The Griffin September 26, 2024 by The Griffin

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The 716 Votes Canisius Number One

By AVA C. GREEN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

On Sunday, September 22, The Buffalo News named Canisius “Best Local University” in their “Best of 716” contest. Adding to the recent accolades and making Canisius’s Public Relations Director Audrey Browka’s job a whole lot easier, on Tuesday, September 23, U.S. News & World Report released its “Best Colleges” ranking, listing Canisius University #31 for “Best Regional University North”

This 40th edition of the U.S. News list compared Canisius to over 1,500 other four-year universities and colleges all across the country, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer, and places Canisius in the top 20% of northern regional institutions. The Buffalo News’s contest, on the other hand, has contestants nominated and voted on publicly between May and September each year.

In the “Best of 716” contest, Canisius University beat out 14 other schools this year, securing a place in the final five by July, alongside Buffalo State University, University at Buffalo State, SUNY Fredonia, and our friendly rivals at Niagara University – a great improvement from the university’s fifth-place ranking in 2021.

The “Best of 716” contest was promoted in posts in Canisius’s employee newsletter, The Dome, and urged faculty and staff to vote. The school’s recent emphasis in their social media presence was something that Vice President of Advancement Dianna Civello believed played a large role in “reenergizing” the school in recent years, and was also instrumental in securing votes, specifically from alumni.

Alumni support has been stronger in recent years than ever, according to Civello. She cited the

president’s RISE tour as a reason for the increased engagement, saying “At these events, [Stoute] would call them ‘co-creators’ of the school’s vision. It empowered our alumni.”

And in the end, the energized and empowered alumni showed up for Canisius – in the voting, and at Griff Weekend registration, supposedly, with a projected attendance of close to 1,000 people. This includes family, staff, present Griffs, and former ones – who are excited to relive their glory days at their recent-award-winning alma mater.

“I’ve been here since 2003 and I have never seen this much energy,” Civello said. “In that first year, [President Stoute] really had the opportunity to hit the reset button. He reinspired, and I think reenergized us with his vision for the school; it brought back that sense of Griff pride.” She added, “He lit the fire.”

It is this passion from the president that Civello credits much of these winnings to. She recalled the

post-Covid struggle felt by Canisius and most institutions at the time, and how President Stoute’s inaugural year was also our first year somewhat “back to normal”, and transformative to our school’s “energy”, which she praised quite often as we spoke. As we reap the rewards and awards of this transformational energy, President Stoute seems optimistic about what’s next to come. He told The Griffin, “The recent wave of positive news reflects our success in delivering on our mission and the growing enthusiasm around our vision for the future of Canisius. For our students, current and prospective, this translates into enhanced opportunities, improved resources and a degree that carries greater intrinsic value in Western New York and beyond.”

Contact Ava C. Green green98@canisius.edu

A lesson in voter registration

By KATIE DUSZA CONTRIBUTOR

As Nov. 5 quickly approaches, an immense feeling of restlessness looms over Americans regarding the political and social future of our country. Whether one is interested in politics or not, this high-stakes election is on the minds of millions of Americans, especially young people.

For many undergraduate students, this will be the first presidential election they are qualified to vote in. The right to vote has been fought for throughout American history, and so everybody can feel a sense of pride by voting.

In New York State, all voters participating in the Nov. 5 presidential election must be registered by Oct. 26, 2024. New York State allows college students to register under their home address or their college address depending on from where one plans to vote. Registering to vote under your temporary address is only necessary for in-person voting. Please note that voters can only be registered in one state.

Resources for registration can be found at New York State Board of Elections’ official webpage, elections.ny.gov. This website includes instructions for registering by mail, in person, or online.

An easy way to vote for non-local students is

“An easy way to vote for non-local students is through an absentee ballot”

through an absentee ballot. This way you can participate in democracy without having to visit your local polling place. In New York State, registered voters may request an absentee ballot by filling out a mail-in ballot application.

For access to absentee ballot requests from all states, visit vote.org and select the ‘Vote By Mail’ window. If you choose to vote in person and your current voting district isn’t in an accessible loca-

“For access to absentee ballot requests from all states, visit vote.org and select the ‘Vote By Mail’ window.”

tion, you may update your voter registration’s location through mail, online, or in person. Make sure of the location of your voting place before Nov. 5 to be able to plan ahead and exercise your right to vote.

Some people decide not to vote because they feel as though their voice doesn’t count in the election process because they think their vote is just one of millions. However, the decisions made by those millions will come back to you by creating a more desirable community and future. Your one vote contributes to a bigger picture that could launch major and necessary political and social changes.

duszak@canisius.edu

IN OTHER NEWS…

The Athletic a paper created by The New York Times reported that the Buffalo Bills are number one on their list of NFL Week 4 Power Ranking

As of September 25, Kamala Harris is leading the national poll by 2.9% out of an average of 11 polls.

Griff weekend will take place this week. Attendees can be prepared to see fun activities and a beer created by Canisius called “Petey’s Pilsner.”

The Buffalo Bills will play on Sunday, September 29 at 8:20 p.m. They will be playing against the Baltimore Ravens.

CNN reported that Hurricane Helene is now a category three hurricane “as it approaches Florida and Southeast.” It seems to heading toward the Florida Panhandle, which is located in the northwestern part of Florida which borders Alabama and Georgia.

Banned Book Week started on September 22 and will end on the 28. The American Library Association stated, “In a time of deep political divides, library staff across the country are facing an overwhelming number of book ban attempts.” Banned Book Week encourages “The freedom to explore new ideas and different perspectives,” which is “under threat, and book bans don’t just restrict access to stories—they undermine our rights.”

Correction: We apologize deer readers, the deer spotted in the Forest Lawn cemetery have white fur because they are inbred, according to our friends in ABEC.

By DOMINIC LUCYSHYN CONTRIBUTOR

This Monday, September 23, our campus thrift store Griff’s Thrifts opened for the semester. Griff’s Thrifts is located in the basement of the Palisano Pavilion across from the Smoothie Lab. Their hours of operation are 12-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

During these hours, students can donate clothes, and look through and take home the wide variety offered. As for the rules of the thrift store, students are able to take 10 articles of clothing each semester. If students donate clothes, they can take more articles of clothing depending on how much they donate. In order to continue being environmentally conscious.

Griff’s Thrifts was started last year as an idea of the Sustainability Committee, as they wanted to have the same impact as Petey’s Pantry. Currently, some members of the committee help run the store.

Last year, the shop was a success as it was always full of clothes and is still receiving many donations to this day. Katy Schon, a member of the Sustainability Committee was asked by The Griffin about what her passionate about when it comes to volunteering at the the thrift store. Schon responded that she loves “having a sustainable thrift store on campus,” and volunteering at the store seemed like a perfect fit.

VIA UPWARD NIAGARA

The Humboldt Parkway project brings lawsuits

By LUCAS WATSON FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT

Buffalo’s parkway system was designed by the landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. These spaces include Delaware Park, Cazenovia Park, South Park, Front Park and Humboldt Park (now Martin Luther King Jr. Park). These were connected via parkways intended to act as an ‘emerald necklace’ for the City of Buffalo.

One of the many parts of the ‘emerald necklace’ was the former Humboldt Parkway, which connected Delaware Park and Humboldt Park.

Now, it’s known as the Kensington Expressway, NYS Route 33. This connects Downtown Buffalo to Rochester, but its busiest stretch is between Buffalo and the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. The expressway runs directly down what was the Humboldt Parkway, constructed in 1958.

It divided entire neighborhoods. Canisius University sits right along Humboldt Parkway and is a part of the very communities that were forced to separate by the construction of this freeway.

