@FTCrimson @FTCrimson crimson@fit.edu
RIMSON The Florida Tech
The Official Student-Run Newspaper•since
Issue 2
INDEX CAPS........................2 Local News.............................................4 Sports.................................8
1967
SPRING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020
Daily Crime Log procedure changes in wake of Clery Act violations olivia mckelvey Emily walker kevin boodoosingh \\ editor in chief Alumna Writer managing editor
Florida Tech has changed their policy regarding the availability of daily crime logs held in the security office. In the past, crime logs were available via email upon request. According to the updated policy, the crime log is available to anyone upon request during the department of security’s business hours. This change now requires individuals to request and to view the crime logs in person at the security office. According to Florida Tech’s security website, hours of operation are 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The crime log contains details such as what type of crime occurred, when and where it happened, the time and date the report was made and the disposition of the report. As stated on Florida Tech’s website, “Any person may have supervised access to the crime log, whether or not they are associated with Florida Tech.” This policy change comes in the wake of the recent Clery reporting, in which the crime logs were essential to discovering under-reported crimes between 2016 through 2018 that were cited incorrectly in the 2019 Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports. Crimson reporters went into the security office to request to see the crime logs on Friday, Jan. 17 and Tuesday, Jan 21. A security administrative assistant informed both reporters that all supervisors of the crime log were not available due to the fact that they were either at lunch or in meetings.
Sample of 2018's crime log. At this time, it is unclear who all the supervisors of the daily crime log are. Frank Iannone, director of security and Amy Meyer, the business manager for Florida Tech’s department of security, have been confirmed as two supervisors that have the authority to supervise a viewing of the crime log. In an email sent to The Crimson, Iannone stated, “With the new records management process in place we no longer send crime logs.” The new policy states that Florida Tech may temporarily withhold inspection or copying of any crime log containing confidential information, or in cases where there is clear and convincing evidence that the release of the information would jeopardize an ongoing investigation, jeopardize the
Photo // Department of Security safety of an individual, cause a suspect to flee or evade detection, or result in the destruction of evidence. The daily crime log can now be viewed at the department of security’s office during normal business hours with supervision; handwritten notes are allowed, photographs of the log are not permitted. “We are following the policy that was enacted by Florida Tech in January 2017,” Iannone said. Clery Act Rules for institutions The crime log for the most recent 60 day period must be open for public inspection, free of charge, upon request and during normal business hours. Security cannot require a written request. The daily crime log must be
accessible on-site. Compared with other universities who must also provide a daily crime log under the Clery Act, such as University of Central Florida and Rollins College, they continue to make their Daily Crime Logs available online. Currently, Florida Tech’s daily crime logs are not available online. It is not federally required for the logs to be posted online. While Florida Tech is abiding by Clery Act regulations, not being able to photograph the crime log is concerning to S. Daniel Carter, president at Safety Advisors for Educational Campuses, LLC who also worked with the Department of Education as a key individual in writing federal regulations for the Clery Act. Carter stated that it is generally regarded that public inspection does not allow limits to be placed on the inspection of the daily crime log. Iannone explained that the reason they are not allowing the daily crime log to be photographed is to prevent the release of confidential information that may jeopardize an ongoing investigation or jeopardize the safety of an individual. “That makes no sense,” Carter said. “If there is any material that they are electing to keep confidential, which there are provisions in the statute and regulations for them to do that, then they shouldn’t be letting you view it at all.” Carter also stated that Florida Tech’s discretion is very limited. “There are very limited circumstances where they can withhold information from you and that is to be disclosed in the log,” Carter said Iannone stated that the university is looking into the policy and updating it and the technology as they go along.
