Breaking records and battling bias
The rise in popularity of women’s sports and barriers that still linger
Hope Martin Staff Writer
With the Women’s National Basketball League and Women’s National Soccer League heating up, women’s sports have become a rising topic in sports scenes.
While many men’s sports, such as the NBA and NFL, have gained global popularity, women’s sports have often lurked in their shadow. According to recent data and student interviews, that might change over time.
While many women’s sports have been gaining popularity, in part due to players with significant social media presence, such as Ilona Maher for Rugby and
Simone Biles in Gymnastics, no sport has risen in interest as much as Basketball recently.
This sudden boom in viewership is due to a new rising athlete, Caitlin Clark. This is something Forbes has dubbed the “Caitlin Clark Effect.”
Clark is a recent addition to the Indiana Fever and played college basketball for the Iowa Hawkeyes. She is a three-time USA Basketball Gold Medalist, and is very sought after as she is considered one of the best collegiate basketball players.
While Clark has brought much attention to the WNBA, women’s sports have risen in popularity even before her addition.
“I think women’s
sports are definitely getting more popular,” said Kell Carpenter, Associate Director for Access Services of Ina Dillard Russel Library. “I think more people are discovering it.”
Several women’s leagues recently broke records for women’s sport, including NCAA Women’s Basketball, the WNBA and the NWSL.
“I think it’s really cool that women who are really talented in their sports are getting more recognition and maybe pay is starting to get closer to what men’s pay is, for the same or sometimes better talent,” Carpenter said.
The “Crossover at Kinnick” set a new NCAA women’s basketball attendance record and is the first time a women’s game
was played outdoors in a football stadium. The NCAA women’s basketball championship game between Iowa and South Carolina drew 18.9 million viewers, setting records as both ESPN’s most-watched college basketball game ever and the largest audience for any women’s college basketball game in history. With so many records set, it is clear that women’s sports are rising in popularity, but the wage gap does not seem to reflect this. The average WNBA salary in 2024 was about $150,000 per season, while the NBA average salary was roughly $10 million, according to Forbes. Women’s sports have faced challenges over the years. Wage gaps,
Parking fees but no guarantees
GCSU
recieves backlash after new parking policies
Paige Blakemore Managing Editor
In an effort to combat growing concerns over limited parking spaces, GCSU announced phase one of its new parking plan on Wednesday, April 15. While the implemented changes were created to utilize more parking spaces, many students, faculty and staff alike were left frustrated.
“For students choosing to bring a vehicle to campus, there will be an elective fee of $50.00 per semester,” said GCSU Parking and Transportation in a campus-wide email. “The $87.00 mandatory parking and transportation fee covers parking infrastructure, lot maintenance and shuttle services.”
In addition to these changes set to go into effect on the first day of classes, Aug. 18, commuter parking permits will no longer be guaranteed to students. Instead, the permits will be issued on a lottery basis, dependent on class standing. Furthermore, the most accessible commuter parking to campus, the Liberty St. lot, will no longer be available to students.
In light of the dissatisfaction, a petition on Change.org was posted the same day as the policy announcement titled, “Demand GCSU to Retain Existing Parking Policy and Reject Lottery System.” The petition has nearly 250 signatures.
“The people in charge of parking and transpor-
tation have never been putting students’ needs in the forefront,” said one commenter on the petition. “... For a school who preaches about their care for students’ safety, why take away the safest lot from students behind public safety and make them walk long distances when some classes don’t let out until past sundown? Stop putting students at risk! Shame on GCSU Parking & Transportation Service.”
Dorm room dynamics
How to handle sharing a living space
Molly Goff Opinion Editor
In recent memory,
Freshman year of college is often a whirlwind of excitement, adjustment and new beginnings. Amid the chaos of orientation, class schedules and navigating a new campus, one of the most formative aspects of the experience is learning to live with roommates.
For many first-year students, sharing a liv-
| PG. 3
ing space is a new challenge. As an only child with older parents, I was used to solitude and an early bedtime. The idea of roommates was both thrilling and unfamiliar. Finally, I would have friends nearby, not just people I planned to hang out with, but individuals I would see every day. I found my freshman roommate through GCSU’s Instagram page, and we were later assigned two random suitemates. It felt like the typical
COMBINED COLLEGES IN GEORGIA
University system of Georgia talks of merging Georgia Southern with East Georgia State.
freshman year experience I had hoped for. Naturally, living together wasn’t without its challenges. Our personalities differed greatly, and we had our share of conflict. But over time, maturity helped us navigate those differences. We learned how to share a space respectfully, and despite the ups and downs, I have nothing but love and respect for my roommates.
Still, it’s rare to hear stories of lifelong friendships forged in those first
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL MAJOR CHANGES
dorm rooms. I’ve found that many students don’t remain close with their freshman roommates beyond that initial year. Recently, during a group project, I visited my friend Cami’s apartment and met her roommates. With my own mixed experiences, I was curious to see how their dynamic worked.
sexualized or strict outfit guidelines compared to men and fewer viewership are only some of the challenges faced by women’s athletes.
“I remember learning about the pay gap and thinking about Alex Morgan and famous women’s soccer players and being shocked that they had to do so much
Kennedy
Welker Asst. A&L Editor
GCSU held its 2025 campus-wide Research Day on April 16, consisting of a plethora of overlapping panels, oral presentations, poster presentations, screenings, receptions, exhibits and competitions. The two daylong event ran from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Research day is an event that offers students the opportunity to both share their research with their students and faculty and discover the research that their peers have been working on.
All graduate and undergraduate students from across disciplines are invited to participate by submitting a proposal pertinent to their area of study.
Eowyn Agullo, a sophomore history major, along with her research partner Sherlyn Camacho Bustamante, a sophomore accounting major, presented “The Evolution of the Spanish Language in Mexico.”
else to make money too,” said Kate Domaleski, a senior psychology student. “I would say I know more about men’s sports than women’s sports. As someone who cares more about women’s sports, I think that’s pretty telling about the culture.”
See WOMEN | Page 4
| PG. 4 ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A FIFTH GRADER?
The MLB implimented new rules to the game to improve the quality of the sport.
Students, do you think that you are smart enough to answer these elementary level questions?
The presentation of a topic revolving around the Spanish language and culture is a requirement for Spanish 3010 as a way to prepare Spanish majors for their capstone project. For Agullo, who is not a Spanish major, the purpose was to employ research strategies as an undergraduate student.
“If people choose to participate in Research Day, I encourage them to do so out of their own will and desire,” Agullo said. “I encourage them to have a passion for the topic they choose and to make consistent progress with the support of a mentor at every step.”
The presentation was an analysis of the many factors that contributed to the evolution of the Spanish Language in Mexico, including the Spanish conquest, technology and political, social and economic factors. According to Agullo and Bustamante, there continue to be intercultural exchanges between indigenous languages, Spanish and English, which create a unique blend of languages that reflects a diverse history in Mexico.
See RESEARCH | Page 6
OPINION & MISC. | PG. 8
WHAT’S WITH THE OBSESSION WITH UNDERWEAR?
Celebrities like Bad Bunny and Robert Irwin are receving all the buzz for their latest underwear advertisments.
Caitlin Clark
See PARKING | Page 3
See DORM | Page 8
Julia Jensen | Art Director
Julia Jensen | Art Director GCSU research
freed in high-stakes prisoner swap
Brianna Heard Satff Writer
Russian-American ballerina Ksenia Karelina has been released from a Russian prison as part of a rare prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia. The 33-year-old, who had been serving a 12-year sentence for treason after donating to a Ukrainian relief fund, landed back in the U.S. Karelina was exchanged for Arthur Petrov, a dual Russian-German citizen who had been held in the U.S. on serious charges including export control violations, smuggling and money laundering.
The exchange took place in Abu Dhabi and was facilitated by high-level officials, including the Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe with assistance from the United Arab Emirates.
