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Board of Trustees
Police Demo Day
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University board addresses high school outreach and more
Police expo brought four police groups together with students
THE NEWS RECORD / UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI THURSDAY, APR. 14, 2016
REGIONAL AND LOCAL PROFESSOR WAGES Average Wages for Ohio College Professors $125,000 $120,000 $115,000 $110,000
medical marijuana
UC Professor Salaries
LAUREN MORETTO | CHIEF REPORTER
$105,000 $100,000 2009
2014
MEN
MIAMI
XAVIER
WOMEN UC GRAPHIC BY RUSSEL HAUSFELD
Professor wage gap persists AMIR SAMARGHANDI | CAROLINE CORY | NEWS EDITORS
Male professors at the University of Cincinnati earn 14 percent more than their female counterparts, despite both being paid more than professors at nearby universities. Wages increased at UC from 2009 to 2014 — a $3,682 jump to $116,091 — according to data from the Chronicle of Higher Education. In contrast, wages have dropped at Miami University — a $3,709 decrease to $100,755 — as well at Xavier University — a $1,956 decrease to $111,429. “Of course, a 14 percent gender wage gap is unfair — no matter in what context,” said Anne Sisson Runyon, an associate professor in political science and women’s gender and sexual studies. UC has measures in place to combat the wage inequality, like a faculty union that establishes wage floors for new hires, but the issue persists, according to Runyon. “This does not change the conditions that women faculty tend to have more family responsibilities, tend to be expected to do more teaching service with less time for research,” she said. The wage gap at Miami is
UC researches
comparable, at 13 percent, and is smallest at cross-town Xavier at 2 percent. UC groups that strive for equality are working to eliminate the issue. “We greatly support equal pay practices within all organizations and across all genders, races, ethnicities and sexualities and we strive to gain
We need to recognize that wage inequality isn’t an individual problem -- it’s a social problem and we need real social change... ANGELA FITZPATRICK
recognition for this issue,” said Haley Fite, a second-year communication student and social media chair for UC Feminists. Others at UC see the wage gap as needing grander solutions. “We need to recognize that wage inequality isn’t an individual problem, it’s a social problem, and we need real social change if we want equitable
workplaces. So, we need to push for stronger healthcare, for real living wages and for better leave policies, especially family leave considering that working mothers face major obstacles in the workplace,” said Angela Fitzpatrick, director for UC’s Women’s Center. Overall, women in the United States are paid 79 cents for every dollar paid to men, while women in Ohio are paid 77 cents for every dollar paid to men — resulting in an annual gender wage gap of $10,762 nationally and $10,805 statewide — according to the National Partnership for Women and Families. “As far as graduate students go, we’re all on the same stipend. But I know there is a disparity across the board in the sciences generally,” said Jason Cesta, a first-year geology doctoral student and graduate assistant. Runyon said the situation has improved but more needs to be done. “A few years ago the gender imbalance was pretty woeful. Correcting pay involves the value systems we use as well as the principle of pay equity. Hiring more women and faculty of color in these more secure and better paid positions would also help to address the persistent pay gaps by gender and race,” said Runyon.
After Issue 3 went up in smoke last year, Grassroots Ohio, whose proposal is on its way to making the ballot this summer, has rekindled the case for medical marijuana. Whereas Issue 3 aimed for both medicinal and recreational use, the Medical Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Amendment gives adult Ohioans the right to use, grow and posses marijuana for medicinal purposes only. Supporters of the bill must collect at least 305,591 signatures of registered Ohio voters by July 6 to qualify for the November ballot. There are currently two Food and Drug Administrationapproved medications with chemicals found in marijuana, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. For the past 30 years, Dr. Michael Privitera, the director of the University of Cincinnati Epilepsy Center, as well as the president of the American Epilepsy Society, has been testing new drugs for epilepsy. Recently, he has been researching the effects of the marijuana derivative cannabidiol on the epilepsy syndrome called Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). The study focuses on 13 adults with LGS who average as many as 50 seizures a month. Individuals were given cannabidiol, along with any existing epilepsy medications. Before they could begin the study, Privitera and his team spent months acquiring needed permits, including a schedule-one Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) license and a Terminal Distributor of Dangerous Drugs license from the state of Ohio. “There were a lot of hoops,” said Privitera, describing the measures he had to take, including keeping the drug in a 600-pound safe with a combination known only by him and his study nurse. The team’s challenges revealed a fault in the system. “We’re letting legislation and beliefs that people have precede the science,” said Privitera. “Especially if the DEA knocks it down from a schedule-one to a scheduletwo I think that will open up the opportunity to test this medication the way it is.” While some say marijuana derivatives are a natural treatment, Privitera says to treat a drug like a drug. “I didn’t anticipate that a marijuana derivative would have drug-drug interactions, but it does. Just like other drugs,” said Privitera. The study found that cannabidiol may interact with other seizure medications and can cause liver problems. Privitera calls the study “exciting” because they are testing a naturally derived compound from plants in a rigorous scientific manner to prove it not only works, but it is safe. Now that the first arm of the study has ended, the data will be analyzed and submitted to the FDA. “The company is interested in pursuing this as an FDAapproved medication that’s a derivative of marijuana,” he said. Campus reaction to the amendment has been mixed. “I think there are a lot of benefits to medical marijuana and especially with people who have such intense medical issues,” said Emma Hundley, a first-year marketing student. Other students said they supported responsible use. “I am in full support of medical marijuana when it’s prescribed,” said Juliana Castellanos, a second-year special education student. The results of Privitera’s study will be available in the coming months, but for now he is optimistic. “I need to see the final data, but my impression is it does work,” said Privitera.
Student players support national team’s pay cause JASON SZELEST | STAFF REPORTER
The United States Women’s National Team recently made headlines when five players declared to the media that they were going to fight for equal pay in regards to the men’s team. This news quickly reached the University of Cincinnati campus, where several players on the Bearcats women’s soccer team reacted to the stance taken by the national team. “I think it was cool how they took a stand for it. Most people are just content with how it is in women’s soccer, or women’s sports in general,” said junior defender Vanessa Gilles. “I think it’s cool how they are bringing awareness to this.” Junior forward Taylor Jackson was also in strong support of the actions those players have taken. “My initial reaction to the players on the United States Women’s National Team demanding equal pay was, ‘about time,’” Jackson said. “I can’t believe it’s taken this long for this to happen.” Despite the fact that the USWNT is projected to
generate more money in 2016 than the men’s team, at $23 million compared to the men’s $21 million, the women continue to make significantly less, including only being paid for victories while the men get paid for showing up. Jackson believes the wage inequality has more to do with gender perceptions. “I think the men currently make more because of the simple perception of women’s sports versus men’s sports,” Jackson said. “People continue to think that women’s sports are less competitive and interesting than men’s, and that is clearly not the case.” Gilles feels that the current inequality turns young athletes like her away from pursuing professional careers, and that increasing the wages would greatly increase the quality of women’s soccer. “For men, when they go pro, it’s like they’re set for life, it’s their job. They don’t have to worry about what comes after because they are supported by the sport,” Gilles said. “If women SEE US WNT PG 6
NICK BROWN | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
File art of Vanessa Gilles (11) from UC vs Evansville October 18, 2015 at Gettler Stadium.
More students talk of ONOFest violence SAMANTHA HALL | COLLEGE LIFE EDITOR
JEAN PLEITEZ | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Robert DeLong performs at ONOFest, April 9, 2016, in Sigma Sigma Commons.
With increased attention brought to the violent occurrences at ONOFest, more students have come forward in complaint of the Programs and Activities Council (PAC) event. A primarily student-funded concert on UC’s campus, featuring artist Robert Delong and main act Rae Sremmurd, turned negative with crowds growing violent Saturday night. The concert has become the centerpiece of controversy as more attendees raise questions as to why police did not intervene while crowd aggression broke out during the event. Meanwhile, some student body leaders have been publically critical of the story reporting the violence, but not critical of the violence itself. “It was without a doubt rough. I have bruises on my chest and arms from being pushed/elbowed. I was at the very front and was knocked over multiple times. Not to mention a girl bit one of my friends [sic],” said one female student who asked that her name not be used. The student is one of several others who have spoken out about the concert. One student who arrived at the concert with a high school friend said jewelry was ripped out from her nose and ear. “I was pushed into this guy, and I tried to get off of him. As he was pushing me away, he ripped my nose stud out,” said Alexa Wray, a first-year early childhood education student. “I also witnessed a girl who was trying to get out of the crowd and a guy literally socked
her in the face.” She also said she noticed a lack of police intervention when fights began to break out. ONOFest is an annual spring concert hosted by PAC and funded by the general student fee and sponsorships. This year’s concert cost $110,000 – with $75,000 coming from student fees, $25,000 from ticket sales from last year’s event and $10,000 from sponsorships, according to Syron Townsend, a PAC co-director for concerts. Michele Ralston, public information officer for the UCPD, said 21 officers were on duty during the concert, surrounding the stage and outer barrier of the Sigma Sigma commons, where the event took place. However, several attendees said they did not notice the police presence and questioned why altercations were allowed to go unchecked. UCPD did not immediately respond to questions about the alleged lack of police intervention. “Honestly, if it hadn’t been for the fact that I walked by officers on the way in, I wouldn’t have even known they were there,” said Ryan Burch, a second-year construction management student. Burch was not alone in noticing this lack of police intervention. “When we first got there and the pushing started, I watched one officer videotape the crowd on his phone. He was the only cop I saw the whole night, actually,”Wray said. She said that not checking student IDs was unsafe. “I didn’t like not being able to know who was next to me. It could SEE ONOFEST PG 2
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have been anyone, not just a student,”Wray said. While PAC leaders originally said student IDs were checked at the start of the concert, many students said they entered without showing identification. In a recent statement published by PAC, leaders said “an individual (including members of the general public) cannot be barred from an event on a public university’s property.” In an email to The News Record, Townsend said PAC advertised the event as “a student-only event for the majority of [their] promotion cycle,” though they “have no legal right to bar the public from open spaces on campus.” Fueling the controversy, outgoing student body president Andrew Naab engaged in tweets criticizing an article about the concert, including one tweet that infers students are not used to college concerts. Naab “liked” a tweet that said: “I’m surprised they didn’t say ‘this was nothing like prom.’” Samantha Kaetzel, a second-year psychology student, said she had to leave the concert early due to excessive fighting and shoving from the crowd, as well as unwelcome physical contact. “I had two drunk people grinding on my a-- behind me. One of them tried to take my shirt off,” Kaetzel said. Kaetzel said she had bruising and sharp cuts along her elbows and hands. Even students who enjoyed the concert confirmed violent incidents. Other students say the event was no more violent than any
other on-campus-concert. “I think the majority of people had a great time at the concert,” said Drew Binkley, a second-year electronic media and English creative writing student. “There was a lot of pushing, shoving, yelling and cussing . . . but we go to a public university and we had a rap duo come perform – what did people expect?” Burch also said there was “a lot” of drinking and marijuana, even for a college event. Townsend said PAC opted out of selling alcohol at ONOFest. From the get-go, the night was chaotic and unprepared, according to Burch. “First, they weren’t checking IDs at all. We brought people from other schools, and they didn’t even check to see if they were a college student or anything, which I found odd,” said Burch. “There were two fights alone, right by me. One of which I had to jump between to stop, and it made me feel very uncomfortable and unsafe. The crowd was pushing forward to get closer to the stage, and crushing people in the process too,” said Burch. “I just feel like for a $100,000 student-paid-for event, they could have went about it in a lot better way.” Faith Lumbus, a first-year exploratory student, agrees. “Security should have been more involved. I almost had an asthma attack because my face was being pushed into someone. I got knocked down twice,” she said. “I am never going to a concert like that again.”
SG agrees to clean
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Board of trustees looks at Scholars Academy program
after games
CAROLINE CORY | NEWS EDITOR
LAUREN MORETTO | CHIEF REPORTER
After voting against fossil fuel divestment in February, the University of Cincinnati Student Government is mending ties with the sustainability movement on campus by partnering with UC’s Office of Sustainability in cleaning up Nippert Stadium after FC Cincinnati games. First come-first serve volunteer opportunities will be exclusively available to 15 SG members at three separate FC Cincinnati games, where they will collect recyclable items from the stands and field. Tickets to the games will serve as incentive for SG members to volunteer their time. To cover tickets costs, SG will allocate $225 from their community relations budget. “I really support this,” said Vice President Brooke Duncan. “I see this as a way where we’re doing service but then we’re also gathering for social rapport. If we want to create a culture of a possible organization, we need to build into ourselves.” SG members suggested opening the volunteering opportunity to all UC students, voicing opposition to the bill in its current language. In the interest of the organization, a senator suggested that the event provides opportunity is opened to all UC students, that SG members ensure non-members hold up their end of the bargain while volunteering, and to make an effort to get to know those possible volunteers. “This means that if we approve this, the stadium has to be trash-free,” said Senator of the Student Activities Board Katone Roberts. “If we spend this money for us to bond, we’re going to be doing something sustainable.” Duncan questioned if the original focus of the bill would still stand under Roberts’ suggestion to open the opportunity to campus. “That would be a good idea if that’s what the intentions were, but I think the intentions were really to build within the organization,” said Duncan. With so many new faces, several saw it as a way to invest in the organization’s members. “There’s a lot of people who don’t know each other, so we see this as a way for people to connect,” said Jake Frazen, SG treasurer. “It’s a great use of funds that we have left.” “I see this as no different than reserving money to spend for a retreat,” said External Holdover Senator Miranda Hileman. The bill passed 12-6-3.
CLASSIFIEDS
TONY CASTRUCCI | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The Board of Trustees examines the improvements to the University of Cincinnati Scholars Academy at Wednesday’s meeting, April 13, 2016.
Improvements to the University of Cincinnati Scholars Academy, which recruits Hughes Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) High School students in learning about STEM fields through a summer program offered on campus, were examined at Wednesday’s Board of Trustees meeting. Hughes STEM High School, located at 2515 Clifton Ave., can be a convenient access of opportunities for students looking to attend the program at UC. Program leaders are hoping to increase the number of students involved in the program to 18 this summer from 12 in 2015. “The purpose of the UC Scholars Academy is to empower students who have potential and drive but lack opportunity and access,” said Kathie Maynard, chair of STEM Regional Collaborative. “This work is being accomplished on unprecedented partnership — a partnership that includes every college on main campus, UC Blue Ash and five of the UC sport offices.” UC President Santa Ono and Provost Beverly Davenport have shown their support for the initiative, with Board Chairman Rob Richardson, Jr. playing a key role in the program. “What’s different is the way that we’re working together,” said Maynard. “We’re working collectively, pooling our resources, learning from and with each other, connecting existing programming and most importantly building shared programs that break down barriers.” Richardson also cited the importance of the program by discussing that Hughes STEM High School’s valedictorian was not granted admission into UC’s main campus. “That’s when I knew we needed to do more for the students,” said Richardson.
The board also addressed the demands of the Irate8 to continue dialogue, according to Ono, who also cited the organization’s demand for a renovated African American Cultural and Resource Center building, which opened in 1991. “A sense of place is incredibly important because it has to do with feeling part of the institution, feeling safe and being part of the community,” said Ono. There is now a task force for the organization in order to best accommodate the demands. The renovation will begin this summer after this academic year ends and is expected to add a kitchen, a lounge area and a study space for students. Intermediate goals will incorporate lockable storage for students and build a facade, which will be designed by university architect Mary Beth McGrew. UC’s five-year diversity plan will be ending this summer. Interim Chief Diversity Officer Bleuzette Marshall is drafting a new plan to accommodate all students, such as new options for individuals of Hispanic origin who may have trouble communicating in English. “They are either the largest or second largest minority, or they will be in a year,” said Richardson. The Board of Trustees announced the merging of the UC Foundation and the Alumni, combining the boards but keeping their brands independent. Faculty Representative Peter Stambrook and Student Body President Andrew Naab attended their last board meeting. Their terms as Board of Trustees members will expire at the end of the spring semester. “I believe that this year has been the best year in the history of the University of Cincinnati — until next year,” said Naab.
UC raises awareness, funds for sex-trafficked women ISABELLA JANSEN | STAFF REPORTER
University of Cincinnati students are wearing grey for five days this week to show support and commitment for women in Mumbai who have experienced sex trafficking. Second-year biomedical engineering student Dana Drage came up with this idea after hearing about the 30-day grey dress project at Bowling Green State University. She then decided to bring awareness to UC with a similar weeklong initiative. Drage organized an event Monday night that brought in Ryan Berg to campus. Berg is the executive director and founder of the Aruna Project, an organization committed to bringing and sustaining freedom to those being sexually exploited. Berg exposed the harsh realities these women face to UC students. “These statistics are individuals, this is a human being, just like you and me,” said Berg. There are over 15,000 sex workers within a two square-mile area, with girls as young as 12 years old forced into having sex with the highest bidder, according to Berg. “I know what sex trafficking means, but there was a wake-up call,” said Jennifer Schoewe, a third-year finance student. “I knew it was bad, but I did not know how bad. I didn’t know the numbers, I didn’t know the ages.” Schoewe also said the realizations Berg provided made her very upset and sad, as well as excited to participate in the Aruna Run Saturday. The run is the first step of the Aruna Project. The participants will run for a specific exploited woman in Mumbai to raise awareness for this individual. The Aruna Project works in four steps. First, a participant runs
for an exploited woman. The raised funds are used to enable the project to free them through choice of freedom. Freedom then empowers the woman and, finally, Aruna provides her with sustainable employment. The project has been a success, saving individuals trapped in brothels for years. Some of them were born into the trade and lived their whole lives within the brothel’s walls. The project has rescued mothers, daughters and sisters. Veronica Nuñez, a third-year communication student, helped spread awareness about Going Grey UC. “What is great about the Aruna Project is that it actually has steps to fix what is going on, it isn’t just about the awareness of the issue, but also the how do we help,” she said.
NICK BROWN | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
The executive director and founder of the Aruna Project, Ryan Berg, brings attention to UC students of the harsh realities of the lives of women in Mumbai who have been sextrafficked.
Start Smart event pushes women to negotiate for more money JAMES DOLLARD | STAFF REPORTER
Negotiation as tool for women in the workplace to avoid the wage gap was the prime topic during the Start Smart event in the University of Cincinnati African American Cultural Resource Center Tuesday. Women receive 79 cents for each dollar men receive, according to the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Jessica Lee, assistant director in the Career Services Department at the Carl H. Lindner College of Business and a career coach, said that while there may be a hint of subconscious discrimination, it can be largely attributed to one element: negotiation. Women negotiate for raises nearly a quarter as often as men, according to the AAUW. This can lead to a widened wage gap due to merit — or performance-based — raises. If someone were to settle with a $40,000 base pay and receive a typical 3 percent increase to their salary, they would make an extra $1,200 in pay. However, someone who negotiated to $45,000 will make an additional $1,350. “It all comes back to that women just don’t negotiate. They’re more likely to settle with their job. And I think that stat that men negotiate four times more? That’s with anything,” said Lee. “Going to a certain conference, talking to executives, getting benefits — men argue that stuff more
often.” The gender pay gap in each state varies, with Ohio falling around the 75-79 percent mark, according to the AAUW.
NICK BROWN | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Assistant Director in the Career Services Department at the Carl H. Lindner College of Business, Jessica Lee, discusses the gender wage gap and how women can use negotiation tactics.
“I always wondered why that gap exists this day in age — I mean there might be some subconscious effort to level off women but negotiating makes sense when you look at the math,” said Patrick Tosh, a fifth-year industrial management student. Attendees were given a “StartSmart” workbook that compiled practice scenarios and tips for negotiating, including urging research before interviews and using resources like the website Glassdoor, which compiles information on pay rates for specific positions in a given company, common interview questions and more. “I know my worth. I just don’t want a girl to be raised to think she isn’t worth as much as her male counterpart.” said Bethany Anderson, a fourth-year health promotion student. “We negotiate all the time in life. I have to negotiate with my daughter everyday.” The Equal Pay Act of 1963 passed by John F. Kennedy looked to address this issue, and while women are making closer money to their male counterparts — 62 percent of their pay in 1979 to 80 percent in 2004, according to the U.S. Department of Labor — women are also increasingly becoming the primary financial source per the AAUW, meaning equal pay is even more important. “I don’t think women are aware. They know it’s there but they aren’t aware of how to treat the issue. These events help curb that,” said Lee.
LIFE & ARTS / 3 THURSDAY, APR. 14, 2016
THURSDAY, APR. 14, 2016
Netflix hidden gem ‘Flaked’ examines humanity ALEXI FRICK | CONTRIBUTOR REVIEW
With “Daredevil” and “House of Cards” recently returning to Netflix, “Flaked” probably slid through the cracks for a lot of viewers. But if you have a day or two to kill, a fly-through of the short eight-episode season is worth the watch. As the brainchild of Will Arnett and Mitch Hurwitz of “Arrested Development” fame, “Flaked” is an absurdist dark-comedy that tests the viewer as much as it does the characters. To avoid spoilers, I’ll be sparse on details, but the overarching plot revolves around Will Arnett’s character, Chip, as he tries to leave his tormented past behind him and move on into the digital age.
ANTHONY BEHAR | SIPA USA | TNS
Will Arnett arives at the 2016 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on Feb. 28, 2016 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
BrewCats: DuClaw’s tradition with twist STEPHANIE L. SMITH | STAFF REPORTER
Baltimore’s DuClaw Brewing brews traditional beers according to style, but is known more for their experimental beers that twist the traditional into something unique. A traditional stout is an English style of beer made with hops, water and yeast. The addition of roasted malt or barley gives it the trademark roasty, smoky flavor with coffee or burnt undertones. Low in sweetness and high in bitterness, the stout style ranges from dry, to high in alcohol content and hoppiness, to those with a low ABV (think Guinness). Quick Start My Heart is strawberry milk stout developed by DuClaw brewer Kurt Krol. This brew pours a jet black with a fluffy dark mocha head. Whiffs of chocolate gives way to a faint strawberry milk aroma — a throwback to the Strawberry Quik I drank as a child. The lactose gives the stout a creamy, velvety feel. The taste begins with the typical stout roastiness, followed by an odd tartness and ending with a strawberry milk aftertaste, but with some bitterness. At 6.8 percent ABV, Quick Start My Heart satisfies both those who love traditional stouts and those who are looking for something different. Don’t be afraid to try it: the sweetness compliments the stout style rather than dominating it. DuClaw brewmaster Jim Wagner created a chocolate raspberry porter home brew in 1995. In 1998, Wagner used his porter to land the position of DuClaw’s brewmaster, which developed into Naked Fish Chocolate Raspberry Stout. This brew pours a dark chocolate brown with hints of golden caramel, a thin light mocha head and very fizzy carbonation. Candy raspberry dominates the nose and bitter dark chocolate follows. The taste is very raspberry with bitter chocolate covered espresso bean undertones, and saltiness at the end. The stout smokiness shows up in the lingering aftertaste. At 4.6 percent ABV, Naked Fish is a surprisingly light, refreshing stout. Bonus points are awarded for it being sessionable.
Despite the short length of the season, the writers and producers managed to pack a lot of heavy themes into each 30-minute episode. Topics like gentrification, as Chip sees his beloved city of Venice turn from a crime-addled city with character into a cookie-cutter suburbanite hangout, and addiction, as he goes back to the bottle after a 10-year battle with alcoholism, are part of the show. Every episode offers some new moral hoop for Chip to jump through, and how he handles it is usually what leaves the viewer conflicted on whether or not to like him. The themes run a bit deeper than what you’d typically expect, which is what makes it an entertaining watch. Throughout “Flaked,” Chip dances with self-doubt, regret, desire, social mobility and an amalgam of other problems, all while struggling to keep up everyday relationships in the 21st century. While the cast as a whole plays their parts well, the standout is definitely Will Arnett as Chip. He shows the full extent of his acting prowess, playing someone dissimilar from the goofy uncle archetype he usually portrays. In every episode he seems exasperated, as if he just got done with a two mile run before showing up on set. Given the weight of everything Chip has to deal with throughout the show, his portrayal is fantastic. He’s great at giving advice to the addicts he helps in Alcoholics Anonymous, but can never seem to take that same advice himself. Besides Chip, the writers managed to flesh out the supporting characters just as much. London, the cause of a love triangle, and Dennis, the third side
Police Demo Day successfully engages UC EMILY HETTERSCHEIDT | STAFF REPORTER
Police Demo Day brought many police officers and students to McMicken Commons Wednesday to interact through community engagement. The event spread out over McMicken Commons with the University of Cincinnati Police Department, Cincinnati Police Department, SWAT and the Tri-State Motor Unit in attendance. The departments worked with UC’s Criminal Justice Department to interact with students who may not be familiar with what they do. “It’s just a good community relations type of event,” said Andrew Mueller, a UCPD officer. Mueller explained that the goal of the event was to get some positive interactions with students. He said there is a stigma that police are only around to get students in trouble. “We’re part of the community and want to see them flourish and be there to help and educate and facilitate,” said Mueller. The expo offered students the opportunity to interact with some of
UCPD’s bomb dogs, as well as try on SWAT gear and learn what it takes to be a police officer. However, the ultimate goal of the expo was community engagement, according to Jeff Thompson, a UCPD officer “In some years past, we’ve had more stuff here, more students, but we’ve been doing this every year since I’ve been here, since ’99, and sometimes we have a lot of students, some years we have not many students,” said Thompson. Jeff Meister, a Tri-State Motor Unit officer, said education was an important part of the expo. “College students that want to become police officers, there’s different things they can do, K9, motorcycle, bike patrol, investigation, so instead of just being a regular patrol man, once you get on there’s so many things you can do,” Meister said. Meister said that a few students were interested in the possibility of becoming police officers and asked questions about what happens and what experience they may need. Thompson explained that it is
sometimes difficult to get police equipment to campus, as it is tied up with other commitments. However, the student reactions were still good and one of the most popular things this year was the opportunity for students to interact with the bomb dogs, according to Thompson. “Here, today, at the expo, the bomb dogs have been a big hit,”Thompson said.
SHAE COMBS | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Students try on SWAT gear at the UCPD demo on McMicken Commons, Wednesday afternoon, April 13, 2016.
New ‘Dr. Strange’ trailer magical, mind bending RUSSELL HAUSFELD | ARTS EDITOR REVIEW
Marvel movie madness is in full swing after the release of multiple trailers for upcoming movies, including the teaser introducing Paul Rudd’s Ant Man to the “Captain America: Civil War” cast and the debut trailer for a hero who gets less attention than deserved: Doctor Strange. “Doctor Strange,” set for a Nov. 4 release, looks like it has the potential to be as trippy and mind-bending a movie, as something like “Inception,” being based around the idea of dimensional travel and exploration. “You’re a man looking at life through a keyhole. You’ve spent your life trying to widen it,” the voiceover in the trailer says. “Your work saved the lives of thousands. What if I told you, that reality is one of many?” The trailer gives us a taste of many little snippets of metaphysical, cross-dimensional scenes and ideas. At one point, a bald woman (who I assume is Doctor Strange’s teacher of sorts, called The Ancient One) punches his chest and sends his soul flying out the back of his body to observe his physical self from the outside. From this point, the trailer spells out “open your mind” and proceeds into a montage of reality-shattering
STEPHANIE SMITH | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Duclaw Brewing takes a twist on traditional stouts with Quick Start My Heart and Naked Fish.
of said love triangle, come complete with their own set of problems and equally checkered past that make the show that much more life-like. While Chip is the sun the others revolve around, the supporting characters are each their own planets. The cinematography is another aspect that really stood out. Every episode has this over-saturated, Instagram-filter atmosphere to it. It gives Venice a certain kind of mood to it, one where the characters are trudging along through a hazy, dream-like world sanctioned off from the rest of society. There are long shots that sit for a while and let you think about what just occurred, and others beautiful enough to save as desktop wallpaper. With Netflix seemingly adding a new show on a weekly basis, “Flaked” probably won’t reach the same levels of popularity as “House of Cards” or “Narcos.” It’s not a groundbreaking show, and the concept isn’t entirely unconventional. Instead, “Flaked” is an existentialist drama dealing with a person who’s practically given up on life. The characters are likable enough to reward some investment in their story, but are humanized by their situations and personality flaws. They’re all morally ambiguous, and as the plot unfolds, nobody really comes out on the right or wrong side. It’s all of this that makes “Flaked” one of the most humanistic shows I’ve seen in a while. These characters feel like people you could know in real life, they’re empathetic but flawed. “Flaked” is something different altogether, and while it’s not exactly breaking barriers, it’s a spot-on examination of what it’s like to be a human.
PROVIDED
Benedict Cumberbatch takes on the role of Earth’s Supremem Sorcerer, Doctor Strange, in Marvel’s newest rendition of the character, coming out Nov. 4, 2016.
scenes where characters bend the physical world around them and fly through space and time. The trailer ends with Doctor Strange on his knees in front of the bald woman, heaving for breath and finally looking up and dramatically saying, “Teach me.” Cut to “Doctor Strange” logo. Taking on the role of Doctor Strange is fan favorite Benedict Cumberbatch. His superior acting and grace on screen make this feature a highly anticipated release. And for me, personally, the subject matter of Doctor Strange’s story arcs are much more interesting than the typical run-of-the-mill superhero plot line. See, Doctor Strange is known as Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme, and he is the primary protector of Earth against magical and mystical threats. The particular mystical threat in question for this film appears to be a villain named Baron Mordo, who is a disciple of Strange’s teacher as well. Mordo, however, excels in astral projection and mesmerism and seeks to overpower and eliminate his and Strange’s teacher, The Ancient One. This will be the superhero movie for any contemplative and spiritual mind — a film that will serve as an actionpacked blockbuster, while also making you consider the nature of reality. Mike Benton described the fan base surrounding the original “Doctor Strange” comics in his book, “Superhero Comics of the Silver Age: The Illustrated History:” “The ‘Dr. Strange’ stories of the 1960s constructed a cohesive cosmology that would have thrilled any self-respecting theosophist. College students, minds freshly opened by psychedelic experiences and Eastern mysticism, read Ditko and Lee’s ‘Dr. Strange’ stories with the belief of a recent Hare Krishna convert. Meaning was everywhere, and readers analyzed the Dr. Strange stories for their relationship to Egyptian myths, Sumerian gods and Jungian archetypes.”
Resident Housing Association opens eyes of students to oppression, hope in Cincinnati JEN HAM | STAFF REPORTER
Oppression is a living, breathing, and ongoing reality. It is ever-present in conversations about the refugees of Palestine, the immigrants from Central America and the inhabitants of North Korea. It is also ever-present in America. The Resident Hall Association set up a “Tunnel of Oppression and Hope” Wednesday in TUC to explore this very idea. The event highlighted oppression in America, Cincinnati and the University of Cincinnati, although not always in the conventional sense of the word. Oppression can be as simple as not being able to live life freely because of the environmental or social constructs in place. Disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, race and social status are just a few examples of first-world oppressions, according to event organizers. “We experience oppression all the time,” said Presley Patterson, a third-year marketing student and the event coordinator. “Oppression is felt in different ways and so the intent of The Tunnel was to bring to light perspectives
on oppression, privilege and power through a variety of topics.” Some students said they were shocked and upset to realize the prevalence of oppression in their lives. The tunnel showcased five experiences reflective of the climate surrounding UC’s campus. In one of the experiences, participants engaged in a series of simulations of what it is like to be dyslexic. “I want people to gain a better understanding of not only what it is like to have dyslexia, but also just in general, to empathize with conditions that other people go through,” said Grace Mancini, a second-year marketing student and the Dyslexia Room host. Another experience took participants through the significant and historical events leading up to the Black Lives Matter Movement. Room host Joshua Donath, a community coordinator for Calhoun Hall, expressed his aspirations to work in student affairs with a social work undertone and said he likes the aspect of “providing people who have these needs with services.” This prompted him to become involved with the event
as it inspects the needs of those who are oppressed. Because these events could be triggering, Counseling and Psychological Services had a debrief room named “hope” where representatives helped students process their own reactions to the experience. Events like this are essential in educating and bringing awareness to as many people as possible, in hopes of actively countering the constructs of oppression, organizers said.
NICK BROWN | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Students sign encouraging notes on mannequin during the Tunnel of Oppression and Hope event in TUC, Wednesday, April 13, 2016.
4 / OPINION THURSDAY, APR. 14, 2016
TNR will not retract TNR STAFF
When students are physically harmed at a University of Cincinnati-sponsored event, ONOfest—it is deserving of attention. Since The News Record’s (TNR) publication of a story detailing reports of violence on Saturday’s concert, student organizations and individuals have focused their attention on our publication rather than the stories of the victims. UC’s Programs and Activities Council (PAC), the organization responsible for hosting the event, has yet to seek any additional information from TNR regarding what occurred at the One Night Only Fest — and instead asked for a retraction. Other student organizations such as Student Government, and specifically Student Body President Andrew Naab, have perpetuated a dismissive attitude towards the reported events that occurred during the ONOfest concert through public responses on social media. The implication that freshmen should expect a violent atmosphere at university-sponsored events is a misguided response to serious questions of policing and student safety. Specific individuals have resorted to threatening TNR’s college life editor who broke the story. PAC, the student group responsible for organizing safety at its university events, took to Twitter to deem the concert a success. The group also encouraged positive feedback from attendees, but deemed reports of violence retractionworthy.
PAC’s email to TNR asking for a retraction stated, “An individual (including the members of the general public) cannot be barred from an event on a public universities property…” which contradicts an April 2 Facebook post. Our student newspaper’s responsibility is to provide a forum for conversation, keep university officials accountable and protect the interest of UC students — and our story accomplished just that. TNR will always make a deliberate effort to work with all student organizations to ensure equal and fair coverage for both students and campus events. Like every other group in an academic learning environment, mistakes are part of the growth process. We will continue to prioritize UC students and student organizations— by not being silenced, refusing to turn a blind eye for the sake of good publicity and never neglecting stories of violence brought to our attention. Therefore, The News Record will not retract.
WANT TO WRITE TO THE EDITOR? NEWSRECORDOPINION@GMAIL.COM
Minimum wage has racist history, should not exist in America DRAKE LUNDSTROM |CONTRIBUTOR
The minimum wage should not exist. If that statement fills you with disgust, rage and revolution, allow me to give some factual arguments. The first thing everyone needs to know about the minimum wage is the history behind it. The modern-day left often supports raising the minimum wage as a way to benefit minorities, but they forget the extremely racist origins of the minimum wage. “In 1925, a minimum-wage law was passed in the Canadian province of British Columbia, with the intent and effect of pricing Japanese immigrants out of jobs in the lumbering industry,” wrote Thomas Sowell, an African-American economist, in The New York Post. “A Harvard professor of that era referred approvingly to Australia’s minimum wage law as a means to ‘protect the white Australian’s standard of living from the invidious competition of the colored races, particularly of the Chinese’ who were willing to work for less.” “In South Africa during the era of apartheid, white labor unions urged that a minimum-wage law be applied to all races, to keep black workers from taking jobs away from white unionized workers by working for less than the union pay scale.”
This discrimination is also clearly seen in the U.S., especially during the era of the first major minimum wage law: the Davis-Bacon Act. The law, which was enacted in 1931, was designed to fix the “problem” that over 80 percent of unskilled construction workers, being black, were forcing the white, unionized construction workers out of jobs. “I have received numerous complaints in recent months about southern contractors employing low-paid colored mechanics getting work and bringing the employees from the South,” complained Rep. John Cochran (D-Missouri) in a 1930 congressional hearing. The law was made with a very simple idea: If the cost of a worker is forced high enough, then it is not worth the money to hire less skilled AfricanAmerican workers, and construction companies will instead hire the white unionized ones. The fact is that the minimum wage has a racist origin and that it was created for the explicit purpose of protecting white workers. The racially harmful effects of the minimum wage can be seen in its results as well as the intentions of its creators. In 1948, a time when the minimum wage was only $3.09 per hour (in 2013 dollars), the unemployment rate for white 16- to 17-year-olds was 10.2 percent, while that for black 16- to 17-year-olds was
9.4 percent. Among white 18- to 19-yearolds, unemployment was 9.4 percent, and for black 18- to 19-year-olds it was 10.5 percent. In fact, from 1900 to 1950, black workers were more active in the labor market than whites. However, in the decades following the War on Poverty’s minimum wage increases, black teen unemployment has
been consistently around double that of white teen unemployment and has never again fallen below 20 percent. White teen unemployment is currently about 20 percent and black teen unemployment is at 40 percent. If racism has caused this disparity, I would love to hear anyone try to explain how the U.S. was less racist in 1948.
DAVID EULITT | KANSAS CITY STAR | TNS
Protestors take part in a protest march for higher minimum wages for fast food workers in March in Kansas City, Mo. Minimum wage workers are more likely to work more than one job to make ends meet, putting them at risk for a host of health problems.
PUZZLE Apr. 11 puzzle’s answer:
Across 1 Bumper car, at times 7 Cookbook author Rombauer 11 Smoke 14 Lancelot’s unrequited lover 15 Assam products 16 Barcelona bear 17 Equipment for picnic competitions 19 Grabbed a chair 20 Melee 21 Ballet bend
22 State with five national parks 23 Embryo development sites 26 Priestly vestment 29 Right Guard rival 30 Old anesthetic 31 Willy Loman, in a 1949 play 34 Architect Jones 37 McDonald’s founder 38 Make really happy 41 Nobel Prize subj. 42 “Cheers!”
44 Connections traced on ancestry.com 46 Tiny amounts 49 Chill in the air 50 Denials 51 Big name on Wall Street 55 French friends 56 Elevator option 57 Horseshoe-shaped letter 61 Tried to get into an office 62 Lisa Simpson’s
instrument 64 With 43-Down, what a criminal might be on 65 Augusta National’s __ Corner 66 British Invasion star 67 Doesn’t lack 68 Nothing more than 69 Its flag features a six-pointed star
Down 1 Weight room count 2 Burn soother 3 Damon of “The Martian” 4 Mazda roadster 5 Inters 6 Classic auto 7 Novelist Calvino 8 Deliver from memory 9 Succeed 10 In the Gospels, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on one 11 San José denizen 12 First name in gravity 13 Some black-clad teens
18 “This Is __ Tap” 22 Early Web forum 24 Title 25 City with two MLB teams 26 More than wonders 27 Carefree adventure 28 Connections traced on ancestry. com 32 Modern birthday greetings 33 “Can’t help ya” 35 Disco adjective 36 Tip jar fillers 39 Lease signer 40 “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” writer Carle
43 See 64-Across 45 Galaxy alternatives 47 Title for Bovary 48 Distracting bedmate 51 “Party on, Wayne” speaker 52 City on the Missouri 53 Sty denizens 54 Ugly campaign tactic 58 “¿Cómo __?” 59 “The Wizard of Oz” family name 60 Skater’s maneuver 62 Impact sound 63 Geisha’s sash
SPORTS / 5 THURSDAY, APR. 14, 2016
THURSDAY, APR. 14, 2016 SEE US WNT PG 6
start getting paid more and realize that they could make a living out of it instead of having to worry about getting a job and playing soccer at the same time, I think it would make the sport a lot better. People would be able to focus all their time and energy to soccer.” Ranked No. 1 women’s soccer team in the world, the United States is the perfect team to come out and take a stand, according to Jackson. “The U.S. is the right team to make this stand because we have had the most success,” Jackson said. “It is important for our country’s team to use our platform to demand equality for everyone.” Gilles, a native of Ottawa, Canada, hopes that the stand taken by the United States will spread globally, including to her home country. “I hope for Canada and for other countries in the world that equality will come,” Gilles said. “I think that women’s sports in general should have the
same rights as the men’s teams do, no matter where you’re from.” The Canadian Soccer Association took to the media several days after the U.S. women’s soccer team made headlines, saying that “there is no disparity” in pay between the men’s and women’s national teams, though they refused to go into detail regarding the wages. Gilles is not so sure that is the case. “I don’t know the specifics exactly, but I have friends on the team, and I have friends on the youth national teams,” Gilles said. “They do get some benefits, but I highly doubt that it would be exactly the same as the men.” The ball is in the court of the United States soccer federation now. Jackson does not think they have much of a choice on what to do next. “I think there will be a change at the end of all of this,” Jackson said. “I do not think there’d be any reason to deny the women’s request.”
New guard Cane Broome transfers over to Bearcat basketball team DAVID WYSONG | SPORTS EDITOR
Mick Cronin, University of Cincinnati men’s basketball head coach, announced Monday that former Sacred Heart University sophomore guard Cane Broome will transfer to UC with two years of eligibility beginning the 2017-18 season. Broome ranked eighth in the nation in scoring at 23.1 points per game, along with 4.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.7 steals in 37.5 minutes for the Pioneers. He was the 2015-16 Northeast Conference Player of the Year ― the first underclassman voted NEC Player of the Year since 1992. With 1,157 career points, Broome leads all active sophomores in the country in scoring and recorded five games over 30 points last season, including a 39-point effort at Fairleigh Dickinson University on Feb. 20. “We are very excited that Cane has chosen to be a Bearcat,” Cronin said. “He is a great young man from a wonderful family that will represent our university with tremendous class. Cane wants to play at the highest level and challenge himself. That means he wants to work hard and that’s what we are about.” The guard earned several national and regional honors, including Associated Press Honorable Mention AllAmerica, United States Basketball Writers’ Association (USBWA) All-District I, First Team All-ECAC and National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District 18 accolades. “Cane is a very talented guard that can create and score
at a high level,” Cronin said. “He is also a humble young man that wanted to become a part of a winning program and that speaks to his character.” Before playing for Sacred Heart, Broome played at St. Thomas More School in Oakdale, Connecticut, where he was a McDonald’s All-America nominee in 2014. Prior to that, he earned all-state accolades and was named an allconference selection twice at East Hartford High School in East Hartford, Connecticut.
PROVIDED BY SACRED HEART ATHLETICS
Former Sacred Heart University sophomore guard, Cane Broome, will transfer to UC with two years of eligibility beginning the 2017-2018-basketball season.
Newsome ties for second at invitational DAVID WYSONG | SPORTS EDITOR
NHAT V. MEYER | BAY AREA NEWS GROUP | MCT
Cincinnati Reds’ Derrick Robinson (15), Brandon Phillips (4) and Jay Bruce (32) high-five after they all scored off of a double hit by teammate Todd Frazier in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California, Monday, July 22, 2013.
Reds’ start aids rebuilding phase CLAUDE THOMPSON | STAFF REPORTER
The Cincinnati Reds are off to a great start at the beginning of this young Major League Baseball season. Through Monday’s game against the Chicago Cubs, they have a 5-2 record, including a sweep of the terrible Philadelphia Phillies and taking two-of-three against the Pittsburgh Pirates ― who qualified for the postseason last year, but lost to the Cubs in the National League Wild Card game. The hot start is easy to credit to the seven players currently batting over .300, or the eight pitchers with earned run averages under 3.00, including new starting pitcher Brandon Finnegan. Finnegan took a no-hitter into the seventh inning of a loss to the Cubs Monday night. That loss can’t be grieved too much. After all, the Cubs were on the cusp of reaching the World Series last season before losing to the Mets in the NL Championship Series. A lot of naysayers will point to last season’s 5-3 start as a reason to being cautious about optimism, but it’s not like we’re going to be excited or optimistic if the team lost those games. The only way for a team, especially for a young team, to improve is to win baseball games. It’s hard to argue with their success a week into the season. It’s early, and yes, early stats are almost always ridiculously above or below average, but the players are fighting the adversity that’s been talked about all offseason with success. The success they are having now can help develop the players currently on the roster into winners. With continued positive performances from their All-Stars, like first baseman Joey Votto and second baseman Brandon Phillips, this team could reduce the actual time they need
to finish this “rebuilding phase” they’ve stated is occurring. If they continue to win baseball games and generate good outings from their young pitching staff, this team could outperform projections and eventually create a new performance standard for themselves and return Cincinnati to perennial playoff competition sooner rather than later. The current average attendance at the Great American Ballpark stands at 23,881, according to baseball-reference. com. That’s the lowest average mark since 2009. Now, more than ever, wins are important to not only build confidence in the team and its players, but in the fan base. Extensions and free agent signings, a lot of what a team can do financially, stem from ticket sales and attendance. Early success can generate excitement for a team that desperately needs the capital to continue to compete with the soaring Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals and the Pirates. The Reds continue their current road trip with a matchup against the Cubs, before moving on to challenge the reigning NL Central Division Champion Cardinals in St. Louis. The team will then return home for a series against the Rockies before hosting the Cubs in a four game series. The team will play five of the next six series against teams that qualified for the postseason, including a threegame stint in New York against the NL Champion Mets. These next few weeks will test this team’s fortitude and they will need to come together quickly to win several series against teams that by all rights should be better than them. However, if the Reds can win against these odds, this team will be set up for future success and be in a great position. This team will lose games and this team will lose series, but this is a great chance to jump out to a hot lead in the division ― one they sorely need.
University of Cincinnati men’s senior golfer Emerson Newsome tied for second place over the weekend at the Hoosier Invitational at Otter Creek Golf Course in Columbus, Indiana. Newsome finished 3-under par, tying Purdue University’s Luis Fernando Barco and Xavier University’s Jose Montano. They finished one stroke behind first place Patrick Flavin of Miami University. “We’re very happy for Emerson,” said Doug Martin, UC head coach. “With three top-10 finishes this spring, he’s definitely playing the best golf of his career right now.” Newsome began the tournament Saturday with a 1-over par 73 score that tied him for 14th place, but a 4-under par 68 score in the final round led to his second-place finish. The final round for Newsome marked the third-lowest round of his collegiate career as it featured five birdies on the day, including four on the front nine, to go with 12 par scores. Newsome recorded three top-10 finishes this spring, tying for 10th at the Old Waverly Collegiate Championship and seventh at the Colleton River Collegiate. The second-place finish was Newsome’s best tournament result since winning the Old Waverly event as a freshman in 2013. Two other Bearcats finished in the top-40 of the tournament. Freshman Austin Squires tied for 30th
with a score of 5-over par and junior Jared O’Kelley tied for 36th with a 6-over par score. As a team, the Bearcats ended the first round in 10th place as they had a 13over par 301 score, but they finished the tournament in eighth place with a 16-over par 592 score. “It’s been too long since we were able to put three good rounds together as a team,” Martin said. “Overall, we continue to beat ourselves with unforced errors.” Purdue won the tournament after edging Miami on the second playoff hole. Both teams forced extra play by finishing the two rounds with a 2-over par 578 score. Cincinnati also finished behind Xavier University, Marquette University, Northern Illinois University, Indiana University and Ball State University. Originally scheduled for 54 holes, the 13-team tournament was shortened to 36 holes due to frigid playing conditions on Saturday. Martin knew prior to the tournament the weather would be an issue. “The course and the weather are going to present tremendous challenges,” Martin said. “Our team will get a great test of its ability to focus on what it needs to do and not worry about the elements.” The Bearcats will compete in the Boilermaker Invitational Saturday and Sunday in West Lafayette, Indiana and will play in the American Championship tournament May 1-3.
This year’s NBA playoffs could be one of most competitive in recent times DAVID WYSONG | SPORTS EDITOR
The NBA playoffs begin Saturday and, against popular opinion, this year could be the most competitive playoff we have seen in years. In previous seasons, there were usually eight good teams in the Western Conference and two or three good teams
DAVID SANTIAGO | MIAMI HERALD | TNS
The Golden State Warriors’s Stephen Curry reacts after hitting a 3-pointer against the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016. The Warriors won, 118-112.
in the Eastern Conference. This year, there are two great teams in the West, while the East has seven good teams ― excluding the Cleveland Cavaliers, who I think are a great team. The Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and Cavaliers have been atop the league all season long, which could lead to a brutal head on collision in the Western Conference Finals and NBA Finals. All season long, the debate was figuring out who can stop the Warriors. The first team with a strong chance to do so is the Spurs. Everyone has been raving about the Warriors’ record year ― being only the second team in NBA history to win 70 or more games ― but the Spurs have had almost just as much success. San Antonio was on the Warriors’ tails all year long, winning more than 65 games, as their veteran stars have begun to pass the torch to their younger counterparts. Kawhi Leonard, 24, leads the team in scoring, with 21.2 points per game, and their big acquisition this offseason, 30-year-old LaMarcus Aldridge, is second with 18 points per game, according to ESPN’s official site. Right behind in third and fourth are
two of their star players for more than a decade, 33-year-old Tony Parker and 38-year-old Manu Ginobili. The combination of veteran leadership and young talent has led this team to be the No. 1 defense in the league, only allowing 92.9 points per game. Their elite defense is exactly what they need to stop one of the best offensive teams ever, the Golden State Warriors. Reigning MVP Stephen Curry came out this season playing even better than last year. Curry’s 29.9 points per game is 6 points higher than his MVP season, while his shooting percentages have improved from the field and three-point range. In addition to Curry, the Warriors have arguably the best shooting guard in the league in Klay Thompson, and a tripledouble machine in Draymond Green. If the Spurs want to stop the dynamic offense of the Warriors, they will need to smother them along the perimeter, which they showed they could do during their 8779 win March 20 as they held the Warriors to 25 percent from three-point range. If the Warriors and Spurs meet each other in the Western Conference Finals, which they probably will, it will no doubt be a
competitive, all-time great six or seven game series. Despite firing their head coach in the middle of the season, the Cavaliers have been in first place in the east nearly all year. The Cavaliers could easily give the Spurs or Warriors a good fight because of having one of the best players ever in LeBron James, as well as all-stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. However, their road to get there is significantly tougher than last season. Every team in the Eastern Conference playoffs are above .500 for the first time since the 2004-05 season, except for the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season. To reach the finals, the Cavaliers may have to go through the 55-win Toronto Raptors or LeBron’s former team, the Miami Heat, as both teams have beaten Cleveland multiple times this year. I think Cleveland’s No. 3 defense in the league and No. 8 offense will ultimately outlast the field and will face the winners from the west ― who I believe will be the Spurs. This year’s playoffs could be one for the ages and whoever wins will be the deserving NBA champions.
6 / SPORTS THURSDAY, APR. 14, 2016