The University News Celebrating 90 Years as a Student Voice of Saint Louis University
Vol. XCI No. 22
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FAST FOOD BECOMING HEALTHY?
Thursday, March 22, 2012
The fast food industry is changing portion sizes and more >> SCIENCE
Atlas Week promotes international awareness
March Madness 2012
A valiant effort
Blue the Billiken Spring has sprung!
Read and Recycle The University News prints on partially recycled paper.
Vandy fields set to receive upgrade Synthetic turf to provide safer surface News Editor
News Editor
See “Atlas” on Page 3
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By BRIAN BOYD
By BRIAN BOYD
More than 130 events will give the Saint Louis University community an opportunity to gain understanding of global social justice issues prevalent today. The 2012 Sam and Marilyn Fox Atlas Week, beginning on March 26, will host a diverse array of events, ranging from prominent speakers to a Billiken World Festival in the quad. The Atlas Week events are primarily predicated upon a theme of “Empowering Humanity Through Social Justice.” Michelle Lorenzini, director of the Atlas Program and SLU assistant professor of Political Science, said that the theme links the local community with global issues. “In recent years, we’ve tried to stress global-local connections,” Lorenzini said. “Not only how global events affect local events, but also how local events have a global impact.” The events are proposed and planned by students, faculty and staff, and the week, according to Lorenzini, “fosters interdisciplinary collaboration across the University.” This year, Atlas Week will serve as the culminating event of the Interfaith and Community Service Challenge. The nation-wide interfaith initiative is administered by the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and the Corporation for National and Community Service, and it challenges colleges and universities across the country to commit to a year of interfaith programming and service. Lorenzini said that this year’s theme was selected to complement the Interfaith Challenge. The week will begin with an interfaith prayer service on March 26. Of the events, 19 focus on interfaith topics, including seminars seeking to educate students on different religions such as “Judaism 101” and “Hinduism 101.” On March 29, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and successful business executive Sheryl WuDunn will deliver the keynote address of Atlas Week. WuDunn co-authored a book with her husband titled “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide.” “They believe that the best way to alleviate or eradicate poverty is to educate women and girls. Half the world’s population is being denied education, and half the population isn’t even participating in the political, economic or social system,” Lorenzini said. “Really, education is the best strategy for poverty alleviation.” Nipun Gupta, Intern for the Atlas Program and 2012 Atlas co-chair of programming, said that WuDunn fit the criteria for Atlas Week’s message. “We were looking for someone who has an international focus and who is well educated about the issue, and someone who has a scholarly component to them as well but has been actively involved
WHO’S PLAYING SPRING FEST BESIDES SUPER MASH BROS?
After years of wear-andtear by club and intramural athletes, the field at Laclede Street and Vandeventer Avenue will be replaced with synthetic turf. Resurfacing will take place in the summer and the field will be available for use starting in the fall semester. The project was made possible due to availability of funding from the student wellness fee. It was also propelled by quickly growing student interest. Students participating in intramural sports as well as club sports have used the field as their primary outdoor grounds for many years. It is the practice and gameday field for the club Rugby team. When organized sports did not occupy the field, students used the grounds for ultimate Frisbee and soccer pick-up games. Recently, closures became commonplace and matches were rescheduled, moved into the Simon Recreation Center, or canceled. Additionally, numerous students suffered injuries while participating in activities on the Laclede-Vandeventer field. In the past year, concerns for the safety of students have been greatly vocalized. Student Government Association recognized the severity of the issue. In the fall, SGA released a survey that received
overwhelming feedback from students that supported improvements to the LacledeVandeventer field. Accordingly, SGA requested this past winter that University administration consider resurfacing the field. “I did all I could to make this a priority and to ensure it was done during our term. I was ecstatic when it got approved because it showed me how positive things can be when people work together to better our school,” SGA President Matt Ryan said. The current grass field will be replaced with a synthetic product “that is safe and durable,” according to a message from SGA President, Matt Ryan to the student body on March 8. In addition, the turf field will allow use to endure through inclement weather. In the past, excessive mud after rainstorms would set back a full day of scheduled events. The project is set for completion before the fall semester. As before, the field will be available for open recreation as well as for intramural and club sport use. The high quality of the field and the heightened capacity for traffic opens up broader possibilities for use of the field. “Speaking with intramural and club sports players, I can tell you they are extremely grateful for the changes and excited to get playing on it next fall,” Ryan said.
Emily Diehl / Associate Multimedia Director
Senior Brian Conklin played his last game in a Billiken uniform in a loss to Michigan State.
Billikens end season with NCAA appearance By CHARLES BOWLES Associate Sports Editor
The clock has struck midnight and the season is over, but the valiant effort in the 65-61 loss against Michigan State closes one of the most successful seasons in Billikens basketball season in recent memory. The Bills conclude this year with a 26-8 record, ending in the third round in the NCAA tournament. The team was briefly nationally ranked for the first time since the 1993-94 season. The Billikens defeated teams this season like: Washington, Xavier, Villanova and Memphis.
“We fought our guts out. They’re a terrific team. I don’t know that we could have played better,” Head Coach Rick Majerus said. The Bills opened the season on a six-game winning streak and won the 76 Classic over the Thanksgiving holiday. After winning the 76 Classic, the team found itself in the Associated Press Top 25, but they quickly fell off the list after a loss to Loyola Marymount. After losing to Loyola Marymount, the Bills won another six-straight games. Majerus got his 500th victory as a head coach against IllinoisSpringfield, and the Bills were
12-1 going into The Pit at New Mexico. After the 12-1 start, the Bills then dropped three out of four games against New Mexico, Dayton and Temple, making the Bills fall to a 13-4 record. After three more wins including a 73-68 win against Xavier, the Bills dropped another game in the Atlantic 10 against Massachusetts, making their overall record 16-5 at the time. The Bills then won another six-straight games but then suffered a last-second loss to Rhode Island on the road, but the Bills concluded the
Jennifer Wang / Photo Editor
The grass fields located on the corner of Vandeventer Ave. and Laclede St. will be replaced with artificial turf. The field is frequently used for intramural sports.
Class holds fundraiser to combat hunger
See “NCAA” in SPORTS
fessional studies,” said Elizabeth Richard, professor in the Communication Department On March 17, a Commu- and the instructor of the Comnication 420: Communicat- municating in Small Groups ing in Small Groups class, class. “And so at the same taught in the School for Pro- time we’re having the classes fessional Studies, raised more for the incarcerated students, than $3,400 for an organiza- there is a class that mirrors tion called Brenden’s Friday that on the outside that’s also Backpack. It is not unusual happening at the same time. to hear about social justice This is an opportunity for an projects being held by Saint underrepresented commuLouis University students, nity to have a really great edubut this particular project is cational opportunity.” unique in that it was held by The Communications a class of Eastern Reception, class, taught by Richard, aims Diagnostic and Correctional to promote communication Center staff members though and leadership skills while SLU’s Colworking in lege In Pristeams. As on Program. a part of The SLU the class, College In This is an opportunity the stuPrison Prodents had for an underrepresented gram is a to work program that community to have a re- t o g e t h e r brings colfor five lege classes ally great educational op- weeks to to the in- portunity. do a projmates and ect that staff memwould in bers at the some way prison in -Elizabeth Richard improve Bonne Terre, the comMo. The program, which munity. began in 2008, aims to give Three projects were proinmates a future when they posed in the class, but the stuleave the prison by providing dents decided to hold a funthem with an education. In draiser for the organization addition to educating the in- Brenden’s Friday Backpack. mates, the College In Prison Brenden’s Friday BackProgram also offers similar pack is an organization that classes for the staff members works to curb the problem of the prison. of childhood hunger. Ac“There are staff members cording to their website, the who are earning an associates degree in the School of proBy KRISTEN MIANO
B-School adds Masters program Financial Econ gives students a new skill set By JAMES MEINERS Managing Editor
Looking for a place to wait out the recession? Students having trouble with job searching will have another option this fall as Saint Louis University opens a new Master’s program. The Master of Science in Applied Financial Economics, or MS-AFE, is a joint offering from the Finance and Economics departments in the John Cook School of Business. Chair of the Economics Department, Heather Bednarek, is excited about the program because it will hopefully help students find jobs. She emphasized that there will not be any work experience required, in contrast to many MBA programs. “This was a kind of program that can be completed almost as a fifth year, so the focus would tend to be more on skills: technical, quantitative, analytical,” Bednarek said. “They could then use that and parlay it into a position and hit the ground running.”
Homoud Al- Jalahma / Staff Photographer
The MS in Financial Economics program, the John Cook School of Business’s newest Masters degree, will increase student’s skills and employment options. Some of the kinds of firms graduates could work for, according to Bednarek, include biotech or financial companies like, local outfits Monsanto, Wachovia Securities or Edward Jones, as well as the Federal Reserve. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics website, “Candidates who hold a master’s or Ph.D. degree in economics will have the best employment prospects and advancement opportunities.”
Other students who may be interested in this program include people well-versed in the quantitative skills required for jobs in this field but who need to further their written and oral communication of quantitative work or students considering a doctorate in econ. The program will cater to different groups of students: full-time, which will finish See “B-School” on Page 3
Associate News Editor
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Thursday, March 22, 2012
Let Us Introduce You
Nipun Gupta
Atlas Week co-chair strives to live out the Jesuit Mission By BRIAN BOYD News Editor
Nipun Gupta has spent the past four years performing an admirable balancing act. Gupta, a senior Philosophy, International Studies and Pre-Medicine student, pulls triple-duty as a student, Atlas Week Co-Chair of Programming, and as one of the founders of Saint Louis University’s Interfaith Alliance. Gupta made her way to SLU from O’ Fallon, Ill. after becoming familiar with the University through her sister, a SLU alumna. She credits the extracurricular opportunities and the Jesuit mission as a driving force in her decision. “One of the biggest draws is that it’s a Jesuit University. I’m not Christian. I’m Hindu, actually, but the values that are supported by the Jesuit tradition were really appealing to me,” Gupta said. “It’s definitely been a good fit in terms of all the service and social justice work that goes on here on campus. I feel the students and campus have a really great sense of how we can use our own lives to better the lives of others.” Gupta has always been drawn to understanding religions and the beliefs of others. As a student at O’ Fallon High School, she helped create an interfaith study group. She said that discussing the subject of faith with her friends of various beliefs was one of the things that spurred her to create the group. Gupta said that misconceptions and stereotypes that permeate certain faiths also encouraged her friends and herself to start the study group. “We thought it would be a really constructive way to increase our own knowledge about other traditions and help others dispel those misconceptions and stereotypes,” Gupta said. Her freshman year at SLU, Gupta followed a similar pattern. With a group of friends on campus, they began the Interfaith Alliance, a group dedicated to increasing un-
THE SLU SCOOP All Information Provided by Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Sunday, March 18
4:53 p.m. - Stealing DPSEP received a call from security at a bar. DPSEP spoke with a student that was a victim of a stealing. The victim stated that her purse was taken from her at the entrance to the bar. There were no injuries. SLMPD responded and issued a report. Pro Staff was notified.
