The University News A Student Voice of Saint Louis University Since 1921
unewsonline.com
Vol. XC No. 16
Thursday, January 27, 2011
dreams, facebook and dragons
Billiken basketball: Meet the man behind the mic >>SPORTS
Inception, The Social Network and How to Train Your Dragon rank among our movie critic’s top movies of 2010. See if your favorite movies made the cut >>ARTS
SLU hosts ‘green’ seminar By CHAD CARSON Staff Writer
The Busch Student Center hosted the Green Economy Symposium, part one of the two-day St. Louis Green Confluence, on Jan. 25. Held by the Saint Louis University Center for Sustainability, the conference aimed to raise awareness and discussed the future of a green economy in the St. Louis area. “Our goal is to have most students understand that sustainability requires a cross disciplinary knowledge base,” Center for Sustainability Executive Director, Tim Keane said during a panel discussion. Although a green economy may not be at the forefront of most students’ minds, St. Louis is currently a leading city in terms of green job growth rate. “We hope our students can gain a basic understanding of sustainability and integrate their knowledge to find green solutions in the market place,” Keane said. Students, St. Louis employers, educators and public policy makers were invited to attend the conference in an effort to share ideas about the future of a “green” St. Louis. The two-day program is a partnership between the Center for Sustainability and several other regional organizations including St. Louis Green Job Board, which is funded by the Missouri Care Center. Wednesday’s program began at 8 a.m. with welcoming remarks by St. Louis City Mayor Francis Slay. The program featured the perspectives of employers, educators, and government representatives regarding the future of a green economy. Panels included CEOs and research managers from various corporations throughout the St. Louis area. The program also featured a panel discussion aired live on St. Louis Public Radio from the St. Louis Room to discuss the topic “Finding Green in the Gateway Economy.” Joe Abernathy of the St. Louis Cardinals, John Alberici of Alberici Corporation, and Phil Rozenski of HilexPoly shared their businesses’ perspectives and future goals in sustainability. “It’s important to define what a green economy is,” Abernathy said. “We regard being green not as an economy but as a way to do business and as a way to manage our specific business in a See “Seminar” on Page 3
25 Years
Assault report heightens campus concerns By ANDREA ROYALS Managing Editor
A female student reported that she was sexually assaulted while visiting the University Heights Loft Apartments at approximately 2 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 23, according to the Department of Public Safety and Security Services. The assailant, described as a blonde haired, white male between the ages of 19 and 22, reportedly pushed the female back into the restroom that she had been exiting and proceeded to assault her. Roland Corvington, director of DPSSS, said he is not at liberty to
discuss the incident due to an ongoing investigation within the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. However, Corvington advised the University community to be alert to their surroundings. Senior Jon Roper, a resident in the Loft Apartments, said he felt security is not a top priority in the building. While Roper acknowledged that the building is locked under a security code, he said that there is so much traffic in and out due to frequent partying, it is nearly impossible to know who lives in the building and who does not. “Out of all the places to party, this
is the spot,” Roper said. “The Lofts are seen as a weekend party hangout for students to get away from [Resident Advisors] on campus.” Security officials stationed at the Loft Apartments, which is under camera surveillance, declined to comment about the safety of the building or the incident. Senior Kate O’Connor, who also lives in the Loft Apartments, said she does not feel less safe in the Lofts than anywhere else. “The same thing happened last year in Grand Forest [Apartments].” O’Connor said, acknowledging the sexual assault case that happened
on campus involving members of the men’s basketball team and a female victim last May. Of the most recent incident at the Loft Apartments, O’Connor said that she felt the assault was tragic. “It’s definitely one of those ‘oh my goodness’ moments,” O’Connor said. O’Connor, however, said she can be smart when keeping herself safe. “I can lock my door,” she said. “I can not walk alone.” O’Connor’s safety suggestions echo advice from Corvington: When See “Assault” on Page 3
CubeSat: Shooting for the stars CubeSat Projects: - CubeSat- a class of research spacecraft. - Two Parks teams- COPPER CUBE and MR LEO - COPPER CUBE (below) uses an infrared camera with a microbolometer array.
Shah (Yuqing Xia) / Associate Photo Editor
Junior Steve Massey and senior Allison Cook test the infrared camera on their “COPPER CUBE” team project. The team hopes the satellite will be able to image other spacecraft in orbit.
Students design, develop mini-satellites By JONATHAN ERNST Editor-in-Chief
As a child, attending space camp taught senior Kerry Fessenden one important lesson: space is closer than it seems. Fessenden and her fellow students at Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology realize this lesson as they wait to hear back from NASA regarding proposals for two of their 2.2 pound, four inch long cube-shaped satellites called CubeSats to be launched into orbit. “It is pretty awesome to design something that has the chance to go into space,” Fessenden, an Aerospace Engineering major, said. “We are waiting to hear back from NASA and we are very hopeful that we will be chosen.” That decision is expected to come by Jan. 31, as this is the second major opportunity for small satellite payloads to fly on NASA-funded rockets planned to launch in 2011 and 2012. The first major CubeSat launch took place in June 2003, and dozens have been launched every year. CubeSats are a class of research
spacecraft that are being designed and developed with contributions from companies, universities and high schools. Since fall, 10 students have been working on two separate satellite projects and in November they sent in proposals to this program. “We’re anticipating some exciting proposals for this pilot program with hopes to break down the barriers to the launching of CubeSats,” said Jason Crusan, chief technologist for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate in Washington. “There are organizations that have been waiting a long time for a chance to see their satellites fly in space.” Parks College is one of those organizations, as the college has never had an object launched into space. Interim Dean of Parks College, Krishnaswamy Ravindra, is excited for the possibilities of these projects and the educational opportunities that they provide students. “The activities in the Space System Research Laboratory provide a platform for our students to work on very well
NASA Proposal - Two proposals sent in November for launching CubeSats into orbit. - NASA releases decision to launch CubeSats on Jan. 31. - SLU would need to commit $10,000- $30,000 for the projects to launch into orbit. - If chosen, the earliest the satellites could launch would be July.
See “CubeSat” on Page 3
Size and weight - Weighs less than 2.2 pounds - Approximately 4 inches long and has a volume of about 1 quart - MR LEO team leaders: Kerry Fessenden, Joe Maccio, Brian McDaniel, Thomas Muntaner - COPPER CUBE team leaders: Allison Cook, Maria Barna, Gerrit Smith and Steve Massey
Grand closure marches on to new date Mental issues move to forefront Arizona mass shooting sparks need for awareness
By MARK J. ZINN Staff Writer
With the general contracting firm already been given the notice to proceed on the project, the long-awaited reconstruction of the Grand Boulevard Bridge will begin with the aging viaduct’s closure in the first week of March, according to the St. Louis City Board of Public Service. Before St. Louis-based Kozeny-Wagner Inc. can begin tearing down the Grand Bridge, however, one of the primary detour routes, the Compton Avenue Bridge, must first reopen, which Richard Bradley, St. Louis City’s chief engineer, said is expected to be Feb. 15. The bridge on Compton Ave. has been closed since October of last year for needed repairs in anticipation for the 14-month closure of Grand Blvd., one of the city’s primary North-South routes. “Once [Compton] reopens, we will post the detour signs and give drivers about two weeks to get oriented to their
By ERIKA MILLER Enterprise Editor
and SEAN WORLEY News Editor
Victor Liou / Photographer
Compton Avenue Bridge, scheduled to reopen Feb. 15, will provide a primary detour route for drivers in St. Louis. new routes,” Bradley said. When the Grand Bridge closes in five weeks, the 30,000 drivers who use the bridge each day will be forced to find alternative routes. Besides Compton Ave. to the east of the bridge, Vandeventer Ave. to the west will likely be a commonly used detour route. St. Louis Mayor Francis
Slay pointed to the I-64 reconstruction project as an example of City commuters being able to deal with large transportation projects. “City residents are resilient. They like to see investment and improvement. We don’t expect [The Grand See “Bridge” on Page 3
There is a common saying by professors that many students hear at least some point in their academic career. “There are no such things as stupid questions.” The motivation for someone to ask about anything they are unfamiliar with or unclear on can also be found in topic of mental health. To ask questions and to be informed seems to be the main message from Saint Louis University faculty and staff regarding mental health issues. While mental health has been a common concern for college campuses for many years, these concerns rose in priority after the mass shooting in Tucson, Ariz. Jan. 8. After the incident took place, media reported the suspect, Jared Loughner, was suspended from his community college after multiple reports
of unsettling behavior from students and professors. Though it has not yet been confirmed if Loughner suffers from a mental illness, this incident has raised mental health concerns on campuses across the country. As an institution, SLU has mental health resources in place to help address these issues and to ensure that anyone suffering from a mental illness has the proper care, no matter the severity of the illness. “SLU is an institution that takes a real team approach that allows for responding to a student in a holistic manner,” said Lisa Reiter, director of Campus Ministry. This “team” approach involves staff and faculty members from several University departments, including the Department of Public Safety and Security Services, Student Health and Counseling, Campus Ministry, Student Development and others. Student Health and Counseling offers individual coun-
seling as well as support groups for various aspects of mental health, including drugs and alcohol, sexual assault awareness, mental disorders, eating behaviors, stress management and many other areas. According to Assistant Director of Student Health See “Health” on Page 3
A new frontier
Read and Recycle The University News prints on partially recycled paper.
