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(10/19/16 2:42am)
By Connor Smith
News Editor
On Oct. 17, 2015, the College’s football team lost its matchup with Frostburg State University which brought the team’s record to 0-4 in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play. In the weeks that followed, the College bounced back and won its final four matchups to cement a 4-4 conference record.
A year later, the Lions (0-5 in NJAC) are in need of another miraculous comeback after its Saturday, Oct. 15, loss to Frostburg, 34-7.
“I've always believed that (we can turn things around),” said interim head coach Rocky Hager. “I'd like to see us continue to build on the offense. We played some younger players that are some guys that need some growing to help us, and that will add to the depth.”
The Lions entered Saturday's action on the heels of a 41-0 shutout loss to Wesley College, whereas Frostburg recently thrashed William Paterson College 23-0 to extend its overall record to 4-1.
“I felt like we matched up better than we did by the scoreboard,” said Hager. “The turnovers were a big part of that.”
The Lions received the opening kickoff and began a promising drive. Junior running back Chad Scott helped lead his team to an early first down and Junior quarterback Trevor Osler found junior tight end Chase Vena to set up a 2nd-and-5 at the Frostburg 47-yard line.
The drive was cut short when a wayward pass found its way into the arms of a Frostburg defender. The Lions pushed back the visitors, in large part due to a sack by senior defensive lineman Abdelrahman Ragab for a loss of 10.
Osler began the drive at the 8-yard line and found Vena on 3rd-and-12 to push the Lions to the 22-yard line. After another third-down conversion, the lost field position on the ground to force another 3rd-and-long.
A Frostburg defender made a good read, which led to another costly interception and the end of a promising drive for the Lions. From thereon, the Lions struggled to drive with the same confidence as before.
“We started out like gangbusters,” Hager said. “They started plugging their linebacker to seal off the one gap and force us into another. That's how they were able to hold us off. We were able to run it again later in the ballgame, but we can't turn over the football three times.”
This time, Frostburg translated the turnover into a score and a 7-0 lead.
“The things that we did in the first half with the turnovers left us in a less than enviable position on the defensive side,” Hager said. “On the defensive side, they discovered a couple things that we're doing and made a few adjustments, and we didn't adjust to their adjustment enough.”
Frostburg extended its lead to 14-0 in the second quarter, following a handful of three-and-outs by the Lions.
The Frostburg continued their offense in the second quarter. A 40-yard conversion extended the lead to 21-0, and they later tacked on a field goal to end the half with a 24-0 lead.
In the third quarter, another turnover — this time on a fumbled punt return — gifted Frostburg good enough field position for a 30-yard field goal and a 27-0 lead.
The Lions eventually scored on a pass to senior wide receiver Jeff Mattonelli. Senior kicker Brian Nagy scored the extra point.
According to Hager, the many mishaps were unfortunate, given the team’s apparent preparation.
“The irony is it's all stuff we work on very diligently, each and every day,” he said. “I'm sure Trevor Osler feels a little better about how things are fitting together.”
Frostburg tacked on another touchdown, and the clock winded down to deliver them a 34-7 victory.
(10/04/16 6:53pm)
By Connor Smith
News Editor
T.J. Miller emerged from a locked supply closet following his Tuesday, Sept. 27, performance in the College Union Board’s (CUB) Fall Comedy Show in Kendall Hall. Miller was already dressed like a sleazy magician — or as he put it, “(A guy who’d) sell you a car, but you're not trying to buy a car.” After the show, however, the actor and comedian had discovered a felt dog nose that was equipped with live-action barking sounds.
Miller donned the nose for his post-show interviews, where he sprinkled in intelligence, sarcasm and electronic barks to keep everyone on their toes. Despite the hilarity, it didn’t come close to some of his wildest antics onstage during his one-hour standup set.
Comedian and writer for “Broad City” Josh Rabinowitz opened the night. As an awkward young adult, Rabinowitz said that the mainstream popularity of the word “awkward” can be a disservice to people who actually are.
“It really feels to me like cool people are gentrifying ‘awkward,’” he said. “Real awkward people who did something uncomfortable wouldn't be like 'Awkward!' You're more like, 'I can never come back here. This is the end of me at this place.”’
Rabinowitz’s set bounced from one embarrassing story to the next, highlighting his comedic timing and storytelling skills. Following his final tale of a practical joke gone too far, Rabinowitz introduced Miller to the stage.
Miller’s entrance was Wonka-esque, as he navigated nimbly with a cane, several water bottles and a copy of The Signal.
“TCNJ! You don't come to the Lions lair without doing your research,” he said. “Not Roscoe's lair!"
Miller announced that he had recently filmed a new comedy special, so performing for the College was his first opportunity to do different material since before his tour. In an interview with The Signal, Miller said that he believes college students are often overlooked by many of his colleagues.
“Their thinking sort of is that none of you guys are like real people,” he said. “You're all still like in the weird purgatory between adulthood and childhood. It's just a weird thing… I think college kids deal with as much shit in their life as any other human being, so I'm happy to try and lift their spirits before they gotta finish their general requirements in biology.”
Onstage, Miller apologized to the students for his attire, which he said was a result of substandard packing conditions.
“I was so drunk, this is what I packed,” he said. “What have I done to my situation? 'I just want to bring my pineapple shirt. I know what I'll do: pineapple shirt, gray blazer, pants that are too short, my Empire Strikes Back socks that I didn't know I had and then shoes that I really don't know where they're from. They just fit.’”
Throughout the entire show, Miller was unpredictable. He even pretended to spill his own water bottles several times in creative ways, such as squeezing the contents out like a volcano or missing his mouth entirely.
The audience was also treated to several facts about the College.
“Ninety-five percent of you are from New Jersey,” he said. “Six hundred and eighty seven graduate students. How many students are here total? Anybody know?"
After a few responses, Miller asked if any graduate students were in the audience. Only one responded, a female graduate student who told Miller her name was “Ashley” with an interesting inflection.
Miller determined it would only be fitting that the only graduate student in attendance should be chased through the courtyard at the conclusion of the show. He abandoned the stage and demonstrated how the graduate student should raise her arms, slam through the two doors on her left and flee in peril.
A member of CUB held the door for Miller, which prompted a brief tangent about how he wanted to be locked outside for a bit. Miller said since he didn’t get locked out, the students missed out on such a life-changing bit, the absence of which could have massive implications on America’s future.
Next, Miller used a walking stick he found backstage to demonstrate his experience with a battle axe he purchased with his wife in Philadelphia.
One adventure with the axe took place outside of Minnesota’s Mall of America. Miller had given his shirt to his wife when he was approached by a police officer, who thought Miller was holding his own wife hostage. He explained that the axe was only a prop and that he had given his shirt away to keep his wife warm. In an exchange that he later described as “white privilege,” Miller received a ride back to his hotel, which ended with him being able to keep the lethal weapon.
Miller also made an off-hand remark aimed at Donald Trump. When asked how he approaches the presidential election as a comedian, Miller told The Signal the election is already a joke.
“The situation is so bad,” he said “It's almost not even worth touching on. I don't touch on politics, in general. This is the first time I can say that I don't talk about politics because it's a joke. It's an actual, real farce. We should be talking about other things like time theory and renouncing mathematics.”
Last week’s issue of The Signal also made a significant cameo, as Miller used the paper as his window into life at the College.
“College is fun. You guys have Slutwalk,” he said. “I joke, but I know that's a very serious thing. Rape culture. It's actually a great trick to get guys to be aware of it. You see this and some guy is like 'Oh, Slutwalk. Where those sluts walkin' now?'”
Miller continued to flip through the paper and as he read the “Signal asks…” section, a group of students exploded with laughter.
In the audience, Troy Brier, a senior chemistry major, yelled to Miller that he hoped he’d get to his question.
“That was really scary,” Miller said after a brief pause. “They saw me here with the paper. And Troy is here with his friends, and Troy realized 'Hold up. We might get to the Troy part. Hell, he went through the Slutwalk stuff.' Troy, you're about to have your moment in the sun.”
Miller read the question Brier was asked about the College’s controversial Homecoming changes, which was met with countless jeers.
“No outside alcohol,” he said. “They want you guys to be drinking inside. They wanted me to come and tell you 19 year olds, 20 year olds: ‘Drink indoors. Get alcohol illegally and drink it in the confines of four walls and a ceiling.’”
Miller invited Brier onstage to read his own answer to the question.
When he finished his final punchline, Miller called Brier onstage again to close-out the show with a dramatic song of his choice. Brier plugged his phone into a speaker and “Ultralight Beam” by Kanye West blasted through Kendall. Miller then shouted the codeword: “Ashley!”
After a brief pause, the graduate student fled. Miller led the pursuit and many students followed him to chase her through the courtyard.
