Students hired at campus job fair P 15
Best flicks to watch from Summer 2021 P 12
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
VOLUME 100 ISSUE 2
www.ulmhawkeyeonline.com
August 23, 2021
Cuomo case should result in safer workplaces P 5
Students jump into new semester at Week of Welcome P5 Allen Parrish to revitalize athletic band P 6
Soccer takes Texas Southern P 15 2-1
PAGE 2
August 23, 2021
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
BRIEFS CALENDAR Monday, August
23
Rotaract interest meeting, 5:30 p.m. on Zoom
Tuesday, August
24
Group kickback, Campus Movement, 5 p.m., Altitude Trampoline Park
Louisiana
California
U.S.
Afghanistan
Caldor fire continues, Airlines fine dozens school board meeting covers 73,000 acres for 'unruly' behavior
Anti-Taliban protests continue amid violence
News Star- A Louisiana state school board meeting collapsed in chaos Wednesday when a raucous crowd and a controversial evangelical minister took over a meeting in a state building to protest Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards' COVID-19 mask mandate in schools. More than 200 people, most of them vehement anti-maskers, were packed into the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meeting room in the Claiborne Bulding near the state Capitol in Baton Rouge. All were asked to wear masks or move to an adjacent room when the meeting began, but there was little compliance and no enforcement. When they were told to mask up or move out again after a recess, the crowd revolted, chanting, "No more masks, no more masks" and "We will not comply, we will not comply."
MCT- The Caldor Fire swelled in size late Thursday, as thousands remain evacuated from their homes in El Dorado County. The blaze is now covering more than 73,000 acres (115 square miles) and remains 0% contained, Cal Fire and U.S. Forest Service officials wrote in a Friday morning update, up from about 69,000 acres Thursday evening. More than 1,100 personnel are now assigned to the Caldor Fire, which spotted at short ranges overnight and is still burning in areas with difficult access due to steep drainages. “With historic drought conditions there is heavy dead and down fuels through the fire area,” Cal Fire and Forest Service officials wrote. Voluntary warnings are in effect for northern parts of Amador County.
MCT- Airline passengers are facing record federal fines for lashing out at 30,000 feet amid conflicts over mask mandates, flight cancellations and because of behaviors fueled by the consumption of alcohol. The Federal Aviation Administration has slapped dozens of unruly passengers with fines amounting to more than $1 million so far in 2021, the agency announced Thursday. The total has already reached the highest ever in a single year, according to the FAA. The issue has frustrated flight attendants, airlines and federal authorities, and has heightened the tension and stress of flying amid a pandemic. But the prospect of losing flight privileges and hefty fines hasn't deterred thousands of people reported for disruptive behavior.
MCT- Anti-Taliban protesters defied their new rulers for the second day Thursday, marking Afghan Independence Day by attempting to hoist the red, green and black national banner but often getting beaten down by militant fighters who continue to control the streets of the capital and elsewhere. The jarring, violent scenes marked the latest unrest as the Taliban sought to gain a firmer grip on a nation that has changed much since it first ruled two decades ago. That was proving increasingly difficult, even as the militant group sought to compare Afghanistan’s independence from Britain in 1919 to the insurgents’ swift takeover of the country today from an American-backed government. The Taliban said in a statement that its “jihadi resistance forced another arrogant power of the world, the United States, to fail and retreat from our holy territory of Afghanistan.”
Wednesday, August 25 Anti-maskers protest
Day one of Mock Trial tryouts, 5:30 p.m. on Zoom
Thursday, August
26
Day two of Mock Trial tryouts, 5:30 p.m. on Zoom
Friday, August
27
No events planned
Saturday, August
28
No events planned
Sunday, August
29
No events planned
d
QUOTE
CUE THE PARTY
"If you are lonely when
TODAY IN HISTORY
August 23
you are alone, you are in bad company."
1933: Yellow fever runs rampant in New Orleans. There are 1,478 sick and 218 dead.
Jean-Paul Sartre, French philosopher
1914: Japan declares war on Germany in World War I. 1933: First televised boxing match—a six round exhibition in London between Archie Sextion and Lauri Raiteri—airs on BBC-TV. 1933: Mahatma Gandhi released from jail after a hunger strike. 1963: The Beatles release "She Loves You" in the UK.
Front page credits: Main photo:
2005: Hurricane Katrina forms over the Bahamas.
Saugat Shrestha Top sidebar photo: Saugat Shrestha Bottom sidebar photo: ULM athletics photo by Raphael Akinpelu
ULM greeted international students during the first week of school with a welcome party, food and games.
2013: 50 people are killed in mosque bombings in Tripoli, Lebanon.
August 23, 2021
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
PAGE 3
BRIEFS
VAPA
Campus
First annual 'Bayouval' music festival coming to campus in September
University to require COVID vaccines once approved by FDA
The first annual bayou festival, or “Bayouval,” will be held Sept. 17 here at ULM. Money raised at the event will go toward funding scholarships for students in the School of Visual and Performing Arts. The festival will include performances from rock bands like Code Blue and the Flatliners as well as special guests. There will be local food vendors, festival posters, t-shirts and commemorative CDs for sale. Admission for ULM students is $10 and tickets are available now on the ULM Alumni Association website. The festival will be held in Bayou Pointe and is planned to last from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., with a pre-event reception at 4 p.m. only for patrons of the event. Patron tickets are priced at $100 and buyers will enjoy a performance by the ULM Jazz Ensemble as well as an art show sale at the patron party. General admission to the public costs $25.
ULM has announced it will be requiring COVID vaccines for all students to attend school once the FDA approves one of the vaccines. The FDA is expected to approve one of the vaccines within the next few weeks, according to a statement released by the Office of Marketing and Communications Aug. 15. Once the FDA approves a vaccine, the requirement will go into effect at the start of the next semester. “It is advisable for students to plan ahead and get vaccinated now,” said the statement. “Like all required immunizations, upon approval, students will be required to provide proof of immunization.” However, a physician’s state-
ment or written dissent will allow students to continue without getting the vaccine. “Please note that this is not a vaccine mandate,” the statement said. In an effort to get more students vaccinated, ULM is participating in the Shot For $100 program, introduced by the Governor’s Office. Students who receive the vaccine on campus will be eligible to receive a $100 Visa gift card. There was COVID vaccinations and testing on campus last Tuesday and there will be more in the future. Future vaccine events will be posted on Wingspan and anyone who wants to attend will need to register online first.
