Fall Sports Preview page 18
Week of August 29, 2011
Vol. 84, Issue #1
RIC under construction
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RIC, myself and Irene
Campus left in the dark By George Bissell Editor-in-Chief
Rhode Island College was not spared from the wrath of Hurricane Irene, a tropical storm the size of Europe (550 miles in width) that dumped several inches of rain and left thousands of Rhode Island residents without power due to high winds that took down trees and damaged utility lines statewide. National Grid estimates that more than 340,000 of the 480,000 Rhode Island electrical customers experienced power failures as a result of the tropical storm, including RIC. As of Monday Aug. 29, RIC was one of 276,328 customers still without commercial power and was running primarily on generator power. Due to intermittent power availability, day and evening classes remained cancelled for Monday, Aug. 29. Day classes on Tuesday, Aug. 30 were cancelled as well. However, evening classes beginning at or after 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 30, are to be held as regularly scheduled.
Due to generators located around campus, Donovan Dining Center and all of the residence halls are fully operational, which allowed resident students to move in as planned on Monday afternoon. However, the See POWER Page 5
Irene pummels the East Coast By Alexander J. Hoffman News Editor
Hurricane Irene swept up the majority the U.S. East Coast this past weekend leaving disaster in its wake. Irene peaked at only a Category 2 and quickly dropped back down to a Category 1 hurricane. A hurricane’s category is determined by the strength of its wind speed. A Category 1 storm typically has winds topping out at 80 – 90 mph, nowhere near the 150+ winds seen in a Category 5 hurricane like Katrina. However, despite this storm topping out at a maximum
of 80 mph winds, the pressure of this storm was in the range of 950 – 970 millibars, putting it among the top 30 worst hurricanes of all time. The pressure from this storm and the amount of rainfall were the main culprits causing the massive amounts of flooding sustained all over the East Coast. The combination of flooding and wind blowing at a constant 50+ mph has caused long-term power outages in 13 states. Hurricane Irene at one point reached a size of 550 miles across, or roughly the size of the European continent, as it barreled up the coast.
According to CNN, 21 people have been reported dead across nine states with North Carolina suffering the bulk of the casualties. North Carolina was arguably the most affected by this storm. Flooding is a major concern as far west as Greensboro in the middle of the state. CNN reported over 444,000 customers are still without power Sunday afternoon. Residents of Hatteras Island were issued mandatory evacuation notices, though 2,500 people ignored the warning. Emergency ferries still have not been able to reach those stranded on the island.
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In Vermont the flooding has been described as the worst the state has seen since 1927. Most of the state is without power and officials are extremely concerned about the structural integrity of a vast majority of See NATIONAL Page 5
Check out theanchoronline.org for exclusive photos of Hurricane Irene’s damage at Rhode Island College.
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Construction sweeps campus through summer months, to continue By Aaron Buckley Anchor Editor
Rhode Island College has had its share of construction over the last couple of years, and it only shows signs of picking up. Over the summer, massive renovations were accomplished across most of campus, some of them very visible and others integral but not necessarily apparent to students. One of the biggest projects to finish up has been the replacement of the campus’ water main piping system. President Barack Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, commonly known as the massive stimulus package of 2009, has allocated millions of dollars to Rhode Island College for infrastructure repairs. The majority of this money has been used to replace the main underground water system that runs through the college and supplies water to all of its buildings. This daunting project is the reason for the newly patched pavement on campus roads, but
it was vital to have it done as soon as possible. The old water system dates back as far as the 1940s, when RIC first relocated to Mount Pleasant from the area currently occupied by the Providence Place Mall. Now that construction is nearing completion, students can enjoy a much more flexible and versatile water system. Immediately noticeable improvements include; better water pressure in the residence hall showers, cleaner water in the bathrooms and water fountains on campus and improved drainage. The remainder of the funds, which had to be spent by September, will be used to completely rip up and pave Library Road, and completely re-surface College Road. The remaining road construction is slated to be completed by the time the cold weather hits. Meanwhile, one project that was supposed to be completed this semester will instead open in the spring. The Recreation Center is undergoing a complete, multi-million dollar overhaul. The current facility
was last remodeled several decades ago and has not aged well. The renovations include a new lobby and outside patio with bicycle racks, a brand new, two-story weight room and fitness center with high definition televisions and all new gym equipment, a re-designed dance studio, renovated locker rooms and saunas and sound-proofing of the field house. The field house will become a mecca of campus life and be able to host and support professional speakers, concerts and other events. Student Community Government Inc.’s newly created Student Entertainment Commission has been directed to spend up to $70,000 this academic year to bring a major concert to campus at the end of spring semester. The renovations were held up by the state government’s bidding process and, the new facility is slated to be ready for use soon after winter break. Some other notable construction projects include the See CONSTRUCTION Page 3
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Greenhouse contrustion continues into the fall semester
Campus Climate
Tuesday Sunny High 80° Low 59°
Wednesday Mostly Sunny High 83° Low 61°
Thurday Partly Cloudy High 77° Low 57°
Friday Partly Cloudy High 75° Low 59°
Saturday Partly Cloudy High 77° Low 66°
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The Anchor is student-run and published weekly during the academic year. Editorial decisions for The Anchor are made by a majority vote of its student editorial board. No form of censorship will be imposed by the college. Any material found to be unsuitable or unacceptable in the board’s opinion will not be published. The views expressed in The Anchor, unless otherwise noted, are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent those of The Anchor or of Rhode Island College’s faculty, administration or student body. The Anchor is not funded by and is independant from Rhode Island College. The first copy is free. Each additional copy is $2.25. Copyright © 2011 The Anchor. All rights reserved.
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A message from your Student Body President Fellow Students, My name is Travis Escobar. I am serving in my second term as student body president, I love Rhode Island College, and I serve my position with pride every single day. As many of you do not know who I am, let me introduce myself. This is my fourth year attending RIC. I am a political science major and I know how to balance my academics with some fun. I have been a part of Student Community Government, Inc. for three years and I have been doing everything in my power to improve campus life. My goal is to see a very active RIC campus. I know juggling class, work and entertainment can be difficult; however, the student organizations here at RIC are working extremely hard to make sure you can have a great college experience. We work countless hours to organize free events for you to enjoy. I
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Art Center, the Student Union and ongoing rehabilitation of classroom space. Rhode Island taxpayers authorized a higher education bond this past election that provides money for an overhaul of the campus’ ailing Arts Center, considered one of the buildings in worst condition on campus. The new facility will provide expanded space for galleries and workshops, new office space for faculty, a complete re-design of the interior rooms and will consolidate many of the college’s artistic departments under one roof. The Student Union is currently in the planning and design stages of an overhaul, slated to include new and expanded
encourage you to attend Student Activities Day on Wednesday, Sept. 14 during free period on the quad to see what opportunities your fellow students have to offer. I also want to remind every student that your Student Government is here for you. We are located in Student Union Room 401. If you ever have a great idea, suggestion or even a complaint, feel free to stop by the office. If you want to be a part of RIC campus life or join Student Government, come by. We have a new website at scg. ric.edu with additional information. This year SCG will be working on organizing a large scale concert at the end of the year, continuing the “Books for Community Involvement” program for students who attend student organization events or meetings, continuing to expand the library hours during exam week, providing a discount card for students to use at local vendors,
giving free income tax service to students and advocating for a new school spirit day filled with many activities to entertain you and to bring more student pride to this institution. We will be working on many other projects to improve campus life this year and we will never forget about issues pertaining to academics, Donovan food service, parking, RIPTA and all of the other services on this campus that effect students. We work to serve you and we hope to see more student involvement this year. I want to wish every student good luck on their academics. My door is always open to discuss any idea or issue you may have. And I want you to feel free to talk to me if you see me around on campus or at a social function. I leave you with a quote that I think best exemplifies college life; “You have four years to be irresponsible here. Relax. Work is for people with jobs. You’ll never remember class
space for student organizations, a large lounge and lobby space and other amenities. It will seek to consolidate a number of student-centric departments and services, such as SCG, Student Activities, the Office of Student Life and the Campus Store in one easily accessible location. Academic space rehabilitation has been a prime objective of the college for the last couple of years under President Nancy Carriuolo. Last year saw the renovation of the first several floors of Craig Lee Hall, with new classroom space and benches installed in the corridors. This year, further repairs have been made to Craig Lee’s staircases, doors, walls and additional classrooms. Fogarty Life Sciences has received extensive lighting and energy conservation improvements. Gaige Hall’s computer labs are
currently in the final stages of renovation, including new carpets, desks, lighting and walls. Horace Mann and the STEM Center on the second floor of Henry Barnard School have been the recipients of extensive re-design as part of a state initiative focusing on scientific and mathematics education, and many of their facilities sport new carpeting and classroom electronic technology. Clark Physical Sciences is finishing up the complete overhaul of its two main lecture halls, which includes dual projector screens, new seating and lighting and special touch-based teaching podiums. Finally, many improvements are ongoing in the outdoor areas of campus. Art installations are continuing to pop up at main intersections on campus, including around the quad,
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Student Body President, Travis Escobar. time, but you’ll remember time you wasted hanging out with your friends. So, stay out late. Go out on a Tuesday with your friends when you have a paper due Wednesday. Spend money you don’t have. The work never ends, but college does...” – Tom
Petty See you around campus!
