September 21, 2018

Volume XCVI, Number 1

September 21, 2018

Worcester, Massachusetts

Inside The Spire

The College Responds to Alumni’s Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Organist Allyson Noenickx ’19 & Jackie Cannon ’20 Editor in Chief; Chief News Editor Editor’s Note: The following article contains discussion of sexual misconduct.

On Aug. 24, The Boston Globe reported that the College of the Holy Cross and Oberlin College were cutting ties with acclaimed organist James David Christie amid allegations of sexual misconduct raised by five Holy Cross alumni. The Globe reported these allegations following interviews with the Holy Cross alumni, who described “lewd comments” and “unwanted touching”

by Christie that allegedly spanned from 1994 to 2017.

Sean Redrow ’98, Brett Maguire ’02, Jeff Wood ’06, Jake Street ’10, and Jen McPherson ’13, all former Organ Scholars, informed the College of Christie’s alleged sexual misconduct in a letter to Father Philip L. Boroughs, S.J., president. The letter, dated Aug. 3, was delivered to the College on Aug. 15, and received

by Boroughs the following day.

According to the College, Christie offered his letter of resignation on Aug. 13, prior to the College’s receipt of the alumni letter. This res-

ignation would not have gone into effect until the end of the month.

However, after Boroughs received the letter, the College immediately placed Christie on administrative leave, and “barred him from campus and from interacting with College community members,” according to Fr. Boroughs.

The alumni described Christie as an “imminent danger” in their letter, writing, “several of us were sexually abused by Prof. Christie while we were Holy Cross students. All of us collectively witnessed, over the course of decades at Holy Cross, a clear pattern of sexually inappropriate behavior.”

In a comment to the Spire, Street spoke on behalf of the group, explaining why the alumni chose to come forward with the allegations at this time: “we came together over the course of the past several months as our understanding of our experiences at Holy Cross and elsewhere began to shift with the resurfacing of memories and traumas.

We came forward out of an urgent need to protect current students.”

The group approached the Globe after delivering the letter to ensure that the full context of Mr. Christie’s resignation would be clear.

Following the publication of the

Globe article, Fr. Boroughs again addressed the campus community. He offered his support to the alumni and praised their courage in coming forward. Fr. Boroughs stated that he and the administration were unaware of the extent of the alleged misconduct, as described in great detail in the Globe, and that “the College will be aggressive and thorough in pursuing a full review of the issues and behaviors articulated in the Globe article.”

Street told the Spire, “we stand by the requests made in our letter to Fr. Boroughs: protection of students; care for all Organ Scholars affected, both former and current; and a dialogue with Holy Cross about the Organ Scholar program.”

As Distinguished Artist-in-Residence at the College for over 30 years, Christie worked very closely with Organ Scholars, recipients of Holy Cross’ prestigious, four-year, full tuition, organ scholarship. As stated by the Globe, “Some said the organist used his considerable artistic standing to manipulate and cajole students, dangling before them entrance to some of classical music’s most rarefied circles.”

In a Sept. 18 follow-up to his initial letter, Fr. Boroughs informed the campus of the administration’s

response to the allegations, which includes an ongoing investigation and collaboration with the law firm of Holland & Knight LLP. Senior counsel Phil Catanzano has begun his process of meeting with faculty and staff, and is keeping the administration updated.

Additionally, the administration is working to “prevent future misconduct,” wrote Fr. Boroughs, through “the separate review of culture, structure and procedures at the College.” Fr. Boroughs encouraged anyone with information they feel is relevant to the investigation to speak to the Title IX office.

The College has a number of resources available for students in the wake of these allegations.

The Chaplain’s office, the Student Government Association (SGA), and Fr. Boroughs have all detailed numerous resources available for students seeking support following this difficult news. Confidential sources include Health Services, the Chaplain’s office and the counseling center, while non-confidential reports can be made to the Title IX office at titleix@holycross.edu, or to Tracy Kennedy, the Holy Cross Title IX Coordinator, at 508-793-3336 or tkennedy@holycross.edu.

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

The College Celebrates 175 Years Page 3

Why Poetry Must Be Taught Page 5

Meet the Staff!

Page 6

Letter From Group of Alumni to Fr. Boroughs Detailing Allegations of Sexual Misconduct Editor’s note: The following letter was drafted by a group of five Holy Cross alumni on Aug. 3 and sent to the College on Aug. 15. The Spire obtained this letter from the five signatories. With their permission, the contents of the letter are just now being made public for the first time. One sentence relating to a current student at the College has been redacted out of respect for their privacy. Opinions expressed in the letter do not reflect those of the editors of The Spire. Investigation into these allegations is ongoing.

Dear Fr. Boroughs, As five of the former Organ Scholars at College of the Holy Cross, we, the undersigned, write to inform you that Prof. James David Christie is an imminent danger to students on your campus.

Several of us were sexually abused by Prof. Christie while we were Holy Cross students. All of us collectively witnessed, over the course of decades at Holy Cross, a clear pattern of sexually inappropriate behavior. Friends and colleagues confirm this pattern, and that it is a classic “open secret.” We fear that those abused among us are not Prof. Christie’s only victims.

Holy Cross has enabled Prof. Christie’s misconduct, and has a responsibility now to respond to our coming forward as quickly and decisively as possible. We write to you today without legal representation, and without having taken our stories public. We hope and believe that, by reaching out directly to the President of Holy Cross, who is responsible for the appointment of the Distinguished Artist-in-Residence, we can see the most immediate and effective action on this matter, and we can ensure the best possible outcome for this school that we love.

Our primary concern is for the protection of students at Holy Cross. Any measure short of immediately and completely removing Prof. Christie from his position and stripping his privileges at Holy Cross is insufficient and inadequate in ensuring their safety. We understand that our coming forward may cause significant turmoil for Holy Cross and the broader musical community, and that many well-meaning people may be deeply impacted. We also understand the potential damage to our names, our careers, and our lives. We are willing to risk all of this out of our concern for the safety of Holy Cross students.

We also seek care for any of the Holy Cross Organ Scholars adversely affected by Prof. Christie’s abusive misconduct. We request financial com-

pensation from Holy Cross for therapy, for those Organ Scholars who wish to mitigate any emotional or mental suffering caused by Prof. Christie, or by the recent resurfacing of our experiences. We also request further financial accommodations for two of the undersigned, with whom Prof. Christie initiated years-long, sexually abusive relationships while they studied at Holy Cross. Because of the prolonged and lingering harm and trauma caused by Prof. Christie, one of these former students is now pursuing education in new career paths. Both of these former students are seeking to understand and manage the ongoing impact of their abuse on their lives through training in healing arts. We request reasonable aid to fund their education.

Finally, we request an ongoing dialogue with Holy Cross about the future shape of the Holy Cross Organ Scholar program.

Several of us have scheduled meetings with the Holy Cross Title IX office, but we wish to speak with you further before those meetings take place. We are available any weekday through and including August 23rd. If you are willing and able to meet, please email Jake Street at ****** , or call him at *******, to let us know the time which works best for you. We are seeking a conversation, and we do not plan to obtain legal counsel for this meeting.

We have no preconditions on holding any preliminary meeting other than the absence of James David Christie. We would greatly appreciate the opportunity to share our stories with you.

While we understand that you may need to alert certain senior administration, including the Title IX office, about the substance of this letter, we would ask you to keep confidential our identities and the private details of the abuse.

We truly hope we might be able to work with you towards a positive outcome for Holy Cross, and towards a safer campus environment for its students. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely, Sean Redrow, Organ Scholar class of 1998 Brett McGuire, Organ Scholar class of 2002 Jeff Wood, Organ Scholar class of 2006 Jake Street, Organ Scholar class of 2010 Jen McPherson, Organ Scholar class of 2013

8/14/18 8/14/18 8/3/18 8/11/18 8/6/18

The Summer of the Rom-Com Page 8 Eggplant: Academic Departments Refuse Whiteboard Donation Page 9

Football Rallies to Defeat Yale in OT Page 11

The Spire

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NEWS

September 21, 2018

Holy Cross Makes Changes to Title IX Office Sofia Maietta ’19 News Editor In an email sent out on September 7, the College notified the Holy Cross community of significant changes in the school’s Office of Title IX Initiatives, which has named Tracy Kennedy as its new permanent Director.

Previously the College’s Interim Director of Title IX Initiatives since June of 2017, Kennedy was voted in unanimously by a committee assembled by Holy Cross which conducted a national search for a new Director. Beginning her career at Holy Cross in 2016, Kennedy started as the Title IX and Nondiscrimination Investigator, and “has many years of experience with sexual assault and domestic violence investigations and pre-

Public Safety Blotter

vention, education and research, academia, and public health.”

The Office of Title IX initiatives commented that Kennedy has been “an important part of the Title IX process by providing education and advice and by engaging members of the campus community in important conversations regarding Title IX and sexual assault issues.” Kennedy is currently out of the office and unavailable to make a statement on her appointment as Director at this time.

The phrase “Title IX” refers to the series of federal laws enacted in 1972 that “protect people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance,” according to the U.S. Department of Education. This includes sexual harassment as well

as gender-based discrimination.

Included in the College’s email was also a number of other changes the College is making regarding Title IX initiatives, including hiring an Assistant Director for the Office of Title IX Initiatives and expanding training for all staff involved with Title IX initiatives.

The office will also institute a Title IX advisory body which will include members of the school’s SAFER Committee and whose purpose will be to work closely with the Assistant Director and provide guidance on policies and practice, educational efforts, and efficacy of new initiatives. Additionally, the office has updated the school’s sexual misconduct policy which can be found online at Holy Cross’ website.

In national headlines, the De-

partment of Education has released new Title IX policies which are said to make notable alterations to existing policy. In 2017, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos charged that the Title IX rules put in place during the Obama administration have led the system to fail, and she has since made a promise to make changes to remedy it.

The proposed national rules are designed to clarify and narrow the definition of sexual harassment and initiate a new legal standard higher than the existing one to decide whether schools have properly addressed concerns and complaints about sexual misconduct.

Under these new policies, schools would only be held accountable for formal complaints that are brought to the proper authority, but would not be accountable for complaints

said to have occurred off campus.

As many institutions are grappling with charges of sexual harassment and assault across the country, the issue of Title IX compliance and violations on college campuses is more salient than ever. A recent WGBH News poll found that 54 percent of Americans believe colleges and universities across the country aren’t doing enough to prevent sexual assault.

