03-26-15

The Oracle THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015 I VOL. 52 NO. 100

Inside this Issue

www.usforacle.com

The Index

Opinion.......................................................4 Classifieds..............................................8 Lifestyle......................................................5 Crossword......................................10 sports.........................................................12

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

Bullstock lineup announced — Young the Giant

L I FE STYLE

— American Authors

Tampa shows pride in upcoming parade.

Page 4

Montage

— Andy Grammer S P ORTS Senior Karla Claudio continues to break down barriers.

BACK

Young the Giant will perform April 10 at Bullstock outside the Sun Dome, along with Andy Grammer and American Authors. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE

By Wesley Higgins N E W S

E D I T O R

The crowd couldn’t keep from shrieking when they heard this year’s Bullstock

lineup announcement on the Marshall Student Center lawn.

Imagine what noise they’ll make outside the Sun Dome when they hear the bands in person.

Headlining the event will

be Young the Giant who will play along with two openers, Andy Grammer and American Authors, on April 10.

Bullstock is an annual outdoor music festival that concludes USF Week. Past headlin-

ers have included Panic! At the Disco, All-American Rejects and Cobra Starship.

Young the Giant is a rock band known for unshackled

n See BULLSTOCK on PAGE 6

TEDxUSF to feature locals with grand vision

By Wesley Higgins N E W S

E D I T O R

What does an ant whisperer, the student body vice president, a hula hooper and the dean of engineering have in common? They’ll all be sharing the same stage this weekend to give a TED talk.

TED is a global phenomenon meant to bring together some of the world’s brightest minds to share their ideas, hopes and dreams.

Since there are a million more ideas worth sharing, TEDx was created to bring local communities together to listen to their dreamers next door.

USF will host a TEDx event Saturday at the School of Music that will give the stage to the university’s professors and students who have something to say.

Speakers include: — Rhondel Whyte, the student body vice president, who left Trinidad and arrived in this

country hoping he may also achieve the American dream.

— Jill McCracken, a professor of rhetoric, who studies sex trafficking and violence against girls and women.

— Parmvir Bahia, a research associate and neuroscientist, who believes science can be brought to everyday people by reducing the gap between scientists and non-scientists.

— Daniel H. Yeh, a professor of civil and environmental engineering, who focuses on global health and thinks

the problems of water, energy, food and sanitation can solved by biorecycling.

— Jonathon Burroughs, a sophomore majoring in health science, who appreciates the greatness of nature and advocates living modestly.

— Carissa Caricato, a graduate with a degree in mass communications, who sends hula-hoops to girls around the world and believes simple joys can make a world of difference in the lives of the downtrod-

n See TEDx on PAGE 3

2

T H U R S DAY, M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

●

T H E O R AC L E

License plate vandalism reported on campus

By Grace Hoyte M A N A G I N G

E D I T O R

Hannah Hull sat in her Honda Civic at the intersection of Bearss and Nebraska avenues. Blaring music, she said she almost didn’t notice the woman yelling for her attention from another car.

When she turned, the woman brought attention to the condition of her license plate — off its hinges. Pulling into a small plaza, she said she realized someone had been tampering with her plate.

There has been a string of such incidents, according to University Police (UP) Assistant Chief Chris Daniel. A single report filed yesterday stated six vehicles’ tags had been vandalized in a similar fashion.

“It was a timespan of over two days,” Daniel said. “Apparently, the people hadn’t checked on their vehicles in a couple of days, and then (they) noticed it.”

The affected cars had been parked in the R permit parking lot north of Mu Hall on the north side of campus.

“I’m pretty appalled that someone is going around doing something like that,” said Hull, a freshman living in Theta Hall.

The computer science major said she was already nervous about parking in Tampa, as she is from New Port Richey.

As of now, there are no known suspects. Daniel said this may have been a prank or dare, as none of the damage is permanent, though they have not ruled out the possibility of more nefarious intentions.

In Florida, stealing a license plate is considered petit theft.

“It could be a number of things,” Daniel said, regarding the possible motivation of the perpetrator. “But it’s really hard to say, without knowing who the suspects are (and) what their motivations were.”