“The exchange shows the importance of keeping lines of communication open with Russia, despite the deep challenges in our bilateral relationship,” Ratcliffe said.
The exchange has prompted mixed feelings, especially among students who are weighing the human impact against broader risks.
“This idea seems fair from the outside, but I see this leading to more issues than it is worth,” said Avery Jones, a sophomore mass communication major. “Yes, it may help bring Americans back home, but what happens if that becomes a hostage situation?”
Jones expressed concern that prisoner swaps could create dangerous incentives for foreign powers, particularly those who may see these exchanges as opportunities to use American citizens as bargaining chips.
“What if we have someone from another country in prison here for something, and an American gets arrested for something minor somewhere else so that that country can do a prisoner swap to get their person back?” Jones said.
“In the long run, it’s not a great idea.”
Karelina’s arrest in January 2024 occurred during a family visit to Yekaterinburg, Russia. She was accused of treason for her donation, which Russian authorities claimed supported Ukraine’s military efforts.
While Karelina’s release shows that channels between Washington and Moscow remain open, researchers claim it should not be seen as a sign of improving relations. Despite the success of the exchange, it is unlikely to ease the broader geopolitical tensions between Russia, the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
The practice of prisoner swaps has sparked debate among U.S. lawmakers and researchers, with concerns that such exchanges may encourage further detentions of Americans abroad.
Critics argue that trading innocent Americans for actual Russian criminals could send a dangerous message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, potentially incentivizing future hostage-taking.
“Bringing people home is great, but I’m just not sure it’s a good idea to set a precedent for these kinds of exchanges, “ said Ashley Bentz, a sophomore psychology major. “What if this just becomes something countries use to get what they want?”
Researchers claim that while this exchange may seem like a rare occurrence, it could encourage similar deals in the future, especially with the increasing number of Americans detained abroad for various reasons.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more swaps like this in the future, but I think we need to have stricter rules in place,” Bentz said.
In the long run, this exchange could mark a turning point in how countries approach diplomatic negotiations, as more nations might try to use swaps as leverage to free their citizens or gain political favors.
These kinds of deals can also have a profound impact on the relationship between the countries involved in the exchanges. They can reinforce power dynamics, send signals about priorities and potentially create a precedent for future negotiations.
As the U.S. continues working on these efforts, the government is focused on bringing Americans home from overseas. However, with all the complexities of international relations and the risks involved in prisoner swaps, each situation will need to be carefully thought out to balance ethics and national security.
VOLUME 105 | NO. 10
Editorial Board
Delaney Derry.................
Editor in Chief
Paige Blakemore............
Julia Jensen......................
Shadimon Smith............
Rylee Holland.................
Brennan Schmitz...........
Benjamin Clark...............
Mary Ciucevich...............
Kennedy Welker..............
Molly Goff.........................
Isabella McComis..........
Matthew Malkowski.....
Rebecca Ocampo..........
Kassie Arps.......................
Scott Dillard.....................
Managing Editor
Art Director News Editor
Asst. News Editor
Sports Editor
Asst. Sports Editor
Arts & Life Editor
Asst. Arts & Life Editor
Opinion Editor
Digital Media Editor
Digital Media Editor
PR Manager
Ad Sales Manager
Faculty Adviser
Townsend fiction prize winners
Kate Walker Contributing Writer
This spring, two GCSU English professors were named finalists for the 2025 Townsend Prize for Fiction, one of Georgia’s most prestigious literary honors. Although author Denene Millner ultimately received the award at a ceremony on April 16, GCSU’s Peter Selgin and Chika Unigwe were both recognized for their acclaimed novels, “A Boy’s Guide to Outer Space” and “The Middle Daughter.”
The Townsend Prize was established in 1981 in memory of Jim Townsend, the founding editor of “Atlanta Magazine.” The prize has been sponsored by a variety of universities, publications, museums and centers in the past, but it is currently sponsored by the Atlanta Writers and the Georgia Writers Museum.
“The Prize honors the best piece of literary fiction written by a Georgia author during the time since the last award,” said the Atlanta Writers Club. “A selection committee that includes members of the Georgia literary community will consider all qualified contenders for the cash prize and silver platter by reviewing all eligible work and narrowing the list of possibilities to ten finalists, which will then be sent to three outof-state judges for the final decision.”
Finalists are selected based on literary excellence, originality and insight, with the goal of recognizing the depth and diversity of Georgia’s fiction writers. Previous winners of the prize include some of Georgia’s most wellknown writers, such as Celestine Sibley, Alice Walker, Ferrol Sams, James Kilgo and Terry Kay. This year’s awards ceremony, held at the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center in Atlanta, honored all ten finalists in a celebration of Georgia’s vibrant literary culture.
“First, we’re looking for excellence and originality in language,” Chattahoochee Review editor Lawerence Hetrick said. “Second, we’re looking for human insight.”
This year, journalist and author Millner took home the prize for her 2023 novel “One Blood,” published by Forge Books. The novel traces the lives of three generations of Black women throughout the second half of the 20th century, confronting issues of racism, classism and identity. Millner has authored more than 30 books across fiction, nonfiction and children’s literature, including several New York Times bestsellers.
Among the finalists was GCSU’s Unigwe, who has been an assistant pro-
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fessor of creative writing at the university since 2020. Born in Nigeria, Unigwe has received numerous international honors, including the 2012 Nigerian Prize for Literature, a Commonwealth Short Story award and a Rockefeller Foundation fellowship. Her latest novel, “The Middle Daughter,” published by Dzanc Books in April 2023, offers a bold and contemporary reimagining of the Hades and Persephone myth through a modern Nigerian lens.
“I had a fun, wonderful evening surrounded by family and fellow writers,” Unigwe said in an Instagram post following the event. She thanked the Atlanta Writers Club, the Georgia Writers Museum and Dzanc Books for giving “The Middle Daughter” a home in North America. Selgin, a professor of creative writing at GCSU, has also had an impressive literary career. He has published three novels, two children’s books, three guides on the craft of writing and two essay collections. His short story collection, “Drowning Lessons,” received the Flannery O’Connor Award for Fiction in 2007, and his memoir “The Inventors” won the 2017 Housatonic Book Award. Selgin is also an award-winning playwright—his play “A God in the House” was honored at the Eugene O’Neill Playwrights Conference. His most recent novel, “A Boy’s Guide to Outer Space,” was released in November 2023 by Regal House Publishing. The coming-of-age story earned him a well-deserved spot among this year’s Townsend finalists. The recognition of both Unigwe and Selgin as Townsend Prize finalists not only highlights their individual accomplishments but also speaks to the strength of GCSU’s creative writing program. As Georgia’s literary community continues to diversify, the Townsend Prize remains a meaningful celebration of storytelling, honoring the voices who are shaping the future of Southern literature.
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President Trump and Putin
Ballerina
Courtesy of Victor Ehikamenor Chika Unigwe
University System of Georgia closes East Georgia State
Allie Smith Staff Writer
The University System of Georgia, or USG, announced on Tuesday, April 8, possibly merging Georgia Southern University and East Georgia State College. This is part of a wider effort by the USG to streamline operations.
“If approved, the new institution will retain EGSC’s identity while becoming a part of Georgia Southern University, to be led by President Kyle Marrero,” said a USG news release.
The Board of Regents decided Tuesday, April 15, that East Georgia State College will officially consolidate into a unified university that combines the strengths of both institutions. This potential closure arose after years of declining enrollment at East Georgia State, a rural institution located in Swainsboro, which is 180
miles away from Atlanta.
The move could possibly save $30 million in administrative costs, according to the USG. This isn’t the first time Georgia Southern has been involved in a merger with another school, which was with Armstrong University in 2017.
“It had about 1,826 students last fall, down from 3,000 in 2015,” said AP news. “Since school funding is based on enrollment, its total budget has dropped from $31.4 million to slightly more than $24 million over the past five years.”
