12 April 2021

A student newspaper of the University of Tulsa

April 12, 2021 Issue 24 - volume 106

New TU presideNT speaks for oUTside

iNTeresTs,

7

Final nBa top 5 , p. 2 Minneapolis police testiFy against Derek chauvin, p. 5

cover by Emma Palmer

p.

Sports

The Collegian: 2

12 April 2021

An overview of the NHL’s 2020-2021 season Sportswriter Logan Guthrie discusses the strange structure and current look of professional hockey.

The 2020-2021 season marks the 103rd season of play for the National Hockey League. This season is one to be remembered, as it has not been without its changes and adjustments. Covid alone caused so many transitions in the regular schedule of the season, with the draft being moved to early October from its usual late June date, as well as a postponement of international games, the always intriguing outdoor games, and of course the all-star game. There were also some very typical transitions that will occur throughout the history of any sport, including hockey, such as in this case the change of one of the teams’ stadium names.

The Colorado Avalanche’s Pepsi Center has now become the Ball Arena, which at first seems strange considering it is an arena for a game that does not use a ball in the slightest, but actually is interestingly named after the Colorado based largest aluminum packaging company in the world. Despite changes, delays, and the emptiness at times of arenas because of the global pandemic that is Covid-19, the National Hockey League has

pressed on, and continued to have a season, even if it is relatively abbreviated.

In terms of the current standings, here are the top teams currently in the divisions: Central Division: Florida Panthers Wins: 26 Losses: 10 East Division: Washington Capitals Wins: 25 Losses: 10 West Division: Colorado Avalanche Wins: 26 Losses: 8 North Division: Toronto Maple Leafs Wins: 26 Losses: 10 As you can see, these four teams are actually incredibly close to each other in terms of their win-loss ratio.

The Florida Panthers had an excellent 6 game winning streak this season. In their recent game against the Blue Jackets, Aleksander Barkov and Chris Driedger led the team to a 3-0, Barkov with a goal and an assist and Driedger with a shutout. However

this came screeching to a halt when they lost 5-2 to the Carolina Hurricanes. This hasn’t seemed to be stopping them from holding their position at the top of their division, though.

The Washington Capitals have had only 25 wins, the lowest of the top teams across divisions, but still seem to be fighting to keep their number 1 spot intact. Alex Ovechkin is in position to be a record breaker, this season, being in a tie for second place in the list of all time power play goals for the NHL. If he keeps up the pace, he could definitely set a new record for the books, and it would definitely be a benefit for his team as a whole, too.

Iginla and Duchene have been leading the Colorado Avalanche in scoring this season. Despite this, Duchene’s rolling offensive zone seems to be on the rise in percentage, but Iginla not so much; he keeps within a somewhat steady range that has fluctuated back and forth. Considering he went 30+30 against Boston the previous season in scoring, this seems strange for Iginla, and he is

absolutely a very capable scoring player.

For the Colorado Avalanche really to utilize his potential, they are going to need to place him in a better position with better opportunity on the right end of the ice. They have the best win to loss ratio of the top four teams across divisions currently, but this may put them in a better position in the rest of the season and help them to keep their momentum going.

If there is something worth mentioning right now in regards to the Toronto Maple Leafs this season, it is Jack Campbell. Unfortunately for the Maple Leafs, Frederik Anderson is out due to an injury to his lower body, but out of this Campbell has gotten the opportunity to step up for his team as not only premier second, but also emergency first option, with an incredibly impressive undefeated 9-0-0 record (.944 SV% and 1.53 GAA). Campbell has revealed himself to be a valuable player and valiant contender, and will surely shine for his team in the rest of this NHL season.

Final top 5: current rankings and postseason outlook

Basketball analyst Zach Short offers a final glimpse at the league’s best, likewise giving early predictions for the potential look of the postseason.

3. Los Angeles Clippers The Clippers, although they have not played like it at every point this year, are absolutely stacked. With a recent win over the ever-improving Suns and a 17 point defeat of the Trail Blazers, they have reminded the world just how dangerous they can be. The Nuggets could potentially displace them, but it seems less than likely. If Phoenix ever cools off, Los Angeles could hope to displace them and take a better first round matchup, which right now makes the difference between taking Playoffs Dame in Portland or the inconsistent Mavericks. They will almost certainly secure either a second or third seed, and a first round upset seems unlikely. The odds of a Finals run seems roughly equal to that of Utah, Phoenix and maybe even Denver.

5. Denver Nuggets Arising out of middle of the road play and an underwhelming start to the season, the Nuggets have slowly heated up and have now caught stride. As of Sunday before their game against the Celtics, they sit at 9-1 in their last 10 outings, their last eight in a row.

This period included wins over the 76ers and Clippers as well as back-to-back wins against the Spurs, in a season where doubleheaders have frequently caused good teams to drop to weak opponents. With a safe lead over the Trail Blazers and the closest team behind them an injured Lakers squad, they have nowhere to go but up. Unless they can keep on fire and take advantage of some lull from the Clippers, expect to see them as a safe four seed, likely moving to the second round.

courtesy Denver Nuggets Twitter 4. Philadelphia 76ers Despite all the hype surrounding a potential renaissance in the East, an explosion in the West and a slew of disappointments from the Nets and the Bucks have again left the 76ers as the only Eastern Conference team in the power rankings. However, this should not make Philadelphia look any less daunting as an opponent. This team can on any given night beat any opponent, and they certainly have the capacity to win any series in the postseason. More than likely, the constant close games for Brooklyn will stop tilting their way so frequently and they will begin accumulating more losses. When this starts, the 76ers should not only retake the top seed in the East but run away with that top seed. No team in their conference looks more likely to make the Finals, but do not discount the potential for a lower seed to surprise them.

1. Utah Jazz (tie) While Utah will not drop the top seed in the power rankings that they have held for so long, they will have to concede a smaller defeat. For the final list, they will share the top slot, appearing more as a one-and-a-half seed rather than a complete one. A two seed seems unfair, as they still have only lost close games and still very much appear capable of beating any given team, especially in a series format, but nonetheless another team seems to have surpassed them. Monday’s loss against the Mavericks hurts them much worse than Wednesday’s overtime disappointment, but their slight cushion as first in the West still makes them look like an arguable best. They will without a doubt secure the number one seed in their conference and almost as surely make the second round. All uncertainty left remains contingent on how clutch this team will be when the moment comes.

1. Phoenix Suns (tie) With an impressive overtime win on Wednesday over the Jazz, the Suns will take over the coveted top spot in the power rankings. The exhaustion from such a feat resulted in a blown chance at back-to-back

eyebrow-raisers with a loss the following night against the Clippers, but considering they played extra minutes on Wednesday only to hop on a plane to Los Angeles and play the next, the missed opportunity seems forgivable. Although they still seem somewhat unlikely to claim the top seed in the West by the end of the regular season, they seem to have a good chance at security in the second spot and a guarantee not to drop below third. No lower seed will eliminate Phoenix in the first round. Only a Clippers squad at full capacity can really hope to put an end to their aspirations of a Conference championship.

Hot Seat: Brooklyn Nets While they have to make an appearance in some capacity as the leading team in the Eastern Conference, Brooklyn seems less and less likely to make a Finals appearance with each outing. While much of sports media may tout their win streaks they can build and always impress L10, no one should forget about their inability to play like a top-tier team. Monday’s win over the Knicks came by just two points, and Sunday contained a loss to the Bulls who currently sit outside the threshold for the postseason, in the weaker Eastern Conference no less.

Not to mention, many of their games come against weak teams, and their schedule overall has looked like one of the easiest. They won four straight before losing to the Bulls, but those wins came against the Pistons by two, the Timberwolves by five, the Rockets by 12 and the Hornets by 22. They beat bad teams by poor margins. And of course, this string came after a 30 point rout at the hands of the Jazz. They will take a likely second or third seed in the postseason, but no top seed seems more likely to fall in the first round than this one. A Finals appearance looks impossible.

April 12 - April 18 Monday

Tuesday 13

12

W Golf @ OSU All Day

Wednesday

none

14

none

Thursday

Friday 16

15

M Soccer Temple Orlando, FL 3 p.m.

Saturday

W Tennis @ USF TBA

Softball Memphis 5 p.m.

17

Sunday W Golf

18

Track & Field

AAC Tournament

All Day

W Tennis @ UCF 11 a.m.

KT Woodman Inv.

Softball Memphis 2 p.m./4 p.m.

M Soccer AAC Championship

All Day

All Day

Softball Memphis 12 p.m.

M Tennis @ USF 12:30 p.m.

