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TheTowerlight.com
May 14, 2019
Year in Review The Tow erlight reflects events on the that un news a folded nd this sch ool yea r, pg. 8
Illustration by Victoria Nicholson/ The Towerlight
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May 14, 2019
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May 14, 2019
Editor-in-Chief Bailey Hendricks Senior Editor Tim Klapac News Editor Mary-Ellen Davis Asst. News Editors Keri Luise Sophia Bates Arts & Life Editor Meg Hudson Asst. Arts & Life Editors Alex Helms
Sports Editor Asst. Sports Editors Muhammad Waheed Jordan Kendall
FINAL TRENDING. # EXAMS
TOWSON
@hilda_baygie
Some colleges have an entire WEEK off between classes and finals. Towson can’t even give us ONE DAY???? Give me a week so I can procrastinate over said week and still complain???
@desttt_xo I blame the 6 weeks of winter break Towson gave us! Now it’s the end of the yr, everyone going home, and we didn’t even start finals yet.
Senior Staff Writers Karuga Koinange Kerry Ingram Staff Writers Jessica Ricks Anthony Petro Albert Ivory Glenn Kaplan John Hack Suzanne Stuller Cyan Thomas Aaron Thomas Marcus Whitman Brooks Warren Jalon Dixon
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@OliviaSeal1 Real bitter about the people who are already home for summer when Towson still has a week until finals even start :’)
Amanda Murayama Photo Editor Brendan Felch Asst.Photo Editor Brittany Whitham
Staff Photographers Liam Beard Lacey Wall Simon Enagonio Nikki Hewins Lexi Thompson Tiffany Deboer Owen DiDonna
@alcgrif when finals are over, i’m more excited about NOT having to deal w towson construction or roads than i actually am for summer
The Towerlight wishes readers a nice and relaxing summer . We will have a ne w issue on newss tands in August.
Ryan Moriarty
In the meantim e, catch us onlin e at thetowerlight.com
Proofreaders
General Manager Mike Raymond Art Director Victoria Nicholson Webmaster Circulation Staff Scott Halerz Dom Capparuccini Elssa Kenfack Kirsten Tildon
8000 York Road University Union Room 309 Towson, MD 21252 (410) 704-5153 editor@thetowerlight.com thetowerlight.com The Towerlight print edition is published by students of Towson University on Tuesdays. The Towerlight is owned by nonprofit Baltimore Student Media Inc., BaltimoreStudentMedia.com. The Towerlight’s advertising deadlines are firm: Wednesday noon for space; Friday noon for art. Classifieds appear online and in print and are self-service at TheTowerlight.com/classifieds. We encourage letters to the editor and online feedback. Commentaries, letters to the editor, editorial cartoons and other editorials express the opinions of their authors and not necessarily the views of the newspaper. The Towerlight does not discriminate based on age, color, condition of handicap, marital status, national origin, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. ©2019 by The Towerlight, 8000 York Rd, Towson, MD 21252. All rights reserved.
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WEEKLY
14-18 CALENDAR. 1 5 17 4 16 1 GLOW FEST
West Fest is Towson’s annual end of the year celebration brought to you by the building councils of West Village happening on Tuesday, May 14th from 5-8 pm in West Village. This years theme is Glow Fest and there will be a ton of fun activities for you and your friends to enjoy.
West Village Lawns, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
OTS REALITY CHECK THERAPY DOGS VR SESSION OTS Reality Checks are free weekly sessions for students and faculty to experience our virtual reality (VR) systems.
Cook Library, Room 35, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
BLACK HOLES PLANETARIUM
Take a break from the stress of finals with therapy dogs from Pets on Wheels!
Marking the limits of our understanding of physical reality, black holes hold a fascination for young and old alike.
Cook Library, Room 507, Noon to 2 p.m.
Smith Hall, Room 521, 8 p.m.
Follow us @TheTowerlight!
18 2019 MEDIA ARTS FESTIVAL TU’s 2019 Media Arts Festival Award Screening celebrates the student media makers and winners in television, filmmaking, radio, music audio and a dozen other categories.
Van Bokkelen Auditorium, VB 204, 7:30 p.m.
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Opinion
May 14, 2019
The importance of Thank you for giving me my voice sexual health today DYLAN BRENNAN Columnist
SAMUEL SMITH Columnist
Recently, a new study that took place over the span of eight years was released, detailing the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy for HIV. The study was of almost 1,000 gay male couples, in which one partner had HIV and was on ART (antiretroviral therapy), and one who was not, who had sex without barrier forms of protection. During the study, they found that nobody in the study passed on HIV to their partner. Similarly, it’s been shown that Truvada - a PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) medication to preemptively prevent HIV - is 92%99% effective. This is really exciting! The fact that people who live with HIV can go on and have partners and romantic interests and not have to abstain is great! But, the cost of antiretroviral therapies can be in the thousands. The same goes for Truvada, which is nearly $2,000 for a 30 day supply without insurance. This makes Truvada out of reach for many. This means that, while approximately 1.2 million people could benefit from Truvada, only around 100,000 people are actively benefiting from the drug. Until! Gilead, the company that makes and sells Truvada, announced that they will be releasing a generic in 2020 - a year earlier than expected. By releasing a generic version of Truvada, they will be dramatically reducing the expected cost. Gilead will also donate Truvada for up to 11 years for 200,000 people. This will greatly reduce the exposure risk for hundreds of thousands of Americans who are at-risk for contracting HIV. It isn’t just cutting-edge HIV medications that are expensive and out-of-reach. Every doctor’s appointment costs money, and many AFAB (assigned female at birth) folks can not afford to see their doctor or gynecologist for yearly wellness exams or STI screenings. Birth control can cost anything from pennies to over a thousand dollars. Birth control is often a lifesaver for people who experience disorders like endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and premenstrual dysphor-
ic disorder, and, believe it or not, for people who want to have sex! Sexual health should be an equal-access issue, and access to contraceptives, preventative medications, and vaccinations should not have any barriers (except maybe health concerns or other medications that would counteract or counter indicate the medication). Sexual health spans across sexualities. In fact, for this article, I would argue that sexual identity labels are not needed in terms of quantifying sexual behaviors. For example, in “Dude-Sex: White Masculinities and ‘Authentic’ Heterosexuality Among Dudes Who Have Sex With Dudes”, it describes self-identified “heterosexual” men who engage in sexual activity with other men. It describes the advertisements heterosexual men post online (mainly on Craiglist) looking for other men to, typically, discuss heterosexual fantasies with and engage in sexual acts with. Few of these men describe themselves as “bi-curious”. For most of them, it seems that sexual acts with other men are tied in some way to statements of heterosexuality, such as discussing sexual acts involving women. What ends up happening though, is often times, these men will not have access to the same resources or education that gay or bisexual identified men will have. Yet, because they are sexually active with men (or sexually active in general), they need access to resources, education, and healthcare specific to their sexual activity, not their sexuality’s identity. (I will address that there is an issue with racism and appropriation in the advertisements these men post, often appropriating Black and Latino. White “str8 dudes” will often “rely upon ‘urban’ slang derived from Black culture to represent heterosexuality”. This is an issue within itself that needs to be addressed amongst heterosexual white men who have sex with men.) I haven’t even gotten into the issue of trans-identified sexual health. The lack of resources for transgender people regarding sexual health is astounding. - To read the rest of this article online, visit thetowerlight.com
Every day, I would walk into the Liberal Arts building with an arm full of newspapers. I’d often be asked if I read all the newspapers I would carry, and I’d always tell them that if I wrote for a newspaper, I may as well read newspapers, too. Throughout my three years writing at The Towerlight, I have not only learned how to be a better writer, but a better reader, better thinker, and all-around better person. I went from practically spreading backwash from other journalists and activists to creating my own style of writing, my own voice and own opinions to share with Towson. It has been my privilege being your political columnist since the last election, and I wish only the best for the next columnist with the
2020s. Throughout my experiences, I have refined my knowledge about politics, both nationally and internally, and have become more secure about my beliefs and values that no amount of logos or presumptions will impose upon me. While I have been writing under the libertarian brand, I started out under a republican tag. I feel that I have emerged from the shackles of both and transcended into my own person. I started out living off nothing but populism and political violence, but you don’t grow big and strong off low-hanging fruit and red meat. You must explore the world, not fixate only on its negatives. Focus not on what is wrong, but
how to fix it – that is my advice to anyone miserable with the state of politics today or any day. As for my future, I’ll continue to feel happy to discuss politics either in person or on paper. Perhaps I’ll start a blog, perhaps I’ll join another media outlet. All I know is that I have a long life ahead of me, and it has been my calling to focus on politics. With you, I leave a quote from the song ‘Trouble’ by Cage the Elephant that has become somewhat of a theme song for my career here on the newspaper and life in general: “Got so much to lose. Got so much to prove. God don’t let me lose my mind.”