Local 24 year old in need of a kidney transplant
Coronavirus causes respiratory illness outbreak
contributing writer
sonja michaels \\
elena ciulli \\
There are a lot of things a 24-yearold girl has to deal with: studying for college, getting a job and maintaining a social life. Sara Baker has a lot more to worry about: She needs a kidney transplant. Sara Baker was seven years old when she was diagnosed with p-ANCA vasculitis, an autoimmune disease affecting small blood vessels in the body. At the age of 10, and after three years of dialysis, she received a kidney transplant from her mother. However, at the end of 2018, both of her kidneys failed, and she now has to be back on dialysis. “My sister is the strongest person I know,” said Maria Baker, Sara’s
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sister. “Dialysis is extremely draining and Sara urgently needs a kidney transplant.” Four times a week for three hours a day, Sara heads to the clinic where she receives treatment all by herself, as nobody besides the patient has access to the room. “I experienced this situation in my family, and I can understand what the Bakers are going through,” said Antonios Pefanis, a senior majoring in business administration. According to the National Kidney Disease organization, anyone can get a kidney disease at any age. A potential donor for Sara must be of O-positive blood type. The donor
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must also be in good physical and mental health and, as required by law, must be at least 18 years old. Some medical conditions could prevent a possible candidate from donating. People with high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer or HIV can’t donate. “She is a fighter, but she can’t fight alone,” Maria Baker said. “I hope that my sister’s story will touch someone’s heart and that will help Sara to have another chance to live a normal life.” For more information about Sara’s story, or if you think you are a potential donor match, please contact miariacb@gmail.com
copy editor
The outbreak of respiratory illness caused by 2019 Novel Coronavirus, or 2019-nCoV, has continued to spread after first being detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. As of Jan. 26, the Center for Disease Control has confirmed cases in the following locations: China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Australia, France, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam, and the U.S. The first U.S case was announced on Jan. 21, in Washington State. The patient had returned from Wuhan on Jan. 15, according to the CDC.
continued on page 3 Page 4 Local News
Page 8 MLB controversies
Our Mission: Live, discover and report the truth
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CAPS The Art of Wellness ISSUE 2
JANUARY 28
Erika Pobee-Mensah, M.S.\\ Outreach Coordinator Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) Division of Student Life
Wellness is more than just physical fitness, eating habits and whether or not you are sick. There are many aspects of wellness beyond the physical—such as spiritual, financial, emotional, social, intellectual and environmen-
tal wellness. Many people find that outlets such as art and social awareness can help fill some areas of wellness that might be overlooked in the wake of a busy school, work, and/ or social life. This is why we invite you to attend “The Art of Wellness” on Monday, Feb. 3 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Ruth Funk Center (next to Evans Library), Second Floor
Mezzazine. This event will feature a gallery tour, an art/mindfulness activity and free food and coffee, all while promoting awareness about HIV/AIDS and overall wellness. During this event, you will learn to make beaded lavender sachets inspired by a new form of bead art ndwango, or “cloth,” developed by a community of women living
and working together in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in the midst of socioeconomic crisis and dealing with the devastating impact of HIV/ AIDS in the region. There will be a gallery talk led by Bev Gibson, curator and co-founder of Ubuhle Women, and information tables on HIV/AIDS awareness, as well as overall health, mental health and wellness.
This is a great opportunity to learn how to engage in artwork, creativity and mindfulness for wellness, as well as staying informed about social issues within the global community. Please join us!
ISSUE 2
JANUARY 28
CAMPUS LIFE
SGA and CAB presidents bring awareness for student grants Christian Martinez \\ Staff writer
Representatives from 30 colleges in Florida met in the state capital to show support for the Florida Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) grant in front of the state senate on Wednesday, Jan. 22. The Florida EASE grant is a financial aid award given to Florida residents who are full-time students that attend a private university within Florida. The award’s amount is currently $2,841 per semester. “It’s good for the state economy as it keeps students in-state,” said Jay Lally, associate vice president of enrollment management at Florida Tech. Since 2012, the amount for the award has increased from $2,100 to $3,500. Representing Florida Tech at the state capital building was Jace Petrowski, Florida Tech’s Student Government Association president, and Michaela Foley, Florida Tech’s president of Campus Activity Board. Petrowski said that the previous Rep. in charge of the board that manages the grant, who kept increasing the
Jake Petrowski, President Photo // of SGA at the senate seat. Michaela Foley
award’s amount to its peak, it stepped down in 2018. The replacement, Rep. Randy Fine, has been decreasing the grant’s amount to its current amount. “We want students to have a fair chance at college and not have to keep taking out loans,” Petrowski explained. Petrowski also mentioned that one of the suggestions Fine presented was to put either a 3.0 or 3.5 GPA requirement on the grant, or drop the grant aid down to at least $1,000. This trip to the capital is the latest action to show support for the grant by members of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF), after sending letters to the governor, their
school’s legislative delegation and their hometown legislators about their concerns for the grant. After a meeting early on Jan.22, where Petrowski and Foley met with their peers and presidents from other universities, the groups went to the capitol building and attended a senate session about chemicals in sunscreen. Along with the other representatives of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF), Petrowski stated, “We were not protesting, we were making our presence known in the senate chambers.” While some members of the ICUF were able to get appointments to talk with some members of the state legislature, no other direct action was taken. Petrowski also explained that the most recent amount dropped from the award, from $3,500 to $2,800, is costing the campus “potentially millions” as the university had to provide adjustments to scholarships in order to compensate for the loss of money. Foley described the trip as more of a “learning experience” for how the senate functions. “ I f we go again next year, then
we’ll have the opportunity to go one-on-one with our representatives,” Petrowski said. There will be an upcoming
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vote on the EASE grant, and it will determine if the efforts of the ICUF were effective in keeping the grant money for students.
