Volume 107 Issue 11

CAB Hosts Spring Weekend

By NORA MALONE NEWS EDITOR

Fordham University Campus Activities Board (CAB) hosted its annual Spring Weekend event last week. This year’s theme was “Camp Fordham.”

CAB hosted a field day, speakers, a carnival and the much-anticipated concert.

This year’s concert was headlined by ROLE MODEL with LAUNDRY DAY, Fordham student band The Wave and Fordham student DJ XLR as openers. 2,500 students attended the concert.

Students were particularly excited about ROLE MODEL’s performance. Leah Tamasker, FCRH ’27, got in line at 9:45 a.m. for the concert, which was set to start at noon, with the ROLE MODEL performance being the final act at 4 p.m.

“I lined up so early because, regardless of the fact that I don’t know the words to every ROLE MODEL song, the vibe that he gives SEE CAB, PAGE 5

The Fordham Ram

Increased Support for Music at Fordham: A Professor’ s Dream

By ABIGAIL MARTIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The drumline’s cadence rattles the bleachers as trumpets blare Fordham University’s fight song. The students chant in unison, a sea of school colors pulsing to the beat. On the court, the basketball team huddles. They draw their energy from the music. But behind every roaring saxophone is a quieter battle. At Fordham, keeping the Pep Band alive isn’t just about music; it’s about money and adequate faculty representation. Every note played is the result of a behind-the-scenes hustle.

Associate Professor of Music at Fordham, Nathan LincolnDeCusatis, did not have to volunteer to advise the Fordham Pep Band, among his other responsibilities, but he chose to.

The Pep Band’s “unsung hero” according to members of the band itself, witnessed the difficulties the Pep Band faced and stepped up to enact change.

“The music faculty heavily

Local Bar Mugz’ s Set to Close in June

By CAITLIN THOMAS ASST. NEWS EDITOR

Earlier this month, it was announced that the Arthur Avenue staple Mugz’s is closing its doors on June 10. Just steps off campus, the bar is a popular spot for the Fordham University sports teams, students and even returning alumni.

On April 1, with what many students thought was an April Fools’ Day prank, the Instagram account @followsuits of

All Fordham Student Visas Restored

By ALLISON SCHNEIDER & NORA MALONE

All four previously revoked Fordham University student visas have been restored by the federal government as of April 27, according to Fordham’s webpage “Updates on Evolving Political Landscape.” The information was confirmed by University Spokesperson Bob Howe via email.

This comes two weeks after the students had their visas revoked without a provided reason, and follows the first Fordham visa reinstatement on April 25.

Across the nation, international student visas have been reinstated by the federal government following a slew of legal challenges brought by universities to the initial revocations. Fordham is among these universities, signing on to an amicus brief that challenges President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders.

Daniel “Suits” Morse, who manages Mugz’s, posted a story that said, “It is official with a heavy heart Mugzs will be shutting down after Jubilee. If you a supporter of Mugz come out any time we are open just wish us a farewell.”

While some students were left confused on if this was a prank or not, Suits confirmed Mugz’s closing the next day with a more in-depth post explaining that Mugz’s and their landlord could not

come to a lease agreement. Students responded almost immediately, sharing their opinions about the news on social media and Fizz. Paolo Liaci, FCRH ’27, jumped to action, creating the Instagram account @savemugz. His “Project Save Mugz” gained immediate traction. Liaci said he directmessaged Suits to say, “I just made this Instagram if you guys need any help my friends and I are here for you, we’re all here for you.”

By IAN NELSON & JACOB WOLFER

The Fordham Ram conducted an interview with new Men’s Head Basketball Coach Mike Magpayo on April 24. Magpayo made two things clear to The Ram: he loves New York City and he is all in on Fordham University. Magpayo is familiar with NYC. He met his wife here in 2013 while serving as an

assistant coach at Columbia University under Kyle Smith, who is the current head coach of Stanford University’s men’s basketball team. Although he has moved around quite a bit in the last decade, he feels right at home in the city.

“I love it. It’s my favorite city in the world, and it’s been awesome getting reacquainted with it,” he said.

Magpayo said that there SEE MAGPAYO, PAGE 5

The corner of Arthur Avenue and 189th St. has been a bar for over 60 years.

CAITLIN THOMAS/THE FORDHAM RAM

ANDREW MASSIE/THE FORDHAM RAM

PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS

Off-Campus April 22

8:17 p.m.

On Tuesday, the operator of the off-campus shuttle reported a vehicle accident on Belmont Avenue. The supervisor responded. The shuttle passed a double-parked car in front of the location, and the driver’s side wheel was scraped. There were no passengers in the shuttle and no injuries.

Off-Campus April 25

2:15 a.m.

On Friday, a student reported an assault at the Ram’s Deli, located at 574 East Fordham Road. The supervisor responded. The investigation revealed a Fordham student was punched and suffered a cut lip. The supervisor called FUEMS and the NYPD to respond. The student refused medical aid. The NYPD prepared a report.

Alumni Court South April 26

8:34 p.m.

On Saturday, there was a smoke alarm in Alumni Court South. The supervisor and FDNY responded. The investigation revealed that the smoke detector near room 101 triggered the alarm. There was no smoke or fire. The supervisor reset the alarm panel.

The Fordham Foundry Hosts Ninth Annual Pitch Challenge

By SIENNA REINDERS ASST. NEWS EDITOR

Fordham Foundry hosted its ninth annual pitch challenge this month and named five winners among a total of 150 participating teams. The winners included Logan Valeski, FCRH ’26, who got first, Tristan Nevotne, FCRH ’19, who won second and Nicholas McIntosh, GSAS ’26, who received third. McIntosh also received the People’s Choice Award and Rosario Medina, FCLC ’28, received the Social Impact Award.

Fordham Foundry is a hub that promotes innovation and entrepreneurship. At the hub, students, faculty, alumni and community members can learn how to solve business issues and create and grow a business idea. Every year, Fordham Foundry hosts a pitch challenge where current students and alumni can pitch a business idea for the chance to earn funding.

Jenny Mith, community director for Fordham Foundry, led the event for the first time this year after joining the hub in January. She said Fordham Foundry is a great resource

for students and that she hopes students can utilize the benefits that the hub and the pitch challenge provide.

“I hope [students] get confidence from knowing that they have a really strong network of support specifically in the foundry but in Fordham more broadly,” Mith said. “I just hope that they get a really positive experience in terms of their exposure to entrepreneurship.”

This year’s challenge followed the same layout as past years, where teams submitted their applications in January and began to prepare their pitches between February and April. There were a total of three rounds of pitches, including one held online and two held in person, according to Nevotne. During each round, teams presented a three-minute pitch to three to four judges. The first round was held on April 1, the second round on April 9 and the third on April 10. Sixteen teams moved on after the first round and eight teams moved on after the second round.

Mith said she was very impressed by all of the pitches this year and the hard work

that all of the teams put in.

“I thought [the pitches] were incredible,” Mith said. “They fit so much information into just three minutes. And, you know, a typical pitch for an investor is usually more than ten minutes, and to ask students to talk about their value composition and their business model in three minutes just is a really big ask, and it seems impossible at first, but everybody ends up doing it and everybody is actually really good about saving the time.”

At the end of the final round, Shaun Johnson, associate director of the foundry, announced the winners of the challenge. Valeski received $8,000 for his pitch “Meandering Sheep,” Nevotne received $4,000 for “Valoi,” McIntosh received $3,000 for “LOGOS Prep,” including prize money from his first place win and the People’s Choice Award and Medina received $5,000 for “The Girl Saved by Grace.” Nevotne participated in the pitch challenge for the first time this year with a pitch for a text-to-video artificial intelligence (AI) service. He said he

This Week at Fordham

Wednesday April 30

Visit from Alumnus Ryan Ruocco

Faculty Memorial Hall 1 p.m.

WFUV Sports is sponsoring Ryan Ruocco, FCHR ‘08, on Wednesday. He will be talking to students about his career as a sports announcer on ESPN and YES Network.

Thursday May 1

NYBG: Coffee and Caffeine Cultures

Bronx Botanical Gardens

12 p.m.

Head over to the botanical gardens to learn about the cultural origins and ecological changes of coffee with humanists, scientists and other experts.

Friday May 2

Virtual Immigration Forum Zoom 11 a.m.

Immigration attorneys from Fragomen will discuss recent developments on the immigration environment in the United States and provide tips for noncitizens.

Saturday May 3

Baseball: Fordham v. Rhode Island

Jack Coffey Field 2 p.m.

Bring your friends and head to the baseball field this weekend to watch the Fordham Rams play against the Rhode Island Rams in a Ram v. Ram matchup!

decided to participate because he thought the challenge was a good way to practice pitching to investors.

“I thought it was a very lowstakes pitch competition that my co-founders and I could dabble to get our feet wet for pitching to investors and learning how to get in front of people who ask hard questions,” Nevotne said.

Nevotne said he will use the money he won from the challenge to offset the cost of a patent for his AI service, which he filed recently. He plans to start pitching his design to investors in June. Nevotne said that while giving the pitch brought him some anxiety, it was an experience that he would highly recommend.

“It was a great experience and I really would encourage people, regardless of their idea of what they think it is, to follow the rules of the foundry and try to show up and be on time, cause you never know, you might get first or second place,” Nevotne said.

Students and alumni who wish to participate in next year’s pitch challenge can apply in January 2026.

of the semester!

Tristan Nevotne holds up his second place prize money with Fordham Football Gridiron President Dominic Curcio and Curcio’s wife.

TRISTAN NEVOTNE FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

Fordham Hosts Saidiya Hartman for 2025 Reid Reading & Keynote

By STUART CREMER ASST. OPINION EDITOR

Saidiya Hartman delivered the keynote address for the Reid Writers of Color event put on by Fordham University’s English department on Wednesday, April 23. Students and professors alike filled every seat in the Keating 3rd Auditorium to hear Hartman speak.

In her opening remarks, Stacey D’Erasmo, a professor of creative writing in the English department, praised the accomplishments of Hartman and the generosity of Francis Reid and her family in establishing the Reid Writers of Color speaker series in 2008.

The speaker series has brought a procession of some of the most celebrated writers of color to Fordham.

“The Reid Writers of Color Keynote is one of the marquee events of the English Department.” Shonni Enelow, chair of the English department, said. “It brings the most eminent writers of color working today to our students and to the whole Fordham community. It is central to our mission as a department and a university. Students gain exposure to some of the most brilliant writers and thinkers of today.”

D’Erasmo went on to introduce Saidiya Hartman as the author of “Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments: Intimate Histories of Social Upheaval,” “Lose Your Mother: A Journey Along the Atlantic Slave Route”

and “Scenes of Subjection: Terror, Slavery, and Self-Making in Nineteenth-Century America.”

Hartman has also been a MacArthur Fellow, Guggenheim Fellow, Cullman Fellow, Fulbright Scholar and a professor of English and comparative literature at Columbia University.

Hartman’s book, “Lose Your Mother,” served as the Reid Writers of Color companion book to her keynote address. In “Lose Your Mother,” Hartman revisits the historical narrative of the transatlantic slave trade by recounting a journey she took along a slave route in Ghana. Hartman emphasized how writing this book helped her look at her method and thereby discover how to tell “a story that wasn’t there,” a story erased by Eurocentric narratives.

Hartman continued with this theme of pushing back on the ways in which dominant historical narratives erase and silence — but also co-opt and feed off of — the voices and lives of people of color.

The main portion of Hartman’s address was an updated version of an essay she previously wrote, titled “Crow Jane Makes A Modest Proposal.” She introduced it as a polemical and satirical essay, encouraging her audience to laugh. She described it as “full of provocations” and “disturbing in a way that’s not redeemable.”

Hartman invited the audience to inquire with her: What does it mean to make an addendum to this piece at

this moment? Hartman referenced Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò’s idea of “elite capture,” where universities use the “revolutionary language” of marginalized people, but then fail to advocate for them beyond the language they use.

In Hartman’s essay, Crow Jane indulges the Western ideals that downplay or erase the ways in which “progress” has often come at the expense of people of color. Crow Jane “forgets it has always been on trial for some of us.” Her modest proposal offers a vision of reform that is within reach, a vision that “need not be uncomfortable or change our way of life,” a vision only satisfying to people uninterested in justice. The conclusion of Hartman’s essay was met with an enthusiastic round of applause.

One student who attended, Sara Steber, FCRH ’25, said of Hartman’s essay, “Her satirical prose perfectly captures the sheer absurdity of our current political state, and it is inspiring to see that there are still people who are not afraid to speak out.”

After delivering her essay, Hartman reflected on her message. She grappled with the limits of pragmatism and justice as defined by the state. Hartman shared how she, too, struggles with how to challenge DEI as a “language of defeat, the corporatist solution to the demise of affirmative action,” in a time where people also attack DEI as part of a return to the ideals of white supremacy.

She said she wanted her speech to make the audience “think really hard about the situation we’re in” and embrace the “dark laughter” of the piece.

Following Hartman’s piece, Allison Schneider, FCRH ’26, the creative writing program assistant, moderated a short question-and-answer session with Hartman. Schneider called attention to Hartman’s critique of Crow Jane’s pragmatic concessions to white supremacy and asked Hartman how she suggested students actively work against this.

Hartman identified the weaknesses of pragmatism and the exhaustion of political discourse as an opportunity in itself. “In a state of defeat, why not dream the wildest dreams possible?” she said.

Schneider also asked about the role of imagination in racial justice. Hartman referred back to her book, “Lose Your Mother,” and the process of writing it. In the book, Hartman sought to “account for that relationship between imagination and archival research.”

She worked to replace a historical narrative that focuses on the trade of African people as commodities to “create a set of statements about the experience of a captive” and “shift and change the emphasis of archival documents to tell a different story.” Hartman emphasized how important it was to imagine ways in which the same information could tell a different story.

Hartman said she sought to provide a “provocation to those who are ‘on the team,’” urging students to be unsatisfied with the ways in which current movements towards racial and intersectional justice are incomplete.

Clare Cummings, FCRH ’26, attended the event and emphasized its importance for English majors in particular. “Not only was hearing Saidiya Hartman herself read from her essay ‘Crow Jane Makes A Modest Proposal’ incredibly moving, but I also feel that it was a really timely piece to speak on,” Cummings said.

Another attendee, Katherine Brennan, FCRH ’26, agreed, saying, “[Hartman] reminds us that in times where the status quo is threatened, it is also an opportunity to question it, and look for ways we can move forward instead of backward.”

Even after the Q&A ended, many attendees remained in the auditorium, some starting discussions with each other and others lining up to get their books signed by Hartman.

Overall, the event demonstrated the vital importance of centering voices of color at a time when the uncomfortable truths that they bear witness to are under attack, and it gave students the opportunity to critically engage with Hartman’s work.

Editor’s Note: Allison Schneider is also the editor-in-chief of The Ram, but had no role in the reporting or writing of this article.

Spes Nova Connects Fordham Students with Global Artisans

By NISHANTH ADUMA ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Spes Nova, meaning “New Hope” in Latin, was founded at Fordham University in 2015 as a branch of the Students for Fair Trade club. It now operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission that spans continents — and is powered by students.

Erick Rengifo, professor of economics and founder of Spes Nova, said the organization’s mission is to help establish sustainable and inclusive development in some of the world’s poorest regions by collaborating with a global network of academic institutions. He explained Spes Nova is run by a team of student leaders and volunteers at Fordham, under his guidance and the guidance of Assistant Dean Brian Dunn, the Spes Nova director at Fordham.

Spes Nova uses a three-pillar approach of growing its academic network, promoting a combination of fair trade and microloan practices and advocating for ethical consumerism.

“According to these values, Spes Nova strives to implement its three-pillar approach to sustainable and inclusive development by establishing

a network of academic institutions from around the globe that offer long-term benefits while supporting the dignity of the working poor,” Rengifo said.

A major project has been the partnership with ITESO, the Jesuit University of Guadalajara, Mexico.

“The focus of Fordham-ITESO efforts started in 2018 and has continuously focused its efforts on helping artisans get access to the US market,” Rengifo said. “The project involves students from both universities working together in a real learning scenario.”

Rengifo said that by prepaying for products and assisting with campus sales, Fordham’s chapter helps artisans secure a consistent source of revenue.

He explained that the model has had a significant impact, not only by raising awareness but also by helping local artisans sell their products, providing them with an adequate and constant source of income that supports the growth of their businesses and improves their quality of life.

Students are essential to making all this happen. Elizabeth Rengifo-Vega, FCRH ’26, co-president of Spes Nova, said, “At the start of each semester, we send out a Google

form to our members so that they can describe their interests, skills, and professional goals. This helps us to tailor the role so that the students feel confident contributing and learning while interning with Spes Nova.”

“It’s been wonderful to see many students take the initiative and request particular roles in the team because they have pre-existing experience in the area or because they want to push themselves to learn something challenging for the good of the club and their own academic development,” she added.

Juliana Tulio, GSB ’26, co-president of Spes Nova, first joined after seeing it at the fall career fair.

“I was inspired by its mission and wanted to support the livelihoods of global artisans,” she said. “Other students interested in getting involved can attend our club meetings on Thursdays at 1 p.m. or direct message our Instagram, @spes_nova, or email us at spesnova@fordham.edu. We have a lot of different roles available, no matter your interests or skill set.”

Tulio also pointed out ways for the broader community to help.

“The easiest way is to follow

us on Instagram to stay updated on new product launches and upcoming sales events,” she said. “The best way to support us is by buying our handmade artisan products through our website, spesnova.org, or at in-person sales events on campus.”

For many students, joining Spes Nova has been a turning point. Natalie Kamble, GSB ’25, social media coordinator, described her experience.

“I oversee our social media team, coordinating content that highlights the incredible work of global artisans — crafting everything from jewelry and wallets to Fordham merch like keychains and sweaters,” she said.

She recalled what first drew her in: “At first, I was simply drawn to a Fordham sweater on display because I thought it was cute. But when I asked about it, I learned something far more meaningful — it was hand-sewn by women in Bolivia escaping domestic violence,” Kamble said. “That moment shifted my perspective.”

Spes Nova also provides real-world experience in a range of fields.

“Whether it be soft skills like sales technique or the ability to communicate Spes

Nova’s mission or hard skills such as management or financial auditing, students tune into their specialties to create a cohesive environment that helps the organization move smoothly,” said Trent Miller, GSB ’26, vice president of finance for Spes Nova.

Miller also shared that Spes Nova has grown rapidly. “When I joined back in the fall of 2023, the organization only had seven or eight active members, and now it is filled with around fifteen or more, which is over a 100% increase,” he said.

Camila Perez, FCRH ’28, secretary of the organization, noted, “Students involved with Spes Nova can enhance their teamwork, communication, and organizational skills. We collaborate to organize our sales, help promote ethical consumerism, and partner with other clubs to broaden our reach.”

Rengifo hopes to continue expanding Spes Nova’s network and strengthening its impact, to “Raise global awareness about the realities of poverty, hunger and other social problems and possible alleviation through access to equitable free market systems for trade,” he said.

