September 27, 2019

Volume XCVII, Number 1

September 27, 2019

Worcester, Massachusetts

Environmental Crusaders Lead Youth Climate Strike Ethan Bachand ’22 Chief News Editor

On September 20th, the College of the Holy Cross community held a rally on the steps of Dinand Library as part of the international youth climate strike. Following the event that was led by the Eco-Action club on campus, students and faculty marched to Worcester City Hall to participate in a larger protest.

People gathered around the steps of Dinand at 9:00 a.m., with the leaders of the event stationed in front of the “Hand of Christ” statue. The area was packed, and attendance was estimated to be around 200 people. This number included a plethora of staff, including multiple professors and Rev. Philip L. Boroughs S.J., president himself.

With a speaker system set up, the leaders of the event gave impassioned speeches that captivated the audience. A combination of personal anecdotes and calls to action brought multiple rounds of applause for the speakers.

After the first portion of the day, organizer Emma Powell ‘20 said: “It was a good turnout, and it shows that Holy Cross is committed to Climate Justice and that people actually care about it, and we hope that this inspires more people to get involved on campus, as well as individual action.”

Fellow organizer Renee Leblanc ‘21 added to this sentiment, saying: “It also visually shows the amount of people on this campus that truly care about demanding more and taking action on environmental issues.

This campus, as we move forward, [has the] support of hundreds of people behind us, and we hope to see more…”

When asked about the strike set up by the Holy Cross students, Father Boroughs praised the effort, stating: “I think Holy Cross students have been traditionally very involved in social issues in our city … on our campus, and beyond.

I really expect their participation and I am glad that

it is taking place.”

After the speeches were delivered, students began to march down Linden Lane and head towards town hall.

As the group walked through the city streets, cars honked their support for the politically active contingent from Mount St. James. Faculty worked hard to ensure the safety of students as they crossed streets and attempted to keep the group of 70-90 individuals together.

The group arrived at Worcester City Hall around 10:15 a.m. with the protest already unPhoto by Kim Fetherston ’22.

The HC community gathers at Dinand Library for the start of the Climate strike. der way. Upon their arrival the contingent town hall rally, listening to a variety many socio-economic implications received loud applause, as the current speaker at the time in- of speakers both young and old, stu- that stem from helping out the entroduced Holy Cross. Students and dents and faculty began making the vironment.”

She continued: “We’re demanding faculty mixed into the general au- journey back to campus, whether by bus or on foot. that we have a sustainability direcdience of about Even though those specific events tor within the next coming years, 350 people. may be and the The area outover, the other part side the building is we are entrance was full m i s s i o n s of both hoping to of a diverse set the Ecohave Holy of individuals A c t i o n Cross be with a wide array club and STARS of signs, some of the colG o l d the most promilege are far Standard nent posters readfrom over.

Cer tified ing: “Act as if D e a n within the your house is on Eggemeinext 5 to fire, because it is,” er com7 years.

“Fossil Fuels are mented on continued efforts for cliSTAR certified is a sustainability killing us,” “We’re on thin ice,” and “Act now or swim mate justice on campus, stating: “I’d of higher education standard more really like to see the students take or less, and it goes through every later.”

Matthew Eggemeier, Dean for an active role in challenging us as single area. So planning, operations, academics; all the Class of 2023, spoke to The faculty, staff, and administration to those different Spire about the event, saying, “I’m respond to what areas it helps just really thrilled to see the amount they think are the focus on.” of people who have come out with most important While there enthusiasm about the climate issue. steps that we can may certainly I think it’s an issue that a Catholic take moving forbe more work Jesuit Institution should take a leadward.” to do in terms ership role on, and I think we are Renee Lebof environdoing that by participating in this lanc added to the mental conmarch and the strike.” sentiment, coms c i o u s n e ss, After spending 45 minutes at the menting that for the Youth CliEco-Action: “The mate Strike is main goal this year a promising is to focus on getstart to a new, ting a Sustainabileco-friendly era ity Director. We’ve at Holy Cross. never had one beNow it is the fore, and having responsibility someone full time of all the comto work on these issues is crucial munity members to keep the moto having a sustainable campus and mentum rolling. working towards limiting our impact on the environment. There are so All photos by Kim Fetherston ’22.

Inside The Spire

News.......................1 Opinions.................4 Features..................7 Eggplant.................9 Sports.....................10

Hogan Welcomes “Sally the Salad Robot” Page 3

Economic Injustice at Holy Cross Page 5

Crusader of the Week: Gracie the Public Safety Dog! Page 7

Eggplant: Area 51 Raid Recap Page 9

Football off to 1-2 Start to 2019 Campaign Page 10

2 The Spire

NEWS September 27, 2019

Snapshots From the Hill

Photo by Kim Fetherston ’22.

Photo courtesy of The Silk Road Project.

The Holy Cross community had the opportunity to sign the final beam of the Joanne Chouinard-Luth Recreation and Wellness Center

The Silk Road Project began their third year of residency at Holy Cross and will be holding a lunchtime concert on the Hoval on Friday, Sept. 27 at 12:30pm.

Photo courtesy of Arts Transcending Borders.

Taylor Mac performed “A 24-Decade History of Popular Music (Abridged)” for a packed Fenwick Theatre on Sept. 17.

Jennifer Ashe and Matthew Jaskot performed musical works inspired by the poetry of Emily Dickinson on Sept. 19 in Brooks Concert Hall.

Public Safety Blotter ~Eggplant Eddition~ Thursday, Sept. 19 Lower Kimball- Public safety officers were to break up a fist fight between roommates at 12:45 p.m. The scuffle was said to be over Declan Toomey cutting Luke Milidragovic in line to steal the last order of steak tips. One witness said “Hate to see it get ugly like that, but you can’t fault Luka for getting territorial over his meat. He’s Serbian for crying out loud!”

Friday. Sept. 20 The Lot- Officers responded to a small fire in the lot last weekend caused by the burning of an Antonio Brown Patriots jersey. The alleged arsonist, however, was caught on video the previous weekend calling Brown “our next Randy Moss.” He was charged with three counts of being a fake *** New England sports fan.

Saturday. Sept. 23 Public Safety Office- Officers pushed back against the hordes of students inspired by the Area 51 raid who were storming the new office to “Free Gracie”

Photo by Kim Fetherston ’22.

Public Safety Adds its Newest Member: Gracie Ethan Bachand ’22 Chief News Editor On August 30th, the College of the Holy Cross Department of Public Safety announced that it would be adding Gracie the dog into its ranks. Rather than serving as a typical K9 unit, her purpose is to serve as a comfort dog for students.

A goldendoodle that is approximately five months old, Gracie was a welcome addition to the campus community at the beginning of the year. Initially introduced

by Chief Shawn de Jong on September 1, Gracie has become a familiar sight on Mount St. James, making regular appearances throughout the campus.

In an official post on the Holy Cross Instagram account (@collegeoftheholycross), Chief de Jong was reported as saying: “In the end, Gracie will not just be a

member of the family in the Department of Public Safety. She will be a member of the larger Holy Cross family. We’re looking forward to the new level of community outreach that we know will come when we walk Gracie across campus. When you see her, please stop and say hello!”

This is not the first time that Holy Cross has utilized comfort dogs for students. Such animals are staples during finals week, as therapy dogs are regularly brought in to help relieve stress during exam periods. However, this is the first resident comfort dog that Holy Cross has had.

On top of her physical appearances on the hill, Gracie has been pictured prominently on the Department of Public Safety Instagram account. Such pictures include her training or interacting with students on the Hoval.

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One of the most popular images so far has been of Gracie leaving her mark on the beam of the wellness center. Before the final beam was lifted, Public Safety was able to place a paw print from Holy Cross’s favorite puppy alongside the signatures of students and faculty.

Sophomore Michaela Lake is amongst the many fans of Public Safety’s newest addition, saying: “I think it is a great idea for public safety to get a dog! I feel like it’s a cool and unique way to bring public safety and the campus community together. Gracie is such a cute and sweet dog.

I hope to see her around campus more.”

It is still to be seen if the frequency of appearances will subside as the year continues, but for now Gracie is set to be the star of the show.

The Spire is a non-profit, non-partisan student publication of the College of the Holy Cross.

The Spire is distributed free of charge to all students, faculty, staff, and employees of the institution.

Jackie Cannon, Billy Fitzpatrick Editors-in-Chief Ethan Bachand News Editor Olivia Pan, Maggie Connolly, Ryen Cinski, Julia Maher Opinions Eds. Kelly Gallagher , Maggie Flaherty, Joe Begg, Clarabel Smith Features Editors Greg Hausler, Mario Micallif, Matt Anderson, Hannah Johnson Eggplant Editors Bobby Tuzzio, Charlie Krumsiek, Luke Anthony Sports Editors Hope Goodman, Olivia Cesarini, Bridgie English, Kennedy Corrado Copy Editors Kim Fetherston, Davey Sullivan, Zoe Petit Photographers Olivia Cesarini Web Editor Cassie Smith, Caroline Manganaro Social Media Managers Professor Steve Vineberg Faculty Advisor Dean Michele Murray Faculty Advisor

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The Spire

NEWS

September 27, 2019

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Letters to the Campus Community Address Title IX, Campus Climate Jackie Cannon ’20 Editor-in-Chief Over the course of the summer, the College of the Holy Cross community received multiple letters from Rev. Philip L. Boroughs S.J., president, regarding the campus climate, sexual misconduct policy, and the allegations of sexual misconduct against James David Christie, former artist-in-residence and organist at the College. These reports included details of how the college will be working to build an inclusive community and prevent further sexual misconduct.

These reports served as the culmination of months of research and review by an external law firm and a committee of Holy Cross community members. Several incidents, including the public allegations against Christie and Professor Christopher Dustin of the Philosophy Department and the February sit-in protesting the administration’s response to these Title IX allegations, prompted these reviews.

