Oct. 06 2010 Torch

Federal bail posted SARA CAHILL MARRON News Editor Former dean Cecilia Chang made bail for the second time on Friday. Several friends, including Carol Eng, pledged their houses or promises of repayment from Chang affiliates in order to post her $1.5 million dollar bail, according to Eng, an Elmhurst resident, said in a phone interview with the Torch that she believes in Chang.

“I listed my house as a surety because I think she is innocent because I have known her for 20 years,” she said. “We never worked together, but I put up my house because I think she is innocent.”

Chang’s supporters own homes around the New York City area such as in Hollis Hills, Hempstead, and Elmhurst.

According to a federal court document from the Eastern District Court in downtown Brooklyn, some of the guarantors were friends of her son, Steven. Pledging their personal residences as sureties, they voiced support for Chang’s.

Two of the guarantors are friends of Steven and employees of KPMG, a network of tax and auditing firms.

Ray Zardetto, senior director of Corporate Communications, says KPMG is not going to comment on the alleged actions of its employees at this time.

In a complaint brought before the Federal District Court in Brooklyn on Thursday, Chang is alleged to have threatened students if they refused to perform household chores and other personal services for her.

As dean of the Institute of Asian Studies, a position she held until 2010, Chang was allowed to grant scholarships to students.

Recipients of scholarships handed out by Chang were told the money was contingent on working a minimum of 20 hours a week and 122 days per year, per person.

TORCH PHOTOS/BRIAN LOPEZ

Students and alumni met with representatives from various businesses and organizations in Taffner Field House.

Career week kicks of at intership fair EDLINE DYER Contributing Writer St. John’s annual Career Week kicked off September 28th with a Block Party on Carnesecca Plaza.

The week consisted of a series of events designed to give University students an edge when entering the competitive job market. Different workshops and events that dealt with all aspects of the job application process were scheduled to happen throughout the week.

A workshop on techniques to remember when interviewing was also held that Tuesday.

On Wednesday, students could walk into the Career Center and have their resumes reviewed

WHAT’S INSIDE News......................1-5 Features.............18-19 Opinion................6-10 Comics....................20 Entertainment...13-16 Sports.................21-24

by staff members, while students in the medical field could attend a workshop specialized just for them.

For many students, the highlight of the fair was the Academic Internship Fair held last Thursday in Taffner Field House.

Students had the opportunity to formally meet representatives from over 100 organizations and get an idea of what kind of real world experience is available to them.

Career areas represented included business, computer sciences, homeland security and TV and Film.

During the fair, companies gave students a more specific idea of what they looked for in terms of each applicants interests, skills, and majors.

Senior Lesley Williams, a communications major, explained how students could go a step beyond simply submitting a resume. She also said encouraged students to take a moment and speak directly with company representatives to make sure of a lasting impression.

“I got to verbalize my highlights on my resume,” Williams said. “When you just see a resume sometimes people forget about it but actually talking to them about my strengths—it was good.”

Many students found the fair to be incredibly helpful in the search to start networking. Graduate student Sally Zhang, a risk management major, also took the time to check out her options.

“It’s a good opportunity to

MUSIC

Money Talks Oliver Stone returns with a Wall Street sequel fit for theaters and the economy.

ENTER RTAINMENT Pg. 16

not only see the companies but also learn the realities of these careers,” she said. “Just searching on the Internet is a lot of information, but here, it’s more objective.”

Suzanne Hardie, assistant director of Employment for New York Hospital Queens described the fair as a success. “[The fair was] a win-win situation with the students,” she said. “They really benefit from the internship program and we find that they’re really bright and motivated.”

According to Hardie, the hospital has many opportunities available for students that often lead to job opportunities after graduation. continued on pg. 4

TORCHONLINE.COM Do you think the University should have informed the student body of Cecilia Chang’s arrest?

88% Yes 12% No Check out our new poll every Wednesday “Think Outside. . .”

2

Directory

Managing Board LXXXVIII

JUSTIN THRIFT, Editor-in-Chief NELL O’CONNOR, Managing Editor MARK MCDONALD, General Manager SARA CAHILL MARRON BILL SAN ANTONIO

MICHAEL MONTIJO

News Editor

Sports Editor

Art Director

CAROLYN WARGULA

KRISTEN FARMER

SARAH LANE

Features Editor

Photo Editor

Chief Copy Editor

ADELLE PLATON

BRIAN LOPEZ

ELIZABETH MILLER

Layout Editor

Entertainment Editor Asst. Photo Editor JOSÉ SILVA

ELLEN CAREY

Online Editor

Advisor

Business (718) 9906756 Advertising 990-6756 Editorial Board 990-6444

Features 990-6445 Letters 990-6445 News 990-6444 Sports 990-6444

Special thanks to Richard Rex Thomas for assisting in the design of The TORCH

Entertainment Anything But Misery Maroon 5’s latest album will have fans all over it. Inferno reviews Hands All Over in Hit or Miss.

Inferno Pg. 16

Features “The Ripples Guy” Paul Wesselman spoke at the “Take Back the Night” event and inspired students to look at the simple thing to make a difference.

TORCH PHOTO/JUSTIN THRIFT

Features Pg. 19

Women’s Soccer No Feast, Just Famine Women’s soccer falls to Notre Dame for third straight loss.

NEWS

Sports Pg. 22

OPINION PG. 10

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The TORCH

6 Oct. 2010

DONATE BLOOD

FOR MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS: 718-990-6756 The TORCH is the official student newspaper of St. John’s University. The Torch is written, edited, designed and produced by students of the University. All contents are the sole responsibility of the editors and the editorial board and do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, faculty or students of St. John’s University unless specifically stated.

To contact The TORCH by mail: The TORCH, St. John’s University 8000 Utopia Parkway Queens, NY 11439

The TORCH is typically published on Wednesdays, approximately 20 issues throughout the academic year. Circulation per issue is 3,500 copies distributed free on campus.

This copy of The Torch is worth $ .75.

The new voting machine for New York state was demonstrated in the D’Angelo Center on Tuesday. Voters now submit their ballot digitally.

3

Coach Lavin makes donation to STJ Bread and Life NELL O’CONNOR Managing Editor Men’s basketball head coach Steve Lavin is giving back to the community that has welcomed him with open arms as the savior of the Red Storm.

Lavin and his wife, Mary Jarou, donated $10,000 to St. John’s Bread and Life in Brooklyn Tuesday, matching a donation made by BTIG Brokerage LLC. Company co-founder Steven Starker, Bread and Life executive director Anthony Butler, director of Athletics Chris Monasch and senior forward Rob Thomas were all on hand to help Lavin present the gift.

BTIG, an international brokerage firm, had raised the money during their eighth annual “Commissions for Charity” Trading Day on May 6, 2010.

During the event, the company traded 200 million shares and donated more than $4 million to more than 100 children’s charities.

Lavin participated in the day alongside many notable and local celebrities, including Michael J. Fox, Matt Dillon, NY Giants’ head coach Tom Coughlin, and Bruce Beck of NBC 4.

At the event, Lavin spoke of the great “collaborative spirit” he felt at Bread and Life, and

how that feeling helped draw him to the University.

“One of the many aspects that attracted Mary and I to St. John’s is the commitment to the University’s mission of service, and the curriculum really being taught on the front lines to our students in terms of serving others,” he said.

He and his wife also pledged to give $5,000 a year to the soup kitchen for the remainder of Lavin’s five season contract with the University.

Sarker thanked the firstyear coach for his generous donation and expressed a desire to continue the partnership. ”Our Commissions for Charity Day increases in popularity each year with more celebrities in attendance and more of our clients significantly increasing their trading volumes to support our chosen charities,” he said. “We look forward to exciting things in the future.”

Butler commended Lavin, the basketball team and the University community as a whole for their continuing work with the center.

“St. John’s Bread and Life relies on the support of St. John’s University,” said Butler.

“This is another example of how St. John’s takes that Vincentian spirit – that spirit of giving, that spirit of enabling people to take care of their own lives – and manifests it in the real world.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF MEDIA RELATIONS

Steve Lavin donated $10,000 to St. John’s Bread and Life in Brooklyn.

JOSÉ SILVA Online Editor CAT FESTA Contributing Writer

The TORCH TORCH PHOTO/BRIAN LOPEZ

The Residence Village houses underclassmen students.

torchonline.com

Henley and agrees with Sang that there does not seem to be a party atmosphere in the neighborhood.

“There aren’t many parties at Henley, you get a small group of people and just hang out because the living spaces aren’t too big,” said Telles, a Government and Politics major.

“I think they have a problem with the fact that it is just college students living in the building,” added Telles.

Scianna said the University is not backing down and are addressing the issue. The university sent four top officials to speak on behalf of St. John’s.

“We get complaints about off housing campus like any other university,” said Scianna,”For someone to say that we are not addressing the issue is completely false.”

Scianna said that the University also provides an off campus housing guide through SWELL, the student wellness center. The guide provides help, hows to’s and don’ts for off campus student housing.

6 Oct. 2010

Residents who live close to St. John’s Henley housing complex have been complaining about the amount noise and parties around the vicinity. The complaint mostly focuses the students living in apartments and houses near Henley.

On Sept. 21 the Jamaica Estate Association met with University officials and residents of the community to discuss the situation.

Dr. Edward Toriello, chairman of the Board at the JEA, expressed concerns at the meeting regarding the “hundreds of kids with a little bit of alcohol” who can fee loud and threatening towards their neighbors.

Dominic Scianna, the assistant vice president of Media Relations, attended the meeting and said the University is doing

part on handling the situation.

“We can’t control where the students live, but when its brought to our attention investigate the situation through public safety and police reports,” said Scianna.

Toriello believes that the University may be taking action but the community is left unaware due to poor communication.

