The Connector - March 1, 2016

Update on smoking policy â–ş Page 3

THE UMASS LOWELL

Serving the Student Body Since 1976

March 1, 2016

UMass Lowell takes down Boston College, earns first-round bye in Hockey East playoffs

In This Issue CGR: ‘Metroid Fusion’

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Kyle Gaudette

Merrimack MRKT vs. the P.O.D.

â–ş Page 6 Hockey concussion crisis

George DeLuca/Connector

Connector Editor

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Final River Hawk Scores Team

Score

Overall Record

W. Lacrosse vs. Army

L 10-8 0-3

Baseball vs. Nicholls State

W 9-6

Softball vs. College of Charleston

L 10-0 3-8

Softball vs. Campbell

W 4-3

2-2

3-7

River Hawks downed by #17 Mississippi State, 4-2 UMass Lowell Athletics

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Steve Passatempo (Medford, Mass.) drove in his seventh RBI of the weekend, but the UMass Lowell (1-2) baseball team fell short against #17 Mississippi State (5-2), 4-2 on Saturday afternoon.

The freshman continued his hot start by going 2-4 and driving in the River Hawks first run in the seventh inning. After the first three games of his career, Passatempo is batting .500 (6-12) with two home runs and seven RBI, he has also scored three runs. “We had two bases loaded with one out opportunities and couldn’t get that hit to change the game around,� said Head Coach Ken Harring. “It’s part of the learning curve for such a young team, but we stood toe to toe with a top-20 team and feel like we matchup talent wise. I’m encouraged by the way we competed in games like these in front of 9,000 people, this will only allow us to be better as the season goes on.�

The Bulldogs built a 3-0 lead after four innings of play, capped by a two-run homer off the bat of Ryan Gridley in the fourth. Chris Sharpe (Burlington, Mass.) connected on his third double of the season to lead off the seventh, and came around to score off Passtempo’s single.

In the top half of the eighth UMass Lowell loaded the bases with singles from

When the moment got big, the River Hawks stepped up to make plays.

UMass Lowell knocked off Boston College 3-1 Saturday night at Tsongas Center to finish the regular season 21-8-5 (126-4 Hockey East). “It was a great overall effort,� said UMass Lowell head coach Norm Bazin. “I thought we gutted that one out. The urgency was better throughout the game, and I thought the penalty kill was strong.

We still have some work to do in certain areas, but overall I think you have to be happy with that performance. The goal-tending was also excellent.�

River Hawk teammates celebrate John Edwardh’s goal to open the third period.

The River Hawks needed a win to finish fourth to get a bye in the first round of the Hockey East Tournament starting next week, as well as a loss by Boston University to Notre Dame.

Many of the 6,942 that

packed into the Tsongas stuck around after the game, as the Boston University vs. Notre Dame broadcast was aired on the video board. While the River Hawks were not on the ice to see it, they heard a roar from

the crowd as Notre Dame held on to beat BU 1-0.

Because of that result, UMass Lowell will not be action next weekend, as they can now enjoy a bye week. “We were waiting â–ş See “Mueller,â€? page 8

‘Race’ just barely touches on racial issues Alexa Hyde Connector Staff

“Race� follows the career and achievements of track and field star Jesse Owens (Stephan James) from 1934 to 1936, during which he competed, and medaled, in the Berlin Olympics.

The Stephen Hopkins directed film attempts to explore race in terms of track and field as well as in terms of racial discrimination.

However, the film gives far more screen time to the athletics of Ow-

ens’ life rather than racial tensions in 1930s America.

The movie starts off right away with the successes of Owens, who is preparing to leave his home and family to attend and run track and field at the University of Ohio, where he meets Larry Snyder (Jason Sudeikis), the track and field coach. While initially at odds, Owens and Snyder both strive to have Owens run at the 1936 Olympic games, and come to an understanding before eventually becomCourtesy of Focus Features

► See �Baseball,� page 7

Sections News.............................3 Campus Life.................. 6 A&E.............................. 4 Sports........................... 7 Stephan James portrays Olympic athlete Jesse Owens in the 2016 film “Race.�

ing friends.

While Owens’ college career progresses, where he sets records in several track and field events and wows even the whites in the crowds, another storyline is developed. The American Olympic Committee is going to vote to boycott the Berlin Olympics because of the Nazi’s policies in Germany.

The members of the committees are at odds, and before a vote is cast, it is decided that construction firm owner and Olympic committee member Avery Brundage (Jeremy Irons) will travel to Germany to assess the situation.

As the two storylines gear up for the Olympics, we see situations concerning discrimination grow.

