The Oracle T H U R S D AY, J A N U A R Y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 I V O L . 5 3 N O. 6 3
Inside this Issue
C O - N E W S
Universal Orlando Resort hosts Harry Potter Expo. Page 5
Montage
S P ORTS USF commit Chris Oladokun stays in Bay Area. BACK
U N I V E R S I T Y O F S O U T H F LO R I DA
Divestment resolution veto stirs up senate By Miki Shine
L I FE STYLE
w w w. u s fo r a c l e. co m
The Index
Opinion.......................................................4 Classifieds..............................................8 Lifestyle......................................................5 Crossword......................................8 sports.........................................................12
E D I T O R
A heated debate broke out at Tuesday’s Senate meeting after Student Body President Andy Rodriguez and Vice President Michael Malanga officially vetoed the divestment resolution. “We believe that bringing a topic as polarized and politically driven as this into the realm of Student Government serves only to divide the Student Body and disparage students with opposing viewpoints, instead of uniting our students,” Rodriguez and Malanga’s memo said. Students on both sides of the debate shared their thoughts on
the resolution; speaking from rations that are investing in personal experience, research human rights violations. and opinions on the matter. “For me, Palestine is A few senators also joined the what women suffered in the debate, speaking 1920s. For “I like this better me, Palestine heatedly on both sides. is what Civil “It is a com- than last week. It’s Rights was in plete honor to very nice hearing the 1960s. For support the resome, Palestine lution that sup- both sides of the is what apartported 10,000 heid in South argument.” student voices,” Africa was in Senate President the 1990s.” Brendon Green P r o - Te m p o r e Students in Student Government Senator Danish Hasan favor of the ressaid. “We’re springing away olution stated it would allow from the debate, but the fact students to see the investments is that this was a mere rec- of the university and to create ommendation to the USF a platform to raise concerns Foundation to divest from any- about the ethics behind some thing from pornography to fos- investments. sil fuels, from private corpo“I want to discuss how, if
any country poses any human rights violations, any crimes against humans, as student we have the right to voice our opinions,” an unidentified student said. “We are accountable for our own university and we shouldn’t let our own university invest funds in countries that prevent human beings from enjoying their unalienable rights. The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement is classified as a global movement by bdsmovement.net that’s campaigning against Israel until it complies with international law and Palestinian rights. The Palestinian Civil Society started the movement in 2005 hasn’t been condoned
n See DIVEST on PAGE 2
Tobacco-free campus not so tobacco-free By Grace Hoyte E D I T O R
I N
C H I E F
Despite being newly tobacco-free, USF’s campus has not been without smokers in the former designated smoking areas, and it has not been without the vapor from the devices that have become so popular. But questions have remained regarding how the university expects to enforce the policy. According to USF Director of Environmental Health & Safety Beverly Daly, the university expects students to enforce the policy among each other through peer enforcement. In an emailed statement to the Oracle, the university states “if a person is seen violating the policy, they should politely be asked to stop.” However, some students have chosen to ignore the policy. Every day, dozens of students still stand outside the library in the former designated-smoking area and light their cigarettes. “They say that USF is a tobacco-free campus, but if you cannot smoke inside
the campus, where will you smoke?” a student smoking outside the library said. According to Tobacco Free Florida, the state banned smoking indoors in 2003, with the exception of bars. “Campus is not small, it’s 1,900 acres,” the student said. “Getting out of campus between classes is damn difficult. The second thing is… putting these kind of posters up just shows that the university does not legally support smoking.” According to the university’s statement, the consequences of continuing to break the rule depend on the person’s relationship with the university. Students who continue to use tobacco products after being asked to stop will be reported to Student Rights & Responsibilities. Likewise, employees who are identified as having disregarded the policy will be reported to their supervisor. Although, there are some students who feel the ban is simply unfair.