Photo courtesy ULM photo services
SHOTS FOR EVERYONE: In a schoolwide email Aug. 15, ULM said it will require all students to get a COVID vaccine once the FDA approves one. The FDA is expected to approve one within a few weeks.
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
PAGE 4
August 23, 2021
OPINION OPINION
Campus
Failure to inform of checkin rules was irresponsible Carley Nail
photo courtesy Shutterstock
Stubbs 131 700 University Avenue Monroe, LA 71209 Editor-in-Chief - Loryn Kykendall Co-managing Editor News - Chloe Chapel Opinion Editor - Carley Nail Freestyle Editor - Uchechi Owunna Sports Editor - Cameron Jett Multimedia Editor - Saugat Shrestha Co-managing Editor Art - Sunil Bishwokarma Photo Editor - Calli Sinclair
The opinions expressed in personal columns are the opinions of the author and not necessarily the opinions of the editors, staff, adviser or the university. Unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of The Hawkeye’s editorial board, but not necessarily the opinions of the adviser or the university. The Hawkeye (USPS #440-700) is published weekly except vacation, exam & holiday periods by The University of Louisiana at Monroe, 700 University Avenue, Monroe, LA 71209. Annual subscription price is $15.00. Periodicals Postage Paid at Monroe, LA 71203. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Hawkeye, 700 University Ave., Stubbs 131, Monroe, LA 71209-8832.
Move-in is already hard enough as it is. We have to pack up everything we think we will need in the next four months and carry it with us to school. But adding the stress of an unexpected vaccine and test requirement made this year’s movein that much more difficult. ULM sent students living on campus a letter on Aug. 3 stating, “students and guests will need to bring and provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within two weeks of moving in.” With the COVID cases in Louisiana, ULM’s decision to make sure students have the vaccine or test negative
Feedback 318 342 5453 newsroom 318 342 5452 fax ulmhawkeye@gmail.com
Don’t agree? Let us know! Contact the writers or the editor at nailcn@warhawks.ulm.edu
Students called and asked the Department of Enviromental Health and Safety if at-home COVID tests could be used at check-in and were told that those tests would be accepted if they showed proof of purchase within three days. However, at check-in, they were told that they needed to be tested again. This led to much confusion as the new rules for check-in had changed. ULM expected us to follow these new protocols for a safer start to the year, but then failed to accurately inform us on what the protocols were or how to follow them. If Res Life had sent that letter a month in advance of move-in and ULM had sent students an email telling us of the changes occurring, we could have been prepared. But instead, move-in was full of uncertainty and chaos. In the future, students should be notified earlier about important dates and deadlines, especially when they’re COVID-related. contact Carley Nail at nailcn@warhawks.ulm.edu
Academics
In-person classes should be available to everyone
318-342-5453 ulmhawkeyead@gmail.com Assistant Director: Courtney Collins 318 342 5450 ccollins@ulm.edu
before check-in is a step in the right direction. It increases the chance of our campus being COVID free as we start the semester. But the way ULM informed students and enforced this new regulation was not clear or efficient. The letter Res Life sent out was labeled as nonprofit mail. According to the USPS, typical delivery times of nonprofit mail range from one to 10 days within the U.S. Move-in for all students was Aug. 13 and 14. This means that some students may not have been informed about this new check-in protocol until three days before move-in.This is not enough time to make plans or prepare to be vaccinated or tested. Also, the letter states that the proof of the negative test has to be within two weeks of moving in. But before check-in after the letters had been sent out, ULM changed the requirement to say you have to test negative three days before moving in. The only problem is that they didn’t inform anyone of this change.
Olivia Jeansonne Since the beginning of the pandemic, the choice between inperson or virtual learning has been extremely difficult. Many schools have opted for the virtual option leaving a large percentage of students struggling to keep up with their responsibilities and studies. Although online learning has become more popular among instructors and some students, virtual teaching has caused a considerable number of students to feel disconnected from their teachers and classmates, leading to a decrease in content comprehension and passion
for their classes. This is why in-person education should be an option for all students. Many students learn more effectively in an interactive environment where they can achieve a more personalized learning experience. If students abide by COVID safety and prevention protocols, there is no reason to limit the learning experience provided by attending a normal class setting. Several students also have trouble with the time management and self-teaching that comes along with online courses and find it much easier to retain information learned in person rather than through the screen of their laptop. Taking away the most effective learning method, traditional classroom teaching, will be detrimental to students’ educational experience. Schools strive to create future leaders, doctors, teachers and more. By placing students in an online setting with less structure and more
chances to slack off, the quality of the world’s future leaders could diminish enormously. Without proper motivation, many students will not give their all in class, leading to underqualified future workers of America and the world. Overall, online classes cause more harm than good to today’s students, and in-person learning should be offered to all students provided they follow proper safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID. To take the opportunity of a rich and full learning experience from students and replace it with a laptop screen puts them at such a disadvantage for their future and the next chapter of their lives. The knowledge, wisdom and experience students gain from classroom learning cannot be gained by the ever-growing popularity of virtual learning alternatives. America’s future leaders deserve the best educational experience available contact Olivia Jeansonne at jeansonneo@warhawks.ulm.edu
August 23, 2021
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
PAGE 5 OPINION
Sexual Harassment
Cuomo needs to resign immediately Maggie Eubanks Imagine after finishing undergrad and getting your master’s degree, you have just been hired for your dream job. You are now an advisor to the governor of New York. Young and unsure of your position, you try your best to keep your head down, but you have already caught the eye of the governor. He always makes comments to you about the way you dress, how he likes the way you look and one day he even kisses you without your consent. You don’t want to be around him, but you don’t want to lose your job either. Sadly, this is the dilemma that 11 women
graphic courtesy of MCT Campus
faced when they encountered former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. When sexual harassment is experienced in the workplace, many people are left with questions about what to do next. This confusion is heightened when the abuser is someone in a position of power. We must do a better job of making our workplaces a safer and more comfortable
environment to work while holding accountable those that cross the lines. On Aug. 3, New York State Attorney General Letitia James released a report of a five month long investigation which included detailed reports of how Cuomo had sexually harassed 11 women. This investigation did not come as a surprise to many though. Allegations against Cuomo
began circulating in early December of 2020. In March, more women began to come forward against the governor, each one with their own unique story of how he had made comments about them in the workplace or outright violated them. The fact that it took this long for Cuomo to resign is a disgusting example of how people in power can manipulate and hide stories. These women had to suffer alone for years. It is time that we start taking a stand for one another and reporting these abuses when they happen. College aged students are at an elevated risk for sexual assault and harassment. According to RAINN, 13% of all college students will experience some type of sexual assault while in college, and of these only 20% will report. Cuomo needs to be held responsible for his actions and indicted on criminal charges. He needs to face the reality of his situation and sign his resignation papers. If we hold these abusers accountable and stop the abuse before it happens, then we can save people from having experiences like these women. All it takes is one person to speak out. contact Maggie Eubanks at eubanksml@warhawks.ulm.edu
Social
Movie theaters are needed, practical
Loryn Kykendall Movie theaters are a hassle. Tickets cost too much. Food costs too much. The people sitting in the back always talk too loudly. The guy sitting in front of you is on his phone with the brightness all the way up. And on top of all that, it’s so much easier and more comfortable to stay at home and watch Netflix. So who needs the theater? Well, you do. And so do I. Movie theaters are a social experience, which is something we’re quickly running out of these days. With the rise of the internet, smartphones and social media, society is getting less and less social when it comes to inperson interactions. And the pandemic hasn’t helped. It’s pressed the fast forward button on the decline of face-to-face social interaction we have on a daily basis. And places like movie theaters combat that.
