Grand Valley Lanthorn vol. 55 no. 17

G R A N D VA L L E Y L A N T H O R N

Lanthorn Eats A local guide to reopened restaurants

GV cancels 2021 Presidents’ Ball TRADITION | A2

GV athletes adjust to back-to-back weekend games SCHEDULE | A12

M O N D A Y , F E B U A RY 8 , 2 02 1 // VO L . 5 5 N O. 1 7

@ GV L A N T H O R N

LANTHORN.COM

A2 | NEWS NEWS BRIEFS GV COVID-19 CAMPUS DATA UPDATE

The GVSU community has had a cumulative total of 2,275 COVID-19 cases since Aug. 1. The university’s update for this brief was from Friday, Feb. 5.

Through testing results this past week, GVSU’s Virus Action team have so far reported 32 current active cases including 3 staff members, 1 on-campus students, 18 “off-campus Ottawa” students, 7 “off-campus Kent” students and 3 “off-campus other” student with active COVID-19 cases.

“Current active cases” is the count of positive cases reported to the Virus Action Team over the past ten days. This is an estimate of those currently in isolation, assuming a ten-day symptomatic period following the reporting of a positive test result. Actual periods of isolation are specific to the individual and determined by the county health department.

Testing and Incidence: GVSU’s own testing program has performed 45,190 tests overall since August 21, for a cumulative positivity rate of 1.8% from the latest update as of last week.

“GV Surveillance” includes the GV/ Spectrum administered programs of: randomized testing, regular testing of high-risk groups, and invited testing of individuals connected to potential clusters.

A calendar is available. “GV Total” includes surveillance testing plus all symptomatic/ exposure tests administered by Spectrum.

UNIVERSITIES’ TEAM UP TO HELP POPULATE UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES WITH PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Northern Michigan University (NMU) and Grand Valley State University developed an agreement regarding GVSU’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program.

NMU undergrads now have a direct connection to the program, as GVSU is now allowed to offer up to five of them the opportunity to be recruited and directly admitted by GVSU. This agreement was motivated by the high demand for public health professionals in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. One of the goals of this new development is for graduate students to return to northern Michigan to work for their local hospitals. Preparing students in the public health programs to work in tribal communities is also one of the Universities’ goals.

NMU students who major in applied exercise science and health will be eligible to be selected for GVSU’s MPH program’s preferential admission.

TRADITION

GV cancels 2021 Presidents’ Ball

BY MARY RACETTE NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University’s annual Presidents’ Ball has officially been added to the long list of traditions that have been canceled due to COVID-19.

The Campus Activity Board, Office of Student Life and Student Senate usually co-sponsor the Presidents’ Ball for the GVSU Community.

This year, the University aimed to keep the student’s best interest in mind when they decided that the night of food, dancing and socializing could not be safely held since it would not be able to comply with Michigan’s state orders.

Associate Director of Student Life LeaAnn Tibbe said, “A lot of things came into play and we just knew it wouldn’t be safe for our students.”

In addition to the limitations regarding social distancing and capacity limits, DeVos Place Convention Center, the event’s typical venue, is currently occupied as a COVID-19 vaccination site.

“It’s disappointing that Presidents’ Ball, like so many other things during COVID has to be canceled, but we are doing what we can to provide other activities during this semester,” said GVSU President Philomena Mantella. “I hope that instead of fancy clothes, we all put on hats and gloves and hit Winterfest going on until Valentine’s Day. This has been a year that has showcased our abilities to be resilient.”

While one tradition has been put on hiatus for 2021, another has resurrected. Once again, the GVSU community will celebrate Winterfest. This carnival-style festival will be held

CANCELLATION: The GVSU Campus Activities Board made the hard decision to cancel the annual Presidents’ Ball over safety concerns regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. GVL | ARCHIVES

from Feb. 5-14 and involves a packed schedule of events for the community to participate in.

The choice to replace Presidents’ Ball with Winterfest was prompted by the success of the Haunted Arboretum, a Halloween event held last year. Since the late October event was held outside, Tibbe said about 800 students were able to safely participate. This motivated the University to organize Winterfest as another outdoor experience for students to enjoy.

“Let’s celebrate what we can celebrate at Grand Valley, and that is being a community

and being outdoors,” said Tibbe.

COVID-19 has led to disappointment surrounding the cancellation of the Presidents’ Ball, however, the Office of Student Life encourages students to stay involved with the community and engage in the safe events offered on campus.

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POLICE

GVPD investigating new Zoom “Bombing” incident

BY ADAM TROMBLEY NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

“FIRESIDE CHAT” PROVIDES INSIGHT ON LEADERSHIP DURING A PANDEMIC

During President Philomena V. Mantella and Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Maria Cimitile’s Feb. 2 “Fireside Chat,” an open learning professor discusses the recommended strategies of growing higher education through the pandemic.

FEBRUARY 8, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

ONLINE: GVPD is currently investigating a new Zoom “bombing” incident that resulted in racist language use in the meeting. COURTESY | GVSU

It has been several months since Grand Valley State University has faced a Zoom “bombing” incident. With increased security measures it seemed like the calls were secure and safe to meet on.

But earlier this week there was another Zoom attack that featured racist and obscene language toward the group’s meeting. Since the incident, the Grand Valley Police Department has started investigating the attack.

“We had another Zoom incident,” said GVPD Capt. Jeffrey Stoll. “There were very obscene and racist comments similar to the previous time and we’re trying to figure out exactly how that happened.”

After the first span of Zoom “bombings”, GVSU had set new security measures involving the group meeting app.

Things like waiting rooms, passcodes and automatic meeting IDs were set up in order to keep the risk of attacks from individuals outside of the University low. According to an email sent by Vice President and Chief Digital Officer Milos Topic, the meeting was not on GVSU’s domain and the links and passcodes to the meeting were posted publicly on a website.

Stoll said they are trying to investigate in a similar way as they did for the previous incidents.

“Tracking down the people who were involved, who attended, trying to get an understanding of all of the things they saw at the time that it was intercepted and try to start working the case with that information,” said Stoll.

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FEBRUARY 8, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

CONTENTS TRADITION

| A2

EDITORIAL

| A4

DISCUSSION

| A5

FOOD

| A6&7

EVENTS

| A8

DINING

| A9

POLITICS

| A10

BASKETBALL

| A11

SCHEDULE

| A12

VOL. 5 5

NO. 17

Lan thorn EDITORIAL STAFF

Layout Editor VIVIANA RUBIO

Editor-in-Chief NICK MORAN Associate Editor OLIVIA FELLOWS

Layout Designer KHOI TRAN PROMOTIONS

Associate Editor XAVIER GOLDEN News Editor MARY RACETTE

Promotions Manager HOLLIE PICKELMAN ADVERTISING STAFF

Sports Editor ZACK GOODROW Laker Life Editor YSABELA GOLDEN

Advertising Manager ALEX DAGOSTINO BUSINESS STAFF

A&E Editor MARY DUPUIS Image Editor MEGHAN LANDGREN

A3 | NEWS FINANCE

The GameStop, Reddit WallStreetBets short selling situation explained

BY TREVOR HUBERT NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

In the last two weeks, Redditors have teamed up to take the stock market on a wild ride, sending stock prices for struggling companies such as AMC, Nokia and most notably GameStop “to the moon.” While stock prices for these companies have come crashing down in recent days, retail traders managed to inflate the price of GameStop from around $20 per share to nearly $500 per share at its peak.

