THE Volume 91, Issue 5
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UADRANGLE A Student Publication of Manhattan College Since 1924
Feb. 17, 2015
www.mcquad.org
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Kevin Fuhrmann/The Quadrangle
Common Interest Living Communities To Be Offered in the Fall Michelle DePinho Editor
Manhattan College unveiled that it will be offering common interest living communities options for students next year in an email to the student body last Tuesday. The common interest communities “are a series of themed residences where sophomores, juniors and seniors can enhance their experiences at the college by living with other students who share their interests – regardless of what their academic courses or majors might be,” the email from the Office of Residence Life read. The common interest communities or themed living is an option that’s available at most institutions today,” Director of Residence Life Andrew Weingarten said. “There’s a lot of research on it that shows that it supports student satisfaction, persistence in college, recruitment, retention of students. It provides more opportunities for student leadership.” The idea of students with a common interest living together is not a new one at the school. For years, engineering majors have lived together on the same floor in Jasper Hall. “We’ve done it for a long time informally in Jasper [Hall] for a few years,” he
said. Weingarten called that arrangement very popular and said there’s always an interest of students trying to live in that informal community. “It’s almost a why-not,” he said. While Weingarten confirmed that the common interest living communities will go into effect next year, he said the specifics of the program are not fully developed yet. “I know that any program or offering for students is only going to be effective and successful with student input and student involvement. It’s really important to remember that,” he said. “We can set the framework, the idea is there, but it’s not fully developed yet. How it will evolve, that will depend on student feedback.” Right now, the proposed options that students are providing feedback on through an online survey include the following: engineering, entrepreneurship, environmental issues and sustainability, health professions, IMPACT (Inspiring Means to Promote Authentic Community Transformation), Nuestra Casa, and performing arts and visual culture. Each community will involve specialized programming, and some will offer relevant community service or leadership opportunities. Nuestra Casa is the only cultural living program proposed on the list.
Its goal is to pair English-speaking students with Spanish-speaking students to enhance Spanish language proficiency by committing to speak Spanish 90 percent of the time. The dormitories where these programs will be offered has not yet been determined. “They will be where they make the most sense,” Weingarten said. “We would need dedicated space for programming.”
Kevin Fuhrmann/The Quadrangle One thing that is likely is that these common interest communities will not be offered to incoming freshman. “We’re likely going to make it an option for continuing students,” Weingarten said, citing both housing lottery logistics and the existence of the Arches livinglearning community that currently serves incoming freshman. Continued on page 3
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The
Opinions & editorials
Quadrangle www.mcquad.org
Michelle DePinho Managing Editor/News Editor Anthony Capote Asst. News Editor Kieran Rock Managing Editor/Features Editor Ally Hutzler Asst. Features Editor Lauren Carr Arts & Entertainment Editor Lindsey Burns Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor Jonathan Reyes Sports Editor Jaclyn Marr Asst. Sports Editor Daniel Ynfante Asst. Sports Editor Sean McIntyre Social Media Editor Victoria Hernández Kristie Killen Asst. Social Media Editors Kevin Fuhrmann Photography Editor Christian Roodal Asst. Photography Editor
The Editor
Letter to
Vol. 91 Issue 5 Feb. 17, 2015
Sean Sonnemann Editor-in-Chief
Feb. 17, 2015
Dear Seniors,
I hope you’re enjoying the Spring 2015 semester, the last one of your undergraduate program! Congratulations, you’re in the home stretch. Very soon you’ll be sitting in Draddy, holding your breath until your name is called as the roster of graduating candidates is presented. You’ve probably worked very hard to get to this point – lots of studying (or cramming), late nights filled with high energy drinks, term papers, and maybe you even held a job or two to help with expenses. Seems like freedom is just a few months away. But what’s next? Is your resume in order? Are you on top of your applications for grad school, networking, or saving up for your interview suit? Are you using the resources available on campus and within the alumni community to make sure the transition from student to alumni is smooth? You’re probably sick of hearing this – but you’re the only one that can influence what happens next. We’re proud of you for coming this far and look forward to you beginning a new chapter in your relationship with Manhattan College. Being an alumnus/a makes you part of a community that is known and respected as hardworking, smart, ethical, compassionate, and philanthropic. Jaspers are recognized, near and far, for their strong values. The Alumni Society offers many avenues for continuing and enhancing your relationship with other alumni and Riverdale, including networking events, sports activities, and recognition of outstanding performance through awards such as the Gunn Medal and Athletic Hall of Fame. Wherever home or work takes you, Manhattan College has a presence around the country, and we encourage you to seek out our local alumni chapters. We hope you’ll continue to actively support the College with your time, treasure, and talents. Give back in any meaningful way you can. It is important that we do what we can to sustain Manhattan College for ourselves and future generations. Someday you’ll reflect on your role as a Jasper, and you’ll realize this Lasallian Catholic community is one that will always greet you with open arms, as part of our Manhattan family. Again, on behalf of all alumni, I wish you luck in your last undergraduate semester – and I look forward to officially welcoming you into the Alumni Society! Meg Walsh ’79, ’82, ‘93 President, Alumni Society
