Issuu

THE

BLUE &GRAY

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER

September 28, 2017

VOLUME 91 | ISSUE 4

PRESS

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE

Strong-armed robbery occurs near UMW campus HANNAH GALEONE Senior Writer

On the evening of Sept. 14 a UMW commuter student was a victim of a strong-armed robbery at the Thornton Street Pizza Hut. The suspect allegedly used threatening body language and brute force to make his way into a UMW commuter student’s car. The male assailant, dressed in red and dark colored clothing, stood in front of the student’s vehicle before forcibly entering the passenger side door of the car. Upon entering, he demanded that the male UMW student drive him to the Fredericksburg train station on Lafayette Boulevard. Once there, the suspect exited the student’s vehicle on Palmer Street after taking a small sum of cash from the UMW student. The suspect of the robbery was arrested by UMW Police and was taken into custody shortly after officers were called to the scene. The UMW Police Department continues to work on the case and strives to make sure all UMW community members are safe and protected at all times. “When a call comes in like this, the best thing to do is have a plan,” said UMW police Sgt. Charles Wheeler. “Your response time is really important.” The University Police Department is constantly working to keep the UMW community safe from any dangers or hazards.The UMW PD along with the Virginia State Police, aim to maintain safety on both the Fredericksburg and Stafford campuses. In the event that something like a strong-armed robbery happens on or

around campus, the UMW Police have protocols that they follow in order to ensure the safety of all those involved and to protect the UMW community from future events such as this. After an emergency of this sort, the UMW Police Department works to ensure the suspect is unable to move far from the scene by securing the perimeter of the event. “When you set up a perimeter, you go beyond the boundaries in which the event occurred so you can keep a suspect contained,” said Sgt. Wheeler. UMW officer Dillon Brooks was one of the first to arrive at the scene of the robbery. “I was coming back from an event at Belmont [when I got the call]. For us, a robbery call is an emergency response — lights and sirens go to the scene... The victim had actually pressed the blue light phone and that’s how we got the call,” said officer Brooks. According to UMW PD protocol, the primary concern of responding officers is the safety and well-being of the students involved. In this scenario, the student was shaken up but not injured. After determining that the student was uninjured, the officers worked to gather an account of what happened. “Because it’s a larger incident than what we would usually work, we would call the Fredericksburg Police Department [to assist],” said officer Brooks. “I was there for a good hour and half trying to get fingerprints off the car.” After an incident like this happens, the UMW Police heighten security and surveillance on and around campus to avoid any other events like this from happening. •ROBBERY | 2

“My roommate parks her car in the Pizza Hut parking lot frequently and she’s scared to park there now,” -Shawnya Peterson

Blue lights can be found throughout campus.

IN THIS

ISSUE

Izzy Briones / The Blue & Gray Press

TALENTED TEACHERS

1922

Sign informs students of new on campus recovery group.

Jamie McGuire

Alcohol and Narcotics anyonymous group formed at UMW ARIANA BARRETT Staff Writer

He flipped the little gray book over and over in his hands “I don’t even remember most of my last semester…I was probably sober only three days this summer.” This little book is called “Daily Reflections” and it is an essential text for Alcohol Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous groups. A group that was recently created by Hunter Rauscher, associate director of Residence Life and Housing. The book serves as a guide for living your life substance free and works as a starting off point for discussions in meetings. “Understanding the freedom of sobriety, it’s a whole new world of freedom,” said a student in r e c o v e r y. “The day I felt free…” another student said. Alcoholic and Narcotics Anonymous meetings provide a safe space for individuals suffering from substance abuse disorder that wish to seek help. The only requirement for a member is a desire to stop their substance abuse. During the meeting, a group of three students gathered around a table and gave themselves over to a higher power for one hour and rejoiced about how much better their life got after seeking help. Along with these three students was Hunter Rauscher who is also in recovery. Rauscher contacted many other organizations on campus such as the Talley center, office of student conduct and responsibility, the vice president of student affairs, the recreational sports

wellness program, etc. to make sure they were all on the same page about the group, but not just with the intent and values of the program, Rauscher was also concerned about sharing his personal information because he is also a person in recovery. “I didn’t think I ever could be free,” said Rauscher. “The disease of addiction is much more patient than I am… it’s waiting for me to mess up.” Rauscher realized that in order for students to open up and trust him, he had to be open about his own situation. “One day I was sick of hating myself…I had just lost all feeling and I was just faking it every single day and that just got to become heavy,” said Rauscher. Not only does Rauscher want to help recovering students, he also wants to bring awareness to how prevalent this problem is by making students aware that their colleagues may suffer from substance abuse disorder. “I think a lot of students, and people in general, don’t really look at an 18, 19, 20, 21-year-old as somebody that could have a problem…and in my experience, I’ve run into individuals that are 17 that are in recovery that had years’ worth of rather alcohol or substance abuse,” said Rauscher. Students in AA are conscious about the constant difficulties they face in the process of becoming free from alcohol and drugs. “There was the official day I was free from drugs and alcohol but I wasn’t free from anxiety,” said one student in AA. In the meeting students expressed

“There was the official day I was free from drugs and alcohol but I wasn’t free from anxiety.” -Anonymous

LOFTY EXPECTATIONS

Faculty displays art in DuPont Gallery.

New rule requires students to set up their own loft beds.

LIFE | 6

VIEWPOINTS | 4

•AA | 10

RISE UP

UMW dominates on Eagle Nation Day. SPORTS | 3

NEWS THE

BLUE & GRAY PRESS

MISSION The Blue & Gray Press is published every Thursday in the University Apartments Clubhouse for our university community. The goal of The Blue & Gray Press is to produce high quality and accurate news in a manner compliant with the Society of Professional Journalists ethics code. In its coverage, The Blue & Gray Press strives to highlight the community of the University of Mary Washington, as well as deliver fair and accurate coverage on the issues important to our students.