Accordingly, changes from the College’s Office of Title IX Initiatives have come at an extremely pertinent time for the entire campus community, including current students and alumni alike.

Snapshots From the Hill

Eggplant Eddition

Friday, September 15 Kimball Quad- Officers responded to multiple reports of students passing out from hunger after waiting in line for several hours for food at the 175th anniversary celebration.

Tuesday, September 18 The Fieldhouse- Officers removed a student who had chained himself to the basketball hoop during a Save the Fieldhouse rally.

Photo by Hui Li.

The 25th Annual Dr. Charles Weiss Summer Research Symposium on Friday, September 7, allowed students to present their research.

Photo courtesy of Holy Cross Libraries.

Holy Cross Libraries held their annual “Lib Fest” on Wednesday, Sept. 12, where students and staff could learn about library resources.

Wednesday, September 19 Rehm Library- Officers responded to a noise complaint after two students were heard arguing over how to pronounce “Rehm.” No consensus was reached.

Photo by Hui Li

Students enjoy a sunny afternoon class outside Dinand Library.

Photo by Kim Featherson

SCONE performs at the 175th anniversary celebration.

The Spire student newspaper College of the Holy Cross Published weekly since 1925

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.

Allyson Noenickx, Bobby Tuzzio Editors-in-Chief Jackie Cannon, Ethan Bachand, Sofia Maietta, Kate McLaughlin News Editors Olivia Pan, Spencer Caron, Maggie Connolly, Henry Noe Opinions Editors Maggie Flaherty, Bianca Miccolis, Luke Walsh Features Editors Annie Hentschel, Mario Micallif, Pat Mullery, Chris Shakespeare, Jackson Skelley Eggplant Editors Billy Fitzpatrick, Maggie Flaherty, Jackie Hart, Macklin Kortebein, Patrick Wareham Sports Editors Emily Kulp Senior Copy Editor Hope Goodman, Pamela Kote, Anna Morris, Sarah O’Rourke, Rebecca Tredwell Copy Editors Kim Fetherston, Hui Li Photographers Luke Doughty, Bianca Miccolis, Pat Mullery, Mary Kate Cunningham Web Editors Professor Steve Vineberg Faculty Advisor Dean Michele Murray Faculty Advisor Dean Brenda Hounsell Sullivan Faculty Advisor

Please address correspondence to: The Spire P.O. Box 32A College of the Holy Cross 1 College Street Worcester, MA 01610-2395 Email: spire@g.holycross.edu Website: hcspire.com

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The opinions expressed within the newspaper are not necessarily those of the College of the Holy Cross. This newspaper is printed by Community Newspaper Company. Reproduction of any part of this paper is by permission of The Spire only.

NEWS

The Spire

September 21, 2018

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THAT’S NEWS TO ME News Stories from Around the World

The College Celebrates 175 Years

Thursday, Sept. 13 Wilmington, North CarolinaOver one million North Carolina residents were required to evacuate the state as category four hurricane Florence approached land. The storm would leave thousands of homes destroyed or without power, while floods continue to cause problems. Damage is estimated to be in the billions.

Saturday, Sept. 15 Kigali, Rwanda- Over 2,000 prisoners will be released shortly, according to President Paul Kagame.

Prisoners include a major opposition leader as well as many other political prisoners.

Ethan Bachand ’22 News Editor On September 14, the Holy Cross community commemorated the College’s 175th anniversary with a special celebration. The evening was divided into two portions, the first of which was a mass held in St. Joseph Memorial Chapel and the second being a picnic on the Kimball quad.

The mass, which lasted around an hour in St. Joseph Memorial Chapel, was highlighted by a visit from Archbishop of Boston Seán O’Malley, who lead the sermon.

Students were joined by faculty and alumni in order to honor the Jesuit aspect of the College’s history through multiple scripture readings and prayer.

Father Philip L.Boroughs, S.J., president, was proud of the service, stating that “Our chaplains and the music department wonderfully helped us to celebrate the Eucharist with joy and reverence and I am grateful that Cardinal O’Malley, who had just flown in from Rome just hours before, joined our com-

munity to preside at the liturgy and preach so passionately. It was moving to see students, faculty, staff, alums, and the Jesuits who concelebrated, joining together in prayerful thanksgiving for who we have become together.”

Following the mass was the picnic, which began at 5:00 P.M. and ran for three hours, as people poured into the Kimball quad for a diverse arrangement of food. Stations were scattered throughout the quad, including creative titles such as “Breads and Spreads,” “Pastabilities,” and “Romaine Calm.”

Along with the tremendous food provided by dining services, the community was able to enjoy live performances from The Good Time Marching Band as well as the 2018 Battle of the Bands winner, SCONE. In addition to the musical entertainment, there was a photo booth where students could receive a customized 175th anniversary photo. Combined, all aspects of the dinner created a lively atmosphere that students, faculty, and alumni were all able to enjoy throughout the evening.

Regarding the dinner, Father Boroughs said, “The picnic afterward was really spectacular – I’m going to go out on a limb and say it was probably the best communitywide picnic the College has had in its 175 year history! I was truly impressed by the creativity of our food services staff and the great pride they took in serving us such a delicious meal. The booths, lighting, and terrific music really set the tone for a memorable evening.

I could not believe some of the donut concoctions that were consumed by our students!”

While the celebration may have been grand, Father Boroughs points out there is a greater significance to the anniversary rather than just a numerical milestone. “While it is important that the College has existed for 175 years, which is a significant span in which higher education has existed in the United States, what is even more important is what we have done in those years,” he said. “We are celebrating not just a long life, but a life of extraordinary teaching and learning, a life of meaning and purpose, a life

of engaged citizenship and faithfilled service to the world.”

The recognition of a long and storied history has not dissuaded any discussion of the future. Earlier the same week, details were released in regards to the plans for a new recreation as well as a new arts center that will be constructed on campus in the coming years. Accompanied by the largest class in history with the Class of 2022, the future of Holy Cross is bright. Yet for at least a night, a moment was taken to recognize the greatness of the past 175 years of being men and women for others.

Where does Father Boroughs see the college in 25 years for the bicentennial anniversary? “I have no doubt the College will be once more celebrating its mission as a Jesuit and Catholic undergraduate college,” he says, “ranked among the best colleges and universities in the country and known for the accomplishments and loyalty of its students and alumni.”

success, leadership, and citizenship; and enabling access, diversity, and affordability.

The new recreation and wellness center will be located at the Field House’s current location, and will feature basketball courts, multiple exercise studios, weight training rooms, and new shower and locker spaces. At the top of the three-story building will be a one-tenth mile suspended jogging track that will look out on the hills of Worcester.

The new arts building will be situated between the Hogan Campus Center and the Luth Athletic Complex. It will house the performance and rehearsal programs of the Music Department and the Theatre Department, multiple dance studios, and the Cantor Art Gallery.

It will also feature the “beehive,” a creative gathering space with a

modern and open layout where students can explore the arts and learn in creative and collaborative ways.

In a 2017 Holy Cross Magazine article on the Center for Arts and Creativity, Margaret Freije, provost and dean of the College, said that the new art center will help students become better problem solvers and more flexible thinkers. She added, “This center will magnify those benefits by inviting students and faculty to explore together in a space that encourages creativity and experimentation. And it will allow the entire campus to embrace the arts as a way to build community and engage the wider world.”

The center will also have an important historical context. Reverend William Campbell, the College’s Vice President for Mission,

referenced the role that the arts have long played in Jesuit ministry and missionary efforts, saying the Jesuits “quickly understood that the arts could transform lives by deepening one’s understanding of one’s relationship with God.” Father Boroughs wrote, in his letter to the campus community, “These two buildings on our upper campus will be focal points for years to come and represent our continued investment in a Holy Cross education that prioritizes the intellectual, spiritual, physical, and ethical development of our students and the role of arts and creativity in that development.” Both projects are expected to begin simultaneously in the spring.

Photos by Hui Li

Holy Cross Reaches a “Milestone Year”

Kate McLaughlin ’21 News Editor In a September 6 email, President Rev. Philip L. Boroughs, S.J. welcomed the campus community back to the College and detailed multiple planned changes for the school in its landmark 175th year, including the construction of two new buildings: a new recreation and wellness center and a center for the arts and creativity.

The new buildings are part of the College’s $400 million Become More campaign, publicly launched in 2016. The Become More fundraising initiative allowed for the construction of both the Joyce Contemplative Center and the Hart Center in 2017. The campaign’s goals include inspiring creative teaching and learning; advancing

Santiago, Philippines- Supertyphoon Mangkhut slammed into the island nation, as well as other parts of southeast Asia later in the week, causing dozens of deaths, landslides, and rescue operations.

With wind gusts of over 200 mph, hundreds of thousands of people were affected by the storm.

Monday, September 17 Moscow, Russia- The presidents of Russia and Turkey have agreed on establishing a demilitarized zone in Idlib, Syria, which is one of the few remaining rebel strongholds.

Los Angeles, California- The 70th Primetime Emmys were held, where notable wins included HBO’s “Game of Thrones” for Best Drama and Amazon’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” for best comedy. Director Glenn Weiss also proposed to his girlfriend while on stage.

Tuesday, September 18 Pyongyang, North Korea- South Korean President Moon Jae-in met for a third summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jongum to continue efforts to convince North Korea to denuclearize. Jaein was greeted by North Koreans calling for a unified Korea.

Geneva, Switzerland- The UN has called for action in a 444-page report detailing Myanmar’s atrocities committed against the Rohingya Muslim ethnic minority. The human rights violations have led the UN to call for those perpetrating these crimes to be charged in the UN’s International criminal court.

Information courtesy of the New York Times, CNN, and CNBC.

The Spire

4

Opinions

OPINIONS

September 21, 2018

See What Other Students Are Thinking Around Campus...

The Last of the Mohicans: A Hero and a Rarity Olivia Pan ’20 Chief Opinions Editor

“It is your character, and your character alone, that will make your life happy or unhappy.”

-John McCain (Business Insider) Senator John McCain, an American war hero and former two-time presidential candidate, passed away on August 25 at the age of 81 after a battle with brain cancer. You don’t have to be a Republican to possess the highest level of respect and admiration for McCain, who was truly the last of his kind. He was a war hero, a man of integrity, and a politician who did not let his ideals polarize and divide those around him.