outside of the Student Union and Clark Sciences. The quad itself has been laid with new concrete in many areas torn up by the water main construction and new grass has been planted outside the Student Union. A dedicated RIPTA bus shelter is in the final design stages and is
expected to be constructed at the stop outside of Roberts Hall by the time the cold weather hits. Overall, the campus today is not the same Rhode Island College it was two years ago, and the changes taking place now will completely transform the campus two years out.
Travis Escobar, 42nd President of Rhode Island College Student Community Government Inc.
Anchor Photo/Tom Lima
Construction left quad in shambles throughout the summer
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Freshmen Electrical Outages around RI Elections By Jordan Day Anchor Contributor
On Sept. 28 freshmen and sophomore elections are to be held. There are two reasons why this might be important to you. First, you might want to vote to support your friend. Second, you might want to run for a position. Both the freshmen and sophomore classes have positions available. For the sophomore class, vice president, secretary and treasurer are all open positions. If you were interested last year, but did not get the chance to run, here is your opportunity. The freshman class is a little different. There are the four main positions, president, vice president, secretary and treasurer; but, there are also three freshmen representative positions. These representatives
are given seats in Parliament and these seats are put aside because the freshman class does not have the ability to join Parliament in the spring. As a freshman representative, you have to commit to attending Parliament meetings on Wednesdays, generally held at 7 p.m. If you’re interested in a position, stop by Student Community Government, Inc. in Student Union Room 401 to sign up. The declaration period begins Sept. 13 at 9 a.m. and ends on Sept. 20 at 3 p.m. Elections are to be held in Donovan Dining Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 28. If you have any questions go to the SCG office in the Student Union or contact Jordan Day, vice president of SCG at vicepresident@scg. ric.edu or call (401) 456-8540.
Classes 101 By Alexander Hoffman News Editor
A new school year is about to begin and there are a few key dates every student should be aware of. The most important time of any semester is the Add/ Drop period. The Add/Drop period is the point in time when students can add or drop a class without penalty. This means that if you hate your professor, you can drop their class and not have a “W” on your transcript. You can also add a class that might have been full during the spring or summer enrollment periods. The Add/Drop Period at Rhode Island College ends Tuesday, Sept. 13 for the Fall 2011 academic semester. De-
pending on what happens with hurricane Irene, the date may be pushed back a day or two to compensate for the lost time. Another important thing to remember about Monday classes in the Fall, they sometimes meet on Tuesdays. Why? To accommodate all of those nice three-day weekends throughout the Fall semester. This year, Monday classes will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 11 and Friday classes will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 9. If you happen to get stuck in a class you hate or have complications arise in the middle of the semester, Friday Nov. 4 is the last day you can withdraw from classes without permission. Classes dropped after the Add/ Drop period but before Nov. 4
show up on your transcript as a “W” for withdrawal. After the November deadline however,
a professor or department head must sign off on your withdrawal from the class. Do not
let yourself end up with an “F” in a class because you ignored the calendar.
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lack of commercial power has left many building in the dark, most notably the Murray Center. Student Union and Craig Lee. According to RIC Athletic Director Don Tencher, the college’s electrical issues are all off-campus. “National Grid is assessing the damage and working to restore power to the area,” said Tencher. “According to them, we are one of 15 priority areas that they are working on to restore power to.” Overall, RIC sustained very little physical damage to the campus. No buildings suffered any structural damage, and while the college lost commercial power, the generators around campus were all up and running to restore it. One of the few areas on campus that is still feeling the impact of the storm is the aforementioned Student Union, which is running on emergency power at the moment. As a result, WXIN is currently off the air due to a lack of full power in the Student Union, where the FM transmitter is located. Until commercial power is restored to the campus, WXIN will remain off the air. “We weathered the storm very well,” said Tencher. “Rain and water damage was kept to a minimum. There was some minor flooding in the
basement of Craig-Lee, but that was about it.” According to Tencher, the most significant damage from the storm came as a result of gusting winds, which took down trees all across the 180acre campus. “Tons of trees came down, which we anticipated,” said Tencher. Greg Gammell, RIC Assistant Director of Facilities and Operations, was the architect of the college’s response to the deadly storm. Gammell, anticipating damage to occur from fallen trees, arranged for a tree company to arrive and begin working at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday Aug. 28. The preemptive measure helped the college recover quickly from extensive damage caused by fallen trees. While the college worked diligently to clear paths and roads around campus, a major cleanup effort occurred on College Road. According to Tencher, College Road was a “disaster” after three trees fell, taking down commercial power and phone lines in the process. Fortunately the tree company was able to clean up the mess and the down lines were repaired. “Everything went according to plan,” said Tencher of the massive cleanup operation. The cost incurred by running the generators that power the campus at the moment and the labor costs associated with the cleanup remain an issue.
Turn to page 12 for photos from the storm.
Week of August 29, 2011
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You can affect the news. Write for The Anchor. Contact gbissell@anchorweb.org to see about opportunities to write for us.
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bridges. Some rivers have even reached the 20-foot flood stage, which is worse than the 17.5feet that occurred back in May. New York City faired better than early projections, however over 50,000 residents are still without power. All rail, subway, tunnels and bridges remain closed. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo told CNN, “The conditions are still too dangerous. We can’t put people on bridges; we can’t put people in tunnels. Once we get a full assessment, we will give people an idea of when the system will come online.” The East River and Hudson River overflowed their banks and spilled into the city. The flooding prompted New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg to order mandatory evacuations for 370,000 people mostly in Long Beach. While Rhode Island was not hit nearly as hard as pre-
dicted, the state still suffered widespread damage from the sustained hurricane force winds. Flooding is not a major concern in most of the state due to the lackluster rainfall of merely one and half inches. However, in Warwick, city workers were dispatched to rescue residents that did not heed evacuation warnings. Power to over a quarter of the state is still offline. Trees litter roads and yards across all 39 cities and towns. The main concern here is assessing the extent of damage done to the power grid. According to the Providence Journal, 283,891 Rhode Islanders are still without power. In Jamestown, 100 percent of residents are still in the dark due to the main power line to Aquidneck Island going down. 10 other communities report over 90 percent of residents without power. National Grid estimates it could be up to an entire week before power is restored to the whole state. The energy company is working to come up with a plan of action to restore power as quickly as
possible. At a news conference Monday, National Grid Spokesperson, Tim Horan said, “We’re still assessing quite a bit of the state, but we have quite a bit of restoration that’s taking place at the same time.” In addition to the massive power blackouts across the state, some communities are also without running water. The East Smithfield water district sent out an advisory to all residents in the area that they should boil water before drinking it. Power to one of the main pumping stations was knocked out in the storm according to the Providence Journal. Several school districts have been forced to postpone the start of the new school year. Rhode Island College cancelled classes for Monday, Aug. 29 on Thursday in preparation for the storm and was forced to cancel all morning and afternoon classes for Tuesday. The Providence school district is still unsure whether classes will start as scheduled on Wednesday.
