The Observer, Volume LV, Issue 19, 02/16/24

Men’s basketball goes 1-1, will end season with crucial home stretch

Marvin Lee Staff Writer

On Friday, Feb. 9 before then No. 10 Case Western Reserve University’s matchup with then No. 11 New York University, the Spartans controlled their own destiny. After CWRU ended up on the wrong side of this duel of two Division III juggernauts, they no longer have control. Following a 80-93 loss to NYU and a win over Brandeis University on Sunday by a score of 78-70, the Spartans stand at

No. 2 in the UAA with a conference record of 7-4. Standing at No.1 is NYU with an 8-3 record in the UAA.

The Spartans did not fall too far after an even weekend, moving down three spots to No. 13 in this week’s D3hoops.com Top 25. The NCAA also released the first regional rankings for the year, which will be key in determining tournament host sites and provides a forecast for how high CWRU could be seeded. In region 7, the 18-4 Spartans rank second, just behind the No. 1 team in the nation, the 22-1 John Carroll University Blue

Streaks from about four miles away in University Heights, Ohio. Now that would be a fun tournament game, but fortunately it wouldn’t come until later in the bracket as both squads are ranked so highly. If the Spartans continue to play well, there should be NCAA Tournament games played at Horsburgh Gymnasium in early March.

Against NYU, CWRU wasn’t really close for more than a couple minutes of the contest. The Violets feature a number of former Division I athletes, including former Duke Blue Devil Mi-

chael Savarino, the grandson of the legendary Coach K. Savarino dropped 22 points against the Spartans, including a perfect 8-8 from the line and 4-7 from 3-point range. NYU also features a couple of former Ivy League players, and that’s what has made the 18-3 Violets such a formidable force in the DIII ranks this year. It also makes the Spartans’ 94-76 blowout victory at home over NYU earlier in the year all the more impressive.

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Changes to housing options announced prior to March selection

Second-year students to primarily live in SRV

Darcy Chew Copy Editor

Téa Tamburo News Editor

In anticipation of the new South Residential Village (SRV) buildings opening in time for the fall semester, on-campus housing

options for students are changing. The housing application will open the week of Feb. 19, and students can form groups of two, four or six, removing options for groups of three and five. Students who apply before March 18 can participate in the housing selection process, which will take place from March 21-29. The new SRV residence halls will provide 600 beds in total,

allowing the university to meet their increased need for on-campus housing due to growing class sizes. The SRV residence halls have been in consideration since the 2015 Campus Master Plan, but construction was delayed to July 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the planning stages back in 2015, student feedback influenced the design of the new SRV halls. After receiving

positive student feedback about North Residential Village (NRV)’s Stephanie Tubbs Jones (STJ) Residence Hall’s common spaces, the new SRV halls will also feature a variety of common spaces with rooms for studying, socializing and hosting larger events.

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During CWRU men’s basketball game against Brandeis University, graduate student guard Preston Maccoux achieved his seventh double-digit contribution this season with 7 3-pointers. Courtesy of Tim Phillis/CWRU Athletics

Carlos Kalmar sues CIM

Former principal conductor forced out as a result of student pro- tests, sues for damages upward of $260 million

Lexy Jensen Development Editor

Zachary Treseler News Editor

Following a tumultuous academic year at the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) complete with a Title IX investigation and student protests, former Principal Conductor Carlos Kalmar filed a lawsuit against the school for between $5 and $260 million in damages, not including attorney fees. The lawsuit stems from an anonymous Title IX claim that inspired a large student protest, leading to Kalmar being placed on administrative leave—accusations Kalmar denies.

The 48-page lawsuit filed in the Eastern Division of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio on Jan. 31 claims that CIM violated his rights to confidentiality in the Title IX adjudication process. Lawyers for Kalmar and his wife, who is a co-defendant, argue that an email sent by Vivian Scott, CIM’s former Title IX coordinator and Title IX compliance officer, which named Kalmar as the target of a Title IX inquiry, violated his rights to confidentiality. Therefore, according to Kalmar’s lawyers, CIM can be held liable for retaliation. Scott sent an email to the student body requesting that students come forward with their experiences, citing an anonymous course evaluation which started with, “I know most of the people who will read this are men, but I also invite you to think about what it’s like to be a woman in his orchestra.”

Scott was later removed from her position at CIM. The university said this was due to budget cuts and general organizational restructuring and not because CIM was silencing “those reporting allegations,” according to a “Fact-Check” webpage on CIM’s website. Scott was formerly shared between CIM and the Cleveland Institute of Art, but today works only at the latter.

The lawsuit specifically cites actions by Scott, Executive Vice President and Provost Scott Harrison, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs and Dean of the Institute Dean Southern and CIM President and CEO Paul

Hogle, who are all listed as co-defendants. Southern later became CIM’s acting Title IX officer upon Scott’s departure. Kalmar’s lawyers claim that Harrison, Southern and Hogle were negligent for onboarding Scott when they “knew or should have known that Defendant Scott was incompetent to serve as CIM’s Title IX Coordinator,” and, as they all oversaw the Title IX system, they are all responsible for the situation—even if they were not the individuals directly responsible, the upper-level administrators still were complicit.

The Title IX investigation into Kalmar was dismissed. The lawsuit claims he was “cleared of any sexual misconduct,” however, the dismissal caused distress amongst the student body, which organized a collaborative protest effort. On Sept. 13, 2023, dozens of students sat silently in the first orchestra rehearsal of the academic year, refusing to play under Kalmar’s baton. Students cited concerns with the administration’s actions regarding the dismissal of the investigation and the lack of consideration of faculty opinions during the initial search for an orchestra director. A petition delivered to Hogle on the day of the protest read, “During the process of Mr. Kalmar’s hiring, the higher-level administration chose to disregard numerous

alarms raised by faculty members. By disbanding the Orchestra Director Search Committee, the administration empowered its own execrable selection while silencing the concerned voices of the faculty.” Kalmar’s legal team noted that under his employment contract, he was the sole person responsible for determining standards and rehearsal responsibilities. Additionally, CIM never supported him by refusing to adhere to its Student Code of Conduct, creating an environment that was “overwhelmingly difficult, humiliating, and untenable for Kalmar.”

Kalmar’s legal team claims that the protests were misguided. “Many students and faculty, misinformed as they were, publicly protested Kalmar. The school placated and surrendered to the misinformed and misled mob,” the lawsuit states. The document further claims that when he was hired, the school performed a background check that “did not discover a single instance of an allegation of sexual misconduct or discrimination.” As a result, the document argues that Kalmar has been “canceled” and the damage done to his reputation has prevented him from obtaining employment opportunities now and for the foreseeable future.

After the protest, Kalmar was placed on administrative leave from the conservatory. The lawsuit claims this was

done without any justification or written notice.

The suit contains 12 claims for relief: 12 different reasons why CIM is liable. These range from damages directly regarding Title IX violations and contract breaches to claims of defamation, emotional distress and a “loss of consortium” between Kalmar and his wife.