The idea began circulating on a subreddit called WallStreetBets, which is an online forum within Reddit where users discuss which stocks they are buying and selling. They made GameStop the primary target because it was discovered that hedge funds were short selling the stock, as GVSU economics professor Dan Giedeman explains.

“What short selling is is this: I borrow the stock from somebody,” Giedeman said.

“So let’s suppose we’ve got a stock right now that is worth ten dollars, but I think it is really only worth five dollars, so I can borrow the stock from somebody. I kind of have to rent it. You have to pay them interest. They’re not going to let you borrow it for free, but I borrow it from them and sell it for ten dollars on the open market. And then I wait until the stock price falls and I buy it back for six dollars. I hand it back to the person I borrowed it from and I get to pocket the four dollars in profit, so that is how you can make money by

Business Manager RACHEL MCDOWELL

BIG MONEY: The topic of finance and the stock market have been on the minds of many with the news of GameStop trade shares skyrocketing due to Reddit trading influences. COURTESY | CNET

shorting a stock”.

The strategy for the retail traders who were inflating the GameStop price was to force the hedge funds who were shorting the stock to lose money by having to pay the difference in the inflated stock price instead.

The inflation became so out of control that day trading apps like Robinhood had to cut off sales of these stocks within their platform, causing outrage toward the company online.

“There’s a lot of conspiracies out there saying that Robinhood somehow cheated the investors, but it was all in the fine print,” Giedeman said. “When you engaged in Robinhood, it was right there in the fine print

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DINING

Asst. Business Manager DAYTON HAMMON

Michigan restaurants, bars reopen indoor dining

BY HAILEIGH HUBER NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

At the Lanthorn, we strive to bring you the most accurate news possible. If we make a mistake, we want to make it right. If you find any errors in fact in the Lanthorn, let us know by calling 616-331-2464 or by emailing editorial@lanthorn.com.

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that they could do that to you. I’m not saying that’s good, but it was in there.”

He also warned against getting into the stock market without being properly educated first.

“People aren’t shy about telling other people that they made a bunch of money in the market, but people are very reluctant to tell other people that they lost a bunch of money,” Giedeman said. “People don’t like to advertise that they’re idiots, people like to blanket how smart they are, even though in both cases

OPEN FOR BUSINESS: Local restaurants are reopening at low capacity and welcoming guests with masks required. GVL | KATHERINE VASILE

Local restaurants and bars are putting their best foot forward after they were permitted to open for indoor dining by The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on Monday, Feb. 1. While many are ready to be back in restaurants there are still heavy restrictions that need to be followed.

Under the newest order implemented on Feb. 1, restaurants and bars will have to operate at 25 percent capacity, groups will be separated by at least 6 feet, masks must be worn unless eating or drinking, there can be no more than six people at a table and closing time must be before 10 p.m.

Even with these stern restrictions, David Kortman front of house Manager at Allendale’s Main Street Pub said, “Monday nights aren’t usually busy, but around dinner time there was a wait out the door.”

While many restaurants have been experiencing staffing issues Main Street

Pub was able to keep all front-of-house staff working during the original order, and now that indoor dining is back the employees are ready to return to a small sense of normalcy in the workplace.

Customer communication is critical in any business, especially during a global pandemic. For customers to feel safe businesses need to have a plan on how they will deal with the public’s questions or uncertainty. Main Street Pub and Murphy’s Family Restaurant are prepared to answer any questions and ease customer concerns.

Matthew Murphy, owner of Murphy’s Family Restaurant, is excited to welcome everyone back and is taking all the right precautions by wearing masks, social distancing and making sure they don’t exceed capacity.

“We encourage everyone who’s comfortable to come on in,” said Murphy.

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A4 | OPINION GVL EDITORIAL CARTOON

FEBRUARY 8, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

By Xavier Golden

EDITORIAL

Keep safety in mind, despite the reopenings

W

2/08/21

editorial@lanthorn.com

‘In & Of Itself’ turns identity into an illusion

BY SIMON WAGNER SENIOR MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

Told through an empathetic lens, Derek DelGaudio’s play about identity is one that packs an emotional punch and makes you question who you really are.

Set on a New York stage and performed over 500 times, DelGaudio’s passion project can only be described as a singular experience. A professional magician in his own right, DelGaudio has gone throughout life having others label who he is. So, with his mastery of magic, and his history of labeled identity, DelGaudio set out to create an experience where the audience will understand that not just one thing defines us.

The stage setup is simple. There are six windows behind DelGaudio, and each one tells a story of his past. These windows guide DelGaudio’s narrative, and provide a connection between him and his audience.

Throughout this narrative, there is a series of illusions and magic tricks that correlate with the story being told. But because of DelGaudio’s unbelievable

delivery and total command of storytelling, the magic that is performed almost becomes a sideshow. You soon realize that the true magic comes from the stories themselves One of the windows that contributes the most to DelGaudio’s story is one that contains a gold brick being thrown through glass. This window tells the story of a mother. A mother who at 17 years old gave birth to a son. The father, who was much older, decided to pack his bags and leave.

So, when this boy was born, all he knew about relationships came from the one he had with his mother. This mother had one big secret though: she was gay.

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Navalny’s voice echoes through Moscow

BY JOSHUA ROCHETTE SENIOR MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

Five months ago, Alexei Navalny laid in a Berlin hospital bed, seeing nothing but the inside of his eyelids as doctors

worked hard for his life. Now, he sees thousands of people standing up for him through the bars of a Russian jail cell.

Russian authorities arrested Navalny, a popular political activist and critic, on Jan. 17, for violating the terms of his parole by not contacting law enforcement during his time spent in a hospital abroad.

Navalny was in the hospital after being poisoned Aug. 20, 2020, by a Novichok agent, a Soviet-era nerve agent developed in the late 1980s. Navalny was put in a medically-induced coma for months, fighting for his life in a German hospital before making a full recovery in October, eventually flying back to Moscow in January to be met by law enforcement.

The activist has been the biggest thorn in the side of Russian President Vladimir Putin for years and has led the Russia of

the Future Party since 2015. His acts of rebellion grew his fame, dating back to his blog inspiring some of the biggest protests in the nation since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union, with roughly 50,000 protestors fighting against election fraud and joining him in 2011.

Navalny has many supporters and is one of the most popular political figures in the nation, so it’s no surprise that the public has grown furious over the silencing of such a powerful and important voice. Navalny stated that the 2012 charges he was on parole for were politically motivated and unfair, something that the European Court of Human Rights agreed with.

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e here at the Lanthorn have written a lot about the pandemic over this academic year; the university imposing safety guidelines, students struggling to follow those rules, the times that we’ve succeeded at keeping each other healthy, and the development and rollout of several safe, effective vaccines.

Looking back at our archives, we can track GVSU’s tumultuous journey through the COVID-19 pandemic.

But it’s not over, and there are still dangers people need to consider when socializing, shopping and dining.

Maybe the most relevant of those potential dangers is the reopening of businesses and the relaxation of safety protocols in Michigan, and the rest of the country; like the return of indoor dining.

This is a little disquieting since it seems to ignore the pattern of reopenings, closings, and subsequent reopenings that have been impacting small business owners across the United States. The previous administration’s drive to reopen the economy without a clear plan helped spread the disease, but it also hurt restaurants and retailers as they were encouraged to start-up, shut down, and start up again.

