The Vanderbilt Hustler 2-4-15 by The Vanderbilt Hustler

vanderbilthustler WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2015

VOL. 127, ISS. 5

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Signing on

Mason’s first full recruiting class has an opportunity to set a new standard for Vanderbilt football

PAGE 16

RAPE TRIAL

Hindsight is ‘20/20’

Leaked video evidence incites legal firestorm SEE PAGE 4 BOSLEY JARRETT / THE VANDERBILT HUSTLER

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campus Maraniss reaches NYT best-seller list

CAMPUS UPDATE

This year’s Bid Week, following the end of sorority recruitment, saw fewer alcohol-related incidents than in past years, according to Greek Life Director Kristen Torrey. Leaders made a concerted effort to curb incidents.

Author gives scoop on ‘Strong Inside,’ a record of Perry Wallace’s experiences as first African-American SEC athlete By ANNA BUTRICO News reporter --------------------

The Vanderbilt Hustler’s former sports editor, Andrew Maraniss, earned a Top 5 spot in The New York Times’ “Race and Civil Rights” best-seller list. “Strong Inside: Perry Wallace and the Collision of Race and Sports in the South,” which was released Dec. 1 of this year, suits sport fans, biography readers and those interested in American racial issues, documenting the life of Vanderbilt and the SEC’s first African-American basketball player. Maraniss, who graduated in 1992, said his undergraduate experience at Vanderbilt precipitated his interest in Perry Wallace. “When I was a sophomore, in 1989, I read a student magazine article about Perry Wallace, and it really captured my attention,” Maraniss said. “I was a history major, and I was at Vanderbilt on a sports writing scholarship, and so learning about this story that involved sports, history and Vanderbilt was obviously very appealing to me.” Fascinated by Wallace’s story, Maraniss frequently incorporated it into his Vanderbilt academic experience. He wrote about him for several essays in his African-American Diaspora Studies classes, and documented Wallace’s historical achievements in The Hustler. After staying in touch with Wallace for eight years after graduating, Maraniss decided he would take on writing Wallace’s biography. “I worked on the book at night and weekends outside my job with a public relations firm here in Nashville,” he said. “I got married, two kids during the eight years also — that’s the main reason why it took so long.” Maraniss spent three to four years on research, shifting through the Nashville Public Library Archives, Vanderbilt Archives and Vanderbilt’s Central Library. More than 80 interviews later, Perry was ready to start

writing — an endeavor that took another three to four years. “It was definitely a labor of love … a lot of work. It was my favorite project I’ve ever worked on, and I’ve loved every minute of it — a lot of minutes in those eight years,” Maraniss said. Maraniss worked closely with Wallace throughout the entire research and writing process, frequently emailing him questions, conducting phone interviews and visiting him where he lives in Washington, D.C. “(Wallace) was great,” Maraniss said. “He read the chapters when I was nearly done with the book. I think in reading it, it sort of spurred new memories that he had, or things he had forgotten, so he told me additional stories and he would suggest other people that I might talk to that were at a certain event and have an interesting comment on something. It was really helpful to have him read the manuscript.” Wallace accompanied Maraniss to events once the biography was released on Dec. 1 of last year, attracting crowds that often could not fit into the available spaces. Maraniss mentioned a particular event at a downtown library, where 150 people had to sit in an overflow room to watch Wallace speak on a TV. “Almost all of the people lined up to have Wallace sign their book. It was a line that lasted almost two hours, and people stood there, and as they came up to see Perry, so many of them had tears in their eyes, and it was really emotional,” Maraniss said. “A lot of these people were classmates of his, who would walk up, shake his hand, and look him in the eye, and apologize that they hadn’t done more to help him back when they were in college together. Or they’d say, ‘I wish I had been more aware of what was happening, what you were dealing with.’ It was very, very touching and emotional to see. It made me feel good to see these interactions between the people,” he continued.

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Next to Maraniss on The New York Times’ “Race and Civil Rights” best-seller list is Michelle Alexander, a law professor here at Vanderbilt. Her book, “The New Jim Crow,” has received similar plaudits. “For me to see ‘Strong Inside’ on that list with her book, ‘The New Jim Crow,’ was just an incredible experience because she is such a brilliant person,” Maraniss said. “Her book is so important. It’s having a real impact on discussions around the country about mass incarceration, and hopefully leading to change, actual change, throughout the country. I was very proud to be mentioned in the same column as Michelle Alexander and her book. She’s incredible.” Maraniss said he feels that his, and Alexander’s, books are coming along at a good time. “There are these racial divisions that need to be healed, and people need to be talking about these types of issues. And so I hope that by reading (my) book, putting themselves in Perry Wallace’s shoes and seeing the world through his eyes and what he was dealing with — that will allow people to have a different outlook on what’s happening today. And understand each other better, be willing to engage in these types of discussions with people around them. So that it’s not 40 years from now that people will feel the need to walk up to somebody and apologize, or say, ‘I wish I had engaged on issues

KELLY HALOM — CO-NEWS EDITOR ALLIE GROSS — CO-NEWS EDITOR PRIYANKA ARIBINDI — LIFE EDITOR MOLLY CORN — OPINION EDITOR ALLISON MAST — SPORTS EDITOR SAARA ASIKAINEN — MANAGING EDITOR KARA SHERRER — WEB EDITOR SOPHIE TO — CHIEF COPY EDITOR BOSLEY JARRETT — PHOTO DIRECTOR

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANDREW MARANISS

with you back then. Let’s go ahead and do it now.’ That would be a really great legacy of the book if that type of thing started to happen.” For more information about “Strong Inside,” visit Maraniss’ website at http://andrewmaraniss.com.

JENNA WENGLER — ART DIRECTOR PHIL DANTA — CHIEF WEB DEVELOPER MADDIE HUGHES — FEATURES EDITOR ANGELICA LASALA — SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR BEN WEINRIB — ASST. SPORTS EDITOR KAREN CHAN — ASST. ART DIRECTOR QUEEN STEVENSON — ASST. OPINION EDITOR ZIYI LIU— ASST. PHOTO DIRECTOR KATHY YUAN — ASST. PHOTO DIRECTOR

DESIGNERS

COPY EDITORS

ZACH BERKOWITZ ZOE SHANCER KATHY ZHOU HAN DEWAN AADITI NAIK CHRISTOPH SPROUL SHARON SI BRIANNA GALGANO

ALEXIS BANKS ANDREA BLATT RACHAEL GRAHAM WESLEY LIN KATHY YUAN

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CAMPUS

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SAM SIMPKINS / THE TENNESSEAN

Defense attorneys for Brandon Vandenburg, Fletcher Long (left) and Albert Perez (middle), consult with Worrick Robinson (right), Cory Batey’s attorney, during the trial. Vandenburg and Batey were convicted of multiple counts of aggravated rape and aggravated sexual battery on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