Are school shootings normalized? KAYLA HUNT Columnist
Are school shootings becoming less unusual and a common occurrence? Are active shooter drills and preparations becoming an integral part of our school routine? Has the fear of being shot or injured while partaking in an educational environment become normalized? It is nothing short of disappointing that children have to endure these fears when walking into a classroom. Furthermore, these fears have been anything but subdued. The amount of mass shootings have been steadily increasing: According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, there were 97 incidents in 2018 and there
have been 30 incidents reported thus far in 2019. As the number of incidents continues to grow, so has the fear and many students are starting to take matters into their own hands. The new mantra "Run, Hide, Fight" gives students three options when encountered with an active shooter. The first option is to run from the shooter and to try to escape the situation, the second option is to hide if they are unable to effectively remove themselves from the environment, and the third option is to fight the shooter with any available objects they have. Many experts have debated on the appropriate approach for students and faculty to take when in this dangerous situation. Some experts have held their stance on the lockdown
approach being the most effective and safest approach. However, the debate does cause confusion because they contradict one another. One strategy endorses escaping from the situation while the other endorses remaining where they are. Other experts believe that they should follow the "identify, assess, prevent" strategy. It is hard to cite which strategy is most effective whilst in this situation, especially because it is hard to declare what different individuals will do when faced with adversity. The one common lining in all of this is that students are in learning environments and are faced with dire situations in which they were never taught was a place where they needed to be fearful.
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News
May 14, 2019
TU adds air-conditioning to dorms
Prettyman, Scarborough halls to be renovated SOPHIA BATES Assistant News Editor @sophiabates23
MARY-ELLEN DAVIS News Editor @Mel_Davis_1998
As students get ready to leave for the summer, Towson University is preparing to renovate Prettyman and Scarborough Residence Halls. According to Towson’s associate vice president of communications and media Sean Welsh, the changes will include the addition of air-conditioning and updated communal bathrooms. “Work will begin once students move out for the summer to renovate bathrooms and install air conditioning in Prettyman and Scarborough Halls,” Welsh said. “The scope of the work will take the summer.” Located along Newell Avenue, Prettyman, built in 1957, and Scarborough, built in 1964, house about 160 students and are composed of mostly double occupancy rooms. The residence halls are designed to accommodate incoming first-year students
and under-classmen. The buildings’ amenities include a kitchen and study area on each floor, a recreation room, and a laundry room. They also have community bathrooms on each floor and are heated. Junior Alexa Biddle lived in Scarborough Hall during her freshman year. She is hopeful that the renovated bathrooms will be better than the ones currently in the buildings. Some of her wishes include access to soap, paper towels, and regular cleanings. “When it comes to the bathrooms, the University didn’t provide soap and didn’t provide paper towels because apparently the people who had come before use would abuse them,” Biddle said. “But, that was the only reasoning that they gave us.” She said that the lack of air conditioning is not a big deal to her because of the $250 discount she got each semester to live in the hall, but that she is surprised they decided to add it to the building this year. “I guess it’s just funny that they would be doing renovations now because when I lived there
Bailey Hendricks/ The Towerlight
Prettyman and Scarborough Residence Halls were built in 1957 and 1964, respectively. Scarborough, pictured above, currently includes ammeities such as kitchens, communal bathrooms and heating. last year, the R A said that they were supposed to do renovations the year before,” Biddle said. Junior Ozeyla Awundaga, however, said that she felt she enjoyed
Sophia Bates/ The Towerlight
A part of Housing and Residence Life, the two residence halls will be renovated over the summer once students move out. The anticipated renovations will include updated bathrooms and air conditioning.
her dorms more when she lived in ing with air conditioning. Douglass and Barton Houses than “It was a good experience to her friends did in Prettyman and live somewhere where you can Scarborough control the because she temperature had air conwhere you ditioning. live,” R ay “ M o s t said. of the Awundaga times they feels that stuwould want dents living to come on campus over more should have to w a rd s easy access West Village to air condib e c a u s e tioning in all West Village dorms. is newer and “I definiteit is nicer,” ly think that Awundaga Prettyman and said. “So Scarborough obviouss h o u l d ly, if you have A.C.,” aren’t in a Awundaga OZEYLA AWUNDAGA said. more mod“A.C. Towson University Junior ern dorm is something or area, you t hat most don’t really want to be there as modern buildings have. I mean, much and I know the experiencobviously those buildings are es that they had there were more pretty old and they should be challenging.” updated because students are West Village resident Megan paying money to go to school Ray also said that students would here. They should be at least able feel more comfortable in a buildto have cool air.”
“
I mean, obviously those buildings are pretty old and they should be updated because students are paying money to go to school here.