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Thursday, January 27, 2011
Let Us Introduce You
Andrew Shipp
Soccer player grows in faith through prayer, youth ministry By DERRICK NEUNER Associate Sports Editor
On Jan. 24 thousands of anti-abortion Americans gathered peacefully in Washington, D.C., to march at the National Mall in protest of the 1973 United States Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade. Among the crowd was senior Andrew Shipp, leading his second youth ministry trip to the nation’s capital for the annual March For Life. Shipp was not there just to march- he was there to lead. Through the Office of Youth Ministry in the Archdiocese, Shipp participated in leading a program geared at advancing a “pro-life message.” It is a task that he not only relishes; it comes natural. “We wanted [to stress] importance of respecting all life from conception to natural death, in sickness and in health. I think the teens really connected and that we made a difference,” he said. “We were part of a huge crowd that walked the National Mall to the Capitol and the Supreme Court to hopefully get our point, our prayer, across that we support life and we feel that it shouldn’t be as lightly as some people take it.” How Shipp arrived in the capital, leading a prayer march to the Supreme Court building on a cold winter’s day, is a story in itself. The St. Louis native knew from his freshman year in high school at De Smet Jesuit that his faith would drive his life. How exactly, he was not so sure. As a teen, he participated in and lead retreats like Kairos and TEC, but what seems so natural to him took several years of discernment. “I was at Rockhurst University and I didn’t really have a lot of things figured out,” he said. “It clicked on me that I would want to pursue a deeper level of theology, and I started looking at other schools and came across SLU, and this is where I ended up.” After transferring to SLU, Shipp found a unique way to grow in his faith through the Archdiocese of St. Louis. After volunteering for the Office of
THE SLU SCOOP Monday, Jan 17
12:42 p.m. - Property Damage A student’s tire was slashed after being parked in the Gonzaga Lot.
Tuesday, Jan 18
5:35 p.m. - Stealing Under $500 A student’s car, parked on Caroline Street, had its front passenger window shattered. The car radio was reported to be stolen.
Be a Responsible Billiken
All Information Provided by Department of Public Safety and Security Services 12:30 a.m. - Informational Two Grand View Apartment complex residents became involved in a fight, with each subsequently suffer stab wounds. SLMPD handled the situation.
Friday, Jan 21
8:55 a.m. - Informational A student was brushed back by an oncoming vehicle and lost her balance after attempting to cross Grand Avenue on a yellow light. The student refused medical attention.
Saturday, Jan 22
2:54 a.m. - Sexual Assualt A female student reported she was sexually assaulted by an unknown male in a restroom of the University Loft Apartments. SLMPD was contacted along with DPSSS. The victim was conveyed to St. Mary’s Hospital. SLMPD will conduct a follow up investigation conducted by the Sexual Assault Response Team. Check out unewsonline.com for this week’s officer profile!
STOP. CALL. REPORT. 314-977-3000 witness.slu.edu dps.slu.edu
Andrea Royals / News Editor
Youth Ministry, Shipp said he became aware of a summer internship coordinating and planning events for Catholic youth ministries around the St. Louis area. “I loved it,” Shipp said. “It was a great way to spend my summer, doing what I know is right, planning for events for the diocese and ... for over 3,000 teens. Those things have always been important to me. It’s something I thought I would enjoy continuing on with.” Making a dif ference in teens’ lives is exactly what Shipp said he enjoys. According to him, sharing his faith with teens challenges him to be better in his own faith life. “I mess up. I make mistakes. I’m human. I struggle with my faith at times like everyone else,” Shipp said. “But because I am challenged, it allows for me to be a greater
example for the teens and to challenge them to stay spiritual and stay passionate about their faith through college. That’s the cool thing about it.” Shipp said he hopes to teach at a Catholic high school in the future, which, according to him, will allow him to pursue his other great love, coaching soccer. In the meantime, however, he said he will continue to finish his degree while engaging youth through his work with the diocese. Shipp has advice for the teens with home he works. “Just because I’m in ministry doesn’t mean I have it figured out. All that I can do is share my story, share my faith and be a role model,” Shipp said. “It’s important that we stay strong in our faith and acknowledge and recognize that God is a huge part of our lives.”
Kati Cundari / Associate Photo Editor
Lack of legislation makes waves in SGA meeting With two special presentations on the agenda, including one by the Internal Fitness and Morale Task Force, the Student Government Association expressed their excitement to be a part of the organization by “doing the wave.” The wave was one result of the committee’s presentation on increasing senator interactions beyond the senate chambers. Kim Reitter of the Student Success Center also gave a short presentation.
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SLU stays open even with inclement weather By KRISTEN MIANO
Han Li / Photographer
Snow covers the Student Village Apartments after a storm on Jan. 20 dumped close to six inches of snow on the Saint Louis University campus. University stayed open despite road conditions. campus sidewalks and parking areas in time for classes and other operations to begin as scheduled. Alternatively, the school has the choice to run on a snow schedule. According to SLU’s Emergency Operations and Closure Policy, a snow schedule “Refers to the situation in which all classes before 10:00 a.m. are suspended, but all other classes are held, all other University activities are continued, and operations and offices of the University continue on their normal schedule.” While the decision to either run on a snow schedule or cancel classes depend on how quickly the University
can clear the snow, the type of closure the school goes with is decided on a stormto-storm basis. According to the closure policy, the responsible authorities for closure due to inclement weather are the academic vice-presidents for both the Frost and Health Sciences Campus Should the school decide on a delay or a closure, students can be notified by calling the SLU Snowline, otherwise know as 977-SNOW (7669), but there are other ways to get the information. “I haven’t heard of Snowline,” freshman Gabrielle Snow said.” I just checked my email for updates from my professors.”
Closure announcements are also sent to local news channels, KMOX Radio, and a closure alert would be posted on the SLU homepage. The University also has the option to use its emergency communication system to contact students, faculty and staff about schedule changes, which would use landlines and cell phones to notify individuals. While the snow caused havoc for some, others remained unfazed. “I live in St. Louis, so I’m prepared for the snow,” freshman Mike Viviano said. “I wasn’t expecting the school to close, so it wasn’t really a hiccup in my plans.”
Assault: Victims are encouraged to speak out, report incidents Continued from Page 1
leaving your dorm or apartment, make sure that your doors and windows are locked. Refrain from propping open building doors. Report unauthorized persons who enter or attempt to enter into residence halls or building access doors. Travel with someone, particularly at night, on well lighted and well travelled streets. Regardless of safety precautions, the recent incidents have peaked student awareness of assault on campus. Last April, a female victim was assaulted by an unknown assailant in a restroom in Xavier Hall. Corvington said the assault was not related to forcible sexual relations. He confirmed the only sexual assault that occurred on campus in 2010 was related to the men’s basketball teammates. Upon completion of a Student Conduct Board meeting, the players faced suspensions but no criminal charges. “We hear about sexual assault when high profile athletes are involved, but the reality is that one in four women are sexually assaulted during their college years,” said junior Theresa Meinert, a member of Una, the campus organization that acts as a feminist voice for the University community. “We need to address the culture of rape, and recognize that it is happening here.” Una plans to take steps to prevent sexual assault during Sexual Assault Awareness
CubeSat: Projects combine creativity and hands-on approach us because it allows us to be creative and use all the things for our students to work on that we learned in the classvery well defined space relat- room,” Fessenden said. ed projects in a team work Junior Computer environment,” Ravindra said. Engineering student Steve “The work experience the stu- Massey reiterated this sentidents gain prepare them well ment of creativity as his team to enter the industry after developed the other CubeSat graduation.” the “COPPER CUBE” to idenThere are currently two tity free flowing space craft projects being developed by using thermal imaging. SLU students in this research “I love the hands-on laboratory. Fessenden and approach. In our project, we three other students are work- are basically trying to identify ing on the what satel“MR LEO” lites are team and nearby and six other what they students are doing These students are are working with our on another ver y lucky that they are C u b e S a t , ” CubeSat Massey c a l l e d getting the opportusaid. “It is “ C O P P E R nity to do space-based nice to actuCUBE.” ally get to Both of research and hopefully work on the the projects they will get their satelhardware are similar lites launched. that the in size and industries weight but -Sanjay Jayaram expect you their misto know sion objecand hopetives and components of their fully this leads to a job in the design have some key differ- space industry.” ences. Assistant Professor and The “MR LEO” team is Director of Space Systems focused on communication Research Laboratory, Sanjay subsystems, as it is equipped Jayaram, believes these projwith a cellular transmitting ects are “crucial” for engiradio allowing data to down- neering students to get hands link to cellular towers and on experience and a foot in relay information directly the door in the space industo personal cellular devices. try. “MR LEO” will relay read“These students are very ings on the earth’s magnetic lucky that they are getting field with this revolutionary the opportunity to do spacedown link system and it is based research and hopefully estimated to last for 10 days they will get their satellites in orbit. launched on one of the NASA “This is really great for rockets,” Jayaram said. Continued from Page 1
News Editor
When it rains, it pours. But when it snows, things get complicated. “I commute, and even though my first class was canceled, I still didn’t want to drive in the crappy weather,” junior Enny Cleaveland said. “I had to leave a lot earlier than usual because the roads were so bad.” Many Saint Louis University students were surprised when the school remained open after receiving close to six inches of snow last week, especially while several other local schools canceled classes. While the snow threw students off, the president of SLU TV and SLU News 22 weatherman, David Koeller, said that this was nothing out of the ordinary. “The average snowfall we usually get is 19 inches,” Koeller said. “[In] the past few years we’ve been under that. This is the closest we’ve been to a normal year.” According to Koeller, this storm was one of the largest St. Louis has had in three years, making this January the sixth snowiest on record. Despite this, however, he feels that the school made the right choice in staying open. “I feel there should have at least been a delay, given the road conditions at 8 a.m.,” said Koeller. “But it didn’t qualify for a cancelation.” A University spokesperson said that the decision to close the school during bad weather is based on the University’s ability to reasonably clear
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Thursday, January 27 2011
Month in April. “There is a culture of victim-blaming prevalent in our society,” Meinert said. “Upon hearing someone has been assaulted, the first inclination is to ask ‘What was she wearing?’ or ‘Why was he or she walking alone by themselves?’ or even, ‘How much did he or she have to drink? Our goal is to direct the focus of the perpetrators of crime, and not those who suffer crime.” Meinert also said that Una plans to promote sex as a positive activity that should be exciting and enjoyable for both partners. “If one of the partners is coerced into an act, even if they aren’t crying and screaming, they are clearly not complicit,” Meinert said. “Therefore, it is not acceptable.” The DPSSS policy on sexual assault confirms that “to constitute lack of consent, the
act(s) must be committed by force, intimidation, or through use of the victim’s mental incapacity or physical helplessness, including intoxication.” Corvington said controlling the consumption of alcohol, aggressively putting a stop to unwanted sexual advances and reporting behavior that suggests stalking are some of the best ways a potential victim may be able to protect himself of herself from assault. Corvington said if someone does become a victim of sexual assault, he or she is advised to immediately report the assault to law enforcement. According to DPSSS policy on sexual assault, “it is important to preserve evidence that may be necessary to prove criminal sexual assault” and actions like showering or changing clothes immediately after the incident may obstruct the
evidence when undergoing a medical exam. Victims of sexual assault are advised to visit the Student Health and Counseling Center, and can find support from the Student Health Advocates and Peer Educator (SHAPE) program, as well as from Una. DPSSS advises that victims file a criminal report documenting the incident. “As a Catholic, Jesuit educational institution, Saint Louis University is committed to fostering a safe, supportive environment conducive to the academic pursuit and healthy personal development of all students,” states the DPSSS policy on sexual assault. “All members of the University community share responsibility for fostering this environment by adhering to standards of conduct. Sexual assault is a serious violation of these standards.”
