Wednesday April 10, 2024

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INTRODUCING KIM CALDWELL: THE FOURTH LADY VOLS HEAD COACH IN THE NCAA ERA PLANS TO BRING A NEW PLAY STYLE TO TENNESSEE. | PAGE 10

On Monday April 8, 2024, students stare up at the eclipse wearing special glasses despite the overcast sky. Cambree Gliessner / The Daily Beacon

Eclipsed expectations: How nature upstaged April 8 eclipse

MADELINE MCNEELY Staff Writer

Space put together quite the show Monday, April 8. As the moon danced across the sun, it dimmed the sun’s brilliance and cast a captivating shadow over the audience — at least that was the expectation.

Regrettably, the eclipse found itself upstaged by gloomy weather. Despite the students’ eager anticipation for the phenomenon of a total eclipse — where the moon moves directly between the sun and Earth, entirely obscuring the sun’s face — they soon realized that rain and clouds were likely to interrupt the spectacle.

The eclipse began at 1:49 p.m. for Knoxville and hit its highest coverage of 89% at approximately 3:07 p.m. Students gathered around the Hill to view the eclipse, overtaking the roof of the physics building and stopping at the lawn outside of Ayres Hall. Despite the gray skies, some people held optimism for the eclipse, like Nevin Bulut, a UT English graduate student.

“I’m super excited about it,” Bulut said. “I have been waiting for it to happen since the last one, so I’ve been very pumped.”

The last total solar eclipse Tennessee saw was on Aug. 21, 2017, when the weather did not spoil the event.

As some students initially looked up at the sky with hope, they began to turn to technology and talking as a better source of entertainment.

“I was definitely a little disappointed,” Dominic Vecina, a freshman majoring in kinesiology said. “It’s really, really cloudy in Knoxville today, just a very dreary, cloudy, kind of gloomy day, so you couldn’t really see the sky very much. Especially when I saw the eclipse in 2017, and I was in the path of totality in 2017, and it was a very clear day, thankfully. … It was just kind of a letdown this time because you could really see the sun and the moon for like a couple seconds at best.”

Despite the disappointing weather conditions for viewers in Knoxville, this year’s eclipse path included an estimated 31.6 million people, a significant increase from the 12 million in 2017.

This year’s path of totality stretched from Mexico to Canada, while the 2017 eclipse crossed from Oregon to South Carolina. In addition, this year, the moon was closer to the Earth, which made for a larger shadow, darker sky and elongated eclipse. However, these details were less noticeable to Knoxvillians be-

cause of the cloudy weather.

“I was a little bit disappointed with how the eclipse actually happened because one of my best friends, she goes to school at the University of Texas, and they’re in the path of totality this time, and it’s a very sunny day for them,” Vecina said. “They had a great time just watching the eclipse, whereas like on our campus you couldn’t even see the eclipse at all because of the clouds.”

It appears that the other UT had better luck in the eclipse lottery this time around.

However, in the few moments that clouds did not obscure the eclipse, viewers marveled at the celestial event.

Viewers were able to witness a subtle dimming of the environment and a shimmering crescent of light surrounding the moon. Isabel Williams, a junior studying nursing, joined the crowd to view the eclipse.

“I enjoyed getting to see the crescent shape,” Williams said, “It was really cool. I’ve never experienced that.”

As observers eagerly await the next solar eclipse visible from the contiguous U.S., slated for Aug. 23, 2044, memories of the April 8 eclipse in Knoxville serve as a reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the undeniable allure of cosmic phenomena.

How student organizations collaborated with Vol Dining to promote diverse options during Ramadan

ABBY ANN RAMSEY Editor-in-Chief

About a year ago, senior Maron Desta had just been elected as a Student Government Association senator for the College of Arts and Sciences when she received a text from one of her friends who was dissatisfied with the food options on campus for students observing Ramadan. Almost immediately, Desta set her sights on using her new position to work with her peers in order to advocate for the dietary needs of Muslim students and promote available options.

“Knowing that this is something that is not just going to impact my friends, but also it’s going to impact a whole community that’s on campus that may not feel seen or may feel unheard … I decided I really wanted to make sure that this was like my main goal,” Desta, a biochemistry and cellular and molecular biology major, said.

Since then, SGA has passed a bill written by Desta called the Ramadan and Halal Food Act, and Vol Dining has worked with Desta and members of the Muslim Student Association to better promote dining options and meet the needs of students who observe Ramadan.

While Vol Dining has provided options for students observing Ramadan in past years, they said demand has been low, so spreading the word by working with SGA and the MSA has been important in meeting students’ needs.

Since the beginning of Ramadan — which culminated in the Eid Al-Fitr celebration this week — Vol Dining has been providing overnight meals and meal accommodations for students and has been working to promote those options. Overnight meals are togo meals for students to eat before sunrise and fasting and include pita, yogurt, cottage cheese, hard boiled eggs, fruit, protein bars, oatmeal cups and milk. Other dining options throughout the month of Ramadan have included halal chicken, potato options, and pita bread and hummus. Vol Dining said having pita bread and hummus available daily was a suggestion from MSA students.

“We were very happy that Maron contacted us this year as she worked with the MSA to spread the word that the meal options for Ramadan were available,” Vol Dining told The Daily Beacon. “We want to work closely with the MSA next year to continue to enhance and grow the program and awareness for students.”

One of Desta’s main missions in writing the bill — which was created to help improve accessibility during the month of Ramadan and to keep students informed about halal food options on campus — was to loop in the perspectives of Muslim students. She

worked closely with Hanan Khalid, a junior communication studies major, who ended up serving as a liaison for the bill and providing insights as a member of UT’s Muslim community.

Khalid said that in her previous experience at UT, she found it difficult to balance adjusting to a new environment in Knoxville with spending Ramadan alone for the first time. What added to that difficulty was trying to find the best options available to her on campus.