July 9: Students received a message from Fr. Boroughs, detailing the findings of the investigation against Christie. He was found responsible for violating the college’s sexual misconduct and harassment policy on multiple accounts. He will face multiple sanctions, including having all awards and honors bestowed by the College revoked and not being permitted on any Holy Cross property.

July 31: Fr. Boroughs sent a letter that informed the campus community that Phil Catanzano of Holland & Knight LLP, who had

been hired to review the campus there will be no failure-to-report for improving the policy to address culture, structures and procedures, consequences for anyone who students’ concerns while remaining had completed his review and sum- brings forward a past allegation of within the necessary legal parammarized his findings in a 14-page sexual assault to the Title IX office. eters. report. Catanzano stated that he This temporary policy is in place As Fr. Boroughs summarized, interviewed approximately 68 peo- to address concerns that individu- many of the committee’s recomple, consisting of current and for- als may face repercussions if they mendations consisted of clarifying mer students and employees. come forward with prior reports or expanding on the language in In this letter, Boroughs wrote that of sexual misconduct that they specific sections of the policy, and Catanzano’s report was not intend- failed to report. clarifying how certain processes are ed to address specific concerns, but August 7: A message to Holy carried out. The College adminisrather that “his goal was to deter- Cross students outlined the con- tration will also be looking into the mine whether the specific concerns clusions reached by the Sexual Mis- committee’s suggestion to establish were indicative of broader cultural conduct Policy Review Committee. a student Title IX advisory board, or procedural defialthough this idea may ciencies and to report pose legal and prion how those can be vacy challenges. Holy improved toward preCross administration venting future miswas also tasked with conduct.” creating a visual repHowever, Catanresentation of the zano stated in the Title IX process and introduction of his update the “Title IX report that “I was not Q&A” on the Campus able to provide speClimate website. cific feedback on the In addition to conlarger campus culture ducting the in-depth because too few cursearch for a new direcrent students chose tor of the Title IX ofto meet with me, defice after the departure spite several requests of Tracy Kennedy last

by Fr. Boroughs and spring, Holy Cross other directed efforts also hired Jody Shipon campus to ask for per of Grand River their participation Solutions, a renowned over the course of Title IX expert, to Photo by Ethan Bachand ’22 recommend steps to the last ten months.”

A view of Fenwick Hall from the Kimball Quad.

Therefore, his report improve the structure primarily focused on and resources of the culture surrounding Title IX office. sexual misconduct reporting, not The committee was composed of August 23: In his final summer the campus culture as a whole. students, staff, and faculty, and message to campus, Fr. Boroughs Notably, Boroughs stated that, worked with Daryl Lapp of Locke addressed the many reports of from the day the letter was sent Lord LLP to review the College’s possible sexual misconduct that until the end of this calendar year, Title IX and submit suggestions had been brought to the Title IX

office over the past year. He stated, “The emotional and physical safety of our students is of paramount concern and no student should be subject to harassment or other sexual misconduct by faculty or staff whose job it is to educate, mentor and facilitate the growth and development of our students.”

This message also informs the campus community that Holy Cross will hire an external investigator for older allegations brought forward against former faculty or staff members that have not previously been investigated. Fr. Boroughs also reiterated the temporary amnesty policy mentioned in his Jul. 31 letter for mandated reporters who bring forth prior reports of misconduct.

Despite the complex nature of the issues in these reports, the consensus that Fr. Borough repeatedly emphasized is that more work remains to be done. Fr. Boroughs concluded his Jul. 13 letter by stating, “I remain hopeful that as a community we will recognize our common ground and our common stake in Holy Cross and its mission, raise issues respectfully, and work together to find solutions to the challenges that confront us. I hope you will all join me in this work.”

The Spire will continue to report on ongoing campus issues relating to Title IX policies and practices in an effort to increase transparency while fostering productive communication between students, the administration, faculty, and staff.

Hogan Welcomes Sally the Salad Robot Got a nose Jackie Cannon ’20 Editor-in-Chief Over the summer, the Hogan Campus Center welcomed its newest addition: a fresh food robot. Referred to as Sally, this salad robot can provide students with a healthy meal from 7:30am to 1:00am. Chowbotics, a food robotics company, partnered with Holy Cross to make Sally the first fresh food robot at a college/university in Massachusetts, according to the Chowbotics press press release.

Marty Dudek, Senior Associate Director of Operations shared why the College decided to add a fresh food robot: “Dining Services took the opportunity to add another healthy dining option to campus that would be cutting edge and available to students any time the Hogan Campus Center is open. In today’s competitive job market it is a continuing challenge to fill and retain positions in the food service industry. With this challenge Dining Services needs to think outside the box and for us the answer was Sally.”

With up to 22 ingredients, the fresh food robot can provide students with a healthy alternative after Kimball dining hall and

the Crossroads deli and salad bar have closed. While Sally can currently only provide salads, future potential options include grain and breakfast bowls, which Dudek stated will happen. Additionally, Sally helps to reduce the risk of contamination of food, as the machine is kept at the ideal tempera-

phia Verra ’22 explained that she appreciated the speed and ease of using Sally, as well as the salad’s freshness: “Many health conscious students and students with special vegetarian/keto/vegan diets are always looking for the healthiest dining options on a college campus, which often is difficult to come by.

Photo by Davey Sullivan ’22

For a fresh. healthy meal available untl 1:00am, check out Sally the fresh food robot in Hogan!

ture, and ingredients are kept sanitary and regularly replaced.

Dudek shared that, so far, responses from the campus community have been positive. So-

Having said that, easy and convenient access to a ‘design-your-own’ salad makes eating healthy a fun and enjoyable experience.”

A Holy Cross Senior, Alexis Fair-

banks, also emphasized the convenience of using Sally: “As I was running late for class I needed a quick and fast alternative for lunch.

I could not be more satisfied today with my experience! I liked that I was able to pick exactly what I wanted and was able to watch it dispense. I am pleased to say that it ran smoothly and was very clean.

Thank you for adding this for students and staff while some days can be busier than others. I will be using Sally in the future.”

Sally the Salad Robot is not the only new addition to Holy Cross dining this year. Dudek shared that Cool Beans now has Dr. Smoothie brand smoothies instead of the Freshens smoothies they used to have. Dr. Smoothie products are distributed by Good as Gold Coffee in Worcester, which will also be bringing a double dark roast coffee to campus next semester.

A final change to Holy Cross dining for the 2019-2020 year is the addition of a grain bowl station in Crossroads. As Dudek shared, students can also look forward to more “plant forward and gluten free options” at Holy Cross dining locations in the future.

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The Spire

Opinions

OPINIONS

September 27, 2019

See What Other Students Are Thinking Around Campus...

We Are the Champions at Any Price:

Antonio Brown and the Patriots Olivia Pan ’20 Chief Opinions Editor On Friday, September 20th, it was officially announced that the Patriots would be releasing wide-receiver, Antonio Brown, due to rape and sexual misconduct allegations that have been swirling around him in recent weeks. Brown’s release from the Patriots came shortly after Sports Illustrated reported that Brown had sent a series of threatening and intimidating text messages to his second female accuser, who alleges Brown sexually harassed her while she painted a mural in his home. The Patriots received copies of these messages the day before his release. Nike also previously announced that same week that they would be severing their relationship with Brown.

According to the New York Times, the Patriots’ “initial silence and resistance to sidelining Brown during the N.F.L. investigation drew immediate criticism from fans, who said the team had ignored serious accusations in pursuit of wins.”

Every serious allegation being leveled against a person deserves a full investigation. Being accused of something does not automatically

mean that a person is guilty. However, in light of new information, I personally believe that Brown is a sexual predator. And it is clear

Last weekend, I finally decided to update my iPhone. I went about it nonchalantly, not expecting anything special or different. Once the white background and apple icon appeared on the screen, it started loading but did not finish until 10 minutes later. Frustrated and bored, I tried to press my home button, desperate to return to an array of vibrant apps, although I knew this was impossible. I was stuck for 10 minutes with no phone. 10 minutes.

This probably does not sound like a long time to eliminate technology, but it felt like more like 10 hours.

When I scanned my dorm room for 10 minutes while my phone updated, my senses heightened considerably, and I saw many things that I had glossed over previously. I recognized the colors and textures of different items, the fragrance of the diffuser, and the white noise of the fan. Through noticing more of my environment and being present, I automatically expressed more gratitude than usual.

This occasion made me realize that I never truly pause each day. I go about my day in a rush, express little gratitude and forget to practice mindfulness. And, when I sit in complete silence with nothing in my hands, I feel

cheating, so it came as no surprise to me that they were willing to let Brown continue playing for them during the rape investigation.

Photo Courtesy of BostonGlobe

Former Patriots Wide Receiver, Antonio Brown, was released from the New Enfland Patriots following allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.

to me that the Patriots were looking out for their own self-interests, as usual, and were playing a game of wait and see with Brown. Only when other big names, like Nike, began jumping ship, did they de-

Still and Grateful Julia Maher ’23 Opinions Editor

cide to release Brown. It seemed that it was their intention to win as many games as possible until the heat became too much for them to

embarrassed—even guilty— that I am not doing anything.

Why should people feel guilty for taking a break? Sometimes it is okay and necessary to rest and reflect. Personally, I need a substantial amount of reflective time every day to feel healthy and grounded mentally and spiritually. Some people might not need as much time as others, but setting aside at least a few minutes alone each day to practice mindfulness and be present is crucial. Although more adult Americans have adopted meditative practices in recent years, about 14.2% according to the CDC, there are still many who do not participate. This is concerning, especially considering that 46.4% of adult Americans will experience a mental illness in their lifetime, like anxiety or depression, among many others illnesses. Meditative practices are important to adopt because they can allow people to focus on their wellbeing, assess their emotional state and ease mental stress.