“I was hoping they’d chase her a little farther,” Miller said when he returned from the chase. Though absurd, Ashley’s chase was actually the most predictable aspect of the performance, given he had planned it out in the beginning. Much like his style of comedy, Miller told The Signal that acting is just as unpredictable.
“I didn't think ‘Silicon Valley’ would even get picked up as a pilot. And I thought ‘Deadpool,’ if it did $40,000,000, or at best $60,000,000 opening weekend, then maybe Hollywood would listen and be open to R-rated superhero genre flicks,” he said. “It did $135,000,000 and ‘Silicon Valley’ is the ‘Friends’ — it's a huge fucking show — as far as live-action sitcoms go. It's as big as ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ but it's actually really, really funny.”
Watch what Miller had to say to Lions Television during the post-show interview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNxODXVj_jA
(10/04/16 5:17pm)
By Connor Smith
News Editor
Jörg Jauk has been kicking his entire life.
As a toddler raised in Graz, Austria, he kicked anything he could get his feet near. At age 6, Jauk’s father helped him translate this instinctual obsession into a lifelong passion when he brought the boy to a tryout for SK Sturm Graz’s youth academy team.
Jauk, now a sophomore finance major and midfielder on the men’s soccer team, told The Signal he was on the verge of a professional soccer career when he left SK Sturm Graz II, a semi-professional team, to play Division III soccer in the U.S.
“I always wanted to combine being a sportsman and getting education at the best possible level, for me,” he said. “A lot of my teammates don't see it that way. They just see soccer. They want to become professionals, and they don't really care what comes after that. I always knew that life is more than playing 10 years of soccer professionally. I wanted to get a good job. Maybe one day, I'd like to have my own business.”
Jauk valued his studies at a young age, which included reading American newspapers to improve his fluency in English and economics. He also practiced soccer every day for 15 years, aside from two annual three-week breaks. Despite the rigorous schedule, he always found time for his academic interests. According to Jauk, he performed well enough in the classroom to attend a top European university.
“If you go to a top school in Europe, they don't let you practice that often,” Jauk said. “The other way is true if you're about to become a professional. For a lot of my friends who are still trying to become professionals, or are professionals, it's just so time-consuming that you don't really have time (for studies).”
Forced to choose between his lifelong passion and his dream of owning a business, Jauk decided to leave his home country behind and find a school in the U.S., where combining athletics and academics are culturally ingrained.
“I was sure that I'm technically and tactically on a very good level,” he said. “I just somehow didn't feel accomplished with just playing soccer.”
Jauk created a profile with a recruiting agency known as the National Collegiate Scouting Association. Months passed, until five to 10 schools met his requirements — which included east coast schools with top-flight business programs.
Among them was the College, led by head coach George Nazario, who said he’s traveled internationally and was intrigued with Jauk’s pedigree.
“I saw the name of the team, Sturm Graz, and I knew they're a pretty good team over in Austria,” Nazario said. “After watching the video, I thought that soccer-wise, the level of play was pretty good.”
The coaching staff convinced Jauk to commit to the College, and he left his lifelong home behind for a compact dorm room in Travers Hall.
Both socially and athletically, Jauk needed time to adjust to the drastic changes in his life.
“The first day was a rough one,” he said. “I arrived in preseason and no one was there. The towers were basically empty. It didn't start off as I expected it to, but that was my fault with timing. The first couple days, the coach showed me the school.”
As for in-season, Jauk was surprised by the physicality of American soccer.
“It's a lot less physical (in Austria),” Nazario said. “There, it's based more on technique and movement.”
Still, Jauk’s intelligence and tactical knowledge stood out to the head coach.
“When you're dealing with an individual who is mentally tuned-in upstairs and understands the game at a high level, it makes life a lot easier,” he said. “It's almost as good as having another coach on the field cause he's able to communicate certain things that the guys don't want to hear from me, so maybe it makes more sense from their compatriot.”
As time passed, Jauk grew more and more comfortable with life at the College. He made friends, like Nick Provenzano, a sophomore defender and health and exercise science major.
“From the beginning, I was very close to Nick,” Jauk said. “I roomed with him. His family was very nice to me. They helped me out, like going food shopping, and I stayed over for Thanksgiving break. I'm pretty close to most of the guys. I talk to them a lot.”
Although Jauk studied under dozens of top European coaches, he credited Nazario’s guidance as a major factor in his growth.
“What I like about (Nazario) is he's very straightforward,” Jauk said. “He doesn't mind telling you if you did something right or if you did something wrong. He's very direct, but in a way that I think makes you rethink things and makes you learn.
“I like playing under him. He's a good guy. He teaches you things about life, too. As it is in sports, things on the field, you can directly translate to everyday life. He always has a couple life lessons in his speeches. I like listening to him,” he said.
Now, settled into a cozy double in New Residence Hall, Jauk is prepared to step up and be a leader.
“Overall, I'd say I'm happy, as it is now,” he said. “I don't want to keep it as it is. I want to develop. I want to get in a better leadership position in the team, keep my grades and try to get any internships in America.”
The Lions are 2-2 in conference play, which means there are still five opportunities to stake their claim toward a New Jersey Athletic Conference tournament berth.
Academically, Jauk overcame the initial struggles of writing papers in a foreign language.
Looking toward the future, he must eventually pick between his cleats and his other ambitions.
“I guess there's gonna be a point after graduating and accepting a job where you have to set priorities,” he said. “I don't know yet. If I don't want to stay in the U.S. for a job, I could still work something less time consuming and play in the third- or second-highest (Austrian) league for money.”
Still, he knows for a fact there will always be a little time to keep on kicking.
“I’ll probably focus on my job and career and play soccer for fun on the weekend with friends,” he said. “I'll always play. I've kicked things since I was able to walk… It's something I share with my dad, so it's always gonna be a huge part of my life.”
(10/04/16 2:56am)
By Connor Smith
News Editor
The Lions could not contain the No. 11 Salisbury University Seagulls on Saturday, Oct. 1. The College fell to the reigning New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) champs, 41-6.
“We gave up a handful of big plays on defense,” interim head coach Rocky Hager said. “Some came on a new play that we haven’t seen them use before, so I think we did much better in the second half.”
The Lions came off a strong defensive effort against Christopher Newport University last week, but Salisbury’s option-heavy offense was an unwelcomed change of pace.
Salisbury won the opening coin toss and elected to receive, but the Lions defense had other plans. Junior defensive lineman Shane Kelley stripped a third down rush attempt and the Lions recovered the ball at the Seagulls 24-yard line.
Junior quarterback Trevor Osler threw his first passing touchdown of the year on 3rd and 12, as senior receiver Jeff Mattonelli caught a 16-yard pass to put the Lions up, 6-0.
After a blocked extra-point, the Lions seemed poised to upset the Seagulls.
Then, Salisbury showed why they’re a conference favorite, as the team ran an 80-yard kick return to the Lions 15-yard line. The first snap of the drive was a touchdown run, and the Seagulls took a 7-6 lead.
From there on out, it was all Seagulls. The Salisbury defense stuffed the College in the following drive and the Seagulls received a punt at the 32-yard line.
It took just eight plays and 2:50 minutes off the clock for Salisbury to score a second touchdown.
The second quarter wasn’t much better, as the Seagulls extended their lead to 24-6.
According to Hager, the defense needed to adjust to a creative Seagulls playbook. These adjustments characterized the third quarter, where neither team managed to score a single point.
The fourth quarter opened with a Salisbury field goal, and brought the score to 26-6. The College responded with a first down, but couldn’t convert on the second set of downs.
With the ball at the Salisbury 33-yard line, the Lions allowed a 67-yard pass to blow the game open at 34-6.
The Lions offense would not score again, and Salisbury tacked on insurance points to end the game with a 41-6 win.
The Lions, now 0-4, battled three top-ranked opponents in four weeks. Next week’s game against the Wesley College Wolverines on Saturday, Oct. 8, will be another tough matchup. Still, there are six conference opponents to go, so there is room for another Lions turnaround.
(09/29/16 6:20pm)
By Connor Smith
News Editor
Brisk temperatures and an overcast sky greeted the football team before its home opener on Saturday, Sept. 24, against the No. 24 Christopher Newport University Captains. The Lions defense shut down the best offense in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC), but their own offense could not muster enough plays to overcome an eventual 17-0 deficit.
“Our offense is growing up,” interim head coach Rocky Hager said. “We have some things that we need to develop on the offensive side. We need to take care of the first level of blocks, meaning mainly their defensive line. Then, we need to work up to the second level linebackers a little more decisively at a less quick fashion.”
As the College hosted its annual Parent and Family Day, the stands were packed with students, parents and alumni who harbored hopes of a Lions upset. Although summer ended just days prior, their sweatshirts, jeans and windbreakers helped usher in the true beginning of autumn.
The Lions defense came off an impressive performance against Kean University, however, Christopher Newport was confident in its top-flight offense, led by junior quarterback K.J. Kearney.