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Bridge: City faces setbacks Continued from Page 1
Bridge] to be any different,” Slay said. Besides traffic and rerouting concerns, other challenges for the project still remain. “The top challenge on this project is the demolition of the existing structures and building of the new viaduct that will occur over four live Metro and Union Pacific Railroad tracks,” said Patrick Kozeny, President of KozenyWagner. Another challenge for Kozeny’s construction team will be relocating a 30-inch water main that travels underneath the live tracks. But despite these challenges, Slay and others said they remain optimistic about the bridge’s future impact on the Midtown neighborhood. “Grand is one of the major North-South thoroughfares in the City,” Slay said, “and the bridge’s improvements will make Grand safer for people who walk or bike across the bridge, as well as for drivers or transit users.” Junior Lauren MacDonald agreed that the bridge will be worth the wait. “Anything is better than what we have now,” MacDonald, an avid bicyclist, said. Once the bridge on Grand reopens in May of 2012, it will lose two traffic lanes but gain separate bike and drop-off lanes. Other improvements will include lighting and safety enhancements as well as a new MetroLink station.
Contrar y to previous arrangements, Metro officials said they have decided to keep the Grand MetroLink station open, but it will only be accessible by bus or shuttle service. The on and off ramps for I-64 will also remain open for the duration of the project. “I think it’s going to be a mess,” said senior Julia Grawe. “It already takes me close to 20 minutes to get from the Frost Campus to the South Campus and the bridge hasn’t even closed yet.” The University has been preparing for the construction. “Because the City’s Grand Bridge Project start date has yet to be finalized, it is more important than ever that you follow the existing guidelines offered by Academic Advising to allow at least 45 minutes between classes when traveling between campuses. We know that even with out best efforts, the project will create disruptions,” The University said in a statement. “Please know that Saint Louis University is doing everything we can to minimize the disruption including relocating core classes onto the Health Sciences Campus, enhancing SLU’s shuttle service, and developing a web site to keep you up-to-date once the project begins.” The University recommends that if students have further questions or suggestions, they are asked to send them to the Grand Bridge Ad Hoc Committee at grandbridge@slu.edu.
Seminar: Offers sustainable Health: Administration encourages students to seek help ous departments. Faculty or networking opportunities think it’s something everyone book page. Continued from Page 1 In more extreme circum- student groups may request Career Opportunity Showcase and Skills Workshop which sustainable way products be will provide job opportunidesigned so they are not seen ties for those interested in as disposable entering a but rather sustainable sustainable field later and recyclaon. ble,” Rozenski F o r said. those interFlorence We regard being green ested in Hudson, the networking Energy and not as an economy but or meetEnvironment as a way to do business ing with E x e c u t i v e and as a way to manage companies from IBM, involved d e l i v e r e d our specific business with susthe keynote in a sustainable way tainability, address sponthe confersored by products are designed ence lasts Edward Jones so they are not seen as from 11 in an effort to disposable but rather a.m. until describe eco4 p.m. in nomic opporthe BSC. tunities for a Several -Phil Rozenski more sustainarea corable economy. porations Following such as his address, the St. St. Louis Green Job Board Louis Cardinals, Monsanto, was officially launched by Ameren, and Alberici will be Executive Director, Craig on hand to discuss sustainJung. ability and offer information On Thursday Jan. 27, the about future job opportuniconference will host a Green ties. Continued from Page 1
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and Counseling Robert Poirier, counselors are glad to answer any questions students may have about mental health and available services. Other departments often work closely with Student Health and Counseling to refer students to a counselor if mental health issues become a concern. Reiter said her staff is trained on how to identify these issues and to know when it is appropriate to refer a student to a mental health professional. “There is a clear role for the mental health professionals but there can be a faith journey as well,” Reiter said. “That is our role.” Sergeant Pasquale Signorino said if DPSSS services are required, the department has officers who are specially trained through a Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) course. The week-long training is not required of officers and provides instruction on how to deal with mental health crises. “I did the class because I
should be aware of and know how to handle,” DPSSS Officer Kimberly Dalton said. While it may be a difficult decision to make, any member of the SLU community may refer a student to Student Health and Counseling. If a student or faculty member has concerns about another member of the community, Poirier suggests consulting with a counselor about tips for speaking to a friend or classmate. “Keep a conversation ongoing if person is not open to counseling at first,” Poirier said. “I would definitely go recommend going to talk to a counselor at Student Health or a trusted adult,” Maya Rao, vice president of Active Minds said, “People can’t get help, to a certain degree, unless they want help.” Active Minds is a chartered student organization in which members strive to reach the goal of removing the “stigma that surrounds mental illness and [to] create an environment that allows for open conversation on mental health issues,” said the group’s Face-
stances in which preventative conversations are no longer applicable, such as if a student is considered a threat to themselves or the University community around them, the student’s case may be reported to the Behavior Concerns Committee. Outlined in Section 2.5 of the Student Code of Conduct, the Behavior Concerns Committee addresses mental health issues and behavior through a formal process. According to Scott Smith, dean of students and chair of the Committee, the Behavior Concerns Committee reviews the threat and makes a recommendation for a course of action. Though most mental health concerns do not escalate to the point of potential harm, Poirier noted college and university counseling centers are reporting increased numbers of clients and appointments nationally. Smith said the SLU community can be made more aware of factors influencing mental health by taking advantage of the resources offered by vari-
a co-presentation or training from the departments that specialize in mental health awareness. Poirier also noted that Student Health and Counseling offers various programs and awareness days, which address many types of mental health issues. Seeking out and requesting information is a proactive approach to “[identify] concerns before they rise to a level of threat and trying to intervene in a caring way so that students can persist and be successful,” Smith said. Attempts to educate the SLU community about mental health issues may help throw off the stigma associated with the subject and gain positive support for community members who may be suffering. And while it may be intimidating, Rao said seeking answers to mental health questions is better than trying to ignore a problem. “If you see a change in a friend’s behavior, it can’t hurt to talk to someone, but too many times people don’t talk to someone,” Rao said.
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Thursday, January 27, 2011
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Editorials
Editorials are opinion pieces written by the Editorial Board of The University News. The editorials printed in this space represent the opinion of The University News. Commentaries and Letters to the Editor represent the opinions of the signed authors but do not necessarily represent the opinions of The University News.
Sexual assault destroys a standard of dignity “No man is an island, entire of itself. Ever y man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontor y were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were. Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls - it tolls for thee.” John Donne’s “Meditation XVIII” about the intricacies of human nature rings true even today. The loss of humanity is a universal moral travesty supports the idea that we are all responsible for injustice anywhere. One such injustice happened close to home last weekend. The sexual assault against a Saint Louis University student in the Loft Apartments ranks top on the list of atrocities that are absolutely unacceptable; it’s our responsibility to reject this behavior. The stripping of an individual’s dignity in crass, domineering acts corrodes ideas of basic humane treatment. We need to meet some standard of respect in our conduct. Enough is enough. The inability of people to respect others’ dignity is the root of insecurity. We lock doors and set up alarms. We’re vigilant because people take advantage of weakness. The assault happened in a setting where SLU’s Department of Public Safety and Security Ser vices, while responding to the incident, was not able to prevent this horrendous event. They are not omnipresent. We must learn that our security, as well as our standards of behavior, is equally within our control as it is within the control of those who police us. This is a conjunctive effort; we have to meet DPSSS
general manager JOE Mckeon ads.unews@gmail.com Managing Editor Andrea Royals me.unews@gmail.com News Editors Kristen Miano Sean Worley slunews@gmail.com Enterprise Editor ERIKA MILLER enterprise.unews@gmail.com op/ed editor PRIYA SIROHI Assoc. OP/ED editor DANIELA MONDRAGON oped.unews@gmail.com Arts editor Ashley Jones Sports editor BRIAN BOYD Assoc. Sports editor DERRICK NEUNER sports.unews@gmail.com photo editor Noah Berman photo.unews@gmail.com Assoc. PHOTO editorS SHAH (YUQING XIA) KATI CUNDARI photo.unews@gmail.com
Our nation is under fire – on Jan. 8, the people unprotected and wounded. While 2011, at a meet-and-greet in Tucson, Arizona, politicians bicker there way through camRepresentative Gabrielle Giffords, along with paigns, their constituents struggle to see her constituents, became a physical target of through the smoke and the mirrors that both hatred. Jared Lee Loughner killed six people mass media and the politicians themselves and wounded 13 in a vengeful act of violence set up. that left the country in saddened awe. Citizens often lose their way through the President Barack Obama addressed a maze of rhetoric and often useless aggresmourning country with the assurance that sion, unable to sort through indistinct mesthe victims would be proud to see “more civil sages. Politicians should be able to break and honest public discourse [that] can help us down their opponent’s ideas and views to face up to our challengbetter understand them, es as a nation.” Honest without having to break political discourse has down their opponent’s been absent from curperson and political figCitizens often lose rent political campaigns, ure. their way through the most of which have The United States become a spiteful game maze of rhetoric and is founded upon freeof survival of the fitdoms: freedom of relioften useless aggres- gion, assembly, petition, test. Political debate has slowly blurred the lines press, and freedom of sion... between personal lives speech. We at Saint Louis and politically relevant University are responsible issues. for exercising that power Discourse is now crude, focusing on criti- through the upcoming Student Government cism of the politician instead of policies. Association elections. Unclear and combative messages such as We are college students, accountable for these feed the fire and become excuses for both our actions and decisions. We are begincitizens like Jared Loughner, who have been ning to learn and practice our roles as voting influenced by the destructive messages that citizens. SGA elections are a call to responpoliticians throw at each other. sibility. CNN Politics has recently been flooded We must look beyond the person to betwith headlines such as “Gay Conservatives ter understand the issues that affect us. We Target Democrats in Ad Campaign” and are capable of reasoning through façades, Politico has covered stories such as “Too Old like someone who put on glasses for the to Run?” referring to John McCain’s bid for first time. We must learn to see clearly, and presidency in 2007. Presidential campaigns be open and willing to listen and learn while are a merciless battle for power that leaves pushing for progress.
copy editors HEATHER FLISS SARAH MAREK copydesk.unews@gmail.com
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Account executive madalyn guy ads.unews@gmail.com Account executive RACHEL CAMPBELL ads.unews@gmail.com Account executive CONNOR BERRY ads.unews@gmail.com Adviser Jason L. Young jyoung42@slu.edu The Editorial Board of The University News Recognizes Avis Meyer, Ph.D. as the newspaper’s faculty mentor.
