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Tie-Dye fundraiser
Emma Tyler Asst. News Editor
Georgia College’s Small Business Institute
Class is in partnership with the GCSU Athletic Department as they sell tie-dye t-shirts on Tuesday, October 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on front campus to fundraise for the women’s soccer team.
There will be white t-shirts for purchase and a separate table that will supply a variety of paint dyes to choose
from since students will dye their own shirts.
A unique design imprinted on the shirt will arise once the dye sets, featuring the school’s infamous bobcat mascot named Thunder and a quote which reads, “Bring on the Thunder!”
The event will continue every Tuesday and Thursday at the same time and location until supplies run out.
The class currently has 225 shirts that range
SARAH MASON
Bryan Cade Asst. Sports Editor
GSCU senior women’s soccer player Sarah Mason took home the honors for Zaxby’s Player of the Week for her performance during the week ending on Sept. 21.
The Atlanta native contributed a goal and an assist in GCSU’s Peach
Belt Conference 4-0 win against the Clayton State University Lakers, their first conference win of the season.
“Winning the Zaxby’s Player of the Week means a lot to me,” Mason said.. “This is my first time winning it, or much of anything at Georgia College, so it kinda makes all the work
from sizes small (S) to double extra-large (2XL). If there is a large demand for shirts in the month of October, supplies will be restocked for November.
This fundraiser will mirror small business work by allowing students in the class to separate themselves into groups with a managing director, head of marketing, head of finance and subgroups for each department.
See TIE-DYE | Page 3
and dedication I have put into soccer worth it.”
Mason and her teammate Kate Phillips teamed up to drive the ball down the field to finally assist Sarah King to put the Bobcats up 2-0 over Clayton State University. Later, teammate Emily Agi assisted her, as Mason put the ball into the net for the fourth GCSU goal of the contest. Mason also walked away with a stat line that included three shots, all of which were
College
&
on goal. At the time of her performance, Mason led the Bobcats in goals, assists and points.
Beginning with her assist on the performance, Mason had a positive outlook on the team-up that led to King scoring the goal.
“The assist, on the other hand, was a beautiful build-up and may be one of my favorite assists yet,” Mason said. “I got a great ball in from Kaisa and had Kate open to my left, and hit her a
straight ball. After that, I thought I could probably get the ball back, so I ran forward, and Kate played me down the line, and I got the ball wide open. Then I looked up, and Sarah King was wide open, so I crossed it to her, and she had a beautiful finish to the bottom left corner. I was so excited when she scored because it completely shut down Clayton’s momentum.”
See MASON | Page 4
U.S.
GCSU’s cross country team held their first meet on their new course.
The Fall market was held on Oct. 1 by GCSU Student Engagement.
GCSU’s Wellness Center hosts Sunset Yoga
Amelia McEwen News Editor
GCSU’s Wellness & Recreational Center (WRC) recently hosted sunset yoga on Front Campus to offer students a more therapeutic workout.
The event took place
1 at 7 p.m. and about 100 students attended. The relaxing scene acted as a much-needed break for individuals needing to destress.
chology major. “I’ve been studying for a test tomorrow and I felt like I needed to go and do something with my friend.”
“I needed a break from studying to get exercise,” said Rachel Urbach, a sophomore psy-
Exercise and spending quality time with friends are two ways of de-stressing, especially when midterms are just around the
corner. Another key hack when it comes to prioritizing mental health is spending time outdoors.
“I go to the yoga classes every week with my friend Anna and I thought a different change of scenery would be nice,” said Kaeli Alli-
son, a junior exercise science major. “I feel like it’s a good way to clear your mind, especially if you have a test that week.”
Most students are trying to find ways to manage the pressure when midterm testing is so soon. It can be dif-
ficult to recognize when your body and mind are in need of a break when assignments and tests are building up.
The sunset yoga instructor advertised for students to take a moment to redirect their focus.
Amelia McEwen | News Editor
Zaxby’s Player of the Week
Courtesy of Camille Phillips
GCSU named Top 5 School in the South
Emma Jow Contributing Writer
This month, GCSU was given the honorable nomination of Top 5 Schools in the South by U.S. News and World Report.
The regional south consists of 12 states.
GCSU was also ranked #5 Best Undergraduate Teaching and #9 Most Innovative across both public and private institutions in the regional south. Also, having claimed the title of No. 2 Best Value School in the state, GCSU’s education is now more affordable and higher-quality.
These awards represent a long, sustained period of positive change and continuous growth for GCSU and reflect the dedicated work of staff and students alike.
According to GCSU’s Front Page, as of 2025, applications for GCSU are at an all-time high. These rankings are projected to catapult applications even further. With a current under-
graduate population of around 6,000, GCSU has a 1:16 student-to-professor ratio, and most classrooms hold 30 students or fewer, providing a unique environment for those enrolled.