But the previous times states reopened, saw a rise in cases, and subsequently closed were before the government had started to

distribute multiple different vaccines. However, the existence and the promise of the vaccine doesn’t matter if employees don’t have access to it and will still be in as much danger as they were before.

Only 2% of the US population has received both doses of the vaccine; and 285,279 people in Michigan have received the full treatment, which is only about 1% of our prioritized population, which includes adults over 75 years of age, school and childcare staff and front-line essential workers and varies from county to county and institution to institution.

So, while you might feel like it’s safe to return to normal-- likely because someone in a position of authority has said that, or implied it-- it is still important to limit participation in in-person social engagements and refrain from going inside crowded indoor spaces, especially if you’re a consumer or a customer. Because even if you have been treated with the vaccine, it’s likely that the people who are serving you food or ringing up your purchases don’t have access to it.

While the reopening of indoor dining and the relaxation of restrictions pushes us a step toward normalcy, little has actually changed.

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GVL OPINION POLICY The goal of the Grand Valley Lanthorn’s opinion page is to act as a forum for public discussion, comment and criticism in the Grand Valley State University community. Student and columnist opinions published here do not necessarily reflect those of the paper as an entity.

The Lanthorn strives to be a safe vehicle for community discussion. With this in mind, the Lanthorn will not publish or entertain any forms of hate speech, but neither will it discriminate against any other views, opinions or beliefs. The content, information and views expressed are not approved by— nor do they necessarily represent those of—the university or its Board of Trustees, officers, faculty

or staff.

Letters to the editor should include the author’s full name, relevant title and a headshot, along with a valid email address and phone number for confirming the identity of the author. Letters should be approximately 500650 words in length, and they are not edited by the Lanthorn staff except to fix technical errors or to clarify. Reader submissions on the opinion page appear as space permits.

To make a submission, email editorial@lanthorn.com or drop your submission off in person at:

0051 KIRKHOF CENTER GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY

FEBRUARY 8, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A5 | NEWS

DISCUSSION

Center for Women and Gender Equity explores gender norms, expression

BY LAUREN FORMOSA NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

The Grand Valley State University Gayle R. Davis Center for Women and Gender Equity is set to hold its second annual Unboxing Masculinity Conference Feb. 11-12. This two-day event, featuring keynote speakers ALOK and Clint Smith, will explore ideas of masculinity and gender binary in our current society as well as ways to build a more gender-inclusive community.

Attendees of the Unboxing Masculinity Conference will have the chance to partici-

pate in a multitude of workshops all aimed at exploring gender expression and breaking down gender misconceptions, including “Beyond the Gender Binary,” “So you wanna help?: Considerations for men engaging in long-term allyship” and “The Impact of Culture on Gender-Based Violence: An African Perspective.”

“The pressures our society puts on us to abide by a specific gender is harmful to everyone, and hinders everyone’s ability to express themselves,” said Leah Short, violence prevention and education coordinator at the Center for Women and Gender Equity. “The overall goal of

PROGRAMMING: Grand Valley State University’s Center for Women and Gender Equity hosts a range of events, including their annual Unboxing Masculinity Conference and much more. COURTESY | GVSU

the conference is to expand participants’ understanding of gender, gender norms and gender roles.”

The Center for Women and Gender Equity started this conference a few years ago as a way for the GVSU community to imagine a world without toxic masculinity and harmful gender misconceptions.

During the conference, participants will be encouraged to ask and explore the question of what it would mean to create a community and culture that affirms everyone’s gender identity and expression.

The event also hopes to create a space for its participants to reflect on their own experiences with gender in a world that continues to perpetuate strict gender norms.

“Attending a conference like this might be the first time someone has been given a chance to reflect on their gender expression,” Short said. “It may also be the first time men hear that they too can be a victim/survivor, that they can express themselves emotionally, and that they are not alone in their experiences. We are doing a disservice to not offer space for these discussions early on in K-12, so making space now is taking a step in the right direction.”

While different forms of gender expression have been more widely accepted in recent years by some communities, society as a whole still runs into the issue of relying on ingrained gender norms to categorize “correct” and “acceptable” means of gender identity. Most recently,

men who choose to wear skirts and dresses on social media have started a debate within certain circles about how the way a man chooses to dress either is or isn’t tied to their masculinity, depending on what side of the argument they fall into.

“Oppression and gender roles are harmful and restrictive to all of us, and that includes men,” Short said. “All of us are capable of toxic behaviors that we are socialized to believe are the ‘right’ way of existing, and we have a choice we can make to change that narrative.”

Through the Unboxing Masculinity Conference, the organizers hope that participants take away the idea that gender exists as a continuum rather than a binary, meaning that there is no set way of expressing gender and that the continuation of toxic masculinity only works to hurt everyone within the community.

As the conference continues to expand in the upcoming years, the Center of Women and Gender Equity hope to increase its planning committee to include students from every community on campus to continue these conversations about gender expression around campus.

By keeping this important conversation alive, GVSU can start building a community of students who feel comfortable freely expressing themselves and exploring their identity.

To register for the Unboxing Masculinity Conference, visit bit.ly/3nzCKJ.

A6&7 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

FEBRUARY 8, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLARTS

Lanthorn Eats From local eats to a night out, check out these four restaurants A sizzling steak house known for unique dining experience

BY MARY RACETTE NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

It’s the first weekend since November where Michiganders can resume indoor dining and while I’ve spent months thinking about the first place I wanted to go, I found myself through the doors of the steak place I missed most of all.

When we put our name in at the Woodland Mall Black Rock at 4:15 p.m., they told us it would be about a 50 minute wait. They don’t take formal reservations but if you call ahead you might be able to land priority seating, which they say cuts the wait time in half.

Fortunately, we expected a longer wait so we had no issue with passing time at the mall.

After about 50 minutes of browsing, they were true to their word and had us seated shortly after 5 p.m. We finished up around 6:30 p.m. and by that time, the wait time had extended to over two hours.

Black Rock offers carry-out, but there is so much about the “sizzle experience” offered when dining-in that makes the meal worthwhile. I’ve never been one to order a steak when I eat out, but I love the way Black Rock offers the unique experience which gives me the power to make every bite as hot and flavorful as I want.

After ordering the Signature Black Rock Sirloin, a 755-degree volcanic sizzling rock and hardly seared steak is placed in front of you, leaving the rest of the cooking to happen as it sits in front of you. It always comes with a side of Casino Butter and Signature Black Rock Steak Sauce, but you can ask for any of the other free sauces on the side.

I always add a side of garlic rub to cook my food in. I can be very indecisive when it comes to eating, so I enjoy being able to mix up my topping or sauce of choice for each bite I take.

While the sizzling steak has never failed me, I found myself almost uneasy while eating my

cup of clam chowder. My meal came with two sides and I ordered the chowder as one of them.

If it wasn’t bordering on lukewarm, I would have been able to fully rave about its creamy consistency and sophisticated seafood flavor.

Luckily the taste made it bearable, but it was by no means ideal soup temperature. I recommend to opt for the side salad or one of the other side options.

It’s fun to order sides that you can stick on the rock to make toasty, such as the asparagus or baked potato. And of course using the Casino Butter on the potato is exactly as good as you would expect it to be.