A leak and a lie: Rape trial aftermath

Leaked surveillance, juror misconduct present postverdict issues By ALLIE GROSS News editor --------------------

Primetime viewers across the nation saw shots of the Vanderbilt campus, Gillette House hallways and the distinctive neon signs of Broadway and Demonbreun bars on ABC’s “20/20” that aired on Friday, Jan. 30. Also included in the package were “exclusive” surveillance videos and interrogation tapes — evidence that was sealed under court order. Entitled “The Party’s Over,” the program told the story of the highly publicized trial that resulted in the conviction of two former Vanderbilt football players, Brandon Vandenburg and Cory Batey, for aggravated rape and aggravated sexual battery. Vandenburg and Batey’s attorneys have indicated that they will appeal their convictions. The tapes also picture co-defendants Jaborian McKenzie and Brandon Banks, who await trial. The trial of the co-defendants and a successful appeal for

Batey and Vandenburg would both require selecting new jurors without previous knowledge about the case, which could be challenging since the surveillance footage was broadcast nationally. Batey’s defense attorney Worrick Robinson issued a statement on Feb. 1 concerning the leaked surveillance and interrogation photos, expressing his surprise that ABC aired the video. “I am one of five defense attorneys with access to this evidence. The images are under seal by Judge Monte Watkins,” Robinson’s statement read. “It is troubling to think the police, prosecution or the university would be involved in this type of leak. I feel this certainly could impact the remaining legal proceedings in this matter involving my client Cory Batey.” While Robinson added that he would cooperate with any investigation, Nashville criminal defense attorney Rob McKinney, who has been following the case, said he doubts there will be an investigation because the leak does not constitute a crime, but rather a violation of a court order.

“The only people that had access to that information were police, the district attorney’s office and defense counsel,” McKinney said. He added that there were images on “20/20” that were not presented in court, so it could not have been any court officials. The “suspects” in the leak, he said, are therefore the police, the DA or the defense attorneys of Vandenburg, Batey, McKenzie and Banks. Fletcher Long, Vandenburg’s defense attorney, said that he and Robinson had “no motive” to leak the video because “what was aired certainly didn’t cast either Robinson’s or my clients in a very favorable light.” Glenn Funk, Davidson County District Attorney, expressed outrage that the video was leaked. “It is a violation of the court’s protective order, another attack on the victim and it could impact the co-defendant’s right to a fair trial,” Funk’s statement read. “Every member of the prosecution team is willing to testify, under oath, that the leak did not come from this office. We challenge the defense counsel to do the same.”

CAMPUS THE VANDERBILT HUSTLER u WWW.VANDERBILTHUSTLER.COM It is not clear at this time whether an investigation has been launched. Don Aaron, spokesman for Metro Nashville Police Department, said he does not know the source of the material. “I can tell you none of that material came from the police department,” he said. Other defense attorneys for defendants charged in the incident had access to the videos, including Jodie Bell, defense attorney for McKenzie. Bell said she didn’t know the source of the material either, and that the videos should not have been irresponsibly released due to the protective order. “It compromises the people’s ability to get a fair trial — the defendants and the prosecution,” Bell added. “I just think that if the facts of what happened are released to the public, then jurors have preconceived notions about what happened, and then it affects the defendant and the state’s ability to find jurors who are impartial and who will be in a position to base their decision upon the evidence in the courtroom as opposed to what they have seen outside the courtroom.” Banks’ lawyer, Mark Scruggs, did not respond for comment. Several sources at ABC’s “20/20” also did not respond for comment. McKinney said that “20/20” could only be in trouble if they had known about the protective court order — the leakers of the videos, not “20/20,” are the “wrongdoers” responsible, he said. However, University of Tennessee Knoxville Associate Law Professor Dwight L. Aarons said he thought the “flagrant violation of a court order” could result in “20/20” being held in contempt of court. Vanderbilt declined to allow legal experts in the Law School to weigh in. Long said he does not intend to try to “chase the rabbit around that rabbit hole,” clarifying that he feels the “real issue” moving forward in the case is that one juror, Todd Easter, failed to reveal during jury selection that he was a rape victim.

“He was a victim of a 23-count statutory rape indictment that settled the date of trial where he was ready to prosecute,” Long said. “He had a duty to disclose that he had been a victim of sexual assault to the lawyers in the case.” “His decision to intentionally conceal that fact means that we didn’t try this case to an impartial and fair jury, or at least one member of it wasn’t,” Long said. “This is significant.” Long said he intends to file a motion for a mistrial based on the fact that the defense was disallowed “one of the primary constitutional rights.” However, Sunny Eaton, Easter’s lawyer, said, “Mr. Easter did not misrepresent himself in any way, nor did his past situation have any impact upon his deliberations or decision-making in the trial.” McKinney said he expects Easter’s jury selection transcripts to be pulled in order to examine verbatim what questions were asked and whether he was directly dishonest about his experience as a victim of sexual assault. He added that if the juror lied, he could face aggravated perjury charges. He said that in addition to the possibility of a “mistrial,” the defense team could also file a motion for a new trial based on juror misconduct. Still, McKinney echoed Long and Bell’s sentiment that it would be difficult to find an impartial jury following the case’s constant coverage from news channels, The Tennessean and other news outlets. He cited Batey and Robinson’s planned appearance on Dr. Phil, which is set to air Feb. 9. McKinney said the defense can appeal on a variety of grounds, citing insufficient evidence, juror misconduct and sentencing as examples, along with any decision made by the judge during the course of the trial. For The Hustler’s full coverage of the rape trial, visit vanderbilthustler.com.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2015

STUDENTS REACT TO '20/20' “After seeing the footage and seeing people I knew, it reminded me that anyone can be involved and it was very striking. It was interesting to see our campus in national news and seeing places I walk to every day in the frame of ‘this is where someone got raped’ — (it) was very jarring.”

—Ellen Bley, sophomore

“I was pretty sick when I was watching it. I actually lived on that hall and walked there every day — it was pretty disgusting. It made me think that the court ruling was justified.’

—Charlie Calotta, sophomore “I feel like whoever leaked the footage wasn’t trying to make Vanderbilt look bad, but make it really difficult to deny what happened. I think it was more to help the girl than to hurt the university.”

—Nancy Lee, sophomore “The one thing I took away from it was that you can tell that there is guilt. He is trying to cover up the camera, he’s running around, all of his friends are running around, he is clearly in a sense of panic towards the end.”