Virus continued Other reports from the CDC’s profile of 2019nCoV, show that many early patients were connected to a seafood and animal market, suggesting animal-to-human transmission. Symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause mild to severe respiratory illness, according to Stanford University’s Health Alerts. Two newer coronaviruses, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, frequently cause severe illness. SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, was first detected in China in November 2002, according to the World Health Organization. There has not been a known case of SARSCoV infection since 2004. MERS-CoV, or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, was first detected in Saudi Arabia in 2012, according to WHO. Cases have been declining since 2016. As of Jan. 26, the CDC has issued a Warning - level 3 travel notice for Hubei
Province, China, including Wuhan.The CDC issues three levels of travel notices for any location. level one advises travelers to practice usual precautions, level two recommends enhanced precautions, and level three advises avoidance of all nonessential travel to that location. As of Jan. 26, no travel notices had been issued for the U.S. Rodney Bowers, Florida Tech’s dean of students, sent out an email advising any students who felt ill after traveling to China, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan or South Korea to notify their medical provider of their travel and symptoms immediately. The CDC states that the situation regarding the virus is “rapidly evolving” and that information on the outbreak will be updated as it becomes available.
Prep to Tech: new dual enrollment program johnny o'brien \\ contributing writer
Florida Tech has launched a dual enrollment program with Florida Preparatory Academy, a private boarding school for grades five through 12 in Melbourne, to help prospective high school students studying aeronautics. The program will allow juniors at Florida Prep to enroll in Florida Tech’s flight program, simultaneously saving thousands of dollars in tuition costs and propelling careers in commercial aviation according to Jeanette Middleton, marketing and communications director at Florida Prep. Starting in August of 2020, the course schedule for the dual enrollment program will offer seven credits for juniors entering in the fall, and will offer six credits in the spring. In the fall of senior year, students will be able to take five credits and finish their senior spring semester with three credits remaining, all for a grand total of 21 offered dual enrollment credits. Any Florida Prep senior who has completed at least six credits at Florida Tech with a GPA of 3.0 or better is guaranteed admission to Florida Tech upon completion of the full-time undergraduate
Florida Tech student Photo // Johnny planes at hanger. O'Brien
admission process. “The dual enrollment program is a marvelous opportunity to gain college credit for students pursuing a career in aviation,” Middleton said. “The demand for pilots is at an all-time high, and our students are rising to the occasion.” Middleton has observed quite a bit of changes in the aviation program at Florida Prep as well as Florida Tech, such as flight safety programs, specific fields of study, the relationship with Florida Tech, and even a name change at the school. Formerly known as Florida Air Academy, the high school was affiliated with the air force for nearly 60 years. During that time, Florida Air Academy extended its footprint in the Melbourne area along with the birth of
Florida Tech. According to Middleton, Florida Prep had its own aircraft at one point and switched to sharing one with Florida Tech in the 80’s in order to save money on fuel expenses and up keep with the planes. “Over the past two to three years, we’ve witnessed a spike in local students pursuing the aeronautics program and wanting to finish at Florida Tech,” Middleton said. Middleton went on to say that with the recent pivot in interest from international and local students wanting to obtain an educational career, it was time for students to finalize their passion for aeronautics beyond just learning about the aircraft. Emphasizing that students go from “Prep to Tech,” Middleton has hopes of keeping Brevard high school students enrolled through higher educational institutions in Brevard such as Florida Tech. Middleton also mentioned that sharing classes with Florida Tech students will ultimately motivate Florida Prep students to work past the private license and work towards a career in aeronautics. “As expensive as it is, the trade-off of