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has proposed a project that will cover the Kensington Expressway to emulate the Humboldt Parkway. It will turn considerable sections of it into a tunnel.

State officials claim that this projected project will help bring the community back together after years of forcefully being separated by the expressway. However, many advocates and members of the community are against this decision, suggesting that it could breed an environmental catastrophe.

As WBFO reported in June, Wayne Blassingame and 60 other members of the Parkway Coalition have entered an ongoing lawsuit to bring back the Humboldt Parkway. The article states, “The lawsuit, filed in State Supreme Court on Thursday, would also require the state to remove the portions of the Scajaquada Expressway

that run through Delaware Park.”

Marcia Ladiana, who worked for the Department of Transportation and has lived in the Humboldt Park area for 35 years is quoted as saying, “I’ve seen people get sick, die, and all because of this expressway,” She continued, “I see no reason to have a six-lane expressway through a residential neighborhood.” Ladiana noted how the decision to do this may “perpetuate this for another 100 years,” and other organizations seemingly agree.

According to the Kensington Expressway Project FAQ page, the tunnel will be a bit longer than three-quarters of a mile (4,150 feet) and will run from Dodge Street to Sidney Street. Filling the Expressway is not an option due to the amount of traffic that runs through the Kensington Expressway daily.

The project is expected to start this year and be completed by 2028. This would cost approximately one billion dollars, which comes from state and federal funding. While there are plans for the ventilation of exhaust fumes along the expressway, all of the projected air concentrations for particulate matter are well below federal-based health standards, also according to the FAQ page.

In February of 2024, the Western New York Youth Climate Council filed a lawsuit against Kensington Expressway, as the council claims that the project has failed “to be consistent with the NY State Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act’s emissions reduction goals,” according to WKBW. Furthermore, they report that, since the announcement of the project in 2022, there have been “four total lawsuits against the project.”

The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) has also sued NYSDOT, writing on their website that the NYSDOT’s “decision to proceed with redeveloping Buffalo’s Kensington

Expressway without conducting an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS),” is a “refusal” to “study the environmental impacts of the Kensington Expressway Project.”

Lanessa Owens-Chaplin, Director of NYCLU’s Racial Justice Center was quoted by the organization as stating that this decision directly impacts a “predominantly Black community that has carried the burden of decades of environmental racism.” The organization writes, “Today, the Humboldt Park neighborhood has some of the worst air quality and the highest rates of concentrated asthma in New York.”

WGRZ reported on Sept. 20 that the transportation department had “asked Judge Emilio Colaiacovo to dismiss the case,” following their formal response to the claims from these groups. Adam Walters, one of the lawyers who is representing the plaintiffs stated that “Respondents (NYSDOT) would have this Court believe that the Project is the best thing ‘since sliced bread’ with significant community support that went through a comprehensive and thorough environmental review, which achieved all that would or could be achieved by an EIS with a 35,000-page record to prove it,” adding “Nothing could be further from the truth.” Walters goes on to say that NYSDOT had failed to “analyze the impact of traffic on roadways adjacent to the project.” Furthermore, NYSDOT cited the new Buffalo Bills’ stadium as a part of their reasoning as to why “no additional environmental reviews [were] needed,” according to WGRZ. Walters points out that the large difference between those two situations is the proximity the Kensington project has to “dense urban neighborhoods.”

Contact Lucas Watson watsonl@canisius.edu

Coffee and a discussion on Cuba

By SYDNEY UMSTEAD NEWS EDITOR

On Sept. 23, the Western New York Peace Center and Latin American Solidarity Committee hosted the “First-Hand Views of Cuba and the Embargo” with speaker Dr. Richard Reitsma, associate professor of Spanish and the faculty associate dean of Inclusion and Engagement. Kaitlin O’Meara and James Neely, who attended the student trip to Cuba alongside Dr. Reitsma, were also in attendance to discuss their experiences in Cuba and what stood out to them.

The trip was part of a class taught by Dr. Reitsma which touched on themes in Cuban cinema. Neely stated that the course made it possible to see “Cuba through the eyes of Cubans.” Many of these films are available to be streamed through the Canisius library.

While in Cuba, the group met with many people from Cuba such as a doctor, students, a musician, an artist and an economist. They stayed in Havana, the capital of Cuba, but also visited other cities in Cuba like Santa Clara, Regla and Trinidad.

The group saw an old sugarcane press from Cuba’s former slave plantations that had been manufactured in Buffalo. Many of the presses have been stripped down or have completely deteriorated; however, this one remains in working condition.

At the end, there was a discussion of the current issues with establishing legitimacy amongst the Cuban government as the new generation demands more change than reiterating the evolution revolution started by Fidel Castro, the former president of Cuba.

Part of the issue prevailing in Cuba is the unification of the currency that took place during COVID. The pandemic in itself already brought tough times for Cuba’s tourism rates, which contributed extensively to the economy, as highlighted in the presentation. Certainly, the currency unification made matters worse; the CUP currency had been combined with the USD, rendering the dollar almost invaluable.

Dr. Reitsma and the other members of the group all traveled with extra items in their luggage such as medical supplies and first-aid kits in order to provide any materials possible to the people of Cuba. Donation baskets for humanitarian aid campaigns by Pastors For Peace were put out during the talk. These organizations include “Cuba Kids Count Too,” and “Let Cuba Live: Bread For Our Neighbors.”

Contact Sydney Umstead umsteads@canisius.edu

Last Week in Senate: Parking and library and GriffNet,

By JON P. DUSZA AND AVA C. GREEN MANAGING EDITOR AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The meeting was gaveled into session at 2:33 p.m. and began with a discussion of parking during the general student concerns portion of the meeting. Speaker Apps brought up that at the parking lot in front of Village and Lyons Hall, students were being ticketed when they should not have been. While that parking lot in the past has been reserved for people going to the Admissions office, it is not so anymore, as the Admissions office is no longer located in Lyons Hall. So, that parking lot is now available to residents of Village. The fact that Village residents were being ticketed for parking there is naturally a concern. Apps also brought up people being ticketed in Science Hall after 5 p.m., a time when people are not supposed to be ticketed. Executive Vice President Deglopper added that residential students are getting ticketed when they park at the Spillman lot. While that lot is for commuters, Deglopper argued that it would be helpful for it to be open to residents, since the KAC and Health Science are far away from the

main campus. Also during student concerns, Public Health Committee Chair and Library Liaison Riley talked about the upcoming changes to the second floor of the library (reported in more depth in the Sep. 13 issue of The Griffin). Riley said that out of the 90,000 books held in the library, the library could lose 50,000 of them if the second floor comes out of use. Losing the second floor of the library would also mean losing the quiet floor of the library. According to Riley, and The Griffin’s Sep. 13 article on the library, the library itself does not have information on the changes, including whether or not the entire second floor will be lost, or just a portion, or not at all. So, there remains a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the fate of the library’s second floor.

The next order of business after general student concerns were executive reports. President Sanders began by discussing the conversation he had with Dr. Fields about expanding late-night dining options at Canisius. Extending the Dining Hall hours would be more difficult than originally thought, as it would be very expensive. So, Sanders

said his new idea is to look into expanding the Market’s hours. Sanders also discussed the formation of a new Campus Safety Committee, which is asking for six male students and six female students to apply. That group would be narrowed down to one male and one female student, both of whom would serve on the Committee. Anybody, not just senators, can contact Tim Sanders or Dr. Harold Fields to apply for the Committee if interested.