News
May 14, 2019
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Whole Foods to hit Towson Students excited, ready for healthy options AVE’ON LAINE Contributing Writer
Health food store Whole Foods is beginning construction on a new location in the Towson area. The franchise, who was the first USDA Certified Organic grocer in the United States, will be located in the up-and-coming Towson Row development at York Road and Towsontown Boulevard. The retailer has almost 500 other locations within North America and the United Kingdom, and is known for its organic selections of food, household items and more. Baltimore County Councilman David Marks said that national retailers position their stores where they make sense. “Towson’s economic demographic supported this type of store,” said Marks. “Whole Foods will provide an additional option for shoppers in the Towson area, particularly shoppers who want organic foods.” Sophomore Mikiya Ellis-Glunt shares a similar view as Marks, stating that the construction of
this Whole Foods gives students more options of eating healthy, and caters to multiple dietary plans/choices. “Healthy food options are so hard to find, especially on campus,” said Ellis-Glunt. “And the places that are ‘healthy’ on campus, such as Au Bon Pain, you get sick of eating the same thing all the time.” In addition to providing more food options, the opening of this store has the potential to boost the economy of the surrounding neighborhood. “Whole Foods will create jobs and add to the overall economy in Greater Towson, and will certainly raise the profile for Towson Row and Towson in general,” said Marks. “It will also provide a special type of job opportunity to those students and members of the community who may be interested in working at a health food store,” said sophomore Morgan Waters. Students of the Towson community are finding the placement of this future location to
be very convenient. “’It’s awesome that they’re adding a Whole Foods so close and the fact that it’ll be a walkable distance makes it even better,” said Ellis-Glunt. “Uptown is closer than Target, so students would have more access to groceries,” said sophomore Mariam Ajibola. The franchise, whose sole purpose is to “nourish people and the planet,” wants to be the standard for excellence for food retailers. However, setting this standard with the selling of all organic products does raise concern among some. “You can definitely expect there to be overpriced goods, because of both the proximity to the campus and the fact that Whole Foods is a tad bit expensive as is,” said Abijola. Ellis-Glunt sees this new addition as a potential push to getting college students eating healthier. “I believe it will give college students more of an incentive for healthy eating because they will have so many more options,” said Ellis-Glunt.
GERMAN POLICE INVESTIGATE CROSSBOW MURDER MYSTERY WITTENGEN, GERMANY German police found two bodies in a flat in Wittengen, Germany Monday while investigating the deaths of three people who died by crossbow arrows Saturday in a Bavarian hotel room. Though the new deaths were not caused by crossbow arrows, police are investigating ties between the deaths. The flat where the new bodies were found was owned by one of the three people who were found dead in the hotel. Three crossbows were found at the original crime scene, two of which were used. It is unclear whether the crossbows were meant for use by hunters, which can be legally purchased in Germany by anyone over the age of 18, or for recreational archery. The two crime scenes are approximately 430 miles apart from one another, and the investigation is divided between two jurisdictions. None of the victims have been named.
MAN KNIFES HIKERS WITH MACHETE ON APPALACHIAN TRAIL WYTHE COUNTY, VIRGINIA A man who calls himself “Sovereign” was charged with attacking two Appalachian Trail hikers in Wythe County, Virginia with a machete Saturday after he allegedly kinfed an unidentified man and woman. James L. Jordan faces one count of murder and one count of assault with intent to murder within the special maritime territorial jurisdiction of the United States. Jordan, who is from West Yarmouth, Massachusetts, has previously plead guilty to threatening other hikers. The man he attacked died, and the woman is seriously wounded.
MAN CAUGHT ON KILLING SPREE AFTER SHOWING POLICE PICTURES OF DEAD EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN A 27-year-old Michigan man who killed two women and is believed to have planned on killing more was caught by police following a tip from an ex-girlfriend. The ex-girlfriend contacted the Eaton County Sherrif’s Department after the former boyfriend sent her text messages and knocking on her door, breaking a personal protection order she had against him. County deputies caught the man after they pulled him over at a traffic stop and reportedly detained him for “unrelated warrants.” The man then showed the deputies pictures on his phone of two dead women. It has been reported that the suspects name has not been released since he has yet to be charged.
Brendan Felch/ The Towerlight
The health food store Whole Foods is begining construction on a new location in the Towson community and will be part of the Towson Row development at York Road and Towsontown Boulevard.
-- Stories compiled by Mary-Ellen Davis. Stories from The Daily Beast.
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Year in Review
May 14, 2019
Year in Review The Towerlight looks back on news that made headlines this school year. Compiled by Mary-Ellen Davis, Meghan Hudson, Tim Klapac. Photos by Towerlight Staff
September
TOWSON CONVERTS MARRIOTT HOTEL TO HOUSING
At the beginning of the 2018 fall semester, Towson University opened The Residences at 10 West Burke Avenue as new housing for transfer students. Renovated over the summer to accommodate over 200 students, the goal of transforming the Marriott into The Residences was to help give transfer students the opportunity to live on campus. Project Manager and Assistant Director of Facilities Management, Nick Gingue, lived on site during the renovation to make sure everything was finished on time for students to move in for the start
WASPS ON CAMPUS SWARM STUDENTS Towson University sent out a campus wide safety alert Sept. 18 to warn students and staff of yellow jacket swarms occuring by Au Bon Pain and Hawkins Hall. 14 students in total were seen by the Health Center at Ward and West for up to 16 stings. Facilities management used bee spray to kill located nests, but warned students that other nests may still pop up as yellow jackets can become more aggressive in the fall season. This happens because yellow jackets can become territorial and agitated when the
October
TIGERS CELEBRATE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
In honor of their 50th season, the Towson football team walked into Johnny Unitas Stadium sporting gold jerseys, a nod to their storied past. That past would lead to a successful present and future as the Tigers rocked the Citadel in the home opener for a 44-27 victory. Redshirt junior quarterback Tom Flacco stole the show, running for 185 yards in the game, a conference record for a quarterback. Flacco’s performance thrust him into the spotlight en route to the CAA Offensive Player of the Year Award. The win was part of Towson’s 6-1 start to the season, climbing as high as No. 10 in the national polls, as the Tigers reached the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2013.
PLAY PRODUCED IN WAKE OF #METOO AND #TIMESUP In wake of both the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, Towson University’s production of “Fuente Ovejuna” shined light on corruption and power imbalances, two topics that weighed heavily within these movements. This production also took place amidst the Ford-Kavanaugh case, which sparked a whirlwind of conversation surrounding sexual misconduct and gender inequality. “Women are believed on a base level in this play,” said Griffin DeLisle, who played the commander. “Any time they’d bring up an issue, it is believed by the community and brought to full attention. I think that is a really potent idea right now.” Some members of the cast found themselves more emotionally attached to the story and their characters than expected. Director, Robyn Quick, inspired by Anita Hill’s bravery
UNIVERSITY LOGO GETS A MAKEOVER AFTER 20 YEARS During her fall presidential address, Towson University President Kim Schatzel announced that the university logo would be getting a makeover. The new logo, currently featured around campus, launched at the beginning of the 2019 spring semester. It is meant to signify the University’s new narrative and is part of Schatzel’s presidential initiative “TU Matters to Maryland.” The new design for the logo took 18 months said Sean Welsh, TU’s director of communications. Welsh said that by the beginning of 2020, the new logo is the only logo Towson will have.