McCain, a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War, was held as a prisoner of war for five and half years by the Vietnamese, two of which were spent in solitary confinement (People.com). McCain had been offered early release after nearly a year spent imprisoned, but reportedly “refused” sticking to the POW code of conduct that says troops must accept release in the order in which they are captured (BusinessInsider). Each time I read this fact about McCain I get a slight chill; my awe of his courage and sacrifice never dissipates.

It is no secret that we live in an age and a culture where true heroes are overlooked, as they may be too

mundane to stay in our consciousness: the cop on the beat who watches out for his elderly charges, the teacher who has to buy school supplies for her students which leaves her barely enough money for dinner that evening, or even a random stranger handing out sandwiches and blankets to the homeless on a bone-chilling night.

good. I say that McCain was the last of his kind because our culture simply does not emphasize the qualities he demonstrated his entire life. Not only that, but what defines a hero has dramatically changed in our society. Today, we live in an era where young people view celebrities and social media stars as heroes. They set out

strive for character, partly because our so-called “heroes” don’t either.

That term has come to mean so little. Today, a 20-year-old takes one mission trip to Honduras and thinks he’s a hero, but he gets to come home and eat a hot meal and sleep in a bed. Today, our biggest dilemma, at least on this campus, is whether the library stays open

Courtesy of CNN

I include myself when I say that we seem to be a generation of people (this includes the generation before us) who simply do not understand what it means to possess and seek out those with real character, and who have virtually no concept of what it means to make long-term sacrifices for the greater

to emulate them because instant success and fame is what drives the culture. We exist in a world where the Kardashians represent success, and being a “social media influencer” is actually considered a job title. My generation may be in danger of not knowing what it is to sacrifice or what it means to

all night. There is nothing wrong with taking a stand about the library, so long as we continue to seek chances to make real life sacrifices for thecommunity and acknowledge those all around us who may not have the fame of Senator McCain but are quite heroic hiding in plain sight among us.

Just recently, countless first responders stepped into action to help people after gas explosions rocked Andover, North Andover, and Lawrence, Massachusetts. These responders wasted no time “battling fires, evacuating residents and setting up shelters” (whdh.com). Additionally, after many residents from all three areas were forced to leave their homes, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) at Nevins Farm in Methuen offered to house pets who were not allowed to accompany their owners to shelters (necn). These are the kinds of people who deserve our recognition and admiration.

John McCain was a man who knew what it was to suffer, and he knew what it was to sacrifice for others. He was a rare breed and symbolizes the best of what we can be as Americans, just as the first responders to the Merrimack Valley crisis symbolize that spirit. It would be great if America could go on a fast from the likes of reality stars and supermodels and get on a healthy diet of community outreach and sacrifice. Give up those daily lattes for a month and you could feed a family of four right here in Worcester for a month. We can all be heroes hiding in plain sight.

Public Intellectuals as Polymaths: Spencer Caron ’20 Opinions Editor One is rightly in awe when considering Aristotle’s breadth and depth of knowledge. It would not be too much of an exaggeration to say that Aristotle wrote about everything that matters: chemistry, physics, ethics, botany, the afterlife, so on and so forth. In many cases, Aristotle proved to be uncannily accurate in his hypotheses. One need only read his description of how sound is produced in book two of “On the Soul” to appreciate the astuteness of his scientific claims. Is there something arrogant in the sheer pursuit of knowledge of all things? Today, certainly. But one can argue that--surely, the time period during which this is even tenable is debatable--until relatively recently, near comprehensive knowledge of one’s own field was possible for the dedicated scholar, and for the once-a-generation genius, his field and the fields of others were possible to understand comprehensively. In other words, some intellectuals of antiquity doubled as polymaths in the true sense.

Now consider the question proposed above in light of modern scholarship. Specifically, can claims of polymathy be taken seri-

ously, and should one who claims to be an expert across disciplines be considered arrogant, if not dangerous? One is wise to refrain from immediate condemnation of such claims; for one thing, it cannot be convincingly argued that general levels of intelligence have declined since the time of Aristotle.

Equally true, perhaps, is that intelligence levels are the same, all things considered, which still does nothing to facially invalidate any modern scholar’s claim of comprehensive knowledge across discrete disciplines.

Another broad consideration to factor in before focusing on individual cases of potential polymaths is the vastly different nature of scholarship of modernity in

comparison to any time period preEnlightenment era. Put briefly, one need only consider the path to a PhD as evidence for the inherently narrow field of expertise a modern

scholar can claim. Take one example of the title of a doctoral philosophy thesis: “The Opacity of Renunciation in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales” by Shawn Normandin of Boston University. One should not question the brilliance of the thesis’ findings; however, this scholar’s

hallmark academic achievement will not be a mastery of the entire work, much less Chaucer’s bibliography, but one literary approach regarding thematic element in some of Chaucer’s work.

Again, and importantly, this is not to criticize the scholarship, but instead point out the inherent narrowness of the scholar’s, and perhaps soonto-be public intellectuals’, academic road.

These two considerations in mind, it is most helpful now to take a Courtesy of Time.com pragmatic approach and examine whether there are any particularly striking examples of public intellectuals who defy odds and prove that polymathy is possible amidst infinite information and academic hyper-specialization. No stranger to the public sphere, Jordan Peterson, PhD, is a germane figure

from whom to begin this analysis.

Jordan Peterson need not have declared that he is in fact an expert in many fields. One can imply, no doubt with good-will, that Peterson at least finds himself to be knowledgeable about the following fields: theology, philosophy, psychology, sociology, history, linguistics, myth/folklore, and to a lesser extent, nutrition. As somewhat of a fan of Peterson’s academic work in the field of psychology, the field in which he is indeed an expert, this list simply reflects topics he has discussed in forums that conote seriousness; in other words not tweeted about, discussed informally with friends and recorded by an onlooker, and so forth.

Peterson is certainly allowed to speak on any issue he so chooses.

This ability is legally protected and further, Peterson has gained a public platform that awards him the possibility to speak outside of his field without fear of losing his teaching job and therefore livelihood. The far more interesting and important question is whether Peterson and other similarly situated public intellectuals (Dawkins, Nye, Steinem, and others) are benefited by speaking formally across disciplines.

See PUBLIC, page 5

September 21, 2018

The Spire

Why Poetry Must Be Taught Henry Noe ’22 Opinions Editor The preservation of poetry is absolutely crucial in contemporary society. This beautiful art form is wholly eclectic, as it can be used to teach lessons on the styles of language, on famous historical societies, and on understanding emotional articulation.

Although both prose and poetry are comprised of sentences, poetry requires that the reader understand how words, punctuation, and phrases are being manipulated by the poet. To truly recognize how the poet is transforming conventional language to create a theme or

evoke an emotion, the reader must be familiar with the rudiments of the language itself. Teachers can use poetry as a means for younger students to learn basic sentence structure, diction, and syntax.

Older students, who have a higher level of linguistic knowledge, can analyze these poems to see how the concepts they were taught can be interwoven and stylistically altered.

English classes are not the only subject that benefit from poetry, however. Poetry has been used as a magnifying glass into the annals of the past. “The Epic of Gilgamesh” consists of Sumerian poems and was written circa 2100 B.C., one of the earliest examples of epic po-

etry. The traditions of the Greek culture have been conserved and later generations’ understanding of them has also been made possible through epic poetry. Homer’s two epic poems, “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey,” recount the story of the Trojan War and Greek hero Odysseus’ voyage home. Moving to contemporary society, satire exposes the vices of society and the failings of government. This genre brings the attention of the people toward a certain issue that the poet believes must be remedied.

Teachers can use these poems to teach students how communities were organized in the past, what problems existed, and how indi-

viduals operated in their society.

Relaying emotions and sentiments is what many would call the most popular use of poetry. Some of the most famous examples of emotional poetry are Shakespearean sonnets which are oftentimes centered around the forces of love, death, and suffering. Encouraging students to read more emotive poetry allows them to feel the breadth of the human spirit. Observing how the poet understands and writes about a feeling gives the reader the opportunity to grow in emotional intelligence. In young children and students, the ability to deal with emotions and to understand their origin is absolutely crucial.

These poems can be used to help with the deciphering of emotions, which at times can be perplexing.

In poetry, the understanding of how language can be morphed into something else entirely, a historical retelling of the past which would have otherwise been lost to time, and emotions ranging from absolute despair to the divine feeling of true love can all be presented. Poetry permeates all aspects of life and this presence must be recognized. The teaching and preservation of poetry is vital to sustain the humanity in life; without it we drift within a heartless society.

Why Do You Read, Not What do You Read Maggie Connolly ’21 Opinions Editor After a summer of relaxation, a lot of college students (or at least professors probably hope this is the case) read, or even reread, some of their favorite books. Although I did read my fair share of novels this summer, I also found myself reading about reading. I learned about things like the importance of what people read, when they read it, and how they read it.

One of the more interesting pieces I came across was an article in The New Yorker discussing whether or not the level of what students are reading is important, or if simply reading is enough.

This was something I thought about a lot as I selected what I was From PUBLIC, page 4 Keeping with Peterson as an example, he has undoubtedly become more well known, wealthier, and is often credited as being the catalyst for important conversations--all good things by most measures.

Conversely, one is hard pressed to argue that his reputation as a clinical psychologist has improved, or that his additions to debates in the arena of theology and sociology have been more productive than they have been detrimental.

Crucially, this argument ought not to be conflated with that which says that person A with immutable characteristic X cannot

going to be reading over the summer. Some of my favorite books are those that I have read and reread since I was 12. So, what does this mean? Are these books no longer beneficial and relevant because I still watched The Disney Channel while I was reading them?

My mom once told me, “A good story is a good story.” Personally, I agree with her sentiment. Although there is value in being conscious of what you read, training the mind to read and enjoy doing so is so much more advantageous than simply reading something because it will make you more well-rounded and supposedly intelligent. Challenging oneself in all aspects of life is undoubtedly important; it is also important to allow enjoyment in the small, simple things.

So many children start to love reading from a young age.

Library days in elementary school are a rare form of gold and the book fair is a coveted event by almost all third-graders. Despite this, many children lose their love for reading because their reading is taken over by academics.

