Marquette Tribune I February 7, 2023

EagleExpress crash

Dishing out Dimes

Lovell overcomes

MU President speaks on sarcoma treatment, t-cell clinical trial

By Julia Abuzzahab julianna.abuzzahab@marquette.edu

After nearly a year and a half of battling sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, University President Michael Lovell recently finished immunotherapy in September and is currently going in for scans every three months.

“The treatment was actually a little harder on me than I expected,” Lovell said. “The first few weeks [of the fall semester] I was pretty weak and immunocompromised.”

Lovell’s doctors noticed a small place where his cancer was active again in September when at the time he was going in for scans, but not doing anything to actively fight the cancer after finishing chemotherapy last year.

“I can compartmentalize pretty good, but then a couple days before and you start getting anxious,” Lovell said. “Before you go into the scan, you mentally prepare yourself

for the worst because you have to … you want it to be good news, but you must mentally prepare yourself for, ‘Okay I might have to have another type of therapy.’”

When Lovell heard the news that his cancer cells were active again, he was presented with a choice between doing chemotherapy again or testing a new clinical trial.

Lovell received “t-cell transfer therapy,” a form of immunotherapy where immune cells are extracted. Those cells are then grown in a lab between two to eight weeks and then are injected back into the body through a needle into the vein.

T-cell therapy can also be called adoptive cell therapy, adoptive immunotherapy or immune cell therapy.

“My feeling is, this [t-cell therapy] is the future of cancer treatments and it’s only a matter of time before it gets approved,” Lovell said.

Lovell said his response to this therapy was successful, but it also meant that he had suffered side effects from it

See LOVELL page 3

MU unveils Land and Water Acknowledgment marker

Community shows up for the dedication ceremony last Friday

By Sophia Tiedge sophia.tiedge@marquette.edu

Students, faculty, alumni and Native American veterans gathered outside the Alumni Memorial Union to witness the unveiling of the Land and Water Acknowledgment marker Friday, Feb. 3.

The oral and written version of the Land and Water

Acknowledgment was adopted back in 2021 in partnership between Marquette’s council on Native American affairs and faculty advisors.

The marker is located in the Eckstein Commons in the center of campus. The marker is a group of metal plates wrapped around a birch tree that’s native to Wisconsin. Artist Kristelle M. Ulrich engraved the metal with images of nature and animals important to the tribes of Wisconsin.

“If this is the first experience students have with In-

digenous people and their his tory and heritage then that’s what we hope to accomplish,”

Alexander Liberato, a gradu ate of Marquette class of 2021 and former president of the Native American Student Association, said.

Provost Kimo Ah Yun said they talked about a lot of dif ferent options for the marker and collaborated with an artist to create a marker that would signify the vision students had.

“It’s an acknowledgment that Native American people lived here for hundreds of years, so

it’s an understanding and a reminder that we’re on lands that have existed, that the indigenous people lived on it and cultivated,” Ah Yun said.

Christine Navia, vice president for inclusive excellence said she hopes the marker will be a source of curiosity for students. Since it’s located right outside the AMU, she said she hopes that students will walk past the marker and want to learn more about its origin and who

Junior guard Tyler Kolek emerges

Photo by Isabel Bonebrake isabel.bonebrake@marquette.edu

Photo by Isabel Bonebrake isabel.bonebrake@marquette.edu

LAND: students at forefront of landmark design

Continued from page 1

it represents.

“For me, it’s a good marker of student advocacy, their attempts to change the institution to reflect who they are, but it’s also a physical invitation to learn more,” Navia said.

Navia said the marker and the new seal shows how the university has evolved in the past couple of years. She hopes people see these changes and understand that Marquette is a place where people can be themselves, and where students respect one another.

The Native American Student Association has been pushing Marquette to create a community on cam-

pus that supports Native American students.

Liberato said Marquette had a lot of different groups on campus step up and work together to create a movement for the Native American community. While he says progress has been made, he thinks more can still be done.

“We’ve accomplished a lot, and while these things are great, they’re ultimately symbolic in nature. It doesn’t pay for an indigenous students scholarship, it doesn’t make sure they have a place to stay and eat in,” Liberato said. “These are a lot of problems Indigenous students face here at Marquette. I know

students who have had to drop out because of these quality of life issues, so this is what we should be focusing on most of all.”

Marquette’s seal was changed in 2022 after decades-long pushback due to it’s inaccurate depiction of Father Marquette leading Indigenous people.

Marquette has replaced the seals on the diplomas for the class of 2022, and switched out seals around campus. They’re still working on replacing seals on plaques, portals and the rotunda seal in the AMU.

Liberato said that Marquette should offer more scholarships for Indigenous students. Mar-

quette has one scholarship, but it only goes to one student and it isn’t a full scholarship.

Liberato said having more scholarships could keep indigenous students out of loan debt and keep them away from worrying about living costs, considering that these concerns are what guide the success of some students in college.

Ah Yun said last year Marquette signed a transfer agreement with Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College in Hayward, Wisconsin to allow their students to transfer to Marquette as well as created a scholarship for one student from LCOOC to come to Marquette.

“We look at how do we provide access for students who want to come here,” Ah Yun said. “How do we make this a more welcoming university to have more Native American and other diverse students want to come to Marquette and be transformed to go out and make a difference in the world.”

Ah Yun said that the university is looking to continue moving forward with its plans to make Marquette’s campus more welcoming to all groups. He said he wants to continue engaging with students to see what their hopes are for the future of the university.

Car rear-ends EagleExpress van late Sunday night

after leaving Mass at Gesu Church. He went over with a few other students and assisted in helping the driver out of the car and cleaning up some debris.

By Kiley Brockway kiley.brockway@marquette.edu

An EagleExpress van was rear-ended by a car last night on Wisonsin Ave in front of Zilber Hall, Marquette University Police Department has confirmed.

“There was extensive damage to the silver car, as the front was totaled, and all of the air bags were deployed,” Matt Orszulak, a first-year in the College of Nursing, said in an email.

Orszulak said he heard the crash from about 40 feet away

Samuel Knuth, a first-year in the College of Nursing, was with Orszulak and said that the driver of the silver car was stable and able to walk out.

“There really wasn’t anyone else out and about so I’m glad we were there,” Knuth said. “The front of the car was all torn up and he clearly ran into the back of the EagleExpress.”

Jeffery Kranz, assistant chief of MUPD, confirmed that there were no injuries.

“(EagleExpress van) have

minor accidents every now and then but nothing like this comes to mind at all. Nothing recent,” Kranz said.

The EagleExpress driver was not at fault for the crash, Kranz said. Kranz also confirmed that there were no passengers in the van at the time of the crash.

“I don’t really use the EagleExpress service because of how slow and inconvenient it tends to be, but I would not be concerned about the safety of the EagleExpress vans. These situations happen and the student driver handled it very well,” Knuth said.

The investigation is still ongoing, Kranz said.

The marker is outside of the Alumni Memorial Union around a Wisconsin native birch tree. It symbolizes the Indigenous people who lived on Marquette’s land for hundreds of years.

There were no students in the EagleExpress at the time of the crash.

Photos by Isabel Bonebrake isabel.bonebrake@marquette.edu

Photo courtesy of Matt Orszulak matthew.orszulak@marquette.edu

No one was injured, the investigation is currently underway

LOVELL: reaching milestones with Marquette

Continued from page 1

which the doctors then had to compensate for how bad he felt.

“I remember talking to the doctors and they said, ‘Well you can get this side effect but it’s not that common, you can get this side effect but it’s [also] not that common — I got all but one of the side effects,” Lovell said.

The only side effect that Lovell said he didn’t get from the immunotherapy was temporary dementia. Other possible side effects from the therapy include fever, nausea, headache, rash, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure and trouble breathing.

“My immune system was almost taken down to zero,” Lovell said.

In October, Lovell said he started to feel better and could do nearly everything that he wanted to do again while still being a bit careful.

Lovell said since October, he can feel himself getting healthier and stronger each week and said he feels 100% right now.

“I exercise every day so I know my body is getting stronger, getting better — in fact, I had a milestone a couple weeks ago,” Lovell said.

Todd Smith, the strength and conditioning coach, helps Lovell train and Lovell said he is doing more repetitions compared to where he was prior to his cancer treatment.

One of Lovell’s favorite milestones though, is being able to stay a part of the campus community. Lovell said he gets his energy from the Marquette community.

Being immunocompromised, especially at the beginning of

CORRECTIONS

In the Jan. 31 edition of The Marquette Tribune “Fast Facts” incorrectly stated that Superbowl LVII will be held in Glendale, Wisconsin. It will be held in Glendale, Arizona.

In “Addressing campus concerns,” the article incorrectly stated that it was University President Michael Lovell’s eighth annual Presidential Address. It was his ninth.

The Tribune regrets these errors.

the 2022-2023 academic year, Lovell said there were times when he couldn’t attend the events he wanted to. Provost Ah Yun said he stepped up to help take Lovell’s place at some events and meetings.

Ah Yun said Lovell is “a fighter in all ways.”

“You know, when you walk through something like this with someone else, I think there’s no way for you not to become relationally closer be-

cause you have to be open and vulnerable and willing to talk about what’s happening and how you’re feeling and how you can support that other person,” Ah Yun said.

Ah Yun said that Lovell’s journey with sarcoma allowed him the opportunity to tell him how much he meant to him, how Lovell helped him grow as a person and how much he respects Lovell as a person.

“A lot of times in our life,

FAST FACTS

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake killed over 4,000 people in Turkey and Syria Monday morning. Rescue efforts are underway and Turkey has called for international aid.

United States President Joe Biden will be coming to the Madison area tomorrow to speak to the public.

Early voting begins today for the Wisconsin 2023 spring primary. The primary will be Feb. 21 where Wisconsinites will vote for Wisconsin Supreme Court justices. In some jurisdictions, alderpeople and local judges are also on the ballot.

Big Time Rush will be coming to Milwaukee in July for their headlining “Can’t Get Enough Tour.” The show will take place at American Family Insurance Amphitheater.

we might not have that moment to pause and think about these important people in your life, and you might not have a reason to have that conversation with them because it doesn’t naturally come up,” Ah Yun said. “It [cancer] provided us moments to have those punctuated points in time that not only was it appro priate, but important to have those conversations.”