12 April 2021

Sports

The Collegian: 3

Absence of El Niño

San Diego Padre’s first no-hitter

The San Diego Padres started their season with a home game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 1, 2021. Their first game was a high scoring battle that ended with Padres on top 8-7. However, San Diego’s 300-million-dollar man Fernando Tatis Jr. was silent behind the plate, only collecting one run out of his five at-bats. Fans assumed that this was just a case of “first game jitters,” but his batting average improved very little over their next two games against the Diamondbacks. However, on Sunday April 3 Tatis demolished the ball in the bottom of the ninth to send it flying 465 feet over Diaondback’s outfielders for a San Diego home run. Fans went wild assuming that “el niño” was back and so were “The Slam Diego Padres.” This was the only run scored in the Padres’ loss 3-1.

This dream soon became shattered the next day when they faced their NL west rivals the San Francisco Giants. The Padres were down 2-1 when Tatis took the plate for his second at-bat to put the Padres ahead.

Tatis swung for the fences but immediately dropped to his knees. The game stopped and fans watched in awe as their beloved el niño was aided to the dugout. It was announced that Tatis would not be returning to the game and the spirit of the stadium immediately evaporated. The Padres had their first loss 3-2.

Tatis had suffered an injury to his left shoulder that, apparently, he had been battling for the past couple weeks. The young star chose not to undergo surgery and the

It started out as a normal night when the San Diego Padres began game one of their three game series in Arlington playing the Texas Rangers. However, as would soon be seen, this game would be anything but normal as Padre’s history would be made just a few hours after the first pitch was thrown.

Joe Musgrove, who grew up in El Cajon, California – just 20 minutes from downtown San Diego – and had been watching Padres games his whole life, was the starting pitcher for the Padres in their first road game of the year. What he accomplished in this game was something that no other Padres pitcher had ever achieved in a game in their 53 year history: he threw a no-hitter. This came after 30 one-hitters in the Padres’ quest to get a no-hitter, including one no-hitter attempt that was broken up with two outs in the ninth inning.

“It feels so incredible,” Musgrove said after the game. “The city of San Diego has shown me so much love, even before I came to the Padres. Just a San Diego kid that made it to the big leagues, so it feels even better to do it in a Padres uniform and selfishly be able to do it for my city and know that the kid from Grossmont High threw the first no-hitter.”

Despite having already thrown 103 pitches at the beginning of the bottom of the ninth inning, overall, Musgrove had been pretty efficient throughout the game. Padres’ manager Jayce Tingler knew the sig-

Padres find themselves in dire straits with the absence of their Looking at the only no-hitter in the franchise’s history, sportsslugger. Baseball writer Gianni Anfuso examines the outlook. writer Tommy Reid reflects on Joe Musgrove’s accomplishment.

Padres have placed him on a 10-day IR. It is speculative that he will return in 10 days, but team medical staff will reevaluate then.

Padres GM AJ Preller has reported that the athlete has full range of motion but will need some time to heal and relieve swelling.

The Padres have gone on to win one and lose one in their next two games, but it is obvious that spirits are down due to the absence of “el niño.” One fan tweeted “Padres need some energy tonight. I know it won’t be easy with knowing your best player/ spark plug is gonna be out for a long time” (@craigmeddy). Tatis has not given any comment or posted to social media since before his injury.

The Padres currently trail the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West with a record of 4-3. On Wednesday the Padres were awarded their first day of rest after the seven consecutive home games since opening day April 1. They are currently gearing up to play their first away game against the Rangers in Texas on Thursday, April 9. This will be a difficult series for the Padres as they have not played in a stadium with more than 10,000 fans in over a year; however, due to Texas’ lift of COVID-19 restrictions, more than 38,000 people are expected to be in attendance. The Rangers are currently 3-3 in the AL West division behind the Los Angeles Angels and the Houston Astros. Las Vegas has the Padres favorite by -1.5 runs in the opening game of the Padres/Rangers series with an Over/Under set at nine runs.

nificance of letting the San Diego native attempt to pitch the no-hitter even as the pitch count was increasing.

“I think in a way that makes it, if it can be any sweeter, any more special for him, to do it growing up in San Diego and this being his team, it’s about the perfect story written,” Tingler said. Once Musgrove began the final half inning, it took just nine pitches to complete the game and earn the Padres first no-hitter.

In addition to this being the Padres first no-hitter, Joe Musgrove was also the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter in his first or second start with a new team since 2007 and the eighth player overall to do this. He was acquired by the Padres during the past offseason from the Pittsburgh Pirates as a part of a three team, seven player trade.

While most of the spotlight has been on Joe Musgrove for making Padres history in throwing the no-hitter, catcher Victor Caratini also made history while he was catching the no-hitter. He became the first starting catcher in Major League Baseball history to catch consecutive no-hitters while playing on two separate teams.

“It’s pretty rare to find yourself in those situations,” Caratini said after the game.

“It’s not every day someone throws a nohitter. But Joe just had everything working.

I was just really happy to be a part of it.”

NHL leaves ticket decisions to organizations In a move that has incited inconsistency and controversy, the NHL has allowed its franchises to determine stadium capacities. Hockey writer Gianni Anfuso discusses the scene.

courtesy Pittspurgh Penguins Twitter The NHL was the first indoor sports organization to begin their season in 2021, and with that has come a lot of controversy when it comes to in person attendance in the wake of the pandemic.

While teams across the board are making different attendance rules based on their states regulation, it is no surprise that California still has become one of the last states to allow fans to attend while the Florida Panthers have already jumped to 25 percent

capacity. However, one of the weirdest turn of events regarding in person attendance includes the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Pittsburgh Penguins decided to allow a limited capacity of 2,800 fans into their arena under the condition that they all wear masks unless they are actively eating or drinking. Apparently all 2,800 patrons did not abide by these rules, so the Penguins took matters into their own hands.

One of the Penguin’s social media staffers decided that the best course of action would be to photoshop masks onto patrons before posting to the team’s various social media platforms. This trick was noticed by social media users and the Penguins faced some minor backlash for attempting to deceive the public and have since stated that the staffer will be reprimanded. Seventeen people were ejected from that game for refusing to obey the mask-wearing policy.

While this punishment was light and the impact of 17 fans not wearing masks is debatable, it is important to see how these decisions on policies can affect how fans will view indoor events for the foreseeable future. If fans continue to break these rules, then stadiums may stop allowing in person events indefinitely. While some may assume this just affects hockey fans, that could not be further from the truth. Many hockey ar-

eas are multifunction facilities where NBA games, concerts and other types of performances are held. NHL and NBA fans are the guinea pigs to see how indoor events will be viewed and in these next few months the responsibility lays in the hands of these fans to obey the rules no matter their personal opinion.

The NHL is about ¾ of the way through their regular season, and there have been some updates regarding who can and cannot attend their favorite teams’ games. California has recently allowed limited capacity attendance for their home games along with Colorado. The Minnesota Wild have also decided to start allowing fans again with the Buffalo Sabers. Currently no Canadian NHL team has a plan to start re-allowing fans and the Washington Capitals are also holding out on in-person attendance. The Las Vegas Golden Knights have even been discussing a “proof of vaccination” in order to attend games so that they can increase their capacity.

The NHL has not released any statement about their plans for in person attendance next season but no doubt it will be more difficult than allowing fans at baseball and football games due to hockey games being played solely indoors.

Way too early: NBA Finals predictions

In his last chance to do so, NBA analyst Joseph Breedlove offers his take on what will go down in the Finals.

courtesy Los Angeles Lakers Twitter The NBA is still going strong despite all the COVID-19 issues that have presented themselves. The Playoffs will be coming up and a big question is who will be in them.

From the Eastern Conference, a given is the Brooklyn Nets. Their powerhouse team of KD, Kyrie, James Harden, Blake Griffin and now Lamacrus Aldridge cannot be stopped. They are definitely contenders for

an NBA Championship. On the West side, the number one seed is really a tossup. The number one seed as of now is the Utah Jazz, and behind them are the Phoenix Suns, who are playing some real good basketball. The Clippers are in third as of now, and the Lakers are in fifth. These four teams really have a chance to to make it to the Finals.

In my opinion, The Los Angeles Lakers will end up making it to the Finals. They just need to make it to the Playoffs first. They are dropping so low because their two best players, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, are out with injuries. I like how they are getting their rest, because by the time the Playoffs come around they will be ready to play.

They also have a new addition to the team in Andre Drummond, who is an essential big man for them. The trio between LeBron, Davis and Drummond is unmatched, especially when LeBron gets into his Playoff mode.

I foresee the NBA Finals being the Brooklyn Nets against the Los Angeles Lakers. It will be a good series and will come down to game seven for the Lakers to win the championship. The reason being is that LeBron is one of the best basketball players in the game right now, and his mentality is something great. Him and Anthony Davis have already done it once and they will not stop until they do it again.

The Brooklyn Nets will be a very hard challenge for the Lakers though. Their superstar team and weapons are uncanny.

