The Signal Vol. 87 No. 9

PRIDE WEEK

KINKY AND COILY

HOOPS PREDICTIONS

BLOTTER

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Here’s how students celebrated the LGBT+ community on campus and around the city.

Meet the student organization that aids students on their hair journey to self-love.

Reporters predict the outcomes of the upcoming men’s and women’s basketball seasons.

SUDOKU

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NEWS

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ARTS & LIVING

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SPORTS PAGE 18

COMIC

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VOL. VOL.87 87| |NO. NO.99

OCT. OCT.22 22- -OCT. OCT.29, 29,2019 2019

It’s more than just money.

COLLAGE BY DEVIN PHILLIPS

Georgia State student-athletes want the rights to their names and likenesses back from the NCAA. State legislators are inclined to agree.

@gsusignal

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GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

BLOTTER OCT. 14

Snatched

A Georgia State student had their bag snatched from them on John Wesley Dobbs Avenue and Courtland Street at 4:45 p.m. The disposition is active.

I thought they decriminalized pot in Atlanta

A non-Georgia State offender was arrested for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. It took place at 9:09 p.m. in the Lanier Parking lot on John Wesley Dobbs Avenue.

OCT. 15

I really should have stopped

A non-Georgia State offender was arrested for failing to obey a traffic control device and then being found to be driving with a suspended while their license was suspended at 7:35 p.m.

Double Trouble

Two trespass warnings were issued at G Deck by nonGeorgia State offenders, one at 4:27 a.m. and a second at 5:31 a.m.

OCT. 16

Roommates suck

A Georgia State student in University Commons was involved in an incident of suspicious activity and simple battery at 3:34 p.m.

ILLUSTRATION BY DEVIN PHILLIPS | THE SIGNAL

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2019

www.georgiastatesignal.com/news

Campus carry: the armed and educated How does it apply on your campus and why do students choose to carry?

ILLUSTRATION BY AMBER KIRLEW | THE SIGNAL

ROSS MCWATERS Staff Reporter

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here are guns on campus. Whether this is frightening or empowering is up to each individual, but the reality remains: Students, faculty and staff can be armed.

Despite the weaponry, Georgia State has not descended into the lawlessness of the Wild West. And this isn’t new: The right to carry is lawful and has been since 2017, when House Bill 280 was passed into state law.

However, legally carrying isn’t as simple as owning a gun and tucking it into your waistband. Here’s what students need to know about how the law applies on Georgia State’s campuses.

To start, there are quite a few regulations and terms that gun owners must follow to maintain the law.

In the state of Georgia, citizens age 21 and over can apply for and obtain a weapons carry license at their local courthouse, given that they pass a background check. The license grants the right to carry a concealed handgun. Those carrying weapons may not intentionally display their weapon unless they intend to use them for the safety of themselves or others.

Other limitations exist: Someone cannot carry weapons in government buildings, courthouses, jails, state mental facilities, places of worship or within 150 feet of polling facilities. Until 2017, public university campuses were off limits too.

HB 280, commonly referred to as the “campus carry” bill, changed that, allowing weapons carry license holders to carry their handguns on public university campuses, including Georgia State.

However, this is not a blanket permit that allows students to brandish guns anywhere they may desire. Handguns are the only firearms that can be licensed to carry. No rifles of any sort are permitted. Additionally, there are specific places in which guns — no matter the licensing — cannot be taken.

All student housing — Piedmont Central, Piedmont North,

Patton Hall, the Commons, Greek housing and University Lofts — are off limits. The sports arenas, like GSU Sports Arena, are weapons-free too. Any childcare centers and faculty offices are restricted, and guns are not allowed in any disciplinary hearing regarding a violation of the student code of conduct.

Students and faculty with proper licensing are authorized to carry in classrooms; but, if there are any high school students dualenrolled in a class, weapon carry is no longer allowed.

At the bottom of the registration page on GoSolar is a “campus carry information” tab. Here, students can see if any of their classes have dual-enrolled high school students, preventing campus carry.

If a licensed gun carrier takes a handgun into any of these off-limits places, the first offense consists of being charged with a misdemeanor and a $25 fine and with no jail time.

On the other hand, if someone without a liscence is caught carrying in any of the restricted areas on campus, they will be charged with a felony. If convicted, they can be fined up to $10,000 and must serve between two and 10 days of imprisonment.

Information about the law can be found on some Georgia State websites, but for a complex issue such as campus carry, some students feel the school hasn’t informed them enough.

“I don’t think as a student I’ve been given a proper education about the law,” Eric Gilyard, a student at Georgia State, said.

Some students are still unaware of the law, even years after it being enacted.

“I had no idea what the laws were on campus,” Hannah Kregel, another student, said.

Gilyard questions the danger of an armed student’s emotional volatility.

“Personally, I don’t think students should carry concealed because everyone has different emotions and different rationales,” Gilyard said. “I don’t ever want to be in a situation where someone’s emotions get the best of them and we have an incident on campus.”

One student who carries on campus legally, who requested anonymity to protect their identity, said it’s important to consider

that some will carry regardless of the law.

“The people who are going to follow the law are the people that are really affected by it,” they said. “[If] campus carry were illegal, the people who don’t abide by the law are still going to be carrying.

So, by making it legal, the weapons that we’re adding are to lawabiding citizens.”

Gilyard argues that if students are worried about their safety, then there should just be an increase in security on campus, instead of implementing campus carry.

“What situation would you possibly be able to pull out your handgun and use it on campus?” Gilyard said. “If you feel that strongly that we’re not safe here, why wouldn’t you ask for a greater reform to campus security policies?”

“For an open campus like Georgia State, it makes more sense to have campus carry, because it is in the middle of the city, but personally, I just feel that guns are kind of unnecessary,” Kregel said.

Despite opinions, the fact remains: Students and faculty can legally carry on Georgia State’s campus now.

The anonymous student who carries shared some advice to anyone interested in arming themselves.

“It is a big deal. There is a lot to learn about firearms and the safety of them,” they said. “So, don’t take it lightly, and if you’re going to do it, do it by all the right steps.”

They advised that someone assures they are following all laws and are familiar with the weapon they choose and how to use it safely.

“And lastly, keep it a secret,” the student said. “That’s the point of this law — it’s not something to go walking around showing off to people with. The point of this is to have that added layer of safety and not to show off.”

There are sobering implications with deadly weapons, especially while carrying them on a campus for the sake of personal safety.

Kregel asks those who carry to consider the implications.

“If there was a situation where you would have to use it, would you be willing to use it to take down another person?” she said.

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The players have spoken: The NCAA system needs to change.

Georgia State athletes want their names and likenesses back

ILLUSTRATION BY DEMETRI BURKE | THE SIGNAL

ESPEN INDRISANO & BEN COLETTA Sports Editor & Associate News Editor

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he fabric of collegiate sports changed when the California legislature unanimously passed Senate Bill 206. The bill, which was signed into law and takes effect in 2023, will allow student-athletes to profit from their names and likenesses — a right that the National Collegiate Athletic Association has traditionally refused its players.

Profiting from name and likeness can mean a lot — from something as small as receiving a percentage of jersey sales in the school bookstore, to something as large as a Nike endorsement.

Historically, the NCAA has strictly prohibited its studentathletes from doing so because it considers its athletes to be “amateurs.”

“Only the amateur student athlete is eligible to compete in NCAA athletics. The amateur status may be lost if the

student athlete accepts pay or promise of pay for using his or her athletic ability,” the 2019-20 Georgia State StudentAthlete Handbook states.

Until now, no Georgia State student-athlete has spoken on record about this topic. The Signal spoke with four athletes, current and former, who shared their opinions on the controversial topic.

Penny Hart, a former Georgia State wide receiver, graduated in 2019 and was signed to the Indianapolis Colts before a pre-season injury. During his time at Georgia State, Hart felt as though he and his teammates were under a constant spotlight.

“There’s nothing amateur about the schedule that we have, the discipline that we have to have or the constant talks about how we are more than just regular students,” Hart said.

Hart believes that student-athletes should be able to profit from their names and likenesses.

“I honestly think that [student-athletes] should have the opportunity to see some of [the] money that comes in —

especially with how much the NCAA makes off all these different players,” he said.

Hart isn’t the only Georgia State athlete who feels this way. Two current student-athletes, who wish to remain anonymous for fear of retribution, shared their perspectives.

“It’s almost like daylight robbery that [the NCAA] takes up to four years of [a player’s] career when they are clearly good enough to be making money,” the first anonymous athlete said.

NCAA regulations prohibit athletes from receiving any form of compensation as it pertains to their sport and athletic abilities.

“If you want to be a brand ambassador for [a company], you can’t profit off of that. You can’t accept any free things that regular students wouldn’t get offered,” the second anonymous athlete said. “So, let’s say there’s pizza that is for athletes only. You are not allowed to take that, or you could be kicked off [your team].”

The NCAA enforces these rules and regulations through compliance officers at each participating school.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2019 “Every team has to go through compliance meetings where [officers] talk about what they call ‘carwash.’

[Officers] tell you what you can and can’t do and what you should stay away from,” the second anonymous athlete said.

According to this athlete, compliance officers regulate everything from sexual misconduct to a player’s personal social media accounts.

For any student-athlete who fails to comply with the handbook’s regulations, they may face disciplinary action from the Department of Athletics, law enforcement or the Dean of Students. Student-athletes could also face a reduction in athletics aid or ejection from their teams, according to the handbook.

Disqualifying infractions don’t necessarily have to be criminal incidents, like felonies or sexual misconduct.

The student-athletes who anonymously shared their experiences directly violated the handbook’s rules by speaking with The Signal.

