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The Oracle THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 I VOL. 52 NO. 65

Inside this Issue

www.usforacle.com

The Index

News.................................................................1 Lifestyle......................................................4 Opinion.......................................................6

classifieds..............................................7 Crossword.........................................7 sports............................................................8

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

Iconic sports agent traces path to the top

By Zach Lowie S T A F F

L I F ESTYLE

Smartphone apps to help beat stress.

Page 4

Montage

S PORTS Bulls look to No. 2 UConn after blowing out SMU. BACK

W R I T E R

Sports agent great David Falk spoke Wednesday night in the Marshall Student Center Oval Theater to hundreds of people to close out the USF Sports and Entertainment Lecture Series, sponsored by Fox Sports Florida and Tampa Bay Lightning.

“This is a gentleman who’s really transformed an industry,” said Abe Madkour, an executive editor from Sports Business Journal/ Sports Business Daily. “Someone like David only comes along once in a generation.”

Falk established himself as one of the most influential basketball agents in NBA history, representing as many as 40 players at once during the prime of his career. Falk also oversaw the only NBA contract worth over $30 million for a single season.

That milestone was the peak of Falk’s career-long representation of Michael Jordan, who signed the deal with the Chicago Bulls for the

n See AGENT on PAGE 3

David Falk (left) spoke Wednesday evening at the Marshall Student Center Oval Theater about his experience as an agent representing Michael Jordan in the NBA. ORACLE PHOTO/SEBASTIAN CONTENTO

Speaking up

A billboard on Fowler Avenue this week stated “10,000 students silenced” showing the image of a person with tape over his mouth. The sign continued with “End USF investments in Israeli apartheid,” and included a link to the website for USF student organization Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). Last May, the Investment Committee of the USF Foundation rejected SJP’s petition for divestment from companies allegedly connected to human rights violations in the Israel-Palestine conflict and decided not to review the issue again. SJP claimed 10,000 students signed the petition and that the university is effectively ignoring the will of its students. A USF spokesman said the Foundation helps fund a public university that does not take sides of political issues and does not change investment policies based on requests. ORACLE PHOTO / WESLEY HIGGINS

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Meditation class helps student stay mindful of stress

By Chelsea Mulligan S T A F F

W R I T E R

“Mindfulness mediation” is a term talked about everywhere from drum circles to corporate gatherings. It is a practice in which one attempts to be observant and non-judgmental of his or her thoughts, emotions and sensations in order to focus awareness of the present moment.

There are now more than 20 million Americans who practice meditation in order to reduce stress, pain and anxiety, according to a National Health Interview Survey. There has also been research that suggests mindfulness meditation can have physical, tangible benefits.

Now a twice-weekly group at the USF Counseling Center is bringing mindfulness to USF students.

Amanda Schwait, a USF mindfulness meditation group leader and post-doctoral fellow at the Counseling Center, said that the sessions offer college students a time to set aside for relaxation, which can often be rare with the conflicting pressures of student and social life.

“Students have so many stressors in their day-to-day: a constant stream of homework and social interactions and

students of both aspects of social media,” she said. “The and regaining my focus.”

Cecile Lengacher, a USF meditation. group allows those students “We call it a meditation to just come in and be really professor at the College of focused and aware of what’s Nursing working with the practice because, just like anyMoffitt Cancer Center, also thing, you have to practice,” going on inside of them.”

Schwait also said that the practices informal mindful- she said. “That could just be practice could influence the ness meditation as much as looking at the sky while you’re walking to class, or if somerest of students’ lives out- several times a week.

She said it has decreased body says something annoyside of meditation. She said, “There’s a lot of concerns and stress and anxiety in her per- ing, before you react, taking a deep breath a lot stressors and paying that happen to d e v e l o p m e n - “We call it a meditation practice because, just attention what thoughts tally during coming college, and I like anything, you have to practice. That could are think (medita- just be looking at the sky while you’re walking up to you. I definitely talk tion) allows about how you people to just to class, or if somebody says something don’t have to slow down annoying, before you react, taking a deep sit silently for a little bit, half an hour to maybe be able to take some breath and paying attention to what thoughts be practicing.”

