No. 11 (November 15, 2012)

U University News Thursday, November 15, 2012

the

Vol. XCXI No. 11

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A student voice of SLU since 1919

Tourney bound: SLU Soccer makes the grade

By CHARLES BOWLES Sports Editor

Photo Courtsey of Atlantic 10 Conference

Saint Louis University Men’s Soccer Team celebrates after moving on to the NCAA Tournament.

What a difference a year makes. Last season, the men’s soccer team was dejected after their hopes of getting into the Atlantic 10 tournament were dashed in a double-overtime loss against University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

This season, however the team entered the tournament at Charlotte strong and determined as one of the favorites to claim the A-10 conference title. After four long days,

the Billikens emerged with the A-10 conference crown and a berth to the NCAA tournament.

“Last year was definitely a humbling experience and I think that we all have learned from last year’s mistakes and we are ready to move forward,” sophomore forward Kingsley Bryce said. “This was a great accomplishment, but we still have more work to do.”

The men’s soccer had to face three A-10 opponents who were looking to enhance their own NCAA tournament credentials.

The Bills were unfazed by their opponents and marched to claim the title.

The Bills started the A-10 tournament against the La Salle Explorers.

The game was slow until the 24th minute when Robbie Kristo got his 10th goal of the season. He was assisted by Jon Roeckle.

The Bills also added a second goal, but it was waived due to an offside penalty. The team took a 1-0 lead into halftime.

In the second half, the Bills had many opportunities to score, but

were unable to do so. This left the game open for La Salle. In the 79th minute, La Salle’s Jason Plumhoff knocked the ball past the Bills goalkeeper, Nick Shackelford, to equalize the game at 1-1.

However, as in previous games, the Bills responded.

In the 86th minute, freshman David Graydon sent the ball up the right side of the field to Alex Sweetin.

Sweetin crossed the ball into the box. The ball was met by a sliding Kingsley See “Soccer” on Page 12

Learning outcomes Giving back to those who serve planned for 2014 University program offers benefits to veterans

By WOLF HOWARD Associate News Editor

A new form of university evaluation is on the horizon, as a task force has been finalizing the University-wide undergraduate student learning outcomes.

Plans for developing learning outcomes started in the spring of 2012. Since then, the draft has gone through two revisions after feedback from various university faculty and administrative groups. The final draft has been open to feedback from all parties through a contact email on the student learning outcomes’ website.

“The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” Donna LaVoie, the associate dean of planning and resources said. “We have had the opportunity to meet with about 450 people [including faculty, staff, and students] across our multiple sessions of sharing the outcomes… Many of the comments we’ve received have been very helpful in shaping the specifics of the outcomes.”

The learning outcomes will serve as a way of measuring how well Saint Louis University is fulfilling its mission to provide a distinct educational experience. De-

velopment of the learning outcomes was inspired by a desire to more effectively evaluate the University’s progress toward its goals. In addition, the Higher Learning Commission deemed it necessary that SLU have a concrete method of measuring student learning in order to maintain its accreditation.

“We believe that the various educational experiences engaged in by students here at SLU are distinctive and unique to SLU, even amongst our Catholic, Jesuit peer institutions,” LaVoie said. “It’s important that we not make these claims, though, without being able to evidence that such claims are true.”

In the current learning outcomes document there are five tenets that are considered to effectively communicate a distinctive SLU experience: spirituality, community, knowledge, inquiry and leadership. It has four main sections, which outline more specifically what students are expected to achieve upon graduation from the university.

One criterion of the learning outcomes draft states that graduates will be See “Learning” on Page 2

Fast-a-thon fosters faith and understanding

By IAN SULLIVAN Staff Writer

INSIDE:

Fast-a-Thon returns to Saint Louis University’s campus on Nov. 19, offering students an opportunity to grow stronger as a community. The day offers full exposure to Muslim traditions and the Islamic faith.

Fast-a-Thon provides the option to students, both Muslim and non-Muslim, to fast from sun-up to sundown. While fasting is a primary component of the day, there are a few main goals the Muslim Student Association hopes to achieve.

“The holistic purpose is to create a community where people identify as Muslim and also to spread awareness of the Islamic beliefs and traditions to break down stigmas and stereotypes associated with the

faith,” Patrice French, an advisor to MSA said. “Islam has gathered so much attention the last couple years with all the issues pertaining to a couple extremists.

However, people can’t let their opinions of something they don’t know much about be defined by underlying assumptions of others. It really takes an active approach of learning through others by reaching out.”

It is her third year involved with the event, French works to ensure the day goes as smoothly as possible. Coordinating with the University and its policies and procedures, she handles the logistics such as planning financially.

“The student leaders take the lead for brainstormSee “Fast” on Page 3

NEWS

>> Meet a ‘spinning’ pilot

Photo Courtesy of Saint Louis University Military Program

Senior Mel Flege holds an AT4 during a training exercise as a part of SLU Army Reserve Officer’s Training Corps.

By DERRICK NEUNER Enterprise Editor

Justin Krofta had always wanted to be in the United States Marine Corps. He thought he could make a career out of the military. Upon graduating from high school, he took a job plating circuit boards for automotive vehicles. It was 2003, and he was 19. The itch to join never left, and the time seemed right.

“I said to myself, ‘If I don’t go now, I never will.’”

Krofta was in boot camp when the United States began military activities in Iraq. He knew his assignment would involve combat.

Following boot camp, Krofta was sent overseas as a combat engineer as part of a newly formed anti-terrorist battalion, an infantry battalion in charge of high-risk personnel protection. He was deployed to eastern Africa, near Somalia, as part of the Operation Enduring Freedom mission. He laments that he never got “his chance” to go serve in Afghanistan or Iraq.

He left the Corps in 2007 when he came to Saint Louis University. What he found was startling: though he was specially trained for the military, he was essentially no further qualified for college than a high school senior. In terms of academics, he was years behind.

“I figured, well, if I don’t have college, I’ll be able to keep up with my peers by at least having military experience with the training and that kind of thing,” Krofta said. “All that kind of stuff is wiped away.

“You’re getting out and you’re like I’ve got all of this experience but no job wants that experience.”

It’s a crisis facing many veterans of the two wars launched since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Without any college education, and an anemic job market, the number of post-9/11 veterans without a job has skyrocketed. According to the See “Veterans” on Page 3

Board of Trustee members meet with Faculty Senate

By KRISTEN MIANO News Editor

On Tuesday, Nov. 13, the Faculty Senate met in an extra session to further discuss their motivations behind the vote of no confidence they passed on Tuesday, Oct. 30 against Lawrence Biondi S.J., the president of Saint Louis University.

The meeting was called after the Faculty Senate sent an invitation to the Board of Trustees requesting they attend a meeting with the Faculty Senate so the senators could further explain their motivations for the vote of no confidence. Two unidentified members of the Board attended the meeting, but

2 OPINION

>> Thanking and honoring

only to observe.

“The Board members would rather listen than present anything,” said Mark Kneupfer, the president of the Faculty Senate.

“This will be a discussion period to go over what the issues are that lead us to the vote of no confidence.”

A separate meeting was held between the members of the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate and five members of the Board of Trustees on Thursday, Nov. 1. It was agreed, however, that the specifics of the meeting would be kept confidential.

“As far as we know, this is the first open meeting we See “Senate” on Page 3

4 ARTS

Kristen Miano/News Editor

Attendants of the Faculty Senate Meeting on Tuesday Nov. 13 exit the Pitlyk Auditorium.

7 SPORTS

>> SLU Theatre presents

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11

Stunner at Chaifetz

2 NEWS

NOVEMBER 15, 2012

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Let Us Introduce You: Matt Hurley Aspiring pilot passes time on the ground as a DJ

By IAN SULLIVAN Staff Writer

Many students spend college and the time beyond searching for the profession they are most passionate about. Sophomore Matt Hurley found his true passion in third grade.

At only eight years old, Hurley climbed aboard an airplane for his first flying lesson. He flew a plane solo for the first time on his 16th birthday, and received his pilot’s license when he was only 17 years old. Currently, Hurley is working toward a commercial pilot’s license, majoring in aviation management with a minor in flight science.

Though active on campus, many might recognize him from a different scene.

While maintaining a professional demeanor in the air, on the ground, Hurley pursues his other passion— working as a DJ. Whether on his KSLU show, “House Music Fridays,” or at a club, Hurley is usually behind a sound mixer. This passion began at his eighth-grade dance when he requested a song from the DJ and got a look at the lights and boards. He was fascinated and wasted no time getting involved.

“I got $100 and bought some piece-of-junk equipment off Craig’s List,” Hurley said. “I stuck my walkman on one side [of the mixer] and my iPod on the other, fading between the two, doing backyard parties.”

In high school, he encountered more opportunities to put his talent to work.

“I got an upgraded mixer and some better equipment.

By the end of high school, I had two guys working for me. We did sweet-16s, birthdays, you name it,” Hurley said.

Starting off in the small town of Westwood, Mass., Hurley has since opened for shows such as “Dayglow.”

He attributes a lot of opportunities to being in the right place at the right time.

THE SLU SCOOP All Information Provided by Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Friday, Nov. 9

2:07 a.m. - SICK CASE

Saturday, Nov. 10 6:12 p.m. - STEALING

A plumbing contractor noticed the rear door of his van standing open.

He relocked the van thinking he may not have initially secured it. When he returned to the van, he noticed an electric hand held jackhammer tool missing. The contractor did not want to call SLMPD.

An officer and a Pro-Staff worker discovered an unknown female being carried by students. It was determined the person was the sister Tuesday, Nov. 13 of a student attending a party. The intoxicated person was a minor. 10:00 a.m. - MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT EMS arrived and conveyed her to The University reported a golf cart missing from DuBourg Hall. The Cardinal Glennon Hospital. .

LOST AND FOUND: http://slulf.com/selectitemtype.aspx John Schuler/Photo Editor

“I got really lucky. I met a guy named Domenic Laury, or DJ SlantE. It turned out he was one of the most prominent DJs in St. Louis and he kind of took me under his wing,” Hurley said.

With one connection after the other, this smalltown DJ made a name for himself working in the busy nightlife of St. Louis. Rather than allowing the “quasicelebrity” status to go to his head, Hurley finds possibility and encouragement in his successes instead.

“I opened for George Acosta. By the end of his concert, he told us he was hungry, so we all went and got slingers downtown.

To have a casual conversation with this man who has 500,000 hits in his weekly mix and even to speak with aviators, it all keeps my enthusiasm.” Hurley said.

Fitting two of the most time-consuming activities into one schedule is a daunting task as it is, but Hurley is already planning his own

future after college.

“DJ-ing kind of plays second bananas to flight school,” Hurley said. “At the same time, it’s hard to let go with this whole explosion of the popularity of DJ-ing.

And having been given a lot of opportunities that most aspiring DJs only dream of… It‘s like getting so far and just letting it go.”

While flight school remains his goal for the future, being a DJ is still a “full-time hobby” he intends to hold throughout college.

With his many supporters, Hurley has much gratitude for all the support.

“I feel so blessed to have so many people care about what I do,” Hurley said.

“And my parents, God bless them, giving an eight-yearold control of a small plane!”

Hurley holds strong hope for his future.

“My goal by the end of high school was to be a club DJ and I think it’s been successful. The sky’s the limit from here,” Hurley said.

cart is described as gold in color with four black upholstered seats.

UPDATE On 11/14/12 the golf cart was located. It was parked behind McGannon Hall.

Be a Responsible Billiken STOP. CALL. REPORT. 314-977-3000 witness.slu.edu dps.slu.edu

CAMPUS EMERGENCY PHONES: http://www.slu.edu/public-safety-and-emergency-preparedness-home/emergency-phone-locations

Outcomes: Utilizing holistic metrics Continued from Page 1

able to “identify and apply multiple methods of inquiry to address complex questions.”

Spirituality stands out most clearly Jesuit-influenced metric, with the heading, most clearly Jesuitinfluenced metric, with the heading, “Graduates will understand their relationship with the transcendent.”

“Our intent in using this term as part of a universitylevel outcome was to leave room for different understandings of ‘the transcendent’,” the student outcomes website says, “and to encompass the possibility that a person’s relationship with the transcendent is characterized by nonbelief.”

The five principles were informed by “The Five Dimensions of a Saint Louis

University Education,” a document adopted by SLU in 2002 meant to clearly state the University’s idea of holistic student formation in the Jesuit tradition.

Different from the endof-semester surveys which student’s often take in their classes, the learning outcomes will utilize other tools to measure students’ learning experiences.

The process for evaluation will involve samples collected from various students’ papers, capstone projects and other items that demonstrate a student’s capabilities.

Furthermore, the learning outcomes aren’t intended to evaluate students or classes specifically, but to assess the University’s ability as a whole to achieve its goals.

Both curricular and cocurricular activities will be

considered in the grading process.

“Co-curricular experiences are all those activities that aren’t traditionally tied to course work,” LaVoie said. “All these experiences shape an individual, and we want students to be able to reflect on all the activities they engage in while a student, to think about how those activities have shaped or even transformed him or her.”