The MarqueTTe Tribune

Executive Director of Marquette Wire

Andrew Amouzou

Managing Editor of The Marquette Tribune Megan Woolard Content Coach TJ Dysart

Editor of Diversity and Inclusion Hope Moses

NEWS

Executive News Editor Julia Abuzzahab

Assistant Editors Hannah Hernandez, Sophia Tiedge Reporters Clara Lebrón, Erin Howard, Trinity Zapotocky, Uzair Qhavi Kevin Fitzpatrick

INVESTIGATIVE

Executive Investigative Editor Skyler Chun Assistant Editor Jolan Kruse Reporter Briana Nelson

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Executive Arts & Entertainment Editor Izzy Fonfara Drewel

Assistant Editors Phoebe Goebel, Lauren Puthoff, Reporters Isabella Flores, Aiyona Calvin, Sofía Cortés, George Kane

OPINIONS

Executive Opinions Editor Kirsten Lyons

Assistant Editor Laura Niezgoda Columnists Krisha Patel, Trin Burgess, SPORTS

Executive Sports Editor John Leuzzi

Assistant Editors Ava Mares, Kaylynn Wright Reporters Catherine Fink, Trevor Hilson, Jack Albright, Jackson Gross, Benjamin Hanson, John Gunville

COPY

Copy Chief Emily Reinhardt

Copy Editors Jack Connelly, Maeve Nolan, Briana Nelson

VISUAL CONTENT

Design Chief Lily Werner

Chief Photographer Isabel Bonebrake

A&E Designer Serena Pace

Opinions Designer Erin Schneider

Sports Designer Kendal Bell

Photographers Keifer Russell, Alex DeBuhr, Katie Craig, Forster Goodrich

ADVERTISING

margaret.kemp@marquette.edu

Sales Manager Maggie Kemp

Assistant Sales Manager Henry Bridgeman

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday, Feb. 8

Soup with Substance: Mapping the Church at 12 p.m. in the AMU 227

The Social by the Center for Engagement and Inclusion and the Educational Opportunity Program 1 p.m. at Coughlin Hall

Thursday, Feb. 9

NAACP Fundraiser at 12 p.m. at the Annex

Marquette Wire Stock Photo

Lovell is currently going in for scans every three months to monitor his health after finishing treatment.

Strolling into the spotlight: Showcasing at Fiserv

MKE Bucks’ HBCU night features MU’s Black Greek life

By TJ Dysart and Julia Abuzzahab theodore.dysart@marquette.edu, julianna.abuzzahab@marquette.edu

The Divine Nine refers to the nine historically African-American fraternities and sororities that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council. On Marquette’s campus, only three of the nine are active. However, when these three active organizations had the chance to show off their organization’s culture on an NBA stage, they did not skip a beat.

Two Marquette students from Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated and one Marquette student from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated performed at the Milwaukee Bucks’ second annual HBCU night Jan. 31.

Adiya Ingram, senior in the College of Education and president of the MU Beta chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, and Tim Horton, senior in the College of Arts & Sciences and president of the Delta Kappa chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated, performed at the event.

HBCU refers to the nearly 100 historically Black colleges and universities in the United States.

HBCU schools set up tables outside the arena to showcase their programs and offer information to prospective students.

The night was capped off with a halftime strolling performance from the Divine Nine.

Strolling is a cultural tradition that Black Greek Life chapters practice. It’s a rhythmic sequence of motions and chants that are often performed at events and is often a uniting activity for these organizations.

“A lot of our calls, hand signals and strolls show a unity between the nine organizations,” Ingram said. “I could see anyone on the street and if she was wearing the same letters and colors as me we could do it back and forth with each other.”

Christian Golden, junior in the College of Communication and member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated, said this was not his first time on the Bucks stage. He was recently announced as the Bucks’ inaugural Urban Scholar fellow and has had three weeks under his belt working for the team.

“Knowing that the Bucks have now had my back in so many different ways is a great feeling,” Golden said.

The students are hoping that the

night served as a starting point for Black Greek Life organizations to flourish on campus.

“What people may not realize is that many of these organizations were founded over a hundred years ago,” Horton said. “I know when I walk around campus with my letters on or when I carry around my cane, some students may not know what my organization means or is.”

The cane Horton is referring to is called a Kappa Cane which has

been carried by members of his organization since 1911.

“For us, the Bucks are setting the standard for the visibility we want for our organizations on our campus,” Horton said.

Marquette is a predominantly white institution, and Ingram said she wishes visibility for their chapters was promoted better on campus.

“I think Marquette has been trying to take certain steps, for example,

our chapter won a service award last year through Marquette which was a really big honor because we were the first D-9 organization to win that award on campus since 1999,” Ingram said.

Ingram said she thinks in small ways their organization is pushing and striving to be more visible on campus, however, she said it would be great for Marquette to also be supporting them more.

Horton said he agreed with Ingram and said his chapter feels like the “catalysts” to promote their organization and hopes that if he comes back to the university in a few years, he sees the Delta Kappa chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated still flourishing.

“I joined in a unique experience,”

Horton said. “I brought my chapter back to Marquette’s campus. My chapter was inactive for three years due to COVID-19 because our former members had graduated.”

Horton is also the President of the Marquette National Pan-Hellenic Council, which oversees the Divine Nine. He said that what sets the Divine Nine apart is that members have a lifelong affiliation with their organizations.

“The service never dies,” Ingram said.

Bringing back native wild rice to Milwaukee’s rivers

Making biological discoveries, honoring Indigenous culture

By Erin Howard erin.howard@marquette.edu

Stepping onto the rooftop of the Wehr Life Sciences building, one might be surprised to discover what they find. In separate, four-by-foursized ponds, seeds of natural wild rice grow in year-round cycles.

Michael Schläppi, a professor in the department of biological sciences, said that he had to obtain these seeds from a nursery in Wisconsin because wild rice has rarely been found near the Milwaukee area since colonial times.

“Native Americans actually used to grow wild rice in Milwaukee, but it was destroyed when European settlers came and founded Milwaukee and drained the river in which it was growing,” Schläppi said.

Schläppi said that the ultimate goals of this wild rice initiative are to eventually see wild rice once again grow in Milwaukee’s rivers and to give his students an opportunity to make biological observations.

Danielle Barrett, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences and president of the Native

American Student Association, has aided Schläppi in his wild rice observations since the project’s start. Barrett said that this grain has been special to Native Americans for centuries.

“Wild rice is a sacred grain that is held close and protected by the Native community,” Barrett said. “I admire that this project is working towards reintroducing the grain to its historical homelands.”

Schläppi said that growing the wild rice provided his biology students with a better understanding of the science behind DNA.

“I wanted to give my students a hands-on lab experience that they could learn from,” Schläppi said. “The purpose of this research study was to teach my students about how to do molecular biology, by looking at the genotype of wild rice and through wild rice paternity testing.”

Schläppi’s wild rice initiatives do not end when his students leave for summer break. Instead, student researchers from Marquette’s Indigeneity Lab are invited to participate in studies involving wild rice and its potential reintroduction back into Milwaukee rivers.

Founded in 2021, the Indigeneity Lab was created to provide both Native and nonNative students the opportunity to work together on extensive research projects and experiments outside of the classroom. These

studies are centered around Indigenous topics that involve the Milwaukee community.

Working closely with the Native American Student Association as well as members of the Indigeneity

of Native Americans,” Schläppi said. “Therefore, in everything we do, we do it in a sensitive way that honors and respects the traditions of Native Americans.”

Clare Camblin, a senior in the College of Communication, said that she has experience working on Indigenous research projects, such as one that seeks to locate spots in Milwaukee with indigenous roots. Camblin said that she recommends that other Marquette professors consider following Schläppi’s example within their own curriculums.

“I would absolutely love to see more professors engage in labs such as this one with their students,” Camblin said. “Seeing and experiencing things with your own eyes makes such a difference, because it connects us to things we didn’t even know were possible or even existed right under our noses.”

For Barrett, this initiative is empowering students with Native American ties and said this is a step in the right direction for the university.

Lab,

said that valuing the Native American culture remains at the heart of any and all of his research.

“We never want to conduct research that is against the beliefs

“This project has had a large impact on me as an individual because it has provided me with a new understanding and awareness of Native American histories,” Barrett said. “I just think it is a really big stepping stone for the Native community and students at Marquette to be seen and heard.”

The three active Divine Nine chapters on campus at Buck’s HBCU night.

The wild rice grows in year-round cycles on top of Wehr Life Science.

Photo courtesy of @mubetaakas Instagram account

Photo via Professor Micahel Schlappi

Schläppi

Regina Rodriguez: Hispanic Youth of the year

MU sophomore wins award for leadership, service

By Kevin Fitzpatrick kevin.m.fitzpatrick@marquette.edu

Highlighting her outstanding work in the community, Regina Rodriguez, a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences, was named Hispanic Youth of the Year last week for her resilience and ability to overcome obstacles.

“I think she has a lot of grit. She demonstrates really strong leadership skills, she has really good communication skills, she’s really personable,” Vanessa Vasquez, a mentor of Rodriguez, said. “She just oozes so much potential and leadership, I know this award is so good for her, it’s gonna highlight everything she’s done, but everything she can also continue to do, and I think all the changes she will bring to Milwaukee.”

Vazquez nominated Rodriguez for the award given out by the United Migrant Opportunity Services. The two formed a bond when Vasquez was the director of career readiness at Carmen High School of Science and Technology on the north side of Milwaukee.

Vasquez has been impressed with

Rodriguez’s growth since she was 14.

“I’m just so proud of that tremendous growth and maturity that she’s really, really demonstrated. She’s grown up a lot and some of that comes with coming of age and going through those difficult high school years and now being an adult off in college,” Vazquez said. “I think just being able to express that and ask for help has helped her tremendously, being able to talk about that and use that as a motivation to prove the statistics wrong.”

UMOS is a philanthropy group supporting Latinx across seven states, awarding Hispanic Woman of the Year, Hispanic Man of the Year, Hispanic Youth of the Year and Hispanic Family of the Year to individuals for their accomplishments.

“It was inspiring for me because it showed my hard work and dedication to the community and being a Latina leader. It’s important for me to lead other women or young adults to follow their dreams and to be involved and to make those connections, so it’s really rewarding,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez, a criminology and law studies student, is a member of Milwaukee County Cadet Troop 280, a program run by deputy Kristine Rodriguez.

“I have full trust in her. The other cadets really look up to her when it comes to training. She also helps me manage many of the events that we put on, like if we put together a drug take-back date,” Kristine Rodriguez, program director, said. “The purpose of the program is to give young adults a chance to look into the field of law enforcement and see if it’s something for them. I know she’s going to be a super successful person regardless if she ends up in law enforcement or not.”

Rodriguez said she views the EOP as an opportunity for minorities to come to Marquette, increasing diversity.

