The Commonwealth Times; March 27, 2017

March 27, 2017 • Vol. 58, No. 22

The independent press of Virginia Commonwealth University

NEWS Dominion lawsuit • 3

SPORTS Weber signs • 5

SPECTRUM UTMOST CO. • 8

Sports

ALL RHOADES LEAD HOME

OPINION Will Wade • 11

News

Former assistant coach Mike Rhoades takes the helm of VCU basketball, brings final-four guard Joey Rodriguez with him

Judge:

PHOTO BY PILAR CURTIS

Dominion coal ash ponds violate federal Clean Water Act

This is a dream come true, to me and my family, to be the head coach at VCU ... I'm home. This program has been, and always will be, about the players."

HIBA AHMAD Online Editor A federal judge ruled Dominion Virginia Power is violating the Clean Water Act by dumping coal ash wastewater into designated coal ash ponds on March 23.

The ruling rejected Dominion’s claims that the coal ash ponds, which contain arsenic and other products, were not contaminating the groundwater around their Possum Point power plant in Dumfries, Virginia.

The Southern Environmental Law Center represented the Sierra Club and Potomac Riverkeeper Network, the environmental organizations who filed the original complaint against Dominion in 2014. The two organizations accused Dominion of not disclosing the coal ash ponds were damaging not only the groundwater, but also the Elizabeth River which flows into the Potomac.

—see "DOMINION," page 4

Mike Rhoades, Head Coach VCU Men's Basketball story on page 5

Spectrum

News

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARCUS INGRAM JR.

Virginia Union University student sues Richmond police for 2014 assault

Utmost Co. celebrates California store opening KEYRIS MANZANARES Contributing Writer Richmond streetwear and skateboard shop, Utmost, is bringing its unique urban-style feel to the “City of Angels."

—see "UTMOST," page 8

Opinion

AMELIA HEYMANN Contributing Writer Maurice Neblett, a criminal justice major at Virginia Union University, is suing the Richmond Police department for $2.3 million, claiming an illegal search of his apartment, committed battery and common law conspiracy. The case has been ongoing since 2015.

“I’m here, I’m breathing, a lot of people that have been in similar

situations aren’t here today,” Neblett said.

According to court papers, the police officers received a warrant for building two, apartment 2120 at 610 W. Bacon St. after an officer reported he smelled marijuana in the area.

This address doesn’t actually exist. Instead, the officers raided 531 W. Bacon St. – Neblett’s apartment.

– see "ASSAULT" page 2

ILLUSTRATION BY SKYE ALI

ILLUST RATION BY GARET H BENTA

LL

Will Wade's feeble fade-away

page 11

2

news

The Commonwealth Times

CRIME LOG Sunday, March 19

Drunkenness/Alcohol Violation 800 W. Broad St. Closed Aggravated Assault 1003 W. Grace St Closed Destruction of Property - State/ Graffiti 910 W. Franklin St. Pending Shoplifting 7-11 1003 W. Grace St. Pending

Hit and Run 600 N. Lombardy St. Reported by Outside Agency Simple Assault 100 N. Morris St. Reported by Outside Agency

Monday, March 20 Alcohol Violation 300 W. Main St. Closed City Code Violation - Alcohol 100 N. Monroe St. Closed Fraud - Credit Card 311 W. Franklin St Pending Hit and Run Main St. Deck 801 W. Main St. Closed Destruction of Property - Private/ Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle 500 N. Harrison St Reported by Outside Agency Simple Assault 1025 W. Grace St. Reported by Outside Agency Theft From Motor Vehicle 200 N. Plum St Reported by Outside Agency

Tuesday, March 21 Fraud - Credit Card 901 N. Lombardy St. Reported by Outside Agency Hit and Run Henry St. Deck 201 N. Henry St. Pending Burglary/B&E - Residential 800 Catherine St. Reported by Outside Agency

Wednesday, March 22 Shoplifting ABC 1217 W. Broad St. Reported by Outside Agency Hit and Run 100 S. Belvidere St. Reported by Outside Agency Hit and Run 500 W. Franklin St. Reported by Outside Agency

What surprised me most is we have a new mayor and any audit that is performed that has negative findings is not a reflection of his work or his efforts.

Kim Gray, 2nd District City Council member

PHOTO BY ERIC MARQUEZ

Stalking 300 W. Franklin St. Pending

The Stoney administration is working with VCU's Performance Management Group to review data and administrative processes in City Hall.

Richmond City Council urges Mayor Stoney to cooperate with tax audit TYLER HAMMEL Contributing Writer After Mayor Levar Stoney’s administration initially denied City Auditor Umesh Dalal the ability to review city tax-collection efforts, the two parties reached an agreement last Tuesday, although it is unclear if they are on the same page about what is being audited.

The decision came after a tense debate during a City Council meeting the previous week when Director of Finance for the City of Richmond John Wack said he and his superiors did not see a need for a financial audit.

In contrast, Dalal said the auditor’s office would receive all the information they requested, but a statement released by Stoney’s press secretary Jim Nolan suggested otherwise.

“The yet-to-be agreed upon scope will define what data will be turned over,” Nolan said. “The mayor and Council President (Chris) Hilbert want the departments to come together to find a solution toward our common goal — identifying the best processes for the Revenue Administration Unit to collect the outstanding taxes owed to the city. They hope this meeting is a step toward that important objective.”

At the time of the meeting, the city was owed

$52.8 million in delinquent taxes, with a large portion of that sum owed on property taxes. When Stoney’s Senior Policy Advisor for Innovation Jon Baliles was campaigning for mayor, he said if elected he would utilize delinquent property tax collection as method of filling holes in the city’s overdrawn budget. Stoney also cited this method during several public debates as a way of preventing a rise in taxes.

In a statement, Nolan said the mayor was committed to transparency which is why he hired VCU’s Performance Management Group to conduct a review of City Hall.

Nolan also said that if Stoney does not find the results of the performance review to be satisfactory they will welcome the input of the city auditor.

According to the director of VCU’s Performance Management Group James Burke, what his group and the auditor’s office do are very different, though.

“We're not auditors and if we were asked to do a performance audit in that way we would not. That is out of our expertise,” Burke said. “We are experts at looking at organizations looking for efficiencies and focusing on alignment, what needs to happen to make the organization more effective.”

Burke acknowledged there were some similarities between what his group and what the auditor’s office does,

but reiterated the nuanced specificity of an auditor’s report.

“There are some ways in which they address some general issues some overall concerns,” Burke said. “The auditor's reports are much more detailed – much more involved in the fine points that are different from this.”

Dalal’s proposed review would focus on the technical side of tax collection, data and administrative processes, not on the efficiency of each City Hall department, which is what VCU will do.

Kim Gray was one of six City Council members to vocalize support of Delal’s audit under the banner of transparency.

“As a function of good government and transparency and accountability we have to audit our books,” Gray said.

“It's critical for not only making sure that we're doing the right things with our public dollars but to insure that the public interest is being met.”

Gray, like many of the other members of the City Council, is unsure why the mayor’s administration has been so hesitant to allow the audit.

“What surprised me most is we have a new mayor and any audit that is performed that has negative findings is not a reflection on his work or his efforts,” Gray said. “So, I think now would be the time to put all of our issues out there and try and make a difference.”

—"ASSAULT" continued from page 1

Thursday, March 23 Hit and Run 300 N. Harrison St. Closed

VUU student hopes to change police system with lawsuit

Harassment 801 W. Franklin St. Pending City Code Violation 300 Shafer St. Closed Drug Violation/Alcohol Violation 500 N. Belvidere St. Reported by Outside Agency

ILLUSTRATION BY GARETH BENTALL

Hit and Run 1 Randolph St. Reported by Outside Agency.

Friday, March 24 Drug Violation/Alcohol Violation 9 W. Cary St. Closed

Reporting suspicious or emergency situations to the VCU Police Department can help solve crimes, provide emergency assistance that may save a life and help deter criminal activity.

Download the VCU LiveSafe mobile phone app to report crimes anonymously.

To contact the VCU PD: (804) 828-1196.

For an on-campus emergency: (804) 828-1234.

For an off-campus emergency: 911.

Court papers describe the events in detail.

On Feb. 14, 2014, Neblett awoke around 10:30 p.m. to police ordering him to put his hands behind his head.

Blinded by their flashlights, Neblett obeyed the order but was still thrown off his bed and onto the floor where police officers hit him with fists, feet and blunt objects for five to six minutes. The officers then put Neblett in handcuffs and a chokehold.

According to Neblett, Richmond police officer Mark Sims whispered in his ear, “Who has the most power, us or the Bloods?”

Neblett reports he has never been associated with the Bloods, the gang Sims allegedly referenced.

“We should have done this to your

brother, but it does not matter because he will be gone for a very long time,” Sims said.

“You will too.”

Neblett was naked throughout the assault and eventually had to plead with officers to let him get dressed, according to court documents.

“We believe that the officers were motivated with a particular animus towards Mr. Neblett,” said Jonathan Arthur, Neblett’s lawyer.

Because he was being charged with a federal crime, Neblett was consequently evicted from his apartment. The incident left him homeless for several months, during which Neblett resorted to sleeping in his car.