flight hours offered in dual enrollment saves just about first year’s tuition at Florida Tech,” Middleton said. “With aeronautical careers becoming exponentially lucrative, students see this opportunity as time and money saved.” Nicholas Galli, student services manager at the School of Aeronautics at Florida Tech, looks forward to the relationship between Florida prep and Florida Tech. “Florida Prep has a rich and historical flight relationship with Florida Tech and FIT Aviation,” Galli said. “We look forward to working with and training qualified and professional flight students in Melbourne.” Galli elaborated on the fact that this newly anticipated partnership of the dual enrollment program is created and designed to help pilots prepare for real life circumstances in their respective field of study. During his tenure with Florida Tech, Galli has seen changes within the aeronautics program, those changes allowing students to move faster and make more money with airline hiring being “extremely robust.” In Galli’s opinion, with serious students moving
quickly through Florida Tech’s aviation classes and challenging their instructors, his vision for the program that starts in August is in high regard. “What makes Florida Tech aeronautics special is the high quality of training, large fleet, qualified maintenance department flow through with airlines and Class D airspace,” Galli said. He added that the global pilot shortage has provided these students with an opportunity to not only make a good living, but enables them to see so much of the world that most people could only dream of. Emil Buehler Center for Photo // Johnny O'Brien Aviation
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LOCAL NEWS Solar Orbiter ready for launch ISSUE 2
JANUARY 28
alex polimeni\\
contributing writer
A joint EuropeanAmerican mission to image the poles of the sun for the first time is preparing to launch atop an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral on Feb. 7, the first launch of the year for United Launch Alliance. The European Space Agency’s Solar Orbiter spacecraft is a science observatory worth over $1 billion. It will aim to view the sun in a perspective never seen before from a mere 26 million miles from the surface of the sun. The spacecraft will experience extreme temperatures on both ends of the spectrum, with the sun-facing side nearing 968 degrees Fahrenheit, while the shadowed side endures temperatures of -292 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the ESA. In a press release from Solar Orbiter’s satellite’s manufacturer, Eckard Settelmeyer, Airbus’ Head of Earth Observation, Navigation and Science Institutional Satellite Projects stated: “Solar Orbiter has been one of the most challenging and exciting missions we have ever designed and built here at Stevenage [England].” Solar activity has caused significant disruptions on orbit, with far-reaching implications on Earth. According to experts at NASA, better insights on the sun can aid in the accurate prediction of solar activity, minimizing or preventing inference in the future. "Solar Orbiter is set for answering some of the biggest scientific questions about our star, and its data will help us to better protect our planet from the global challenges of space weather," said Günther
Solar Orbiter is prepared for launch in Titusville, Florida Hasinger, ESA Director of Science, in an ESA press release. The Solar Orbiter mission is a joint NASAESA collaboration, with the U.S. space agency providing a science instrument and procuring the launch service. NASA has entrusted United Launch Alliance to lift Solar Orbiter into space, utilizing the Atlas V, the workhorse of the fleet. The Atlas V is a two-stage medium to heavy-lift rocket, first flown in 2002, trusted to launch the most critical national security, science, and commercial payloads. According to ULA,The Atlas V has flown over 80 times, with a 100 percent success rate. “ULA is proud to launch Solar Orbiter with our partners and support this unique mission. The unmatched reliability of the Atlas V will further enable the exploration of our universe,” said Heather McFarland, a
ULA spokeswoman. This particular Atlas V will fly in the 411 configuration – a unique configuration with one solid rocket booster attached to the side of the rocket, increasing thrust at launch. At liftoff, the 189-foot-tall rocket will produce 1,208,500 lb. of thrust, enough to propel the 4,000 lb. spacecraft towards the sun. The mission will begin from Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the east coast home of Atlas V launch operations. The historic launch pad has supported missions throughout the solar system and even launched the Voyager missions – the first spacecraft to depart the solar system. Solar Orbiter is currently planned to launch on February 7th, at 11:15 pm, the opening of a two-hour launch window. If any technical or weather issues arise, the team can utilize the lengthy launch
Saying goodbye to the barcade ethan qualle brianna forte \\
contributing writers Quarters Brewery and Arcade in downtown Melbourne closed their doors for the last time on Friday, Jan. 24 after citing financial issues on their Facebook account. “We’re so thankful to everyone that supported our dream and we hope to see you all as we pour through the last of our beer,” said Quarters Brewery and Arcade on their Facebook page. Co-founder and co-owner Brock Tucker did not comment on the closing of his bar, yet multiple posts on Quarters Facebook page cited that the bar was shutting down due to financial distress.