East Georgia State is a rural institution known for its access to affordable higher education and programs in nursing, biology, education and liberal arts. If the board approves this move, East Georgia will become the 10th institution to consolidate since USG began merging schools in 2011.
The merging USG has been doing and still
doing has reduced the total number of public colleges from 35 to 25. Although the plans have been made for this to happen, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges needs to approve of this move.
SACSCOC is a regional third-party organization for degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern United States. Its primary function is to ensure the quality of these institutions and verify that they meet the already established standards.
This could be a big change for students enrolled at East Georgia. Many students are stressed about classes and credits transferring from one school to the other, and whether that would affect them when they graduate, and if tuition will increase because of the move.
“The first question that was asked by the stu-
dents was about tuition/ fees being increased,” said a staff member at East Georgia State. “The Chancellor and GSU President said that the current tuition rates for FY 2026 are already set and will not change.”
East Georgia students will be given the option to continue their studies at Georgia Southern or transfer to another institution within the USG system. Some say efforts are underway to ensure students will be able to keep their credits and maintain their academic paths without any complexities.
Also, faculty at East Georgia colleges have some comments to make about this transition and about its effectiveness.
“There is some concern by the students,” said a staff member at East Georgia State.“They asked Several questions about the fate of our Athletics programs, dining for campus students and
after-hours access to facilities like the library.”
UNG administrators are also working with both Georgia Southern and East Georgia faculty members to help create a support system for the students, as well as advising sessions and financial aid resources. A task force will be established to oversee and address students’ concerns about the transition directly.
Previous schools have been combined in Georgia, like Georgia State
University with Georgia Perimeter College. Those transitions did face initial challenges, but officials said they eventually led to stronger institutions. The final decision of East Georgia’s closure and consolidation with Georgia Southern University will be a drastic change to their faculty and students. Many people have concerns on academic changes as well as life changes, and how this affects the students outside of school.
IRS Commisioner quits among data sharing deal
Amelia McEwen Staff Writer
The Internal Revenue Services, or IRS, commissioner recently resigned after the IRS and the Department of Homeland Security finalized an agreement to provide sensitive taxpayer data to federal immigration authorities. This agreement is subject to President Donald Trump’s new plan to locate and deport undocumented immigrants.
Melanie Krause, the former IRS commissioner, stepped down from her position with the main reason citing the overall concern about the legality of the measures.
Now, the IRS is involved in its typical tax administration, as well as immigration enforcement. Legality considerations and leadership changes are now apparent.
Krause is the third leader who chose to leave during Trump’s presidency. To ensure a smooth
transition, Krause utilized a “deferred resignation.” This means she will be leaving at a later date than her official resignation announcement. Her departure could be as early as April 28 or as late as May 15.
The president’s decision to implement new changes within the IRS, with the most controversial one being the distribution of sensitive taxpayer information, explains these resignations.
The Department of Homeland Security, or DHS, would request information such as addresses, income data and taxpayer identification numbers from the IRS. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, would use this data to deport undocumented immigrants and locate those under criminal investigation.
There are concerns about potential lower tax compliance. U.S. citizens may be wary of complying because of the general idea of
PARKING
Continued from page 1
Laci Rawlins, a junior biology major, commutes 30 minutes every day to GCSU from Macon, Ga. Typically, Rawlins arrives on campus at least one hour earlier than necessary to ensure she can find a parking spot.
“As much as I love GCSU, [the recent parking changes] really made me feel some hate toward it,” Rawlins said. “It made me feel like GCSU doesn’t care that much about its students and only cares about money and staff. I still want to attend GCSU, but it does make me a lot less happy with it.”
Rawlins noted how many of her friends, who are also commut-
the IRS distributing sensitive information.
“People who otherwise would have volunteered to file their taxes may have a reason to think filing their taxes could result in some non-tax
bution, there could be a decrease in government funding within the realm of education, infrastructure and healthcare.
On the other end of the spectrum, many argue that this could sim-
implementations,” said Victor Burns, a lecturer of accounting at GCSU.
Burns highlights the concern for the lack of tax filing. He reiterates his point by addressing how there could be a revenue drop-off in the government that is parallel with the failure to file taxes.
According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, undocumented immigrants contribute $96.7 billion in taxes to the U.S. economy. Without this contri-
ers, are already considering transferring to different institutions due to the new parking policies.
Kennesaw State University, Georgia State University and the University of Georgia, in addition to many others, all use various parking lottery systems currently to meet the growing demands of students. With increasing enrollment numbers and historical campus infrastructure inhibiting expansion, parking has become a significant challenge at many Georgia universities, not just GCSU.
On average, developers estimate parking garages can cost up to $50,00 per spot, varying in above and underground decks. With the added element of GCSU being located in the
plify enforcement efforts, which reduces the number of undocumented immigrants, relating this action to the overall safety of the country.
The question at hand is whether this is constitutional. There are exceptions for sharing taxpayer information under criminal investigations. The government has argued that immigration enforcement falls within these boundaries. Contrarily, experts note that the Fourth Amend-
ment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. If taxpayer data is shared without legal justification, there could be ways to challenge this in court.
“This could lead to issues regarding the 14th Amendment, such as if certain groups are unfairly targeted in data sharing,” said Anna Carey, a junior political science and rhetoric major.
Carey mentions a point that is a concern for many individuals.
The 14th Amendment guarantees equal protection under the law. If the data is disproportionately used by targeting specific communities, ethical questions could begin to arise.
This type of deal is atypical, but not unheard of. In the past, the IRS has worked closely with the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to locate specific criminals.
“This is just an agreement making the process easier, particularly
heart of Milledgeville’s historic district, a parking garage is not economically feasible at this point in time.
In addition to student disappointment, the faculty and staff’s parking permits doubled in price, now costing $240 for a year-long pass, but on a firstcome, first-served basis. The North Irwin St. parking lot has been significantly underutilized, and to try and incentivize students and employees to park there, a shuttle service will be offered, but only Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“The frustration that a lot of faculty and staff have is that a lot of us are in student-facing roles that require us sometimes to stay after work till 7 or 8 p.m.,” said an anonymous staff member. “How are we getting back to our vehicles?”
between the IRS and ICE. It is just formalizing a process that is already there,” said Cullen Wallace, an economics professor at GCSU. Wallace explains that this is not something new and that it is just an addition to a current implication. Though broad agreements for enforcement are not common. Narrowing the scope to undocumented immigrants is a new action. The IRS has also generally resisted sharing taxpayer information with other agencies. Today, immigrant rights groups have filed lawsuits against the Treasury Department, saying that it violates privacy laws. There has been no official action yet to share taxpayer information. What remains clear is that there is now a shift in how taxpayer information is held, with some viewing it as a necessary step and with others viewing it as unethical.
The timing of the announcement during the hectic final weeks of the semester left many in the GCSU community feeling blindsided and frustrated. If a lottery is deemed necessary at GCSU, some propose limiting it to freshmen, who are required to live on campus and tend to stay there more consistently.
For now, the policies remain unchanged and in effect for Fall 2025.
“I think students will adapt and they’ll be fine, and it actually won’t be quite as terrible as it probably feels like it’s going to be at this time,” said the anonymous staff member. “But I think that they could have done it in a way that was maybe more sensitive to people’s concerns.”
WOMEN
Continued from page 1
Some argue that this wage gap is due to women’s sports being less popular than men’s sports, as having less viewership means less money through ads and sponsorships. Many felt that while this may be the reason, it did not justify the wage gap, and advocated for equal pay for female athletes.
“I think [women’s sports having less viewership being the reason women are paid less] sadly, is probably true, that doesn’t mean they should get paid less,” said Reese Heverly, an environmental science sophomore and member of the GCSU tennis club.
Some also felt that the difference in viewership may be a self-fulfilling prophecy due to inconvenient broadcast
times or less advertising.
