>> Duke Dog to compete in national competition for best college mascot. See more on page B6.
Serving James Madison University Since 1922 BreezeJMU.org
Snow n 36°/ 23° chance of precipitation: 100%
Vol. 92, No. 36 Friday, February 14, 2014
Hit-andrun ends with arrest Incident concludes with foot chase on train tracks By ij chan The Breeze
james chung / the Breeze
The Harrisonburg area was hit with approximately 10-12 inches of snow during yesterday’s snowstorm, forcing JMU and many local businesses to close. TOP Kelley Grenn, a senior anthropology major, walks past Carrier library during the snow storm on Thursday afternoon. RIGHT Molly Ryan (left), a sophomore English major, and Jana Hertzog, a junior health sciences and justice studies double major, enjoy the snow and build a snowman on the Quad on Thursday. LEFT Casey Fox, a senior integrated science and technology major, snowboards down a hill near the Convocation Center on Thursday afternoon.
On Monday at about 8:45 a.m., the driver of a red 2004 Ford Explorer was heading southbound on South High Street near the intersection of South High and West Grace Street, according to Sgt. William Keller of the Harrisonburg Police Department. Keller said a deputy officer from HPD was attempting to pull the driver over for a traffic violation, when the driver took a left turn onto West Grace Street, which has been closed due to construction for JMU’s new housing project. The driver entered the Greenberry’s parking lot, allegedly hit a parked car and then proceeded to exit the lot onto West Grace Street again. see HIT, page A4
It’s not in the family Proposed bill would give JMU faculty’s children reduced tuition By Chris Kent The Breeze
sean cassidy / the Breeze
james chung / the Breeze
>> More photos at breezejmu.org.
‘Less question marks’
Baseball poised to return to past success with a healthy approach on and off the field By stephen proffitt The Breeze
“Everything matters, all the time.” That’s the slogan the 45th team in JMU baseball history is embracing as it heads into the 2014 campaign. The phrase, developed by assistant coach Ted White, is supposed to mix life on and off the diamond. “We were looking for something a little more inclusive,” head coach Spanky McFarland said. “It’s more to it than baseball. It’s all the academics, nutrition, team chemistry. Everything matters all the time.” McFarland thinks that a healthy lifestyle off the field carries into play. Eating right, doing your dishes, washing your hands, avoiding germs — leads to a productive team. “Being that model teammate, that model citizen off the field,” junior leftfielder Chad Carroll said. “If you’re handling all of your stuff off the field, then you’re going to be able to come with a clear mind and play the game the way you’re suppose to.” This philosophy means a lot to Carroll as he strives to live up to his preseason accolades. He, along with Towson University’s senior designated hitter Kurt Wertz, were selected as preseason Co-Player
of the Year in the Colonial Athletic Association. Following a trip to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Regionals in 2011, the Dukes have seen two rough seasons, plagued by youth and injuries. According to McFarland, it’s all a cycle. “We took a beating after 2011,” McFarland said. “We had some injuries. I thought we got better last year. We were playing pretty good toward the end of the season. Hopefully that’ll carry over.” In 2011, JMU finished 42-19, losing to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the NCAA Regionals. That historic season has been followed by two losing seasons, 16-35 in 2012 and 25-30 in 2013. It’s the first time the program has seen consecutive losing seasons since the 1998-99 seasons. The frigid winter months have taken their toll on the Dukes, but Mother Nature has also blessed them with some much needed field time in preparation for the lengthy 56-game season. “You never know,” McFarland said of the weather. “It’s a mental toughness thing,” he added. “We talk about being like Marines, be ready for anything.” see baseball, page B8
A college education is becoming increasingly expensive. According to a report done by the National Center for Education Statistics, the average price to attend a four-year college instate between the years of 1980 and 1981 was $8,756. Included in the same study was the year 2011 which listed the average price of an in-state fouryear college as $21,657. Currently, JMU does not offer tuition benefits for the dependents of faculty members. That is, the children of JMU faculty do not get a tuition reduction. In the Virginia Senate, Bill 633 has been proposed, which if passed would give dependent of faculty a 50 percent tuition waiver. “The bill proposes a 50 percent tuition waiver for full-time faculty members who have been employed for seven years or more at any public Virginia college or university and for the child to attend any public Virginia college or university, so we would indeed qualify,” Jennifer Coffman the associate executive director of international programs at JMU, said. see waiver, page A4
2/14 Inside
Matt schmachtenberg / the Breeze
Logan Corrigan (right) throws to Conner Brown during practice on Wednesday afternoon. The team is preparing for its upcoming season.
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news Teen violence
A6
opinion Not so spirited
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life A man of many cultures
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sports A tale of redemption
February is known for love, but it’s also Teen Violence Awareness Month.
Russia’s anti-gay laws are making it a terrible Olympic venue.
Spanish professor tells about his travels and adjusting to America.
Women’s lacrosse looks to improve after a disappointing 2013 season.