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ESTABLISHED 1921

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29, 2011 April 11,September 2011 Volume Volume 89, Issue90, 41 Issue 8

Your Home. Your Voice. Your Newspaper.

Loyola Marymount University

Your Home. Your Voice. Your Newspaper.

Loyola Marymount University

University prepares for Opus Prize ceremony

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Students travel to observe nominated humanitarian organizations firsthand.

By Tierney Finster News Editor

LMU will host the Opus Prize Foundation’s highly anticipated Humanitarian Award ceremony and celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 2 and Tuesday Nov 3.

The organization chooses one Catholic university to partner with in awarding and presenting the Opus Prize, a large humanitarian scholarship,each year.

Other universities that have a relationship with the Opus Prize Foundation include fellow Jesuit institutions such as Fordham University, Seattle University, Marquette University and the University of San Francisco. The Opus Prize Foundation also partners with non-Jesuit universities, the University of Notre Dame and the University of St. Thomas.

According to the official Opus Prize website, the foundation seeks to work with universities that “have a rich tradition and history of nurturing in their students a lifelong commitment to social justice.”

Vice Chair of the Opus Prize Steering Committee Kristi Wade commented more specifically on why LMU was chosen to work with the foundation this year, citing the University’s “rich history of Catholic faith and philanthropy.”

As this year ’s partner university, LMU does not just host the awards.

Rather, various representatives from LMU’s faculty and student population also contributed to choosing the finalists for the award. Opus Prize nominees were first nominated through University contacts and alumni. Eventually the finalists were narrowed down to Father Gregory

See Opus | page 2

Photo by Devin Sixt | Loyolan

The U.S Supreme Court’s Anthony M. Kennedy (left) was joined at Loyola Law School (LLS) yesterday by Judge Arthur L. Alarcón of the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit (right), for whom LLS’ new advocacy center is named.

Supreme Court Justice speaks at LLS Loyola Law School hosts a discussion with the Honorable Anthony M. Kennedy.

By Tierney Finster News Editor

Students, faculty and guests crowded Loyola Law School’s (LLS) Merrifield Hall yesterday morning in anticipation of an academic dialogue with the Honorable Anthony M. Kennedy of the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Honorable Arthur L. Alarcón of the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.

This private event was part of the larger Alarcón Advocacy Center dedication ceremony that occurred yesterday. Named after the U.S. Court of Appeals judge, the Alarcón Center connects students with clinical programs like Loyola’s Institute for Continuing Education and policy studies and Loyola’s Project for the Innocent.

“No one knows what’s going to happen here today,” Kennedy said in his opening address.

LMU to host cultural leadership event APIA-U Leadership 101 training will take place at LMU for the second time.

By Brigette Scobas Asst. News Editor

Several groups on LMU’s campus form a tight-knit community within the larger LMU community, and the Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) students are included in that mix.

These students will have the chance to attend the APIA-U: Leadership 101 training, sponsored by the Organization of Chinese Americans and State Farm Insurance. The training on Saturday, Oct. 8 in U-Hall will be directly related to issues and leadership skills pertaining to them. LMU is the host for this year and also hosted this training during the 2005-06 academic school year.

Michelle Ko, the director of Asian Pacific Student Services said, “The training is to bring together Asian and Pacific Islander

Taste the centennial A centennial-inspired merlot, cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay were commissioned by the University to celebrate its 100th year.

A&E, Page 9

This proved to be true during the following one-hour conversation between Kennedy and Alarcón. Professor Laurie Levenson, who is also a William M. Rains fellow, and the David W. Burcham chair in Ethical Advocacy, moderated the event. Levenson posed both her own questions and those previously submitted by students as Kennedy and Alarcón sat at the front of the intimate auditorium, in which almost everyone was in close proximity to the speakers.

In discussing the challenges that future lawyers face, Kennedy emphasized how much room there still is for growth and change in the judicial world today.

“The framers of the Constitution did not know all of the details of a just society. That is why they used such terms as liberty and justice,” Kennedy said in explanation of the large degree of the dissent between what people want and believe the Constitution to stand for.

As for mistakes made throughout legal history, Kennedy asserted that, “The nature of injustice is that it is hidden from our eyes.

The human mind learns through experience.”

Kennedy and Alarcón acknowledged that although there have been some missteps in the history of the American legal system, the judicial branch has always provided explanations for their decisions.

“We’re the only branch of government that gives reasons for what we do,” put Kennedy succinctly.

As for politics, Kennedy and Alarcón both advocated for the removal of political beliefs from the practice of law. Kennedy clearly stated, “There is no basis for politics in the law.”

Kennedy provided further insight into the relationship between politics and law when he said, “Our [the Supreme Court’s] decisions have political consequences, but we don’t decide them in a political way. We use the neutral language of the law to explain our decisions.”

Alarcón mirrored this statement, explaining the dual nature of his job as both a citizen and

See Justice | page 4

In companies spent $100 million 1983

marketing

to individuals between the ages

$17 of 12 - 24 .In 2007 they spent billion

to this group.

Information obtained via CBS News.

See APIA | page 3

Index Opinion...............................5 Cartoon................................8 A&E...............................9 Classifieds...........................12 Sports..............................16 The next issue of the Loyolan will be printed on October 6, 2011.

advertising

To read more about this trend, see "Businesses increasingly rely on student ambassadors" on page 4.

Dol-Anne Asiru | Loyolan

The road to the MLS Former Lion, Rafael Baca, starts to find success after long journey to the San José Earthquakes.

Sports, Page 16

September 29, 2011 Page 2

Students visit Opus prize finalists Opus from page 1 Boyle, S.J. of the Los Angelesbased gang intervention program Homeboy Industries, Lyn Lusi of the “holistic care” provider HEAL Africa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sister Rita Pessoa, R.S.H.M. of the Association of Small Rural Producers of Jacare Filadelphia, Brazil.

The Opus Prize website explains that an organization can be located anywhere in the world and affiliated with any religious faith. The project seeks to honor groups that can benefit significantly from the money and mebenefit significantly from the money and media attention associated with the Opus Prize and also reflects the Opus Prize’s core values in its work.

Furthermore, the nominated party must be able to demonstrate its history of accomplishment and commitment to its cause.

A jury of 10 individuals, who the Opus Prize website claims to represent the fields of “journalism, academia and social and humanitarian action,” chose the finalists from the pool of nominees based on this criteria.

This jury included University President David W. Burcham, former LMU Board of Trustees

News

Chairman R. Chad Dreier and Archbishop of Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony. This jury was chosen and led by the larger Opus Prize Steering Committee, which has handled LMU’s work on the prize since May 2010.

As part of the evaluation process, six LMU students traveled to observe the finalists’ work firsthand. Along with members of the LMU faculty and the Opus Prize Foundation, students familiarized themselves with the work the finalists do and were able to assess the needs of the locations’ surrounding communities.

Community impressions gave students a better idea of how the Opus Prize would allow each organization to make a lasting difference for the people it serves.

Senior urban studies major Britta Engstrom reflected on her trip to HEAL Africa in the Congolese city of Goma for LMU’s Student and Faculty Engagement section of the Opus Prize Steering Committee.

“While the issues in the Democratic Republic of Congo seemed all too overwhelming, I was comforted and in awe of the humble and diligent work of the HEAL Africa staff. HEAL Africa has a heart for serving the greater

All photos: Sherrill Britton

The students who traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo discussed the work that HEAL Africa does with the people who benefit from its services.

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Sherrill Britton

In addition to traveling abroad to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Brazil, the six LMU students selected to see the work of Opus Prize finalists also visited Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, Calif. (pictured above). community of Goma and has mastered the art of empowering the voiceless, healing the sick and genuinely loving people,” Engstrom explained.

Junior political science major Sahar Monsoor traveled with Engstrom to Goma, and says that she hopes that because of the due diligence trips “people will be inspired to become aware of other worldly issues. It is really important now, more than ever, to take global action.”

Senior theological studies and Spanish double major Ana López visited the Association of Small

Rural Producers of Jacare and Homeboy Industries.

“Being able to participate in the due diligence trips was an incredible blessing. To witness a glimpse of the extraordinary work that Fr. Greg Boyle [S.J.] and Sr. Rita [Pessoa, R.S.H.M.] are doing in their communities was beyond inspiring. Both communities welcomed us with open arms and shared their lives, their stories, their struggles, their joys and their hope of a better world for all,” López shared on the Opus Prize section of LMU’s website.

Other students involved with the due diligence trips include senior finance and marketing major Greg Kamradt, senior natural science major Aaron Page and junior English major Jaide Timm-Garica.

Although students presented their findings to the jurors, the Opus Prize Foundation is solely responsible for choosing which of the three finalists will receive a $1 million award. The two organizations that do not will still receive $100,000 each.

- Additional reporting by Carina Chiodo

www.laloyolan.com

News

September 29, 2011 Page 3

Training open to Asian and Pacific Islander students APIA from page 1

American college students in the Southern California region to train and empower them in leadership training skills as well as community collaboration.”

The OCA secured a grant from State Farm Insurance in 1999, so the participants do not have to pay, and the organization brings all resources. OCA hires about 10 educators from around the country to facilitate the programs.

According to Ko, there are usually two facilitators per program.

“They go through a series of interactive workshops that focus on a leadership model that they have created and developed off of the Social Change Model for Leadership Development [which addresses the individual, group and community].

OCA has adapted this and created something called the Critical APIA Leadership Framework,” said Ko. Registration is still open to students. Ko’s target number is 60 students, and she hopes that at least half of the students will come from LMU. As of this past Tuesday, six students have registered.

Brian Kang, a senior electrical engineering major who is registered for the training, said, “Depending on how many students actually register, particularly from other universities, it will be an interesting opportunity to meet other API [Asian Pacific Islander] leaders from other campuses. I registered in hopes that I may meet students from other universities who can share their API experiences.”

Ko believes the training is a

great networking opportunity with other campuses to learn from their experiences and is “eye-opening for our students to see the similarities and differences and how they can learn and share and teach other campuses their techniques for addressing different issues and concerns.”