University Police have received multiple reports of tampered license plates over the past few days. ORACLE PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

T H U R S DAY, M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

●

TEDx

Continued from PAGE 1

den.

— Robert Bishop, the dean of engineering, who grew up surrounded by creativity and believes art and engineering go hand in hand.

— Deby Cassill, a professor at USF St. Petersburg, who claims to be an ant whisperer and wants to share the rich, inner lives of fire ants.

— Ryan Swanson, a graduate with a degree in architecture, who funded an event to improve urban areas under the theory that creativity can bring together urban communities.

T H E O R AC L E

— Gloria Munoz, a graduate with a degree in creative writing, who is part of an alumni team that focuses on collaborative art projects for a cause.

While tickets are no longer available for the 100 seats in Barness Recital Hall, the first 100 people in line Saturday morning will get to watch a live streaming at another room in the School of Music.

For those who aren’t able to get a seat, there will be other streaming parties hosted by student organizations and resident halls.

The first lecture starts at 10 a.m. and the event is expected to run until 4 p.m.

3

Opinion

4

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

●

T H U R S D AY, M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

Florida needs to get past anti-gay adoption legislation the mistakes of the past.

Additionally, allowing a private agency to make decisions founded on its idea of what makes or breaks its “moral or religious convictions” gives that agency a lot of freedom to discriminate against anyone it chooses for any reason.

According to the Times, Richardson mentioned in his response to the proposal that a Christian organization could deny adoption from a Jewish family.

Clearly, such blatant and permitted discrimination could extend to any other religion or dogmatic assumption about a group of people.

On a broader scale, proposals such as this one show that the fight for LGBT rights is a step-by-step process. And it’s one that can be slower in some places than in others, as another proposal in Florida would restrict the restroom one can use to one’s sex, which would not allow the trans community to enter the restroom of the gender with which they identify.

Allowing sexual identity to determine whether one is capable of caring for a child is bizarre, especially since heterosexual parenthood is not always unblemished in the first place. It’s time to stop barring progress with bigotry, and for Florida to reflect that in its laws.

Isabelle Cavazos is a junior majoring in English and Spanish.

Just when Florida was on the verge of getting rid of an outdated, discriminatory anti-gay adoption statute still in place, some who prefer old-fashioned ways of thinking interrupted.

Shortly after Rep. David Richardson, the state’s first openly gay lawmaker, attempted to repeal the state’s unconstitutional same-sex adoption ban, a primarily Republican-supported amendment to let private agencies deny adoptions if they challenge their “religious or moral convictions” emerged, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

It’s not surprising that anti-gay sentiments may have taken root after Florida’s legalization of samesex marriage, which might have left some conservatives feeling bitter. This action-packed discriminatory amendment not only allows a private agency to let prospective

parents in on what defines a proper family, but also allows it to do so penalty-free. Furthermore, the Times article noted that the agency wouldn’t be in danger of “losing its license, public grants or contracts and the ability to participate in government programs.”

Though freedom of speech is definitely used as an excuse when it comes to the argument that businesses can deny goods and services to same-sex couples, children are not commodities, and denying eligible potential parents from adoption is selfish.

On top of that, it’s problematic for a private agency that is particularly choosy to want to have the best of both worlds and retain its public benefits.

Perhaps the most ridiculous part of the amendment is its attempt to push back the clocks. As mentioned in the Times, Florida had the worst gay adoption ban in the country since 1977 until 2010, when Frank Martin Gill, a gay man, was able to adopt his two foster sons after three years in court, and the law was deemed unconstitutional.

