BEST SMALL, NON-DAILY —2017 Virginia Press Association The independent press of Virginia Commonwealth University
October 16, 2017 • Vol. 59, No. 8
SPORTS Men’s soccer • 6
OPINIONS SPECTRUM Richmond Folk Festival • 8 National debt • 11
PHOTO BY ERIN EDGERTON
NEWS Gubernatorial race • 2
New-look Rams put on a show for fans ed than in years past, as it marked the debuts of newly-appointed coach Mike Rhoades and 10 new Rams basketball officially players. In front of a packed house, kicked off its 2017-18 season Sat- several of the new faces gave fans urday with the annual Black and reasons to be excited for the upGold Game at VCU’s Stuart C. coming campaign. Siegel Center. Following the departure of fanThis year’s inter-squad scrim- favorite big-man Mo Alie-Cox, mage was perhaps more anticipat- many saw a glaring hole for the NICK VERSAW Staff Writer
Rams down low. Those would-be fears were dissuaded Saturday as the Rams’ new frontcourt put up an impressive showing. Graduate transfer Khris Lane led all scorers with 15 points, propelling his Gold Team to knock off their Black Team counterparts 56-45. The former Longwood University Lancer rounded out the stat
sheet, chipping in 9 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block. “He knows how to put the ball in the hole,” Rhoades said of his fifthyear big. “You’re going to see a lot of good things from him this year.” Lane was joined by Gold teammate and fellow big-man Marcus Santos-Silva, as the freshman recorded the game’s only double-
double performance with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Rhoades said he’s been extremely impressed with the progression Santos-Silva has made over the course of the offseason. The Taunton, Massachusetts product has lost over 30 pounds since arriving on VCU campus this summer. “He bought into his body and
ILLUSTRATION BY ALLISON VERJINSKI
PHOTO BY ELIZABETH HUMPHRIES
The notorious “Sign Guy” wants to provoke you. Don’t buy in.
VCU Volleyball’s winning streak is now the longest active streak in the country at 18 in a row.
Volleyball continues to boast the nation’s longest active win streak, as they extended it to 18 straight matches over the week-
end. The Rams haven’t lost a match since Sept. 1, and they are 27-1 in their last 28 sets.
George Mason The Rams cruised to an 18th
straight victory against George Mason University on Saturday. The Rams’ offense stood up against the Patriots, as they only trailed once in the entire match. After winning the first set 25-13, the Rams never looked
continued on page 5
OPINIONS
Volleyball wins keep coming
RODNEY ROBINSON Contributing Writer
work ethic,” Rhoades said. “He’s going to be a big piece for us.” Several of Santos-Silva’s fellow freshman also had strong showings in their first taste of Siegel Center action.
back, winning in straight sets for the 7th time in conference play. The Rams hit .357 in the match, marking their second-best total on the season. continued on page 7
RACHEL TERRELL Contributing Writer The VCU compass is the campus hotspot for those who have a point to prove. From pastors, to Planned
Parenthood volunteers, to Black Lives Matter members — there always seems to be someone protesting against or advocating for something. continued on page 11