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The Oracle T H U R S D AY, A P R I L 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 I V O L . 5 3 N O. 8 5

Inside this Issue

w w w. u s fo r a c l e. co m

The Index

Opinion.......................................................4 Lifestyle......................................................5

Classifieds..............................................8 Crossword..........................................8

sports.........................................................12

U N I V E R S I T Y O F S O U T H F LO R I DA

A life saving gift

O P I NIO N

American Politics, oh my.

Page 4

Montage

SG hopes to raise awareness through Safety Week

By Abby Rinaldi C O - N E W S

L I F ESTYLE To infinity and beyond: Disney’s upcoming attractions.

Page 5

Born with Alport’s Syndrome, Joey Richman (left) was in need of a kidney transplant. Local MMA fighter Mike Miller (right) answered the call after seeing a post on social media. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE

USF student gets transplant from local hero.

By Vinnie Portell S T A F F

W R I T E R

S

itting in his hospital bed at Florida Hospital Tampa, Joey Richman’s face turned white as he looked down at his body, hooked up to a dialysis machine, treating his kidneys to keep him alive.

Richman lifted his face to meet the gaze of his family with a clear look of defeat.

After 22 years of being told he would never need to be put on dialysis, he ran into an unexpected obstacle when his younger brother Jason was told he couldn’t donate his kidney.

Mere days before the scheduled surgery, the transplant was canceled due to Jason’s expression of interest in joining the Army in the future.

Afflicted with Alport

“I’m used to being able to push through whatever I need to and at that point it was just completely out of my hands.”

Joey Richman USF student

Syndrome since birth, a genetic condition that causes loss of hearing and kidney function, Richman had pushed his body to the limit as his kidneys failed, patiently waiting for his brother’s kidney to save him.

Left with no options, he was forced to undergo immediate surgery to be put on dialysis.

“I’m used to being able to push through whatever I need to and at that point it was just completely out of my hands,” Richman said. “It was hitting everyone; it wasn’t just affecting me, it was affecting my brother because he had to watch this and he tried his hardest to do it and it was just completely taken away from all of us, so that was one of the harder moments we’ve had with all of us.”

Richman was left to face a stark reality: he was in a race against time.

His doctors couldn’t estimate just how long he had left, but according to The National Kidney Foundation, the average dialysis patient has anywhere between five and 10 years before their body shuts down.

n See HERO on PAGE 10

E D I T O R

Golf carts full of students zipping around isn’t an unusual sight for USF’s campus after dark. However, with the recent expansion of Safe Team, a service provided

by Student Government (SG) that takes students on free campus rides, the service has moved into daylight.

Safe Team took to the streets and sidewalks during hours outside of their recent expansion on Wednesday.

The golf carts provided rides for students to and from class in order to raise awareness for the Safe Team program.

Safe Team’s Wednesday expansion was part of USF’s Safety Week, a week sponsored by SG designed to raise awareness for student safety programs around campus. These programs include Safe Team, University Police and the emergency blue light phones.

“The idea behind the campaign is to help students on campus learn more about the safety resources that we currently have on campus as well as to take this opportunity to promote the resources that Student Government does for students, specifically having to do with Safe Team,” Student Body President Andy Rodriguez said.

n See SAFETY on PAGE 3

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Two USF Honors College students Oxford bound

By Krithika Venugopal C O R R E S P O N D E N T

The highly selective Frost Scholarship Programme provides recipients with funding for one year to undertake master’s courses in the STEM field at the University of Oxford, London. This year, USF had two recipients — Honors College students Ricci Allen and Maie Khalil.

The scholarship, open only to those studying in the State University System of Florida who are also permanent residents of Florida, is sponsored by the Phillip and Patricia Frost Philanthropic Foundation. Only 10 students are selected each year.

Allen, a senior set to receive dual bachelor’s degrees in biomedical sciences and psychology in May will be studying clinical embryology at Oxford.

Khalil, who graduated summa cum laude with a

Ricci Allen and Maie Khalil, students in the USF Honors College, received the Frost Scholarship and will take one year of master’s courses at the University of Oxford in London. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE biomedical sciences degree in December, will be pursuing her master’s in medical anthropology.