However, Florida still retains the statute, and despite action taken to rid the state of it, the amendment, which was approved by the House Health and Human Services Committee last week, encourages

the Oracle

the University of South Florida’s student newspaper since 1966

Isabelle Cavazos COLU M N I ST

Editor in Chief: Alex Rosenthal .............................. oracleeditor@gmail.com Managing Editor: Grace Hoyte ......................... oraclemeditor@gmail.com

News Editor: Wesley Higgins .......................... oraclenewsteam@gmail.com Sports Editor: Vinnie Portell ........................ oraclesportseditor@gmail.com Lifestyle Editor: Ariana Matos .................. oraclelifestyleeditor@gmail.com Opinion Editor: Isabelle Cavazos ....................... oracleopinion@gmail.com Copy Editors: Safeena Kassoo, Caitlin Lochner Multimedia Editor: Adam Mathieu Assistant Editors: Sebastian Contento, Jacob Hoag, Brandon Shaik Graphic Arts Manager: Luke Blankenship Advertising Sales Manager: Ashley Pollio

●

T H E O R AC L E

What you said Editor Adam Mathieu asked students their thoughts about a recent Florida proposal that would allow private agencies to deny same-sex couples from adoption because of religious or moral convictions.

“I can see why there is an argument on the religious side, but I still don’t think that sexual orientation should be a factor in adoption.”

— Sage Norrie, a sophomore majoring in molecular biology

“I don’t agree with it. You should be able to start a family with whoever. It’s unfair.”

— Ashley Parkhurst, a senior majoring in early childhood education

“Personally, I am in favor of gay marriage, so if that is legal then the rights that come with it should also be there, so I am leaning toward it being a protective class.”

— Isaac Roberts, a senior majoring in computer science

The Oracle is published Monday through Thursday during the fall and spring semesters, and twice weekly, Monday and Thursday, during the summer.

The Oracle allocates one free issue to each student.

Additional copies are $.50 each and available at the Oracle office (SVC 0002).

BY PHONE Main . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sports ................

Lifestyle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . .

Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Website: Facebook: Twitter:

974-6242 974-5190 974-1888 974-2842 974-2398 974-2620 974-6242

usforacle.com facebook.com/usforacle @USFOracle

CORRECTIONS The Oracle will correct or clarify factual errors.

Contact Editor in Chief Alex Rosenthal at 974-5190.

“I believe that the proposal isn’t right. I think people should be allowed to love who they want without being punished.”

— Teyonna Edwards, a sophomore majoring in mass communications

Lifestyle

Pride returns to Tampa UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

By Ariana Matos L I F E S T Y L E

E D I T O R

For many years the members of the Tampa GLBTA community were not allowed to celebrate their own gay pride parade. But Tampa Pride, a nonprofit organization, has rallied and fought and now, after 13 years, St. Pete’s pride parade has a Tampa companion.

Pride parades were not always banned in the city. Back in 1982, Tampa’s first-ever parade was held at USF. President of Pride, Carrie West, remembers its humble beginnings.

“At that time we played softball, we had a barbecue; people came and rode their horses there. There were so many dogs and horses there. It was all sand dunes,” he said. “Each of the bars (in the area) had a softball team for representation and we got together and had musical groups. People came together and just sang.”

But after 20 years of successful pride parades all around the city, in 2005, Commissioner Ronda Storms helped ban the parade and any like it in Hillsborough County.

According to West, the commission didn’t want anything to do with GLBTA organizations.

“Let’s put it down to the fact that Hillsborough County did not

want to acknowledge, promote or finance anything GLBT,” he said.

After over a decade without a parade to represent the Tampa GLBTA community, the question is, why now?

“Why not?” West said. “This the time that everything is happening in the community with the economic growth of Tampa and Hillsborough County. We have a big diverse group of gay people coming in.”

Tampa Pride has been planning and gathering funds for the free event for a little over a year now.

West said the preparations were made possible by a very enthusiastic group of supporters.

“Last summer we got together to determine if it was time. Was it going to be this time or next year? And if it was, who would be the leaders? So we held a meeting and the 12 people that attended were assigned a job,” West said.

“Everyone was 100 percent saying they wanted Tampa Pride to proceed. So we said, ‘Let’s get the process going.’”

West said Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn was a big supporter of the parade because he was aware of how lucrative other Prides have been in the past.

“We didn’t ask for money from Bob we just told him about our situation, and he knows what the

●

T H U R S D AY, M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

economic impact is,” he said.

“Last year it brought in $18 million for St. Pete alone.”