“I’m sure that many other Muslims can relate to my experience, which is even more of a reason why the Ramadan Halal Food Bill is necessary for supporting the traditions of Ramadan,” Khalid said.

For Khalid and many others in the Muslim community, Ramadan is a sacred time to focus on spirituality, acts of charity, selfdiscipline and more. She pointed out that since fasting during Ramadan often means 14 hours of fasting from food and water, access to nutrients is vital.

“Having diverse food options during Ramadan is crucial because it ensures a balanced diet, accommodates dietary restrictions, and truly fosters inclusivity and bridges the gap between the Muslim and UT communities,” Khalid said.

One of the perks of being an SGA senator and passing legislation, according to Desta, is being able to use the position to create change. She said that because of the bill, she felt like she had more of an opportunity to start conversations on campus and create change, making students more aware of the options available at dining halls. Desta said that Vol Dining was more than willing to collaborate and incorporate the voices of students while they worked to promote the options.

Desta said it’s especially important to use her position to create change for communities that might not feel as seen or as heard on campus.

“I know what it feels like to kind of feel like unseen and unheard, so I feel like with my position, this is my opportunity,” Desta said. “You can do so much within a semester as a senator, so I just wanted to make sure I took full advantage of that. And then being a senior and leaving UTK, I want to make sure I essentially kind of leave my mark and leave something for the school to use … for years to come.”

Being able to work with SGA and Vol Dining has been rewarding for Khalid who said initiatives like promoting these food options give her hope for the future.

“As a Black, Muslim, First-generation minority at UT, I often don’t feel seen or acknowledged,” Khalid said. “However, being a part of this transformative change and finally witnessing growth truly makes me feel confident about the future of UT.”

Students eat dinner at the Fresh Food Company located on the first level of Stokely Hall. File / The Daily Beacon

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to bring mental health awareness to UT

SARAH-NICOLE JACKSON Contributor

This article talks about sensitive subjects relating to suicide and mental health. Please be advised.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, in collaboration with the University of Tennessee, organized the Out of Darkness Walk, taking place this year April 21. The walk will take place on the UT campus, with registration starting at 11 a.m. and the walk beginning at noon.

According to AFSP’s data, suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in Tennessee. It is the second leading cause of death in those ages 25-34 and the third leading cause of death for those ages 10-24.

The Out of Darkness Walk is meant to create a space of solace for those who are struggling or have loved ones struggling with mental health and suicidal ideation.

Caroline Cole, a graduate student studying law, has been involved with AFSP for a year and a half.

“These walks are a great way to show people that they are surrounded by a community that thinks about mental health and cares about suicide prevention,” Cole said.

Cole works with AFSP in public policy and communications and is very passionate about spreading their work to UT’s campus. The first walk she attended allowed her to see a community open to talking about mental health.

Caleb Atkins, another graduate student also studying law and working with AFSP, shared a similar sentiment.

“I really hope on a grander scale for UT campuses everywhere that these walks show that it’s ok to talk about mental health,” Atkins said. “Even people who have not experienced a mental health crisis but want to support their loved ones can participate.”

Cole’s and Atkins’ work with AFSP is very close to both of their hearts.

“I lost one of my closest friends to suicide when I was in high school,” Cole said. “At that point, me and my friends became involved with AFSP. It was really big for me to see other people in the community who had experienced things similar to what I’d gone through. It was nice to feel a part of a community that was just lamenting together. … You can all collectively share your pain and heartache as well as the love for those you’ve lost.”

Colin Zimmer, known to students as the UT Elf, is a new member of the organization. Zimmer is a sophomore majoring in business management. He is very well-acquainted with the fight for mental health and is dedicated to creating a safe space on campus. He claimed that there is value to be found in the

small things in life and believes that hope is a key factor in assisting those who are going through dark times.

“Hope isn’t always what people view it as,” Zimmer said. “Hope can be that one person who picked up your phone when you dropped it. It can be that person who held the door for you. The more you notice the small hopes, the more you’ll start to believe in this big, collective hope. It’s kind of the small hopes that turn the wheels. The elf thing taught me a lot about hope because one small act of kindness can really impact someone’s day.”

Zimmer’s past experience working at homeless shelters taught him a lot about hope. Mental health is very important, but oftentimes, when we see others struggling, we aren’t prepared to address it. How can we help our loved ones who are struggling? Cole says the key to helping others is by being part of a support system.

“Make sure they know that they’re never alone. AFSP has a ton of great resources for anyone struggling, and if they get to a point

where they do need help, 988 is always there. Look up the warning signs,” Cole said.

One of the many warning signs of suicidal ideation, according to Cole, can actually be found in the form of suicide jokes.

“I think that humans use humor to deal with things that they haven’t entirely figured out for themselves or are comfortable with,” Cole said. “Getting involved with AFSP showed me how important language is and how it can hurt people. Like, for example, we don’t say ‘commit suicide’ anymore because it makes it seem like an action that is criminalized. Now we use different language. Humor can be a coping mechanism, but it also shows that you probably have some things to discover within yourself.”

A reason why many joke about their trauma and mental health rather than talk about it outright is because oftentimes it is difficult to judge whether a space is safe for that kind of discussion. Sometimes, those struggling mentally feel like their issues are small compared to others, or they simply do not want to bother anyone.

“A way to create safety is by asking your loved ones questions and checking in on them when they seem down,” Atkins said. “As for faculty and staff, I’d say if you notice students who are aloof in class or not showing up, to send emails and check in on them. Let yourself be a resource. … For the university itself, make sure that the counseling centers are as visible and accessible as possible because it’s really hard to get yourself to go to those things when you need it, and it’s hard to talk yourself into going.”

People passionate about the fight to prevent suicide and spread awareness for mental health can visit AFSP’s website where they provide more information about how you can get involved with the organization. They provide ways to get help if you are struggling with suicidal thoughts as well as various opportunities to get involved that fit your preferred method of activism.