“EOP has helped me grow at Marquette because the mentors and counselors help guide us through classes, life and through anything that we need, and they’re always very supportive, just like a family is. They’re like our second family away from home,” Rodriguez said.

Laiya Thomas, the executive director of the EOP, also called the EOP a family, describing the program as a support system for first-generation college students like Rodriguez, providing the resources necessary for these students to navigate the college culture.

“The award that she received was so fitting because of the leadership qualities she possesses on campus,

in her community, she’s resilient, she has been through a lot, she’s overcome a lot of obstacles to get where she is. She has a don’t give up mindset,” Thomas said. “She’s a leader within our program. Whenever we need a student to participate in an event or be on a panel or volunteer for something, Regina, she’s always present.”

Rodriguez stressed the importance of representation, referencing the importance of seeing someone that looks like you

succeed and how that has motivated her to work with the youth in her community.

“I think growing up, I didn’t really have role models that looked like me,” Rodriguez said.

“I think becoming the example and the mentor in the community is important because then you are able to motivate those young adults that wanna do a similar career or be a similar example so they lead the next generation.”

Student-Made Marquette launches new website

Entrepreneurs on campus get start with online orders

By Trinity Zapotocky trinity.zapotocky@marquette.edu

From custom postcards to Arabic sweatshirts, StudentMade Marquette‘s recent website launch provides student entrepreneurs at Marquette the opportunity to sell their products digitally.

The operation, fully ran by students, is located in the 707 Hub, that features a variety of student creators on campus who create items that range from jewelry and stationery to clothing and various customizable options.

Throughout the new storefront, anyone, including students and faculty, can shop and support handmade products from Marquette creators.

The website also has a “Meet the Creators” page, where you can read about and support each student’s business.

“Student-Made is a program that is on different campuses across the country, it’s really about making community with student creators and small business owners, getting them

a space to sell their work … kind of like an Etsy for student campuses,” Stella Quinlan, a junior in the College of Communication and content creation manager of StudentMade Marquette, said.

Quinlan said even if you’re an alum living in California, there are delivery options available to still take part in and support Marquette creators, offering worldwide shipping.

Mariam Ali, a senior in the College of Communication, is

an active creator that focuses on making Middle Eastern and South Asian inspired clothing under the Mariam Ali Collection.

“I decided to take the Marquette logo and make it into Arabic, to show our culture and also make something that is recognizable,” Ali said.

Ali said she aims to change the Muslim and Middle Eastern reputations through her designs.

“This is a great opportunity to get yourself out there because Student-Made helps you a

lot with the promotion and everything, and all of this is a part of the Marquette community, and helps get your brand out there. I think it’s very good for someone starting out trying to start a business, because everything is already laid out for you, it’s like the foundation,” Ali said.

Ali said that more products will be coming soon, but the products that are available now include Marquette Arabic crewnecks, a Pakistani superhero crewneck, a Pakistani-themed workout shirt and an Arabic New York Yankees shirt.

Bre Legan, a graduate student in the College of Communication, and an active creator, started drawing during the pandemic and later became interested in Student-Made through a flyer on campus.

Legan said that her biggest inspiration is the natural world and interpreting it through her own lens and style, and she is excited for more opportunities to showcase her work.

“I think this is all pretty fresh and new for most of us, but I’m excited to see how it goes and how it keeps growing, and how people keep joining,” Legan said.

Legan’s creative outlet specializes in digital illustrations, and also has an interest in

incorporating poetry into art.

“I would definitely recommend anyone that’s relatively creative or an artist or an entrepreneur of any kind to join Student-Made.

It’s honestly pretty cool to be able to showcase all of the art and the things that we’re creating while also being able to connect with other students here and learning more about what they do,” Legan said.

Quinlan also said she is excited for the future of Student-Made here at Marquette.

“I think Student-Made is a really great opportunity right now and it has a great potential for growth as more students know about it and look to see their stuff. I think just introducing Student-Made to Marquette’s campus will get students involved and interested and maybe pursuing creative opportunities or ventures that they might not have otherwise considered,” Quinlan said.

Quinlan said that as of last Wednesday, everything is up and running.

“We’re really excited that all of the products that our creators have been working hard on are available to the campus community whether you’re in the area or ordering online,” Quinlan said.

Regina Rodriguez refelcts on her growth and accomplishments.

The website was launched last Friday and operates similar to Etsy.

Photo by Isabel Bonebrake isabel.bonebrake@marquette.edu

Photo by Keifer Russell keifer.russell@marquette.edu

Meladies prepare for first ICCA competition since 2020

the College of Arts & Sciences, said that The Meladies immediately grabbed her attention at O-Fest, and she immediately wanted to join and live out her “Pitch Perfect dreams.”

By Aiyona Calvin aiyona.calvin@marquette.edu

The Meladies have not competed in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella competition since 2020 due to COVID-19. This being their first time back with an almost entirely new group, they said that there are a lot of components and work that goes into putting their set for the competition together.

The ICCA competition is Feb. 11 in Madison, WI and will feature A Cappella groups from Wisconsin and Minnesota, including all three A Cappella groups from Marquette University, Gold ‘n Blues, The Naturals and The Meladies.

At Marquette University there is only one all-female A Cappella group, The Meladies. They were founded Dec. 8, 2012 when 12 girls had an idea to create their own all-female A Cappella group.

A Cappella originated in Italy and means “in the manner of the chapel.” Which means that there are no instruments or background music, all the music and singing come from the singer’s voice.

Juliana Suarez, a sophomore in

“I think it’s unique because we do everything,” Suarez said. “We sing in ways that other groups with instruments can’t. Obviously playing an instrument is incredibly impressive and an equally beautiful form of music but in A Cappella, I’ve learned so much about my voice and my abilities as a singer and musician that I never would have learned had I just stayed in regular choir.”

Michaela Brooke, a senior in the College of Health Sciences, said that she loves being a part of The Meladies.

“What I love most about the Meladies is that we are more than just a singing group – we are best friends,” Brooke said. “Over our time as a group, we have developed a deep connection and an unbreakable bond.”

Suarez said The Meladies group dynamic differs from the typical stereotypes surrounding groups of women.

“I know the stereotype is that a group of only women is always full of drama and gossip and that none

of us like each other but that could be further from the truth,” Suarez said. “Every day I feel so thankful to be a part of this group full of some of the kindest, funniest, most talented and beautiful women I’ve ever had the honor of singing with. These girls are my best friends and I love them dearly.”

Lauren Nicklaus, a firstyear in the College of Business Administration, said picking outfits is important but also a group thing that all the women participate in.

“Choosing outfits is kind of a complicated process for us,” Nicklaus said. “First, we have an amazing visual director, Juliana Suarez, who decides the themes/color schemes of all of our concerts.”

Nicklaus continues that once the color or theme is decided there are two different ways to figure out which outfits look best; one is to send pictures of different outfits to the visual director, another is to bring in clothes from their closet to rehearsal.

“We all give our opinions on everything,” Nicklaus said. “It is very communicative and democratic along every step.”

Kendall Bonifer, a sophomore in the College of Health Sciences, said that choreographing is usually done by Juliana Suarez, however the ICCA competition is such a big

undertaking Bonifer helped out.

“The ICCA is the biggest project that I’ve worked on,” Bonifer said. “We met up many times over the course of a few weeks, focusing on one part of our set at a time.”

Choreographing typically takes Bonifer one to two hours per song, however the ICCA competition took weeks to complete.

“It’s all just a matter of trial and error,” Bonifer said. “There’s only so much we can do that will still preserve our sound quality. The biggest challenge is coming up with choreography that is both visually interesting but not too strenuous.”

Being nervous before shows is common, Suarez said, but working through the nerves is a group thing.

“As a group we work through the nerves by giving pep talks and reminding each other why we’re doing this and how hard we’ve worked,” Suarez said. “Before going on stage, we always put our hands in the middle of a circle and do our “Mels for Days” chant to hype us up.”

The Meladies are continuing to prepare for the ICCA competition, but also their upcoming spring concert in late April or early May. Additional information can be found on their social media @mumeladies.

Seeking international cooperation through education

opportunities including small grant competitions, research bridge grants and conference and workshop grants.

By Hannah Hernandez hannah.hernandez@marquette.edu

For Marquette’s Center for Transnational Justice, initiatives on justice issues don’t just stay in the United States, but they extend beyond national borders.

“All too often, particularly in the United States, there’s a tendency to look inward and to think of problems that community spaces in the country face as unique to these areas where oftentimes everybody is struggling with different challenges to justice,”

Richard Friman, director of CTJ and professor in the department of political science, said. “We can learn so much from the experience of others, and we also have things that we can share with others.”

CTJ, which was established in the spring of 2004, supports scholarly research, teaching and community initiatives on justice issues that extend beyond national borders. The initiatives focus on migration, economics, politics, justice and human security.

CTJ supports faculty and student research through

“We’ve moved away from the major research project that is defined by the center and have turned more towards an approach that supports a wide array of initiatives around campus and we’re always open to people that are looking for support,” Friman said.

Mark Berlin, associate professor in the department of political science, is a faculty affiliate of CTJ. Berlin said Friman has been a great supporter of research into questions of justice.

Berlin’s current research examines the history of torture against criminal suspects by Chicago police detectives from the early 1970s to the 90s.

“Specifically, I focus on the question of why the constellation of formal and informal oversight institutions there — courts, prosecutors, elected officials, civilian oversight bodies, the media, and civil society — all failed for so long to stem the pattern of abuse,” Berlin said.

Berlin said he was motivated by a tendency in political science research on human rights to focus on countries that are still evolving to become full democracies. He

said little research examines the dynamics of human rights violations and accountability in countries considered to be longestablished liberal democracies,

the dynamics of human rights violations and accountability that are unique to these types of countries,” Berlin said.

Louise Cainkar, associate professor of social and cultural sciences and a faculty affiliate of CTJ, researches Arab and Muslim diaspora, U.S. immigration policies and socioeconomic patterns of immigration.

“In terms of Afghan refugees, they are not only within my field of study, I have a personal empathy for the situations of immigrants and refugees. I know that refugee resettlement typically does not concern itself with women, their traumas and struggles. I wanted to make a difference,” Cainkar said.

Cainker said CTJ is important for people who do transnational work and for students who are majoring in fields that are aligned with transnational work.

CTJ provides support for students to attend and participate in conferences and workshops that explore issues of economic, political or social justice. The funding will cover conference and workshop registration costs.

Model UN, a debate team where participants practice and perfect their knowledge of international affairs, public speaking, research and writing, received funding from CTJ for an upcoming conference in Toronto.