According to the student outcomes website, the samples will likely be evaluated by faculty and staff and graded against rubrics that the task force will develop after finalizing the learning outcomes document.

LaVoie said that the task force plans to have the outcomes, fully developed rubrics and established methods for collecting samples completed by Fall 2013.

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NOVEMBER 15, 2012

Philanthrophy: Pillar of SLU Greek Life

Students host events to raise money for charities

Photo Courtsey of Zeta Tau Alpha

Zeta Tau Alpha hosted a pie-throwing fundraiser as a part of their philanthrophy efforts nity history. The Phi Delts raise money for the ALS Association, which increases awareness and research for ALS, commonly referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.”

Lou Gehrig was a Phi Delt at Columbia University.

One of the larger philanthropy events held annually at SLU is Delta Gamma’s Anchor Splash. The sorority hosts the weeklong series of events during the spring each year.

Delta Gamma Philanthropy Chair Victoria Glatz said it is a great way to raise money, spread awareness and have fun while doing it.

“It’s a really active, really fun week, and it allows the rest of the University to see that we are proud of our organization, and we really want to help others in our surrounding community,” Glatz said.

The money raised from Anchor Splash goes to Service for Sight, a national organization that helps children and families with visual impairments.

Glatz said Delta Gamma’s commitment to philanthropy goes far beyond Anchor Splash. St. Louis is home to the Delta Gamma Center for Visual Impairment, one of five such sites in the country. Members of the SLU chapter volunteer at the site and hold events to raise funds and awareness for their cause.

Last month, when the sisters of Zeta Tau Alpha held their philanthropy week, Chapter President Grace LaRosa said they particularly focused on engaging the broader campus community.

“We really wanted to open it up to all of campus and get the whole university involved, not just other Greek organizations,” LaRosa said.

The Zetas set up tables in the quad, handed out pink ribbons and even gave out goldfish. The initiative supported the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation, which raises money for breast cancer awareness and education.

“The important thing to remember is that it’s not just about raising money,” LaRosa said. “It’s about raising awareness, too, and about educating people on the signs of breast cancer and what they can do to fight it.”

Program Coordinator for Greek Life Kristin Clemens said this is one of the most important parts of philanthropy here at SLU. “It is not always about the dollar amount they raise, but also about the impact they make, the handson volunteer hours they put in and the connection they have to the cause,” Clemens said.

Greek students at SLU contributed over 1,000 hours of service last year through their fraternities and sororities, in addition to the tens-of-thousands of dollars raised for charitable causes. This year, chapters are on pace to increase those numbers to reaffirm their commitment to their founding values.

SLU Rocketry awarded chartered status

NEWS

Bureau of Labor Statistics in its October unemployment report, 10 percent of post-9/11 veterans are unemployed, compared to the national average of 7.9 percent.

At SLU, the school has taken steps to help veterans, many who have families to support, afford a college education. The nationwide program, called the Yellow Ribbon Program, funds 50 percent of unmet tuition and fee charges for 50 veterans on campus.

According to retired Army Lt. Col. Michael Bamber, program director for military outreach at SLU, the amount each student will receive from SLU will vary but cannot exceed the maximum contracted annual amount of $10,000.

The Yellow Ribbon Program is available to students eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill in all degree programs offered at SLU, excluding the School of Medicine.

For Krofta, the Yellow Ribbon Program has given him a chance to start making a post-military dream come true.

“I came to SLU for aerospace engineering,” Krofta said. “The program allows me to start out on the right foot, as opposed to going into debt and then spending the rest of my life trying to dig myself out of a hole.”

For its efforts, the University has been named one of G.I. Jobs’ “Military Friendly Schools.” The publication honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s veterans as students.

It’s the third year the school has earned such an honor.

But other challenges await veterans when they

return home from war.

Krofta also serves as the president of the Student Veteran Association, a group founded to provide veterans a chance to socialize with one another, network and advocate for returning military members.

The group currently has 19 members, though Krofta says over 250 veterans are enrolled at SLU. Often, these veterans come to SLU in their midto upper-20s and enroll in classes with 18 and 19 year olds. It can make socializing difficult. During an interview for this piece, Krofta spoke at length about the social challenges of coming home from combat.

“There are lots of general issues that the student body never consider about veterans … such as posttraumatic stress disorder.

In a combat zone, you’re always on edge … and you come back here and it’s a safe world. But there are triggers, flashbacks that remind you of the past.

“And the Afghanistan and Iraqi Wars have become commonplace. At this point, people don’t even care about what’s going on, they just want the troops home … but I’ve got that perspective of, ‘Hey my friends are over there.

They’re in danger, and I want to go help out,’ and then you come back here where nobody cares.

“It’s like, well, what the hell do you think I’ve been doing the whole time?”

At SLU, Krofta says, the goal is to get veterans back to speed with their peers, and the Yellow Ribbon Program is helping them to make a living after living in a different world.

“The Yellow Ribbon Program really does give you hope that you can succeed as a civilian.”

Fast: Event aims to foster understanding harmful to us—excessive eating, drinking, smoking.

While some [of these activities] may be fine in moderastorming and planning, and tion, once you abstain from I just make sure we make these things completely, our end result happen sucyou realize how much you cessfully,” French said. don’t need them. It teaches One of these student self-restraint.” leaders is Ziad Maqbool, In the evening, all are co-president of MSA. Maqwelcome to attend a dinner bool’s involvement began in the ballroom in the Busch with accepting a friend’s inStudent Center, along with vitation to help. a presentation and a special “Last year, a friend invitguest. Evening prayer will ed me to help with preparbe lead alongside a presening the food at Fast-a-Thon. tation explaining each step.

I wasn’t very involved in Following dinner will be religion. I participated and a performance by Rohina enjoyed the presentation Malik. and dinner while helping “She is an amazing perout, and I began to let go of son that really has a good these stigmas I had about talent of religious insharing her dividuals,” personal Maqbool said.

We’re just normal connections to her faith He endemc o u r a g e s students who you pass and both non- in the hall and on cam- o n s t r a t e s it to others Muslims and Mus- pus. This is inside of through her lims to par- us, this is what we feel. art, which is live perticipate. He formance. identifies a It’s going to misconcep- --Ziad Maqbool be a really tion comengaging monly held and impacting experience,” toward Fast-a-Thon.

French said.

“People think it’s more of a

All proceeds go ‘Muslim-only’ event, when directly to The World Food it is almost more for nonProgram, a charity that Muslims,” Maqbool said. fights world hunger. The He stated that all stuprogram is funded through dents, regardless of faith, Student Government Assoare not only welcome, but ciation. Whether you are reencouraged to attend. ligious or non-religious, the “This year, we are hopday offers many opportuniing our numbers increase, ties to learn more about the so people can become more Islamic faith and Muslim aware of the message we’re customs. Fast-a-Thon plans sending. Last year we had to break all barriers and near 300, and this year we clear the “smoke-screen” have almost 400 students into create a more aware and volved,” Maqbool said. unified community.

The day itself devotes “We’re just normal stumuch attention to fasting, dents who you pass in the which Maqbool explains inhall and on campus. This volves more than just food. is what is inside of us, this “Hopefully, people is what we feel,” Maqbool pledge to fast, abstaining said. “We want to show evfrom food, but also from erybody we’re all like you. time-wasting activities such The main purpose of Islam as cursing, talking behind is to worship God. It’s also each other’s backs and lyto be good to everybody. ing,” Maqbool said. “We Just as SLU’s mission hope they learn that things states, we are all men and in this life that we hold at women for others.” such a high standard can be Continued from Page 1

John Schuler/ Photo Editor

Denana Vehab speaks during a presentation for Saint Louis University Rocketry. The fledgling group was granted CSO status in this week’s meeting after a comprehensive presentation that included an impressive video of the group’s 11-foot-tall rocket launching 4,600 feet into the air, filmed from an on-rocket camera.

Senate: Proposed survey deemed unacceptable Continued from Page 1

have had with the Board of Trustees,” Kneupfer said. “We can’t divulge the specifics of the meeting, but we discussed what we talked about in our different motions and explained why we are where we are.

The Board was very openminded. There were several things that perhaps they were not being told, but they listened to us.”

There was concern about the secrecy of the meeting.

“It’s the principle of the confidential meeting,” said Stephen Casmier, a senator from the College of Arts and Sciences. “What is the purpose behind keeping secrets in a certain context?”

The Executive Committee stated confidentiality was established in order to ensure the discussion with the members of the Board

stayed open and honest. According to Theodore Vitali C.P., the meeting had no set format. The discussion was guided by the questions of the Board representatives.

“It was enlightening to know that the Board of Trustees did not know much about tenure, let alone the procedures and what the implications were behind the proposal from Patankar and why we rejected it,” Vitali said. “To say that meeting was frank is the understatement of the century. It was a hell of a bridge we crossed.”

Other topics discussed included the perceived climate of fear at SLU, student concerns about freedom of speech and concerns with faculty leaving the University and seeking other jobs.

“It is up to the Board of Trustees to act on our motion of no confidence against Biondi,” Kneupfer

said. “Once the Board has made a decision, we will decide what to do next.”

The committee reviewing sections of the Faculty Manual regarding shared governance will continue to meet. A goal of the committee is to rework the manual to ensure faculty will have a voice in Board meetings.

The senators raised questions concerning the proposed survey regarding the votes of no confidence.

According to Knuepfer, the Senate responded to the administration, stating that they would not accept the survey as a stand-in for the implications of the vote.

“The day after the [Student Government Association] vote of no confidence, we were notified there would be a survey of the faculty,” Knuepfer said. “We responded that we would not accept the survey as a stand-in for the vote. The

Faculty Senate is the representative body for the Faculty and the SGA is the representative body for the students.”

The Executive Committee felt confident the proposal had been withdrawn.

SGA Internal Affairs Vice President Beth Alberty spoke at the meeting about how SGA is looking to distinguish itself from the Faculty Senate.

“SGA has a tentative meeting with the Student Development Committee,” Alberty said. “We want to differentiate ourselves from the Faculty Senate because there has been concern from the administration that we are acting as puppets of the Faculty Senate, but students have their own concerns and problems.”

The Faculty Senate will meet again in two weeks for their regularly scheduled meeting.

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Veterans: Challenges await returning military Continued from Page 1

By CHRIS ACKELS Senior Staff Writer

Each of the 15 fraternities and sororities on campus are founded on certain pillars, certain guiding principles that inspire their day-to-day activities. While many make reference to personal growth, academic achievement and the cultivation of friendship, every Greek organization on Saint Louis University’s campus includes a commitment to community service.

Sororities and fraternities each sponsor a philanthropy – a charitable organization for which chapter members raise money throughout the year. Philanthropies supported by SLU chapters include national organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, supported by Sigma Tau Gamma; Ronald McDonald House, supported by Alpha Delta Pi; or The American Red Cross, supported

by Delta Sigma Phi. Most philanthropies correspond with their national sorority or fraternity initiatives.

Mike Parker, president of SLU’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter, said philanthropy is about more than just raising money.

“It’s something that brings us together as a fraternity,” Parker said. “It connects us to the history of our national organization.”

SAE’s support of Children’s Miracle Network culminates in Paddy Murphy Week, a week-long philanthropy initiative. SAE chapters nationwide host Paddy Murphy Weeks, named after a famous member of SAE in the early 1900s.

Similarly, Phi Delta Theta connects their philanthropy initiatives with their frater-

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U OPINION

NOVEMBER 15, 2012

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Editorials

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to the editor The University News reserves the right not to publish any letters that are deemed intentionally and/or inappropriately inflammatory, more than the 300-word limit or unsigned by the original author. The following are letters and/or website comments. Because the identities of website posters cannot be verified, all website comments should be treated as anonymous. Actual letters to the editor may be submitted online at unewsonline. com or e-mailed to opinion@unewsonline. com. Please include your cell phone number.

Remembering Fr. John Kavanaugh, S.J. Sickness brought me this thought, in that scale of his: Why should I be dismayed, though flame had burned The whole world, as it were a coal, Now I have seen it weighed against a soul?

(W.B. Yeats) Mike Hogan/ Opinion Editor

Demonstrating gratitude for our defenders For months, political debates have raged around the countr y, escalating as the days before the election dwindled. Competing and perhaps incompatible visions of the countr y collided, and often the debates got heated. After so much mudslinging, many Americans have expressed annoyance with all the arguments and the election in general.

Yet this sentiment, while somewhat understandable, is ungrateful. We live in a countr y where free speech is an inherent right and free elections are the norm; most of us have known nothing else. These rights are a priceless gift granted and defended in large part by the armed forces of this great nation.

In the United States we have many choices available to us. Most students at Saint Louis University chose to attend college immediately after high school. They then chose a course of study, and when they graduate they will likely choose to pursue a career in any one of a variety of fields. Yet these choices are only available because someone else, possibly someone younger than most SLU students, made a ver y different set of choices: fatigues instead of flip flops, a battlefield instead of a classroom, ser vice and possible death instead of studying and partying. Ever y person in America is in debt to our nation’s veterans, past and present, who have built a countr y in which choice is possible.