In the past academic year, CIM lost significant faculty members, including renowned trumpeter and pedagogue Michael Sachs. His resignation followed an email from CIM’s legal team and HR department which accused him of making “a statement which [he has] never made.” As Sachs stated in a public Facebook post announcing his resignation, “This incident was not the first baseless attack by members of CIM’s administration on my character, reputation, and integrity. Because I will not tolerate any further such attacks, I made the decision to resign from all positions that I held with the Cleveland Institute of Music, effective immediately.”

The school has also made significant strides, including attaining a significant scholarship endowment and hiring pianist Gabriela Montero as piano faculty and Jonathan and Linn Epstein Artist-in-Residence. CIM also noted an increase in the number of applications for the 2024-25 school year, up to 1,015 as compared to the 985 applications for the 2023-24 school year.

The court case is still ongoing. In response, representatives from CIM told The Observer that they “can confirm that Carlos Kalmar, director of orchestra and conducting programs and principal conductor (currently on administrative leave), has filed a complaint in federal court against the organization. CIM is limited in its ability to comment on active litigation involving confidential personnel matters, but will vigorously defend itself against the allegations, remaining focused on providing its students with exceptional educational opportunities. At this time, the Institute will not issue an additional statement on this matter.”

As the controversy at CIM reaches its climax, Kalmar is not bowing out quietly. It is clear that this past year has been a difficult one for CIM administrators, faculty and students alike, and it might continue to be with a possibly long, ugly court battle ahead.

Outside Cleveland City Hall, pro-Palestine activists protest ceasefire remarks

Anisha Dasari Contributing Writer

Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin issued a statement on Feb. 5 threatening to halt public remarks on the ceasefire in the IsraelHamas war. Pointing to the demonstrations that have been going on at Cleveland City Hall for months, Griffin stated, “Such disruptions may constitute a misdemeanor and a violation of Section 605.04.” His words went unnoticed as the protests grew louder.

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A symphony of scandal surrounds the Cleveland Institute of Music as former Principal Conductor Carlos Kalmar sues the prestigious institution for the alleged mishandling of a Title IX adjudication proceeding. Clay Preusch/The Observer

Cleveland City Council members struggle to regain control as the council chambers flooded with pro-Palestine activists chanting, “Pass the resolution now!” during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Courtesy of J. Nungesser/Ideastream Public Medialight Pictures

Changes to housing from page 1

“I think the university … really looked into what sort of infrastructures people like in the existing buildings like the newer ones like STJ,” Nandita Patil, vice president of residential services in the Residence Hall Association (RHA), said. “Students really like the multipurpose rooms and stuff like that. So they try to incorporate a lot of that into the newer buildings, and I think that that reflection is what will get students coming to these buildings.”

The new SRV halls will mostly be composed of double rooms, and the university said that despite the corridor style floor plan, each floor contains sections that foster community among small groups of students. Floor plans were displayed in Tinkham Veale University Center on Feb. 2 and are available on the University Housing website.

“Each floor is comprised of smaller groupings of students to create small student communities,” the university said. “Additionally, the bathroom design will allow for a more homelike environment, allowing for more privacy and convenience.”

In addition to the room designs, the amenities available in the new SRV halls are new developments that are catered toward students. Both buildings will now have laundry rooms on each floor in hopes of solving the current issue of inadequate laundry machines seen throughout the current residence halls. Both halls will also have central air conditioning, another amenity for which students have been advocating. The hall closer to Murray Hill will feature a health clinic to address students’ health concerns.

Construction of the new SRV halls provided an opportunity for the university to reevaluate the existing housing options. The Triangle Towers will become a part of the Independent Living Experience for upperclass students, and

With the addition of the new SRV buildings due to open in the upcoming fall semester, students have access to many more on-campus housing options with the housing application opening later this week. Clay Preusch/The Observer

The Monroe will no longer be used as on-campus housing. All currently operating SRV housing options for second-year students will still be available for the next academic year. Murray Hill buildings will be four-person suites featuring two study rooms, and buildings on Carlton Road will be six-person suites. Both buildings will be co-ed, however, only Kusch, Michaelson and Glaser Houses will offer co-ed suites.

“Living on campus provides easy access to study groups, campus events and the chance to build lifelong friendships. By centralizing

Pro-Palestine activists from page 2

Many cities in Ohio have joined the fight against war and passed resolutions in favor of a ceasefire, including Dayton and Akron. The delayed stance from the Cleveland City Council angered many residents. Several local Jewish leaders mirrored this sentiment as they voiced their agreement. Rabbi Miriam Geronimus of Cleveland Jewish Collective said in the Cleveland Jewish News, “Resist the false narrative that says you must pick a side and that to call for a cease-fire is to care only about Palestinians … Pass the ceasefire resolution. Choose life.”

A new six-step policy for disrupting city council meetings was put into place by the council in January. On Feb. 5, protesters in council chambers began to loudly chant, “Pass the resolution now!” This chant followed the meeting’s public comment section. Council President Griffin encouraged them to stop, using his gavel and microphone. The demonstrators filed out into a hallway and persisted in their protest outside the chamber doors before he could implement the new policy that permits the council to declare a recess, clear the cham-

bers and restart the meeting. A few council members got up during council business to talk to the protesters and the police. After about 15 minutes, law enforcement had to close the chamber doors, but the chants still resonated through the large wooden doors.

Many demonstrators said that they felt they were doing nothing wrong.

“I think we’ve reached a point where we’re going to keep going until we get the ceasefire,” demonstrator Jenna Muhieddine of Lakewood said, sharing her point of view regarding the protests.

While the policy was in effect during the protests, it was not deployed. Griffin said that he tried to be patient because he respects the opinions and voices of the protestors, but he hopes that more orderly and respectful practices will arise. Griffin has previously said that even though council members have a great deal of sympathy for the people who have died in the conflict, a resolution is unlikely to be passed. Activists and residents alike were not pleased with Griffin’s response, and they plan to continue protesting to force Cleveland City Council to pass the resolution.

our second-year housing, we aim to create a stronger sense of identity and shared experience for this class year,” the university said regarding how second-year students will now primarily be housed in the SRV.

The same sentiment is shared by RHA Executive President Patrick Wang who advocates for students living on-campus.

“Living on campus is a unique opportunity,” he said. “I feel like people should think about it as an opportunity. Not often in your life are you able to live almost exclusively with people who are your age, who have the same level of interest

in academics or specific clubs and activities than in college. I think being in a residential community gives you a unique opportunity to form those connections and build this community of people who are like-minded and also who have diverse backgrounds.”

With the selection process quickly approaching, students have a lot to consider regarding their housing for next year. With plenty of options for second-year and upperclass housing, RHA is hosting residence hall tours of SRV and NRV from Feb. 17-18 at 11 a.m. to help students make their decision.

“Horror Movie 101”: A lesson in stupidity

Hannah Shindler Contributing Writer

On Feb. 9-10, the Players’ Theatre Group presented “Horror Movie 101: Failing Can Be Deadly” by Steven Stack, a play in which the characters incessantly break the basic rules of horror movies. The play consists of five scenes, each with its own set of characters, but they all exist in the same universe. It begins and ends with more lighthearted, silly scenes, letting the creepier ones exist in the middle.