“We were incredibly lucky to receive aid from CTJ for our trip, and value their commitment to international justice, the United Nations, and students at Marquette,” Zingsheim said. “CTJ really helped make this trip feasible for Marquette, and I know their efforts can aid many other organizations.”

Friman said by extending beyond national borders people can find best practices elsewhere, get insight into what the big obstacles are and how to surmount them by looking at the lessons of struggles others have gone through in other places.

like the U.S.

“We know that these types of countries still have their fair share of human rights violations. It’s therefore important to uncover

Sam Zingsheim, a junior in the College of Business Administration and Marquette Model United Nations president, is a recipient of CTJ student conference/workshop support.

“We have to keep in mind that we live in a very large world with all of these interrelated pieces and justice to the pursuit of justice has many meanings, many different meanings to different people,” Friman said. “To understand how those struggles for justice take place and if that promoting an understanding of that and promoting inquiry into that is the goal of the center.”

MU A capella groups to compete, perform in Madison this weekend

MU’s Center for Transnational Justice continues research

We have to keep in mind that we live in a very large world with all of these interrelated pieces and justice to the pursuit of justice has many meanings...”

Richard Friman Director of CTJ and professor in department of political science

The group will compete against others from Wisconsin, Minnesota.

Marquette Wire Stock Photo

MUR RADIO SHOW FEATURE

Tune in to Between Me & You on Fridays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. with Rashad Alexander, Aviral Rajvanshi and Andrew Amouzou.

Find them on Spotify @Between Me & You

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

GRAND PRIZE

Submit finished puzzles to andrew.amouzou@marquette.edu by May 5

Most accurate crossword submissions wins the grand prize.

ACROSS

2. The “Queen of Soul Food” is Sylvia ______?

4. Jackie ____________ is the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era

5. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

6. This president abolished slavery

7. the first African-American President of the United States

9. Summer holiday that commemorates the emancipation of Black slaves in the U.S.

10. what Midwestern city did Dr. Hale Williams establish the first AfricanAmerican hospital?

11. What month is Black History Month celebrated in?

DOWN

1. This state elected the first black governor in 1989

3. Martin Luther King Jr gave his “I have a dream” speech in this month

8. What city did Rosa Parks’ bus boycott take place in?

LAST WEEK...

ACROSS

2. Gold

3. Ahoya

6. Saturday

9. Butler

11. Basketball

13. French

14. Overnight

15. Butler DOWN

1. Ignatius

4. Fourteen

5. Dwayne Wade

7. Bingo

8. Real Chilli

10. Marquette

12. Fiserv

Comic by Marquette professor Dave Hanneken david.hanneken@marquette.edu

aRTs & eNTeRTaINmeNT

Marquette alum Claire Kelly returns to campus

Her song, “The Art of Letting Go,” featured in “Love is Blind”

By Phoebe Goebel phoebe.goebel@marquette.edu

In 2015, Claire Kelly graduated from Marquette’s College of Communication with a dream of pursuing a music career full time. Now, Kelly returns back to campus as a full-time singer/songwriter after winning multiple awards and traveling internationally on tour.

Last Thursday, Kelly performed and spoke to students on campus. She started her visit at Marquette Hall at 12 p.m. for lunch, then moved to Lalumiere Language Hall to discuss creative writing and ended the day at 6 p.m. at the Raynor Library to show off her musical talent.

Kelly said that the idea of her career started in college, specifi cally through her involvement at Marquette. Once she got her fi rst gig, she said she never wanted to stop performing.

“I think I knew about halfway through my college career that I wanted to pursue music full time. The fi rst time I got paid to play a gig for an event at Marquette, it made me realize I might be able to make a career out of what I loved doing the most,” Kelly said.

While talking to students, Kelly said that she is very optimistic about the future of her career. She encouraged students to follow their dreams as she did because for her, nothing was impossible.

“I am looking forward to growing as an artist, writing a hit song and eventually writing soundtracks for TV and movies. I could also see myself opening a listening room in the Midwest someday,” Kelly said.

Kelly’s song “The Art of Letting Go” was recently featured on the Netfl ix show “Love Is Blind.” The show was reported to have hit almost 30 million households, making it one of the most popular shows after the COVID-19 pandemic. Kelly said a lot of her work goes into writing songs for TV.

Steven Hartman Keiser, associate professor of English, organized the event. Keiser reached out to students saying that this was an incredible opportunity in an email, as he

said it was the perfect place for developing creative writing strategies and networking.

Keiser said that creative writing is a huge part of the songwriting process, and wanted to introduce that concept to students who are looking to pursue a career in music.

“Music is a language for communicating emotion. English — or any human language — gives us the means for talking about literally anything. Put them together and you have singing: the most powerful medium of human expression,” Keiser said.

Keiser said that Kelly has a really strong ability to incorporate her creative writing skills into song and hopes that students can see that in her work.

“Claire has a real knack for fi nding a story in the everyday events of life: crying in a bathroom, learning a new dance, taking care of an ugly cat … she draws on the ordinary to write some truly extraordinary lyrics,” Keiser said.

As Kelly begins to gain more and more popularity, she said she is so grateful to have the job that she currently does. Kelly’s passion for music is evident and said that her favorite part of her work is how things are always changing.

“I’m really happy to have a job where it’s never the same day twice,” Kelly said.

Photo by Forster Goodrich forster.goodrich@marquette.edu

Claire Kelly spoke with students about her creative process before her performance in Raynor Library.

REVIEW: Tyler Hubbard’s independent career

Former member of Florida Georgia Line releases solo album

By Lauren Puthoff lauren.puthoff@marquette.edu

It’s been four months since the famous country band Florida Georgia Line split, leaving the two stars to find a new path. With hit songs such as “Cruise” and “This Is How We Roll,” Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelly were able to make a name for themselves and gain nationwide notoriety.

The time away from the band has allowed Hubbard to work on his music as a solo artist. He wrote 18 brand-new songs that were released Jan. 27 in his first album, “Tyler Hubbard.”

His album contained his debut single, “5 Foot 9,” a song inspired by his wife which quickly hit the number one spot on the “Billboard Country” charts. Not only did I enjoy how Hubbard was able to make this life into a pictureperfect song, but I loved how the song was framed.

The beginning started with soft-spoken lyrics such as, “Dry wood makes good fires/Good years make good swings,” two verses which emphasizes how things only get better with time, but quickly leads into his upbeat chorus where he discusses how lucky he is with her.

Although all 18 songs were music to my ears and each had its own deeper meaning, the song that has stuck with me the most is “Inside and Out.”

It’s a simplistic song with the strong meaning that beauty is a universal trait and is not defined by one characteristic.

With the use of his music video, he was able to bring me back to my childhood, a world full of innocence and fun, a time when I never thought about how others saw me. His use of strong background music that slowly faded out while keeping the beat as Hubbard’s voice came through, made me proud of the person I am and what I have accomplished.

Overall, throughout the threeminute song, I am brought back to my Midwestern childhood filled with the smells of farmland and memories of

biking into town for ice cream without a care in the world, only focused on the present.

Midway through his album, Hubbard introduces a slower and more relaxing piece, “Paradise,” a song created with descriptive lyrics with the

intention of producing a visual. With the help of the light piano rhythm and occasional drum, I truly felt as though I was in my own pleasant paradise.

As the album comes to an end, Hubbard brings in a techno and electric guitar moment at the

start of “Leave Me Alone,” with the music style subtly remaining in the background of his voice.

I can hear the frustration and strength through his vocals, combing perfectly with the tone of the music.

Every time I listen to this song, I think about driving through the back country roads with my hometown friends as all the windows are down and the sun is slowly setting, one of my favorite parts of summer.

As someone who has grown up in the Midwest, country music has always been a part of my life, whether it is from the radio, our local fair or simply due to it being the most popular music taste in my town. Tyler Hubbard’s debut album has the perfect mix of pop and country, allowing him to show off his diverse musical abilities while also bringing in a larger audience.

Country music brings me back to warm weather, joyful smiles and nothing but constant happiness and I believe that Hubbard fully encapsulated everything I love and put it into 18 beautifully written songs.

Q&A: Up-and-coming indie artist, Adam Melchor

Interview with New Jersey singer about his latest release

By Isabella Flores isabella.flores@marquette.edu

For Marquette students, music is a way to feed the soul and free the mind – whether it’s walking to class, driving with your friends, or having a night out. Music is an aspect of our everyday lives and conveys different meanings, ideas and emotions. That same thing can be said for singer and songwriter Adam Melchor who is on tour for his newest album, “Here Goes Nothing!”

Melchor was raised in Jersey City to a very musical family and knew his dream was to pursue music from a young age. He studied at Montclair State University and achieved a degree in Opera, but soon after decided to start a music career in 2017. Shortly after, his music career blossomed as he now has over 1.3 million monthly listeners on Spotify and 40,921,682 just under 41 million on his most popular song, “Real Estate.”

Before his show in Chicago, I met Adam backstage as his manager handed me a tote bag. Adam and I complimented each other’s outfits and cracked a few laughs and heartfelt moments about his music’s impact on my life. Being a

fan of his for a while now, this was the opportunity of a lifetime and I was so grateful it could happen.

When you started songwriting and making music at what point in the process did you decide it was time to put it out to the public?

It was definitely after college, maybe 24 or 25 - I was not very good at singing till that point. I know it’s hard to believe, even I’m a mere mortal but yeah, I didn’t feel like I would listen to the songs

I was making - it definitely took a while and at that point. I’ve been writing songs for several years so for every good song there are like 100 bad ones. I just don’t show the 99 bad ones but it still happens. I still definitely write terrible songs, and sometimes you just happen to get a glimmer of hope. But yeah just gives yourself time. For some people, it comes so naturally like Justin Bieber who’s 13 years old and just crushing it, but when I was that age I was like why didn’t I make the basketball team? Anyways, I always say “Same moon different paths see you at the top.”

Out of all of your songs on the new album, which are you most proud of?

Oh man, I think recording wise definitely most proud of “I’m Afraid I Love You”. That one was a long journey to get done and writing wise “Touch And Go” is one of my favorites.

What’s your writing process like?

It’s different every time but kind of the second you think of something, go to the voice memos app as soon as possible. That’s the thing that kind of stays the same. Was there a song on this album where during the process you had an idea of what it would be like, but by the time you put it on the album it was completely different?

Ohh that’s a good one. The song “I’m Ready” was very much like that, I’m Ready had a simple fingerpicking thing on the guitar. I didn’t really like it, I was like man I don’t really like this song and then I just stumbled on a fingerpicking pattern I loved and this sort of brass-sounding string, so that one took the biggest run and the longest process. I wrote it in 2019 and finally released it in March of 2022.

