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January 30, 2017 Vol. 54 No. 35

A pillar of strength USF’s Guerrero lifts the Bulls through dismal times Page 10

USF responds to Trump’s orders Page 3

U.S. can’t leave U.N. Page 4

Not your average popcorn Page 6

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the Oracle the University of South Florida’s student newspaper since 1966

Editor in Chief Jacob Hoag oracleeditor@gmail.com Managing Editor Miki Shine oraclemeditor@gmail.com Assistant News Editor Chelsea Grosbeck Sports Editor Vinnie Portell oraclesportseditor@gmail.com

Multimedia Editor Jackie Benitez oraclemultimediaeditor@gmail.com

Graphic Artists Destiny Moore Mark Soree Advertising Sales Alyssa Alexander Jess DiLiello Destiny Moore Dylan Ritchey

The Oracle is published Monday and Thursday during the fall and spring semesters, and once weekly, Wednesday, 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).

Lifestyle Editor Nicole Cate oraclelifestyleeditor@gmail.com Staff Writer Abby Rinaldi

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The Index News........................................................3 Opinion.................................................4 Lifestyle................................................6 Classifieds...........................................8 Crossword..........................................8 Sports...................................................10

BY PHONE

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CORRECTIONS The Oracle will correct or clarify factual errors.

Contact Editor in Chief Jacob Hoag at 974-5190.

News Briefs Supreme Court nominee expected this week

news

USF responds to Trump’s executive Student Green orders with letter to affected students UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists pushed the world Doomsday Clock two-anda-half minutes closer to midnight, which is the closest its been in 64 years, According to the Star-Telegraph, the clock was created 70 years ago to convey threats to humanity and the planet.

In 1953, it reached two minutes to midnight after the U.S. detonated its first thermonuclear bomb and Russia detonated a hydrogen bomb. This shift puts it at 30 seconds to midnight. Cited reasons include President Donald Trump’s statements about expanding the U.S. nuclear arsenal, tensions between the U.S. and Russia and cyber threats.

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Energy Fee up for a student vote

For almost a year, the Supreme Court has sported an empty seat since Justice Antonin Scalia’s death in February 2016. However, a selection for his replacement

by President Donald Trump is expected to come this week with the Associated Press reporting the pick could come as soon as today.

The four leading candidates are Neil Gorsuch, Thomas Hardiman, William Pryor who all hold positions as federal appeals court judges and Diane Sykes who is a judge with the circuit court of appeals.

Doomsday Clock reaches 30 seconds from midnight

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By Chelsea Grosbeck A S S T .

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Protesters gathered outside of John F. Kennedy Airport in New York in opposition of President Donal Trump’s immigration order. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE

By Miki Shine M A N A G I N G

E D I T O R

Over the weekend, Marcia Taylor, the director of the Office of International Services (OIS), sent out an email to students in response to two executive orders President Donald Trump signed Friday.

“This email is a follow-up on the rapid developments of the last two days to confirm two key changes announced Friday evening by the administration of President Trump,” the email stated. “We recognize that there has been a great deal of information in the media and wish to assist you with some perspective. Even as I write, this is a fluid situation and there is some legal activity that may challenge these executive orders.”

Trump signed an executive order that places an “immediate 90-day ban on entry into the

Until there is further clarification or guidance, the (OIS) advice that all people who are citizens of, or were born in, one of these countries do not travel abroad without consultation with this office first,” Letter to students from the Office of International Students

U.S.” for people from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. This ban extends to those who hold either an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa. The order doesn’t specify whether it applies to those with dual citizenship.

USF currently has 79 international students enrolled from the seven countries as of August, according to the USF World website.

“Until there is further clarification or guidance, the

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(OIS) advice that all people who are citizens of, or were born in, one of these countries do not travel abroad without consultation with this office first,” the email said. “There is currently no indication that your visa status is being questioned while you remain in the United States.”