Allen said she chose USF for its distance from her hometown. Located close

enough to go home on a whim, yet far enough to allow independence, USF had the perfect opportunities for her to grow all around.

Khalil, on the other hand, allowed USF’s seven-year

accelerated medical program to be one of her deciding factors.

Khalil was quick to point out some of the benefits of the Honors College in her academic experience, namely

small, discussion-based classes and the close-knit nature of the community, and Allen agreed.

Although initially focused on a purely medical path, Khalil found anthropology in her first semester and was thoroughly invested in the field. Then, unsure of whether she should pursue medicine or anthropology, she stuck with biomedical sciences.

She said the confusion that persisted through her college career and the lack of support for her aspirations from those around her were two of the biggest obstacles she had to surpass to achieve her current stature.

“I’m going to pursue a Ph.D. in anthropology, and want to eventually consult for the World Health Organization, the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), or the United Nations. If there is a professor opening available, I would love to enter academia and do research and teach,”

n See OXFORD on PAGE 6

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SG elects new Senate leadership SAFETY As part of exchanging the gavel, the Student Government (SG) Senate held two meetings on Tuesday night. The first finished up the 56th term while the second introduced the 57th term senators.

The new senators stepped up to the plate to elect the main leadership for next term’s legislative branch.

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• • • •

Senate President: Aladdin Hiba Position Role: The Senate President is responsible for overseeing all operations of Senate and represents Senate to outside entities Major: Biomedical Sciences Year: Third year student, hoping to attend USF Medical School Time in SG: Third term Former SG positions: Senator, Parliamentarian

Senate President Pro Tempore: Jessica Vanek • Position Role: The Senate President Pro Tempore helps the Senate President, maintains the SG website and manages committee membership • Major: Political Sciences • Year: Third year, hoping to go

• •

•

• • • •

•

• • • •

to graduate school for higher education Time in SG: Third term Former SG positions: Chair of the Grants Committee

Policy Chair: AlaEdean Elmunaier Position Role: The Policy committee reviews constitutional amendments, non-budgetary bills and resolutions for the Senate President Major: History/Political Science Year: Second year Time in SG: Third term Former SG positions: Chair of the Policy Committee Ethics Chair: Irene John Position Role: The Ethics Committee is responsible for the integrity of SG and review nominations made by the student body president Major: Biomedical Sciences/ English Literature Year: Second year Time in SG: Second term Former SG positions: Senator

Finance Chair: Nicholas Russo • Position Role: The Finance Committee controls the

• • • •

•

• • • •

Activity and Service fees which includes allocating funding to student organizations Major: Accounting Year: Second year Time in SG: Third term Former SG positions: Senator

Grants Chair: Alexander Suarez Position Role: The Grants Committee provides funding for special events such as Homecoming and travel requests throughout the year Major: Political Science/Music Studies Year: Second year Time in SG: Second term Former SG positions: Senator

Relations Chair: Saeed Sinam • Position Role: The Relations Committee works to bridge the gap between the student body and SG by conducting surveys on issues relevant to the student body • Major: Biomedical Sciences • Year: Second year • Time in SG: Second term • Former SG positions: Senator

Continued from PAGE 1

This year’s Safety Week is the first of its kind on the Tampa campus. It was supposed to happen back in October but was postponed until March and then finally put on in April.

“We have all the resources, all the things that we need now, so we figured it’s better to have it than to not have it at all,” Rodriguez said.

Throughout the week, SG has been highlighting different student safety services offered on campus through themed Facebook posts. SG has named the combination of all of the services the Safety Squad.

The campaign is important, Rodriguez feels, because student wellness and success is closely tied with knowledge of student safety.

“The safety resources exist for a reason and it’s to keep the students on our campus safe,” Rodriguez said. “... One of the most important things on campus is making sure

3 that students are safe and I know that it’s a priority of the university as well as, you know, the family members and the students themselves.

I think if students know about the resources they’re more likely to use them and in turn, not only feel safer but be safer.”

Plans to improve these services beyond increasing Safe Teams’ hours that came during a Senate meeting in March, will not come during the term of Rodriguez and Student Body Vice President Michael Malanga, according to Rodriguez.

“I mean, Safety Week was one of our platform points and one of our platform initiatives,” he said. “We’ve been working on it all year and we hope that kind of what we’ve come up with this year will make it easy for (SG) in the future, if they want to do something similar, they kind of have something to work off of.”