What is the theme of the concert tonight? I noticed you have many laps lamps? on stage, fairy lights, and numerous couches with a little dumpling light on your keyboard. Can you tell me a little bit more about that?

Tonight I really wanted to showcase a little bit of home. The light-up dumpling always comes with me wherever I go. My stepmom gifted it to me from China and I always just bring it with me during my tours.

What has been your favorite place that you’ve gone to so far on tour?

Besides Chicago Illinois, I really loved New Zealand. That was so cool to go to for the first time. The show was so fun, and honestly everywhere you can find a little bit of New Zealand and the magic. Every tour is so different, you meet great people and on those tours, the person you hang out with the most is the photographer so a lot of the time I get close with their photographers and like this year celebrated

Hanukkah with one of them. I love your tattoos so much, and I’m curious as to which one is your favorite and why?

It changes every day, but today I really like the goose cause it was my first dad joke tattoo, get it, goosebumps. Really dumb, but no tattoo is smart nor does it have to be.

After a final laugh, thank you, and compliments to one another, Adam Melchor prepared to take on the stage with opener Miloe and was ready to spend the rest of his night singing his heart out.

Photo by Isabella Flores isabella.fl

The songs are greatly inspired by Hubbard’s wife of eight years.

Photo courtesy of UMusic

Isabella Flores interviews Adam Melchor prior to Chicago show

Andrew Amouzou, Executive Director

Woolard, Managing Editor of The Marquette Tribune

Moses, Editor of Diversity and Inclusion

ediTOriaL bOard

Coach

STAFF EDITORIAL

Education necessary following Tyre Nichols’ death

Tyre Nichols was beaten to death by six police offi cers Jan. 7 just 100 yards from his home. Only fi ve of the six offi cers were charged, four of which already had prior violations. They had been either reprimanded or suspended for failing to report when physical force was used, failing to report a domestic dispute or failing to report damage done to squad cars. The police department knew that these officers had a history of violence, yet did very little to mitigate the issue.

Subsequently, protests were held nationwide to condemn acts of police brutality committed against Black Americans. These protests really kicked off after the video of Nichols being beaten to death was released. The video was shared by the Memphis Police Department Jan. 27. It came with the warning, “Footage contains graphic content and

language. Some may fi nd offense. Viewer discretion is advised.” It showed the offi cers chasing and beating Nichols. They left him on the pavement propped against a squad car and fi st-bumped each other. The horror of the video only sparked further outrage.

In Memphis, where Nichols was killed, the “Justice for Tyre” protest was held. The protesters demanded the passing of the Data Transparency Act at the county and city levels, called for an end to unnecessary traffi c stops, unmarked cars and plainclothes offi cers and the removal of police from traffi c enforcement. The Data Transparency Act requires the release of complete data on police enforcement practices. Protests were also held in other cities across the U.S.

In Milwaukee, a protest was held Jan. 28. Protesters marched down State Street

and Wisconsin Avenue, making a stop at the Milwaukee Police Department and speeches were made by community leaders. The speeches called for justice in the face of injustice.

These incidents are far too common. Police brutality, particularly against Black individuals, is a recurrent and persistent issue. Police killed Black people at a rate of 38 per one million which is more than double the rate than that of white people.

As a higher education institution, Marquette must push for change, a change which can start from the Marquette community.

The Offi ce of the Provost released a statement via email to Marquette students. The statement emphasized the mental health of students saying, “Above all, please know that you are not alone. We strongly encourage you to seek out

the support that is available to you here at Marquette.” It went on to list resources students could use to manage any negative feelings pertaining to the violence committed against Tyre Nichols.

Our community should care about these issues. A Jesuit education is made to help push for positive change in the world. The Ignatian value of cura personalis, or care for the whole person, is integral to the institution of Marquette. Marquette values the protection of human life and should always protect it when it is threatened.

Pushing for change in the Marquette and surrounding communities would be the perfect way to live out this value.

Marquette has made strides and deserves to be commended for facilitating community outreach from Marquette University Police Department

to students. Programs such as “Coffee with a Cop” and an emphasis on community partnership in the President’s Task Force on Community Safety are great steps. However, more could be done. Marquette should make an effort to ensure that students, as well as faculty members and staff, are educated about issues of police brutality. Marquette should create a well rounded education for students regarding national social issues.

As a part of the Marquette community, we, the Marquette Wire Editorial Board, need to continue to hold ourselves accountable as well. We are not exempt from the obligation to serve our community. What we report on, the stories that we tell and the content that we publish should cover topics that are important to the community that we serve.

The rise of AI poses a threat to writers

With the exponential growth of online chatbots within the past few years, the capacity for academic integrity is declining. Jobs previously performed by humans can be taken over and writing that would take hours to create can now be accomplished by AI in seconds.

Chat GPT3 is an online chatbot created in November 2022 by Open AI that Microsoft just invested $10 billion into. It’s a system that reached one million users in five days and is meant to replicate human dialogue that can hold conversations, answer questions and produce writing content.

While it may not end humanity as we know it, ChatGPT is eerily similar to the

writing of a human. If you give it a prompt such as “Write a fi ve-paragraph essay about westward expansion,” it takes all of 20 seconds to produce content that would have taken a human hours to research, plan and write. I think the scariest thing about this is the unrestricted access to original content that anyone can plagiarize and pass off as their own. The astounding work of so many writers that could evoke emotion and awe-inspire can now be done by the work of a cold, hard and emotionless computer.

This is not some far off concern either, it’s happening right now. The Stanford Daily released an article on how a large number of students from the university used ChatGPT on their fall final exams. In the report, an anonymous survey conducted on a social polling site, Fizz Post, asked

students if they used ChatGPT to help with their fall final assignments. An astounding 17% said they did. Additionally, the article stated that the school is well aware of this new technology.

The spokesperson for the Board on Judicial Affairs for Stanford said that they have been monitoring these new tools. They have additionally been discussing how they can be used against their honor code.

On top of that, research from Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business said the system passed the fi nal exam for their Master of Business Administration program. In the report, it was said that the chatbot would have received a B- on the exam. The writer of the report, Christian Terwiesch, said that the chatbot is even contending with the labor force.

The power of AI to have the knowledge of a fourthyear student at The Wharton School scares me. How much longer until they can replicate the writing of a graduating student that majored in journalism?

Writing is an art form that can take a lot of time and revisions to perfect. Though, with the introduction of a computer that can instantly replicate this, many young and aspiring writers may think “What’s the point?” and sadly, I don’t blame them. Being such a young writer and seeing a piece of technology that can do what you do 100 times faster is especially demoralizing.

One of the biggest fears I have with this kind of chatbot is that it could destroy a generation of future writers.

With these capabilities and this magnitude, it would not be hard for a child in middle

school to log onto ChatGPT and give it the prompt that their teacher was expecting them to write about. With this threat of plagiarism, teachers are restricted to two basic options: only do in-class essays or get rid of them entirely. Either option is terrible. Getting rid of essays entirely makes it so students are never introduced to their possible love of writing. Additionally, in-class essays present a time restraint that restricts students’ artistic capabilities and takes out the worry of revisions and edits. I am afraid that because of this two-sided coin, the art form behind writing is going to be lost because of its lack of prevalence in the future school curriculum.

Kirsten Lyons, Executive Opinions Editor TJ Dysart, Content

Megan

Hope

Julia Abuzzahab, News Executive John Leuzzi, Sports Executive Izzy Fonfara Drewel, A&E Executive Skyler Chun, Investigative Executive

Emily Reinhardt, Copy Chief Lily Werner, Design Chief Isabel Bonebrake, Chief Photographer Nancy Flaherty, Social Media Executive

Sarah Richardson, General Manager of MUTV Emily Bittman, General Manager of MURadio Kimberly Cook, Managing Editor of The Marquette Journal

Benjamin Hanson

Krisha Patel

It’s Sunday morning. Imagine that you wake up violently sick to your stomach with no recollection of the night before. Panic, fear and anxiety set in as your body is convulsing from the inside out. What you don’t know is the long-term effects that drinking has on the body, especially the brain.

A typical hangover is how many college students start their Sunday mornings. About 80% of college students drink and 50% participate in binge drinking. Then they do it all over again next week. Therefore, due to this irresponsibility and lack of maturity, the drinking age needs to be raised to the age of 25. College is especially not the time to be experimenting with drugs and drinking.

The legal drinking age is 21 in the United States but can go down to 16 in some countries outside of the United States. However, getting illegal access to alcohol is easier today than

Raise the Drinking Age to 25

ever before with ordering fake IDs online and having connections with older people. These days, many fake IDs are hard to spot and easy to scan as well. Alcohol can have detrimental effects on the body, especially on the brain. The frontal lobe of the brain doesn’t fully develop till the age of 25. Alcohol can further delay brain development as well.

That means that people under the age tend to have issues making decisions, are impulsive and have difficulty concentrating. If you combine that with using alcohol, it can lead to irresponsible choices and sometimes even severe consequences with the school and the law.

Drinking underage can also cause issues with mental health.

Studies suggest an increased risk for anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

Additionally, it can lead to further body issues such as heart, liver problems and cancer as well.

A big side effect of drinking is weight gain since alcohol slows the metabolism of foods. Obesity can contribute to many additional health problems later on in life.

With the current drinking age, there is an overlap with the age people get their driving licenses. Currently, one of the leading causes of death for adolescents and young adults is car accidents. About 30% of accidents are caused by drunk drivers. With the drinking age being raised, this number could decrease.

Additionally, by increasing the drinking age, colleges would have less of an issue with underage drinking and run-ins with the cops. Students could focus more on school, themselves and their future. While a big part of college culture is drinking, by increasing the drinking age and getting less access to alcohol, there would be less peer pressure on students to

Lower the Drinking Age to 18

If I can legally buy a house, rack up thousands of dollars in student loan debt, vote and give up my life for the United States all at the age of 18, I should be able to have a beer.

From 1971-1977, thirty states, including Wisconsin, lowered their drinking age to 18 because young men were being sent off to war. The mentality behind this should still stand in our presentday understanding of drinking habits — if you can fight in a war, you should be able to buy yourself a drink.

However, due to an uptick in teenage drunk driving incidents, Congress passed the National Minimum Legal Drinking Act in 1984, which forced states to pick whether they wanted a percentage of federal highway funds or if they wanted to keep the legal drinking age at 18.