Mugz’ s, an Arthur Avenue Staple Closes

FROM MUGZ, PAGE 1

Suits put him in touch with Carolina DiFuccia who owns Mugz’s.

“One of the sweetest women I have ever met and spoken with, and I just told her she has the entire support of the Fordham community behind her, alumni and students,” said Liaci.

By that point, Project Save Mugz had gained over 1,000 followers overnight, and Liaci was fielding more than 50 DMs from alumni and Belmont community members asking how they could help.

“I had some TikTokers who were born and raised in the Belmont section of the Bronx emailing us. He emailed us and he had like 300,000 followers and he was like I grew up passing Mugz’s. We can’t let this happen. Let me know what I can do,” said Liaci.

Carolina DiFuccia has been the owner of Mugz’s since 2002. At 26 years old, DiFuccia bought the bar and became a first-time business owner. Her husband managed the bar, with the business in her name.

“Mugz’s wasn’t that busy when we first bought it, but we built it up. People really got comfortable, you know, it’s like family. Parents would always come back and thank Suits and thank us for looking out for their kids,” said DiFuccia

This neighborhood means a lot to DiFuccia. She grew up on 183rd and Belmont. She said that the corner of Arthur Ave and 187th has been a bar for almost 60 years.

“Arthur Avenue people, they still stick together,” she said. “I think this was always a family community. There were always people out. Years ago, you would be

FROM MUSIC, PAGE 1

supports all of our many musical ensembles, but it has been challenging to give them the level of financial support they require,” he said.

Lincoln-DeCusatis shed light on these challenges a couple of years ago. According to the professor, the Pep Band lacked consistent faculty support, leading to logistical issues such as getting adequate storage, uniforms and instrument repairs.

He also explained how the Pep Band is currently funded by a mix of the Office for Student Involvement (OSI) and the Athletics Department, among other things, causing student-run budgeting to be a complicated endeavor.

Lincoln-DeCusatis stated that it was easy for some of Pep Band’s needs to go unnoticed, including music photo copying, proper rehearsal space and equipment management.

When music faculty noticed these issues, they gave it their all to remedy them.

“We have what I call public school teacher energy,” Lincoln-DeCusatis said. “We don't mind getting our hands dirty, moving instruments, showing up for extra events or cleaning the roach slime out

able to walk down the street as a kid by yourself. Everyone just knew each other, everyone looked out for somebody, the doors were open.”

She has dealt with her fair share of hardships throughout her time as a business owner. In 2012, her husband passed away from brain cancer, leaving her alone to run the bar and raise two young kids.

DiFuccia said she took pride in being a stable presence and a pair of eyes on the street, looking out for Fordham students.

“You know how many times I’d be standing outside when I was there at the bar, and I’d see girls walking by drunk, and I’d be like ‘where are you going? You’re going the wrong way.’ And, I’d grab them, make them sit down, get them some water,” she said. “The neighborhood is not what it used to be like anymore. It’s getting dangerous.”

DiFuccia said having to shut down for almost a year and a half during COVID-19 hit Mugz’s hard.

“I was closed for 16 to 18 months, and my lease was up,” she said. “Yeah, we’re going to renew it, [the landlord would] tell me every few months … He would just play me and play me. You’ve got to fix the floors, I got a leak downstairs. So, I spent like $20-25,000 on the floors alone because I cemented everything. It’s like bulletproof in there. He still didn’t give me a lease.”

“Finally, I said, this is enough,” she said. “He raised my rent from $2,500 to $3,000 to $4,000 to $6,000. Insurance went up from like $5,000 to $17,000. After COVID hit after there were all those rallies and people breaking into stores, insurance companies pulled out. So you’re

left with whatever you have.”

According to DiFuccia her rent and insurance nearly tripled. She said it was impossible to keep pouring money into financing the bar.

The Ram reached out to the building owners to confirm these numbers but did not hear back.

DiFuccia hasn’t raised her drink prices since she first took over ownership in 2002, and she never planned to do that in any last ditch effort to save the bar.

Still, with the exhaustion setting in as she navigates these ups and downs, the reality of having to close Mugz’s doors is not an easy pill for her to swallow.

“I’m disgusted. It hurts. It really hurts,” she said. “I feel like they’re taking a piece of my husband away from me because that was his baby. I feel like it’s not going to be safe. I feel like that was the end of it — Mugz’s. At least we were there at night, you know, there’s always someone keeping an eye out.”

After 23 years in business, DiFuccia has to close Mugz’s doors.

“It’s definitely very sad to see a bar shut down after like 50 years,” said Colin Mitchell, FCRH ’26, who bartends at Mugz’s. “It’s cool to have a spot like that in the middle of the Fordham area where it’s a close walk from wherever you might be.

But, watching from behind the counter, Mitchell understands that Mugz’s simply can’t stay open with seemingly unending expenses.

“The style of operation, the way Mugz was being run, the cost of everything was going up, and it seemed like in order to keep up with that, the business model wouldn’t work

essentially,” said Mitchell. “Ingredients were getting more expensive, the rent was getting more expensive, and you can’t charge $30 for a drink.”

Mitchell isn’t exactly sure what will happen next, but he doesn’t think the corner will be vacant for long.

“I think the future is kind of up to the Fordham students,” said Liaci. “There’s a fine line between supporting your community and gentrifying it. And I think as outsiders coming into the community, we definitely always teeter that by supporting old and new businesses. And, I also know it’s such an attraction to head into the city because you know we’re in New York, but don’t take Arthur Ave for granted — it’s great.”

DiFuccia wants to keep the bar open, but she simply can’t.

“I want to keep [Mugz’s] open for the neighborhood and for the college kids to have

somewhere to go,” she said. “I think one door closes, another one will open. I think if you’re good to people and you believe in God, things will happen for you.

Despite the bitter-sweet feelings, DiFuccia said she is still grateful for the opportunity: “Even though my husband passed away and I have two kids and I had to raise them alone, I was still lucky enough to have a business like that and I was lucky enough to open up another business.”

Even if the initiative to “Save Mugz” doesn’t pan out, Liaci said he is glad to be part of something that shows the Fordham-Belmont community connection: “I hope the initiative in general just achieves that highlight of the connection between Fordham and the Belmont community.”

Mugz’s is set to close on June 10.

Read the full version of this story online.

A Closer Look at the Fordham Pep Band

of the back closet in the heat.”

Lincoln-DeCusatis was the one who made sure the student musicians had meal vouchers during commencement week. He advocates for the Pep Band in athletics and works with the president of the Pep Band to ask the smaller logistical questions.

“Something as complicated and public-facing as Pep Band needs some extra attention,” said Lincoln-DeCusatis.

Sam Daniels, FCRH ’26, president of Pep Band, spoke about the help from the Fordham art history and music department.

“Yes, I feel absolutely supported by them,” Daniels said.

Still, while Fordham’s interest and investment in music has been increasing, students and faculty believe that there is still much to improve.

“We need more media coverage,” said Daniels. “I remember going on a tour of the Rose Hill campus the summer before my freshman year. I asked the guide if there was a band. They didn’t know. Still, nobody knows.”

He went on to explain that because of the lack of coverage, there is a severe lack

of musicians in each band.

Daniels hopes that information on the various music opportunities around Fordham will spread. He wants students to know that Fordham also has Fordham Lincoln Center’s Jazz Ensemble, Lincoln Center’s Jazz Orchestra, Rose Hill’s Chamber Jazz Ensemble, Lincoln Center’s Chamber Orchestra, the Afro-Latin Music Ensemble, Fordham University’s Symphony Orchestra at Rose Hill, multiple choirs and a cappella groups between the campuses and plenty of private lessons.

Aside from student-run clubs, Fordham has a music department that hosts many academic classes. The music department funds instruments, sheet music, private lessons and much more.

“We need a centralized music operating budget,” said Lincoln-DeCusatis. He said that funding gets too messy when students and faculty are scrambling to pull together funds from multiple places without a centralized pot. However, he suggests that recent partnerships with OSI, student affairs and athletics have

been greatly beneficial because they all have a strong shared interest in improving the student experience in all on-campus musical activities. He hopes a similar collaboration can one day integrate the choral ensembles into the music department as well, since they are currently considered a completely separate entity.

New Athletics Director Charles Guthrie is interested in making the Pep Band look and sound great, according to Lincoln-DeCusatis.

“We are partnering with Athletics to improve the Pep Band experience,” he said “This is an example of how great things can happen for our students when faculty and non-academic parts of the university work together … They are currently brainstorming better ways to support the Pep Band at Athletic events.”

Thanks to various fundraising efforts by Fordham faculty as well as many donors, Fordham was able to open up Father Robert Grimes, S.J. Music Studios at Lincoln Center.

Daniel Ott, chair of the art history and music department, spoke about how such an

event will change the trajectory of Fordham Music for the better. “We are getting donors excited about music,” he said. “Our goal is to continue to build on a good foundation we have.”

Due to the excitement of the new studio, Ott believes that Fordham Music is on the rise.

“This is our cornerstone for growth,” Ott said. “It starts here.”

Lincoln-DeCusatis also spoke about a lack of a performing arts infrastructure at Fordham.

“We don’t have a real recital hall or any kind of adequate performing arts venue on campus,” Lincoln-DeCusatis said. “I've been working with Dean [Catharine] McGlade on improving Collins. We’ve made some real progress, but there is still a long way to go. My long-term goal is to have a place at Rose Hill that can be a real home base for all of our talented student performers with our practice rooms, rehearsal spaces, concert venue and music classrooms all in one place to serve the entire Fordham community. It’s a very big dream, but I hope to one day see it come true.”

SIENNA REINDERS/THE FORDHAM RAM

The ceiling of Mugz’s is decorated with signs.

Fordham Hires New Mens Basketball Coach

FROM MAGPAYO, PAGE 1

is going to be an adjustment period for his family as he transitions into this new position. However, he’s excited to get the ball rolling in the Big Apple.

After talking about his transition back to NYC, Magpayo discussed his approach to recruiting. Magpayo noted that success in the transfer portal can turn a mediocre team into a good team, and a good team into a great contender. However, he also emphasized the importance of recruiting rising first-years out of high school to have a young and diverse roster.

“If I could, I’d choose to have four … and they’re developing in our program, and they understand what the

program is,” he said.

This approach to recruiting has proven successful for Magpayo in the past. During his stint at the University of California, Riverside (UCR), he coached multiple firstyears who contributed to the program’s success.

“We got back-to-back freshman of the year in the Big West,” Magpayo said when asked about young blood in the program. He feels that this same philosophy, coupled with utilizing the transfer portal, will give Fordham a mix of veterans and younger players with high potential.

Before signing his sixyear contract with Fordham, Magpayo spent five seasons at UCR. In the 2024-2025

season, the team went 2113, boasting a 14-1 record at home. Magpayo cited high attendance as an important contributing factor for UCR’s success at defending its home court.

“Something I’m really, really proud of, in a 2,400-seat gym, we had the best attendance in school history this past year,” he said.

In addition to discussing recruiting, Magpayo talked about the importance of building a culture at Fordham through the basketball program that is based on transparency and a connection between the student body and the players. This connection is not just limited to the players and the student body.

“I’m gonna be a really good

teammate,” Magpayo said. “ I’m going to bring on guys that you guys are going to like in your classrooms, who are good people.”

Being closely involved with every aspect of the university is essential to Magpayo’s approach. At UCR, he bought pizza for fans who attended home games and passed them out personally.

“Attendance this past year was 40% higher than ever before … it was absolutely about the student body. I bought the pizzas, I passed them out … I will invest whatever resources because I think it matters,” he said.

Magpayo wants to be more than just a coach; he wants to be an integral part of the Fordham community.

Magpayo also sought to

ease the minds of students, addressing the NCAA violations and sanctions on the program that were part of an investigation that occurred before his arrival.

“As far as those violations, really the only one that hurts are the limited official visits until August 1,” he said. “Of course, we have to run a clean program and not get in trouble, but I’m always going to be on the right side of compliance. So we should be good there.”

Magpayo’s final message was a request aimed toward Fordham students: “I think that the pride [in our university] is just to let everybody know, as I’m walking recruits and players around campus, how cool Fordham is and how proud you guys are of it.”

CAB Hosts ROLE MODEL for Spring Weekend

FROM CAB, PAGE 1

out and the energy that he gives out is so positive … and I just wanted to have a great time,” said Tamasker.

Traditionally, ROLE MODEL has someone come on stage when he performs the song “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out.” These guests have included Reneé Rapp, the singer’s mother and last weekend, Julian Ogawa, FCRH ’25.

“I was dancing in the back of the crowd when some lady with an earpiece went up to

me and asked if I wanted to go dance on stage,” said Ogawa. “I was confused at first and asked who she was, and she said she was the general manager of Role Model. I had to ask if this was real [because] I was so in shock. Before she left, she said she would come grab me right before the song.”

ROLE MODEL performed the song as his closing number at the concert.

“When Sally started playing, she came over, and we went backstage. Then,

once Tucker said, ‘Where’s my Sally?’ I ran on and danced my heart out,” said Ogawa. “I was pretty nervous right before going on stage, but it was so fun and so surreal. When I was on stage, I forgot all about being nervous and just had fun. Tucker was so cool, and he smelled good when I hugged him. One of my top experiences [for sure] and a great memory for my last spring weekend.”

Due to weather, this year’s Spring Weekend concert was

held in the Lombardi Field House rather than on Martyrs’ lawn. The concert began at noon with a performance by XLR, the winner of the Battle of the DJs this year. XLR replaced Cash Cobain in the concert line-up after CAB announced that Cash Cobain had canceled his appearance on April 25, the day before the concert.

Spring Weekend also hosted other celebrities, including LIVE! Speaker Sal Vulcano from “Impractical

Jokers” and comedy group Please Don’t Destroy. Keagan Ostop, FCRH ’25, moderated Vulcano’s discussion, and Please Don’t Destroy’s opener was Henry Tremblay, FCRH ’26, winner of the Best Comic Standing competition.

Emilie Campbell, FCRH ’27, attended Please Don’t Destroy’s performance on Sunday, April 27.

“That was my favorite thing I’ve ever witnessed in Fordham Prep,” she said.

Fordham Reduces Environmental Impact with New Fuel Cells

By SIENNA REINDERS ASST. NEWS EDITOR

Fordham University is reducing its environmental impact by installing fuel cells on the Rose Hill campus. The first fuel cells were installed at Walsh Family Library in 2019 as a pilot program. Now, Fordham is installing fuel cells at Campbell Hall, O’Hare Hall, Tierney Hall and John Mulcahy Hall. Installation began in September and is expected to be completed by summer, according to Nelida LaBate, Grants Proposal and Funding Manager for the Office of Sustainability.

The new fuel cells will create much more energy than the ones at the library, which only service the one building. The new fuel cells will power 80% of the Rose Hill campus, with the remaining 20% of energy coming from grid power through Con Edison, Fordham’s energy company.

“We are using the fuel cells for electricity production on campus as part of a blended utility commodity buying strategy,” said Vincent Burke, director of sustainability, in an email. “This ensures we have a diversified portfolio of both grid and off-grid power.”

Fuel cells are machines manufactured by Bloom Energy that produce electricity

through an electrochemical process. They are better for the environment than typical energy sources like power grids because they use natural gas and small amounts of water to produce energy.

According to Burke, Bloom Energy’s fuel cells produce 99% less smog than the power grid. The machines also recycle most of the water used, which Bloom Energy says will save millions of gallons of water per year.

In addition to reducing Fordham’s environmental impact, fuel cell installation also reduces costs for Fordham.

According to LaBate, by generating power on campus, Fordham will only be paying for the energy that the University uses, making it cheaper than buying energy from a utility.

“Its major importance is that we’re saving costs. It gives us cost certainty, because we are generating power on campus, and we’re only paying for the energy that we are using, as opposed to buying from the utility, where who knows how the prices will be [in] the next couple years,” LaBate said.

Heat on Fordham’s campus might also be produced by fuel cells in the future.

According to Burke, Bloom Energy is working on converting the fuel cell systems into combined heat and

power plants (CHPs). They hope future fuel cells can reuse the heat generated in the cells during energy production. Fordham hopes to utilize these services once they become available.

Burke says using fuel cells on Fordham’s campus will help enormously reduce our emissions, supporting Fordham’s sustainability goal of reducing emissions by 40% by 2030. He says the machines will especially benefit future electrification projects.

“Producing this amount of energy cost-effectively

on campus will enable future electrification projects to reduce emissions,” Burke said in an email. “Also, with the anticipated technological shift towards making fuel cells carbon-capturing, CHP systems will also have an impact but further down the line.”

The Office of Sustainability hopes to install more fuel cells on campus in the future. According to LaBate, Fordham is currently in the design process for installing another fuel cell at Larkin Hall.

Stephen Holler, associate

professor and chair of the physics and engineering physics department, believes installing fuel cells on campus is essential to reduce Fordham’s environmental impact. He says energy is a central part of our society, and we must produce it sustainably.

“We need energy to maintain our society, to maintain, you know, the way civilization is working,” said Holler. “We become accustomed to it. And so it’s important to have a sustainable or ongoing energy source.”

COURESTY OF FORDHAM NOW

The fuel cells are outside Walsh Library and are being added at other locations on campus.

Serving the Fordham University campus and community since 1918

The Fordham Ram is the university journal of record. The mission of The Fordham Ram is to provide a forum for the free and open exchange of ideas in service to the community and to act as a student advocate. The Fordham Ram is published every Wednesday during the academic year to all campuses. Website

TheFordhamRam.com

Email Address theram@fordham.edu

Editor-in-Chief

Allison Schneider

Managing Editor

Adithi Vimalanathan

Production Editor

Sophie Maselli

Editorial Director

Jonah Ring

Multimedia Director

Mary Hawthorn

Business Director

Diana Juarez

News Editor

Nora Malone

Features Editor

Andrew Massie

Assistant News Editors

Caitlin Thomas

Sienna Reinders

Opinion Editor

Indranil Kar

Assistant Opinion Editors

Stuart Cremer

Abigail Adams

Culture Editors

Mia Tero

Chelsea DeLalla

Assistant Culture Editor

Erynn Sweeney

Sports Editor

Grace McCarron

Assistant Sports Editors

Ian Nelson

Elizabeth Collins

Copy Chiefs

Jacob Wolfer

Sarah Verrastro

Executive Copy Editor

Emma Leonardi

Copy Editors

Emilio Marino

Jordan Donegan

Julia Cholerton

Alexa Reid

Jenny Hong

Photo Editor

Cristina Stefanizzi

Digital Producers

Haniyyah Usmani

Molly O’Connor

Hannah Sullivan

Advertising Directors

Jack McDonald

Nishanth Aduma

Violet Wallace

Emily Bustamante

Faculty Advisor

Beth Knobel

Editorial Policy

The Fordham Ram’s editorial reflects the editorial board’s opinions or views. Opinion Policy

The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of The Fordham Ram.

Submissions Policy

The Fordham Ram reserves the right to reject or edit any submission for any reason, without notice. Submissions become the exclusive property of The Fordham Ram. No part of The Fordham Ram may be reproduced without written consent.