Editorial A message from the Editor-in-Chief
Week of August 29, 2011
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It is our hope that you will continue to read The Anchor, the most prestigious student organization at RIC, a student run publication which has been printing since 1928, throughout the year. Our staff includes some of the most talented writers the college has to offer with a singular mission for this upcoming year: delivering you the stories that impact the college community on a weekly basis. If you have any questions or are interested in becoming a part of The Anchor, stop by our office located in the Ducey Media Center or shoot me an email at editorinchief@anchorweb.org. I leave you with this message from Bill Simmons, an iconic sportswriter for ESPN and the founder of Grantland.com: “It’s my duty to pass along these five rules for anyone heading to college: stay active beyond your classes (newspaper, radio station, etc.); don’t date anyone for longer than two semesters; always drink liquor before beer and not vice-versa; don’t forget
The Anchor Newspaper
I know what you’re thinking. What could possibly happen next? What does it mean when your semester starts with an earthquake and a hurricane in the span of a week? It is times like these when we realize just how fortunate we all are to have the opportunity to attend college. We complain about parking and other trivial matters all of the time and often it takes a natural disaster or a crisis to put it all in perspective for us and help us realize just how fortunate we are to be in college. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone back for another semester and also welcome the Class of 2015 to Rhode Island College! If you have picked up this copy of The Anchor, you’ve made your first great decision of the semester. In this issue, we cover Hurricane Irene’s impact on the college community, the latest update on the construction around campus, a fall concert preview and a fall sports preview for seven RIC varsity athletic programs.
to call your parents every few days; and approach your classes the same way Shaq approached his NBA career. In other words, don’t kill yourself trying to become the best center of all time; just do enough to eventually get mentioned in the top 10, and enjoy every moment along the way. Shaq could have ended up with a 3.95 in the NBA; he settled for a 3.4. Ultimately, did it really matter? He won four rings, made something like $300 million, clinched a spot on the ‘best 15 players ever’ list, kicked ass for three straight postseasons and will be remembered by everybody who watched him. That’s what you want to get out of college.”
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Letters to the Editor
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Write a Letter to the Editor! Submit your 450 words or less to editorinchief@anchorweb.org. The editor reserves the right to reject letters or edit for clarity, brevity, good taste, accuracy and to prevent libel. No poetry, attacks on private individuals, or letter-writing campaigns, please. Due to the volume of letters, writers are asked to limit submissions to one per week. Include a phone number where you can be reached during the day.
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Letters to the Editor Policy The Anchor welcomes letters of up to 450 words. The editor reserves the right to reject letters or edit for clarity, brevity, good taste, accuracy and to prevent libel. E-mail letters to: editorinchief@anchorweb.org No poetry, attacks on private individuals, or letter-writing campaigns, please. Due to the volume of letters, writers are asked to limit submissions to one per week. Include a phone number where you can be reached during the day. Questions? Call: (401) 456-8280
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Choosing your club
By Samantha Mandeville Managing Editor
I’m not referring to your nightlife shenanigans; that’s for another article, I’m sure. I’m talking about your campus clubs. You spend almost all of your time here on campus for your classes, and what’s a better way to spend your time or make friends in a new school year than joining a club? Rhode Island College offers 77 different student clubs that are open to anyone. Here is a quick run-down of a handful of wellknown clubs at RIC. Many students are unaware of the existence of the Ducey
Media Center at RIC, but there are three very influential student organizations that reside in the building that are always looking for new members. If you have any interest in the media, RIC has a student-run newspaper The Anchor, TV station Anchor TV and radio station 90.7 WXIN. All three clubs offer exceptional experiences in their fields – and are on the constant look out for new writers, show ideas and DJs. The Anchor, in recent years, has become one of the top college papers in the country and has received RIC’s “Most Improved Organization” award in 2010; Anchor TV won “Best New Club” two years ago
and “Most Improved Organization” at last year’s awards; and 90.7 WXIN also received the “Organization of the Year” award this past year. The media center is connected to Donovan dining center near the Student Union just keep an ear out for music as WXIN plays on the building’s outside speakers. On the other hand, if you attend a social event on campus, it’s likely that RIC Programming sponsored it. They help plan several trips during the school year, along with campus events like Horrorween, RIC End and other educational and recreational events such as foam parties. So if you don’t
mind talking in front of a crowd and you like event planning, then this club may be a good fit for you. If you’re living in the dorms, you might think about joining the Resident Student Association. RSA is a council for resident students. They are in charge of dorm events and helping to meet the needs of the student body. Other clubs include Rainbow Alliance which is here to listen and help anyone in the LGBTQ community. If you’re a Japanese Anime fan or enjoy Asian interests there is the Otaku club. Join them for nights of anime, cosplay or talk of
video games. The new Extreme Performance Interactive Circus club won “Best New Club” this past year and would love to teach you some interesting circus tricks. This is but a small sampling of what RIC can offer to you. For more you can go on the www.ric.edu website for a full list of student organizations, or you can wait for Student Activities Day on Sept. 14 during free period in the Quad. Either way, I hope you join a club and have a lot of fun with your time here at RIC.
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Student Activites Day offers a chance for students to see all the clubs offered on campus.
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Parking on campus and the Student Union Welcome Center, one you will learn to hate and the other you learn to love.
The commuter’s Survival guide to RIC By Eddie Taylor Managing Editor
So it’s your first day back to school and, if you’re like me, you’re probably coming to RIC as a commuter student. About 80% of RIC students have to drag their groggy selves out of bed at a God forsaken hour every morning to show up to class. You’ll hear a lot of kids here say that RIC just doesn’t have a lot to offer commuter students, but as a commuter at large representative for student community government and a commuter myself I want to tell you that’s a bunch of bull. So here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your commuting career. Parking: Dear Lord, parking at RIC should be an article in and of itself since the school is known for its dismal amount of parking spots compared to its growing student body. If you want to get onto campus quick and save yourself the 20
minute walk from parking lot A to Gaige here’s a few tips. Schedule early morning classes; yeah they should be reserved for those lucky resident students who can literally roll out of bed at 7:50a.m. and make it to class at 8, but early morning classes will almost guarantee you get a good parking spot. Early classes are brutal but you can do them, just Dunkin Donuts will become your best friend. Parking also gets easier with night classes if you refuse to wake up early. Try to get on campus at least twenty minutes before your class. Just don’t become one of those parking vultures that follow me as I walk to my car from one lot to another, creepers. Social Life: I’ll admit, being a commuter at RIC does come with a few disadvantages and trying to meet people is one of them. Being a commuter it’s just so tempting to keep to yourself between classes or even go home. Fight the temptation. RIC students can be an anti-
social bunch, but most people will perk up if you actually go out of your way to talk to them. If everyone is sitting in silence before the professor walks into class start up a conversation with a few people or even the whole room. Most of your classmates want to talk as much as you do. If you get along with a few kids in a certain class start a study group. It sounds nerdy, but odds are you’ll hardly study and create a new clique of friends. Try to keep to touch with kids you really hit it off with in your classes by texting or talking online between semesters, otherwise you’ll lose touch as your friends enter new classes and get buried under a new mountain of school work. You can also join a few clubs. On most college campuses clubs are a big deal and as much a part of the college experience as partying and making memories you’ll laugh at later in life but never tell your
kids. Plus becoming an officer of an organization looks great on a resume. Make the most of your tuition: College is expensive and since you’re paying out the nose right now you’d better make sure you make the most of it. Living in the dorms really can be the best way to get the most of the campus, but that would just rack up another eight grand a year on your student loan. Use the library to study between classes. Work out at the campus athletic center. You’ll get to know fellow students and there will be eye candy for you while you work out no matter what your preference. Go to a few sporting events and cheer on RIC athletes like a real college student and show your school spirit rather than just sitting at home like most people at this school. You know that big building in the center of campus called the Student Union? Actually spend a little time in there once
in a while. You’ll find flyers advertising upcoming events or you can save the paper and talk to the students who work at the student activities desk to see what’s going on. My hint for you is to look into the trips that Programming and other clubs sponsor throughout the year. You could go to a Red Sox game on the cheap. I would also recommend looking into the trip to Montreal that Programming hosts in the fall semester for usually less than 200 bucks. You get the bus ride to the city and a spot in a hotel room for an entire weekend. Plus the drinking age is 18 in Canada. That’s all I am saying, but I think you get the idea. Commuting may be tough at times, especially on your gas tank depending on where you live, but trust me it’s worth it. RIC can be a fun school whether you live here or not.