The reopening of restaurants landed conveniently right in the middle of birthday season for my family, so naturally we treated ourselves to the Sizzling Black Rock Volcano for dessert.

The tower of brownie, ice cream and whipped cream is a spectacle in itself, let alone the lit sparkler it is served with speared into the top.

In this era of uncertainty, it’s valid for indoor dining to cause anxiety. In the last few months I have felt uncomfortable in a variety of places because I felt like the business and customers were not following safety precautions.

With it being the first weekend back to indoor dining, I did not know what to expect.

But, my mind was eased when I saw the spaced out booths and wide aisleways at Black Rock.

I felt appropriately isolated while sitting and I didn’t need to walk through crowds of people just to get to the bathroom. From what I could see they were enforcing face-covering policies for employees and people not sitting at a table.

Under the circumstances, it appeared to me that Black Rock was taking all of the necessary precautions in order to make their customers feel comfortable to enjoy their meals. Eating out was an experience I missed and it was a relief to be able to experience each tasty course of my meal without feeling like I was going to get sick.

SIZZLE: Black Rock allows you to watch your food sear and sizzle in front of you. GVL | MARY RACETTE

A colorful carribean oasis with affordable homestyle eats

BY NICK MORAN EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

SULTRY: SpeakEZ Lounge is a sleek, romantic bar with a vintage charm. COURTESY | EXPERIENCE GR

A low-lit lounge for Valentine’s Day

BY AUTUMN PITCHURE NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

The SpeakEZ Lounge, a restaurant and bar at 600 Monroe Ave. NW in downtown Grand Rapids, is a phenomenal setting to eat, especially with Valentine’s day right around the corner. From the wide variety of beer and wine to the eclectic food, and dim mood lighting, the “speakeasy” style pub setting will send you and your significant other on a simply romantic venture.

SpeakEZ Lounge is following Michigan restaurant guidelines remaining at 25 percent capacity, which is around 42 people for their Lounge. The atmosphere is very safe, with tables remaining six feet apart. Employees also thoroughly sanitized tables and seats in between customers. Walking into the Lounge, it is required for customers to have a mask on (though obviously, eating and drinking is a “masks off ” activity).

TheSpeakEZ Lounge is a unique atmosphere with live music filling the air right as you eat. A variety of local musicians come in and jam out while you enjoy good conversation, excellent speedy service and delicious food. The lights are low, and there is a moody feeling throughout the Lounge.

The Lounge has a signature cocktail menu with modern cocktails along with old time favorites. There is something for just about anyone’s taste buds. SpeakEZ also offers twelve savory craft beer taps and an outstanding col-

lection of wine.

Not looking for something to drink? Lucky for you, SpeakEZ has hot savory grilled sandwiches, premium salads and unique entrees.

These all feature fresh-sliced deli meat, veggies and their famous house-made signature sauces and dressings. The lounge also has several specialty handcrafted meals perfect to share with your significant other, or to gobble down yourself.

SpeakEZ Lounge isn’t your average joe pub. This restaurant brings character, live music, drinks made with passion and flare. Their food options offer casual as well as high class.

Some of their signature favorites are the Pesto Pasta Primavera, the California Club Wrap, and my favorite: “The Greenbrier,” which features seared medallions of fresh-cut beef tenderloin with brussel sprouts, bacon, green apple and garlic-wilted spinach sautéed in a balsamic reduction.

The restaurant also caters to your sweet tooth; and let’s be honest fellas, that’s usually what your woman is looking forward to (especially on Valentine’s Day). SpeakEZ offers a flourless chocolate torte served with blackberry sauce, chocolate chip cookie cake with house-made chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream, and a seasonal crème brûlée.

SpeakEZ Lounge is usually closed on Sundays, but on Valentines day: Sunday, Feb. 14, they are keeping their doors open. SpeakEZ is certainly ready to roll and create a special evening for couples that they just won’t forget.

There’s something about just walking into Art Caribbean Fusion Cuisine that radiates excitement. From the splashes of colorful paintings to the hodge podge of primary colored furniture, the restaurant is vibrant and energetic with the food to back it up.

When we visited, my party made a reservation for indoor dining, which felt respectfully isolated and sanitary. But for those looking to eat outside, the sidewalk around Art is dotted with little dining greenhouses that seat a small party.

One of the only caribbean restaurants I’ve ever been to, I could only describe caribbean food as a medley of Latin bases with flair.

With no prior knowledge of Art, my eyes latched to the empanadas advertised front and center on their menu. It was a difficult choice, as the one-page menu was smaller, but obviously intentional and balanced, certainly warranting another trip back that would treat me to an entirely new experience.

To put it as bluntly as possible, the empanadas are the first thing customers read for a reason. Picking al pastor, salchiqueso (sausage and cheese), and chicken and jalapeno, the bowl of golden shells could have filled my stomach from the smell alone.

Melty, warm and crispy (courtesy of locally-made dough), the diversity of flavors and surprising heaviness of each empanada felt like I was being invited to know a family secret. I didn’t even mind that I couldn’t tell the empanadas apart before I bit into them — the satisfying reveal and full insides was rewarding enough. I was even skeptical that the three palm-sized pieces would fill me up, but I left

feeling like a king.

Outside of the empanadas, Art Caribbean Fusion Cuisine shockingly punches up incredibly well against the brewpubs and Americana eateries that fill the downtown Grand Rapids area, all with one thing: the yuka fries.

Competing against crack fries and poutine, yuka fries — which are made from the starchy roots of the cassava plant — take crunchy flavor and kick it up a notch. While it may not be Midwestern traditional, these fries check all of the boxes. If you die by the crispy fries, you could devour a plate of these in moments.

If you’re indifferent, the side is worth ordering for the accompanying garlic aioli sauce alone. In a moment of food-induces weakness, I demanded that my party have this exact sauce available for my wedding, funeral, or some other event of that nature. We ended up even dipping everything from empanadas to plantain chips in it with resounding success, and wrote home about the cuban sandwich, which prominently featured it.

The finer portions of the meal came with the check — despite engorging myself with food, I paid less for fries, empanadas, drink and a healthy tip than I would have for a full entree at some other downtown restaurants. Between a great location and affordable eats, this place is an absolute gem for a quick college bite or a daring trip out to try something new.

But above all else, there’s something about the Art Caribbean Fusion Cuisine that feels homey — whether it be the bright atmosphere that uplifts patrons or the staff dropping off silky flan at tables after eating. It was a warm welcome to caribbean-inspired cuisine and a venture that will only become a downtown staple for me.

SAVORY: Art Caribbean Fusion Cuisine in Grand Rapids is a gallery of savory flavors. GVL | NICK MORAN

SIPPIN’: The newest addition to Allendale, Tea Time Cafe is pet to be a staple. GVL | KATHERINE VASILE

A delectable social study spot near GV’s Allendale campus

BY NICK MORAN & MARY RACETTE EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

Following the closure of Mully’s at the end of 2018, the closest college bar to Grand Valley State University at the time left GVSU students without a proper spot to sit down, grab a bite or a drink and socialize off campus.

But at the same location, Tea Time Cafe may fill that niche in an entirely new way.

The cafe, which opened this year, is a modern, trendy shop with poke bowls, ramen and, of course, bubble tea. While they were takeout only upon opening, the location provides promise to be a strong study or social spot, especially when the pandemic dies down.