When I took over as EditorIn-Chief (EIC) of The Fordham Ram earlier this year, I knew I wanted to make The Ram a safe space for students to learn and for new writers and editors to make mistakes and grow from them. Over my last three years with The Ram, I have learned a lot about journalism, teamwork and being a leader, but I’ve also learned a great deal about myself.

I have learned that I love copy editing, fact checking and spending time with all the friends I’ve made on staff. I’ve also learned that I do not enjoy filing budget appeals with the United Student Government (USG) or navigating Fordham University’s administrative bureaucracy. I’ve learned that I sometimes take things too personally, and that it’s easy to let stress overwhelm me into inaction. Most importantly, though, I have learned that as much as I love working for The Ram, the work cannot love me back.

Last semester, I wrote my From the Desk on academic unwellness. At the time, I was struggling with the workload from my classes and trying to change how I approach my academic responsibilities. In that article I wrote, “I want to be more than a good student. I want to be a good person, a well-rounded, healthy, energetic, passionate young adult. And if being a bad student is what it takes to escape academic unwellness, to live a good life, I will prepare myself to make that sacrifice.”

My desire to live this good life has not gone away. I still want to be more than just a good student, but I also want to be more than just a good editor, which is why I need to take a step back from this work and step down from my position as Editor-in-Chief.

It is somewhat of a tradition at The Fordham Ram to use the last editorial of the semester to offer up some suggestions for fun (and sometimes useful) things students can do during their upcoming summer vacations. It’s a topic that always feels a little needed, as no matter how many times you are forced to make the transition from school life back to the real world, there’s always a good chance that you find yourself repeatedly asking the question — “Well, what do I do now?” It even feels a little more needed this year, considering The Ram has spent the last fourish months reporting on just how extremely bleak everything in the world seems to be; the least that we could do right now is to call for some fun and whimsy! Thus, in the name of both tradition and trying to actually bring something positive to the table when everyone needs it the most, The Ram would like to present its 2025 summer to-do list:

I) Go see a baseball game — Whether you like baseball or not, it is simply undeniable that

From the Desk | Allison Schneider

OPINION Beyond Being a Good Editor

This was not a decision I made lightly. I agonized over what to do for weeks leading up to the end of the semester, and it breaks my heart to leave this position a semester early because The Ram has been such a source of joy and fulfillment in my time at Fordham. This has been one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make. It is not easy for me to admit when something has become too much, but I am doing it now because stepping down from my position is the right thing to do for the newspaper and for myself.

I don’t do things half-heartedly, so when I became EIC, I gave it my all; I dedicated countless late nights to copy editing, responded to far too many emails outside of work hours, lost sleep over controversial articles, submitted (and resubmitted) budget appeal after budget appeal, oversaw rapid coverage of breaking news, stayed in constant contact with Ram staff members and did a hundred other small things that help make this newspaper run.

Although not always easy, most of this work is pretty typical. What isn’t typical is, as Fordham puts it, our “evolving political landscape.” One of the things about being on a newspaper staff that some people may not realize is that you are often expected to abstain from public political involvement in order to promote unbiased reporting. The Ram is no different. Watching what is happening in the current political moment and not being able to engage in advocacy work or take a public stance is a special kind of difficult.

This semester, our staff has faced unique challenges. Primary among them is the way changes at the federal government are impacting campus life. Our news team has worked diligently to keep the campus community

going to see a ballgame is the quintessential summer activity. In fact, going out to your local minor or major league ballpark is not even really about enjoying the game itself, although that could certainly be something that happens. No, it is instead about eating copious amounts of hot dogs and Cracker Jacks, watching the amber sun disappear behind the outfield bleachers and making small talk with the strangers sitting around you. There’s simply nothing like it.

II) Take a hike! — No, seriously… Get out of here and go experience that one thing that New York City really does not have: the natural world. There is something so therapeutic about leaving everything behind — work, family, the mainstream media cycle of perpetual doom — and traversing a path lesstraveled. In fact, the hike does not even have to be anything serious — nobody at The Ram is demanding that a Fordham University flag be planted at the pinnacle of some jagged mountain peak. All that really matters is that you unplug and just take some time to be with a friend, a

informed about everything from the student visa revocations to federal funding cuts to changes in the general landscape of higher education. All of this amidst the day-to-day coverage of university updates like the tuition increase and the USG elections. Our sports team has led coverage on Keith Urgo’s departure and NCAA penalties in addition to reporting on countless routine sporting events throughout the semester. And our opinion and culture sections have done an amazing job amplifying student voices on campus despite increasing attacks on student free speech across the country.

None of this is easy work. Our staff editors dedicate anywhere from 10-25 hours a week to this newspaper, without compensation or course credit, and we certainly aren’t doing it for the fame and glory. We do it because we are passionate and believe in the importance of student journalism, especially right now.

As I look back on the semester, a lot of emotions surface, but chief among them is pride. I am indescribably proud of this team and the work they have done over these last few months. It is because of them that I feel secure in my decision to step down and to pass on my role. I know The Ram doesn’t need me to keep printing; not when the brilliant and talented Nora Malone is ready to take the wheel.

Before I go, there are about a hundred people I need to thank. I’ll start with a few.

To Sofia, Evan and Hannah: Thank you for putting your faith in me to do this job and for understanding my decision when it became too much. To Adithi: Thank you for sharing my vision this semester and helping me lead this team. To Sophie: Thank you for being a copy-editing genius and for being the rock of this entire publication. To Indranil: Thank you for being one of my best friends inside and outside the walls of B-52. To Nora: Thank you for stepping up. There is no doubt in my mind that you are going to be a brilliant Editor-in-Chief. To Jacob: Thank you for your friendship, for always making me laugh and for reminding me not to doubt myself.

For all those unnamed who contributed something to the newspaper this semester, know that I read every article, saw every photo and appreciated every edit; thank you for your amazing work and dedication. And finally, thank you to all of you who have taken the time to read The Ram. This job would be impossible, and mostly pointless, without you.

I have two pieces of parting advice as I step down as Editor-inChief. First, don’t let work steal you away from life. Know that the world will keep turning without you telling it to. Second, read The Ram! There is no better place to learn about what’s happening in your campus community than by reading student voices right here in the student newspaper.

canine companion or your own thoughts amidst the splendor of the natural world.

III) Learn to cook — With all the newfound free time that comes with summer vacation, you might as well do something productive. Learning to cook is guaranteed to be that perfect “something,” as learning how to make a good variety of dishes will give you a new life skill that is sure to make everything easier, from eating healthier to impressing partners on first dates. It will also reap a number of short-term benefits. After all, you get to eat all the good food that you make while practicing and learning.

IV) Read a book (at least attempt to) — Seeing as The Ram is populated by an innumerable number of English majors, reading had to appear somewhere on our summer todo list. While an entire article could be dedicated to the psychological and intellectual benefits of reading, all that really needs to be said is that there is simply nothing like the act of lying down in a sunlit room and getting lost in the pages of

a good book. Reading just provides anything that anyone could ever want — emotional catharsis, a place to escape to, a sense of accomplishment and a way to impress everybody by looking pretentious and mysterious.

V) Stay politically aware and motivated — While it may be tempting to try and use the summertime as a detox from anything serious, the reality is that our current political climate demands our constant attention and effort. One simply cannot turn a blind eye to the massive upheaval of democratic norms and institutions that the current presidential administration is attempting to carry out right now — this willing ignorance is precisely how democracy dies. Thus, in the name of democracy, please try to make some effort to stay politically informed and active. This could mean anything from simply reading a trustworthy newspaper for a few minutes each morning to something like taking part in meaningful acts of civil disobedience. All that matters is that you try in some way, as the fight for democracy does not observe summer vacation.

The Fordham Ram’s Summer To-Do List

Editorial | Summer Break Plans

The first last is one of the hardest.

B-52 felt austere when I stepped into my first staff role at the news desk. I didn’t expect the work to be easy, but I didn’t foresee the challenges that came my way, either.

InDesign was the first love-hate relationship The Fordham Ram taught me to embrace. On the first night of producing Volume 106, I was probably the last staff member to leave, agonizing over splices, proper nouns and column sizing. But despite the three rounds of editing that ended at a lovely 4:44 A.M., it was only the first of many challenges that this publication would shuttle my way.

I spent the rest of the year breaking into the worn leather chairs that litter B-52. Week after week, I arrived on Tuesdays and dutifully filled out my pages. A drought of writers certainly didn’t make that year easier, resulting in writing three or four articles for a few weeks. Looking around the room and seeing that I was one of a few faces of color only added to everything that came my way.

But I stayed for the reporting. I relished talking to people, taking photos and writing my pieces. Being on the ground and in the field was the best practice in sharpening my writing, observation, and commitment to reporting.

Covering unknown stories and breaking news was some of

OPINION

Breaking In A Worn Chair

the most purposeful work that I’ve been fortunate to do at this university. It strengthened my responsibility and care in centering the voices I report on, and connected me with people on this campus in ways I am grateful for.

On my way out, my first thanks goes to everyone that I’ve had the privilege of encountering in my reporting. It have immense gratitude for the conversations and interviews I’ve had and the stories I’ve been so privileged to listen to and report on. I have learned about this university, this campus, the people in and out of it in a manner beyond what a classroom could do. Thank you for your time, for coming forward, for educating me and our readership.

In short, I loved the work, even if I wasn’t fully feeling at home in those worn chairs. But along the way, I stopped realizing when it started to take on more of a toll than it should have.

Spending Volume 106 at the news desk was, in many ways, a training ground for the coverage that 2025 would bring. From visa revocations, a new core curriculum and NCAA basketball violations, every day has been unprecedented, each one more surprising than the last.

It’s hard to explain just how much our paper has experienced and how fast we’ve grown over this semester. Our breaking news protocol

has become refined and rapid this semester, and our news section has been focused and diligent in covering fast-paced developments. Our opinions section has printed out some of the most insightful and personal op-eds from voices that our campus needs to be hearing from right now. Our culture section has been excellent at giving so many writers the chance to write about the parts of their life that mean so much to them. And our sports section has been strong on writers and covering the changes to and investigations into our teams. To everyone on this team, I am so proud and so grateful for everything we’ve accomplished together.

This semester, it was all too easy to feel situated in my role at The Ram, even when we weren’t reporting, producing or sitting in B-52. And as the year progressed to stories that affected our own campus intimately, I cannot deny the emotional toll that this reporting took on an already tumultuous time. Many nights were spent editing, not sleeping, pondering the right words and phrasing. Not enough time was spent actually feeling and surviving the tumult and heaviness that these circumstances take on people.

The work has been good; it has been important; it has been rewarding. But it has also taken more of a toll than a semester can accommodate.

It is with this in mind that

I’m saying goodbye. While I am sad, incredibly so, to be leaving, I am so grateful for everything that this volume, this semester, this team has taught me.

Thank you, Allison, for everything you’ve done with this volume. Thank you, Sophie, this semester would not have been the same without your warmth and energy. Thank you, Nora, for every time we got to write together across Volumes 106 and 107.

All of Volume 107, thank you for the light that you bring. I was always grateful to be in the room with you on Mondays and Tuesdays, for receiving the joy and work that your efforts bring forth. And thank you to every writer and photographer for the past volume. We center campus voices through campus voices – thank you for devoting your time to this paper.

To future editors, I urge you to always refocus. Assume you

are scratching the

of what needs to be told. Speak widely, ask widely, write widely. Settle into no rhythm in your reporting besides one that is after the voices and stories that aren’t being told. To the newspaper and its leadership, I urge you also to bring into your ranks those voices that The Ram has missed out on in its century-plus run on this campus.

I titled this piece after what I sought to achieve with my time at The Ram. Breaking into a worn chair is to take what has belonged to someone and make it your own. With my time at The Ram, I am grateful for the editorship passed on to me and for the coverage, focus, and heart that I’ve brought to it.

This From the Desk is the first last of many that I’ll be having, but it is especially bittersweet.

Spycraft, Death Star, Society: the Resurgence of Star Wars

By INDRANIL KAR OPINION EDITOR

“Star Wars,” a pillar of my youth and force of childhood nostalgia, transported a kid from Missouri to a galaxy far, far away filled with thrilling adventures, epic storytelling and passionate romance. The multi-genre franchise employs motifs ranging from classic Western mythology, Eastern religious traditions and contemporary socio-political conflicts. The franchise inspired both my future academic pursuits and creative outlets, ranging from constructing Lego Star Wars sets to protesting against unjust, fascistlike systems and institutions in the United States. I believe that “Star Wars” (on the big and small screen) has created generational experiences that individuals of almost any age can enjoy and find solace in the idea that anyone from any background can have the potential to be something extraordinary.

My passion for the beloved franchise was most recently reignited with the release of “Andor” in 2022. The first season of the critically acclaimed show released by Disney+ received over eight Emmy nominations. The show delves into the world of spycraft,

heists and sophisticated sociopolitical themes, providing world-building and exposition leading into the “original trilogy” (Episodes 4-6). As a prequel to both “Rogue One” (2016) and “A New Hope” (1976), viewers are already aware of the fate of Andor (Diego Luna), the Death Star and much of what will follow in the franchise. Theresa Gormley, FCRH ’26, described that, “It’s interesting to see the dots connecting. It’s cool to see the world building in an infinite galaxy filled with equally infinite stories.” Additionally, viewers remain invested in the narratives of the supporting characters, whose destinies remain unknown.

Disney’s other recent additions to the franchise, most notably the the sequel trilogy and “The Acolyte,” have not met the same support from fans and critics. While the movie and the show have received mixed critical reception, the fandom negatively critiqued casting and narrative decisions. Since the inception of the films, the “Star Wars” fandom has become notorious for pushing back against increased diversity in casting in the newer projects like the sequel trilogy and “The Acolyte.”

This show embraces what

some call “New Star Wars,” an era defined by increased diversity in casting and narrative expansion beyond the Skywalker saga.

Leslye Headland, the creator of “The Acolyte,” is the first woman to create a “Star Wars” series. In an interview with the New York Times, Jocelyn Bioh, a Ghanaian-American writer on the show, stated that, “Leslye wanted the show to be accessible — no homework needed before watching.” Comments on the show’s trailer read, “Why are there so many women, girls and minority characters increasingly dominating the ranks of Jedi?”

Amandla Stenberg, one of the show’s leads, said her Disney+ “Star Wars” show was subject to “hyper-conservative bigotry and vitriol, prejudiced hatred and hateful language” before its cancellation.

The same racism and misogyny plagued “The Sequel Trilogy” and its star actors. John Boyega, one of the leads of the sequel trilogy, described “Star Wars” as “always having the vibe of being in the most whitest, elite space.” In a 2020 interview with Esquire, Boyega spoke about how he was the “only cast member who had their own unique experience of that franchise based

on their race.” He further expressed dissatisfaction regarding how Disney’s marketing for “The Force Awakens,” implied that he’d be the main hero of the movie when the role was ultimately fulfilled by Rey, a white character played by Daisy Ridley.

Actresses Ridley and Kelly Marie Tran were also subject to extreme discrimination by “Star Wars purists.” In an interview, Tran described that she deleted her social media in response to online harassment stating, “Their words seemed to confirm what growing up as a woman and a person of color already taught me: that I belonged in margins and spaces, valid only as a minor character in their lives and stories.” The sequel trilogy aimed to appeal to a wider and more diverse audience. Gormley stated that, “It’s really disheartening to witness this as a female fan of the franchise. It

sets the precedent that women and people of color don’t have a role in these kinds of stories, which contradicts the heart of ‘Star Wars.’”

I think that these self-identified “purists” who are okay with the big and small screen being filled with extraterrestrial beings that look like slugs, Bigfoot and fish while criticizing casting choices that include women and people of color are absurd and bigoted. “Star Wars” is a mythology that can be appreciated by anyone regardless of age, race, gender or sexual orientation. In a galaxy filled with infinite possibilities, there is no good reason why the franchise shouldn’t reflect the representation of current and future generations.

2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the release of Revenge of the Sith.

MARY HAWTHORN/THE FORDHAM RAM

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The Consequences of Trump’s Student Visa Vendetta

By ZACH JOHNSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER

President Donald Trump’s administration has abruptly reversed its decision to revoke student visas, restoring the legal status of more than 4,700 international students studying in the United States. This comes after, only a month ago, Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s proud announcement of the administration’s “right” to revoke the visas of students critical of Israel’s war in Gaza. This marked the beginning of a campaign to expel international students, resulting in thousands having their visas summarily revoked, including four students at Fordham University.

The Trump administration’s revocation of student visas was a direct assault on free speech and academic freedom, part of a strategy to test how much control the administration can exert over higher education. Many universities rightfully challenged these actions despite threats of retaliation, and that decision showed the power of a collective institutional response to Trump’s attacks on higher education.

The administration initially

justified student revocations by targeting what President Trump called “pro-terrorist, antisemitic, anti-American” students, dubiously claiming they constitute “foreign policy threats” under an obscure and rarely invoked provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. Yet the scope had expanded beyond that already troubling rationale. Many affected students had their visas revoked simply for minor infractions or run-ins with law enforcement, and many were left facing deportation with no explanation at all.

The visa revocations, included in the broader campaign of the administration’s attack on higher education, were one of many stress tests to determine the extent to which higher education institutions can become instruments of their will. These attacks are not only a crisis for international students, but also a fundamental test of whether academic institutions will preserve their values or surrender their autonomy under pressure. Universities needed to fight back against this direct assault on their institutional independence, and many did.

After dozens of lawsuits challenging the revocations, the Justice Department reversed its decision, restoring thousands of student visas it had just revoked, including all four affected Fordham students. While still a victory for international students and higher education, the government seems poised to continue its fight with a new strategy, stating that they had begun work on a new system for reviewing and terminating records and legal status for international students.

Along with the legal challenges, nearly 200 U.S. college presidents signed a statement opposing “government intrusion,” declaring their schools as places where “faculty, students and staff are free to exchange ideas and opinions … without fear of retribution, censorship, or deportation.” Signers included Fordham University President Tania Tetlow and schools that have faced direct threats from the administration, such as Harvard University.

Notably absent was Columbia University, which has chosen a different approach in the face of government pressure. When the administration threatened to withdraw $400 million in federal funding unless it implemented policy changes due to pro-Palestine protests on campus, Columbia capitulated, agreeing to disclose records of students involved in those protests to Congress and submitting to other demands. Though Columbia has since attempted to

moderate its public stance amid backlash, its institutional integrity had already been damaged, with one prominent college admissions advisor saying that parents of prospective students, “don’t really trust the university to protect the students.”

Harvard took a different approach. When faced with similar threats, University President Alan Garber declared, “The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional right.” The government clearly did not take well to this challenge, pausing $2 billion in federal grants and funding, threatening to ban enrollment of foreign students and proposing a removal of its taxexempt status, all of which the government claims were sent mistakenly.