Week of August 29, 2011
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RIC
Student Resourses By Alexandra Weston Lifestyles Editor
Many students at Rhode Island College spend most of their time on campus either in class, eating at the dining center or café or studying in the library. It’s no surprise that many are unaware of the resources available to them. RIC offers students free oncampus programs that can help with things like career development, course selection for undeclared students, financial issues and even emotional problems. For example, if you’re having trouble adjusting to dorm or commuter life at RIC, or if you feel like college is too stressful and you need someone to talk to stop by the Counseling Center located in Craig-Lee Hall. The Counseling Center is available for students who need short-term one-on-one psychotherapy for emotional or educational problems, and they also offer group workshops for things such as substance abuse, stress management and crisis intervention. Another very useful resource for students is the Office of Academic Support and Information Services (OASIS) located on the second floor of Craig-Lee Hall. Here, students who are undeclared can get help choosing classes, changing their majors or get guidance on academic policies. Students can also receive oneon-one tutoring here for their classes, or specifically math at the Mathematics Learning Center. If students need help with their transition into the job
market, the Career Development Center, also located in Craig-Lee Hall, is a valuable resource. Students can meet with Center staff to discuss job or internship opportunities in their career of choice, get valuable information regarding resume and cover letter preparation and presentation, or assess their accomplishments and learn to reflect them in the most effective way. Career Development holds Job Fairs throughout the year where students can meet with business representatives, ask questions and maybe hand out a few resumes. This department also has an online resource called “Destinations” where students and RIC alumni can search through various job and internship opportunities and even apply for them. These are only a few of the many free on-campus resources that students can use at their leisure. Others include the Unity Center, the Women’s Center, Office of Student Life and the Writing Center. Students can use any of these centers for their benefit. It’s one of the best ways to get the most out of your college experience and tuition. To search for any other resources that you may need, go to www.ric. edu and click on the “Current Students” tab.
Lifestyles
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RI Billards, Bar and Bistro
By Timothy Hordern Anchor Staff Writer
Ever want to play pool, but had no idea where to go? Did you ever have the hankering to go to a place with more history than a high school history textbook book? Well look no further than Rhode Island Billiards Bar and Bistro. With the establishment celebrating its 101st year in operation, it has the credit and history of a good time to back it up. Located at 2026 Smith Street in North Providence, it is only a five-minute drive from Rhode Island College. At first glance, RI Billiards is just like any other pool hall. There’s a nice area for eating, two extensive bars and several games to enjoy. The room inside this building is spacious, with around 8,000 square feet to play pool. So you don’t need to worry about being on top of each other. As a first time customer put it, “We loved the equipment. The ambience is nice. Great place to bring the family and hang out. Very spacious and the staff is excellent! Oh and the prices are very reasonable.” Another customer I encountered, called “The Arkansas Traveler,” said, “This has to be the best place to play pool. I moved here in November and live just around here. The staff
is very friendly to talk to and have a drink. The history here is great, lots to look at on the walls. The sports memorabilia even is expansive. It takes hours to fully take it all in. It’s like a museum. But the crowd is nice and I have never felt threatened here. It’s a nice place.” Knowing what some regulars thought, I then got to spend some time talking with the owner, Anthony Costanzo III. “This is not your average college bar,” Costanzo said. “Just listen to these bathroom floors.” He was right; the bathroom looked as though it belonged in a five-star hotel, not a college hangout. Costanzo went on to discuss the format of the building and how he hopes to expand and set up more pool tables. Then, the conversation went to the billiards past history and how it became the pool hall it is today. “My father started to convert this place to cater to the college clientele,” Costanzo said. “We run specials for those on a tight budget and keep it friendly in here. On Thursday, after 9 p.m., if you’re over 21, you get free pool. Before 9 p.m. on Thursday, with a college ID and driver’s license, you get free pool. We also have a special of $29.99 pizza, wings, beer and one-hour of pool and have an under 21 option”.
Costanzo also informed me that RI Billiards has a pool league for eight-ball, nine-ball, straight pool and one-pocket pool. After our talk, I thanked him and explored the pool hall some more. One thing I noticed is that the menu is very extensive and reasonable. With sandwiches from $3.99 - $5.50 and burgers starting at $4.99, it is something to check out. If you go, I suggest the “Burger-in-Paradise”. With fries and a coke it came to $7.12. It is a 1/3lb burger on a glazed doughnut. I know it may sound weird, but your life will be complete after trying this. If you are really hungry, they offer an all-you-can-eat pasta and pizza for $9.99 for one and up to $35.99 for four people. One final note, if you are really hungry and up for an experience, try the Minnesota Fats Burger Challenge. All that stands in your way of a free t-shirt and recognition is a 20oz burger with the fixings! If you find yourself bored and looking for a grand time, come check out RI Billiards Bar and Bistro. With 14 pool tables and TVs everywhere with plenty of seating to eat and play, it’s the perfect place to hang out and have fun. For more information visit www. ribbb.com or call at 401-2321331.
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Lifestyles
Adjusting to Dorm Life By Katelyn Hurd Anchor Editor
Moving into a dorm room for the first time can be like taking medicine – everyone reacts differently. Whether it’s a good or bad reaction, our bodies adjust to the change. Typically living in a dorm is the first time a person lives away from home. Some new residents may immediately fall in love with the freedom whereas others may miss their home-life. Either way, moving away from home for the first time is an important part of growing up and maturing. I’m not here to tell you the obvious about dorm life, like the fact that having a pair of water proof shoes (like rain boots) will probably be the best investment you can make when walking to class during bad weather, or that bed risers can add height to your bed, creating room for storage. There are many more social steps you can take to getting the most out of living on campus. Sometimes it is best, especially your freshmen year, to randomly be placed with a roommate or suitemates. When entering a new school this can be intimidating, but it is an easier way to meet new people. Even if you are not joined at the hip with your roommate, it is nice to have someone there for you before you both branch out and make new friends. Many say that there is a lot of drama in dorm buildings. When you meet someone for a brief period of time it is easy for him or her to be fake and not show their true personality. When you live with someone, there is no hiding it, all their true colors show at some point. Your first time living with someone new may be a little rough because of this but you will get through it. Just remember to take every-
thing as a learning experience; dealing with people who are difficult is a huge part of growing up. Be sure to establish ground rules with the people you are living with. If you have a problem with something one of the other residents is doing, holding all of these emotions in will make you miserable and it may erupt into a fight. It’s best to avoid this by making your opinions known sooner rather than later. Sometimes, it is hard to deal with being homesick. The best advice I can give you for this is to get involved with a club on campus. I strongly advise looking into joining Hall Council or even the Resident Student Association (RSA). This way you will get more involved in dorm life and become closer to other residents and your RAs. Soon, you will feel as though the friends you make are like a family which can help to cure your homesickness. You may also learn to appreciate home more while living on campus. I get along so much better with my family when I only visit for a weekend rather than when I actually live with them. Instead of arguing with my parents constantly, I am usually excited to stay home for a night or two and eat non-Donovan, delicious home cooked food. Learning to eat the right things on your own can also be tough for many students. Without mom and dad forcing you to eat your broccoli, you may start to notice either a weight gain or a loss of energy. Fight weight gain by going for walks with friends, using the recreation center or by taking advantage of the salad bar at Donovan. When staying up late many students indulge in takeout or other unhealthy snacks. This is a huge part of weight
gain. Be sure to eat everything in moderation and try to avoid late night snacking. Not only is a new meal plan tough for you to adjust to, you may have trouble with your new sleep schedule. Whether you have a lot of studying and homework to do or nocturnal roommates or suitemates, you may find sleep difficult especially for the first few nights. Eventually you will get used to the amount of commotion which goes on at night in a residence hall and might even become a late-nighter yourself. If not, try to reason with your roommates, and buy one of those funny-looking eye masks to wear while sleeping. Adjusting to a new lifestyle takes time but will be rewarding. You may learn things about yourself you never knew before. Remember to put yourself out there and you will find just where you belong! Side effects may vary.