Professors hold weekly office hours to further encourage the idea that GCSU students are more than just names on a roster. They demonstrate that each student is an individual who deserves one-on-one, intentional support.
“The Georgia College experience is rooted in the liberal arts and provides the foundation for a lifetime of learning, growth, and academic excellence,” according to an article on GCSU’s website.
GCSU Professors are dedicated to student success in all aspects, as they uphold the school’s liberal arts mission.
“It isn’t just about getting an education for a job, but an education for life,” said Dr. Cynthia Alby, a pro-
VOLUME 106 | NO. 4
Editorial Board
Mary Ciucevich..............
Editor in Chief
Rylee Holland..................
Julia Jensen......................
Amelia McEwen............
Emma Tyler.......................
Benjamin Clark...............
Bryan Cade.......................
Kate Walker...............
Sydney Williams.............
Isabella McComis..........
Reaghan Shehee............
Reagan Robinson..........
Haley Quimby..................
Mikkel Christensen.......
fessor of education.
Dr. Alby has been teaching at GCSU for over 25 years, and to her, the school’s liberal arts mission provides “breadth and depth” to students, allowing them to focus on their chosen subject while remaining broadly educated.
Dr. Alby attended a
Having ranked #5 Best Undergraduate Teaching, Dr. Alby detailed what makes GCSU undergraduate professors special. Dr. Alby believes that teaching students to think, instead of telling them what to think, is the most effective teaching method. She upholds this by making an effort
private liberal arts school for her undergrad and deeply valued the goals of a liberal arts education. When looking at GCSU, several key aspects stood out to her.
“It was very exciting to come to a place that did all the things I wanted, but was public, and available to all people regardless of their income.”
Managing Editor
Art Director
News Editor
Asst. News Editor
Sports Editor
Asst. Sports Editor
Arts & Life Editor
Asst. Arts & Life Editor
Digital Media Editor
Digital Media Editor
PR Manager
Ad Sales Manager
Faculty Adviser
to only speak for 10% or less of class time, with the rest of the time being set aside for hands-on or collaborative student work.
For many years, Dr. Alby offered a semester-long class for GCSU professors, meeting once a week for two hours.
The course taught professors about how to be better educators. The
course was unpaid, with participants getting no extra recognition, title or certificate for participating. Despite this, over one-third of GCSU faculty chose to participate. Giving up hours of their time for the simple possibility of improving the learning experience for students, the course was a stunning testament to the unique dedication of GCSU educators.
“We really earned this,” Dr. Alby said. “When I first arrived 25 years ago, we weren’t this. We’ve become this by working really hard at it. I hope that we are able to get more and more recognition for it.”
Beyond the classroom, GCSU’s education is unique because of its plethora of student resources. At GCSU, students have assets readily available that provide a supportive environment.
According to Forbes Magazine, citing 20222023 data, “More than 600 students are involved in leadership programs
at the university, which provides workshops, retreats and scholarship opportunities. The college has over 150 student organizations, including Greek life, and more than 2,000 students belong to one of 29 chapters.”
There is far more to a college education than simply how students perform in their classes. Each GCSU student also has their own career goals and post-grad aspirations. Life beyond undergrad can be overwhelming and intimidating; however, GCSU prioritizes helping students tackle these fears through several key factors.
GCSU frequently hosts both part-time and full-time career fairs where motivated students can hear from and talk to companies from all fields. The GCSU Career Center, located in Lanier Hall, helps students to write resumes and cover letters, runs mock interviews and aids students in internship or career searches.
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Julia Jensen | Art Director
TIE-DYE
Continued from page 1
Through these positions, students are learning different factors that small businesses must account for, such as finance and budgeting.
Kent Hill, a relatively new professor at GCSU, is organizing this fundraiser for the first time on campus. He previously taught in North Carolina and taught entrepreneurial classes where they partnered with local businesses to sell and advertise items from the shops.
Because this fundraiser is new for all involved, it is not only a learning experience for the students, but also for Hill as he navigates the behind-thescenes aspects. Hill remarks that every school is different in the steps toward approval as he handles the challenges of this at GCSU. “This was like the guinea pig class as I tried to find out who to contact. I got the first bit of groundwork laid out for
them, and now they can do everything,” said Hill.
In future reference, he also hopes to find sponsors that will help with the prices and make items
more affordable for students. The current price
is $24.99 with tax, but if students cannot afford this, there is an option to provide a small-
er donation amount for the women’s soccer team.
“I feel like this shows how special a liberal arts education is because at a bigger school like UGA, it would be a lot harder to put on something like this,” said Julia Whalen, a senior marketing major. “I feel like because we have such a small school, we were able to find funding really fast, get approvals for graphics and push this whole process through.”
Students believe that this is also beneficial for women’s soccer at GCSU because it brings more attention to their team.