Year in Review
October, continued
HOMECOMING WEEK BRINGS COURT TOGETHER
Homecoming Court this semester introduced the new title of Homecoming “Royal,” which offered a more inclusive title for students who do not identify with the cisgender titles of King or Queen. Homecoming royal nominees included Jason Scoville, Brigid McCarthy, Jessica Rowe, TJ Haselhoff, Anelle Tarke, La-Chelle Dickenson, Andre Williams and Paige Mathel. Kicking off just as temperatures began dropping for the season, the group quickly bonded as they huddled together before their first photoshoot. The week’s festivities gradually brought the lot together, as friendships that would last past homecoming week were formed. The ‘Game On’ theme was incorporated into the week’s events. For example, “Race to Candy Castle,” was one event during the week and “Towsonopoly,” gave a fresh name for the annual block party.
November
MORE THAN AN ATHLETE
The 2018-2019 year for Towson sports could be summed up with two words, Tom Flacco. The 24-year-old New Jersey native took the campus by storm when he won the starting quarterback job as a grad transfer from Rutgers University. Flacco seized the moment, leading the Tigers to a 7-5 record and a playoff berth for the first time in five seasons. But under the helmet, there is more to him. Flacco is seeking a masters degree in applied information technology and no matter how his football career shakes out, Flacco knows he wants to be a leader. His calm demeanor on and off the field has a lasting impact on his teammates. Although he is the brother of former Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, Tom Flacco has never let his last name be the story, only his performance.
FROM STUDENT TO BEAUTY PAGEANT WINNER Mid-semester means balancing schoolwork among other responsibilities for any college student, but for Mariela Pepin, it meant balancing both her school work and preparing to win the 2019 title for the annual Miss Maryland USA pageant. Between classes and studying, this 22-year-old communications major trained regularly in the gym, practiced her poise and posture, and looked for ways to make herself just as emotionally well-rounded. According to the Miss Maryland USA official website, Pepin’s win made her one of six women to ever have held both the Miss Maryland Teen USA and Miss Maryland USA titles. With Pepin temporarily replacing her crown for a graduation cap in December, she’s determined to have her poise and positivity reflect onto the Towson community.
TU TAKES ON THE TIME WARP The audiences in Paws on the nights of Nov. 9 and 10 screamed as they watched Dr. Frank-N-Furter strut across the stage and caress Rocky’s body. The same scene had unfolded on Paws’ stage many times before, but this time was different. With more energy and unapologetic confidence showcased than ever before, Actors Anonymous’ 2018 rendition of The Rocky Horror Picture Show gave the traditional performance a sense of newness. Jacob Sanchez, a sophomore at Towson University, played the role Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a mad, alien scientist from the planet Transsexual. Sanchez walked the stage in a dazzling scarf, corset, fishnets, and heels, that seemed to awe the audience. “Doing this as a man is even more uncomfortable,” Sanchez said. “I was fortunate that my cast was extremely supportive and made me feel comfortable in the lingerie and heels. It felt empowering.” Actors Anonymous, a student-run acting group at Towson, produces musicals, plays and other theatrical events each semester. The Rocky Horror Picture show is traditionally held every other year.
December
COMMUNITY MOURNS STUDENT KILLED IN HIT-AND-RUN
Students, family and friends gathered at a candlelight vigil in Speakers Circle this past December to mourn the loss of Towson student Mzimazisi “Mzi” Ncube. Ncube was 20 years old when he was hit by a car while crossing North Charles Street. He fell to the ground before being hit by a secondary driver who stopped to call 911. Ncube was a pre-accounting major and new member of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. Clay Smith, president of the fraternity, spoke at the vigil and remembered Ncube as “a delightful person to hang out with, and could make friends with anyone.”
May 14, 2019
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December, continued
Year in Review
TOWSON TRILLS CELEBRATE THE SEASON ON WBAL
The Towson Trills Performed on WBAL-TV 11’s 2018 “Season to Celebrate” holiday special. The group, who consisted of TU students Aaron Bayne, Harmony Reichert, Missy Melkonian, Katie Sacha, Nick Zuelsdorf, William Damanka Jr., and Leroy Hyson, were offered the opportunity to be filmed for the special, where they were asked to sing classic Christmas songs. Hyson and Bayne, seniors now, started the group their freshman year of college in the fall of 2015. The group started out practicing in dorms and stairwells, and have since grown, received a practice room, and have become well-known across campus, Baltimore and internationally, as they were finalists in the 2017 International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella. The Trills sung classics like “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and Mariah Carey’s famous “All I Want for Christmas is You.” The group hadn’t seen their recorded performance prior to the TV airtime, which meant even they were in for a surprise.
January TU MOURNS LOSS OF “MIGHTY MARE” Towson University community members gathered at Speakers Circle in January to mourn the loss of Mariana “Mighty Mare” McConnie who died Jan. 19 after complications from Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis, often referred to as CF, is a progressive, genetic disease that causes lung infections and often limits the ability to breathe in the affected person. Throughout her life, she underwent two double lung transplants. McConnie was a deaf studies major and active sorority member of Delta Phi Epsilon. At the end of the vigil, McConnie’s sorority big Kayla Hester urged the community to not hold grudges, saying “Mariana lived to ensure that everyone that crossed her path felt loved, and I encourage
MANY FANS DISAPPOINTED AFTER SUPER BOWL LIII The NFL season was eventful, but it culminated in a Super Bowl that felt like anything but that. On Feb. 3, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia was the sight of a lackluster 13-3 victory for the New England Patriots over the Los Angeles Rams. While the Patriots captured their sixth Super Bowl Championship, tied for the most by any NFL franchise, all fans could talk about was the lack of offensive prowess from the Rams, a team that finished the regular season second in total points scored and total yards of offense. In a game everyone expected the offense to soar, it was the defense that shined brightest, something we haven’t seen in football in a long time.
February
WELCOMING A NEW PROVOST
Melanie Perreault became Towson University’s newest provost and vice president of academic affairs this semester when her appointment began Feb. 18. Perreault came to Towson from Buffalo State College after being a part of the national search to fill the position. Perreault comes with more than 21 years experience working in higher education positions, and wants to really get to know what the students and staff need by speaking with them in their space instead of making them come to her in her office. According to ex-coworker Amitra Wall, Perreault will be missed at Buffalo State and has a lot to bring to Towson’s campus.