After EVP Deglopper introduced new Diversity Committee Chair Leah Akil, and mentioned USA’s need for Dining Hall, Griff Center and ITS liaisons, the executive report part of the meeting passed without much note.

During the structured discussion part of the meeting, USA Advisor Francey highlighted an upcoming election week, taking place during the first week of October, during which students will be able to register to vote and learn about the lesser-known ballot initiatives that will be on the New York ballot this year. For his second order of business, Francey asked for feedback on GriffNet, important because Canisius’s contract with

oh my!

GriffNet is up next year. Senators eagerly expressed some of their concerns with GriffNet. Francey then discussed the prospects of a new program which would take the place of GriffNet, should Canisius decide to not renew their contract. As Francey listed off the features of the potential GriffNet replacement, the senate responded with enthusiasm. Francey used the meeting to gauge how the student body felt about GriffNet, and nothing is set in stone yet.

The meeting closed out with a spirited open discussion about what to do with the space that used to be Iggy’s. The fact that the space is not ADA-compliant makes it difficult to do anything major with it. The senate also briefly discussed the new pre-law department, and the lack of communication between the department and its students, considering the major changes which the department underwent this year. With that, the senate adjourned at 3:38 p.m. The senate will not meet on Friday, Sep. 27. Its next meeting will be on Friday, Oct. 4.

Contact Jon P. Dusza and Ava C. Green duszaj@canisius.edu green98@canisius.edu

Parents Weekend’s out, Griff Weekend’s in

By HANNAH WILEY ASST. FEATURE EDITOR

This weekend, what was formerly known as “Parents Weekend” is back, revamped and reintroduced as Griff Weekend! Now, instead of being parents and active students, the weekend will consist of new events open to alumni, faculty and staff!

Lauren Orlowski, the Director of Alumni and Constituent Engagement, is an integral part of planning Griff Weekend and determining how to integrate alumni into the events, while keeping aspects of both the new and former weekends going strong. The original idea was to allow a time for alumni to be on campus at the same time as active students in order to bridge the gap between the two groups. “We really wanted one memorable experience that could really celebrate and unite our campus community,” Orlowski said. Griff Weekend is expected to have 900+ people on campus, 500 of which are alumni!

Griff Weekend has been in the works for over a year, “it’s been a labor of love in many ways, with working with all of our internal partners, like event services, faculties, Chartwells, but also we’ve received incredible support externally,” Orlowski said. Some sponsors of Griff Weekend include the Buffalo Sabres, Morgan Stanley, and Independent Health. The Office of Alumni Engagement also wanted to expand and make active students aware of their services before they’ve already graduated; and Griff Weekend is a way for them to build relationships within the alumni network, as well as the active student community on campus.

will also be a photo booth, food, and beverages, staying true to the signature alumni event it’s always been! If you were worried that the death of Parents Weekend meant Fall Fest went down with it, never fear. Fall Fest is back and better than ever! Fan favorite food trucks, like Dirty Bird, are back, with the addition of new trucks like Buffalo’s Best. The carnival games are back, too, so “people can play ring toss to their heart’s content” said Jason Francey, the Director of Student Engagement and Leadership Development (SELD). We all

know people love free stuff, so this year’s free give away is a baseball tee that says “Once a Griff, Always a Griff.”

SELD is also holding a family movie night in the quad outside of Palisano on Friday, September 27, complete with bingo and waffles on a stick, and of course, a viewing of Shrek. Plus, following Fall Fest on Saturday, Montante will host John Cassidy – a comedy magician that “does weird things with balloons,” Francey also said. Francey also wanted to add that those are John’s words, not his.

For all you sports fanatics out there, C-Block is also holding their second annual tailgate starting at 11 a.m on Saturday, prior to the Women’s Volleyball game against Siena at 12 p.m., and the Women’s Soccer game against Rider at 1 p.m. There will be two food trucks there. “The Great Aussie Bite will have a burger and chicken burger option and Cheesy Chick will have grilled cheese,” said Brandon Gaspar, President of the C-Block Student Section. There will also be drinks, fries, and chips. Athletics will be selling merchandise, and after their practice, Women’s Basketball will be doing a poster signing during their Shoot-AThon at 4 p.m.

Although we have to say goodbye to Parents Weekend, it seems like Griff Weekend will be a perfect replacement! Remember to have fun at all the events and that it’s always a great day to be a Griff!

Women’s Basketball kicks off their season with Shoot-A-Thon

Formerly known as the “Tent Party,” the renamed event, the Blue and Gold Bash, is a favorite for alumni, as well as faculty and staff. The event is held in the dining hall and features a live band, whose front man is a Canisius alumni himself! There will also be a photo booth, food, and beverages, staying true to the signature alumni event it’s always been!

If you were worried that the death of Parents Weekend meant Fall Fest went down with it, never fear. Fall Fest is back and better than ever! Fan favorite food trucks, like Dirty Bird, are back, with the addition of new trucks like Buffalo’s Best. The carnival games are back, too, so “people can play ring toss to their heart’s content” said Jason Francey, the Director of Student Engagement and Leadership Development (SELD). We all know people love free stuff, so this year’s free give away is a baseball tee that says “Once a Griff, Always a Griff.”

trucks there. “The Great Aussie Bite will have a burger and chicken burger option and Cheesy Chick will have grilled cheese,” said Brandon Gaspar, President of the C-Block Student Section. There will also be drinks, fries, and chips. Athletics will be selling merchandise, and after their practice, Women’s Basketball will be doing a poster signing during their Shoot-AThon at 4 p.m.

Although we have to say goodbye to Parents Weekend, it seems like Griff Weekend will be a perfect replacement! Remember to have fun at all the events and that it’s always a great day to be a Griff!

Contact Hannah Wiley wileyh@my.canisius.edu

Contact Hannah Wiley wileyh@my.canisius.edu

HANNAH WILEY ASST. FEATURE EDITOR

VIA SOPHIE ASHER

Life lessons learned abroad

By WIL WORRALL CONTRIBUTOR

Traveling abroad can be one of the greatest adventures of your life. Experiencing a new location, different cultures and various flora and fauna can help one truly understand how special this planet and this life are. Six months away from somewhere you’ve been for your entire life can be stressful and a bit scary, however, in that situation, you have a choice to stay down, or find your true self and learn from new experiences and people.

When I was studying abroad in Australia, I met people from all over the world. The similarity I found al -

People have lived off the land for thousands of years, yet western society rarely acknowledges how successful those people have been. The medicinal uses of plants, the use of the whole animal and the connection between all biotic and abiotic factors are specialties we have lost over time. He opened my eyes and showed the importance of not completely leaving the western lifestyle I knew, but finding a balance of both. By sharing stories and ways of life, we can help shift the planet back to its healthy self. To do this, Lyndon emphasized the extreme importance of respectfully discussing ideas with one another, even if the views are polar opposites. After my morning

most everybody was their excitement to tell others about their homes and share experiences with one another. A conversation that still sticks with me was with a man, Lyndon Davis, of the Kabi Kabi: an Aboriginal Australian people. He was the first person to show me the true importance of Indigenous cultures and respect for the land. He shared his story with me and inspired me to look into Indigenous ways of life and how they are directly connected with conservation.

with Lyndon, this became a sentiment I held close. And after my time in Australia, I remind myself that life is a gift. Those we have with us, that have left us and what we have in front of us is a gift. To treasure the opportunities, experiences and people we encounter is vital for a happy, healthy life. I was able to do this while I was abroad and I ended up creating a family for life.