MIinghao Gao / Staff Photographer
derstanding of various faith traditions through dialogue and community service. “I happened to have a diverse group of faith backgrounds among my friends and we thought it would be a great group to have here at SLU,” Gupta said. “Now, four years later, it’s grown immensely beyond what we expected and it is growing strong.” Gupta’s curiosity towards faith traditions and serviceoriented nature played a role when she selected her majors at SLU. Her desire for an academic challenge while helping others led her to Pre-Medicine, while her interest in the philosophy of religion and cultures led her to Philosophy and International Studies. “It’s a really hands-on way to improve others’ lives and its very tangible and concrete way to help others and improve their livelihood,” Gupta said. Gupta admits that balanc-
ing a demanding course load while remaining active on campus has been a challenge. “There were a lot of late nights and all-nighters, and a lot of help from my friends especially. They’re the only way I could have gotten through, with their help and support,” Gupta said. After she graduates in the spring, Gupta plans on attending medical school, but remains unsure on where she will attend. Although undecided on the type of medicine she would like to practice, Gupta said she has considered pediatrics but “it will depend on what I like in medical school when I get real exposure to the clinical aspects.” Although on the verge of medical school, Gupta still remembers her childhood dream of being an astronaut. “It would be really cool, but not a dream job in a lot of other ways…like being in space for five years at a time,” Gupta said.
Monday, March 19
10:52 a.m. - Elevator Entrapment An employee was stuck in a freight elevator for 30 minutes before anyone heard him calling for help. DPSEP and Maintenance responded. The employee was extracted a short time later. There were no injuries. 11:38 a.m. - Stealing over $500 A student left her laptop on a desk in the library. She was gone for a few minutes and when she returned, she found that unknown person(s) removed the computer from the charge cord. SLMPD responded
and filed a report.
Tuesday, March 20
3:43 p.m. - Stealing under $500 DPSEP received a call from a student advising that person(s) unknown removed his bicycle from a bike rack. The bike was locked to the rack, but there was no evidence of the lock being cut. The student was advised to contact SLMPD to file a report.
Be a Responsible Billiken STOP. CALL. REPORT. 314-977-3000 witness.slu.edu dps.slu.edu
CIPP: Class project raises more than $3,400 Continued from Page 1
children would leave school on Friday and not have the means or access to eat again until they returned to school on Monday. To combat this, Brenden’s Friday Backpack began sending children who exhibited the most need home on Friday with a backpack full of food so they would not go hungry over the weekend. To raise money for the organization, the class held a trivia night which feature a food drive, a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle. The local community donated prizes and supplies to help the event run smoothly. “The outpouring of support form the community was amazing,” Richard said. “They raised a ton of money and took in a lot of food donations. “
Kenneth Parker, a professor of Theology and the coordinator of the College in Prison Program, said that he thinks a project like this is a great education experience
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This type of ser vice learning project cultivates team work and interpersonal cooperation around a worthy cause.
-Kenneth Parker
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for the students in the program. “This type of service learning project cultivates team work and interpersonal cooperation around a worthy cause,” Parker said. “I think
Professor Richard’s work, and that of our students, is an example of cultivating that principle of becoming “men and women for others.” This can only have a positive effect, both at home, in the community, and in the prison.” Richard agrees that this project was beneficial for the class that it taught the students to tackle the big problems they face head on and to not be afraid of challenges that might arise. “What we wanted students to think about was that there are tons of reasons to say no to a huge project like this,” Richard said. “But it’s just to show that no matter what small thing we are capable of doing, that’s where great things come from. These small acts of kindness, these small good deeds can really turn into these huge things like this.”
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Thursday, March 22, 2012
Editoral board elects new Editor-In-Chief B-School: Program builds finance skills By MARK CAMPOS Senior Staff Writer
Brian Boyd, a junior, never thought in his wildest dreams did he think he would become ediBrian Boyd tor-in-chief of The University News. “I didn’t foresee my involvement being what it is now,” Boyd said. “I just kept writing for The UNews, and eventually, I got here... It’s an honor.” Despite taking his work seriously, Boyd admits that a large part of working in The University News’ office is having fun, he said. “We work hard and we do a good job, but we’re also just a bunch of goofballs,” Boyd said, “It’s a good environment for being such a stressful business. Everyday is an adventure.”
Regardless of his capa- election process. He will sucbilities, Boyd has his peers to ceed current editor-in-chief thank for his success, he said. graduating senior Jonathan “Without [my friends’] sup- Ernst. port, keeping me on the even “He has a really good head keel, I definitely wouldn’t be on his shoulders, and I think here,” Boyd said. “And I defi- he has a lot of qualities that nitely wouldn’t be here with- will make him a strong leadout my mom.” er for The University News,” Five canE r n s t didates aps a i d , plied for the “That’s positon and why he after five and He has a really good was electa half hours head on his shoulders, ed.” of interviews Boyd and delibera- and I think he has a lot b e g a n tion, the cur- of qualities that will make w r i t i n g rent Editorial news and Board made him a strong leader for s p o r t s the decision The University News. columns to vote for as a sophBoyd. omore Staff mem- -Jonathan Ernst in high bers who are school, involved with The UNews he said, and prior to enrollsuch as Web Coordinator and ing at SLU he took part in The Student Development admin- University News’ freshman istrator, Laura Thompson, As- entry program. The program, sistant Vice President of Stu- which took place three days dent Developmen,t Leanna before classes officially startFenneberg, Business Advisor, ed, introduced students to Don Highberger also attend- writing for the campus paper. ed to provide assistance in the From there, Boyd contin-
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ued to write for the paper as a staff writer, was promoted to sports editor and then to news editor. “They had this program where you come to SLU three days early and just hang out with The UNews- get some journalism training and see the city. I decided to go for it,” Boyd said, “[Now] I’m going on six years of journalism experience as a writer, and this is going on my second year as an editor,” he said. In addition to continuing programs put in place this year, such as UNews podcasts and the “Billiken Minute,” Boyd intends to strengthen the paper’s relationship with SLU alumni, some of whom are prominent journalists today, he said. Boyd, a Chicago native, is a student in the John Cook School of Business studying Finance and Accounting. He said that he hopes to continue to provide quality journalism for the SLU community and build a strong staff while keeping The UNews a successful publication.
Former marine fights for social justice
Continued from Page 1
within a calendar year, and part-time, which have the option of taking up to five years to finish the degree. The program will consist of 30 hours, 21 of which will make up the core. Within the core requirements are two courses in econometrics, which are important to many employers. The classes will teach students how to estimate time series models using E-Views, Gauss, MATLAB, STATA and SPSS, programs that are vital to graduates looking for work in the field of economic or financial analysis. Many of the electives will be continuations of undergraduate coursework, including classes focused on fixed income securities, derivative securities, equity securities or international economics. “Both departments have had master’s programs in our past, but over time, for various reasons, they’ve been put to rest,” Bednarek said. “I think this is a place where we can really bring our strong suits to bear and join forces to help [create a strong program].” There are schools similar to SLU with this kind of program. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville has a Master’s degree in Economics and Finance. Two Jesuits schools offer Master’s degrees in financial economics: University of Detroit Mercy and Fordham University. Bednarek says that the new program at SLU is different from others in that it focuses on the applied tech-
nical skills that employers are seeking. The fact sheet about the program says that the skills employers are looking for that the program will impart include portfolio management, risk analysis, investment performance measurement and forecasting. This program could also produce more research from both departments. “One of the critical pieces of the program is the last semester here [when students undertake] a capstone. That capstone is not really a thesis but an application,” Bednarek said. “So it’s a place where they can bring all of what they’ve spent the last year working on, in terms of bringing the theory, the empirical, the quantitative, as well as a writing component…to become a collaborative effort with the faculty.” There has been some interest from current undergraduates already. Finance major and senior Christopher Graflage will likely be applying to the program this spring. “I’m interested because it increases my knowledge of financial markets and will be great preparation for any type of analyst position especially the position I’d like, financial analyst,” Graflage said. “Also since analyst positions are very competitive I’m hoping that having a specialized masters degree such as this will help distinguish me from other candidates.” Students who would like to inquire further will have the opportunity at an open house today, Thurs. March 22, from 4-5 p.m. in Cook Hall 232.
Atlas: Celebrates culture Continued from Page 1
Homoud Al-Jalahma / Staff Photographer
Staff Sergeant Eric Alva spoke in the Wool Ballrooms on Monday, March 19 about his time in the Marine Corps, his injuries in Iraq and his campaign against the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Under DADT, military personnel were not permitted to inquire about other soliders’ sexual orientation and soliders were not permitted to disclose if they were homosexual. Alva, an openly gay veteran, joined up with the Human Rights Campaign to help successful repeal DADT.
component to them as well but has been actively involved with the issue they’re talking about,” Gupta said. Another key event of the week is the Billiken World Festival takes place on March 30 in the quad. The Festival features international student groups displaying their culture and ethnic cuisine. “It’s a great community events where people can come out and see the diversity culture at SLU and see the service projects that people are involved with on campus,” Gupta said. Gupta said that Atlas Week is an effective tool for gaining understanding of global issues and offering students a mean to combat global issues. “As a student, it’s easy to fall into your own little bub-
ble of classes and social life and not be knowledgeable of what’s going on the other side of the world,” Gupta said. “We try to stress how students can get involved with some of these issues and contribute to change in the world instead of just hearing about them on the news and saying oh that’s unfortunate.” Lorenzini said that in many ways, Atlas week is the largest diversity event on campus, and that the student-organized events play a large role in its successes. “I have found and learned that most students learn best from other students, so sometimes student events are the best,” Lorenzini said. “Another good thing if you want to promote student activism, it’s much better if students can see what their fellow students are doing.”
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Thursday, March 22, 2012
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Science Science Briefs Obama Addresses Energy Concerns
The University News Talk to us: Liz Kiefer 314.977.2812 science@unewsonline.com
Thursday, March 22, 2012
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Food for thought
Will smaller, healthier portions lead to smaller waists? By GABBY GEERTS Staff Writer
President Obama spoke in Nevada yesterday, beginning his “all-of-theabove” energy tour. On this tour, the president hopes to gain support for nationally produced oil and alternative energy. Obama emphasized the importance of solar engery, as he adressed in audience in front of a solar energy plant. The tour will continue as the president travels to New Mexico, Oklahoma and Ohio.
SLU Introduces Global Aviation degree Parks College of Engineering will begin offering a degree in global aviation this fall. This degee will prepare students for international flight careers. Students will spend their freshmen year at SLU’s Madrid campus and the following three years at the Midtown campus. For more information, visit parks.slu.edu.
“Rebound Rumble” Comes to SLU On March 22-24, highschool students from several states will compete in the FIRST Robotics Comeptition at Chaifetz Arena. The students have spent the past six weeks designing and building robots, with help from engineers.These robots are designed to shoot the highest number of basketballs into hoops in two minutes, fifteen seconds. Students will compete for a place in the championship, held at the Edward Jones Dome on April 2528.