Lengacher of the nonare coming up to you.” said medijudgmental tation also mindfulness Amanda Schwait d e c r e a s es and awareness USF Mindfulness Meditation Group Leader stress horand just plug it sonal life, along with increas- mone levels in the body, leadinto the rest of their day.”

Diego Hernandez, a USF ing her ability to focus. ing to a decrease in harmful assistant professor with a doc- Lengacher’s experience has inflammation.

“If we can decrease our torate in psychology, has prac- paralleled the positive results stress hormones, this will actuticed mindfulness meditation seen in her research.

“It makes you focus,” she ally make us more healthy,” since his college years.

“When I was in undergrad, said. “If you have a conversa- she said. “One thing to think I was a triple major with a tion, it makes you focus on the about when being mindful and paying attention, it will Greek minor,” he said. “I was conversation.”

Lengacher also said mind- decrease your stress.” involved in a lot of activiMindfulness meditation ties and a lot of stress, and fulness meditation can be I decided to reduce it to a either informal when incorpo- also tackles stress by blending double major to finish … but rated into daily life, or formal, traditional Buddhist methods it’s one of those things that I such as in a class setting. with non-religious stress relief, found beneficial for relaxing Schwait said she informs USF Hernandez said.

“It is more secular; the mindfulness tends to take the core teachings of Buddhist philosophy and puts them into a practical exercise,” he said.

Hernandez said the practice is accessible for students who still feel that it conflicts with their religion, suggesting they try contemplative scripture that relates to their own practice.

“One of the great things is it’s not centering your thoughts on Buddha,” he said.

“It’s centering your thoughts on your own experience. That part is between you and your deity.”

Hernandez also said mindfulness meditation allows those who practice to disconnect from a consumptionbased society.

“It’s a way to kind of get underneath all the clutter and to let all of the clutter go,” he said. “To just kind of focus on who you are, where you’re at and what’s going on.”

Hernandez said meditation allows those who practice to tap into something deeper.

“It’s something that gets us in touch with the core human experience,” he said.

The drop-in “Mindfulness Meditation” sessions are held in the USF Counseling Center on Tuesdays from 3-4 p.m. and Wednesdays from 2-3 p.m.

Study finds teens don’t lose weight to impress peers

By Amar Rele S T A F F

W R I T E R

It’s true that teens often make fun of overweight peers, but a teen’s motivation to lose weight may have nobler underlying reasons than avoiding ridicule or impressing others.

A recent study surveyed around 30 adolescents who successfully lost at least 10 pounds and maintained their weight loss for more than a year.

Contrary to common preconceptions, the main motivation for weight loss among the adolescents was the desire for

better health and self-worth, rather than to impress peers.

Diana Rancourt, a USF professor with a doctorate in clinical psychology, collaborated on the study and based her findings from her studies in the university area.

“The adolescents had the intrinsic motivation to lose weight and to encourage changes in their environment,” Rancourt said. “There was a lot of initiative taken by the teens and we expected it to be more of a mutual process and more peer influence.”

People still think of adolescents as being influenced by their family and other friends,

so the independence of the teens in the study was an interesting find.

“The teens made the decision to lose weight; it wasn’t their mom and it wasn’t their friends,” Rancourt said.

Though the sample size among students for the study was small, Rancourt said she believes it’s enough to call for a cultural shift encouraging children to care more about their health for health’s sake.

“We have all this opportunity to engage is sedentary behavior, so our best bet is to shift back and make our lives more engaged with the environment around us rather

than the virtual environment we have,” Rancourt said, referring to the technology most modern teens have, such as tablets, smartphones and gaming systems.

Nowadays, teens are more likely to be glued to their new iPad tablet or Xbox, rather than go outside.

Rancourt said the study shows a difference between adult weight loss and adolescent weight loss.

“The most popular times according to the study for adolescents to make changes in weight are transitional times,” Rancourt said. “For example, from middle school to high

school and high school to college.”

Adolescents go through many transitions and changes in life in a short period of time compared to adults, such as the step up from middle school to high school and even high school to college, so it is important to see how they handle themselves.