Once teenagers shut their textbooks for the night, it is more likely that they will tune into something else besides another book, even if that book is for pleasure.

There is no argument that academic reading is not beneficial.

It stimulates the mind, improves conversational skills and increases vocabulary. However, discrediting other kinds of reading below one’s academic level pushes kids and teenagers away from their initial

passion for the simple pleasure that comes along with a good book.

Reading books for pleasure, regardless of their level and acclaim, builds individuality. Picking the kinds of books that suit one’s own personal taste allow people to build a certain kind of identity to their bookshelves. Allowing children and teens to find themselves within books, even if those books are not necessarily up to the standards of every New York Times critic in the business, gives them a sense of belonging and comfort in those books. This sense of comfort found in reading is easy to lose when kids are pushed away from the books they read for sheer enjoyment.

Growing up as a child who found a quiet contentment in her favorite books, I could never imag-

ine a childhood without my favorite books or having my mom read to me every night before bed. The books from that part of my life have a special place in my heart and bring me that same quiet contentment today. Although I do find value in reading the classics and books that challenge my mind, there is a happiness so specific in reading my favorite book over and over again.

So, read everything -- read newspapers, read corny romance novels, and read “Lord of the Flies” if you so desire. Just by all means, make sure you enjoy what you read.

Read for yourself above all others.

speak about topic Y. Put another way, a measured critique of Peterson talking across disciplines without being formally trained in said disciplines is categorically different than saying a woman cannot speak about ways in which men could be better parents, or some analog of this example. The latter in most cases results in an ad hominem attack based on a faulty premise--that one cannot comment on a social phenomenon unless one possesses a certain discrete list of physical characteristics.

With this distinction in mind, one can argue that Peterson’s specific public daringness to address multiple disciplines has resulted in

three concrete injuries to his reputation as a scholar. First, his public career has revealed quite explicitly his political and religious leanings, which at the very least introduce an additional variable when examining his academic work. This injury is perhaps the least grave, as Peterson could be seen to have left his academic work behind in exchange for the life of a lecturing intellectual.

Peterson’s entire body of academic work is on YouTube, so one is free to search for biased teaching if one so chooses. Second, his comments pertaining to fields of which he is not an expert have been sounded at times absurd. For instance, Peterson claims on a popular podcast

show that apple cider caused him to lie sleepless for 25 consecutive nights. In a similar vein, he has endorsed a nearly carnivorous diet as a way to better one’s health holistically. One begins to wonder why exactly a psychology professor is commenting publicly on his personal opinions regarding food.

Finally, and one might say most troubling for Peterson, is the seemingly hypocritical implication of his polymath-esque proclivities. In his best-selling book “Twelve Rules for Life” Peterson implores one to one’s room before making suggestions to the world. The point is not lost on one, but would not this same logic apply to Peterson’s aca-

demic work? Namely, master one’s own vast and complex field before offering a comprehensive theological framework? And this is perhaps the main reason why claims of modern polymathy ring absurd from the outset. It is no longer tenable to assume that one is able to become competent in, much less master, more than one field in a career’s time. Peterson is free to speak widely, but his progression seems less professor turned polymath than professor turned jack of all trades (and master of none).

Overheard On The Hill “Please, just record me in my sleep. That’s all I ask.”

- sleeptalking roommate “I was not a person at the edge–I was a butterfly. You know? Just flapping around.”

- A senior who is too old for this stuff “Do you want to hear my regret of the day?”

- Senior returning from abroad

The Spire

6

OPINIONS

September 21, 2018

Meet The Staff Allyson Noenickx ’19 Editor-in-Chief Computer Science

Jackie Cannon ’20 Chief News Editor English & International Studies

Emily Kulp ’19 Chief Copy Editor English

Henry Noe ’22 Opinions Editor Chemistry

Hope Goodman ’21 Copy Editor Economics

Bobby Tuzzio ’20 Editor-in-Chief Political Science

Olivia Pan ’20 Chief Opinions Editor English

Sophia Maietta ’19 News Editor Political Science

Maggie Flaherty ’20 Chief Features Editor & Sports Editor English

Annie Hentschel ’19 Chief Eggplant Editor Biology

Billy Fitzpatrick ’20 Chief Sports Editor Economics

Ethan Bachand ’22 News Editor Political Science

Kate McLaughlin News Editor History

Bianca Miccolis ’21 Features Editor English

Spencer Caron ’20 Opinions Editor Philosophy

Pat Wareham ’20 Sports Editor Economics

Jackie Hart ’19 Sports Editor English

Chris Shakespeare ’20 Eggplant Editor Chemistry

Mario Micallef ’22 Eggplant Editor English

Pat Mullery ’20 Eggplant Editor Economics

Anna Morris ’21 Copy Editor Psychology

Rebecca Tredwell ’19 Copy Editor English

Sarah O’Rourke ’21 Copy Editor Political Science & History

Mary Kate Cunningham ’21 Web Editor Psychology

Luke Doughty ’20 Web Editor Economics & Art

Hui Li ’21 Photographer Classics & Pyschology

Macklin Kortebein ‘20 Sports Editor Economics

Pamela Kote ’22 Copy Editor Undecided

Kim Fetherston ’22 Photographer Undecided

The Spire

Features

Crusader of the Week:

Julia D’Agostino ’20 Allyson Noenickx ‘19 Editor-in-Chief

Favorite Senior Student (or two): Allyson Noenickx and Kim Kelly Hometown: Pembroke, MA Favorite Off-Campus RestauMajor: English, Pre-Med rant: The Fix Best Dorm: Biggest Regrets at Healy Holy Cross: Not Favorite Holy befriending Diane Cross Class: from SciCafe sooner 21st Century Embarrassing Literature Story: Freshman Least Favorite year, my roommate’s Holy Cross bra got stuck to Class: Atoms my bag without my and Molecules knowledge, and I Number of Allalmost walked into Nighters Last office hours with a Semester: 0 bra dangling off my Courtesy of Julia D’Agostino ’20 Favorite Animal: backpack.

Penguin Dream Vacation: Favorite Spot on Campus: Joyce Tuscany Contemplative Center (not on Best Memory of Holy Cross: campus) Hanging out with my friends Favorite Color: Purple, of course (please come back from abroad) Favorite Ice Cream: Coffee oreo Holy Cross Bucket List Item: Favorite Movie: “The Proposal” Perform a 10 Spot Favorite Song/Artist: “Africa” Campus Activities: Residence

by Toto Hall Association, Liturgical MinisFavorite T.V. Shows: “New try, Dr. Interns Girl,” “Friends,” “Grey’s AnatoGuilty Pleasure: Candy from the my” Lobby Shop #ripmydiningdollars Favorite Meal on Campus: Gen- Hobbies: Roasting Sumner, readeral Tso Chicken ing, playing guitar, giving people Favorite Professor and Why? nicknames Professor Oser, he always has time Pet Peeve: New Dinand hours to chat Favorite Cool Beans Drink: Iced Favorite Freshman Student: green tea with a raspberry shot Emily Koufos Role Model : My mom Favorite Sophomore Student: Your Mantra: Be Bold Beth Griffin One Thing You Would Change Favorite Junior Student on cam- at Holy Cross: The stairs pus: Sumner Moore

FEATURES

September 21, 2018

So it Goes: Remembering Mac Miller Luke Walsh ’19 Features Editor On September 7, 2018, Pittsburgh native Mac Miller tragically passed away at the young age of 26 due to a suspected drug overdose. In the wake of his death, the outpour of love and respect for the late rapper proves that while Mac might no longer be with us, his personality and creativity will live on in his music for years to come. I never met Mac, so I cannot speak on the man’s personal struggles with addiction; however, understanding and analyzing the beautiful last album of his career, “Swimming”, might be the best way for fans to get insight into his struggles and say goodbye.

The album opens with “Come Back to Earth,” which depicts Mac in his house hoping to get out of his own head and leave his home, but there is something in the way that won’t let him leave.

It is the perfect opener, articulating that Mac knows must battle with the demons in his head to live a normal life, but does n o t want to accept this task as it is obviously painful. This sets the tone for the rest of the album as he struggles with addiction.

Sonically, the world of “Swimming” combines the darker side of Mac Miller audiences heard on “Watching Movies with the Sound Off ” or “Faces” and the dreamy Mac we saw on “The Divine Feminine” as the piano and synths in the background harken back to his previous albums despite the more serious setting.

“Hurt Feelings” addresses the changes in his life, which he has always battled with. Here, the maturity of Mac Miller is truly remarkable, and it is evident that he has grown significantly in the past few years. “What’s the Use?” demonstrates Mac’s uncanny

ability to create an undoubtedly catchy jazz rhythm from start to finish with clever lines like, “Okay, we’re colder than the breeze, but the breeze ain’t flowing like me,” or, “ I’m so above and beyond you take drugs to make it up/ Way up where we on, space shuttle, Elon.” Here, Mac is proving that he has grown as an artist to become a clever lyricist as well as one of the most diverse and strongest producers in Hip- Hop. “Perfecto” and “Self Care” both pertain to Mac’s desire to take care of himself and come to terms with his inner demons.

The hook on “Perfecto” repeats: “On the surface I look so fine, but really I’m buggin’ baby, makin’ something out of nothing,” and demonstrates Mac’s ability to open up ever so slightly in a desperate, hidden plea for aid, which begs the question if anyone was truly listening to him. “Self Care” marks the first time that Mac insists that everything will be alright, but there are continuous doubts throughout the song that make the hook, “We gonna be alright,” lack confidence. This self-doubt continues on “Wings,” with the line, “I’d put some money on forever, but I don’t like to gamble on the weather,” which reflects both Mac’s desire to overcome his demons and the pain that comes with facing those demons on a daily basis.

“Ladders” is another reference to drugs: “Somehow we gotta find a way/No matter how many miles it takes/I know it feels so good right now/But it all comes fallin’ down/When the night, meet the light/ Turn to day.” Here it is clear Mac understands that drugs are merely a quick escape from the pain - once the next day comes and the high is gone, he is back to square one. However, that struggle to overcome both

addiction and battle his demons continues to haunt him.

This struggle with addiction is amplified on the next song, “Small Worlds,” where Mac finds himself, “Building up a wall ‘til it break.” His self-deprecation is also seen with the idea that he doesn’t want to keep whoever he is speaking to waiting for him to get better. Miller does not need to constantly battle within himself in order to find inner peace.