Not only is the event a great way to bring in money for the city, but it is also representative of the strides that the country is making toward equality.

“Now we are getting rid of that black cloud over the city,” he said.

“For the people who didn’t come to Hillsborough County because they were afraid of all the discrimination they’d face. This opens it up; human rights are going to be a wonderful factor in this new era of Tampa.”

While it seems the state has taken a step forward toward equality with legislation for gay marriage being approved, the state is taking two steps back with the HB 583/ SB 1464 bill, or the “Bathroom Bill” which, if passed, will make many transgender people using the restroom and other sex-segregated facilities with which they identify guilty of a misdemeanor.

Former president of the Trans+ Student Union (TSU) and active member Prin Luis said this bill is a dangerous message to send to the transgender community.

“It is already really scary for trans people to go to the bathroom,” Luis said. “People don’t know what trans people look like, people don’t know anything about

●

T H E O R AC L E

us really. So, when they think of a trans woman going to the bathroom, they are picturing maybe a drag queen, maybe their husband in a dress. While people might look like that in some cases, in a lot of cases this law is going to legally force people who look like everyday people to use bathrooms they don’t look like they’re supposed to be in. It’s not good, not safe and not comfortable.”

Members of TSU will be marching in the Pride parade not only to enjoy the festivities but also to raise awareness for trans rights.

Allison Fusaro, a sophomore majoring in psychology, wants people to realize the major impact trans people have on the community.

“I think it’s very important that the trans community gets more representation because they are very underrepresented, but this is the wrong way to go about it,” she said. “I’m glad that there is something out there in everyone’s face but this is just wrong.”

TSU is excited and hopeful that the USF community will show support because of the large impact the university has on the area.

“This is the first one in years, it is finally legal again to do so,” Luis said. “So it’s really exciting and we really want there to be a big USF presence there because

5

USF is a really big employer in the Tampa community so it is very important.”

The event includes a parade, a festival, an exclusive VIP Sponsors Gala and will be held in the famous GaYBOR district of Ybor City.

West wants people to understand that Pride isn’t just for gay people — their allies are also welcome.

“We are calling it less gay pride, more diversity pride. This is for people who have a brother, sister, mother, father, uncle or aunt who is gay,” he said. “It’s not a black, white, Asian. It’s not a big, tall, short. It’s not if you’re heavy or you’re light, if you’re old or if you’re young. Tampa Pride celebrates who the person is. This is to celebrate the fact that companies have gay workers and show them pride and respect. It’s a lot of positivism.”

West is most excited to see people feel comfortable enough to live out loud and to be themselves without fear of judgement. “(I’m excited about) the fact that they can walk freely down the streets. (I’m excited for) over 100 different organizations and businesses and floats and companies showing their respect and proudness in the Pride parade.”

6

T H U R S DAY, M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

●

T H E O R AC L E

BULLSTOCK

Continued from PAGE 1

Andy Grammer will perform as an opening act for this year’s Bullstock.

SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE

singing over an atmospheric soundscape. Their first hit single was “My Body” and peaked at the number five spot on the Billboard 100.

Andy Grammer is a pop singer-songwriter known for his feel-good hit “Keep Your Head Up.” American Authors is a pop rock band known for their songs “Believer” and “Best Day of My Life.”

Before the concerts begins, there will be a party at 5 p.m.

Past pre-parties have featured bungee jumping, rock walls and a zip line.

USF Week begins April 6 this year, and will feature events including the Ultimate Bull Talent Show, Rocky’s Birthday Bash and a ULS lecture with Bill Nye the “Science Guy.” USF Week concludes April 11 with a baseball game against the ECU Pirates.

T H U R S DAY, M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

●

T H E O R AC L E

7

8

Classifieds UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

To place a classified ad go to HELP WANTED LaFleur’s Gymnastics Coaching Positions Available Immediate openings for experienced, enthusiastic Girls Compulsory and XCEL coaches.

Contact Alecia at 813.264.5000 or optionalgirls@lafleurstampa.com.

Swim Instructor Must love kids and be enthusiastic.