n See SMOKE on PAGE 3
Despite the new tobacco-free policy at USF, which began on Jan. 4, students continue to smoke in former designated smoking areas. ORACLE PHOTO/JACKIE BENITEZ
2
T H U R S DAY, J A N U A RY 2 8 , 2 0 1 6
SG president applications available By Grace Hoyte E D I T O R
I N
C H I E F
General election season for the next student body president is soon to be underway, and now is the time for interested potential candidates to pick up an application packet from Student Government (SG). “What people can do if they want to gather more information is … look over the application packet — it’s found both on Bull Sync and on our Student Government website,” SG Supervisor of Elections Carson Sadro said. The packet is fairly extensive, with space allotted for campaign expense and candidate contribution statements. The application is due Feb. 5 at 5 p.m. Presidential and vice presidential hopefuls with an undergraduate standing must be registered for at least 6 credit hours, be in good academic
standing within his or her college and have a 2.5 GPA. For those in graduate standing, the same academic standing and GPA requirements apply, but the credit hour requirement drops to 4. Though largely unnoticeable outside of the Marshall Student Center, SG has made attempts to advertise the election application. “This year, we’ve been trying a couple of different things. And we’ve been working with a lot of our different departments here in Student Government,” Sadro said. “(But) a lot of the time, we rely a lot on the people who work here in Student Government to get the word out, as well.” So far, only one ticket has submitted the application. Current Senate President Kristen Truong and junior Mary Lumapas are running as the President and Vice President, respectively. According to Director of Student Government Advising,
Training and Operations Gary Manka, theirs is only an application so far. “They are only candidates after they have been screened and their eligibility is confirmed based on statutory requirements,” he said in an email to the Oracle. In the past 2 years, former members of SG have not only run for the presidency, but they’ve won. Two years ago, former SG senator Jean Cocco won the election against opponent Brandi Arnold. Last year, former SG Senate President Andy Rodriguez defeated former SG Chief Justice Sammy Hamed. Any interested candidates should note that, though the application is due Feb. 5, campaigning doesn’t begin until Feb. 15. Once the candidates are selected and campaigning begins, Sadro said there will be a “Meet the Candidates” events on Feb. 24.
DIVEST
Continued from PAGE 1
by the Palestinian National Authority. “I have a question that may not exactly have an easy answer,” a second unidentified student said “If the resolution presented in this very room last week wasn’t meant to be anti-Semitic and solely for the purposes of human rights, why is it that the only country condemned for human rights violations was Israel? “I would appreciate it if the people making decisions in my name would be more considerate of all cultures attending this school. Which, unfortunately for many, includes Israelis.” Although many speakers discussed the polarity of the issue a few brought up the possibility of a compromise between the Palestinian people and the leaders of Israel. “I’m a student, I’m Jewish, and I’m pro-Palestine,” a third unidentified student said. “I’m also pro-Israel, because those are not mutually exclusive. It is possible to be for two states for two people. It is pos-
●
T H E O R AC L E
sible, if you say you support human rights, to criticize the Palestinian society.” Despite the hostile environment of the debate, a handful of senators spoke up in approval, appreciating the chance to hear differing student opinions. “I like this better than last week. It’s very nice hearing both sides of the argument,” Sen. Brendon Green said. “This way we can hear both sides about what students on campus think. No one is overpowering anyone. I just want to say this is what we should be about: hearing both sides and hearing what they both think.” If the resolution is presented to the Senate again and receives a two-thirds vote in favor, Rodriguez and Malanga’s veto could be overridden. “I have not received the resolution, but I’ve been told that it will be coming to my desk at some point,” Faculty Senate President Michael Teng said. “What we will do is once it comes to me, we will review it at the senate executive meeting and see if there are things we need to discuss with the full senate.”