Owens is urged by the NAACP to boycott the Olympics and not run in Berlin. In Germany, Brudage is at odds with the German propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels (Barnaby Metshurat) over the exclusion of Jews and Germany’s growing blatant racism. Brudage and Goebbels eventually come to a ► See �Race,� page 4

UM ASS L OWELL C ONNECTOR

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March 1, 2016

THE UMASS LOWELL

Serving the Student Body Since 1976

UMASS LOWELL CONNECTOR

EDITORIAL BOARD MARLON PITTER Editor-In-Chief REGINA ALONGI Operations Manager KATRINA DESROSIERS Copy Editor NINA PETROPOULOS Web Manager MICHAELA HYDE ZACHARY ZUBER Social Media Managers EVANTHIA TULLY Photo Editor KELLY FREITAS JENNA FREITAS LISETTE PEĂ‘A Graphic Designers

DAVE RUDDERHAM SAM LINSTEAD-ATKINSON News Editors KYLE GAUDETTE HANNAH MANNING Sports Editor SHANE FOLEY Campus Life Editor JEN DESROSIERS BRENDAN JACQUES Arts & Entertainment Editors GRYPHON LAYNE Comics Editor

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March 1, 2016

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NEWS Update on smoking policy and enforcement Taylor Carito Connector Staff

Just a mere two years earlier, students on campus faced clouds of smoke upon exiting buildings, walking through the gazebo on south campus, and outside their dorms. Ashtrays and littered cigarette butts could be found in every entryway. The option to smoke was everywhere, but those who didn’t were left to breathe the fumes. What could be done to resolve this issue without dividing those who smoke and those who don’t?

UMass Lowell initiated its tobacco-free campus policy in September of 2014 with the approval of former chancellor Marty Meehan. Although there was a large controversy over the new rules and regulations regarding smoking on campus, in recent months and in the past year, students who do and do not smoke appear to have mutually settled on the situation.

The tobacco-free campus policy is both backed and enforced by students

and student officials. Amanda Robinson, the chair of the campus life and environmental committee from the fall of 2013 to the spring of 2014, developed the Tobacco Free Coalition.

This initiative was never designed to have a strict enforcement or segregate students who smoke, but simply to create an atmosphere that best adapts to all students, whether they smoke or not. Amanda said, “It was time for us to be a university that recognizes a tobacco free environment is the best environment for living and learning.”

The university becoming tobacco-free provided funding and grants that is used toward programs and awareness about the risk factors of smoking cigarettes and how to quit, which are still offered around campus and in the Wellness Center at University Crossing.

According to the vice president of the Student Government Association (SGA), Jesse Krusczka, for the first year or so the primary objective has

been to simply “notify students and acknowledge the policy has been implemented,” which is still in effect.

The extent of enforcement involves members of residence life and SGA, as well as other student officials, simply and politely asking users of tobacco products to move away from cam-

“Research from other universities suggests that most students would not smoke next to a no smoking sign because it is not a social norm.” pus buildings, which could mean to the sidewalk or across the street.

One way of increasing the knowledge and awareness of the tobaccoand smoke- free policy was increasing the amount of signage around campus, displaying that smoking is prohibited in those specific locations.

After researching other universities and their tactics for preventing smoke on campus, Amanda Robinson concluded, “[The] best way to enforce the policy was to make not smoking a social norm on campus. Research from other universities suggests that most students would not smoke next to a no smoking sign because it is not a social norm.”

Because the university is tobacco-free – in addition to cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products – tobacco vaporizers are also prohibited.

E-cigarettes are debatable due to the fact that they are not specifically written in the approved policy. Going forward, according to Kruszka, the SGA hopes to implement the policy more, but as of right now its main purpose is to inform students that the campus is smoke-free, and, if they wish to quit, where to find information or programs.

UMass Lowell names new provost to lead academic programs UMass Lowell Media Relations

LOWELL, Mass.

– UMass Lowell announced the appointment of its new provost, the university’s chief academic officer, who will guide the institution’s future as a world-class leader in higher education.

Michael Vayda, dean of the University of Arkansas Bumpers College of Agriculture, Food and Life Sciences, will join UMass Lowell in June as its provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. In this role, he will oversee the university’s undergraduate, graduate and online programs in the pursuit of academic excellence, lead student recruitment and admissions, and engage with alumni and the public to advance the university’s goals.

Vayda will serve as a member of UMass Lowell Chancellor Jacquie Moloney’s executive cabinet and play a role in fulfilling the university’s blueprint for its future, “UMass Lowell 2020: A Strategic Plan for the Next Decade.”

“It speaks to UMass Lowell’s national standing that we were able to attract someone with Michael’s talent and record of accomplishment as both an academic and an administrator. I am especially impressed by Michael’s com-

mitment to build upon the strengths of all the colleges and his embracing of our diverse and inclusive culture. I know he will work tirelessly alongside all of us to elevate UMass Lowell to greater heights,” Moloney said.

Vayda, a Princeton-educated molecular biologist, has distinguished himself as a scholar and administrator throughout his career. He is no stranger to New England, having taught as a professor at the University of Maine and University of Vermont, where he was also an associate dean. His full curriculum vitae is available at the provost’s search webpage.

“I am truly honored to be joining Chancellor Moloney’s leadership team at UMass Lowell. The campus has made extraordinary advances in recent years and I am eager to work with the faculty to further advance UMass Lowell as an institution of opportunity for students entering a knowledge-based economy, a source of innovation with our private-sector partners and a catalyst for further economic and cultural enhancement in the Commonwealth,” Vayda said.

UMass Lowell’s growing national reputation as a top-tier public research university attracted a large field of candidates for the provost’s job. Vayda’s selection for the

post was led by a search committee headed by Julie Chen, the university’s vice provost for research, and John Pulichino, ‘67, ‘14 (H), chairman and CEO of Group III International Ltd. “Dr. Vayda’s record as a

only impressed the campus community during his visit, but generated excitement about what we can collectively accomplish as a university.”

Pulichino also praised Vayda.

