Students present dark comedy play this weekend
State official visits campus to educate staff on proposal around hate-related violence
BY ABIGAIL PASSAFIUME Staff Writer
Executive Director for the Office for Prevention of Domestic Violence, Kelli Owens, visited SUNY Plattsburgh to bring awareness to Governor Kathy Hochul’s recent budget proposals, focusing on initiatives involving gender-based violence, domestic violence, crime victim service and reproductive rights and how this impacts students, faculty and staff.
Owens and Bea Hanson, the director of the office of victim services, have traveled through each region of New York to discuss Hochul’s priorities and support to survivors. Plattsburgh marks their halfway point on their journey.
Informing students, faculty and staff was not the only goal, Owens wanted to talk about what others wanted to talk about and answer as many questions as possible.
Each school, from elementary to higher education, has different needs in terms of addressing domestic violence and gender based violence. By visiting numerous schools, the directors are able to learn what is working and what needs to be improved from children to young adults.
One initiative that is crucial for students to be informed about is the Enough is Enough law.
“We want to make sure that college campuses and commu-
BY CHRISTIAN TUFINO Staff Writer
nity based agencies are working together in a way which protects students and gives students access to the services they want. If we’re being survivor-centered, that means we’re listening to the survivor, and it may not be a law enforcement intervention that they want,” Owens said.
The Enough is Enough law requires universities and colleges to have procedures and guidelines to help students and survivors be supported if they ever needed to be. The law also gives money to these college level programs to inspire each school to come up with new initiatives to help prevent domestic and gender based violence.
Black History Month has come to a close, and despite national conversations about race becoming tense, Plattsburgh State has celebrated openly and proudly.
With President Trump making Diversity, Equity and Inclusion offices a target for constant cutbacks and demonization, SUNY Plattsburgh’s DEI office worked hard to keep events planned and awareness up throughout February to uphold its values.
Allison Heard, vice president of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion department on campus, assures the students of SUNY Plattsburgh that their campus remains a safe space for members of all racial identities.
One of the biggest examples of how the campus is remaining faithful to its DEI office’s principles is how it hosted events to facilitate conversations around race over the course of this year’s Black History Month.
“One thing that doesn’t change is our commitment to our community, and we have a vested interest in making sure that we embrace the diversity of our student population,” says Heard.
Regardless of the political climate, Heard and the DEI department host events including movies, school dances and other interactive events to represent the importance of Black History Month.
The U.S. department of education has recently reverted back to the 2020 Title IX regulations, leaving many students questioning the future of campus programs as Plattsburgh has advanced in the past few years. Due to the Enough is Enough law, New York schools will be able to keep their recent efforts towards survivor centered services and engaging their students in being informed on the resources provided for students. A&C
“We are thinking about what does the survivor need,
as opposed to what does the system need to have in order to hold somebody accountable,” Owens said.
Heard and the DEI department make great efforts to encourage campus to embrace Black History Month and Black students, Gedeon Koko-Algobleto, German-African SUNY Plattsburgh student, feels as though student engagement has room to improve.
“There needs to be more advocacy for black students, not just by black students, but all students,” says Koko-Algobleto.
One of the biggest problems with needing to reach more students is the decline of student involvement on campus. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, participation and attendance numbers for on-campus events have been down across the
board, according to the Center for Student Involvement. The DEI’s Black History Month events are no exception to this downward trend.
This doesn’t mean students don’t want or need these events though, as the students who do attend are active, and it is important that campus continues to educate students however it can.
“We realize there are a lot of events on campus, and people are really savvy about how they devote their time, but there is certainly interest, and for that we are eternally grateful,” says Heard.
Even though attendance has been low in recent years, people still express
interest through sign ups and emails, which creates an important separation between attendance and engagement.
Events are still being constantly engaged with, through Cardinal Link, email and other digital means.
The events that have seen greater success amongst the students are ones Koko-Algobleto would like to see more of, possibly helping boost student engagement.
“We want more fun and engaging events, healing circles, more spaces to talk, things like that,” says Koko-Algobleto.
Black History Month has been officially recognized for 48 years, nonetheless, overall knowledge of Black history is not as common as you’d think. Chris Chambers, Coordinator of Multicultural Initiatives, believes the lack of knowledge and comfortability can be a factor in attendance and engagement.
“People are at different stages of knowledge of Black history, and so for some folks the movies are engaging, but for those who know more it might be more emotionally or mentally taxing to engage with,” Chambers said.
As Black History Month came to an end, the DEI department, through movies, dances and other interactive events, celebrated Black History and spread knowledge of it across campus.
Provided by Jacquie Slater Kelli Owens speaks to a room full of Plattsburgh faculty and staff to discuss new initiatives regarding handling hate-related violence Feb. 26.
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CHRISTIAN TUFINO/Cardinal Points Coordinator of Multicultural Initiatives Chris Chamars hosts the “Hearing From Activists” event for Black History Month on Feb. 24.
Students shred snow at Rail Jam
Photos by Justin Rushia
Rail Jam winner Olden soars on skis through a trail of powder on the snow jump behind Memorial Hall.
Connor Meyers mid frontflip prepares himself for a rocky landing Feb. 22.
Olden shreds some powder as he starts down the ramp.
Brody Olden locks in as Eli cheeses next to him atop the snow jump.
Ian Sever twists and turns as he gets some air time on his snowboard.
February 22
UP made an adult arrest in response to a DWI charge in front of Moffit Hall.
February 27
University Police responded to a reported harassment in the Field House. The case was closed by investigation.
UP handled a case regarding a criminal posession of a weapon in Wilson Hall. The Incident was closed by investigation.
March 5
UP looked into a stalking charge in Clinton Dining Hall. The case was refered to the Title IX office.
University Police was notified of a demostic dispute in Mason Hall. An investigation is pending.
CP Corrections
NEWS - A quote from Heather Haskins was misattributed in the article “Campus prepares for CCC arrival in fall” SPORTS - Rachel LaMar’s name was misspelled in the story “WLAX looks to make a statement in the SUNYAC”
If you see an error in Cardinal Points, email cp@cardinalpointsonline.com.
Weekly Meme
Student Association
BY ABIGAIL PASSAFIUME Staff Writer
The Student Association Senate approved the reinstatement of French club and granted permanent status for the Trout Unlimited club at its Feb. 19 meeting.
French club will be returning to the SUNY Plattsburgh campus this semester after years of not being active and shares plans for moving ahead.
Senator Kayla Alanzo met with the group prior to the meeting to discuss why the French club is a beneficial addition to Plattsburgh’s campus.
“They want people to learn French, they want to do events with French movies and food and just hangout and learn about France,” said Alanzo.
Members from the French club attended the meeting where President Kaydance Brownell answered questions regarding the approval of the club.
The club has already begun planning future events and initiatives to bring in more membership.
“We want to get together with other clubs and integrate French culture. Book club with french literature, cooking club learning some french meals, we are in communication with the Canadian studies department and we want to bring more awareness to their trip to Canada,” Brownell said.
The club has gained support from the French department and has found a faculty advisor.
“We have support from the head of the French department. She originally reached out to me to start it up again because I created a club like this in highschool,” Brownell said.
Approval for the club was a unanimous yes.
The SA approved the Trout Unlimited Club being promoted to permanent status on campus.
Multiple members from the group came to the meeting to
show their support in asking for approval of permanent status.
“The main mission of this club is to conserve our waterways and be inclusive to everyone. Making awareness of fly fishing as a sport, learning the appropriate way to practice the sport, all things involved with good care,” President of Trout Unlimited, Liam Loveland said.
Trout Unlimited is a non-profit organization who serve to protect and restore cold water fisheries and their watersheds. The national organization has over 300,000 members and supporters and over 400 chapters and councils. They strive to build a framework to protect fish and fishing opportunities. The organization has 27 chapters in New York alone and are continuing to expand and raise awareness for safe and mindful fishing.
The club has future plans for more events that anyone can get involved in on campus.
”We are doing a river cleanup on the river behind campus. Fishing a little bit, but mainly picking up trash and leaving it better than we found it,” Loveland said.
The current membership of the club is between 10 and 20 mem-
bers, and they are more interested in pursuing future events. The club also has a social media account, and is finding more ways to promote digitally.
“We want this club to be for everyone, even if you don’t like fishing but you like cold water conservation, you can find that in this club too – We don’t want it to be exclusive to just fishing,” Loveland said.
The club will be hosting more events in the future in hopes to bring more awareness to fly fishing and cold water conservation.
The Student Association is continuing to promote their mission and goals to the student body in hopes of getting more people involved in the upcoming election. Senators will continue going to classes and giving an informational presentation on the importance of the SA.
Applications are out now to apply for the Student Association executive branch.
Email ABIGAIL PASSAFIUME cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
Cuomo runs for return to NYC
BY ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE Associated Press
Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Saturday that he is running for mayor of New York City, relaunching his political career following a yearslong exile over a barrage of sexual harassment accusations.
In a 17-minute video, Cuomo pitched himself as an accomplished moderate who can save a city he described as threatening and “out of control,” and is capable of navigating the delicate balance between working with Republican President Donald Trump and fighting him, when necessary.
“I am not saying this is going to be easy. It won’t be easy, but I know we can turn the city around, and I believe I can help,” he said.
The Democrat is expected to mount a formidable campaign, despite entering the race deeply wounded by the scandal that forced his resignation as governor in 2021.
He takes on a large field of primary opponents with low name recognition plus an incumbent, Mayor Eric Adams, who — for now — remains under indictment on federal corruption charges and under scrutiny from critics who question his independence from Trump.
Cuomo brings fundraising prowess, a record of accomplishments over three terms as governor and potential support among moderate voters who helped propel Adams to office.
Yet it is unclear whether voters are willing to give Cuomo another chance following his remarkable downfall, when he went from being hailed for his leadership during the onslaught of COVID-19 to being
castigated for his behavior with women and questioned about his pandemic response.
In his campaign video, Cuomo acknowledged past “mistakes” but did not directly address the harassment allegations.
“Did I always do everything right in my years of government service? Of course not,” he said. “Would I do some things differently knowing what I know now — certainly. Did I make mistakes, some painfully? Definitely, and I believe I learned from them and that I am a better person for it, and I hope to show that every day.” Adams, caught on a city street by a Politico reporter Saturday, welcomed Cuomo to the race.
“Come one, come all. Everybody should put their position forward,” Adams said. “I have a great record to run on. We look forward to the campaign.”
MICHAEL PURTELL/Cardinal Points
ABIGAIL PASSAFIUME/Cardinal Points
Liam Loveland and members of the Trout Unlimited club listen to the senate discuss the club’s new permanent status at the meeting Feb. 19.
ABIGAIL PASSAFIUME/Cardinal Points
Representatives from the French club speak to the senate at their meeting Feb. 19.
SETH WENIG/Associated Press File Photo Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation Aug. 10, 2021
NY governor orders college to remove Palestinian studies job
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS AP
New York’s governor ordered a state school to remove a job posting for a Palestinian studies teaching position this week, saying she wanted to ensure “antisemitic theories” would not be taught.
The job posting at Hunter College had called for a historian “who takes a critical lens to issues pertaining to Palestine including but not limited to settler-colonialism, genocide, human rights, apartheid, migration, climate and infrastructure devastation, health, race, gender, and sexuality,” according to screenshots published by the New York Post, which first reported the job announcement.
Following the coverage, Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, ordered the City University of New York school to remove the posting “and conduct a thorough review of the position to ensure that antisemitic theories are not promoted in the classroom,” her office said in a statement.
The CUNY Board of Trustees agreed, and university officials have since removed the posting for a “Palestinian Studies Cluster Hire,” which was marked as expired on Friday.
“We find this language divisive, polarizing and inappropriate and strongly agree with Governor Hochul’s direction to remove this posting,” Chairperson William C. Thompson Jr. and Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, adding they would work “to tackle antisemitism on our cam-
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puses and combat hate in all of its forms.”
The governor’s statement added that no class is being canceled.
The CUNY school said it will still hire a relevant expert.
“Hunter College took down the job listings following the concerns raised about the language used in the online posting. We will be reviewing the posting process and look forward to adding scholars with expertise in this subject matter to our distinguished faculty,” the college said in a statement, adding that expertise would include “Palestinian history, culture, and society.”
The Israel-Hamas war that erupted on Oct. 7, 2023, has tested free speech at U.S. colleges.
Pro-Palestinian students and their allies launched protests at campuses across the country, demanding schools divest from Israel in demon-
“As often, New York takes the first step, and Enough is Enough is one of those processes,” Owens said.
One new area of focus regarding the Enough is Enough law is to ensure the correct assistance for a student experiencing technology-facilitated abuse. Domestic or gender based violence can happen online and affects the survivor just as much as it can in person.
“The Governor is invested in us doing research and understanding what resources need to come for students, parents, teachers, faculty and law enforcement around technology-facilitated abuse, because it is so new and rampant, we really are digging into that,” Owens said.
Many domestic violence and gender based violence cases now have an online aspect. As a society, especially young adults, people have become so attached to our phones. While being online constantly, violence can affect students from anywhere at any time.
There has been recent talk from president Donald Trump’s cabinet of a freeze on grants and loans to numerous nonprofits, including some that provide support and services to survivors of gender based violence and domestic violence. Although this sounds daunting, the Office for Prevention of Domestic Violence and the Office of Victim Services is not willing to back slide on the progress that has been made.
“The Governor’s been very clear, we’re not going to panic and we’re not going to sacrifice New York’s values around equity, around discrimination, around sexual assault, around gender based violence,” Owens said. “We’re just not going to sacrifice that.”
CUOMO
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PLOTTING A COMEBACK
Cuomo had been circling a return to politics for years while his lawyers and political consultants kept trying to discredit his accusers.
At least 11 women credibly accused him of harassment that included unwanted kissing and touching and remarks about their looks and sex lives, according to a report released by New York’s attorney general. One aide filed a criminal complaint accusing Cuomo of grabbing her breast when they were alone in the governor’s mansion.
Cuomo denied the sexual assault allegation, which a prosecutor ultimately dropped, citing a lack of enough proof to get a conviction.
Cuomo, 67, said he did not intentionally mistreat women and had simply fallen behind the times of what was considered appropriate workplace conduct.
Taxpayers spent millions of dollars defending him and his aides against lawsuits related to the allegations.
The first woman to publicly accuse Cuomo of harassment, Lindsey Boylan, wrote in an essay published in Vanity Fair on Saturday that New York “deserves better.”
She said that rather than repent and atone, Cuomo has waged a “vengeful” legal campaign against his accusers.
strations that resulted in thousands of arrests.
Meanwhile, some Jewish students called on administrators to rein in the protests, saying they made them feel unsafe.
Campus free speech advocates criticized Hochul’s intervention, saying the move hurts academic freedom
“She’s setting a terrible precedent,” Robert Shibley, special counsel for campus advocacy at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, said in an email. “Involving politicians directly in the process will only further politicize hiring decisions and will undermine academic freedom in public universities across the country.”
Another free speech group called on CUNY officials to reverse their decision.
“The posting may have been offensive to some, but it is the right and responsibility of the academic community to
confront challenging areas of inquiry through independent research, teaching, and publishing,” said Kristen Shahverdian, Campus Free Speech program director at PEN America, in a statement Thursday.
PEN, a literary and free expression organization, faced its own protests last year, after a group of pro-Palestinian writers said it did little to “mobilize” members against the Gaza war, in contrast to forceful protests against the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Last month, Israel and Hamas paused the conflict after 15 months of war, in the first phase of a ceasefire that has freed Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and increased humanitarian aid in Gaza. Officials were negotiating Friday on a second phase of the ceasefire.
campus Feb. 26.
President Trump, although saying a lot of things, isn’t necessarily saying the truth to the media. Knowledge is powerful in protecting student rights.
“New York is very committed, both the governor and the Attorney General, to make sure that the promises that were made are constitutionally in place —which is a budget — are carried out,” Owens said.
The Office for Prevention of Domestic Violence and the Office of Victim Services are here to help students, faculty and staff get what they need when they need it. The resources are there, but SUNY Plattsburgh’s student and faculty body are the only ones that can change the culture on our campus and help continue the efforts set in place to make the college experience safe and beneficial.
SUNY Oneonta is currently working with The Office for prevention of Domestic Violence on a program called Aspirational Masculinity, created by former NFL player, Don McPherson. The program allows men to have their own conversations regarding their gender and domestic violence. This program
hopes to foster an understanding of empathy, emotional honesty and how that can be impacting their personal relationships.
Plattsburgh’s office of DEI has a similar initiative and offers group meetings, for all genders to talk about masculinity and gender based violence. The discussion points to why these behaviors exist and what we can do as a campus to change our communities culture. The group meets every other Friday and hopes to create a judgement free and accepting environment for students to come share their personal feelings or experiences involving domestic and gender based violence.
The Office of Domestic Violence Prevention and Victim services will continue its relationship with SUNY Plattsburgh and schools across New York. They are here to provide students with survivor centered support and new information that can help our students and campus stay as safe as possible.
“While the women who worked for and with Cuomo may no longer be subject to inappropriate behavior, misconduct, or sexual harassment, some of us remain the victims of what could be interpreted as an ongoing campaign that weaponizes the legal system as a tactic for retribution,” Boylan wrote.
She added that even though she never sued Cuomo, she has spent $1.5 million on lawyers to respond to subpoenas in his other cases.
A CROWDED DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
There are already several candidates vying to beat Adams in June.
Among them are city Comptroller Brad Lander, state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, state Sen. Jessica Ramos, state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani and former city Comptroller Scott Stringer, who was a front-runner in the mayor’s race four years ago until a woman accused him of groping and kissing her without her consent 20 years earlier.
In a statement, Ramos called Cuomo a “corrupt bully” who “brings nothing to this race but baggage.”
Myrie said New York shouldn’t be forced to relive “the Andrew Cuomo show.”
“We deserve better than selfish leaders who spent decades in office putting their desire for power above New Yorkers’ needs,” Myrie said.
ADAMS IS A VULNERABLE INCUMBENT
The mayor is facing a tempest over the U.S. Justice Department’s extraordinary effort to end the criminal case against him over the objection of the prosecutors who brought the charges.
An indictment said Adams accepted luxury travel perks and illegal campaign contributions from people who wanted to buy his influence, including a Turkish official and other foreign nationals.
After Trump took office, a top Justice Department official ordered prosecutors to dismiss the charges so Adams could focus on assisting the president’s immigration agenda, while leaving open the possibility that charges could be refiled after the election.
The dynamic led critics to claim that Adams struck a deal to help Trump’s immigration crackdown in exchange for legal salvation.
Adams has strongly denied such an arrangement, while resisting intense pressure to step down. Some of his top deputies announced plans to resign in protest.
LONG RISE TO POWER, QUICK FALL
Cuomo started in politics working for his father, former Gov. Mario Cuomo, and later became U.S. housing secretary under President Bill Clinton and New York attorney general before being elected governor in 2010.
His star power was highest during the pandemic, when his televised daily briefings attracted admirers who saw him as a steady hand during a frightening time. The briefings led to a more than $5 million book deal to write “American Crisis: Leadership Lessons From the Covid-19 Pandemic.”
But women began coming forward in late 2020 and early 2021 to accuse Cuomo of misconduct, and he faced a potential impeachment before stepping down. A state ethics panel concluded that he improperly used taxpayer resources to prepare and edit his book.
QUESTIONS ABOUT COVID-19 IN NURSING HOMES
Cuomo was further damaged by allegations that his administration unintentionally contributed to a wave of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes by initially barring them from refusing to readmit virus patients discharged from hospitals.
The governor said the allegations were baseless, but his administration was found to have substantially undercounted nursing home deaths as it sought to deflect criticism.
Cuomo still has a significant campaign war chest that, technically, he could draw on. But the process of transferring state donations to a city committee would be complicated and require each donor to sign off, a potentially burdensome effort.
Provided by Jacquie Slater Kelli Owens poses after her presentation with members of Plattsburgh’s
JULIA DEMAREE/Associated Press File Photo
Kathy Hochul speaks at a news conference in New York City on Feb. 20.
End Days seeks laughter through loss
BY JOHN CHURCH Contributor
The SUNY Plattsburgh theater department is preparing a unique viewing for students to attend in the Hartman Theatre of the John Myers Building this weekend. Running through Saturday, campus residents and commuters can find an entertaining way to start the weekend with Deborah Zoe Laufer’s “End Days.”
With lingering winter weeks, students couldn’t be more ready for spring and nicer weather. What better way to warm up the spirit with some humor?
The play, which opened on March 6, explores themes of grief, faith, science, and human connection in times of tragedy — all formulated into a comedic yet poignant narrative.
“End Days,” first performed and produced in 2007, navigates the lives of a struggling family. The play follows a mother, father and their daughter in the wake of 9/11.
Arthur, the father, is a shell of his former self after surviving the attacks. His wife, Sylvia, adopts a new partner in Jesus, finding solace through evangelical Christianity. Their teenage daughter and protagonist of the play, Rachel, turns to the readings of physicist Stephen Hawking. She looks to his scientific ingenuity as a means to mend fragmentation.
As the family circumvents the aftermath of the September attacks, Rachel is ogled over by a quirky and unconventional Elvis-impersonating neighbor named Nelson. When Nelson enters the family’s lives, a chain of events forces them to confront the pain
they’ve been masking and eventually rediscover each other.
Playwright Deborah Zoe Laufer is authentic to the human condition. She keeps a pulse on the society and the manic whirlwind of rocky subjects of love, loss, faith, and reason. She shared her insights into one of her most beloved plays.
“I wrote End Days a few years after 9/11, and after hearing that 40% of the country identified as evangelical. That was something I had not realized, and it got me thinking about belief systems and how people search for meaning in the wake of tragedy,” Laufer said. “I wrote it because many people look outside themselves for salvation and ultimately find it in the people they love.”
The upcoming SUNY Plattsburgh production of “End Days” is a student run operation. From the directing and
acting, students have had a direct hand in every part of the performance. While Laufer isn’t directly involved in the production, the play still holds the same message. She expresses excitement and enthusiasm about a continued celebration of her life’s work. “This play has had over 100 productions worldwide, from Russia; I believe there was a showing in Siberia, Australia, and Germany if I remember correctly. It resonates with small towns across America and the globe, like Plattsburgh. I think it sticks with people because it blends humor with themes of hope, family, and the search for connection,” Laufer said.
Lunasa heads to Plattsburgh Strand’s stage
BY NINAH KELIIHANANUI Contributor
Irish folk band Lúnasa will be performing in downtown Plattsburgh at the Strand theatre March 9. Their name is derived from Irish and is closely associated with the ancient Celtic festival of the same name. The word itself derives from Lughnasadh, which was a major Gaelic festival marking the beginning of harvest season.
While there is no confirmed setlist, the band will perform their top songs mixed in with some personal compositions. This concert is part of their St. Pattys tour, a popular local holiday. Lúnasa will be performing in a five week US tour across 25 cities and is the first of two tours they do in the year.
Lúnasa debuted in 1997 with the original lineup consisting of Seán Smyth, Kevin Crawford, Trevor
Hutchinson, Dónal Lunny, Ed Boyd, John Mcsherry, and Michael McGoldrick. However, due to busy schedules and life changes, the band now has four members: founder, Séan Smyth (fiddle and whistle player), Kevin Crawford (flute, tin whistle, and bodhran), Trevor Hutchinson (double bass), CIllian Valley (Uilleann pipes and low whistle) and Patrick Doocey (guitar).
Throughout the years, the band has toured a few different countries including the Americas, Europe and Asia. They have even produced an album in Japan. Almost all of Lúnasa albums are critically acclaimed and they have performed at some of the most prestigious venues/festivals worldwide including Carnegie Hall, Cambridge Folk Festival, and Sydney Opera house.
Chill on the Hill: A day to celebrate winter
BY GUILIANNA LAURAIN Staff Writer
Winter in Plattsburgh can feel endless, with its gray skies and chilly winds stretching on for months, but that doesn’t mean the season has to be dull or isolating.
The City of Plattsburgh invited residents and visitors alike to shake off the winter blues and embrace the season with open arms at the Chill on the Hill Winter Fest — a celebration of all things snowy and fun. The festival took place on Feb. 22, at Fox Hill Park, the space was transformed into a lively winter wonderland. Best of all, the event was completely free, making it accessible to everyone looking for an excuse to step outside and enjoy the crisp winter air.
For college students, who are all too familiar with how the long winter months can drag on, this festival was the perfect opportunity to
break up the monotony of the season. It was a chance to bundle up, venture outdoors and reconnect with the joy that winter can bring — whether that meant sledding down the hill, warming up with a cup of hot chocolate, or simply soaking in the festive atmosphere. The event boasted an exciting lineup of activities designed to entertain all ages. Local radio station Vox AM/FM kept the energy high throughout the afternoon, playing an upbeat mix of music that had attendees tapping their feet — even in their thick winter boots. Food trucks lined the park, serving up a variety of delicious eats, from savory comfort food to sweet treats. McDonald’s of Plattsburgh added an extra touch of generosity by offering free hot chocolate, cookies, and even toys for the little ones, making the festival especially enjoyable for families with young children.
Provided by Plattsburgh State Theater Department
A scene from SUNY Plattsburghs’ performance of “End Days” by Deborah Zoe Laufer.
GUILIANA LAURAIN/Cardinal Points
An overhead view of Chill on the Hill at Fox Hill on Feb. 22.
LUNASA > 6
Provided by Strand Center For The Arts Promotional poster for the Lunasa performance.
CHILL > 6
The production features extensive design and execution by students in the theater department. Behind the scenes, director and production manager, Margaret Swick emphasized the joy of working with her cast of students.
“Working with student cast members as a director has been a joy,” Swick said. “I have learned so much and cannot wait to showcase their talents next weekend. They displayed growth from the first rehearsal through tech to opening, I am amazed by their ability to transform into their characters.”
Erika Guay, scenic designer and costume shop manager, noted the student passion has poured into every show element.
“We have student designers on every element of the production — from the painted cabinets to the lighting cues to management work to sound and projections. Working with them is the most exciting part,” Guay said.
Ben Wright, technical director, highlighted both the challenges and rewards of preparing End Days for the stage.
“This show comes up early in the semester, so we had to get an early jump on the set. We made major decisions fast so we could start the set build right after New Year’s. It’s rewarding to see the students do a nice job on the painting, set dressing, and prop construction, really bringing it all together,” Wright said.
Wright also emphasized the teamwork involved in executing the director’s vision.
“My team, made up of student employees and THE190AA Production Lab students, is responsible for the construction of the set through to base painting. We also help in other design areas, maintaining the scene
shop and Hartman Theatre. The Student Association funding is our bread and butter, that determines the breadth and depth of our productions,” Wright said.
Student designer Finn Bartholomew shared their perspective on working behind the scenes.
“This experience has taught me a lot about technical theater, but one big thing I’ve learned is that when you work in technical theater, you have a family that supports you and is also there to help you bounce ideas off or when you have been looking at the set for too long they are there to help you not spiral on your work,” Bartholomew said.
Being part of this production wasn’t just about bringing a story to life — it was a journey of creativity, collaboration, and personal growth for Finn.
“The most exciting part was that this was my first time doing anything this big,” Bartholomew said. “I
had helped paint sets in high school, but this was my first time designing. Also, I did it with my best friends. There were so many laughs and inside jokes, and we all got closer during this production, and have built so much trust during this production.”
Swick and Guay hope the audience will take away a sense of warmth from the play’s humor and message. Both production managers note that End Days is an experience that will make audiences laugh and leave them with something to think about.
“It’s a story about a family working through their trauma in unexpected ways. These characters find comfort in creating community together, and we hope audiences leave feeling that same sense of connection,” Guay said.
For those looking for a thought-provoking yet amusing night at the theater, End Days is sure to deliver. With a mix of witty dialogue, heartfelt moments, and memorable characters, Laufer’s play promises to be a compelling experience for theatergoers. Students can expect to see peers and their production on full display beginning March 6 at the Hartman Theatre, John Myers Building, with tickets available through Cardinal Link. Showtimes for “End Days” are 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. on Friday, March 7 and Saturday, March 8. The final showing is Sunday, March 9 at 2 p.m.
of Plattsburgh added an extra touch of generosity by offering free hot chocolate, cookies, and even toys for the little ones, making the festival especially enjoyable for families with young children.
For those 21 and older, the Rustic Pines LLC Beer Garden offered a cozy retreat where attendees could enjoy a cold beer while taking in the winter scenery. The event organizers also made sure that safety was a priority, with security in place to ensure a comfortable and secure environment for all guests.
No winter festival would be complete without some classic snowy fun. The
LUNASA
Lúnasa typically plays a mix of traditional Irish and Celtic music with a few contemporary arrangements mixed in. While the band has included their own compositions, they believe it is important to honor their roots.
“Tradition is to respect what’s gone before us; it feels like my life vocation,” Crawford said.
The band believes it is necessary to share their culture with non-Irish people and celebrate their history.
Crawford believes the band’s message is quite simple.
“We just want everyone to have fun and escape reality for a few hours,” Crawford said.
The band tries to bring a high-energy set to every performance, including audience favorites: “Morning Nightcap,” “Welcome Home,” “Spoil the Dance,” “Temple Hill” etc.
The band tries to shake things up during their concerts and immerse their audience not only with their music, but by just having fun and playing pranks on each other.
“The guys replaced my flute with a random piece of pipe one night and the whole auditorium was cracking up,” Kevin Crawford said.
highlight of the afternoon was undoubtedly the sledding hill, which quickly became the centerpiece of the festival. Laughter and cheers filled the air as kids — and more than a few adventurous adults — took turns zipping down the snow-covered slope on sleds of all shapes and colors. The line to the top of the hill stretched on as eager participants waited for their turn to race down.
Email GUILIANNA LAURAIN cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
Lúnasa typically has two guest performers with them. In March, singer Natalie Merchant, and Banjo player Tim O’ Brien appeared alongside the band. Although those performers will be leaving the night before their Strand Theatre performance, their American fiddle player, Colin Farrell, will be touring with them the last 10 days. This is due to their founding member Séan Smyth having to return home.
“Séan is a doctor, so he can only perform with the band about 50% of the time,” Crawford said.
Crawford also said the band intends to make this final concert “all about Lúnasa,” since it is the last leg of their tour.
As always, Lúnasa continues to bend the rules of traditional music, stepping outside of their Celtic roots and including traditional pieces from other countries like Scotland, Spain and Canada. This diversity helps to make their performances dynamic and engaging for audiences.
Tickets for the Lúnasa concert are $59 - $105 depending on seating location.
A childhood love for the legend of Zelda, Lord of the Rings, King Arthur and mythology inspired Senior BFA Artist Noah Honsinger to create a world of his own.
“At first, it wasn’t Zelda and D&D and all that stuff, it was drawing the characters from Dragon Ball Z,”Honsinger said. “Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds came out in like 2013 or so, and I played that, and then that got me really into Zelda. Then I started playing all the older games.”
Honsingers artistic process starts with brainstorming and finding inspiration to draw from.
“I just sit in silence and, that’s funny — and I draw it” “I take either inspiration from a game I’m playing, a show I’m watching or just stuff from my head.” Honsinger said.
After Honsinger discovers inspiration for his artwork, he begins his lengthy creative process by sketching out his artwork and arranging it over time.
“I do a lot of thumbnails first, like 10 to 20 really, really quick rough sketches of just the general composition. Then I’ll do a more refined sketch, and I’ll just pick away at that until it looks how I want it too,” Honsinger said.
Honsinger then uses a light table to transfer the images onto the final piece of paper and makes refinements here and there. Next, Honsinger traditionally inks the art piece.
“I feel like it’s my favorite medium, for sure. There’s something about doing it traditionally too that’s better for me, because it forces you to take your time,” Honsinger said. “Having to dip the pen and draw for like 45 seconds, it forces me to slow down and actually think about each of my pen strokes.”
Sometimes, Honsinger will digitally color his pieces. In the past he used watercolor to color his work. Honsinger throughout high school wanted to be a teacher and going into college thought of being a physics major or a history major, but decided that he would be an art teacher because he enjoyed both art and teaching.
“So, I want to be an art teacher. After this, I’m going to go to Adelphi University. They have a fully online art education program and I’m going to take that and then be an art teacher, but I’m taking the fall semester off to save money
— doing commissions and stuff so I can afford that,” Honsinger said.
Honsinger’s artistic influence isn’t only from comics, shows and games, but from other illustrators. He is inspired by Hasui Kawase and his night scenes, Bernie Wrightson for his intricate illustrations in commercial material for Frankenstein, french comic illustrator Tim McBurney — who is heavily inspired by Japanese prints and Arthur Rackham’s heavy and accurate line work. Honsinger becomes immersed in the creation of his art.
“When I get into a drawing. I will not do anything but that drawing,” Honsinger said.
CARDINAL CALENDAR
Mar. 7 - Mar. 13
FRIDAY 3/7
Women Pioneers and Trailblazers
A tabling by Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on the fearless women who shaped history.
TUESDAY 3/11
Spring Gallery Concert
Select students perform in the scenic Myers Lobby Gallery within the John Myers Building 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.
FRIDAY 3/7-3/9
End Days by Deborah Zoe Laufer
A play by the Departments of Music and Theatre in Myers. 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 2 p.m. Sunday.
WEDNESDAY 3/12
Annual Empowering Womxn Panel
Hosted by Fuerza: The BIPOC Student Union. A panel discussion with distinguished women that explores how various issues impact their daily lives. Yokum 206 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
SATURDAY 3/12
LGBTQIA+ Game Night
Game night at the HUB hosted by Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The HUB 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY 3/12
Tangled in TimeBracelet Making Event
Craft bracelets wile learning how to organize your time.
Check Bottom of Page 6 for Answers
This week you will feel happy and healthy. Your hard work has paid off.
This week you may be feeling socially drained. Set some social boundaries and make sure that you are giving yourself time to rest.
This week focus on waiting. Be patient, whatever is meant for you will come to you.
Focus on your work this week. Whether it be working towards a goal or doing work for a job. Your work will pay off.
This week you may be spending more time doing work and collaborating with others. You’ve got this.
Things in your life may be changing rapidly. You are becoming who you are meant to be.
You are on your highest path. Take a moment to appreciate all of the beauty around you.
Follow your instincts this week. Your spirit will direct you towards the right path.
This week you may have a difficult time. Try your best to stay positive. All things must pass.
You may be feeling stagnant this week. Remember that you are making progress towards your goals. All is well.
Accept that nothing is perfect. Look at everything with a glass half full perspective.
This week you may feel rejuvenated and at peace. Take some time to appreciate the small things in life.
Aries (March 21 –April 19)
Cancer (June 21 –July 22)
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
Gemini (May 21 –June 20)
Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22)
Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)
Scorpio (Oct. 23 –Nov. 21)
Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)
Pisces (Feb. 19 –March 20)
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 –Dec. 21)
Capricorn (Dec. 22 –Jan. 19)
Aquarius (Jan. 20 –Feb. 18)
Provided by Noah Honsinger Illustration created by Noah Honsinger.
Provided by Noah Honsinger Illustration created by Noah Honsinger.
Cardinals win first playoff game since 2018
BY JUSTIN RUSHIA Sports Editor
The Plattsburgh State men’s basketball team (15-12, 11-7) secured its second consecutive playoff berth, marking the first time since the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons.
The Cardinals celebrated their first playoff win since the 2017-2018 season with an exciting victory over the Morrisville Mustangs (13-13, 9-9) in the first round of the SUNYAC tournament on February 25.
This win advanced them to the second round of the tournament, where they faced the New Paltz Hawks.
They were defeated in that match, ending Plattsburgh’s season.
“We stopped here last year. So, that was my one goal: to get past today,” senior forward Ikechuckwu Ezike said. “Yeah, it felt great.”
MORRISVILLE
Plattsburgh had good momentum coming into its first playoff game. The weekend
before, the Cardinals won their last two conference games of the season, knocking off the Buffalo State Bengals (8-17, 6-12) and the Fredonia Blue Devils (6-19, 4-14).
Winning these two games allowed Plattsburgh the opportunity to host its first-round matchup.
“We had a great crowd of Cardinal country faithful that came out and supported us tonight,” head coach Mike Blaine said. “They helped keep us engaged when things weren’t clicking as well as we’d like them to.”
Plattsburgh and Morrisville split the conference series during the regular season, with both matches being closely contested. The Cardinals secured the first game with a 91-80 overtime victory on the Mustangs’ home court. However, Plattsburgh lost the second game of the series in another tight contest at home.
“They’re a great team. They run some good actions. They do a great job isolating guys and putting their best players in a position to attack,” Blaine said. “We didn’t do a great job with our matchups against them in our second game when
they played up here last time, and our guys took some pride in that.”
The Cardinals set the tone early in the playoff meeting, with senior guard Franklin Infante scoring the first three baskets of the game.
Plattsburgh also played aggressively on the defensive end, tallying three steals and a block in the first three minutes of the game.
Playoff games always ignite a heightened level of intensity, with every player on the court pushing themselves to their limits.
“If you lose, you go home. Nobody wants to go home,” Ezike said. “We all work hard for this. We all want this.”
“
Plattsburgh led 28-20 with three minutes remaining in the first half. However, Morrisville went on an 8-0 run, tying the score at 28-28 by halftime.
If you lose, you go home. Nobody wants to go home.
“I’m a senior. This would have been my last game,” Ezike said. “In the locker room, I let them know that I didn’t want this to be my last game. I know they don’t want it to be their last game. I asked them if they could just, please, come out with some intensity, come out, play defense. And that’s exactly what they did, and I appreciate it all.”
Ike Ezike
”
Senior Forward
The Mustangs settled their offense down and scored a few points to keep the game close.
The majority of the first half was filled with back-and-forth play, with the Cardinals maintaining their lead but never being able to pull away from the Mustangs.
Coming out of halftime, both teams were locked in a tight battle, going back and forth and trading baskets the whole second half. It was a nonstop exchange, with Plattsburgh looking to pull away and Morrisville looking to gain its first lead of the game.
WBB takes step in the right direction
BY JUSTIN RUSHIA Sports Editor
The Plattsburgh State women’s basketball team’s 2024-2025 campaign marked one of its best seasons in program history.
The Cardinals (14-12, 10-8) 2024-2025 season was the first time Plattsburgh made the playoffs since the 20142015 season.
“We set the goal this year of making the playoffs — but we wanted to host — so that was the one goal we fell short of, but it’s hard not to say that this season was a success,” head coach Ben Sarraf said.
This season also marked the first time Plattsburgh accumulated a winning record since the 2015-2016 season, and the first time the Cardinals had a positive conference record since the 2013-2014 season — which was also the last time Plattsburgh won a playoff game.
“We knew how important making the playoffs was,’ assistant coach Keith Wasberg said. “That was the thing we wanted to accomplish, and we weren’t going to accept anything less.”
A big part of the team’s success this season was the play of senior forward Payton Couture.
“One of the things that one of the things that made Payton so great is not just all the things that she could do and her skills, she has the abilities, but that she was team first, and she didn’t need the spotlight or the accolades,” Wasberg said. “She wanted to make other people better, and that’s what she did.
Couture averaged a team-high 12.9 points per game and recorded her 1000th collegiate point earlier this season. She also ranked second in blocks, rebounds, assists, field goal percentage, and minutes per game. Couture’s play earned her a spot on the All-SUNYAC second team, marking her second appearance on the All-SUNYAC team after being named to the third team last year.
Couture was the only Cardinal to make an AllSUNYAC team.
“We can’t replace Peyton, but we can definitely increase the level of play across the board as a team,” Sarraf said. “That’s, you know, unwritten at this point, but we have plenty of players in this roster who have it in them to take over a game.”
Junior center Imani Walcott had an impressive season for the Cardinals and was the backbone of Plattsburgh’s defense.
Walcott leads the team in blocks and rebounds while being second on the team in steals. Walcott was second in points per game for Plattsburgh.
Julia Greek also stepped up big for the Cardinals. With former starting point guard Mya Smith graduating, Greek took on the primary ball-handler role, leading the team in assists and steals while being the team’s primary ball-handler.
Junior guard Jaden Wilson also played a more significant role this season, leading the team in three-pointers made and was third in scoring.
“I looked at the numbers, and it was almost like every single player on my team was having a career year, sta-
tistically,” Sarraf said. “The team as a whole, our success as a whole, was a reflection of everybody getting better.”
Next season, Plattsburgh will miss Couture’s play but is confident that they can step up and fill her shoes.
“Whether it’s through execution at point guard from Julia Greek, whether it’s through dominating the boards like Imani does, or scoring points in batches like Jaden or just hitting consecutive threes like Selma (Diesz),” Sarraf said. “We’ve got enough in the cabinet where I’m pretty confident someone’s going to step up, or just the whole team is going to rise to the occasion, and we’ll win by committee.”
Email JUSTIN RUSHIA cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
JUSTIN RUSHIA/Cardinal Points
Senior guard/forward Jeremiah Smith drives past three Morrisville defenders for the basket in their SUNYAC playoff matchup at Memorial Hall on Feb. 25.
First-year guard Kayla Johannasen dribbles around the Fredonia defender in their senior day contest
T&F finds success at SUNYACS
BY EMMA DEO Associate Sports Editor
Junior Charles Cypress led the way for the Plattsburgh State Cardinals’ men’s track and field team at the SUNYAC championships, shattering a program record on day one and bringing home the gold on day two.
Sophomore Tyler Baker also brought home a medal for the Cardinals, placing third in the heptathlon.
The team finished in sixth place out of twelve, tallying 41 points.
Cypress set his third program record of the season in the 60 meter dash with a time of 6.86 seconds. In this race, Cypress also qualified for the All-Atlantic Region Track & Field Conference.
On day two, Cypress won the 60 meter dash, earning his first career gold medal and first team All-SUNYAC honors. Baker was named to the All-SUNYAC third team
following his third place finish in the heptathlon.
In his bronze winning heptathlon run, Baker won the 60-meter dash, long jump and high jump, and placed fourth in the 60-meter hurdles, pole vault and 1,000-meter run.
First-year Thomas Clark scored in the 60 meter hurdles with a time of 9.48 seconds. Junior Jordan Williams also competed in the 60 meter dash, earning sixth place with an
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“We didn’t really give up a lot of chances for Cortland; they didn’t really get any good, grade A opportunities, but any chance they did get, Chloe was there to shut them out,” Olshansky said.
In the last minute of play in the third period, Cortland pulled their goalie, giving them an extra skater to put pressure on the Cards.
After winning the face-off, Plattsburgh had control of the puck along the boards. Riggi pulled away with it, skating up the ice until she found Morris, who put the puck between the pipes for the empty net goal, locking in the win.
The final buzzer did not sound yet, but the crowd at the Ronald B. Stafford arena erupted, and the Cards skated away with the 2-0 win, knocking the Red Dragons out of the tournament.
“For us to come back after last year, how they came into our home rink and took something away from us, it was nice to get that revenge. I think it gave us the right energy going into this week, and it was just a great team win all together,” Norton said.
All-Atlantic Region Track & Field Conference qualifying time of 7.01 seconds.
Sophomore Isaiah Ritter put up a new personal best in the long jump, clearing 6.83 meters, also qualifying for the All-Atlantic Region Track & Field Conference.
First-year Jackson Hooper earned fifth place in the high jump, leaping 1.85 meters.
The 4x400-meter relay team of sophomore Ryan Beltran and first-years Joshua Gaboriault, Jack Gregory and Ethan Cypress placed seventh with a time of 3:31.38.
The Plattsburgh women’s track and field team also brought home some hardware for the Cardinals, as junior Marissa LeDuc and the 4x400 relay team earned gold while juniors Marissa Colvin and Grace Yarkosky took home bronze.
The team finished in fifth place out of twelve, racking up 47 total points.
LeDuc earned first place and first team All-SUNYAC honors in the pentathlon, winning the long jump (5.20 meters) and the 800-meter run (2:42.02), while placing second in the shot put (9.93 meters), third in the 60-meter hur-
dles (9.61), and fourth in the high jump (1.38 meters). Colvin placed third in the 5,000 meter run with a time of 18:41.53, earning her third team All-SUNYAC honors qualifying her for the All-Atlantic Region Track & Field Conference.
The 4x400-meter relay team of first-year Emma Mahoney, first-year Isabella Scott, first-year Brianna Wise and Yarkosky brought home a gold medal with a time of 4:05.99, also earning first team All-SUNYAC honors. The team was in third place heading into the final 400 meters, but Yarkosky raced to take the lead in 58.39 seconds, the fastest split of the day.
To finish up, Yarkosky placed third in the 400 meter dash. Both Cardinal track and field teams are back in action at the All-Atlantic Region Track & Field Conference championships on March 7 and 8, held at Ithaca College.
On the other side of the bracket, the first-seeded Oswego State Lakers hosted the fourth-seeded Canton Kangaroos for another semifinal matchup. The Lakers put up two goals in the second period to give them the lead, which they did not surrender. The Kangaroos were able to get a puck past the Oswego goalie late in the third period but Oswego held on for the 2-1 win, sending them to take on the second-seeded Cardinals in the SUNYAC championship Saturday, March 8 at 3:00 p.m.
Since 2007, the Cards are 48-3-2 over the Lakers, going on a 25 game win streak from Feb. 3, 2007 to Nov. 19, 2016. Plattsburgh has netted 235 total goals against Oswego, averaging 4.43 per contest.
This season, the Cards have gone 1-1-1 with the Lakers, notching a 2-0 win, a 2-0 loss and a 2-2 overtime tie. In the tie, the Lakers were able to win the shootout 1-0, which was played out to avoid an issue with a tiebreaker in the SUNYAC standings.
“They do things differently than Cortland, but we want to play our game. We want to go out there with the attitude that we’re going to run out and play like we did today,” Houle said.
JUSTIN RUSHIA/Cardinal Points
First-year high jumper Jackson Hooper jumps at the SUNYAC Championchip March 1.
Email
JUSTIN RUSHIA/Cardinal Points Junior sprinters Charles Cypress and Jordan Williams line up for the 60m final.
Email
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CORTLAND
In dramatic fashion, the Cards secured a 4-3 overtime victory over the 12th-ranked and top seeded Cortland Red Dragons, the very team that ended their championship dreams last year.
Last year, the Cardinals hosted the Red Dragons in the SUNYAC championship, ultimately losing in overtime 2-3.
A chance at revenge, the Cards headed to Cortland in the semifinals of the SUNYAC tournament Mar. 1.
“Cortland beat us twice in the regular season, so we knew it wouldn’t be an easy game, but they still hadn’t seen our best, so we were super pumped to be able to play them in their rink,” Sacratini said.
The Red Dragons looked to get a comfortable win, scoring their first goal just 5:08 into the first period of play. They followed it up with another goal with less than a minute left to go, putting them up 2-0 heading into second.
Cortland outshot Plattsburgh 15-7 in the first period.
Similar to Potsdam, the Cards improved their defense in the second period, holding Cortland to nine shots.
However, it was a scoreless period of play for both teams as both goalies made strong saves.
Plattsburgh senior goalie Jacob Hearne made 29 saves in just under 60 minutes while Ronan Mobley made 30 saves for Cortland, ultimately taking the loss in net.
with our backs against the wall, we’ve proven to be pretty relentless, this team does not have any quit in us,” Sacratini said.
“ ...this team does not have any quit in us, ”
A slashing penalty was called on Cortland with 9:10 left to go in the game. Plattsburgh took advantage of this as junior Colin Callanan rebounded a shot from Sacratini into the back of the net to get Plattsburgh on the board.
Jake Sacratini Junior Forward
Sophomore forward Vlad Pshenichnikov added the secondary assist on the play.
Lanyi, one of two captains, has played for the Cards for four years and will be appearing in his third championship game.
Plattsburgh had the only power-play goal of the evening, going 1-4 on the advantage, while Cortland was 0-3.
“The ref had his hand up for another Cortland penalty. We knew we had another chance on the power play that we had to take advantage of, and we did,” Sacratini said.
Pshenichnikov shot from the face-off circle, scoring to cut the lead to just one goal. Bondy and Weaver-Vitale recorded assists on the play.
Lanyi took arguably the biggest face off this season for the Cards and won it finding sophomore forward Aaron Catron who scored with about four seconds to spare to send the game into overtime.
“We had all the momentum, getting off the ice at the end of regulation and skating past the Cortland bench. They looked defeated, everyone’s heads were down, they weren’t talking, and we knew there was no chance we were losing,” Sacratini said.
year it couldn’t have been written up any better being able to beat them in overtime in their own rink,” Sacratini said.
Plattsburgh will head to the SUNYAC Championship to take on the second-seeded Oswego Lakers (15-8-3, 9-4-1) Mar. 8th.
The last 10 matchups between the teams includes a 3-7 record in Oswego’s favor dating from Jan. 2022 to the last time they faced off on Feb. 1.
In the third period, the Red Dragons were up 3-0 with under 18 minutes to go.
“Definitely was not ideal going down three goals again, but
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“I looked at my linemate Jake Lanyi, and I did not want this to be his last college hockey game. I know that motivated me to crank my game up a notch,” Sacratini said.
The Cardinals looked like they were pulling away, grabbing a nine-point lead after a Kareem Welch tip-in with 10 minutes left to play,
The Mustangs hung tough and cut the lead to two points with six minutes left to play.
Senior forward Jeremiah Smith extended the Cardinals’ advantage to 65-62 by scoring three consecutive points, followed by a layup that brought the score to 65-62 with 3:02 left on the clock.
Senior guard Kevin Tabb increased the Cardinals’ lead back to five with a layup, but Morrisville quickly responded with a 4-0 run that narrowed the gap to 67-66.
With fewer than five seconds on the clock, the Mustangs intentionally fouled Tabb, who successfully made two crucial free throws, increasing Plattsburgh’s lead to 69-66.
The Mustangs had an opportunity to tie the game, but the Cardinals’ defense held firm as Plattsburgh secured a 69-66 victory.
“You know, people talk, and they could be like, ‘Yeah, when that moment comes, I’m gonna be ready.’ You’re never ready until the moment comes,” Ezike said. “I think whoever’s around you affects how you act. So just everybody stayin’ calm in the face of danger just helps keep the mentality.”
Infante led Plattsburgh in scoring, racking up 21 points, as well as grabbing seven rebounds.
Plattsburgh finished the game with 14 steals and 11 blocks as a team.
Infante and Welch both achieved the milestone of scoring their 1,000th career points.
Plattsburgh’s next challenge: a game against the first-seeded New Paltz Hawks.
NEW PALTZ
While Plattsburgh held the lower seed coming into this matchup, the Cardinals swept the first-seeded Hawks in the regular season.
The Cardinals couldn’t get the job done the third time, falling to the Hawks 74-72.
Plattsburgh pulled their goalie over the final minutes of play in return for an extra attacker.
With less than a minute left, all odds were against Plattsburgh with Cortland winning back-to-back faceoffs in their offensive zone.
Just 20 seconds into overtime, Weaver-Vitale took a shot toward the net, and Sacratini deflected the puck from the top of the slot and found the top shelf past Cortland’s goalie.
“This is my first year here, but the fact Cortland beat us in the finals in our own rink and seeing how much this game meant to the guys who were here last
Senior forward Ike Ezike goes in for a layup over
“Our guys were motivated to win the SUNYAC championship, so any time that you fall short of your ultimate goal it will leave a disappointing taste in your mouth,” Blaine wrote. “However, we certainly made some strides this year as our overall win total increased from last season, and we advanced to the semifinals of the SUNYAC tournament, which we were unable to do last year.”
Plattsburgh carried its highly intense defensive game plan to New Paltz. Ezike recorded a block within the first fourteen seconds of the game.
Tabb scored the opening basket of the game, quickly followed by a layup from Sean St. Lucia. Plattsburgh then surged ahead with a 5-0 run, momentarily taking a 7-6 lead at the 15:21 mark.
The lead changed hands five times before Plattsburgh gained an advantage with back-to-back three-pointers from
Welch and Smith, pushing the score to 18-13 at the 12:55 mark.
New Paltz responded with five consecutive points, narrowing the gap to one point, but Smith countered with four straight points, extending the Cardinals’ lead to 25-20 with less than nine minutes left in the half.
Plattsburgh then went on a 10-0 run, sparked by Welch, bringing the score to 3729 with just over five minutes remaining.