The desire for healthier food and smaller pant sizes has sparked a change in the food-service industry. In a study done by the Center for Disease Control, 35.7 percent of Americans are obese, just over one-third. This heavy statistic is causing fast food companies to start a new trend; out with the supersize, in with the smaller size. A Big Mac alone weighs in at 540 calories, with the meal deal tipping the scale at 1130 calories, assuming medium french fries and a regular Coke are ordered. This meal equates to more than half of the daily recommended intake of 2000 calories for the average adult. And the icing on the cake? Medical Coding found that the average American eats fast food at least once a week. In a random poll of 20 SLU students, 13 of them said that they eat fast food at least once a week, and seven said it was two or more times a week. The commonly listed reasons for eating fast food are that it is quick, cheap and better than on-campus dining. The main deterrent for not eating out was transportation, followed closely by funding, even though the food is quite inexpensive. The obvious solution to the fast food portion control is to just eat less of your meal; save some for later. However, Americans do not seem to have the willpower. A large amount of research has been done on the subject, and it all concludesthat Americans are reliant on what they see to indicate fullness. If there is a plate only half eaten, you must still be hungry. The physiological stomach-to-brain cue is ignored, and instead we strive to be-
come members of the “clean plate club.” Cutting back on portion sizes, then, is the next logical step. It does not matter if we lick our plates clean, as long as what was put on them is not in gigantic quantities. The fast food industry has been taking steps to try and limit how much of their food consumers actually consume. McDonald’s has recently added a snack size McFlurry, which comes in an 8-ounce cup. And Dairy Queen rolled out a Mini Blizzard that clocks in at 6-ounces, half the size of
a small 12-ounce Blizzard. Restaurants are starting to jump on board, as well. Applebees has added a section to their menu that highlights options that are less than 550 calories. T.G.I. Friday’s has a “Right Portion, Right Price” menu for small meals and small prices, and it also has a “Better for You” section with meals that have no more than 500 calories and 10 grams of fat per serving. Certified Executive Chef Michael Milster said, “One of the biggest things I’ve noticed is that the portion sizes at fast food [restaurants] has
Professor receives exercise research grant ‘Space Junk’ highlights
growing global concern By ELIZABETH KOOP Staff Writer
Sam Fangyu Wu / Staff photographer
A SLU student exercises on a treadmill at the Simon Recreation Center.
James Cameron Unveils “Vertical Torpedo” Director James Cameron has designed an innovative submersible, capable of travelling deeper than any other submarine. Cameron calls his machine a vertical torpedo. It is a revolution to the field of ocean exploration because it utilizes vertical movement, rather than traditional horizontal travel. Cameron is planning on exploring the most remote parts of the Mariana Trench this month. For this, the submersible will travel 6.8 miles under the surface, almost three miles deeper than the most advanced submersibles are able to dive.
changed so much over time.” He added that people just ate a lot less years ago. There were not any different sizes; it was all one generic size. “The average meal was a smallsized hamburger, a small fry and a 12-ounce soda,” he said. “Also, there was no such thing as Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, double cheese, etc.” According to the McDonald’s website, now the child’s size is 12 ounces. The rise of not only making foods have less calories, but healthier is also growing in popularity. Today, a McDonald’s Hap-
py Meal contains a burger or chicken nuggets, french fries, a toy, a soft drink and now fruit. This past summer, McDonald’s launched the new Happy Meal that automatically includes both french fries and produce, typically in the form of apples. Other produce options may include carrots, raisins or mandarin oranges, depending on geographic location. Freshman Taylor Wilson is happy with the changes. “I think that if fast food restaurants have [healthier] options, it will encourage more people to eat better,” she said. Since fruit is now included, the french fry holder has now shrunk down to 1.1 ounces from 2.4 ounces. Also, parents can opt to sub out the french fries and order two servings of fruit. ABC News estimates that this addition of produce will save 49 billion calories in American kids’ diets every year. In addition, McDonald’s has promised to reduce sodium in all of its menu items by 15 percent by 2015. McDonalds is not the only chain to make changes. Places like Burger King, Chili’s and IHOP are all taking steps to offer healthier options by increasing servings of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy. These items will aim to have less saturated fat, sugars and sodium, all of which are things that should be limited in our diets. While fast food and eating out in general is not considered the healthiest option, these businesses are attempting to cut back on calories while beefing up the nutritional value of their food. This movement could potentially be the change America needs to help pull the obesity epidemic in the lighter direction.
SLU researchers hope to perfect method for diagnosis of exercise-induced dyspnea By TJ ALLMAN Staff Writer
Professor Katherine Newsham was recently awarded a grant by the Mid-America Athletic Trainer’s Association (MAATA) for her study of exercise-induced dyspnea. Dyspnea is defined as abnormal or uncomfortable breathing in the context of what is normal for a person according to his or her level of fitness and exertion threshold for breathlessness. Dyspnea is a common symptom and can be caused by many different conditions. Although other causes may be involved, the cardiac and pulmonary systems are most frequently involved in diagnosis of dyspnea. Exercise-induced dyspnea, or EID, is a common problem for athletes and is often thought of as the increase of asthmatic-like symptoms during the act of exercising. This includes shortness of breath and pain in the ribs or side. When an athlete reaches the point that he or she needs to seeks medical care, they are often diagnosed with
exercise-induced bronchospasm. Unfortunately, as many as 40 percent of these diagnoses are inaccurate, meaning some other condition, possibly dyspnea, is causing the problem. The inaccurate diagnoses can contribute to increased physician visits, increased medical testing and increased cost of managing the condition, to say nothing of the frustration experienced by the athletic patient. “We believe that a diagnostic testing protocol that emphasizes ‘point of care’ testing and minimal specialized equipment could provide the athletic health care team with objective measures to guide the development of an appropriate plan of treatment while minimizing costs and time often associated with evaluation of EID,” Newsham said. Newsham’s study will try to diagnose what exact symptoms can be defined as dyspnea and what is the best way to test for it. “This grant provides us with funding to purchase test kits that evaluate exerciseinduced bronchospasm, and we are utilizing the facilities,
equipment and expertise of the SLU faculty in various disciplines to evaluate other conditions, including vocal cord dysfunction,” Newsham said. Athletes and exercise enthusiasts everywhere can hopefully prevent the rudimentary pain of exercise with this knowledge. Chris Janson, a sophomore, said, “Now that [I’m in college] I don’t work out as regularly. If I didn’t know what was going on then I would think I would have to go to the doctor to try to figure what is wrong. “Something like this study could help me and other people realize that problems with breathing was a much less of a problem than originally thought.” The team working with Newsham on the grant includes Ethel Freese, of the Program in Physical Therapy; Blakelee Noyes, of Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center; Dennis Fuller, of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders; and Richard McGuire, also of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Have you ever wondered what happens to satellites after they are no longer in communication? “Space Junk,” currently playing at the Saint Louis Science Center, documents the debris surrounding the earth commonly referred to as space “junk” or “trash.” This “space junk” is a result of more than 50 years of space travel and satellite waste that remains in orbit, circling the earth. This can be anything from whole satellites to paint chips. All this trash is beginning to make space travel more dangerous. The documentary goes on to explain the danger this space junk poses not only in space, but also to life on Earth. There are three different levels of orbit: Low Earth, Middle Earth and Geostationary. Low Earth Orbit, or LEO, is closest to earth and is home to artificial satellites, typically military communications and a majority of the zombie satellites. A zombie satellite is one that is no longer in use and no longer in communication with Earth. Because there is currently no method of retrieving these satellites, they remain in orbit, threatening active ones. These satellites travel around the Earth usually at 7.8 km/s, making a full rotation every 90 minutes. These satellites are often in danger of hitting each other and creating more, smaller particles of trash. Middle Earth Orbit is home to GPS satellites and all the communications for the North and South Pole. Geostationary Orbit is the last layer of space that is controlled by Earth’s gravitational pull. This is where weather, cell phone, internet and television satellites are. These satellites travel with Earth and not on their own, which means that they are in a constant location. The potential for the amount of space trash to exponentially increase is
described in the Kessler theory. This idea presented by Dr. Donald J. Kessler, a former NASA scientist, who, in 1978, predicted that so many collisions will happen that the Earth’s orbitals will fill with small pieces of man-material. This scrap has the potential to collide with one another at high speeds and create more pieces. Some of this trash is in danger of being pulled into earth’s atmosphere and crashing. Dr. Kessler said that these pieces will eventually start pulling toward the Earth due to its gravitational pull and, once stopped by the atmosphere, will band together into rings. Dr. Kessler explained that in order for his prediction to be falsified, some form of space clean-up would need to happen. Many countries are currently attempting to develop a way to do this cleanup. One idea is to create a net that would travel via satellite and collect debris, then enter the atmosphere and burn up. A second design would use a tether from one satellite to another, slowing them down enough to pull away from the pull of the Earth and fall into the atmosphere and burn up. Another solution would be to create a space trash receptacle, complete with trash trucks, to collect the junk and deposit it into a space station receptacle. While it sounds like a very futuristic concept, it seems to be a reality that needs to be faced. Either that, or Saturn may not be the only planet known for its rings. Tickets are $8 with a student ID. Photo courtesy of the Saint Louis Science Center
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Thursday, March 22, 2012
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University basks in national fame, future looks bright for Billikens
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For the first time in 12 years, the nation is wondering what a Billiken is. Making it to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2000, and winning the first game since 1998, Saint Louis University has gained national attention that it has not seen in a long time. We both congratulate and commend the SLU men’s basketball team for this achievement. Basking in this national recognition, the University can enjoy benefits in many aspects of its identity, athletic and other wise. Having this national attention on television and major national media has given the University excellent publicity. It will introduce SLU in a positive light and will potentially increase enrollment, once prospective college students seek out the other offerings of the University. Past Billikens will also remember their alma mater proudly, returning to give back to the University that nourished them. Alumni will likely be more willing to donate to a nationally-recognized university, and more donations will give all programs of the University an opportunity to advance.
Fast food detriments quality of life, victimizes college students For most of us students, college life has radically changed the way we look at food. Dorm life has deprived many of us of a home-cooked meal and forced many fastfood Fridays into our diets. And when nickels and dimes haunt us, fast food seems the cheapest and most convenient option. But fast food is not about price, convenience or speed. Fast food has become our culture. It is because of fast food, for the most part, that most Americans view meat as a vital part of every meal. Fast food is also why portion sizes have changed over the past few decades. If soda cups produced fossils, one would find an astounding explosion of the “normal” size in the past 20 or so years. As college students, we are the innocent victims of this culture. Students trade study time, tuition money, and the need for brain food for the convenience of fast food. Fast food allows students to join the society in the fast-paced routine that it calls for. Fast food is also undoubtedly an easier way of getting the food we need, but it is far from the right way to eat. It may also appear more affordable, but
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it turns into a terrible illusion in the long run. Thinking fast food is the cheaper solution, students tend not to keep track of their fast food spendings, and this is a dangerous way to spend. Although grocery stores around campus are few and most students don’t cook, college students can still be more responsible and conscious about what they eat. For most of us, a simple change of our perception of food can change the way we eat. We must remember that food is nothing other than a ritual to keep our bodies nourished. We must realize and recognize the importance of food and not simply the physiological function it serves in relieving hunger. Food is both a physiological necessity and a social requisite. It is a way to bring people together, and it should remain so. Our increasing culture of fast pace and to-go will be detrimental, not only to the physiological function of food, as portion sizes and calories explode, but also to the function of food as a social unifier and valuable ritual. Let us restore the value of this vital human function
Food is both a physiological necessity and a social requisite... and it should remain so.
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Posted below are the results from our web poll on The University News’ website. (77 votes total) Which phrase best embodies the arrival of spring for you?
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Most importantly, the pride that this has brought to the University will unite all past and present members of the community in a common light. Athletics and other extracurricular activities are always excellent unifiers for any university, and when they receive national attention, students, faculty, alumni and other SLU enthusiasts will find ever y reason to unite behind it. It will be the subject of conversation among all sorts of people, and we commend the basketball team on their success in bringing this pride to the University. This national recognition will not only embellish the future of SLU’s athletic program, but it also carries with it a considerable responsibility to retain the reputation gained. SLU students, whether they are fans of basketball or not, should be proud of the SLU basketball team for helping to advance the University in a positive direction. The entire school can bask in national publicity given to the University. This is an opportune time to advance our university in all aspects to take advantage of this national recognition.
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I’m in love!