“Horror Movie 101” begins on this lighter note with “Heirlooms,” directed by Ashley Rosinski. In this scene, Tara (Emily Hawkins) and Drew (Margot McCann), a teenage couple, have found themselves in possession of a hook hand. Drew and Tara, contemplating what to do with the hook hand, are interrupted when there is a loud knock on the door and the lights go out. Drew runs to the door but is stopped by Tara who scolds her for “Horror Movie 101.” Enter Nicole (Sarah Roelle) who is in pursuit of her hook hand.

Roelle delivered a captivating performance as a villain, casually mentioning that the hook hand was a family heirloom used to kill many people. Upon hearing this, Tara lets her guard down and explains how she lost her own family heirloom—her grandmother’s corpse.

My personal favorite and also the next scene was “The Girl on the Side of the Road,” directed by Ryan Malkin. Hazel (McCann) absolutely stole the

show. She completely nailed the creepy little girl in a horror movie schtick: Her presence was absolutely captivating and left me begging for more. Another young couple, Jane (Edie Barlin) and Cal (Angela Rich), find the girl Hazel sitting on the side of the road. She asks to be taken home to Mother (Emily Hawkins), which immediately makes Jane suspicious and causes her to delve into the familiar “Horror Movie 101” speech, prancing about the playing area. Cal insists on helping her, stating that she reminded her of her dead sister. You guessed it: helping Hazel results in someone’s death.

The next scene, “The One,” was directed by the producer of the show, Ave Tallarida. “The One” was reminiscent of the trolley problem, establishing a dilemma where a body bag, containing one of the six friends in the scene, was laid out in a haunted house. The group had six and a half minutes to decide whether they would open the bag, killing their unknown friend, or abstain from opening it, resulting in all of their deaths. The success of the show was a testament to Tallarida’s hard work as both a producer and a director.

“Isolation,” directed by Maddie Pollock, rounds out the creepy portion of the show. Six teenagers decide to visit a cabin in the woods. Before the scene begins, Mark (Juan Martin Lopez), who had been in the previous scene, was said to have been killed by Karen (Kashika Bagga). He had been infected with a mysterious zombie-like virus that caused him to attack his friend, Jenny (Roelle), who then attacked

Taylor (Taylor Bruno). The virus slowly spreads to each of the friends, with the suspense leaving audience members on the edge of their seats throughout the remainder of the scene.

The show finishes on another light note with “David and Delaney’s Guide to the Perfectly Nifty Prom,” directed by Gryffin Hauenstein. David (Lucas Vorkoper) and Delaney (Alex Siegel) have been dating since they were six, and it’s finally time to go to their senior prom. There is only one small issue—Delaney is dead. David, along with their friend Kate (Bruno), works to raise Delaney from the dead using Kate’s well-manicured ancient burial

grounds. Kate, fearing that Delaney has “gone wrong” like her pet cat, throws a rock at his head, which hits David and kills him instead. The scene ends with Kate and Delaney, who had not gone wrong, dragging David off stage to revive him. I truly wish that was how real life worked, too.

Seeing “Horror Movie 101: Failing Can Be Deadly” was a truly enjoyable and entertaining experience, but I wonder how many conflicts could have been avoided had the characters just been a little smarter. However, that may have just been the point of the play.

A taste of Japanese culture: Tsunagari Japan’s flagship maid cafe

Shivangi Nanda Executive Editor

Noah Henriques Web Editor

While maid cafes are a well-known stereotype of anime and Japanese culture as a whole, they are rarely heard of outside of these circles. Popularized in Akihabara, Tokyo, maid cafes are specialty coffee shops where women dressed in maid outfits act as servants of the house and serve customers who are considered the “masters.” But what really differentiates this experience from your typical cafe is the unique entertainment—maids deliver short performances, draw personalized pictures on napkins and engage in casual conversations with customers.

This past Saturday, Case Western Reserve University’s Tsunagari Japan attempted to recreate this dining experience, providing students a taste of Japanese culture for a $5 ticket. And for the most part, they succeeded.

Stepping inside the Thwing Ballroom, we were greeted by cheerful maids in frilly aprons and tall white socks. As soon as we were seated, our maid offered us a selection of drinks and informed us of the itinerary for the afternoon—trivia, food and dance performances.

The menu, however, left something to be desired. The portions were quite small, and there were only two entrée options to choose from. However, the items were carefully curated to capture the essence of a maid cafe experience. Chicken Katsu, a classic

Japanese comfort food, fried rice and dessert buns were all very fitting. Even the vegetarian option, a tofu slider entrée, looked equally appealing.

But the true magic of the mock maid cafe lay in its service. Most of the “maids,” club members who had volunteered for the event, embraced their roles with enthusiasm. Their introductions were sweet, and multiple maids checked up on us to ensure we were taken care of. Some maids even

addressed customers with honorifics, calling them “master” in Japanese, like you would in a traditional maid cafe. It seemed even the maids were enjoying the theme, with one volunteer, thirdyear Ben Kurzion, mentioning that once he donned the costume, he “was pretty comfortable and had a good time chatting [with the guests].”

Keeping with the practice of live entertainment, performances from different clubs ran throughout our

visit. Klover, a K-pop dance club, put on some spectacular routines with synchronized, fast-paced movements and lively music that captivated the audience. Following Klover’s performance, members of Tsunagari Japan put on more stereotypical dances to the tune of popular J-pop beats. Their moves were lighthearted and playful, embracing the slight awkwardness of the kawaii aesthetic.

After speaking with members of Tsunagari Japan, we were unsurprised to learn that organizing this event was quite a feat. According to the Food and Drink Subcommittee Head, third-year William Cankar, “Planning this event has been a very involved process but I was very glad to be able to make it a reality.” This didn’t seem to be an empty statement—even as we arrived at the Thwing Ballroom, maids and club members were still rushing around, trying to set up colorful decorations, peppy J-pop music and even a photo corner to take pictures with the maids. The secretary, third-year Katrina Aldana, noted that “this caused the event to start a little late, [but] the club seemed to adapt quickly, and the event was back on schedule.”

At CWRU, there are numerous clubs representing a wide variety of cultures and countries on our campus, and Tsunagari Japan is a perfect example of this. The maid cafe was a delightful taste of Japanese culture and a testament to the creativity and enthusiasm of the CWRU community. Despite some setbacks, the event left us with a newfound appreciation for the unique charm of maid cafes and anticipation for what Tsunagari Japan will put on next.

Tsunagari Japan volunteers, including Director of Digital Media Joce Ortiz (center), brought high-quality service, live performances and fun, giving customers a true maid cafe experience.