Call LaFleur’s: 813.264-5000.

Crossword

●

T H U R S D AY, M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

http://www.usforacle.com/classifieds

●

T H E O R AC L E

T H U R S DAY, M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

●

9

T H E O R AC L E

Baseball

Farley showing reliability out of USF bullpen

Sophomore Michael Farely (22) will likely be called out of the bullpen this weekend as he owns a 0.90 ERA after allowing only two earned runs in 20 innings pitched. ORACLE FILE PHOTO/ADAM MATHIEU

By Tiana Aument C O R R E S P O N D E N T

The USF baseball team clung to a one-run lead Tuesday night in Fort Myers. It was one out away from a victory over Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), a team that had handed USF a loss at home exactly one month prior.

Sophomore right-handed pitcher Michael Farley had just walked a batter to load the bases when the count ran full. The sophomore sent the payoff pitch to catcher Levi Borders, who caught it for the third and final strike.

Farley picked up his second win, an 8-7 nail-biter, to build some momentum for the Bulls as they enter conference play this weekend.

USF (17-8-1) hosts Cincinnati (6-16) for a three-game series, beginning Friday at 6:30 p.m.

Farley, who tossed 1 2/3 of one-hit baseball, will likely be called from the bullpen this weekend, as he has shown a degree of reliability.

The Florida native holds a 0.90 ERA after allowing two earned runs over 20 innings.

In the AAC, he ranks second in appearances with 12, behind USF’s Tommy Peterson, who has 13.

Farley has taken strides since last season. Last year at this time, he had allowed 11 earned runs through 27 2/3 innings, giving him a 3.58 ERA. He also held a 1-3 record with 24 strikeouts and eight walks.

He currently has just as many strikeouts.

Collectively, USF boasts an ERA of 3.75, while Cincinnati has one of 6.46.

Offensively, three Bearcats average over .300. Center fielder Ian Happ, who has started all 22 games, is batting .418, and catcher Woody Wallace, who has started 12, is batting .320.

The Bearcats are 5-2 at home and have yet to win an away game. USF is the third stop on their nine-game road trip, and Cincinnati has dropped all five games leading up to it. The Bearcats have been outscored 47-23 in that span.

The Bulls finished 2-2 on their last road trip with wins against No. 18 Illinois and FGCU. They’ll carry a twogame winning streak into conference play Friday.

10

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

●

T H U R S D AY, M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

●

T H E O R AC L E

CHALLENGE

Continued from PAGE 12

know how to say, ‘Hey, can you help me?’”

Claudio found a new home at Santa Fe College in Gainesville prior to USF. It was there that she began transforming her life and adjusting to the new country.

“We wanted her before she even went to Santa Fe, but the aspect of going there and getting the English language down and feeling comfortable and acclimated to the United States, and seeing how she would handle being away from home was a big deal,” USF coach Ken Eriksen said. “The staff at Santa Fe was always in contact with us about her progress.”

Claudio received help from her Spanish-speaking coach, Chris Ahern, who wouldn’t let her speak Spanish in practice or to teammates. This pushed her to not only be good at softball, but proficient in a new language.

“People don’t understand that she just learned the English language and mastered it in what, three years?”

Eriksen said. “To understand the nuances and slangs and dugout chatter is hard and she gets it. She’s a pretty bright kid.”

Eriksen had seen her play before on her home turf during the 2011 Pan American Games against none other than Team USA, of which he was the head coach at the time.

When asked about his first impression of Claudio, he immediately replied, “She was an athlete.”

“She’s probably one of our better catchers that’s never going to catch for us. She’s probably one of the better shortstops that’s never going to play shortstop for us,” Eriksen said. “She’s an athlete and a half with great instincts that you’d love to have in your program.”

Claudio took notice of her future coach as well and cited the program’s Big East title win and College World Series run as key elements in her decision to make the short trip down to Tampa.

