s world of sex, drugs and rock and roll instead seem fresh and poignant.
Basically, it’s not just another teen movie. Junior Danielle Drab, who has read and loved the novel, also enjoyed the movie immensely. She said, “The movie couldn’t be more wonderful. The acting is phenomenal and the music really got me too. I pretty much experienced every emotion on the human spectrum.” Chbosky’s approaches the intensely personal and vulnerable aspects of the characters sensitively, a trait uncommon in major studio productions, with the exception of award hopefuls. The movie succeeds because it engages with high school stereotypes like girls who date jerks and bullying and it doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of maturation and self-discovery. Drab said, “There are a thousand reasons to see this movie. Everybody can relate to Charlie in some way- that’s the cool thing about coming of age stories.”
Call of Controversy: it’s not always fun and games By BrendanPECHON Staff Reporter
It’s nearly here, this year’s installment of Call of Duty, Treyarch’s Black Ops 2 is scheduled to hit the shelves November 13, one week after Halo 4 is released, and two weeks after the release of Assassin’s Creed 3. Yes, this year has been quite a spoil for gamers, but it’s not all fun and games between co-developing studios Infinity Ward and Treyarch, the studios responsible for creating the blockbuster game series. If you’re confused, don’t worry, I’ll explain. The Call of Duty franchise is owned by a company named Activision, a leviathan amongst other game companies. Activision is also responsible for the wildly popular World of Warcraft series. Activision sought out Infinity Ward to create the first Call of Duty, released in 2003, and quickly signed the studio on for a second game, released in 2005. Activision saw large success with both games, but the company was looking to release a new Call of Duty each year. With this decision, the following year saw the release of Call of Duty 3 by Treyarch, thus starting a constant development team between the two
studios. The Call of Duty franchise has never struggled to gain attention from gamers. Each year with the new game’s release, gamers would line the streets waiting to get their hands on a new copy. Just last year, Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 made more than three quarters of a billion dollars
just in the first five days. If you’re wondering, yes, that smashes the record held by the previous version of Call of Duty. Each year, Activision can expect to break world record for release sales, as the company has broken said record consecutively for the past four years. Treyarch and Infinity Ward have a competitive rivalry of course, but that doesn’t mean they don’t work together. The companies both release statements of “good communication” between each other, and up until last year, had a publicly friendly relationship. Now, rumors of possible contract
breaches by Treyarch could mean upcoming lawsuits between the two companies. Treyarch’s Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is set in a futuristic setting, which infringes upon a “Memorandum of Understanding” settled between the two studios in 2008. This document gives Activision authority and responsibility over all titles within the Call of Duty franchise, excluding “any Call of Duty title set in modern day (post-Vietnam), near future or distant future, which shall be under the authority of Infinity Ward”. With this release, will Activision find itself in a yet another court case, having just recently settled a previous suit with former Infinity Ward identities Jason West (Infinity Ward president, game director, coCCO, and CTO) and Vince Zampella (CEO and co-founder of Infinity Ward)? There’s no changing the setting of the game now, so we will just have to wait and see what happens in two weeks when Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is released. Until then, happy redcoat-hunting in Assassin’s Creed 3, and happy fragging in Halo 4.
SPORTS |
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November 1, 2012
The bitter rivalry This weekend in an epic showdown, Alabama travels to Death Valley for a game that is characterized mostly by the hatred between the two SEC powerhouses.
by CaleFINTA Sports Reporter
Alabama is traveling to Death Valley to play LSU this weekend, and while it won’t be the “Game of the Century” matchup that last year’s game was, there will still be a lot of emotion and a national audience for Saturday’s game. It’s difficult to describe the rivalry to people who aren’t Alabama or LSU fans, but I can summarize it for you in one word: Hate. That’s right. Hate. I’m an LSU fan, and I’ll admit right here that I hate Alabama. Now I know Jesus said “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you,” but Jesus wasn’t around for SEC football. And Emperor Palpatine once said “Use your aggressive feelings, boy. Let the hate flow through you.” That’s more like it. Sorry, Jesus, but I’m rolling with the dark side on this one. I know I’m coming on strong, but really, there’s a reason for our animosity. Let me explain our hateful ways. First, we hate Saban. Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard it before: LSU should love Nick Saban. He won LSU a national championship, greatly improved the athletic facilities, and set the winning tradition in Baton Rouge for the 21st century. It’s not that easy, though. Saban left us. He left us for more money and fame when he decided he wanted to try his hand at coaching in the NFL and joined the Miami Dolphins. He had just brought a national championship to Louisiana, a state that was starving for some football success, and then he turns around and leaves?