In a Facebook post from Oct. 15, owners Tucker and Tyler Griffith said that, “after over a year of operation the numbers aren’t adding up.” According to a FLORIDA TODAY article published last March, the brewery itself was unique in that it was a “bar-cade,” the only one of its kind in Brevard County. The establishment catered to patrons interested in playing various types of arcade games while enjoying one of many types of alcoholic beverages offered. Tucker told FLORIDA TODAY that he would incorporate vintage games in the bar in order to “rescue the [games] from people's garages.” These games include Pac-Man, Galaga, Bubble Hockey, pinball and other unique games made by the
Japanese company Taito. Some Florida Tech students frequented Quarters Brewery and Arcade on the weekends. Andrew Snyder, a senior majoring in ocean engineering, was one of them. “There’s no other real bar downtown that has both an arcade and a bar, I’ll have to figure out something,” Snyder said. Tucker also owned Brock’s Homebrew Supply in West Melbourne, which specialized in tools for making wine, beer, and cheese. According to the Brock’s Homebrew Supply website products included sanitizers, brew kettles, reusable bottles, and recipes. On Jan. 26, Brock’s Homebrew also closed its doors. Most of the games and fixtures at Quarters were labeled “ for sale” inside the bar, available to any interested
Photo // Alex Polimeni
window. Due to the unique requirements of the mission, the spacecraft must launch during a planetary launch window in February. This will be ULA’s 137th launch and the 82nd launch of the Atlas V rocket. The launch will be visible by looking northeast from Florida Tech’s campus if weather conditions permit. On campus, elevated perspectives will provide the best views. Off-campus, the best publicly available location is Jetty Park (approx. 10 miles from launchpad), but costs five dollars per day for Brevard County residents. The launch will also be streamed live on NASA TV, channel 6.1 on Florida Tech televisions.
An Atlas V rocket, similar to the one launching Solar Orbiter, is seen launching in 2019
parties. Tucker and Griffith turned to Facebook in hope of liquidating some of the bars
Photo // Alex Polimeni
tangible assets as they wrote in a post, “were ready to make a deal.” Photos // Emily Walker Main seating area of Quarters. Surrounded by arcade games patrons of the bar would gather to play.
Quarters housed a variety of games from pin ball machines to board games.
ISSUE 2
JANUARY 28
ENTERTAINMENT&CULTURE
Nerd News: Superman was ahead of the curve
david “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” Thompson \\ staff wrtier
One movie this year was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, made over $1 billion, caused nationwide controversy and just so happens to be based on DC Comics. Directed by Academy Award nominee Todd Phillips, “Joker” is the highest-grossing rated R film of all time. A story about a mentally ill man that becomes a murdering clown earned the seventh most money of the year. Warner Bros. and Phillips pulled no punches. This film is bloody, curse-filled and undeniably uncomfortable. While there are those who
didn’t like the film, “Joker” is nominated for the most Academy Awards and lead actor Joaquin Phoenix has already won awards for his performance at the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards. The audience for this film was a perfect storm of nerd culture, mental health advocates and film buffs. Would this perfect storm have existed 10 years ago? Let’s take a trip back to June of 2013. The Miami Heat were on their way to back-to-back championships, “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk was atop the charts and Vine was rapidly growing in popularity. Something else you may have forgotten after June 2013 was the release of Zach Snyder’s “Man of Steel.” The Superman reboot earned $668 million at the box office, but faced a lot of
Local band brings R&B, reggae to Sebastian eatery sonja michaels \\ copy editor
“Our main thing is to get as many people up on the dance floor as we can,” Mark Pocta, guitarist of Space Coast band Lionheart said, taking a break from their fourhour gig at at Crab Stop of Sebastian. The band brought a range of R&B, reggae, blues and country to the seafood eatery situated on Indian River Dr., just south of Captain Hiram’s Restaurant and Marina. He said Lionheart came together in 1992. The members came from a variety of places, including Trinidad, New York City, and Miami, finding shared influences like R&B and reggae . The group began as the house band at Conchy Joe’s in Melbourne, now Melbourne Squid Lips. “I was there more than I was at home,” Pocta, who calls New Smyrna Beach home, added. Their lineup appeared on Space Coast Live as Alex Adams on vocals, Chester Murray on lead vocals and drums, Dan Dennis on bass guitar, and Bobby Zacconi on keyboard. Lionheart played at Squid Lips as the house band for five years before moving on to play at Margaritaville for two years. As a house band, they regularly performed at each venue. Pocta said one of their goals as a house band for any venue was to keep their setlist fresh. “Every week we would
Lionheart performing
Photos // Sonja Michaels learn five different tunes. Three of (‘em) we would accomplish, we’d have (‘em) all the way through, and two were like rollover,” Pocta said. This was the band’s first time playing at Crab Stop. Crab Stop owner Ellis Buckner said the restaurant hosts musical guests on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. Buckner said that having a band “adds to the experience of eating seafood.” On the Space Coast, Pocta said that there has been no shortage of music and arts. A recent development in music in the area was the Space Coast Music Festival. It occurred for the first time in 2019. According to the festival’s Instagram account, @ scmfrocks, the festival is intended to raise money for youth music programs. “There’s always been a lot of entertainment down here,” Pocta said. When asked what was next for him and the band, Pocta looked ahead to the Havana Jazz Festival, where he would be traveling as a solo artist. The festival took place from Jan. 15 through Jan. 20, Jazz Cuba says. “It’s going on right now, and I’ll be there tomorrow,” he said.
scrutiny for its muted color scheme and dreary plot. Full spoilers for “Man of Steel” below. In the film’s climactic final battle, Metropolis is being decimated by a Kryptonian World Engine. The tallest skyscrapers imaginable crashing to the ground while survivors run through the streets surrounded by clouds of dust. Shortly after the film premiered, controversial screenwriter Max Landis went to his YouTube channel to share his displeasure with the film and also said: “... after hundreds of thousands of people have died on camera is such a direct 9/11 corollary…” In 2013 Variety’s Justin Chang also wrote: “I’d say Snyder goes even further than those movies in the way he channels the specific terror and chaos of 9/11.” On top of the 9/11 comparison, some DC fans were also outraged that Superman (Henry Cavill) brutally snaps Zod’s (Michael Shannon) neck - making him a killer. In my opinion, Superman had to kill Zod, he was given no other choice. “Man of Steel” does a good job of explaining that Zod was never going to stop or
settle for less than recreating Krypton. Once that plan is no longer an option, Zod simply goes ballistic. Someone with Superman-like strength looking to get revenge on Earth’s people. Superman doesn’t want to kill him, he just couldn’t let Zod kill the innocent. The Man of Steel even cries out after killing Zod, a clear indication that he’s troubled by this hard decision. As for the destruction of Metropolis, I would have never correlated the scene to 9/11 on my own. For me, it was how any giant city would look while sections of it crumble to the streets. “Man of Steel” couldn’t shake the controversy as “Joker” did. In fairness, both films faced controversy for two very separate reasons, but they are both undeniably dark films. In a direct comparison, “Man of Steel” could even be considered upbeat or chipper compared to the emotional weight of “Joker.” In 2013 no one wanted to crack through a dark, dull outer shell. People wanted the flashing lights and quippy characters from 2012’s “The Avengers.” The story of Clark Kent
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in this movie is about selfdiscovery, fitting in and knowing the difference between right and wrong. We see Clark go through life not knowing why he has these powers, why he has to be different than everyone else. He also struggles to know how and when to use his powers for good. Clark even lets his father die in a tornado because he didn’t believe it was time for the world to see that his son was different. I believe this movie gives us our best look at what it would really be like if an alien came to Earth and was virtually unstoppable. The U.S. military involvement, The Daily Planet afraid to publish a story due to fear of public reaction and where religious beliefs fall in this fiction world, to name a few. I’d advise anyone who has made it this far to rewatch “Man of Steel” sometime soon. Maybe you already love the movie, if so that’s great, but if not, give it another chance. I think with a few more years under your belt you may believe in the brilliance that I do.