These different responses illustrate the dilemma universities face. Those who resist risk retaliatory actions and continuing harassment, as in Harvard’s case. Those who comply or remain silent may avoid this fate, but sacrifice their selfproclaimed priority of protecting students and their foundational principles of institutional autonomy and academic freedom. While not facing the same risks as institutions already in the Trump administration’s crosshairs, Fordham has chosen to challenge the government’s actions. The University joined 85 schools in a legal brief supporting a lawsuit by the American Association of Undergraduate Professors (AAUP). Members

of the AAUP’s Fordham chapter also joined a protest in New York City against the administration’s actions.

The decision to reverse the visa revocations exemplifies the power of this collective response to Trump’s ongoing attacks on higher education. Although a promising show of higher education’s institutional backbone, this victory is likely only temporary. When the government revises its approach and renews its revocation of student visas, universities must (for many) again challenge these revocations through every possible avenue, despite the possible retaliation they may face. If not, they become complicit in a campaign unfairly targeting international students, undermining the values of free speech and the freedom of academic institutions. As the collective letter from universities noted, “the price of abridging the defining freedoms of American higher education will be paid by our students and our society.” In the face of this assault on academic freedom, our universities cannot afford to be inert or compliant. The question for American higher education is not whether they can avoid this conflict, but given another chance, whether they will meet it with the integrity their mission claims to uphold.

Zach Johnson, FCRH ’26, is an international political economy majorfromBoston,Massachusetts

Social Insecurity: Shortfalls and Oversights in Government Assistance Programs

By MICHAEL DUKE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Every two years, particularly during the midterm or general election cycles, politicians use the words “Social Security” as a trigger to get voters in their 60s or older out to the polls.

In the 2024 election, Kamala Harris accused President Donald Trump of plotting out ways to cut Social Security benefits to retirees. On the other side, Trump promised not to cut Social Security benefits, and hasn’t officially cut benefits like Harris predicted he would since taking office.

But Social Security shouldn’t be used as a political tool on a campaign trail. At its core, Social Security is a safety net for retirees and families of recently deceased workers. The main focus is to provide income stability, prevent poverty and improve the general welfare of American citizens.

Outside of election cycles, Social Security is brought up at another important time of year for Americans: tax season.

Just as Americans do every year, they’ve recently filed their tax returns. With this time of year, scrutiny of government taxation has become emphasized. Alongside this, Americans have been more aware of economic hardships that have had adverse effects on families and the economy. This has consequently led many eyebrows to

be raised at the taxed amounts that come out of wallets; and with this comes Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) and Self Employment Contributions Act (SECA) taxes.

The taxes collected from FICA and SECA directly bankroll Social Security, being pooled into the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI) funds. But Americans have become more skeptical of what Uncle Sam does with easily collected and hard-earned cash that is paid to the government. After all, libertarian and conservative criticism of government spending has paved the way for Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to begin its work of saving taxpayer dollars, beyond the $160 billion in government waste that DOGE says it has saved.

However, for decades now, political analysts have been critical of how Social Security has been neglected by elected officials. Some analysts project that by 2033-2034, the OASI fund will be exhausted. This means that all reserves the fund holds now will be depleted in the future, making the program insolvent, and Social Security funding will be reliant on payroll taxes. Based on the Social Security and Medicare Boards of Trustees’ projections, when the OASI fund is depleted, only

79% of the scheduled benefits promised to Americans would be covered. The other 21% would be up in the air.

The same problems that are facing Social Security are also present with Medicare and Medicaid; each being government programs providing medical care for the elderly, disabled or poor. But the only solutions we seem to get from politicians are soundbites from when they appear on the morning shows to campaign on solving the Social Security crisis, proposals that are going nowhere quick or attacking the other side for mishandling the issue. The point is that we never have any meaningful action or legislation that could reshape or solve the problem. This boils down to Republicans and Democrats failing to work together.

Hillary Clinton, former President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were all, at one point, seen as leaders of the Democratic party and campaigned on expanding Social Security. After all, the Democratic Party’s Platform for 2024 made a bold statement of ownership of Social Security, as the program came about initially from Democratic President Franklin Roosevelt, and the fact that any of these three candidates campaigned on it should surprise no one. While Joe Biden won the presidency, there has been no

expansion of Social Security to speak of, and this shouldn’t necessarily fall on Clinton, Harris or Biden’s shoulders, but rather the congressional candidates whose campaigns benefitted, and particularly those that succeeded, from the Social Security messaging coming from the top of the ticket.

Congress has proved to Americans that it doesn’t have a spine strong enough to work up a bipartisan, fair and adequate solution to the perils facing Social Security, and both parties are to blame. The gridlock has a chokehold on the debate and both parties want to understandably control the solutions. But this isn’t how the government is intended to work.

At the end of the day, Social Security benefits aren’t dispersed differently to Republicans than they are to Democrats. Just like how benefits are dispersed, the solutions should be indifferent to political parties. The fact of the matter is that millions of Americans rely on benefits to

sustain themselves, their families and their livelihoods, and it is absolutely inexcusable for politics to infringe on any of these areas when they shouldn’t. Because of this, what is owed to every American is less political grandstanding, less campaigning on potential solutions regarding Social Security and more governance. The problems demand it, and Americans are owed it.

It seems like only divine intervention might pull together a solution on this issue. While that seems highly unlikely, a good suggestion for legislators to start tackling this issue so that it is solved would be to drop the partisanship and begin doing their jobs so that they don’t find out too late that they mishandled this issue when they, themselves, retire.

Michael Duke, GSB ’26, is a business administration major from Scottsdale, Arizona.

Social security has been a hot-button issue in U.S. politics for decades now. MARY HAWTHORN/THE FORDHAM RAM

Sudden visa revocations have alarmed universities nationwide. MARY HAWTHORN/THE FORDHAM RAM

OPINION

Summer Classes: Extra Work or Extra Worth?

By EMMA LEONARDI EXECUTIVE COPY EDITOR

Summer classes are a commonly thought-about, but not always taken, resource for college students. Many choose to spend their summers out of the classroom, vacationing or working to save money for the upcoming year. However, summer courses can be a great way to boost your grade point average (GPA), get core credits out of the way and add a major or minor to your studies.

For example, they have been an essential tool for me in terms of getting everything I can, education-wise, out of college. My dream job is and has almost always been being a book editor. For this, I am majoring in English at Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH). However, succeeding in the publishing industry is incredibly difficult, and the pay is not always good. This means that I need a backup plan. I also feel passionate about being a therapist, so now I am a double major with psychology. However, something happened that I didn’t initially plan for.

I fell in love with reporting. I joined The Fordham Ram at the beginning of my sophomore year, and writing articles was love at first type for me. I immediately looked into how I

could add journalism as a minor, in order to look for a future in the field.

When I began planning out my courses for the following two and a half years, I realized that my hopes would not be accomplished if I didn’t take summer classes. Thankfully, I already had a leg up because I took two classes in the summer of 2024. Both of those classes turned out to be asynchronous which was convenient since I still had to work at my summer job. I took a core class and an introductory class for my psychology major.

I don’t regret taking the online core class at all; it was incredibly helpful for me to complete a course that I didn’t really care much about. I didn’t have to physically go to the class. It was mostly discussion-based, however, so I couldn’t get it all done at the beginning of the summer. I had to constantly check Blackboard to make sure I was submitting all of the required responses in a timely manner. There are always cons, so it is important to remember that when taking a summer class like this one, it will still be work.

I do slightly regret taking the introduction course for my major online. I am still glad I took two summer courses (because

without them, I wouldn’t be able to minor in journalism), but I wish I had chosen a different class. My advice for anyone considering summer classes would be to avoid your major because you learn slightly less in a summer course. This is just by nature of it not being taught in person, where you can ask questions and get realtime feedback.

This upcoming summer, I am taking two classes again. It is important to note that the course limit for the summer is two classes (if you are going through Fordham University), which I agree with because it does not seem feasible to take a full course load year-round. You need some sort of break. However, I wasn’t too happy with the four-course limit on summer classes for the entire college career, but due to student demand, Fordham recently revised that policy.

When discussing summer courses with other Fordham students, I learned just how important they can be to not only help people in my situation but also to assist in making up credits. John Mathioudakis, FCLC ’27, shared that his summer classes were crucial to getting back on track.

“I had to take a lighter spring semester freshman year because

of a shoulder surgery I had in January, which required two days a week off for PT,” he said. Mathioudakis also noted that he will be taking this opportunity again. “I am taking two classes this summer at Fordham. One is in person and the other virtual. I like taking them through Fordham because I don’t have to worry about credits not transferring and everything is seamless,” he said.

While Fordham can be a great tool for summer courses, it isn’t for everyone. Hannorah Ragusa, FCRH ’26, mentioned issues with finding classes that she would be able to take from home, as commuting or staying on campus would not be an option for her. “They don’t offer enough space for virtual classes. Nobody wants to stay here and nobody

wants to sit for 3 hours for 4 days a week on Zoom,” she said. There is also a financial component to assess when looking into summer course options. Despite making the credit transition more seamless, as Mathioudakis said, Fordham charges $1,085 per credit. With class options being three to four credits each, taking Fordham courses over the summer is simply not feasible for some students.

Overall, I would recommend at least looking into taking summer classes, but would encourage you to consider other options depending on what you’re looking for.

Just Give Me One More Day: Reading Days and the Race Against Finals

By THERESA GORMLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Time flies when you’re having fun, and with finals season rearing its ugly head once more, many students may find themselves scrambling to meet deadlines that seemed distant at the beginning of the semester. Fordham University is one of many universities that reserves a brief period of time within the academic calendar called “reading days,” which are intended to allow students to prepare for their final exams without the additional burden of attending their regularly-scheduled classes. Fordham typically devotes the two days following the cessation of classes for these purposes. However, there are many circumstances in which final exams can be scheduled during this period, which contradicts its original purpose. Therefore, Fordham students may benefit from an extension of this reading period.

According to Fordham’s undergraduate faculty handbook, final exams for the languages and cultures department are consistently scheduled on the second reading day. Fordham currently requires that undergraduate students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (and psychology majors who are not on the pre-health track) complete language courses up to the 2001 level to graduate. While there are no concrete statistics available that ascertain the exact percentage of Fordham students who are pursuing a B.A., Fordham currently offers 70

majors across both the Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses (excluding the Gabelli School of Business, as its core curriculum does not include a language requirement); out of these 70, 51 are B.A. degrees. Consequently, it is likely that a majority of Fordham students would be required to take a final exam during the reading period at some point in their college career.

Georgia Heinzmann, FCRH ’26, expressed her desire for more reading days. “I wish there were more reading days because two days just isn’t enough, and nobody actually counts the weekend [as a part of the reading period],” she said. For context, the Fordham University reading period for the Spring 2025 semester includes the Thursday and Friday after the conclusion of classes and informally extends into the weekend preceding the start of final exams. As an English major, Heinzmann is required to complete a languages and cultures sequence to graduate. When asked about how the languages and cultures final exam protocol impacted her ability to effectively utilize the reading period, she asserted that “I hated it because [my exam] was during the reading days, so there was no time to study at all. I [would attend] my last class and then two days later I had [to take] my final. We also have the oral exam that’s [scheduled] during the reading days.”

As a STEM major on the pre-health track, I am not

required to complete the languages and cultures requirement for graduation. However, I can relate to Heinzmann’s frustration, as the final exams for the science laboratory courses are also frequently scheduled during the reading days. Given the extremely rigorous nature of STEM coursework and the pre-health track in general, I often find myself exasperated and overwhelmed when attempting to organize study time for my laboratory courses, while simultaneously learning new material for the corresponding lecture sections and preparing for their exams. It is important to note that laboratory courses often conclude earlier than their lecture counterparts to accommodate this, but in my experience, this is not necessarily universal among all courses.

Research recognizes successive learning as one of the most effective learning strategies when aiming to improve information recall and retention, both of which are important skills in regard to traditional academic testing methods. Successive learning relies on multiple sessions of “spaced practice”; that is, the studying of exam materials in many short sessions that occur over a long period of time. Of course, students should be proactive when arranging studying periods and are responsible for knowing how much time is necessary to prepare for their courses. However, Fordham’s limited reading period certainly makes this a difficult feat, especially if you

happen to be an unlucky student who has an exam scheduled during this time.

It could be argued that an extended reading period may have the potential to promote procrastination and therefore decrease academic performance. However, a scientific study that explored why academic procrastination occurs determined that a majority of students cited internal reasoning (i.e., poor self-discipline, mental and physical health issues and a lack of effective study skills) for their procrastination rather than external (situational) reasoning. For those students who did cite external reasons related to institutional conditions, having an extended study period or a prolonged academic semester was not mentioned.

The New York State Education Department currently requires that students enrolled in a Baccalaureate degree program complete no less than 120 semester hours prior to graduation. One semester hour is equivalent to 12.5 hours of in-person instruction, which would mean that a student

would have to complete 1,500 contact hours to graduate, or about 188 contact hours per semester. In addition to mandates that require the completion of the fall and spring semesters prior to Christmas Day and commencement, respectively, it is reasonable to assume that the academic year would have to be lengthened to accommodate a prolonged reading period.

Personally, I would have no qualms with this if it meant that I could have more time to dedicate to my studies. I also acknowledge that students who live out of state or outside of the U.S. may find this change inconvenient due to travel arrangements. Nonetheless, I believe that many students would benefit from having more reading days, as this would alleviate some of the pressure caused by the chaotic nature of finals week, while also accommodating the schedules of students who have exams scheduled during the reading days.

Theresa Gormley, FCRH ’26, is a biological sciences major from Newburgh, New York.

Extending the reading day period would be a benefit for Fordham students.

MARY HAWTHORN/THE FORDHAM RAM

MARY HAWTHORN/THE FORDHAM RAM

Emma Leonardi, FCRH ’27, is an English major from Washington, D.C.

Summer classes are a good opportunity for Fordham students.

By TAHIYAT RAISA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Most students at Fordham University only stay on campus for the fall, winter and spring. Still, through internships, sports, classes or other pursuits, many students stay within New York City during the summer because it could benefit them socially and professionally.

New York City changes over the summer in a manner that all students must experience at least once. NYC Tourism in their “Summer Guide” claims, “There’s something special about NYC in summertime. Move between alfresco meals on sidewalks in all five boroughs, or catch one of the many outdoor concerts or street festivals.” Coney Island’s boardwalk and beach, outdoor movies at Central Park and street fairs throughout all five boroughs turn the city into a city-wide playground. Students who aren’t in New York City during summer break miss a period of New York that only lasts a few months. It is also fairly easy for Fordham University students to stay on campus over the summer. Fordham offers housing at both its Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses for students who take summer courses or Fordham

By HAILEY BAKER STAFF WRITER

It is hard to think about what Pope Francis’ legacy will be when I don’t want to admit he’s gone. He was exactly what the Catholic Church needed — a progressive, accepting and loving head of the Church who prioritized a life of poverty. When it comes down to it, though, I think that Pope Francis’ legacy will remain as his embodiment of the four Jesuit vows he took of poverty, chastity, obedience and special obedience regarding worldwide mission.

Even before I entered the Catholic Church this past Easter Vigil, Pope Francis connected with me on a profound and personal level. A 2013 conclave of Cardinals elected then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio S.J. on my birthday, March 13. Following the centuries-old tradition of picking a new papal name, he chose Saint Francis of Assisi.

“For me, he is the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation,” Pope Francis said. This choice reflected Pope Francis’ commitment to humility throughout his papacy, as St. Francis consistently chose poverty as a spiritual practice, freeing himself from earthly attachments. St. Francis renounced his family’s life of wealth and privilege out of his desire to imitate Christ, who modeled a life of poverty on Earth.

Like St. Francis, I longed for a church that prioritized serving

OPINION

New

York City, My Summer Love

programming. Fordham’s website’s Summer Session Housing page states that students can choose to stay at either campus, regardless of where they have their classes, with each campus having its benefits.

Housing at Lincoln Center provides “two- to three-bedroom apartments with kitchen facilities and air-conditioning” in McMahon Hall, “adjacent to the Leon Lowenstein Building (location of Lincoln Center campus courses).” Living on campus at Lincoln Center puts students “in the heart of Manhattan,” within walking distance of Central Park, Columbus Circle and scores of institutions of a cultural nature. For students who want to be involved in all of Manhattan, the location is hard to beat.

Rose Hill, however, offers a more traditional college environment. Summer students stay in “air-conditioned rooms with a two-person occupancy,” surrounded by “green expanses of lawn and shaded, treelined sidewalks.” The Bronx campus gives students access to athletic facilities, including an Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool, as well as to nearby popular destinations, including the Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden. Both campuses are mass transit-accessible, making it easy

for students to travel around the city when class is over. Summer housing is reasonably priced relative to the overall rental market in New York City. Housing for Summer 2025 is $1,500 for a five-week session at Lincoln Center, and around $1,326 for a five-week session at Rose Hill. Fordham also mentions that “opportunities are available for free summer housing on-campus through being a Summer RA or a Desk Assistant,” so students may be able to save a great deal of money if they can take on a little extra work as a resident assistant (RA).

Interns who are waiting in line should especially consider staying. Fordham makes a point specifically stating that “If you have (or are planning to have) an internship in New York City and would like summer housing at Fordham University, we recommend that you explore our NYC summer internship program.” New York City is one of the great places in the world to gain real-world work experience. Staying for the summer allows students to be around professional environments, network with professional leaders and open doors to full-time employment. In competitive fields of finance, journalism, marketing and the arts, a summer

internship in New York City can put a résumé ahead of the pack. After all, New York City is one of the most famous cities in the world.

Off-campus students who stay for the entire academic year are most likely to sign a 12-month lease. Sticking around the city over the summer enables them to get the maximum amount they’re already paying, without losing money on subletting a residence or having a unit sitting empty.

Naturally, New York summers are not always fun. New York is expensive, even with aid arranged through Fordham. Food, transportation and entertainment cost money. And there is always the occasional New York humidity and summer heat that might take some getting used to. Still, for most students, the benefits, instant and long-term, outweigh the disadvantages.

With all of these advantages,

Pope Francis: A Figure of Peace and Justice

those experiencing economic and social hardships — something I often found missing in Methodism. While the individual Church I grew up in certainly committed itself to serving those in need, the Methodist Church as a whole lacked a central figure of authority ensuring the consistency of practices. I found that leadership in Pope Francis as he served as a guiding force for Roman Catholic Churches worldwide.

Despite his popularity and ability to live a more extravagant life, Pope Francis chose to do the opposite. Most notably, he lived in the simple Vatican guest house, Casa Santa Marta, over the lavish Apostolic Palace, breaking the long-held tradition of his predecessors.

The life of poverty that Pope Francis lived especially stuck out to me when I visited Vatican City in October as part of the “Synod on Synodality” theology class. My classmates and I had the privilege of attending one of Pope Francis’ papal audiences, where before speaking to the crowd he rode around in his “Popemobile” greeting children with gifts of small religious figures and candy. In those moments, he showed a beautiful sense of humility, interacting with those around him as equals instead of showing any signs of superiority.

Pope Francis’ vow of chastity also sets an extraordinary example for our modern

society to follow. “In a world often marked by distorted forms of affectivity, in which the principle of pleasure … drives people to seek in others the satisfaction of their own needs rather than the joy born of a fruitful encounter,” Pope Francis said. With this, Pope Francis highlights the importance of meaningful and fulfilling relationships, which is essential now more than ever in our 21st century culture of hyper-sexualization.