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SLU basketball grabs national attention; past controversies not forgotten The Saint Louis University men’s basketball team just completed a spectacular season, topped off by a first-round win in the NCAA tournament. In the flood of national publicity this success has generated, two figures have been mentioned repeatedly: One is a million-dollar coach, who twice publicly endorsed abortion and embryonic stem cell research. The other is a high-scoring player, who was welcomed back to the team on full scholarship after a lengthy suspension from the University on sexual misconduct charges. Jesuit and Catholic values? Men and women for others? Preferential option for the poor? - Daniel L. Schlafly Jr., is a professor of history at SLU.
Students must be aware of Wellness Fee and engage efforts Three weeks ago, the Student Government Association passed Senate Bill 057-12, which separated the Wellness Fee dollars from the Student Activity Fee dollars; effectively allowing students to engage in wellness efforts and ensure their money is being used purposefully. This separation, supported heavily by Student Government representatives, creates opportunities for students to proactively bring wellness initiatives to our campus community. It is my hope that student leadership will properly inform students of these changes and that the student body will enthusiastically engage in wellness efforts. In January of 2010, Student Government supported the creation of a Student Wellness Fee, which totaled $90 per semester for full-time students of the University. The fee was dedicated to various wellness services, including the Simon Recreation Center, Billikens After Dark, Student Health and Counseling, and the Medical Center Outdoor Complex. In addition, it allowed for Student Government to oversee about $100,000 to allocate for Student Government wellness initiatives. Over the last two years, that $100,000 was used simultaneously with the Student Activity Fee. This year, Student Government decided to be more intentional and transparent with the $100,000 under their direct jurisdiction. As a result, Student Government created the Student Wellness Committee, which will distribute the $100,000 through a grant-like process for student-led initiatives that promote the “condition of good physical, mental and spiritual health.” In addition, the committee will help interested students create collaborations and effectively implement their initiatives. This process will enforce Student Government’s role as an aid for students, not a judge of students. Although the committee has been created legislatively, the work of Student Government and The University News has just begun. This spring, we must educate students on the opportunities allowed from this change. We must show them that intentionality of funds allows for greater empowerment and opportunities for engagement. When this committee was created, there was little coverage due to the focus on the upcoming SGA elections. Now that those have past, I hope that these decisions can be covered in depth and students can understand the significance of these changes. My hope is that students will additionally engage in implementing wellness initiatives. Students now have a unique opportunity to choose the allocation of their monies. I hope students throughout campus can ask themselves what opportunities to promote wellness can be made. Are we doing enough to provide mental health for students? Are we proactive in our prevention of alcohol and drug abuse? Are there spiritual development offerings for students of all faith backgrounds? If the answers to these questions are not satisfying, students can take matters in to their own hands and form initiatives that will create better results. The allocation of these dollars will begin next fall. It is my hope that SGA’s groundbreaking and intentional separation of the wellness dollars will be greeted with innovative student-led initiatives that strengthen the wellness of our community. Our first step is effective campaigning and education on the topic. I look forward to these efforts being led from Student Government as well as The University News. - Matthew Ryan, SGA president, is a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences
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Thursday, March 22, 2012
Peeved about Pevely: Building demolition a bad idea Last week in One of the things you will notice, should you come to a country marginally older than, let’s say, the United States, is that a meeting Commentary point often needs to be found between old and new. This is especially true inside cities, where buried deep within mazes of impossibly old Noah Berman buildings you will also find precious hotspots of free Wi-Fi. There’s a building on my walk home that has got to be at least a couple hundred years old (a baby, relatively speaking), and on the inside it seems to contain a medical facility of aggressively modern proportions. I once saw a Hummer, impossibly enough, drive up a street originally built for only the most starving of peasants. I have seen free Wi-Fi signs in several-hundredyear-old bars. Jeff Winger said it best: “The future of the past is now.” So the question, then, is this: Why does Saint Louis University think it necessary to destroy the Pevely Complex? The University administration bills it as a way to revitalize the city of St. Louis, but have you seen the design prototype they released, unto this very publication? Horrible antiseptic green glass, metal sheets jutting out and the ubiquitous “See, it gives SLU character” fountain. It is the sort of place that makes you want to become well as quickly as humanly possible, so as to escape and find something designed for a human being inside. I know this because my high school building followed more or less the same architectural principles. The University News quoted Fr. Lawrence Biondi, S.J., as saying that he “encouraged the commission to ‘vote for the future of this great city,’” but I have a sneaking suspicion that what he meant to say was “vote for the future of Saint Louis University’s Medical Campus.” In any case, the
news: Quakes, conflict and commerce
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St. Louis City planning committee overturned its December ruling and gave SLU permission to demolish the Pevely complex and build a new ambulatory care center on the property. The University News lists the estimated cost of this new medical center as being around $80 million, a number that not so long ago was also tied to a neighborhood revitalization project being run by one of those other St. Louis universities: Washington University. A St. Louis Post-Dispatch article from Feb. 27 (just five days after the Pevely ruling) says that Washington University will be destroying some Loop-area apartment buildings and replacing them with new housing (for about 550 students) and retail space. This, too, is the destruction of the old in order to make way for the new, but these are buildings already in the possession of the University (not a new, recent purchase of a historic building), and the aims of the project are to add more to the neighborhood. An additional medical center in
downtown St. Louis neither brings additional people into the region nor increases area revenue. Imagine that instead of tearing down the Pevely complex in the name of a bigger medical enterprise, SLU spent $80 million turning the building into the muchneeded additional student housing. Adjacent warehouses could become classroom buildings. The external structure (and some or most of the internal styling) could be kept, creating a unique living and working space for anyone lucky enough to occupy the building. The University could buy up adjacent properties and offer to rent them cheaply to new businesses, and/or even fund a Grand Boulevard transport network to move students and non-students up and down the street. A tram, for example, could run up and down the street, encouraging exploration of some of St. Louis’ most interesting locales. Instead of Lacledes or Humphrey’s being the two big options for SLU students without cars, we could travel up to Cherokee, or take advantage of
Tower Grove Park, or anything, really. SLU students are certainly already doing these things, but with the same financial attention the University is lavishing on a new out-patient center, it could become a second-nature part of SLU culture. It is baffling that SLU thinks that the only thing St. Louis needs is a bigger healthcare center. Or a university with a new ($82 million, but who’s counting) research center. Or a new education union. It isn’t that the University doesn’t need those things, but it could be using this particular chunk of money to work proactively to improve the city, rather than remaking it in the image of corporate suburban culture. I don’t understand this idea that SLU’s administration seems to have, that, while we might be an urban campus, we should think suburban. We need to take advantage of the city in which we live, and we won’t be able to do that so long as we are hell-bent on tearing most of it down. Noah Berman is a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Bathroom etiquette 101: Flush, wash and leave the stall walls alone Despite our best efforts to do Potable water is a rare and precious business at home where we are commodity in many countries. We most comfortable, pretty much have as much of it as we want, set everyone at to the temperature of our desire, some time ready to cleanse us every time we Commentary or another is use the toilet. There is no excuse, forced to use therefore, to skip hand-washing. a public toilet. Finally, the graffiti on stall walls. Since public Think about the mindset of the restrooms are person we will refer to as the “stall shared facilities, artist.” Sitting on the toilet, he frequented by searches his pockets for something fellow humans, to entertain him while relieving there is a code of himself. Finding a pen, he thinks “I conduct we must know, I’ll draw a picture!” Doug Anstoetter follow to ensure With limitless possibilities a certain degree for self expression, what does of hygiene and he choose to draw? A penis. Not happiness for all those who answer only that, he draws it right next nature’s call. to the other 17 penises already For starters, flush the toilet. One drawn on the stall wall. Why the of the key elements that separate male reproductive organ is such a man from beast is indoor plumbing. popular theme in stall art, I cannot Only in the last century or two has explain. this hygienic necessity become Anyway, now that he has left his standard issue in most homes and phallic rendering for posterity to public places. It is one of the most admire, the stall artist needs to add life-changing inventions of human text. history. Why then, would a person He tries to think of something choose not to take advantage of it? profound, something that will To the sadists who refuse to flush, make people think. Usually these I would like to make the following thoughtful words take on the form points. First of profanity of all, no one or promises is impressed of a good by what you time with an did. Trust accompanying me, we can Happy, nurturing p h o n e all do it. number. Now For some places, public restrooms unless it is people, it par ticularly is a mark are meant to relieve us. h i l a r i o u s of pride to profanity or leave their They can bring out the that phone “handiwork” best in some people and number really for future does lead to b a t h r o o m the worst in others. a great time, users to see. no one wants Not only are to read it. At these people SLU, there s o r e l y are a lot of mistaken, they also have serious things I want tuition dollars going issues of vanity. No matter who you toward (toilet paper thicker than are, no one wants to see it. one ply that is actually useful for I’ve also heard the excuse that something for example). Paint to the handle is dirty, touched by cover up bathroom stall graffiti is too many bathroom-goers. Some not one of them. There is really no people fear that their clean hands reason to draw all over the walls will be soiled by the germs of of your bathroom stall. If you’re others if they make contact with bored, well, that’s why we have the little metal bar. smart phones. I have only one thing to say to Restrooms have the worst job of these people. Think about what any room in a building. They put up you just did. Does it really get less with enough crap without having to clean than that? deal with our blunders in etiquette. The second big issue in Happy, nurturing places, public bathroom manners is that of restrooms are meant to relieve us. washing hands. They can bring out the best in some It is really very simple. The soap people and the worst in others. comes out of the little plastic box. Regardless, they always bring out The water comes out of the shiny something. If everyone follows tube. Rub your hands together and a simple set of dos and don’ts we you are done. If you do not feel up can make the bathroom experience to this task, perhaps you should not much more enjoyable for ourselves be going to the bathroom alone in and those around us. the first place. It is shocking the number of Doug Anstoetter is a senior in the people that do not wash their hands. College of Arts and Sciences.
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Starla Salazar / Illustrator
Viral campaign revives old wounds Most people agree that the issue of child soldiers in the world is horrible and in need of recognition. H o w e v e r, in its latest Commentary high-budget production, “Kony 2012”, I n v i s i b l e Children, Inc. blurs the line between recognition and exploitation. By all Vinnie Schneider accounts, Joseph Kony, the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army, a revolutionary group in Uganda, is an evil man, who deserves to be brought to justice for the crimes he has committed—namely, ordering entire villages to be destroyed, its children to be raped and kidnapped into slavery. He is responsible for the abduction of an estimated 66,000 and the displacement of over two million children. Invisible Children has decided that the most effective means to raise awareness is by the production and promotion of a viral video. However, the truth comes out when one examines the facts. After watching Kony 2012, most believe that Joseph Kony is leading a huge army of abducted children and that Ugandans live in a constant state of fear and peril. But what is the estimated size of the LRA today? Around 200. Hardly the numbers that seem to be suggested by the video. What’s more, Kony is believed to have been out of Uganda (likely living in the neighboring Central African Republic) since 2006. Based on numbers alone, Kony is essentially powerless. The video has also been met with distaste from Ugandans. In a response on YouTube, Rosebell Kagumire, an Ugandan journalist specializing in peace and conflict reporting, said, “This paints a picture of Uganda six or seven years ago; that is totally not how it is today. It’s highly irresponsible.”