“Michael’s enthusiasm for

Courtesy of UMass Lowell

Michael Vayda, pictured here, is the new provost of UMass Lowell.

scholar, educator and administrator is perfectly in line with the qualifications the committee sought,” Chen said. “He rose to the top of a very strong pool of candidates with a clear vision for academic programming and faculty engagement. He not

UMass Lowell was definitely a strong point. The university’s success is closely linked to its ability to engage alumni and industry partners. He has the right skill set to be both a strong academic leader internally and a champion for the campus externally.”

In welcoming Vayda to UMass Lowell, Moloney as well thanked former Provost Ahmed Abdelal and current Provost Donald Pierson for their outstanding service to the university.

“We would not be in this position without Ahmed Abdelal, whose seven years of academic leadership were the most successful in the university’s history and whose legacy will never be forgotten. Don Pierson generously agreed to serve a one-year term as provost and his steady hand and deep institutional knowledge allowed us to move forward at full speed academically while conducting an exhaustive search,” Moloney said. “I also applaud the search committee and thank them for their significant contributions throughout this process.”

The national search firm Korn Ferry, which specializes in higher education leadership searches, assisted the search committee. Korn Ferry communicated with 300 prospective candidates, interviewed 73 candidates and presented the credentials of those candidates to the search committee. The search committee interviewed 13 candidates in January and four finalists visited the campus this month for open meetings with faculty and staff.

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March 1, 2016

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ‘Race’ just barely touches on racial issues

March 1, 2016

UM ASS L OWELL C ONNECTOR

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

CW shows of the week Michael Paige

► Continued from front page

deal, influenced by a side business deal, that allows Brudage to convince the American Olympic Committee to participate in the games.

Owens, after qualifying for the Olympics in three events, is faced with the turmoil of giving up his athletic dreams in order to stand up for Germany’s bigotry. He decides, with the help of friends and family, to run in the Olympics.

In Germany, glimpses are seen of the growing power and influence of the Nazis. Snyder stumbles across what appears to be Nazis gathering up several Jews and sending them away, two Jewish-American athletes are asked by Brudage to not run, and Hitler, who was meant to congratulate all gold medalists, refuses to meet and congratulate Owens. Owens, again with encouragement from those around him, is able to boycott Germany in his own, which is by winning.

Through the course of the Olympics, Owens sets several Olympic records and earns four gold metals, inciting the rage of Hitler and the Nazi

regime. Cries of “USA! USA!” can be heard from the viewing stands and notable German athletes fall short of Olympic glory. Owens returns to the United States where he once again

and in Germany, it is only through anecdotes that don’t offer the full scale of bigotry, hatred, and intolerance that Owens met. Owens’ return the United States is also diminished, where

naturally gifted runner.

However, “Race” is able to capture the uncertainty of the times, with reflection on poverty in America during these years, the question over how the United States will act with Germany, and the growing concern in the lives of the German people. While more screen time could have been given to the subplots of the movie, such as with Brudage’s scandal with his business deal with the Nazi regime and his relations with Goebbels, as well as the results of filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl (Carice van Houten) and her outspokenness against Goebbels.

It seems that “Race” hoped to emulate the success that “Selma” saw last year, but feel short as it got stuck in the cliché of a sports film. But, Courtesy of Focus Features “Race” is able to demonstrate the con“Race” tells the story of Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin nection between politics and sports, Olympics. and how sports can be a tool for polfaces discrimination, such as having he still met discrimination beyond the itics between countries and the polito use a separate entrance to the the- scope of denied entrance. In addition, tics of overcoming inequality. While ater than his white counterparts. the sporting events we see are glori- much of the dark surroundings that While parts of the movie are able to fied, and we never see the training and lie on the fringes of “Race” are left show the discrimination Owens and work that Owens put in to get to the untouched, the film opens these more others encountered both in America Olympics. We only see Owens as a abrasive concepts to be explored in the

Classic game reviews: ‘Metroid Fusion’ Shane Foley Connector Editor

Nintendo handheld represent are a genre that has been typically construed as being dominated

by Pokemon games. Each new installment in the series tends to be among the highest selling, with Pokemon X/Y currently selling the most for the Nintendo 3DS. This scrutiny may, though, overshadow some great titles that Nintendo has been able to produce for their handheld consoles. The Game Boy Advanced would be considered one of those systems where the Pokemon game could arguably be the most popular, since Ruby and Sapphire beat Emerald for most sold. Top 10 lists across Youtube won’t have this game to high on their list, however. Sites like Watch Mojo and Screw Attack had Ruby and Sapphire ranked below one specific game that gave Pokemon a run for its money. It may not be from the most popular series, but Metroid Fusion dominated the Game Boy Advanced.

Of the many accolades Metroid Fusion deserves, perhaps the biggest is that it brought Metroid to a generation of 90’s kids who played Super Smash Bros Melee and asked “Samus? What Nintendo game was she in?” Until that point, the most recent Metroid title Nintendo released was Super Metroid on the SNES, a monumental game in its own right.

In 2002 though, Nintendo had to market to kids who never had a SNES. They were introduced to other Nintendo franchises with the success of the N64, with games like Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64, Star Fox 64 and Pokemon Stadium. Metroid Fusion was the game that brought Metroid into the future.

Metroid Fusion was also the last game to feature the classic side-scrolling gameplay that series fans have grown accustomed to. They tried to return to that feature in Metroid Other M, but…we’re not going to talk about that game. Anyways, the player got to control Samus with the Directional Pad to traverse an amazing area and use the action buttons

to shoot the enemies that would appear.

