torch 23

SGI elections reflect disorganization

TORCH PHOTO/GEORGINA DIAZ

POWER was the only ticket allowed to continue campaigning after their opponent, FORCE, was suspended on Tuesday.

NELL O’CONNOR Managing Editor

Elections for the Student Government Inc. 2011-12 executive board were mired in scandal following the suspension of an entire slate of candidates.

Multiple sources, including Darren Morton, the associate vice president for Student Affairs, confirmed that the FORCE, Focusing on Revamping the Campus Empire, ticket was suspended for allegedly

violating a campaign rule limiting the placement of posters around campus.

Their opponents on the POWER, Producing Outcomes with Efficient Results, ticket were allowed to continue their campaign.

Both tickets were comprised of seven candidates, running for the positions of president, vice president, secretary and treasurer, as well as senators from the sophomore, junior and senior classes.

Campaigning had begun several weeks ago, with two debates taking place last week.

Voting began March 29 at 12:01 am and

WHAT’S INSIDE News......................1-4 Entertainment....11-14 Opinion..................5-7 Comics.....................16 Features................8-9 Sports.................17-20

will continue until March 30 at 2:00 pm.

The TORCH repeatedly made efforts to speak to members of the SGI elections committee and the candidates, but reporters and editors were continuously rebuffed.

Calls and emails to the offices of SGI went unanswered throughout the afternoon.

Candidates from both tickets were instructed not to speak to the TORCH by members of the current SGI executive board and elections committee, according to Taryn Glynn, the chair of the SGI elections committee.

In a phone interview with the TORCH, Glynn said that candidates were told not

MOVIES Girl Power Inferno reviews Zack Snyder’s sexy new action film.

ENTER RTAINMENT Pg. 14

to speak to any TORCH reporters. She also said that anyone running could not speak to “St. John’s media.” When corrected by an editor that the TORCH is the independent student newspaper and not run by the University administration, she still refused to continue speaking.

The violations were handled by the elections committee, who did not answer the TORCH when asked to confirm where the allegations came from.

-continued on page 4

TORCHONLINE.COM Will you vote in the upcoming SGI elections?

66% Yes 34% No Check out our new poll every Wednesday “Think Outside. . .”

2

Directory

Managing Board LXXXVIII

JUSTIN THRIFT, Editor-in-Chief NELL O’CONNOR, Managing Editor MARK MCDONALD, General Manager BILL SAN ANTONIO

CAROLYN WARGULA

Sports Editor

Features Editor

KRISTEN FARMER

ADELLE PLATON Entertainment Editor MICHAEL MONTIJO

Photo Editor SARAH LANE

Chief Copy Editor

Art Director

ELLEN CAREY

Advisor

Business (718) 9906756 Advertising 990-6756 Editorial Board 990-6444

Features 990-6445 Letters 990-6445 News 990-6444 Sports 990-6444

Special thanks to Richard Rex Thomas for assisting in the design of The TORCH

Entertainment How to Land Your Dream Job Inferno gives you six tips to get started on your future career.

Inferno Pg. 15

Features Remembering the Victims Students pay tribute in vigil for Triangle Shirtwaist Fire.

Features Pg. 8

Baseball Clawed!

The baseball team swept Cincinatti last weekend to open Big East play.

NEWS

Sports Pg. 18

OPINION PG. 7

torchonline.com

The TORCH

30 March 2011

EDUCATION COSTS

FOR MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS: 718-990-6756 The TORCH is the official student newspaper of St. John’s University. The Torch is written, edited, designed and produced by students of the University. All contents are the sole responsibility of the editors and the editorial board and do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, faculty or students of St. John’s University unless specifically stated.

To contact The TORCH by mail: The TORCH, St. John’s University 8000 Utopia Parkway Queens, NY 11439

The TORCH is typically published on Wednesdays, approximately 20 issues throughout the academic year. Circulation per issue is 3,500 copies distributed free on campus.

This copy of The Torch is worth $ .75.

TORCH PHOTO/GEORGINA DIAZ

Students made rice krispy treat art in Montogoris last week during a fair in which vendors reached out to the community.

3

Student nominated for national service award TERENCE CULLEN Assistant News Editor A St. John’s student has received national recognition for serving the community as a nominee for a high ranking award.

Eugenia Soldatos, a senior, is a finalist for the Students In Service Award, which recognizes students who have been active in their community. The award requires a project that involves community awareness for a social or environmental issue, Soldatos said. She explained that her project is on legal documentation and how it holds people back from socially or economically developing.

Soldatos was nominated through the Ozanam program, which she has been a member of since her freshman year.

After Students in Service approved her nomination, Soldatos explained that she had to go through several rounds of voting to make it into the final round.

Anyone could register to vote for the nominees, and Soldatos credits those who voted for her, for making it this far.

“My family and friends, as well as my connection with them through Facebook was instrumental in obtaining votes,” she said. “Without their support I would have never been placed as a top 15 finalist.”

The initiative design, called “Project Identity,” was founded by Soldatos and John Wilson, another Ozanam Scholar, seeks to help the less fortunate obtain proper identification to find work. The project runs at St. John’s Bread and Life, a soup kitchen in Brooklyn, and has helped a number of people, she said.

“There are countless individuals sitting in the soup kitchen right now, homeless and placed within the category

of poor- who are there because they do not have a birth certificate, social security card or NYS Non Driver’s State ID card to gain employment, education or additional government benefits,” Soldatos said.

Soldatos also made clear that it was more than the award itself but what her project seeks to accomplish.

Spreading the importance of legal identification or documents to those who did not know was one of the most important parts, she said.

Soldatos said she is also involved in many other groups and organizations on campus. The legal studies major said that she plans to go to law school after she graduates this spring.

SISA is a joint effort between the Washington Campus Compact and Inspireum.

According to the Students in Service Award Web site, The Washington Campus Compact is a collective of 41 two and four-year universities that “are committed to providing meaningful experiences for students to become active, engaged leaders in their communities, furthering the civic and public purposes of higher education, and strengthening communities.”

The Web site also said Inspireum is a media platform that “helps organizations recognize and reward inspirational young people in America.”

The selection board that chooses the winner of the award is made of several University professors and heads of scholarship foundations. The criteria listed on the SISA for who is eligible is any student who is 18 and taking at least six credits at a current university.

The projects can take place anywhere in the world, be completed or in progress, and be either a team or a single person project.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STJOHNS.EDU

Eugenia Soldatos is being recognized for her work with the Ozanam Scholars program and Project Identity.

JUSTIN THRIFT Editor-in-Chief

believes the idea of professor evaluation and assessment is important, he would prefer helping teachers improve based on their feedback instead of negatively affecting their careers.

On the contrary, there are also those who think releasing the information would increase the quality of a St. John’s education and put the data to better use.

One professor, who wishes to remain anonymous, feels the collected data should be released in order to keep professors sharp.

“If they’ve got nothing to hide, what’s the problem with making the collected information public?” asked the professor.

Professor Jane Paley, who teaches in the Division of Mass Communications, said she wouldn’t object if her students had access to her evaluations. However, she believe this should be an individual choice for every professor.

“I read the comments carefully and adjust assignments and class work when the input is insightful and actionable,” said Paley. “I usually discount nonspecific raves and gripes.”

According to Hall, this idea has been discussed amongst administrators.

“The University continues to explore this as part of the process of evaluating what are the best options for enhancing faculty development and the student learning experience,” said Hall.

torchonline.com

English professor in St. John’s College, said while he thinks it’s important for students to know about their professors, sometimes course evaluations are not entirely accurate.

“A great deal of research on course evaluation shows that students themselves are not the best judge of the degree to which learning goals have been met,” said Rosen. “For example, students will often respond to whether they liked a particular assignment and will respond negatively to a course that they feel was difficult, but that course’s difficulty may make for effective learning for the students.”

According to Rosen, there have also been instances where negative course evaluations have been the determining factor in rejecting a professor’s tenure position.

Professor Paul Gaffney, who is chair of the philosophy department in St. John’s College, agrees that the evaluations can be unfair to certain professors.

“I think many good professors get bad reviews that are not really fair, simply because they are strict or demanding or had an unpleasant exchange with the student,” said Gaffney. “Students sometimes do not realize how helpful a professor has been to him or her until much later in their academic career – or even beyond.”

Gaffney also said that while he

30 March 2011 The TORCH

There will be a noticeable difference with this semester’s course evaluation emails, which are set to begin April 4.

According to the office of Institutional Research, students will now receive a single email that contains individual links to all their courses. Subsequent reminder emails will only be sent out for course evaluations that students neglect to fill out.

The change comes in response to student feedback that complained in large about the number of emails being sent out for each class, says Clover Hall who is vice president of Institutional Research and Academic Planning.

When asked about last year’s rate of completion for student evaluations, Hall admitted it was much lower than the University would like to see, with only 43 percent of students completing evaluations. The Law School, however, managed a 61 percent completion rate.

Bessie George, a freshman, thinks the idea of a single email is much easier for students, while Bill Conallen, a sophomore, said he’d rather fill out the evaluation in class to give a more substantial review.

Junior Dan Lobrace also dislikes the

idea of emailed evaluations all together.

“Students feel like it’s nonanonymous and feel like it could impact their grades since they are given before finals,” said Lobrace.

Hall explained that the data collected from a course evaluation is currently only seen by the faculty member who taught the class and his or her department chairperson. Each professor is emailed the results of their students’ evaluations, which includes percentages, average grades, graphs and student comments, all while protecting the identity of individual students.

In this way, Hall explains, the course evaluations are designed to improve the overall quality of instruction at St. John’s.

“The information is used to assist faculty members in evaluating and improving their instructional methods,” said Hall. “It is also used by the Department Chair in evaluating the course and identifying areas for faculty development and improvement.”

Some professors and students have expressed that perhaps course evaluation results should be made more public to the school community, therefore placing more emphasis on professor performance and giving students a more reliable alternative to Ratemyprofessors.com.

Professor Jeremy Rosen, an adjunct

NEWS

Community reacts to new course evaluation format

4

MSA still fighting for bigger prayer space Campaigns

suspended after violations -continued from page 1

TORCH PHOTO/JUSTIN THRIFT

The Muslim Students Association has been relegated to this small prayer space in the old UC building.

NEWS

TERENCE CULLEN Assistant News Editor

A student religious group has been making efforts for a larger room for their activities as well as for prayer.

The Muslim Students Association said they have been working on getting a larger room than where they are currently, in the University Center. The group said that the space was too small for meetings and prayer, known as Jumu’ah, on Fridays. The prayer is a requirement for men of the Islam faith.

Amina Sanders, the president of MSA, said that progress has been made as far as getting a new room for next year.

Sanders said that about a month ago MSA met with several administrators, including their advisor, Nashia Whittenburg, associate director of Multicultural Affairs. Sanders said

the group provided a Powerpoint presentation to discuss some of the issues. Of the meeting, she said progress had been made but MSA’s location for next year is still uncertain.

In an email, Sanders said that the organization will not be located in the University Center because of construction and new departments moving there.

“However, we are still unsure where we will be next fall,” Sanders said.

Whittenburg, who is the advisor to cultural and religious groups, said that there was no other information to be provided at this time. Other administrators were reached out to, but were unable to comment.

Currently, Sanders too said she could not provide further information about what was discussed or what the requirements were to move a group to another room.

MSA’s effort for a larger room or a new location was also brought up in a Town Hall Meeting with Father Harrington and other administrators.

Sanders brought the matter before the

panel and was reassured that the issue was one of Student Life’s top priorities.

Noshee Mahmood, a sophomore and member of MSA, explained some of the significance behind Jumu’ah.

Jumu’ah is a communal prayer on Fridays and a mandatory requirement for men. While women may go to the mosque and participate, she said the responsibility was primarily on men.

She said women’s primary goal is caring for children and household while the men are at the mosque praying.

“Women can go too, but it’s no mandatory for us to pray in the mosque itself for the Friday prayer,” Mahmood said.

Mahmood said the size of MSA’s current room could not accommodate the amount of students who are members.

She said the room can usually hold only half the amount of members.

As Muslims pray sitting down, she said it requires even more space.

Mahmood also said men and women being separated for the prayer poses an even larger problem.

torchonline.com

The TORCH

30 March 2011

Students still not satisfied with commencement ANALEE CAMPBELL Contributing Writer HANNAH GUTIERREZ Contributing Writer

Many students breathed a sigh of relief upon learning that their names would be called at graduation, but not all were excited.

“I don’t consider walking across a stage to shake someone’s hand and receive a fake diploma a validation of my college education,” wrote Jerian DiMattei, a senior, on the Facebook event ‘We Want A REAL Graduation,’ which was credited in helping inspire the change of plans.

“I’m graduating, I’m receiving a degree, I’m proud and my family will be proud of me whether I walk, sit or don’t even go,” she continued.

The uproar began when the news was announced that because of the

3,000 students that are graduating at the commencement on Queens Campus, their names were not going to be called.

It was reported that in the last four years, students were leaving during the commencement, creating a safety issue throughout the ceremony. Also, many students had complained from previous years about the wait and the weather issues.

“I understand the whole wanting your named to be called, but once it is, you have to sit there for the rest of the people’s names to be called,” said Christopher Kaatz, senior. “It’ll be either under a beating hot sun, or downpour of rain.”

DiMattei also stated that staying outside for a long period of time would affect not only herself, but her family too.

“I want my family to be there and I know my grandparents would have a difficult time sitting in the sun for five hours,” she said.

With the original decision being changed again, the graduates’ names are going to be called. While most are ecstatic to hear this, there are some

that still want something to be done about the time element of the ceremony.

This includes cutting down the time for Guest speakers.

“I don’t get the point of guest speakers, I just want my diploma,” said Laura Ciminera, a senior.

The commencement committee chose to have one ceremony over individual school ceremonies because they feel that having one ceremony will keep with the idea of unity stated in the University’s mission. Still, some students feel that it would easily resolve the issues if graduation was celebrated within the different schools.

“Just separate the ceremony by schools; it’s really not that hard. We have the space for it and all other colleges I know do it, like UConn or George Washington University,” stated Cara Cherepon on the Facebook’s event page.

Can’t get enough TORCH news?

Visit our Web site for online exclusives. torchonline.com

Tami Telford, the vice president of SGI, denied that any ticket had been suspended when first asked about the incident. Katie Beckmann, the chair of the SGI public relations committee maneuvered a candidate with the FORCE ticket away from an approaching TORCH reporter, in full view of a TORCH editor, after word of the suspension broke.

Patrick Brewer, the president of SGI, emailed a brief statement to the TORCH just prior to deadline.

“To be honest I’d prefer not to comment because some elements of the situation are still being examined,” he said.

“The Elections Committee is being very diligent with its approach to any concerns that involve campaigning guidelines, and as such they are currently working on an extra level of confirmation for a few things. Due to this pending nature I think it’d be best to let the Committee sort everything out first.”

Other sources, who would only speak to the TORCH on condition of anonymity, said that both parties had received violations earlier on in the week, but were told that the errors could “cancel each other out.”

According to those same sources, POWER was cited for sending unsolicited emails to students through OrgSync.

FORCE had been cited for having too many posters in certain locations, as well as campaigning in the residence halls, violating a newly implemented rule.

Several sources within SGI said that students had complained about receiving emails in previous years, which had led to stricter standards. They also stated that the elections committee wiped out the violation against POWER, saying that the use of OrgSync to reach out to students did not violate any campaign rules, since it was equal to using Facebook to promote their platforms.

The sanction against FORCE regarding campaigning in the dorms was reportedly going to be reviewed by Public Safety, in order to verify that the candidates entered the dorms, sources said.

After numerous attempts to confirm or receive a comment by phone, a TORCH reporter went to the Public Safety office to verify what sources were saying. The TORCH was asked to leave the Public Safety office by the officers present, who said they could not give out that information.

As part of having their campaign rights revoked, the FORCE ticket was absent from participating in the Storm the Ballot event that took place Tuesday, as witnessed by TORCH reporters.

They were also prohibited from doing any campaign work for the final 24 hours of the election process.

Morton said that he was made aware of all of the violations, but left the ultimate decision about suspensions up to the elections committee, which is comprised of members of the current executive board and other SGI members.

At press time, the FORCE ticket was still suspended from campaigning.

Results of the election will be announced March 30 at 3:30 p.m. in the D’Angelo Cener Coffeehouse.

For continuing coverage of this breaking story, check out the TORCH Web

Editorial Board LXXXVIII

Illustrator’s Corner

JUSTIN THRIFT Editor-in-Chief NELL O’CONNOR Managing Editor Acting News Editor Terence Cullen Assistant News Editor MARK MCDONALD General Manager

FLAMES OF THE TORCH

Reflections of an SGI melodrama brought in by its own staff.

To imply that any newspaper is simply another mouthpiece of the powers that be is to grossly misunderstand the role of the press in society.

It is vital that there is a mutual respect between the government and the press, that both entities understand each other’s roles and uphold a working relationship that benefits the people they are serving.

Certain individuals that hold office in this year’s Student Government Inc. and on the election committee displayed a total disdain for the students that the TORCH diligently tries to inform.

Those officials believe that they should have the ultimate say on what the student body knows, even if it would benefit their cause to make people aware of current issues and events.

When the vice president of SGI lies to reporters, it is clear that there is a level of professionalism missing in, not all, but certain members of student government.

It is also clear that there is a profound misunderstanding with these certain members of SGI what the job of the media is, and that entirely ignoring the press is not an option for aspiring politicians.

We at the TORCH hope that the newly-elected executive board of SGI, whoever they may be, will be more willing to work with us than their predecessors.

We hope that they will realize the opportunities and advantages open to them through working with the student newspaper to promote the issues and concerns of their constituents: the students of this University. At the very least, we hope they answer our emails.

ions expressed in editorials, columns, letters or cartoons are not necessarily those of the student body, faculty or administrations of St. John’s University.

Mail letters to: The TORCH, St. John’s University 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11439 Submit letters online at: torchonline.com/opinion

Please include your full name, year, and college (or department). Letters have a limit of 500 words and may be edited for content, grammar, or space. Unverifiable or anonymous letters will not be published.

All letters are subject to the approval of the Editorial Board of The TORCH.

To the Editor: I feel that Facebook and Twitter and other things of that nature have enabled the student body to receive information immediately, and then react to that information just as fast. Unfortunately, their fast reactions are rarely well thought out and intelligent.

In my sophomore year, these two girls from the Townhouses were up in arms about there being only 2 washers and dryers for the 66 people living in the townhouses.

They banged on my door one night

and demanded that I sign a petition against the school regarding the laundry services.

I asked them, “Have you requested from the school additional washers?” and they said, “No.” They were so rash and militant that they had completely overlooked the logical decision of asking for help with the problem.

The grossly negative reaction to the schedule change last year is another excellent example of a rash student body.

Christopher Lodge Class of 2011

torchonline.com

TO CONTRIBUTE

Letter to the Editor

The TORCH

Editorials are the opinions of the Editorial Board of The TORCH. Columns are the opinions of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of The TORCH. Opin-

TORCH ILLUSTRATION BY JAMES KERRIGAN

30 March. 2011

EDITORIAL POLICY

TORCH ILLUSTRATION BY MIKE MONTIJO

OPINION

In an ideal world, a government would have an open relationship with their people and the press. Transparency would be the standard and there would be no subterfuge or trickery.