Week of August 29, 2011
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Courtesy of Mandy Wray Dion
One of the freshman singles in Thorp Hall.
Photos (above)/Michael Simeone
Everyone Loves Move in Day. Hope you made the best of it
Hurricane Irene... “
The only song on Irene’s iPod is ‘Rock You Like A Hurricane’.” – Laura Horton
“
26 hours later, and the power is back on.” – Ben Stanfield
“
Take a minute and look up at the stars tonight. The power outages and new moon combine for a pretty impressive starfield. Just a few low clouds rushing by.” – Nick Lima
Photos courtesy of Eddie Taylor, Katie Larsh, Erin Boucher and Nicholas Lima
...from around the internet
“
The stars are beautiful here in Lincoln without all that pesky light pollution.” – Caitlin Murphy
“
Very lucky to have had power throughout the storm but my yard looks like a national park.” – Kyle Rossilli
Week of August 29, 2011
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RIC Events Open Books Open Minds Discussion Wed. Aug. 31 Gaige Hall 12:30 p.m. New students to the college, both transfers and freshmen, meet to discuss “When the Emperor was Divine” with their student mentors. Pre-register for a chance to win $50 in campus points.
Multicultural Mixer Wed. Aug. 31 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Unity Center Meet with new and returning students along with representatives from student organizations looking to spread word about their campus programs. The event also features music, free food, and prizes.
Arts & Entertainment RIC performing arts:
arts@anchorweb.org
From Beijing to Robert’s Hall
By Alex McCormick Anchor A&E Writer
As we start hitting the books again this Fall Semester, dancers, actors and musicians from all over the world will be hitting the stage in Rhode Island College’s Nazarian Center. With the center opening its doors to several national and international performing artists, the series promises to be exhilarating. Jazz- based contemporary dance company the River North Dance Chicago starts off RIC’s series in October. Led by Artistic Director Frank Chaves, the company performs bold choreography paired with stimulating music to deliver a skilled and emotional show. Later in the semester Tap
Take a bus trip to explore Newport on the cheap as part of this college sponsored trip.
Have an event you’d like us to know about? Email Event information and a short description to Kyle at arts@anchorweb. org
String Quartet Cycle in six concerts during this season and the next. Closing out the semester’s series is Leahy Family Christmas, a Canadian powerhouse family of instrumentalists, singers and dancers. Share some Christmas favorites along with originals in a one-of-a-kind Celtic-inspired celebration of the holidays. More information on each performance, show times and tickets can found at the Rhode Island College website under the Performing & Fine Arts tab or at the Roberts Hall Box Office, open every weekday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. These guests won’t be the only performers hitting the stage this semester. Our very own classmates will be taking their turn in the spotlight in
Mainstage Productions as well as performances featuring the Rhode Island College Dance Company. John Cariani’s “Almost, Maine” opens the Mainstage Season. Directed by James Taylor, this play is comprised of nine short plays that intertwine to tell one story that explores love and loss in the fictional location of Almost, Maine. This show is sure to touch the audience with laughter as it explores the mysteries of the heart, heartbreak and hope. Following is a contemporary drama about a doll repairer that gets more then she bargained for on vacation when she finds herself sent back in time to ancient Rome. Christine Evans’ See ARTS Page 17
One fluffy homecoming By Kyle Grant
RIC Trip: Newport Sat. Sept. 3 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. $3 RIC students, $5 non-students
Kids, a cast of young dancers telling the story of teens coming to terms with love, graduation and adulthood, is a familyfriendly show that takes tap to a whole new level. From Seville, Spain, Jose Porcel returns to Rhode Island College to perform his new program “Gypsy Fire” -- a new flamenco festival with spectacular costumes, energy and sex appeal. Perhaps the most exciting event is a visit from the National Acrobatic of the People’s Republic of China, direct from Beijing. This troupe delivers a breathtaking performance of incredible balancing acts and fast-paced acrobatics sure to provide fun for all ages. The Muir String Quartet performs the entire Beethoven
A&E Editor
This fall, Rhode Island College plans to kick things off with a laugh. On Sept. 30, famous comedian Gabriel Iglesias will be performing at Roberts Hall as part of Homecoming weekend. Iglesias, the California-based Latino comedian, has gained massive popularity for his Comedy Central specials including “Hot and Fluffy” and “I’m Not Fat…I’m Fluffy.” Getting his start in Long Beach, California, 33 year old Gabriel Iglesias has been performing comedy since 1997. His routines are usually made up of imprsessions, storytelling and satire of either current events or his own personal life. Much of his jokes involve a humorous look at his weight. Perhaps the most well-known joke in Iglesias’ repertoire is the “five levels of fatness” joke,
which starts at big, then goes healthy, husky, fluffy (how Iglesias identifies himself), and ends at DAAAYUM! Iglesias would later add a sixth level of fatness, known as “oh hell no”. Iglesias also makes jokes about his Latino e t h n i c i t y, with his parents being immigrants from Mexico. Iglesias’ comedy routines are often goodhumored and positive, and Iglesias does not depend on vulgarity and
crude humor to make an audience laugh. To get a taste of the comedian’s arsenal check out Iglesias’ webpage at www. f l u f f y g u y. com, or educate yourself with clips from YouTube. Throughout his distinguished career, Gabriel Iglesias has made several appearances on television shows, including “All That,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “ G o o d Morning America,” “the Late Courtesy of strand.org
Show,” “My Wife and Kids,” and “Family Guy”. Iglesias was also a finalist in the show “Last Comic Standing” and was the first contestant to ever be disqualified after he used a blackberry to contact his family, which was a contract violation. Even after the disqualification, Iglesias has proven himself as one of the best comedians in the United States and his standup has been aired on Comedy Central several times. The sensational standup of Gabriel Iglesias has rocked the nation for over a decade, and on Sept. 30 RIC students have the opportunity to witness the fluffy comedian for themselves. Tickets go on sale Aug. 29 and are $15 in advance. The show starts at 8pm in Robert’s Hall. This show has the opportunity to sell out quickly, so be sure to grab tickets early as this show cannot be missed.