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halfway in securing ourselves. SLU students – ever y person – should stop creating more violence and injustice. Equally, we need to help each other when injustice occurs. Greater awareness about violence and security issues on campus as well as more training for dangerous situations is necessar y. DPSSS will be launching a program named RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) for students which will be in conjunction with the St. Louis Metro Police Department and the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA). Classes will be offered. Several DPSSS officers and Housing and Residence Life staff members are already trained in correctly responding to sexual assault. In addition to this future resource, we currently have SHAPE (Student Health Advocate Peer Educators), a student organization that works to provide statistics about sexual assault and substance abuse/ dependence, as well as to dispel myths and common notions about human sexuality. They also examine attitudes and stereotypes regarding gender roles. Through free and public student events throughout the year, SLU students have already begun providing resources and education that can help us stay safer and grow smarter. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice ever ywhere.” Martin Luther King Jr. and John Donne send us the transcendent message that we have responsibilities to uphold our morals. We can’t depend on DPSSS to save us, and neither can we always depend on each other to act benevolently. Striking a balance between vigilance about dangers such as sexual assault and correcting our own violent tendencies is key. No person is an island; collaboration will make SLU a more secure and responsible campus.
Ruined rhetoric remains a riotous affair in our politics
Design Director Brianna Radici design.unews@gmail.com
-The Conservative Billiken SLU’s conservative voice -The Progressive Billiken SLU’s liberal voice -Foreign Affairs Students studying abroad -Going into OT On and off the court - 24/7
Peony Lee / Illustrator
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Posted below are the results from our web poll on The University News’ website. These are the current opinions on how students are surviving the winter weather. How are you surviving the winter weather?
42%
Wearing snow boots ever ywhere
29%
Calling 977-SNOW ever y minute to see if classes are cancelled
16%
Drinking hot chocolate and warm coffee
13%
Skipping classes altogether to hibernate from the cold
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Quotes of the week
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City residents are resilient. They like to see investment and improvement. We don’t expect [The Grand Bridge project] to be any different.
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-Mayor Francis Slay
See Page 1.
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I call it the Jewel of Midtown. Not even just the arena, but the University as a whole. -Bob Ramsey,“Voice of the Billikens,” radio announcer for 101 ESPN
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See Page 9.
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Out of all the places to party, [the Lofts] is the spot.
-Jon Roper, senior in the College of Public Education and Service.
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See Page 1.
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Not only does DiCaprio deliver on an Oscar-worthy performance, but his co-star Ellen Page (Ariadne) successfully breaks her mold as the quirky teen star of indie flicks in this top film of 2010. -Brent Lang, senior in the College of Arts and Sciences.
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See Page 7.
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I mess up, I make mistakes, I’m human. I struggle with my faith at times like everyone else, but when it comes down to it, I’m more challenged when I’m ministering to teens. -Andrew Shipp, senior in the College of Arts and Sciences.
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See Page 2.
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Opinion
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Thursday, January 27, 2011
Injury may have stinted play time but QB should have cheered strong As if a loss weren’t disappointing enough, Jay Cutler added salt to the wounds of Chicago Bears fans Commentary ever yw h e r e with his of f-field performance against the Green B a y Packers Erin Everett o n S u n d a y. And the fans, of course, retaliated. Cutler took a hard hit at the end of the first half, and has since undergone an MRI for injuries to his left knee. Despite this setback, Cutler made a half-hearted attempt to come back in the third quarter. After just one pass was thrown, Cutler says that medical staff made the decision to send him to the bench, refusing allegations that, just halfway through the NFC championship game, he was ready to call it quits. Now, let’s be fair. Injuries are injuries, and Cutler has taken his fair share of hits this season. With 56 sacks and 92 quarterback hits, the Chicago Bears led the NFL in both respective categories for the 2010 season. Maybe all those hits had finally taken a toll on Cutler— his performance during the first half certainly indicated an overall offensive struggle. Yet the biggest flaw in Cutler’s game wasn’t his decision to “tap out,” but instead, his behavior on the sidelines. Cutler wasn’t the only QB on the sidelines, either. The Packers’ main-man Aaron Rodgers was there— though in his case, only between possessions— and exhibited remarkably different mannerisms than Cutler
Heather Fliss / Copy Editor
did. Cutler rode the pine, wrapped under covers that separated him from the rest of Soldier Field. Staring moodily into the “what could have been,” even while listening to his iPod, Cutler made it obvious that he had checked out the minute he stepped off the field. From the opposite lines, Rodgers could be seen wrapped inside a zip-up Packers throw, eyes deadlocked on his defensive linemen. Rodgers watched his team, cheering and smiling when 360-pound B.J. “The Freezer” Raji scored the Packers’ winning touchdown. Acknowledging that he “didn’t play his best game,” in a later interview, Rodgers gave his full support to those
who were. Yet time after time, the camera panned to Cutler, only to show him looking away, looking down, and looking completely disengaged. Bears fans, current NFL players, and other tweeters were quick to call out Cutler’s penalties against them. Jerseys were burned, insults shouted, and loyalties lost. Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Darnell Dockett went as far as to post, “If I’m on Chicago’s team, Jay Cutler has to wait ‘til me and the team shower, get dressed, and leave before he comes in the locker room!” But, since Cutler walked out of the game and, according to the Chicago Tribune, up the stairs to dinner with friends later that night, did
Post-speech, citizens ask: “What’s next?” The fake twitter account of a fake president - Josiah Bartlet from The West Wing - suggested that if the Commentary (real) president ended his State of the Union address with the (fake) pr esident’s catch phrase “What’s next?” - it’d Noah Berman be time to sue. But as someone who spends too much time watching both The West Wing as well as nonfictional politics, lawsuit notwithstanding, it would have been entirely appropriate. In the fictional West Wing, “What’s next?” is the catch-all term for “okay, we’ve dealt with this one incredibly complicated problem; we’re ready for the next one.” It’s a challenge to anyone who might attempt to slow down the Bartlet administration in its quest to fix the problems with the nation. Last night, President Barack Obama issued a similar challenge, although with slightly less-impressive language. In a State of the Union entitled “Win the Future” the president challenged the nation to improve across the board. He issued a series of - as is standard for this particular speech - relatively vague commands towards
fixing our nation’s economic problems. Innovation, education, streamlining the budget: these are the things we must work on to “win the future.” Throughout the speech (and I’m limited by word count here - see whitehouse. gov for the transcript) the president made it clear that winning the future is not the kind of thing that should be held down by people playing politics. Never mind the light irony of a man making a major political statement by trying to stave off politics getting in the way of real work - this is the message that will set the tone for the next two years of the Obama presidency. The president made it clear that he wants progress for progress’ sake, that he’s willing to go further and further towards the center to accomplish the things he thinks will best help the country he runs. Which makes it - and this is probably the best way to put it - cosmically delicious that instead of the usual republican response (singular) there happened to be two televised responses (plural) to the speech. First up was Paul Ryan with a typical “yeah, sure, but what about lowering taxes?” response, which was written and delivered with a polite, economical style. Next, Michele Bachmann gave a grandiose, imagery-laden list of Tea Party platform points and slogans.