Years later the night still haunts Neblett.

“I’m still in disbelief,” Neblett said. “I’m trying to figure out if I’m in a nightmare.”

Neblett said he believes the case is about more than his assault, but about making policy changes within the police system.

“This is bigger than me, I’m just a grain of salt,” Neblett said.

The Richmond Police Department declined comment, stating it is policy not to do so on ongoing cases.

“This is not a color bearing issue,” Neblett said. “It is important we support this because it could happen to anyone. We have to address again that no one is above the law and they have to be held accountable for their actions.”

It is important we support this becasue it could happen to anyone. We have to address again that no one is above the law and they have to be held accountable for their actions.

Maurice Neblett VUU student

www.commonwealthtimes.org

Monday, March 27, 2017

VCU ranked among top 2017 grad programs 2017 Top Graduate Schools & Programs

1. Cornell University 2. Duke University 3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

ENGINEERING

COMPUTER SCIENCE

1. Boston University 2. Indiana University Bloomington 3. Brown University

LAW

COUNSELING

1. Mercer University 2. University of North Florida 3. University of Central Florida

VCU charged in $2.5M harrassment lawsuit

EDUCATION

PHOTO COURTESY OF LINKEDIN

BUSINESS

3

1. Harvard University 2. University of South Florida 3. Azusa Pacific University

MBA

NURSING

VCU psychologist Emilie Godwin.

MARY LEE CLARK Staff Writer

INFOGRAPHIC BY DESIREE CHOE

PSYCHOLOGY

1. John F. Kennedy University 2. University of Arizona 3. Pepperdine University

1. University of Florida 2. University of California Berkeley 3. University of Colorado Boulder

PHYSICAL THERAPY

1. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center 2. Texas Woman's University 3. University of Central Arkansas

1. Harvard University 2. Cornell University 3. University of California Berkeley

PUBLIC HEALTH

1. Emory University 2. Tulane University 3. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

1. University of California - LA 2. Azusa Pacific University 3. University of Pittsburgh

SOCIAL WORK

1. CUNY Lehman College 2. Florida Atlantic University 3. California State University LA

Information from GraduatePrograms.com

JIM THOMMA Staff Writer Two VCU programs were named to the Top Graduate Schools by education research publisher SR Education Group earlier this year.

The Department of Psychology’s master’s program ranked fifth and the VCU School of Social Work ranked 37th in their fields, according to SR Education Group’s findings.

“All in all, we feel great to be in the top five and we will continue to work hard to ensure we continue to provide our students with excellent training,” said Michael Southam-Gerow, director of graduate studies for the VCU Department of Psychology.

The rankings are decided exclusively through student and alumni reviews submitted on GraduatePrograms.com, a product of SR Education Group and are published annually. The group has collected more than 57,000 reviews of more than 1,600 colleges and universities since 2012.

“We are proud to sustain our national reputation as a leader in social work education,” said VCU School of Social Work Interim Dean Timothy Davey. “We are committed to supporting our students to become the next generation of influential scholars, practitioners and professional leaders in social work.”

The reviews guage educational experiences and outcomes by asking students to rate their school on a scale of one to five on factors like quality of instruction, career advising and preparedness, networking opportunities and student financial services.

“VCU's graduate Psychology program is competitive and the faculty and administration are very supportive,” wrote an anonymous reviewer who will graduate in 2018.

“Richmond is also a great city to do community-based research.”

The focus on student feedback sets SR apart from other top graduate school ranking systems such as U.S. News & World Report, which

CHESAPEAKE:

incorporate a much wider array of indicators, but not student satisfaction.

“I have been highly impressed with the School of Social Work's curriculum and professors,” wrote one reviewer, who will also graduate in 2018. “My student success advisor is excellent and she has gone out of her way to help me with all of the questions I have had.”

CEO of SR Education Group Sung Rhee said it is his mission is to provide students with rankings that authentically reflect their peers views on a university.

“The most useful resource for prospective students is the experience of other students,” Rhee said.

SR limited its scope to regionally or nationally accredited, non-profit institutions. Schools must receive at least 10 reviews to be included on SR’s list of top graduate schools, according to methodological information published on the group’s website.

Of the 1,600 colleges reviewed through GraduatePrograms.com,

only 245 schools reached that 10-review threshold, according to a press release by SR. In exchange for submitting reviews, SR offers students the chance the win scholarships worth $2,500 to cover educational expenses or pay back student loans.

Of the 57,000 reviews submitted to GraduatePrograms.com since 2012, 26 reviews earned the $2,500 scholarship, according to the company’s website.

A similar SR web product, GradReports.com, provides data for other services such as “Guide to Online Schools” and “OnlineU”, which provide resources for students seeking online degrees.

“Altogether, these sites exist to help students find a degree program that matches their career aspirations and budget,” said SR spokesman Taitum Ridgway. “Each has a unique focus, but they all contribute to the same mission.”

PHOTO BY JULIE TRIPP

VCU psychologist Jeffrey Kreutzer.

Congress may revise Trump's budget cuts JULIE ROTHEY Contributing Writer

President Trump's budget plan reduces allocations for the Environmental Protection Agency by 31 percent.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VCU HEALTH

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2. Brown University 3. Stanford University

A lawsuit seeking $2.5 million in damages against Virginia Commonwealth University is accusing the university of not correctly handling complaints of sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation.

According to the Richmond Free Press, the complaint stems from Emilie Godwin, a VCU psychologist, against VCU clinical psychologist Jeffrey Kreutzer.

According to the suit, Godwin was hired by VCU in 2009 as a staff researcher to an instructor at the medical college. In four years, she rose to assistant professor while building a counseling practice.

In her suit, Godwin claims she faced hostility, discrimination and sexual advances from Kreutzer. Godwin also said VCU officials did nothing when she filed complaints about Kreutzer. Godwin also included names of nine females and two males who left the medical college after experiencing similar problems with Kreutzer.

VCU declined comment to the Commonwealth Times on a pending lawsuit, which was filed in October.

Kreutzer and other parties involved are being served this week. Neither Godwin or Kreutzer could be reached for comment. No trial date has been set for this case.

Environmental groups are outraged at the Trump administration’s proposed funding cuts for Chesapeake Bay cleanup programs.

President Donald Trump’s budget plan, released last week, reduces the federal budget for the Environmental Protection Agency by 31 percent. Such a reduction would include a $427 million to address regional pollution, including the Chesapeake Bay protection efforts. The proposed budget would also eliminate funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program, which received $73 million from the federal government in 2016.

CBP runs a variety of programs, including environmental education centers, oyster restoration centers and environmental centers that maintain clean water throughout Maryland and Virginia – all of which may be cut under Trump’s new budget plan.

“It’s indicative of the overall policy of the Trump administration, which is bad,” said Drew Shannon, an organizer with the Virginia Student Environmental Coalition.

Shannon said people across the political spectrum are angry because of the importance of the Chesapeake Bay and its connection to Virginia culture.

“It’s a rare instance where we see bipartisan support for an environmental issue,” Shannon said.

Trump administration officials said the proposed budget addresses Americans’ worries about a large, inefficient and intrusive government.

“This is the message the president wanted to send to the public, to the press, to Capitol Hill:

He wants more money for defense; more money for border enforcement; more money for law enforcement generally,” said Mick Mulvaney, the White House director of the Office of Management and Budget in a press briefing last week.

A White House summary released with the budget last week states the administration wants to transfer responsibility for programs like the Chesapeake Bay cleanup to state and local governments.

Most of the Chesapeake Bay Program’s federal money goes to states, local governments and community groups through grants. The foundation focuses on coordinating and monitoring the efforts of the six bay watershed states and the District of Columbia. Besides Virginia, these states include Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

“Since water does not respect state boundaries, restoring the Bay depends on each jurisdiction’s funding levels and ability to implement the blueprint,” said Kristen Davis, an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, in an email to The VirginianPilot.

The “blueprint” Davis referenced is a pollution reduction plan signed by the six watershed states and D.C. in 2010.

The proposed budget would also undermine programs monitoring sea level rise, a concern in the Hampton Roads region.

“This is a program that’s enjoyed bipartisan support. It’s non-controversial. It’s sciencebased, and it’s working. The bay is getting better,” said Chesapeake Bay Program president Will Baker in a video released on the organization’s Facebook page.

Last month, a bipartisan group of 17 members of Congress from the six watershed states sent a letter to Trump asking him to keep bay program funding the same in the new budget.

Congress now has the opportunity to revise the proposed budget. It must pass both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate before taking effect.

“We’re discouraged, but we’re not giving up. We will fight to get these funds back into the federal budget with every fiber in our bodies,” Baker said.

Since water does not respect state boundaries, restoring the Bay depends on each jurisdiction's funding levels."

Kristen Davis SELC Attorney

The Commonwealth Times

4

Online database documents accomplishments, forgotten contributions of black legislators DAI JÁ NORMAN Contributing Writer

legislators.

“In constructing the database, the primary challenge was the accuracy of and access to information because little if any information concerning African-American history, culture, achievements, contributions, education, sociopolitical status and biographies was preserved during the slavery and Reconstruction eras, and prior to the civil rights movement,” Edwards said.

Edwards is currently researching the African-Americans legislators in the 20th and 21st century so they can be added to the database in the coming months.

It is the commission’s goal to ensure political figures like James Carter, who introduced a resolution requiring students to attend public school for at least three months a year, and Johnson Collins, who advocated eliminating the poll tax that prevented many people from voting, aren’t lost in history.

To learn more, visit: http://mlkcommission.dls.virginia. gov

IMAGES COURTESY OF THE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING MEMORIAL COMMISSION WEBSITE

An online database of legislators created by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Commission will soon feature all African-American members of the General Assembly from the Reconstruction era to today.

The database, which is free to the public, is a product of Brenda Edwards, a staff member for the Division of Legislative Services assigned to the MLK Commission. While doing research on legislators years ago, Edwards came across the names of African-American men who participated in the Underwood Constitutional Convention in 1867-68 and in the House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia during Reconstruction.

“I inadvertently made the discovery when fulfilling a research request from a legislator who wanted to honor a former lawmaker,” Edwards said. “I brought my discovery to the attention of the member who requested the research, who requested that the chairman of the MLK Commission add the creation of the database to the commission’s work plan for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Brown v.

Board of Education.”

The MLK Commission started compiling the database in 2004.

In 2013, to celebrate the sesquicentennial of the Emancipation Proclamation, the commission launched the website with a roll call of

the African-Americans elected to the Constitutional Convention of 1867-1868 and to the General Assembly during Reconstruction from 1869 to 1890.

Around that time, however, Virginia and other Southern states enacted legislation known as “Black Codes” to thwart the newfound freedoms of former slaves – for example, by imposing poll taxes, literacy tests and elaborate registration systems to keep African-Americans from voting. As a result, from 1890 until the late 1960s, African-Americans were not represented in the Virginia General Assembly.

“It was difficult for pioneering African-American historians to chronicle the history of black people. Due to the culture during the periods of the ‘Black Codes’ and Jim Crow, curators of AfricanAmerican history and culture were basically nonexistent,” Edwards said.

According to the commission, Virginia is the only state that has researched and commemorated its early African-American legislators through such a project.

When reading the biographies of black legislators, it is easy to notice that chunks of information are missing compared to their white counterparts. This was due to the blatant discrimination and prejudice during that era. Black men were sometimes former slaves or descendants of slaves, and it was common for them to lack birth certificates, marriage licenses or other documentation.

That has made it hard to acquire well-rounded information on the

The accomplishments of the first black legislators will soon be listed on the MLK Commission site.

The MLK Commission began compiling its legislator database in 2004.

ADVERTISEMENT

—"DOMINION," continued from page 1

Coal ash ponds violate Clean Water Act

PHOTO BY PILAR CURTIS

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Need to play catch-up? Interested in exploring a course that fills up fast or doesn’t fit in your schedule during the academic year? Check out the Summer Studies website for courses and updates.

In his ruling last Thursday, federal Judge John Gibney asked both Dominion and SELC to submit briefs outlining a “detailed remedial plan” but did not require the complete shutdown and excavation of the ponds.

Deborah Murray, one of the SELC attorneys on the case, said she commended Gibney’s ruling, but wished the court had ordered an entire clean up.

“The law is clear: when someone violates the Clean Water Act, the polluter must stop the violation,” Murray said. “Here, that means getting the ash out of the groundwater.”

According to Seth Heald, chair of the Sierra Club’s Virginia chapter, the push to excavate and remove coal ash ponds located close to the Elizabeth River is due to the river’s susceptibility to flooding. “(The ruling) is important for all Virginians who seek to hold (Dominion) responsible for its mishandling of toxic coal ash,” Heald said. “Now we must push Dominion to do the right thing and get this toxic coal ash out of the groundwater.”

Virginia isn’t the only state seeking environmental organizations shut down coal ash ponds created by energy companies. In 2015, Duke Energy of North Carolina pleaded guilty on 18 charges involving nine federal Clean Water Act crimes at five coal ash sites across the state.

The same day Gibney ruled against Dominion, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe amended Senate Bill 1398 to call on Dominion to submit their plans to address the current water pollution from the leaking coal ash ponds, long-term safety risks from flooding and “evaluations of excavation or recycling for concrete options” by December 2017.

McAuliffe sent the bill back to the General Assembly, who will review the amended measure when it reconvenes for a one-day session on April 5.

Dean Naujoks of the Potomac Riverkeeper Network, one of the plaintiffs in the case against Dominion, said the proposed amendment is a step in the right direction.

“We’re hopeful that Virginia legislators will do the same — the people of Virginia deserve a solution that protects their drinking water and their property values,” Naujoks said.

Now we must push Dominion to do the right thing and get this toxic coal ash out of the groundwater.

Deborah Murray SELC Attorney

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The ruling will require Dominion to perform additional testing on arsenic-tainted water.

summer.vcu.edu

8

spectrum

The Commonwealth Times

On this day...

in 1912, the annual “Cherry Blossom Festival” begins in Washington, D.C. when the first Yoshina Cherry Blossom trees are planted as a sign of peace between the U.S. and Japan.

MUKTARU JALLOH Staff Writer Led by Marc “Cheats” Cheatham, The “Cheats Movement” podcast is the most active Hip-Hop blog in Richmond.

With shows of various lengths debuting every other week, the podcast invites local rappers to display their skills and drop new music. The creative group also consists of Gigi Broadway, Rich Hernandez, “Hip-Hop” Henry, The Gawd KB, rapper RT, DJ Mentos and Jess.

The group’s origins began with Cheatham and Hip-Hop Henry’s friendship. Cheatham had been blogging since 2011 — promoting independent hip-hop and hosting shows in the city.

During this time, Cheatham would often check out Hip-Hop Henry and KB’s own platform, “The Listening Party,” on a routine basis. Cheatham proposed the idea of a collaboration, and nearly two years ago the first episode of the “Cheats Movement” podcast premiered.

“It made sense for it to be one because when we were doing the ‘Listening Party,’ Cheats would always be there becoming like an honorary member if you will,” Henry said. “It was a perfect transition.”

Centered around separate relationships built years prior, the “Cheats Movement” made the most natural sense for all of the group members.

“The concept was there from the very beginning,” Cheatham said. “It took us about three episodes before we got it to 100 percent.”

Embracing the spirit of rap’s Wu Tang Clan, all eight members serve a meaningful purpose in the group — everybody brings a new point of view to

the table, according to Henry.

KB is described as the “muscle” of the group and the “mad” rapper while RT, a rap artist himself, is a “ jack of all trades.”

“I’m always doing my own thing, but when I’m with my team, I work well with them too,” RT said.

Rich is the funny “anti-hero” while Gigi provides a strong presence as she is one of two women in the group. Her “feminine mind with a masculine attitude” helps her hold her own during the heated debates on the show, which provides a Voltron-like chemistry.

“We’re always there to support one another. RT we support his music.

Gigi’s photography, we’re down for that as well. Just recently, we were there for Hip-Hop’s J Dilla event,” KB said.

As a rapper, RT said he has never found a conflict of interest being on the show.

“Me and Cheats go back before I was in the Cheats Movement Podcast,” RT said. “For years, I’ve been doing work in Richmond, specifically with magazines and involved in the music scene and we’ve always been connected that way.”

When asked about why they chose to go the podcast route, Cheatham said he believes it’s the medium that fits the group best.

“I think there’s room for f lexibility,” Cheatham said. “We do what we think is achievable and feasible. The podcast was an extension of expressing our personalities.”

The podcast has not come without struggles, but the group interprets hurdles as opportunities for growth. Early hiccups like finding the right location to record, getting everyone together and managing the show has helped them fortify their overall production.

“For us to have a platform where our opinion matters really means a lot. We give these local artists an opportunity to do what they do,” RT said.

PHOTO BY MUKTARU JALLOH

“Cheats Movement” provides the pulse for RVA’s rap scene

(Left to right) Rich, KB, RT, Hip-Hop Henry, Jess, Gigi Broadway, DJ Mentos and Cheats.

The group said their greatest feat was bringing legendary Brooklyn rapper AZ to the Broadberry in June 2016.

The show was held to commemorate the 20-year-anniversary of his classic debut, “Doe or Die.” In addition, bringing artists from other cities such as New York and Boston to perform in Richmond has elevated the group’s presence in the city.

“We’ve built a brand and community that understands that we’re not in it for ourselves. When we say we’re going to do something, we have that stamp of legitimacy because we’ve proven ourselves,”

Cheatham said. “We’re the one that are taking the calls, getting the emails.”

The group’s rise has coincided with a recent change in the climate of Richmond Hip-Hop where more groups are taking initiative to celebrate the city’s rich rap culture.

“The reason I started blogging is because no one was doing it. No one was covering Richmond Hip-Hop. Because of people like Kelli and Lonnie, the Listening Party, Music Heals have presented the culture in a professional, inclusive and accepting manner.”

Cheatham said. “Now you’re starting

to see Richmond catch up to the fact that hip-hop is the driving force behind everything.”

Moving forward, the group said they want to help lay the foundation for those to come.

“I just want us to keep going,” Gigi said, “the central force for good hip-hop music.”

“I want us to inspire other people.

I want us to inspire the next generation to take what we’ve done forward,” Cheatham said.

— “UTMOST,” continued from page 1 UTMOST CO. was formed by co-owners Tom Hart and Jermaine Edwards. Most of the designs for their inventory, which ranges from skateboard gear to custom hoodies and hats, are created by the duo and reflects their over L.A.pping styles and urban feel.

The company’s branding has gotten them noticed in major cities since they first opened their doors in Richmond and has now L.A.nded them in Los Angeles.

Earlier this month, UTMOST CO. had a grand opening for their store in downtown L.A. with sounds provided by Blondie Beach Records.

“We have always been part of the streetwear and skate culture,”Edwards said. “Opening a pL.A.ce in L.A. kinda just made sense.”

The close-knit nature of the UTMOST CO. brand is captured in the fact that the employees from their fL.A.gship Richmond store traveled to L.A. to help get the shop and running during the stores opening week. According to the owners, they are best friends with their employees.

“Our work environment is helL.A. reL.A.xed,” Edwards said. “All we do is smoke a blunt, watch skateboard videos and work.”

The streetwear and skateboard shop has also served as a pL.A.tform for employees to grow as creative individuals. UTMOST CO. is also an active presence during Richmond’s First Fridays, holding various events and sponsoring projects of other up-and-coming companies and designers.

Marcus Ingram Jr., who has worked with UTMOST CO. for three years, said the company has provided him opportunities to travel and take photos for UTMOST CO. For the owners, the L.A. store opening is a celebration of not only the UTMOST CO. Richmond store and their tight knit group of employees, but Richmond as whole.

Before opening an official store in L.A., UTMOST CO. hosted a pop-up shop on Melrose Avenue, one of the most well-know fashion districts in the city.

The temporary store allowed UTMOST CO. to showcase their designs in California and establish

themselves as part of the region’s well developed skateboarding and streetwear culture.

“The L.A. store is full of potential and opportunities as far as the industry, marketing, and things of the nature go,” Edwards said.

UTMOST CO. also exhibited their store at Agenda Show, a diverse and creative fashion trade show that took pL.A.ce in L.A.s Vegas in February. The UTMOST CO. pop-up shop on Melrose was not only very successful, but gave their owners insight on what it would be like to open a store in L.A..

Edwards and Hart said they are excited about opening their L.A. store and hope to open more locations throughout the United States and potentially overseas.

They continue to show gratitude towards Richmond, which gave them room to explore and expand their brand before traveling to the West coast.

The owners are working on an evolution of the Richmond shop as the city’s skateboard and streetclothes industry continues to grow. Since the very first UTMOST CO. location they have a network of very loyal customers, including Willis L.A.mb who started an Instagram Archive page for UTMOST CO., where he “showcases the history of UTMOST CO., including facts and history of items.”

“I am just really excited,” L.A.m said. “it’s been a long time coming.”

Hart said he hopes to see more VCU students in the Richmond shop and is hopeful the L.A. grand-opening will lead to UTMOST CO. receiving more traction in-store and online.

UTMOST CO. carries skateboard brands ranging from L.A. to London and back to Richmond. They tend to sell out quickly on fresh designs which are released Saturday in store and online at 12 p.m. EST. Skateboards are usually around $50.00.

“It’s just clean, all the stuff they put out is just clean and timeless,” said VCU student Niles Harrell. “All of their products are good quality, you just can’t go wrong with it.”

You can now check out UTMOST CO. Co. at 111 West 7th St. Los Angeles CA, or at the Richmond location at 115 West Broad St.

PHOTO BY MARCUS INGRAM JR.

UTMOST CO. celebrates California store opening

Co-owners of UTMOST CO. Tom Hart (left) and Jermaine Edwards (right).

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Monday, March 27, 2017

9

PHOTO BY MUKTARU JALLOH

Stevie Nicks as good as “Gold” in Charlottesville

Rock-n-roll legend Stevie Nicks performed a sold-out show at the University of Virgina on March 25.

MUKTARU JALLOH Staff Writer Currently on her second leg of the 24K Karat Gold Tour, legendary singer Stevie Nicks performed for a crowd of nearly 15,000 at University of Virginia Jean Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville on March 25.

Known for her work with band Fleetwood Mac and her solo career, Nicks has been regarded by many pubs as the Queen of Rock & Roll with more than 140 millions records sold and 8 Grammys. This tour is a celebration of her most recent album, the 2014 release of “24 Karat Gold: Songs From The Vault.”

Originally scheduled for a start time of 7p.m., the venue announced last-minute that the show’s openers, The Pretenders, would not be performing due to illness. While some fans asked for refunds at ticket booths, many decided Nicks was still worth the night.

A predominantly older crowd, many came

dressed to the nines with life-long fans opted to take a page out of their wardrobe from back in the day.

Nicks, a mainstay of Rock & Roll music in the 1970s, was a major influence with her style and fashion as much as her music. Thus, many fans dressed in her likeness, sporting Nick’s’ trademark shawl fabrics, big hair and celestial pendants.

A little after 8 p.m., Nick’s’ band appeared on stage to roaring applause ofrom the crowd.

Once each band member was set, Nicks gracefully walked onstage and wasted no time getting the show started.

She opened with “Gold and Braid,” an unreleased song from her 1981 debut solo platinumselling album, “Bella Donna.” The album served as affirmation of her decision to leave the success of Fleetwood Mac and embark on her own career.

After performing the song, Nicks spoke about the creation and legacy of the album, citing collaborators Tom Petty and Jimmy Lovine as instru-

James Joyce’s political “prophecies” GEORGIA GEEN Staff Writer University at Buffalo Distinguished Professor Joseph Valente read his recent work, “From Whiteboys to White Nationalism: A Joycean Philosophy of the Trump Phenomenon,” on March 22 for the third installment of the VCU Humanities Research Center Speaker Series, co-sponsored by the Department of English.

“Over the last few decades there has been much discussion of how literary canons evolve over time and which authors rightfully belong to that canon,” Humanities Research Center Director Richard Godbeer during the opening remarks.

Godbeer posed the question of what the “mostly white and male literary greats” have to offer modern curriculum.

Valente spoke of 20th century author, James Joyce’s portrayal of the Whiteboys, an Irish political group that served as an antecedent to the Klu Klux Klan. The modern political climate is not so different from that which fostered the Whiteboys, Valente said, arguing Joyce “prophesied” surrounding the election of President Donald Trump.

The writing and research process for the work started before the 2016 election, which altered Valente’s perspective, he said.

“I had no idea Trump would actually win,” Valente said. “(I wanted to know) what it was that

produced any support for Trump at the time.”

Instead of changing the work to be current with the events popping up in the news, Valente said he decided to focus on the pre-election climate to make the task more feasible.

Through a series of “parodies,” excerpted from Joyce’s works, Valente analyzed the development of the populist movement in 18thcentury Ireland, later linking it to the development of similar sentiments in the United States. Populism refers to ideas which focus on protecting “the people” from “the elite,” and can encompass many more specific political ideologies.

“The seeds of populism are disseminated by the middle class,” Valente said.

In the two cases discussed by Valente, populism is motivated by veiled gender issues and more overt racial ones. He said the militarization that’s been seen under Trump symbolizes a masculine aggression. Similarly, the dialogue of the Whiteboys served to emasculate groups they opposed, such as Jewish people.

Valente said the Whiteboys granted “iconic status” to the Irish Peasantry, as the Trump campaign was able to do for America’s heartland many years later.

“Race-consciousness has readily attached itself to populist movements,” Valente said.

Sam’s Take

mental to its success. She continued to perform carefully-selected songs from her early solo albums, including “If Anyone Falls” and“Stop Draggin.”

At certain parts of the night, Nicks chose to perform fan favorites from her work with Fleetwood Mac, performing “Gyspy” to a resounding response from the crowd. Like the album, the nearly three-hour-long highlighted various unreleased songs Nicks chose to perform for the first time.

For each song, she detailed its own unique background story and origin. To the audience’s pleasure, Nicks spoke with much candor and wit in her recollections. In addition, never-before-seen photos appeared on a large LCD screen behind her correlating with each story and song.

When she performed “Stand Back,” she spoke of her close friendship with Prince, who passed away last year. She detailed her first encounter with the legend, citing his purple camaro and his attire as personal memories that still stand out to her to this day. Nicks revealed that the song was a play on

Prince’s classic, “Little Red Corvette” and said that she feels his presence every time she performs the record.

Nicks closed the set with her famous, “Edge of Seventeen” with her guitarist doing his best Jimi Hendrix impression during his solo. When the crowd pleaded that she sing one more, she gladly obliged performing “Rhiannon” and “Landslide” as encores.

An intriguing yet inspiring element to the show was the perspective in which Nicks spoke about her past and present. She spoke as someone who is at peace with her youth, prime and career. Most importantly, Nicks genuinely looked happy on stage to share these obscure songs that maybe one point in time she was too afraid to perform in the past.

A show filled with nostalgia and remembrance, Nicks’s presence was also one of contentment and joy. With her voice as strong and cool as ever, Stevie is still as good as Gold.

Go, go away “Power Rangers.” You’re terrible.

SAMUEL GOODRICH Staff Writer I’ve never been more angry and confused in my nearly 20 years of watching film.

“Power Rangers,” released on March 24 to much anticipation from adults and children alike. Instead, the film fell flat.

A mess of corporate desire and misguided progressivism shoved into a two hour chaotic attempt at pandering to old and new fans of the franchise.

A group of five “delinquent” teenagers stumble upon a meteor containing colored stones giving them incredible powers. Soon after this discovery, the group finds a spaceship housing Zordon, who left the stones for anyone to find, so that they may become the Power Rangers, protectors of the planet.

Now the group’s mission is to stop Rita Repulsa, a former Ranger who is now hell—bent on gaining immeasurable power so she can take over the world.

Basically the film falls f lat and I’m not sure who to blame for it.

To launch the list of problems: the main actors themselves are either boring or ter-

rible. The actors might actually be that mediocre, but it seems that the script simply doesn’t give them enough to work with. These characters are defined by their dark pasts and one—dimensional personalities, which amount to nothing but attempting to cajole a millennial audience.

Two of the main characters, Billy and Trini, are autistic and gay respectively.

While this may seem like a progressive move, the film never quite commits to these identities or captures the struggles of a mental disability or being part of the LGBTQ community.

The film never even explicitly states that Trini is a lesbian. The only reason this is known is because Director Dean Israelite told the Hollywood Reporter, “Trini, really she’s questioning a lot about who she is.”

However the film never explicitly states that Trini is a lesbian, just that her problems aren’t related to “Boyfriends.”

Billy’s autism is never fully acknowledged and isn’t consistent either. Even worse, the character doesn’t act like someone with autism. Instead, he comes off as an offensive, stereotypical caricature used solely for comic relief.

While these

labels could have made the characters more interesting, the movie simply relies on troupes for the sake of progressiveness, which only makes their one— dimensional characterizations more apparent.

Trini and Billy’s characters actually represent a bigger problem with “Power Rangers” as a whole though. The film wants to appeal to every type of audience, but it can’t commit to anything it sets out to do. They want to be progressive, but not enough to make a statement.

The tone suffers because of this f lip—f lop tactic, seeming dark and serious at points, but then becoming light— hearted in the strangest of places. These odd moments usually involve the villian Rita, who’s goofy homage to the villain from the original series simply does not work with the rest of the movie.

Her ridiculous acting is only warranted during the over—the—top final action set—piece, which is infuriatingly disappointing. This is the only time we see these characters in the Ranger suits, and this is the first time the audience is supposed to witness impressive action scenes, but they’re just plain boring.

There’s no f low or sense of impact in these fights. There is an overabundance of slow motion, which consistently turns almost cool shots into embarrassing examples of “trying too hard.” The most disappointing part is that scenes of humans fighting in the first hour and a half have more interesting camerawork and choreography than those involving giant dinosaur robots.

There is even heavy corporate inf luence interwoven throughout the film, and it becomes painfully obvious halfway through when Krispy Kreme suddenly becomes important. The company is mentioned in every other sentence until the credits roll.

This style of corporate greed and lifelessness can be felt throughout the film’s entire production. The filmmakers want to have their cake and eat it too — trying to appeal to older and newer fans alike, while catching the widest audience. Ironically though, it appears they can’t even bake the cake to make it worth eating in the first place.

Rating: IL L US TR AT BY

PHOTO BY CASEY COLE

ION IAI ND UF FU S

Joseph Valente compares 20th and 21st century nationalism.

Everyone is better off watching the multitude of original “Power Rangers” episodes and movies.

spectrum

10 The Commonwealth Times

Bob Levey

Washington Post veteran speaks to the future of journalism AMY LEE Contributing Writer Print journalism will eventually end, says former Washington Post columnist Bob Levey, but the close of the print era hardly means the death of journalism.

Levey, a visiting journalism professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, delivered a lecture Thursday on “the future of the media,” examining journalism in the digital age — and in the era of President Trump.

For Levey, sustaining responsible journalism requires overhauling the business models and content systems that guide the news industry today. As newspaper advertising has fled online to Craigslist, Facebook, Yahoo and Google, publishers have all but lost their ability to charge for news.

“If journalism is going to survive in its best form — authoritative, accurate, fair, unbiased and on

the ball in terms of timing — the business problem is going to have to be solved or dealt with,” said Levey, who has been a working journalist for nearly 50 years, including 36 as a reporter and columnist at The Washington Post.

He compared The Post’s acquisition by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos with The New York Time’s public ownership and resulting pressure of “being beholden to Wall Street.” Journalism requires revenue to thrive, and Levey discussed philanthropy and government funding as emerging channels of financial support for news sites.

Revamping media content for today’s audiences may be a more complicated task. Levey described a modern breed of readers who use news as a way to confirm, rather than challenge, their knowledge.

This trend, Levey said, will only fragment audiences, promote intolerance and discourage fresh news sources and journalists in the field.

“We no longer trust news sources to open our

eyes to things we don’t know, and we don’t seek them to provide things that we don’t know,” Levey said, speaking to several hundred people gathered in the VCU Commons Theater and watching the lecture online.

“We are going home. We are going to a stripe and a political orientation that we know, that we expect and that we trust.”

Equally troubling to the landscape of journalism is the popularity of online platforms that seek to cement an identity somewhere between legitimate news and pop-culture listicles.

Case in point: BuzzFeed and its decision to publish private information regarding then-presidential candidate Donald Trump’s personal life. Levey criticized online news outlet for presenting the information to readers without a filter of journalistic standards. Responsible journalism involving editing, and a brand of accuracy will always exist, he said, but it must increasingly compete with

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content that shies away from editorial involvement and responsibility.

Toward the end of his lecture, Levey outlined his predictions for the future of journalism and received questions from the audience. Newspapers will eventually halt circulation, Levey said, and television and radio news will continue to decline each year.

As for the internet, Levey predicts Facebook will rise as a dominant publisher of journalism in a time as media outlets are sucked into larger enterprises, much in the way of The Washington Post and Amazon.

After fielding questions about censorship, commoditization of content and journalism ethics, Levey summarized his thoughts regarding journalism’s future as the lecture drew to a close.

“Journalism depends on patience, time and editing,” he said. “My money’s on journalism. We always find a way.”

opinion

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Monday, March 27, 2017 11

Quote of the week: “It speaks to the culture of our program that Rhoades was presented to the press and fans at the packed Siegel Center before Wade was introduced at LSU’s Student Commons.”

ILLUSTRATION BY YEWEI WANG

Letters to the Editor

Sincerely, Anonymous

I AL YE SK BY N IO AT

I’m writing to you because I can’t help but feel betrayed. I’ve been a fan of VCU’s notorious basketball team for more than 10 years. I’ve seen the backs of three coaches now. There was Anthony Grant, there was Shaka Smart and then there was Will Wade. All left under similar circumstances: wooed by promises of bright lights, shiny gold, and of course, heavy green.

But this one’s different.

Now, of course I could just sit here and give you a letter just slamming this guy, calling him selfish, irresponsible and snarky … so I will.

That he left is bad enough, but I’ll get to that later. What really bothered me is how he left. Say what you want about news leaks and the speed that information spreads these days with social media, but there is no circumstance in which it is EVER okay for players to find out about their head coach’s departure in the same manner as the fans.

Whatever shred of dignity Mr. Wade had remaining at the bottom of the barrel of his heart disappeared when he left without addressing his players first. (If those reports are to be believed.) At least the father who “went out for milk” 10 years ago and never returned had enough decorum to lie to your face about it beforehand.

And you didn’t wanna thank the fans either Mr. Wade? After we glorified and exalted your name, what did you leave us with other than a stab in the back and a slap in the face?

Now onto the fact that he did leave. The fact that Mr. Wade saw it fit for his legacy to dump a 7-time NCAA Championship attendee for a Louisiana State program that has only made the tournament once in that time is categorically insulting.

Was it LSU’s whopping two in-conference wins that attracted you Mr. Wade? What was it Mr. Wade, did they impress you when you personally oversaw the VCU team that handed them one of their many fat L’s of the season? I presume those factors didn’t help.

As Nelly would say, it must be the money.

You couldn’t have stayed Will Wade? How much were you paid Will Wade? Why were you swayed Will Wade? Why did you trade Will Wade?

All these questions remain, but Ram fans I can tell you one thing: Will Wade will fade, but VCU will pervade.

We may have lost our second coach in two years, but I’m assuaged by the fact that we were able to replace him within 24 hours.

It speaks to the culture of our program that Rhoades was presented to the press and fans at the packed Siegel Center before Wade was introduced at LSU’s Student Commons.It’s a testament to the culture of VCU basketball, where the head coaching position is a high honor and every occupant is but a passenger.

Patrick Hager

TR

Dear Editor:

protein, 30 percent of your daily value of calcium and 40 percent of your daily value of iron. Who knew Taco Bell could be so nutritious?

Sticking to veganism is difficult for many people. They get bored of eating the same things or feel there’s nothing for them if they have to be on the dining plan. However, this has just scratched the surface of the bounty of options on campus. To give two more food examples, Bleeker St. has tofu or Portobello mushrooms that taste eerily similar to roast beef (seriously, try it) and Croutons offers tofu or hummus. Starbucks will also veganize most of their drinks simply by replacing the dairy milk with either soy or coconut milk for a mere 60 cents extra. (Make sure to order no whipped cream as well!) This also doesn’t even take into account the plethora of options available off campus (give Strange Matter or Harrison St. Café a visit sometime!).

Going vegan also doesn’t have to be all at once either. All I ask is that everyone reading this tries some of these options once a week for Meatless Monday; if not for you, for the planet and for the animals.

US

One of the main reasons people shy away from veganism is because they believe that they won’t be able to eat anywhere on campus and will be left bereft of any cheap or delicious food options: sad, hungry and left out at the lunch table. Fortunately, this bleak fate is easily avoidable.

Many people simply do not know about the plentiful vegan options around VCU’s diverse campus. For those who don’t know, veganism is a diet that abstains from all animal products: no meat, fish, eggs or dairy. While this may seem like a large undertaking, with some commitment and some knowledge about how and where to eat on campus, veganism at VCU becomes easier by the day. So let me give you some tips that I wish I had known sooner when I first came to VCU as a vegan last year.

Firstly, let’s talk about the wonderful (or the dreaded, depending on who you ask) Shafer Dining Hall. VCU is actually very fortunate to have a dining hall with so many vegan options. In fact, the options are abundant as soon as you walk in and look to your right. Enter the vegan bar, loaded with veggies, beans, tofu, a hot meal and two soups that change every day. If you don’t care for the hot option that day, I recommend getting a cup of soup and loading it

up with tofu (optional), chickpeas, black beans and a veggie or two. This will give you a satiating meal that’s loaded with protein, iron and calcium. In addition to the bar, Shafer also offers salads, a soy milk dispenser, french fries, veggie burgers and hot dogs! Just make sure you ask the chefs to sauté them for you because they are uncooked.

Next, let’s discuss the Student Commons. While fast food doesn’t seem ideal for a vegan, it can be a convenient, cheap and delicious option. Firstly, Subway offers a Veggie Delite sandwich, and even offers a vegetarian (not vegan) veggie patty. Next, Chik-Fil-A offers waffle fries and the POD has various vegan snacks, including Sweet Chili Doritos, knockoff Swedish Fish, and much more. However, the best option in my opinion is Taco Bell. The password to unlock the vegan Taco Bell menu is “fresco”. Ask for any menu item with an “F” next to it “fresco style” and they will replace the cheese and sour cream with pico de gallo.

It’s delicious, easy, and much healthier too. In addition, you can always sub beans for beef, or add potatoes. My favorite vegan fast food item is the bean burrito fresco style.

Perhaps not the greatest weight loss food, but if you want to get in as many calories and nutrients for as little dollars as possible, this is tough to beat. For two bean burritos, coming in at under $3, you get 700 calories, 16g dietary fiber, 26g

IL L

Dear Editor:

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Stat of the Week: Briante Weber — after Treveon Graham, Larry Sanders and Troy Daniels — became the fourth Ram to lock-in a long-term NBA contract.

BRIANTE BUZZ

NICK VERSAW Staff Writer Former VCU basketball fan-favorite and 2015 graduate Briante Weber signed a multi-year contract to stay with the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, General Manager Rich Cho announced last week.

Before temporarily signing on with the Warriors last month, Weber was busy lighting up the NBA D-League.

The former Ram averaged 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 3.3 steals per game with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, earning him an NBA DLeague All-Star selection and Player of the Month honors for January.

As a Ram, Weber established himself as a defensive maestro and the face of former coach Shaka Smart’s “Havoc� style of play. He earned Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year three consecutive seasons and led the nation in steals in 2014. “I’m not a nice guy on the court in between those lines,� Weber added. “It’s either me or you. I’m taking my chances with anybody, so I’m just going to continue to fight.�

Prior to tearing his ACL during his senior season at VCU, Weber was just 12 steals short of the all-time NCAA record. It’s this sort of ferocious tenacity that Weber says makes him unique. “I have not seen another player like me,� Weber said. “I tend to try to be different from everybody else. I don’t want to be labelled as a one-way player or a guy that can just do one thing. I try to do it all and do whatever I can do to help

my team.

Charlotte marks the fourth home for the former Ram in the last 13 months, but Weber said he hopes to make his stay last a while in the Tar Heel state. Born just 350 miles northeast in Chesapeake, Virginia, Weber said his spot on the Hornets grants him a unique opportuni-

I’m going to continue to grow and continue to help the team in any way I can.

Briante Weber ty that his former teams — the Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors — couldn’t provide. “I’m closer to home,� Weber said. “I can see my mom way more than I could anywhere else. I’m definitely a momma’s boy, so me being able to see her at pretty much every home game is going to be something to feel good about.�

Joining the Hornets also provides a chance for Weber to team up with his

former VCU roommate and fellow Ram fan-favorite and 2015 grad, Treveon Graham. “Being able to play with my brother again,� Weber said in an interview with Basketball Insiders, “it’s just something you don’t really do as much leaving college.�

Graham said he’s equally excited to once again suit up alongside his former college teammate. “He’s kind of the reason I went to VCU,â€? Graham said. “He wanted me to go to VCU, so I repaid the favor. I guess him coming here, I can help on the things that he needs help with, whether it’s plays or getting to know the city ‌ I’m here to help him out.â€?

Weber’s deal will see him in Charlotte through the end of next season — a relief to the 6-foot-2 point guard after signing consecutive 10-day contracts with both the Hornets and Warriors this month. “It’s definitely a good feeling, but one thing about me is that I never get satisfied with where I’m at,� Weber said. “I’m going to continue to grow and continue to help the team in any way I can.�

It’s been a long and hard-fought battle for the former Black and Gold fan-favorite through injuries, D-League assignments and uncertain 10-day contracts, but Weber said he’s happy to finally achieve his childhood aspirations after latching on long-term with the Hornets. “I’ve been saying I was going to be an NBA player since I was five,� he said. “I told my mom that and, at the end of the day, I would never give up on the dream.�

CT FILE PHOTO

2011-15 Ram signs multi-year deal with Charlotte Hornets

Briante Weber recorded 378 assists during his Black and Gold days.

ALL RHOADES LEAD HOME

Ram Fan Reactions “This is a guy who understands the trajectory of our program. Welcome back to VCU, Mike Rhoades.� — Michael Rao, VCU President “I think it’s not fair to the players the coaches keep changing because it probably takes time to get used to the coaching style. We have one of the best fan bases in the country and some of the most dedicated players. Lucky for us, it sounds like coach Rhoades doesn’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon.� — Paria Ahmadi, Class of 2018

We’re gonna play fast, we’re gonna play exciting, we’re gonna get after people and we’re gonna win.�

“Mike Rhoades just fits VCU. He excels at developing student athletes and building community relationships.� — Ed McLaughlin, Athletic Director

PHOTO BY ERIN EDGERTON

Mike Rhoades

Mike Rhoades went 23-12 last season as head coach at Rice University, securing the Owls the fifth seed in Conference USA. SOPHIA BELLETTI & ZACH JOACHIM Sports Editors The VCU Athletics Department confirmed former assistant Mike Rhoades is returning to VCU as head coach Tuesday evening following the departure of former head coach Will Wade for Louisiana State University Monday night. “This is a dream come true, to be here representing the Rams,� Rhoades said. “I am truly humbled. I love RVA and VCU.�

Rhoades is not an unfamiliar face to RamNation — from 2009-14, the Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania native served as assistant coach and associate head coach under Shaka Smart.

Rhoades was essential in recruiting and developing the players who led the Rams to the unforgettable Final Four appearance in 2010-11. During his first go around with the Black and Gold, VCU reached the NCAA Tournament four times and appeared in the postseason all five years. The Rams were 137-46 during that period and won the 2012 CAA Championship. “This is a dream come true, to me and my family, to be the head coach at VCU,� Rhoades said. “When Ed contacted me, I was fired up. I’m home.

This program has been, and always will be, about the players.�

Rhoades didn’t take long to start building relationships in a VCU community he said he has always dreamed of coming home to. Rhoades met with current VCU players Tuesday night upon arriving in Richmond, and his first actions after the press conference were to seek out the players watching in the stands and shake their hands. “Coach Rhoades is a VCU great,� tweeted former VCU point guard and last season’s leading scorer JeQuan Lewis. “Y’all will love him just as much — one of my all-time favorite coaches I was able to play for.�

Former VCU point guard Joey Rodriguez, who led the Rams to the Final Four in 2011, was a member of Rhoades’ staff at Rice. Rodriguez was in attendance Wednesday’s press conference, and Rhoades said the two will continue coaching alongside one another at VCU.

“When it’s never about you and all about the players and program, good things happen,� Rodriguez tweeted on March 21.

Fans found more ease in the coaching change when 4-star recruit Sean Mobley confirmed on Twitter on March 24 he’s not going anywhere, despite Wade’s departure. “I’m not going anywhere!! RAM NATION OR NO NATION It’s time to follow Coach Rhoades to the promise land! Let’s get to work!!� Mobley said.

Meanwhile, the unceremonious departure of former coach Wade has been received with mixed emotions, heavily due to his abrupt departure.

According to sources, it appears the players found out about the news from social media rather than Wade himself. “Called it,� tweeted VCU junior forward Justin Tillman immediately after the news broke online.

Wade is the second high-profile VCU coach to depart for a “powerconference� school with a successful football program in three years, and the VCU fanbase and players expressed everything from betrayal and resentment to respect and well-wishes. “Congrats Will,� tweeted former Ram Briante Weber. “Sometimes you do what you have to.�

VCU has made the past seven NCAA tournaments and won at least 24 games in each of the last eleven seasons.

The greater Richmond area is a top-50 national market, yet lacks a professional sports franchise closer than Washington D.C. VCU basketball is synonymous with an up-tempo, high pressure style of play — the school trademarked the term “HAVOC� after Smart’s departure.

Despite the turnover in coaching regimes, the extensive VCU fanbase expects to win, and to do so in a manner congruent with the personality of the program.

Rhoades, who’s Rice team ranked 18th nationally in tempo last season and 21st in scoring offense with 81.5 points per game, is aware of the challenges associated with the job he accepted. “We’re gonna play fast, we’re gonna play exciting, we’re gonna get after people,� Rhoades said, “and we’re gonna win.�

“Not a very imaginative coaching search to hire another Shaka assistant and him be the only candidate interviewed. But I think overall he’s a good hire.

VCU will never have a completely stable coaching situation as long as long as it is in a mid major conference like Atlantic 10.� — Kris Mason, Class of 2015 “Welcome home Poppa Rhoades. We missed you.

This man is better than anything, welcome back.â€? — JeQuan Lewis, 2013-17 VCU guard “I would normally be worried that we wanted another one of Shaka’s assistants, kind of like we can’t let him go. But in this case it seems like Rhoades was who (the fans) really wanted in the first place, but we had to settle for Wade instead of the other way around. They signed him so fast though it seems like it was a plan in motion rather than a scramble.â€? — James Spollen, Class of 2017 “I’m not going anywhere!! RAM NATION OR NO NATION.đ&#x;?€It’s time to follow Coach Rhoades to the promise land! Let’s get to work!!â€? —Sean Mobeley, 4-star recruit “Hearing Rhoades speak today made it clear he is the right fit for this program. I’m excited to have a coach who recognizes what VCU basketball means to this city and the players. He’s a players coach and that will carry over far.â€? —Megan Corsano, Class of 2017 “When it’s never about you and all about the players and program, good things happen.â€? —Joey Rodriguez, 2007-11 (Final Four) guard

6

sports

The Commonwealth Times

PHOTO BY ERIN EDGERTON

Baseball defeats Longwood in extras, sweeps La Salle

Junior infielder Mitchel Lacey is hitting .263 and has a slugging percentage of .368. He has appeared in 15 games this season and notched 15 hits.

ADAM CHEEK Contributing Writer

VCU baseball won each of its four games last week — one against Longwood University and a three-game series against conference foe La Salle University. The Rams squeaked by Longwood in extra-innings, but thoroughly dominated the Explorers of La Salle by a combined score of 18-1.

The weekend series featured a 13-K complete game by junior starting pitcher Sean Thompson, a walk-off hit by freshman infielder Steven Carpenter and a total of 43 hits by the Rams, who reached double-digit base-knocks in each game.

Sunday The Rams’ series sweep of the Explorers was capped off by a 3-0 shutout at the Diamond.

Sophomore and freshmen infielders Zac Ching and Brett Willett notched RBIs in the win, while sophomore pitcher Benjamin Dum tallied his first win of the year.

After sophomore starting pitcher Michael Dailey stood on the mound for four and two-thirds innings, Dum came in to throw an inning-plus. After two-thirds of an inning by freshman reliever Hayden Moore, senior star closer Sam Donko undertook two and a third innings of work to earn his sixth save, shutting down the Explorers while striking out five and only allowing three hits.

Junior infielder Mitchel Lacey crossed the plate twice for the Black and Gold, while also tallying a hit and a walk. La Salle reliever C.J. Pruitt was left to take the loss for the Explorers, pitching four innings while allowing three hits, all three runs, and walking six Rams.

The first run for VCU came in the second inning, where three consecutive walks by Pruitt forced in Lacey.

VCU put up two more in the fourth frame, as Willett drove a double down the right field line, plating Lacey once again. Zac Ching hit into a double play, which put two outs on the board but also scored Willett to take a 3-0 lead. The Explorers went quietly in each of the following innings, and VCU cruised to the win.

Saturday La Salle looked to knot up the series at one game apiece on Saturday, but the Rams shut them down by a score of 7-0.

The Black and Gold scattered 15 hits to put up seven runs over the course of the first seven innings. Senior starting pitcher Brooks Vial struck out 11 and allowed just five hits over seven innings pitched before handing the ball over to freshman Ryan Fox and redshirt-sophomore Tanner Winters, who each pitched one scoreless inning.

La Salle starter Mike Anthony was the primary victim of VCU’s scoring, as the Rams racked up six runs on nine hits off of Anthony. The Rams added another six hits and one run off of Explorers closer Jared Mattera.

An early run in the first courtesy of a hit by freshman short-stop Paul Witt, and another in the third by way of

a groundout from senior first-baseman/designated hitter Darian Carpenter gave VCU a quick 2-0 lead.

The Rams pushed across another pair of runs in the fourth. VCU then plated two more in the sixth and one in the seventh, ending with a Steven Carpenter RBI single.

Witt’s three hits and two RBI led the Rams, and Vial escaped a seventh-inning jam with a clutch strikeout to keep the shutout intact.

Friday VCU opened the series against La Salle with a resounding 8-1 victory highlighted by a dominant complete game performance from Thompson. Thompson allowed just seven hits through his nine innings, and surrendered just one run while striking out thirteen.

Senior outfielder Alex Gransback’s three hits led the Rams, while Ching, senior catcher Dylan Isquirdo, Witt, and S. Carpenter all tallied two hits.

The lineup kept rolling throughout the night, as every player recorded at least one hit. The Black and Gold struck in the bottom of the first on an RBI double from Witt, and added two more in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings.

The fourth-inning run came off of an RBI single by junior utility-man J.P. Vail, which scored Isquirdo. S. Carpenter lit up the basepaths and scoreboard in the fifth frame. Carpenter doubled and eventually attempted a steal of third. La Salle’s throw sailed wide of the third baseman’s glove, allowing Carpenter to stroll home and add another run to the lead.

Lacrosse eclipses 2016 win-total VCU Lacrosse improved its record to 4-4 with a win over the Lady Flames of Liberty University Saturday afternoon at Cary Street Field.

The Flames entered Saturday’s game in hopes of gaining their second win of the 2017 season, but a late onslaught of goals by the Rams sealed their victory. The loss drops the Lady Flames to 1-9 on the season.

The game’s outcome Saturday was a far cry from last year’s — when the Lady Flames met the Rams on Feb. 24, 2016 in Lynchburg, Liberty won by a final of 19-9.

The Rams were the ones on fire out of the gates, as they quickly scored the first four goals of the game. The first goal of the affair came from redshirtfreshman midfielder Jenn Non

just one minute in.

A give-and-go by Liberty’s Abby Britton and Courtney Brown finally put the Lady Flames on the board.

A game-high six goals came from freshman midfielder Keriann McTavish, while redshirtsophomore midfielder Sky Hyatt added three goals and three assists. Liberty’s Brianna McCaffrey scored three goals and Kayla Foster netted two.

The Rams stormed out of the locker room once again, breaking a 6-6 tie by netting four goals in the first four minutes of the second half.

Goalkeeping was a deciding factor Saturday afternoon — VCU’s Ria Peralta made 15 saves, while Liberty goalkeeper Katherine Widrick only had nine. Peralta is No. 23 in the country in saves per game and No. 40 in total saves.

The Rams led 7-2 with 14:14 remaining in the second half,

Longwood put up quite a fight against the Rams on Tuesday evening, but VCU edged past the Lancers in a thrilling 5-4, thirteen-inning victory.

VCU got on the board first with an early run, but the Lancers answered with three of their own to put themselves up by two.

A wild pitch scored Gransback in the top of the fourth to halve the deficit, and a fifth-inning sacrifice fly by Witt tied the game up at 3 apiece.

The stalemate continued to the ninth, and sent the game into extras. A Longwood RBI-knock gave them the lead in the eleventh, but Witt answered for VCU with a game-tying sacrifice fly to continue the roller coaster ride affair.

The 4-4 tie lasted until the thirteenth, when Carpenter laced a hit into right field to walk it off for the Rams.

Baseball’s undefeated week improves their record to 14-10 on the season. Next up, the Rams continue their nine-game homestand when the Cavaliers of the University of Virginia make their way down I-64 to take on the Black and Gold at The Diamond — first pitch is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday evening.

Women’s tennis snaps losing streak

and were able to extend their advantage to 17-9 with 10:43 left to play with a barrage of late goals.

VCU closed the high-scoring game with another three goals — sophomore attacker Molly Barcikowski scored her second goal of the game, settling the final score at 21-12.

VCU had a deciding advantage over Liberty in possession, with a 27-20 advantage on ground balls.

With four wins so far this spring, the Rams have already surpassed their win total from 2016, when they went 3-14.

Sophomore Magda Aubets (far left) was named to the Atlantic-10 Second Team last season during her rookie campaign.

VCU will play at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst at 3 p.m. on Friday, Mar. 31.

RODNEY ROBINSON & ZACH JOACHIM Contributing Writer & Sports Editor

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Tuesday

PHOTO BY BRIAN VLIET

KEYRIS MANZANARES Contributing Writer

La Salle attempted to rally in the sixth, but only put one run on the scoreboard. VCU retained the lead and later added to it, scoring five runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Thompson shut the door down the stretch.

RAMAWAY

VCU women’s tennis snapped a four-game losing streak Sunday when they defeated the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State University at the Adams Tennis Complex by a final of 4-3 to improve their record to 11-6.

The doubles pair of sophomores Janina Braun and Anna Rasmussen got things going for the Black and Gold with a 6-1 opening victory — the dynamic duo is now an impressive 16-7 on the season. Senior Darya Berezhnaya and sophomore Magda Aubets later sealed the decisive doubles point for VCU with a 6-3 victory.

The 2-1 doubles win was the deciding factor for the Rams, as they split the remaining six singles matches with the Blue Raiders.

Berezhnaya was the first to put the Rams on the board in singles action with a win in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4 — the senior is a dominant 18-5 on the year in singles play.

Rasmussen would later grab a singles victory herself, also in straight sets, to improve her personal record to 15-7 on the season.

Braun contributed the third and final singles victory for the Black and Gold in a three-set thriller, 7-5, 1-6, 7-6.

Memphis Women’s tennis’ losing skid continued Saturday on the road against the University of Memphis

by a final tally of 4-1. The loss was VCU’s fourth consecutive defeat and dropped the Black and Gold to 10-6 on the year.

Rasmussen and Braun made major contributions for VCU, once again recording a win in doubles competition.

The Rams’ quick start did not last long, however, as the Black and Gold were unable to muster another victory in doubles as they would lose two close matches 6-4, 6-3, to put pressure on them in singles competition.

VCU managed to keep the match close as they earned a singles victory to tie the affair at 1-1.

Rasmussen continued her great play on the day, as she tallied the Rams’ only singles victory in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. Rasmussen improved to 14-7 on the season in singles competition.

Braun was involved in a close match on singles court Saturday, a struggle which proved to be the turning point in the matchup against the Tigers.

Anki Wind managed to outlast Braun in a backand-forth heartbreaker, 7-6 (5), 7-5.

Despite the loss, Braun is having a breakout season, as she sports an overall record of 19-7 in singles competition this year. Wind’s victory gave Memphis a 2-1 lead, and they would not look back, tallying two more singles’ victories en route to the win.

VCU had one more opportunity to keep the match within striking distance. On court five, freshman Gabriela Araujo managed to win the second set in a tie-breaker, sending the match into a third set. However, Memphis’ Katherine Cao managed to come away with the victory in the third set, 6-1.

www.commonwealthtimes.org

Monday, March 27, 2017

7

Track & Field runs through records VCU will compete in the Colonial Relays hosted by the College of William and Mary this weekend.

JESSICA WETZLER Contributing Writer VCU split the team this week and sent some Rams to the University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners Invitational and the rest headed west to the Fred Hardy Invitational at the University of Richmond Friday and Saturday.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VCU ATHLELTICS

Roadrunners Invitational

Junior Nichelle Scott narrowly missed breaking her 800-meter personal record (2:10.03) by running a time of 2:11.87 last weekend.

The Rams opened up the Roadrunners Invitational by placing third in team scoring out of seven teams after day one. Sophomore Sakia Konin shined in her first heptathlon performance since last outdoor season while sophomore Camora Sanders displayed strength in the shot put.

Konin finished second in her event after scoring 4,223 points for the Rams. This is the most points Konin has ever scored in the heptathlon, crushing her former personal best by 569 points. Konin didn’t stop displaying her talent as she also set personal records in the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put and javelin.

“We put in two solid days of work at the track. Sophomore Sakia Konin came ready to compete, as she set four PRs in an awesome effort in the heptathlon,” said Coach Thomas Sage. “When consistency and improvement come together amazing things can happen. I’m excited to see what the rest of the group will do in the remaining days here at UTSA.” Sanders placed sixth in shot put after hitting 14.01 meters, making a new outdoor personal record. Sanders’ previous outdoor best was 13.35 meters, a mark she hit at last year’s Atlantic 10 Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Freshman Makayla McGowan competed in her first outdoor shot put performance as a Ram and threw 13.36 meters.

“I was really excited by all of our throwers performances today. Not all of them had PR performances in the meet but all showed higher levels of execution during the day,” said coach Ethan Tussing. “Camora’s PR in the shot put is just the tip of the iceberg.

She is doing great things consistently now and I’m excited for every time she will get to compete this season.”

Sophomore Drew Hess shined in San Antonio for the Rams, breaking the VCU school record and finishing third in the

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javelin with a mark of 62.08 meters. The previous record was 61.80 meters and was set by Brett Frykberg in 2005.

“Drew breaking the school record in the javelin today was a long time in the making,” assistant Coach Tussing said. “Now that we have gotten that crucial first step out of the way a little of the pressure is gone and now we can push forward for higher accolades.”

Junior Shawn Scornaienchi placed fifth in the javelin, throwing a mark of 53.74 meters. This is Scornaienchi’s best throw so far this season.

The Rams continued to break records as they entered day two of the Invitational. Senior De’Nisha Smith crushed her previous personal record in the 100-meter hurdles, crossing the line at 14.30 seconds and placing seventh out of 19 runners. Smith also competed in the 400-meter hurdles, placing eighth with a time of 1:02.99.

Junior Nichelle Scott continued her success in the 800-meter run, placing second out of 20 runners with a time of 2:11.87.

Sophomore Candice James secured a top 10 finish in the 400-meter run with a time of 57.49 seconds.

Freshman Alexis Willis placed ninth in her first 100-meter dash as a Ram, completing the race in 12.15 seconds.

The VCU men secured solid finishes individually and in the relay event while also showing strength in the 400-meter events.

Junior Bigal Harrison and junior Devon Thompson placed in the top 10 out of 23 runners in the 400-meter run. Harrison finished with a time of 48.40 seconds while Thompson posted a time of 48.45 seconds.

Junior Nicholas Buckingham finished the 400-meter run in 48.66 seconds while junior Kahlil Shepard finished the run in 48.84 seconds. The time is a new personal record for Buckingham.

The men’s 4x400-meter relay team finished third out of 13 squads with a time of 3:12.21. Harrison, Buckingham, Shepard, and Thompson made up the lineup for VCU. Sophomore Jamik Alexander placed fourth in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.67 seconds. Placing in seventh behind Alexander was junior Kareem Payne who finished with a time of 10.73 seconds. Both Alexander and Payne achieved personal records in the event.

Freshman Ian Davis broke his personal record in the 110-meter hurdles by nearly

half a second. He placed eighth out of 14 with a time of 14.82 seconds Fred Hardy Invitational Back in Richmond, a couple of new personal records were set by freshman Bryce Catlett and sophomore Michael Villagomez.

Catlett finished seventh in his first time competing in the 5,000-meter run this year, hitting a new personal record time of 15:26.

Villagomez achieved his personal record in the 5,000 meter also, running the event in 16:17.04. After day one, the men placed fifth out of seven teams.

Sophomore John Lim placed fourth in the triple jump, leaping to a season best mark of 13.43 meters. Freshman Marian Osafo leaped to hit a mark of 11 meters for the women’s side in the triple jump.

Freshman Judith White placed second in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, setting a personal record time of 11:36.45.

Graduate Grace Giampietro vaulted to a season best height of 3.05 meters in her second outdoor event as a Ram. Sophomore Taunysha Bailey beat her previous personal best in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:10.35. Bailey’s former best time was 1:10.52.

“We had a nice meet today at Richmond with a number of distance runners achieving season and personal bests,” said graduate assistant Dan Johnson. “ It will be great to see how the rest of the team competes tomorrow.”

Freshman Janelle Cheatham placed second and nearly surpassed her personal record in the long jump, leaping to a mark of 5.34 meters.

Sophomore Daijona Revell ran a season-best 15.52 in the preliminaries of the 100-meter hurdles. Revell placed sixth overall in the finals with a time of 15.70 seconds.

Sophomore Roger Botock earned a personal record in the 100-meter dash preliminaries with a time of 11:58 seconds.

Freshman Dajae Goulet achieved an outstanding personal record in the 200-meter dash, completing the race in just 25.12 seconds to place fourth out of 68 runners.

Sophomore Lozie Goolsby finished sixth out of 23 runners, posting a personal best time of 22:59 seconds in the 200-meter dash. Freshman Chukwuezugo Aguolo followed by placing eighth in the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.03 seconds.