Kelly Burns Luke Hartman Natalie Heinitz Production Editors Daniel Molina Distribution Manager Tom Callahan Faculty Adviser A tradition since 1924, The Quadrangle is a news organization run by the students of Manhattan College. We strive to cover news around campus and the greater community, publishing weekly in print and daily online. Our goal is always accuracy, relevancy and professionalism. The staff of The Quadrangle meets every Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. in room 412 of the Student Commons. Contact The Quadrangle at thequad@manhattan.edu The opinions expressed in The Quadrangle are those of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board, the College or the student body.
John Abbatangelo/The Quadrangle
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Common Interest Living Communities To Be Offered in the Fall
Kevin Fuhrmann/The Quadrangle
Ashley Sanchez/The Quadrangle
Michelle DePinho Editor
Continued from page 1 “There’s a lot of interest in the Arches for next year,” he said. “In a way, that’s currently our offering for freshman.” Right now, residence life is gathering the results of the survey for more feedback on the various proposed programs. Weingarten said that afterwards, the office will make a decision about which programs to implement. These options will then be established and developed in time for students to sign up for them during the housing lottery. Weingarten called student feedback to the announcement positive and said that “there’s an excitement about it. We were surprised that we got a lot of responses” to the survey. These types of common interest-based communities are offered at many colleges and universities across the nation, including other local institutions in New York City. Fordham University has separate first year and upperclassmen integrated livinglearning communities, with an option for substance free living for all students. It also ity. Columbia, like Fordham, also offers offers academic programming and honors a substance-free, wellness-oriented living enrichment living, some of which require a option. formal application process. Some Manhattan College students exColumbia University’s programs more pressed an interest in the idea of a common similarly reflect the proposed common ininterest community but said that the offerterest communities at Manhattan College. ings on the email did not appeal to them. Some focus on ethnic or cultural similari“It seems interesting, but some of the ties, like providing support for Latino or communities didn’t apply to me,” Alanna indigenous students, while others are based Hupe said. on collective student interests like writing, “If it [the offerings] were more vague, jazz music or environmental sustainabilit would be easier to see myself in that
Arches is currently the only official living-learning community at the college. James O’Connor/The Quadrangle common interest community would limit group,” Markie teRiele said. their social experience. Other students also said they liked the “I want to meet more people without idea, but that they probably would not live the same interests as me,” Gabriella Connor in a common interest community for a vasaid. “You’re only seeing those people.” riety of reasons. Bridget McEpuy said that she thinks Maggie Tebbetts said she would live in clubs are a better way to connect with peothe engineering common interest commuple with the same interests. nity, but that not all of her roommates are “Living [with the same people] is a interested in engineering. She said that her little extreme,” she said. suite would probably not agree to live in the engineering community. Some students said that they think a
Agape Latte Event Comes To Campus Tori James
Contributing Writer Manhattan College is hosting its very first Agape Latte on Tuesday, Feb. 17. The event will feature speakers throughout the campus community to discuss their faithbased experiences in a similar coffee house environment. Campus Ministry is inviting the student body, as well as faculty and alumni, to come enjoy a cup of coffee and share their stories with their peers. In the fall, Manhattan’s campus minister, Conor Reidy, and five students were chosen to visit Boston College, where Agape Latte originated, with hopes of pro-
moting the positive message and enriching environment the program provides to MC’s campus. According to the Boston College website, "'Agape' is a Greek word for a kind of love that seeks nothing in return. Agape Latte is a monthly event designed for students seeking to learn more about faith and religion in an inviting social environment.” Manhattan College seeks to initiate the same practice on campus. “Personally my greatest hope for Agape Latte is that it will spark conversation, particularly among students,” sophomore Kayli McTague said. “I think it's a
phenomenal thing to go to Lasallian school where such emphasis is placed on creating positive change in the world, especially through the power of education. Hearing the story of a professor or alumni and what things in their life inspired them to switch career paths, to volunteer abroad, to seek social justice, to strengthen their faith, etc. is what Agape Latte is all about.” There are many ways students can get involved with Agape Latte, whether it be attending one of the programs, joining the student organization, or volunteering to partake in sharing at the event. The first Agape Latte will feature Manhattan College professor of kinesiology, Shawn Ladda, EDD.