Tabb added another three-pointer, increasing the Cardinals’ lead to as much as nine points. However, New Paltz finished the half strong, ending with a 7-0 run, tying the game at 41-41.
The second half of the game was just as intense as the first, with both teams trading baskets in a closely contested matchup. New Paltz opened the half with four straight points, but Plattsburgh quickly countered with five points of their own, taking a 46-45 lead.
The game will be an exact rematch of the 2022-2023 SUNYAC Championship, where the Cards won their 24th SUNYAC championship in program history defeating Oswego, 2-1, on the road.
Email ROSIE SCULCO cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
New Paltz responded with back-toback layups to regain the lead, but Plattsburgh then went on an 8-0 run, led by Ezike and Infante, to take a 54-49 lead at the 13:29 mark.
New Paltz rallied again with their own 8-0 run, making the score 57-54 midway through the second half. The teams continued to battle, responding to each other’s runs, and Plattsburgh led 65-63 with less than five minutes remaining after baskets from Infante and Tabb.
With under three minutes left, Plattsburgh held a 72-68 advantage, but a layup from Smith, along with a foul, allowed New Paltz to take a 74-72 lead with less than 20 seconds to go.
“We were trying to figure out the best way to tie the game in a short window of time. Our guys did a good job understanding the situation and acted with pace and purpose down the stretch,” Blaine wrote.
Plattsburgh had two opportunities to tie the game but made a turnover, followed by a shot that appeared to tie it. However, that shot was ultimately disallowed due to the expiration of time. This allowed New Paltz to hold on for the win, ending the game at 74-72 over Plattsburgh.
“I was most disappointed in how the decision was handled,” Blaine wrote. “I understand that last-second plays can be a challenge to adjudicate. A lot is happening in a short window. My frustration lies predominantly with the fact that no explanation was given for why the call that was made during the run of play was overturned without clear video replay to point to for evidence.”
Plattsburgh finishes its season with a record of 15-12 and will graduate seven seniors: forward Orlando Dawkins, Ezike, forward Ladan Graves, Infante, guard Matt Kone-Bradshaw, Smith, and Tabb.
“Our returning players got a good sense of what it takes to compete at the highest level of the conference. They are hungry to build on this experience and begin to attack the 25-26 season,” Blaine wrote.
JUSTIN RUSHIA/Cardinal Points
two Morrisville defenders.
EMMA DEO/Cardinal Points
Junior forward Jake Sacratini fires the puck past the Fredonia defenders in their 4-3 senior night win Feb. 15.
‘The
Substance’ becomes real life
BY KOLIN KRINER Opinion Editor
The story line of “The Substance,” directed by Carolie Fargeat, became a living reality the night of the Oscars when Demi Moore was robbed of winning the Academy Award for Best Actress to Mikey Madison, who starred in “Anora,” directed by Sean Baker.
GPA doesn’t cut it Gen-Z, experience speaks louder
BY KOLIN KRINER Opinion Editor
After years of education — and thousands of dollars worth of debt — many soon realize that they were never taught basic life skills needed to survive in our day and age. Tasks such as filing taxes, salary negotiation, financial literacy and things as simple as properly writing an email tend to get forgotten about.
College tends to focus on theory and fails in regards to teaching practical skills to student education. This can quickly become worrisome in terms of employment opportunities. This is showcased in intelligent.com’s survey surrounding Gen Z new hires to the article, “Gen Z Lacks Job-Readiness Skills, Survey Shows” by Elizabeth Heubeck.
“Among the survey respondents, nearly 60 percent agreed that recent college graduates are unprepared for the workforce,” wrote Heubeck. “Close to 40 percent admitted to intentionally avoiding hiring Gen Z college graduates and instead hiring employees who are 27 and older.”
Another notable disadvantage recent graduates have seen is a lack of financial skills. Many don’t have a well established understanding of budgeting and managing long term finances. A 2024 survey done by Quizlet found that 56 percent of recent college graduates lacked confidence in these areas.
Another issue college students face is being taught to primarily focus on GPA by academic advisers. However, this should not be the case.
A study conducted by Inside Higher Ed found that there is no direct correlation between academic success and job performance.
What does tend to enhance hireability is experience, such as internships and employment during school. This shows parallel to many entry level jobs requiring two years of experience.
“That’s why it’s important to build experiential experiences right into our academic programs, so learners apply classroom skills to solace real-world problems for real workplace sponsors,” said Charles Kilfoye, EdD, according to Shayna Joubert’s article
“Education vs. Experience: Which Do Employers Value More?”
Although many of the problems outlined come at the fault of the programs students are enrolled in, that doesn’t mean you can’t work to better your opportunity.
Just because your degree may not require an internship, it would still be beneficial to look into getting one. If not an internship, any employment is better than no employment, as it shows you have work ethic and experience in some capacity.
Ensure the investment you are making into your degree is going to have positive impacts on your life. If no one is going to tell you to look into work experience, you can always look into it on your own accord. Your degree on its own may not seem like much, but to ensure employment it’s never too late to look for ways to enhance your hireability.
Email KOLIN KRINER cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
I am not in any way shading Madison for her win, as both were just as deserving to win. However, I do find the parallels between the award show and the concept of “The Substance” to be quite rattling: a young actress overshadowing the successful career of her professional predecessor.
Both films were socially significant to different aspects of the female experience so I shouldn’t even be mad about Madison taking home the award, but strangely I am.
It could have a connection to the fear of aging — one that keeps me up at night. The experience of youth feels incredibly temporary, and the fear of not feeling fully content with your successes just to be washed away by society are all aspects of “The Substance,” which I believe is what makes me so drawn to it.
It’s saddening to see someone so matured into her career lose. What I think made it hurt even more was that this movie bought Moore her first major award wins.
I am excited to see what else both Moore and Madison do in their careers, but I hope that Moore will win her very much deserved flowers before long.
At least what I can say is that Moore did beat Madison in some capacity. In terms of looks from the night, both of their outfits were good. However, good is an understatement for the absolutely gorgeous outfit Moore wore. She was absolutely stunning.
Email KOLIN KRINER cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
MIDTERM SEASON QUICK TIPS
Time management
Prioritize tasks
List out upcoming assignments and exams and organize them by urgency. This will give you a visual idea of what you need to do and how you should prioritize the order in which you do them.
Use the Pomodoro technique
Study in 20 minute increments with 10 minute breaks in between to refresh your mind. I do something similar, where I will study for about 30 minutes then play a round of a video game so I still feel like I am getting some enjoyment in my day.
Avoid cramming
You are more prone to memorize material if you study in short incremental sessions rather than cramming everything all at once.
Set SMART goals
Make sure what you are studying is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timely to stay focused and efficient.
Eliminate Distractions
Find a quiet place to study, put your phone on “Do Not Disturb” and put on some study music or nature sounds. A good place to go is Feinberg Library. They offer areas with different volume levels and study carrels.
Compiled by Kolin Kriner
Relieving stress
Get enough sleep
Aim to get at least 6-8 hours of sleep to keep your brain functioning well.
Move your body
If your work is stressing you out, go for a walk, go to the gym or even stretch to relieve bodily tension.
Stay hydrated
Dehydration can cause fatigue and headaches, so keep water nearby so you can ensure you are able to stay focused.
Talk it out
If you are overwhelmed, vent to a friend or professor to gain perspective and support. It will also ease your mind if the stress gets expressed out of your mind.
Practice deep breathing
Try the 4-7-8 technique: Inhale for four seconds, hold for seven and exhale for eight to calm anxiety.
Practice self-compassion
Remind yourself that you are doing your best. Acknowledge progress, not what’s left to do.
Via Adobe Stock
Graphic by Kolin Kriner
Kolin Kriner
Campus’ lack of snow days puts students’ safety at risk
BY KALIYAH GREEN Staff Writer
When Mother Nature throws a snowy tantrum, upstate colleges should put a pause button to keep everyone safe and tucked inside their beds, turning potential ice disasters into cozy study days. Given the harsh winters that affect the North Country, heavy snowfall and icy conditions can significantly impact students, faculty and staff. Implementing more snow days not only ensures safety, but also promotes a better learning environment by minimizing disruptions and fostering student well-being.
The primary reason for implementing snow days is safety. Heavy snowfall and icy roads create hazardous driving conditions, increasing the risk of accidents. Off campus students are particularly vulnerable to traveling long distances to reach campus.
By having a snow day, colleges can prevent potential accidents and injuries, ensuring that everyone remains safe. A recent accident in Plattsburgh that involved a car crashing into a coach bus during a snowstorm illustrates exactly how dangerous conditions can become.
Just a few weeks ago, Plattsburgh experienced a snowstorm and snow piled overnight. The snow isn’t adequately shoveled for students and faculty to walk safely. The lack of proper shoveling can also cause walkways to freeze over. The campus did receive a delay during that snow storm, cancelling morning classes. However, walking and travel conditions were still hazardous.
SAFETY CONCERNS
Many colleges and universities emphasize that students are responsible for attending classes regardless of weather conditions. Unlike primary and secondary schools, colleges rarely close unless conditions are extreme, as maintaining normal operations prevents scheduling disruptions and missed coursework.
Another crucial factor is that snow days promote fairness in education. Many students do not have the same resources to handle severe weather conditions. Many lack proper winter gear, while others may live far from campus with no safe or reliable transportation options or could have a physical disability. Students who cannot physically attend class due to the weather may fall behind,
especially if attendance policies are strict.
“It’s actually pretty unsafe,” off-campus student Brenda Gabriel said. “I’ve had to walk on the street while cars pass me in the middle of a snowstorm, and I feared somebody not seeing me. I hate that to live off campus; you have to have a source of mobility. It’s just inconvenient.” Additionally, colleges have tight academic schedules without built-in makeup days, making cancellations more complicated. In some conditions not all students have the capability to shift seamlessly to remote learning. Colleges that choose to continue classes online during bad weather must consider that some students may have power outages or weak internet connections.
These factors create an unfair academic environment where students who are more privileged in terms of resources have an advantage over those who struggle with winter-related challenges.
A more liberal use of snow days would ensure that students have an equal opportunity to succeed.
WELL-BEING
Beyond safety concerns, snow days contribute to the overall well-being of students. College life is de-
manding, with heavy academic workloads, exams and personal responsibilities. Unexpected breaks due to snow days give students a chance to rest, reducing stress and preventing burnout. This is really important because during the winter months, seasonal depression is common due to shorter daylight hours and cold weather.
According to Verywell Health, seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that occurs during the fall and winter months due to reduced daylight, affecting up to 3% of the general population.
Furthermore, walking to class in extreme cold can be physically exhausting and even dangerous in cases of frostbite or hypothermia. Allowing students to have a snow day would give students the opportunity to reset and remain safe and comfortable indoors.
While colleges prioritize maintaining academic standards, they should also recognize the importance of student safety and well-being. Implementing more snow days would help prevent accidents and provide fair access to education.
Email KALIYAH GREEN cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
Cardinal Points has received the following awards from the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP):
ACP Hall of Fame
Inducted in Fall 2010
All American
Spring 2018, four Marks of Distinction
Spring 2016, five Marks of Distinction
Spring 2014, four Marks of Distinction
Spring
Compiled by Kolin Kriner
Via Adobe Stock
Cards fight in SUNYAC playoffs
Photos by Emma Deo and Justin Rushia
Senior guard Sasha Vidrini (10) prepares to throw a pass around two Mustang defenders in front of a packed home crowd, Feb 25.
Junior guard Kareem Welch sizes up a defender. Welch made 2nd team All-SUNYAC this season.
Senior guard Franklin Infante recorded 21 points in the victory over Morrisville, including the first six points for the Cardinals.
Blake Hall (18) is embraced by Shane Bondy (16) as the team celebrates on the ice.
Graduate Student Mae Olshansky fires a shot on Cortland’s goal in the highly-anticipated playoff rematch against Cortland on March 1.
CARDINALS SLAY RED DRAGONS
Men’s hockey erases 3-0 deficit twice
BY ROSIE SCULCO Staff Writer
After erasing 0-3 deficits twice, the Plattsburgh Cardinals men’s hockey team advanced to the SUNYAC championship.
Under head coach Steve Moffat, the Cards (16-10-1, 8-6) have made the SUNYAC tournament every year, including a 2023 championship victory.
This is Plattsburgh’s 33rd consecutive season of SUNYAC tournament play, and
the team will be searching for its 25th title in program history.
POTSDAM
The 5th-seeded Potsdam Bears (814-4, 6-7-1) hit the road to take on the 4th-seeded Cards in the first round of the SUNYAC tournament on Feb. 26.
Moffat said adversity has been a topic of discussion for the Cards all year and that did not stop at the start of the postseason.
“We’ve been doing it all year, battling adversity, so I think we’re getting pretty good at it,” senior forward and captain Jake Lanyi said.
Both teams came out very physical, but Potsdam owned the first period of play. The Bears took 16 shots and scored three goals.
Potsdam’s Jack Loran gave his team the lead early, after 6:33 of play. Jeremy Quesnel followed with a goal at 11:56. Soon after killing a power play by the Cardinals, Rocco Seery earned his first career goal to put the Bears up 3-0 at the end of the first period.
“We just had to re-group. The best thing that probably could happen is basically they score three goals early because we had 40 minutes to get back into it,” head coach Steve Moffat said.
In a game that featured 39 minutes of penalties, Plattsburgh took advantage of a powerplay situation to begin its comeback.
Junior defender Lonan Bulger put the Cards on the board with his second goal of the season at the 14:30 mark in the second period. Graduate student defender Kevin Weaver-Vitale and firstyear forward Shane Bondy each tallied assists on the play.
“Obviously, the first goal was big, and that kind of got us going a little bit. I thought we played a really good second period, and the biggest difference was we gave up 16 shots in the first period. We played better defense that was huge for us,” Moffat said.
The Cards only allowed five shots in the second period.
A score of 3-1 remained into the final period of play before a thrilling threegoal stretch in under 10 minutes that gave Plattsburgh the lead back.
The scoring began as first-year forward Brody Spencer-Ha netted one to put the Cards behind by only one goal at the 15:08 mark. Junior forward Jake Sacratini earned the primary assist, while Bulger added the secondary assist.
Less than three minutes later, Bulger scored his second goal of the night, assisted by senior forward Jagger Benson and junior forward Colin Callahan, to open a brand-new game, landing at a score of 3-3 with little under 6 minutes left to play.
“Just have to take it shift by shift. You can’t score three in one shift, so you gotta work to get the first one and then one at a time, and it worked out,” Lanyi said.
With just 5:42 remaining, first-year forward Patrick Cole received the puck from first-year forward Blake Hall and then shoveled in a shot, giving the Cards a 4-3 lead after trailing for over 40 minutes. Junior defender Spencer Bellina earned the secondary assist.
Cole earned his 10th goal of the season, tying him for second on the team.
“It was so exciting. It was probably the coolest goal I’ve ever scored. Just to put us up by one is huge,” Cole said.
As the Bears took their goalie off the ice for the final minute in return for an extra man, the Cards’ defense remained strong.
Sacratini scored the 5th and final goal of the game after Bulger helped force a turnover, ultimately eliminating Potsdam from the SUNYAC Tournament.
“No matter what the score is, we’re not out of any game. We know we’re capable of putting up four goals in a period. It starts with our coaching, our leadership, keeping us positive and sticking with each other,” Cole said.
Women’s hockey moves on, shuts out Cortland
BY EMMA DEO
Associate Sports Editor
The Plattsburgh State Cardinals women’s hockey team (196-1, 14-3-1) got its revenge after last year’s SUNYAC championship loss to the Cortland Red Dragons (17-5-4, 12-4-2), knocking them out of the semifinals with a 2-0 shutout win March 1.
“At this point, it was win or go home, so we won,” Plattsburgh State head coach Kevin Houle said.
Graduate forward Ciara Wall notched her sixth goal of the season for the game-winner late in the first period, while first-year forward Tessa Morris sealed the win with an empty-netter in the third period.
“When Tessa scored that empty net goal was really when we all started celebrating,” graduate student forward Mae Olshansky said. “It was a really fun environment to be in. It was awesome.”
The matchup was largely defensive, with both squads only putting up 43 total shots. The first period started off with few stoppages as neither team drew a penalty. The Cardinals won the first period shot battle 9-5.
“We had to stay on that gas pedal. Not all of the shots might be going in, but we keep the
pressure on, and at some point it’s going to happen and they’re going to fold,” senior defender
Mattie Norton said.
Plattsburgh finally busted the game open with under a minute left in the first period when junior forward Molly Riggi freed the puck from the boards and passed the puck to Olshansky.
Olshansky then found Wall wide open in front of the goal as she fired it past the Cortland goaltender to put the Cards up 1-0.
Plattsburgh held on to that lead until the buzzer, heading into the locker room with the advantage.
“I think our strongest point was we played defense first. We obviously want to score as many goals as we can, but we also know that we have to be strong in our own zone,” Norton said.
The second period showcased strong defensive efforts from both teams. Only six total shots were taken over the 20-minute stretch.
“I think really just building on that defensive zone like that honestly won us the game against Cortland, not giving them any opportunities and then capitalizing on the opportunities we did get,” Olshansky said.
The Cardinals had the lead but the game was not over yet.
The Cortland offense woke up in the third period, with the Red Dragons outshooting the Cardinals 12-11. However, sophomore goaltender Chloe
Lewis was able to defend everything that came her way, posting her 10th shutout of the season with a 20-save performance.
Lewis leads the SUNYAC in goals against average with 0.92.
EMMA DEO/Cardinal Points
Men’s hockey celebrates its game-tying goal in the contest against Buffalo State.
EMMA