Extending far beyond the walls of Rome, Pope Francis’ outreach work earned him widespread recognition as the “people’s pope.” Breaking papacy norms of electing Europeans, Pope Francis became the first Latin American and the first Jesuit pope. As a queer Catholic myself, Pope Francis made incredible advances in the Church for us.

Only four months after being elected into the papacy, Pope Francis famously raised the question “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” The sentiment from Pope Francis that it is not his place to judge queer individuals shows us love and compassion over hatred and judgment, as the Pope sets a precedent for the rest of the Church to follow.

A consistent supporter of LGBTQ+ individuals throughout his papacy, in 2023, Pope Francis reiterated to priests the importance of giving all who seek one a blessing, including queer individuals. He

Fordham University must market summer housing and internship opportunities more effectively, sooner and more broadly. Some students aren’t aware that remaining is even an option, or believe it would be prohibitive without realizing that options like working as a Desk Assistant or RA can assist in defraying the cost. A summer spent in New York City during college is a unique experience that pays professional rewards and lifetime memories. From watching a free outdoor movie in Central Park, to riding the subway to a coveted internship in Manhattan’s financial district, to merely enjoying the city over the summer, all Fordham students owe it to themselves to at least stay for one summer during their college career.

said, “The blessing is for everyone … to bless each person, why not? The blessing is for all. Some people were scandalized by this. But why? Everyone!”

The pope extended his sentiment of loving LGBTQ+ individuals and respecting their human dignity to everyone, regardless of their background. The obedience exemplified in religious communities, Pope Francis said, serves as “a prophetic sign for our society” based on listening to each others’ perspectives, “even at the cost of setting aside our own tastes, plans and preferences.”

Above all, I think that promoting dialogue and true listening to each other is Pope Francis’ legacy. The Synod on Synodality, under his guidance, brought over 360 delegates from all dioceses of the world together to discern the future of our beloved Church. While synods have occurred throughout church history, the Synod on Synodality, which took place from October 2023

to October 2024, showcased women’s perspectives, with over 50 participating as voting delegates.

“Precisely at this time, when there is much talk and little listening, and when the sense of the common good is in danger of weakening, the Church as a whole has embarked on a journey to rediscover the word together,” Pope Francis said. “Walk together. Question together. Take responsibility together for community discernment, which for us is prayer, as the first Apostles did: This is synodality, which we would like to make a daily habit in all its expressions,” he said.

Thank you, Holy Father, for your unwavering commitment to dialogue. Thank you for pushing for justice for all of God’s children. Thank you for bringing me to the Church. We will miss you, but we will

Hannah Johnson, GSB ’26, is a finance major from Medfield, Mass.

Hailey Baker, FCRH ’27, is a political science major from Gaithersburg, Maryland.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM NOW

There are many ways to spend a summer day in New York City.

CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM

Tahiyat Raisa, FCRH ’28, is an English major from Queens, New York.

President Tania Tetlow visiting Pope Francis at The Vatican.

TOTE-ally Obsessed!: What’s in Students’ Tote Bags?

By SARAH BOUMLOUKA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Unpopular opinion: I hate purses. They’re way too small to hold everything I need; they’re hard to match with my outfits; and they’re often way out of my price range. I always end up needing to take an extra bag anyway. More often than not, I find myself reaching for my tote bag instead. In fact, I have a pile of at least ten totes sitting under my bed.

It seems that my love for tote bags is not an original experience. Tote bags have taken over Fordham’s — and every other college’s — campus. Backpacks and purses are being replaced with tote bags, and what started as a practical way to carry books and groceries has become an accessory. Whether it’s packed with school supplies, snacks or just a random assortment of free samples (guilty), tote bags have officially stolen the spotlight.

“Tote bags just make sense. They level up your look and carry everything. They are stylish, useful, and way cooler than stuffing my pockets or a bookbag,” said Jadir Wells, who is a junior at Rutgers University.

But what’s in a tote? What do Fordham University students carry with them? In this piece, we’re diving into what’s inside five Fordham students’ totes, and let’s just say it’s totes revealing.

Student number one is yours truly, Sarah Boumlouka, FCRH ’25.

In my tote, I carry a water bottle, headphones, blister band-aids, lip gloss, random receipts, sunglasses, many free samples (Electrolit bottles, Feastables and Micellar Water), keys with hand sanitizer and pepper spray and a portable charger (but strangely, no cable?). I also carry a second tote bag to hold my prayer mat and clothes because, as a Muslim, I try to pray my five daily prayers on time no matter where I am. Fun fact: My portable charger is almost never charged, but I bring it anyway “just in case.”

Student number two is Cindy Liu, FCRH ’26.

In her tote, Liu has powder, a case for her glasses, lip gloss, Aquaphor, her laptop and Kindle, a claw clip, hand sanitizer, a small bag for organization, peppermints and a small wallet and coin purse. Fun fact: Liu notes she is in pajamas because that was the dress code!

Student number three is Rachel Servidio, FCRH ’26. What’s in Servidio’s tote?

A trail mix snack, a Hello Kitty DS, a Sonny Angel, her iPad and phone, a camera (with a pocket she made herself!), a wallet, her lip gloss and lip liner, perfume, keys, two soy sauce packets, sunglasses and her AirPods. Fun fact: Servidio’s DS is the same one she has had since she was seven, and it still works perfectly!

Fordham student number four is Babagbolaga Sogbetun, FCRH ’26.

Sogbetun’s tote contains his lip gloss and lip balm, hand cream, a phone charger, his keys, Altoids, his laptop and a notebook. Fun fact: Sogbetun notes that even though he brings his notebook, he never brings a writing utensil with him, and instead always asks other people for one.

Evidently, tote bags have claimed the role of backpacks and purses on campus. They are practical, stylish and the perfect casual tool for carrying essentials. Even purses in similar forms to tote bags have been popular. Coincidence? I think not. But beyond practicality and style, tote bags have become

a canvas for personal expression. It’s not just about what we carry; it’s about what it says about us.

“I think we’ve seen a shift in the way tote bags are used,” Servidio explained. “They’ve become a way to communicate interests. For instance, my tote is Harry Styles merch, and I’ve connected with

many people who recognized my tote and shared the obsession. They’re not just fashionable or useful; they connect people.”

Tote bags and their contents reveal a lot about a person. From my tote bag, you begin to learn I have a slight hoarding problem. From Servidio and Semper’s, you learn they

are crafty. From Liu’s, you learn she loves reading and from Sogbetun’s, you learn he is organized and takes lip care seriously. A purse doesn’t scream the level of personality a tote does, and a backpack is definitely not as fun.

As a self-proclaimed purse hater — sorry, purse lovers —

The fifth student is Sofia Semper, FCRH ’26.

In Semper’s tote, you’ll find a book, bobby pins, lip gloss, a notebook and pen, gum, cranberry juice, lotion and hand sanitizer. Fun fact: Semper hand-stitched buttons that are the shape of the Hungry Caterpillar onto the front of her tote!

I’m all for the growing tote bag trend. They’re fun, and, most importantly, spacious and decorative enough to easily express who we are. And, of course, there’s the added bonus of carrying a seemingly bottomless pit that can hold everything we need (and probably a few extra things we don’t).

SARAH BOUMLOUKA FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

SARAH BOUMLOUKA FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

SARAH BOUMLOUKA FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

SARAH BOUMLOUKA FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

SARAH BOUMLOUKA FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

You Get Credit for Just Showing Up: ‘Class Dismissed’

By LUSA HOLMSTROM ASST. OPINION EDITOR EMERITUS

For two weeks, unsuspecting passersby on East 4th Street in New York City will have no idea what’s unfolding upstairs in the second-floor auditorium of the La MaMa’s Ellen Stewart Theatre. “Class Dismissed,” an off-Broadway production from the wild minds of Robert Lyons and Daniel Irizarry, tells the story of professors and graduate students losing touch with reality and entering academia induced hallucinations.

On the theater’s website, the show is described as a hopeful imagination of the future that makes use of the whole space — including the audience: “Anticipate your (consensual) participation as we invite the audience onstage to eat bread, drink rum, write on the set with chalk and swap books that you bring to the show.” It also encourages attendees to bring a book, but that they might not leave with the one they came in with.

Upon entry, audience members were directed to the second-floor to mill and mingle before the show. My first sign that this would be a truly interesting night was when I saw a woman in the corner mixing dough and pouring it into three loaf pans before distributing the pans to three “bakers” in the audience. Notes from a trumpet spilled out from behind the theater doors as they creaked open to reveal an actor playing the instrument and beckoning us inside. Instead of the typical theater set-up, there were two rows of foldable chairs on either side of a big room. For

those of us who didn’t know to bring one, a woman wheeled around a cart of books to be used later. The audience was treated like a classroom of students, and over the course of the two-hour show, without your traditional intermission, I was trapped in an introvert’s nightmare and a budding actor’s wildest dream — an interactive piece of performance art.

The spectacle started with an a cappella number sung by three of the show’s four actors, in the dark, with a spotlight on the center of the stage. This was one of the few times they interacted, as the show was broken into “lectures” where each character took center stage. Soon after, a charismatic, purple-haired professor crawled out from behind a stage wall and began his rant about the “intentions of the unknown author.”

The first bit of audience participation involved the man sitting directly in front of me being asked to hit the professor with a pillow. Stranger still, the second eager participant said yes when he asked to lick his forehead, after which, the professor began vigorously peeling a root vegetable, which the audience discovered to be yucca, as the skins ricocheted off of them. The two students in the show exchanged dialogue rife with buzzwords like capitalism, ubiquitous, ambiguous, post-consumer, manifesto and pataphysical that often left my brain swimming with the ingredients to a woke word soup. The only references to the outside world came in one-off mentions of Joseph

Stalin and Friedrich Nietzsche and, if you can believe it, an interlude of Bad Bunny’s “Tití Me Preguntó” that involved the professor riding around the stage on a bike. The final character was another literature professor who waxed lyrical about a mysterious Nancy, writhing around on the floor with pieces of chalk, taking a sponge bath and churning butter from a bag of milk that descended from the ceiling.

Much of the dialogue felt like overhearing two classics majors comparing their favorite philosophers, a conversation that makes no sense to even them, but from which you cannot tear yourself away. At one point, the audience was asked to read aloud simultaneously from our books, causing an audible cacophony not dissimilar to the way my brain felt during the two-hour show. In some

moments, it was difficult to tell whether or not the intention was to make a mockery of woke culture and academic superiority, or if it was telling me that taking more than the requisite two philosophy classes would’ve set me up for success.

Three “lectures” from the end of the performance, the bread was ready. The cast invited the audience onto the floor to enjoy fresh bread, the stage-churned butter and rum. The direction of “Class Dismissed” redefined going out with a bang. In the final minutes, empty doggie bags were handed out during a song about “rush hour at the helipad.” A long sheet of plastic was unspooled and stretched across both rows of audience seating while a tarp was laid out on the floor. The professor came out holding a golden

sphere while the cast walked around with signs that said “solo es melón” and “it’s just watermelon.” To our (I’m speaking for the crowd here) great surprise, the final act of the show was the professor pulverizing the golden watermelon with a baseball bat and it exploding across the room. I left more sure about my stance on audience participation than the true plot of the performance.

When it comes to the New York City arts and culture, I am always game for something new and funky. “Class Dismissed” certainly hit, even surpassed, the mark and would be the perfect venue for any performance-curious individual. Perhaps, however, if you shudder at the thought of eye contact and a beckoning finger from a cast member, it might be best if you skip class.

Building Blocks of Madness in ‘A Minecraft Movie’

By ALESSANDRA SMITH CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“A Minecraft Movie” had a block-busting cinematic debut in early April, triggering a flurry of inescapable references across social media.

“Chicken jockey,” anyone? Or, perhaps, “flint and steel?” The movie’s memeification intensified its popularity in theaters, with ticket sales skyrocketing past $550 million within two weeks. It blew up so fast, one might think the movie stepped too close to a creeper!

The plot in “A Minecraft Movie” is rapid, unclear and downright incomprehensible at times. It follows four offbeat characters who fall into a portal to the Overworld, Minecraft’s imaginative wonderland of endless possibilities. Steve (Jack Black) guides the crew through Minecraft’s fantastical, cubic world to return to reality. There is a through-line of a “return home” mission, yet plot points along the way often feel random and confusing. For example, when Steve and Garett

Garrison (Jason Momoa) are dropped into a boxing ring and battle a chicken jockey, a zombie child atop its trusty steed, a chicken. The scene is so sudden and random that one just has to accept that it’s happening — that Momoa is, in fact, fighting a feral zombie baby — and not ask too many questions. That is the attitude you have to adopt for “A Minecraft Movie.” Don’t ask questions. Don’t think too hard. Don’t question why Jennifer Coolidge has a love arc with a villager. Nothing makes sense, so don’t try to make it.

That being said, the film thrives in its self-awareness. It is unapologetically cringe worthy, from the writing to the actors’ performances. Yes, the plot is sporadic, but it is free. “A Minecraft Movie” is not trying to make great art; it is simply trying to have fun. Black’s performance is the pinnacle of this sentiment. He acts without restraint — his line deliveries are deliciously obnoxious. His facial expressions are exaggerated and silly. Still, Black’s

choices all work, helping transform what should have been a cinematic disaster into an undeniable triumph.

Since I am unfamiliar with the videogame, I asked my friend, Mya Nikitas, FCRH ’25, for her thoughts on “A Minecraft Movie” from a “Crafter” perspective. She loved the movie, stating that it perfectly exemplifies how “you can build and create whatever you want in Minecraft.” Indeed, while the film has its pitfalls, it conveys an essential message to its primarily adolescent audience: embrace creativity and dare to imagine things outside the realm of possibility. You don’t have to be a “Crafter” to appreciate that.

“A Minecraft Movie” is not a spectacular film. It is confusing, obnoxious and brainnumbing. Yet, that is precisely what makes it so great. It is a movie to escape into, to turn your thoughts off and witness what insanity unfolds before you. As someone drastically outside of the film’s target audience, aged 21 and having never

played Minecraft, I can attest that this film exceeded expectations. “A Minecraft Movie” is a delightful, imaginative,

chest-achingly hilarious escape from reality, and I implore everyone to step into its world of blissful spontaneity.

“A Minecraft Movie” was released in theaters on April 4, 2025.

COURTESY OF BRONWEN SHARP

Daniel Irizarry starred in the eccentric performance of “Class Dismissed” at the Ellen Stewart Theatre.

By EMMA LEONARDI

EXEC. COPY EDITOR

With the release of her new single, “What Was That,” Lorde confirms her return to the music scene. Since the “Solar Power” era of 2021, there has been relative radio silence from Lorde. In 2024, the world got the chance to once again see her talent, albeit only a small portion, through her collaboration with Charli xcx on “Girl, so confusing,” as well as her tribute to The Talking Heads via a cover of “Take Me to the River.”

But on April 24, Lorde provided an early release of the first song on her speculated fourth album.

Immediately upon the debut of “What Was That,” it seemed clear to Lorde fans that despite her brief intermission into folk-pop with her

CULTURE

What Was That? Lorde’s Back?

third album, the old Lorde appears to be back. “What Was That” is instrumentally closer to “Melodrama,” with lyrics set to a more alternative beat. However, it isn’t just melodically similar to her second studio album; the specific word usage within the track seems to also point to “Melodrama.” As pointed out by Jason Frank, a Vulture writer, Lorde’s reference to using MDMA (also known as ecstasy or molly) seems to be a not-sosubtle nod to returning to that era, as in an interview with Vogue Lorde had shared that “Melodrama” was inspired by doing MDMA.

It is important to ask if this mention is not only a musical similarity, but also if it is supposed to be a callback to her path as a musician and within her relationships. The

first pre-chorus features the repetition of the lyrics, “Oh I’m missing you” coupled with “And all the things we used to do” before going into the chorus, where she discusses doing MDMA. She also references her Coachella debut with lyrics such as “Indio haze, we’re in a sandstorm” and “Since I was seventeen,” which is the age she was during her first performance at the festival. Lorde notes that this era and the events that happened to her within it might persist in her music, as she sings, “But this is staying a while, I know, It might not let me go.” It remains to be seen if the entire album will be reminiscent of only the “Melodrama” era. Lorde didn’t only bless her fans with a new song, but a music video to go along with it and a live performance in

Washington Square Park, an iconic public space in New York City. The music video features raw footage of Lorde traipsing around the city, ending with scenes from the park. Lorde had sent out a message to her fans via text telling them to meet her “in the park” on April 23, as relayed by Rolling Stone. Before Lorde arrived, fans who were already gathered had been dispersed

by police. Despite this early disbandment, Lorde arrived to a full crowd, where she danced on a platform and blasted her new single live for the first time. The music video premiered on YouTube on April 24 as well. The single topped the charts, her first number one since “Royals” in 2013. With this showing, it’s clear that no matter what is next for Lorde, fans will not be disappointed.

Who’s That Kid? | Darcy Mullane, FCRH ’28

A First-Year and Her Dear Pacific Palisades

By ELIZABETH COLLINS ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

“It is hard for people who have not lived in Los Angeles to realize how radically the Santa Ana figures in the local imagination,” once wrote Joan Didion, an American writer and, to some, most importantly, a California observer. “The city burning is Los Angeles’s deepest image of itself,” Didion said.

Darcy Mullane, FCRH ’28, (one of the many Didion-Los Angeles lovers) is a first-year English major you may find on campus playing with her Fordham University women’s rugby football club team, reading her work at The Rambling House Writing Club or The Ampersand meetings or sitting on Edwards Parade with her head buried in “Devotions” by Mary Oliver. Those lucky enough to know her can say that Mullane wears her heart on her sleeve and pours it into her personal writing, especially regarding her dear Pacific Palisades.

Mullane’s family landed in the Palisades in 2009 after moving from Santa Monica when she was three years old. They lived down the street from the house she and her two siblings would spend much of their childhood in, starting in 2011.

After about 13 years under the same beautiful, charcoal gray roof, Mullane’s father got a job that brought the family to Chicago in August 2024. They moved into an apartment just before Mullane had to settle into her first dorm room and start her first-semester courses; the family decided on their current house while she was at school.

Mullane, however, terribly missed her Californian childhood haven from the start.

Shortly after Christmas Day 2024, she and her family visited Los Angeles. While her father and siblings avoided Pacific Palisades (Mullane describes going back to somewhere they spent so long in as “too emotional”), Mullane went to see her friends, adding that she wanted to “just be there again.”

Five days later, after returning to Chicago, Mullane, sitting in her living room and scrolling on Instagram she saw a picture of the Palisades Starbucks building she had spent “so many hours in” ignited in flames. She frantically found a fire-tracking map and saw that rapidly moving wildfires had reached land just above her old street. “It’s gone,” she recalls thinking of her beloved, old home.

The Palisades Fires began on Jan. 7, 2025, in the Santa Monica Mountains and quickly spread to Pacific Palisades, Topanga and Malibu areas.