Johnny Sang, a resident near the Henley dorms and St. John’s doesn’t feel that there is a problem.

“I’ve never had a neighbor complaint, my landlord complains but thats because she lives right above me,” said the Junior and pre-law major.

Sang who has been living on Henley Rd. for the past two years hasn’t seen much of the party atmosphere or drunken debauchery the JEA has reported.

“Its pretty quiet actually, I’ve never heard of any parties around the Henley area, theres really no noise around the dorms,” said Sang.

Michael Telles lives in

NEWS

Community reacts to students in off-campus housing

4

Paladino uses personal politics TERENCE CULLEN Contributing Writer

that give?” Mahmood questioned. “If he can’t handle his marriage or a simple question, how will he be able to handle an entire state?”

Mahmood, who plans to vote for Cuomo, feels that all that the candidate has to do now is step back and let the race take place.

Junior Chuch Anakwenze agreed when he said “Two wrongs don’t make a right… It’s not going to elevate his stand in the race.”

Some students do not feel that anything regarding either candidate’s personal life should even be a factor.

Malcolm James, a sophomore who says he might vote, feels that a candidate should campaign on their platform and concentrate on their merit.

“I think they should stick to the politics,” James said, “not make it personal.”

A recent poll released by Siena College released on Oct. 5 shows Cuomo leading Paladino by a ratio of 3:1. In New York City alone, the Cuomo is ahead 71-17%.

With election day less than a month away, voters in the poll found Paladino to be a “loose cannon” and have lost confidence in the republican.

NEWS

As the calendar gets closer to Nov. 2, the race for the next New York governor gets a little messier as the weeks go on.

Republican candidate Carl Paladino has thrown much of the mud this past week when he first accused opponent Andrew Cuomo of having an affair while married to Kerry Kennedy, daughter of late NY Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Cuomo and his campaign have asserted that the republican’s statements are absolutely false.

The claims came after it was revealed Paladino had extramarital relations 10 years ago, resulting in a love child.

Julie Bastos, a senior marketing major, called Paladino’s finger pointing inconsistent with his platform calling for a reform to the typical politician. The New Jersey native who admitted she does not vote scolded the Tea Party candidate.

“It makes me not want to vote or even care about politics,” Bastos said. She said that politicians all act the same regardless of the side and that “you kind of give up

hope that nothing is going to happen or change soon” During a press conference on Sept. 29, Paladino was confronted on how true his accusations against Cuomo were. Veteran political writer from the New York Post, Fred Dicker, stood and challenged Paladino’s comments.

When Dicker asked Paladino if he had proof, the governor hopeful lashed back at Dicker. He asserted that Dicker had sent post reporters to his illegitimate daughter’s home. The angered Paladino yelled “I’ll take you out,” should Dicker investigate anymore into Paladino’s private life.

The comment was soon broadcasted by nearly all major news outlets, including the reporter’s own newspaper. Paladino openly charged Dicker before the two were separated by campaign manager Michael Caputo.

Caputo soon began to exchange words with Dicker as well, going as far as to curse at him in front of a room full of journalists.

Sophomore Noshee Mahmood felt that Paladino’s sudden attack on Dicker reflected poorly on his ability to lead. “If he’s going out to campaign and talking to families and children, what image does

TORCH PHOTO/BRIAN LOPEZ

torchonline.com

The TORCH

6 Oct. 2010

Student smokers on campus respond to Bloomberg’s proposed Smoke-free Air Act.

Smoke-free Air Act recieves mixed reviews LIAM LA GUERRE Staff Writer Mayor Michael Bloomberg has proposed to extend the Smoke Free-Air Act to prohibit smoking in public beaches, parks and pedestrian plazas and malls in an effort to clean New York City’s air and promote health.

This proposal is “another piece of the puzzle” for the Mayor, who signed Smoke-free Air Act amendments 2003 to restrict smokers in public indoor areas such as bars, and restaurants.

The Mayor’s new plan has received mixed emotions from St. John’s Students.

“I don’t agree with it, I think it’s unnecessary, its extra laws which cause problems. It makes it harder for cigarette smokers to smoke, who rightfully have the right to smoke” said freshman Kevin Behrens.

Junior Jeff Dilorenzo had the opposite response.

“Even though I’m a smoker, I definitely agree with it because I don’t think it’s fair to people who don’t smoke, to have to be around people who do,” he said.

It’s still undetermined how the new amendment will affect the University’s smoking policy, but as of now it complies with the 2003 amendments outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

According to the Student Code of Conduct “smoking is prohibited in all University buildings, and smoking is prohibited within 30 feet of building entrances and open windows”.

This policy extends to all members of the St. John’s community including students, employees, and visitors of the university.

Rarely do smokers violate the university’s policy by smoking indoors however, on a daily basis they could be

found directly outside, not 30 feet away from, the entrances to University buildings and residence halls.

One of the most recognizable cases of this infringement is the smoking populace that frequently gathers in the breezeway in front of the second floor entrance to Marillac Hall.

The university does not enlist public safety officers or officials to maintain the policy, so these violations like this aren’t usually dealt with. However, if someone witnesses any violation they can report it to Human Resources Services for employee concerns or the Dean of Students office for a student concern.

Staff violations may result in “dismissal, demotion, suspension, and many other acts of discipline.” Students as well as host of guest who violate the policy will have to deal with the vice president of Student Life who may impose “any penalty they see fit.”

Career Week gives students options continued from pg. 1 Some popular tables included Disney College, MTV Networks, and Likeable Media, a social media organization that offers lots of training to students.

Likeable Media said that he worry of having “experience” is virtually eliminated.

Many of the representatives made it so that students felt comfortable approaching them about prospective positions. Several students felt free to ask how each representative personally felt about where they work and what they like about their organization, allowing them to get a more realistic idea of what could possibly be ahead of them.

Williams also considered the fair a success.

“There were a lot of employers here [geared toward] my major,” she said.

“Hopefully they remember me and hopefully they email me back!”

There were several other workshops over the week that led up to the culmination, the Fall Career Fair.

Employers for all different companies came out to the University Tuesday to talk to students and alumni about potential positions. Several companies were present at both fairs during the week because of the strong impression St. John’s students have made.

“We like coming to St. John’s because you guys are so well-prepared for these things,” said a representative from Universal Media Group. “You know what questions to ask and it’s very professional.”

Students were given yet another opportunity to network with potential employers and get their resumes out there.

Sophomore Melanie Balousek felt that the event was very professional and a great opportunity.

“It was very beneficial for students who wanted to start networking,” she said. “It was really well-organized and there were a lot of well-known names that were represented.”

Balousek felt that she, a business management major, had an opportunity to get a lot out of the event.

“If I did have my resume,” she said, “I definitely would have been able to give it out to a great number of people.”

Some students see the career fair as a strong reminder of what is facing them once they graduate from St. John’s and have to go out into the real world.

For Ella Soltz, a sophomore, the Career Fair came as a bit of a shock. As an actuarial science major, she now feels somewhat unprepared for what awaits her.

“It was somewhat of a reality check,” she said. “Although there were hundreds of companies, opportunities seemed slim for my specific field.”

Additional reporting by Nell O’Connor

Can’t get enough TORCH news? Visit our Web site for online exclusives. torchonline.com

Students react to former dean Cecilia Chang scandal “terrified” to talk to the Torch in fear that the former dean would find out.

“I think it’s ridiculous,” said the student, who wishes to remain unnamed. “I watch the news and she said she A week after the FBI arrested ex-St. John’s dean doesn’t think it’s improper, but I think it’s definitely not Cecilia Chang, students are still reacting to the allegations [proper], because you’re not supposed to hire students to that Chang forced students to work for her in exchange work in your house.” for keeping their scholarships. This is in addition to a The affidavit contained information the FBI received state investigation that has brought Chang up on more from four confidential informants was comprised of than 200 charges relating to embezzlement of University students and University staff members and included money. statements from several of Chang’s student workers.

In an affidavit that was issued by the FBI in the One of the student statements read: “[Chang] let Federal District Court in Brooklyn last Thursday, Chang me be the housekeeper for her house and give me the is said to have “threatened” the students, telling them scholarship. We have three housekeeper before, and she that she was “the boss,” and forcing them to perform ask us work 122 days per year per person.” duties such as cooking, cleaning, shoveling the driveway Sophomore Alexa Peyton said she thinks the news of and driving her around in her car.

Chang’s criminal behavior is overwhelming.

A graduate student who identified herself as a good “They trusted her with getting money and getting friend of one of the affected students said her friend was stuff done for the school,” said Peyton. “That’s a total betrayal of what the University expected of her.

I heard about it a few days ago and I didn’t even know if it was true or not. It’s crazy.”

Dan Hongwu, a freshmen, felt similarly about the situation.

“I feel that she can’t do that because she was in a higher position. She asked a student to do something for her that is very bad.”

While many students feel betrayed and angry about the scandal, a majority of them are still struggling with why it took St. John’s multiple years to uncover Chang’s work.

Junior Helen Cheriyan said her first thought when reading the story was “how did no one find out earlier?” and freshman Brian Singkuan said, “that’s a lot of money, how did she not TORCH PHOTO/BRIAN LOPEZ get caught sooner?”

Sophomore Alexa Peyton talks about Chang betraying the University.

Chang posted the $1.5

5

JUSTIN THRIFT Editor-in-Chief

TORCH PHOTO/BRIAN LOPEZ

Sun Yet Sen spurs discussion about Chang. million bail for the federal charges on Monday.

If convicted on the federal charges concerning student labor alone Chang would face up to 20 years in prison.

