A NEW CHAPTER
‘THE GIVER’ FAILS TO DELIVER
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THE MASSACHUSETTS
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DAILY COLLEGIAN
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
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SGA leaders use summer to work on goals Preparations for fall semester began By Catherine Ferris Collegian Staff
CADE BELISLE/COLLEGIAN
Donated and discarded dorm room amenities and school supplies were sold in the Student Union Ballroom for the New2U Sale Sunday.
UM tuition and fees frozen
In-state undergrads will be affected By Marie MaCune Collegian Staff
The University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees approved a tuition and fee freeze for the second consecutive year, making it the first back-to-back freeze in recent history. The decision was reached in June and affects in-state, undergraduate students during the 2014-2015 academic
year, according to a UMass press release. According to the release, the freeze was made possible by a $50 million increase in funding from the Massachusetts State Legislature. The total funding for the UMass system, including all five campuses, is just under $519 million for the 2015 fiscal year, according to the release. Representative Josh Cutler of the 6th Plymouth District voted for the increase in both the Fiscal Year 2014 and Fiscal Year 2015 budgets.
“This was a priority of ours because we all understand the costs of higher education are squeezing middle class families and we wanted to address that and provide some support,” he said. “We received the full funding that we sought,” said Robert Connolly spokesperson for the UMass president’s office. “We saw a $100 million increase over two years and have achieved President Caret’s initial goal of the 50-50 Plan.” The 50-50 Plan refers to
Serving the UMass community since 1890
UMass President Robert Caret’s plan to achieve funding parity between the state and UMass students and their families. With the 50-50 plan fulfilled, Connolly says UMass has bigger plans for the future. “Obviously for the short term we want to maintain that balance. But, it would be incredible to go beyond that,” he said. “Once upon a time, many years ago, the state covered almost see
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After winning the Student Government Association election in March, senior Vinayak Rao and junior Jacob Schissel wasted no time establishing goals for the upcoming academic year. Rao and Schissel, the new president and vice president, respectively, hope to focus their efforts on three main objectives outlined during their campaign last spring. This includes creating more student awareness about legal options, promoting and streamlining the budget of Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) and diversifying Career Services. The two began working with Student Legal Services over the summer to develop ways to raise awareness among students of their legal rights.“We were able to secure a pamphlet with legal information for students to every single dorm on campus,” Rao said. In addition to the pamphlets, which will be distributed throughout the University’s 52 dorm buildings, Rao said the SGA is working to promote the Know Your Rights Campaign. The campaign, according to Rao, aims to educate students on their legal rights, and what to do if they need help.
Currently, an attorney visits dorms, classes and clubs to talk about the rights and services the University offers. During a meeting with Chuck DiMare, directing attorney of Student Legal Services and Corey Carvalho, associate director of Student Legal Services, the SGA leaders discussed how to advertise the campaign to students. In addition to the pamphlets distributed to dorms, Rao said there will be a big social media push to continue to promote Legal Services, including a new Instagram account. With regards to the 383 RSOs on campus, Schissel said the SGA wants to “tighten down on the way funding is handled.” This includes sorting RSOs into certain classifications, and allocating funding from there. In the past, according to Rao, there was a subcommittee of 10 people responsible for handling RSO budgets. However, he felt that having such a relatively small group managing a large amount of money was too stressful. By classifying RSOs into groups, Rao said, the head of the council for each classification (ex. head of the club sports council) would come to an agreement as to how much money the group needs. This way, he added, the SGA would have the final say over the budget, but there wouldn’t see
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Mullins Center features ISIS kills 2nd journalist Reporter shown The White House, Pentagon and State several upgrades for fans beheaded on video Department confirmed having seen the video Renovations include new LED lighting By Cecilia Prado Collegian Staff
The University of Massachusetts recently completed a series of renovations aimed at improving fan experience at the Mullins Center, the University’s entertainment and sports complex, including new lights and updated seating. According to Brian Caputo, director of operations at the Mullins Center, this change will make the building significantly more energy-efficient and will create a better viewing experience for fans. The project, which was announced last May, includes the installation of new LED sports lighting, new upholstery for 3,594 seats and the installation of cup holders in 7,705 seats, according to a UMass press release. “(LED lighting) will help cut energy costs by 75 percent
and will enable us to create new lightning effects that we were never capable of doing with our old metal halide system,” Caputo said. The new system is expected to allow the staff to handle the lights more efficiently and to create different light presentations, enhancing the experience of both players and fans, according to Caputo. The decision to revamp the venue’s seats was made because of the noticeable deterioration of the chairs, according to Caputo. A large portion of the seats on the west side of the building had ripped cloth. “We wanted to make the change to a more durable vinyl upholstery that would be stronger than the original upholstery that was installed when the building was built in 1993,” Caputo said. Mullins Center management predicts that these modifications will make the building look more presentable, improving the comfort for season ticket holders and
fans. They also anticipate that the installation of cup holders will prevent spills, and that the inclusion of LED aisle lighting will create a safer walkway for the public. The renovations will not affect the price of admission for either students or the general public. Global Spectrum, the operator and manager of the Mullins Center, collaborated with the University throughout the project. Universal Electric Co. and Ephesus Lighting replaced existing high intensity discharge (HID) lighting with LED lighting, according to the release, and seating renovations were completed by Marois Construction. A project to renovate the concourse bathrooms is in the planning stages, according to Caputo, in an effort to continue to improve the University’s environmental responsibility. Cecilia Prado can be reached at sprado@umass.edu.
By Nabih Bulos and Alexandra Zavis Los Angeles Times
IRBIL, Iraq —A video purporting to show the killing of American journalist Steven J. Sotloff by the militant group Islamic State was posted on the Internet on Tuesday, two weeks after the beheading of another U.S. journalist. The al–Qaida spinoff group had threatened to kill Sotloff, 31, if President Barack Obama did not end an air campaign against Islamic State targets in Iraq. The White House, Pentagon and State Department confirmed having seen the video Tuesday but could not immediately verify its authenticity. “The intelligence community is working as quickly as possible to determine its authenticity,” National Security
Tuesday but could not immediately verify its authenticity.
Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said in a statement. “If genuine, we are appalled by the brutal murder of an innocent American journalist, and we express our deepest condolences to his family and friends. We will provide more information when it is available.” Sotloff ’s family was also aware of the video, according to a spokesman, Barak Barfi. “They are waiting for authentication and are grieving privately,” Barfi said. The family, which lives in Pinecrest, Fla., would not comment when contacted by telephone. In the video, a version of which was shared by the SITE Intelligence Group, a man identifying himself as Sotloff is shown kneeling in the desert dressed in an orange shirt and trousers
similar to those worn by detainees at the U.S. prison at Guantanamo. “I’m sure you know exactly who I am by now, and why I am appearing before you,” he says. “Obama, your foreign policy of intervention in Iraq was supposed to be for the preservation of American lives and interests, so why is it that I’m paying the price of your interference with my life? Am I not an American citizen? “You’ve spent billions of U.S. taxpayers’ dollars and we’ve lost thousands of our troops in our previous fighting against the Islamic State,” he continues. “So where’s the American people’s interests in reigniting this war?” see
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THE RUNDOWN ON THIS DAY... In 1926, the National Broadcasting Company was formed.