“I think that it’s just a good way to show school spirit. I feel like they’re always giving away things on campus, but I think that because we aren’t such a sports-centered school, it’s kind of hard to find that combination between Bobcat pride and sports. I feel like it is beneficial for that connection and also has an experimental marketing aspect to it,” said Whalen.
Milledgeville approves Hilton Hotel installation
Lucy Nunez Staff Writer
Milledgeville developers are eager to expand the city community and start on the city-approved Hilton Hotel project on North Elbert Street.
An assembly of architects, lawyers and hotel consultants were selected to fund plans for the project that continues to circulate with investors.
Real estate developer Mike Couch mentioned that he started planning the hotel with his real estate team in February. The Milledgeville community had expressed interest and the idea drove forward.
Plans call for 100 to 125 rooms, a restaurant, rooftop bar and conference facilities.
“I think the Hilton Hotel is an amazing idea,” said Eva Jeswald, a sophomore exercise science major. “Now, GCSU and GMC families will be able to visit their students easier. It will truly bring the community together.”
Businesses in downtown Milledgeville are excited for the addition as well and are preparing for the economic impact.
“I work at the Brick as a hostess
and our restaurant gets very full, specifically on weekends or for big events at GCSU and in the city,” said Caitlyn Hess, a junior psychology major. “I think the hotel will be great for student families looking for lodging in Milledgeville. More customers will also allow our restaurant to gain more attention.”
The Hilton Hotel conveniently will be five minutes away from GCSU and GMC campuses, providing families closer approximicity to students. Lake Sinclair, another entertainment spot for residents and visitors, is only ten minutes away.
“I love to visit Lake Sinclair whenever I have the time,” said Lauren Bledsoe, a junior nursing major. “It makes me happy that when my family or hometown friends visit, they have a place to stay and can join in my plans.”
GCSU students mention that Milledgeville needed a hotel development for visitation.
“I don’t have a car in Milledgeville, so I don’t get to see my parents that often,” said Caroline Williams, a senior political science major. “The hotel will be great for when my parents want to visit me.”
Greek life events are large scale events where families are often invited to support their students.
“I am in Delta Gamma, and my parents are coming to DG Family Day on Oct. 18,” said Sarah Crowder, a junior criminal justice major. “I am also performing in our fall fundraiser Anchor Jam. The Hilton Hotel will be great for events like these when my parents would like to come down for a weekend.”
GCSU students also mention the Hilton Hotel will be a great addition to a livelier downtown scene.
“The Hilton Hotel will transform downtown Milledgeville and bring more life to restaurants, shops and campuses,” said Arianell Viall, a senior economics major. “The
rooftop bar and restaurant will also increase consumer engagement.”
Milledgeville residents and students agree that the Hilton hotel is necessary in the city and inquire about lodging options close to campus or downtown.
“The Hilton hotel is Milledgeville’s missing piece,” said Chloe Melton, a junior creative writing and English major. “I work at Blackbird Coffee and I overhear many conversations about the city needing more lodging options from residents and students.”
The Milledgeville city council has since approved the hotel proposal for downtown Milledgeville due to the community’s demand. If financing is obtained, the developers hope to break ground early next summer.
Hilton Hotel Logo
Courtesy of Brooks Hinton
MASON
Continued from page 1
Mason has played over 2,400 minutes during her four-year career as a Bobcat, consistently being someone her team can rely on for assists, with 11 in her career. However, that does not mean she can not be relied on for scoring goals herself.
“I actually had no thoughts when I scored against Clayton State,” Mason said. “I kind of blacked out, and my muscle memory took over. I think I do my best when I don’t overthink.”
GCSU brought in nine freshmen for the 2025 season, and besides being a large part of the Bobcat offense this season, Mason has also stepped
up to the leadership call as a senior.
“As a senior, one of only two left from the original freshman class, I have seen it all and have played almost any role you can think of on this team,” Mason said. “I’ve been the injured player, the bench player, the starter, the sub, and with all of that comes perspective. I know what the freshmen are going through, I know what it’s like to win on the road, and I know how hard being in season is. With that, I try to help the younger ones manage all of this.”
Since the contest against Clayton State University and receiving the Zaxby’s Player of the Week award, Mason still leads the Bobcats in goals,
assists, and points; however, she also sits in seventh place in the Peach Belt Conference in the assist category.
8, at 5:30 p.m. in Cochran, Georgia, before returning to Milledgeville for a Senior Day presentation against the
women’s
will return with another conference contest
against the Middle Georgia State University Knights on Wednesday, Oct.
Major League Baseball adds ABS System
Bryan Cade Asst. Sports Editor
Major League Baseball has undergone several rule changes in recent years, including the introduction of the pitch clock, the extra-inning runner and infield shift violations. The sport has undergone significant changes in a relatively short time. However, Major League Baseball may have its most significant change beginning in the 2026 Regular Season.