He makes a great call back to “Small Worlds” on “Jet Fuel” with the line, “And I ain’t calling it quits, you can build a wall with your bricks,” demonstrating that Mac no longer needs to hide his demons, his troubles or himself from the world anymore.

“2009” starts off with a lucious violin and piano, and is quite honestly one of the most beautiful introductions to a song I have ever heard. “So it Goes” is Mac’s comeback song where he insists he’s back from his battle within himself and ready to take on the world. He is ready to go outside and experience the world. We have grown with Mac throughout the album, and even though we saw a battered man in “Come Back To Earth,” the end of the album shows a mature, thriving man on his way to selfacceptance. However, viewing the song in the context of Miller’s death, “So it Goes” is a heartbreaking track that demonstrates the potential Mac had both as an artist and as a person. The artist seemed to be doing his best to work through his problems and truly love himself. But instead, life has taken away another young soul desperate to escape addition.

His final words in music should be that of triumph, but rather, they are a chilling goodbye that leaves us with a haunting message on life after loss, “so it goes.”

Peep My Crib: Figge 104 Home to...

Claire MacMillan Kerri Mannion Natalie Philips Meg Lavoie Compiled by Allyson Noenickx

The only thing sweeter than these roommates is their constant supply of baked goods

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You can never have enough space for food

You know you’re jealous of those Figge hardwood floors >

How have these flowers already outlived my semester GPA? Lmk

The Spire

8

It Ain’t Easy: LeBron & KD Henry Quesada ’21 Staff Writer

his decision to leave Cleveland in free agency in the summer of 2010.

Kevin Durant was entering his fifth It has long been rumored that season in the league and after earnthe two faces of the modern NBA, ing two consecutive scoring titles, LeBron James and Kevin Durant, his global fame was ascending. recorded a rap song together dur“It Ain’t Easy” is largely centered ing the NBA lockout prior to the around the lives of the two athletes 2011/12 season. Although short at the time. Both James and Durant clips of the song had been posted on rap about navigating in an increasTwitter and potential lyrics have been ingly complicated social media leaked, it was never abundantly clear world and address the drawbacks whether a studio-recorded version associated with fame and fortune. existed in its They lament entirety unthe fact that til earlier this with success month, when comes doubtthe song was ers, and with released onto failure come the SoundCloud. critics. Durant Since its rein particular lease the song focuses on his has been reexpanding fame moved due to and the ways in LeBron&KD, courtesy of genius.com legal issues with ownerwhich his life ship of production. The has changed song is titled “It Ain’t Easy,” is about since his career took off. The song 3.5 minutes in duration, and features begins with a verse from Durant, a verse each from Durant and James. followed by a chorus from an unAccording to Kristian Winfield with named artist, and finishes with a SB Nation, “It Ain’t Easy” was re- verse from James. The song is procorded by Spider Studios in Cleve- fessionally produced and both NBA land, Ohio. players conduct themselves surprisIt is important to understand the ingly well. Damian Lillard is the curera in which this song was record- rent gold standard for NBA player ed. In 2011, with a few exceptions, musicians. Lonzo Ball released an almost notably Kobe Bryant and Sha- bum in the summer of 2017 to popquille O’Neil, NBA players did not ular acclaim. Victor Oladipo, who record music in the offseason. To- focuses more on R&B, also released day, NBA and NFL players alike hit a well-received album last summer. the recording studio in droves dur- Although James and Durant are not ing the summer; however, the line on par with the foremost athlete/ between rappers and athletes was musicians of 2018, “It Ain’t Easy” is much more defined when “It Ain’t far superior to the ill-fated debuts of Easy” was recorded. This is perhaps previous generations of NBA playone reason why the song took nearly ers and I believe that listeners will be seven years to be released publically. pleasantly surprised.

Prior to the 2011/12 NBA seaA lot has changed for James and son, the careers of LeBron James Durant since 2011. James has won and Kevin Durant looked vastly three NBA championships and different than they do today. The ri- signed with the Los Angeles Lakvalry we saw play out in 2012 and in ers in the offseason, while Durant the past two NBA finals had yet to is currently entering his third season materialize. At the time, James was with the Golden State Warriors with entering his second year with the two titles under his belt. One thing Miami Heat and was coming off that hasn’t changed, despite the riwhat threatened to be a career de- valry on the court, is the friendship fining loss in the 2011 NBA Finals. between James and Durant. With the He was facing a level of scrutiny release of “It Ain’t Easy,” the only that had never before been seen, question remaining is whether Duand had not yet made peace with rant will finally meet up with James

FEATURES

The Summer of The Rom-Com Maggie Flaherty ’20 Chief Features Editor Years have passed since the classic Nora Ephron era of the romantic comedy. It has been a while since critically-acclaimed romantic comedy darling Meg Ryan inspired a sandwich order in a New York deli, since Julia Roberts reproached a snooty store worker for her big mistake - huge - and even since Judy Greer graced our screens in her frequently reprised niche role as “female protagonist’s best friend.” The genre suffered a drought in Hollywood until this summer, when the success of multiple romantic comedies proved the movie-watchers of the world evidently realized they were ready to fall in love again. Netflix’s buzzed-about original movie releases were the summer’s biggest blockbuster surprise. Combined with the box office success of “Crazy Rich Asians,” it is clear the Rom-Com renaissance has begun.

The rise of streaming services are perhaps to thank for this boom in popularity. Netflix’s multifaceted business roles of studio, distributor, and streaming service all in one grants the company the unique opportunity to choose the entertainment it creates from analyzing the most popular content their customers stream. With this knowledge, they allotted higher budgets than Hollywood was likely willing to bargain for hit-ormiss genres such as the romantic comedy, yielding the perfect storm for the 2018 summer of the romcom. Netflix found itself home to some of the most buzzed about movies of the summer in “Set it Up,” “Sierra Burgess is a Loser,” and “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before.”

A fault many people (cynical, jaded people, that is) find with the romantic comedy is with its formulaic structure. Yet the formula is what makes the genre so great; when done right, the inherent inevitability that two complex characters will fall in love is what makes viewing romantic comedies so fun. With that formula in the back of our minds, audiences

Florence Stalls College Life in the South Bianca Miccolis ’21 Features Editor While the Holy Cross community experienced some unpleasant weather last week, the sun shined again over campus in time for Saturday’s win against Yale on Fitton Field. However, colleges and universities throughout the South, specifically the Carolinas, have not been so lucky and continued to get slammed by Tropical Depression Florence. Many colleges cancelled classes, closed their dining halls, and closed for most business throughout North and South Carolina, as well as some parts of Virginia. Some students have evacuated while others remain on campus and wait out the storm.

Nonetheless, schools are taking the necessary precautions in order to keep their students and communi-

ties safe.

Florence hit the Carolinas’ coast Last Friday, September 14. By Sunday, Florence had flooded many cities in North and South Carolina and caused the evacuation and displacement of residents from their homes as well as vast power outages. According to The New York Times, 15,000 North Carolinians and 4,000 South Carolinians find themselves in shelters due to flooding. Florence had expected winds of 35 miles per hour as well as rainfall of two to three inches per hour in North Carolina. Regrettably, 14 have died as a result of Florence from falling trees and flash flooding. National Weather Service alerts were in effect in all of North Carolina’s counties and flash-flood warnings continued into Monday.

These conditions have important effects on college campuses

Spetember 21, 2018

in the Carolinas and the rest of the South. For one thing, Florence has impacted the college football schedule, even affecting some Northern schools. After playing Holy Cross, Boston College traveled to Wake Forest earlier than anticipated to play their game before the impending storm last Thursday night. Additionally, some games have been canceled or postponed while others have been moved to different locations. UCF-North Carolina, West Virginia-N.C. State, East Carolina-Virginia Tech and South Carolina-Marshall were canceled and Elon-William and Mary was postponed with no reschedule date.

Not only has college football been affected, but general school life has also been impacted. In North Carolina, East Carolina University, UNC-Wilmington and

watch the narrative unfold at an omniscient angle. They will fall in love, we think gleefully to ourselves as we watch our screens, and they don’t know it yet - but we do.

The formulaic structure does not yield stale and archaic plots, either. The three Netflix movies released this summer all capitalized on common romantic comedy tropes, thus proving that screenwriters are capable of breathing in fresh new life to the genre. “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” riffs on the fake-relationship plot. The protagonists pretend to date, reality and fiction blurs, and the fauxcouple eventually realizes they fell in love with each other in real life somewhere along the way. This narrative also unfolds in timeless romantic comedies such as “Pretty Woman,” “The Proposal,” and “Can’t Buy Me Love.” “Set it Up” is an inversion of this fake-relationship trope; the movie focuses on two assistants that deceive their bosses into a relationship so they can get more time off of work.

The classic hijinks of “The Parent Trap” combined with the workplace comedy banter of Jim and Pam in “The Office” creates an instant romantic comedy classic.

Modern retellings of older pieces of literature also yield some of the most successful and critically acclaimed romantic comedies of the 21st century: “Clueless” is a modern retelling of “Emma” by Jane Austen, “10 Things I Hate About You” is a high-school take on Shakespeare’s The “Taming of the Shrew,” and “Bridget Jones’ Diary” (this author’s personal favorite) retells “Pride and Prejudice” from the perspective of a twenty-something woman in London. “Sierra Burgess is a Loser,” a modern retelling of “Cyrano de Bergerac,” proves that the concept behind romantic comedies is enduring and universal: audiences

Set It Up, courtesy of netflix.com

throughout centuries related to the plot regardless of the century the story unfolds in.

The critics that attack the formula behind a rom-com overlook the key feature of the genre: the romantic comedy intends to reflect a more polished, perfect version of our lives. The life of a rom-com is the life we wish we lead: the protagonists are better looking, wittier versions of ourselves, who wake up with no bedhead and always say the right thing (that is, the right thing that also moves the plot forward in a narratively cohesive way). Peter Kavinsky acts the way everyone wishes their high school crush did. He rejects his mean, popularity-obsessed ex-girlfriend for the much cooler and charming Lara Jean.

The cute puppy-love dynamic that unfolds throughout the movie allows the audience to experience a wish fulfillment re-write of their own teenage romances. Romantic comedies are successful because of, not despite, their escapist idealized narrative.