Year in Review
February, continued
May 14, 2019
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MOM ASKS TOWSON TIGERS TO DATE SON
Earlier this semester, Towson University Police were investigating incidents regarding a woman who was approaching students to ask them if they were interested in dating her son. A campus-wide email alert informed students of the events, which took place over Feb. 6 and 7, and the fact that they happened in Cook Library and the Center for the Arts. Student Anna Sillars was approached by the woman and said that the woman asked via a note typed into her phone. “[The note] said along the lines of ‘You’re a beautiful, young, attractive woman with many years ahead of you. If you want to be even more successful you should come meet my son. He is young and handsome and wealthy, and I want to find a young woman who is good enough for him. He can give you so many opportunities, you should come
March
THIRST FOR CHANGE
Over the course of the 2018- 2019 school year, Towson University’s Student Government Association worked to pass legislation, schedule events and do what was possible to improve campus life. After starting from a deficit, SGA was able to come back to make legislation bringing straws back to campus, ensure the maintenance and accessibility of eateries on campus and plan events like Tiger Pride Day.
TIGERS CAPTURE FIRST CAA CHAMPIONSHIP The women’s basketball team’s season was unexpected from the start. Picked to finish eighth in the CAA’s Preseason poll, the Tigers won their first five conference games, moving into first place in the standings for the first time in program history. After a bumpy road to end the season, Towson caught fire in the CAA Tournament. Earning the No. 4 seed in the tournament, the Tigers defeated tournament host, the No. 5 seed Delaware Blue Hens, in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Towson used a 22-0 scoring run to beat the No. 9 seed Hofstra. The championship was a back-and-forth affair that saw the Tigers emerge victorious, 53-49 for their first conference title. Towson earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the first time ever.
April
TOWSON TIGER’S AMERICAN IDOL JOURNEY IS “ALMOST HEAVEN” Towson University student, and former church janitor, Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon, wowed the judges of “American Idol” with his performance of original song, “Almost Heaven.” Episodes of his initial audition with celebrity judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, have since gone viral and have helped Harmon to already earn mass support from the show’s viewers. Harmon’s original song, “Almost Heaven,” was one of the main aspects that set his audition apart from the rest, aside from his vocal skills. The song, which was named after a café he passed while taking a trip to West Virginia, was written as a way for Harmon to acknowledge his struggles with homosexuality and religion. Harmon’s connection to church isn’t just occupational – his father serves as a pastor. Growing up as a “pastor’s kid,” the church became a large part of Harmon’s environment. Writing music was a way for Harmon to find a balance between his beliefs and his identity. Harmon
RESIDENCE HALL FLOODS, DISPLACES 32 STUDENTS Newell Residence Hall flooded during the spring semester, displacing 32 students for the duration of repairs. At about 5:30 a.m. on March 27, interim Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs for Housing and Residence Life Christina Olstad was informed of a hot water pipe burst that flooded the basement and first floor of the building. Damage was contained to the side closest to Stephens Hall. Maintenance crews had to shut off the water to get to the broken pipe and assess damage. All students were moved back into Newell Hall by April 8, Olstad said.
PROTESTERS FACE BACKLASH FROM STUDENTS Anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-Muslim protesters gathered at Towson University April 18 and were faced with backlash from students. The group was made up of four people who called themselves the “Bible Believers.” Hundreds of students gathered outside of the Center for the Arts building after the protesters were relocated to the area after starting their protest in front of Cook Library earlier in the day. Protester James Jenkins, 29, was arrested by the Baltimore County Police during the protest. The University responded to the incident by holding a Unity Rally April 24 and a #NotatTU Teach-In event April 29 to give students opportunities to discuss what had occurred during the protest.
RACCOON BITES STUDENT The Towson community was received a campus-wide email alerting members that a student had been bitten by a raccoon in the Towsontown Garage April 30. The university stated that it would be “working with a pest control contractor to locate the animal.” The University then sent a follow up email May 3 letting the community know that a raccoon had been caught and removed from campus. Towson University sent another email about raccoon sightings on campus May 7. This advisory notified students that raccoons had been spotted twice more in campus. These occurred during the day near Towsontown Garage and in the area of Towson Run and West Village. Community members who spot a raccoon are encouraged to give the animal space and call TUPD at (410) 704-4444. If attacked by an animal, seek medical attention immediately.
May
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG
From May 2 through May 11 ran Towson University’s production of “Merrily We Roll Along.” This musical came as a shock to audience members, as it breaks typical storyline progression. Beginning in 1976, this play takes an enormous leap in time, as it ends in 1957- almost twenty years earlier. Yes that’s right, the story plays out in reverse for the entirety of the musical. The storyline follows the lives of Frank, Charley, Mary and friends, who have known each other for years. It questions whether happiness was found during those extremely successful years of their lives, or more so back when they were younger, and not near success. According to junior Sam Pomerantz, who played Joe, the major takeaway from this musical is that life goes by really fast. Too fast to be focused on the wrong things.
14 May 14, 2019
Arts & Life
Diversify your product lines Summer Bangers TIMOTHY COFFMAN Columnist
As finals are upon us and the semester is ending, you’re going to need some tunes to ease into the summer season. Here is an assortment of throwback summer albums that will be necessary after you take that final exam. Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (Blink 182)- This pop punk blast from the past contains some of the sunniest hooks of the early 2000s. With tracks like “First Date” and “The Rock Show,” this trio proved that they were far from a one album wonder. Every song sounds it like it could be one of your favorites from when life was all about summer vacation. Turn it up and feel the angst for yourself! The College Dropout (Kanye West)- With all the tabloid drama surrounding him in recent years, many forget how fresh West’s debut was. The breezy nature and crisp production on songs like “Through the Wire” and “All Falls Down” made people understand that Kanye was a name to be paid close attention. While he would go on to greater highs and lows on later releases, this album is a time capsule for summer jams. What’s the Story Morning Glory (Oasis)- While this band has been kaput for over a decade now, their 1995 masterpiece has
not aged a day. The songwriting of Noel Gallagher and the trademark nasality of his brother Liam make these songs come alive. These guys possess talent far greater than the Beatles rip-off band people tend to think they are. But that’s just my two cents…anyway here’s “Wonderwall.” Songs for the Deaf (Queens of the Stone Age)- It doesn’t get more summer than desert rock, and these titans of the genre have been at it for two decades now. But their crowning achievement will always be this sizzling opus from 2002. Vocalist Josh Homme takes you on a journey through Joshua Tree with pummeling riffs and seductive singing. This album is also a concept record, so it works on two levels. Come for the bangers, stay for the story. Purple Rain (Prince)- This flashback from the 80s shows the Purple One at his prime as he weaves his way through scorchers like “Let’s Go Crazy” and ballads like “I Would Die 4 U.” This album is the equivalent of going to one of the greatest parties you’ve ever been to and multiplies that feeling 1000x by the time the album ends. What we are left with is a summer jam that you’ll want to listen to again and again. Even though Prince is not with us anymore, this album’s style and song structure also shows us that he was one of the most talented musicians to ever live.