“I would say that’s not a valid argument, because if the women’s teams were presented in the same way and the same opportunities, then they would maybe in some ways exceed demand,” Carpenter said. “In the women’s final four, the big matchups were at three o’clock on a Sunday afternoon. The men’s is prime time, and there’s all this buildup. If women’s sports were on even footing on access and promotion, then you might even see that they were more popular than the men’s sports.”
Not everything is negative, though. Many students felt that this was getting better over time or that awareness of women’s sports and wage gaps was increasing.
“I think generally we are getting better,” Domaleski said. “I think we are very aware of
the wage gap when we weren’t in the past, and awareness is a huge step. I’m not sure I would say it’s fixed, though. I think it follows with the rest of society, with women being paid less.”
In women’s volley-
bikini-cut shorts. Some media at the time argued that this was to increase viewership, but the Norwegian National women’s beach handball team argued it was unfair.
The Norwegian National women’s beach
ball, women fought for less sexualized outfits.
Members of the national volleyball teams spoke out about the disparity in outfits between men’s and women’s volleyball.
While men were allowed to wear tank tops and loose shorts, women were required to wear
handball team wore knee-length shorts in protest and were fined $1,700 as a result. In 2020, due to negative media coverage and protests, the NCAA allowed women’s volleyball players to compete in leggings instead of shorts.
Despite this outfit
These changes are major
New rule changes added to Major League Baseball
Bryan Cohen Contributing Writer
Major League Baseball is entering its third year of the new rule changes, which commissioner Robert Manfred introduced entering the 2023 season. The three significant changes implemented before the season were a pitch timer, shift limitations, and larger bases, all aimed at improving the quality of life in the sport.
On January 15, 2025, Major League Baseball implemented a new rule for Minor League Baseball, specifically its Double-A and Triple-A levels, introducing a 20-second pitch clock to reduce the length of affiliate baseball games. Since implementing a pitch clock in Minor League Baseball, the average game length has dropped by 26 minutes compared to before the change.
Such a drastic improvement in the time of play almost entirely forced the commissioner to make the change, introducing a pitch clock to Major League Baseball for the first time in its illustrious history, as well as a flurry of other amendments to perfect the pace of play.
In terms of the specific rules, there is a 30-second timer between batters. Between pitches,
there is a 15-second timer with the bases empty and a 20-second timer with runners on base.
Batters must also be alert and ready to swing with eight seconds remaining on the clock; otherwise, the umpire will apply an automatic ball to the count, which can result in a strikeout. On the other hand, if the pitcher is not in their motion by the time the clock hits zero, an automatic ball gets applied to the count.
“I’ve been a pitcher only for years now, and I’ve always pitched at a fast rhythm,” said Brooks Coile, a freshman pitcher for the GCSU club baseball team. “I think the pitch clock makes the game more entertaining and removes a lot of the delays. It’s a sport, not chess.”
On top of that, the pitcher is now limited to two disengagements, pick-offs, or step-offs per mound per plate appearance. With a runner on base, if a pitcher disengages from the mound for a third time and fails to pick off the baserunner, the runner will be awarded advancement on the base paths. Finally, to reduce game time, stricter mound visit rules were introduced before the 2023 season, limiting teams to five visits per game, with a few exceptions.
In 2024, Major League Baseball made a few minor adjustments to the pitch clock and mound visit limitation rules, aiming to balance the length of each game better. The allotted time for the pitch clock with runners on base decreased by two seconds from 20 to 18 seconds. Also, when a pitching change occurs, there is a minimum of two minutes on the pitch clock once the pitcher steps onto the outfield warning track. Finally, the allotted five mound visits per game were reduced to four, which had little impact. However, according to Anthony Castrovince of Major League Baseball, the average number of mound visits per team per game was only 2.3 in 2023.
According to the data tracked by Major League Baseball, in 2023, the implementation of the pitch clock, disengagement rules, and mound visit limitations decreased the average time of a Major League Baseball game to 2 hours and 39 minutes, a 24-minute decrease from 2022 and a 31-minute reduction from 2021. The average mark also became the shortest time on average since 1985.
“It’s funny, because I just finally started figuring out the sport, and now they’re changing it,” said Ethan Mattace,
change, viewership did not decrease at all, instead, it broke new records. In 2023, the Nebraska Huskers Women’s Volleyball match set a new record for the largest crowd to watch a women’s sporting event in the United States.
Female athletes at GCSU felt that seeing female athletes around them and on TV helped break the glass ceiling in women’s sports and inspired them to join sports as well.
“I remember being a kid playing sports and being sad I was never gonna be as professional or famous as a men’s soccer player,” Domaleski said.
Heverly agreed that seeing women in sports enabled girls to get into sports and even currently encourages her to continue sports.
“Growing up, I played a lot of sports,” Heverly said. “Seeing people like
Katie Ledecky today still going to the Olympics, it reinforces the fact that I can keep going with sports until I’m in a retirement community.”
Students also felt that women’s sports were a great way to make friends and encourage socialization while also keeping students healthy. “I think women’s sports in college is such a nice thing to get into, especially to build a sense of community,” Heverly said. “I know I myself found a good community of girls in club tennis. It’s a great way to make friends and have a sense of common ground.”
Before Clark, there was Biles. Before Biles, there was Serena Williams. Talented female athletes have been competing in the Olympics and national leagues for years, and increased viewership just finally reflects this.
a freshman chemistry major. “But, I do like how much quicker the games are. It used to feel super slow, but it’s much more fun now.”
Alongside the pitch clock also came limitations on defensive shifting. On August 29, 2014, the Los Angeles Dodgers used a shift iteration that even surprised legendary broadcaster Vin Scully. With one out in the bottom of the twelfth inning and the bases loaded against the division rival San Diego Padres, left-handed batter Seth Smith stepped up to the plate, who, according to Baseball Savant, was shifted against on average 66.9% in the years Statcast tracked shift-percentage.
In return, Mattingly countered by using five infielders, using second baseman Dee Strange-Gordon, shortstop Miguel Rojas, first baseman Adrián González and centerfielder Andre Ethier as a wall alongside the right-side infield dirt.
Third baseman Justin Turner was the only player on the left side of the infield. Just as Mattingly predicted, Smith pulled the baseball directly to Gordon, who collected the forceout at home and came within inches of securing an inning-ending double play,
as the throw from catcher A.J. Ellis was too late.
Los Angeles, despite the predictive defensive placement, lost on a walkoff single from Grandal in the next at-bat. The oddity of it all is that it will never occur legally within the game for the remainder of the sport’s history. A shift that drastic is now impossible in Major League Baseball, thanks to the rules implemented in 2023.
According to the new limits, four infielder’s must be on the infield dirt when the pitcher is on the rubber of the mound, infielders must also position themselves on the respective side of the infield, ie. first and second baseman on the right side and the shortstop and third baseman on the left side.
If this alignment is
incorrect by the time of the pitch, the offense can choose between an automatic ball or the result of the play. However, there is a caveat to the limitations: defensive alignment does permit a fifth infielder in the representation of an outfielder coming onto the infield dirt or shallow outfield grass, but it prohibits a four-outfielder alignment.
On July 23, 2023, Bud Black and the Colorado Rockies set up a five-infielder spread; however, because of the new limitations, the most Colorado could do with the shift is position infielder’s in from the “straightup” alignment and use left fielder Harold Castro up the middle, in front of the second base bag.
Caitlin Clark a Guard on the Iowa Hawkeyes
Aaron Judge a Right Fielder for the New York Yankees
McIlroy wins the 2025 Masters Tournament
Brennan Schmitz Sports Editor
The 2025 Masters Tournament concluded on Sunday, April 13, after a storybook victory for veteran professional golfer Rory McIlroy.
Held annually at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., a victory at the Masters is highly coveted among professional golfers. The tournament is extremely rich in tradition, and it is one of the most highly anticipated and recognizable events in all of sports.
The Masters is divided into four rounds of 18 holes, with one round being held on each of the four days of the tournament.
This year’s Masters Tournament began in favor of Scottie Scheffler, who won in both 2022 and 2024.
McIlroy, a player who had accomplished a lot in his career but was just missing the elusive green jacket awarded to the winner of the Masters, climbed the leaderboard by the end of the third round at 12 under par. At that point, he was followed by Bryson Dechambeau at 10 under par and Corey Conners at eight under par.
Going into the fourth round, the tournament
was McIlroy’s to lose. However, it seemed like he might lose the lead and the tournament.
McIlroy doubled the first hole and lost the lead entirely after two holes. However, he scored a birdie on hole three to regain the lead.
After the ninth hole, he had a score of 13-under, and he went into the back nine with a four-shot lead.
He tried to play the remaining holes more conservatively, aiming to maintain his current score rather than play aggressively to improve it. However, on hole 13, he missed the green and a putting opportunity, and eventually scored a double bogey, his fourth of the tournament.
In front of McIlroy, Justin Rose scored a birdie to tie with him at 11-under.
After a very poor 13th hole, McIlroy hit an extremely impressive shot to put the ball six feet from the later hole. He ultimately scored a birdie to put him back at a one-shot lead over Rose.
McIlroy hit another fantastic shot on the 17th hole, setting himself up for another easy birdie to maintain his lead.
At this point, many spectators were ready to celebrate his win. How-
ever, on the 18th hole, with a routine putt to give him a green jacket, he just missed the shot.
With that missed shot, McIlroy and Rose were now in a playoff to decide the winner. The Masters playoff is a sudden-death style matchup where the leaders play the 18th and 10th holes until a winner emerges. In the playoff, both competitors hit very good drives on their second shots.
Rose missed a long
putt wide to miss out on a birdie. McIlroy made his shot, a shorter putt, to win a tournament he had fallen short of so many times before.
“It’s been difficult, and I’ve tried to approach this tournament with the most positive attitude each and every time that I’ve shown up, and I think just the sort of cumulative experience that I’ve gained coming back here each and every year, I just I feel like I get a little more comfortable with
The March Madness aftermath
Benjamin Clark Asst. Sports Editor
The 2025 NCAA March Madness Basketball Tournament concluded with the Florida Gators winning their third national title, narrowly defeating the Houston Cougars 65–63 in a thrilling championship game. This victory marked Florida’s first national championship since its back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007.
The tournament was notable for its predictability, with all four No. 1 seeds, Florida, Houston, Duke and Auburn, advancing to the Final Four. In the final, the Gators overcame a 12-point second-half deficit, with Walter Clayton Jr. earning the Most Outstanding Player honors for his pivotal role in the comeback.
March Madness often serves as a showcase for NBA prospects, and this year was no exception.
Florida’s Alex Condon, a 6’11” forward, declared for the 2025 NBA Draft while retaining college eligibility. Condon averaged 10.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks during the season, contributing significantly in the championship game with 12 points, seven rebounds and four steals.
Cooper Flagg had a standout showing during the 2025 NCAA Tournament, living up to the immense hype surrounding his freshman season at Duke. Throughout the tournament, he averaged 19.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.8 blocks per game, demonstrating his all-around versatility and dominance in the paint.
“From March Madness, I would call it the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes,” said Andrew Harrison, a junior accounting major. “At this stage, the discussions around players in the draft outside the project-
ed number 1 pick are not as common. I think for the most part the tournament went as expected, but in terms of the players, Cooper Flagg is going number 1 in the draft, and most other players won’t be super relevant.”
In the Elite Eight, Flagg demonstrated a high level of play with a 16-point game against Baylor that helped secure Duke’s trip to the Final Four. His versatility as an offensive and defensive player showed that he will likely be a top-two pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.
The draft begins with a lottery to determine the order of the first 14 picks. Only teams that missed the playoffs are entered into the lottery, and the worse a team’s record, the better its odds of securing a top pick. As of the current system, the three worst teams each have a 14 percent chance of winning the first overall pick.
“The whole reason
the shot needed,” McIlroy said to CBS Sports.
With his first-ever win at the Masters, McIlroy joined an elite group of professional golfers as the sixth player to ever complete a career grand slam, meaning he has won each of the four major golf tournaments: The Masters, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open and the Open Championship.
“I don’t watch golf a ton, but I always make sure to watch the Masters, and I was happy for Rory,” said Owen Faulk, a senior accounting major. “It’s been a long time coming for him.”
With the Masters crowning a 2025 champion in McIlroy, the first major tournament of the season has now concluded, and competitors will regroup and prepare for the tournaments to come.
McIlroy’s win comes as a very welcome development among both devoted golf fans and casual spectators.
that they implemented this system is that when a team is really bad, there is no incentive for them to get a better pick,” said Cooper Treadaway, a junior business administration major. “The issue is that when the worst teams in the league don’t get the #1 pick, they will just perform horribly in the next season. Personally, I do prefer a lottery, just because it’s funny and it tends to shake things up.”
The March Madness tournament continues to influence NBA scouting and draft decisions.
While a single tournament performance
doesn’t define a player’s career, strong showings can elevate draft placement. However, underwhelming performances can prompt reevaluations and often lead to a lower draft placement. The evolving landscape of college basketball is changing its relationship with the NBA. With the introduction of Name, Image and Likeness, NIL, deals, players now have financial incentives to stay in college longer. This could lead to more experienced players entering the NBA draft. Additionally, the G League Ignite and international leagues of-
fer alternative paths to professional basketball, creating a more diverse talent pool and changing scouting strategies.
Florida’s championship run in the 2025 March Madness Tournament not only added to the program’s deep history but also highlighted the tournament’s ongoing role as a critical step for aspiring NBA talent. As the basketball landscape continues to evolve, March Madness remains a pivotal event for players, as it provides a chance at stardom and possible entry into the NBA draft later down the line.
Walter Clayton Jr. a Point Guard for the University of Flordia Gators
2025 Masters winner Rory McIlroy lifts up the Masters Trophy
Are GCSU students smarter than a fifth grader?
Zoey Hooper Contributing Writer
The TV program
“Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” first aired in 2007. The show quickly became a cultural phenomenon by challenging adult contestants to answer elementary-school-level questions from subjects like math, science, history, and language arts.
The show captured the nostalgia and humor of forgetting simple grade-school questions that brought back the feeling of being a kid in class again.
Today, the concept of the show “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” still lives on through TikTok, Instagram reels and YouTube shorts. People all across the internet get quizzed on seemingly simple questions that somehow stump the general public.
This week, GCSU students were put to the test
to determine whether or not the student body is really smarter than a fifth grader. All questions featured were borrowed from Season 1, Episode 25 of “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?”.
Jayla Beasley, a freshman mass communication\ major, chose the category “First Grade Grammar.” Her question was: How many nouns in the following sentence begin with the letter p?: “Jeff and Polly played poker with a purple platypus.”
“It’s three, right?” Beasley said. “There are four nouns in total, but only three start with p.”
She was correct: the answer was three. This student was smarter than a fifth grader, but it was yet to be determined whether the same could be said for the rest of the student body.
Josef Lopez, a freshman management information systems major, chose “Second Grade Math” as his cat-
egory. His question was: Steven has $100 in pennies. How many pennies does he have?
“It’s either 1,000 or 10,000, I think,” Lopez said. “My final answer
off the top of my head, but I think it’s interesting how learning concepts like that as a kid helps me to understand the math I do in college,” Lopez said. Val Pelaez, a fresh-
is 100,000 pennies.”
The correct answer was 10,000 pennies, so Lopez’s final answer was incorrect. However, Lopez mentioned how his university experience relates to primary education.
“Basic math questions like that can be confusing
man political science major, selected the category “Second Grade Earth Science.” Her question was: In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice occurs in what month?
Close, but the correct answer was June. The summer solstice occurs on the longest day of the year.
“I think it would be more important for students to know when the time change happens,” Pelaez said. “It always confuses me every year.”
Ben Brown, a freshman biology major, chose “Fourth Grade Social Studies” as his category. His question was:
An American citizen must be at least how old to serve as a congressperson in the U.S. House of Representatives?
“Oh, I know this,” Brown said. “The answer is 35, right?”
The correct answer was 25.
“Social studies was always one of my best subjects in high school,” Brown said. “I think knowing how our gov-
“Am I supposed to know this?” Pelaez asked. “Wait, I’m embarrassed. Is that when the time changes? I’ve heard people talk about this in the summer era, so I’m going to go with August.”
ernment functions is one of the most important subjects to teach kids. I know 35 would be the correct answer for the presidency at least.”
Abby Lowrey, a freshman biology major, took up the challenge of “First Grade Animal Science.” Her question was: True or False: A salamander is a lizard.
“Wait, it’s not,” Lowrey said. “The answer is false.” She was correct. Salamanders are a type of amphibian.
“My brother owned a Gecko for a bit, so I know Reptiles are usually more dry than amphibians,” Lowrey said.
GCSU students might not always ace elementary grade trivia, but they still have knowledge that goes beyond the classroom. What they have retained from childhood reflects their experiences and shapes their perspectives and growth over time.
Tips for freshman in search of housing
Mary Ciucevich
A&L Editor
College housing has become a widely debated and questioned topic, especially for current and incoming freshman students.
At GCSU, all freshman students are required to live on campus for their first year. Their options include the dorms or West Campus’s apartments.
Most students going into their second year at GCSU move to off-campus living, with choices coming down to living in an apartment complex or renting a house.
For students looking to live in an apartment complex, their options include many popular student living like Arcadia on the River, Bellamy Living, College Station, Revelry, Magnolia Park and others.
When looking for an apartment, students should look first at cost and pricing, as each apartment complex’s price varies based on room size, roommates and the amenities offered.
Annemarie Hanna, a junior mathematics major, lived at West Campus her freshman year and currently lives at Arcadia.
She advises any freshman or other students to consider prices and services offered, relaying that although Arcadia is a little out of the way from campus, she does not have to worry about parking, due to their shuttle bus.
When touring apartment complexes, it is important for students to ask the management questions about monthly rent combined with utility pricing, the maintenance policies, rules surrounding hanging decor and how the management communicates with residents of the complex.
Students should be wary about the apartment complex’s location, whether it is within walking distance or whether it provides shuttle systems, and how it provides safety precautions in cases of emergency.
One of the most asked questions for off-campus living is when to start looking for the next year. Most apartment complexes start leasing for the next year early in the semester, but depending on the complex, the leasing period can go on until late in the spring semester.
“Depending on where they want to live, I’d say start looking around
RESEARCH
Continued from page 1
For Agullo, it was a challenge to present all of her research orally in a succinct fashion. She much prefers writing research papers, but she did enjoy the spectator aspect of Research Day, sitting in on presentations of the semester-long research projects of her peers.
Jyden Kypri, a sophomore chemistry major, presented on Research Day of his own volition. It was Kypri’s third time presenting, as he had previously shared research projects at the Southeastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society and the
September,” Hanna said. “I’m not a fan of how soon you have to start looking for a place while you haven’t even finished your first semester of freshman year, but the sooner the better.”
For students looking to rent a house, they should account for pricing, the leasing period and the location of the house.
Living in a house versus an apartment can have perks like no neighbors above or below, no specific management and overall, they can be cheaper depending on the house.
When looking at a house, it is important to be aware of the scams that may occur through Facebook listings.
Olivia Hohnerlein, a junior accounting major, has experienced living in all housing options, living in the dorm her freshman year, an apartment her sophomore year and now in her junior year, she lives in a house.
“When looking for a house off-campus, I think students should first look at how many bedrooms the house has because you might as well not bother touring a house if it does not accommodate everyone you plan to live with,” Hohnerlein said.
Georgia Collegiate Honors Council. Kypri’s research project, presented in poster form, was on the synthesis, characterization and bioactivity of Alloxan Benzylthiosemicarbazone (ALL-BTSC) on Human Topoisomerase IIa. In simple terms, the goal of Kypri’s research project was to see if a new molecular metal “taxi” could target and kill an enzyme that is hyperactive in cancer cells.
“I presented because it gave me a great place to share my research with my colleagues that have not seen it, as well as faculty that I have had for previous classes,” Kypri said. “It was great being next to my friends presenting!”
Alice Hughes, a junior sociology
Students who are looking for rental houses can find listings on websites like Zillow, Bobcat Exchange, Facebook, etc. As well as websites, there are several housing management companies that students can browse for rental houses.
Just as apartment hunting can be, house hunting can be difficult, as many landlords do not start listing their properties until further into the spring semester. Students interested in renting a house must be on the lookout throughout the school year.
“Freshmen should start looking very soon,” Hohnerlein said. “Most people sign leases for the following school year in late Sept. or early Oct.”
When looking for either an apartment or a house, many students worry about who their roommates are. With the quick nature of off-campus living, finding a roommate can be difficult, but there are many ways to find someone.
Bobcat Marketplace can be a great way to find a roommate or find a place to live, as many students post listings looking for another roommate. In many apartment complexes, the management
will pair people in any empty rooms, considering your preferences.
For freshman students who feel overwhelmed by finding housing for the following year, on-campus housing is still an option for those who wish. Students can still live on West Campus and in the dorms.
“The dorms are a great place to meet a lot of people freshman year and make a lot of friends,” said AJ Decker, a junior English major. “By the end of the year, though, I kinda felt like I had outgrown the dorms.”
While the West Campus Village housing is primarily designed for upperclassmen and graduate students, central campus dorms are available too, with a limitation on space due to the incoming freshman class.
To reapply for on-campus living, students can access the housing ap-
major, presented “Carmen Laforet’s Bypass of Francisco Franco’s Censorship.” It was her first time presenting on Research Day, but definitely not her last.
Hughes’ research examined authors like Carmen Laforet, who employed subtlety and ambiguity in their use of language in their published works to push back on censorship laws during the Francoist period. According to Hughes, the Francoist regime’s political platform in the 1930s-1970s attempted to establish cultural hegemony through censorship of media and those who fell outside of Franco’s status quo represented solidarity in the face of tyranny.
“I presented this topic because it is
plication located on the GCSU Unify website. Once the application is complete, students will receive notice of their living status shortly after their submission or after the application deadline of June 30. Students who want to live in the dorms can become a CA for a dorm floor. This allows the student to live in the dorm without a roommate, with the added task of taking care of incoming freshmen.
“The perk of living on campus is the transportation methods and having connections to the school, whether it is in the dorms or on West Campus,” Hohnerlein said. “The only perk of living off-campus is avoiding the noise that students can bring closer to campus. Especially surrounding fraternity houses.”
very relevant to our current political climate,” Hughes said. “I will definitely participate in the future. It is a great opportunity to share what you have been working on with fellow students.”
GCSU Research Day 2025 was an inspiring success, helping students to break out of their comfort zones and become more proficient in presenting the important research they put so much work into. Not only this, but Research Day was a chance to see what GCSU’s graduate and undergraduate classes have been working on and the results of their efforts.
Kennedy Welker | Asst. A&L Editor
Matthew Malkowski | Digital Media Editor
ARTS & LIFE
GCSU Earth Fest 2025 COACHELLA
Sophia Abad Staff Writer
Every year, Earth Day is held on April 22. To celebrate the holiday, the Environmental Science club is hosting an event titled Earth Fest, which will take place on Friday, April 25.
The purpose of Earth Day is to raise awareness of the changes in the environment and the need to protect it, as well as to spur more movement toward sustainability. Earth Day also serves as a day to admire and spend time in the natural beauty of our planet.