Box-Office darling “Crazy Rich Asians” proved that audiences will not only stream rom-coms from the comfort of their own homes, but they will also shell out ticket and concession stand money to go see them in theaters. “Crazy Rich Asians” grossed $150 million since its August 15 release, making the message loud and clear to Hollywood’s most powerful that the market for a romantic comedy is ready to be harvested.

Fayetteville State University shut down their campuses and sent students home. In South Carolina, the College of Charleston closed on Tuesday, September 11. Elon University closed on Thursday, September 13, but students could stay on campus if they chose to. While students remained on campus, modified dining hall hours went into effect and power outages impacted the campus. Students living in Sloan Hurricane Florence, courtesy of davidson.edu Hall felt the effects of the power bored during closure; however, loss as they had difficulty accessing campus reopened and classes retheir dorms on Friday. The build- sumed on Tuesday, September 18. ing’s card readers could not detect As we close our fourth week of the access card; thus, the doors classes, Holy Cross students may would not unlock and students be wishing that we, too, had a fivefound themselves stuck outside. day break from school work, activiWhile confined to an almost-emp- ties, and various obligations. Howty campus, students did homework, ever, most students would agree watched Netflix, and played video that going to class beats sitting in games. The remaining students the dorms or walking to Kimball in report that they were incredibly several inches of rain.

EGGPLANT

The Spire

September 21, 2018

9

The Eggplant The Spire’s Satirical Page Academic Departments Refuse Whiteboard Donation Mario Micallef ’22 Expo Enthusiast “My only regret in life is that my name cannot be erased from the history books; pity on those who must suffer the use of my monstrous creation”: the last words of James Pillans (inventor of the blackboard). The chalkboard was created over 200 years ago as a torture device for school houses.

Its purpose, at the time, served as a training tool for young children to learn that fixing all of your life’s mistakes will leave a white chalky residue that cannot be wiped away.

Now, in the modern context, a slightly different method is used.

A hot button topic that is discussed by anyone who is #awake is whether whiteboards should be the staple board in the classroom and uproot the ancient chalksmeared blackboards. Simply tradition or grave controversy: that is

the question now that the academic departments here at Holy Cross have again turned away yet another donation of whiteboards. So, I caught up with Father Creta who is buried in the Jesuit cemetery and wanted to get his thoughts on the matter. His response was unintelligible but I used a shovel to dig a hole and was then able to faintly hear him give his support towards the effort to uproot the chalkboards, claiming that he had prayed several times a day for God to rid the hill of our chalky hell.

Students have been pleading for the eradication of blackboards for years but the teaching staff holds their ground strong. Through tears, “I die every time a piece of chalk scrapes against a blackboard,” exclaims a junior chemistry major William Nye. I caught up with William at a protest that was held in lieu of the academic department’s annual denial of the

whiteboard donation. The donation is known to be sponsored by an anonymous 1960 graduate that simply attaches a single piece of paper with a $500,000 check that reads, “God hates chalk.” William Nye leads the pro-whiteboard activist group who, at the moment, are currently looking for anyone interested in filling the position of “Expo Communication Secretary.” In the day and age of autonomous cars one might ask themself how and why chalkboards are still used in classrooms. The pro-chalkboard argument comes solely from the academic department staff. Physics department chair Meil Ofgrass Byson released a statement on the matter saying, “It’s the chalk, that’s why we will never let the blackboards go. We educators know first hand the cognitive benefits of consuming large quantities of chalk. It’s wellknown that Einstein had chalk in

his coffee and lit chalk incense daily to reach genius level cognitive abilities. I myself go through three boxes of chalk sticks a day, my IQ is now positive and has risen 150 points since I was first introduced to chalk consumption.” In addition, teachers from the English department who wish to remain anonymous profess that chalk helps them comprehend literature at a level they claim is superhuman. “There’d be no way we could teach Shakespeare to freshmen unless we had our chalk supplements combined with use of the blackboards. Be the chalk, be the text.” Every academic department’s reason for keeping the chalkboard leads back to their affirmation of its prodigious mental power.

Here lies the only argument for keeping the blackboards, a pseudoscience defense of chalk.

Is this claim of chalk as a won-

der supplement for your brain actually true? I called the leading researcher in the country on cognitive advancement from chalk to find out. Count Von Count out of the University of Sesame is two years into a study that is looking to see if there are cerebral benefits to ingesting chalk. He claims, “Although our study is not yet conclusive I can without a doubt expel the notion that claims any benefits from chalk consumption.

We actually strongly advise against it due to the fact that through all of the 30,000 mice trials we have performed, not one has lived from the 10000 mg shot of chalk.” Expert testimony, schoolwide activism, and the outspoken hatred of chalkboards would be enough for most schools to make the switch to whiteboards, but will Holy Cross?

It’s up to us to make a change and to stand up against hate; let’s be the generation to #switchtoexpo.

Chat Cutters Be Warned!

Jackson Skelley ’20 Back of the Line Recently Kimball Dining Hall announced they will be looking to hire more student workers to deal with some of the worst types of people on campus: the chat-cutters on Chicken Parm night. For those unfamiliar with the term, or unaware that they themselves are one, a chat-cutter is someone who tries to sneakily cut the overly long line to get the famous Chicken Parmesan dinner by merging into another group near the front by starting a conversation. For example, this scenario is probably very familiar: two kids are getting closer

to the front of the line when their friend appears out of nowhere.

The friend, still not in line, says something like, “Hey! How’s it going? I love chicken parm! How was your summer? etc” and as the conversation ensues they slowly merge into the line. Before you know it, they have skipped over half the line under the guise of catching up with their friends!

This is a critical issue facing our school and I’ll tell you now, stopping these crafty line cutters will be no easy task; it is certainly not for the faint of heart. Candidates for the Chicken Parm Night Anti-Chat-Cutting Task Force (CPNACCTF) will undergo weeks of

intense training before even being considered for the position. Eventually these select students will be fully equipped to spot chat-cutters and escort them to the back of the line, where they belong! In addition, The CPNACCTF will also devote their efforts to preventing any other forms of cutting including the people that “just want to sneak in and grab some garlic bread.” So be warned chat-cutters, this terrible game is over and your devious ways will no longer be tolerated! Justice will return to Kimball and no one will unfairly move through the line again.

Tent at 175th Anniversary Picnic Catches Alternative Housing Coalition’s Eye...

Chris Shakespeare ’20 Former Stick Work Resident Record breaking first year student enrollment has begun to manifest itself as a trend at The College of the Holy Cross. Many changes have occured on campus in response to the staggering number of incoming first year students this year. In order to more adequately accommodate students who have been relocated to forced triples, the Administrators in the Residence Life and Housing department implemented new dormitory assignments for each class.

Notably, Wheeler Hall has become a second year residence hall. While the rooms may be long and narrow, Wheeler Hall’s location is prime.

A number of former Wheeler

Hall residents have been quoted as saying they praise Wheeler’s proximity to the Science Complex and Dinand Library as well as the ease of access to off-campus parties.

With knowledge of this acclaim in mind and after careful analysis of reports provided

by Residence Life and Housing, Father Burroughs began to seek members for his Alternative Housing Coalition (AHC) last Spring.

In the beginning Burroughs was unsure of what The Coalition would come up with given the myriad locations and various architectural styles already present on campus, but Friday eve-

ning brought with it a revelation.

In a strange turn of events, the AHC meeting scheduled for September 14 was relocated to

The College of the Holy Cross’ 175th Anniversary Picnic. AHC made it clear from the beginning that they would leave no stone unturned, and given recent develop-

ments it is evident that AHC was not joking. Rave reviews of the picnic lead AHC to consider each aspect of the picnic on a compartmentalized basis. The Coalition agreed that the food was fantastic, the entertainment was to die for, and the decorations were superb. But most of all, when Burroughs asked students “What do you think of this tent?” between sips of his lime flavored seltzer, they responded in a positive manner.

On Monday The Coalition announced that they had finalized plans to move forward with constructing a large tent that would house over 150 first year students at a small press release

on Linden Lane. It was AHC’s intention to provide first year students with a residence tent that was not only close to the academic buildings, but in the words of Burroughs a location that would make it easy for first year students to “blow off some steam on the weekend,” clearly referencing Linden Lane’s proximity to the lot.

What little information we do have at this time speaks measures of AHC’s character. The fall of 2019 will undoubtedly bring with it a large first year enrollment as well as a first year residence tent on Linden Lane. Speculators claim that the acclaimed Stick Work will be converted to an environmentally friendly lavatory in the early days of Father Burroughs’ brainchild, the Linden Tent.

The Spire

10

Sports Maggie Flaherty ’20 Sports Editor The newly established “Crusaders Coaches Show,” aired both on WEEI 1440 and streamed through Facebook Live, offers Holy Cross fans near and far the opportunity to closely follow the seasonal progressions of the fall sports teams. The show airs every Tuesday from 8-9 p.m. live from Crossroads in the Hogan Campus Center and is presented by JMB Financial Advisors and alumnus Stephen Lovelette ‘78. Three different teams are highlighted in each episode, and in those segments coaches and players discuss recent games and other developments with the show’s host, Dick Lutsk.

At the end of each segment, Lutsk asks the featured student-athletes about their post-graduate plans - an endearing way for the Crusader community to get to know the athletes they are cheering for in a more personal, relatable way.