The cafe’s bread and butter seems to be its bubble tea, which is admittedly its strongest asset. For those unfamiliar, bubble tea is a Tiwaneese drink with a tea base in addition to fruit syrup or milk. Sitting at the bottom are tapioca, or jelly balls, which get sucked up with each sip through massive straws, which are a staple.

The brown sugar milk tea is a spin on the classic black milk tea, the brown sugar adding a welcomed layer of sophisticated sweetness.

The combination of simplicity and complexity makes this drink a smart choice for first-time boba drinkers.

All of the milk teas pair well with the original tapioca as the creamy tea works well with the soft but chewy texture of the pearls. The quality of the tapioca shows through the sweet flavor of each pearl, adding a pleasant element to the already flavorful tea.

Despite the cafe’s recent opening, members

of the Lanthorn are already becoming regulars, especially with a hankering for bubble tea.

Lanthorn Editor-in-Chief Nick Moran is a diehard coffee milk tea fan, hold the tapioca.

It’s less on the sweet side with a familiar java taste front and center, reminiscent of a creamy cold brew. If coffee isn’t your cup of tea, opt for the jasmine green milk tea, a semi-sweet option fit for any time of the day.

News Editor Mary Racette prefers to enjoy the taro milk tea in the evenings since the caffeine content is not as high. The aesthetically pleasing purple color of the drink is a bonus, making for quality Instagram content.

As for food, ramen and poke bowls are mainstays. The ramen is warm, hearty and perfect for the snowed-in time of the season.

However, the poke bowls leave much to be desired. They certainly scratch an itch, but will probably need to be refined as they stay open.

Everything felt balanced and fresh, but suffered from unwieldy crab sticks or pieces that could have been chopped smaller and incorporated fuller – a simple change but one that would remove hurdles from enjoying the meal.

On the other hand, the cafe’s sole bento box, a popcorn chicken box, is a stellar lunchtime pickup, especially with an incredible sauce to match. An $8 box with enough food for a late-night snack or a second meal is a win for college students on a budget.

Also worth shouting out are the pork gyoza, which are a perfect balance of tender, balanced pork and a golden brown outside. Pair it with the recommended gyoza sauce for a quick, delicious snack on the go.

FEBRUARY 8, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A8 | NEWS EVENTS

Brooks College Civil Discourse Symposium hosts writer, journalist Andrew Marantz

BY OLIVIA FELLOWS ASSOCIATE@LANTHORN.COM

On Wednesday, Feb. 3, the Grand Valley State University Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies Civil Discourse program held its first night of a two-part virtual symposium that featured prominent writer and journalist Andrew Marantz. Led

by Jeff Kelly Lowenstein, the current Padnos Sarosik endowed professor of civil discourse, the virtual event offered students, staff, faculty and community members an opportunity to gather at one event for a robust discussion of the current civil discourse topic. The symposium is the seventh installment of the civil discourse program discussion initiative, the first symposium having been held in 2014.

Marantz, a staff writer for The New Yorker, has contributed to the well-known magazine since 2011. He has written extensively for the magazine on technology, social media, the altright and the press, as well as about comedy and pop culture. Marantz holds a bachelor’s degree in religion and religious studies from Brown University and a master’s degree in journalism from New York University.

During the evening, Marantz led an open conversation about the interaction of political extremists and mainstream conversation, and discussed his newly published book,

“Anti-social: Online Extremists, Techno-Utopians, and the Hijacking of the American Conversation.” Kelly Lowenstein said that Marantz has unique perspectives on the state of politics and media, and gave important insight into the tension of sharing accurate information in the media and online today.

“Andrew’s work from the beginning stood out from a very crowded field for its clarity, its insight and the depth of his reporting and his explication of the consequences of the collision between social media platforms, online extremists and American public discourse,” Kelly Lowenstein said. “You can see it in his remarkable book, his dispatches for The New Yorker, and in his commentaries after last month’s attempted coup at the United States Capitol. His work could hardly be timelier.”

During the discussion, Marantz highlighted the main theme of his book: “making the unthinkable, thinkable.” He explained his views that in recent years much of what mainstream media has come into contact with and reported on has been described as unthinkable, and getting at the core of how society has reacted to recent political turmoil, and how it got to that point, is important in understanding the often-volatile nature of civil discourse right now.

Marantz’s book analyzes and touches on the November election, the recent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, and Twitter

OPEN DISCUSSION: GVSU hosted The New Yorker writer Andrew Marantz for a discussion and Q&A on his newly published book, and the state of media and politics today. GVL | OLIVIA FELLOWS

and Facebook’s banning of former President Donald Trump have all underscored the critical role misinformation distributed on social media platforms plays in our country. In the discussion, he alluded to the idea of free speech, and how many in the U.S. are utilizing it to justify much of the misinformation being spread online, in the news and in government.

“With speech, we’ve gotten really turned around because we’ve been implicated with this American-exceptionalist view that says that speech can’t have negative consequences, but that’s just obviously patently false,” Marantz said.

LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

GIVING

Johnson Center identifies trends, opportunities in philanthropy

BY JACOB DEWEERD NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

GIVING BACK: The 11 Trends in Philanthropy Report details sectors that have experienced tension in the past year. COURTESY | GVSU

The Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University has released its fifth annual “11 Trends in Philanthropy” report, highlighting trends and new opportunities in philanthropic sectors that have been affected by the widespread tension and world-changing events of the past year.

The 2020 “Trends” report, written by several experts and leaders from the Johnson Center, delves deep into philanthropic aspects of many commonly-discussed nationwide issues from the last year such as widespread wealth inequality, social injustice, and systemic racism. The report also covers newly-emerging trends such as the importance of data in this digital age and the up-and-coming arrival of the next generation of young philanthropists.

While these trends are far-reaching, broad topics of analysis, they will impact the lives of GVSU students through resources offered by the Uni-

versity. Executive Director Teri Behrens, who co-authored two articles in this year’s report, shared her thoughts on how philanthropy is working to help the people who need it most.

“The word ‘philanthropy’ means love of humankind, and philanthropy is involved in all of our society’s ‘big questions’ that impact the wellbeing of people,” Behrens said, “Today, of course, much of philanthropy is focused on the urgent needs we’re facing amidst the COVID pandemic – providing support for PPE, testing, food, access to childcare and broadband access.”

Behrens also discussed how the Johnson Center’s work ties back to the lives of students.

“We connect with several teams across the University, such as the Office of Inclusion & Equity, to call on their expertise as thought leaders and instructors in our work with communities,” Behrens said. “All of our educational programs include a focus on equity, and GVSU faculty and students can participate in most of our pro-

grams at a significantly reduced cost.”

W.K. Kellogg Community Philanthropy Chair Michael Layton lent his writing and philanthropic expertise to this year’s report. One article by Layton and Behrens, titled ‘Dynamic and Disruptive Forces are Increasingly at Work’ examines how diversity, equity and inclusion are growing in the philanthropic world.

The Johnson Center is working to make sure diverse viewpoints and experiences are central to its operation.

“In our strategic plan, we identify reinforcing a culture where everyone feels valued in the Johnson Center as critical to our sustainability,” Layton said, “Under the leadership of our Distinguished Scholar in Residence for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Dr. Juan Olivarez, we have established a committee to track our progress in living up to those ideals and facilitating an ongoing learning process.

We have established these three values at the core of what we do.”

LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

FEBRUARY 8, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLARTS

ARTS AT A GLANCE GILDA’S LAUGHFEST PROMISES VIRTUAL FUN IN ITS RETURN As COVID-19 continues to cancel plans and keep everyone inside, we could all use a little laugh. Gilda’s Laughfest promises just that.

Created by Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids, the LaughFest began in March 2011 to celebrate “laughter for the health of it.” The festival usually features stand-up comedy and improv, among other events.

At the heart of Laughfest is the various “health benefits of laughter,” something everyone could use nowadays.

Gilda’s LaughFest is the nation’s first-ever community-wide festival that is dedicated solely to laughter. Bringing an average of 50,000 guests to West Michigan every year, it is known for being one of the nation’s funniest events for both participants and artists.

Read more at www.lanthorn.com

GV WRITER’S SERIES SET TO HOLD ITS SECOND VIRTUAL EVENT

The second event of Grand Valley State University’s Writers Series will feature Associate Professor and author Colin Rafferty doing a nonfiction reading.

The reading will be taking place on Feb. 11 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. on Zoom. Those who wish to attend can contact the GVSU Department of Writing for the Zoom link.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Rafferty attended Kansas State and Iowa State and eventually got an MFA from the University of Alabama.

Rafferty generally writes about public and private histories, monuments and memorials (“Hallow This Ground,” Break Away Books, 2016). In doing research for his book “Execute the Office,” Rafferty visited the graves of twenty-eight presidents, toured the homes of sixteen, and was even able to handle a four-page letter written by George Washington himself.

Rafferty has taught students nonfiction writing at the University of Mary Washington since 2008. In this time, he has developed classes on nonfiction of place, the lyric essay and writing for multimedia.

A9 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DINING

The Igloo, the Geodome, the Enclosure: The future of winter dining

BY MARY DUPUIS ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

Though it is now lifted, the most recent Executive Order had prohibited any restaurants from allowing indoor dining. In order to stay afloat, restaurants were forced to turn to their only other option: the great outdoors.

With no thanks to West Michigan’s icy, frigid winters, outdoor eating has remained a nearly impossible feat — until now.

Spreading like wildfire across Grand Rapids, Allendale and all of Michigan, igloos, like the ones recently installed on Grand Valley State University’s campus, have allowed restaurants to stay up and running despite COVID-19 restrictions.

One of the first businesses to discover the glory of the heated igloo has been Outside Coffee Co. in Grand Rapids. As their business takes place solely outdoors, they began using these outdoor domes three years ago to keep their customers nice and warm while enjoying their coffee.

Shahad Alzaidan, the Community Manager of Woosah Outfitters and Outside Coffee Co., said they were presented with the idea when a customer mentioned the geodomes to the owner, Erica Lang.

“We did some research and the rest is history,” Alzaidan said. “It’s been wild to see them popping up all over the place now due to COVID-19 restrictions. But, for us, our

story is a little different as it was something we did for the nature of our business being an outdoor coffee shop.”

While they may have been two steps ahead, other restaurants have been quick to follow.

David Kortman, the Fronthouse Manager of Main St. Pub in Allendale, said they had ordered the domes and space heaters for them before they even knew the restaurant was required to shut down

for a second time because they noticed how much of a trend it had become — and it paid off.

“The igloos really kept our business at a much higher level than we expected for COVID,” Kortman said.

LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

LAKER EFFECT

GV alumna finds success with unexpected earring business ALLISON RAFFERTY ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

GRAND RAPIDS’ WORLD OF WINTER CONTINUES TO EXPAND As the month progresses the ice and art installations for Grand Rapids’ World of Winter are multiplying.

“Ice Luminaries” now create a path along the Gillett Bridge. This art installation features 10 “icicles” that weigh more than 600 pounds and have bright, colorful lights frozen in the center.

A second brand new winter-themed art installation has also made its way to the storefront of 106 South Division Ave. The installation is titled “Beam Me Up, Snowpeople” and was created by local artist Valerie Wahna.

The concept of the artwork is a 3D diorama-like display and features an energetic, playful scene of snow people dodging UFOs and asteroids while riding their very own spaceships.

ADAPTING: Businesses have begun using outdoor igloos similar to the ones on GVSU’s campus to provide customers a more comfortable outdoor dining experience. GVL | JONATHAN LANTIEGNE

SUCCESS: Holly Cieslinski creates unique earrings from resin and leather to sell. COURTESY | GVNEXT

What started as a fun, creative outlet for one Grand Valley State University alumna has turned into a business opportunity thanks to COVID-19.

Holly Cieslinski graduated from GVSU in 2018 with a degree in Occupational Science and Therapy. In 2019, she was gifted a Cricut cutting machine for Christmas and thought it would be fun to use it to make earrings.

What she didn’t know at the time was just how many people would want to wear her creations.

“I never intended on selling my earrings but ended up getting a lot of interest from friends and family,” said Cieslinski.

Cieslinski started making more and more earrings when her place of employment closed down due to COVID-19. She makes a variety of earrings, specializing in faux leather and resin designs.

“If I am making faux leather earrings, I

start by finding a pattern or style I like and uploading it to a program called Design Space which is used to work with Cricut cutting machines,” Cieslinski said. “If I am making resin earrings, I typically find a color pattern I am inspired by.”

Eventually, she had made so many pairs of earrings that she ended up having too many on hand. So, she decided to try and sell them at the Fulton Street Farmers Market in Grand Rapids.

“The response was great and it became a weekly occurrence for me to sell there,” said Cieslinski.

Cieslinski’s earrings were such a success that they are now also sold online and at Proper Apparel Boutique located in the Upper Peninsula.

Cieslinski said that her favorite part of the jewelry-making experience has been seeing people wear her creations, and having repeat customers.

LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

A10 | LAKER LIFE LOOK AT LIFE CSLC HELPS STUDENTS CRAFT DIY HAND SANITIZER

As restaurants reopen and official edicts start to loosen, it’s becoming more important than ever to employ common sense guidelines for health and safety. One of the most basic is sanitizing your hands frequently when you’ve been in public. The Community Service Learning Center is offering a class on how to make hand sanitizer of your own, held online over Zoom.

The demonstration will last from 8-9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9. Supplies can be picked up at the Office of Student Life at Kirkhof Center, for those who request them

by RSVPing for the event on the CSLC’s LakerLink. Participants can approach the event as personal crafting or as an opportunity for service, as the hand sanitizer can be donated afterwards.

CO-SPONSORED CONVERSATIONS FOCUSED ON UNITY

The recent riots at our nation’s capital demonstrate that our country is still as divided as ever. Being able to have difficult conversations about politics with family and friends is an important skill to develop for those hoping to move forward. That’s why the One America Movement is partnering with Calvin University and GVSU’s Kaufman Interfaith Institute to present a training seminar with this exact purpose in mind.

The event, which is INT 100 and 201 approved, will last from 4:30-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10 over Zoom. Those interested can find the link to join by registering on the Kaufman website, at www.gvsu.edu/ interfaith.

BLACK MASCULINITY FOCUS OF UPCOMING DISCUSSION

POLITICS

CSLC discusses Biden’s executive orders

BY YSABELA GOLDEN LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University’s Community Service Learning Center has long been encouraging conversations about civics and how to become politically involved citizens, even as the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the kinds of campus gatherings they would have had normally. One quarantine innovation was Tea Time, a biweekly discussion streamed on the CSLC Instagram.