Ten minutes before kickoff, the sky seemed to signal incoming rain. However, like the potential for a Newport thrashing, this was a calm before a storm that never came.
The Captains won the opening coin flip and deferred, in order to receive in the second half. The Lions failed to make anything of it, though, and were forced to punt on their first set of downs.
The return man misjudged the powerful boot of freshman punter Zack Warcola, as he nearly turned the ball over at the Captains 32-yard line.
The Captains offense seemed to fit its original billing in the opening drive. Kearney led the team down the field for a touchdown, and the Lions defense seemed outmatched.
“Defensively, they took the first two possessions and moved the ball pretty well on us,” Hager said. “The speed of the game is much faster than what you can simulate in practice.”
After another Warcola punt, the Captains were poised for a rout. With relative ease, Kearney marched the offense to the Lions 32-yard line.
With momentum spiraling in his favor, Kearney darted the ball into the arms of senior defensive back Jordan Rogers — the passer’s first interception of the year. He was 5 for 5 until the pick.
The Lions offense failed to move the chains, and Warcola airmailed another punt to the opposing 32-yard line.
Without much in the way of reprieve, the Lions defense once again returned to the field, determined to hold their opponent to the lone end zone score.
With the opponent at their own 42-yard line, the Lions risked a two-possession game. Given their offensive struggles, that could have put the game out of reach. The Lions needed a stop.
First-and-10. Senior linebacker Erik Wehner cut off a running play to five yards.
Second-and-7. Junior defensive lineman Shane Kelley helps hold Kearney to a one-yard rush.
Third-and-6. Kearney spots a receiver, tosses it and Kelley breaks it up to force a punt and give the Lions another shot on offense.
As the clouds began to part, the Lions defense played with a different swagger. In the first two drives, the Lions were outmatched. Then something changed. According to Hager, they just needed to catch up to the Captains pace of play.
“It took us eight, maybe nine or 10 minutes to get used to the speed with which they came at us,” he said. “Once we did that, our defense held up pretty well.”
While the offense failed to muster the equalizer, the defense strung together five consecutive stops, which began with the early interception. Junior linebacker Troy Domenick said it only took a few adjustments.
“We had more coverage guys in,” he said. “Besides that, we played our normal base defense the whole game.”
By the third quarter, the sweatshirts were off and the sun’s warmth made a welcomed appearance. Both teams traded three-and-outs to open the second half, until the Captains cracked a field goal which brought the score to 10-0 with six and half minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The Lions received the ball at the 34-yard line. On the first play of the drive, a pass-interference call flipped an interception into a new set of downs for the Lions.
The Captains’ coach and bench barked back at the referees, which prompted another 15-yard penalty. The Lions drove 30 yards on what could have been an ugly pick.
This was the closest the Lions would get. A second-down sack forced the Lions into a desperate fourth-down gambit, which failed and ultimately handed control of the game over to the Captains.
The Captains didn’t score another point on offense, but a desperate throw, late in the game, netted them a pick-six and a 17-0 victory.
The Lions opted to run out the clock and accepted the shutout loss.
“They're a great offense,” Domenick said. “They have great players on their offense. We played lights out defense the whole game. It feels great stopping them the entire game. We held them to 10 points, besides a bad play on offense.”
The Lions (0-3) must now travel to Salisbury University in Maryland to face the reigning conference champs. According to Hager, Salisbury’s option-heavy offense will be a change of pace.
“I coached the option for a long time and have a decent idea of what it is they do for their reads,” Hager said. “We'll have to have a good week's worth of practice to get ourselves squared away... We've gotta be able to stay with the quarterback, stay with the dive, and stay with the pitch.”
For Domenick, who led the game with 11 total tackles, this outing proved the team is on the verge of victory.
“We'll definitely bounce back after this game,” he said “We're gonna practice a lot harder. This was a tough loss, but we're gonna bounce back. We're gonna work harder, and I think we'll win next week.”
(09/26/16 9:44pm)
By Connor Smith
News Editor
The College and Susan Guerrini, a former assistant professor of music education, agreed on Tuesday, Sept. 6, to settle for $145,000 after Guerrini alleged that her May 2011 dismissal was fueled by age discrimination.
According to a report by NJ Civil Settlements, Guerrini, then 62, accused John Laughton, who still resides as dean of the School of Arts and Communication, of overruling a unanimous recommendation to reappoint her due to her age.
Guerrini claimed Laughton described a new hire as “young,” “innovative” and “fresh blood,” and disparaged older employees by stating he expects assistant professors of music education to be “young.” Laughton was not involved in Guerrini’s original hiring in 2008, as he was brought on staff in 2009.
According to Guerrini, Laughton also said she, "had been around the block many times, in fact around the block quite a few times."
Due to the uncertain nature of settlements, it is unclear how the case would be handled in litigation. Spokesperson Dave Muha told The Signal the College still denies the allegation.
“The College of New Jersey denies the allegation, but agreed to the settlement to avoid the cost and uncertainty of further litigation,” Muha said on behalf of the College.
According to the report, Guerrini received $90,022.14, as her attorneys garnered $54,977.86.
Laughton, meanwhile, is set to retire this coming December.
(09/14/16 8:19pm)
By Connor Smith
Sports Editor
Fresh produce is one commodity not often associated with college campuses. That’s a stigma Leslie Summiel Jr. of 31 & Main Farmers Market in Campus Town hopes to end.
“31 & Main Farmers Market is moving with the trend of local, farm-fresh produce and making that type of produce accessible to regular people, especially the college students and the Ewing Township community,” Summiel said.
Tucked between Pennington Road and the Campus Town parking lot, the 31 & Main Farmers Market is a refreshing departure from the College’s everyday monotony. The bluegrass sounds of banjos plucking and neighbors conversing on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. will lead you right to the College’s new market.
Farmers from Pineland Farms, Z Farms, Cherry Grove Farms and Fulper Farms gather weekly in colorful tents with fresh produce and dairy products. Additional vendors are sure to show, as this week featured Cathee’s Creations Jewelry, Spencer’s Savings Bank and CindiHale Ceramic Art.
According to Rowena Gross of Pineland Farms, business has increased steadily since the market’s launch in June.
“There’s a really great community,” Gross said. “I was surprised when the students first started coming. I was expecting to sell them watermelon and apples, but they’re buying vegetables. A lot of them are cooking and buying veggies.”
The market wouldn’t be complete without its grassroots musicians. Each week features a different local artist. Heather Robbins and Mike Aucott of the group “Kingston Ridge” were the entertainment on Sunday, Sept. 11. To add to the sense of community, Aucott is an adjunct professor at the College, while Robbins directs choirs and teaches singing off campus.
“There are a lot of young folks that are interested in this. We like to play some of the old toons and do justice to them,” Aucott said.
Robbins joked that the duo is currently touring local farmers markets. “We kind of like the farmers market circuit,” Robbins said.
The market caters to both students and Ewing residents. Summiel believes the grassroots charm will help the business — not just the produce — grow organically.
“We wanted to get some staple farms that can withstand the risk of a start-up market,” Summiel said. “The vendors we selected also mutually selected us in wanting to commit to this venture. They have the resources and the experience. I think the farms that we decided to work with (were) a great choice.”
According to patrons, Summiel has a blueprint for success.
“I love the site and I love the entertainment,” said Bruce Waltuck, a first-time customer. “A couple of the vendors are folks we’re already familiar with, so I hope that this will be a successful market.”
Waltuck’s wife, Susie Waltuck, only wished that there was a baked good vendor.
“I personally would like to add another vendor, if they could,” she said. “Someone that does breads or bakery stuff — the sweet stuff. I miss when you go to the farmer’s market and you can get something like that.”
Meanwhile, many students embraced the healthy nature of the marketplace. Senior psychology major Rachel Turan was happy to finally have a fresh alternative to the usual Sodexo offerings.
“They have a good selection of awesome produce,” Turan said. “Buying your own vegetables and produce and making your own food is 100 percent better (than processed foods). It’s better for you, you know what’s in it and there’s something really nice about knowing what goes into the food you’re eating.”
Summiel hopes more students will echo Turan’s enthusiasm. Although the market was built to withstand the unstable nature of start-ups, he believes the project can have a wonderful impact on the students and Ewing, N.J., residents alike.
“We’re trying to get people to think health-conscious and connect the farms to the community,” Summiel said. “Everybody’s coming out. It’s just a great opportunity for the local college and the Ewing Township community to have access to great, high-quality farm products.”
Whether you’re looking to shop for fresh produce or take in the rural atmosphere, the 31 & Main Farmers Market is a welcome addition to a developing Campus Town center.
(09/06/16 12:40am)
By Connor Smith
Sports Editor
The College Union Board’s (CUB) Three For Free comedy show on Thursday, Sept. 1, delivered laughter, awkward banter and a handful of generously titled “TED Talks,” all bundled together into one worthwhile, and free, package in Kendall Hall.