The Automated BallStrike (ABS) System has been discussed for the sport of baseball for some time, although it is often referred to by other names, such as the “Robo-Umps.” Umpires for sports are rarely perfectly accurate, so the proposed rule change is planned to improve the consistency in calls.
For example, instances such as the “Eric Gregg Game,” in which an umpire heavily impacted the game by consistently making poor calls against the Atlanta Braves in a playoff game against the Florida Marlins.
The new system enables batters, pitchers and catchers to challenge a call made by an umpire, and it quickly verifies whether the pitch was, in fact, a strike or a ball. Teams will have two challenges per game and will have the option to retain a successful challenge. The system aims not to entirely replace the human aspect of having an umpire while attempting to limit poor calls that can significantly impact the outcome of a game.
“It’s a bit of a double-edged sword in the way it will change the game,” said Rand Bestermann, a senior catcher on the GCSU baseball team. “On one hand, it will help the flow of the game and make it more enjoyable for the viewer. And there will be no more frustration from players and fans alike. On the other hand, it takes away some of the character and life from the game because having human error from an umpire adds emotion, intensity and personality to
the game that this technology can’t replicate.”
Major League Baseball tested out the ABS System during the Spring Training games before the 2025 Regular Season. From such tests, the pitching team won 54.4%
said Jake Beaver, a senior pitcher on the GCSU baseball team. “What makes baseball, baseball is the human element of it. Umpires can make mistakes. If there’s a pitch I don’t think should have gotten called a strike,
University of South Carolina-Aiken Pacers, where Mason and her fellow senior teammates will be commemorated on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 1 p.m.
ment in overall umpire performances over the past few years; however, the worst umpires have seemed to get worse rather than improve.
CB Bucknor has been at the center of the umpire discussion
of challenges, edging out the hitting team, which had a flat 50.0% success rate. Catchers won the most challenges at 56%; they helped their pitchers, who challenged poorly at a 41% clip. Notably, only 2.6% of pitches were challenged during Spring Training, and approximately 80% of the games involved five or fewer challenges.
“I see both sides of it,”
but the umpire calls it that way, I’m definitely not going to argue. But as a hitter, I would want the strike zone to be as small as possible. I wouldn’t want to strike out on a pitch that was two balls off the plate.”
Umpire Scorecards, a popular database used to track the consistency and performance of umpires, show that there has been a trend of improve-
for the previous year, as while he has been in the league for a long time, his Umpire Scorecards have most definitely decreased as his service time in Major League Baseball has increased.
However, the Automated Ball-Strike System could impact catcher framing, which refers to the catcher’s ability to make a pitch outside the strike zone
appear to be a strike, essentially deceiving the umpire’s judgment and influencing the call in favor of the defense.
“I believe framing is one of the most important aspects of a catcher’s game because a wellframed pitch can turn a borderline ball into a strike, changing the outcome of an at-bat and even the flow of an inning,” Bestermann said. “It’s a subtle skill that can make a massive difference over the course of a game. However, with the implementation of the ABS, the importance of framing will definitely dwindle. As a result, catchers will need to focus more on other key skills like blocking and throwing runners out.”
Major League Baseball will begin heavily focusing on the implementation of ABS in all thirty ballparks come the offseason. While the previous rule changes have definitely impacted the sport, ABS may be the most divisive in the baseball world.
Courtesy of Dennis Hickens, GCSU Athetics
Courtesy of Dennis Hickens, GCSU Athetics
GCSU
soccer
Women’s basketball practice players
Bryan Cade Asst. Sports Editor
The Georgia College & State University women’s basketball team is seeking practice players to help elevate their basketball skills to the next level. Practice players are a commonality in the world of sports. They allow teams to have extra athletes to help their starters improve their game plan, not only physically, but also mentally, by learning how certain plays can be enhanced through extra reps rather than just practicing with their fellow starters.
Newly minted Interim Head Coach Catrina Green believes that practice players are a valuable way to help her new team hone its skills. However, it’s not only other women athletes that she believes could help im-
prove her women’s basketball team, but also male basketball players, in the sense that they will want to come in and help the girls improve.
“They can be a big part of the success of a program,” Green said. “Getting guys that are dedicated, coming in and wanting to make these girls better.”
GCSU currently sits at 11 athletes on the team, with the potential to add a couple more as the season approaches. However, only five of those currently on the roster are students returning from a previous year. While practice players are undoubtedly a valuable way to improve skill and decision-making for athletes, team chemistry can also be enhanced by incorpo-
rating practice players.
“My freshman year, one of the practice guys we had, he was a senior, by the time I became a senior, he was my post coach, so it built that relationship, and he ended up getting into coaching,” Green said. “Building that connection, just as a practice player, is excellent. I’m hoping to connect with some guys who want to do that or just stay in touch. They’ll want to come in and help build our program.”
The rapport that practice players can build with student athletes can be quintessential for the improvement of athletic programs. The need for them is definitely something that Green is looking for before the start of the season or potentially even during the season.
