The Oracle
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2018 I VOL. 55 NO. 32
www.usforacle.com
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
SG divide: conflicts persist within Senate Chambers Now former Sen. Tate announced his resignation in an email to Senate President Taha amid growing tensions.
By Jesse Stokes M A N A G I N G
E D I T O R
Student Government (SG), by definition, is supposed to represent the student body. Since the start of the spring semester, the already hostile Senate Chambers have developed into a verbal war zone filled with hate speech, actions that aim to vilify one another and ultimately a resignation. Sen. Spencer Tate, a representative for the College of Arts and Sciences, resigned in an email Wednesday night after he was at the forefront of the conflict. His peers have gone from the confines of the Senate Chambers to their personal social media accounts to label him as racist, discriminatory and, above all, hateful. The most recent incident involving Tate’s peers spreading emails sent to the Senate involved his stance on the almost unanimously
passed resolution in support of DACA recipients. “I don’t think it is proper for you to include a ‘DACA’ resolution on the Senate meeting agenda,” Tate said in an email that was posted on Facebook by Sen. Murzia Siddiqui. “It is a gross misuse of power for you to advocate for these illegal aliens. Despite your promotion of antiAmerican Sentiment, to promote the advocation of illegal immigrants over American citizens in which you represent is disgusting. These ‘dreamers’ get in state-tuition even though they are foreigners and they bring issues to campus of all types.” Tate said the response to that one email was blown out of proportion. “When they attacked me personally and spread it through emails and social media, it was pulled out of context,” Tate said. “I do not think it is fair.” Despite the hate rhetoric, Tate is adamant that the problem of
divisiveness within SG stems from elsewhere. “What has been causing the divide has nothing to do with me,” Tate said. “SG leadership is trying to paint me as a bigot and a racist to silence me. I can assure you, I am the furthest thing from that.” Senate President Amani Taha, however, disagrees and said it is the language and actions of Tate that fueled the division within the Senate Chambers. “There is a divide within Student Government,” Taha said. “The issue is that there is a senator who typically likes to say things in order to trigger others. And that is noted by so many emails of bullying. “He (Tate) told a senator that Senate was not a safe space and that she has to stand for the American flag. It was a whole crazy email chain. That, to me, is the divide. It is the toxicity of one senator using bullying against every single other
senator that he crosses paths with.” Sen. Aida Vazquez-Soto also weighed in on the divisive nature that fills the Senate Chambers, and said she believes that Tate has a major role to play in the constant state of bickering.
director for academic initiatives and Living Learning Communities, said the goal of the many departments that spearheaded the creation of this LLC was all about inclusivity. “The LLC was developed to provide USF students an opportunity to live and learn in an inclusive community where LGBTQ+ and allied students can find and create an environment of awareness, respect and advocacy for all sexual orientations and gender identities,” Nuñez said. “The LLC is a partnership between the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Residential Education with academic and student learning support from the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies.” Maria Merrill, the coordinator
for LGBTQ+ initiatives at the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA), said this LLC was a result of high demand. “Our office serves as the vessel of the student voice,” Merrill said. “It was really the students that started this in 2014.” Prin Luis, a student assistant OMA, is one of those students. They said that they worked to collect data and called similar LLCs at other universities to create a mock proposal for this initiative in 2014. “Living in the traditional housing on campus, LGBTQ+ students often face discrimination or harassment from roommates,” Luis said. “I experienced a similar situation when I was living on
campus, and I just wanted to create an environment that can uplift fellow LGBTQ+ students. So, that’s my vision with the LLC.” Stonewall Suites is not only open to LGBTQ+ students, but also students that consider themselves to be allies. This can raise some concerns as to how applicants of Stonewall Suites are properly screened to ensure a non-discriminatory environment for all. Stacy Pippen, director of OMA, said applicants will be vetted through questions included in the application. “Just like any other LLC, there are some consistencies with the application process,” Pippen said. “So, each applicant will apply
Hostility rises as senators further polarize themselves. ORACLE PHOTO/CHAVELI GUZMAN
“Spencer (Tate) is at best, a confused right-winger, who doesn’t know how to verbalize his thoughts without coming across as racist,” Vazquez-Soto said. “He is trying to make SG a political stage where it
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New LLC to support students with queer identities
By Maria Ranoni N E W S
E D I T O R
USF will welcome its newest Living Learning Community (LLC) this fall. While many are excited about the possibilities it offers, some are concerned with its affordability to its intended residents. Stonewall Suites, the university’s first LGBTQ+ LLC is currently accepting applications and is set to open its doors to residents fall 2018. There will be approximately 40 beds up for grabs. Housing and Residential Education defines an LLC as a residential community in which an academic major or special interest is emphasized. Neudy Nuñez, the program
for the LLC and will answer also a series of questions. They’ll be screened based on the answers they provide to those questions to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents within the LLC.” Many students echo the sentiment that the addition of Stonewall Suites is a great thing due to the alternatives it offers to traditional housing. “Housing, especially dorm-style housing, is something I was super uncomfortable with and I think a lot of other queer people are too,” Trans+ Student Union board member, Jordan Bonyata said. “It’s a good thing that people will have it.” Julia McClure, the vice president
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the Oracle the University of South Florida’s student newspaper since 1966
Editor in Chief Miki Shine oracleeditor@gmail.com @MichaelAZShine Managing Editor Jesse Stokes oraclemeditor@gmail.com News Editor Maria Ranoni oraclenewsteam@gmail.com Opinion Editor Samantha Moffett Sports Editor Josh Fiallo oraclesportseditor@gmail.com @ByJoshFiallo Multimedia Editor Chaveli Guzman oraclemultimediaeditor@gmail.com
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NEWS
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
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of P.R.I.D.E Alliance, also uses one word that should be synonymous with housing: comfortable. “I feel like it would be a place they would feel comfortable in,” McClure said. “They could meet people from all walks of life. It promotes diversity and acceptance.” Along with this general feeling of positivity, there comes some concerns about accessibility. Stonewall Suites will be housed on the sixth floor of Beacon Hall located within the Village. According to the updated hall rates for fall 2018 and spring 2019 semesters, a suite-style double bedroom in this residence hall is $1,094.50 a month. “It’s going to be in one of the most expensive dorms,” Bonyata said. “Gay people actually make less money, and a lot of people may have issues paying for that. I know people whose parents have disowned them, and they’re taking out loans to pay for stuff themselves, and they wouldn’t want to live in the
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does not need to be one … Spencer (Tate) has been divisive since the summer and I do not appreciate people who waste time and make meetings less efficient.” Taha said she has been the target of slanderous remarks made by Tate a number of times. “There are times that I have felt personally attacked by many of the things Tate has said,” Taha said. “That just goes to show, I have been the victim of Islamophobia, of sexism and of discrimination as a whole. And you know, everybody may call it free speech. And that’s fine, it is free speech and he (Tate) can say whatever he wants, but I am a human.” Despite the remarks made toward her, Taha said she does all she can to serve as an example and maintain a positive attitude. “No matter how many times he
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nominated for three Grammys By Chaveli Guzman M U LT I M E D I A
Newest LLC, Stonewall Suites, will open its doors this fall. The LGTBQ focused LLC will include 40 beds and also be open to allies. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE most expensive housing. It impacts accessibility.” Andrew Maish, a junior majoring in business management, said he is also concerned about the affordability. “I think the idea is great, but it’s kind of concerning that the living
arrangements are some of the most expensive on campus,” Maish said. “That may marginalize an already marginalized group.” As inclusivity becomes inextricably woven into the college experience, initiatives like this will become more common. Universities
personally attacks me, I try my best to keep my poker face on within the Senate,” Taha said. “I want to show the other senators that in the face of this kind of adversity that I am their strength. I feel like if I show them that I can be strong, when he attacks them, which he often does, that they can be strong too.” Taha said she is not the only one who has experienced inflammatory comments at the hands of Tate and there are some within the Senate that feel in danger at times. “Senators are literally worried about their safety because of the comments that Tate makes,” Taha said. “Unfortunately, safety concerns aren’t grounds for impeachment. The safety concerns, the attacking and the discrimination — none of that is grounds for impeachment.” The current standards for grounds of impeachment include: committing a wrongful or improper act, committing a proper act through improper methods or motives and failing to fulfill an obligation or requirement.
Taha said though inflammatory comments are made, she would not want to label someone as a racist without knowing what is in their heart, but that Tate does make offensive remarks. “I think that Tate says racist things,” Taha said. “Whether he, in his heart, is a racist or someone who really hates people on the basis of things that they cannot control, like where you are born, I do not know, because I personally cannot stand the thought that people actually believe some of the things that Tate says.” Tate, however, feels as though he is not discriminatory rather that Taha and the other members of Senate that target him are the ones who discriminate. “I am not at all a discriminatory person,” Tate said. “In fact, I come from a community that is inclusive of all cultures. I think it is them (SG leadership) that are discriminating. I do not see religion, I do not see color, I do not see anything that separates people.
and students will learn to accommodate and tolerate in more effective ways. “There will inevitably be protests, but in the long run, I imagine people will live and let live,” Maish said.
“The only thing that I see is good and bad people, and right now, the Senate is full of bad people. Just to be explicitly clear, I condemn racism, bigotry and discrimination of any kind in all aspects.” Tate also said the discrimination against him is not limited to fellow senators. “I have received three death threats in the past two days, because of SG blasting me all over,” Tate said. “But, I won’t allow them to intimidate me. Which is actually the definition of terrorism: using intimidation for political means.” Tate also said although Taha and other leaders in the Senate may be in leadership positions now, things always change. “At the end of the day, I realize that they think they are powerful now and that they have a whole lot of power as Student Government Senators,” Tate said. “But I can recognize the fact that in the real world, this is not how things work, and time will tell that what they are doing is wrong.”
E D I T O R
While the way music is experienced has evolved overtime, what has never changed is the way it has a lasting impact on people and held the power to express some of the deepest emotions, providing something for people to truly connect to. Chuck Owen, USF Jazz Ensemble Director and Composer, is a five-time Grammy nominee, including three nominations this year. Owen relies on his deepest emotions to guide him while composing music he hopes will not only resonate with his audience, but spark inspiration in them as well. Owen’s depth into his emotions is eloquently translated into music, through elements of darkness and lusciousness. His most recent album, “Whispers in the Wind,” is nominated for best large jazz ensemble album, best instrumental composition and best arrangement for instrumental or acapella. “As a composer, I’m trying to tap into a lot of ideas and feelings that I’m probably not on a normal day-basis, not really examining in the depth that I would,” Owen said. “There’s a freedom in being able to express that stuff as a composer.” Owen’s jazz ensemble, Chuck Owen and the Jazz Surge, who developed “Whispers in the Wind,” contributed different
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LIFESTYLE
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Students hammock to combat stress By Andrea Martin C O P Y
E D I T O R
Most students take between 12 and 15 credit hours a semester. Between extracurriculars and jobs, a single day can completely tire out a USF Bull. The Marshall Student Center and clubs across campus offer events for students to disconnect, but sometimes a little downtime is all one needs to recuperate. Brielle Manuel, a senior majoring in cell and molecular biology, is currently taking a semester full of STEM classes and is the RA for the first floor of Cypress Hall A. Between helping his residents, making his way to class and finishing all his homework in time, Manuel purchased a hammock at the end of the last fall semester as a plan to focus on breathing easy. “I hang up my hammock early in the evening, when the day is a bit cooler and not too hot,” Manuel said. “I usually hammock with my residents and friends. Most of the time we do homework, but I also like to bring out my acoustic guitar and serenade everyone.” According to NBC News, mental health is a rising problem among college students due to workloadinduced stress, depression and anxiety. Among the behavioral symptoms of stress, students can have physical symptoms as well: headache, back pains and restlessness included. Dartmouth University recommends students give themselves me-time, pick up
Brielle Manuel, the RA for the first floor of Cypress Hall A, takes some time to settle into his hammock and play some songs for his friends. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE/REMY SEARFOSS
a hobby, slow down and find a way to relax that works for them. According to Miranda Lim, a junior majoring in elementary education, buying a hammock is an easy way to disconnect from the nonstop nature of everyday life. “I usually hang up my hammock with doing homework in mind, but I end up relaxing and hanging out with friends instead,” Lim said. “We chat, one of my friends plays his
guitar and sings, and we all relax from the crazy amount of homework that we have.” With a brisk pace going to and from class, sometimes seeing the hammocks and those enjoying them, students don’t realize their next moment of tranquility can be hanging between those trees. “I honestly had no interest in buying a hammock until all my friends were hammocking,” Lim said. “From that point on, I was hooked and I had ordered
my hammock right then and there.” The open area next to the tennis courts alongside the residents halls is more accessible to students living on campus than the other open spaces around campus. “My go-to spot to set up my hammock is right outside my residence hall,” Manuel said. “There is a nice shady, grassy area with tall trees between Cypress A and Cypress E.” Hammocks can be a little
hard to find in store, but easy to find online. Manuel even purchased his hammock through Groupon. Lim found hers on Amazon, from a company called Farland. “I would definitely recommend students who are looking to relax and take a break from their busy schedule to buy a hammock,” Manuel said.
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Professor Chuck Owen was nominated for three Grammys. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE/CHAVELI GUZMAN
GRAMMY
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styles of music and a variety of instruments to fuse into what would become a Grammy-nominated work. Together, these passionate musicians were able to capture a flirtation with American folk music while preserving the rhythmic and
deep character of jazz. “Being a composer is like putting some giant jigsaw puzzle together,” Owen said. “You have all of these pieces and you have to figure out how in the world they fit together. I love that challenge. I love the fact that, as a composer, I get to work with other musicians who inspire me, thrill me and are great friends.”
Owen’s journey as a musician began with a difficult decision that many college students face: changing majors to pursue something full of risk, yet full of passion. His transition from majoring in pre-med/biology to chasing his love for music was an unpopular choice for most, but one that would change the rest of his life. For those faced with a decision similar to the one Owen faced, he said the uncertainty and risk is worth pursuing for the sake of passion. “There’s plenty of uncertainty,” Owen said. “There’s plenty of challenges. You can’t be naïve about any of that. You have to face it head on and recognize that this isn’t the most stable or easy profession. It’s very tough to make your way in it, but it’s certainly not impossible. And it takes a lot of dedication and takes someone to know that this is something that they really want to do.”
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OPINION UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
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Vaccinations are key in maintaining public health
By Samantha Moffett O P I N I O N
E D I T O R
Since the very first smallpox vaccination in 1796, the idea of vaccinating your children has evolved tremendously. With technological advancements and more research being done, the last few decades have seen vaccinations develop especially rapidly. The World Health Organization reports that vaccinations prevent between two and three million deaths every year. Mandating vaccines could be an effective way for the government and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to continue preventing the spread of various diseases. Some parents struggle with the idea of whether or not to vaccinate their children, taking into account the many concerns surrounding vaccination. Some of the concerns noted on parents.com are that vaccines overwhelm the baby’s immune system, violates human rights and poisons a baby with possible toxins. Vaccination and immunization requirements are implemented when children are placed into the publicschool system, but in some special cases like a compromise of religion, there are ways to get around it. However, a bill was introduced into the Florida legislature that could mandate all children entering public school between the ages of 11 and 12 to be vaccinated for the common virus, the human papillomavirus. Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a cancer-causing virus that is sexually transmitted, according to the CDC. Since 2006, at least 42 states
and territories have made strides to require the HPV vaccine and to provide and educate the public and school children about the vaccine. The Florida public school systems do not currently require students to get an HPV vaccine. The vaccine for HPV was first introduced in 2006. A bill proposed in 2011 that would require the Department of Health to add HPV vaccines to the list of recommendations and require public schools to provide the vaccine was denied. The CDC reports that there are currently 79 million Americans living with HPV and that number grows by 14 million each year. The implementation of this new bill would be a key player in preventing the spread of this potentially deadly disease. While parents do have a right to question vaccinating their children, studies show overwhelming data that proves vaccines to be extremely beneficial. In past times, vaccinations eradicated smallpox and the Polio virus could be next. With over 80 percent of the world’s children currently being vaccinated against the virus, Unicef reports that the number of cases have been cut from 400,000 to 90,000 between 1980 and 1990. The current medical system in place asks physicians to simply accept patients who refuse vaccination, since it is a “matter of personal belief.” However, doctors have a duty to treat the patient as best as they possibly can and most doctors support the notion that vaccination is one of the ways to complete that duty. Mending the gap between doctors and vaccine-
hesitant patients is a necessity to fully prevent future diseases from spreading. The anti-vaccination movement that has grown in the last few decades puts many children who simply do not have a say in what their parents choose for them medically at risk. We decide that in most cases parents ultimately know what is best for their children and should use their discretion to make decisions based off of that concept. However, we have also mandated laws requiring parents to buckle their children in safely to a car, provide proper schooling, proper care and a home for their children. Ultimately, these laws are in place to keep children safe and are in the best interest of parents and their children. The mandatory HPV vaccination bill should be considered equally. The spread of HPV could cause cancer in both males and females, long term respiratory problems or even death. The proposed bill is looking to decrease the possibility of any of these occurrences, at least in the public-school system. At the end of the day, parents still have the right to decide for their children on whether or not to vaccinate and for some children with certain medical issues, vaccination truly may not be the best decision. However, for the majority, vaccinations help keep children healthy. Public schools do have the right to mandate the HPV vaccine as they have a duty as well to keep their students’ safety as a main priority.
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LGBTQ housing options need safety as a priority
By Miki Shine E D I T O R
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C H I E F
The idea of a living space where LGBTQ students can be with one another is an inciting concept; however, in a world where these students still face major challenges creating such a space needs to be done with the utmost care. Such a living space is exactly what USF Housing and Residential Life is trying to make with the introduction of the Stonewall Suites learning living community. The plan is for it to take up 40 beds on the sixth floor of the Beacon dorm and be a home to LGBTQ students along with allies. However, there were 1,255 sexualorientation inspired hate crimes and 131 victims of gender-identity hate crimes last year according to FBI statistics. As such the idea of putting that many potential victims in one place is kind of scary. Don’t get me wrong, as a trans student who lived in traditional housing when I started my transition, the idea of being able to live somewhere like the Stonewall Suites was appealing. Not so much for myself, but out of concern about roommate issues. I remember asking whether that was an option, and at the time it wasn’t. It should be an option. But it needs to be a safe option. With the Pulse shooting still prominent in our minds, attempts to keep transgender citizens from joining the military which was thankfully overturned, more states looking to instate bathroom bills and the push for religious freedom acts Samantha Moffett is a sophomore that really only serve to discriminate majoring in mass communications. against the LGBTQ community, the need to be wary is as prevalent as ever.
The concern of people being able to walk into the dorm is a starkly real possibility. Sure, when we first move in, we’re told not to hold the door open for people we don’t know, but people do. With the knowledge of where these students are living, a determined person could find a way to get to them and cause real damage both to the LGBTQ community and to the USF community. However, external threats are not the only thing to be concerned about. As much as we may try to deny it to the outside world, infighting continues to occur. People who identify as bisexual continually tell stories about not feeling welcomed or somebody not being open to dating them because they’ve been with somebody of the opposite sex. While we do usually come together when there’s an outside attack, not everything is bright and shiny behind closed doors. This concern is something that an RA needs to be prepared to handle, while it also being something that cannot really be prepared for. In all, the idea of somewhere for the LGBTQ community to live without their letter contributing to roommate disputes or other issues that arise during college is a highly appealing one and could do a lot of good. However, it is an optimistic view that this will happen. We should strive for it, but the issue needs to be handled with care and attention while given adequate time in order to it to be a positive thing. Miki Shine is a senior majoring in mass communications.
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Classifieds To place a classified ad go to
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ANNOUNCEMENTS Full-time File Clerk Full time file clerk needed for busy law firm. Qualified applicants are organized, detail oriented, possess a professional appearance and have the ability to operate general office equipment, identify documents, and file. Must be able to work Monday through Friday 8am-4:30 pm or 9:00am-5:30 pm. Please email resume to tampa.jobs@rissman.com and reference “File Clerk”. Email tampa.jobs@rissman.com
ANNOUNCEMENTS Medical Receptionist Immediate opening for Part Time Receptionist for Medical Office, walking distance from USF Main Campus. Approx. 24 hours per week. Professional appearance and scrubs/uniform required Bilingual (Spanish) preferred EmailGELPIANDGUTIERREZ@MSN.COM
SERVICES OFFERED Models needed. Text 240-676-5863 #beautiful_disaster_images
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HELP WANTED Shift Leader The first certified organic juice bar in Florida is here! We are currently looking for enthusiastic, customer service orientated, and motivated candidates to join our team! Management experience preferred. Opening and Closing shifts needed. The position includes managing employees, time management, problem solving, and serving customers. Please send resumes to carrollwood@cleanjuice.com and/or apply online at https://www.cleanjuice.com/jobs. Email patricia.maree@cleanjuice.com
HELP WANTED Writer Looking to hire talented writer to ghost write a 120-150 page “Realistic Fiction” novel. An outline of the story will be provided. Pay is commensurate with talent, $10,000-15,000. Project should take 3-4 months to complete. If qualified and like a good challenge please email us. Email jmbwater@aol.com
CROSSWORD
Sports
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Notebook
Men’s basketball still in search of first AAC win
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NHL All-Star Weekend
NHL’s Stanley Cup makes cameo at Bull Market
Stephan Jiggetts scored a team-high 21 points against UCF on Saturday. ORACLE PHOTO/MIKI SHINE By Josh Fiallo S P O R T S
E D I T O R
USF men’s basketball could potentially go without a win in conference play for the first time in program history. The Bulls still have 11 conference games to play this season. However, they’re already last in the conference with an 0-7 record and have lost to ECU (8-11, 2-6), the AAC’s next-worst team, twice in 2018. They won’t face the Pirates again. Their best chance at picking up an AAC win could come against Temple (10-9, 2-5), the third-worst team in the AAC, on Feb. 10, or in their two games against Tulane (12-7, 3-4), which is the conference’s fourth-worst team. The Bull (7-13, 0-7) first of two meetings against Tulane will be Thursday night at 9 p.m. in New Orleans. “We had good things that we can build off of, we just have to cut out the bad things you see at the end of the game,” Point Guard Stephan Jiggetts said after USF’s loss to UCF on Saturday. “When we put a full game together, you’ll definitely start seeing some W’s.” Last season, Tulane struggled, but defeated USF twice for two
of its three conference wins of the season. In 2017-18, however, the Green Wave has improved, having already doubled its win total from 2016-17 in its second season under coach Mike Dunleavy Sr. “You saw some of the things we’re going to build on tonight,” USF coach Brian Gregory said Saturday. “We have a plan, it’s a good plan, it’s a plan that’s going to lead to success. Our guys believe in it, our incoming guys believe in it, our guys knew what they we’re getting into this year.” USF women’s soccer coach gets extension Just months after USF women’s soccer and coach Denise Schilte-Brown won the AAC for the first time in program history, USF announced that a three-year contract extension has been given to Schilte-Brown on Wednesday. Schilte-Brown, 44, has compiled an 114-70-35 record in 11 seasons at the helm in Tampa and has led USF to three NCAA tournaments in the past four seasons. The extension means Schilte-Brown will be under contract through 2022. “Denise has done a
tremendous job building USF women’s soccer into a nationally ranked and highly competitive program that continues to attract high-level student-athletes that excel both on the field and in the classroom,” Bulls athletic director Mark Harlan said. “We look forward to many more exciting seasons ahead.”
Robert Bridenstine avoided touching the NHL’s Stanley Cup while seeing it in person. ORACLE PHOTO/ROBERT BRIDENSTINE By Josh Fiallo S P O R T S
USF baseball’s McClanahan named as a third team Preseason All-American USF baseball sophomore starting pitcher Shane McClanahan was selected as a third team Preseason AllAmerican by D1Baseball on Tuesday. McClanahan was a unanimous all-conference choice in December and was named a freshman AllAmerican by Perfect Game, Baseball America and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association in 2017. Last season, McClanahan was predominantly the Bulls’ Saturday night starter and led the AAC with 12.32 strikeouts per nine innings in 2017, which was good for eighth in the country. McClanahan also finished ninth nationally allowing 5.68 hits per nine innings a season ago.
E D I T O R
When Robert Bridenstine woke up Wednesday morning, the NHL’s Stanley Cup was the last thing on his mind. It was a typical Wednesday. He’d wake up, go to class at USF, then head to work at a local ice rink in Wesley Chapel. Little did he know that on his way to class, he’d come across the Stanley Cup, the most important trophy for one of his favorite sports, standing tall in the middle of the plaza outside of USF’s Student Services. “If I would’ve known, I would’ve worn some Lightning gear for the picture,” Bridenstine said. “I had no idea at all. I wouldn’t have gone with the red sweater like I did.” On campus, for the first time ever, students were able to take pictures with the Stanley Cup from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bull Market. The Lightning, Bridenstine’s favorite hockey team, will host NHL All Star Weekend starting Friday, which is why The Cup
will be making its rounds in Tampa. USF was just the first of a few stops for The Cup, which then moved on to MacDill Air Force Base. Despite the significance of The Cup, rules weren’t strict in regard to taking pictures and touching it. Joe Maury, a worker for the Lightning who was with The Cup at Bull Market, said that two kids even sat in the top of The Cup for a photo op. Though Bridenstine was sure to take a photo with The Cup, he made sure he didn’t touch it. The reason was in line with the common NHL superstition: If you touch The Cup before your team rightfully wins it, your team won’t win the NHL Championship. “I didn’t see anybody do anything too crazy for pictures,” Bridenstine said. “I saw a couple of girls posing and pretending to kiss it. I guess, for me, as a hockey fan, you know that you don’t touch The Cup unless you win it. I saw some people touching it, and I’m on the inside, cringing, saying to myself, ‘please don’t be a Lightning fan.’”