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Beatrice Mpora, a citizen of Gulu, Uganda, which used to be a stronghold of the LRA, remarked, “What that video says is totally wrong, and it can cause us more problems than help us. There has not been a single soul from the LRA here since 2006. Now we have peace. People are back in their homes, they are planting their fields, they are starting their businesses. That is what people should help us with.” The video also strongly supports the Ugandan Army in their fight against the LRA, though growing evidence has suggested that they are guilty of child abduction, rape and murdering innocents, as well. If the video really does more harm than good, then why is Invisible Children continuing to promote it? The answer is simple: The video is effective. Currently, it has more than 83 million views on YouTube and donations to the organization are flowing in. By no means is anyone suggesting that Invisible Children is a deceitful or malicious organization. However, if its singular cause is no longer an issue, all of its employees and paid volunteers are out of a job. While Invisible Children claims to be working to end the situation in Uganda, the reality is that the situation is already much better than the organization portrays it. However, it is in its best interest as an organization to keep the cause alive, continuing to produce elaborate viral videos (one of the chief expenditures of their budget, of which very little is actually dedicated to “on the ground” aid to affected Ugandans) and receiving donations. It’s not evil, and it’s not malicious. But it is untruthful and perhaps even harmful. That is the economics, plain and simple. So, be informed, and by all means be aware. But perhaps consider if your time and resources could possibly be donated to a more worthy cause. Vinnie Schneider is a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences.
There have been a great number of affairs all over the planet. For those with bad memory, I would like to refresh Japan’s Tsunami Commentary and nuclear catastrophe, along with tensions in eastern Libya and, just to spice things up, a bit concerning the latest trends in U.S.-China trading relations. Federico Garcia Lorca A year ago, March 11 to be precise, one the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded in modern history hit Japan. The magnitude 9.0 earthquake provoked waves as tall as half a NFL football field, causing floods that overran towns and cities up to 6 miles inland. As a result, several nuclear plants had unprecedented behavior that led to leaks, disruptions in power supply and ultimately meltdowns that threatened the lives of all those living around them. Fukushima rings some bells, for sure. It is important to point out that after all that happened during the Cold War, any future plans involving nuclear power were sharply criticized. By the time everybody started being more hopeful about it, the Fukushima meltdown happened. Today, only China seems to be invested on building and capitalizing nuclear energy. Because of the size and energy necessities of the country, nuclear power will most likely remain as a small percentage of their total consumption. In other grounds, Libya is moving fast with its new-found freedom from its former leader Muammar Gaddafi. In a conference held in the region of Barqa, a proposal arose that might bring instability to all the country: the “federal region of Barqa.” While the National Transitional Council (NTC) opposes it and deems it unnecessary, other international bodies such as Egypt and Tunisia see it as an important development for the country. Even the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) likes the idea. It will be interesting to see how this project unfolds in the incoming months. NTC has been running the country diligently for months now and the creation of a federal region could undermine its power in times when central governance might be needed most. Libya has gone through a lot of trouble during the last year and honestly, a political disarray will not bring any help. If we go down the road of skepticism, a whole new dimension is added to Egypt’s intentions behind a new federal region in Libya. The region of Barqa would have access to the sea and it would be quite close to Egypt. In fact, it could even share borders with Egypt. Aiding possible leaders in the region to obtain independence from the central Libyan government would leverage Libyan support towards Egypt, both politically and economically. It would be worth taking a look at the region’s economic potential and strategic military influence to better understand the Egyptian support. One thing is clear: General opinion in the region points in opposite directions. The opaque decisionmaking of the NTC does not help to make a case for centralized power, but the council in Barqa lacks crucial supports among the population. A survey from The International Republican Institute (IRI) questioning the public opinion in eastern Libya found out that 84 percent of the population believes NTC is pushing in the right direction while only 7 percent finds a federalist system appropriate for Libya. I would like to mention a recent issue involving Chinese-fabricated solar panels. Some U.S. companies complained that solar panels imported from China were receiving illegal subsidies from the Chinese Government, and so the International Trade Commission favored their case. Last week, the U.S. Commerce Department issued additional tariffs on such solar panels. However, some could argue that it is not in President Obama’s best interest to start a trading fight during election year. Indeed, it is not in his best interest. Surely he knew this and designed the additional tariffs in such that they would have minimal impact in the business. For example, if those Chinese companies produce their solar panels outside China, the tariffs will no longer apply. Nevertheless, this move gives high yield to President Obama. He will be able to be a strong force against Republicans, always trying to show China who is running the show, while avoiding massive conflicts with Beijing. And you thought nothing interesting had happened during your spring break. Federico Garcia Lorca is a senior in Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology.
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Cheerleaders get a leg up on the competition
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New comedy ‘Bring It On: The Musical’ to headline at the Fox
on the
Arts Editors’ Picks
By KRISTIN MCGUIRE Staff Writer
MUSIC Friday, March 23 Doors open at 7 p.m. Show begins at 8 p.m. Rebelution with The Green and Pep Love The Pageant There will be a $2 minor surcharge at the door Monday, March 26 8:30 p.m. Saint Anyway Plush St. Louis Free show to audiences 18-and-up No cover charge Tuesday, March 27 Doors open at 6 p.m. Show begins at 7 p.m. Harry and the Potters with Koo Koo Kanga Roo and Superfun Yeah Yeah Rocketship The Firebird Tickets available through firebirdstl.com
THEATER Tuesday, March 27 through Sunday, April 8 Show times vary Bring It On: The Musical The Fabulous Fox Theatre For complete schedule or to purchase tickets, visit fabulousfox.com
MOVIES Thursday, March 22 through Sunday, March 25 Begins at midnight Free popcorn all weekend for students
B&B Wildwood 10 Free popcorn offered with purchase of a movie ticket Student I.D. required Friday, March 23 Show times vary The Hunger Games Playing in theaters nationwide Friday, March 23 1:40, 4:10, 6:40 and 9:15 Salmon Fishing in Yemen Plaza Frontenac Running time 107 min.
OTHER Saturday, March 24 7 p.m. Elevation Irish Dance Team Xavier Hall Theater Admission is free Monday, March 26 12 to 3 p.m. Cbabi Bayoc: An African-American Artist at Work BSC North Lobby
With an all-star team of writers, composers and actors, it is no wonder that people are raving about “Bring It On: the Musical.” Currently on tour, “Bring It On” has been entertaining audiences throughout the U.S. and Canada. Many theatregoers predict that the show will make it to Broadway by the end of the year. In the musical, the popular cheerleading captain at Truman High School, Campbell (played by Taylor Louderman), is redistricted to gritty Jackson High, where she must gain the confidence of her new classmates in order to create a cheer squad that can win at nationals. Jason Gotay, who plays Campbell’s boyfriend Randall in the show, said that if you had told him a year ago that he would be working with his idols from “In the Heights,” “Avenue Q” and “Next to Normal,” he would not have believed it. Gotay, the final person to be cast in “Bring It On,” attended an open call audition in New York City, which was held specifically for Gotay’s part. The whole audition process took a week, and Gotay said it was “kind of like a miracle” when he landed the part just a month before rehearsals began last year. Hailing from Brooklyn, Gotay has been performing since elementary school. “At 10 or 11, my interest really piqued, and it hasn’t gotten old yet!” Gotay said. This is his first national tour, and Gotay speaks highly of the experience. “It’s kind of magical going around the country,” Gotay said. “Every week or two weeks you’re in a new theater, and there’s so much history in these theaters! You get to experience what it’s like playing for a crowd that’s unique to that area of the country.”
See “Cheer” on Page 10
Courtesy of Craig Schwartz
Campbell (middle) leads the Jackson High cheerleading squad to compete at nationals in “Bring It On: The Musical.”
Experience the lunch rush at Bogart’s Smokehouse Why did it have to be a Friday? The words “forgive me, F a t h e r, for I have Restaurant Review s i n n e d ” were alr e a d y running through my head as I pulled up to Bogart’s Smokehouse in Molly Rippinger Soulard. When I caught the first whiff of barbecue, I will admit, I pushed my Catholic guilt to the side and hopped in the quickly forming line outside the door. Only a few days prior, I was completely unaware of Bogart’s existence, believing that the best barbecue in St. Louis was blocks away from SLU at Pappy’s Smokehouse. A friend tipped me off that there was a small place on Lafayette Avenue that rivaled Pappy’s in taste, technique and quality. Feeling skeptical, I did a little research and was baffled to discover that the owner of Bogart’s was one of the men responsible for Pappy’s: the legendary Skip Steele. Almost immediately I was face-to-face with the pit master himself, as he offered me a complimentary chicken wing. I bit into the glazed wing and was intrigued by the balance of smoke, sweet and tang. Steele explained these were his Pineapple Express chicken wings, the special menu item for that day. The bites kicked up my taste buds, exciting me even more for the food to come. I enlisted the wisdom of Bogart’s’ employees as I eyed the menu board. The general consensus was to absolutely go for the ribs, but to get a side of the pastrami, too. After a quick sample of the thinly sliced meat, I agreed
Sam (Fangyu Wu) / Staff Photographer
Bogart’s is renowned for its ribs, which are basted with sauce and torched to form “a crispy, sugary seal.” and ordered the combo of a half slab and quarter pound of pastrami with two sides for $15.99. On to the next decision– the sides. For those who love barbecue, you will recognize the agony in selecting a perfect accompaniment to your meal. Do you go classic and get the baked beans and slaw, or branch out with the BBQ pork skins and deviled egg potato salad? Once again, I asked my new friends and followed the advice of the cashier. His favorite was to use the Billy Goat potato chips as a dipping vehicle for the baked beans. Bingo. I was sold, and only had to find a seat to enjoy my lunch. When the food came I went right for the ribs. Immediately I noticed the well-developed glaze, which Steele would later explain came from torching the slabs after applying a final baste of sauce. This last careful step forms a crispy, sugary seal around the rib that, when bitten into, gives way to the tender meat. Next up, the pastrami. Spice from the brine plays
with the depth of the smoke, creating a very pleasing flavor unlike any other pastrami I have tried. Experimenting with the different sauces at Bogart’s was also fun, with my personal favorite being the Voodoo, a well-controlled hot sauce bursting with flavor. Having recognized my dilemma in sides, the crew at Bogart’s included a sample of the deviled egg potato salad and the slaw with my meal. Just one example of the great hospitality I received on my visit. Following the orders of my new friend, I scooped up the baked beans with my potato chip and was instantly in love with the contradiction of textures and flavors. The chip brought in a salty crunch that elevated the sweet smokiness of the baked beans. I later learned one of the secrets to Steele’s delicious beans when he showed me the pits out back after my lunch. For 15 hours the beans are cooked slowly under the briskets, catching the See “BBQ” on Page 10
Jeff’s basement philosophy The manchild comedy has about run its course, but not before the Brothers Duplass get to try their Film Review hands at the tired formula. Their new comedy “Jeff, Who Lives at Home,” feels a little dogT.J. Keeley eared in its set-up, but the Duplass touch saves it from being too conventional. Jason Segel plays Jeff. Jeff lives at home, and he is a 30-something stoner who has not quite emerged from his mother’s basement. One morning, whilst waxing philosophical about fatalism and divine intervention in the film “Signs,” Jeff’s mom calls and gives him an ultimatum: repaint the shutters on the door or move out. The rest of the film follows Jeff’s journey across town to buy paint. Jeff’s philosophy is what many, like his brother Pat (Ed Helms), would consider naïve. But, in the hands of Segel, he is sympathetic and funny. Instead of naïve, he is innocent and trusting, like a child. His character is reminiscent of Paul Rudd’s character in “Our Idiot Brother.” Helms, though, is annoying and out of place. The actor has long been too manic since his over-exaggerated antics on Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert’s television shows. Those antics fit two-to-three minute segments, but are taxing in a feature-length film. Judy Greer and Susan Sarandon round out the cast. Both are delightful, with Sarandon in particular having fun and taking risks. Greer is gathering a solid list of graceful and funny supporting turns, with “Jeff” and “The Descendants.” Sarandon’s subplot, though, takes too many quick turns, and feels forced and fabricated. Throughout their career,
the Duplass Brothers have crafted small stories that portray the humanity of misfits. In a Q-and-A session, Jay Duplass said that the worst thing that happens in his films is that a character has his or her feelings hurt. This type of intimate cinema is a gem of the independent movement. The Duplass Brothers began their career making films like “The Puffy Chair” on only $15,000. Now they are working with stars of the caliber of Sarandon, Segel, Marisa Tomei and John C. Reilly. Their touch and tone translates well on a larger scale, but their aesthetic choices, as filmmakers, do not. The biggest problem with the Duplass aesthetic is a complete negligence toward framing and shot composition. They encourage improvisation from their actors, so the films have a spontaneous feel. Unfortunately, the quick pans and zooms become tiring and feel lazy. But, there need to more films like “Jeff.” The tragic is always funny, and the funny is never just funny. It is an independent comedy entirely devoid of irony and not afraid to explore sincerity. It is a story entirely in love with people.