Earth Fest has been held at GCSU every year for over a decade and will take place on front campus, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event aims to promote an understanding of the environment, to encourage students to celebrate Earth
Day and to allow students to enjoy fun Earth-related activities outdoors.
Earth Fest will be made up of many different booths hosted by both local organizations in the Milledgeville community as well as on-campus organizations. Each tent will have a different activity relating to the theme of Earth Day for students to participate in.
“It is important because it spreads the word on how important the environment is, the benefits of it and teaches people about the best holiday, Earth Day,” said Sydney Eggerton, a junior environmental science major and president of the GCSU Gardening and Botany clubs. Eggerton encourages students to come and participate in Earth Fest.
“It’s free, fun and gives you some time out in the sun.” Eggerton said.
Students interested in spending time with their friends should expect to play fun games, make some arts and crafts and have the chance to collect freebies.
Students curious about learning more about what they can do to care for the environment or interested in finding something fun to do between classes with their friends, should plan to stop by front campus to celebrate Earth Day with the Environmental Science club.
Students who are not involved in campus organizations relating to the environment can enjoy activities with their friends while learning something new about the planet, becoming more educated about our planet and gaining skills to take care of it.
Ella Mundy, a sophomore education major, had not heard of Earth Fest yet, but is now planning to stop by to participate this year.
“I have never been, but I would be down to go this year,” Mundy said.
Chloe Perkins, an executive member of the Environmental Science Club, has been involved in Earth Fest since last year, but this is her first year getting to be involved in the planning process.
“I attended Earth Fest last year as a member of the Environmental Science Club, and I had a blast,” Perkins said.
According to Perkins, Earth Fest is an important event in the GCSU community because it can give students a new perspective on the environment, and to learn to care for the earth, as well as giving GSCU students a fun way to spend time outdoors and in the sun to celebrate the earth’s natural beauty.
The Earth Fest activity that Perkins is most excited to participate in during this year’s Earth Fest is painting.
“Personally, I am very excited to paint,” Perkins said. “It is going to be a beautiful day.”
The fest will have other GCSU clubs present, like the Gardening and Botany club, who deal with a variety of plants and the reproduction of sustainable plants.
Sarah Barnhart Staff Writer
Coachella, officially called the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, is an annual music and arts festival held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, in the Colorado Desert. The event features musical artists from many genres, including rock, pop, indie, hip hop and more. While it had its ups and downs getting its start in the early years, this year commemorates the 25th anniversary of the event.
The event started in 1993 when Pearl Jam performed for almost 25,000 fans. The festival started as a concert performed by the band as a way to boycott Ticketmaster. Pearl Jam refused to play in Los Angeles due to a dispute with the site over service charges applied to ticket purchases.
This festival took place two weekends, April 11-13 and April 18-20.
Some of the performers include Lady Gaga, Missy Elliott, Charli XCX, Green Day, Post Malone, Megan Thee Stallion and Travis Scott.
“All I really know about the performances this year was the Brian May performance, where the crowd didn’t recognize him,” said Elizabeth Brosman, a senior theatre major.
“I’m a big Brian May fan, so I was so jealous of the crowd being able to see him live and not appreciating it.”
Beyoncé’s 2018 performance, nicknamed “Beychella,” was one of the most famous Coachella sets in history. On April 14, Beyoncé was the first Black woman to headline the event. Her performance paid tribute to the culture of historically Black colleges and universities, with a full marching band and majorette dancers, while incorporating aspects of Black Greek life.
“[Coachella] looks pretty cool,” said Emily Harrell, a senior theatre major. I’ve never been to a music festival, so I’m curious.” Gaga’s set this year was all the rage this year. She performed songs from her new album, “Mayhem,” with hits like “Abracadabra” and “Zombieboy.” She also went back to her roots and performed songs from her older albums, and fans rocked out to songs such as “Bad Romance,” “Just Dance” and “Judas.”
Other artists, such as Charli XCX and Clairo, brought out guests during their performanc-
es. Charli XCX brought out Billie Eilish to sing their song “Guess,” Troye Sivan and Lorde. Senator Bernie Sanders introduced Clairo and praised her for her political activism. While the performances are what most people are there for, people on the internet get to see their favorite celebrities and influencers, and what they wear to this festival.
Attendees used to dress “boho,” which is drawn from bohemian and hippie influences, with people, mostly women, wearing long, flowy dresses and skirts. This was the style for the early 2010s at this event, with celebs like Vanessa Hudgens and Kylie Jenner popularizing the style. Famous influencer and makeup artist James Charles has dubbed himself the “Queen of Coachella,” but many
people, news outlets and some of his fans beg to differ. He has even made the Daily Mail’s Coachella 2025 Worst Dressed List. Other celebs who unfortunately made this list are Julia Fox, Paris Hilton and Cara Delevingne. While Coachella can be a time of music and fun, it comes with its downsides. A lot of people who go are not rich and famous, and are forced to camp in their cars or outside in tents. They also have to wait in line in the morning for the shower, where they are only allowed a few minutes. While celebrities and influencers can rent Airbnbs or hotels, everyone else has to brave the elements.
“I’ve seen the videos people post about camping and showering outside, and it doesn’t seem that fun,” said Shira Funk, a sophomore environmental science major. “The shows look great, but I am not sure if it is worth all that.”
Influencers on TikTok and Instagram always make content about the festival each year. Whether it is showing off their outfits, concert footage or just having fun, videos and pictures like that always rack in big numbers.
Coachella has been a staple in music history for almost 30 years and has become a way for people to appreciate the popular music of today and also discover new artists.
GCSU JAZZ JAM SESSION AT AMICI
Madi Hummel Staff Writer
The Music Department held its last GCSU Jazz Jam Session of the semester at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15.
The jazz jam sessions are free to the public and held on select Tuesdays throughout the fall and spring semesters of every school year. The events are held at Amici, the popular Milledgeville bar and restaurant.
The event had an excellent turnout, ranging from college students to families and professors, all of whom were excited to hear the performances.
Jackson Brennan, a junior mass communication major, went to the jam session on Tuesday and enjoyed the atmosphere.
“I try to come to the jazz nights whenever I can,” Brennan said. “I like jazz and Amici’s, so it’s always a good time.”
After a few opening words to introduce the event and a word of gratitude to the audience for attending the last jazz session, the music began.
The night began with the faculty ensemble, who introduced them-
selves by playing an original jazz arrangement. The group was made up of GCSU music department professors, all of whom played different instruments.
The faculty ensemble performed three songs. Each selection was a light, upbeat arrangement.
One familiar song the faculty group played was the jazzy opening theme of Pixar’s “Monsters, Inc.”
The second group to perform was the student ensemble, made up of GCSU students. The student group performed lighter, bluesier jazz compositions and featured vocalists who accompanied certain arrangements.
Some student players, such as the flute and trombone, had their own solos within the arrangements.
Lori Herold, an attendee of the event, enjoyed the vocals of the student group.
“The third song they played was beautiful,” Herold said. “The singer’s voice and the different instruments were great together.”
The student ensemble played four songs. The third arrangement the group played was
Nina Simone’s “Love Me or Leave Me.”
The next groups to perform were a mixture of students, faculty members and community members. They played three songs, starting with a medium, swing-
formance to the stage and played many energized arrangements.
The night was wrapped with a variety of different performers and arrangements.
“My favorite part of the night was towards
style arrangement.
The performance featured vocals alongside some of the arrangements and played several recognizable jazz pieces, such as “Impressions” by John Coltrane and “Work Song” by Nat Adderly.
Before the jazz jam session opened up to all performers, the improv group took to the stage. This group brought a unique sound and per-
the end of the night when the performers walked through the restaurant,” Herold said. “I thought that was a fun twist.”
The jazz jam session at Amici was a notable evening that highlighted the talented musicians of GCSU and the Milledgeville community.
“I’ve been organizing and directing the GC jazz jams since 2015,” said Chris Enghauser,
associate professor of music. “Dr. Maureen Horgan started the jams several years before that and passed it on to me when she retired.”