AROUND THE WORLD
Ukrainian security
officials accused Russia of sending more troops and equipment into eastern Ukraine as controversy ensued Tuesday over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reported boast that he could conquer Kiev in two weeks if he wanted.
THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
A Kremlin spokesman
lashed out at European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, the
JOURNALIST The camera pulls back to show a black–hooded militant standing behind him, holding a knife. “I’m back, Obama,” the militant says. “Just as your missiles continue to strike our people, our knife will continue to strike the necks of your people.” The militant is then shown apparently cutting the throat of the captive, whose head is later displayed seemingly lying on the body. Sotloff, a freelance journalist captured in Syria more than a year ago, appeared at the end of another video released by the Islamic State that showed the death of journalist James Foley. In that footage, a militant forced Sotloff to kneel, grabbed his collar and declared, “The life of this American citizen, Obama, depends on your next decision.” Sotloff ’s
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mother, Shirley, responded with a video pleading for her son’s life. U.S. aircraft have continued an air campaign against Islamic State militants in Iraq. On Saturday, the Pentagon confirmed it had carried out strikes on militant strongholds near the town of Amerli, helping to break a siege on the farming community made up mainly of ethnic Turkmen Shiites about 100 miles north of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. The strikes near Amirli marked an expansion of the U.S. campaign in Iraq, which began on Aug. 8. As of Monday, the military said it had carried out 123 strikes, most of them around the northern Mosul dam. Special correspondent Bulos reported from Irbil and Times staff writer Zavis from Los Angeles. Staff writer W.J. Hennigan in Washington contributed to this report.
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everything, upwards of 80 percent. In the past few years, things had gotten out of whack, but we’re back on track. We of course are far ways away from that sort of funding, but we are headed in the right direction.” According to Connolly, the response to the University seeking increased funding was overwhelmingly positive across the board. “There’s an understanding that an individual student benefits from a UMass education, but it’s not just them; the individual benefits, and the community they live and work in benefits, and communities across the state benefit. So if there’s equal sharing of benefit, then there should be equal sharing of the cost.” Connolly added, “We didn’t get many people disagreeing with us wherever we went, whether it was to one of
our campuses or to the governor’s office. People got our logic and sentiment. This is a public university and the state has a responsibility to share some of the financial burden.” Megan Kingston, who graduated last spring, was the student trustee for the Amherst campus when the board approved the freeze. She explained, “The tuition and fee freeze is paramount to students and their families in creating greater access to education and lessening the burden of already high student debt.” Kingston added, “I think the freeze really demonstrates the University’s strong commitment to keeping education affordable.” Cur rent students expressed similar sentiments. Miranda Gonzalez, a senior psychology major,
said, “I think it is something that UMass students would all agree they’re happy about because everything is getting more expensive these days and a break from a tuition raise would help with other costs, but they also understand that rises in tuition benefit students by improving campus and academics.” Ian Crittenden, a freshman studying economics, said, “With the skyrocketing costs of colleges and universities, it is a relief to know that Massachusetts is making a reactionary effort to solve the financial challenge of actually going to school.” Marie MacCune can be reached at mmaccune@umass.edu and followed on Twitter @MarieMacCune.
reported source of Putin’s bellicose vow, saying the Russian leader’s words were taken out of context. Los Angeles Times
JERUSALEM — The
al-Qaida-linked rebels who captured dozens of Fijian United Nations peacekeepers on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights last week have set demands for their release, including removal of the Islamist group from a U.N. terrorist list and compensation for the deaths of its comrades in fighting with members of the international force, the commander of the Fijian army said Tuesday. McClatchy Foreign Staff
Egypt’s battle against
Islamic militants in the Sinai Peninsula heated up Tuesday when a security convoy was ambushed, killing 11 members of the nation’s security forces and wounding four more, the state news agency reported.
The attack came two
days after Egyptian forces raided a village in the northern Sinai, with officials claiming afterward that six militants were killed and 10 others arrested. Los Angeles Times
PARIS — French
actress Julie Gayet whose affair with President Francois Hollande caused a sensation earlier this year won a second court case Tuesday against the gossip magazine that revealed their liaison.
A criminal court in
Nanterre west of Paris ruled that a picture of published by Closer magazine of Gayet in her car was a violation of her privacy and handed the magazine’s editor and the photographer who took the image suspended fines, French radio reported. Distributed
by
Information Services
MCT
SGA
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be as much pressure put on such a small group of people. Although Rao said this idea has not been finalized, a test run within the club sports teams was considered successful. Rao and Schissel also hope to broaden Career Services for students who are not in the Isenberg School of Management or the College of Engineering, who Rao said already have career services specific to their needs. Both noted that part of the problem is many students are not aware of Goodell and the career services offered there. Rao’s goal, he said, is to establish career services for each college. He noted that this cannot be achieved within a single year, but he hopes to acquire state funding for the project in the future. In addition to these objectives, Rao and Schissel have a few other goals in mind. Schissel noted he hopes to increase awareness among students of how SGA works and broaden how the University treats diversity. Rao said that although this year’s incoming class is considered the most prestigious that has ever been
accepted, he believes there should be a balance between prestige and diversity when accepting students. Diversity isn’t limited to only race, he said. It also includes culture, background, socioeconomic class and more. “This is the flagship campus of UMass, and the education should be accessible to all,” Rao said. The pair also aims to raise awareness of how sexual assault should be handled on campus. “It’s important to know it can be prevented by being an active bystander,” Rao said. Rao also mentioned that Ellie Miske, a political science and women, gender and sexuality studies major, will be working with this year’s new SGA board to educate students about what is important with regards to sexual assault, despite societal norms on campus. Rao added that the SGA is in the process of bringing a speaker to campus to talk to students about how to be an active bystander.“I’m excited to be working with an amazing team this year,” Rao said, adding, “It is the work we put together as a team that will make the impact.” Catherine Ferris can be reached at caferris@umass.edu and followed on Twitter @Ca_Ferris2.
8 teens still missing after 32 escape detention center Escapees looked “They all came out, and then somehow they were able to get outside the building.” for in Nashville By Christine Mai-Duc
Rob Johnson, spokesman with Tennessee Department of Children’s Services
Los Angeles Times
Authorities are still sweeping the Nashville, Tenn., area in search of eight teens who remain at large after they escaped a youth detention center late Monday. Officials said 32 teen boys, ranging in age from 14 to 18, crawled under a fence at the Woodland Hills Youth Development Center in North Nashville about 11 p.m. Monday shortly after a staff shift change. By noon local time Tuesday, all but eight had been located, some turned in by parents and other family members, said Rob Johnson, a spokesman with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. The incident began when dozens of detainees left their dorm rooms, which are not locked according to policy, Johnson said. “They all came out, and then somehow they were able to get outside the
building,” which is normally secured, Johnson told the Los Angeles Times. After running around the outdoor yard for a few minutes, the boys found a weak spot in the fence and crawled out. Authorities with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Nashville police helped with a massive search, sending helicopters and teams of officers after the students. Several were found on a major street behind the facility, and others were picked up at “various locations” around Nashville, said Metro Nashville Police Department spokesman Don Aaron. As of Tuesday morning, 24 had been found and are being held at a Nashville juvenile court, where they could face escape charges, according to the state Department of Children’s Services.