When pitching, her dad always told her to be tough and stay positive. Claudio now channels that positivity into

Claudio spent two seasons with Santa Fe College where she adjusted to life in the U.S. before making the move to USF last season. PHOTO PROVIDED BY SANTA FE COLLEGE ATHLETICS her play, an intangible element that USF junior Monica Santos — a former teammate on the Puerto Rican National Team – can’t play without.

“One thing Karla always shows on the field is that she plays with a lot of passion and I don’t think you could ever take that away from her,” Santos said. “It’s contagious when you have someone that is so passionate about what they do. You look at her when she gets a strikeout and she’s punching her glove and bringing that energy. To have that presence on the mound is very beneficial.”

As dominant as she’s been this year, Claudio got a chance to sit behind Sara Nevins, one of the best pitchers USF has ever seen, and who became her “big” once she joined the squad in 2013.

“She’s strong,” Nevins said.

“Whether it’s fielding or pitching or hitting or even when she’s not playing, she’ll be cheering you on and makes little handshakes with everyone on the team and it makes

playing with her a lot of fun.”

Claudio sat behind Nevins her first year and made only 14 appearances compared to Nevins’ 44. She knew once Nevins was gone, she’d have to step up and fill the void and she was ready.

“We worked hard in the fall knowing the questions we’d face, but we knew how good we were from day one,” Claudio said. “Even Sara (Nevins) told us that even though she wasn’t here, she knew how talented we were and that we wouldn’t need her to be successful.”

No matter how much success she gains, it doesn’t fill the void left by her family and friends who she has only seen once this year.

“I think about it every day,” Claudio said. “When I come out of the bullpen and listen to (my walk-up song), It feels like I’m home. Sometimes I get really homesick, but I’ve fought through it and I’ve been here for four years now and they are so proud of me and that’s all I care about.”

T H U R S DAY, M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

●

T H E O R AC L E

Sophomore quarterback Quinton Flowers will start for the White team in another quarterback battle. ORACLE FILE PHOTO/ADAM

MATHIEU

SPRING

Continued from PAGE 12

inside the northwest corner of the stadium. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Both tailgates will begin at 2:30 and parking on the east end of the USF campus will be free.

Ten minutes after the tailgates kick off, the USF Alumni Game will begin in Corbett Stadium.

This flag football game will feature NFL players Sam Barrington, Kayvon Webster and B.J. Daniels and last until 3 p.m.

Bulls’ Pro Day USF will host its Pro Day today at the Frank Morsani Football Complex at 1 p.m. The event is only open to the media, but practice, which lasts from 9-10:45 a.m., is open to the public.

The Bulls will have almost 30

players participating in their Pro Day. Standout seniors who will be present include Andre Davis, Reshard Cliett, Austin Reiter, Mike McFarland, Marvin Kloss and Chris Dunkley.

Williams receives more recognition The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) named junior guard Courtney Williams as an All-American nominee as part of the AllRegion team on Wednesday.

This is Williams’ second year as a nominee for the honor.

The Bulls’ star guard scored an average of 20.3 points and grabbed 7.5 rebounds per game in her 35 starts.

The WBCA Division I Coaches’ All-America team will be announced April 4 at 1:10 p.m.

11

Sports

12

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

The Rundown Outside USF Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ head coach Lovie Smith voiced his opinion on who he likes for the No. 1 draft selection, saying he was “totally comfortable” taking FSU’s Jameis Winston if the team decides to draft a quarterback, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Quick Facts

•

•

•

The USF softball team ranks in the top three in the AAC in 18 of the 21 offensive categories.

USF softball catcher Lee Ann Spivey leads the AAC with a .418 batting average.

In 2014, it took USF baseball’s Tommy Peterson 41 innings to reach 30 strikeouts. He has already reached that mark this season in 21 1/3 innings pitched.

What to watch for Baseball No. 19 Houston will play at No. 9 UCF in a matchup of the AAC’s top teams, beginning Friday at 6:30 p.m.

Softball USF will host Tulsa, which is tied at the top of the AAC with UCF. The three-game series will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday.

FOOTBALL

USF Spring Game When: Saturday, 4 p.m.