“It’s a student-run, student-led show,” said Kayla Sosa, the Campus Vote Project Fellow and a Civic Engagement Associate at the CSLC. “It’s the most casual space in our department, where we talk about current events and bring in student experts for conversations on those topics.

The beginning of February marked the project’s second season, which began with a conversation on the most important political event of the new year: the presidential transition between Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

“The first ninety days are really going to show us what promises are going to be kept,” said Jamie Wilson, a sophomore in the legal studies program who was newly elected to GVSU’s Student Senate for the 2020-2021 school year.

“I’ve been paying attention to the executive orders that he’s been passing,” Wilson said. “I think, in terms of COVID, it’s exciting to have a president who cares about these

SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED: GVSU’s Community Service Learning Center discussed President Joe Biden’s recent executive orders in this week’s Tea Time. COURTESY | EVAN VUCCI / ASSOCIATED PRESS

issues, and I think he knows that the people want a president who cares about it.

From Wilson’s perspective, however, some of the executive orders don’t get enough into concrete specifics to be fully effective.

“I think they’re promising, in theory,” Wilson said. “But I’m noticing some, like the promise to assist in reopening schools safety, that seemed a little broad to me. How are we actually going to move forward with that?”

The order in question, titled “Executive Order on Supporting the Reopening and Continuing Operation of Schools and Early Childhood Education Providers,” discussed not only schooling for children but higher education institutions like GVSU. LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

LAKER EFFECT

GV celebrates resilience during Black History Month

BY RACHEL MATUSZEWSKI & KATHERINE ARNOLD

As Grand Valley State University’s Black History Celebration continues, more speakers have been asked to present on important social and historical subjects in the black community. This week, GVSU’s own Reginald Blockett, a professor of educational leadership and counseling, will be leading a virtual discussion over what stereotypes culturally associated with black men.

The event will take place from 7-8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11, and will be held over Zoom.

Those interested in attending can register online at the Office of Multicultural Affairs website, www.gvsu.edu/oma, where there is also a full schedule of the month’s events.

FEBRUARY 8, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLLAKERLIFE

LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM

On a predominately white campus, Black students and students of color face trials their classmates and professors may never fully understand. Still, these students have continued to stay resilient during these situations. Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) intern and student ambassador Paulasia Sims says the word resilient makes a statement.

During the month of February, the OMA will be hosting a series of virtual events to celebrate Black History Month.

This year’s theme is the Resilience of Black Americans, which aims to express the ways Black people have triumphed over obstacles and teaching students how to be vocal when help is needed.

“I think this year it’s an eye-opener for everyone,” Sims said. “This is the time for us to really come together as a community and as individuals and think about the changes that we could make if we were collectively together.”

In the beginning of the line-up for Black History Month on Feb. 2, the OMA invited speaker Cle Jackson, President of the Greater Grand Rapids National As-

sociation for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to lead a discussion about the racial divide in America, as well as the strategies we can utilize to create a more equal society.

Jackson will have students revisit things they have experienced while giving special attention to strategies that can be used for the future.

The event also featured a discussion and Q&A, where attendees could ask Jackson about the NAACP and the topic at hand. What followed was an insightful and motivational conversation about policy, purpose and pursuing an equitable society through action.

“I stopped by here tonight to tell people that whatever you think you know about Black people, delete those biases and prejudices, and start over,” Jackson said. “With building intentional, purpose-driven relationships with folk who may not look like you, live by you, or work with you. Because this is how we start to understand the work that it takes to build an equitable society.”

LOG ON TO:

STAY STRONG: Cle Jackson, President of the Greater Grand Rapids NAACP, lead a conversation on addressing racial divides and striving to push toward social equality. GVL | KATHERINE ARNOLD

www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

A11 | SPORTS

FEBRUARY 8, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

QUICK HITS

BASKETBALL

MEN’S BASKETBALL SPLITS SERIES AGAINST FERRIS STATE

GVSU (5-4) dropped their first game against Ferris State (7-7) in last weekend’s double header. In a close game, the Lakers lost 68-65, their third consecutive defeat. The game was close throughout all of regulation and the Lakers had a chance to tie the score in the final seconds of the contest.

It was a hard pill to swallow after a Lakers three pointer didn’t fall at the end of the game, but several Lakers had impressive performances. Jake Van Tubbergen led the team in scoring with 19 points, and moved to eighth place on the Lakers all-time rebounding list after he grabbed nine boards.

Christian Negron was close to a double-double but finished short by just one rebound.

Jordan Harris and Isaac Gassman also scored double digit points.

In the second game of the weekend, the Lakers came out victorious with a score of 70-51. This was the Lakers’ first victory away at Ferris State since 2014.

After falling behind in the first half, the Lakers went on a 16-0 run to close out the second quarter. They never looked back and ended the game above .500 again.

Deleon Brown was pivotal in this game, scoring 20 points and hitting an important three to start out the Lakers dominant run.

Harris scored 14 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and dished out seven assists. Negron contributed 12 points and seven rebounds.

GV TRACK SETS MULTIPLE RECORDS AT SNOWDOWN SHOWDOWN MEET

The GVSU Lakers broke three records and earned several NCAA Division II qualifying standards at the Snowdown Showdown meet last weekend. Freshman Lindsey Strutz, strolled right into the record books in her debut pentathlon for GVSU. The freshman finished the event with a score of 3329 finishing first in the event all time for the Lakers.

Senior Nicole Sreenan once again tied her own school record in the 60-meter finishing the event with a time of 7.41. Senior transfer Isaac Harding etched his name in the GVSU record books for the second time during this meet. He broke the turf record at Kelly Family Sports Center Turf finishing the 3,000-meter run with a time of 7:53.77.

GV SWIMMING AND DIVING SWEEPS DAVENPORT IN WEEKEND COMPETITION

The GVSU swimming and diving team (10-2) won all 24 competitions last Saturday Feb. 6, against Davenport University (4-2).

The men’s team won with a score of 162-65 and the women’s team won 168-67. For the women’s team, Sara Puscas made the NCAA cut in the 200-meter (1:52.81). Gracyn Segard received two NCAA qualifications in both the one meter dive (462.08) and the three meter dive (469.79).

The men’s team also received two individual NCAA qualifications. Eric Hieber made the NCAA cut in the 500-meter freestyle with a time of 4:29.26. Chris Kelly received two NCAA qualifications in the one meter diving event (466.43) and in the three meter diving event (476.40).

SLAIN BY THE SAWYERS: Donning special jerseys for a game, the Grand Valley State University Sawyers claimed an impressive game over the Ferris State University Bulldogs Saturday, Feb. 6. The Sawyers took a strong lead at the half, maintaining it handedly through the buzzer. GVL | SHEILA BABBITT

Women’s basketball extends win streak after first game against Ferris

BY HOLLY BIHLMAN HBIHLMAN@LANTHORN.COM

The Grand Valley State University women’s basketball team temporarily changed their names to the Sawyer on their Feb. 6 to cut down the competition during their matchup against Ferris State University.

While the Lakers name might have changed, win streak didn’t, as they added a fifth win to their current run. The girls won the game 72-57, putting their record this season at 9-1 while Ferris fell to 3-7.

The Sawyers held on to their lead throughout the first two quarters of the game, ending the half up 39-25. The Sawyers did begin to see a dip in the third quarter, but quickly came back around by the fourth.