Jeff, Who Lives at Home
B
THE GOOD
A warm comedy with solid performances and a gentle tone.
THE BAD Lackluster attention to framing and shot composition.
THE VERDICT
To film, to life! Go see it. And see it with friends.
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The University News
unewsonline.com
Thursday, March 22, 2012
‘Desperate’: May series finale approaches 5 movies that are so bad . . . they’re good
Courtesy of abc.com
Bree Van de Kamp (Marcia Cross) remembers a dispute with her late husband Rex (Steven Culp) in the March 18 episode of “Desperate Housewives.” ABC and show creator Marc Cherry agreed to end the series in May 2012 after eight seasons.
Murder mystery weaves intricate plot, claims beloved character Marc Cherry and company have always kept life interesting on the lane. I am, of course, r efer ring Television Review to the infamous Wisteria Lane inhabited by the most fashionable, fierce, “Desperate HouseErin Everett wives” on television. Premiering in 2004, ABC’s dramedy series— that’s drama and comedy— has successfully seen me through high school and college (almost!) So, it was with a heavy heart that I swallowed last summer’s announcement that the 2012 season would be the series’ eighth and final season. “Desperate Housewives” has its fair share of haters in the world of television audiences. While the premiere season averaged more than 23 million viewers per week, the numbers have dwindled as the years have passed, with many expressing the belief that “it had just gotten a little too ridiculous.” Perhaps I am a bit blinded by my love for Eva Longoria, but what about season one’s suicide-adulter y-imprisonment triangle wasn’t also completely ridiculous? My point is simply this: If you expect to see a realistic American neighborhood in “Desperate Housewives,” you’ve got the wrong show— though, now that I think about it, “Real Housewives of [insert populous urban setting]” is every bit as catty.
No, the true brilliance of Marilyn Monroe once said, life on Wisteria Lane is Cher- “It’s better to be absolutely ry’s incredible scriptwriting, ridiculous than absolutely and the once-in-a-lifetime op- boring.” Enter murderers, portunity it gave actors such massive tornadoes, vengeful as Teri Hatcher and Felicity lovers and angry PTA mothHuffman to make a comeback ers. at an age which Hollywood And with just a handful of typically deems “past their episodes left to go, the finale prime.” And did I already season is literally, and metamention Longoria? phorically, sending the series Though the mystery, the “out with a bang.” drama and the romance have It all began with a neighalways been paramount, some borhood dinner party that seasons have certainly been went horribly, horribly wrong. better than others (two and Longoria’s character, Gabrisix, namely.) elle Solis, was cornered by the After getting off to a solid stepfather who had molested start in 2004, the second sea- her as a child and, acting in son proved to be a huge let- Gabrielle’s defense, Carlos down, as Cherry turned the accidently kills her stepfather reins over by hitting to a clearly him over less-talented the head writing crew with a canThere’s plenty of who came up dlestick in with the cen- ridiculousness in this their livtral conflict series but, as Marilyn ing room. of a mysteriT h e ous neigh- Monroe once said, ‘It’s scene was bor (Betty better to be absolutely so perfectApplewhite, ly “Clue” played by Al- ridiculous than that you fre Woodard) absolutely boring.’ c o u l d who kept her almost son locked inimagine side. Nothing Miss Scarsays exciting like a character let in the room. that is rarely seen until the This accidental death sets season finale, right? off a whirlwind of conflict on And don’t get me started the lane, as each of the four on Bree Van de Kamp’s ran- main characters struggles to dom fling with her decora- cope with their guilt . . . and tor Keith Watson (played by the looming threat of the local Megan Fox’s real-life hus- police. band Brian Austin Green) or Adding to the drama is Lythe many serious medical is- nette’s husband Tom’s new sues that miraculously cure girlfriend Jane, who threatens themselves— Susan Meyer’s their already rocky trial sepafailing kidney, Carlos Solis’ ration, Susan’s daughter Jublindness and Mike Delfino’s lie’s out-of-wedlock pregnanamnesia, to name a few. cy and Wisteria Lane resident There’s plenty of ridicu- Ben Faulkner’s meddling lousness in this series but, as with a threatening loan shark.
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Cheer: Musical reworks themes from original film Continued from Page 9
The cast features several said Gotay. “Anyone can come young actors, with the oldest in and connect to this show . . member of the ensemble be- . it’s just pure fun.” ing just 27 years old. Behind the curtain are DiMany have competed rector Andy Blankenbuehler, nationally as cheerleaders, who won numerous awards while others were trained at for his direction and choremusic theatre ography conser vatow i t h ries. “In the The “quaHeights;” The hip-hop, dance Librettist druple-threat” cast includes and cheer routines are Jeff Whitsingers, dancty, who Anyone can wrote the ers, actors and unreal. athletes. come in and connect to hilarious, And alT o n y though fans this show . . . it’s just a w a r d of the movie pure fun. winning “Bring It On” book for are sure to “Avenue love the musi- -Jason Gotay Q;” Lincal, they will Manuel not be seeing the same story. Miranda, also of “In The “I was surprised that the Heights” fame; Tom Kitt, musical is completely differ- composer of “Next to Norent from the movie,” Gotay mal,” who co-composed the said. “There are entirely new score; and Producers Kristin characters, but some of the Caskey and Mike Isaacson, themes are very similar. The who have co-produced mulaudiences are really loving tiple hits, including “Legally the new level of originality.” Blonde.” One exciting difference be“Bring It On: the Musitween the movie and musical cal” will be showing at the is the live cheer routines. Fabulous Fox Theatre from Instead of showing 30-sec- Tuesday, March 27 through ond clips of a cheer, as in the Sunday, April 8. Show times movie, audiences get to see vary by day. the entire daredevil routine For more information on live. the production and to pur“The hip-hop, dance and chase tickets, visit http:// cheer routines are unreal,” www.fabulousfox.com/.
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And, the season seven addition of former Miss America Vanessa Williams as Renee Perry never ceases to amuse. Teaser-trailers for the March 11, 2012 episode made it clear to viewers that one of their beloved cast members was about to be killed off. Unfortunately, many learned of the victim’s identity before the episode actually aired, due to a fury of articles posted online surrounding another former cast member’s pending lawsuit against Cherry, for the alleged wrongful death of her character and termination of her role in the series. Those who avoided potential spoilers witnessed the vengeful loan shark exacting revenge on Susan’s husband, Mike, by shooting him on his front porch in a drive-by attack. I am only a little embarrassed to admit that I cried during Mike’s televised— albeit fictional— funeral. As a regular viewer since the premiere season, I cannot help but to have adored his character, if not just for putting up with Susan on a regular basis. To make an already incredibly long, intertwining and scandalous story short, after its fast-approaching termination, “Desperate Housewives” will likely join “Sex and the City” and “Friends” as the series you can always count on being played during Saturday afternoon marathons on slow network days. For viewers like me, “too ridiculous” will never be “too much.” Catch “Desperate Housewives” on ABC Sundays at 8 p.m. while it lasts.
It happens all the time. There seems to be absolutely nothing good on television and, all of a Commentary sudden, something comes up that is so ridiculous you have to keep watching. We l c o m e to the Richard Pugh world of duds, “B” movies and all of their glory. There is nothing like it in any other media format. These special films are so horrendously bad that they become unintentional masterpieces. (Note: There are movies that are just bad and have no real entertainment value, such as “10,000 B.C.,” but that is a conversation for another day.) These films provide the perfect entertainment for those long nights of vegetating on the couch. Their sad attempt at comedy and drama is laughable— entertaining only because they are so bad. Here are five films that I have always found enjoyably bad. 1. “Snakes on a Plane” On Netflix instant play: No Genre: Action “Snakes on a Plane” is as good as it gets. Samuel L. Jackson stars in this film about, well, snakes on a plane. The plot is as ridiculous as it sounds, and the lines aren’t exactly smooth. During production, the studio took suggestions from fans for lines. Whether it’s setting a microwave to the snake function, getting bitten in the butt by a snake or joining the Mile High Club, this film is as ridiculous as it gets. As long as it’s not taken seriously, it is a great watch. 2. “Crank 2” On Netflix instant play: Yes Genre: Action “Crank 2,” featuring Jason Statham, follows the life of the always-exciting Chev Chelios. This film takes the “Transporter” series and turns it up to the next level of preposterous. Chelios has super human abilities, and the story finds him breaking out of a hospital bed in which his heart was taken out and replaced with a temporary one. He only has a few hours to find his heart before the temporary organ runs out of juice. Chelios travels around, killing people and finding ways to recharge his body that include friction, power cables and placing a car jumper cable on his tongue. Hold on for a crazy adventure through Los Angeles with Chelios and his stripper girlfriend.
3. “Mamma Mia!” On Netfilx instant play: No Genre: Musical Featuring stars such as Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellen Starsgard and Amanda Seyfried, “Mamma Mia” has a lot of star power. However, anyone that has listened to ABBA— the band whose music is featured— might have known that this film was going to be fairly bizarre. With the random crowds of dancers in scuba gear and former James Bond Brosnan’s singing, this movie is hilarious and, at times, downright awful. Over-the-top dance scenes, paired with some catchy songs, make this a film that can be watched over and over again. 4. “Troll 2” On Netflix instant play: Yes Genre: Fantasy “Troll 2” is a regular on lists of the worst movies ever made. With a script written by two Italian directors who barely spoke English and some local actors, it had a lot of potential from the get-go. Set in the town of Nilbog— and yes, that is “goblin” spelled backwards— a young boy, Joshua, and his family decide to switch houses with a family from another town, and live in Nilbog for a week. (I’m not sure who thought that was a good idea.) Little does Joshua know that these villagers are, in fact, goblins in disguise, who are vegetarians and like to turn people into plants and eat them. Throw in the ghost of Joshua’s grandfather with Molotov cocktails and a bologna sandwich, and this film sells itself. 5. “SyFy Specials” On Netflix instant play: Most of the time Genre: Science Fiction Here is an ode to the Sci-Fi Channel specials. Such memorable films as ”Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus,” “Mega Python vs. Gateroid,” “Mansquito” and “Warbirds” make this channel the king of good bad movies. Over-the-top special effects paired with bad actors make these films incredibly entertaining. Nowhere else can you see alligators fed with HGH, or Japanese and American troops from World War II attempting to escape an island protected by prehistoric pterodactyls. Not only are these special effects bad, but they are used in almost every scene. These movies define the word “cheesy.” Honorable mentions include: “Doom,” “Waterworld” and “Land of the Lost.”