“For decades, college sports has generated billions for all involved except the very people most responsible for creating the wealth.

That’s wrong.”

— NANCY SKINNER The California state senator

The regulations state, “Media requests and interviews should always be arranged through the Sports Communications office. Please refer any media who contact you directly to the Sports Communications office.”

Simply for talking to The Signal without proper authorization, the anonymous student-athletes could be removed from their teams and lose their scholarships.

The California law makes it illegal for the NCAA to punish student-athletes for accepting compensation for athletic ability, name and likeness.

“The bill [prohibits] the revocation of a student’s scholarship as a result of earning compensation or obtaining legal representation as authorized under these provisions,” it states.

The California state senator who introduced the bill, Nancy Skinner, addressed the motivation behind the legislation in a press release.

“For decades, college sports has generated billions for all involved except the very people most responsible for creating the wealth. That’s wrong,” she said in the release.

“With Senate Bill 206, a student-athlete like Katelyn Ohashi will no longer be the only person on the planet denied the right to monetize 60 million YouTube followers.”

However, the NCAA argued in a press statement that some member schools are already working on allowing all student-athletes to use their name, image and likeness — but not pay them to play.

“The NCAA has consistently stood by its belief that student-athletes are students first, and they should not be employees of the university,” the statement reads.

But New York state Senator Kevin Parker disagrees. Parker recently introduced a bill that would allow athletes in New York to profit from their names and likenesses, as well as receive direct income from their universities.

“This legislation is not saying that college student-athletes should be millionaires but allows them to profit alongside their colleges and universities off their names and images,” the New York bill states.

Malik Benlevi, a former Georgia State men’s basketball player who helped bring the team to the NCAA tournament twice, agrees that it’s not about making millions.

“It would have meant a lot because my family is not the richest. So, me being able to help out my mom from time to time, help out my sisters — because my mom has eight kids and I’m the youngest — and being able to make a little bit of money to put in my pocket to buy groceries and [pay for] my apartment [would have meant a lot],” Benlevi said.

Penny Hart shared the same sentiment.

“A lot of people need the money for their families,” Hart said. “There are a lot of people that have children, a lot of people that pay bills back at home, a lot of people that come from single-parent households and, whatever the case may be, people still need that financial stability in some way, shape or form to be able to provide for themselves and other people.”

Hart also noted that there is a high level of personal

NEWS

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sacrifice that is required to be successful in collegiate sports, especially when it comes to academics.

“I remember in my junior year, I was an exercise science major and I was put in a lab class that only met on Fridays during the fall,” Hart said. “As the season was going on, I couldn’t make those classes.”

Because of this, Hart was forced to change his major from exercise science to religious studies and take six classes, equivalent to 18 credit hours, in order to graduate on time.

Hart explained that his demanding schedule didn’t end with practices.

“I remember my freshman year [I gave] a speech — I was in a speech class for my pre-reqs. I wrote down all of the hours and everything [I did for football] and I presented that to the class. Everyone’s jaws were just on the ground,” Hart said.

Hart said he committed around 16-18 hours a day to the sport. Hart mentioned that, as one of the team’s leaders, he had to constantly watch film in preparation for games — sometimes even in class.

The second anonymous athlete shared in the sentiment that school often came after sports, contrary to the NCAA’s claim that “student-athletes are students first.”

“To get the grades that I want, [I] have to form [my] schedule around practice times. So, I’ll have a crazy schedule and I won’t be able to get to everything I need to get to because it’s around training time,” the second anonymous athlete said. “If I have to sacrifice time, usually it’s for school versus [my sport].”

Along with their schedules and success in school, studentathletes also put their bodies on the line. Senator Parker’s bill in New York intends to address this issue.

In an exclusive interview with The Signal, Sen. Parker said, “We know that college sports is replete with stories of exceptional players getting injured and losing their whole career with no compensation from the NCAA or the universities.”

“It would have meant a lot because my family is not the richest. So, me being able to help out my mom from time to time, help out my sisters — because my mom has eight kids and I’m the youngest — and being able to make a little bit of money to put in my pocket to buy groceries and [pay for] my apartment [would have meant a lot],” — MALIK BENLEVI Former Georgia State men’s basketball player Parker intends to solve this problem by mandating the establishment of an injury fund at all colleges impacted by his bill.

Sen. Parker is confident New York will become one of the next states to pass legislation allowing athletes to profit.

“I will tell you now, I expect to have the votes to pass this,” Parker said.

So, what is the future of similar legislation in Georgia and other states?

Georgia House Representative Demetrius Douglas, a former University of Georgia linebacker who also played in the NFL, believes similar legislation in Georgia is possible.

“I am for it,” Douglas said. “Being a former athlete, I know what this entails.”

From the brand of shoes a student-athlete wears to the numbers they wear on their backs, “everyone else makes money but [student athletes],” he said.

South Carolina state Senator Marlon Kimpson agrees. He feels the NCAA’s system is “archaic.”

Kimpson, who introduced legislation on the topic in 2015 and 2018, plans on introducing new legislation when the South Carolina legislative session opens in January.

“This is America,” Kimpson said. “If you take my name or my image and you sell it to a third party without my permission and without me receiving just compensation, that is fundamentally unfair under any law, let alone a fictitious bylaw that calls this whole multi-billion dollar enterprise ‘amatuer.’”

Kimpson’s bill, like Parker’s, will include an injury

compensation fund, something he became passionate about after witnessing former University of South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore’s career ruined by severe knee injuries.

“The only people who are expressing real opposition are people who are currently making millions of dollars off the current system,” Kimpson said.

“This is America,” Kimpson said. “If you take my name or my image and you sell it to a third party without my permission and without me receiving just compensation, that is fundamentally unfair under any law, let alone a fictitious bylaw that calls this whole multi-billion dollar enterprise ‘amatuer.’”

— MARLON KIMPSON South Carolina state Senator Compensating student athletes is something Parker believes will bring more good than harm to the NCAA. “If you are paying [student athletes], not only do you get rid of the scandals around having to support players, but also, you get to a place where many athletes will decide to stay instead of going on to the professional leagues,” Parker said. “So, at the end of the day, I think this is a gift in disguise for the NCAA.” Charlie Cobb, Georgia State’s director of athletics, disagrees. Cobb was a four-year letterman at NC State who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1990 and later went on to earn his master’s degree in sports administration from the University of Ohio.

“There is already an economic divide between the Power Five and Group of Five,” he said, adding that direct payouts to student-athletes “would further grow” that divide.

Cobb believes mid-major schools, like Georgia State, could struggle to share a revenue percentage with their student-athletes.

It should be noted that Georgia State is one of the few Sun Belt Conference schools that offer its student-athletes a direct stipend, worth $1,500 per semester, on top of any additional scholarship or grant they may receive. The stipend is paid out in the form of a check or direct deposit, alongside the athlete’s housing and meal stipends.

“Our expenses are in three buckets: scholarships, salary benefits for our staff and operating dollars for our teams,” Cobb said. “If you took [a percentage] of our budget and reallocated it back to the [athletes], my guess is we would pull from other sources.”

Cobb believes that the stipend program might need to disappear in order to help re-balance the books, should Georgia State be mandated to directly pay student-athletes in the future.

I wrote down all of the hours and everything [I did for football] and I presented that to the class.

Everyone’s jaws were just on the ground, — PENNY HART Former Georgia State football player And in terms of student-athletes profiting from their names and likenesses, Cobb is open to a number of future possibilities, but he believes in the current NCAA model.

“I don’t think I was harmed in any way, shape or form [when I was a student-athlete],” Cobb said.

Georgia State University President Mark Becker declined to comment on the issue via university spokeswoman Andrea Jones, who said he does not comment on “what-if scenarios.”

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Connecting students, faculty and staff

A look into Georgia State’s Community Connections program BRADY STOUGHTON Staff Reporter

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onnections with others are what establish and maintain communities, and the Multicultural Center at Georgia State is working to do their part by creating the Community Connections program. “[The initiative will] facilitate diversity and cultural competency education on Georgia State’s campus,” LaToya Harden, the student affairs advisor at the Multicultural Center, said. “[The program will provide] an opportunity for students to connect with each other, meet university faculty and staff and community partners,” the Multicultural Center website states. “Through this, individuals across Georgia State will discuss topics focused on growth and community and share ideas to ‘build a culture of care at Georgia State.’”

The 8-month program will bring participants back for workshops on a monthly basis.

“The workshops will range from using the resources on campus to understanding specific identities within Georgia State University’s population,” Harden said. “Participants will be paired with a mentor, usually a professional, to dialogue with during the duration of the program.”

This program serves as a way for many students to transition into Georgia State, to become better prepared for the workplace or even to enter the mentorship program themselves.

The mentoring initiative is provided by two different tracks: a program for transition students and another for women of color. The transition track will allow students coming from the Perimeter campus to ease into the transition onto the Downtown campus.

“The Women of Color, Advocacy and Service track seeks to provide personal, academic, cultural, social, professional and leadership development to self-identified women of color at Georgia State,” Harden said.

There is also a program for members of the LGBTQIQA community and another called the African American Male Initiative (AAMI).

Through the LGBTQIQA program, students will learn to align their personal, academic and career goals together and “foster identity awareness, identity acceptance and support of all students from LGBTQIQA and varying gender identities while providing mentors who identify with the

ILLUSTRATION BY ALLEN NGUYEN | THE SIGNAL

LGBTQIQA and varying gender community.”

The AAMI will connect African American men at Georgia State to support educational and professional aspirations. “[The AAMI] is committed to significantly increasing the graduation rates and the number of degrees conferred upon African American men in the University System of Georgia,” Harden said.