Players’ Theatre Group’s production of “Horror Movie 101: Failing Can Be Deadly” by Steven Stack was complete with laughs and chills alike and featured a plethora of talented student artists. Courtesy of Elena Cangahuala

“Prelude to Ecstasy” is a shallow spectacle

Kate Gordon Life Editor

From the titular opening track of “Prelude to Ecstacy,” it’s clear that The Last Dinner Party is trying to put on a show. A review from The Guardian puts it best: the orchestral overture is “so grandiose, even the director of a 1950s Hollywood blockbuster would have suggested his soundtrack composer dial it down a bit.” These lofty heights continue throughout the rest of the album, which delivers on the drama and polish, but unfortunately lacks the grit and soul demanded of a rock record.

“Prelude to Ecstacy” is the highly anticipated debut album from The Last Dinner Party, an all-female indie rock group hailing from south London. You may know them from their TikTok-famous single “Nothing Matters”—which I would argue is still their best song— but many actually found out about the group the old-fashioned way. Before releasing any of their music online, the band played live in small venues, eventually sealing a record deal with Island Records, and only then dropping their debut single. They’ve since opened for Hozier and Florence + The Machine and played the European festival circuit, slowly but surely generating more hype.

Unfortunately, the band’s refreshingly authentic start didn’t produce an equally authentic album. Everything

about the quintet is curated, from their corset-clad Baroque aesthetic to their album’s overly pop-y and synth-y production. Plus, most of their songs sound

the same, or at the very least follow the same formula. As The Guardian stated, there’s grandiose instrumentals—either keys, strings, guitar or all of the above—

plus operatic vocals, tempo and tone changes and, of course, melodramatic lyrics. It’s a safe bet that there’s also a drawn-out guitar solo as well. While some of these songs are quite fun despite their unoriginality, others do not mesh their disparate elements together very well and sound “Frankensteined together,” to quote the Evening Standard.

My last point of contention with “Prelude to Ecstacy” are its aforementioned lyrics. Lead vocalist Abigail Morris sings the following on “Caesar on a TV Screen”: “When I was a child / I never felt like a child / I felt like an emperor / With a city to burn.” On “The Feminine Urge,” it’s “I am a dark red liver stretched out on the rocks.” These comparisons are dramatic, for sure, but are they really saying anything of substance? I don’t think I, or anyone else, has really ever felt like an emperor with a city to burn. Besides, there are only so many similes you can use before they begin to lose their punch.

Despite my tepid reaction to the album itself, I still have a lot of respect for The Last Dinner Party. It’s not easy to be an all-female group in a genre dominated by men, nor is it to rise to fame in a landscape laden with industry plants and algorithm-generated successes. I think that if The Last Dinner Party strips away just a few of their many, many layers in their next album, they might just have a future classic on their hands.

Highlights from the latest “Hard Knocks” documentary with the Miami Dolphins

Gloria Liu Contributing Writer

For the 2023 NFL season, “Hard Knocks”—a collaboration between HBO and the NFL—featured the Miami Dolphins, arguably one of the greatest powerhouses in the NFL. Every NFL in-season, “Hard Knocks” follows one team exclusively—usually one with lack of success in recent playoff years—and produces episodes exhibiting a cohesive blend between the team members’ personal and professional lives. If you solely seek to acquire a comprehensive, technical foundation of football, “Hard Knocks” may not be for you. However, the “big picture” highlights of this nineepisode documentary were plentiful, emotionally raw and rich in value. Because of this, the show truly is a worthwhile watch.

“Hard Knocks” spotlights wide receiver Tyreek Hill, the 2023 reigning speed champion who consistently reinforces his renowned title as the “Cheetah.” Once the football snaps, Hill is instantly on the move. Those familiar with track and field can truly appreciate his explosiveness, sprint and drive, with viewers’ eyes darting back and forth in a feeble attempt to locate his position. If he gains possession of the ball, you can kiss him goodbye. Compared to other Dolphins players, Hill has already achieved great success during his eightseason NFL career. In 2020, he won the Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs; in 2022, he switched to the Dolphins after being “offered a contract… he simply couldn’t turn down.” He was a candidate for Offensive Player of the Year and achieved a franchise record of a whopping 1,799 receiving yards for the 2023 season. Now, alongside football, he dabbles in real estate with his wife, Keeta Vaccaro, and helps run The Speed Academy for children ages 6-17.

However, it is incredibly rare for a football player to end up in a position even remotely similar to Hill’s. Out of the entire pool of NCAA football players,

Catering to a wide audience from die-hard football fans to those only tuning in to the Super Bowl for the ads, the newest season of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” features a deep dive into the Miami Dolphins and its standout players. Courtesy

only 1.6% will join the NFL. Even after “making it,” NFL football players experience a distinct intensity of physical and mental tribulation unbeknownst to many. The Dolphins are certainly no stranger to the brutality that comes with playing football at the highest level.

“Hard Knocks” follows linebacker Jaelan Phillips closely, detailing his extensive injuries during his career at UCLA, medical retirement after the 2018 college season and ultimately, his withdrawal from the university. From the perspective of those characterizing only the downsides of Phillips’ preprofessional career, Phillips being the Dolphins’ first round pick of the 2021 NFL draft was quite the surprise. At the start of the season, Phillips was killing it and “having the best year of his life.” He closely communicated with his teammates to tackle offensive plays and employed a seamless interplay of physical and intellectual schematics, sometimes even on the fly. On Nov. 24, the Dolphins took on the New York Jets. Per usual, Phillips was performing excel-

lently alongside the rest of the Dolphins’ defense. Then, at the start of his pass rush, he tore his Achilles—a seasonending injury. We see him breaking down as he realizes what this means for his season. Although the Dolphins won 34-13, the entire team was heartbroken for Phillips. Fortunately, Phillips seems to be on track to recover in time for the August 2024 Dolphins training camp.

Interestingly, the Dolphins member who arguably took the documentary home was head coach Mike McDaniel. As stated in his own words, he is not your typical NFL head coach. Though his NFL trajectory seems “standard,” especially since he boasts an impressive coaching profile with the Houston Texans, Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons and the San Francisco 49ers, he went through shocking blows earlier in his career. On his office wall, there is a pinned index card with the number 865–the number of days McDaniel had to wait before being given a second chance at his NFL career. In 2008, he was fired from

his position as assistant coach with the Texans after being coined as unreliable, with his drinking issues being a major factor. After the incident, he went cold turkey and got sober in 2016. He steadily worked his way up in coaching once again—but this time with a clear and renewed mindset.

“Adversity is opportunity” is a phrase McDaniel uses often. He repeats it during regular team meetings held at the Dolphins’ auditorium, but especially when the Dolphins lose, a notable example being their massive 19-56 loss against the Baltimore Ravens. He makes sure to convey the lessons he’s learned to all his players, persistently encouraging them, making sure they’re performing at their best and pushing the message that mental stability is of greater importance than achievement on the field. Despite McDaniel’s rough trek, he remains a humorous and lighthearted individual, even jokingly telling players on camera: “I want you guys to be at your very best … so then you can be as rich as you can be … so that I can be rich.”