Additionally, Trump signed an order that suspends waivers for the in-person interview

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N E W S

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The student body will vote this semester through a Student Government referendum on whether or not to continue financially backing the Student Green Energy Fund System (SGEF).

In 2008, USF President Judy Genshaft signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment to partner with colleges across the nation to support the future of energy conservation, reduction in energy costs and encourage green energy technologies.

Three years later, USF began the Climate Action Plan (CAP) with the SGEF, and has been consistently implementing environmentally sustainable efforts to reduce carbon emissions on campus.

Offered to universities across the state through the Florida Board of Governors, USF students decide every three years if the Green fee will still be required, and if the price will fluctuate.

In February 2014, the referendum was certified by the Election Rules Commission and passed, with 69 percent of students approving the Green fee on the Tampa campus.

“Nine years ago, students approved the Green fee — which is $1 per credit hour,” said Harold Bower, chairman of the Green Fund Council

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Opinion

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U.S. should not leave the U.N. Lady Liberty weeps Breanne Williams COLU M N I ST

The U.S. plays a monumental role in the international community. It is the second largest financial contributor to the United Nations and is one of five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council.

Despite our influential role, Alabama Rep. Mike Rogers submitted a bill titled, American Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2017, to end the U.S.’s membership in the U.N. Removing our presence from the U.N. is not how we as a nation should maintain foreign relations.

The bill calls for the withdrawal of all funding of “peacekeeping operations,” repealing membership and participation in the U.N.’s educational, scientific and cultural organization, repealing the U.N.’s Environment Program Participation Act, leaving the World Health Organization and ending participation in any U.N. conventions and agreements.

If passed, the bill will force the U.N. to remove its headquarters from New York.

Realistically, the bill has little chance of passing. In 2015, Rogers attempted to force a similar bill through the House, however it was quickly shut down.

Unlike 2015 though, the current Congress, which is controlled by conservatives, now has a Republican presi-

dent to push through whatever agendas it pleases.

Hopefully, the new bill will immediately cause a universal eye-roll in the House, leading the Committee on Foreign Affairs to prevent the idea from ever reaching the Senate.

Even if the bill never gets off the ground, its mere presence is disconcerting. Rogers knew this isolationist agenda failed last time and yet was convinced things had changed enough to give it a fighting chance this session.

What he sees in Congress simply reflects what the public persona emanates. People are scared, and that fear is driving them to adopt rash and solitary measures.

Foreign relations is playing a key part in President Donald Trump’s new administration. His executive order to block immigrants from seven countries led to protests throughout the country.

People are speaking out.

As long as that continues, there will not be any major issues in Congress. After all, the president does not re-elect our Senators and Representatives. That power resides solely with the people.

And the administration is quickly realizing there are conservatives who refuse to cave to the extreme executive orders seeping out of the White House.

“This is ridiculous,” Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA) said in an interview with the Washington Post. “I guess I understand what his intention is, but unfortunately the order appears to have been

rushed through without full consideration. You know, there are many, many nuances of immigration policy that can be life or death for many innocent, vulnerable people around the world.”

Senators John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Bob Corker, Justin Amash, Dan Newhouse and Carlos Curbelo along with 10 other Congressmen and women have spoken out against the handling of foreign affairs under Trump.

However, the majority have remained silent.

Ultimately, we have to have faith in the core of our government. We have to believe the power still resides in the hands of the people. Our politicians want one thing above all else: to be re-elected. They will say and do whatever they need to do to gain those votes.

The world needs the U.N. and the U.N. needs the U.S. The U.S. provides $594 million, or 22 percent, of the U.N.’s budget, according to the Heritage Foundation.

It provides services to the suffering and poor, the oppressed and the deprived.

Without the influence of the U.S., there is a very real possibility the U.N. will have to severely cut back on the services it provides.

We cannot be responsible for the repercussions that will follow our removal. The U.S. must stay with the U.N., and these isolationist agendas cannot be encouraged.

Breanne Williams is a senior majoring in mass communications.

Nicole Cate COLU M N I ST

Growing up in a developing country, I always looked at the U.S. through rose-colored glasses.

It was lauded as the land of opportunity and of milk and honey. I knew at a young age that this was where I wanted to end up, so when I got accepted into USF and was awarded a scholarship that allowed me to actually attend, my parents packed my suitcases and flew me 750 miles away to find my own way.

While I started USF as an international student, I won’t be leaving it as one because I received my green card exactly one year and three days ago. All of my friends and family were overjoyed when I sent them a picture of it.

Aesthetically, it wasn’t anything exciting to look at but that card signifies a future filled with hope. My parents think it means that I won’t have to struggle as much as they did to provide for their grandchildren.

I hope they’re right.

But I am one of the lucky ones.

I am from a country that President Donald Trump does not pay attention to. To other people, the people of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Somalia, that card means even more than I could ever fathom.

To refugees and immigrants from those countries, that ugly, rectangular piece of plastic with the dark pixelated headshot on the left means their children get to live without fear of being bombed.

The picture of the Statue of Liberty on the opposite side reminds them of the words inscribed in her base every time they open their wallets.

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…”

As an immigrant, as someone new to the U.S., I am of the belief that what Trump did was one of the most un-American things in modern history.

Anyone who has been in a fifth grade history class knows that America was built for immigrants, by immigrants, and one of its greatest characteristics is how it was created to be welcoming to those who are seeking asylum and freedom from whatever oppressive state in which they lived.

During his victory speech on election night, Trump talked about bringing the country together, but all he accomplished with this immigrant ban is driving a larger wedge between the already-divided factions that exist.

If he truly wishes to reunite the nation, I suggest that he educate himself on the world and the people in it. After all, this beautiful country was founded and forged by the sweat and tears of people from every corner of the globe.

America will never be great if it continues to turn away from the very ideals upon which it was established.

Nicole Cate is a senior majoring in mass communication.

Breaking down Trump’s first week in office M O N DAY, J A N U A RY

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E D I T O R

After a week in office, President Donald Trump has signed over a dozen executive actions. Most were memoranda, but four were executive orders, which has the same weight as a law, and must be recorded in the Federal Register.

The use of executive actions in the beginning of a president’s term is not new. However, Trump is the first president since Bill Clinton to do so on his first day. The following are some of the actions signed during the first week of the Trump administration and what each one means for the American people.

“Extreme vetting” on immigration Trump signed an executive action Friday calling for “extreme vetting” of immigrants coming to the U.S. The action caused the state department to stop issuing visas to Syrian refugees and to halt the processing of said refugees.

The action also ordered a 120-day suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and reduced the number of admitted refugees from 100,000 to 50,000. Trump said this was to “keep radical Islamic terrorists out of the United States of America.”

Rebuilding of military Trump signed an executive order Friday that would allocate more planes, ships and resources for the military. “As we prepare our budget request for Congress,” Trump said, “... our military strength will be questioned by no one.” Trump said the order would be a large rebuilding of the U.S. military.

Build the wall Trump signed an executive order Wednesday that commands the Department of Homeland Security’s secretary to “take all appropriate steps to immediately plan, design, and construct a physical wall along the southern border, using appropriate materials and technology to most effectively achieve complete operational control of the southern border.”

The order also tells the secretary to find and allocate funding for the wall and to prepare a budget request to present to Congress.

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During his first week as President, Donald Trump has signed over a dozen executive actions. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE Cutting “sanctuary cities” Reinstate Mexico City policy An executive order was On Jan. 23, Trump signed a signed Wednesday to allow the attorney general and homeland memorandum that bans the use security secretary to determine if a of U.S. funding to international “sanctuary city,” a city that follows health providers that offer abortion certain procedures to shelter as a family planning option. Ever illegal immigrants by restricting since it was introduced with the assistance to federal immigration Reagan administration, Democrats authorities, is eligible for federal have rescinded the policy and Republicans have reinstated it. grants.

Keystone and Dakota Access Pipelines Trump signed a memorandum Tuesday, which will renew the construction on the pipelines.

Barack Obama had previously signed an order to halt them from being built. Trump said he would “renegotiate” some of the terms for the Keystone bill. He also said the pipelines should be built with U.S. materials.

Withdrawal from Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) A memorandum was issued by Trump on Jan. 23 to remove the U.S. from the TPP. “I hereby direct you to withdraw the United States as a signatory to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), to permanently withdraw the United States from TPP negotiations, and to begin pursuing, wherever possible, bilateral trade negotiations to promote American industry, protect American workers, and raise American wages.” It is not anticipated that Congress will agree to this, and the act was considered to be largely symbolic.

Hiring freeze for civilian government employees A memorandum was signed on Jan. 22 that forbids any open positions in the executive branch from being filled or created “except in limited circumstances.” This was created to “reduce the size of the federal government’s workforce through attrition.”

Tackle Obamacare On Jan. 20, Trump signed an executive order to “minimize the unwarranted economic and regulatory burdens” of the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare. Trump ordered federal agencies to “waive, defer, grant exemptions from, or delay the implementation” of any part of the ACA that caused a state, individuals or health care providers monetary stress.

For more information on executive actions visit Whitehouse. gov.

OIS

Continued from PAGE 3

that is part of the visa process.

Those seeking an initial or renewal nonimmigrant visa are required to have an in-person interview at the U.S. Consulate.

Before, individuals could get this waived based on their age, or if it was a renewal visa.

Visa-exempt countries such as Canada are not affected.

“If you are traveling outside of the U.S. on USF sanctioned academic activity including trips to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean … our staff (can) review your immigration status under the current immigration rules, offer re-entry advising, including travel signatures if applicable,” the email said.

“We can discuss your options with you at this time and ensure you have the latest information available to the OIS.” Staffs at other universities are responding to these orders as well. The City College of New York interim president tweeted that any students denied entry could message him or the school’s president

for aid.

UF President W. Kent Fuchs released a statement estimating that about 200 of their students are from the listed countries and encouraged them to not travel outside of the U.S. in the immediate future.

At the time of publication, USF System President Judy Genshaft nor the university have not released an official statement.

“We recognize that these may be disconcerting times for some of you. However, everyone at OIS appreciates and values your contributions as international students and also your unique needs,” the email said.

“You can be assured we will continue to closely monitor immigration-related developments and keep you informed as new information becomes available.

In addition, OIS will also work with our national professional associations and colleagues to advocate for favorable immigration policies that benefit everyone.”

LIFESTYLE

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Not your average movie snack Local vendor brings gourmet-style popcorn to Tampa

By Nicole Cate L I F E S T Y L E

E D I T O R

When a person goes to a movie theater and gets a bag of popcorn, it’s usually just seasoned with salt or butter.

Sometimes, one can find a cheddar, caramel or even jalapeno flavor too.

But students who would like to try more unique popcorn tastes, such as birthday cake, garlic sriracha and buffalo bleu cheese, can visit Chef Inspired

Popcorn Company at 927 S Howard Ave. Lizette Rivera, the owner of Chef Inspired, spent 20 years in corporate America before she was inspired to start her own gourmet dessert business.

“I got sick about five years ago after I got back from a trip in Costa Rica, and it took them a while to diagnose me,” Rivera said. “I cannot have gluten.”

This was when she started her search for a snack that was gluten-free. There was

chocolate, but there was no way for her to snack on chocolate frequently and not develop another health problem.

Rivera and her daughter are self-professed movie buffs, and by extension, popcorn lovers. They started making their own flavors, like garlic Parmesan, at home and they would bring it to her daughter’s softball games. After receiving positive feedback from the other parents, she realized that it would make a pretty good

business idea.

“It kind of just took a life of its own after that, but really it was my search for something gluten-free and a snack, because who really doesn’t love popcorn?” Rivera said.

The shop is a peanut-free and gluten-free environment, as she wants to make the business somewhere anyone can go to, regardless of dietary restrictions. They are currently working on vegan options as well.

“I know that feeling of trying to go and eat and you have to ask for that gluten-free menu and people look at you weird like, ‘Really?’” Rivera said.

The shop first opened on Oct. 2, 2015 on Hanley Road in Town ‘N Country, and the first flavor they made was salted caramel. Now, the new 1,100 square foot space boasts more flavors than they can keep on the shelves at once.

“We have over 50 different

n See POPCORN on PAGE 9

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SGEF

Continued from PAGE 3

and assistant vice president of Shared Services & Facilities.

Each year, the SGEF raises enough to generate $2-3 million in funding for green amenities, like Share-a-Bull Bikes, refillable water bottle stations and a solar energy phone charging station.

To further environmentally conscious developments, students, faculty and staff are eligible to submit a proposal to solve energy and cost deficiency issues around campus.

Upcoming projects include electric buses to be introduced to campus and LED lights in parking lots and roads on campus.

“The university has allocated funding to transportation services, the council has approved to pay the upcharge to have two electric buses,” Bower said.

Each bus will cost $250,000 to compensate for the transition of fossil fuel buses to electric, but once the charging infrastructure is established on campus, it will allow for more buses, according to Bower.

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The SGEF also has a partnership with the university to allocate funding for renovating light posts and replacing road and parking lot lights with LED lights — to provide a more welllit surface area, a safer commute around campus and energy efficiency at night. It will reduce the lighting energy demand by 40 percent and reduce greenhouse

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efforts.

“One of the reasons why I chose this school was because of its ‘green reputation,’” said Dana Samelson, a sophomore majoring in environmental science. “The buses we have now are old and maintenance on them is expensive. After reviewing the Cost Benefit Analysis—projected costs of the electric buses and

If the vote doesn’t pass, funding for the projects would be used until they were depleted.

Harold Bower, chairman of the Green Energy Fund Council gases and total electricity consumption, according to the Roadway and Parking Lots LED Lighting Project Proposal.

If funding is cut, many of these progressive projects might not come to fruition.

“If the vote doesn’t pass, funding for the projects would be used until they were depleted,” Bower said.

Some students were indifferent about the fee, while others are aware of the SGEF

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their durability—it pays off in the long run.”

Cost effectiveness and the elimination of greenhouse gas emissions from the Tampa campus is the goal of the SGEF, as well as facilitating a platform for students to create sustainablyfriendly projects.

“We are making a big difference on this campus and campuses across the country in reducing our carbon footprint,” Bower said.

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Classifieds UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

Crossword

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To place a classified ad go to

http://www.usforacle.com/classifieds

To place a classified ad go to

http://www.usforacle.com/classifieds

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Math and/or reading teaching assistants for all ages, 3 years old to high school. Monday and Thursday, 3 pm to 8 pm. Flexible. No experience needed. Email kumon.wesleychapel.s@gmail.com

Due to our exciting growth, Triadex Services, an Inc 5000 fastest growing private company, is seeking a Full-Time Sales Assistant in our Tampa Palms office.

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Notebook

USF hands Temple first AAC loss

The Chef Inspired Popcorn Company offers 50 unique flavors.

SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE

POPCORN

Continued from PAGE 6

Junior guard Laia Flores had nine assists, giving her 128 on the season — the most for a USF guard since the 2012-13 season. ORACLE PHOTO/JACKIE BENITEZ a great team.”

Men’s basketball blown out

By Vinnie Portell S P O R T S E D I T O R

by No. 19 Bearcats Class of 2017 recruitment update Playing without leading scorer After leading by as much as Geno Thorpe against the top team 16 in the fourth quarter, No. 23 As National Signing Day USF held off Temple in the final in the conference, USF lost its minutes to win 55-51 at McGonigle ninth consecutive game Sunday approaches on Wednesday, it’s when it fell to No. 19 Cincinnati, becoming more and more clear Hall on Sunday afternoon. how the Bulls’ 2017 class will The Bulls (17-3, 6-1) entered 94-53. stack up.

In place of Thorpe, freshman Sunday’s contest coming off a USF lost three of its top commits guard Michael Bibby led the Bulls two-week period in which USF tripled its losses on the season as with a career-high 17 points, this past week, as former coach it was defeated by No. 1 UConn aided by his 4-of-7 shooting from Willie Taggart continues to reel in Bulls’ recruits.

3-point range. and No. 9 Louisville.

Three-star athletes Bruce Even with the career game But USF, led by sophomore Judson (Cocoa) and Demetri Burch from Bibby, USF fell behind early, forward Kitija Laksa (16 points) (Apopka), both from the Orlando and forward Tamara Henshaw (10 trailing 49-25 at halftime.

Without Thorpe, USF’s regular area, de-committed from USF this points, 10 rebounds), bounced starting point guard, the Bulls past week only to commit almost back to hand Temple its first struggled to control the ball. They immediately to Oregon. conference loss of the season.

Daewood Davis (Deerfield Junior guard Laia Flores had finished with eight assists and nine assists giving her 128 on 24 turnovers, compared to the Beach), a three-star receiver and the season — the most for a USF Bearcats’ 27 assists and nine one-time USF recruit, also flipped his commitment from USF to turnovers. guard since the 2012-13 season.

“I’m not an excuse guy, Oregon upon visiting Eugene this The Bulls dominated defensively in Philadelphia, which I’ve said many times, but weekend.

With mere days remaining holding the Owls to just 25.8 obviously the injury to Geno percent shooting, including an Thorpe on Friday just totally put before USF locks in its 2017 class, abysmal 5-of-27 from 3-point our team out of whack,” interim there are currently 11 players who coach Murry Bartow said. “Mike remain committed. Of the 11 range.

Now second in the AAC, USF (Bibby) fought hard, played players, six are three-star recruits will host Cincinnati on Wednesday hard, competed hard, but that and five are ranked as two-star injury really hurt us, knowing players, according to 247sports. at 7 p.m. at the Sun Dome. we were coming in here to play com.

flavors. We keep about 25-30 in the shop,” Rivera said. “We rotate them. We keep the standard eight to 10 that are always there.”

She said that the reception has been great ever since the store opened late last year. The neighborhood has been very welcoming, as the shop already has regulars, such as families who live in the area and children going home after school.

Not to mention, they get a lot of foot traffic from passersby who smell the product.

“We’re popping all the time. Our business is growing.

Production is constantly going,” Rivera said. “I’m right next to Green Lemon and Daily Eats, so we get a lot of the restaurant people who go eat and then come to our shop for dessert because they just smell popcorn outside.”

She suggests students try the windy city, a combination of cheddar and caramel, as her teenage daughter loves to eat it while studying and reading. Her personal favorite flavor is the truffle Parmesan.

“It’s a black truffle oil with Parmesan cheese. We use a local vendor in the area, Joe and Son’s Olive Oils,” Rivera said. “And that’s a lot of what I like doing.

I like trying to use spices and flavors from local people, and

that’s a lot of fun because we get to shed light on other local businesses and use them with our popcorn.”

She also uses her business to give back. She likes to help with the fundraising efforts for causes such as breast cancer awareness and animal rights, but the former holds a special place in her heart.

“I get involved in a lot of the cancer awareness because my mom is a lung cancer survivor, and she is the one person that encouraged me to give it everything I had and become an entrepreneur,” Rivera said. “It was a big risk as a single mom.”

She suggests to students with their own causes in mind to visit the fundraising section on her website because she doesn’t know of all the different movements, but she knows there are probably more she would be interested in.

The sizes are snack ($3), small ($7), medium ($12) and large ($14). People can also get the popcorn in tins or a chef pack, which is a sampler box of eight 1-cup bags. Also, specialty popcorn flavors, such as chocolate covered salted caramel, cost a few dollars more.

Students should also note that she posts weekly specials on the Chef Inspired Popcorn Company website, and that the company is currently in the process of developing a happy hour for popcorn.

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Sports

A pillar of strength UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

The Rundown USF News

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“We have to definitely take away the positives from the Xavier game, but we have to keep moving forward. It would be terrible if we lost to USF. Even though they’re an OK program, they’ve been kind of strugWashington gling.” — Cincinnati junior forward Kyle Washington said earlier last week leading up to Sunday’s game against the Bulls.

The Bearcats won the game Sunday, 94-53, as four different players scored in double digits. Washington followed up his comments by scoring 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting in 17 minutes on the court.

The loss drops USF to 6-14 on the season and the Bulls remain winless in AAC play.

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Women’s Basketball

Temple

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S P O R T S

Men’s Basketball

USF

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By Vinnie Portell

USF weekend scoreboard

Cincinnati

30, 2017

USF center Ruben Guerrero lifts the Bulls through dismal times

Quote of the day

USF

MORE COVERAGE INSIDE Bulls hand Temple first AAC loss Read on page 9

Junior center Ruben Guerrero won the NCAA Sportsmanship of the Year Award in 2016.

ORACLE FILE PHOTO/JACKIE BENITEZ

E D I T O R

what you guys think.

Family, USF, your past in high school, everything you fought for, it’s right here, right now.’

“So, you have to have pride and compete and at least show fight and show that we have been working for it.”

Now, the 240-pound center has transformed from a lightweight and reserved 18-year-old to one of the strongest and most outspoken players on the team.

Aside from gaining over 40 pounds of muscle and becoming a regular starter, the junior also won both the NCAA Sportsmanship Award and AAC Sportsmanship Award for 2016.

“When (Guerrero) first got here, he didn’t really say much,” junior guard and roommate Jake Bodway said. “He kind of kept to himself and just showed up. He was a nice guy, but he wasn’t really outspoken.

“Now, it’s his third year and he’s very outgoing, he interacts with everyone now and he’s one of the biggest leaders on our team.

He’s definitely grown out of his shell.”

Consistently the one to extend a helping hand whenever a player goes down and the first guy to celebrate his teammates’

USF men’s basketball hasn’t done much winning since Ruben Guerrero arrived in Tampa in the fall of 2014.

Since the then 7-foot, sub-200-pound teenager from Marbella, Spain stepped foot on campus, he’s been witness to more bad luck than many athletes encounter in a lifetime.

In two-plus seasons at USF, Guerrero and the Bulls have lost 62 of 85 games.

In that timespan, six of his teammates chose to transfer out of the program. The coach who recruited him was fired. And, to top it off, the NCAA launched an investigation before this season, targeting USF for academic fraud.

In the midst of it all, Guerrero stands tall.

Though he’s been given every reason to give up and leave, his appreciation of the school he plays for has never waned.

“I’ve been here for so many years and I want USF to be known for being good,” Guerrero said. “I want us to be good, that’s why I’m always trying to bring the guys up like, ‘Come on guys, we represent so much more than n

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accomplishments with a hearty chest bump and high-five, Guerrero’s upbeat and encouraging demeanor has been invaluable to interim coach Murry Bartow. “(He’s been) critical, very critical,” Bartow said. “You’re always looking for that guy who’s always going to have a good attitude. You want players who are consistent. You know every day what you’re going to get when you come see Ruben, he’s the same every day.

“He’s upbeat, he’s always got a positive attitude. He’s an incredible teammate because he’s always going to encourage you.”

The growth Guerrero has shown in his time at USF, in spite of the swirling chaos surrounding him, undoubtedly stems from the long road he’s taken since committing his life to basketball seven years ago.

The 21-year-old Spaniard moved from his home of Marbella when he was 14 to pursue playing basketball for the U-18 Spanish National Team in Malaga, Spain.

He spent years away from his family and friends working on his craft, oftentimes in small gyms with no air conditioning.

“You guys have so much more facilities (in America),” Guerrero said. “You have a gym everywhere, people love sports here. In Spain, it’s a little bit tougher. I’ve played on cement courts, so it really makes you appreciate what we have here.

“We have 24/7 open access to the gym, we have food for free, we have trainers, coaches, everything.

Anything you want, they give it to you and it really makes you appreciate everything.”

When it came time to commit to his future, Guerrero opted to move to the U.S. so he could play basketball and study at the same time, a luxury universities in Spain don’t offer.

So, he moved to Wichita, Kansas with his younger brother Adrian to play for Sunrise Christian Academy, a system of schools known for grooming international talent. Some of its notable alumni include current Michigan State guard Lourawls Niarn Jr. and New Orleans Pelicans guard Buddy Hield.

“I did my senior year of high school in Kansas and it was a little weird,” Guerrero said. “It was a tiny, tiny town and a small school,

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barely 200 students. It was super, super small. And Kansas is not Tampa, where there are so many Hispanic people. There weren’t that many foreigners, so it was weird at the beginning, but they showed a lot of love and my brother being with me helped a lot.”

It was there at Sunrise where Guerrero first met Orlando Antigua.

The former Bulls coach had recently been hired by USF and was looking to round out his first recruiting class, which desperately needed a post player. Guerrero was a three-star center on a team that finished ranked No. 14 in the nation by USA Today.

“I didn’t know about (Antigua) until he came over,” Guerrero said.

“We were playing open gym and my head coach at Sunrise told me (Antigua) got the job at USF and was from Kentucky and all that. I was really shocked at the beginning.

“We played pickup and I did good and he talked to me a little bit after in Spanish. Obviously that put a smile on my face. That was a good first step. I liked him, I liked the way he was.”

After narrowing his choices down to USF, Houston and George Mason, Guerrero said his visit to USF and his connection with the coaching staff helped make the decision easy for him.

Though Guerrero didn’t have much experience with losing, he quickly became familiar at USF. Rather than letting it deter him, he pushed himself to grow, both as a leader and in the weight room.

He said he had trouble playing against bigger opponents in the post and Antigua told him he had to bulk up if he wanted to be relied upon at USF. Guerrero accepted the challenge and by the time he was a sophomore, he was already weighing in at just under 225 pounds.

“When I first got here, I was one of the weakest guys,” Guerrero said. “I worked really hard, extremely hard, and I ate a lot. It looks easy, like, ‘Oh, you just have to eat.’ But, no, I ate until I threw up pretty much. I would eat until I couldn’t eat anymore.

“I would eat pizza, pasta, rice, chicken, everything until I pretty much threw up. And only then is when I would say, ‘Ok, that’s good.’

And then I would start over the next day and do it again and again.

I came in here on my days off and told the strength coach, ‘Hey, can I get more lifting in? I know I need it.

Can we do some extra workouts?’

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Ruben Guerrero has gained over 40 pounds of muscle and the respect of his teammates in his two-plus seasons at USF. ORACLE FILE PHOTO/JACKIE BENITEZ But even after nearly three years they don’t win, so it’s just part of By now, its me, Lou (Santos) and Jake who are the strongest guys on of losing basketball, Guerrero said being an athlete. You’re not always it’s only made him stronger for going to win, you’re not always the team.” going to have it easy in your career.

Despite the changes Guerrero what’s to come.

“It’s been tough, obviously,” “So, this is teaching me to be has undergone both on and off the court in his three years in Tampa, Guerrero said. “Coming from that better by losing. It sounds bad, but much remains the same for the team in Spain where we used to losing makes you better. Obviously win a lot, we even went to Spanish I want to win more. It’s been rough Bulls.

USF (6-14, 0-9) is mired in a championships. And then coming with everything that’s happened in nine-game losing streak and has here, it’s been tough. But I think the past, but we’re working with yet to win since Antigua was fired every athlete goes through those the kids we have and we’re trying times where they win and where to do good, we’re trying to win.” at the tail end of December.

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