Upcoming activities hosted by the Multicultural Center in the month of October include a “queer de-stress fest,” to discuss and learn coping mechanisms for any dilemmas queer individuals may face. In addition to this, an event called “Pop Talks,” where students are invited to have PopTarts and talk about any hot topics at the moment.

Georgia State celebrates Pride Week EQUIP and Pride Week Committee join forces SARA MUNOZ Staff Reporter

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ain poured and streets closed down on Oct. 13, as people gathered in Midtown for the 49th annual Atlanta Pride parade. Rather than the event being held in June for National LGBTQIQA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Questioning, Asexual) Pride Month, Atlanta hosts the parade in October to coincide with National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11.

The Establishment for Queer Unity, Inclusion and Peace (EQUIP) is an organization that has existed on campus but was just recently chartered as a student organization. It is responsible for planning and representing Georgia State in the Pride Parade each year.

“Our main initiative has been simply planning the parade by working with Atlanta Pride and trying to get the word out to students through flyers and attending queer events on campus,” Savannah Setter, the president of EQUIP, said.

As they transition into being a chartered organization, EQUIP is devising programs to encourage more queer activism and represenation throught campus. These programs include “open houses” to hear the needs of queer students advocating for more gender-inclusive bathrooms on campus and working with the Counseling and Testing Center to provide support for queer students.

Currently, EQUIP is not available on the Panther Involvement Network, but students interested should check back because they plan to be fully available by spring semester.

Leading up to Pride, Georgia State’s University Housing Pride Committee, established in 2018, organized a week full of events around campus to get students excited. From immersive art experiences to TRANS-formative cinema to Pride Prom and Queer Convos, there were several opportunities for students to get involved.

“I can see the direct impact that Pride has on our students,” Kiersten Brydie, co-chair of the Pride Committee, said. “This week is a time for students to celebrate, explore and learn more about gender and sexual identity, as well as a time for queer people to form community and find love. It

has been really beautiful to experience.”

The second annual Pride Prom was the most popular event of the week on campus. The night was filled with food and dancing and served as a way for members of the LGBTQIQA+ community to share their identities, love and expressions.

The Pride Committee hopes to create more programming focusing on identity development throughout the residence halls. But, right now, their primary focus goes toward the events leading up to Atlanta Pride.

“I truly believe that representation is vital,” Brydie said. “When we see ourselves and folks who share similar identities reflected in music, film, politics and education, we can begin to imagine ourselves there. It creates a possibility that becomes a reality. We can begin to say, ‘My thoughts, my voice and my experiences matter.’”

“Georgia State is so diverse, and there are many places to find community on campus,” Brydie continued.

“Being based in the heart of Atlanta only adds to the many experiences LGBTQIQA+ students can engage in throughout the city.”

TUESDAY, OCTOBER15, 22,2019 2019 TUESDAY, JANUARY

www.georgiastatesignal.com/opinions

International game takes center court As basketball grows in popularity, the US loses dominance JAMAL LEMOND Staff Columnist

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lthough James Naismith invented basketball in Canada in 1891, the U.S. has since dominated basketball. The vast majority of basketball’s most famous players come from the U.S. I started playing basketball as an adolescent, and most basketball courts I’ve played on were occupied by people of the same nationality as me, so it was extremely surprising and exciting to see Georgia State’s gym filled with people from many nationalities. It was even more surprising that the best players weren’t from the U.S. The U.S. has long dominated basketball, but players from other countries and ethnicities have caught up and even surpassed us.

During the 2019 FIBA World Cup, the U.S. men’s basketball team was defeated by France and Serbia.

Although most fans and analysts dismissed the losses, sports legend Kobe Bryant credited the shocking defeats to the rest of the world catching up with the U.S. in player development.

“It’s not a matter of the rest of the world catching up to the U.S. It’s that the rest of the world has been caught up for quite some time,” Bryant said. “It’s to the point now where the U.S., we’re going to win some and we’re going to lose some. That’s just how it goes.”

The 2019 NBA Award Show saw four of the five major awards go to players from overseas. The 2019 NBA Championship was even won by the Toronto Raptors. In addition, only three of the last seven number one overall picks in the NBA Draft were Americans. The majority of the NBA’s rising stars under 25 are non-Americans.

The rest of the world is producing the most elite talent.

The NBA is the top league in the world, and it is still dominated by Americans. The most elite U.S.-born players in the NBA are older than 30, so they must protect their bodies for the playoffs. The U.S. would have won the FIBA World Cup if these players competed.

When the 1992 Dream Team won gold in the Olympics, the game of basketball became more popular overseas, so a lot of kids picked up the game.

One of the best players I have played against at Georgia State has to be Saad Akhtar, who has played basketball since he was 3 years old, and every Tuesday, I see him beat the best competition.

Akhtar is Pakistani, but he says basketball runs in his family.

“Everyone in my family played basketball. All of my cousins played, my brother plays and my mom barely,” Akhtar then said. “I grew up watching Dwyane Wade, so I loved basketball ever since.”

While the other countries developed skills, players in the U.S. relied heavily on athletic abilities. That is in large part due to the Amateur Athletic Union and amateur play being motivated by money instead of development.

I think it is exciting to see the game grow and incorporate players from around the world. The U.S. still produces a lot of talent, but the developmental programs must improve or the U.S. will lose more.

ILLUSTRATION BY BRANDON ZHAN | THE SIGNAL

Georgia State’s very own music chart

The first music chart by, for and about Georgia State students KENNETH LOCKETT III Associate Opinions Editor

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he Georgia State Music Chart is a chart celebrating the music produced and listened to Georgia State students. Typically pulled from Album 88 and Panther Entertainment Group active rosters and rotations, these are the hottest tracks put out by the Panthers.

Taking the top spot is Mayathewriter with “Slow Down.”

A power anthem for women, “Slow Down” is about a situation in which she was “messing with a hood n----” who she proceeded to drag through the mud throughout the track.

Her continuous bars and murdering of the beat secures her spot at number one.

Pulling up the second spot is last year’s student Pantherpalooza performer Arzlee with “Summer Love.” The vibey soul track makes you want to fall in love all over again.

The duet sections featuring Xiamara Jennings is a beautiful interaction of voices that just adds the icing to the cake.

In the third position, J $ENSEI takes us to sugar hill in his ford focus with “Mismo.” Its relaxing indie nature leads to an almost lullaby-like trance as you transcend through the track. The mature production is a breath of fresh air compared to other indie tracks.

Clocking in at number four is Jazzy with “What You Mad For.” Arguably her best song hands down, Jazzy snaps up and down the track. The difference between this song and most songs is she rides the beat so effortlessly that it’s like it was made for the lyrics and not the other way around. It’s meant to be quotable not just memorable.

Closing the top five is Spencer the MC. Easily one of the best rappers to come out of Atlanta in a while, he shows off his skills on “Nobody’s Safe,” taking us to school with bar after bar of straight heat. In this freestyle-esque track, he takes new age rappers to school showing them how it’s done.

Number six is taken by Ahmad Anonimis with his bar-

filled “Find It,” and Georgia State Royalty J Pierre swings his way with his banger “Again,” At number seven, Kalenbree shows off her amazing skill with “Bubblegum,” and Afropunk Atlanta’s Battle of the Bands participant NEDLOG reminds you of momma’s advice with “Miracles.”

Last but certainly not least, Gabby Case cruises in with her gorgeous track “Tides.”

In addition to each of these artists, there was a plethora of artists that didn’t make the cut. For example, Sammy Surf ’s Moshpit is an absolutely stellar track but didn’t make the cut. Georgia State produces a lot of great music that flies under the radar.

It’s time they receive the recognition they deserve. Organizations such as Panther Entertainment Group host shows throughout the year, so hang out sometime and listen to some great tunes.

Editor’s note: You can find a link to the playlist of the chart and many more Georgia State student tracks at georgiastatesignal.com.

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GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

Can’t a black girl embrace her afro at work?

The issue with outdated dress codes in today’s society executive president & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Daniel Varitek

JASMIN BARROW

editor@georgiastatesignal.com creative director Devin Phillips managing editor Will Solomons

Staff Columnist

director of business operations Ira Livnat

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veryone knows what a dress code is, they’re a set of rules in regards to someone’s appearance. We had them every year in primary school and it didn’t stop until college.

The rules were usually something along the lines of “no spaghetti-strap tank tops, no rips in jeans above the knee, no crop tops” and so on and so forth. But why?

The common answer is because the school thinks it’s “inappropriate,” but the real reason is that school boards think they are distracting to male students. What exactly is so inappropriate about exposed shoulders or someone’s stomach?

And why can’t parents teach their sons to respect a woman and her body?

Now, as college students, we don’t have to navigate these same problems nearly to the same extent as we did in high school. But work is a different story.

Dress codes are put in place at work so the employees of a company can represent their employers in the best way and most professional way possible. However, sometimes the dress code in the workplace just doesn’t make sense.

The summer before she started her freshman year of college at Georgia State, Hermala Hailegabriel got a job at the Hyatt Regency Hotel located in Downtown Atlanta.

“When I started the job, my hair was natural,” Hailegabriel said. “As soon as I got my hair flatironed, my manager noticed and commented, ‘I like your hair like that.’. Ever since then, I never dared to wear my hair natural again.

Despite Hailegabriels manager giving her a compliment, she was able to decipher the true meaning behind the seemingly kind words. “I was so insecure about my hair I literally packed a hair straightener to press my hair before my shift started. Even though the words “Wear your hair straight” did not come out of my manager’s mouth, it was implied that he preferred it to be that way. The tone is hard to describe but you

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could basically hear the relief in his voice.”