EDITORS-AT-LARGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kelly Emmrich

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ester Salguero

MANAGING EDITOR Tessa Cate

SECTION EDITORS NEWS Meaghan McIntyre Izzy Briones

VIEWPOINTS Ginny Bixby

LIFE Lauren Closs

SPORTS Ryan Brauch

ONLINE Es Hethcox

PHOTO Alex Sakes

BUSINESS TEAM Linda Fitzpatrick Janelle Behm

FACULTY ADVISOR Sushma Subramanian

Editors: Meaghan McIntyre & Izzy Briones | blueandgray.news@gmail.com

Seacobeck Hall to house the College of Education DANELLA DONADO Senior Writer

The College of Education has recently found a new and permanent home in Seacobeck Hall. This news comes after a lot of effort by the College of Education to find a building that could be dedicated to the university’s education program. Starting in the fall of 2019, Seacobeck Hall will officially host all classes for education instruction. The offices for College of Education faculty, as well as informal learning and event spaces where education students can hang out, study together, where the Student Education Association and the Kappa Delta Pi honor society can meet. Since the news had been announced to students in the College of Education via email during the week of Sept. 18, the responses have been more than positive. “I’m really excited for it because COE has never had its own building, since my freshman year I’ve been running from the HCC to Trinkle to Combs for classes,” said junior English major, Amani Redic who is in the College of Education. “It’ll be really helpful when we have our own centralized location where we can all meet.” Students in the College of Education expressed excitement over the opportunity to have their own space to work in. “I’m really excited to have our own

space where we can all gather together and have our own space to work, kind of like the HCC,” said Meagan Wilkinson, a junior Education student and the president of the Student Education Association. “It’ll really help us continue to grow as a community of teachers and I’m really looking forward to having our own building that’s not shared with three other departments.” Throughout the week of Sept. 18, faculty, students and alumni of the College of Education participated in focus groups to plot out the design of Seacobeck Hall. Each person involved gave their suggestions on what the new building should look like and how the classrooms should be structured. These focus groups were put together by faculty members in the College of Education and the architects involved in the project. “We made sure to get faculty, some staff members, a student group, and an alumni group from the College of Education,” said Dean of the COE, Peter Kelly. “The idea is we want to get a lot of input from lots of different people and gather ideas about creating a new home for the

College of Education.”

Earlier this month, D e a n Kelly and Dr. J o h n Broome, associate professor of the College of Education, gave a tour of the current education classrooms to a group of architects and engineers. These rooms are located in Trinkle Hall, the Hurley Convergence Center, Monroe and Combs. During the tour, the architects asked the students what they like and do not like about the rooms where the education classes are currently held. Several students commented that they preferred the design of the classrooms in the Hurley Convergence Center than the ones in Trinkle. “I like that the temperature in the HCC is fairly consistent and comfortable,” said Kelsey Phillips, a junior history education student. “In Trinkle the temperatures were extreme, where some rooms were hot and others were cold... the rooms are darker and with the fluorescent lights can make it harder to engage in lessons.” Other students commented that they liked the desks in the HCC better and that the bright colors and windows

“I think the physical structure of a building has an impact on how we come together and how we work together as a group.” -Dean Peter Kelly

“It’ll be really helpful when we have our own centralized location where we can all meet.” -Amani Redic

•COE |10

UMW commuter student falls victim to robbery ROBBERY | 1 “I pay a lot more attention to that section now,” said officer Brooks. “It’s almost like it’s a hotspot now and we want to make sure nothing else happens there.” Upon hearing the news, UMW students shared that they feel that there are a few issues at hand when it comes to their sense of security on and around campus. Many students feel protected when they are on campus, but have concerns when it comes to the surrounding area. This incident in particular led some students to question the practicality of parking for both residential and commuter UMW members. “My roommate parks her car in the Pizza Hut parking lot frequently and she’s scared to park there now,” said

junior Shawnya Peterson. “She’s trying to find a better way to park [after the robbery].” An email was sent out to all students the night the robbery occurred, but the email did not include the details of the event. As a result, even though most students have a general idea of what happened, many remain concerned and alert. “I don’t really know any of the details [of the robbery] but I would be hesitant to go back to that area,” said sophomore, Jacob Spencer. Students shared that they felt that the nighttime visibility on and around campus should be improved with the addition of more lighting. “There’s a lack of street lights and good lighting in the community,” said junior, Melissa Pampel.

Many students who live in residence halls located on campus are not satisfied with parking, as many must park far away from the central campus. Some have to park in lots such as the Alvey Parking Deck or the Battleground Athletic Complex and walk a good distance home. In a situation like a robbery, students who have to park a few blocks from campus and walk to their residence halls shared that they feel there should be an improvement in parking options for safety. “I wish there was a way to make parking on campus better,” said Peterson. “If [UMW] can’t give us that feeling of security off campus it’s their responsibility to give us safe options on campus.”

CORRECTIONS FOR THE WEEK In last weeks News article, Eagle Landing Residents confused by new mailroom policies, stated that “last school year, students received an email reminding them to pick up their packages. Starting this year, students no longer receive emails but must check-in with the front desk if they are expecting a package.” This statement is incorrect. In fact, students still receive notifications via email when they have a package arrive. The current mailroom processing routine has not changed, it simply was a technical issue. Eagle was also misspelled in the title. PLEASE REPORT ANY MISTAKES SEEN IN THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS TO Kelly Emmrich, blueandgray.eic@gmail.com or Sushma Subramanian, ssubrama@umw.edu

Thursday, September 28, 2017

SPORTS SARAH GOODNOUGH Staff Writer

UMW shines at Eagle Nation Day

University of Mary Washington’s Athletics Department brought home three more wins from the Saturday games during Eagle Nation Day. The annual festival hosted by UMW Athletics, brings the community together and encourages kids to engage in physical activity. With inflatable games, crafts and competitions, there were plenty of activities to choose from this year. After the festivities, women and men’s soccer, women’s volleyball and women’s field hockey competed against visiting teams. Women’s soccer topped Marymount with a 4-0 win, women’s volleyball defeated Washington and Lee 3-0 and men’s soccer defeated Marymount 6-0. Unfortunately, women’s field hockey lost 1-0 in a close game against Tufts University. Midfielder Lauren Brower scored the first goal of the women’s soccer game with

VICTORIA MUNEVAR Staff Writer

an assist by Grace Friedl at the end of the first half. Erica Ganthner, a freshman, scored in the second half with an assist by Christina Carlston. Freshman Jordan Rock, finished the game off with an unassisted score. UMW ended the game with a total of 27 shots, far outranking the visiting Marymount’s 2 shots. The 4-0 shutout took the team’s overall record to 5-4 for the season. Women’s volleyball brought in a close 3-0 win over visiting team Washington and Lee at Rosner Arena. Junior Leslie Walters scored two kills to put UMW ahead of Washington and Lee, followed by a winning kill by sophomore Peyton Dunow. UMW gained a 10-4 lead in the second game with three kills by Walters. Men’s soccer played last on Eagle Nation Day and dominated Marymount University six to nothing. UMW started off the game with a score by

senior Colin Travis, which he headed the ball in off an assist by Gabriel Soriano. Freshman Jeremy Hokenson tacked on another point with another Soriano assist. UMW continued to dominate in the second half, beating Marymount 6-0. While the women’s field hockey team lost to the visiting Tufts, the fourteenth ranked UMW fought hard to maintain the tied game against the fifth ranked Tufts. Finally, in the first overtime of the game, the Tufts’ Rachel Hamilton made the winning score. Eagle Nation Day is a great day for the community to come together and watch the UMW sports teams compete. This year’s games certainly proved to be great entertainment for the spectators who came out to participate in the events and support our teams. Field hockey midfield player Erin Kaila commented on the significance of Eagle Nation

Day. “It gets the community more involved with campus and many families out to have fun and play games,” said Kaila. “Eagle Nation Day usually brings many people from the community together to watch the different sports play.” With UMW Athletics bringing in three wins of the four games played on Saturday, this year’s events did not disappoint.