Sean Donnelly, Arden Myrin and Monroe Martin were the event’s featured comedians. According to CUB, Donnelly has been featured on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “Conan” and NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.” Myrin’s claim to fame was her role on Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black,” while Martin was featured on “Guy Code,” “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” and “The Jim Gaffigan Show.”
Each comic had a different performance, however, all of them worked their own appearances into their respective sets.
After CUB announced the College’s upcoming fall comedy show, featuring T.J. Miller, Donnelly was welcomed to the stage for the night’s first act. He was quick to throw jabs at his physique, which he said could be confused with that of a trucker.
“Some of you don’t even think I’m the comic that’s supposed to be up here,” Donnelly said. “You think I’m just here to fix this microphone and then the real comic comes up onstage. I can’t not look like this, okay... I have manual-labor face, that’s what it’s called.”
Once he finished poking fun at a nursing major with a similar body type, Donnelly recounted his experience ordering from Piccolo Pronto in Campus Town.
“I went to that pizza place, Piccolo? Piccolo Pete’s?” he said. “You walk in and I’m like, ‘Do you have slices?’ They’re like, ‘No, you get your own 10-inch pie.’ I’m like, ‘That’ll do. I’ll do that.’”
Donnelly then continued to question several audience members, specifically when he found a biology major interested in optometry. After his response seemed to cause confusion, Donnelly used the opportunity to poke fun at the crowd.
“Doesn’t sex get gross when you take biology classes?” Donnelly said. “Maybe I shouldn’t have said that. You know, cause you learn about the entire body, right? That’s creepy. You guys are weirdos, I guess.”
Donnelly ended with a warning that students should keep away from New York if they don’t want to become a “shittier person.”
“I saw a homeless person giving the finger to an ambulance,” Donnelly said. “I’ve lived there so long that my reaction wasn’t ‘What is that man doing? That’s an ambulance that’s trying to help somebody.’ I’ve lived in New York so long, my reaction was, ‘Yeah, fuck that ambulance.’”
Donnelly went on to introduce Myrin, whose set thrived around awkward sexual tension.
“Clearly, sex is on the mind,” she said. “I dressed up for you guys. I was like, ‘What? Back to school time? I’m gonna put on my sexiest outfit. I’m gonna wear my very sexy Forever 21 Mormon-tween dress…’ It’s like a combination between a girdle and a scuba suit that I have under my teen tunic.”
Like Donnelly, Myrin was self-inflicting and poked fun at the theater education she now deems useless.
“I’ve never been in a room with so many people that will at some point in time have college degrees,” she said. “You guys might even have jobs. Everyone I’ve met actually has a plan... I’m available, College of New Jersey.”
Myrin then flirted with several students to the point where she asked for permission to touch them. She explained that in California, even the doctors take the time to ask if they can make human contact.
“I feel like if you have to ask to touch me, there’s probably a reason,” she said.
Aside from touching the audience and asserting her “power stance,” Myrin gave unsolicited advice, which she named after the popular “TED Talks” series. Myrin said she wished she took better advantage of the talks.
“I wish I had saved myself four to nine and a half years of my life, and tens of thousands of dollars of debt, if I could have just gotten ‘TED Talks’ and downloaded an app for free so I sounded smarter at dinner parties,” she said.
Her “Talks” ranged from sexual experiences to the regret of cutting her bangs. She finished by describing the time she was tricked into leg wrestling with lesbians at a friend’s bachelorette party.
The final comic was Martin, who opened with a recount of the first time he was called the “N-word.” Martin continued to be an open book, as he pivoted to his first pregnancy scare when he was only 17 years old.
“Seventeen kind of sucked because it was the first time having sex, and I got a girl pregnant,” he said. “That’s like crashing your car during your driving exam... There’s no instructor there to watch two teens fuck up their lives.”
Martin then stopped to make note of the students in the front row, who were shaking their uncovered feet with nervous jitters.
“I don’t like all these white people shaking up front,” he said. “What’s this a flash mob? Was this something planned? ‘I’m gonna tap my feet 25 times and then when he says something, you do it.’ It’s only dudes with flip-flops on... What are you trying to fucking scare me with white toes?”
Martin’s performance turned toward drugs, which he said was a problem for his biological mother.
“I smoke weed — I don’t do drugs,” he said. “I smoke weed and eat edibles, but I want to cut back on the edibles cause edibles hit you too fucking hard. It’s like a one-night stand that follows you on all social media.”
He also described his his experience of telling his mother he smoked, but her negative reaction was ironic coming from a woman that had done crack, he said.
Martin ended the night by describing his trip to China, and he dispelled the rumor that natives are racist.
“I know the cops don’t carry guns there,” he said. “I was excited. I was kinda like ‘Get em’... Everybody was like, ‘They don’t have guns? How do they shoot their black people?’ They don’t. They just take pictures of us and call us Kobe.”
(08/30/16 8:06pm)
By Connor Smith
Sports Editor
The College’s football team is hoping it hasn’t lost any momentum from a late 2015 season surge.
The football team’s season mirrored an underdog’s tale of redemption. The Lions sunk to unimaginable lows, which included a loss against a Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham squad that hadn’t won a game since its 2013 opener against the Lions.
The College staggered to a 0-5 record, which cast a shadow on its homecoming matchup with Montclair State University. Those faithful to the football team were rewarded with a 23-20 win that included a defensive stop with seconds on the clock.
With renewed confidence, the Lions converted their lone win into a four-game winning streak, all against conference opponents.
With a 4-4 record in conference play (4-5 overall), the Lions salvaged what could have been a disastrous season. Still, they banded together and finished fifth in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC).
The Lions struggled in quarters one through three, as they were outscored by opponents 162-82. In the fourth quarter, however, they scored 60 to their opponents’ 39. If they can improve their early-game, the Lions could be poised for a winning season.
Most of the team’s offense came in the air, which included 76 of its 137 first downs and 11 of its 20 touchdowns on offense. That should continue in 2016, as both passers, senior Michael Marchesanoare and junior Trevor Osler, are back for the upcoming season.
This year, the Lions must once again overcome low expectations. The NJAC preseason rankings have them pegged as eighth in a conference of 10 teams. Although these rankings are subjective, the Lions have room for improvement. A class of 28 incoming freshmen could be what coach Wayne Dickens needs to pull ahead.
The Lions will begin their season on the road against the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Saturday, Sept. 3. They must wait until Saturday, Sept. 24, for their home opener against Christopher Newport University. Homecoming will take place on Saturday, Oct. 29, against William Paterson University.
With last season’s momentum, a fresh slate and a mixture of seasoned vets and young talent, the Lions have a chance to overcome the odds for a second straight season.
(05/04/16 6:32pm)
By Connor Smith
Social Media Editor
The process of getting an organization recognized by Student Government (SG) is meant to be simple. If you’re passionate about something that isn’t represented by one of the 200 or more clubs at the College, then it’s up to you to make your dream organization a reality — a pitch that ambassadors love to share with prospective students, according to ambassador and freshman nursing major Daniel Suarez.
TCNJ Ski and Snowboard Club President and freshman biomedical engineering major Kyle Skelly had that same goal when he discovered the College was lacking a club for winter alpine sports.
“(Ambassadors) were telling us how easy it was to make a club,” Skelly said. “I couldn’t picture myself going to a college and going through a winter session without the ability to ski, snowboard and do the thing that takes a lot of stress away. I figured I might as well take a shot at making my own.”
SG recently awarded recognition to two organizations — Skelly’s TCNJ Ski and Snowboard club and the TCNJ Political Union — during its Wednesday, April 20, general body meeting.
For TCNJ Political Union, the board’s decision was the end of a satisfying process that helped the club grow its purpose and ideals. However, for TCNJ Ski and Snowboard Club, recognition was the last stop at the end of a year-long marathon for acceptance. “We strive to get people to the last step of the process within three weeks,” SG Governmental Affairs (GA) Vice President and junior urban early childhood education and English double major Ceili Boles said. “It doesn’t always happen that way.”
That goal was met for the new TCNJ Political Union, according to the club’s President and senior history and urban studies double major Sam Fogelgaren.
“We were offered a date within 72 hours of when I contacted the constitutional review chair,” Fogelgaren said. “When we were approved, it took about two weeks until we were approved in front of the full executive board. It was pretty quick. Two and a half weeks is a reasonable amount of time.”
As for TCNJ Ski and Snowboard Club, which began when Skelly created a Facebook group for prospective members last summer, the process was elongated by the club’s athletic and liability components, according to Boles.
“They didn’t really tell us all the different hoops we’d have to jump through,” TCNJ Ski and Snowboard Club Treasurer and freshman communications major Kiersten Newkirk said. “It took many more steps than anticipated. We’re not even done figuring out where we fall under the insurance policy.”
