The Hofstra Chronicle November 25, 2025

HEMPSTEAD, NY

THE HOFSTRA CHRONICLE

Resa Nelson: Hofstra’s first Rhodes Scholar

By Natalia Rivera STAFF WRITER

Hofstra University held a special conference to celebrate the achievement of Resa Nelson, a senior biology major, on Friday, Nov. 14. Nelson was awarded the Rhodes Scholarship for her research on seaweed, cells and T-cells, combined with her deep commitment to community service work.

The Rhodes Scholarship is an extremely competitive scholarship that awards students two years of postgraduate study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom to continue their education and research. One hundred six awards were given this year from 25 countries around the world.

Nelson is from St. Peter, Anti-

gua, and she is a representative chosen from the Commonwealth Caribbean. She is only the sec ond person from Antigua to win the Rhodes Scholarship, with the first person to win it being 24 years ago.

Nelson originally entered Hofstra planning to go to medi cal school, but the university’s early research opportunities shifted her direction.

“A lot of schools don’t take freshmen, and they’re not necessarily focused on undergrad re search,” Nelson said. “But at Hofstra, everybody has to do research. I just happened to start mine early, and that was really influential.”

TUESDAY November 25, 2025

Trump’s DOJ is a nightmare

By Peter Massarone STAFF WRITER

It’s no secret that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has been dealing with internal struggles and political indoctrination since President Donald Trump took office this year, but the actual extent to which I’ve seen these issues protrude into the lives of the attorneys, judges and clients involved can only be viewed as a nightmare.

This semester, I completed an internship under a criminal defense attorney in Washington D.C., where I’ve spent ev -

ery workday in court collaborating with the United States attorneys that were handling the cases against our clients. I’ve personally watched prosecutors struggle to maintain increasing caseloads, judges scold them for trying cases with little evidence and even seen multiple U.S. attorneys fired for a semblance of disloyalty.

This level of over-control and instability has led to a mass of problems – inside and outside their office – that threaten the fairness of our justice system.

Love defies all in ‘Wicked: For Good’

By Kimberly Lopez STAFF WRITER

SPOILER WARNING

Perhaps, I have been changed for the better.

The world turned pink and green again with the release of the second part of the “Wicked” movie: “Wicked: For Good.”

The highly anticipated film had the job of adapting the second act of the musical, which is a difficult task in and of itself.

Part one of “Wicked” introduced us to the whimsical world of Oz, where we meet Galinda – later going by Glinda – Upland (Ariana Grande-Butera) and Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo). While the two loathe each other at first, they grow to become best friends before unfortunately being separated due to their different ideals. “Wicked: For Good” begins five years

after these events, where the yellow brick road has just been built, and the silence of animals has been normalized.

The film opens with “Every Day More Wicked” and the iconic number “Thank Goodness.” We see Grande-Butera really shine for the first time in this film during the song, highlighting the persona Glinda is forced to play for the people of Oz – the Ozians. Throughout the song, flashes of posters with “Glinda the Good” and “The Wicked Witch” are seen everywhere, making the stances of Oz obvious. Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) continues to spread lies about Elphaba, creating an enemy to suit her narrative.

The movie included two new solo songs for Glinda and Elphaba, drifting away from the original musical’s soundtrack. The two new tracks were written

by Stephen Schwartz, the original composer for the “Wicked” musical, and titled “No Place Like Home” and “The Girl in the Bubble.”

For me, “No Place Like Home” was the standout of the two. Both songs were amazing, but this one stung just a bit more. Elphaba sings to explain to Dulcibear why she finds it difficult to leave Oz, despite its people’s hatred for her. Erivo does an outstanding job at showcasing Elphaba’s sentiments for Oz, wishing to make it safe again for her and the animals. This theme aligns with the current timeline we live in, where many don’t feel safe or accepted or are being forced out of the country but still find it difficult to leave what they know as home.

Marissa Bode and Ethan Slater also get their chance to shine

in this movie. Bode portrays Nessarose Thropp’s frustration as the new governor of Munchkinland masterfully. Despite her short screentime, she proves herself to be a highlight by showcasing the lengths she will go to get Boq Woodsman (Slater) to love her and to separate herself from her sister.

Slater’s introduction as the Tin Man is iconic. It took me by surprise, but his performance was truly a treat. He becomes the cold piece of tin with no heart right in front of us, and Boq easily becomes just a memory.

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Editor-in-Chief

Madeline Sisk

Managing Editor

Ryan Monke

Secretary Gianna Costanzo

Business Managers

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News Editor

Julia Capitelli

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A&E Editors

Matt Fisher

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Craig Mannino

Paige Sanacora

Sports Editors

Shannon Bickert

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Olivia Hillestad

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Features Editors

Hannah Mudry

Denivia Rivera

Assistant Features Editor

Emilie Morrissette

Opinion Editors

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Copy Chiefs

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Multimedia Editors

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Social Media Managers

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Editor-at-Large

Frankie DiCalogero

Restored Bird Sanctuary opens to students

By Ryan Monke MANAGING EDITOR

After years of inaccessibility, Hofstra University’s Bird Sanctuary has opened its doors to visitors. Featuring benches, boardwalks and platforms above wetlands surrounded by foliage, the newly restored sanctuary aims to provide students with a refuge from an otherwise bustling university campus.

Located behind the University Club on the north side of campus, the Bird Sanctuary has long flown under the students’ radars. Gates to the grounds were locked and access was limited to official use only. For many years, the area was in such disrepair that it was off-limits completely.

J. Bret Bennington, chair of the Department of Geology, Environment and Sustainability, noted that what Hofstra now boasts as a lush and inviting environment was not originally intended to be such.

“They bulldozed it out to be a stormwater recharge basin,” Bennington said. “Originally, it just would have been a sand and gravel pit.”

The area collected and drained stormwater from Hempstead Turnpike and nearby parking lots, but over time, blowing winds and the accumulation of seeds brought to the basin by birds led to naturally growing vegetation.

In its early days, the bird sanctuary was mainly used for classes. Since it was a stormwater recharge basin, New York State law required the grounds to be locked if not supervised by an official representative from Hofstra.

Superstorm Sandy devastated the East Coast in Oct. 2012, rendering the Bird Sanctuary unusable.

“[The storm] knocked down tree limbs and trashed the boardwalk,” Bennington said. “It was completely closed for 10 years, or so.”

When the boardwalks were finally repaired and the sanctuary reopened, it was completely overgrown and teeming with invasive species.

That’s when Bennington, alongside Michael Runkel, director of Grounds and Landscape Design, began leading an ecological restoration to bring the Bird Sanctuary back to life.

“I got interested in how invasive species are taking over suburban environments like what we have on Long Island,” Ben-

“We go around sweeping the leaves and picking up any litter that we see around,” said Adalia Rezki, a junior geology major working as a student docent.

“And then we also give tours.”

Sophomore sustainability major Grason Jess, who also works as a student docent, said that boosting engagement with the Bird Sanctuary after so many years of restrictions has been an uphill battle.

“This is kind of special to have on campus in an urban area. Take advantage of it while you’re here. Maybe it’ll spark some new interests...”

Hofstra received its official designation as an arboretum in 1985. As part of ongoing efforts to bolster the natural environment on campus, the university decided to turn the stormwater recharge basin into a bird sanctuary. Hofstra hosted a contest challenging landscape architects to submit blueprints for the space in 1993. The winning pitch outlined the wetlands, boardwalks, platforms and gazebo that define the Bird Sanctuary today.

nington said. “The Bird Sanctuary seemed like a cool place to do something about that.”

The restoration has mainly consisted of controlling invasive species, replacing them with native species and establishing pollinator gardens. These ongoing efforts have been aided by involvement from local organizations, such as an Eagle Scout project that brought in a section of plants native to the American Northeast.

Now, a team of student docents work to maintain the grounds and guide visitors.

“Very few people know about [the Bird Sanctuary],” Jess said. “And of the ones that do know about it, very few have even been in here.”

For these docents, working in the Bird Sanctuary has already been impactful.

“Just learning the names of the native species and being able to identify them outside of campus is pretty cool,” Jess said.

Luca Connor, a graduate student studying sustainability, noted that the Bird Sanctuary could serve as a model for other possible improvements at Hofstra.

“It inspires you to think about different ways to make the campus better than it already is,” Connor said.

The docents said they hope

that their student peers will discover the Bird Sanctuary over time.

“This is kind of special to have on campus in an urban area,” Connor said. “Take advantage of it while you’re here. Maybe it’ll spark some new interests, or even just spark a new appreciation for nature.”

Bennington said that he hopes that students will utilize the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature that is close to their classrooms.

“If everybody took a half hour every day to just be in nature, we’d be a lot happier,” Bennington said. “There’s a lot of research that has shown that just looking at trees changes your whole mental state.”

According to the National Institute of Health, being exposed to nature has been linked to improved cognitive function, brain activity, blood pressure, mental health and sleep.

Since it is a stormwater recharge basin, access to the Bird Sanctuary still requires supervision by faculty or student docents. Currently, the Bird Sanctuary is open from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, noon to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and noon to 3 p.m. on Fridays.

What you may have missed

Students engage with community in annual Shake-A-Rake

By Jonathan Padilla SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Marburg virus takes three lives, confirming outbreak in Ethiopia – Friday, Nov. 14

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus following laboratory testing of samples from suspected cases of hemorrhagic fever Marburg virus, which is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and spreads through contact with infected animals or bodily fluids from an infected pe rson, currently has a total of nine cases reported in Jinka, a town in the South Ethiopia Region South Sudan’s health ministry has issued an advisory to residents to wash their hands frequently and to avoid contact with bodily fluids

Ukraine to buy 100 French fighter jets to boost defenses – Monday, Nov. 17

Ukraine s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, signed a deal with the president of France Emmanuel Macron allowing Ukraine to buy up to 100 of France’s most advanced Dassault Rafale fighter jets over the next decade These jets are equipped with technology to defend Ukraine’s cities from Russia’s missile and drone attacks

Indigenous protesters rally in Brazil at the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference –Friday, Nov 14

Dozens of Indigenous protesters made their way into the United Nations Climate Change Conference climate summit venue and blocked the main entrance to demand climate action and forest protection Protesters are demanding a halt in all developmental projects in the Amazon Rainforest and request to have a say in how the forests are managed

Two students escape captivity following the kidnapping of 25 students – Tuesday, Nov. 18

Gunmen attacked an all-girls’ school in Northwestern Nigeria and abducted 25 students on Monday, Nov 17

The school’s vice principal was killed in the attack Two of the students were able to escape and even though one of them needed medical attention, both girls are safe. A team of soldiers, police and volunteers are combing forested areas in an attempt to rescue the others

Hofstra University’s Office of Commuting Student Services and Community Outreach organized the annual fall Shake-ARake event at Hofstra USA on Saturday, Nov. 15. The event is meant to prepare homes for the winter and build strong bonds between the Hofstra community and their surrounding communities.

The event was divided between two sections with one going from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and the other from noon to 2 p.m. Each session filled the room with more than 200 people from more than 30 different Hofstra clubs including sports teams and several sororities and fraternities.

A few of the student-run organizations that attended included the Hofstra Pride Pack – a student group dedicated to all Hofstra Pride athletics – sorority Phi Sigma Sigma and the Hofstra Student Nurses Association. Together, the students raked leaves for more than 55 different properties across Hempstead and Uniondale communities.

Reyaz Ally, a senior sports management major and event volunteer, explained how the Hofstra Shake-A-Rake is a good opportunity for students to earn volunteer credits alongside their peers.

“Fraternities and sororities and athletic teams need service hours, for community service, but they also need to volunteer as well,” Ally said, supporting the idea of students volunteering at least once during their academic careers.

Lead organizer of the event, Yahaira Rivera Gamez, said that although many of the properties being raked may be large, she likes to send the clubs with the most students to the larger properties. And if they need any help raking the leaves they can reach out to her so she can call others to help out.

At the John J. Byrne Community Center in Uniondale, many student volunteers gathered from the Hofstra Pride Pack to help rake leaves and clean the property.

One student, Alexa Zarkaukas, a freshman journalism major, said that she enjoys volunteering to help out the Hofstra community as well as some of the surrounding neighborhoods.

“The yard had to have had, like, a foot of leaves on it, and now it is essentially leaf free, and it looks 10 times better,” Zarkauskas said, who highlighted why having neat, clean and welcoming spaces is important for the community.

Regine Cayemitte, treasurer and board member for the John J. Byrne Community Center and the owner of the La Petite

Kinder, a group family day care in the same community, said that the community center is the heart of the community because it provides support for families and people around the area.

Cayemitte explained that she enjoys seeing Hofstra students help clean the yard at the community center.

“It’s a great thing,” Cayemitte said. “Because not only [are they] helping, which brings comfort in the community … they are learning to work together and, at the same time, helping us clean the place.”

Cayemitte added that the students are helping save the community center’s funds as they would have had to pay another group to rake the leaves if not for the Hofstra students.

David Greaves, president of the John J. Byrne Community Center said that he and his organization have always been very accommodating and embracing of the students coming and helping clean their property each year.

To learn more about the Hofstra Shake-A-Rake event, reach out to the Hofstra Commuters Instagram page or search Hofstra Commuting Student Services and Community Outreach online for specific phone numbers and an email to contact.

Hofstra says it supports diversity in STEM, but men still outnumber women

By Maggie Brais SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Hofstra University promotes diversity in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through programs supporting women students and faculty inclusion efforts, but men still dominate most departments.

Programs like Women’s Summer Program in Computing/Engineering, which helps first-year women in engineering and gives micro-grants for faculty advancing equity, aim to improve representation. Yet, 2025 data shows persistent gender gaps: the physics faculty is 83% men, the engineering faculty is 75% men and the computer science faculty is nearly 73% men. Biology and chemistry are closer to parity, highlighting how representation varies across disciplines.

Biology and chemistry are the most balanced breakdowns, while physics and engineering have the lowest share of women among their faculty. Hofstra’s numbers largely mirror national trends, showing stronger parity in the life sciences but deep gender gaps in physics, engineering and computer science.

Research shows students, especially women, are more likely to pursue STEM careers when

they see female faculty teaching and leading.

Silvia Franklin, a mathematics professor at Hofstra, explained how the pipeline problem begins early.

“Math PhDs that go to women are still under 30%,” Franklin said. She also noted that having fewer women at the highest academic levels naturally limits the pool for faculty positions, reinforcing the gender gap.

Franklin emphasized that female faculty visibility is critical to expanding that pipeline.

“It helps students see women teaching math,” Franklin said. “That alone changes what feels possible.”

Department chair Lisa Krause described a dramatic shift over time in biology.

“Now it’s completely flipped,” Krause explained, adding that about two-thirds of biology majors are women. Krause stated that the balance fosters a healthier academic culture, where mentorship happens naturally. Still, subtle biases linger.

“Female faculty are often addressed as ‘Ms.’ instead of ‘Doctor,’” Krause said. “It may seem small, but it reflects who people instinctively see as the authority in the room.”

Sophomore forensic science

There

major Emma Rizzo described her chemistry-based program as “definitely [woman]-dominated.” She hasn’t personally experienced bias but noted that classmates have.

“Some male professors treat women students differently,” Rizzo said. “It depends on the class or the professor.”

Junior biology major Klaudia Frankowski has seen the contrast firsthand in her biology and physics classes.

“In biology, the balance feels

pretty even, maybe even more women than men,” Frankowski said. “But in physics, it’s a completely different story. Out of around 30 students, I’m probably one of only six girls.”

Frankowski added that she thinks female professors often teach differently.

“They explain things more patiently and use a gentler tone, which makes a big difference in difficult courses,” Frankowski said.

Cornell Craig, vice president for Equity and Inclusion, explained how his office supports equitable faculty hiring.

“Hiring happens within departments, but our office helps make sure the process is inclusive,” Craig said. Bias training and standardized rubrics are used to minimize unconscious bias during hiring and candidate evaluation.

Craig acknowledged national pushback against diversity, equity and inclusion programs, but mentioned that Hofstra continues to prioritize inclusion.

“We’ve had to stick to our values,” Craig said. “Even as diversity programs face pushback elsewhere, we’re moving forward.”

Krause agreed that these efforts have helped.

“Bias training is helping departments consider a broader

range of applicants,” Krause said. “That’s making our faculty more reflective of the diversity in our student body.”

Franklin added that equitable hiring alone isn’t enough.

“When women see leadership roles open to them, it reshapes what they think is achievable,” Franklin said.

Krause emphasized that departments should also monitor what courses are assigned to faculty to ensure that women don’t disproportionately teach only introductory classes.

Craig underscored that retention is equally important.

“We need mentorship and community, so people want to stay,” Craig said. “Recruiting women is only the first step. Supporting them once they’re here is what makes the difference.”

Hofstra continues to push for inclusion, but men still dominate most STEM departments. Biology and chemistry approach parity, yet physics, mathematics and engineering lag behind. True equity, faculty say, will take more than policy. It will take mentorship, inclusive leadership and cultural change.

“Representation doesn’t happen by accident,” Franklin said. “It happens when institutions make it a priority and keep it one.”

Resa Nelson: Hofstra’s first Rhodes Scholar cont.

Nelson’s early lab experience opened the door for other research opportunities granted at other universities.

“That’s where the travel came in,” Nelson said. “I had the opportunity to go to North Carolina and to California. Had I not started off at Hofstra, I wouldn’t have known I liked research or had the beginning skills to even apply to these programs.”

Nelson shared information about her research on how plant material becomes renewable energy.

“We have this really complicated plant matter that isn’t easily digestible,” Nelson said. “So, we’re using a community of bacteria that’s really good at breaking down the big seaweed into smaller things. Biofuels should be one of those byproducts. We have some strains that are particularly good at it. We’re trying to catch them now.”

Hofstra celebrated her accomplishment with a press conference. In attendance, in addition to the media, was Professor Javier Izquierdo, who has been working with Nelson on her seaweed research.

“She’s not just academically strong,” Izquierdo said. “She has also done a lot of service and a lot of important things for the Hofstra community. All of that comes together in the package that is [Nelson], and that is what made her a fantastic candidate

Scholar,” Poser said. “And I congratulate [Nelson] on this momentous achievement. Identifying and supporting students for national and international prestige awards is one of the implementation steps of Hofstra 100 – the university’s new strategic plan – and I thank Provost Charlie Riordan and Associate Provost for Academic Support and Global Initiatives Suzanne Pike for their work in supporting students in pursuit of these awards.”

“All of that comes together in the package that is [Nelson], and that is what made her a fantastic candidate for the Rhodes.”

for the Rhodes.”

Nelson highlighted that it is not just her work in academic spaces that fuels her passion, but also her service work with communities.

“For the past two years I’ve volunteered at a middle school, working one-on-one with students,” Nelson said. “Seeing how they changed the way they viewed academics – going from discouraged to engaged – was amazing.”

“Cells and genes are hard for anyone to understand, even college students,” Nelson said. “But through the game, these middle schoolers were having fun and answering the questions right.”

“My work is not just for ‘funsies,’” Nelson said. “There are people back home who I want to benefit from what I do.” CONTINUED FROM A1

President Susan Poser also attended. She delivered a speech highlighting the work Nelson has done.

“I am absolutely delighted that Hofstra has its first Rhodes

Key:

PS – Public Safety

RA – Resident Assistant

HU – Hofstra University

CS – Community Standards

On Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, at 5:43 p.m., an HU student reported to PS that while walking on the main campus, they were approached by an unknown male asking for money. The student did not give any money and walked away.

search will bring real benefits to the Caribbean and inspire young scientists from her region.

She also mentioned how she helped make a game about cells and genes.

As she prepares to begin her post-graduate studies at Oxford, Nelson said she hopes her re-

Public Safety Briefs

On Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at 9:25 p.m., PS responded to Vander Poel Hall on a call that there was a dog left unattended on the 13th floor. An investigation revealed that an HU student allowed their guest to bring a dog into the building and left it unattended while they went out to get food. This matter was referred to CS.

On Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at 8 p.m., an HU student reported to PS that their wallet and HU room key were taken from a locker in the Fitness Center. The locker was unlocked at the time, and police assistance was declined. An

Compiled by Sahana Shastry

investigation is being conducted into this matter.

On Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at 1:49 p.m., an HU student reported to PS that a Boost account was created with their information and charges for food were being made without their knowledge or permission. Police assistance was declined at the time. An investigation is being conducted into this matter.

On Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at 11:40 p.m., an RA in Estabrook Hall reported to PS that they noticed the odor of marijuana emanating

from a room on the eighth floor. PS responded, and the students occupying the room admitted to smoking marijuana. This matter was referred to CS.

On Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, at 9:45 a.m., an HU student reported to PS that at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, they left their personal belongings attached to a clipboard in an unlocked fourth floor conference room in Leo A. Guthart Hall for Innovation and Discovery. When they returned the next day, their belongings were missing. An investigation is being conducted into this matter.

On Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, at 11:30 a.m., an HU student reported to PS that they purchased concert tickets via GroupMe and never received the tickets. Police assistance was declined at the time.

On Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, at 4:30 p.m., an HU student reported to PS that they parked their vehicle in parking field 7N, and when they returned two days later, the student discovered damage to the left front corner of the vehicle. Police assistance was declined at the time.

FEATURES

This Hofstra Life: Ashley Montiel

By Denivia Rivera FEATURES EDITOR

Ashley Montiel, senior sociology, criminology and Spanish triple major, is a first-generation Latina student at Hofstra University.

Montiel moved across the county to pursue her career goals at Hofstra. She said that Hofstra awarded her with the greatest scholarship among the colleges she was considering, which played a significant role in her decision to attend.

“Coming from California and being a first-generation Latina, if I had the opportunity to go somewhere far, like a private university, [I figured I] might as well try it out,” Montiel said. “In addition to the scholarship, my decision was for opportunities as well because I know the school has a lot of connections within the field I’m pursuing.”

To reach her career goals, Montiel decided to triple major at Hofstra.

“I decided to triple major based on a professor saying that my first two majors [sociology and criminology] overlap and it would benefit my career options in the future,” Montiel said. “I

By Gianna Costanzo

COPY CHIEF

As an avid reader and a student in the publishing studies department at Hofstra University, I am always on the lookout for new ways to keep up with my reading habits at a low price. Without a subscription service or library card, NetGalley has been my saving grace in staying on top of my reading list and saving money.

NetGalley was created in 2008 and is designed to help publishers and authors promote their work through digital review copies. Industry professionals, authors and book lovers alike are able to request digital advance reader copies (ARC) and audio books. If their request is accepted, the individual then has access to read or listen to the book and to review it.

Many major publishing houses utilize NetGalley, which is good for both the houses and

added a Spanish major because of my professors, and Spanish is my first language, so I was like, ‘Why not just add it?’”

Montiel said that after graduation, she wants to work within the government in some capacity.

“At first, I wanted to be an FBI agent,” Montiel said. “Right now, I think I either want to be a detective [or] a private investigator. I just want to work in an area where I can help others.”

As a first-generation college student, Montiel had to quickly learn to be independent and advocate for herself.

“Being a [first-generation student] can sometimes be overwhelming because I know my parents can’t help me out with certain things, so I do have to do a deeper dive and investigate loans, scholarships and how to apply to certain things, but I know [first-generation] resources are always there to help,” Montiel said. “I also have friends who have gone through the process so they can help me. Even though my parents probably can’t help as much, I know other people who are there to help.”

In addition to navigating college as a first-generation student, Mon-

tiel had to adjust to being far away from home while at Hofstra.

“At first, the transition was a little bit difficult because I’m so used to being at home,” Montiel said. “I’m very family oriented so moving here, being independent and on my own was kind of hard. Integrating myself into clubs and meeting people who are similar to me and have similar experiences kind of helped the transition.”

Being a Latina student and Spanish major, Montiel said she tries to involve herself within the Spanish department at Hofstra as much as possible.

“I really do enjoy the people who are a part of the Spanish department, and it’s nice to be surrounded by a community that supports you and looks after you,” Montiel said.

Another integral part of Montiel’s experience at Hofstra has been her involvement with Hofstra’s Organization of Latin Americans (H.O.L.A.).

“I became involved in H.O.L.A. my second semester of freshman year because my [resident assistant] was the president of the club at the time and he encouraged me to join,” Montiel said. “I became president of H.O.L.A. my first

semester of my junior year.”

Montiel said being a Hispanic student at Hofstra can be somewhat challenging at times.

“I think, sometimes, we can be under-looked or underestimated, but I feel like it creates more of a drive to keep pursuing what I want to do,” Montiel said.

Her role as president of H.O.L.A. allows her to be a student voice for Hispanic students on campus.

“I feel like the Hispanic community on campus has been growing a lot, and I feel like I can sometimes advocate for more events with my club advisor,” Montiel said. “That’s one good thing about being president of H.O.L.A. I have a say about certain events that can be held on campus or if I feel there’s an issue targeting our community, I can speak up, bring attention to it and try to see how to find a resolution.”

Montiel uses her executive board position at H.O.L.A. and its events to create a safe space for students who may feel targeted on campus.

“H.O.L.A. tends to hold an open mic event, and our club members are able to take the mic and voice any challenges they face on campus or how they feel they’re viewed negatively on

Chron Critique: NetGalley

readers. Hachette Book Group, Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins Publishers all regularly submit select works to NetGalley. This site is beneficial for publishers as it allows them to receive feedback on their books prior to publishing them. The reviews are useful because they help publishers identify issues with the book as well as create early momentum for its release. Early interest and positive reviews for a book benefit the book’s sales. If a retailer sees that a book has a dozen good reviews, they will be more likely to purchase the book for their shelves.