Peyton Dunow

www.umweagles.com

Daniel Kalke

www.umweagles.com

Life of a student athlete as told by Maggie Larkin

Maggie Larkin, a sociology major in the Special Education program, is a freshman on varsity cross country. She has had first-hand experience with jumping into a varsity sport straight out of high school. Larkin ran cross country at Robinson High School in Fairfax, VA, she made it to regionals and states during her time there. At the UMW cross country opener, she led the women’s team with a third place finish at 15 minutes and 10 seconds. When asked if there is a difference from cross country in high school and in college, she said that she did not feel like there was any real difference. “The main difference from high school cross country and college cross country is probably the training, but it doesn’t seem to be too different so that’s really nice,” said Larkin. According to Larkin, balancing cross country and classes can get hard at times, but as long as you go

to study hall and get all your work done, it is manageable. However, she does have a busy practice schedule. “A typical week for me is normally a recovery run on Monday, a maintenance run on Tuesday with some strides after, on Wednesday we have a workout, Thursday is another recovery run, Friday is a maintenance run, Saturday we either race or moderate running if you aren’t racing, and finally Sunday is our long run,” Larkin said. Larkin also has a whole team for support, on and off the field. “We also have weight lifting every Monday and Wednesday morning... This schedule is based off when we race,” said Larkin. Her favorite part of cross country is the team community. “Everyone is always there for you and cheering you on the whole way,” she said. Larkin also has a lot of guidance from the upperclassmen on the team. “I am so lucky with the upper-

classmen, they have prepared me very well for what college running is like and how classes would be,” said Larkin. She does believe that there is some added pressure when it comes to performing well in the classroom and in the races but it is not a major issue. She also believes that there is not a big reputation when it comes to being a varsity athlete. She also went into detail regarding her routine to prepare for a race. Larkin always eats pasta for dinner and adds an extra stretch in that day before the race. “Going to bed early and hydrating extra is a big thing for me before I race.” Larkin is just one example of many student athletes representing UMW in varsity sports and their experience with tight schedules and encouraging teammates. Make sure to show your support to the cross country team at Dickinson Invitational this Saturday, Sept. 30.

“I am so lucky with the upperclassmen, they have prepared me very well for what college running is like and how classes would be.” - Maggie Larkin

Weekly Scoreboard Men's Soccer

Sept. 27 @ Va. Wesleyan (W) UMW: 3 Va. Wesleyan 1

women's Soccer

Sept. 26 @ Shenandoah (L) UMW: 0 Shenandoah: 2

Field Hockey

Men's Soccer

Sept. 26 Catholic (L) UMW: 3 Catholic: 4

VolleyBall

Sept. 27 vs. Marymount (Va.) (W) UMW: 3 Marymount: 0

field hockey

Sept. 30 vs. Salisbury TBA

women's Soccer

Sept. 30 vs. Salisbury TBA

Sept. 28 vs. Randolph-Macon TBA

volleyball

Sept. 30 vs. St. Mary’s (Md.) TBA

VIEWPOINTS

New rule requiring students to loft their own beds is a good decision on the part of ResLife Alicen Hackney Staff Writer

This year many students arrived on ed beds were convenient for students, campus during move-in day to find there were many issues that made this a new challenge. As of the Fall 2017 system problematic. Having a summer semester, UMW Residence Life has team was costly, and because beds were implemented a new rule involving the being lofted before students ever saw setup of lofted beds. the room, some As per usual, beds students changed may be lofted at the minds, or the ““The RAs were actually their request of students. wrong beds were However, starting really helpful and walked lofted. this year students While the new us through the entire will have to do the rules created safelifting themselves. ty concerns among [lofting process].” In previous years, some students lofted beds could and parents, it is be requested by entirely safe for - Brittany Brown students before students to loft move-in day, or their own beds. they would be loftAssistant Dean ed by maintenance of Residence in special situations after the start of Life and Housing Dave Fleming said the fall semester. When beds were rethat these beds are actually marketed quested by the deadline, a maintenance to campuses as beds that students can team went through every residence hall assemble themselves. Fleming has been lofting using these these beds through beds different prior to schools for movefifteen years, in. The and UMW summer is just one of lofting many schools team was to have this comrule. prised One of mostly of the more students. obstrucWhile tive issues umw.edu surrounding the pre-loft- For many students, move-in day involved lofting their the new bed own beds with the help of family and friends.

UMW Residence Life/umw.edu Students now have to loft their own beds rather than having them prebuilt when they move-in.

lofting rules was merely a miscommunication between Residence Life and RAs. On move-in day, many RAs were under the impression that they were not allowed to provide any physical aid to students who were lofting their beds, however, this was not part of the rule. Due to the confusion, many RAs thought they could only provide instructions on how to loft the beds. “The RAs were actually really helpful and walked us through the entire thing,” said senior Brittany Brown. While Brown said the task was not entirely difficult, it did take the combined physical strength of her family and her roommate’s family to set up the beds.

Considering that this is the first year of the new rules, all has gone fairly smoothly and with very few complaints to Residence Life. The new rule is good for UMW, and ultimately saves both time and money on the university’s part. Residence Life plans to hold focus group meetings to discuss this issue and others. There will be a variety of topics presented, and all the details for these meetings will be advertised by Residence Life. Along with the focus groups, students are welcomed and encouraged to make appointments with members of Residence Life to discuss any other issues.

Campus jobs teach valuable life skills and provide great opportunities Abbey Bailey Staff Writer

I have always been a person who must keep busy. When I started school at UMW in the fall of 2014, I knew that if I wanted to stay sane I needed to work. Living on campus without a car limited my possibilities for jobs, so I began by applying through the Financial Aid office as a circulation assistant at Simpson Library. I began working there in January 2015 and I’ve worked on campus ever since. As an English major, working in a library surrounded by books was a dream. I worked one to three hour shifts at the circulation desk, finding and checking out books for students. The short shifts were perfect for my schedule. Working was not a huge commitment and I still had time to do other activities. I have always been an avid people watcher so it was very interesting to me to see what books people

were checking out. Simpson Library is still one of my favorite buildings on campus to spend time in. While working at the library, I came across another job opportunity, as a UMW Writing Center consultant. Friends throughout high school and college would always ask me to edit or proofread their papers, so it made sense for me to put my skills as an editor to work. Unfortunately, because of Financial Aid’s regulations involving student employment on campus, I had to choose between the library and the Writing Center. After interviewing with Gwen Hale, the Writing Center director, my choice was easy. I was sad to leave my job at the library which I enjoyed so much, but I knew if I wanted to pursue editing post-graduation, the Writing Center was what I needed on my

UMW students are employed at Simpson Library.

résumé. I am still working at the Writing Center and it is one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever had. I enjoy helping my peers enhance their writing and teaching them the ins and outs of MLA, APA and Chicago-Turabian citations. One of my favorite things about working at the Writing Center is assisting ESL students. I have found that consultations with ESL students are the most gratifying in that I can help these individuals express their thoughts and feelings in a language that is not native to them. One downside to working an on-campus job is that students can only work a certain number of hours per week, less than part time. So, it came time that I needed to apply for a second job. Again, I chose a location on campus for proximity, peer interaction, and to help

UMW LibGuides/umw.edu

better my campus. I started working at Blackstone in March of 2017. This was my first food service job and there was a learning curve starting out, but I have always considered myself a fast learner, so I was able to catch on quickly. Blackstone is almost always busy and one of my favorite parts about the job is that when it is particularly crowded, I can turn off my mind and trust my instincts to make all of the drinks properly. Working on campus has shaped my life at UMW. As a senior, I feel that many of the skills I have developed over four years here have stemmed from my time working. I am grateful to my bosses for the kindness they have shown me, as well as pushing me to do my absolute best, always.

Thursday, 28, 2017 Thursday,September January 21, 2015

VIEWPOINTS

Editor: Ginny Bixby | blueandgray.views@gmail.com

Letter to the Editor: Latino Student Association supports students affected by DACA emotional and financial stress in the home and prevail over hard circumstances. Student 1 has an associate’s degree in liberal arts and is pursuing a DACA (Deferred Action for Childmajor in philosophy to be an immigrahood Arrivals) supports over 800,000 tion lawyer. Their experience here at people who were brought to the United the University of Mary Washington has States for better opportunities. DACA been pleasant. They describe everyone provides a temporary right to live, being very friendly, even though they work, serve and study legally. Rearen’t sure if students or faculty quesmoving DACA will affect the lives of tion their legal status. numerous individuals; most of them DACA not only effects the individual being young adults and students. in the program but it also effects the The cancellation of DACA affects family as a whole. Student 1 is currenta student’s future in higher education ly experiencing a family member being and job acquisition. DACA students deported because of their change in (“Dreamers”) are limited to the type legal status due to the program status of higher education they can acquire. changing. Student 1’s family member A student who was class president, will now be deported after being a played varsity level sports all four contributing resident by paying taxes, years of high school, top of their class, working hard, and going to church awarded a musical scholarship and a Erik McGregor/Slate.com without having a criminal background. People have protested Trump’s threats to end DACA. highly active member in the church They selflessly made the decision to should have the same opportunities of status, race or culture. Everyone lies travel from all over the world to do what is viewed as “right” by law, as any student who was born in the deserves the have a chance at the and running the risk of not seeing their united states should. Dreamers endure right of freedom American dream and family again for of petition and DACA was a huge many years to “We all were created speech.” part of that chance. come. Student As a multiculunder God equally, and The Latino Student 1 commented, tural club, the Association wishes “They didn’t run even if we don’t like each Latino Student to be a safe space for or hide from the Association emother we should be treat- all who feel affectlaw”. phasizes commued. We stand with Student 2 is ed the same regardless nity. The majority all the multicultural upset with the of those affected of status, race or culture. clubs on campus and DACA situation. by DACA may be the James Farmer Student 2 comEveryone deserves the Multicultural Center of Hispanic/Latimented, “We all no descent but right of freedom of petition to fight for equality were created unwe also acknowland understandder God equally, and speech.” edge that all ing. We are here to and even if we ethnicities whom make sure that your don’t like each migrate to the voice matters in this other we should -UMW Student United States are confusing time and Craig Ruttle/americanprogress.org be treated the effected. Famiafter. There are over 800,000 DACA recipients. same regardless Tatiana Aleman and Noemi Aleman Contributing Writers

Staff Ed: Office of Title IX works to promote Domestic Violence Awareness Month For many people, the month of October is known for the celebration of brisk air and changing foliage. However, for many the month signifies the importance of recognizing domestic violence survivors and the education of preventing future acts of violence. The UMW Office of Title IX is dedicated to raising awareness and prevention for this issue during the month of October, and hosts events on campus that focus on detecting cautionary signs and inhibiting future acts of domestic violence. One of the most well-known events

hosted by the department is the Red Flag Campaign, which every year cloaks campus with the somber reminder of the warning-signs of dating violence. In addition to events like this, the Office of Title IX will be hosting

other events throughout campus in the upcoming month. Planned by student leaders, Title IX staff, and local survivor support fatherhood.gov p r o g r a m s , the sponsored activities will focus on bystander intervention, prevention and available

support services. Even though October is a month of academic stress, it is important to take time to recognize the survivors and victims of domestic violence and take the means necessary to make UMW a safe campus for all individuals. During the upcoming month, please take the time to unite with the Office of Title IX and the Blue & Gray Press as we stand against domestic violence not only on our campus, but across the nation.

By THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS EDITORIAL BOARD

LIFE

Editor: Lauren Closs blueandgray.life@gmail.com

Faculty members show talent at studio art exhibition KYLEIGH COUTCHER Staff Writer

At the UMW Studio Art Faculty Exhibition, recently desplayed in DuPont Gallery, there were pieces shown featuring art by Deb Balestreri, Carole Garmon, Larry Hinkle, Rosemary Jesionowski and many others. Their pieces didn’t follow a theme but I was able to pick up patterns that displayed similar techniques to the extent that I could tell it was by the same artist. There were two artists in particular that stood out to me while viewing the gallery, Chris Musina and Jon McMillan. Both of these artists had unique techniques, and in my opinion they had some of the most impressive and interesting art. McMillian had a very organic, real, life-like feel to his art. One piece that caught my attention called “Cyclical,” an earthenware piece which endured multiple glaze firings. It made me feel as if I was in a deep part of an ocean where lava stacked up and then cooled quickly in the cool water. All of McMillian’s art was easy to distinguish in the gallery because of his very bubbly, earthy and unique textured technique. Musina’s created a piece titled “Three Wise Apes: Truth Has Died, How Do You Know? and Mother?” I recognized

Chris Musina’s “Volatile Relationship.”

the ape shown in the last photo right away. It was a drawing of Harambe, the 17 year-old Western lowland gorilla that was famously shot and killed by a zoo keeper after a young boy fell into his enclosure. I thought the picture was very well drawn but what was really captivating was the title. Another art piece painted by Musina was the strangest piece in the whole gallery. It was called “Perché lo Sono un Paisan.” It was one of those pieces you have to witness on your own to really believe it. The painting illustrated a female wolf breastfeeding two naked human children, with a piece of pizza laying across the wolf’s face. Behind this odd painting was a description that said, “I am interested in a visual history of animals... Artists like Francisco Goya, Frans Snyders, Otto Dix and Rene Magritte all figure heavily into my aesthetic.” Musina continued, “More specifically, an interest in how the Capitoline Wolf and the legend of Romulus and Remus fit heavily into Italian culture, but also, so does pizza.” He said that pieces are connected through the theme of animal products and can take between two weeks to two months to complete. We have so many talented artists here among the faculty at Mary Washington, so being able to observe their art proved to be a humbling experience.

Jon McMillan’s earthenware piece, “Cyclical.”

Finnley Goff/The Blue & Gray Press.

Above and left: Chris Musina’s “Three Wise Apes: Truth Has Died, How Do You Know? and Mother?,” a three-part ink on paper.

Finnley Goff/The Blue & Gray Press.

Thursday, September 28, 2017

LIFE

Personal shopping carts roll onto campus PAIGE WALTON Staff Writer

Being a residential student with limited, and at times inconvenient, access to parking can be a challenge when it comes to grocery shopping. One way to combat the difficulty of transporting groceries from the store or car to your room is by investing in a portable grocery cart of your own. Available in a range of sizes and prices, finding the right cart for you is as easy as a simple Google search. Most Using a cart can make transporting groceries easier. carts are compact and fold up for easy storage to fit into a available on Amazon. The larger of my closet or trunk with room to spare. carts is actually a beach cart that my Last year my mom suggested I look family bought this summer and my mom into buying a cart to help minimize the let me bring to school to get some use burden of carrying bags of groceries out of rather than having it sit untouched from my car to my apartment. At first in storage. I was hesitant because I thought it At first glance, it may seem lazy or would make me look dorky, but I soon superfluous to spend the money on a found out many people were impressed shopping cart just for groceries and it’s and interested in the cart. It actually definitely not for everyone. For me, became a source of compliments and having the ability to load all of my things envy among my friends and now people in and be done in one trip is well worth always ask to borrow my cart. the cost. The smaller of my two carts was Sophomore Hannah Treichler said, purchased from Walmart for about “These carts are a great idea, as a student $20, but there are many more options living on campus without a car, having

Smaller foldable compact grocery cart from Walmart.

Paige Walton / The Blue & Gray Press.

Ask Katherine: advice to freshmen KATHERINE LAMB Senior Writer

How do students get out of a fire drill? Stated by a freshman, clearly Proceed in a quick and orderly manner towards the nearest exit. If your roommate is not up, make sure they get up. If it’s a nighttime fire-drill, knock on the doors you pass on the way out to ensure that nobody sleeps through it. What are the latest popular phone apps? Stated by the technologically challenged

Paige Walton / The Blue & Gray Press.

a cart like this would make grocery shopping and transportation much more convenient.” While the benefits far outweigh the cons for many, a cart may not make sense for everyone. Sophomore psychology major Amy Ha said, “Usually when I go shopping I only get a few things at a time, and living on the first floor, it isn’t too hard for me to just take all of my shopping bags directly to my apartment.” Sammi Van Heest, a sophomore studio art major, was inspired by the idea even though she also has a car. “Since I do have my car on campus, I am able to go to places farther away like Target and Wegmans, however, parking in the garage by Eagle Landing makes it so inconvenient to lug multiple loads to my room,” she said. “Having a cart would be very beneficial to me by allowing me to save time and energy only having to make one trip from the garage to my room... It’s something I definitely want to look into now and try for myself.”

This beach cart from Bed Bath and Beyond holds a great deal.

If you don't already have them, absolutely download Canvas for your classes, the Guardian app for campus safety and Bite to get a heads-up on the UC menu. I’ve also heard that new game Temple Run has been getting pretty big lately. How do I stop binge-watching One Tree Hill when I know I have two tests this week? Stated by someone seeking self-control You could try prioritizing your work like an adult, or using the show as a reward system for finishing your work. Or just finish the show; that way you won’t be tempted to watch it again for a while. I want to major in computer science but Trinkle’s musty old basement is setting off my asthma. What should I do? Stated by a fan of clean air Respirators are only about $17 on Amazon but if that doesn’t work out, I’ve heard that the new psychology building is pretty nice. *If you have any questions for Katherine, feel free to email them to blueandgray.life@gmail.com.

Paige Walton / The Blue & Gray Press.