The Dolphins’ 2023 season came to an end on Jan. 13 when they lost 7-26 to the Chiefs during the Wild Card Round. Obviously, McDaniel isn’t backing down and neither is his team. When a team like the Dolphins has yet to tap into unexplored potential, there’s really no reason to slow down. Hopefully, the Dolphins emerge victorious for the 2024 season.

Whether you’re a football fanatic or only remotely interested in football on Super Bowl Sunday, “Hard Knocks” is the NFL documentary series viewers from all backgrounds will enjoy and potentially extract life lessons from. It could be as simple as “the number one thing we can do for ourselves is sleep,” or even the existential answer you’ve been waiting to hear. Only time will tell who “Hard Knocks” will feature next, but for now, you can watch all previous seasons on HBO and perhaps gain a greater appreciation for football and all it entails.

of HBO

The Last Dinner Party releases highly anticipated debut album “Prelude to Ecstasy” with cover art that symbolizes the dramatic tone of the tracks. Courtesy of Island Records

Fun

Weekly Horoscope

What does sparkling water taste like?

Aquarius Axe body spray

Pisces

Dental fluoride

Aries Essential oils

Taurus Ectoplasm

Gemini Radio static

Cancer White noise

Leo

Unflavored Pop Rocks

Virgo Human excrement

Libra Foot falling asleep

Scorpio Dust bunnies

Sagittarius Spicy water

Capricorn Fireworks

Easy

Sudoku

What We've Been Listening To

WILD

Dijon

Clay Preusch

I'm still here

Kate Winton

Zachary Treseler

Go Get Her

Restless Road

Anjali Bhuthpur

Love is a Long Road

Tom Petty

Beau Bilinovich

Linger

The Cranberries

Auden Koetters

10%

KAYTRANDA, Kali Uchis

Puneet Bansal

Remember the Time

Michael Jackson

Joce Ortiz

No Other Love

Jo Stafford

Lexy Jensen

Texas Hold 'Em' Beyoncé Lexy Jensen

Hikaru Utada

Somewhere Near Marseilles

Lucas Yang

Haggstrom

C418

Elie Aoun

SINGLE Say Now

Shivangi Nanda

Booster Seat

Spacey Jane

Noah Henriques

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Xanthidae Xanthidium xanthin xanthine xanthines xanthins Xanthippe Xanthippes

xanthism xanthisms Xanthium

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Overheard CWRU

Compilation of out-of-pocket things heard across campus

A: "I was on the toilet so long my leg fell asleep."

B: "No but same, so true."

"Diversity."

"I just find it so sad that I won't need to know anything from a single class I've taken here when I'm an actual doctor."

"Just sleep with your professor again."

"I think my engineering TAs just need to f*ck already, all they do is argue."

"I am 99% certain CWRU is actually just one big social experiment. None of these people are real, they're all just scripted."

Mad Lib: A day in the life at CWRU

Welcome to Case Western Reserve University, where every day is an adventure filled with ___________ [adjective] professors, [noun] buildings, and ___________ [adjective] students. Whether you're [verb ending in -ing] in the library, ___________ [verb ending in -ing] on the quad, or [verb ending in -ing] in one of our many clubs, there's never a dull moment on campus.

First, let's start with your morning routine. After hitting the snooze button [number] times, you drag yourself out of bed and stumble to the ___________ [noun] to brush your teeth and wash your face. Once you're feeling somewhat human again, it's time to head to class. As you walk through the [adjective] campus, you

can't help but admire the [adjective] architecture of the buildings around you.

Your first class of the day is ___________ [adjective] Biology 101. The professor is known for his [adjective] lectures and quirky sense of humor. Today, he's [verb ending in -ing] about the wonders of cellular respiration, and you're ___________ [verb ending in -ing] on every word. After class, you grab a quick bite to eat at the ___________ [noun] before heading to your next lecture.

Next up is

___________ [adjective] Literature 202. The classroom is filled with ___________ [adjective] students eagerly discussing the latest assigned reading. You join in the conversation, sharing your [ad -

jective] insights and listening to others' perspectives. Before you know it, the bell rings, signaling the end of class.

With a few hours to spare before your next obligation, you decide to [verb] with some friends at the student center. You challenge each other to a game of [noun] and share stories about your week. As the afternoon fades into evening, you realize it's time to head to your ___________ [adjective] club meeting.

You're a proud member of the [noun] Club, where you spend your evenings [verb ending in -ing] the art of [noun]. Tonight's meeting is particularly ___________ [adjective] as you prepare for an upcoming [noun] competition. You practice your

[noun] skills with dedication, knowing that your hard work will pay off in the end.

As the meeting wraps up, you bid farewell to your fellow club members and make your way back to your dorm. The campus is quiet now, the hustle and bustle of the day replaced by a sense of calm. You take a moment to [verb] at the stars overhead, feeling grateful for another [adjective] day at Case Western Reserve University.

Back in your dorm, you crawl into bed and reflect on the day's events. From engaging lectures to lively discussions to late-night club meetings, it's been a dafilled with [adjective] moments and [adjective] memories. As you drift off to sleep, you can't help but wonder what adventures tomorrow will bring.

Do you find yourself pondering life's mysteries? Are you in need of guidance, inspiration or just a friendly ear to listen? Look no further!

We're inviting you to submit your burning questions, seeking advice on any topic under the sun. Whether it's about relationships, career decisions, personal growth or even just the best recipe for chocolate chip cookies, Noah's here to help!

Our expert, Noah, is ready to tackle your inquiries with empathy, wisdom and a dash of humor. No question is too big or too small. We believe that by sharing our collective experiences and insights, he can navigate life's twists and turns together.

So, don't hesitate! Send him your questions today and join our community of seekers, learners and dreamers. Let's embark on this journey of discovery together!

Submit your questions via email (observer@case. edu) or DM (@cwruobserver), and stay tuned for his thoughtful responses. Remember, the only silly question is the one that goes unasked. Ask away and let's uncover the answers together!

(K)Noah Knows ?

Humanities write essays, but STEM fills in bubbles—this is a problem

Salsabeel Salem Staff Writer

50 questions, 1 hour and 15 minutes. As the clock struck 1 p.m., over 100 students flipped open their test, commencing the third BIOL 215: Cells and Proteins exam. I meandered my way about the exam questions, circling “A” when appropriate, “C” when I had no idea and “D” when it felt right. I then transferred all my responses to a scantron and turned it in. Leaving Strosacker Auditorium, I felt confident that I secured a good score. But did I really know the material?

To what extent did I just know enough—the bare minimum to ensure that I got 45 of the 50 questions correct? What if I just got lucky on a few questions and circled the right answer on accident? And then boom: I got my “A.” Though I did prepare thoroughly for the exam, how does my professor know that? Someone who just memorized, filled in the bubbles and then moved on with their life only to forget the material in a week’s time likely got a great score as well.

The thing that bothers me about using multiple choice exams to gauge students’ comprehension of course material is that it lacks a communication element. Everyone who circles “A” will either all have the right answer or wrong answer. There is no distinction between those students and how well they prepared for the exam. However, through writing, this distinction can be made. Through testing whether students can articulate ideas and scientific reasoning, professors can gauge how well their students understand the material. But nevertheless, most core STEM classes lack a writing component. Thus, students are not writing. And this is a problem.

