The University of Tampa has undergone extensive construction in recent years. Over the past few semesters, the Sykes Chapel was built and the Martinez Athletics Center renovated, and now a new residence hall is under construction. Currently unnamed, Residence Hall 7 will be the newest dorm on campus.

Set up in a suite style similar to Straz, except with no kitchen, the dorm will be offered to upperclassmen based on the number of credits they have, which is the same method that has been used before in housing selections. Residence Hall 7 is already a selection for students to choose for housing next fall and is expected to be completed by then. Stephen Long, president of Residence Hall Association

(RHA), toured the building, as he is representing the students during this project.

“The views from the top floors are amazing. Since the hall will be taller than Vaughn, you will see some amazing sights of the skyline and the bay,” Long said. “The rooms are a great size, and the common areas will be just as cozy. The bathrooms are also really cool, and very functional. They are equipped with more outlets so people are able to plug in all of their bathroom accessories, which was an add-on for the girls.”

Long will also have a say in choosing the furniture in the rooms and common areas, as

well as the overall look and feel of the building. The top (11th) floor will be completely for students, a room which only student organizations can rent out. “That means outside vendors will not be able to set up blackout times, or knock students from the room as many have seen happen with the ninth floor of Vaughn,” Long said.

Beck, the construction company, is making Residence Hall 7 a sustainable building. The chemicals being used are safe and the materials used are recycled.

Also, the building has green lighting systems and water collection processes. It could potentially be the third Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified building on campus.

But in order for the building to be LEED certified, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) must honor that award.

Richard Ogorek, the vice president for Administration and Finance, explained some of the elements used to determine this award.

“The most significant elements

Three non-UT students were arrested and charged with theft by the Tampa Police Department last Tuesday evening near Straz Hall.

“An anonymous phone call tipped campus security to the back entrance of Straz near the track where at least five juveniles, all under the age of 16, were in the process of stealing bikes from the bike rack,” said Director of Campus Security Kevin Howell.

According to a video surveillance camera, a total of four bikes were originally taken, but three were recovered, one which was claimed by a young lady later that night.

“We were lucky enough to get the young lady to call about the bike,” said Howell. “I’m not sure if she’s going to court about that, so they may not get charged with theft officially,” said Howell.

From what the camera shows, two juveniles got away with at least one bike.

Two out of the three juveniles arrested were charged with theft on paper, but because they had no former arrest history they were not taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center, or “kiddy jail,” as Howell called it.

“However, one juvenile, who had a previous arrest history, was taken down to the detention facility,” said Howell.

The yellow bolt cutters the juveniles used to cut the locks on the bikes were confiscated; however, TPD did not charge the juveniles with possession of burglary tools.

“Even though the crime occurred around 6:00 p.m. and the area was crowded with students heading to and from class and people were on the track,” said a witness, “only one phone call had been made to campus security and it was to complain about two suspicious males harassing female UT students.”

The caller and her friends

Vo l u m e 7 9 N u m b e r 1 2 • N o v e m b e r 1 5 , 2 0 1 2 • u t . m i n a r e t @ g m a i l . c o m • t h e m i n a r e t o n l i n e . c o m

News .................................2Diversions ........................6A+E ...................................7Opinion ........................... 11Sports .............................17

10 Out Of The WUTT Vault: Buzz Poets ’Pretzel Sex’

11 Puerto Rico May Become 51st State of the United States

12 Former CIA Director Petraeus Admits to Cheating on His Wife

17 Goalie Amazes As Spartans Move On

In Other News...

Trespassers Arrested for Attempted Bicycle Theft

2 ‘Frankenstorm’ Sandy Plagues East Coast

7 GLTSBATA To Host Campus/Rocky Horror Picture Show

By STEF CROCCONews Writer

Stef Crocco/The MinaretWith many bikes sitting unattended for long periods of time, some are tempted to break the lock and steal bikes for their own.

See BICYCLE Page 2

Excitement Builds for Hall CompletionResidence Hall VII will include new features requested by students

“Since the hall will be taller than Vaughn, you will see

some amazing sights of the skyline and the bay.”

- Stephen Long, President of RHA][

By CAROLINE METELLNews Writer

See RESIDENCE Page 2

relate to the efficient heating, ventilating and air conditioning system (HVAC),” Ogorek said. “As the project will be connected to the central chiller system we are starting with a high efficiency system. Condensate [water] from air conditioning will be captured and cycled back into the cooling system.”

Some other “green” features include solar panels on the roof of the tower that will contribute to hot water for showers and laundry, and high efficiency lighting that will incorporate occupancy sensors and LED and induction and other high efficiency fluorescent lamps.

But Residence Hall 7 isn’t the only dorm that is going green. Both Smiley and McKay’s mechanical systems now have high efficiency units.

Ogorek added, “The connection of the central chilled water plant to the other ‘tall halls’ will also be a sustainable step. Occupancy sensors regulate lighting in corridors and classrooms.

Lighting systems have been replaced in academic buildings, gyms and the parking garages.”

With these new features incorporated in Residence Hall 7, students are beginning to discuss if the tower will be on their top choices for room selection in the future.

Sophomore sports management major Dana Fortune said, “I would like to live in the new dorm. I’m excited to

see what it will look like inside and I would definitely like to live there with a bunch of my friends.”

“I am going to try to live in the new building next year,” said freshman performing arts major Dan Barron. “I think it would be really nice to live in a brand new building and plus its location is rather central to classes and it’s my ideal choice for next year.”

Sophomore advertising and public relations major T-Age Williams said, “From what I’m hearing, the new dorm is supposedly going to be really cool. I heard it’s going to have a community room that’s going to be all windows and solar panels that provide power.

Plus it’s new and there will be singles. So yeah, I would live there.”

One of the problems that Residence Hall 7 will potentially solve is the overflow of students at the Howard Johnson. At least, that’s what some students are hoping for, but that all depends on expansion of the university.

Sophomore marine science major Tessa Skilton said, “I think it’s awesome that people finally won’t have to live in the Hojo because we pay enough money to go here, we should at least get a dorm.”

“It’s about time this school got a new dorm,” Williams said. “Really, how much longer could we have UT students banging holes in the wall and terrorizing the Hojo?”

Caroline Metell can be reached at cmetell@spartans.ut.edu

MIN

ARETM

NEWS + FEATURESNOVEMBER 15 2012 | THE MINARET

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Joshua Napierjoshua.napier@theminaretonline.com

MANAGING EDITORChelsea Daubarchelsea.daubar@theminaretonline.com

ASSOCIATE EDITORJessica Keeseejessica.keesee@theminaretonline.com

NEWS + FEATURESMia Glatter, Editormia.glatter@theminaretonline.comYasaman Sherbaf, Asst. Editoryasaman.sherbaf@theminaretonline.com

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENTNatalie Hicks, Editornatalie.hicks@theminaretonline.comKelly St. Onge, Asst. Editorkelly.st.onge@theminaretonline.com

OPINIONPaola Crespo, EditorPaola.Crespo@theminaretonline.comAnnabella Palopoli, Asst. Editorannabella.palopoli@theminaretonline.com

SPORTSJohn Hilsenroth, Editorjohn.hilsenroth@theminaretonline.comMiles Parks, Asst. Editormiles.parks@theminaretonline.com

ONLINEJennifer Bedell, Web and Social Media Directorjennifer.bedell@theminaretonline.com

PHOTOGRAPHYSamantha Battersby, Editorsamantha.battersby@theminaretonline.comTaylor Sanger, Asst. Editortaylor.sanger@theminaretonline.com

ADVERTISINGShivani Kanji, Ad & PR Directorminaret.ads@gmail.com

ADVISERDaniel Reimold, Ph.D.dreimold@ut.edu

COPY EDITORSNikita Hernandez, Head Copy Editornikita.hernandez@theminaretonline.com

PHOTOGRAPHERSLeah BeilhartImani CruzVictoria DeLoneJake Patterson

GRAPHIC DESIGNERSDonny MurrayJustine Parks

STAFF WRITERSZoe FowlerPranav Lokin

COLUMNISTSDavid AdamsAlex CaraballoHannah WebsterJack Whitaker MORE INFORMATION

THE MINARET is a weekly student-run publication at the University of Tampa. Letters to the Editor may be sent to editor@theminaretonline.com. To reach THE MINARET call 813.257.3636.Your first two copies of THE MINARET are free. Each additional copy is $1.00

Students Call Res VII ‘Ideal Place to Live’

Sam Battersby/The MinaretResidence Hall 7 is being built to be LEED certified and will have a better view on its 11th floor compared to Vaughn’s 9th floor.

From RESIDENCE Page 1

2

were standing near the swing benches when they saw the two suspicious males eyeing female students as they walked by.

“It was as if they could see right through the girls’ clothes and they just stared them down as if they were a piece of meat,” said the UT student.

“I just had this gut feeling that they should not have been on campus and though they weren’t paying attention to me, I was worried someone was going to get hurt,” said the anonymous phone caller.

She and a friend waited for security and in a matter of seconds, one golf cart showed up and then about three more followed.

“At first, we thought security must have been bored to send so many over just for two guys loitering,” said the caller. “We couldn’t believe that the guys were actually stealing bikes. It was if they wanted to get caught with how obvious they were acting.”

However, most students were unaware to the ongoing crime.

“One girl was caught on tape walking right by the three juveniles cutting the bikes from the back rack near the track and had no idea,” said Howell.

He continued to say, “Students are oblivious to what’s going on. It’s everything, not just the bikes.”

However, bikes have been a problem at UT and it’s not just that some are stolen. It’s the ones that have yet to be claimed.

$300-$400 bikes covered in dust and dirt lay abandoned in a cage in West Parking Garage and Thomas.

Some have been there for eight months and some have been there even longer.

The school has no way to identify who they belong to because the bikes aren’t registered to anyone and no one has stepped forward to say they couldn’t find their bike.

“After 11 months, if the bikes are unclaimed, they are considered abandoned,” said Howell.

“The UT employees have asked if they can buy the bikes since most of them are in good condition and just need a good cleaning,” he said. Yet the school isn’t in business to take property and sell it.

However, he hinted that bike patrols on campus may be in the works.

“I would rather give them back to the owners, though,” said Howell.

And that would be simple if students registered their bikes.

It’s free and all students have to do is go online to spartanweb.ut.edu and click on campus safety.

There’s a registration form that is submitted online and the only thing students have to do is walk to the mailroom to pick up the sticker and stick it on their bikes.

“I couldn’t make it any easier,” said Howell.

Stef Crocco can be reached at Stefcroccs@yahoo.com

Unclaimed Bikes Left to Rust in Thomas

From BICYCLE Page 1

NEWS + FEATURES 3THE MINARET | NOVEMBER 15 2012NEWS + FEATURES

It’s Not Even Finals Week YetOn Nov. 5 at 9:45 p.m., facilities requested assistance with an employee acting erratically.

They Forgot To Say ‘Heads Up’!On Nov. 7 at 8:55 p.m., a student was struck by a stray football.

And On Our Left You Can See...On Nov. 8 at 11:42 a.m., a male, non student fell off his Segway suffering a minor injury.

Reports compiled by Yasi Sherbaf

A Last Minute Alcohol RunOn Nov. 9 at 11:50 p.m., an intoxicated underage student refused to pay a taxicab fare and ran from Campus Safety Officers.

That First Step’s A DoozyOn Nov. 10 at 12:20 a.m., an intoxicated student fell down a flight of stair and had to be transported to the hospital.

‘Give the Cool Whip, Get the Love’ On Nov. 10 at 1:45 a.m., two students were found in possession of marijuana, nitrous oxide chargers and a whipped cream dispenser used as drug paraphernalia.

From the Nov. 5 to Nov. 11 reports

On Tuesday, Nov. 13, Student Government met in Reeves Theater.

Show your school spirit! Tampa Tuesdays - win free prizes by wearing UT gear.

Res Hall 7 will be open August 2013. If you want to pick the furniture and who gets to live there, attend RHA meetings and/or

contact RHA President.

The home opener basketball game is this Saturday at 4 p.m. There is a Hollywood Theme for the game with free food and prizes.

A Relay for Life captains/representatives meeting is this Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the Brevard Community room.

Club Promotes Eco-Friendly Practices

A club on campus is attempting to protest the amount of waste that the University of Tampa produces.

The club’s name is Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC). SEAC’s goals are to efficiently and creatively change the world we live for the better.

SEAC’s President Andrew Visnick hopes to igite a change in the way students handle waste.

“We have been working very hard to increase awareness about sustainability

issues here at UT and globally and to make it easier for students to be more sustainable (i.e having recycling bins in dorms, more around campus, reduce waste things like that).”

SEAC has a running petition to bring recycling bins to dorms, with signatures from a plethora of students and even UT’s own Dean of Students Stephanie Russell Krebs.

Other students have weighed in on UT’s recycling.

Alex Engel, a freshman living in Smiley Hall said, “I would totally recycle if the university gave me a bin,

but right now it’s not really emphasized on campus.”

Sean Chambers, another freshman living in Smiley Hall was surprised at the lack of recycling.

“ I don’t really see recycling bins around campus. It’s a surprise considering how pretty the school is. You’d think they’d be all eco-friendly.”

Approximately 70 percent of incoming students agree that “having information about a school’s commitment to the environment would influence their decision to apply to or attend that school,” according to the Princeton Review in April 2012.

The group has also compared UT’s campus sustainability policies and ratings to other colleges to look for things UT could do better. They say that UT has a lot of room to improve.

“We are starting a cool project with a sustainability solutions company called SCI (Smart Campus Initiative),” said Visnick. “This is a very cool hands on project that involves our members testing plug load in a hope to reduce UT’s plug load demand.”

If students want to get involved they can check out their Facebook group “UT Student Environmental Action Coalition” or attend the weekly meetings on Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. located on the second floor of the wellness center (LEED certified building) in conference room 210.

SEAC is planning a trip to the state of the art Waste Management recycling

facility and keeping with the theme of reducing waste, they are giving out reusable water bottles to students around campus.

“Our generation needs to take drastic measures to make the world a better place,” said Visnick. “We are starting to take strides but there is still a lot of work to be done.” He added, “That is why we are fighting and “calling the school out” to be more sustainable. UT says that they are doing a great job but it reality there is much more to be done.”

Pranav Lokin can be reached at Pranav.Lokin@spartans.ut.edu.

By PRANAV LOKINNews Writer

Photo courtesy of Erica FremmingSEAC members participate in a local community clean-up event.

SEAC petitioning for more recycle bins around campus

UT Student Environmental Action Coalition/facebook.com

SEAC got a brand new logo this year, made by a student here at UT.