They’re a part of our social fabric that should never become just a thing of the past. I understand that COVID cases are rising in Louisiana again. I understand that movie theaters are not practical right now. Closing theaters during this time makes sense and it’s a good decision, I agree. Maybe I’m just too optimistic, but I think we will get back to a point where everyone can go out again. No, I don’t think things will ever go back to “normal,” but times won’t always be as bad as they are now. Just because ordering food, clothing and movies online is easy doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do. It’s not socially healthy to avoid interaction with others at all costs. Especially once we get to the point where we’re not caught in the middle of a pandemic. According to the CDC, there are a lot of negative effects social isolation can have on a person. Loneliness is associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety and suicide. Social isolation is also associated with 50% increased risk of dementia. That’s why we can’t give up on going out to eat. Shopping at the mall. Walking in the park. And it’s why we can’t give up on movie theaters. If we did that, we’d be giving up on each other. contact Loryn Kykendall at kykendalllk@warhawks.ulm.edu
photo courtesy MCT Campus
PAGE 6
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
August 23, 2021
NEWS
Feature
photo by Saugat Shrestha
NEW MAN, NEW BAND: Allen Parrish hopes to learn and follow new and old Sound of Today traditions. He also plans on completing every performance with the best sound quality and marching style possible while building a culture of excellence that can be passed on to new members.
Sound of Today thrives with new director Parrish aims to grow the Sound of Today by Marley Clevenger
The Sound of Today has started marching to the beat of a new drum, and that drum is Allen Parrish. After a rough couple of years, the Sound of Today needed someone to come in and turn things around. Students kept their passion despite their struggles, but they knew they were in desperate need of change. Parrish saw the need for a new start and had a vision. He decided to apply to ULM and met students that summer. After meeting students, he knew together they could do something big. “I could see that the students were driven to improve the program and wanted to work to be better,” Parrish said. Shortly after, he got the job as the Sound of Today’s athletic band director. However, it wasn’t as smooth as it seems. When students first learned about Parrish and his background, they were a bit skeptical.
Parrish had only worked in small sections of band and never with a full band like the Sound of Today. Many students wondered how he could direct a full band when most of his studies were in tuba performance. Parrish began his educational journey with a bachelor’s degree in music education from Troy University. He then got a master’s degree in tuba performance from Pittsburg State University. Finally, he received a doctorate in tuba performance and pedagogy from the University of Southern Mississippi. Despite previous concerns, Parrish has done nothing but impress students since band camp when he came in with a great attitude and a plan to succeed. Ever since he became the new athletic band director, students are trying harder than ever to do their best and exceed his expectations. Kallan Mulhearn, a biology major, admits that he does expect a lot Parrish from his students, but he holds himself to the same standard. “He has high expectations but he works just as hard as we do,” Mulhearn said.
He has connected with his students faster than anyone could have imagined. Now they are more than just a band, they are family.
Dr. Parrish has already made advances towards making the band truly feel like a family. Jenny Smith, Sound of Today flute section leader Jenny Smith, the Sound of Today flute section leader and junior vocal performance major, said Parrish does a great job at making students feel welcome and relaxed. “Dr. Parrish has already made advances towards making the band truly feel like a family, and getting everyone involved,” Smith said. “I
have already seen people feeling more welcome and coming out of their comfort zones, which is something that we love to see.” Parrish has many plans for the Sound of Today’s future. He plans to start by restoring the quality and size of the band during the 1980s. According to Parrish, the Sound of Today currently has around 140 members, but he would like to build that number to over 200. In order to do this he will travel to many schools in the area to speak with directors and students. Smith The Sound of Today will have performances at two high schools—West Monroe High and Parkview High School. However, his main goal for the future is to connect with the Sound of Today members while having a fun productive season. "Dr. Parrish is quite clear with how he wants to proceed with the band, which is something very adrmirable to me and other students,"Smith said. "I can tell that the Sound of Today is going to have a fun and productive season." contact Marley Clevenger at clevengermi@warhawks.ulm.edu
August 23, 2021
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
PAGE 7
NEWS
Pandemic
Louisiana cuts unemployment benefits early COVID benefits cut, state benefits raise to $28 a week in exchange by Loryn Kykendall
Unemployment benefits were cut off for nearly 200,000 Louisiana residents last month, five weeks earlier than they were supposed to end. They were cut off for those claiming unemployment because of the pandemic. While the benefits were supposed to end Sept. 6, Gov. John Bel Edwards cut them off early in an exchange with Republican lawmakers for a permanent boost of $28 per week for regular state benefits. Jailyn Ivy, a junior political science major, said that exchange wasn’t worth the bad results that Ivy could follow. “While there are ‘plenty’ of jobs available, people still aren’t making
graphic by Sunil Bishwokarma
BYE BYE BENEFITS: Unemployment benefits are what got many family through the pandemic. Now that they have been cut five weeks early, many families are left wondering how to make ends meet.