As Holy Cross students, we are obviously very active and busy. Although our schedules are packed, we can still find even five minutes each day to be still. We need to care for our whole selves, not just our academic and athletic selves.

Through this practice, we can begin to know and care about ourselves and our blessings more profoundly.

appear neutral. This is a team that has been under a cloud before for crossing lines and being more than a bit shady to win a football season.

Some detractors have even accused the team and its coaches of blatant

I think that the Patriots also signed Brown likely knowing of his troubled history with the Oakland Raiders. According to Time Magazine, Brown has a history which included being fined $215,073.53

by the Raiders for “conduct detrimental to the team.” After being released from the Raiders, the Patriots signed Brown “almost immediately.” The Patriots have given off an air of simply not doing their own due diligence, or suspending play, while serious allegations are vetted, so long as they are able to stay the course to championships.

Head coach of the Patriots, Bill Belichick also refused to answer any questions from news reporters pertaining to the release of Brown or regarding the scandal overall. It’s cowardly. He spearheads this football team, and the roster of players on it. Thus, he has a responsibility to answer questions forthrightly and transparently, not act like he has been slighted every time a reporter asks the obvious.

That being said, if Antonio Brown worked in an office and was accused of sexual misconduct or rape, wouldn’t his bosses tell him to take a few days, or a few weeks off, until a full investigation cleared him? I guess that doesn’t happen when it’s an all-boy office. Well, Mr. Kraft and Mr. Belichick, at least you both jumped on the bandwagon as it rolled away. Bravo.

The Spire staff responds: What’s your favorite part of being an editor of the Spire?

My favorite part about being a part of The Spire is that, although you’re only a student— and in my case, a student usually writing mediocre articles for the Eggplant— you’re honoring a tradition of student journalism that extends back nearly one hundred years. In a way your part of something bigger that’s lasting ~Matt A. Written communication is becoming a lost art in today’s world. The ability to write clearly, convincingly, and eloquently is more important in the workforce now more than ever. Here are two simple, but effective ways to improve your writing: 1) write more often, and 2) put your writing out there in the public sphere, forcing yourself to step up your game and face criticism. The Spire is a great way to accomplish both of these things and invest in your communication skills - which will help you for life! ~Billy Fitzpatrick ‘20

I love being on the Spire because it has helped to show me all the amazing events on campus that I otherwise might not have attended! ~Kim

Writing for the Spire has been such a great way to learn more about Holy Cross. I got to go to so many events, interview a huge range of people, and learn so much about Holy Cross history that I never would have come into contact with if I hadn’t been a news editor, and my experience opened my eyes to so much that was going on around me ~Jackie Cannon My favorite part of being a part of the Spire has been being able to share my voice with the Holy Cross community through my opinions articles. I’ve had students and alumni reach out to me about my articles, so it’s been really amazing to form those connections through my writing ~Olivia Pan

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The Spire

OPINIONS

September 27, 2019

Economic Injustice at Holy Cross Clara Joy Gibson ’21 Guest Writer Here at the College of the Holy Cross, we pride ourselves on being a community that values social responsibility, activism, and fights against injustice. Our leaders exhort us to take the values and tools we learn here and go out and change the world--a noble goal.

But we, as students, cannot turn our gaze to the world if we do not confront the problems we have on campus. Last year, battles between students and the administration regarding transparency, the placing of image and the maintenance of a veneer of respectability before the safety and dignity of female students raged both on the pages of school publications and outside the offices of administration officials.

Moreover, the constant drip-dripdrip of reports of homophobic, racist, misogynist, and hateful graffiti and incidents into student inboxes continues to remind us that we are not living up to our promise that we are “men and women for and with others.”

I have a great deal more to say about campus culture and the way students, particularly those who are people of color, women, queer, or trans are treated, and I will say it to anyone who stands still long enough, and for as long as it takes to produce change. But today I want to talk about the economic injustices perpetrated by our institution and society not on students, but on the people that provide the education we are here to receive:

our adjunct faculty. The Holy Cross website, under the heading Holy Cross at a Glance, tells us that the College employs 290 full time faculty and 38 part time professors, implying that only 13% of classes at Holy Cross are taught by adjunct professors. However, almost 20% of full time faculty are adjuncts, so in reality, the website offers little real sense of how much of the teaching at Holy Cross is done by adjunct faculty.

Very briefly, an adjunct professor is a professor who teaches classes at a college or university who is hired per semester and is ineligible for tenure, an academic appointment that guarantees a professor their job (except in extraordinary circumstances). Tenure grants job security to professors, allowing them to be intellectually bold, experiment, and push academic boundaries without fear of losing their job. Tenure supports academic freedom, innovation, and protects experienced professors from being fired for less-experienced, cheaper candidates. Though the tenure system has its problems (namely, that it makes it very difficult to fire people for poor performance), generally, granting instructors job security and academic freedom benefits their fields through allowing for innovation and their students, who benefit from this freedom to explore and experiment.

Adjunct professors, however, are denied these benefits, despite the fact that they often have the same degrees, same experience,

and the same number of publications as tenure-track faculty. Many part-time adjuncts--people with doctorates and years of experience--live well below the poverty line. At Duquesne University--a private, Catholic school much like Holy Cross with a $171 million endowment--adjuncts were paid $2500 per course (Rhoades, 2013). John Carl Baker remarked that at George Mason University, adjunct faculty are often paid “a few thousand dollars per course,” while the President’s wife, a motivational speaker, was paid almost 4000$ per day (Baker 2019), and Brett Kavanaugh was paid $25,000 by the Koch-funded law school to teach a two-week course (Lectieq, 2019). Moreover, academia treats adjunct or contingent faculty like day-laborers in that they are given no job security. Often hired at the last moment, with no time to prepare, many contingent faculty members are often kept in suspense as to whether they will have a job to feed themselves and their families. A professor who is grossly underpaid, who has to teach five classes at multiple institutions, all with varying syllabi, methodologies, online platforms, etc. is not being given the tools they need to succeed as a teacher, a fact supported by student graduation and retention rates.

As in most other areas of life, the economic injustice of the gig economy falls disproportionately on women and people of color.

According to Carole Emberton, a professor at the University of

Buffalo, male tenured faculty often increase the speed at which they receive tenure by avoiding departmental service, administrative work, emotional labor, and many of the other inglorious jobs female and contingent faculty often are stuck with by default. As in the private sphere, the work of women and people of color often goes unrecognized and unrewarded.

Efforts at collective bargaining often rely upon solidarity, and when the more privileged members of a campus community fail to lend their voices or skew the agenda to suit their own needs, economic justice for contingent faculty can be difficult to attain.

As students, we need to be aware of how our professors are being treated. In the neoliberal economy, education has become commodified and turned into a business, and we are the customers. It is only when we exert our power on the administration that things change.

We’re young, so we sometimes forget that we have power, but the fact is, we do! The administration works for us. It’s our money, and the money of our families, that pays their salaries and forms the College’s endowment, and we should have a say in how it’s used. I say that instead of building new, shiny buildings to impress parents who come for campus visits or pay raises to high ranking administrators, we should pay the people who provide us with our education with a fair compensation for their labor and a living wage. It’s the faculty that make this College what it is. It is not a spa,

or a resort, or a fitness club. It is a place of learning. And without the labor of contingent faculty, it would not be able to function. I stand in solidarity with the adjunct faculty that meet with me after class, counsel me, provide me with feedback and provide emotional labor, and who give all of these tasks all of their effort even though they are fully aware that they will not be compensated.

So what is the solution? Obviously, it is to compensate part-time and contingent faculty for their labor. But the College won’t do this-not on its own. Institutions change slowly, and they are loathe to abandon a model that works, even if it is exploitative and contrary to its professed values. We have to make it change. When adjuncts at Duquesne unionized, joining the United Steelworkers, they managed to raise their pay per course from $2500 to $3500. Unionized faculty at Georgetown, another wealthy, Jesuit institution successfully bargained for substantially improved wages and job security. Of course, in all these cases, cross-title solidarity between tenured and adjunct faculty is key. All College employees must be willing to use their privilege to advocate for their colleagues. When we--students, parttime and full time faculty, tenured and contingent professors--speak with one voice, we can achieve economic and social justice.

United we bargain, divided we beg.

The Importance of Trying New Things Ryen Cinski ’22 Opinions Editor In high school I took Spanish, played volleyball, and went to National Honor Society meetings.

I did all these things because I felt that I should, and to be completely honest, I wasn’t fully invested in any of them. While I did find enjoyment in them at times, I found that I was doing them because my friends were or because I knew they’d look good on a resume. I did these activities for years, and after a while they began to blend into my daily routine, becoming as mundane as washing my hands.

I was constantly anxious to put myself out there, especially when it came to applying to colleges. With a guidance counselor who told me that every school was a “reach school” (I later found out that they really weren’t), I was hesitant. After being accepted to Holy Cross, I was excited, but like many other soon-to-be freshman, I began to think about how daunting the whole “making friends” process was. Here I was, leaving all the friends that I’d known for years, packing up and going to a new place where I knew no one.

After arriving at school for move-in day, I allowed myself to meet new people and enjoy the fact that I could start over. I made good

friends, yet I still felt a bit out of place. Adjusting to a new place can be incredibly daunting. We’ve all had that moment during the first week where we look out our dorm window and see a group of twenty

and my friends, I still had a desire to meet more people and try more things. As I stated, I was nervous to try new things. I had had the typical high school experience: Played a sport, Spanish

tivities has been so rewarding as I’ve met new people and stepped outside of my comfort zone, all while giving myself a chance to find out what I am passionate about. So, to anyone who is feel-

girls, all dressed in black, walking and talking and ready to go out, and we wonder: How do they all already know each other????? There is an immense pressure on freshman to find friends immediately and cling to each other for dear life. Not to worry though, as eventually everything will calm down and you’ll meet people who are right for you.