“It’s a different developmental period for teens because while the parents buy food for the house, the teens still have the money and autonomy to go to McDonalds,” she said.

“There is a weird mix of teen independence and responsibil-

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AGENT

Continued from PAGE 1

1997-98 season.

Falk spent much of the lecture explaining how he ended up making a name in the sports industry before big money was the name of the game.

After years of being underpaid, Falk negotiated a $33 million contract for Jordan — for that year alone — where he would lead the team to its sixth championship in Jordan’s career.

Falk grew up in a middle-class home in New York where he lived with his family for most of his childhood.

“I always knew I didn’t want to be an astronaut or a firefighter,” Falk said. “But my classmates said they could see me as a lawyer.”

Entering George Washington University law school in 1975, Falk struggled to find an agency that would hire him even part-time to gain experience.

Agencies seemed to only want

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someone with specific skills rather than Falk’s larger than life ambitions.

“All the interviewers would say ‘you’re a one man show,’” Falk said. “’We’re not hiring people with your minimal qualifications here.’”

Falk soon found himself working at the one agency that would give him a shot, ProServ Inc. Though that shot only paid a $13,000 annual salary.

“I was making less than the secretaries,” Falk said.

However, Falk had the inside track with University of North Carolina recruiting. The likes of James Worthy and Michael Jordan soon showed up at his door hoping to be represented. “(Michael Jordan) allowed me to tell him whatever I thought was right,” Falk said. “I would say ‘yes, you’re Michael Jordan but you can’t do this.’”

Outside of salary contracts, Falk has been a major part of endorsement deals, especially in personal shoe lines, such as Air Jordan.

In a time when designer lines

were the craze, Falk said he faced challenges getting approval for Jordan’s own line.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Falk said. “Nike didn’t think that giving (Jordan) his own line was worth the risk of production just to flop in the stores. It was something that had never been done.”

Nike and Falk agreed on $500,000 and a small cut of revenue, matching rival Adidas’ offer.

Market experts predicted Air Jordan would produce a few million dollars in several years, but instead Nike made $130 million in sales in its first year on the shelves.

Today, the deal is often considered the best marketing bargain for any major company in U.S. history.

Falk went on to start his own company, Falk Associates Management Enterprises, where he changed the salary structure of the NBA during the late 90s and early 2000s, even negotiating more than $400 million in free agent contracts during a six-day period in 1998.

In addition to Jordan’s contract,

Falk headed the first $100 million contract in all of professional sports for Alonzo Mourning in 1996. Besides Jordan, Falk has represented more than 100 other NBA players throughout his time as a sports agent.

“When I put my uniform on, my suit, I’m very competitive and very aggressive. Everyone assumes that that’s my attitude off the court, but that’s not the case at all,” Falk said.

“Even though you have the ability to stomp on someone’s throat, you just don’t need to do that.”

Despite a lifetime of success, Falk has yet to retire and teaches at the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics at Syracuse University.

“I try to tell my students at Syracuse that if you look at a pie chart in terms of sports revenue, an agent is the slimmest piece,” he said. “Don’t go into the agent business if you’re looking for financial success or stability.”

Falk encouraged students to follow their dreams and never give up on what they want to do.

“With my skill set, I don’t think I could be hired anywhere today,” Falk said. “Now these enormous companies are looking for specialists to work for them. You’ve got to find that specialty moving forward and run with it. I’ve always lived my life by the saying ‘always shoot for the stars and never settle for second best.’”

Lifestyle

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TEENS

Continued from PAGE 2

ity.”

Therefore, willpower factored heavily into the steps adolescents took toward weight loss by becoming active and eating healthier.

However, Rancourt said that though the adolescents in the study were independent in making decisions, parents did still play a factor in inspiring weight loss.

“Parents can change what’s in the household for food and make the options healthier, but ultimately it must be the adolescent that chooses what they want,” Rancourt said.

“The best thing the parents can do is to make sure the teen has healthy options that they want.”

Students surveyed at USF had intrinsic motivation for staying fit, similar to those who lost weight in the study.