“My discussion, ‘Church in my Backyard,’ is drawing from a lesson my mother taught me,” Ladda said. “Faith and purpose is about how you live your life every day. Religion is not just going to church every Sunday, but rather how you are as a person and the good you do in the world. I feel this message connects with Lasallian heritage in many ways.” Agape Latte will start at 8 p.m. on Tuesday in Jasper Lounge and is planned to be offered twice a semester. Students who wish to get involved with the program should contact Campus Minister Conor Reidy in Miguel 207A.
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features
Feb. 17, 2015
Covenant House Presentation Sought to Inspire Shanell Garcia Staff Writer
“There would be times where a week or two would pass by and we’d hardly eat anything,” the voice of David Diaz said, in a video projected to Manhattan College students and faculty Wednesday afternoon. Diaz was among three homeless youths who shared their Covenant House rescue stories in the video. Covenant House Inc., the world’s largest privately owned charity organization, provides food and shelter for thousands of children in 15 U.S. states, Washington D.C., Canada, Mexico, Guatemala and Nicaragua. Guest speaker, Kevin Ryan, the president and CEO of Covenant House Inc., gave a speech depicting the gruesome conditions of homeless and exploited children throughout the Americas. “The happiest times of my life were being on the NJ transit trains with my five brothers going to a Yankee game or going to see a play or going to see the Rockefeller Christmas tree,” Ryan said. “These were times of connections and love and family and it never occurred to me that on the other side of those trains there were kids either slightly older or slightly younger than me who had no family and who were living on their own.” Two million children face homelessness in the United States every year. Since opening its doors 40 years ago the agency has helped over 1 million homeless and runaway children. The shelters provide children with help, parenting, education, job and life training, drug abuse treatment and legal services among a host of other support programs. “I think whenever we have events like this where we’re inviting speakers and addressing different social justice issues, I hope that students will be inspired to think about ways that they can get involved whether it’s through advocacy or community service,” Kathleen Von Euw, Coordinator of Community Partnerships and Service, said. “I think those are the experiences that help shape us and help us grow and help student figure out how they can integrate service to others into their careers and their lives,” she said. Students can get involved by visiting
Allison Adrat/The Quadrangle the New York Covenant House location on West 41st Street or start locally on campus by visiting the Campus Ministry and Social Action office in Miguel Hall 209 for inquiries. “I wanted to thank the students and the university community for all the support that this special place has given to Covenant House over the years,” Ryan said. “I wanted to put an invitation out there for people to get involved in the lives of homeless kids in the city. There are 350 homeless teenagers a short drive from here and the young people on this campus can make a very big difference in their lives by showing up.” Volunteering at the shelter can be as short as taking a day to serve meals, organize the clothing or paint rooms. Volunteers also have the option of participating in an ongoing role of mentoring or tutoring
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kids. Career opportunities also exist within the agency which is how Ryan himself got involved as a lawyer. The agency’s Faith Community is also a prominent component of the program. Faith volunteers can dedicate six months or a year working as resident advisors, youth advisors or case managers in the state or country of their choice. Volunteers with said credentials can also serve in the agency’s medical services, outreach or pastoral care programs. “There is nowhere we’re not going,” Ryan said. “We’re going into jails, we’re going into alleys, we’re going in the Underwood Motel under the boardwalk in Atlantic City, we’re going to the downtown East in Vancouver, we’re going to go in the Hollywood strip one of the last places where you can see kids bought and sold ev-
ery single night, we’re going into the eastern market in Managua and we’re going into the tenements of Mexico City.” Many students showed their interest and stopped by the information desk to pick up brochures and speak with Ryan. “This presentation had a lasting impact on me and I definitely plan on getting involved immediately, in the ways that I can,” Manhattan College senior, Nimra Shabbir, said after speaking with Ryan. “It's very beneficial for students, when guest speakers who work within certain fields come in to share their experiences; students get connected to resources that they might not otherwise have heard of.” “The most important thing is deciding to show up, deciding to get in the mix because once people decide what they want to do, figuring out how to do it is so much easier,” Ryan said.