Hailegabriel isn’t the only one who has experienced something like this. There have been countless stories in the news about children, particularly black children, who have been sent home with a message to their parents that their hair is “inappropriate” for school and that something needs to be done about it.

Some dress codes are a dated, discriminatory and quite frankly sexist policy. When you really delve into dress codes they only really apply to two groups of people: women and girls more broadly and women of color in particular.

In what way do exposed shoulders or a black girl’s natural hair affect how other people perform

at school or in the workforce? That’s right — it doesn’t. Natural hairstyles, that is, anything that isn’t straight, flat-ironed hair, like braids or faux locs, are frowned upon in a workplace.

These things don’t affect how people work, the quality of work they do or the productivity of their peers. But don’t get me wrong, I understand the need for a dress code. Without one, people would probably come into work wearing sweatpants and a hoodie. There are guidelines needed to keep things professional.

However, that doesn’t explain why dress codes are so strict. If your job is to sit behind a computer all day and have one meeting a week, must we be in our Sunday best?

Him, her and the healthy relationship How gender affects our perception of healthy relationships JANNEYN SIMMONS Staff Columnist

F

or all our lives, millennials have internalized problematic depictions of and mentalities around romantic relationships. We were brought up in a culture that glorified aesthetic considerations while trivializing the inherent toxicity of these depictions of what romance “should” look like.

Some of our secondary exposure to relationships were various forms of popular culture that perpetuated dating violence. This culture was punctuated by the rise and fall of “couple goals” on social media.

I was fortunate enough to get an in-depth look into how our generation perceives healthy relationships. Going into the interviews, mostly with men, I expected their responses to reflect that toxicity but was pleasantly surprised to find that more progressive ideas of relationships has rubbed off nicely on the men. Cognitive dissonance seems to be our generation’s problem.

I decided to show clips from the movies “Poetic

Justice” and “Baby Boy.” A trend that I noticed in the responses was the idea of the “male punching bag,” the idea that a man can “take a punch” and therefore should.

When showing the clips from “Baby Boy,” many people felt that Jody was to blame for hitting Yvette during a heated physical altercation. Despite all of the subjects recognizing that abuse could affect anyone — a woman could physically abuse a man, and most even recognized that Yvette was physically abusive in the situation — many couldn’t bring themselves to see her as the aggressor.

It wasn’t until I showed clips from “Poetic Justice” that I uncovered this generation’s second problem: pride. In the selected clip, Chicago and Iesha, another toxic couple, have a heated argument, that ends in Iesha callously admitting to being unfaithful. Chicago’s solution is to physically assault Iesha.

Surprisingly, the same people who said that a man either never had a reason to hit a woman or was only justified in hitting a woman if it was self-defense, partially sided with Chicago in the matter. While many conceded that he was wrong for assaulting her, they ultimately felt that she played a role in triggering him in the matter.

Many tried to spin the narrative that her verbal

abuse, even though they were mutually toxic in their arguments, triggered his attack, even though she controlled her actions in the matter. One could argue that Chicago’s pride was hurt, and the only way he knew to regain his pride was by striking the fire of hell into her face, but we’ll go with the first theory.

Collectively, the responses proved that we’re moving in the right direction. We understand that consent is necessary, even in a relationship. We are advocating for mutual respect, and we recognize that abuse transcends physical actions.

Abuse has no place in a healthy relationship, but it is tolerated based on gender stereotypes that we have been indoctrinated to believe by our society.

We trivialize the physical or emotional abuse of a man because “he can take it,” but we wouldn’t be so callous when dealing with a woman in that situation. We concede with a man “putting a woman in her place,” through violence, because we can’t fathom how the docile woman, could ever injure her man’s pride.

A gendered perspective on abuse will continue to hinder our relationships. If we can’t view each other equally, we can’t have mutual respect or love in a relationship.

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ARTS & LIVING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2019

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‘Sleepy Hollow’: an inclusively spooky show Serenbe playhouse brings a sense of community to Georgia theatergoers ILLUSTRATION BY SHANCHEZE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

MAYA TORRES Staff Reporter

S

tanding in a crowded, dark meadow is likely not anyone’s idea of an ideal fall evening, but “The Sleepy Hollow Experience” has brought audiences to Serenbe Playhouse for seven years now.

The show combines a traditional play with aspects of a haunted trail. Guests are led through a path of torches to an eerie clearing surrounded by several stages. Five actors, as well as a crew of costumed volunteers, guide audiences from stage to stage as the piece progresses.

“The thought behind everything we do is completely immersive, sight-specific theatre,” Hannah Beth Turner, the director of guest experience at Serenbe Playhouse, said.

“We choose a location that lends itself to the play that we’re doing.”

Serenbe Playhouse has been known for doing interactive shows such as this one throughout their 10 years as a theater company. Unlike a traditional theater, there isn’t a permanent stage. Each show takes place in an outdoor environment, connected to the natural world.

“Everything is sight-specific,” Turner said. “We’ll always choose a location. We’ll always choose plays that lend themselves to the outdoors and then base our site and our location around that. They’re not all walking. Some of them are more traditional — you get to sit in a chair and watch a full-length musical.”

One thing that makes the show especially immersive is the inclusion of a “headless” horseman. Observant audience members have the chance to see subtle appearances of the horseman at a distance throughout the show, until the headless horseman comes into full view toward the end of the performance, galloping past audience members in all of its spooky glory.

“Automatically, there’s already this level of spectacle by setting a classic piece of literature or theater out in the

woods where it’s not usually done,” Madison Welch, the actress playing the first storyteller, said. “Having a live horseman just makes it that much more real and adds that extra spooky element, which is special.”

For reasons like this, “The Sleepy Hollow Experience” has become a fan favorite throughout the years, despite Serenbe Playhouse’s location being 30 miles outside of Atlanta.

“We have audience members that come year after year because this has become a part of their tradition,” Erin Burnett, the actress behind the character Katrina von Tussle, said. “It’s cool that we can create that for people.”

One such audience member is Chris Hill, who came to see “The Sleepy Hollow Experience” three times.

“I really enjoy the outdoor atmosphere, especially with this play,” Hill said. “The stories are spooky and get you out of your comfort zone, but it’s all fun. I like getting scared but when I know it’s a safe environment.”

The purpose of “The Sleepy Hollow Experience,” in addition to connecting a live performance with the outdoors, is to create a spooky yet inclusive theatre environment.

“You feel like you’re sitting around a campfire, and people are just telling you a ghost story,” Turner said. “I think it takes Halloween back to that level that maybe they had in the 1800s, which is the goal. But there’s no gore. There’s no jump-scares. It’s not like the Halloween haunted houses that you see now.”

Serenbe Playhouse even offers a daytime “Sleepy Hollow Experience” option for audiences, such as children, who may scare easily in the dark.

In fact, “The Sleepy Hollow Experience” is rated PG and can easily be enjoyed by onlookers of all ages, including younger kids. The actors in the show are trained to improvise the small moments of the show and banter playfully with children in the audience.

Other improvised moments in the show include the name of the second storyteller. The two storytellers of the show are responsible not only for explaining the narrative behind the show, but also for bringing the other characters of the show from a seemingly comatose state into the live world of

the performance. Whether or not these characters are of the supernatural is ambiguous. “[My storyteller’s name] just changes every night,” Erik Abrahamsen, the actor playing the second storyteller, said.

“It’s one of the fun things about the show. There is a set pattern as to how things are going to go, but then there’s some fluidity within that. We get to play around. I don’t have a name, and anyone can call me anything.”

However, the first storyteller’s name, Abigail, remains constant throughout the show. The title grounds the actress in the time period of the show. The first storyteller is the guiding force of the entire show.

“Storyteller One comes to life first, and from there, she’s able to bring everyone else to life,” Welch said. “She brings Storyteller Two to life and endows him with that power to also bring everyone else to life and to help her carry that story. I think there’s a lot of power in a female figure guiding a story.”

The production brings a unique Halloween tradition to Georgia through performance, song and a staggering sense of community.

“This is just a great way to kick off Halloween and the whole fall season,” Burnett said. “Not only are we telling ghost stories, but we’re singing songs, we’re playing games, we’ve got hot cider, and there’s a communal nature that we have with the audience.”

What makes this show truly so special for audiences of all ages is that underneath the spooks, songs, and apple cider is a fun, playful show. The actors are having fun taking pictures and playing games with the theatregoers and this infectious attitude radiates into the audience.

“This is our seventh year doing ‘The Sleepy Hollow Experience’ here in Serenbe,” Burnett said. “I truly attest to the fact that what they’ve created here in the woods is something that that the audiences really love. It makes it new and different for us every night. Even though it’s spooky at the end, we always leave with a smile.”

“The Sleepy Hollow Experience” is playing at Serenbe Playhouse through Nov. 3.

ILLUSTRATION BY MONTE LOWERY | THE SIGNAL

free foodie tips

1.

Stay active on PIN

2.

Keep your head up looking for flyers

3.

Don’t be afraid to answer a quick survey

Never buy groceries again Get paid in food for showing up

Sydney Bloeme | Staff Reporter

I

t’s already 3:00 p.m. and student Breckwan Oliver has already eaten a full course breakfast consisting of waffles, eggs, sausage and orange juice along with a lunch featuring pizza, wings and cookies — all of which he’s paid absolutely nothing for.

Every morning, Oliver scours the bulletin boards and takes notes on the events being hosted and, every evening, wonders the Student Centers looking for student events that may provide food. Oliver is not alone, as he has got a major network of people behind him, all doing the same and ready to post the exact whereabouts to a GroupMe of over 900 other people.

“I run a major network of free food at Georgia State,” Oliver said. “We read the student org website.