Practice players al-
low athletes to challenge themselves; instead of running consistent drills, they put athletes in somewhat realistic situations, requiring them to use their athletic IQ in a nearly game-simulation state.
However, if you do want to contribute to the women’s basketball team, there are still requirements to be considered for a practice player role. “You have to do all the things our girls are doing,” Green said. “You have to be full-time students. Pass the same number of classes, 9 hours each semester, and be in good academic standing—all the things to be a regular athlete. But, you also have to have that dedication and understanding that this is a time commitment.”
However, with the re-
quirements of being like a regular athlete, you also get the ability to be
contributing to the team. It is still a way away for
seen as a regular athlete, as being a part of the GCSU women’s basketball practice squad gives you perks, such as an addition to your resume, team gear and priority registration for classes. Not only that, but you end up building a community full of support by
GCSU Cross Country Bobcats Invitational
Benjamin Clark Sports Editor
Last Friday evening, the rolling hills of GCSU’s new cross country course bore witness to fierce competition in the Bobcat Invitational. Hosted on the university’s West Campus, the meet featured a women’s 5K race followed by an 8K men’s race, making it a focal point of the Fall season for many teams.
The start and finish lines of this new stage were positioned in great spectator areas, creating a close vantage point for viewers. For many on campus, this was the debut of a course they would come to see again at the upcoming Peach Belt Conference Championship, which the Bobcat course is slated to host.
Students on GCSU’s Cross Country team react to the new course and the challenging uphill battle it presents.
“It’s definitely challenging,” said Emma Jow, a junior english major and Captain of the women’s Cross Country Team. “It’s a little slower than others, but that doesn’t mean that it’s bad. It just means it’s a little more difficult. One of the things that’s tough about discourse compared to others, is there’s lots of different, like ground textures.”
Other students seem to echo Jow’s remarks, displaying an overall sense of comfort and challenge when on the course, whilst sharing discomfort regarding the rugged terrain.
“My coach calls it a true cross country course,” said Daniel Laird, a junior environmental science major, “Just because it’s not like a circle in the middle of a field. It’s like, actually, you’re running over obstacles and like really trying to do more technical stuff while you’re racing. So I like it.” Organizers had lined the route
thoughtfully, weaving through open fields, wooded stretches and tight slopes, a mix intended to challenge runners while also rewarding tactical patience. While many found the course frustrating, others remarked that it presented a fun challenge. Overall, it was a great night for a run.
While the course was challenging, many runners remarked on their true biggest weakness while running, their mental perseverance.
Beyond physical preparation, an athlete’s mental state can make or break a race, especially in the unpredictable conditions of cross country.
“I have a hard time separating running from my personal life,” Jow said. “So a lot of times, if I’m under a lot of stress, it will kind of translate
Its almost like your racing yourself out there.
- Daniel Laird
into my performance, because I’ll just find it a lot more difficult. And so I’m working on overcoming that just by trying to keep them a little more separate, like leaving school at school and practice at practice, you know?”
For seasoned competitors, staying mentally locked in can be a matter of victory or defeat. The early fall heat, combined with the rough conditions of the track and not to mention midterms, all have impacts on the psychological
for the upcoming 2025-2026 season.
hurdles that came with Friday’s race.
Athletes mentioned that racing on their home course provided a mental edge; they knew where the tough stretches were and could mentally prepare for them in advance. Conversely, visiting teams had to adapt quickly, which can rattle less experienced runners.
“There’s one really, really long hill,” Jow said. “It’s about 200 meters straight uphill and you do it twice. And so none of the other teams obviously knew that that hill was back there, but we all knew, and we’ve been practicing on it multiple times.”
Other runners remark on this infamous hill and how it presents a mental challenge within the run.
“This hill is actually insane,” said Emily Wright, a senior philosophy and political science major. “I mean, the biggest hill, it’s about a mile in, I want to say. You just keep going up and up, and it’s kind of like a round staircase, so every corner you think you’re done, and then you’re like ‘Oh, this keeps going’ yeah, so I think it ‘s really mentally tough.”
Cross country, perhaps more than many other sports, demands that athletes embrace discomfort rather than avoid it. This is why training can be so rigorous; every strong race is built
on weeks, often months of steady, disciplined training. A runner’s performance doesn’t happen overnight; it’s often the result of early morning runs, structured workouts and consistency with intangible skills.
Cross-country training typically combines aerobic base-building, endurance training and strength training to prepare runners for the unique demands of racing over grass, trails and hills.
“Well, for this week, specifically, our coach has been making us run on our course, like doing workouts and stuff all the time,” Laird said. “Just to kind of get us used to like running back there and all the different turns and whatnot. And we’ve been doing a lot more hill work this year as well, to kind of get ready for the back half of our course.”