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Jasper Chat: Shaquille Cole-Cephus Leah Cordova Staff Writer
Sophomore / Bronx, NY / Computer Engineering
1. What did you have for breakfast? A mix of Cookie Crisps and Reese's Puffs.
2. What activities are you looking forward to this weekend? First, Manhattan versus Iona. Then we've got the All-Star Weekend, Bronx and Manhattan, and the All-Star game.
3. What's your song of the day? "Come With Me" by Puff Daddy Ft. Jimmy Page
4. Favorite spot on campus? The mini gym. Three reasons: Boot Camp, Zumba, Butts and Guts
5. What's something you're working on right now? I'm really just working on being better and getting my grades up.
Leah Cordova/The Quadrangle
Interested in The Quadrangle? Go to our website: www.mcquad.org
Follow us on Twitter @mcquad Like us on Facebook: The Quadrangle Follow us on Tumblr: ManhattanQuadrangle.tumblr.com Want to join in on the action? 0 PM. Room 412 in the Commons. Tuesdays. 4:30 Be there.
sports
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sports
Feb. 17, 2015
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INSIDE THE SIXTH BOROUGH Sean Sonnemann Editor-in-Chief
Santa Claus, a cowboy and a giant banana walk into Draddy Gymnasium. What sounds like the opening to a bad joke is just a handful of the cast of characters who assembled last Friday night to cheer on the Manhattan Jaspers against MAAC rival Iona Gaels. These attention grabbing costumes stood out from a sea of Jasper green as The Sixth Borough packed the bleachers to support the team. The home court battle against Iona is always the game of the season to attend. It promises passionate basketball and the largest annual display of school spirit. This year certainly proved to be no exception. “The Sixth Borough had a ton of energy,” junior Amanda Butler said. “There were lots of familiar faces in the crowd cheering on the team. Plus, it awesome being right beneath the basket and getting on
TV.” With a 10:00 p.m. tip-off to accommodate the ESPNU broadcast, there was plenty of time for Jasper fans to put on their war paint and get extra spirited after their Friday classes ended. The only thing that could put a damper on the crowd’s energy in the lead-up to the game was the bitter cold. The low temperatures and chilly winds kept away the usual lines of fans that wait for the doors to open to get a prime spot in the stands. With over a half-hour left of warm-ups before the opening jump, The Sixth Borough was already packed and rocking with enthusiasm. “The energy of The Sixth Borough was insane,” freshman Ian Godridge said. “I’ve never been to a game where a fan section was so loud and upbeat. It was a great experience.” As the players finished stretching and practicing shots, the electric crowd burst out into familiar chants of “Let’s Go Jas-
pers” and “Jasper Nation.” A small but boisterous contingent of Iona students made the trip down from New Rochelle to serve as their competition. Although the two warring groups traded taunts throughout the game, the fans in maroon were simply outnumbered. Every point made by the Jaspers was a reason for exultation. Every foul called against the team in white was a cause for jeers. And every missed scoring opportunity seemed to be a near catastrophe. While Iona jumped out to an early lead behind clutch three-point shooting, Manhattan came clawing back with the roaring Sixth Borough behind it. At times when the game looked bleak for Manhattan, the cheering section was boosted by the always lively Jasper Pep Band. “The pep band definitely helped rile up the crowd with their new hits,” Butler said. “Their version of ‘Uptown Funk’ was great.”
In what has become tradition for the two teams over the last few years, the game proved to be another up-tempo drama featuring momentum shifts every few plays. With the score tied at 65 and 45.3 seconds left on the clock, the atmosphere in the stands reached a whole new level of intensity. Head coach Steve Masiello and the Jasper bench turned to hype up the green-clad crowd, urging them to finish strong as the team made its own final push. Alas, a three pointer from Jasper freshman Zane Waterman fell short as the final seconds on the clock ticked away. The Gaels avoided overtime and claimed the victory 70-67. With raspy throats and sore hands, The Sixth Borough emptied out of the gym and into the late night, taking solace in one of the most time-honored adages of sports history: There’s always next year.