One huge advantage Metroid Fusion has over its predecessors is that it was the first game until that point to have a well-developed plot. There were hints of plot in the other games, but they were typical of other games of their era in that it was only explored at the beginning and end of the game. Take Super Metroid for example. There is a text box at the beginning that lets you know the situation, but then you’re in gameplay until you beat the game.

Metroid Fusion expands from this formula by incorporating relatively short but captivating cut scenes letting you know what you’re doing. In the game, you encounter the X Parasite, a corrosive virus that were naturally hunted by Metroids. Without relating the story of Metroid II, however, Samus has previousely eradicated the Metroids completely, so the X Parasite can now thrive. Samus ends up becoming infected, but immediately cured. She doesn’t realize, though, that once infected, the X Parasite will take the form of its host. So, while being cured, Samus’ Power Suit takes a hit, becoming covered in blue, and there is a Samus Doppelganger, named SA-X, aboard the Biologic Space Laboratories that she has to take out.

In terms of villians, Metroid has typically seen two that reappear in other games: Ridley and Mother Brain. While they deserve the popularity they enjoy, it also should be said that SA-X is a great villain. Most games feature a main villain that you don’t even see until the end of the game. You see SA-X from the beginning. She also has all the power ups of a fully equipped Samus, whereas the real Samus is powered down from the infection. There are many instances where you are close by to the SA-X and must stay hidden, and even others where she spots you and you have to run for your life because one hit takes all of your health. You can only face the SA-X head on when you are completely equipped.

Along with the plot, Metroid Fusion boasts innovative world design. Metroid takes a number from

Zelda at times, where there are three main areas Samus must traverse, and they are usually a jungle area, a fire area, and an underwater area. Fusion takes this and throws it out the window. Instead of three main areas, there are six. Three of them are jungle, fire, and underwater related, but the other three (nocturnal, frozen, and regular cave areas) offer a nice break. There are also hidden passages that can allow the player to move from one area to the other without going to the main hub. What makes this even more innovative is that, though the levels are numbered one through six, you do not go in order. This game always keeps you off balance, and it’s really hard to determine the next route to take.

This game becomes even more rewarding after you travel through these areas because you then find some of the best boss battles in Metroid history. Fusion doesn’t reuse any old bosses (except for Ridley, because it’s a Metroid game), and they are all set at a great difficulty level. Some of these bosses will test you. Some of these bosses will test you a lot. None of them are glitch or gimmick, however.

They just incorporate new mechanics that can take getting used to. For instance, there is no gravity for one fight. There is another where you are hanging from what basically look like Metroid monkey bars as well. You will definitely have to set time for these bosses since you will be dying a lot, but they are engaging and not annoying.

Of course, while it is a new age for gaming, we still have people who play Super Smash Bros for Wii U/3DS and ask “Samus? What Nintendo game was she in?” Metroid is being seen more and more as a retro franchise. There are still opportunities, however, to introduce this great franchise to newer gamers. So, if you’re looking to begin playing through the Metroid games, here are two things to keep in mind: Don’t start with Metroid Other M, and start with Metroid Fusion.

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Connector Editor

CW, over the past four years, has created big triple threat of weekday shows with Arrow, The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow. Due to it already past mid-season for both Arrow and The Flash, a spoiler warning is in effect.

“Arrow 4.15 Taken” In this week’s Arrow, Oliver needs to bring in outside help in the form of Vixen to help take out Damien Darhk and save his son William. William’s reveal to Felicity comes as a shock, not for the fact that Oliver had a son, but the fact that Oliver kept him a secret. The strain becomes too much for Felicity to handle as she stands her ground, literally as she can now walk on her own power, and gives Oliver his ring back.

What stood out in the episode was Vixen, played

by Megalyn Echikunwoke, and her role in this episode. She was given a lot of attention and it worked well as she not only brings a magical side to Team Arrow but also brings the humanizing element of advice when she gives Oliver a choice when it comes to his son being in his life again.

What wasn’t impressive in this episode is a great deal of sketchy writing and poor choices in character actions. From Darhk’s now sudden uselessness to Felicity magically gaining the ability to walk perfectly fine in one day that, by the end of the episode, created a sense of confusion that isn’t pleasing.

Episode Rating: 7.5

Flash 2.15 King Shark After Barry’s and his group return from the parallel Earth-2, Jay Garrick is pulled back through the breech and is trapped with Zoom. Trying to take his mind off his guilt, Barry faces two challenges, one in attempting to win Wally West’s respect as Barry and a 10-foot humanoid shark, King Shark.

King Shark, originally a Superboy villain in the comics, has one task on his mind, kill the Flash so he can go home. Visually King Shark is impressive, looking like an actually menacing enemy. The way he’s brought down, however, is lacking in the sense that The Flash, like he does with most foes, runs in a big circle around him to defeat him, creating a lackluster cap to all the action.

On the character front, it’s once again the side characters that steal the show. Both Cisco and Caitlyn, played by Carlos Valdes and Danielle Panabaker respectively, have a great rapport with Cisco’s natural switches from comedic relief to serious genius and Caitlyn’s believability as a grieving and angry widow.