For those struggling with mental health or suicidal ideation, the suicide hotline number is always available. All you have to do is text or call 988.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention hosts the Out of Darkness Walk to raise awareness for suicide prevention. Courtesy of Danny Ryder

Schulz Bräu’s second annual Ritterfest brings medieval flare to Knoxville

ADAM DELAHOUSSAYE Staff Writer

Friday, April 5, saw the return of Schulz Bräu Brewing Company’s Ritterfest. The medieval-themed, nineday festival is the second annual festival of its kind, promising to bring a historic and fun-filled look into the Middle Ages right in Knoxville’s own Germanowned brewery. The event is for all ages and completely free. The only limit to the good times here is the capacity numbers they must abide by for safety.

Beginning just last year, Ritterfest was originally inspired by Schulz Bräu’s weekly movie nights during the summer. The 2001 film “A Knight’s Tale,” starring Heath Ledger, was among one of the featured films back in 2022 and ironically was something that got the ball rolling on the festival in the first place.

As jokes and hypotheticals flew between the team at Schulz Bräu, the idea of bringing the medieval madness, or at least a piece of it, to Knoxville began to seem like more and more of a reality. After finding Nashville Armored Combat and scheduling the rest of the events with local acts, the stage was set. “We just kinda thought it’d be a fun weekend and the reception was huge,” Ben Oliver, the sales manager at Schulz Bräu, said. “The knight fights and tournaments were our biggest events anytime they happen. We’re doing them bi monthly now. It was cool to see the community that came out, too. It wasn’t the normal crowd for us. There were so many people that were so thankful to have this event in Knoxville. We definitely felt like it was worth continuing.”

The word “ritter’’ derives from the Germanic word for “knight.” The festival and those involved take their homework very seriously, with an expert in the house no doubt going to help bolster that accuracy.

This year’s version of Ritterfest is chock-full of events for all ages. Markets for local vendors will be held every day of the festival, with applications open on their website. While the criteria isn’t strict, there is a penchant for items sold to loosely adhere to the theme.

Other events include axe throwing, tarot card readings and other activities similar to what one might see at a Renaissance fair. Local musicians will also be in attendance, including a harpist and an Irish Celtic band to soundtrack the week for attendees. Oliver said one of his favorite activities is the costume

contest, which plans on crowning a king and queen of the festival this year. Another favorite and the final send off is a medieval disco.

Food and drink are also a big part of what draws people to Schulz Bräu on any given weekend, and Ritterfest is no exception. Hogs and turkey legs are among some of the local eats that will be provided by outside vendors, though specials from the brewery itself will also be available. A medieval charcuterie board will be available, consisting of large chunks of meat, cheeses and a local “Ritterbread’’ provided by the neighbors over at The Tomato Head.

For drinks, the crew plans on bringing back their award-winning Gratzer, a 100% wheat-smoked lager, as well as premiering the Dinkel, another medieval recipe.

While there are many breweries to spend a weekend in the greater area of downtown Knoxville, variety is always valued, and it’s one of the reasons an establishment like Schulz Bräu is the perfect place to do so. Rooted in history and a real staple of the Knoxville community, there aren’t many places that offer such a varied and singular experience like this.

“Having something a little different

brought to people, especially a brewery’s take on things with us being a German establishment, that can lend some authenticity to some of this as well,” Christen Watson, event manager at Schulz Bräu, said. “Especially with it being such a big attraction and event rather than just stopping in for a drink.”

For history buffs or those just looking for a fresh taste of new beers, Ritterfest promises to have something for everyone to enjoy until April 14. More information and a comprehensive schedule of events can be found on their website.

Schulz Bräu Brewing Company’s Ritterfest is a nine-day medieval-themed festival featuring events for all ages. Courtesy of Christen Watson

5 book recommendations to give you a fresh start this spring

SARAH-NICOLE JACKSON Contributor

Long gone are the days of long nights and chilly winds because spring has sprung. While students adjust to the busy day-today schedule of classes and prepare for finals, there should also be time to bask in the sun and relax.

Listed below are some books students can grab to read, whether cozied up in a hammock on a clear day, sitting in their room on a rainy day or in the library between classes.

“Legends and Lattes” by Travis Baldree

Genre(s): cozy fantasy, high fantasy

“Legends and Lattes” centers on orc mercenary Viv, who has decided to put her sword to rest and move to a small, quiet town. Her goal is to open up a coffee shop, but that proves to be very difficult when no one in the town has even heard of coffee. However, Viv will not be deterred, so she sets off to fulfill her dream of starting up a successful coffee shop. She finds running her business to be therapeutic and relaxing compared to her past bloody work.

This is a very cozy read, often praised because of its “high fantasy, low stakes” premise. You’ll find yourself speeding through this one to pass the time, getting lost in the adorable interactions Viv has with her customers and the mouthwatering descriptions of coffee and pastries. Coffee and fantasy lovers may enjoy this one.

Content warnings: brief description of graphic violence at the very beginning of the book — from there it’s smooth sailing.

“Hooky” by Míriam Bonastre Tur

Genre(s): fantasy

This Webtoon-turned-graphic novel centers around Dani and Dorian, two twin witches who have missed the bus to magic school and must now find a teacher. Luckily, they come across an old fortune teller in a small seaside town who is willing to teach them the art of magic. Under his tutelage, the twins soon find themselves at the center of a disastrous prophecy that affects witches and non-witches alike. Throughout their adventures, they make friends and enemies that teach them many lessons in this coming-of-age story.

This is a binge-read for sure. Tur’s art style is adorable and very colorful, which makes every page pop, and the entire series pleasing to the eye. “Hooky” is a three book graphic novel series, with 222 episodes on Webtoon. It is also appropriate for all ages.

“Happy Place” by Emily Henry

Genre(s): contemporary romance

Harriet and Wynn were always the per-

Enjoy the warm weather and nearing conclusion of the semester with spring reading. Sarah-Nicole Jackson / Contributor

fect couple, until their unfortunate break-up six months ago. Every year, they and their friends have a relaxing summer vacation at a cozy cottage in Maine. However, this year will be the last they are able to repeat this trip because the cottage is being sold. Harriet and Wynn’s friends are determined to have a perfect last vacation, so they both agree to lie and pretend to still be together in front of their friends. Through this farce, they begin to unravel all of the complicated reasons they split up in the first place, and must decide if they want to give it another shot.

This book will tear you apart and stitch you back together again as you watch the rise and fall of Harriet and Wynn’s relationship. It is also a fairly quick read, due to its short and fun chapters.

Henry, known commonly as the “queen of romance” in the novel industry, does not disappoint, bringing a great mix of humor and emotion to the table.

Spring is a time for new beginnings, and change is a big theme in this book, as Harriet must come to terms with her changing relationships and new goals in life. There is also some discussion about mental health.

“Juniper and Thorn” by Ava Reid

Genre(s): fantasy, gothic horror

In this loose retelling of “The Juniper

Tree”, young witch Marlinchen and her two sisters work for their abusive father, creating remedies for their clients. They are the last witches in their city, confined to their house under their father’s thumb. Magic is disappearing in a new wave of industrialization, only adding more fuel to their father’s anger. One night, Marlinchen is invited on a secret outing with her sisters, and everything changes when she becomes enamored with the ballet dancer Sevas.

Her attraction towards Sevas causes her to break her father’s rules — something she’s never dared to do before — and in doing so, she discovers she is a lot stronger than anyone, including herself, gives her credit for. Her outings with Sevas put her in grave danger, however, as a monster is roaming the city and devouring its people.

You do not need to have read “The Juniper Tree” to understand this book, but if you have, you may appreciate the references to the original tale. This book has plenty of mysterious magical vibes like the Grimm Fairy Tales. Heed the content warnings, though, as this book gets very dark and gory at points. There are similar themes to Reid’s dark academia novel “A Study in Drowning” in discussing misogyny and having a female protagonist that struggles to find her voice.

Content warning(s): graphic descriptions

of violence, sexual assault, abuse

“Girl, Woman, Other” by Bernardine Evaristo Genre(s): literary, contemporary fiction

A compilation of stories about — mostly — Black women in the UK, highlighting the ups and downs of their experiences. These stories span across many years, through different generations, also showcasing the generational trauma that can be carried down through Black families.

It has many themes concerning feminism, identity and relationships of all kinds. You get to be in the headspaces of many different characters, some pleasant and some less so, as you travel with these characters throughout their lives and see them discover themselves. It’s incredibly inspiring to read about their resolve as they find their place in a world that continuously tries to stamp them out.

Each character has a very unique experience, from a jaded schoolteacher, a radical playwright, a single mother of three and many more. Be sure to heed the content warnings, however. It is an amazing book that tackles very sensitive subject matter.

Content warning(s): sexual assault, transphobia, racism, sexism, domestic violence, infidelity

Opinion: Mourning my life abroad

ANSLEY GRAVES Columnist

After I opened a letter of deferral for fall admissions at UT during my senior year of high school, I felt utterly crushed. However, I was offered an alternative option. The alternative was to spend my first semester as an official college student in Europe, with guaranteed admission come spring.

Not one part of me entertained this idea truthfully. Of course, I had heard about studying abroad but never considered it this early in my academic career. The thought of leaving home for the first time as a “real” adult in a foreign country terrified me.

Time was running out, and my dilemma remained. After a whirlwind of emotions and some heavy soul-searching, I decided this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I accepted the offer and planned to leave for Florence, Italy, in late August. Accepting that offer was the best decision I ever made and proof that trying new things is not always terrible, a contrast to my prior beliefs.

When I made my way through the airport gate, the only thing I remember from that moment was a constant loop of the famous ABBA song “Slipping Through My Fingers.” Ironically, as I was waving goodbye to my parents with that absent-minded smile, it took everything to hold back my tears. After all, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, right?

Once landing in Amsterdam after what seemed like the longest flight of my life, I jumped on another flight and woke up in the skies of Florence.

The culture shock was an understatement. In the taxi set to take me to my new apartment, I held on for dear life due to aggressive turns down scarily narrow streets. The driver came to a hard stop, practically dumping me on the side of a road in downtown Florence. It may not have been glamorous, but I was ok with it. However, I was not ok with the fact that it was 95 degrees outside while I had to attempt to carry four bags and three suitcases up three flights of stairs.

I remember finally getting to my room and feeling an overwhelming sense of helplessness. I could only think, “What have I done?”

Fast forward.

I eventually met my six roommates, who quickly became lifelong best friends. My newfound best friends and I were determined to make this the best four months of our lives. Spoiler alert: It was.

We went skiing in the Swiss Alps, a place I thought made up for the sole reason of Toblerone chocolate. We went to Oktoberfest and

learned how to “Prost!” in Munich, Germany. We went to Barcelona and got to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. We explored the Amalfi Coast by boat and snacked on cheese and wine in Tuscany. You name it, we did it.

Four months came and went so fast, and before I knew it, it was time to say goodbye to my roommates and return to America. Thankfully, some of those roommates came to Knoxville with me, and the others I see when I can.

The old saying, “We don’t realize what we have until it is gone,” was not true for me. I knew exactly what I had and how fortunate I was.

While I sit in my house in good ole Knoxville, I yearn for the life I once lived. I miss not having a clothes dryer or central air conditioning in my home. I miss walking almost a mile to school with a beautiful route and going to the small cafe every morning to get my favorite “un cappuccino di soya.” I long to return to our little apartment again, chatting with my friends while getting ready for a night out on the town.

Knoxville has been so good to me, but I would do anything to go back.

Columns and letters of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.

Ansley Graves is a sophomore at UT this year studying business. She can be reached at agrave24@vols.utk.edu.

Columnist Ansley Graves writes, “Of course, I had heard about studying abroad but never considered it this early in my academic career.” Calie Wrona / The Daily Beacon

Between Bookends: Mastering the hidden art of world-building

In the fantasy genre, world-building is critical to the success of a book. Not only does it factor into a book’s overall tone and theme, but world-building is also essential when appealing to readers.

With that being said, it can be difficult for authors to go above and beyond with their world, especially when it spans multiple books.

Luckily, author Holly Black seems to have this talent in abundance.

Black has used world-building to its fullest capacity in her fantasy novels surrounding the fae, a term for various mythical beings. She is most notable for her series following “The Cruel Prince,” but Black’s experience with the fae expands far beyond this fantasy favorite.

In the last couple of years, Black has added to her fictional universe with a spin-off duology consisting of “The Stolen Heir” and “The Prisoner’s Throne.” In fact, this universe has grown so vastly popular that it earned the official title “The Folk of the Air.”

However, before discussing her success in carrying world-building through these most recent additions, one must understand just how far back Black’s world-building experience goes.

Black debuted her love for the fae with her novel “Tithe” in 2002. It later became the first in a trio of books called “The Modern Faerie Tales.”

These books started a revolutionary take on the myths of faeries. Black proved her writing skills through an eccentric story set in both a mortal and magic world.

In my experience with fantasy novels, it is not unexpected for authors to place mortals in magical situations. However, characters are usually swallowed up by the unordinary and forced to leave their world behind.

Rather than simply reference each world as its own, Black merges the two with grace and grandeur.

Throughout the early 2000s, Black also collaborated alongside Tony DiTerlizzi on “The Spiderwick Chronicles.” The series follows three siblings as they discover a fantastical world inside the Spiderwick Estate, their new home.

“The Spiderwick Chronicles” became very popular, no doubt due to the collaboration of both authors and their combined creativity. The series was so popular that it was adapted into a film in 2008.

Between all of these different series, Black also released several stand-alone novels with just as much elaboration.

In 2015, though, Black released the book that

would become my introduction to her writing: “The Darkest Part of the Forest.”

This novel follows a girl and her experience in a town where mortals and fae coexist. Hazel, the protagonist, wakes up a sleeping faerie boy to protect her home when a sprawling mystery unfolds.

The complex world of magic that Hazel dives into is combined with mystery and romance, making “The Darkest Part of the Forest” the perfect first novel written by Black for me to read. I was immediately attached to her writing, and I wanted more.

This is where “The Folk of the Air” collection comes into play.

In 2018, “The Cruel Prince” became the first installment of a three-book series. With yet another mortal girl protagonist named Jude, Black introduces her readers to a new world called Elfhame.

Although the mortal narrator may seem redundant at this point, Jude is the perfect girl to clash with the fae. She is far from ordinary. Her determination to fit into Elfhame makes her a mortal warrior and the easiest target for “cruel” Prince Cardan to pick on, although he may regret it later on.

The way Black characterizes Jude also highlights the intricacy of her world-building.

Not only is Elfhame home to the diverse fae, but it has its distinct politics and rules that Jude inevitably becomes entangled with.

There would be two more books after “The Cruel Prince” to conclude the series, also punctuated by spin-offs like “The Lost Sisters” and “How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories.”

This brings us to the aforementioned “The Folk of the Air” collection. “The Stolen Heir,” the newest addition to the collection, begins with a new character, Wren, who unlocks a new perspective of Elfhame for readers.

Wren is from the Court of Teeth, which is north of Elfhame and is known for its cruelty. After she abandons her icy castle to live in the outskirts of the mortal world, Wren unites with Oak, who just so happens to be Jude’s little brother.

As Wren and Oak set out together to accomplish their contrasting purposes, readers are privy to a world outside Elfhame. Wren’s point of view exemplifies the multiple layers that Black has implemented into her world, and it is obviously well thought-out.

From this outside perspective, we see Elfhame without Jude’s filter. The faults of those in power become unclouded, allowing the reader to find even more appreciation for their

characterization. Black’s ability to keep so much continuity despite showing completely different angles is astounding.

She does this again in the follow-up novel “The Prisoner’s Throne.” This time, from Oak’s perspective, we get an insider view of Elfhame royalty. His affection for Wren and loyalty to his family gives Oak an even more complex outlook.

When seeing Wren’s icy world compared to Oak’s home of Elfhame, it’s undeniable that Black has a firm hold on her world-building techniques.

Throughout her publications, Black has shown over and over again that she knows how to put together a fictional and fantastical universe, and I, for one, love her for it.

Sadie Self is a freshman at UT this year studying journalism and media. She can be reached at sself7@vols. utk.edu.

SADIE SELF Columnist

Columnist Sadie Self enjoys a fantasy book with stellar world-building but acknowledges the challenge of the task. Calie Wrona / The Daily Beacon

Why Luc Lipcius wasn’t surprised to see Blake Burke break his Tennessee baseball home run record

CALEB JARREAU Sports Editor

Former Tennessee baseball first baseman Luc Lipcius is not surprised his home run record is broken.

He doesn’t think that 40 in a career is a lot. When Blake Burke launched his 41st homer over the left field wall in Hitchcock Field on Saturday, Lipcius knew it was coming all along.

It made the moment even sweeter that it came from his successor — a player that Lipcius took under his wing while a Vol. It wasn’t a lot he had to do to lead Burke, but he knew it was a serious position to be in.

Lipcius kept Burke’s head up if he had a bad day at practice. If he wasn’t swinging it well, Lipcius was there to make sure he didn’t let it affect his next at-bat.

The latter of those situations didn’t happen often during Burke’s freshman season, though.

He hit .326 as a freshman while launching 14 home runs in 95 at-bats.

“I knew that he was gonna be really good from the moment he stepped on campus,” Lipcius said. “Because he was so developed, not only offensively but defensively, sadly. … It was a really good relationship, but I knew that it was my job to make sure that he was prepared for the future. And I took pride in that, and also I knew that he was one day going to be a whole lot better than me.”

What Lipcius expected from his “little padawan” came to fruition on Saturday against Auburn. It took Lipcius 218 games to hit 40 homers, but it took Burke just 137 games to surpass his mark.

Burke is the first Vol to surpass the 40-homer mark with lots of baseball left to play. On his tail is second baseman Christian Moore who currently has 39. By season’s end, Lipcius will likely sit third on the program list for home runs.

“I feel like it was pretty exciting to get it over with,” Burke said. “Luc was big to me my freshman year. Someone I looked up to, someone who took me under his arms, and that was pretty cool to watch him break it then do it myself.”

Parallels between the recordbreaking homers

Burke didn’t have much to say after launching his home run. He was focused on getting an important series win on the road at Auburn.

After Lipcius hit his record-breaking home run, he was focused on the bigger task at hand as well. His homer came in the first inning of the Knoxville Super Regional.

Lipcius thought they had the game won with former Vol Chase Burns on the mound. The rest of the game didn’t go to plan and Tennessee’s season ended.

Burke’s weekend on the Plains ended a lot better when it came to game results. The Vols hits 14 home runs over three games to take the win in the road series against Auburn.

“Right now, he’s in the process of a stat that I bet he is more excited about, and I know I am, is that he could go down as one of the winningest players in Vol history, at least in his career,” Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello said. “I don’t know how you quantify that by percentage, but I know he wants to win about as bad as any player I want to be around, and then the three

teams he’s been on have seen a lot of success on the field.”

The two also shared some of their biggest competition for the record on their own teams. For Lipcius, the competition was Evan Russell.

Russell pressed Lipcius up until the end. Both of them hit their 39th homers in the same inning in the 2022 Knoxville Super Regional.

It was Lipcius, though, who launched his 40th home run.

“I was trying to hit more homers than Andre (Lipcius) did his last year, so I got to have a little brother rivalry and say, ‘I’m stronger than you,’” Lipcius said. “Once I hit that, then I’m like ... here comes the record. And I was lucky enough to break it.”

Burke’s competition comes from Moore. The second baseman sits at 40 home runs currently while swinging .352. He also leads the team currently with 13 home runs this season.

It all goes back to what Lipcius knew when he broke the record himself: It won’t stand for long. Forty home runs is not a lot for a career, and it is an even smaller amount when you take into account Tennessee’s offensive philosophy.

“The record will probably stand around 50 by the time this season’s over,” Lipcius said. “I think Burke and CMo have a big chance of hitting 20 this year. This team is very good.”

Blake Burke (25) celebrates a teammate’s home run during a game against ETSU at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. Cole Moore / The Daily Beacon

Notebook: Lady Vols basketball introduces Kim Caldwell as head coach

JACK CHURCH Assistant Sports Editor

Kim Caldwell does not expect to make major changes to her style of play.

“I wouldn’t be here,” Caldwell said, “if I didn’t think we could do it here.”

Caldwell comes from Marshall, where her team went 17-1 in Sun Belt play. Moving into the SEC, Caldwell feels like she can be successful with her high-tempo offense and defense.

While Caldwell’s unique way of approaching the game was a consideration, athletic director Danny White appreciated her success before all else.

“We talked to other candidates that also play this style of play,” White said. “So, it was a combination of who Kim is as a leader and a coach and also the style of play.”

Here are three takeaways from Caldwell’s introduction as head coach of the Lady Vols.

Caldwell brings aggressive style to Tennessee

Caldwell’s teams play a fast, aggressive style of basketball, looking to shoot 3-pointers and create chaos defensively. Her Marshall team last year did so effectively, forcing the second most turnovers per game in Division I.

With the Lady Vols, she expects to do the same. She wants to create lots of possessions, giving her team the best chance of finding success.

“It looks like a lot of pressure, a lot of shots being taken,” Caldwell said. “Playing a lot of players, trusting your players, giving them freedom, putting them in situations where they can make good choices. Having a lot of athletes on the floor, but just making sure that we’re going to cross half court a lot but press nonstop.”

The Thundering Herd had success as a team, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1997. In the Sun Belt championship game, Caldwell’s Marshall team forced James Madison to turn the ball over 39 times in an overtime win.

Jewel Spear, who decided to return for a fifth season, is confident in Caldwell’s style of play.

“I like to shoot,” Spear said. “I like to defend. I can be a better defender. I think she can help me do that. … From what I’ve seen, it looks like there’s a lot of space on the court to get downhill and make plays offensively.”

First year comes with high expectations

Caldwell joins the Lady Vols after Tennessee lost in the second round. Kellie Harper, who coached Tennessee for the last five seasons, made the Sweet 16 twice.

Because of the lofty goals that come with

coaching for Tennessee, Caldwell wants to establish her system early.

“We want to be the hardest playing team in the country,” Caldwell said. “We want to establish our culture. We want to score a lot of points and be an exciting brand of basketball in the SEC. We want to make people proud.”

Tennessee has a long history of greatness in women’s basketball, winning eight national championships. Although Holly Warlick’s and Harper’s tenures would be considered successes for most programs, both were fired by Tennessee.

Caldwell wants expectations to be high. She wants to be held to a high standard, and at Tennessee, that standard is Pat Summitt.

“Pat Summitt changed the game of basketball, and wouldn’t she love to see where the game is now?” Caldwell said. “I will never be Pat Summitt. Nobody can. But, I will strive every day to be somebody that she would be proud of.”