Okay, that stung a little, but deep down we understood. We really did. You have to follow your dreams, and Saban was just trying to make it big in football’s biggest stage, the NFL. But then, things didn’t work out for him with the Dolphins, and we started hearing rumors that he might coach for Alabama. No way, he wouldn’t do that to us, would you Nicky? “I will say it again. I am not going to be the Alabama head coach nor will I be.” Okay, cool, glad we cleared that up. Everything’s good, right? Nope. Next thing we know ‘ole Saint Nick is pulling on that crimson polo and coaching an SEC West contender. Let me explain why this hurts. Imagine you have a smoking hot girlfriend, and things are going great. Then, one day, out of the blue, she tells you she’s moving to Paris to pursue her modeling career. Okay, that hurts, but whatever, follow your dreams, right? Except, after a while, she discovers that she can’t make it big in Paris, so she moves back to the States and starts dating that kid that used to beat you up in gym class. Ouch. That’s how it feels. Our hate is not because we love our local sports team and hate you for loving your local sports teams. Our hate is more akin to the hatred of jilted ex-lovers. When Saban joined the Crimson Tide, we wore sweat pants for a solid year, ate ice cream out of the carton, and watched The Notebook on repeat (that’s how you deal with a breakup, right?). Okay, so now it’s understandable why LSU fans hate Nick Saban, but why do they hate Alabama so much? It’s easy. We’re competitive, and we hate to lose. There’s already a lot of competition between Alabama and Louisiana before you even throw football into the mix. My first weekend in Mobile,
somebody told me that Alabama was the Crawfish Capital of the World because of the 83 different species that lived here. Interesting, but don’t tell that to anyone from southeast Louisiana. Then there’s the classic tension between Alabama and Louisiana because Mardi Gras originated in Mobile while New Orleans perfected it. And Alabama has also been making a push to claim our last place position in heart disease and graduation rates. So there’s enough bravado to go around before we even start discussing college football. But we really hate to lose, and that national championship game last year was embarrassing. I couldn’t watch SportsCenter for a week. LSU couldn’t even score a point, and only got past midfield once. LSU fans saw AJ McCarron throw for 234 yards and wondered why LSU can never recruit average quarterbacks. And if it wasn’t for Alabama, LSU would have had another national championship. For LSU fans, Nick Saban is standing in the way of our success, and it’s happening again this year. LSU is ranked fifth in the BCS, and Alabama is sitting up there at number one. Alabama is looking as close to perfect as you can get this season, and this Saturday, they’re coming to Baton Rouge, threatening the Tigers’ 22-game home winning streak, the longest in the nation. And the way most rational LSU fans see it, Alabama is better than us. Alabama leads the nation in points allowed, and the closest game they’ve had this season is a 33-14 win against Ole Miss, while the Tigers have already lost a game. So, honestly, it’s something deeper than hatred. It’s fear. LSU fans are scared, and as Yoda once said, “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”
Soccer turns in two losses, men still advance
By LindseyFRECHOU Editor
The Spring Hill College men’s soccer team finished their 2012 regular season and is looking forward to playing in the opening round of the 2012 Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC). The team’s last regular season game on Oct. 27 ended with a 3-1 loss to the 9th-ranked University of Mobile. Mobile was the first score of the game, but Spring Hill’s sophomore Salvador Sanchis retaliated with a goal from two yards out off of a pass from freshman Arturo Garcia. In the end, the Rams took the win, but that has not discouraged the team for the Championship Tournament.
The Badgers look ahead to their game on Saturday, Nov. 3 against 2nd-ranked Auburn University at Montgomery, who they previously tied. Junior captain Nick Link said, “We’re really excited about our upcoming postseason game against AUM. They are a top ten team, but we feel that with our passion and ability to compete with anybody that we have a solid shot at pulling out the upset. Our 3-3 draw with them a couple weekends ago could’ve gone either way, so we’re eager for the opportunity to take it to them at their place. The Badgers are prepared to make some noise this postseason, it’s up to our squad to make it happen this Saturday,” said Link.
SPORTS |
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November 1, 2012
Spring Hill College’s own Giants win Paula Creamer: Avery Kyle World Series Giants defeat the Tigers 4-3 and take the Title
by ThomasWILL Staff Reporter
The San Francisco Giants clinched the 2012 World Series with their 4-3 win over Detroit Sunday, Oct. 28; bringing the Bay Area its second title in three years. San Francisco’s World Series win in 2010 was their first championship since moving to their Bay Area in 1958, but this year’s victory marks the franchise’s seventh title; the second most in the National League behind the St. Louis Cardinals who have 11. They are now the first NL team to win two titles in a three-year span since Cincinnati’s “Big Red Machine” in 1975 and 1976, and they are also the first NL team to sweep a World Series since the 1990 Reds. Their four-game sweep over the Detroit Tigers was nothing like the two previous series they had to win. The Giants began their postseason run by losing the first two games to the Cincinnati Reds in San Francisco. They then became the first team in MLB history to come back from being down 0-2 in the best of five series, and all three wins came on the road in Cincinnati none-the-less. Then they came back from being down 3-1 to the defending champion St. Louis Cardinals; winning games 5, 6 and 7 with phenomenal pitching and a lot of offense. However, all the excitement the Giants caused this postseason was not enough to bring in viewers. According to News Corp. and Fox, this year’s Fall Classic had an average 12.7 million viewers.
The series also averaged a 7.6 rating and 12 share according to Nielsen Media Research; setting a new record for least watch World Series since being broadcasted. The previous record was set in the 2008 World Series between Philadelphia and Tampa Bay and again in 2010 when the Giants beat the Rangers; both series went 5 games and both had a rating of 8.4. Baseball started gaining some momentum last year when the Cardinals and Rangers went the full seven games which drew a 10.0 average rating. The momentum even continued onto this season with an extra 1-game Wild Card round added, and a Division Round that saw all four series go the full five games. Yet, with the lowest World Series ratings since the series has been broadcasted, one can only assume that more changes will be coming to MLB’s instant replay rules and maybe even more changes to the playoff format.
By AislinnSHEVLIN Reporter
With the exception of an occasional Instagram shout-out, Spring Hill’s scenic campus, including its winding golf course is often taken for granted since faculty and students are so accustomed to the general splendor. But for junior Avery Kyle, Spring Hill’s golf course is not just known as an enviable view from the Fairway apartments, it’s an additional classroom, a place where she can hone her craft. Kyle remarked about the course, “It’s very undulating being on a hill obviously, the greens are really tough, but overall the course is really fun and challenging. I love having a golf course on our campus, because it’s not totally common and it gives us an advantage over other schools, namely our rival, University of Mobile.” Since her freshman year, Kyle has been a force to be reckoned with on Spring Hill’s golf team and in the NAIA Southern States Athletic Conference. She is nearly always the top Badger finisher at every tournament she competes in and each year so far she has been named All Conference. Already this season she has won two tournaments individually with scores in the 70s. At those events, the Emmanuel College Invitational in Toccoa, Georgia and the Mobile Invitational against The University of Mobile, Spring Hill was victorious as a team as well. It’s all come pretty naturally to Kyle too, whose father is a PGA member in Dallas, Texas. Kyle said, “I’ve been really fortunate to have my dad as my coach because he’s taught me so much about golf and the swing and his suggestions have made me a better player.” Kyle hopes to individually qualify as an All-American this year, but she remains focused on the improvement of the team
as well. She said, “My goal for the team is definitely to go to Nationals in the spring. We haven’t done that in my two years so far, so that would be the ultimate goal.” Spring Hill’s female golf team is young this year and with no
all over the country has been Kyle’s favorite part of competing for Spring Hill. She explained, “It’s a lot of fun traveling with the girls and even when we travel with the boys, it’s a bonding experience and it gives us a chance to play great courses and take a break from
Photo by LindseyFRECHOU
seniors, team leadership is left up to Kyle and the other juniors on the team, Katie Callahan, Audrey Dombrowski and Shelley Husband. Kyle is confident about
school.” Looking ahead, Kyle plans to remain dedicated to the sport she has played competitively for eight years. She observed, “Golf to me
My goal for the team is definitely to go to Nationals in the spring. We haven’t done that in my two years so far, so that would be the ultimate goal.” the team’s prospects, though. She said, “Our team this year is really great. We added four freshmen and two of them travel with the team. We have a strong top five players and every first round score we turn in, we improve on the second day.” The team travels frequently around the Southeast for tournaments and getting to play
is one of those sports that you can carry with you for a long time.” After graduating with a secondary education degree, Kyle hopes to coach on the side at the very least. She continued, “I don’t think I could drop golf from my life even if I tried.”