Over 20,000 acres of land were burned, and more than 6,000 structures (primarily homes) were destroyed before the flames were completely contained on Jan. 31. It is the most destructive wildfire Los Angeles has ever seen, and the third-most destructive in California history.

Within the first day of the growing fires, a friend of the family messaged them a photograph taken from the bottom of Mullane’s old street (which was a part of the Palisades’ famously charming “alphabet streets”), and it was all gone. Mullane’s old house was one of the oldest in Pacific Palisades, dating back about 100 years.

“It was a really special place to grow up,” Mullane remarked about that house, with love in her eyes. The chimney had an “S” on the side of it, and her family always said it was

for her little brother, Sebastian. She also remembers her baby brother taking his first steps inside. Her backyard was beautiful, with a pool and trampoline; they hosted Mullane’s quinceañera party there and “so, so many birthdays.” She and her older sister, Nellie, shared a bright pink bedroom before she moved into the guest room. “It was just a really pretty house, too,” she said.

Above all, Mullane loved that her home was a place of gathering. Although her friends lived far in the San Fernando Valley, they would come to stay at her house. Mullane’s friends had each other’s locations on their phones, and when one of them came by her house, Mullane would get a notification that they had “arrived at Paradise.”

After she moved out, her best friend Michelle sent Mullane a photo of her old house with the text “Just missing Paradise.”

Once it was burned, friends continued to send Mullane pictures. “It just kind of warms my heart,” she said. “That people loved that house so much that they visited it again even when it was gone.”

In addition to her commitment to talking about her hometown, she also contributed a poem titled “Eulogy of Pacific Palisades” to the Ampersand’s most recently published magazine.

“I just want to express my love for [Los Angeles] in general,” Mullane said. “It’s just one of the most beautiful cities in the world … You can be driving through skyscrapers for one second, but then you see the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world, and then you’re driving by the beach.”

She remembers her near40-minute drive to her high school every morning, which consisted of “driving through the Palisades, and then driv-

ing down [the Pacific Coast Highway], which was right by the beach.”

She says, “Sometimes we’d see dolphins in the mornings; we’d see the sunrise sometimes … Then, we’d drive through Topanga Canyon, which was also kind of burned down; that canyon was just winding roads and mountains. So pretty. Then, you’d get to the top of Topanga and see the whole San Fernando Valley.” She loved it. How could you not?

Mullane also wants to emphasize that “these fires are real.” She explains a lack of understanding of these disasters she and those she knows have noticed when interacting with others, an issue she believes is accentuated by the distance between the East and West coasts. “A lot of people tell you ‘sorry,’ but I don’t think people realize how crazy and real it actually is … Because they’re so disconnected from it all,” she said.

Moving forward, Mullane plans to visit the Palisades. “I want to go back and see it …

I still feel like I haven’t really processed it. I’ve seen pictures, and my friends have texted me about it, but I just feel like I haven’t realized that it’s all gone,” she said. Mullane also hopes to someday move back to Los Angeles, “It wouldn’t be the same if I couldn’t go back to the Palisades … But I would consider moving back to LA because it is my home. Still. It will always be my home,” she said.

One of Mullane’s favorite poems by her adored Mary Oliver reads, “We shake with joy, we shake with grief. What a time they two have, housed as they are in the same body.” Mullane told me her father once found a photo of her Pacific Palisades home in the local library — it was taken in its early days, when the house stood alone on a large plot of land, before any neighborhood was built around it. Today, that photo hangs, framed, outside Mullane’s Chicago bedroom, forever holding all the great grief and unending joy.

ELIZABETH COLLINS/THE FORDHAM RAM Mullane’s former home in the Pacific Palisades was destroyed in the L.A. fires.

CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM

Lorde’s new single “What Was That” marks a return to her roots.

CULTURE

“CHASE YOUR DREAMS” at the Grammy U Conference

By ELIZABETH CORALLO CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“CHASE YOUR DREAMS” was written in bright, white letters on the back of the young artist’s jacket.

He was in the front row of the audience at Racket NYC, staring up, awestruck, at Coco Jones, who was sitting on a pink couch with Grammy awards surrounding her as she spoke about her latest album at the Grammy U Conference in downtown Manhattan on Friday, April 25.

“I feel like it’s not even real,” Jones said. “I can’t believe that it’s finally out. It was just in my notes app, and now it’s out. It’s kind of surreal.”

Jones released her first album, “Why Not More?” just hours before speaking at the Grammy U Conference in the first keynote discussion of the event entitled, “Crafting a Multifaceted Career.” Although Jones is a Grammy winner for the category Best R&B Performance in 2024 for her song “ICU” she is also well-known in the acting community for her work as a teenager on Disney Channel. Most notably, Jones played Roxie in the Disney Channel Original Movie, “Let it Shine” (2012).

“As a kid, this didn’t feel real for me. I was like, this is the land of dreams,” Jones said. “To me, all that really mattered was singing my heart out. It was all perfect until I got older and learned about the business side of things.”

Everybody has a dream. The dream that you’ve had since you were a kid, the one that you only reach for when you’re falling asleep at night. It’s the dream that you fantasize about, obsess over and continuously fall in love with throughout your life.

Some people call it a pipe dream, and others, who are much more fortunate than the rest, like Coco Jones, call it reality.

For the man in the first row with the “CHASE YOUR DREAMS” jacket, as well as most of the audience at the Grammy U Conference, that dream is to be in the music industry. Whether that’s as singer, DJ, producer or rock star, the young artists and music professionals filling the conference room were gathered there to get one step closer to their dream.

“My purpose in coming today was to get my foot in the door and find an opportunity that helps me develop as an artist,” said Nadir Lumos, a pop and trap/R&B artist from Atlanta, Georgia. Lumos was attending the event with his best friend as a Grammy U Member. He said he attended the conference because he wanted to meet music professionals from various labels and companies, especially mRoc Nation. He said he

dreams of being a superstar someday and is grateful to be at an event that brings him closer to that goal.

“I was at my top peak when I entered [the event] being surrounded by people who love music,” Lumos said.

“Just being able to experience this is a blessing and something that I’m super grateful for.”

The conference began at 2 p.m. on Friday and was scheduled to end around 10:30 p.m. The first two hours were dedicated to a Career Center and Networking Mixer, where Grammy U members could meet and talk to professionals from around the music industry, including representatives from Amazon Music, Roc Nation, Sony and more. There was a coffee bar serving raspberry matcha, a headshot station and a resume review area where recruiters met with members looking for advice on securing a job in the industry.

“It’s a good source for talent,” said Taylor, a music business recruiter at the resume review area. “We love giving back and coming to events like this. It can be a tough market, so I encourage everyone to stay persistent.”

Beyond networking with professionals who work directly in the music industry, attendees could also meet representatives from local not-for-profit organizations that offer benefits and resources for various communities, such as Women in Music, The Digilogue and Girls Make Beats.

“We just launched our women’s network a few months ago now, so it’s been really exciting to tell women about that and different mentorship opportunities, and to be on the lookout for courses that we now have for women,” Yasmine said, the New York Social Media Manager

and lead for Girls Make Beats. This not-for-profit organization teaches girls and young women how to DJ, audio engineer and produce music, with chapters in New York City, Los Angeles and Miami.

“We offer these courses to the communities like the ones I come from — underfunded, barely any books — so to see them be able to dive into this and take it on within a week really blows my mind,” said Yasmine. A Paterson, New Jersey, native, she spoke about her passion for the organization, its work in her own community and skills that she has learned from being a part of it.

After the networking event, there was an hour-long dinner break before the first keynote speaker, Coco Jones, took the stage and shared her own journey of success and of her dreams coming true for the hungry artists in the audience. Jones was electric onstage — funny, relatable and full of energy from the moment she greeted the roaring crowd. She offered pieces of advice for the artists and fans in the crowd that addressed every major concern a young musician could have, ranging from how to collaborate with other artists to how to stay persistent in a judgmental and difficult industry.

“As you learn more about the world, things can disappoint you, and that can shift your perspective of yourself,” Jones said. “What I had to do as an artist to survive that was to shift my mindset to, ‘It’s still gonna be me, even if it doesn’t happen through this route, it’s still going to be me.’ You kinda gotta look a little crazy.”

Her words struck a chord with Madeleine Veras, a freshman from Temple University, who dreams of working in the music event industry.

“She’s awesome,” Veras

videos in your bedroom. There was a lot going on within the conference, as well as behind the scenes. Fordham alum of the Gabelli School of Business graduate program, India Sahai, is the New York Chapter representative and one of the event leads. She said that a year ago, she was a Fordham graduate student volunteering at the 2024 Grammy U Conference, and now she is helping to run it.

“You get really into the nitty gritty and close to the team really quickly,” said Sahai. “Getting into the music industry can be so discouraging, so having a community like this post-graduation has been so nice.”

said. “She’s inspirational, and it was very realistic, what she was saying. It’s stuff that all of us can implement in our daily lives.”

After the keynote with Coco Jones, there was a panel discussion, “Grammy U LIVE: Sync, Sound, and Strategy,” with professionals from the music business industry like Rigo Morales (A&R Executive), Bob Bruderman, chief digital officer of Kobalt Music, and Blu DeTiger, an artist, bassist and producer. They each spoke about different parts of the music business industry, from discovering artists to songwriting for advertisements and even brand deals with companies like Fender.

Morales, a music executive who has worked with major artists in hip-hop and pop, such as Eminem and Rihanna, spoke directly to the young artists in the crowd about what it takes to make their dreams into their full-time reality, and how the industry has changed in the world of social media.

“Drive is going to be the thing that gets you from point A to point Z,” Morales said. “But I want to be real while I’m on this stage. The business is crazy right now and it’s all data driven.”

The importance of social media in the entertainment industry was explored in the final discussion of the day, “Influencing the Industry: How Content Creators are Redefining Media” with the host of “What’s Poppin?” on TikTok, Davis Burleson; acapella TikTokers, Anthony Gargiula and Jonathan Tilkin; Julian Shapiro-Barnam, host of the TikTok show “Recess Therapy;” and moderated by Tigg Baira, host of “Street Hearts” on TikTok. This panel was full of inspirational quotes from the internet and real-life stories of how to generate success from making

Sahai dreams of being an A&R Executive and is currently being mentored by Rich Christina at Warner Chappell Music through the Grammy U mentorship program, which pairs artists and creatives with music professionals around the country in their desired fields. Although Sahai was a singer originally, she said that she dreams of a career with more stability and fewer gigs, but that her background and passion for music are why she wants to work directly with up and coming artists.

“I get it, and I want to help,” said Sahai. “Whether that’s discovering talent or helping talent relations — anything that helps their campaign or brand in a way that is authentic to them.”

The second day of the conference included a breakfast followed the “Grammy Unwrapped: ‘Family Business’ with Lawrence” discussion where three members of the band Lawrence talked about their new album, “Family Business,” and their musical family. Shortly after was the final keynote, “Reimagining Contemporary Music with Laufey,” where the Grammy winning jazz musician talked about making classical styles popular again with her music.

To finish off the event, there was, naturally, music.

The Grammy U Conference ended with a Showcase where three Grammy U member performers — Isea, The Jax Experience and The Millers — took the stage and showcased their dreams and passion for music. The showcase was headlined by five-time Grammy winner and jazz artist Samara Joy.

The Grammy U Conference was most definitely long, but the opportunities were absolutely timeless. Young artists met with peers from around the country, heard advice from career professionals who can make their dreams come true and, most importantly, were inspired to keep chasing their dreams.

“Delulu is true true,” Coco Jones jokingly commented.

ELIZABETH CORALLO FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

Coco Jones, musician and actor, served as one of the key speakers at this year’s Grammy-U Conference.

CULTURE

Love at First Glance? More Like One-Dimensional Drama

By PATIENCE EDOSA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I went into the book “One Day in December” hoping for a cozy, romantic read about serendipity and enduring love. Instead, I found a story full of one-dimensional relationships, unrealistic emotional leaps and characters who frustrated me much more than they moved me.

The premise had promise: Laurie James sees a man through a bus window and she instantly feels a deep, lifechanging connection. They lock eyes, the bus pulls away, and she wonders what could have been. Fast forward, and the mystery man, Jack O’Mara, reappears in her life … as her best friend Sarah’s new boyfriend. This tension could have made for a compelling, slow-burn love story, but instead, the novel takes a nosedive into shallow romantic tropes, lazy character development and a strange obsession with lust masquerading as love. Let’s just say there was a good reason Laurie only had one bridesmaid at her wedding, and she didn’t even show up.

Let’s start with Laurie. Supposedly, we’re meant to root for her as the heart of this tangled love triangle, but I couldn’t find anything to connect with. She claims to be swept away by this epic, soulmate-level connection with Jack, but it all stems from a single glance on a bus. One look and suddenly she’s in love? That’s not romance — I would call it infatuation, and it never develops beyond that. It’s a shaky foundation, and the book never bothers to build on it. The author, Josie Silver, does a lot of telling, but there is very little showing.

Laurie treats Sarah, her roommate and best friend, terribly. We do not know much about Sarah besides her being Jack’s girlfriend and Laurie’s best friend; aside from being more beautiful than Laurie, there is not much beyond that about her character. Not only does Laurie not tell her that Jack is the busboy, but she betrays her trust when she goes behind her back and kisses him.

Sometimes, I felt that Laurie could’ve been more fleshed out as a character with proper emotional development and backstory. Still, there were times when I felt she only mentioned her dead sister (one of the only dimensional things about her) when she was alone with Jack to get him to feel sorry for her, so she would have an excuse to feel whatever romantic feelings she had for him.

Jack was just annoying. He dated Sarah for three years, knowing he didn’t actually love her — he was just attracted to her looks. He strung Laurie along the whole time, giving her just enough attention to keep her emotionally hooked, only to disappear and end up with another beautiful actress or television presenter. It honestly felt like he was in denial the whole time because Laurie wasn’t “hot enough” compared to the other girls he could get. Then there was a scene where Laurie calls him crying about her dad dying, and he gets “rock hard.” That is disgusting. She’s grieving, and it turned him on because she needed him that badly? Then Jack throws a temper tantrum, ripping off Laurie’s necklace, yelling at her and basically demanding sex because he was going through it, and in the next breath, he calls her pathetic. It was giving

‘SABLE,

By LUSA HOLMSTROM

ASST. OPINION EDITOR EMERITUS

Six years after their most recent album, “i,i,” Bon Iver has resurfaced with “SABLE, fABLE.” Often misunderstood as its namesake, the band’s frontman, Justin Vernon, described the album as “really just a keystone for healing and growing away from this time period where I felt trapped,” in an interview with Zane Lowe. Across 13 tracks, Vernon and his bandmates explore uncontrollable love, newfound confidence and gratitude.

“SABLE, fABLE” is split into disc one and disc two, which are envisioned as “SABLE” and “fABLE,” and have four and nine tracks, respectively. “SABLE” has much more of a somber, old Bon Iver feel, whereas on “fABLE,” listeners find radiant joy where they might not expect it. In an interview with the New York Times, Vernon described the two halves: “[t]hat’s sort of

man-child energy. Jack wasn’t romantic; he was manipulative and narcissistic, and the book only made excuses for him. His actions constantly undermine the people he claims to care about, and even his big, dramatic moment, an accident that seems like it should spark emotional growth, feels hollow. It’s like it was thrown in just to try and make him sympathetic, and it didn’t work. I didn’t care anymore, I just felt manipulated.

Another absurd part of the story is the author’s insistence that Jack had to be invited to dinners and the wedding because he and Laurie were supposedly “best friends.” Laurie always mentioned a “friend group,” this supposed trio, but let’s be honest, Sarah was her only friend. Everyone else just kind of floats in and out without much weight. She talks constantly about her family without revealing anything substantial about them, and despite being presented as thoughtful or introspective, she makes deeply questionable choices, like kissing her best friend’s boyfriend. That’s not “love against all odds,” that’s just messy and selfish.

And then there’s Oscar. Poor, boring and bland Oscar. Honestly, I wanted to root for him. He’s introduced as someone who actually likes Laurie for who she is, and he brings some normalcy into her otherwise chaotic romantic life. But even that relationship feels like a placeholder. They go on one date, sleep together once and then ... marriage? Really? That’s supposed to be the love that wins? Laurie admits they work well together, but pushes it away because she’s still clinging to a dream of Jack. It’s

fABLE’

what the ‘Sable’ thing is about: ‘Stay in the darkness, young man.’ And that’s no way to live. ‘Fable’ is: windows down, sunshine, everything is peaceful love — I love you.” For fans of Bon Iver, this new release rings truer to the peaceful tunes and simple production of their 2007 hit, “For Emma, Forever Ago.”

The album opens with a 12-second instrumental that eases into “Things Behind Things Behind Things,” a beautifully simple track about life’s uncertainty, Vernon singing “I am afraid of changing” atop a guitar melody and jumping drumline. The final track of disc one, “Awards Season,” features Vernon singing almost a cappella over a soft hum. It acts as a response to “Things Behind Things,” perhaps in a change of tone brought about by years of personal growth: “And you know what is great? Nothing stays the same.” If the overarching theme of disc one was fear of the

frustrating to watch, not heartbreaking. Oscar also comes off as more sexual than emotional. His comments are often laced with innuendo, and his personality never gets the space to develop into something real. We barely know anything about him besides that he wants to be with Laurie, is from a rich background with a snobby mother and says inappropriate things. It’s a missed opportunity, just like most of the relationships in this book.

The pacing throughout the novel is all over the place. Months and years pass in a few pages, while some scenes drag with internal monologues that don’t deepen our understanding of the characters. Silver doesn’t know how to balance time with development, and as

a result, moments that should feel emotional or transformative just fall flat. What disappointed me the most was how the novel tries to sell a version of love that feels hollow. Real love takes time, depth and mutual understanding, not stolen glances, surface-level tension or impulsive decisions disguised as fate. The novel leans so heavily on the fantasy of “meant to be” that it forgets to give us any real reason to root for these people. Their chemistry isn’t earned; it’s assumed. I didn’t believe in the friendships. I didn’t believe in the love story. Maybe “One Day in December” works for readers who want to believe that love is instant and destiny-driven, but it didn’t work for me.

Sees Bon Iver Break Free

unknown, disc two opens the windows and lets it all in. Disc two, or “fABLE,” opens with “Short Story,” in which January is used as a metaphor for winter: “January ain’t the whole world.” In a BBC interview, Vernon explained that he used this comparison because “winter can sometimes be very bad, and I just wanted to tell myself, it’s not going to last forever, spring will come.” Track four, “Day One,” features Dijon and Flock of Dimes, and brings back a bit of the electronic funk recognizable from “i,i” in 2019. In the BBC interview, Vernon explained that he had asked Flock of Dimes (who joined Bon Iver in 2018) to write a part in the song for Bonnie Raitt, whom he named as his “number one favorite artist of all time.” When Flock of Dimes sent it back, however, Vernon was so wowed by the track that he kept it for the final mix.