Contact Wil Worrall worrallw@my.canisius.edu

Stories with Students: On Maturing

“[Since moving here] I got better at like, like taking a step back and being able to look at things a little more…I don’t know how to explain that, but just being able to take a step back and not let the emotions get too hard, and take that space. Just live like it’s supposed to be. And then, think clearly and smart, because I think especially at the beginning of freshman year, it was full of emotions. Sometimes, you know, it just builds too much and then you don’t see straight and you don’t think straight. I just got better at being, like, not overwhelmed, more thoughtful. Just maturing.” - S.V.

This quote was edited for clarity and narrative flow. To see the entire transcription of our interview visit griffinnewspaper.com.

Contact Madelynn Lockwood lockwoo4@my.canisius.edu

Does anyone else hear bagpipes?!

By JAMIE KOSTEN CONTRIBUTOR

After spending some time at Canisius, you are likely to encounter the “bagpipe guy” playing in the quad or other areas on campus. The pipes are well known throughout Canisius, but how much is known about the “bagpipe guy” himself? Who is the man that serenades the quad with the beautiful sound of pipes?

Well, his name is William Monk, and he is a junior at Canisius. William started playing the bagpipes in his sophomore year of high school. His fascination with this instrument sparked when he saw a pipe band playing at a local firehouse and asked them where he could learn to play. William began to learn to play highland bagpipes and hasn’t looked back since.

Part of William’s inspiration to play came from the pride he has in his Celtic heritage, specifically Ireland.

“My grandfather’s side of the family came from Cork during the famine and my Grandmother’s side came from County Clare,” he said. William even has some family members that fought for Irish independence with the Irish Civil War. To William, playing the bagpipes is a way that he can connect with his roots.

“My freshman year, I played here, in the quad. Once in a while when it’s nice out I bounce around different parts of the campus, such as the quad, outside science hall, and by Montante,” said William. With the bagpipes being such a unique and identifiable instrument and passion, he started to

get more and more attention from the Canisius community. William was eventually approached by Canisius event coordinators and was asked to play the bagpipes at school events. William plays the pipes for the 9/11 memorial ceremony at Canisius, the Mass of the Holy Spirit, award ceremonies, and he even leads the faculty procession at graduation.

Currently, William plays for a local pipe and drum band called The Mackenzie Highlanders. His favorite tunes to play are the Scottish tune Cutting Bracken, and the Irish tune The Foggy Dew. So, the next time you see him playing the pipes around campus, know that he is not just “the bagpipe guy,” but a talented musician with a fascinating story and passion for sharing his musical talents and Celtic culture.

As he says, “The reason why I play at Canisius is because it adds something unique to the experience of the campus, and as far as I know, I’m the only college student piper in Buffalo. And if that claim is true, that would be incredible. Bagpiping in itself gives me pride in not only my heritage, but for Canisius to allow me to continue to participate in all types of events means a lot to me. And if the University wants me to continue, or possibly if some clubs want me to participate in their activities, I can assure you I will never stop being the GriffPiper.”

“I can assure you I will never stop being the GriffPiper”

VIA WIL WORRALL

WIL WORRALL AND LEO PEEZ IN QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA

THE GRIFFIN EDITORIAL

An ode to Canisius family and families

In celebration of the upcoming Griff Weekend – an inaugural combination of family and alumni weekend – here at Canisius University, The Griffin would like to take a moment to appreciate family in all its forms. Our families are our biggest supporters; they are the ones who teach us how to talk and may teach us how to walk, but they definitely, and most importantly, teach us how to love. They were the ones who held our hands for our first steps and waved us goodbye as we stepped into the halls of Old Main for the first time. Our families have shaped us into the students we are today and they aid us in becoming the leaders we will be tomorrow.

“We are nothing if not a combination of the people we love, and family are the people we love the most.”

Evolutionarily, humans depended on their families for survival. In truth, not much has changed. We have shifted from a biological dependence on our families to a social dependence. Even occasions that seem insigniﬁcant, like calling our parents to rant about exam grades or our busy week, continuously prove that they are a crucial support beam in the structure of our lives. Our days are enriched by our families, no matter their composition.

Lest we forget, family does not need to be biological. Family can be chosen; a family is merely a group of people who support each other, feel connected with each other and love each other. Here at The Griﬃn, we truly consider ourselves a family – albeit a sometimes chaotic and occasionally silly one, but a family

nonetheless. Moreover, all of us students and alumni make up a special Golden Griﬃn family; Canisius is our common thread and our values are the needles sewing our bonds between us, despite our diﬀerences.

The Griffin urges readers to take a moment to appreciate their family and all the sacrifices our loved ones have made for us. Moments are fleeting – there is a reason for the cliché “the days are long and the years are short.” It is important to appreciate moments before they turn into memories, especially when it comes to your family’s elders. One day we will go on to be the matriarchs and patriarchs of our own families, and there are no better people to turn to than your own for inspiration on how to lead your future family.

For me, my nana and my mother are the kind of matriarchs I aspire to be one day. I deeply value the time I spend with them and the insight they continue to give me. Being grateful for your own family’s wisdom and advice they’ve bestowed on you is one of the best ways to become a better person.

This weekend, whether you are a visiting alumnus reminiscing on college days or a freshman still ﬁnding your way on your new campus, take a moment to appreciate the ones who made you you, and who continue to provide you with opportunities and memories you will cherish forever. We are nothing if not a combination of the people we love, and family are the people we love the most.

The Griﬃn wishes you and yours a very happy Griﬀ Weekend.

-MFB

Charges against driver of fatal 2022 car crash should not be dropped

By COURTNEY LYONS OPINIO N EDITOR

On Mar. 2, 2022, the town of Lancaster and Buﬀalo at large were shaken as the lives of two nineteen-year-old women – Mackenzie Mycek and Molly Kaminski – were taken in a one-car crash.

That March night, slick road conditions prevailed over Warner Road in Lancaster as the driver, Ryan Stencel sped, lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. The car went up in ﬂames as Stencel escaped through the sunroof, but Mackenzie and Molly were fatally trapped inside.

Stencel survived.

It was reported that Stencel made no mention of Mackenzie or Molly in the car as responders appraised the scene. It took almost a year for Stencel to be indicted on two counts of criminally negligent homicide.

Last week, the charges against Stencel were dropped.

Per WIVB News 4, a technicality arose regarding Stencel’s toxicology reports. THC was in Stencel’s blood, but the medical expert would not testify that the THC impaired Stencel’s driving, thus causing the collision. Stencel’s attorneys argued that the grand jury was “misled” by hearing evidence regarding those toxicology reports, resulting in an improper indictment.

It is an egregious lapse in our justice system that Stencel may live without this stain on his record. As a student interested in criminal law, I understand how a defendant ought to be aﬀorded their right to due process, receiving structural fairness in the criminal justice system. Yet, I question the propriety of allowing a technicality to prevail.

My sentiments rest with the statement from the Kaminski family that “All the technicalities and lawyers in the world don’t change the fact that Ryan Stencel was responsible for the deaths of Molly and Mackenzie and showed no concern for their lives as they burned to death in front of him … He needs to live with that shame.”

While personal penitence is necessary, legal repercussions are likewise essential. I fear the implications for driver safety if Stencel

escapes this predicament scot-free. As such, I am a proponent of a utilitarian philosophy championed by John Stuart Mill regarding punishment. Under this worldview, punishment should bring about what Robert Baird and Stuart Rosenbaum in Philosophy of Punishment refer to as “socially desirable consequences” – namely, deterrence. I do not want Stencel’s situation to lead one to believe that their reckless driving will not have consequences. Negligence without consequence is unacceptable. The likelihood of getting ‘caught’ or reprimanded has in itself a deterrent eﬀect on society that dropping the charges against Stencel would decrease.

