The
TANGERINE
FRIDAY, NOV. 13 2020
UCTANGERINE.COM
Utica College prepares for a colder winter than usual
Some Utica area food sources narrowly survive COVID-19
Friday Night Lights: high school football being affected by COVID-19
NEWS | PG. 3
FEATURES | PG. 6
SPORTS | PG. 9
Domestic Violence Hygiene Drive collects 793 items
Q &A with Nicodemus Gambill Former UC Pioneer turned professional football player MATT BREAULT ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR After graduating from Utica College in May 2018 with his B.S. in Corporate Wellness, Nicodemus Gambill, the former Pioneer running back and track and field star, has been making the most of his opportunities.
Photo: Nick McAdam NICK MCADAM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The Utica College Safe Trax program has concluded its Domestic Violence Awareness Hygiene Drive for the month of October. The program collected a total of 793 items from students, faculty, staff and various clubs and professional organizations on campus. Chi Beta Sigma donated the most with a total of 193 items. The sorority will be presented with a photo and award presentation on Nov. 10 in the Strebel Lounge as YWCA Campus Advocate Maria Klosek will be present to accept the majority of the items. The campaign coincides with Domestic Violence Awareness Month which has occurred annually since 1981. The drive was initiated by Safe Trax Coordinator Jennifer Jones as items were collected to directly help survivors of domestic violence and abuse. “We had multiple clubs,
teams and organizations participate in the drive this year,” Jones said. “It was successful and it’s something we plan to continue to do each year.” Seniors Emily Kadin and Vinni Palmisano along with other Chi Beta Sigma members accepted the award and were all honored in the participation from the community to the overall initiative. “Domestic violence is our philanthropy,” they said. “It’s an honor. We’re beyond grateful to those who donated money and products. It’s really going toward a great cause. We’re beyond happy that these efforts will have a direct benefit to members of the community we live in.” Going forward, the sorority plans to raise awareness and funds for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, a cause that remains dear to the sorority.
The 26-year-old Gambill currently lives in San Diego, California, after moving there last December, but that doesn’t mean he forgot where he came from. Q. Now that you’re living in San Diego, what do you miss most about both Utica and Rochester? A. What I miss most about the Utica area is the different food places and my friends there. I used to go to Venice Pizzeria every Friday night to get Chicken Parm before my football games or my track meets. I also miss my friends in the Utica area and I’m glad they’re doing big things. In Rochester, I miss my family because being out in San Diego is a long way from home now that I’m living on the west coast. Q. Which awards or accomplishments mean the most to you and why? A. There are two accomplishments that really mean a lot to me.
Photo: Utica College Athletics The first thing for me is graduating college as a first generation college student. That not only means a lot for me, but it is big for my family as well. My other biggest accomplishment is when the track and field team won back-to-back Empire 8 championships in 2016 and 2017. Getting the first one in school history, then winning it in outdoor the same year was a very great accomplishment for me. Although Gambill’s athletic career was a tremendous success at Utica College, he recognizes that being a first generation college student meant just as much to him as winning any athletic award. Now that Gambill has graduated from Utica College, he has been keeping himself busy doing a variety of things. One of those things is continuing his football career.
Q. Since you graduated from Utica College in May 2018, what have you been up to these days? A. I have been doing a lot since I graduated back in 2018. In 2019, I signed a contract to play American Football in Germany with the Erding Bulls. Being in Germany was a great experience for me getting to learn a whole new culture and I’ve been treated very well over there. I also went through the rookie camp for the U.S.A. Bobsled team and I did really well, but I chose not to proceed with bobsledding because I was battling with some injuries. Now that the COVID-19 pandemic has swept through the world, it has put a halt on many of our lives. For Gambill, it has impacted his athletic careers in both football and bobsled. Q. After UC you said you have played football in SEE FOOTBALL PG. 10
STAFF PAGE 2
FRIDAY, NOV. 13 2020
FALL 2020 STAFF
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Editor-In-Chief - Nick McAdam Layout Editor - Stephen Clark News Editor - Bailey Hryb Assistant News Editor - Celeste Gessner Features Editor - Gianna Cognetti Assistant Features Editor - Rebekah Hedeen Sports Editor - Abin Boris Assistant Sports Editor - Matt Breault Special Assignments Reporter - Hannah Steyn General Assignments Reporter - Robert Stevens Photographer - Sidney Domroes Social Media Manager - Alyssa McKenna Cartoonist - Katherine Haight Copy Editor - Hope Russo Tangerine Clerk - Emmalyn Ylaya Adviser - Mary Christopher
About The Tangerine is published weekly during the academic year by and for Utica College students. To reach a member of the staff, email tangerine@utica.edu or call 315-792-3065. All material printed in The Tangerine is copyrighted. The Tangerine was first published as the Utica College News on Nov. 6, 1946. Submission Policy Letters to the editor are welcomed from all members of the Utica College community. Letters must meet fair and accurate publishing standards and contain no libelous material. Anonymous letters to the editor will not be printed. All letters and editorials must meet the print deadline of 5 p.m. on Mondays. Please send all submissions to tangerine@utica.edu. Takeback requests are a form of censorship and therefore not accepted. Advertising Information The Tangerine accepts paid advertisements. Advertising copy is subject to the same professional publishing standards as content. The Tangerine reserves the right to reject advertising that does not meet the standards established, is libelous, is in poor taste or violates discrimination laws. Please direct all inquiries to tanger@ utica.edu. The deadline for publication is 10 a.m. on Tuesdays. The opinions and columns expressed in The Tangerine are those of the individual writers and do not represent the views of The Tangerine or Utica College.
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NEWS
PAGE 3 FRIDAY, NOV. 13 2020
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Utica College prepares for a colder winter than usual BAILEY HRYB NEWS EDITOR
early January and earlyto-mid-March.
Central New York got its first taste of the upcoming winter season when a trace to five inches of snow fell in various parts of the Mohawk Valley a little over a week ago. While there remains no prediction of snow in upcoming forecasts, this early snowfall has reminded many residents of this area that a warm autumn is coming to an end and that long winter months are just around the corner.
Heavy snowfalls can bring about travel hazards for commuter students and can make mobility around campus troublesome. Director of Campus Safety Musco Millner feels that Utica College is well prepared for whatever winter will throw our way.
Regardless of whether or not you celebrated the snowfall or wished for it to melt away, there is no denying that winter is at CNY’s doorstep. It is not
Photo: Utica College uncommon for this area to see a white layer of snow before Thanksgiving. Last year, higher elevations within Oneida County saw around two inches of snow the morning of their Thanksgiving feast. While we have experienced a warmer fall than usual, it is unlikely that said luck will apply to
the winter season we have ahead of us. According to early reports from The Farmer’s Almanac, the Utica-area will see a colder than normal winter, with abovenormal precipitation and snowfall and cold spells in mid-December and midJanuary. The snowiest periods are predicted to come in mid-December,
“After coordination with the facilities and grounds personnel, we make sure that the parking lots and sidewalks are plowed and salted when it snows or the conditions get icy,” he said. Contrary to what The Farmer’s Almanac is predicting for the area,
the Northeast Regional Climate Center (NRCC), located in Ithaca, is calling for a warmer than usual winter season. According to a quarterly report published by the NRCC, much of the continental U.S. will experience a warmer climate this winter due to a weak La Nina. La Nina is described as the cooling of the surface of the Pacific Ocean. A dull La Nina means that the winds brought to the coasts may not be as cold as usual, leading to the possibility of a warmer winter season. Regardless of which early prediction is true, CNY should plan for a SEE WINTER PG. 4
CAMPUS SAFETY BLOTTER INCIDENT DATE
INCIDENT TIME
INCIDENT DESCRIPTION
INCIDENT LOCATION
11/2/2020
11:15 PM
Fire alarm
Pioneer Village C
11/3/2020
1:38 PM
Reckless driving
On-Campus Location
11/3/2020
2:00 PM
Fire alarm
Pioneer Village B
11/3/2020
2:38 PM
Student of concern
North Hall
11/4/2020
2:22 PM
Reckless driving
On-Campus Location
11/4/2020
9:10 AM
Property damage MVA
On-Campus Location
11/5/2020
4:00 PM
Marijuana violation
Bell Hall
11/5/2020
12:30 AM
Fire alarm
Off-Campus Location
11/6/2020
8:20 PM
Alcohol violation
Boehlert Hall
11/6/2020
10:55 PM
Fire alarm
North Hall
11/6/2020
1:30 PM
Accident report
Clark Athletic Center
11/6/2020
4:12 AM
Larceny
Pioneer Village C
11/7/2020
10:39 PM
Off-campus disruption
Off-Campus Location
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WINTER FROM PG. 3 winter that is common in our area, including lake effect snow, freezing rain and white out conditions. According to CNYWeather.com, a locally owned weather station and blog based out of Westmoreland, the site recorded 73.6 inches of snow between the months of Nov. 2019 to May 2020. The most amount of snowfall to cover the area took place in February, with a whopping 27.7 inches recorded. Of course, areas located in higher elevations may see more snow than those located in the valley.
Students who commute to UC, as well as everyone who has to drive anywhere in the winter, should be properly prepared for the possibility of treacherous traffic when on the roads. “I get kind of scared when driving to and from school,” said Leah Scalise, a senior. “I just sometimes never know what to expect when driving or how long it will take me to get to class, and I always try my best to avoid being late. Also, driving on back roads makes things scary because they are nothing like driving on the wellplowed city roads around campus.”
A report published in January by the AAA Foundation of Traffic Safety found that 46% of traffic accidents and crashes take place during the winter months. In the event that you are in an emergency, AAA recommends that drivers have a crisis kit located somewhere in your car. The kit should include, but not limited to, items such as a blanket, a flashlight, jumper cables, a first-aid kit and drinking water. A statement released by the Office of Academic Affairs on Nov. 2 stressed the importance of remaining safe while coming to and leaving campus during the winter
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months and also informed students and faculty of what to do if coming to campus is not an option. “If the college is closed, opens late, or closes early due to bad weather, we will put out an announcement via UC’s alert system,” the announcement said. “Faculty - regardless of the reason, if you are unable to make it to class, but classes are in session, please notify your students as soon as possible. Students regardless of the reason, if you are unable to make it to class, but classes are in session, please notify your faculty member using your UC email account as soon as possible.”
Regardless of what this winter season will bring, UC remains confident that they will be able to keep members of the community safe and will be able to conform to the rapidly changing weather forecasts. “Unfortunately, we are at the mercy of Mother Nature,” Millner said. “While there isn’t a set plowing schedule (i.e. 3 times/day), we are prepared for some days plowing once a day and others meaning continuous plowing for 24 hours until the storm passes.”
Updates on COVID-19 at UC
FEATURES PAGE 5 FRIDAY, NOV. 13 2020
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Op-Ed: Utica College’s Global Village program has potential NICK MCADAM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
economic flow. These students have contributed $37 billion to the United States economy in 2017, according to Forbes writer Paul Laudicina. Yet, the number of international students deciding to pursue higher education in the U.S. dropped 40% from 2015 until that year, which Laudicina cites as a reason for these students exploring more welcoming areas as Australia and Canada experienced dramatic 1320 percent increases in international students, respectively.
Tower Hall at Utica College stands apart from other residence halls on campus due to its developed living features such as air-conditioned rooms, kitchens, lounges, clustered living and physical accessibility including elevators and activation switches attached to the main doors. Another asset that makes Tower unique is the Global Village program. The program, according to the Global Village website, is meant to connect international students with other backgrounds, cultures and viewpoints through events and educational experiences. Utica College promotes this space as a “unique living experience.” Most of the international students participating in the program are put on the third floor of the residence hall; a floor that historically has contained a majority of on-campus international students with little-to-no American students on the floor. The unique living experience has been lost, however. This program has been ignored, which has only been amplified as a result of the pandemic. Nothing is happening with this program currently and nothing ever really has happened with it. The four international students participating in this program are currently unaware that such a program exists.
Graphics: Alyssa McKenna
Despite all of this, folks at the Student Living and College Engagement
Photo: Utica College office still believe in the original assumption that the program contains importance and serves its original purpose to the fullest extent. “We’ve found that it’s beneficial for international students to be placed in a residential hall where other students such as returning international students or American students can act as a liaison to help students get affiliated to campus life,” Interim Director of Student Living Marissa Finch said. Senior Vice President for Student Life and Enrollment Jeffery Gates also acknowledges the experience and benefits that this program offers, specifically noting the communication that can exist between domestic and international students. “Over the years we have talked with international students about their preferences and also with
domestic students about theirs when it comes to living in the Global Village,” he said “I do believe that the Global Village creates an atmosphere for international students to live with other international students and domestic students who want this experience. As Interim Dean [Scott] Nonemaker said to me, ‘Truth is, our domestic students learn just as much from the international students.’ I couldn’t agree more.” SLCE, Finch and Gates recognize the importance of this program, but our international students aren’t feeling the impact of it. It’s one thing to talk about what this program can achieve, but if action isn’t taken, this program will continue to be neglected for years to come. There are a host of elements that need to be challenged with the Global Village initiative, all of which boil down to
being more specific about what the program is set to achieve each semester. SLCE needs to come up with goals for the program that are measurable along with creating a format for the program that ensures regular programming and educational events that will actually happen. And as a community, we cannot afford the continuity of ignoring this program. The Global Village initiative cannot be bookmarked for a later date. The intercultural experience in college is beyond valuable. Our worldview and standpoints only get enhanced by taking in more experiences beyond what exists in Utica, Upstate New York and New York City. International students graduating from respective colleges and universities across the country contribute a wealth of jobs, ideas and
There’s power with our international population and though the college expresses that they understand this, the policies in place don’t seem to reflect what is being said. It’s another blanket statement from an administration that rarely goes on-ground to see the effects of the policies they put in place. Instead, they rely on the frontline workers such as the resident assistants and the area coordinators, such as the AC for Tower Hall, Lauren Waszkiewicz, to drive the initiative forward for them. Waszkiewicz is attempting to turn something broad from SLCE and the administration and turn the program into something that’s both measurable and meaningful. “At other institutions, there is a competitive program for the domestic students to be placed into the housing option,” she said. “It’s seen as a very high honor and students receive some special perks like 1:1 tutoring or SEE TOWER PG. 8
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FEATURES PAGE 7 FRIDAY, NOV. 13 2020
March 16 was a dark day for many Mohawk Valley business owners. New York State restaurants were forced to suspend inperson dining, and while schools and colleges shifted to remote learning, a large disruption in the area’s food ecosystem began. Food culture is a big part of the Mohawk Valley’s identity and the disruption set off an air of uncertainty for some businesses and a boom for others. A network of local businesses fuel the area’s supply chain, making farm-to-table dining an enjoyable experience at several local restaurants. Restaurants and farms experienced varying levels of impact, but most found ways to survive during the worst part of the economic shutdown from March to May. Wendi Skwara, coowner of MAWS Farm in Newport, was already in the thick of normal spring preparations when the pandemic first struck and then became inundated with customers and phone calls from local residents who wanted to stock up on goods. “We wanted to try to satisfy everyone and get the things they wanted off of the farm, but it was at an amazing pace,” Skwara said. “Everyone wanted a 50 pound bag of potatoes and everyone wanted to fill their freezer with meat.” This frenzy for having necessities in the home caused a direct negative impact in another part of the food ecosystem: restaurants.
In the Sustaining Utica multimedia project, Utica College journalism students examined how this food chain was affected. A common thread was found and weaved throughout the project: The Mohawk Valley rallies around each other to help small businesses to stay afloat. However, businesses were forced to adapt and change business models to stay alive. Eight months later, many businesses are slowly recovering and back to serving their clientele. David Amidon and Michael Brown, coowners of Copperccino’s Coffee House in Rome, have experienced first hand the troubles caused by the pandemic. Both Amidon and Brown knew that if they had shut down because of COVID-19, it would have been very likely that they would have never reopened. “At the beginning of the pandemic it felt like we were drowning,” Brown said. “We started hearing about the PPP (Payment Protection Program), the U.S. Small Business Administration, loan programs and grants and things like that. Because writing grants and accessing money from government entities is something I have done in the past, I was all over that.” According to a recent survey by the New York State Restaurant Association: •
63.6% of restaurants said they are likely or somewhat likely to close by the end of the year without some form of financial relief
• 36.4% said they are
In this multimedia project, journalism students in the Multimedia Web Design course examined how locally owned food businesses and farms have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the semester, they visited restaurants and farms to understand how the food supply chain was impacted while spotlighting the farm-to-table element that is popular at many local eateries. MATT BREAULT ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Photo: Matt Breault likely or somewhat likely to remain open; and of those who are likely to close, 54.8% will be forced to shut their doors by the end of the year In April, just one month after the pandemic struck, the NYSRA found that 80% of New York’s restaurant workforce had been laid off or furloughed since the beginning of March, totaling 527,000 affected jobs in New York State. In order to survive a global pandemic, change was needed. Many of the restaurants that shut down due to COVID-19 had to make changes so they could reopen effectively and efficiently. Copperccino’s was also one of the few businesses that was forced to stay open during the pandemic in order to stay alive. Brown and Amidon said they made several adjustments to prevent themselves from shutting down permanently. One adjustment Copperccino’s made was
drastically cutting back on their hours. Instead of being open seven days a week for the majority of the day, Brown and Amidon have shifted towards a Wednesday to Sunday schedule, where they are open between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. “We tried to stay open as much as we could but it just about killed us,” Brown said. “We pulled our hours in and tweaked it so we could hit our sweet spot under these circumstances. We are very happy where we are currently.” Most of the businesses and entrepreneurs involved with this project are slowly rebounding. Matt Grabski, who owns two dining establishments in Utica, Outta The Way Cafe’ Downtown and Joey’s 307 faced a tough call as a second wave of the coronavirus trickles in Oneida County. Both of these businesses are relatively new to Grabski as he opened up Outta The Way Cafe’ Downtown two years ago and Joey’s 307 last year.
Grabski said the uncertainty of what lies ahead and the strain of operating two restaurants made him decide to close Outta the Way Cafe on Nov. 6. He will focus on expanding the menu at Joey’s 307 and will start offering a lunch menu in addition to his dinner menu. “When COVID-19 hit we basically had to restructure our entire train of thought so we could know how to overcome this and keep things going,” Grabski said. “The two weeks where we shut everything down sucked because we had nothing coming in.”
We all have a favorite local restaurant or specialty, but do we know what goes on behind the scenes? We might think we know everything about our go-to establishments, but do we? Local businesses are filled with interesting tidbits. Here is some noteworthy trivia on some of the businesses featured in the Sustaining Utica project.
Bagel Grove: “Bagel-ing,” is a labor of love. The Bagel Grove, Utica’s first authentic bagel shop, is able to mass produce hundreds
Grabski then added plans to keep efforts in one location to benefit the customers. “With limited and capable staff available it has become just too much to take on both locations and with the quality of our service at stake, it was decided to consolidate our efforts into one location to provide the absolute best service to better our wonderful customers.”
UCTANGERINE.COM
Sustaining Utica: Fun Facts
Some Utica area food sources narrowly survive COVID-19 MATT BREAULT ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Photo: Matt Breault of bagels a day because they have a large rotating oven that allows them to bake 36 dozen bagels at once. Before Bagel Grove, local residents had to rely on a once-a-week truck that drove up from New York City for authentic bagels.
Utica Coffee Roasting Co.: Utica Coffee sells their “Wake The Hell Up!” coffee on Amazon and sources their coffee beans from around the world in more than seven different countries. The Clinton Cafe, Utica Coffee’s second location, celebrated its 5-year anniversary in October.
Hamilton Inn, but he also owns Michael’s Fine Food and Spirits in Waterville. The Hamilton Inn is Chef Michael’s dream imagined and realized.
O’Scugnizzo has endured. The Spanish Flu, also known as the 1918 flu pandemic, was the first.
Siobhan Woods, the Bar Manager at the Hamilton Inn, created a cocktail called a “Bee Sting,” which sources honey from Irish Ridge Honey and also involves some habanero peppers.
MAWs farm:
The Tailor and the Cook: Copperccino’s: The Copperccino’s business started through the Rome Main Street Alliance, which is a non-profit organization located in Rome. Co-owners David Amidon and Michael Brown surveyed Rome residents and asked what the top five things were they would like to see downtown. “A coffeehouse” was the winner and that is when Copperccino’s got started.
Outta The Way Cafe’ Downtown & Joey’s 307: Both Outta The Way Cafe’ Downtown and Joey’s 307 were birthday gifts for owner Matt Grabski. Outta The Way Cafe Downtown opened a few days after his 40th birthday in 2018 and Joey’s 307 opened shortly after Grabski’s 41st birthday.
The Tailor and the Cook works with 61 different farm partnerships in the local areas. Each month, The Tailor and the Cook selects a local charity or organization to partner with and they donate a portion of every Chef’s Tasting Menu to their community partners for that entire month.
O’Scugnizzo Pizzeria: O’Scugnizzo Pizzeria, which was founded in 1914, is the second oldest pizza joint in the United States. COVID-19 is second pandemic
the that
Before pursuing his passion for cooking, Grabski was an Internet Sales Manager for Steet/ Ponte Chevrolet Inc.
Hamilton Inn:
Photo: Kyle Riecker
Chef Michael Latrielle not only owns the
Photo: Kyle Riecker
MAWS farm is an acronym for Mike and Wendi’s, who are the owners of the farm. The location of the farm, which is right across the street from the West Canada Creek, provides for a longer growing season since the proximity to the water affects the freezes.
Irish Ridge Honey: Dr. Sara Scanga, who is botanist and plant ecologist, is the chair of the Biology Department at Utica College who also owns and operates Irish Ridge Honey. Scanga says that honeybees should be viewed as livestock and they are very particular about what plant species they pollinate once they hone in on a particular species, which is why they make such great pollinators for larger crops like almonds.
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How seasonal depression and the pandemic is affecting your brain REBEKAH HEDEEN ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR With daylight savings and the pandemic striking the UC campus at full speed, individuals are feeling the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder. An article from Etactics measured yearly depression statistics which made a significant jump before the turn of the recent decade. “In 2018, 41.9% of students felt so depressed in the past year that it was difficult to function compared to just 30.7% in 2009,” Writer Maria Clark said. Though jumps are most common with daylight savings in effect, the Counseling Center at Utica College notes that SAD can still remain in effect in the spring and summer. “Seasonal Affective Disorder is a subtype of depression that is related to the change in the seasons,” Counselor at Utica College, Amanda Learnard said. “Most individuals with seasonal affective disorder experience the start of symptoms in the fall TOWER FROM PG. 5 credit in their roommate’s first language. There are trips planned for all students in the program across the state and country, community service requirements and mandatory family dinners. We have the framework of a great program here. We need the details and the support to enact them.”
which continue through the winter. SAD can also come into effect during the spring and summer.” Because SAD can affect individuals at many different times of year and is often caused by outside factors, the COVID-19 pandemic is a prime example of how one’s mind can be affected in negative ways. “First, the reduction of the levels of sunlight is a factor as it may disrupt one’s internal clock,” Learnard said. “Secondly, the decrease in sunlight causes a decrease production of the neurotransmitter serotonin or “the mood hormone.” Melatonin, the “sleep hormone,” levels may also be disrupted by the change in the seasons leading to sleep and mood changes. In addition, negative thoughts and feelings regarding winter in general contribute to overall mood and functioning.” Just as negative thoughts concerning winter months and the cold weather affect an individual, so can thoughts concerning the pandemic and all the unknown that joins it. “With COVID-19 already The problems with the program revolve around the unknown. International students are unaware of what the program actually is due to years of inactivity. This, as a result, makes evaluating the program near impossible. We cannot measure experiences, we can only get our students to talk about them, which is something that rarely exists at an intercultural
could refer individuals experiencing the effects of SAD to a counselor. Utica College’s Counseling Center is equipped with multiple counselors eager to help students cope and eventually overcome the issues that they face.
Photo: Unsplash putting a damper on everyday life, seasonal affective disorder has taken a toll on one of my siblings as well as myself,” Senior Erica Appelbaum said. “We both find it difficult to be motivated and also to find so many positives in life when there is a global pandemic and now less sunlight during the day.”
expressing daily gratitude are some ways to move away from the negative thoughts associated with SAD.”
While the pandemic and lack of daylight is causing many to experience the effects of SAD, there is hope for coping with this disorder.
“Assisting others in coping with SAD definitely involves getting them to celebrate even the smallest victories in their everyday lives,” Appelbaum said. “Seeing even the smallest positives whether that be the weather being nice that day or the individual being able to accomplish some of their work for the day can improve their mood.”
“Challenging the negative thoughts with more positive adaptive thinking can address one’s mood,” Learnard said. “This is something one can try on their own or with the assistance of a counselor. Finding ways to reframe thoughts, using daily affirmations and
If one has not personally experienced the effects of SAD but know someone who has, there are many ways in which one can assist them in coping with their symptoms.
In addition to assisting others personally, one
Photo: Nick McAdam level on campus. Yet, we can’t talk about something we don’t know
enough about. There’s potential with
“Counselors here at UC can assist students with coping with SAD by providing support, looking at different ways of thinking, exploring different coping skills and developing lifestyle changes that may address some of the symptoms of SAD,” Learnard said. Finding ways to assist others in overcoming the effects of SAD as well as allowing oneself to be open to coping mechanisms is important especially during this difficult time. “Some other ways to address the more physiological causes of SAD are through using light therapy, adding more light into your living environment, taking daily vitamins, having a balanced nutrient packed diet, exercise and engaging in activities you enjoy to increase serotonin levels naturally,” Learnard said. “Most of all maintain structure and try to continue your routine.” this program and our international students are beyond valuable for this experience to be left behind. Just as American students can serve as the ‘liaison’ for affiliating international students into this culture, international students can also provide an immense deal for expanding individual horizons that Utica College has promised.
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Friday Night Lights: high school football being affected by COVID-19 ROB STEVENS GENERAL ASSIGNMENTS REPORTER Two teams lined up at the 34-yard line. The score is 28-30. With only two seconds left on the clock, the state title is on the line. Stephen is lining up for the final kick of the game. He knows football players dream of these moments. He knows his brothers are counting on him to hit this kick right between the uprights. He has put his blood, sweat and tears preparing and has done this kick millions of times. He takes a deep breath. He takes in the moment. He feels the cold sweat dripping down his forehead and his hands shaking. The snap is taken and contact is made. All eyes are on the ball as it flies through the air. The final seconds tick off the clock and it’s good. Stephen gets trampled by his teammates as they have finished the job. They are champions. But he realizes something. The stadium is silent. He looks around and sees nobody in the stands except a few with clearance and
Photo: Bay Area High School a negative COVID-19 test. Suddenly, Stephen’s joy turns bittersweet. He knows this year is different. Friday Night Lights are no more. Stories like these are going to become all too real when the 2020 football season comes to a close. COVID-19 has once again reared its ugly head and impacted one thing many believed to be untouchable; football. COVID-19 and football don’t mix due to the disease’s high risk, the
inability to maintain social distancing on the field and the direct contact players have that can spread respiratory droplets at high rates. Communities, students, coaches and players are feeling the effects. Just before the football season’s scheduled beginning in August, some state officials throughout the country released their guidelines for this upcoming season. Some teams are still awaiting the green light to play the
game they love so much. Others have received the news that their season will be postponed. Many teams in New York are awaiting March 1 of next year to have their season, including Whitesboro High School. “Our kids were disappointed with the decision not to play this fall,” Whitesboro High School Head Coach, Curtis Schmidt said. “However, they have quickly moved forward and have their sights on
March 1. They have shown great maturity throughout the whole process.” The most pivotal part of Friday Night Lights is what occurs during the offseason. The preparation determines whether a team will walk out with the agony of defeat or joy of victory. In order to maintain guidelines, practices have been a bit lackluster in routine but excessive in regulations. In Whitesboro, students and athletes are being screened daily to ensure there are no symptoms that could spark an outbreak. The equipment for the players is being constantly sanitized before and after usage. As November begins, the team has only been able to conduct limited light fitness workouts. “We have been meeting on Zoom since the pandemic started,” Schmidt said. “The process has been long. Safety has been the number one goal for all involved and rightfully SEE FRIDAY PG. 11
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FOOTBALL FROM PG. 1
has definitely been one of my favorite moments. Trying the new foods, exploring all over Europe and being in places I never thought I’d be was great. When it comes to football, playing the game I love and having a great rookie season while rushing for over 2,000 yards while helping a team that was picked to finish last finish first was huge for me. We came up short in the semifinals but we only lost one game the whole year, so it was a blessing for me.
Germany with the Erding Bulls and you are also a U.S.A. Bobsled athlete. Can you describe how things are going with your football and bobsled careers? A. As of right now in Germany, everything is on a stand still because of the COVID situation so all the football leagues are canceled but I am still training. I had a great season and they really want me back with the team, but like I said, due to COVID, everything is canceled for now. With bobsled, because of the injuries I took a step back from it for now, but I do like the idea of it as a career. Bobsledding for team U.S.A. would be a great career for Gambill, and he thanks his athletic ability for allowing him to have such goals. Q. Do you think your athletic experience with track and field and football at UC helped shape you into the super-athlete you
While balancing his time with his athletic career, Gambill also runs an athletic brand named Gambill Athletics.
Photo: UC Pioneers are today? Also, how did bobsledding come about for you? A. Being a two-sport athlete in both track and field and football definitely worked hand in hand for me. The bobsled opportunity came about for me when someone saw me run at a track meet. That person
reached out to coach Eric Parker and he told me to go to a combine out in Lake Placid. I went out to the combine in Lake Placid in 2017 and I had the number one overall score. After that, I got invited back to the rookie camp and I did very well. It was a fun experience for me. Q. How have you made the most out of the opportunities you’ve been given, especially from a former Division III athlete’s perspective?
and helped lead the first place Bulls to the semifinals, just one year after being a bottom-tier team. Q. What would you say has been your favorite moment playing American football in Germany so far? A. I think the culture and learning a new language
Q. Could you describe your brand Gambill Athletics, and how it started? Where did you get this idea from to start your own brand? A. Gambill Athletics actually started off kind of as a joke between me and my girlfriend and it eventually came to life. SEE GAMBILL PG. 11
Photo: Helmut Swoboda
PAGE 11 FRIDAY, NOV. 13 2020 GAMBILL FROM PG. 10 We would always go workout together and she would post about it and people liked the idea of it so we came out with shirts with the quote “you cannot make progress with excuses” on them. I did an internship for Absolute Performance in Buffalo and Tom Corradino, who is the director of performance there, taught me so much and he was a blessing in my life. I say this because at the internship I would have people come up to me and say “Nico, I wanna be great,” and I would tell them that they “cannot make progress with excuses.” Corradino and Absolute Performance really helped me learn so much that I wanted to branch out and start my own fitness brand, so I did. Gambill said that the “you cannot make progress with excuses” quote is one that he lives by because he believes that everyone wants to be great, but if you make excuses, you won’t make progress towards that goal of being great. He said he gets this quote from NFL Quarterback Cam Newton. Q. Is there anything you’d like to say to the people back here in the UC Community?
A. For me, it doesn’t matter if you go Division I, Division II or Division III, it’s all about hard work and determination. If you work hard and stay determined, you can become great and people will notice it and you will get calls. For me, I was playing football in Germany against former Division I athletes but what set me aside from them was my hard work. With hard work and determination, Gambill landed a contract with Germany’s Erding Bulls back in 2019. Gambill finished the season strong
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Photo: Nicodemus Gambill
A. I just want to say thank you to the coaching staff and to everybody who played a role in helping me be where I am today. I miss everybody. I’m still grinding and doing well. I’m following how the football and track and field teams are doing. I’m still reaching out and talking to players on the teams because I want to be a mentor and someone that people can look up to. As a Division III school, we get overlooked and I want people to know that
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if I can do it and make it to the next level, you guys can do great things too because I was just in your shoes not too long ago. Look at everything like a marathon because life isn’t a sprint, it’s more of a marathon. Be motivated and work hard at everything you do in life and you will go somewhere. During his time at Utica College, Gambill received many awards and accomplished many different things. According to ucpioneers. com, Gambill’s accomplishments include: • Four-time Division American
NCAA III All-
• Eight-time National Qualifier in Track and Field • 12-time Empire 8 Conference Champion • Seven-time New York State Collegiate Track Conference (NYSCTC) Champion • Four-time ECAC Division III Champion • Helping guide Utica to two consecutive Empire 8 Conference Outdoor Track & Field team championships • D3football.com AllEast Region Third Team selection as a kick returner in 2016 • 2016 Empire 8 AllConference Second Team pick • Single-season schoolrecord holder with 711 kick return yards in 2016 • School-record holder with a 99 yard kickoff return for a touchdown in 2016 • Recipient of the 2017 Dick Miller Award for UC athletics
Photo: NJ.com FRIDAY FROM PG. 9 so. We are following all the rules provided to us by the New York State Department of Health.” Just below the southern border of New York in Pennsylvania, Friday Night Lights can be characterized as sporadic, inconsistent and challenging, but it’s still happening. In order to limit the amount of potential exposure to the virus, football schedules for some schools were pushed back and limited to five games, pending test results. Coaches and players are continually walking into their offices and classrooms not knowing if they will be able to play their game that week or even practice a full week. While this scenario is scary, it makes the concept of never knowing when one’s last play might be all too real. This allows for many of the players to love and appreciate the game just a little bit more. “At first it was a pretty negative thing with losing a lot of our summer workouts and starting late and really they didn’t know if we were going to have a season or not,” Susquehanna High School in Pennsylvania
Head Coach, Kyle Cooks said. “Every practice could be our last practice if we get a case in the school. So, we’re really stressing that to them. For most of these kids, they’ll never put pads on again, so we’re really emphasizing to prepare in practice as hard as they can and for the most part, they’re dealing with it pretty well knowing it’s coming to an end.” For Coach Cooks, even film sessions have changed dramatically. Due to social distancing regulations, the team has had to be quick to act in reserving the largest rooms in the school to ensure the whole team can participate and prepare for their next game. As wearing a mask becomes muscle memory, Cooks is constantly amazed at how much has changed on the practice field to meet regulations including social distancing and constant sanitization. “In practice, as coaches we have our masks on constantly whether we’re speaking or not,” Cooks said. “Really the only time my mask would be down is when I blow a whistle. When we’re playing
on offense, I talk to my quarterback. He gets the play and runs in and I have to get away from everyone.” The lives of high school students, especially in times such as these, can be difficult and overwhelming. Some high schoolers turn to football to vent their frustrations and have an organized outlet away from school and home. Without an outlet or purpose as grand as this, many players feel lost. “I have a lot of kids who this is their release,” Cooks said. “A lot of them too it keeps them going academically because they have to perform in the classroom in order to be able to play. COVID-19 touched the untouchable in high school football. It is a crucial battle in this long war that is 2020. Regardless, 2021 is looking optimistic for Friday Night Lights to return in the minds of schools around the nation like Whitesboro. “Mentally we are sharp and ready to go,” Schmidt said. “We just have to continue to follow the rules and I believe we will be playing football in March.”
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Op-Ed: Finding the right exercise routine
Photo: Bike Radar ROB STEVENS GENERAL ASSIGNMENTS REPORTER The reality is that only exercising is not enough to prevent long-term diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. There needs to be the inclusion of good nutrition with exercise to compliment it. However, there are certain exercises that can help more than others especially for college students. It is never too early to start thinking of your future. That couldn’t be more true as college students are battling their way through school in order to achieve their degree and find a career that will sustain them mentally and financially. With all of that happening, physical health can be pushed to the back through these stressful times. And like your
career, it is never too early to start thinking about how to help your future self through the exercises you do today. David Schilling, physical therapy professor at Utica College, stresses that it is exercising during times like these that will have lasting effects on our bodies especially our brains. “The benefits occur immediately after a session of moderateto-vigorous physical activity,” Schilling said. “If you exercise regularly the research shows that you could see improvements in trait anxiety, deep sleep and components of executive function including the ability to plan and organize; monitor, inhibit, or facilitate behaviors; initiate tasks, and control emotions. Who couldn’t benefit from some improved brain power?”
When making the decision to improve one’s physical health, it is important to decide which exercises will efficiently allow someone to achieve long-term health benefits while also enjoying what they are doing. Luckily for everyone, there is a wide selection of exercises to choose from including biking, skiing, dancing and running. Despite some studies showing that activities like running and walking cause large wear on bones, they are still up for selection proved by a study done by Paul Williams from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in 2013. The study proved that running and walking might not be the best starting point for those looking to make major adjustments for long-term
health. But, if one reduces their body mass index and then elects to run, it can actually lower the risk of developing conditions such as osteoarthritis. It further proved that those who ran as a part of their exercise program saw a decreased risk for hip replacement in the future. As certain studies will favor certain exercises, the majority will state that a balance of multiple exercises will benefit an individual the most. “To obtain substantial health benefits, it is recommended that adults do at least 150 minutes to 300 minutes a week of moderate-intensity, or 75 minutes to 150 minutes a week of vigorousintensity aerobic activity,” Schilling said. “It is also recommended that adults should be engaged in muscle -strengthening activities of moderate or greater intensity that
involve major muscle groups on two or more days a week.” Exercising can be a hard habit to start doing. One thing that can make it a little easier for people is that there is a wide range of choices. At the end of the day, it matters what exercise routine an individual enjoys the most. “The great thing about these recommendations is that each person can choose a physical activity that they enjoy as it meets the duration and intensity of activity recommendations described,” Schilling said. “If you can find an activity that can be performed at a moderate intensity for at least 150 minutes a week and stay motivated to perform it weekly, you have found the holy grail of exercise for you.”