—Marce Merry, sophomore

—Compiled by Alexander Montesantos, News reporter

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2015

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The evolving face of NPHC On a campus of nearly 7,000 students, NPHC chapters have only 26 members, but leaders hope new initiatives will expand their membership and impact By ALEXIS BANKS News reporter --------------------

The numbers are unavoidable. Vanderbilt’s Zeta Phi Beta has only one member, while Sigma Gamma Rho’s chapter — though currently active — has no members. There are murmurs of the impending “death of NPHCs,” according to Jordaan McGill, president of Vanderbilt’s branch of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), the governing body that oversees the seven historically black fraternities and sororities at Vanderbilt. McGill, who joined Delta Sigma Theta in the spring of 2014 and became NPHC president over the summer, said some NPHC members themselves are using this phrase, as active member numbers decline and chapters become inactive across the nation. McGill also said, however, that NPHC may be going through a time of revolution — time for NPHC organizations to focus on what their purpose is and how to establish longevity for the future. “You don’t want to call it the ‘death of NPHCs’ because you

pour your heart and your soul into these organizations, but definitely a time of change,” McGill said. According to McGill, her ideal vision for NPHC at Vanderbilt would be for all nine NPHC organizations on campus to have about three to 10 members collaborating to create successful on-campus programming. A chapter of one Previously home to eight NPHC chapters, Vanderbilt currently has seven active chapters, as Alpha Phi Alpha was suspended from campus last spring. However, only five chapters currently have members. Kappa Alpha Psi has 10 active members, Delta Sigma Theta has nine members, Phi Beta Sigma has four and Zeta Phi Beta and Omega Psi Phi each have one. In chapters without members, local active members and alumni take over the intake process, as is currently happening with Sigma Gamma Rho. Ramesh Annamraju became the only member of Omega Psi Phi this year, although two of his brothers are currently in Vanderbilt graduate schools. Annamraju said that for the most part he is happy with the size of his chapter, as he believes fewer numbers make for tighter circles. However, Annamraju said that as the only member of his fraternity, he has a lot of responsibility, fulfilling every leadership role. “It does feel like a lot of pressure, and at times it can be unnerving, but I learned (from my fraternity) how to take control to a better extent, and not let that get to me,” Annamraju said. Moving forward: NPHC goals In order to reach NPHC’s goals of more members and suc-

cessful programming, McGill said that the council is gathering more interest and publicity, including incorporating new initiatives with traditional programming. Some of these ideas include partnering with the Black Student Association (BSA) to have dinner at Commons on Fridays, having members wear their letters to outside events and additional service efforts and planning the annual all-NPHC event for the upcoming spring season to attract attention that it hasn’t in past years. McGill thinks that people outside of the NPHC community may not realize the extent of influence the role of NPHC has globally, particularly the organizations’ role beyond college campuses. Similarly, Kristin Torrey, director of the Office of Greek Life, said that she believes NPHC chapters have an important role to play on campus and have always had an educational facet that makes them unique. This educational role includes advocating for national voting rights or teaching about financial stability, according to McGill. However, Torrey also said NPHC’s role is changing since it started at Vanderbilt and that the office would like to see the chapters continue to grow and thrive. “In the ‘70s, NPHC organizations may have existed in large part because students couldn’t be members of IFC and Panhellenic groups,” Torrey said. “That’s no longer the case, so I think that there’s an evolution that is occurring related to their role on campus, but I think that they’ve always played a role in educational programming for the entire campus, and that’s really important.” Torrey said there must be a change in the present intake process for NPHC organizations. Currently, a student interested

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in joining an NPHC chapter has to approach the Office of Greek Life before contacting the actual organizations. She recommended the change be student-driven. NPHC’s unique role on campus McGill said Vanderbilt will always have a need for NPHC chapters and they offer something that Panhellenic and IFC may not. She said even if NPHC chapters did not exist on Vanderbilt campus, some students who might have joined an NPHC organization still would not join a Panhellenic or IFC chapter. “Everyone comes to college looking for a place to feel comfortable, a place to collaborate with people who they feel are like them. So I think that we provide that,” McGill said. Anthony Williams, who works in the Office of Greek Life, noted that Greek organizations have all been founded to serve different needs. “First, fraternities were founded because they didn’t have spaces to talk about controversial issues in literature,” Williams said. Women didn’t have a place because they weren’t welcome in fraternities, and African-American students in the early 1900s didn’t fit in the fraternities and sororities.” Williams said NPHC’s “founding principles, their rich history, the programs that they do and the communities that they serve —make the biggest difference.” He said NPHC organizations will be on campus for a long time and are especially relevant today. “Everything that’s going on in our society today, racial tensions, disparities in education, cancer rates and health issues in the community of color, there are so many issues — while they might not look the same as the 1960s and the 1930s, NPHC organizations still serve a purpose because … we have the capacity to tackle (those issues),” Williams said. According to McGill, NPHC appreciates the resources of the Office of Greek Life and NPHC’s Tri-Councils, a collaborative team between one NPHC chapter, one IFC chapter and one Panhellenic chapter.

JORDAN JENSEN / THE VANDERBILT HUSTLER

Jordaan McGill, president of NPHC at Vanderbilt, displays her sorority’s hand sign outside of the Delta Sigma Theta residence. She and other Greek leaders are working on initiatives to boost NPHC membership and engagement. McGill acknowledged the task ahead of her council to work toward the longevity of NPHC organizations at Vanderbilt. “We’ve got to garner more interest, we’ve got to get our num-

bers up, we’ve got to keep NHPCs alive, keep our organizations alive, and we have people working diligently toward that,” she said.

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opinion How strangers saved my life

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Everything that went wrong seemed like something a universal vendetta against me had created.”

JONATHAN MENESES

The small things matter for those with depression

am a typical Vanderbilt student — busy and involved. I go out on the weekends, attend community service events, am active on campus and take a full course load at one of the best universities in the nation. High school came easy for me and I came to Vanderbilt thinking that it would be the same. Everything would fall into place and I would be early admitted into a top medical school with multiple publications and a near 4.0 — all while having the social experience that Vanderbilt is known JONATHAN for. MENESES With high pressure, the stress builds up. For me, is a senior in the College it started to show its effects second semester of my of Arts and Science. first year. Realizing that to be at the top of the class, He can be reached at jonathan.m.meneses@ I had to compete with other students who also came from the top of their classes, so I pushed myself. vanderbilt.edu. I slept less, stressed more and worried about how to prime my resume to be the perfect premed. But things began to become cyclical. The more I stressed, the less I slept. The less I slept, the more I stressed. Early in the spring, a traumatic experience pushed me close to my limit. Pushing through it, I remember getting home for the summer and having my mother tell me how sick I looked. I brushed the comment off, and to ok the summer to continue in my pursuit to be the perfect student — taking a 12-credit-hour EMT course while working 40 hours a week. I came back to school ready to continue to push for my dreams. I made it through the first semester by fighting off past experiences and stress that slowly crept up no matter how much I tried to ignore them. When spring semester rolled around, I decided to pledge a fraternity; I thought the structure and community would help me fit in and feel normal. Then, one week, everything began to snowball. A long-term girlfriend and I broke up and reminders of past trauma continually resurfaced. One day, I woke up and just laid in bed — not able to do anything. I had lost my drive and couldn’t muster the strength to get it back. I was depressed — I had been depressed, but ignored all of the signs. So I pulled away, went to the minimum number of meetings, classes and pledging responsibilities possible. I had finally reached my breaking point. And I broke. I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t stay awake, I couldn’t

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function. Throughout it all, my roommate noticed the signs and sat with me through the nights when I had panic attacks, physically pulled me out of bed to walk me to class and made sure I met all of my commitments. At the time, my pledge brothers were tired too, but the nights we spent together studying kept me around people and didn’t let me withdraw. I remember not feeling — as if I didn’t exist. I remember eventually wishing that I didn’t exist. Everything that went wrong seemed like something a universal vendetta against me had created. I remember wishing that some freak accident would happen so my family wouldn’t have to know that I just gave up. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. But I also remember certain people who pulled me back in. One morning after I had a panic attack, hadn’t slept and was two hours out from a biology test, Ms. Anne from Last Drop remembered my name, saw my red eyes, came around the counter and just hugged me. Antoinette made me an omelet when the line should have been closed. Older brothers in my fraternity and some acquaintances would ask if I was doing ok — or even just initiate a passing conversation. Little things pulled me back from what felt like a step away from the void. I didn’t think that I would ever feel normal. But today I do. I’m happy, involved and graduating on time. I wouldn’t be if it weren’t for a best friend who refused to give up on me, strangers who went out of their way to hold a door open and smile at some random person, and fraternity brothers who made me feel normal when I felt anything but. Without the people who came into my life as strangers at Vanderbilt over those two years, I wouldn’t be alive. While depression is a terrible thing to go through (and I wish I hadn’t), there’s always a silver lining. I now know the signs of someone who needs someone to stand with them. I recognize that my empathy affects others in ways more than it’s intended, that a simple smile at a stranger can help them feel like they aren’t alone. I know what it’s like to feel completely alone — and how relieving it feels when you realize you aren’t. And then I think about those who may never realize it: Just two weeks ago, a student at Belmont committed suicide. The American College Health Association found in

The Vanderbilt Hustler Opinion page aims to stimulate discussion in the Vanderbilt community. In that spirit, columnists, guest columnists and authors of letters to the editor are expected to provide logical argument to back their views. Unreasonable arguments, arguments in bad faith or arguments in vain between columnists have no place in The Hustler and will not be published. The Hustler welcomes reader viewpoints and offers three methods of expression: letters to the editor, guest columns and feedback on vanderbilthustler.com. The views expressed in lead editorials reflect the majority of opinion among The Hustler’s editorial board and may be supposed to represent the opinion of The Vanderbilt Hustler at the time of publication. They are not necessarily representative of any individual member. Letters must be submitted either in person by the author to The Hustler office or via email to opinion@vanderbilthustler.com. Letters via email should come from a Vanderbilt email address where the identity of the sender is clear. With rare exception, all letters must be received by 2 p.m. on the Sunday prior to publication. The editor

2012 that 30 percent of college students feel “so depressed that it was difficult to function.” It’s weird to think that in a house like East, with only three floors, you might have a whole floor of students who are fighting depression. With this in mind, I’m reminded of the statement, “All that glitters is not gold.” Not every smile is real, not every confident social drinker feels as in control as they seem, when they’re lying in bed at night. But your smile, your inclusion of them, your empathy — the small things you don’t think about — may be the things that keep them going, even if neither of you knows it. If you feel lost and alone, you’re not. Your feelings are real and valid, you are worth every fight, every late-night call home, every cliche walk in the rain. Strangers and friends fought for me and stood by me when I couldn’t stand for myself. If you have no one to fight for you, come to me. I will. If you feel like you can’t stand for yourself, find me. I’ll stand with you.

reserves the right to edit and condense submissions for length as well as clarity. Lengthy letters that focus on an issue affecting students may be considered for a guest column at the editor’s discretion. All submissions become the property of The Hustler and must conform to the legal standards of Vanderbilt Student Communications, of which The Hustler is a division. The Vanderbilt Hustler (ISSN 0042-2517), the official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University, is published every Wednesday during the academic year except during exam periods and vacations. The paper is not printed during summer break. The Vanderbilt Hustler allocates one issue of the newspaper to each student and is available at various points on campus for free. Additional copies are $.50 each. The Vanderbilt Hustler is a division of Vanderbilt Student Communications, Inc. Copyright © 2014 Vanderbilt Student Communications.

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Save ‘Music City’

Gentrification is changing Nashville’s tune

ashville calls itself Music City; it’s the moniker that supposedly separates our home from Charlotte, Minneapolis and every other up-and-coming metropolis, and it’s a huge part of the reason I chose to come to Vanderbilt. So the news that the locally beloved venue 12th & Porter will be closing its doors at the end of February disturbs me greatly — and if you care about preserving ZACH the cultural integrity of Nashville, it should disturb BLUMENFELD you too. is a senior in the According to The Tennessean, the property will College of Arts be redeveloped to “enhance the North Gulch.” If the and Science. He can be reached at South Gulch is any indication, that means we’ll see zachary.j.blumenfeld@ 12th & Porter replaced by luxury condos, a couple vanderbilt.edu. of boutique clothing stores and another Bar Louie or an Irish pub. Instead of seeing a great local band or paying marginally more to check out an established act like Kings of Leon or Neil Young (both have played 12th & Porter), you’ll get to overpay for dinner and drinks at a generic nightspot devoid of personality. This is gentrification at its finest: the conversion of a “run-down” area into an upscale neighborhood through the replacement of its businesses and residents and raising of rent. It has been argued convincingly that gentrification adds to the social and economic inequalities of America’s cities. But the process is also slowly stripping urban neighborhoods of the idiosyncra-

sies that make them special in the eyes of their residents and visitors. As Nashville attracts more young immigrants, as a city of growing wealth is wont to do, these new inhabitants bring with them their preconceived notions of what it should be like to live here. And although they might originally have chosen Nashville for its vibrant music scene and culture — as many of them do, if they’re here for the music industry — they come to desire classy nightclubs, beautiful new apartments and the types of restaurants they grew up with in the suburbs. It’s only natural to desire what we know, particularly when moving to a new place; we add elements of our own cultural background to the melting pot. But when all of these new arrivals come from the same cultural background, they end up homogenizing their new location, intentionally or inadvertently. And there’s only so much diversity to be found in the pool of educated college graduates driving the demographic shift in Nashville and other growing cities. And so we can see Nashville changing before our very eyes, its growing population and the real estate “development” that follows, threatening to turn the city into a cookie-cutter copy of American urbanity. If you were blindfolded and transported to a series of this country’s random mid-sized metropolises, how often could you successfully guess your loca-

tion on the first try? Right now, Nashville is probably one of the cities you’d be likely to guess correctly. Music pulses through these streets like blood through arteries; it is the heart of the town, even as industries like health care and banking diversify the economy and drive prosperity. This increasing wealth is a good thing — if it is applied the right way. Urban development in this city doesn’t need to replace such unique and character-laden places as 12th & Porter; at the very least, the venue could have been left in place, and planners could have surrounded it with new apartments, building a community around a hub of live music and entertainment. Such a move might not have made quite as much money in the short run as will the current redevelopment plans, but it would have kept intact a core principle powering immigration to Nashville: that it has managed to hold fast to the cultural qualities that separate it from other similar cities while simultaneously hosting a booming job market. Remove the idiosyncratic culture, and Nashville is no longer a special place. So if you haven’t seen a show at 12th & Porter yet, I’d encourage you to go before it shuts its doors for good on Feb. 28. And let its closing remind you that there’s a reason Nashville is Music City, and that we mustn’t let impulsive urban development make that title ring hollow.

Where do we go from here? Moving forward after the infamous trial MEREDITH VITALE is a junior in the College of Arts and Science. She can be reached at meredith.o.vitale@ vanderbilt.edu.

s much as some Americans try to perpetuate the existence of a polite and puritan society, most of us live outside of those bounds to some degree. We’ve been desensitized to war, terrorism and violence, but the politics that surround sexual assault remain a touchy subject. Following the news of the Vanderbilt rape trial verdict, Chancellor Zeppos sent an email to the student body, entitled “Important Message,” which addressed the recent rape trial against former Vanderbilt athletes Brandon Vandenburg and Cory Batey. In the email, Zeppos mentioned resources on campus that are intended to combat the occurrence of sexual assault including AlcoholEdu training, the Green Dots bystander intervention program and the recently opened Project Safe Center. In the letter, Zeppos also urged victims of sexual misconduct, as well as anyone who knows a victim, to report incidences to the Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Disability Services Department in order to carry out a proper investigation. Although AlcoholEdu training is required for incoming students, this method has proven ineffective, as we’ve seen no visible change in campus drinking culture. A good number of students on a college campus, especially first-years away from home for the first time, are going to experiment with alcohol, and it takes time to learn your limits. No matter how much is known about the dangers and consequences of alcohol, it will not stop people from drinking, and drinking irresponsibly. Alcohol played a large part in the recent

trial and may or may not have been the indirect cause of the crime, but it shouldn’t matter either way. Alcohol didn’t go to trial. Alcohol isn’t going to prison. And alcohol isn’t going to suffer the lasting traumatic effects of sexual assault. If we continue to blame it on the alcohol, then we can’t hold people accountable for anything they do drunk. Green Dots bystander intervention has potential to be effective, but it is not something we can rely on. In psychology, there is a phenomenon that exists called the “bystander effect,” which occurs when an individual fails to intervene in an emergency situation when others are present. The chance of someone intervening is inversely related to the number of people witnessing the event because there is a greater question of who bears the responsibility to step in. This indicates that human psychology does not inherently correspond to this method. In the recent case that went to trial, there were several witnesses to the crime who did not step in to stop it from happening, even though the victim was unconscious. We cannot count on bystanders as our first line of defense against sexual assault. The Project Safe Center is a necessary and valuable addition to the Vanderbilt campus; however, it seems to primarily be a resource and network of support for victims or potential victims. I assume people seeking out education on preventative methods are those who feel their safety is in danger or has already been compromised. Vanderbilt has been proactive in providing these

resources on campus, but different preventative methods are needed. The current methods provided focus on protecting potential victims, which is very important, but a victim is not responsible for a crime committed against them. The perpetrator is causing them harm. One could argue that everyone knows sexual assault is wrong, just like any other serious crime, but that poses the question of why it still happens so frequently — one in five women on a college campus in the U.S. is a victim of sexual assault. The question we need to ask ourselves is, why is this still happening? The prevalence and frequency of sexual assault across all demographics indicates that sexual violence is a problem embedded in our society. We need some form of widespread re-education that not only teaches the definition and repercussions of sexual assault, but explains why sexual assault is any sexual contact without explicit consent. A college campus is an appropriate place to receive this type of education because we are here to learn skills to prepare us for our futures, and knowledge like this is just as valuable as anything academic. Whether it’s done voluntarily or made an AXLE class requirement — taken in a classroom, not an online program — this education is urgently needed for our generation. We need to learn now so we can pass it on to the next generation — rather than shelter our kids from sex and sexual violence, teach them the right way to think about it. We need to attack the root of the problem and prevent people from attempting or wanting to perpetrate the crime in the first place.

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life

GO DO

THIS

The VenUe presents: The Second City Comedy Troupe On Friday, Feb. 6, The Second City brings their world-famous improv comedy from the Windy City to Sarratt Cinema. The troupe will have performances at 7 and 10 p.m., with tickets available for purchase at the Sarratt Box Office for $5/students, $10/faculty and staff.

CHAD SMITH

Umphrey’s McGee aims to intrigue at the Ryman

Bassist Ryan Stasik talks preshow pushups, golf claps and keeping things interesting after 2,000 live shows By JACK SENTELL Life reporter --------------------

Those looking to take it easy this weekend will probably not find themselves at the Ryman Auditorium, when the “Mother Church of Country Music” gets a taste of a different sound: Umphrey’s McGee. “I don’t see people coming up to see an Umphrey’s show to sit down and twiddle their thumbs and just do some golf claps after a little ditty,” said bassist Ryan Stasik. “I think people are ready to have a rock show.” And a rock show is exactly what the 2,300 fans at the Ryman will experience when the prog rockers headline the venue on Friday, Feb. 6. The band — who last played the iconic stage in 2012 — is looking forward to returning to the “hallowed ground” and hopes to have some “special guests” join them as well.

For Umphrey’s, the goal is always to put on unique performances, which can include emotive light shows and impromptu jams. Stasik, who is committed to keeping Umphrey’s shows “intense” and “fun,” does 50 pushups before going onstage every night. “You have to act like you’ve been out there for a while,” he said. To keep things fresh, the group changes its setlist each time they play. They even have a site that collects data on what songs they have played in a city and region before, ensuring that they do not repeat too much material. “For the people who don’t get to travel much, we don’t want them to come out once a year and hear the same songs,” Stasik said. “We want to make sure that they get to hear as much material and have as much fun as possible.” But while the concerts are fun for the

fans, the enjoyment is not lost on the band members themselves. Even after playing their 2,000th live show last November, Stasik said the band is “exponentially more excited” about recording and performing now than they were even at the beginning of their careers. He noted that one of Umphrey’s strengths is that it is “six guys who are all influenced by six different things.” The diversity of influences certainly found its way into their latest release, “Similar Skin,” and its catchy melodies and driving guitars. Still, the band’s primary focus as they move forward remains their fans, and thinking up ways to get them excited and involved. In the past, this has included allowing fans to stream concerts from their homes on a “Couch Tour,” and giving concertgoers the option to hear a purer, live mix of the music through headphones.

“When it comes down to it, it’s all about the fans,” Stasik said. “We feel blessed to make music, but the reason we make music is because we are making it for the fans: the people who want to see it, the people who want to experience it and be a part of it.” Recently, the band even included fans in the creative process of their music video for “No Diablo.” Umphrey’s asked fans to send them ideas for the video, and then once the winning idea was chosen, directors were asked to submit holistic concepts. Fans looking for that same kind of interaction with the band on Friday are sure to find it, as Stasik ensures that will be Umphrey’s goal while on the Ryman stage. “We’ve always been the type of band that doesn’t want to hide,” he said. “We’ve been the band that wants to interact and wants to feed off the energy and the crowd, and see where this musical journey’s going to go.”

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2015

LIFE

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LARISSA MAY

From Fashion Week to the C-Suite The Hustler sits down with Vanderbilt junior Larissa May to hear about her journey from the blogosphere to the business world By Mackenzie Smith, Life reporter “Oh, I forgot to tell you — I’m styling Meghan Trainor for her upcoming tour!” These are the words of Vanderbilt junior Larissa May. She is already well-known around campus for her fashion blog, “Livin Like Larz,” but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to May’s projects. She took a break from her crazy schedule to give The Hustler a peek into her world: The Vanderbilt Hustler: You have a lot of projects going on — what exactly have you worked on before and currently? Larissa May: First off is my blog, which I have been doing for a while. I work with different brands and advertise different lines. I’ve partnered with a few brands like Sorrell shoe line and collaborate with them on photo and video shoots, am featured in their style series and help with their overall style departments. After my blog started gaining a lot of popularity, I started contributing to The Style Line blog and LOOKBOOK, which is the biggest online showcase for street style in the country. I work with a lot of professional costume designers and celebrity stylists. Video shoots are a big part of it. In New York, I shot Sorrell’s style series with the “Orange Is The New Black” costumer designer and styled Sophia Bush. I’m working with brands and different people all over the world

PHOTO PROVIDED BY LARISSA MAY

and helping style brands in places like Taiwan, France and Germany — it’s pretty crazy, honestly. So, there’s that, and I’m working the “I Believe in Nashville” project and styling an upand-coming singer, Louisa Wendorff. I’m also about to launch my first business, Recsy — I’m the CMO and co-founder. We just started getting some major investments so that’s about to take off (too). VH: What sparked you to get into all of this? May: When I was 18, I took an internship in LA. I packed up my bags and ... told my parents that my internship was five days a week, but I lied — it was two. I wound up hustling around and meeting people, and ended up working with Sincerely Jules. It turned out that she was the biggest fashion blogger in the world. When I was in LA I just ended up doing crazy things — I randomly found myself at the red carpet working as the talent escort at the Emmys. My job was to bring them their trophies, and I would bring them to the pressroom. There were a ton of celebrities that I met there — people like Ellen, Dr. Oz and Bethenny Frankel. Ultimately, it was there that I kept meeting like-minded people. VH: So it’s no secret that you’ve got some pretty unique experiences under your belt — what would you say are some of the coolest things you’ve done? May: That’s a hard one, but I have to say hosting my own Teen Vogue parties. I got to be in the magazine for the parties and it was just such a cool experience. After that, I would have to go with Larzapooloza — it was an event that I planned and coordinated with Lollapooloza. We (made) flower crowns and all of the money that we made was donated to the Make-A-Wish foundation, (and) we were able to contribute around $5,000. My other favorites were working with the professionals and celebrities when I was styling and shooting with Sorrell this

past summer in New York City, and then also probably going to Paris Fashion Week. I got to see all of the shoes and hang out with Cosmo beauty editors and other really cool people. That was a really great networking experience that ended up working out well for me. VH: Obviously blogging is a really popular thing, but what is it that you think separates you from other bloggers? May: I think it’s definitely my work ethic and my appreciation for human relationships. I’m literally a latte freak — I’ve taken up to 100 people out to coffee. My business card is a letter and a kiss because I’m known for two things: coffee and love letters. Anyone that I work with I always write them a thank you note afterward, but I call them love letters. I get a big envelope, write a personal handwritten note and put one of my business cards inside. After that, I kiss it and write “xoxo larz” and it just looks like a big version of my business card. Everyone remembers me for it. Creating and maintaining those relationships are really important, and I give them a unique way to remember me. VH: Do you have any advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps,or in general looking for success? May: I would say in general, always remember ... silence is a background noise. You have to do you, embrace it and do it hard. You have to be willing to deal with criticism, make a lot of sacrifices, because nothing good comes easy. Don’t care what everyone else thinks because otherwise you’ll be just like everyone else. People at the top are not the ones who settled for mediocrity; they were the ones who went for it and made things happen. That’s what you have to do. Portions of this interview were condensed. Visit Livin’ Like Larz at http://livinlikelarz.com.

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The Hustler’s picks: Date spots

Sure, February isn’t all about Valentine’s Day, but with decorations cropping up on every corner and candy taking over the aisles of CVS, it seems like love is on everyone’s mind. The Hustler has found some of the best date spots around town for you to get in the spirit with that special someone By Adrienne Alderman, Life reporter

THE COFFEE DATE: CREMA

THE CASUAL DATE: TEMPUR CHOCOLATE SHOPPE

Located in downtown Nashville just off the river is a specialty coffee roaster gaining traction worldwide. Crema, recently featured on BuzzFeed for its legendary hot chocolate, is famous for its strong Cuban coffees, hearty roasts and vanilla lattes, served up in a cozy, intimate atmosphere. A self-proclaimed “brewtique,” Crema radiates a hipster vibe, with trendy baristas and carefully crafted latte art, but the homey atmosphere doesn’t try too hard, making this a perfect date venue for something casual. COURTESY OF @CREMACREMA

THE FUN DATE: THE ESCAPE GAME There’s no truer test of a couple’s strength and communication abilities than a high-stakes challenge, and for a set rate at The Escape Game Nashville, groups of two to seven can rent rooms with different themed escapes, with the goal of escaping various virtual obstacles within a 60-minute time limit. This makes for the perfect date for the adventurous couple looking for something a little more lively than dinner and a movie.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2015

COURTESY OF THE ESCAPE GAME

Valentine’s Day isn’t complete without a bit of chocolate added into the mix. Over in Germantown lies a hidden gem filled with a variety of gourmet chocolate truffles, bars and cookies. In addition to the delectable chocolate you and a date can share, there are wine and cheese pairings. A casual cafe setting paired with a thoughtful menu shows just the right amount of sophistication without getting overwhelming, and if you start off with a meat and cheese board, you can make a meal of it.

COURTESY OF TEMPUR CHOCOLATE SHOPPE

THE FANCY DATE: JOSEPHINE Just past Belmont on 12 South sits Josephine, an upscale restaurant specializing in modern American cuisine. The items on the menu are pricey but unique, with specialities like Veal Sweetbreads, Beef Cheeks and Grilled Quail, and the experience is sure to wow your date for a special occasion. The restaurant’s atmosphere is industrial, yet cozy — and the best part is, Jeni’s is next door for a sweet treat.