Additional reporting by Tom Carnevale

NEWS

6 Oct. 2010 The TORCH torchonline.com

6

Editorial Board LXXXVIII

Illustrator’s Corner:

JUSTIN THRIFT Editor-in-Chief NELL O’CONNOR Managing Editor SARA CAHILL MARRON News Editor MARK MCDONALD General Manager

FLAMES OF THE TORCH

torchonline.com

The TORCH

6 Oct. 2010

OPINION

The Thunderbird’s woes If you visited the homepage of St. John’s University last week, you most likely saw a gigantic image of Johnny Thunderbird, our university’s beet-red school spirit promoter who just celebrated his first birthday a few weeks ago.

Click on that image, and you’ll be brought to a University published article about Johnny’s birthday celebration, and all of the wonderful fun that occurred with it.

In case you missed it, Johnny Thunderbird’s all-day birthday bash is being “billed as this fall’s hottest party,” according to the University’s article. In the world of journalism, that would be considered a gross example of editorializing, but we’ll look the other way on that one.

Continue further and you’ll read about the food, games and karaoke festivities that made the Thunderbird’s first birthday a signature example of St. John’s revelry.

The question we have is, besides the men’s soccer game that topped off the all-day celebration, was there something that happened at Johnny’s party that actually deserves being highlighted on the University’s main website?

The nature and intent of Johnny’s celebration was good-willed: it provided students with an opportunity to come together on campus, join in some school pride before a big game and eat free food.

But the desperateness that the school has shown in featuring a cheesy recap of this day on stjohns.edu is both absurd and disgraceful.

Perhaps the powers at be feel that this is a wise business tactic, to

plaster the institution’s homepage with evidence of school spirit at a time when prospective students are like a customer at a car dealership.

However, we feel that it only hurts the reputation of the school as it displays a potentially harmful possibility that we as a University have little else of which to be proud.

Johnny Thunderbird turning one is not impressive news, and neither is the fact that students actually came out for a school barbecue and soccer game for once. This happens every week at other institutions.

Next to Johnny’s spot on the University’s homepage, there is currently a feature about a St. John’s science graduate student who has recently been selected to take his academic research on to Harvard.

This is news that represents the complete opposite of the Thunderbird’s birthday bash: It demonstrates impressive intellectualism happening at St. John’s and it’s a serious article about an interesting University student who found success here.

Surely this is much more newsworthy than anything the school’s mascot does; if nothing else, it’s a good business strategy as an institution of higher learning.

We suggest that the University understand the difference between these two features on the website. If St. John’s wants to continue to grow and be advertised as one of the best places to receive an education in the United States (like they claim), it needs to be represented like one.

Happy birthday Johnny, maybe next year you’ll get the attention you deserve.

TORCH ILLUSTRATION/MICHAEL MONTIJO

STUDENTSPARKS: Library Should the library be open late for students?

It should not close at 11, it should close later like 2 or 3.

Victoria Batts Junior

As a commuter I don’t use it at that time, if the DAC is open it’s fine.

Bradley Jacques Junior

EDITORIAL POLICY Editorials are the opinions of the Editorial Board of The TORCH. Columns are the opinions of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of The TORCH. Opin-

ions expressed in editorials, columns, letters or cartoons are not necessarily those of the student body, faculty or administrations of St. John’s University.

TO CONTRIBUTE Mail letters to: The TORCH Letters, St. John’s University, 8000 Utopia Pkwy, Jamaica, NY 11439 E-mail letters to: torcheditorials@gmail.com

Please include your full name, year, and college (or department). Letters have a limit of 350 words and may be edited for content, grammar, or space. Unverifiable or anonymous letters will not be published.

All letters are subject to the approval of the Editorial Board of The TORCH.

I’m not usually on campus so I don’t care.

Farmen Amin Sophomore

It stops you from studying for your field. I work here and I play soccer here and I like to study here.

Ricky Yousef Junior COMPILED BY THOMAS CARNEVALE

7

Enhancing the college years How getting out of the classroom sometimes adds to the education

A college education is not solely what takes place in a classroom.

torchonline.com

Justin Thrift is a senior English major who is peeved that midterms are next week.

He can be reached at: torcheic@gmail.com

The TORCH

Cecilia Chang herself on the phone.

Knowing for sure that she was now at her home, Sara and a photographer rushed back to the house, this time under a sun that was almost completely set.

They had similar results to the first trip, but this time saw Chang herself and her son outside. It didn’t take long for the two of them to race inside and slam the door.

It was a day that presented unexpected work and commotion, and I missed all three of my classes for it. But we all gained a new experience in the world of journalism that could prove more valuable than anything covered in class that day, and Sara’s article came out much better for it. (To all my professors: Please don’t fail me).

Great emphasis is always placed on getting a quality education, and rightly so because that is part of what will lead to a great career.

But a college education is not solely what takes place in a classroom— it is the lessons we’re taught both in and outside of class, the relationships we develop with professors, students and contacts, and the experiences we have along the way. As most employers will tell you, the more experience, the better.

The events of last Tuesday and the time I spend at my internship every week are examples of indispensable experiences. College is not only about training the mind to think at a higher level, it’s about preparing for what you want to do after you grasp that diploma.

I challenge anyone to refute that.

On Thursday when I’m shoulder to shoulder making my way downtown, it’ll be worth it for what the day is going to teach me. For that, St. John’s, I couldn’t thank you more.

6 Oct. 2010

“

TORCH ILLUSTRATION/JAMES KERIGAN

OPINION

We have a deal, St. John’s and I. Twice a week I make my way into Manhattan on crammed busses and trains and show up for my internship, ready to perform any order I’m given. When I get home, I write a few sentences down about my day in a journal.

In return I’m awarded six academic credits, which are two less classes I have to take this semester. Oh, and I also receive an hour for lunch.

It’s a fine deal, one that I consider well worth the price of riding an uncomfortably packed Q46 twice a week. It’s worth it because at the end of the day, I receive more hands-on experience that I can put towards my career than I would have received all week in class. Nothing against learning from books, but getting out into the working world can sometimes be a much more useful lesson.

The same is true for the time I dedicate every week to working on the TORCH. I’m asked routinely how I balance my classes with the newspaper, and my response is always the same: I do my best, and most of the time it balances out just fine.

But some weeks, my commitments don’t balance out as perfectly as the schedule on my wall reads. Last week is a great example of this, as developments in the Cecilia Chang scandal had members of the TORCH staff running around like bionic reporters.

Tuesdays are normally when I attend three classes and then focus on producing the TORCH so it can print early Wednesday morning. Last Tuesday did not remotely resemble this formula.

We learned Tuesday morning that Cecilia Chang, the ex-dean who was arrested for allegedly embezzling over $1 million from the University, had posted bail and was returning to her home in Jamaica Estates that day.

The TORCH was the first to learn about this, as our own Sara Marron had made a random call to the Queens’ DA looking for developments such as this one.

A small group of us quickly found Chang’s address and hustled out of the office with a camera and notepads. We poked around outside her house, ringing her doorbell several times and asking neighbors if they’d seen anyone enter the home. We left with a photo for the front page and a look at where some of the wealthiest people in Queens live.

Sara continued work on a story that would become the next day’s front page of the TORCH, and also catch the attention of a New York Times reporter who came to campus Thursday morning to work with her.

The rest of us continued our work, buzzing with the understanding that we were working on breaking news. Eventually, we found the phone number for the Chang household we had visited earlier in the day. A few moments later, we had

8

Later hours at What makes an adult? library would better meet student needs

torchonline.com

The TORCH

6 Oct. 2010

OPINION

RAMIRO FUNEZ Staff Writer Late night studying has become increasingly difficult for many St. John’s students.

This semester, the University has decided to enforce an 11 p.m. closing time on weekdays for all sections of St. Augustine Hall, a main center for late night studying on campus.

School officials accredit the early closings to a decreased student government budget that doesn’t provide enough funds to pay the security guards, heating/air conditioning, and lights necessary to maintain the building.

In order to compensate students who study late into the night and have no where else to go, the University has extended the hours of the D’ Angelo Center until 3 a.m.

However, in previous semesters, the University would close off most sections of St. Augustine Hall but would leave the first floor open throughout the night and into the morning so that students could have a quiet place to study.

Removing 24-hour access to the library hinders students from studying efficiently during late night hours.

Most resident students, excluding those living in singles or individuals who are resident assistants, share their bedrooms with roommates who may study and socialize at completely different times.

While one roommate may listen to music loudly and have friends over during the day, the other might do the same during the night time. In effect, discrepancies are often established as a result of conflicting schedules that interfere with studying and socializing time periods.

Many commuter students are put at a disadvantage. If a commuter student is studying at 3 a.m. in the D’ Angelo Center for his or her 7:30 a.m. midterm, the individual is forced to leave because of the closing time and has to commute back home and come back early in the morning to take the exam.

In addition, the D’ Angelo Center is a building that is primarily designed to foster a social and relaxed setting at all hours of the day, an ambiance that isn’t welcoming to students who are looking for a quiet place to study or read. Even during late hours of the night and early mornings, the hallways of the newly-constructed building echo with sounds of loud students playing the piano or listening to music.

Whether living on campus or not, closing the library poses a huge inconvenience for students studying late a night.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, college students who study late into the night receive higher grades on exams when they study in their school’s library instead of their dorm room or lounge areas.

In fact, the research company also reports that students perform poorer on exams when they study in areas of campus designated for social activity instead of academic enrichment.

To solve this problem, every year the University should set aside funds to support the necessary maintenance needed for students to study in the library 24 hours a day. Instead of spending money on giving out free t-shirts or other campus paraphanelia, University officials should save that money and utilize it to maintain the library all day so that students may study peacefully.

This is an issue that the University must address.

If not, students will never have a place where they can quietly study at all hours of the night.

Can’t get enough TORCH editorials?

Visit our website for online exclusives. torchonline.com

Merriam Webster’s Dictionary offers several definitions for the word “adult,” the most relevant for this column being “fully-developed and mature” and “one that is adult; especially: a human being after an age (as 21) specified by law.”

As we grow up, becoming an “adult” is the ultimate goal: reaching that time in our lives when we can live free from parental restrictions and guidelines, making our own decisions (good or bad), and finally having the opportunity to really and truly express ourselves. But when is it that we reach this point, this defining moment?

Many believe that it occurs at the age of 18, when we are granted the right to vote, to join the military, to buy lottery tickets, when the term “minor” is lifted. However, most 18-year-olds still find themselves under their parents’ rules and commands well after this magical birthday.

So then maybe 21 is the lucky number, when the final social stigma, that of being legally able to purchase and consume alcohol, disappears. I myself recently celebrated this milestone, but I still do not feel like an “adult.” I definitely feel a sense of freedom, but not of being someone who is “fully developed” in the eyes of society. And you know what? I’m in no rush.

Being an “adult” means being completely responsible for everything in my life. I still have a semester and a half of college left, there is no way I am financially or emotionally ready to handle that. Therefore, I believe that the determination of being an “adult” should be done on a case-by-case basis.

Most of my friends, too, are willing to admit that they are nowhere near ready to be labeled as “adults.”

They share the same fears that I do, especially since most of them will be graduating alongside me come May. However, there are those select few who seem to know exactly what they will be doing after that fateful, fast-approaching day and are completely comfortable taking up the mantle of “adult.”

It is those types of people who seem to be most likely to fall. Think about it. People who seem overly confident in their abilities, who allow themselves to be put under–and put on themselves–tremendous amounts of pressure, are always the ones who seem to struggle the most.

Take, for example, the overly-publicized case of Lindsay Lohan. A few years ago, she was heralded as one of the brightest young adult actors in the business, poised to continue on her success well into her years on “adulthood.”

Having been forced to grow-up and take responsibility for herself and her empire at a young age, barely 18, the original marker for adulthood, Lohan has cracked under the pressure in view of all those with Internet or cable.

While this may seem like an extreme case, take a minute and look around at the people who surround you. Your friend with the perfect GPA stays up most nights cramming, but insists that she has it all together, saying that she is an “adult,” that she can handle the workload. Your friend who goes out and lives la vida Lohan, partying until all hours of the night, because they are an “adult” and they can.

Many of these people have fallen into a sort of Neverland, where they seem to be grown-up and in control, but are really struggling to breathe and stay on top of it all.

To them, I say relax. College is supposed to be a time of finding and developing yourself, so that when the time comes you can slide easily into the role of fully-developed and mature–no quotations–adult.

Nell O’Connor is a senior journalism major.

She can be reached at: torch.managingeditor@gmail.com

University needs to address Chang scandal with school community BILL PHAM Contributing Writer A few weeks ago the St. John’s community received two shocking news stories: the death of Eleanor Taffner (who contributed much to St. John’s) and the arrest of St. John’s former dean Cecilia Chang (who allegedly embezzled $1 million dollars from the University while forcing student labor for scholarship).

Both are shocking stories equally important to the University community, however, the students and their parents have yet to receive any formal communication from the University about the Chang incident. One can only assume it’s because of the negative nature it entails.

Instead, the community has been informed entirely by way of the TORCH and other news organizations around New York. A Vietnamese newspaper even ran a translation of the New York Times article that covered this horrible incident; yet, we still have not heard anything from the school officials come forth to address the student body. Why is that?

It is vital for an institution’s survival to adhere and uphold its core values and beliefs. At St. John’s, it is crucially important not only that we share those core values of truth, love, respect, opportunity, excellence and service, but that we also strive to put those values into our daily practice.

However, it seems to not be the case here with the practices of this University’s administration. A huge scandal like Chang’s may seem unworthy of informing the student body because of its terrible nature, but

surely something must come forth, even if it comes in the form of a corporate apology.

Because of this reluctant movement of the school, many students feel angry, betrayed and disgusted towards both Chang and the University. This is Chang’s evil doing, but the University also has to take serious responsibility for this incident.

Last semester at the Academic Forum, hundreds of students addressed their concerns and disapproval of the new schedule change, stressing the fact that they had not been informed in advance of this decision. Regardless, the University still carried out the change, leading to struggles for students and organizations as they tried to adjust the new schedule.

At that forum, students felt angry and voiced their dissatisfaction with the administration failing to communicate with them. Now, a more serious incident happens at St. John’s and still the community, who have all the right to be informed about this incident, have had to hear it solely from somewhere else.

Think of the thousands of people who are putting their trust and money into St. John’s. Where is the truth, love and respect students deserve from St. John’s?

The community of St. John’s might recognize and highly appreciate all the efforts of St. John’s to improve the school’s reputation. However, that does not mean students support the school to become a coward, refusing to face the truth.

The Chang incident may hurt the University for a while, but any efforts to cover it up will only hurt St. John’s in the long run. If St. John’s is trying to gain some respect from peer institutions, they should at least have some respect for their students first.

Don’t call me a mudblood My blood has been deemed impure.

Don’t worry, it’s not some ethnic-cleansing dictator determining it or a plot of a bad wizarding movie, it’s merely the opinion of the FDA, American Red Cross and the New York Blood Center. If I donate blood, I may cause an epidemic, 60 years from now.

I was born on a military base in Wunderbar Augsburg, Germany in 1988, and lived there for two years. This disqualifies me from giving blood because there is no blood test for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), the human variant of mad cow.

Military bases in Europe were mostly supplied with beef from England, where there was an outbreak in the ’80s. So anybody who lived on or near a U.S. military base in Europe for more than six months between 1980-1996 is ineligible to donate.

Live there for five months and 29 days eating steak every day? You’re good. Getting breastfed by a woman who doesn’t eat red meat and then eating pureed vegetables for about a year? Too bad.

According to most in the medical community, the incubation period for vCJD could be almost 60 years, so apparently there’s a huge worry that an outbreak will kill us all in about 2060. Well, the joke’s on them, because global warming will kill us all by then anyway–or whoever’s left after

the rapture.

Though there has never been a recorded case due to blood transfusion in the U.S., there is no blood test for it, and vCJD has a long incubation period, and though I did feel inadequate when I tried to donate on campus last week, I’m fine with it. It’s understandable.

But you know who else’s blood is impure? The gays. Men who have had sex with men since 1977, to be exact. Why 1977? Because on January 1, 1977, AIDS magically came into existence in gay men. Every good scientist should know that, according to the FDA, who mandates the standards of blood donation.

Even if it’s protected sex, and even though blood tests can detect HIV/AIDS between 10-21 days of transmission now, gay men still cannot donate. This is a complete and total injustice.

I’ve seen True Blood. These vampires are having sex with everybody– man on vampire, gay man on vampire, woman on vampire, woman and man on gay vampire–and drinking everybody’s blood. It’s pretty wild.

Now, the women involved in these

against this injustice. When the FDA voted to continue the ban on gay men in 2007, the Red Cross stated it was “scientifically and medically unwarranted,” with the VP of America’s Blood Centers declaring “I am disappointed [with the FDA’s decision].”

Basically, the FDA has looked at an issue with all scientific and medical data declaring that the ban on gay males from donating is completely unnecessary; and with blood centers in a constant need for blood, they have decided that common sense is unnecessary (Especially considering that in 2008, heterosexual contact was responsible for 30% off HIV/ AIDS diagnoses, according to CDC statistics).

If you want to act on this issue, there are plenty of petitions online and plenty of organizations you can support, including GLAAD–or you can write your congressmen and tell them get involved.

TORCH ILLUSTRATION/MICHAEL MONTIJO Above all, no matter how constant sexcapades (there’s a lot on that ridiculous some of their guideshow) are completely free to donate, and if lines might be, please, DONATE BLOOD they were to have sex with a gay man, they whenever you can. There are always drives would be completely free to donate after on campus, and if you’re eligible, doa year. nate. And if you want to feel impure like Yet, gay men still cannot donate. And myself and gay men, watch a season of neither can any male who had sexual con- True Blood. tact only once–think about the number of Ugh. You’ll have to shower after that. hazed frat boys that this applies to.

Jeffrey Gilbert is a Senior. He can be reached at: For its part, the Red Cross and other jeffreygilberttorch@gmail.com blood donation groups have also come out

13

ENTERTAINMENT

The New Meaning of

PHOTO COURTESY OF JACKA**MOVIE.COM

torchonline.com

Pg. 15

The TORCH

The Inferno calls up Johnny Knoxville to discuss his latest three-dimensional project

6 Oct. 2010

Slapstick Comedy

Return of the Gekko

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MICHAEL DOUGLAS AND SHIA LABEOUF SHINE IN AN EPIC SEQUEL ON WALL STREET PETER LONG Contributing Writer WALL STREET 2 -

OUT OF 4 STARS

C

oming back from several flops (W. and The World Trade Center), director Oliver Stone returns with the second installment of his 1987 film Wall Street, hoping to regain some of his earlier success.

Viewers could easily assume that Stone was simply cashing in on arguably one of his best known films by making a sequel and casting big names both young and old, such as Shia LaBeouf and Susan Surandon, to fill the roles. Surprisingly, this was not the case; Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps is an exciting interpretation of the dirty and slimy work that goes on in between the lines in the financial capital of the world.

Michael Douglas returns strong, playing the role of investment shark Gordon Gekko extremely well. Gekko is the typical Wall Street tycoon who cares nothing about family (specifically his daughter Winnie Gekko, played

by Carey Mulligan) and finds security and purpose in making money.

Gekko is now an older man, humbled by his time in prison and learned about his foul stock market practices, which he had plenty of in the first film. He then meets a suave top gun by the name of Jake Moore (played by Shia LaBeouf) at one of his college lectures. Moore drops the bomb and says that he is marrying Gekko’s daughter, making the two instant colleagues. Gekko sees some of himself in Moore and candidly describes their relationship by saying, “A fisherman can spot another fisherman a mile away.”

Unfortunately, LaBeouf is given little to work with in the script. He gives his character plenty of emotion and is viewed as the cocky fish trying to swim in a pool of financial barracudas. Although he is a huge part of the plot, LaBeouf’s character is simply used as a pawn between Gekko and Josh Brolin’s character, Bretton James.

Screenwriters Allen Loeb and Stephen Schiff gave

PHOTO COURTESY OF WALLSTREETMONEYNEVERSLEEPS.COM

Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps raked in $19 million at the box office in its first week out, thanks to the chemistry between its two leading men, Michael Douglas and Shia LaBeouf. a very vivid and accurate depiction of what happened in 2008 when the economy was brought to its knees by faulty loans and risky investments with Moore’s company, Keller Zabel Investments, in the middle of it.

Moore’s conflicted feelings begin to develop between his two mentors. On the one hand, he has Gekko, the wise man who has learned from his mistakes and gives Moore vital information about the market. On the other, James makes insider trading look cool and will do anything to make money, ultimately posing a bad influence. This plays as an interesting foil throughout the whole movie.

Another central idea of this movie is greed. Not only is the word used in the title of Gekko’s book, Is Greed Good?, but it stays embedded in Moore’s mind throughout the film. He eventually succumbs to the practices of insider trading and the immoral practices that put Gekko in jail in the first place. This strains the relationship between Moore and Winnie because she sees too much of her father in him.

This movie has plenty of great aspects about it such as the direction, the characters and the intricate sub-plots but it does not come without flaws.

First, there is a big difference between witty, intellectual banter and monologues, which occurs frequently in the movie. Without this boring dialogue, the movie could have easily been just under two hours.

Two cameos could have been omitted as well.

Charlie Sheen revives his role as Bud Fox from the first Wall Street for five minutes, which seemed forced, awkward and clichéd. Director Stone, known for being in every movie he directs, appears as Random Investor #2.

Besides these minor downfalls, Wall Street 2 is a dynamite film. Stone and the writers did a tremendous job of painting a believable and detailed picture of the vultures that make up most of downtown Manhattan today. Going into the theater skeptical, viewers soon learn from Gordon Gekko himself that “the mother of all evil is speculation.” Wall Street 2 is a definite must-see.

Not For The Socially Inclined THE FACEBOOK FILM THAT GIVES SOCIAL NETWORKING A BAD NAME ABIGAIL HERNANDEZ

THE SOCIAL NETWORK

T

torchonline.com

he new movie about Facebook will leave users more bored than entertained. The Social Network has an all-star cast with a less than stellar plot.

The film focuses on the story of Mark Zuckerberg (played by Zombieland and Adventure Land’s Jesse Eisenberg) and the creation of his phenomenal website.

As a student in Harvard, he gets dumped by his girlfriend (played by Rooney Mara) for being less than a gentleman, rather than a nerd desperate to get into one of the university’s exclusive social clubs.

Feeling rejected and slightly intoxicated, Zuckerberg hacks into Harvard’s security networks and creates a website that pits two female classmates against each other, allowing others to rate them based on appearances. In a matter of hours, the site sparks the attention of three fellow classmates: twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (played byArmie Hammer) and Divya Narendra (played by Max Minghella) who approach Zuckerberg with a new social network website idea, exclusive to

The TORCH

Justin Timberlake and Jesse Eisenberg play the wealthy creators behind Napster and Facebook.

OUT OF 4 STARS

6 Oct. 2010

PHOTO COURTESY OF THESOCIALNETWORK-MOVIE.COM

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deeper emotion to his Zuckerberg character whereas Cera’s characters usually fall flat.

Timberlake was another actor who managed to convey deeper emotions in his character as well. He definitely had the suave appeal to play the charming Parker and his execution of the character’s desperation to get back into the website business was performed well with great subtlety.

Garfield’s performance in The Social Network definitely impressed many which will help gather an audience for his impending Spiderman movie. Even the smaller roles were played well by their actors. Hammer played both Winklevoss twins and managed to fool audiences into thinking there were actually two different characters.

Brenda Song even makes an appearance and momentarily sheds her long-time Disney image as Saverin’s crazy girlfriend.

However, even at their best , the performers were still limited by the subject matter. The problem with The Social Network lies in its story. Despite the movie being about the creation of Facebook and how it has dominated the realm of social networking, it seemed to leave audiences with more unanswered questions about the site. The Social Network is not worth the money or time, which would probably be better spent on Facebook anyway.

ENTERTAINMENT

Contributing Writer

Harvard students. Zuckerberg then takes the idea and alters it to create Facebook, with the financial help from his friend Eduardo Saverin (played by Andrew Garfield).

While trying to expand their new exclusive website, Zuckerberg and Saverin meet Sean Parker (played

by Justin Timberlake), the creator of the controversial site Napster.

Parker helps them go from potential millionaires to potential billionaires. However, Saverin finds himself being left out of the equation which leads them to several lawsuits and a copyright dispute over whose brilliant idea Facebook really was.

The actors were all surprisingly good with what they were given, and the overall production of the movie was sleek and smooth, which was expected from director David Fincher.

The movie cleverly uses flashbacks as a transition in two different timelines between the creation of the site and the present time when Zuckerberg is battling two lawsuits simultaneously. The flashbacks help illustrate the reasons why Zuckerberg is so lonely and anti-social despite being the creator of one of the biggest social networks.

At the start of Eisenberg’s career it seemed as if he was going to be another Michael Cera, playing the same awkwardly endearing characters. However Eisenberg has managed to show a

16

Pain Goes 3D For Knoxville

Hit or Miss

INFERNO SPEAKS TO THE ACCIDENTPRONE KINGS OF STUNT COMEDY

KARLA RODRIGUEZ

BILL SAN ANTONIO

Staff Writer

Sports Editor

MAROON 5

CARLOS SANTANA

Hands All Over

Guitar Heaven

(Rock/Pop)

(Rock/Guitar)

OUT OF 4 STARS

OUT OF 4 STARS

KARLA RODRIGUEZ Staff Writer

INFERNO REVIEWS THE LATEST ALBUM AND MIXTAPE RELEASES TO DETERMINE IF THE MUSIC IS RIGHT ON TARGET

1/2

torchonline.com

The TORCH

6 Oct. 2010

ENTERTAINMENT

I

t has been ten years since the show Jacka** first aired on MTV. After its two-year run and two major motion pictures, viewers thought they had seen it all from the Jacka** team. That changed when creator Johnny Knoxville announced in 2009 that Jacka** 3D was underway, leaving fans in anticipation.

Johnny Knoxville first came up with the Jacka** concept as an aspiring actor. He pitched an article idea, consisting of his experiences on testing self-defense devices on himself, to editor Jeffrey Tremaine at Big Brother Magazine, a skateboarding humor magazine. Tremaine hired Knoxville as a journalist and had him videotape these stunts for stories, marking the beginning of the Jacka** franchise.

A decade later, the cast and crew is preparing to release the third installment of the films, Jacka** 3D, on Oct. 15.

In a conference call with the Inferno, Knoxville described their working relationship as close.

“We give each other hell but you can feel how close we are in this film,” he said.

For the first time, the Jacka** crew decided to create a 3D film. The popularity of 3D films has increased, but has never been used in a documentary film. At first many people were skeptical. The cast confessed they initially resisted the idea, but after testing the stunts with high-tech cameras, they realized it would enhance the viewers’ experience.

“It feels like you are at the stunt with us. If feels like you are in the middle of it,” Knoxville said. “It makes a dumb idea, even dumber.”

Tremaine said that not only was it an enjoyable experience to film in 3D, but it also provided them with a good title for the movie from the beginning.

The previous Jacka** shows and films have all focused on the daredevil antics of the participants as well as providing humor for all who watched. The cast’s main concern with a three-dimensional film was the process would taking away from the stunts.

“I don’t want to worry about the cameras,” Knoxville said.

“I just wanted to do what we do.”

Aside from the crew preparing the set a few hours earlier and having three people assigned to each of the expensive, bulky cameras, filming Jacka** 3D felt the same as the previous installments.

“It is bigger than ever. We elevate the stunts and it takes more to make us laugh. It is competitive because everyone wants to get the best footage,” Knoxville told the Inferno.

After pursuing his acting career in Hollywood in movies such as The Ringer and The Dukes of Hazzard among others, Knoxville says he continues to enjoy every aspect of his work: “I lend my services where needed. I am able to jump back and forth with ease [between acting and being behind the scenes directing].”

The stunts performed on Jacka** have been the object of many lawsuits during their show’s stint on MTV. The director, cast and crew along with the network warns viewers not to attempt any of the pranks and stunts performed. Still, many teenagers and fans have been injured trying to imitate them.

Many wonder how much longer the franchise will continue and for how much longer the cast will be willing to participate.

Knoxville is now 39 years old, and cast members like Bam Margera have started families, dimming the future of Jacka** more than ever before.

As far as ideas for future projects, Knoxville and Tremaine both agree that there is never a shortage of ideas.

“We were just bursting with ideas and there was a pile of [them] we never got to do because we ran out of time,” Knoxville said.

There is no doubt that for diehard Jacka** fans, the upcoming film will be a treat, especially in 3D. For the rest who are skeptical, they are in for a surprise.

With stunts such as the four-foot-five and the port-a-potty launcher, this film is sure to be a hysterical success.

Want more entertainment?

Visit our Web Site at www.torchonline.com

N

I

early a year ago, popular rock band Maroon 5 rocked Carnesecca Arena at the St. John’s University Fall 2009 concert. Since then, the group has wrapped up their world tour and recorded their third-studio album, Hands All Over.

When asked what the fans should expect from the album, lead singer Adam Levine said “It sounds like f-ing Maroon 5.” The band continued to use their original sounds of rock, pop, R&B and their powerful lyrics about unsuccessful relationships. For a few songs, like the radio hit “Misery,” the quintet remained inside their creative box, maintaining the same familiar sounds fans are accustomed to.

Hands All Over provides 18 tracks, including acoustic tracks and live renditions of songs like “If I Ain’t Got You,” originally by R&B singer Alicia Keys. The band paired up with Lady Antebellum for “Out of Goodbyes,” providing the album with a small country twist. “Never Gonna Leave This Bed” and “Hands All Over” are exactly what you would expect from Maroon 5–endless references to physical relations as well as broken hearts and failed relationships.

The three-time Grammy award-winning band has two multi-platinum albums under their belt, Songs about Jane in 2002 and It Won’t Be Soon Before Long in 2007. Together, both albums have sold about 15 million copies around the world, and from the looks of it, their third album is no different. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard charts, selling over 140,000 units in its first week.

One of rock and roll’s most influential producers, Mutt Lange, contacted the band so he could work on their album.

Songs like “This Love,” “She Will Be Loved” and “Harder to Breathe,” are some of the band’s biggest hits. The unforgettable melodies that drew people to those songs are also present in some of the tracks in Hands All Over.

It would have been interesting if the band had taken more risks in their new production, but their sound has become a comfort zone for many of their fans. Hands All Over is a stepping stone to where they are headed in the music industry and an overall ear-pleaser.

t is pretty easy to get distracted while listening to Carlos Santana’s latest record.

Santana’s Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time bands together some of rock’s most iconic voices—from Chris Cornell to Pat Monahan to Joe Cocker—in rendering some of rock’s most iconic songs.

But like the album’s title states, Guitar Heaven is a “guitar” album. Santana returns to his roots as a jam-band guitarist and creative, unmistakable soloist, underwhelming sentiments on his last few albums. If nothing else, Guitar Heaven is Santana’s return to relevance—even dominance—as one of rock history’s guitar gods.

At least, it should appear that way. Though the virtuosity of Santana’s command over the guitar is prominently displayed throughout the record, the album at times gets bogged down by the many appearances of his musical peers. Rob Thomas returns to collaborate with Santana for the first time since 1999’s “Smooth,” but his rendition of “Sunshine of Your Love” doesn’t quite match the quality of his first go-round. In fact, it doesn’t even match Jack Bruce’s original performance.

That is what is tragic about Guitar Heaven. While the album is a wonderful example of Santana’s ability to inject his creativity and individuality into rock’s greatest songs, his collaborators, at times, fail to do the same.

This doesn’t make the record a total lost cause, as Santana creates a Rage Against the Machinelike explosion of rap-rock with Nas on “Back in Black” and crosses genres on “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” with India.Arie’s R&B-like vocals and Yo-Yo Ma’s backing cello, giving an already somber song a more depressing tone.

Despite the drastic changes on a few of the tracks, Santana doesn’t lose sight of the tracks’ original identities. “Riders on the Storm,” performed with Chester Bennington and Ray Manzarek, still opens with the sound of falling rain, and “Sunshine of Your Love” and “Smoke on the Water” still retain their recognizable howling riffs. Instead of regurgitating the original guitar solos, however, Santana makes the tracks his own, by incorporating his unique brand of mesmerizing, ear-splitting soloing.

That, above all else, should be enough to keep listeners’ focus.

SKI BEATZ

track features two popular newcomers, Curren$y and Smoke DZA. The lyrics “Ain’t nothin’ what up but us” echoes the superior level of talent throughout the track, setting the tone and attitude for the rest of the album.

“Prowler 2” showcases the lyrical talents of three gifted underground artists: Jean Grae, Jay Electronica and Joell Ortiz. Beatz compliments the trio’s verses with an instrumental driven by guitar and drum melodies that’ll have listeners’ heads bobbing as soon as the beat drops.

The next two tracks feature Stalley, an artist recently featured in the Inferno’s First Listen.

Other newcomers on the album include Tabi Bonney and Rugz D. Bewler.

On the last two tracks, Beatz leaves listeners with instrumentals. This 40-minute album, whose release was pushed back numerous times, justifies Beatz’ talent as a legendary music producer. It also sheds some spotlight on talented music artists who put in just as much work as “mainstream” artists but are rarely given the opportunity to do so. By the end of the track listing, listeners will thank Beatz for reviving hip-hop.

24 Hour Karate School (Rap/Hip-Hop) OUT OF 4 STARS

D

ubbed by hip-hop fans as one of the most highly anticipated albums of the year, David Willis, better known as Ski Beatz, doesn’t fall short of the hype with his latest project 24 Hour Karate School. Having produced all 12 tracks, it’s no wonder that the album’s quality is reminiscent of the music from the golden era of hip-hop.

Beatz is known for doing production for some of hip-hop’s finest, including Camp Lo and Jay-Z. Bringing a ’90s hip-hop vibe into his production and lacing the beats with some of the genre’s freshest talent resulted in an album worthy of any true hip-hop head’s praise and approval.

The album starts with “Nothing But Us.” The

18

Think Outside...

Features

4

Section

STJ professor publishes book on the legendary coliseum CAROLYN WARGULA Features Editor

Nicholas Hirshon, professor and graduate of St. John’s University brings the Long Island monument to life in his new book, “Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.” He writes extensively concerning not only the Islanders but the history of the coliseum and the memorable concerts and sporting events held there.

Hirshon incorporates specific detail with lots of photographs dispersed throughout the book.

He took some time off of his busy day working at St. John’s and reporting for The Daily News to discuss his new book.

TORCH: What provoked you to write about the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum?

Hirshon: When I was a student at St. John’s, I took a class called “Stadium and Arena Management.” It was taught by Lance Elder who is also the general manager at the Coliseum. Every day in class he would relate anecdotes about what used to happen such as when he saw Madonna backstage and when he met Billy Joel and all of these stories that made me think, “this building has a very interesting history.”

Also, growing up I was an Islanders fan and I went to the Coliseum all the time. It was really interesting when he would talk about the Coliseum. It was nice to know there was someone else just as interested as I was and that it had a history beyond just hockey and all the other sports and concerts.

TORCH: How much research went into creating this book?

Hirshon: A lot of research. Not much has been written about it before. So unlike Yankee Stadium, Shea Stadium or Madison Square Garden, there was really nowhere to start. With the Coliseum, I had to go into the archives and find articles from NewsDay and a few things from the Times, but New York City newspapers don’t cover the Coliseum that much. So it was really like starting from scratch. But it made it fun and challenging that I didn’t have a lot to work with.

TORCH: How did you juggle writing this book, your career at St. John’s and reporting for the Daily News?

Hirshon: It’s rough. I got the deal to write the book last summer. Then a few months later I got the call from St. John’s to teach here and everything was coming together at once. My first semester at St. John’s started in the middle of January.

I had a class at LaGuardia Community College and I was working four days a week at The Daily News. But it was really difficult with 14 hour days pretty much everyday. There was no such thing as weekends, they all just blurred into one.

TORCH: Have you published any other books?

Hirshon: This is the first time I’ve had a book published. It’s a unique experience.

I don’t know what is going to happen and how it is going to sell. It’s the first time I’m doing all of these things. People are asking me to sign it which is awkward and weird and now I even have to think about what I’m going to write when people ask me. But it’s still an exciting experience and it’s nice that the book is about something that I actually researched. I attended so many events there and the Coliseum is really something that I grew up with.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NICHOLAS HIRSHON

Professor Hirshon shares his enthusiam of sports in his new book

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The TORCH

6 Oct. 2010

FEATURES

From African dance to zumba the fitness center offers all ANGELINA KAEHL Contributing Writer

St. John’s University gives students an opportunity to do those sit-ups and run that extra mile with a group of people in an upbeat atmosphere. With continued fitness programs and a variety of new ones added each semester, the Fitness Center has expanded their horizons and is getting great feedback. Anyone involved will have a great time and get an even better workout.

Some of the new additions include an up-tempo African Dance class, and the new dance craze, Zumba, which incorporates international rhythms into the workout. Students get their adrenaline pumping with the basics of Boxing that give an intense workout, or join the Hip-Hop class and get a full body workout without even feeling it. There are many forms of workouts to ensure a good time for all involved and all will find something that works for them.

New people come to the gym everyday due to the diverse amount of classes offered in Carnesecca Arena. The African and Belly Dancing class attendance numbers have escalated in recent weeks.

Freshman Tori Valentino attended one of the newly offered Judo classes. She states that the class gave “good basics for ground fighting and self defense.” With

TORCH PHOTO/ KRISTEN FARMER

The fitness center has a varity of classes to fit a student’s workout a long history in Tae Kwon Do, Tori had nothing but good remarks and high recommendations towards the class.

“The instructor went at a good pace for beginners and took time to personally help the students during the class,” said Valentino.

Having some form of selfdefense under your belt is a benefit of the class and may be even necessary for the future. Tori explained how her favorite part of the

class was the “Judo Throws,” which is a move where she throws someone over her side. Tori pointed out that Judo and Karate prove to anyone that “size does not matter.”

To relieve a bit of that first semester stress, the fitness center also offers Yoga and Pilates. Recommended by one of the gym’s personal trainers, senior Matt Smith, Yoga works on breathing techniques and relieves stress.

No workout is ever the same. Not only does the gym offer group classes.

It also has personal trainers, like Matt, to work one-on-one with a college student budget. Self-motivation is the key when it comes to working out. To first get out of bed but to then walk to the gym and actually make use of time isn’t as easy as it seems.

“The hardest thing for students to do is come to the first class,” said Smith who has worked for the school’s gym for the past two years. “Once a student finds out what they like in the class, they usually come back for more lessons or sessions.”

