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The Oracle THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 I VOL. 52 NO. 76

www.usforacle.com

The Index

News.................................................................1 Opinion.......................................................6

classifieds..............................................7 Crossword.........................................7

sports............................................................8

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

Candidates detail platforms in debate 21 players

added to 2015 Bulls By Jacob Hoag A S S T .

remission after about three and a half years of treatment.” Connor had been off treatment for over a year before the cancer came back. However, this time, the treatments would not be the same. “Connor’s body was starting to shut down,” Tracey said. “He was going into organ failure because of the chemo.” At that time, Tebbi and Tracey decided Connor would be better with quality of life rather than quantity. They moved him to a hospice, where all treatment stopped. After two years, the hospice

n See BENEFIT on PAGE 3

n See BULLS on PAGE 3

Benefit to raise donations, hope for pediatric cancer C O R R E S P O N D E N T

Though there are many fundraisers for a cure to pediatric cancer, what if cancer could be stopped before ever spreading in a child’s body? A world-renowned illusionist, hors d’oeuvres, beer and a silent auction will be a part of the third annual A Magic Cure Benefit at The RITZ Ybor at 6 p.m. Saturday. Hosted by the Lawrence A. Martucci Benefit Corp, the benefit aids Tampabased charity the Children’s Cancer Research Group through

1Voice Foundation. The president of Lawrence A. Martucci Benefit Corp, Luana Martucci, has helped raise more than $20,000 over the last two years organizing the event. This year’s goal is to raise $30,000, which will be donated to the research lab of Dr. Cameron Tebbi, the chief of the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and the director of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Tampa General Hospital. “Dr. Tebbi, I think, is one of the only laboratories in the United States that is actually researching for a prevention,” Martucci said.

“Most of the research labs look for treatments.” Instead of searching for a cure to pediatric cancer, Tebbi has spent the last 40 years trying to stop leukemia before it starts. A vaccine would prevent the cancer from ever taking root. This would avert not only death, but also the pain of treatment. A pain that Tebbi said he’s seen all too much of during his career. One such case is 15-year-old Connor Hernandez, diagnosed at the age of 4. His mother, Tracey Hernandez, stays active in the cancer community. “Connor has battled (leukemia) twice,” Tracey said. “He went into

E D I T O R

It was all smiles for USF coach Willie Taggart at his National Signing Day press conference, and for good reason. Taggart and his staff secured the top recruiting class in the AAC for the second consecutive year — the 65th best class in the nation — according to 247Sports.com. Taggart reeled in 19 signees, in addition to one early enrolled athlete and a four-star transfer, which brought 21 total members to the 2015 class. As far as such days go, USF’s signing went by calmly and without upset, with all 19 commits signing by the end. “You always wait for that last fax to come in,” Taggart said. “You just want to get them all in. It’s all a fight until you hear that machine start running.” The switch to the spread offense for next season made speed and depth a priority for USF, and Taggart felt he filled those voids. “(The spread offense) didn’t affect the recruiting cycle, but we did address some needs that we had in order to spread it out from a depth standpoint,” Taggart said. “We did a great job in identifying those players that could help us.” One of the key prospects on offense was cornerback-turnedreceiver Chris Barr of Trinity Christian Academy, whose speed playmaking ability, Taggart said, will allow him to contribute early. Staff changes usually spell doubt for recruits, but USF’s class didn’t waiver its commitment to the Bulls. “When you have a staff change in the middle of recruiting, there’s always concern about losing some guys,” Taggart said. “But our (staff)

Candidates, Sammy Hamed (left) and Andy Rodriguez, discussed why they should be the next student body president at the debate held Wednesday in the Marshall Student Center Oval Theater. ORACLE PHOTO/ADAM MATHIEU By Grace Hoyte As soon as the cheering from hope to improve safety mea- running for president, Hamed S T A F F W R I T E R over 150 students died down, sures, including an improved cited a desire to open doors for SAFE team and more University others that were opened for him. the debate got underway. Questions ranged from pro- Police officers. “I’ll be able to facilitate the Students gathered Wednesday fessional — how will Student His opponent, Sammy Hamed, relationships students need for to hear this year’s candidates Government (SG) be branded who recently stepped down from their future,” he said. voice their opinions and cam- and what will that brand mean? his position of SG Chief Justice, To the same question, paign platforms at the Student — to personal — why did each emphasized his goal to enhance Rodriguez said he believes expeBody Presidential Debate in the candidate choose USF? student growth by connecting rience, knowledge and patience Marshall Student Center Oval Andy Rodriguez, the current them with jobs and internships. is why he is the best qualified to Theater. Regarding his motivation for Senate president, spoke on his n See DEBATE on PAGE 2

By Allison Leslie

S P O R T S


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