Where: Corbett Soccer Stadium TV/Radio: USF IMG Radio Network

●

T H U R S D AY, M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

●

T H E O R AC L E

Softball

Notebook

Rising to the challenge New-look n

USF pitcher Karla Claudio continues to break down barriers.

By Jacob Hoag A S S T .

S P O R T S

E D I T O R

As her dad walked off the field following a practice with the Puerto Rican National Softball Team for which he volunteered, Karla Claudio ran up to him and said, “‘Dad, I really want to wear one of those uniforms, I really want to be here and I know I can do it.”

Little did she know how much she would exceed her own expectations.

In 2011, that dream came to fruition when she was selected to play in the Pan American Games on the team she had idolized as a young girl.

“It was huge, it was amazing,” she said. “The Pan Am Games is like basically the Olympics, like a mini edition.”

Claudio now resides in Tampa — 1,200 miles from home — and is becoming one of the most dominant pitchers in USF’s bullpen. Now in her senior year, she is tied for the nation’s lead with six saves and leads the AAC with 25 appearances. But four years ago she made one of the hardest decisions of her life — to leave her family and friends to pursue her dream.

“They say that the sky is the limit, but when I was back home I just kept thinking the sky is not the limit,” Claudio said. “I want to do more than just staying home and playing softball.”

The competition in her home country was not up to her standards. She said she knew she could stay home and be one of the most dominant players in the country, but wanted to be even better than that.

“The level of college ball back home is not very good and I could’ve stayed home with my family and my friends, but I just wanted to do more; I wanted to experience more,” Claudio said. “If I would’ve

stayed home, my level of play would have never gone up, I would’ve stayed the same.

Playing over here has made me so much better than I was four years ago.”

Claudio didn’t start out

“The first month or two I was here, all I thought was I want to go back home, I can’t do it, I can’t communicate, I don’t know how to get around.”

but it was nothing compared to overcoming the language barrier once moving to the U.S. “It was really hard,” said the San Lorenzo native. “The first month or two I was here, all I thought was I want to go back home, I can’t do it, I can’t communicate, I don’t know how to get around. If I need something from the financial aid office, I don’t know how I’m going to talk to them. I didn’t even

n See CHALLENGE on PAGE 10

Karla Claudio USF senior pitcher

in softball, but she was surrounded by the game early in life, which made the transition inevitable. “ M y d a d was a baseball player his whole life,” she said. “I started playing volleyball and I really liked it. I was really tall and really good, but I was at the ballpark my whole life since I was little. I went to all my dad’s games and my mom even used to bathe me at the baseball field because we were there all day long. I just fell in love with the ballpark.”

Adjusting to a new sport was one challenge, Senior pitcher Karla Claudio is currently tied for the nation’s lead in saves, with six on the season.

ORACLE FILE PHOTO/ADAM MATHIEU

Bulls set for spring game

By Vinnie Portell S P O R T S

E D I T O R

Following an offseason during which the USF football team not only underwent several coaching changes, but also implemented a change in offensive and defensive schemes, the new product will finally be put on display Saturday at 4 p.m. when the Bulls play their spring game at Corbett Soccer Stadium.

The Bulls will be split into two teams, the Green team and the White team. The coaches, defensive coordinator Tom Allen and special teams coach Stu Holt, held a draft last weekend to determine the roster.

The Green team, coached

by Allen, focused mostly on defense. The team’s secondary features starters senior Jamie Byrd, junior Nate Godwin and junior Johnny Ward. Allen picked up quarterbacks Mike White and Steven Bench along with tight end Sean Price and running back Marlon Mack as his key players on offense.

Highlighting the White team is one of the most intriguing players on the roster, Quinton Flowers. The sophomore was ranked a three-star, dual-threat quarterback coming into college, but started in only one game last season and threw for 105 yards and rushed for 33.

Flowers will be throwing to top-returning wide receiver Rodney Adams, along with A.J. Legree and Ryshene Bronson.

Junior Darius Tice will get the start at running back.

Prior to the game, a USF student tailgate will be held outside the east gate of Corbett Stadium.

The Bulls Club Champion Seating Program will have a tailgate

n See SPRING on PAGE 11