Timothy Lambert, a 2007 LMU alumnus, attended the training in the 2005-06 academic year and agrees with Ko in regards to the networking opportunity the training provides. “The bonds we formed during the student leadership training were the foundation we used to reestablish the long dormant Asian Pacific Student Union in Southern California,” said Lambert.

Maria Shibatsuji, a freshman psychology major who registered for the training, saw the information on Facebook and decided to register.

Shibatsuji believes she is not well educated on all current AsianAmerican issues and therefore is interested in gaining that knowledge in the training. “I’d like to gain and strengthen some leadership skills [and] meet more Asian-American students,” said Shibatsuji.

“Make as many friends and contacts as possible because the other leaders in that room will be your peers and allies well beyond college,” Lambert advised those attending this year.

After the training, Ko hopes that it “empower[s] students to find their voice, strengthen their voice, become better advocates and allies

for the community and with other communities on campus and to learn how to live in a diverse and dynamic world.”

According to Kang, “LMU is a predominantly ‘white’ campus, and a large portion of Asian Pacific students are often content to simply blend in with campus culture.

However, there are issues that exist even on our campus of microaggression and bits of racism. It is important as a minority community to foster leaders who will not only speak for the community, but also lead the community at LMU.” This training, in Ko’s mind, will help those students, not just at LMU but in the long-run as well.

Lambert knows firsthandedly how effective the training was for him. “I initially thought it would be a good opportunity to learn how to be an effective leader, and I didn’t even consider the networking potential.

It wasn’t until months later when I was still working with students from the training [that] I realized how amazing of an opportunity the training was.”

While he wishes there were more follow-up training sessions to collaborate again, he said, “The friends and allies I made at the training really were the best results I could have ever asked for.”

Pre-registration ends this upcoming Tuesday, Oct. 4. For more information visit, Ethnic and Intercultural Services on the third floor of Malone. To register, visit www.apiauleadershipregistration. com.

Mary Zuchovicki

Mary Zuchovicki advises students to see all LMU has to offer, especially through service opportunities like volunteering on Skid Row.

11 Burning Questions with Mary Zuchovicki

This issue, News Editor Tierney Finster talks with senior business major Mary Zuchovicki about this year’s Service Retreat and her perspective on LMU’s approach to justice.

1. Describe what happens at the Service Retreat.

Students spend two nights and three days on Skid Row. Women spend it at Cardinal Manning [Center], and men spend the nights at Midnight Mission. They are both homeless shelters. Together, we serve food for over 800 people over the three days. We also get to walk around Skid Row, accompanied by two LAPD officers, and learn about the history and development of the area. Another part of the retreat is the business panel, in which local business representatives will tell us about how Skid Row businesses are actually growing and helping to support their community right now.

2. What is the best part of the retreat?

Definitely the reflections that we have at the end of each day. The days are pretty overwhelming, so it is really important to decompress. It’s also a great opportunity to interact with so many homeless people and to hear their stories.

3. What is it like for an LMU student to spend time on Skid Row? We live in an LMU bubble, and I think it is really important to get a taste of the real world by visiting Skid Row. The biggest similarity though, between LMU and Skid Row, is that they are both communities. LMU’s greatest concern is promoting the mission statement, whereas Skid Row is all about survival. It’s powerful for students to understand how similar [yet] vastly different they are.

4. What do you hope students take away from the retreat?

I want students to get a better feel for the Skid Row community, and also to grow as a result of this experience and their reflection upon it. As a leader, I want to be there to support individuals and to help them dissect their thoughts about the retreat.

5. What is your biggest concern about this year’s retreat?

I am worried that not enough men will apply. At Midnight Mission [where the men stay], there is a lot of room for men to sleep. We have to cap the women at a smaller number because of the space at Cardinal Manning [Center], whereas we have the resources to take more men. Unfortunately, only five or six males apply each year. We have to let the men know that this isn’t simply about reflection but about taking strong social action.

6. Why do you think that service is an important part of the college experience?

I think the only way to grow, as a person, is to live through uncomfortable experiences. We will all have certain uncomfortable experiences sitting in a classroom or at work, but service allows students to apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations.

7. In what social justice issue are you most interested?

Providing everyone around the world with a solid education is my first priority. I believe that spreading education also spreads communities, and by spreading community we are helping each other.

8. What else are you involved with on campus?

I am a resident advisor in McCarthy [Residence Hall] in the McCarthy Experience in Service and Action. I am a choice theory research assistant, and am currently writing a curriculum for future resident advisors. I work at the Center for Service and Action (CSA) and am the CSA mentor for the Freshman Service Project. My service organization is Gryphon Circle, and I am also in the Pi Beta Phi sorority. I’m part of the Senior [Class] Gift Committee and am still working on some Orientation Leader tasks.

9. As a senior, what is your advice for underclassmen?

Choose to live the LMU mission statement. Whether I had gone to Harvard, UC-Santa Barbara or any other school, I know I wouldn’t have gotten the unique experience that I have had at LMU. LMU provides for us academically and spiritually, and has allowed me to grow into someone that I never thought I would have the courage to be.

10. How can the average student make service a part of their life?

Realize that you want or need to do service work. Don’t just do it because it’s the thing to do at LMU, which will be a very different experience. If you need help finding a service placement, walk into CSA or Campus Ministry and ask us for help. Those are two resources that not every university has. And a great way to start doing service is to join us on the retreat. My experience on the Service Retreat in the past completely changed the way I view community service in an amazing way.

11. What aspect of the LMU centennial celebration are you most excited for?

Graduation is going to be amazing. Are you kidding me? I know that the University is going to spoil us.

September 29, 2011 Page 4

News

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Businesses increasingly rely on student ambassadors NEWS ANALYSIS More students are being hired to promote brands on campus.

By Monika Kim Staff Writer

To any unassuming bystander, casually dressed LMU junior Mike Paskin presents the perfect image of an average college student. However, a closer look at his black “Rockstar” branded cap proves otherwise. He is one of thousands of student ambassadors on campuses nationwide.

These student ambassadors are hired by universities or businesses, and work to promote and endorse products amongst their peers.

Paskin, who works as Rockstar Energy Drink’s student ambassador at LMU, frequents school events to publicize the alreadypopular beverage brand. The company provides him a monthly ration of the drinks, and Paskin’s job is to not only to distribute free cans of Rockstar at these events, but also to photograph students trying and enjoying their merchandise.

“The idea is to have people try new products,” said Paskin.

“Once students try the new products, [companies] are able to get feedback on them. It’s easier to give [students] a sample of the product, instead of them just seeing [an advertisement].”

According to Paskin, the compelling force behind most of these

tactics is the desire to “get kids started young.” Campus Party, Inc., a marketing firm driven toward advertising to university students, confirms this through claims that college pupils between the ages of 18 to 24 are the perfect group to begin building brand loyalty.

“For an energy drink [like Rockstar], [students] are the main consumers,” said Paskin.

“Once kids start drinking [Rockstar], they want to get more of it and even when they get out of college, they use it in the workplace.”

According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, marketing to students is an effective tactic that many businesses, typically technology-based businesses, are now implementing in their strategies.

Not only are pupils at the perfect age to begin establishing the idea of brand loyalty, but they are also often very willing to spend large amounts of money at a time, unlike their older and generally more frugal parents and grandparents.

Stateuniversity.com asserts that students represent “over $60 billion dollars in buying power,” and Campus Party, Inc. says that “more than 18 million U.S. college and university students spend over $200 billion annually.”

“If you are trying to develop a market and have followers and customers that are loyal, then perhaps starting at [a college campus] would be a good idea,” said Associate Dean of the College of Business Administration Mahmoud Nourayi. “Kids have more expectations about life, [which makes them] want to try new

things. If you get them hooked, they become lifetime customers.”

Advertising is not prevalent on LMU’s campus (unlike many other universities worldwide).

According to LMU Conference Services Coordinator Nic Mansilla, only a handful of companies, such as Bank of America and Wells Fargo, have contracts with the University and are permitted to publicize their products and services to students. Moreover, Mansilla notes that companies must fill out an application to determine whether they “fit the mission of the University” before a partnership can be established. “[LMU’s] policy says that [outside companies] cannot be soliciting,” said Mansilla. “They [are allowed to] promote their services, but after that, it is up to the students to contact them for their services. [Outside companies] cannot take money from students while they are on campus.”

More and more individuals can expect to see the number of student ambassadors increasing on college campuses in the future. Due to strict guidelines from universities, these scholarly salespeople have become the ideal middleman for agencies without encroaching on any regulations.

In addition, this peer-to-peer sales tactic is a method that appeals to both businesses and students alike.

“It’s easy to network as a student [through] Facebook and Twitter,” said Paskin. “You’re not dealing with an adult, you’re dealing with another person around your age. It’s easier to connect with one another.”

Justice visits Loyola Law Justice from page 1 a judge.

“My job is not to look inward, not to consider what Arthur L. Alarcón personally thinks should be done in a situation. I consider what I am required to do out of precedent, and in relation to what the Supreme Court has to say,” he said.

In many publications, including The New York Times, Kennedy has been referred to as “the decider” on many recent Supreme Court cases.

Kennedy put his often controversial position lightly, joking, “When we go around the table, and the vote is 5-4 – and I’m number five – there aren’t a lot of high fives going around.”

On the topic of current Supreme Court controversies, Kennedy also shared his aversion to the presence of video cameras in the courtroom. Although some state Supreme Court sessions have been videotaped and broadcasted live on the Internet, such as the 2009 Proposition 8 hearing in California, Kennedy maintains that there is no need to televise the U.S. Supreme Court’s verdict presentations.

Speaking for all of the justices that oppose the presence of cameras, Kennedy said that they are “concerned that it would change the way we behave.”

Kennedy explained that the U.S. Supreme Court currently has a “very real dynamic,” that some justices do not want to see altered as a result of the presence of TV cameras.

Alarcón supported Kennedy’s opinion, mentioning the ways that media could misuse the footage.

“What is troubling to me is that if something outrageous is said, excerpts and sound bites will be all over the evening news.

If the broadcasts ran in full, for purposes of education, that would be different,” he said.

