Thurs., April 23, 2015

THE MARLIN CHRONICLE THURSDAY 4.23.15 || MARLINCHRONICLE.VWC.EDU ||

VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE

Anthony Dellamura | Marlin Chronicle

Joanne Renn, VWC’s althethic director, and Kayla Malkos, junior softball player, embrace during VWC’s annual Strike Out Cancer game on Saturday, April 18.

‘She wanted to beat it all’

BY BRIAN LE btle@vwc.edu

On Saturday, April 18, the VWC softball and baseball programs partnered together to host Virginia Wesleyan’s Seventh Annual Strike Out Cancer Day at the VWC Softball Complex.

This yearly fundraising event is held in memory of Head Softball Coach Brandon Elliott’s mother, Elaine Sears, who lost her battle with colon cancer in 2008.

“It was never about her or just colon cancer, she wanted to beat it all,” said Elliott.

In partnership with the American Cancer Society and GENESiS Ministries, Strike Out Cancer has been able to raise more than $60,000 to date to go towards cancer research. The goal was to raise $15,000, which aimed to beat last year’s total of nearly $13,000.

According to the National Fastpitch Coaches Asso-

ciation, Virginia Wesleyan was second to only Notre Dame in all of the NCAA in total funds raised last year.

“Strike Out Cancer has been such a success here at Virginia Wesleyan because of Coach Elliott. Coach dedicates a majority of his time planning, fundraising and contacting people and businesses to help make this day possible,” said senior pitcher Kristina

SEE STRIKE OUT CANCER Pg.4

Marlin Prestige diversifies program

The Principles and Management business class set out to educate the campus on a wide variety of topics that impact students now and their future

BY TROY AUBUT taaubut@vwc.edu

The Marlin Prestige began its events on Monday, with the whole campus community in mind. There were four types of events that took place at different times during the week: ISP presentations, Shark Tanks, panels, and guest speakers. Although each event had a certain audience, participants more than likely learned something new and beneficial from each event.

The first event to take place on Monday were the presentations from the fundamentals of information systems proposal (ISP) class. This event consisted of students consulting with companies and giving ideas and features to them. The students gave advice to the company that would help the company grow, improve, and compete in the world.

The next events to take place were the “Your Major, Your Future” panels, which occurred midweek. These panels were a new addition to the conference and have made the conference stand out

compared to previous years. The panels each had a group of professionals, alumni and faculty, from all walks of life come and answer questions for students to learn from those with experience in today’s world.

“The event was very knowledgeable and it was a good idea to keep the audience in mind,” said junior Connor Cassidy, who attended the panel. “The members offered good advice for anyone.” The information the members provided ranged from maintaining your public and digital image, to tips on succeeding in an interview, to how to improve writing skills.

“The panels are new, and they offer a casual and interactive environment for students to get information from professionals,” said Marisa Harris, CEO of the conference. The information wasn’t just helpful for business majors but for all majors.”

Guest speakers who came during the conference provided valuable information for students. With a

SEE PRESTIGE Pg. 2

Megan Hughes | Courtesy Lindsey Reynolds, chief operating officer of the National Democratic Committee, gives a speech during the Marlin Prestige.

Sweet Briar College to Virginia Wesleyan College?

With the closing of Sweet Briar College after graduation this semester, VWC reaches out to students to help make transitions easier

BY MICHAEL WILLSON mnwillson@vwc.edu

Fellow liberal arts institution Sweet Briar College announced on March 3, 2015 that it would be closing permanently after the spring semester for financial reasons.

Located in Amherst County, Virginia, Sweet Briar College is a women’s liberal arts institution that was established in 1901. Despite the school’s long history, it was facing problems with finances and enrollment. The school had only 700 students and was giving out discount rates on tuition to attract students. An article in The Washington Post reported that discount rates were as high as 60 percent. The school was also not able to function on its $84 million endowment. The board of directors decided that its

only option was to close the school.

Virginia Wesleyan College administration expressed their sympathies for Sweet Briar.

“We have responded with enormous sadness,” said Virginia Wesleyan President Dr. William Greer. “One of the things that makes Virginia such a good place to live is our so many wonderful higher education institutions. When we lose one, it’s like losing a member of the family.”

Colleges and universities throughout the country have reached out to Sweet Briar and offered enrollment for their students. Hollins University and Mary Baldwin College, two women’s institutions in Virginia, will be taking in a large number of Sweet Briar students. A number of coed institutions have reached out as well, including Virginia Wesleyan.

It has not been confirmed that any Sweet Briar students will be transferring to Virginia Wesleyan, but a couple of students have expressed interest.

“We are currently working with several young ladies from Sweet Briar and [. . .] have just admitted one of their young ladies to our campus and will see if she ultimately enrolls,” said Dean of Admissions Nelson Davis.

Sweet Briar students who decide to transfer to Virginia Wesleyan might need to make some adjustments.

“In our case, there are two very big distinctions with VWC verses Sweet Briar. One is that we’re coeducational.

So being around guys will be a difference,” said

SEE SWEET BRIAR Pg. 2

PAGE 2

NEWS

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015

Residence Life issues new housing policies

BY SARAH ANTOZZI scantozzi@vwc.edu

The college’s new housing policy for the 2015-2016 academic year will give freshmen more opportunity to connect with the school. At the same time, it will allow juniors and seniors who want more independence to have it.

For the past several years, to deal with increasing enrollment, the college has used “overflow housing”—local hotel suites—for freshmen who paid their deposits after the deadline.

Now, all residential freshmen and residential sophomores are guaranteed on-campus housing. Juniors and seniors may have the remaining on-campus housing, may live in the Comfort Inn and Suites near campus, or may choose to live off-campus independently.

The old policy had caused concern that the freshmen living in the hotel were not getting the chance to connect with the college.

Students expressed this feeling last fall at a supper meeting with David Buckingham, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Enrollment Services. Students were invited to the meeting to share what they felt were strengths and weaknesses of the college.

Faculty have wanted this change as well.

“This is what we wanted years ago,” said Carol Johnson, Associate Professor of English. As chair of the enrollment management committee several years ago, she advocated such a policy change.

“We’ve been concerned,” Johnson said, about freshmen living in the hotel. Living on campus, she said, helps freshmen to be “engaged with the campus community, feeling a part of it, and even just basically making it to class.”

Johnson said when she taught a 3 p.m. class, several freshmen in it lived at the hotel. They would come to campus for morning classes, then go back to the hotel and often not return to campus for her afternoon class.

Many juniors and seniors welcome having the option to live off-campus. Junior Kaden Kozma has been living on-campus since her first semester here, and hoped to move into an off-campus apartment with a friend next semester.

“It would be cheaper than living on campus,” Kozma said, because they would split the rent, and utilities are included at the apartment complex they were

interested in.

“A lot of apartments want to see that you support yourself,” Kozma said.

So you cannot get a lease if, like Kozma, you are a full-time college student supported by your parents.

Kozma said she has not considered living in the hotel, though, because when she locks her dorm room, no one will enter unless maintenance is repairing something or residence life is making an inspection.

“The only people that are going in my room are the people that should be going in my room,” Kozma said. “But at a hotel, you have maids going in to clean your room, so you have people going in and out. It’s just more open.”

A senior who wished to remain anonymous lived in the hotel last semester. The day she arrived there, it was found that her room had bedbugs from the previous occupant and had to be fumigated. She had to live in a different hotel room for a week and a half, taking with her only some of the possessions she had unpacked in the first room.

McCarren Caputa, VWC’s Director of Residence Life, said that upperclassmen wishing to live in the hotel do not have to go through the process of VWC’s annual housing lottery. They only need to fill out a form.

Those wishing to live off-campus must complete paperwork in the Residence Life Office by April 30, according to the college website.

“There’s been a growing number of juniors and seniors who petition to live off-campus,” Caputa said, and on average, 30 of them were approved per year.

The college has set the rate for a hotel room in-between the price of a regular dorm room and the price of an on-campus apartment or townhouse, she said.

According to a price list distributed in an email from Joan Williams, Housing Coordinator and Office Manager for Residence Life, the price per semester to live at the Comfort Inn and Suites is $4,750.

The new policy, Caputa said, is “...a chance for our upper-level students to be more independent and our underclassmen to feel that community feel.”

The sense of community is emphasized at Virginia Wesleyan.