We check flyers. We just walk into events … When one person knows about the free food, they’ll post it.”

Oliver had enough free time between classes to pop in to whatever student events were happening during the time. He noticed that many of the events provided food that wasn’t always eaten. Oliver knew how expensive food on campus was and wanted to give others the opportunity to find it. Then, in the spring of 2019, Free Foodies @ GSU was born.

“I want to provide students a network to get some free food on campus. It would decrease the food waste from organizations,” Oliver said. “Each organization has a budget … Not every organization has the same amount on their budget.”

Free Foodies @ GSU is not the first group organized along these lines, as multiple groups before it led the way, such as Free Food at GSU and The Lunchroom, both of which were looking to close the gap between orgs and students.

“Well, a lot of people have definitely saved more from using the group chat and a lot of orgs that promote themselves with free food have definitely gotten more members,” Dexter, the creator of Free Food at GSU said. “Since a lot of programs around the campus offer free food but lack a means to spread the info, I decided to create it. It’s a win-win.”

The Lunchroom had a similar origin story.

“I used to be on the marketing committee for Spotlight. And I really just started it to promote events because free food was always the best selling point to students,” Josh Williams, the creator of The Lunchroom group, said.

Tony Thelwell is an avid user of the Free Foodies @ GSU group. When The Signal spoke to him, he had already eaten breakfast and lunch free of charge.

Thelwell started using Free Foodies @ GSU chat after realizing that he couldn’t continue spending money on food for the time he was on campus for his classes.

“I spent over a thousand dollars in less than two months on food,” Thelwell said. “I was trying to buy lunch, dinner and snacks in between.”

Thelwell now eats 80% of his meals for free on campus.

“I don’t buy groceries,” Thelwell said.

Thelwell recommends Wednesdays and Thursdays as the best days for free food. You may find him in the

4.

Know the specialty weeks

5.

Check the Free Food groups

6.

Student Center on those days until late.

“If you’re still at school usually starting around 5 p.m. there are often several events with food,” he said.

“I walk around the fourth floor of Student Center West starting around 5 pm because [that’s] where most of the free food events are.”

While Thelwell enjoys mingling with new people, popping into different events has gotten him into some awkward situations, such as being the only guy at a sorority’s meeting.

“One time, this girl came into the chat and advertised an event,” Thelwell said. “So, I walked to the event and when I went in, it was a bunch of girls and I was like, “Oh, is this babba fedah new exu or whatever, and they were like, ‘Yes’ … They were all looking at me. [It] was for members only.”

As for which student organizations to look out for, Thelwell said he likes going to Christian Bible Studies.

“Christian events have food. They’re cool, they’re nice,” Thelwell said. “The [one] I’m a part of is having a big dinner next week. [I’m] not religious at all … I just go for food and to socialize.”

He also recommends cultural groups as having the best food and International Education Week in November as hitting the jackpot.

“All the different student associations get assigned a night and have a big banquet,” Thellwel said. “I went to a Latina event with a full meal, an Asian event with a full meal, an Indian student event with a full meal.”

And although Thelwell and Oliver enjoy all the food offered on campus, they both agree that it’s more about meeting new people and actually going to different events. In fact, they both know each other and met at an event at the Creative Media Initiative Institute.

“I usually come for the event, the food is just a bonus,” Oliver said. “I have a lot of free time.”

Both students said to be prepared to stay. Thelwell once spent an hour learning an Indian dance in anticipation of food and he doesn’t regret it.

“They have some interesting stuff that goes on at these events,” he said. “I discover different clubs through events.”

Now, after meeting Oliver at an event, Thelwell is a member of Oliver’s club, Binge Watchers United.

And as for what the student organizations think, they are fine sharing food as long as you listen to what they have to say.

“In some cases, I don’t mind, but if you’re making it obvious that you’re here for the food, slow your roll,” Omoloma Solaru, a member of a life fellowship organization with weekly Bible studies, said. “If you’re coming to an event, stay at least and listen to what they have to say. You might not be interested, but you might end up liking what we’re doing and come back again. Who knows?”

The student’s lasting message is to get out of your comfort zone because free food is everywhere, you just have to find it.

Make the Student Center your best friend

ARTS & LIVING

12

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

Unconventional tattooing: rebellious or regretful?

A deep dive into the culture of stick and poke tattoos on campus RO PARKER Staff Reporter

W

hat screams rebellion more than someone sitting in a tattoo shop, suffering the pain of a mark forever visible on their body? Some feed this impulse by opting to stay home to commit the act.

Accessible, free and often questionable, stick and poke tattoos are do-it-yourself (or get-my-friend-to-do-it-forme) versions of what is traditionally done with a machine, delivered one needle poke at a time.

Attractive to some due to its unmatchable price point, like student Cole Henry, who has six of them on his thighs and one on his forearm, other students are simply drawn to the control they feel when giving them to others or themselves.

“My mark is forever ingrained into their body,” Tanya Bedi, a student at Georgia State, said upon recalling giving her friend a stick and poke tattoo her freshman year. “I [felt] powerful.”

Likewise, student Olivia Hopper poked the female sign into her arm in her childhood bedroom as a literal sign of rebellion against her mother at the time.

Student SarahJane Wardlaw was drawn to giving stick and pokes to herself and others as she “wanted to do something angsty” and it “[seemed] pretty bada--.”

Taking precaution before endeavoring in the act, she researched the topic and practiced on oranges with the “correct” materials: sterile tattoo needles and tattoo ink.

After she was handed a free Red Bull on campus one day, Wardlaw equated the energy drink as a symbol to quench her initial thirst: rebellion. She went home and poked the word “love” into her arm.

Since that day, Wardlaw has given around 25 stick and pokes to friends, including three to Grace Repasky, a member of the band Lunar Vacation.

“People constantly ask for them,” Wardlaw said.

Unfortunately, some do not prepare with the initial steps as Wardlaw did.

“It was a mistake,” Alexa Lisenba said. “You may see the scar of where it once was.”

Those are the words of a student who was given a stick and poke tattoo by her friend with pen ink and a safety pin which ensued in a painful scab and no leftover ink from the initial pokes.

“I was 16 and stupid,” Sydney Graves, another student, said on reflection of the pain she felt in receiving a stick and poke tattoo from her friend.

Though the act can lead to regret if done incorrectly or

SarahJane Wardlaw shows her lightning bolt stick and poke that she gave to herself.

sporadically, others specifically want stick and poke tattoos as opposed to tattoos delivered by machine.

Student Rachel Isaza plans for her first tattoo to be a stick and poke by a professional artist who specializes in the act.

“It fascinates me more than a gun going straight down dot by dot,” said Isaza.

Likewise, student Gabbi Naturman prefers stick and pokes

PHOTO BY KAITLYN HARMON | THE SIGNAL

to tattoos given by machine.

“Tattoos are art, and certain artwork is done in a certain way,” said Naturman. “With stick and pokes, it’s more of a detailed structure because you’re individually sticking someone, and it’s meaningful because the person who’s doing it is taking so much time to do it for you.

An escape room from your nightmares on Halloween The Recreation Center hosts a serial killer-themed event HANNAH JONES Staff Reporter

I

magine being trapped in a series of canopy tents, walls lined with newspaper clippings and masks — the stuff of nightmares. The only way out is through a word-scramble lock, one that doesn’t budge. The stopwatch on the wall is nearing zero, and everyone inside is fervently trying to work their way out of here.

Is this a bad dream or the plot of an Alfred Hitchcock film?

No, this is the gory world of Georgia State’s Escape Room: Terrors of the Night.

Hosting this Halloween, the Student Recreation Center offers a unique, homemade escape room for students to test their puzzle-solving skills and be sufficiently spooked in the process.

Inspired by real-life serial killers, this year’s room will include props and clues that resemble the crimes committed by some of America’s most notorious killers.

Hailey Hester, outdoor recreation coordinator at Georgia State, created the Escape Room two years ago. She said the creative process is no simple feat and has worked on perfecting a few versions of the storyline and puzzle.

Georgia State senior Will Vonk, second-time actor for the room, has helped Hester bring this haunting and complex world to life. Last Halloween, Vonk could be spotted overseeing the Escape Room, donning a blood-smeared Jason hockey mask.

Last year, Vonk said, each group had great difficulty escaping within the allotted 30 minutes. He and Hester recommend that the participants work together to escape this make-believe world.

“You have to really break down some social barriers right away and be willing to state your opinion,” Vonk said. “You kind of have to get into it and maybe be rude to each other from time to time because the time limit adds that pressure.”

Hester advises not to read too deeply into the clues and adds that the set actors “might not always give an accurate hint.”

“I’ve seen some very complicated math problems occur when [the problem] only needed some simple subtraction,”

Hester said. “Just to see people try to do that on the spot with whatever scrap paper they have is pretty entertaining.”

Hester and Vonk both cite Ted Bundy as their favorite infamous killer. Vonk said this “personal attachment” stems from a peculiar story told by his father.

In the early 1970s, during Bundy’s criminal heyday, Vonk’s father took a few of his students on a field trip. His father was accompanied by a young female teacher, resembling the demographic of Bundy’s victims. As they drove through Utah, 10-15 cop cars allegedly pulled the group over.

“He described it as at least 10 cop cars pulling him over on the interstate … all the cops came out with their guns drawn and told him to get out of the car and lay on the ground,” Vonk said.

Although participants may not feel as petrified as Vonk’s dad, the Escape Room is still sure to deliver.

Student Sam Cohen has never tried an escape room before, but the novelty of the idea entices him.

“I like that this is a different and interesting way to stay in the Halloween spirit as we get older,” Cohen said.