“From,” the fifth track of disc two, was my immediate

favorite off the album. Vernon sings in his signature brassy falsetto, “from now on, don’t let it trouble your mind, just take my love in your time.” The beat makes you want to bop your head, wave your hand out the car window, tap your feet under your desk. A choir of background vocals lifts up his melody and is supported by a mix of acoustic

and

For listeners looking for the creature comforts of old Bon Iver album, look no further than the short and sweet disc one. But if, like Vernon, you’re seeking a soundtrack of upbeat love and exuberant joy, for the very first time ever, there’s a Bon Iver album just for you.

CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM “One Day in December” is an inaccurate portrayal of how love looks and functions.

CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM

The album is a mix of somber and some upbeat vibes tracks and melodies.

electric guitar. Quite the shift from the man behind “Skinny Love.”

By MOLLY FRIEDMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

About a month into the 162game MLB regular season, the New York baseball teams are beginning to hint at where they will rank by the end of the season, and how accurate the predictions of sports analysts are panning out to be. The New York Mets have begun the season on a hot streak, leading the National League with a 19-9 record. The New York Yankees have had a promising start to the season, with clear areas they can build upon; their current record is 17-11, which ranks second in the American League.

The Mets’ off-season moves are paying off; the team has won three out of four of its recent series, two of which were sweeps. Their team earned run average (ERA) ranks the lowest in the majors right now at 2.53, displaying the strength of their bullpen, which includes stars like Clay Holmes, Tylor Megill and Edwin Díaz. The middle of the Mets’ lineup features some of the most revered power hitters in the game, Juan Soto and Pete Alonso. Soto, who signed the largest baseball contract in history during the offseason, is not putting up the numbers the Mets coaching staff was expecting. He is hitting with an average of .248 with three home runs and 12 RBIs. Soto received some pushback after a comment was made about

By AARYAN SAMA STAFF WRITER

Liverpool’s 2024-25 season has been one to remember for the Kop, looking set to lift their 20th league title. However, fans have still been riddled with the club’s contract situation, with three stars’ contracts expiring in June 2025. At last, this situation looks to be somewhat settled, with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk both inking twoyear extensions to their current contracts.

The good news began on April 10, announcing Salah’s extension with the caption “More in than out.” This alludes to an earlier quote after an away win at Manchester United, where he told the press that he was “more out than in” regarding his stay at the Merseyside club. The festivities continued a mere seven days later, announcing captain van Dijk’s extension, saying, “It was always Liverpool.” The third player, English right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, is currently ready to depart his boyhood club for Spanish giants Real Madrid. While there is no official confirmation of this transfer yet, reliable sources, including writer Fabrizio Romano, state that the transfer is in its final stages. All three are coming off stellar seasons with crucial involvements in the upcoming league title, most notably Salah, who is currently

Early 2025 New York MLB Update

the lack of power in the Mets’ lineup. He remarked on the difference it made having one of the best power hitters in the lineup behind him, referring to his 2024 season with the Yankees and Aaron Judge. At this point in the season, the Mets are proving to be a hard team to beat and are looking to be a strong contender for the 2025 playoffs. Right now, the Mets rank 18 out of 30 teams for total home runs, which surprised me with such big names on their roster, yet they ranked number one in this week’s MLB power rankings. The team is also dealing with some injuries from top contenders. Jose Siri and Frankie Montas are both on the injured list but are expected to make their returns around early June. These additions to the

roster could continue to increase the Mets’ prospects. The team faced a tough walk-off on Sunday afternoon, but looked to even the series and move on from the loss. If the Mets can take offensive opportunities and turn them into clutch hits and have more reliable bullpen consistency, they could prove even more of a threat to their National League opponents. Across town in the Bronx, the Yankees have had a somewhat turbulent but ultimately very encouraging start to their season. They have won three out of four of their last series. The Yankees team numbers are proving to be very strong, leading in onbase percentage, slugging, home runs and batting average against opponents. Aaron Judge has had a phenomenal start, putting up incomparable numbers; he

leads the league with an average of .406 and a .717 slugging percentage. While his home runs are not the most in the league, he still contributes substantially to the team’s success with 27 RBIs, which is second in the league. Along with Judge, youngsters Ben Rice and Austin Wells are proving themselves irreplaceable parts of the lineup, and newly acquired, long-time Cardinal Paul Goldschmidt is in second behind Judge in the league with an average of .365.

Areas of struggle for the Yankees have been consistent pitching and utilizing runners in scoring position. Their team ERA of 3.70 ranks 11th in the MLB, not where manager Aaron Boone would want the bullpen. With star ace Gerrit Cole and 2024 Rookie of the Year Luis Gil on the

What’s Next for Liverpool?

leading the league in both goals and assists. As Liverpool’s future at the top looks closer to being secure, the job is certainly far from finished. Liverpool’s poor performance in the Champions League knockouts, the Football Association Challenge Cup and the English Football League Cup (also known as the Carabao Cup) is surely a cause for concern. Liverpool looks to strengthen a non-clinical attack, a tired midfield and a blunder-prone defense. Alexander-Arnold’s exit will certainly be a huge blow to Liverpool’s ability to challenge for titles next year. While he does play in a defensive position at right-back, he is arguably most important to Liverpool’s offensive creativity, holding the record for most assists as a Premier League

defender in history.

That being said, one can argue he is also a defensive liability as he doesn’t track back enough, which leads to goals conceded. Liverpool also employs the young Northern Irishman Conor Bradley, who has performed strongly at the position but has also proven to be injury-prone. Moreover, with van Dijk’s extension, he could also use more depth in terms of a partner, as Ibrahima Konaté is known to pick up injuries or go on a bad run of form occasionally. The left-back position can also be improved with Scottish legend Andrew Robertson’s form fading over the last few years. Nevertheless, Liverpool certainly needs to bring in defensive reinforcements this summer.

In Jürgen Klopp’s final

injured list, the starting rotation lacks the depth it once had. New trade acquisition Max Fried has been a substantial addition to the rotation with a blistering ERA of 1.43. Newly appointed closer Luke Weaver continues to be as dominant as ever after a highly successful 2024 season, coming as relief pitching and in a few save opportunities.

Devin Williams, who was acquired in a trade from the Brewers in the offseason, was supposed to fill the role of the weapon closer. Still, he has yet to come in and prove his talent. Williams was solely responsible for the Yankees’ loss on Friday, April 25, against the Toronto Blue Jays, where he gave up three runs in the top of the ninth. Williams remains a liability for this team. The Yankees will be a threat if they dial in their pitching and take risks with runners in scoring position. More bold base running moves from young players such as Anthony Volpe and Oswaldo Cabrera could set this team apart. The Yankees and the Mets will face each other in the highly anticipated Subway Series on May 16 through 18 at Yankee Stadium. This three-game series will be the first test of which New York baseball team is performing better. It will also be the first time Soto returns to Yankee Stadium after the gut-wrenching loss of game six in the World Series, which gave the championship title to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

season as manager, he signed midfielders Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endō, who have all proven to be instrumental to Liverpool’s title win. The first three have tended to be in the starting lineup, whereas Endō is developing a “cult legend” status through his high-energy performances, being substituted on in the dying minutes of the game. However, as the season has progressed, players such as Szoboszlai and Gravenberch have been regressing in terms of performance, and it can be inferred that the lack of midfield rotation is a key factor in the recent lackluster performances. Liverpool does actually have good depth in the midfield with Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Endō, but manager Arne Slot

does not seem to believe they can start games. They could probably bring in another midfielder or two this summer, but one can say that a future Liverpool legend is not on the transfer market but is currently sitting on the bench. Finally, in terms of attack, Salah’s extension is integral to the club’s success, but the other two spots in the front three often tend to underperform. On paper, they’re brilliant, with the likes of Cody Gakpo, Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa. That being said, Núñez looks set to depart the club, whereas Gakpo, Diaz and Jota are on a run of underwhelming games, and Chiesa isn’t trusted enough by Slot to get minutes. Therefore, the most essential position Liverpool needs to improve is the striker position, so Salah’s playmaking and creativity don’t go to waste. Jota is certainly not good enough to start for the club in 2025, and links to Julián Álvarez and Alexander Isak seem too good to pass up.

Overall, the extensions on the van Dijk and Salah contracts are music to the ears of any Scouser. However, despite the upcoming league title, Liverpool has a lot to improve on if it plans to contend for more titles in the following seasons. Nevertheless, the two positions that are cemented for the next two years (at least) are the right-wing and center-back spots.

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Liverpool players Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have both signed two-year contract extensions.

MARY HAWTHORN/THE FORDHAM RAM

The New York Mets and New York Yankees have had slightly different good starts to the 2025 season.

Rams Defeated in Heartbreaking A-10 Semis

By JOE HENRY ASST. SPORTS EDITOR EMERITUS

Fordham Women’s Tennis arrived in Orlando, Florida, last Tuesday night with the hope of claiming their second Atlantic 10 Championship title in three years.

The Rams finished their regular season with a stellar 15-4 record, winning their last seven matches and finishing with an 8-0 record against conference competition. Over the course of those matches, the Rams possessed a degree of professionalism that seemed poised to bring them to the promised land. They also brought joy and confidence to every court they stepped foot on. The result was an unrivaled team chemistry marked by positivity and a shared goal: to lift Fordham back to the mountaintop of the A-10.

Even off the court, this team carried a special air about itself. Before boarding their flight Tuesday night, the team played doubles near the bag check — the net? A bunch of suitcases arranged in a line.

“The environment at Fordham is so healthy for the players. Everyone’s really happy here. It just allows us to keep the vibes really high all the time,” said senior Lorraine Bergmann before the team began tournament play.

Despite the team’s lighthearted nature, this was a locked in Fordham team that meant business. “Coach [Michael Sowter] always says ‘let’s get this business done’ before our matches, so we all have this professionalism instilled in us,” remarked Bergmann.

The team’s advantages did stretch beyond their demeanor,

though. Having swept their last five opponents in the regular season — not surrendering a point in over a month — the group entered play with fresh legs as well.

By all metrics, Fordham entered the tournament as the conference’s best team. The number 1-seeded Rams enjoyed a first-round bye on Thursday, taking the time to scout their opponents and cheer on their male counterparts.

On Friday morning, they decimated their quarterfinal matchup, the University of Dayton Flyers, 4-0.

The Rams jumped to a 1-0 lead in doubles behind strong play from their second and third pairings, as senior Lorraine Bergmann and sophomore Lily Chitambar won 6-2, and freshmen Paola Ueno Dalmonico and Catalina Padilla Udaeta won 6-1.

In singles, the Rams were competing more against each other than the other team — the objective was to win as fast as possible while expending as little energy as possible. Winning the sprint were junior Nevena Kolarevic, Bergmann and Padilla, who each won in straight sets.

At the start of the weekend, Bergmann had said that the group’s mentality was “win fast, lose slow.”

“It takes just four points to clinch. Even if you’re playing poorly, it’s so important to stay on the court as long as you can for both yourself and your teammates,” said junior Aya Matsunaga in regards to the philosophy.

A day later, embracing the motto, Fordham embarked on a

Athletes of the Week

On the road at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) on Saturday, graduate student pitcher Mike Rabayda was a catalyst for an 11-1 Fordham win. Rabayda tossed a complete game, the first complete game by a Fordham pitcher since 2021. He allowed just one run on six hits with seven strikeouts over nine innings, his best performance of the season. The big win brought the Rams to an overall record of 21-23 and 11-9 in the Atlantic 10 conference. Rabayda was awarded A-10 Co-Pitcher of the Week for his effort.

Senior Lorraine Bergmann closed out her illustrious Fordham Women’s Tennis career at her final Atlantic 10 Championships in Orlando, Florida. In the first round, Bergmann helped the Rams clinch a 4-0 shutout defeat over the University of Dayton Flyers. She teamed with sophomore Lily Chitambar on second doubles and they won 6-1, and later won third singles 6-3, 6-2. In the semifinals against VCU, Bergmann picked up another victory at second doubles alongside Chitambar, 6-1. She was defeated in third singles by VCU’s Mariam Ibrahim in the semifinals to close out her college tennis career.

three-and-a-half hour marathon with #5 Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) — a running of the Rams for the ages.

The competition opened with doubles, where Fordham had the clear upper hand. The team secured the point at third doubles, where a deftly placed shot at the net from Dalmonico clinched a thrilling 6-4 win.

At singles, two disparate stories quickly emerged.

Unsurprisingly, in the #1 slot, it was the A-10’s best singles player, Kolarevic, making quick work of her foe, 6-1, 6-2. Kolarevic finished the season an astounding 13-0 in singles. Between her postseason heroics and regular season dominance, the Serbian native seems primed to earn A-10 Performer of the Year. She would be the third-ever Ram to hold the title.

Meanwhile, on every other court, the Rams had to fight from behind. Padilla, who stormed her way to a 6-0, 6-0 win at sixth the morning prior, fell 4-6, 4-6. Dalmonico and sophomore Julianne Nguyen were valiant in two-set defeats — both came back from major deficits in set one before being bested, and both battled before surrendering close defeats in their second sets.

Like that, VCU turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead. They would need one more win to clinch a finals appearance.

As the match waned Fordham’s stamina advantage kicked in,

warranting comeback efforts from Bergmann and Chitambar at third and fourth singles — each forced third sets after being ousted in the opening frame.

With all eyes on the middle courts, Chitambar was in a dead heat at fourth. Peering left after each point, she glimpsed her doubles partner, Bergmann, playing with her career on the line. In a thrilling match between two A-10 mainstays, Bergmann and VCU’s Mariam Ibrahim, in the end it was Ibrahim who shut the door. The final line: 6-0, 7-5, 6-4. Even as Bergmann played from even or behind for nearly the entire match, the senior embodied the Rams’ undying spirit with every point. Facing a 40-15 deficit on match-point, Bergmann rallied to even the score before coming an inch short of clearing the net with her final shot.

As the reality of the situation sunk in — the end of a career and the end of a season — the entire team ran to her in support.

One of the Rams’ finest, Bergmann retires having helped Fordham capture its first A-10 trophy in 2023.

Bergmann’s ultimate goal, while unfulfilled, was born out of a selfless love for her team: “I remember winning [A-10s] when I was a sophomore — I want all my teammates to feel that feeling. It’s truly the best one in the world, and we are so ready for it. We can all see the finish line,” the New York native passionately

postulated before the tournament got underway. While they didn’t get to soak in that glorious feeling this year, Bergmann’s wish lives on in these Rams.

Fordham has a chance to return all seven of its non-graduating players. The world-class Kolarevic will be a senior, as will Matsunaga and Sofie Siem. The everreliable Nguyen and Chitambar will become juniors, while the outstanding rookies, Padilla and Dalmonico, will enter their sophomore year.

Bergmann won’t be on the court to help bolster Fordham’s chances going forward, but her leadership and exemplary play are forever embedded in the Hawthorn/Rooney clay. When the Rams return to Rose Hill for the 2025-26 season, their alwaysstrong home court advantage — the team is 10-0 at home in their past two seasons — will feel a little bit stronger.

The Rams will have another marathon ahead of them, but it seems likely that they will be back at the finish line in Orlando next year.

When they make it back, expect them to bring that same mixture of maturity and joy with them. Expect them to earn a first-round bye. Expect them to loosen up by playing doubles in the airport. And, maybe, expect them to have to pay a carry-on fee for a championship trophy on the sweet plane ride home back home to the Bronx.

Varsity Calendar

Mike Rabayda Graduate Student Baseball

Lorraine Bergmann Senior Tennis

University of Rhode Island

Junior Nevena Kolarevic competes at the Atlantic 10 Championship in Orlando.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

By KURT SIPPEL STAFF WRITER

The New York Islanders, once a revered franchise in the NHL, have fallen on hard times. In the 1980s, the Islanders won four straight Stanley Cups, only one of two teams to ever achieve such a feat.

But since that point, there has been a mix of bad decisions and leadership dysfunction that have made them less revered and more of a laughingstock.

After their poor season, the Islanders missed the playoffs for the first time in two years. The first move that the Islanders made at the end of the season was to fire General Manager (GM) Lou Lamoriello, who had been with the organization since 2018.

Every part of the Islanders organization has been affected by Lamoriello’s presence. Under his tenure as GM, the Islanders made the playoffs five times and got to the conference finals twice in 2020 and 2021.

Lamoriello, at 82 years old, ran the organization the oldschool way with a strict no facial hair policy. He was a builder throughout his career as an NHL GM, and his time in Long Island should be remembered fondly by fans as he helped build a few Stanley Cup-contending teams since the 1980s.

His tenure as GM was a successful one for the Islanders, even with many ups and downs.

The Islanders Are Lost At Sea

But Lamoriello is not the only thing that the Islanders are deciding to move on from. The team has also fired longtime radio voice and play-byplay announcer Chris King, along with color commentator Greg Picker.

King has been broadcasting for the Islanders since 1998 and Picker since 2013. This announcement has been a dagger in the hearts of many Islanders fans.

The Islanders, looking for a few cost-cutting efforts, are now looking to simulcast their games from the television broadcast on Madison Square Garden (MSG) Networks to the radio. This is not an uncommon practice, as other NHL

teams have done it before, notably the Carolina Hurricanes in 2018 after firing Chuck Kaiton, their longtime radio broadcaster going back to the Hurricanes’ days as the Hartford Whalers.

The broadcast being simulcasted to the radio will only make it even more difficult for listeners to understand what is going on during the game. On television, the broadcasters don’t have to describe every play like on the radio, where they try to create pictures for those who can’t watch. It will never be the same without a dedicated team on the radio side of things.

The Islanders are not just any other team: they are in one of the biggest sports markets in the

United States. The Islanders are now one of the only teams in all of New York’s big four major sports franchises without a radio team. This move feels less like one that would be made by a professional sports organization in New York, but more like one made by a minor league organization hoping to keep its lights on with the cost savings. MSG Networks’s Brendan Burke said on X about the move, “What I will say here is Chris King and Greg Picker bleed blue & orange. Their Isles passion and knowledge is what made them special and they are wonderful people.”

Afternoon drive host and radio voice of the New York

Rangers Don La Greca called the move “small-time, small market and semi-pro. Do you really want that for your organization? How much is that really worth?”

After the pandemic, King and Picker didn’t travel with the team, and instead did the broadcasts from the studios at Hofstra University during every away game (except for games against the Rangers and New Jersey Devils).

The Islanders’ team evaluation over the years has skyrocketed. According to Forbes, they are worth $1.9 billion, and only a few years ago, they moved into the brand-new UBS Arena in Nassau County, New York. The amount of money that the organization will save with this move will be minimal in comparison to how the fans feel about this move.

This move is not only a loss for fans but also a loss for the students at Hofstra, where the games were being produced on WRHU 88.7 FM. Over the last 15 seasons, Hofstra students have helped oversee production and the engineering of the games, as well as some of the on-air roles.

The Hofstra student broadcasters are losing out on the valuable experience that many students don’t get until they are working their first job.

The Islanders ended this season as one of the bottom ten teams in attendance. This could be because fans cannot take the mismanagement and dysfunction that have seemed to follow this NHL franchise for the last few years.