According to Newkirk, the group held successful interest sessions and were optimistic that the process would be completed before the winter season. The club’s founders were sent to Director of Recreation Rob Simels, who forwarded them to an insurance representative.
“It was all very disjointed and disorganized,” TCNJ Ski and Snowboard Club Secretary and freshman music education major Marshall Samuels said. “(Simels) told us to get in contact with the insurance people. I couldn’t get a hold of them for two weeks because the representative was in another country. When she eventually came back, she told us we couldn’t even meet with her until we met with (Simels) first, even though we had already met with him. It was all a lack of communication. It’s just unorganized, but we’re trying to make it work.”
This isn’t the first time a club was frustrated with SG’s recognition process.
“We faced issues with the Student Government. They failed us probably three times over the course of a year,” Competitive Gaming Club’s (CGC) former Vice President and senior accounting major Martin Faynor said in a Signal article from Tuesday, February 16.
According to the same Signal article, the CGC re-submitted paperwork for months before finally being awarded recognition.
“They had to get narrower and narrower with the club idea,” former CGC Historian and senior interactive multimedia major Jon Sofo said. “Each time they were reviewed, it was tedious. They had to wait a certain number of weeks after fixing a single thing.”
While the CGC organized events on its own accord, the TCNJ Ski and Snowboard Club was forced to sit back and watch as the winter season melted away.
“I’ve heard from other clubs that there are issues with responding to emails promptly and things like that,” Newkirk said. “For things that are time-sensitive — we wanted to have our club ready before the season — that causes problems.”
Although not officially recognized by SG, the club made an attempt to bring some of its more than 100 Facebook members together for a trip to the Poconos Mountains on Saturday, Jan. 30. Much like the group’s attempts to find answers for their insurance, the event fell through when the Office of Recreation failed to get the proper paperwork approved, according to Newkirk.
Despite their disappointment with the process, the group members persevered and held meetings throughout the semester. According to Skelly, he refused to let the long months get to him.
“This is gonna be where you’re spending the next four years of your life,” Skelly said. “If you really want a club that you can’t see yourself going four years without, take the initiative (to create it). It may be hard at first, but in the long-run, it’s gonna pay off. You’re going to meet a lot of people that have similar interests as you.”
Nearly a year after Skelly first discovered the College was lacking a ski and snowboard club, he found himself standing before SG with his tightly-knit executive board colleagues by his side. When the meeting was all said and done, their club was fully recognized and ready to plan for the upcoming winter season.
According to Samuels, the process would have been easier if they weren’t all incoming freshmen last summer.
“As an incoming freshman, it’s definitely a lot harder because you don’t know your way around campus, and you don’t know all the people that work at TCNJ,” he said. “Get the constitution done in the summer. You can go right into it in the fall and as an incoming freshman, you’re not going to get it done immediately.”
In regards to improving the process, the group said the College should establish a chair for non-competitive athletic clubs.
“We found it kind of odd because there’s several other clubs that need to be under the insurance policy, but aren’t competitive, like Aikido,” Newkirk said. “TCNJ doesn’t have a precedent for anything like that… It makes students really have to go out of their way to get things done in a timely manner.”
Both the TCNJ Ski and Snowboard Club and the TCNJ Political Union have events planned for the upcoming semester and can be found by name on Facebook. Although their purposes are different, both clubs aim to bring something new to the College’s community.
“We’re looking to consistently address political issues throughout the semester,” Fogelgaren said. “We want to sustain political engagement on campus.”
For Skelly, his club’s newfound recognition is a validation of the group’s passionate efforts.
“It’s hard, but you all work through it together to overcome the obstacles,” Skelly said. “It was a challenge and a bit of a pain, but we’re trying to do it because it’s something we love.”
(05/03/16 9:26pm)
By Connor Smith
Social Media Editor
The men’s tennis team finalized its case for an NCAA Tournament bid with a shutout win on Wednesday, April 27, against Kutztown University.
The Lions — following their Monday, April 25, loss to the Stevens University Ducks — improved their overall record to 10-6. The College also honored seniors Pierce Cooper and Jason Prezant before the match.
“No matter how much you love your team, there will always be ups and downs,” Prezant said. “This team knows how to stick together and fight in the lowest moments, even when down match point… I have enjoyed every second with my teammates, whether it was spent traveling on a bus for hours at a time to matches or grabbing food in Eick after a long practice. Every single player on this team has had a significant influence on me.”
The Lions pounced on the Kutztown University Golden Bears in doubles competition. Freshman Mitchel Sanders and Cooper extended their combined winning streak to seven games with an 8-3 win on court one.
Junior Mike Stanley and Prezant continued their success on court two with an 8-1 win. The Lions ended doubles with a 3-0 lead, due to a Golden Bears forfeit on court three.
“One reason why our team has stayed so strong through illnesses is because people on our team play their heart out during practice,” Prezant said. “When one of our top players is dealing with an illness and needs time off, the other players are ready to move up into the starting roster and get into the action.”
In singles, Cooper walked onto his home court one for the final time in his collegiate career. The senior dropped his first set, 5-2, forcing him to collect himself for a 6-3 set two win. In his final set, Cooper was pushed to his limit, but he eventually won the tiebreaker, 10-5.
With Cooper’s win, the Lions clinched their 10th and final regular season victory, as the fifth point came from another Golden Bears forfeit on court six. The Lions were poised to earn their fifth shutout of the regular season.
Junior Jack August — having recovered from an illness — looked ready for NCAAs with a win in straight sets on court two (6-2, 6-1).
Sophomore Chris D’Agostino extended the College’s lead to 7-0 with wins in straight sets (6-3, 6-2), while freshman Omar Bokhari earned his eighth win of the season on court four (6-3, 6-0).
With his team’s shutout hopes on his back, freshman Tim Gavornik did not concede a single game, earning the College’s final win on court five (6-0, 6-0).
“Closing out any match with a complete shutout always gives us confidence, especially moving forward,” Prezant said. “However, this match against Kutztown was the last match of our regular season. As a senior, this match meant everything to compete in.”
With the win, the College improved to 10-6 on the year. The men will compete in the NCAA Regional Tournament on Thursday, May 12, and Friday, May 13. As for the coveted National Tournament, players are confident they’ll receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament, according to Dicheck.
“You never know because it’s a committee that chooses,” Dicheck said. “Based on our ranking, I would be shocked (if we didn’t make it).”
Although the men must wait on a committee decision, the women’s tennis team punched its ticket with a New Jersey Athletic Conference win in the Fall 2015 season.
“Making Nationals is an extremely difficult achievement for any team,” Prezant said. “Although we are all anxious to see if all of our hard work has earned us a spot in Nationals, all we can do is continue practicing with 110 percent effort until the big announcement is made.”
(04/29/16 7:37pm)
By Connor Smith
Social Media Editor
The NCAA Division III (D-III) Tournament was always the goal for the men’s tennis team. After their disappointing loss to North Carolina Wesleyan College, the Lions were faced with the harsh reality that their season’s entire purpose was reduced to nothing more than a pipe dream. However, their shutout wins against Lafayette College and Christopher Newport University gave the College one final spark of hope: If they won against Ursinus College and Vassar College, they would be in position to qualify for NCAAs.
On Tuesday, April 19, the Lions did just that, as they kept their season alive with a shutout win over Ursinus College. With a shot of cementing their case for an NCAA Tournament berth, the Lions (9-5) extended their winning streak to four games on Wednesday, April 20, when they beat Vassar College, 6-3.
“It's been a very positive year,” head coach Scott Dicheck said. “Even when we've had some tough losses, we fought back. You learn a lot from winning and losing and I think these guys have done just that.”
The Lions were without junior Jack August — who was sidelined due to illness — in their matchup with the Ursinus Bears. Senior Jason Prezant stepped into August’s shoes in doubles and was paired with junior Mike Stanley. The first-time duo did not miss a beat, as they won court two, 8-4.
Senior Pierce Cooper and freshman Mitchel Sanders extended their winning streak to six. They sported a commanding 10-1 doubles record. On court three, freshmen Matt Puig and Tim Gavornik continued their success with an 8-4 win of their own.
Leading 3-0, the Lions would not relent. A singles lineup of four freshmen, sophomore Chris D'Agostino and Cooper combined to shutout the Bears. They did not drop a single set in the entire match.
“We had just come off our lowest moment in the season,” Dicheck said. “It says a lot about the guys to bounce back and to get the wins. We knew once we started getting momentum, it could really take over. That's just what happened.”
According to Dicheck, the Lions needed to beat Vassar College on Wednesday to have any chance at NCAAs. August — still battling an illness — returned to the doubled competition with Stanley, his partner.
“He gave it a go in doubles, but he was not going to play singles,” Dicheck said. “That's what happens this time of year.”
The Lions won courts two and three, while August and Stanley dropped their matchup, 8-4.