GCSU’s team entered the meet with several weeks of training and summer conditioning under their belt. Their ability to place multiple runners within the top 20 reflected not just talent, but well-planned training cycles that emphasized both individual and team development.
The Bobcat Invitational was more than just another meet; it was a clear showcase of preparation, mental grit and competitive spirit.
Courtesy of Catrina Green, GCSU Athletics
Coach Green and GCSU as the women’s basketball season does not begin until Nov. 14 with a contest against Young Harris University. However, the team and new head coach Catrina Green are excited to continue preparing
Courtesy of GCSU Athletics
ARTS & LIFE
GCSU’s anticipation for “The Life of a Showgirl”
Sydney Williams Asst. A&L Editor
Taylor Swift’s latest album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” debuted at midnight Oct. 3 and students at GCSU have anticipated its release. The album brought out familiar listening traditions, new record purchases and connections for fans on campus.
Staying up for a midnight release has become a shared tradition among Swift fans, also referred to as “Swifties.” GCSU students have continued that pattern with the debut of “The Life of a Showgirl.”
“I stayed up until midnight Thursday night to listen with one of my roommates, but nothing crazy,” said Savannah Carley, a senior graphic design major. “I have always stayed home and waited up late in order to listen, so it is sort of a tradition now.”
Others said they preferred listening
alone, allowing them to take in every detail.
“I had it playing on my phone with my iPad opened up to the lyrics on the Genius website,” said Caitlyn Balcom, a senior psychology major. “I enjoy listening on my own for the full experience.”
Freshman early childhood education major Aubrey Meadows kept her approach simple.
“Normally, I do a listening party, but this year I just listened on my own. I love Taylor, but a girl needs her sleep.”
Physical copies of the album have also proved to be a major draw among GCSU students. Several collect vinyl records and CDs, adding a layer of value that online streaming cannot provide.
“I love having a physical version of things in a digital world,” Meadows said.
For some, the purchase was more about continuing a collection.
“I bought the vinyl
SUNSET YOGA
Continued from page 1
“I think that [outdoor exercise] helps with anxiety and depression,” said Amy Bishop, the event’s student instructor. “Just take a minute to sit down and just focus on your breath and not about the stress of school or any tests or family problems. Just sit there and breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth to clear your head.”
Bishop’s words can resonate with individuals seeking to take a step back from stressors. She emphasized out-
“I know ball”
from Target as soon as it came out,” said Kaitlyn Baty, a freshman creative
for a few years now, and I have all of her albums. I was able to pre-or-
writing major. “Target has a special edition that is pink and sparkly and I wanted to add it to my collection. I’ve been collecting records
door exercise because of its healing capabilities. Since exercising in itself stabilizes mood, being in nature naturally enhances that biological phenomena.
According to Piedmont Healthcare, an online medical service, “Outdoor exercise can help ward off seasonal affective disorder (SAD), depression and anxiety because sunshine naturally increases serotonin, a hormone that affects your mood.”
Bishop’s outdoor yoga session began just before sunset, setting the scene to be relaxing and serotonin-filled. Along with this, the near 100 stu-
der a signed CD, which I’m very excited about.”
The release of “The Life of a Showgirl” has also served as a way for students to
connect with others.
“My aunt and I went to the Eras Tour together, so any new thing Taylor does means we are texting each other more frequently than usual,” Balcom said. “Since she lives so far away, this bond is nice to have.”
Through livestreams, fan accounts or even apps, Swifties have found ways to connect online to share their listening experiences together.
“I connected with my fellow Swifties on Swift Alert to play their album guessing game, which thousands of fans participated in,” Balcom said.
Each new era of Swift’s music often aligns with personal milestones, allowing students to tie the music to their own lives.
“Listening to her music with my sisters, cousins and mom has always been an experience I hold close to my heart. It also marks the chapter of life I’m currently living,” Carley said.
dents in attendance shed light on how close the community is at GCSU.
“I think it’s all more of a sense of community when you’re outside with everybody,” said Kathryn Price, the supervisor from the WRC at GCSU. “This provides an opportunity for people to get out that normally don’t go to the gym.”
From her supervisor position, Price recognized that there was an influx of students at the sunset yoga event in comparison to everyday gym hours.
The coordinators of the event even went so far to provide nearly 100 yoga mats to account for the high attendance.
Students share their hot takes on the rising TikTok trend
Benjamin Clark Sports Editor
Beginning as a blunt, baffling phrase within sports communities, the phrase “I know ball” has transcended its native audience, becoming a versatile piece of internet slang. In the recent past, the saying was only used to praise or insult another’s sports expertise; however, it has now been adopted into the expanding lexicon of American sports idioms.
Sayings such as “dropping the ball” and “hitting it out of the park” are commonplace in American households to describe or illustrate a point creatively. Over the years, many more sayings have been added to this vocabulary, all beginning in sports.