Courtesy of Washingtontimes.com
Prince’s album “Purple Rain” remained on the Billboard 200 list for 122 weeks after its debut. Add this to your summer playlist.
MEGHAN HUDSON Arts & Life Editor
Shade range has been a major issue within the beauty industry for some time now. Finally, brands have made major steps towards offering products to people of all skin tones. But certainly, there is much more distance to overcome. While brands such as Fenty Beauty have set the bar high as far as shade range is concerned, every year, we still see foundation and concealer launches with shade ranges that still lie below 10 shades. Not to mention that over half of these shades are often for fair toned individuals only. For example, drugstore brand Covergirl’s “Clean Matte Concealer,” only has 6 shades. To make matters worse, the darkest shade is about as dark as my caramel macchiatos come. Even many “designer” makeup brands have refused to diversify their shade ranges. When Tarte initially released their iconic “Shape Tape” concealer, the brand faced major backlash from reviewers, as this 15-shade concealer presented 13 tones
for fair skin tones, one for tan skin tones, and one for darker skin tones. Today we are here to praise the brands that took the time to show that they understand darker skin complexions deserve to be included. PÜR 4-in-1 Love Your Selfie™ Longwear Foundation & Concealer: Offered in an outstanding 100 shades, this foundation and concealer in one product is by far the most inclusive range I am yet to see. Having a foundation range this vast is impressive, let alone the attention to detail they showcased within their varying undertone options. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Foundation, and Pro Filt’r Concealer: Created by Rihanna, is two products, both offered in 50 ranges. While its shades don’t offer as many undertone varieties as PÜR, the range itself does offer a shade that is deeper than even PÜR’s product. The fact that she also offers her foundation and concealer separate from one other may also be seen as a plus for some makeup wearers. Makeup for Melanin Girls: This brand is especially important, as it was founded by Tomi Gbeleyi, a 27-year old model and beauty vlogger. Her own
experiences as a dark-skinned model have shaped the foundation for which her beauty empire lays. While her lines currently only include eyeshadows, lipstick and highlighter products, I wouldn’t be surprised to see her drop her own foundation and/or concealer line soon. Still, her current products are worth checking out. Makeup Forever Ultra HD Foundation: Makeup Forever immediately joined a more inclusive agenda in 2015 right when Fenty Beauty dropped their own, revolutionary, 40 shade range. Releasing their own 40 shade range foundation, they have proven their dedication to realigning their company by diversifying their products, an effort that should be mirrored by many other companies whom have not. BLK OPL Beauty True Color Pore Perfecting Liquid Foundation: While this foundation range only offers 12 shades, its shades are geared towards medium to deep complexions. This brand itself is especially empowering as its inspiration stems from the beauty and nuances of black skin. It is the first technologically advanced skincare line for women of color.
Taylor Jenkins Reid does it again ZAC SOPER Columnist
Author Taylor Jenkins Reid blew up in the book industry in 2017 with her release of “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo,” and has maintained popularity with “Daisy Jones & The Six.” This story brings the Rock ‘n’ Roll life of sex, drugs and music to life. This book was released at the perfect time, as the general public is finally coming off of their Bohemian Rhapsody craze, and now, can experience a similar kind of story in a new media. Narratives following hardcore rocker and ‘take-no-bs’ singer/songwriter, Daisy Jones and “The Six’s” bandmember Billy Dunne, intertwine, when these artists are signed under the same label and record a collaboration. Daisy then becomes tour opener for The Six, and their voices mesh. This sextet turned septet shakes the world and quickly rises to the top of
the charts. They fly high for a tour or two before the typical troubles of Rock ‘n’ Roll take a toll on each musician in a different way. The interview/biopic writing style of this book is refreshing and fun. The characters that Reid created feel so real and genuine that Google’s predicted searches when typing ‘is daisy jones’ read: ‘is daisy jones and the six a real band’ and ‘is daisy jones a real person.’ The atmosphere generated from this book makes attachment to the characters instant and strong; which in turn makes every high and low in the book so intense for the reader from the first chapter. This tear jerking, emotionally wrecking book was never boring, and there are numerous Goodreads reviews that start with ‘I finished this book in one sitting’ or ‘I read this whole book in a day.’ These statements go to show just how gripping this story really is. Another exciting aspect of this book is the little sticker on the cover that
reads “Reese’s Bookclub.” Actress and producer Reese Witherspoon chose this book for her book club pick. With Witherspoon’s history in turning books into films, this could possibly be a sign we’re getting a TV mini-series based on this book sometime in the future. And after reading this, I can totally see the story coming to life, it already does well enough in print, I can only imagine it will get better cinematically. This book is well deserving of all of its praise. The only reason it lost a star from me was that some of the issues experienced by minor characters got thrown to the wayside in the middle of the book. I understand that Daisy and Billy are the main characters, but the balance of narrative perspective was thrown off throughout most of the book. I would’ve liked to see Reid develop these side characters further. I still highly recommend the book regardless.
Arts & Life
May 14, 2019
15
Tim Miller on art and activism Grub Street launch GRACE COUGHLAN Contributing Writer
Brendan Felch/ The Towerlight
After an incident of harrassment towards gay students last fall, the theatre department reached out to Miller for support. Miller’s performance touches on his identity of being gay and on activism.