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November 1, 2012
| SPORTS
All photos by ThomasWILL
The Spring Hill rugby team defeated Southern Miss University on Saturday by a score of 43-3. The Ruggers will play an important match this Sunday against Loyola University in New Orleans. After Loyola, the Badgers will be in the annual Battleship Rugby Tournament located at Battleship Park.
The Spring Hill College baseball team plays in the Purple and White series.
Upcoming Games on the Hill Thursday November 1
Friday November 2
Women’s Volleyball vs. University of Mobile
Women’s Basketball vs. Fisk University
Men’s Basketball vs. Fisk University
7:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
BADGER ZONE | On the Spot
Do you think glass bottles should be banned from campus?
MATTHEWFRANZ
FRESHMAN “No, glass bottles should not be banned that wouldn’t solve the problem people will buy them regardless”
EMILYWELLMEIER KEARNEYCOLE FRESHMAN “We already have rules banning open containers. Wouldn’t a no glass bottles law be kind of redundant?”
BRANDONLIUZZA
JUNIOR SENIOR “Yes, if people would just “Glass bottles are infinitely learn how to clean up after classier than aluminum cans.” themselves then glass could stay, butt no one will change. It’s college.”
Lance Armstrong: Is CROSSWORD PUZZLE he really living strong? By ThomasWILL Staff Reporter
stripping all seven Tour de France titles. “Lance Armstrong has no place in Lance Armstrong has been one cycling; he deserves to be forgotten,” of the most talked about athletes said Pat McQuaid, the president around the world for a decade. From of UCI, in a press conference, his seven straight Tour de France “Something like this must never titles spanning from 1999-2005, to happen again.” his Livestrong charity that became a The seven Tour de France titles that household name synonymous with Armstrong won will now remain those yellow wristbands, there have empty as they will not be rewarded been few if any athletes better known to any of the other players. The UCI around the world than Armstrong. has also released an official statement And now there demanding that is a doping Armstrong and It’s a real shame scandal that has his teammates what has come to be brought a dark return their over the last couple cloud over all winnings from of it. months. He has been the events as The United well. an icon to an entire States AntiArmstrong, a group of people. Doping Agency testicular cancer released the survivor, has results of an investigation on Oct. since resigned from his spot at the 10 that accused Armstrong of head of the Livestrong charity, and leading “the most sophisticated, lost all his sponsorships including professionalized and successful Nike and Oakley. “I’ve been better, doping program that sport has ever but I’ve also been worse,” Armstrong seen.” Armstrong has denied all said in his first public comments since allegations of using any performance August, “The mission is bigger than enhancers, but decided to not fight me, it’s bigger than any individual.” any of the allegations in August. “It’s a real shame what has come to The International Cycling Union be over the last couple months,” said (UCI), the governing body of the Senior Mike Soscia, “He has done a sport, has since decided to not appeal lot for more than just the sport. He the USADA’s findings and has banned has been an icon to an entire group Armstrong from competing in cycling of people.” and the Olympics for life as well as