Kevin Fuhrmann/The Quadrangle
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arts & entertainment
Feb. 17, 2015
Multitalented Performer Ben Vereen Visits MC To Help Celebrate Black History Month
Kristie Killen Assistant Editor
Dancer, actor and Tony Award winner, Ben Vereen visited Manhattan College on Feb. 11th to participate in the celebration of Black History Month. Students, faculty and even some lucky residents of the Methodist Nursing Home flocked to the commons to get a chance to hear Vereen share stories of his career and his perspective about Black History Month. MC associate professor Mark Pottinger, the chair of the Visual and Performing Arts department, led a question and answer session with Vereen covering topics ranging from his time playing Judas in “Jesus Christ Superstar” to the untimely death of his daughter. Referring to the theme of Black History Month, Vereen discussed his part in “Roots” (1977), which was about the history of African-Americans in the U.S. He explained how was able to be authentic with his black identity while playing the part of “Chicken” George Moore. Vereen also expressed how he broke the boundaries that were present in mainstream Broadway. He played an African-American Jew in Pippin, a part especially created for him which landed him a Tony award for Best Actor in a Musical. He also shared about a time when he explained how his audiences have learned wanted to play a Jet in “West Side Story” to look beyond the color of his skin and but was shut down because he couldn’t they are able to see the part he is playing, pass as Polish. whether a man with Parkinson’s or a dysHe shared about the excitement when functional alcoholic father. he was a Tony nominee in 1973 for his During his talk, Vereen also talked performance in “Pippin.” Upon finding out about his faith. He discussed how everyone about the nomination, Vereen jokingly said, on Earth has different color skin, “but to “I’m a kid from Brooklyn, who’s Tony?” God, we are all beautiful flowers that make Following his Tony win, Vereen says, “It’s up a beautiful bouquet.” been a party ever since.” The audience got a chance to ask some Vereen also shared some insights about questions. One student asked Vereen how being a minority in the show business. He to become successful as a person of color.
Kevin Fuhrmann/The Quadrangle Vereen responded by saying, “Don’t follow your color, follow your passion.” Another student asked how to get into the business, and Vereen responded by saying, “Don’t be discouraged, be encouraged.” Freshman business major, Meghan Marron, said she took away some powerful advice which was, “to be yourself and not let any of your obstacles bring you down; it’s just going to make you stronger in the end.” Christine Nolan, a junior advertis-
ing major with a minor in theater and who has also performed with the Players at MC shared, “I missed class to come here because it is my passion, I want to produce on Broadway, so getting to meet industry professionals like him who have made it is really awesome.” The audience of faculty, students and visitors from the Methodist Nursing Home, were left inspired by Vereen’s powerful words and insights about Black History Month.
arts & entertainment
The Book Nook
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Title: “One And the same” Author: abigail pogrebin Genre: memoir
Madeleine Schwartz Staff Writer
The Book Nook is a bi-weekly column that reviews many different genres of literature in hopes of inspiring at least one student to read something other than their monotonous Twitter feed or boxed Mac and Cheese cooking instructions. The phrase “two is better than one” applies to almost everything. Swim floaties, walkie talkies and contact lenses are just some examples. However, the most applicable case, in my own and Abigail Pogrebin’s very biased opinion, can be found when looking at a set of twins. In her memoir “One and the Same,” Abigail Pogrebin describes her life as an identical twin and all the good and bad that comes with it. Her personal story is woven around conversations with other twins, their parents and people who dedicate their lives to studying them. The reader learns quickly that Abigail and her sister Robin do not fit the stereotypical image that twins commonly do. They don’t do everything together, talk all the time or even like the same things. Their “twinship,” as Pogrebin calls it, has after 40 years, grown apart. However, it wasn’t always like that. As children, the Pogrebin sisters were a “packaged deal.” They wore the same clothes, ate the same amount of Oreos at lunchtime and celebrated their birthdays with the same cake. This togetherness continued throughout college (they both attended Yale) and even after when they both moved to New York City. It seems as if over time, they have become separate people and also forced themselves to forget