Student tickets cost $10, and any interested students can register by calling 404-413-1772.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2019

ARTS & LIVING

13

Trying to find beauty in its natural state

A mentorship for students embracing their natural hair journey BRIA SUGGS

Arts & Living Editor

T

hose with thick, curly hair understand how timeconsuming and costly maintenance can be. From protective styles, finding products that work and dreaded wash day, having kinky or curly hair can be a frustrating journey of trial and error.

College Curls is a Georgia State student organization with the mission “to promote healthy hair while keeping self-love at our center. We are passionate about learning new hair techniques, and sharing useful tips to our members to ensure proper hair care maintenance.”

The organization currently has about 48 members, aside from the ten e-board members that hold positions such as president, vice president, marketing directors, programming chairs, operations advisors, financing and communications.

Current organization president Kaylyn Becton is a senior majoring in childhood education. She joined College Curls after transferring to Georgia State from the University of West Georgia.

“I really just wanted to get more involved on campus at ga state.

I looked through [the Panther Involvement Network] and was like, ‘College Curls? That sounds cool.’ They didn’t have anything like that at West Georgia. First, I started out as a regular member.

Last year, I was a programming chair,” Becton said. “The reason I wanted to be president this year was to redirect [College Curls], refocus it and get more involvement.”

Perjah Roberts, a criminal justice major with a minor in psychology, joined the organization while in the midst of her own natural hair journey. She joined last year and is now the vice president.

Andrea Wilborne, one of three programming chairs, found a second home in College Curls after transferring to Georgia State like Becton.

“I remember looking at organization’s instagrams and I found this one,” Wilborne said. “I saw posts where they had curly hair of the week, and I like how they gave confidence and showed different hair types and different types of beauty. That’s what made me really like College Curls.”

Once a member, students can either pay $15 for standard dues, or pay an extra $10 to receive a T-shirt. Once the dues are paid,

Student organization College Curls is helping students maintain healthy hair while spreading self-love.

new members are invited to the organization’s GroupMe. There are also special privileges for members, such as a trip to Curl Fest and giveaways.

Although College Curls typically focuses on topics most related to women of color, anyone can join. ”We’re open to all ethnicities and we’re gender-neutral,” Wilborne and Roberts said. “There are other people not of color who have curly hair, so we want to reach out to everyone.”

Another important topic to College Curls is community service.

In November, they will host College Curls Week, which will be available to all students regardless of membership. There will be

PHOTO COURTESY OF KAYLYN C BENTON

workout activity sessions and an opportunity to make products from scratch.

College Curls Week will also feature two panels: one on entrepreneurship and beauty influencers, while the other will focus on natural hair in the workplace.

The organization has already closed membership applications for the fall semester; however, they will reopen in the spring semester as an opportunity for more students to find support during their hair journey.

“Be unapologetically you and love yourself. That’s what College Curls is about,” Becton said.

Bringing fringe entertainment to the spotlight How The Red Light Café stands out from other coffee joints GUILLERMO RIVERA Staff Reporter

N

estled in Amsterdam Avenue’s Amsterdam Walk is the Red Light Café, a quaint yet vibrant piece of Atlanta. For 28 years, the cafe has been hosting all kinds of musical and other performing acts, bringing in people from all walks of life to enjoy the performances.

“Red Light Café has been open since around 1991; Ellen and I took over in 2012,” Michael Chamberlain, a co-owner of the cafe, said.

Chamberlain owns the cafe with his wife Ellen Chamberlain, and the two host a myriad of performances ranging from jazz concerts to an all-black comedy show.

“We’re primarily a music venue, leaning heavily towards more acoustic music like jazz or bluegrass, but, musically, I’ll book almost anything that I know will fill the house,” Michael Chamberlain said.

“Outside of music, we host quite a lot of comedy and burlesque, as well as a monthly magic show.”

The cafe is known for its booking choices because they choose acts that are difficult to find anywhere else in Atlanta. Red Light Café attempts to book the most out-there entertainment they can get their hands on. Rarely do Atlanta venues have the ability to do this, which allows the Red Light Café to stand out.

“We’re a mainstay of Atlanta’s smaller venues,” Chamberlain said. “That affords us booking riskier fare business-wise, more experimental acts and more fringe entertainment, things you just

won’t see anywhere else.”

This corresponds to the cafe’s attitude of acceptance and fairness.

They try to accept anything that will bring in people and give most acts a shot at performing on their stage.

“To that end, I wouldn’t say we have a mission statement, per se, but perhaps a philosophy of just giving anything and everything a fair chance,” Chamberlain said.

Also, some of Georgia State’s staff members perform at the cafe.

Even students participate in the performances and are avid goers to the cafe, making it a great spot for Georgia State students to enjoy one of the most unique entertainment experiences in the city.

“Gordon Vernick’s Jazz Jam every Wednesday is very GSUcentric. Gordon is a professor at GSU, the quartet frequently features GSU staff like, and many of Gordon’s students attend,” Chamberlain said.

The Red Light Café welcomes all kinds of people both to perform and attend. Many of the guests are students due to its accessibility and welcoming feeling, but people of all ages sit in for performances.

Its art-covered walls and quirky, yet laid-back feel makes the venue an appealing place for everyone to enjoy jazz or burlesque shows without any worry. The venue offers an aura of togetherness, which is difficult to find in other Atlanta venues.

“I think the Red Light brings people from various walks of life together,” Kalysa Hoffman, a sophomore at Georgia State, said. “I’ve seen all types of people, enjoying and feeling the music together.

It really feels like a community when you are there. Also, they are extremely LGBTQ+ friendly, which is great.”

The cafe does a good job of building a sense of community within its walls by giving Atlanta a place for people with an interest in the arts to convene and enjoy all kinds of performances.

“The cafe does Atlanta good by giving people with similar interests in live music and art a place to enjoy themselves together,” Sylvia Webb, a sophomore at Georgia State, said. “It has a sense of community and it impacts the surrounding area in making Atlanta a better place to be.”

The cafe stays true to its name by also functioning as a coffee shop during the day, providing all kinds of coffee and food, and a quaint place to have a morning cup of joe, or an afternoon snack.

“We’re now open in the daytime, Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., for espresso drinks, lunch, snacks and more,” Chamberlain said.

During both day and night, the Red Light Café offers a comfortable place for anyone to enjoy a cup of coffee or listen to live jazz. After its daytime hours, the cafe reopens at 7 p.m. for its nighttime acts and opens its doors for everyone to enjoy.

UPCOMING EVENTS Every Wednesday: Gordon Vernick’s Jazz Jam Oct. 24: All-Black Comedy Show Oct. 26: PoleLaTeaz presents ‘A Night At The Movies’ Halloween Showcase Oct. 27: Tassels Under The Big Top: Burlesque Variety Show Nov. 1: Hip v Swag 11 Comedy Show Nov. 2: Cover to UNcover, A Lusty Literary Burlesque Revue, chapter 2 Nov. 5: Art Amok Poetry Slam

ARTS & LIVING

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HARD

SPORTS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2019

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Georgia State v. Army Recap Downs | 15:00 - 1st

Downs | 12:44 - 1st

Touchdown | 7:47 - 1st

Touchdown | 2:18 - 1st Q1 Score

7-7

Fumble | 15:00 - 2nd Fumble | 14:10 - 2nd

Georgia State beats the elements, tops Army

The Panthers are now one win away from bowl eligibility Aubrey Payne runs toward the end zone during Saturday night’s win against Army.

ANFERNEE PATTERSON Staff Reporter

L

ight but persistent rain may have prevented many fans from coming out to the game, but for those who did brave the elements, they were not disappointed, as a last-minute interception sealed a dramatic 28-21 win for Georgia State.

The beginning of the game started with both teams opening drive ending on failed aggressive play calls.

The Panthers’ opening drive went to Army’s 44-yard line, but they failed to convert on a fourth-down play.

The Black Knights, mirroring Georgia State, had the ball on the Panthers’ 43-yard line but failed to convert a fake punt attempt and turned the ball over on downs.

Dan Ellington and his offense responded and found themselves in the endzone soon after.

Wide receiver Sam Pickney received a 24-yard touchdown pass from Ellington to take a 7-0 lead with 7:47 to go in the first. The senior finished the game 20-28 with 232 yards and three touchdowns.

The Black Knights’ potent option-style offense found a response to level the score a seven before the first quarter came to an end.

The second quarter saw mistakes made by both teams, mainly due to rainy conditions. A costly Ellington fumble in the red zone ruined a promising drive The Black Knights followed suit with a fumble of their own. Victor Heyward stripped running back Jakobi Buchanan and Remy Lazarus recovered.

Pinckney caught another touchdown on the ensuing drive. The received climbed over the Black Knights defender to make a spectacular catch at the 7:41 mark.

Not to be outdone, the Knights answered. This time running back Sandon McCoy rushed for eight yards, tying the game at 14 before halftime.

As the Knights received the second-half kickoff, they set the tone early, eating up 6:43.

With the ball on the Panthers’ 16, the Knights called a reverse which fooled Shawn Elliott’s defense. Wide receiver Jalen Moy rushed home to give the Knights their first lead of the game.

PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL

After Tra Barnett got his name on the scoresheet, a missed points-after-attempt by standout kicker Brandon Wright left the Panthers behind 21-20.

The fourth quarter proved to be the deciding factor in this game. Barnett continued to feed off the aggressive play of the Panthers’ offensive line leading them into Army territory. Ellington finished the drive, this time finding Aubrey Payne for his third touchdown of the night. A successful two point conversion put the Panthers ahead 2820 with 7:41 to go in regulation.

The Black Knights fought hard, but the clock was their ultimate enemy.