And when Americans made the choice that has made the most news headlines recently—the election of our president—that transition was made peacefully, without anyone resorting to violence in order to seize power. We must never forget that this is a rarity, an anomaly in the

violent histor y of the human race. The security and stability this countr y enjoys is owed to our armed forces, men and women who both defend the nation against threats from without and respect the will of the people within.

Last Saturday, November 11 marked Veterans Day, a day set aside to commemorate and show gratitude for our veterans and armed ser vice members. Yet we owe our veterans much more than a tip of the hat once a year. It is a tragic fact that in the year so far we have lost more American militar y personnel to suicide than to combat-related deaths. War is a scarring experience and we civilians may never truly understand that, but what we can do is reach out to those who have ser ved our countr y. The smallest gestures of solidarity can make the biggest difference.

Furthermore, it is the duty of ever y individual and institution to help our veterans find a place when they return to the countr y they’ve ser ved. As President Barack Obama said after winning last week’s election, we must “make sure that no one who fights for this countr y ever has to fight for a job, or a roof over their head when they come home.” Fortunately SLU has done an excellent job of this, being named a “Militar y-Friendly School” for several years running by the publication G.I. Jobs’ Militar y Friendly Schools. SLU offers numerous benefits to veterans so that they can get the education they need to find a job in today’s society, and we should recognize our university for its efforts in this area. Our veterans deser ve no less from an American and a Catholic university.

As the old adage goes, freedom isn’t free. So let us use our freedom of speech, in unison, to thank our American veterans for all they’ve given us and this countr y.

A host of thank-yous from the UNews Next week is Thanksgiving and a common tradition among many American families is to have ever yone around the table take a moment and say what they’re thankful for. Family, friends, faith and life opportunities tend to steal the show in these speeches, so we at The University News would like to draw attention to some of the more unconventional things that we should be grateful for. Here are some thank-yous from the UNews, both typical and other wise: Dinner rolls!! It doesn’t matter if they are homemade or cracked out of a Pillsbur y container, dinner rolls are undoubtedly the best dish at Thanksgiving. You can either load these bad boys up with butter, soak them in gravy or use as a boat to carr y all the other fixings to your mouth. So gobble up and thank these carbohydrate bombs by saving them a seat right next to your plate. – Gabriele Geerts I’m thankful for many things. Among them are: my family and friends, people that can make me laugh until my stomach hurts, Christmas music, Tegrity and Kit Kats. I’m also thankful for David Freese, Luke Br yan and Ryan Reynolds, in no particular order. Oh and I’m thankful for Youtube videos of puppies and babies because, let’s be honest, it doesn’t get any cuter than that! –Bri Radici At any other point during the year, the pumpkin is the unattractive, less famous celebrity sibling in the world of produce. But ever y autumn, my heart is aflutter at the sight of pumpkin chocolate chip bread, pumpkin pasta, pumpkin Ted Drewes. So this year, I’d like to give a thankful shout-out to pumpkins. Carpe diem, pumpkins! This is your time to shine! As Marshall Mathers once said, “You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo.” –Lizzie Bartek

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Oh, Paula Deen, if only my mother’s chalky biscuits could bring together my family like your savor y buttermilk delights do. Whether it’s to see what Italian wonders Giada is cooking up or what fat infused morsels Paula is plating, we’re tuning in to the Food Network together.

Sometimes, we’ll even have a wild Friday night tr ying to recreate one of Giada’s miracles, in between slightly virile comments from dad of course. Thanks Food Network, for bringing us together and introducing me to the splendors of the culinar y world. –Tony Traina I am thankful for logic: I can’t claim master y of it, and truthfully few can. Despite this, logic, in its infinite glor y, keeps myself and those about me from the dangers of stupid as best it can. I can ask for no more. –Wolf Howard Sometimes they make me angr y (especially in St. Louis). Even so, I’m always thankful for roads. We take roads for granted, but the interstate system in our U.S. of A. is the greatest public works project in histor y. The open road both symbolizes and facilitates the American dream as I see it. Don’t like where you are? Get up and leave! And while I recognize the problems with our countr y’s car addiction, I can’t deny that there’s something invigorating about flying over pavement at highly-fuelinefficient speeds, windows open and radio roaring. And thank God and the Department of Transportation for that.

–Mike Hogan Gravy. The seasoning of the season is what I am thankful for this holiday. It is impossible to complete a meal of dr y turkey and lumpy potatoes, without adding gravy to the mix. Gravy is what makes things go down easier, it is what makes it OK that you did not get the wishbone. Gravy is what brings all of the flavors on the plate together; gravy is what brings the family together. –Emily Diehl

*** Father John. Brother John. Friend John.

Dear … John.

Fr. John Kavanaugh, 71, began the ultimate journey last week, passing beyond our dominion. And all of us who knew and loved him are poorer for his absence, but richer for having shared the life of this rare and memorable human being.

He could bang an Irish drum or strum a weathered guitar with elan, puff a cigarette with abandon and swig a stein of Guinness with gusto. And in his grad-school days, he could often be found at venues like John D. McGurk’s, doing all three ... simultaneously. He loved his work, his family, his friends, his students, travel, Ireland, India and soccer.

He was not your standard-issue teacher, priest or man.

If students needed a challenging course that shed light upon their path, gave them insight beyond the classroom and forged a hopeful, ethical vision of and for humanity, they signed up for a Fr. John class. And they did so for years, in droves — despite the fact that he often scheduled 8 a.m. classes to cut down on the heavy traffic. (It didn’t work. For, as one student once told a colleague: “He makes philosophy seem like ... important fun.”)

If you were a colleague, you turned to John for a fair and reasoned assessment of whatever controversy was casting its shadow across the campus, the city, the country and the world beyond — seeking the light of his compassion, the wisdom of his experience and the sagacity of his education. And he always gave of himself, took the time … to listen, advise and lend a hand, often unexpected, often on your shoulder. He rarely chided, often smiled and seldom censured; and he kept his counsel ever faithful, ever pure. He was never on vacation from his vocation.

And if you were a priest, he was your priest, friend and counselor. His legendary decency and genuine humility punctuated with equal measures of kind countenance and twinkling affection, inspired confidence.

And if anyone ever needed a voice of compassion, or a touch of eloquence or an exemplary tribute — usually buttressed with a dash of profundity, the call would go out to summon Fr. John. And he would always answer that call.

Thus, for a time, now … melancholy may be our normal state. And though Fr. John would assuredly tell us that this, too, this feeling of the void, shall pass —we will miss, immeasurably: that stubbly beard; that half-smile of shared and recognized humanity; that soft chuckle of appreciation for both wit and wag; and that little glance of affection, over the rims of his spectacles, endorsing our dreams and sustaining our hopes. The absence of all … all ... leaves us feeling stricken, solitary, distant, heavy of heart.

Farewell, Fr. John.

Godspeed, Brother John.

Thank you, Friend John.

Dear John.

2012-13 EDITORIAL BOARD editor-in-chief Brian boyd eic@unewsonline.com

sports editor charles bowles sports@unewsonline.com

copy editor hallie kaiser copy@unewsonline.com

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General manager connor berry gm@unewsonline.com account executives Rachel Cambell natalie grasso Nick Steinauer advisors laura thomson don highberger advisor@unewsonline.com the editorial board of the university news recognizes avis meyer, ph.d. as the newspaper’s faculty mentor.

“Freedom of the press—print, online and broadcast—is a basic right in a democratic society and is valuable in promoting the development of students as socially responsible persons ...

The University News is a student voice, not the student voice. The views of The University News are the expressions of the students involved ... If [The University News] can represent a point of view around which discussion may develop, it serves a legitimate and needed purpose.”

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NOVEMBER 15, 2012

OPINION

5

Memories and lessons from Fr. John Kavanaugh Give praise for our democracy In the winter of 1982, before the Simon Recreation Center was finished, when W e s t Pine was still a street in a decaying city, coursing through t h e heart of the Saint Stephen Casmier L o u i s University, I enrolled in a course called “The Philosophy of Evil,” taught by Fr. John Kavanaugh, S.J. While acquaintances from my high school class had gone on to Harvard, Yale, Brown, and Princeton, I sat there, too close to home, in an indistinct building in crumbling, mid-town St. Louis.

But honestly, I would not change my education for anyone’s. At the time, there was nothing dazzling about the appearance of SLU’s inner-city campus, but inside, the classroom was on fire.

I had not known what to expect. I had gone to a Catholic grade school for three years, and those years were among the worst of my life.

There, I was one of the few African American students, and I always remained outside the close-knit German, Irish and Italian tribes that dominated the culture of a school where parents sent their children for a Catholic education and with some resistance to integration.

The priest was the tribal chief. But I was told the Jesuits were different: quiet, cerebral, ascetic and courageous. I had the strange, romantic image of “the exorcist” in mind: The expert of lost rituals, lean, tall, long coat, clerical collar, homburg hat, attaché case, lit in the fog by a street lamp.

A man at once ancient and modern, whose struggle against evil is not only concrete but constitutes a body of knowledge that can only be obtained by mastery of the humanities and of ancient and modern tongues.

Then, Kavanaugh stepped into the classroom, looking like a bearded James Bond-Sean Connery -- charismatic, lean and athletic, no clerical collar but dressed in black slacks and a black knit shirt. When he stood outside the classroom during breaks, smoking a cigarette, he seemed more

like a figure from a French the Gospels in Church, tastNew Wave film than from a ing every word, as if it were 1973 horror flick. pregnant with significance.

I have never had a classHe recognized me as he recroom experience like that ognized his other students. before or since. Nearly And I’ll never forget how every student seemed to 20 years later he wouldapbeam with love for Kavaproach my dying mother, naugh. I cannot imagine ravaged by two years of rathat anyone was indifferent. diation and chemotherapy, And I am certain no one touching her, holding her was hostile. He lectured face in his hands, looking the way he preached, with deep into her suffering, a gentle, high-tenor voice, searching for Christ in the taking full advantage of face of a 67-year-old woman. both rhythm and dynamics.

What an amazing mesFew spaces in the world sage for a philosophy procould have compared to fessor of the early 1980s – that classroom. Teacher railing against narcissism, and students brought their objectification, materialism, entire selves, mind, body consumerism and the sexand spirit. We journeyed toual revolution; advocating gether, testing, proving and for the lives of unborn chilunderstanding spirituality, dren, convicted criminals truth, life, justice, the good on death row, peasants in and God. El Salvador, enemies of the And Kavanaugh brought state, all of the oppressed. into that classroom a unique He changed us all deeply, aura, as if John the Baptist intellectually and spiritualhimself had ly, touching wandered us with his in from the fire.

Who would not want desert on A f t e r a diet of lo- to be the type of teacher graduating, custs and I went on honey to he was, emulating him, to study at share ele- recognizing students, the Univerments of sity of Chihis journey. touching lives? cago and There were in France, rumors that still treahe had been one of the “St. suring my education at Louis Jesuits,” whose muSLU. I became a journalist sic had touched the souls and eventually returned to of people throughout the SLU as a professor of Engworld; that he had gone to lish. And though my arguIndia to work with the poor ments changed, I carried and Mother Theresa; that the fire he lit deep within. he had studied thinkers Who would not want to be who had wed Jesuit, Jewthe type of teacher he was, ish and Eastern spirituality. emulating him, recognizing And in those early days of students, touching lives? I the Reagan-era, he openly always felt I fell short of his embraced one of the most example. But I tried, though controversial of Catholics: imperfectly.

Dorothy Day, the anarchist Meanwhile, this profesand pacifist advocate for the sor that I loved became a poor and homeless. Like friend. Every time I met Day, his passionate commitor saw him I would try to ment to social justice grew share with him something out of a fairly orthodox that contributed to or even commitment to Catholic challenged his message. tradition and morality. His Eventually, I would also experiences did not intimisend John email messages date; they invigorated. about books I was reading For me, the most magical or controversial topics in aspect of his teaching was the news. It was a strange his relentless desire to recfeeling as I searched my ognize Christ in everyone. email for a conversation we Everyone felt she or he had had last Christmas about something to contribute, a homily he delivered that to teach him, to add to his seemed so different from journey in the discovery the ones he preached in of Christ. It changed me the past – a homily about when he copied and distribJohn the Baptist. I hope uted something I had writhe won’t mind my sharing ten about Albert Camus’ this private communication, “The Fall” and read it with but it touches on what I feel the same voice that he read he meant to us as students

“

”

and teachers at SLU. The subject of the message was “Another John.”

I wrote: “A few weeks ago, you preached a sermon on John the Baptist.

It unsettled me a bit. I have thought about it again and again … I think I have heard you preach about John before. As your namesake, you must feel a particular connection to him.

But there was a darkness to your sermon that I had not heard before. It almost seemed to end with more of a question than an exhortation … you seemed to be asking (and I could very well be wrong): ‘What does a life matter as the quotient of evil in the world seems to change so little?’ Anyway, I have thought about your sermon and you and the truths you have entrusted to me and your other students. I always worry that I have not lived up to that trust. And in a western, conventional way, I know that I have not. But here is my response. It is a review of the work by another John [Wideman], the writer that I write about. I suppose he is about your age, maybe a little older, and his novel -- Fanon – I think presents Frantz Fanon as a John the Baptist figure whom he links with his own life. And this book is darker than his others. But in my review, I hope I respond to the darkness, this word darkness reminding me of one of the strongest images of the novel, comparing his works to candles lit in a dark room: ‘All those pretty candles lit one by one with so much care and hopefulness, then one by one they gutter out, and when you peek over your shoulder, the room’s just as black as when you started.’ Anyway, I hope you have time to read this and I hope it means something, because you changed my life and rather than gutter out, I light others.”

He responded: “Dear Stephen, so good to hear from you. The day after the homily you remember, I went to the hospital ... The dark is not like Wideman’s. I am filled with hope and know we make a difference. As I age, the major difference, it seems to me, is in the lives we touch and share, not so much in movements or theories.

As Paul wrote, “in the end, three things last....”

President Barack Obama is still the president. And when I woke up on the morning of Nov. 6 and I thought that to myself, I could not help the gigantic grin that Priya Sirohi spread across my face. I stretched my arms out in a lazy, happy mid-morning drowsiness.

Praise the universe.

Or rather, praise the Latino voters in Colorado who overwhelmingly voted for Obama, thanks to Mitt Romney’s “self-deportation” response. Praise the 55 percent of women who voted for him, and praise the women who were voted into Congress in record numbers. Praise Missouri and Indiana for not voting Todd Akin or Richard Mourdock into Congress.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. We proved we can do better than vote loathsome, misogynistic pigs into positions of power.

Praise the youth who voted and helped fuel Obama’s campaign with energy and enthusiasm. Praise AfricanAmericans and Asian-Americans who voted in greater numbers than ever before.

Praise the LGBTQUIA community, and congratulations! You now have a president and large voter populations in four states that have voted and supported your right to be treated as equal human beings and citizens.

Even happier than I am to know that Barack Obama is president is knowing that I will likely be attending the legally recognized marriages of my closest friends within my lifetime, who God knows are some of the most wonderful and deserving individuals I know. And you now also have the first openly gay senator in Congress. Praise Wisconsin.

I can keep going. Praise the African-Americans and Democratic voters who, despite rigid voter ID laws and felon disenfranchisement laws designed to void Democratic votes, stood in lines for hours to guarantee that Obama would win Florida.

And praise Obama himself who, after the surprising first debate where an ul-

tra-confident Mitt Romney asserted himself, rebounded with a tenacity and iron will to win. He responded as I would expect my President to respond to a difficult situation: he used all his resources, he showed honesty and integrity and he remained strong. Above all, he never gave up on hope.

As he said during his victory speech Tuesday night, “I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting.”

I got chills; sometimes, words are just true. And when they are true, they resonate within us, charged by the force of Truth.

Which is another thing about him. He told the truth as often as he could, as any politician could. He told more truths than Mitt Romney, in any case.

He is a different person than he was four years ago – a better, more seasoned warrior. He reminded us of his accomplishments, he acknowledged he wasn’t perfect. He can recognize now how hard change is going to be. He spoke the truth when he said, “progress will come in fits and starts. It’s not always a straight line. It’s not always a smooth path. By itself, the recognition that we have common hopes and dreams won’t end all the gridlock, resolve all our problems or substitute for the painstaking work of building consensus and making the difficult compromises needed to move this country forward.” He spoke to the unity we need to establish and the bonds we need to reclaim with each other in order to make this country as beautiful as we want it to be. Smart man. I expect nothing less from my president. And I am glad I can expect some effort toward finding common ground.

The list of praises I would have to make every morning should include all of us. I eagerly wait to see that vision of America. Until then, I can only thank those people who believed in Obama and fought for all of our rights.

Praise the world, we have a democracy. And we made our choice clear.

Taking corn over coral reefs: How to get pragmatic Americans to care about environmentalism Throughout the year, environmental issues have largely been put on the backburner as Americans strugg l e d w i t h m o r e immediate concerns l i k e Mike Hogan weathering the tough economy and foraging for health care.

But there’s trouble afoot in the Earth’s ecosphere; the drought this summer and Superstorm Sandy are sobering examples of the havoc climate change can cause on human populations. More indirectly threatening but no less important is the ongoing extinction of huge chunks of the planet’s species.

And yet a shocking number of Americans remain apparently unconcerned with the anarchy we’ve unleashed upon the world.

Why aren’t people more worried? Well, nature herself might be partially to blame, since instincts seem to have made the human animal naturally more concerned with short-term dangers than long-term ones. But if parents and grade school teachers failed to teach American adults to look to the future, it’s unlikely that anyone can finish the job now. So what can be done to save our favorite life-supporting planet?

I believe part of the reason people remain in-

different to the unfolding ecological catastrophe is that it has been framed in terms of plants and animals that, frankly, urban Americans probably don’t care about. I asked what could be done to save our favorite life-supporting planet; what we really want to save is ourselves, because as far as we know, this is the only human-supporting planet.

To paraphrase the late comedian George Carlin, the planet will be fine. We’re the ones who are screwed.

There are two solid reasons for a human-centric approach to environmentalism. The first is pragmatic and simple: it’s easier to make people care about something that affects them personally. I would argue that by spending so much time talking about rainforests and coral reefs, environmentalists have in some ways hamstrung the entire movement. After all, the people who are interested in gorillas and exotic flowers were probably already in the “Save the Planet” camp anyway. In order to make a significant impact in this country, activists must target the average American, who may or may not spend an hour outside each day.

So, while giant panda bears are cute, they probably aren’t the best mascots for the environmental movement. Yeah, it’s a bummer that their habitat has been destroyed by humans and that they may go extinct. But most people have never seen a panda in real life and probably never will.

If all the pandas kicked the

can today, my experience of them would be unaffected; I could still see them every day in documentaries and World Wildlife Foundation commercials.

As a new mascot, I propose corn. For humans, corn is a necessity, not a cute feature of our planet.

If subsequent summers are as hot as this one was, corn might be a bit harder to obtain. This would be bad, because corn keeps me and people across the globe alive; we eat it, drive with it, distill it and drink it. I’d trade coral reefs and pandas for corn any day.

This is not to say that every plant and animal should be valuated based on its economic worth. Take my golden retriever Sadie for example; she eats a lot and has never been known to do any work. If she were a person we’d be telling her to get out of the house and pursue the American dream, which involves working to buy a nice house of her own with a golden retriever in the yard. But I love Sadie, lazy as she is, and I’m invested in preventing her species’ extinction.

Other flora and fauna, though not directly beneficial to humans, are integral threads in the complex ecological web that keeps us alive. Still, there are many species we want to keep around solely because, well, they’re just cool. This brings up the second argument for keeping environmentalism focused on humans, and it’s a bit more philosophical.

Most of the creatures, great and small, that we try to keep alive are protected

Mike Hogan/ Opinion Editor

because we like them. We place value on animals because they are cute or for similarly arbitrary reasons.

Nature, however, doesn’t care. If humanity causes its own demise and leaves behind nothing but weeds and cockroaches, that’s no worse than what we have now. Complexity and bright colors are all well and good, but they’re well and good only because we say so; outside of the human perspective, a lion is as good as a lichen, which is as good as the rock it’s stuck on.

Some may object, “But what about the lion? It probably wants to stay alive!

And it’s suffering from the devastation caused by evil humans!” There’s truth in this, and I think it’s always wrong to cause pain that could be avoided, includ-

ing pain to animals. But at the end of the day, I put humans first, and so does almost everyone else. Every day, your body kills millions of germs that had the same right to life as you and the lion. You kill the germs without remorse because they threaten you, and if the lion was about to maul you, you’d probably get rid of it, too. Heck, if I were starving, I’d hunt down whatever animal I could, even if it were the world’s only unicorn, and I’d cook it into delicious sparkling unicorn steak and eat it with relish because, you know, I was starving.

If we really valued every living thing on par with human beings, the best course of action would be to stop eating plants, animals and everything else, because the fact of the matter is that

living causes deaths. We’re in the middle of a tremendous mass extinction event that we humans are causing, but we’ve been driving creatures to extinction long before the industrial revolution. We can’t keep every species alive, but we can try and preserve the ones that are valuable to us and the larger environment.

So if you go out prophesying ecological doom, don’t talk about the end of days for coral reefs. Talk about doom for humans.

Talk about the impoverished world we’ll be leaving our descendants. Only in this way can we convince people to make the policy and lifestyle changes that are necessary to keep this planet habitable. And maybe, as a byproduct, we’ll be able to save a few pandas.

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U ARTS

unewsonline.com

SLU theater brings history to life with ‘Radium Girls’

OUT on the

TOWN

Arts Editor’s Picks

Music November 15 Delta Spirit The Pagaent 8 p.m. $17.50

November 15-17 Joey DeFrancesco Trio Jazz at the Bistro 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. $32

November 16 Carolina Chocolate Drops Sheldon Concert Hall 8 p.m. $25

November 16 Jean Guillou, Organist Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis 8 p.m. $15

November 16-18 St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: All-Tchaikovsky Powell Symphony Hall Fri: 10:30 a.m., Sat: 8 p.m., Sun: 3 p.m. from $27 ($10 student tickets)

Theatre November 16December 31 Hip-Hop Symphony Powell Symphony Hall 3 p.m. $12

Art November 16 Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre: The Christmas Killer Lemp Mansion Restaurant & Inn Fri and Sat: 7 p.m. $48.95

Other November 1-30 Gateway Arch Riverboat Cruise St. Louis Riverfront Mon-Sat: 12 p.m., Sun: 12 and 3 p.m. $14

November 16 Macy’s Festival of Lights Keiner Plaza 4:30-6 p.m. free

November 16December 31 43rd Annual Way of Lights Christmas Display National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows 5-9 p.m. free

November 17 Kimmswick Christmas Open House Kimmswick, MO 11 a.m.-9 p.m. free

John Schuler/ Photo Editor

Irene (Kathryn T. Moser), Grace Fryer (Taylor S. Steward) and Kathryn (Liz Meinders) are happily working in the factory before their deadly symptoms begin to set in.

By ALANAH NANTELL Arts Editor

Saint Louis University’s Theater Department has taken on D. W. Gregory’s fast-paced and heartbreaking “Radium Girls” for their fall production with spectacular results.

The show is a fictional account of the true tragedy that plagued Orange, N. J. in the 1920s.

The “Radium Girls” that the title refers to worked in a factory diligently painting watch dials with radium paint, which unbeknownst to them, was slowly exposing them to lethal amounts of radioactivity.

These women eventually began to fall ill, and almost immediately after, the factory’s overseers began working tirelessly to disconnect themselves from the situation and deny all liability.

Grace Fryer, played by junior Taylor S. Steward, watched as several of her friends fell ill, and even though she promptly quit the plant, it wasn’t long before her body succumbed to the effects of the radioactivity.

Unlike many people who became sick, Fryer fights to bring her case to trail, despite her failing health.

Audience members watch as Fryer’s body deteriorates, but her spunk and eagerness for justice do not. She continually denies monetary settlements and works to have her case seen by a judge, not only to help herself, but also to help all of those who have passed on.

According to junior Aus-

Photo courtesy of John Lamb

Austin N. Beals and Kara A. McLaughlin play Mr. and Mrs. Roeder, the couple that owns the watch factory in Orange, NJ. tin N. Beals, who played the company’s CEO, Arthur Roeder, this show continued SLU theater’s efforts to choose productions with a “social justice” element.

As the show’s director Gary Barker states in the program, this kind of “disregard for employee safety and public health continues today,” and this show serves a “sober reminder for all of us to serve as champions of those most vulnerable.”

It is inevitable to be sad-

dened by “Radium Girls” when scene after scene depicts the girls pain, rotting jaws and swollen faces. The show is sure to provoke feelings in the audience members, but it’s not only the spectators that are affected by the intensity of the subject matter. “[The show] made me consider things in my life… and what not speaking up for yourself can mean,” Steward said.

According to Steward,

the dark nature of this production was challenging to overcome for some of the actors, as playing a terminally ill character and being around a bunch of sick characters can take its toll.

This production is a unique look into an often unheard of segment of history that would shape today’s laws that govern the welfare of employees. This See “Radium” on Page 8

Past elections come alive at SLUMA

By STEPHANIE MUELLER Staff Writer

While the presidential election is now behind us, Saint Louis University Museum of Art’s “Persuasive Politics” exhibition will stay on display until Dec. 22.

In 2007, the late U.I. “Chick” Harris and his wife, Cecelia, donated part of their presidential campaign memorabilia collection to SLUMA. The donation came with the caveat that all of the memorabilia would be made available to the SLU and St. Louis communities during election years.

Meant to encourage participation in politics, the exhibit is especially applicable to SLU students who recently voted for the first time and will continue to vote in the future.

Mary Marshall, the marketing coordinator at SLUMA, describes the ex-

hibit as a comment on “the history and remarkable imagination of the American people” that delves into more than surface politics.

With displays ranging from “I Like Ike” cigarette packs to a voting machine used in the 2000 Florida voting debacle, the memorabilia included follows elected officials from the days of George Washington to today.

The real takeaway of the exhibit to SLU students will be the realization that comes along with this memorabilia. In the past year, voters have been affronted with advertisement after advertisement attacking policies, standpoints and statements. The humanity of these candidates has been overlooked.

With these small pieces of the candidates’ lives, though, voters are given insight previously unseen See “Politics” on Page 8

Mary Marshall / SLUMA

This Washington tankard is an example of one of the many presidential tokens at the exhibit.

NOVEMBER 15, 2012

Fox fills with Irish dancers

By MAGGIE NEEDHAM Associate Arts Editor

When Celtic Thunder performed at the Fox Theater last Thursday, the inside of the theater was magically transported to Ireland for two hours.

Dim, blue lights lit the stage and scanned the audience as the show began.

Fog crept onstage, surrounding the set of artificial rocks and brick walls, creating the atmosphere of a cool night in Ireland.

The six members of Celtic Thunder entered one by one, each greeted with enthusiastic cheers from fans in the audience.

During the course of the show, Celtic Thunder performed songs varying in genre and theme. The powerful opening number, “Heartland,” featured lyrics in both English and Gaelic, clearly announcing the proud Irish heritage of both the performers and a large portion of the audience. A similar song right before intermission was “Ireland’s Call.” The singers lined the front of the stage, proclaiming “Ireland, Ireland, forever standing tall, shoulder to shoulder, we’ll answer Ireland’s call.”

Each member also sang a couple of solos. Emmett Cahill gave a fun performance with his solo “My Irish Molly.” George Donaldson, however, sang a few covers from other genres, including Elvis Presley’s “My Boy” and The Proclaimers’ “500 Miles.” Keith Harkin took to the stage during the second act to perform the song “Don’t Forget About Me” from his recent solodebut album. Each solo proved that these singers are all talented in their own rights as solo artists.

Group numbers, however, demonstrated that these singers work best together.

All members proved their vocal prowess with “Steal Away,” which ended with all the instruments fading away, leaving their a cappella harmonies to echo beautifully throughout the theatre. The more upbeat cover of Steve Earle’s “Galway Girl” gave both the performers and the audience an opportunity to get up and dance. They performed their popular “A Place in the Choir,” a silly and unabashedly joyous ditty that had everyone in the theater clapping along.

Midway through the second act, Ryan Kelly came out to speak about the fact that this tour is a sort of “greatest hits” tour. Addressing that this mentality might give the impression that Celtic Thunder is nearing the end, Kelly said, “That [could] not be further from the truth.”

Kelly was in critical condition in the hospital over the summer due to an accident that resulted in a head injury, but he thanked his fans for their support and prayers, grateful to be able to be touring with Celtic Thunder once again.

In addition to the six Celtic Thunder singers, the Celtic Thunder band played throughout the show as well. Traditional Irish instruments such as the bodhrán drum, the concertina and the fiddle played alongside guitars and a cello to create an authentically Celtic sound. The drummers got their chance to shine during a short drum-off, during which the different drummers gave consecutive solos, clearly trying to outdo one another.

Celtic Thunder’s fan base was clear as the audience sang along, stood up, danced and clapped throughout the entire show.

Their enthusiasm permeated the theater and made the show enjoyable for even those in the audience who had no previous exposure to Celtic Thunder or Irish music at all.

Since the group’s beginning in 2007, Celtic Thunder has released nine albums and eight performance DVDs, the most recent of which, “Voyage II,” was released on Sept. 1, 2012.

8 ARTS

NOVEMBER 15, 2012

unewsonline.com

SLU junior Amanda McCubbins doubles as photographer

Radium: SLU fall theatre Continued from Page 7

Photo courtesy of Amanda McCubbins

Photo courtesy of Amanda McCubbins

(Left) McCubbin’s father is her number one influence and the inspiration for her studio name “The Photographer’s Daughter. (Right) This “Old Hollywood” style photo is one of the first that McCubbins shot in her blossoming career.

By SARAH MALLICK Staff Writer

What is it about photographs of people that make them so poignant, beautiful and eloquent? What makes the portrait of a person different from that of an object or a landscape?

While most people have a difficult time answering these questions, the photographers, the artists themselves, can offer a glimpse into what gives their art meaning.

Junior Amanda McCubbins runs a studio known as “The Photographer’s Daughter” and primarily focuses on portrait photography.

“In my opinion, this quote aptly summarizes what I strive to be: ‘It’s one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, it’s another thing to make a portrait of who they are’, by Paul Caponigro.”

According to McCubbins, what makes people different from other subjects is how one can capture “so much in expressions, gestures... There are so many nuances.” She said she likes when people find themselves in their pic-

tures.

McCubbins’ greatest influence is her father, an experienced professional photographer. He is the inspiration for her studio’s name.

“My dad has been a huge influence,” McCubbins said. “I couldn’t do it without his support… and eventually he went from teaching me to mentoring

“

The eye is something

that a person should already have, but can always be improved on

”

-Amanda McCubbins,

me, and I always feel like I can learn more.”

When taking photographs, McCubbins takes many factors into account, namely lighting, composition and effects.

In addition, her photos are noteworthy for their uniqueness. She wants to capture things that most people wouldn’t ordinarily

notice.

“Every time I frame a picture, I ask myself, ‘Would someone stand here in this exact spot and take this picture?’ And if they would, then I won’t take that picture,” she said.

The three pictures shown here are a small sample of her work, a few of McCubbins’ favorite photos. One of them is a picture of her dad. “It really captures how I feel about my father,” said McCubbins.

“He’s always full of advice and very philosophical.”

The second picture depicts a young woman sitting in a chair; McCubbins said that this photo was “one of the first pictures I’ve ever shot when my career as a photographer began, and so it’s special… The picture itself tells a story, which is another reason why it’s a favorite… and this picture formed her aesthetic. I tried to bring back the old Hollywood glamour of black and white photos.”

It’s a very striking photo, and it showcases the many aspects of portrait photography that McCubbins attempts to achieve. It can be interpreted in a variety of ways -- it is unique; it tells

Politics: SLUMA exhibit wows Continued from Page 7

Photo courtesy of Amanda McCubbins

McCubbins is not only the photographer, but somtimes the subject of her photos, as she is featured on the left. a story, and the nitty-gritty nuances and soul of the subject come through.

When asked about what makes photography noteworthy, McCubbins said, “The eye is something that a person should already have, but that can always be improved on.” By “eye” she means eye for good photos,

What we saw from the cheap seats Regina Spektor comes to the Pageant on new tour made up for with Regina’s show.

Despite her timid, modest personality, her singing Hundreds of eager fans voice is quite the opposite. packed The Pageant on The elegant, unique Thursday night to get good sound filled the room and seats or standing spots to had people singing along, hear Regina Spektor perdancing and even crying to form. The classy, hipster, some songs. urban-chic crowd varied Spektor serenaded the from student age to elderly. audience with the help of The one-man band Only a big black grand piano Son, aka Jack Dishel, aka and, for a few numbers, Regina’s husband, started the keyboard. The perforoff the night with a quick mance was completed with nine-song set. bright stage lights, varying Only Son in colors has a sound throughlikely to feaout the ture on an epDespite her timid, night. isode of “The Regina OC.” modest personality, i g n o r e d The artist the loud referred to her singing voice is and frehis iPod as q u e n t his band, as shouthe used back- quite the opposite. outs in ground mubetween sic from the songs, device to acalthough company his she made performance. a point to Dishel did a lovely job request no flash-photograof warming up the crowd phy. for his wife’s performance She performed a total of with jokes and short, mean20 songs, some from her ingless play-by-plays in benew album, “What We Saw tween songs. from the Cheap Seats,” and After a quick intermissome classics from her presion, Spektor appeared on vious albums, with songs stage, wearing a purple including “On the Radio,” dress with a black-cinched “Blue Lips,” “Ne me quitter belt and bold, red lipstick. pas,” “Folding Chair” and She interrupted the im“Better.” In the middle of mense round of applause her set, Only Son returned with her first song, a cappelto the stage to perform a la, and tapped her headset duet with Spektor. along to keep up the beat.

Originally from Moscow, The lack of elbow room Spektor stuck to her roots throughout the night was with a cover of “The Prayer”

By KATHERINE KELLIHER Staff Writer

“

”

Photo courtesy of www.reginaspektor.com

Regina Spektor has been producing albums since 2011. “Cheap Seats” is her sixth album. sung in Russian.

Spektor’s band consisted of a drummer, cello player and a keyboard player, all dressed in black.

Spektor’s performance ended with a standing ova-

story is not a particularly uplifting one, but rather it’s a narrative that brings life to the exploitation, abuse and sickness that these young women faced.

This particular show is unique in that it has provoked thought and response from many different areas of the SLU community, including those in the legal, ethnics and business departments.

“I think it’s cool that we can attach that kind of relevance to something that we do. The different departments in the school can benefit from seeing the show,” said Steward. Even members of the radiology department are coming in to see the show, and talk about its relevance to their area of study. This show is one that can appeal to a wide variety of audiences, and, according to Beals, is one that should be thought through thoroughly.

“I’d encourage people to come see the show more than once if you can afford it because there’s a lot of little details that you miss,” Beals said. He said that there are a lot of details and the show’s “complexity” could be missed the first time around.

The show will continue through the weekend of Nov. 16 – 18. Student tickets are $7 and can be purchased at the Xavier box office.

tion from the audience, who applauded until she returned to the stage and performed not one, not two, but four encores, leaving the audience in satisfied spirits.

and perhaps art in general.

McCubbins believes that the techniques of photography, such as lighting, proportion and perspective “can be learned, but in order to have the ability to take pictures that have meaning, you have to be able to see and look around, see things differently.”

insight previously unseen in commercials, emails and speeches. While the election has come to a close, the life of the president and past presidents remains relevant as the U.S. embarks on another four-year term.

Despite party affiliation, all visitors will learn from the exhibit, which represents a political structure united by human nature, as opposed to one divided by stances.

SLUMA is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

U

unewsonline.com

NOVEMBER 15, 2012

The Church of Scientology: An exploration

RELIGION Setting the record straight on a religion ofted mired in misconceptions

Calendar of Observances Nov. 15 Al Hijra - Islam

Nov. 21 Yule - Christian

Nov. 22 Thanksgiving Interfaith

Nov. 24 Ashura - Islam

Nov. 25 Christ the King – Christian

Nov. 30 St. Andrew’s day – Christian

Service Dec. 8 Opportunities Bodhi Day - Buddhist Dec. 8 Nov. 3

By ADNAN SYED Religion Editor SARAH MALLICK Staff Writer

Tom Cruise, a wellknown scientologist, has been on the news radar recently for allegedly leaving Scientology. The Church of Scientology Missouri’s public contact secretary, Myndi Spencer, dismissed those concerns as mere gossip, stating that Cruise is still a member.

On a visit to the same church, located on Delmar Boulevard in University City, the director of Division 6, Department of Public Contact, which deals with visitors, presented more information about the religion of Scientology.

According to the department, church life is divided into a day church and evening church, each section separated into divisions.

The divisions help organize the church, coordinating and managing all aspects of church life, one employeessaid.

An informational DVD for visitors played on an LCD screen near a bust of Lafayette Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology.

The film tells how he wrote a book called “Dianetics,” with a set of ideas that related to mind, body and spirit; followers of the church practice those ideas.

Hubbard was born in Nebraska to a former Naval officer and a teacher. He became America’s youngest Eagle Scout ever. As a young man, he wrote novellas and traveled the world on ships, visiting countries like China, Japan and the Philippines.

In China, according to Scientology.org, Hubbard began questioning Buddhist lamas and meeting old Chinese magicians to satisfy his quest to learn about human suffering. This led him to wonder what obstacles prevented mankind from attaining happiness; the first seeds of Scientology were planted.

After World War II, he returned to America to find survivors that were terminally ill and struggling. It

Adnan Syed / Religion Editor

The Missouri Church of Scientology located at 6901 Delmar Blvd., University City, Mo. was around then that he began “intense but methodical Dianetics refinement,” according to the website.

Hubbard was successful in healing many of the patients in a short time with his methods.

Part of Dianetics is “auditing.” The director explained that the term referred to when followers of the religion meet with counselors to purge themselves of negative emotions. They use e-meters, which measure electrical resistance, to discover the innermost problems that affect a person.

The conducted electrical resistance corresponds to the “mental mass and energy” of the mind of the person being audited. This leads to the healing of the mind and, thus, the body and soul.

The word Scientology comes from the Greek “school,” which means knowledge or wisdom, and

“logy,” the study of. It primarily focuses on the relationship a person has with his or her spiritual self, the universe and mankind.

The DVD also illustrated eight dynamics toward survival, a major concept in Scientology. Ultimately, the dynamics serve to guide Scientologists on how to survive in the world.

Scientology believes in a “supreme being,” but it leaves the real decision of who to worship up to the individual.

The director said a person could practice another religion while still being a practicing Scientologist, due to the religion’s adaptability.

The number of churches of Scientology is increasing around the world, with approximately 9,000 churches worldwide today. When asked about the number of followers of the faith, Spencer said it was in the millions.

Goddess glorified during Navaratri

Immaculate St. Vincent Home for Conception of Mary Children - Roman Catholic (ahumphrey@ saintvincenthome. org)

Chanukkah – Jewish

Adnan Syed / Religion Editor

Interfaith Dialogue Workshop Third Sunday of (Temple- Israel, 1 Advent Chrsitan Rabbi Alvan D Rubin Dr., St. Louis, MO 63141)

Dec. 12

Our Lady of Guadalupe - Roman Catholic

Nov. Dec. 10 25

Christmas New City Fellowship Christian (Lunch Provided, paul@ncfstl.org)

Dec.26

Kwanzaa – Pan African/Interfaith

Bust of Lafayette Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology.

Help fill our issues. ads.unews@gmail.com

Dec. 9-16

Nov. 4 Dec. 11

Adnan Syed / Religion Editor

Adnan Syed / Religion Editor

On October 26th , the Indian Student Association of SLU held the annual Garba, Raas, Bhangra Night. It is a commemoration of the nine-day Hindu festival Navaratri. Garba and Raas are traditional folk dances that are done during this time. The dances take place around an image of the goddess Durga placed in the middle of the area. The dances show respect and honor to her, in the hope of receiving good boons and a prosperous year ahead.

Attendance was 1,200-1,300 people.

Go to www.UNewsonline.com to view a slideshow of the event

unewsonline.com

NOVEMBER 15, 2012

RELIGION

10

Plains of the ancient city of Acre, Israel Fr. John Kavanaugh Madrid professor discusses SLU’s archeological project

Photo Courtesy of Belyaev

Sideview of Akko Tower, located in the historical city of Acre, Israel. The site is a A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

By DJ BARGER Staff Writer

Carolina A. Aznar, professor of archaeology and biblical studies at SLU’s Madrid Campus, presented on The Southern Plain of Akko Project on Tuesday.

The Akko Project is an archaeology site in Israel that has turned up artifacts from a variety of periods.

Organizers of the project included Aznar, Shalom Yankelevitz, a Ph.D. candidate at the Recanati Center of Maritime Studies at the University of Haifa and Michal Artzy, professor at the Recanati Center of Maritime Studies. They chose a site located in the Jezreel Valley, a very fertile area in Israel that has been important to agriculture and trade throughout history.

The archaeology site is situated in a natural depression. The team suspected that the location might con-

tain a town gate. They divided the site into eight, 4-by-4 meter squares. The goal of the project was to collect artifacts from the late Bronze Age (ca. 1500-1200 BCE) and Iron Age (ca. 1200-586 BCE).

“We wanted to know coastal inland relations during these periods,” Aznar said. “This location always made the southern plain of Akko an important area for exchanges, particularly for exchanges between inland and maritime peoples.”

The types of artifacts they expected to find would be from the Israelites and the Phoenicians. The Israelites, of the Hebrew Bible and Christian Old Testament, lived in parts of the Jezreel Valley during the late Bronze Age until about the end of the Iron Age. According to Aznar, the Phoenicians lived in what is now Lebanon, but they thought of themselves as Caanan-

ites. They were elite manufacturers, so their artifacts are of greater complexity.

The excavation, which is still ongoing, has uncovered a variety of buried items.

There were several pots and jars, even a goblet. The styles of the goblets seem to be from both the Israelites and the Phoenicians, which might, according to Aznar, indicate intermarriage, but it’s hard to be sure.

“There’s this big debate, pots and peoples,” she said.

“Can you really identify people by their pots?”

The research team had hoped to find a gate from the Israelites or Phoenicians, but instead they found an Ottoman Period wall. That wall appeared to be re-using another wall below it, one that was over 2,500 years old.

Researchers also found parts of a small Ottoman house that had fallen over, presumably in a 1929

Bishop chosen as 118th Coptic Pope

earthquake that affected the area. In addition to the Ottoman items, the team recovered pieces from the Crusaders.

“When you’re an archaeologist, you find things everywhere,” said Aznar.

The opportunity to join this group of archaeologists is available to SLU students through the Madrid campus. This research trip is offered as one of two classes, Sociology 293 and Theology 293. Students spend the days working at the site and assisting the research team.

Lectures are in the evenings and historical visits are on the weekends. Students have the opportunity to visit the sites of many important events in the history of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

The 2013 class will take place from June 27-Aug. 2.

There are extra costs associated with the class. No prior experience is required.

remembered by colleague, friend John F. Kavanaugh, S.J. was a Jesuit in every sense of the word and he was it to perfecCommentary tion.

John w a s first a n d foremost a member of t h i s Theodore Vitali, elite C.P. society of visionaries, missionaries, scholars, teachers and martyrs. He embodied in his life and in his scholarly, teaching, preaching and publishing activities all the marks of a true and committed Jesuit.

First and foremost, John was a Catholic priest. He was raised in the 50s and was committed to the deeply held orthodox faith and theology that was evident in the 50s and crystallized in the 60s. John never wavered from his faith. He believed in every tenet of the Catholic faith and he did so with depth, power and courage. He never let the theological and/or philosophical trends of the time sway him away from his deepest held beliefs. But, John was also a vanguard thinker so much evident among the great Jesuits of our times and times before. He not only believed in the Gospel of Christ, he believed in the suffering Body of Christ, all those marginalized and poor people of the world … he believed in their sacredness and sought to serve them with all the gifts he possessed. John was as committed to the poor as he was to Christ Himself and, hence, he focused all his enormous intellectual gifts and energies in translating his orthodox faith in Christ Incarnate into his service to the poor. John did this principally through writing, teaching and preaching.

But he did these things with passion and courage, often taking on the received attitudes and positions within and outside of the Church.

This was especially true of his essays in ethics found in American Magazine. John sought to make a difference

on behalf of the suffering Christ in the world … and he did.

In his teaching, John was always what he taught.

There was no hiatus between the content of what he taught and what he believed and argued for. He was, as I just said, what he taught. This was as true for John in his writing as in his teaching. Last year, at the American Catholic Philosophical Meeting in St. Louis, there was a panel discussion on medical ethics, principally, as I recall, on the issues of death and dying. There were a number of panelists, all learned in the field. Most speakers presented their arguments; John presented what he thought. In the dynamics of the session, it was interesting to note that no one chose to challenge or argue with John. Rather they sought only to hear what John thought about a particular issue. John was the master, the rest were learners. John was asked what he thought because what he thought had the authority of integrity and truth.

John was the supreme master teacher. He taught what he knew and what he knew was what he was. John was special in that session and everyone knew they were in the presence of someone special.

John was a Jesuit, orthodox in faith, bold and courageous in the pursuit of truth and justice in the world, especially the world of the suffering Christ. John was a teacher beyond the classroom … beyond the subject matter; he was himself the subject of the course. John was indeed special.

Finally, John in life and in death was and will remain the soul of Saint Louis University, especially the Philosophy Department.

He was a legendary teacher of immense impact on the lives of his students. He now joins the ranks of the true legends of Saint Louis University. I am honored and grateful for his friendship and companionship the past 23 years. He was a true Jesuit and I am so honored to have served with him in the service of the Church and of humanity.

MSA, ISA square off in hoops tournament

By KAREN GIRGIS Staff Writer

The Christian Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt selected its 118th pope on Nov.4 after a young, blindfolded boy picked out a slip of paper out of a chalice with Bishop Tawadros’ name on it.

Early Sunday morning in the Coptic Cathedral in Cairo, members of the Coptic Church prayed that God would guide the boy’s hand and help him pick the right leader and guide for the ancient Church of Egypt.

The act was the final stage of a long nomination and election process.

In March, after the death of Pope Shenouda III, the Coptic Church’s former leader for over four decades, the church faced major internal concerns.

A nomination committee started a list of 17 possible successors. They narrowed down the list to five men who could, in their opinion, effectively unite the Coptic community.

A vote from 2,400 church leaders later narrowed the list to three men. The blindfolded boy, chosen at random, concluded the process when he picked Bishop Tawadros’ name.

The blindfolded boy is symbolic of the biblical concept of “casting lots” in the New Testament book of Acts of the Apostles. Casting lots was used to pick Matthias as the next apostle after Judas betrayed Jesus.

Externally, as leader of

Adnan Syed / Religion Editor

Two of the largest CSOs on campus, the Indian Students Association and the Muslim Students Association, held their second annual basketball tournament at Simon Rec last Friday. MSA won 66-64.

Photo Courtesy of the White House

Diversity Leadership Cabinet talks Middle East

Pope Shenouda III, the 117th Coptic Orthodox Christian’s Pope in Egypt, seen at President Barack Obama’s speech in Cairo, in 2009. the largest Christian minority in the predominately Muslim Egypt, Shenouda acted as a representative of his people to an often-discriminatory government.

In the two years following Egypt’s political revolution, members of the Muslim Brotherhood Party gained power in Egypt, causing anxiety for the Coptic community over increasing discrimination and persecution.

In an interview with Alarabiya, a news channel in the Middle East, Tawadros said he was not worried about the prevalence of Shariah, the code of law based off

the Quran, in Egypt as it will not affect the Coptic community of the country.

If there were any fears compelling these Egyptians to leave the country, it would be due to the security situation and not the dominance of Muslims.

When asked about partaking in politics, Tawadros said, “The pope doesn’t have time to work as a politician, the pope’s role is the spiritual one firstly, and the Church is a spiritual institution.”

Despite this statement, Tawadros, like his predecessor, may have to face and address future concerns.

Adnan Syed / Religion Editor

Part of the DLC “Lets Talk” dialogue series, students of different backgrounds went to the Cross Cultural Center in BSC on Nov. 1 to engage in dialogue about the diversity of religious cultures in the Middle East, interfaith efforts around the world, and Islamophobia in the USA.

U SPORTS

unewsonline.com

Broncos stampede the Bills, 74-62 The Billikens lose their first game at Chaifetz Arena since January

By TONY TRAINA Associate Sports Editor

WHO TO

CHEER

James Franklin

Missouri Quarterback

Emily Diehl/ Multimedia Director

Dwayne Evans scored nine points and collected seven rebounds in SLU’s loss to Santa Clara in 74-62.

Courtesy of zimbio.com

It was 42 days since James Franklin threw a touchdown pass.

He threw four in 41 minutes against Tennessee Saturday afternoon to help the Tigers to a 51-48 quadruple overtime victory.

Franklin’s impressive performance drops the vols to 0-6 in the SEC.

WHO TO

JEER Los Angeles Lakers

Courtesy of silverscreenandroll.com

After firing Head Coach Mike Brown following a 1-4 start to the season, the Lakers decided to pass on Hall of Fame Head coach Phil Jackson, going instead with Mike D’Antoni. Jackson, who won five NBA Championships as coach of the Lakers, reportedly wanted an ownership stake with the team, which was too much for the 3-4 Lake Show.

WHO TO

FEAR

The Billikens could never quite find a rhythm on Wednesday night, and the University of Santa Clara Broncos took advantage, riding through Chafietz with a 74-62 victory.

SLU struggled to find the bucket on offense, and even when they did, the defense couldn’t provide the stops necessary to compete with the Broncos. Above all, the Billikens had no answer for Kevin Foster, as the Santa Clara guard went off for 30 points on 10-18 shooting.

He helped build a 44-31 lead for the Broncos at halftime, scoring 17 points off 7-11 shooting in the first half.

“Bottom line, we just didn’t get it done...We just didn’t give enough effort,” forward Dwayne Evans said.

Sophomore Grandy Glaze started again in place of an injured Cory Remekun, in uniform on the sidelines but not playing in the game. Glaze was big on the boards early, pulling down four rebounds, but he had trouble finding the basket.

Freshman guard Keith Carter left the game mid-

Football’s fateful first forward pass Give thanks to the man who helped shape modern football

By TONY TRAINA Associate Sports Editor

It’s almost Thanksgiving, and families soon will gather in celebration of the year’s blessings.

Perhaps most ubiquitous of the many Thanksgiving traditions is watching the holiday football games.

Even in watching these games, it is clear that there is much to be thankful for.

This Thanksgiving, football fans everywhere should be grateful for the creation of the pervasive forward pass. And they should direct their thanks no further than Saint Louis University.

In the early 1900s, college football was an increasingly popular sport, attracting more and more fans every year. At the center of this explosion of popularity was SLU, which then still had a football team, and was undefeated in 1901 and 1904.

Yet, despite the rise in popularity, there was an increase in violence in football. In 1905, 18 athletes died, prompting President Theodore Roosevelt’s involvement. He called for an overhaul of the sport before the 1906 season could commence. The most drastic of the many changes was the legalization of the “projectile,” or forward pass. The purpose of this change was to spread out the field and make the game less violent.

In St. Louis, Eddie Cochems, a radical new head coach, was hired to lead the Billikens into the new era.

Cochems took the team to

a Jesuit sanctuary in Wisconsin before the season, to develop a top-secret offensive scheme. During this retreat, hidden deep in the woods of southern Wisconsin, Cochems and quarterback Bradbury Robinson, a transfer student, developed a covert new offense, which is held in high esteem, even today. Robinson transferred from the University of Wisconsin to excel under Cohcems.

The season soon began, and Cochems held his secretive plan securely in his back pocket.

After a laborious first half in a game on Sept. 6, 1906 versus Carroll College in Wisconsin, Cochems became frustrated with his team’s ability to move the ball on offense and called for a forward pass. Robinson’s throw to his receiver was incomplete, and much to the dismay of Cochem, the play resulted in a turnover under 1906 rules.

However, after more struggles running the ball, Cochems sent in the fatefulplay call, leading to a 20yard touchdown pass from Robinson to receiver Jack Schneider.

After the pass, hall-offamer David Nelson wrote, “Cochems is to forward passing what the Wright brothers are to aviation, and Thomas Edison is to the electric light.”

SLU and its unique offense went undefeated again in 1906, as teams around the country did not adopt the forward pass as commonplace until much later in the decade.

“One would have thought so effective a play would have been instantly

Emily Diehl / Multimedia Director

Evans scored 21 points, matching a career-high, to lead the Billikens to a 76-59 victory over USC Upstate in their season opener. Evans, who hit eight of 12 shots from the field and five of six from the charity stripe, also pulled in eight rebounds.

Photo Courtesy of Billiken Media Relations

Courtney Webb led the Billikens with 17 points against Missouri in SLU’s season opener at Columbia.

The women’s basketball team was unable to overcome 13 3-pointers by host Missouri and fell 67-51 in their season opener Friday night.

Courtney Webb’s 17 points and Loreal Jones’ 12 points and eight rebounds led the Billikens. Jacy Bradley also contributed with nine points, five rebounds and four assists. The Billikens out-rebounded the Tigers 37-30, including a 13-9 edge in offensive rebounds, but Missouri’s Bri Kulas led all scorers with 18 points, including 4 3-pointers.

Down by just three at half time, the Billikens were able to keep pace with the Tigers early in the second half, even closing the gap to a single point, 32-31, with close to 10 minutes left. In the next few possessions, the Billikens had chances to take the lead but with 7:01 left, the Tigers went on a 15-1 run to effectively put

Bloomberg’s moment of clarity sends a message

See “Women” on Page 13

See “Bloomberg” on Page 12

Bradbury Robinson, the quarterback behind the first forward pass and football’s first true “triple threat.”

By ALEX KOZICH Staff Writer

SLU Forward

For more coverage, go to unewsonline.com

the game away.

Even though they didn’t get the victory, the Billikens were able to take away some positives from the loss.

“I thought we gave Missouri all they could handle,” Head Coach Lisa Stone said. “I’m really excited about what’s to come for our team. I’m proud of their efforts, and I’m excited that they’re trying to play team basketball. We’re going to play and compete in every single game. They’re disappointed [when] in the locker room, and that’s a good sign.”

With the opening game behind them, the Billikens play three more road games against MissouriKansas City, Oklahoma and Nebraska-Omaha before finally playing in front of the home fans on Saturday, Nov. 24 against Western Illinois and again on Nov. 29 against Illinois State.

The Billikens open

Photo Courtesy of Saint Louis University

copied. The East, however, had not cared much about Midwestern and Western football. Indeed, the East scarcely realized that football existed beyond the Alleghenies,” Knute Rockne, legendary Notre Dame coach, said as SLU continued to toss projectile passes all over the field, sending

way through the second half with a knee injury after a Santa Clara player rolled under him. His status for next week’s CBE Classic is unknown at press time.

A late comeback effort (13 points), led by a Rob Loe 3-pointer and drive by Mike McCall Jr. was still not enough for the Billikens, as a Santa Clara alley-oop to Marc Trasolini all but smashed any hopes of a late charge for the Billikens.

In an instant, nothing else mattered. Nothing else should have mattered at least.

H u r ricane Sandy swept through t h e Nor the a s t , flooding subway Tony Traina tunnels, cancelling thousands of flights and affecting millions of lives.

Just a few days later, though, the mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, announced that the New York Marathon would go on as scheduled. However, after mass public backlash, Bloomberg reversed the decision, cancelling the race, which draws in over 47,000 runners from around the world. Nothing else mattered; not the $315 million stimulus the race was estimated to provide to local businesses and hotels, not the thousands of athletes who had been training years for this weekend, not the welcome distraction the race would have provided.

The suffering of the five boroughs was too widespread to justify the mass infrastructure needed to support the event.

A few men and women jogging down Broadway could not undo the estimated $20 million of damage.

A few happy hours would not rebuild the homes lost or bring back power to the region.

While sports can be a powerful healer, signaling a return to normalcy and often giving communities a cause to rally around, this was not the right time or place. Not when marathon runners would be splashing cool water on their faces while just blocks away people were struggling to find this very basic necessity.

Bloomberg was able to overlook the vested interests and make the best decision for his community in a time of tragedy. He made a bold move, putting sports in its rightful place, behind the plights of thousand of shivering and homeless people on Staten Island, after the millions without power in Manhattan and beyond.

Listen, sports have a place in society, somewhere in front of the Kardashians and right behind a good political scandal (see: Patraeus, David). But this wasn’t it.

Soon after his decision to cancel the marathon, Bloomberg made another very public proclamation, again citing Hurricane Sandy as one of the primary motives behind his sudden moment of clarity. He didn’t cite health care, the economy or even foreign policy

opponents into a frenzy.

The Billikens discontinued their football program in 1949, and St. Louis football fans must get their fix on Sundays by watching the St. Louis Rams or reruns

See “Tournament” on Page 13

Missouri’s three point barrage downs Bills

Dwayne Evans

By BRIAN HAENCHEN Staff Writer

NOVEMBER 15, 2012

unewsonline.com

12 SPORTS

NOVEMBER 15, 2012

BILLIKEN BRIEFS

Cross Country records broken at NCAA Regionals

Women’s Basketball

By CHARLES BOWLES Sports Editor

First year Head Coach Lisa Stone’s hard work on the recruiting trail is beginning to pay off, as the program has signed six players for the class of 2017, including St. Louis native Sadie Stipanovich, a 6-3 center.

MSA-ISA basketball game The second annual basketball game between the Muslim Student Association and Indian Student Association was held on Friday at the Simon Recreation Center.

Free NCAA tournament game Students will get in to Sunday’s NCAA tournament men’s soccer match for free. Students have to show their ID at the front gate in order to get into the game.

Follow us @TheUNewsSports for the latest Billikens sports coverage

BILLIKEN SCHEDULE

Men’s Basketball Mon vs. Texas

A&M* Tues vs. TBA* * CBE Classic in Kansas City

Women’s Basketball Thu at UMKC Sun at Oklahoma

Men’s Soccer Sun vs. Farleigh Dickinson/ St. John’s (NCAA Tournament)

Photo Courtesy of Billiken Media Relations

Margo Richardson finished 13th in the NCAA Regionals, the best finish in the women’s team history at regionals.

After coming off a strong Atlantic 10 championship performance, the men’s and women’s cross country teams were back in action at the NCAA regionals in Springfield, Mo. The women’s team competed against 30 other teams at regionals and the men’s team competed against 28 other teams. The women’s team finished in 10th place in the region while the men’s team finished 19th in the region.

“I think that we had a very positive weekend, everyone ran well,” Head Coach Jon Bell said.

The women’s side was lead once again by junior Margo Richardson. She set a new school record with a time of 21:05.24 and a 13th place overall finish in the women’s 6 kilometer race.

Jessica Hoefert came in

43rd place and Lauren Fyalka came in 55th place on the women’s side to back up Richardson’s effort.

“The women’s team beat Missouri, University of Missouri at Kansas City and all the other teams in the state of Missouri, so we are the number one women’s team in Missouri,” Bell said.

On the men’s side, the Bills had two strong finishes from Michael Scolarici and Tim Zellmer.

Scolarici finished in 48th place while Zellmer finished in 60th place.

“The men’s side had a program best at the regionals. Michael [Scolarici] and Tim [Zellmer] did a great job,” Bell said.

Richardson’s performance all season gave her all-region honors, but she missed earning an opportunity to run in NCAA championships by 12 seconds.

“Overall we had a great season. Our team finished the highest it has ever finished in program history at

regionals last Friday,” Richardson said. “It is a perfect example of how hard work, team effort, and dedication can bring success.”

A number of key runners will return next season to the team both on the women’s and men’s side.

Richardson will return for her senior year to lead the team again, along with Hoefert and Fyalka on the women’s side.

She’ll be looking to improve on this season’s impressive performance, which in itself marked a number of firsts for the program. On the men’s side, Scolarici and Zellmer will both return for their junior year.

“I think that we are on the cusp of being very good, I cannot predict exactly what will happen, but I have a very good feeling for next year,” Bell said.

The team’s season is over; however, the future looks bright for the cross country team.

Soccer: SLU’s superb season gives them No. 8 seed in Tournament Continued from Page 1

Bryce who knocked the ball into the back of the net. The Bills reclaimed the lead 2-1 with a few minutes left in regulation.

In the 90th minute, the Bills added a Sweetininsurance goal to conclude the game with a 3-1 victory for the Bills. The Bills advanced to the semifinals.

“I thought it was a good game,” Head Coach Mike McGinty said. “I thought we let La Salle hang around too long, but we came back and got the victory.”

The Bills would face Xavier in the A-10 semifinals. Xavier defeated the Bills 3-2 in the regular season at Xavier. In that game, the teams scored a combined five goals in the first half. However, this game only had one goal.

The Bills and Xavier were tied at halftime. The game was stalled at zero until the 82nd minute.

Adnan Gabeljic passed the ball to Bryce who headed into the goal for the 1-0 lead. The Bills held onto the lead and claimed the victory to advance to the finals.

“It was a huge morale booster [to beat

Xavier],” goalkeeper Nick Shackelford said. “They were back-to-back A-10 champions, and it just proved that we are the team to beat.”

However, the Bills had one team standing in their way between them and an A-10 conference title, Virginia Commonwealth University.

VCU had experienced a heartbreaking doubleovertime loss against the Bills in October. “[They] are really similar to us in a lot of ways.

The team that does better with their opportunities on goal will win the game,” McGinty said.

However, the Bills suffered a setback as the team’s leading scorer Kristo was sidelined with an injury. Regardless, in the championship game, the Bills did very well with their opportunities.

In the fifth minute, Bryce set the tone for the Bills. David Graydon sent a corner kick into the box where Bryce moved toward the near post and made an athletic play, touching the ball off his right foot while falling. He got the ball just past the near post for the first goal of the game.

Bloomberg: Sandy sends somber message Continued from Page 11

as the primary force behind his actions, though. No, he addressed the elephant in the room that had been almost completely neglected throughout this campaign season: climate change. He entitled his endorsing oped “A vote for a president to lead on climate change,” saying that the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Sandy “brought the stakes of Tuesday’s presidential election into sharp relief.”

Unfortunately, the rest of society hasn’t experienced the apparent clarity that Bloomberg experienced after the mass ruin of much of the Eastern seaboard. CNN and company were more concerned with showing before and after shots of the devastation wrought by the hurricane.

It takes a tragedy to put things in perspective, but it seems not even that does it for large swaths of society anymore. While the region continued picking up the pieces over the weekend, sports events resumed throughout the East, reminding everyone what is really most important: another New York Giants win.

The poor Pittsburgh Steelers couldn’t even fly to New Jersey to play the Giants a night early, sending pundits on ESPN into a tizzy, wondering if this bit of misfortune put the Steelers at a competitive disadvantage, as if nothing mattered more than the Steelers being able to fly to New York a night early to acclimate to the foreign land of Manhattan.

Hopefully Bloomberg’s decision serves as a harbin-

ger for reviewing the place of sports in our culture, something others can point to as a moment of putting millions of homeless before the millions of dollars made during each sporting event. More importantly, let’s hope his insistence on acknowledging the real issues facing society serves as an impetus to have a real dialogue about issues facing this country.

“I want our president to place scientific evidence and risk management above electoral politics,” Bloomberg wrote, echoing the sentiments of many frustrated with the political gridlock in Washington.

His call is a simple one: To put people above the passion of sport, to put reason before partisanship and to put the future above the past.

In a culture run by passion, his thoughts are all too refreshing, reflecting the thoughts of many who silently scorn the increasing polarization fueled by the fervor of increasingly extremist individuals. Likewise, the passion many feel towards sports has overtaken the airwaves, driving out any trace of rational thought the talking heads were hanging on to.

Climate change is just one of the results of this zeal, as we enjoy watching storm chasers driving down the latest twister much more than we enjoy watching PBS specials about our changing atmosphere and its effects on the ozone layer. And of course, we love watching a good Olympics more than anything.

And hey, this election’s over now -- Bloomberg 2016, anyone?

In the middle of the first half, VCU had an opportunity to equalize, but Shackelford made a kicksave, and on the rebound, VCU shot the ball wide. The game remained in favor of the Bills.

In the 33rd minute, Gabeljic rocketed down three-fourths of the field and touched the ball past the outstretched arms of the VCU keeper. The Bills took the 2-0 lead into halftime.

The Bills added another goal in the 57th minute by midfielder William Hidalgo to make it a 3-0 lead for the Bills as they cruised on their way to the A-10 title.

The Bills received a number of honors at the tournament. McGinty was named A-10 coach of the year.

Bryce was named the tournament’s most outstanding player. Also, Bryce, Gabeljic, Kristo and Shackelford were named to the all-championship team.

The victory moved SLU into prime position for a first-round bye in the NCAA tournament.

During Monday’s selection show, the Bills received a No. 8 seed and a first-round bye in the NCAA

Photo Courtesy of Atlantic 10 Conference

Kingsley Bryce celebrating his goal in the Atlantic 10 championship game. He scored three in the tournament. tournament.

The Bills will play either Fairleigh Dickinson or St. John’s in the second round of the NCAA soccer tournament.

The team makes its 47th NCAA tournament appearance. It is the team’s first appearance in the tournament since 2009.

This is McGinty’s first tournament appearance as the head coach of the Billikens.

“It is looking pretty nice,” junior Jon Roeckle

said. “It was good to get that eight seed. That way if we win the first game, we will have another home game.

However, we have to make sure all of our focus is on the first game.”

The Bills will have at least one more chance to play at Hermann Stadium.

The winner of the St. John’s and Fairleigh Dickinson game will play the Bills at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 18th at Hermann Stadium. Student admission to the game is free.

SLU faces tough, big time competition in the CBE Classic Tournament Texas A&M Aggies

Photo Courtesy of sportslogos.net

After a move to the SEC, the Aggies are looking to right the ship on the court. Last season was anything but kind to the Aggies, as head coach Mark Turgeon bolted for a job at Maryland and Kennedy was hired before being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but he’s back on the bench this year. To compete with the Billikens, they’ll need superb performances from their upperclassmen, including Elston Turner, who is off to a sizzling start, averaging 20.5 points per game in Texas A&M’s first two games. Backcourt mate Fabyon Harris will also be called upon, as the Aggies look to match the Billikens backcourt firepower with a bit of their own. The Aggies are looking to improve on last year’s 14-18 effort, and freshmen J’Mychal Reese and Alex Caruso will be a big part in filling the void left by the departure of stalwart guard Dash Harris.

Kansas Jayhawks

Photo Courtesy of sportslogos.net

If SLU makes it to the finals, they’ll likely meet the University of Kansas. Last year’s national runner-up, the Kansas Jayhawks, promise to see no major drop in performance after the departure of NBA-lottery pick Thomas Robinson. 7-foot senior Jeff Withey will play a big role in anchoring the Jayhawks down low, as he has always been a solid defender, but something of an enigma on offense, despite averaging nine points per game last season. In addition, blue-chip freshmen Ben McLemore and Perry Ellis will play a big role in the backcourt as the Jayhawks look to win their ninth regular season Big 12 title in a row.

Washington State

Photo Courtesy of sportslogos.net

Washington State will be looking to improve upon a mediocre 19-18 campaign last season that saw their season end with a runner-up finish in the College Basketball Invitation Tournament. Senior forward Brock Motum, who averaged 18 points per game last season, seems poised to lead them again after his 23-point performance in their season opener against Eastern Washington. Sophomore guard Davonte Lacy will lead the backcourt, building on his solid freshman season, when he averaged 8.6 points and two assists per game. Washington State was picked to finish 11th in the Pac-12 preseason media poll, as they look to rebuild after two impressive wins to open the season.-

unewsonline.com

NOVEMBER 15, 2012

SPORTS 13

Volleyball defeated in final conference match Butler sweeps the Billikens in three sets to get into A-10 tournament

By DJ BARGER Staff Writer

Photo courtesy of Billiken Media Relations

Carly Marcum spiking the ball against La Salle. Marcum was playing in her final conference game against Butler on Saturday, Nov. 10.

The Billiken women’s volleyball conference schedule came to an end on Saturday. SLU dropped a match at Butler in straight sets. The Bulldogs won the sets 27-25, 25-14 and 25-16.

During the match, Senior Cassie Clark notched her 13th double-double of the season. She had 13 digs and 28 assists.

While performing well offensively, Clark was not happy with the team’s execution.

“I am a little disappointed about our performance on Saturday against Butler. I do not think that we played SLU volleyball and I think that we could have given them a better game,” she said.

In the match, Junior Grace Bonoma recorded 14 digs. Those put her at 1,136 for her college career.

Bonoma is now eighth alltime in career digs at SLU. Rachel Barber of the Bulldogs had 14 kills in the match, helping her win A-10 Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors. Morgan Peterson also had a doubledouble, collecting 36 assists and 16 digs for Butler.

The loss was the nextto-last game of the season for the volleyball team. The Bills have concluded their A-10 season.

This season has been a difficult one for the Billikens. They have had to deal with a death in the SLU family, injuries and recently getting stuck in hurricane

Sandy. Even so, Clark has enjoyed a positive experience with her team this year.

“I think that one thing that you can always expect from our team is [for us] to play our hearts out,” Clarke said. “We play very hard as a collective group and we work well together. On and off the court we get along, so that makes it a lot more enjoyable, as well as easier, on the court.”

The Bills had a tough A-10 season. The team lost their first five conference matches before picking up their first victory against Butler.

After those six games, the Bills only won three more games this conference season.

The team missed the A-10 tournament, as Butler’s victory over the Bills ensured them the final spot in the A-10 conference tournament.

Five seniors played their final conference game at Butler: Clarke, Aleksandra Niemiec, Andrea Bolt, Carly Marcum and Carly Schumacher.

These players played their final game at Chaifetz Pavillion on Nov. 3 against La Salle, where they won in three sets.

Although the team missed the A-10 tournament, they will play one more game this season.

The team will conclude their season against the University of Kansas on Wednesday, Nov. 21. The game will be played in Lawrence, Kan.

First pass: History made at SLU Continued from Page 11

of Cochems’ revolutionary squads.

As historians have combed over the annals, some have disputed the claims that Cochems’ team completed the first pass, proposing that squads were experimenting with the idea as early as 1905.

Many of the preemiment names in football, Rockne among the most revered, have paid homage to Cochems’ accomplishment, though.

“Although Cochems was the premier passing coach during the first year of the rule, the first forward passes were thrown at the end of the 1905 season,” Nelson wrote.

It remains undisputed that Cochems was the first to implement and popularize the pass and construct an entire offense around the crazy idea that the pigskin could be tossed through the air, capturing the imaginations of millions across the country along its path.

In addition, Bradbudy became the sport’s first “triple-threat” man, starring as a passer, kicker and runner before heading on to the Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

So maybe this Thanksgiving, when everyone in the family hunkers around the dining room table to give thanks and pass the stuffing around, whisper a short hymn of gratitude for Eddie Cochems, the driving force behind modern football.

Richard Chaifetz has pride and high expectations for basketball

By CHARLES BOWLES Sports Editor

Richard Chaifetz got to see the Saint Louis University men’s basketball team claim its first victory against South Carolina Upstate in his arena.

Chaifetz may be the biggest Saint Louis University basketball fan. After all, he paid $12 million in support of the organization, and the arena was named in his honor. That being said, Chaifetz is ready to cheer on the Billikens again this season.

“I’m very encouraged. I know that Brian [Conklin] will be missed, but the team is in a better position than last year,” Chaifetz said.

Chaifetz, like most Bil-

liken fans, was shocked when head coach Rick Majerus announced his leave of absence. He has not spoken with Majerus since his announcement and calls Majerus’ absence an “unexpected blow.”

“Rick is a dear friend of mine and I wish him nothing but the best,” Chaifetz said.

Despite the absence of his friend, Chaifetz has full confidence in interim head coach Jim Crews.

“Jim Crews brings years of experience, and he will continue to build upon the success from last season,” Chaifetz said.

Chaifetz also said that Conklin’s leadership last season was a huge part of the Bills’ sucess, and they will need other players to step into that role this season.

“Brian was a great leader; he will be missed. He engendered enthusiasm and confidence,” Chaifetz said.

“It also hurts that Kwamain

Photo courtesy of Chicago Tribune

[Mitchell] will be out, but there is great depth and experience, which will help the team.”

Strong student attendance at first game

Chaifetz is encouraged by the progress the team has made in the arena he played such a large part in building. Though Chaifetz has invested so much into the basketball arena, he does not play any further role with the team.

“The best thing that I can do is be an enthusiast for the University, supporting the school and talking about the team,” Chaifetz said. “The arena is one of the best in the world.”

Besides basketball games, the arena hosted the 2012 VISA Championships, roller derby competitions and other athletic events.

In addition, the arena has become one of St. Louis’ hottest music venues, hosting big names such as Lupe Fiasco, Wiz Khalifa, The Black Keys and many others.

St. Louis basketball to return in 2014

By TONY TRAINA Associate Sports Editor

Emily Diehl/ Multimedia Editor

The student fan support at the first men’ basketball game was very large at the South Carolina Upstate game,. Oriflamme leaders danced at halftime as the Billikens defeated the USC Upstate 76-59.

The athletic and cultural talent is enough to impress anyone. However, Chaifetz sees sports as having an important economic effect on the University.

“Sports are important because they attract students to the university and create a national reputation for the school,” Chaifetz said.

Chaifetz cites fellow Atlantic 10 schools Butler University and Duke University as prime examples of the way in which athletics can impact academics. Duke, a private school, is a traditional basketball powerhouse.

According to Butler University Athletics, after the men’s basketball team’s 2010 Final Four appearance, applications to Butler rose 41 percent, and season ticket sales for the men’s basketball team rose 25 percent.

It was a successful March for St. Louisians all around this past spring.

Not only did the Billikens reach the third round of the NCAA Tournament, but the city also hosted another successful Midwest Regional, capped by Kansas earning a trip to the Final Four.

St. Louis’ performance as a host impressed fans and NCAA onlookers so much that it earned another chance to host another round of NCAA Tournament games 2014.

This time, though, the games will be second- and third-round tilts played in the Scotttrade Center. last season’s games were hosted at the much larger Edward Jones Dome.

This will mark only the second time St. Louis has hosted games for the tournament’s opening weekend, though they have hosted six men’s regionals and one Final Four, in 2005, when the University of North Carolina disappointed a highly partisan University of Illinois crowd in the championship game.

North Carolina made another appearance in St. Louis last season, losing to

Kansas in its bid to earn a trip to New Orleans for the Final Four. Like Illinois seven years before, Kansas enjoyed vast support as many fans made the drive along Interstate 70 to St. Louis.

The Missouri Valley Conference, headquartered in St. Louis, will act as the host for the event.

The MVC also announced that after holding their conference tournament away from St. Louis this season, in Kansas City, the tournament will return to the Scotttrade Center for at least two more years.

“Arch Madness,” as it is billed by the conference, is a large draw for fans across the region, as some of the perenially mid-major powers are a part of the conference, including Creighton, Bradley, and SLU coach Jim Crews’ former home, the University of Evansville.

While Saint Louis University proudly acted as the host for last year’s regional, the MVC will be taking the mantle of host the next time around, inviting a group of universities into their valley for what promises to be another strong opening weekend for the NCAA Tournament.

The games will take place on March 21 and 23, 2014 to kick off March Madness.

In the same study, appearance in the Final Four generated over $600 million in publicity value for Butler University.

However, Chaifetz does recognize that athletics are not the “sole factor” in making a great school.

“Athletics are a way to round out the college experience,” Chaifetz said.

Chaifetz has high hopes for the season.

“I’m excited to come to SLU for the season.

We have a great schedule and the team looks very strong,” Chaifetz said.

“Going to a game is a great way to spend three hours; it is energizing and exciting.”

Chaifetz’s pride and loyalty for the University is as obvious in what he says as is his name on the arena’s sign.

Women: Drop season opener Continued from Page 11

Atlantic 10 play on Jan. 12 against conference newcomer Virginia Commonwealth University. The Billikens end the season on March 3 at George Washington before opening A-10 tournament play from March 8-10.

Although the team may be a work in progress, there is reason for optimism, especially after the strong opening showing against Missouri. First-year coach Stone is excited about the rebuilding process, as she will attempt to create a reputable Billiken squad that can compete night-in and night-out.

“We’re going to play and compete in every single game,” Stone said. The team has multiple doubleheaders with the men’s team at home this year and hopes to win over fans and students alike with their style and demeanor.

The Billikens will head to Kansas City this Thursday to face another in-state rival, University of Missouri - Kansas City. The Kangaroos finished 22-12 last season, and return three starters from the team. Then, the Billikens head to Oklahoma to take on the nationally-ranked Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday before their home opener.

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