their similarities. Although Abigail and Robin’s twin story is rather bleak, “One and the Same” also has examples of twins who are practically inseparable. Tiki and Ronde Barber are not only well-known football players, but also identical twins. In their interview, they said that their relationship is stronger than either of their marriages. They are each other’s biggest fans and their closeness is remarkable. I chose to review this book for a few reasons, some of them even selfish ones. The first, is that I am an identical twin myself. I relate to every word spoken in this book because I am living it. I smiled in an understanding way I read that Abigail is mistakenly called her sister’s name multiple times a week. I also very much understood the bond that she describes; it is like no other that I’ve experienced. It is this twin connection that I felt as I read Pogrebin’s words that is the bigger, more important reason as to why I chose this book to share with you all. The fact of the matter is that I, and other twins, know what it is like to have a sibling, best friend and stunt double all wrapped into one and everyone else will never really understand. You can observe twins all day long but to live and be one for twenty-four hours a day your entire life is a whole different ball game. Pogrebin lets the reader inside her mind and allows everyone to understand what her life is really like. I wanted to even the playing field between those in the know, twins, and those who are oblivious to our world. “One and the Same” is a story of friendship, doubletakes and most importantly, unconditional love that you won’t find anywhere else. Madeleine Schwartz/The Quadrangle
NYFW
The Full Fall Scoop on New York Fashion Week Coming Next Issue Luke Hartman/The Quadrangle
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sports
Inside the Numbers:
Feb. 17, 2015
Jaspers’ Seeding Scenarios With Four Games to Play
The Jaspers head into the final two weeks of the season with much to be excited about as they sit just half a game out of third. From left to right: Heshimu Evans, Trevor Glassman, Zane Waterman, Calvin Crawford and Carlton Allen. Kevin Fuhrmann/The Quadrangle
Daniel Ynfante Assistant Editor
It is that time of the year again. The Manhattan Jaspers have reached the point in their season where each game comes with an added importance—seeding implications. With only four games left on the schedule, the Jaspers find themselves in a situation where a single win can move them up in the standings, but a loss can cause them to slip. The parity in the MAAC is at the highest it has been in a long time—six teams possess a conference record of .500 or better and two teams sit just two games under .500. Head coach Steve Masiello realizes that in this year’s MAAC, it is all about the matchups, not the seeding. “I don’t care about the seeding as much as I care about the matchup,” Masiello said after Sunday’s win against Fairfield. “There are certain teams you want to stay away from and there are certain teams you want to play…” The odds the Jaspers finish with the best record are slim to none. Although it is still a possibility, the idea is farfetched. For it to happen, Manhattan would have to win all of its remaining games, Iona would have to lose all of its remaining games, Rider would have to go 1-3 at best and Monmouth would have to go 3-2 at best. Confused? Well, yeah, do not even try to comprehend that scenario because it simply will not happen. A more realistic scenario still in play for Manhattan is moving up to the third seed and potentially the second seed. The Jaspers sit two games behind Rider for second place, but because they lost the season series to the Broncs, they lose the tiebreaker and are really three games back. Two possibilities exist for the Jaspers to finish second. If they go 3-1 in their final four games, Rider would have to go 0-4. If they go 4-0, Rider would have to go either 1-3 or 0-4.
At 2-2, the best the Jaspers could do is tie Rider in the standings in the event that it was to go 0-4, but because the Broncs hold the tiebreaker, the Jaspers would lose out. Of course, the dream scenarios where the Jaspers finish second involve them overtaking the team currently in front of them in third place, the Monmouth Hawks. The Hawks have played one less game than the Jaspers so have five games remaining instead of the Jaspers’ four. Manhattan swept the season series against Monmouth so it holds the tiebreaker in the standings. That tiebreaker figures to loom large, as Monmouth possesses a tough schedule to end the season. On Feb.19, the Hawks play at St. Peter’s. On the 22nd, they face the Gaels on the road and on the 26th, they host Rider. Winning two of those games would be tough for Monmouth, so going 1-2 in that stretch is a safe bet. That would leave it with seven losses on the season, meaning Manhattan would have to go 3-1 to end the season. However, that is not taking into account home games the Hawks have against Marist and Siena, but since on paper those figure to be wins, it is plausible