Weekend Events

Thursday

Friday

• Guest Speaker: Dr. Jac- • Boss Baby 7 p.m. Monquelyn Pelzer, the Direcroe 116 tor of Admissions at Vir- • Vanya and Sonia and ginia-Maryland College Masha and Spike 7:30 of Veterinary Medicine p.m. Klein Theatre 7p.m. 406A Magnolia • Wonder Woman 10 University Center p.m. Monroe 116 • Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike 7:30 pm Klein Theatre

@theBlueandGray

Saturday

Sunday

• Vanya and Sonia and • Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike 2 p.m. Masha and Spike 2 p.m. Klein Theatre Klein Theatre • Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike 7:30 p.m. Klein Theatre • Wonder Woman 7 p.m. Monroe 116 • Boss Baby 10 p.m. Monroe 116

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LIFE

Frankie Cosmos captivates with casual, intimate venue

GRACE HOWIE Contributing Writer

Every time I go to Charlottesville, Va., I always end up getting dumplings at Marco & Luca’s on the downtown mall. This past Saturday afternoon it was warm and I was sitting outside eating with a friend when I found myself doing a double take at the person strolling by. Greta Kline, the lead singer of the band I was in town to see, was strolling down the downtown mall a few hours before the show was set to start. Kline, who plays under the stage name Frankie Cosmos, is a charming indie alternative musician originally from New York. She is currently on tour with her band, which includes Luke Pyenson on drums, David Mystery on bass and Lauren Martin on synthesizer. The band was playing in Charlottesville for the first time at The Southern Café & Music Hall. I had been there once before and the mark the venue left on me was part of why I decided to go to this show on Frankie Cosmos’ tour, which started in D.C. the night before. This venue is incredibly small which makes for intimate, spellbinding shows as one feels privy to an experience seemingly only the other people there will ever experience (never mind the fact these bands are on tour and play the same songs every night to different audiences). The doors opened at 6:30 p.m. and the show started at 8:30 p.m. My friend and I, eager to secure spots since it is such a low-capacity venue, entered around 7 p.m. to a completely empty space where a merchandise table was slowly being set up. We grabbed our tickets from will call and sat down in the café area of the venue since the stage area wasn’t going to be opened up until around 8 p.m. Usually I am not one to be embarrassingly early, but on this occasion it ended up working out. Kline and her band ended up eating dinner in the café only a few tables away from us. This was refreshing to see as in my experience, most bands attempt to avoid interacting with their crowd prior

Top: Greta Kline and David Mystery. Bottom: Lauren Martin and Luke Pyenson.

to a show. Was it the intimacy that the small size of this venue allowed? Who knows, but it was cool. This transitioned into Kline being behind the merch table where she signed items, engaged in light conversation and left each person with a “see you later,” providing a very personal feeling to all of her interactions. I myself am now the owner of a cassette on which Kline wrote, “Hi Grace! Greta,” follwed by a smiley face. There were two openers for this show: Nice Try and Ian Sweet, both indie-alternative and more than fitting for the vibe that emanates from Frankie Cosmos. Nice Try provided a playful, fun set to start off the evening. This was followed by a solo set from Ian Sweet’s frontwoman, Jilian Medford, who provided stripped down renditions of their songs with melancholy lyrics presented through powerful vocals. This

provided balance, as each exemplified parts that came together as a whole later in the evening through the headliner, Frankie Cosmos. The venue itself took a while to fill up. Between sets I would sneak away to get water, only to find the café more and more full which, with changeover, resulted in the stage area ending up more and more full too. By the time Frankie Cosmos went on, the area was crowded but not so packed that it was uncomfortable. Kline’s voice has a quality to it that is so simplistic, but entrancing all at the same time. This accompanied with simple backing and pure lyrics made for a show that was nothing short of what I expected. If I had to pick one word to describe the show it would be comfortable. The live vocal and band had an ease and familiarity to it as it

Frankie Cosmos’ band performed at The Southern Cafe & Music Hall in Charlottesville, Va.

Grace Howie/Blue & Gray Press.

http://frankiecosmosband.com/.

was almost indistinguishable from the recorded album, which is actually exceedingly difficult to accomplish. I felt as though if I closed my eyes I could trick myself into thinking I was laying in my bed. The lyrics are so straightforward and relatable while still possessing a poeticism not easily matched and that can resonate with anyone, especially those in their early 20s. She perfectly captures what it is to be figuring everything out, whether it be love or bad friendships and she even dips into exploring more melancholy themes as there seems to be a recurring thread of existential crisis and dread. One example of this is in the song “On the Lips,” which goes, “Sometimes I cry ‘cause I know I’ll never have all the answers.” It is this uncertainty of life that strikes a chord especially when backed by head bopping and sweet guitar melodies along with vocal harmonies provided by both Martin and Pyenson. At this show they played a new unreleased song, which Kline politely requested no one record. Again, there was a feeling of trust that was created between this band and the audience in this small space. There was another level of comfort at the show due to Kline’s casual outfit, a spaghetti strap crop top and athletic shorts. There’s a simplicity in everything she does that somehow made everything feel complete. Kline was so low-key the entire time, there was no pressure on anyone involved and this allowed for a positive environment. My friend and I ended up talking to her again after the show. After a conversation about hair, since we had both recently buzzed all of ours (Kline believes everyone should cut all their hair off at least once in their life and I agree), we said our goodbyes and I got a hug. It was as if I was saying goodbye to a new friend. Frankie Cosmos is on tour right now for their second studio album, Next Thing, which came out in 2016. You can listen to it on Spotify, or download it at https://ingridsuperstar.bandcamp. com/ or check out their website at http:// frankiecosmosband.com/.

NEWS

POLICE BEAT MEAGHAN MCINTYRE & IZZY BRIONES News Editors

Vandalism On Saturday, September 16 between 12:08 a.m. and 12:16 a.m., a parking control device was vandalized at the Eagle Landing parking deck. This case is pending

On Thursday, September 21 between 6:45 p.m. and 7:15 p.m., a fire panel was vandalized at building 5 of the William St. Apartments. This case is pending. On Saturday, September 23 between around 2:20 p.m. and 3:20 p.m., a flag was vandalized at the James Monroe Museum. This case is pending.

Possession On Saturday, September 16 at around 11:20 a.m., there was possession of marijuana at Bushnell Hall. One administrative referral was given.

SGA approves the tampon initiative

JAMIE McGuire Staff Writer

Last school year, the Student Senate passed a motion requesting that the school provide Tampons and Pad dispensers in campus buildings such as the University Center. The motion passed through both the Senate and Executive Cabinet of SGA. Now after several months of deliberation, this motion was put into act on Sept. 25 and free feminine hygiene products are offered in various locations across campus. Baskets filled with tampons and pads are located in the University Center and the Hurley Convergence Center. Additionally, signs have been posted on bathroom doors to direct students to the designated bathrooms where they can be found. According to Matthew Good, the director of Communication for SGA, all the funds for this initiative were appropriated through the Finance Committee, however SGA will consider alternative funding streams if it becomes a permanent program. At the end of the year, Good said, “we will be looking at consumption and popularity as to whether we continue the program, expand it, change certain aspects, etc…” This semester will act as a trial run

On Wednesday, September 20 at 6:10 p.m., a laptop was stolen from the Hurley Convergence Center. This case is pending.

for the tampon program. With a campus population that is mostly women, the Student Government will be closely looking at the numbers. The cost of operating full year, how many tampons and pads are required to maintain an adequate supply and how many students are using the baskets. SGA members will be tracking this information to help see the impact of the program. After a nearly ten-month period, the

“It was definitely important to have tampons available because there are times where girls might need them and they do not have time to run back to their room.” -Elizabeth Finto

Grand Larceny On Wednesday, September 20 around noon, a vehicle key was stolen from Jefferson Hall. This case is closed, the items were located, and prosecution was declined by the victim.