As of 1988, the 30 states with the drinking age previously set at 18 have raised the minimum age to 21 and created a double standard for the age of adulthood.

As students arrive at college, they get what I consider a “trial run” for adulthood. Students live on their own, take out

copious amounts of loans and decide what they want to do with their lives, all of which are tremendous responsibilities, but having a drink is considered “too adult.”

While there are some risks of drinking, such as the higher risk for long-term effects on the brain, obesity and alcoholism, these are risks that everyone takes when indulging in a drink regardless of age. The healthiest thing for a person to do in their drinking habits is to give up alcohol entirely; however, this is not a realistic goal for a majority of Americans as 54.9% reported that they have consumed alcohol within the past month as of 2022.

For college students specifically, even though students aged 18-20 cannot legally drink, the law rarely stops them from doing so. 32% of underage college students in 2022 admitted to alcohol consumption. In fact, it makes the act of drinking even more dangerous because students will go to parties where they may engage in unsupervised binge drinking.

The issue is not with having a drink. The issue is with students that engage in unsafe behaviors, as they are uneducated about and may not understand the risks of alcohol consumption, such as drunk driving and

binge drinking.

The national minimum legal drinking age did not stop drunk driving, just like it did not stop underage drinking. Instead, it raised the age bracket that drunk driving affected to 21-24 year-olds, because we have not stopped the problem at its root. We have ignored the real issue: not properly educating our youth on how to properly take care of ourselves when they are drinking.

Binge drinking is characterized by drinking five or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women in the time span of two hours. This could lead to several health issues including alcohol poisoning, violence and chronic diseases. However, the age group that typically suffers from binge drinking the most is 18-34 year-olds.

This is the exact kind of culture that people are supporting at higher education schools, as students view partying and drinking to get drunk as an integral part of their college experience, as nearly 33% of students reported binge drinking in a month’s time frame.

Drinking is a part of the culture at Marquette University. This is evident over an annual weekend in February known as National Marquette Day, a celebration regarding the

conform to social standards. This is also a good opportunity for those underage to save money. The average American spends $583 on alcohol a year. Students who are living on their own, paying for school, books and student loans, can save more money rather than spend it on alcohol.

Overall, starting drinking from an early age can lead to alcoholism.

While it may come as a disappointment for increasing the drinking age, in the end, it will have more benefits than downsides. While drinking can be fun to do every now and then, it needs to be done at an older age of 25 when people are more mature, more financially stable, and fully understand the long-term effects of their actions. Overall, you don’t need to drink to enjoy a night of fun. It’s better to wake up in the morning well-rested rather than with no memory of the night before.

Krisha Patel is a senior studying nursing and Spanish for the health professions. She can be reached at krisha.patel@marquette.edu

Marquette men’s basketball game. The weekend was heavily celebrated by going to the games, going to “darties” and engaging in activities that one probably wouldn’t have engaged in sober.

If there’s anyone that’s responsible to engage in safe drinking for 18-year-olds and on, it is Generation Z. Take the “borg” for example. The “borg” was a drink of choice at the NMD celebrations, as it is a water jug that students pour out half of the water, fill some of it with a liquor of their choice, and a flavoring agent, such as Mio or Liquid IV to prevent a hangover. Students will then decorate the jugs to designate which one is theirs and carry it around with them to parties.

This is a much safer alternative than “jungle juice”, which is a vat of a mysterious alcoholic liquid typically found in the basement of a frat house. The danger with “jungle juice” is that anyone could have put anything into, as it was accessible to everyone. The “borg” instead is a closed, personal container that the student can monitor themselves to avoid getting roofied or drinking in excess.

Further, drunk driving can be avoided should students utilize rideshare services, such as the free Marquette-based Eagle-

Express or Uber. This isn’t an outrageous idea, as 55% of 18-29 year olds in an urban setting already use rideshare services like Uber or Lyft.

There are risks to underage drinking, but that is because there are risks to drinking itself. There are solutions to the problems that opponents of lowering the drinking age insist upon. Drinking in moderation, and education about the effects and ways to be safe regarding alcohol consumption must be the starting point to lower the drinking age to 18.

Laura Niezgoda is a junior studying communication studies and criminology and law studies. She can be reached at laura.niezgoda@marquette.edu

Statement of Opinion Policy

The opinions expressed on the Opinions page reflect the opinions of the Opinions staff. The editorials do not represent the opinions of Marquette University nor its administrators, but those of the editorial board.

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Full Opinions submissions should be limited to 500 words. Letters to the editor should be between 150 to 250 words. The Tribune reserves the right to edit submissions for length and content. Please e-mail submissions to: kirsten. lyons@marquette.edu. If you are a current student, include the college in which you are enrolled and your year in school. If not, please note any affliations to Marquette or your current city of residence.

Laura Niezgoda

Illustration by Erin Schneider erin.schneider@marquette.edu

Karlen returns to starting lineup in victory over Hoyas

King scores 23 points on National Marquette Day

By John Gunville john.gunville@marquette.edu

In the last act of National Marquette Day, the Marquette women’s basketball team looked to sweep Georgetown in the season series at the Al McGuire Center Saturday evening.

“I was excited to play and we were trying to tell the freshmen what it’s about,” senior guard Jordan King said. “Being able to perform in front of so many fans, I think it’s a really cool day.”

And the Golden Eagles did just that, defeating the Hoyas 66-49 to sweep the regular season series.

The Golden Eagles’ offense was on display in the first half as King led the charge with 11 points in the period.

Senior forward Chloe Marotta and first-year guard Mackenzie Hare each pitched in eight points.

The second half was more of the same for the Golden

Eagles. They ran their lead all the way up to 23 points early in the fourth quarter.

“I’m really proud of our overall team effort after our loss at Villanova on Wednesday,” Marquette head coach Megan Duffy said. “I thought we really settled in and took out a little bit of frustration on Georgetown after how we played the other night. One of our goals was to loosen things up on the offensive end and move the ball around a little bit better and I though we did a really nice job of that.”

Karlen’s Connections

The junior forward made her first start in eight games for the Golden Eagles. Karlen was the focal point of the first half offense for Marquette as she racked five of the Golden Eagles 12 first half assists.

“The biggest thing is just getting the rust off or getting her game minutes again,” Duffy said. “She was a great contributor to our offense with moving the ball five assists one turnover.”

As a team Marquette ended the game with 22 assists while Georgetown recorded

just seven.

“To have 22 assists is a really crazy number in college basketball,” King said. “For us to achieve our goal doing that is really huge. It says something about our players and being able to buy into the coaches, buy into each other and trust.”

Statistical Leaders

King led all scorers with 23 points on 10-for-17 shooting with five assists, three rebounds and a steal. It was King’s 12th career 20-plus point scoring performance and ninth of the season.

Marotta finished the game with a double-double and game-high 13 rebounds. King and junior forward Liza Karlen each pitched in five assists.

Georgetown’s junior guard Kelsey Ransom led the Hoyas with 23 points.

“Ransom is one of the top players in the league,” Duffy said. “She got off to a hot start

hitting jumpers and we told our team just to kind of sustain that wave. She’s so good going downhill as you saw in that in that fourth quarter. Just trying to make it as difficult as possible have a lot of bodies around her.”

Fourth Quarter for the First Year

With Marquette holding a substantial lead in the fourth quarter, first-year forward Charia Smith saw time on the court.

Smith, who has seen action in 14 of the team’s 23 games this season, finished with two rebounds on the night.

“She’s playing behind upperclassmen post players right now,” King said. “Her ability to continue to learn through practice, different film sessions and individuals, I think it’s great for her. She’s really bought into that, so I’m super proud of her.”

Next Up:

Marquette (15-8, 8-6 Big

East) sticks around Milwaukee for a matchup with No. 5 UConn (21-2, 13-0 Big East) at the Al McGuire Center Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. CST. “It’s a great opportunity to have them on our home court,” King said. “It’s no better way to then do it in front of Marquette Nation. I’m really excited for that and I know my teammates are as well.”

Men’s basketball moved into the top

in this week’s Associated Press Top

Junior guard Tyler Kolek was named as one of 10 finalists for the Bob Cousy Award Feb. 6.

Women’s basketball’s game Feb. 8 against No. 4 UConn is a white-out.

Marquette women’s basketball defeated the Georgetown Hoyas 66-49 on National Marquette Day. Tyler Kolek MUBB No. 11

Junior guard Tyler Kolek

Photo by Katie Craig katie.craig@marquette.edu

Photo by Katie Craig katie.craig@marquette.edu

COLUMN

THIS WEEK: FINK ON NFL PRO BOWL

What the flag? I’ve been waiting to watch the Pro Bowl, the annual All-Star game held by the National Football League featuring the league’s star players, and when I turned it on, I laughed when I saw it was a flag football game.

I wanted to see a game where the crowd goes wild when they hear helmets smashing into pads executing the plays that have been carefully designed to outplay the opponent. This is football at its very core and while there is always the risk of injury to players, fans everywhere come alive every game-day during both the regular season and playoffs.

I am sure none of these players have played flag football since elementary school or maybe middle school gym class. These are world-class athletes who have trained for decades in how to be faster, stronger and more competitive. Now, they are being told to turn the aggressiveness off to play it safe which is being looked at as a good thing due to all the injuries that occur. However, the players still need to give the fans something to cheer for which is the full uniform and full contact aspect.

Football has been a rough tackle sport since it began over 100 years ago. While players have better protection with state of the art helmets, trainers and medical personnel, it always will be a tackle sport. Even with the life threatening injury to the Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin and the history the NFL made by stopping that game, there was no discussion of canceling any other football games, just tackle rule changes.

The future of football is changing, as safety continues to play a factor in the way the game is played which will help allow for full padded football to be played. Rule changes that have been made over the past few years have tried to lessen the impact of vicious hits. There have been advances in helmets including the goofy looking “marshmallow padding” on the outside of the helmet that was used in the early preseason games and training camp. Concussions are a serious issue in the game and players are being watched constantly after

taking a hit to make sure they are okay. There is clearly an effort afoot to make the game safer for the players while delivering the type of football that fans want to see.

In the last few years, the NFL has watered down the Pro Bowl to safeguard the players and eliminate injuries in a rather meaningless game as players don’t want to risk hurting.

Hare fills hole for Golden Eagles

break downs just continuing to be that earpiece in her ear letting her know, ‘Hey get your playmaking, get your playing making’ until it becomes a habit.”

By Emma Kroll emma.kroll@marquette.edu

When the Marquette women’s basketball season started, firstyear guard Mackenzie Hare found herself being utilized off the bench. Now through 23 games, Hare’s shooting ability is the foundation for growth.