Joe Mira, a senior at USF, praised the internal satisfaction that comes with staying in shape.

“Staying fit is healthy and helps with mental stability,” Mira said. “I was overweight as a little kid and it’s rewarding because I can set a goal and achieve it and it’s like a journey.”

Dominique Williams, a sophomore, stays in shape for internal reasons as well.

“Diabetes runs in my family, so working out is important so the disease doesn’t catch up to us,” Williams said.

“In high school, I was overweight and dealing with judgmental people,” sophomore Rashaun Roofe said. “I thought I should take action.”

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

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Four apps to keep stress levels low

By Polly Snover A S S T .

E D I T O R

Students all over campus and the world experience stress on a daily basis. Whether it’s from classes or relationships, everyone has a way to keep stress levels down. There are many ways to prevent stress and stay better organized during the semester. With these options, students will have a better chance of staying on top of those crazy assignments.

Smash the Office – Stress Fix Smash the Office is another free app on Google Play and iTunes. This app is a great way to remove stress without actually breaking anything in the office. Play as Steve Snaps and tear down the virtual office as much as needed to relieve stress. There are other apps created by the game designer Tuokio Oy, including Smash the Mall and Smash the School.

Apps such as Smash the Office are a good way to keep your Relax Melodies: Stress Buster mind off stressful situations Sleep and Yoga such as late school work, Stress Buster is another though it is not a substitution Relax Melodies can be used stress relieving game but diffor studying and homework. in many different ways. Unlike ferent than Smash the Office. many apps, the app serves a Instead of smashing an office, range of purposes, so it can be one can release the anxiety by utilized very individually by the doodling and popping bubbles. user. The user can mix meloThe app contains more than dies to create a personalized 300 tips on reducing and conrelaxation tune. Relax Melodies trolling stress. Stress Buster can be used for yoga, meditaapp and the tips it holds will tion or any occasion when the help one to keep the stress user wants peace. There are from becoming overwhelming. over 46 sounds to create the For years, people have been melodies, and a sleep timer using bubble wrap to relieve so the app will shut down by their stress, and Stress Buster itself. This app is free and recreates that experience with available on the iTunes app less noise and mess. store and Google Play.

Get Out of Stress Get Out of Stress combines every sense of ridding oneself of anxiety. This app teaches others the symptoms of stress, which will help lower it in the long run. The app also aids in stress relief by showing ways to avoid anxiety and overcome.

There is also a section that includes yoga, which has been used to help increase peace and calm for many years. There is a lot of good information on this free app from Google Play and iTunes.

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Opinion

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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

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Standards too high for high achievers

Chelsea Mulligan COLU M N I ST

Browsing websites like College Confidential or IvyWise, both of which provide the ever-elusive details of how to get into that one dream school, is an easy way to see how college admissions has completely overtaken the country’s most high-achieving students.

A recent Boston Globe column asked why college applicants must be “so accomplished” in order to get accepted. It’s a strange phenomenon, since the most high-achieving students are those who should have to worry the least.

However, according to college counseling source Ivy Coach, Ivy League universities typically have a narrow acceptance rate of only about 6 to 12 percent. Yet,

the Oracle

applicants are brutally similar — many share outstanding academic records, high SAT scores, and a variety of extracurricular activities. These applicants may also be subject to the holistic review process, in which colleges consider a student’s interests rather than solely grades or test scores.

However, the competing need to both do well in school and be well rounded creates a sense of confusion and insecurity among high school seniors, which may permeate even earlier into the high school career.

For instance, if grades aren’t enough, the emphasis on extracurriculars is, ultimately, not an honest way for students to develop their interests, rather means for another highly competitive area of criteria to eliminate otherwise qualified applicants.

In an effort to receive that acceptance letter, high school students may also force themselves to endure the immense pressure of leadership positions, volunteer work and club membership while maintaining a high GPA. A Journal of Adolescent Health study even found that only 8 percent of high school students get a sufficient amount of sleep, which

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What you said Assistant multimedia editor Sebastian Contento asked students what they thought regarding the proposed legislation that allows individuals with concealed weapon permits to carry guns on campus.

could be the result of a crowded school schedule.

