FEELIN’
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WEAL HORSING AROUND SINCE 1926
the
WEEKLY NEWSPAPER OF THE SAIT STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
VOLUME 88 ISSUE 11
EVERY MONDAY THEWEAL.COM
NOVEMBER 25, 2013
Andreas Finn
horses around as the Trojans’ mascot
pg. 7
Trojans help their
community
pg. 8
Meet our contest-winning
moustache maestro
pg. 3
What dudes drink
Body image
matters
bothers men, too
pg. 5
pg. 10
Men’s Issue
2
November 25, 2013 | the Weal.com
NEWS EDITOR Crystal Schick
NEWS WRITER Sheldon Smith
A&E EDITOR Inonge Chimwaso
A&E WRITER Husson Zaman
LIFESTYLE EDITOR Yashica Anandani
LIFESTYLE WRITER Krista Conrad
OPINIONS EDITOR Monica Henderson
SPORTS EDITOR Steve Sucha
SPORTS WRITER Andrew Halipchuk
PHOTO EDITOR Brent Calver
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Evan Buhler
ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR
Mature Welding student proves that age is just a number BY SHELDON SMITH NEWS WRITER
After years of working in fabrication and welding shops, Bernie Cote has shown that regardless of age, it’s always possible to keep learning and applying Cote, a 55-year-old mature SAIT student in his first year in the welding technician program, has been working in fabrication shops for over a decade. Once Cote was laid off from his job, he decided to apply at SAIT and join the welding technician program. Cote had worked for Conservative Metals and Luff Industries Ltd., before being hired by Rimk Inudstries Ltd. Luff Industries has been manufacturing quality conveyor components internationally for over 30 years. Working in these fabrication ships has showed him the many applications for working with metals, but it was when he worked for Luff Industries that Cote was taken under the wing of Gary White, who was his shop foreman at the time. White ended up
teaching Cote everything that he knows about the trade. The experience of working with power tools, band saws and assorted tools in the fabrication shops began to attract Cote to welding and soon welding became a priority for him. “Welding is an intriguing trade to be in, you never stop learning and applying yourself. Knowing that you’ve welded something which is fully functional is a gratifying feeling,” Cote said. SAIT’s highly-regarded reputation as a trades’ school was the driving factor behind Cote’s application to attend the school and working in SAIT’s state-ofthe-art labs was paramount for him. “[The labs are] incredible. Everything you need is right there in your booth: oxy-acetylene, ground clamp, stinger, tools, they’re all there,” Cote said. With over 60 years of combined welding experience between instructors Mike Burndred and Al White, having the two of them around to help is an added
bonus for Cote’s education. Originally, Cote had apprehensions of going back to school at his age. However, Cote isn’t the only mature student in his class, which has eased his learning curve. “It isn’t a competition, we’re all here to help each other. I even initiated a study group [for classmates] and every lunch hour, we quiz one another,” Cote said. The practical side of welding and the theory behind welding was a different experience for Cote, though. “It felt like I was in math class again,” Cote said with a laugh. Though his last math class was 35 or 40 years ago, Cote feels like he’s back in math class again due to the many mathematical applications affiliated with welding, such as numerous fractions, using a measuring tape, and combination squares. However, despite his mathlike classes, his dream of one day acquiring his journeyman ticket and becoming a B-Pressure welder is what motivates
Cote the most to become a successful welder. “Once you have those tickets, it shows you’ve got the skills to work anywhere from the oilfield to structural welding, and everything in between.”
First-year welding technician student Bernie Cote doesn’t let his mature student status get in the way of his dream of becoming a B-pressure welder. SHELDON SMITH PHOTO
Susan Kim
LAYOUT & GRAPHICS EDITOR Patricia Rye
LAYOUT & GRAPHICS EDITOR Alannah Pohran
WEB MASTER Jennifer Poon
CORRECTION
In the Nov. 12 ‘Trojan of the Month’ article, Trojans forward Ben O’Quinn was credited as a first-year student instead of a second-year student.
COVER ILLUSTRATION Brent Calver
CONTRIBUTORS
Amanda Siebert, Robyn Hertz, Janice Nguyen, Thomas Strangward, Yasmin Mayne, Carys Richards. Direct letters, questions and concerns to:
PUBLICATIONS EDITOR Giselle Wedemire ph. 284-8458 / fax 210-4216
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES
Heather Setka, Publications Manager ph. 284-8077 / fax 210-4216 Advertising deadlines Bookings Monday @ noon Published every Monday during the academic year by SAITSA (SAIT Students’ Association). The Weal V219, 1301-16 Ave. N.W. Calgary, Alberta T2M 0L4 Fax: 403-210-4216 The Weal serves the SAIT community by promoting student activities, presenting news of interest to its members, and by fostering a learning environment in which members may participate; the newspaper is supported by student fees. The Weal is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the Canadian University Press. Contents do not reflect the views of SAIT or SAITSA. Printed direct-to-plate Adobe Acrobat International Web exPress.
Canadian University Press
Theft (private property)
Theft (private property)
At approximately 5:05 p.m., Security received a call from the library in the Stan Grad Centre reporting the theft of a cell phone belonging to a SAIT student. Security arrived at the library and met with the SAIT student, who stated that at approximately 5 p.m., he was sitting along the east side of the library and someone had asked him for the time. He reached for his phone, which was sitting above on a cubicle’s ledge, and placed the phone back in the same spot after helping the person. At approximately 5:03 p.m., he decided to check his phone and noticed it was missing. He immediately called Security. An incident statement was completed and the student was advised to file a report with the Calgary Police Service. At approximately 5:14 p.m., Security was off-site.
At 6:20 p.m., Security received a phone call from a library staff member reporting a theft in the library in the Stan Grad Centre. Security arrived onsite and spoke with a man, who stated that at 6:10 p.m., he left his phone charging at his study area while he went to the washroom. When he returned at 6:15 p.m., his phone was missing, but his charger was still in the study area. An incident statement was completed and he was advised to file an online report with Calgary Police Service. Security also informed him that he should take his belongings with him whenever he leaves a room, even if it is for a short amount of time. At 6:26 p.m., Security was off-site.
Fire Alarm
At approximately 4:35 p.m., Security received a telephone call from the power plant reporting a smoke alarm in a room in the East Hall Residence. At approximately 4:36 p.m., Security called Residence staff to inform them of the alarm. Residence staff confirmed a fire in a room, activated a pull station alarm, and began evacuation of the building. At approximately 4:56 p.m., Security met Calgary Fire Department (CFD) at the 16th Ave and 11th St campus entrance and escorted them to East Hall. At approximately 5:02 p.m., CFD ordered the evacuation of all SAIT staff (Residence CAs and Campus Security) to evacuate the building. CFD found that a desk in a room had caught fire and extinguished the flames promptly. However, they were unable to determine the cause of the fire. At approximately 5:18 p.m.,
Calgary Police Service (CPS) arrived. At approximately 5:47 p.m., CFD gave everyone the ‘all clear’ signal. The CFD confirmed that no further investigation into the cause of the fire would be conducted, and CFD and CPS were off-site at 5:57 p.m. Security resumed regular duties.
Theft (private property)
At approximately 7:30 p.m., Security received a telephone call from a SAIT student reporting that her locker had been broken into sometime between 11:15 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. that day. The student explained that when she returned to her locker at approximately 7:20 p.m., she found her locker open with both her lock and locker items missing. The student was advised to report the missing items to SAIT administration in the morning.
All Incidents Are Provided Courtesy of Paladin Security’s Daily Log Book FEELIN’
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the Weal.com | November 25, 2013
3
arts & ENTERTAINMENT
CULTURE FOR THE SAIT COMMUNITY
SAIT student wins moustache-growing contest BY INONGE CHIMWASO A&E EDITOR
It’s that time of year again, when men grow their moustaches for the entire month of November to raise awareness of prostate cancer. While many men seem to enjoy the annual challenge of being able to grow an awesome moustache with a possible bushy beard to match, this month-long event known as Movember also encourages men to get checked annually for cancer. In hounour of Movember, The Weal put together a moustache-growing contest challenging the men of SAIT to grow a wicked ‘stache for this month. Third-year electrician student James Cowley saved his moustache for later, and it’s his rad display of facial hair that made him the winner of The Weal’s moustache contest. In honour of his victory, Cowley has won a pair of tickets to see rock/ reggae musician Daniel Wesley live at The Gateway on Dec. 6, as well as a special place in this issue. This week, The Weal caught up with Cowley and his manly lip sweater. The Weal: How does it feel to know that you’ve won The Weal’s moustache contest for simply growing a wicked moustache? James Cowley: To be hon-
est, I’ve seen some moustaches out there that, in my opinion, I thought were better, so I think it’s kind of surprising. But it feels pretty cool regardless, as long as people know what everyone else is growing moustaches for. TW: Did you grow your moustache for Movember? Cowley: I [grew] it recently for a Shakespeare theatre production and I just ended up leaving it for the month of November and so it just happened to overlap. TW: How long did it take you to grow it? Cowley: This has been going on for a while, actually. I would say four and a half months. TW: Do you have a name for your moustache? Cowley: No, I’ve never even thought of [naming] it. [I’d name it] Betty Jon, because it’s the first name that came to mind. TW: Do you ever plan to shave Betty Jon? Cowley: I’m going to be able to keep it until the end of November, but I have another audition coming up, which is the main reason as to why I need to shave it after what will probably be five months in the end. TW: How do you groom your moustache?
James Cowley is a third-year electrician student and the winner of The Weal’s moustache-growing contest. EVAN BUHLER PHOTO
Cowley: I wake up in the morning and walk out the door. It took a little playing with at first to kind of curl it up with the fingers, but there’s no wax or anything I just wake up in the morning and get out of the shower and that’s it. Now that’s just how it stays. TW: Do you ever get food stuck in your moustache?
Cowley: The other day, a friend of mine burst out laughing and so I asked him what was going on and he said, “Dude you’ve got crumbs everywhere.” [My moustache] was just a mop, it mopped [the food] right up. TW: Are there any last things you can add? Cowley: A guy in class today mentioned that he was raising
awareness for Movember because his father had prostate cancer and it kind of, not necessarily slapped me in the face, but it made me realize why a lot of people are [growing moustaches] for the month of November. And I think it’s a great thing. It’s a great cause, and so I’m happy to show [my moustache] off for the month of November.
Tunes to blast during an intense workout BY HUSSON ZAMAN A&E WRITER
In honour of Movember, The Weal has put together the top five tracks all men should have on their iPod when getting themselves pumped up for an intense workout. Whether it is the roaring guitars on a heavy metal track, or the fast-paced raps on a hip-hop song, men everywhere will most likely use one of these tunes to boost their energy levels while pumping iron at the gym.
‘Lose Yourself’ by Eminem This recognized pump-up anthem by rapper Eminem was featured in the original soundtrack of Eminem’s 2002 movie, 8 Mile. The subject of the song is centred around Jimmy “B-Rabbit” Smith, Jr. (Eminem’s character in the film) and how he overcame an array of struggles he went through growing up in Detroit. This Grammy-winning
FEELIN’
song features a universally recognized chorus that is sure to get you ready to hit the iron, no matter what your music preferences consist of. ‘Look, if you had, one shot /Or one opportunity, to seize everything you ever wanted/In one moment/ Would you capture it? Or just let it slip?’ This short spoken intro by Eminem will get you amped before the track’s beat even drops.
lyricism, this heavy metal favourite makes for a great tune when working out. ‘Heavy boots of lead/fills his victims full of dread/Running as fast as they can/Iron Man lives again!’ These concluding lyrics sung by Ozzy Osbourne will leave anyone who listened to the entire track ready for the gym.
‘Iron Man’ by Black Sabbath
Army’ is arguably one of the most popular rock songs released in the past decade. Aside from winning Grammies and sitting atop several song ranking lists including Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time, this anthem can be heard blaring from almost every stadium, word-wide, at different sporting events. The song has been used as the unofficial anthems of several different professional sports teams such as the Miami Heat and New Jersey Devils, and it will be sure to hype anyone
Many men in the gym will recognize this heavy metal track from their childhood, as one of Black Sabbath’s very first singles—a single that has developed a strong cult following throughout the decades. Originally released in 1970, Iron Man has won Grammies in years as recent as 2000 for its legendary rock performance. From its famous central guitar riff to its moving
‘Seven Nation Army’ by White Stripes
up no matter what they chose to embark upon inside the gym. ‘I’m gonna fight ‘em off,/a seven nation army couldn’t hold me back.’ These introductory lyrics sung by Jack White bring listeners and athletes in for an overall great pump-up experience, while the track’s constant and reliable beat provide a steady, almost meditative rhythm to follow while exercising.
‘Stronger’ Released in 2003, ‘Seven Nation by Kanye West This single off of Kanye West’s 2007 album, Graduation, is a favorite among gym goers, hip hop listeners and overall music fans. West fused his hip-hop background with an electronic influence by sampling a Daft Punk record from 2001, and was awarded a Grammy in 2008 for his efforts. West’s paraphrasing of a famous quote from German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche as “that don’t kill me, can only make me stronger”
is enough to keep one motivated during an intense workout. This combination of West’s hard-hitting and inspirational lyrics over a fastpaced electronic instrumental will be sure to satisfy most music tastes inside the walls of the average gym.
‘Enter Sandman’ by Metallica Released in 1991 off of Metallica’s fifth studio album, Metallica, ‘Enter Sandman’ became one of the most recognizable rock songs ever released by Metallica, while establishing the band as one of the most popular rock bands to ever exist. Aside from its immense popularity, this rock anthem quickly became a world-renowned pump-up anthem. From its steady build up in the instrumental and the blustering lyricism to its famous guitar solo, overall, the track is perfect for some inspiration during an intense workout session.
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November 25, 2013 | the Weal.com
Revolutionizing pop culture through bed sheet painting BY YASMIN MAYNE WEAL WRITER
Local artist Ryan Postic seeks to revolutionize pop culture by bringing back an appreciation for fine art through his work as a painter. Through his unorthodox use of queen-sized bed sheets as his canvas, Postic brings originality to the world of fine art. When asked why he paints on bed sheets as opposed to more conventional mediums, Postic said, “Bed sheet paintings provide an opportunity for interpretation and social commentary because the bed is a very private and intimate place.” Postic, who has been criticized in the past for the singularity of his work as most of his paintings are of women, said the reason he paints the female form is because it is one of the most recognizable images—an image that everyone can associate with and, therefore, talk about. His goal is to bring back the bygone age where people talked about art and where they knew how to look at and find art in the world around them. For Postic, art has been an interest of his since early childhood. Whether it was comic
book art, sports logos or even architecture. “From an early age I have always been able to see the world differently than other people,” said Postic in reference to the origins of his artistic talent. Now this ACAD grad is a successful painter in and around the Calgary area and has even been commissioned several times by individuals overseas. When asked about his success, Postic said he never considers himself as having “made it” in the world of fine art as he believes that mentality to be a dangerous one to have , as it can lead to complacency in his work. Instead, Postic likes to think of himself as constantly progressing in his field and now his work is just more exposed than before. Postic, who also goes by the name Baddguyryry, has also gained quite a following on social media crediting pop singer Rihanna’s Instagram name Badgirlriri for inspiring his name. “[Rihanna] has a huge following on social media and that is something I want to
emulate in my career as a painter,” he said. Postic brings people into his world of fine art through Instagram where he constantly posts updates of his paintings. In his desire to popularize fine art, Postic wants to move away from bed sheets and into fabric and clothing. Postic has already trialed painting on women’s clothing and has three pieces that are ready to be showcased. Postic’s experience painting on bed sheets has made the transition to painting on clothing easy as he already knows how to work with different types of cotton blends. “I’ve discovered that the challenges with the clothing centers around the cuts of the garments. I prefer garments with scooping necklines because there is little to paint on the torso, and I can suggest forms or images rather than spoon-feed the viewer the whole portrait.” Postic hopes to soon launch a clothing line wherein “the clothing would be a hybrid between art and functionality.” “Women can wear the clothing and also be a part of the art at the same time,” he said.
Local artist Ryan Postic, seen here in front of one of his bedsheet paintings, showcases his work every month at Commonwealth Bar & Stage. INONGE CHIMWASO PHOTO
Postic displays his past and present artwork on his website www.baddguyryry.com. His work is also showcased every
month at the Commonwealth Bar & Stage during the 10 at 10: A Hip-Hop Showcase of Beats & Rhymes event.
Spencer Barber 403.277.1110 130 - 1000 Centre Street N.
STARTING NOW You can study in the library longer
EXTENDED LIBRARY HOURS November 22 to December 12 Monday to Friday, 7:30am-11pm (Full Library) Saturday & Sunday, 10am-5pm (Full Library) Saturday & Sunday, 5pm–9pm (Library Computer Commons)
Brett Wilson, a Canadian entrepreneur known for his role on the Dragons' Den, spoke to a full house on business and life lessons in the Irene Lewis Atrium on Tuesday, Nov. 20. Wilson was also promoting his book, Redefining Success, Still Making Mistakes. BRENT CALVER PHOTO
the Weal.com | November 25, 2013
LIFESTYLE YOUR LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
What does your drink say about you?
Speed up that ‘stache growth BY YASHICA ANANDANI LIFESTYLE EDITOR
Hospitality and tourism instructor Alita Brown mixed drinks during a bar mixology class at The Highwood on Nov.18. According to Brown, a man’s drink can speak volumes about him and his tastes.
ROBYN HERTZ PHOTO
BY KRISTA CONRAD LIFESTYLE WRITER
Most people tend to regularly order a favourite alcoholic beverage, and your cocktail of choice may be screaming hints about your personality, especially if you are male. “We are bombarded by images and men feel the need to keep them up,” said Alita Brown, hospitalty and tourism instructor at SAIT. Brown, who teaches bar mixology to culinary arts students and has worked in mixology and the hospitality industry for years, has noticed specific qualities of male bar patrons and the beverages they order. According to Brown, every type of drink can carry its own set of stereotypical images and qualities, and when a man orders these drinks it may communicate something about his personality to his colleagues, his friends, his date, or the cute girl across the bar. The way a man consumes his drink may also speak volumes about his personality. “A man nursing a stiff drink and being quiet can be intriguing, but the guy pounding them back just to get blotted isn’t as attractive,” Brown said. “And if you’re the guy who ordered a vodka cranberry juice and you’re nursing that, you’re really coming off as the nerdy guy.” Despite what most think, the cost of these beverages does not necessarily define the man, according to Brown.
“Someone drinking something high-end and pricey may look like a player, and someone spending tons of money on shots may look like a loser,” she said. “But a man with a happy hour beer who is comfortable with what he’s drinking may be very attractive.” So, exactly what do specific drinks say about the man behind the glass? Here is Brown’s guide to understanding the personality traits of Calgary’s most popular alcoholic beverages and the men who drink them.
Beer According to Brown, cheaper domestic beer is the “every man’s drink,” but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Men who drink their favourite inexpensive brand show that “they don’t have anything to hide and they’re happy with who they are.” However, craft beers and imports cast a different image. “They show that a man has taste and knows what he likes.”
Scotch The scotch drinker is among the most difficult to peg. According to Brown, these men may genuinely love the drink, but they may also be putting on airs. “A man who orders scotch and drinks it properly—on the rocks, neat, or with just a
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touch of water—really loves it,” Brown said. “But some men order it because it’s expensive and a good way to show off. They usually drink it too fast or nurse it way too slowly.”
Wine The personality of wine drinkers is often similar to both beer and scotch drinkers—which is to say that there are real winelovers, and there are phoneys. “You don’t have to have a specific brand, and most people like it because it tastes good. As a bonus, it looks sophisticated.” However, Brown notes that people looking to portray wealth and status will buy the most expensive wine on the menu, whether it’s the best or not. “It’s their way to show off like the fake scotch drinker,” she said. “Some guys order it to impress dates and try to make it more snobbish than it really is.”
Martinis The classic martini can be seen as classy and grown-up, like something straight out of Mad Men. But Brown warns that sometimes drinks like cosmopolitans and appletinis may not send the message you’re hoping for. Instead, some of the brightly coloured martinis may end up sending out a more feminine— and less masculine—message.
THEWEAL.COM
Men who have found themselves unsuccessful in growing out a bushy ‘stache this Movember may find some unlikely help with the invention of the Beardilizer. A dietary supplement made from natural ingredients that are intended to promote the growth of facial hair, Beardilizer comes in a pack of 90 capsules that are to be consumed orally one to three times daily. Laurent Cohen, co-owner of the Beardilizer team, said the product was officially launched this past July and it has since taken the market by storm. With a hint of the horsetail plant as one of its ingredients, Cohen said the formula not only speeds up the process of growing a beard but also nourishes the hair follicles and increases its strength, thickness and shine. “The beauty of a beard all comes down to the quality of facial hair,” Cohen said. “If the quality of the beard is poor, it leads to itchiness and dryness.” While the consumption of these capsules, according to Cohen, has proven to be completely free of side effects, one issue his consumers have
come across is the product’s odour and aftertaste, which cannot be avoided. According to an Amazon. com review of Beardilizer, even though the capsules were very effective and worthy of a five-stars rating, they smelt like “a dead rotten whale carcass pulled out of a sewer.” “We had to decide at some point between the quality of the product and what it smells and tastes like,” Cohen said. “So there are zero problems with the product, [but] just a little bit of odour and bad taste.” Despite all the rave reviews Beardilizer has been receiving, hair restoration specialist and MD of John Gillespie of the Gillespie Clinic Calgary is positive that a supplement made entirely of natural ingredients is incapable of promoting hair growth. The reason being that most natural products he has heard of that claim to increase hair growth have not been very effective. “There is nothing that has been scientifically researched that will speed up beard growth,” Gillespie said. “I don’t think there is anything that you [can] apply to your skin or take by mouth that is known to speed up the process.”
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November 25, 2013 | the Weal.com
Are societal rules and pressures weighing you down? Worry no more, because The Weal has lined up some fun activities to help all sorts of guys de-stress, and lift a fraction of the burden off your shoulders.
I TRIED GOING OUTSIDE THE GRAPHICS AREN’T AS GREAT
LL CA OF TY DU
MARVEL
gRand theFt auto
The gamer
• Listen to some audiobooks • Read your favourite comic book series • Watch a sci-fi flick like Star Wars
• Engage in a few hours of gaming on your favourite gaming console • Purchase the newest game/gaming device on the market • Spend an hour or two playing your favourite online game
RY
The nerd
BER
are that males be successful in their work and other areas,” he said. “Lack of success by men therefore tends to have more of a negative impact on their self-esteem.” To help curb such feelings, Keelan suggested building good success experiences into weekly routines by regularly indulging in activities that showcase one’s talents. Be it sports, playing a musical instrument or fishing, using these talent-showcasing areas to accomplish little successes will help provide a buffer against failures. So even if a failure hits at some point, it won’t hit as hard. Keelan suggested men lessen the negative effects of failure by hanging out with people “who value you for you and not for [your] achievements.” He also recommended choosing a career a field in which you have strong interest and talent.
Red Bull
High standards set by society often pressure men into the belief that they need to be climbing the success-ladder as soon as they hit a certain age. Registered psychologist Patrick Keelan said the impact of failure on men often leads to symptoms like a decline in selfesteem, depression, anxiety, and stress. Brought about by a society’s stiff ideals of achievement and success, Keelan said these symptoms are often more impactful on men than on women. “Research indicates that women are more likely than men to be attracted to those of the opposite sex who are high in status and achievement.” Keelan said, “So men who are unsuccessful can often feel unattractive as a consequence.” For second-year business
administration student Omar Sheikh, the pressure of being a failure increases when his younger brother often taunts him for not earning a yearly sixfigure salary at the age of 23. These casual remarks from both his brother and the rest of his family tend to make him regret the decisions he made and makes him wish he was a bit wiser at the time that he made certain career choices. “I’m pretty easygoing, myself. It’s just my family who thinks that way,” Sheikh said. “But I have to take my time [to achieve these goals], too.” According to Keelan, although work-, career-, and achievement-oriented failures can have a negative impact on the self-esteem of both men and women, men who fail in these areas tend to take a bigger hit because of gender role expectations. “Our society’s expectations
BUR
BY YASHICA ANANDANI LIFESTYLE EDITOR
Manly ways to blow off steam
NE
Accepting failure and moving on
KILLZO
6
The bodybuilder
The metrosexual
• Do an hour (or two) of crunches or weights at the gym • Run on the treadmill for about an hour • Make use of that heavy punching bag
• Get a mani-pedi at a men’s spa • Splurge on a new cologne or some products from your favourite men’s skincare brand • Indulge in some chocolate
—YASHICA ANANDANI LIFESTYLE EDITOR JANICE NGUYEN ILLUSTRATION
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FEELIN’ TAKE THE WEAL’S SEX SURVEY AT
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the Weal.com | November 25, 2013
7
SPORTS The man behind the Trojans’ mascot BY STEVE SUCHA SPORTS EDITOR
Sports mascots have been around for many years, have taken many shapes, and have always been covered by an anonymous shroud. Andreas Finn—the man behind the SAIT Trojans’ mascot, Troy—said he has always loved to entertain and has found being a mascot is a great way to do that. “I was on the University of Calgary gymnastics team when I was growing up until I was about 14 or 15. I have always enjoyed entertaining people and figured that [my gymnastics] background would transfer into being a mascot,” Finn said. When Finn moved from Vancouver back to his hometown of Calgary in 2006, he was unclear as to what he wanted to do for a living, but knew he wanted to work with the Calgary Flames because he loved the organization. Finn handed in his resume, unaware of what the Flames would offer him, if anything. The Flames soon decided that with Finn’s background in gymnastics, he would be a good fit and offered him a job as the mascot for the Western Hockey League (WHL) team, the Cal-
gary Hitmen, and the National Lacrosse League (NLL) team, the Calgary Roughnecks. According to Finn, becoming a mascot is no easy task and the mascot business comes with more secrets than one may think. “Harvey the Hound is Calgary’s best-kept secret,” Finn said. “When I first started with the Flames organization, I was able to work with Harvey and was asked to sign several nondisclosure agreements that basically stated I would not reveal the identity of Harvey the Hound or myself.” Finn worked as mascots for the Calgary Hitmen and the Calgary Roughnecks from 2005 to 2007, during which time he developed his own mascot personality by using his gymnastic experience. “Harvey is one of the more witty mascots out there. I knew I couldn’t match that, so I dipped into my gymnastics.” From there, Finn decided to head to school, where he received a degree in computer animation and film from Applied Multimedia Training Center in Calgary. Currently, Finn is working construction by day. But by night, he is the high-spirited Trojans mascot, Troy the horse
—a job that Finn said did not come as easily as he thought. Jessica Burtnick, Finn’s fiancé and a 2013 SAIT graduate, informed Finn last year that SAIT was searching for a new mascot and decided he would apply for the position but was turned down. “I had figured that my days as a mascot were numbered anyways so I had no hard feelings,” he said. Two months later, Finn was told again by another friend from SAIT that the Trojans were still looking to fill the mascot position. Finn once again submitted his resume and this time was given the job. Finn now entertains Trojans fans during Trojan home games by utilizing his gymnastics skill set by walking up hand railings and jumping over rows of seats. Finn said he always has a blast doing it and loves to entertain fans and make them laugh. There is, however, one part of the job he could do without. “It gets so hot in that uniform. After a game, I have to hang up the costume because it is drenched. I weigh myself before I go out for a game and consume two litres of water during [the game]. After the game, I weigh the same. I would lose a lot of water weight if I didn’t hydrate well.”
Troy, the Trojans mascot, entertains fans during home games. Andreas Finn, the man behind the mascot, considers himself a method actor and slips into character once he dons his costume's mask. BRENT CALVER PHOTO
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November 25, 2013 | the Weal.com
The great wide
HAIRY
world of sports BY ANDREW HALIPCHUK SPORTS WRITER
Facial hair has always been prominent in the world of sports, but never as prominent than during the National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs. The ‘playoff beard’ is one of the biggest and longest standing traditions in hockey, starting with the 1980 New York Islanders team who went on to become Stanley Cup Champions later that year. Players and their fans refuse to shave until their team has been eliminated from the post season or has won the league championship, though some players have been known to trim their playoff beard after a few losses in order to try and turn the team around. The Trojans are no exception to the playoff beard tradition. Most junior level teams such as the Trojans and the Calgary Hitmen start to try their luck at growing thick beards during the post-season to possibly guide the hand of fate and give them the edge they need to win.
“When playoffs roll around, I try to grow out a playoff beard as best I can,” said SAIT Trojans forward Ben O’Quinn. “Most guys on the team that can grow a beard do [it] for the post-season.” This superstition is so important to some players that they are willing to change their entire look in order to adhere to the guidelines of the myth. “I already have a beard during the regular season, but I trim it and keep it in line,” said fourth-year Trojan, Brad Drobot. “But when playoffs roll around, I’ll stop trimming it and just let it grow wild.” The NHL is not the only professional league where playoff beards have played a prominent role. Some members of the 2013 Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series champions, the Boston Red Sox, started growing beards during the MLB preseason. Only a few players began showing signs of facial hair, but as the team continued to win, more beards started to appear, until the team’s entire roster was sporting some form
of facial hair. In the National Football League (NFL) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, grew a playoff beard during the 2005 playoffs, and in Superbowl XL, the Steelers defeated the Seattle Seahawks to win their fifth Superbowl in franchise history. The beard may not have been the only reason the Steelers won, but it did draw the team closer at a vital spot in the season. The playoffs are not the only time that facial hair becomes obvious in the NHL. Movember has become a huge presence as some players try their best to grow a moustache in just a month to promote awareness of prostate cancer. Even former TSN Sportscentre hosts Jay Onrait and Dan O’Toole started growing moustaches every November since 2011 to raise awareness and money for charities. “It’s great how much awareness Jay and Dan have raised,” Drobot said. “The fact they are taking time to grow moustaches for a great cause is amazing.”
Great Facial Hair in Sports
Lanny McDonald
Brett Keisel
Lanny sported his iconic moustache for the entirety of his career, but during Calgary’s Stanley Cup run in 1989, he grew a full beard to accompany it. You can’t walk past Lanny without recognizing his ‘stache, which he still has to this day.
In the summer before the 2010 NFL season, Keisel started growing his beard that he has named ‘Da-Beard.’ That season, the now Viking-esque Keisel helped lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Superbowl. At the end of every season, Keisel shaves his beard and raises money for charity.
Rollie Fingers
Brian Wilson
Before the 1972 season, the owner of the MLB’s Oakland Athletics offered a prize to the player who could grow the best facial hair by Opening day. Rollie grew a moustache and waxed it in a style similar to those popular in the 1800s. The waxed moustache look stuck and Fingers kept it throughout his Hall of Fame career.
Wilson and fellow relief pitcher Sergio Ramo of the San Francisco Giants started to grow out beards during the 2010 MLB season. The beards started to gain fame as fans brought signs and wore T-shirts that read “Fear the Beards.” Wilson even dyed his beard jet black to help it become more pronounced. That season, Wilson and the rest of the Giants won the 2010 World Series.
—ANDREW HALIPCHUK
Trojans lend a hand BY THOMAS STRANGWARD WEAL WRITER
Thanks to Remembrance Day, November is known as a time to remember the sacrifices of our military veterans and this year, the SAIT Trojans decided to take part in giving back. In conjunction with the SAIT Working Together program, an annual charitable drive put forward by Student Services, the Trojans Remember initiative has proven to be relatively successful in its first year. Trojans Remember asked their fans to bring either cash donations for the Calgary Poppy Fund or non-perishable food
items for the Veterans Food Bank to one of eight home games played over the Remembrance Day weekend. Trojans fans responded as their thankful spirit and gratitude is on display in the form of boxes of food piled in the back rooms of the Sait Athletics & Recreation offices. According to Billie Rae Busby, the Trojans’ marketing and communications coordinator, while this was certainly one of the goals of Trojans Remember, it was also important to raise awareness for both Canada’s active and discharged veterans. “An important part of Trojans Remember was also to raise
awareness for our veterans, particularly during the holiday season,” Busby said. While Trojans Remember was mainly a Remembrance Day weekend event, Busby noted that students can still participate by contributing to any of the Veterans Food Bank drop-offs found at Student Services, the Wellness Centre, the Athletics & Recreation office, the Art Smith Aero Centre or the N. R. Buck Crump Building’s reception area. Trojans athletes wholly embraced the drive and many visited the Field of Crosses ceremony, the annual event wherein Memorial Drive is decorated with thousands of white crosses
that commemorate Southern Albertan soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, over Remembrance Day weekend. Joey Bleviss, chief administrative officer of the Calgary Poppy Fund and Veterans Food Bank, also came to speak with the athletes about the importance of their work, as well as exactly what the fund benefits. “Many of the student athletes were surprised that so many veterans are in need, especially during the holiday season,” said Bleviss. “These donations go directly to veterans and their dependents. It is important that we remember that these individuals gave us the opportunity
to enjoy the freedoms we have today. Working with the Trojans was a rewarding experience and we hope it helped raise awareness.” While Bleviss is certainly pleased with the help the Calgary Poppy Fund has received from SAIT and the Trojans this November, he also noted that there are many veterans who need these donations year round. “The Veterans Food Bank is a program of the Calgary Poppy Fund and we are the only one in Canada that operates 12 months a year, helping veterans put food on the table and assisting with their daily living,” said Bleviss.
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the Weal.com | November 25, 2013
9
Snowfall cuts weekend of sport short BY CARYS RICHARDS WEAL WRITER
An eventful weekend for the men and women of Troy was ground to an abrupt halt when snowfall warnings and dangerous roads across the province resulted in five cancelled match-ups. Games took place Nov. 14 and 15, though the Nov. 16 contests were cancelled and will be scheduled for another date. The sole victors on the weekend were the Trojans men’s volleyball team as they defeated the Olds College Broncos by a score of three games to nothing for their third consecutive win this season. “We had a pretty good game plan and pretty good attention to detail in terms of executing that,” said Dan Gilbert, the head coach of the men’s volleyball squad. Earlier that evening, Olds College also hosted the women’s volleyball team, but the home squad was able to capitalize on chances and earned a hard fought victory over the Trojans. Despite a strong outing to begin the contest, the Trojans women’s volleyball team was unable to maintain momentum and the game was decided in five sets. “They made some adjustments and we didn’t adjust quick enough to put them in trouble, so yeah, that’s kind of how it went,” said Trojans women’s head coach,
Art O’Dwyer. The team now has a record of one win and six losses and will look to get their game back on track against the Lethbridge Kodiaks in upcoming back to back contests. On Nov. 15, three Trojans teams saw action. Both the women’s and the men’s basketball clubs hosted their Red Deer rivals and the men’s hockey squad had home ice advantage against the MacEwan University Griffins. The Trojans women’s basketball team, who spent the previous week preparing for a strong opening quarter, allowed nine points before registering any of their own and dropped the decision to the Red Deer College Queens. “We came out and weren’t ready to go,” said the women’s head coach, Donovan Martin. The Trojans trailed by a single point a quarter of the way through the game but came up short in the end. SAIT’s squad was outshot 9–21 in the fourth quarter and was ultimately defeated by a score of 61–56. The same day, SAIT’s men’s basketball squad also lost to their Red Deer College counterparts, the Kings. The Kings remain unbeaten on the season after their recent tilt with the Trojans, who now fall to 2–6. The final game of the week was a match between men’s hockey clubs, with the SAIT Trojans facing the MacEwan University Griffins in a contest that would see the Trojans
Men’s hockey – away November 29 @ 7 p.m. Keyano College Huskies Women’s hockey – away November 29 @ 8:15 p.m. MacEwan University Griffins Men’s hockey November 30 @ 2 p.m. Keyano College Huskies Women’s hockey – home November 30 @ 7 p.m. MacEwan University Griffins
Latest Trojans Scores Date Nov. 15 Nov. 15 Nov. 15 Nov. 14 Nov. 14
Opponent RDC Kings GMU Griffins RDC Queens OC Broncos OC Broncos
demoralizing 9–4 loss on home ice, SAIT still retained their position at the top of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference standings. The following afternoon, the Trojans were supposed to get an opportunity to redeem
themselves against the same opponents but snowfall warnings across the province caused the cancellation of several games, and the men’s hockey club will now have to wait until the next weekend for redemption.
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surrender nine goals for the first time since January 2009. “The only positive I can find out of this is maybe that it is rock bottom. You can’t get much worse,” said Trojans hockey head coach Ken Babey. Although it was a
Score L 43–65 L 5–9 L 56–61 W 3–0 L 2–3
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November 25, 2013 | the Weal.com
Opinions Pressure for perfection causes low self-esteem in men, too BY AMANDA SIEBERT WEAL WRITER
As images of rippled muscles and hourglass figures flood every aspect of western culture, it’s no surprise that pressure to fit Hollywood’s physical ideals plagues both males and females. Though we have seen much research citing these ideals as the reason for low self-esteem in women, new research shows that an overwhelming number of men are being negatively affected by society’s pressure to look a certain way. In a recent study conducted by medical journal JAMA Pediatrics, researchers found that an increasing number of young males (17.9 per cent) had an unhealthily high concern towards their body image. In many cases, these concerns led to a whole host of psychological and behavioural repercussions, including, but not limited to, depression, future drug abuse, and eating disorders. Another study conducted by the University of West England showed that four in five men have body image issues, while 38 per cent of men said that
they would “sacrifice at least a year of their life in exchange for a perfect body.” So what does the perfect man look like, and why are some men willing to give up a year of their life to look that way? Think of Barbie and G.I. Joe: While the ‘perfect’ woman sports long legs, perky breasts, and a tiny waist, the perfect man dons six-pack washboard abs, bulging biceps, and a manhood to go along with them. Open an issue of G.Q. or Men’s Health and it’s no surprise why more and more men are striving to reach this borderline-unattainable level of vanity (veiled as health, of course) which some refer to as “the Adonis complex.” The lengths that some men go to in an attempt to achieve these ideals are becoming increasingly risky. Where supplements, performance enhancing drugs and steroids were once reserved for athletes and body builders, JAMA Pediatrics’ study showed that boys as young as 12 years of age are now turning to similar muscle-building products. Another study conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that up to 40 per cent of teenage boys use protein powders, while an alarming six
per cent use steroids. Another study published in the Sport Medical Journal found that up to 30 per cent of Canadian adolescents have tried a form of anabolic steroids. The problem with this obsession lies not in the obsession itself, but in society’s general lack of awareness and consideration. Most men know that making a judgmental comment about a woman’s body to her face is generally a no-no, but are women as considerate of men in this respect? If men are meant to achieve Adonis-like bodies, then they should have personalities to match: strong, hard, and unaffected, which is why it remains “acceptable” for men to be criticized regardless of how they may be affected. According to a study conducted by Bridgewater State University, the discussion of male body image has been taboo for quite some time for this very reason. Like the stereotype of the man that won’t ask for directions, pride gets in the way of the well-being of many men, and many suffer from low selfesteem in silence because they fear that their masculinity will be questioned if they seek help.
The problem with this obsession lies not in the obsession itself, but in society’s general lack of awareness and consideration.
SUSAN KIM ILLUSTRATION
It’s time that we recognize and address issues with body image on a more even scale. We have seen a shift, albeit a small one, in the way that women are perceived because female celebrities and public figures are speaking out against the pressure that is put on women to pursue a Barbie-like body. Until we see men of such
stature addressing this situation on a public scale, it is important that we remember that any cultural shift starts small. Next time you feel like making a comment about your buddy’s beer gut, your younger brother’s spindly legs, or your uncle’s receding hairline, think twice. It is up to us to change the ideals.
the Weal.com | November 25, 2013
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men, Don’t bottle up — buckle down and talk about what’s on your mind BY MONICA HENDERSON OPINIONS EDITOR
More than just lack of exercise, sleep or an unhealthy diet can prevent a man from being in shape. It turns out that hiding your feelings and bottling up your woes does more than leave your partner or family wondering why you won’t talk to them about what’s got you down. Men’s Health magazine reported that a study done by the University of Rochester found that a great percentage of people who don’t talk about their emotions are at a bigger health risk than those who do. Cancer and cardiovascular disease rates jumped 70 per cent and 47 per cent respectively for those who came within the bottom quarter of the study group when measuring emotional openness. Turns out, hiding your feelings can be
hard on the heart—literally. The Daily Mail expanded this point by reporting that the same study included 796 men and women with an average age of 44, who had signed up in 1996. Twelve years later, 111 of the test subjects had died, and the death rates were highest among those who admitted to bottling up their anger or concealing their thoughts from others. Men’s Health also shared the insight of the study’s coauthor, Benjamin Chapman, Ph.D. He stated that “guys who suppress their feelings may smoke more, drink more, and engage in other unhealthy coping behaviors [sic] more regularly than emotionally open men.” He also disclosed that “the pent-up stress that accumulates from unexpressed emotions messes with your body’s inflammation levels and immune system.”
Besides leading to bad habits and unhealthy decisions, leaving your emotions bottled up inside can also negatively affect your relationships. Kansas State University conducted a study with couples aged 18-20 in an early dating stage (having dated for six months or less, and weren’t living together or married) and found interesting research regarding conversation’s effect on couple interaction. On Kansas State’s website, psychologists shared that according to this research, “Young adults who easily engage in rewarding conversations with their partners are less likely to hold onto anger and stress and more likely to be satisfied with the relationship.” In layman’s terms, the more you share and the more effectively you communicate, the happier you’ll be with your
partner. No one’s happy dating a brick wall, and when it comes to sharing your feelings, even a little means a lot. Outside of romantic relationships, many people have been raised by their parents in a way that suppresses the expression of feelings, which makes it hard to understand the importance of doing so and making the transition to openness and vulnerability. In the aforementioned Daily Mail article, psychologist Voula Grand was quoted saying, “It has long been thought that cancers are partly the result of suppressed emotions. But although people learn to hide their feelings at a very early age, they can still be taught to express them later in life. It takes a lot of energy and effort but it can be done.” While both men and women can be victims of their own
self-suppression, men tend to verbally express much less than women due to a need to be selfreliant. MensLine.org stated that this is often because of the stereotypical “heroic” male that is considered an ideal archetype for men in our society. However, like many things in life, doing what makes you seem cool doesn’t always make you healthy. What emotional habits society pressures men into thinking will hold them back (i.e. being the sensitive type) may actually be the habits that keep them ahead, both health-wise and in terms of relationships. The truth is, nobody likes a crybaby, whether they are female or male seeking any kind of relationship. However, there’s an ideal centre between 100 per cent stoic and 100 per cent whiner that makes for a healthy life and healthy relationship.
The executive corner SAITSA Student Support Centre Now Open
BY AMANDA HANNA SAITSA VP STUDENT LIFE
We have now opened the first-ever SAITSA Student
Support Centre!! Thank you to absolutely everyone for the non-stop support and encouragement. We hope everyone enjoys this space as much as we have enjoyed making it a reality. If you haven’t had a chance to drop in yet, the centre is located in NJ105 in the Senator Burns Building. Come in to meet the staff and volunteers and check out all the resources we have to offer as well as the comfy couches and games. We want this space to be student-driven; if you have any ideas for programs, events or activities that you would like to see incorporated please let us know! With Movember coming to
an end, I would like to say well done to all the Mo Bros and Mo Sistas on campus! Some ‘staches looked sophisticated, some a little greasy, but you rocked them! Thank you for helping us raise funds and awareness for such an important cause. The month of Movember may be over but we all need to continue encouraging the men in our lives to take care of every aspect of their health. You will start to notice white ribbons popping up around campus. These are in support of the White Ribbon campaign, which started in 1991; the world’s largest movement to end violence against women and girls, promote
gender equality and healthy relationships and a new vision of what masculinity really means. In years passed, SAITSA has held a White Rose ceremony to remember the 14 women who were killed in the Ecole Polytechnique attack; this year, on December 4th, we will be holding a White Ribbon Awareness Day in the Atrium. There will be different information booths and activities to help educate everyone on gender equality and how you can make a difference. We encourage absolutely everyone to come out and show their support of this amazing movement. Although this movement is geared towards
men, and they are the ones encouraged to wear the White Ribbons, we would like anyone and everyone to sport the ribbons throughout the month.
The Executive Corner is a weekly column series written and submitted by members of the SAITSA Students’ Executive Council. This content is unedited by The Weal’s staff.
First-year photojournalism student Amanda Siebert ask the SAIT campus:
“Who is the most inspirational man in your life?”
“My grandpa. No matter where he
“My older brother. He works
“My grade 10/11 math teacher.
“My old man — he’s got an unbi-
“My dad, because he was self-
is, he’s always been self-sufficient,
hard, and he has a newborn and
I find math hard, and this guy
ased opinion towards everything,
employed and worked six days
inspiring person and he encour-
and I don’t think he’s ever let
a wife. He does a bit of a juggling
loved it. It’s nice to see someone
and that’s how I like to live my
a week. He gave me good work
aged me to go to school and get
life.”
ethic and paid for my sports as a
a job in the oil patch.”
anyone down. He was a pretty
act, but he’s always there for the
so passionate about something
badass dude.”
family. Plus, he still finds time to
because it makes you more pas-
“Definitely my dad. He’s been an
kid so I didn’t feel left out in life.”
Alasdair Edwards, bachelor of
play video games with me.”
sionate.”
Neil Keays, fourth-year refrigera-
Aaron Dejong, second-year
Dylan Paulson, first-year infor-
applied technology geographic
Jay McCloskey, fourth-year electri-
Jeremy Gutfriend, second-year
tion and air conditioning technol-
power and process operations
mation technology student
information systems
cian apprentice
machinist apprentice
ogy student
student