“A violation without punishment may set an unfortunate precedent for driver safety. ”

Canisius has a large commuter population, with students and faculty often trekking the fretful Buﬀalo conditions for half the year. We rely on each other to respect the crosswalks on Main Street and Jeﬀerson Avenue or check surroundings before reversing out of Lyons Hall after class. We all have a vested interest in keeping our roads safe and understanding the gravity and power of the wheel we sit behind everyday. Stencel’s case is not against Mackenzie and Molly, but ‘the People,’ whose responsibility it is to maintain accountability when norms are broken. A violation without punishment may set an unfortunate precedent for driver safety.

It is reported that prosecutors will appeal the decision and for the sake of the Kaminski and Mycek families in particular, and Buﬀalo driver safety in general, I hope Stencel is held accountable for his reckless actions.

Molly and Mackenzie were one year my senior during our time at Lancaster High School. They were two women whose kindness and beauty radiated beyond comprehension. The world was robbed of their light prematurely by Stencel’s reckless driving.

In remembrance of Mackenzie, Molly and all others who have been impacted by reckless, distracted or impaired driving, please drive safely, because someone loves you.

Contact Courtney Lyons lyons32@canisius.edu

Don’t worry, folks, the ﬁngers have not left the underground since last week. Thank you again to Jon Dusza for his ingenious idea to put ﬁngers in the Underground.

The Underground would like to thank businessman Tom Golisano for his $5 million contribution to Canisius University. A generous gesture it was – a well-meaning one even. I’m sure he didn’t think twice about the proper usage of the funds, but The Underground knows that this sum will be directly deposited into a certain president’s ‘sneaker saving fund.’ Canisius won Best University of the 716! The Underground gathers that employees were mandated to cast their vote before they were allowed to take their leave for the day. Rumor has it that even Joe Delap had to place a vote before cleaning out his oﬃce. Cold and calculated, but eﬀective. The Underground respects it.

Rumor has it that the white deer at Forest Lawn Cemetery is white because they’re inbred. This is clearly a protest against Canisius getting rid of a dedicated family weekend. Our sources from Forest Lawn say that the deer will be hosting their own family weekend this week. The Underground cannot reprint the events that the deer are planning, but just know that you have to sign a waiver to get in.

Shingles here! I would like to thank the library for discarding a majority of the books they have – and during Banned Book Week. Bad PR; great for my wallet.

The Underground is quite concerned about Petey being locked on the roof of Dugan for that one Instagram photo. He looks like what I imagine the voters of “Best University of the 716” looked when Stoute was outside of their windows in the middle of the night, desperately delivering his infamous “attitude of gratitude” campaign speech.

Remember not to get too Jesu-lit oﬀ those Petey Pilsners this family weekend. Not that anyone could with the $ 15-a-can sticker shock–understandable though as it is their current plan to get out of the deﬁcit.

There are currently 8 ﬁngers in The Underground. Once again, thank you, Jon.

Mt. Joy at RIT: A can’t-miss campus event

By CHLOE BREEN MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR

Indie rock enthusiasts are in for a treat as Mt. Joy prepares to take the stage at Rochester Institute of Technology’s Gordon Field House on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 8 p.m. The Los Angeles-based band, known for its blend of folk, rock and indie inﬂuences, has quickly collected a dedicated fanbase, thanks to their popular hits like “Silver Lining” and “Julia.”

Mt. Joy is a band that knows how to create an unforgettable live experience, and I can conﬁdently say this as someone who’s seen them ﬁve times alongside my sister. Every show feels like a reunion, their energy hitting you the moment they step on stage. Even if you’re unfamiliar with their music, you can’t help but groove to their tunes. Their k eyboard work stands out in every performance, setting the tone for a night of non-stop jamming. My sister and I always leave their shows with sore feet from dancing, proving that their stage presence is powerful enough to move anyone in the crowd.

They have played shows across the country in places like Red Rocks and Madison Square Garden so they are nowhere close to being new to the game. You can expect heartfelt melodies accompanied by soulful lyrics, and of course their iconic jam seshes. Their ability to seamlessly blend themes with feel-good vibes makes their concerts both a reﬂective and exhilarating experience for everyone.

Mt. Joy is the perfect band to kickstart your semester, and being at The Gordon Field House, it’s only an hour away from campus and makes the perfect mini road trip. Whether you’re a die hard fan, like me, or new to their music, this concert is set to showcase why Mt. Joy continues to rise as one of indie rock’s most captivating acts. So, if you’re looking for an evening ﬁlled with meaningful music, vibrant energy, a break from the stress of the semester, or – what’s most likely – all three, grab your tickets and head to RIT on Oct. 1. Trust me, this is a night you won’t want to miss!

Contact Chloe Breen cohenbrc@canisius.edu

Ursula is the most evil Disney villain

By ANNA WOJTAS CONTRIBUTOR

If you are like me, you have been wondering who the most evil Disney villain is for quite some time. There are good candidates to be sure. But don’t worry, myself and a few friends have set out to ﬁnd the answer. I started by creating a rubric to evaluate each villain, making a list of everything I thought it took to make a good villain and added it to my grading rubric; “good” meaning the most evil, obviously. We have 11 criterion, rated on a 1-5 scale; 5 being the most evil:

1. Did the plan work?

2. Was the plan actually evil?

3. Did the villain have a good reason to want revenge?

4. Do they have a cool/original outﬁt?

5. Does being evil make them happy?

6. Was the plan clever?

7. Did the villain use good strategy?

8. Was their plan well organized?

9. Did they have good henchmen/help?

10. Was the villain cunning?

11. If I saw them on the street, would I be scared?

After this rubric was created, I selected the villains to rate, including almost all of the Disney Princess collection villains that we grew up with as children. We then decided to include villains from the entire Disney collection that were created in the 2D animation style. We also negated any villains from other animation studios such as Pixar as well as villains that had good intentions such as Fagin from Oliver and Company or Te Kā from Moana. The following is the list of villains we decided to use for this experiment: Governor John Ratcliffe- Pocohontas, Madame Mim (The Sword in the Stone), Hans (Frozen), Jafar (Aladdin), Frollo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), The Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland), Hades (Hercules), Ursula (The Little Mermaid), Mother Gothel (Tangled), Commander Rourke (Atlantis), Madame Medusa (The Rescuers), Lady Tremaine (Cinderella), Captain Hook (Peter Pan), The Shadow Man (The Princess and the Frog), Shaun Yu (Mulan) and Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty). Any guesses on who is currently the most evil Disney villain in this list? If you are anything like me, you might have guessed Maleficent or Frollo. However, the current raining most evil Disney Villain award goes to Ursula. Hear me

out! I will be going down the line on the rubric!

1. Did the plan work?

a. Yes! She succeeded and gained the trident, gaining full control of the sea before she was killed by Prince Eric.

2. Was the plan actually evil?

a. Yes! She planned to take over the whole ocean and the land along with it!

3. Did the villain have a good reason to want revenge?

a. Yes! Her brother, King Triton, exiled her from court life and acted as if she never existed.

4. Do they have a cool/original outﬁt? a. She made jewelry for herself out of shells. She was pretty cool. A total fashion icon.

5. Does being evil make them happy? a. I think she was excited about her plan. She discussed it with her henchman and was pleased with her malicious actions.

6. Was the plan clever?

a. Yes! Get to your enemy by kidnapping and stealing his daughter who is his weakness? Genius!