Anthony M. Kennedy of the U.S. Supreme Court Born in Sacramento, Calif. on July 23, 1936 B.A. from Stanford University and the London School of Economics LL.B. from Harvard Law School Appointed to Supreme Court by President Reagan, took seat in 1988 Has served on Supreme Court for 23 years “With the retirement of fellow Stanford graduate Sandra Day O’Connor in 2006, Kennedy has inherited O’Connor’s mantle as the court’s swing vote.”

Thomas M. Defrank, New York Daily News

(Facts compiled from www.supremecourt.gov) Dol-Anne Asiru | Loyolan

Unfortunately for the courts, Kennedy reminded the audience, running those abbreviated snippets would be protected under the First Amendment.

Kennedy also defended the value of the written word.

“The reason we write is to give allegiance to our decision,” Kennedy said. “We teach that we are judged for what we write by keeping the cameras out.”

Kennedy also explained that the case laws these decisions create are very important when considering the current state of the other governmental branches.

“Congress can act only when they have overcome the inertia that seems natural to their process,” he said.

Alarcón and Kennedy were both introduced to law at a young age.

Kennedy’s father was a lawyer in his hometown of Sacramento, Calif., and Kennedy began working in his father’s office as a young boy.

Alarcón, however, had no direct

connections to the legal field. In fact, after sharing with a ninth grade guidance counselor that his parents would probably not be financially able to send him to college, Alarcón was told to consider a career as a forest ranger.

“I just asked her, ‘Well, what would you have said if I told you that my parents could afford to send me to school?’ She said that she could see me in law,” Alarcón said.

Both Alarcón and Kennedy have had comprehensive careers and honored successes and their passion for law appears to remain strong.

Alarcón discussed his attitude toward the start of each new case, saying that he always feels “blessed with being a student of the law while on the bench.”

Where some judges are glad to have escaped their law practice, Kennedy still thinks of it lovingly.

“Some people act like I should be happy to have left that world, but I loved it,” Kennedy said.

Shaina Julian | Loyolan

Students celebrate Rosh Hashanah Students celebrated the Jewish New Year last night with a gathering in Hilton 300 (pictured above). The event included Rosh Hashanah services and dinner.

For the Record In the Sept. 26 issue of the Loyolan,“Live performances to celebrate Latino Heritage Month”(page 10) incorrectly listed Eduardo Sandoval and Sean McFerran as current members of the band Salt Petal.Hiroo Nakano was not listed but is currently the drummer for Salt Petal.

Wishing the Jewish Community at Loyola Marymount University a Happy and Healt hy N ew Year from the LMU Jewish Studies Program!

Dr. Holli Levitsky, Director bellarmine.lmu.edu/jewishstudies

Opinion Student Editorials and Perspectives

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Board Editorial

Letter to the Editor

Re: “Why both parties are getting it wrong,” by Tess Wafelbakker

Board Editorials represent the voice of the Loyolan. They are written in collaboration by the Executive Editorial Board.

Laura Riparbelli Managing Editor

Kenzie O’Keefe Editor in Chief

Sept. 26, 2011 Dear Editor,

Angelica Cadiente Public Editor

Michael Goldsholl Asst. Managing Editor | Sports Editor

T

Practicing what you preach

he Loyolan celebrated its 90th birthday this past Sunday with a midday party at the Hill. Loyolan alumni, present staff and friends congregated to discuss and celebrate the trials and triumphs that have lead the Loyolan to its current standing today.

Although both LMU and the world have changed a lot over the Loyolan’s 90 years of existence, everyone – from the Loyolan alums of the 1950s to the current editors – were able to come together on a common ground of free speech and the power and responsibility that comes with it.

The Loyolan would like to thank President David W. Burcham for his participation in the event. President Burcham addressed the crowd, explaining that although he doesn’t always like what the Loyolan has to say, he recognizes the importance of allowing the paper to run without prior review from the administration.

Burcham’s support for the Loyolan’s right to free speech is notable because LMU is a private school, and at private schools, the First Amendment is a privilege that

September 29, 2011 Page 5

the administration grants a newspaper operating with its funding. It is not an inherent right.

As renowned journalist Bill Moyers said to Jon Stewart on the Daily Show on Jun. 1, 2011, “The news is about what people want to keep hidden. Everything else is publicity.”

The Loyolan takes seriously its commitment to truth–telling, regardless of the response the truth may generate. And it’s not always easy to be the messenger. Unearthing information that people sometimes want to keep hidden can be unflattering, alienating and sensitive. It is one thing for school administrators to support a school newspaper ’s First Amendment privileges when the coverage being given is positive, but the true test lies in the administration’s responses to the tough stories that run, and so far, LMU’s administration has acted in accordance with the backing they dole out in rhetoric.

It is the Loyolan’s job to cover the news accurately, responsibly and relevantly, and the Loyolan is thankful to have an administration that supports this.

I think Tess makes some valid points in her article. While I don’t think it was her intention, it is my opinion that Tess greatly misrepresented what the Democratic and Republican parties represent. I believe she could have made her point without making generalizations about the parties while focusing on her point that both parties may want to reconsider their ideologies.

In addition, I believe she greatly misrepresented the president. She writes that he has “exacerbated” the recession when in fact, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research, the “recession” began in December of 2007 and ended in June of 2009. We can acknowledge that the country is still experiencing effects from the recession and that we are possibly on our way to another, but this is highly inaccurate.

I want to see the Loyolan do better than the corporate funded media.

Part of the reason the public is misinformed is due to our journalists not doing their research and publicizing inaccurate statements.

Please ask Tess to consider retracting her statements or at least acknowledging that she mispresented our government and its leader. I’m from the school of thought that believes if you are going take shots at the office of the president, you better be sure the shots are accurate. This is the very least we can do, out of respect for the presidency.

Jonathan Gómez Class of ‘04 (B.A. in Spanish) and ‘08 (M.A. in Bilingual Secondary Education)

We’d Like To Hear From You: Loyolan Letters Policy

Letters@theloyolan.com The Loyolan welcomes letters to the editor. All submissions must include the author’s first and last name, phone number, e-mail address and year in school or relation to the University (i.e. alumnus, professor, etc.). Submissions should be typed and no more than 300 words.

Rule of Thumb

The Loyolan’s Executive Editorial Board weighs in on current topics of discussion.

A better estrogen-to-testosterone voting ratio It’s not 1919, and the 19th Amendment isn’t a recent addition to the U.S. Constitution; however, women have finally received the right to vote – in Saudi Arabia. Although denying voting rights based on gender may seem like a foreign idea to many in the United States, it is important to recognize that others around the world do not share in the same liberties we sometimes take for granted. Last week, the country’s males agreed on legislation that resulted in females now receiving the same “voting and political participation rights as males.” The Loyolan views this as a progressive step to achieving greater gender equality on an international scale.

Fashion falsities and college clothing crises

M

any people are under the impression that they control the way others view them.

Along with this misconception, many people believe that they have the power to express their individuality through the clothing they wear on a daily basis. More specifically, in the fashion mecca that is Los Angeles and at a university as fashionably up-todate as LMU, the idea that identity can be generated through our clothTill the AM ing is thoughtlessly

By Anna-Michelle accepted.

People dedicate Escher their lives to the Asst. Opinion Editor extensive and artistic realm of fashion.

Clothing and style are inescapable aspects of the consumer-based economics and history to which Angelenos have been overexposed. Numerous magazines, blogs and media outlets are dedicated to fashion and trend tracking. There is no arguing that fashion is part of our culture. However, the big question is: How much do we let the influence of fashion affect us?

A North Face jacket is sporty and practical. A Louis Vuitton bag speaks of sophistication and a willingness to pay for quality. Destroyed denim, hair feathers and fringed shirts give off a carefree vibe. A fedora hat paired with skinny jeans and TOMS Shoes gives a man an endearing Jason Mraz-style profile, while being decked out in Ed Hardy screams “douchebag.” Oftentimes, people identify so strongly with the messages of clothing brands that they begin to define themselves by them.

They believe that since they own an article of clothing, they are making a personal statement to the world.

Clothes serve more than their basic utility. The true value that is placed on clothing does not come from the content or utility of those bags and skinny jeans, but the meanings we attach to them as items we possess.

Our postmodern pop culture that we all adore so much is fed through the endless replication of recycled

HIPSTER

My favorite example of this cyclical fashion culture is Brandy Melville.

To set foot in this chain clothing store beloved by young women across the country is to surround oneself with off the shoulder T-shirts made from ridiculously thin cloth that you could probably poke your finger through. You will also see tops that read “VOGUE” across the chest and graphic tees with enlarged black and white photos of a woman’s face

PREPPY

BRO

L.A.TRENDY Greg Smith | Loyolan

fashion trends. High-waisted jeans were once a staple for moms across America while our teenage selves were squeezing into Britney Spearsinspired low-rise pants. Nowadays, one is guaranteed to see girls rocking this high-waisted, hip-hugging denim trend all over Los Angeles and LMU.

with a cigarette loosely hanging out of the side of her mouth. Almost provocative photos of models and magazine covers are pinned on the walls. Andy Warhol-esque pop art pictures are scattered everywhere, exemplifying postmodernism at its finest. As much as we love it, all of

the clothing in this store is clearly inauthentic and is purely an imitation of L.A. high culture. The entire vibe of Brandy Melville seeems to be an attempt at selling subculture (a degenerate, anti-family, “bad girl” persona), geared to the wallets of the college girl population. This whole concept of rebellion through clothing is completely futile. Scott Puckett puts it pretty well in his 2002 Clamor Magazine article, “How much did you pay for your identity?” when he says: “The only meaningful rebellion occurs between the ears, not between the changing rooms and cash register.” Identity and rebellion come not from how we dress but from our life accomplishments and how critically we view pop culture.

I do not scold Brandy Melville enthusiasts; I myself am one. I do not write off fashion as a useless and completely shallow industry. I appreciate fashion as an art form and as a lens through which to learn about culture.

It is now, as we become critical thinkers and cognizant students who are aware of the impact of pop culture, that we must decide for ourselves which hypes and fads we buy into. There is nothing wrong with using clothing as an attempt to express yourself. However, what you choose to wear must not be your only way of defining yourself. As much as you may adhere to the false belief that you are in control of your fashion statements, your image will never be truly your own. On the other hand, as a consumer, you have the power to select an amalgamation of replicated styles that fit the way you would like to portray yourself.