So, dear reader, what it all comes down to is this: our president, facing a Republican House (Amityville Horror No. 9) decides that the best way to get things done is to come up with a list of things he wants done. In order to do so, he makes a speech, essentially threatening to veto useless legislation at the same time as he offers cooperation on just about every major issue. What does the Right do? Divide into the helpful faction and the half-crazed faction. The latter believes “Death of a Salesman” to be about some other country while the former is terrified of turning into Willy Loman. This is the state of the union. The Democrats may slowly be realizing that they should start to act instead of react. The Republicans are splitting in half. Meanwhile, quality of education continues to decrease. The education gap widens. The economic gap widens. Becoming Willy Loman should be the least of our worries. In order to “win the future,” I’d like to ask people to - just once - listen to the president. We’re locked so solidly in the present we run the very great risk of ignoring his pleas for nationwide advancement. But oh well. What’s next? Noah Berman is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Mauriel Blakeley / Illustrator
Dockett and crew go too far? The simple answer is yes. Really, with the way the Bears played in the second half— putting up numbers without Cutler’s help— they might even be thankful that his team of doctors intervened. And Dockett, coming from the Cardinals’ 5-11 season, really didn’t have a lot of room to talk. But a greater question follows: Do Bears fans and football-lovers everywhere have a right to expect better from their benched starting quarterback in an NFC championship game? Here, too, the answer is yes. With the great amount of power and publicity that comes hand-in-hand with an NFL starting quarterback position, there is an unspoken
expectation: Make your team look good when it counts. If Cutler had to watch his ship go down, he could have at least done it with dignity, respect, and pride in his teammates. He didn’t have to play the soccer mom, as Rodgers did, but with as much money as he makes in a year, one could argue that he should have to. But I guess that’s part of the reason “The Pack” is going to Dallas instead of the Bears. I’d love to know what was playing on Cutler’s iPod while his team scored their only two touchdowns under thirdstringer Caleb Hanie. Erin Everett is a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Often stood up by SLU Ride, student suggests improvement It’s ten frigid degrees out- SLU Ride extraordinaire, I’ve side. St. Louis is currently the learned to work the system. most dangerous city in the Since I know that they U n i t e d will stubbornly never tell you S t a t e s . an approximate time as to Commentary The only when the van will arrive, I’ve t h i n g s learned to ask: “How many t h a t people on the list are ahead i l l u m i - of me?” nate the This way I have an idea of s t r e e t s how much time I have before are a the van will arrive. few scatIf I want to be picked up at t e r e d Grand Forest I tell them I’m in Marchetti East so that I Victoria Garayalde s t r e e t l i g h t s , can wait inside. the headIt’s these small things that l i g h t s I feel like I shouldn’t have to from passing cars, and the do, that make my relationspinning siren lights from ship with SLU Ride manageambulances and cop cars. able. You’ve received countless I believe that SLU Ride Campus Safety Alert e-mails has the potential to be a great about break-ins, muggings, service if only they undergo sexual assaults, stray bullets a few small modifications. and so on. If they are going to ask for The only thing that sepa- you telephone number then rates you from the safety of they should call you before your dorm is about a fifteen- driving off and leaving you minute walk through this stranded. mess. They should give us a time Now the question is: how estimate, so we can have the do you get from where you shortest wait outside posare to sible. where I would you want also like to to go in know how the safest people But as you watch the SLU many and fastare ahead of est way Ride van drive off into the me on the possible? distance, have you ever won- list without T h e having to c o r r e c t dered why they never call ask. a n s w e r you? A n d should maybe there be SLU should be Ride. more vans I think ready to we’ve all been through the pick people up, so the wait usual procedure of calling isn’t as long. SLU Ride. Though I can go on and “Hi you’ve reached SLU on about everything SLU Ride. How many? Your name? Ride does wrong, SLU Ride A telephone number where does do a lot of things right. we can reach you?” SLU Ride has saved me But as you watch the SLU numerous times from having Ride van drive off into the to walk from Grand Forest distance without you, have to the Village at 1:30 a.m., in you ever wondered as to why either freezing cold weather they never call you? or torrential downpours. Nor do they ever give you It’s picked me up at the an estimate of how much less-than-safe MetroLink, time they will be so you can and delivered me back to my plan accordingly and wait the dorm in one piece. least amount of time outside The students who work in the cold. there have always been very And as you stand beneath kind and respectful towards some streetlight in the coun- me. try’s most dangerous city, SLU Ride has delivered waiting for SLU Ride, you me safe and sound to my could be there from any- dorm many times. where between five and 45 I believe that if SLU minutes. Ride fixes these small conAnd as you wait for SLU cerns they really will be a Ride, has it ever crossed your great service to Saint Louis mind that maybe waiting out- University. side in the dark for long periods of time might not be the Victoria Garayalde is a safest thing? sophomore in the College of As a sophomore and a Arts and Sciences.
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G’Day to new traditions After more than 30 hours of flying and layovers in three different airports and the song “Land Down by Commentary Under” Men at Work playing in the back of my head, I arrived in Brisbane International Airport in Australia at 11:30 a.m. Wilson Fulk on Januar y 9, 2011. Hoping that a kangaroo would be pulling the vehicle I was about to get into (and that it would swing by the beach before dropping me off at Bond University), I began to look around at the sights. As the bus driver pulled out of the airport and began our trek to University, (“Uni” for short), I noticed that the car next to me seemed to have no driver! I gasped, until I realized that in Australia they drive on the opposite side of the road, and that the driver’s seat is on the left side of the vehicle. This was my first encounter with the differing cultures that I experienced while studying abroad in Gold Coast, Queensland. Now as many of us know, “jorts” (men’s jean shorts) have been long gone in the latest fashion trends since the ‘90s, maybe the early 21 century. Regardless of their statement, or lack thereof, in America, Australians still believe that they are acceptable and consider them high fashion. For men, it is highly acceptable to wear jorts, rolled up past your knees, with an oversized sleeveless shirt. For women, the shorter that skirt, or female jorts, the better. Not only were my Nike basketball shorts too long, they were also way too baggy. Everything in Australia seems shorter and tighter. Men’s pants and shorts are Bermuda-style and hug the legs, yet, the women’s styles are almost too scandalous to discuss in print. If my accent and my clothing didn’t make me stand out enough, my American culture had me confused on what to expect of my first day of courses at Uni. At an American university or college, you would expect an 8:00 a.m. class to start at 8:00 a.m. However, in Australia, classes start anywhere from five to 10 minutes late on a regular basis. It’s acceptable to stroll in a little late to class and expect to get out five to 10 minutes early. Not only do you show up late to class, but you also bring nothing but a notebook. Another common occurrence here at Uni is the lack of shoes. It’s acceptable to walk around the mall, campus, library and any other public place barefoot. My first day at the Robina Town Centre, I witnessed children in nappies (diapers) crawling around on the floor. Not only was I shocked at the sight of half-naked babies, but the filth on the floor, not to mention the diseases from all those nasty feet, were inches from those babies mouths. Yet, mothers were by no means shocked at this, nor bothered. Despite the way people dressed and approached courses here, they seemed like they have a lot of similar qualities to Americans. They do not ride kangaroos, they are not all excessively tan with bleached blonde hair and they do not all surf. They all speak English, just have slang words that they adhere by and have no idea what the American translation is, and laugh when they find out. For instance, a typical American would wear their tennis shoes and sweatshirt to the gym or around the dorm, but an Aussie would wear their runners and trackies. My vegetables are called salads; ketchup is tomato sauce; peppers are capsicums; and breakfast is brekkie. You order foods take away if you want it to go, and offer a “cheers” for thank you. Despite these instant changes I had to make, the Australian culture is a great one to be submerged in, and I attempt to blend in despite the differences. Regardless of what culture I am in or the place I stay, I still get asked “What is a Billiken?” Wilson Fulk is a sophomore in the College of Nursing.
Games
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Thursday, January 27, 2011
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Arts OUT ON THE TOWN Arts Editor’s Picks
MUSIC
The University News Thursday, January 27, 2011
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Final cut: Picture perfect Critics weigh in on their top ten movies of 2010 Luciano Formilan is a junior in Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology.
8 p.m. This Piano Plays Itself with Jim Shorts The Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center Tickets are $5
9 p.m. Toubab Krewe with Cas Haley Old Rock House 21 and over only Tickets are $15 Saturday, January 29 6 p.m. Equal Squeeze with State and Madison Firebird Tickets are $8 Tuesday, February 1 9 p.m. Peter Wolf Crier with Retribution Gospel Choir The Billiken Club Admission is free
THEATER Thursday, January 27 7 p.m. Pericles by William Shakespeare The Grandel Theatre For ticket prices, visit theblackrep.org Friday, January 28 8 p.m. Pericles by William Shakespeare The Grandel Theatre For ticket prices, visit theblackrep.org Saturday, January 29 3 p.m. Pericles by William Shakespeare The Grandel Theatre For ticket prices, visit theblackrep.org 8 p.m. Pericles by William Shakespeare The Grandel Theatre For ticket prices, visit theblackrep.org Sunday, January 30 3 p.m. Pericles by William Shakespeare The Grandel Theatre For ticket prices, visit theblackrep.org
MOVIES Friday, January 28 The Rite Opens nationwide 8 p.m. Monday Movie Madness: Alice in Wonderland Cafe Ventana Admission is free
Movie Reviewer
Movie Reviewer
Thursday, January 27
Friday, January 28
Talk to us: Ashley Jones 314.977.2812 arts.unews@gmail.com
Brent Lang is a fifth-year undergraduate in the College of Arts and Sciences
Luciano Formilan
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brent
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Pelada “Pelada” is
a documentary following two former college soccer players, Luke Boughen and Gwendolyn Oxenham, who chase the game of soccer around the world. The name of the movie, which literally means naked in Brazilian, defines back alley soccer games and the sport of soccer at its core. Along their journey, Luke and Gwendolyn find a love for soccer in moonshine brewers in Kenya, prisoners in Bolivia, women who play in Iran and freestylers in China. It is a game that is played by anyone, anywhere, and turns strangers into friends after just one game. “Pelada” is the No. 1 movie of 2010 as it goes beyond the usual depressing documentary and instead truly represented the world’s united opinion of soccer and the World Cup.
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Photo courtesy of Pelada Documentary
Director Gwendolyn Oxenham kicks around a soccer ball at the Salt Flats in Uyuni, Bolivia.
The Social Network In director David Fincher’s “The Social
Network,” Harvard undergrad and computer programming mastermind Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) sits down at his computer and excitedly begins working on a new idea. What starts with simple blogging and coding turns out to become a global social network and revolution in communication. By 2009, Mark had over 500 million friends and became the youngest billionaire in history. However, his road to success was paved with both personal and legal complications. Eisenberg’s role as the confident and pompous Zuckerberg made this movie into the phenomenon that it is. Due to the great performances of Eisenberg and others, the movie is up for eight Oscars. This entertaining film seemed to have not one slow moment.
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Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.
Leonardo DiCaprio (Left) plays a thief who steals information from people’s subconscious during their dreams in “Inception.”
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HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON The Dream-
Works animation “How to Train Your Dragon” follows a young Viking named Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) who desperately wants to join the fight against the dragons that continually attack their town on the Island of Berk. However, being a small, clumsy Viking makes this a challenge. Regardless, Hiccup ventures out into battle and downs a dragon. When Hiccup fails to kill the dragon, whom he dubs “toothless,” they begin a friendship that opens up both their worlds. Soon enough, Hiccup learns that his people have misjudged the dragon species. The two soon find that only with their combined strengths can they fight the true enemy that is plaguing Berk. This fun and simplistic story was surprisingly good, and the bestanimated movie of the year.
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Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.