7. Did the villain use good strategy?

a. Yes! She pretended that she wanted to help Ariel and actually set her up for failure and then made sure she hit a roadblock at every turn

8. Was their plan well organized?

a. Ursula was pretty organized, having henchmen to help her along the way and had a solid plan when it came to each step.

9. Did they have good henchmen/help?

a. Flotsam and Jetsam were great! They lured Ariel to want to talk to Ursula and pushed their rowboat over when they got too close

10. Was the villain cunning?

a. When the plan went sideways, she got involved again personally and turned herself human to put Prince Eric under a spell. She threw things at Ariel every step of the way

11. If I saw them on the street, would I be scared? a. I would be a bit scared. Her magic was super powerful and she was a huge loose cannon.

After we ﬁnish each movie, we compare scores and ﬁnd the average numeral score. With this all in place, we have concluded that Ursula is the most evil villain. What do you think?

Contact Anna Wojtas

wojtasa@canisius.edu

By AVA C. GREEN EDITOR-IN CHIEF

“Do you have any advice for meeting new people?”

I’d argue that the best part of this collegiate setting we’re all in is the seemingly endless surplus of new people we’re constantly surrounded by. A lot of times, we tell people, “Just go to events and join clubs you’re interested in!” We promise them that just showing up will guarantee new friends. And although I do believe in the power of task attraction, it has to be acted on.

I do think that going to events and joining organizations is a great place to start, but we neglect to help people figure out what to do once they’re actually there You don’t want to be the first one there, but showing up late can be awkward. You can’t be too eager and scare people away, but looking too nonchalant may seem standoffish. If you don’t talk enough you’ll seem weird, but you don’t want to yap people’s ears off. All of these thoughts used to race through my head right before going to anything that had the prospect of meeting new people, until one day during my freshman year when my older sister hit me in the face with reality and said something like, “You know, no one really cares about what you’re doing.” Ouch, I thought. She saved herself though, saying, “They’re too busy worrying about the same things as you are; to worry about if you seem weird or not.”

I found this anxiety-driven anonymity kind of soothing to my anxieties and decided to capitalize off of the shared awkwardness of freshman year, new experiences and new people. I found myself more willing to approach people, introduce myself and really meet them when I thought of it as an effort to soothe their anxieties, instead of a fight to conquer my own.

Simply being around these new people is useless unless you do really meet them. I’m sorry to break it to you, but you’re going to have to put yourself out there at least a little. I hate doing it, you probably hate doing it, but what I hate even more is that it’s what really works. It’s foolproof, even, especially at Canisius.

The people here are nice, you guys. Like, so nice that I actually wonder what’s wrong with them sometimes. So nice that almost anyone you could approach is going to do what they can to help you out. I think we all know that in a small school, if you’re a jerk, word gets out quickly. We all know how hard it is to not be known at a small school like ours. More eyes are on us, and they’re eyes that will see us again. We don’t want to be known as a jerk, so – whether it’s genuine or merely to save face – we don’t act like jerks. All of this is to say that introducing yourself to new people isn’t as scary as it seems; again, especially here.

Contact Ava Green green98@canisius.edu

CHLOE BREEN AT MT. JOY CONCERT

VIA MT. JOY

VIA CHLOE BREEN

MT. JOY RIT CONCERT

By AVA C. GREEN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Griﬀ-Fits: Sandra’s sensational style

That’s right, this week’s GriffFit actually is @actually.sandra_! Sandra Dunia, or you may know about her from the Instagram handle, @jonastyles_, where she promotes her styling services. Not only does she pop off in posts like this one from her account, Sandra also told The Griffin about being a stylist who upcycles fashion to uplift others as well as herself.

“I always tell people that my hair is an accessory too,” she says. “I’ve really been trying to embrace my hair so it’s the biggest accessory for me. Now, I think of it as my crown, so I have all these little gold details in my hair that go with the outﬁt. Embracing my hair was the ﬁrst step. I started embracing my face, my features, and eventually my style. I tell people, ‘embrace your roots,’ but, literally, your hair roots and where you’re from.”

Sandra adds, “The reason I like this outfit – the reason the caption on the post is ‘A product of poverty,’ –is because growing up I had to get creative. I had to work with what I had to express myself. It’s that ‘unfinished’ look I love. Once I get more serious and get my business out there, it’ll be more polished; but right now, the looks that I put together are that ‘unfinished,’ relaxed look because I’m freelance modeling – I’m still underground. I’m unfinished. I used to dress pretty girly. Super average, Nothing crazy. Then, I posted pictures of this outfit and that’s when people were like ‘Oh, what the heck is going on with her? What’s she doing?,’ but I was like, ‘I’m finding myself. I’m doing me.’ That’s when I knew I found the vibe. It was a turning point for me and I started to push it more. Finding my style has helped me get to know myself even more.”

JEANS FROM RAINBOW THAT SHE UPCYCLED INTO A DENIM JACKET. UNDER IT IS A CROPPED DENIM HALTER TOP WITH GOLD EYELETS. SHE ADDED HAIR ACCESSORIES TO MATCH THE SMALL GOLD HOOPS. HER JEANS ARE THRIFTED FROM HER CHURCH, AND LAYERED OVER TOP OF THEM IS A SKIRT FROM CLARA’S CLOSET. SHE HAS ON HER FAVORITE BLACK PLATFORM CONVERSE. NOT PICTURED IS A MINI DENIM PURSE WITH “END SYSTEMIC RACISM” EMBROIDERED ON THE SIDE IN WHITE.

By GOLDEN GRIFFINS CONTRIBUTORS

Falling on memory lane Some ways to have fun during Hispanic Heritage Month!

Down below are some of the words that came to mind for students when they heard the word “fall” and a brief explanation of why they chose that speciﬁc word.

By JULIAN REYNOSO ASST. CREATIVE CORNER EDITOR

Pumpkin “I just like pumpkins.” -Alexa Gioia

Perfect “Because that’s the season where Dom was born” -Dominic Vivolo

“When you wake up it’s cool again. It signals the long days of summer are over and going into fall again.” -Emma McGrath

Scarecrow

Campﬁre

“Because the feeling that fall gives me is the same as the feeling you get when you’re gathered around the campﬁre with your friends. It’s like when you start to feel the chill but there’s still the warmth of the ﬁre.”

-Pat Stouter Cold Mornings

Leaf

“Because fall. Fall is cool and there’s softball.”-Mallory Knox

“WhenIseeascarecrow,itmakesme

think of cool fall weather.”-RoslynnCurtis

Halloween “Candy, costumes and vibes” -Mo Hill

Crunchy Leaves

“Cause I feel like a kid when I get to stomp on leaves, and the rush of serotonin jumping into leaves too.” -Maddy Lockwood

Halloween

“Not only is Halloween my dad’s birthday, but it is a time I have the pleasure to dress up in a costume and pretend to be someone else, allowing me to escape real life for a few hours.” -Kira Rodriguez

Hibernaculum

“The turning into fall residence. Preparing for the winter and how animals go into hibernation.”

-Matt Morcelle

We are now over one week into Hispanic Heritage Month and every day is a day to celebrate. Here are a few ways you can commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month and have fun while doing it:

A fall harvest

By BRIANA WASIL CREATIVE CORNER EDITOR

I’ve always had ambitious goals,

Wanting to achieve everything before I’ve grown too old

That’s why it’s not a surprise to be running down the corridors

Nor to be swiftly swept up with all of the noise.

I often think I’m like a bird, Moving around place to place

Never really landing on just “one” home.

Yes, I am a part of multiple territories

Each with their own personalities And somehow…

I’m not falling.

Like connected stories, I ﬁnd myself always evolving.