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Opinion UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

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

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The Oracle allocates one free issue to each student.

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American politics, oh my Breanne Williams COLU M N I ST

George Takei, a worldrenowned actor and social justice activist visited USF on Monday and shared his life journey and the many lessons he’s learned along the way.

During his moving speech, one moment stood above the rest.

Takei, through sharing stories of overcoming oppression, left students with a strong call to action.

And it’s a call to action against the slippery slope of hate and fear.

Takei warned students the current presidential election was disturbing due to the hateful rhetoric and far-reaching statements made by many of the candidates and their followers.

He shared brief tales of his rise to fame, coming to terms with his homosexuality and, most significantly, living through the persecution of Japanese-Americans by the U.S. government during World War II. Today, modern terrorism and the increasing fear across the globe have caused some to begin to call for radical remedies to the war on terror.

“I hear the echoes of the 1940s,” Takei said.

The oppression of JapaneseAmericans in World War II is one of the lowest points in U.S. history. The constitutional rights of thousands of citizens were completely neglected and abused due to the fear sweeping the nation.

In today’s society, fear is something everyone has learned to carry with them. The U.S. has been at war since 9/11 and despite our best efforts, terrorism is only continuing to grow.

It is increasingly unsafe to travel across the globe and the abundance of recent attacks has created a tense atmosphere as candidates express their drastic views on fighting terrorism.

The growing fear has caused many Americans to at least con-

sider the cost of some of the more radical views expressed by candidates like Ted Cruz’s plan to monitor Muslim communities across the country.

Yet Takei reminded students what obstructing citizens rights in the name of freedom truly looks like.

“I could see the barbed wire fence and the sentry tower right outside my schoolhouse window as I recited the words ‘with liberty and justice for all,’” Takei said.

The moment hatred is allowed reign in our government, true liberty and justice will fall apart. It is vital Americans refuse to give in to fear when electing a leader and supporting their initiatives.

For Takei, the answer laid with the citizens of this country. Only a unified voice of citizens can ensure our government does not overstep its bounds and restrict rights in an effort to appease fear.

“It is people who actively engage in the democratic process that make things happen, that make progress happen,” he said.

Soon, the presidential nominees will be chosen and the bitter campaign for the White House will quickly escalate. But we must remember that radicalism often leads to infringements of citizens’ rights.

They say those who do not know their history are bound to repeat it. Takei is taking that lesson seriously as he travels the nation sharing his life story in order to educate the public on a time when this country utterly failed to be the land of the free.

“That’s my mission in life: to make sure that Americans know that one time when the Constitution of the United States was egregiously violated against innocent American citizens who happened to look like the people who bombed Pearl Harbor,” he said.

Breanne Williams junior majoring in communications.

is a mass

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What you said MOSI plans to relocate to downtown Tampa in hopes of boosting attendance. Opinion Editor Breanne Williams asked students if a new facility would make them more likely to go to the museum.

“Yeah, I think it would be better. People go downtown for the museums.”

- Shereese Fagan, a senior majoring in chemical engineering

“Moving downtown would make me less likely to go.”

- Alex Pantin, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering

“Downtown is a hub for college students so I think it’s a good move.”

- Jessica Cole, a freshman majoring in nursing

“I’ve only been to MOSI once and it was to see ‘Interstellar.’ I wouldn’t go if it was downtown.”

- Scott Parkinson, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering

Lifestyle

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

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To Toy Story Land and beyond

By Jasmin Faisal L I F E S T Y L E

E D I T O R

Walt Disney World recently released plans for its new themed section, Toy Story Land, along with a variety of different upcoming attractions.

USF is currently in the process of getting the proposals ready in order to offer student’s discount ticketing to Disney Parks.

According to student body president-elect Chris Griffin, the program might not happen in the Summer A session, but he holds out hope for Summer B to implement the program.

“In Toy Story Land, you’ll find yourself shrunk to the size of a toy to explore the world of Andy’s backyard with your favorite Toy Story characters, including Woody and Buzz,” wrote Thomas Smith, editorial content director on the Disney Parks blog Wednesday.