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ISSUE 2
JANUARY 28
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JANUARY 28
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SPORTS
ISSUE 2
JANUARY 28
MLB investigated for sign stealing julius luchs\\ staff writer
Multiple teams are being investigated by Major League Baseball for stealing signs from catchers. The Houston Astros were exposed by a former player, who anonymously told Atlantic news reporter, Ken Rosenthal, that the team stole signs illegally to help their playoff success in 2017. The Astros would later go on to win the World Series that same year. The bench coach for Houston, or assistant manager, Alex Cora, is rumored by MLB investigators to be the creator of the signstealing strategy Houston used. The Washington Post reports that the Astros allegedly set up a camera behind centerfield for the team’s replay room, which helped the manager AJ Hinch to challenge a close play by the umpire. The camera behind centerfield would be
connected to a video monitor that revealed the sign that the catcher was giving to the pitcher. Tyler Brown, a business major who plays baseball for Florida Tech, said the news shocked him. “I could not believe it,” Brown said. “As more evidence was being revealed, I didn’t want to believe it happened, but it did.” According to multiple news outlets, players would bang on a trash can in the dugout as a form of communication to tell the hitter what pitch was coming. Hinch and the Astros general manager, Jeff Luhnow, are suspended for a full season. also parted ways with the team, leaving them unemployed. The team was fined $5 million and lost their first and second-round draft picks in 2020 and 2021. “I definitely do not agree with the punishments, I think it is nowhere near harsh enough,” said Dominic
Fraticelli, a Florida Tech freshman in software engineering and an avid baseball fan. Fraticelli has followed the scandal since the news broke. “If you ban Pete Rose, the greatest hitter in all of baseball, for life because he gambled on games and there’s no evidence of him fixing games, then why wouldn’t you ban people who deliberately cheat the game to give themselves an advantage?” Fraticelli said. Cora was named manager of the Red Sox in 2018. He also led the team to a World Series championship in his first year as manager. The Red Sox are also currently being investigated for illegally stealing signs as well. According to ESPN, Boston had a replay room as well, and players would sneak into the replay room to get the signs from the catcher to help their hitters. There was no one ever monitoring the replay room, so players could freely come
Major League Baseball is a professional baseball organization and the oldest of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada.
Photo // MLB in and steal signs. Cora is no longer the manager of the Red Sox, and a replacement for the Red Sox team manager has not yet been chosen. Carlos Beltran, a former player for the team, was also involved in the scandal. After being named manager of the Mets this winter, he resigned from his position after the cheating scandal escalated. Houston is being investigated after recently learning they had buzzing devices hidden in their jerseys. Investigations have discovered that the number of buzzes felt alerted what pitch was coming. “I was stunned to hear this,” Fraticelli said. “Not only because I was a Yankees fan and we had lost to them two out of the last three years in the postseason, but more because it corrupts the integrity of the game.”
“It is still uncertain how the MLB will handle the situation so the cheating scandals do not occur again in the future,” said Jeff Korte, assistant baseball coach for Florida Tech. “They should randomly pull players from each team and discuss how they could improve the integrity of the game to combat future malpractice,” Korte added. The league is continuously investigating the scandal, as spring training workouts approach in early February. “Baseball has had this problem since the 1919 Chicago White Sox to the steroid era,” Korte said. “After thinking about it more, I realized how hard it was to play the game because people are always looking to find ways to make it easier.”