Contact Briana Wasil wasilb@canisius.edu

Follow the Latinos United Celebrating Hispanic Advocacy (LUCHA) and ALANA Student Center Instagrams @luchacanisius and @alana_studentcenter, respectively, to keep up with the events they will be hosting on campus for Hispanic Heritage Month. Go to their events to have fun and learn some more about Hispanic and Latino culture.

Support local Hispanic restaurants! Back when LUCHA was Latin American Students And Friends (LASAF), the club frequently catered from a local Dominican-owned restaurant that students lined up for every time, named La Casa De Sabores. There are many more Hispanic and Latin American owned restaurants to support in Buﬀalo, so go and expand your palate while helping out these communities!

Attend local events! This Friday at 7 p.m., the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York will be hosting “Salsa for a Cure Red Dress Aﬀair” at Puchos Social Club on 261 Swan St. Visit the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York at https://hispanicheritagewny.org/ events/ to see an entire calendar with events listed, and go and have some fun!

Another event is “The Home Within,” a “multilingual poetry event honoring Buﬀalo’s rich linguistic tapestry and language justice” on Oct. 10 from 6-9 p.m. at the Buﬀalo History Museum. This will be free and open to the public, so whether or not you feel inclined to write or listen to some poetry, you should head on over and show your support! For more information, email Hagar Hafez at hhafez@nyic.org

Contact Julian Reynoso reynosoj@canisius.edu

By BRIANA WASIL CREATIVE CORNER EDITOR

By GABBY KADERLI CONTRIBUTOR

Across

4. “Saturdays are for the boys,” but Sundays are for this fall sport.

5. Variations include apple, pumpkin and strawberry rhubarb.

6. Festive, fruity drink, served warm or cold, and often enjoyed with a hint of cinnamon.

1. The most popular Starbucks seasonal latte flavor during fall.

2. A chore your parents may have you do during fall instead of mowing the lawn.

3. Looking to go on a scenic, or maybe a spooky walk, depending on who you ask? Head to this large, hilly space across from campus.

4. “Saturdays are for the boys,” but Sundays are for this fall sport.

7. Stuffing is the best food at this holiday feast. Sorry, that’s the only correct take.

10. Arguably the scariest day of the year, filled with ghosts, goblins and ghouls... or people who appear to be them.

8. Did someone say cold weather? Time to break this thick, knitted item out of the back of your closet.

5. Variations include apple, pumpkin and strawberry rhubarb.

11. A fancy word for fall.

12. You may find kids jumping in colorful piles of these all fall long.

6. Festive, fruity drink, served warm or cold, and often enjoyed with a hint of cinnamon.

7. Stuffing is the best food at this holiday feast. Sorry, that’s the only correct take.

10. Arguably the scariest day of the year, filled with ghosts, goblins and ghouls... or people who appear to be them.

11. A fancy word for fall.

12. You may find kids jumping in colorful piles of these all fall long.

1. The most popular Starbucks seasonal latte flavor during fall.

9. Looking for a cute, cozy vibe? Head to Bath and Body Works to buy one of these…unless you live in a dorm, in which case, the RA recommends otherwise.

2. A chore your parents may have you do during fall instead of mowing the lawn.

3. Looking to go on a scenic, or maybe a spooky walk, depending on who you ask? Head to this large, hilly space across from campus.

8. Did someone say cold weather? Time to break this thick, knitted item out of the back of your closet.

9. Looking for a cute, cozy vibe? Head to Bath and Body Works to buy one of these…unless you live in a dorm, in which case, the RA recommends otherwise.

Editor: Colin Richey

Success at National Catholic Championships propels XC team toward Paul Short Invitational

It was a full team effort for the Griffins as the women’s cross country team finished 5th and the men’s 7th at Notre Dame University this past weekend. For head coach Tyler Scheving, he discussed how the team’s ability to buy into the program is what is fueling their current success before the MAAC championships.

“Notre Dame was a great opportunity for top ranks, which is the next step in progression. It gave the newbies a taste of

the next level and reminded our older runners that they belong in these kinds of races,” explained Scheving.

For the women’s team, senior Kayla Schmidt once again placed first for the team, and even cracked the top 30 for the women’s race. With a final score of 161, Canisius beat out local rival Niagara and saw numerous seasonal and personal bests. On the men’s side, they finished with an overall score of 230, also placing above the Purple Eagles. The first Griff to cross the finish line

for the men’s team was junior Kyle Urban, placing 43rd overall.

“The team’s ability to trust the process and take risks has really impressed me. The hardest part of going from a meet like Little Three to Notre Dame is how you can adjust your mindset, and they are all trusting the training, the coaches, and their teammates. The National Catholic Championships was like a masterclass of how to work with your teammate to get the best product. The fact that everyone is able to keep the ego out of it

and use each other to be the best racer is an incredible thing to watch,” says Coach Scheving.

For the cross country team, their next challenge is the Paul Short Invitational hosted at Lehigh University on Oct. 5. This will be the Griffs’ last matchup before the MAAC Championships, where yet again they will face more regionally ranked teams.

Contact Maggie Tifft Tiffitm@canisius.edu |

Weltin leads Griffs to undefeated start to conference play

By Kaitlyn Belile CONTRIBUTOR

Senior forward Madeline Weltin helped the women’s soccer team secure a 3–1 win over St. Peter’s, giving the team a 6–1–1 overall record, and 3–0 conference record to start the season.

Weltin scored two goals, her fifth and sixth of the season, in the second half of the game, while junior Skylar Cornell added her first goal of the season in the victory. With five more goals this year, Weltin can move into the top 10 in program history for goals in a single season. When asked about it, she said that she’s just focused on winning games and, “if I’m able to score the goals along the way, it just makes it more fun.” Weltin also said that she’s always viewed herself as an underdog and never expected to take such a role, but that she is proud to be here.

Weltin says that her teammates have contributed the most to her success thus far, and that she’s just one piece of the puzzle. After being together on the team for the last three years with some of these girls, the relationships they’ve built helps the team work together and cater to each other. Weltin says that aside from her parents, her teammates and classmates, like Sophia Konstantinou, Jordan Spencer, Maddy Ingraham and Emma Oliphant, are the most excited to see her succeed. Weltin, who comes from Chicago, says that “coming out here and playing soccer was kind of a risk, I didn’t know what I was getting into but now I’m really getting in full stride and my parents are just so excited to see me succeed whether it be online or in person. I am proud to make them proud.”

Weltin says that preparing for the season starts in the preseason, when they are just

working and “becoming a welloiled machine tactically,” and that the coaches set the team up for success. By knowing their roles and responsibilities on the field, the team knows how to prepare for games and what to expect. Weltin says that the day

before games, she goes through the scouting report, watches film on the other team and refines the last details about the opponent. Weltin’s nonnegotiable pregame ritual is that she goes for a walk in the morning and gets a coffee. Weltin said that even when

they were away in Atlantic City, she and Jordan Spencer went for a walk in the morning and got a coffee.

Weltin just wants to continue winning. If she scores goals, she’ll be happy, and if she doesn’t but they keep winning, she’ll still be happy. She wants to see the team succeed, and her success is the team’s success. She wants the team to get to the place where they want to be; in the MAAC playoffs and to the championship.

When talking about her teammates, Weltin says that, “we are a unit, we can’t take a piece out. It’s a collective effort.” She knows the stats are swinging her way, but she also recognizes her other teammates and the effort they are putting in. When talking about Sophia Konstantinou, she says that “she hasn’t stepped off the field for a minute in over a year now. She’s the absolute backbone of the team.” The team is special, according to Weltin, and she dedicates all of her personal success to them.