One area where Hare has contributed to her team this season has come from her ability to shoot the deep ball. Hare ranks third on the team in 3-point percentage, shooting .328.

This year the NFL attempted to make it safer and more competitive but in the form of flag football, which not only upset fans but also players. Raiders running back Josh Jacobs voiced his dismay of the Pro Bowl saying “It was stupid.” Jacobs’ comment proves fans are not the only ones wanting to stick with the traditional playing style of the game.

In watching the game on Sunday, the most entertaining part was when Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey got called for a personal foul when he had a rough hit on Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill. This was the most traditional football that was seen at the Pro Bowl.

The lone upside to the Pro Bowl this year came in the inaugural skills challenges. Such challenges included the gridiron gauntlet, best catch, kick tac toe and then non football challenges including dodgeball.

These competitions actually looked like the players were having fun and it was a safe way to get out there with other great players. This is a great way to get fans involved and see what individual players can do outside of the game itself however, this is drifting too far away from the sport that is known to be violent.

The Pro Bowl and the competitive challenges were a fun diversion in a weekend without traditional football, but make no mistake: This is not the future of football.

“We needed somebody to fill that void for us,” Komara said. “Kenzie’s been fearless to come into games and shoot, she’s not afraid to take shots. She really has filled that void for us as an outside shooter.”

In her last four games, Hare has averaged 13 points and

Komara said the learning curve is normal, and Hare is learning from watching.

“It’s not like, ‘Oh man, I’m gonna give her a scholarship because she’s a really good defender.’ I mean, that doesn’t happen very often so they’re always a little bit behind when they come into college,” Komara said.

“We’ll watch film, over defense and games and practices. Watching people do it the right way. So, you know, maybe pull clips of her teammates Rose (Nkumu) and Jordan (King), you know defending a play the right way.”

Hare said her transition from high school to college came with a learning curve on defense.

“All the other teams, they have very complex offenses,” Hare said. “You always have to be active and aware. It definitely

Big East Freshman of the Week honors Jan. 30 after averaging 10.5 points in wins over Seton Hall and Butler while shooting 46.7 from the field and 50% from beyond the arc.

“Confidence really doesn’t come from the accolade, it comes from my teammates,” Hare said.

“Obviously, I was really grateful for that. But it came from my teammates and their confidence in me as well as my coaching staff. That allowed me (to) play the way I play and do the best I can out there.”

Hare said that the consistent reps is what got her there.

“My teammates have been doing a great job of finding me during the game,” Hare said. “I like to come back at night and get some reps on the gun or get some shots off of my teammates. Kind of just that repetition of seeing the ball go in the basket and then not being afraid to let it fly when you get in the game.”

In addition to the extra reps,

three assists.

Senior guard Jordan King said Hare has become a “spark” off the bench for the team.

“Kenzie is doing a great job of that, coming in and being an offensive threat for us,” King said. “But then continuing to learn her role defensively and getting in the passing lanes with deflections and rebounds as well.”

It took repetition to get Hare to develop her game outside of scoring.

“(It was) helping her understand her value not just as a shooter but as a playmaker and then getting reps doing it,” assistant coach Kelly Komara said. “(Either from) live play during practice, when we do scrimmages or

takes some getting used to from high school, where you can definitely take some plays off on defense. You can’t take a play off in college.”

Hare said two ways that she overcame these struggles was building confidence through reps and watching film with Komara.

“Defense really comes down to the techniques, the fundamentals and then having the will to do it,” Hare said. “Then getting down into stance and having the will to be like, ‘My person is not scoring me’ or, ‘I’m gonna go help my teammate so they don’t get scored on either.’ So kind of just being able to do that.”

Hare seems to be adjusting to the learning curve alright, earning

King said she has seen an eagerness to learn from Hare.

“Kenzie has been really great with just being open to hearing anything that I’ve had to say or any of our other senior leaders have had to say,” King said. “The biggest thing is trying to take in as much knowledge as you can and trying to learn from the upperclassmen.”

With the regular season winding down and the Golden Eagles in the mix for a first round bye in next month’s Big East Tournament, Hare said she hopes to keep making plays for her team while continuing to improve herself.

“Just continuing to get better,” Hare said. “Do whatever I can to make the team successful.”

Catherine Fink is a sports reporter. She is a beat reporter for club sports.

First-year guard continues to grow defensive skill set

Mackenzie Hare (12) moves up the court in women’s basketball’s 64-40 win over Xavier Jan. 25.

Photo courtesy of the National Football League

Photo by Alex DeBuhr alexander.debuhr@marquette.edu

Marquette pulls past Butler on National Marquette Day

Golden Eagles play vicious defense down the stretch

By Kaylynn Wright kaylynn.wright@marquette.edu

In front of a striped-out and sold-out Fiserv Forum, thenNo. 14 Marquette men’s basketball took down the Butler Bulldogs 60-52 Saturday afternoon on National Marquette Day behind a strong defensive presence down the stretch.

“Really excited about the way our guys finished the game,” Marquette head coach Shaka Smart said. “It was not one of our better offensive games, but the defensive effort was terrific. Butler deserves a lot of credit for the way they fought and battled. The switching they did bothered us some ... Excited to be able to win on National Marquette Day.”

With the win, Marquette (195, 11-2 Big East) has extended its winning streak to five games in a row and has now won 10 of its last 11 games.

Statistical Leaders:

Junior guard Tyler Kolek led the way for Marquette, netting 13 points on 4-for-10 shooting. He also dished out eight assists and grabbed three rebounds.

“I’ve got a ton of confidence in Tyler Kolek,” Smart said. “I like when he shoots the ball. He works harder than anyone in terms of his extra work and (the) time that he puts in the gym. I love the aggressiveness that he’s showing.”

First-year guard Chase Ross also tacked on 10 points, coming up just short of tying his career-high of 11 against Central Michigan. He also added two blocks and shot 3-for-4 from behind the charity stripe.

“He’s a dude,” Smart said. “For a freshman, he plays with great poise. You can count on him to defend a lot of different spots. I thought he was playing efficiently on offense (too).”

Sophomore guard Jayden Taylor led Butler with 19 points and seven rebounds, shooting 50% from the threepoint line. Sophomore forward Simas Lukosius also earned 15 points on 5-for-12 shooting.

A Hot and Cold First Half Marquette’s offense found its spark quickly, going on a 16-3 run in the first seven minutes. Four players contributed to the run: junior forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper (6), sophomore guard Kam Jones (5), Ross (3) and Kolek (2).

The Bulldogs’ offense responded soon after by going on a 10-0 run of its own, forcing Smart to call a timeout.

Butler got as close as five points, but Marquette kicked it into high gear once more, finishing the half on a 7-0 run to go into halftime leading by 12 points.

Exhilarating End to First Half

The finish to the first 20 minutes of this contest was one to remember and familiar for sophomore guard Kam Jones. With four seconds left in the half, Kolek dribbled down the court in transition and was fouled aggressively by senior forward Ali Ali. Ali was assessed for a flagrant one foul. Kolek drained his two free-throws and the ball came back to Marquette for the inbound play.

On the inbound, Kolek quickly passed it to Jones, who drained the corner 3-pointer to end the first half.

It was Jones’ second straight halftime buzzer beater.

“I’m not sure I’ve ever seen sh*t like that in all my life,” Butler head coach Thad Matta said. “That was tough.”

Smart said that he was proud of how his team ended the first half.

“That was huge,” Smart said. “We talk a lot about managing the end of the first half. I thought those guys did a phenomenal job at that. Kam did what he does.”

Vicious Defense Down the Stretch

Despite being outscored in the second half, Marquette’s defense imposed its will in the final minutes of the game.

Butler had the ball four times while being within six points but was never able to gain a lead. Marquette forced Butler to turn over the ball 19 times and scored 22 points off those turnovers.

“Being connected (and) being vicious,” Ross said. “That

was our motto for today: Be vicious. We just (had) to fight through everything.”

Smart subbed in sophomore guard Stevie Mitchell in the final minute with Marquette up 58-52. Mitchell locked down on defense to get another key stop to steal the victory.

“The possession that Stevie Mitchell had at the end there, that was really what we want to be all about in terms of our energy and our aggressiveness,” Smart said. “He’s a winner. He has unbelievable pride in his team.”

MEYER: Three surgeries don’t stop dreams coming true

Continued from page 16

“That was the most nervous I’ve been in my entire life,” Meyer said. “I knew a bunch of people (in the crowd), it’s my school and the best people on the Rim Rockers were there.”

The Rim Rockers team consists of 15 performers with different backgrounds and skill sets. Meyer is one of the newest members, but the rest of the squad welcomed him with open arms.

“I am extremely grateful for my teammates. They have been really good leaders, super helpful,” Meyer said. “They’ve taught me more than just Rim Rockers too, like how to have good character through leading by example.”

Meyer said that throughout his time in gymnastics his one goal was to make it to the top.

“All my life I did gymnastics and my goal was to go to the Olympics. I worked really hard at that and that was all I was thinking about,” Meyer said.

Unfortunately, those dreams would never be realized after he broke his back at the age of 12. After a year of recovery, he was finally able to work out again, but he said he couldn’t return to the level of gymnastics he was once at.

“I had to take a year off of gymnastics and I went back to it, but it just wasn’t the same and I had to quit,” Meyer said.

But a new sport took its place: lacrosse.

Meyer had been playing

lacrosse for a while and he formed a new goal. But his dream of playing the sport at the Division I level was once again knocked down.

“My freshman year and my sophomore year I’m playing pretty well and I’m getting a lot looks from Division II and Division III coaches and I got an invite to a Division I lacrosse camp,” Meyer said. “Then I tore my ACL for the first time.”

He had to undergo surgery and weeks of physical therapy to heal. Nine months of recovery later, he returned to the field. However, four days after he was cleared for his season, he tore his ACL again.

“My pediatrician and a lot of (physical therapists) told

me I should

never play

sports again,” Meyer said. “I had a lot of people make fun of me, even some of my friends. It was a really bad experience for me.”

Throughout his second ACL recovery, Meyer said that his friends would tease him and he felt like they were turning their backs on him.

While that time was difficult and he couldn’t do much, Meyer said he strived to get better and show everyone that he could do what he set his mind to.

“(My motivation) was the pain I felt and the loneliness I felt when I tore my ACL again and all the doctors and family members and friends that said I should just quit,” Meyer

said. “I found a place I could put it in which was the gym, it was reading, it was waking up early, it was learning to put my pain into greatness.”