For the most part, we are all in college to learn. We pick a major based on how it fits into our career goals and take classes within that domain to build a framework of knowledge.

But what good is the knowledge we learn if we are unable to communicate it with others? This becomes a problem when the workforce demands people in STEM fields to collaborate and write effectively using core communication skills.

In medicine, doctors are expected to write notes after each patient visit, reporting updates about their patient’s condition. These notes are then faxed to other physicians and insurance companies for referrals and billing purposes. Thus, if the writing lacks coherence and logic, misinterpretations may occur. This creates a communication gap that hinders operations.

Engineers are expected to work in teams. They collaborate with other members to bring ideas together to drive projects forward and meet deadlines. In doing so, they must communicate with other teams working adjacently, sending updates and writing executive memos. Ensuring that ideas are well-articulated is essential to staying on schedule and making sure all parties are on the same page. If teams fail to do so, progress is hard to achieve.

Though the Case Western Reserve University curriculum attempts to prepare students to write through SAGES, and now the communication intensive classes, this preparation falls short because students are not writing in their field of interest. Nevertheless, these classes are still good for gaining rudimentary writing skills, from using evidence to support your argument to outlining essays. However, it is hard to see their relevance to careers after CWRU when you’re not applying them directly to your domain. As a result, skills gained through writing classes are not able to be applied effectively in the real world.

To bridge the gap between learning and communication, writing should be integrated into core STEM courses. From using short-answer questions to test for understanding to assigning essays and executive memos that force students to prac-

tice articulating complicated ideas using simple words, writing should be an integral part of learning. In doing so, students will deepen their ability to communicate topics that they will have to deal with throughout their career.

In addition, through emphasizing writing as a means of testing for proficiency, students will be forced to reach for a deeper understanding of the material. They will have to reassess the study habits that encourage building short-term memory to only circle bubbles on an exam, replacing them with more constructive strategies. These strategies will be better

for retaining information long-term, making it easier for students to build on their framework of knowledge as they take harder classes.

Though writing can be a frustrating process, with practice over time and good feedback, it becomes easier. As better writers and communicators, students will be better-prepared to enter the workforce. They will make better leaders and better candidates for promotions as they are best able to articulate ideas coherently. So, next time you find yourself writing an essay for a class, thank your instructor. They’re doing you a favor. Stay literate, CWRU.

The Case Western Reserve Observer

Established in 1969 by the undergraduate students of Case Western Reserve University

Shivangi Nanda Executive Editor & Publisher

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DIGITAL MEDIA

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DESIGN

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The Observer is the weekly undergraduate student newspaper of Case Western Reserve University. Established in 1969, The Observer reports news affecting students and provides an editorial forum for the university community. Unsigned editorials are typically written by the opinion editor but reflect the majority opinion of the senior editorial staff. Opinion columns are the views of their writers and not necessarily of The Observer staff. For advertising information, contact The Observer via e-mail at observer@case. edu.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR should be e-mailed to observer@case.edu or submitted on our website at observer.case.edu. Letters can be mailed to Thwing Center 11111 Euclid Avenue, Suite 01, Cleveland, Ohio 44106. For policy and guidelines related to the submission of Letters to the Editor, refer to observer.case.edu/submit-a-letter.

The Observer is a proud member of CWRU’s University Media Board. Follow The Observer on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram @cwruobserver.

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What you need to know about the upcoming Ohio primary elections

Editorial Board

The next presidential election is just nine months away on Nov. 5, and the race to choose candidates has just begun. Former President Trump is currently in the lead for the Republican Party, with 63 delegates of the 1,215 needed to secure the nomination. Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley is behind with 17 delegates. The road until each party holds their conventions this summer is still long, and this election is unprecedented in numerous ways.

For us voters in Ohio, the primary election is still a month away on March 19. Participating in elections, no matter how insignificant they may seem, is vital for the functioning of any democracy, and the Editorial Board is providing you with everything you need to know to be prepared.

First, what are primaries?

Primary elections, which occur during presidential and midterm election years, allow voters to choose their preferred candidate for the general election in November. There are many different types of primary elections depending on which state you live in: closed, semi-closed and open primaries. Closed primaries allow only registered party members to vote in that party’s primary election. So, if you want to vote on the Democratic ballot, you must be a registered Democratic voter. Semi-closed primaries allow unaffiliated voters to participate in either primary, whereas registered party members can only participate in their party’s primary. Lastly, open primaries allow all voters regardless of party affiliation to vote on either ballot—Ohio is one such example.

Primary elections are not just for presidential candidates; all elected positions appear on the ballot, including House and Senate seats and even gubernatorial cabinet positions. All 15 House seats are up for grabs this November, as well as Senator Sherrod Brown’s seat, which will be a major battleground as both parties vie for control of the Senate. Brown will be on the Democratic ballot and three Republicans will be on the Republican ballot, including Ohio’s own Secretary of State, Frank LaRose.

For a full breakdown, Ballotpedia offers a comprehensive list of all the candidates and positions up for election in Ohio. Additionally, the Ohio

Secretary of State website allows registered voters to view a sample ballot for their county of residence, which for Case Western Reserve University is Cuyahoga County.

Aside from the positions up for election this March and November, it’s important to note the context behind this year’s presidential election. Both presumptive nominees for the presidency are the eldest the U.S. has ever seen. If reelected, President Biden will be the first octogenarian president at 82 years old—Trump is only four years behind. As such, age has become a focal point: According to a New York Times and Siena College poll from last fall, 71% of voters in five of the most important battleground states agreed that Biden was too old to be president; 39% said the same for Trump.

Age alone should never be a reason to vote for or against someone, and no candidate should have their mental competence doubted based on their age. Anyone, regardless of when they are born, should be equally capable of holding office; however, as young college students, we should all want a government that can represent us, which is the very essence of a representative democracy.

The average age of U.S. House Representatives is just about 58 years, and for the Senate that number is 65 years. Furthermore, two of the top 15 longest serving Senators— Senators Charles Grassley and Mitch McConnell—are serving right now in the 118th Congress. These trends are significant considering that voter turnout for young Americans lagged behind older votes in 2020 by 25%.

Voting is an opportunity for Americans, and especially us college students, to have our voices heard. We should all participate whenever we can because the more we do, the more our leaders on Capitol Hill will have to represent what we want. And maybe in the future, when we get to the stages in our lives when we can run for elected office, we can make the changes that we want to see in the world.

Most importantly, don’t forget to register to vote. The deadline for the March 19 primary elections is on Feb. 20. You can register to vote online at the Secretary of State website. Early in-person voting begins on Feb. 21. We at The Observer all hope that you can make it to the polls and participate in the democratic process.