“W ith five more goals this year, Weltin can move into the top 10 in program history for goals in a single season. ”

The Griffs will begin a two game homestand against MAAC opponents this weekend, with kickoff against Rider scheduled for Saturday Sept. 28 at 1 p.m., and kickoff against Marist scheduled for Wednesday Oct. 2 at 4 p.m.

VIA CHLOE BREEN

Canisius cross country teams in one huddle due to the rain delay that forced both male and female runners to race at the same time.

VIA JACI WALLACE

By Maggie Tifft ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Madeline Weltin celebrating after goal

Men’s Club Soccer gets revenge on rival Bulls

By Andrew Nowel CONTRIBUTOR

While there isn’t a lot of activity this week from the Division I athletics around Canisius, the men’s club soccer team is in the heart of their season, facing off against the Buffalo Bulls last Sunday. After last season’s 7–0 loss to the Bulls, the Griffs were looking forward to a rematch with the new-look team they assembled this fall. It was more than just a regular victory for the Griffs, as they shut out the Bulls 2–0.

The energy from the 20 players rostered for the game was felt by everyone on the field, as the Griffs jumped out to a quick start, pressuring the Bulls’ defense early on. Graduate student Dayron Mejia was creating scoring chances, leading up to the Griffs’ first goal of the game. After Mejia forced a corner kick, senior captain Andrew Crooks headed the ball into the back of the net on the next play for his 3rd goal of the season, giving the Griffs a 1–0 lead.

After the game, Crooks was very proud of all 20 guys that were rostered on Sunday night and attributed the success to every single one of them. “I went into that game feeling like it was going to be tough, since UB has three wins on the season, all really good wins and a really solid team across the board, but

we really brought the energy,” said Crooks. “I rostered 20 guys thinking that we’re really gonna need subs, we’re really gonna need high intensity throughout it, and I’m super proud of all 20 players.”

Defensively, the Griffs were solid after a very frustrating loss last Friday night against the Brockport Golden Eagles, where the defense struggled with communication. On Sunday, the Griffs were shutting down any chance that went near the net.

The back line of sophomore Alex Cowin, freshman Nate Ramsdell, sophomore Henock Mfuamba, and junior John Van Vessen helped to create an impenetrable force, along with freshman goalkeeper Nolan Chambers. Chambers would end the game with his first career shutout, making some crucial saves late in the first half to hold the 1–0 lead into halftime.

“It felt amazing since I know a lot of guys that go to that school, so it felt great to shut them out,” said Chambers on Tuesday. “Going forward, I want to see the defense continue to be dominant, stepping toward the ball, not letting shots get off.”

The Griffs added to the lead early in the second half with a goal by junior Harald Rehm to finish the game with a 2–0 victory. It was their second win of the season, improving their record to 2–2–0. The Griffs will next travel to Olean, New York to face the Saint Bonaventure Bonnies on Sunday afternoon at 4:30 p.m., before returning home to face the Niagara Purple Eagles on Oct. 5 at 8 p.m.

Contact Andrew Nowel NOWELA@CANISIUS.EDU

Zaucha leading Canisius volleyball into conference play

By Isabella Custodi CONTRIBUTOR

Senior Kara Zaucha has emerged as a powerhouse for the Canisius volleyball team, leading in kills and earning numerous achievements that highlight her talent and determination.

For this season, Zaucha is leading the Griffs with 111 kills. She is also second in digs with 95, second in service aces with 10 and third in blocks with 18. She just recently hit a new season high with two service aces against Robert Morris at the Robert Morris/Duquesne Invitational this past weekend. Her other season highs include 17 kills and 16 digs against Mercyhurst on Sept. 5.

Along with leading the team in kills, she has racked up numerous achievements as a member of the volleyball team. During her freshman season, she was named MAAC All-Team Rookie in 2021. She’s also been named to the MAAC All-Academic Team for 2022 and 2023. This season, she was named to the Salt City Classic All-Tournament Team and Robert Morris/Duquesne Invitational All-Tournament Team, while also receiving MAAC Player of the Week on Sept. 3.

Zaucha’s many accomplishments led her to serving as team captain her junior season. Being captain has helped shape her into the player she is today. “I would say that it helped me grow as a person

in many different ways. Team captains do not always need to have the right things to say, but what is more important is doing the right thing,” says Zaucha.

While being captain her junior season, Zaucha finished the year ranked seventh in the MAAC for points per set (3.39) and she ranked top ten in the nation for having 13 double-doubles. She started and played in every set and ended the season with 280 kills, 31 service aces, 294 digs and 64 blocks.

“ Kara Zaucha has emerged as a powerhouse for the Canisius volleyball team, leading in kills and earning numerous achievements”

Zaucha’s biggest goal for this season is to make it to the NCAA Tournament. “Making it to December is the biggest goal for the season. Only one MAAC team will win the conference and have the opportunity to play in the NCAA

WEEK AT A GLANCE

tournament in December. Our plan as a team is to do whatever is in our power to make sure our season does not end in November. Our goal is to win the MAAC tournament,” said Zaucha.

She believes that this season, her team has a chance due to their team chemistry. Zaucha states it’s one of their biggest strengths because they all enjoy being around each other on and off the court. Despite the team’s 4–7 record to start the season, Zaucha is hopeful that her team can use those losses as motivation for the next games. This weekend marks the start of conference play for the Griffs.

“As a team, we need to recognize the great things we have done in non-conference play and carry those with us to start our conference play this weekend. The team is shifting our focus to beating MAAC opponents and putting ourselves into a good position for the conference tournament in November,” says Zaucha.

The Griffs start MAAC play on Sept. 28 and 29 at the Koessler Athletic Center against Siena and Marist, with both games scheduled for a noon start.

Contact Isabella Custodi CustodiI@canisius.edu |

By Mo Hill CONTRIBUTOR

A 98–5 win for the Canisius Rugby team has led to high spirits among players and fans. On Sept. 21, the Canisius Crabbies Club Rugby team took to the field at Delaware Park and secured a sweeping win against SUNY Potsdam, moving them to 1–1 on the season. Throughout the game, the team’s offense showed extreme prowess and potential. The offense was spearheaded by senior Jeremiah Fleming, who scored over a quarter of the team’s points. Despite an injury close to the halftime point, the Crabbies constantly had Potsdam on their toes, with several key players forcing the ball forward and exhausting the Potsdam defense. The Crabbies defense kept Potsdam on the backpedal and allowed them to score only once throughout the entire game.

“ Throughout the game, the team’s offense showed extreme prowess and potential”

This pacesetting win by the Crabbies came after a slow start to the season. After a first game cancellation by Paul Smith’s College, and a crushing 78–26 loss to SUNY Plattsburgh, things were not looking good. Firstyear student Nathaniel Lopez says the reason the game against Plattsburgh was so difficult was due to internal conflicts. “Once they scored on us, it took a huge toll on us mentally because we kept getting scored on and kept fighting each other.” The previous loss led to an important shift in the mentality of the players going into their next game, which allowed them to claim this victory easily. When asked what changed after the game against Plattsburgh, another player said, “I feel like it was us locking in and getting serious for the entire season. That first loss was tough, but we really pulled through for this game.”

Now that the team has secured a win, they are feeling more confident in themselves. Lopez explained, “confidence levels are always up there, if you’re not confident in yourself then you won’t perform well. If you have low expectations you’ll get lower results.” When asked about the next game he said, “I believe that our next game will be challenging, but if we can score first, work together, and lay down the wood, then we will win.”

The team is currently preparing for their next game against Clarkson University on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Delaware Park.