GRACE COUGHLAN Contributing Writer
Towson University’s Department of Theatre Arts hosted a performance by internationally acclaimed performance artist, Tim Miller, which took place at the Mainstage Theater in the Center For the Arts on May 7. The performance was scheduled by Robyn Quick, a professor in theatre history and dramaturgy and chair of the Department of Theatre Arts, and Steven Satta, a professor of voice and acting. Miller was originally asked to come back in wake of an incident on campus last fall, concerning two gay students who were harassed near campus. It just so happens that the scheduling of his performance fell just after the protest of the “Bible Believers,” which happened on campus a couple weeks ago. This incident contained hate speech directed towards numerous groups, including the LGBT+ community. “Tim’s been here before, he’s come here a couple of times for a number of different reasons, as an artist and an activist on both,” said Satta. “Unfortunately, the protest of the Bible Believers just made it even more of an imperative conversation on campus.” As a performance artist, he explores the identity of being a gay man through personal and body narratives as well as touching on activism. Miller’s work can be represented in his pieces such as “My Queer Body” (1992), “Glory Box” (1999), “1001 Beds” (2006), and many more. He has taught at numerous universities across the country, including UCLA, NYU and the School of
Theology at Claremont. “I do lots and lots of university residencies[...] to generate material around the identity, around social topics and [around] texts that matter to them a lot,” said Miller. In 1990, Miller was rewarded with the NEA Solo Performer Fellowship, which ended up becoming revoked due to political pressure from the Bush administration regarding the gay themes of his work. His case went to the Supreme Court, who decided in 1998 that “standards of decency” are required for a federal fund for the arts. Since 1999, Miller has shifted his focus to the social injustices that gay and lesbian couples face in marriage. His performance itself was structured differently from typical performances. Miller would set the scene, provide an introduction, and explain his thought process after the scene, describing what he wanted his audience to feel and see. The scenes derived from a variety of his shows, the first two scenes being from “Glory Box,” and the last one being from his new show, “A Body in the O.” One scene which left an outstanding message, was one in which Miller retold a childhood memory. The memory was from when he was just nine years old, and in love with a boy. When the boy announced that he was going to marry a girl from their class, Miller jumped to announce that he would marry him. He was put in a situation where he had to take back what he said. Miller explained how that scene always stuck out due to the resounding idea of social justice and activism which is suppressed in childhood, depending on the truth that children speak. Miller spoke extensively about what
theater has done for activism, and how he has used theater to spread awareness on HIV/AIDS. He mentions that through theater, and through activism, the LGBTQ+ community keeps pushing forward. The community keeps exhibiting their strength. “We’re not victims and we aren’t going to go quietly,” Miller asserted. An exceptional element of Miller’s performance is humor. While it is a theatrical technique, he also describes it as being a sort of defense mechanism in order to “turn oppression on its head.” “It builds trust with the audience, when you’re provoking and also prodding people into thinking about things that might be troubling to them, I develop resistance,” said Miller. “It can help keep them in the room, keep them with you.” Miller’s jokes and jabs are part of what makes his performances so captivating. “I personally am really interested in clear theater and my final project as a one man show, exploring a similar themes to his work,” said Jared Hanson, MFA grad student, and participant in Miller’s Towson workshop earlier that day. “I was really interested to see what I could learn to apply to my own work. I look forward to talking more with him about his creative process and the ethical elements to incorporate in my own work.” Miller’s latest project is his new, fifth book, titled ‘A Body in the O’, which was published in 2019. The title comes from an excerpt in Shakespeare’s “Henry V,” which describes how the emptiness of the wooden o-shaped stage can be filled with creativity. For more information about Tim Miller and his work, check out his website, www.timmillerperformer.com.
On May 8, Towson University’s literary magazine, Grub Street, launched its 68th volume. The launch took place outside of the reading room on the fourth floor of the Liberal Arts building where tables supporting the newly printed Grub Street literary magazines decorated the space. Grub Street is an award-winning literary magazine that is run by Towson University students. The creators behind this magazine are students of Professor Jeannie Vanasco from enrollment into her “Editing the Literary Magazine” course. Vanasco also serves as the faculty advisor for Grub Street. Chairs were set up, as well as a projector which featured the art pieces launched in the magazine’s latest edition. The event also featured live performances of some of the literary works included in the new issue, performed by the original authors themselves. For example, Christy Kato, a 2018 Towson grad, presented a nonfiction piece about
not feeling connected to her own body, not knowing how to cope with the disconnect, and the idea of fearing her own body. Tim Neil, another Towson grad, wrote a poem about one egg being left in the carton. “This issue differs mostly from the rest of the issues because of the contemporary take we sort of stuck on it,” said Morgan Middleton, the editor-in-chief of Grub Street. “We tried to reflect on what’s going on in society and a lot of different kinds of political values and things that people are really feeling. We wanted to have this raw emotion be said.” With food, a photo booth, and lots of literary works, the Grub Street team attracted a big audience, rewarding all of their hard work this past year. There were games, prizes, and lots of laughs. The ceremony ended with a dedication to Hannah Nathan Rosen, a former Towson University student who passed away suddenly last year, along with huge thank you from the Grub Street staff to their Faculty Advisor, Vanasco. - To read the rest of this article online, visit thetowerlight.com.
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Sports
May 14, 2019
Tu gets Shell Shocked Towson falls to Maryland in NCAA first round
Brendan Felch/ The Towerlight
Senior attack Brendan Sunday fires a shot on net in Towson’s 14-13 loss to the Maryland Terrapins in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Sunday finished the season with a career high 49 goals.
TIM KLAPAC Senior Editor @pacofkla
Towson’s dream season came to an abrupt end in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. At a rainy Johnny Unitas Stadium, the Tigers (11-5, 4-1 CAA) fell to in-state rival Maryland 14-13 in overtime. “These are the ones that hurt the most,” said Head Coach Shawn Nadelen. “I’m proud of our team, proud of this senior class for what they’ve done throughout the entire course of the year, not just this season, but from the start in the fall.” In a streaky game, both teams would go on multiple runs of unanswered goals, meaning no lead was ever safe. Nadelen credited Maryland (12-4, 3-2 Big Ten) for their ability to adjust and respond and praised his team for doing the same. “It was a bit of a boxing match, exchanging blows,” Nadelen said. “We had some lulls in our play, both offensively and defensively, and they capitalized, then we created opportunities and we capitalized.” After falling behind 3-1 in the first quarter, Towson scored six straight goals, including two each from junior attack Brody McLean and senior
midfielder Grant Maloof. The Terrapins would respond with two goals to cut the Tigers’ lead to 7-5 at halftime. In the second half, it was more of the same with each team tallying three goals in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Maryland scored four consecutive goals to take a 12-10 lead, but Towson responded yet again, scoring three straight, including the go-ahead goal from senior attack Brendan Sunday with 1:50 remaining. On the ensuing faceoff, senior midfielder Alex Woodall did what he’s known for, winning battles at the dot, grabbing the faceoff and gaining a key possession for the Tigers. “Kid’s a warrior, he shouldn’t have been out there but he chose to be out there,” Nadelen said. “He wasn’t gonna let his senior year not end on his terms.” Despite winning the faceoff, Towson couldn’t convert an insurance tally, giving the Terps the ball back with less than 30 seconds to play. “I felt like I could’ve probably done a better job getting a better shot,” Sunday said. “But, we didn’t, we left them too much time on the clock.” Maryland would take advantage of the opportunity, sprinting downfield and tying the game with three seconds left on the clock, sending the
game into overtime. In the extra period, the Tigers won another crucial faceoff, but turned the ball over on a deflected pass in the offensive zone. “Exclusively in the fourth, we were behind and I was dodging that kid, so I assumed I was gonna get a quick double and that’s why I moved it and they got a nice little stick on it, unfortunately.” Sunday said. The Terps took that turnover and scored on the ensuing possession to win the game and advance to the second round. “It’s tough, I love all the guys on our team, especially our senior class,” Sunday said. “No one ever wants to leave after you lose, it’s tough sometimes.” The loss brings an end to a season that saw Towson return to the top of the Colonial Athletic Association and host an NCAA Tournament game for the first time since 2005. “We had a great four years here, we went through it all. The final four in 2017, a pretty terrible year in 2018 and a remarkable turnaround this year,” Sunday said. “This year is probably the year I’m most proud of, we stuck together and this is what a true family is all about. This is a year I’ll never forget and I’ll always be grateful for it.”