At the beginning of the third quarter, Ferris State scored seven points in a row to bring the score to 41-32. The Sawyers responded and were able to slow down Ferris State until the Bulldogs had a 12-2 run at the end of the third quarter. By the end of the game the Sawyers held on to their double-digit lead for the win.

The team had some defensive faults during the game, especially during the third quarter.

However, Ferris State couldn’t catch up with the Sawyers offensive firing on all cylinders.

Junior forward Hannah Kulas played an especially good game, leading the team with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

“I think that we played with a lot of toughness,” Kulas said. “There were times we were kind of wavering but we were able to respond really well when they would make a run. I think we need to take care of the ball a little bit better, especially if we’re getting kind of tired. We’re kind of getting a little lackadaisical, as coach likes to say, with our passing, but I think we’ll definitely be able to pick that up.”

A few of the other girls on the team had

CUT DOWN TO SIZE: The Sawyers put up impressive numbers across the board, but junior forward Hannah Kulas especially led the team, putting up 23 points and 10 rebounds. GVL | SHEILA BABBITT

some moments in the spotlight as well, including freshman forward Rylie Biseballe who came off the bench and contributed with solid defense and grabbed some boards. Junior guard Samantha Gehrls did a great job defending one of the leading scorers in the conference, Ferris State freshman Kaydn Blanchard, and limited her to only 13 points. Gehrls was also effective in rebounding, grabbing 10 boards in traffic during the game. Sophomore forward Courntey Sharland scored some big baskets in the first half and ended the game with seven points and two rebounds.

“That was good to see some of these players that haven’t played as much come in and give us some good minutes,” Williams said. “I thought we had a great sense of urgency on both ends of the floor.”

It was a good sign that the Sawyers were able to hold their lead and finish the game strong. After a lackadaisical third quarter, the young team was able to finish the game strong.

“I thought we got a little bit lax with the ball offensively,” Williams said. “In the third

quarter we missed some defensive assignments. With Ferris State, the way they can score they make you pay, and they made us pay. That third quarter was a tough stretch for us but I thought our kids bounced back really well in the fourth quarter, took care of the ball, took care of the glass, and flipped the tables.”

In a tough game against Ferris State like this one, it may have benefited GVSU to have the support of their home crowd. Without the energy provided by a crowd, the players on the bench and the assistant coaches make up for some of the intensity a crowd would provide.

“Normally it would be super packed because we have the back-to-back games, but when you get out on the floor you don’t really notice it as much,” Kulas said. “It’s almost helpful, especially at time outs and at halftime, there’s no distractions so we can really lock in on coach.”

Next week the Lakers will be playing at Northern Michigan University next weekend Feb. 13-14 to continue their season.

FEBRUARY 8, 2021 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

A12 | SPORTS SCHEDULE

VIRUS SEASON: With the pandemic greatly shifting the sports landscape, teams like Grand Valley State University’s basketball teams have had to adjust by having back-to-back games each weekend. Men’s coach Ric Wesley said the change, which was made due to the pandemic, has required a mindset shift, as the quick turnaround limits time to scout and requires rapid preparation. GVL | KATHERINE VASILE

GV athletes adjust to back-to-back weekend games

BY JOSH CARLSON SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

The Grand Valley State University basketball teams have had quite a year trying to just play basketball. From the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament last year to not knowing if they were going to have a season at all this year, it hasn’t been easy for the Lakers to play some ball.

While they do have a season this year, the caveat that gives coaches and players an entirely new challenge is playing double-headers. Currently, the Lakers are playing weekends against conference-only opponents back-to-back. The athletes are practicing Monday through Friday and playing two full-speed games at the collegiate level all in one week.

At the same time, the student athletes

have to worry about their studies and classes. Coaches also have to make sure their athletes aren’t riddled with injuries.

Junior Emily Spitzley is coming off an injury herself from last year and has started every game this year for the Lakers. She is averaging 30 minutes in those contests this season.

“It’s been really different playing backto-back days,” Spitzley said. “I think physically we kind of knew what to expect.

You’re not getting a break after your game and you’re going to have to play 30 plus minutes one day and follow it up with another 30 the next. It takes a toll a little bit and obviously coming off an injury, I worried about if my knee was going to be okay.

So far though, it’s been great.”

While athletes can run and train their bodies to handle the storm of a season, there’s something about playing the same

HANG IN THERE: With the huge change to scheduling, student athletes have not only had to shift practicing, but juggle a full weekend of competition with their college workload. GVL | ARCHIVES

team twice in one weekend that is more difficult than how much training they’re doing.

“I think the hardest thing about playing back-to-back is playing the same team,” Spitzley said. “If it were different teams, it would be different, but it’s a challenge to play the same players. They know you as a player now and they’re going to guard you differently and make adjustments.”

Men’s basketball coach Ric Wesley knows how difficult it can be to have such little time to prepare for game two.

It forces coaches and their teams to adjust on the fly and maintain a strong mental.

“It’s a quick turnaround, and obviously you don’t have a brand new scouting report,” Wesley said. “You try to do some of the same things from the first game that went well and try to anticipate maybe some of the changes that the other team is going to make, but it’s tough.”

Playing these doubleheaders is new to everyone, but juniors like Spitzley have the advantage of knowing what being an athlete in college is like. She’s been balancing school and athletics going on three years now. Ellie Droste, a freshman guard for the women’s team, is one of the many new faces to her team and has been thrown into the fire with what it’s like to be a student-athlete during this “COVID season.”

“Coming in as a freshman, it’s an awesome experience,” Droste said. “It is kind of tricky with COVID regulations with the masks, social distancing, and now there are no fans, along with the backto-back games. The first games we played against Saginaw it was weird at first. The second day I was like, ‘Oh, I am a little bit tired,’ it’s not something I’ve ever done before. The only thing I could compare it to would be when I played Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). “ Although this is a unique way to play out a season, Droste is already getting into a routine. She enjoys being able to play the same team twice and the advantages that come with it. For example,

after losing their first game against the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, the team did not have to wait to get revenge in their second game of the weekend.

Droste is not the only freshman on the team. Luckily, she has five other freshmen alongside her and the rest of her teammates to help each other out this season.

“Our entire team has each other’s back,” Droste said. “Everybody just wants to see everyone get better, and if someone makes a mistake, everyone has their back.

I think it’s really unique. I’ve experienced a lot of different teams, whether it be AAU, high school and now college, and it’s great that every single teammate is really positive. It’s an awesome experience and culture here.”

Aside from the fatigue and how many hours are dedicated to the gym and constant playing, the athletes also have to make sure they’re still finding room to get their homework done. Usually, that time was reserved for Sunday. However, they don’t have that luxury this season.

“For me, Sundays were a big homework day,” Spitzley said. “Sitting in the library for hours and hours, so it’s been a big adjustment to that. Now that our entire weekends are gone, Mondays seem to come pretty quickly. We’ve had to plan our time in a way that homework, classes, and studying are more periodically done throughout the week so it doesn’t pile up on a weekend where we virtually have no time to sit down and dedicate it to our school, especially when we are on the road.”

The men’s and women’s basketball teams will continue their season of double-headers with a weekend against Ferris State University. The men’s team travels to Mount Pleasant and will try to improve their 4-3 record on the year.

The women’s team (8-1), is playing at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena, where they will be hosting the Bulldogs.