Page 15 Arts & Entertainment Jonesing for a good concert this fall? Week of August 29, 2011
arts@anchorweb.org
By Kyle Grant A&E Editor
As the temperature starts to cool and the leaves begin to change color, it may seem like fun migrates out of Rhode Island along with the birds. With ‘summer fun’ behind us and nothing to look forward to but the monotony of school, the future seems bleak for those who crave excitement and good music. However, hope is not lost. Despite the cool weather, several artists perform in the area to heat up Southern New England. So I’ve made a list of just a few of the concerts coming to Little Rhody in the autumn months. Boo City: The groovy 2011 RIC radio rock hunt winners play a show Sept. 16 at Nick-ANees restaurant, 75 South Street in Providence. If you weren’t able to catch this funky local band at the rock hunt last semester, you do not want to miss another opportunity to witness great home-grown music. With songs such as “I’m No Good” and “Sugar,” Boo City’s hotness is guaranteed to melt away the autumn cold. Smashing Pumpkins: The legendary ‘90s rock band that emulated the grunge era and survived to bring angst to the new millennia performs at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel on Oct. 19. Over the decades Smashing Pumpkins and frenzied front man Billy Corgan have provided the world with an eclectic array of music, from the ferocious “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” to the melodious “Tonight, Tonight”. Tickets for the concert start at $45, and although the Pumpkins may not exactly be what they were in the peak of the ‘90s, this show will definitely be worth the time to see these renowned rockers in action, even slightly past their prime.
The Lemonheads: If you’re a fan of ‘90s alternative but don’t feel like dishing out $45 to wallow in grungy nostalgia, get yourself to the Met on Oct. 14th to see The Lemonheads play their album “It’s a Shame About Ray” in its entirety. While the album came out in ‘92 when most of us college kids were still in diapers, The Lemonheads are nonetheless one of the best and most underrated bands to come out of the ‘90s, and with tickets at $15 this is perhaps the best value of the Fall. And hey, even if you aren’t a fan of the band, no one can deny the awesomeness that is the band’s cover of “Mrs. Robinson”, the last song on the ir album. Straight No Chaser: Sometimes you want to leave the guitars and sick beats at home and hear your favorite songs performed with nothing but human voices. If you’re a fan of the wonderful art of a cappella, then seeing Straight No Chaser perform at the Dunkin Donuts Center Nov. 16 must be at the top of your list. These ten men wearing suits bring their act back to Providence, taking hit songs and making them unique with their vocal prowess. Tickets for this event start at $47.50
and are on sale at the Dunkin Donuts Center website. “Watch the Throne” featuring Jay-Z & Kanye West: Two of the biggest stars in hip-hop are coming together Nov 21 for a concert sure to kick major tail. Jay-Z, perhaps the decade’s most successful rapper, will be touring with his former producer (and perhaps the most controversial rapper today) Kanye West. We have heard what these two talented titans of rap can do together on the airwaves with collaborations “H.A.M” and “Otis” making this concert something hip-hop fans do not want to miss. The event takes place at TD Garden, and though tickets start at a staggering $57, the tix are definitely worth it for Jay-Z and Kanye fans alike. These are only a handful of awesome concerts coming to the area this Fall. Follow the Anchor for more information on the hottest concerts as the year progresses. Plus don’t forget to check the calendars of your favorite venues and radio stations to see what other hot acts are coming around as the weather gets cold!
Courtesy from (from top, clockwise) fanpop.com, goldenplec.com, amazing.com and reverbnation.com
Week of August 29, 2011
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Arts & Entertainment
arts@anchorweb.org
Back to school tunes keeps fall fresh
By Eddie Taylor Music Spotlight
Is the summer seriously already over? It seemed like just last week I threw my back pack into the dark corner of my room to forget about anything academic for three months. I guess that’s what an internship can do to your summer vacation. Needless to say, whether your summer felt like a week or an eternity, it still sucks to have get yourself back in the swing of things for another year of classes, but a few new songs on your iPod can go a long way to make the summer to fall transition a little less painful. My first recommendation of the year and probably one of the best bands that I have heard in several months is the Airborne Toxic Event. The five piece alternative rock group has been making waves in the national scene with their single “Changing” spending time on the Alternative rock charts for several weeks. The group makes use of powerful instrumentals without being over-powering and well-crafted yet often sullen vocals. Airborne mixes things up with the use of violin in their
music which gives it a distinct sound from the usual alternative faire. The band has two studio albums and one live music album out, and all three are definitely worth checking out. For all you hip-hop fans out there, Mac Miller is a lesser known artist who has made a splash in certain circles of rap enthusiasts. Miller, who was once known as Easy Mac before Kraft threatened a lawsuit for copy-right infringement, makes use of fast-paced lyrics and off-kilter beats. Pursuing rap as a career at the age of 15 Miller was signed to Rostrum records in 2007. The now 19-year-old Miller lists the Big L, Beastie Boys, and Outkast as influences and names Wiz Kahlifa as a mentor due to his close relationship with the artist. Mac Miller is a refreshing twist on the modern rap scene which has become stale with cookie cutter rap artists who rarely bring anything new to the table. Miller’s sound returns to the golden years of hip hop, bringing personality and fun back to the genre. Then there’s a choice that may come as a surprise to the three people who actually read this column since I’m sort of a wannabe hipster and tend to shy away from mainstream music in my reviews. Foster the People, the alternative group who’s
single “Pumped up Kicks” is currently being played to almost a sickening extent on radio stations from 95.5 to 92.3. The single has spent weeks on the alternative charts and, while I want to tear my hair out when I hear their current single, I have to say the rest of the band’s catalogue is worth checking out. Foster the People have a laid-back sound that works perfectly with kicking your feet up between classes. Though I have to say that out of all the band’s songs I’ve heard I can’t figure out the meaning of the lyrics for the life of me. Foster joins the ranks of the rare alternative groups that manage to achieve widespread popularity and, while I feel there are better alternative acts out there they deserve their time in the spotlight. So there you have it, some of my top picks of the fall to help get the new semester off the ground on a happier note. I want to wish everyone the best of luck with the new school year and hope you have a fun fall semester. Check back for more reviews, recommendations and music news throughout the year. Have recommendations or comments? Email arts@anchorweb. org
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Arts & Entertainment
Album Quick Picks Lil Wayne “The Carter IV” Release Date: August 29th
Courtesy ofindependant.co.il
After being postponed for over a year, the 9th studio album from hip-hop sensation Lil Wayne is finally set for release on Aug. 29th. Featuring appearances from Corey Gunz, Drake, Rick Ross, T-Pain, Andre 300 and others, the first album since the end of Wayne’s prison term is expected to top the charts. Four singles off the record have already been released, including “6 foot 7 foot,” “John” and “How to Love.”
Songs to listen to: “6 foot 7 foot,” “She Will”
Red Hot Chili Peppers “I’m With You” Release Date: August 29th Legendary rock-funk group The Red Hot Chili Peppers make a comeback with their first album in five years, and their first album since the departure of John Frusciante. The album will be the debut of Josh Klinghoffer as guitarist of the Chili Peppers. Many members of the band, which has been in existence for 28 years, have cited the album as “a new beginning” and a worthy follow-up to the Grammy Courtesy of amazon.com award-winning Stadium Arcadium in 2006. One single, “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie,” has been released so far and reached number 38 on the Billboard Hot 100. Songs to listen to: “Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie,” “Brendan’s Death Song”
Cobra Starship “Night Shades” Release Date: August 30th
Courtesy of cobrastarship.tumblr.com
The fourth studio album released by the New York pop-rock group Cobra Starship, following their wildly successful 2009 album Hot Mess. One single, “You Make Me Feel…” has been released so far, reaching 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. Fans can stream the band’s new album for free on the group’s official Facebook page. Pittsburgh rapper Mac Miller, singer Sabi and French band The Plasticines make appearances on the album.
Songs to listen to: “You Make Me Feel…,” “Middle Finger”
ARTS from page
Week of August 29, 2011
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“Trojan Barbie”, directed by Casey Seymour Kim, tells the story of an unlikely heroine with poetic compassion and warm humor. Be sure to be there in October when Adele Myers, of Connecticut College, and her dancers take the stage in a show sure to amaze the audience. Sharing the stage that same evening, the Rhode Island College Dance Company performs a piece choreographed by Myers her-
self, sure to be a celebration of dance that should not be missed. In December Angelica Vessella, Director of Dance, leads the Rhode Island College Dance Company in their own show titled “Amirrorica” that reflects America’s obsession with self-image. An exciting season lays ahead in the Nazarian Center this fall semester and even more to come this spring. All the way from China and as close as our own backyard – or should I say Quad? The talent will be something you don’t want to miss.