Obviously, such an obsessive compulsion toward over-working oneself is in no way conducive to being well-rounded; likewise, it’s absurd for colleges to pretend that a high-achieving student can be shaped without serious sacrifices.

Community colleges and state schools offer a lower-pressure alternative, but these options often do not fulfill the desire of prestige and recognition that some students feel they deserve after many years of working incredibly hard.

Perhaps, then, there should be more of an emphasis on the interview process or on examining creativity among applicants.

Regardless, students will continue to respond to the demands of seeking higher education as long as the current lifecycle of college applications continues. In the meantime, the country is left to wonder what long-term effects these high expectations will have on its youth.

“I think everybody has the right to carry a gun, but not in an educational place.”

— Mari Spainhoward, a freshman majoring in environmental science

“It is unnecessary and dangerous, and USF should stay a safe place for learning.” ­ Jordon Thomas, — a freshman majoring in health science

“I see no reason for it, we already have University Police when there are threats.”

Chelsea Mulligan is a freshman majoring in international studies.

— Mads Andersen, a sophomore majoring in psychology

the University of South Florida’s student newspaper since 1966

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“I’m from Norway, and we have very strict gun control law over there, so carrying guns in general is already bad thing for me.”

— Aksel Olson, a junior majoring in health science

Classifieds UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

To place a classified ad go to FOR SALE/ MISCELLANEOUS Used Luggage Sale This Weekend Come to Big Top Flea Market booth E404 for a great selection of used luggage. We offer multi-piece sets and individual pieces.

HELP WANTED LAB TECH ASSISTANT Needed. FT/PT positions. Near HCC Brandon Campus.

Gain science experience and work around classes. Experience not necessary. Work minimum 20 hours M-F, 8 am - 5 pm. $9/ hr. E-mail work schedule availability and resume to hr@randglabs.com.

Email charles@randglabs.com Happy New Year!

Start the year off with a new job! We are seeking part-time customer service reps.

Make your own schedule working 13-22 hours per week! $13.50/hr starting, plus daily and weekly bonuses!

Easy work, great environment!

Call (813) 988-5941 for more information.

CLINICAL RESEARCH ASSISTANT Full-time for New Tampa clinical research center.

Must have good computer and multi-tasking skills.

Email resume: careers@jaeb.org EOE M/F/V/D/DFWP. Email careers@jaeb.org Veterinary Tech/Assistant or Receptionist needed for animal hospital close to campus.

Part-time or full-time. Experience a plus, but will train.

Email resume to acahhiring@gmail.com.

Gymnastics and/or Swim Instructors Needed Must Love Kids & Be Enthusiastic!

Call 813.264-5000

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Sports

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

The Rundown Outside USF

NASCAR driver Kurt Busch testified in court Tuesday that his ex-girlfriend is a trained assassin. She later said Wednesday that she is worried for his mental health and well-being.

Quick Facts •

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Tamara Taylor made a career-high six 3-pointers in USF’s victory over SMU on Wednesday.

The USF women’s basketball team looks to tie the school record for consecutive wins at nine when the Bulls match up with No. 2 UConn on Sunday.

What to watch for

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Women’s Basketball

Bulls defeat Mustangs; prepare for champs

By Vinnie Portell and Jacob Hoag E D I T O R S

It took USF over nine minutes to reach double-digit scoring, but the Bulls were able to cruise to a 82-59 victory over SMU (4-12, 0-5) on Wednesday night in the Sun Dome.

With point guards Laura Marcos Canedo and Shalethia Stringfield resting due to nagging injuries, USF (14-3, 5-0) struggled on offense throughout the game, other than junior guard Courtney Williams and senior guard Tamara Taylor.

“We wanted to save Stringfield and Canedo just because Stringfield had an injection on Monday and Canedo is still hurting from straining her knee at Tulane,” coach Jose Fernandez said. “We played the other two point guards, but we wanted a little bit more.”

Williams and Taylor did the bulk of the scoring, combining for 45 points on 16-for-28 shooting.

The rest of the team made only 13-of-55 shots.