He’s taking the confidence and drive he gained from these experiences and applying it to the Rim Rockers this season and for the years to come. As he soars through the air, Quinn Meyer said he will remember where he came from and the trials it took to get there.

“I want to do (the Rim Rockers) definitely for the next four years for sure. If I’m in Milwaukee for however long after college, I would do it every year I can,” Meyer said. “Just go until I can’t basically, it’s addicting.”

Photo by Alex DeBuhr alexander.debuhr@marquette.edu

Stevie Mitchell (4) looks to make a pass in Marquette’s win Feb.4.

Photo by Alex DeBuhr alexander.debuhr@marquette.edu

David Joplin finished with five points in win over Butler on NMD at Fiserv.

MORE: Kolek emerges as one of nation’s top guards

Continued from page 16

first season with the Golden Eagles after transferring from George Mason prior to last year, as he led the Big East with 5.7 assists per game.

However, his shooting took a turn. During the 2020-21 season with the Patriots, Kolek shot 35.9% from deep while earning Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Year honors.

Last season, that number dropped to 28.1%.

Following last season, Kolek reached out to Diener about working out with him at Diener’s facility in Mequon. Diener served as the director of player development on former head coach Steve Wojciechowski’s staff for three seasons from 2015-18.

“He kind of struggled last year shooting the ball, and I think he was feeling it mentally from a confidence standpoint,” Diener said. “The staff thought it’d be a good idea to come and maybe try a new voice.”

Along with Nevada Smith, a special assistant to head coach Shaka Smart and coined offensive guru behind Marquette’s offense, Diener worked on tweaking Kolek’s shot.

“He needed to get his left hand under the ball more,” Diener said. “He was using too much of his left thumb so he was getting a weird rotation on the ball when he shot.”

To work out of that habit, Kolek worked on repeating the same motion of removing his right thumb sitting on and around the ball.

Diener said he also tried instilling confidence in Kolek from a mindset standpoint.

“Once you get in a bad rut, it’s hard to get out of,” Diener said. “From playing with him and being around, I tried to instill in him the fact he was a good shooter, and he has shot the ball well throughout his life.”

Smith said with Kolek as the team’s primary point guard, another main area of focus was working on taking shots off the bounce.

“He was always taking shots off the catch,” Smith said. “We had to really work on picking the ball off the floor.”

Diener said he credits Kolek for how receptive he was in the process.

“It’s all credit to Tyler for buying into the fact that he’s going to make some changes because he is stubborn as all great players are,” Diener said. “It takes a level

of looking yourself in the mirror and saying, ‘Okay if I want to make shots, I have to change something because fundamentally I’m not there yet.’”

Evolving into one of the nation’s top point guards

Kolek has emerged into one of the nation’s best point guards. The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced Feb. 6 that Kolek was a Top 10 finalist for the Bob Cousy Award, which recognizes the top point guard in Division I men’s college basketball.

But being the dime-dropping, shifty playmaking point guard that he is today, wasn’t the initial vision that the coaching staff saw in him.

“What we envisioned with Tyler was a guy that could turn into a very mature, serious, tough, hard-nosed competitor who has an unbelievable IQ and loves to make plays for other people,” Smart said. “I didn’t know he would be averaging eight assists per game.”

“But we knew that he was a guy that could make plays for his teammates, knew he was a guy that could shoot but also was a playmaker.”

Smith said the first glimpses of Kolek’s ability to make plays came prior to last season when he filled in for former guard Darryl Morsell at point, as Morsell was sidelined until October with an injury.

“You started seeing it in workouts with him having some vision that maybe we didn’t anticipate him having,” Smith said. “Being able to throw some passes that really good point guards can’t throw … You just saw the game starting to come easy for everybody else.”

The 6-foot-3 junior then became the Golden Eagles’ primary point guard.

Making that extra pass, handling a top-ranked offense

It is no mystery that Marquette’s offensive numbers have improved from last year. It is No. 1 in 2-point field goal percentage on the analytics site KenPom.com.

The Golden Eagles also spent several weeks sitting at No. 1 in adjusted offensive efficiency on KenPom, before dropping to No. 4 following their win over Butler Feb. 4.

Part of that has to do with Kolek in command of the offense.

“My role is finding guys, getting guys shots and score

when the opportunity presents itself,” Kolek said.

Proof of Marquette’s improved offense is seen in Kolek’s growth in leadershipon the court.

“He’s taken ownership of that and really led this group,” Smith said. “He’s done such a great job with his voice and really coming into his own as a leader and an older guy on this team.”

Diener said Kolek’s developed confidence in his shooting has contributed to his offensive breakout.

“He didn’t forget how to play or learn how to play in the last few weeks. It’s all a mentality,” Diener said. “He goes into everything thinking he’s the best player on the floor and you can see it in his eyes, in his body language and from his teammates.

“He’s really blossoming and it shows up to the outside in the statistics, but even when he doesn’t have a huge scoring night or huge assists numbers, you can see the way he plays and that he has total control over the basketball game.”

Back on Jan. 7 against Georgetown, Kolek became the first player in the last 30 years to finish with 15 assists, three steals and zero turnovers in a Big East game.

“He makes playing basketball a hell of a lot easier,” sophomore guard Kam Jones said. “I know when he is going to pass it to me, and most of the time I know where he is going with the ball. I just got to be ready.”

Kolek has also become a more aggressive scorer this season for the Golden Eagles, by attacking the paint and taking more midrange jumpers.

“Last year, a lot of teams just started playing him as a passer,

so he made adjustments in the off-season,” Jones said. “He’s always been a great scorer since I’ve known him, he’s just been more aggressive and we keep instilling confidence in him to do that.”

Kolek’s ability to be an elite passer and aggressive scorer poses challenges for opposing teams when it comes to designing their defensive schemes, as he is No. 1 on scout reports.

“He does everything for their team. He has a will and toughness about him that you really have to respect,” Xavier men’s basketball

head coach Sean Miller said. “If you look at that one key player for them that brings this all together is him.”

Diener, who said he sees a lot of himself in Kolek, said the Rhode Island native’s best play is still ahead of him.

“I love his toughness and his work ethic,” Diener said. “He’s an incredible willing passer … He has such a high ceiling and he could be, if he’s not already there, one of the best college basketball players.”

Kolek (11) leads the Big East and ranks second in the country with 7.9 assissts per game.

Kolek goes up for a layup in Marquette’s loss to Wisconsin Dec. 4.

Photo by Alex DeBuhr alexander.debuhr@marquette.edu

Photo by Alex DeBuhr alexander.debuhr@marquette.edu

sPORTs

More Than A Facilitator

MUBB

Back in Top 10

Smart’s crew continues to climb

By John Leuzzi john.leuzzi@marquette.edu

The Marquette men’s basketball team keeps climbing in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll.

The Golden Eagles (19-5, 11-2 Big East) came in at No. 10 in this week’s poll, which was announced Monday.

It is the first time Marquette has been in the Top 10 since the 2018-19 season.

Marquette, who earned two gritty wins last week over Villanova and Butler, ranks No. 4 in adjusted offensive efficiency and No. 1 in 2-point field goal percentage on KenPom.com.

Photo by Alex DeBuhr alexander.debuhr@marquette.edu

Junior guard Tyler Kolek (11) was named by The Naismith Hall of Fame as one of 10 finalists for the Bob Cousy Award Feb. 6.

more signs of it now, especially in the last few weeks.”

By John Leuzzi john.leuzzi@marquette.edu

Tyler Kolek does more than dish out dimes and throw up lobs to Oso Ighodaro.

The reasons for it are clear. Just ask the last point guard who brought Marquette to a Final Four, Travis Diener.

“He competes, he’s a willing passer and he makes others around him better,” Diener said.

“He has all the traits to be a really high-level college basketball player and you’re seeing a lot

First-year Rim

Rocker makes mark on MKE with Bucks

By Isabella Fonfara Drewell isabella.fonfaradrewell@marquette.edu

Quinn Meyer is a first-year student in the College of Arts & Sciences, but once his classes are over, he drives over to St. Marcus Middle School for practice with the Milwaukee Bucks Rim Rockers. Known for their high-flying stunts

Since the Golden Eagles win Jan. 3 at St. John’s, Kolek is averaging 16.9 points, 8.9 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game.

“He’s the best point guard in the Big East and arguably one of the best point guards in the country,” Diener said. “It was only a matter of time once he started feeling comfortable in the system and being in school here. I know he wanted it to happen probably sooner, but for the amount of work he’s put in, he deserves it all.”

The 10th-ranked Golden Eagles (19-5, 11-2 Big East) sit

atop the Big East standings, pulling off five straight wins. Kolek, who is third in the country in assists, has another opportunity to steer Marquette’s highly efficient offense against UConn (18-6, 7-6) Tuesday night at 5:30 p.m. CST at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut.

“He has a great feel for the game, understands the game and where people should be,” Fox Sports analyst Bill Raferty said. “It’s a nice extension for any coach to have a kid like that with that outlook and attitude in terms of team play.”

Changing mechanics

Kolek put together a strong

“

“It’s just a well constructed team and everyone knows their role,” former Marquette guard Travis Diener told the Marquette Wire. “You can tell by watching them that they enjoy playing with each other and they don’t really care who’s scoring. ... That shows the unity and the sharing of the ball. It’s a really fun team to watch. I’ve watched a lot of college basketball this year and it’s hard to find a team that I think Marquette couldn’t beat.”

ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi currently has Marquette projected to be a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament in his Feb. 3 projection.

and acrobatic dunks, the Rim Rockers perform in gyms throughout Wisconsin.

Meyer said he first heard of the opportunity to join the team at the end of his senior year of high school.

He went to Marquette High School and they brought in a representative from the Milwaukee Bucks who talked about different interning and job opportunities within their organization. One of the options she mentioned were the

entertainment teams, which includes the Rim Rockers.

With his background in gymnastics, Meyer thought he could be a good fit for the team.

“Gymnastics for about 10 years was definitely helpful and I did diving for a year and that helped me out a lot because it made me learn how to control my spacing when I jump,” Meyer said.

After many emails, practices and several rounds of tryouts,

he made the team in July.

Now he spends his time traveling with the Rim Rockers to

their performances. Meyer said managing the practices, events and performances along with his academics and other clubs, including the Marquette Gymnastics Club and Marquette Powerlifting Club, was a struggle during his first semester, but he’s got the hang of it now.

His favorite performance so far was performing in front of his friends from Marquette at the men’s basketball game against Seton Hall Dec. 27.

See MEYER

page 14

Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee Bucks

He has all the traits to be a really highlevel college basketball player.”

Travis Diener

Marquette guard

BUCKS