Daniel Radcliffe returns as Harry Potter in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1.”
Ben Affleck takes a break from acting to direct his latest movie “The Town”.
rector Adam McKay’s “The Other Guys” follows detective Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg) and forensic accountant Allen Gamble (Will Ferrell). With Hoitz’s past mistakes in the line of duty and Gamble’s reluctance to “lose control again,” the pair is not going anywhere. However, when two hero cops fall to their death, it is up to Hoitz and Gamble to step up. The mismatched duo must look past their differences when they take on a high-profile investigation and attempt to earn the respect of their fellow policemen. Having Will Ferrell in any comedic movie is easy to sell, but surprisingly enough, Mark Wahlberg pulled more than his share of comedy. The film provides classic one-liners to be repeated over and over again.
red
Packed with explosive action sequences and just the right amount of humor, “Red” is an entertaining and humorous film.
Kick-ass
Dave Lizewski’s (Aaron Johnson) progression from an unnoticed high school teenager to a city-known hero was worth the journey.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. the world
The cinematic style of the film is unique and unordinary, but refreshingly well done.
Iron Man 2
Many sequels cannot match their predecessors, but for “Iron Man 2,” this statement proves to be false.
Tron:Legacy Many critics and moviegoers complained that
the movie was unrealistic. However, they should have watched the movie for its enjoyable entertainment value.
This psychological thriller from director Christopher Nolan (“Memento”) will forever be the reference for anterograde amnesia in introductory psychology classes. Most everyone knows what this film is about: a thief named Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his team that steals information from people’s subconscious during dreams are put to the ultimate test when asked to plant the inception of an idea in a businessman’s (Cillian Murphy) subconscious. Regardless of whether or not you think this is a complex film, its originality and superb acting should be agreed upon. Not only does DiCaprio deliver an Oscarworthy performance, but his co-star Ellen Page (Ariadne) successfully breaks her mold as the quirky teen star of indie flicks in this top film of 2010.
grammer like Mark Zuckerberg gain 500 million friends? According to writer Aaron Sorken and director David Fincher, he did so by making enemies. The trailer for this film is perhaps the best use of song choice and scene selection that I have seen so far, and the actual film lives up to the trailer and media hype that it received. Whether or not Jesse Eisenberg accurately portrays Zuckerberg is not an issue; rather, his ability to present such a profound characterization in an accessible and human performance should be the topic of focus. Also, despite the beliefs of many critics, this is not a cultural critique of social networking or some profound analysis of the future of human relationships on the Internet; it is a story of what success does to friendships and what it takes to reach the top in business. In my view, Eisenberg deserves Best Actor for this role.
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THE OTHER GUYS Di-
Inception
The Social Network How did such an anti-social computer pro-
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1
In part one of the film adaptation of J.K. Rowlings “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” Voldemort’s (Ralph Fiennes) power is growing stronger with his control over the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts. His hunt for the powerful elder wand is leaving Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) with little time to destroy the Horcruxes, pieces of Voldemort’s soul. Harry and his friends Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) embark on a perilous adventure as they try to find the rest of the Horcruxes. With the last book being broken into two parts, the attention to detail in the film was substantially better. The realism of the environments magnified the connection of the audience to the story. This film was a joy, and the release of the second part cannot arrive soon enough.
Lang
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The Town Even if you are skepti-
cal of Ben Affleck due to his previous bombs like “Gigli” and “Daredevil,” this is a great film. The key to this film was the flow of the plot, as well as its realistic acting and story. The film was based heavily on the novel “Prince of Thieves,” but the characters seem like actual bank-robbing criminals. In fact, Affleck’s co-star Jeremy Renner interviewed actual convicted bank robbers from the suburb of Boston where the film is set. This effort allowed for a much more realistic plot -- without the happy Hollywood ending. Every scene seemed to fade directly into the next, with few obvious flaws and really great connections. The action scenes were similar in intensity to that of “Heat,” but the acting, dialogue and plot in this movie was far superior. This is a film that can be seen several times and continuously be appreciated by viewers.
Toy Story 3 Usually,
a movie with the number “3” behind the title tips us off that Hollywood is desperately exploiting the success of one film and beating it to death. This film is perhaps the best of the series and combines mature themes with beautiful animation that we have come to expect of recent animated films.The film is about life changes and how we go along different life pathways. The film begins with its central characters Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen) desperately seeking the attention of a teenage Andy (John Morris), who is preparing to attend college. After a mix-up during packing, the toys end up at a day-care center where a cold-hearted teddy bear named Lotso (Ned Beatty) attempts to destroy them. Unlike your typical G-rated children’s movie, the ending is bittersweet, which reflects the adult themes which have made animated films bearable.
6 7 8 9 10
5
Shutter ISland This
is another film starring Leonardo Dicaprio, whose character has a dead, insane wife haunting his dreams. Unlike most psychological thrillers that portray mental disorders as some mythical disease that turns people into demons, this film depicts the traumatic events that many experience and the ways they deal with them. The story begins as any other horror film: U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) is assigned to a missing patient case at Shutter Island Ashecliffe Hospital for the criminally insane. Daniels soon discovers that the hospital staff is not what they seem and that they are actively hiding information from him. As he continues his investigation, he is haunted by traumatic memories from his time at war, as well as his wife’s murder. This film combined a great script with even better acting by both DiCaprio and his co-star Mark Ruffalo.
Winter’s Bone
The direction and plot of this film were not incredible, but the acting places it at the top.
Black Swan
Perhaps the most horrific part of this film was the constant bone-cracking sounds and the occasional gore, but the technical aspects of the film make it truly great.
Conviction
If you know the story, this film can be anticlimactic, but enjoyable nonetheless.
Alice in Wonderland
Even though this film was deficient in many respects, its visual elements and Carter’s portrayal of the Red Queen make it worthy of the bottom of this list.
Iron Man 2
While it probably will not be remembered in the long run, this sequel deserves the No. 10 spot of the year.
Visit unewsonline.com for complete versions of the reviews
Arts
8
Thursday, January 27, 2011
‘The Rite’ conjures images of past exorcism movies
unewsonline.com
Local bands take the stage at The Billiken Club
Han Li / Photographer
Local band, The Flaming Death Trap performed at The Billiken Club on Jan. 26. They were joined by fellow local artists Dubb Nubb.
Photo Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Anthony Hopkins plays Fr. Lucas Trevant, an expert of exorcisms, in “The Rite”.Trevant. In the film Trevant teaches a class on the subject to Fr. Michael Kovak, a priest who doubts his faith as well as the validity of exorcism. People possessed by the devil inexplicably speaking in previously unknown languages, changes in one’s Movie Review voice, old Jesuits per forming exorcisms. This all seems natural to students at Saint Louis University. Brent Lang However, this is the plot of “The Rite,” a horror film which tries to mystify the Catholic Church, and probably succeeds, at least for those unfamiliar with it. Based on a book of the same name, “The Rite” tells the story of an American priest named Michael Kovak (Colin O’Donoghue) who is sent to the Vatican to take a course in exorcism. Though he continues to question his faith, he decides to meet Fr. Lucas Trevant (Anthony Hopkins), a Welsh Jesuit and local expert on exorcism. Meanwhile, an Italian reporter, (Alice Braga) who is also enrolled in the course, asks Kovak to disclose any information he has regarding the taboo subject. While he continuously doubts the validity of exorcism, Fr. Kovak begins to experience inexplicable things, including the vomit-
3/5
The Good: The climax of the film and the occassional frightening scene.
The Bad: The typecasting of Anthony Hopkins as a Hannibal Lecter-like character.
The Verdict: Worth a watch.
ing of nails by one possessed woman. He soon learns that he must confront his past in order to save both himself and those around him. As far as the plot goes, this film was unimpressive to say the least. Ultimately, it brought nothing new since “The Exorcist” except perhaps better make-up. In fact, in homage to that film, Hopkins asks, “Did you expect spinning heads and pea soup?” Well, we did expect something other than the same images of the past. Unfortunately, the film tried to present a serious discussion about science and faith in the context of a horror film and failed in both regards. With regards to the acting, Hopkins reprises his role as
Hannibal Lecter, which may be interesting for younger audiences, but seems all too played out for the rest of us. Even though his sharp wit and menacing speech were again effective in this film, his role here could not match that of the past. His co-star O’Donoghue, on the other hand, does do a decent job in his performance in spite of the character that he portrays. In fact, one rather annoying part of this film was the lead character, Fr. Kovak. Even though he has nearly completed his work in the seminary, he continues to doubt his faith and questions whether or not he will perform the rite of ordination. However, it was his love interest and flirtation with the reporter Angeline that seemed most out of place. Clearly, the script was tailored to those who have had very few experiences with priests and those studying to become priests. Also, I’m not sure why, but for some reason a crucifix turned upside down marks the presence of the devil in this film. For me, it simply conjured up images of St. Peter, but perhaps I am confused and alone with that thought. While this film will in no way be memorable, if you are looking for a few frightening scenes without the tortureporn genre of the “Saw” films, it is worth your time.
Han Li / Photographer
The crowd looks on as indie-rock band The Flaming Death Trap performs at The Billiken Club. The club recently released their spring line-up. For more information visit thebillikenclub.wordpress.com.
The University News
Sports Billiken Briefs Track
and
Field
On Jan. 24, senior Brian Holdmeyer was named the Atlantic 10 conference’s men’s indoor track and field performer of the week. Holdmeyer broke his own school record in the 5,000-meter run, with a time of 14:43.14. On the women’s side, junior Hilary Orf also bested her own school record. On Jan. 21 at the Gladstein Invitational at Indiana University, Orf posted a 5,000- meter time of 17:25.04. Her time also rates as the third-best in the nation this season.
Baseball The men’s baseball team was picked to finish fourth in the conference in the preseason A-10 poll. The team, defending champions of the league, open their season Feb. 18 in Brownsvlle, Texas.
Swimming
and
Diving
Both the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams competed at the Lindenwood quad on Jan. 22. The women’s team placed second overall with a score of 110 points, and the men finished third, tallying 69 points. Brian Brasser was the sole winner on the men’s side, winning the 100 breaststroke with a time of 59.31.