As the College nursed a 2-1 lead, Cooper and Sanders won their singles matches in straight sets. With the chance to clinch a Lions win — and the playoff implications that accompanied said win — Stanley battled through a second-set tiebreaker. With the 6-2, 7-6 (8-6) win, the Lions had finally met their season’s goal.
With the win already clinched, the Lions dropped courts four and five, which made the final score 6-3 in favor of the Lions.
“We beat a lot of really good teams that we needed to beat,” Dicheck said. “At this point, we're very optimistic that we're gonna make it. We have two matches this week. I think we should be in good shape.”
The College faces off against Stevens University on Monday, April 25. Their final regular season match will be against Kutztown University on Wednesday, April 27.
Dicheck and his team couldn’t happier about being in the hunt.
“We're just ecstatic,” he said. “The guys really have put ourselves in a very good position for NCAAs.”
(04/19/16 3:55pm)
By Connor Smith
Social Media Editor
The men’s tennis team (7-5) hit a major speed bump in its quest for an NCAA Division III (D-III) Tournament bid. The Lions lost their matchup with North Carolina Wesleyan College on Tuesday, April 12, which casted doubt on the team’s qualification prospects.
Despite the loss, the men’s team nurtured its playoff hopes with victories over Lafayette University — a Division I competitor — on Thursday, April 21, and Christopher Newport University on Sunday, April 17.
The women’s team — which already qualified for NCAA’s through its New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) title — lost its final match of the regular season on Wednesday, April 13, against New York University.
“Morale is pretty high,” junior Mike Stanley said. “I don’t think it’ll ever be higher than it is right now.”
The men’s team was confident with a 2-1 lead after doubles competition on Wednesday against North Carolina Wesleyan College. This sense of security proved false, as junior Jack August salvaged the team’s only win in singles, which brought the final score to 6-3 in favor of North Carolina Wesleyan.
“We have a very talented group,” head coach Scott Dicheck said. “We go through ups and downs, and I think what it’s shown is that our guys... even when we’ve gone through a bad period, we’ve stepped up and the guys are wanting to end the season strong.”
The Lions did just that against the Lafayette University Leopards. A sweep of the doubles competition netted them one match point, while every doubles competitor, excluding freshman Matt Puig, fired back to compete and win in singles competition.
“I think that kick-started us for (Sunday),” Dicheck said. “We had a tough loss on Tuesday, so to beat them on Thursday helped us move into today’s match.”
With a renewed sense of confidence, the College’s postseason hopes depended on its match against Christopher Newport.
The doubles competition was tightly contested. August and Stanley continued to sparkle on court one, earning their team-leading ninth win of the season, 8-6. Senior Pierce Cooper and freshman Mitchell Sanders overcame an early 3-4 deficit to notch an 8-6 win of their own. Finally, the freshmen duo of Puig and Tim Gavornik increased their winning streak to four games with an 8-4 win.
Knowing that no lead is safe, the Lions were more concerned with winning the match than the prospects of a shutout. This mentality helped carve out the occurrence of both.
Cooper passed ’06 alum Cory Hall for fourth in all-time combined wins with his win at No. 125 in straight sets on court one. Stanley — with the knowledge that his win would clinch the match for the Lions — dropped the first set, 6-1.
“I had a scouting report from one of my coaches,” Stanley said. “He told me the kid was going to play the game I like to play against, but when he came out, he was playing really well.”
Stanley knew how important this match was for his team. Following his disappointing opening, the junior regrouped and snagged the final two sets, 6-2, clinching a Lions victory.
“He whooped my ass in the first set,” Stanley said. “I refocused and got my feet started working for every ball.”
The Lions continued rolling on courts one through four, as they racked up all seven wins with courts five and six still in action.
Sophomore Chris D’Agostino and Gavornik were locked in third-set tiebreakers on adjacent courts. Fans and players of both teams poured into the nearby bleachers to witness two of the closest matches of the day.
“He was very consistent, very quick, kind of like myself,” Gavornik said of his opponent. “We play a similar game, so it was just a matter of who could execute a little bit better.”
As the sun beat down on the day’s final matchups, both athletes tried desperately to end the day on a positive note. Fortunately for the Lions, that came when D’Agostino rallied to win a seemingly endless tiebreaker, 6-4, 6-2, 17-15. With a refreshing burst of energy, Gavornik fed off his teammate’s win to clinch a Lions shutout with a 7-5, 7-6 (7-3), 10-7 victory.
“Even though the match was decided, you could see (D’Agostino and Gavornik) fighting like the match was one the line,” Dicheck said. “Just beating them would’ve been great, but to win, 9-0, and have everyone fight through some tough times and having everybody step up will hopefully kick-start us for NCAAs.”
After their win over Christopher Newport University— who beat top-ranked opponents such as Johns Hopkins University — the Lions’s path to the postseason is clear: They must win versus Ursinus College on Tuesday, April 19, and against Vassar College on Wednesday, April 20, to have any hope of making the tournament.
“We gotta take care of business against Ursinus,” Gavornik said. “We can’t get too caught up in this win.”
(04/12/16 5:28pm)
By Connor Smith
Social Media Editor
As the NCAA Division III Tournament — beginning on Friday, May 13 — looms in the distance, both the men’s and women’s tennis teams are trying to prove themselves at the national level.
Both teams were in action on Saturday, April 9, and Sunday, April 10. The men’s team (5-4) rebounded from an 8-1 loss to Skidmore College on Saturday with an 8-1 win of their own against Ithaca College on Sunday.
The women (11-5), having already clinched their conference’s NCAA Tournament seed, went 2-0 on the weekend with wins against Salisbury University and Ithaca College.
“We’ve played so many top nationally ranked teams,” head coach Scott Dicheck said. “We’re a tough team and our guys showed they can bounce back from a tough match.”
The men’s tennis team managed a lone singles win in their 8-1 loss against Skidmore College. Junior Jack August clawed his way back from a one set deficit to win his singles matchup in three sets (4-6, 7-5, 10-5).
The Lions had a shot to bounce back, though, as they hosted Ithaca College with clear skies and motivated minds.
“I felt like I needed to redeem myself,” freshman Omar Bokhari said. “I started up fired up and ready to go.”
Bokhari was one of many casualties in straight sets versus Skidmore.
With a lingering taste of defeat still fresh on their minds, all three doubles teams were prepared to go the distance.
August and junior Mike Stanley and improved their doubles record to 7-2, as they notched another win on court one (8-6). Senior Pierce Cooper and Mitchel Sanders continued to develop synergy on court two with an 8-4 win.
Freshmen Matt Puig and Tim Gavornik gave a glimpse into the College’s future, as they brought home an 8-4 win of their own, which capped off the Lions’s 3-0 sweep of the doubles competition.
In singles, the Lions needed only two wins out of six to clinch a victory. Instead, they earned five. Veterans and freshmen alike combined to hand the Ithaca Bombers a humbling 8-1 loss.
“I had some opportunities to go up to the net today,” Bokhari said. “I was able to execute some of those shots and pull myself through.”
Although both freshmen earned wins in straight sets, Sanders endured a tiebreaker in the second set. All eyes were on the rising star as he battled back for the eighth and final win of the match.
“(Sanders) is still learning how to earn the point and pick his opportunities,” Dicheck said. “He did that especially toward the end.”
While the men’s team fought for an NCAA berth, the women’s team tested its skills on Saturday and Sunday against Salisbury and Ithaca, respectively.
Their road matchup on Saturday brought the Lions to Salisbury University. Junior Anna Prestera and freshman Alyssa Baldi continued to dominate their opponents with an 8-1 win. Seniors Emma Allen and Jasmine Muniz-Cadorette held on for an 8-5 win and the Lions ended doubles with a 2-1 lead.
The College traded wins on courts one through four, as they nurtured a 4-3 lead entering the finals two contests. Baldi quelled any hopes for a Salisbury comeback, as she earned her second win of the day (6-1, 6-2).
Freshman Emily Szkudlarski earned the final win of the day, cementing a 6-3 win.
Sunday’s matchup with Ithaca pitted two conference champions against each other. The Lions, with Allen out due to injury, did not hold back against the Bombers, as they earned a painless 9-0 shutout.
“We were without our senior captain,” Dicheck said. “To have some of the kids step in and continue winning shows the depth of our roster.”
While the women’s team proved it’s worthy of a tournament seed, the men’s team must fight an uphill battle to qualify as an independent competitor. Regardless, the Lions are prepared rally until the final set.
“We’re going to keep fighting and doing our best,” Bokhari said. “Working hard on the court, fighting for every point and never letting up.”
(04/05/16 4:25pm)
By Connor Smith
Social Media Editor
The men’s and women’s tennis teams battled harsh winds and tough opponents in last week’s Division III (D-III) matches. Both teams went 1-1 on the week, as they continue to test themselves against top ranked opponents.