The University of Tampa is more than just a school. It’s a community full of students, faculty and staff. The athletic marketing team promotes community spirit by its commitment to encouraging high attendance to sporting events. “Getting non-sports people to the games has been the hardest,” said alumni Amber Molidor, marketing and promotions coordinator. At the same time, the marketing team tries to bring people in. “You scratch my back and we scratch yours,” said senior accounting major Amy Martinez, Vice President of Administration.

The goal is not to build an athletic empire but to build more UT spirit, at events and on a personal level. Every week, athletics marketing has a table in Vaughn, advertising about the week’s upcoming games.

“Every Friday and Saturday, we promote the games very heavily in many ways from posting flyers, going on the golf cart, social media and word of mouth,” said junior sport

management major Craig Warzecha. This year, the home opening volleyball game attracted 963 students. And this year’s Midnight Madness attracted over 1,700 students.

Along with promotion, members of the marketing team believe that just because there is no football team doesn’t mean you shouldn’t support the school’s athletic teams. “There’s so much other stuff to do in the area,” said Warzecha. “Why go to a game when I could go to happy hour or to the beach? These are just a few examples of excuses used to not support.”

Warzecha and the other members have theme nights targeting different organizations. Past theme nights have included Pink Night (for breast cancer), Armed Forces night, Jersey Shore Night and Tie Dye Night. Recently, there was international night for soccer.

“We have so many international students at UT and we had a fabulous turnout at our game with audience members bringing their homeland flags, scarves and signs,” said Molidor. During the game, halftime events took

place. “Even if you don’t like soccer, you can come for the free food,” said Molidor.

Different events take place at the volleyball games such as dancing and music. The band has a big role in supporting the sports teams. “We are constantly changing what we do in order to get more people to come out. We’re trying everything but we need a little push from

everyone else,” said Molidor.A big problem for the team has been

the discussion of the fact that there is no football team. “As a sport management student, the one thing we really miss out on here is a football team and that aspect of the college experience,” said senior sport management major Nicolle Apicella. “I wish we could find a way to increase interest. Sports are a great way of bringing people together.” Having a football team would mean cutting other sports teams, making the attendance rate higher and at the same time, many teams would be lost. Title 9 states that there has to be a certain ratio for our school to have different sports teams. Our school has to be equal to be in Division I.

Students firmly believe that adding a football team would equate to more school spirit. “People are complaining at something were not realistically getting,” said junior nursing major Kelsea Roccapriore, Vice President of Public Relations. “The first step to having a football team is having a Division I team.”

Changing our school to a higher ranking would mean more expenses. Just changing the athletic culture would change a lot of aspects of the athletic side to UT. “It really bothers me when athletics gets pinned for everything,” said Roccapriore. “School spirit is part of UT, athletic marketing is part of UT and it’s not just about going to sports games. It’s about going to dance happening and SP events - it’s about the school.”

UT sports teams have won 12 national championships. The volleyball team is now number seven in the country. They are always in the top 10, promoting themselves very well.

“Student Government has been great,. They have been so supportive by coming to the games,” said Warzecha. The key is getting the entire school to be part of the UT spirit. “We are not going to get 5,000 to 6,000 students from campus to come to games but 1,000 or 2,000 who are really positive about our school,” said senior sports management major Luz Insignares, Vice President of Community Relations. Students who are passionate about sports will be the ones attending the games but others not so much. “People need to start embracing UT by going to events in order to support each other,” said Roccapriore.

It all comes down to word of mouth. According to Warzecha, “It all comes down to word of mouth and social media.” Spartacus, UT’s mascot, has over 1,000 friends on Facebook. UT Spartans on Twitter has over 300 followers. Reaching out to people will allow for more people to be aware of what’s going on. “We reach out to everyone, faculty, Gateways professors and RAs,” said Roccapriore. According to Martinez, “President Vaughn attends games as well.”

Athletic marketing wants your feedback. Feel free to reach out to them with ideas as to what you want them to do to better promote sporting events. “We always welcome input - we are constantly open to other’s opinions,” said Molidor.

To follow sporting events on campus, you can add UT mascot on Facebook, Spartacus Tampa Spartan and/or follow Tampa Spartans on Twitter @utspartans.

Yasaman Sherbaf can be reached at yasaman.sherbaf@theminaretonline.com.

4 NOVEMBER 15 2012 | THE MINARET NEWS + FEATURES

Athletic Marketing Pushes for More School Spirit, Sports AttendanceBy YASAMAN SHERBAFAsst. News Editor

Photo courtesy of Amber MolidorStudents have a more enjoyable time at sporting events when there are more people in the crowd.

Casey Budd/The MinaretStudents get more spirited when they get Tampa gear, such as foam fingers and rally towels, from organizations like Athletic Marketing and Student Productions.

Staying active and maintaining an average body weight can lead to a 7.2-year gain in life expectancy, according to a study released by researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital last week.

The study, conducted in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute, surveyed 650,000 individuals of all ethnicities and body mass indexes, aged 21 – 90. Results show that gains in life expectancy are much greater for those who begin regular physical activity earlier in life.

“Those active at a young age also tend to be more active as they grow older, so it is good to start being active at a young age,” wrote Harvard Medical School professor and senior author of the study I-Min Lee in an email.

Despite the busy schedules of college students that can make it difficult to follow an exercise regiment, exercise is crucial even at this early age, according to Meir Stampfer, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health.

“People have a tendency to only think of years added on when they’re 89 years and older. But for a young person, the benefit of physical activity might be preserved vitality,” he said.

Finding opportunities to exercise can be difficult in an increasingly sedentary society, according to the study. The report

examined “brisk walking,” an accessible alternative for those intimidated by intense fitness regiments.

Lee’s work shows that someone who walks 150 minutes per week, the amount of exercise recommended by the federal government, will add 3.4 years to someone’s life expectancy. A lesser workout of 75 minutes per week would add 1.8 years.

“I think people neglect the benefits gained from brisk walking. It seems daunting for people [but it’s] just a matter of prioritizing,” said Stampfer.

One of Stampfer’s studies also explores the benefits of exercise for people with varying states of health. This study involved monitoring physical activity in prostate cancer patients.

“Exercise prevents illness, but is also beneficial during illness,” Stampfer said. “In the prostate cancer patients who exercised, there was a decreased death rate compared to those who did not.”

In Lee’s study, the results were consistent for those with higher weights.

“Many individuals in the US are overweight or obese. For such persons, it is often difficult to reduce weight,” wrote Lee in an email. “What is encouraging is that our study shows that by being physically active, even overweight/obese persons can increase their life expectancy compared to someone their weight who is not active.”

NEWS + FEATURES 5THE MINARET | NOVEMBER 15 2012

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FTCE/GKT Prep Course Offered at UT!

Visit www.ut.edu/ftceprep or call (813) 258-7409.

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Study Shows Activity Increases Life ExpectancyBy AEMILIA PHILLIPSUWire.com

Top: puikkibeach/flickr.com Bottom Left: Elvert Barnes/flickr.com Bottom Right: lululemon athletica/flickr.com

Working out consistently and staying healthy will increase someone’s life expectancy.

6 NOVEMBER 15 2012 | THE MINARET

DiversionsSudoku

Photo by Samantha Battersby/The MinaretThe UT ice hockey team lost 4-3 to the USF Bulls this past Monday at the Tampa

Bay Times Forum. Phil Gilchrist leads the team with 16 points.

USF Lecture Series: Jeff CorwinNov. 15University of South Florida Marshall Student Center8 p.m.Free

Regina Spektor and Only ChildNov. 15Ruth Eckerd Hall8 p.m.$39.50

WUTT Radio Interview with Dillon FrancisNov. 15wutt.ut.edu, channel 95, and 1080 AM10 p.m. - 11 p.m.Free

The Mystery of Edwin DroodNov. 15 - 18Falk Theatre8 p.m. Thurs. - Sat., 2 p.m. Sun.Gen Adm: $15; Sr. Cit/Non UT Stdt: $10; UT Students, Faculty and Staff free with UT I.D.

Cypress HillNov. 16Cuban Club2010 N Avenida Republica De Cuba, Tampa FL 336058 p.m.$19.50

Tampa’s Downtown on Ice OpensNov. 16 - Jan. 5Curtis Hixon Park6 p.m.$10 per person

Ybor City Heritage and Cigar FestivalNov. 17Centennial Park10 a.m.$5 in advance, 12 and younger free; $10 at the gate

Art on the WaterNov. 17Jackson’s Bistro Bar & Sushi11 a.m.Free

Martini Fest featuring Andy GrammerNov. 17Curtis Hixon Park7 p.m.$50 advance through Ticketmaster, $60 day of event

Thanksgiving Break Nov. 21 - 25

The Weekend Update

PrintableSudokuPuzzles.net

Pictureof the

WEEK

Halloween may have passed, but there is still one more strange journey to Transylvania that you can take. “Time will stand still” as UT students perform the classic “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” GLTSBA made the show possible with funding from Student Government and the Film Society.

Melissa Block, a sophomore film major, is directing the fun and quirky shadow cast production along with some help from assistant directors Taylor Allman and Krystle Parks.

Block gave some insight on the shadow cast style that is associated with “Rocky Horror.”

“The idea is supposed to be a fun movie night with a stage performance of actors who will act the movie out as it is playing. The idea of the shadow cast is to be making fun of the movie.

This has been a tradition since the movie was first released in the 1975,” Block said.

“Rocky Horror” originally debuted in Westward, Calif. and quickly gained a following around the country. The counter-cultural show fascinated millions with its twisted plot, odd array of characters and audience interaction.

The interaction aspect varies from yelling call back or ad lib responses to throwing rice, paper, hot dogs and other weird things not normally allowed in theatres.

The most famous interaction is the

well-known dance, the Time Warp. UT’s cast is thrilled to be a part of the Rocky Horror tradition and hope to gain some more fans.

Freshmen communication major Melissa Pegley is playing the role of Magenta. She hopes audience members embrace the show.

“What I can say about the show is that it can definitely rub some people the wrong way. The live show has a lot of audience participation, which I’m hoping we’ll get!” Pegley said.

“For those that don’t know it, it’ll be like nothing they’ve ever experienced,” Rachel Dawson, a junior communication major playing Janet, commented.

Vitale Christy, playing Frank-N-Furter, gave some insight about the bonds the cast has made while rehearsing for the big performance.

“It has been a load of fun working with this cast. I feel blessed to work with an amazing director on such a twisted, good show,” Christy said.

She continued, “This show will be a great opportunity for UT students to unwind and kick off exam week with just the right amount of craziness.”

The student production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is Nov. 30 at midnight in Cass Gym.

There is no charge and doors open at 11:30 p.m. Get there early for the best seats in the house.

Katherine Lavacca can be reached at katherine.lavacca@spartans.ut.edu.

matthias64/Photobucket.com

THE MINARET | NOVEMBER 15 2012 7

Arts + EntertainmentGLTSBA to Host Campus ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’

By KATHERINE LAVACCAArts + Entertainment Writer

UT’s quidditch team, the Order of the Spartans, plays quidditch during the weekend. They are currently in their second year and hope to become an intramural sport soon.

For those who think the sport of Quidditch only exists in J.K. Rowling’s fictional wizarding world of Harry Potter, you are sorely mistaken. The University of Tampa’s Quidditch team, The Order of the Spartans, is now in its second year.

“It’s just like in the movies, but you are running instead of flying,” freshman biology major Kelly Colbert said. “You have a broom between your legs and you run from side to side.”

On the field, there are two types of balls: the Quaffle and the two Bludgers. There are also several positions for the players including three Chasers, two Beaters, a Keeper and a Seeker. The Chasers run across the field and throw the Quaffle through the hoops to earn points for the team. Colbert is a Chaser for the team.

“The Beaters are the only ones who can touch the Bludgers and they can knock you down,” Colbert said. “If they knock you down, then you have to run all the way back to your side before you can play again.”

Avid Harry Potter fans may be wondering about the Golden Snitch. While there is no small golden flying ball, an individual who is not on either team dresses in yellow from head to toe and acts as the Snitch.

Before the game begins, the Snitch gets between five and 10 minutes to run away. After that, the Seekers are allowed to try and catch him. Once the Snitch is caught, the game ends. However, in muggle Quidditch, the Snitch is not worth

that many points. Catching the Snitch doesn’t result in an automatic win like it would for wizards and witches.

The sport also modifies the equipment for muggles. Technically, the only required item is a broom.

“Other than that, the Quaffle is actually

a volleyball,” Colbert explained. “The Bludgers are deflated dodge balls. The hoops are just PVC pipe and hula-hoops. That is all you really need to play.”

While the team is now technically a student organization, they are trying to arrange a meeting with OSLE to become

an intramural sport. Once they are considered a sport, the next step would be to become IQA certified. IQA is the International Quidditch Association. With the IQA certification, the team can become nationally ranked and work towards their goal of attending the Quidditch World Cup, which will be held in April in Kissimmee, Fla.

The team currently plays in tournaments. Their last tournament was the weekend of Nov. 3rd against the University of Central Florida.

“Before the tournament, we were practicing up to three times a week. But now that it’s over, we practice as a group on Sunday evenings. During the week we have one group training day, and we work out on our own at least once,” Colbert said.

Colbert mentioned that she became interested in the sport while reading the Harry Potter series. She got a lot of her friends interested in the idea as well, so the team now has 14 members.

“We are all really excited because we are all friends and we work really well together,” Colbert said. “Before this year, I had never heard of Quidditch and I certainly had never played it. I was just really excited to learn, and I basically threw myself into it.”

Colbert attributes some of her success to her six years of experience playing soccer which helped her to quickly understand the sport. At their most recent game, she assisted in refereeing the game. Colbert cannot wait for the UT team to become more popular and gain some status.

Samantha Delle can be reached at samanthadelle@aol.com.

By SAMANTHA DELLEArts + Entertainment Writer

Columbia, Frank-N-Furter and Magenta from the Rocky Horror Picture Show. UT plans on having their Rocky Horror shadow performance on Nov. 30 in the Cass Gym.

Avid Harry Potter Fans Lead UT Muggle Quidditch Team

Sabrina Milroy/Facebook.com

8 NOVEMBER 15 2012 | THE MINARET ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

A Late Quartet is a film about the difficulties of change and the depths of one’s life passion. This film follows The Fugue Quartet and the musicians’ relationships with each other. Peter, the cellist (Christopher Walken), finds out that he has an illness which will prohibit him from playing the cello.

As he discusses this tragic news with his fellow musicians, the drama begins. The Fugue has been together for 25 years, playing over 3,000 concerts. They are internationally known and very skilled. Peter recently lost his wife, Miriam, and with the news of his retirement the Fugue is barely holding itself together.