The one character that falls on a flat note, however, is the main antagonist Zoom. In the back half of the season, Zoom has barely appeared for longer than a minute, snapping off some threats and then leaves once again turning him from a truly frightening villain to an afterthought.

Episode rating: 7 “Legends of Tomorow: 1.6 Star City 2046”

After crashing out of the time-stream Rip Hunter and his cohorts are stranded in Star City, home of Green Arrow, but not in 2016 but 30 years later in 2046. The team once again breaks up into three groups and storylines.

The team sidelined on the ship became the easily most forgettable part of this episode creating an unnecessary love triangle and over-emphasizing Stein’s and Jax’s meta-physical bond. These scenes only distracted from the main action and felt like an unnecessary addition.

Outside the ship Rip and Sarah track down a one armed Oliver Queen straight out of Frank Miller’s “Dark Knight Returns” and his futuristic replacement, John Diggle Jr. who goes by the name Connor Hawk. Mick and Snart, on the other hand go on a spree of debauchery like usual but then Snart tells Mick that he’s no longer in this journey for the cash grab but rather to fight for a luxurious future. Both Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell once again steal the spotlight with their chemistry they built on Prison break.

Legends of Tomorrow is a show with a lot of potential but needs fine tuning. One of the most necessary changes is to refine back the roster for each show; with each episode feeling bloated and containing detracting scenes. What the show does right however is its character connections, as the show is developing you see ties between characters developing making each interaction special and leaves you wanting more.

“Dissonants” album review Emily Toomey Connector Staff

Australian rock band Hands Like Houses have just come back to release their third studio album “Dissonants.”

Hands Like Houses have a musical style like no other.

Combining influences from experiential rock, melodic hardcore and alternative rock, it is no surprise this album is such an attention getter. As a way to get fans pumped for this new album, Hands Like Houses released three singles, “I Am”, “Colourblind” and “New Romantics.”

However, those tracks were only the tip of the iceberg. Every aspect of this album certainly hit the nail on the head.

For fans of Yellowcard, Sleeping With Sirens and Memphis May Fire this album is definitely the one for you.

The first single to be released off the album and first track “I Am” shows the many sides and talents of Hands Like Houses. “You’re one of a thousand voices in my head that all just sound the same” is the staple line of this track.

Hands Like Houses combined harder melodies, and a few harsh screams with exceptional lyrics and singing to create the perfect recipe to success for this track.

This song is definitely more reminiscent of their harder style in their first album “Ground Dweller” while still incorporating a more peaceful melody much like their second album “Unimagine.” This track definitely highlights Hands Like Houses and all their many talents as a whole.

For fans of old school Hands Like Houses, “Division Symbols” is definitely the right track.

This track in cooperates singer Trenton Woodley’s beautiful melodies with their harder guitar style ultimately creating a masterpiece.

Lyrics “alone in this house we’re all broken and hopeless again and again” give this track a more angsty vibe. Hands Like Houses have prided themselves on creating powerful but relatable lyrics and this track is certainly no exception.

This track definitely sets

the tone for the record as whole. This tracked placed on the middle of the album definitely leaves the listener craving more.

Closing track “Bloodlines” is without a doubt the anthem to this record. Combining all their familiar styles with a touch of gang vocals create the perfect vibe for this track and ultimately the record. Lyrics such as “I don’t care if I leave empty-handed.

I will learn if I make my own mistakes,” definitely provide a sense of hopefulness for the listener. This track takes the listener on an emotional journey of feeling like crashing, to picking yourself right back up.

Overall, Hands Like Houses have once again proved their talent.

This record gives fans a new taste of Hands Like Houses while still providing them with the sound they already know and love. This album as a whole is very much a battle cry with strong yet uplifting lyrics. Nothing about this record is anywhere close to disappointment.

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March 1, 2016

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CAMPUS LIFE Anime Club’s Pokemon Day is super effective Shane Foley Connector Editor

On February 27th, 1996, Pokemon Red and Green were released in Japan. 20 years later, the world has set aside the day to celebrate the illustrious franchise, as did University Crossing. The Anime Club sponsored Pokemon Day on the 2nd floor of University Crossing, and held many Pokemon related events for long time fans and newcomers.

“It was also nice seeing all the friends of the franchise come and get together for one day. It was a blast,” said Andrew Crowley, Events Coordinator for the Anime Club who directed the creation of this event.

One particularly pleasant treat the Anime Club had in store for us was the streaming of several of the movies under the Pokemon name that have been released over the years. The Anime Club streamed these in chronological order in room 242, beginning with Pokemon: The Movie. Many of these titles, like Pokemon 2000 and Pokemon: Spell of the Unkown brought a lot of nastalgic memories to a room of people whom watched the

movies as a kid.

“More people than I anticipated stayed for the movies, which was very flattering because I feel like the anime doesn’t get too much attention, but it’s still very fun,” said Crowley.

The Anime Club also made use of the rooms behind 242, namely 247, 248, and 249. Attendees were allowed to battle each other on their 3DS’

“I was flattered, really, that so many people showed up and had the same passion for this event as I did.”

in one room. Another room was set aside for Super Smash Bros for Wii U, a fighting game which features Pokemon like Pikachu and Lucario.

The third room featured an emulator with the game Pokemon Stadium 2 on it. The short lived Pokemon Stadium franchise brought Pokemon battling to the big screen, being playable on the N64. Pokemon Stadium 2 however, incorporating Pokemon from both Kanto and Johto regions, is a fan favorite, almost as much revered as the first installment.