This is the opinion of Anna-Michelle Escher, a junior communication studies major from Stanford, Calif. Please send comments to aescher@theloyolan.com.

Opinion

September 29, 2011 Page 6

A two-state necessity A

dangerous new chapter in the eternal Israel-Palestine saga is about to be written. Palestine is advocating a vote of statehood in the United Nations which, though symbolic, is akin to a student body vote for valedictorian; it may have the votes to pass, but there is no true weight behind it. Palestinians will get their hopes up and expect revolutionary change in their country – and when it doesn’t happen, there will be chaos. Through all of this, Israel, which favors a twostate solution, is seen as the evil occupier of Palestine (who The Loyolan is led by the international Opposition terrorist organization Hamas,

By Kenneth which designates the destruction of Israel as a basic party Vlahos tenant). Clearly, the future of Staff Writer Israel, not Palestine, is truly at stake.

Israel is the target of constant, multi-faceted attacks. In day-to-day life, the Israeli people have to live in fear of suicide bombings at the local elementary school or café. In the international political world, Israel has to hear her name smeared by anti-Semitic, 9/11 “Truther” mouthpieces like Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and even on many American college campuses (many colleges such as Brown University and Bard College are hosting an “Israeli Apartheid Week”). The Israeli government has problems deciding how much money to spend on keeping Israel safe from the many countries, political groups, religious sects and individual zealots who want Israel wiped off the map. This is such a strain that even basic necessities, like education and health care, are beginning to feel financial squeezes. The Israeli people (for no reason but their country’s existence) live in constant fear that their homeland and lives could be taken at any moment.

The world, however, ignores their plight and puts on a Palestinian pity party in the U.N. But outside Israel, all we hear about is Palestinian statehood and exaggerated claims of Israeli violence.

For example, in 2009, Israeli commandos boarded a flotilla that tried to break the internationally legal Israeli naval blockade and deliver goods to Gaza.

From here the story gets twisted. According to IsraeliNationalNews.com, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that the Israeli commandos’ “attack” on Turkish civilians in international waters on board the flotilla was so blatantly wrong it was seen as “a cause for war.”

Similarly, if you ask international nonprofit (though never nonpartisan) groups like Britain’s Stop the War Coalition, they’ll tell

you that: “The decision by Israel to attack the flotilla with such loss of human life shows it is arrogant and deadly intent in opposing any aid to the Palestinians.”

However, if you read the bipartisan Palmer Report which was recently published by the U.N., you’ll find that “the incident and its outcomes were not intended by either Turkey or Israel. Both states took steps in an attempt to ensure that events did not occur in a manner that endangered individuals’ lives and international peace and security.”

Though the unfair international reactions to the flotilla raid are a blatant example of political attacks on Israel, the Palestinian push for U.N. recognition is an example of the more sinister traps the international community (Arab nations in particular) sets for Israel.

Once Palestinian statehood comes up for vote in the U.N., the two most vocal detractors will be Israel and the United States. The United States, being a U.N. Security Council member and thus having veto power, will inevitably veto the motion. This will send shockwaves throughout the Arab world and particularly throughout volatile Palestine. The Palestinians will see Israel and the U.S. as obstructionists who hate the Palestinian people.

Popular religious depictions of the U.S. and Israel as the “Great Satan” will suddenly be more relevant. The “treasonous” Obama, who won the Nobel Peace Prize due in large part to his “outreach to the Muslim world,“ according to The Jewish Daily Forward, a weekly online news source for American Jews, will be seen as pandering to Jewish-American voters (who, in a recent heavily Democratic New York congressional race, embraced the Republican candidate because they believed Obama was too antiIsrael). Fueled by a distorted perception of the Israeli flotilla raid and anger over a U.S. veto in the U.N., violence across the Middle East will break out. As Palestinian anger intensifies, the uprisings will get worse and potentially kick start a Third Intifada.

So who truly has to worry about whether or not their state will exist in the future? Whose people truly advocate peace and a two-state solution? Whose leaders have called for peace with their neighbor, not their neighbor’s utter annihilation? Who is truly the target of coordinated, international political and violent attacks? It’s not Palestine – it’s Israel. It is high time the international community (in particular the United States) stands by the Israelis and tries to broker a true, fair, two-state peace with Palestine. The fate and state of Israel depend on it.

“In day-to-day life, the Israeli people have to live in fear of suicide bombings at the local elementary school or café.”

This is the opinion of Kenneth Vlahos, a senior political science major from El Segundo, Calif. Please send comments to ktran@theloyolan.com.

Loyola Marymount University

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Kenzie O’Keefe Laura Riparbelli Angelica Cadiente Michael Goldsholl Tierney Finster Margo Jasukaitis Brigette Scobas Liz Peters Kim Tran Anna-Michelle Escher Joe Demes Erika Gill Ryan Morgan Emily Rome Kevin O’Keeffe Luisa Barron Amy Lee Hanna Sherman Michael Goldsholl John Wilkinson Dan Raffety Kayla Begg Katherine Douthit Hailey Hannan Emma Movsesian Lucy Olson Emily Wallace Dol-Anne Asiru Greg Smith Jackson Turcotte Kellie Rowan Jay Lee Thomas Finnigan Kirsten Dornbush Michael Giuntini Andrew Sabatine Amber Yin Erin Mallea Isabella Cunningham Brianna Schachtell

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Opinion

September 29, 2011 Page 7

All I do is whine, whine, whine

woke up late, told myself I had five updates (literally, but in my defense it’s three I remind myself that some people don’t have forever? Well, it doesn’t have to be. But optiminutes to shower and then took 15. years’ worth), you would quickly notice a cars (though sometimes it seems like they’ve mism is hard, you guys. In fact, a 2007 Duke #firstworldproblems.” Does this look at consistency in the content: complaining. Lots got the better end of it). If my professors all University study cited by Science Daily points all familiar to you? It should, because I tweet- and lots of complaining. If you look at my life decide to assign papers due on the same day out that extreme optimists tend to “display ed it last week. I kid, I didn’t actually tweet on paper, all of the complaints are unfounded. in three or more classes (and they do – it’s financial habits and behaviors that are generit. I decided it didn’t quite meet my come- I’ve never lacked food, clothing or a decent like they sit around and plot these things), ally not considered prudent.” So basically, if dic quality standards. education. I live in a country where the water I remind myself that not everyone has the I’m already more financially privileged, not I actually stopped and in my toilet is clean enough to drink, when means or perseverance to get to college (and complaining might make me less financially considered the privileged, and then how would I pay impact of makfor my iPad 2? ing that type of Maybe I can’t be perfectly content (mediocre) joke, in the messed up rat race society that and not just in I’ve been plunged into since birth. I terms of my don’t need to subject myself to the number of folsocial mentality that we always need lowers. more things, more opportunities and For those unfamore recognition. I can work toward “I'm at Costco, but they Incoherent miliar with the the things I want (and need) and aren’t giving out free samples.”

Rambling mysterious instiremain centered through strict menBy Erika Gill tution that is tal discipline. That sounds fun. As Twitter, a “trenda product of a generation that has Opinion Intern ing topic” is crelightning fast internet speed hang“My keyless entry remote ated when muling out in our pockets today, I think tiple users talk about a topic using I might need a handicap. Give me a died. I had to unlock my car a hash tag, or what used to be comfew years to work on this. This point like some sort of animal. ” monly called the pound, or number is illustrated beautifully by comedisign. One of the funnier trends to suran Louis C.K. in an interview with face lately are the “problems” quips Conan O’Brien. When talking about that generally satirize the complaints cell phones, C.K. said, “They got their of privileged Twitter users. When I phone, and they’re like ‘eeaagh, it “I finally found a job, and now say “lately” I speak relatively, since won’t’ – give it a second! Give it, it’s I have to shave every day.” according to KnowYourMeme.com it’s going to space, would you give it a been around since 2005 and gained second to get back from space? It’s the popularity in 2009. Some of my speed of light!” favorites from user @FiWoProblems I’m not a goldfish – my memory is on Twitter include: “I can’t hear the Greg Smith | Loyolan long and vivid. I have to keep up my movie I’m watching because my little reminders, like when my remote potato chips are too crunchy when I am chew- according to UNICEF, 884 million people that eventually, supposedly, it’s going to pay is sitting across the room, and I would almost ing them,” “I accidentally opened Internet don’t have access to safe water. There are a off). When I come home, and there is no food rather suffer corporal punishment than move Explorer and had to wait for it to finish open- number of unspeakable horrors and tragedies in my refrigerator, I should be ecstatic that out of my perfectly arranged comfortable spot ing before I could close it” and “I had too much happening around the world, and maybe in I can drive my car down to the local Whole on the couch. This is the spot where I can food for lunch, and now I’m tired.” my neighborhood this very minute, and my Foods and buy organic produce. reach my juice, my laptop is perfectly settled Now, I’m not going to lie. I have experienced greatest concern is how I’m going to fit my Despite all of these reminders, and what and my snacks aren’t going to fall over. I’m all of these “annoyances” and as a cultured, fall TV schedule in around work and school I’ve seen firsthand, the debilitating poverty, going to have to suck it up. Or I can just empathetic, socially-aware human being, I assignments. starvation and general hardships human restrict my complaining to posts for comedic realize that starvation, cholera and rape are I try to take adversity and challenges in beings are subjected to every moment of every effect on Twitter, because you know, my folfar more pressing concerns than the fact stride, and being human, this is not always day (and in the U.S. too, not just abroad), lowers are the only ones that get me. that I want to change the channel on the TV easy. The most effective way to reduce my I still complain. Is this an innately human but the remote is out of reach. Does it make problems to a seemingly manageable level is trait? Is the idea that the grass can be greener, This is the opinion of Erika Gill, a junior English major the meme less funny? Not at all. In fact, if to remind myself of all the ways I am privi- so I can’t be content with my own grass a from Victorville, Calif. Please send comments to egill@ one were to peruse my thousands of twitter leged. If my car registration fee is outrageous, pervasive attitude that will afflict my life theloyolan.com.

As heard on...

@FiWoProblems

September 29, 2011 Page 8

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By: Ian Zell

Undercover Wizards

Odd Turtle

By: Jackson Turcotte

Odd Turtle

By: Jackson Turcotte

“What do you mean you want a refund, man?

We’re the only Beetles I know of!”

Undercover Wizards

Spiritual Enlightenment

By: Ian Zell

By: Georgia Henderson

Arts & Entertainment Film, Literature, Music, Restaurants and Theater

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September 29, 2011 Page 9

Alum-made wines celebrate centennial Wine Spotlight

By Luisa Barron Asst. A&E Editor

L

MU is celebrating its 100th birthday in a grand variety of ways including, of course, the most essential component to any good birthday party: wine. Three different LMU centennial wines have been produced by Steve Brutocao and Chris Silva, both LMU alumni, and Robert Craig, a longtime participant in the annual LMU Wine Classic.

The wines will be served at special events throughout the year. Jessica Wong and Kaitlin Dela Cruz, both junior graphic design majors, created the labels for the LMU at 100 wines.

Both Brutocao and Silva were part of the class of 1986 and both ended up pouring their centennial wines at the Alumni BBQ on Sunday, Sept. 26 in Sunken Garden.

Brutocao, also a former writer for the sports section of the Loyolan, produced the Mendocino Chardonnay, which he describes as having “bright fruit flavors and this really unique hint of honey.” The chardonnay won a silver medal at the 2011 Tasters Guild International Wine Competition, as well as bronze at the 2011 California State Fair and the 2011 San Francisco International Wine Competition.

Brutocao became involved in the project by “supporting LMU with wine donations primarily with the LMU Golf Classic as well as pouring at half time at the men’s basketball games to the boosters and alumni,” he said. He also provided

Jon Rou

Three wines celebrating the University’s centennial year were made by two LMU alumni and one longtime participant in the LMU Wine Classic. wine for another university for a fundraiser and thought it might be a good idea to approach his alma mater about doing something similar. As it turned out, a project of this sort was already in the works for the centennial.

LMU almost wasn’t Brutocao’s alma mater, as he was enrolled at UC Davis in the department of viticulture and enology (also known as winemaking) until he changed his mind and came to the school on the bluff.

He referred to this decision as “the best move I’ve ever made.”

Dela Cruz designed the chardonnay’s label, which portrays a long stretch of the bluff.

“While I was on a run on that path below LMU Drive, I saw a view of the LMU letters and thought that it would make a nice background for the label,” she said.

The Sonoma County Old Vines Zinfandel was produced by Silva, of St. Francis Winery. The designer for both the zinfandel bottle as well as the cabernet sauvignon is Wong, who said she “tried to incorporate LMU or Iggy into the designs as much as she could.” The zinfandel is sold out; however, an LMU at 100 Merlot is available for purchase from St. Francis Winery.

Robert Craig’s Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon rounds out the trio of LMU at 100 wines with “great concentration and depth and flavors and a fine structure for aging,” said Craig. He became involved in the project after participating in the LMU Wine Classic since 1996. “Over the years, I’ve come to recognize that it’s the best wine event in the United States with its focus on limited-production, artisan wineries,” he said.

Art Caroll, the founder of the LMU Wine Classic, recommended one of their cabernet sauvignons be featured as an “LMU at 100” wine.

“We were greatly honored,” Craig said.

The Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon was one of the first wines Craig brought to the LMU Wine Classic in 1996, so choosing the 2006 Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon was representative of the 10-

year anniversary of their participation in the event.

The wine itself “has the signature aromas and flavors that are characteristic of Mt. Veeder cabernets, which are luscious, dark mountain berries and cassis, with cedar and a touch of mocha,” Craig said. “This is the wine for someone who loves concentrated, silky smooth cabernets.”

The Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are available for purchase online directly from the wineries, and they will be served at various centennial events throughout the year.

CENTENNIAL WINES Celebration Merlot (2009)

St. Francis Winery Red wine 76 percent Merlot, 18 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 3 percent Petit Verdot, 2 percent Malbec, 1 percent Cabernet Franc

$20 per bottle

Cabernet Sauvignon (2006) Robert Craig Winery Red wine Black currant, pencil lead, cocoa, cedar, spicy mineral

$50 per bottle

Mendocino Chardonnay (2009) Brutocao Cellars White wine Crisp green apple and lush tropical fruit flavors

$15 per bottle

Movie marathon to showcase restored films Film Preview

By Jackie Fischer Contributor

S

chool of Film and Television (SFTV) Dean Stephen Ujlaki is bringing a little piece of Italy to LMU. A movie marathon with restored prints from Cineteca di Bologna, located in Italy, begins at noon tomorrow in Mayer Theater.

At the marathon, titled “Il Cinema Ritrovato: Rediscovered Film,” rarely seen restored films will be shown including Charlie Chaplin’s “Keystone” Shorts, Michelangelo Antonioni’s “Le amiche,” Vittorio De Seta’s “Banditi a Orgosolo,” and Bjibril DiopMambéty’s “Touki Bouki.”

Ujlaki decided to bring these restored prints to LMU after his trip to Bologna, Italy last June for the “Il Cinema Ritrovato,” funded by the director of Cineteca di Bologna, Gian Luca Farinelli.

“I was knocked out by the quality of the films, the beauty of Bologna and the numerous free outdoor screenings,” Ujlaki said.

“When I found out that the Bologna festival [Il Cinema Ritrovato] had never actually been in the United States, except for briefly in Washington D.C., I thought it would be great to bring it over to the West Coast.”

This is an opportunity to not only see rare films, but to take

School of Film and Television

“Le Amiche” is one of the restored Italian films featured in tomorrow’s movie marathon in Mayer Theater. part in an extremely unique experience. “Le Amiche” is one of Antonioni’s earliest films which students are unlikely to have seen, but hints at what is to come from him in the story of a woman who sets up a fashion salon in Rome.

“Bandits of Orgosolo” is an exciting thriller that tells the story of a shepherd whose life is drastically altered, while “Keystone Shorts” includes Chaplin’s debut playing his famous role as “The Tramp.”

An African-American film from 1973, “Touki Bouki” is a rarely seen print. The film is about two young Senegalese people who dream of escaping Senegal for a better life.

Restoration laboratories used the original film materialsand digitized and scanned them. “[Cinteca di Bologna’s] main missions are restoration, preservation and circulation. We have teaching activities and production activities because people don’t know what preservation

means. We are trying to preserve the past,” explains Cecilia Cenciarelli, curator of the Chaplin Project at the Cineteca di Bologna. She is also the research and archival coordinator for the World Cinema Foundation.

“We are losing a lot of films because people aren’t preserving them,” said LMU film studies professor Sue Scheibler, who is overseeing promotion of the event.

Cenciarelli added, “The importance of restoring not just the

classics, but these films that nobody knows about, is so that they can be put on a big screen for everyone to see.”

Cenciarelli will attend the movie marathon to introduce the films, as she has been working as an archivist for Cineteca di Bologna for the past 11 years. She will also give an informative lecture on preservation today from 2-4 p.m. in Hannon Library’s Von Der Ahe Family Suite.

The entire event is open to the whole LMU community as well as the community surrounding the University.

“I hope this is the first of many events like this because it is truly a great thing. It shows a lot about the new dean [Ujlaki] and the vision he has for [SFTV],” said Scheibler, who is also teaching an elective related to the films being presented in the series.

The movie marathon will take place tomorrow in Mayer Theater. It kicks off at noon and admission is free as long as attendees reserve their spot. To R.S.V.P., go to SFTV’s site, go to events, click on “Movie Marathon” and then click “R.S.V.P. for the event.”

“I encourage everyone to come out, as students would be surprised at how different and wonderful worldwide cinema is,” Ujlaki said. “People are used to mainstream Hollywood films, but those films occupy a very narrow spectrum, and this opportunity will really open your mind to films you have never seen.”

September 29, 2011 Page 10

Arts & Entertainment

www.laloyolan.com

‘Equivocation’ is a cleverly crafted ‘what-if’ Theater Review

By Brandon Cudequest Staff Writer

A

still frame comes to life as a playwright named Shag, or Shakespeare in a parallel universe, is told to write a play on a current historical event.

More specifically, Shag is commissioned to write about the Gunpowder Plot that almost blew up the Parliament building in the 17th Century. So the setup is a “whatif?” in which the most celebrated theatrical writer’s subject matter is “V for Vendetta.” Forget Alan Moore, and bring on the Bard!

The Del Rey Players’ production of “Equivocation,” a play written

by Bill Cain and performed at LMU as part of this year’s Bellarmine Forum, is a delight to watch thanks to a clever premise, stellar performances and a talented crew.

The supporting cast is what makes this rather bizarre play work. There are several plays within the play, as well as other ensemble roles that greatly outnumber the actual number of cast members. Most of the supporting cast take on multiple roles but manage to have clearly defined character choices for each part.

Sophomore theatre arts and political science double major Patrick Buchanan plays Robert Cecil, King James’ right-hand man. He is hilarious, menacing and commanding in any scene. Though at times his performance runs dangerously close to over the top, it holds true here that it’s always better to be an over-the-top antagonist than one who is lackluster.

Sophomore Emily Ludlow, double majoring in theatre arts and history, holds her own as the only

Jackie Fischer | Loyolan

Freshman Gabriel Gonzalvez plays Shag in the Del Rey Players’ “Equivocation,” which opens tonight and is part of the Bellarmine Forum. female cast member. She plays Judith, Shag’s daughter and one of his harshest critics. The sole problem with Ludlow is that she was not in enough scenes. Given her talent, the director would have done well to place Judith into more scenes. Even when Ludlow has no dialogue, she maintains high energy and a notable stage presence, which prevents the show from dragging. Every so of-

ten when the plot starts to become tedious, Judith appears on stage, says a comical metacognitive quip and reengages the audience in the onstage drama.

Freshman theatre arts major Gabriel Gonzalvez is just so-so as the lead character of Shag. He has some funny bits and certainly looks the part, but compared to the rest of the cast, his energy falls flat at times. Gonzalvez nev-

The technical crew members er took full command of the stage and is continually the weaker also throw in a few tricks of their part of the onstage dynamic. His own. Transitions and scene changsuperb supporting cast constantly es were carefully choreographed, with help from sophomore theatre outperforms him.