We are not living in an ideal world. This became glaringly apparent during the TORCH’s coverage of the recent SGI scandal.

On Tuesday, when rumors began to spread of the FORCE ticket’s suspension from campaigning for the upcoming election, the TORCH’s investigation was hampered by the close-mindedness of several SGI officials.

A blanket ban on speaking to any and all TORCH reporters was issued.

Members of SGI physically got between TORCH reporters and candidates. Phone calls and emails went unanswered, with the exception of SGI president, Patrick Brewer.

This is not the first time this has happened. TORCH inquiries to SGI are more often than not ignored, even after being assured that the priority of the executive board is to be communicative.

Even last week, when asked to provide information on their platforms, only one of the tickets, FORCE, responded. POWER, prior to their election, seemed to have quickly adopted their potential predecessor’s mentality.

It has been exceedingly clear every year, and especially this year, that Student Government Inc. sees little or no value in the role of a student newspaper.

Taryn Glynn, the chair of the elections committee, was apparently under the impression that the TORCH was a University publication.

The TORCH is completely free and independent of the University, funded solely by itself through advertisements

6

TORCH Opinion

online at torchonline.com/opinion

OPINION

Paying the cost to be the boss There are many people who don’t buy into the American higher education system. They have legitimate reasons, whether it’s because they can’t afford it, have failed out of it, or they just don’t think it’s worth it. The latter makes for an especially intriguing discussion.

Over the weekend I talked with a good friend from home who feels that the price of education in this country has become a serious issue. In the midst of his thirties, he’s well on his way to becoming a highly successful entrepreneur, and he challenged me to defend the education I’ve paid such a high cost for over these past four years.

With a month and a half left until my college graduation, he managed to strike a chord of doubt in me.

“Take a moment, and really think about the education that you’re receiving,” he said. “What is it that your receiving in exchange for what this country says is worth, on average, $20,000-45,000 dollars a year? What are you learning on a day-to-day basis?”

Specifically, in the classroom I’ve been learning how to apply a critical perspective to literature. And yes, there are times when I regret this decision.

But he answered his own question better than I could. “In a nutshell,” he explained, “what you’re learning is how to be an employee.”

The thinking behind this statement isn’t too complicated, but the attitude that comes with it runs contrary to how most of us perceive our degrees. Regardless of our majors, the majority of us college students are being developed into employees that will work hard for a business.

Our daily work is going to directly benefit someone who is sitting at the top of that business, someone whose month-

ly income will be drastically larger than ours. We put ourselves in years of debt in order to learn how to be an employee for that employer.

This means that at age 30, you could still be paying for the class you just sat through in Marillac. We justify this with the expectation that our degree will safeguard against having to flip burgers or stock shelves for a living.

Granted, money does not necessarily define success, nor does it have to determine one’s happiness. But what my

time of loans, or a lifetime of minimum wage.

Today, parents bring their babies home from the hospital and start saving for college the next day. It’s as American as baseball and sport utility vehicles.

To get a sense of how accustomed Americans have become to an education system that takes students hostage with debt, consider how irate the British youth became last October when Parliament passed a bill that would bring small tuition fees to public universities in Eng-

TORCH ILLUSTRATION BY MIKE MONTIJO

friend argued is that the higher education system in this country has become a detriment to American students by placing them in overwhelming debt at the starting line of their lives.

Few people question the absurd cost of education in this country because they can’t afford to. We feel it’s either a life-

land.

They very idea that a college education would be costly set off intense student riots, and not simply because of wild teenage angst. They rioted because they felt their right to education had genuinely been violated. This was an injustice that students in this country can’t

quite relate to.

American college students don’t think like that. Instead, we trust the education system as if it can only benefit us, not hurt us in anyway.

Without that degree, we feel naked, and in our defense, getting a job is fairly impossible without it. But the common degree has become a commodity too valuable for its own good.

Unfortunately, these flaws with the American higher education don’t have a clear solution.

The tradition of privilege that has developed such lofty college fees is well rooted in our history. Our education system exists in the land of capitalism and big business, where institutions are driven by money and consumers feed the beast.

American universities and colleges also serve the world as hubs for elite education. Foreigners pour into our schools in order to receive degrees that will be twice as valuable back home, and many of them receive lucrative scholarships because of their international appeal.

Considering these conditions, I don’t see an answer to monstrous tuitions.

What can change, however, is how readily students accept a lifetime of loan payments. Young people have a choice as they approach their college years, a choice that should be stressed instead of the “college or bust” attitude which has penetrated our high schools and homes.

That, and our high school students should be made better aware of the financial repercussions of their grades. One thing we know for sure is that as long as this country is America, higher education will not be free – or even cheap.

With graduation less than two months off, it would have been a whole lot easier to defend the debt I’m in if I had a job to move on to. For now, I’ll wallow in an endless cycle of resumes and cover letters, hoping that eventually my degree is as valuable as its price tag said it would be.

Justin Thrift is a senior English major reminding you that the pass/fail option ends April 1 .

He can be reached at: torcheic@gmail.com

STUDENTSPARKS: SGI Elections

The TORCH

30 March 2011

Are you planning on voting in the SGI Executive Board elections?

torchonline.com

I haven’t voted or paid attention because of work.

Andre Fidelia Freshman

I didn’t know they where happening. I’ve been focusing on school work and finding a job.

Daniel Gines Freshman

Yes. I don’t know too much information, everything I know is from a friend that is running.

Yes, I went to the Organizations Congress. FORCE was more professional.

Katrina Ramos Junior

Adeel Jahangir Senior COMPILED BY THOMAS CARNEVALE

TORCH Opinion

online at torchonline.com/opinion

All men should embrace the mustache My thoughts on facial art, and why the ’stache is not trash

“I have a dream.” We all recognize this as a defining moment in the history of the Civil Rights movement, and the great man who spoke the words: Martin Luther King, Jr. From those lips on that late summer day in 1963 came words that forever changed America, and above those lips was a mustache.

The mustache has been written off as of late, and I do not understand why. Sure, soldiers, police officers and Tom Selleck still proudly display the mustache, but the only other types of people sporting mustaches are hipsters. Hipsters are the dregs of our society, a group of people so vile they have destroyed the name of Brooklyn forever. They grow these mustaches, or “facial art,” as I refer to them, in irony. Irony!? How dare they ruin something so sacred, so valuable, so wonderfully a part of human history.

We need to bring the mustache back, gentlemen.

Mustaches are special. They can be distinguished, fancy, jovial, blue-collar, white-collar, playful and they have found themselves on the faces of society’s most valuable men. Yes, there are King and Selleck, but there is also Gandhi. Charlie Chaplin. Freddie Mercury.

Groucho Marx. Famed actor Hulk Hogan. So many of

our presidents – Taft, Arthur, even Reagan would have had one if the Soviets had not stolen it – have proven that mustaches are, if anything, supremely patriotic and American.

In the 70s and 80s, the mustache was masculinity.

Now masculinity is a pair of skinny jeans, a waxed chest, gelled-up hair and an iPad. Long gone are the days when Burt Reynolds, Billy Dee Williams and Ron Jeremy rocked mustaches and ruled the day. That day, however, might be coming back. A recent poll found 98 percent of women are more attracted to men with mustaches. (Sidenote: I could not provide this poll, and when pressed for a citation, I could only supply a YouTube link of that little Asian kid singing “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz).

Yes, ladies, your dreams will come true if only us men band together and make the mustache a symbol of pride and power again. Hundreds of years ago, Ruissan men were forced to pay a tax in order to keep their facial art. Valiantly they rebelled against the Czar, preferring to die than have their visages hold vestiges of upper-lip love-bars. Rasputin died nearly a dozen times for his mustache.

And speaking of power – do you think Ted Turner would have nearly the amount of money without his mustache? Nietzsche would have a shred of philosophy written if not for his? Do you honestly think Dr. Phil would be able to shout at people for being fat so bravely without his mustache?

I know what you are thinking: “Didn’t Hitler have a mustache?” First of all, you cannot discount an entire group on the basis of our extremists; yes, we value the

mustache like our extremists, but we believe that our mustaches are mustaches of peace. They are not us. Second, I decided to do a little research, and with the help of the Freedom of Information Act and the ghost of Albert Einstein’s mustache, I uncovered validated intelligence that Hitler’s mustache was in fact a spy working for the Allies. Among other bits of intelligence, the codenamed “Secret ‘Stache” informed General Eisenhower that Hitler would not expect an attack on Normandy and that Adolf enjoyed his fries with peanut butter and mayo. Case closed – the ‘stache is the shizzle.

Mustaches can do anything. In Gandhi’s and King’s cases, they started movements. In the case of Super Mario Bros., it started an absolute cultural revolution.

No mustaches, no video games, kids. And what of our childhood? How could we enjoy the Muppets without the Swedish Chef and his massive fjorgen-morgenshporgen squirrel-tail resting on his face?

I believe in the power of the mustache. I wear a mustache in memory of those who fought for the rights of all mustaches. I wear a mustache to inspire the men who are afraid to come out and show that at heart they are mustache-oriented. But most of all, I wear the mustache for those who cannot: for the children, for the women, for the sick, for that guy in Powder. I will never stop fighting for the mustache. Like another master of facial art, Malcom X, once said, “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.”

Jeffrey Gilbert is a senior. He can be reached at: jeffreygilberttorch@gmail.com

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Think Outside...

Features

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Section

Paying tribute to the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire GABRIELLE FONROUGE Contributing Writer

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The TORCH

30 March 2011

FEATURES

Jennie Stellino, age 16, Becky Reivers age 19, Kate Leone, age 14, Vincenza Belatta age 16.

Students probably do not recognize any of these names. All of these girls, along with 142 others, share one thing in common: They spent their last moments on earth in one of the worst tragedies of New York City’s history – the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire.

On Friday, March 25, Ozanam Scholars joined together in a candle lighting ceremony to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the 127 girls and 17 boys who died in vain.

Lined up outside of the D’Angelo Center in front of the steps, donning pea coats, hats and mittens galore, each volunteer held a candle and a placard with the name of a girl or boy who died in the fire.

They stood in line as the names and ages of all 146 victims echoed against the walls of the surrounding buildings. The large electronic speaker could hardly capture the sad story that was etched between the letters of all of those names and ages.

For every name there was a placard and a candle, and when that name was called the volunteer blew that candle out. Soon all of the volunteer’s candles were extinguished, all of the names were called and the memories of the innocent lives lost rose away with the smoke and disappeared.

What makes this tragedy different than any other tragedy from New York City’s history?

It’s different because of the number of innocent women, men and teenagers who perished. Or, maybe it is because the majority of those that perished that day were

GRAPHIC COURTESY OF ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY

Ozanam students hold vigil for the 146 victims of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. women. Or could it be because most of the workers there were about as old as most college students. All of those reasons are what make this tragedy stand out.

“What makes it stand out is that we as a country, or group of people, don’t do anything until something tragic happens,” said Steven Rzonca, chairman of the Ozanam Faculty Advisory Committee and one of the organizers of the candle

light vigil. “Here is a classic example.

Here is a group of women who two years ago attempted to get the attention of the rest of the world to talk about safety, health and working conditions in the factories and no one was prepared to listen.

It is not until those very same women die in a tragic accident that the world is prepared to sit up and listen to what they have to say.”

Torch Delights!

For an easy-to-make meal, try Kraft’s Salsa Chicken Wraps served with fresh Pineapple Pico de Gallo.

With only a few ingredients, this dish is cheap and easy, created with chicken, red onion, jalapeño peppers and zesty Italian dressing. For a sweet twist, they are served with a pineapple pico de gallo, which gives this dish an inventive taste.

In only thirty minutes, guests can enjoy these tangy appetizers. The wraps can be combined with rice and beans for a full course meal.

They’re great for get-togethers with friends because it is a versatile budget friendly recipe. To spice up a rainy day lounging in the dorms, invite friends over and host a dinner parrty centered around these wraps, complemented by mesculin greens.

These can be served with grilled or breaded chicken, though most prefer savoring these spring time delights with a healthier modification using the grilled option.

For an authentic “South of the Border” variation, top these wraps with fresh guacamole. Make sure to add tomato and cilantro for an extra tasty snack.

“[The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire] basically began the Women’s Movement and Labor Union Movement in New York City,” said freshman Ozanam Scholar, Alexandra Parish who organized the event with Rzonca. “This event fit well with the University’s mission and specifically the Ozanam program because it not only brings attention to a historic social justice problem, but also the ongoing injustices suffered by people working in sweat shops around the world.”

Ozanam Scholars is a program under the Vincentian Institute for Social Action and is dedicated to serving the poor and helpless as well as extending its arms globally.

The members who work all over the world have touched on the growing injustice in the workplace. Unfortunately. sweatshops have not disappeared; people die everyday because of unsafe working conditions.

“146 people paid the ultimate sacrifice with their life in order for the rest of the world to have a better place to live,” said Rzonca. “I don’t know why it is that we as humanity need to wait until someone dies [to do] something.”

At the closing of the ceremony, after all the candles had been extinguished and all the names read, Rzonca closed the commemoration with a last word of advice.

He reminded everyone that what they did that night was beautiful, but to not stop there. Even though this was an event that happened one hundred years ago, it has continued to happen since then and will continue after. We must not forget those that have been forgotten, and we must remember the sacrifices that have been made for us. With programs like the Ozanam Scholars and events like candlelight vigils, we will never forget the girls and boys of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire.

Quick and simple party treat that is an instant crowd pleaser

What You’ll Need 2 cups finely chopped fresh pineapple 1/4 cup finely chopped red onions 2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro 1 Tbsp. finely chopped jalapeño peppers 1 Tbsp. lime juice 2 cups shredded cooked chicken 1/4 cup Zesty Italian Dressing 1/2 cup (1/2 of 8-oz. tub) Cream Cheese Spread 2 Tbsp. Thick ‘N Chunky Salsa 4 flour tortillas (10 inch) 4 leaf lettuce leaves 1 large tomato, cut into 8 thin slices, halved How to Make ‘Em: COMBINE first 5 ingredients.

TOSS chicken with dressing. Mix cream cheese spread and salsa until well blended; spread onto tortillas. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, chicken mixture and half the pineapple mixture; roll up, tucking in both sides of each tortilla as it is rolled. Secure with toothpicks; cut in half.

SERVE with remaining pineapple mixture.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KRAFT RECIPES

These tasty wraps are a perfect spring treat with fresh pineapple, fresh herbs, and zesty dressing

Conquering urban horizons: unique landmarks of New York City JOANNA ADDUCI

Assistant Features Editor

PHOTO COURTESY OF JEHAN IBRAHEM

Venture into Greenwich Village, a whimsical community nestled on the West Side of Manhattan. subway and pick a stop. Anywhere will grant you the incomparable experience of this eccentric city.

Five must-see spots in Manhattan include Central Park, Times Square, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Rockefeller Center, and the obvious culinary conquests of a good bagel and slice of pizza.

Less evident must-try treats include city-wide famous chains such as Ben’s Kosher Deli, with pastrami on rye and crunchy kosher pickles. Grey’s Papaya is another New York specialty, bringing the “New York hotdog” to a whole new level.

Make sure to grab a glance of the Empire State Building and window shop on Park Avenue, admiring the fashion icons of the last decade. Get lost in the most distinct city in the world, discovering your own must-see destination.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JEHAN IBRAHEM

PHOTO COURTESY OF MANDALATV

St. Patrick’s Cathedral offers a quiet, peaceful place to rest and meditate in the midst of the hustle of Manhattan. It is an intricate house of worship packed with history and reverence.

Yankee Stadium is the icon of the Bronx, bringing New Yorkers together in the form of athletic devotion and a deep admiration of New York.

30 March 2011

PHOTO COURTESY OF JEHAN IBRAHEM

Central Park is the perfect place to spend a Sunday morning. Grab a coffee and a blanket and spend time on a park bench or take a leisurely walk with friends.

Often mistaken as risky and crowded, the Bronx will never seem the same after a trip to City Island, a serene seaport community nestled within the urban walls of this swarming borough. With the atmosphere of a “New England village” it’s almost impossible to believe this quaint town is located in the Bronx. Take a trip to the City Island Museum or spend the day enjoying the nautical bliss offered so genuinely to visitors. Finally, make sure to stop by The Original Crab Shanty Restaurant, a culinary icon for City Island, known for their fresh seafood and addictive garlic bread.

Make time to visit Yankee Stadium located in the hustle and bustle of the Bronx, painted in navy and white. Tickets are available on Stubhub and can be purchased for under $20 early in the season. Another must-see is the Bronx

FEATURES

The five boroughs of New York City offer a few of the globes most intriguing sights.From a historic seaport situated in the Bronx to the authentic streets of Jackson Heights, students have the opportunity to expand their urban horizons into the outer boroughs, beyond the tourist norms of this unrivaled metropolis.

Queens, the most diverse county in the nation, has become the home to students of St. John’s, comprised of a vast majority of cultures all working, living and learning together. Often forgotten in comparison to the other esteemed boroughs, Queens offers a realistic, authentic view of New Yorkers as hardworking and ambitious people.

“I have learned so much about cultures outside of my own, from Korean cuisine to West Indie music,” said junior, Nicole Parenti. “The people of Queens come from multiple countries around the world but work hand in hand to create better lives for themselves.”

Many would agree with Nicole, as families are seen striving for the lifestyle they value so highly.

“I came here because I wanted a better life for my family, and I was welcomed with open arms,” said mother of four, Indira.

She came from Guyana 10 years ago to a small community outside of Jamaica where West Indie people flock to open businesses and attend vocational schools. “These are my people; we work together and are thankful for such a place,” said Indira.

While many mistakenly see Queens as the scrap of the city, students of St. John’s understand the diverse beauty and genuine communities that this underdog borough offers. From the rustic streets of Jackson Heights to the fan favorite Citi Field, home to the New York Mets, Queens is a key piece to New York City.

Manhattan, the financial capital and cultural center of the country is a place that holds many beautiful sights. From the foliage of Central Park to the bright lights of Times Square, this city has something for everyone. Hop on the

Zoo, the largest urban zoo in the United States. With spring time favorites such as the Butterfly Garden and sea lion shows, visit on a Wednesday which is “Suggested Donation Day,” cutting costs for students yet still supporting the welfare of the animals.

The art and culinary gem of the five boroughs is Brooklyn, perhaps the most underrated of the five. With an array of fine arts, some of the best pizza in the country, and a surplus of history – Brooklyn is an experience worth the time. Be sure to take a walk through Prospect Park and stop in one of the museums situated in this highly populated community.

The Brooklyn Bridge is the perfect place to spend a Sunday afternoon, followed by a trip to Di Fara Pizza, worth the extremely long line and hustling crowd. Known for their thin crust and perfect combination of sauce and fresh spices, it is often referred to as the “best pizza in New York.”

Last but not least is Staten Island, providing an unexpected surplus of sights.

Beginning with the Staten Island Ferry, visitors are provided with the most pristine view of the Statue of Liberty. Once you reach this historic haven, take a trip to Conference House Park offering a waterfront view loaded with nostalgic beauty.

Don’t forget to stop by the Staten Island Yankee Stadium and take a leisurely rowboat ride in Cloves Lakes Park.

Crowned the culinary paragon of Staten Island is Lee’s Tavern, where New Yorkers travel miles for the “most amazing calamari you’ll ever have.” White Clam Pizza, described by the locals as “heart-stopping.”

This hole-in-the-wall treasure only accepts cash, and appears as nothing special upon first glance. Never judge a book by its cover as this underdog establishment keeps New Yorkers coming back for more.

Grab a friend, hop on the subway and venture into the diverse metropolis situated so conveniently in your reach.

Whether you conquer the six mile walk around central park or indulge in the fried calamari at Lee’s Tavern in Staten Island, take advantage of all five pieces to the proportioned puzzle known as New York City, one of the most stauesque cities in the world.

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The TORCH

One of the most important experiences as a New Yorker is a stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge. Make sure to grab some pizza before leaving this borough.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JEHAN IBRAHEM

Times Square is the first place tourists come to see when entering New York City. The bright lights are mesmerizing and the streets are packed with restautants and shopping venues.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PLANETWARE

City Island is a nautical oasis hidden in the Bronx, presenting a New-England ambiance and offering visitors delicious seafood and an escape from the urban madness.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF JEHAN IBRAHEM

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ENTERTAINMENT 30 March 2011 The TORCH

Oops! She Did It Again!

Pg. 13

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRITNEYSPEARS.COM

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Britney Spears proves she’s the Femme Fatale of pop in her latest album

Hit or Miss: Britney Reigns

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INFERNO REVIEWS THE LATEST ALBUM RELEASES TO DETERMINE IF THE MUSIC IS RIGHT ON TARGET ADELLE PLATON Entertainment Editor

BRITNEY SPEARS Femme Fatale (Pop)

1/2 OUT OF 4 STARS

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ne of the music industry’s most famous pop veterans makes a huge comeback with her latest release Femme Fatale.

Britney Spears has gone through her share of negative publicity, from her failed marriage to ex-dancer Kevin Federline to a meltdown that resulted in her shaving off her hair, but her return to music (especially after motherhood) almost seems as if none of it affected her lengthy career.

Spears even celebrated the morning of her album’s release by performing in an exclusive concert for ABC’s Good Morning America, where 5,000 tickets were given away in less than 14 minutes.

Femme Fatale is a culmination of Spears’ best work combined into one. Taking the youth and fun from her first album Baby One More Time to the heart racing, body shaking beats similar to those on Blackout, she stays relevant with today’s mainstream music by taking it a step further.

Calling on songwriting help from Ke$ha, Spears drops the audio bomb that is “Till The World Ends,” which is sure to be on heavy rotation after the album’s carrier single “Hold It Against Me.” Black Eyed Peas’ producer Will.i.a0m lends his musical magic to the club banger “Big Fat Bass.” The subject material of the songs

“Inside Out” and “Trouble For Me” make relationship problems almost sound inviting as long as they provide the soundtrack.

The album’s biggest plus is its ability to maintain a high level of energy that prevents listeners from staying in their seats. Like an audible sundae, the tracks themselves offer a different flavor from one to the next. The final track “Criminal” is just the cherry on top.

In a genre that houses Katy Perry and Rihanna, Spears elevates her vocal ability in an effort to remain the original queen of pop. For her old pop diehards, Femme Fatale is a visit back to the music that used to bring out the fanatic in each of us.

Members of her newer fanbase will instantly recognize it as a solid classic. However, the album is ultimately a testament to Spears’ staying power in a constantly changing world of music and proof that she will continue to reign.

JOSHUA BAILEY

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

THE STROKES

WIZ KHALIFA

Angles

Rolling Papers

(Alternative)

(Rap)

OUT OF 4 STARS

OUT OF 4 STARS

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Besides features from Curren$y, Chevy Woods and Too Short, Wiz Khalifa stands alone on this album.

Unlike the debut albums of Nicki Minaj and Drake, Wiz opts to write and tackle most songs solo.

Wiz also surprises listeners by bringing a pop feel on several tracks. Khalifa has always been known for his melodic hooks, but now they seem synthetic and unlike the soulful area they usually land in.

In “Star of the Show” Wiz Khalifa realizes that his place in hip-hop has been established. “I’m in a race/ And taking the winner’s place/ No foot on the brakes, one of the best/ homie that’s what they call me/ It’s lonely at the top, got no company so/ Now I just stunt on my own,” he raps. It has taken hard work not only from himself, but his devoted Taylor Gang as well.

Rolling Papers is a solid step in furthering his success, but leaves his fans at a crossroad. Old followers will likely frown upon it, but the new wave of Wiz Khalifa supporters will love the sound they have been given. Khalifa’s career will be interesting to follow as it progresses and evolves.

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or old Wiz Khalifa fans, Rolling Papers may not be the album they were anticipating. It establishes this from the very first song (“When I’m Gone”) that this is not the same Wiz from Show And Prove in 2006. The content has stayed the same, but the production has gone commercial in its sound, revealing a Khalifa we aren’t familiar with.

On several tracks, the sound is flawless and perfectly molds into a song that’s worth a listen. Although a handful of songs fit this criteria, there are 14 in total on the album. That leaves nine questionable tracks that still have the potential to grow on you after the first listen.

If I had to rank the best songs on the album, “On My Level” featuring Too Short, “Star of the Show” featuring Chevy Woods and “The Race” are definitely the top three. Jim Jonsin produced “On My Level” and has extensive credits including Lil Wayne, Beyonce and Kanye West. “Star of the Show” and “The Race” were produced by I.D. Labs, a production duo containing Big Jerm and E. Dan.

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Forgettable tunes such as “Call Me Back” and “Metabolism” make the album sound more like Tears for Fears than Iggy and The Stooges.

At some points ditching the drum kit for a drum machine, there is no doubt that the band was inspired by the 80’s and synth-pop (for more 80’s nostalgia, see the cover art.)

Things start to pick up a bit thanks to tracks such as the Is This It?sounding “Taken for a Fool” and the swinging Steely Dan-esque “Gratisfaction.”

A poignant line in “Gratisfaction” reads: “best friends fight, but they never enjoy life as good as when they abuse it.”

That’s not only Lower East Side poetry at its best, but it’s a defiant line that sums up The Strokes on-again-off-again friendship that has put their careers on hold for the last five years.

This album definitely isn’t perfect (or is this it for that matter?) but it had its moments of glory. Rock music needs The Strokes to be good again; the problem is it might take a couple of years for the group to get their mojo back. In the mean time, we’ll just have to deal with the mediocrity of Angles.

30 March 2011

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t seems that since The Strokes’ inception in 2001, they have constantly fallen victim to hyperbole. Sure, their debut Is This It? was the closest thing to perfection thus far, but looking back, 2001 seems like eons ago. Since then, the band has released two above average albums but neither were as significant as their first.

But now the long awaited makeit-or-break-it fourth album Angles has finally arrived, and to be honest, a lot more was expected from New York City’s finest.

Retro 80’s pop is unfortunately the name of the game on this one, yet Julian Casablancas and company have still left room for some quintessential Strokes.

Most of the album is solid. The reggae and Police inspired “Machu Picchu” and the dissonant lead single “Under Cover of Darkness” are both a perfect blend of The Strokes influences and the group’s trademark hard edged pop-songcraft.

But things start to get a little hazy around “You’re so Right,” which is slightly annoying due to the repetition of phrases such as “Tell me what happened/ Tell me what happened/ Tell me what happened” and so on.

ENTERTAINMENT

PETER LONG

Britney Spears performing in a 2009 concert during her Circus tour of North America.

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Not Your Average Chick Flick DIRECTOR ZACK SNYDER DELIVERS A SEXY KNOCKOUT ON THE BIG SCREEN FOR ACTION FANS ABIGAIL HERNANDEZ Staff Writer SUCKER PUNCH – OUT OF 4 STARS

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A Return To The Stone Age QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE ROCK TERMINAL 5 IN A SHOW FOR THEIR HARDCORE FANS JEFFREY GILBERT Staff Writer

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The TORCH

30 March 2011

ENTERTAINMENT

ucker Punch was advertised as an action movie with girls in minimal clothing and that is exactly what viewers got.

The film wasn’t exactly as female empowering as the creators and actors promoted it, but it definitely wasn’t only catering to the fantasies of misogynistic males. Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Vanessa Hudgens, Jenna Malone and Jamie Chung still managed to kick a** as promised and none looked out of place holding a weapon.

Browning’s character, Babydoll, is placed in an insane asylum where she meets Cornish, Hudgens, Malone and Chung. She tries to escape the harsh PHOTO COURTEST OF SUCKERPUNCHMOVIE.WARNERBROS.COM realities of life by creating fictional worlds where she and her co-stars dominate. Babydoll slips into her imaginary action life by hypnotizing the employees of Emily Browning plays the lead heroine Babydoll (second from left) who tries to fight reality the asylum with an erotic dance that the audience never actually gets to see. At first it alongside her female sidekicks including Sweet Pea, Blondie, Amber and Rocket in a fantasy world. seems sexually frustrating not seeing the actual dance, however, in the end, its mystique seems to the girls were either standing around an illusory Never Knows” and a mash-up of Queen’s “We Will Rock fit the movie. burlesque club or fighting in imaginary battle sequences, You” and the Armageddon’s “I Want It All.” Two of the The frequent switching between the alternate both of which required minimal clothing from the girls. cover songs that occur in the beginning of the movie, world and reality enhanced the film. The two worlds It seemed that the majority of the movie was CGI and Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams” and The Smiths’ “Asleep” began to parallel each other more frequently, adding required little acting from the cast. are sung by the movie’s very own lead, Browning. Her suspense to the movie and even eliciting gasps from the Of all the movies that have come out in 3D soft vocals definitely enhanced the movie’s dark, twisted audience members at some points. It is clear that the (unnecessarily), Sucker Punch could have benefited from scenes while the remaining soundtrack’s gritty sounds audience, male and female alike, were rooting for these following suit. The mind blowing graphics of its action accentuated their battle scenes. characters’ survival. sequences filled with dragons and other extraordinary It feels as if Synder was looking to please an audience Although viewers become easily invested in the enemies practically screamed for 3D; it was unfortunate who would appreciate the fantasy of this world. It was an heroines, the film lacked character development. The that it wasn’t. Additionally, the color palette of the movie artistic movie for entertainment not meant to be taken ladies could have used more depth. Still, the movie had was visually stunning, using unsaturated colors for the so seriously. Movies nowadays are stuck in the routine an original plot that was interesting and relatively simple girls’ dreary reality, and a more vivid palette for their of reality, and it was refreshing to see an original movie to follow. Director Zack Snyder’s irregular storyline and imaginary escape to freedom. promote something so basic yet unfairly overlooked surprise twist at the end was a great artistic touch that Undoubtedly the best thing about the movie was as imagination. Sucker Punch may not be a critically enhanced the movie because of the its stellar soundtrack. Legendary artists contributed acclaimed movie, but it was definitely an clever foreshadowing. to the project such as Bjork, and had amazing covers entertaining, aesthetically pleasing film that the audience There really wasn’t much acting to critique, since of many great songs such as The Beatles’ “Tomorrow cannot deny.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TERMINAL5NYC.COM

Queens of the Stone Age re-released their 1998 self-titled debut album in 2010 under Rekords Rekords and will return to the studio this year.

n a poor economy, the concert business has struggled with many acts downsizing shows or canceling them altogether as attendance dips. This forces artists to get more creative, which in turn benefits the fans.

The trend among rock artists is to play entire albums live, straight through. The latest band to revisit a classic album in its entirety is Queens of the Stone Age. They are playing their 1998 selftitled debut album during their short club trek through North America, including Manhattan’s Terminal 5 on Friday March 25.

Josh Homme, the abrasive, undeniably rockand-roll frontman of QOTSA, is a man who seemingly never stops working. From his early days with Kyuss to his side project Eagles of Death Metal and supergroup Them Crooked Vultures, not to mention his collaborations with dozens of artists — he knows how to put on a show. There’s no denying that Friday at Terminal 5 was a show full of tracks for mostly hardcore fans.

Even Homme acknowledged this as he brought up halfway through the set that they were playing the first album. Most everyone knows, he stated, “There’s always one guy who has no idea. To that guy, f*** you,” he said with a smile, adding “But in the nicest way possible. Like fudge you.”

And so it was the whole show: Homme was a little more lighthearted than usual but still had his sardonic moments, which makes his fans adore him but would probably alienate fans outside of the rock world. That’s fine for Homme; he throws out the old school, rock-hard, party-hard, workhard vibe more than any modern rock artist and loves the artist who created that lifestyle.

Before playing “Hispanic Impressions,” which is an instrumental that sounds like a Mexican rock band performing an Irish jig, he acknowledged it was about realizing no matter how hard you try “you can never be as good as Hendrix.”

After playing the album’s laid-back, bitingly funny closer “I Was a Teenage Hand Model,” they returned to the stage for an encore that included “Turning on the Screw,” which worked the crowd into an absolute frenzy. They played a couple of fan favorites until the last song of the night – during a second encore, no less – and Homme announced in a very matter-of-fact manner, “This is a song people know.”

As the band ripped into their breakout hit “No One Knows,” and the casual fans in the back who didn’t do much jumping and moshing during the show started to headbang, it was clear that Homme was thinking: “Fudge you.”

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Six Tips For A Successful Future

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INFERNO HELPS YOU PREPARE FOR THE CAREER THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU JAQUON HEATH Contributing Writer

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ver heard the Confucius saying “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life”? Finding a career that is perfect for you is feasible by asking yourself these six questions.

What do you like to do the most?

Evaluate your interests and come up with a solid list of three items. If you enjoy sports but aren’t very good at playing them, you could try sports management.

You may also like music and would like to work in the entertainment industry. Marketing could benefit you greatly. Being able to pinpoint what you like strengthens and narrows your search for the ideal job.

What do you like doing the least?

In knowing what you do like, you will most likely have a grasp on what you don’t. Having a sense of what you least enjoy will enable you to build your resume by working jobs that strengthen the skills required for the job you do want. This will eliminate unnecessary experience and time.

What jobs and internships fit my career goals?

Research! Find jobs that fit with what you love doing the most. Although tedious and time consuming, applying for relevant jobs and internships will benefit you in the long run. The goal is to see everything that’s available out there, relate it to your interests and

apply, and see if the job matches your expectations for the future. Internships are the best way to go about landing a job in your field because it helps you gain adequate experience and knowledge in that area. It is crucial that you know what you’re getting yourself into, and be specific with your job search. You don’t want to end up doing something that doesn’t fall into place with your career goals and major.

Where should I begin networking?

Think about which groups, organizations, committees, clubs and networks you could be involved in that would provide a support system for your future.

For instance, say you are studying law and would love to be a lawyer, try participating in a mock trial. Maybe you are good at writing and would like to work in news, write for your school’s newspaper. Make use of the networks around you and establish good relationships with individuals who may be able to help you land a job in the future.

make sure you have researched the company and the requirements for the position. Ask yourself any possible questions the employer may ask so that you are equipped with an arsenal of responses. The more prepared you are, the easier the interview will be.

Remember finding the right job does not occur overnight. Many students have spent their entire undergraduate careers majoring in a field they did not end up working in. Trust your instincts and learn as much about your desired career as possible before pursuing it.

The perfect job requires patience, progress and passion.

What resources are available?

Be sure to utilize all of your resources and take nothing for granted. Resources such as the Career Center, the Writing Center, the library, and campus activities at St. John’s University can help you with your goals in the long run.

How can I strengthen my interview skills?

The difference between landing your dream job or falling short lies in the interview. It is important to understand that no one was born with perfect interview skills; it is something that we acquire through experience and practice. At St. Johns University, the Career Center provides mock interview opportunities for those looking to strengthen their speaking skills. Before any interview,

PHOTO COURTESY OF FANPOP.COM

Interviewing is an essential step in landing your dream job and requires research beforehand.

A Music Haven Outside Manhattan INFERNO OFFERS THE HOTTEST VENUES IN TOWN AND THE CITY FOR A PERFECT NIGHT OUT MARIA YAP

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PHOTO COURTESY OF SPSOUNDS.COM

Southpaw holds monthly events like “The Rub” and “Dig Deeper” for the mature music lover.

718-230-0236 www.spsounds.com Nearest trains: 2, 3 at Bergen St. M, R at Union St.

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Southpaw 125 Fifth Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11217

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audience-member judges. The winner then advances to the annual, final face-off “Moth GrandSLAM.” “Dig Deeper” is Southpaw’s monthly event that is strictly ’60’s soul music, embraced by the more mature crowd. It is hosted by Mr. Robinson and DJ Honky every fourth Saturday of the month. Many come to party on the dance floor to the sounds of funk and soul music. A live performance from a legendary soul/funk artist also occurs at each event at midnight.

For those interested in throwing their own event, Southpaw’s “DownSouth” is available for rent.

“DownSouth” is the smaller space located downstairs from the main level that features a full bar, plasma TV, digital projector, DJ booth and a separate sound system from upstairs. This is perfect for those who come to SouthPaw to hang out apart from the crowd on the main floor.

Many artists who perform at SouthPaw take advantage of the venue’s intimate setting. Artists come down from the stage and perform on the dance floor with the audience; fans can truly experience the music. This is something that can’t be enjoyed or appreciated at larger venues.

30 March 2011

ho would ever guess that an old 99 cent store would transform into one of Brooklyn’s beloved music venues?

Southpaw is a 5,000 square foot venue located in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn. It was built with a main level floor and a downstairs lounge. The venue plays host to music artists on the local, national and international stage. It opened its doors in the summer of 2002. Nine years later, it has become one of New York City’s go-to venues for music shows and a variety of other events.

Once inside, a short walk through a hallway leads you into the main level floor. Dimly lit with shades of yellow and red, and located to the left of the stage, the bar illuminates a shining glow from the glasses and bottles that fill the counters. Prices for drinks are affordable.

To the right, a slightly elevated dance floor is sectioned off with provided seating and a perfect view of the main stage. The stage is big enough to accommodate a full band, yet small enough for a more intimate performance and interaction with the crowd. Between the stage and the elevated area is the main dance floor.

Aside from their shows and concerts, Southpaw also holds monthly and bi-monthly events. One event is “The Rub” which is held on the first Saturday of every month. The event is a classics and hip-hop party that has been recognized as the “best monthly club night in New York City,” as stated on the website.

Catering to those outside of the music world, Southpaw also holds a forum hosted by The Moth, a non-profit storytelling organization. This event, held on the first Monday of every month, gives people the opportunity to tell their individual story. Each storyteller is limited to five minutes and scored by

ENTERTAINMENT

Staff Writer

One can also appreciate how the venue is decorated. All the walls were covered with old covers from vinyl records, which any music fan can appreciate. As for the crowd, everyone is out to enjoy some good music and have a great time. From local hipsters to the mature crowd getting off work, everyone is easygoing and animated. One can be entertained solely by observing the individuals who walk through the venue’s doors.

According to the official website, “Southpaw was chosen as one of the Top 5 Venues in all of New York City by TIME OUT NY.” Located in the hipster-filled area of Park Slope, the crowd at Southpaw is diverse in age, race and musical tastes. The venue showcases bands from all genres and welcomes all artists to perform.

After experiencing the venue, the atmosphere, and the crowd at Southpaw, it is no wonder so many have and still flock to this music haven. The wait outside isn’t half as bad as those in Manhattan and the bouncers are more friendly. Those under 21-years-old are welcome, but of course, not allowed to drink. There usually is no cover charge to enter, although some nights might require one, depending on the event.

With all these likeable features, Southpaw’s only flaw is its size. Although the music experience is more intimate on busy nights, it is hard to move around, dance or get close to the stage. Overall though, it is definitely a place for music lovers and party-goers to check out and get a taste of nightlife outside of Manhattan.

TORCHCOMICS

Blue Waffles For Breakfast James Kerigan

30March 2011

The Adventures of Sombrero Cat Caroline Roecker -Rebekah Yeh

Pam’s World Michelle Alerte

I Can’t Draw: Courtesy of Enerdtainment Alex Reyes

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Johnnies deliver sacred hurt Lacrosse team notches first win since season-opener with rout ANTHONY RAMOS

Staff Writer An offensive explosion led the St. John’s lacrosse team to its first win since the season-opener in a 15 -7 rout of Sacred Heart on March 26.

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The Red Storm were on point offensively as they got three hat tricks from Kevin Cernuto, Kieran McArdle and Brandon Ayers. Cernuto had four goals and an assist to register five points for the afternoon, tying his career-high.

Cernuto remains in the top 20 in the country in scoring, averaging 2.38 goals per game.

“I’m very happy for our guys,” head coach Jason Miller said. “Their commitment hasn’t wavered over this stretch. We played good and were able to

TORCH FILE PHOTO/JUSTIN THRIFT

Freshman Kevin Cernuto was one of three St. John’s players with a hat trick. crack through.”

The win snaps the Red Storm’s six game losing streak.

After a win over Holy Cross on Feb. 19, the Red Storm fell to Stony Brook and Hofstra, two perennial nationally-ranked powerhouses.

The scoring started when

freshman Keith Switzer registered St. John’s first goal off an assist from attacker Charlie Holenstein. McArdle followed that strike with a goal of his own to give St. John’s the lead. Holenstein capped the run with a score at the 4:21 mark off an assist from Cernuto.

Goalie Jeff Lowman made eight saves in 52 minutes of action before being pulled for backup Tommy Cox. The Red Storm only allowed three shots in the second quarter.

St. John’s forced 24 turnovers and had a 33-23 edge in ground balls. The Red Storm

outshot the Pioneers 42-31, with 27 shots on goal.

Sacred Heart was led Mike Mawdsley, who registered a hat trick, while Bryan Badolato scored two goals.

McArdle was named to the Big East Honor Roll after his games against Hofstra and Sacred Heart. The freshman led the team with seven points McArdle had four goals, three assists, and picked up three ground balls during the two game stretch. McArdle is the fourth member of the Red Storm to be honored joining Kevin Cernuto, Jeff Lowman and Dillion Ayers.

St. John’s (2-6, 0-1) heads to the New Meadowlands Stadium on April 3 to take on Rutgers as part of the Big City Classic.

“It’s a big game for different reasons,” said Miller. “We have to take care of business in league games if you want to think about NCAA tournaments.”

North Carolina will take on Johns Hopkins following the Red Storm’s game, and Syracuse and Duke will square off after that.

Men’s Basketball notebook

Field conditions cut series

BILL SAN ANTONIO

STEVE SIDOTI

Staff Writer Due to unplayable field conditions at Red Storm Field stemming from last week’s storm, the St. John’s softball team was limited to just one game against Big East-rival South Florida over the weekend.

SOUTH FLORIDA ST. JOHN’S

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The Red Storm and Bulls squared off on Sunday, March 20, as South Florida run-ruled St. John’s 10-2 in five innings in the only game of what was supposed to be the second doubleheader between the teams.

The Bulls utilized a six-run third inning to build upon an early 2-0 lead.

Stephanie Medina drew a five-pitch walk of St. John’s starter Kat Lawrence with the bases loaded, then Laura Fountain walked to bring another run in as well.

Though Lawrence was relieved after that point, the damage didn’t stop.

An error by shortstop Chrissy Montez allowed two more runs to score.

Following another error, this time by second baseman Amber Curry, South Florida’s Alexis Nowell hit a sac fly with the bases loaded to drive in another run. Erin Bly stole home on a

double steal to complete the scoring.

Lawrence pitched 2 1/3 innings, striking out five while walking six and allowing seven runs, three earned.

Lindsey Richardson earned the win for the Bulls, allowing one run on one hit over four innings.

St. John’s didn’t have a base runner until the third inning, when Chelsea Durning reached on an error

by South Florida shortstop Janine Richardson, and didn’t score until the fourth.

Junior Kristi Cady hit a triple down the right field line that scored Montez, who walked. The Red Storm tacked on another run in the fifth when Julia Sanchez advanced two bases following consecutive illegal pitches by Bulls pitcher Capri Catalano.

Both Cady and Sanchez finished the day going 1-for-2 at the plate, amassing the only hits for the Red Storm.

St. John’s (13-18, 0-1) travels to DePaul on April 2 for a threegame set against the Blue Demons.

South Florida (19-15, 1-0) plays at No. 2 Florida on March 30.

30 March 2011

During the 2010-11 season, the St. John’s men’s basketball team beat six ranked teams, had its first 20-win season in 11 years and reached the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2002.

You can now add “have an AllAmerican” to the program’s list of accomplishments from the past year.

The Red Storm’s sharpshooting senior, Dwight Hardy, was given AllAmerica honorable mention honors by the Associated Press on March 29.

BYU’s Jimmer Fredette, Duke’s Nolan Smith, Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger, Connecticut’s Kemba Walker and Purdue’s JuJuan Johnson were named to the First team.

Hardy averaged 18.3 points in 34.2 minutes for the Red Storm this year, both team high’s. He was named the Big East’s Most Improved Player and earned District II Player of the Year honors by the United States Basketball Writer’s Association after making its All-District team. Hardy was also named a finalist for the Wooden Award.

Hardy and Burrell to compete in State Farm senior events Hardy and teammate Justin Burrell were invited to compete in the State Farm College Slam Dunk and 3-Point Championships on March 31 in Houston, Texas.

The State Farm Slam Dunk and 3-Point Championships consist of three

eight-player events, the men’s 3-point contest, the women’s 3-point contest and the men’s slam dunk contest. Hardy will compete in the 3-point competition, while Burrell will participate in the slam dunk contest.

Hardy ranked 12th in the Big East with 62 3-pointers and won Big East Player of the Week three times during the season. Burrell was named the Big East’s Sixth Man of the Year, averaging 6.3 points and 4.9 rebounds in 22.8 minutes this season.

Lavin named finalist for Jim Phelan Award St. John’s head coach Steve Lavin was named one of 16 finalists for the Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year Award on March 23, alongside 2010 award winner Jamie Dixon (Pittsburgh), Mike Brey (Notre Dame), Rick Pitino (Louisville), Rick Byrd (Belmont), Billy Donovan (Florida), Steve Fisher (San Diego State), Greg Kampe (Oakland), Mike Krzyzewski (Duke), Thad Matta (Ohio State), Stew Morrill (Utah State), Sean Miller (Arizona), Matt Painter (Purdue), Dave Rose (Brigham Young), Bill Self (Kansas) and Roy Williams (North Carolina).

Lavin was named District II Coach of the Year by the United States Basketball Writer’s Association on March 10.

In his first year with the Red Storm, Lavin led St. John’s to its most wins since 2002-03 and its first NCAA tournament appearance in nine years. Under his watch, the Red Storm finished tied for third in the Big East after finishing 2009-10 in 13th.

SPORTS

Sports Editor

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Red Storm claw the Bearcats Baseball team opens conference play with sweep of Cincinnati BILL SAN ANTONIO

Sports Editor

SPORTS

As senior catcher Joe Witkowski jogged off the field in favor of a pinch runner following his leadoff single in the ninth inning on Sunday, Frankie Schwindell stayed loose in the dugout.

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“When you see your spot coming up, you run down the line a bit, put your hands by the heater,” Schwindel said. “I saw Joe needed a pinch runner, saw I had the opportunity and stayed ready.”

St. John’s, down 4-3 in the finale against Cincinnati, scraped together a run to send the game to extra innings, and the freshman catcher delivered a game-winning RBI single in the 10th to complete the sweep, 5-4, of the Bearcats at Jack Kaiser Stadium.

“You’ve got to use your entire roster and that’s huge if you can rely on your back-up players,” head coach Ed Blankmeyer said. “They really came through big for us today.”

The win extended the Red Storm’s current winning streak to seven games after the 2010 Big East champions dropped four straight on a road trip to North Carolina back in late February.

“It keeps the ball rolling,” said junior pitcher Brendan Lobban, who started the finale.

“We’ve got a target on our back

TORCH PHOTO/BILL SAN ANTONIO

Freshman catcher Frankie Schwindel hit the game-winning single that helped the Red Storm sweep Cincinnati. and everyone wants to beat us.

If we start strong in conference play, though, it’ll really help us at the end of the year.”

Lobban kept the Bearcats off the board until the fifth, when he allowed a two-out, bases-loaded single to Jake Proctor down the left field line that scored two runs and then a sky-high pop-up to the next batter, Chris Peters, that fell in between second baseman Matt Wessinger and right fielder Pat Talbut for two more.

“You either win, lose, or beat yourselves, and we

nearly beat ourselves today,” Blankmeyer said.

Lobban retired six of the last seven batters he faced and earned a no-decision through seven innings of work.

“You’ve got to treat it like it never happened,” Lobban said. “You’ve just got to keep going and go to the next batter. Stuff like that happens.

You’ve got to move on from it.”

Stephen Rivera and Matt Carasiti did not allow a base runner in relief for the Red Storm. Carasiti, who faced just one batter in the 10th,

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30 March 2011

Women’s Soccer welcomes four recruits for upcoming season MIKE GURNIS

Staff Writer The St. John’s women’s soccer team announced its recruiting class for the upcoming season, which it hopes will add depth to an already young roster.

Forwards Chelsey Martino and Caitlyn McLaughlin, and midfielders Deanna Murino and Samantha Whitehead will be making their way to Queens this fall to help the Red Storm get back into contention for the Big East crown.

Martino was a 2010 ESPN Rise All-Massachusetts All-Star, helping Farmingham (Mass.) high school to three consecutive state championships. She was also a four-time AllBay State League all-star.

Murino, the younger sister of current Red Storm soccer player Michelle Murino, is a midfielder ranked No. 11 in New York State’s Regional Top 20. She was named

All-Suffolk County four consecutive times and was named to the All-New York state team three times. Forward McLaughlin, who hails from Fairfax Station, Va., Played four seasons at South County High School, and also played for the FPYC-FCV Explosion since 2009, where she was named to the ECNL All-Tournament Team at the Players Development Academy Memorial Day Showcase.

Coming all the way from Pasadena, Calif., is midfielder Samantha Whitehead. Whitehead played five seasons with the Los Angeles Futbol Club, and comes from LaSalle High School. She was named the 2009 LaSalle team MVP, and earned a spot in the LaSalle High School Hall of Fame after the 2010 season. Her other accolades include being named first-team All-Del Rey League for three seasons, and was first team All-Division IV California Interscholastic Foundation from 2009-2010.

earned the win.

St. John’s 9, Cincinnati 4 The Red Storm took advantage of a six-run sixth inning as Witkowski hit a tworun single, center fielder Kyle Richardson hit an RBI single and left fielder Jeremy Baltz hit a three-run double to extend St. John’s lead to 8-0.

“There really wasn’t any pressure on me last year and some say that’s why I had a good year,” Baltz said. “I’m not trying to do too much at the plate, but just trying to put good swings on the ball

and hit solid line drives.”

Junior Kevin Kilpatrick threw 7 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits.

St. John’s 3, Cincinnati 2 Sophomore Kyle Hansen struck out 10 batters through seven innings of work as St. John’s earned the seriesopening win.

Tied at one, the Red Storm scored two runs in the third as Jeremy Baltz hit an RBI single that scored Wessinger and junior shortstop Joe Panik scored on a wild pitch later in the inning.

Baseball team’s winning streak ends with loss to LIU The St. John’s baseball team’s seven-game winning streak came to an end on March 29 as a three-run eighth inning propelled LIU to a 5-3 win over the Red Storm.

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St. John’s starter Sean Hagen went 7 2/3 innings and struck out a career-high 11 batters, but was chased after allowing a two-out double to Sam Sciamarelli.

Sophomore Matt Carasiti plunked the first batter before allowing an infield single to Drew Walsh that scored a run and then a two-run single to Tito Marrero that gave the Blackbirds their first lead of the game.

St. John’s stranded 13 runners over the course of the game, and was held without a run in the fifth despite drawing four consecutive walks.

Kevin Grove went 2-for-3 with an

RBI, and junior shortstop Joe Panik had two RBI. St. John’s took the lead in the third as Sean O’Hare doubled off the left field wall and moved to third on a wild pitch. Panik then hit an RBI single to score him.

St. John’s added a run in the fourth, as Robert Case led off with a double, advanced to third on an error and scored as Grove singled with one out. LIU starter Skye Freeman retired the next two batters to end the inning.

Freeman allowed five hits and two runs over 4 1/3 innings for the Blackbirds. Chris Franzese, who relieved Emerson Morillo in the seventh, picked up the win.

Hagen retired nine straight batters before allowing a two-out single to Tyler Jones in the sixth inning. He allowed three earned runs on seven hits in his outing.

St. John’s (12-9, 3-0) travels to Albany on March 30 before going on the road to Connecticut for a three-game series with the Huskies to continue conference play.

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TORCH SPORTS

BASEBALL

STORM

CAST

Leavin’ their Mark Men’s Tennis beats Marist

TORCH PHOTO/BILL SAN ANTONIO

Opponents are batting just .219 off Stephen Rivera through eight outings this season for the Red Storm this season, and the right-hander did not allow a run in his two appearances against Cincinnati last weekend.

Blowin’ in the Wind

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It keeps the ball rolling. We’ve got a target on our back and everyone wants to beat us. If we start strong in conference play, though, it’ll really help us at the end of the year.

-St. John’s pitcher Brendan Lobban on the strong outings

by Kyle Hansen and Kevin Kilpatrick to open conference play

”

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Bill San Antonio is a junior journalism major. He can be reached at torchsports@gmail.com.

The baseball team will no longer play Fordham on March 31, due to a scheduling conflict with the Rams.

Instead, the Red Storm have scheduled a replacement game and will play at Albany on Varsity Field at 2 p.m.

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base runners in three innings.

And that’s good news, considering the team rode that winning streak into its sweep of Cincinnati—its first series, mind you, of conference play. After that rocky four-game losing streak the team endured upon going to North Carolina back in early March, the Red Storm have been playing their best baseball just in time for early Big East play.

Rivera broke out as a sophomore in 2010, making 24 appearances as a sophomore in 2010, allowing 16 runs in 40 innings of work. Despite a fairly deep bullpen, especially late in the season, Rivera’s dependable outings provided the bridge to Daniel Burawa and Ryan Cole. That stability helped the Red Storm win four games in five days en route to the conference tournament championship.

Rivera’s recent dependability in 2011 is creating room for other relievers to improve as the season goes along, as head coach Ed Blankmeyer can look to other relievers in less pressurized

situations to become just as dominant.

“We’ve been playing good baseball,” Blankmeyer said. “But you can play good baseball and still lose. I’d like for us to win and still be improving as a ball club.”

While fellow junior Eddie Medina threw the middle game of the series against Cincinnati—the Red Storm had a four-run lead when he entered—he has a 4.72 ERA in 13 1/3 innings this season. With Rivera succeeding in tight spots, Medina can regain his confidence without having to do so with the game hanging in the balance.

And the more good arms the Red Storm can regularly utilize, the better off they’ll be as conference play unfolds.

In 24 regular season conference games last year, the Red Storm allowed 6.2 runs per game while scoring 6.4. Twelve of those games were decided by three runs or less.

Assuming that trend continues this year—two of the Cincinnati games were each decided by one run—it is crucial for the Red Storm to continue getting good performances out of as many pitchers as possible.

And that all starts with Rivera entering in relief.

30 March 2011

The most important pitcher in the St. John’s baseball team’s weekend sweep of Cincinnati wasn’t Friday’s starter, Kyle Hansen, nor was it Kevin Kilpatrick or Brendan Lobban, who started the other two games for the Red Storm.

It was junior pitcher Stephen Rivera, who threw 3 2/3 innings in the series and didn’t allow a run in his two relief appearances. In eight outings this season, opponents are batting .219 against him.

Sure, Hansen threw seven innings of one-run ball, a performance that earned the sophomore right-hander a spot on the Big East Honor Roll, but it was Rivera who played the stopper in preserving his two-run lead to closer Matt Carasiti.

In Rivera’s next appearance, he struck out two of the first three batters he faced and retired the side in both of his innings, extending a tied game into extra innings for the Red Storm.

Rivera’s last bad outing came on March 12, when he threw 3 2/3 innings in relief of Sean Hagen against Gardner-Webb and allowed five runs on five hits and walked four.

That, coincidentally, was the Red Storm’s last loss before going on a sevengame winning streak, one that snapped on March 29 with a loss at LIU. As St. John’s peaked, so too did Rivera, because in his next outing, the right-hander struck out four and allowed just two

Late change in schedule sends Baseball to Albany

SPORTS

Rivera key to Baseball team’s pitching success

The No. 69 St. John’s men’s tennis team thrashed three-time defending MAAC champion Marist 6-1 to finish off a perfect 3-0 weekend on the courts.

With the victory over the Red Foxes, the Red Storm improved to 12-6 on the season, their most wins since going 12-10 in 2009. Marist’s record fell to 5-2.

St. John’s struck first for the third match in a row by taking the doubles point on wins by the tandems of Milo Hauk and Gustav Kallen, Matty Najfeld and Mischa Koran. The point was clinched on Stefan Bojic and Mike Lampa’s 7-6 decision to give the Red Storm the sweep and the point. The pairing of Hauk and Kallen improved to 12-4, best on the team.

The Johnnies did not look back after that, winning five of the first six singles matches in straight sets on wins by Najfeld (6-1, 6-2), Lampa (6-4, 6-0), Koran (6-4, 6-0), Bojic 6-2, 6-3) , and Hauk 6-4, 6-4) to open play. The lone loss on the day was a 2-6, 5-7 loss by Kallen to Marist’s Matt Himmelsbach to help the Red Foxes avoid being completely shut out.

Hauk’s win was his team-best 14th and his sixth in a row. Najfeld’s win was his 13th, Lampa’s was his 12th, and Koran and Bojic’s wins gave them both eight.

St. John’s No. 69 ranking is an improvement over the No. 70 ranking the team had last week.

SPORTS 30 MARCH 2011 | VOLUME 88, ISSUE 18 | TORCHONLINE.COM

TORCH PHOTO/ BILL SAN ANTONIO

The lacrosse team won its first game since the homeopener with a rout of Sacred Heart on March 26.

The women’s soccer team announced its incoming recruiting class for the 2011 season.

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