First on the air was football coach Bob Chesney with senior linebacker Ryan Brady to unpack the much-anticipated, rivalry-renewing game against Boston College, and the show closed with cross country coach Jim Kavanaugh and studentathletes Jenna Gasparrini and William Hoffman to discuss preparations for the National Catholic Invitational at Notre Dame. Perhaps the most insightful aspect of the episode was found around

SPORTS

September 21, 2018

New WEEI Radio Show Gives Crusader Fans Inside Scoop

the 23-minute in the second to solidify their win. mark when Crusader fans can find solace field hockey in the interview with Lutsk at the coach Lindsay “Crusaders Coaches Show.” Both Jackson and Lutsk and Jackson emphasized senior captain the Field Hockey team’s strength Emily Loprete of schedule thus far: In the past had an opporseven games, Holy Cross faced two tunity to give nationally ranked opponents in fans perspecHarvard and Maine, an additional tive to their strong Ivy League contender in 0-5 start to Dartmouth, and other formidable the season. field hockey programs in NorthThe show eastern and Fairfield. This competproved to be itive schedule and the strong dea great mefense exemplified in the past seven dium for Holy games indicates that the Crusaders Cross field can keep up with these programs. hockey fans When the American University to experience Courtsey of goholycross.comrolls through Worcester this weekTune into the “Crusader Coaches Show” on WEEI 1440 on Tuesday nights. the team’s end, fans know that Jackson and opinions conpersisted for the Crusaders as shots to LIU Brooklyn’s 13, but Loprete are confident that Holy cerning the disCross can go head-to-head the enappointing start, tire pace of the game. American, and listeners can hear firsthand the they suffered through two more only 8 of the 24 shots fell on goal. a Patriot League powerhouse, is a high-morale, competitive spirit still close losses. The team fell to LIU The Crusaders fell again on Sun- big test and may be an indicator of alive in Jackson and Loprete. The Brooklyn - a new program only day, this time at an away game to a what to expect from the Crusadconversation with Lutsk illumi- in its second year of varsity play 3-3 Dartmouth team at the Chase ers for the rest of the season - if nated the primary reason for Cru- - 2-1 September 14 at the Luth Field in Hanover, New Hamp- the team finally puts everything saders’ slow start to the season: de- Athletic Complex, giving the 1-7 shire. Despite a stalwart twenty- together offensively and starts finspite talented midfield and attack, Blackbirds their only win of the two save performance by junior ishing its chances, it has a chance the team is having trouble finishing season. After giving up an early Marcia LaPlante, a talented goalie to be a force to be reckoned with offensive opportunities. The Cru- lead on a Keely Smith goal eight boasting a .792 save percentage in the Patriot League.

Catch saders have only put up five points minutes into play, LIU Brooklyn (the eleventh-best save percent- the “Crusaders Coaches Show” in the five games the team played tied up the game in the second age in the country), the Crusaders next Tuesday in Crossroads to go before the show aired. Jackson half and struck again with only fell in the second half again. Two beyond the game and pick up key hoped the team would develop a four minutes left in the game to goals by Loprete and senior Lau- insights and behind-the-scenes more attack-based mindset in the steal the win from the Crusaders. ren Ineson brought Holy Cross information about your favorite upcoming games to fix the goal- However, Holy Cross’ struggles to within striking distance after the Holy Cross programs. And, of scoring issue plaguing the team. score cannot be attributed to lack first half, but the Big Green came course, the free gear from WEEI is However, those offensive woes of chances: Holy Cross put up 24 back with three unanswered goals great too!

Get to Know Crusader Soccer Stars Meg Lawlor and Tyler Bell Jackie Hart ’19 Sports Editor Get to know Crusader Superstars of the Men’s and Women’s soccer teams, seniors Tyler Bell and Meg Lawlor.

to every one of my soccer games since before I can remember. I love to see him in the stands!

9. What is your favorite memory of HC Women’s Soccer?: Beating BU this past spring. We are so excited to play them again this season in conference.

10. How do you feel about

Senior Tyler Bell, #21 1. Hometown: Mendham, New Jersey 2. Major: Economics 3. Position: Midfield 4. What are you looking forward to most about this season?: Making a run towards the Patriot League Championship

stretches 7. Who is the teammate that makes you laugh the most?: Definitely Rory Birse. Kid can make you laugh at all moments of the day.

8. Who is your greatest influence on and off the field?: Michael Jordan 9. What is your favorite memory

Senior Captain Meg Lawlor, #21 1. Hometown: Morristown, New Jersey 2. Major: Economics 3. Position: Center Midfield 4. What are looking forward to most about this season?: Getting to play alongside my best friends for one last season.

5. What’s the best part about Holy Cross Women’s Soccer?: How close our team is on and off the field.

6. What are your pre-game rituals?: MUST have a large coffee from InHouse before every game; French Vanilla with almond milk and a splash of cream.

7. Who is the teammate that makes you laugh the most?: Emma Sosinski, hands down.

8. Who is your greatest influence on and off the field?: My grandpa is my biggest fan and has come

Tyler Bell

Meg Lawlor

Wednesday’s Turnpike Trophy game against BU?: I can’t wait to show the strides we have made this season and beat them in Patriot League play!

5. What’s the best part about Holy Cross Men’s Soccer?: The brotherhood we have established together.

6. What are your pre-game rituals?: Have the same pregame routine for every game. Same Meal/Same

of HC Men’s Soccer?: Definitely beating Duke my freshman year in Durham, North Carolina 10. How do you feel about Sunday’s Patriot League opener against Navy?: We are really excited to take

on Navy this upcoming Sunday. It’s our first Patriot League game and couldn’t think of a better way to start off the Patriot League than getting a big win against them.

Holy Cross Women’s Soccer has had a successful campaign thus far, including a 5-1 win over St. Peter’s in which leading scorer junior Carly Flahive scored two goals and earned Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week. They take on Patriot League rivals Boston University Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. at Linda Johnson Smith Soccer Stadium.

Holy Cross Men’s Soccer has had many exciting games this season, including a thrilling tie against powerhouse Boston College. Senior goalkeeper Henry Stutz has 31 saves on the season and freshman Simon Becher leads the offense with three goals. The Crusaders open up league play this Sunday against Navy at 1:05 p.m. at Linda Johnson Smith Soccer Stadium.

Come out and support your Crusader classmates, and keep up with all things HC Athletics by visiting GoHolyCross.com.

The Spire

SPORTS

Semptember 21, 2018

11

Holy Cross, Boston College Rivalry Renews Billy Fitzpatrick ’20 Chief Sports Editor Nostalgia abounded in Chestnut Hill, Mass., on a crisp late-summer Saturday when two historic college football programs renewed a storied rivalry that had been dormant since 1986. The Holy Cross Crusaders (1-2) made the short journey east along the Mass Pike to square off against a familiar foe, the Boston College Eagles (3-0 overall, 1-0 ACC), ranked No. 23 this week in the AP poll. This year’s tilt, a 62-14 victory for Boston College, was the 83rd meeting between the two programs, the most for both schools against a single opponent. The teams are scheduled to meet again at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill in 2020.

Hard to imagine now, the Holy Cross-Boston College football game was formerly one of the premier annual sporting events in New England. The two schools first met in 1896 in Worcester, an Eagle victory. However, it was the second matchup between the two schools that is the more memorable one. Nearing the end of the game, a brawl broke out, ending the game early. (Both teams claimed a win.) In the early twentieth century, the HC-BC games drew large

crowds.

They rivalry since 1950, played at Fenway with the CrusadPark in 1916, and ers winning only eight years later two matchups out the Crusaders of nineteen from shut out their Je1967 to 1986. suit rivals 33-0 in The programs front of 50,000 moved in differfans in at Braves ent directions in Field in Boston. the last decade of The most fathe rivalry, with mous contest Boston College between these boasting stars two famed instilike 1984 Heistutions, though, man Trophy wintook place in 1942 ner Doug Flutie, at Fenway Park. while Holy Cross Photo Courtesy of Associated Press The Eagles, havchose to de-emBoston College extended its series lead over Holy Cross to 49-31-3. phasize its football ing won the previous three meetings, program by movteam probably did not dwell on the entered the matchup with ing to the then-Divithe Crusaders as heavy favor- defeat too much, considering the sion 1-AA Colonial League (now ites. It was the last game of the events to unfold later that night. called the Patriot League) in 1986, season, and the only thing stand- The Eagles preemptively sched- which for many years precluded ing between undefeated and No. uled a victory party at Boston’s its member schools from offering 1-ranked Boston College and its famous Cocoanut Grove night- athletic scholarships. Holy Cross second national championship in club, but cancelled it after the Holy resumed offering scholarships three years were the mediocre Cru- Cross upset. Tragically, a fire en- to football players in 2013. From saders, 4-4-1 on the season up to gulfed the saloon mere hours after 1986 to 2013, though, it was not that point. However, Holy Cross the game, killing 492 patrons. Holy worthwhile for BC to play HC had other ideas. The Purple and Cross may have taken the national because such a matchup would White, powered by running back championship away from BC, but not count towards the Eagles’ Johnny Bezemes, class of 1943, ran it inadvertently saved the lives of bowl game eligibility. However, amok on the Eagles for a shock- everyone involved with the team. once the Crusaders began offering Despite Holy Cross’ success in scholarships again, the two sides ing 55-12 victory, crushing Boston College’s national title hopes the early days of the twentieth cen- quickly moved to renew the rivalry. in the process. However, the BC tury, the Eagles have dominated the The 2018 version of the his-

toric clash of Jesuit foes was not really about the game itself. Holy Cross was simply overmatched.

Within the game’s first ten minutes, BC sophomore running back and Heisman hopeful AJ Dillon rushed for 149 yards on six carries, three of them for touchdowns. BC head coach Steve Addazio, concerned about the short week ahead of the Eagles’ trip to Winston-Salem, N.C. for a Thursday night showdown with ACC foe Wake Forest, was happy to give his starters a rest, and Dillon was done for the day after three drives. It was too tall a task for Crusaders head coach Bob Chesney, in his first year with the program, although Holy Cross salvaged fourteen points by returning two blocked punts for touchdowns. Yet, it was still a memorable event for the Holy Cross community. Alumni Stadium and the tailgate scene in the parking lots outside saw purple mixing with maroon, students and alumni of both schools celebrating the return of an old tradition that unites the two communities more than it divides them. It is difficult to look at that day as anything but a success for all involved, and both schools will certainly look forward to the next chapter of the rivalry in 2020.

Football Rallies to Defeat Yale in OT Patrick Wareham ’20 Sports Editor Ater a 48-point trouncing at the hands of old-rival Boston College on September 8, Holy Cross (1-2) desperately needed to bounce back and make a statement to the Patriot League that its 0-2 record was not indicative of what was to come for the rest of the season.

However, the team would certainly face a tremendous obstacle in its opponents the 2017 Ivy League champion Yale Bulldogs (0-1), the same team that had blanked the Crusaders 32-0 a year ago.

Things appeared to be heading in the same direction as Yale took the opening kickoff one hundred yards for a touchdown, followed by another score less than two minutes later. Yale pushed the lead to 21-0 on a perfectly executed 23-yard jump pass on fourth down from backup quarterback Patrick Conte.

As frustration brewed throughout the stadium, the game looked as if it was over before it began. With nothing to lose new head coach Bob Chesney decided to make a change and called on secondstring quarterback, senior Geoff Wade. Within two minutes, the Crusaders had found the endzone.

On the subsequent kickoff, junior Cody Wilkinson lofted a beautiful onside kick, catching the Bulldog special teams nap-

ping. Wade and junior halfback strike down the field to senior ing the Fitton crowd into a melee. 21-point deficit, the Crusaders Dom Cozier methodically broke receiver Blaise Bell, all the way With the Crusaders carrying exhibited incredible resolve in the down the Yale defense with their down to the Yale 30-yard line. all the momentum heading into game’s most critical moments. run game and once again scored. With pressure mounting, the Holy the overtime period, the defense While the defense looked shaky in After a frenzied first quarter of Cross offense saw three straight once again came up big, stop- the first half, the second half was play, the second and third quarter passes fall incomplete, bring- ping the Yale offense on a daring an entirely different act, as the unit proved to be dull, as both teams’ ing up a do-or-die fourth down. fourth down attempt. That was held the Bulldogs scoreless in the defenses locked down. With un- With the game on the line, Wade all the team needed, as first-year third and fourth quarters, as well der seven minutes to play in the stepped up and made the biggest kicker Derek Ng stepped up and as the overtime period. Above game, Holy all, fans should be Cross took excited by Geoff over at their Wade’s outstandown deep in ing play, as he distheir territory played prowess down fourin both the passteen points. ing and running Once again, games, throwing Wade confor 242 yards and fidently led rushing for anthe offense other 70. Beyond down the the stats, Wade apfield, capped peared to be a conwith a gorfident playmaker, geous 29-yard not shying away touchdown from the spotlight. pass to senior Going forward, it wideout Maris safe to assume tin Dorsey. that Wade will take The Crusader over the starting defense made job, as the team a quick stop, looks toward anand with 1:47 other home matchon the clock, up against an Ivy Photo Courtesy of Mark Seliger Wade and Miles Alexander, pictured here running with the ball, scored Holy Cross’ first touchdown in their 31-28 overtime League opponent the offense in Dartmouth. win against Yale. began their drive at their own 26 yard line. play of his collegiate career, drop- calmly drilled a 45-yard field goal Wade executed several short ping a 30-yard dime to first-year to cap the remarkable comeback. passes before unloading a 31-yard wideout Spencer Gilliam, sendHaving battled back from a

12

The Spire

SPORTS

September 21, 2018

NFL Week 2 Roundup Billy Fitzpatrick ’20 Chief Sports Editor Although the NFL season is only two weeks old, we are beginning to see some answers to questions that lingered throughout the off-season. How will the Eagles manage their quarterback situation? Will the Browns flirt with playoff contention after just one win in the past two years? What about the Raiders, with Jon Gruden back on the sideline? Let’s check in with the 32 teams around the league to look for answers to these questions and much more.

NFC East The defending champion Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) squeaked out an ugly win over the Falcons in the first NFL game of the season, but then fell victim to the “Fitzmagic” brewing in Tampa Bay. It will be interesting to see how long it takes for Carson Wentz to catch up to speed once he returns in Week 3 against the Colts. Elsewhere, the Giants (0-2) have dropped their first two games and still have to prove they can give Eli Manning enough time in the pocket. The Cowboys (1-1) still have to find a way to replace the production of Dez Bryant and Jason Witten, while the Redskins (1-1) opened the season with a victory over the lowly Cardinals but then fell to the Colts in Week 2. This is looking like Philadelphia’s division to lose.

NFC North The Bears (1-1), boosted by the acquisition of Khalil Mack, looked sure to beat their divisional rival Packers (1-0-1) before Aaron Rodgers led a masterful comeback (after suffering an injury) to remind the league just how dominant he can be.

The Packers then faced off against another divisional foe, the Vikings (1-0-1), in a highlyanticipated Week 2 tilt that ended in a tie. While the Kirk Cousins era is off to a good start in

Minnesota, the Lions (0-2) were embarrassed on Monday Night Football by the Jets before falling to the 49ers in Week 2. If Rodgers can stay healthy, the Packers and Vikings will be primed to

league-best +54 point differential through two weeks. Las Vegas has them as the current favorites to win the Super Bowl, and they should boost their win total by beating up on the weak-

player retire at halftime against the Chargers in Week 2. The Jets (1-1) put on a show in Week 1, but then faltered against the Dolphins, although rookie quarterback Sam Darnold looks prom-

Photo Courtesy of John Angelillo/UPI

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles throws a pass against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game last season. The Jaguars, after beating the Patriots 31-20 last Sunday, and starting the 2018 season 2-0, have become one of the most talked about teams in football.

compete for the divisional title.

NFC South The big story here is the play of Ryan Fitzpatrick, the 35-year-old veteran who has lit up the league while filling in for suspended quarterback Jameis Winston.

With the Buccaneers (2-0) off to a great start, it will be hard to pull Fitzpatrick if he continues to produce like this. The Saints, one of Fitzpatrick’s victims, rebounded to edge the Browns in Week 2. Atlanta (1-1) looked sloppy in a loss to Philadelphia in Week 1 but improved in the red zone against the Panthers (11) to get back to .500. Carolina opened the season with a win over Dallas before that loss to the Falcons. At this point, the NFC South is wide open and could be the most competitive division in the league this year.

NFC West The Rams (2-0) are reaping the benefits of their investments on the defensive side of the ball this past offseason, boasting a

est division in football. The only other win in the division so far came from the 49ers (1-1), who edged the lowly Lions by a field goal. The Seahawks (0-2) are not the same team that won the Super Bowl in 2014, and the Cardinals (0-2) will likely give rookie quarterback Josh Rosen a chance at some point this season as Sam Bradford has disappointed through two weeks. LA should not have many issues here.

AFC East Tom Brady and the Patriots (1-1) suffered their first regular season loss at Jacksonville in franchise history, and will be happy to add Josh Gordon and Julian Edelman (after his four-game suspension ends) to the passing attack in the coming weeks. The Dolphins (2-0) are unbeaten but have squared off against two of the NFL’s weaker teams in the Titans and the Jets. The Bills (0-2), a year removed from their first playoff appearance since 1999, look lost and even had a

ising. Once again, this should be New England’s division.

AFC North The Steelers (0-1-1), the preseason consensus favorite for this division, have found themselves mired in controversy with the continued absence of holdout running back Le’Veon Bell and sideline disputes involving wideout Antonio Brown. The Browns (0-1-1) have shown that they can compete, but need to improve in finishing games. Perhaps No. 1 pick Baker Mayfield will get a chance to take over the offense if head coach Hue Jackson deems stand-in quarterback Tyrod Taylor isn’t producing enough. The Ravens (1-1) beat up on the Bills but then fell to the Bengals (2-0), who have taken advantage of an opportunistic defense and a rejuvenated Andy Dalton to remain undefeated through two weeks.

This division may be more competitive than many anticipated.

AFC South Coming off an AFC Championship Game appearance last year, the Jaguars (2-0) again look like a Super Bowl contender behind a fierce defense that limited the Patriots to 20 points and 302 yards in Week 2. The Titans (1-1) fell to divisional foe Houston (1-1) with quarterback Marcus Mariota sidelined due to a sore elbow, and he is uncertain their Week 3 clash in Jacksonville. The Colts (1-1) picked up their first win of the season over the Redskins, as Andrew Luck earned his first victory since 2016 with a game-sealing drive in the 4th quarter.

The Texans have dropped their first two games as quarterback Deshaun Watson, back after an ACL tear last season, failed to manage the clock well in a potential game-winning drive against the Titans in Week 2. The Jags are the team to beat here.

AFC West With Alex Smith now in Washington, second-year quarterback Patrick Mahomes II has seized his chance as QB1. He has thrown for 10 touchdowns already as the Chiefs (2-0) have staked their claim as the best offense in football. However, the defense will have to tighten up after allowing an average of 32.5 PPG over the first two weeks. A game-winning field goal in the final seconds propelled the Case Keenum-led Broncos (2-0) over the struggling Raiders (0-2) last week. The Chargers (1-1) rebounded from a Week 1 loss to the Chiefs with a win over the Bills, but will need a healthy Joey Bosa on the defensive line going forward. Oakland surely misses Khalil Mack as the Jon Gruden reunion tour has gotten off to a rocky start. The Chiefs have shown that they can run with anyone, and as long as they shore up the defensive side of the ball, figure to be a real threat to reach the Super Bowl out of the AFC.

Gasparrini Named Patriot League Runner of the Week Bobby Tuzzio ’20 Editor-in-Chief

Junior cross country runner Jenna Gasparrini has been named the Patriot League Female Runner of the Week for the week of Sept. 9-15. Gasparrini has led the Lady Crusaders for the third week in a row. Her performance at the National Catholic Invitational at the University of Notre Dame on September 14th was arguably her best of the season so far. In that race, the junior finished 13th in the 5k, clocking in with a time of 18:12.48 in brutally hot weather.

Gasparrini was thrilled with her result. “Given the hot con-

ditions, I was definitely happy with the results of the race,” said Gasparrini. “I was definitely trying not to get too caught up in the time and I think I raced well against the competition.”

The junior has already shown this year that she has what it takes to lead the Lady Crusaders to a strong finish at the Patriot League Championships. “The team has been getting better with each race,” said Gasparrini. “I think that we get

more confidence as a whole with each workout we do and our team has a ton of potential.”

However, she believes it will take hard-work and some adjustments in order to tap that po-

tential. “I think we can improve on running in packs so that we can motivate each other during races,” she said.

“We will probably be doing some longer workouts leading up to Paul Short because it’s our first 6k of the season.”

The Lady Crusader’s are a young squad, and Gasparrini has embraced the role of mentoring the underclassmen. “We have a super talented group of freshman and I’m so excited to have them

on the team,” said the junior.

“This has definitely put me in a leadership position which I do by trying to stay positive during workouts and before races and by motivating the underclassmen when the running gets tough.”

Gasparrini believes that the team has a chance to do something special this year. Their first race against Patriot League competition will take place at the Paul Short Invitational at Lehigh University next Saturday. This will be the first chance for Gasparrini and the Lady Crusader’s to show how they match up against some of the best runners in the conference.