The announcement divulged some of the upcoming attractions to be brought to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the first being the “Slinky Dog Dash”, a rollercoaster built to resemble the toy dachshund, Slinky.

“On ‘Slinky Dog Dash,’ you will zip, dodge and dash around many turns and drops that Andy has created to really make Slinky and his coils stretch to his limits,” reported the blog.

A concept video of the ride was also released on the Disney Park blog, demonstrating how the ride will look from a multitude of angles.

Another main attraction in Toy Story Land is “Alien Swirling Saucers.” A fun twist to the classic tea-cup and saucer rides everyone is familiar with. This ride allows visitors to join the fun Little Green Men for a spin in some flying saucers, with the all-powerful claw looming over them, poised and ready to grab its next chosen one.

The park will also feature the already established “Toy Story Mania!” game, in which visitors are taken on a ride into the carnival-style “Toy Story Midway Games Play Set,” conveniently located under Andy’s bed. The object of the game is to shoot at 3D objects and rack up points while your cart constantly moves down the midway.

However, these are not the only additions that Disney is

set to debut in 2016. Disney Epcot has been under construction, busy at work creating its new “Frozen” themed attraction.

“Frozen Ever After” will be located in the Norway section of the park and will take visitors on a scenic tour of the kingdom of Arendelle during their “Winter Festival”. The ride will feature live actors portraying the characters and fan favorite music from the film. The ride is set to debut in June 2016.

The highly anticipated “Star Wars” themed land known as the “Star Wars Experience” is also set to open in both Disneyland, California and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Florida.

Construction on both versions of the land are set to begin this month, and according to Click Orlando, Bob Iger, Disney CEO, said that the new “Star Wars” area will feature a cantina restaurant and two major rides.

“In these all-new lands, guests will be transported to a never-before-seen planet inhabited by humanoids, droids and many others,” said the Disney Park blog.

“Star Wars-themed lands

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will be the largest-ever singlethemed land expansions at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.”

Starting in June, the fireworks show, “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” is set to premier in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

“It will combine fireworks, pyrotechnics, special effects and video projections that will turn the nearby Chinese Theater and other buildings into the twin suns of Tatooine, a field of battle droids, the trench of the Death Star, Starkiller Base and other ‘Star Wars’ destinations,” wrote editorial content manager, Jennifer Fickley-Baker, on the Disney Parks blog.

“The show will be punctuated with a tower of fire and spotlight beams, creating massive lightsabers in the sky. This new show will be the most elaborate fireworks display to take place in the history of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.”

Concept art for the new atttraction, “Alien Swirling Saucers,” that will be featured at Disney’s new Toy Story Land. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE

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OXFORD

Continued from PAGE 2

she said.

Having aspired to be a physician while a high school student, Allen only developed a better idea of what she wanted to be and do as she went through the motions of college life. “I want to become a reproductive endocrinologist,” she said.

“I want to open a women’s health clinic that includes anything they need: obstetrics, gynecology, fertility, and other women specific things.”

Khalil explained that the Frost scholarship allowed her the opportunity to pursue graduate studies in anthropology without having to worry about costs, or obtaining employment afterward. She called it a “safety net” and an opportunity that became a chance for her to study what

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she loved.

Other than academic excellence in their respective subjects, both pre-eminent students relish a diverse array of activities outside of their books.

Swimming, reading, sewing, and working with the Honors Student Council topped Allen’s list of extracurricular activities and hobbies, while Khalil spends her free time reading, playing tennis, discovering ethnic foods and traveling.

Reflecting on her ability to believe in herself, Allen cited the example set by Hiram Rios, a decorated USF alumnus and Honors College graduate.

“Sometimes we’re quick to not believe in ourselves and not think that we’re good enough,” Khalil said. “And this Frost scholarship experience has taught me that if you put yourself out there, you really can succeed.”

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Classifieds

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

To place a classified ad go to HELP WANTED

File Clerk for Busy Law Firm Law Firm is seeking a full/ part- time file clerk; with ability to work a minimum 28 hours during regular Monday through Friday 8:30am- 5:00 pm work week.

Responsibilities include filing, errands, and copy projects.

Applicant must have valid Florida driver’s license with reliable transportation for running errands and professional appearance.

Please email resume to tampa.jobs@rissman.com and reference “File Clerk” when replying to this post.

Crossword

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http://www.usforacle.com/classifieds

HELP WANTED

Tech Savvy student/ adult to work in the Carrollwood area, $10 to $12 an hour commensurate with knowledge and experience.

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PETS & ANIMALS

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HERO

Continued from PAGE 1

Tracing back to his great-grandmother, the first known carrier of Alport in his family, Richman would be the first male survivor of the disease in his family history.

With a long waiting list for a kidney donation in front of him, his mother Dana took matters into her own hands on social media.

Richman had lost 30 pounds from going through 24/7 dialysis treatment over the first five weeks and doctors told Dana if she wanted to ensure her son’s survival, she needed to start looking for a donor on her own.

“I started putting it out to the public last July that he might need a living donor,” Dana said. “I was doing it as a backup plan in case it didn’t work out with family, so we got it going in motion and it was listing him with more and more hospitals. But then January is when it became critical.

“Now it was like ‘Alright now you’re on dialysis and the longer you’re on dialysis, the crappier your chances are with the new kidney,’ so it was a lot all at once.”

She took to Facebook and Twitter, spending hours on end reaching out to the community for help using #AKidneyForJoey. After roughly a week of nonstop social media management, Dana’s message for help was met with overwhelming support.

At first her efforts received little feedback, but near the end of her week-long social media marathon, her posts began to pick up momentum.

“It was probably one of the best feelings in the whole experience,” Richman said. “It’s funny, because you hear about the numbers of the people on the waiting list and how few donors there are, but then you see all these people who want to help once they find out about it. It was kind of a reassuring moment that showed me the good in humanity.”

But even with 20-40 potential donors calling per day, doctors had trouble finding a match for Richman.

Nearly 100 potential donors ran into difficulties in the application and matching process and after two months of searching, the Richman’s still had no donor in place. *** On March 2, Mike Miller was scrolling through Facebook during his lunch break at work when

Joey Richman (middle left) along with his mother Dana (middle left) and family came to the gym to watch Mike local MMA fighter Mike Miller (right) train. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE Despite not knowing Richman he came across Dana’s page for prior to reading about his need for Joey and was instantly drawn to a kidney, Miller had little hesitathe story. tion along the six-week journey “After a few minutes of reading from commitment to surgery. up on it, I felt the need to step in “I didn’t wake up that morning, and help,” Miller said. “So I mesor any morning, saying, ‘Yeah, saged Dana and decided the next I’m going to donate a kidney or morning I would do the blood an organ or something,’” Miller test, and the rest is history. said. “It was just in the moment, “The feeling I got was indein that minute. The hard part was, scribable, I’ve never felt it before. before anyone knew about this, There was no doubt that it was it was, ‘Am I crazy? Do people supposed to be me doing this.” actually do this?’ And then how After getting in contact with much convincing will I have to Dana, Miller was told he had to do to convince people this is the sleep on his decision before makright thing? But the story kind of ing it official. Two days later, he validated itself, so I didn’t have to was in a hospital undergoing tests do much talking.” to see if he would be a match for Miller and the Richman family Richman. first connected when they visited To the Miller’s surprise, after him at his gym where he trained. the countless dead ends and tieMike Miller Upon walking in, they were first ups along the way, he was cleared Local MMA fighter met with questioning glances, but to be a living donor for Richman “That’s OK though, you sac- Miller helped them feel welcome. almost immediately.

The family watched him spar Miller, 25, is an MMA fighter rifice a little bit and you give with a career 3-1 record. He was someone else a whole lot more,” and train before an interview to set to continue fighting over the Miller said. “What he’s gaining see if both parties were fit for the summer, but will now have to is so much more than what I’m upcoming surgery.

“It was the first time we had give up any future in fighting after losing. I’m not going to be leaving mixed martial arts altogether, I’m done an interview in the same donating his kidney.

Along with forfeiting his fight- going to be coaching, reffing and room,” Richman said. “I think ing career, Miller will have to close- still mentoring my guys. I’ll still him hearing what I had to say ly monitor his health and likely be sharpening my skills, just not and then me getting to hear what using them on anyone anymore.” he had to say, it made it real. We have a slightly reduced lifespan.

“The feeling I got was indescribable, I’ve never felt it before. There was no doubt that it was supposed to be me doing this.”

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were just talking on the fly and saying we were family and brothers. We were matching up so well and it made everyone realize we feel exactly the same even though we don’t really know each other.”

In the time leading up to the surgery, Miller and the Richman family bonded over dinners, kayaking and the regular visits to the doctor.

After the time they’ve spent together and the journey they’ve committed to go on together, the two consider each other as brothers.

“It was like we had known each other a long time before meeting,” Miller said. “There was never that awkward moment, we just meshed from the beginning.”

Since the surgery on Wednesday, there is now little left standing in the way between Richman and a chance at a healthy life. A USF pre-medical student working toward obtaining his law degree, he hopes to return to campus once healed from surgery.

As long as his body doesn’t reject the kidney, Richman will have to endure a recovery process of a few months before returning to full health.

He most looks forward to going back to the beach, the gym, and not being tied down to hospital beds or dialysis machines.

His survival and return to a normal life has turned from a dream to a reality because of a selfless act by a man who simply felt called to help.

“I mean I’m a Christian, I’ve always felt everyone has something they’re supposed to do,” Miller said. “But after I felt this, I’m convinced it’s real. I can’t explain it any other way.”

On Wednesday, Richman returned to the hospital bed once more, but this time with a renewed sense of hope for his future.

Planning on returning to campus in the fall, Richman is set to graduate in the coming year and is eager to continue on at USF for medical school, but most of all he’s excited to be healthy for the first time in his life.

“It’s almost hard to imagine because it’s been so gradual that the way I feel now, I feel healthy,” Richman said. “I know I’m not as good as my peers in that sense, but it’s hard for me to imagine being better. This is all I’ve known, so I feel like this is what I’m going to feel like when I wake up. So, I’m looking forward to waking up and seeing how I feel.”

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Sophomore Astin Donovan (left), roommate of Meredith Bissette (right), spoke to reporters Tuesday about Bissette’s diagnosis.

SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE/GOUSFBULLS.COM

BISSETTE

Continued from PAGE 12

Chordoma. There are only about 300 cases per year of the rare condition that typically affects people between 50-80 years old. Bissette is just 20 years old.

But it’s nothing that will deter Bissette’s vibrant spirits, nicknamed “Mere Bear” by her teammates.

“She has a great personality,” said Donovan, Bissette’s roommate. “She’s definitely someone that’s always smiling and always positive. She’s always looking to lighten the mood so if you come home after a rough game, she’s always there with a hug.”

When it came time to break the tragic news to her team, with coach Ken Eriksen by her side, Bissette did the best she could to maintain her bright outlook. The same couldn’t be said for her team.

“It took us by surprise 100 percent,” Santiago said. “I think she’s handled this better than all of us. She’s not really letting it get to her, I’ll tell you that much.”

Since learning of their teammate’s fight, the Bulls have won 11 of 13 games by dominant fashion. Though her physical presence is missed, her positive spirt permeates the USF dugout both at home and on the road.

“She’s our teammate and even though she’s not here, she’s still with us and we still think about her and love her just the same,” Donovan said as she wiped tears from her face.

“I mean we obviously have our main focus in mind, but it’s just something to play for, even more than just winning a game.”

The team hangs Bissette’s

#00 jersey in the rafters of the dugout during each game. In addition, the team has the double zeros written on each of their wrists underneath black bracelets that showcase the yellow Chordoma ribbon.

But the support stretched far beyond the fences of the USF softball stadium. Teams from across the country – from Maryland to North Carolina to St. Johns – have reached out to show their support, not to mention nearly every USF athletic team.

The hashtag #MereBearStrong has been seen coast to coast showing support for Bissette’s fight.

Prior to a series with Memphis earlier this month, the Tigers had painted a yellow ribbon in front of each team’s dugout in support.

And to each and every person, team or group, Bissette has said thank you.

“Any person that’s said something to her, she’s said ‘thank you’ and that says a lot about that kid,” Santigo said.

A GoFundMe.com account has also been set up for donations to help cover medical expenses. It has already raised nearly $10,000.

USF will also host a home run derby featuring USF athletes as well as a silent auction on May 8 at the USF baseball stadium following USF baseball’s game against Tulane.

“I’ll tell you one thing, when Mere comes to the field, there’s always that smile on her face, 100 percent,” Santiago said.