Cayley McGuire/ The Blue & Gray Press SGA provides free feminine products in bathrooms across campus.

motion is being put into action with support from the student body. With the outlook of making the program permanent in the future, some students voiced their opinion on the matter. “It was definitely important to have tampons available because there are times where girls might need them and they do not have time to run back to their room,” said junior Elizabeth Finto. There are students on campus who feel like this initiative will be really beneficial and that it should have been created sooner. “I’m pro baskets,” said junior Briana Lanigan who is a marketing major. “It is nice to have something assessable for when you forget your supplies or a period comes at an unexpected time. Also, that it is about time feminine hygiene products are available; this school was started as a female school, it’s ridiculous it took so long to have something in place.” “The products are generic because

•FEMININE PRODUCTS | 11

COE community excited for its future home •COE | 2 helped to keep them awake during lecture. The architects will take these responses to account as they begin work renovating Seacobeck. “When we did that tour around the Hurley Convergence Center, we wanted to see what was working and what was not working and what we could change for Seacobeck,” said Dr. Broome. “We want the students to be able to have an open space where they can collaborate, hold meetings, and study.” One of the major goals that the College of Education faculty envision for

the new building is to create classrooms that have enough space for students to have the ability to practice their teaching methods for their specific endorsement area and grade level. “We’re looking at different configurations which make sense for different classes,” said Dr. Broome. “Some classes are more lecture based, others are more collaborative. We’re looking at different forms of flexible classrooms to be able to make it more appropriate for your endorsement area and your grade level.” According to both Dr. Broome and Dean Kelly, the ultimate hope for the

future of the College of Education is that by having this new building where students and faculty can come and work together in one space. The community between the students and faculty in the College of Education will be strengthened. “I think the physical structure of a building has an impact on how we come together and how we work together as a group,” said Dean Kelly. “Anything we can do to elevate the teaching profession here and in the world is really important to do.”

On Friday, September 22 between 7:30 p.m. and 7:50 p.m., a wallet, cash, and ID documents were stolen from the Eagle Landing parking lot. This case is pending.

The information was compiled with assistance from UMW Police Manager James DeLoatch and Fredericksburg Police Department Public Information Officer Sarah Kirkpatrick.

The College of Education will takeover Seacobeck Hall in the Fall of 2019.

UNIVERSITY RELATIONS

Thursday, September 28, 2017

NEWS

Program deemed Eagles in Recovery

•AA | 1 how they continue to struggle even after quitting, “the hardest thing is always saying no,” said another student. Rauscher has not only been contacted by individuals in need of help, but he has also been flooded with students who just want to lend a helping hand and make a difference in their community. “I think it’s much more difficult to handle because I feel like with peer pressure an explanation is wanted, right? So, if somebody says, ‘here have a drink’ and you say, ‘oh I don’t d r i n k ’ they’re going to ask why and so our students, especially our younger students, have to be able to feel comfortable to say, ‘no’ and no explanation is required,” said Rauscher. Rauscher is glad that the program can make a difference and that students are coming forward to utilize the assistance it can offer them. “I am just enormously proud of the individuals that can come forward and say, ‘I’m in recovery’ I mean they’ve already done the hard part, right? Like being in recovery shouldn’t be difficult,” said Rauscher. “It shouldn’t feel like a secret, it shouldn’t feel bad but I think…students feel awkward about being in recovery; they’ve already had their struggle and they’re working on a new life.” Although Rauscher has kept clean for many years, he still relies on AA/NA to be his support system. “I love AA because for at least one hour in one room we’re keeping each other sober.” Rauscher is working hard trying to spread the word around campus via posters, emails, Eagle Vision and more.

“I’m super excited that the university supports this…I think it shows that the university really cares about its students and its faculty and its staff,” said Rauscher. Rauscher also gives himself over to a higher power, however for him, this power is the group itself. He realizes that many people may not identify with the religious aspect of the group, so he allows the higher power to be unique to each individual. Rauscher, who formerly worked for VCU’s residence life for 20 years, was inspired by their campus recovery program. W h e n he realized that UMW did not have similar programs he took it upon himself to create one. “Knowing that there is this national epidemic for opium use and the situation with college drinking, we need a support mechanism for our students,” said Rauscher. The AA/NA program began at UMW on Sept. 6. So far, there has been one meeting a week but Rauscher believes that this may be due to students having hesitations on identifying themselves with AA/NA. Rauscher plans to start another program titled Eagles in Recovery. This group will provide a more relaxed environment for students, a place where they can get to know each other on their own terms. Students would be able to attend meetings on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights when they feel pressured to party and they can get help without feeling the stigma that they may believe is attached with being an AA/ NA member.

“Understanding the freedom of sobriety, it’s a whole new world of freedom.” -Anonymous

These products are meant for emergency needs.

•FEMININE PRODUCTS | 2 tampons and pads are for emergency usage, in the event they run out of or unprepared for the day,” said president of Inter Club Association, Kate Barry. “They are not meant for luxury. The products are generic because tampons and pads are for emergency usage, and that they are not meant for luxury. This is a cost-effective way to buy enough for students and supply them with what they need.This is a cost-effective way to buy enough for students and supply them with what they need.” SGA Vice President Theodosius Zotos explained why it took so long for this bill to be put into action. “The process was prolonged because of our conversation on budgeting and questions occurred like SGA role and responsibility in this matter, and some administrators were hesitant,” said Zotos. However, Zotos explained that this idea was brought to fruition with the help of former ICA president, Lauren Rainford. A member of the class of 2017, Rainford graduated last spring. Good and Barry commented on Rainford’s impact on this initiative, including how

Cayley McGuire/ The Blue & Gray Press

she convinced SGA and administrators to not charge students for the tampons and pads. Lauren Rainford argued that “given our dedication to the honor code, students should treat the initiative with respect and therefore should not be punished for the possible misuse by some students.” By the end of the spring semester, the program began to develop. “I am hopeful for the success of the drive and the stress it is bound to alleviate,” said Rainford. “Our students should know that the administration and SGA are working together to meet all of the needs of all of our students and this initiative is just one example of the ways in which they do.” With the first set of baskets up and ready for the week of Sept., 25, SGA only has a few concerns left about the new program: since the baskets are unmonitored, they are worried students will abuse the baskets. Good stressed the fact that these baskets are not meant to be a running supply for students, but rather an emergency supply. Even with these small reservations, SGA is prepared to maintain daily supplies, order more as needed, and to see this program blossom.