All applause should be directed arts major Kent Jenkins’ fantastic towards sophomore theatre arts lighting design. Onstage action major Rechard Francois. His first and conversations serve as misdirole is that of Richard, an actor and rection while scene changes occur shareholder at the Globe Theatre. in dark portions of the stage.

The most rewarding scene is He also portrays a Jesuit priest named Henry Garnet. Francois’ the performance of “Macbeth” characters were fully fleshed out, in Act Two, which is achieved believable and dynamic. While through careful manipulation of the play centers around Shag’s the set pieces. Careful planning internal and external conflicts, it by set designer and senior theis Francois’ two main characters atre arts major Ashley Donnert, that are more interesting to watch as well as precise blocking and timing of the actors, resulted in a and sympathize with.

“Equivocation” not only boasts well-choreographed scene and a a strong cast, but also a skilled di- powerful climax.

In typical rector. The plot Shakespearean gets convoluted “Equivocation” fashion, the at times, but play ends with is saved with Del Rey Theater (North Hall) an epilogue in clever tricks which Judith employed by Today - Oct. 1, Oct. 6-8, 8 p.m. explains that director junior Free tickets available from Shag wrote theatre arts five plays after major Thomas Central Ticket Agency: the Scottish Wickboldt and (310) 338-7588. play. The lathis crew. Beter four have cause of the way Cain wrote the play, it is difficult been deemed clumsy and subpar at times to discern if the events on to the rest of his work. Similarly, stage are happening in real time, not every part of “Equivocation” is in flashbacks or in the play within perfect, but the sum of the parts the play. Wickboldt stages Shag yields a more than satisfactory distanced away from the center result. The overall message of tellof the action, as if the playwright ing the truth in the most diffiis so consumed in the writing pro- cult of times is an important one cess that the lines between reality that could be applied to multiple and the play are blurred. While a contexts in today’s society. The creative stylistic choice, it takes production is a great exercise in a few transitions to get used to it “what-if” and a recipe for a good before the audience can accept the time. If you are looking to laugh, convention and the fact that the learn or brush up on your Shakesupporting cast takes on so many speare, “Equivocation” is the play to see. different roles.

www.laloyolan.com

Arts & Entertainment

September 29, 2011 Page 11

‘In Love With Night,’ a new twist on ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ opening at Barnelle Theatre Theater Preview

By Jennifer Pastore Contributor

A

lthough all the words in the theatre arts program’s first play of the year, “In Love With Night,” are Shakespeare’s words, don’t expect to get just another typical version of this classic play. Barnelle Theatre opens its doors this evening for the adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” written and directed by theatre arts professor Ron Marasco.

“I think there is a darker play in there,” Marasco said of “Romeo and Juliet.” “There is a more intimate play in there … not just the dark side meaning sinister, but dark side meaning hidden. This is a play about hidden love. This is a play about the lengths that people have to go to conceal their hearts, and I think that, to me, is my main interest in the show.”

As for what we can expect from the set, Marasco is staying consistent with the dark side and doing something out of the ordinary.

“It is set in a 1939 radio studio. It’s done like a radio play because I believe the play, like some of those old radio plays, is plotted in a way that is deliberately exciting,” he said. “I think it’s Shakespeare’s tightest plot, where things are hap-

pening, your heart is pounding to see how things are going to turn out. There’s a lot of violence. There’s a lot of erotica.”

Finding just the right cast to embrace the play adaptation was challenging. The production consists of nine actors who will even use the old microphones like those used in old radio plays in order to create a mood.

“I think every play presents its own challenges. [The] challenge of this play is finding actors that are unique and interesting enough. I was very happy with what I was able to find,” Marasco said.

The leading lady of the night, senior theatre arts major Emma Neveu, plays Juliet.

Neveu will hold onto her native accent during the performance as well as keep a very natural appearance.

“She has a very French accent, and I did that because first of all, I think she is an absolutely breathtakingly lovely actress and very, very natural and gifted but because [also] it’s very exciting and interesting,” Marasco said.

Neveu said, “I can’t get rid of [the accent]. And [Ron] has never asked me to change anything. I’m not going to wear makeup. I’m not going to wear anything in my hair. It’s just going to be natural.”

As for Juliet’s love interest Romeo, played by sophomore theatre arts and art history

Andres Andrieu | Loyolan

Robyn Littleworth, as Nurse, and Nick Poehls, as Romeo, share a microphone in a scene from “In Love With Night.” double major Nick Poehls, he Night,’” he said. had one request from the di“Coming into it I definitely rector: “Can you not worry think [the audience] should about the fact that you’re Ro- have an open mind. They’re meo?” asked Marasco. Poehls just not going to see anything will attempt to leave those they are going to expect. … preconceived notions behind It’s entertaining, let’s put it and adapt to Marasco’s hidden that way. I think it’s thrilling,” story.

Poehls said.

“As far as building a characNeveu added, “His adaptater, I wanted to be the anti-Ro- tion isn’t the cheesy ‘Romeo meo. There’s been obviously so and Juliet.’ Everything you’ve many of the very same people seen before about ‘Romeo and that play Romeo. I just wanted Juliet,’ when you see this play to make him it will be like more realyou have not istic, more seen any“In Love With Night” relatable,” thing.”

Barnelle Theatre Poehls said.

ThroughW h e t h out all of er you’re a S h a k e Sept. 29 - Oct. 2, Oct. 5 - 8 Shakespeare s p e a r e ’s addict or plays, he 8 p.m. not, there finds a way are many to mix all difGeneral Admission: $15 twists that ferent kinds LMU Students/Faculty/ will come of people as a shock. with differStaff and Seniors: $10 Some specent emotions tators will and traits Tickets available at CTA: find aspects that Marasco (310) 338-7588. of the play hopes to mirpotentially ror in this controverproduction. sial. However, there will still “I want people to come and be many aspects that hold true see this play and think it was to Shakespeare’s love for live scary, sexy, [to have] their theater to keep it exciting and hearts pounding, [thinking] attention-grabbing. it was beautiful and above all “Everything that I’ve done, [that] they understood every I have tried to root in what I word of it,” he said. think is the soul of the play. It’s “This is a play about young not just arbitrary. I think that people that have a heart that my goal was to try and make they’re hiding from their parthe soul of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ ents. … This is not just a play more apparent in this produc- about young people in love. tion of the play ‘In Love With This is a play about young peo-

DEJAVIEW MOVIE LOUNGE Movie Times Thur. 9/29 “Thor” 7 p.m.

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ple who are destroyed by older people ultimately,” he said.

You can catch the performance at LMU’s Barnelle Theatre at 8 p.m. from today through Oct. 2 and from Oct. 5-8. Tickets are available for purchase at the LMU Central Ticket Agency at (310) 3387588.

Andres Andrieu | Loyolan

Emma Neveu stars as Juliet in the new theatre arts program’s production,“In Love With Night.”

September 29, 2011 Page 12

Arts & Entertainment

Mentalist to perform

Q&A with a KXLU DJ

Event Preview

DJ Frank Higuera “The Frank�: Friday, 3-6 p.m.

Music Q&A

By Hanna Sherman A&E Intern

A

&E Intern Hanna Sherman sat down with KXLU Music Director and DJ Frank Higuera, a senior psychology major, and a plate of The Lair’s Asian cuisine to discuss his show, 'The Frank,� and some of the oddities that come with working at KXLU. “The Frank� is slotted every Friday, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Hanna Sherman: If you had to describe your show in five words, what would they be?

Frank Higuera: This is hard! Let’s see, “rocking out with new music?�

There we go!

HS: Do you have any running gags or pranks at the station?

FH: We don’t really have any pranks. We do have some callers that call on numerous occasions throughout the day. There’s one that’s a 40-year-old man, whose name is Ty. He always calls in during my shows, about three to four times. He’ll do the same with everyone else’s shows too. He’s basically a friend of the station, so it’s not really a gag, but it’s one of those things that you would only know about if you worked at KXLU. HS: Does he make really quirky comments, or a lot of requests?

FH: He just asks us to play some punk music, or something funky, and he always asks what we’ve eaten that day. He always tells me that we should go out and get a burrito together.

Shaina Julian | Loyolan

Catch “The Frank� on KXLU 88.9 FM on Friday afternoons, 3-6 p.m.

HS: So he’s a fan of burritos?

FH: He’s a fan of food in general. And punk and funk music. He used to be a punk rocker when he was younger, in the ’80s.

HS: What is the most memorable mistake you’ve ever made on the radio?

FH: When I had a different time slot, from 2-6 a.m. on Monday mornings and Tuesday mornings, I went to a show at a venue called Pehrspace before one of my shows. I saw Kevin Greenspon, who makes a lot of ambient noise music. He decided to make a kind of pop/punk EP and gave it to me so I could play it on my show. I was up [at the station] with my friend Pablo, and we were discussing what we thought about the record.

When we had an air break, I announced that I was going to be

On Campus

Room for rent LMU adjacent.

Own bath, garage spot, W/D in unit. Cable, wifi Hardwood flrs. Furnished. $800 incl util. Quiet neighborhood (310) 714-3101

LMU ICE HOCKEY HOME OPENER on October 7 @ 6:00 p.m. versus UCLA! FREE BUS! Our season is just underway and we have one of our strongest teams ever! Admission is free to all LMU faculty, staff, and studentsĂ– Games are played in Harbor City. http:// www. lmuicehockey.com. LMU ICE HOCKEY Ăą the fastest game on campus

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playing the Kevin Greenspon EP. I had already heard a little of it before on the ride back to the station.

I was talking to [Pablo] about it, while we were playing the songs on air, and we were talking about whether or not we liked the new record and his new stuff. I remember saying that I thought it was all right, pretty decent, and that I liked his ambient noise material a lot better. Pablo says that he’s not a huge fan of it. I guess, the bad part about that was that I forgot to turn off the mics, so while his music was playing we were criticizing it.

HS: Do you think he ever found out?

FH: He might have, because he listens to KXLU, and he was at that show right before. I still talk to him and we’re still good, so I hope not.

“The L.A. Times said he was ‘a crazy mix between Jack Black and Criss Angel,’� said Sharon Asst. A&E Editor Aguilera, ME’s Special Events sychic abilities and hi- manager. “[Bott is] more enterlarity: an entertainment taining since he will be doing combination offered by [comedy and magic] at once.�

The Friday Night Lights series Mentalist Sean Bott. As the newest guest of Mane Entertain- consists of events that give stument’s (ME) Friday Night Lights dents fun alternatives to going series, set to appear on campus out. The series’ various events tomorrow, Bott not only has psy- include Adopt a Fish, magicians, hypnotists and chic, mental and Casino Night. intuitive skills, “It will be fun but also performs Mentalist Sean Bott and something improv comedy, new; we haven’t taking on amushad a mentalist ing, quirky charThe Living Room on campus beacters. The show fore,� Aguilera will be very inFriday, Sept. 30 said.“Great teractive as stuentertainment dents will have 8:30 p.m. and [it’s] right the opportunity Free on campus [and] to participate in exams are comthe performance. ing up. Not havBott has traving to bother goeled internationally with his distinctive one-man ing too far to have a great night show. He has appeared on the is what we want to offer to the Syfy Channel, the WB, on-air students.�

The Living Room doors open with Radio Disney and in several films. He has also performed at at 8 p.m. and the event starts at various college campuses across 8:30 p.m. Admission is free. the country.

By Amy Lee

P

Classifieds

For Rent

Pistahan Isang Bansa’s First Event of the Semester is on Oct. 2, 2011 at 10am Mass in Sacred Hearts Chapel.

Food, Friends, Family and Festivities will be in Sculpture Garden

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Sports

September 29, 2011 Page 13

Shifting conferences focus on money, not fans KC at the Bat from page 16 (WCC). Texas Christian University (TCU) left the non-automatic qualifying Mountain West for the Big East.

Syracuse University and the University of Pittsburgh both left the Big East and joined the emerging Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

Texas A&M has left the Big 12 to become the 13th member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

Now, the Big Ten has 12 teams while the Big 12 has 10 teams.

Even the hardcore college football fans are confused.

As a result of conferences expanding in the hope of garnering more TV revenue, the possibility of four super conferences with 16 teams each isn’t far-fetched. The SEC, Big 10, Pac-12 and ACC now all have at least 12 members, while the Big 12 only has nine members, and the Big East has seven members.

If the college sports conference landscape wasn’t seen as a monopoly before, it definitely is seen as one now. Conferences are consolidating, and as a result, the smaller non-BCS (Bowl Championship Series) conferences are going to suffer.

According to a report released by the BCS earlier this year, the five non-BCS conferences received a share of $24.72 million dollars to be split between all five.

On the other hand, each of the six BCS conferences received a share anywhere from $21.2 to $27.2 million to be distributed

among its members.

The Loyola Marymounts, the Butlers and Virginia Commonwealths of the NCAA are going make even less money as a result of all of the consolidation of the conferences.

Basically, if you aren’t in a BCS conference, you’re screwed. Could you imagine how much more money the bigger conferences will make as a result of further consolidation?

More money leads to nicer athletic facilities. Better athletic facilities lead to better recruits.

Better recruits lead to better on-the-field performances. More wins mean more revenue. And the process starts itself over again. “[The WCC] negotiated as good a TV pact for a non-football conference than any other conference, and yet we get a fraction, maybe 1 percent, maybe a tenth of a percent, of what the Pac-12 gets,” LMU Athletic Director Bill Husak told the Long Beach Press-Telegram in a Sept. 18 article on conference realignment.

It may be difficult to see the inequality right now, but in the long-term, the gap between small-market and big-market schools will widen even more.

There will be less upsets and less chances for the underdog to compete. The bigger the conferences get, the more travel will be required of every school. More travel means less time in the classroom.

Conference realignment has destroyed traditional rivalries

and matchups that have grown throughout the years. In Pac-12 football, teams used to be able to play all nine other teams in the regular season. But now that Utah and Colorado have been added, playing all teams in your conference isn’t possible anymore.

The same goes for the Big 10 and the ACC, who have moved from 10 members to 12 members this past year. Now Washington has to travel all the way to Colorado instead of playing UCLA who is on the same coast and in the same time zone?

Is conference realignment really as bad as I’m making it seem? Stopping greed is impossible within the business of sports.

Unless people stop paying for tickets and watching the games on TV, the conference commissioners and the athletic directors of each school will keep looking for ways to make more money.

There is no stopping this.

As fans, we are powerless and can’t do anything about it. I can complain, you can complain, but we won’t be complaining when we see a game-winning catch in the fourth quarter of a BCS championship game.

“It’s greed. Hypocrisy, greed and cannibalism,” said LMU men’s basketball Head Coach Max Good at the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches clinic last Saturday.

Well put, Good. Well put.

This is the opinion of Kevin Cacabelos. Please send comments to mgoldsholl@theloyolan.com

• After falling to No. 2 UCLA last Saturday, the men’s water polo team plays host to No. 14 Princeton University today at 3 p.m. at Burns Aquatic Center. The team will then travel to Long Beach, Calif. where it will participate in a tournament that begins with a matchup against No. 6 University of the Pacific on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 12:30 p.m.

• To kick off the 2011-12 season, the women’s tennis team is participating in the San Diego State Tournament this weekend, which begins on Friday, Sept.

30.

• Not having played a game since its loss to CSU Northridge last Friday, the women’s soccer team is set to return to the field on Sunday, Oct. 2 as it travels to Las Vegas, Nev. to take on UNLV at 4 p.m.

Compiled by Michael Goldsholl | Asst. Managing Editor | Sports Editor

Sports

September 29, 2011 Page 14

www.laloyolan.com

Baca finds MLS success Baca from page 16 the Mexican-born free agent.

Despite not being able to appear in first-team matches for the Earthquakes, Baca couldn’t be stopped from making his impression with the coaching staff. He participated in the team’s preseason training camp in London and upon returning to the States, made multiple appearances for the Earthquakes’ reserve team.

“It was hard, knowing I had done all the preseason with them and that I wasn’t going to be able to start [the season] even if maybe I was in the plans of the head coach to get some playing time,” Baca said.

On July 8, with the work visa issues resolved and the contract approved by the MLS, Baca’s signing became official. His dreams had become a reality, he was officially a professional soccer player. One day later he made his MLS debut, coming on in the 80th minute against the Philadelphia Union.

“I don’t even think I have words to describe what I felt [during] my first appearance. … Just being out there, I don’t know, it was crazy,” Baca said. “Knowing I was getting closer every time, and now I was at the level I wanted to be. I think I was overwhelmed, and at the same time happy and excited that I was there.”

After a month of making spot substitute appearances, Baca’s first start came in the form of a truly special homecoming.

On Aug. 20, the Earthquakes made the trip down to visit the L.A.

Galaxy for a game at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Appearing for the first time as a professional so close to where he grew up, Baca was selected for the first starting 11 of his professional career.

“That was the best moment I’ve had this year. I was back in L.A., back where I grew up, back where I have my friends and family. Knowing everyone was there to watch me play was the best,” Baca said.

The excitement of his debut was stoked by the Galaxy’s star-studded lineup. Playing across from Baca in the Galaxy’s midfield were internationally recognized stars like Landon Donovan and David Beckham as well as Ireland international striker Robbie Keane, also making his MLS debut that night.

“Those are big-time players that when I was little, I used to look up to, and now I was on the same field as them playing,” Baca said.

Baca played the full 90 minutes that night, and he has continued to play major minutes for the Earthquakes, starting all five of their matches since debuting and playing more than 80 minutes in each of those matches. “[He has] great energy, I think he’s using the ball well, been an excellent teammate. I think he’s worked very hard for the team, he’s been good,” Earthquakes Head Coach Frank Yallop told CSNBayArea.com’s Nicolas Rosano earlier this month.

As he has settled into a regular starting role with his new MLS team, Baca is able to put the frustrating waiting period in perspec-

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As a member of the LMU men’s soccer team, Rafael Baca (pictured during his senior season at LMU last year) was named First-Team WCC All-Conference three straight years. Now he is playing professionally as a member of the MLS’s San José Earthquakes. tive.

“I knew that I had to be patient.

I knew that the right time was going to come and once that time came I had to be ready for it,” Baca said.

“So I took it as a time to learn … to get ready for that opportunity when it got there. I think when it did get there, I felt ready for it and so far I feel really good.”

Baca has started to make his mark as a creator with the Earthquakes the same way he ended up as LMU’s second all-time assist

leader. Baca has recorded two assists in his first 11 games, providing the ball for the game-winning goal in San José’s Sept. 10 game against the Chicago Fire.

“I think the intensity of the game is different, the pace of the game is different. You have to be more precise on your passes,” Baca said, when asked about the differences from the college level he has seen in his first months of professional soccer.

Now that he is becoming a regu-

lar in Yallop’s lineup, Baca has his sights set on helping the Earthquakes win both conference and MLS titles. Down the line he would love to move on to test himself at bigger clubs in bigger environments overseas, but for now he is just enjoying living his dreams and trying to get better every day.

“I enjoy it a lot, but there is a lot of room for improvement to get to the level I want to be at,” Baca said.

Every game is a learning experience for me.”

Sports

www.laloyolan.com

September 29, 2011 Page 15

Volleyball back home after 11 straight on road LMU volleyball set for centennial game vs. Brigham Young.

By Emily Wallace Copy Editor After a successful series of matches against Gonzaga University and the University of Portland, the Lions prepare to take on the Brigham Young Cougars tonight in Gersten Pavilion at 7 p.m. in the team’s home conference opener. The Cougars are spotting a 12-3 record, 1-0 in West Cost Conference (WCC) play.

This marks the centennial game for the women’s volleyball team and is its first home game since Aug. 27.

LMU is 8-6 on the season and 2-0 in the WCC. The Lions went a full five-game set with Portland, eventually coming out on top. The Lions finished with 59 kills compared to the Pilots’ 58.

In order to gain interest amongst the LMU community, the team has targeted the

school to pack Gersten Pavilion for its home opener. Head Coach Tom Black said, “The girls paint the dorm rooms. …

Most of it is up to marketing, and hopefully they are working hard [to gain interest for the game].”

Since last weekend, the team’s spirits have been lifted.

“Our team has gained a lot of confidence. We were down in the fourth set [against Gonzaga] and we won. It showed us that we could beat them, play our volleyball and win games,” said senior Team Captain Jasmine Rankins.

“We are going to play tough,” said junior Team Captain Olivia Bailey. “We know that they are going to be a good team, so we’ve talked a lot about playing strong and staying consistent lately.”

Though LMU wants to win, they are also very focused on the way they will play. Middle blocker junior Kenna Crouse said, “Our main goal is to play consistent and to play every point the same and like it is the last.”

Black added that he wants

the team to “play with confidence and feel that at the end of the match [they] got better.”

When asked what practice has been focused on lately, Crouse responded, “Blocking. … Lots of blocking.”

Black said, “The team is [also] working out long sets.

This is when the setter is pushed behind the middle of the court. We want to maintain a fast offense and keep the speed of the set the same no matter where the setter is.

It takes a lot of training and a lot of communication.”

After weeks of traveling, the team is ecstatic to play at home. Rankins said, “We are so excited to be on our own court.

We are used to it, and we love it. It’s so nice to not be traveling this week or next week.”

The team is expecting to have a lot of support at its game tonight. “We are going to be advertising the game at Convo … so look out!” said Bailey. “We are handing out shirts and flyers, and there will be giveaways at the game, too.”

The game is also advertised on the LMU Lions’ Facebook page.

Volleyball Leaders Kills:

Assists:

Hitting Percentage:

• Jasmine Rankins - 164 • Alyse Hensley - 119 • Litara Keil - 107

• Ashley Maxfeldt - 47 • Betsie Metter - 32 • Lauren DeGrandmont- 10

• Litara Keil - .252 • Alyse Hensley - .245 •Jasmine Rankins - .202

LMU Athletics

Junior middle-blocker Kenna Crouse recorded nine kills and one block to help solidify the five-set Lion victory over the University of Portland Pilots.

66 points and a lot of ink later Two Plus the Foul from page 16 unparalleled passion for the game, while still maintaining an “I like to have fun, too” mentality.

Who has ever heard a professional athlete in his early 20s with nearly nauseating amounts of talent and natural ability talk about ideals such as, “hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard”? And not only does he say it, but he also embodies it to the point which everyone and their mother believes it. Along with his fellow Oklahoma City Thunder teammates, Durant brought a university feel to the pros – something that had never really been welcomed before by the season veterans of the league. But the Thunder was a different team – as a rookie, Durant was the 19-year-old leader of the Thunder, and the rest of the league and its fans began to embrace the youth movement that OKC was pioneering.

Instead of making headlines for drug arrests, bankruptcy or domestic violence, Durant made (and makes) headlines for homemade music videos created by him and some of his teammates. He caught people’s attention for being a gym rat, and surprisingly embracing the culture of Oklahoma City, a location in which most young NBA superstars would chuck up the deuces to as soon as possible.

However, until this summer, Durant lacked one quality that kept him from becoming the perfect poster child for professional sports: swagger. As fantastic an athlete and as likeable of a guy as he is, he didn’t have much street cred. He was viewed as a humble guy who was ludicrously good at shooting a basketball (aka he was the epitome of the phrase, “nice guys finish last,” as he continued

to be publicly overshadowed by players with more swagger, such as LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and even Dwight Howard).

Curiously, Durant’s swagger rose exponentially this summer, despite the NBA being locked out and out of commission. He started things off by dropping 66 points at Harlem’s Rucker Park in New York City. In case you are unaware of the social implications of achieving such a feat – Rucker Park is the breeding ground for street cred. As the saying goes, if you can succeed there, you can pretty much succeed anywhere.

Further adding to his rising swagger and “coolness,” Durant decided to get inked up this summer.

Although it may have blemished his clean-cut image just a tad, his new ink is cloaked enough (his chest and back now don tattoo murals that are definitely worth looking up) to the point where it isn’t going to hamper his marketability, nor will it always be something that is associated with his image for the rest of his career. Rather, the only ways in which one could see them would be either that unlikely chance he takes his jersey off on TV or if you “Googled” it. Otherwise, it’s as if his ink doesn’t exist, and he remains the same cleancut, goody two-shoes basketball player who can also hang 60-plus on you at Rucker Park.

As a diehard Lakers fan, I’m obligated to root against Durant and the Thunder. However, regardless of whom you or I root for, it’s almost impossible to hear the name “Kevin Durant” and not have it be synonymous with the word “cool.”

This is the opinion of Michael Goldsholl.

Please send comments to mgoldsholl@ theloyolan.com.

www.laloyolan.com

Lion Sports

September 29, 2011 Page 16

Durant’s Former Lion fulfills dream in MLS summer of swagger After a trying summer, Rafael Baca has found a home with the MLS’s San José Earthquakes.

By John Wilkinson Asst. Sports Editor

Michael Goldsholl looks at Kevin Duran’ts transformation during the offseason.

I

don’t care if you’re still changing the bandages on your wounds left by the departure of the Seattle Sonics, but the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant has to be the “coolest” athlete in sports today.

Normally, the use of the word “cool” bothers me, as it is vague and doesn’t actually pinpoint someone’s highlight-worthy qualities. However, for Durant, “cool” is the only way to describe his persona and revolutionary impact on the curTwo Plus the Foul rently non-existent National Basketball

By Michael Goldsholl Association (NBA).

Asst. Managing Editor | It was obvious that when he came Sports Editor into the league after a one-and-done season at the University of Texas (where he became the first freshman in NCAA basketball history to take home Player of the Year honors) he was going to be a stud. But what most people didn’t foresee right away was that his inhuman humility, silky stroke and freak-of-nature wingspan (7-foot-5-inches!) would translate into the future alpha dog of the NBA. His superhuman abilities and exceptional knack for scoring were obvious almost immediately upon his entrance into the league.

But over the years, there had been tons of players to come and go with similar talents that never fell under the same category of “cool” – what made Durant any different?

Sure, it may have been his disassociation with the NBA’s former negative image, which Commissioner David Stern has worked so hard to abolish. Yes, his youth and innocence definitely played a role. (Who doesn’t like seeing a young and talented kid succeed among a game played by men?) But rather, it is largely due to his presence as the ideal superstar teammate who also possesses an

As a kid, everyone is conscious of the question, “What do you want to do when you grow up?” LMU alumnus Rafael Baca always dreamed of playing professional soccer. After years of hard work and a few months of patiently waiting, that lifelong dream finally became a reality.

“Every day I wake up and I thank God for the opportunity and blessings He has given me. I know a lot of people have dreams and not a lot of them reach them, so for me to wake up and do what I love the most is the best feeling ever,” Baca said.

Baca’s journey – from Tuxpan, Michoacán, Mexico where he was born, to growing up in Lawndale, Calif., attending Animo Leadership Charter High School in Inglewood, starring at LMU and finally arriving in Major League Soccer (MLS) – has not been one without its fair share of obstacles.

Following his senior season at LMU, Baca seemed sure to be considered for either one of MLS’s two entry drafts, the Superdraft and the Supplemental draft.

Baca’s career accomplishments at LMU are so numerous that listing them eloquently is almost impossible.

He was a four-year starter at LMU, named First-Team All-Conference three straight times, considered for the MAC Hermann Trophy national Player of the Year award, National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Third-Team All-American in addition to leaving his mark on the alltime program record books as number two in career games played (79), shots (213) and assists (19), third with 57 points, and fourth with 19 goals.

That plan was derailed, however,

Associated Press

LMU alumnus Rafael Baca has appeared in 11 games for the San José Earthquakes this year after making his MLS debut on July 9. He has started the last six matches, tallying two assists. when Baca was passed over for a spot in the pre-draft scouting combine.

“I thought I was going to get invited to the combine. Once I didn’t get invited to the combine, I knew it was going to be tough for me to get into a team in the MLS because no one would be able to see me,” Baca said.

“So by me not getting that chance, I knew my opportunities in the draft or the Supplemental draft were low.”

Both drafts came and went without Baca’s name being called. However, his luck would turn in what seemed like one of the program’s darkest mo-

Realignment favors greed over fans

Men’s Soccer

Kevin Cacabelos takes a look at the controversial changes happening among the BCS conferences.

last night

at San Diego.

T

See KC at the Bat | page 13

See Baca | page 14

USD 2 LMU 0

See Two Plus the Foul | page 15

he college sports landscape is in total flux, and it looks like there are still some schools on the verge of changing conferences. Here’s a brief recap on the moves that have happened since last year: University of Nebraska left the Big 12 for the Big 10.

The Universities of Colorado and Utah have left the Big 12 and Mountain West, respectively, for the eventual Pac-12.

Brigham Young University (BYU) KC at the Bat decided to go indeBy Kevin Cacabelos pendent in football, placing all other Staff Writer sports in the West Coast Conference

ments.

When the Lions traveled to the Bay Area for the funeral service of fallen teammate David Kucera, San José Earthquakes Assistant Coach Ian Russell happened to be in attendance as well. Russell offered Baca a tryout with the MLS club, and it did not take long for the former Lion to impress.

Baca agreed to a contract to join the Earthquakes in February, but the official signing of his contract and his professional debut were delayed by

Allie Shorin | Loyolan

Dol-Anne Arisu | Loyolan

Men’s soccer falls flat in conference opener, lose 2-0 to USD

Despite being the preseason favorite to win the West Coast Conference Championship, the Lions gave up a goal in each half en route to losing their WCC opener to the University of San Diego Toreros last night. The Lions have now lost five consecutive games and have fallen to 2-7-0 on the season. Senior Leading scorer Artur Jozkowicz (pictured above left in a game earlier this season) and the Lions’ offense were held scoreless for the third time this season. USD opened the scoring in the 29th minute when James Cohn put away the goal. USD added to the lead in the 66th minute when Stephen Posa headed into an open goal from close range to put the game out of reach. LMU returns home on Sunday at 3 p.m. for a game against St. Marys.