Photos of the week

Anjali Bhuthpur/The Observer

Shivangi Nanda/The Observer

Darcy Chew/The Observer

Shivangi Nanda/The Observer

Shivangi Nanda/The Observer

Elie Aoun/The Observer

Chiefs reign as NFL champions once again

Tanishka Mhaskar Staff Writer

“How bout a little Viva Las Vegas?” Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce shouted into the microphone as he stood on the podium with Taylor Swift smiling at him. The Kansas City Chiefs had just beat the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 25-22 in their latest Super Bowl victory.

Not even five years after Tom Brady left the Patriots, there is a new dynasty in the AFC. The Chiefs have won three of the last five Super Bowls and have appeared in four of the last five games. After becoming the first team in 19 years to win back-to-back Super Bowls, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and star quarterback Patrick Mahomes are already thinking about next year. “I am going to celebrate tonight, celebrate at the parade and then work my way to get back in this game next year. I am going to do whatever I can to be back in this game next year. Three-peat,” Mahomes said.

Out of all the playoff runs in the Mahomes era, which began in 2018, this might have been the hardest way for the Chiefs to win it all. For starters, they didn’t have a first-round bye. They had to play road playoff games against teams led by Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, arguably the second and third best quarterbacks in the league behind Mahomes. They were 1.5 point underdogs for the big game for the first time. After the win, Mahomes reminded the world: “The Kansas City Chiefs are never underdogs. Just know that.”

It’s not fair to say that this is the worst Chiefs team in the Mahomes era. Their defense was spectacular all season and they turned it up a notch in the postseason, holding their opponents to an average of 15.8 points. But it is fair to say that the Chiefs offense is the least talented that Mahomes has been around. With no real No. 1 wide receiver at the helm, the Chiefs led the league in drops and high-profile errors that lost them regular season games such as Kadarius Toney’s offsides vs the Bills wiping away a touchdown and Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s drop

that cost them the game against the Eagles to name a few.

Just like Mahomes’ other two Super Bowl victories, the Chiefs went down ten points and needed a comeback.

49ers kicker Jake Moody hit a 55yard field goal in the second quarter to put San Francisco up 3-0, breaking the previous record for longest field goal at a Super Bowl. Later in the second, wide receiver Jauan Jennings would toss a touchdown to running back Christian McCaffrey and the Niners were up ten. With the Chiefs slated to get the ball back after halftime, they drove down the field for a field goal.

Then, it was time for Usher. From H.E.R. to will.i.am to Lil Jon, the performance was filled with roller skates, fancy acrobats and electric guitars. Alicia Keys made a special appearance on the piano to sing “If I Ain’t Got You.” Usher’s night ended with him being wedded to longtime girlfriend Jennifer Goicoechea.

The second half of the game started with a Chiefs three-and-out. Eventually, the Chiefs scored another field goal, cutting the 49ers lead to 10-6. Harrison Butker kicked a 57-yard field goal, breaking Moody’s record for the longest field goal in Super Bowl history from earlier in the game.

Shortly after, the Chiefs special teams awoke to make a game-changing play. Chiefs Tommy Townsend boomed a 40-yard punt to 49ers wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III, but the ball bounced off of 49ers cornerback Darrell Luter Jr.’s foot. Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson recovered the punt, setting Kansas City up deep in 49ers territory. On the play after, Mahomes found Valdes-Scantling in the end-zone for a touchdown, letting the Chiefs take a 13-10 lead.

For a Chiefs offense that was struggling to move the ball, this was a huge turning point according to wide receiver Rashee Rice. “It was a huge momentum swing, especially Tommy got a foot on it, got a leg on it. I don’t know what you say for punters but he can kick. It was a great kick from him. We knew being able to get a head start down there in the red zone, just being able to take advantage of it,” he said.

The 49ers offense woke up as quarterback Brock Purdy threw a touchdown to Jennings, bringing the 49ers back in front. However, the Chiefs special teams made yet another play, blocking Moody’s extra point attempt, so the score would remain 16-13.

The Chiefs tied it up with another field goal before the 49ers drove down the field and got another field goal of

their own. The score was 19-16. The Chiefs answered with a game-tying field goal, sending the game into overtime.

The 49ers won the toss and took the ball. With the new overtime rules where both teams get a chance at possession, the 49ers took the ball because, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan, they “wanted the ball third. If both teams matched and scored, we wanted to be the ones who had the chance to go win.”

Thought, according to Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones that wouldn’t have mattered. “If they scored, we was going for two at the end of the game. We rehearsed it.”

Purdy led the 49ers down the field in 13 plays, getting all the way to the 9-yard line before the drive stalled and San Francisco banged another field goal through the uprights, making the score 22-19.

When the Chiefs got possession, it was 4th and 1 in 49ers territory. After a timeout, Mahomes ran for 8 yards keeping the Chiefs alive. A few plays later, he found wide receiver Mecole Hardman in the endzone for a touchdown. Shanahan’s hope for a third possession never materialized, and the Chiefs were crowned four-time Super Bowl champions.

Tennis teams sweep spring opening weekend

Puneet Bansal Sports Editor

The Case Western Reserve University tennis teams kicked off their spring seasons this past weekend, with both teams picking up victories at the Mayfield Village Racquet Club.

The men’s tennis team began their defense of their national title by defeating Holy Cross College 5-2 and Allegheny College 9-0 on Feb. 9.

Against Holy Cross, fourth-year Vishwa Aduru and third-year Ansh Shah started off the match with a 6-1 win in third doubles over Luca McManus and Adam Singleton. Graduate students Diego Maza and Michael Sutanto took second doubles 6-4 after defeating Ciaran McCarthy and Ching Wah Wai. Second-year Anmay Devaraj and fourth-year Sahil Dayal swept doubles with a 7-6 (2) win over Perry Gregg and Laurenz Flender in first doubles.

Third-year Casey Hishinuma began singles play after notching a 6-1,

6-3 fifth singles win over McCarthy. While Shah followed this up with a fourth singles victory after defeating McManus 6-2, 6-0, Maza sealed the match win for the Spartans after defeating Polis Koursaros 6-1, 7-5 in sixth singles. Third-year Ajay Mahenthiran picked up the last Spartan win after defeating Singleton in three sets, taking the victory 5-7, 8-2, 10-7. The Saints earned two points after winning first singles 6-3, 6-7 (4) and second singles 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4). The final score stood at 5-2 in favor of the Spartans.

Later that day, the Spartans swept doubles again, this time against Allegheny. Second-year Rohan Bhat and first-year George Kosseifi took third doubles 8-0 over Charles Reid Stasolla and David Rodriguez. Dayal/ Shah won first doubles 8-2 against William Jarvie and Benedek Kaibas. Devaraj/Maza completed the sweep after taking second doubles 8-5 over Anton Hedlund and Evan Nelson.

The Spartans also went perfect in singles play. First-year Derek Shiffer

defeated Mitchell Curtis in a flawless 6-0, 6-0 win in sixth singles. Thirdyear Ben Martin clinched the match in fifth singles against Nathan Kisiel 6-0, 6-2. First-year Santiago Salazar Garza added to the Spartan victory with a 6-0, 6-0 victory in third singles over Kiabas. Bhat won fourth singles 6-0, 6-1 against Nelson. Kosseifi defeated Jarvie 6-3, 6-2 in second singles while Devaraj rounded out the sweep 7-6, 6-2 against Hedlund in first singles. The final score stood at a perfect 9-0 for the Spartans.