“We talk about it all the time,” Caputa said. “It’s really important to us.”

VWC Housing Costs

This is how much it will cost to live on campus at VWC for the 2015-2016 year

Village 1

Single room/community bath (Eggleston, Kellam, Old, Rose) COST: $9,046 per year Double room/community bath (Eggleston, Kellam, Old, Rose) COST: $8,680 per year

Village 2

Single room/suite [semi-private bath + kitchen] (East, Johnston) COST: $9,314 per year Double room/ jack and jill bath (East, Johnston) COST: $9,228 per year Double room/ community bath (Gum, Smithdeal) COST: $8,680 per year

Village 3

Single room/ semi-private bath + kitchen (Apartments, Greek Housing: 7 meals/week plan) COST: $10,692 Double/jack and jill bath (North, South, Teagle) COST: $9,228

Village 4

Single rooms/ semi private bath (Townhouses: 7 meals/week plan) COST: $10,692 Double rooms/ semi private bath (Townhouses: 7 meals/week plan) COST: $9,428

SWEET BRIAR

PRESTIGE CONTINUED FROM FRONT

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

speaker planned to come every day of the week, the speakers topped each day off with their tips and advice. Jason Barnes, owner and operator of Chick-Fil-A Haygood, gave advice on how to improve and maintain your “Identity Capital,” which is practically what adds value to who you are.

“He was a very interesting speaker who was able to do a lot with what he had,” said junior Maurica Bynum, who attended Barnes’s event. “He wanted students to ask him questions and he was very engaging.”

With speakers like Barnes, the conference wasn’t just about business anymore.

“These events allow you to take your liberal arts major and become a professional in the workforce,” Bynum said.

The final and most popular event to take place during the conference was the Shark Tank. Just like the TV show it’s named after, the event consisted of four to five groups of students offering their business proposals to four sharks, or judges. Whichever team offered the most creative and high-quality pitch would win the competition.

“It’s a great chance for young entrepreneurs to get a feel for their future,” said sophomore Zuri Johnson. Johnson competed in the event last year. The teams all offered their own original and unique proposals that ranged from food buses to gyms with daycares.

Alexandria Sample, CEO of the conference, said that the Shark Tanks are her favorite event of the conference. “They help you learn management and allow the upper classmen to connect with the lower classmen,” she said. Many who have attended the Marlin Prestige events agree that they are exciting, informative, and not to be missed.

Davis. “Another is Hampton Roads verses Amherst, Virginia. They’re a very rural community. We’re a very urban community.”

Although there are some differences between the two institutions, they both share the distinctions of being a small liberal arts college.

“On the positive side, they’re small and we’re small, so there’s a connection there. They’re a liberal arts college and we’re a liberal arts college, so that’s another connection,”said Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Enrollment Services David Buckingham. “I think the folks who have made applications are from the area, so that will ease the transition. They’re accustomed to having good faculty and they’ll get that here as well. I think it will be a win-win for everyone.”

Both women’s and liberal arts colleges have faced difficulties with enrollment and finances in the past few years. A number of all women institutions have either shut down or switched to coed. Randolph College, formerly Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, went from being all women to coed in 2007.

Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Timothy O’Rourke believes that Virginia Wesleyan does not need to worry about having the same fate as Sweet Briar.

“We’re literally in a different place. Our enrollment has been going up. A few years ago, we had 1100 students in our day program. We’re now up to 1400 students. We sit in the middle of the 34th largest metropolitan area. We’re the only small, private, liberal arts college in the Hampton Roads. So, as I like to say to people ‘We’re an institution swimming in a sea of opportunity,’ but we have to pay close attention to our finances to become a better institution. We have to be attentive and focused, and we are,” said O’Rourke.

President Greer encouraged Sweet Briar students to come take a look at Virginia Wesleyan.

“We’re here, we’re open for business. We will encourage them to come and look at us. Don’t just say, ‘Oh they’re coed, I don’t want to look at them,’ Come meet our students, meet our faculty. Attempt to get to know something about us and know our culture here. We will do anything that we can do to help make the transition,” said Greer.

What’s happening around the world?

Europe: Economic, social, and political stability; and migration issues face the region

North America: LGBTQ+ rights movement spreads South America: Drug trade and gang wars still plague the region

Africa: Food and water security, infrasture development and women’s rights

Asia: Over population, air pollution, and human trafficking are issues that effect the region

Middle East: Arms embargoos, nuclear deals, and ISIS remain threats in this region

Jessica Mackey | Marlin Chronicle https://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinmgill/6178801864/

NEWS

PAGE 3

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015

Time to move

Where is the best place to live off campus?

Next year, VWC living arrangements will be slightly different.

Residence Life is allowing upperclassmen, juniors and seniors, to live off campus. Now, the question is: where is the best place to live? To aid students in picking off campus housing, The Marlin Chronicle has compiled a list of housing options that are close to VWC and are relatively afforable. So now, the real question is: which place is the best?

Graphics: Thomas Mills Information: Sarah Antozzi

*All rates are based on a one year lease, per month

1. CHEAPEST AVAILABLE

4. BEST VALUE

Weblin Place Apartments

The Hamptons

2. FURTHEST FROM CAMPUS

5. MOST APPEALING

Options Available: 1, 2, 3 bdrms.

Price(s): $825-$1195 Utilities Available: Washer and dryer

Dove Landing

Options Available: 2 bdrm.

Price(s): $827 Utilities Available: Paid utilities

Options Available: 1 bdrm. & 2 bdrm., 2 bath.

Price(s): $865, $850-$995 Utilities Available: None listed

Quality Suites Lake Wright Price(s): $9,500 per year Utilities Available: Paid utilities, transportation through VWC

3. MOST OPTIONS

6. MOST REASONABLE

Baker Crossing

Brandywine

Options Available: 1,2,3 bdrms.

Price(s): From $880 Utilities Available: None listed

Options Available: 1,2 bdrms.

Price(s): From $865 Utilities Available: None listed

5

2 4

1

6 3 Google Maps | Google

A map of the surrounding Virginia Wesleyan area, with featured off-campus housing. The local area offers multiple locations that are affordable for students who want to live off campus.

PAGE 4

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015

COMMUNITY

MARLIN CHRONICLE

Chrysler art fires up campus

Editor-in-Chief

The Chrysler Museum of Art took a trip to Virginia Wesleyan College to show the students about glassblowing outside of Hofheimer Library on Apr. 15

The

Thomas Mills tcmills@vwc.edu Managing Editor Aoife Branco acbranco@vwc.edu News Editor Jessica Mackey jlmackey@vwc.edu Brian Le btle@vwc.edu Community Editors Rayven Davis rdavis@vwc.edu Kaci Parker klparker@vwc.edu Opinion Editor Doug Hardman ddhardman@vwc.edu The Weekender Troy Aubut taaubut@vwc.edu Sports Editors Kellie Lagoy kalagoy@vwc.edu

BY JEFFREY CROUCH jlcrouch@vwc.edu

In about an hour, a human skull, a ray gun, a horse, a rose, and a fish that unfortunately broke due to the cold wind emerged from a trailer brought to campus by the Chrysler Museum of Art on April 15.

These glass items were the product of a group of artists who demonstrated how they create pieces from start to finish. The trailer promoted the glassblowing classes offered at the Chrysler Museum and through Virginia Wesleyan.

There is a $45 lab fee when taking the class through VWC. Art 350 (Glass Blowing) is a four-credit course that fulfills the aesthetic understanding (A) part of the general education studies requirements.

The class meets twice a week at the Chrysler Museum and lasts for the duration of the semester.

However, students must have enough credits to be considered at least a junior to enroll in this course or get consent from the professor. The course may be repeated multiple times for more credit if desired and is offered every semester.

The museum also offers classes that students can take separately from the college. These classes are typically only one or two days. The Chrysler has the classes scheduled for specific times and days.They are often on Saturdays and Sundays. The prices of the classes start at $100 ($75 with a museum membership) and go up to $250 ($200 with a museum membership).

The more inexpensive of the classes is called the Two-Hour Teaser.

During the short introduction to glassblowing, students are able to make a colorful paperweight. If the teaser is not enough, then art enthusiasts can start with the Introduction to Glassblowing class or even the Amorphous Solid I class.

Introduction to Glassblowing costs $185 for non-museum members and $135 for museum members. This class allows students to make simple pieces with the glass.

Amorphous Solid I is the first step to taking the intermediate class.

Kerri Taylor ktaylor@vwc.edu Michael Willson mnwillsion@vwc.edu Photo Editors Anthony Dellamura aadellamura@vwc.edu Kayla Skeete krskeete@vwc.edu Illustrations Editor Richard Cremin rjcremin@vwc.edu Online Editor Maurice Reed mreed@vwc.edu Copy Editors

Courtney Jones cajones1@vwc.edu

Sarah Antozzi scantozzi@vwc.edu

Virginia Wesleyan College|Courtesy The Chrysler Musuem of Art brought a mobile glassblowing studio to the Virginia Wesleyan campus on Apr. 15.

Virginia Wesleyan College|Courtesy Students at Virginia Wesleyan get the chance to experience glassblowing first hand with aids from the Chrysler Museum.

This class costs a little more than the Introduction class, but it will take students further if they plan on enrolling in the upper level class. Amorphous Solid I costs $250 without museum membership and $200 with museum membership. This course teaches basic techniques in glass blowing and is required for those who want to attend the next course.

Amorphous Solid II and III both cost the same as the first Amorphous and continue to expand knowledge about glassblowing. After completion of Amorphous Solid I and II, the museum offers a threehour practice time for just $100. The practice time comes with a quick technique demonstration and allows the opportunity to hone skills in glassblowing.

Senior Nate Avery, one of the artists on the glassblowing trailer, is an art major who will be graduating this May. Avery has been working with glass for more than six years. He first got into the art of glassblowing when he took a random class at Tidewater Community College.

He said that he took the class because “playing with fire sounded like something fun to do.” While taking the class Nate fell in love with glassblowing.

“Glassblowing is not hard to get started if you are taking classes. The hardest part is having the drive to work in the studio. Without the drive it will be hard to continue and get better,” Avery said. For those who are interested in glassblowing, Avery suggests to “just take the class and you will fall in love with it.”

Glassblowing is an art that takes a lot of skill and practice to become proficient, but in just a few classes at the museum or a semester of it, students can learn the basics.

Sign up for the glassblowing class on Webadvisor, or for more information on taking a class through the museum, visit the Chrysler Museum’s web page.

STRIKE OUT CANCER

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

Advertising Representatives Courtney Herrick clherrick@vwc.edu Cortnee Brandon csbrandon@vwc.edu Advisor

Dr. Lisa Lyon Payne lpayne@vwc.edu

The Marlin Chronicle is the official student newspaper of Virginia Wesleyan College. Staff meetings are held every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in Batten 217.

Signed submissions are welcome, but subject to the discretion of the editor. Letters are not edited for content, but may be edited for length. The views and opinions expressed in this newspaper may not necessarily reflect the views of the entire staff of The Marlin Chronicle or Virginia Wesleyan College.

The Marlin Chronicle Virginia Wesleyan College 1584 Wesleyan Drive Norfolk, VA 23502 757.455.3311

“Virginia Wesleyan College proudly supports the editorial independence and press freedom of student-edited publications. We believe that student editors have the authority to make all content decisions and bear the responsibility for the decisions that they make.”

--William T. Greer Jr. President

Anthony Dellamura|Marlin Chronicle (Left) Senior Kristina Karagiorgis hugs head assistant coach James Inzana during the ceremony. (Right) President Dr. William Greer throws the first pitch for the Strikeout For Cancer game.

Karagiorgis.

Seven years ago Elliott started this event as a tribute to his mother; however, it has since grown to become not only a staple of the softball program, but a Virginia Wesleyan tradition as well.

“Strike Out Cancer isn’t just about softball. It’s about more than the game, it’s the relationships that will be remembered,” said Elliott.

This annual game has truly developed into a very successful event, year after year. In addition to the softball and baseball games going on, music, food, inflatables, and a silent auction was available to all the participants.

To kick off the event, President Dr. William Greer shared a few words with the crowd, which was followed by throwing out the first pitch.

“My favorite part of this event is the recognition ceremony that takes place before the games start. We recognize everyone who is a cancer survivor or has been a caretaker. We give pins and sashes out to each person, and the emotion that everyone feels is unforgettable. My family has personally been affected by cancer and being able to recognize one of my family members for beating this disease is amazing,” said sophomore Elizabeth Bailey.

Cancer has personally affected many players on the Virginia Wesleyan softball team, along with many others in our community. Strike Out Cancer day is an opportunity for the community to come together and surround themselves with others of a shared purpose.

“Strike Out Cancer day hits home for me. My mother passed away five years ago due to breast cancer and I know many others who have lost parents, family and friends due to cancer. Being a bystander to this disease and witnessing the horrible effects it has on someone so close and important to my heart and my family makes me want to bring awareness to the community so we can contribute to ending this disease forever,” said Karagiorgis

In addition to fundraising, Strike Out Cancer also hopes to bring awareness to the community and to bring everyone together with the common interest of defeating cancer. This event unites the community because cancer affects everyone, which creates a sense of camaraderie in the crowd.

“Strike Out Cancer means a day of family and emotion. Of course, it is very emotional for players and families who have been affected in some way due to cancer, but when families come together and stand beside one another for support, there is nothing like it. Whether it is our softball family or a blood related family, everyone is there to comfort each other,” said Bailey.

“I believe it’s important to extend the Softball program to the community because the more people we can get involved in this event will only help benefit our fundraising for the American Cancer Society,” said Karagiorgis.

This event is something players look forward to all year. They get the opportunity to acknowledge and commemorate anyone who has been affected in some way by cancer. Strike Out Cancer is about so much more than just softball to everyone who attends. The bond between people, and the emotions that are involved are what have made the event so successful.

“My favorite part of Strike Out Cancer day is lining up on the third base foul line before the presentation starts and taking a moment to look around our complex and taking in the sight. Seeing hundreds of people from around our college community and from the Hampton Roads area come together to want to contribute to help end cancer is amazing,” said Karagiorgis “I want people to leave feeling like they made a difference. I want people to leave touched,” said Elliott.

COMMUNITY

Crime Log

CAMPUS countdown

(As of 4/21/2015)

April 27th - May 1st Undergraduate Research Symposium Times: Various Locations: Various

The Kickoff Event will be on April 27th from 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m in the Pearce Hospitality Suite.

Presentations will come from all academic divisions.

For the full list of times see www.vwc.edu.

0531

4/5/2015

4/5/2015

Deford CAB Gatehouse

Liquor Law Violation Larceny/Theft

0532

4/5/2015

4/5/2015

Village III CAB

0540

4/9/2015

4/9/2015

Village III Open

Controlled Substance

0547

4/12/2015

4/12/2015 Village II

icle

hron lin C Mar

The Center for the Study of Religious Freedom continues its “Food for Thought: Soup on Friday Celebrations” series with “The Secularization of May Day.”

May 1st Spring Honors Convocation

Time: 1:30 p.m.

Location: Convocation Center

May 1st Academic Fair

Time: 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Locations: Hofheimer Library A presentation of individual and group research completed during the Acdemic Year.

May 6th - 12th Final Exams

Times: Various Locations: Various The exam schedule can be found online. For the full list of times see www.vwc.edu.

May 7th Reading Day

Time: All Day Locations: Various

May 15th Baccalaureate Service

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Location: 212 19th Street Virginia Beach, VA 23451

May 16th 46th Commencement Ceremony Time: 11 a.m.

Location: Convocation Center

May 16th ROTC Commissioning Ceremony Following the Commencement Ceremony

CAB

Chaplain West encourages all students to stop by The Marlin Ministries Office to find out what they have to offer. Marlin Ministries has 12 different groups that meet on different days at various times. The Marlin Ministries office is in down stairs Batten and open from 9 am - 4 pm.

lmkunda@vwc.edu Chaplain West is a cappuccino-making, Spanish-speaking, all-around fun-loving guy who has been the Chaplain of VWC since 2010. He received his Bachelor of Arts in English from ODU and his Master’s of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. He has led several mission trips to Nicaragua in support of the House of Hope Foundation. He encourages all students to stop by The Marlin Ministries Office to find out what it has to offer. Marlin Ministries has 12 different groups that meet on different days at various times: Cru, LIFE Groups, Marlin Christian Athletes, Gospel Choir, SOAR Worship Team, The Course, Young Life, Jesus is Calling, Bible Study on Romans, Visual Bible, Midweek Release and SOAR Worship Service LK: What is the purpose of Marlin Ministries (MM)?

GW: We want to meet students, staff and faculty—but mostly students—and help to take the next step in their spiritual journey.

We do that in a very non-judgmental way. We believe that seeking God is the greatest thing. We try to connect people with God. We try to create a safe atmosphere where people can ask the hard questions. Our mission statement is “Discovering who we are in God’s eyes. Experiencing Jesus’ love and grace together. Living by the Spirit and sharing Jesus’ ministry with everyone.”

LK: What does Marlin Ministries have going on?

GW: During an average week, we have 12 different gatherings where people can get connected into a group. There are a couple that I lead and a couple that are student-led. So, we’ve got lots going on.

LK: Why are there so many groups?

GW: If I had my way, we’d have even more groups! Each group has a different flavor. One’s going to appeal to a certain type of student and a different one is going to appeal to another type.

LK: So, How does MM help students build a closer relationship with God while they are in college? When we think of college we think of doing the craziest things and having the most fun, sometimes that doesn’t align with a spiritual lifestyle or being religious.

GW: That’s a great question. That is the stereotype—that if you say “yes” to God, it means “no” to fun. MM, we’re not a strict legalistic group, like spiritual policemen going around saying what’s wrong or right. We love each other, we laugh a lot and have all kinds of fun. God’s commands aren’t burdensome, they’re freeing.

Greg West I Courtesy If you hang around a bunch of MM people, you’re not goGreg West and students pose after a Marlin Ministries meeting. ing to be around a bunch of depressing people.

LK: Do you think that MM and groups that help students relate to God—are they a necessity?

GW: I would say “necessity,” and here’s why: I believe we were created for community. American individualism has some strength, but what the scriptures teach is not independence but interdependence, that we need each other. It’s all about community.

We need community.

LK: What is the biggest accomplishment of MM? GW: I would say the same answer—community. Here at this college there is a growing group of students who love one another, who would welcome anybody.

LK: Do you wish there was more student involvement? Do you wish more people would come and be interested?

GW: A loud and resounding “YES.” I wish lots more people were involved.

LK: Before I go, is there anything you want the VWC Community to know?

GW: YES! One is that the Baccalaureate is coming. We see that as a celebration for all of the students. It’s for all the seniors whether they are of faith or not. It’s a time to honor the students and worship God. And the second thing is, I want the students to know that God loves them with an unfailing love and that love is the most fully seen in the life of Jesus.

The Advice Tank Richard Cremin | Marlin Chronicle

Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Location: Clarke Hall 108

Money and other items stolen

Marlin Ministries

in |

The Secularization of May Day

Description

Community Spotlight:

BY LILY KUNDA

May 1st

Dispostition

*CAB denotes Campus Arbitration Board

rem

The exhibition will feature the work of eight seniors.

Pieces vary from: paintings, mixed media, glass, light and drawings.

Liquor Law Violation

dC

Times: Various Location: Neil Britton Art Gallery

Date General Occurred Location

har

Senior Art Exhibition

Case Date Number Reported

Ric

April 28th-May 14th

PAGE 5

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015

Reader Question: Dear Advice Hank, There’s only a few more weeks left in the semester and I have no idea how or where to start in preparation for finals.

HELP, The End is Near!

Dear The End is Near!, First off, take a deep breath, the warmer weather has finally come.

Before we are able to leave Wesleyan to enjoy the summer where we will be free to roam, we must first all endure the pain of finals. It’s mandatory for college students. It is time for the knowledge that we have accumu lated over the semester to be manifested in test form. But, there are so many methods to help cope with them.

1. Don’t cram or stay up all night.

2. Optimal naptime is 20 minutes.

3. Eat well. Balanced meals of fruits, veggies and proteins to keep your vitamins in stock and stay at top-notch health.

4. Time Management. Don’t spend too much time on one topic or you might lose focus.

5. Relax, dosomething to find your zen.

It is important to not give in to stress. If you start to feel stressed it is important to take a break. Try taking a walk around the library.

Call loved ones to chat for a few minutes and they’ll probably remind you about the light at the end of the tunnel.

Don’t catch a case of anxiety and then get fully consumed by finals week. For a lack of a better expression, it tends to suck the life out of you.

Maybe that’s just being a little overdramatic…just a little.

The grades will be in and you will soon be patting yourself on the back with all the good work you did. All of the all-nighters, caffeine shots, and meltdowns will be worth it. Just think of all the new movies and shows that will be available on Netflix this summer *cough* Orange is the New Black *cough*.

When the world seems to be crashing down, just remember these things. It is important to keep a clear head and remember to just keep on going. Think of the little engine that could “I think I can, I think I can”.

Keep thinking that and you will get over the steep track and into the clear.

Good Luck, Advice Hank

PAGE 6

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015

Give me humanity, or give me death

BY AOIFE BRANCO acbranco@vwc.edu

Let me first start by saying that I am 100 percent a humanitarian. I would say that my perspective on the world is that of a concerned optimist. By this I mean, I can recognize the evil in the world and the corrupt nature of much of it, but I still genuinely view most people as good or wanting to do the right thing.

This is perhaps why the question of the death penalty is such a hard subject to tackle. For most people, there is no grey area. Either they are wholeheartedly for or wholeheartedly against it. I have never really seen myself definitively on either side of that issue, but rather somewhere in the middle.

It can be argued that, at the end of the day, there is no way to stay on the fence about an issue of this nature, because the outcome doesn’t really leave many options to play around with. None the less, here I am.

So, as I said, I believe in the goodness of people and their ability to do the right thing. Prison, war, and human suffering are examples of my understanding that this is often not the case.

Enter the justice system, delving out punishments and determining the truth amidst a sea of lies and deception.

Right away, I am sympathetic to the death penalty simply because of how horrific the crimes are that receive this sentence. Raping and brutally murdering another human being in cold blood can realistically make most people support the death penalty.

And if that isn’t enough, the costs to run a prison for one day, just one single day, are astronomical! And taxpayers are responsible for it! Criminals living in these prisons eat, sleep, and have medical care provided to them, all on the back of those people who actually follow the law.

Yes, it is important to provide a sense of humanity and decency for these people while in prison, but it is just so much money, and getting people out of our prisons for death-penalty-worthy crimes would not necessarily be a bad thing.

But here’s the thing, though. In my eyes, the death penalty is just such an easy way out. I don’t know, I feel like having to rot in prison behind bars for the rest of your life, living with your guilt, is a tougher pill to swallow. Of course, I understand that my view on this assumes a lot and requires the convict to have some semblance of a conscience. But is it wrong to make that assumption? At their very core, no matter how twisted and morphed their demons have made them, all people—every single human being on this planet—are just that, human beings.

And furthermore, what gives any of us the right to have dominion over the life of someone else? Does killing a convict make us any better than the person we are putting to death? And what about how often the justice system gets it wrong? Can we live with ourselves after wrongfully convicting and then killing an innocent human?

I genuinely don’t know the answer to those questions, but I want to believe that in the end, people can find their humanity, on all sides of the equation.

OPINIONS

The apple of their eye

BY LAUREN KINGSBURY lekingsbury@vwc.edu

More often than not, everyone will at some point, be in a class where the professor favors athletes over non athletes. Not all professors favor athletes, but it is slowly becoming a bigger issue.

Numerous studies have been done to prove that professors show favoritism towards athletes. Favoritism could be bumping their grade up just a little, letting them into programs when they don’t meet the prerequisites, or giving them extensions on homework and assignments because they had a game or match.

When this happens, it feels like my degree is worth less because an athlete was allowed to slip right through. Now I’m not saying that all athletes don’t do their work, aren’t determined, and take advantage of the fact that they are an athlete, but some do.

I have personally been in a class where three athletes were given an extension on an assignment because they had a game the day before the assignment was due. We had known about the assignment and the due date for two weeks. This is not fair to every other student in the classroom, athlete or not, you shouldn’t get special treatment because you play a sport.

I understand that you have to lift, go to class, go to practice, maintain friendships/ relationships, work, find time to do your homework and study, and then sleep. There are only 24 hours in a day and as college students almost all of us could use extra time. But just because you play a sport doesn’t mean you should get extra time.

On the other hand, there are athletes that struggle through their classes and there are some that don’t need extra time and can maintain their eligibility on their own. I feel that if an athlete comes in their freshman year and has an interest in the sciences, most of the time, their coach will try to dissuade them from majoring in it because with the sciences, there are a lot of labs and it is time consuming. Labs usually run right into practice time and no one wants to miss two hours of practice every Tuesday or Thursday because of a lab, and everyone knows, if you aren’t at practice, someone else is getting those two hours of practice in to beat you for a spot.

Revisiting the idea of athletes getting extensions on assignments, it is extremely discouraging for non athletes to sit there and watch an athlete get extra time. It’s discouraging because we are working hard, too and it seems that our efforts are unnoticed. If a non athlete studies all night for a test and gets a B+, it seems like that is expected. But if an athlete can get a B+ on the same test, they get praised. That just doesn’t seem fair.

If you are an athlete and you aren’t convinced that some professors favor athletes over non athletes, and you haven’t seen it firsthand, you might be one of the athletes. If you are a non athlete, and haven’t seen it firsthand, just talk to some of your friends. I’m sure someone you know has seen the favoritism.

Richard Cremin | Marlin Chronicle

Capturing police brutality

BY KAYLA BROWN kabrown2@vwc.edu

Flickr| Courtesy

Stephen Curry: The clear cut choice for MVP

BY JAMES MORRIS JR. jmmorrisjr@vwc.edu

Stephen Curry and James Harden are the two top candidates for the MVP in the NBA. The MVP award will be announced in a couple of weeks. Curry and Harden have put up terrific numbers and statistics this season, but I vote Stephen Curry for Most Valuable Player.

Curry is the starting point guard for the Golden State Warriors which have the best record in the NBA with 66 wins and 15 losses. Out of all the MVP candidates he is considered the best defensively by holding the person he is guarding on the floor to almost 43 percent shooting from the floor.

Last season, Curry did not guard the opposing team’s point guards due to lack of confidence in him (from his coach) to play defense and stop his man. This season, the Warriors hired five time NBA Champion Steve Kerr as their head coach.

According to reports before the season, Kerr sat down with Curry and told him that he is going to have to buckle down and defend this season in order to play on the floor. Curry worked hard and that is what helped him to this point.

Curry holds the NBA record for threepointers in a single season and he broke his own record this season. Curry has made 284 three-pointers this season and there is one more game left on the schedule. He shoots 91.4 percent from the free throw line which leads the entire NBA. Curry averages 24 points per game, eight assists per game, and five rebounds per game. Harden, on the other hand, is a shooting guard for the Houston Rockets and in late game situations there is no

question that Harden will get the ball and try to lead his team to victory.

Harden averages 28 points per game, seven assists per game, six rebounds per game. He shoots four percent less than Curry at the free throw line at 86.6 percent but does go to the free throw line four more times than Stephen Curry does. In fact, Harden leads the league in free throw attempts at 10.2 free throw attempts per game.

His knack for getting to the rim and blowing by defenders is special. Virtually, James Harden cannot be guarded.

However, Stephen Curry beats Harden in defensive categories and offensive efficiency at 48.7 percent overall shooting versus 44 percent for Harden.

Harden puts up more shots per game and scores more points than Curry, because Harden has to. Dwight Howard who is Harden’s All Star center has missed more than half the season with a knee injury giving James Harden the nod to put up more shots and do whatever it takes to win.

Meanwhile, Stephen Curry hasn’t played in 17 fourth quarters this season, because he didn’t have too. Curry puts in so much work during the first three quarters that he doesn’t have to play in the fourth quarter, because he has given his team a comfortable lead.

The point guard position is the toughest position to play in basketball, they are the coach on the floor. Stephen Curry is not only the best point guard in the league, but he is the best player on the best team.

Stephen Curry is the Most Valuable Player in the National Basketball Association, he deserves this award.

What if there wasn’t a video? Would we even know that these incidents exist?

Police brutality and social injustice have always been prominent issues in America.

Some cases have been brought to light, while others just stay in the dark. Have you ever wondered why police brutality is becoming a bigger issue?

The answer is one word: cameras. Without cameras and videotaping, we would never be able to see what truly happened between a police officer and someone who was killed. We would only be given one side of the story, not both. That means we would be forced to believe that the police officer made the right decision to kill an individual. We would be forced to change our mindset into thinking that the victims were the police, and that they felt threatened, which justified their action. We would be forced to praise the police officers, because they’re keeping our community safe by eliminating dangerous people.

However, the ability to see videotape from mobile phones and from body cameras which police officers have to wear in certain cities, has given us the chance to see the other side of the story. It has given us a chance to see the incident from both perspectives.

I’ve always imagined people using a video camera to capture fun and memorable events that happen in their lives, not to record an incident of someone being attacked or murdered. Even then, people who record the incident possibly put their own lives at risk.

Recently, there have been two incidents that have captured our country’s attention.

On April 2, 2015, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Eric Harris was killed by Robert Bates, a local sheriff.

According to CNN, it was reported by the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office that Harris was caught illegally selling a gun in a sting operation, which is designed to catch a person committing a crime undercover.

Harris then ran when police officials came to arrest him. This is where things got tricky.

Bates said that he meant to pull out his taser, but instead released the trigger on

his gun and shot Harris in the back. In the released video, Harris is brought to the ground by a police official. Next, Bates says “Taser! Taser!”

However, it doesn’t end there. After the shot is released, you can hear Bates in the background apologizing and saying that he shot Harris. On the other hand, you can see and hear another official saying, “F--- your breath,” while aggressively forcing his knee on Harris’s head. All of this is going on while Harris is screaming that he has been shot, and that he is losing his breath.

Bates has been charged with second-degree manslaughter.

On April 4, 2015, in North Charleston, North Carolina, Walter Scott was fatally killed by Michael Slager, a local police officer. According to NBC News, Scott was initially pulled over by Slager due to a broken taillight on his car. It was also reported that Scott owed over $18,000 in back child support, and possibly ran away from Slager to avoid jail time.

Slager supported his actions by stating that Scott took his taser and that he felt threatened. However, the video footage showed Scott was actually hit with the taser, since one of the projectiles was still attached to him. It also shows that after Slager fired at Scott eight times, he proceeded to place handcuffs on Scott while he was lying dead on the ground. After doing so, Slager walked away to pick an unidentified item up off the ground and placed it near Scott’s body. Slager has been charged with murder. If found guilty, he could face a prison term of up to life.

I’ve heard some people say that they shouldn’t have run, because running led to their deaths. In my opinion, neither of these men deserved to die. In both incidents, these men were taken down before being fatally shot, showing that they weren’t a big threat. Harris had already been forced to the ground. He could’ve easily been handcuffed. Scott had been hit with the taser. I must also add that no firearm or other weapon was found on either Scott or Harris. Scott and Harris could’ve been waiting for fair trial right now in their local courtrooms. However, they are now two victims of police brutality.

Will it ever end?

Photos

PAGE 7

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015

Anthony Dellamura | Marlin Chronicle

Sophomore Elizabeth Bailey fields a ground ball during VWC’s ODAC game against Bridgewater on April 3, 2015. The Marlins swept the Eagles, winning 8-0 and 6-0 at Marlins Field.

Spring Sports

Photos by: Anthony Dellamura

This semester’s spring sports have seen a plethora of action, as VWC sports have proven that they belong in the winners circle. Here are a few photos from the past few outings.

THE SUNDAY READ Feature pieces, opinions, and stories by the editors of The Marlin Chronicle.

thesundayread.tumblr.com

Anthony Dellamura | Marlin Chronicle

Senior Griffin Graves serves the ball against the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks on April 4, 2015 at the Everett Tennis Center. Graves helped the Marlins extend their win streak to nine consecutive matches.

Anthony Dellamura | Marlin Chronicle

Junior Sean Greiser prepares to throw a pitch against Roanoke on April 11, 2015. VWC swept Roanoke in two games, winning 5-1 and 10-6 at Marlins Field.

Facebook: Marlin Nation

THEWEEKENDER

PAGE 8

APRIL 23, 2015

Trustadvisor| Courtesy

Bloodline, a Netflix Original, is a dramatic and thrilling show about a family and what they are willing to do to keep their dark past hidden

BY NEIL CALLOWAY jncalloway@vwc.edu

*SPOILER ALERT* Netflix birthed a gaggle of quality original series this past year. Cranking up their funding for such projects is the logical next move for the ubiquitous streaming giant.

With over 50 million subscribers to appease and stout competition from HBO, it makes sense for Netflix to aggressively expand its library of original content.

A new drama entitled “Bloodline” debuted on Netflix in March. It was produced by the seasoned trio of writers behind FX’s “Damages,” a dark and engrossing legal drama starring Glenn Close and Rose Byrne.

“Bloodline” takes place in the Florida Keys and centers around the well-respected Rayburns and their beachfront hotel, “Rayburn House,” and their four adult children.

The plot commences during the celebration of the hotel’s 45th anniversary, the same weekend a city pier is set to be ceremoniously named after the Rayburn patriarch, Robert (Sam Shepard). The hotel is packed with family and friends eager to celebrate the achievements of Robert and his wife, Sally (Sissy Spacek).

But the festivities are doomed. The middle son John (Kyle Chandler), is a local sheriff who doubles as the story’s retrospective narrator mutters in an an ominous tone, “Sometimes…you know something’s coming. You feel it in the air. In your gut. You don’t sleep at night. The voice in your head’s telling you that something is gonna go terribly wrong. And there’s nothing you can do to stop it….That’s how I felt when my brother came home.”

The brother to whom he refers is the eldest of the Rayburn siblings, Danny (Ben Mendelsohn), the family’s black sheep who returned home for the special occasion.

John and his other two siblings — Meg (Linda Cardellini), a local lawyer who tends to her parent’s personal and business affairs, and Kevin (Norbert Leo Butz), an aspiring

IF YOU LIKE BLOODLINE

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IF YOU LIKE HEROES WATCH

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watching Danny threaten to blackmail his little sister upon learning of her affair is far more riveting than watching computer-generated explosions or a couple grown men playing with toy guns.

“Bloodline” is drowned in symbolism, but much of it is inundated with the minutiae of the story’s lengthy plot; as a result, the viewer is unlikely to recall many of these pretentious symbols when the extent of their significance is revealed.

While the entire cast is comprised of talented veteran actors, Mendelsohn’s performance stands out as the most salient. Danny is quite the character; a manipulative narcissist, he always stops just short of exhibiting genuine psychopathic behavior. Despite the viewer’s knowledge throughout the series of his impending death, his personality doesn’t engender much sympathy from the viewer (or his siblings, for that matter).

A palpable aura of acrimony pervades Danny’s disposition, and this is especially apparent during his interactions with his family. There’s a tacit undercurrent of woeful melancholy raging through his psyche, and the writers do well with corroborating this enigmatic trait — which Mendelsohn is so adept at conveying — with a supplementary backstory involving the tragic childhood death of a fifth Rayburn sibling, for which he was blamed by his father.

As the story progresses, the circumstances surrounding this decades-old death reveal why Danny became such a screwed-up guy, and why he harbors such ill will toward his own family.

“Bloodline” is solid television, but it’s not for those who require the thrill of car chases and gun battles to be enticed. The show ultimately works due to the relatability of the four siblings and the dynamics of their relationships with one another. The Rayburns personify the quintessential upper-class American family; that is to say, they worry much more about appearing to everyone else as the quintessential upper-class American family than they do about facing the underlying problems that prevent them from actually being that family.

IF YOU LIKE MOBSTERS WATCH

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IF YOU WANT TO LAUGH WATCH

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Netflix | Courtesy

WATCH

entrepreneur who works with his parents at the Rayburn House — are portrayed in the same light as Robert and Sally: successful, respected and content.

Danny, on the other hand, possesses none of these qualities. And despite, and likely to spite, his siblings’ obvious desire for him to skedaddle, he intends to remain in Florida once the celebratory weekend concludes, with the impetuous presumption of living and working at the Rayburn House.

“Bloodline” doesn’t bother with subtle portents; before reaching the fifteen-minute mark, the story jumps to a forested swampland at some ambiguous point in the future. The untamed landscape is engulfed by a violent storm. John is found trekking through this swap while carrying a lifeless body that the audience soon discovers is his brother Danny. John hoists his brother on his shoulders and manages a few more futile steps before plunging straight into the murky, camouflaged waters of the swamp, sobbing in defeat.

“Bloodline” leaps back and forth between the main storyline and similar flash-forwards throughout the subsequent episodes, systematically revealing small but crucial details regarding Danny’s impending demise.

The problem is, the writers are less than inventive in their use of these nonlinear storytelling methods. They serve little effective purpose in terms of enhancing the plot’s quality or potency, other than to say, “So, this happens at the end — now stay tuned to see how it all goes down!” (A shame, considering the shrewd artistry with which they employed similar techniques in “Damages”.)

The nonlinear design of “Bloodline” is obviously a shallow attempt to entice the binge-watching tendencies of the typical Netflix subscriber. It works, but it isn’t innovative enough to justify its ostentatious design.

However, “Bloodline” is nevertheless successful at enveloping the viewer in the complex web of relationships which drive its plot. “Bloodline” is not a particularly exciting drama, but the superb acting coupled with the captivating, believable dialogue makes it a compelling one. It may lack Hollywoodesque action sequences, but

When brutal murders haunt the town of Hemlock Grove, it is up to a suspect to help solve the mystery and prove his innocence in this supernatural thriller.

Matt Murdock, a lawyer who was blinded when he was younger, fights crime with his enhanced senses in the streets of Hell’s Kitchen.

A former New York mobster is sent to Norway when he joins the Witness Protection Program. However, he might have to resort to his old ways to make a living in Norway.

After being rescued from an underground doomsday cult, Kimmy Schmidt decides to start a new life in New York City despite all of the silly obstacles thrown her way.

THE MARLIN UNDERTOW / By Aoife Branco TRY THIS:

LISTEN TO THIS:

TRY THIS:

Sandstock:

96X Hampton Roads independent radio station:

Handsome Biscuit:

This free event is a tribute to rock-and-roll and is the beachinspired version of “Woodstock”. National and regional artists who cover performers from Pink Floyd to Journey, to the Beatles will be making their way down to the Oceanfront.

The performers are set up on “dueling” stages on the beach at 24th street. Sandstock starts June 12th and runs through June 14th, so if you are going to be at the beach this summer or are thinking of planning a trip to the oceanfront this is a perfect time to stick your toes back in the sand.

This station is locally owned and locally programed by music fanatics in the Hampton Roads area. It features artists that are on the rise and has segments everyday featuring bands from right here in the 757. In addition to alternative artists, the station plays a good amount of old school rock and roll for a little variety in their lineup. The station operates on FM channels 96.1 and 96.5

This Norfolk based restaurant is known not only for its delicious food, but for its size.

With only around 4 tables available for seating, this power house of a place serves up some of the best homemade biscuits in the Hampton Roads area. The combinations the chefs create are unconventional, witty, and ultimately satisfying. The prices range from $3-$7. A bargain and a biscuit, what more could you want?

SPORTS

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015

DON’T FORGET TO KEEP UP WITH THE ACTION OF THE PLAYOFFS ONLINE AT HTTP://MARLINCHRONICLE.VWC.EDU/

Women’s lacrosse prays for playoffs Virginia Wesleyan women’s lacrosse patiently awaits the decision if they will grab the last spot

K

PAGE 9

ellie’s orner

Some sports fans are just downright mean at games

KELLIE LAGOY is a junior majoring in communication

Thomas Mills | Marlin Chronicle

Senior Carla Willimas looks up the field to make a play while she cradles the ball to evade a Neumann defender at Trinder Field on Mar. 4

BY KELLIE LAGOY kalagoy@vwc.edu

The Women’s Lacrosse team is patiently waiting to find out its playoff fate. The Marlins are looking to see who will win and lose the last few games of the season to see their final playoff position.

If everything goes as planned, the Marlins will take the sixth and final spot to go into postseason play. This will be the Marlins’ first tournament appearance since the 2011-12 season, and Meagan DiCave is soaking in the uncertainty.

“I like to be the underdog; I like when people don’t think that highly of us. Making the tourna-

ment was a really big goal for the ladies, and they are destined to be successful in the ODAC tournament after being ranked 8th-place during preseason rankings,” said DiCave.

This season has been immensely better than last season for the Marlins, just looking at numbers.

The team has already surpassed last year’s totals for goals scored and games won. DiCave has noticed the large strides her team has made from previous seasons.

“We have come up short a couple games, whereas last season we got blown out. So we have definitely been making strides and doing better than last year. I think we are at a very good spot,” DiCave said.

The Marlins have found an offensive power with their midfielders and attackers. Not only has Megan Schallock stunned everyone with over 64 regularseason goals, but she has had help along the way as well. Five other players finished in the double digits for goals. Senior Brooke Cabeceiras posted 34 to finish off the season. Seniors Candace Carey and Carla Williams finished the regular season with over 20 goals apiece.

Defensive efforts have been strong as well for the Marlins. Senior Amari Agee has been strong on the ball throughout the season.

Agee has been in the top five for caused turnovers in the conference for the majority of the sea-

son, and she also finished in the top five for ground balls, along with Schallock.

An overall strong team was anchored by goaltender Madison Carroll. Carroll started all but the senior game all season. At the end of the season, she posted a .476 save percentage and 10.83 goals against average. Carroll stood strong behind her team as the offense lit up the other goaltender.

The stress is mounting as the waiting continues, but the Marlins and their coach are confident in securing the final spot. The tournament will begin Saturday, April 25. If the women secure the sixth spot, they will play on Saturday.

Tennis teams both rise and fall Men’s tennis looks to complete successful season in conference tornament; women fail to place

BY KERRI-LEANNE TAYLOR urday April 25. If they ktaylor@vwc.edu win, the semi-finals and

Anthony Dellamura | Marlin Chronicle

Sophomore Kenneth Downing jumps for a serve

The men’s tennis program continues to make an impact as the regular season comes to a close, and they look forward to continuing their winning tradition as they enter conference tournament play.

The men’s tennis team has a 12-4 record, recently winning 9 straight matches before being toppled by Division I opponent Longwood University, only to recover and triumph in their last two matches against conference rivals Randolph and Hampton Sydney.

The men enter the ODAC (Old Dominion Athletic Conference) tournament as the second seed, and will play Randolph in the quarter-finals on Sat-

championship matches will played at VWC’s own Everett Tennis Center on Saturday May 2 and Sunday May 3.

The men’s team is very young, with one graduating senior, yet their inexperience has not hindered their success this year.

Freshman Adam Rosemblaum was awarded ODAC player of the week honors in early April, after producing a 5-0 record in one week. Rosemblaum currently owns a 9-2 singles record, and owns a team-leading 11-2 record in doubles. Sophomore Brendan Kelleher also gained ODAC player of the week honors in February, after a 3-0 start to the 2015 season in singles.

Kelleher has only lost one

singles match this year, winning all nine of his other contests.

On the women’s side, regular season play has proved more difficult, and the team currently has a 4-8 record. The inexperienced squad struggled to gain momentum this spring, and did not qualify for the ODAC tournament.

The team narrowly missed out on post-season play; the top eight teams qualify for the quarter-finals and the women’s team finished 10th in the ODAC. The women’s team may not have brought home a championship this year, but with no seniors on the roster they look to keep improving and come back stronger and better than ever next year.

Baseball slides into playoffs

BY MADISON CARROLL mlcarroll@vwc.edu

Ranked number eight in the preseason polls, Virginia Wesleyan Baseball has proven that they are a force to be reckoned with as they head into the ODAC tournament with a second place ranking.

With a new head coach, Chris Francis, who took over the team this season, the Marlins were bound to face some changes.

Senior Alex Tucci felt that these differences helped create new chances saying, “The new change of a head coach seems to really have helped our program. He provided a fresh change of scenery and he has a very smart baseball mind. His insight and help, mainly with our pitchers, has made a huge difference in how our season turned out.”

Luckily, this statement rang true as the Marlins took those changes in stride and have overcome preseason expectations in a big way. Currently, the Marlins hold a record of 15-11 overall, and 14-6 in the conference.

This is the first time in five seasons that the Marlins have qualified for postseason play. Virginia Wesleyan doesn’t seem to be showing any signs of slowing down their successful season as

they head to Lynchburg for the ODAC tournament this weekend.

Coach Francis is very optimistic in his team’s future saying, “I’m very proud of our guys, our program, and the work that we’ve done this season.

I think we will be very competitive going into the tournament and we will definitely not be an easy out.”

Virginia Wesleyan ensured their number two standing and post-season appearance after splitting a doubleheader with Eastern Mennonite last Saturday.

Though this is the first time any of these players have competed in the tournament for the ODAC title, Coach Francis is not the only one with an optimistic outlook as the season proceeds.

Senior Reed Duffer said, “I think we stand a very good chance of winning the tournament.”

Virginia Wesleyan seems to have all the components necessary to battle hard and be successful in competing for the conference title.

Their success will indeed come down to executing the little things, “We’ll be successful if we don’t let the moment get too big. We’ve played good baseball all year. We’ve pitched well and hit Anthony Dellamura | Marlin Chronicle well and as long as we don’t press and Junior Sean Greiser and Senior Zach Bach celebrate after a panic, we’ll be very fortunate,” said strong play by the Marlins in the outfield.

Tucci.

There is one thing that every sports fan hates more than anything: rude fans.

It’s totally normally to yell and scream at a sports game, because we all know how fun that can be.

Even friendly banter with fans of the opposing team is exciting, but sometimes fans can take it too far.

Sometimes fans get too invested in what they’re watching, and this can make the situations tense. Once fans take it too far they start to say rude or profane things. Some fans use profanity excessively, which is offensive to surrounding people and their small children. Some fans start to use racial slurs aimed at players on the opposing teams. Some fans even throw things at people.

There are many instances of these types of behaviors happening in professional sports and even collegiate sports. When Joel Ward, a forward on the Washington Capitals, scored the series winning goal against the Boston Bruins in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs some Boston Fans went crazy. Ward is a black hockey player in the NHL, and the racial slurs rained down on him from some of the more ridiculous fans. It was unfair to use his race against him in something that has nothing to do with race.

The same type of thing happened to soccer player Dani Alves. While playing for the soccer club Barcelona, a fan threw a banana at him. This is the most obscene act of racism in sports that I have been privy too, and it still angers me to my core. They eventually found the perpetrator, and he was banned from the stadium indefinitely.

This isn’t the only time things like this happens. It occurs on the sidelines of collegiate games here at Wesleyan sometimes.

The things visitors will say is shocking, and what is even more shocking is that it is usually the parents at the games.

That is something that I expect to happen with students, because immaturity is still very prevalent with younger kids. To see adults being the ones to use racial slurs and saying harmful things discourages me from wanting to be at the games.

These things make watching games not only uncomfortable but downright awful.

I think everyone has been around these fans at least once in their life. I’ve dealt with people that commentate on a female athletes body type instead of her game play, and it’s absolutely appalling.

I think the purpose of going to a sports game isn’t to throw hate at the other team. The real purpose is to go and support your team and enjoy the action happening in front of you. Fans go to games to cheer on the team that you’re there to support.

It’s an age-old concept, but if you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything at all.

This rings true for not only kindergarteners but also sports fans with a kindergarten mentality. People need to understand that hurting people with rude comments during a sports game isn’t going to help anyone, and it sure isn’t going to make your team win.

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SPORTS

PAGE 10

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015

at a glance

CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT EDITION

BASEBALL:

CITY STADIUM - LYNCHBURG, VA

THURSDAY, APRIL 23:

Game 1: Eastern Mennonite vs Shenandoah (11 a.m.)

Game 2: Roanoke vs Virginia Wesleyan (2:30 p.m.)

Game 3: Bridgewater vs Randolph-Macon (6 p.m.)

FRIDAY APRIL 24:

Game 4: Loser Game 1 vs Loser Game 2 (11 a.m.)

Game 5: Loser Game 3 vs Winner Game 1(2:30 p.m.)

Game 6: Winner Game 2 vs Winner Game 3 (6 p.m.) *The rest of the tournament is TBD.

SOFTBALL:

JAMES I. MOYER SPORTS COMPLEX - SALEM, VA

FRIDAY, APRIL 24:

Game 1: #8 Seed vs #1 Seed (12 p.m.)

Game 2: #5 Seed vs #4 Seed (12 p.m.)

Game 3: #7 Seed vs #2 Seed (2 p.m.)

Game 4: #6 Seed vs #3 Seed (2 p.m.)

Game 5: Loser Game 1 vs Loser Game 2 (5 p.m.)

Game 6: Loser Game 3 vs Loser Game 4 (5 p.m.)

Game 7: Winner Game 1 vs Winner Game 2 (7 p.m.)

Game 8: Winner Game 3 vs Winner Game 4

SATURDAY, APRIL 25:

Game 9: Winner Game 5 vs Loser Game 8 (11 a.m.)

Game 10: Winner Game 6 vs Loser Game 7 (11 a.m.)

Game 11: Winner Game 7 vs Winner Game 8 (2 p.m.)

Game 12: Winner Game 9 vs Winner Game 10 (5 p.m.)

Game 13: Winner Game 12 vs Loser Game 11 (8 p.m.)

Anthony Dellamura| Marlin Chronicle

Junior Courtney Bogan focuses as she races to the next plate during the annual Strike Out Cancer game against Roanoke College.

Eyes on the big prize Softball heads into conference tournament looking to gain third consecutive championship

BY RICHARD CREMIN rjcremin@vwc.edu

The Virginia Wesleyan Softball team takes the number one seed in the ODAC tournament after their 3-0 win over Roanoke College on Saturday, April 18.

This victory marks the end of a stellar season for the Marlins as they look forward to the ODAC tournament. After ending their season at 18-2, the program is looking to win their third straight ODAC title.

If they can win this ODAC tournament, then they will be the second team in VWC softball history to do so in over 20 years.

Head Coach Brandon Elliot credits this season’s success to the women of the VWC softball team.

“It’s really just the ladies who put the uniform on every day,” said Elliott. “I’m beyond proud of what they have done and what they accomplish.” When asked if he thinks the softball team will win the ODAC championships, he said, “Crazy things happen during the tournament.”

Senior Pitcher Kristina Karagiorgis is

optimistic about the upcoming ODAC tournament.

“I’m confident in all our abilities, we handle the ball well, our coach is doing well, our fielding is doing well. We have all our tools to succeed,” Karagiorgis said.

“The only team that could beat us is ourselves.”

Karagiorgis pitched the first game against the Maroons with a total of nine strikeouts. She is fourth in the nation in earned run average with a 0.52 percentage.

Over the past four years, VWC has won three ODAC championship titles with back to back titles in 2013 and 2014. The only other time that the Lady Marlins have won three straight ODAC championships in a row has been from 1991-1994. It has been 21 years since the program has accomplished such a feat.

Coach Elliot is confident in his team’s ability in taking the championship. “Our expectation is the same every year, and that to get to Nationals. The tournament is a stepping stone to get to that,” Elliott said.

In the last four years, the Marlins have

Track & Field: ODAC Results

SUNDAY, APRIL 26:

MEN’S RESULTS: Aries Reyes (SO), Trey White (SO), Marquis Sivels (SR), Daniel Elmore (SR) Event: 4 x 400 meter relay Place: 2nd Time: 3:21.27

Game 14: Winner Game 11 vs Winner Game 13 (1 p.m.) *Game 15: Winner Game 14 vs Loser Game 14 (4 p.m.) *if necessary

MEN’S & WOMEN’S LAX: AT HIGHER SEEDED TEAMS FIELD

Trey White (SO) Event: 400 meter dash Place: 1st Time: 49.53 Thomas Mills | Marlin Chronicle

SATURDAY, APRIL 25(W) TUESDAY, APRIL 28 (M)

Game 1: #5 Seed @ #4 Seed Game 2: #6 Seed @ #3 Seed

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29 (W) SATURDAY, MAY 2 (M) Game 3: Winner Game 1 @ #1 Seed Game 4: Winner Game 2 @#2

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29 (W) SUNDAY, MAY 3 (M)

Game 5: Winner Game 3 @ Winner Game 4

MEN’S TENNIS:

1ST RND AT HIGHER SEED/2ND & 3RD AT VWC SATURDAY, APRIL 25 Match 1: Shenandoah at Washington & Lee Match 2: Randolph-Macon at Bridgewater Match 3: Randolph at Virginia Wesleyan Match 4: Roanoke at Guilford

SATURDAY, MAY 2

Match 5: Winner Match 1 vs Winner Match 2 Match 6: Winner Match 3 vs Winner Match 4

SUNDAY, MAY 3

Match 5: Winner Match 5 vs Winner Match 6

KEEP UP WITH THE ACTION ONLINE AND ON TWITTER

made it to the NCAA Regional tournament three times, but have yet to succeed at taking the regional championships. Coach Elliott believes that his team can go to the nationals, but he admits that the ODACs will be a challenge for his team.

“Winning the tournaments [are] never easy. The last few years we’ve had a lot of success. The tournament will not go exactly as everyone planned and it never does,” said Elliot.

Karagiorgis, along with juniors Kayla Malkos and Courtney Bogan take high ranking spots in the NCAA statistics.

Karagiorgis is tied for 18th in the nation for number of victories with a .867 winning percentage and 16 victories after the last game with Roanoke. Courtney Bogan is ranked first in the nation for stolen bases with an average of 1.23 per game. Her teammate Kayla Malkos is number 18 with a .79 average. “I have a lot of confidence in us.” says Karagiorgis, “We’ll have to take it one game at a time.”

Junior Josh Currier looks to strike the net against Shenandoah University on Mar. 28.

Striving to make history VWC’s men’s lacrosse are looking to winn their first ODAC championship in progam history

BY CLAY JONES cdjones1@vwc.edu & KELLIE LAGOY kalagoy@vwc.edu

The men’s lacrosse team looks to hang on to its second spot in the ODAC standings.

The Marlins’ final game will be on home territory against the Washington and Lee Generals. This game will hopefully lock them into the second conference spot. With this finish, they will earn a first-round bye into the conference tournament.

“Each of these last games are vital to our success, as they dictate what seed we get and what team we play,” senior goalkeeper Rory Finnegan said.

Finnegan has shown great leadership on and off the field. He recently was voted ODAC Player of the Week for men’s lacrosse for his outstanding game play.

For the 2014-15 season, Finnegan has posted above a .500 save percentage, which puts him above other

goalies in the conference.

The Marlins also have a hot offense in front of them. Men’s Lacrosse has three players with more than 20 goals. Junior Josh Currier leads the team with over 30 goals, with seniors Mike Moran and Joe Papetti both having over 25. Papetti also has his name on the conference leaderboard for man-up goals.

This season has brought the Marlins a lot of success, and they have proved their skills in big games. The biggest win came against Roanoke College on April 4, 2015. Roanoke has always been a conference powerhouse, by capturing 18 titles since their start.

The Marlins defeated them by a 17-15 margin, and this was their first win over Roanoke since 2008. The victory has given this team massive momentum into the rest of the season. Since the win, the Marlins have only dropped one game to Lynchburg College.

This is Head Coach J.P.

Stewart’s 12th season in his position, and this conference tournament will be his sixth appearance. He has led this team to one of the best conference records in the school this season.

The Men’s Lacrosse conference tournament will begin on Tuesday, April 28. If the Marlins maintain their second-seed status, then they will battle that following Saturday, in the semifinals. The Marlins haven’t been to the semifinals since the 2011-12 season, when they fell to Lynchburg College.

If the Marlins earn the first-round bye, then they will host their opponents on May 2 at Trinder Field. The finals of the tournament will be held the following day at the higher-seeded team’s field.

This men’s team will look for some redemption as it heads into the postseason to attempt to claim its first conference title in VWC history.

Aries Reyes (SO), Ethan Fowlkes (SR), Jermell Chester (FR), Daniel Elmore (SR) Event: 4 x 100 meter relay Place: 3rd Time: 43.52 WOMEN’S RESULTS: Shakiella Daniel (SR), Tianna Hughes (JR), Marissa Coombs (FR), Tiffany Lennon (SO) Event: 4 x 400 meter relay Place: 2nd Time: 3:58.13 Nikki Burns (SO) Event: Javelin Throw Place: 2nd Distance: 36.87 meters Shakiella Daniel (SR) Event: 400 meter dash Place: 3rd Time: 58.22 Marissa Coombs Event: 1500 meter dash Place: 3rd Time: 4:51.9 Shakiella Daniel (SR), Tianna Hughes (JR), Marissa Coombs (FR), Tiffany Lennon (SO) Event: 4 x 100 meter relay Place: 2nd Time: 49.01