Smith states that with the expanding class sizes, he hopes the administration will want to expand the overall size of the gym space.

“Hopefully with enough people involved, we can make the necessary space changes to maintain the new fan base,” said Smith.

Either just working out on the gyms equipment or taking a Karate class, anyone who leaves the gym will leave satisfied. Grab a friend, running shoes and an open mind and head to the campus gym and see the many options available.

There are many workouts to choose from and with a continuously growing class for each lesson, students and faculty are bound to meet new workout partners.

Staying fit and having fun has never had so many choices.

Ending the silence on sexual abuse JOSÉ SILVA Online Editor Paul “the Ripples guy” Wesselman, a survivor of sexual abuse, helped to break the silence on rape and sexual violence against women through the “Take Back the Night” event on Tuesday.

The TORCH had the opportunity to interview Wesselman prior to the event concerning his message to students.

TORCH: Where does you message for the event come from?

Wesselman: My message comes with experiences from working on college campuses and my experience with people who are survivors of sexual violence.

I myself am a survivor of sexual abuse. The four things that I will talk about is what survivors of sexual abuse lose, what they give up, what they gain and how they can use anger and hope as tools of opportunity.

TORCH: Do you feel like you really connect with the students?

Wesselman: I feel very blessed, I have a really good connection.

I’m not interested in telling people what they should hear, I’m interested in telling them what comes from the heart. Many students are lectured every day and are told how to think and feel, I don’t do that.

TORCH: Have you written any books or do you plan on writing any books?

Wesselman: I am not an author. So many people in my line of work write a

book, but I never felt a calling to do that.

I spend two or three hours a day on Facebook and that is how I get my message around.

I posted this yesterday on my Facebook wall ,“What supportive words would you have for sexual assault/abuse survivors and their allies as they gather at vigils across the country to TAKE BACK THE NIGHT?” and dozens of my friends commented and responded. I will be able to use their responses tonight at my speech.

When I get up and give a speech and say, “So I asked my 5,000 Facebook friends..” it immediately credentials me with college students. Because even if they don’t know who the “Ripples guy” is, they know that someone who has 5,000 Facebook friends is doing something right.

speaking at college campuses. Back then I was working as a leadership trainer and motivational speaker. Some students started saying to me that “I feel so fired up after your presentation but I know in a few days that motivation and inspiration is going to be gone.”

So we decided to experiment with this email project called Ripples and what I promised them is that I would send them an email every Monday morning because Monday mornings suck. It would take them sixty seconds or less to read and it will have a little

19

inspirational quote that you could think about throughout the week. You would get it for free, there would be no marketing and I would keep sending it out as long as they would keep finding me cool quotes to share.

It used to be this little tiny piece of my job, but now because so many people know me as the “Ripples Guy,” I sort of infused the idea that little things make a big difference in all of my speeches. All of my speeches now have some angle on how the little things make a big difference.

TORCH: Speaking on the subject of social networks, do you think that some of the recent hate crimes such as the recent Rutgers suicide and incidents fueled by taunts on social networks counter your message?

Wesselman: I don’t think so. That suicide at Rutgers has received a lot of press. So have the other recent suicides of gay college students, and some of that is from cyber bullying and social media.

I think social media brings out the best and it brings out the worst in society.

Facebook totally changed the way that we interact.

TORCH: What is Ripples and how did it start?

Wesselman: Ripples actually started about 10 years ago when I was mostly

TORCH PHOTO/ BRIAN LOPEZ

Paul Wesselman spoke at “Take Back the Night” about ending violence.

THRIFT STORE REVIEW Contributing writer, Hannah Pardee goes on the hunt to score the chichest clothing around the city.

FEATURES

The Urban Jungle Vintage/Thrift Warehouse can be found on Morgan Ave. in Bushwick, Brooklyn (120 Knickerbocker Ave.) by taking the L train. This quaint thrift store has a wide collection of flannels, t-shirts and chunky shoes, which are staples in the everyday male’s wardrobe. There is also a horrifying selection of dresses that one cannot imagine even the frumpiest of grandmothers wearing.

Urban Jungle is a good place to combat New York City’s unpredictable weather with vintage jackets, warm winter coats, and stylish retro hats to protect hair from the rain. This is not a good place to look for current fashions, but an excellent one for trendsetters and vintage-lovers!

On the downside, much of the apparel is geared towards men, or women who can pull off men’s clothing (it’s not something everyone can do), so it might be a better place to take a fashion-challenged brother or boyfriend to spruce up their look.

Catch the L train back at Morgan Ave. and take it just three stops to Graham Ave. Walk down the block to Atlantis Attic (771 Metropolitan Ave.). It is a similar setup to Urban Jungle, but clothes geared more towards women.

While there are indeed racks of vests and flannel-button downs for guys, one can find a better array of feminine shoes and tailored coats.

Atlantis Attic does carry more up-to-date pieces and is a great place to find an already-worn-in Lacoste sweater or an oversized Yankees jersey. They also have a fair selection of jewelry, both costume and genuine, and watches, along with hats and scarves.

While the requisite ugly-grandma-dresses are, of course, present, there is the occasional gem of a dress hidden on the racks. Atlantis Attic may require a bit of excavation for a really good find, but with the time and patience to spare, it is a worthy trip.

On the weekends, take one of the many trains toward Atlantic Ave.-Pacific St. and walk to either 176 Lafayette Ave. (if it’s a Saturday) or 1 Hanson Pl. (if it’s a Sunday). From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., wander the expanse that is the Brooklyn Flea, the famous flea market.

Vendors with goods of all shapes and sizes come together, bringing new meaning to the definition of “thrift.” Shoppers can buy popsicles in absurd flavors like salted-caramel-coveredapricot, and drink bubble tea made with real tealeaves and no sugar. Apart from the enticing foods, the Flea also hosts vendors with a variety of vintage and handmade jewelry, clothing, books, records and even furniture.

“Two books for five dollars” usually means “two obscure books about a flaky philosophy you’ve never heard of for five dollars plus tax,” and “I only have six dollars” usually gets you shown to the door. But in this situation, everyone brings what they have to the table and everyone walks away with something new.

torchonline.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARKETS OF NEW YORK

The TORCH

PHOTO COURTESY OF QUIRK NYC

6 Oct. 2010

PHOTO COURTESY OF YELP

Kitaro

TORCHCOMICS

Jennifer Perez

1-800 ARMSTRACO

Pam’s World

Jonathan Roman

Michelle Alerte

The Adventures of rufus James Kerigan

6 October 2010

21

A tough road lies ahead Mason Jr. will always face adversity in making a name for himself

6 Oct. 2010 The TORCH PHOTO COURTESY OF MIAMI HEAT

Anthony Mason Jr.’s contract will only be valid if he makes the opening day roster, another bit of adversity he’ll have to overcome.

torchonline.com

Bill San Antonio is a junior journalism major. He can be reached at torchsports@gmail.com

SPORTS

Anthony Mason Jr.’s journey to the NBA isn’t finished just yet.

Though the former St. John’s forward signed a 2-year deal with the Miami Heat and participated in the team’s Media Day last week, he must first make the team’s final roster for the start of the regular season for the contract to bear any weight.

Fitting, isn’t it?

Mason will always have to battle through adversity in order to make a name for himelf; making this team is just one more thing he’ll have to overcome. Ridding the burden of sharing his father’s name, bearing the weight of the St. John’s program as the team’s superstar for five seasons, countless injuries—Mason’s battled through it all. Now he’s got to make a 15-man roster coached by the man under which his father won the Sixth Man of the Year award, fighting for any of 12 roster spots up for grabs after the names Dwayne Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh are penciled into the Miami lineup.

There’s obviously something Miami finds attractive about Mason.

Prior to this year’s NBA Draft, head coach Pat Riley invited him to multiple tryouts and put him on a loaded Mami summer league roster. In fall practices at the Elgin Air Force Base along the Florida panhandle, Mason has guarded the likes of Wade, James and swingman Mike Miller. Mason’s got the name, and Miami needs to see just how much he can live up to it.

It wouldn’t shock me if he made the team. From a front office standpoint, Mason would come cheap enough, without much leverage to command more money than the league minimum.

Mason’s versatility on the floor would also make him an attractive bench player from strictly a basketball perspective as well, with the ability to guard the shooting guard and either forward position at a long 6-foot-7.

But these are just bullet points on a scouting report. If Mason makes the team, it won’t be for these reasons. If Mason makes the Miami Heat, it’ll be because he showed Riley and his staff that not only is he not the

same player his father was, but he’s not even the same person.

He’ll make the team not because he reached the regular season without attaining a major injury, but that he did so while holding his own against the Heat’s superstars. He’ll have outplayed his own name, just as he’s done throughout his basketball career.

Last year, I tried to find significance in Mason’s appearance on the MTV series True Life, which chronicled the forward’s journey back to the men’s basketball team after a torn tendon in his right foot sidelined him for the majority of the 2008-09 season.

Watching Mason bench pressing and doing agility drills at the team’s training facility in Taffner Field House, I assumed that he simply couldn’t wait to get back on the floor.

I was wrong.

Throughout the episode, Mason carries the look of someone doing what he has to in order to succeed. Yes, he’s rehabbing his injury, and the rehabilitation is necessary not just for basketball purposes, but for improving his quality of life.

But there’s something else there, too.

Being Anthony Mason Jr. means there’s a much greater price to pay for success.

I didn’t see it then. I didn’t think he knew it then.

But watching him do those drills, reading about him guarding the game’s best player and meeting with soldiers on the base afterward, I know he understands.

It’s with Mason’s realization that comes his maturity. Realize it or not, St. John’s watched Anthony Mason Jr. grow up. He was with the program for five years of his life, from a wide-eyed freshman trying to break in with the team to grizzled fifth-year senior.

And while he probably just undershot his on-court expectations, Mason was successful in finding his place in the basketball world, however unfortunate that place may be.

It’s with this self-actualization that will determine how far his NBA career goes. It’s a matter of just how much further Mason is willing to go, how much he is willing to pay to complete the journey.

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Luck for the Irish Women’s soccer team bombarded with onslaught of Notre Dame goals MIKE CUNNIFF Staff Writer

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The TORCH

6 Oct. 2010

SPORTS

Despite losing 4-1 to No. 5/7 Notre Dame on Sunday, St. John’s women’s soccer coach Ian Stone was not discouraged by his team’s play.

NOTRE DAME

4

ST. JOHN’S

1

“I actually feel we played pretty well,” he said. “Unfortunately, we were up against a pretty good team. I was pretty happy with the way we played.”

After Friday’s 2-1 double-overtime loss to DePaul, Stone was pleased with his team’s effort and the way they rebounded, but Notre Dame is a top-10 team for a reason. They raced out to a 2-0 lead in the first 20 minutes and never looked back.

Melissa Henderson did most of the damage for the Irish. The junior forward, who leads the Big East in goals and points, wasted no time getting on the board Sunday. She drew a penalty after being taken down inside the box and scored her ninth goal of the season on the ensuing penalty kick.

Her shot from the penalty spot sailed past junior goalkeeper Kristin Russell for her ninth goal of the year.

Henderson wasn’t done, either. In the 19th minute, she got past her defender and found freshman midfielder Elizabeth Tucker with a low cross. Tucker tucked it away from six yards out to make the score 2-0.

In the 57th minute, Henderson weaved through four defenders near the penalty spot and put a shot inside the low post to cap off a two goal, four point afternoon.

She was the difference, according to Stone.

“Melissa Henderson scored two great

TORCH FILE PHOTO/LAURA AMATO

Junior Jen Leaverton’s two shots on goal Sunday didn’t find the back of the net against Notre Dame. goals and had a great assist,” he said.

“If you take her out, it’s a pretty even game.”

The Johnnies struggled offensively themselves, putting up just five shots, two of which were on goal. St. John’s lone goal came in the 71st minute when a shot bounced off an Irish defender and into the net.

Junior forward Jen Leaverton put up the only shot on goal in the first half. In the 29th minute, her long-range attempt

was stopped by Notre Dame senior keeper Nikki Weiss. Five minutes later, Weiss went high to stop another Leaverton shot, this time from the right side of the box.

It was the fifth loss in the last six games for the young Red Storm, who have 17 freshman on the roster.

“We’re improving,” said Stone. “But sometimes it’s difficult to tell from the stats. We have so many young players that are working hard to get better.”

It didn’t help matters playing a Notre

Dame team that has not lost a conference game since 2005. The Irish are 68-0-3 in during a 71-game unbeaten streak in conference play, an NCAA Division 1 record.

“It was more of them being good than us playing bad,” he said St. John’s comes home this weekend to try to turn things around. They take on Pittsburgh , who shares the Johnnies 1-4 conference record, at Belson Stadium on Friday.

Men’s Soccer falls to Brown after allowing early goal BILL SAN ANTONIO Sports Editor Two straight Tuesday night games, two Ivy League opponents, only one win.

BROWN

1

ST. JOHN’S

0

The No. 22 St. John’s men’s soccer team escaped Yale last Tuesday with an overtime win, but after allowing an early goal Tuesday against No. 13 Brown in just the 3rd

minute of play, the Red Storm were shut out the rest of the way en route to a 1-0 loss.

“Brown has a great soccer program and this was a great college soccer game,” head coach Dave Masur said. “We were disappointed to give up the early goal, but we played hard and I am proud of the effort.”

Evan Coleman’s onetimer beat goalkeeper Rafael Diaz from 18 yards out to give the Bears the early lead.

That was all goalkeeper Paul Grandstrand would need, making seven saves against 17 St. John’s (6-4-0) shots.

The opportunities were plentiful, but the Red Storm could not find the back of the net. In the 10th

minute, Dom Sarle’s missed shot resulted in two corner kick attempts that Brown’s (7-0-2) defenders knocked away.

Minutes later, Diaz saved a shot by Brown’s Thomas McNamara, and a blocked Omar Edwards shot led to another corner kick that was stopped by Brown defenders.

In the 30th minute, Adam Himeno’s shot was blocked, and two minutes later Tadeu Terra’s header missed high.

Terra took the next two attempts for the Red Storm.

He created space and curled a shot that sailed high in the 39th minute and followed up with a shot from the endline two minutes later that Grandstrand stopped for

an impressive save.

Brown had another scoring opportunity early in the second half when a close-range shot from Sean Rosa that Diaz saved. Diaz made another save two minutes later to keep the deficit within a goal.

St. John’s had multiple attempts in the 64th minute as shots by Terra and Pablo Punyed were stopped. In the 71st minute, Himeno had another attempt that Grandstrand stopped.

St. John’s best chance of the game came in the 79th minute, when Sarle had a point-blank attempt that Grandstrand stopped.

The shot resulted in neither another scoring chance or

corner kick.

The Red Storm had their fifth corner kick of the game near the 87th minute, when Walter Hines’ shot was blocked.

Himeno’s ensuing shot was knocked away.

St. John’s returns to conference play Saturday when Cincinnati visits Belson Stadium.

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23

VOLLEYBALL

TORCH SPORTS

STORM

CAST

Leavin’ their Mark

Men’s Golf wins MacDonald Cup On Sunday, the Men’s Golf team successfully completed a victory in the MacDonald Cup Team Title, shooting a 5-over-585 for the tournament.

Four Red Storm golfers finished in the top 10, including senior captain Evan Beirne.

Beirne shot a 2-under-135 and finished just two strokes off the individual leader, tying for second place in consecutive tournaments.

Lacrosse team to compete in Big City Classic St. John’s Men Lacrosse will be one of six teams to compete in the third annual Big City Classic hosted

by Inside Lacrosse.

This tournament will feature lacrosse rival Rutgers among national powers Syracuse, Duke, North Carolina, and Johns Hopkins.

The Big City Classic will take place April 3, 2011 at the new Meadowlands Stadium.

Lawrence reps Johnnies at SAAC conference

Darlene Ramdin (top left), Brunna Kronbauer (top right), Korina Yee (bottom left) and Diana Banya (bottom right) each had solid performances in Sunday’s home loss to Louisvillee.

Volleyball team loses third straight

“

-Women’s Soccer coach Ian Stone on his team’s performance against Notre Dame

”

Headin’ this Way Red Storm home games

Men’s Soccer: Oct. 9

Cincinnati

7:30 p.m.

Women’s Soccer: Oct. 8

Pittsburgh

Oct. 10 West Virginia

7 p.m.

1 p.m.

torchonline.com

and we would be tested with how well we can keep our composure and just keep battling through the tough spots,” said Persico.

Persico also said that the differences between non-conference play and Big East play are so vast that she is still learning things about her team as the season progresses.

“In conference play, you will usually have more than one or two players that can hurt you,” Persico said. “Position for position, you have to do your job for the entire match.”

St. John’s will not have a much easier road ahead, as they will take on Marquette, who was ranked fourth in the Big East preseason poll, on the road Friday night before traveling to Syracuse on Sunday afternoon.

“Going into Marquette and Syracuse will not be easy, but I do feel we have improved significantly from the beginning of the season,” said Persico.

“We need to come ready to play in a very, very tough and hostile environment.”

I actually feel we played pretty well.

Unfortunately, we were up against a pretty good team. I was pretty happy with the way we played.

The TORCH

After a 13-4 start to the season, the St. John’s Volleyball team has hit a bit of a wall in the Big East portion of its schedule.

The Red Storm lost their third consecutive game Sunday in straight sets against Louisville, 25-17, 25-21, 25-22.

The Big East schedule makers have not been kind to the Red Storm (13-7, 0-3). In their first three games of Big East play, the Red Storm have had to face Cincinatti and Louisville (8-5, 3-1), who were picked to finish first and second, respectively, in the Big East Preseason Coaches Poll.

“I thought we were a bit overmatched

by Louisville’s size and experience,” head coach Joanne Persico said. “I felt like at times we had good performances from

different players, such as Diana (Banya), Brunna (Kronbauer), and Korina (Yee), and later in the match Darlene (Ramdin), but in order to knock off a talented team like Louisville you need those good performances to happen all at the same time as a unit, and not sporadically throughout the match by one or two people.”

Banya led the team with eleven kills, while Kronbauer led the team with a .333 attacking percentage, tallying seven kills.

Ramdin had all six of her kills in a furious third-set rally by the Red Storm.

With the Red Storm trailing 20-12 midway through the third set, Ramdin had four consecutive kills, and then had a block and another kill to pull the Red Storm to within 21-18. But the rally would end unsuccessfully for the Red Storm, as they hung around for a bit before losing on a service error

by Banya.

“We knew going into the season that we had the higher ranked teams up front

Blowin’ in the Wind

6 Oct. 2010

MIKE GURNIS Staff Writer

SPORTS

TORCH PHOTOS/KRISTEN FARMER

Senior pitcher Kat Lawrence is doing more than just preparing to take the mound for her senior season at St. Johns.

Along with 15 other representatives from each Big East school, Lawrence shared ideas and insights for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee on various issues, including community service events.

This is the second year in a row Lawrence has represented St. John’s for these meetings.

SPORTS 6 October 2010 | VOLUME 88, ISSUE 6 | TORCHONLINE.COM

TORCH FILE PHOTO/ KRISTEN FARMER

TORCHSPORTS.WORDPRESS.COM

The volleyball team lost its third straight game in conference play on Sunday.

The men’s soccer team lost to Brown last night after allowing an early goal.

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