The website is very user friendly and free to use. First, you must register and identify which member type you would like to participate as: bookseller, book trade professional, educator, librarian, media/journalist or reviewer. Once you are registered and activate your account, you

are asked to answer a set of questions based on your membership type. I picked “reviewer,” so my questions were centered around where I publish my reviews and what genres of books I typically read and review. Users are then prompted to write a “bio” centered around how and why they will utilize the books and audiobooks on NetGalley. After users complete the required fields, they are ready to start requesting.

Requests for ARCs are accepted or denied based on the user’s preferences, feedback ratio and reviews. It is recommended that users have a feedback ratio of 80%.

The website states “Your feedback is essential to publishers, authors and other readers. In exchange for receiving free digital review copies, NetGalley members are expected to complete a feedback loop for the books and audiobooks they access. Make sure to submit your reviews, star ratings, opinions and industry

campus,” Montiel said. “I take those concerns into account and can always bring it up to my club advisor or someone in [the Student Government Association] and we can try to find a way to resolve it.”

Being a first-generation Latina student, triple majoring and moving across the country for school, Montiel is a remarkable student on Hofstra’s campus who is motivated by difficulties.

“It can be difficult at times being a first-gen Latina, but that should always be a drive to pursue more,” Montiel said. “Don’t let people’s words get to you because you will get there.”

list nominations – and then share with your audience!”

Users can browse the titles by categories, genres or specific publishers. The categories include Recently Added Audiobooks, Recently Added Books, Most Requested Books and more. Before requesting a book, users are able to view the cover, title, publishing house, description and other basic information. To request a book, the user must specify what drew them to the title: the author, cover, description, title or general buzz surrounding the book. Once the request is accepted or denied (which rarely happens in my experience) the user is able to read the book in the NetGalley Reader which can be accessed through the NetGalley website and the NetGalley Shelf application, which is available for download via Google Play and the Apple App Store.

To me, the only downside to NetGalley is that it is a fully

online application. I prefer to read physical books rather than eBooks or audiobooks. Ideally, NetGalley would mail users physical copies of the ARCs, but that is costly and unreasonable. Another positive to NetGalley, though, is that there is no timeline or deadline for reading the books or submitting reviews, besides the publication date. In my experience, while some were removed, other books have even stayed on my shelf after the publication date and remained available to read for free.

If you are an avid reader and book reviewer, an aspiring author or a future publishing professional, I highly recommend signing up for NetGalley. Not only is it free, easy to navigate and a great experience for reviewing books, it is also highly satisfying to walk around a bookstore and see recently published books that you read and reviewed months prior.

FEATURES

Personal Essay:

By Sahana Shastry ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

“At the risk of sounding narcissistic – the difference is me.”

That is how I started my personal statement when I was applying to transfer universities last year. At a time when everything in my life felt “not right” and I felt alien within every setting, I found myself trying to sum up my complex identity, one that I didn’t quite understand myself, onto a mere two-page essay.

Change has always been the central theme of my life, with me as the constant anchor. In my childhood, whenever the blankets and barbies didn’t drown out the voices of my quarrelling parents, art and music muted the trauma and filled my head with big dreams. My diary gave me a home whenever I didn’t have one outside its pages.

I grew up in Malleswaran, a little suburb in Bangalore, India. My weeks were filled with homework and distractions while my weekends were filled with laughter and raised voices in my grandmother’s house. No matter what chaos seemed to transpire in the external, I let canvases, colors and movement express the words and stories I could never verbally convey.

The safety net I built for myself had made me a clear and decisive person who knew exactly who she was and what she wanted from life. When the big dreams that lived in my head turned into reality and my family and I relocated to America, everything around me felt brighter and more colorful. I envisioned a paradise where nothing could go wrong, a new fresh slate where I could be someone new. For a while, my excitement blinded every imperfection.

But I had forgotten to account for those sixteen years that had been my foundation. Eventually, those imperfections became polite smiles in rooms of unfamiliar laughter and feelings of isolation every time someone asked me to

repeat something. I was a fish out of water and the unnaturalness of it appeared in every sense. It was in the way it built layers of doubt in theater class or when someone mentioned Kermit the Frog or Charlie Brown, and my simple question followed. “Who?”

The girl who had Selena Gomez and Billy Joel in her Spotify Wrapped even before she moved to America, now constantly listened to her past’s familiar tunes – tunes that she could take refuge in.

I would never listen to the sound of traffic and daydream in the backseat of my mom’s Maruti 800; I would never be sitting in the same octagon-shaped living room with my mom and sister talking, bickering and laughing. Every time the seasons

“Change has always been the central theme of my life, with me as the constant anchor. ”

The small world that was once the cocoon of certainty was now the Triwizard Tournament’s maze from “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” by J. K. Rowling with no red flares to spare.

My music had become both a comfort and a trap that kept me stuck in a period of nostalgia – time that would never come back. Every trip back to India kept reminding me that the version I was holding onto no longer existed.

The realization had set in. I would never be in my grandmother’s house every Sunday having her signature coffee; I would never walk back home from dance class as the sun set;

changed and the jackets got thicker, isolation became my friend. Every spring when the flowers started to bloom, I, too, came out of my mental cave. Skip forward to freshman year of college, when having free time started to become a luxury. The desire to be everyone and do everything all at once drove my actions. I did become everyone and did everything, but when I finally had a pause after the year ended, I couldn’t find the sense of purpose that I had started with. It seemed to me that I was chasing a goal I could not see. My clear lens in the face of every

past hardship had seemed to be covered by a blurry, thick fog that I had not seen coming. It was the summer I was turning 20, turning old. Okay, maybe not too old, but the jump from 19 to 20 seemed like a huge gap. It was a shift from when mistakes seemed natural to when mistakes came with costs attached to them (like most things in one’s adult life). I realized that I suddenly did not know who I was or what I wanted from life. My external uncertainties seemed insignificant in the face of my internal uncertainties.

The dichotomy of my identity that I had been ignoring pressed, rather rudely, for attention. I lived in two worlds. The first was in my blood and harbored my roots; the other allowed me to grow far beyond my imagination but lacked my grandmother’s coffee and the octagon-shaped living room. The India I once knew no longer existed, and the America I now live in felt too alien. My existence appears to be somewhere in between both worlds.

Getting comfortable with this unfamiliar cloud of uncertainty

is a tricky thing. Every false sense of control I had seemed to disappear. This alienating feeling that I had trapped myself into had nothing to do with not being the same person I once was, but with not knowing who I wanted to be.

As I sit in my class and type this (for the purpose of maintaining a good academic standing, I won’t disclose which class), I feel a weird sense of liberty in knowing that I might never know. Knowing would be boring. It would be like reading the last page of a book first or like watching “The Great Gatsby” on Broadway knowing Gatsby’s fate (which, for the record, I didn’t – the shock on my face was a funny sight).

Maybe everything doesn’t have to be in control. There is a liberty in knowing that, although you didn’t have complete control of your life in the beginning, when you are an adult, everything’s on you. You only have control over your actions and reactions; you’re accountable only for the figure that stares back at you in the mirror.

Holding onto things seems to take up space. I am the first exhibit of this because I never seem to have storage on my devices due to the 22,000 photos that a part of me would hate to erase. I used to think, “If I let go of my past, who am I?” But then, on one fine Friday, I had enough of the phone glitches and deleted 1,048 photos in one go (but not before backing them up). I didn’t feel anything except a lingering hope that maybe one day in the future, I’ll be able to take the time to revisit them like an old friend.

My fight to conceptualize and understand everything in and around me only pushes me closer to the realization that perhaps people are not meant to be understood; they are meant to be experienced. And uncertainty is a part of that experience. It’s okay to say, “I don’t know.”

M AN ON THE U NISPAN

“What’s your Thanksgiving food ‘hot take’?”

By Hannah Mudry, Emilie Morrissette and Joe Orovitz FEATURES EDITOR, ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR AND MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

“I don’t like turkey.”

- Grace Lee, freshman

O verheard @ h O fstra

“What if instead of Philosophy Club you went to ‘job application club’?”

“My professor is sick today, so I’m gonna send her a meme.”

“I have genuinely never heard her speak in this country.”

“Thanksgiving food isn’t that great, but you know the dish with the sweet potatoes and the marshmellows? I just eat the marshmellows. ”

- Talia Soto, freshman

“Turkey isn’t that good.”

- Colin Brown, freshman

“I’ve been thinking about becoming gay in post-grad.”

“I can’t call you a psychopath. I’m drinking milk.”

“You’re really giving ‘he/him’ right now.”

“Your incompetence isn’t weaponized because it’s real.”

“I only rap when I feel safe.”

“Please don’t let her throw me!”

If there’s something funny you overhear, you can now submit it here!

Club Feature: Street Soulz Collective

By Hannah Mudry

FEATURES EDITOR

“Street Soulz Collective is more than just a club, or a dance club per se. We’re not really looking for people to join based on their talent or how proficient they are with hip-hop,” said Street Soulz Collective’s secretary, Abdul Sanz, senior dance and civil engineering double major. “We want to make it more of a social club, where people come to get to know more about the culture of hip-hop.”

Hofstra University’s newest edition is a club dedicated to learning the culture of hip-hop.

The club will host events highlighting all five elements of hip-hop culture: breaking, graffiting, DJing, MCing and fashion. The group is hoping to host five events per semester, where two of the five events will feature guest speakers and the other three will be lectures or group discussions to teach individuals about hip-hop culture.

An important aspect of Street Soulz Collective will be the guest

speakers. The universal motto of hip-hop reads, “Each one, teach one.” The executive board is inviting hip-hop legends to speak to students in the future about what hip-hop has meant to them throughout their careers. Thus far, the club’s logo was designed by hip-hop dance icon Mr. Wiggles.

“The sense of community coming from hip-hop is what we’re trying to recreate with Street Soulz and [having] that safe haven for students to really be like, ‘Wow, so hip-hop is not just spinning on your head or just breaking and doing all this amazing stuff.’ Yes, that’s part of it, but there are so many other elements of hip-hop,” Sanz said.

Founder, current president and senior dance major Ava Davis brought Street Soulz Collective to Hofstra because hip-hop culture has always been a big part of her life. She wanted to bring the sense of community she found in hip-hop to the university for other students who may be interested.

“You have to be willing to put in the work,” Davis said. For her, starting a club was

challenging because she had to figure out which of the club’s elements were most important to pitch to the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement. She overcame each challenge by communicating effectively with her other e-board members to bring her vision to life.

Street Soulz Collective hosted their first event on Sunday, Nov. 16. The “Beats, Bars and Vibes” event was designed for prospective members to meet the e-board. Ten students attended the event, which gave the club leaders hope for growth in the spring semester.

“We are confident now that we’re able to accomplish everything,” Sanz said. “If we can keep building interest and start putting on consistent programming, I believe that by the end of next semester we will have a bigger membership.”

Vice President and sophomore dance major Korynn Gholston mentioned that the group is hoping to have plenty of participating members at each event because the more people that at-

tend, the more feedback they get.

The group is hoping to gear each meeting toward the group of students who attend each session.

For example, if the majority of people are interested in fashion, they will focus more on fashion.

“I just really want a very big involvement and active membership. I don’t want ghost members – people that are just on the roster for us to keep our status as a club,” Sanz said. “I want people that are in the club and that are active.”

Street Soulz Collective is open to all students at Hofstra, regardless of their majors or backgrounds.

“Come as you are,” Davis said. “I just want to emphasize that this is not a dance club. Our members do not need dance experience.”

Street Soulz Collective’s e-board hopes to make their space more of a community than a strict environment.

“We want to be a safe space for everyone: every sexual orientation, every gender expression, every political belief, every spiritual belief,” Sanz said. “This is really a club for everyone. We want everyone to feel like they belong in Street Soulz. If there’s nowhere on this campus where you feel like you belong, you’ll belong in Street Soulz.”

Chron Critique: Hofstra USA’s Dirty Sodas

By Emilie Morrissette

ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR

One of my favorite beverages to order at Sonic Drive-In is their Dirty Dr. Pepper, which features their original Dr. Pepper with add-ins: sweet cream, coconut flavor and fresh lime juice. These three components give Sonic Drive-In’s classic drink a sweeter, more tropical twist. When I heard that Hofstra University’s very own late night dining hall Hofstra USA (HofUSA) added dirty sodas to the menu, I was excited to try them out.

For my second year at Hofstra, I was delighted to see that many new desserts were added to the menu, along with their brand-new dirty sodas selling for $3.50. HofUSA often adds seasonal menu items for a limited time, such as their pumpkin milkshake, but dirty sodas are here to stay. HofUSA offers four different flavors: Berry Pepper, Vanilla Cream, Dirty Sprite and Dirty Orange. I went to HofUSA and random-

ly surveyed 40 students that were there. Of the 40 participants, only 12 people voiced that they had tried the dirty sodas – averaging about a third of the students.

My friends and I sat down and ordered all of them and gave each of them our official review. We each rated the sodas one through 10, and ranked the flavors from best to worst.

The first flavor that we tried was Dirty Sprite, which consists of Sprite, grenadine, vanilla syrup and cream. The flavor was reminiscent of a Shirley Temple, having a similar taste to strawberries and cream. The added cream gives the drink a much softer and creamier feel, making the beverage more palatable for non-soda drinkers.

Cassidy Isaacson, a sophomore drama major, commented on the mouthfeel of the drink.

“It’s smoother, the carbonation isn’t as much,” Isaacson said. “If I had to choose between this and a regular Shirley Temple, I’d choose this.”

Our ratings for this flavor av-

eraged a solid seven out of 10.

The next flavor that we tried was Berry Pepper, which is made with Dr. Pepper, strawberry syrup and cream. This flavor was deemed to be the most controversial. While Isaacson thought it tasted like cough syrup, others had differing opinions on it. Steven Csak, an undeclared freshman, expressed that he didn’t necessarily hate the drink.

“It’s overwhelming a little bit,” Csak said. “There’s a lot of flavors happening at once.”

Wyatt Trzaskos, a sophomore majoring in fine arts with a concentration in design, shared his thoughts on the beverage as well.

“I’m biased. I love Dr. Pepper,” Trzaskos said. “I think the berry kind of ruins it … if it was just the Dr. Pepper, I’d enjoy it more.”

Our average score for this drink was an unfortunate five and a half out of 10.

The third flavor that we tried was Dirty Orange, which consists of Orange Fanta, vanilla syrup and cream. This soda

resembles a liquefied creamsicle, with the added sensation of fizziness. I’d recommend this beverage to anyone trying dirty sodas for the first time. It’s an easy introduction to this kind of drink because of the familiar flavor combination of orange and cream. We decided to rate this flavor an eight overall.

The final flavor that we tried was Vanilla Cream, which is made with Coca-Cola, vanilla syrup and cream. I think a more suitable name for this drink would be “Dirty Coke.” Upon our final taste test, we were pleasantly surprised with how much we all enjoyed this one, rating it the highest with an eight and a half. Isaacson had previously tried this drink, and knew that this flavor would be her front runner with no competition.

“This one’s not as sweet,” Isaacson said. “And that’s why I like it the most.”

For those who are not a huge fan of soda or overly sugary beverages, Vanilla Cream would be

the best dirty soda option. Csak, who is not much of a soda drinker himself, was still able to appreciate the beverage for what it was.

“I think that’s just a classic taste,” Csak said. “I like the uniqueness of it.”

After final review and discussion, our rankings were split into two different versions. Isaacson and I agreed that Vanilla Cream took the cake, followed by Dirty Sprite, Dirty Orange and Berry Pepper. Meanwhile, Csak and Trzaskos concurred that their winner was the Dirty Orange, with Vanilla Cream taking second place, followed by Dirty Sprite and Berry Pepper. We all agreed that Berry Pepper could be vastly improved by removing the strawberry syrup that comes in it, per Trzaskos’ recommendation. The concept of dirty sodas can be a bit daunting to try, but trust your fellow peers when we, a friend group consisting of dirty soda connoisseurs and non-soda drinkers, say that they are well liked.

The Addams come to Hofstra

Performed by Hofstra University’s Masquerade Musical Theatre Co., “The Addams Family” brought a fun take on a classic television series to an audience of students on Saturday, Nov. 15 and Sunday, Nov. 16. The student-based cast treated the audience to a show that captured young love and the familial struggles that come with it. The well-known characters came to life under the stage lights!

Light in the dark

“Into Sunlight” represented some of the best that the Hofstra University Drama and Dance department has to offer. Created by Robin Becker, Hofstra professor of drama and dance, “Into Sunlight” was inspired by the vast cultural impacts of the Vietnam War. The performance featured a number of Hofstra alumni and included one current undergraduate student. It was a powerful display by the Drama and Dance department.

Arts And EntErtAinmEnt

Love defies all in 'Wicked: For Good' cont.

By Kimberly Lopez STAFF WRITER

CONTINUED FROM A1

Another new change brought into the film adaptation came during “Wonderful,” a song where The Wizard tries to lure Elphaba back onto his side. They decided to add Glinda to the number, which seems even crueler, as Glinda is clearly seen as a soft spot for Elphaba. The song also included a “Defying Gravity” reprise, where this time, Glinda is the one who tells Elphaba, “Together we’ll be the greatest team there’s ever been.”

Despite the peace we feel for maybe two seconds as an audience, Chistery shows Elphaba where The Wizard has kept even more animals trapped, including her and Glinda’s old professor, Dr. Dillamond. She immediately backtracks on the truce with The Wizard and in a chilling tone, tells him to “run.”

What follows is the better half of the movie in my opinion, despite its utter chaos. Glinda finds out about Prince Fiyero’s (Jonathan Bailey) true feelings

about Elphaba, and he declares he’s running away with her. The movie heats up as Morrible tries to plan a new way to capture Elphaba, when Glinda, lost in her sadness, brings up the idea of using Nessarose. This ultimately leads to her death.

Erivo and Bailey perform the song “As Long As You’re Mine,” which is sure to grant many reactions from audiences. Their voices together are a true joy to the ear, making us feel the sultry tones of the song. Despite this being one of my absolute favorite songs from “Wicked,” the characters’ love for one another feels rushed. Though this is something that also lacked in the original musical, at least director Jon M. Chu tried his best to make it better.

Another critique that seems to be a common theme with movies today is showing way too much in the teasers and trailers. Despite there still being many surprises in the film, I felt most scenes were something I had already seen before – although it could likely be due to my knowledge of the musical itself.

A choice I did appreciate, however, was not showing Dorothy Gale’s face. “Wicked: For Good” ties into the events from the beloved movie “The Wizard of Oz” (1939) and despite the necessary presence of Dorothy, I'm glad the biggest thing in this film is still Glinda and Elphaba, just like in the musical.

Erivo’s biggest triumph, to no one’s surprise, comes during “No Good Deed.” Audiences have anticipated Erivo’s version of the song for months, and she truly exceeded expectations. The anger, desperation and acceptance to being “The Wicked Witch” all comes tumbling down in this number, and Erivo doesn’t hold back in showing it. The new vocal choices are astounding, and for fans of the “Wicked” musical, it might just top Jessica Vosk’s version. Some of the film’s best editing choices are also during this number.

In full transparency, the final act of the film feels like multiple shots to the heart.

After taking control of her own narrative, Glinda seeks out Elphaba, leading to the iconic duet, “For Good.” Multiple new

choices were added from here to the end of the film. A choice that made my mouth drop was Elphaba telling Glinda, “I love you” and Glinda responding, “I love you, too.” If the duet or the affection between the two wasn’t enough to make you sob, the two-shot of the girls crying with just a closet door between them should do it.

The film concludes with Glinda truly becoming good, while Elphaba – after faking her death – and Fiyero (now Scarecrow) retreat to Kiamo Ko in peace.

Both parts of “Wicked” are films that will cement themselves in history. Chu did a tremendous job at wrapping up the stories of Glinda and Elphaba with a bittersweet bow. “Wicked: For Good” fleshes out each character more in depth compared to the second act of the musical, making it feel more complete. At the end of the day, “Wicked” is about a powerful friendship between two strong women. Their love for one another is the core of the story, ultimately changing one another, and us, for good.

The return of the boyband that never left

By Samantha Cotes SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

As 5 Seconds of Summer’s self-proclaimed #1 fan, I’ve followed them through every reinvention, but their latest album – “EVERYONE’S A STAR!” – marks one of their most striking shifts yet. Since their 2012 debut as scrappy pop-punk newcomers, the band has experimented with countless sounds, with each era pushing them further from where they started. Now, with years of experience behind them, they’ve crafted an album that feels purposeful – one that shows not just who they’ve become, but what they want their listeners to understand and feel.

Through the years, fans have gotten glimpses of who the members of 5 Seconds of Summer want to become as artists, especially across their albums “Sounds Good Feels Good,” “Youngblood,” “CALM” and

“5SOS5.” Each album captured a different aspect of their evolving identity, and “EVERYONE’S A STAR!” feels like the moment where all those threads finally came together. The fun, upbeat and childish feel that you hear in songs like “NOT OK” brings back the craziness heard in their album “Sounds Good Feels Good.” It specifically calls back to track two of the album, “She's Kinda Hot.” It brings the energy that just “makes you want to jump.” “Youngblood” hinted at their shift toward more mature pop productions and featured emotional lyricism paired with layered songwriting that was lacking in their earlier music. “CALM” pushed deeper into darker tones and experimental structures while “5SOS5” showed the band embracing vulnerability, refining their sound into something both polished and personal.

In “EVERYONE’S A STAR!,” you can hear pieces of each

era woven into something new. The fun of “Sounds Good Feels Good,” the seductive energy of “Youngblood,” the moody approach of “CALM” and the honesty of “5SOS5” all show up in their new album in a way that feels intentional rather than nostalgic. It’s almost as if, throughout their previous albums, the band had been hinting at this exact direction: testing sounds, strengthening their writing and figuring out how to balance their pop-rock roots with their more modern influences. This album feels like the payoff, where all the experimentation finally adds up to a fully realized version of who they’ve been trying to be all along.

On this album, the band digs into the media’s long-standing narrative about who they’re supposed to be. While they’re clearly pushing themselves forward artistically, the media often tries to pull them back, framing them through the same boyish lens

Quick Hits

Want more A&E Content? Scan to learn more about what's happening in the world of entertainment!

The first trailer for 'Sunrise on the Reaping' was released on Thursday, Nov. 20, a year ahead of the film's release on Nov. 20 of next year.

they had a decade ago. One of the most consistent parts of 5 Seconds of Summer’s identity is their almost comical frustration with being labeled a “boyband” – a title they’ve never aligned with. They’ve always wanted to be recognized for their artistry rather than their appearance or the stereotypes that come with that label. This tension comes to a head on the fourth track, “Boyband,” where they directly confront and take apart the expectations that have followed them since the start.

Starting in March, 5 Seconds of Summer will embark on their “EVERYONE'S A STAR!” World Tour, kicking things off with a run of dates across Europe. From there, they will continue traveling through major cities around the globe, bringing the new era of their music worldwide. The tour will come full circle as the band closes out their final three shows in their home country of Australia.

Viewer voting matters too much on 'Dancing with the Stars'

By Vanessa Flanagan STAFF WRITER

The beloved reality show “Dancing with the Stars” is about dance professionals pairing with celebrities to compete against other couples to win the show’s staple Mirrorball Trophy. Each week, three judges score the couples’ dances on a scale from 1-10, with 10 being the best. Viewers of the show can also vote for their favorite couples via text message and abc.com, and they can vote up to 10 times per couple on each platform.

It is hard to believe that a pair who has consistently scored sixes for multiple weeks in a row would make it all the way to the quarterfinals, but it happened during this season with Andy Richter. The only explanation is that Richter received an overwhelming number of fan votes which kept him in the competition. Celebrities that were better dancers and received higher scores were eliminated before Richter since his fan vote rate was so high. He was eventually

eliminated at the end of the quarterfinals, but he never should have made it there in the first place. The first few weeks of the season should’ve been used to weed out the weaker dancers. By week six,

than radio personality Bobby Bones, that season’s Mirrorball Trophy winner. Manheim received two nines during week two, while Bones consistently received sixes, sevens and eights

stars’ dancing ability, rather than fan votes. Voting does not need to be taken away, and it should still count toward whether a couple is in jeopardy of going home or not, but its weight needs to signifi-

couples were awarded nines and 10s, while Richter scored straight sixes.

This is not the only notable time something like this has happened on the show. In the finale of Season 27, Milo Manheim placed second overall, despite being an extremely better dancer

throughout the entire competition. Like Richter, Bones received an overabundance of fan votes that kept him on the show despite his low scores, and he ended up winning. The show’s eliminations should be more centered around the couples’ actual scores and the

cantly decrease. Voting is helpful when pairs get scored similarly and there might be a tie on the leaderboard. It also shakes up the scores to help make the show less predictable, rather than just sending the bottom scorer home. At the end of the semifinals for this season, influencer Whitney

The 'Smiling Friends' are back!

Leavitt tied for second on the leaderboard but was ultimately eliminated. She was a much better dancer than content creator Dylan Efron, who placed last and made it to the finals. At the end of the day, the show is called “Dancing with the Stars,” and only the best and most improved stars should move on to the finale.

It does not help that judges were giving out inflated scores during the early weeks. For example, Richter was receiving straight sixes by week three, putting the judges in a corner for the rest of his time on the show where he is supposed to improve. Moving forward, they could only really give him scores of six through 10, even when his actual dancing ability deserved lower scores.

The show should be more faithful to its title and focus on the dancing ability of stars. Fan votes should not be the difference between a deserving couple winning the Mirrorball Trophy or being sent home.

By Peter Massarrone STAFF WRITER

What started as a half-crazy show about a charity that helps make silly cartoon characters smile, has now become full-crazy. The third season of “Smiling Friends” has been rolling out new episodes weekly for the past few weeks on Adult Swim and HBO Max. Developed by co-creators Michael Cusack – known for Adult Swim series “YOLO” and various animated YouTube shorts – and Zach Hadel (better known as PyschicPebbles) – the YouTube animator behind “Hell Benders” – the show gives an outlet for these two wacky, chaotic creators to take the internet by storm.

Back in 2020, Adult Swim released the pilot of “Smiling Friends” as an April Fool’s joke to see how much attention the series would garner. The pilot, “Desmond’s Big Day Out,” featured Charlie, a nihilistic, chilled-

out yellow guy voiced by Hadel, and Pim, a joyful, optimistic purple guy voiced by Cusack.

In the pilot, the two get called to help talk a depressed middleaged man who lives with his mom out of suicide. They do so by helping him find his calling as a Bliblie exterminator. In this ridiculous world, Bliblies are tiny, annoying purple critters that try to murder anyone they see. As zany as this sounds, the show was a hit online and, as a result of the positive feedback, it was quickly greenlit for its first season.

Flash forward to today, “Smiling Friends” has become a multi-season staple of animated television that doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Apart from Pim and Charlie, the crew consists of Mr. Boss, an over-the-top psychotic boss that keeps the boys working, Alan, the hard-working, tall deadpan office manager and Glep, a little green critter. Every episode consists of the boys trying to make a different silly

character smile, and most of the time everything goes to hell. The show only stays grounded by having its ridiculously animated characters talk in a realistic tone. They argue, talk over each other and harp on the simpleness of everyday life. One minute you’ll have Charlie exploring the depths of hell, and the next, you’re watching the devil complain about how his Uber Eats order forgot his straw.

Episode five of Season 3, titled “Pim and Charlie Save Mother Nature,” exemplifies this overthe-top dynamic perfectly. The boys go on a work trip to a cabin in the woods, where Charlie desires to find a cryptid hidden among the forest. This simple premise sets the show into motion by having Charlie and Pim come across Mother Nature, who is animated through claymation and upset that hikers littered everywhere. Pim vows to help her, while Charlie laments that he has to pick up trash. After clearing up

the mess, Mother Nature grows in power and vows to eat anyone who littered in the forest. Pim freaks out when Mother Nature finds out that Charlie littered earlier, and the two try to survive being eaten alive. Through Pim’s smart thinking, they are able to defeat Mother Nature by throwing an energy drink into her mouth that makes her dissolve, destroying the nature of the forest for good. And that’s not to mention the side plot where Mr. Boss tries to help Alan relax by doing the wackiest, most bizarre actions

you can imagine.

If you have a knack for internet humor, like watching animated shows or the craziness of Adult Swim’s other shows, then you’ve probably already heard of “Smiling Friends.” But if you haven’t, and you have eleven minutes to spare, go ahead and watch an episode. You’ll come out confused, wowed and mesmerized by the craziness you just witnessed, and maybe you’ll pick up a reference or two that you can laugh about with your friends.

By Abby Gibson ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Kelsea Ballerini's new EP is full of emotion

Country music star Kelsea Ballerini released her newest Extended Play (EP), “Mount Pleasant,” on Friday, Nov. 14. The EP explores themes of missed chances at motherhood, relationship insecurities, mental health and more as she navigates her early 30s and deepens her self-reflection.

"'Mount Pleasant' is a collection of six songs I’ve written throughout the summer, marking a chapter of heavy self-examination, longing and stepping further into who I am as a 32-year-old woman,” Ballerini said on her website. The 15-minute EP compacts the emotional landscape of womanhood into something concise, yet still relatable, giving listeners space to self-reflect with Ballerini. She revealed that she

likes making EPs as “a creative exercise and also a palate cleanser for [her] own artistry.”

Before she released her EP, she released a single titled “I Sit In Parks.” This track serves as a strong tone-setter for the EP. Ballerini explores her longing for motherhood and the complicated tug-of-war between personal ambition and personal desire. She sings, “I wonder if she wants my freedom like I want to be a mother.” The song has garnered around 3.8 million streams on Spotify as of Wednesday, Nov. 19.

“I was having this moment of ‘Wow, how lucky am I that this is my life?’ and this is a dream that I’ve chosen … but, like, I also think that I have that dream too, and how does that work,” Ballerini said on her social media.

“I Sit In Parks” is my favorite song on the EP because sonically, it sounds so peaceful, but conveys this internal struggle of realizing you were too busy focusing on one dream that you left the other dream unfulfilled.

The second track, “People Pleaser,” focuses on Ballerini’s internal debate of constantly prior-

itizing other people’s needs above her own. She questions if being a people pleaser is something she learned from childhood and then carried into adulthood out of the desire to be liked. Ultimately she questions whether you know your true identity if you have this people-pleasing habit.

In both “Emerald City” and “587,” Ballerini sings about the insecurities she’s faced in her different relationships. Fans have speculated that “587” is about her relationship with “Outer Banks” star Chase Stokes. The two began dating in Jan. 2023 and were confirmed to have split in September of this year. The EP’s title, “Mount Pleasant,” is also a filming location for “Outer Banks” in South Carolina, furthering the connection to Stokes and fueling her fans’ theories.

“The Revisionist” investigates regretful decisions. Ballerini contemplates how one wishes they could erase past mistakes, even when choosing to own them, and she emphasizes the frustration that comes with not having the ability to change the past.

The closing track, “Check On

Your Friends,” is a reminder to check in on your seemingly happy friends. The ending of the song circles back to the first track, “I sit in parks / To see just how far I am / From the things that I want.” This makes it feel like she’s sharing with the audience how she’s doing as if we are the ones checking in on her.

Ballerini’s last EP, “Rolling Up the Welcome Mat,” (2023) emphasized the emotions of her divorce from Morgan Evans in 2022. “Mount Pleasant” feels lighter in that respect but still provides the honesty and vulnerability that is focused on growth rather than heartbreak. As someone who has been listening to Ballerini since 2015, I have loved seeing her open up and create more personable songs as she goes on in her career. While I still think that “Rolling Up the Welcome Mat” is her stronger EP, “Mount Pleasant” offers an intimate and fresh peek into where she is now and where she could be headed next.

'Europa Universalis V' was worth the wait

By Craig Mannino ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

The long-awaited sequel to Paradox Interactive’s 2013 game “Europa Universalis IV” (“EU4”) is finally here. “Europa Universalis V” (“EU5”) was released on Tuesday, Nov. 4, and it has since garnered immense critical and commercial success – topping charts for sales and player count. For the uninitiated, “EU5” is a history, economy, diplomacy and warfare simulator where players interact as the spirit of a country from 1337 to 1837, which spans a whopping 500 years of history. “EU5” masterfully simulates changing eras, new technologies, economies and politics throughout this massive historical timespan, presenting players with literally thousands of hours of unique content from day one.

The sheer amount of content “EU5” has on release is a major stepping-stone for Paradox Interactive, as their previous

releases have been incredibly bare on day one. In the past, Paradox Interactive had been reliant on downloadable content available months after release to make the games fun, interesting and, in some cases, playable.

The hype for “EU5” had been palpable since its announcement earlier this year in May. Paradox Interactive collaborated with dozens of YouTubers, giving them early access to the games to make content, which was then slowly released. This built anticipation, as fans were given just enough info to keep them satiated while also wanting more.

What makes the game so good is its technical depth and mechanical interconnection. The basis of these mechanics is the part of population system (P.O.P.). Within this system, “EU5” simulates every living person on Earth from game start to end. Every person has a social class, culture, religion and satisfaction. They have needs for goods like food or jewelry,

work in the buildings the player constructs, fight in the armies the player raises, produce goods they trade to other people, migrate across the world and much more.

The P.O.P. system is deeply integrated into the game’s system. You cannot produce goods if your population is hungry; you cannot field armies if none of your population are soldiers; and you cannot make money if you don’t have enough control of your population. The key factor for a player’s success is keeping their population happy and growing by managing economics, trade, diplomatic relations and a host of other mechanics.

If this concept felt confusing and overwhelming, that’s because those are two words one could use to describe this game. In fact, detractors of “EU5” cite the game’s complexity as a major turn-off, as it makes the barrier for entry higher than it has ever been in a Paradox Interactive title. The barrier for entry is cer-

tainly high; some people have even gone so far as to claim it took them fifty hours to learn this game, but that figure likely varies for everyone. For me, everything started clicking around hour five, and now with 15 hours logged, I can say that – although I’m far from mastery – I understand most of the game’s systems. Moreover, the “EU5” community is dedicated to helping players succeed. To start, Paradox Interactive has its own tutorial series on YouTube, and dozens

of other creators have produced tutorials which break down the game into understandable pieces. Even the game’s subreddit, r/EU5, is filled with forum posts of confused players helping one another. While “EU5” isn’t for everyone, if managing a country for half a millennium sounds remotely interesting to you, you should absolutely pick up this game. It’s hard to learn but deeply rewarding once you do. It’s Paradox Interactive’s magnum opus – it’s their best work.

The views and opinions expressed in the Opinion section are those of the authors. They are not an endorsement of the views of the Chronicle or its staff. The Chronicle does not discriminate based on the opinions of the authors.

By Peter Massarrone STAFF WRITER

CONTINUED FROM

A1

Trump’s DOJ is a nightmare cont.

The Department of Justice controls all 93 U.S. attorney’s offices across the country, and the office controlling Washington has the ability to prosecute federal crimes as well as local crimes, making it stand above the rest. But the Washington office’s new attorney generals have issued ridiculous orders and policies that are bound to break its own mission statement, which is “ … to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.”

Edward Martin, the interim attorney general, fired or demoted more than two dozen prosecutors for their work on prosecuting Jan. 6 rioters when he took office. He sent a letter to Georgetown Uni -

versity’s Law Center saying he wouldn’t hire any graduating students because of their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. And when he was rejected by the Senate for his controversial approach to justice, the current attorney general Jeanine Pirro took his place and led the office down an arguably worse path. She ordered prosecutors to be on duty around the clock – ready to receive calls from officers in the middle of the night –and urged them to try as many cases as possible in superior and federal court. She also ordered them to prosecute every eligible case to the extreme. Pirro and her supporters point to the reduction in violent crime of 28% in Washington compared to last year as evidence of the DOJ’s renewed success. On paper, this statistic proves that this

strategy is working, but in reality, it doesn’t speak to the downsides that come with these controversial policies. For U.S. attorneys, larger caseloads create burnout and a failure to succeed at the cases they’re assigned.

For judges, more cases on a docket means less time to devote to one case or another and forces them to speed through hearings to see that all their cases are called. For defense attorneys, the lack of compromise and a failure to communicate properly with U.S. attorneys who are ordered to prosecute to the extreme is more than frustrating when trying to get the best outcome for a client. Violent crime may be down, but if those crimes aren’t being prosecuted, judged or defended properly to give fairness to all, then what’s the point?

Specifically, my team and I defended a client – who is currently held in jail – that was interested in taking a plea deal. We worked extensively with a U.S. attorney to secure an adequate plea for this client, one with no more jail time than he’s currently serving. This deal was finally put in place, until the DOJ fired this U.S. attorney for writing in a sentencing memo for another defendant that Jan. 6 was a “mob of rioters.” The defendant was a pardoned Jan. 6 rioter, who came to former President Barack Obama’s house with a firearm.

After his absence, a new U.S. attorney was assigned to this case and the negotiations were forced from scratch. That defendant is currently held in jail, still awaiting the proper course of action from the DOJ and is being affected by the

internal struggles of the U.S. attorney’s office.

Removing U.S. attorneys for using language not favored by the Trump administration and forcing them to work absurd hours and ensuring that they try every case they possibly can has resulted in issues in the courthouse and frustrations for those accused. When the attorneys that work under the DOJ are being pushed to their limits by the Trump administration, everyone in the court system suffers, and by no means do these policies ensure a “fair and impartial administration of justice for all.”

Peter Massarrone is a senior English and political science double-major.

Chivalry in vogue: fashion forward thinking

By Kat Powers STAFF WRITER

When we watch films and television shows that are period pieces, we see the idea of feminine purity and how strongly it must be upheld to survive as a woman in society. As Daphne Basset reminds us in “Bridgerton,” if a young, eligible woman is found alone with a man, she “shall be ruined;” the mere suggestion that an unmarried woman fraternizes with non-suitors would sully the family name.

While that extreme is no longer present in American culture, men do still judge women based on how they dress; the kind of clothing signals the degree of honor and virtue the woman should be afforded. As a feminine-presenting woman who enjoys wearing flowy dresses and skirts, I have noticed that my style of dress affects how men treat me.

One day, I was running errands, and I had taken extra care when getting dressed: a long, white, drop-waisted skirt and a red top with boning and off-the-shoulder straps.

In CVS, a man – probably in his mid to late thirties – made a big show of stepping to the side in the shampoo aisle to let me pass, his bright eyes sliding down my body. His gaze didn’t feel predatory. It felt like he was in awe of me.

Fast forward a couple months: a long, softly yellowed sundress clings to my skin, the skirt full. A man – probably in his early twenties – picks up his pace to beat me to the door handle and holds the door open, patiently waiting while I pass. The day before, I was walking in this same hallway clad in jeans, and the man behind me did not rush ahead of me to get the door. He didn’t even give me a second glance when I held the door for him.

When I’m dressed in a soft feminine way, I receive tasteful compliments, and I am treated well. If I am in a clingy scoopneck black dress, men give me attention centered around how my body looks. If a woman is dressed in a sexy way, men are likely to treat her as a sex object. If she is wearing something akin to what a woman would have worn in Regency era England, men will treat her like a “lady.”

The distinction between a lady and a woman is essential. Anthony Bridgerton’s declaration that “every woman isn’t a lady” while in conversation with his mistress, opera singer Siena Rosso, illustrates that some women are viewed as entertainment and a means to sexual pleasure while others are viewed as potential wives and mothers.

In her song, “Lavender Haze,” Taylor Swift perfectly epitomizes this binary with

the lyric “The only kind of girl they see is a one-night or a wife.” Men look at women and think, “what can she do for me?”

However, dressing nicely doesn’t mean that the woman is performing for the man; instead, she is performing for herself. Sometimes, the objectification elevates her rather than demeaning her. The experience I had when a man literally ran ahead of me to provide a service, even something as seemingly small as holding the door for a few seconds, made me feel empowered. This is partly because when I am dressed softly, I feel like a goddess. My energy is different than when I’m in jeans. Dresses make me happy, so I am bubblier and more open when I am wearing them. This bubbliness is infectious. I feel classy, and people treat me like I’m classy.

True chivalry is when men treat women like queens regardless of their level of sexual or romantic interest in the woman they are supporting or protecting. However, chivalry does not have to confine women to certain patterns of behavior. Instead, it can empower women to explore activities and clothing that allow them to express themselves authentically. All women, regardless of status and appearance, should be treated well. If today’s men truly respect all women and embrace the principles of chivalry, we could truly say: “chivalry is not dead.”

Kat Powers is a senior English major. You can find her on Instagram @annecatherinehurley.

Chivalry is more present when women are dressed in a traditionally feminine way. As women display more stereotypically feminine characteristics and attire, men display more stereotypically masculine characteristics.

OPINION

Read Between the Lines

ACROSS 1 Used a firehouse pole 5 Section for carpoolers, for short 8 Victoria's Secret product

Office assistant 12 Words said to a genie

Number of "Little Women" sisters

Post-it

Object

Spanish madame

Bowling alley segments

Not very cooked

Rescheduled event 27 Cow's syllable

Slangy rejection

"Insecure" actress Issa

With excitement

Upper atmosphere layer

Encourage

Library offerings, or what the ends of 16-, 23-, 51and 64-Across are

Object of adoration

Like many bathroom floors 44 Left over, as food 46 "___ Maria"

Prefix with -metric

"I think, therefore __ __"

Microwavable

Gets married in secret

Anthony Bourdain, for one

Dasani trick shot

Overnight breakfast grains

Final words of prayer 68 Actress and comedian Fey 69 East Coast metropolis, abbr.

GPS's estimate

Flower's spine

In addition 58 Things in a percussionist's kit

1 Back talk 2 Unit of Volume 3 "Wicked" actress Menzel 4 Interior designer's focus, for short 5 Cutesy greeting

Possess 7 String section member 8 Spam account, on social media 9 Deeply regret 10 One of eight on an Octopus 13 What 14-Down does to your skin 14 Indian ceremonial dye 15 Sushi component 17 Krispy ___ doughnuts 21 Reverberation 23 Chocolate-caram el candy 24 Wear down over time

Camera and printer brand

Fall (over)

Sphere

"Wicked" actress Cynthia

Shoelace tip

"Gosh!"

Who Uncle Sam wants

Pimple

Salt Lake City's home 39 Use yarn and needles

Mermaid's home 43 French fashion house 45 Sufficient 48 Deep sea diving acronym 49 Teen's response to parental nagging

52 Some email attachments

53 ____ Lauder cosmetics 55 High-ceilinged apartments

56 Illuminated from below 57 Paris's river

59 Disney role for 3-Down

60 Unwanted phone call from a mysterious number 61 Downside

62 Barn bundle

63 "And so on," abbr.

65 Explosive material, for short

The views and opinions expressed in the Opinion section are those of the authors. They are not an endorsement of the views of the Chronicle or its staff. The Chronicle does not discriminate based on the opinions of the authors.

Students should be nicer to RSRs

By Matthew Carlinsky SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

For those who are not aware, Residential Success Representatives (RSRs) are the students seated in the booths right at the entrance of each dorm building on campus. You have undoubtably interacted with them before, whether you’ve had to sign in a guest, or perhaps forgotten your Hofstra University ID and needed help getting into the building you live in. It’s effectively “front desk security.” The job is pretty straightforward, but I also have some wild stories from it. Whenever I share stories from my experiences working as an RSR, I like to make a comparison to a YouTube channel called Cart Narcs. The premise is simple: they walk around grocery store parking lots, and upon spotting a

person who actively chose not to return their shopping cart, the Cart Narcs will ask them to return it. Maybe they’ll call them a “lazybones,” and at the absolute worst, put a magnet on a person’s car that reads “I don’t return my shopping cart.”

This simple interaction, more often than not, leaves people absolutely furious, and I have found that to perfectly sum up the RSR experience.

To give the students that live on campus credit, a vast majority of them are reasonable if I have to call after them for failing to tap their ID card or sign in a guest. Then, on the other side of the coin, you have the time where I got called a fascist for daring to so much as look up at people when they entered the dorm building I was in. That is not to mention the number of one-sided rivalries I have had as well,

where students have decided to have what feels like blood feuds over the smallest incidents. I have been met with a tirade of insults and curses that I cannot repeat here for informing someone they cannot swipe someone else in with their own ID. That same individual went on to give me the middle finger every time they entered and exited the building for four weeks straight – but of course, not while their girlfriend was with them.

I have had people banging on the glass and yelling because they didn’t have their ID on them. I have gotten the whole “I live here! You KNOW I live here!” spiel, and people sometimes resorting to directly threatening me. These scenarios are all over being asked to take five seconds out of their day to tap their ID or me having the audacity to do my job

and make sure people sign their guests in.

I suppose it is to that point where I have to wonder: What compels people to act like this – to feel like they need to enter some sort of feud over the smallest inconvenience? I simply cannot wrap my head around how people get violent over something small and only waste more time in doing so.

I understand that it can be a pain if you need to wait for public safety to escort you into your own dorm building in the circumstance that you forgot to have any form of ID on you, but it is also important to understand that the whole point of the RSR is to keep residents safe. Even if I wasn’t an RSR, I would feel safer knowing that there is any sort of screening process to make sure that people who do not belong in the building cannot get in.

Whatever the reason may be, I think people ultimately need to get over themselves, as acting entitled reflects negatively on their character. It is the same deal with people who lash out at customer service workers or towards people in the food industry. We are not your enemy, nor do we have a vendetta against you, we are just doing our jobs. Just remember, you can take five seconds to swipe your ID, or you can take 20 minutes throwing a temper tantrum. Act your age, both for our sake and for your dignity’s.

Matthew Carlinsky is a senior English major and a computer science minor.

A salary cap will not fix baseball

By Tom Norman OPINION EDITOR

With the upcoming expiration of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) on the horizon in 2027, the MLB will soon be faced with an important question regarding the way the league operates: Is it time for a salary cap?

The owners seem to think so, citing competitive imbalance and how every other major sports league in the country has a salary cap. The Major League Baseball Players Association could not disagree more, threatening to strike if the idea of a cap is brought up during CBA negotiations.

Those “in the know” seem to agree on one thing: if a cap is pitched, it is not a question of if there will be a lockout in 2027, but rather “how long will it last?” When it comes

to this particular argument, I must side with the players. A salary cap will not magically fix all of baseball’s problems.

To start, the idea of there being a competitive imbalance in baseball based on spending is not unfounded. On the surface, it would seem that the Pittsburgh Pirates and the $84 million they spent on their payroll in 2025 is almost laughable compared to the over $350 million spent by the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, it is hard to feel bad for the Pirates when their owner, Bob Nutting, is a billionaire who actively refuses to spend money on improving his baseball team. Who is really at fault for the Pirates being irrelevant: the Dodgers spending as much as they do or Nutting’s largest free agent acquisition being Francisco Liriano in 2013? I understand the comparison is not apples to apples, but let’s not pretend a salary cap would convince

some owners to start caring suddenly.

Speaking of the Dodgers, many in favor of a cap cite the Dodgers as the sole reason for needing one. They have indeed won back-to-back championships while sporting a top three payroll in the sport for both years, and they seem to have infinite money to spend on whoever the top free agent available is.

The Dodgers may spend more than anyone else, but that has historically not been directly responsible for winning. As a matter of fact, their winning back-to-back World Series in 2024 and 2025 is the first time MLB has had a repeat champion since the New York Yankees won three in a row from 1998-2000. For a league in a state where some believe that “buying championships” is possible, it doesn’t seem to ring true. Additionally, the New York Mets, who spent more than anyone be -

sides the Dodgers in 2025, did not even make the playoffs. If success were solely dependent on spending, how would you explain their failures?

For 2025, in particular, the Dodgers’ ride to a second consecutive title was not without its bumps in the road. They had a middling record – for their standards, at least – at 93-69 during the regular season, which forced them to play in a Wild Card Series. It also took them seven games and late-game heroics from two unassuming players to barely edge out the Toronto Blue Jays in the decisive Game 7 of the World Series. To act like their path to baseball immortality was smooth sailing would be disingenuous.

There is also the point of market size that plays a factor in every free agent’s decision. A salary cap would not change the fact that some players just want to play in Los Angeles,

New York or some other bigtime market. This problem seeps its way into sports that feature a salary cap as well. If I named all the star players that somehow managed to find themselves playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, we would be here all day.

A salary cap would be a negative for MLB, especially if the players are willing to lose the entire 2027 season over it. Though there is a problem with spending imbalance in baseball, a cap would not be the proper resolution.

Tom Norman is a senior journalism major with a creative writing minor. You can find him on Instagram @_tomnorm.

SPORTS

Volleyball lose CAA Championships in a heartbreaker

By Anthony Hidalgo SPORTS EDITOR

The Hofstra University volleyball team fell short in a five-set thriller to Campbell University in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Championship.

For the third time in five years, the CAA final went to the maximum five sets, and this season’s match produced an instant classic. The Pride led 2421 in the fourth set with three chances to close out the match, but the Fighting Camels rattled off five straight points to force the decisive fifth set.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said Hofstra head coach Emily Mansur. “It’s devastating for our seniors that don’t get to do this again. It’s just really hard; it’s a special team and we were so close. It’s tough.”

Hofstra’s three stars, Beatriz Braga, Izadora Stedile and Clara Bal, were outstanding for the Pride, combining for 62 of the team’s 72 kills.

Braga set a new career-high with 25 kills, more than any other player in the match, while also recording 11 digs for her eighth double-double of the season. Stedile had 20 kills and 14 digs for her 17th doubledouble, reaching 20 kills for the fifth time. Bal tied her seasonhigh 17 kills, hitting .333 for the match.

Nil Kayaalp played the best game of her Hofstra career, recording a career-high 27 digs and adding four assists.

Campbell’s Gwen Wolkow was sensational, leading the comeback effort with 23 kills, 12 digs and 3 blocks, while hitting at an impressive .367 clip.

Despite holding a 15-14 advantage in kills through the first set, the Pride struggled out of the gate, committing 12 errors. Hofstra still had a chance to win the set when they fought off two set points, but Wolkow’s third kill gave Campbell the

advantage before a pair of blocks sealed the 26-24 set win. Campbell’s defense had three of their 10 blocks in the opening set.

Hofstra took control midway through the second set. After trading points to open the second with the score tied at eight, the Pride went on an 8-2 run to pull ahead 16-10. The Hofstra defense showcased why they were ranked second in the nation in opponent hitting percentage, holding Campbell to a .097 mark in the set.

Wolkow kept it interesting with three kills to maintain the Pride’s pace, but Bal made four kills down the stretch to tie the match at one set apiece in the most lopsided set of the evening.

The Hofstra offense was running on all cylinders in the third set, hitting at a .385 clip. Constanza Perez Sain had her best stretch of the match during the beginning of the third set, with two kills and a block for

three of Hofstra’s first five points for an early 5-2 lead. Every time Hofstra went on a run, Campbell answered, scoring four points in a row to take their first lead of the set at 8-7. Campbell’s Hailey Heytvelt had three kills in that stretch, including one to regain the lead two plays later at 9-8. The Pride withstood the back and forth thanks to their top three attackers, recording nine kills to come out on top 25-20, taking a 2-1 set lead into the fourth.

Wolkow was the hero at the start of the fourth set, recording her third block and 12th kill to take an early 4-1 lead. Both sides traded blows, with two lead changes and three ties to reach a 13-13 tie. The Pride went on a 6-1 run for the biggest lead of the set and was closing in on their first CAA title since 2018 when Wolkow saved the Fighting Camels again. She recorded four kills to pull her side within one point from the tie. After a kill from Stedile and

Men’s soccer upsets No. 1 Vermont

an attack error from Campbell’s Maja Daca, the Pride were on the brink of history. Campbell stormed back with five straight points, including three kills from Daca, to pull the Camels out of the grave.

There were another seven ties to start the winner-takeall fifth set before the score reached 9-9. Stedile, who was honored as the CAA Player of the Year, couldn’t convert down the stretch. She had three straight attacking errors to give Campbell a 12-9 lead. Kills from Braga and Stedile were answered by Wolkow’s 22nd and 23rd kills before Aley Clent gave Campbell the championship-winning kill closing the final set at 15-12. With the win, Campbell improved to 23-6 on the season and will advance to the NCAA Tournament. Hofstra finished second in the CAA, going 22-4 on the year.

By Anthony Hidalgo SPORTS EDITOR

Laurie Goddard sent the Hofstra University men’s soccer team to the third round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament with an overtime goal to upset No. 1 University of Vermont 3-2 on Sunday, Nov. 23. It was sweet revenge for the Pride, knocking out the undefeated, defending national champions who eliminated Hofstra from the NCAA Tournament last season. Hofstra’s retribution came 364 days after their heartbreaking loss to the Catamounts at Captains Field,

returning the favor by eliminating Vermont on their home field.

Daniel Burko earned the assist on Goddard’s nation-leading, eighth game-winning goal of the season.

Jan Ziewiec got the play started with two great defensive efforts to steal the ball from Vermont and then kept the play alive long enough to find Goddard in midfield. Goddard sent a through ball past the Vermont backline to Burko on the left wing. Burko dribbled his way into the 18-yard box, found Goddard making a run on the edge of the box and sent a perfectly placed pass that Goddard immediately finished with his left foot, past the Vermont goalkeeper Niklas Herceg.

The Pride trailed after the first half, with Philipp Kühn finding the game’s opening goal in the 13th minute. Omar Robbana sent a corner to the far post, where Marcos Blasco sent a header across the goal for Kühn to head past Gino Cervoni.

After being dominated over the final 35 minutes of the first half, the Pride made key adjustments coming out of the break.

Sean Bohan came in for Cervoni for the third straight match. Pablo HempelmannPerez and Evangelos Chrysostomou started the second half after coming off the bench to begin the match. HempelmannPerez and Chrysostomou each had a goal contribution on two Hofstra goals within three minutes.

The first goal was started by a chip ball into the box by Chrysostomou, which was tipped off the back of Goddard’s head to Thengill Orrason. Orrason’s header went straight to Hempelmann-Perez, who dove headfirst for the equalizer.

Before the Catamounts realized what hit them, the Pride struck again. From nearly the same spot, Chrysostomou sent a pass to Owen Barnett, who flicked a pass into the box. It took a bounce before Ziewic

stuck out his right foot to chip Herceg and give Hofstra the 2-1 lead.

Vermont did not go down quietly, clawing away at Hofstra’s defense until they found a late goal to force overtime. Robbana earned his second assist from the corner flag, finding Rui Aoki in the middle of the box. Aoki beat Gabriel Pacheco in the air and whipped a header past Bohan, saving his team’s season for the moment.

With the win, Hofstra improved to 14-5 on the year and will travel to Greenville, South

Carolina, to take on Furman University in the third round.

The Catamounts finished their season 14-1-5.

Kickoff for the third-round matchup is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 30, at 1 p.m.

Second half struggles hinder the Pride

By Eric Leaf STAFF WRITER

The Hofstra University men’s basketball team narrowly dropped the first game of their four-game road trip in Pennsylvania to Temple University 81-76. Early-season foul trouble once again proved costly for the Pride, with two players fouling out down the stretch.

“I thought the boys came out and played hard,” said Hofstra head coach Speedy Claxton. “I think 48 points in the second half is way too many points to give up on the road. The effort was there, but the execution wasn’t right.”

Despite holding Temple’s offense to a respectable 33 points during the opening 20 minutes, the Pride’s defense began to falter in the second half. The Owls

cashed in 48 points after the break. This is the highest amount of points Hofstra has given up during a half all season long. Temple also saw a significant jump in offensive production after halftime, with their field goal percentage improving from 46% in the first half to 54% in the second.

“We got into early foul trouble,” Claxton said. “[Preston Edmead] picked up two, [German Plotnikov] picked up two, and then at that point when they were in the game, we had the lead, but when they went out with two fouls, the defense wasn’t great.”

To start the season, Hofstra has struggled to maintain its defensive effort, racking up unnecessary fouls that continue to hurt them late in games. As a team, Hofstra committed 24

fouls, gifting the Owls 31 freethrow attempts. Temple took full advantage of Hofstra’s defensive errors, with 24 of Temple’s 81 points coming from the free throws. Freshman sensation Edmead and 7-foot Silas Sunday both fouled out of the game.

For Hofstra, junior guard Cruz Davis put on an offensive clinic, clocking in all 40 minutes. Davis had a game-high 25 points, but it was his efficiency that stood out the most. Davis shot 50% from the field on 18 attempts and continued to dominate from beyond the arc, knocking down five out of 10 3-point shots, his second straight game shooting 50% from deep. He also added four assists without committing a single turnover.

“He played like a ‘go-to guy’ – ‘player of the year’ kind of guy,” Claxton said. “When he’s

playing like that, we’re pretty hard to beat.”

Forward Joshua DeCady led the second unit all night, coming off the bench and making an immediate impact for the Pride. In just 19 minutes, he maximized his opportunities by scoring 13 points on 5-6 shooting, showing off the strength of Hofstra’s rotational depth.

“[He was a] huge bright spot off the bench,” Claxton said. “He came in and played with great physicality. He was confident shooting the basketball. I

even thought he passed up some shots he should have took. As he continues to grow as a player and get more comfortable here with us, he’ll have games like this.”

The Pride looks to find themselves back in the win column against La Salle University. Although it’s recognized as a home game for Hofstra, they’ll be playing on the road at The Palestra for the Cathedral Classic. Tip-off is set for Friday, Nov. 28, at 2 p.m.

Conlon and Slotnick place at Keystone Classic

By Olivia Hillestad SPORTS EDITOR

Will Conlon gritted out a victory in his fifth-place match at 197 pounds, while Jake Slotnick placed eighth at 165 pounds in the Keystone Classic on Sunday, Nov. 23. The Hofstra University wrestling team placed 11 overall.

Conlon lost his first match of the day 4-2 by decision before beating Dylan Greenstein of Harvard University by technical fall 15-1. Conlon fought through his next two

matches, winning 4-1 and 2-1. In his fifth-place match against Martin Cosgrove of the University of Pennsylvania, the two were evenly matched on the scoreboard and both earned points from escapes before the sudden victory overtime. There, Conlon’s offense finally clicked, he earned a takedown and won 4-1. Conlon went 5-1 on his weekend in Pennsylvania.

Slotnick was one of three Hofstra wrestlers to make it to the quarterfinals, as he won his first two matches. Slotnick, falling 9-0 and moving to the consolation

bracket, was held scoreless by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University’s Ryan Burton. He then beat Ousmane Duncanson 4-1 with a takedown in overtime, but had a rough match against Ryan Burgos of Edinboro University, losing by technical fall 18-1. In Slotnick’s match for seventh place, he was held scoreless yet again, conceding a takedown, an escape and a point for stalling, falling to Drexel University’s Cody Walsh.

Frank Volpe and Chase Hontz both went 2-2 at 157 pounds. Volpe lost his first match before winning two straight over Chase Burk of Lock Haven University 4-3 and Nick Alvarez of Franklin & Marshall College 6-4. It was the same story for Hontz, who also fell in his first and fourth matches of the day. Hontz earned his first victory by technical fall 18-3, over Harvard’s Wyatt Hepner and beat Drexel’s Gavin Carroll 2-1.

Teague Strobel and Chase Liardi made it to the quarterfinals at 125 pounds and 141 pounds, respectively.

Strobel earned a bye and beat Lock Haven University’s Alex Reed by technical fall 17-5 off five takedowns and two escapes. He fell 5-1 against Ayden Smith of Rutgers University and 10-4 against Smith’s teammate Patrick Adams, ending his run.

As for Liardi, he also received a bye in the first round and beat Gavin Suica of Edinboro 8-3 with takedowns in the first and third periods. In the quarterfinals, Liardi was held to just one point against Joseph Oliveri of Rutgers, losing by technical fall 16-1. Liardi faced another tough opponent,

Virginia Tech’s Drew Gorman, losing by major decision 17-3.

As for the rest of the team, Gauge Shipp went 1-2 at 133 pounds, Tommy Aiello went 0-2 at 125 pounds, Zach Reilley went 0-2 at 149 pounds, Eric Shindel went 0-2 at 165 pounds, Matthew Waddell went 0-2 at 184 pounds and Adrian Sans and Danny Church both went 0-2 at 285 pounds.

The Pride take a brief break before returning home to take on the University of Wisconsin on Dec. 7.

Women’s basketball struggles in first half

By Thomas Montana STAFF WRITER

The Hofstra University women’s basketball team lost its second game in a row in a 61-55 defeat to Bucknell University. The Pride fell to 1-3 and now sits 11th in Coastal Athletic Association standings.

“First half, I didn’t think

we came out with the fire and intensity that we needed,” said Hofstra head coach Danielle Santos Atkinson. “Second half, I think we got after it defensively but just the amount of threes that we gave up and some of those crucial offensive rebounds changed the game for us.”

Hofstra’s first-half offense struggled again, scoring only 22 points against Bucknell.

The Pride are averaging just 25 points in the first half in losses this season compared to 41 in their sole win this season against Yale University.

Along with the struggles on offense, the Pride has struggled to limit teams in the first half, allowing an average of 36.7 points in losses. Teams have shot well from beyond the arc

against the Pride this season, with Bucknell nailing five threes in the first half.

“We talked about it in the beginning of the game, there was slight concern with that zone and giving up too many three’s,” Santos said. “We’re not going to be able to play zone versus a great team and not give up any threes; the problem was the amount of threes we gave up in the first half.”

The Pride’s rebounding took another step forward on Saturday, Nov. 22, even with most of their rebounding coming in the second half. Hofstra outrebounded Bucknell 37-30 and had nine offensive boards to Bucknell’s five.

Alarice Gooden continued her scorching hot start, scoring

a team-high 16 points on 5-10 from the field, 2-4 from three and 4-4 from the free throw line. She is now averaging career highs in every major statistic: doubling her minutes and rebounds per game, tripling her points and assists per game and shooting career high in field goal percentage and 3-point percentage.

“[Gooden] is a good player, she’s playing with a lot of confidence, but we just have to keep her on the floor,” Santos said. “These past few games she’s gotten herself into foul trouble early in the first half.”

Due to the injuries the team has suffered so far, senior center Deivejon Harris saw her most minutes so far this season. She finished with six points and a

season-high eight rebounds, which led the team.

While Hofstra has suffered several injuries this season, the Pride are starting to get healthy.

Sandra Magolico and Sana’a Garrett have returned along with Chloe Sterling working her way back. The team hopes to be back on track before conference play.

“This team is talented,” Santos said. “When we look at this team a month from now, it’s going to look totally different.”

The Pride will take on ninth-ranked and undefeated Maryland University on Thursday, Nov. 27, at 3 p.m. This will be Hofstra and Maryland’s first ever matchup.

Syniya Barton: Hometown kid

By Sienna Olivares SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Hardworking, fearless and driven are all adjectives that describe Hofstra University’s women’s basketball freshman Syniya Barton.

Barton’s story began at Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School in Queens, New York, when Barton participated in a clinic hosted by the high school when she was in eighth grade. Dewey Hopkins, head coach of Monsignor McClancy’s women’s varsity basketball team, recalled watching Barton for the first time and instantly knowing how lucky he was to have found her.

“[Barton’s] athletic ability stood out to us the most,” Hopkins said. “We always knew she was going to be something special.”

Monsignor McClancy High competes in the Catholic High School Athletic Association, the most competitive high school league in New York City. Barton participated in widely known New York City tournaments like Nike’s NYvsNY competition and The Rose Classic, the latter being where she won Tournament

Most Valuable Player for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. The popularity of these tournaments brought in A-list celebrities like rapper Coi Leray, captain of the New York Knicks Jalen Brunson and Kiyan Anthony, the son of Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony.

“You get the best of the best every night in big leagues like this,” Barton said. “From playing in different gyms across the city where you have step teams stopping on bleachers while you shoot free throws or student sections talking trash, you can’t be soft playing basketball in [New York City].”

Barton played at the junior varsity level during her freshman year and was moved to the varsity level by sophomore year. In Barton’s junior year, she was promoted to captain of her team, where she averaged 11 points and 10 rebounds per game. She also shot 52% from the floor and 33% from the 3-point range. By Barton’s senior year, she broke the all-time rebound record for Monsignor McClancy High.

“Her dedication to the program was unmatched,” Hopkins said. “She lived in Baldwin and made the trip to

East Elmhurst every single day to practice and to work out on her own.”

Leah Hernandez Rizzo, assistant coach for Monsignor McClancy, had a close relationship with Barton throughout her high school career.

“[Barton] came to the high school level raw and unsure, but from day one her eagerness to learn and her passion for the game shined,” Rizzo said.

Rizzo went further and called Barton’s high school coach to get her a spot on an Amateur Athletic Union team while Hernandez Rizzo’s husband became Barton’s primary trainer.

“I believed in her so much,” Hernandez Rizzo said. “Today, the opportunities she’s getting are a direct result of her discipline, her character and her relentless heart.”

When going through times of self-doubt and long nights of practice, Barton looked to her mother for motivation.

“My mother came to the [United States] at just 16 years old from Jamaica. At different times of her life, she was homeless and slept on the train,” Barton said. “To see

where she is today, lets me know that anything is possible. She is why I play basketball; she is why I haven’t stopped.”

Heading into her junior year of high school, Barton had not received a Division I offer. It wasn’t until Lance White, the associate head coach of Hofstra’s women’s basketball team, changed Barton’s life with a single phone call.

“He called me and offered me a spot,” Barton said. “When I tell you my heart dropped to my stomach – I didn’t have words. I damn near cried.”

On Barton’s official visit, Hofstra women’s basketball team’s assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Amber Reeves knew Barton was the perfect fit.

“We felt like when she came here, she didn’t look like an outlier,” Reeves said. “She fits in so well with the rest of the girls. Her work ethic is phenomenal. She is a kid who asks for extra workouts, film and to do extra ball handling workouts.”

Reeves recalled her first impression of Barton.

“[Barton] worked extremely hard,” Reeves said. “She was very coachable, and she was a

great teammate. She had all the things we wanted to bring into our program.”

Olivia VanPatten, a freshman on the Hofstra women’s basketball team, shared what the transition with Barton on the team was like.

“[Barton] is such a great teammate,” VanPatten said. “Whenever I would get in my head about something on the court, she is always there to lift me up and cheer me on.”

Barton’s family lives just 11 minutes away from Hofstra. She finds it convenient to play in her own backyard at Hofstra and in front of her family.

“I love being so close to home because I get to see my family any time I want,” Barton said. “It’s great to have them support me at my games.”

Barton is grateful for the sacrifices her parents have made and the time people have put into her.

“I look forward to the good days, the bad days [and] the hardships.” Barton said. “I’m ready for it all. It’s going to be worth it.”

Emilly Nunes: Growing as she goes

By Shannon Bickert SPORTS EDITOR

Being a member of the Hofstra University volleyball team is more than learning how to better yourself for matchday; it is an exchange of cultures, personal growth and a found family. During her four seasons repping blue and gold, Emilly Nunes went through a period of personal and athletic development thanks to being a member of the volleyball team.

Four years ago, Nunes first graced the court of the David S. Mack Physical Education Center as a rookie from Brazil. Her journey as a volleyball player, however, started when Nunes was 8-years-old and looking for something active to do.

“My family was super fond of volleyball,” Nunes said. “They were like, ‘You are going to be tall. You should invest in this, start practicing.’ I was like ‘You know what, I can be good at this.’”

Nunes’ family was certainly right about her height, as she grew to stand at 6 feet 1 inch tall, a perfect threat at the front of the net as a middle blocker. She came to formation as a player, gaining recognition from college coaches due to the exposure that came from her club team, Minas Náutico.

While excelling at the sport in Brazil, Nunes saw the opportunities that Hofstra held

because of its athletic status and its proximity to New York City through conversations with head coach Emily Mansur. That is what led her to play Division I volleyball at Hofstra.

“The Hofstra volleyball team was literally like a family,” Nunes said. “I played in Brazil, for example. We don’t have this kind of environment to have everyone together like a family. So, I was like ‘You know what, I think this is going to be my place.’ It feels like a home; everybody is always together. The coaches are amazing. The environment, the place and the location of Hofstra is amazing.”

Coming to Hofstra was more than just heading to college; it was a complete cultural shift for Nunes. The language, lifestyle, food and weather were all different.

sandwich. In Brazil, we kinda do the opposite.”

In addition to the major lifestyle changes Nunes endured during her first months in a new country, she also had to refine her English.

“[English] is different to a native speaker than like Brazilian teachers or what [other] people would teach me,” Nunes said. “When you get here, people [were] not speaking very formal in English.”

Luckily for Nunes, she joined a team with several international students who dealt with the same struggles. The coaching staff and the upperclassmen helped Nunes and her teammates adjust to playing collegiate volleyball and engaging in American culture.

“[The coaching staff] helped correct my English,” Nunes said. “[My teammates and coaches]

and I love my coaches too.”

Nunes continued to grow as both an individual and an athlete

“We keep pushing each other, and we play for each other too, which makes it better to be on the court.”

“In Brazil, basically everything is homemade. Over here, I was kinda like ‘Oh people really like fast food,’” Nunes said.

“[Americans] have a heavy breakfast in the morning, and for lunch people usually have a

taught me the rules, so it made life easier.”

Not only was the lifestyle a complete change for Nunes, but the style of volleyball was different, too.

“For me, it was a lot different,” Nunes said. “In Brazil, it’s much faster. You just kinda hit the ball and get a point. Over here, you have a big plan before you play.”

Nunes picked up on the new style of play quickly, earning Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) All-Rookie Team honors while amassing 82 blocks, 92 kills and 24 digs as a freshman.

Nunes loved the environment of Hofstra right from the start, despite all the challenges she faced. Even in an age where the transfer portal is so prevalent, Nunes never thought about leaving the Pride.

“From my freshman year, I learned a lot of things, so I was like ‘I have a lot to learn over here and I’m not leaving,’” Nunes said. “I had hard moments, but this is making me better. We have a family here,

throughout her time at Hofstra. She has been a reliable part of Hofstra’s rotation throughout her entire career, playing in 336 total sets, putting up 414 kills, while being a standout defensive blocker with 285 total blocks.

As Nunes entered her senior year with the Pride, she geared up for her biggest role yet as a leader on and off the court.

“This year I have much more voice, and I have to teach the younger ones [about] how Hofstra works and how Hofstra volleyball works,” Nunes said.

Nunes and the Pride started ramping up for the season back in July, getting to campus early to get into a rhythm before classes began. This helped create a connection between the athletes, which Nunes attributed this season’s success to.

“We have people who are super fired-up, and the ones who are not. We kind of complete each other,” Nunes said. “We keep pushing each other, and we play for each other too, which makes it better to be on the court.”

Nunes got to go out with a bang since the Pride were crowned Co-CAA Regular Season Champions and earned the first seed in the CAA Tournament. In the tournament, the Pride bested North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in the semifinals and fell to Campbell University in the championship round.

Nunes has learned more than just how to better herself as an athlete. She has taken away some valuable life lessons too.

“[I learned to] always do your best. It doesn’t matter the situation, just do what you have to do,” Nunes said. “[In terms of] friendship too: treat everyone around you like they are important. It’s super important how you interact with the people around you.”

Nunes has grown to enjoy her time in New York and plans on staying in the United States postgraduation.

“I want to get a really good job over here in America,” Nunes said. “That is my first goal after graduation.”

Nunes has not only grown to love the place but has grown into a new person as well.

“I am super grateful for Hofstra for everything that I have been taught over here. The Emilly from freshman year is completely different from her now,” Nunes said. “I grew up a lot, mentally and on the court as well. I got much, much better.”

Nuttall’s impact: From his players

By Luca Dallasta

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

A sports team’s head coaches play an incredibly formative role in the life of an athlete. Not only are they responsible for managing the game and teaching the ins and outs of the sport’s system, but a coach will often impart crucial life lessons that their players will grow from. This is most significant in college-level sports, when many of these players are away from home for the first time. Moving to a completely new area without any familiar people is an incredibly difficult achievement for an 18 year old, and for student athletes, their coach often becomes their substitute parental figure. With his final season nearing its end, Hofstra University men’s soccer head coach Richard Nuttall has filled the expectations of his role for 37 years. Across his

tenure at the helm of the men’s soccer program, Nuttall has established himself not only as a multiple-time Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) title winner, but also as a championed father figure for his teams’ athletes.

Nuttall’s magnetic personality and kind demeanor is a large reason why Hofstra is an attractive destination for soccer players, even as a mid-major school.

“It was so nice for me to have someone like him as the coach,” said Laurie Goddard, current captain of the men’s soccer team. “He was someone that, whenever I saw him, he would make a joke, make me smile [and] make me feel comfortable, especially in my first spring semester.”

Goddard is one of many international players that have come through the Hofstra program. Nuttall himself is originally from England, so he understands how it feels to leave your home nation for a

life in the United States.

“After that first call, it was a safe bet to come to America and play for [Nuttall],” said George O’Malley, former captain and five-year defensive starter from England. “There was so much in common with my family at home [and the team].”

Nuttall places a great emphasis on becoming involved in his players’ lives away from the field.

Nuttall’s charisma and welcoming energy fosters a family-like environment on the team. His eagerness to get to know his players and check in on how they are doing makes the entire team feel important.

“He just takes everyone under his wing,” O’Malley said. “I couldn’t tell you how, it’s just how he treats people and how he makes everyone feel welcome.”

Coaches have to take the role of a teacher as well, even if their lessons – like Nuttall’s –are the kind that could never be taught in a classroom.

“He always pushes great values, which can translate on and off the pitch,” Goddard said. “It’s not just about football; it’s about life. He will drift pieces of advice into those conversations without making it feel like teaching, that, I think, rubs off on us as players.”

On the field, Nuttall’s passion and knowledge of the game has translated into sustained success. As a former midfielder and striker, Nuttall brought an offensive philosophy to Long Island. The Pride has scored at least two goals per game each season since 2017 – O’Malley’s

first year. As a CAA Player of the Year midfielder and forward, Goddard has taken advantage of Nuttall’s history at the position.

“A lot of the conversations we have out of training are about scoring goals, and he would give me little tips and tricks,” Goddard said.

Goals galore have led the Pride to 363 wins and counting during the Nuttall era. Yet, when there is a loss, he reminds players that the minor setback is not the end of the world.

Former Hofstra All-American defender Pierce Infuso recalled the final game of the 2023 season, where the Pride fell to the University of North Carolina in penalty kicks. Despite the heartbreaking loss, Nuttall still inspired his squad.

“I just remember him telling me ‘It’s going to be okay, we’re going to be good,’” Infuso said.

“His inspiration to have us keep going, to keep pushing, to keep grinding throughout those losses just shows how much of a leader [he is].”

Nuttall tends to find leaders in unexpected people. Nuttall’s close relationships and honest conversations with his players oftentimes allow them to break out of their shells and assume leadership roles. Goddard is a perfect example.

“He definitely helped me grow and learn that my voice is respected when I speak,” Goddard said.

Nuttall understands that great leaders are necessary not just for soccer teams, but for shaping impactful civilians in the world

as well. He takes great pride and joy in being a part of these young men’s development, listing it on several occasions as part of the reason he has loved coming into work each day. He has provided them with transferable skills and attributes they can carry wherever the future may lead them.

“Over the last four and a half, five years with him, I’ve been able to mature as a person, express gratitude and pride every single time I’m off the field,” Infuso said.

Off the field, there is a lengthy chunk of time spent as a team traveling to and from away games. Team-bonding is a crucial part of on-field success, and Nuttall is very much aware of this. It’s on these road trips where a more unknown part of his personality comes to the forefront. As a curious individual, he is not only interested in his players’ lives, but also about their entertainment.

“He’s got a lot of general knowledge about random things in the world,” Goddard said. “We play a lot of trivia and quizzes, and he loves to get involved with them, and he’s pretty good at them as well.”

As Nuttall’s time heading the men’s soccer team comes to a close, it is safe to say that he has done his job. He has won, he has taught, and most importantly he has created an ever-lasting, ever-growing 37-year-old blossoming family tree within the Hofstra University men’s soccer program.

November 25, 2025

THREE CHEERS FOR SWEET REVENGE

HOFSTRA AVENGES LAST YEAR’S DEFEAT WITH A 3-2 UPSET WIN OVER VERMONT.