Both teams hit the road on Saturday, April 2. The women’s team traveled to Swarthmore College, while the men’s team sought revenge against a familiar foe in Fredericksburg, Va.: the men’s team earned their 6-3 win over New York University (NYU), while the women’s team beat Swarthmore College, 8-1.
The men’s team matched up well against NYU on Wednesday, March 30. With the heightened stakes of a rivalry game, the doubles competition looked bleak for the College.
While juniors Jack August secured an 8-1 win on court one, the Lions were met with tough opposition on courts two and three. Freshmen Matt Puig and Tim Gavornik faced match point, down 5-7 on court three, as senior Pierce Cooper and freshman Mitchel Sanders were locked in a tie game on court two.
“Matt kept saving all those match points,” Gavornik said. “I knew I just had to give him a break-point chance.”
The freshmen duo rallied to win four straight games, bringing home the set, 9-7. With the news of a 2-0 lead in the back of their minds, Cooper and Sanders rallied through a tiebreaker to win 9-8 (8-6).
“The atmosphere was unbelievable,” Puig said. “Every time we saw them get a big shot, we got pumped up and vice versa.”
The Lions clinched the win with victories on courts four and six. Stanley (6-3, 6-1) and Gavornik (6-0, 6-1) translated momentum from doubles into the match-clinching victories in singles competition, while sophomore Chris D’Agostino tacked on a win in straight sets (6-5, 6-1) on court five to end the match 6-3 in favor of the College.
“They’re our northeast rivals, so to do it against them is huge,” Gavornik said. “It was a great, overall team win.”
The players on the men’s team weren’t the only ones who faced fierce doubles competition. Freshman Grace Minassian and sophomore Maddy Stoner found themselves tied at eight on court one against Swarthmore College on Saturday, April 2.
“First and second doubles fought through tough matches,” head coach Scott Dicheck said. “Everyone really stepped up.”
In the end, the College netted all three wins in doubles, winning the tiebreaker on court one 9-8 (7-4). Seniors Emma Allen and Jasmine Muniz-Cadorette won 8-5 on court two, while junior Anna Prestera and freshman Alyssa Baldi won 8-3 on court three.
“We played some of our best singles all year,” Dicheck said. “Emma just dominated — every time she went to swing, you knew something good was coming off her racquet. You knew she could hit a winner at any time.”
The College lost its shutout to a third set tiebreaker on court four, but earned major wins in straight sets on every other court.
Meanwhile, the men’s team dropped their first D-III match of the year on Saturday, as they fell, 6-3, to University of Mary Washington, the team that eliminated the College from the NCAA D-III Tournament last May.
“We had our chances in the doubles,” Dicheck said. “The truth is, they were just a little bit better.”
On Sunday, April 3, the women’s team hosted Skidmore College with a renewed sense of confidence while facing a team that has bested them often in recent years.
The Lions dropped courts one and two by narrow margins (8-6 and 8-4). Prestera and Baldi put the team on the board with an 8-5 win on court three.
Unfortunately for the College, Skidmore clinched the victory with singles wins on courts one, two, five and six, ending the match, 6-3.
Meanwhile, the men’s team is still on the hunt for an NCAA D-III Tournament seed.
“We obviously had fun beating NYU,” Puig said. “Now we need to look forward.”
(03/29/16 4:00pm)
By Connor Smith
Social Media Editor
Kevin Spacey returns as the devious President Frank Underwood in the fourth season of the award-winning Netflix drama, “House of Cards.” The 13-episode season premiered on Friday, March 4, bringing audiences on a wild ride of drama, betrayal and surprises that you’d expect from an episode of “Game of Thrones.”
After a falling out with his wife, Claire, portrayed by Robin Wright, Underwood is forced to regroup with the pressures of an increasingly-bloody Democratic primary complicating an already unstable presidency. As Underwood’s vile past comes back to haunt him, he must cope with the reality that certain things are out of his control.
Skyrocketing gas prices and a diplomatic conflict with Russia might be the least of Underwood’s concerns this season. Elizabeth Marvel is back as the morally-grounded Democratic candidate Heather Dunbar. While both she and Underwood must explore every possibility for voter support, Republican frontrunner Will Conway looms in the distance, gearing up for the election with a combination of charm and Machiavellian tactics that are reminiscent of a young Underwood.
This season’s greatest strength lies with its characters and how they adapt to some of the series’ most audacious writing. The Underwoods must hurdle a laundry list of obstacles that would bring any reasonable person to their knees.
Many of the major conflicts come close to breaking suspension of disbelief. However, the emotional drive that flows throughout each episode makes the show as addicting as it is improbable.
Although Underwood’s presidency is at the center of every storyline, it’s his wife’s evolution from a supportive spouse to a more independent leader that causes the most ripples in the White House. Despite being the cause of the show’s countless conflicts, Claire does a fine job of keeping herself in the audience’s good graces.
Redemption is also a common theme, as characters — both good and bad — are given second chances to right their wrongs. Ironically, it’s the characters with a moral high-ground who the viewer will find themselves rooting against. By demonizing innocent reporters and clean politicians, the show’s best interests often tussle with one’s good conscience. It’s a feeling that is quite in-tune with the popular dynamics of “Breaking Bad,” although you could argue one is more nuanced than the other.
Derek Cecil’s performance as the cunning Director of Communications Seth Grayson helps foil the stone-cold demeanor of fan-favorite Doug Stamper, portrayed by Michael Kelly, while newcomer LeAnn Harvey (Neve Campbell) adds a new dynamic to Stamper’s reign over Underwood’s inner-circle.
The writing for season four is clever, as always. Each episode features a rotating list of lead writers, but the continuity does not suffer one bit. Almost every character undergoes massive evolutions from the beginning of the season, for better or for worse. Despite over nine hours of content, season four of “House of Cards” will leave you anxiously waiting for any tidbit of news for the upcoming season five.
If you’re tired of following the ongoing antics of the 2016 presidential race, then the new season of “House of Cards” is a great reminder that perhaps this race could be a lot worse — or better, depending on your perspective.
(03/22/16 8:12pm)
By Connor Smith
Social Media Editor
While many students at the College unwound in tropical climates over spring break, the women’s tennis team ventured to Fredericksburg, Va., to compete against three top-ranked opponents in the Blue-Grey Invitational from Friday, March 18, to Sunday, March 20.
The Lions, currently ranked No. 29 in the NCAA Division III (D-III) rankings, fell to No. 12 Johns Hopkins University in a close matchup on Friday. The women bounced back from a loss on Saturday to No. 21 Case Western by shutting out Bates College in the tournament’s finale on Sunday.
“I was really impressed with the energy and effort from the team,” head coach Scott Dicheck said. “They really ended the weekend on a high note.”
The invitational began on Friday, March 18, against the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays. Freshman Grace Minassian and sophomore Maddy Stoner combined for an 8-2 blowout on court one.
The Blue Jays fired back with an 8-4 win on court two. However, freshman Alyssa Baldi and junior Anna Prestera helped the Lions carved out an early 2-1 lead in the doubles competition with 8-3 victory of their own.
“We’re very happy with the three doubles teams right now,” Dicheck said. “All three teams are feeding off of each other in a positive way while drawing out the best skills in each other.”
The Lions’s lead was short-lived, as a dropped second-set tiebreaker tied the score at two. Senior Emma Allen responded well on court two, earning a win in straight sets (6-2, 6-4) to put the Lions ahead once again. Freshman Sneha Rangu rallied from a one-set deficit on court three to earn herself a three set victory (2-6, 6-3, 7-5).
One win away from clinching a victory, adversity struck the Lions. Johns Hopkins earned victories on courts four and five, leaving the sixth court as the match-deciding competition. The point went to Johns Hopkins in straight sets, securing a 5-4 loss for the College.
“We knew they were a very experienced team,” Dicheck said. “They’re the team that knocked us out of NCAA’s last year. To play a team of that caliber and show that we can battle with them gives us a lot of confidence going forward.”
Following their first loss of the season, the Lions found themselves another tough opponent in No. 21 Case Western Reserve University on Saturday, March 19.
Case Western swept the doubles competition, however, each matchup was closely contested. The Lions lost court one, 8-5, and courts two and three, 8-6. The singles competition went similarly, as the Lions were unable to convert crucial opportunities, dropping every court aside from Baldi on court six (6-3, 6-2).
“They played better than us today,” Dicheck said. “We didn’t win a few of the key points and it got away from us. It was really the first adversity that we’d face all season.”
Reeling from back-to-back tough losses, the women were challenged once again on Sunday, March 20, against Bates College.
The day began with a Lions sweep of the doubles competition, as Minassian and Stoner earned a 9-7 win on court one. The senior combo of Jasmine Muniz-Cadorette and Allen pulled out an 8-6 win on court two, while Prestera and Baldi won won 8-1 to complete the sweep of doubles.
One day after facing a near-sweep, the Lions flipped the script on Bates in the singles competition to complete a 9-0 shutout.
“It didn’t feel like a 9-0,” Dicheck said. “It was another nail-bitter. We were losing the first set on all top three singles. The way the team has been, they fought back and won in three sets.”
Sophomore Brittany Reedman, Allen and Rangu were the women who rallied from behind. Reedman survived a second set tiebreaker to keep her competition alive. With a third set forced, the sophomore won the clinching set, 10-7, earning a 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 10-7 victory.
Allen’s win on court two (5-7, 6-2, 6-3) clinched the College’s lone victory of the invitational. With a 5-0 lead, the next three Lions won in three sets. With the pressure of a sweep on her back, Baldi was awarded a win, as her opponent was retired.
“We’re gonna face these type of teams again in NCAA’s,” Dicheck said. “I think it gives us a sense that we can compete with these teams. We don’t play until May, so we have plenty of time to work on these things.”
According to Dicheck, the trip was certainly a successful one. “We got out of it what we wanted,” he said. “We’re excited going forward, and I think they’re all motivated to take this to the next level.”
The women’s tennis team (9-2) will return to the court on Saturday, April 2, as they visit Swarthmore College. The men’s tennis team will open their outdoor season on Tuesday, March 29, against Muhlenberg College.
(03/19/16 12:30am)
By Connor Smith
Social Media Editor
The wrestling team capped off its 2015-2016 season by competing hard in the NCAA Division III Championships on Friday, March 11, and Saturday, March 12, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Although no Lions won their opening bouts, senior Doug Hamann managed a tremendous run in the wrestleback bracket to secure an eighth-place finish and earn All-American honors.
“We had a great season,” head coach Joe Galante said. “We won a lot of dual meets, had four east regional finalists and a champ… For the past 46 years, we’ve had an All-American at NCAAs. We believe in academics and athletics, and I couldn’t be more proud of our team’s efforts.”
The College began the tournament on Friday, March 11, when sophomore Ryan Budzek grappled with tough opponents and adversity in the 141 competition. Despite Budzek’s best efforts, the young wrestler was forced to cut his run short in the wrestleback bracket, forfeiting the bout due to injury.
“(Budzek) is a tough wrestler and a good person,” Galante said. “If he applies those attributes to wrestling, good things will happen. If he applies it to life, there is no telling what he could accomplish.”
Senior Antonio Mancella wrapped up a memorable wrestling career at 157. Mancella was sent to the wrestleback bracket following a 7-2 decision. Fighting off elimination, Mancella managed a 10-3 victory, but the veteran eventually fell 5-4, ending his hopes for back-to-back All-American honors.
“Antonio had a great career for the Lions,” Galante said. “He was an All-American, two-time NCAA qualifier and two-time NCAA East Regional finalist. He led by showing and doing. We will miss having him on the team.”
At 165, junior Nick Herring wrestled close, but was edged out by a tight 3-2 decision. Herring ended his season by dropping a 7-4 decision in wrestlebacks, closing out the season with a 22-5 record, which included an NCAA Eastern Regional Championship.
With the College’s hopes of an All-American on his back, Hamann bounced back from an early 12-4 major decision to carve out an eighth-place finish through the wrestleback bracket.
“Doug did a fantastic job rebounding from a tough opening match,” Galante said. “He was trained to handle adversity and did just that.”
Although this is Hamann’s senior year at the College, he is athletically eligible to return next season due to a year lost to injury. Hamann will serve as a veteran presence, filling the massive shoes of Mancella.
With the College’s 46th straight year of winning a national citation secured, the Lions will have another eight months to eat, train and prepare for their 2016-2017 campaign. Although they will be without the veteran presence of seniors Mancella, Jimmy Gill, Stephen Schneider and Joe Paton, the Lions should feel confident riding on a mixture of budding young talent and seasoned competitors.
(03/19/16 12:07am)
By Connor Smith
Sports Assistant
The women’s tennis team began its spring season on Friday, March 11, as the Lions faced off against a No. 27 Division II (D-II) program, Chestnut Hill College. Chestnut Hill’s athletic scholarships and international recruits proved futile, as the College stamped out a 6-3 victory.
The Lions returned to action on Saturday, March 12, as the College was matched up with another No. 27 program — this time in Division III — Brandeis University. The women pulled out a closely-contested 5-4 victory, improving their overall record to 8-0 on the season.
On Friday, the doubles competition put the Lions in an early 1-2 hole. Chestnut Hill managed wins, 8-6, on courts one and two, while junior Anna Prestera and freshman Alyssa Baldi combined to put the College on the board with a dominating 8-1 victory.
Court one of singles competition went in favor of Chestnut Hill (6-0, 6-4). Senior Emma Allen earned the Lions a win in straight sets on court two (6-4, 6-3).
Freshman Sneha Rangu was awarded a victory on court three and the College tied up the match at three points. Freshmen Grace Minassian and Emily Szkudlarski captured wins of their own in straight sets (6-4, 6-0 and 6-0, 6-3, respectively).
Prestera earned her second win of the day on court six, as she reeled in a victory in straight sets (7-6 [5-3], 6-2). The Lions won five of the six singles competitions, en route to a stunning 6-3 victory over Chestnut Hill.
Following their upset win over a D-II opponent, the Lions were back in action on Saturday against No. 27 Brandeis University.
Doubles competition was a repeat of the Chestnut Hill match, as Prestera and Baldi netted their only win on court three (8-6).
Down 3-1, the Lions once again proved their worth in singles competition. Sophomore Brittany Reedman secured a victory on court one (6-0, 7-6 [6-4]), while Allen cruised through two 6-1 sets to tie the match at three.
Rangu put the College ahead on court three, rallying from behind to secure a win in three sets (0-6, 6-4, 6-1).
Brandeis remained resilient, however, as the Lions suffered losses on courts four and five to tie the match at four.
As the importance of her competition unraveled, Prestera found herself down one set (1-6). Although momentum seemed to steamroll toward a Brandeis victory, Prestera mounted a powerful comeback, eventually winning in three sets (1-6. 6-3, 6-4).
The Lions (8-0) will return to action on Friday, March 18, as they travel to Fredericksburg, Va., to face Johns Hopkins University.
(03/08/16 6:25pm)
By Connor Smith
Social Media Editor
The men’s tennis team hit the road on Saturday, March 5, to compete in its first away match of the year against Haverford College. The Lions captured a 6-3 victory, which was set up by an early sweep of the doubles competition.
“Any time you go on the road, the surface can have a bigger difference,” head coach Scott Dicheck said. “We got there early to adjust to the different playing surfaces and the guys adjusted well.”
Juniors Jack August and Mike Stanley returned to action on court one. With an impressive 3-0 record at risk, both juniors were ready to defend their budding undefeated streak. The Haverford duo kept the matchup close with an early 3-2 score, however, August’s and Stanley’s synergy was on full display as the Lions claimed a court one victory with an 8-3 score.
Senior Pierce Cooper tested out the new blood as the veteran paired up with freshman Mitchel Sanders on court two. With a decisive 8-4 victory, Cooper brought himself another win closer to being fourth all-time in the College’s record books for combined singles and doubles career wins. At 115 wins, Cooper trails ’06 alumnus Corey Ball’s 124 wins by just nine victories.
The College’s deep pool of young talent was well represented. Freshmen Matt Puig and Tim Gavornik combined to win an 8-1 victory, bringing the Lions’s lead to 3-0 at the end of doubles competition.
“It was the best we’ve played doubles all season,” Dicheck said. “We really won convincingly in all three.”
Haverford struck its first blood in singles by defeating Cooper in straight sets (4-6, 4-6). Sanders avenged his partner’s loss with a two set victory of his own (7-5, 6-3).
Haverford proved its resilience on court three by overcoming a tiebreaker with a one set deficit to upset August (6-4, 6-7 (7), 2-6). After another three set win on court four, Haverford began to show signs of momentum.
Facing his third 4-3 score of the season, freshman Omar Bokhari dashed any hopes of a Haverford comeback with wins in three sets (4-6, 7-5, 6-3). Bokhari improved to 4-0 on the year, already establishing himself as a gatekeeper for his team’s late-match hopes.
With a Lion victory clinched, sophomore Chris D’Agostino battled for a win in straight sets (6-4, 6-4) to hand Haverford its first loss of the year, 6-3.
The men’s tennis team will return to action on Tuesday, March 29, when players will take on Muhlenberg College at home.
While the men’s team will have over three weeks to prepare for their next dual competition, the women’s tennis team will open its spring season on Friday, March 11, when the women take on Division II opponents, Chestnut Hill College.
“(The women) have a very challenging schedule to get us ready for May,” Dicheck said. “Now we can test ourselves as much as possible to prepare for NCAA’s.”