feb 16

Jumpstart works to improve child literacy NELL O’CONNOR Managing Editor Contributing reporting Erica Curtiss

TORCH FILE PHOTO

Dwight Hardy scored 28 points in the men’s basketball team’s road win over Marquette on Feb. 15.

Men’s Basketball tops Marquette on the road BILL SAN ANTONIO Sports Editor

Marquette had Jae Crowder, St. John’s had D.J. Kennedy.

Marquette had Jimmy Butler, St. John’s had Dwight Hardy.

ST. JOHN’S

80

MARQUETTE

68

Marquette opened the second half on a 7-0 run, St. John’s answered back with a 9-0 lead that lasted the rest of the game—one that led to an 80-68 win on Feb. 15.

As evenly as the men’s basketball team and Marquette

(15-11, 6-7) looked in the first half—the game went to halftime deadlocked at 38—St. John’s (16-9, 8-5) opened up a 10-point lead with 8:39 remaining in the second half to put the game out of reach.

“I am really proud of our kids to be able to win two games in a three-day stretch, in the Big East is very difficult to do,” head coach Steve Lavin said. “Coming into this game we talked about it stimulating NCAA tournament conditions.

The quick turnaround time and having to play two high-quality opponents like Cincinnati and Marquette gives you the opportunity to rehearse for NCAA tournament conditions.”

Hardy, who had averaged 25.5 points in wins over Connecticut and Cincinnati

WHAT’S INSIDE News......................1-4 Entertainment....13-14 Opinion..................5-6 Comics.....................15 Features.................7-8 Sports.................17-19

last week and was named Big East Player of the Week, scored 28 points on 7-of-16 shooting.

He also took 15 of the Red Storm’s 31 free throws, converting on 12 of them.

The Red Storm scored 38 points in the paint and had nine second-chance points on 11 offensive rebounds. Justin Burrell had 10 points and 12 rebounds, six of which coming on the offensive end.

The Golden Eagles were led

by Butler’s team-high 23 points and seven rebounds, while Crowder had 15 points. Chris Otule provided a force in the paint, collecting eight rebounds and recording four blocks.

The win comes just two days after the Red Storm defeated Cincinnati on the road and is the team’s fifth in six games.

The Red Storm’s 16 wins is just one shy of last year’s total, and the team has five games still to play before the Big East tournament begins.

“I thought our players put together two consecutive games, and now, five out of six, where there was a sustained level of effort and degree of execution—that was impressive.

I was really pleased for our players,” Lavin said.

Though three of Marquette’s five remaining games are at home, the team has lost seven of its last 12 and the loss marked its first double-digit loss of the season.

The Red Storm and Golden Eagles entered the game just a game apart in the conference standings, with St. John’s at 7-5 and Marquette at 6-6.

MUSIC Miss Music’s Biggest Night?

Inferno reviews the highlights and low points of the 2011 Grammy Awards.

ENTER RTAINMENT Pg. 14

St. John’s students are working to bring awareness to the issue of childhood education by joining forces with Jumpstart, a national early education nonprofit organization.

Eighty University students, known as Corps members, have been collaborating with Jumpstart through the School of Education to promote early literacy in lowincome neighborhoods throughout Queens.

After several successful events last semester, they are hoping to recruit more students to join their cause, starting with the upcoming Friendship Day on Feb. 18.

Ashley Thomas, a junior, is the volunteer coordinator for the St. John’s campus. She has been working to get more students involved and raise awareness of the issues low-income children face in their schools.

“Our mission is to work towards the day that every child in America enters school prepared to succeed,” she said. “Studies show that children from low-income neighborhoods are at a greater risk of school failure.”

Through the program, Jumpstart site managers train students during workshops and seminars. They are given materials to help them be full prepared for when they enter a classroom setting. Corps members work closely with the children and are expected to complete 300 hours of service.

-continued. pg.3

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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

Entertainment Editor Asst. Photo Editor

Layout Editor

JOSÉ SILVA

ELLEN CAREY

Online Editor

Advisor

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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 Born to Shine Lady Gaga’s latest single proves why her music matters.

Inferno Pg. 14

Features Dance Team St. John’s Dance Team took second place at nationals for their hip-hop routine.

TORCH PHOTO/KRISTEN FARMER

Features Pg. 7 Women’s Basketball Pretty in Pink The women’s basketball team defeated Georgetown in this year’s Pink Zone game.

NEWS

Sports Pg. 18

torchonline.com

The TORCH

16 Feb. 2010

OPINION PAGES 5-6

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 midnight run program organized a Valentine’s Day program to raise money for “Hearts for the Homeless.” Students decorated cupcakes after donating a minimum of $2.

3

Martin Luther King celebrated at formal dinner as a part of Black History month RUBEN MUNIZ Staff Writer

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ASHLEY THOMAS

Volunteers for Jumpstart are expected to complete 300 hours of service per semester.

-continued from pg. 1

students from other local universities.

St. John’s Corps members also participated in Read for the Record, a national event where two million children read the same book on the same day.

Thomas and 13 volunteers went to a local school to read “The Snowy Day,”

by Ezra Jack Keats with students.

For Thomas, her involvement in Jumpstart has been more than just a job.

“I have learned and gained so much. I have met so many people and learned about different opportunities through this organization,” she said.

“I love this job because I know I am making an impact in children’s lives.”

Many of her peers feel the same way. Rosanna Chui, a freshman, joined the program once she came to the University.

“I decided to join Jumpstart because I love children and I wanted to do something meaningful while I was here at St. John’s,” said Chui.

“Every time I step into the classroom and play with the children, I know that I am truly making a difference in their lives, it makes me feel great inside.

I also enjoy working with my team members and have fun during our team bonding.”

Jessenia Morales, Chui’s Jumpstart partner, values the gratification of working with young children.

“It is an amazing feeling when you enter a classroom and your partner children run up to you in open arms calling your name and knowing that you are someone special in their lives,” she said.

“That’s when you know that you are making a difference.”

NEWS

The members are divided into teams and each team is paired with one to three children. Volunteers spend two to three days a week going into local pre-schools to help them gain literacy, language and social skills to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

Once paired up, the Corps members spend two or three times a week in structured education sessions.

During the sessions they work on literacy issues by reading books, singing songs, reciting poems, putting together puzzles, writing, art and performing dramatic plays.

Joining the organization her freshman year, Thomas spent 300 hours working

with one child, getting valuable experience for her education major and learning more about how the system works.

This semester, Jumpstart has already planned four events to raise awareness and get more students involved. The first is Feb. 18’s Friendship Day, during which volunteers will spend a day at a local preschool reading and learning about the importance of friendship.

The organization is also planning a celebration for the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss sometime in March and a “Week of the Young Child” in April.

Last semester Thomas and other members of Jumpstart visited the set of the Today Show to show their support for the organization and its mission and were joined by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other celebrities, as well as

16 Feb. 2010 The TORCH torchonline.com

As a part of Black History month, a dinner was held to celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Feb. 10 in the D’Angelo Center Ballroom.

The event featured performances by St. John’s Voices of Victory Gospel Choir and The Rod Rodgers Dance Company, as well as speeches by St. John’s student Jordan Powell and keynote speaker Sabrina Lamb.

The event began with a prayer and a summary of Dr. King’s life and work.

Voices of Victory performed next, singing songs of freedom and peace, such as “Thank God Almighty I’m Free At Last” and Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song.” Mr. Nigel Gretton, the conductor of Voices of Victory, praised Dr. King’s work.

“I think about people like Dr. King as planting a seed that many of us have the responsibility to carry and nurture,” Mr. Gretton said.

Jordan Powell, a legal studies major, gave a speech expressing gratitude towards the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as taking great pride in President Obama.

The keynote speaker was Sabrina Lamb, the founder and chief executive officer of worldofmoney.org. She spoke about the importance of financial security. Lamb stressed that individuals must not take a “vow of poverty” by staying in the dark in regards to their own finances. She urged that “Economic justice is as urgent now as it was then,” and pushed students to start saving as early as possible for the future.

A former comedian, Lamb lightened the mood at times.

“I went to Lincoln University, and majored in extracurricular activities. There are three major issues here: money, money, and mo’ money,” she said.

She ended her speech by challenging the audience to conduct themselves with confidence and to “walk like you own the earth.”

Powell, the first speaker of the night, emphasized the importance of talking about humanitarian issues.

“People need to realize that money is something you need to take care of, just like another person,” he said.

Alexandra McCall, a mass communications major, and member of Haraya said that Lamb’s speech was uplifting.

“I really liked Ms. Lamb’s urgency to educate and uplift the underprivileged youth with knowledge about money,” McCall said.

Genelle Cox, a psychology major and also a member of Haraya agreed with Lamb’s point that we must assume our own financial responsibility in order to succeed.

“As people, we need to realize that it is not the government’s fault we don’t have money, it is our own,” said Cox. Serena Romero, a legal studies major and member of Haraya thought the event was a great way to teach and expose students to their heritage.

“It’s a lesson in culture,” said Romero, “Students take a lot away from it.”

4

Haitian Society urges continued aid to victims JOHN JAMES Contributing Writer The Haitian Society hosted a dinner in Marillac Terrace Feb. 9 to remember those killed in the earthquake that devastated Haiti last year.

Robert Dubois, president of the Haitian Society, stressed that the Haiti Dinner this year was about the importance of recognizing the plight the Haitian people still face.

“A year is not that long ago, there are still people over there that need help,” he said. “Americans are quick to come together amid tragedy, but are soon to go back to the dwellings of their everyday lives when the media are no longer covering the tragedy the Haitian Society wants to break this bad habit among all Americans. There is no need to be individualistic.”

The Dinner was first held last year in the wake of the earthquake where roughly 400 students, administration, faculty and staff gathered.

After the earthquake hit, Dubois lost

a family friend and his grandmother’s house was destroyed. He said he hopes the dinner will become an annual event to remember those affected by the devastation.

“Last year more people attended the dinner but the fact that 200 people are attending the dinner tonight shows that people are still aware of the troubles facing Haiti,” Dubois said. “Haiti won’t be rebuilt in one year, it is going to take time, and we just don’t want people to forget.”

The Haitian Society has been successful by partnering with a St. John’s organization called Zafen. The society was able to donate $1,000 to Haiti as well as send clothes from the proceeds raised from last year dinner. They also won the best organization award from Haraya, the Pan-African Students Coalition on the Queens Campus.

Guess speaker Marlie Hall was invited to speak to emphasize Dubois’and the society’s message of continuing the awareness of Haiti’s need for help.

“As Haitian-Americans, there is quite a bit we can do,” Hall said.

Hall, who is a Haitian-American as well as a St. John’s graduate, graduated in 1996 with a degree in journalism and went on to receive her M.B.A. from Dowling College in Oakdale, New York.

She has worked for NBC Universal, the Food Network and NYC TV. Hall covered the catastrophe in Haiti and saw the outcome of the disaster firsthand.

“I came to this dinner tonight as a Haitian-American, but also as a reporter,” She said. “I wanted to give an uncensored view of what really happened down there, not just the few censored snippets the American media provide the people. I want to inspire all the people here tonight to act.”

St. John’s Junior Shamara Kenney was impressed and inspired by the dinner.

“The event was very informative. It provided a great atmosphere,” Kenney said.

“I think it is great that St. John’s is gearing something towards minorities.

I’ve been definitely swayed to get more involved and this event shows that how much hard work truly does pay off.”

Students lobby for more tuition assistance programs

Students from St. John’s joined their peers from across New York State to speak directly to legislators about college finance programs at the Student Aid Alliance Lobby Day on Feb. 8.

Student Aid Lobby Day is an annual event that takes place at the state capital building in Albany. At the event, individual students make presentations about their ideas on the financial services offered by the State. Students who receive New York State financial aid or tuition assistant programs (TAP) can speak to the assembly about their personal experiences with the education system and how financial aid has made a difference to their situation.

St. John’s has been attending this event for years. Brian Browne, assistant vice president of Government Relations, organizes free registration and transportation for all university students and alumni interested in participating.

“I think it’s important for all students to get involved and go to this event,” said Browne, “I just introduce the students to the legislation, but then the students take it upon themselves to present their reasons for needing TAP.” Thousands of St. John’s students receive financial awards from TAP and various other services. Browne believes that it is essential for students to advocate for financial aid because for many students getting an education isn’t possible without it.

This year a dozen St. John’s students attended the event to plead their case.

“I’ve gone every year for the past three years,” said Jayson Castillo, a recent St. John’s graduate. “I would have never been able to accomplish the things that I have now without a St. John’s degree, and I highly doubt I would have been able to get a St. John’s degree without TAP.” Every year the government decides how much money TAP can offer to each student, and if there needs to be budget cuts made to the endowment.

“As of right now, the state government has decided to leave TAP alone, which is good,” explained Browne, “but they have until April 1 2011 to negotiate the terms between the Senate, the Assembly and the governor of New York.”

The state government may only have two months to discuss the terms, but there are a lot of other factors that go into the decision. While TAP isn’t currently facing any budget cuts, many other services aren’t as lucky, such as police pensions and New York public schools. Browne said the government has to weigh their options, and decide what they think is best for the majority of New Yorkers as a whole.

Browne advised students that weren’t able to attend the event to find another way to express their opinions.

“Technology has made everything so much easier,” he said, “you could call legislation or email your local elected official and present your personal case.

Everyone’s voice is able to be heard in this system.”

COMPILED BY SARA CAHILL MARRON News Editor

Black History Month St. John’s honored black heritage during Black History month this February with a series of guest lecturers, community service projects and entertainment.

The month kicked off with a day-long trip to Washington D.C. to visit the new Martin Luther King Memorial Museum. Students also had the opportunity to take a tour of the Schomburg center in Harlem.

Carolyn Peck, award-winning athlete and ESPN analyst, and Andrew Jenks, an awarding-winning filmmaker, lectured about their successes in business and sports.

Jenks lectured at Carnesecca Arena Feb. 7 and Peck presented her speech the next day.

Events for the month will conclude at the annual Black and White Ball on Saturday, Feb. 26 in the D’Angelo Center Ballroom. The event is focused on honoring all the people that helped to organize the black heritage celebrations over the month.

Italian-American organization formed A new student organization was formed on the Staten Island campus to honor contribution of Italian Americans living there. The Cicolo Garibaldi Club is named for the leader that unified Italy and lived on Staten Island in the late 19th century.

The club aims to promote Italian language and culture, as well provide a scholarship program to benefit Italian-American students at St. John’s and other community members. The announcement happened on the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy and included the honorary induction of James P. Molinaro, the Staten Island Borough President and NYPD Chief Steven Paragallo to the organization.

$1 million grant Professor of Psychology, Dr. Elissa Brown, recently received a 4-year $1 million federal grant to research mental health practices for multicultural communities in Queens, NY. Dr. Brown is also a the Executive Director of the PARTNERS Program at St. John’s, which is an organization that receives funding from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Safe Start Initiative to provide services to children and families that have been victims of domestic abuse.

The TORCH

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BRIEFS

Professor receives

16 Feb. 2010

NEWS

ERICA CURTISS Staff Writer

TORCH

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GOOGLE

Students traveled to Albany to advocate for more money to be allocated to programs that provide financial aid for education.

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

5

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

Shuttle service much improved Queens to be a bit nerve-wracking.

The Internet and network issues that originally plagued the off campus dormitories have been greatly alleviated. In fact, even the guest network has been extended to some off-campus dorms. The discrepancies between the network on-campus and the networks off-campus are getting less and less noticeable.

The network issues (as well as television issues) may seem a bit trivial, but fixing them shows that St. John’s is committed to providing just as rich of an experience to the resident students who live outside of the residence village.

The small touches and conveniences of being on-campus are being extended to those who live outside of the Queens campus, and the University is rolling these conveniences out pretty smoothly. While these may not seem like drastic changes, they are evidence that the University is listening to concerns and working to address the issues around resident living.

With the increased reliability and visibility of the shuttle service, students are using the service more and doing so with increased confidence.

At times now, the once underutilized shuttles are filled to the point where it’s standing room only.

We applaud the University for their great job of introducing and improving the shuttle service and amenities that affect off-campus residents. While there’s always room for improvement, the University has done a great job so far. They deserve credit for their efforts, and encouragement to keep improving and simplifying the lives of both on and off-campus residents.

TORCH ILLUSTRATION BY JAMES KERIGAN

STUDENTSPARKS: Shuttle How do you feel about the St. John’s shuttle service?

I like it, but I wish it ran every half hour.

Jess Morales Sophomore

I like it. I like the comfy seats and the wifi.

Ixchael Fernandez Senior

16 Feb. 2011

EDITORIAL POLICY 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

Submit letters online at: torchonline.com/opinion

Please include your full name, year, and college (or department). Letters have a limit of 500 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.

No, I prefer to walk back and forth to Henley, but the shuttle is good for the people who use it.

It was good that the service [is] available, but the times [don’t] match up with class times at all.

Matt Hagan Sophomore

Amber Farris Junior

COMPILED BY THOMAS CARNEVALE

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Mail letters to: The TORCH, St. John’s University 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11439

The TORCH

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-

OPINION

As more and more students flocked to St. John’s University, competition for spots in the residence village grew increasingly fierce. Left without many options, the university was forced to look outside of its gated community to find accommodations for resident students. While the transition may have had some rocky beginnings, the University’s efforts are definitely bearing fruit.

While many resident students cried out against what was perceived as being “kicked off campus,” the University worked hard to address the concerns of its residents. While the resident situation may not be perfect, the University deserves a pat on the back for the job it has done with a difficult to manage situation.

The original shuttle bus service was adequate, but didn’t exactly meet the needs of all students. This year, the University has used a different service, changed the times and managed to keep it running on a tight schedule. In addition, the service to Kew Gardens has been increasingly reliable.

The addition of the late night van service between campus and the dormitories has also helped to address many safety concerns for students and parents. Public Safety is consistently a strong component of the St. John’s community, and they have continued that tradition in helping students adjust to off-campus living.

Public Safety has also been very accommodating by sending out courtesy vans after shuttle hours to ensure that students don’t have to walk back late at night. This has been a very welcome addition, particularly for anyone who justifiably finds a late night stroll through

6

TORCH Opinion

online at torchonline.com/opinion

Declaring a major isn’t a defining moment

I’ve never been the kid with a big plan for success in the work force. When I was younger, all I wanted to do was plug my guitar in, tour the country and focus on my nascent musical abilities. Supporting myself with a career simply didn’t register with my teenage self.

My parents never pushed me to pursue a specific career ambition that would yield a lucrative payday.

The focus was never on chasing money. They even supported me when I was a stack of paperwork away from attending the Berklee College of Music. (I decided not to after realizing I would be condemning myself to a lifetime of debt all for a degree in music theory).

As a freshman at St. John’s, I first declared myself a Government and Politics major. It was obvious to me within the first few weeks that I had to quickly change this concentration. It just wasn’t me.

I remember scanning the list of majors that were offered at St. John’s, in every college, and nothing immediately struck me as an ideal fit. I became aware of the incredibly privileged situation surrounding me: I was young, enrolled in a vast university and in a position to study any subject I wanted.

Lawyer? Doctor? Journalist? This is America after all, so take your pick.

But as an 18-year-old person, that position was proving to be more of a cause for concern than a privilege. Friends and I would ask each other, “What do you want to do with your life?” Few genuinely knew, most did not.

It would take a few more years and three more majors before I started to realize that this dilemma is what makes the college years so beneficial. College isn’t about programming minds to function as a droid in one sole occupation. It’s a time for exploring, experimenting with different fields and not being tied down to a specific career path.

Still, there’s a common misconception amongst students that struggling through four years of a major that they hate will somehow be worth it because of the salary they’ll pick up upon graduation. But in today’s work force, no jobs are guaranteed, and pursuing a career solely for its money is a guaranteed route to depression.

There’s a subculture in this country’s classrooms that pushes students toward picking a career early in life; it’s the result of an American society that our grandparents inhabited, and to some extent, our parents too. On a broad-spectrum, generation after generation of Americans have experienced a tougher time finding jobs, and not just because of crumby economies and baby boomers who won’t retire.

Technology has slowly been transforming entire industries, and as a result, the jobs that comprise those industries have also been evolving. This transformation demands more of working professionals. For example, it means musicians now have to manage an online presence if they want to gain popularity. Journalists and writers now have to be tech savvy, be able to produce

Web videos and understand Website platforms.

Aside from a few timeless professions in such fields as medicine and law, job-seekers are finding that the broader the range of their skills, the more opportunities are open to them. What matters is not your desire to perform one task very well, but your ability to learn and to diversify your skills. Simply put, it’s the more skillfully diverse and experienced students that will get jobs after graduation. For this reason alone we as students should value our time in college for the time it allows us to diversify ourselves.

What’s been crucial in my college years is the experience I’ve gained in internships, the advice I’ve solicited from professors and working professionals and my abstention from “declaring a career.”

I’ve taken my time to test the waters of different fields—both in and out of the classroom—and it has left me with a greater understanding of what I want to pursue, and the assurance that I can perform in multiple occupations. There’s no one major that could have brought me to where I am; only patience, curiosity and perseverance could do that.

If I could go back and give advice to my freshman self, it would be to not lose sleep over picking a major. I would advice not to get stressed over hopping around, and have the persistence to explore and utilize the college years.

With graduation a few months away, I still may not be the kid with an elaborate plan; but I’ve got options to pursue and I’ve found work that I care about.

Bring on the work force.

Justin Thrift is a senior English major who is ready to graduate.

He can be reached at: torcheic@gmail.com

torchonline.com

The TORCH

16 Feb. 2011

OPINION

Channeling the Hulkamaniac inside A man who went from wrestler to seminal actor and can deftly move to either with unfathomable grace, his performances keep us coming back to the cinema time and again only to leave us with not only the satisfaction of getting our money’s worth, but a greater social awareness on a wide range of issues. Today, we celebrate Mr. Terry Bollea – but you may know him better as Mr. Hulk Hogan.

While we could discuss his redefinition of the word “Villain” in 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain, his hilarious turn in Santa With Muscles or even the sheer fun of Rocky III, today we focus on the prescience of his finest film: Mr. Nanny.

If Mr. Hogan’s star-turning performance in 1991’s Suburban Commando wrestles with our visceral notions of what it is to be human, then 1993’s Mr. Nanny is its logical companion; a progressional adjunct challenging our views of gender and the family. Consider the image of Mr. Hogan in a tutu, dancing ballet in a heartfelt moment not just for the film but for film itself, and couple it with the dress Mr. Hogan wears on the film’s poster.

There are phases of androgyny in fashion, naturally, and the influence is seen and sometimes set off by prevailing pop culture – take Diane Keaton’s title character in Annie Hall or the genderblind hair, makeup and pant style of the music scene in the 1980s. Don’t mistake these phases of fashion and their pervasiveness in culture as acceptance of gen-

der neutrality by the general culture.

They were merely artistic expression without intrinsic value meant to shock members of older generations, to rebel (which is of course always brought on by fear of becoming one’s parents), and to be ironic. Mr. Hogan’s embrace of feminine clothing in the film was a brave stance against the notion that one parent is an inefficient number to effectively love and raise a child.

Perhaps controversial and seemingly contraire to the superficial interpretation of the film, but when dealing with subject matter in film that is contraire aux bonnes moeurs, a search for deeper meaning is imperative. Mr. Hogan’s efforts in the film to embrace the feminine connotation of the word “nanny” in an attempt to give his client’s (a single work-addicted father) children a mother figure are courageous, and the children do grow and learn under his care, but not because they had a motherly presence.

No, it was the fact that they now had a presence at all. It is Mr. Hogan’s performance that really brings this truth to light: That being present for our children, single parent or not, will guide us to discover that we can make a well rounded child regardless of our gender. Comforting, crying and loving are not exclusively feminine just as independence, strength and working are not exclusively masculine.

For plebeians who scoff at his casting, I counter that who better a choice than a man who makes his living being “macho,” putting on shows of brutality where fists and chairs fly with fury for the entertainment of the masses to embark on a journey beyond ego and masculinity and who ultimately learns to parent and to love? There has been no moment more touching in the last 50

TORCH ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL MONTIJO

years of film than when the boy in Mr. Hogan’s care has trouble with bullies and asks Mr. Hogan, a victim of parental abuse, for help. Rather than encouraging violence, he says, “You just need attitude, not muscles.”

Wow. Truly remarkable.

For all of his efforts, Mr. Hogan was still never nominated for an Academy Award. While shocking when approached in terms of acting prowess, it is not shocking for the Academy to ignore incredible performances by non actors (see: Brett Favre in There’s Something About Mary, Terry Bradshaw in Failure to Launch, Miley Cyrus in The Last Song).

Maybe, just maybe, that’s the way it should be – after all, a pioneer does not

always get the glory. A pioneer may be relegated to the role of a non germane precursor, though Hulk Hogan is more than that. From immigration policy to widespread acceptance of homosexuality and the modern insistence of parental presence, Hulk Hogan blazed a trail for things like Glee, the creation of policies and ideals in things like the DREAM Act, and yes, social networking like Facebook; perhaps his indelible mark on these things is too often missed, but it is there.

And maybe channeling our inner “Hulkamaniac” is exactly what America needs.

Jeffrey Gilbert is a senior. He can be reached at: jeffreygilberttorch@gmail.com

Think Outside...

Features

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Section

STJ Dance Team places second at nationals CAROLYN WARGULA Features Editor

PHOTO COURTESY OF KRISTEN FARMER

The 17 members on the team perform during half time at basketball games.

the team placed second at nationals.

“We told ourselves that we could totally take Top three, so we had to leave it all on that floor. We were completely surprised when we were called for second. It was a dream come true and probably the happiest moment of my life.”

The team of 16 girls and one boy began learning the routine back in October.

However, with performances at each soccer game and basketball game, they could not focus their energy towards the competition until Thanksgiving.

The team’s goal was to outdo their score from the previous competition. Yet the chance of winning a medal at nationals was constantly in the back of their mind.

The team took third place in the Jazz division in 2005, however, they have never placed higher than seventh place in

the hip-hop division. When the team took fifth place in the Semi-Finals this January, they realistically worked towards winning a medal in the finals.

“We really wanted a medal so we knew we had to be close to perfect,” said McCarton. “We looked at the team’s score and the judges’ comments. So during the few hours between Semi-Finals and the Finals, we practiced for over an hour correcting and working on the points which the judges suggested.”

During the Finals, the team gave a clean and concise performance scoring only half a point lower than the University of Delaware which placed first in the hip-hop division.

When it was announced that the team received second place, Coach McCarton and the team members were in tears.

“There were a few tricks that were

Help for finding your future career path

FEATURES

During halftime at St. John’s basketball games, crowds dressed in red and white continue to cheer. This is because the St. John’s dance team is causing a whirlwind across the court.

The Dance Team placed second in the hip-hop division at the 2011 College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championships on ESPN in January. The 17 members on the team, along with the constant guidance from their coaches, achieved second place in the country due to the dedication they contribute to each move and trick in every performance.

The vibrant hip-hop routine incorporates various flips and tricks which mesmerizes not only the crowds at basketball games, but also the judges at nationals in Kissimme, Florida.

“We overheard the parents of an opposing team saying to their daughter, ‘Honey, you did great, but the St. John’s team was like a rocket ship,” said Coach Christine McCarton. “We had numerous tricks in the routine and we only changed two things from the original choreography for the competition.”

Christine McCarton who has been coaching the St. John’s Dance Team for the past nine years, worked for the C.W. Post–Long Island University team before coaching St. John’s. In 2006, the Long Island Business News named her one of the “40 rising stars under the age of 40.” Despite her dedication to the team, she credits the team’s success to the dancers who strive for excellence with every dance.

“This whole time the team pulled it together and we were so pleased to work towards this common goal,” said McCarton.

“The feeling was indescribable,” said Michaela Stanley, one of the captains for the team, describing how she felt when

particularly hard in our dance that we didn’t hit in the semi-finals,” said Stanley. “So once I found out everyone hit the tricks in finals, I was so proud. After we danced, we watched the playback of our dance and everything was as perfect as we wanted it to be.”

Since their success at nationals, Athenia Elie, the assistant coach of the team, noticed that the dance team received more enthusiasm from the crowds during halftime.

“Overall, I feel the fans have appreciated us more and the crowd is more lively this season,” said Elie. “The team is not tired of the hip-hop routine – they love to perform it every day.”

With seven freshmen on the team, the St. John’s Dance Team is still young and full of potential. Elie hopes that the team will place in the Top 3 in both hip-hop and Jazz next season.

McCarton also hopes that the Dance Team can continue to entertain the crowds with lively routines.

“I would love our team to continue coming up with different routines for the basketball games,” said McCarton. “Hopefully they can perform in the NCAA tournament for both men’s and women’s basketball.”

Stanley who has spent the past four years on the team considers her teammates as her second family.

“We are all great friends with a common passion. We go through so much together. Grueling nine to five practices preparing for nationals and dancing at double headers that we really feel like a family,” said Stanley. “Dance team is all about performing. That’s probably my favorite part of it all, whether we are doing that at nationals, Carnesecca or MSG. We want to give the crowd the opportunity to enjoy a dance performance just as much as we do.”

To see the Dance Team performance from Nationals, visit the official St. John’s Red Storm website at www.redstormsports.com

Senior Marketing student uses COACH to stay ahead of the game Staff Writer

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ly engages with people who have a passion to deliver and make a difference via the news.

Upon graduation, Bastos wishes to pursue her Master’s degree in international relations. She is interested in the administrative side of work such as marketing directing or event planning. Lananna suggests that students interested in these positions should make themselves as marketable as possible now so that they can be aggressive in the competitive market upon graduation.

“Without the direction of COACH, I cannot say that I would be where I am today,” said Bastos. “I enjoy learning different things, but I can assure you the only way to know if you will like something is if you get exposed to the real job and people now. Taking advantage of this program is a great way to find out.”

“The best advice comes from listening to the personal experiences of others,” says Laura Smith, senior career counselor. “COACH enables students to talk with experienced professionals to seek career information and advice. Our coaches represent a wide range of career fields and help students by providing one-to-one advisement in person, over the phone or via e-mail. Any student can take advantage of COACH.” For more information on COACH, contact the Career Center or visit their website: http://www.stjohns. edu/services/career.

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Choosing the right career path seems a daunting decision to most college students. While some hope that they will wake up one morning to find their career aspirations all laid out in front of them, others are stuck in the midst of confusion and uncertainty. Students are hesitant of making such an immense choice and frequently find themselves not putting in the necessary effort to fully understand their field.

To help students, the Career Center at St. John’s has created a program called Count On Alumni for Career Help (COACH). The program allows students to reach out to alumni as well as friends of the University to acquire any type of knowledge on the field they wish to pursue. Alumni are able to guide students with any questions or concerns they have and clear up any uncertainties or myths.

COACH allows students to inquire about what skills are necessary to be successful in their area. They can even seek guidance on how to successfully network and land a stellar job or internship.

Eunice Lee, an assistant district attorney at King’s

County Prosector’s Office, says the key to declaring the ideal career is to talk to as many people as possible who practice in an individual’s area of interest. This way, students are able to understand a potential field before taking the necessary steps to sustain it.

Juliana Bastos, a senior marketing major originally from Lima, Peru, became interested in COACH after seeing former United Nations employee Nick Lananna listed as an alumnus. She met with the former history student to get an inside peek of his company. While Lananna planned on becoming a teacher upon graduation, he currently works as a manager of the traveling department with UNICEF. Lananna mentioned how imperative it is to learn how to work in a fast paced environment.

After meeting her coach, Bastos became inspired and gained a sense of direction with her career aspirations.

Lananna informed her that it was vital to challenge herself both in and outside of the classroom.

Bastos used this advice and joined GLOBE, a student managed microfinance program. She became team liaison for her group and executed three different videos used for advertising purposes. She also applied to several marketing internships and interviewed with Sony, CBS News, Barneys NY and Project Enterprise.

She finally decided on CBS News, where she frequent-

16 Feb. 2011

PRINCY ANN ABRAHAM

8

Must try culinary delights in Queens JOANNA ADDUCI Staff Writer

It’s Sunday evening, and you’re hungry. Whether you just wander down Union Turnpike or dare to venture out of the area, there are plenty of restaurants to pass some time and satisfy cravings.

Natives, a Colombian oasis nestled in the rustic neighborhood of Jackson Heights, offers intricate and tasty platters filled with spice infused steak, crunchy empanadas and sweet, savory plantains. From the moment you walk through the door, you will feel like family as they offer you delectable appetizers and drink choices.

Traditional platters include “Bandeja Paisa” which incorporates meat surrounded by rice, beans, and plantains. Most meals can be shared thanks to the generous portion sizes, and will only set you back around 10 dollars. Make sure to try the guacamole, which combines the perfect mix of avocado, cilantro and various spices.

From the quaint, authentic atmosphere to the exquisite cuisine – Natives is the perfect dining experience for St. John’s students.

If you’re in the mood for Italian, make sure to try out Sabatino’s, conveniently located on Union Turnpike just across the street from the university. Delicious pizza, paninis and fresh pasta are only a few of the gems on this outstanding menu. The waiters are extremely friendly, and there are even discounts for STJ students. Make it a point to try the fried zucchini or the fresh pasta with sausage and broccoli rabe. The atmosphere is studentfriendly, yet offers an upscale ambiance which is comfortable and charming. From the pizza to the filet of sole, everything is flavor packed and carefully made.

Enter Gyro World, located on Northern Boulevard, for mouthwatering, enormous stuffed gyros with lamb or chicken, tomatoes, onions and yogurt sauce. The gyros may be hard to eat, but they are completely worth it. The lemon potatoes are perfectly soft and have the ideal combination of salt and citrus. Their fries are thin, crispy, and

sprinkled with a unique blend of spices. The restaurant offers a warm and authentic feel, highlighting the beauty of the Mediterranean. Everything is low in price, costing between $8 and $10 for a typical meal. Warm pita bread, hot avgolemono, a signature Greek soup, stuffed grape leaves and chicken souvlaki are only some of the few delicacies this tasteful establishment offers.

Sometimes there’s nothing like a good burger to hit the spot. For the best burger in Queens, take a trip over to Five Guys on 188th Street. Described by some as “Heaven on a Bun,” the menu at Five Guys is simple, short and to the point: burgers, dogs, and fries. The art of toppings can be taken to the limit, including grilled onions and jalapeno peppers. It is almost impossible to communicate the overload of taste in your first bite.

There are two sizes: little (one burger) and regular (two burgers), depending on the size of your cravings. Their fries are crispy, spiced and irresistible. Simple, yet extraordinary, Five Guys is a must for STJ – and all college – students.

If you’re trying to satisfy your sweet tooth, drive over to Martha’s Country Bakery located on Bell Boulevard. A trip to Martha’s is a necessary experience for all STJ students before graduation. As soon as you enter the bakery you forget you’re in Queens, as the decor is nothing but serene and quaint. Perfectly compiled cases filled with cupcakes, tarts, cakes and gelato line the bakery, presented in the most aesthetic manner possible. Grab a booth, look over the menu and choose your sweet treat.

The drink menu offers various teas and coffees, cappuccinos and lattes. The dessert menu is an unending list of delicacies very reasonably priced. The cupcakes are a must, from strawberry to peanut butter – they are rich, tasty and truly one of a kind. Martha’s is a great place to meet with friends, escape the hustling metropolis and treat your self to something truly delicious.

Whether you’re trying something new or searching for a different type of cuisine, Queens offers an unending supply of dining selections. Head out this weekend with friends, try something new and expand your culinary horizons.

RESTAURANT DIRECTORY Try these restaurants in the local area for delicious and unforgettable food

PHOTO COURTESY OF YELP

PHOTO COURTESY OF YELP

NATIVES RESTAURANT Jackson Heights

SABATINO’S Union Turnpike

Take the E or F to Jackson Heights, then take the Q32 or Q33 to Northern Boulevard

Located across from the Barnes & Noble next to the Queens campus

PHOTO COURTESY OF YELP

GYRO WORLD Flushing Take the Q31 to 194th street then walk towrds Northern Boulevard

PHOTO COURTESY OF YELP

MARTHA’S COUNTRY BAKERY Forest Hills Take the F to Queens Boulevard then walk towards Austin Street

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ENTERTAINMENT PHOTO COURTESY OF LADYGAGA.COM

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Lady Gaga returns to music just like she never left

16 Feb. 2011

Born To Reign

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Lady’s Night at the Grammy Awards LADY ANTEBELLUM SWEEPS THE CATEGORIES, UNEXPECTED VICTORIES GO TO THE UNDERDOGS SHARON TONG Contributing Writer

L

ady Gaga, Justin Bieber and Katy Perry.

Admit it: as much as you have heard enough about these three, you’d expect them to win big at the 53rd Grammy Awards, right? Wrong!

Although Gaga left with three awards for “Best Pop Vocal Album,” “Best Short Film Music Video” and “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance,” while Bieber and Perry went home empty-handed, the major victories of the night went to the fairly unknown artists.

Country band Lady Antebellum were the ones that topped with the most wins, scoring five awards from their hit single and album, “Need You Now.” While the awards ended with many astonished faces, the night held several tributes to familiar and beloved performers.

The awards opened up on Sunday evening with a tribute to the recovering legend Aretha Franklin, who underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer in early December. Female powerhouses Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Yolanda Adams, Florence Welch and Martina McBride performed Franklin’s hit singles: “Ain’t No Way,” “Until You Come Back to Me,” “Think,” “Respect,” “Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”

The victors of the night Lady Antebellum paid their respects to the late Teddy Pendergrass by performing “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” blended with their own singles, “American Honey” and award-winning “Need You Now.” Also paying tribute, Norah Jones, John Mayer and Keith Urban played an acoustic version of Dolly Parton’s 1974-hit, “Jolene.”

Cee-Lo Green performed his hit single “Forget You” with actress-turned-country-star Gwyneth Paltrow, wearing a rather funky outfit with giant rainbow feathers.

PHOTO COURTEST OF GRAMMY.COM

Esperanza Spalding made history by nabbing the award for “Best New Artist,” beating out Justin Bieber and Drake in a shocking victory.

She is also the first jazz artist to win the Grammy.

But this was none other than to honor Elton John in The Muppets Show circa-1970s, where Elton John sported a more tropical version of the costume.

Bruno Mars and B.o.B. known for their duet on

“Nothin’ On You,” teamed up with Janelle Monae, all dressed in suits, and performed each of their singles. The 25-year-old Mars rocked an old-school hair-do and even got on his knees to pay homage to James Brown.

The last honor of the night came from the The Rolling Stones’ own Mick Jagger, who paid tribute to those who have gone and to his hero, Solomon Burke (who passed away in October) by performing Burke’s “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love” for the first time on the Grammy stage.

The Grammy Award winners this year were unexpected to many. Viewers expected rapper Drake or teen sensation Justin Bieber to win the award for “Best New Artist” but the award went to jazz singer Esperanza Spalding, who made history as the first jazz artist to win the prestigious awards.

A lot of high hopes for Eminem, who was nominated for 10 different categories, were blown away when he took home only two awards for “Best Rap Album” and “Best Solo Performance.”

Another shocking outcome was Lady Gaga winning only three categories for which she received nods for. One of the most-talked about points about Gaga’s performance of her new single, “Born This Way,” was the way she vividly illustrated her song by making an entrance on the red carpet inside of an egg.

Former Beatles member Paul McCartney won his first Grammy Award in 31 years for “Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance” for “Helter Skelter,” beating out John Mayer, Neil Young, Robert Plant and the Band of Joy and Eric Clapton. The last time he won a Grammy Award was with his band Wings at the 22nd Grammy Awards in 1980.

The night was certainly not one to forget.

Feelings of anxiety, astonishment and joy were shared among the nominees and the viewers, hoping their favorite artists would win the award they were nominated for. There is some debate from angry fans over who should have taken the gold, but there were certainly no losers. No matter who emerged the winner, hard work was acknowledged.

Gaga’s Rebirth Keeps ‘Monsters’ Satisfied

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The TORCH

16 Feb. 2011

ENTERTAINMENT

LADY GAGA REMINDS FANS WHY HER ARTISTRY CONTINUES TO MAKE MEANINGFUL HITS KARLA RODRIGUEZ Staff Writer

L

ittle “monsters” everywhere have been counting down the seconds until the release of Lady Gaga’s new single titled “Born This Way.” The long-awaited track is the first single off her upcoming studio album of the same name which will be released on May 23..

Gaga gifted the highly anticipated song to her fans on Friday, Feb. 11, and it has been in heavy rotation on airwaves since. With feel good, catchy lyrics and a blend of 90s-esque sounds, the song is being received positively.

“Born This Way” immediately shot to the top of the iTunes songs chart around the world. The song reached the number one spot on iTunes U.S. in less than three hours after its release, becoming the fastest song to ever do so.

Gaga confirmed to television personality Ellen DeGeneres on Jan. 27 via phone call that she was set to premiere her song during a performance at the Grammy Awards ceremony Sunday, Feb. 13. The suspense built as the singer took to her Twitter account to announce that she would shorten the wait. She tweeted: “Can’t wait any longer, single coming Friday,” causing a riot in the media and among her fans.

The track slowly began to leak when the artist debuted a few lines from the song after winning “Best Video of the Year” at the MTV Video Music Awards last September. “I’m beautiful in my way, because God makes no mistakes. I’m on the right track. Baby, I was born this way,” Gaga sang to her fans.

Throughout the last month, Gaga released small fractions of the lyrics, further accelerating her fans’ excitement. Several media outlets such as Perez Hilton’s blog, Rolling Stone, and Gaga Daily, released clips of

the song at different times, while little monsters everywhere jumped from site to site attempting to piece it all together.

The extravagant singer promised her fans that she would post the official lyrics and credits of the song if they made #leakitgaga a trending topic on Twitter. It quickly became the number one trending topic and Gaga released the full lyrics via her Twitter account. It was not until Feb. 11 that she decided to leak the track just two days shy of the originally planned date.

In the midst of controversial issues such as gay marriage, the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and youth suicides, the concept of the song is socially conscious and aware. The track is designed to make a significant impact on all of those affected by low self-esteem, bullying, and discrimination based on their race or sexuality.

Just a few days after the release, the song has already sparked some controversy. Many people have compared the song to Madonna’s hit “Express Yourself,” saying it sounds extremely similar and based on the same idea. These critics include Madonna’s brother, Christopher Ciccone, who lashed out against Gaga according to gossip blog PopEater.com.

“It sounds just like ‘Express Yourself’ - I can’t believe it to tell you the truth,” Ciccone said.

Gaga has often referred to Madonna as a great form of inspiration, and it comes as no surprise for their music to be somewhat alike. Only time will tell whether or not a feud between these two pop icons will ensue.

After a shell-shocking Grammy performance involving an egg and with expectations to be the 1000th song to make Billboard’s number one spot, “Born This Way” is sure to make history in true Gaga fashion.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GRAMMY.COM

Want more Entertainment?

Visit our website at www.torchonline.com

Lady Gaga makes an “egg-cellent” entrance at the 2011 Grammy Awards, where she also performed.

TORCHCOMICS 16 February 2011

The Adventures of Rufus James Kerigan

1-800 ARMSTRACO Johnathan Roman

Daily Problems of the Average Superhero

James Kerigan

Sombrero Cat Rebekha Yeh and Caroline Roecker

17

What Lombardi would think On heels of Super Bowl, Packers great would appreciate Johnnies’ run

ILLUSTRATION/TORCH GRAPHICS

SPORTS

If NFL legend Vince Lombardi were alive today, he’d appreciate the recent run of success the St. John’s men’s basketball team has had, but be mindful of the challenges that still lay ahead for an NCAA tournament berth. run has to resonate long enough and frequently enough to change the perceptions others have of you.

It took winning five NFL Championships and two Super Bowls over the course of a decade for people to see Lombardi and his Green Bay Packers among football’s most elite. It’ll take a deep Big East tournament and then NCAA run for the Johnnies to be restored to college basketball’s most elite—but it’ll take a strong finish to the regular season just to get there.

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

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enough to know that the Red Storm aren’t quite there yet. Their return to glory hasn’t quite manifested. After all, they’re still only on the cusp of being recognized in the AP Poll, the next step—after beating teams that are recognized in the poll—in establishing yourself among the elite programs in the nation.

Despite the chatter that suggests the Red Storm have locked up a spot in the NCAA tournament, the Big East is so deep this year that the possibility exists for the team to miss the Big Dance if complacency sets in and the Johnnies struggle against teams they should beat— not the Pittsburghs and Villanovas of the world, but the Seton Halls and South Floridas. After all, for as much as wins over strong teams like Duke and UConn weigh in the minds of the selection committee, so too do losses against weaker programs, which the Red Storm already have in falling to Fordham and St. Bonaventure earlier this year.

Lombardi understood—maybe a little too well, considering his other famous quotations—that success isn’t a one-shot deal. One good run won’t mean much if a down-to-earth revert takes place. The

The TORCH

opponents this season.

I think he’d be proud that the Johnnies have four wins over ranked teams at Madison Square Garden, forcefully taking back their home floor from those quick to carelessly label the World’s Most Famous Arena as a vacation home for Duke, Syracuse and UConn—there’s a brash quality about this years’ team that I’m sure he’d find refreshing.

Most importantly, he’d appreciate the team’s hunger for victory, its understanding that, for this group of seniors, this is the last opportunity to leave a positive legacy upon the program—to complete the mission of resurrecting St. John’s basketball by getting back to the Big Dance come March.

He, more than anybody, would appreciate their bringing St. John’s back to national prominence, especially when they were tossed around like ragdolls in their first three years of Big East play. It would be the embodiment of redemption story Lombardi described when he said, “The real glory is being knocked to your knees and then coming back. That’s real glory.

That’s the essence of it.”

I think Lombardi would be smart

16 Feb. 2011

Sometimes I think about how Vince Lombardi would have fared as a basketball coach—these are the kinds of things you think about when you have a week between issues and the Super Bowl fits right in between publication dates.

And as I watched Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews make mince meat out of Ben Roethlisberger and Troy Polamalu, and the sportswriters pounced on the idea of “Bringing the Lombardi Trophy Back to Titletown,” I couldn’t help but think about how the legendary Packers coach would have approached the hardwood.

Actually, I don’t think I would have cared so much about his wins and losses as long as he’d have been good enough to take a seat alongside Dick Vitale and Doug Gottlieb on ESPN after his coaching days ended, so that he could weigh in on the top programs.

(If you think about it, you could make the case that the basketball equivalent of Vince Lombardi is Bobby Knight, who, ipso facto, is already an ESPN analyst—but in this case, having two great coaches with short tempers is much better than one. Plus, this is my fantasy we’re dealing with here.)

Of course, I’d be especially curious in finding out how Lombardi would motivate the St. John’s men’s basketball program as it approaches the twilight of the regular season schedule and prepares for the conference tournament.

These days, everyone seems to have an opinion on the Johnnies, and with good reason. It’s a dangerous time to have St. John’s creeping up on your schedule.

The Red Storm, desperate for its first NCAA tournament berth since 2002, have won five of its last six games since losing three straight a the time of this writing—and those aren’t just creampuff wins fluffing up St. John’s résumé.

Over that span, they beat then-No. 5 Duke by 15 and then-No. 10 Connecticut by 17, and overcame a near-9 minute span during which they were held without a field goal to get a sweet revenge win over Cincinnati, exchanging road wins with the Bearcats in their home-and-home series. Last night, they beat Marquette by double digits on the road.

I could picture Lombardi now, fully dressed in his classic thick-rimmed glasses and fedora cap, screaming at the cameras. “Winning isn’t everything,” he’d tell the Johnnies, as only he can, “it’s the only thing!”

Which is to say he wouldn’t want St. John’s to let up now. With big games against No. 4 Pittsburgh and No. 15 Villanova remaining, he’d inspire the Johnnies to be giant-killers yet again, appreciating the irreverence St. John’s has already had for its more prestigious

18

TORCH SPORTS

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

STORM

CAST STJ defeats Hoyas Leavin’ their Mark

Men’s Golf tops UConn to end tourney short St. John’s men’s golf team defeated Connecticut in the consolation bracket of Big East Match Play behind Mark Costanza, Ryan McCormick and Pat Wilson.

The Red Storm defeated Cincinnati in the first round before falling to Ball State in the second round, which was delayed a day due to darkness.

Costanza and McCormick won their respective matches 3&2 while Wilson went 1-up.

Peter Ballo halved his match while Evan Beirne fell 3&2. The consolation bracket never got finished and ended St. John’s run in the tournament with a victory.

Women’s tennis shut out by Big Red The St. John’s women’s tennis team was shutout in a 7-0 loss to Cornell.

The Red Storm fell to 1-3 on the season couldn’t keep up with the Big Red of Cornell who had six straight set victories.

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The TORCH

16 Feb. 2011

SPORTS

Men’s tennis team shuts out FDU The men’s tennis team opened their 2011 season with a 7-0 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson.

The Red Storm started it off by sweeping the doubles competitions before carrying it over to singles where they won all the competitions in straight sets.

Blowin’ in the Wind

“

I feel like a lot of teams are starting to give me open looks.

So once I hit the first one I just get going and make the second one. It just keeps building up.-Women’s

Red Storm commemorate Pink Zone with win MIKE GURNIS Staff Writer After battling through two straight games that came down to the last few possessions, the women’s basketball team needed a late 3-pointer on Feb. 13 just to reach overtime.

No. 17 Georgetown had gone on a 12-2 run that put the Hoyas ahead by three with 1:09 remaining, but sophoST. JOHN’S

75

GEORGETOWN

71

more Amanda Burakowski made one of her five 3-pointers as the game clock wound down give the No. 25 Red Storm (17-7, 6-5) a chance in the extra period.

Once there, St. John’s, dressed in pink uniforms commemorating their designated Pink Zone game to raise awareness for breast cancer, pulled out a 75-71 victory at Carnesecca Arnea for their first win in five tries this season against a ranked opponent.

“I thought we really showed our character once again tonight because after being ahead for most of the game, Georgetown (20-6, 8-4) took that lead late, and we could have crumbled at that point, but we really battled back to beat a ranked team,” said St. John’s Head Coach Kim Barnes Arico.

“The kids played really well and played incredibly hard.”

The win marks the second time the Red Storm have beaten Georgetown since 1999,

TORCH PHOTO/KRISTEN FARMER

Sophomore Amanda Burakowski’s fifth 3-pointer near the end of regulation Sunday sent the Red Storm’s game against No. 17 Georgetown to overtime. snapping a six-game losing streak against the Hoyas.

“I think we talked about Rutgers being a signature win to get into the (NCAA) Tournament, and now this just helps our resume of getting into the tournament tremendously,” said Barnes Arico.

With her 15-point performance, Burakowski had tal-

lied three consecutive games of double-digit point totals, which she attributed to getting better shot opportunities.

“I feel like a lot of teams are starting to give me open looks,” said Burakoski. “So once I hit the first one I just get going and make the second one. It just keeps building up.”

Basketball guard Amanda Burakowski on her recent scoring surge

”

Headin’ this Way Red Storm home games

Men’s Basketball: Feb. 19 Pittsburgh

12:00 p.m.

TORCH PHOTO/KRISTEN FARMER

Women’s Basketball Feb. 19 Syracuse

3:00 p.m.

Sophomore Nadirah McKenith nearly had a triple-double despite playing through a lingering ankle injury, and was on this week’s Big East Honor Roll.

Nadirah McKenith had 13 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists while playing through a lingering ankle injury, a performance that landed her on this week’s Big East Honor Roll.

“She was unbelievable.

I just looked at her stat line, she almost had a triple-double. She got a tremendous rebound for us, she made all of those freethrows at the end of the game with her injury. And she’s just big time,” said Barnes Arico. “She’s the difference in our team. And now with her going down is a little bit of a concern because she’s had that ankle injury all year long.”

Da’Shena Stevens also had a big game for the Red Storm, as she had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

“We lost a couple of tough games this season, so we wanted to come out tonight and just keep fighting no matter what,” said Stevens. “Georgetown is a great team with the way they fought back towards the end.

But we just held it together and that shows a lot about our team and how much we’ve grown this season.”

19

SOFTBALL

Softball opens season at Seminole Kickoff Classic STEVE SIDOTI Staff Writer

The St. John’s Softball team opened the 2011 season in Tallahasse, Fla. this past weekend, as the Red Storm competed in the Seminole Kickoff Classic, taking on the likes of Florida State, Hofstra, and UNC-Greensboro.

After playing six games in three days, the Red Storm left the Sunshine State with a record of 2-3, winning the first and last games of the Classic.

On Friday, Feb. 11 St. John’s opened up against No. 23 Florida State.

The Seminoles proved to be a great test for a season opener, but the well prepared Red Storm opened the year with an 11-5 win.

Senior pitcher Kat Lawrence went the distance in game number one, pitching seven innings and surrendering four earned runs on ten hits.

The bats left right where they left in 2010, combining to score 11 runs on 14 hits, with senior Chelsea Durning and junior Meghan Gwynn leading the way. Durning, the team’s right fielder and leadoff hitter, drove in three runs, while Gwynn went 3-for-4 and drove in two.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Sophomore shortstop Chrissy Montez went 3-for-5 with four RBI and a stolen base in the final game of the Seminole Kickoff Classic.

After the opening win, St. John’s lost the next three games and was outscored 26-4 during that stretch.

Luckily, Head Coach Amy Kvilhaug had her team ready for the road trip’s

final game. Her team combined to score 13 runs in a 13-7 victory in the consolation game against UNC-Greensboro.

Six players contributed with at least

one RBI and nine different St. John’s hitters crossed the plate for a run scored in the win.

Sophomore shortstop Chrissy Montez was responsible for the most damage, going 3-for-5 with four RBI and a stolen base. Her first three at-bats came with the bases loaded.

“I just really tried staying focused the entire time,” Montez said. “I went up there with a different mentality today because lately I haven’t been staying as focused as I think I should be. I went up there thinking I just need to focus on one pitch at a time.”

Sophomore second baseman Amber Curry went 2-for-4 with three RBI’s and added two stolen bases. Durning went 2-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored. The California native also walked twice, tying Roxy Struble for the program’s career walks record.

The Red Storm will continue their season on Feb. 18 when they take on Kent State in the Pirate Classic in Greenville, N.C. Other opponents include East Carolina and Virginia.

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SPORTS

16 Feb. 2011 The TORCH

torchonline.com

SPORTS 16 FEBRUARY 2011 | VOLUME 88, ISSUE 14 | TORCHONLINE.COM

TORCHSPORTS.WORDPRESS.COM

TORCH PHOTO/ KRISTEN FARMER

The Softball team played in the Seminole Kickoff Classic last weekend.

The Men’s Basketball team defeated Marquette on Tuesday night.

Pg. 19

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