BBQ: Pit master shares history, technique Continued from Page 9
drippings of the meat. This explains why the beans have such a rich complexity, and melt in your mouth. Next, I tried the deviled egg potato salad. A marriage of two American classics, this crossbreed is a kicked-up version that is sure to please. The coleslaw was also delicious and well-executed, but not quite as notable as the pit baked beans or deviled egg potato salad. After eating my fill and boxing up my leftovers, I had the great opportunity to talk with Steele about how he became such a well-known pit master here in St. Louis. Since the age of 14 he said has been interested in barbecue, building pits, experimenting with recipes and tinkering with techniques. Along the way he has drawn from flavor profiles of different cuisines to develop his own unique style. In 2008, Steele and three others worked together to develop what has become the wildly popular and highly
acclaimed Pappy’s Smokehouse. Even though success came quickly after Pappy’s’ doors were opened, Steele and his friends have remained quite humble. Their passion has and always will be to create delicious barbecue with the highest level of integrity to the ingredients, customers and traditions. The only downside for Steele was the rigidity of the Pappy’s menu. He described the restaurant as a well-oiled machine that produces an exact amount each day, no more and no less. Creativity took a side seat, and the priority was more to replicate the perfect barbeque than to attempt new flavors or techniques. Thus, the concept of Bogart’s was developed as a place where Steele could freely create what he calls “craft barbecue.” Steele opened Bogart’s in February of 2011 in a 1,000 square foot, 80-seat building. The space is nothing pretentious, but only reflects the attitude of the man in charge.
Tuesday through Saturday the doors open at 10:30 a.m. and close when the barbecue runs out, which is typically around 4:00 p.m.
sages and turkey are all additions that are offered daily. Each day there is also a special item, such as the “burnt ends,” which are literally the coveted crispy edges of the brisket. Steele also likes to make different varieties of sausage, which all In 2008, Steele and end up smoked on the pits. Most items on the menu three others worked come with two sides, with together to develop what sandwiches ranging from has become the wildly $6.75 to $10.99, and plates from $9.99 to $14.99. The popular and highly combos are great for sharing, and come in half or full acclaimed Pappy’s slabs with a quarter pound Smokehouse. of any meat for $15.99 and $23.99. I left Bogart’s with an inI would highly recommend credible appreciation for the arriving a little early to beat dedication of Skip Steele and the lunch rush, because you his staff. They are offering will have a better chance of something truly unique for choosing from the full menu. St. Louis, and we are lucky You may also make a new to have them in the area. So, friend, because seating does “forgive me, Father, for eating get cozy, but I found this to be four different kinds of meat part of the charm of Bogart’s. on a Friday during Lent.” Unlike Pappy’s, Bogart’s Actually, sorry I’m not offers a wider selection of bar- sorry, Padre, because it was becued items. Prime rib, sau- worth every bite!
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Sports
The University News Thursday, March 22, 2012
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Billiken Briefs
Talk to us: Joseph Cacchione 314.977.2812 sports@unewsonline.com
March Madness 2012
Bills return to national spotlight
Women’s Softball Over spring break, the women’s softball team played in the Red and Black Tournament in Louisville, Ky. The Billikens lost all four games they played, two against the University of Louisville, one against the University of Michigan and one against Illinois State. SLU then split a double header against Indiana State and won their home opener against Wichita State, 1-0.
SLU Tennis The men’s and women’s tennis teams had a rough break, as the men lost three meets and the women won one and lost one. SLU’s men’s team lost to the University of MissouriKansas City, 2-5, the Air Force Academy, 0-7, and Northern Colorado, 2-5. The women won their first meet of the break against the University of Missouri-Kansas City, 6-1, but then lost against the University of IllinoisChicago, 1-6.
Photos by: Emily Diehl/ Associate Multimedia Director
Left: Jake Barnett embracing Brian Conklin after the Billkens defeated Memphis. Top right: The pep band playing during the Memphis game. Middle right: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio from outside. Bottom right: The Billiken dances during a media time-out against Memphis.
Spartans defeat SLU despite strong defensive efforts Fun times By CHARLES BOWLES Associate Sports Editor
BILLIKEN SCOREBOARD
Men’s Basketball
W 61-54 vs. Memphis
L 61-65 vs. Michigan State Men’s Baseball
W
6-2
vs. Western Illinois
W
3-2
vs. Tennessee Martin
W
7-4
vs. Western Illinois Women’s Softball
L
0-9
@ Louisville
L
0-1
It was a valiant effort, but the Billiken basketball team came up four points short against the Michigan State Spartans, 65-61. The Bills concluded their season in the third round of the NCAA tournament after defeating Memphis the previous Friday. The team was led by Kwamain Mitchell who scored 13 points, Brian Conklin who scored 11 points, and Jordair Jett who scored 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals. This game was the final career game for Conklin and Kyle Cassity. “I’m just very emotional for me with Kyle and Brian. You get attached to kids. I’ll see them again, not in the capacity that they’re in now,” Head Coach Rick Majerus said. The Bills were down early 5-0 early, but after the two timeouts, the Bills gained their first lead on a Cory Remekun layup, 10-9. The Bills then extended the lead, 15-11, on a rare three point basket by Jett. However, the Spartans would respond going on an
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11-0 run to take the lead back from the Bills, 22-15. Michigan State guards helped spark the run for the Spartan which allowed them to retake the lead for the Spartans. The Bills never regained the lead. The Bills cut the deficit to 5 points after free throws by Mitchell and Conklin. The Bills were down five going into halftime, 26-21. The Bills shot 23.8 percent, making just five field goals. Michigan State shot the ball much better than the Bills in the first half. The second half was a tough battle. Mike McCall Jr., made a 3-pointer to cut Michigan State’s lead, but then the Spartans extended their lead into double-digits thanks to Draymond Green and Derrick Nix lead run, 45-34, with 11:42 left in the game. After Michigan State ex-
Bills respond in second half, earn win over Memphis By CHARLES BOWLES Associate Sports Editor
Is a Billiken scarier than a Tiger? No, but the No. 9 Saint Louis Billikens muzzled the No. 8 Memphis Tigers in the second round of the NCAA tournament, 61-54. Kwamain Mitchell led the way for the Billikens with 22 points, shooting four of seven from 3-point range. Brian Conklin has 16 points, with 13 points coming in the second half. No other Billikens scored in double figures. “We don’t like to slow it down. We tried to make sure that we limit fast-break baskets and put defense as a priority,” Head Coach Rick Majerus said. The Bills started the scor-
ing with a Dwyane Evans dunk, but it was Memphis who jumped out to the early 7-4 lead. The game remained within three the rest of the first half. The first half was a back-and-forth affair. The Billikens were down three with seconds left, when Mitchell pulled up and shot a desperation three that went in and closed the half with the game tied at 23-23. The Bills shot 38.5 percent in the first half, but the Tigers had 9 points off turnovers. The Bills had nine uncharacteristic turnovers in the first half. The Bills then started off very slow in the second. Memphis went on a 9-0 run to extend their lead to 33-27. The Bills were down by 8 points with 11:51 left in the
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@ Indiana State
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@ Indiana State
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tended the lead into doubledigits, the Bills slowly began to whittle away at the Spartans double digit lead. About 8 minutes went by until a Mitchell layup cut the Spartan lead to two with 3:12 left in the game. The Spartans extended the lead to 6 points, but Cody Ellis and McCall Jr. made two 3-pointers which cut the lead to three with 10 seconds left in the game, but SLU was forced to foul and Michigan State made one free throw which sealed the deal for the Spartans and them moving onto the Sweet 16. Conklin and Cassity have played their final games as Billikens. Conklin was tearyeyed at the post-game conference when asked a question about his coach. “It felt like this year it really came together, and Kyle
and I, Kwamain, we were able to take what Coach taught us,” Conklin said. “He’s a great coach. I couldn’t imagine playing for a better coach, a better person. He doesn’t just teach you about basketball, it’s about life,” The Bills will have four returning starters in Mitchell, McCall Jr., Dwayne Evans and Rob Loe. The team will also have key reverses returning in Jett and Ellis. The biggest question mark for the team next year will be who will fill in Conklin’s position, both in production and leadership. Ellis and Remekun are likely replacement for Conklin. Mitchell is a likely replacement in terms of leadership as a fifth-year senior and point guard. “I’ve got to make sure everybody’s doing good in school, taking care of their bodies when they need it, and bring that leadership that Brian and Kyle gave me this year,” Mitchell said to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The season is over. The clock has struck midnight for the Bills and their 2011-2012 basketball season.
Emily Diehl/ Associate Multimedia Director
Rob Loe (51) fights for the ball against Memphis’ Chris Crawford during the second round tournament game. second half. The Bills then began to claw their way back from the deficit and regained the lead on a Mitchell three. After that, the Tigers began to panic, and the team struggled to keep their composure. Memphis cut the lead, but with 3:02 left in the second half, Memphis’ Tarik Black fouled out, shutting the door
on Memphis’ attempted comeback. “Defense is something we pride ourselves on, and that leads to our offensive,” Evans said. The Billikens then played the Michigan State Spartans on Sunday. The Spartans defeated Long Island Brooklyn on Friday Mar. 16th.
ahead for Billikens On March 18, after postponing my five-hour trip back to school from Chicago for pressing issues related to college basketball, I sat in my living room and watched my postBrian Boyd season dreams for the Billikens fade. Tick by tick of the clock, free throw by free throw, the hopes of a deep tournament run slipped away. After the buzzer sounded, I waited for the dreadful March malaise to settle in. I took a deep breath, braced for it, but it never came. Instead, what I felt was a deep sense of pride in the SLU basketball team, our University, and most importantly, optimism for the 2012-13 season. Something tells me that watching Billiken basketball in March will become the norm instead of an anomaly. It’d be foolish to ignore the departure of our two seniors before drinking the entire pitcher of Billiken Blue Kool-Aid. Brian Conklin was a critical factor for this season’s successes, and his impact went far beyond the box score. Kyle Cassity offered a spark off the bench as a deep threat and his basketball IQ will be missed. Conklin’s absence poses the biggest question mark for SLU heading into next season. He led the team in scoring with 13.9 points per game en route to an All Atlantic-10 first team selection and provided a presence in the low post. Where will the points in the paint come from? Cory Remekun, who will be a senior, plays solid defense but has yet to establish himself as a threat down low. While his offensive production slipped proportionally with his diminished court time, the statistics don’t tell the entire story. Remekun made the most of his limited See “Future” on Page 12
Sports
12
The University News
unewsonline.com
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Who to
CHEER
>>Baseball
Baseball ties record with 10 straight wins Eight defining moments By JOSEPH CACCHIONE Sports Editor
File Photo
SLU Basketball
After 12-straight years of missing the NCAA tournament, the men’s basketball team not only won their first game, but also pushed No. 1 seed Michigan State to the limit. No joke needed here. I am just proud of my team. Our team.