As the year moved on and I found myself enjoying my classes

every year, National Honor Society. I then began to consider my luck and how fortunate I was to have so many things available to me, and I went out to try things.

I am now an editor for the Opinions section of The Spire, an RPE (Relationship Peer Educator --- Check us out) and an intramural volleyball player. In the past, I’ve also been part of SPUD and Arabic Club. Each of these ac-

ing the same way that I did, here are some things that I learned.

1. Take classes that will teach you about things you’ve never known.

Spanish is a beautiful and important language to learn, but I decided to take Arabic for the entirety of my freshman year. This was my favorite subject to date that I’ve taken because it taught me to work incredibly hard and to appreciate other cultures. Since I was in Arabic

classes, I joined Arabic Club which was once a week and we did various things such as watching movies, learning slang, drinking coffee and playing games. I took Arabic on a whim and ended up loving it.

2. Join Clubs! As Holy Cross students, we sometimes find ourselves feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

Clubs are a nice way to step away from your work and to put focus into something else. They also give you a chance to meet new people and to discover your interests. Arabic Club, as I stated, was amazing, and everything else that I’ve tried has been as well. In being a part of various things, I was able to narrow my interests down and enjoy the things that I’m passionate about.

3. Give yourself time to adjust and let yourself enjoy things. Admittedly, I’ve always been a bit of a pessimist (an awful way to be, don’t do this). I’ve since grown and tried to step out of that but looking back I realize that it made a lot of things hard for me. You should never do anything with half-effort, give it your all. Why involve yourself in something if you’re not going to give it your 100% and embrace it?

Photo Courtesy of theimpactnews.com

6

The Spire

OPINIONS

September 27, 2019

King of Horror: Stephen King Alex DiBlasi ’23 Guest Writer No one conjures horror more than novelist Stephen King. His ability to transport millions to fictional places like Castle Rock where they confront their darkest fears is unparalleled. Since 1974, the Maine native has sold over 350 million books and he has won countless prestigious writing awards such as the National Book Award. This month, King’s newest novel, “The Institute” hit bookstores everywhere and reviews are claiming that it is his best work yet! Through the years, several of his earlier works have been turned into blockbuster movies like Salem’s Lot, The Green Mile, and Misery. It is the highest grossing horror movie of all time and recently released It Chapter Two will not be far behind.

I had the privilege to interview Mr. King regarding his inspirations, philanthropy, and education.

In your youth, what inspired you to become a novelist and develop characters such as Carrie White, Jack Torrance, and Pennywise?

I just loved writing and making stuff up. And I liked to involve people in my stories, get a reaction from them. Laughing, crying, screaming. All were good. I will ad-

mit I loved scaring the crap out of people.

to blur reality with the so-called “romance of childhood.” I tried to keep the kids in that story as real as I could. The Body strikes some as nostalgic, I’d say that’s in their minds rather than mine.

The basic problem is that education is seen as a device to improve the bank account rather than the Several of your books like The Body mind. It’s very easy for students to and It, have a nostalgic theme. Primarily, forget that the true purpose of edthe strong friendships that the characters ucation at all levels—but especially have with each other, which in the end the higher levels—is to improve gave them the strength to escape bullies Throughout the past decade, there has one’s ability to think clearly. Most and demonic creatures. Are these friend- been a steady decline of English majors kids love stories, but too many are ships indicatold (by tive of your parents childhood reand teachlationships? ers) that T h e pursuing Body was that love based very will nevroughly on er make the friends them good I grew up consumwith. I’ve ers—what often used Jackson little bits Browne of my hiscalls “haptory in py idiots in the stories pursuit of Photo Courtesy of tfilmspell.com the I write. legal The recently released It: Chapter Two expands on the Stephen King best-selling Chris in tender.” horror novel, It. The Body Te a c h e r s was based and paron a supposed bad kid who got ac- graduating each year from universities ents who nurture the love of stories cused of everything. Some stuff he across America. The humanities seem to and the desire of readers to write did, other things—like stealing the be losing the battle against the lucrative their own stories are extremely immilk money—he didn’t. He just got world of finance. As a high school Scho- portant. That’s one step. The other blamed. The scene with the leeches lastic Art Writing Award winner, what is for teachers and parents to drop really happened, but most of the do you think schools can do to nurture this idea that college is basically an other stuff is made up. Nostalgia is a student’s passion for writing and what academic ATM machine. No. The a dangerous idea, because it tends advice would you give to aspiring writers? goal is to grow intellectually, and if

Have opinions?

Share them!

If you have thoughts on Holy Cross happenings, Spire articles, current events, or anything else, let us know!

The Spire accepts submissions by students, staff/faculty, and alumni.

Email your submission to spire@g.holycross.edu.

Have a LOT of opinions?

The Spire is looking for two opinions editors to consistently write articles.

Email spire@g.holycross.edu today for an application.

that means becoming an English major (or a philosophy major, or whatever), then that’s terrific.

The Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation chaired by you and your wife has been extremely generous through the years, especially to libraries in your home state of Maine. Nationwide libraries are witnessing a decline in funding and support.

Are you fearful for their survival in the digital age?

Nope. Wikipedia will never replace libraries and the research that goes on there. Libraries are becoming more and more focused on digital technology, but that makes them easier to access, especially for young people of your generation.

Fossils like me have a harder time, but we adapt.

As you are an avid Red Sox fan, which Sox team do you think was the best of all time and why?

The one that captured the last World Series is by far the best.

The pitching could use a bit of improvement, but otherwise… the best ever. And we have the trophy to prove it!

“People think that I must be a very strange person. This is not correct. I have the heart of a small boy. It is in a glass jar on my desk.”

– Stephen King

Mosquito Awareness Allison McGrath ’22 SHAPE Contributor

transplants, are also at greater risk.

Seek an evaluation from a medical provider if you have any concerns.

Health Services is in Loyola, call or schedule an appointment online.

Though these symptoms seem very similar to the common flu, it is important to check in with health professionals to check for West Nile Virus. This is due to the fact that fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months. EEE may also appear as symptoms that are

color to the skin, convulsions, and coma. WNV may also cause severe symptoms such as swelling of the As most of you know, the Masbrain and additionally may cause sachusetts Department of Public inflammation of the membranes Health has discovered mosquitoes that surround the brain and spinal carrying West Nile Virus (WNV) in cord, meningitis: fever, headache, Worcester. Though no human casneck stiffness, disorientation, tremes have been reported, mosquito ors, convulsions, muscle weakness, bites are still pose a threat until the numbness, paralysis and vision loss. weather cools down. The Student Seek care at the Emergency Room Health Awareness Peer Educators right away if these severe symp(SHAPE) find it essential to equip toms develop. Call Public Safety if our student body with you are campus and good methods for need immediate emerprotecting yourself gency assistance. against mosquitoes There is no vaccine and for monitoring or antiviral treatment any possible sympfor West Nile Virus toms of West Nile vior EEE available, so rus as well as Eastern preventing mosquito Equine Encephalitis bites is important (also known as EEE). to protect yourself SHAPE has compiled from the virus. If the most important you remember the 5 information to know D’s, protection from about our current sitmosquitoes is simple. uation.

Remind yourself to West Nile virus avoid going outside Photo courtesy of recordnet.com may present itself in during dawn and Remember the 5 D’s of mosquito prevention: dawn, dusk, dress, many ways, and you dusk (the most active DEET, and drain. may not even know time for mosquitoes). if you have been inDress in long-sleeved fected. In fact, 8 out of 10 people flu-like. These symptoms include clothes as often as possible, use infected with West Nile virus do fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches, insect repellent that contains the not develop symptoms at all. How- joint pain. These systemic symp- ingredient DEET, and contact ever, 1 in 5 may develop fever with toms can last for up to 2 weeks and Holy Cross personnel to drain headache, body aches, joint pain, typically resolve on their own. any standing water found on camvomiting, diarrhea, or rash. These Both of these illnesses can lead pus. For more information, follow symptoms can completely recover, to rare but serious symptoms that SHAPE on Facebook, twitter, or but some may have fatigue and may affect the brain. If swelling of instagram @holycrossshape. weakness lasting weeks or months. the brain occurs in EEE then more People with certain medical con- severe symptoms of encephaliditions, such as cancer, diabetes, tis are fever, headache, irritability, hypertension, kidney disease, and restlessness, drowsiness, decreased people who have received organ appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, bluish

The Spire

Features

Crusader of the Week: Gracie

Name: Gracie Ridge Kennels “Advice from a dog: Rank: Officer Greet your friends like they are the Hometown: Schomberg, Ontario most important people in the world.

(Swiss Ridge Kennels) Be loyal! Protect your family! If it’s Breed: Goldendoodle something you want, chase it!”

Age: 5 Months One thing you would change at Favorite Toy: My snuggle puppy and HC: Why are there so many hills?!!! lambchop Favorite Movie: Gonna see my first Favorite Place to be Pet: Belly rubs movie this weekend at one of my or bust handler’s houses!!

Favorite OfFavorite ficer: The one TV Show: holding my Anything treat bag that isn’t Major: Undeloud is cided good for Favorite me. class taken at Favorite Holy Cross: Book: to Puppy 101 chew on...

Favorite anything, Late-Night I’m losing Snack: Ziwi my puppy Peak Salmon teeth like recipe!!! crazy and Favorite chewing Study Spot: helps Photo courtesy of College of the Holy Cross By the comfy Guilty Officer Gracie, reporting for duty! chairs in Hogan, Pleasure: Sticks; right by Cool if I find them Beans in my yard I’m Favorite Cool Beans Drink: I don’t grabbing them!! Digging and rolling have one yet, but I’d like to have one in the dirt; especially after I just got named after me. brushed Campus Activities: Chasing every Some small things that make your leaf on campus day better: Treats, Snoozing, Belly Favorite Sports Team: Professional: Rubs, the cool floor in Hogan, my Patriots. Holy Cross: I had a great bonding exercises with my Handlers time with the HC women’s rugby and my office buddies Barbara and team signups, they even put me in a Gail. picture with them.

Role-model: Keeva the therapy dog Item on HC Bucket List: Graduate that visits the campus every week; with an Honorary degree someday one day I’m going to be as well Biggest HC Regret: Not getting trained as she is. here sooner Favorite memory at HC: I put my Embarrassing HC Moment: Not pawprint on the center of the beam realizing that my reflection isn’t of the new building; playing with another dog my Handler’s dog in my yard; he was Bragging Rights: I can “sit” almost fast. every time my handler asks me to.

Thank you to Officer Hunt for beWords to live by: A sign from Swiss ing my scribe!

FEATURES

September 27, 2019

7

Professors Read at Working Writers Series Kelly Gallagher ’22 Chief Features Editor On September 18, the Working Writers Series kicked off the semester in Rehm Library with two stirring readings by College of the Holy Cross’ very own Professors Leah Hager Cohen and Oliver de la Paz. Both authors, each with several publications to their names, teach classes within the Creative Writing Program, which has sponsored the ongoing Working Writers Series for several years.

Professor Cohen read from her most recently published novel, “Strangers and Cousins,” which centers around a family reuniting for a wedding. In the section she read from, Professor Cohen’s work captures the profundity of a quiet interaction between the soon-to-bemarried couple. Though many people sense profound moments in their lives, few articulate it so well as Professor Cohen.

Professor Cohen revealed that she has only the kernel of an idea when she begins writing, and that her writing is “a process of discovery” as she fleshes out her characters. Only then do her themes emerge. In the case of “Strangers and Cousins,” the novel focuses on the themes of community and culture.

Professor de la Paz read from his book of poems, “The Boy in the Labyrinth.” The labyrinth in the title alludes to the one featured in the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. The

connected. But don’t be fooled by its organic start: de la Paz described it as the “hardest book that [he’s] written.” This isn’t hard to imagine, since not even the allegorical nature of the poems can diminish their intimacy and heartfeltness.

Hands flew up during the Q&A following the reading. Students and faculty eagerly asked Professors Cohen and de la Paz how the professors find time to write and about the creative decisions made in the particular sections they read, amongst other questions. The engaged audience stands testament to the event’s merit.

English major Maressa Park ’22 reflected, “I enjoyed and learned so much from this particular Working Writers Series event.

Though it centered on one work of fiction and one work of allegorical nonfiction poetry, both authors shared a common theme of embracing productive discomfort to create meaningful conversation. I write a lot in my spare time, and that’s definitely something I think I need to work on.”

The next event in the Working Writers Series will be held in conjunction with the ALSCW Conference as Holy Cross welPhotos courtesy of Liz Linder and Caleb Young comes poets A.E. Stallings Professors Cohen and de la Paz and Rachel Hadas. During the afternoon of October standing, are explored through a 4, the poets will give a craft talk series of prose poems and ques- in the English Common room before reading from their works tionnaires.

De la Paz stated that he had in Rehm Library at 7:30 p.m. not set out to write a collection of poems about this topic, but over the course of many years, he jotted down “doodles,” only to eventually realize they were all book is influenced by de la Paz’s experience as a parent of two sons on the autism spectrum and chronicles parents’ struggles with the neurodiagnostic language imposed upon them. These and other themes, such as under-

Hot Trends from the 2019 Emmys and Where to Get Them for Less Lane Kennedy ’20 Staff Writer The 71st Emmy Awards officially marked the beginning of award show season this past Sunday. Premiered on Fox, the star-studded event recognizes excellence within television programs. Amazon’s original series “Fleabag” emerged victoriously and stole the show with its wins for Outstanding Lead Actress and Best Comedy Series, upsetting series-ending “Veep.”

Like many others, I tuned into the Emmys not so much interested in the wins and losses, but rather for the coverage of the purple carpet. I was pleasantly surprised by the two trends that took the purple carpet by storm: pink and red color blocking and shades of blue.

Pink and red are not typically

With events on the Hill like the first colors that come to mind mine. However, “This Is Us” star when one thinks of fall fashion, Mandy Moore stole the show in a Senior Ball coming up, fall wedding season in fullyet bright pink swing, and graced the runsweater weathways of many er in our midst, fashion houses you can get during New these on-trend York Fashion looks for less!

Week.

Pink Lover’s + and red made Friends Dean appearance clan Jumpsuit on the Emmys purple carpet is a subtle ode on many stars to the pink including Tarand red color aji P. Henson, blocking trend Marisa Tomei, and would be Mandy Moore, perfect for your Photo courtesy of Fox News and Susan Kelnext formal Taraji P. Henson and Mandy Moore wow at the Emmys echi. Taraji P. event. KeepHenson’s sheer ing it casual, Vera Wang caped gown was defi- romantic off-the-shoulder Bran- 525 America’s Colorblock Crew is nitely a crowd favorite and one of don Maxwell. a stylish sweater that you can wear

year-round.

Another trend that emerged at the Emmys was bright shades of blue. My personal favorite look was Jameela Jamil from “The Good Place” in a sea foam Monique Lhuillier paired with a bright coral lip. Other celebs who wore shades of blue include Regina King, Sarah Goldberg, and Jenny McCarthy.

If you’re looking for something formal, Lovers + Friends Pelagic Gown is reminiscent of Sarah Goldberg’s vintage Yves Saint Laurent (and it’s less than $150!). The next show of award season is the People’s Choice Awards, premiering November 3 on E! network.

Stay tuned for which trends emerge next!

The Spire

8

FEATURES

September 27, 2019

Brittany Howard Debuts Solo Album “Jaime” Clarabel Smith ’20 Features Editor For those who haven’t heard of Brittany Howard, you may already know her incredible voice from the hit songs of her former band, Alabama Shakes. The rock singer and songwriter’s wide vocal range was showcased on songs like “Hold On” and “Gimme All Your Love,” and are even more well displayed on Howard’s debut album, “Jaime.”

The title of the album comes from a somber place, being the name of Howard’s sister, also a musician, who died when the two were teenagers, but the album harnesses this grief and is just as full of joyousness as it is reflection.

The quality of the album is not only in Howard’s voice, either.

Songs like “History Repeats,” and “13th Century Metal,” prove Howard’s skill as a producer and composer, sometimes integrating spoken word and electronic editing and mixing on top of the classic rock instruments that made Alabama Shakes’ music so recognizable and enjoyable. I was reminded of Stevie Nicks’ solo career after Fleetwood Mac, in how this lead singer was able to make solo music that not

only stands on its own, but carries album are predominantly those ence,” “Short and Sweet,” “Stay the best parts of the band’s musical of a blissful relationship (“Pres- High”), of self-acceptance (“He identity.

Loves Me”), The aland of inbum’s songs spiration range from ( “ To m o r the irresistrow,” “13th ibly danceCentury able, to the Metal”). heartbreakThere is seing and rious subcontemject matter, plative, to however, those that particularly are somein “Goat how both Head” in at once. I which Howwould cerard directly tainly play addresses “Jaime” at the impact a party and of being a wouldn’t be mixed-race surprised child in to see some the South. guests siHoward lently lisalso adtening or dresses crying into growing their screwup gay, celdrivers, not ebrating her from sadch i l d h o o d ness necescrush in the Photo courtesy of americansongwriter.com sarily, since the quietly romantic Brittany Howard Shines in her Moving Debut Album Jaime. messages of the song “Georgia.”

Howard’s lyrics are full of conversational flow - “But what’s this world without you in it?/You make me feel just like we’re some little kids”- and poetic language - “Come what may, I have you today/And I don’t want no more/I don’t want tomorrow/Its promises, oh, its ache”- within the same song, “Presence.” Likewise, the genre veers from a Sly and the Family Stone-influenced funk on “History Repeats,” to the classic soul sound of “Baby,” and so on through a seemingly endless range of musical influences. Without even listening to the lyrics, however, you could get lost in Howard’s sometimes soaring, sometimes crooning voice, and in the instrumental and rhythmic complexity of every song. For those looking for a rock, soul, funk, jazz, or folk album to listen to on repeat, I can easily recommend Brittany Howard’s “Jaime” to anyone.

and everybody wants to score.”

DJ pipes up, “Last year our team was more slow. We slowed down the game a lot and reacted to what the other team was doing, but this year we’re taking the front seat, we’re pushing the ball.”

Kyle nods his head, “A question that everyone’s been asking us is

two years of college basketball, and it’s our job to bring the freshmen into that.”

“We’re getting older,” DJ says.

“Going from a freshman to a sophomore is a really big jump, so just talking to the younger guys and helping them out…I try to talk to the younger guys from experience, from being on the team last year and knowing what’s expected.”

The focus of the team remains the same: winning the Patriot League and taking the Crusaders to the NCAA Tournament. Our last appearance was in 2016.

Kyle adopts a more serious tone when we breach the subject: “Wins and losses, those are both gonna happen. At the end of the day, we all wanna go to the Tournament.”

“Thing is that we have to take it day by day, practice by practice, game by game,” adds DJ. “Day by day,” Kyle agrees. “Our results will speak for themselves.”

Despite all these changes, the two people in front of me seem relaxed and confident, and have an organic excitement about the upcoming season. Kyle promises one thing: “It’s going to be a lot of fun to watch.”

The Holy Cross Men’s Basketball team plays their first home game against Fairfield on November 12.

Basketball Team Poised for Success Following Off-Season Changes Joe Begg ’21 Features Editor

A few nights ago, I talked to two members of the Men’s Basketball team about how they’ve changed, both personally and as members of a team—a team going through a few changes of its own. College of the Holy Cross’ new coaching staff, specifically recently-hired head coach Brett Nelson, was on my mind, and it seemed like he was on the minds of Kyle Copeland ’21 and DJ Hart ’22 as well.

“He was a three year starter at Florida, all-time three-point leader in Florida,” Kyle leans forward a little bit in his seat as he tells me about his new coach.

“McDonald’s All-American,” DJ offers.

“McDonald’s All-American,” Kyle repeats. “This guy is legit…

Billy Donovan was his head coach.”

As a D1 basketball program with a storied legacy, Holy Cross sets a high standard for its athletes, but it seems that Coach Nelson is taking that standard to a new level, and his impact is already being felt amongst the players.

“I’ve never run so much in my life,” Kyle confesses, “It’s the energy as well. This year we’re running every drill, we’re yelling, we’re clapping. I think everybody is on board because we all want to play fast and everybody wants to shoot threes

coaching staff, and the entire thing is just a lot more intense. It’s just different. The style of play is different, the whole environment is different.”

I asked Kyle if these changes in expectations and coaching have altered his role on the team more quickly than he anticipated, espe-

“Oh yeah, for sure. Taking on a leadership role means being more vocal in practice, and it means having the confidence to take on that role and really perform to the best of my ability. In terms of really bringing everyone together when we’re going through workouts and whatnot, I think a lot of that pres-

Photo courtesy of goholycross.com Men’s basketball coach Brett Nelson with athletic director Marcus Blossom

what’s different this year compared to last year. We have a brand new

cially as a junior on a team with only one senior on its roster.

sure is on the sophomores and juniors who have experienced one or

EGGPLANT

The Spire

September 27, 2019

The Eggplant

The Spire’s Satirical Page Lower Kimball: Study Shows Treasure Hidden From First-Years Matt Anderson ’21 Editor and Fearful Junior Most of us who have lived on the Hill have felt it: the worry that something you love has been found by unworthy hands. You see it when an upper-class student takes the stairway beside Kimball, glancing behind them nervously to scan the horizon for first-years who might track their movements.

The anxiety has nearly reached a breaking point. I am speaking of course about the haven that

is Lower Kimball, and the paranoia that this place of refuge may, in the future, be compromised.

However, I am pleased to report to non-first-years that a survey by J.D. Power™ found only 950 of this year’s incoming 4,562 firstyears have even heard of Lower Kimball. The most common responses from the survey were, “You mean Kimball?” and “How did you get into my dorm room!?”

Some elements of campus remain fearful, however. “This isn’t even satire anymore, if the first-

years clog Lower too, then I might starve,” said junior Ima Hogg.

“This is the only safe place left. I haven’t been to Upper Kimball in two years, and I’m already half out of dining dollars for Crossroads.”

Another upper-class student, Sean Larsen, wrote: “Have you seen the line to get into Upper Kimball?

I swear, if I also have to wade through a herd of first-years to get to my chalupa bowl, I’m gonna transfer.”

Since fears arose, Father Boroughs and the administration have

placed bouncers at the entrances to Lower Kimball. They have been instructed to ask potential firstyears, “Who do you know here?”

There are skeptics that don’t think this goes far enough, however.

“I’m just saying, if they got Gracie the Goldendoodle to foster community spirit, we should also get a few Dobermans to teach them that community spirit doesn’t extend to Lower,” said one senior.

“In fact, we should go the whole nine yards: tear gas, riot shields, and maybe a tank.”

J.D. Power™ can’t say how long the inevitable will be staved off.

Eventually, Lower Kimball will be a paradise lost. The memory of waiting less than five minutes to get a chalupa bowl or a chicken sandwich will become a faint memory, a story the old tell their unbelieving grandchildren. But let me urge readers to remember; Lower may one day become clogged with first-years, but it will still occupy a spot in the heart of anyone who ate there.

Tunnel Time Mario Micallef ’22 Eggplant Editor “Your campus looks like Hogwarts.” You have definitely heard that at least a quarter of a million times during your years at Holy Cross, a.k.a HoCro, a.k.a Hilldum, a.k.a come-on-people-let’s-tryto-make-this-year-scandal-free.

Sadly, we here on Mount St. Jim are not privy to moving staircases, which the small foreign indie film Harry Potter made popular and, as a result, unfortunately led to escalator folklore dropping in notoriety. Yet, do not fret because we have something even cooler that wasn’t created from ‘90s CGI. I suspect you are completely un-

aware that the high-priced tuition you’ve been paying for actually supports more than a new gym and performing arts center (we still don’t have air conditioning in our dorms, by the way). A tunnel system right below your feet has been in the process for years. I, too, had no idea until I met up with Yug Lunnet, the program director for the tunnel system here on campus. The restoration project has been underway ever since the Secret Service wanted Holy Cross to make an escape route for President Lyndon B. Johnson so he wouldn’t have to answer questions about the Vietnam War from students after his speech. The tunnel system is completely restored

Coors Light Box Taped to Wall “Really Bringing the Room Together” Christine McLaughlin ’21 Part Time Satirist Holy Cross senior Chris from Long Island has been making quite the stir in Williams Hall with his most recent choice of decoration: the side of a Coors Light box mounted on his wall with scotch tape. Neighbors say it “provides a relaxed, yet luxurious atmosphere,” and demonstrates Chris’ fine-tuned sense of artistic composition.

“I never thought of Chris as much of a decorator,” says his roommate, Jacob. “But now I see this and I think… woah. That guy has an eye.”

Chris has been quoted saying that he is considering ditching his

economics major and pursuing interior design. “I used to think J.P. Morgan was the place for me,” he says, much to the dismay of his Wall Street father. “Now I think Pottery Barn is calling my name.”

Patrick ‘20, a philosophy and aspiring art history major, certainly agrees. “He makes great use of negative space in the room. Chris is really one to look out for.”

Look out, indeed: Chris says his next project involves hanging a Barstool flag and a Holy Cross flag next to each other on the opposite wall. “I can’t say too much else, though. It’s in the works,” he says. Don’t believe me?

Stop by and see for yourself.

now and is set to open September 16th. Here is what Yug had to say: “Hello student body. My name is Yug Lunnet, head of the tunnel program here at the College of the Holy Cross. I know this may come as a surprise to some, and others it seems we have been paying off your silence for years.

For those of us involved in what I like to call the ‘Holy Excavation Luxury Linkage’ or ‘HELL’ for short, we are very excited to open our doors to you! Come join us on our ceremonial walk through on the 16th!”

The tunnel ceremony will be held right behind Kimball. There will be a tunnel-themed barbeque assortment and cupcakes, so

go and join the tunnel festivities.

As for the rules of the tunnel system, you need only to refrain from walking with earphones in. Caution, the pressure underground may cause internal head explosion if your ear holes are plugged. Don’t worry, though; the folks involved with the tunnel system understand how much we love our intact heads so tunes will be playing overhead, specifically a constant loop of the Dire Straits song “Tunnel of Love.”

Edit: The HELL program would like to mention that those who find themselves in flip flops and a vineyard vines t-shirt may receive a special promotion.

Photo courtesy of Poster Stop

Area 51 Raid Recap~~Slightly Disappointing/Meme Galore Hannah Johnson ’21 Memeologist September 20th came and went -- those who weren’t brave or curious enough to make the pilgrimage to Nevada instead waited eagerly on social media to hear about the results, and how many fools got themselves killed, or worse. The meme inspired a lot of excitement in Americans; the idea that, if we band together, we can expose whatever secrets our government may be hiding from us. A great plan, right? But, as many predicted, it turns out that not nearly enough people were serious about the idea for it to come up with the desired results.

It was reported that roughly 40 showed up at the gates, and they stayed for a little while until they were dispersed by law enforcement. The only unlawful activity was a few counts of trespassing,

and one guy arrested for public urination. Instead of raiding, it seems like people went to local parties that were being set up.

Even the creator of the event himself was directing people away from the military base, and towards mini parties nearby. I can’t help but wonder, were people being distracted from Area 51 for their own safety, or because there is actually something hiding inside?

There were virtually no flaws in the original plan for this event, and I suggest we use this strategy on our own campus.

Students need to raid the “Holy Cross Exorcism Room” on the fourth floor of Fenwick, so that we can release the demonic would-be girlfriends trapped inside. Let’s get *that* Facebook event created.

Photo courtesy of The Independent

10

The Spire

Sports

SPORTS September 27, 2019

Football Off to 1-2 Start in 2019 Campaign

Billy Fitzpatrick ’20 Editor-in-Chief The Holy Cross football team book-ended two losses with a home victory on its way to a 1-2 record in the opening weeks of the season. After falling to Navy on the road in the season opener, the Crusaders responded with a tight win over New Hampshire in the home opener. However, head coach Bob Chesney’s team could not sustain the momentum after a bye week, with Holy Cross falling to Yale on the road last weekend.

Holy Cross made the journey down to Annapolis, Md., to take on FBS foe Navy to open the season on August 31. The Midshipmen (2-0 overall, 1-0 AAC) put on an expectedly dominant display, topping HC 45-7. Navy relied on its patented running game to tire out the Crusader defense and control tempo, with lead tailback Nelson Smith compiling 96 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries for Navy.

The hosts jumped out to a 17-0 lead by the second quarter, but Holy Cross senior running back Miles Alexander scored on a 16-yard touchdown run to cut into the deficit. However, Navy snuck in another score seconds before halftime to take a 24-7 advantage into the locker room. In the second half, the Navy rushing attack proved too much for the overmatched visitors, rushing for a whopping 428 yards and controlling the ball for 36:05 of game time.

Holy Cross first-year linebacker Jacob Dobbs was named the Patriot League Rookie of the Week for his performance against Navy,

Photo courtesy of Mark Seliger Photography/Holy Cross Athletics

Junior receiver soreed his first touchdown of the year against Yale. Above, he makes a play against UNH.

in which he racked up a game-high 13 tackles in his collegiate debut.