“Our students should know that the administration and SGA are working together to meet all of the needs of all of our students and this initiative is just one example of the ways in which they do.” -Lauren Rainford

Student Senate Beat Wednesday, Sept 27

If you are interested in becoming a member of student senate please join us on Wednesdays at 5pm in Monroe Rm 116 , if you have any further questions email Theodosius Zotos at vp@umwsga.org Fall 2017 office hours for the SGA.

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Photo provided by Matt GoodF

DETAILS PROVIDED BY JAMIE MCGUIRE

SPORTS ALICEN HACKNEY Staff Writer

Editor: Ryan Brauch | blueandgray.sports@gmail.com

Field hockey looks at positives after a tough loss to Tufts

On Saturday, Sept. 23, the UMW women’s field hockey team held their own against Tufts University. While it may not have resulted in a win, the Mary Washington girls, or stood up to take on the challenge. The game ended with Tufts winning 1-0, but they were unable to score until the final minutes of overtime. Most game play took place on Mary Washington’s end of the field; however, the Wash girls’ push back and defense was incredible. The Wash girls came close to scoring six times, sending the crowd into a joyous uproar. Upon being asked about her expectations going into a game against Tufts, Mackenzie Burnett stated, “We knew it would be a tough game because Tufts is a strong team; but we went in with confidence, and we were ready to play our game.” The game went off mostly without a hitch, with only one injury on the Mary Washington side. Player Lexie Dixon took a ball to the shin from a mere six or seven feet away. Dixon showed the strength of an Eagle, getting back up and walking it off quickly, even going as far as jumping and running, showing she was unphased by the injury. Parents and other family members cheered loudly for their players from the stands. The sense of camaraderie and family between parents of team members was wonderful to see. While many parents wanted to remain anonymous, the general consensus of com-

ments represented that the parents were proud of their athletes and felt that the players should be proud of themselves as well. Everyone in attendance enjoyed watching the Wash girls hold their own. On the strengths and weaknesses shown during Saturday’s game, Burnett stated, “Even though we didn’t get the outcome we wanted, our defense consistently stayed with our marks and held strong. Today especially we did a great job at connecting with each other all the way up the field and playing as a unit. There is always room for improvement, but we look at today’s game with pride knowing that we can hang with a highly ranked team such as Tufts.” Not only could the UMW team hang with such a highly ranked team, but they proved they could fight hard to keep their ground. While Tufts may be highly ranked, UMW was a challenging team to play. Even in the summer-like heat, the Wash girls never lost their energy and kept Tufts on their toes. In closing comments, Burnett stated, “I’m really proud of my team and I’m looking forward to building off of today for an awesome rest of the season.” You can find the women’s field hockey game schedule and more at the UMW athletics website. As they continue to improve throughout the season, you’ll want to see this strong team in action.

Lauren Hopkins goes after the ball

Bella Urcia playing defense

www.umweagles.com

NFL players stand strong after President Trump’s divisive words

SEAN BERMINGHAM Staff Writer

At a rally in Huntsville, Alabama, President Donald Trump spent a portion of his time on stage talking about the National Football League. What started as a tangent about how penalties for hard hits are making the game soft and “ruining it,” quickly became a tirade on the National Anthem protests started last year by former forty-niners’ quarter back, Colin Kaepernick, and how the players “disrespect our flag,” according to President Trump. President Trump then called for people in the stadium, paying customers, to get up and leave if they see someone kneeling for the anthem. “The only thing you could do better is if you see it, even if it’s one player, leave the stadium, I guarantee things will stop... Things will stop. Just pick up and leave. Pick up and leave.” The President said that he wished NFL team owners would cut players who knelt or in any way disrespected the flag. “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son

Thursday, September 28 2017

of a b**** off the field right now. Out. He’s fired. He’s fired,” said President Trump. The response to the President’s comments began on Twitter with many players and fans telling the President to stick to politics and stay out of sports. The drama continued into Sunday with teams all over the country banding together to show support for each other against the dividing rhetoric coming from the President. The Pittsburgh Steelers, the Tennessee Titans and the Seattle Seahawks all kept their entire team in the locker room during the National Anthem except for former army ranger and current Steelers’ offensive lineman, Alejandro Villanueva. The singer performing the anthem for Atlanta’s game against the Lions knelt during the final chorus. Numerous players, coaches and even some owners linked arms in solidarity showing the President, the nation and the world that the NFL players will not stop their protest until change is made. Some displayed less subtle forms of protest like Buffalo Bills’ running back,

LeSean McCoy, who was seen on the field stretching during the anthem. The fans reaction during these anthem protests will become more apparent in the coming weeks, but in New England on Sunday, fans were shouting “Stand Up,” booing and yelling other profanities at their kneeling players. The President’s remarks riled up people on both sides of the argument with many supporters of the President arguing that people in the spotlight, like these football players, should show support for the flag and the nation. However, others claim that the football players are not doing anything wrong by standing up for what they believe in and the people that support the Nazi agenda and white supremacy are the ones who need to be stopped. Many team owners in the NFL backed up their players. Giants co-owners, John Mara and Steve Tisch, put out a joint statement, “Comments like we heard [Friday] night from the president are inappropriate, offensive and divisive, we are proud of our players, the vast majority of whom use the NFL platform

to make a positive difference in our society.” Stephen Ross, the Miami Dolphins owner, also put out a statement in which he called the players who kneel, “smart young men of character who want to make our world a better place for everyone.” Terry Bradshaw, a hall-of-fame quarterback and Fox Sports commentator, came out saying he does not condone protests during the national anthem but believes every American has a right to speak out and protest for what they believe. He continued, saying that he hopes President Trump focuses on more “serious issues like North Korea and healthcare rather than ripping into athletics and the NFL.” With the current racial and social tensions in our nation, the divisive comments by the President were a shock but not a surprise. These comments, while divisive, have also helped solidify the position on both sides of the issue as was demonstrated this weekend in the NFL.