to think that the Hawks go 3-2 in their final five games. Of course, games are not won on paper and who knows, maybe the Hawks drop a game they should win, or unfortunately, for the Jaspers, they win a game in which they are the underdogs. The Jaspers are depending on many results to go their way in order to climb back up the standings, but before they can scoreboard watch, they have to take care of their own business, which figures to give them much to worry about. Three of Manhattan’s final four games are on the road, including a rematch with the first-place Iona Gaels on Feb. 27. Before that, the Jaspers get a preview of the arena they will play in during the MAAC Tournament, when they face Siena in Albany on Feb.21. Manhattan’s final game of the season also figures to be a tough test as Quinnipiac will be coming into Draddy Gym looking
Standings accurate as of Feb. 15. Table Compiled by Daniel Ynfante to sweep the season series from the Jaspers. That matchup might also carry huge seeding implications as Quinnipiac trails Manhattan by two games in the standings, but by the team the teams meet, the gap might be closer, especially given the tough schedule the Jaspers will have to deal with leading up to that game. Finishing as the second or third seed is of utter importance for the Jaspers. Not only because it gives the Jaspers a better chance of facing a lower seed in the quarterfinals, but because it gives the Jaspers a better matchup in the semifinals. As Masiello put it, there are certain teams the Jaspers would just want to avoid. For example, a quarterfinal matchup against Siena in their home-court would be dangerous for the Jaspers. “If it means getting a four or five, you getting that four spot and that four seed versus playing a 3-6 and that six is Siena, I rather have the four,” Masiello said. In the event that Manhattan finishes as the third seed, which is the most likely scenario of them all and it wins its quarterfinal game, it would face the second seed in the semifinals, which is currently Rider. If the Jaspers finish fourth and win their quarterfinal matchup, they would face Iona in the semifinals, a matchup that
would garner much attention, but that all Jasper fans would love to avoid. The Jaspers and Gaels have made it a habit of meeting in the MAAC Championship game, doing so in the last two seasons, and the possibility of meeting in the semifinals instead would be scary for both teams. But regardless of what happens, the Jaspers will have a tough matchup in the semifinals. There is no running away from good teams at that point in the tournament. However, the prospect of facing a Rider team with very little postseason experience compared to an Iona team with much postseason experience, is interesting for Manhattan. The Jaspers lost the season series to Rider, losing both games in heartbreaking fashion in overtime. Similar to last season’s semifinals, where the Jaspers faced a Quinnipiac team that had swept the season series from them, the Jaspers might find themselves in the same situation, this time with Rider. But until then, nothing is certain. There are still games to be played and as has been the case in the MAAC this entire season, many upsets and unforeseen events can be expected in these last two weeks.
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Sports Highlights Swimming and Diving
It was a very impressive showing for Manhattan’s swimming and diving teams during the MAAC Championships this week. They broke four school records on the first night and another five on the second night. Kerry Schuermann, Madison Brown, Sara Buckley and Alexandra Hutzler earned Manhattan’s Women’s Performers of the first night. Mike Mackay, Lance Neuendorf, Dallan Treanor and Neil Perry being were named Manhattan’s Men’s Performers. On night two, the 200 freestyle relay team, comprised of Ryan Klages, Treanor, Neuendorf and Perry finishing with a time of 1:24.27, which set a new school record. For the women, Brown, Hutzler, Buckley and Patricia Colton also set a new record in the 200 freestyle relay with a 1:39.98. Individually both Hutzler and Perry broke records. In the 50 freestyle, Perry finished with a 20.80 in the prelim. Hutzler swam in the 200 medley with a finish of 2:09.87, which beat her own previous record by almost four seconds.
Lacrosse Manhattan men’s lacrosse lost in a matchup against Princeton on Feb. 14, falling to 0-2 on the season. Jimmy Rogers, Alex Abiog, Marcel Godino and Andrew Greshman all notched a goal in the 14-4 loss. The Jaspers will host Fairfield at Gaelic Park on Feb. 21. As for women’s lacrosse, it earned a 12-8 victory against Bucknell on the opening day of the season on Feb. 14 – their first opening day win since the 2008 season. Manhattan scored the first six goals of the game and never lost the lead. Donna Jo DiNorcia and Stefanie Ranagan led the scoring with four and three goals respectively. The Jaspers open at Gaelic Park against Wagner on Feb. 21.