As Knights quarterback Kelvin Hopkins Jr. dropped back to pass, cornerback Quavian White intercepted him, halting any chance of a comeback.

Tra Barnett put the nail in the coffin. The senior rushed for a key first down to rush Army hearts and give the Panthers another historic win.

“The effort and the toughness that we had tonight that we had to go out there and defeat this Army team was a joy to watch,” Panthers head coach Shawn Elliott said.

“For our defense to stay the course, do what they needed to do, make the play in the end was just special to watch. What a great victory!”

For Barnett, the offensive line was a standout.

“I want to give credit to my O-line,” Barnett said. “With them, they make everything more easier. I had a lot of faith in them going into this game. I feel like our O-line was better going up against them.”

Barnett finished with 17 carries, rushing for 108 yards and a touchdown. He tied Kyle Neil for a Georgia State record. It was the senior’s 13th 100-yard rushing performance.

Despite the weather conditions, Ellington finished with three touchdowns while also finding three different receivers.

“They play a lot of one-on-one outside coverages with their corners, and I trust my receivers to win the 50-50 battle 100 percent of the time,” Ellington said.

The Panthers will host the Troy Trojans next Saturday and are one win away from being bowl eligible for the third time in school history.

TAKEAWAYS FROM PANTHERS WIN OVER ARMY The Panthers’ 28-21 win over the Army Black Knights improved their overall record to 5-2 on

Touchdown | 7:41 - 2nd

the season and puts them one win away from bowl eligibility.

THE DEFENSE IS RAPIDLY IMPROVING Four games into the season, the defense knew they needed to improve in order to get better and put the team in better positions to win. It is hard to prepare and beat an Army option offense and they showed they are capable at being physical, controlling the line of scrimmage and making necessary plays in order to win.

Touchdown | 1:15 - 2nd Q2 Score

7-7

TRA BARNETT IS FEASTING For the third consecutive week, Barnett rushed for over 100 yards and continues to be a major part in the Panthers ground game. His performance Saturday tied a school record for most touchdowns by a running back in Georgia State history. If Barnett continues to play at a high level like this, not only will he break school records, he may be in contention or the conversation for Sun Belt player of the year.

THE OFFENSIVE LINE CONTINUES TO SHOW OUT Everything on offense begins with the offensive line and they continue to do their job at a high level. Ellington did not get sacked in this contest and the running game continues to open up the playbook. The young offensive line is only getting better.

Touchdown | 1:48 - 3rd

Q3 Score

6-7

GEORGIA STATE TOOK CARE OF THE BALL The Panthers had one turnover for the game.

Although Ellington will be credited for the turnover, coach Elliott states that the turnover did not happen due to conditions but because Ellington was too quick with the snap. In a game with rain, wind and cold, mistakes are bound to happen but the Panthers were comfortable and were not limited.

BRANDON WRIGHT MUST IMPROVE One of the best kickers in the Sun Belt and the nation missed an extra point Saturday which could of been crucial if the Panthers were in a high pressure situation. As long as Wright remains confident, everything will be okay for the Panther.

Punt | 15:00 - 4th

Touchdown | 7:41 - 4th

Q4 Score

Interception | 1:00 - 4th

8-0

Final Score

Georgia State

28

Army

21

SPORTS

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GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

Tori Miller, ex-Basketball Operations with the Phoenix Suns, is introduced into Atlanta as the Assistant GM for the new College Park Skyhawks.

PHOTO BY KRYSTAL WHITE | THE SIGNAL

Tori Miller’s journey to the College Park Skyhawks The front office employee opens up about her life journey KRYSTAL WHITE Staff Reporter

T

ori Miller is the new assistant general manager of the College Park Skyhawks. As a front office employee, Miller has helped the new franchise find its feet. I had the chance to sit down with Miler, who talked about her journey to the position wherein she now finds herself.

Krystal: You were born and raised in Atlanta. Is this a surreal feeling working for your hometown team?

Tori: It’s definitely a surreal feeling. Being able to come back home and work for the Skyhawks in front of my family and friends [means a lot].

Krystal: Was the Atlanta Hawks always your favorite team?

Tori: No, I can’t say that. I always root for the home team, but the Hawks were not my favorite.

Krystal: Who was your favorite?

Tori: I kinda bounced around. I liked the old-school Sacramento Kings, with Bobby Jackson and Mike Bibby.

Krystal: What’s your favorite memory from that team?

Tori: When they lost against the Lakers, that hurt me. I was hurt for a while.

Krystal: The saying in Atlanta is, “Atlanta can’t run without Grady.” Are you a Grady baby?

Tori: I am not.

Krystal: What was your childhood like growing up in Atlanta?

Tori: I am from Decatur, Georgia. I’m the baby of the family. I am a little spoiled. I love my family. We are very tight, close-knit.

Krystal: You went to college at the University of Miami to become a sports agent. What took you out there?

Tori: My sister went to the [University of Georgia]. My husband went to Georgia Tech. I wanted to break the mold and go somewhere else. I really did not like the college-town vibe. Miami is a city similar to Atlanta, with a big-city vibe. At [the University of North Carolina], it

was cold, rainy. I didn’t really like it at all. I went to Miami [for] the palm trees and nice weather.

Krystal: What made you want to switch from being a sports agent to wanting a front-office position?

Tori: Both industries are tough. I interned at a sports agency with an agent named Merle Scott, whose biggest client at that time was Lou Williams. I was there from my sophomore year to my senior year. We would do different projects. I would go through players’ contracts to try and find other contracts that are similar to the players we have.

As I was doing it, I fell in love with the team side of it. This is when I made the switch. I liked to evaluate talent from when I was young. The office is more of the path I wanted to go on.

Krystal: What was the biggest challenge during that time?

Tori: Being told, “No,” by the clients when you were recruiting them. We come so close, but it’s like, “Alright, we are going to go with someone else.” It’s a fun thrill to be able to chase, which is something I enjoyed. I don’t know if that is crazy or what. Being able to hear, “No,” that helped me in the future with my career. I was told, “No,” a lot of times when I wanted to land internships and full-time positions. Just being able to already have that thick skin propelled me and helped me.

Krystal: What advice do you have for someone who is getting told, “No,” repeatedly?

Tori: Don’t quit. If you quit, you are obviously cutting yourself short. I think those who give up are making it easier for everyone else. Always try to be the last man or woman standing, and you will find your way.

Krystal: After you graduated from Miami, you interned with the Phoenix Suns for two seasons. You learned to be a sponge. Who were you trying to gain the most knowledge from?

Tori: Everyone in the organization, from General Manager Ryan McDonough and Assistant General Managers Trevor Bukstein and Pat Connelly. Everyone had a different [role] in the organization, but we were all working towards the same goal. That was big for me because when I transferred to the basketball operations role for the Erie Bayhawks; I

wore all of those hats in one. So being able to be around to listen and learn from them helped me to the position I’m in.

Krystal: What was something they taught you?

Tori: Being ready for whatever. No two days are the same when you are working in the NBA. My day yesterday was different from my day today. Know how to carry yourself in the NBA. Just listening, always being able to adapt and communicate with your group [is important].

Krystal: After your time with the Suns, you weren’t with an NBA team for a year. To step out of the box, you did unpaid scouting and sent the reports to NBA teams. How was that process like?

Tori: I packed up my car and drove cross-country from Phoenix to Atlanta. I went through the process of trying to land another full-time job with a team. After I did not land a full-time position, I decided to do unpaid scouting for a season.

Krystal: What is the biggest difference in working with a G League team and an NBA team?

Tori: In the NBA, there are probably ten of me that do my one job. In the G League, you have to be active, work on the fly and be quick on your toes. I love it because I get to see how all aspects of the team work. One day, I want to be a general manager, so I’ll know the importance of hiring the right people.

Krystal: 2 Chainz is the co-owner of the Skyhawks. How did that happen?

Tori: I honestly don’t know. He is a College Park native. He was brought in early in the process. He wants to be active in the community. His album was like, “Rap or go to the league.” He is very invested in basketball. It was a natural partnership for the group.

Krystal: Win everybody over. Why should we come to support the Skyhawks?

Tori: We are building something great here. Like you said, 2 Chainz [is here]. The buzz around our team is insane. I go out to G League events and everyone is talking about the Skyhawks. If you want to see the future stars of tomorrow, come out to a College Park Skyhawks game.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2019

SPORTS

17

The three biggest questions around men’s basketball

From new stars to a new coach, how will the team fare?

ANDREW FREEDMAN Staff Reporter

G

eorgia State has set a high standard for its Sun Belt Conference basketball rivals over the last few seasons.

Two NCAA Tournament appearances and multiple victories over Power Five schools propelled the Panthers onto the national stage. However, this year may bring about more adversity than the previous two.

From the departure of head coach Ron Hunter to the loss of key players, such as D’Marcus Simonds and Malik Benlevi, a feeling of unpredictability has overshadowed the program Here are three of the biggest questions the Panthers will face heading into the 2019-20 campaign.

WHO IS THE BEST PLAYER ON THIS TEAM? This is arguably the biggest question mark heading into head coach Rob Lanier’s first season at the helm.

The Panthers must replace their four best players from last season: D’Marcus Simonds, Malik Benlevi, Devin Mitchell and Jeff Thomas. Returning guard Kane Williams could be a name that emerges as the leader of the team. Being the only returning player to average over 10 points per game last season, expect him to handle the brunt of the ball-handling and play-making responsibilities this season.

For Williams, the departure of last season’s star players is not necessarily an issue. The 2019-20 season will highlight the group’s potential.

“I think [this season] is going to be a team effort [and] more than individuals,” he said.

So, will Williams become the new face of the team? The answer will be revealed soon, as the team enters a new age when it takes on Brewton-Parker College on Nov. 6.