T H U R S DAY, J A N U A RY 2 8 , 2 0 1 6
●
3
T H E O R AC L E
SMOKE
Continued from PAGE 1
“For me, they’re just testing my patience, because it’s a requirement for me to live in the dorm, and I’m staying there, and the campus is smoke free,” another student smoking by the library said. But USF feels it provides enough options for smokers to break the habit. On its website, the university has links to several online resources for quitting, as well as information about on-campus initiatives to help smokers break the habit. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states on its website that in 2010, more than half of the 43.5 million smokers in the U.S. stopped smoking for at least a day in the preceding year because they were attempting to quit. However, according to cancer.org, only between 4 to 7 percent of those who try to quit smoking are able to do so without help. Yet, while helping people quit smoking and trying to enforce the policy are val-
Students have continued to smoke outside of certain buildings, in spite of the new tobacco-free campus policy. ORACLE PHOTO/ADAM MATHIEU iant goals, many students are unwilling to single out others and confront them. “If someone observes the policy being violated and prefers not to engage the person, they can ask to speak with the facility/building manager of the nearest building and report the offender,” USF’s statement said. Building managers can be
identified at the front desk of the respective building, and can be reached on a walkietalkie. “One time, one person came up to me and asked where the designated smoking areas were,” Renee Garcia, one of the building managers of the Marshall Student Center, said. “I just had to tell him that there weren’t anymore.
He showed a little frustration, but he just left after that.” Otherwise, though, Garcia said he hasn’t had to address any student smokers around the building. While students get used to the process and the campus gets clearer and clearer air, students are encouraged to be polite and do their part.
4
Opinion
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
the Oracle the University of South Florida’s student newspaper since 1966
●
T H U R S D AY, J A N U A RY 2 8 , 2 0 1 6
●
T H E O R AC L E
Trump refuses to participate in upcoming debate
Editor in Chief Grace Hoyte oracleeditor@gmail.com Managing Editor Adam Mathieu oraclemeditor@gmail.com News Editors Miki Shine Abby Rinaldi oraclenewsteam@gmail.com Sports Editor Jacob Hoag oraclesportseditor@gmail.com Opinion Editor Breanne Williams oracleopinion@gmail.com Lifestyle Editor Jasmin Faisal oraclelifestyleeditor@gmail.com Copy Editors Zach Lowie Isabelle Cavazos
Presidential Nominee Donald Trump and Fox News anchor/debate moderator Megyn Kelly. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE.
Graphic Artists Luke Blankenship Destiny Moore Advertising Sales Lauren Alford Alyssa Alexander Adriana Covate Destiny Moore Dylan Ritchey Cover Art Luke Blankenship The Oracle is published Monday and Thursday during the fall, spring and summer semesters. The Oracle allocates one free issue to each student. Additional copies are $.50 each and available at the Oracle office (SVC 0002).
BY PHONE Main . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sports ................ Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Website: Facebook: Twitter:
974-6242 974-5190 974-1888 974-2842 974-2620 974-6242
usforacle.com facebook.com/usforacle @USFOracle
CORRECTIONS The Oracle will correct or clarify factual errors. Contact Editor in Chief Grace Hoyte at 974-5190.