Not only did Crowley take the main role in planning the event, but this is also his brainchild. “I’ve been the events coordinator for the Anime Club for a year now,” said Crowley.

“This is my second semester doing it, and this is the first event I actually created. I have worked on other events that we’ve participated in and had traditionally over the years, but this is the first event that I created not through only my means but through the means of my fellow members. So, it was great being a part of its origional idea, and I was flattered, really, that so many people showed up and had the same

passion for this event as I did.”

Outside from providing games and movies, the Anime Club took extra measures to be accomodating to the attendees of their program. At close to midday, the group purchased several pizza pies and drinks from Dominoes. Most of their programming was also done in democratic fashion. They did not plan to show every Pokemon movie in chronological order; the people their voted for that.

While this was done in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of Pokemon, this event was so succesful that there might be more installments. “This went really well. So, even though this was for the 20th anniversary, I feel as though this could be sort of the new Magikon for the Anime Club. We do several events over the year, including Cosplay Karaoke. We have signature events like that. Maybe in time this will become another signature event for us. So, I’d say we’d definitely shoot for it again probably next year.”

Overall, the Anime Club was very pleased with the turnout.“If anything, it was better than I anticipated,” said Crowley.

Merrimack MRKT vs. the P.O.D. Benjamin St. Pierre Connector Staff

When you’re a student, and a person, or alive, for that matter, you tend to be hungry sometimes.

Hunger is as inevitable as procrastinating on assignments that really deserve to be worked on prior to the night before the due date. What is also inevitable is that sometimes, the dining hall menus don’t exactly seem fulfilling or too tantalizing – this is where the other university meal options come into play, and also, when the two convenience/market-type stores we have on South and East, respectively: Merrimack MRKT and The P.O.D. can be useful.

Merrimack MRKT (with the cool stylization), located on the second floor of the renovated and refurbished McGauvran Center, is relatively large, compared to its surroundings, and is full of items you’d expect to find in any convenience store: candy, cookies, juices and coffee drinks, chips, crackers, condiments, bread, milk and dairy, medicine and toiletries, protein bars, and cereal, to name a decent chunk of its inventory.

The P.O.D., located on the first floor of Fox Hall in an inlet jutting out from Fox Common, has pretty much all the same stock: candy, cookies, condiments, chips, milk and other drinks, toiletries, frozen foods, and readymade sandwiches, to name a lot of it, albeit in a smaller, more compact space.

The telling difference between these two similar stores is that the MRKT benefits not only from being in the redone McGauvran Center, providing

a nice backdrop and atmosphere outside of the shop, but also, that it contains its own bakery and fresh foods section. The bakery produces its own

Benjamin St. Pierre/Connector

Merrimack MRKT serves as South’s equivalent to the P.O.D. on East Campus.

cakes, cupcakes, and other snacks of that variety, whereas the P.O.D. doesn’t have the room for such an enterprise. (Though the P.O.D. does have fruit, which is a nice choice for those health-minded people out there, whoever you are.)

Merrimack MRKT is the shiny new store that gets a lot of attention, while the P.O.D. remains as the sturdy and reliable old-timer that gets things done with no fuss or complaint. The market is like the brand new luxury car that has all those fancy technological add-ons, but it still is a car to take you from one place to another, and The P.O.D. is that 1999 Camry that keeps on plugging, somehow. the P.O.D. has its convenient placement within Fox, for those residents, and Merrimack MRKT has its central location in the middle of McGauvran. Both come together to add their own flavors to the food mix at UMass Lowell, but with different styles, and make it so whatever campus you’re on (between South or East, at least), there are a lot of snack-food options, on top of a lot of other foods, drinks, and miscellaneous supplies.

So when the hunger comes, or, actually, just a panging for some cookies or something, and you can’t make it off campus, both of these places are a good bet to solve your stomach’s woes. Unless you want to use your meal plan that you pay thousands for and go to the dining hall instead.

March 1, 2016

Page 7

UM ASS L OWELL C ONNECTOR

SPORTS Three River Hawks grab All-New England honors UMass Lowell Athletics

BOSTON, Mass. – Three members of the UMass Lowell men’s track and field team earned All-New England honors to highlight the final day of competition, Saturday afternoon, at the New England Championships, at the BU Track and Tennis Center, in Boston, Mass.

Sophomores Richard Mulo (Malden, Mass.) and Daniel Schmith (Bellingham, Mass.) scored points on the track while freshman Dennis Peary (Woburn, Mass.) scored in a variety of events.

Schmith turned in a sparkling performance in winning a second place battle, the 800-meters, that

was decided by just four one-hundredths of a second. Schmith crossed the finish line in a time of one-minute, 52.06-seconds. Rhode Island’s Zach Campo was right on his tail, finishing in a time of 1:52.10.

Schmith ran a very patient race according to UMass Head Coach Gary Gardner. He earned the second place finish and All-New England honors with a terrific kick in the final 100-meters.

“His strength is that he doesn’t panic and he has a great close,” said Gardner. “His confidence carries him in those situations. He works hard and is continuing to grow; he raising the bar.”

Mulo earned All-New England honors in the two

Courtesy of UMass Lowell Athletics

shortest track events, the 60-meter dash and the 200.

He took a sixth place finish in the dash with a personal best time of 6.96-seconds. He followed that with an eighth place finish in the 200 clocking in at 22.32-seconds.

“He’s got a big upside,” said Gardner. “He has a lot of natural skill and now he’s learning how to work hard. You can really see the progress.”

It was also the first time that he had been through three rounds of competition in the 60 meter dash.

Peary grabbed an eighth place finish and All-New England honors in the heptathlon, a seven event mix of running, jumping, throwing and vaulting. Points are awarded based on performance, not placement.

Peary finished with a score of 4,518 points.

“He’s learning how to fight through when you’re not at your best,” said Gardner. “When there are that many events, there are going to be some where you are not at your best. It’s a good lesson and he’s showing maturity.”

Red shirt freshman Vladimir Popusoi (Greenfield, Mass.) also earned All-New England honors in the pole vault, Friday, with a school record vault of 15feet, 11-inches. He placed fifth in the competition.

UMass Lowell finished 14th, with 18 points, in a field of 36 men’s teams. Rhode Island won the team championship.

For some River Hawk athletes the New England Champions wraps up the indoor season, but for others the IC4A/ECAC Championships are next.

That will be Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 4th through the 6th, at the Track and Tennis Center at Boston University.

Richard Mulo, Daniel Schmith and Dennis Perry each earned All-New England honors at the B.U. championship.

River Hawks clipped by Siena, 11-7 UMass Lowell Athletics

ALBANY, N.Y. – Freshman Blaine McMahon (New Milford, Conn.) notched a career- and team- high three points (2g, 1a) as the UMass Lowell men’s lacrosse team hit a 11-7 setback at Siena on Saturday afternoon.

With the loss, the River Hawks fall to 0-3 (0-0 AE) on the season, as Siena improves to 1-4 (0-0 MAAC) overall.

The first period saw plenty of action, as both teams traded goals, but Siena held the, 4-3, edge entering the second period. McMahon opened up the scoring less than a minute into the game to notch his first career goal.

Siena quickly tied the game, 1-1, but freshman Austin Lane (Aurura, Ontario) added his first career goal to help the squad reclaim the, 2-1, lead.

Each side tacked on another goal, including junior Sam Klingsporn (Aloha, Ore.) who gave the River Hawks

a 3-2 lead with 6:35 to play, but the Saint would eventually net back-toback goals, grabbing their first lead of the game to round out the first period.

McMahon struck again in the second period, for his second tally of the contest, to cut the Saints lead to one, 5-4. With 10 seconds to play in the second period, sophomore Matthew Balter (West Sand Lake, N.Y.) blasted one into the back of the net to tie the game, 5-5, for the fourth time. Siena charged down the field and took back the lead once more, on a goal by Tyler Pantalone with three seconds remaining, as UMass Lowell trailed 6-5 at the half.

The third periods lone goal came from Siena’s Jordan Barlow, who help extended the squad’s lead to 7-5.

UMass Lowell added two more goals in the beginning of the fourth, by junior Martin Winter (Lake Oswego, Ore.) and Klingsporn, but the Riv-

er Hawks were ultimately outscored, 4-2, as the Saints took home the 11-7 lead.

Sophomore goalkeeper Grant Lardieri (Ada, Mich.) posted 11 saves in the outing, while Lardieri and freshman Ryder Lessing picked up a team-

best four ground balls and sophomore Will Puduski (Westford, Mass.) lead the squad with four caused turnovers.

The River Hawks are back in action Tuesday, March 1 as the squad travels to Fairfield for a 3 p.m. tilt.

Courtesy of UMass Lowell Athletics

Matthew Balter scored a goal in the River Hawks 11-7 loss to Siena.

Baseball suffers 4-2 loss to #17 ranked Mississippi State ► Continued from front page

Joe Consolmagno (Worcester, Mass.), Zach Tower (Auburn, Mass.) and Sharpe. Ryan Rigby shut down the inning with consecutive strike outs to end the threat. In the bottom of the frame, Jacob Robson tripled to center to bring home Ryan Gridley and increase the buffer to 4-1.

Consolmagno recorded his first RBI of the season, doubling in Oscar Marchena (Miami, Fla.) in the ninth, but Reid Humpreys recovered to record the save.

Tower went 3-for-4 with three singles, and Consolmagno added three hits in five atbats, as well.

Nick Kuzia (Seymour, Conn.) gave up three runs in 3 2/3 innings in his first

start of the year, the sophomore struck out two batters as well. At the mound for the Bulldogs, Daniel Brown went 5 2/3 for the win, not allowing a run and striking out four. Rigby struck out five coming out of the bullpen.

UM ASS L OWELL C ONNECTOR

Page 8

March 1, 2016

SPORTS

Mueller goal lifts Lowell over BC ► Continued from front page

for coach to come in,” said UMass Lowell senior captain A.J. White when asked if the players watched the end of the BU-Notre Dame matchup.

“But we heard the reaction from the fans that were waiting, so that was pretty exciting. It’s always nice to get the extra rest to work on parts owf our game that need to improve.”

The River Hawks outshot the Eagles 18-11 through two periods and had the better scoring chances, but found themselves on a penalty kill with the score still tied to start the final frame.

Down a man, UMass Lowell broke into the offensive zone, and Tyler Mueller wristed a shot that beat BC goalie Thatcher Demko to his left for a short-handed goal that gave the Riv-

er Hawks renewed energy to go along with a 2-1 lead.

“I kind of saw a loose puck, and I think it was Eddy (John Edwardh) had a nice net-drive there which pushed their D-men back,” said Mueller. “I just tried to put it on net, and fortunately it went in.”

Six minutes later, Edwardh got the puck on his backhand in front of the net, and made a beautiful spin move to get it onto his forehand and fire past Demko to give UMass Lowell the 3-1 lead and some much needed breathing room.

The River Hawks continued to press in the final minutes in search for another goal. Dylan Zink was put in the box for interference with 1:39 left in

George DeLuca/Connector

John Edwardh had a goal and an assist in Saturday night’s 3-1 win over BC.

regulation, which gave the U P C OM I N G Eagles a 6-on-4 chance River Hawk Games after they pulled Demko.

UMass Lowell goalie KevTuesday, Mar. 1 3 p.m.

MLAX at Fairfield in Boyle turned away a few shots, but the River Hawks Wednesday, Mar. 2 3 p.m.

WLAX vs. Siena continued to display a physical defensive style Friday Mar. 4 11 a.m. BB vs. Delaware St. they were able to maintain all game.

1 p.m. .M+WXCTF at. B.U. Friday, Mar. 4 “They were quick and very very strong tonight,” Saturday Mar. 5 11 a.m. BB vs. Delaware St. said Boston College coach Jerry York. “They had a 1 p.m. MLAX vs. Jacksonville U. Saturday, Mar. 5 good forecheck. That forecheck really prevented us For more sports information and full game schedules visit goriverhawks.com Bradel from coming out of our end smooth.”

White got the River after opening-weekend road losses Hawks the lead midway through the first when he buried an this season to record huge bounceopportunity after a rebound found back wins against high-ranking teams him on the opposite end of the crease. such as Providence, Boston University Both teams played a defensive first pe- and now Boston College.

The River Hawks have had their riod, as the shots were tied at just five greatest success playing in front of the heading into intermission.

UMass Lowell faithful this season, The Eagles answered four minutes and, with tonight’s clutch win, have into the second period when Alex Tuch rocketed one past the blocker earned the luxury of doing so at least of Boyle. Each team benefited from twice more.

“I think we’ve played some excela power play, but neither was able to lent road games, but there is nothing convert on the man advantage. like playing in front of some great fans While the opponent is not yet like this,” said Bazin. “We have the known, finishing fourth in Hockey East guarantees UMass Lowell will number one attendance in the league have a home series come the weekend and I’m very proud of that. The guys of March 11-13. The River Hawks love playing in front of these fans.” have returned to the Tsongas Center

Concussion crisis in ice hockey Michaela Hyde and Alexa Hyde Connector Staff

Commissioner of Hockey East, Joe Bertagna, and a nine-year veteran of the NHL, Dan LaCouture, visited UMass Lowell on Thursday, February 25 to speak to students regarding the ongoing concussion crisis in ice

hockey.

LaCouture was initially drafted by the New York Islanders in 1996 as a forward.

While not originally a starter, LaCouture was able to gain notoriety in the NHL by getting into fights on the ice.

After being traded to several different teams, including the Boston Bruins, throughout his Courtesy of the New York Times

Former New York Islander Dan LaCouture visited UMass Lowell.

career, a fight in 2004 while he was a part of the New York Rangers left LaCouture with a concussion that would lead to the end of his career in 2006. Now, LaCouture is one of several former NHL players involved in a class-action lawsuit against the league.

Bertagna also showed concern over the growing issue of concussions, particularly in regards to youth hockey and college hockey. Bertagna specializes in the development and enforcement of rules to protect players’ safety and to minimize serious injuries, especially concussions.

“Ever since the subject of concussions has been elevated in national discourse, contact to the head becomes one of our points of emphasis,” Bretagna said on Hockey East’s stance on concussion prevention. “There’s actually a penalty that never existed before, contact to the head.”

LaCouture and Bertagna went on to discuss the current state of hockey and the culture surrounding it. Bertagna mentioned the changing rules of youth hockey, where checking has been removed

until kids are older and the state of concussion prevenphysicality of the sport has tion in the NHL, LaCouture been lessened. Both men ref- comments that less fighting, erenced the response of the like in the Olympics and the hockey community, especialCourtesy of Hockey East ly from youth hockey parents.

LaCouture, a current youth hockey coach, mentioned how parents are often the ones inciting violence from the young players. However, LaCouture also commented that the hockey community, especially fans and parents of players, are reluctant to see any changes to the sport.

Another concern raised about concussions was the reluctance to acknowledge them and the effects they car- Commissioner Joe Bertagna. ry, by both players and coach- NHL playoffs, would allow es. LaCouture noted that he for better safety of the playwould stay in games after hits ers and for better hockey in to the heads, and Bertagna general. Both Bertagna and reflected on his college play- LaCouture state that they are ing days, when he played just not looking to change hockey three days after losing con- or much of the culture sursciousness on the ice. LaCou- rounding the sport. Instead, ture also recalled situations in they want to protect the playhis time playing in the NHL ers and make hockey safer by where players were able to holding the NHL accountable cheat concussion tests and for the head injuries of playcoaches urged players to re- ers and by changing and beturn to the game after hits to ing stricter in rules, especially the head. at the youth and collegiate Looking forward on the levels.