Meanwhile, the women’s team took on the College of Wooster, coming away with an 8-1 win to open their season. CWRU swept the doubles, with third-years Hannah Kassaie and Lily McCloskey defeating Janaki Jagannathan and Otilia Oita 8-0 in first doubles. Third-year Anna Kan and second-year Asha Shukla defeated Abby Aitken and Lauren Richmond 8-0 in second doubles. Fourth-years Katherine Wang and Pallavi Goculdas finished off a third doubles with a win by default for the doubles sweep.

The Spartans went almost perfect in the singles as well, as Wang won sixth by default. Second-year Elsa Syed defeated Aitken in third singles 6-0, 6-0 while first-year Prachi Shah took fifth singles 6-0, 6-0. Secondyear Ellior Rose won fourth singles 6-0, 6-1 and second-year Wang took first singles 6-3, 6-2. Wooster’s singular point came in second singles as Jagannathan won 2-6, 6-3, 10-8.

The men’s team is slated to play three matches on Feb. 17. The Spartans will face Oberlin College and the Illinois Institute of Technology in Oberlin. Later that day, the team will also play Kenyon College in Mayfield. The following week, the team will travel to Nicholasville, Kentucky for the ITA DIII National Indoor Championship.

The women’s team will take on Kenyon on Feb. 17 at Mayfield. On Feb. 24, the team will travel to Pittsburgh to play Carnegie Mellon University before coming back home on Feb. 25 to face Oberlin and Otterbein University.

After a nail-biting game for the defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs win their second consecutive Super Bowl in overtime 25-22. Courtesy of Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

Men’s basketball from page 1

Marvin Lee Staff Writer

On Friday, however, the odds were definitely not in CWRU’s favor. After trying to make a number of runs to gain an advantage throughout the first half, CWRU stood down 7 points at the break. The Spartans responded furiously after halftime, going on an 8-0 run to take a 44-43 advantage early in the second half while holding the Violets scoreless over the first 5 minutes of play. Unfortunately that was the last hurrah for CWRU. NYU went on an 11-0 run immediately after, and the Spartans didn’t come within 6 points for the remainder of the contest. Poor shooting doomed CWRU as they shot 39.1% from the field and just 35.1% from the 3-point line. NYU drubbed the Spartans by a final margin of 80-93.

CWRU shot much better just two days later when they visited Brandeis University. The noon contest started with a 15-10 lead for the visiting Spartans as both teams traded runs throughout the first half in a very competitive contest. CWRU responded to several lopsided runs by the Judges to bring the margin at the half to just one as the score stood at 33-34 in favor of Brandeis.

Early in the second, a 3-pointer by third-year forward Umar Rashid ignited a 13-4 run that put the Spartans up 50-41 with six minutes gone in the second. That run turned the tide of the contest, but the Judges never gave up, cutting it to a one-possession game midway through the second after not scoring for two and a half minutes. After both teams traded more buckets,

During CWRU men’s basketball game against Brandeis University, graduate student guard Preston Maccoux achieved his seventh double-digit contribution this season with 7 3-pointers. Courtesy of Tim Phillis/CWRU Athletics

the score stood at 57-54 for the Spartans with 7:38 left in regulation. Responding to the Judges run, graduate student guard Anthony Mazzeo converted a 3-point play to push the lead to 6. Mazzeo made an impact all over the court on Sunday, coming close to recording the first triple-double in program history with 13 points, 9 rebounds and a career-high 8 assists. Brandeis would not go away however, as they soon tied the score at 64 with 4:13 to play. On the next possession, graduate student guard Preston Maccoux hit the sixth of his total 7 3-pointers to give the Spartans a lead that they did not relinquish for the remainder of the contest. Maccoux followed up his 19 points against NYU with a 25-point outburst off the bench against Brandeis, going 9-15 from the

Men’s Basketball

CWRU at NYU (2/9) - L 80-93

CWRU at Brandeis (2/11) - W 78-70

CWRU vs Emory (2/16, 7:30 p.m., Horsburgh Gymnasium)

CWRU vs Rochester (2/18, noon, Horsburgh Gymnasium)

CWRU vs Carnegie Mellon (2/24, 3 p.m., Horsburgh Gymnasium)

Men’s Tennis

CWRU vs Holy Cross (2/9) - W 5-2

CWRU vs Allegheny (2/9) - W 9-0

CWRU at Oberlin (2/17)

CWRU at Illinois Tech (2/17)

CWRU vs Kenyon (2/17)

ITA DIII National Indoor Championship

CWRU vs UChicago (2/23)

field and 7-11 from distance. Maccoux and Rashid hit 2 3-pointers down the stretch to seal the deal, as the Spartans emerged victorious in Massachusetts 78-70. CWRU bounced back from poor shooting against NYU to shoot 46.6% from the field and 43.3% from beyond the arc against the Judges. The Spartans will look to continue to shoot blistering numbers from 3-point land as they now enter the most important stretch of their season so far.

As the conference does not have a tournament, it all comes down to the final three games of the regular season. CWRU will hope to win out and will be watching NYU’s games intently, hoping for them to drop at least one contest. The good news for CWRU is that their final three games

Track and Field

CWRU at GVSU Big Meet (2/9) - no team scoring

CWRU at Crimson & Gold Invite (2/9) - no team scoring

CWRU at Indoor All-Ohio Championships (2/10)

Men’s team: 5th of 13 teams (59.5 points)

Women’s team: 2nd of 12 teams (101.5 points)

CWRU vs Ed Finnigan Greater Cleveland Colleges Invite (2/16, 4 p.m., Veale Center)

CWRU at UAA Indoor Championships (2/24-25)

Women’s Tennis

CWRU vs Wooster (2/9) - W 8-1

CWRU vs Kenyon (2/17)

CWRU at Carnegie Mellon (2/24)

CWRU vs Otterbein (2/25)

CWRU vs Oberlin (2/25)

are all at home. The Spartans have a perfect 8-0 record at home so far and would love to make that mark 11-0 heading into the NCAA Tournament. CWRU stands at 18-4 overall, with all four losses coming away from home. The Spartans will host Emory University this Friday, Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m., followed by a Sunday matinee at noon versus the University of Rochester. CWRU will be celebrating Throwback Weekend inside Horsburgh Gymnasium against both foes. The Spartans will be donning a pair of retro uniforms representing Case Institute of Technology and Western Reserve University. In my opinion, the Western Reserve Red Cat uniform is the best one on campus by far. It’s hard to beat a scary cat mascot wearing a basketball jersey.

Women’s Basketball

CWRU vs Rochester (2/18, 2 p.m., Horsburgh Gymnasium)

CWRU vs Carnegie Mellon (2/24, 1 p.m., Horsburgh Gymnasium)