THE ANCHOR
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Anchormen Soccer THE GOOD
The team will return a core of strong senior scorers and a great goaltender to lead the way and to prove they’re better than just a third place ranking. It could prove to be good motivation.
THE BAD The most experienced team in the Little East is only ranked third in the pre-season rankings and still has a lot to prove and the loss of three key midfielders will leave holes in the lineup to fill.
THE BOTTOM LINE The Little East is open for taking for the top three or four teams in the conference. The experience of the Anchormen could lead them to glory if underclassmen can step up and fill any holes that may occur. Following a Little East Conference finals appearance from last year will not be easy but Rhode Island College head coach John Mello’s squad will be well prepared for the task with a veteran core setting the tone on the field. The Anchormen enter the year with a solid pre-season ranking in the LEC of third place, including a lone first place vote. The high expectations for the upcoming season can be attributed to their consistency last season and a returning set of players that will undoubtedly not be satisfied with their pre-season rank. Head coach John Mello, in his eighth season at the helm, has had a positive impact on the program, racking up a solid 72-50-19 record. Mello led the club last year to a double-digit win season and a trip to
CAN’T MISS GAME A rematch of last year’s LEC Saturday, championship, the Anchormen Oct. 15 RIC vs. Keene seek revenge on State College home turf.
PLAYER TO WATCH Senior, Midfielder
Hector Espildora Fortuno With 20 points last season, Espildora Fortuno is sure to make some noise in his final year as an Anchorman. Keep an eye out for this guy in the middle of the field.
the conference finals where they fell in a heart-breaking final minute loss to Keene State. The Owls are one of the two teams that are ranked higher in the pre-season rankings this season. Mello and the Anchormen will certainly be on the war path for the Owls during the upcoming season. As the Anchormen head into war with the rest of the LEC, they will rely on some proven weapons that have been in the artillery room for three years now. The trio of seniors, midfielder Hector Espildora Fortuno, forward Mike Patriarca and striker Bruno Costa, return together with a ton of hype. The three of them combined for over 50 percent of the team’s total goals last season. Espildora Fortuno, native of Malaga, Spain, led the team in assists and total points. Patriarca
and Costa, both Rhode Island natives, were the team’s leading goal scorers (Patriarca with eight, Costa with seven). Coach Mello will undoubtedly lean on this set of veterans for offensive production all season long. Offense wins games but defense wins championships. Another solid for the Anchormen can be found on the last line of defense. Senior keeper Nik Clark finds himself between the pipes for the second consecutive season. Last year, Clark posted wins in 10 of the 18 games he started in, including a win in penalty kicks that sent the Anchormen to the LEC conference finals. Clark looks to improve upon an impressive six shutouts and a microscopic 0.82 goals against average.
Anchorwomen Soccer
THE GOOD
Last season was a success and a building block. If freshmen and newcomers can help fill the holes, the leadership left from last year could mix well and form a recipe for success.
THE BAD With only eight of the twenty players on the roster having seen any time on the college field there are a lot of holes to fill. Goaltending will be a huge question mark as they look to replace longtime goalkeeper Maddie Pirri.
THE BOTTOM LINE Realistically, the program will be in a rebuilding year. However, there is enough experience left that could mesh well with new talent and maybe steal some games in the Little East this season.
Growing by leaps and bounds may be the best phrase to describe the developments in the Rhode Island College women’s soccer program as of late. After a tough year in 2009 with no Little East Conference wins and only three wins overall, the team bounced back and opened the 2010 season by tying a program record with five straight wins. They went on to win in nine games and post their first winning record (9-7-1) since the 2007 season. With that kind of improvement in many of the girls’ heads, the season should have a positive spin. Head coach Mike Koperda is back once again for his fourth season at
the helm. Koperda led the Anchorwomen to their largest single season turnaround last year and now looks for ways to improve on that. The Little East will undoubtedly be a good place to start. Only two of their wins came in conference play last year and that was good enough for only fifth place. Pre-season polls rank the Anchorwomen in the bottom of the conference once again and it will be up to the leadership on the team to lead the newcomers if they want to prove the polls wrong. The leadership roles have taken a hit for certain. Loss of a strong senior core and their two leading scorers
CAN’T MISS GAME Graham made some noise last year Saturday, with seven goals but will need to set off Oct. 26 RIC vs. Lasell some offensive fireworks in order for College RIC to survive in the Little East this year.
leaves the Anchorwomen behind the eight ball to start the season. A young team led by lone senior Jenna Childs will look to continue the work from last year. Childs is a proven leader and Koperda will look to her to hold the team together. Returning next to Childs will be a few young leaders including last year’s freshman stand out Jessica Graham. Graham netted seven goals and racked up 18 total points. Graham now hold a huge responsibility for producing most of the offense. A few proven players, but mostly newcomers, will also join Childs and Graham to help lift the team to success.
PLAYER TO WATCH Sophomore, Midfielder
Jessica Graham With 20 points last season, Espildora Fortuno is sure to make some noise in his final year as an Anchorman. Keep an eye out for this guy in the middle of the field.
Anchorwomen Volleyball THE GOOD The Anchorwomen return a great core of experience and some promising freshmen could be just the right fit. A new coach could be just what they need and Tackmann certainly is not lacking in the volleyball knowledge area.
THE BAD The loss of a few good seniors from last year will be tough and a new coach always brings an adjustment period.
THE BOTTOM LINE Coming off a few rough years can be hard, but with Tackmann taking over and the experience returning mixed with the fresh faces coming in could be a recipe for success. Look for the team to have a great season and set the tone for years to come. After a less than stellar season last year, the Rhode Island College women’s volleyball team looks to amp up their results with a new look this fall. A 2-5 Little East record and a 13-18 overall record will hopefully be erased by a new team this year. A new coach bring a new style to the forefront and a wave of new players will add a new feel. With the team failing to record a winning season since 2006, a new coach has been called into action. Elysce Tackmann takes the reins of the program after a three-year term at Anna Maria College. Tackmann led the Amcats to success recently during her stay and looks to do the same with the Anchorwomen. “I look forward to the challenge of a new team and know that we will work hard to achieve success on and
CAN’T MISS GAME UMass Boston is one of the top Saturday, ranked teams in the entire country Sept. 24 UMass Boston and should be vs. Salve Regina an indication of where the AnchorUniversity women stand at the midway point of the season.
PLAYER TO WATCH Junior, Outside Hitter
Breanna Boyer The explosive offense that Boyer is capable of producing makes it hard to take your eyes off of her during a match. Involved in virtually every point, she racked up a team leading 327 kills last year. Did we mention that she’s only a junior this year.
off the court,” Tackmann said about the upcoming year. Before beginning her coaching career, Tackmann was a standout player at both Bryant University and East Providence High School where she led both teams to high achievements including state championships and NCAA tournaments. Tackmann will have an interesting first year in charge with as many incoming freshmen as returning players. Fortunately the team returns two of their top three offensive players from last year. All Little East outside hitter Breanna Boyer a LaSalle Academy product has had her fair share of experience with winning. Much like her new coach, Boyer also led her team to two undefeated state championship seasons. She will be a huge leader on and off the court this year as both the
captain and leading offensive charge. The presence of a player of Boyer’s caliber should make Coach Tackmann’s job much easier in year one. Joining Boyer in the returner column will be fellow junior Jessica Ho, and the sophomore duo of Amanda Cabral and Stephanie Bourgeois. All three played key roles last year and will be vital to the success of this year’s team. If the four key returners can come together and lead the team then the program could turn things around this season. The incoming freshmen will also be stepping into an interesting situation. Many of them will see a good amount of playing time with only six returners. There should be some great production coming from these newcomers especially when they’re battling for spots in the lineup.