Tuesday, Donald Trump announced he would be boycotting today’s scheduled GOP debate after Fox chose Megyn Kelly to participate as one of the moderators. Trump and Kelly have been bickering since the first Republican primary when Kelly grilled Trump on the many derogatory statements he’d made in the past regarding women. “Your Twitter account has several disparaging comments about women’s looks,” Kelly told Trump. “You once told a contestant on ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ it would be a pretty picture to see her on her knees. Does that sound to you like the temperament of a man we should elect as president?” In response, Trump simply replied the U.S. was too worried about being politically correct and he didn’t have time for that. The majority of viewers backed Kelly’s stance, which Trump, five months later, is still sore about. Fox stuck by their journalist and refused to cave to Trump, despite the threat of lower viewers and thus a lower profit. The network chose to stand for democracy over making a profit. By defending Kelly Fox made it clear they
refused to be bullied into submission. Today’s debate will be the last GOP debate before the Iowa Caucus, which makes Trump’s boycott even more outrageous. How are voters supposed to respond to a major candidate abandoning the stage like a child who didn’t get to play on the team they wanted at recess? The job of president is never going to be an easy one. The president constantly has to work with people he or she doesn’t get along with, and Trump is proving he isn’t up for the task. Trump announced he would be holding a fundraiser in Iowa at the same time as the debate that will benefit veterans and wounded soldiers in an attempt to draw viewers from the event. Apparenly, Trump believes voters will forgive his pettiness because he is dedicating the time he should be defending his policies against his contending candidates to a good cause. Unfortunately for him, voters aren’t as dense as he hopes. If Trump truly felt compelled to aid veterans, he would make an effort to do so, regardless of the debate. Scheduling a fundraiser at the same time is spiteful
and conceited. If Trump cared about his party, he would want potential voters to be wellversed on the issues and each candidate’s stance so they could see why he is the best fit for president. Instead, Trump is attempting to draw viewers away from the debate, which will only hurt the Republican Party. Constituents need to be united in the upcoming election or they will undoubtedly lose. Dividing the party ensures its failure. Kelly may have been harsh on Trump, but she was equally blunt with every other candidate. Perhaps, if Trump hadn’t spent his career isolating female voters, he wouldn’t be in this situation. That uncomfortable feeling in your chest isn’t acid reflex, Mr. Trump. It’s guilt. Instead of retaliating like a pouting toddler, act your age and join your fellow candidates on stage. Breanne Williams is a junior majoring in mass communications.
LIFESTYLE
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
●
T H U R S D AY, J A N U A RY 2 8 , 2 0 1 6
●
5
T H E O R AC L E
A very magical weekend By Grace Hoyte E D I T O R
I N
C H E I F
For every Harry Potter fan disappointed at not receiving an acceptance letter to Hogwarts on the eve of their eleventh birthday, Universal Orlando Resort has a treat in store this weekend. You may not have gotten to hold the bucket for Ron as he threw up slugs, and you may not have gotten to duck out of the way of Neville’s runaway broom, but you may soon get a chance to relive the memories with their reallife counterparts. Ron (Rupert Grint) and
Ginny (Bonnie Wright) Weasley and Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis) will be featured at Universal’s “A Celebration of Harry Potter” Expo Friday through Sunday. The event is tailored for nostalgic adults, as well as newcomers to the fandom. “This special event for fans of all ages will celebrate all of Harry’s adventures, from the beloved books to the Warner Bros. feature films,” Universal Orlando Resort public relations officer Laura Dossett said in an email to the Oracle. Each day, the Expo will begin at 9 a.m. and last until
6 p.m. on Friday and Sunday. On Saturday, the Expo concludes at 4:30 p.m. Inside the Expo, guests will have a chance to be sorted into a house, get an up-close look at many of the film series’ iconic props and be able to share what Harry Potter means to them at the Scholastic Publishing Company booth. The panel available outside of the Expo includes a question-and-answer session with members of the cast, including Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) and Katie Leung (Cho Chang). Later on, fans can learn from the prop makers and graphic design-
ers of the film franchise how some of the many iconic props and settings were brought to life. And for fans of movie trivia, there will be several opportunities to show off your knowledge of the properties of asphidel in an infusion of wormwood. Ultimately, the experience can be as magical as you make it. So, grab your wand and cloak out of the trunk we both know you have and get in line for the sorting ceremony.
SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE
6
T H U R S DAY, J A N U A RY 2 8 , 2 0 1 6
●
T H E O R AC L E
University Police receives grant for traffic safety enforcement By Abby Rinaldi C O - N E W S
E D I T O R
University Police (UP) have received a significant grant for conducting high visibility enforcement and education concerning traffic safety. This enforcement will include education, warnings and citations carried out by uniformed officers in specific locations around campus. “(UP) will provide high visibility traffic enforcement for all road users, including pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists, in an effort to change behaviors and improve the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists,” UP Operations Commander Meg Ross said. The $14,607 grant was approved in October of 2015, and UP has been in the education phase of the grant since Oct. 29, Ross said. Next week, UP will be moving into the warning phase. After about a month of this, it will move into the citations phase. All options
— education, warnings or citations — will be carried out at the discretion of the officers, Ross said. “There is always an emphasis on education, but we’ve been providing educations since October so we will be moving to warnings at the officer’s discretion,” Ross said. “We will continue to provide education as well.” According to Ross, the grant is strictly an overtime grant and will allow UP to have two officers on patrol for four hours once a week. While on patrol, they will not be responding to other calls unless there is an emergency. The officers’ primary responsibilities will be seven specific areas of campus. These seven locations include Fletcher from 42nd to 56th street, Fletcher and Bruce B. Downs, Holly, 131st and Bruce B. Downs. The grant was awarded by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and is part of Florida’s Bicycle/Pedestrian Focused Initiative. UP began implementation of the initiative’s education phase. According to the Florida
University Police handed out information on traffic safety during the education phase of their new traffic enforcement program made possible by a grant they received in October. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there have been 1,482 total crashes in 2016 as of Jan. 26, resulting in 1,117 total injuries. This included 38 pedestrian crashes and 22 bicycle crashes. There have been 19,637 total crashes in Florida in 2016. Crashes on campus have also been a problem, Ross said. In
2014, there were 197 crashes, 27 of which were non-motorist crashes, resulting in 39 injuries on campus, according to Ross. “It’s all relative, but with the number of pedestrians and bicyclists on campus and the amount of vehicular traffic, it’s definitely an area that we need to look for solutions on,” Ross said. “… Now,
we didn’t have any fatalities in the 2014 calendar year in and around this area, but it’s always been a concern for us. “We know our community uses these other methods of travel, not just vehicle but also bicycle and foot traffic, so we need to find a way to make sure everyone travels safely.”
T H U R S DAY, J A N U A RY 2 8 , 2 0 1 6
●
7
T H E O R AC L E
Women’s Basketball
Williams continues to cement her legacy
With 16 points tonight, senior guard Courtney Williams moves to second on the USF all-time scoring list. She is just 47 points from becoming only the second player to reach 2,000 points. ORACLE PHOTO/ADAM MATHIEU
By Chuck Muller C O R R E S P O N D E N T
USF senior guard Courtney Williams continues to inch her way closer to history. The All-American senior guard continued to add to her legacy as one of the most prolific scorers in USF basketball history in another blowout victory Wednesday, this time drumming Houston 73-49. Williams led the Bulls’ march once again, with 13 points and 16 of USF’s 48 rebounds. With 1,953 career points, Williams passes USF great Wanda Guyton for second on USF’s all-time scoring list. Williams is still far from Jessica Dickson’s record of 2,402 points. USF (14-5, 7-2) had 5-foot8 Williams take the game’s opening tip, winning the possession over 6-foot-1 Houston guard Jessieka Palmer. The Bulls got off to a slow start offensively, only leading
the Cougars (4-15, 0-8) 13-12 after the opening quarter. But in a second quarter where USF held Houston to only three field goals, the Bulls were able to impose their will offensively to lead 40-21 at the half. Standout freshman forward Kitjia Laksa, who was held to only a single field goal in the first eight minutes, came alive in the second quarter, outscoring the entire Houston team 13-9 in the period. Laksa, who came into the game ranked 32nd in the country in made 3-pointers (2.8 per game) has seen her game go from being a spot shooter to an integral piece of the Bulls’ potent attack. “I’m excited to play a wing, not just a shooter,” Laksa said. “I don’t want to be just a shooter… I want to shoot. I want to do everything to help my team — on offense, on defense, everywhere.” Still missing dominant rebounder senior forward
Alisia Jenkins, the Bulls underlying task of the evening was once again working on the development of their reserves in preparation for another run in the NCAA tournament. Wednesday was junior center Nancy Warioba’s turn to see extended minutes, with the Kenyan netting a career high in points and rebounds. “I thought she was exceptional,” boasted USF head coach Jose Fernandez. “It’s a credit to her, she had eight points and seven boards in 18 minutes.” The Bulls, who came into the night as the best free throw shooting team in all of women’s basketball (78.9 percent) had another fantastic night from the charity stripe, converting on 20-of-26 opportunities. USF travels to Dallas to face SMU Sunday, a team that they beat earlier this month by 27 points.
8
Classifieds UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
To place a classified ad go to
●
T H U R S D AY, J A N U A RY 2 8 , 2 0 1 6
http://www.usforacle.com/classifieds
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
SERVICES OFFERED
Summer Camp Staff Job SUMMER JOBS starting at $220.00 per week with room and board included. Work at one of the University of Florida’s three recreational overnight camps located throughout the state. Staff have no cabin responsibilities and most weekends off. University of Florida 4-H Summer Program Staff are involved in teaching kayaking, team sports, arts/crafts, archery/ air rifle, swimming and STEM educational classes. We are looking for ENERGETIC, CREATIVE & MATURE persons to help lead these youth at our facilities. Application deadline is 2/12/16. Apply online at: florida4h.org/camps. IFAS Extension/4-H Youth Development is AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY INSTITUTION
Camp Mataponi is hiring for paid summer internships and jobs. We are a premier children’s summer camp on Sebago Lake, Maine. Over 100 different positions available. Salaries start at $2100+ room/board. 561-748-3684 or campmataponi.com.
Writer’s Atelier offers editing for papers, dissertations. Website: www.writersatelier.com. Email: racquel@racquelhenry.com.
Seeking an enthusiastic student who enjoys making people’s lives easier to assist an elderly couple with a variety of activities, such as teaching email and internet skills, bill paying, setting up appointments and other non medical related assistance. Our ideal candidate will demonstrate good judgment, have good communication skills, be technologically savvy, patient, and resourceful. This position will be working from a home office near Whisky Creek, in Ft. Myers. Candidate must have transportation and be available up to 10 hours a week. Must pass background check paid for by employer, Up to $15/hour pay. Email joan.wyly@104west.com
Data Entry - Administrative Assistant Clinical Trials Company. Duties include phone call recruiting plus other. Must have excellent computer and dialect skills. 8-16 hours per week. Flex. position only - flexible scheduling. Fax to 813-655-3589 or studies@pabclinicalresearch.com Email laneb@pabclinicalresearch.com
SOCIAL MEDIA ASSISTANT WANTED FOR A MED SPA IN TAMPA TO MAINTAIN AND PROVIDE SUPPORT ON INTERNET SITE. IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL BE ABLE TO EMAIL, PROMOTE CLIENT WEBSITE ONLINE, BE COMPUTER SAVVY, AND KNOWLEDGEABLE WITH SOCIAL MEDIA. PLEASE FORWARD RESUME TO USFRESUMES@YAHOO.COM.
Crossword ●
T H E O R AC L E
T H U R S DAY, J A N U A RY 2 8 , 2 0 1 6
●
T H E O R AC L E
Potential 2016 recruiting class NAME
Josh Dunn Christion Gainer LaDarrius Jackson Frank Johnson Logan MacDonald Elijah Mack Armunz Mathews Chris Oladokun Andre Polk Darnell Salomon Craig Smith Mi’Cario Stanley Grayson Stover Craig Watts Michael Wiggs
POS.
SCHOOL
HEIGHT/WEIGHT
DB 3 Lake Whales 5’11” 204 lbs OL 3 Bay 6’5” 280 lbs DE 3 Hinds C.C. 6’4” 245 lbs DE 2 Hinds C.C. 6’6” 235 lbs OL 2 Ridge 6’4” 255 lbs RB 3 Charlotte 5’11” 215 lbs ATH 3 N Florida Christian 5”10 196 lbs QB 3 Sickles 6’1” 175 lbs ATH 3 S Fort Myers 6’2” 190 lbs WR 4 Miami Central 6’2” 205 lbs OL 2 Tyler J.C. 6’6” 330 lbs LB 3 N Fort Myers 6’1” 244 lbs OL 3 Hudson 6’6” 293 lbs DB 4 Admiral Farragut 5’10” 181 lbs OL 2 Lake Gibson 6’2” 289 lbs
Junior college transfer Craig Smith stands 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds. Although he is visiting West Virginia this weekend, according to 247sports.com, he is still committed to USF. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE
CAL.
9
10
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
●
T H U R S D AY, J A N U A RY 2 8 , 2 0 1 6
●
T H E O R AC L E
Craig Watts reaffirms his commitment
Defensive back Craig Watts is one of two four-star targets in USF’s recruiting class, according to 247sports.com. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE
By Tito Benach C O R R E S P O N D E N T
The Bulls landed another Tampa product when Admiral Farragut defensive back Craig Watts Jr. announced on Twitter earlier in the week that he would be staying home to play for USF. Watts, rated a four-star defensive back by 247sports.com, tweeted on Jan. 18 with the caption, “BayMade , BayStayed , BayPlayed” to let Bulls fans know he was keeping his talents at home. “I made the decision to stay at home at USF because of my parents and the coaching staff is very cool,” Watts said. “We’ve been talking for two years now and coach (Willie) Taggart is a really cool coach.” Watts said the coaching staff made him feel at home and gave him the pride to stay and play for his hometown. “I feel like it just made it a great fit and it’s just I wanted to stay home and put on for my town.” Watts said.” Watts said the Bulls’ defense last season really impressed him, but was impressed with the highscoring offense as well. “They were putting up points on teams and it was a great time to commit,” Watts said. Watts visited the week prior to committing and said he and his
JOURNEY
Continued from PAGE 11
“I think it was exciting for him, but as far as realistically going anywhere other than USF, I didn’t think he would.” Oladokun comes in as a three-star recruit and the only quarterback in USF’s 2016 class. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t competition waiting for him the moment he steps on campus. With the emergence of sophomore Quinton Flowers and the lurking presence of sophomore Asiantii Woulard, it looks as if Oladokun’s chances of starting are slim, but when the time comes, Carter said she knows her son will be ready. “Coming up behind (them) and getting to learn that
parents really enjoyed their visit as they spent time with players and coaches. Watts brings USF’s 2016 class total to 16, with commitments from defensive backs Josh Dunn from Lake Wales and Armunz Matthews from North Florida Christian. Watts chose South Florida over North Carolina, Indiana and Colorado. “It was stressful at times because all these schools were calling me daily and they would come in and talk to me. I just got kind of overwhelmed with it.” Watts said. “USF, they would always try to talk to me and I think it was always destined for me to be at USF.” Watts also spoke mostly with defensive backs coach Alonzo Hampton and said he’s excited to work under him and develop. “I feel like I can talk to him about anything and he will always tell me the truth,” Watts said. “I love him as a player and I just can’t wait to step on the field and play for him.” Watts says the only thing he’s waiting for at this point is to sign his letter of intent on National Signing Day. “It’s finally over, I made the right choice. I want to stay home and put on for my town and just have Tampa jumping because this year is our time to step up,” Watts said.
offense and hopefully be that person that runs out on the field and take the field, that’s exciting for him,” she said. “When he gets in there and it’s his turn, he’s ready; he’s hungry for it.” When his time comes, words from a former USF great will ring in his ears. USF’s all-time receiving leader and hometown kid Andre Davis told Oladokun a simple phrase: “There’s nothing better than playing in front of your hometown.” “In your hometown, when you’re doing well, not only are your teammates rallying around you, the fans are rallying around you,” Oladokun said. All of the stress, phone calls and visits have shown Oladokun his perfect fit, right in his backyard.
T H U R S DAY, J A N U A RY 2 8 , 2 0 1 6
●
T H E O R AC L E
11
Long journey ends with perfect fit Bay Area quarterback recruit feels right at home with USF
uneasy about that. But once I knew he was staying, I knew I had made the right decision.” But pressure is something Oladokun has his fall, he spent most of his Saturday learned to thrive under. Before circumstances afternoons spectating from the side- brought him to Sickles High School, he took lines of Raymond James Stadium as over the offense at Alonso High, which was far USF’s lone quarterback target. from a powerhouse. Years before his name and highlights began Carter said he took it as a challenge circulating on recruiting sites, Chris Oladokun “Alonso wasn’t a very strong program, and spent his Saturdays at Skyway Park in west it was kind of rebuilding,” she said. “Getting Tampa representing the same green and gold in and saying, ‘I want to help bring that team he has chosen to uphold at the collegiate level. to greatness,’ and feeling within you that you Oladokun played quarterback have the confidence to bring for the Town N’ Country Packers. this people around and rally It was the only position he had together. played his entire life — except “That’s something he did a brief stint at safety before his even in high school. That made coaches realized his offensive him not shy away (from USF).” prowess. Oladokun’s personality and Oladokun quickly began to leadership were essential in his realize his athletic talent, but maturation when his former didn’t want to limit himself to team and school, which once just one sport. Since the age of put him on a pedestal, suddenly six, he has excelled as a threeturned away when rumors sursport athlete. faced that he was looking to Standing by his side in the transfer. stands was his mother, Jennifer But Oladokun started fresh at Carter. a school down the road, moving “We would run from footto Sickles. The only problem ball field to baseball field, and was that Sickles was Alonso’s then baseball to basketball,” biggest rival. Carter said. “His entire life, he “Chris has so much personalnever played with toys, it was ity and people just automatiChris Oladokun always some type of ball. He cally draw themselves to him,” USF recruit never watched cartoons, it was Carter said. “So, when he went SportsCenter or some type of sport that was to Sickles, that’s (Alonso’s) rival school. At on.” Alonso, they were almost like ‘we’re not speakConsistency was important. He always had ing to you anymore.’ But Sickles immediately sports and he always had the city he grew up in, rallied around him because he has that natural which made passing up offers from Nebraska, ability to lead people.” Iowa State and Toledo to stay home and play Oladokun took over for the Gryphons, throwunder USF coach Willie Taggart that much ing 15 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions, leadeasier. ing his team to an 8-3 record his senior season “He’s always preaching ‘bay made’ and I’ve and a 16-0 win over his former team. kind of taken over that too,” Oladokun said of When it came to recruitment, the adversity the fourth-year coach, who also grew up in the he had already overcome primed him for one Bay Area. “I’ve spent my whole life here with of the biggest decisions in his life to that point. people watching me grow up and play. Now It didn’t take much convincing, but the they get the chance to see me play at the col- magnitude of the decision still weighed on lege level. To me, that’s pretty incredible.” Oladokun’s mind. In the end, it came down to Even when USF was failing to meet expecta- finding the perfect fit. tions — the Bulls had a 2-10 record the previous “People told him, ‘don’t commit so early, it’ll season and a 2-4 record when Oladukan com- stop other offers,’ but I think when you kind of mitted in October 2014 — the 6-foot-1 commit know something fits, you just pull the trigger,” insisted he was making the right choice. Carter said. “It was seeing that validation of “I wouldn’t say I second-guessed my deci- people that aren’t local that have seen you just sion,” Oladokun said. “When I committed, I on film and see that talent there. knew that was a good spot for me. When there n See JOURNEY on PAGE 10 were rumors about Taggart leaving, I was a little By Jacob Hoag S P O R T S
E D I T O R
T
“He’s always preaching ‘bay made’ and I’ve kind of taken over that too. I’ve spent my whole life here with people watching me grow up and play.”
Sickles quarterback Chris Oladokun, a three-star recruit, is the only quarterback in USF’s 2016 recruiting class. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE