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(04/09/08 12:00pm)
Lions' Stadium has been closed and will not reopen until early May because the state Department of Health and Senior Services found high levels of lead in the artificial turf, according to executive director of Public Affairs Matthew Golden.
Golden said in an e-mail the state Department of Health and Senior Services tested Lions' Stadium, along with 12 other artificial turf athletic fields, for lead. According to the e-mail, the results of the tests will not be available until early May, "so the field will be unavailable until at least that time."
Golden said the College is currently looking at rescheduling or relocating events set to take place soon in the stadium, including athletic events and Commencement 2008.
Golden said the decision to close the stadium at this time is "a more cautious approach."
"The Department of Health and Senior Services has said it believes the likelihood of health risk associated with exposure to the Lions' Stadium turf is minimal," Golden said in the e-mail.
Golden said the testing was prompted by a request from the Department of Health to several institutions asking them to voluntarily have artificial turf examined for lead. While the College voluntarily agreed to the testing, Golden said other institutions declined.
More information will be available in the April 16 edition of The Signal and online as it becomes available.
(11/29/06 12:00pm)
Student musicians, artists, writers and even a martial artist brought their goods to the Rathskeller on Nov. 18 as a part of 'ink's' The Goods, an all-day festival of student creativity.
Lisa Gentile, senior psychology major, was the first reader, sharing three of her poems, covering a variety of topics. One poem was about a girl entering the head of her crush and wandering around, while another was about the Buddha coming back to the Earth to find love. "I was pretty nervous at first because I wasn't sure how my poetry would be received," Gentile said. However, the longer she was on stage, the more comfortable she felt, she said.
"I am not really a poet," she said, "but I am in Poetry Workshop right now and my professor, Catie Rosemurgy, encouraged me to read."
Ben Daniels, senior physics major, and John Fialk, senior communication studies major, performed as Raspberry Jam, covering songs such as "Crash Into Me" by the Dave Matthews Band and "All Along the Watchtower," originally by Bob Dylan. They also played one original, untitled song.
Fialk, on saxophone, punctuated each song with impromptu sax solos. Daniels played acoustic guitar and sang most of the vocals.
According to the Goods itinerary, the show was made up of 50 percent poetry. Poems included "The Second Cousin We Don't Talk About So Much" by junior journalism major Tom Dunford, "Glass Glazed Stars" by senior English major Devin McKernan, and "Love Gone Stale" by freshman English major Kate Whitman.
"This is for anyone who's heard music coming from somewhere and you don't know where and it kind of scares you," Adam Engel, freshman music major, said before his poem "Through the Window."
However, the all-day event was not limited to music and poetry. Kevin Wong prefaced his work with a warning that it would be R-rated, proceeding to read two short stories, including "Karma's a Thief." "Have you ever had karma hit you like a creamer hits a lactose-intolerant obese man?" the story's narrator asked. Both stories dealt with relationships and hooking up in no uncertain terms.
There were several other musicians performing, including Brian O'Halloran, who played original songs like "Why I Learned to Drive."
He also played a song from his band. "Technically it's not a cover, but it's a cover," he said before pereforming "There Are No Earthquakes in Atlantic City."
Michael Mendoza demonstrated Tai Chi to a completely silent audience. He demonstrated several known forms, as well as one he created himself, called "Six Armies, Five Methods."
Headliner Sam Lipstyte read from his novel "Homestyle," about a man from New Jersey who reaches a point in his life only to realize things haven't turned out the way he expected.
He begins to write letters to his high school newspaper, though the paper does not publish them.
Lipstyte said the story's themes include achievement, the cost of success and whether it's worth it and the importance of keeping true to oneself.
The audience seemed engaged in his work, laughing at the excerpts Lipstyte read from his novel.
(04/26/06 12:00pm)
THURSDAY, midnight - The body reported to have been found at Tullytown landfill in Pennsylvania Tuesday was confirmed Wednesday morning as that of missing freshman John Fiocco Jr. at a press conference at the College.
"(Tuesday) ... at 1:53 p.m., an intact body was located at the landfill," Superintendent Col. Rick Fuentes of the New Jersey State Police said. Police have been searching the landfill since the beginning of the month. They were led to the landfill after finding what Fuentes called, "a voluminous amount" of Fiocco's blood in and around a dumpster in Wolfe Hall.
Fiocco had been missing since 3 a.m. on March 25 when he was last seen after returning from an off-campus party. He was reported missing 36 hours later by his roommate.
Fuentes said the Bucks County Medical Examiner's Office made a death pronouncement on site at 3:40 p.m. The body was then transferred to the Mercer County Medical Examiner's Office. At 7 p.m. an autopsy began and "at 10:30 p.m., it was determined that the body was that of Fiocco," Fuentes said.
"While many of us had resigned ourselves to the possibility of this outcome, we hoped beyond hope that it would not come to be," College President R. Barbara Gitenstein said. She expressed the "shared sorrow" of the campus community and offered condolences to the Fiocco family.
The body was identified using dental records, but DNA test samples were submitted and results are pending. A toxicology test will also be conducted; results are expected within the next four to six weeks.
"Injuries to the body, including fractures, are something you have to understand would have happened to Fiocco's body as a result of being manipulated through the trash system," Mercer County Prosecutor Joseph L. Bocchini said. He noted that on the autopsy report, the cause of death is still pending.
"An autopsy report will be finalized within the next few weeks," Bocchini said. However, even after the autopsy results come in, investigators will not be able to pinpoint an exact time of death.
"To date, there continues to be no evidence of foul play," Fuentes said, citing the ongoing investigation as a "suspicious death investigation . not a homicide investigation."
Gitenstein said that campus security has been commended by many of the police forces involved in the investigation. "But that does not take away from the importance of the feelings of (students and parents)," she said.
"We have surfaced no persons of interest," Bocchini added. Fuentes noted that, to date, 1,000 students and faculty have been "canvassed," and 150 interviews have been conducted.
Meanwhile, the reward for information that might shed light on the situation has increased to $8,110 after a recent addition of private donations, at least one of which was given by a professor at the College. Other contributions also came from members of the College community, according to Jim Carlucci, secretary for CrimeStoppers of Greater Trenton.
CrimeStoppers continues to urge anyone with information regarding the case to come forward.
"Somebody knows something," Carlucci said.
Carlucci added that callers are granted "total anonymity." He said it is important for anyone with information to call, "because otherwise we'll never know (what happened to Fiocco)."
Previously, the reward for information had been $7,500. The College and CrimeStoppers each donated $1,000. Mike Lord, a friend of the Fiocco family, offered $500, and $5,000 was given to CrimeStoppers by a single anonymous donor.
According to Carlucci, normally the reward money would be used for information leading to an arrest. However, in this case, the reward may be used for "anything that solves the mystery of how (Fiocco's death) came about."
Investigators did not find any blood in the Wolfe Hall trash chute after conducting a search with a camera. "We don't know that (Fiocco) went down the trash chute," Bocchini said. Police also conducted a search of common areas in Wolfe Hall as well as the woods, lakes and rooftops, all of which yielded "negative results," Fuentes said.
New Jersey State Police officers searched Tullytown landfill for "23 days, rain or shine," Fuentes said, beginning on April 1. The search centered on a 1-acre, 25-foot-deep area where the College's garbage was deposited. According to Fuentes, 15,000 tons of debris had to be removed before officers reached the specified area.
Fuentes said Waste Management employees and 35 officers sifted through 3,450 tons of debris.
According to State Police Lieutenant William Robb, the waste was put into a truck and transferred to a different location at the site where it was spread out by a machine to be searched by hand. Robb said that a machine operator first saw the body as garbage was being spread out on the ground.
"No words, no expressions of sympathy, no descriptions of emotion feel adequate at this moment," Gitenstein said. "I only know that there is tremendous sorrow on campus, expressed in many ways and felt deeply, and that our community has been shaken."
(04/26/06 12:00pm)
TUESDAY, 6:35 p.m.
TULLYTOWN, Pa. (AP) - The remains of a white man were found Tuesday in a Pennsylvania landfill where authorities have been searching for evidence related to the disappearance of freshman John Fiocco Jr., police said.
While authorities wouldn't confirm the body of Fiocco had been recovered, the student's uncle said the family was in mourning and thanked police for "bringing closure" to the case.
"Johnny was caring, sensitive, smart and witty," Joseph Fiocco said outside the family home in Mantua Township. He asked anyone with information about his nephew to contact authorities. He would not answer questions.
Tullytown Patrolman John Finby said the remains were found at 1:45 p.m.
New Jersey State Police said they had made an important discovery at the landfill. Capt. Al Della Fave said there had been a "significant development" but would not disclose any further information.
The Times of Trenton, citing unnamed law enforcement sources on its Web site, said Fiocco's body had been found. Several television news outlets also said his body had been found. However, this has not been officially confirmed by the New Jersey State Police or the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office.
A Mercer County Medical Examiner's Office van was seen pulling up and leaving the landfill, part of which was covered with a blue tarp. Officials, clad in white jumpsuits, could be seen carefully carrying a long bag and placing it in the back of the van.
Authorities had been searching the Tullytown, Pa., landfill, which receives trash from the College, since April 1. Investigators had been combing the garbage for evidence, including Fiocco's body.
Fiocco, 19, was last seen in the early morning of March 25 after returning to Wolfe Hall from an off-campus party. His roommate reported him missing to Campus Police about 36 hours later.
The following day, investigators found blood in and around the trash bin behind Wolfe. After a laboratory confirmed the blood was Fiocco's, investigators started sifting through a 1-acre, 20-foot deep area at the landfill, which authorities believe received the trash from Wolfe.
All along, authorities have classified the search for Fiocco as a missing person's case. They say the Mantua Township native may have traveled down a trash chute into the bin, even though a special camera sent down the chute found no traces of blood.
The office of Public Affairs at the College sent an e-mail out to the campus at about 4 p.m. today acknowledging that a "major development" had been made in the investigation. The e-mail also said that the New Jersey State Police confirmed that an official announcement will be made tomorrow.
Check signal-online.net tomorrow for updates regarding the case. The Signal will update the Web site as soon as official information is disclosed.
Additional reporting by Signal Staff Reports.
(04/12/06 12:00pm)
Last week, the reward offered by Crimestoppers of Greater Trenton for information regarding the disappearance of freshman John Fiocco Jr., who was last seen on Saturday, March 25, was raised to as much as $7,500.
The initial reward of $2,000 was increased due to the additions of a $5,000 donation from an anonymous donor and a $500 donation from Mike Lord, a friend of the Fiocco family.
Jim Carlucci, secretary for Crimestoppers, said that it is important that people call in with tips. Callers will remain anonymous unless they wish to volunteer their personal information.
Meanwhile, investigators are continuing to search the first of two Pennsylvania landfills for evidence.
According to New Jersey State Police Capt. Al Della Fave, the police have made it through 60 percent of Tullytown Landfill. Police have not yet searched GROWS Landfill in Falls Township, Pa.
At press time, the police had been searching Tullytown Landfill for nine days. Despite uncooperative weather Saturday, officers continued the search.
"They searched through wind and rain," Della Fave said. "They could have easily made that decision (not to search), but they refused to stop."
Della Fave said that Fiocco's room, the Wolfe Hall trash chute and the room where Fiocco was last seen were initially closed off, but all are now open.
Graphic design students and faculty from Fiocco's department are trying to create a feeling of hope in the wake of his disappearance with "The Hope Tree," which was placed outside Travers and Wolfe halls on Monday. A plaque beside the tree invites members of the campus community to "Leave your thoughts and words of hope for John Fiocco."
The pot that holds the tree is painted with pictures representing some of Fiocco's interests, including the Philadelphia Eagles, Batman, the Liberty Bell and the band Green Day.
"We made this tree in honor of (Fiocco)," Cody Rounds, freshman fine arts major, said. "Everyone is affected by it and we're all here for each other."
- Robert DeCarlo, Staff Photographer, contributed to this report.
(04/05/06 12:00pm)
MONDAY, 10 p.m. - At press time, College freshman John Fiocco Jr. had been missing for over a week, and little or no information was being reported from the two landfills in Pennsylvania where police were searching for clues that might steer them in the right direction to find him.
"There's been no change at this time," Lt. Gerald Lewis of the New Jersey State Police said Monday afternoon.
According to Lewis, the police are searching a combined area of two acres in the Tullytown and GROWS landfills in Bucks County, Pa. Lewis said the search will be conducted in areas 20 feet deep.
Lewis said the police will continue their search until they come to what they could consider a "successful conclusion." If nothing comes of the landfill search, however, Lewis said the investigation into Fiocco's disappearance will not be dormant. "It'll never stop," Lewis said. "After (the search is over) we will continue to look for leads."
Fiocco has been missing since 3 a.m. on Saturday, March 25, when he was last seen in the room of one of his Wolfe 4 floormates. The 19-year-old graphic design major was reported missing at approximately 2:40 p.m. on Sunday, March 26. At that time, Campus Police notified local law enforcement and hospitals and also started searching for him on campus and in the area. State Police were brought in to begin a more intricate investigation on Monday.
Fiocco attended an off-campus party Friday night. "We can confirm that he was out on Friday evening," Mercer County Prosecutor Joseph L. Bocchini Jr. said at a press conference last Tuesday night. "As most of the campus was."
Fiocco returned to Wolfe Hall intoxicated, but unharmed, according to one of Fiocco's friends, who met up with Fiocco after he returned from the party.The source, who asked to remain anonymous, described Fiocco as always being "really nice to everyone" and "the funniest kid on the floor."
On Tuesday, police activity blocked off the Travers/Wolfe Lot 8 parking deck and the area behind Wolfe Hall, as investigators searched through dumpsters for any evidence pertinent to the case. Bocchini revealed in last Tuesday's press conference that unnamed items in the dumpster had led his office to obtain six search warrants for areas of the campus.
Those warrants were executed the next day, when police brought in cadaver dogs and evacuated first Wolfe, then Travers, to conduct floor searches. Police also questioned all students in both residence halls.
Last Wednesday morning, the New Jersey State Police Major Crimes Unit officially took charge of releasing all information in regard to the missing persons case.
Sgt. Stephen Jones of the State Police said that the transfer of media control from the College to the State Police was based solely on organization size and experience.
"The State Police are better equipped to handle a large investigation such as this," Jones said.
A campus-wide e-mail from College President R. Barbara Gitenstein cited the change as "upsetting news that (would), undoubtedly, raise the level of concern we all share."
Campus and state police continue to work together in the missing persons investigation, in conjunction with the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office.
According to Lewis, last Thursday the police sent a special fiber optic camera down the Wolfe Hall trash chute to look for evidence. Officials refused to comment on what, if anything, was found in the chute - an aspect they have been particularly tight-lipped about since the beginning of the investigation.
Also that day, one of the Wolfe dumpsters was hauled away in a truck for processing at the State Police Forensics Lab in Hamilton.
Last Friday morning, a press conference was held in Brower Student Center where Bocchini announced that DNA tests had confirmed that blood found in and around one of the Wolfe dumpsters was Fiocco's. Bocchini would not comment on the quantity of blood found.
The test results were in last Thursday night, but the information was not released to the public until the next day in order to give officers a chance to notify Fiocco's family.
"We've delayed in the release of this information to present this information to the Fiocco family and for the family to have the opportunity to process this information," Bocchini said.
Despite the discovery of blood, Bocchini stressed last Friday that the case is still a missing persons - not a homicide - investigation.
"You have no body, you have no person, you have blood . anyone that draws conclusions from that is speculating on your own," Bocchini said.
Since the investigation first got off the ground early last week, the rampant speculation by the media has been commented on by both Gitenstein and by officials at press conferences.
In an e-mail last Wednesday, Gitenstein warned students "about the dangers and potential ramifications of jumping to conclusions," and said "making reckless assumptions will only exacerbate the stress, sadness and fear that have gripped our campus."
Before last Thursday's press conference, Bocchini reminded the gathered media that the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office and the New Jersey State Police are the official sources of information relating to the missing persons investigation. He encouraged them "to refrain from speculation and innuendo," which he said doesn't "help the family with the pain they're going through."
Last week, Lt. Col. Frank Rodgers, State Police deputy superintendent in charge of Investigations, said that no one was in custody in the case, and no evidence that there was any off-campus or non-College students were involved in Fiocco's disappearance. An e-mail to students from the office of Public Affairs said that investigators believe this to be an isolated incident.
Last Friday, Rodgers and Bocchini also announced their intent to begin searching the two landfills, after informing the press that there had been multiple trash pick-ups between the time of Fiocco's disappearance and the start of the investigation.
They said that trash pickups are taken to a transfer station in Trenton, where the trash is compacted before being sent off to local landfills.
According to Jones, the search began its preliminary stages that day. While officials migrated to the landfills Friday, others stayed on campus with a search dog and a boat to tour lakes Ceva and Sylva at the College for potential evidence.
"(Searching the lakes) is a continuation of our full-scale canvassing and search," State Police Capt. Al Della Fave said last Friday. He added that investigators will continue searching the peripheral area until they have conclusive evidence.
Over the course of last week, College administrators reached out to residents, volunteering their time to help students deal with the situation.
Gitenstein and Elizabeth Paul, vice president of Student Life, spoke to students last Thursday night in Travers/Wolfe lounge to discuss student fears in the wake of a growing police investigation.
"We are all in this together," Paul said.
Gitenstein stressed that students were under no obligation to speak with the press, who at the time had lined news vans in front of Townhouses South, across the street from where the Wolfe dumpster had been. "(The students) are empowered to say 'I don't want to talk about it,'" Gitenstein said.
According to Gitenstein, a group of College staff members has volunteered to escort students who might feel unsafe when walking alone on campus.
Campus Police officers usually provide this service, but due to their involvement in the investigation, the College enlisted additional help.
At last Friday's press conference, Gitenstein spoke of the courage of the campus family.
"Our students, parents, faculty and staff members, alumni and friends are wonderful and caring people who will sustain one another with compassion and strength," she said.
She also commented on her belief that the campus was a secure and safe place. Since last Wednesday, access to Travers and Wolfe has been restricted. According to a Residence Life staff member, the buildings are on 24-hour swipe access for residents. For several days there was an around-the-clock police presence throughout the building.
Students who were not residents of the towers and chose to eat in the Travers/Wolfe Dining Hall were required to speak with a Residence Life security staff member at the entrance of the building between 6 p.m. and midnight, when the dining hall was open.
Gitenstein said though she believes the campus is safe, "the feelings are another thing and that's a reality."
Gitenstein was the first to note the surreal atmosphere that has pervaded the College as the investigation continues, concisely summing up what seems to be on the collective mind of the campus community: "This is a horrific event, whatever the outcome."
These feelings were echoed by students and teachers in Gloucester County where Fiocco grew up. Since Fiocco was only a freshman, the memory of his high school days remains fresh in the minds of students and teachers at Clearview Regional High School.
"He had just visited here a week or two before he disappeared," Andrea Schmidt, his high school chemistry teacher, said. "We chatted for a few minutes and then I had to go to class. When you talk to somebody that way, you don't think something is going to happen to them."
Schmidt said that many of her seniors are "visibly upset" and have required counseling to get them through this period of time.
Clearview is going through an especially rough year. In September, the junior class president was killed as an innocent pedestrian caught in the middle of a drag race. Another alumnus was killed in a motorcycle accident.
Considering Fiocco's disappearance, Schmidt said, "It's making a bad situation even worse."
Schmidt said Fiocco left a great impression at his alma mater, and that everyone there is hoping that some answers are found soon.
"If my son grows up to be like John," she said, "I'll be happy with that."
(03/29/06 12:00pm)
Signal Staff Reports
At a press conference held at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Mercer County Prosecutor Joseph L. Bocchini, Jr. said that College freshman John Fiocco, Jr had not been found.
Bocchini did say, however, that "several items have been found that have led my office to seek to obtain search warrants for several areas of the campus."
Bocchini called the rumors that had been circulating "totally fallacious."
"As of now, no one has been found and no body parts have been found, as was previously reported by some media outlets," Bocchini said.
He also said that there was "no confirmation of any blood," and had no comment as to whether the Wolfe Hall trash chute has any significance in this case.
Bocchini said that the case is still being treated as a missing persons case - not a criminal case. However, he said, "Obviously, in any missing persons investigation you have to be concerned that it can turn into something more."
When asked if there was any need for the students at the College to be concerned for their safety, Bocchini said that he had "no reservations whatsoever about the safety of the students at (the College) and the security of the campus."
As new information becomes available, updates about the search for John Fiocco will be posted on the signal-online Web site.
(03/29/06 12:00pm)
FRIDAY, 4:10 p.m. - As the search for clues into the disappearance of College freshman John Fiocco Jr. continues, authorities held a press conference this morning and confirmed that blood found in and around the dumpster behind Wolfe Hall earlier this week belongs to Fiocco.
"At this point in the investigation, we are able to confirm blood evidence that has been collected is that of John Fiocco," Joseph L. Bocchini Jr., Mercer County Prosecutor, said at the press conference. He would not comment on the quantity of blood found in the dumpster.
Lt. Col. Frank Rodgers, State Police deputy superintendent in charge of Investigations, said police were searching two landfills in Bucks County, Pa., and that the Pennsylvania State Police are involved. But Bocchini stressed that the case is still a missing persons case and not a homicide investigation.
"You have no body, you have no person, you have blood . anyone that draws conclusions from that is speculating on your own," Bocchini said.
Yesterday, the police searched the trash chute in Wolfe with a camera in an attempt to piece together the events of early Saturday morning, when Fiocco disappeared from a friend's room in Wolfe. Police did not comment on whether the search yielded any new evidence.
Law enforcement officials have executed six search warrants around the College campus over the past three days. Yesterday, one of the Wolfe dumpsters was hauled away in a truck by the State Police for further investigation.
Rodgers said that no one is in custody at this time, and Bocchini added that there is no evidence that any off-campus or non-College students were involved in Fiocco's disappearance.
The blood was discovered during the search earlier this week and was analyzed for a DNA match at the State Police Forensics Lab in Hamilton. The blood was confirmed to be Fiocco's on Thursday night, but the information was not released to the public in order to give officers a chance to notify Fiocco's family.
"We've delayed in the release of this information to present this information to the Fiocco family and for the family to have the opportunity to process this information," Bocchini said.
Rodgers said the evidence found in the dumpster was a result of a general search by police. He confirmed that there were multiple trash pick-ups between the time of Fiocco's disappearance and the start of the investigation.
He said that trash pickups are taken to a transfer station in Trenton, where the trash is compacted before being sent off to local landfills.
According to Sgt. Stephen Jones of the New Jersey State Police, "the search will be beginning its preliminary stages today" at GROWS Landfill in Falls Township, Pa., and Tullytown Landfill in Tullytown, Pa.
This afternoon, investigators and a search dog examined Lakes Ceva and Sylva at the College for potential evidence.
"(Searching the lakes) is a continuation of our full-scale canvassing and search," New Jersey State Police Capt. Al DellaFave said. He added that investigators will continue searching the peripheral area until they have conclusive evidence.
Before the press conference this morning, Bocchini reminded the media that the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office and the New Jersey State Police are the official sources of information relating to the missing persons investigation. He encouraged them "to refrain from speculation and innuendo," which he said doesn't "help the family with the pain they're going through."
College President R. Barbara Gitenstein praised members of the campus community for their courage this week.
"Our students, parents, faculty and staff members, alumni and friends are wonderful and caring people who will sustain one another with compassion and strength," Gitenstein said.
She also addressed campus safety and the feelings of the community.
"It's one thing to say this campus is safe - and I believe that - and we have had that kind of confirmation from these agencies, but the feelings are another thing and that's a reality," Gitenstein said.
As the press conference went on, Gitenstein became noticeably emotional.
"I met with the students last night. I'm a mother," she said, fighting back tears. "It was awful."
The College administration held a meeting last night in Travers/Wolfe lounge to discuss student fears in the wake of a growing police investigation. "We are all in this together," Elizabeth Paul, vice president of Student Life, said.
Gitenstein stressed that students are under no obligation to speak with the press. "(The students) are empowered to say 'I don't want to talk about it,'" she said.
Access to Travers and Wolfe has been restricted since the search concluded Wednesday night. According to a Residence Life staff member, the buildings are on 24-hour swipe access for residents. There is an around-the-clock police presence throughout the building, but the link between Travers and Wolfe remains open.
Authorities have also started interviewing the residents of Travers as part of the ongoing investigation.
Students who are not residents of the towers and choose to eat in the Travers/Wolfe Dining Hall should speak with a Residence Life security staff member at the entrance of the building between 6 p.m. and midnight, when the dining hall is open.
Once again, authorities urged anyone with information regarding Fiocco's disappearance to notify police immediately. The New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit can be reached at 800-709-7090, while the tipline is 877-748-6577. The tipline for Campus Police is 609-538-8180.
Crimestoppers and the College are offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to the resolution of this investigation.
Gitenstein was the first to note the surreal atmosphere that has pervaded the College as the investigation continues, concisely summing up what seems to be on the collective mind of the campus community: "This is a horrific event, whatever the outcome."
(03/29/06 12:00pm)
**Correction: The Signal paper insert regarding the investigation into the disappearance of John Fiocco Jr. says that Fiocco was reported missing at 2:40 a.m. on Sunday, March 26. The actual time of the report was 2:40 p.m.**
As of 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, freshman graphic design major John Fiocco, who was reported missing on Sunday, has still not been found.
"The State Police Missing Persons Unit has been here since Monday," Matt Golden, director of Communications and Media Relations said.
Golden said that he has no information as to why the Missing Persons Unit has been focusing the search on the back entrance drop-off area behind Wolfe Hall this afternoon.
As police activity blocked off the Travers/Wolfe Lot 8 parking deck and the area behind Wolfe Hall, students gathered around in hopes of getting some word on the investigation, which has sparked rumors across campus at the College.
"I heard rumors as early as 1:30 p.m. today," Golden said. "As of late this afternoon, I asked if his body was found and was told that there was no body found."
In addition to the Missing Persons Unit, associates from the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office were at the search scene.
According to Golden, Wolfe Hall was partially evacuated in order for the Missing Persons Unit to search the building thoroughly. Golden said that he believes that the evacuation would make it easier for search dogs to go through the building.
Fiocco was last seen in Wolfe Hall at approximately 3 a.m. on Saturday, March 25. He was reported missing at approximately 2:40 a.m. on Sunday, March 26. At that time, Campus Police notified local law enforcement and local hospitals and also started searching for him on campus and in the area.
Fiocco's information was entered into the National Crime Information Center database, making it available to law enforcement officials across the country.
"Hopefully the result (of this investigation) is not what people are fearing," Golden said.
According to a state trooper contacted at New Jersey State Police Division Headquarters, the protocol for the investigation of a missing person is case-by-case - there is no set procedure for how these searches are done. Based on phone calls received since the missing persons report was filed, "there may very well be leads," he said. But, the officer stressed that there is no information to be released at this time.
Campus Police had no comment about the investigation, as it is ongoing.
According to the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Web site, nj.gov/njsp/miss/mpu.html, Fiocco is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall, 160 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. He is believed to be wearing a dark, collared shirt, blue jeans and a silver beaded necklace.
Anyone with any information concerning the condition or whereabouts of Fiocco should immediately contact the Office of Campus Police Services at 609.771.2167 or the anonymous police tip line at 609.538.8180.
As new information becomes available, updates about the search for John Fiocco will be posted on the signal-online Web site.
(03/29/06 12:00pm)
WEDNESDAY, 10:10 p.m. - At a press conference held this evening at the College, Mercer County Prosecutor Joseph L. Bocchini Jr. said that his office had executed six search warrants in hopes of finding evidence related to the disappearance of College freshman John Fiocco Jr.
At press time, the entirety of Wolfe Hall was evacuated indefinitely and Travers Hall was in the process of being evacuated indefinitely as well. Police and search dogs were sweeping the evacuated buildings.
Earlier today, police interviewed Wolfe Hall residents and canvassed the building.
At the press conference tonight, Bocchini also said there is still no confirmation of human blood in the area behind Wolfe Hall, where State and Campus police have been searching since Tuesday. Law enforcement officials would not disclose information on the last cell phone communication with Fiocco or whether his bank accounts or credit card had been accessed.
New Jersey State Commanding Officer of Investigations Maj. James Fallon said that the Fiocco family has been very cooperative throughout the search process. Fiocco does not have a history of running away from or losing contact with family.
An e-mail sent out by the office of Public Affairs said that investigators believe this to be an isolated incident.
As of this morning, the New Jersey State Police Major Crimes Unit has taken charge of releasing all information in regard to the missing persons case.
Sgt. Stephen Jones said that the transfer of media control from the College to the State Police was based solely on organization size and experience.
"The State police are better equipped to handle a large investigation such as this," Jones said.
A campus-wide e-mail from College President R. Barbara Gitenstein cited the change as "upsetting news that will, undoubtedly, raise the level of concern we all share."
Campus and State police continue to work together in the missing persons investigation, in conjunction with the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office.
The Signal has also obtained details regarding the events of the night of Fiocco's disappearance.
According to a friend of Fiocco who asked to remain anonymous, Fiocco was last seen by a Wolfe 4 resident sleeping alone in another resident's room at about 3 a.m. Saturday.
According to the source, the resident returned to her room around 11 a.m. Saturday and Fiocco was gone.
Fiocco attended an off-campus party Friday night. "We can confirm that he was out on Friday evening," Bocchini said at a press conference Tuesday night. "As most of the campus was."
Fiocco returned to Wolfe Hall intoxicated, but unharmed, according to the source, who met up with Fiocco after he returned from the party.
The source described Fiocco as always being "really nice to everyone" and "the funniest kid on the floor."
He said Fiocco seemed to be having a good time on the night of the incident.
"He didn't seem depressed at all," the source said.
Many members of the campus community are volunteering their time to help the College deal with the situation.
According to Gitenstein, a group of College staff members has volunteered to escort students who might feel unsafe when walking alone on campus.
Campus Police officers usually provide this service, but due to their involvement in the investigation, the College enlisted additional help.
In the e-mail, Gitenstein also warned students "about the dangers and potential ramifications of jumping to conclusions," and said "making reckless assumptions will only exacerbate the stress, sadness and fear that have gripped our campus."
In response to speculation about the case in local media outlets, Jones said "There have been a number of papers that have printed things that I cannot verify . That's not information that we have or that we have released."
-- Kari Post and Robert Taubenslag contributed to this report
(04/27/05 4:00pm)
The College's men's and women's outdoor track and field teams made the most of home-field advantage this weekend with several NCAA qualifying times and personal bests. The College played host to the New Jersey Invitational, a four-team scored meet also featuring Rider University, Monmouth University and Lehigh University.
Junior Tiffany Clark won the 400-meter run in an NCAA automatic qualifying time of 54.94. She also won the 200-meter dash with a provisional qualifying time of 25.00 and was part of the Lions' 4x100 relay, which won the race with an NCAA provisional qualifying time of 47.57. Clark was joined in the relay by sophomore Khriselle Manuyag, freshman Jessica Bonelli and junior Brittny Boyd.
Boyd won the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.41, while also taking second in the long jump with her leap of 5.63 meters, which is an NCAA provisional mark. Her third-place finish in the 200-meter dash earned her another NCAA provisional mark.
For the men, junior Jeff Zodda won the 800-meter run with a time of 1:54.17, while freshman Pat Flinn posted a personal best time in the 400-meter run with a time of 51.66.
Junior Jeff Schwerdtman finished in second place in the shot put with his mark of 15.59 meters, good enough for an NCAA provisional throw.
The men's and women's track and field teams will compete in both the Penn Relays at the University of Pennsylvania and the Lions' Invitational at the College this weekend.
(04/27/05 12:00pm)
Football
Seniors: Ray Bateman, Michael Sykes, James Smith, Steve Vogt, Nick Tranchina, Justin Mannick, Brian Mulholland, Joe Ward Mike Burlew, Tony Sorrentino, Joe Bergondo, Erik Sendel, Rob McCurley, Jim Dabrowski, Steve Andrews
Due to changes in NCAA eligibility rules, the College's football team will lose an unusually large group of 16 seniors this off-season.
"Having (that many) seniors leaving when it's all said and done, for a football team, that's a big hit," head coach Eric Hamilton said.
The graduating class led the Lions to a 7-2 mark this fall and has compiled a 25-15 four-year record, highlighted by the 2003 squad that reached the semifinals of the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament.
"We probably won't see anything again like this group," Hamilton said. "They're a tight-knit group that we're proud of," Hamilton said. "But the plus of (losing so many seniors) is that we get a good group that will continue to support our program as alumni."
Men's Basketball
Seniors: Derick Grant, Bobby Henning, Mike Snyder, Kyle Burke, Jody Crowley, Derek Brown
The Lions' men's basketball team will bid farewell to a group of seniors who were instrumental in the program's turn around from a 24-26 record over the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons to a 35-18 mark in the last two years.
"Our seniors have been very important," head coach John Castaldo said. "Their dedication and commitment to our college and athletic program has been outstanding."
The group led the Lions to a 17-9 record this winter before being knocked out of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament by Rowan University in a heartbreaking 63-59 contest.
The graduating class is headlined in particular by Grant, who exits as the Lions' second all-time leading scorer with 1,543 points. Additionally, Burke, who converted an astounding 91 of 196 three point attempts his senior season, departs as one of the College's all-time best long-range shooters.
Women's Basketball
Seniors: Theresa DiMedio, Caitlin Dearing, Sofia Ojeda
The College's women's basketball team is only losing three seniors, but they were all key components of this season's top-ranked conference team.
The biggest loss is DiMedio, the NJAC Player of the Year, who averaged 11.3 points per game.
"Theresa is somebody who we have depended on for lots of different things," head coach Dawn Henderson said. "She works extremely hard off the court. She is a leader by example."
Henderson also emphasized the importance of Ojeda, a defensive specialist who was often matched up against the opposition's top offensive players. Henderson recognized Dearing as a player who "always came to practice ready to go" and "gave everything all the time."
"(The seniors) are not just good players but good people," she said. "They were a fun group to be around."
Baseball
Seniors: Mark Pienciack, Brad Downs, Vincent Petrillo, Justin Gorski
The College's baseball team will graduate the four remaining members of its 2002 NJAC championship and Division III World Series qualifying squad.
Those seniors are currently playing key roles in the College's campaign to return to the depths of the postseason this year.
"Seniors are always important, especially this year," head coach Rick Dell said. "We don't have a lot of guys who have been there before. If you don't have anyone on your team who has been where you're trying to go, it makes that vision difficult."
Petrillo leads the Lions with a 6-2 record and 3.20 ERA.
Softball
Seniors: Kristen Zimmerman, Cristina Venetucci, Siobhan Scullio, Jess Donohue
Zimmerman, a co-captain, was an offensive power source for two years, leading the team in virtually all offensive categories.
"Not being able to play competitively anymore is going to be really hard on me," she said. "I know I'll always be involved with the game in some form, but never again will I be able to step on the field and represent my school and that's what's going to hurt the most at the end of this season."
Venetucci was a consistent slap-hitter in here four years at the College and her speed on the base paths made her a vital offensive weapon.
Donohue a co-captain, has been a dominant starting pitcher for the past three years.
Scullin was been a reliable infield presence with solid all-around play.
Golf
Seniors: Dan Pickering, Jeffrey Pillar
The Lions' senior golfers enjoyed considerable success in their last season representing the College.
Quite appropriately, in the College's only team victory of the season at the Susquehanna University Invitational on April 7, the senior duo led the way, recording the top two individual performances. Pickering shot a one-under-par 70 to finish first and Pillar followed with a 71.
Men's Soccer
Seniors: Blayne Adams, Mike Savas, Rich Adams, Shawn Mecchi, Rich Bettenhausen, Adam Cooper, Brett Hockenjos, Jim Cooney
The College's men's soccer team will bid farewell to eight seniors, including two of its goalkeepers.
Mecchi led the goalie corps with a 1.14 goals against average this season, while Adams posted a career-best 0.79 goals against average in the 2002 season. Freshman goalkeeper Michael Cladek will be called upon to pick up the slack next season.
The team is losing a key defender in Cooney, who earned a spot on the NJAC second team this season. Cooney and Cooper were the only seniors to make the All-Conference team this season.
Women's Soccer
Seniors: Amy Swiatecki-McCabe, Katie Egan, Linda O'Leary, Lauren DiStefano, Stephanie Peters, Lynda Schuster, Marina Capacasa, Jamie Acheson, Shannon Scott, Erin Pivovarnick
The College's women's soccer team is losing 10 seniors to graduation.
The list includes All-Region selections DiStefano and Schuster, as well as Egan, an ESPN Academic All-American. DiStefano, Schuster, Pivovarnick and Peters made the NJAC All-Conference team.
The team's seniors propelled the team to an 18-2-2 record, a second-place conference finish and a berth in the NCAA Division III Sectionals.
Women's Tennis
Seniors: Katie D'Amato
Women's tennis graduates only one senior this year, four-year starter D'Amato. In her career she has compiled a 44-23 singles record and a 50-18 mark in doubles play.
D'Amato has also received NJAC All-Star Honors her junior and senior year in doubles as well as her senior year in singles.
"I'm going to miss being part of a team so much," D'Amato said. "Its going to be tough to see their results in the paper next year or come to the matches and not be a part of the team anymore."
Men's Tennis
Seniors: Ken Tsui, Victor Lai
Men's tennis will lose two graduating seniors this year, Ken Tsui and Victor Lai.
Tsui was a transfer to the College and has only been with the program for three years. During his campaign, he has gone 26-25 in singles play and 29-30 in doubles.
"It's obvious that I'll miss my teammates and I wish I could have played one more year," Tsui said. "We all get along so well and its going to be tough moving on and going to the real world without this great group of guys to be around almost everyday."
Lai also contributed to the Lions' success during his senior year. He went 7-3 in third doubles with his partner, Tsui, and has also boasted a 9-8 overall record on the year.
"Vic is someone I've dealt with over the last four years who I've always liked because he is a good kid," Dicheck said. "Its tough because he is one of my first recruits as a coach here and its surprising that they are already gone."
Lacrosse
Seniors: Lauren Gossner, Heather Rainey
According to head coach Sharon Pfluger, the seniors are the backbone of the lacrosse team this year, having embraced their leadership roles.
"Lauren Gossner and Heather Rainey have done a great job leading this team," she said. "They were prepared for the leadership role and before the season even started they came to me and asked what they could do. You can't assume kids know how to lead, but these girls can do it. They put a lot into it. They are very receptive of constructive criticism and they can relate very well with the rest of the team. They have the ability to be tough on their teammates if they need to. I am very proud of them."
Field Hockey
Seniors: Kristin Shields, Kim Feeley, Sarah Moretti, Colleen Stamler
The College's field hockey team is a young and developing team, but they will still lose key leadership with the graduation of four seniors.
Feeley and Stamler All-Americans and All-Region as well as All-Conference selections. Stamler led the team with 16 goals and 39 points.
Moretti was a National Academic Squad selection for her achievements on the field and in the classroom.
The Lions finished the season at 14-6, winning the NJAC Championship, but lost to No. 1 Salisbury University in the Division III Regional Championship.
Wrestling
Seniors: Jason Chacon, Pat Lavin, Matt Hunter, Carmine Sarno, Sean Flynn, Nick Vinciguerra
The College's wrestling team will lose six seniors this year, including two conference champions and an award-winning scholar athlete.
Flynn and Vinciguerra, the team captains this past season, were both two-time conference champions. Flynn had 104 wins as a three-year starter, while Vinciguerra amassed 125 wins in his college career and was ranked as high as No. 2 in the nation.
The duo also offered important intangibles to the team. "Nick and Sean provided great leadership," head coach David Icenhower said.
He said that both graduates may stay with the team as coaches next season.
"We appreciated having (the seniors)," he said. "It was great."
Swimming
and Diving
Men's team seniors: Jack O'Donnell, Bryan Rahter, Jeff Sundberg, Chris Levin, Nick Steffanci
The College's men's swimming team will lose five seniors this year, including two captains and three All-Americans.
"We're losing a tremendous amount of leadership," head coach Brian Bishop said. "Losing that is immeasurable."
This group was part of the first team to ever break the top 10 in the national championships. Levin, Steffanci and O'Donnell were All-Americans, while Steffanci and Levin hold school records.
"(These seniors) were committed to the program for four years," he said. "Each brings something different to the table."
Women's team seniors: Lauren Smith, Jackie Whitty
The College's women's swimming and diving team will only lose two seniors this year, although both were captains and leaders of the team.
"They brought a lot to the team, both with their personalities and contributions in their events," head coach Jennifer Harnett said.
This season, Whitty took eighth in the 200-meter backstroke at the Metropolitan (MET) Conference Championships in 2:15.66.
Cross Country
Men's team seniors: Rob Barger, Brian Donovan, Eric Gross, Joe Lacovara-Switzer, Sean Lesniak, Matt Molski
Women's team seniors: Meghan O'Halloran
Indoor Track
Men's team seniors: Barger, Sean Begley, Adrian Cline, Donovan, Gross, Lesniak, Ed Marion, Molski, Bill Vogel, Brian Wanner, Tim Wilson
Women's team seniors: O'Halloran, Sarah Spillman, Jennifer Zucaro
Outdoor Track
Men's team seniors: Barger, Cline, Donovan, Gross, Lesniak, Marion, Molski, Vogel, Wanner, Wilson
Women's team seniors: O'Halloran, Spillman, Zucaro