Teens who are housed at the facility have typically committed at least three felonies, Johnson said, and some of the boys have “dangerous histories.” Residents who spot any of the remaining boys, who were wearing navy blue pants, white or gray T-shirts and white or black sneakers, should call 911, Johnson said. No employees suffered serious injuries during the incident, according to a statement and the fence where the teens escaped has been fixed. This is not the first time detainees have broken out of the facility. In May, several boys left their rooms and broke out of the building and into the courtyard, but did not make it outside the fence. The department’s internal affairs division is investigating the breach. “We’ll take a really hard look at this like we did in the incident in May,” Johnson said.
US military carries out operation in Somalia Godane targeted in airstrikes by U.S.
the attack. A Twitter account, purportedly affiliated with the Somali government, said Godane had been killed, but By W.J. Hennigan the tweet was later removed. Tribune Washington Bureau The Somali government WASHINGTON — U.S. offi- does not have an embassy in cials said Tuesday they car- Washington, but it is represented by its United Nations ried out airstrikes against the mission in New York. No one top leader of the al–Qaida– at the mission would comaffiliated al–Shabab group ment on the reports. in Somalia, but they would Godane is on the U.S. list not comment on whether the of most-wanted terrorists, operation had killed Ahmed with a $7 million bounty on Abdi Godane, the Islamist his head. He is rarely photogroup’s leader. graphed, caught on video or “We are assessing the seen in public, likely because results right now,” Pentagon of the threat of U.S. airstrikes spokesman Rear Adm. John that have targeted his predeF. Kirby said Tuesday. “We cessors. believe we hit what we were Godane has been seen aiming at. ... If we killed him, as aligning al–Shabab more it is a significant blow to their closely with al–Qaida and operation and their abilities.” as embracing a more global The strike, which used anti-Western agenda, rather manned and unmanned air- than focusing on the battle for craft, took place late Monday, control of Somalia that preocKirby said. cupied some of his rivals in The Associated Press quot- the group. ed an al–Shabab commander Godane’s forces have as saying Godane was in the killed some of those rivals; convoy of vehicles struck in others have defected to the
U.S.–supported government. Al-Shabab controls a large swath of rural Somalia, but it has been trying to regain power since being driven out of the capital, Mogadishu, and the port city of Kismayo by troops sent in by the African Union to restore stability. The U.S. action reflects the seriousness with which U.S. officials view the threat posed by the group. In recent months, al– Shabab has claimed responsibility for several attacks along Kenya’s tourist coast that have killed dozens of people. It was responsible for last year’s attack on an upscale mall in Nairobi that left almost 70 people dead. In October, Navy SEALs raided the house of an alShabab leader, Abdulkadir Mohamed Abdulkadir, also known as Ikrima, in Baraawe, south of Mogadishu. The raid wasn’t successful but it underscored American willingness to send troops into a hostile environment to go after al-Shabab’s top leadership.
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Antonio’s Pizza by the Slice a favorite among students This article is part one in a series about local Amherst eateries.
By Brendan Deady Collegian Correspondent For all the praise University of Massachusetts Dining receives, local Amherst eateries give it a run for its money. The town center is home to a plethora of restaurants and take-out joints able to quell almost any craving. Incoming students unperturbed by the ominous “freshman fifteen,” or who are just looking
for a good slice, will want to check out Antonio’s Pizza by the Slice, located at 31 North Pleasant St. Since opening its Amherst location in 1991, Antonio’s has been a favorite amongst locals and students. It has been voted “Best of the Valley” 23 years
running by Northampton’s Valley Advocate. On any given weekend night, the pizza shop’s cramped interior resembles something of a mob scene; orders are shouted over conversations and sizzling grills, and ever-growing lines tend to spill out onto the streets. And it’s not just the regulars that swear by the shop. It was voted number one on Buzzfeed’s “College Town Foods Worth Skipping Class For” list and given the top nod by Tripadvisor. com as best restaurant in Amherst. Antonio’s shift manager Jay Carreiro cred-
community. The shop donates gift cards as raffle prizes to student-run organizations, sponsors 5k charity runs and contributes pizza to Amherst Survival Center’s food pantry. “It’s just our way of saying thanks to a The menu is divided into town that’s helped us four categories centered thrive,” Carreiro said. on chicken, meat, pesto or Antonio’s is open seven vegetarian choices. Some days a week from 10 a.m. notable combinations are to 2:00 a.m. Delivery serthe buffalo chicken bleu vices are contracted out to cheese, BBQ steak bur- Delivery Express based on rito, avocado quesadilla Fearing Street. and the spinach portabella. Antonio’s is also an active Brendan Deady can be reached member in the Amherst at bdeady@umass.edu.
It was voted number one on Buzzfeed’s “College Town Foods Worth Skipping Class For” list and given the top nod by Tripadvisor.com as best restaurant in Amherst. its the popularity to “quality of ingredients, variety of options and good service.” While pizza is the only item on the menu, with a special that changes daily and dozens of inventive variations of the simple slice, it’s difficult to exhaust all that Antonio’s has to offer.
Opinion Editorial THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
“Serenity now!” - Frank Costanza
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Ferguson may demilitarize local police One of the most obvious and interesting aspects of the strife between the police and the citizens of
Ian Hagerty Ferguson, Missouri, is the military equipment being used by police forces. This is equipment that some think to be highly unnecessary in the residential community where citizens had been protesting the shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown. Should people be genuinely scared of the hired
Our plugged in world Every day I walk around the University of Massachusetts, I can’t help but notice everyone who is living on the same cam-
Karen Podorefsky
being surprised over Ferguson. Either way, we have another example of improperly functioning government agencies in Missouri. With the rise of social media, as well as smart phones with high quality video recording over the last several years, more and more videos have started surfacing and going viral displaying police officers using overly violent tactics, abusing citizens and abusing their own title. Many of us have had an unpleasant and/or underserved
“The Justice Department, apparently moved by the strife in Ferguson, has decided to conduct a broad review of police tactics across the nation.” officials that are supposed to serve and protect them from danger? I think Ferguson will help us answer a few of these questions.I cannot remember a time that the police have ever needed to utilize military grade equipment to get their job done. As far as I can tell, we do not have rebellious insurgents or constant horrific crimes that need help being quelled. Now, in Ferguson, we have police forces using tanklike vehicles and ballistics-grade body armor to try and dispel groups of angry, unarmed citizens. President Barack Obama addressed the concern over police being overly equipped, saying that many local police around the country were, “ill-equipped for a potential catastrophic terrorist attack.” This sounds like a fair point, but it still doesn’t answer why police were using military-grade equipment to control groups of frustrated civilians. The need just wasn’t there at all. Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon said last week that he was “thunderstruck” to learn about the over militarization of the police in Ferguson. However, Missouri takes part in the Department of Defense Excess Property Program (1033), which gives state and local police the option of buying surplus military equipment. To request surplus equipment, individual police departments must fill out a 1033 application. An excerpt from the application states, “The Governor of Missouri has designated in writing with an effective date of January to implement this program statewide.” The application also has Nixon’s name on the top of the page. Either Nixon doesn’t know about everything he attaches his name to, or he was lying about
negative experience with law enforcement officials. Michael Brown had the worst experience of all and was killed by police while unarmed. Thankfully, some good might come from this otherwise horrific injustice. The Ju s t i c e Department, apparently moved by the strife in Ferguson, has decided to conduct a broad review of police tactics across the nation. The Justice Department will examine the use of deadly force, interactions with the mentally ill and new police technology, such as officer body cameras, which could potentially keep a record of officers’ actions for later review. With violent crime on the decline in the United States, officers are facing new challenges that do not always involve using force. Officers’ responsibilities are broadening, so new considerations must be made. They aren’t just here to shoot the bad or good guy anymore. The shooting of Brown in Ferguson and the reaction of the overly militarized police has made many angry. It’s made me angry. Police are using tactics and technology that they couldn’t possibly find a use for. Nixon can’t even be honest about how the police had access to their new toys. We can be happy, though, because the people of Ferguson made enough of a stand to be noticed. This won’t be the end of abusive cops, but with the nation watching, and the Justice Department thinking, it’s possible that change could finally be set in motion. I’m angry about the cause, but the results could be fantastic. Ian Hagerty is a Collegian columnist. He can be reached at ihagerty@umass.edu.
Editorial@DailyCollegiancom
pus but is also plugged into their own world. I get it: a walk to class is boring without listening to music or having a friend to walk with. The one day I lost my headphones, I didn’t know what I would do with myself. I walked in silence, but then realized that rather than silence, it was noise--the noise of the hustle and bustle of students rushing to class and to meetings so concentrated on where they were going, they weren’t observing the natural beauty around them. It’s the beauty of western Massachusetts, of other students, of the sounds that aren’t blocked out by music streaming through headphones. We are lucky to live at a time where high-tech and portable technology is readily available, but it also is a setback. Thousands upon thousands of people travel through one means of public transportation in a given day, but it’s like they were never there together. If you look around on a crowded subway ride to or from Boston, you see people with headphones in, looking down at their phones, reading their Kindle or iPad, or occasionally reading from a real
book, newspaper or magazine. What did people used to do? Sit there quietly, make conversation with the individual sitting or standing beside them, read a book. There were a lot less options, which led to casual conversation and a chance to actually meet people. My parents took the subway to work in New York City every
is necessary whether it is for two minutes or twenty. “We are tempted to think that our little ‘sips’ of online connection add up to a big gulp of real conversation. But they don’t,” says Sherry Turkle of the New York Times. Over the past 15 years, Turkle “has studied technologies of mobile connection and talked
“We are lucky to live at a time where high-tech and portable technology is readily available, but it also is a setback.” day for years before they met on said train and later got engaged and married. If someone commented on the book I was reading or asked me what I was looking at on my iPad, hoping for a drawn out conversation, there’s a good chance I would be a little freaked out. People don’t just do that; it’s not the norm now. We have our own friends, so what is the point of making new ones? We have our electronics to keep us company and to keep us connected through social media while we are bored or have time to kill. At least, that’s the mentality. Sometimes I wish I lived in a time where casual conversation wasn’t awkward or I didn’t feel like I needed to keep up with what’s happening on Facebook or Instagram. I would save so much time from the latter. Granted, it is my choice to do so, but I feel it
be dwindling. However, this is when online dating can come into play. Tinder is now a huge social media platform. People shamefully admit they not only have a Tinder account, but use it too. I don’t think that is something to be ashamed of, as long as you’re using it in an appropriate way. I know many people who met online and are happily married. “Texting and e-mail and posting let us present the self we want to be,” Turkle says. “This means we can edit. And if we wish to, we can delete. Or retouch.” Then we have to get to know the person for who they really are in person. Realize also that people who are having the time of their life posting pictures and statuses on Facebook, might actually not be, especially if they are taking the time to flaunt it. Everything now is instantaneous. It’s the way we want to use it. “Face-to-face conversation unfolds slowly. It teaches patience. When we communicate on our digital devices, we learn different habits,” says Turkle. Part of growing up now includes being able to separate ourselves from digital and real life. Put down the phone, take in what’s happening around you, but also be able to use it for what it’s there for and what it can do.
to hundreds of people of all ages and circumstances about their plugged-in lives.” “E-mail, Twitter, Facebook, all of these have their places — in politics, commerce, romance and friendship. But no matter how valuable, they do not substitute for conversation,” Turkle wrote. Conversations with my grandma about this topic are most interesting. Her favorite pastime is reading novels, something I regrettably rarely do. She asks the same question I am curious about: how will it be possible for kids growing up with all of this technology from the day they are born to engage in a real conversation? Something else I question is how will people meet others? Relationships spark at school, in the work place, and through other friends, but the times that people such as my par- Karen Podorefsky is a Collegian columents randomly used to meet nist and can be reached at kpodoref@ and have it work out seem to umass.edu.
The vilification of police in America
On Saturday, Aug. 9, strong-arm robbery of a conve18-year-old Michael Brown nience store earlier that night. was shot dead by officer His autopsy revealed an entry wound in the top of his head, Steven Gillard suggesting he was either surrendering or charging Wilson. Darren Wilson of the Ferguson Ferguson Police Chief Tom Police Department, causing Jackson stated that Wilson the nation and the town of was treated for injuries to his Ferguson, Missouri, to explode face from the altercation with Brown. in protest. Early accounts of the shooting painted a grim picture: an unarmed black man shot dead in cold blood as he tried I am in no position to make a judgment on the guilt or innoto surrender to police. While most protestors in cence of Brown and neither Ferguson have been peaceful, is any other American who others have engaged in rioting, didn’t witness what unfolded looting and throwing Molotov that Saturday night. cocktails, causing police to However, to assume that respond with tear gas and rub- the death Brown was an unjustified, bigotry-fueled murber bullets. In light of the shooting of der is paranoia at its finest. Brown and the police response Moreover, to condemn the to rioting, many have used the response of police to those who situation in Ferguson to decry have used Brown’s death as an the abuse of power and brutal- excuse to riot, loot and vandality demonstrated by the police, ize, further undermines valid as well as the unnecessary accusations of power abuse by “militarization” of police units. law enforcement. Protestors were quick to Police brutality exists; there take the account of Dorian is no denying that. Johnson, Brown’s friend, at The death of Eric Garner, a face value. He claimed that 43-year-old black man choked Brown was shot while trying to to death by an NYPD officer surrender, a victim and martyr on July 17, is perhaps the most of the unchecked racism run- current and glaring example ning rampant in the Ferguson of the excessive force somePolice Department. The Brown times used by law enforcefamily’s attorney described the ment, and the officers involved in his death should be charged shooting as “execution-style.” However, details have as criminals. emerged suggesting that what The fact remains, howhappened that Saturday night ever, that police brutality is was the result of more than anomalous, and the vilification just an abusive officer’s actions. of law enforcement needs to Brown had been involved in a stop. People who character-
ize police as the “bad guys” would call those same officers if they were victims of assault, battery, burglary or countless other crimes. The police are not out to get you. Police officers are people, with families and friends, They are simply doing their job, which happens to be protecting the people of their community.
Blowout were the results of their own debauchery. Before you take the moral high-ground and condemn every member of law enforcement as abusive and powerhungry, keep in mind the countless officers who, every day, choose not to stress their authority, giving you a warning instead of a speeding ticket, or, for the students of UMass, make you pour out your beer instead of arresting you. And that’s just the small stuff. Officers put their lives on the line every day, and many have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may live in safety. Americans need to take a step back and realize that we aren’t living in a “police state,” as some sensationalists have claimed. This isn’t Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union. The SS isn’t knocking on your door and your neighbors aren’t vanishing overnight for speaking out against the state. This is the United States of America, where you can dial 911 and have an officer dispatched to your location immediately. It’s okay to protest police brutality. It’s okay to protest racism. It’s not okay to ascribe a single status to many based on the actions of the few, and it’s not okay to prematurely denigrate Wilson simply because such an interpretation aligns with larger, legitimate themes of bigotry and hate.
“The fact remains, however, that police brutality is anomalous, and the vilification of law enforcement needs to stop.”
Of course, there are racists in the police department. Of course, there are those who abuse their power. But such is the case in any profession. It’s a flaw of humanity. Back in March, after the infamous Blarney Blowout in Amherst, which ended in tear gas, pepper spray and 73 arrests, UMass students were outraged about the “excessive force” used by police. Students claimed that tear gas and pepper spray were unnecessary measures, and that the police response is a prime example of the inflated authority of law enforcement. While the circumstances surrounding Brown’s death and the events that transpired in Amherst six months ago are vastly different, the sentiment is the same: an unfounded mistrust of those who try to protect us. Whether protestors want to admit it or not, some of the police presence in Ferguson is a result of rioting and vandalism. Whether students want Steven Gillard is a Collegian columnist. to admit it or not, the events He can be reached at sgillard@umass. that took place at the Blarney edu.
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The Massachusetts Daily Collegian is published Monday through Thursday during the University of Massachusetts calendar semester. The Collegian is independently funded, operating on advertising revenue. Founded in 1890, the paper began as Aggie Life, became the College Signal in 1901, the Weekly Collegian in 1914 and the Tri–Weekly Collegian in 1956. Published daily from 1967 to 2013, The Collegian has been broadsheet since January 1994. For advertising rates and information, call 413-545-3500.
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Arts Living THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
“Everybody passing through here is somebody, if nobody in the outside world.” - Patti Smith
FILM REVIEW
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TECHNOLOGY
‘The Giver’ a misguided adaptation Final Fantasy XIV Cashing in on the celebrates one year young adult craze By Nathan Frontiero Collegian Staff
Jeff Bridges spent 18 years trying to film an adaptation of “The Giver.” I wish he had succeeded earlier. One thing that became achingly apparent while watching the film is that it would have been far more subtle and affecting 10 or 15 years ago. Lois Lowry published her Newbury Award-winning novel in 1993, and in the two decades since, the literary and filmmaking worlds have pumped out young adult dystopian narratives at nauseam. That dirge of YA adaptations has washed the cinematic palette of anything fresh and new. Director Philip Noyce and Bridges (who produces and stars in the title role) have taken a children’s novel and spit-shined it into a young adult adventure. Here, protagonist Jonas is supposed to be 16 instead of 12, and is played by hunky 24-yearold Brenton Thwaites. Thwaites is not a bad actor and even though his performance is just as stiff as everyone else’s, he shows commitment to his role. The problem is that he feels out of place as Jonas. Additionally the film behind him quickly becomes its own worst enemy. It would have been great to see a subtler version of this film, a translation as quiet as the source. Alas, such a film will never see the light of day. Nearly every single shot in “The Giver” is gorgeous, but all that beauty glows with a loud, heavy-handed sheen. Citizens live in a painless, symmetrical “Community” that would make Walt Disney shiver. They know nothing of the world before “the Ruin” and receive injections from glistening wall-mounted pads (in lieu of the book’s pills) to repress “the stirrings.” Those stirrings, which were once so slight-
ly implied on the printed page, are now blatantly romantic on the silver screen. Michael Mitnick and Robert B. Weide’s script is not only unsurprising and cliché-addled; it’s also stunningly condescending. Not a single logical connection is left for the viewer to reason out. Title cards at the beginning introduce the setting, and the Community’s rules appear in onscreen text over the frame for the first few minutes. The writers also tie up the ending so
practically begging him to stop moping and clear his throat. Even Meryl Streep is so egregiously onenote that she becomes a walking idea instead of a character. The same can be said for the supporting cast, which includes Odeya Rush as a gratingly shoehorned love interest and Katie Holmes as a frowning false mother whose only line of dialogue very well may be “precision of language.” The stifled cast plays their respective beats with admirable conviction, but the script
is overbearing and out of place. Noyce partially includes Lowry’s detail of the Community citizens’ literally black and white vision. But he allows cinematographer Ross Emery to throw the colors seen in the Giver’s memories across the remaining half of the film in bleeding bursts. As Jonas starts to share his newfound knowledge with other characters, the film jumps between sympathetic palettes. When Streep’s Chief Elder takes the fore, to black and
COURTESY OF THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY
Meryl Streep gives a rare flat performance as Chief Elder in “The Giver.” neatly it robs the film of that enigmatic charm so essential to Lowry’s book. “The Giver” thrived in its simplicity and its vagueness, and the chilling ambiguous silence left at the book’s close was an essential element to the story’s success. Noyce’s film is all flying drones and single-beat characters, signifying nothing. That isn’t to say that the book contains stunning depth and dynamics, but the film adheres to the Community’s rules so strictly that it barely provides its cast room to breathe. Bridges’ Giver spouts pontification about the old ways in a mumbling voice so distracting you’re
they’re acting from is damnably wooden. Although it was not the first literary work to speculate on the extremes of social order, “The Giver” did prove the viability such stories could have with an especially young audience. It troubles me deeply to know that Lowry gave her blessing to the filmmakers’ entourage of cosmetic updates. It calls into question whether or not the author really cares about this work anymore. The film adds sound and fury where none existed and none was needed. Frequent horror film composer Marco Beltrami turns in a decent effort, but his score, like so much else throughout the film,
white we go. When rebellious spirits arise, to living color we return. Adding to the ridiculousness is Noyce’s bizarre insistence on stock footage in his memory montages, some of which is very evidently ripped from internet videos. A great deal of talent went into making this film and nearly all of it is misplaced and wasted. Maybe we should all put aside the memories created while watching “The Giver,” so that one day we can forget the time in our history when compelling cinematic storytelling fell away into didactic, supersaturated derivative drivel. Nathan Frontiero can be reached at nfrontiero@umass.edu.
The fall and rise of an MMORPG By Stephen MargelonyLajoie Collegian Staff
fixed) along with miniature improvements between them. Not only did each patch release three new dungeons, but patch 2.1 revealed the first part of the Crystal Tower, the Labyrinth of the Ancients as well as player housing for free companies (guilds) and the “Extreme Mode” Primals, which are harder versions of existing bosses. Patch 2.2 brought new Primals, a huge addition to the storyline, and more quality of life improvements. The most recent patch (2.3) revealed a storyline with a much darker, political theme that brought yet another Primal and major developments to the game’s existing content. To celebrate the game’s anniversary, Square Enix announced its free login campaign, which let players who ended their subscription return to the game for a few weeks to see what changed and explore the game’s improved features. Square also hosted a 14-hour stream that included the 17th letter from producer Naoki Yoshida, guest appearances, and other surprises for players. This is only the beginning of what FFXIV plans to bring to the table. Compared to MMORPGs like World of Warcraft, FFXIV is merely a baby on the market, but that’s not stopping Square Enix from promising plenty of content in its future. Confirmed additions to the game include new classes and jobs, even more dungeons, the final installments of the Crystal Tower, the completion of the Binding Coil of Bahamut and plenty of major quality of life improvements will make combat, crafting, community interaction and the aesthetic quality of the digital world even better. With an expansion of the game that focuses on sky travel in its future, it’s clear that Square Enix has plenty left to give players. The company has certainly rebounded from its near downfall. FFXIV has come a long way from its unsuccessful start.
On August 27, the massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG) Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn (FFXIV) celebrated its first anniversary, now boasting over 2.3 million monthly subscribers. It’s hard to remember that despite this iteration of FFXIV receiving much praise and critical acclaim, it is not the first version of the online game to be released by Square Enix. FFXIV 1.0 was originally released back in 2010. It didn’t make it long on the MMORPG market and went essentially free-to-play before its servers were shut down so the company could rework the game’s design. It was the first time an MMORPG received a makeover this large. Usually a game that has suffered such a devastating blow is abandoned by the developers after transitioning to free-to-play. Dedicated Final Fantasy fans, as well as those new to MMOs, welcomed the rerelease. IGN, the popular video game review website, gave the original FFXIV a devastating score of 5.5/10, but boosted its rating up to an 8.6/10, praising its new class system, game mechanics, and the sheer beauty of its immersive world. More than 2.3 million gamers agreed, helping Square Enix out of a negative net income that resulted from the decline in the Final Fantasy series’s popularity and the tanking of the original FFXIV. It’s not just the reincarnated FFXIV that has kept players hooked or the fact that the game can be played on three consoles (PC, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation 4). It’s the ongoing content released by the game’s developers long after its starting date that has captivated the MMORPG community. Since its re-release in August 2013, the game has seen three major patches (stages Stephen Margelony-Lajoie can be in which previous issues are reached at smargelo@umass.edu.
MUSIC
Artists whose musical prowess escapes the top charts By Adria Kelly Collegian Staff
Mainstream music has thrived this year as songs that emanate pop, rhythm and blues and Electronic Dance Music (EDM) have continuously looped on the radio. The music industry is reliant on the popular vote, but that can mean many brilliant artists fall under the radar. Even though it may take a little maneuvering to discover them, many are incredible and well worth listening to. Quite a few groups have stood out so far this year in indie and alternative rock. First up is the album “Education, Education, Education and War” from the British rock band Kaiser Chiefs. Released in March, this record has elements of pop punk, rock and new wave. The sound is similar to the Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand or The Kooks. Next up is the EP “Friends Like You” by California-based band, 20 Eyes. This album is fun to dance to and has great
variation in the style between each of its songs (possibly due to its diverse influences of rap, 1980s pop, pop punk and rock.) Another standout is an all-female garage punk band from Atlanta called The Coathangers. It has interesting melodies and a captivating dissonance to their music. From Chicago comes The Orwells with “Disgraceland.” With influences varying from jazz, swing, rock, blues and folk, its music has a speakeasy vibe to it making it catchy and fun to rock out to. For a more soothing sound, check out Damien Jurado’s album “Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son.” With smooth lyrics and calming tones, this record has a beautiful and ethereal quality. Folk fans should look no further than Lost in the Trees, an orchestral group from North Carolina that has great layers of instruments and vocals which give its music a wonderful tune and great harmony. My number one pick of
the year is the album “Blue Film” created by the classically trained artist Lo-Fang. His higher vocal register and diverse instrumental use gives the songs a unique tone that is almost completely balanced in its feminine and masculine tones. Moving out of the indie world of music and into the digital is Arizona pop-electronica up-and-comer Luna Aura. Her debut EP “Radio” was released this summer and she has a dynamic quality and originality that makes “Radio” a necessity in any music collection. Although a veteran to the music world, German disc jockey Tensnake’s new album “Glow” is intriguing and well-composed. This record has heavy disco and R&B influences in it which gives it a great upbeat tone. For a serene album to go in the background of any event, Tychos’ “Awake” is a soothing record with a great melody and ambient tone. Jazz lovers should seek out BadBadNotGood, a jazz-
MCT
The Kaiser Chiefs perform during the Closing Ceremonies at the 2012 London Olympics. fusion group from Toronto who released the album “iii” this year. With rap and blues influences this album is extremely well done and a blast to listen to. The last artist that stood out presents an interesting mix of rap, electronica, rock
and hip-hop in his album “High End Times.” Brenmar is still relatively new to the music world, but this record makes me excited for his future in the industry. While this article barely skims the pool of underappreciated artists and albums
of the year, it’s a great place to start. Take a listen to these wonderful musicians and continue to branch out from the top charts. You may like what you find. Adria Kelly can be reached at akellysu@umass.edu.
6
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
Comics
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You couldn’t afford me!
W ondermark
B y D avid M alki
D inosaur C omics
B y R yan N orth
Laps
aquarius
HOROSCOPES Jan. 20 - Feb. 18
As a senior, the most effective way to make friends this week is to hold a campus map, often looking at it quizzically.
pisces
Feb. 19 - Mar. 20
leo
Jul. 23 - Aug. 22
The arsonist has oddly shaped feet.
virgo
Aug. 23 - Sept. 22
Brown cows lay brown eggs.
In order to live life by the seat of your pants, it’s important to never stand up.
aries
Mar. 21 - Apr. 19
libra
Sept. 23 - Oct. 22
taurus
Apr. 20 - May. 20
scorpio
Oct. 23 - Nov. 21
They want to call Blue Wall “New Wall”! I’ll bet you wept for as long and as hard as I did when you heard the news.
Playing Scrabble with your grandma on Facebook is no excuse to not call her on her birthday.
gemini
May. 21 - Jun. 21
sagittarius
Everything you own is soft and smooth, not because you have luxurious taste, but because your lotion opened up in your bag.
Telling someone that they look just like your friend is actually really creepy and fairly unsettling for that person.
Nov. 22 - Dec. 21
Are you really sure that going to class is more If you don’t own a limo, a chateau, several important than taking a quiz to find out what rubies, and an ivory pool ball, how can you pizza topping best represents your aura? truly consider yourself successful?
cancer
Jun. 22 - Jul. 22
capricorn
Dec. 22 - Jan. 19
Ice cream soup is rarely made better by heat- If you shake a brown cow really vigorously, ing it up on the stove with the addition of you will not get chocolate milk, but I can see salted pork bits. how you might have made that mistake.
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O’NEILL
UMass drops both in weekend tournament Temple, No.1 Terps top UM By Matthew Zackman Collegian Staff
COURTESY OF UMASS ATHLETICS/THOM KENDALL
O’Neill has coached college soccer for over 20 years, 11 as a head coach dle ground in being a tough coach and being a good friend who you can go and talk to about school, your life, or soccer of course.” O’Neill acknowledged that he is not aiming to be a “duplicate or copy” of Koch when it comes to his coaching style or personality. “As I move forward, I think the balance that has to be struck is to be very respectful, to be aware of the past and the things that [Koch] built this program on, and to coach the values that he coached for a couple of decades,” O’Neill said. “But also, it’s important that I be myself.”
Looking forward The Minutemen ended their 2013 season with a loss to Saint Louis in the first round of the Atlantic 10 tournament after sneaking into the playoffs as the eighth and final seed. Despite the coaching change, the team’s preseason goals of making it further in the A-10 tournament remains unaltered, according to Schwartz. “With Coach Koch or with Coach O’Neill, we have always
7
FIELD HOCKEY
continued from page 8
Senior defender/forward Matt Keys added that while he believes Koch’s death hasn’t fully sunk in yet, O’Neill’s promotion was “calming” since he was a familiar face on the staff and had taken an authoritative role in the past two years when Koch was undergoing treatment. “I was able to fairly easily step in and do what was needed to be done because I had a good wealth of experience to fall back on,” O’Neill said. “I was happy to do that and I hope that it helped [Koch] in a small part.” O’Neill has prior head coaching experience at East Carolina University for four years (1999-2002) and at Division III Gettysburg College for seven seasons (2003-2010). However, he said that his role as an assistant coach at UMass and his previous assistant position at Bradley University (20102012) has shown him the importance of developing personal connections with individual players. “Sometimes as a head coach you are dealing with so many big ticket items that some of the personal interactions get sacrificed,” O’Neill said. “So I think that maintaining these relationships is the thing that I want to do the best job of.” Keys said that the familiarity with O’Neill will also relieve any stress associated with transitioning from Koch’s “quirky” personality to a more serious tone from O’Neill. “Coach Koch’s personality probably rubbed off a little on Coach O’Neill but [O’Neill] is very serious, which is good, because we need that too at times,” Keys said. “He has a nice mid-
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
had the same goals and we’re still going to push for the same things,” Schwartz said. “I think [O’Neill] is the right person to lead us as we move into this next stage of UMass soccer.” Keys added that the change has only strengthened these expectations. “It only reinforced how much we want to complete them,” Keys said. “We want to do it for [Koch] and make him proud and play as hard as he and Coach O’Neill would both want us to play.” O’Neill took a different perspective when reviewing the team’s preseason outlook saying that his goals are “pretty general and processoriented.” “I’m not trying to be evasive in any way, but I really don’t have any expectations in terms of wins and losses or overall record,” O’Neill said. “I just want us to really be a hardworking and competitive group that takes pride in wearing the UMass uniform.” Anthony Chiusano can be reached at achiusano@umass.edu and can be followed on Twitter @a_chiusano24.
After a close 3-2 defeat to No. 1 Maryland in its season opener Friday, the No. 10 Massachusetts field hockey team suffered a 2-0 loss to Temple on Sunday afternoon. The Minutewomen (0-2) traveled to Lancaster, Pennsylvania for the Conference Cup, a tournament that was co-hosted by Temple and Maryland. Coach Carla Tagliente made it clear that the weekend was not the best for UMass. “We had some good moments and some bad moments,” Tagliente said. “Unfortunately, we had a few more bad moments than good.” One highlight for the Minutewomen was the play of junior goalkeeper and team captain Sam Carlino. She was the anchor for a UMass team that scored only twice the entire weekend. On Friday, against the Terrapins (2-0), Carlino saved 12 shots and surrendered only three goals. Then on Sunday, she was terrific again, making nine saves and allowing only two goals.“She was outstanding all weekend,” Tagliente said. “She kept us in the game against Maryland and kept us in
the game today.” Temple scored just 11 minutes into the contest on a goal from Nicole Kroener on a penalty corner. The Owls tacked onto their lead in the 46th minute on a nifty backhanded goal from Amber Houtz. Otherwise, it was a relatively quiet game. Tagliente said she was impressed with freshmen Anne Dijkstra, Melanie Kreusch, and Sarah Hawkshaw for their strong performances throughout the weekend. In addition, sophomore Nicole Miller has excelled so far, as she has recorded the only two goals for the Minutewomen so far for the season. But as excited as she was with the underclassmen, Tagliente said that she was equally unhappy with the play of her veteran players. “The disappointing part was that some of our returning players who have the expectation that they are going to play a little bit better aren’t,” Tagliente said. Despite being shutout by the Owls (2-0) on Sunday, UMass was aggressive on the defensive end, as Hawkshaw and Brooke Sabia were each assessed green cards. H o w e v e r, the Minutewomen were not forceful enough around the goal, as they managed only seven shots over 70 minutes of play.
Temple, on the other hand, attempted 24 shots.
One Giant Leap Despite losing to Maryland by only one goal Friday, Tagliente said she was not satisfied with UMass’ performance. The Minutewomen allowed the first two opening goals of the game, as the Terrapins scored two goals between the 18th and 21st minute. But Miller answered for UMass, scoring with just 45 seconds left in the first half to cut the deficit to 2-1. Maryland extended the lead to 3-1 in the second half before Miller netted her second goal of the game. It was as close as the Minutewomen would get, as the Terrapins prevented UMass from completing a comeback. “I think it shows that we can play with the best teams… we took a few steps forward and more steps back, Tagliente said. “But we are going to have to hit a point here where we take a giant leap forward.” Ta gliente also emphasized that the Minutewomen’s ability to take this leap depends on how hard they push themselves in practice and on the field, as well as how they rebound from a loss. UMass next plays Maine at home on Friday at 4 p.m. Matthew Zackman can be reached at mzackman@umass.edu.
THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
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MEN’S SOCCER
BIG SHOES TO FILL
UM loses two to start season By Jason Kates Collegian Staff
COURTESY OF UMASS ATHLETICS/THOM KENDALL
Devin O’Neill enters his third season as a coach with the Minutemen, but will step into the role of interim head coach for the first time.
O’Neill poised to lead UMass By Anthony Chiusano
T
Collegian Staff
he Massachusetts men’s soccer team received sad news on July 20, 2014, when longtime head coach Sam Koch died after a two-year battle with sinus cancer. Replacing Koch, the head coach at UMass for the past 23 seasons, is Devin O’Neill, who was named the interim head coach after serving two seasons as an assistant for the Minutemen. However, O’Neill’s connection to UMass dates further back than his 2012 hiring. After graduating from Middlebury College in 1991 as a three-sport athlete, O’Neill promptly reached out to Koch – who was then entering his first year at the helm for the Minutemen – to express his interest in an
assistant coaching role on Koch’s staff. Although this first interaction did not result in O’Neill’s employment at UMass, it served as a launching pad for the lasting relationship that was formed between O’Neill and Koch that grew as O’Neill built up his coaching resume elsewhere. “Later on in my career, we were able to reconnect numerous times on the recruiting trail,” O’Neill said. “We would chat and develop a very good friendship.” This connection culminated in 2012 when Minutemen assistant coach Roy Fink was named the head coach at the University of New Haven, leaving an opening on Koch’s coaching staff. Anticipating the existing vacancy, O’Neill once again contacted Koch and
was chosen to succeed Fink. “The timing was everything,” O’Neill said. “I was looking to get my family back east and [UMass] was a wonderful opportunity.” Two years later, O’Neill – a West Springfield native who grew up less than an hour away from Amherst – acknowledged the significance of landing a leading job so close to his childhood home and at a university that has “always had an important place” in his family. O’Neill said his parents became highly involved in UMass sports shortly after he finished his college career at Middlebury. O’Neill noted his family’s interest in the basketball team and its successful run under coach John Calipari in the 1990’s. “I really enjoyed the
many successes of UMass athletics from a distance through my parents,” O’Neill said. “It is really special for a western Massachusetts kid to be here coaching at UMass. There’s no question.”
An easy transition Upon learning about Koch’s death, O’Neill said that he made sure to contact each member of the team to ensure them of the “strong support network” behind them. Senior forward Josh Schwartz was among the group of players who were grateful for O’Neill’s support. “He’s just been there for me during this difficult time,” Schwartz said. “I’m thankful that he’s been as helpful as he has been.” see
O’NEILL on page 7
The Massachusetts men’s soccer team fell to 0-2 on the season, falling to San Jose State 4-1 Tuesday in San Jose, California. Three second half goals from the Spartans (1-2) doomed the Minutemen, who are off to a slow start defensively, giving up nine goals in two games. The lone score for UMass came in the 78th minute when freshman Alex DeSantis was fouled in the box, leading to a Josh Schwartz penalty kick that found the back of the net to make it 3-1. It was sophomore Rory Knibbs that stole the show for the Spartans, recording a hat trick and an assist in the Spartans’ victory. Of fensively, the Minutemen were outshot 17-6 and out-corner kicked 6-3 by San Jose State. Junior midfielder Danny Belza and sophomore goalkeeper Ryan Buckingham were the only UMass players to play all 90 minutes, with senior defender Matt Keys logging 85 minutes. The Minutemen will remain in California for five more days with a contest against Santa Clara up next this Friday at 8:00 p.m.
UMass falls to Utah Valley
Utah Valley scoring the next four goals, including three more in the first half. The game was not the start interim coach Devin O’Neill was looking for after becoming the man in charge when longtime coach Sam Koch passed away in July. O’Neill acknowledged both the positives and negatives that his team could take away from this game. “Defensively we’ve gotta get better, and I think we all owned that as a team,” he said. “We’re not expecting to give up five goals a game, but a lot of credit has to be given to Utah Valley, they were very good.”O’Neill said he was impressed with the way his team handled itself in the face of a 4-1 halftime deficit. “I believe that was a true testament to their character, the way they never stopped playing until the final whistle blew,” O’Neill said. “We were also quite dangerous on restarts all night, so we hope that’s a positive trend that will continue. There were a few periods of time where we were able to pass the ball quite well, so despite the heavy defeat there were some positives to take away.” The Wolverines dominated from the opening whistle, beating the Minutemen to several loose balls that resulted in multiple scoring opportunities and keeping the UMass back line under constant pressure. Although the Minutemen outshot Utah Valley 16-5 and had two more corners than them, O’Neill said the Wolverines were strong in that area. “I thought that they were very special up front,” he said. “They had a couple attacking players that were very dangerous and their finishing was very sharp, capitalizing on every mistake we made. I would say the difference between the two teams that night was that their attacking play created a lot of problems for our defense.”
It was a disappointing season opener for the Massachusetts men’s soccer team, as it fell 5-1 to Utah Valley, which was playing in its first match in school history. The Minutemen (0-1) fell behind quickly, giving up a goal in the sixth minute when Wolverine forward Karson Payton found the back of a net to send a standing-room only crowd of 2,610 fans into pandemonium. It took less than seven minutes for UMass to respond when a cross from junior Luke Pavone was headed in by Mark Morris at the 12:02 mark to knot things up at one. Things went downhill from there Jason Kates can be reached at for the Minutemen, with jkates@umass.edu.
FOOTBALL
Blyden climbs depth chart, impresses vs. Eagles By Mark Chiarelli Collegian Staff
Massachusetts football starting linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox shakes his head in amazement when asked about freshman running back J.T. Blyden. “J.T.’s really, really good,” Santos-Knox said. “He’s going to be a great player for the future of UMass. I can’t really consider him a younger guy because we’re going to need him this year. He’s really, really talented and we’re going to use him a lot for sure.” UMass fans got a glimpse of Blyden on Saturday against Boston College, as he ran for 43 yards on nine carries, including a 14-yard run offtackle, and caught one pass for seven yards. Blyden spelled starting running back Jamal Wilson midway through the second quarter and assumed the majority of the workload. Santos-Knox and the rest of the Minutemen caught their first glimpse of Blyden
in early August when he arrived on campus as a true freshman, running with the scout team on the first day of practice. He entered camp with relatively minimal fanfare — he’s been committed to UMass since his junior year of high school — but picked up the playbook quickly, working his way into earning more and more reps as he adjusted to the speed of the game throughout practice. “Practice already had me up to speed I believe,” Blyden said. “My first day of practice, I was like amazed by the speed. When we have intra-squad scrimmages and everything, that was really beneficial to getting used to the speed of the game.” Blyden’s name consistently popped up when Minutemen coach Mark Whipple talked about players who surprised him in camp. An afterthought in a deep running back competition, Blyden quietly worked his way up the depth chart and earned playing time with the
starters by the end of camp. According to quarterback Blake Frohnapfel, Blyden’s displayed a penchant for making plays not typically seen out of freshman. “He came in the first day and really did things the right way,” Frohnapfel said. “He did what he was supposed to do, wasn’t really saying much. You see him with the way he plays, he’s always where he’s supposed to be.” Whether it be on run plays or pass protection, Blyden transitioned well. That earned the trust of his starting quarterback and ultimately more playing time. “As a quarterback you know, especially in protections, that I don’t have to worry about where this kid is supposed to be or tell him where to go because he knows already,” Frohnapfel said. That was evident on Saturday, when the team left Blyden in for multiple different situations. Despite UMass trailing for most of the second
CADE BELISLE/COLLEGIAN
J.T. Blyden is just a freshman, but has already earned the respect of his veteran teammates. half, which limited his ability to earn carries, Blyden’s performance was strong enough to warrant even more consideration of playing time moving forward.
For him, he’s as excited as can be. “I’m just really excited,” he said. “Even after a loss I’m just excited. “We’re so close in so many areas to big plays. Myself, the whole team, I
know we’re going to make a lot of noise this year so (I’m) really hyped for this year.” Mark Chiarelli can be reached at mchiarel@umass.edu and followed on Twitter @Mark_Chiarelli.