>>Men’s Basketball
The men’s baseball team entered spring break having won two straight games and continued their success by winning eight more consecutive games to tie a school record with 10 straight wins. The Billikens (16-5) are averaging 8.2 runs a game and only allow 2.7 runs to their opponents during their streak that started with a 6-2 win against Winthrop on March 4. They followed up that victory with another record-setting performance as they beat Southeast Missouri State 2211 on March 6. Sophomore Danny Brennan had a team-record seven at-bats in the game, and the team’s 22 runs and 7 hit by pitches also set new standards. The team’s 19 RBIs tied their existing record. Freshman Mike Vigliarolo hit his first collegiate homerun in the second inning with a three-run shot. The Billikens began spring
break with their home opener, the first game in a threegame series against North Dakota. Junior Alex Alemann improved to 3-0 on the year with an Atlantic 10 seasonbest ERA of 0.31 after seven innings of shutout baseball in the 11-0 victory. Northern Illinois came to town on March 13 and 14 but couldn’t cool off the red-hot Bills. SLU took the first game 7-2 and the second game 4-1 behind strong pitching performances by seniors Jim Foster and Jerry Mancuso, and freshman James Norwood. Western Illinois battled the Billikens and the rain in a delayed game on March 16 but had to face the hottest pitcher in the A-10, Alemann. Alemann allowed a two-out RBI single in the fifth inning, which was the first run he gave up in his last 27.2 innings, in the 6-2 victory for the Bills. He ended the day giving up just two runs in seven innings and had five strikeouts.
By CHRIS ACKELS Staff Writer The first big win (Nov. 20)
Courtesy of Billiken Media Relations
Redshirt junior Steve Fernandez swings for the fences against Western Illinois University. After a rainout game that was supposed to be against the Air Force, SLU won a nailbiter against University of Tennessee-Martin. The Bills won 3-2, but it took them 10 innings to scratch the winning run across home plate. On March 20, the Billikens beat Western Illinois for a second time, 7-4, behind Rivera,
>>Men’s Basketball
SLU community gathers around basketball team By JOSEPH CACCHIONE Sports Editor
Who to
JEER
Courtesy of slu.edu
Billiken Haters If I have to hear, “What is a Billiken, anyway?” one more time then I might lose it. I’m pretty sure Blue Devils and Tar Heels don’t have to put up with this.
Who to
FEAR
Courtesy of signvibe.com
Denver Broncos “Mile High” is ready for a serious playoff run this upcoming NFL season. But enough about Peyton Manning’s forehead, the Broncos have a new QB and should be pretty competitive.
By: Jonathan Auping Staff Writer
junior Jon Levin and Parker’s strong-pitching performances. The Bills will go for their potentially record-setting 11th win by beginning conference play against Temple. SLU will play a three-game weekend series starting at 6 p.m. on Friday in St. Louis at the Billiken Sports Center.
Mike and Carol Figura sat outside Nationwide Arena reminiscing about their first date on March 2, 1968. Carol didn’t have feelings for Mike, but she agreed to spend the evening with him because she thought it would help her gain access into Mike’s fraternity’s social events. Now, 44 years later, they still look back on that magical first night together where everything just seemed to align; everything but the fact that the Billikens basketball team lost a heart-breaking game to Bradley University 100-99. That’s right, this happily married couple’s first date was at a SLU basketball game. “We’ve been season ticket holders ever since I graduated,” Mike, class of 1969, said. “We’ve been there through the ups and downs. I remember when we’ve been to the tournament in the past and when there were less than 500 people in the stands and we thought they were going to drop the program.” Hundreds of alumni with stories just like Mike and Carol’s covered the streets of Columbus, Ohio last weekend, reliving one of the most memorable moments of their college experience. A sea of blue coated the bars and sidewalks outside Nationwide Area as old friends caught up about their lives and new SLU fans met for the first time. During SLU’s campus tours, one promise the University makes to its prospec-
Emily Diehl/Associate Multimedia Director
“SLUperman,” a 1967 John Cook School of Business graduate shows his passion for the Billikens. tive students is that after graduation, no matter where you end up in the country, you will never find yourself out of the SLU community. The tour guide would tell these high school seniors that the networking opportunities are endless at SLU, trying to persuade them that this uni-
versity will not only provide them with fun and knowledge now, but after their time on campus ends as well. This sense of a SLU community has never been stronger and more visible than it was this last weekend when people from all across the country showed their support for the
basketball team as they returned to the national spotlight. “We’ve been rooting for SLU since West Pine was still an actual street,” 1969 alumna Mary Alice Norman said. “We go to every game, no matter what. Even when we are 5-26, we are here,” added her friend Ken Reeves, also from the class of 1969. Norman and Reeves knew each other while at SLU, but were never the closest of friends. Now, however, the two are inseparable when it comes to supporting the basketball team. “We have been to Cleveland, Memphis, Omaha and even Hawaii to watch the team,” Reeves said. Distance did not prevent the SLU community from gathering together to show their support of the underdog Billikens, as people from Missouri, Illinois, Rhode Island, New York and many other states took the road trip to watch the second round of the NCAA tournament. The atmosphere inside and out of the arena was warming, as it felt like a family reunion after a 12-year hiatus. There was something special in the air last weekend. Something felt right. SLU fans easily outnumbered Memphis fans, overtaking the arena with their loud “Let’s Go Bills” chants. By Sunday afternoon, the chants grew louder, as the country gathered around the fearless underdogs as they competed admirably against the fourthbest team in the country.
Season Review: 26 wins highlight Bills’ journey Continued from Page 1
regular season beating Xavier and Duquesne and holding a 24-6 record. In conference tournament play, the Bills received a firstround bye, placing second the A-10 conference standings for the regular season. The Bills defeated Duquesne in the A-10 quarterfinals, but they were then defeated by Xavier in the A-10 semifinals. After a 25-7 record, the Bills then were declared a No. 9 seed in the NCAA tournament and faced Memphis in the first round. The Bills had not received a tournament bid since 2000. The Bills defeated the Tigers 61-54 to give them
their first win in the NCAA tournament since 1998. However, the Bills’ season ended with a 65-61 loss to Michigan State. They briefly lead in the first half and pulled within 2 points in the second half, but they could not regain the lead as Michigan State escaped with a victory and moved on to the Sweet 16. “He’s a great coach. I couldn’t imagine playing for a better coach, a better person. He doesn’t just teach you about basketball, it’s about life.” Brian Conklin said. In Majerus’ fifth year, SLU has begun the rebuilding process to become nationally relevant. Majerus only loses two
players in Conklin and Kyle Cassity, but he will have four returning starters. During the games against Memphis and Michigan State, Saint Louis, Kwamain Mitchell and Jordair Jett were trending nationally on Twitter. The team will bring in two recruits next season in Jared Drew from Indianapolis and Keith Carter from Chicago. The future looks very bright for the Billikens basketball team with national spotlight, a well-known head coach, four returning starters and two of the best recruits Majerus has gotten to come to SLU. The team is only looking up for next season and hopefully years to follow.
Saint Louis Season Stats Points Per Game
68.7
Points Against Per Game 57.6 Field Goal Pct
0.449
3-Point FG Pct
0.359
Free Throw Pct
0.72
Rebounds Per Game
32.7
Assists
13.5
Turnovers
11.2
Steals
6.9
Blocks
2.9
Future: SLU’s program should see more consistency in wins Continued from Page 11
touches, shooting 54 percent from the field. His performance against Michigan State gives another reason for encouragement. Cody Ellis, known primarily for his 3-point shooting, has the size to score effectively from the post. If he can develop a consistent inside game and continue to add mass to his 6-foot-8, 235 pound frame, he’ll be a nightmare for opposing defenses. Rob Loe can follow a similar path to fill the offensive void in the paint. A solid shooter from distance, he has the height to get easy baskets around the rim. Loe’s ability
to stretch defenses creates not only good shots for himself, but his teammates. Kwamain Mitchell will be the centerpiece at point guard. Last year, Mitchell averaged 12.4 points per game, An important statistic to note is that those points came on only 10 shots per game. Mitchell’s a good passer and an even better floor leader as evidenced by his ability to facilitate the offense. Sophomores Mike McCall Jr., and Jordair Jett both played well on offense and defense and showed flashes of greatness throughout the year. Both, like Mitchell, are lockdown defenders capable of putting the pressure on op-
posing guards. Jett has the quickness and strength to get into the lane and draw contact and has shown increased touch on his jump shot. McCall has the potential to be a good shooter and has unparalleled quickness. At the three spot, Dwayne Evans has been a beast ever since he’s put on the SLU jersey. His athleticism and strength are top-notch, and he can finish around the basket. Evans is an outstanding rebounder, consistently snatching boards from taller players. If he can get more touches, he has the capacity to be a dominant player on both ends. I’m not going to pretend that I can tell you where this
program will stand one year from now, because literally anything can happen in college basketball. If you need proof, take a trip over to Columbia and ask Mizzou fans how their brackets are looking. What I can tell you is that SLU returns young talent, a strong veteran core and one of the best basketball minds in the game today. Get out of bed, resume normal hygiene practices and put down the Tom Izzo voodoo doll. Next March has the chance to be something special. It’s good to be a Billiken. For more in-depth information about next season, please visit www.unewsonline.com.
By halftime of the third game of the season, it was clear this year was something special for Billiken basketball. SLU had a 50-25 lead at the half over Washington. It was a coming out party for the SLU defense, and the first time fans got a glimpse of what this team is all about.
Four days in Anaheim (Nov. 24-27)
No matter who they are against, three games in four days can be tiring. And no matter who they are, when the schedule includes games against Boston College, Villanova, and Oklahoma, SLU established themselves as a team to beat nationally. They walked out of the 76 Classic at 6-0, and national-ranked for the first time in 18 years. And one day in L.A. (Nov. 29)
They had been ranked for just over 24 hours when the Billikens tipped off against Loyola-Marymount, on the schedule before the west coast road trip. But LMU jumped out to an early lead and never gave it up. This game reminded the Billikens to keep their feet on the ground – we’re mortal, and every opponent deserves respect. It also dropped them out of the rankings for good. Back-to-back heartbreakers (Dec. 31 and Jan. 4)
After a 12-1 start, SLU headed to New Mexico. It would also be the first of two heartbreakers, as SLU wasn’t able to get shots to drop in the final minute and fell to the Lobos 64-60. Four days later at Dayton, they let a lead slip away late and fell to the Flyers in overtime. The Philly road trip (Feb. 8-11)
Sandwiched between games with Dayton and Xavier, the casual Billiken fan likely overlooked these two days in Philadelphia, when the Bills not only catapulted themselves to the top of the A-10, but played some of their best basketball all season. Head Coach Rick Majerus still says that the St. Joseph’s game on Feb. 8 was the team’s best defensive effort all season. He also specifically cited the win at LaSalle on Feb. 11 as a huge turning point for this team. This is our house (Feb. 28)
After beating Xavier at the Cintas Center, the first time a team had done so in five years, Xavier came to town on Senior Night in February. The sell-out crowd was loud as ever as the Billikens exploded for quite possibly their best half of basketball all season. After trailing by ten at the half, SLU went on a 24-3 run that nearly took the roof off the Arena, and ended up winning the game 70-59. The game – and the post-game ceremony honoring seniors Brian Conklin and Kyle Cassity – was partly a celebration for the great season, and partly a send-off for the games ahead. Taming the Tigers (March 16)
After earning a No. 9 seed in the NCAA Tournament, SLU’s first round game against Memphis was a chance to really show their guns. After a solid defensive first half, the Billikens found themselves down eight with 10 minutes to play. At that point, a Mike McCall three pointer ignited a 23-7 run, one that included eight straight free throws from Conklin, who was 10-for11 from the charity stripe during the game. The first-round win in front of a national TV audience did more for this program than any other game this season. It was the signature win of the year. Showing the World (March 18)
In front of a nationally televised audience – quite possibly the largest TV crowd in SLU history – the Billikens brought No. 1 seed Michigan State down to the wire. Had SLU shot better than 23.8% in the first half, or had Michigan State shot worse than their 61.9% in the second frame, it would’ve been a completely different outcome. But against a team unlike any team they had played before, the Billikens showed they belonged on the floor. And most of all, they showed they belong on the national basketball stage.
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