The Crusaders returned home and managed to turn the tide against New Hampshire in Week 2 of the season, squeaking out a dramatic 13-10 comeback victory in the home opener. The first half saw both teams struggle to find a rhythm offensively, with a 28-yard Derek Ng field goal for the Crusaders the only thing separating the sides at the break. UNH tied the game with a field goal going into the fourth quarter, but Ng converted a 20-yard try early in the final frame to regain the lead for HC. New Hampshire took its first lead when sophomore running

back Carlos Washington scored the game’s first touchdown on a 19-yard run with 6:52 remaining.

The Crusaders then took over down by four with the ball on their own 22-yard-line. Junior quarterback Connor Degenhardt marched Holy Cross down the field, getting as far as the UNH nine-yard line.

Needing a touchdown to take the lead, HC went for it on 4th-andeight, but the New Hampshire defense stopped sophomore receiver Jack Jewell on the two-yardline, just short of a first down.

On the following play, with New Hampshire needing to eat up the final two minutes of game time, sophomore linebacker Liam Doran

forced a fumble from UNH’s Washington. With both teams scrambling to grab hold of the loose ball, sophomore defensive back Joe Lang scooped it up in the back of the end zone to give the Crusaders a 13-10 edge. Senior defensive back Chris Riley picked off a UNH pass on the ensuing possession, and the HC defense thwarted a desperate Hail Mary attempt on the final play of the game to seal the comeback win.

Doran earned Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week honors for his pivotal forced fumble (to go along with five tackles and one tackle for loss), while Ng was named Patriot League Spe-

cial Teams Player of the Week.

After a bye week, the Crusaders traveled to New Haven, Conn., to take on Ivy League opponent Yale last weekend. The Bulldogs (1-0) topped Holy Cross 23-10 behind a strong performance from senior quarterback Kurt Rawlings. After Yale scored on a two-yard-run in the first (but missed the PAT), a 34-yard field goal from Ng in the second quarter made it a threepoint game going into halftime.

In the third, Rawlings found senior wideout Caden Herring for a 24-yard score to go up 13-3. HC answered early in the final period when Degenhardt linked up with senior receiver Tenio Ayeni for a 27-yard touchdown pass, bringing Holy Cross back within a field goal. However, that was the closest the Crusaders would come to securing a second straight comeback win. Rawlings punched in a score from three yards out on the following possession, and Yale tacked on a field goal later on to put the game out of reach.

Senior punter Cody Wilkinson earned Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his performance against Navy, the second consecutive week a Crusader won the award. Wilkinson punted eight times against Yale with an average punt of 48.6 yards, breaking a single-game school record that dated back to 1991.

Holy Cross travels to upstate New York to take on Syracuse, its second FBS opponent of the season, this Saturday at 12:00 p.m. The Orange (2-2 overall, 0-1 ACC) have fallen to Maryland and No. 1 Clemson this year, but will be a huge test for the Crusaders.

Joanne Chouinard-Luth Recreation and Wellness Center Given Topping Off Ceremony Billy Fitzpatrick ‘20 Editor-in-Chief Last Wednesday, September 18, the Holy Cross community celebrated the “topping off ” of the new Joanne Chouinard-Luth Recreation and Wellness Center. Members of the campus community were invited to sign the last beam to be lowered on the foundation of the building, and Holy Cross President Fr. Philip Boroughs, S.J. offered a blessing of the facility and all the work that has gone into it thus far.

The new facility, informally known as “The Jo,” was made possible by a generous gift from John E. Luth ‘74 and his wife Joanne Chouinard-Luth, the recreation center’s namesake. The couple’s donation of $40 million is the single largest gift in the history of the College, supporting not only this project, but also the state-of-the-art Luth Athletic Complex, completed in 2018 for Holy Cross Division I athletics teams and their studentathletes. The Jo will replace the historic Field House, which had run its course after the College purchased it for a nominal fee of $1 from the U.S. government after World

War

II. riculum of For the UniChouinardversity of Luth, the Pennsylvadonation nia School of the Recof Dental reation and Medicine We l l n e s s (her alma Center is mater) and more than creating hojust an act listic wellof philanness prothropy. A grams at the practicing YMCA of dentist for Madison, more than New Jerthree desey, where cades, Chshe serves Photo by Kim Fetherston ‘22 ouinard-Luon the A student signs the beam at the topping off ceremony last week. th has built her career board of directors. around promoting Chouinard-Luth’s went back to school in 2011 and health and wellness in her various earned a master’s degree in nutri- most impactful philanthropic concommunities. As Chouinard-Luth’s tion from Columbia University’s tribution, however, may very well dental career waned on, she no- Institute of Health Nutrition. She be the new Recreation and Wellticed a troublesome trend: more then extended her expertise in well- ness Center, scheduled to be comand more of her patients were ness by attaining a chef ’s certificate pleted and ready to go by the start falling prey to not just relatively from the Institute of Culinary Ed- of the 2020-2021 academic year. minor cavities, but also more seri- ucation in 2016. Chouinard-Luth The three-story, $30 million comous health issues such as Type 2 has applied her incredible breadth plex will house a jogging track on diabetes caused by high-sugar diets. of knowledge in meaningful ways, the top level with views overlookFeeling called to address these successfully advocating for nutri- ing the Worcester hills. The secbroader health issues in a more tion to be implemented in the cur- ond and third floors will house holistic manner, Chouinard-Luth weights and cardio equipment,

along with locker rooms. Basketball courts, yoga and cycling class studios, and spaces for new health, witness, and fitness programming will also be located in the facility. There will be ample outdoor green space that can be used for fitness classes in warmer months.

Additionally, Holy Cross club sports teams will be able to host visiting teams in The Jo, allowing them to be more active and competitive in their respective leagues.

The Joanne Chouinard-Luth Recreation and Wellness Center will transform the campus, giving it a more modern look similar to the Hart Center at the Luth Athletic Complex. More than that, though, it will bring a more modern approach to wellbeing on a college campus.

The Jo will allow the College to expand programming, such as yoga and mindfulness training, that promotes holistic wellness. It is the latest - but not the last - investment the College has made to provide its students with the most well-rounded college experience available, and future generations of Crusaders will have the incredible generosity of John Luth ‘74 and Joanne Chouinard-Luth to thank for that.

The Spire SPORTS September 27, 2019 11

NBA Offseason Recap Charlie Krumsiek ‘20 Sports Editor It was another crazy summer for the league whose offseason rivals its regular season for excitement, with six current All-Star selections changing teams, both in free agency and in trades. That does not include elite talents such as Anthony Davis and Chris Paul who also changed teams this summer but were kept off last year’s All-Star roster due to injuries. Let’s look at the best moves made in this year’s NBA offseason:

gate that loss. Jimmy Butler’s signand-trade to the Heat was a loss but it appears that the Sixers decided between keeping him or re-signing Harris and signing Al Horford.

Their surplus of starting talent allowed this decision and their GM Elton Brand managed to pick up Josh Richardson in the trade. Butler’s difficulties getting along with teammates did not appear to impact the Sixers’ season as they came within an unlucky bounce of taking

tracts were touted as “untradeable” as these two appeared to not be living up to the max deals that they signed, but this trade looks like a win for both teams. OKC picks up a haul of draft picks from their trades this summer, now owning up to 15 first round picks in the next seven years. James Harden and Westbrook, both MVPs as well as former teammates, makes for an incredibly explosive offense and a nightmare for opposing defenses.

his torn Achilles tendon poses a tremendous concern for the Nets moving forward. In brighter news, their team for this season remains much the same as the sixth-seeded Nets of last season, only swapping out D’Angelo Russell for Kyrie Irving. While the Nets will likely improve on their record from last season, the impact of their huge acquisitions made in free agency will show in the 2020-2021 season.

Honorable Mention: Celtics Sign and Trade for Kemba Walker The Celtics had yet another major shift in their team this summer, as they lost both Al Horford and Kyrie Irving to free agency but orchestrated an impressive sign and trade for Kemba Walker.

Walker made Second Team All-NBA last year and has been a consummate pro his entire career in Charlotte, but has not experienced the same team success that Irving has had throughout his career. A promising crop of draft picks and this signing have dulled the pain slightly for Celtics fans, but losing fan favorite Al Horford and replacing him with one of the league’s worst defenders in Enes Kanter made for a bittersweet summer. A weaker East, however, will allow for the Celtics to have a shot at home court advantage in the playoffs.

5. Philly, Reloading The Philadelphia 76ers had something of an underrated summer, as they lost two of their top performers in JJ Reddick and Jimmy Butler, but re-signed Tobias Harris and picked up Al Horford. The loss of Reddick reduces the Sixers’ ability to space the floor, but Horford’s three-point shooting helps to miti-

can handle the ball incredibly well.

This could prove helpful for the team, as it means that one of these two top defenders will be able to take an easier opponent and conserve energy there. They will also have to carry a smaller offensive load, hopefully keeping both of them more fresh for the offseason.

Their defense will likely be among the best in the league as Doc Rivers is well known for his focus on the defensive side of the ball, as well as defensiveminded players like Pat Beverley and Montrezl Harrell. The Clippers will likely claim the top spot in the West as they are flush with plus players on offense and defense, and will be led by a former Coach of the Year and NBA Champion in Rivers.

1.

Showtime in LA Once Again?

Photo courtesy of NBA

James Harden will have to continue his MVP-caliber form if Houston is going to knock off Golden State.

the eventual champs, the Toronto Raptors, to overtime in Game 7.

Brand’s decision to keep as much of the core together as he could looks like a wise one, as the Sixers now have one of the most talented defensive units in the league and are loaded with offensive talent.

Their bench remains a concern, but the talent they have in their starting unit more than makes up for that. The Sixers will likely be contending for the East’s top spot with the Milwaukee Bucks this season.

4. The Rockets’ Trade for Russell Westbrook The Rockets’ decision to move on from Chris Paul and pick up Russell Westbrook was a stunner for most of the league. The two con-

Westbrook’s past three years have shown absolutely unmatched individual numbers, while Harden has had one of the most dominant offensive stretches in NBA history.

This pair should make some noise in the Western Conference and will likely be competing for home court in the competitive conference.

3. The Brooklyn Nets’ Acquisitions It seems crazy that the Nets signing two top 15 players in Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in the same summer ranks third on this list, but injury concerns made the rankings easier. Kevin Durant’s past three seasons have shown him to be one of the best players in the league, if not the best, but

2. Clippers’ Heist of PG and Kawhi The Clippers made a major splash in both the free agency and trade markets in signing reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and trading for Paul George. These are two of the league’s top forwards and bring a well-rounded game, as they are both well recognized for their defense and offense. The Clippers lost a slew of first round picks and some very promising rookies to make this deal happen, but the opportunity to see how two of the best defenders at their position will fare together is worth it. They miss out on the top slot due to the slightly redundant nature of their games.

They play both offense and defense similarly as stretch forwards who

This trade may have been an overpay by the Lakers, as they gave up two of their top recent top three picks in Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball, but Anthony Davis is one of the best players in the league when healthy and a GM cannot pass up the opportunity to pair him with one of basketball’s greatest players in Lebron James. Their position in the top slot is mostly due to the compatibility of James’ and Davis’ games. James is a historically great distributor and draws loads of defensive attention while Davis is an unstoppable inside threat. This combination should make for a potent offense, with Kyle Kuzma and 3-point specialist Danny Green.

One of the biggest improvements, however, will be their defense as they ranked 20th in the league and Davis is one of the league’s best. This team will certainly improve from their standing last year and likely will command a home court advantage in the postseason.

THIS WEEKEND IN HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS...

Saturday: Football hits the road to face Syracuse at 12pm (Stream on WatchESPN).

Men’s Soccer faces Lafayette at HOME at 3:05pm.

Field Hockey faces Lehigh at HOME at 12:05pm.

Women’s Soccer travels to Maryland to face Loyola at 3pm (Watch on Patriot League Network).

Women’s Golf heads to Connecticut for the Hartford Hawks Invite.

Men’s Tennis travels to face Rider University a 1pm.

Women’s Tennis travels to Providence to compete in the Providence College Invite at 9am.

12 The Spire SPORTS September 27, 2019

As Eli Era Fades Away, G-Men May Have Their Guy in Jones Mike O’Brien ‘23 Staff Writer On the night of the 2019 NFL Draft, Giants fans eagerly awaited for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to relay GM Dave Gettleman’s selection for the Giants’ #7 overall pick. Owning two picks in the first round seemed even more assuring of a productive Giants draft; it was no secret that Eli Manning’s days as a starter were numbered, so selecting a promising QB prospect such as Dwayne Haskins at #17 and an elite defensive talent like LB’s Josh Allen or Devin Bush at #7 seemed logical. However, both Giants fans and the NFL world alike were shocked when the Giants took Duke QB Daniel Jones at #7.

This selection seemed to be a flop on so many levels. Not only did the Giants take a QB who played a weak schedule for the majority of his NCAA career and pass on a battle-tested starter like Haskins, but Jones also would have most likely still been on the board at #17. Giants fans not only blasted Gettleman on social media for a seemingly bone-headed pick, but they also turned their backs on Jones immediately without giving him any chance. Similarly to the New York sports world’s reaction to the selection of Kristaps Porzingis in the 2015 NBA Draft, the cards seemed stacked against Jones from the start.

But perhaps Dave Gettleman knew something that we didn’t. To open the NFL preseason, Jones took the field for his first drive as a New York Giant, and it was nothing short of perfection. Marching down the field with complete confidence, Jones took command of the offense going 5/5 on completions, racked up 67 passing yards, and fired a perfectly placed ball to Bennie Fowler in the back corner of the end-zone; the Giants went on to defeat the Jets 31-22.

In the next pre-season competition against the Chicago Bears, Jones continued his efficiency, putting up an impressive statline of 11/14 passing, 161 yards and a touchdown in a 32-12 win. This efficiency was continued on for the rest of the pre-season, as Jones threw 9/11 for 141 yards in a 25-23

win over the Bengals, and although he saw a diminished role in the final preseason game against New England as the Giants likely did not want to risk an injury to Jones, he managed to go 4/4 for 47 yards in a 31-29 win over the Patriots.

While the classic “it’s only the preseason” line may have been used by many Jones doubters, the numbers don’t lie; Jones’ combined stats ended up being 29/34 on completions, throwing for 416 yards and adding on two touchdowns. Furthermore, the Giants didn’t lose a preseason game in which Jones took the field at some point. Preseason or not, these numbers were good enough to erase the possibility of being a bust in many fan’s minds.

But Jones didn’t get the chance to make a name for himself until Week 3. After head coach Pat Shurmur gave the nod to veteran

catches from Mike Evans, who had a monster day himself. However, Jones was determined to keep the Giants in the game even if he had to do things himself, rushing into the end zone for his first NFL touchdown, while also trimming the Giants deficit down to 12-10 with 9:58 to play in the half.

After the Bucs tacked on two more field goals to extend the lead to 18-10, it was time for Jones to go to work again. However, Jones showed that he is human after all, fumbling and losing possession of the football and, thus, getting the Bucs offense back on the field sooner than expected. Capitalizing off Jones’ fumble, Mike Evans made the Giants defense pay yet again, cashing in for his third touchdown of the half to give the Bucs a 25-10 lead. Getting the ball back once more before halftime, Jameis Winstom drove down the

two Bucs defenders for six. The Giants now only trailed by 28-25.

After both defenses tightened up to end the third quarter and begin the fourth with trading sacks back and forth, the Giants defense finally stepped up to make a huge play, picking up their first interception of the season off Winston with 11:18 remaining in the quarter to get the offense back on the field. However, Jones showed off his seemingly biggest flaw again: ball insecurity.

After coughing it up via fumble, the Bucs defense recovered yet again with 10:30 left in the fourth.

Capitalizing again off a Jones fumble, the Bucs tacked on a 23yard field goal to bring their lead back up to 31-25 with 6:01 to play. After a pair of third down stops by both the Bucs and Giants defenses, the Giants took possession of the ball, needing to score with 2:50 to go in the game.

Photo ccourtesy of Sports Illustrated

Giants QB Daniel Jones in action against the Buccaneers.

Eli Manning in Weeks 1 and 2, Giants fans’ only complaint on Daniel Jones may be not actually starting him earlier. While Eli played formidably against the Cowboys in the season opener going 30/44 with 306 yards and a TD, it was not enough to corral the Cowboys as Dallas took care of business easily with a final score of 35-17.

Eli’s play regressed further in a Week 2 loss to the Bills, going just 26/45 on completion attempts with two interceptions as well. After sliding to 0-2 at the hands of a 28-14 loss to Buffalo, Giants management decided it was time for a change at quarterback, dialing up Jones’ number as the starter for an important Week 3 clash on the road in Tampa Bay. The Giant defense was on the ropes early, finding themselves down 12-3 by the end of the first quarter, behind two touchdown

field, setting up Bucs kicker Matt Gay to drill a 52-yard field goal to put Tampa Bay ahead 28-10 at the break. To add insult to injury, the Giants star running back Saquon Barkley exited the game with an ankle injury with 3:22 to go in the half.

Staring 0-3 in the face and without their best offensive player to start the second half, Jones and the Giants needed a spark to get back in the game; and that’s exactly what they got. On the first play of the second half, Jones hit tight end Evan Engram on a slant route, which Engram impressively turned upfield for a 75-yard touchdown. After the successful two-point conversion attempt, the Giants trimmed the Tampa lead to 28-18. After driving down the field a few possessions later to set up a third and goal, Jones found a streaking Sterling Shepherd and placed the ball between

Starting the drive from their own 30-yard line, Jones would need to march the Giants 70 yards down the field to score and take the lead; - and that’s exactly what he did. On a huge 4th and 5 from the five-yard line with 1:21 to play, Jones dropped back in the pocket scanning his options. The rookie saw something wide open: the middle of the field with no Giants or Bucs in sight.

Keeping it himself, Jones rushed toward the end zone and found his way in for his second rushing touchdown of the game. Jones’ clutch read gave the Giants a 32-21 lead with just over a minute to play.

But the Bucs offense wasn’t done yet. Yet again, Mike Evans burned the Giants secondary for a 44 yard gain to put Tampa in a goal-line situation. With just four seconds to play on a forthcoming 34-yard attempt from a kicker who nailed a 52-yarder earlier in the game, the

Giants seemed done for. But perhaps starting Jones not only gave the Giants the stats they needed to win the game, it may have also given them a little luck. Despite a perfect snap and a clean look at the uprights, Gay’s kick went wide right as the clock expired, sealing the Giants 32-31 victory.

From an unbiased standpoint, this game was truly a back-andforth thriller, one that Jones will likely never forget. The Duke product’s final statline reads 23/36 on completions, 336 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and two rushing touchdowns. The only blemish on his resume were the two fumbles, but that is something that can be fixed with more practice and experience. It’s clear that Jones is cut out to be an NFL starter, and beyond the stats, Jones seems to possess the intangible clutch gene that is so difficult to come across.

When a s k e d a b o u t his confidence level in a postgame interview, Jones responded “ J u s t the love to compete, just to play.

I think we did a good job as a team in preparing this week and we all felt comfortable and confident c o m ing into the game with what we had prepared, so I think a large part comes from that.” It seems as though Jones will carry on this confidence as the Giants look to get to an even .500 next week against the divisional rival Washington Redskins as Jones makes his first start at home.

It may be early, but there is no doubt that Jones dazzled in his first start, and that is something that the entire Giants organization and fanbase can rally around. While this may not be the year to think about playoffs with the combination of Jones’ young career, tough divisional placement amongst the Cowboys and Eagles, the loss of Barkley for several weeks, and the fact that the defense is still weak, it is a step in the right direction. Enjoy this win and the rise of Daniel Jones, Giants fans.