Being such a good team and having such good players may be a factor by the final time. The spotlight will be on them, and you know the saying “Big time players make big time plays” in this instance who will that one be? Will it be Kyrie, will it be KD, will it be James Harden? They all can not be that main game. This has some effect on them when that moment comes.

At the end of the day, LeBron will end up getting his fifth ring, one shy of Michael Jordan, and the debate should be put to a close on who is better. Everyone always talks about how he’s been to the finals too many times and still does not have as many rings as Jordan. What Jordan did not do is take down a team with Kyrie, KD, James Harden, Blake Griffin and Lamarcus Aldridge. This is probably the second most stacked team the NBA has seen besides the 2017 Warriors with KD, Steph, Klay, Draymond and Demacus Cousins. It seems like these teams are being created to take down LeBron, but that still will not stop him. It only ignites a flame in him to destroy any team that comes in his path.

The Collegian: 4

Sports

12 April 2021

Pre-draft NFL outlook: who will make a strong return

With just a few weeks before the draft, football writer Joseph Breedlove examines what teams will come out strong next season.

The NFL draft is at the end of April, and the season will be upon us in the upcoming fall. It was a great season last year with Super Bowl LV with the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, of course, ended up being victorious, and giving Tom Brady his seventh ring. In the upcoming season Brady will be going for his eighth Super Bowl Ring.

The team that will be the most successful in this upcoming season is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With Tom Brady still being in the league, he is an unstoppable force. The man is a living winner. At the age of 43 I don’t know how he still does it. With him and Gronk still being their duo, they are tough to beat.

The Kansas City Chiefs are also a great team in the NFL. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, wide receiver Tyreik Hill, and tight end Travis Kelce are a force to be reckoned with. This trio is probably the most electrifying offense in the NFL. Making it to the Super Bowl last year and winning the Super Bowl the year before, you can never count them out. With their rookie running back, Clyde Edwards-Helaire showing the potential he has this next season might be his breakout year.

How about America’s team, the Dallas Cowboys? Dak Prescott was off to a great start leading the league in passing yards before his tragic injury. During the off season Dak signed his franchise contract for the

NCAA championship Basketball writer Tommy Reid looks back on the final game of the 2021 tournament.

Last Monday, the 2021 Men’s NCAA Basketball Championship game took place in Indianapolis, Indiana. This game was the culmination of an uncertain season that many people thought would not even happen. Because the season did happen, it showed that despite many changes that took place to have this season, it was still able to be successful and a champion could be crowned.

The final game of the 2020-2021 season was between the number one seed Baylor Bears and the number one seed Gonzaga Bulldogs. Up to this point in the season, Gonzaga had yet to lose a game while Baylor had already lost two games including a regular season loss against Kansas and a Big 12 Championship semifinal loss against Oklahoma State.

Going into this game, Gonzaga was attempting to do something that had not been done since 1976: become an undefeated national champion. They were also trying to win their first championship in school history. However, despite having this opportunity, Gonzaga did not get off to a good start as Baylor took a commanding 9-0 lead to start the game. By the midpoint of the half, Gonzaga found themselves down by eighteen points. While they were able to slightly close this gap, by the time halftime happened, Baylor was up 47-37. While this was not the game that Gonzaga wanted to have in the final, it was a phenomenal game for Baylor as they built a lead throughout the second half that was ultimately able to give them an 86-70 win and their first men’s bas-

ketball national championship win in school history.

Baylor guard Jared Butler, who won the Final Four Most Outstanding Player award, led the scoring for the Bears with 22 points scored followed by guard Micio Teague with 19 points scored and guard Davion Mitchell with 15 points scored.

Speaking to the media after the championship win, Baylor coach Scott Drew reacted by saying, “First and foremost, I want to thank God for blessing us with this opportunity tonight. I know the guys have worked really hard, and I’m so happy they get a chance to celebrate now. We weren’t going to have any regrets with this tournament. We wanted to leave it all out on the court. Just really blessed with the effort everyone gave us tonight.”

Reflecting on the missed opportunity to make school history and their poor start to the game, Gonzaga coach Mark Few said, “You try to do everything within your power to flip the switch. But yeah, it was tough.

When they’re consistently just more aggressive on both ends, it was hard to generate rhythm. We’d score a couple of times; we couldn’t ever get consecutive stops to kind of close some gaps. Then we didn’t help ourselves — we turned the ball over, we missed free throws.”

Going into the offseason, both teams will look to make a strong comeback next season and attempt to make the NCAA March Madness Final Four in New Orleans near this time next year.

Cowboys, and is not looking to disappoint the organization. I am not saying they are contenders, but it would be nice for America’s team to be back on top. Ezekiel Elliot is still in the backfield, and the Cowboys suffered a lot of losses on their offense line.

The receiver gang that the Cowboys have as well is unbeatable and they were onto something before Dak’s injury, so I know he will be ready to get back in the groove.

The Green Bay Packers are also another organization that is on the come up. Aaron Rodgers is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the game. His chemistry with Davante Adams is a real problem for NFL cornerbacks. The Packers fell short to the reigning Super Bowl champs the Bucca-

neers. They ended up making it to the conference championship. They look good as a team and could be looking for vengeance next year.

Lastly a team who is a great NFL team is the Buffalo Bills. After acquiring Steffon Diggs, he and Josh Allen had something going. He ended up leading the league in receptions, and was heartbroken after the loss in the AFC Championship. What the Buffalo Bills have going for them is something special, and will keep it up when the season rolls around.

Oklahoma baseball allegiance In a state with no professional baseball team, the proper loyalties are ambiguous. Sports analyst Logan Guthrie offers his solution.

Oklahoma is a state that is unique and strangely situated in terms of fanbase for professional sports. In particular, there is quite a bit of division over the following of Major League Baseball. This should be expected, as we are a state with no professional baseball team, but it is interesting how segregated that Oklahoma fans of the sport are in their allegiance. This begs the question, is there one baseball team that Oklahoma should root for?

The statistics and geography would say that, yes, there is. And that team would be the Texas Rangers. The Rangers are the number one team in almost every county of Oklahoma, with very few exceptions. This would suggest that the majority of Oklahoma are fans of this team. Considering that the Rangers are very geographically close to us being in Texas, and the fact that they are ranked 4th right now in The American League West.

The 2021 season will one way or another be a historic one for Texas. It will be the 50th anniversary of the team’s move to Texas from Washington, D.C. Their Inaugural season last year at the new Globe Life Field left them 5th in The American League West. Hopefully, they will be able to keep up a pace this year that will put them on an upward trajectory. All-in-all, they were not the worst team in the league last year going into 2021.

Why do so many baseball fans in Oklahoma, however, share the love for the Texas

Rangers Team? By most accounts, it would probably not make sense. Afterall, both the Oklahoma City Dodgers, formerly the Redhawks, and the Tulsa Drillers are currently affiliates of the Los Angeles Dodgers, hence the name change for Oklahoma City.

However, this was not always the case. At least for the Drillers, the former affiliate was actually in fact the Colorado Rockies. And who was the former affiliate for the former Oklahoma City Redskins before they became the Oklahoma City Dodgers? If you guessed none other than the Texas Rangers, then you would be correct.

That’s right, an Oklahoma minor league team used to actually be closely tied to the Texas Rangers. This explains the dedication so many fans from our state have to the team. Frankly, it makes sense for many factors, one being proximity. Logistically, it is much easier for an Okie to go to a Texas game than a California game overall. This was probably a huge boost in attendance for both the Rangers and their farm team in Oklahoma City, therefore creating a happy marriage merger between the two teams.

And despite their separation in recent years, the flame still burns, at least a flicker, in the heart of the Oklahoma fanbase. At the very least, when you are rooting for the Texas Rangers, you can say that you are rooting for a team with historical ties to your residence in the state of Oklahoma.

A tight race for a chance at the coveted green jacket

Watching the fairway phenoms tee off in Augusta, golf commentator Gianni Anfuso looks at the annual installment of the sport’s greatest tradition.

It is officially spring, because the world’s best golfers are competing against each other in Augusta, Georgia for the 2021 Masters Tournament. In the wake of Covid-19 there have been a few adjustments to one of golf’s biggest tournaments.

All patrons must show proof of a negative Covid test within 72 hours even if they are vaccinated. Additionally, all members of the audience must wear face coverings (does not include neck gaiters or bandanas) unless they are actively eating or drinking.

Social distancing is encouraged and all concessions are purchased through contactless payment methods.

The first two days of the 2021 Masters Tournament were pretty dramatic with some of this year’s biggest names unable to make the cut. Jason Day, Brooks Koepka, Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia and Patrick Cantalay were unable to qualify for the final two days of the tournament. However, this year’s most shocking player eliminated is Dustin Johnson. Johnson won last year’s Tournament and even broke scorecard records with his unbelievable performance.

Johnson blamed his poor performance on his short game stating that he drove well but couldn’t get his putting under control.

Justin Rose was an early favorite to win this year’s tournament, shooting seven under par on day one. Rose started day two with a few bogeys on the front nine but quickly recovered on the back nine to end the day with an even par. Day three resulted in the exact same score for Rose who is currently tied for second. courtesy PGA Twitter

Jordan Spieth was also an early favorite to win the Tournament after he won last week’s Valero open in San Antonio, Texas.

Spieth has been playing exceptionally well over the last 10 weeks. His driving and short game has improved to the point where he has been able to score consistently. This is something that Spieth has struggled with over the past two years. However, Spieth is struggling to make a real statement at this Masters tournament. It will be interesting to see if Spieth can fight his way back to first as he is currently tied for fourth place at five under par.

Hideki Matsuyama shot very consistently on day one to open up day two with a score of three under par. Matsuyama had a slow day on his second round but continued to rise in the leaderboards by ending with a score of four under. Matsuyama’s third round is one of the most impressive he has ever played. He shot seven under par to place him at a four stroke lead moving into the final day. Matsuyama currently sits at eleven under.

There is currently a four-way tie for second place with Zalatoris, Schauffele, Leishman and Rose all fighting for Matsuyama’s place. All four players are starting the final round at seven underpar.

If Matsuyama manages to pull through and maintain his lead he will become the first Asian player to ever win the masters in its 87 year history.

12 April 2021

News

The Collegian: 5

Gaetz and Greenberg investigated for sex trafficking

Alabama representative Matt Gaetz has been implicated in a trafficking ring with friend and former tax collector Joel Greenberg.

Logan Guthrie Student Writer The House Ethics Committee has opened an investigation against Florida representative Matt Gaetz for his involvement with Joel Greenberg, who was federally indicted on 33 counts including sex trafficking of a 17 year old girl. According to the court, he engaged in a “sugar daddy” relation-

At least one of these young women was still a teenager at the time, and had only 18 six months before the transaction. Greenberg said that these Venmo transactions were for school tuition for the young women.This same young woman who had only half a year earlier turned 18 now reportedly works in the pornography industry.

It seems that Greenberg is willing to strike a plea deal. Considering the transaction of $900 connection, Gaetz is going to be in hot water if he does. The two men have at least one other connection with a woman on Venmo, and a government credit card was used in these transactions. Auditors flagged a total of $300,000 worth of payments from this as “suspicious” and “unjustified”.

travel across state lines with him and also have sexual encounters with him. This, too, has proven to be a connection between to Greenberg, who had sexual relations with the same 17 year old. In fact, this investigation into Gaetz reportedly was a byproduct of the ongoing investigations into Greenberg.

This, of course, is only a fraction of the investigation and the ongoing reports shed-

ding light on the actions of these men. Even as Greenberg is moving into the possibility of striking a deal with law enforcement to assist the investigation and save himself, Gaetz is continually denying the allegations and has not at this time been charged with a crime yet. Only time will tell what the outcome of all of this will be and how deep this human sex trafficking ring really runs.

“Auditors flagged a total of $300,000 worth of payments ... as ‘suspicious’ and ‘unjustified’.” ship with her, a relationship defined as a rich older man giving costly gifts as a trade for her company or, as in this case, sexual favors. Greenberg, once a tax collector for Seminole County, Florida, has come under a lot of fire for his involvement in human sex trafficking, and now Matt Gaetz is under investigation for his involvement.

Gaetz and Greenberg’s friendship is questionable to say the least. In early 2018, Gaetz paid his friend $900, which Greenberg then paid to three separate women on Venmo in different sums that added up to the same amount of money that Gaetz had paid him.

Connections continue even after this.

Greenberg paid a mutual friend of Gaetz’s thousands of taxpayer backed dollars from a Visa card issued to him by Seminole County, of which auditors could not figure out the purpose. There are indeed at least two connections between Greenberg and Gaetz that have professional connections between each other, and it is likely that the two social spheres between these men continue to overlap more and more the farther it is investigated.

Gaetz is also currently being investigated about the accusation that he paid a minor to

courtesy Flickr Congressman Matt Gaetz has served three terms as the representative for Florida’s first Congressional District.

Alabama Amazon workers vote against unionizing Despite allegations of employee mistreatment, the union vote at the Bessemer, AL, warehouse failed.

Logan Guthrie Student Writer Despite coming under fire for allegations of poor treatment of employees, Alabama Amazon employees recently voted against forming a union. Amazon started in 1994 as a family owned online bookstore started

by Jeff Bezos and his former wife MacKenzie Scott. In 28 years it has transitioned

from the simple idea of having a bookstore on the web to being a multinational technology company with its hand in many different market areas across the board. However, even companies that have the best of images on the surface can fall from grace quickly when the skeletons in their closet come to fruition within the public eye, and Amazon has not been an exception to this.

In late 2018, media reports came out about Amazon that did not paint their treatment of their delivery drivers in a good light. The list of alleged abuses ranges anywhere from wages not being paid to having restrictions as to when they could use the bathrooms.

These abuses included lack of pay for working overtime, bias shown to some employees over others and drivers being forced to drive dangerously to finish a job, to name a few. Needless to say, these claims place the ethics of Amazon into question, and if these allegations are indeed substantiated and hold up in court hearings, the company will be in serious trouble.

Amazon has had very direct opposition against employees’ efforts to organize trade unions. While the company claims to not be against unions, Amazon representatives have also relayed that it is in the best interest of their customers. A previous effort for

courtesy Flickr The last time Amazon workers voted on whether to unionize was in 2014 when a warehouse of only 30 employees in Delaware voted, significantly smaller than Bessemer’s 6,000 employee warehouse.

unionization in the early 2000s, hundreds of Amazon employees were laid off by the company in retaliation. In addition, to counteract more recent union efforts, Amazon has aired anti-union ads and placed antiunion signs in employee bathrooms.

Such efforts have been defeated time and time again in many similar companies, but employees always continue to keep trying especially when their employers’ ethics are in question. If workers voted to unionize, it would give them traction to advocate for things like higher wages and better working conditions. Making these changes would inevitably cost the corporation money.

In the past few weeks, there was a union vote amongst the Amazon workers at one of the company’s large warehouses in Bessemer, Alabama. It was the result of the most significant organizing drive in the history of the internet, but ultimately failed as the workers voted decidedly against unionization, winning out over a union with a whopping 1,798 votes to 738. This leaves the decision of how to best handle and keep Amazon employees safe up to the company in question itself. Around half of the eligible voters from the warehouse voted, and 500 votes were contested by Amazon and therefore were not counted. This has led some to say that Amazon did not win the fight so much as the employees decided against a union.

Amazon won by campaigning that they do in fact offer good wages for good jobs.

However, critics say that the company is simply taking advantage of a broken system that is in dire need of being fixed as soon as possible.

Minneapolis Police testify against Derek Chauvin in trial In the trial for the murder of George Floyd, Minneapolis officers, training officers and the police chief support the prosecution.

Logan Guthrie Student Writer The trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the May 25, 2020 murder of George Floyd continues into its second week, breaking the trend of policerelated deaths not going to trial.

police chief denounced Derek Chauvin’s use of unnecessary force and aggression against Floyd in his arrest.

A video taken at the scene of the crime displays that Chauvin handcuffed Floyd behind his back, face down on the ground, with Chauvin’s knee upon his neck for what has now been revealed to be more than nine minutes. This led to a death due to hypoxia, a lack of proper levels of oxygen to the body, which led to asphyxiation, also known as suffocation.

Deaths in which police are involved in some manner seem to rarely ever actually go to court for various reasons. A conviction

“[Chauvin] is now the first of the four police officers to go to trial ...”

A surprising development has been the recent group of officers led by their very own Mineaplolis police chief that took the stand against Chauvin and his actions that led to the death of George Floyd. Police officers, training officers and even the Minneapolis

of the police officer in such a trial when it does happen is even rarer. And, of course, even rarer than all of that, is for such a turn out of officers led by their superior, their commanding officer, that are so willing to help in the conviction of one of their own.

But as it turns out, that bridge is definitely something that Chauvin has burned at this point, and this public display shows that he is no longer welcome amongst their ranks.

It is notable that the unspoken rule that a police officer restrains themself from convicting a fellow officer, colloquially known as the “Blue Wall of Silence,” has been broken in this case. Rarely do police officers testify against one another, which has led to, and continues to lead to in many cases, lapses in accountability and possible corruption among American police forces.

Chauvin was one of four officers that were fired by the Minneapolis Police Department shortly after the video of George Floyd’s death went viral, showing a no tolerance policy by their department for police brutality. He is now the first of the four police officers to go to trial, and all four of them are facing very serious sentences. Chauvin has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, for second-degree murder, third-degree murder and thirddegree manslaughter. However, as his trial continues, it appears as if the defense may not be strong enough to hold up in his favor.

Only time will tell.

courtesy Minnesota Reformer Derek Chauvin had been a police officer for 19 years, during which he received 18 misconduct complaints.

Commentary

The Collegian: 6

12 April 2021

The Legislative Digest is your weekly look at the happenings of Oklahoma’s state legislature, upcoming bills and the terms to know.

Justin Klopfer Commentary Editor

HB 2083: This bill would reduce the corporate income tax on Oklahoma businesses yearly until the complete elimination of the corporate tax in 2026. This would make Oklahoma join six other states that currently levy no corporate income tax.

Corporate taxes typically bring in over $300 million a year in Oklahoma. This tax revenue represents over two percent of the total revenue brought in for the state. It might not seem like a huge part, but its elimination would necessitate a similar cut in spending. This cut would likely come from education or social services, which have already seen declines in recent years.

Even if one were convinced that taxes must be lowered, there is no reason to place these cuts solely on the corporate income tax. This tax targets those who own businesses, and are thus typically among the wealthier in society. Something like the sales tax, however, which takes a larger percentage of poorer peoples’ incomes, isn’t proposed as the target for cuts.

The bill has already passed through the house on a 74-20 vote with all Democrats voting against and only one Republican not voting in favor. Hopefully it encounters more resistance in the Senate.

SB2: Similar to SB 627, this bill used to be a benign proposal, but was modified to reflect an entirely new agenda. The bill would ban “students of the male sex” from participating in sports teams specifically designated for women.

Defense’s argument doesn’t hold up in Chauvin trial All but four states use primary systems, and it’s a much more democratic and accesible process.

Logan Guthrie Student Writer We are over a week into the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former officer of the Minneapolis Police Department who was caught almost a year ago on camera on May 26, 2020 with his knee on the neck of George Floyd for almost nine minutes straight.

Floyd’s death was a tragedy that shook the entirety of the United States in one way or another, and Chauvin is currently being tried

However, the defense’s argument based on this seems to be flawed in its logic overall. Yes, George Floyd had underlying health conditions that made him more susceptible to illness, perhaps of a respiratory nature, than the average individual. Yes, he did have an opioid in his system and a history of drug use, so was more likely to overdose than those without these factors, perhaps.

All this aside, the physician Dr. Martin Tobin, a man with 40 years worth of experience in the study of the physiology of respiration, has stated after careful review that the more likely form of death is hypoxia, deficiency of oxygen reaching the individual’s tissues, leading to asphyxia (also known as suffocation) as a result of the extended

“... the defense’s argument based on this seems to be flawed in its logic ...” for the murder of Floyd. This case has had many twists and turns that kept it from being as straightforward as many thought and wished it would be. One of the new pieces of information that is of great interest in the case has been toxicology reports that indicate drug use on the part of Mr. Floyd.

The defense focuses heavily on a previous arrest related to drug use, and according to reports Floyd had fentanyl in his system at the time of his death, a synthetic opioid.

This drug is prescribed as a treatment for severe pain, and is usually focused upon pain caused by advanced cancer. It is important to know that fentanyl is usually only associated with overdose in cases of being illegally made, which are slightly variant in their synthesis, having a heroin-like effect on the body. It is also important to keep in mind that Floyd did have underlying health issues, as the defense claims, including the sickle cell trait, hypertension and heart disease.

amount of time in which Chauvin’s knee was on Floyd’s neck, as well as the position he was laying and handcuffed in.

Let’s be clear for a minute about two things. First, opium abuse in the U.S. is indeed a problem that we need to find resolution to (this does not seem to be a case of this), and, second, not all police officers are violent, aggressive bad people. Derek Chauvin, clearly from the video, used aggressive force that was not necessary in this situation, which is even more suspicious considering the history between him and George Floyd.

The simple fact of the matter is, at least on this level, whether he intended to kill Floyd or not, he abused his position of power. If we ever want resolution to these kinds of issues and reconciliation for victims on both sides, civilians and police, then his actions cannot and should not be tolerated in our Court of Law. He needs to face the consequences of his actions and be punished accordingly.

Protestors have gathered at the trial of Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis, MN.

Obviously, the bill is aimed at preventing transgender women from participating in sports. The question is, then, why? What harm do trans women bring to sports teams? This bill calls itself the “Save Womens’ Sports Act,” as if trans women were somehow destroying womens’ sports currently. Trans women are currently allowed to participate in sports in Oklahoma, and I don’t see any examples of them threatening sports’ sanctity. In other states where similar laws are proposed, lawmakers have never been able to provide an instance in which trans athletes in their states have threatened girls’ sports.

There has never been an instance of someone cynically undergoing a gender transition just to compete on another team. What is actually common is trans people joining a sport for the enjoyment and community they provide. Banning them from these sports is not only stigmatizing, it deprives them of a social community of peers that others have access to.

What lurks right behind this bill is transphobia. The authors and supporters of the bill are disgusted with trans people and are desperate to delegitimize them, and this bill simply serves that purpose. Student athletes themselves are not asking for these proposals; 500 NCAA athletes recently signed a letter in opposition to banning trans women from collegiate sports. There is no uproar among scientists about a “biological advantage,” as the supposed advantage is minimal and typically completely eliminated by hormonal transition.

The push comes from culture-war reactionaries, not people with an actual stake in the issue.

This same policy was recently enacted in Mississippi and Arkansas and has been proposed in many other states. These bills are also in addition to many other transphobic laws being pushed for, including the recent banning of trans medical care for minors in Arkansas.

Hopefully this bill and others like it will fail.

.

tucollegian@tucollegian.com

@TUCollegian @TUCOLLEGIAN

tucollegian@tucollegian.org

editor-in-chief

editor in chief

Justin Guglielmetti

Emily Every

managing editor

managing Raven editor Fawcett

Sara Serrano news editor

Ethan Veenker news editor

Pipersports Prolago editor

Brennen Gray

sports editor

variety editor Zach Short

Emma Palmer

variety editor

commentary editor

Myranda Emily New Every commentary editor satire editor

Justin Klopfer Madison Connell satire&editor photo graphics editor

Conner Maggio Anna Johns

business & advertising

photo & graphics editor manager

Emma BrianPalmer Kwiecinski

media & web businesssocial & advertising manager manager

Mary Emma Bergwell Palmer Sara Serrano

distribution social media & webmanagers manager

Lee Karalia Ha Jacob Huynh Alexander

Jesica Santino and Katelyn Baker copy editor

HanacopySaad editor

Bryant Loney

The Collegian is the student newspaper of the University of Tulsa. It is distributed Mondays during the fall and spring semesters, except during holidays and final exam weeks. The University of Tulsa does not discriminate on the basis of personal status or group characteristics including but not limited to the classes protected under federal and state law. Inquiries regarding implementation of this policy may be addressed to the Office of Human Resources, 800 South Tucker Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104-9700, (918)631-2616. Requests for accomodation of disabilities may be addressed to the university’s 504 Coordinator, Dr. Tawny Rigsby, (918)631-3814. To ensure availability of an interpeter, five to seven days notice is needed; 48 hours is recommended for all other accomodations.

Advertising Policy: Advertising appearing in this publication does not imply approval or endorsement by the University of Tulsa or the Collegian for the products or services advertised. For advertising information, email the Collegian at advertising@tucollegian.org. The deadline for advertising is noon on the Friday proir to publication.

Letter Policy: Letters to the editor must be less than 500 words and can be sent to tucollegian@tucollegian.org. Under no circumstances will anonymous letters be published. The name of the person submitting the letter must be published with the letter. We reserve the right to edit or reject all letters. The deadline for letters is 5 p.m. on the Friday prior to publication.

Editing Policy: The Collegian reserves the right to edit all copy submitted by all writers. This editing may take place in many forms, including grammar corrections, changes in paragraph structure or even the addition or removal of sections of content.

Editorial Policy: Columnists are solely responsible for the content of their columns. Opinions expressed in columns may not represent the opions of the Collegian staff, the administrative policies of the University of Tulsa, the views of the student body or our advertisers.

courtesy Chad Davis, CC BY-SA 2.0

12 April 2021

Commentary

The Collegian: 7

Gaetz allegations must be responded to seriously The Congressman’s guilt seems quite possible, in which case he must face extreme consequences.

Logan Guthrie Student Writer Scandalous sexual allegations are not something that people are surprised to hear anymore when it comes to our political leaders. Unfortunately, such occurrences are more commonplace with people of power than probably anyone would care to admit.

As it turns out, Florida representative Matt Gaetz is not immune to such allegations, as he is currently under investigation for claims of a sexual nature.

it. He has denied all claims, saying that people are mischaracterizing his generosity to ex-girlfriends in a giant convoluted attempt at a criminal conspiracy to extort not only Gaetz himself, but also his father (for some reason). Since the original statutory rape investigation, investigations into potential human trafficking charges have emerged against Matt Gaetz, as well as reports surfacing that he showed nude photographs to various lawmakers of women with whom he had sexual relations.

Ideally all of the people reading this will agree with me that allegations and investigations into sexual assault, human trafficking, illegal relationships with underage teenagers, etc., are not ever anything that should be taken lightly. On one hand, such accusations have an incredibly strong power in which to destroy a person’s reputation, career and life

Matt Gaetz, have a lot of potential validity to them, and if that is the case, then he needs to be immediately stripped of his political

position, from holding office in the future and be placed in prison for a very long time as punishment for his actions.

“... our first and foremost obligation as human beings is to protect the vulnerable ...”

According to the recent reports, Gaetz is accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a minor. One of the claims that is being investigated is whether or not Gaetz paid for the 17 year old girl to travel alongside him out of state. This is especially problematic for Gaetz in his defense because if this was the case, then by at least all legal terms and purposes, he has indeed engaged in the human sex trafficking of this girl, due to the exploitative nature of all of this. The details of Gaetz’s actions still aren’t entirely clear with the information being reported at this time.

The situation surrounding Matt Gaetz becomes more damning the more that gets dug up and the more that the media covers

in general. When a person is genuinely innocent, such an allegation that destroys and uproots their entire life, and maybe even their family, is absolutely awful.

That being said, our first and foremost obligation as human beings is to protect the vulnerable in these situations. A significant amount of time such accusations are true, and trauma comes to the victims from someone who is too caught up in their own selfishness in such a malicious, violent way. That they try to strip another person of their human dignity is absolutely tragic, awful and not to be tolerated whatsoever. It seems right now that these accusations, as disgusting and gut wrenching as they are, about another one of our political leaders,

courtesy Wikimedia Commons Florida representative Matt Gaetz is under investigation following allegations of secxual abuse.

New TU president furthers ties to Pentagon and corporations

The university’s shift towards career preparation continues with this new nominee for president.

Justin Klopfer Commentary Editor On April 5, TU announced the selection of our new University president, Brad Carson. Carson is a former Democratic Congressman and Pentagon higher-up, serving as Undersecretary of Defense, among other roles. Carson also worked as director of the National Energy Policy Institute and as a senior advisor with the Boston Consulting Group, which advised the university frequently over the course of its recent transitions.

Carson is far from unaccomplished, but his accomplishments aren’t typical of a university president. He doesn’t hold a Ph.D. and has served only a few years as a professor. His positions did, however, require the management of complex institutions and large amounts of personnel. The choice still feels unusual and begs the question of why someone with more experience in academia wasn’t selected.

the Iraq War in 2002 and actually served in the war years later as an Intelligence Officer.

The defining trait of his time in the government seems to be hawkishness. In a 2015 panel in the wake of the Iraq War, Carson identified the unique role of the army as the force that can “kick in your door and make you stop doing what you want to do [...] in a sustained, massive way.” Carson doesn’t seem to regret his support for the war and encouraged further expansion of the Army. .

This expansion includes the realm of cybersecurity, which is just as often turned into offensive operations as it is used for defense.

Many students are justifiably worried that Carson’s focuses could come at the expense of liberal arts programs at TU. Indeed, if the university runs into financial trouble again, cuts to these non-essential programs are almost guaranteed. They are expendable programs ultimately unnecessary to the university’s mission. The university’s funding of these programs comes only at the insistence of students and out of the programs’ usefulness in addition to more profitable fields.

However, the real problem with the selection of Carson runs deeper than a threat to the funding of the liberal arts.

Similar to the “New Strategic Plan,” Carson’s selection indicates a shift in the operating philosophy of the university. TU is, fundamentally, becoming an institution focused on creating graduates that are lucrative for the Pentagon and Tulsa energy and tech companies. Giving these interests increased say in the administrative affairs of the university achieves this transformation.

Carson is only the latest in a line of administrators with these goals and priorities.

Liberal arts are not fundamentally incompatible with this mission. Paired with a lucrative major in line with TU’s focus,

government, and the holistic education model many students romanticize seems to be dying. The skyrocketing price of higher education makes education feel more like a product and means to an end, rather than a fulfilling life experience. Even after the pandemic, online technical education may be far more attractive than a costly 4-year degree. Continued funding cuts for public universities only exacerbate this problem for universities attempting to focus on nonprofitable fields. For TU, the crisis materialized earlier than it inevitably will for many other universities. The response to this crisis for TU, and soon many other universities, is to acquiesce to the shifting demands of those in power.

Liberal arts programs will still exist, and I’m confident that amazing academic work will continue to be done at our university.

I’m also sure Carson genuinely cares about TU and wants to see the university grow and its students find their education fulfilling.

What’s upsetting about the situation is the blatant commandeering of the university by outside interests with priorities other than fostering minds. The democratic ideal of the independent university has always been a pipe dream, but it seems especially clear now.

“A figure well-versed in academia is no longer necessary to TU; academia is not the world we are creating graduates for.”

Of course, the selection makes perfect sense when put in the context of TU’s shifting focus. Carson’s ties to the Pentagon solidify our growing relationship to the Department of Defense, particularly in the area of cybersecurity. His experience in the energy industry is likewise incredibly relevant to the economy of Tulsa and Oklahoma. A figure well-versed in academia is no longer necessary to TU; academia is not the world we are creating graduates for.

Carson’s political career isn’t particularly unique, though it does bear mentioning. He served on the right-wing Blue Dog coalition within the Democratic Party. He voted for

they can give graduates an edge in securing careers in competitive industries. Cuts will only come when financial trouble is encountered, otherwise, the liberal arts can continue along quietly as cybersecurity and energy grow. Regardless of cuts, though, the university is still ultimately controlled more and more by the interests of corporations and the Pentagon, and less by those with genuine passion for curiosity and enlightenment.

Ultimately, there is nothing particularly evil or unique about what is happening at TU. College’s role is constantly shifting to meet the demands of the economy and

Brad Carson will begin his tenure as TU’s president on July 1.

courtesy Wikimedia Commons

The Collegian: 8

Variety

12 April 2021

Destination Tulsa: Lambrusco’z Deli

From a warm atmosphere to home cooking that cannot be replicated, Lambrusco’z Deli is a must-visit for Tulsa tourists and residents.

Iyan Smith Williams, Ha Huynh, Danita Mathew, Asa Scott Student Writers Best brownies in Tulsa? That’s only the beginning for Lambrusco’z Deli.

Tulsa has long been the nation’s guinea pig when it comes to the restaurant industry. Whether it’s the cheap cost of living or the culture of a healthy Oklahoma appetite, T-Town serves as a de facto testing site for different chains fighting for fly-over-country dominance. But, amidst this battle between the Bells and the Buenos, another group emerges: local entrepreneurs. These small business owners must have a certain edge to hold their own against national competition — one that Nancy Bruce of Lambrusco’z Deli has showcased for over 35 years.

jewelry, line the store’s walls in an exhibit of community creativity. Silver freezers and refrigerators on either side of the dining area provide an eclectic bounty of Oklahoma goodies to explore. Adorable ceramic pots of French-style yogurt from Amélia Creamery lie not far from shelves of brie, goat cheese and Hellim from local farms. Just a few steps away, freezers stacked with Nancy’s own ready-made casseroles neighbor an assorted rainbow of gourmet popsicles from Frios on Greenwood. These goodies, a mix of in-house delicacies and the labor of other Oklahomans, showcase Lambrusco’z dedication to supporting fellow small businesses, especially those in the 918.

We could have spent the entire evening combing through all the gifts and treats around the store, but our appetites had different plans. The shuffle of wheels, coupled with the call of Nancy’s warm voice, replaced the sound of busy pots and pans as she presented us with a cart full of customer favorites. We started with three dips — Jalapeño Pimento Cheese, Corn Dip and Lambrusco’z take on White Queso — all

in a batch one day that has stuck for years.

However, no cookie was as delicious, both in its taste and in its history, as her buffalo chip cookies.

Back in the ‘90s, Nancy was given the opportunity to cater the Tallgrass Prairie’s celebration of the reintroduction of bison to the land. For the occasion, Nancy whipped up a batch of cookies for those gathered to watch the majestic release of the herd. Expecting the loud stampeding of hooves the crowd was met with bewildered bison not exactly sure what to do. Nancy’s cookies stole the show that day, and the buffalo chip cookie, a misnomer as the term “bison” wasn’t as popular as “buffalo,” was born.

Of course, nothing was as exciting to try as Lambrusco’z much-celebrated brownies.

Nancy made the bold claim that they could be the “Best Brownies in Tulsa,” and they certainly did not disappoint. Soft and rich chocolatey goodness with a smooth layer of icing, the brownies compete with the best of homemade recipes. Nancy has a knack for giving these delectable treats away through-

out the year, such as on National Brownie Day or on her birthday.

Lambrusco’z is extending a similar generosity to students at TU — just show your school ID to get a free cookie with your lunch or dinner order! TU students get to enjoy this special treat through the months of April and May. At the heart of Lambrusco’z is the homestyle cooking that encompasses each dish.

From the savory tenderness of an Italian sandwich to the fudgy goodness of Nancy’s brownies, every item at Lambrusco’z feels like a home recipe that could never be replicated. Nancy told us that this was much in her design of the restaurant — that Lambrusco’z provides good, family-inspired meals to those that are unable to enjoy them regularly. From individuals on the road to university students away from home, a hearty meal awaits one and all. Even beyond the cooking — to the atmosphere, space and staff — Lambrusco’z is a home away from home.

“... Lambrusco’z is filled to the brim with Tulsa charm ...”

Back in March, our group had the chance to meet Nancy after hours for a special taste testing of her cooking. The moment we walked in, the store owner popped right out of the kitchen to greet us, her infectious smile unhindered by the barrier of a chilipepper-print mask. We were quick to learn that Nancy has a natural talent for making folks feel at home, a knack for instantly building connections with energy as lively as the tie-dye beneath her tan apron. Nancy’s personable character in all its uniqueness radiates throughout the store, from its decor to the passion of her dishes. As we took a look around, Nancy flitted back and forth between helping her staff finish up in the kitchen and chatting about the origin of the various trinkets that decorate the walls of Lambrusco’z.

Just a few miles from campus, Lambrusco’z is filled to the brim with Tulsa charm. Their Brookside location near 41st and Peoria — the perfect pitstop on the way to an afternoon picnic at The Gathering Place — gives you a grand T-Town greeting right as you walk in. Locally sourced products, from homemade candles to artisan

crowd pleasers that have been a staple at the gatherings of some Tulsa families for years; after tasting for yourself, it’s obvious why. Decades of catering experience have equipped Nancy with the skill to make sure that everyone goes home with a full stomach and a happy heart. Her pimento cheese spirals were paired with samples of a decadent Reuben, a melt-in-the-mouth Italian Tenderloin sandwich and a “Cluckin’ Pita” chicken creation that left it hard to decide which to try first. To complement these hot deli delights, Nancy also has several cold sandwiches and wraps, including a delectable vegetarian option with hummus and fresh veggies combined in a savory spinach wrap.

Though our satisfied stomachs thought it may be time to tap out, Nancy peeled back the cling wrap on yet another tray to reveal our final course: dessert. As we split each cookie and traybake in an effort to try them all, Nancy launched into stories about the origins of each one. Her oatmeal cookies without the raisins, for example, weren’t just the manifestation of her stance on a controversial ingredient — they were a happy accident after forgetting to include raisins

Lambrusco’z Deli holds an extensive menu for all tastebuds.

Lambrusco’z Deli does dine-in, delivery as well as catering for events, as seen by a few of their dishes at the International Night Market.

courtesy Lambrusco’z Website

courtesy Lambrusco’z Website

The chronic suppression of BIPOC TikTok creators Capitalizing off stolen dances, Jimmy Fallon’s guest star invitation to Addison Rae furthers how BIPOC creators are treated.

Star Okolie Student Writer TikTok has a history of being the site of new dances and trends; it also has a history of those dances and trends being made primarily by BIPOC (or Black, Indigenous people of color) artists and then being capitalized on by white artists without credit to the original creators. From Charlie D’Amelio to Addison Rae, many TikTok stars have been known for stealing dances and trends while gaining an immense following that dwarfs the following of those with the original ideas. The fame they’ve gained from doing so has aggravated many, and this aggrava-

tion has been exacerbated by Addison Rae’s appearance on Jimmy Fallon. Not only was she performing dances with lackluster energy, but many of these dances were created

by BIPOC artists, with no credit presented to them whatsoever.

This has been an ever-present trend on TikTok and real life, so it is not entirely surprising. Many BIPOC TikTokers realized early on that white TikTokers were being treated as “original creators’’ and trendsetters, while their own videos were shadowbanned, meaning their videos weren’t being recommended anymore. These original creators were placed lower on the “For You” page, and their followings were only a fraction of their white counterparts’ followings.

Even before TikTok, many white artists have capitalized off “hip-hop” culture, and although there is nothing wrong with cultural appreciation, there is a lot wrong with cultural appropriation; the same braids and “black” styles that are considered “trendy”

and “just hair” are the same styles that lead to discrimination of BIPOC in real life.

Only seven (yes, seven out of 50) states have prohibited discrimination on the basis of hair texture (The Crown Act campaign is still fighting to end discrimination on the basis of hair texture), so these topics are especially sensitive for the BIPOC community because these are issues that are reflected in our reality — it’s more than just a trend or a dance moving around the media.

Rae’s appearance on Jimmy Fallon also reflects a lack of consequences for many TikTok stars accused of racism. Rae has made her fair share of half-baked apology videos following accusations of racism but continues to capitalize off the creativity of BIPOC artists that continue to go uncredited. Many have also deemed her appearance on Jimmy Fallon as a “reward for mediocrity” by comparing her dances to those of the creators to reveal the fact that sheer talent and merit is not what got her on the show.

It is no surprise that most people who follow Addison Rae follow other TikTokers accused of “stealing” dances with their own folder of racial apology videos. They generally take no offense to this nor consider any accusations of racism to be particularly problematic, so this article may do absolutely nothing to change their opinion of her appearance on the show. I myself am not a huge TikToker, and I use TikTok to find funny videos and repost them on my Snapchat story, but I can understand why many have a problem with Rae’s appearance on Jimmy Fallon.

Twitter eventually bullied Jimmy Fallon into inviting the creators of the dances on the show (virtually instead of live), but the fact that backlash was required to recognize how problematic her appearance on the show was sheds light on a few other issues at hand.

Variety

12 April 2021

The Collegian: 9

TU hosts International Night Market Social distancing across the New U, a favorite tradition returned to campus with food and performances from all around the world.

Ha Huynh Social Media & Web Manager On Saturday night, the University of Tulsa hosted their annual international extravaganza for the campus, called the International Night Market, serving tastes from all around the world, with over 350 of TU’s community in attendance. This event stood in place of the International Bazaar that has been a tradition and favorite of many; it fostered many collaborations across the inter-cultural active organizations on campus, such as Latin American Student Association, Asian American Student Association, Multicultural Recreation Center, South

The ambiance and atmosphere was perfect. The string lights, stage and different cultural clothing worn by many built up exhilaration for all who first stepped in, wondering what kind of experience they were in for.

There were seven tables in total hosting a variety of foods and snacks to cultural decorations from all over the world. The food highlighted tastes and appetites from all over including Latin America, various parts of Asia, France as well as international twists. This was the first in-person event for the University of Tulsa to please the masses and attract both new and familiar faces since COVID-19 hit.

After randayvuing from table to table seeing the artistic talent and special programming to orchestrate a table, enjoying the food, pastries and snacks that expressed cultural tastes of each country or culture, people sat down to picnic in anticipation for the performances.

tial to the Chinese culture. The performance combined elements of both Chinese martial arts and traditional Chinese dance, showing the unique charm of Chinese martial arts.

Other performances enticed our interests with an intricate fusion of both Hindi and Telugu songs, establishing a beautiful performance of a modern twist on Bollywood music.

Those who attended felt the same awe as those who helped plan and make the event into a reality. From the decoration of the Student Union to lights on the trees around Chapman Commons that brings up memo-

ries from Homecoming festivities, the entire event had everyone absorbing the TU community spirit. The event, right before Springfest, had all the correct reminiscent points to wrap up the interesting school year that we will all remember.

There was a general consensus of strong yearning from attenders for more future events like this one. The International Night Market left the crowd reminiscent of the times pre-quarantine. Next year, perhaps they will get their wish — that events that spark such reminiscence will be the norm.

One can only hope.

“... the event [is] the perfect rainbow after a brutal storm.”

Asian Student Association, Association of International Students and Vietnamese American Student Association.

Though the event was scheduled for the previous night on Friday, the weather had its own plans, with its thunderstorms and fierce tornado alerts, forcing for the Night Market to be rescheduled to the following night.

This paved way for the event being the perfect rainbow after a brutal storm. The weather was beautiful and constituted a great evening for a dinner picnic. The programmers found the ideal way to take advantage of the outdoors to both foster a beautiful communion of the campus. It was one that’s hit the record number for events this school year, with a safe environment with pre-packaged food and social distancing.

While the food was a present that tendered your tastes and provoked cravings that you didn’t know you had, the performances sparked your soul. Special performances were from our beloved TU students themselves, displaying variety from many countries and respective cultures. Performances included an aerial performance on an aerial hoop, called an Iyra. Another was a performance of an Indian-Classical dance piece that the performers choreographed themselves. Indian dance oftens stimulates a relationship and relationship-building among the performers, seen in the friendship that was formed through dance between the two TU performers.

Other performances included a Chinese Martial Art dance, martial arts being essen-

Many beautiful outfits were worn all around the night market.

photo by Ha Huynh

photo by Campbell Rogerson

There were around 350 guests in attendance, making this one of the most successful events this academic year.

Warner Brothers announces “Space Jam” sequel Twenty-five years after the initial film, Warner Brothers has dropped the trailer for the incredibly hyped “Space Jam: A New Legacy.”

Joseph Breedlove Student Writer The long-awaited sequel to the 1996 “Space Jam,” “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” comes out July 16, 2021. The original film starred basketball star Michael Jordan, and in “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” NBA AllStar LeBron James will be featured. This should be another great classic of Warner Brothers All-Star worlds colliding.

One thing different about “Space Jam: A New Legacy” is that it does not have just one NBA player throughout the movie, but highlights several others. WNBA Chiney Ogwumike from the Los Angeles Sparks, Portland Trail Blazer All-Star Damian Lillard Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors, WNBA All Star Diana Taurasi, Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns and Anthony Davis as well as Kyle Kuzma from the Los Angeles Lakers are in the movie.

The premise is that LeBron’s son, Dom, wants to become a popular video game developer, but the father-son duo end up getting trapped in virtual space by an A.I. named Al-G Rhythm. The only way to make it home safe and sound is to team up with Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Lola Bunny and the whole “Looney Tunes” crew in a basketball game to defeat A.I. and the Goons Squad. They are back at it again, Looney Tunes vs. Goon Squad in the biggest game of their life to return LeBron and his son to reality.

I can already tell the movie will be a great hit. The anticipation for another “Space Jam “gives this movie a lot of hype. It also adds a lot of pressure to this movie knowing how well the first movie did with critiques. This is what society needed, though; “Looney Tunes” is an all-time classic for many generations growing up. Having them back on the big screen is great. With LeBron James being so pronounced today in the NBA adds a lot to the movie as well, catering to his numerous acting roles over the years. So get your popcorn ready for July 16 because the world is in for a great show. Lets go Looney Tunes!

The film will be in theaters and HBO Max.

courtesy Warner Brothers

The State-Run Media

12 April 2021

the

State-Run media Semester’s almost over, so the monkey scribe living in my frontal lobe is sure to get a break soon. #Epic #Win

Fuck Tinder. I’m off to the Bog.

Bathilda was my queen, and God help anyone who disrespected my queen.

Anna Johns Love expert, 100% certified

After years of mindlessly swiping and scrolling through dating apps, I have surely seen the talent pool this side of the Mississippi has to offer: men with fish, men with guns and men with God (not pictured, but, like, there’s a cross somewhere). At this point, the flirtations are stale, and my travels into the world of online dating have equipped me with some sound advice. So, as an expert of dating sites and someone who is vaguely aware of the shape of the opposite sex, I have collected advice for successful online dating.

1. Stop promoting your content.

Alright, I get it. You think your new film script is really smart or your photography of shoes or various naked women is cool and artsy, but I assure you that no one else does.

This advice comes from someone who, too, was guilty of bragging — the world of Bumble is not ready for someone who freely owns their hobbies, like me, bolstering my stats of having an impossibly magnetic ass, sound prophetic visions and various crafted libations and elixirs. All it does is attract commentary on your precious work, and also, no one cares about your study of Tarantino’s use of red lighting.

2. Rethink your posted pictures.

I have never felt safe looking at a group of men consuming alcohol, and the same applies to seeing an image of some dude and his friends on Tinder.

3. Up your texting game, baby!

This advice is a crucial. I cannot stress enough: no one will be excited by what you think is a flirty joke.

4. This sucks. This absolutely sucks.

I’m so sorry.

I’m so pathetic. The online dating game has consumed me and taken my soul with it. While I’ve found some pretty incredible #thumbgains, I lost my heart in the process.

I’m begging you, Bathilda, please don’t walk away now. Think about the bones I’ve lovingly scattered in our boudoir.

The Tinder dating pool is the abyss: surely, I thought, I can stare unwittingly into this unblinking chamber of poorly flexed men and their weirdly offset nipples and still keep my soul intact. I was wrong. This will be my last entry. I’m sorry.

5. Hey, it’s me. I believe in love again.

Okay, I know I was all “I’m leaving, so let me wax poetic about losing my sanity,” and, like, that’s so embarrassing. ¿Cómo se dice “yikes,” am I right, ladies?

So, I went for a walk and packed my knapsack of meats and cheeses for a delightful, restorative day in the woods, ready to enjoy the atmosphere that is undeniably inhabited by the usual magic toads and singing bulrushes. Then I saw her: cloaked and exuding a powerful aura as she left provocative candies for the local rowdy children of the woods, she looked at me, eyes gleaming

a deadly yet intoxicating red. She walked away, but it was clear from the tilt of her robes she wanted me to follow.

We landed in the Bog, her home a tattered mess of moss and slime. As a seduction tool, I had acquired the tools of romance — namely toxic sludge, enhancers for my sugary sweet feminine pheromones and a fish.

I presented the trout to her, and in a raspy voice, she replied, “It looks as if it would be very easy to bite that raw.” And she did.

Girlboss!

Weeks of passionate love consume me.

I help her set traps for the woodland children and trip over lazily besprinkled bones.

She whispers her thoughts about the ebb and flow of the tides that we humans call “thoughts,” prophecies about the harvester’s moon and asks me if there is any gasoline she can try to huff. Her sheets are, of course,

graphic by Anna Johns

algae, but I find the little bugs that live in her bed charming and friendly.

6. Never mind. I was wrong about love.

From one girl blogger to another, it is with heavy heart that I inscribe the following: even in the arms of the Witch of the Bog, love is a fruitless thing, a careless creation of our lonely psyche. We are empty vessels desperately trying to find something to bridge this abscess, and guess what? It won’t be in the bony arms of a centuries-old Baba Yaga.

Okay, we got in a fight. Okay, she cursed my descendants to a life of pig noses. Okay, I desperately miss her and the way her teeth would drip droplets of blood when she was done with the local children.

I think I’m going to call her.

Without Yahoo Answers, where can I ask my weird sex stuff?

Also, is it still true that there’s a goblin who steals your bones if you participate in premarital sex?

Sara Serrano Resorting to Abstinence I remember the first time I used Yahoo Answers. It was the fourth grade and I was trying to figure out whether polar bears lived in the South Pole. According jcf85, they do and eat a lot of penguins.

With that knowledge in hand, I had a new appreciation for strangers on the internet and this incredible Q&A service.

That’s why I am so saddened by the fact that on May 4, Yahoo Answers will be officially shutting down. For good.

Of course, my queries have since matured from my elementary years. These days, I have questions about engineering and science and … uh … sex.

Like, why is you-know-what leaking from my partner’s you-know-where and why a you-wish-you-didn’t-know is attached to my oh-god-not-there. You can’t just, I don’t know, ask a doctor that! I need the reassurance that only a stranger a screen away can bring.

And it’s not just me who’s in trouble. A whole generation of teens and young adults are soon going to be without an incredibly important sexual health resource. Especially in states like Oklahoma where sex ed is so poor, many of the youth have to turn to Yahoo Answers for basic questions such as, “Am I pregente?” or “is she pergnent?” or even “is it posible to become purgnante after toilet? graphic by Sara Serrano

I fear a new wave of STIs and teen pregnancies is sloshing just over the horizon. We will soon be treading water in a society that can’t tell a penis from a not penis and it’s all Yahoo’s fault.

But I wouldn’t be a good journalist if I didn’t have some potential solutions. Where else can the internet turn for their most gross sexy time questions? I have some options!

Google Pros: LOTS of answers.

Cons: Some are from actual, like, doctors and stuff. Not what we’re looking for. Real info is passed around by ordinary people.

That’s how we get delightful discoveries like QAnon.

Porn-Hub Comment Section Pros: The subject matter is right; the vibes are good.

Cons: Some people might take your queries as invitations for, um, let’s just say “roleplay.”

Bing Pros: Sexy Cons: Bing So as we mourn the death of Yahoo Answers, we must not begrudge the loss of vital sexual health education but look to the future. We must take it upon ourselves to become educators if the knowledge is ever to survive. Take some time out of your day today to answer that one guy’s question on your World of Warcraft forum. Reach out to your Discord server and offer sexual guidance. Be the sexy stranger you used to rely on, and maybe, in our hearts, Yahoo Answers might never really die.