Hire moves away from Lady Vols connections

Tennessee’s previous two hires, Warlick and Harper, both played for Tennessee. Although some of Tennessee’s candidates did play for the Lady Vols, others, such as Caldwell, did not.

“That would be one of the things we would consider,” White said. “Did we have a candidate pool restricted to only former players? No. But we also weren’t averse to hiring a player. It’s just one of a whole bunch of characteristics.”

Caldwell only has one season of Division I basketball experience. It was very successful, as were her seven seasons at Glenville State, a Division II program. Caldwell has won at every program, and she has an overall winning percentage of .875.

Although more experience would have made White more confident in his decision, he realized he needed to act when he did.

“I needed to see that it could happen at the Division I level,” White said. “Obviously,

you’d rather have a little more of a sample size, but if you didn’t hire her this time, somebody else is going to. I think she’s going to be one of the best basketball coaches in the country.”

Throughout his career, White has made hires that don’t have major experience. When he came to Tennessee, he brought Josh Heupel with him from UCF. At Buffalo, he hired Nate Oats, who recently brought Alabama men’s basketball to a Final Four appearance.

As athletic director, White tries to move past what others think about a coach, instead trying to find something special.

“I think it’s my job to evaluate deeper than that,” White said. “Coaches become brands of themselves, and sometimes it’s because they’re a high-level player somewhere. Sometimes it’s because they’ve had success at a high-level program, and we can’t fall in love with just that brand. It’s my job to see a little more deeper into that with the substance.”

Kim Caldwell, left, is introduced by Danny White as the new head coach of the Lady Vols at Ray and Lucy Hand North Digital Studio. Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Parker Phegley / The Daily Beacon

New Lady Vols head coach to make $3.75 million over 5 years

CALEB JARREAU Sports Editor

Tennessee athletics director Danny White tabbed Marshall’s Kim Caldwell to take over as head coach of Lady Vols basketball on Sunday. Tennessee and Caldwell inked the contract Sunday afternoon.

The Daily Beacon obtained Caldwell’s contract via a public records request, which shows her base pay as $750,000, and it will run through March 31, 2029. The University of Tennessee is also responsible for paying Caldwell’s $600,000 buyout at Marshall. The contract totals five years for $3.75 million.

As for incentive compensation, Caldwell will receive $400,000 for winning the NCAA National Championship. She receives $200,000 for appearing in the title game, $150,000 for a Final Four berth, $100,000 for an Elite Eight appearance, $75,000 for a Sweet 16, $40,000 for a Round of 32 appearance and $25,000 for making the tournament.

A win in the NCAA National Championship also will result in a hefty pay raise.

“In the event the women’s basketball team wins the NCAA National Championship, Coach’s Base Pay will be increased on

or before May 1 following the conclusion of the women’s basketball season in which such goal was achieved so that Coach’s annual compensation will equal or exceed the highest salary of any head coach of a women’s basketball team in Division I of the NCAA based on publicly available salary data on the date of

such achievement,” the contract reads.

In the SEC, Caldwell receives $60,000 for winning the SEC regular season title and $30,000 for winning the SEC Tournament.

A look at Caldwell’s buyout

Caldwell is owed 100% of her base pay of

the five-year contract if terminated before March 31, 2025. If she is terminated on or after April 1, 2025, she is owed 50% of her base contract.

It is a structure that is similar to her predecessor’s.

A look at Caldwell’s benefits

Some of the benefits listed in the contract are standard, like a one-time moving allowance of $35,000 and tickets to various sporting events at Tennessee. She also has a monthly vehicle allowance of $1,700 for two vehicles.

The university will also provide Caldwell the use of a non-commerical aircraft for her personal use. She can use it for round trip three times within the continental United States.

“I am honored and humbled to accept the role as head coach of this historic program at the University of Tennessee,” Caldwell said.

“I can’t help but reflect on accepting the Pat Summitt Trophy three seasons ago and be moved by the great responsibility and opportunity of now leading and building upon the incredible Lady Vol tradition she built. I am so excited to get to work and can’t wait to see what we all can accomplish together.”

Why hiring Kim Caldwell may or may not work out for Tennessee

at the Division II level. She won the Mountain East Conference six times and won the MEC Tournament four times while being named MEC Coach of the Year four times.

Marshall’s Kim Caldwell was announced as the next head coach of Lady Vols basketball. The hire brought mixed emotions on social media and around the women’s basketball world. Caldwell has found success in her previous stops at head coach, but she does not have Power Five coaching experience.

Caldwell is set to make $750,000 annually as her base pay on her five-year contract. If she wins an NCAA National Championship, she will receive a hefty raise to make her one of the toppaid head coaches in the country. The contract and position also come with high expectations. Here’s a look at why the hiring of Caldwell will, or won’t, work out for the Lady Vols.

Why hiring Caldwell could pay off for Tennessee

Caldwell, as mentioned before, has a history of winning at her previous stops. As a player, she helped lead Glenville State to a WVIAC conference championship and a berth the the NCAA Division II Tournament.

Glenville State was also where she took over her first head coaching position in 2016. It took her no time to begin winning with the Pioneers. She finished with an overall record of 191-24

Winning is hard at any level in college basketball, and Caldwell won at the highest level in Division II. She was awarded the Pat Summitt Trophy after being named as the WBCA NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year after winning the 2022 National Championship.

Her play style will also bring energy to Tennessee and will be unique in the SEC. Her teams play with a quick pace on offense while shooting a lot of 3-pointers. In her one season at Marshall, the Thundering Herd shot 32 3-pointers per game and made 33.2% of those shots.

Defensively, her teams play with a lot of pressure and forced 24.2 turnovers per game at Marshall last season.

The style of play could translate to Tennessee and rejuvenate the program. It also raises questions.

The hire also fits the mold of UT athletics director Danny White. He has hired young, unproven coaches before, and they have panned out almost every single time. He is placing his stamp on the Lady Vol brand and will provide Caldwell with all of the resources to succeed.

Why hiring Caldwell could fail for Tennessee

The most obvious red flag with tabbing

Caldwell to lead the Lady Vols is her lack of experience at the Power Five level. Before her one season as head coach at Marshall, her only Division I experience was as an assistant at Sacramento State.

It is worth noting that Rick Barnes was the first men’s basketball head coach Tennessee hired with experience this century.

Her Division II experience is vast and successful, but the jump from Glenville, West Virginia, to Knoxville, Tennessee, is a big one. The expectations can weigh on someone at Tennessee.

For example, former head coach Kellie Harper took the Lady Vols to two Sweet 16s in five years as head coach while boasting a 108-52 record. It wasn’t enough, and Tennessee athletics director Danny White decided to go in a different direction.

It is also reasonable to question if Caldwell’s style transfers to the SEC. Her teams rely heavily on the 3-pointer with her tallest player last season at Marshall being 6 feet tall. There are also questions about if she can gain traction in recruiting some of the top talent when pitted against schools like South Carolina or LSU.

She will have to adjust slightly to survive in the SEC, a conference that was run by South Carolina’s 6-foot-7 Kamilla Cardoso during the 2022-23 season.

The defense will translate — more than likely — and give Tennessee a unique presence in the SEC.

Conclusion

The ceiling is high for Caldwell but so are the expectations. It remains to be seen if her play style will translate to the SEC.

One thing is almost for certain, though. Caldwell will bring a newfound energy to the program.

CALEB JARREAU Sports Editor

Kim Caldwell is announced as head coach of the Marshall Thundering Herd. Courtesy of Marshall Athletics/Herd Zone

Marshall head coach Kim Caldwell cuts down the nets after leading the Thundering Herd to a Sunbelt Conference Tournament Championship. Courtesy of Marshall Athletics/Herd Zone

Lady Vols tennis gearing up for final stretch of the season

THEO COLLI Contributor

The Lady Vols 2022-23 tennis season brought the program to heights that hadn’t been seen in a decade as the team reached the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament.

Led by head coach Alison Ojeda, the Lady Vols have quickly ascended into the top of the SEC, entering 2024 slotted at No. 18 in the ITA Preseason rankings and with a rejuvenated spirit around the program.

Returning six of last season’s eight players, the Lady Vols had high hopes for the upcoming year.

“Obviously, we have certain goals. You want to be SEC champs,” senior Esther Adeshina. “You want to get a bye in the NCAA Tournament, but I think right now we’re just focusing on match by match.”

The Lady Vols hit the ground running to begin the 2024 campaign, winning their first five games by a combined score of 21-4, including victories against the likes of Wake Forest and Vanderbilt. The Lady Vols showed little resistance, and the games served as a preview for not just the returning players but the new faces as well.

What quickly became one of the season’s most exciting storylines was one of the two newcomers for the Lady Vols, a transfer out of Iowa State named Sofia Cabezas.

Cabezas, prior to joining the Lady Vols, posted a 24-12 record during singles play with the Cyclones and went 27-8 in doubles last year, setting the third-highest mark in ISU program history for single-season doubles wins.

“She was in a situation where her coach took another job at a different university, and she wasn’t positive about what she was going to do,” Ojeda said. “But as soon as I got on the phone with her I just knew with her family and her, background and the culture, it was important for me to get into her living room.”

Cabezas started her season ranked No. 92 in singles rankings in the nation, but by the middle of April, she had made the climb to No. 16 while notching five ranked singles wins, two of those wins coming against players in the top 10.

Even with the success in the transfer portal, returning players, such as junior Elza Tomase, remained a key component to the team’s success.

Tomase slotted as Cabezas’ partner from game one, and the pairing stuck ever since. The two have been ranked as high as 16th in the nation as a doubles duo, tallying a record of 10-3 over the season while taking on the challenge Court 1.

“Since I came here in January, I’ve been working very hard to play higher up every

single day,” Tomase said. “I think it’s really important to be coachable on the court and to keep a positive mindset all day long.”

Since her debut as a freshman in 2021, Tomase earned First and Second Team All-SEC honors during her freshman and sophomore seasons. This year, Tomase has continued to serve as a focal point for the team, whether it’s with her powerful serve in doubles or her impressive ability to battle back from any score in singles.

“She’s willing to play wherever we ask her to play,” said Ojeda. “To her credit, she is focused on herself and doing things that help her, whether that’s serving so that she can get a look at a backhand or returning so she can play offensive type ball. Regardless of the opponent, that mindset stays the same.”

As the season progressed, the Lady Vols just continued to grind out tough victories, including six wins compared to two losses on the road. The two losses came from the same weekend in matchups against South Carolina

and Florida, who both remain ranked in the top 20.

Yet the team persisted. With each game, it felt as if the team only grew stronger, including the doubles duo of Catherine Aulia and Lauren Anzalotta, who dominated both together and separately.

Notably, the two totaled for an in-conference singles record this season of 15-4, while maintaining a doubles record of 12-4.

“I love playing next to Lauren,” Adeshina said. “She gives me a lot of energy. She’s really loud, just really enthusiastic when she’s playing.”

In the end, the Lady Vols know the job is far from over, as they stand at sixth in the SEC with two regular season games remaining. Yet the team remains so much more than the numbers, simply because anyone in the stadium could feel the love the players and coaches have for one another.

“This is easily one of my most enjoyable teams to coach because every single player

has a heart of gold,” Ojeda said. “They love each other, they’re laughing at 5:30 in the morning, they’re laughing at 10:00 p.m., they enjoy being around each other and they work hard.”

Catherine Aulia awaits a serve during a match against Mississippi State at Barksdale Stadium. Sunday, April 7, 2024. Elliot Walker / Contributor