BILLIKEN SCOREBOARD
Women’s Basketball VS.
W 64-54
VS.
L 77-53
Men’s Swimming and Diving
W 144-99 W 130-94
VS.
South Dakota State
@
W 72-41 IUPUI
W 89-24
@
Valporaiso
3rd Place
@
Lindenwood Quad Women’s Swimming and Diving
L 107-136 L 103-121
VS.
South Dakota State
@ IUPUI @
L 54-59 W 82-29
Valporaiso @
2nd Place Lindenwood Quad
Talk to us: Brian Boyd 314.977.2812 sports.unews@gmail.com
Thursday, January 27, 2011
unewsonline.com
Billikens lose a heartbreaker Late run by Rhode Island dooms SLU to 59-57 loss at home By DERRICK NEUNER Associate Sports Editor
jumper consistently over the season. Two losses, 64-62 in the season opener against Austin Peay and 61-59 against Georgia could be turned into
If there were to be a recurring theme for the 2010-11 Saint Louis University men’s basketball team, it would be this: we were so close. That theme continued Wednesday, Jan. 26 at Chaifetz Arena when the Look, if we make one un-titan of the league Rhode stop, we win the game. Island (13-7, 4-2) downed the Billikens (7-12, 2-4) by just If we make two jumpa bucket, sending 6,000 fans ers, we win the game. home wondering, But part of it is that we “Could it get any worse?” Freshman Jordair Jett led are young; we play four the Bills with 14 points and freshman a lot. 7-of-10 shooting. Kyle Cassity had 11 points -Rick Majerus and a game-high five assists, while Dwayne Evans and Mike McCall netted nine wins with one more basket. points apiece. Another, a conference tilt Evans (six rebounds) and Cody Ellis (five) led the at Temple, ended in a fourBilliken effort on the boards. point loss for SLU. While one could point to “Look, if we make one stop, we win the game,” head a variety of reasons for the coach Rick Majerus lament- close loses, the most glaring ed. “If we make two jumpers, are the lack of a true leader we win the game. But part and a player who can close out of it is that we are young; we the game in dramatic style. “When you’re a driver in play four freshman a lot … the car and a passenger in the I’m frustrated by it.” The Billikens have need- car, those are two different ed that one stop, one more things,” Majerus said. “The
“
”
guys who drive the car are gone, and now Cody [Ellis] and Kyle [Cassity] have to step in to drive, and psychologically they aren’t equipped for that; they don’t want it.” “I’m trying to make them be something they’re not.” The loss to the Rams throws a wrench into SLU’s hope of competing for a spot in the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament. With the A-10 being unexpectedly wide-open, the Billikens started the night in a battle with the likes of Temple, Dayton and Rhode Island. They now will struggle to finish .500 in the league with games against Xavier, Dayton and leagueleading Duquesne still left on the schedule. The Billikens struggled to guard Rams’ Delroy James throughout the second half, ultimately leading to the defeat. James shot 6-8 in the half for a game high 21 points. Behind James hot shooting, Rhode Island shot 54.2 percent in the second half, a tough number to win against. See “Basketball” on Page 10
Ryan Giacomino / Photographer
Cory Remekun jams a basket against the Rhode Island Rams on Jan. 26 at Chaifetz Arena. SLU lost 59-57. The Billikens are now 7-12 overall, 2-4 in Atlantic 10 Conference play.
The Voice of the Billikens By BRIAN BOYD Sports Editor
When one thinks of Saint Louis University Billiken basketball, a few images may pop into a fan’s head: Rick Majerus, the newly minted Chaifetz Arena, Larry Hughes’s dominance, and if you go way back, the 1961 NIT finalist team. They are all likely candidates. Now if you were to ask a Billiken fan what the first sound to pop into their head, it would not be the typical basketball fan’s answer. To a SLU fan, the steady drumming of the ball on the hardwood, the roar of the crowd after a big slam-dunk or the fight song all elicit powerful memories and emotions, that is for sure. However, there is only one voice of Billiken basketball. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Bob Ramsey. To give you a sense of the legacy Ramsey has created for himself, first consider this— the man has seen five SLU head coaches throughout his time as game announcer for the Billikens. Most of us on campus cannot even name Majerus’s predecessor (Brad Soderberg, by the way). This man has seen it all during his 25 years of calling SLU basketball, the highs and lows, the NCAA tournaments and the postseason misses. You name a significant Billikens basketball moment of the 80s, 90s or new millennium, he has probably seen it. In most cases, he probably called it. Affectionately known as “The Rammer,” Ramsey’s announcing roots do not run too far from the SLU campus itself. He began at Lindenwood University, but in the late 1970s, he began covering local high school De Smet Jesuit’s football and basketball games. “It’s really a long story, but to be honest, it all began when I left Lindenwood. “ “I ended up doing De Smet basketball and football because (former SLU head coach) Rich Grawer was coaching there at the time,” Ramsey said. Ramsey and Grawer both left De Smet in 1980.
Ryan Giacamino / Photographer
The “Voice of the Billikens” Bob Ramsey calls a game at Chaifetz Arena on Jan. 26. Ramsey has been behind the microphone for over 25 years annoucing Billiken basketball to the St. Louis area. A few years later, Grawer was hired as head coach of the Billikens and reached out to Ramsey, hoping to lure him into calling SLU games. However, an agreement was never reached, and Ramsey continued to call games at Louisiana Tech University. In the fall of 1985, Ramsey moved back to the St. Louis area to work for KPLR. While covering games at Louisiana Tech, he began to develop the deep passion for college basketball that has become as much a part of him as his voice. The only problem was that no one in St. Louis shared his love of the game at the time. While working at KPLR, he began covering SLU games, something that had rarely been done at the time. “By then (1985), having been at Louisiana Tech with Karl Malone and having covered NCAA tournaments, I was hooked on college bas-
ketball and nobody here was, really.“ “So within my duties at Channel 11 (KPLR), I was at every game doing game stories, and my news directors go ‘what are you doing?’”Ramsey said. Luckily, Ramsey understood college basketball’s huge potential in St. Louis and pressed on with his coverage of the Billikens. “I just said to them, ‘I’m telling you, this is a sleeping giant. This is going to be a great opportunity.” “Rather than wait… why don’t we cover this team as it goes?’” Ramsey said. “Because I knew how great they were that first season I was covering them.” Covering basketball for a TV station was satisfying, but Ramsey was intrigued at the prospect of calling the Billikens game as a play-byplay announcer on the radio. Ramsey contacted the man with the job then, Tim
Stephens. “If your play-byplay job ever comes open, I’d sure love to be a candidate,” Ramsey told him. The next summer, they made a change. Ramsey was paired with Mike Clayborn, finalizing the KFNS radio broadcast team for the ’89‘90 season and beginning the first chapter of what would become a 25-year (and counting) tenure as the voice of the Billikens. In 2009, the Billikens moved from KFNS to their current home, WXOS, or more commonly known as ESPN radio in St. Louis. The move was not easy for Ramsey after breaking into the business and investing so much of his career with KFNS. However, the lure of calling SLU games proved too much, and Ramsey made the decision to switch stations. “When the Billikens moved, it was really a key element in deciding to move
from KFNS to 101. It was like the tipping point.” “It’s hard for me when you remove the Billiken piece. I had equity in KFNS; I helped build the place up, and it was a very difficult decision, but once the Billikens moved I knew that it was the move to make,” Ramsey said. “Once I made the move, I realized regardless of the Billikens, it was a great move to make because of the corporate backing and the way the company goes about things. I guess in that regard, I’m lucky the Billikens moved here and I followed.” As for his strategy for calling basketball games, Ramsey tries to use words, phrases and tones that make the listener feel like their sitting at the game next to him. Part of that philosophy involves showing his emotion and displaying his passion for the See “Voice” on Page 10
Pujols needs to put things in perspective The memory sticks with me like I had just Commentary witnessed it. Oh, I had my suspicions all right. I am sure the rest of the world had something simiBrian Boyd lar on their
minds at that very moment. That nagging feeling that a mere mortal was about to cross the threshold into that lonely place in baseball fans’ collective unconscious—the realm of the immortals. We college kids, products of the steroid generation, had heard the tales of the select few to reach the plateau of pure greatness: Ruth, Mays, Mantle, Clemente, Musial, DiMaggio and Aaron, to
throw out some names. Everyone has a father, an uncle or a grandfather who would recant the seemingly tall-tales of baseball greatness achieved by those who deserved to be called true legends. It was Oct. 15, 2005, game five of the National League Championship Series. Despite being someone who bleeds Cubbie blue (Cards fans, continue read-
ing please. I cry Cubbie blue more often than bleed it), I was glued to the TV set. I had been familiar with the Cubs-Cards rivalry, but I have always maintained a high level of respect for the storied St. Louis franchise. Most of that respect had been building around the accomplishments of the larger-than-life slugger who stepped into the batter’s box in the ninth inning of that game.