PHOTO VIA GOOGLE IMAGES

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2015

sports

THE BIG STAT Number of draw controls collected by preseason All-BIG EAST junior Kelly Chandler, making her seventh on Vanderbilt’s all-time list

BEASTS of the Big East Caroline Peters Attack | Sophomore Height: 5’7” Peters was one of two freshmen to play in all 17 games last season. In December, she made the Irish National Team for the third time and will complete with the team in Prague.

After the disbandment of the American Lacrosse Conference, the women’s lacrosse team joins a stacked Big East. With two preseason all-conference players and a projected fourth-place finish, the Commodores look to improve on last season’s 5-12 record By Allison Mast, Sports editor Kelly Chandler Attack | Junior Height: 5’8”

Mallory Schonk Attack | Junior Height: 5’6”

Meggie Ramzy Midfield | Senior Height: 5’5”

Height: 5’6”

Following a strong season, Kunowsky had her share of accomplishments as a sophomore. She tied her career-high in draw controls against Ohio State and set a new careerhigh in ground balls against Northwestern.

Jill Doherty Attack | Sophomore Height: 5’3”

Despite missing two games, Chandler led the Commodores in draw controls last season. She scored a careerhigh five goals against Louisville on March 18.

In her sophomore season, Schonk led the team in assists (27) and points (52). She earned ALC Offensive Player of the Week after six goals and five assists in the Commdores’ first two games of the season.

One of the team captains, Ramzy caused a crucial turnover in the fiAlexa Kunowsky nal minutes to preserve a 12-11 Commodore lead over the undefeated Midfield | Junior Johns Hopkins Blue Jays.

Emma Dagres Midfield | Junior Height: 5’4” Dagres utilized her speed last season by securing 28 ground balls, causing 14 turnovers and controlling 14 draws. She collected three ground balls in three separate games.

Doherty had a wellrounded freshman season with 17 assists, 37 points, 30 draw controls, 16 ground balls and 13 caused turnovers. A strong postseason performance earned her a spot on the ALC All-Tournament Team.

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Margaret Fee Defense | Freshman Height: 5’10” In her final year of high school, Fee was named a 2014 U.S. Lacrosse First-Team AllAmerican. She also excelled at ice hockey and field hockey.

Alex Duckenfield Defense | Senior Height: 5’8” As a captain, Duckenfield is a defensive leader and caused at least two turnovers in five different games. She also had five ground balls against Louisville and Jacksonville.

Maggie Forker Defense | Senior Height: 5’2” Forker started eight games during her junior season and posted a career-high of five ground balls against Michigan. She will serve as a captain during her senior season.

Eliza Clemens Defense | Sophomore Height: 5’8” As a freshman, Clemens appeared in nine games and saw action in the season opener against Kennesaw State. She picked up two ground balls against Florida on April 13.

Maddie Kratz Goalkeeper | Senior Height: 5’10” In her 897 minutes of play, Kratz made 121 saves and had a .385 save percentage. She had a season-high 12 saves against Massachusetts and Ohio State.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2015

SPORTS

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Signing Day 2015

Derek Mason hopes to strike gold with new recruitment class By JOSH HAMBURGER Sports reporter --------------------

Coming off of their worst season since 2010, not coincidentally the year before James Franklin’s arrival, Derek Mason’s first true recruiting class will serve as a pivotal point for the future of Vanderbilt’s football success. The team’s past season mirrored much of the dismay Vanderbilt fans constantly underwent without Franklin. Obviously, a first-year transition to a new coach is a rough path to travel, but Mason must make moves to quell the abysmal start, which all begins with recruiting for the future. New coaches have been filled in Mason’s staff, but what remains for the upcoming season is what current high school seniors will be the team leaders for years to come. On Wednesday, Feb. 4, otherwise known as National Signing Day across the collegiate world, the fate of Vanderbilt’s success will count on the decisions of 17and 18-year-olds. From around 7 a.m. CST to 4 p.m., recruits from around the country will cement the future of their playing careers, and Vanderbilt will be on the lookout for both prior commitments and un-

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Coach Derek Mason’s introductory press conference. decided hopefuls. Derek Mason will provide updates and insight on the SEC Network around 2:20 p.m., and he will address the local media at 4 p.m. on his first, full-time finalized recruiting class. A school-wide celebration will follow at 6 p.m. in the Student Life Center, where Derek Mason will announce and review his newest class to the student body. Over the past three years, Vanderbilt has ranked in or around the top 50 in recruits, and they remain in a good position to accomplish this for a fourth year based on current projections by 247 Sports. Coming off of a 3-9 season, this ability to recruit so well reflects Derek Mason’s likeability, positive attitude and optimism in turning Vanderbilt back into the contender it was under Franklin. As the NCAA’s Judgment Day arrives, Mason and the Vanderbilt community will all be awaiting the announcement of the hope and future of the school’s newest student-athletes. The Hustler takes a look at four of Vanderbilt’s top committed recruits before they make their announcement official on Wednesday.

VIA RIVALS.COM

Kyle Shurmur QB-PP (pocket passer) 6’4” WT: 210 4 stars As the No. 110 recruit in the entire 2015 class, according to ESPN, Kyle Shurmur takes the top spot among Vanderbilt’s newest committed class. With quarterback being the shakiest position for the Commodores last year, Shurmur’s prototypical size and strong, accurate arm should bring the team much hype for the near future. Although he will most surely not start out the season, a redshirt year will allow him to learn the playbook well, while adding necessary weight and strength to his frame. As a pure passer, Shurmur can help provide a traditional, solid passing game to find and create open receivers, which Vanderbilt lacked greatly last season.

Chance of coming to Vanderbilt: 5/5

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SPORTS

Jared Pinkney WR 6’5” WT: 224 3 stars As Vanderbilt’s top target at wide receiver, Pinkney’s large, built frame provides for a massive target on the field. With such a strong body, he utilizes it well in tight coverage in creating sufficient separation by pushing off from defenders on the line. Even in close defense, he can outmuscle defensive backs and win one-on-ones solely because of his strength and power. With an average speed, he won’t speed past receivers, but his sure-handedness makes him a solid possession receiver. Pinkney can also contribute well as a blocker in the running game, which is especially important to runs on the outside.

Chances: 5/5 VIA RIVALS.COM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2015

Donovan Sheffield CB 5’11” WT: 172 4 stars The Nashvile local committed under James Franklin, decommitted then recommitted upon Mason’s hiring. The son of a former Vanderbilt football player, Sheffield brings strong instincts that assist his presence in both pass and rush defense. Highly skilled in zone coverage, he has a knack to recognize and jump routes regularly, not afraid to play aggressively on the ball. Sheffield handles short distances well with a quick burst and smart perception of the ball’s location at all times. A redshirt year is all but certain, as the time will help him add to a very supportive frame.

Chances: 5/5

Josh Smith OLB 6’3” WT: 220 4 stars The Tennessee native brings great hype and enthusiasm from those who see his potential to develop into a great linebacker. His quick ability to dissect plays allows for him to step right into the right place at the right time. An added talent of shedding lineman helps move him toward the ball carrier with much swiftness. Smith’s speed and strength provide for him a sound ability to tackle offensive players head-on. ESPN’s No. 209 recruit can still improve in the open field, but his innate ability to read and leverage the offense will set him up well in Vanderbilt’s strong linebacker unit.

Chances: 4/5

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2015

SPORTS

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Ambrose looks to turn Vanderbilt soccer program around By MAX HERZ Sports reporter --------------------

As the calendar flipped to 2015, Vanderbilt women’s soccer remained without a head coach following the resignation of Derek Greene on Dec. 8. After four seasons coaching the Commodores without an SEC Tournament berth, Greene made the decision to step down and spend more time with his three toddler-aged children. The team patiently awaited the announcement of its new leader. Last Thursday, the decision was made. Former Penn Coach Darren Ambrose will have the tall task of injecting a winning attitude into a program that hasn’t finished in the SEC’s top 10 since 2010. Based on his success at Penn, Coach Ambrose seems to be just the man for the job. In 15 seasons coaching the Quakers, Ambrose’s clubs did not suffer a single losing season while winning three Ivy League titles. The native of Sheffield, England sees Vanderbilt’s current situation as similar to Penn’s program when he took the job in 2000. “(The Vanderbilt job) became more attractive to me the more we talked about it,” Coach Ambrose said on Monday. “I looked at the potential the program has and I realized what an opportunity for me, as a coach, to put myself in the most competitive position that I could at an institution that has the

PHOTO COURTESY OF VUCOMMODORES

same values system that I have myself.” Under Ambrose, Penn women’s soccer has earned the NSCAA Team Academic Award each of the last 14 years, something that no other Ivy League school has accomplished. Vanderbilt’s academic reputation certainly added to the opening’s draw. Though the Commodores’ new coach hasn’t yet landed in Nashville, he is quite familiar with the Southeast and collegiate soccer in this region. Ambrose came to the United States to attend college and play goalkeeper for Division II South CarolinaSpartanburg, where he was named Adidas National Player of the Year for the 1992-93

season. Before his arrival at Penn, he served as an assistant coach at Rhodes College in Memphis and Florida State. Upon hitting Philadelphia, Ambrose employed the demanding, effective coaching styles he learned while coaching in the hotbed of college soccer. “Every day you’ve got two choices if you’ve got a goal in mind and you want to achieve something long term,” Ambrose said on his attitude toward his new job. “Everything you do has an effect. It either moves you towards that goal or it moves you away from that goal.” Ambrose is unafraid to admit that he will demand a lot from his players. He will require all players to be involved “on both sides of the ball” every time they take the field. From day one, he aims to teach players the difference between wanting to win and knowing how to win. If Darren Ambrose knows one thing, it’s how to win soccer games. That attitude is conducive to turning around a young team that lacks postseason experience. “I think that’s the challenge and the motivating factor for me,” Ambrose commented on engineering a potential turnaround. “I think the opportunity to build something again, at a higher level, is what makes me tick.” Ambrose will arrive in Nashville next week to meet with his new team for the first time and begin to dissect his promising, new

roster. He does not yet know the skillset of every player, but he’s understandably excited about coaching a gamebreaker like speedy forward Simone Charley. “I’ve got to put pieces around her and maximize the system and the style we play to put her in as good of a position to score as we can,” Ambrose said on Vanderbilt’s leading goal scorer last season, citing the sophomore as a player to build around. As a former keeper himself, Ambrose will pay particular attention to Commodore goalie Christiana Ogunsami, who played in all 19 games of her freshman season in 2014. The new coach has high hopes for his keeper. “Potential is one thing, but realizing that potential is another. We’re gonna lay it out that she has a tremendous upside and try and get her to work hard on all of the things she needs to.” It seems that Vanderbilt soccer has hired itself a pure winner to lead the squad. Darren Ambrose hasn’t tasted a losing season since the 20th century and has a knack for kickstarting programs to long-term success. If the team quickly buys in to his philosophies and attitude, the 2015 season could be the start of something great for the Commodores. The pieces are in place, the new coach has his task and the potential is endless. In Coach Ambrose’s words, “At the end of the day, if you create a competitive culture and a supportive culture, the soccer will come and take of itself.”

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The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Dores you know

going pro

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2015

Looking back at the some of the more prominent professional athletes who started their careers in a Vanderbilt uniform

Casey Hayward: The cornerback makes a comeback By MATT CITAK Sports reporter --------------------

Following his rookie season in 2012, Casey Hayward looked like a star in the making. The former Commodore recorded six interceptions in his first year in the league, while finishing third in Defensive Player of the Year voting. However, injuries completely derailed his sophomore season. Hayward appeared in only three games in 2013, dealing with hamstring issues before the season even began. After a full offseason rehabbing, Hayward entered the 2014 season healthy and ready to regain the success he had found as a rookie. From the beginning of the season, it was clear that Sam Shields and Tramon Williams would be the top two corners for the Green Bay Packers (with Morgan Burnett not far behind). Hayward knew he would have to earn his playing time and prove that he belonged on the field. Most importantly, he had to show the Green Bay coaches that he could stay healthy for 16 games, which is exactly what he did. Hayward saw action in every Packers game this year, ending the season with 43 total tackles, seven passes defended and three interceptions. While these statistics were decreas-

es from his fantastic rookie campaign, the Packers needed the depth in the secondary that Hayward provided when some of their starters went down with injuries. The highlight of the season for the former Vanderbilt star came in Week 10, when the Chicago Bears visited Lambeau Field. Hayward picked off fellow former Commodore Jay Cutler and returned the ball 82 yards for his first career touchdown. He scored his second career touchdown just a week later when he returned a fumble 51 yards for a score. 2015 could be a breakout year for Casey Hayward. Tramon Williams is a free agent, and with his being 32 years old, the Packers could choose to let him go and take the more youthful route with their secondary. This would lead the way to Hayward starting opposite Shields at cornerback for Green Bay. With 2015 being the final season of his rookie contract, Hayward will want as much playing time as possible to prove to the Packers, and to the rest of the NFL, that he deserves to be a full-time starter (and paid like one too). A healthy Hayward teamed with Shields, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Micah Hyde could result in the Packers having one of the strongest backfields in the league in 2015. As we have seen in the last two years with Seattleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Legion of Boom, a talented and deep secondary can generate great success in the NFL.

MICHAEL FRASCELLA / THE VANDERBILT HUSTLER

Casey Hayward (19) watches as the Commodores take on Kentucky in 2011. The Wildcasts prevailed 38-20.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2015

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