Men’s Basketball A hard-fought comeback was not enough for the men’s basketball team as they lost 70-67 against Iona on Feb. 13. Emmy Andujar led Manhattan with 17 points, including Ashton Pankey and Shane Richards with 16 points and 12 points respectively. Tyler Wilson (pictured right) had a career-high seven assists on the night. The Jaspers fought all night for the lead, gaining it on a Richards three pointer in the second half to make it 52-51, but Iona quickly came back. The Jaspers were able to tie it once again with about a minute left, but an A.J. English three-pointer sealed the win for the Gaels. The men’s team was able to get back in the win column on Sunday as they notched a 79-70 victory against the Fairfield Stags. Compiled by Jaclyn Marr, Assistant Sports Editor
Kevin Fuhrmann/The Quadrangle
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Between the Base Paths: Pitching, Pitching, Pitching
Cosgrove throwing a pitch during his 18 strikeout performance against Cardinal Spellman. Photo courtesy of the Staten Island Advance and Derek Alvez.
Jonathan Reyes Editor
The Manhattan Jaspers rebuild is over. Inexperience and injuries are replaced with experience, health, talent and depth. Where the pitching is concerned they are impressive. It's a staff comprised of young talent of the deepest and highest quality, and to no surprise. Jasper head coach, Jim Duffy, recruited heavily in pitching in the 2014 college baseball draft class. The top recruit, Tom Cosgrove, was projected to be a pitcher to watch in the MAAC by The Quadrangle and D1Baseball.com last week. In the Jaspers' season opening weekend, Duffy plans to showcase his new arms early. On Friday at Lamar, Steve Arntsen is going to get the start in place of an ailing Cosgrove, who would have gotten the start if not for a blister on his pitching hand, but he is slotted to pitch in relief of Arntsen for a couple of innings and start Sunday's game. Also, look for Rob Vallone to come in a relief role throughout the weekend. “In all my time here, being on two
MAAC championship teams, this is definitely the deepest pitching staff team ever. At every position," Michael Martin, fifthyear senior, said, "but definitely on the mound. We've got so much talent.” Jasper pitching is exciting, but their hitting capability this season is dynamic, balanced, fast, athletic and powerful. Duffy wants to exploit those abilities into a West Coast offense - creating a run per inning. “It’s a lot more fun," Christian Santisteban, junior slugger, said. "Guys can bunt, get on base any way they can, steal, get into scoring position, and then big guys like me and Vin [Teixeira] and J-Mac [Joe McClennan] drive people in. It makes the offense really, really easy. It sets you up for success.” “Everyone in our lineup is capable of getting on to start off an inning," he added. "The top of our lineup, the best way I can put it, is they’re like a bunch of gnats. They’re annoying and hard to strikeout, get out and they’re just going to fight until they get in your way and eventually you’re going to crack and they’re going to get on base.” The offense struggled at times last sea-
son because the pitching was not healthy, pressuring the defense. Now with a fast outfield with Chris Kalousdian and Evan Brown, a sure-handed Teixeira at first base and McClennan moving from third-base being filled in by sophomore Matt Forlow - over to second-base, bolstering that position. “Losing Yo-Yo [Yoandry Galan] from last year, he was probably one of the best short-stops I’ve ever seen, played with," Martin said, "but the defense this year from what we’ve seen in the fall, so far in the winter, I know we’ve been inside, but it’s a really solid defense. I’ve got all faith in the world that as soon as that ball comes off the bat whether its on the ground or in the air it’s going to get caught. We’ve got the fastest outfield I’ve been apart of since I’ve been a freshman here. It’s going to be really fun to watch, not a lot of places for hitters to find a hit this year.” In the MAAC preseason poll, the Jaspers were projected to finish sixth. Duffy was surprisingly okay with that because he said the players on the roster have not won anything yet. His approach this year is to stay out of their way, so to speak, and let
the team play and show off its talent. With the return of health, he sees it equaling to consistency mixed in with savvy vets like Joe and Scott McClennan and Martin. Duffy projects the Canisus Golden Griffins and Fairfield Stags as the teams to beat in the MAAC, although the Siena Saints won the MAAC title last year. “[Manhattan] is always a very competitive team and they have quality athletes, quality players,” Tony Rossi, Saints head coach, said at the end of last season. “And usually they are a very tough game when we play them. They’re a team that you really don’t want to play.” “Last year being my first year, the transition from the beginning of the season to the end we started playing more fundamentally sound, stopped making errors and allowing the other team to get ahead of us," Maxx Feldman, Jasper left-handed pitcher, said. "If we can minimize the errors and stay sound and kind of just play our game and not try to do anything too drastic and just stay consistent, we’ll win some games.”