The earliest uses of “I know ball” and its close cousin “you don’t know ball” appear in sports forums and comment sections where users question another’s understanding of popular team sports. In those contexts, “ball” stands shorthand for the game itself, while “knowing ball” is shorthand for having a genuine abundance or lack of knowledge surrounding the game.
Sometime in the last few years, the phrase has begun to take relevance through the short-form video platforms common among younger generations. The phrase immediately caught on, garnering instant appreciation in many hobby-related communities.
“It’s just another way of saying ‘trust me, bro,’” said senior business major Cooper Treadaway. “You can drop it at the end of your take and sud-
denly it feels official, even when it’s total nonsense.”
Within a matter of weeks, the phrase has left its native domain and spread throughout the vocabularies of the world’s internet users; and next thing you know, your neighbor Susan “knows ball” about knitting.
“When I tell someone they don’t know ball, it’s not that deep, it’s just a way of saying they don’t get the game,” said Seth Clark, a sophomore finance major. “But now I see people using it on TikTok about music, fashion, even politics. It’s kind of funny how it left sports completely.”
Not everyone appreciates the trend. Some sports fans view the phrase as a lazy shorthand that replaces thoughtful discourse.
“Honestly, I think it’s annoying,” said Cade Steel, a senior history major. “Instead of explaining why a take is bad, people just spam ‘you don’t know ball.’ It’s clever for five seconds, but it gets old fast.”
These critiques echo long-standing complaints about social media dynamics, where short-form punchlines tend to favor wellthought-out persuasion and genuine discourse.
The phrase’s malleability has produced local variations and offshoots. For example, adjacent slang like “my ball” is a popular term of endearment among some groups and has been conflated with the “I know ball” trend.
Memes, or popular internet jokes, often
Many students also pointed to the visual aspects of the album as a notable feature of “The Life of a Showgirl.”
“Visually, this album is very appealing to me,” Balcom said. “There is a lot more artwork and a lot more photographs for this album than in the past, and many special copies for vinyl records with photos and poems.”
Swift’s recent experiences on tour seem to reflect many of these visual tie-ins.
“I definitely think this album focuses on her life as a performer, since she wrote it while on The Eras Tour,” Carley said. “I think the themes explore both the glamour and the challenges of living the ‘life of a showgirl.’” With the album now available, GCSU students are engaging with “The Life of a Showgirl” across campus through streaming, purchasing physical copies and shared fan activities.
The Wellness and Recreational Center has made an active effort to promote exercise and well-being in all of GCSU’s students. During the month of October, the WRC promotes Exercise and Medicine Month by curating events for all to attend. The events range from group fitness classes, to haunted trails, to festive activities that promote health and well-being. The Wellness & Recreation section of GCSU’s website highlights the exciting and physically engaging events taking place. Navigate to the website, gcsu.edu, to learn more.
have political and cultural aftershock, symbolizing a greater change in the effect of the global internet on culture. Like most memes, the longevity of this phrase’s lifetime is uncertain. Enduring phrases often become shorthand within particular communities instead of remaining universal catchphrases. “I know ball” might stay a mid-2020s niche badge, or it might expand into common sports slang used to praise or critique someone’s knowledge. Why the phrase caught on so quickly is worth further exploration; social linguists generally point to phrases that favor short and emphatic lines. For journalists and cultural observers, this trend is a reminder of how quickly online speech can become common vocabulary. For everyday users, it’s an interesting new word to use in everyday speech.
Sydney Williams | Asst. Arts & Life Editor
Julia Jensen| Art Director
GCSU Hosts Farmers and Artisans Market
On Wednesday, Oct. 1, the GCSU Office of Student Engagement hosted its fall semester Farmers and Artisans Market on front campus, featuring live music and a wide range of vendors for the GCSU community to enjoy.
“The Farmers and Artisans Market is something our office puts on every semester, and we invite faculty, staff, students and community vendors to campus. It’s about a two-hour event, typically with live music to sell their products for the GCSU campus and also our community,” said Sara Goodelman, GCSU’s Student Engagement Program coordinator and the event organizer.
The market included both student and community vendors, with a little bit of everything for sale, with items ranging from popsicles and plants to art prints, jewelry and sourdough bagels.
“Any kind of new venture can be pretty daunting just starting out, and organizations and events like this kind of give people the opportunity to try it small scale before investing a lot of money and time into it,” said Billy Copeland, owner of Squareish Woodwork and a vendor at the market Copeland creates unique
gifts from reclaimed and pallet wood, including cheeseboards, keychains and seasonal decorations. While some vendors were established businesses like his, others were simply students
nothing, I’m not going to continue to be creative. But it’s just that extra boost of motivation to show your appreciation for art that’s out there,” Kehler said.
In addition to creating a space for creativity, Goodel-
eager to share their creativity.
“I actually came mostly just because I thoroughly enjoy making this stuff and I don’t have the need for a hundred postcards myself,” said Taliesin Kehler, a sophomore biology major selling handcrafted postcards and notebooks.
For Kehler, events like the Farmers and Artisans Market are an opportunity to showcase artistic talents and encourage vendors like herself to continue in their work.
“I think it inspires creativity. Not that if I go home and sell
man emphasized that the event is designed to make participation accessible for vendors no matter the scale of their business. The market is free for vendors, though they are encouraged to donate items to the Campus Corner, a resource center for students in need.
“This is also a great event for first-time vendors to see if you want to get into the business of working in markets. I have a lot of students here that are entrepreneurs, and this is their first time selling in a market,” Goodelman said.
Jimmy Kimmel’s Return
serve as learning moments, especially in online communities.
Jimmy Kimmel returned to latenight television on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025 after serving a six-day suspension from ABC following controversial remarks he made about the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
While ABC framed the suspension as a matter of accountability, the decision has sparked conversations among students about what free speech really means, how much control media companies should have and where political commentary fits in entertainment.
“From what I’ve seen, people online were pissed they took him off the air,” said Scarlett Cueto, a junior English and mass communication major. “Even if what he said had been even remotely offensive, the government shouldn’t be allowed to force someone off the air because they got their feelings hurt.”
Cueto stressed that public figures should have the same constitutional protections as anyone else.
“Media personalities are citizens like everyone else, and they should be able to exercise their right of free speech,” Cueto said. “Of course, that does not exclude them from the consequences of that speech. If Kimmel had said something that truly violated FCC rules, then give him a fine. This wasn’t ‘the consequences of his actions,’ this was just censorship by the government, plain and simple.”
Controversies like this one can
“I am so chronically online, I’m like the town crier for media controversies in my friend group,” Cueto said. “I do care about them, and I think most of them can teach people how to navigate certain situations, even if the controversy is so unique to the specific media personality.”
For some students, Kimmel’s suspension wasn’t just about one late-night comedian but about a larger political divide.
“It’s regarded differently on the two sides,” said Madison Connor, a freshman political science major. “For Democrats, they see it as an egregious violation of the First Amendment, whereas republicans don’t seem to care at all. My opinion is that regardless of his political opinions and statements on the show, stripping him of his voice is ridiculous and a complete violation of the freedom of speech that makes America America.”
The differing responses from politicians to media criticism reflect broader questions about how power interacts with public discourse.
“In the same way Democrats don’t watch Fox News, Republicans don’t have to watch Kimmel,” Connor said.
“Under Biden, he never stripped someone of their voice, even if they made fun of him, which we all know Fox News does, but he still never took away their First Amendment rights. However, Trump doing so and en-
Beyond shopping, the market also provided a chance for students to pause their busy schedules, enjoy the fall weather and connect with peers. Its central location made it easy for students passing by to stop and browse.
“Someone in my senior seminar class told me that there was a farmer’s market happening and I had no idea. So now I’m here,” said Ruby
central focus of college experience, events like the market demonstrate the value of activities and engagement beyond the classroom.
“We are here for academics, but it’s also about the personal and professional development and the experience [students] get. It is the first day of fall in October, we have beautiful weather, and it just allows them time to
Hull, a senior English major.
Although Hull hadn’t planned on visiting the market, she walked away with arms full of bags and unique gifts, including bracelets, clothes and crafts.
“I got this crochet duck with a cute little pink hat. It was really cute!” Hull said.
Goodelman noted that while academics are the
kind of take all stressors away and share memories on front campus,” Goodelman said.
With music drifting across front campus, autumn sunshine overhead and students leaving with arms full of handmade treasures, the Farmers and Artisans Market once again showed how creativity and community thrive side by side at GCSU.
couraging it, whereas Biden did not strip speech away, tells you everything you need to know about the two presidents and what they actually stand for.”
Other students emphasized the importance of clarifying what “free speech” actually entails.
“I think the current laws on free speech are appropriate, but a lot of people misunderstand what free speech actually is,” said Hope Martin, a mass communication major. “Free speech isn’t the freedom from consequences; it’s not being legally prosecuted for an opinion. I think the ability to criticize politicians is a key core of American values and free speech, but at the same time, it is the parent company’s decision on if the show is ever yanked or not.”
Many GCSU students expressed concern about what they see as a growing trend of political influence over entertainment.
“The trend of late-night shows being cancelled over comments about Trump isn’t a free speech violation technically, but I do find it a very concerning trend,” Martin said. “I think Trump has fostered an environment of cancel culture and pressure against speaking out that can only get worse over time with our current path.”
At GCSU, Kimmel’s suspension sparked a range of reactions, with many students viewing it as part of a larger conversation about free speech, media responsibility and political influence as the 2024 election approaches.
Jane Carr Staff Writer
Julia Jensen | Art Director
Bella McComis | Digital Media Editor
Kate Walker A&L Editor
Bella McComis | Digital Media Editor