The director of A Late Quartet, Yaron Zilberman, worked with writer Seth Grossman to create an implicit story. It only unfolds bits and pieces of the struggles behind the musicians’ relationships. Betrayal, jealousy and love creep into this harmonious group to create a crescendo of tension between the musicians to the point where the Fugue may be disbanded.

Once Peter presents his unstable future to the quartet, tensions rise between Daniel (Mark Ivanir), first violinist, and Robert (Philip Seymour Hoffman), the second violinist. Robert strives to become first violinist. However, Daniel’s pride will not allow Robert to steal his position.

To make matters worse, Robert’s emotionally distant wife and violist of the quartet, Juliette (Catherine Keener), gets dragged into Robert and Daniel’s conflict. Meanwhile, Robert and Juliette’s daughter, Alexandra (Imogen Poots), becomes wrapped up in her parents’ failing marriage.

What is truly moving about A Late Quartet is

the connection between love and music. Members of the Fugue try to balance their passion in both. In the process, they realize how strong and fragile their relationships are with one another.

The score features string instruments which play throughout the film, intertwining with the pieces that the musicians rehearse during the film. The score has a realistic sound that is very pure and unaltered. It really adds value to the film.

A Late Quartet was slow-paced at the beginning. The only thing that kept me intrigued was the steady reveal of each character’s secret. Once the film picked up the pace, it became more interesting to watch. The story showed a realistic view of life which is often messy and choppy.

Alyssa Hingre can be reached at hingrea@yahoo.com.

Critic’s Rating:2.5 out of 5 stars

It’s amazing how much we can read and learn about Abraham Lincoln, yet we have no idea what the man would have been like in real life. That’s what it was like for me, at least, upon viewing Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln, a film which follows the final months of a president’s life

who I have read about and discussed, but never been able to grasp upon that iconic face.

Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood, My Left Foot) solved this dilemma in a way perhaps no other actor could. Day-Lewis has already won two Academy Awards for his leading work in the aforementioned films, as well as garnering two Oscar nominations for others. He’s certainly got another coming his way for his role

as America’s 16th president, a portrayal that for all intents and purposes seems to resemble the real man as closely as possible. As Lincoln, he is hushed yet firm, open-eared to what others have to say while brilliantly wise in his own right and honest but also willing to do what needs to be done if it means the best for his country.

What Spielberg and writer Tony Kushner focus on with Lincoln is the passing of the 13th Amendment as the end of the Civil War draws near. The passing of the amendment would mean the abolition of slavery, something which many in 1865 were against. The president would need Republicans––his political party––in the House of Representatives (the key player here being Tommy Lee Jones as Thaddeus Stevens in another savory good performance) to vote in favor of the amendment while also gaining support from 20 Democrats in order for the amendment to pass. Not an easy task as it is, the president explains to his Cabinet (among them, David Strathairn as Secretary of State William Seward), in what is the best out

of many powerful scenes in the film in which Day-Lewis commands the screen, that he wants the amendment to go through before the Civil War ends.

Spielberg makes sure to never have us lose sight of the war in context to the film and the toll it has taken on the president. It especially has clawed away at Mary Todd Lincoln (Sally Field) as she mourns their son, Willie, whom they lost in the war. As she antagonizes herself for being a negative association for her husband to have, she also guilts him for not showing more sorrow over Willie’s death. The guilt-trip comes to a head when one of their other sons, college-educated Robert (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) wants to join Ulysses S. Grant (Jared Harris) and the North in the war.

We, of course, know how this part of history plays out, but with Lincoln’s death, Spielberg decides to take the subversive route. I’m still undecided as to how I feel about it and what it may or may not have done for the film as a whole, but I imagine it will have different effects on individual moviegoers. That said, I feel the most appropriate place for Lincoln to have ended was with a shot that came moments before the actual ending where the back of the president as he slowly walks away is seen through a point of view shot, as if we are in the moment getting to take in just how larger than life this individual truly is.

With a film of such magnitude, 149 minutes is to be expected. Though Lincoln can feel too weighty at times, the pace is kept up through the dialogue Kushner provides, as well as the investment we make in watching a part of American history. From the performances to the directing to the technical aspects we may often overlook that Lincoln is brilliantly made in every sense and does its significant subject matter justice.

Daniel Feingold can be reached at daniel.feingold@theminaretonline.com.

Critic’s Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Daniel Day-Lewis Brings President Lincoln to LifeBy DANIEL FEINGOLDArts + Entertainment Writer

New Film ‘A Late Quartet’ Connects Love, Music

By ALYSSA HINGREArts + Entertainment Writer

9ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT THE MINARET | NOVEMBER 15 2012

By KELLY ST. ONGEAsst. Arts + Entertainment Editor

Now that Superstorm Sandy tore through the northeast, focus has shifted to restoring the surrounding areas back to normal. Celebrities have made their presence known as they have lent their hands to those struck by the storm. Alongside them are several well-known organizations also working to raise money.

Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Chelsea Handler and Lady Gaga are just a few of the celebrities who have banded together in efforts to raise money for the victims of Sandy.

“After talking with the team, I am proud to announce that for the four NYC area shows - the Jersey show, the Brooklyn show and two [Madison Square Garden] shows, we are going to donate $1 [for every ticket sold] to Hurricane Sandy relief. Thanks for helping us. #GIVEBACK,” Bieber wrote on his Facebook page on Nov. 8.

Rihanna opened her wallet, donating $100,000 to the Food Bank for New York City, according to mtv.com. “It’s really difficult to see something so tragic going on and not be able to do anything about it,” she said. “There’s nothing you can control, it’s mother nature. It’s really sad what happened here.”

She also announced during a Facebook chat with Bravo’s Andy Cohen that she would be turning her “Unapologetic” listening party at the 40/40 Club into a benefit to help those affected by Sandy. All she asked for from those attending were donations for victims of Sandy.

“Everybody’s asked to donate blankets and bleach ... they want cleaning [supplies], brooms, sleeping bags,” she said. “And they get to listen to the album if they donate that stuff.” The pop star also donated a thousand

sleeping bags to New York Daily News’ Hurricane Sandy Relief Effort this past Saturday, Nov. 10.

Lady Gaga’s donation was possibly the most outstanding. The New York City native announced on Tuesday, Nov. 6 that she would donate $1 million to the American Red Cross to help with Sandy relief according to The Huffington Post.

She shared the donation news with victims of Sandy and her fans through her blog, LittleMonsters.com. “Today I pledge 1 million dollars to New York &

The American Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy Relief,” she said. “New York is relentless ambition, a drive to succeed, a place where there is a natural pursuit of diversity through compassion. Please accept this gift on behalf of myself, my parents Joe and Cynthia and my sister Natali; with our deepest gratitude New York for raising us. Thank you for helping me build my spirit. I will now help you rebuild yours. Sincerely, Lady Gaga and The Germanottas.”

In addition, other superstars including Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera, Aerosmith, Billy Joel, Sting and Bon Jovi collaborated and took an active part in the Coming Together telethon (hosted by NBC’s Matt Lauer) on Nov. 2, which raised $23 million.

New Jersey native Chelsea Handler announced during her show on Wednesday, Oct. 31 that she would be giving a $100,000 donation to the Red Cross for Sandy relief after John C. Reilly challenged viewers to donate.

“I think it’s good that celebrities want to give back. [But] I think sometimes we just want to throw money at the problem,” said senior public health major Casey Foster. She said that we need to remember the immediate necessities like food, water, and shelter.

Moreover, major corporations and media conglomerates have donated toward the Sandy relief efforts as well. Walt Disney Company donated $2 million to the cause, splitting the donation in parts: $1 million for immediate relief efforts to the Red Cross and $1 million for organizations

focused on rebuilding efforts, according to Business Insider. Time Warner and its divisions (Warner Bros., HBO, Turner Broadcasting System and Time Inc.) donated $1 million to Sandy relief efforts, $500,000 to the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and $500,000 to other organizations in the tri-state region.

Rupert Murdoch pledged $1 million from News Corporation according to mediabistro.com. “News Corp giving $1 million to help families in NY and NJ badly hurt by Sandy,” he tweeted. “Hope other companies will do the same.”

Crocs, Kellogg’s, StarKist and ConAgra Foods teamed up with Anderson Cooper to raise money for Sandy’s victims. Crocs donated $75,000 worth of shoes and more than $100,000 worth of supplies from bottled water to trash bags to baby items according to andersoncooper.com. Between Kellogg’s and ConAgra Foods, more than $200,000 worth of food was donated to Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief network, to help with recovery in New York. StarKist donated more than $89,000 worth of packaged and canned tuna to the Broad Channel are in Queens, NY.

Sophomore communication major Katelyn Emanuelson agreed that a continual effort should be made. “They will need continual help to rebuild their homes and their lives and their jobs and get their families put back together,” she said. “I feel like a lot of people go oh I donated this much money or I sent this and now I’m done, instead of checking to see that everyone has what they need.”

To make your own donation to the Red Cross’ recovery efforts, text “REDCROSS” to 90999.

Kelly St.Onge can be reached at kelly.st.onge@theminaretonline.com.

Celebrities, Corporations Donate to Superstorm Sandy Relief

sandra.scherer/Flickr.com

Lady Gaga donated $1 million to the American Red Cross to help with Hurricane Sandy relief.

You can hardly blame some music connoisseurs for having an aversion to the word “reunion.” After all, it tends to conjure up visions of aging rock stars performing sloppily in half-filled arenas in an attempt to earn some semblance of a check again, vainly attempting to recapture their glory days by touring behind a mediocre album at its best.

Thankfully, none of this is an issue with the sixth Soundgarden album release King Animal which provides concrete proof that the band still has the musical grit to cut it in the modern musical environment.

Although formed in 1984, it wasn’t until the early 1990s when Soundgarden musically established themselves as one of the seminal forces behind the advent of grunge. Along with Seattle contemporaries Nirvana, Alice in Chains and Pearl Jam, Soundgarden paved the way for future grunge-heads with their dirty and in-your-face aggressive style. Their popularity increased with the genre. In the coming years, the movement soared to new heights, propelling the band to a level of popularity never before seen by a grunge act. With this newfound acceptance came multiple Grammys and numerous #1 debuts on the Billboard Charts. The band was riding high when their euphoria was brought to a screeching halt in 1997. After 13 years of grandeur, Soundgarden called it quits. They would stay disbanded until their surprising reunion in 2010 (ironically 13 years later).

When the band announced that there would be a sixth Soundgarden album, expectations went through the roof. Like many bands who found fame during the explosion of

grunge, Soundgarden garnered hoards of dedicated fans. Sadly, many of these fans are still stuck in the era of ripped jeans and plaid button-ups. It is these individuals who will find King Animal to be a resounding disappointment.

King Animal doesn’t sound like a former grunge band trying to recapture old glory. Instead it’s progressive and modern. It’s Soundgarden for the 21st century.

In Spin Magazine, lead singer Chris Cornell was dead on when he described the album as “explosive.” That’s putting it lightly. King Animal should come with a warning label cautioning the audience of it’s migraine-inducing beat.

Opening track “Been Away Too Long” is a driving song

that comments on the band itself as well as indicates the heavy rock that is to come for the remainder of the album. The following tracks “Non-state Actor” and “By Crooked Steps” are also headbanging, fist-stomping metal anthems. Luckily, your ears get a much deserved rest on “Taree” and “Bones of Birds” which lower the aggressive energy level down a notch and proceed on a mellower path.

The band takes a trip back in time with the song “A Thousand Days Before,” a trippy and psychedelic tribute to the classic rock of the 1970s. With distorted guitar riffs and groovy bass lines, this one would makes Led Zeppelin grin ear to ear with amusement.

There’s another break in the aggression with “Black Saturday,” an acoustic number that sounds like both Alice and Chains and Led Zeppelin.

There’s a lot to like about King Animal. It somehow manages to capture the creativity and energy of a band that was in their prime nearly two decades ago. That’s pretty admirable for a band whose members are hovering around 50 years old. Heck, Cornell may not be able to hit those screaming high notes like he could in the early 90s but everything else remains intact. Soundgarden has managed to pick up exactly where they left off without sacrificing an ounce of creativity. It’s an honorable achievement and one that needs to be heard to be believed.

Eric Duffert can be reached at eduffert@aol.com.

Critic’s Rating:4 out of 5 stars

Soundgarden’s Album ‘King Animal’: A Welcome Return for One of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s Most Enduring ActsBy ERIC DUFFERTArts + Entertainment

10 NOVEMBER 15 2012 | THE MINARET ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

By AMANDA SIERADZKIArts + Entertainment Writer

It’s no secret that UT’s very own radio station, WUTT, has vamped up its programming. What remains unknown, however, is a secret vault of sorts buried deep within the WUTT studios. I have been in the booth on many occasions assisting and listening to one of WUTT’s shows, the Hump-day Heroes. Many listeners don’t realize that a treasure trove of abandoned vinyls and advanced copy CDs grace the decrepit shelves behind the DJs’ seats.

Without knowing the whose hands last touched these dusty disks, I decided it was time to uncover the hidden gems or garbage beneath. I found myself with armfuls of CDs whose covers intrigued me. It was as if I had opened a time capsule and let all the bad 90s rock, obscure poetesses and no-hit-wonders tumble out. After sorting through each shelf labeled ambiguously “Metal,” “Reggae,” “Rock,” “Pop” and even “International,” I knew I couldn’t keep all this untouched music to myself.

I have decided to share with you all one out of the many albums that I found that fateful night. It is the holy grail of the unheard of. I give you: Pretzel Sex.

Before you get too weirded out, let me explain what this CD looks like and why I couldn’t let it continue living its obscure existence.

Atop a purple background, Buzz Poets is blocked out in blue letters. This band is comprised of five men, much like the Backstreet Boys or N’Sync. Judging by the quality of the artwork (computerized images that are stretched and horrifically resemble a four-year-old’s best attempt at Microsoft Paint), I would say this CD fits right into the dot-com era of the world wide web. You’ve got it: we’ve been transported to and might even party like it’s 1999.

Pretzel Sex opens with an introduction named “Jazziz.” The intro sums majority of the next forty minutes of my listening

experience: “This is probably the most challenging record you have ever put on your turntable/I’m sure there is going to be more than one unpleasant surprise before we’re done.” After the automated voice, it spirals out into a strange mix of hip hop beats and audio feedback.

The Buzz Poets then launch right into the second song, “Rollercoaster Ride.” Again, a very telling title, though terribly cliché. It first sounds like some sort of house music and rapping vocals are so buried underneath beeping, booping and drums that it’s hard to tell what they’re saying. Then, out of nowhere, a metal guitar comes raging in for what I presumed was the bridge and chorus.

The voices stop rapping and begins warbling and singing in screamo fashion. I’m not really sure what’s going on even when I check the lyrics in the book: “We polar bears/we be swinging from the vine jump right up/hi Yogi Bear/comin’ over there for la la Satan ridin’ on a white horse/the source of remorse is the coke horse of course.” It’s like Lewis Carroll, except not at all clever, and the stoner-ness is completely forced.

I’m chomping at the bit for the next song, “Barbie Q,” which I can only hope will continue this nonsensical journey into undefined genre. What I find instead is a Smash Mouth-y rock song instead of weirdo rap. In fact, it’s a parody of the Beach Boys’ “Barbara Ann.” It’s about a girl called Betty Sue who is instructed to burn her barbies in a giant barbecue. Excellent.

Now that I’m sufficiently confused, I can’t help but keep listening. The giant genre leaps are simultaneously befuddling, terrible and mesmerizing. I am not disappointed when “Clone” comes on next, mimicking smooth jazz and R&B. Clearly, this is an album for the schizophrenic in all of us. The lyrics actually surprise me with their almost talent: “Egotistical magical mystical typical prison filled with jissom so I scream but I can’t get you to listen to me beautiful freak with the titillating tongue you got bitten by the love bug.” I look up

jissom out of curiosity and regret doing so almost immediately. If you’re wondering, it’s exactly what it sounds like.

I skip through “Twisted” (a happy-go-lucky song about love that keeps an upbeat, ska sensibility) and “China on a Sunday” (another upbeat rock song about a girl named China who sleeps and runs all Sunday. There’s also an “asian waterfall” which I won’t even comment on after being scarred by jissom). Finally, I get to the title song, “Pretzel Sex.”

Their title track is straight up heavy rock with clanging guitars and explicit lyrics. Perfect for the perverted fans I assume would salivate at Buzz Poets’ mis-mastery of words. It comes complete with moaning girls and a sped-up breakdown at the end, constantly repeating that they will “twist her like a pretzel/teach her how to wrestle.”

Following that sorry excuse for music is “Copenhagen Girl” in which the Buzz Poets express their yearning for a

girl who chews tobacco. “Milkyway” is unintelligible for the most part, “One More Dance” is a 70s disco and reggae festival all in one, and “Candy Raindrops” is a random piano ballad that would make an emo girl’s diary laugh. Strangely enough, “Hello” is actually the goodbye song on the album, ending this ear-opening listening sesh.

Journeying into the enigma of a college radio library has opened a can of worms. If this is what the vault hath

produced, who knows what else lies silent within this stack of albums I’ve discovered. Could anything top this 90s disaster of random word association and genre-bending noise? Buzz Poets, you may not have lived to see any MTV fame, but you have certainly opened a door to the unknown. Remember to protect yourself. Don’t indulge your iTunes in any Pretzel Sex.

Amanda Sieradzki can be reached at asieradzki@spartans.ut.edu.

Out of the WUTT Vault: Buzz Poets’ ‘Pretzel Sex’One Writer’s Quest to Discover Musical Obscurities

Many people tend to focus on two things when it comes to food: how healthy it is and how fast it is prepared. Gogos Greek Grill does a great job in combining these factors together. Although Greek food is generally healthy, this place uses only the freshest ingredients with no additives, hormones or preservatives. Not to mention, the food is delicious. Who says that eating on the go can’t be healthy? If your stomach is growling and you’re in a hurry, I recommend you skip the Big Mac and try this place out, especially if you’re a fan of Greek food.

Gogos Greek Grill, located on 4616 West Kennedy Blvd. in Tampa, is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. It all began with three childhood friends who had a vision of owning a Greek restaurant together. The place was named after their Uncle Gogos, whose grill they learned to cook on. This later lead to the development of their passion.

“I’ve been working here since February 2009 and have been enjoying every minute of it,” said Bridget, one of the owner’s wife. “It’s nice to work with family. Our most popular item on the menu would have

to be the gyro and pita.”When it comes to Gogos Greek Grill,

the customer is in charge of the meal. First, you choose your pita (plain or whole wheat), wrap or salad. There’s also a low carb bowl option for those who are carb-conscious. Next, you choose your meat. You can get chicken, steak, pork or a gyro (a combination of beef and lamb). There’s a vegetarian option available, as well. The next step is to get the toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, you name it. Lastly, you choose your preferred sauce which includes tzatziki, Greek vinaigrette, ranch and more. The menu also includes side items and

desserts. The best part about Gogos is that it’s quite affordable. The meal prices begin at $5.95.

The first thing that stuck out to me about Gogos was the bright orange and black umbrellas in front of the restaurant. Customers can either dine inside or outside. Upon entering Gogos Greek Grill, I noticed how trendy it was with its swanky tables and chairs. Don’t even worry about being disconnected, because they have a TV and offer free Wi-Fi. Gogos is definitely the place to hang out with friends.

Also, their ordering setup is similar to Chipotle in that it is an assembly line. The

workers were very timely, and every single one of them had a smile on their face. I ordered the whole wheat pita with chicken and topped it with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and the spicy tzatziki sauce. The meal came to be $6.37 in total.

The concoction itself, which was wrapped in tin foil, was pretty big. After taking the first bite, I had the urge to yell out, “Opa!” The chicken was definitely the main attraction here. The juicy chunks of meat were full of different flavors, and the veggies tasted extremely fresh. Even the whole wheat pita was flavorful, given that many wraps tend to taste pretty bland. It was soft and chewy, just how I like my pitas. The spicy tzatziki sauce complimented it all very well. It wasn’t as spicy as I expected, however, it was still delicious and they were sure not to add in too much. With that being said, I enjoyed every bite of it and will definitely be paying Gogos Greek Grill another visit soon.

Madison Irwin can be reached at xoxomaddie2@aim.com.

Critic’s Rating4 out of 5 stars

By MADISON IRWINArts + Entertainment Writer

Go to Gogos Greek Grill for Some Fresh Mediterranean Food

Samantha Battersby/The Minaret

WUTT Radio has an impressive collection of vinyls and CDs. Writer Amanda Sieradzki stumbled upon the collection and began a hunt to find some of the best and worst artists of the music world.

Samantha Battersby/The Minaret

Customers stand in line at Gogos Greek Grill (4616 West Kennedy Blvd. in Tampa) as they wait to devour their flavorful pitas filled with gyro and tzatziki sauce.

11THE MINARET | NOVEMBER 15 2012

Puerto Rico May Become 51st State of the United StatesOpinion

The elections on Nov. 6 that re-elected President Barack Obama also brought about the controversial vote to make the U.S. territory island of Puerto Rico the 51st state of the United States. The U.S. presidential election was not the only election taking place that day. A thousand miles away in the Caribbean, Puerto Ricans were also casting their ballots for their governor, and, amongst other things, were voting for the non-binding referendum that would determine Puerto Rico’s relationship with the U.S. According to The Almanac of American Politics, Puerto Rico was approved to be a Free Associated State in a referendum in 1952, which makes the country “a part of the United States for purposes of international trade, foreign policy and war, but has its own laws, taxes and representative government.” The territory inquiry on the ballots had two parts, according to ABC News. The first part asked voters if they favored their current status as a U.S. territory. From there, a second question was available that gave three options: statehood, sovereign free association (different from the current status; more autonomy from the U.S.) or independence. Tuesday night’s results showed that on the second question, 61 percent voted for Puerto Rico to obtain statehood and only 33 percent voted for sovereign free association. As a Puerto Rican, I was astounded and upset by this result. Though the results of the vote did show that statehood was favored, it was not a true representation of the desires of the Puerto Rican citizens as a whole. There are 4.2 million people in Puerto Rico. Of 1,311,727 ballots cast for the second question, 468,478 of those were blank ballots, according to the Puerto Rico Electoral Commission. As a result, the vote for statehood was inflated from 45 percent to 61 percent, casting the misinformation that the majority of the Puerto Rican population wants to become a state. Thus, the validity of the referendum needs to be questioned and taken into account.

The idea of Puerto Rico gaining statehood has been historically rejected three times in the last 45 years by the majority of the Puerto Rican population. Just because the majority of the voters in this election selected Puerto Rico to become a state, does not necessarily mean that it will happen. Many steps need to be taken in order for this to be possible. President Obama has said that he will respect the will of the Puerto Ricans if there is a clear majority in favor in statehood, according to BBC. However, Congress ultimately has the power to admit new states into the union once a bill has been proposed, though it must be signed by the

president for it to actually go into effect. There is also the fact that the former Puerto Rican governor Luis Fortuño, who is part of the New Progressive Party (PNP) that has Republican ties and favors statehood, was voted out. He was succeeded by Alejandro Garcia Padilla who is part of the Democratic Popular Party who wants to remain a commonwealth. Therefore, it is unlikely that this referendum will go through.

The benefits and disadvantages of the United States accepting Puerto Rico as a state also have to be discussed. Yes, the U.S. would gain more revenue from federal and corporate taxes which Puerto Ricans currently do not pay. However, the U.S. has much to lose by having Puerto Rico become a state. Puerto Rico has a higher population than some states which would put certain states at risk of losing congressional seats. It has been debated by various news sources that Puerto Rico could take congressional seats from Texas and California if it gained statehood. Puerto Rico is also a relatively poor country in terms of the fact that 45 percent of the population receives federal aid from the Puerto Rican government, according to the Puerto Rican newspaper El Nuevo Día. Puerto Rico’s main language is Spanish. Since 1993, English is mandatory in all schools, but is rarely taught for more than 50 minutes per day, according to an Orlando Sentinel article. In addition, a 2008 U.S. census reported that 2.8 million Puerto Ricans do not consider themselves fluent in English. Having a state with a majority of its people speaking mostly Spanish would be an inconvenience for the U.S. The research paper “A Spanish First 51st State? Puerto Rico Draws Closer,” from U.S. English Inc. discusses the issues of having a state that primarily speaks Spanish. “Puerto Rico’s legislative and judicial proceedings are conducted entirely in Spanish with English translations available only upon request. In policy and practice, Puerto Rico treats English the way the 50 states treat Italian and German: as a foreign language. No other

state in the Union treats English as a second language, much less as a foreign language, and Puerto Rico should not be the exception.”

I am against my country becoming a state for many reasons. As Puerto Rico is now, a U.S. territory, it has the best of both worlds. Puerto Ricans are American citizens by birth-right and

do not have to suffer through the process of obtaining a visa to enter, live or work in the U.S. This also means they receive social security and Medicare. The U.S. provides funding for constructing roads and buildings in Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans are under the protection of the U.S. military, they use the U.S. currency and do not pay federal taxes. However, these benefits were not given to them for free, but were part of the negotiations in the commonwealth agreement. For these services, they have to contribute to social security and Medicare, participate in the U.S. military (where Puerto Rican soldiers have fought in WWII, Korea, Vietnam as well as the current wars) and are obligated to carry imported goods on ships under the U.S. flag.

I have often been told that we Puerto Ricans are “moochers” or “leeches” that are using the U.S. for its money and power by moving to the U.S. in large numbers (Indeed, there is an estimated 4.2 million Puerto Ricans living in the U.S. compared to the 3.7 million that reside

in the country, according to the CIA World Factbook). I’d like to remind those people that we did not ask to be invaded by the U.S. We actually had no say in the matter. We were merely passed from Spanish hands to American ones in 1898 after 400 years under Spanish rule. This colonization of the U.S. was mainly

for military purposes. Puerto Rico was in a prime location for the U.S. to build a military base and protect their interests in South America and the Caribbean. Since then, times have changed. We have grown as a nation, made negotiations with the U.S. in 1952 and now have rights and obligations as a commonwealth.

Along with all of these benefits of being a commonwealth, Puerto Rico has its own identity. We have our own autonomy of sports where we participate as a nation, apart from the U.S., and even participate in the Olympics. Just this summer, 400 meter hurdles runner Javier Culson won the bronze medal in the London 2012 Olympics, competing against top athletes like Dominican Felix Sanchez (first), American Michael Tinsley (second) and beating British favorite David Greene (fourth.) This proud victory for Puerto Rico would not have been accomplished if we were a state. Even Culson himself tweeted his opinion on the possibility of statehood saying, “I don’t want my one star [the Puerto Rican flag only has one star] to be lost amongst 50 more. I want to keep carrying Puerto Rico on

my chest and keep putting my flag on high.”Likewise, the Puerto Rican basketball

team, multiple-world-title boxer Tito Trinidad and many other athletes and sports teams give Puerto Rico recognition. Such recognition would be taken away if we were not allowed to be represented as our own country and entity. Five Miss Universe winners have also been Puerto Rican, and though this might not seem important to many, it makes me proud to see my country be acknowledged worldwide. This fear of losing Puerto Rico’s social and cultural recognition is part of the main issues that have kept the suggestion of statehood such a controversial conversation.

I want to keep my identity and be represented globally. Puerto Rico is a country of culture and has many proud distinctions. Although an American citizen, I am always and will forever be Puerto Rican first.

Paola Crespo can be reached at paola.crespo@theminaretonline.com

By PAOLA CRESPOOpinion Editor

Top: Monnitewars/Photobucket.com Bottom: erjkprunczýk/Flickr.com,

If Puerto Rico gains statehood an extra star will need to be added to the US flag. Top: proposed flag with 51 stars.

The campaigning for Illinois’ 8th Con-gressional district’s House seat began early, with signs for Joe Walsh and Tammy Duck-worth popping up in yards around last Sep-tember. The race was ugly, (and, I admit, kind of entertaining) with rampant mudslinging from both sides. As a resident of this particu-lar district, I can say that I am relieved for the race to be over, with Walsh no longer in office.

With recent re-districting, Walsh, Re-publican incumbent and member of the Tea Party, isn’t even a resident of the 8th district, and while he insists that Illi-nois’ Democratic-majority state govern-ment gerrymandered in favor of his com-petitor, Democrat Duckworth, it’s also not the only reason Walsh lost this election.

Duckworth is Illinois’ 8th District’s first Asian-American Representative, as well as

an Indonesian-speaking, double-amputee war veteran of the Iraqi War and one of 20 women set to take office in the House next term—a new record for this country. She had her fair share of campaign blunders—for instance, refusing to stop running an ad pegging Walsh as a deadbeat dad, based on news reports on his ex-wife’s lawsuit that has since been settled, says thedailybeast.com. Against the urging from Walsh’s three chil-dren, Duckworth continued to run the ad.

Walsh is an white, 50-year-old man who is an active member of the Tea Party. He was elected during the Tea Party Caucus-es in 2010 and has received national atten-tion for his comments about abortions never being “medically necessary” because “with modern technology and science” there is no reason for the life or health of the mother to be in danger. Walsh also yelled in the face of a female constituent at a town hall meeting just over a year ago, as witnessed in a vid-

eo of the event that has been widely distrib-uted on the web. Walsh has been quoted by the Media Research Center as saying that the media will do whatever it takes to pro-tect President Obama because he’s black, and insinuated that Obama was only elected be-cause he was “an articulate black man” and “liberal guilt,” according to mediaite.com.

If his behavior and comments haven’t been enough to scare my district away from voting Republican this year, Duckworth has far more powerful people in her corner than Walsh. With David Axelrod, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Senator Dick Durbin backing her campaign, even Walsh admits to thedai-lybeast.com, “It must be easy to raise mon-ey when you’re running against me. To com-bat that, I’ve had to campaign my tush off.”

Walsh insists that Duckworth feels she is entitled to the House seat, says thedaily-beast.com. He claims that the heavyweights backing her campaign have been doing

all of her campaigning for her, and she has been hiding behind her disabilities and vet-eran status to get people of the 8th district to vote for her, despite her appearances at var-ious community functions, such as the Pala-tine High School craft fair earlier this month.

As a resident of this district, I am glad to see Walsh out of office. This election has been a major step forward for this country, ushering in a record number of women into Congress, as well as the first openly gay sena-tor and the first openly pansexual representa-tive. Duckworth earned her spot in 2012, de-spite running in a tough primary race against Raja Krishamoorthi and combating the dif-ficulties that come along with being a dou-ble amputee. I have a lot of a respect for her, and I know she will serve my home district honorably. I am proud to have a woman like her representing me in Washington this year.

Samantha Bloom can be reached at samantha.bloom@spartans.ut.edu

Tammy Baldwin Becomes First Openly Gay Senator By SAMANTHA BLOOMOpinion Writer

By ALEX CARABALLOOpinion Columnist

The Republican Party ought to be scared, if not completely terrified at what this most recent presidential election signified. The 2012 election marked the official end of the southern strategy and its viability in presidential politics. More simply put, the Republican campaign strategy of appealing to old white voters no longer works as that demographic narrows in terms of electoral influence.

The southern strategy was a political strategy that aimed to influence working class whites in the south to flip from being the “solid south,” in reference to the Democratic Party’s dominance in southern politics, into reliable Republican votes. This strategy relied on utilizing racial animosity still rampant in the south. It was initiated by Barry Goldwater in 1964 and was first successfully used by Richard Nixon in the 1968 election when he won his presidential bid.

Democrats passed the Voting Rights Act in 1964 which outlawed discriminatory voting practices that had been responsible for the widespread subjugation of African Americans in the U.S. According to a Boston Globe article, President Johnson eloquently told an aide as he signed the bill, “We have lost the South for a generation.” Johnson predicted correctly that the solid Democratic South would be taken over by Republicans for at least a generation. Disaffected whites in the south who were against integration efforts led by Democrats became potential voters for Republicans.

Former Republican Party Chairman, the late Lee Atwater, summed up the southern strategy in an interview for the book “The Two Party South,” “As to the whole

southern strategy that Harry S. Dent, Sr. and others put together in 1968, opposition to the Voting Rights Act would have been a central part of keeping the South.”

Atwater went on to state a more frank and offensive admission of the racist nature of the southern strategy, “You start out in 1954 by saying, ‘N-----, n-----, n-----.’ By 1968 you can’t say ‘n-----’ — that hurts you, backfires. So you say stuff like forced busing, states’ rights and all that stuff. You’re getting so abstract now [that] you’re talking about cutting taxes, and all these things you’re talking about are totally

economic things and a byproduct of them is [that] blacks get hurt worse than whites.”

The southern strategy became the dominant tactic in Republican electoral politics for a generation. The strategy worked. Republican presidential candidates won seven out of 10 presidential elections between 1968 and 2008.

Barack Obama’s win in 2008 began to show the cracks in the Republican “solid south.” Once-considered southern Conservative states, Virginia, North Carolina and Florida all went solidly towards Obama. Other southern states moved towards being potentially competitive such as Georgia which was won by McCain by only 5.2 percent points, according to Georgia election officials.

The 2008 election came early in respect to the official end of the southern strategy. However, it gave a glimpse towards future weakening Republican electoral prospects

if the party didn’t begin to appeal towards a broader demographic base.

President Obama’s re-election signaled the beginning of a new, more diverse era in politics. The CNN exit polls showed the winning coalition for President Obama consisted of winning every demographic group except voters over 45, whites and men. The gender gap is now at historic levels with 55

percent of women and 45 percent of men voting

for Obama. Romney attracted 45 percent of women and 52 percent of men. Whites backed Romney by a substantial margin with 59 percent of whites voting for him and 39 percent voting for President Obama.

Hispanics, however, voted for the president by a 71 percent margin. According to the census, Hispanics are

the fastest growing demographic group in the country and whichever political party carries their favor will become the dominant party.

In 2012, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Census Bureau had, for the first time in American history, stated births of minority children was higher than births of children of white descent. “Among the roughly four million children born in the U.S. between July 2010 and July 2011, 50.4 percent belonged to a racial or ethnic group that in previous generations would have classified them as minorities, up from 48.6 percent in the same period two years earlier.”

The United States is on track to becoming a majority-minority country by mid-century, meaning that white Americans will eventually become a plurality rather than being a majority. Republicans will no longer be able to run on a strategy of winning only the white vote. Republican Senator Lindsay Graham (R-SC) described the Republicans’ problem in a Washington Post article, “We’re not generating enough angry white guys to stay in business for the long term.”

It’s comforting to see such a vile political strategy go the way of the dinosaur. We should be celebrating diversity instead of exploiting xenophobia and racial animosity for electoral gain. Indeed, the future electorate in America will only continue to grow more diverse. The intransigence of Republicans to broaden their appeal to other demographics is damning their party to electoral irrelevance.

Alex Caraballo can be reached at alex.caraballo@spartans.ut.edu

2012 Election Marks End of Republican Party’s Southern Strategy

12 NOVEMBER 15 2012 | THE MINARET OPINION

DonkeyHotey/Flickr.comThe southern strategy aimed at working class whites in the south.

Recently, I wrote an article about a man who I thought was bound by honor, integrity and love. This man is the former Director of the CIA, David H. Petraeus. A former four-star Army general, Petraeus graduated from one of the nation’s four military academies, West Point, a school founded on duty, honor and our country. He led an integrity-based lifestyle during his nearly 38-year-marriage and military career. He walked in exact synchronization with the values of the United States Army, a fighting force that stresses honor.

What’s more, Petraeus appeared to be the perfect product of the military: a true warrior, who drew as much on his powerful intellect as he did on his legendary physical presence and courage. He produced his own legend by hard work, unquestionable results and shrewd professional decisions.

Unfortunately, his perfectly constructed reputation and the associated prestige came tumbling down when the news broke several days ago that he betrayed his wife and his children by engaging in what he described as an “extramarital affair,” according to www.kfor1240.com.

Furthermore, it was revealed that the mistress was none other than Paula Broadwell, another married West Point graduate with two children. Broadwell wrote Petraeus’s first biography, “All In,” and was in the works on a second novel focusing on the Iraq War.

To add to the scandalous affair discovered by the FBI and brought to light due to the security risks

associated with such a matter involving the Director of the CIA, Broadwell is over 20 years Petraeus’s junior.

Such information is extremely unsettling, as Petraeus is the most notable military officer of his generation and the new century, a true war hero with a broad and balanced personality and background.

On the one hand, he was a graduate of the Army’s physically-demanding Ranger School, had earned his master parachutist’s badge (which requires approximately one zillion free-fall jumps from perfectly good aircraft) and could keep pace with just about any marathon runner. The list of his physical accomplishments is long and mind-boggling.

Balanced against this is his reputation for intellectual brilliance. Early in his career, he graduated from Princeton with master’s and doctorate degrees in international relations, and he was the driving force in the Army’s movement toward applying intellectual energy against kinetic problems.

In short, General Petraeus was the complete officer, able to outrun speeding locomotives while, at the same time, out-thinking probably every contemporary leader and academic in our nation.

In orbit around all of these stray facts is the additional fact that Petraeus is a good man, kind and considerate of others, and absolutely driven to safeguard our nation. During Petraeus’s time as the Commander of the 101st Airborne Division, my father was his top legal advisor and spent countless hours with General Petraeus.

When the news broke, my dad

was utterly surprised and relatively upset. He informed me of how truly helpful and personable Holly Petraeus is to everyone she encounters and how he would never in a million years have guessed that Petraeus would have risked everything for this.

He also thought back on the man he knows and could not reconcile these acts with that very good man. After searching for words to explain how this could happen, my dad simply reminded me, “Even very good men sometimes make very big mistakes, just like the rest of us. We just seem to take greater note of it when the mistakes originate from those of such obvious greatness.”

I myself had the opportunity through visiting my father at work on Fort Campbell, Ky, to meet General Petraeus multiple times. He was always incredibly kind to me, even giving me one of his extremely rare “Commanding General Coins,” bestowed only to those below him that distinguish themselves because of their professional excellence (and apparently also to 10 year old boys).

America is undoubtedly becoming increasingly immoral while simultaneously becoming increasingly absolute in the attitude of her population. Recent years have revealed multiple high level government officials caught in sexual scandals. Notables include Newt Gingrich, Bill Clinton, dozens of

Congressmen and most recently Petraeus. However, I have reminded myself

that not all men who make similar mistakes are sewn from the same human

fabric. I pray that we do not simply cast this man, who has given so much to his nation, aside for this error in judgment.

I similarly hope that he and his wife can find a future together and that their private efforts to save their family succeed (I harbor the same prayer for the Broadwells).

I also remind myself that there really are no absolutes: no steel so strong it cannot bend, no river so wide it cannot be crossed, no man so perfect that he cannot falter and hopefully, no relationship so injured that it cannot be mended.

Richard J Whitaker can be reached at richard.whitaker@spartans.ut.edu

Former CIA Director Petraeus Admits to Cheating on His WifeBy RICHARD J WHITAKEROpinion Columnist

hectorir/Flickr.comAlthough Petraeus has made a mistake, he is still an honorable person.

OPINION 13THE MINARET | NOVEMBER 15 2012

Recreational Marijuana Legalized in Colorado and WashingtonBy NATALIE HICKSArts + Entertainment Editor

Due to the results of the elections on Nov. 6, 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize recreational marijuana use. Also, Massachusetts voted to legalize medicinal marijuana use, making it the 18th state to do so.

However, Colorado and Washington’s laws may not go into effect because they violate federal laws. The Justice Department has not disclosed how they will handle these juxtaposing laws. It seems as though the federal courts have yet to catch up with the demands of the general American public.

It’s not that Americans have become more “liberal,” per se. While many people certainly support the legalization of marijuana (cough, cough Roseanne Barr), others are simply indifferent toward the topic. Whether or not other people decide to smoke marijuana does not immediately affect them.

“I don’t really care if other people want to smoke, because it doesn’t affect me directly,” said Student Government President Matt Rutkovitz, “but I think legalizing marijuana would be good for the economy.”

According to the Center for Disease Control, there have been roughly 26 deaths in the U.S. caused by marijuana between the years of 1999 and 2007. The deaths were caused by other drugs found in their system during the autopsies, or they suffocated on their own vomit. Marijuana is nontoxic and therefore does not have the ability to cause death by overdose like other

drugs do. Research by the National Institute on Drug Abuse has shown that marijuana only temporarily affects memory and learning capabilities. It does not damage the lungs like tobacco.

There are other drug addicts out there that are blowing up meth labs. The feds should be focusing more on them, because their meth labs are more capable of killing innocent bystanders. It’s sad that people are being sent to prison for selling marijuana. That’s such a petty crime and I don’t want to be wasting my tax dollars on supporting them during their time in prison when they didn’t actually inflict harm upon others.

People argue, “But it’s the law. You can’t smoke weed.” Well, the law needs to change. How about the federal courts legalize marijuana on the national level then tax it properly like it is done with alcohol and tobacco?

This would also help stimulate our economy. Opening marijuana shops would provide jobs and just think of all the people that would purchase the marijuana. This would add an additional flow of money to the economy, opening up a whole new industry with numerous possibilities. Not to mention, the potheads would be forever grateful. It’s a win-win situation.

“If weed were to be taxed and regulated, then that would keep people from smoking that shouldn’t be smoking anyway” said a student

requesting anonymity. “For the rest of us, we can keep doing what

we’re doing without feeling guilty.”However, if the federal government

were to legalize marijuana across the board, certain laws should come into play for safety purposes. Purchasing marijuana should be restricted just as alcohol and marijuana are. This way, it is still regulated and more difficult for minors to get their hands on weed.

For the record, I do not smoke pot. But the glorious thing about America is that citizens have the freedom to make their own choices. If others choose to light up a joint when they are hanging out with their friends on the weekend, they should be able to do just that.

“I smoke weed every single day, and I don’t feel like I’m doing anything wrong,” the anonymous student said. “I’m putting myself at risk to be

arrested, but I’m not a criminal, you know? I haven’t killed anyone, and

I’ve never raped anyone.”America is currently

in the midst of some major social changes and last week’s election only confirmed that. Two states legalized recreational marijuana, three states legalized gay marriage, the Senate got its first gay and Asian-American senators and Congress got its first openly bisexual congressperson as well as a first Hindu congressperson.

The fact that Washington and Colorado legalized recreational marijuana will begin a trend. I would not

be surprised if states like Oregon and California also legalize recreational marijuana in the near future.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28 people die every day as a result of drunk driving car accidents. Also, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 443, 000 people die prematurely every year from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke. Smoking marijuana does not have very harmful effects, so why is it compared to much more detrimental substances like alcohol and tobacco? It’s about time marijuana is seen as an economic possibility and not a crime. It’s not immoral, it’s smart business.

Natalie Hicks can be reached at natalie.hicks@theminaretonline.com

cargimmett/Flickr.comTaxing marijuana would be a benefit to the United States’ economy.

Minaret Open House Ads_Layout 1 10/4/12 2:53 PM Page 4

Voting in Florida didn’t make a difference in Presidential ElectionBy LAUREN RICHEyOpinion Writer

Florida’s 29 electoral votes were finally given to President Barack Obama last Saturday, Nov. 10, after a four-day long count following election night. The delay has left many Floridians slightly embarrassed, as the rest of the country wonders what took us so long to count the votes. There has to be something seriously flawed with the Sunshine State’s voting system for this kind of delay to keep happening, as this happened before in the 2000 election. Plus, it turns out that however detained our presidential results were, in the end it didn’t even matter. As soon as Obama won Ohio, the election was over and nobody seemed to care about the great swing state of Florida anymore. All of a sudden we went from being a crucial part of the nation’s decision, to having an outcome that was totally insignificant.

So what exactly is it about Florida legislature that causes such a delay in each election? According to Huffington Post Miami, Florida legislators cut back the number of early voting days from 14 to eight, ensuring that there would be more time-consuming provisional ballots to tally on Nov. 6. The ballots were much longer than in previous elections, causing the talliers to take even more time verifying each one. There was also the issue with provisional ballots. Florida law states that people who can’t provide adequate identification or who have problems proving their home address or registration are required to use a provisional ballot that election officials have to specifically check to prove eligibility. Each of these issues presented an extremely long and drawn out process to the unfortunate people having to count every ballot.

Florida doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to election night. The 2000 presidential election between George W. Bush

and Al Gore had an incredible recount dispute that eventually led to a Supreme Court case. The eventual outcome was not known for more than a month after balloting because of the extended process of counting and then recounting. As a result, a few reforms were made to Florida’s electoral system and they seemed to have their act together in the 2008 election. Now, Florida is once again notorious for having slip ups throughout the election process. It took five days to reveal which presidential candidate won Florida. A few more reforms are obviously still needed throughout the state of Florida to improve this issue.

What really bothers me is the fact that our decision didn’t even matter. Florida has historically been a swing-state in presidential elections, meaning its electoral votes could go to either party and therefore are vital for close races. Toward the end of both Romney and Obama’s campaigns, over $60 million were spent in the month of October alone by each candidate, according to a graph by The New York Times. Many of these final campaign stops were in fact in Florida when we still had some electoral pull. That means that a good portion of those millions of dollars were spent just campaigning here. Was all of that money a waste? I have been plagued these past few months with annoying Youtube ads of Michelle Obama telling us how important Florida is, as well as the incessant banners on pretty much every website telling us to “Vote Today!” and “Your Vote Matters!” Well, it turns out that it really didn’t.

America’s democratic system of voting has successfully given the people a voice

since it was first instituted in the early 1800s. I should be proud, especially as a woman, that I live in such a wonderful democracy that doesn’t suppress any of my inalienable rights, and I am. Yet every system has its flaws.

The media places so much focus on these all-important swing states that leave out much of the U.S. not considered in the spotlight. For example, many people in the state of Hawaii don’t even bother to vote anymore because of the inevitable one-party status and the lack of recognition from the rest of the nation, according to CNN. I know that this is how politics work, but I can’t escape the slightly helpless feeling I get while watching the election results unfold on TV. The statistics and

projections are all presented in detail, and a panel of knowledgeable political commentators tell us what we should expect. I only wish the other states could be placed in such a high standard as the few states that get all of the coverage.

Florida will probably remain a swing-state for many elections to come, and even if our outcome didn’t really determine the election this year, we might have our chance next election. Until then, important heads need to come together somewhere and figure out this voting situation once and for all.

Lauren Richey can be reached at lauren.richey@spartans.ut.edu

14 NOVEMBER 15 2012 | THE MINARET OPINION

A child was mauled at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium by “painted” African wild dogs on Sunday Nov. 4. According to CBS News, Maddock Derkosh, 2, fell into the enclosure after being placed on a wooden railing at the edge of the viewing dock by his mother in order to better see the animals. He first landed on the netting below the deck but bounced several times before dropping more than 11 feet into the dog’s enclosure, officials told NBC. According to USA Today, Lt. Kevin Kraus of the Pittsburgh police said, “Almost immediately after [his mother putting him on the railing of the viewing deck] he lost his balance, fell down off the railing and into the pit and he was attacked by 11 dogs.” Zookeepers attempted to call off the dogs. Seven of them immediately went to a back building as they were trained to do, and three more were drawn away from the child, but the last dog was aggressive and had to be shot by the police.

The current debate is over who is at fault. Some people say that the zoo could have prevented the incident, and others blame the mother for improper parenting. I believe that the zoo is not at fault, but neither is the mother, despite the large impact her actions had on the incident. The zoo had multiple security measures in place to prevent these kinds of incidents from occurring, such as slanting the wide railing and netting below the viewing deck and could not have done anything more without changing the dynamics of the exhibit. It had even been accredited the gold standard for zoos by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums in September for meeting or exceeding all safety standards for animals and visitors,

according to NBC.The president of the Pittsburgh Zoo,

Barbara Baker, described the boy’s death as a “horrible, horrible tragedy,” according to the Chicago Tribune, and said, “There’s no such thing as a fail-proof exhibit.” Doug Warmolts, Director of Animal Care at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, stated in an interview with NBC that the ultimate goal of balancing a safe but authentic experience at a zoo is to protect the animals and the visitors. According to Warmolts, “Short of putting everything behind glass and solid barriers, it’s hard to make everything absolutely safe.” He also explained that exhibits at accredited zoos are designed by architecture, engineering and design firms that understand zoo animals’ behavior and how to properly care and set standards for them in a zoo setting. “People’s expectations when they come to a zoo or aquarium are to have a meaningful experience where they have that connection with the animals, and it’s hard to do that if they’re looking through a chain-link fence,” Warmolts told NBC.

What happened is terrible, but I feel that it would not have occurred if Mrs. Derkosh had not placed her son on the railing, which is something that the zoo officials could not have prevented. Warmolts said that even with safety measures enforced, the zoo industry is constantly dealing with “human error” by its visitors. According to NBC, he said, “What happened is very rare, what’s more common is people exhibiting inappropriate behavior. It’s just unfortunate.” Baker said zoo officials “discourage” parents from setting their children on the wide, wooden railing, and according to the Chicago Tribune, the railing is sloped towards the viewing platform at a 45-degree angle so a child placed there would be more likely to fall backward into a parent’s arms instead

of forward into the exhibit.The Chicago Tribune reported

mourners left teddy bears and other items outside the zoo and that nearly a thousand people responded to a condolence message posted on the zoo’s Facebook page, either passionately condemning the boy’s mother or calling for empathy and consideration. According to the Chicago Tribune, more than a few parents acknowledged lifting their children onto the rail too.

Sasha Brown-Worsham, writing for cafemom.com, feels that the death of Derkosh should make people question zoos. Brown-Worsham wrote, “A woman trying to “give her child a better view” should not have been able to drop him into the exhibit.” However, she also writes, “The last dog -- a species considered endangered -- was shot because of this incident. It’s not really the dog’s fault. He was not a domesticated dog. He was a wild African beast who should probably be roaming in his native land, not on display for a toddler to be eaten.”

I feel that Brown-Worsham and the people that agree with her are missing two key factors--the zoo is trying to preserve the animals and it would be wrong to try to domesticate them. True, these dogs are endangered, and according to the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Pittsburgh painted dog exhibit is one of 26 zoos in the U.S. where they can be found. But, safety measures were

taken and I feel that it is wrong to place the blame on the zoo. The second factor is that Mrs. Derkosh set her son on the railing, the only thing separating viewers from the dogs.

I believe that this was a freak accident, and was not the zoo’s fault. However, I do feel that the mother should not have placed her son on the railing. I understand the urge for a better view, but placing a child on a railing which leaves nothing between him and the exhibit of wild dogs except a drop down into the enclosure is ridiculous and irresponsible. Let me make myself clear, I am not blaming the mother. She probably never would have guessed that something like that could have resulted from her actions, but unfortunately it did. There also wasn’t anything that the zoo could have done to prevent the accident. The

safety measures they had in place were more than reasonable. There is no one to blame. It was simply a tragic accident.

Elaina Zintl can be reached at elaina.zintl@spartans.ut.edu

By ELAINA ZINTLOpinion Writer

Toddler Killed by Wild Dogs in Exhibit at Pittsburgh Zoo

newmajen/Flickr.comIt was a tragic accident and neither the mother nor the zoo is at fault.

Screenshot from BingFlorida is supposed to be a swing state took five days to cast its electoral votes for President Barack Obama.

OPINION 15THE MINARET | NOVEMBER 15 2012

We’ll show you oursif you show us yours.

Don’t be left in the dark. Get the facts about STDs.

FACT: 2 OUT OF EVERY 3 REPORTED STD CASES IN FLORIDA WERE UNDER THE AGE OF 25.

www.floridastd.com

By AVERy TWIBLEOpinion Writer

Diane Sawyer Appears Drunk During Live Election Coverage

The ever professional and composed reporter Diane Sawyer appeared a bit loopy during her presidential election coverage last Tuesday night.

Apparently after 48 hours of near non-stop prepping and reporting on the election, the ABC News anchor began slurring her words, leaning on her desk for support, laughing uncontrollably and being absolutely giddy, as can be seen in the viral video of the ABC election night coverage.

Mishaps in Sawyer’s broadcast included her referring to our president as “President Barack” and “Barack O’Rama.”

She also seemed to be particularly interested with the background music, at one point even saying, “OK I wanna — can we have our music, because this is another big one here? Minnesota, we’re ready to project Minnesota, rrright now. … Well, tonight we know that President Barack has won Minnesota,” according to USA Today.

She frequently got loud, slurred her words and slowed down considerably during her sentences.

Not long into the live reporting by Sawyer and her co-anchor George Stephanopoulos, viewers had a Twitter frenzy, making jokes about her behavior being due to alcohol or prescription drug use.

According to NY Daily News, someone even created a fake Twitter profile @drnkdianesawyer which got over a thousand followers within minutes, and posted tweets from Sawyer’s point of view such as “Diane Sawyer MUST HAVE TACO BELL,” “Im not drunk U gusys r dunk” and “Hey guys wh o won i fell aslee?p.”

Luckily Sawyer had a friend on Twitter to stick up for her. The New York Times’ Brian Stelter, soon tweeted, “Diane Sawyer’s name is trending. Many people saying she seems drunk on air.

Alternative theory: she gets

this way when she’s really tired,” according to the Huffington Post.

Although there were some tweets spurring harsh criticisms of her abnormal behavior, it was mostly all fun and games.

Sawyer even tweeted herself in a

brief response during the unexpected studio blackout that occurred just before 11 p.m. saying, “Read your tweets the good, bad and the funny.”

She did not address her odd behavior days after on World News, and CBS News has not responded to requests for a comment on the matter, according to NY Daily News.

Since 1962 Sawyer has been a household name. The much loved news anchor and writer has been around to broadcast news in this country’s history on Primetime, Good Morning America, CBS News, 60 Minutes, CBS Morning News and

now the ABC broadcast World News. She has won awards for her

reporting such as the duPonts, Emmys, Peabodys, the grand prize of the premier Investigative Reporters and Editors Association, IRTS Lifetime Achievement Award, the

USC Distinguished Achievement in Journalism Award and in 1997 she was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.

It is undeniable that Sawyer is a hard working woman, and even if rumors of her being drunk on air were true, it didn’t do anything to harm the broadcast.

If anything, it made it the most interesting show of election coverage of any of the networks. At least she appears to be a happy drunk, right?

According to the LA Times, Tom Shales, a writer for the Chicago Sun-Times, praised Sawyer as being “indefatigable, if sometimes overly thrilled,” and her energy

was “awe-inspiring.”This is not the first

time Sawyer has acted a bit peculiar and maybe even a little suspicious on air.

Most notably, in 2009 on her broadcast for ABC News the night after President Obama’s inauguration, Sawyer had some similar loopy behavior.

Extra smiley Sawyer appeared to still be drunk of celebrations from the night before while slurring her words and having slowed down speech, as The Atlantic Wire says, but admittedly it was probably just due to multiple nights of nonstop coverage of the event without a chance for sleep.

She is a woman with an impressive background of awards

and national interviews with world leaders such as the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Roman Polanski and Whitney Houston.

She even started out her career in 1970 as a press aid for the White House, according to the Examiner, and in 1974 she worked with the Nixon administration.

With so many prestigious experiences under her belt, even if Sawyer was under the influence during her broadcast, I wouldn’t hold it against her.

The ratio of times she has done amazing, professional work to the times she has had incidences of appearing out of it on the air would be inappreciable.

Of course when there is a broadcast swaying from the normal absolutely-no-fun-or-games political talk people are going to be thankful there is finally some entertainment on an important night in the country’s history and are going to make something out of Sawyer’s behavior that was probably nothing more than sleep deprivation.

In all honesty, I don’t believe this dignified woman who has clearly worked very hard for her entire career, earning multiple awards, would risk tainting her reputation on election night by being under the influence.

On the contrary, her behavior was a result of going the extra mile in reporting.

According to Business Insider, a close friend of Sawyer said, “It’s someone who was overworked because they do care so much about trying to put on quality coverage for the viewer and I think that it’s a symptom of her being a workaholic, not as many on Twitter defined to imply an alcoholic. That’s just crazy.”

The source also says there were not even any alcoholic beverages allowed in the newsroom on election night.

I think it’s fair to say Sawyer was not “getting boozy,” as some Twitter people were saying, but is only guilty of working too hard.

Cheers to the woman who made hours of election coverage a bit more interesting for viewers..

Avery Twible can be reached at avery.twible@spartans.ut.edu

50andfab/Photobucket.comSawyer’s behavior does not tarnish her professional reputation.

16 NOVEMBER 15 2012 | THE MINARET OPINION

By JAKE KONISZEWSKIOpinion Writer

Two Deceased Candidates Win 2012 ElectionAmidst the presidential election,

two other men won their political cam-paigns. Florida Democrat Earl K. Wood won a 12th term as Orange County Tax Collector in Orlando, Fla. while Ala-bama Republican Charles Beasley won his campaign for Bibb County Commis-sion. However, neither men will take of-fice. According to NBC News, “Wood died on Oct. 15 from natural causes at age 96,” and “Beasley, 77, died on Oct. 12, possibly due to an aneurysm.” De-spite being dead long before Election Day, both men defeated their opponents.

First of all, I do not now how some-thing like this could happen. I would think someone within those few weeks before the election would notice that Wood and Beasley were gone. Somebody had to have looked for them and found their bodies. Also, after discovering the bodies, I would assume that both men would be disqualified or taken off the ballot, but apparently that is not the case.

Another trend I found disturbing is that despite being dead, both men re-ceived votes. Their opponents, who are alive, still lost to them. How embar-rassing is it to lose to a corpse? I do not know much about their opponents, but if you lose to a dead man in an election, you must have done something wrong.

Of course, Walter Sansing, Beasley’s opponent, does bring up a good point. According to Reuters, “He (Sansing) blames people voting straight Repub-

lican tickets for his loss.” This is an alarming practice in America. For some voters, it does not matter if a person’s opinion on a certain issue does not match yours as long as that candidate is from your party. This is a terrible habit.

First of all, by participating in this practice, you are pretty much saying, “I have no individual identity outside of my political party.” It is okay if you

do identify yourself as a Republican or Democrat or some other political par-ty, but by using that party as your only means of self-identification causes your voice to get lost in the crowd. You be-come a faceless being in a sea of face-

less beings. You should not be afraid to speak up if you do not agree with your party because you can call attention to an alternative plan, such as, “Hey, let’s not vote for the dead guy because using a Ouija board to com-municate is imprac-tical.” Also, vot-ing solely because a person identifies with the same po-litical party as you is lazy. It shows that you could not put in the effort to make decisions on your own on how the county, state or country should be run. Deciding the laws of your coun-try is not something to be done in such a shoddy manner.

It is also frightening when you con-sider that Orange County in Orlando and Bibb County technically decided that a dead person would be a better lead-

er than the living alternative, whether they meant to or not. Despite whatever views you have on life after death, nei-ther Wood nor Beasley could perform their duties after dying and the jobs they have cannot be ignored. The other candidate may not be the public’s first choice, but at least the job will be done.

Of course, due to both Wood and Beasley being dead, they will not hold office. Reuters reports, “In Orlan-do, Scott Randolph, an outgoing Dem-ocratic legislator and state party ac-tivist, was selected by his party to re-ceive votes cast for Wood and he will assume the office. In Alabama, the gov-ernor will appoint a new commission-er with input from local Republicans.” Still, being able to vote for a dead per-son could make quite the statement.

Perhaps in the next presidential elec-tion, we’ll see votes cast for George Washington, Ghandi or Martin Lu-ther King Jr. Going even further, what if someone could perform a séance and communicate with Wood, Beasley or some other deceased political figure? If we talk to political figures of the past, they may not be in favor of the prog-ress our country has made, such as gay marriage, women leading business-es or minorities being allowed to vote.

As far as I know, something like this has yet to happen. We must not let party pride stop the coun-try from functioning. People may die, but we should not live in the past.

Jake Koniszewski can be reached at john.koniszewski@spartans.ut.edu

Graphic By Donny Murray/ The MinaretIt must be pretty embarrassing for a candidate to lose to a corpse.

Here at the University of Tampa students have a large variety of dining options. There is the cafeteria, Spartan Club and Stadium Center, all of which provide an assortment of places to eat. However, I feel that in buffet style dining, such as the Sodexo cafeteria, nutrition and allergen information for the dishes being served should be clearly displayed either in front of the cafeteria or at each respective line.

Brian Dietrich, the marketing major for Dining Services at UT, said that nutritional information and allergy information about the food served here can be found online at dining.ut.edu. Dietrich stated, “To find specific information, select the location and the weekly menu, and from there you can then select any of [Sodexo’s] menu items and the nutritional information, including possible allergens, will be shown.”

This is a useful tool, if you have time to check it. However, I do not feel that it is a strong enough measure being taken for those with food allergies. The National Peanut Board and the Food Allergy Initiative claims that about four percent of the U.S. adult population and about four to six percent of children are affected by food allergies, and in countries of the Western Hemisphere, experts attribute 90 percent of all food-allergic reactions to eight foods: cow’s milk, egg, soy, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and crustacean shellfish.

Based on the UT profile available at ut.edu for fall 2012 and national statistics, approximately 276 enrolled students have food allergies. According to the National Peanut Board, the most common manifestations of allergic reactions to foods involve the rashes, hives, swelling, wheezing, coughing,

chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness, loss of consciousness, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. They also report that experts do not know why some people have mild reactions

and others have life-threatening reactions. I feel that this, combined with the buffet style of the cafeteria, is a disaster waiting to happen.

Erica Fremming, a junior art major at UT, is allergic to tree nuts, especially almonds. She told me that she normally keeps her EpiPen close by when she knows that she is eating somewhere, but one day in the middle of October she was running late and forgot to put it in her bag. She said, “It’s rarely an issue because almost everywhere gives you information if something contains tree nuts.” When she arrived at the cafeteria she hopped into the shortest line, which happened to be the International line.

While eating Fremming noticed her throat was feeling tight and sore. At first she believed that she was getting sick again, until she saw an almond in her stir-fry. She had not ordered almonds, never expected them to be

in the dish, but as it turns out there were slivers of them in the sauce. When she searched her backpack she found that her EpiPen was missing.

She quickly returned to her dorm and thankfully did not have to use it, but said, “I used to not worry about eating in the cafe, but now I have to because I’m not given enough information about what I am eating, and for me, that’s life-threatening. Although this situation is partially my fault, I do believe allergy information should be made obvious to the students in the cafeteria.” I feel that situations like this could best be avoided if Sodexo posted allergen information where the food is

being served, or at least on the menu displayed in front of the cafeteria.

As it is, people eating in the cafeteria either need to remember to check online, or ask the person serving the food what is in it. Fremming said that she asks if she feels that there might be almonds in the dish but that it “takes about ten minutes, because the person has to run into the back and ask.” It would be more convenient if they put up a sign that states the nutritional information, whether it is at the front of the cafeteria or where the food is actually served.

The open display of nutritional and allergen information would also benefit those who are conscious of their dietary intake and are interested in choosing healthy options. According to the Food and Drug Administration, Congress passed a national law requiring the listing of calories and other nutrition information on menus and menu boards by chain restaurants that have 20 or more outlets. Many research centers support this practice. The Center for Science in the Public Interest states, “Without clear, easy-to-use nutrition information at the point of ordering, it’s difficult to make informed and healthy choices.”

I do not see how the display of this information could be anything but beneficial. It would make things more convenient for people who have allergies and for those that are trying to eat healthily. For people that are not interested in the information, it could do no harm. It may even encourage them to be aware of what they are eating. Sodexo should clearly display nutritional and allergen information in an accessible location, such as at the front of the cafeteria.

Elaina Zintl can be reached at elaina.zintl@spartans.ut.edu

By ELAINA ZINTLOpinion Writer

Sodexo Should Display Food Allergy Info in Cafeteria

Jocelyn Doina/The MinaretIngredients should be displayed in the cafeteria to avoid dangerous allergic reactions.

Expectations are generally consistent. If you ask coaches or players, they’ll tell you they expect to win a championship every year. Often these expectations are unrealistic. It’s either win a championship or a rebuilding year, nothing in between.

What separates the serious contenders from the ones who say it out of habit is the deep desire to win, the want to play for your teammates and coaches, the never say die attitude.

“The girls have a combination of hunger and desire,” Head Coach Gerry Lucey said as his team prepared for tournament play. “They are very determined and very motivated right now.”

After marching through the Sunshine State Conference tournament, the University of Tampa women met rival Rollins College in the championship game. Rollins had UT figured out this year, handing them a loss and scoreless tie before ripping the SSC regular season title out from underneath UT in the final week of play.

In a double overtime thriller, the UT

women pulled out a 4-2 victory in penalty kicks behind a brilliant performance from goalkeeper Kori Butterfield.

“She had the best game I’ve ever seen,” sophomore midfielder Gabby Russo said with admiration. “We’re very confident with her and our team right now.”

Russo, a sport management major from Boston, has been a catalyst for the offense in her second year playing. “ I would rather set up an assist than score a goal,” Russo said nodding. “That’s the way I can be most effective helping the team.”

Russo, who is tied for second on the team in assists, has generated great chemistry with the team’s leading scorers Lauren Moore and Cici Gonzalez. “I bring the ball up the right side and Lauren and Cici are always there,” Russo said. “They’re up over the top for headers, we get a lot of goals off headers.”

The win against Rollins gave the program its third consecutive SSC title and fourth in the last six years, solidifying the success of the program. “It’s one of the most difficult conferences around,” Coach Lucey said. “We take great pleasure in the title, it means a lot.”

The team was awarded a number three seed in the NCAA tournament and blanked Barry University 1-0 in their first game. The girls then travelled back to Winter Park to once again play Rollins. Kori Butterfield recorded three saves as UT got the shutout 1-0. The lone goal came from Courtney Peffley on an assist from Russo. Peffley, a senior midfielder from Pennsylvania, has been with the program all four years and is the leader all girls on the team look towards. “I’ve been here and know what Gerry expects,” Peffley said after practice. “Some girls don’t know how hard it can be, I try and teach them.”

In the past, Peffley led more by example but with such a young squad this season, she has changed her ways. “I try to be a mentor on and off the field,” Peffley said. “Last year we had six seniors, I didn’t need to be that vocal. That’s changed this year.”

As the team continues its journey through the NCAA tournament, Peffley understands that every game may be her last in a UT uniform.

“I see myself leaving it all out on the field [in my last game],” Peffley said. “ I

don’t want to walk off the field with any regrets.”

While Peffley has already played her last game at Pepin Stadium, she admits her final game will be emotional. “I’ve had some really good friendships and I’ve grown as a person,” Peffley said. “It will definitely be emotional.”

The team prepares for the South Regional Title where they will face West Florida, against which they hold a 1-1-1 all-time tournament record.

If the season were to end against West Florida, the team states they would have no regrets. “I wouldn’t change this season for the world,” Peffley said. “This season has been a fun ride,” Russo said with a smile. “Very proud of this team,” Coach Lucey responded. “How they’ve grown and how much they’ve achieved.”

But they aren’t ready to reminisce on the season yet nor do they expect to any time soon. “We have a never say die attitude,” Russo said holding her cleats, the last girl remaining on the field after practice. “We don’t want our season to end.”

Nathan Krohn can be reached at nathan.krohn@spartans.ut.edu.

The Women’s Basketball team is off to a 2-0 start after last weekend’s victories over Ave Maria University and Virginia Intermont College.

Senior forward, Moriah Hodge, and Junior guard, Illyssa Vivo, started the games last weekend beginning the Spartan’s season on a winning note. Hodge, a Cincinnati native, scored 15 points in the opening game against Ave Maria. Vivo, from Miami, contributed 11 points as well, rounding out the final score of the night at 70-55. This success continued into the Spartan’s second game taking a 73-49 victory over Virginia Intermont.

Both Hodge and Vivo began playing basketball at a young age with active families to support their love of the game and their drive for success.

This love and drive has prevailed through their lives translating into competitiveness and therefore a very competitive team within itself this year—much different from last year.

“In our practices are more competitive. We are fighting for a position or starting position or whatever it may be. It just makes our team better because if our practices are harder that’s going to make us improve in our games,” says Hodge.

The change in the competitive level of the team can be seen all around. Vivo

continued, “Everybody’s more intense and competitive. We’re just more willed to win.”

A win’s a win but, there is always room for improvement—a statement that holds true to the Spartans. Hodge shared “We won but I think we could have done a lot better than how we played.”

Assistant Coach Caitlyn Mitryk agreed, “We’re just excited about getting off to a good start, definitely a confidence booster for the girls but, I think they know they still have a lot to work on…But once they learn to play with each other and build that chemistry, it will be very difficult for other teams to guard our

offensive capabilities.”With preseason Sunshine State

Conference rankings released in October, the Spartans were tabbed at the No. 3 spot on the board.

“[The ranking] showed that people expect us to still be on top so we’re just proving we deserve it,” Vivo confidently declared.

The SSC has seen the turnover of the Spartan’s team with new transfer students and freshmen.

This most likely gave the team the No. 3 rank, matching up with the successful history of the Spartans Women’s Basketball tradition in the conference.

“We brought in all these kids,” Coach Mitryk said, “and on paper they look good but they definitely have to perform”

Both Hodge and Vivo are looking forward to the remainder of the season to see how the team will correct errors made last weekend.

Specifically, Vivo shared, “I’m definitely looking forward to San Diego. We’re supposed to have some good competition out there.” The team will travel to the west coast over Thanksgiving Break to participate in a tournament hosted by the University of California, San Diego. “We play two of some of the top-ranked teams in the nation. It’ll be a good tournament.”

Every team has goals for its season about where they want to be when everything is said and done. The athletes

all share common goals for the team: “win every home game and get to the conference tournament, win our conference, hopefully make it to the [NCAA] tournament,” declared Hodge.

Vivo, in agreement with Hodge, strongly stated, “Our goal is not to lose at home, at all, and we want to get to the conference championship for sure.”

Both athletes demonstrated extreme confidence in their goals and are determined to live them out.

The Women’s Basketball team went to the NCAA Division II tournament six consecutive years but failed to continue the streak last season.

This really affected Coach Mitryk, “That hits home. You always want to get back to that point and that success. Personally, I want to get back to that, back to the NCAA tournament and contend for a national championship. We have the individual skill to do that but I think we still need to develop our chemistry more.”

Overall, this team is very confident and up for any challenge they face this season.

The disappointments from last season have fueled the fire for success. Coach Mitryk said it best with an optimistic outlook on the season, “There’s a lot of talent, a lot of offensive firepower… but our work’s not done.”.

Mary Lee Gibson can be reached at mary.gibson@spartans.ut.edu.

17THE MINARET | NOVEMBER 15 2012

Goalie Amazes As Spartans Move OnSportsBy NATHAN KROHNSports Writer

Men’s Basketball Starts Season Saturday

Visit theminaretonline.comfor this story and more

Andy Meng/ Tampaspartans.comAndy Meng/ Tampaspartans.com

By MARY LEE GIBSONSports Writer

Casey Budd/ The MinaretIllyssa Vivo shoots during a Spartan victory.

Women’s Hoops Begins With Two Blowout Wins

Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III?That was the question the Colts had

to ask themselves before the 2012 NFL draft in April. They went with Luck, and the two quarterbacks couldn’t have had more different first games. Luck threw three interceptions against the Bears and RGIII took down the mighty Saints at the Superdome.

In hindsight, this makes sense as the Bears have forced more turnovers than any team in the NFL and the Saints are currently 31st in the league in pass defense. But at the time, RGIII looked like Cam Newton 2.0 and Andrew Luck looked like a boy who might have a rough season.

Through nine games, the Luck-led Colts are 6-3 while the Redskins have struggled of late. The Skins are on a three-game losing streak while Luck’s boys are on a four-game winning streak.

This is not all on the quarterbacks, obviously, but while Griffin was earning all the hype early on, much of it has shifted Luck’s way.

The Stanford graduate broke an NFL rookie record when he passed for 433 yards in a tight win over the Dolphins two weeks ago. That just broke Cam Newton’s 432 yard game last year.

However the reigning Heisman winner has been no slouch. Griffin has managed to throw just three interceptions thus far, and is tied with Tom Brady for the lowest amount amongst starters.

Additionally, Griffin has rushed for over 500 yards and six touchdowns, which would be more than respectable for an NFL running back. Still, Griffin is a pass-first quarterback who doesn’t need to scramble to be effective.

Luck has some wheels as well and he has rushed for five touchdowns and 134 yards.

Griffin is an amazing athlete and an explosive player, but still manages a high NFL IQ. Luck has proven he knows how to win games, and is off to one of the best rookie campaigns of all time.

Early on, it seemed the NFL was not ready for RGIII. His explosiveness and ability to make plays with his legs had defenses on their heels and unsure of whether he was going to throw or pass. Lately though, defenses have been catching on, much like they have for Cam Newton this year.

Luck has only gotten better. He had an awful game against the Bears and got roughed up against the Jets, but in every other game he has thrown for a combined nine touchdowns and four interceptions.

Luck has Reggie Wayne to throw to, who he does, more than any quarterback throws to a receiver. Wayne has helped young receivers T.Y. Hilton and Donnie Avery have productive seasons.

Meanwhile, Griffin’s top target, Pierre Garcon has played in just three games. Santana Moss has lost a step, Fred Davis is lost for the season and Griffin has no one to throw to.

Ultimately pocket passers reign supreme in the NFL. RGIII is a special athlete, and a very talented quarterback and I’m sure he will have a great career if he can stay healthy, but I think the Colts made the right decision drafting Luck. He is the best rookie quarterback this year.

With the Texans looming twice in the last three weeks, Luck will have to continue improving to keep the Colts’ very real playoff chances alive.

John Hilsenroth Jr. can be reached at minaret.sports@gmail.com.

What better way to open up a college basketball season then having a game take place aboard a United States aircraft carrier? Well how about making that three games? That was the plan last weekend but disappointingly, two of the games were cancelled.

The No. 10 ranked Florida Gators were set to take on Georgetown aboard the USS Bataan in Jacksonville. Florida was up 27-23 at halftime before the floors became wet due to condensation. The game was cancelled and is not going to count or be rescheduled.

No. 4 Ohio State was the second game supposed to take place aboard an aircraft carrier with them facing Marquette aboard the USS Yorktown in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Unlike the Florida game, this game never even started.

Tip off was delayed half an hour while both sides waited for the weather to improve. The weather did not improve at all and that game was called before it even started, also not likely to be rescheduled.

The only game that was played was No. 9 Syracuse against No. 20 San Diego State aboard the USS Midway. The game was scheduled for Friday night but because of the weather had to be moved back to Sunday. Syracuse did not seem to mind the delay as they went on to win the game 62-49.

The first upset of the season happened when No. 14 Michigan State fell victim to Connecticut 66-62.

Instead of playing on an aircraft carrier,

this game took place at Rammstein Air force base in Germany.

The Huskies put on a show for all the troops in the first game that featured a Jim Calhoun-less Huskies team. Calhoun, who retired in September, coached the Huskies for 26 years and his achievements included winning three national championships, winning 873 games (10th all time) and being inducted into the college basketball hall of fame in 2006.

Besides No. 25 Florida State losing to South Alabama, upset alert wasn’t at its fullest last Friday. No. 1 Indiana looked sharp in their 97-54 blowout of Bryant University.

Preseason All- American center Cody Zeller led the way with 18 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. No. 2 Louisville also looked sharp, beating Manhattan

University by 28. Rick Pitino has the bar set high, and after rival John Calipari won the national championship last year, Pitino will have more pressure on him this year then any other coach in the country.

No. 3 Kentucky was the only top team who showed early warning signs, after beating Maryland but by the score of 72-69. Coach John Calipari is a recruiting genius and reeled in the second ranked recruiting class in the country according to ESPN.

However, he had six players drafted in June including Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist who went one and two respectively.

Nerlens Noel, the number one ranked player in the 2012 recruiting class didn’t have as impressive debut as Calipari would have liked. His line of four points, nine rebounds and three blocks weren’t exactly

fantastic; it is only the first game of the season.

The biggest news of the weekend however was High School player of the year, and No. 2 recruit in the 2012 class Shabazz Muhammad was ruled ineligible for UCLA’s win Friday night over Indiana State. This is definitely a blow to UCLA who had the best recruiting class in the country.

It was deemed that Muhammad violated the NCAA’s amateurism rules. It was uncovered that Muhammad accepted travel expenses aid and lodging while he was making visits to North Carolina and Duke. No timetable has been given to when Muhammad can return, but that’s some drama to start the season off with.

Connor Anthony can be reached at connor.anthony@spartans.ut.edu.

By CONNOR ANTHONYSports Writer

By JOHN HILSENROTH JR.Sports Editor

18NOVEMBER 15 2012 | THE MINARET SPORTS

College Basketball Opens With Drama

proforged/ Flickr.comFans in Lawrence, Kan., celebrate after a University of Kansas postseason win last March. The Jayhawks ended the year as National Runner-Up and began this season with three straight wins before a loss to Michigan State.

Luck, RGIII Live Up To First Round Fanfare

The Minaret Sports Staff guess the NFL winners each week

ShawnJordan

TAKE YOUR SHOT

StandingsShawn [22-18]John [25-20]

Jordan [25-20]Nathan [23-22]Miles [22-23]

Connor [22-23]Paige [19-26]J.P. [16-29]

@

Connor

Chargers Broncos

49ers

@

NathanPaige

ShawnJohn

JordanMiles

ConnorJ.P.

Bears

ShawnJohn

JordanNathanConnor

@

PaigeJ.P.

Miles

Dolphins Bills

ShawnJordanNathanConnorPaigeJ.P.

@

JohnMiles

Colts Patriots

@

JohnNathanMiles

ConnorPaigeJ.P.

SteelersRavens

ShawnJohn

JordanNathanMilesPaigeJ.P.

Week 11: Saints Come Marching Back

Hockey fans know that this season has been a bit of a struggle. So much so, that the issues may even prevent a season from happening at all.

If they can’t come to an agreement by December, they will risk not playing at all this year.

Not only are the players losing their season and NHL employees losing jobs, the teams are losing fans, and nobody wins. The latest update brought down hope as the announcement of the cancellation of the Winter Classic.

This was a highly anticipated game because it was supposed to be located in Michigan, in one of the biggest stadiums in the United States, the Big House. Also, the two teams that were to play are from the original six, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings.

One of the major proposed deals was the 50/50 revenue split. This deal would not require rollbacks and over the next five years, their percentage would rise back up to 57 percent.

While players and fans seemed optimistic about this, NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr stated that it was, “a good start.”

With that deal rejected, it seems as though things have been snowballing downhill.

Counter offers were placed on the table and in less than 10 minutes, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman rejected them. From there, players started to travel and sign for hockey teams overseas.

From the Tampa Bay Lightning, four players have traveled to other countries to

continue to play hockey. Goaltender Anders Lindback has gone to Finland, forward Adam hall is in Germany, defenseman Victor Hedman plays in Russia, and the newest addition to the travelers is defenseman Brendan Mikkelson, who has signed with a team in Sweden.

It has been said that if a season doesn’t start up by mid-November, team-favorite Marty St. Louis would head to Europe as well.

This could be an issue because his contract is coming to an end, and losing that good of a player for the year hurts the team drastically.

Big name players such as Stamkos, Purcell, and Malone, have tried to keep their optimism at a high, but seem to be struggling as much as their fans.

All three have chosen to stay in the area and continually go to the practice rink in Brandon to keep in shape and do what they love.

While they do have big opportunities in Europe, they chose to stay here.

“I didn’t go overseas because there’s always a risk of getting injured,” says Lightning Right Wing Teddy Purcell.

“But mostly because I hope this lockout will end.” He mentioned that it has been good to travel around and play with other guys in the league and admits that although the lockout is frustrating, “that’s the business part of hockey.”

While it is a shame the Lightning can’t truly celebrate their 20-year anniversary, the Tampa Bay Times Forum continues to keep moving forward, staying optimistic, and improving the facility.

The Forum is now home to the largest center-hung arena HD display board in the entire United States and Canada. It is so

big that it had to be built inside the arena and with such beautiful quality, it makes it so much harder to go unused.

The Rolling Thunder has recently finished up their 20-stop tour for the anniversary. Stopping in close to ten different cities in Florida, the Rolling Thunder truck has distributed paraphernalia, raised the spirits of hockey fans, and enjoyed being out informing people about what’s going on at the Forum.

Newly hired Mobile Media Coordinator, Justin Savoie, tells fans, “We like to show our faces in the community to let people know we’re still here even though there’s

no hockey.”But is there really no hockey? During

the week of November 5th, the NHL and NHLPA met for five consecutive days for multiple hours.

The lockout has cost the NHL roughly 200 million dollars and these meetings are starting to seem like a giant tease.

But the outcome of the past weeks discussions keep the anticipation rising, and one can only hope a solution will be the result.

Until then, keep those fingers crossed.Jessie Lehrbaum can be reached at

jlehrbaum@spartans.ut.edu.

SPORTS 19THE MINARET | NOVEMBER 15 2012

clydeorama/Flickr.comTeddy Purcell chose to stay in the U.S. during the lockout out of fear of getting hurt.

Lockout Leaves Lightning Without AnswersBy JESSIE LEHRBAUMSports Writer

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MASTER THE POSSIBILITIES

On Monday Nov. 12, the University of Tampa hockey team played in one of their biggest games of the year against the University of South Florida at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

One thing that was special about this game aside from being played at the Times Forum was that one UT player got a well deserved recognition before the audience sang the national anthem.

Kevin Eck, who is a forward on the team, served in the military for four years prior to attending the University of Tampa and playing on the hockey team.

During his time in the military, he was stationed in Vicenza, Italy with the 173rd Airborne Attack Company and then did a 15 month tour in Afghanistan where he was stationed at FOB Tillman which is located on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“I originally did college right out of high school and I found myself not really focused on it,” said Eck. “It got to the point where I was like I’m just wasting my parents money and I needed to take a break. So I took a break and I have always wanted to do something kind of extreme and I have always been interested in the

army so I looked into it and sure enough I got into the military.”

Serving in the military and currently being a veteran for our country is something incredible and being apart of that experience is something Eck will always have.

“What impacted me was that you have a different mindset. You’re in the military; you have all these different rules you have to follow, you’re disciplined, I mean a big thing I learned was discipline.. You

learn time management skills, respect and dignity. There are seven key categories of the army and I learned every last detail of each one,” said Eck.

“When I was stationed in Afghanistan I was with a whole other culture and it is obviously way different than it is over here and I had to step back and get to there level and try to adapt to what their views are and how they’re looking at the world and how they look at us. It was like a third party aspect, looking from the outside in at everything that was going on.”

After being able to serve for four years, and earning two medals in the military, which were the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Eck has had the privilege to be able to attend the University of Tampa and be able to play for Coach Kucera since the start of the hockey program.

“It’s a great opportunity to go to school at a much older age,” said Eck.

“I’m not your typical 19-20 year old college student but it’s good.I have always had a lifelong passion to go to school whether it was when I was 19, which I didn’t do very well, or now. Coming back and looking at it and having the army to back me up, to be able come back to a school like University of Tampa which is an awesome school located in a great town, I just feel honored to play hockey for Tampa and to be one of the students here.”

Eck’s fellow teammates and Coach Kucera have a lot of respect for him and think he is an incredible player and human being.

“He is just incredible,” said Kucera. “He has a phenomenal work ethic and his fitness level is unbelievably high. Every time I see him there is never a question that he is not going to approach whatever

we are doing with passion and heart. His commitment is extraordinary and it just reflects his past military training. He brings so much to the ice because he loves to skate and is passionate about it and he wants results. He is also unselfish to a flaw. The guys pick up his energy and you can especially see that when team chemistry isn’t right or they are a little down for whatever reason, he immediately jumps in without hesitation to lift them up and get their heads wrapped around what they need to do. He literally approaches a hockey game or a practice like it’s a mission.”

Not only does Kucera believe Eck is an incredible person, but his teammates look up to him and can see his passion and dedication for the game during every practice and game.

“The whole team looks up to Kevin. He is the hardest worker on the team; he’s disciplined and has a strong ice presence,” said teammate Matt Fenby.

“He has a selfless work ethic and is a strong player mentally and physically. Kevin is the best teammate you could have because he is so passionate about the game and is so disciplined; he’s like a warrior and that comes from his military background.”

Along with being the definition of best teammate, Kucera has enjoyed watching Eck grow and develop as a player since he joined the team in the Spring of 2010 right in the beginning of the program.

“He is every coach’s dream,” states Kucera.

“With the heart and passion he plays with but he also works on the various dimensions of his game like his skating, his stick handling, his shooting, thinking about where to be and how to contribute on the ice and how he sees the game. He is always listening and is always the first

to tell everyone to pay attention and he is incredibly responsible overall. He has just a very disciplined mind which reflects his military training and who he is as a person. I’ve watched him grow as a player and it’s incredible.”

Eck, who loves the game of hockey can definitely see similarities between it and the military.

“I think hockey is a great game, I love the game and there’s just something about it and I think what drives me is my competitive nature and you get that culture from being in an environment with other people who are compelled to win and want to win,” said Eck.

“It’s similar to the military because you come together with a group of people that you don’t know and you learn to work together along with their strengths and weaknesses and by the end you are able to be there for each other and help one another out.”

When asked any final words about Eck, Kucera could not stop saying how much he admires him as a person.

“I admire his selflessness and the sacrifice he’s made for his country and just his overall attitude,” said Kucera.

“He is the kind of guy who confronts adversity head on and doesn’t hold anything back. It is very admirable who he is and how he carries himself as a human being and he is definitely a role model for the guys on the team and even the coaches.”

Unfortunately, the hockey team lost against USF 4-3 on Monday, but it was still a special moment for the team and for Kevin Eck himself.

The Spartans take on Kennesaw Stated next on Friday Nov. 16.

Paige Shallcross can be reached at paige.shallcross@spartans.ut.edu.

Lightning Lockout [19]SPORTS

MINARET

MINARET UT’S SOURCE SINCE 1933

Photo Courtesy of Kevin EckUniversity of Tampa forward Kevin Eck served in the military for four years.

Samantha Battersby/ The MinaretThe University of Tampa’s club hockey team took on USF on Monday night at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

W. Basketball Wins [17]

Soldier Turned Spartan, Eck Inspires By PAIGE SHALLCROSSSports Writer

And Out3

A brief rundown of Spartan sports

No. 21 Women’s Soccer [15-3-4, 5-1-2]

The women’s soccer team has been rolling of late, behind the strong play of goaltender Kori Butterfield. The goalie has posted two straight shutouts against Barry and Rollins. This Friday the team will take on No. 2 West Florida in Pensacola, Fla. in the South Region Final.

No. 23 Men’s Soccer [10-6-1, 6-2]

The season came to an abrupt halt for the men’s soccer team when they lost to Lynn 1-0 last Sunday in Boca Raton, Fla. Tampa greatly improved from last year when they won just three games. With just three starters graduating, the Spartans have high hopes for next year and beyond.

Tampa has continued its dominance of the SSC, steamrolling Nova Southeastern and Lynn last weekend. This Saturday the Spartans will travel to Miami Shores to take on Barry for their SSC regular season finale. NCAA South Regionals will begin Nov. 28.

No. 7 Volleyball [25-3, 14-0]