But despite the slow offensive start for the Bulls, once they grabbed their first lead 10 minutes into the game, they never trailed

Men’s Basketball

for the remaining 30 minutes.

USF now looks ahead to an anticipated matchup with No. 2 UConn in Storrs, Connecticut at 1 p.m. Sunday.

UConn has been one of the most dominant teams in all of sports over the last two decades, accumulating 701 wins since the 1994-95 season, giving them a winning percentage of 92.9 percent.

More recently, the Huskies have won at least 30 games in each of the last eight seasons while reaching the last six Final Fours.

“You’re chasing the dragon every year, that’s what we call it,” Fernandez said. “That’s why you coach, that’s why you build a program, and that’s our next step. We need a huge signature win.”

This year’s Huskies team started the season with a dismantling of West Chester 114-26. Since then, UConn has averaged 88.8 points per game this season, with an average winning margin of 37.5 points.

But despite the Huskies’ gaudy numbers, Williams said the Bulls don’t view them any differently from other teams.

“No doubt in my mind I think we will beat them, for real,”

Tamara Taylor scored 18 points on only eight shots Wednesday night. ORACLE PHOTO/ADAM MATHIEU Williams said. “They’re human, just like us. People look at them and think they’re unstoppable, but we all put in the same time (in the gym). I don’t see why we can’t be the team to beat them.”

The Bulls travel to Storrs with a 14-3 record and an eight-game winning streak after knocking off SMU on Wednesday night.

Of USF’s three losses, two came from teams currently ranking in the top 10 and the third, St. John’s, is receiving votes.

With both teams undefeated in the conference, the winner of this marquee matchup can make a strong push for a conference championship.

Men’s Basketball

Two teams in the top half of the AAC will match up when Cincinnati (11-4, 2-1) hosts Temple (12-6, 3-2) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on ESPNU.

AAC-leading Tulsa comes to town

By Amar Rele S T A F F

Women’s Basketball

No. 2 UConn will host USF at 1 p.m. Sunday. The two leaders of the AAC will match up on ESPN2.

Men’s Basketball

Tulsa (11-5, 4-0) at USF (7-10, 1-3) When: Saturday, 11 a.m.

Where: USF Sun Dome TV/Radio: ESPNU, 1010 AM

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Senior guard Corey Allen Jr. leads USF in scoring with 15.5 points per game. ORACLE FILE PHOTO/ SEBASTIAN CONTENTO

W R I T E R

The Bulls prepare for an imposing matchup Saturday when the AAC-leading Tulsa Golden Hurricane comes to town.

USF (7-10, 1-3) is coming off an overtime loss against Tulane in which both junior guard Anthony Collins and freshman center Ruben Guerrero missed gamewinning shots in regulation.

Tulsa (11-5, 4-0) did not look promising at the beginning of the season, as it dropped its first game to Oral Roberts, which plays in the Summit League.

But ever since, the Golden Hurricane has been on a roll, winning 11 of 15 games and boasting

a 4-0 conference record.

Leading Tulsa is former Missouri basketball coach Frank Haith, who is in his first year as head coach.

Haith’s guard tandem — Shaquille Harrison and James Woodard — has driven Tulsa to the top of the conference standings.

Both Harrison and Woodard average 15 points per game and are the clear-cut scorers on the team, with the next player averaging only eight points.

Harrison has used his 6-foot4, 180-pound build to drive and slash to the rim, while Woodard has used his three-point shot to his advantage, making an average of 2.4 per game.

Woodard has shot 106 3-point-

ers and made 38, which is more than half the 3-pointers USF has made all season.

To knock Tulsa out of first place, the Bulls must stop the dynamic guard duo that Tulsa brings. In four out of Tulsa’s five losses, at least one of the two guards was held to under 10 points.

In addition to stopping the skilled guards, the Bulls will have their work cut out for them on offense.

USF has not scored at least 60 points since Dec. 28, in a loss to Bowling Green. In that span, it has gone 1-3, with losses to SMU, UConn and Tulane.

The Bulls host Tulsa at the Sun Dome on Saturday at 11 a.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU.