Friday, February 25, 2022 Print Edition

Utica University FAQ’s

MacArthur: Olympic King of Utica University

Utica University Athletics Rebrand

NEWS | PG. 5

FEATURES | PG. 8

SPORTS| PG. 12

The

TANGERINE

VOL. LXXV, ISSUE 11

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

UTICATANGERINE.COM

Utica College is now Utica University

After 75 years, Utica College will now be officially recognized as Utica University. /Photo: Alexandria Leland ◊ MATTHEW BREAULT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

After functioning as a university for more than 15 years, Utica College officially achieved university status in New York State and is now known as Utica University.

On Jan. 26, the New York State Education

Department (NYSED) Board of Regents vote to change the definition of “university” was adopted. This proposed amendment was first brought to the Board in February 2021 and was officially passed last month.

College immediately filed a charter amendment to the New York State Education Department to receive university status, according to Vice President for Presidential Affairs and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer After this occurred, Utica Kelly Adams.

The New York State Board of Regents approved and endorsed the college’s petition to be officially recognized as a university on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, according to Adams and President Laura Casamento.

SEE UNIVERSITY PG. 4

PAGE 2

STAFF

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

Spring 2022 STAFF

@UticaTangerine @Utica_Tangerine @Utica_Tangerine

UTICATANGERINE.COM

Editor-In-Chief - Matthew Breault Layout Editor - Thomas Caputo Managing News Editor - Isabella Hudziak Features Editor - Hollie David Sports Editor - Emily Joss Photographer - Alexandria Leland General Assignments - Morgan Hinman Special Assignments - Mickale Thompson Tangerine Clerk - Charles Buckley Circulation Manager - Emily Allard Advisor - Mary Christopher

About The Tangerine is published biweekly during the academic year by and for Utica University students. To reach a member of the staff, email tanger@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 University 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 tanger@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 University.

News Tips? Opinions?

Contact The Tangerine!

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TANGER@UTICA.EDU

NEWS

PAGE 3 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

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Reminder: COVID-19 booster clinic scheduled for March 3 There will be another booster shot clinic on Thursday, March 3 in Strebel Lounge from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments can be scheduled by following the link from the most recent letter from President Casamento.

The Office of the President released another COVID-19 update on Monday, Feb. 21, which released current booster numbers for campus.

The numbers were reported to be: • 86% of total campus-based student body • 90% of residential student population • 96% of our full-time faculty and staff • 86% of our adjunct faculty Vaccine clinic held at Utica University. /Photo: Alexandria Leland

• 91% of auxiliary services staff

Campus Safety Blotter Date Of Incident

Time Of Incident

Short Description

Building

2/8/2022

3:35 PM

Reckless Driving

Parking Lot

2/8/2022

2:30 PM

Fire Alarm

Pioneer Village C

2/8/2022

10:30 PM

Misuse of College ID

Tower Hall

2/9/2022

5:45 PM

Banned Student

Parking Lot

2/9/2022

6:25 PM

Fire Alarm

Pioneer Village B

2/10/2022

1:00 PM

Fire Suppression Alarm

Pioneer Village B

2/10/2022

3:55 PM

Alcohol Violation

South Hall

2/10/2022

8:00 PM

Fire Safety Violation

South Hall

2/11/2022

9:30 PM

Vandalism

Clark Athletic Center

2/11/2022

9:40 PM

Violation of No Contact

North Hall

2/12/2022

10:30 AM

Facilities Issue

Hutton Rec Center (Dome

2/12/2022

10:00 AM

Medical Assist

South Hall

2/12/2022

11:00 PM

Larceny

North Hall

2/13/2022

4:00 PM

Student Assist

South Hall

2/13/2022

5:35 PM

Fire Alarm

Pioneer Village A

2/14/2022

1:05 PM

Suspicious Package

Gordon Science Center

2/15/2022

7:15 AM

Fire Alarm

Pioneer Village B

2/18/2022

11:30 AM

Motor Vehicle Accident

Parking Lot

2/20/2022

6:00 PM

Unauthorized Visitor

South Hall

PAGE 4

NEWS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

UNIVERSITY FROM PG. 1 “This is a proud moment in Utica’s history – the culmination of seventyfive years of innovation in higher learning and unwavering commitment to the communities we serve,” Casamento said.

“University status is a mark of how far we have come as an institution, as well as a recognition of our enormous potential for growth and achievement in the years ahead.”

trajectory of how Utica has developed along the vision set out by our founders, it really is a remarkable story and a wonderful tribute to the faculty, students, alumni, and administrators who have nurtured the

UTICATANGERINE.COM

who recently had Utica’s Center for Career Readiness named in his honor, said the name change is important to the institution and it means more than the simple rebrand from college to university.

other Utica University merchandise is not available as of yet, but has been ordered and will be arriving sometime this spring.

Other than the name change and rebranding, the transition from college to university will have no material impact on academic progress, m a j o r s , courses and financial aid eligibility.

Since Utica has been functioning as a university for some A press time, the conference tuition prices was held on and fees are Feb. 17, in the Student Ambassadors join Board of Trustees Chair Robert Brvenik and President Laura not expected Casamento wearing the new Utica University hoodies. /Photo: Utica University Cynkus Family to increase Welcome Center, where institution’s growth and “It’s nice for the name significantly.

Casamento and Board maturation,” Adams said. to represent what the When Utica University was university is about,” known as Utica College of Trustees Chair Robert Past leadership, including Thurston said.

“It paints a for the past 75 years, Brvenik announced to Utica College better picture for people many often shortened the public that Utica former College will now be Utica President Todd Hutton on the outside looking the name to “UC.” Since and the Board of Trustees, in. It’s really an exciting Utica University can no University. were a contributing factor time.” longer be referred to Although Utica University for the push to become to as “UC,” administration was considered a a university over the past According Casamento, the would prefer to be known “college” under New York 15 years, according to State classifications, the Casamento. Brvenik said graduating class of 2022 as “Utica,” and not “UU.” Carnegie Classification this news has come after will have “Utica University” “We are not going to on their diplomas, and go by ‘UU’,” Casamento of Institutions of Higher years in the making. former graduates/ said. “We are Utica.”

Education has considered “We’ve been anticipating alumni will be allowed the school to be a The Tangerine will university for more than this for the past 15 years,” to purchase updated continue to update 15 years. In fact, if Utica Brvenik said. “The journey Utica University diplomas. information regarding College was located of this institution is nothing Information about how Utica University once more in any of the other 49 short of extraordinary… alumni can get a Utica information is available. diploma is states, the school would and there’s a different University A series of articles will have likely been Utica connotation with [being forthcoming. be published that University when it gained known as a] university. This The transition to the include information on its full independence from is just another milestone new branding of Utica rebranding, athletics and University will take place FAQs about the change Syracuse University in the for Utica.”

Board of Trustees over the next several from Utica College to fall of 2008.

“When you consider the member Jeremy Thurston, weeks. Accessories and Utica University.

NEWS

PAGE 5 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

◊ ISABELLA HUDZIAK MANAGING NEWS EDITOR

Now that the Utica University name designation is official, the most tangible change students will see is signage and digital branding.

Future changes to the campus, such as the entryway signs on Burrstone Road and Champlin Avenue, will occur in the next couple of months, according to the school’s FAQ page.

The Feb. 16 announcement raised several questions on what will change since the Utica College name no longer exists.

Here are some answered questions as the transition moves forward: WILL ALL UTICA COLLEGE REFERENCES BE REMOVED FROM CAMPUS AND CEREMONIES? Vice President for Presidential Affairs and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Kelly Adams said it’s important to note that certain parts of the institution’s tradition will not be renamed, such as the commencement ceremony mace. “[The mace] says Utica College and will continue to say Utica College because it’s a part of our history, our tradition and it’s really a part of the story of this institution,” Adams said.

The

corporate

seal

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Utica University FAQ’s

said. “Again, nothing with the name change impacts financial aid or scholarships, this is a legal name change that does not impact the way that the institution is run.”

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO UTICA UNIVERSITY’S OTHER SITES?

New Utica University logo. /Photo: Alexandria Leland

of the institution will have the year 2022 added in roman numerals to designate the achievement of university status alongside the three other important years of the institution’s history: 1933, 1946 and 1995.

WHY IS THE ABBREVIATION “UU” DISCOURAGED? One of the questions on campus has been the reasoning for the adoption of “Utica” as an abbreviation rather than “UU,” which is similar to the previous “UC” abbreviation found in several club and organization titles.

“There seems to be some consensus that ‘UU’ does not roll off the tongue quite like ‘UC’ did,” Adams said. “The college is going by Utica University, which is not necessarily new, and the short form of that, we are going by Utica.

We always have and we are very proud of our heritage as an institution founded primarily for and by the residents of

the city of Utica.”

WILL THE COST OF TUITION INCREASE AS A RESULT OF THE STATUS CHANGE? The university adoption is just a legal name change and does not impact how the institution runs or impacts students, according to Vice President of Financial Affairs Pamela Salmon.

“It’s similar to when a person decides to change their name for any reason, such as if they get married,” Salmon said.

“Their identity and identifiers remain unchanged.”

Tuition is approved annually by the Board of Trustees in May of each year. The factors associated with tuition increases are typically inflationary and the change to university status does not factor in any potential increases, according to Salmon.

“The same thing will go for anyone worried about scholarships and financial aid,” Salmon

Utica University currently has three additional academic sites that are being simultaneously rebranded along with two new sites which will open with the new branding already implemented.

Utica’s online campus and digital space are also receiving updates.

“The name change for everything will be ongoing, as you might imagine there are numerous items that need to be changed,” Salmon said. “Some of these are physical, some are digital, the university has been taking inventory over the previous month or so of the necessary changes, both physical and digital, that we’re gonna have to make. Certainly, in the coming days and weeks ahead, we will be updating all our materials with our name and logo…email, calendar header, signage/ banners have changed, our admissions materials, certain components of the website have changed.”

SEE FAQ’S PG. 7

PAGE 6

NEWS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

UTICATANGERINE.COM

Students share mixed feelings about Utica University, have taken to ‘UU’ ◊ THOMAS CAPUTO LAYOUT EDITOR ◊ HOLLIE DAVID FEATURES EDITOR

The news that Utica College transitioned to Utica University was received with mixed reviews from the campus community after the Feb. 16 announcement to students, faculty and staff.

While students have welcomed the name change, some have found the process to have seemed rushed.

Christa Fransman, a junior liberal studies and childhood education major, felt that the name change was very sudden. The email that was sent to students, faculty and staff announcing the name change, was less than 24 hours before a press conference was held.

FAQ’S FROM PG. 5

During the press conference, Utica University Board of Trustees Chair Robert Brvenik spoke on the history of the university and how far Utica has come as an institution in its 75-year history, while President Laura Casamento made the official announcement on the name change and took questions from the press. At the end of the press conference, Casamento made a statement explaining, “we are not going to go

by UU, we are Utica.”

While the administration has tried to deter people from referring to the university as “UU,” students on campus, as well as alumni on social media, have already been embracing the “UU” abbreviation.

“We are so used to

newly announced Pasco The current sites which County, Florida site and are being rebranded are a third site in New York located in both Miramar State. and St. Petersburg, Florida, When can I purchase as well as the location in Utica University merch?

Syracuse, New York.

The institution received

hearing UC that we have simply adjusted to UU,” sophomore and English major Elizabeth Morgan said.

It’s unsure whether the abbreviation will stick around once everybody has fully adjusted to the new university designation.

“It’ll take a while to get used to and I’ll probably still say Utica College for a while,” sophomore men’s basketball player and therapeutic recreation major Damien Call said.

“It’s just different with the university and UC sounds a little better than UU. I think people will still say it just for fun and we will refer to it as the U or UU.” Many students believe that the university designation was a welcomed surprise and might even help

with recruiting students.

future

“I think it will attract more people student-wise as a university,” Call said.

“I also think it will benefit the future of the college having the university name and getting more funding, to add more stuff to make the college more representable as a university instead of a college.”