Anchorwomen Tennis THE GOOD The team has good leadership from coach Barrette and two key returning players. If freshman like Brown do step up, the new look to the line up could set the pace for years to come.
THE BAD So many holes are left in the lineup and it will be impossible for the team to succeed without the youth maturing and adapting to the college game quickly.
THE BOTTOM LINE An interesting situation for the team forces them into a high risk and high reward season. If the team overcomes the struggles of last season and the youth of this year, the Little East could be in for a surprise. Coming off an 0-15 season last year, the Rhode Island College women’s tennis team can only improve this season. The question now is “how much?” Last year was their first losing season since 1997 and their first winless season in program history. Needless to say the team as a whole is ready to leave that behind and start fresh. And fresh they will be, with only two returning players on the roster of seven. Head coach Liz Barrette returns for her fourth year at the helm this fall. Barrette was former player just a few short years ago and Anchorwomen tennis has become a central part of her life. Barrette posted two winning seasons as a coach before last year and will be looking to get her team back into the win column early and often.
One might look at the team’s short list of returners and lack of success last year and immediately think of the year as a rebuilding season. “Even though we have a lot of freshman, I don’t see it as a rebuilding year,” said Barrette of the upcoming season. “The ladies have been working really hard through double sessions and they mean business.” The few returning Anchorwomen will play a huge role in leading the team to success. Senior Gaby Batek and junior Doris Belanger will most likely lock down the roles of two and three singles respectively. Batek struggled at number one singles last year, winning just one match, but gained a lot of experience that Barrette thinks will pave the way for her success at number two singles. Belanger
CAN’T MISS GAME Come watch the girls open Little East Conference play at Tuesday, Sept. home against their 20 Southern New EngRIC vs. UMass land rivals.
Dartmouth
who won five matches at the number two slot, also slide down a spot and hopefully improve on her win total from last year. The roster is littered with holes to be filled and questions to be answered and with five freshmen battling it out for four spots, things could get interesting. One thing is for sure, newcomer Chelsea Brown will be making a splash near the top of the line up and most likely will play in the number one singles spot. The freshman class as a whole will obviously play a huge role this year and could make or break the Anchorwomen’s season. Barrette remains extremely up beat and positive on the season. “We are going to come out strong and shock some teams this year I think,” Barrette said.
PLAYER TO WATCH Senior, Number Two Singles
Gaby Batek Batek is in her final season and has some good experience under her belt from the previous three seasons. Look for her to come out hot and post some big wins.
Anchormen Golf By AJ Clark Sports Staff Writer
A tough season overall last year leaves the Rhode Island College men’s golf team looking to attack this season with full force. The team is always expected to finish at the top of the Little East/Greater New England Athletic Conference but last season struggled due to some lack of performance from their upperclassmen. The Anchormen will bounce back and use their returning standouts including juniors Kyle Harper and Kyle Garcia and sophomore Tim Leigh to pave the way to success. Leading the Anchormen for the sixth straight season will be head coach Greg Gammell. Last season he guided RIC to top-three finishes in six different tournaments, including a second-place finish at the Elms College Blazers Invitational last spring. Gammell has a record of 25-9 during his first five seasons as the Anchormen’s coach, including a 14-3 record during the program’s greatest season in history during the 2006-2007 campaign. Along with his duties as head men’s and women’s coach, he is also Assistant Director of Facilities and Operations for RIC.
Alongside Gammell is assistant coach Gene St. Pierre, who is back for a fourth season. St. Pierre is heavily involved, using photos and video as a learning tool for his players and their swings. Harper, a junior standout looks to pick up where he left off last season as the Anchormen’s MVP. Last year during the fall and spring seasons, Harper averaged a score of 80.5 and appeared in every match for the Anchormen. His highlight of the year was a 75 at the RIC Invitational. The Anchormen’s biggest surprise from last season, Leigh, returns as a sophomore this fall. After being added to the squad during the spring, Leigh played in five competitions and had an average score of 78.9 strokes. Leigh carded a season-low 76 at the RIC Invitational, just one stroke of the pace of Harper last season. Leigh has the potential to become one of the most dominant Division III golfers in New England this season. If Leigh and Harper are on top of their games from start to finish this fall season then the Anchormen will be contenders for the GNAC Championship.
THE GOOD Returning leaders such as Harper, Garcia and Leigh should have the experience necessary to carry the squad to victory as long as other returners and newcomers can step up to the plate.
THE BAD Not winning a tournament in the past two seasons could prove to be difficult to overcome. The Anchormen will once again be chasing UMass Dartmouth and Johnson and Wales, two rivals in close proximity, for the GNAC title.
THE BOTTOM LINE The team has the potential to make some noise this fall, but needs to improve as a core group in order to get there. The Anchormen can’t lean solely on Harper and Leigh; it’s going to take a total team effort to bring home a tournament victory this season.
Anchormen Cross Country
East Conference’s top 2010 times and the crew’s MVP, Mike Macedo. Sports Staff Writer The lead returnee will be junior Conor Most of the Rhode Island College fall McCloskey, whose best time last season athletic teams engage in regular season was 27:24 on the 8 kilometer (5 mile) competitions during the first week back track. In 2010 he was declared a Little on campus. One of the exceptions is East All-Academic All Star and in 2011, RIC’s men’s and women’s cross country McCloskey will be looked at to take teams, both of whom have different and over as the team’s leader. Other guys unique ways to attack the season ahead. who look to be at their top 8-kilometer One is parting ways with most of its ros- form this autumn are Shawn Stadnick, ter from a year’s past, looking to revamp, Cameron Wicker, Kevin Carey, Austin while the other has lost little of its talent Pena and Tom DeCristofaro. by bringing back a solid core of 2010’s Unlike the men’s contingent, the youngsters and transitioning them into RIC women’s cross-country team has lost many of its core members and the this year’s team as upperclassmen. The Anchormen cross-country roster roster is now filled with underclassmen. is loaded from a solid campaign last Former standouts Katie Desrosiers and fall. Young, resilient and battle-tested Kaitlin Geagan are out and now much of in 2010, the team returns eight of the the reign of the program sways to senior nine members of the 2010 roster. The Brittany Richer, a 2010 Academic Allonly missing piece from that team is the Star, and sophomore Chelsea Marshall. Marshall placed inside the top 25 of captain, the holder of some of the Little By Dan Charest
the New England Alliance Championships with a time of 20:56.80 over 5 kilometers. She was named the Little East Conference’s Rookie of the Week multiple times last season. Judging by last year’s splits, Marshall will be the team’s top runner with Richer not far behind. Add returning vets Justyna Barlow, Meghan McMullin and Kayleigh Smith with an influx of new faces and the Anchorwomen look poised to have a capable season. The only similarity between the men’s and women’s squads is who will be guiding them on the course and during their training. Truly a mainstay in RIC athletics, Kevin Jackson is back for his eleventh year at the helm for both the girls’ and the boys’ squad. Jackson, also the headman of the indoor and outdoor teams, is a RIC graduate and has been coaching the sport of running in Rhode Island since 1978. Returning
again in assisting Jackson is Timothy Rudd. Rudd, from the RIC class of 2004, holds six school records on the indoor circuit. The official slate for the men and women shoots off with a visit down I-195 on Saturday, Sept. 17 for the UMass Dartmouth Invitational. From there, meets are held every Saturday afternoon until the slate culminates on Nov. 19 at the Division III NCAA Nationals in Winneconne, Wisconsin. No Anchorman or Anchorwoman has qualified for the sports most prestigious meet in recent memory so the largest meet of the year tends to be the NCAA regionals. Typically, RIC’s runners finish in the middle of the pack out of the 50 or so schools that partake from the New England sector, but this year could be the year that both the Anchorwomen and the Anchormen could crack that barrier and bust on through, stay tuned.
Week of August 29, 2011
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Sports
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