Torch Summer Issue 2009

TORCH ILLUSTRATION/KERI DODGE

WHAT’S INSIDE News......................2-3 Features..............11-14 Photo Page............4-5 Entertainment....15-19 Editorials..............8-10 Sports.................20-24

Commencement Class of 2009 This year’s graduates received their degrees on May 17, during a ceremony on the Great Lawn.

NEWS page 3

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Last week’s poll results Were you frustrated with this year’s Room Selection Week?

83% Yes 17% No Check out our new poll every Wednesday “Think Outside. . .”

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Directory Managing Board LXXXVII

CHRIISTINA HEISER, Editor-in-Chief EVERTON BAILEY, Managing Editor JUSTIN THRIFT

BILL SAN ANTONIO

MARK MCDONALD

Editorial Page Editor Sports Editor

General Manager

PATRICE BENDIG

LAURA AMATO

SARA RHODES

Features Editor

Photo Editor

Layout Editor

JESSIKAH HACKETT

KERI DODGE

ELLEN CAREY

EntertainmentEditor Art Director

Advisor

Business (718) 9906576 Advertising 990-6756 Editorial Board 990-6444

Features 990-6445 Letters 990-6445 News 990-6444 Sports 990-6444

Special thanks to Richard Rex Thomas for assisting in the design of The TORCH

Summer Treat Ice Cream Overload Check out Inferno’s guide to the best ice cream places in New York City.

Inferno pg. 15-16

Community Service Gear Up St. John’s students volunteer with Gear Up, a federally funded program aimed at preparing middle and high school students learn more about college.

Features pg. 11 TORCH PHOTO/GREGORY LEPORATI

Men’s Soccer Inspired Season

NEWS

The men’s soccer team is looking to improve on last season’s amazing NCAA semifinal appearance. Check out the TORCH’s preview of the upcoming season.

Sports pg. 22

OPINION PG. 10

Summer 2009

CAMPUS DINING

TORCH BRIEFS: NCAA recertification, Advantage Academy CHRISTINA HEISER Editor-in-Chief

The TORCH

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A summer night on the Great Lawn, in front of St. Augustine Hall.

FOR MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS: 718-990-6756 The TORCH is the official student newspaper of St. John’s University. The Torch is written, edited, designed and produced by students of the University. All contents are the sole responsibility of the editors and the editorial board and do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, faculty or students of St. John’s University unless specifically stated.

To contact The TORCH by mail: The TORCH, St. John’s University 8000 Utopia Parkway Queens, NY 11439

The TORCH is typically published on Wednesdays, approximately 20 issues throughout the academic year. Circulation per issue is 3,500 copies distributed free on campus.

This copy of The Torch is worth $ .75.

• St. John’s athletic program is currently in the process of NCAA recertification, which takes place every 10 years.

“This is the way in which the University assures it is in compliance with all standards the NCAA has established,” said Dorothy Habben, vice president and secretary of the University.

Habben explained that the process of recertification takes about a year to complete. She said that there are three areas that the University had to examine: governance and commitment to NCAA rules, academic integrity and gender, diversity and student well-being.

Committees consisting of administrators from the athletics department and outside of the athletics department, faculty and student athletes conducted a self-study of the University’s athletic program. This self-study, which was started last summer, is now complete.

The NCAA recertification at St. John’s will conclude this November with a visit from a team including an individual from the NCAA and three individuals from other colleges.

• Starting this fall, more than 40 homeless and formerly homeless individuals will have the opportunity to receive associate degrees in Information Technology and Business at St. John’s. This is through what is being called the Advantage Academy, a program sponsored by St. John’s and the Department of Homeless Services.

Advantage Academy classes began this summer on June 1 on the St. John’s Manhattan campus and Mayor Michael Bloomberg declared June 11, 2009 as Advantage Academy Day in New York City. Students who are enrolled in this two-year program will receive free housing and support services from the Department of Homeless Services.

“I am thrilled to work with an institution like St. John’s,” said Robert Hess, commissioner of the Department of Homeless Services in a statement. “It’s absolutely remarkable and I don’t know of any other institution of higher learning that could have done this any faster, could have been more committed, and reached out and pulled this all together with their best resources to make it happen in such a productive way.”

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PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY

The class of 2009 sitting on the Great Lawn during this year’s graduation, which took place on May 17. Students from each of St. John’s five colleges graduated in one ceremony.

Commencement takes place on Queens campus CHRISTINA HEISER Editor-in-Chief

The TORCH

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Immaculee Ilibagiza, a Rwandan genocide survivor, shared her inspirational story as the keynote speaker of the 139th commencement at St. John’s.

Summer 2009

PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY

St. John’s alumnus and co-founder of Glaceau, received the President’s Medal; Joseph Schwartz, a St. John’s alumnus and retired partner of Wellington Management received an Honorary Doctor of Commercial Science Degree.

Harrington called Ilibagiza “a young woman whose life story is a source of inspiration to everyone who knows of her… I am confident that this story will call each of you forth to use the gifts which are yours for those who are most in need.”

After these awards were given, Ilibagiza, who received an award last year and also spoke at the University last year, gave her keynote address.

“It is a joy to come back to St. John’s University,” she said. “This is my home now.”

Ilibagiza spoke about her experiences in the Rwandan genocide Ilibagiza said that her tribe in Rwanda was “hated,” and that at one point, her father told her to hide at a neighbor’s house—this was the last time she saw her parents. Her neighbor hid him in a tiny bathroom, along with seven more women.

“I couldn’t believe what was happening in our country. The government leaders, they were the ones calling people to kill every one of my tribe,” she said. “I can’t even tell you the fear when you know that someone is looking for you is inches away from you.”

These experiences happened to Ilibagiza when she was a college student herself.

“I remember when the genocide started, I had just gone home for Easter holiday, but I was also preparing to graduate,” she said. “When my parents died, I forgot completely what I was in school for. It took maybe about two years to figure it out, that I am still a part of this world and I still have to move on.”

Ilibagiza spoke about how her faith allowed her to overcome her fear.

“One voice was telling that they would find us, that we were dying, and the other was telling me, ‘hold on…’” she said. “It was almost like my faith was crushed, because I couldn’t remember if God existed. At the same time though, my faith was born. I chose to listen to the voice that told me to hold on.”

Ilibagiza then went on to explain what her experiences taught her.

“The genocide was a horrible thing, but it taught me so much, so many lessons. As you can see, the greater the sacrifices, the greater the lessons are,” she said. “I learned so much about forgiveness. I really realized that, in life, we can’t move on, we can’t hope for any joy if we don’t forgive those who hurt us, even forgive ourselves.”

NEWS

The class of 2009 has now officially been done with college for more than a month—the 139th commencement took place on Sunday, May 17. The graduation was held from 12-4 p.m. on the Great Lawn.

The ceremony honored students from all of the five colleges within St. John’s (St. John’s College, The School of Education, The College of Pharmacy, Tobin College of Business and The College of Professional Studies).

Joseph Sciame, vice president of Community Relations began the commencement by explaining the significance behind the robe worn by the graduates and the professors who sat on stage.

“Moments ago, students and professors marched together all attired in academic clothing similar to that worn in universities during the middle ages,” he said.

“The colorful academic hood is ceremonial—a mark of status, a symbolism it retains to this day.”

Father Harrington, the president of the University, spoke about the economic crisis and how that affected students at St. John’s.

“For many, 2009 will long be remembered as a year of great economic turmoil and challenges; a year of recession marked by unemployment, and so many other painful challenges for many families,” he said. “While all of that is so very true, for those of us at St. John’s University, 2009 will never be a year remembered solely for economic gloom.”

Harrington went on to call this year’s group of graduates “an extraordinary group of young, capable and enthusiastic women and men.”

He went on to say, “Your multiple personal talents and strengths all bode so very well for the future of this University, as well as for the future of our city, our nation and our world.”

Before this year’s graduating class received their degrees, three individuals were awarded with medals: Immaculee Ilibagiza, a Rwandan genocide survivor and a public speaker, received the International Medal and also served as the keynote speaker; Michael Repole, a

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St. John’s: a year in pictures A look back at the most newsworthy events of the 2008-09 school year

TORCH PHOTO/LAURA AMATO

Construction on the new University Center went on throughout the year. The structure, University President Rev. Harrington told the TORCH, is hoped to improve campus life.

torchonline.com

The TORCH

Summer 2009

NEWS

TORCH PHOTO/LAURA AMATO

Sophomore Nick Roloson, president of the St. John’s chapter of College Democrats, cheers wildly at a St. John’s election results viewing party when it is announced that Barack Obama is the new president of the United States.

TORCH PHOTO/LAURA AMATO

TORCH PHOTO/LAURA AMATO

The Founder’s Village townhouses opened in Fall 2008 and are the latest on-campus housing options.

The men’s soccer team, led by coach Dave Masur, made a tremendous run in the NCAA Tournament in 2008, reaching the semifinal round.

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TORCH PHOTO/LAURA AMATO

The men’s baseball team had the privilege of playing the first game ever held at the Mets’ new CitiField. Though St. John’s lost to Georgetown, it was an experience that many St. John’s players, coaches, and fans said they would never forget.

NEWS

TORCH PHOTO/LAURA AMATO

Rev. Charles Plock, a former employee of the University, was arrested in Fall 2008 for allegedly sending a sexually explicit video of himself to what he thought was a minor from his on-campus residence. The supposed minor turned out to be an undercover police officer.

Summer 2009 The TORCH TORCH PHOTO/LAURA AMATO

Joyce Boland-Devito received high honors from Rate My Professors in Fall 2008; the Web site, which allows students to grade their professors’ performance, named her the second highest-rated professor in America.

torchonline.com

TORCH PHOTO/LAURA AMATO

Carnesecca Arena underwent significant renovations in time for this past year’s basketball season. The court was significantly improved and attendance at games proved to be higher than it had been in years.

Follow The TORCH on Twitter Go to www.twitter.com/SJUTorch and add us as a friend.

If you’re interested in working for The TORCH when school starts, e-mail our Editor-in-Chief, Christina, at torcheic@gmail.com this summer for more information.

Don’t forget to check out www.torchonline.com for the latest campus news.

We look forward to seeing you in September!

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Editorial Board LXXXVI

Illustrator’s Corner:

CHRISTINA HEISER Editor-in-Chief EVERTON BAILEY Managing Editor KIRAN JOSEN News Editor JUSTIN THRIFT Editorial Page Editor

FLAMES OF THE TORCH

torchonline.com

The TORCH

Summer 2009

EDITORIAL

Summer school

Summer at St. John’s is a time of hot weather and unusual quiet. Summer brings about vacation time, summer session classes, and of course, freshmen orientation. Everyone who walks the paths of St. John’s University is a product of the orientation program, whether you’re a native New Yorker, from across the country, or an international student.

Everyone has been through the two day long event that takes place the summer before freshmen year, and don’t worry Freshmen, you’re not alone in thinking it’s a bore.

At times during your orientation you may be compelled to ask yourself, “Am I really in college, or is this a summer camp?” With designated groups, orientation leaders, strict schedules, and required community service, it’s easy to see the comparison. It can be a pain, and yes, it may annoy you for a few days of your summer vacation, but it is in no way indicative of what your college experience is going to be like.

When you arrive on campus in late August, there will be no scheduled lunch times or groups that you follow around campus for the day. No one is going to force you to do community service or attend a dance at Montgoris. The only obligatory and predetermined part of your daily schedule will be classes, everything else is up to you. So rest assured freshmen Johnnies, orientation is not college.

It’s exciting to realize this, and for many students it may even be a little overwhelming. When your first semester begins, there are endless ways to arrange your days, fill your time, and begin designing your college lifestyle. It is one of the most independent and freeing times of a person’s life, and it’s crucially important that you make the most of your time spent. If there’s one piece of advice that should be handed down to all incoming college freshmen it’s this: getting involved in groups and staying

active on campus will increase your college experience by far.

At St. John’s, over 20,000 students roam the campus and funnel through buildings daily. Throughout the year, hundreds of clubs, activities, and events will take place designed for and by the students. Valuable advice and lessons will be taught and lifelong relationships, habits, and passions will be kindled. Unless you’re willing to invest your time and effort, all of these things will carry on without you and the real value of the college experience will be lost.

In reality, what is learned on campus is not always taught in a classroom.

The most valuable lessons are learned outside of class through and alongside your classmates, so it’s imperative that you seek new experiences and people to share your college time with. If you don’t seek things out, it’s highly probable that you won’t enjoy your time at St. John’s, or any other University or college. Now that you’re in college, you’re old enough to know what you want from life and St. John’s is going to be where you start organizing these thoughts.

It’s daunting at first, but given time you will begin to feel comfortable and ready to find your niche. The best way to meet people with similar interests and start getting involved is to simply seek out activities. Clubs and activity fairs help introduce new students to the plethora of campus life that exist at St. John’s and people exist around the school that can help you find what you’re looking for.

You’ll soon begin to realize upon arriving on campus that nothing will be presented to you as it was in high school. Opportunities and activities are there for the taking, but it’s up to you to make it happen. Enjoying the next four years will not be difficult if you utilize all that is at your disposal. Orientation is almost over; soon it will be time to make the next four years the best of your life.

EDITORIAL POLICY Editorials are the opinions of the Editorial Board of The TORCH. Columns are the opinions of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of The TORCH. Opin-

ions expressed in editorials, columns, letters or cartoons are not necessarily those of the student body, faculty or administrations of St. John’s University.

TO CONTRIBUTE Mail letters to: The TORCH Letters, St. John’s University, 8000 Utopia Pkwy, Jamaica, NY 11439 E-mail letters to: torcheditorials@gmail.com

Please include your full name, year, and college (or department). Letters have a limit of 350 words and may be edited for content, grammar, or space. Unverifiable or anonymous letters will not be published.

All letters are subject to the approval of the Editorial Board of The TORCH.

TORCH ILLUSTRATION/KERI DODGE

Letters to the Editor: To the Editor: Earlier this month, the first group of Advantage Academy students entered 101 Murray St. and filed into the classroom at St. John’s University’s Manhattan campus.

At the time they were strangers, yet in a matter of weeks, they rapidly transformed into a community, with friendships, support networks, common goals and ambitions.

Each day that unfolds puts them closer to graduation and just as importantly, equips them with the practical skills they need to succeed in a competitive world. I could not be more in support of their progress and continued success, as these participants embark on their journeys to meaningful careers and independent lives.

From the inception of this project, I knew Advantage Academy would be an exciting endeavor. Still, I am humbled by the outpouring of enthusiasm from students and from the St. John’s University staff that transformed this vision into a reality.

I find nothing more fulfilling than spending time with Academy participants and hearing firsthand the positive impact school is having on their lives. They no longer characterize themselves as homeless and formerly homeless individuals, but rather, as St. John’s University students with drive, ambition and confidence that will take them far.

I cannot thank the entire St. John’s University team enough for its unyielding support and for graciously welcoming this group of special young adults into its campus family. Advantage Academy would not have been possible without the generosity of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Dr. James Pellow, and Associate Dean of the College of Professional Studies James O’Keefe, both of whom demonstrate remarkable leadership in the St. John’s University community.

Exemplifying great leadership in one’s mission to serve, St. John’s University has truly taken Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s, and President Barack Obama’s call to service to heart. With such a renowned edu-

cational institution by our side, DHS feels confident that Advantage Academy students will achieve great things. The success of this class will pave the way for many others after it demonstrating the personal triumphs of each participant, in addition to a wider message about the importance of education.

So often in the shelter system, we notice families with a dependency on our services that passes from one generation to the next. Children grow up, watching mom and dad struggle to gain stable footing, and ultimately, face similar misfortunes once they reach adulthood. One of the visions of Advantage Academy is to create a program that effectively breaks the cycles of poverty and homelessness by way of higher education. When prepared with adequate training and opportunity, many homeless individuals have the ability to not only find a livable wage, but to prosper: taking pride in employment and finding outstanding accomplishment.

Through Advantage Academy, parents will set a new example for their children about the significance of education, achieving personal goals and persevering ahead, even in difficult times. We know many participants have not had an easy road to the present day, but after earning associate degrees, their futures will be remarkably brighter. At DHS, we strive to assist every homeless New Yorker to return to self-sufficiency and Advantage Academy will prove extremely influential in achieving this goal.

I appreciate that everyone reading this shares my hope that someday, we will end the need for anyone to sleep in shelter. Today we remember that, although life is not without difficulties, having struggled with homelessness is not an automatic sentence for failure. Determination and hard work go a long way, and when combined with the resources of Advantage Academy, I am confident all of our participants will thrive.

Commissioner Robert V. Hess New York City Department of Homeless Services

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Making the most of it How to enjoy orientation and your four years at SJU As a Queens native, I wasn’t exactly thrilled when I found out I’d be going to a college so close to where I grew up. Not only was I tired and bored with living with my family in Queens, but some of my high school teachers (including several alumni) warned that St. John’s would be a continuation of high school. Going to St. John’s, they said, would be like “13th grade” since so many students from my former school come here every year.

So when I attended my freshman orientation three summers ago, I went in with an extremely negative attitude. I didn’t allow myself the chance to enjoy any part of the experience; instead, I would roll my eyes every time I had to play an icebreaker game with my orientation group, or whenever we had to do any school spirit activity. I didn’t attempt to make conversation with my two roommates the entire three days I dormed with them; looking back, maybe they never tried to talk to me because of the unfriendly vibes I was probably sending.

My experience at orientation left me feeling disappointed that I would be spending the next four years of my life at St. John’s. But in hindsight, that’s not the school’s fault. Sure, some of the things they made us do at orientation were a

little childish. But if I had gone in with a positive outlook, I probably would have enjoyed myself and maybe even made some friends during the process.

So while I look back with some regret, if you are participating in orientation activities, take a few minutes to think about what you bring to the table. Take the time to talk to other students in your group; chances are, they are feeling the same as you and you can bond over that. Also, talk to your orientation leaders; they’ve been here for a while and can give you some good advice as to how to make the most out of your college experience.

Not only is your experience at orientation what you make of it but it can set the stage for what you do with the next four years here at St. John’s. Despite what my high school teachers said, St. John’s isn’t as much like high school as I expected it

would be.. In high school, it was so much easier to make friends because you had most of your classes with the same people year after year. And everyone pretty much lived in the same general area, so keeping in touch over long breaks was relatively easy.

Over the last three years, I’ve had class with so many students that I’ve never seen again once the semester ended.

And as a naturally shy person, it is difficult for me to initiate conversations with fellow classmates, but it’s something I’ve had to do in order to make friends here.

And if I hadn’t gotten involved with the TORCH at the beginning of my freshman year, my college experience would be a lot less memorable (and fun).

The University touts itself as being metropolitan and while the trip into Manhattan from this campus can sometimes be annoying, (it usually takes 45 min to an hour to get into the city) it’s really not that bad. And once you actually get into Manhattan, there are so many amazing restaurants, museums, shops and other places to visit. You’ll probably visit some of the more touristy places, such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art and South Street Seaport, when you take “Discover New York,” a required class for freshmen.

Those types of places are great to see, but don’t stop your exploration of Manhattan there.

It is essential that you familiarize yourself with the bus and subway routes in Queens and Manhattan (especially if you’re like me—I still don’t have a driver’s license!) because many of you will be relying on them as your primary mode of transportation. Also, I recommend reading Time Out New York (you can sign up for their free newsletter at timeoutny. com) to find out about museums, concerts, restaurants and various other events (many of them free) going on in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn. And if you’re a commuter student like myself, confidently share your favorite places with any new out-of-state friends you meet during your time here. Trust me, it works!

Freshman, if your feelings are similar to how I felt during orientation, don’t be discouraged. St. John’s does have its benefits. And I can tell you that it does get better—much better—but only if you let it.

Christina Heiser is a senior English major.

She can be reached at: torcheic@gmail.com

Inflation not a reason to worry, despite economic crisis MARK MCDONALD General Manager

STUDENTSPARKS: Orientation Leaders

COMPILED BY CHRISTINA HEISER

Getting the incoming freshman to feel comfortable at St. John’s and getting them excited about coming here.

Getting the students excited for group chants on Monday nights. It helps them work together.

Patrick Hester

Mary Zielinski

Cynthia Estrada

torchonline.com

The students. In the grand scheme of things, they are what make the school. It’s good to be a role model for them.

The TORCH

What is your favorite part of working at summer orientation?

Summer 2009

something to be optimistic about.

Maybe this is the silver lining that can be found in the dark cloud hovering above the economy; maybe this is the hope that people need so that they can continue to work and grind through this trying time. The goods news of a rising stock market should not be overlooked or feared as a precursor to something terrible; it should be seen as the good omen that it is.

There are many things that seem scary in the world, and the threat of depression or inflation may scare some into a state excessive cautiousness. But the United States remains to be one of the leading nations in today’s world and with a new president in Washington, it may be one of the best time to call ourselves American.

During the aftermath of the great depression and in the face of World War II, Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the nation, saying, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

There will always be fear in the world – fear of war, fear of famine, fear of disease-even fear of inflation.

In spite of this, good news will always be good news, and good news beats fear or a depression any day of the week.

OP-ED

Fall of 2008 will forever be remembered as a dark time for the economy of the United States. The sub-prime mortgage crisis destroyed real-estate, banks failed, companies struggled, and in this financial turmoil, people panicked. Newly elected President Barack Obama was chosen to lead the nation through these tough times, but he reminded us that the night is darkest just before dawn.

Now, in the shadow of the President’s mammoth stimulus package, the stock market has been consistently rallying and the economy is starting to slowly rise from the depths of the recession. The political arguments on TV have gone from questioning the economy’s dire situation to discussions about whether it is currently a bear or bull market.

The economy has picked up, but some are questioning whether or not the recent surge in wealth will truly benefit the economy. Concerns are becoming realities as

the recent upswing on Wall Street is leading to major inflation, a dreaded occurrence that could hinder the longterm speed of recovery.

In this current economic state the threat of inflation may seem scary, but fearing inflation is an incredibly over-anxious thing to do at this point.

The stock market is rallying for the first time in over a year and the economy is recovering. This is the time to embrace the opportunity and the good fortune that is currently laid out before the nation. While the economy is not out of the woods and it is right to be cautious as the year proceeds, we should not deny what the early results of the stimulus package show: improvement.

Looking back just a few months ago, people were genuinely worried for their way of life, and college students were among the most concerned. Students across the nation had to reexamine, and often refinance loans, find new loan providers, and even consider transfering to cheaper schools. Times were tough, and everybody was doing what they could to get by.

Times are indeed still tough as the economic crisis remains a problem, but the consistent rise of the stock market means that things are looking up. This rebound is

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When school food won’t do, venture off-campus PATRICE BENDIG Features Editor Most college students have heard this before: “Cafeteria food is awful.” St. John’s has come a long way in ducking this stereotype in the past two years after introducing Chartwells dining services in 2008.

Montgoris Dining Hall is the most common place for resident students to eat since it is located right outside of the resident village and works with the meal plan that is mandatory to all resident students. This buffet style dining hall has its positives and negatives, but most students agree that the morning is the best time to go.

By far, Monty’s best meal is breakfast which includes an omelet bar, waffle makers, a bountiful fruit selection, and bagels galore.

Lunch and dinner are similar to each other, usually offering a meat dish, a pasta dish, potatoes and a vegetable.

If the featured entrée doesn’t appeal to you, the grill inside Monty’s is usually a safe choice as it offers steady favorites like grilled cheese, fries, kettle chips, burgers and usually a specialty item such as a gyro.

A salad and deli bar is offered along with two soups of the day for students who want a lighter dinner. For dessert, there are always cakes and cookies available, but they are a far cry from the products that can be purchased blocks away at local bakeries.

The highlight of Monty’s is hands down national cuisine night, which is when a certain nationality is highlighted. Last semester, these nights included

Greek, Spanish, Jewish and Egyptian dishes. At first, eating at Montgoris might seem like quite the adjustment, but after the first month, this dining hall will become part of daily routine.

The next big option for hungry students on campus is Marillac Cafeteria, located on the ground level of Marillac Hall. This place comes in handy for students who want to grab a bite before or after class, since many classes are located in this building.

Students can use cash, meal points, or a meal exchange option during dinner at any of the venues at the cafeteria, including Burger King, Quiznos, Taco Bell, Mama Leone’s and the Boar’s Head Deli.

There is also a specialty item of the day ranging from chicken wings to stir-fries.

For those who want to eat a bit healthier, wraps, pre-made salad, yogurt and sushi are a good option.

Although the food is better here than Montgoris, the lines can become outrageous. Congestion is often an issue at St. John’s and waiting in line at Marillac can sometimes be very inconvenient. Make sure to plan out your time accordingly when you choose to eat here between classes and be wary of limited seating for dining. If you can avoid the crowd and find a seat, Marillac will prove to be a great option for food on campus.

The most popular food court around campus is by far the Law School Cafeteria, located in the Law School near Gate 1. This small dining area offers unique foods such as Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, gyros, sweet potato fries, chicken sandwiches and much more. The best salad bar and deli options on campus are also located here, which additionally offers more choices for salad and sandwich

TORCH ILLUSTRATION/PRESTON PALMER

toppings. Although the prices are a bit high and there is no meal exchange option, the food is a great relief to students who want something different than another dining hall dinner. Many students use most of their points at this location because of its food quality and variety.

While the options are available for oncampus dining, sometimes even the best campus food cannot quench a craving.

Since St. John’s is located in one of the most diverse food capitals of the world, variety choices are only right down the street.

Many students have Chinese take out

Photographers, graphic designers, cartoonists, editors, and business people welcome too.

torchonline.com

The TORCH

Summer 2009

OP-ED

Writers welcome.

If you have an interest, the TORCH has a role for you.

Come visit us at our first meeting of the semester, on Thursday, September 3rd during common hour in the new UC.

places on speed dial because they deliver directly to the resident village.

There are many pizzerias around as well, including Acquista Trattoria, Sabatino’s and Regina’s.

College dining can be an adjustment for many students, and St. John’s is no different. Wherever you do decide to spend your mealtimes, seek variety and make sure to explore all that the New York area has to offer. Contrary to what you’ve heard, filling your belly with tasty, reasonable, and healthy food is not impossible to do come your first days on campus.

Think Outside...

Features

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Section

Campus Spotlight GEAR UP

PHOTOS COURTESY OF YVETTE MORGAN

GEAR UP is a national program that mentors students from seventh grade until their completion of high school. The program’s goal is to expose these students to college as early as possible. St. John’s has been involved in this renowned program for more than a decade.

Gearing up for success St. John’s community reaches out through national organization PATRICE BENDIG Features Editor

Summer 2009 The TORCH

torchonline.com

Know a student or faculty member who should be spotlighted in The TORCH? Email us at torchfeatures@gmail.com

FEATURES

St. John’s is known for being involved with activities and organizations that help others in need, especially the youth of America. One program that is not as well known around campus as others is the GEAR UP program, whose office is located in St. John Hall. GEAR UP (an acronym that stands for gaining early awareness and readiness for undergraduate programs) is a federally funded program started by the U.S. Department of Education during the Clinton administration in 1997.

Yvette Morgan, co-director of the St. John’s chapter, has been part of the program since 1998.

“The program was started to really help with the drop out crisis that was occurring in poverty areas, involving students who were both economically and academically challenged,” said Morgan.

The GEAR UP program follows a large group of students beginning in seventh grade, and follows them throughout their middle and high school years. The program deals with developing a relationship with the students, and offering them a chance to be exposed to college activities.

“We do this because the reality is in high poverty areas, the focus is not preparing children for college It is more about preparing them for exams, and managing behavior,” said Morgan.

“It is really disheartening, because students have so much potential, but because [of a] lack of motivation or exposure to higher learning, many of these students become disconnected, which attributes to the drop out rate.”

St. John’s is only one of hundreds of schools that offer the nationally known program. The GEAR UP program is established in 48 of the 50 states, with St. John’s being one of the very first sites.

GEAR UP has been one of the major focuses on President Obama’s agenda. “ We are looking for a lot more funding coming down the pike eventually,” said Morgan.

The program has proven success rates, which is quite evident through the statistics alone. In 2000, the national high school graduation rate was 70 percent, while the average percent of GEAR UP students was 84 percent.

“With access to information, these student can go to college,” said Morgan.

Currently the St. John’s site works with two large middle schools in Jackson Heights and Long Island City, in which hundreds of students are exposed to higher education, offered tutoring and mentoring.

“Many people are calling to become apart of this program,” said Morgan.

The St. John’s community has helped this chapter of GEAR UP in many ways, including getting many of the University’s students to actively participate.

Grants pay for graduate assistantships for graduate students and undergraduate tutors are hired, many through academic service learning. Students have also used the program to gain experience in the field of education and human services.

Student volunteers, including members of fraternities and sororities have helped out with youth leadership conferences, where younger students can ask college students about their personal experiences.

Morgan expressed her interest in working with GEAR UP. “Education has become a passion of mine. I was yearning to work in the field of education, but I did not want to be a school teacher,” she said.

“This has become a passion of mine, and being an outside entity has a lot more flexibility, and allows me to increase motivation.”

Morgan and others work passionately to carry out the Vincentian mission by working with the national program through the University.

“I think GEAR UP mirrors the University’s Vincentian mission by helping others, getting students involved in the community service,” she said.

“We help the students who are receiving our aid that they too need to give back and help others, which is exactly what the University is about.”

With every dollar requested by the government, the program has to match it. For a $2 million grant, the program must make $4 million, which can be an immense undertaking, but the program has done it every time.

“This program is an immense undertaking, but everyone involved has so much passion. There is something about seeing enthusiastic young people giving back to younger students, that really moves our mission forward,” said Morgan.

Morgan has high hopes for the program in the next few years, including increasing the graduation rate, and getting more St. John’s students involved.

“I want to get the word out, because it is a hidden secret,” she said.

“St. John’s GEAR UP program is recognized nationally, now it is time for its student to experience it as well.”

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New kids on the block Learn about the freshman dorms students will live in come August MICHAEL JOHNSON Contributing Writer

With an ever-increasing freshman population, St. John’s will be featuring five freshman residence halls for the first time. These dorms are: Donovan Hall, DaSilva Hall, Hollis Hall, St. Vincent Hall, and former upperclassmen building Carey Hall.

Freshmen are strongly urged to kick off their college careers living on campus if possible.

“Living on campus, you will learn an insurmountable amount of life skills such as communication, negotiation, and time management,” said Dominic Petruzzelli, director of Residence Life.

“Of course, you also get to roll out of bed and go to class.”

The five residence halls will be designated as Learning Communities, where students are placed based on their majors. These Learning Communities enable freshman to meet other students and help them get accustomed to college life.

“Learning Communities help freshman acclimate with faculty right away,” Petruzzelli said. “It exposes them to life outside the classroom. We also partner with the Freshman Center.”

Students are then assigned roommates based on their answers to the roommate questionnaire students fill out before the arrive on campus. However, students may also request each other on their roommate application forms. Only if there is a matching request from both students will they be assigned as roommates. A roommate request is even granted over a student’s learning community.

There are two types of layouts within the dorms that are offered to freshmen: suite style or rooms with conjoining bathrooms. Carey, DaSilva, and Hollis, the suite style dorms, are comprised of four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a common room.

St. Vincent and Donovan Halls, however, do not have common rooms. Instead, two bedrooms are connected by a common bathroom.

There are various pros to the two different styles of dorm living and students have varying opinions on which one they like better. Petruzzelli noted some of the reasons

why freshman might like living in Donovan.

“Donovan is a great building. It offers a different perspective,” he said.

“You will learn all of those life skills very quickly in Donovan.”

Another benefit to living in Donovan might be that you could be more likely to venture out of your room and interact with your fellow students located in the same hall instead of staying confined to a suite.

Nonetheless, all freshmen living on campus are highly encouraged to partake in hall activities and various other activities on campus.

“We will have lots of activities in the first couple weeks of school,” said Petrzuzelli.

“Take advantage of the diversity we pride ourselves on here at St. John’s.”

The first few weeks of the semester are also an ideal time to meet people, as relationships with peers are easiest to form during this time.

Resident Assistants also help make the transition into dorm life smooth.

“RA’s undergo a lengthy intense process,” Petruzzelli said.

“It’s not grueling, we just want the best of the best and we got them. My RAs are amongst the best in the nation.”

Inevitably, some students have said that an issue that has occured in the dorms is occasional noisy nights.

Still, some students did not find issue with the noise in their hall.

“It’s pretty quiet here,” said Richard Mateo, a former Hollis Hall resident.

“I get to studying with no problem.”

“It’s cool here,” said George Eid, another Hollis Hall resident. “I don’t find it too noisy.”

Early weeks into the semester also see some freshman struggling to follow policy rules.

“There’s a little bit of lag time to acclimate to new policy and procedures,” said Petruzzelli. “But we expect that.”

When asked what is main advice would be to freshman students, Petruzzelli had wise words.

“My advice is be open to change and open to new and wonderful experiences,” he said.

Do’s and don’ts of dorm life

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FEATURES

Dorm Room essentials 1. TV/DVD: TV is a great way for you and your roommates to unwind after a long day of school and work.

1. Do: Bring pictures of friends and family from home to put on your wall. It will make you feel more comfortable.

2. Pop up hamper: The flexibility allows more dirty clothes to be shoved in if there is no time to do wash (just don’t tell mom).

2. Don’t: Go home every weekend. It will make the transition to college even harder than it already is.

3. Closet organizer: These niffty organizers hang in your closet and can be used as extra storage for clothes, munchies or books.

3. Do: Expect to clean the bathroom. It’s gross but it has to be done.

4. Do: Find your roommates on Facebook before you move in to get to know them better.

4. Over the door mirror: This is especially helpful in the morning when seven girls are trying to squeeze in the bathroom to fix their hair.

5. Floor lamp: Allows softer lighting when the florscent light becomes too harsh.

5. Don’t: Be afraid to go to your R.A. for help, or just for some guidance.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY

Donovan Hall is one of the dorms that freshman at St. John’s can live in.

6. Do: Learn to do wash before you move in to the dorms. It will prevent ruining your clothes.

15

Summer in the City INFERNO GIVES YOU A GUIDE TO NEW YORK CITY’S BEST FOOD, FUN AND FASHION, NOT TO MENTION ALL KINDS OF COOL SWEET TREATS JESSIKAH HACKETT Entertainment Editor

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ENTERTAINMENT Summer 2009 The TORCH

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ew York City is a cultural hub of America, boasting more options for entertainment, food and shopping than almost any other city.

With so many options, finding the best of the best is a challenge that takes much longer than you might anticipate. If you’re new to New York, or if you’ve lived here all your life, there are so many cool things to see and do this summer. In an attempt to help you narrow that list of hundreds down to the must-sees and must-dos, Inferno has compiled a handy guide to New York City. We’ve listed our favorite lunch spots, shopping steals, nights out, and most importantly, our favorite ice cream places.

There’s no better way to learn about the city than by going out and exploring it yourself. You’ll find that every borough and every neighborhood has its own distinctive style and atmosphere. Will you be most attracted to the laid-back, artsy feel of the East Village? Or is it the bustling excitement of Midtown that strikes your fancy? Each part of Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx and Staten Island has something different to offer, so living in New York City gives you the rare opportunity to find yourself in a completely different world every time you step off of the subway. Whatever it is that you want, you’ll find it in New York.

In the Inferno, we tried to compile a list that represents many of the different neighborhoods in New York, but of course, the only way to find out what’s really out there is to go see it for yourself. So, if you’ve already maxed out your credit cards at the shopping sites that have been put together for you, take an adventure on the subway and get lost in a place you’ve never been before. You’ll never find yourself lost somewhere that doesn’t offer anything to see and do.

If it’s your first time in New York City, be sure to check out some of the great attractions that you’ve already heard about. Send pictures to your family of the middle of Times Square, the Empire State Building, or the Statue of Liberty. Spending a day seeing all of “the sights” might make you feel like a tourist, but those locations are definitely popular for a reason.

While you’re out and about, you’ll be amazed with the amount and variety of food that New York has to offer. On just one street you might find Hungarian, Mexican, Greek, French and Indian food. Take a risk with your tastebuds and go for something you’ve never had the chance to sample before—there might be a few duds every now and again, but that scary-looking Moroccan place that you venture into one night could easily turn out to be your new favorite eatery.

And for desert, try to find one of those ice cream palaces that get rave reviews. You can never go wrong with a creamy, rich, delicious end to the day.

Unless, of course, you happen to be lactose-intolerant, in which case you’ll be happy to know that there are plenty of sorbet options all around the city.

Once you’ve spent a few months exploring all that New York City’s five boroughs have to offer, you’re sure to compile your own list of favorites. Until then, check out the places that we reccommend, and have a great summer vacation!

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New York City’s Coolest Treats INFERNO LISTS THE TOP TWELVE ICE CREAM SCOOPS THAT NEW YORK CITY HAS TO OFFER

I

t’s no question why ice cream is one of America’s favorite summer treats. With so many flavors and styles to choose from, it’s easy to find a quick cure for a sweet tooth while staying cool. In New York, there are hundreds of scoop shops to choose from.

To help you sort out which places are the best for finding that cool, creamy confection, we’ve narrowed down the list to just 12 of the best in the city. Enjoy!

Australian Homemade The closest thing to gelato in New York City can be found at Australian Homemade. Along with delicious flavors like Crunchy Macadamia Remix, Mango Sorbet and Classic Strawberry, Australian Homemade sells adorably artistic chocolates. All of the ice cream is made fresh everyday in the store, so you’re sure to get a perfect treat to satisfy your sweet tooth.

115 Saint Marks Pl. Subway: 6 to Astor Place

Ciao Bella Café Ciao Bella offers some of the best gelato and sorbet in New York. Their amazing selection of flavors includes Dulce de Leche, Espresso, Key Lime Graham Cracker and Chocolate Jalapeno. There are a few Ciao Bella Café’s around Manhattan, but visiting the one in the lowerlevel food court of Grand Central Station means that you’ll have a prime opportunity to people-watch as you enjoy.

Subway: 4, 5, 6, 7, S to Grand Central Station

Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory Once you walk in, you’ll probably have to wait in a line that rivals those in Disneyland amusement parks, but the ice cream is worth it. It’s a bit pricey, but the creamy, rich flavors will make up for the dent in your wallet. Best of all, the views offered by this restored old fireboat house are an added bonus to the summer experience.

Fulton Ferry Landing Pier.

Subway: A, C to High St. La Maison du Chocolat Primarily a chocolate shop, La Maison du Chocolat sells some fantastic cold treats in the summer. If you’ve ever doubted how fantastic chocolate ice cream can be, you’ve got to try the flavor here—it’s an entirely new experience. The high-quality ingredients and full-power flavors are what sets these chocolates and ice cream flavors apart.

30 Rockefeller Center.

Subway: B, D, F, V to 47th-50th Sts—Rockefeller Center Emack and Bolio’s Not only does Emack and Bolio’s refuse to use artificial colors, the ice cream that they churn out is made fresh every week.

Their flavors range from the unique to the classic, with one of the most popular being “The Original” Oreo Cookie. If you wanted perfect combinations of fruit, chocolate, caramel and other toppings blended into your ice cream, Emack and Bolio’s has you covered.

54 Cooper Square.

Subway: 6 to Astor Place

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHEZPEI.COM

NEW YORK’S BATTLE OF THE FROZEN YOGURT Pinkberry With yummy frozen yogurt flavors and dozens of mix-ins, it’s no wonder that so many people love Pinkberry. Pinkberry shops can be found all around Manhattan, but for a special treat head to 54th St. This particular shop is used for some of the scenes in the popular television show Gossip Girl.

245 E. 54th St. Subway: E, V to Lexington Ave.—53rd St.

Cones If you like your ice cream especially thick and creamy, you’ll love Cones. The selection here inculdes flavors like Almond Cream, White Chocolate and Cantaloupe Sorbet. The prices are reasonable, especially given how high-quality the ice cream is, so you won’t have to worry about spending all of your money on one of these delicious treats.

272B Bleecker St. Subway: A, B, C, D, E, F, V to W. 4th St. Station

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Red Mango The battle between Pinkberry and Red Mango has New Yorkers taking sides on which is their favorite frozen yogurt chain. Red Mango uses all natural ingredients, offers delicious, healthy flavors like green tea and lets you choose from all kinds of mix-ins. To pick your side, you might just have to try a sample from both in this delicious and difficult contest.

201 E. 34th St. Subway: 6 to 33rd St.

Sundaes and Cones Inside this adorable, trendy shop you’ll find some of the best flavors of ice cream around. Their selection includes Tiramisu, Green Tea and Lychee, as well as some of the classics. If you’re feeling especially adventurous, go for the wasabi flavored ice cream—a surprisingly popular choice.

95 E. 10th St. Subway: R, W to 8th St.—NYU Station

Summer 2009

ENTERTAINMENT

Chinatown Ice Cream Factory With flavors like Avocado, Black Sesame and Taro, eating ice cream at the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory is an adventure. If the thought of eating a cone of ginger-flavored ice cream turns your stomach, you can opt for one of the “exotic” flavors, which includes vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. Without a doubt, Chinatown Ice Cream Factory offers you an ice cream experience that you won’t soon forget.

65 Bayard St. Subway: J, M, Z to Canal St.

Ronnybrook Farm Dairy For the best natural, old-fashioned ice cream around, check out Ronnybrook.

The ice cream is natural, creamy and delicious and the atmosphere is reminiscent of an old soda-bar. If you’re looking for a blast from the past and a sweet treat that will make you think of better days, this is the place to go.

75 9th Ave. Subway: A, C, E to 8th Ave—14th St Station

PHOTO COURTESY OF WEBSHOTS.COM

The Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory located right near the Brooklyn Bridge, is popular and always crowded during the summer months.

Max and Mina’s If the flavors from Chinatown Ice Cream Factory weren’t strange enough, head over to Max and Mina’s for a sample of one of their unique flavors. You can sample corn on the cob ice cream, white fish ice cream, or even beer ice cream. If you’re craving something new, Max and Mina’s is a perfect summer stop.

7126 Main St., Flushing

An Afternoon Out in the Heat

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THE BEST SPOTS FOR A NIGHT OUT, A LAZY AFTERNOON OR JUST A PLACE TO SPEND AN HOUR Theaters at 45 Bleecker Street This off-Broadway theater offers some indie, underground productions that represent another side of New York City’s theater community. Many of the shows put on here are modern and minimalistic, allowing you to focus on the actors rather than their accessories. For a live show that you can’t see anywhere else, this tiny theater is the perfect place.

45 Bleecker St. Subway: 6 to Bleecker St. Station

Nuyorican Poets Café The poetry slams at the Nuyorican Poets Café are famous, but any night at this exciting spot promises great live entertainment. The prices are low, but the seats fill up quickly so get there early if you don’t want to miss out. Once you’ve settled in, the Nuyorican Café promises a laid-back evening of great poetry and Latin jazz.

236 E. 3rd St., Brooklyn Subway: F to Fort Hamilton Parkway

CATCH AN ARTSY MOVIE ON A HOT AFTERNOON

American Museum of Natural History If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about human evolution, anthropology or history, check out the American Museum of Natural History. The life-sized dioramas of animals and people are interesting to look at; the exhibits themselves are enticing and fascinating. Get lost in the past while walking through any of these halls.

Central Park West & 79th St. Subway: B, C to 81st St.—Museum of Natural History

The Brooklyn Museum of Art After the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this is one of the best New York art museums. The combination of art and archaeology featured in many of the exhibits makes for an incredibly interesting experience. The best exhibits here are the Egyptian and African art sections, so if you decide to take a trip, be sure to walk through them.

200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn Subway: 2, 3 to Eastern Parkway—Brooklyn Museum

SEE IT OUTSIDE LIVE WITHOUT PAYING A DIME

Angelika Film Center and Café The Angelika Film Center is a West Village favorite, showing a wide variety of independent and foreign films. Although there are only a few screens, the films shown are rotated in and out frequently, allowing for the Angelika to show the most current art films. The atmosphere at the café is relaxed and inviting, but if you stay too long you might find yourself contemplating buying a beret.

189 2nd Ave. Subway: L to First Ave.

Kew Gardens Cinema If you’re in the mood for a movie but not interested in a long subway ride into Manhattan, check out Kew Gardens Cinema, which is only a bus ride away from St. John’s University. This interesting theater shows movies that lean towards independent, but don’t expect to find obscure art films here.

8105 Lefferts Blvd, Queens Subway: E, F to Union Tpke—Kew Gardens

Central Park Summerstage All summer long, the Central Park Summerstage puts on free shows that everyone is welcome to come and watch.

There is no better place to watch a play, listen to a concert or be entertained.

Look up what shows are going on ahead of time, and be sure to check the weather before you leave the house.

830 Fifth Ave. Subway: N, R, W to Fifth Ave.

Prospect Park Bandshell For free concerts all summer long, head to Brooklyn and find Prospect Park. Here you can listen to bands perform while sitting outside in the beautiful weather.

There’s no better way to be introduced to new music than this, and after a show, you’ll be in the perfect place to start exploring all that Brooklyn has to offer.

9th Ave., Brooklyn Subway: F to 7th Ave.

Apollo Theater A piece of Harlem’s history, the Apollo Theater has been one of the most popular spots for live entertainment in New York.

One of the best attractions is Wednesday night’s Amateur Night, where locals put on a variety show and are either given an encore by the audience or booed off the stage. Tickets are fairly inexpensive, and great spot to spend an evening.

253 W. 125th St. Subway: A, B, C, D to 125th St. Station

Museum of Modern Art One of the most popular art museums in the city, MoMA features installations, sculptures, paintings and other strange and interesting pieces from some of the best modern artists in the world. The pieces range from beautiful and interesting to simply odd, making MoMA one of the best places to spend the day.

25 W 53rd St. Subway: E, V to Fifth Ave.—53rd St. Station

Museum of the Moving Image Dedicated to the history, science and art of films, the Museum of the Moving Image is one of the most interesting museums in all of New York. Built in an old production studio, the museum exhibits take you behind the scenes of one of the most popular forms of media around today. The experience is so different from that of your standard museum that you’ll never think of them the same way again.

3601 35th Ave #1, Astoria Subway: N, W to 36th Ave.

Museum of Comic & Cartoon Art If you loved reading Superman comics as a kid, MoCCA is the museum that will bring all of those fond memories back.

MoCCA features exhibits about some of the most popular and influential comic book artists of all time, as well as a few that have gone under the radar. MoCCA also hosts many events that allow fans to see some of the artists they love.

594 Broadway #401 Subway: B, D, F, V to Broadway-Lafayette St. Station

ENTERTAINMENT Summer 2009 The TORCH

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Shopping City THERE IS NO END TO THE UNIQUE SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FIVE BOROUGHS Queens Center Mall Queens Center Mall offers more than 150 stores and eateries, including H&M, Urban Outfitters and Lucky Brand Jeans.

With such a huge shopping center so close by, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding all of the things you need. As an added bonus, outside and around the mall you’ll often find street vendors selling knock-offs, scarves and other accessories.

9015 Queens Blvd.

Subway: R, V to Woodhaven Blvd.

Union Square One of the best shopping centers in Manhattan, Union Square boasts tons of huge department stores like Filene’s Basement and DSW. While Union Square is much more attractive than a mall, it still offers tons of different, familiar shops in a small area. Best of all, once you’ve emptied out your bank account you can collapse onto a bench in the park and relax.

Subway: L, N, Q, R, 4, 5, 6 to 14th St. – Union Sq.

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Herald Square Right in the heart of the Garment District, Herald Square is the perfect place to find a new wardrobe. One of the most notable features of Herald Square is the giant department store Macy’s, but there’s also the promising Manhattan Mall on 33rd Street and Sixth Avenue.

Watch out for sample sales in this area, as they’re one of the best opportunities that New York shoppers have to wear the latest fashions for low prices.

Subway: D, F, N, Q, R, V to 34th St. – Herald Square Austin Street, Forest Hills Austin Street offers the perfect mix of eclectic boutiques and chain stores, ensuring that anyone can find something.

The highlights are found between Ascan Avenue and Yellowstone Boulevard, so taking a walk down the street can turn into a shopping adventure. Some of the stores on Austin Street are so unique that you won’t find anything like them anywhere else, so if you have an afternoon you should check it out.

Subway: E, F, R, V to 71st Ave., Forest Hills St. Mark’s Place For shoppers looking for a unique experience or a particularly strange item, St. Marks Place is the perfect spot. The street running between Astor Place and Avenue A is filled with tattoo parlors, comic book stores, strange clothing shops, music stores and places to eat. With such a distinctive atmosphere, it’s easy to get lost in the area and feel like you’ve entered an entirely new city.

Subway: 6 to Astor Place The Strand The Strand is the place to go for all New York City book-lovers. Boasting “18 miles of new, used, rare and out of print books,” The Strand is filled to the brim with every book imaginable. Walk through the crowded shelves and elbow your way past other shoppers to get those volumes that you’ve always wanted.

828 Broadway Subway: L, N, Q, R to 14th St., Union Sq. Brownstoner’s Brooklyn Flea Market

Every Sunday, crowds of bargin-hunters flock to Brooklyn for the Brownstoner’s Brooklyn Flea. This open-air market hosts over 200 independent vendors, selling everything from antique furniture to cool new accessories. If you’re willing to shift through piles of merchandise to find the gems that you’re looking for, the Brownstoner’s Brooklyn Flea is the perfect place to spend a Sunday.

357 Clermont Ave. Subway: G to Clinton-Washington Aves Station Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market The Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market is easily one of the largest and most well-known flea markets in the city. Every weekend, vendors and shoppers come out to Ninth Avenue to sell or find antique jewelry, records, clothing, furniture and other knickknacks that can’t be found anywhere else. Once you’re done shopping, you’ll realize that you’re right in the heart of one of New York City’s best neighborhoods for eating, so keep on the lookout for place to break for lunch in.

39th St and 9th Ave. Subway: A, C, E to 42nd St., Port Authority

PHOTO COURTESY OF WEBSHOTS.COM

Macy’s in Herald Square is one of NYC’s most famous shopping destinations.

Fifth Avenue If it’s designer, brand-name, expensive or beautiful, it can probably be found on New York City’s Fifth Avenue. Between 49th and 59th Streets, shoppers can find designers like Prada, Fendi, Versace and Gucci, as well as other exclusive stores like Tiffany & Co. and Bergdorf Goodman. If you’re looking to splurge, you probably couldn’t do much better than this stretch of fashion-lovers’ heaven.

Subway: E, V to Fifth Ave.—53rd St. Canal Street If you love Prada but don’t love the price tag, head down to Chinatown to find Canal Street, the infamous home of more designer knock-offs than any other place in the city. Although you’ll have to wade through crowds of other shoppers to get to the merchandise, you can be sure that shopping on Canal Street will be worth the subway ride. As an added bonus, being in the heart of Chinatown will give you access to some great, authentic Chinese food for lunch.

Subway: 6 to Canal St.

PHOTO COURTESY OF YELP.COM

The Strand in Union Square sells new and used books at reasonable prices.

Prince and Broadway This is where the village meets Soho, and artsy small shops blend with exclusive boutiques. Walking around this area will give you the chance to browse some small, independent stores offering unique fashions that you can’t find anywhere else in the city. If you’re willing to look hard enough through all of the high-prices merchandise, you can sometimes find the deal of the year.

Subway: R to Prince St. Jamaica, Queens To find some of the best bargins around, look no further than the streets of Jamaica, Queens. The stores here are big on hiphop clothing lines and deals on fashion lines like Baby Phat. A lot of the shopping is centered around 164th Street and Jamaica Avenue, but be prepared to walk in both directions to find the best deals.

Subway: E, J, Z to Jamaica Center—Parsons/Archer St.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PBASE.COM

Queens Center Mall houses various stores and is easily accessible by bus or subway.

Food For Thought

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INFERNO SHARES SOME OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN THE CITY FOR EVERY PRICE RANGE UFC (Unidentified Flying Chicken) Some of the best Korean fried chicken can be found at Unidentified Flying Chicken. The double-fried pieces are soaked in spiced batter and covered in sauces that are unique and delicious. For take-out, head upstairs, but to sit in and enjoy, the restaurant is downstairs.

7122 Roosevelt Ave. Subway: E, F, R, V to Jackson Hts. Roosevelt Ave. The Crooked Tree The Crooked Tree is one of the most welcoming little restaurants on St. Mark’s Place. Inside you’ll find friendly service, cool music, and the best BLT known to man. The Crooked Tree also serves up delicious crepes, salads and sliders.

110 St. Mark’s Place Subway: 6 to Astor Place Amy Ruth’s If you’re craving soul food, take the subway up to Harlem and find Amy Ruth’s, where the portions are big and the dishes are classics. Although it’s a little on the pricey side, Amy Ruth’s is definitely worth it. Don’t leave without trying the desserts—both the red velvet cake and the banana pudding come highly recommended.

113 W 116th St. Subway: Subway: 2, 3 to 116th St. Station Verb Café Verb Café is a cool indie coffee shop that represents some of the best New York has to offer. The atmosphere is one of Verb Café’s greatest features and once you sit down, you won’t want to leave. If you’ve always wanted your own “Central Perk”, look no further than this.

218 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn Subway: L to Bedford Ave. Station

Doughnut Plant After trying just one of the unique flavors offered at Doughnut Plant, you’ll never think about Dunkin Donuts again.

Doughnut Plant serves a few unique flavors of doughnuts each day, like crème brûlée and vanilla bean with strawberry jelly. If you go later in the afternoon, you might even score a few for free—the employees give out extra donuts as the business day starts to wind down.

379 Grand St. Subway: F, J, M, Z to Essex St./Delancey St. Station Corner Bistro Praised for housing one of the best burgers in NYC, Corner Bistro is definitely worth a visit. The atmosphere is low-key and relaxing, and the prices are reasonable. Be sure to get there early—the place is usually packed after 6:30 p.m.

341 W 4th street at Jane St. Subway: 1, 2, 3, A, C, E to 14th St.

PHOTO COURTESY OF YELP.COM

The Doughnut Plant, located on the Lower East Side.

Momofuku Ko Among all of the ramen places in NYC, Momofuku stands out as one of the best.

The prices are great and the portions are huge, so come hungry. Be warned— Momofuku is almost always crowded, so don’t expect to have much room to slurp your noodles in peace and quiet.

163 First Ave. Subway: L to First Ave. Curry in a Hurry With great service, great Indian food and great prices, what more can you ask for?

This fast-paced restaurant offers takeout service and upstairs dining along with some of the best naan bread around.

Don’t be fooled by the appearance—this is definitely one of the best places for Indian food in Manhattan.

119 Lexington Ave. at 28th St. Subway: 6 to 28th St.

PHOTO COURTESY OF YELP.COM

Momofuku Ko, located in the East Village.

ENTERTAINMENT

Sentosa For Malaysian cuisine that you can’t get tired of, try Sentosa in Flushing, Queens. The dishes are reasonably priced and the food is as authentic as you can find. If you’re looking to try something new, or if you’ve been missing some of your favorite ethnic dishes, don’t miss out on this gem.

3907 Prince Street Subway: 7 to Main St., Flushing Station

108-26 Ascan Ave. Subway: E, F to 75th Ave.

Summer 2009

Kyoto Sushi Japanese and Thai Just down the street from St. John’s University, Kyoto is one of the best sushi places in the area. If you aren’t in the mood for raw fish, Kyoto also offers other Japanese dishes and Thai food. The portions are fairly large and all of the food is fresh and presented beautifully.

15311 Union Tpke

PHOTO COURTESY OF NYMAG.COM

The Crooked Tree, located on St. Mark’s place.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NYMAG.COM

Curry in a Hurry, located on Lexington Avenue.

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Nick’s Pizza If eating cheesy grease isn’t your cup of tea, try Nick’s Pizza on 108-26 Ascan Avenue in Forest Hills, Queens. The freshly-made pies that Nick’s serves up are topped with just enough mozzarella, as well as any of the delicious ingredients that you choose to add. After dinner you can indulge in one of the most famous Italian desserts—tiramisu.

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Totonno’s Totonno’s serves up classic, brick oven pizza covered with high-quality toppings.

The walls are covered with old photographs and newspaper cut-outs, adding to the comfortable, relaxed feel of the place. Best of all, after you finish your pizza you can indulge in some homemade ice cream!

1544 2nd Ave. Subway: 6 to 77th St. Station

20

Going with what they’ve got Red Storm taking an in-house approach to offensive strategy

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The TORCH

Summer 2009

SPORTS

KATIE BECKMANN Staff Writer Ask head coach Ian Stone and seniors Tara Mendoza and Valia Barsley what the St. John’s women’s soccer team needed to improve upon this offseason, and the same response would be garnered from all three.

They’d agree that the Red Storm need to score more goals.

As simple as that answer might seem, elevating the offense may not be such an easy task. Last year, the team attempted 184 shots and converted a Big East-low 13 goals.

“When we get the ball, our first instinct should be always to go for the goal, but the past couple of seasons we’ve focused more on keeping possession and playing pretty soccer,” Barsley said. “We need to look for that killer pass and go straight to the goal.”

So during the spring season, Barsley and the rest of the Red Storm focused on offense first.

“We worked hard during the spring season to get [our offense] right and that ended with a 4-0 win against Rutgers,” Stone said. “A lot of the things we worked on and getting more people involved in the attack for scoring goals will help us.”

With all of the team’s leading goal scorers returning from last season, Stone has a bright outlook for his team’s offensive future.

“I would like to say the offense is going to be more of a team effort,” Stone said. “We have a lot of players that can do a great job.”

Stone singled out sophomore

Jen Leaverton as well as senior Sarah McGrath as players that should dramatically impact the Red Storm’s offensive attack.

Leaverton, a Mansfield, Mass. native, has been playing summer ball back home for the Bay State Selects and was recently was named to the Women’s Premier Soccer League Team of the Week.

During her rookie campaign in 2008-09, she led the Red Storm with three goals and also chipped in with an assist. She finished with a team-high two game-winning goals.

McGrath was a key force in the midfield for the Red Storm last season, leading the team with five assists.

Santos, Ludemann and McConnell each finished with two goals apiece last season.

The return of junior midfielder Raelynne Lee and senior forward Katie Haas will also help improve the offense.

Lee, who was injured all of last year finished with five goals and three assists as a rookie and was second on the team in total points in 2007-2008.

Though Haas was sidelined two ACL injuries over the past three years, Stone is excited to see how well her recovery has gone.

“Katie had a great spring season,” Stone said. “We are hoping to get her back fully healthy this season and have the best of Katie Haas this season.”

The Red Storm have the tools to be a successful offensive team. All they need to do is finish.

“As a team, we’re so good with keeping possession and playing ball,” Barsley said. “When we beat Rutgers, 4-0, we knew we were ready for this year.”

TORCH PHOTO/ LAURA AMATO

Sophomore Jen Leaverton led the Red Storm in scoring in 2008-09.

Brownlee, not Stephenson, completes recruiting class BILL SAN ANTONIO Sports Editor After failing to sign Brooklyn phenom Lance Stephenson, the St. John’s men’s basketball team wrapped its 2009-10 recruiting class with the signing of Justin Brownlee, a transfer from Chippola Junior College in Marina, Fla. Brownlee’s signing came shortly after sources close to Stephenson said that the Coney Island native no longer desired to play at St. John’s.

With the addition of Brownlee, however, head coach Norm Roberts is confident that his staff achieved its goals in upgrading the Red Storm with the 2009-10 recruiting class.

“We wanted to address specific needs with this

recruiting class,” Roberts said.

“We wanted to improve upon three things — our ballhandling, our ability to shoot and score, and our overall athleticism. With this recruiting class, we were able to address all three.”

St. John’s finished 13th in scoring offense, 14th in assists, and 12th in field goal percentage in the Big East in 2008-09, and ended conference play with a 76-45 loss to Marquette in the Big East tournament during which the Red Storm scored just 10 points in the first half.

Brownlee completes a recruiting class that consists of point guard Malik Stith, who signed with the Red Storm on May 1, and guards Omari Lawrence and Dwight Hardy, who each signed last fall.

In addition to Brownlee,

Hardy also has junior college experience coming from Ottumwa (IA) Indian Hills C.C. St. John’s had been long been considered, along with Maryland and Kansas, to be a part of Stephenson’s short list, but family sources close to Stephenson told the media in early May that the phenom was looking in another direction.

“They’re not going to Maryland, they’re not going to St. John’s, and he ain’t going to Europe,” the source said.

Maryland had already signed Stephenson’s Lincoln teammate, James Padgett, but a recent Rivals.com report suggested head coach Gary Williams did not want to deal with the off-court issues that follow Stephenson.

Stephenson was charged, along with Lincoln teammate Darwin Ellis, with al-

legedly groping a 17-year old female student last October.

The pending trial has been delayed until June 29.

In addition, Maryland point guard Grevis Vazquez announced June 15 that he would return to school for his senior year and forego the June 22 NBA Draft, creating a crowded backcourt had Stephenson signed with the Terripens.

The 6-7, 225-pound Brownlee averaged 10.1 points and 5.7 rebounds for Chippola in 2008-09, and one JUCO recruiting expert is excited that the forward joined the Red Storm.

“St. John’s may have gotten the steal of all junior college,” said Jerry Mullen of Mullen’s Roundball, a junior college recruiting service.

“He’s really talented.

“As a freshman, he dominated JUCO ball in the state of California, and before that he was being recruited by several high-major Division I programs out of high school. Justin is a great kid and is a really good get for St. John’s.”

Brownlee began his college basketball career at City College of San Francisco, and was a first team all-state JUCO selection after averaging 20.0 points for the Rams.

Stephenson delayed the announcement of his college decision at the PSAL championships at Madison Square Garden and at the McDonald’s All America game, widely considered the biggest stage in High School basketball.

At the time of this report, Stephenson still had not signed with a school.

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Persico bringing in the cavalry Replacing stars could get in way of fourth straight Big East conference title ANGEL PEREZ Contributing Writer Losing three key players in 2008 didn’t stop the St. John’s women’s volleyball team from finishing atop the Big East for a third straight season.

Head coach Joanne Persico and her team has an even bigger hill to climb to stay on top entering the 2009 season after losing another five starters to graduation, including 2008 Big East Volleyball Player of the Year Wioleta Leszczynska and three-time Big East Libero of the Year Lena Yee. Leszczynska took home Player of the Year honors after leading the Big East with 11.58 assists per set, while Yee’s 4.13 digs per set were good for third-best in the conference.

Yee departs with a school-record 2,054 career digs under her belt, leaving one tough act to follow for St. John’s starting libero of the future.

The player expected to assume Yee’s starting job is freshman Ashley Asing, who

comes to New York all the way from Hawaii.

Persico wants the transition to Queens to be an easy one for Asing and other new members of the team.

“Coming to New York can be harsh, but everyone at St. John’s will be doing everything they can to help them along the way,” Persico said.

After a slow start to last year’s season, the Red Storm gelled and found the leadership that propelled them to their improbable run despite a disappointing upset at the hands of the Norte Dame in the conference tournament, ending the Red Storm’s bid for back-to-back Big East tournament championships This year they’ll need immediate leadership in hopes of continued success. Persico already knows where to find it.

“I expect leadership to come from players such as [junior] Ruisa Scheffel and [senior] Kun Song” Persico said. “Leadership, consistency, and performance are big question marks that need to improve

throughout the year.”

Keeping up with powerhouse programs Louisville and Cincinnati will prove to be more of a challenge than in the past. With the loss of so many players, it is tough to tell what changes in strategy the Red Storm will need to make before the season begins.

“It’s too early to tell if any changes need to be made,” Persico said. “We’ll have to wait and see how we look after a few practices before we can decide what were going to do.”

Three straight Big East regular season titles carries no guarantee for the Red Storm maintaining its past success. The rest of the conference will likely be gunning for the Red Storm in an attempt to unseat them as Big East conference champions.

Persico admits that there is major cause for concern entering the new season.

“I’m definitely concerned, I don’t think I’ve ever lost this many starters in one year, but its part of my job,” Persico said.

“We’re probably expected to win it again.”

TORCH PHOTO/ LAURA AMATO

Wioleta Leszczynska is just one of the star players Persico-Smith will have to replace on the court this fall.

A first lesson in St. John’s athletics for the class of ’13 4)

TORCH ILLUSTRATION/ KATHLEEN HANNA

The lock on Belson Stadium provides an unusual homefield advantage.

An Aura of Mystery

3) 2)

Pressure at a Position

It took me a while to realize it, but the goalkeeper position at St. John’s is pretty prestigious. Last year Neal Kitson played between the pipes and was so good for the Johnnies that he was eventually drafted by the Kansas City Wizards of MLS. Before him, Jason Landers kept goal and became a Big East Goalkeeper

Success in Silence

Any student on the Queens campus with half a brain could easily identify basketball coach Norm Roberts, but very few could pick Masur or his assistants out of a lineup. And that’s what makes this program so special.

One day last October, three guys approached me in Taffner for a pick-up basketball game. It wasn’t until days later that I found out my teammate in

5)

Just Win, Baby!

This holds true for every athletic team. Win and the rest will take care of itself. The Red Storm won the regularseason Big East conference Red division title in 2008 after capping dramatic wins over South Florida and Cincinnati, and may have won the Big East Tournament too had it not been for those pesky Bulls.

The Storm advanced as far as the final four round of the NCAA Tournament, where they were ousted by Maryland, 1-0.

Masur’s job will never be on the line, but five years into the Norm Roberts era, however, the men’s basketball team has amassed one winning season and zero NCAA tournament appearances, as its head coach’s job is firmly planted on the hot seat and the support it once had gone to the men of Belson.

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While Carnesecca Court remains open to the public, Belson Stadium is constantly locked up. There is no access for anyone except the team in the offseason, making the home field almost holy.

No one gets in. No exceptions. That master lock with its chained support emits a superiority complex and feeling of exclusion that has been missing from the basketball program for years.

I attended my first soccer game last fall under the pretense that the home crowd would only consist of crazed fans, former high school players, and those with nothing better to do on a Thursday night than check out why the big lights above that parking garage across campus were turned on.

I was wrong. Fans packed the bleachers behind the nets dressed in red and white, cheering their beloved Red Storm.

For the first time, I felt a connection to my college that I had constantly been searching for. I went to almost every home game after that, and I didn’t receive a single meal, movie ticket, or t-shirt upon my attendance.

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of the Year winner. Before Landers, Bill Gaudette excelled in the yellow jersey and was eventually drafted ninth overall by the Columbus Crew.

For that, Masur will never have a problem recruiting goalkeepers; and for Kitson’s successor, there’s certainly a lot to live up to.

The Ultimate Fan Experience

Summer 2009

1)

the two-on-two extravaganza was men’s soccer assistant coach Mark Reeves. The other two? Women’s soccer assistants.

I had no idea.

SPORTS

Let me play professor to the incoming freshmen’s first sports lesson of their St. John’s careers: St. John’s is no longer a “basketball” school. It has been replaced by soccer.

It’s true. While basketball has a building whose lobby flaunts its history of success, many students only think the lobby of Carneseca Arena makes for a convenient entrance to the University’s fitness center.

And Carnesecca Court? It has become a haven for those squeezed from a b-ball court in Taffner Fieldhouse or someone looking to play (gasp!) indoor soccer.

Fans flock to Belson Stadium in growing numbers even more so than to Carnesecca and Madison Square Garden.

Even though tickets are free for students, administration doesn’t need to offer “incentives” to get kids to soccer games.

Genuine love for the program provides enough of an attraction.

When I first stepped onto campus last year, I too carried with me the thought that St. John’s was a basketball school, but Dave Masur has quietly built something special with his men’s soccer program that took my narrow freshman mind by surprise. His program fulfills every prerequisite for a put-them-on-a-pedestal college athletic program that has eclipsed its basketball counterpart. Here are a few of them.

22

Motivated by memory Masur’s squad is inspired by last December’s Final Four loss BILL SAN ANTONIO

SPORTS

Sports Editor Forget what happened last December.

Forget the thrilling 3-2 overtime victory over Indiana in the Elite Eight, forget Nelson Becerra’s game-winning goal off a penalty kick, and forget the 1-0 Final Four loss to Maryland on ESPNU. Forget them, because the St. John’s men’s soccer team certainly will not.

“We were extraodinarily disappointed because we came so close at the end,” head coach Dave Masur says of his team falling just short of a National Championship. “We’re going to use everything as motivation.”

The Red Storm are going to need plenty of motivation coming off a 2008 season full of highs – a regular season Big East championship clinched on Halloween night – to lows – a Big East tournament loss to South Florida, a team they beat last October during the regular season.

The biggest high, however, came about a month after the season ended, when goalkeeper Neal Kitson was drafted into Major League Soccer by the Kansas City Wizards.

Who will replace Kitson is anyone’s guess, and Masur thinks the competition for the starting job could continue into the season.

“We have some young guys coming in but there are returning veterans fighting for that spot,” Masur said.

Senior Derby Carillo is

the lone upperclassman in a competition between four keepers. Carillo will have to fight off sophomore Nunzio Belfiore and freshmen Rafael Diaz and Alex Naples, keepers who each found success prior to arriving in Queens.

Carillo is also the only keeper among them to have in-game experience for the Red Storm, recording 120 minutes last season after redshirting in 2007.

“We’ll take a wait-andsee approach [with our goalkeepers],” Masur said. “The hope is that certain players step up.”

“Certain players” may not be any of those keepers. Masur isn’t particularly fazed by the Red Storm’s recent history of success in net.

Instead he links the success of Kitson and his predecessors to the talent around them, particularly on defense. He credits their success as a total team effort.

“We’re known for doing things as a group, and these guys really work hard,” Masur said.

The talent surrounding whichever goalkeeper starts the first game of the 2009 season will be nearly identical to the team fielded last year. With the exception of Rory Quinn, whom the Red Storm lost to graduation, every starter from that Final Four loss is back.

“Last year everybody contributed in different ways,” Masur said. “Our main focus now is to stay consistent.”

Consistency is a necessity, not only because of the Red Storm’s goalkeeping questions but because they still do compete in the Big East confer-

TORCH PHOTO/ LAURA AMATO

Nelson Becerra and his Red Storm teammates will not forget last year’s Final Four loss. ence. Last season, as many as seven teams were ranked in the NSCAA/Adidas National poll.

Though the Red Storm were ranked as high as No. 2 in that poll and saw early success in conference play, they were taken down by an unranked Louisville

team that jumped into the polls with the victory.

Masur thinks that as many as ten teams within the Big East are good enough to be ranked nationally in 2009, and that his squad will have to be at its best every game.

“Every year teams can go from last to first in our conference,” Masur said.

And that quick shift of power, coupled with the Red Storm’s success in 2008, will be something the rest of the Big East won’t forget, either.

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The TORCH

Summer 2009

St. John’s keepers prove an old sports saying MIKE GURNIS Contributing Writer A longstanding sports cliché states that defense wins championships. In soccer, it might as well be goalkeeping that brings home titles.

The St. John’s men’s soccer team won the regular season Big East championship in 2008 on the back of goalkeeper Neal Kitson, who was drafted in the third round of the 2009 Major League Soccer Superdraft by the Kansas City Wizards.

But he isn’t the first keeper to have succeeded in Queens, and he certainly knows it.

“St. John’s has always had very good goalkeeping,” Kitson said. “There’s a lot of pride. Coach (Dave) Masur expects a lot.”

Before Kitson, Jason Landers and Bill Gaudette donned the yellow jersey for the Red Storm. Gaudette kept net from 20012004 and was a first round draft pick of the Columbus Crew in 2005. Landers

was a Big East Goalkeeper of the Year award winner and it was his shoes that Kitson had to fill.

And fill them he did. In 2008, Kitson took the Big East by storm by receiving third team All-Big East honors, Soccer America’s first team MVP, and becoming Kansas City’s third round draft pick.

He set a school record with 15 shutouts, which led the Big East conference, and posted a 0.48 goals against average that was fifth-best in the country and second-best in school history.

“It’s the most difficult position on the field,” Kitson says of goalkeeping. “You have to have confidence and leadership.

You have to be a vocal leader, to command your area. You have to always be confident.”

The Red Storm’s confident leader for 2009 has not yet been determined, but Masur certainly has plenty on the roster capable of filling the role between the pipes.

The Red Storm will carry a total of four keepers, made up of senior Derby

Carillo, sophomore Nunzio Belfiore, and freshmen Rafael Diaz and Alex Naples.

Diaz was the 2008-09 Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year, is a two-time NSCAA High School All-American and a two-time first team All-State player.

Naples capped off his high school career with a 20-0-1 record, 12 shutouts and a 0.33 GAA in leading St. Anthony’s (NY) to NSCHSAA league and state championships.

But success in high school or lower-level colleges doesn’t always breed immediate success at the Division I level, especially in the Big East.

“I started every game at Dowling College, and here (at St. John’s) it is a totally different environment,” Kitson said. “You have to do so much more, because the Big East is one of the best conferences in the country.

Experience gives you an advantage.”

Carillo, like Kitson, began his collegiate career at a smaller school, Cal

State-Dominguez Hills. He played there for two seasons after redshirting as a freshman and posted 11 shutouts, helping the team to two CCAA championships.

Last season, Carillo appeared in two games for the Red Storm and allowed just one goal in 120 minutes, making him the most experienced goalkeeping option. Belfiore, then a freshman, did not see any playing time.

Masur assures that the success of the program’s goalkeepers is more a testament to the team’s overall success and strength on the defensive end of the field.

St. John’s allowed just 13 goals in 25 games last season, and its .50 goals against average was the best in the Big East conference.

The Red Storm also led the conference with 103 total saves.

But despite the current goalkeeping competition, Kitson has some advice for those backing up the eventual starter.

“You have to go into every game expecting to play,” Kitson said.

TORCH SPORTS

STORM

CAST

Leavin’ their Mark Morris, Kemp drafted Red Storm baseball players Tim Morris and Brian Kemp were both selected on day two of the 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

Morris, a third team Louisville Slugger All-American and first team All Big East selection, was taken by the Seattle Mariners in the 11th round. With a .370 career average, the junior ranks second all-time in school history, and set a new school record this season for runs (69). In single season records, he ranks second all-time in hits, third in RBI (62), fourth in average (.415), tied for sixth in home runs (12), and tied for ninth in doubles (17).

Kemp, a third team All Big East honoree, was drafted in the 19th round by the Houston Astros. The junior leadoff man batted .379 and scored 68 rubs, along with 16 stolen bases. He was a Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American in 2007.

Recruiting recognized

TORCH PHOTO/ LAURA AMATO

Sophomore goalkeeper Kristin Russell was in net for all 10 of the Red Storm’s shutouts as a freshman in 2008-09.

Last chance for ’06 class KATIE BECKMANN Staff Writer In summer of 2006, St. John’s women’s soccer head coach Ian Stone announced a recruiting class of 16 players for the upcoming year that featured two international players, a handful from the Tri-state area and a few from the Midwest.

Fast forward to summer of 2009.

Fourteen of the 16 players from that recruiting class still remain and Long Island native C.J. Ludemann, a forward, later joined the group to complete one of the most memorable classes of St. John’s women’s soccer history.

“They are such an amazing group of people, both individually and collectively,” Stone said. “I would have to believe they would want to go out and leave a legacy.

They’ve done an all-around fantastic job.”

Senior Tara Mendoza thinks the diverse talents of the fifteen seniors on the 2009 squad is what made the program so special.

“I think that our class coming in was a really positive thing for St. John’s women’s soccer,” said Mendoza, who patrols the defensive end and midfield.

“We all brought different things, we brought intensity and hard work to every practice, and I think it’s rubbing off on the younger players,” she added. “I hope that this season, we’ll leave a lasting impact on the program.”

With one win in their last four games,

the Red Storm suffered a disappointing finish to the 2008-09 season. The team scored three goals in those games, and scored just 13 the entire season. They were shut out eight times.

But after a strong finish to the 2009 spring season that was capped by a 4-0 win over conference-rival Rutgers, the outlook for the upcoming season is much brighter.

With a roster that features 15 seniors, all capable of being impact players, and a talented group of underclassmen, Stone thinks this is the year for the Red Storm.

“The last couple of years, we’ve said that we’ve wanted to be successful, but we’ve never really followed through with it,” Stone said. “There have been times that we haven’t been fit and we have tied teams that we should have beaten.

“We absolutely have the potential to do it and I’m confident that this is the year… The final piece of the puzzle for this group would be making the NCAA Tournament.”

With the entire defense returning, reaching the NCAA Tournament is a possibility. Mendoza, along with seniors Vaila Barsley, Nicole Doran, Courtney Lane, and sophomore goalkeeper Kristin Russell make the Red Storm one of the toughest back lines to score on in all of Division I. “The way we defend is a big strength for us,” Stone said. “The team has really bought into that concept. They have the experience of playing with each other.

There’s the potential of having four seniors in the back so that will help us.”

Russell kept net for an injured

Rebecca Capinera last season and overtook the starting goalkeeper job, allowing eight goals on 86 shots, good for a .907 save percentage.

The defensive unit allowed a Big East low of 12 goals and produced ten shutouts in the 2008 season.

But it is the seniors that will determine how far this team goes throughout the year.

“With as many seniors as we have, I find that people who come in knowing it’s their last year really step up to the plate,” Stone

said.

There is certainly a sense of urgency in the air that the veterans can feel.

“Every single game is important, from the first game to the last game,” Mendoza said. “At the end, those three points could be the difference of making the tournament.”

Barsley shared the same attitude that the team needs to play every game like it is its last.

“This season is do or die,” Barsley said.

“We haven’t achieved what we should have done in the past three years. We have to leave everything out on the field.”

See the newly-unveiled women’s soccer schedule at redstormsports.com

Allstargirlsreport.net reported last month that the St. John’s women’s basketball recruiting class was among the best in the country “St. John’s finally came through in their own backyard, with a class that has a heavy NYC accent,” the website reported. “Smith is the key, while McPherson and McKenith will give them an explosive backcourt. Burakoski will provide scoring and offense.”.

The Red Storm were ranked No. 21 on the website’s Top 25, signing five players in the site’s Top 250.

The big signing for St. John’s was forward Shenneika Smith, ranked No. 14 on the site. In addition, forward Amanda Burakoski (No. 101), point guard Nadirah McKenith (No. 102), shooting guard Eudenia McPherson (No. 130), and power forward Jennifer Blending (No. 237) all join the Red Storm for the upcoming season.

The recruting class joins a Red Storm team that advanced to the third round of the Women’s NIT in 2008-09.

“

Blowin’ in the Wind We need to look for that killer pass and go straight to the goal.

”

-Women’s Soccer midfielder Vaila Barsley

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SPORTS SUMMER 2009 | VOLUME 87, ISSUE 03 | TORCHONLINE.COM

TORCH PHOTO/ LAURA AMATO

The volleyball team is going for its fourth consecutive Big East title this season.

The women’s soccer team has fifteen seniors and a lot to prove this season.

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