Senior and liberal studies major Olivia Nole-Malpezzi said she was excited by the announcement since she is at the end of her undergraduate experience.

“It encourages a sense of community,” she said. “I work at the Aud and you can see the news and excitement rippling through the community.”

why there has not been any merchandise in the bookstore with the new name.

been a week since this was formalized and some things do take some time to order,” Salmon said.

“I do love that there is a lot of excitement, but you can understand why The sites which will open word that the Board of the shelves and racks are with Utica University Regents approved the not yet filled with Utica merchandise branding already change to Utica University University because, really, it’s only implemented are the late on Feb. 15, which is

Utica University merchandise is expected to be available before the end of the spring semester.

NEWS

PAGE 7 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

UTICATANGERINE.COM

Mask requirements loosen on Utica University’s campus, student reaction mixed ◊ ISABELLA HUDZIAK MANAGING NEWS EDITOR

break and people are going to be traveling, so I don’t get why they’re relaxing it.”

On Wednesday, Feb. 9, Utica University announced a new update to mask policies on campus through a letter from the Office of the President.

This update was pushed out in conjunction with an announcement from New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, which ruled that certain indoor mask requirements will be lifted starting Feb. 10.

At Utica University, masks are now required only in the following spaces: • Inside all classrooms, including any spaces where classes, labs, or lectures are held • In faculty and individual staff offices, at the request of the person who occupies that office • Gannett Library

Memorial

• The Student Health Center According to Vice President for Emergency Management Shad Crowe, the locations for mask requirements were chosen based on proximity transmissions.

The reasoning behind why classrooms require masks is because unlike any other space on campus, students are within close proximity with one another for an extended period of time during class.

The library is often home to several study groups,

Liberal studies major Kayla Viti said that she will continue to wear her mask everywhere, despite the campus loosening its regulations.

Students Corrine Bush (left) and Emily Anderson (right) wearing masks in JLM 365 Information Design. /Photo: Isabella Hudziak

which also include many people in a small space.

The new mask mandate at Utica University applies to all campus members regardless of vaccination status.

“Now, [everyone] can choose to protect themselves by wearing a mask, but they are not required to,” Crowe said. “We all understand what the risks are and if you’re comfortable with the risks, then it is a personal decision.”

COVID-19 testing has not been affected by the new mask rules, but if a student feels sick or that they might have had a positive exposure, they are able to get tested at Utica University.

Crowe routinely helps with testing on Wednesdays in Strebel Student Center.

If a student is in need of a COVID-19 test, they can contact the Student Health Center. When the Health Center is closed, students can contact Campus Safety for a rapid test that can be taken back to each

individual dorm room.

Daily Health Screenings, which were implemented at the start of the pandemic, will remain in effect until further notice to notify the university of new potential cases.

Crowe said that he has continued to see students wearing masks in spaces they are not required and that it is encouraging to see.

“It makes me proud of all of our students,” Crowe said. “I’m really just impressed with that level of caring, which I don’t think you see everywhere.”

Student reaction to the loosened mask mandate has been mixed on campus.

According to history education major Jonathan Carissimo, the statewide decision to relax the mandate now is concerning.

“It doesn’t make sense relaxing it [in general] because it’s bigger than just the campus,” Carissimo said. “Public schools are going on

“I think it’s just easier because classrooms require it,” Viti said.

“Also, I’m someone who really believes they work and am not confident that COVID is gone in a school setting.”

Some students, like communication and media major Dante Palumbo, are in support of the loosened rules.

“I feel like loosening the mask mandates make things feel like they’re going back to normal,” Palumbo said. “I don’t really mind [wearing a mask] in a classroom and when I’m outside, I can take it off.”

As of now, there are no plans to change the current mask regulations at Utica University. With COVID-19 numbers remaining relatively low on campus, it is quite possible that the rules and regulations will be updated before the end of the semester.

PAGE 8

FEATURES

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

UTICATANGERINE.COM

Paul J. MacArthur: The Olympic research King of Utica University ◊ HOLLIE DAVID FEATURES EDITOR

The Olympic Games run for 17 days every other year and garner billions of views across the globe. Paul J. MacArthur, Utica University Professor of Public Relations and Journalism, studies media coverage for each of these games to analyze different trends.

MacArthur became interested in Olympics research in the spring of 2008 while attending a conference featuring speaker Andrew C.Billings, the Ronald Reagan Chair of Broadcasting and Executive Director of the Alabama Program in Sports Communication in the Department of Journalism and Creative Media at the University of Alabama, who was presenting findings from the 2006 Winter Olympics.

“I had some thoughts about the presentation because I thought they had ignored s n o w b o a r d i n g coverage,” MacArthur said. “I knew I would be teaching the course in Fall 2008. I had always liked the Olympics and writing about sports.”

After speaking with Billings at the conference, MacArthur was invited to participate in research taking place about the USA vs. China basketball game in the summer of the 2008 Olympics, where they compared various media coverage

Paul J. MacArthur being interviewed next to the Utica University pool. /Photo: Utica University

of the game to discover any trends and biases.

MacArthur was then asked to help with research Billings was doing for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the team has been working together and studying game coverage ever since.

The overall goal of the Olympics research is to study different patterns in coverage throughout all of the games and events as a whole. The platform they examine for media coverage is NBC’s primetime broadcast.

According to MacArthur, in an Olympic broadcast, there are roughly 65-72 hours of content that need to be combed through by everyone on the research team. After

the data is collected, it needs to be organized and defined, then sorted to find out how often a name was mentioned and organized again by race, gender and nationality.

There are thousands upon thousands of descriptors that have to be looked for differences and it needs to be determined if they are significant.

The research team focused on three main areas of coverage: air time based on gender, who gets the most coverage out of the top twenty athletes of the year and the overall descriptions of athletes, which includes race, ethnicity, nationality etc.

According to MacArthur, the process of gathering data was very labor intensive.

“I’ve never clocked [my research] and that is probably a good thing,” he said. “The research is extensive and detailed, and you are rewinding each broadcast and correcting the coding.

It is a long process to go through.”

After all the information is sorted, the team looks for any particular trends in the data. They then compare the data longitudinally with information that was gathered in past years to determine any long term trends or drastic changes in coverage.

“I think when we find something unexpected or unusual it becomes really intriguing,” MacArthur said.

SEE MACARTHUR PG. 9

FEATURES

PAGE 9 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 MACARTHUR FROM PG. 8 “When women first dominated the coverage, it was an exciting finding.

Now that it is consistent, it is great from an equality standpoint and it is cool that we are seeing a trend in that. You don’t see that anywhere else.”

James R. Angelini, an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Delaware.

This book examines how the Olympic Games are broadcasted across the country and MacArthur uses his book to help teach his SCM 433 class at Utica University about the Olympics.

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Post article in regards to the NBC coverage of the Olympics and lack of criticism on China’s human rights abuses. In the article, MacArthur said that no matter how NBC broadcasts the Olympic Games, the network will face some sort of criticism.

MacArthur also coEven after around 15 wrote the book, Olympic years of doing Olympic Television Broadcasting the Biggest Show on MacArthur was recently research in some sort Earth, with Billings and featured in a Washington of fashion, something

new seems to pop up at each Olympic Games, according to MacArthur.

“It is interesting to find new ways to look at and examine the data,” MacArthur said. “Our research is going down avenues that have not been gone down before.”

More information on MacArthur’s Olympic research and book can be found on Fiveringtvcom.

CSTEP is looking for more students ◊ CHARLES BUCKLEY TANGERINE CLERK

program include accounting, biology, The Collegiate Science biochemistry, computer mathematics and Technology Entry science, and more.

Program (CSTEP) is currently looking for The CSTEP program offers more students to join. a wide variety of services to The CSTEP program of students, such as tutoring, Utica University is funded academic advising and by a grant from the New counseling. Participating York State Education students can also Department (NYSED). complete an internship

services and faculty in the field for internship placement and we will also assist the students with internship searches.”

State and you must earn a cumulative G.P.A of 2.5 or higher,” Bearne said. “They must be also majoring in one of the required majors for the CSTEP program.

The student will then have to go through an interview process with me.”

Students also receive some financial support when it comes to the costs of preparatory exams for graduate studies, as well as fees According to the Utica for registration, licensing website, CSTEP also has opportunities “CSTEP is a grant- in their chosen field and exams, conferences and summer for students, including funded program for attend conferences and workshops. workshops that will aid five-week summer underrepresented Students also have a students in them in preparation for the opportunity to gain institute program that is u n d e r r e p r e s e n t e d their chosen profession. practical experience meant to help students fields, [such as] students “We meet with the through job shadowing, become more prepared pursuing a professional students at least twice mentoring and the for the engaging and licensing career in math, a month to guide them available internship challenging coursework. science, technology or academically,” Bearne opportunities that they “CSTEP students are health-related fields,” said. “We also have receive offers for. students that are higher Assistant Director of professional tutors to help “To be eligible for this on the academic scale CSTEP, Kari Bearne said. them with their major- program, you must be and have the drive to classes.

We a resident of New York become a professional,” Some of the majors related Bearne said. eligible for the CSTEP work closely with career

FEATURES

PAGE 10 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

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Utica Dance Team reflects on season

Utica Dance Team 2021-2022. /Photo: Utica Dance Team ◊ MORGAN HINMAN GENERAL ASSIGNMENTS REPORTER

The Utica Dance Team was established in 2018 and focuses on two aspects, including performing for sporting events and competing at collegiate dance competitions.

They currently perform at basketball and hockey games, with hopes of adding football and lacrosse into the upcoming seasons.

The former Utica College Dance Company now goes by Utica Dance Team after Utica earned university status last week.

The dance team’s cocaptain, Hailey Bassett, said the basketball season provided a large turnout for them.

The team had the

opportunity to perform at five games, including two women’s and three men’s games, where they got to showcase two different choreographed dances.

“I definitely enjoyed dancing for the men’s ice hockey team,” Bassett said. “This was something I had never done before. It was different and exciting at the same time.”

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there have been challenges that arose, but the team continued to push through, captain Michaela Mellor said.

“While COVID restrictions did limit our team at times, we never felt discouraged,” Mellor said. “We kept pushing to be as active as

possible.”

on campus events.”

Some restrictions have been lifted this semester, which gave more opportunities for the team to dance at home games and become involved with other campus events.

Hartnett takes on many roles as the head choreographer.

Her job includes conducting practices, choreographing the competition dances/ events, overseeing the sports dances and organizing music and costumes. When it is time for tryouts, she and Mellor work together to build the team.

Tryouts are open to anyone who has a passion for dance and competition.

Dance experience is not required to try out for the team, but is recommended. The team holds separate auditions for the dance team and the competition team.

Although, in order to be on the competition team, you need to first be on the dance team.

The tryouts for the dance team are held in the beginning of each fall semester. The team puts in an effort to hold them around the first day of classes to ensure they have time to prepare and get ready for the upcoming season.

Head choreographer Sophia Hartnett said that the dance team’s most important goal is to be recognized as a sport in the current and upcoming seasons.

“This will definitely not happen overnight, but this is something I will continue to work on,” Hartnett said. “Other goals I have for the team are attending competitions, creating a team with more dancers and incorporating the dance team with more

The biggest thing dance provides Mellor is the support and bond everyone has with each other.

“My favorite thing about the dance team is being able to continue a long growing passion of mine, but specifically alongside a group of girls who share the same passion,” Mellor said. “It is definitely a family of its own and we all support each other inside and outside of dance.”

For Bassett, dance provides a learning experience.

“All of us come from different dance backgrounds, which allows us to learn from each other and grow,” Bassett said.

Anyone interested in the Utica Dance Team should contact an executive board member or reach out through Instagram (@ uticadanceteam), Facebook (Utica College Dance Company) and PioHub.

FEATURES

PAGE 11 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

UTICATANGERINE.COM

EIC Eats No.3: Plant-Based Fast Food ◊ MATTHEW BREAULT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

After attempting and completing two incredibly unhealthy McDonald’s fast food challenges, I decided to try something different.

For this week’s EIC Eats, I decided to stick with fast food, but do two plantbased menu items that you may have heard of: the Impossible™ Whopper from Burger King and Kentucky Fried Chicken’s Beyond Fried Chicken Nuggets. Here’s my review: Impossible™ Whopper The Impossible™ Whopper is my favorite item of the Burger King menu, so this was a fun sandwich to eat.

Unfortunately, in order to make this truly plantbased, I had to get it without mayonnaise.

In addition to no mayonnaise, I also did not have onion or tomato because those are not my favorite things.

When you bite into an Impossible™ Whopper, it honestly doesn’t taste anything like a real Whopper. It has this distinct taste, however, that makes each bite just as enjoyable as the last. This sandwich does have a meaty taste, but it’s not the hamburger meat taste you want out of a Whopper.

Overall, I personally enjoy this sandwich far more than the traditional Whopper. The soy-based meat is a very flavorful

our reflections was he thought the Impossible™ Whopper tasted more like the traditional Whopper.

Overall Nutrition Intake This challenge was much healthier than the previous two, but it was still a ton to consume.

Here are the combined statistics from the Impossible™ Whopper and the 18 Beyond Chicken Nuggets: The Impossible™ Whoppers and KFC’s Beyond Chicken Nuggets consumed during EIC Eats No. 3. /Photo: Matthew Breault

alternative, and this would be a good option for someone on a plantbased diet. If you are looking to lose weight, I would stay away from this because in terms of calories, fat, sodium, etc., it is not much different compared to the traditional Whopper.

Beyond Chicken Nuggets KFC decided to do a new promotion with Beyond Meat®, which is a plant-based alternative to their original fried chicken.

After consuming 18 of these Beyond Chicken Nuggets, it is safe to say I have a strong sense of what they’re like.

For being a chicken alternative and not the real meat, these nuggets were tasty. They were larger than any other fast food chicken nuggets and were in the shape of perfect squares. If I did a blind taste test with these, I would not

have guessed that they were made with Beyond Meat®. However, they did have a downfall.

To describe them bluntly, the breading made them taste like extra dry Burger King chicken nuggets. For those who know how BK’s nuggets taste, you will know exactly what I mean. I think the meat part of the nuggets were extraordinary and flavorful, but the breading was just dry.

I don’t know how long KFC’s promotion will last, due to supply shortages and other things, but I would recommend giving these a shot. They have a great taste and with enough sauce, you won’t be able to tell how dry the breading is.

Our Layout Editor Thomas Caputo also participated this week and he shared similar thoughts on these products.

The only difference between

Calories: 2,066 Total fat: 123 g Carbohydrates: 152 g Protein: 136 g Dietary fiber: 5.7 g Total sugars: 13.5 g Cholesterol: 16.5 g Sodium: 5,663.5 mg EIC Eats will be a biweekly part of The Tangerine, where Editor-in-Chief Matthew Breault will do some sort of food challenge either alone or with fellow staff members. Thank you all for allowing me to share my food habits with you and you will hear/read from me soon. If you have any recommendations, please feel free to let me know.

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PAGE 12 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

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Utica University Athletics Rebrand

The newly rebranded Utica University athletics logo says Utica Pioneers in navy and orange. /Photo: Laurel Simer ◊ EMILY JOSS SPORTS EDITOR

Utica College made its official transition to Utica University last week after 75 years of being known as Utica College.

Quickly, new signs lined the campus streets and old “UC”s were taken off walls in preparation to be replaced with the lone standing “U” of the future.

For the college as a whole, this change represents, as President Laura Casamento explained during the official name changing ceremony, “decades of strategic growth… and an unwavering belief in our students and the life changing opportunities that we provide for them.”

For athletics specifically, having the recognition of university is going to allow for a wider reach not only across the country, but across the world, potentially bringing in more athletes and enhancing the

talent across all Utica’s athletic teams.

“University gives Utica an even stronger name recognition inside and outside our community,” Athletic Director Dave Fontaine said. “University status will attract some students that normally may not have considered Utica as an option. It’s definitely an exciting time.”

Many whispers have gone around campus about the division ranking of Utica athletics moving up to NCAA Division II or even NCAA Division I, but Fontaine neglected to say whether or not this is in the plans.

The New York State Board of Regents definition of a university is as follows: “A higher educational institution offering a range of registered undergraduate and graduate curricula in the liberal arts and sciences, including graduate programs registered

in at least three of the following discipline areas: agriculture, biological sciences, business, education, engineering, fine arts, health professions, humanities, physical sciences and social sciences.”

That being said, the definition of a university has little to say about it’s athletics, albeit, university status does not have any direct correlation with their effect on division or other aspects of athletics.

Sports Information Director Laurel Simer said that much of the changes the athletes are likely to see are related to branding and uniform changes, and these changes are already underway.

“We have already begun and will continue to transition things over in terms of branding in the next few months and over the summer,” Simer said. “We have updated some of our athletics

logos [as seen with this article] moving forward.

And, although there are not many, some teams currently have the “UC” logo on their uniforms [men’s and women’s ice hockey and women’s basketball] and that of course will need to be changed.”

At this time, the url for Utica’s athletic website has also been changed from ucpioneers. com to uticapioneers. com. Note that it is not “uupioneers,” as Casamento strongly pushed for the stand alone “U” because, “we are Utica,” she said.

At this time, there isn’t much to say about how Utica University will alter the life of Pioneer athletics, however, Casamento admits that this is as it should be.

“It doesn’t change anything about the way we function because we’ve been functioning as a university for several years now,” Casamento said.

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Utica ice hockey continues historic success ◊ MATTHEW ROBINSON STAFF WRITER

CIt was business as usual for both the men’s and women’s hockey teams in the first round of the UCHC playoffs.

The No. 2 seeded women bested the seventh-seeded Alvernia University 4-0, while the No. 1 seeded men dominated eighthseeded Lebanon Valley College 11-1, scoring all 11 goals in the first two periods, while also converting on 5-of-7 power plays.

Women’s Ice Hockey With not much action in the first period, the women were able to put up 20 shots on goal, but

had no answer. It was only until 30 seconds into the second period when senior Georgie Santullo scored her 28th goal of the season and 54th point. With that goal Santullo tied former All-American and Pioneer Hall of Famer Deana Weigand for the most points in a singleseason at Utica. Junior Erica Sloan also scored her 52nd point of the season, which puts her third all-time in Utica single-season history.

the trust and dedication to play for each other has been huge for the team’s success.

Sophomore goaltender Angela Hawthorne wasn’t too busy in the cage, only having to stop 11 shots, while notching her sixth shutout of the season. Hawthorne said

The three other Pioneers who scored were Rebecca Brown, Maggie Rylott and Carly Stefanini.

“In the D zone, players are blocking shots, clearing out people in front of the net and standing up for each other when the other team is getting physical,’’ Hawthorne said. “We have dialogue with each other constantly, so we are on the same page and most importantly, we trust each other.”

Playing for each other is a big theme for the

Pioneers’ women’s ice hockey team. There are a handful of veterans on the team that are looking to keep the momentum moving forward into the second round. Graduate Student Rebecca Brown said the mentality of the team is that they are going to work hard and do the little things to put them in a good position to win.

“We have had success because we are playing for each other,” Brown said. “It is an absolute honor to play with every single person on the team and I am just happy I get to play the sport I love with the people I love.”

SEE HOCKEY PG. 14

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PAGE 14 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 HOCKEY FROM PG. 13 The women’s next game will be Saturday, Feb. 26 against Manhattanville in Utica. The Pioneers split the two matchups against the Valiants this season.

Men’s Ice Hockey One takeaway from the dominant win against Lebanon Valley was that the Pioneers can score points very quickly. Utica had 9 different goal scorers for their 11 goals.

The goals were scored

by Cameron Patton (2), Dante Zapata (2), Jayson Dobay (1), Brett Everson (1), Eric Holland (1), Remy Parker (1), Regen Cavanagh (1), Jamie Bucell (1) and John Moncovich (1).

Senior defenseman Justin Allen achieved a long awaited milestone, passing All-Americans Daniel Fritz and Dalton Carter for the most points in a career by a defenseman at Utica.

Utica was able to capitalize on 5-of-

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7 power plays in this game. Not only did the Pioneers’ special teams success contribute to the team’s victory, the team outshot Lebanon Valley 56-17, which put them in front by a large margin to get the win.

Goaltenders Sean Dickson and Louis-Felix St. Jean combined to make 16 saves in the victory.

Dickson improved to 14-1 on the season.

After an early exit in the UCHC tournament

last season to Elmira College, in what was the 4th longest game in NCAA Division III hockey history, the Pioneers are anxious to get back on the ice for their next matchup in the second round of playoffs on Saturday, Feb. 26.

Against Manhattanville.

Both the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams had their winningest seasons in program history and will look to continue their success this weekend.

Pioneers track and field team rewrites record books this season earlier this month, giving them a new school record.

The record breaking 4x400 meter relay squad from left to right: Janaiya Cruz-Bermudez, Mackenzie Mix, Jade Dening and Laura Meade. /Photo: Utica XCTF

◊ SHANE TINNEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The 2021-2022 Utica Pioneers track and field team continued its dominance as the indoor season comes to a close. The all-time leaderboards in program history are being filled up by a number of athletes and are rewritten after every meet.

“It’s a testament to how hard everybody is working,” head coach James Lemieux said.

“We’ve got a great group of coaches, but more importantly, we’ve got a great group of athletes.”

From the women’s team, freshman Mackenzie Mix is taking the program by storm.

In just her first season, Mix currently holds the school record in the 400m race with a time of 59.19 and is inside the top ten in program history for both the 60m and 200m races.

“It’s definitely a crazy and surreal feeling,” Mix said. “I feel like I can still keep improving, and even though you can have a good time, you can always get better.”

Mix is also a member of the star-studded women’s 4x400m relay team that features herself, sophomore Janaiya Cruz-Bermudez, freshman Jade Dening and senior Laura Meade who ran a time of 4:03.69 at Boston University

The relay team is filled with individual success with Cruz-Bermudez being in the top ten in program history for the 500m race, Dening inside the top ten for the 800m, 1000m and indoor mile race, while Meade is inside the top five for both long and triple jump, as well as the top ten for both the 60m and 400m races, along with her teammate Mix. For the men’s sprints, sophomore Daijon Richards and junior Josh Washington are each having strong seasons as well. Both Richards and Washington have run times this season that have placed them in the program’s top five in school history for the 60m race, and top ten for the 200m race.

SEE XCTF PG. 15

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PAGE 15 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 XCTF FROM PG. 14 The Pioneers are shining in the field events, just as much as they are on the track. For women’s shot put, junior Jane Fahy has the furthest toss in school history, throwing for a distance of 13.08m.

This throw for Fahy came earlier this season when broke her own school record.

Earlier this month at Boston University, junior Antwan Kelly tossed a new personal best of 16.61m in the men’s

weight throw, which would break his own school record of 16.58m he set in 2020. Kelly’s toss would put him just inside of the top 50 nationally.

“It’s something that I’m proud of because when I came into the program, it was my first goal when it came to weight throw,” Kelly said. “It just comes down to how you train for the week.

The way I think about it is the competition starts Monday and not the day of the meet.”

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Also at Boston University, men’s thrower sophomore Hunter Logan threw a personal best in the shot put with a distance of 16.42m.

Logan’s toss would give him the second-best throw in program history, and also currently has him ranked seventh nationally.

The future looks very bright for the Pioneers track and field team.

With all of the young talent and returning athletes on the roster, the Pioneers will be a

force in the Empire 8 Conference for years to come.

“Everything is moving in the right direction,” Lemieux said. “For the most part, we will have almost everyone back for next year.”

The team will wrap up their indoor season with the Empire 8 Championship meet at home beginning on Friday, Feb. 25 and will look to carry their momentum into the outdoor season.

Utica basketball’s newest 1,000 point club members ◊ EMILY JOSS SPORTS EDITOR

The men’s and women’s basketball teams for Utica University have each put up record breaking years this season. Although much can be said about both rosters top to bottom assisting in such winning seasons, three standouts have made the biggest impact and with that, have placed themselves in the Utica University record books.

As of Feb. 25, seniors Darius Hopkins, Kobe Lufkin and Sydney Przygoda currently lead their teams in scoring with 321, 306, and 307 points on the season respectively. All of them have also become 1,000 point club members within the past month.

Senior forward Sydney Pryzgoda became the 14th player in program history to reach the 1,000 point mark in her Utica Pioneer career. /Photo: Jeff Pexton

Sydney Przygoda

With two minutes left in the 3rd quarter, a short range jumper put Pryzgoda over the top, becoming just the 14th player in program history to become a part of the club.

Przygoda reached the mark first on Jan. 7, with a lopsided 81-50 win over Elmira College.

“It has been something I have been working toward since my freshman year. During

the game, I could hear the bench counting down how many points I needed and it was really motivating,” Pryzgoda said. “When I hit 1,000, my team rushed onto the court and I was overwhelmed with all of the support they were giving me. I definitely could not have done this

without my teammates.”

In high school, Przygoda did not achieve a 1,000 point career, and coming into college, she admits that such a feat wasn’t even on her radar.

SEE BBALL PG. 16

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PAGE 16 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 BBALL FROM PG. 15 “I remember walking into Coach Davis’ office one of my first days here and asking who all the people in the pictures on her wall were, turns out, they were the players who had reached 1,000 points,” Pryzgoda said.

“I remember thinking it would be cool to have my picture up there too, but at that time, I definitely did not expect it to happen.”

It is worth noting that even with a COVID-19 related cancellation to her junior season, Przygoda was still able to score her 1,000th point halfway through her third collegiate season. Przygoda was also named First Team All-Conference for the

Empire 8 this season.

Kobe Lufkin Just three weeks later, Lufkin netted his 1,000th career point in the teams Coaches vs. Cancer game against Sage College on Jan. 29.

Heading into the game, Lufkin needed a mere two points to reach the milestone.

That opportunity came eight minutes into the first, with an attested drive to the basket.

“This is certainly a nice individual accomplishment and something that I can look back on as a testament to the hours I have put into this sport,” Lufkin said. “In the heat of the moment, it felt a little less celebratory as we are

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still competing as a team to win an important conference game. After the game when we had won was when I felt the most accomplished.”

Lufkin was a part of head coach Sean Coffey’s first full recruiting class, and Coffey admits that it didn’t take long to recognize what kind of player Lufkin could be.

“We knew his future was bright, but he needed to learn to defend at our level, handle the ball, work on his body and be a more dynamic player than just a catch and shoot player,” Coffey said. “He added all that and more.”

Coming out of high school five years ago, Lufkin was a big name player, scoring over

2,000 points in his career at his small town high school in Argyle, NY. Entering college, he was already the all-time leading scorer in New York State Section II from an impressive high school career. Even yet, he knew the work wasn’t done to compete at the next level.

“I understood the level of Division III basketball and knew the time and effort this would require,” Lufkin said, referencing surpassing another 1,000 points. “I felt as if it was a possibility, but I would have to continue to improve certain aspects of my play style.”

Coffey knew he had it in him as well.

Graduate student guard Kobe Lufkin drives to the basket against St. John Fisher College. /Photo: Jeff Pexton

SEE BBALL PG. 17

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PAGE 17 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

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Senior guard Darius Hopkins takes a jump shot for the Utica University men’s basketball team. /Photo: Jeff Pexton

BBALL FROM PG. 16 “For him to accomplish this feat, he needed to push through some difficult times that all young players face,” Coffey said.

“He continued to work, dedicated himself to the weight room, added new dimensions to his game and became one of the most beloved and respected players by his teammates that I’ve ever coached.”

Darius Hopkins Then came the most recent member of the 1,000 point club- Darius Hopkins, joining the other two on Feb. 11, with the team’s most impressive win of the season.

Hopkins became the 16th player in program history to reach this prestigious mark in the

second half of their win against nationally ranked (#23) Nazareth College, in which he had a 24-point outing, shooting 5-for-6 from three, which was a season high at the time.

“Reaching this accomplishment has been an amazing feeling for me,’’ Hopkins said. “The moment it got announced, I couldn’t stop smiling because it felt like years of work and preparation finally paid off.”

Hopkins admits that an official 1,000 point career has been a long time coming for him as a school transfer back in high school that neglected to transfer his stats made the mark unattainable.

As a college freshman,

he admitted that a personal goal of his was to finally reach that 1,000 point benchmark.

So, he centered his lifestyle around making that a reality by sticking to his roots and always maintaining the right mindset.

“My entire day revolves around being in the gym, whether it’s the weight room or on a basketball court,” Hopkins said.

“My pregame warmup includes a deep stretch and meditation to clear my mind. I also use the same warmup that my father taught me when I was younger, which has a heavy emphasis on form shooting early on.”

When Coffey first saw Hopkins back in high school, he knew he was talented, but didn’t

realize just how much of an asset he’d be until he first stepped foot on the Utica campus.

“Darius took a chance to come to Utica from Florida to chase a dream of playing basketball.

It has worked out well,” Coffey said. “He has worked, learned and grown tremendously into one of the best players in the region. Terrific scorer and shot creator. He changed his body and added new elements to his game every offseason.”

Playoff Time After a historic season, the Utica women’s basketball team clinched the No. 4 seed in the Empire 8 Tournament.

SEE BBALL PG. 18

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PAGE 18 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 BBALL FROM PG. 17 Unfortunately, they were upset by Russell Sage College and their historic season has come to an end. The team finished 19-7 on the season.

For the men, the team clinched their first ever outright Empire 8 regular season conference title.

The team’s current 22-3 record is one of the best in program history, and in doing so, will host the Empire 8 Tournament

this weekend.

“It has been a blast playing at Utica these past four years,” Przygoda said.

“This season specifically has been one of my favorites of my career. The team is really supportive of each other and that is showing in our record.

I am glad that my final season is with this group of girls.”

Lufkin, Hopkins and the rest of the men’s team are reigning Empire 8

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champions, following a heartfelt victory to end the 2020-2021 season dedicated to late teammate, #5 Christopher Bamba.

“We had dedicated nearly everything to him that season and it was the best ending to a season we could have asked for,” Lufkin recalled. “Other than a sense of joy after winning, the tears had begun flowing from many of us after accomplishing the

things we had talked about for many years now.”

Hopkins also added that one of the best things about this team is how they treat each other like they’re family.

“My teammates are family to me, and we are all committed to one goal which is to win,” Hopkins said. “The coaching staff cares, and they put us in the best spots to succeed on the court.”

Gold Ribbon Game: How UWIH fights against pediatric cancer ◊ EMILY JOSS SPORTS EDITOR

remained stable and healthy since 2001.

On Feb. 12, Utica women’s ice hockey played in their 8th annual Gold Ribbon Game against Wilkes University.

The Pioneers had an overpowering 12-2 win to extend their season record to a program best 20-3.

Even with the smooth win, this game meant far more than any other game for everyone in attendance as it was an entire day dedicated to the awareness of pediatric cancer and supporting those local families whose children are affected day in and day out.

Utica University’s own Sports Information Director Laurel Simer knows this struggle all too well and from this, has become the inspiration behind the annual Gold Ribbon Game.

At the age of ten, Simer was given less

Simer would later find her way from Minnesota to Utica College where she played under the Women’s ice hockey head coach Dave Clausen for four years, and in that time, would leave an everlasting impact on both the program, and the school.

Utica SID and DIPG cancer survivor Laurel Simer drops the puck for the 8th annual Gold Ribbon Game at Utica. /Photo: Jeff Pexton

than one year to live following a diagnosis of one of the rarest and most aggressive forms of cancer there is, which is Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).

breathing, blood pressure and heart rate.

A mere 5% of children survive three years post diagnosis and less than 1% survive much longer than that.

This specific form of cancer causes a direct attack on the lowest part of the brainstem that controls many of the body’s most vital functions including

Following a successful clinical trial shortly after diagnosis, Simer surpassed all odds and has thrived well into adulthood and although not yet in remission, has

“She’s an amazing human being and we do the Gold Ribbon Game every year to honor her,” Clausen said about his former player.

Not long after graduation from the program, Clausen and Simer came together to host the first Gold Ribbon Game back in 2013.

Being a survivor of the experience, Simer is aware of the minimal attention pediatric cancer attains.

SEE UWIH PG. 19

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PAGE 19 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

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Utica University’s women’s hockey senior forward and captain Georgie Santullo during the Gold Ribbon Game. /Photo: Jeff Pexton

UWIH FROM PG. 18 Although it is far more common than people realize, it remains one of the far less well known forms of cancer, and for this, advances in treatment are slow and limited causing many pediatric cancers like DIPG, to continue to have low survival rates.

“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve tried to be a champion for that cause just to share my story and share what these kids and families are going through… the importance of acknowledging them and raising money is huge because there’s not enough money and funding for research,” Simer said.

To raise funds, Simer and Clausen designed a specialty jersey together that incorporated the gold pediatric cancer ribbon as well as Utica’s unique logos and designs. Bidding fans win the jerseys both before and during the game and the proceeds go right back into the Utica community. According to Clausen, this year’s Gold Ribbon Game earned north of $3,000.

Simer and Clausen scout out a local family or organization to donate the proceeds to, putting substantial emphasis in finding a group that holds close ties to the Utica community and to those who will give back 100% of the proceeds.

“Coach [Clausen] was

always big on community service and giving back and taking pride in being in Utica and playing for Utica,” Simer said. “So it’s important to us to help people here in the Mohawk Valley, in Utica.”

This year’s foundation, Hope in Action, was a perfect fit.

As most pediatric cancer organizations are, Hope in Action is led by families of those who have lived through a cancer diagnosis of their own children.

Through their experience, Hope in Action knows that they are able to intimately understand the unique needs of such a diagnosis and can thus

support and empower local families.

Founding board member of Hope in Action, Katie Green, shares all that the foundation does for Utica.

In their first year, they partnered with several other nonprofits to provide families both in and out of treatment with comfort baskets including a Mother’s Day one filled with self care items, a Christmas basket containing “winter fun” items to promote quality family time, and goodie baskets of treats and trinkets that are given to the children at their appointments at Upstate Medical.

SEE UWIH PG. 20

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PAGE 20 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 UHIH FROM PG. 19 Aside from that, Hope in Action donates goods to the Syracuse Ronald McDonald House, as well as to the Cancer unit at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital and the Waters Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders, also at the Upstate Hospital campus.

As the pandemic evolves, the proceeds from this year’s Gold Ribbon Game will hopefully assist in expanding the opportunity for in-person events.

Green looks forward to creating “A day of respite and to connect with other families on

similar journeys whether at the zoo or a park having a picnic allows families to find friendships and support that are so needed.”

Simer admits that she had no idea when arranging the first Gold Ribbon Game that it would last any more than that single game, but it has become an important tradition of women’s hockey.

“I love that we give back to the community in such a big way. It is a lot of fun and knowing we make an impact in some people’s lives is heartwarming,” Clausen said. “For our players, learning about giving back and supporting your community is a

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great lesson which can’t be learned on the ice.”

Utica sports teams participate in all forms of awareness games, and many have begun incorporating pediatric cancer awareness games into their regular season schedules, which Simer admits is special to see.

“This cancer is not talked about enough,” Simer said. “It’s tough to talk about, it’s tough to see sick kids and to see them going through treatments. But to see the ribbon is acknowledging that they are with each family and with me in this fight.”

Unfortunately, women’s ice

the hockey

team struggles with attendance as compared to their male counterparts. Although the Gold Ribbon Game tends to bring in more fans, it’s still a struggle that Simer longs to see a change in in the near future.

“While we were not able to have many families there, we know that the knowledge of the UC women’s ice hockey team having a Gold Ribbon Game meant the world to our families and to us,” Green said.

“Just knowing the team sees these families and the importance of supporting them provides hope to our community. We are forever thankful for that.”

Utica University’s women’s ice hockey teammates celebrate during the 8th annual Gold Ribbon Game. /Photo: Jeff Pexton