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18 May 14, 2019
Sports
In the ashes of the AAF, the XFL’s revival may finally be the challenge the NFL doesn’t want JORDAN KENDALL Assistant Sports Editor @jordankendall54
After the unexpected fall of the AAF, the XFL looks to be the new league that provides fans with football during the NFL offseason. Unlike the Alliance, this league is being resurrected after a notable one-season initial run in 2001. The XFL was known to be one of the worst leagues of all time, putting a significant emphasis on WWE-like entertainment instead of focusing on football. This time, however, it looks a lot more promising, and here are a few reasons why the XFL has a chance to succeed. It actually has money: An ESPN article published last year reported that WWE chairman and founder of the XFL Vince McMahon is putting $500 million towards the league. The Alliance folded after a $250 million investment, the fact that McMahon put double that into this league says a lot about how serious he is this time. He knows, and has said multiple times, the XFL was a disaster and has since promised he would
ensure a better product on the field. In an interview with ESPN, McMahon said “A chance to do it with no partners, strictly funded by me, which would allow me to look in the mirror and say, 'You were the one who screwed this up,' or 'You made this thing a success.” “People were focused on the $100 million, but the truth is that doesn't even get us to the 20-yard line,” said XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck. Seeing this type of investment and commitment gives me hope this league can last, and if fans can get behind it the potential could surpass what the AAF was supposed to be. No criminals allowed, period: Another aspect the XFL has is any player with a criminal record will not be allowed to play. "You want someone who does not have any criminality associated whatsoever with them. Even if you have a DUI you will not play in the XFL," McMahon said. "So that will probably eliminate some of them. Not all of them.” With all the off the field issues the NFL faces; this is a great sign since only players who are great on and off the field will represent the league.
Athletes have a unique platform to inspire the next generation, and kids who watch this league and don’t see any of them getting into trouble will have much better role models to look up to. McMahon said that “We are evaluating a player based on many things, including the quality of human being they are.” Every year around the draft, we hear of players with off the field concerns that still get drafted high, and some such as Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill never seem to learn from their mistakes. The game of football will be much better knowing that the players are serious about playing football and the opportunity the XFL provides them. Watchable football: The first version of the XFL was heavily criticized for the lack of quality football since the teams had little time to practice before playing. The draft was in late October and the season started in early February; teams had one month in training camp to prepare for not only a new season but a new league. - To read the rest of this article online, visit thetowerlight.com
No one is talking about the Boston Bruins this postseason GLENN KAPLAN Staff Writer @glennkaplan13
Heading into the 2019 postseason, the Boston Bruins had the second most points during the regular season in the NHL. When Boston faced the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round, people were talking about Toronto more than the Bruins because of how a Canadian team has not won a Stanley Cup since 1993. The Maple Leafs have also not won since 1967. Before the season began, people thought Toronto was more of a threat to win a title than the Bruins were because they added center John Tavares in free agency. It didn’t bode well for the Maple Leafs in the playoffs because they lost the series in seven games to Boston. In the next round, the Bruins were the favorite to win the series against the Columbus Blue Jackets but once again, the focus heading into that series was Columbus sweeping the Presidents’ Trophy Winning Tampa Bay Lightning out of the playoffs. The Bruins trailed 2-1 in that series, but they won the next three games after that and won the series.
Towerlight
Heading into the Eastern Conference Finals, Boston is once again being overlooked and not being talked about enough. Yes, they should beat the Carolina Hurricanes and advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 2013, but the story heading into the conference finals is how good Carolina has been. They have been the Cinderella story of these Stanley Cup Playoffs, but at some point, the feel good story will most likely come to a close. The Bruins are the odds on favorite to win the Stanley Cup, which would be their seventh in franchise history and first since 2011. If Boston gets there, there will be more talks about either the St. Louis Blues or the San Jose Sharks looking to win their first title in franchise history. The Bruins are not being talked about enough this postseason, something that may doom other teams in the process. I don’t think they care that they aren’t being talked about much at all by the media. If they win it all, will Boston finally get the respect they deserve or will they talk about the overachievement and failures of other NHL teams more?
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Sports
May 14, 2019
Tigers lose in CAAs Stockinger ties home run record as Towson’s season ends with losses to Elon and Drexel Michella Obijiaku Outdoor Track and Field
Junior Michella Obijiaku represented Towson well in the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships. Obijiaku finished in first place in the shot put with a toss of 15.54 meters. Obijiaku also received the Most Outstanding Female Field Athlete award at the CAA Championships last week. File photo by Brendan Felch/ The Towerlight
Senior Nicole Stockinger comes home after hitting a home run earlier this season. Stockinger tied the school record for home runs in a season with her 15th against Drexel, a record she also tied last season.
JORDAN KENDALL Assistant Sports Editor @jordankendall54
Returning to the CAA Tournament, the Tigers faced Elon and Drexel Wednesday. A huge fourth inning pushed the Phoenix (32-18-1, 13-7 CAA) past Towson, setting up a win or go home game against the Dragons (30-26-1, 9-12 CAA). Unfortunately for the Tigers (27-27, 10-11 CAA), their season came to an end with a loss to Drexel. “We competed, but I wish we had better results,” said Head Coach Lisa Costello. “Unfortunately, we weren’t able to finish the game against Drexel.” Facing elimination against Drexel, the Tigers took the lead with a home run by senior utility Nicole Stockinger in the second inning. Stockinger tied the school record with her 15th home run, matching her total from last season.
The next four innings saw each team record one hit before the Dragons took the lead in the seventh. The winning run came off a bunt that Towson couldn’t scoop in time, as Drexel took a 2-1 lead. In the seventh inning, a pop out to second base left the tying run on base and ended the Tigers season. “Our defense was amazing in all four games against Drexel, their kids really executed the bunt, it was perfectly placed,” Costello said. Freshman pitcher Sara Johnson (12-10) pitched a complete game, allowing five hits and two runs with four strikeouts. Against Elon, the Tigers only had two hits through three innings before the Phoenix pulled away in the fourth. A home run brought home the first run, then three straight batters were walked with the bases loaded to each bring home a run. Elon hit another home run in the fifth inning to take a 6-0 lead. “Our bullpen generally has good
command, we’re usually able to get out of the inning,” Costello said. “Elon is a good hitting team and they took advantage of our mistakes. We were really hurt by walks in that game.” Towson got on the board in the sixth inning via sacrifice flyout and went down in the seventh on a double play and flyout to end the game. In three innings, sophomore pitcher Melissa Abrahamian (8-8) allowed three hits and five runs. Johnson also pitched three innings but only gave up one run and one hit. Junior utility Jessica Swistock went 3-3 and scored the only run for the Tigers. “We had 11 freshman who gained extremely valuable experience,” Costello said. “They stepped up when we needed them to and our upperclassmen carried us the second half of the season. We had a ton of must win games to get into the tournament. I’m excited for the ability to see our team improve going forward.”
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