HOW WILL LANIER REPLACE HUNTER? When the hiring of former University of Tennessee assistant became official, a new era began at Georgia State.

The former St. Bonaventure player has been part of many successful coaching staffs, including Tennessee and the University of Florida. His resume is exceptional. Lanier has experience with many players who are now in the NBA, including Bradley Beal, who recently signed a two-year $72 million contract with the Washington Wizards.

The coach has inherited a young, new-look team and will look to usher them into a new age of success.

Damon Wilson walks down the court during the Panthers’ loss against the Texas State Bobcats.

WILL PERIMETER SHOOTING HAUNT THEM? Last season, the Panthers were second in the conference in three-point percentage. Their 38.4% mark was exceptional as a whole, ranking in the top-20 of Division I. But there’s one thing that’ll make it hard to repeat that this year: The top three shooters from last season are no longer with the program. Coach Hunter’s offense was at its best when

PHOTO BY UNIQUE RODRIGUEZ | THE SIGNAL

players like Mitchell were shooting the lights out from behind the arc. Will Lanier’s offense be similar? And, if so, will it ultimately haunt the team?

There’s plenty of room for optimism. Georgia State will be returning three exceptional shooters from last season in Williams, sophomore guard Nelson Phillips and redshirt senior Damon Wilson. Each of these players shot 40% or better from the three-point line last year.

Women’s soccer returns to win column in style

The team’s 2-0 win over Louisiana was a masterclass MICHAEL CUNEO Staff Reporter

F

riday was Fan Appreciation Night at the GSU Soccer Complex. Head Coach Ed Joyce’s women’s soccer team brought it all in a dominant 2-0 victory over the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns.

The first goal of the match was scored by senior midfielder Brooke Shank, who after weaving her way through a slew of defenders, tapped the ball into the back of the net. It was her first goal of the season.

Shank received her goal thanks to a well-placed cross

by Jolie Ryff, who took on the kick from just outside the penalty box. The duo would meet again less than 10 minutes later.

In the 20th minute, the Panthers started a fast break, and Shank once again was at the center of the action. Shank received the ball on the run and held it for what seemed like an eternity before hitting Ryff with a spectacularly timed through ball. Ryff received the pass and finished the job, beating Cajun’s goalkeeper Mackenzie Lee.

The second half felt like deja vu for both sides, as the Panthers’ backline continued to shut down the Cajuns, making life easy for goalkeeper Kendra Clarke, who only had to make a handful of saves on the night.

It wasn’t until late in the match that Louisiana finally pressured Georgia State when Kaylie Powell’s shot struck the top of the crossbar and ricocheted back into play.

Ultimately, the final burst of effort by Louisiana came too late as the Panthers were able to play keep-away for the last 10 minutes of regulation and secure the victory.

So, which players stood out?

BROOKE SHANK Shank hadn’t scored all season, but that didn’t stop the senior midfielder from delivering one of her best performances of the year. With a goal and an assist on the night, Shank was able to get the monkey off her back.

“Honestly I haven’t scored since preseason so if I miss this I’m quitting soccer,” Shank said about her first goal of the season. “It was good to get a goal for the team because if we get one, we’ll keep rolling.”

Head Coach Ed Joyce had nothing but praise for his senior midfielder.

“Shank’s been probably the best player in the conference

for four years,” he said. “[She] hasn’t got a lot of respect from everyone else and finally got the monkey off her back, so to speak, and scored.”

JOLIE RYFF Like Shank, Ryff seemed to be everywhere on Friday night. Whether it was supplying the ball into the box for an assist or timing her run perfectly to beat the opposition’s defenders and score, Ryff was a problem for the Ragin’ Cajuns all night.

JIMENA CABRERO Cabrero turned in another impressive performance, this time doing the dirty work at both ends of the field. An early cross and a shot set the tone for the Panthers, and it carried throughout the entire game.

“I don’t think there’s a better player in the league at holding the ball up back to goal,” Joyce said. “I needed to get somebody central that was really going to hold the ball, Jimena’s probably the best we have at doing that.”

Ultimately, these three players shined Saturday night, but it was the Panthers defense that stood tall and collectively kept the Cajuns scoreless.

18

SPORTS

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

Tehya Lyons puts up a shot during the Georgia State women’s basketball game against South Alabama.

PHOTO BY UNIQUE RODRIGUEZ | THE SIGNAL

How will the Panthers fare on the hardwood this season?

The sports staff predicts the men’s and women’s seasons ESPEN INDRISANO, ANDREW FREEDMAN, KRYSTAL WHITE & AVERY WIGGINS

B

asketball season is upon us. Let’s talk about it.

On the men’s side, the Ron Hunter era is over.

After the coach accepted the head coach position at Tulane University, Rob Lanier, former assistant coach of the Tennessee Volunteers, is now at the wheel. Coming off their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance, the newlook squad will be hoping to match last season’s excitement and ultimate glory.

On the women’s side, Gene Hill is entering his second year in command of the squad that finished last season 1714. Although the young team may need to go through some early season growing pains, there will be plenty of offensive firepower to look forward to.

The main question is how will the teams fare, and what should your overall expectations be?

ESPEN INDRISANO’S OUTLOOK They don’t call it the “Fun Belt” for no reason. Georgia State competes in a conference where the last-placed team is always worthy of giving the top teams a run for their money.

Now, am I saying our teams will be at the bottom of the pack? No. But I do think that this season, especially on the men’s side, may bring a few more losses than fans would want to see.

Let’s start with the women. Jada Lewis, fresh off a stellar 2018-19 season, will provide a constant scoring threat from the guard position. Can the redshirt junior be the leader the team needs? Absolutely.

Seniors Shaquanda Miller-McCray and Madison Ervin will also be responsible for leading the young team through a tough schedule. When it’s all said and done, I see no reason why the team can’t fight for another middle spot in the conference. I am predicting a final record of 15-15, good enough for a fourth- or fifth-place finish in the conference.

Now, the men have also lost quite a bit of talent. D’Marcus Simonds, Jeff Thomas and Malik Benlevi are just a few of the names that will no longer grace the GSU Sports Arena.

Like the women, can those who remain fill that void?

Kane Williams and Damon Wilson will surely be an exciting pair to watch in the backcourt. Incoming freshman Joe Jones III and Jalen Thomas will bring in some muchneeded height. Will it be enough to challenge for the Sun Belt crown? Chances are that the streak will end this year; however, I do think the team will remain competitive.

I am predicting an overall final record of 17-14. Unless a fairytale conference tournament run concludes the season, the team will probably not make the NCAA Tournament.

ANDREW FREEDMAN’S MEN’S PREDICTIONS Coming off of two Sun Belt Conference titles, this is a hungry Panthers squad that looks very different from last year. However, there are many changes that need to be mentioned before this season.

Rob Lanier, new head coach, and former St. Bonaventure player, will have pressure on his head to continue the solid performances that the Panthers put up the last few seasons.

He’ll be accompanied on the sidelines by many new faces.

All listed coaches, both graduate assistants and the strength and conditioning coach, will all be new to the program.

Players such as D’Marcus Simonds, Jeff Thomas, and Malik Benlevi will be missed on both ends of the floor, but there are guys on this team who are prepared to step up more than they have before in their college careers.

Kane Williams, Damon Wilson, Corey Allen and Nelson Phillips are all names to look out for this season. Each has a skill set that complements the other and it gives the team optimism for this season. What’s more, the departures of upperclassmen give room for those who took a backseat last year. They watched and learned how to succeed, and they will continue to build on the foundation that the team set last year.

Overall, this is a team that should win 22+ games this season. Their key games include road games at Duke on Nov. 15 and Georgetown on Nov. 17. The trip to Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium will arguably one of the biggest games in program history.

KRYSTAL WHITE’S WOMEN’S PREDICTIONS Georgia State’s women’s basketball had a dramatic turnaround last season, finishing with a 17-14 record under

the new head coach Gene Hill. Only five players from last season will be returning. Seven freshmen and four transfers are going to be suiting up for the Panthers this season.

My prediction is the team will finish with a 19-12 record.

In the first few games, the team will struggle with gelling together but will figure it out as the season goes along. The freshmen are going to step up and contribute to the team’s success.

The team will make it to the semi-finals of the Sun Belt Tournament, but fall just short of conference glory. Jada Lewis will have another strong season and make the Sun Belt Conference First Team.

While the team will not make the NCAA Tournament this season, it will improve this upcoming off-season and have a legitimate chance of competing in next season’s dance.

AVERY WIGGINS’S MEN’S PREDICTIONS Returning starters Kane Williams and Damon Wilson will be vital to any success the team has this season. Williams was fifth on the team last year in points, with 11.1 per game, and led the team in steals, with 1.9 per game. Other returning players include forwards Chris Clerkley, Kavonte Ivery and Josh Linder, as well as guard Nelson Phillips.

There are some newcomers as well. Freshmen big men Joe Jones lll and Jalen Thomas will add some much-needed size to the interior. Also, after being redshirted for the 201819 season, guards Corey Allen and Justin Roberts will be eligible to play. These four will add a much-needed bench presence and will be able to apply pressure to the opposing team when the starters are resting on the bench.

Having ranked fourth in scoring defense and sixth in scoring offense last season, there is one key on both sides of the ball that the Panthers need to keep up in order to be successful this year. On defense, the Panthers need to keep generating turnovers by blocking shots and getting steals.

On offense, the Panthers need to keep taking and making three-point shots.

I believe that a balanced attack on both sides, as well as steady contributions off the bench will lead the Panthers to yet another Sun Belt title and punch their ticket to the Big Dance in March.

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