Staring down Brad Lidge, a closer with some of the filthiest stuff in the game, Albert Pujols cocked his elbow high, began the rhythmic, gyrating tap-tap-tap of his front foot and dug in. With Eckstein and Edmonds on base, “The Machine” lurched his hips and elbow back and uncoiled the most beautiful, yet violent See “Pujols” on Page 10
Sports
10
unewsonline.com
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Billiken defense shuts down Fordham Halts losing skid at six games By BRIAN BOYD Sports Editor
In a topsy-tur vy contest marked by suffocating defense and momentumswinging scoring runs, Saint Louis University’s women’s basketball team topped Fordham 64-54 to earn their first Atlantic 10 victory of the season The win ended a six game winless slide. The victory was the first in over a month for the Billikens, despite leading scorer Lauren Woods having a tough shooting night. Their last win came on Dec. 22 against Evansville. Through the first 10 minutes of the game, a win already seemed to be slipping from the Bills grasp. Fordham jumped out to an early 8-point lead, but as they would many times throughout the night, the Billikens hung tough and clawed their way back. Ayriell Robinson hit a three with 10 minutes to go in the first half, setting the spark which would allow SLU to swing the momentum in their favor and gain a 15-14 lead. “We talked to each other. We had to get better on defense and start taking
the first good shot we get,” sophomore forward Mallory Eggert said. Playing their characteristically tough-nosed defense, the Bills hung on to a slim two-point margin to close the half at 27-25. That’s when things got really interesting. Despite their halftime lead, SLU allowed Fordham to go on a 17-8 run in the first eight minutes of the second half. The next thing they knew, they were digging themselves out of a seven-point hole. There was no quit in the team, however. “Everyone had a go-getter attitude. There was energy on the bench and on the court” Eggert said. “We just wanted it more than them.” The Billikens immediately responded with a 7-1 two-minute scoring run, cutting the deficit to 43-42 and putting themselves in position to take the lead. However, Fordham regained its composure with a quick three-pointer and built a five-point lead with six minutes to go. With the momentum swaying towards Fordham, the Bills once again dug deep and found a way to trim the deficit, forcing a turnover and scoring on a fast-break layup
with less than five minutes to play. This time, the Billikens were not going to let the Rams back into the game. Smelling blood in the water, SLU continued to attack the basket, knocking down tough jumpers in the lane and getting to the free throw line. In a stretch of four minutes, the Bills went on an 11-1 scoring run, finally putting Fordham away. When all was said and done, SLU walked away with a huge home victory and entered the win column in the A-10 standings. Sophomore guard Jacy Bradley absolutely went off against the Rams, posting 17 points in 24 minutes. Embodying the toughness with which the team played, Bradley got to the foul line four times, knocking down all eight of her free throw attempts. Eggert continued her emergence as a post-presence, notching eight points and pulling down seven boards. Although Bradley posted big scoring numbers, everyone in the building knew that the Billiken’s suffocating defense was the MVP of the game. In the second half, Fordham
Shah (Yuqing Xai) / Photographer
Guard Ayriell Robinson drives to the basket during a game at Chaifetz Arena on Jan. 25. shot only 28 percent from the field. Most of the Rams misses came during the nine-minute stretch to close the game in which the Billikens did not allow a single field goal. The team employs highintensity defensive drills in
practice to boost their defensive stamina and efficiency while allowing the squad to clamp down in the closing minutes. “We run a minuteand –thirty-second-long drill called persist defense. We want that minute and thirty seconds to go all the way
down without the offense to score. “ “We really battle each other. It helps us a lot in the games, being prepared for a minute and a half. If we only last 30 seconds on defense in practice, we get in trouble,” Eggert said. The Billikens host a battle-tested Charlotte team on Jan. 30. Charlotte comes in boasting a 15-5 (3-2) overall record, winning four of their last five and being one of the few teams in the nation who held undefeated and No. 3 Duke to a single digit victory margin. The game should provide insight into how competitive SLU can be during the remainder of the A-10 schedule. Regardless, there is no doubting that putting that first tally in the conference victory column will give the boost heading into the rest of A-10 play. Perhaps the Billikens are tapping into their wealth of talent. If they are able to continue this level of defensive intensity while bringing their offense up to pace, they have the potential to make some noise. “[The win] picks up our spirits for sure. We know how hard we work and that we’re better than our record indicates. Now we have a chance to show people that,” Eggert said.
Voice: Trademark enthusiasm Basketball: Tough home loss Continued from Page 9
game. “I take some good-natured ribbing about getting excited, getting angry, but I know that if I was at the game as a ticket buyer, I’d be yelling at the ref, getting excited when the team scored, mad when they made a mistake, and all those sorts of things,” Ramsey said. “You don’t want to be insane. wYou have to tell the story of the game.” His enthusiasm for the game is what sets him apart from other broadcasters though and has made him almost a cult hero in the SLU community. When listening to him on the 101.1 ESPN, alongside long time partner Earl Austin, Jr., fans can expect genuine emotion. “There’s a lot of guys who can say ‘Smith passes to Jones. Johnson shoots’ and then give you the score,” Ramsey said. “But I think the enthusiasm I bring is what has endeared me to the fans.” Some listeners tend to mistake his enthusiasm for raw bias. While Ramsey admits he is a huge Billiken fan, he does not hesitate to be critical of
the team, administration, players and coaches like any fan would be. There is a big difference between a homer and a fan, and the former Bob Ramsey is not. “Am I biased? Yes, by definition. Of course I want the Billikens to win. But if you really listen, I don’t say that every play is a great play, and every player is a great player. You have to have credibility.” Ramsey said. Being a fan, Ramsey naturally has his opinion on the state of the program and the University as a whole. He has been impressed by the administration’s commitment to upgrading the campus and its facilities, most notably Chaifetz Arena. Ramsey sees Chaifetz and the state-of-the-art facilities as a tool that can be used to commit to play for the Billikens. “I think the University got it right with Chaifetz Arena. I call it the jewel of midtown,” Ramsey said. “Not even just the arena, but the University as a whole. I’ve seen them all, and I would stack it up against any innercity campus in the country.” Ramsey also had high praise for Rick Majerus’s efforts as head coach, espe-
cially on the recruiting trail. Despite toiling through his toughest season to date, Ramsey acknowledges Majerus’s intention to build a sustainable program here at SLU. Ramsey continued, “What Rick is doing is stacking classes. He’s not looking to build a team during a given year. He’s looking to build a program, and you have to continue to stack classes when you build a program. They have a seven-footer coming in, and by the time he comes around next fall, you’ll have scholarships to get more players. It’s stacking, and it’s how you build a program.” Ramsey shows no signs of slowing down as the voice of Billikens basketball. His wit, knowledge and love of the game continue to capture listeners’ hearts and attention. Rammer has firmly established himself as a part of Billiken basketball lore. And as for being considered a cult hero, Ramsey jokingly had this to say. “Rev. Jim Jones was a cult hero too, so you got to be careful with that.But you know what? I would like the listeners to drink the Billiken Kool-Aid.”
Continued from Page 9
Majerus constantly rotated his defenders around James, who outmuscled junior Brian Conklin, spun around Jett and stood over Evans. Due to a lack of size and strength in the paint, SLU was simply outmatched. “I didn’t see [a good matchup], or I would have kept it,” Majerus said. “Dwayne [Evans] isn’t tough enough. Conklin doesn’t have a good feel. Jordair is too small. And I couldn’t go to a junk defense because they’re too good of 3-point shooters.” SLU and URI went bucketfor-bucket throughout the night. Neither team led by more than five points and the lead changed 15 times. The Billikens, however, got stuck on the wrong side of a Rhode Island lead. The Rams scored eight consecutive points over the final 4:48 of the game to erase a 54-51 SLU advantage. The biggest blow came when Will Martell rebounded a miss by James, scored and converted a three-point play with 18 seconds left, draining the SLU momentum. SLU pulled within the two on a late, Cassity three but were left with under a second
Ryan Giacomino/ Photographer
Former Bill, Willie Reed plays the cowbell in the pep band. left on the clock and no feasible way to secure the win. “It doesn’t matter how each individual does if we don’t get the win,” Christian Salecich said. “This is disappointing.” The Billikens head to the
nation’s capital this weekend to take on George Washington on Saturday, Jan. 29. The Colonials are 3-3 in league play. After six games, SLU is tenth in the Atlantic-10 conference.
Pujols: Does anyone deserve that much? Continued from Page 9
swing I had ever, and still have ever, seen in my life. The result? A walk-off home run that landed somewhere in Canada. That’s when I knew. Albert Pujols had crossed the threshold. At that very moment, without a shadow of doubt in my mind, I knew that Albert Pujols was the greatest hitter I’d ever see in my lifetime. Although I have grown away from the game and begun what can be loosely called a transition into adulthood, Albert has always held a place near and dear in my heart. Right now, he’s breaking it. Pujols has always epitomized the penultimate good guy; he respects the game and shows it on and off of the field. He’s been active in the St. Louis community, and handles himself with a poise and grace
that American athletes sorely need. Simply put, he is a real life superhero. Unfortunately, it looks like he’s falling victim to the almighty dollar. For those who haven’t been following, Pujols and the Cardinals have reached a halt in their negotiations to extend his contract beyond next season. In 2004, Pujols signed an eight-year, $111 million contract. Last year, he rolled in a cool $14,595,593, but believe it or not, that figure does not even crack the top-20 highest annual player salaries in the MLB. Last year, he wasn’t even the highest paid player on his team. (We’re looking at you, Matt Holliday) Right now, he’s asking the Cards for a 10-year deal somewhere in the vicinity of $300 million. The Cards are looking to give him a seven-year deal worth about $196 mil-
lion. At this point, it looks like Albert’s not budging. Neither are the Cardinals. While comparing his performance and salary to other players in the league, I understand his gripe. There are some definite has-beens making more per year than he is. Even Rodriguez’s performance can’t sniff Pujols’s, especially in the postseason. The thing is, Albert Pujols isn’t any of those guys. He’s bigger than the bloated salaries and the bottom line. The Cardinals need Pujols. Baseball needs Pujols. Baseball needs Pujols to realize that he is the face of the game. Honestly, what does the man have to prove? It’s not like the guy is strapped for cash. In his 10 years in the Big Leagues, he’s made nearly $91 million in salary alone.
That’s not including endorsements. Albert Pujols plays a game in a city which elevates its ballplayers to a Godlike status. What he’s forgetting is that he plays the game in a city in which 26.7 percent of its residents live under the poverty line. To put Pujols’s demands in a context the average American can understand, chew on these numbers for a minute. The average salary of a MLB player is a little bit over $3 million. The average doctor’s salary is a hair under $150,000. University professor? Try $77,000. Fire fighter? About $45,000. Kindergarten teacher? Roughly the same. Listen Albert, you’re the best. You can do things with a bat and a ball that no other human being on the planet can do. This should in no way detract from your superhuman talent or work ethic. But really? Swallow your pride. Do it for the game which has given you so much and to which you have given so much. Do it for the city whose diehard love of the game leaves the rest of the baseball world in awe. Most importantly, do it for kids like the 14-year-old version of myself who, for that one moment in time, believed that there are real-life heroes in a sports culture littered with drugs, greed and a mefirst mentality.
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