“And she’s handling this tremendously.

“Cancer has a fight on its hands, ‘cause Mere’s swingin’.”

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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

The Rundown

Softball

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T H U R S D AY, A P R I L 2 1 , 2 0 1 6

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T H E O R AC L E

‘Something to play for’

Outside USF

Eagles snag No. 2 overall pick Days after the Los Angeles Rams vaulted up from the 15th to the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL draft — trading with the Tennessee Titans — another blockbuster trade has shaken up the draft order.

The Philadelphia Eagles traded a bevy of picks, including two first rounders, to the Cleveland Browns to jump from No. 8 to No. 2. This solidified their chances of getting one of the two coveted quarterbacks. This almost guarantees quarterbacks Jared Goff and Carson Wentz will be the top two picks in the draft that runs from Apr. 28-30.

Number to know All eighteen of USF’s athletics programs scored a 955 or better for the first time in program history when the NCAA released its most recent Academic Progress Rate (APR) data Wednesday. The APR holds institutions accountable for the academic progress of their student-athletes through this team-based metric. 56 student athletes are slated to receive their degrees this spring.

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MORE COVERAGE ONLINE

Pierre-Paul opens up about gruesome accident.

Read it at USFOracle.com

Softball

No. 20 USF hangs with No. 1 Florida Florida USF

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By Jacob Hoag S P O R T S

Since learning of sophomore Meredith Bissette’s cancer diagnosis, the USF softball team has won 11 of their last 13 games using Bissette as its inspiration. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE/GOUSFBULLS.COM

A teammate’s battle with cancer inspires USF softball

By Jacob Hoag S P O R T S

E D I T O R

With one out in the second inning of a late-March matchup with East Carolina, USF softball’s Meredith Bissette stepped in to pinch hit for junior Kristen Wyckoff — a role Bissette was quite familiar with.

With sophomore Astin Donovan in a runner’s stance on second base, Bissette smacked a shot up the right side — scoring Donovan — to pick up her first career hit in front of friends and family — and her hometown of Raleigh, N.C. “Usually, I’m one of those people that blocks out the background noise, but I remember the dugout just erupting,” Donovan said. “People are jumping up and down and it wasn’t until I got into the dugout that we realized she got her

first hit.

“It was an experience to remember.”

Days later, that excitement and joy took a downward turn.

After getting an MRI done following complaints of back pains and numbness in her leg, Bissette was diagnosed with Chordoma, a rare form of pelvic cancer.

“It’s funny we were working on her swing and it finally came through for her — she finally got that hit,” USF assistant coach Tommy Santiago said. “She’s on cloud nine and we’re ready to go as soon as we come back from the ECU trip and keep it rolling. And then this happens.”

Ac c o r d i n g to Chordomafoundation.org, there are an estimated 125,000 people currently living with

n See BISSETTE on PAGE 11

#MereBearStrong

ORACLE PHOTO/JACOB HOAG

“She’s our teammate and even though she’s not here, she’s still with us and we still think about her.”

Astin Donovan USF softball outfielder

E D I T O R

After walking away dejected after an 11-1 beat down in USF’s first meeting with top-ranked Florida, the 20th-ranked Bulls were able to hang with the perennial power, but fell 3-0 Wednesday night in Gainesville.

The first showdown went completely in the Gator’s favor with UF (42-3) scoring in every inning.

This time, USF (39-11) would hold the Gators scoreless through four innings before UF’s Amanda Lorenz opened the game up with a solo home run in the fifth inning.

The Gators kept the offense rolling with a two-run RBI from Nicole DeWitt to put USF in a three-run hole.

But USF had its share of chances to put runs across. In the first, USF loaded the bases off a walk and an error, but Gator pitcher Kelly Barnhill got the strikeout to end the inning.

Senior pitcher Erica Nunn (227) went 4 1/3 innings, fanning six batters and giving up only five hits.

In the last 57 innings, the pitching trio of Nunn, Susan Wysocki and Cheyenne Eggens allowed just four runs.

Despite the loss, USF has been one of the hottest teams in the country this season. In addition to winning a program-record 23-straight games, USF has won eight of its last nine games.

USF continues its seven-game road trip against Tulsa beginning Friday at 6 p.m.