enough money to buy groceries, pay rent or get medication,” Ivy said. Louisiana’s minimum wage has been a problem in the past, but the pandemic has brought even more attention to the issue. In fact, in April right after the country shut down for COVID, a large group of Louisiana businesses
wrote a letter to Gov. Edwards asking him to raise state benefits to $370 per week. Some of the businesses included United Way and March of Dimes. They suggested he use the federal money that had recently been made available because of COVID. “The impending recession due to
COVID-19 is unavoidable,” the letter stated. “But what is not inevitable is the financial suffering of thousands of Louisiana families.” With the $28 weekly boost, monthly benefits will now go up to $275 per week for the nearly 40,000 residents who still qualify after the recent cutoff, according to the
Advocate. Daniel Hummel, an assistant professor of political science, thinks for many reasons that the COVID unemployment benefits should not have been cut off. He said it’s wrong to put people in a position where they have to either go back to work or have no money with COVID being as bad as it is in Louisiana right now. “I don’t like the idea of asking people to make difficult decisions in the middle of a pandemic,” Hummel said. Last week there were nearly 6,000 new COVID cases in Louisiana and 67 COVID-related deaths, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. The state had under 300 COVID-related hospitalizations at the beginning of June and over 600 by the end of July. Hummel said while he understands that some people will inevitably abuse the unemployment benefits, it’s not a good reason to end it for everyone. “You’ve got to think about the vulnerable people in the state,” Hummel said. "If the state’s not doing what it can to protect the vulnerable people then what is it doing?” contact Loryn Kykendall at kykendalllk@warhawks.ulm.edu
Career
Students find campus employment at job fair by Chloe Chapel
Job fairs are some of the best ways for students to find jobs and make connections. The ULM Career Center slowly eased students into job fairs this semester by hosting a work-study job fair. Many on-campus organizations such as the Child Development Center, Department of Education, athletics and The Alumni Center were offering students jobs. Alicia Rollins, the student employment coordinator, explained that job fairs are a big factor in student development. “We want to try to develop [students] as individuals, so what this does is prepare them for life after they graduate,” Rollins said. “Students will learn how to interact with people in a professional way, Rollins learn to write resumes and cover letters and ultimately get that one-on-one experience.”
After dealing with COVID for the past year and a half, many students were excited to be able to get out and network. For Caitlin Badgley, a pre-pharmacy major, getting to meet new people was a major advantage. “A benefit for me would definitely be networking Badgley and being able to meet people my age who are also looking for a job and meeting different employers and just getting out in the community,” Badgley said. The job fair was not only beneficial for students but also employers. It gave employers a wide range of students to talk to that they would not have seen with a simple ad on Facebook or the ULM website. The ULM football team was looking for students that were willing to learn and be creative, which could be difficult to pin down online. However, the job fair allowed them to see the creativity students could bring to the
contact Loryn Kykendall at kykendalllk@warhawks.ulm.edu
photo by Chloe Chapel
team. Jermaine Watkins, ULM video sports and athletics graduate assistant, explained that the job fair is a great environment for athletics because it allows them to pick someone who best suits their needs. “Employers get to find student workers who are eager to learn and are willing to try new things to better not only themselves but also
the organization that they’re working for,” Watkins said. The Career Center will continue to host various job fairs throughout the semester to give students and employers the opportunity to find the perfect fit for them. contact Chloe Chapel at chapelcb@warhawks.ulm.edu
PAGE 8
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
August 23, 2021
NEWS
Safety
Planning
Students learn how to build resumes from Career Center by Chloe Chapel
graphic courtesy ShutterStock
THE CATEGORY IS... WEATHER: According to the National Weather Service, hurricanes are classified by the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which rates hurricanes from one to five based on sustained wind speed.
Upcoming hurricane season to be worse than predicted It could produce fewer yet stronger hurricanes than previous years by Carley Nail ULM is no stranger to severe weather and hurricanes. In the past year two hurricanes, Laura and Delta, hit the Monroe area. And this year the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted this hurricane season will be more active than usual. According to NOAA, there is a 65% chance for an above-normal hurricane season in the Atlantic. They’re also predicting between 15 and 21 named storms and three to five major hurricanes. There are many factors that explain why this
hurricane season is expected to be stronger than normal. According to Yale Climate Connections, hurricanes form using energy from warm water in the ocean. Warm waters then fuel thunderstorms that help hurricanes strengthen. But as hurricanes move further North, the waters cool off, so they begin to weaken. This is why hurricanes usually form around the Equator in the Atlantic ocean and impact the southern U.S. However, this hurriFloyd cane season, the waters in the Tropical Atlantic ocean are warmer, which means that the systems that form will have more energy and can get stronger. According to chief meteorologist and ULM alum Jarod Floyd, there will most likely be less
hurricanes, but they will be stronger. “The quality of these storms may be better than their quantity meaning we could essentially see stronger storms this year,” said Floyd. This means students should prepare well in Leppert advance. Ken Leppert, an atmospheric science professor, said the two main things students can do to prepare for a storm is to be weather-aware and to have an emergency supply kit. “It’s hard to prepare for severe weather if you don’t know it’s coming,” Leppert said. “Keep an emergency supply kit with food, water, medicine, batteries, flashlight […] and everything you would need to go for about a week without power.” contact Carley Nail at nailcn@warhawks.ulm.edu
For many students, the thing they dread most about getting into the workforce is making a resume. Making a resume is by no means easy. It has to be detailed enough that employers know who you are but not so detailed that they’re bored. It has to be personal but not casual. And that’s just the beginning. To help students manage the stress of making a resume, ULM’s Career Center counselor, Colm Bourke, is visiting students in the classroom to show the step by step process of making a resume. Last week Bourke visited Joyce Zhou’s marketing behavior study class. He went to Zhou’s class because many of her students need guidance as they are getting close to graduation or finding internships. One of the first questions Bourke asked is if students change their resume depending on the job they’re applying for. Only one student said they do that. “Most students who leave university have very unrelated experience to where they want to go full time,” Bourke said. “This is why paying attention to the job description and using what you have is important.” Bourke and Zhou gave students many more helpful tips tailored to their major such as how to make a website and cover letter, skills to gain that employers look for and the importance of job sites like LinkedIn. Zhou explained to students that making a website as a marketing student is important both in school and when finding a job. “Make a website like Wix where you can add projects you complete throughout college on there, so you don’t have to worry about it later,” Zhou said. Many students said they were initially nervous to take a class about making a resume because it seems intimidating. However, after listening to Bourke’s tips, they felt relief. Kiauna Rollins, a sophomore marketing major, learned new skills like how to improve soft skills and how to make a cover letter. “A lot of the Career Center tips are helpful because a lot of business-related jobs […] require a certain level or professionalism,” Rollins said. “However, these are great tips that anyone can use.” contact Chloe Chapel at chapelcb@warhawks.ulm.edu
August 23, 2021
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
PAGE 9 NEWS
Sexual Harassment
graphic by Sunil Bishwokarma
photo courtesy MCT Campus
NO MEANS NO: According to CBS News, Andrew Cuomo has served three terms as the governor of New York and was hoping to run for a fourth term in 2022. He would have been only the second governor of New York to serve a fourth term.
NY Gov. Cuomo resigns amid allegations Democratic Party condemns Cuomo, asks for resignation by Chloe Chapel
Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York announced his resignation after nearly a dozen sexual harassment allegations. This comes in response to a 165-page report from the New York State Attorney General’s office that consisted of over 200 interviews and thousands of texts, photos and documents. The report proves Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women. Nine of whom are current or former state employees, according to NPR. Despite there being over a hundred pages of evidence against Cuomo, he denied intentionally mistreating women and blamed it on “generational and cultural differences.” However, he chose to resign instead of going through the impeachment process in order to “avoid causing more political turmoil in New York.” Many people are skeptical of his decision to resign for numerous reasons.
The first being the fact that he has yet to make a formal resignation letter. He has had almost two weeks and there is still no letter with his signature on the bottom admitting that he will leave office. The second problem is that without a formal impeachment he could run for office again in the future. Jennifer Dumas, an assistant professor of political science, explained that people were pressing for impeachment because it would limit Cuomo’s ability to serve a fourth term. Cuomo was going to run for a fourth term as governor of New York in 2022, which has only been achieved one other time in New York. “The stars were really aligned for him up until a year ago” Dumas said. “The idea was that he might be able to achieve that fourth term that his father was not able to achieve.” Another problem with his resignation is the amount of support he has. Dumas Cuomo has been idolized as a politician for many years, especially during COVID. Cuomo was seen as the COVID hero because
of the way he responded to the pandemic compared to the rest of the country. However, in January, he faced a lot of controversy when he was accused of deliberately obscuring nursing home deaths caused by COVID. Despite this controversy, he was still loved and idolized by many.
We live in a country where we can support those with who we align our beliefs and morals. Ethan Estis, president of College Republicans While many people condemn idolizing politicians, Ethan Estis, president of College Republicans, feels Cuomo’s situation should not be a
representation of everyone in politics. “We live in a country where we can support those with who we align our beliefs and morals,” Estis said. “However, the governor found himself in between a rock and a hard spot, and he must face the consequences.” Although Cuomo still Estis has many loyal supporters many people in his own party have “spearheaded his impeachment,” according to Dumas. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said Cuomo should resign because his actions were “profoundly disturbing, inappropriate and completely unacceptable.” Estis agrees, and feels the best thing Cuomo can do is to step down and remain compliant. “I have no respect for anyone that commits sexual harassment,” Estis said. “It’s time for him to own up to the mistake, step down, and be compliant with an investigation, should there be one.”
Chloe Chapel at chapelcb@warhawks.ulm.edu
PAGE 10
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
FREESTYLE
August 23, 2021
WEEK OF photo by Carley Nail
‘SNO’ MUCH FUN: There was a snow cone truck as well as free food available to students every day from local vendors.
Students enjoy free food, games in back-to-school festivities by Uchechi Owunna
As Ashish Dev walked into the lobby of the Wesley building, he was transported to a time, four years ago, when he stood in that same spot confused, scared and hungry for what this new country had to offer. Now as a senior majoring in computer science, Dev spent last Friday welcoming other international students at a back-toschool party to connect with the incoming students and to celebrate his last first week of college. “During your freshman year, be open to initiating conversations with people on campus. Have fun but don’t compromise your grades in the process,” Dev told the new students. “Your freshman year is really fun and you’ll meet a lot of people from all walks of life. Try to step out of your comfort zone and engage with the culture around you.” This event was one of many hosted by CAB, Chi Alpha and the Wesley Foundation throughout last week. The first week of school, affectionately referred to as Week of Welcome, is a week of giveaways, games, free food and new friendships. Sydney Scott, a junior nursing major, was one of the few domestic students that attended international welcome party and said that she thoroughly enjoyed herself.
photo courtesy ULM photo services
TRUE WARHAWK FASHION: Ties with ULM Guys hosted their first menswear fashion show with clothing by Phirst Impression Menswear.
“I heard about this event from my friend from church,” Scott said. “There was a lot of good food, beautiful conversation and I was able to meet a lot of international students and show them that they are welcome to ULM and also show them the love of Jesus.” Tyler Jay Gerfers, the director of Chi Alpha and one of the cohosts of the welcome party, said that they hope that no matter what they do they will always create opportunities to build bridges of friendship between international and domestic
students. “Within the first two weeks on campus, incoming students start making decisions that will impact their future, such as: which organizations they want to get involved with and the friends they make,” Gerfers said. “At Chi Alpha, we like to provide multiple opportunities for students to make friends and experience real community.” So many different classifications of RSOs showed up to make this year’s Week of Welcome memorable for both returning and
August 23, 2021
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
PAGE 11
FREESTYLE
WELCOME
photos courtesy ULM photo services
ON CLOUD NINE: There was bungee jumping in Bayou Park along with giveaways of ULM merch like t-shirts and coozies.
photos courtesy ULM photo services
PLAYING AROUND: There were free games and activities every day of the week for students to enjoy.
incoming students, one of which was the Baptist Collegiate Ministry. The BCM hosted a variety of events throughout this week to welcome students back to campus and make them feel welcome. They seemed to have taken the early bird proverb literally as they launched their week of welcoming on Saturday night with a block party. Hope Jones, a senior atmospheric science major who also serves on the lead team of the BCM said this was a great opportunity for new students to get to know the people and RSOs around campus. “It’s really nice when you feel welcome somewhere and the week of welcome is like the school saying, ‘We’re glad you are here, we care about you and want you to make it to the end of the semester’ to the incoming students,” Jones said. Many churches showed up for the BCM luau that was hosted outside in the yard of the building, to enable social distancing. This created an opportunity for the students to meet churches, people and make connections. On Monday, the first day of celebration, Warhawks played dress-up in a fashion show hosted by CAB. Dylan LaBoeuf, a senior pre-pharmacy major who cohosted
SUNSHINE AND SMILES: The events gave students a chance to meet new friends and spend time with old ones during the hectic first week of school.
the event, said that even though this was their first fashion show, they’re looking to making it an annual event. “The fashion show was important because it helped build and strengthen the relationship between students and faculty by throwing a little fun into an informative show,” LaBoeuf said. Seth Hall, the chief strategy officer for the university, represented the administration as a model in the fashion show. “As a younger person, I wouldn’t have known the difference between casual and business casual,” Hall said. “We want our students to be prepared to be more successful than they ever dreamed possible and a small part of that is knowing how to dress for specific occasions.” There was an abundance of refreshments, music and laughter as the hosts tried to keep the students entertained and engaged.
“My favorite part of the event was actually spending time with the student participants behind the scenes. I enjoyed hearing their stories and seeing their, personalities” Hall said. “Plus, they did an awesome job of hyping each other up. Including myself.” RSOs came back with a bang this year after last year’s Week of Welcome that was pared down due to the pandemic. Even though Convocation, the fireworks show and the pep rally were postponed due to bad weather, the participating organizations celebrated Warhawks’ return to the nest in an unforgettable way. contact Uchechi Owunna at owunnaud@warhawks.ulm.edu
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
PAGE 12
August 23, 2021
FREESTYLE
Tips
How to achieve academic success this semester by Ayushma Shrestha
graphic by Sunil Bishwokarma
Student Poem
Two to Tango
The long, beautiful days of summer have come to an end and it’s time to begin a new semester with a fresh mindset. Whether you’re a freshman or a returning student it’s important to put your best foot forward in the new school year. Here are a few tips to help you achieve academic success this semester: Set academic expectations and come up with a study plan. While transitioning from summer to fall it can be challenging to adjust to the new schedule and meet the demands of a new semester. It’s especially stressful if you have additional work and family obligations. This tip will help you ease into the semester. The key to this is to remember that there are no small or big goals. Every goal, whether it is earning a certain GPA, making the president’s list or forming strategies to thrive in that dreaded math class, counts. The most important part is to set goals that are outside your comfort zone. This will enable you grow and develop new skills. Among all the things high-achieving students advocate, the significance of time management is one that comes up frequently. Tram Phan, a junior marketing major who maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA, believes the key to success is to manage your schedule.
“Unlike high school, where there were certain subjects that I could catch up by the middle of the semester, college has given me deadlines and frequent exams that require much more planning,” Phan said. Later in the semester as schoolwork starts piling up it will be critical to deliberately plan your week while keeping track of important projects and deadlines. Phan’s go-to method is to put all her deadlines in a planner or a calendar. There are several systems and apps Phan out there like Excel that help students stay on top of their assignments. Placing reminders on your phone and laptop or even using a sticky note to remind you of your responsibilities will keep you on your toes. Other equally crucial strategies are to take notes in class and review them well in advance. Asking questions in class or meeting up with a professor can seem intimidating but most professors are more than happy to provide clarification and help students meet their academic goals. When in doubt, don’t hesitate. Just ask. contact Ayushma Shrestha at shresthaa2@warhawks.ulm.edu
Recommendations
Top summer movies to watch
by Anonymous
Tap, tap, smack smack smack, The sound of a dance echoes through the room. A step forward, a step backward, A broken rhythm that delights the eyes. Bodies glistening, toes curling, and faces etched in concentrated pleasure. As our dancers wriggle around to a self-orchestrated tune, With the rising tempo and the fluid footwork, the urge for a perfect sway stings the air. As they break apart with a sigh of contempt and an undertone of disappointment. Another dance lurking on the horizon.
“Luca”
Pixar’s latest adventure takes us on a laid-back, personal quest with sea monsters. Breathtaking visuals bathed in bright pastel colors reinforce Pixar’s animation prowess. Follow Luca and Alberto through an Italian seaside town as they tread into a foreign world. Cute, simplistic and more relatable than you’d think. Swim over to Disney+.
“Old” Director M. Night Shyamalan returns with his knack for twists in this suspenseful mystery. A group of strangers in a resort are taken to an isolated beach. However, they become noticeably older as hours pass by. These people of different personalities and lives must work together to escape. Unless they die of old age first. This movie is currently only in theaters.
“Cruella” Disney strays from its line of Renaissance remakes for a refreshing origin story of the titular villainess. Emma Stone and Emma Thompson fight to upstage each other in a gorgeous fashion show hoedown. We are given an intimate look into Cruella de Vil’s beginnings, rise to infamy and fateful family secret unbeknownst to her. Strut to Disney+.
“In the Heights” Director Jon M. Chu of “Crazy Rich Asians” joins forces with Lin Manuel-Miranda in this foot-tapping celebration of Latino pride. Miranda concocts an addicting soundtrack fused with Latino, rap and pop influences. A slice-of-life musical about Usnavi, an average man from Washington Heights, New York with big dreams. If you loved “Hamilton,” groove over to Amazon Prime Video.
August 23, 2021
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
PAGE 13 FREESTYLE FREESTYLE
Crossword
Horoscope Aries You can be especially productive behind closed doors. Privacy encourages creativity. Reassess priorities, plans and resources. Fulfill dreams with logistical preparation. Strengthen basic elements.
Taurus Help strengthen foundations with a community or team project near to your heart. Don’t push limitations. Patiently wait for developments. Build strategically.
Gemini Devote energy to fulfill a professional vision. Infuse love into your work. Tailor plans to fit the budget. You can get what you need.
Across
1 Periods of history 5 __ Pujols, fourth MLBer to reach 6,000 total bases 11 Area for experiments 14 __ Raton, Fla. 15 Ballerina, at times 16 Bullfight “Bravo!” 17 *Hitchhiked 19 Take the gold 20 Took the wheel 21 Drained of energy 23 Firebug’s crime 26 Changes direction 27 Create a raised logo on, say 31 “My pleasure” 33 Señor’s squiggle 34 Said further 35 Put money in, as a parking meter 38 Board game with nine rooms 39 Picture within a picture 40 Heap, as of wood
41 Weeding tool 42 Judicial orders 43 Zesty dip for tortilla chips 44 Line in pressed pants 46 Movie theater feature 47 Throbbed 49 CNN journalist Hill 51 Doctoral candidate’s project 53 Beers served with lime 58 Tell a tall tale 59 Cry to one blocking your view at a concert ... and a hint to the answers to starred clues 62 Classifieds, e.g. 63 Apple device featuring Siri 64 Italian wine region 65 Go out with 66 Skimpy swimsuits 67 Wanton look
Down
1 Recedes, like the tide 2 Sports blowout 3 Wile E. Coyote’s supplier 4 “The __”: “What she’s having” 5 Trees with catkins 6 Takes charge 7 Granola __ 8 Prefix with dermis 9 Wine list heading 10 Picked up the check 11 *Something kept to avoid attention 12 Sci-fi visitor 13 Gives a little 18 Clear of data, e.g. 22 Erect, with “up” 24 Golden-ager 25 Network junctions 27 Mark with acid 28 Venus de __ 29 *Dressing with Buffalo wings 30 Tribute in verse 32 Dog doc 34 Biscotti flavoring
36 “If all __ fails ... “ 37 Faculty head 39 Nest egg acronym 40 Four, for most golf holes 42 “Way to go, team!” 43 Winter neck warmer 45 Hi-__ audio 46 Biscuits at teas 47 Book with maps 48 Reprimand 50 Cake topping 52 Many a jayvee player 54 Taken by mouth 55 Carrot, on a snowman 56 Start the kitty 57 Mix, as a liquid 60 Abbott and Costello’s first baseman 61 Oui’s opposite
Cancer Cultural and academic explorations tempts. Dream and plan. Satiate a craving for adventure with new flavors, arts and music. Investigate a subject of fascination.
Courtesy of MCT Campus
Libra Learn from the competition. Listen, watch and observe. A dream inspires. You have a secret power source. Practice to build energy and strength.
Scorpio Advance a matter of the heart. Don’t get pushy. Let things unfold. Strengthen bonds with shared fun and relaxation. Capture your creative vision.
Sagittarius Relax and have fun with family and friends. Share dreams and aspirations. Weave collaborative efforts into the realization of household improvements. Enjoy home comforts.
Capricorn Articulate dreams, visions and plans. Schedule actions for later. Consider necessary steps for beautiful results and add them into the calendar. Prepare and plot.
Leo
Aquarius
Consider future possibilities. Imagine how you’d like things to go. Realization takes planning, coordination and action. Outline options first. Discuss and implement later.
Your ideas are attracting attention. Polish attention to details like branding and presentation. Organize plans for lucrative opportunities. Schedule meetings. Prepare to share.
Virgo Listen to your partner, and ask to be heard when needed. Otherwise, don’t rock the boat. Share the load. Provide support. You’re building a dream together.
Pisces You’re growing stronger. Set aside fears or preconceptions. Don’t push limitations or barriers today. Look around for hidden doors. Follow your heart.
graphic by Sunil Bishwokarma
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
August 23, 2021
SPORTS
Opinion
Attendance limit will save season
NFL
Miscommunication may cost Saints and star wide receiver Michael Thomas by Jonah Bostick
Maggie Eubanks By Maggie Eubanks
Football in Louisiana is more than a game—it’s an experience. Much of it centers around Saturday night tailgates or cookouts before the game. Attending the games and being a part of that atmosphere is central to the experience. But right now, we must do our part and stay home. Seating capacity and mask mandates at outdoor events will prevent the spread of COVID while still allowing our beloved football to continue. Last year, with case numbers rising, Louisiana instilled a 25% seating capacity on all outdoor sporting events. As things seemed to be getting better, Gov. Edwards drew back on regulations and capacity went to 50% then eventually went away on April 28 this year. At the beginning of summer this seemed to be the right move. Louisiana’s case numbers were the lowest they had been since the pandemic began and it seemed as though we could make a transition into post-pandemic life. But the Delta variant has caused Louisiana’s case numbers to make a complete turnaround and we’re seeing our highest numbers yet. According to AP News, our state has the highest number of new COVID cases per capita in the U.S. Our doctors and hospitals are overrun. There are currently over 3,000 COVID patients in Louisiana hospitals, with over 400 of those on ventilators. If we hold football games at full capacity, it will cause super-spreader events that will lead to football not being held at all. We must take this virus seriously and take a page out of last season’s playbook. Putting a seating cap of at least 50% and mandating masks at these events will allow the season to continue as planned. Until our case numbers begin to drop or our vaccination numbers rise, we must do our part to stop the spread. Some of us will have to watch from home, but putting lives on the line to watch a game in person is not the way to go. contact Maggie Eubanks at eubanksml@warhawks.ulm.edu
New Orleans Saints’ wide receiver Micheal Thomas has set himself apart from the rest of the league. He has become one of the most productive members on the team since he was taken in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He has been to three Pro Bowls, named First Team All-Pro twice and his 149 receptions in a single season is an NFL record. However, there has been conflict with the star wideout and the Saints, as the team feels that Thomas has not been open with the organization. The main cause of the conflict is the recent ankle surgery Thomas underwent in June. While this surgery was necessary, the Saints feel that the surgery was ill timed, as Thomas’ timeline for return is uncertain. Optimistic reports say he could be back within the first six weeks, while others say he will not be healthy until midseason.
A report put out by Jeff Duncan of the Times Picayune stated that Thomas is at fault for failing to communicate with his team about surgery. “The most talented receiver in Saints history dropped the ball,” Duncan said. After news of this went public, Thomas took to Twitter. “They tried to damage your reputation,” Thomas said. “You saved theirs by not telling your side of the story.” Thomas has gained a negative image based on his actions on Twitter. His real-world actions have done the same. Thomas was benched from a prime time matchup this past season for punching a teammate in practice. He missed eight other regular season games due to his ankle injury. Duncan also stated that Thomas has not returned head coach Sean Payton’s calls since their playoff loss in January. A recent report by Duncan states that
Thomas and the team are mending their relationship. Thomas traveled with the team to Baltimore in their first preseason game and was on the sideline with his teammates. This comes in the wake of rumors that the 2019 Offensive Player of the Year was requesting a trade. Thomas is in year three of a five-year contract, which is worth $96 million with $60 million guaranteed. At the time, Thomas was the highest paid receiver in NFL history. With longtime quarterback Drew Brees retiring this offseason, Thomas is expected to a centerpiece in the offense. The Saints are already plagued with a lack of depth at his position. Along with other injuries, suspensions and retirements, the Saints are in for a rough season. contact Jonah Bostick at bostickjm @warhawks.ulm.edu
NCAA
College athletes score big with new NIL policy by Jonah Bostick
On the first of July, the new name, image and likeness (NIL) policy came into effect throughout all college sports. This rule enables collegiate athletes to have the ability to make money through sponsorships. All athletes, no matter how big their name, could now make a profit. The ruling comes after the United States Supreme Court decided 9-0 that college athletes can receive unlimited benefits. For years, the NCAA has enforced strict guidelines on the profit of college athletes, and athletes found making money would receive punishments and possible suspensions. One harsh example was when 2004 Heisman trophy winner Reggie Bush was stripped of his award and his team was forced to relinquish their national title. While the athletes themselves couldn’t profit off of their own name, the schools and coaching staffs made millions. In 29 states, college coaches are the highest earning state employees. Meanwhile, collegiate athletes could not profit off their name or even hold a job. Instead, athletes were required to rely on booster club donations. Many athletes found this to be unfair as oth-
ers were profiting off of the hours of work they put into their sport while they themselves didn’t receive a dime from their own work. The NIL policy was installed after a long legal battle with the NCAA. Now athletes can profit from the work they put in and begin building their financial careers at a younger age. As soon as the rule was put into place, sponsorships were being made. Jackson State
defensive end Antwan Owens was the first athletes to receive an endorsement, doing so the day the NIL rule was announced. “I was really surprised when they did this,” said linebacker Taylor Behl, who is a secondyear player for the ULM football team. “It’s a cool way to build your own brand and get your name out there”. Alabama football head coach Nick Saban stated that star players on his teams potentially made in excess of one million dollars within the first week of the ruling. Although the NIL rule can bring many good things for young college athletes, it can also introduce the factor of corruption into an athlete. With athletes now having the ability to make career money at a young age, some worry they can become corrupt with their money and some could make unwise choices with the money they can now make at 18 years old. Skeptics push for better education of finance and budgeting among athletes. Overall, the NIL rule produces mostly positive results for collegiate athletes and introduces fairness between athletes and the schools they represent. contact Jonah Bostick at bostickjm @warhawks.ulm.edu
August 23, 2021
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
PAGE 15
SPORTS
Soccer
photo courtesy ULM athletics
CAPTAIN CLUTCH: Theoni Zerua moves the ball upfield on her way to her game-winning goal.
ULM topples Texas Southern in OT by Maggie Eubanks
ULM started their season on the road with a victory against the Texas Southern Tigers. This is only the seventh time in school history that the Warhawks have won the season opener, and the first time since 2014. This win puts ULM in a great position to start the season after dropping their first 11 games last season. As regular time ran out, the game moved into overtime as the score was still tied at 1-1. This is where the Warhawks would take the lead when senior Theoni Zerva scored a goal in the 97th minute off an assist by freshman Mara Grutkamp. Texas Southern was able to take an early lead scoring at the 30-minute mark from 40 yards out. According to head coach Sean Fraser, this goal was a wake up call for the Warhawks. “We were way too sluggish in the first 30 minutes and conceded a goal that we shouldn’t have,” Fraser said. “It took that goal to wake us up. After the goal, we stepped up a few levels and played in the manner that we have trained.” After that goal, ULM kept a dominant look. They only allowed two shots on the goal for the rest of the game. Meanwhile on offense they delivered 11 shots on the goal of Texas Southern. Coming into the second half, the Warhawks came out playing well and looking to even things up. The equalizing goal came in the 68th minute when ULM senior Ermelinda Pantaleao scored off a corner kick.
ULM looks poised and ready to make a great run this season. “There’s lots to keep working on, so I can’t wait to get back in the video room and on the training ground,” Frasier said. The Warhawks will look to continue this early success as they take on Central Arkansas at home this Friday at 7 p.m. ULM soccer faced a number of challenges last season. In addition to COVID, there was an unprecedented divide in the season. The Warhawks went winless in the 10-game fall campaign. Their fate changed in the spring where they won five out of eight games. ULM will be led by several standout players this season. In her second season with the Warhawks, Janet Stopka will likely be a productive player after she led the team with 10 goals last season. This tied the school record for most goals in a single season and gained her an honorable mention All-Louisiana selection. Theoni Zerva and freshman Lena Göppel bring an international look to the team as they have played with the Hellenic and Liechtenstein national teams respectively. These players make for a dynamic look on the Warhawks’ roster this season. Sun Belt play will start on Sept. 19 for ULM where they will look to bounce back from last season when they lost all eight conference games. With this early success and these welltested players, a better season looks to be on the horizon. contact Maggie Eubanks at eubanksml@warhawks.ulm.edu
graphic by Sunil Bishwokarma
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
August 23, 2021
SPORTS
Volleyball
photos by Carley Nail
DEFEND THE NEST: A flock of Warhawks hustles on defense against the Southeastern Louisiana Lions. This young unit will have to weather a 10-game road stretch to start their season.
Growing pains in exhibition Warhawks drop four of five sets against Southeastern by Cameron Jett
THE BIG TIME: Freshman libero Cameron Rogers makes her debut for ULM.
With the regular season looming, Warhawks volleyball hosted the Southeastern Louisiana Lions in a five-set exhibition matchup. The youth-filled ULM team was bested four sets to one by Southeastern. This is their only showing before opening against Oral Roberts on Aug. 27 in the Katrinka Crawford Invitational at Lamar University. ULM showed flashes of their potential throughout the matchup. In the fifth set the Warhawks found themselves trailing 1-10 against the Lions. The young Warhawks fought their way on an impressive 11-2 run. Southeastern however would quickly jump ahead and seal the final set 15-12. “Southeastern was a great challenge,” said head coach Charlie Olson. “They were ranked third in
the preseason polls for their conference.” The Warhawks were victorious in the second set with a stingy defense that never allowed the Lions to take the lead. ULM posted a 70% hitting percentage in the second set. Their defense held Southeastern to their worst in the showcase, limiting them to 40%. “We had to shake off our first game jitters,” said Olson. “I saw it even in our veterans.” Olson is entering his third year as head coach of volleyball at ULM. He looks to right the wrongs of last season as this year’s schedule returns to normalcy. ULM will get to play a full conference schedule, whereas last year they did not compete with the Sun Belt’s eastern division until the conference tournament. “We dug ourselves into a massive hole in the fifth set,” Olson said. “We can either let this define us or use it as an opportunity to change.” Olson’s team will be tested early on with a 10-game road trip to open the 2021 campaign. It will not be until Sept. 14 until the Warhawks return home to host Louisiana Tech. Olson hopes this trip, which in-
cludes two invitational tournaments, will give his team time to build chemistry together on and off the court. This team is drastically different from the one that lost 22 straight games last season. There are 10 new members of the team, nine of whom are freshmen, and another who is a redshirt junior from Hofstra. Mariana Volponi e Giordan is expected to bring some veteran experience on a team with just one senior. Cali Assaley, the lone senior, led her team with 12 kills versus the Lions. Junior Darby Fisher posted 34 of the Warhawks’ 37 assists. Freshman Avery Cole tallied three blocks. The Warhawks will play against high-level teams this season. They will face off against the likes of Houston, Tulane, Mississippi State and Missouri State. In addition to Louisiana Tech and Tulane, they will face many in-state rivals. They will meet Northwestern State, Grambling State and matchup with McNeese State twice before meeting Lafayette in conference play. contact Cameron Jett at jettcm@warhawks.ulm.edu