The jazz sessions have become an important event for the students in the GCSU music department.
“One of the ways the jams are important to the students is because they get to hear the faculty perform jazz on a regular basis,” Enghauser said.
“The faculty plays a few tunes first so they can hear their professors and teachers performing jazz at a professional level on the same show they play.”
Playing alongside experienced musicians and being in an upbeat environment are great ways for students to learn about performing jazz music.
“More importantly, the students get a chance to work on their own skills in jazz improvisation and small ensemble playing while performing in public on a regular basis,” Enghauser said.
Over the years, Enghauser has enjoyed putting the jazz nights together and sharing music with different audiences.
“My favorite part of
the jazz jams without a doubt is watching young college students getting super excited hearing jazz music for the first time,” Enghauser said, “It is exciting and fun music and always draws people in when they give it a chance.”
There were many students in attendance on Tuesday who came to the event because of their love for jazz.
“Hearing jazz in person is an incredible experience,” Brennan said.
“There’s no better way to listen to jazz than this.”
Hosting the event in downtown Milledgeville brings a wide variety of attendees to the jazz session. Tuesday’s Jazz Session was the last of the spring semester. However, there is no sign of stopping the events.
According to Enghauser, the music department plans to keep the events going as long as they are able. More information about upcoming jazz jam sessions can be found on Amici’s social media platforms, as well as on the GCSU music department’s website and Instagram.
Cochella ferris wheel and tents
Julia Jensen | Art Director
Kennedy Welker | Asst. A&L Editor
The internet and underwear
How celebrities and brands are gaining publicity from brand ads
Molly Goff Opinion Editor
This past month, we have had two celebrities rise in fame more than ever, with two commonalities they share: an underwear campaign and internet buzz that has put them at the top of everyone’s minds.
From Bad Bunny’s Calvin Klein commercial that caused an uproar of female approval, to Robert Irwin’s shocking Bonds campaign that had us gasping for air by the dangerous animals he held or even just seeing him in a new light — these campaigns shocked the nation.
The keyword both campaigns use is “shock.”
I believe that shock advertising is a type of advertising that violates social norms to provoke a reaction from its consumer, which is exactly what happened in Bad Bunny and Irwin’s respective campaigns.
In Bad Bunny’s cam-
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To my surprise, they were one of the closest-knit and harmonious roommate groups
I’ve encountered.
“Living with my roommates is really no different from living at home,” said Kennadi Morgan, a sophomore marketing major.
“I had a brother, and my friends were always over, staying the night. It was kinda strange living with complete strangers, but I wouldn’t change a thing. These girls are like my sisters now, and living with them and meeting them is the best thing that has happened to me at this school.”
Sometimes, all you need is a little bit of ran-
paign, reggaeton music played in the background, where at the forefront was Bad Bunny, literally in “his Calvin’s.” This is a play on Calvin Klein’s iconic phrase “wearing my Calvin’s,” while keeping the celebrity’s authenticity with music playing in the background similar to what he makes.
As for Irwin, his Bond’s campaign not only surprised the world with the world’s heartthrob stripped to his underwear, but his iconic creative choice to shoot with dangerous animals like a snake and a tarantula. This not only shows a more mature side to him, but also an ode to his father, Steve Irwin.
“I have seen the Robert Irwin Bonds Ad,” said Jorja Mackenzie, a sophomore mass communication major. “I have been a fan of the Irwin family my whole life, so it was quite a shock at first. However,
domness to be the best thing that has ever happened to you. In my experience, a bonding event does the trick to bring strangers closer together for the goal of friendship.
“We bought a giant spider Halloween decoration that we put outside our room to scare people,” said Cami Glover, a freshman nursing major. “For the first few weeks it was out there, we would hear random screams from outside, and it was so funny.”
Shared experiences, even lighthearted ones, can build lasting bonds. Roommate life is also about managing responsibilities and learning to coexist with others.
“We don’t really get in disputes, but if we do, we just talk it out,” said
it’s brought attention to them and their conservation mission, which can be a big positive.”
The formula works. Brands tap into the power of surprise, amplify it through celebrity identity, and watch the engagement and sales roll in.
However, are these celebrities bigger than the brand?
“Being a marketing major, I think Bonds was clever to bring in Robert Irwin for the advertisement because we are only used to him being in an innocent light with animals and when the ad came out it shocked people because we have never seen him in that aspect,” said Jacy Singleton, a freshman marketing major. “I think that the celebrity got more attention than the brand. Old smoker commercials where they would show people with throat cancer and things like that.”
That sentiment is
Grace Conners, a freshman sports medicine major. We all clean up after ourselves, and if not, someone else will do it.”
Open communication and mutual respect are key to a peaceful living environment. Honesty fosters empathy, which helps roommates understand and accommodate one another.
My favorite part of this roommate group is how strangers can turn into best friends in an instant. Expect the unexpected is one of my favorite phrases because of how true it can be in life.
“We all get along well and have a lot in common,” said Emily Atkinson, a freshman nursing major. “The living situation is great! We all took part in chores around
echoed across social media. Viewers marveled more at Irwin’s transformation and Bad Bunny’s boldness than at the actual underwear they were promoting. It flips the script on traditional advertising, where the product used to be the focal point and the celebrity merely an accessory.
This evolution reflects a broader trend in modern branding. As social media blurs the line between influence and commerce, people aren’t just buying products — they’re buying personas. Celebrities like Bad Bunny and Irwin offer more than visual appeal; they bring identity, story and emotion.
In that sense, the shock factor isn’t a distraction, it’s a strategy. Capturing attention is the first hurdle. Holding it and converting it into loyalty is the real win.
This shift raises questions about branding in the influencer era.
the apartment, and we’ve all helped each other out from time to time. We’ve always been pretty peaceful with each other, so getting along has never been a problem.”
What I learned from witnessing this group of friends is that while not every roommate’s experience is perfect, some turn out to be far better than expected. College, and especially freshman year, teaches us lessons that can’t always be taught except by going through the experience personally.
It’s a strange feeling, trying to navigate living with someone you’ve never met before. You’re expected to not only share a space but also your day-to-day life — moods, habits and even food choices. It
When the face of the ad powers over the brand, who wins? Bonds and Calvin Klein see a sales boost, but what happens when people remember the celebrity and forget the product?
It’s a delicate balance. Use too bland a figure, and no one pays attention. Use someone too famous, and the brand fades into the background.
Although maybe that’s the point. In the current landscape, fame and image carry more
can feel overwhelming, but there’s also opportunity in that anxiety.
Whether it’s something as small as a movie night or cramming together during exam week, small moments can evolve into genuine friendships. Sometimes those friendships stick, sometimes they don’t, and that’s okay, too.
Not every roommate turns into your best friend. Sometimes you just happily coexist. And sometimes, that’s all you need. As long as the space is respectful and the communication is open, it can still be a successful arrangement.
Roommates can challenge your patience, broaden your worldview and help you discover your strengths.
weight than logos. People buy into personalities more than products. In the end, both campaigns nailed their goal: they shocked people, sparked conversations and boosted visibility. But they also signaled a shift in how brands must operate. In 2025, it’s not just about being seen, it’s about being unforgettable. Sometimes, all it takes is a pair of underwear and the right celebrity to make an impact.
You may find that you’re more adaptable than you thought, or that you actually like cooking dinner with someone else in the kitchen.
Friendship doesn’t always come when you expect it, but when it does, it can be pretty special. Whether your roommate becomes your ride-ordie or simply someone who helped you grow during a pivotal year of your life, the experience itself is worth it. As a freshman, it’s easy to feel like you have to figure it all out right away. But the truth is, the best things often happen when you let go of expectations and embrace the unexpected, even if that means laughing together at a fake spider outside your door.
Courtesy of Jorja Mackenzie
Robert Irwin