At Long Last, the Rangers’ Season is Over

By LYDIA PIRNER STAFF WRITER

From start to finish, this New York Rangers season was a disaster. I think longtime New York Post writer Larry Brooks summed it up perfectly in the Post’s Rangers podcast: “It was the least enjoyable team that I’ve ever covered … it was a miserable experience covering this team. I’ve covered worse teams, but at least there were some redeeming features on those teams because they stood up for themselves.”

The Rangers, a team that was two wins away from the Stanley Cup Finals last year, could not put aside what went wrong with that team and the ensuing moves that were made, and ultimately, in pathetic fashion, missed the 20242025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, finishing with a 39-36-7 record.

To answer the question “What went wrong?” you could probably point your fingers in a million directions, but to me, the most glaring is the attitude divide in the locker room, and it starts with the guys at the top.

The different answers we got to the same questions being asked from various players told us everything we needed to know. You have the young guys who talk about the disappointing season and how the team needs to be better, but it starts with them. Then you have the older guys talking about how it’s the organization’s fault for getting rid of players that

should have stayed. Will Cuylle mentioned in his exit interview how “watching the playoffs last night on TV was disappointing knowing that our seasons were over so early. It doesn’t quite feel right.” I think Cuylle summarized that feeling perfectly. One of the few bright spots on the team, having a career year in every category (goals, assists, points, hits etc.), he should not be the one having to answer for what the stars couldn’t.

Another young guy, Alexis Lafrenière, talked about how “We couldn’t really find consistency in our game. We couldn’t get a winning streak going and it is on us.” The talk of the season once the calendar turned to 2025 was: could the Rangers go on a winning streak? No, they could not. Since mid-November, they have never won more than two games consecutively. The good news is that if they win their first game next season, then they will have a three-game win streak going! But truly, with the starpower on their roster, not being able to win more than a couple of games in a row here and there was disappointing, especially after a 10-game win streak last season following a rough stretch of games in January 2024. Here, however, is where the exit interviews started to get good. Mika Zibanejad, a staple of the Rangers’ core and an

alternate captain, when asked what went wrong, decided to talk less about the colossal failures of him and his teammates and honed in on management’s decisions. Zibanejad mentioned how there was “a lot of noise around our team this year … There is frustration when you don’t know what is going on.” He also talked about the departures of rentals who clearly had no future with this team, Jack Roslovic and Alexander Wennberg, but really put emphasis on the losses of Barclay Goodrow and Jacob Trouba. Zibanejad was essentially complaining that the team and players were blindsided by management and that they were not happy that the organization dumped these players.

Goodrow’s playoff run last season was nothing short of amazing. I really enjoyed watching him excel when players like Zibanejad did not. I was in the building when he scored the overtime winner against the Florida Panthers. But he was making $3.6 million. Why are we still complaining about him when they replaced Goodrow with a player of similar caliber and cheaper in Sam Carrick? And what is that telling Carrick, that he is not good enough? Also, Goodrow had 12 points last season, Carrick had 20 this season for $2.6 million less. You absolutely cannot fault general manager Chris

Drury for doing what he did in a league with a hard cap. Furthermore, the writing was on the wall for Jacob Trouba to soon leave the Rangers over the summer. I will fault Drury for not getting the deal done in the summer, but you have to have two to tango. Trouba was a great captain of the Rangers, and his teammates loved him, but he was also making $8 million to play third pairing minutes. At some point, it becomes a business decision. So once again, why are we faulting Drury? Because he traded a friend to try and make the team better? That is not the point of being a professional hockey player. Brian Boyle, former Rangers forward, also on that same podcast with Brooks, talked about how he never cared what the front office of the Rangers was doing. His job was to win a faceoff for his teammates, and if he didn’t, he took responsibility. So to say he was not a fan of Zibenejad’s “Us players, we have to take ownership of what we do but it has to be cohesive with everyone” comments, would be an understatement — and he’s right. The good news for the Rangers is that they still have elite personnel. Vincent Trocheck mentioned despite the season, “I really believe in this locker room.” And I think there is still some truth to that. Trocheck, J.T. Miller, Artemi Panarin, Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox, along

with young guys like Lafreniere, Cuylle, Braden Schneider and Gabe Perreault still have the opportunity to be something special. I do expect the Rangers to look quite different next season, however.

The first domino to fall was head coach Peter Laviolette, who, to no surprise, was canned by Drury after going 94-59-11 in two seasons. Despite the impressive record, the Rangers need Stanley Cups, not wins here and there. I do think he did not do himself any favors when the season first started to spiral. He never seemed to make the necessary ingame adjustments and his treatment of the Rangers’ youth was questionable – scratching players like Perreault, Zac Jones, Brennan Othmann and Brett Berard when you are eliminated from playoff contention is certainly a choice. What we do know won’t change for next year is Drury, who was just signed to an extension, showing that James Dolan, owner of the Rangers and Knicks, puts his full trust in Drury. Drury will need to find his fourth coach as the GM of the Rangers. Mike Sullivan was just fired from the Pittsburgh Penguins early this morning, so I would expect him to be someone Drury goes after, but only time will tell.

As for the 2024-2025 New York Rangers season, goodnight. And thank goodness.

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

The New York Islanders have moved on from many important figures after the season’s end.

Fordham Women’s Rowing Makes a Great Return

By EMMA LEONARDI EXECUTIVE COPY EDITOR

The Fordham women’s rowing team and the men’s club crew team competed in the Novak Memorial Metropolitan Championship hosted on Glen Island by Iona University on April 26.

The women had boats in the novice and varsity four categories, but only the former advanced from their heat to the final. The novice four, led by sophomore Ella Tusa, ended up placing third overall with a time of 09:07.63. The women had two boats in the junior varsity category; the eight, led by freshman Elsa Hinz, also known as Fordham A, placed second with a time of 07:30.75 while the boat stroked by sophomore Lucy Cunningham, or Fordham B, placed third with a time of 07:56.

However, it seemed the week off from racing helped the women’s team significantly, as the real showing came from the women’s varsity eight. Due to a smaller number of total boats, there

were no heats for this race; the eight raced for the first time that day in the final. But they pulled it off; the Fordham women’s team

placed first in this event, coming in at 07:08.10 for the entire race.

The men’s club team also had boats in both the novice

and varsity four categories. The novice four, stroked by sophomore Phillip Kausch, placed third in their heat, and advanced to their final.

They ended up placing fifth overall, with a time just shy of eight minutes, clocking in at about 07:59.00. The varsity four, stroked by freshman Johnny Gu, placed first in their heat with a time of 07:47.50 However, the varsity four’s time and place increased in their final, where they placed fourth with a finishing time of 07:55.00. The men had an eight in the junior varsity category, stroked by Gu as well, where they placed fifth in their final with a time of 07:34.

Despite the promise the Fordham men’s club crew team showed two weeks ago at the Knecht Cup where they placed first overall, the boat fell short at the Glen Island event. Stroked by senior captain Sebastian Gwitt, the boat came in second place in their heat with a time of approximately 06:28.00. However, they fell further in their final race, crossing the finish line at 06:30.20, securing third place overall in the race.

Softball Sweeps UMass in Final Home Series

By EMILY PADEGIMAS STAFF WRITER

As Fordham Softball took their home field for the last time this season, there was a little bit of everything: a walk-off home run, a first collegiate win and four seniors celebrating their senior day. The homestand ended with a sweep of the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Minutewomen.

Fordham University secured its first win of the weekend Friday evening, after the series was rearranged due to forecasted rain on Saturday. The Rams jumped ahead of the Minutewomen in the first.

Junior Neleh Nogay singled to lead off the bottom of the inning. A sacrifice fly by junior Eva Koratsis brought home the speedy Nogay for a 1-0 lead. The home team tagged on another run in the third. Sophomore Mikayla Swan singled, then scored on a single by senior Sydney Wells.

UMass cut the lead to one in the fourth. The leadoff batter for the Minutewomen reached on an error. A two-out single later in the inning off of junior Holly Beeman allowed the runner to score. The next inning, UMass took a 3-2 lead on a two-run homer. The Rams, though, strung together a three-run fifth to retake the lead 5-3. A pair of singles and stolen bases by Nogay and Wells put runners in scoring position. Junior Nicki Sudall walked to load the bases for Koratsis. With the junior at the plate, an error by the UMass center fielder allowed

two runs to score. Sophomore Erin Hoppe had driven in a run on an RBI single to tack on another insurance run. In the bottom of the sixth, Sudall notched an RBI single to right field to cap off the scoring for the Rams.

Beeman was strong in the circle for Fordham, allowing three earned runs and nine hits with one walk and two strikeouts over a complete game effort. She improves to 12-6 on the season.

In what looked like a rough start to their senior day on Sunday, the Rams came back with a walkoff in game one of a doubleheader. UMass took an early lead, scoring three off senior Emilee Watkins over the first two innings. After putting two on with no outs in the third, freshman Elizabeth Gaisior relieved Watkins to get out of the jam.

Fordham remained scoreless until the bottom of the sixth. Wells led off the inning with a double, followed by an RBI single by Sudall to put the Rams on the board. Still down by two, Fordham needed a rally with two outs and no one on. That’s exactly what they got. Swan and Nogay had back-to-back singles to keep the home team alive. Then, in typical fashion, Wells hit a three-run homer to walk off the Minutewomen — and ensure a memorable senior day. While the walk-off victory seems to be the highlight of the middle game of the series, a near-perfect pitching performance by Gaisior is just as memorable. After relieving Watkins with no outs in the

third, the freshman pitcher had five strikeouts over five near-perfect innings, with just one baserunner reaching on an error. The comeback win for Fordham also secured Gaisior her first collegiate win.

The Rams secured the sweep with a 9-2 victory over UMass in the series finale on Sunday. With Gaisior continuing in the circle for game two of the doubleheader, she gave up her first hit of the day to lead off the first. A sacrifice fly allowed the runner to score and put the Minutewomen up 1-0. Fordham responded quickly with three runs of their own in the bottom of the frame. Nogay, Wells and Sudall all singled to load the bases with no outs in the first. Junior Kate McGuire and Hoppe followed suit with back-to-back, one-out singles to give the Rams a 3-1 lead. Loading the bases again in the second, a single up the

middle by Koratsis scored two to extend Fordham’s lead to 5-1. Senior Mallory McClellan added two more for the Rams with a two-out double in the fourth. With Beeman pitching in relief, UMass tagged on a run in the fifth on a pair of singles and a walk. Fordham responded with two more runs in the fifth and sixth on another RBI single by Koratsis and a bases-loaded walk by Wells to cap off the win. Gaisior earned her second win of the day and the season in the finale. She was beyond impressive in Sunday’s doubleheader. In her second game, the freshman allowed one run and four hits with three walks over three and 1/3 innings. Although it was senior day, Gaisior’s strong performance sends a promising message for the remainder of the season and the seasons to come for Fordham pitching. The Rams celebrated four

seniors between Sunday games: Allie Clark, McClellan, Watkins and Wells. While Watkins’ start did not go as planned in her last game on Murphy Field, her fellow seniors made the most of their senior day, each collecting at least one hit in the two victories. Wells came up big in game one on Sunday, going 2-for-4 with her 15th home run of the season in the form of a three-run, walk-off blast. McClellan went 2-for-3 with three RBIs in game two. Clark also notched a hit in the finale.

Improving to 15-8 in conference competition and 2523 overall, Fordham moves to third in the Atlantic 10. The Rams will close out the regular season on the road in Kingston at the University of Rhode Island starting May 3, where they look to secure their spot in the A-10 tournament starting May 7.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

The Fordham women’s rowing team had a stellar performance on Glen Island, placing first in the varsity eight.

The Fordham Rams concluded their home schedule this past weekend, sweeping the University of Massachusetts.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Giants Shine, More News from NFL Draft

By GRACE MCCARRON SPORTS EDITOR

For fans of teams who struggled mightily in the previous season, the last Thursday of April can be seen as a beacon of hope and an indicator of the future. This was the case for numerous teams this year, perhaps the New York Giants the most, at the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

With the third overall pick, the Giants selected edge rusher Abdul Carter from Pennsylvania State University, who many analysts argued was the best overall player in this year’s draft class. Carter will be explosive on a defensive line where he joins Dexter Lawrence II, one of the best defensive players in the National Football League, as well as Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, to make for what should be a very strong defense. In the season where the Giants might be experimenting at the quarterback position, it will be important for their defense to be able to carry their weight.

Speaking of quarterbacks, the Giants traded back into the first round for the 25th pick to select quarterback Jaxson Dart from the University of Mississippi. Dart will join Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson in the quarterback room, two veterans the Giants

signed in the offseason. This will give Dart the time to develop and learn from more seasoned NFL veterans instead of being thrown into the starting job immediately, as he would have with other teams. In a transitional year for Big Blue, this was a perfect move: the Giants got their preferred quarterback, are putting him in a situation positive for his development, and they still got the best available player with their top pick. Alongside picks in the later rounds, Giants fans should be very pleased with the selections the team made, and after a very difficult 2024 season, fans have something to look forward to.

On the Jets’ end, they didn’t make any surprising, flashy moves, but that is not necessarily a negative. With their first round pick, the seventh pick overall, they selected University of Missouri tackle Armand Membou, adding to an offensive line that has the chance to be the best in the league. He joins Olumuyiwa Fashanu and Alijah VeraTucker from last year’s team, as well as new free-agent signing John Simpson. In the second round, Gang Green went with tight end Mason Taylor out of Louisiana State University, adding athleticism at the position. They had a need at tight end, and they filled it nicely. Overall, Jets fans also have a lot to anticipate this season, especially with an

already fantastic offensive line getting bolstered.

Outside of New York, a few other teams and players made headlines. With the first overall pick, the Tennessee Titans selected quarterback Cam Ward from the University of Miami, altogether not a surprising pick. Second overall, there was a surprise, as the Jacksonville Jaguars traded up from the fifth overall pick to select University of Colorado wide receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter, who also won the Heisman Trophy last year. Hunter is extremely talented at both positions and wants to play both in the NFL, which is extraordinarily unique. The Jaguars have been up and down in the last few seasons, and this move has the potential to completely turn things around. The Jaguars’ aggression in their pursuit of Hunter also shows how much they believe in his potential and are willing to go after players of his caliber, the kind that could turn around a franchise.

One name floating around the NFL universe for much of the Draft was that of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. Sanders was once projected as a very early pick, possibly even top three. He ended up falling not to the second round, or even the third, but all the way to the fifth round, where

the Cleveland Browns finally selected him with the 144th overall pick. Five quarterbacks were taken before Sanders, and one of those five was also selected by the Browns, the University of Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel. It is unclear why Sanders fell so far, but there have been rumblings that his meetings with teams did not go well, and analysts have discussed how Sanders’s potential drawbacks outweighed his positives to make him a first-round selection. Sanders and Gabriel join veterans Joe Flacco and

Kenny Pickett in Cleveland’s quarterback room, and there is no clear starter there, especially with the seeming end to the Deshaun Watson era in Cleveland due to injury. Sanders’ fall puts a chip on his shoulder, and it will be up to him to prove that the first 143 picks missed out. Ultimately, it will be the products on the field that prove whether the 2025 draft was successful for any team, but many fans across the league have reason to be optimistic and count down the days until September.

Overtime: W.W.W., We Want Weaver

By IAN NELSON ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

New York Yankees fans, rejoice! The days of the horrible tyrant Clay Holmes are over! “The Airbender” himself, Devin Williams, has come to replace our former closer. With a lead in the ninth, we no longer have to fear. It should be smooth sailing from here. Or not.

11.25 ERA later, Williams has become one of the most hated men in New York. I guess not just anyone can handle the burden of being the Yankees’ closer. It seems like a curse if you believe in that kind of thing. But what else could explain an elite closer suddenly losing his control?

During his tenure with the Milwaukee Brewers, Williams’ ERA as the closer was 1.83 over six seasons. During that time, he had a 39.4% strikeout rate and 235 2/3 innings pitched. In 2023, Williams had a 1.53 ERA and 36 saves in 61 games. In 2024, he had a 1.25 ERA and 14 saves in 22 games. This is the same man who, in 10 appearances this season, is posting careerworst marks in strikeout rate (18.2%), whiff rate (24.1%) and walk rate (15.9%) in eight innings across 10 appearances this season. He also boasts a -0.8 WAR and is personally responsible for my early onset high blood pressure. At this time, the Yankees are

17-11, and spotty pitching has played a big role in their losses. Whether it is from a starter or a reliever, bad pitching loses games. The Yankees are going to have to make some changes, and it looks like they are going to be making their first one now.

Having a strong closer can contribute significantly to a team’s success. A good closer should be able to perform in high-leverage situations, like the last innings of a close game. With Williams’ numbers so far this season looking poor, Yankees manager Aaron Boone has elected to make a change. He has made the call to the bullpen, and Luke Weaver will get his shot at the closer job.

When asked about his decision to remove Williams from the closer position, Boone said, “for right now, I think it’s best for everyone that we pull him out of that role and try and start building some good rhythm and confidence and momentum and fully expect him to be a central figure for us moving forward.”

It is rare, but Boone is right. Williams needs a break.

Taking over the job, for now, is Weaver, who is already a fan favorite. During the 2024 season, he emerged as the Yankees’ best relief pitcher and one of their best players overall. He put up a 2.89 ERA in 62 relief appearances. In addition, he struck out 103 batters

while only allowing 10 home runs. Even with his success as a reliever and closer, after the team acquired Williams, he was in for a demotion. And, as expected, this season, Weaver has predominantly been the setup man for Williams.

On Sunday, Boone announced that Weaver, who has a 0.00 ERA in 13 innings pitched this season, will assume “a lot of” the team’s save opportunities. Boone did maintain that he is open to using Weaver in high-leverage spots earlier in games and other relievers to close.

Yankees fans are going to be pulling for Weaver, as they have not seen a consistently dominant closer since the days

of Mariano Rivera. During the Yankees’ April 25 matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays, Williams fell behind in counts against the three hitters he faced, leading to the home crowd showering him with loud boos while adding a “We want Weaver!” chant.

I want Weaver, too. The man is fun to watch. His combination of a four-seam fastball and an absolutely filthy changeup is devastating. Plus, nothing gets me more hyped than hearing the distinctive mechanical hiss of Darth Vader’s breathing transition into “Dreamweaver” by Gary Wright at Yankee Stadium while he takes the field. It’s not just a pitching change; it’s an experience. One thing that should be made clear is that Williams is not a bad pitcher. Even the best pitchers can go through stints where they pitch, like Nestor Cortes against Freddie Freeman. What he needs is time and some of the heavy load he bears taken off his shoulders. Right now, he’s reeling due to multiple bad showings which have crushed his confidence. Being away from the closer role for the foreseeable future will do him some good. He will make more appearances, build consistency, feel at ease on the mound again and be back to pitching as well as we know he can before too long. In the meantime, I am confident that I can entrust the end-ofgame success of my favorite team to Weaver.

There was more to the NFL Draft than the Shedeur Sanders saga. COURTESY

Luke Weaver has taken over the closer role for the New York Yankees after Devin Williams struggled early in the season.

CRISTINA STEFANIZZI/THE FORDHAM RAM