the
Reporter
Stetson University | DeLand, Fla.
Vol. CXXIII Issue 12
Graduation outdoors
Just like the movies or a hot, wet nightmare? Kait Forsythe Staff Writer
Here’s the deal for graduation, seniors: It’s outside.
Sex offenders and allies advocate for registry relaxation Jason Cruz Staff Writer
Criminal justice reform: Protesters and politicians have spent much of the past 18 months arguing for criminal justice reform as the United States reckons with its standing as the world’s number one incarcerator. Much of this discussion revolves around non-violent drug crimes, but last Thursday Stetson’s chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union brought reform advocates focused on a group most people do not think need laxer laws: sex offenders. Gail Colletta is the president of the Florida Action Committee, and she brought three sex offenders (she uses the term “registered citizens”) to the Stetson room to share information regarding what she believes to be utterly draconian laws making it difficult for registered offenders released from prison to find housing, employment, and become productive members of society. She and Cary Ragsdale spoke vehemently against the way people become registered sex offenders and the registry itself. Ragsdale began by decrying “outright lies which have contaminated the conversation for 25 years.” He and Colletta repeatedly cited a 2005 Department of Justice report claiming only 5.3% of registered offenders are repeat offenders. There are currently more than 800 thousand registered offenders today. Ragsdale claims tens of thousands have absconded from their registered locations because they could not live under the housing restrictions, which often require that offenders live no closer than a thousand feet from places where children congregate. Ragsdale said he once tried to find a home for a sex offender and discovered that only two blocks in Seminole county fit the requirements. Ragsdale told the crowd, a mixture
of students and older citizens, he was molested at age 12, but still believes that the current procedures for handling sex offenders are inhumane, unconstitutional, and ineffective. He claimed that the prevalence of plea bargains, which he argued make up 90 percent of criminal cases, erodes due process rights, while the inability for registered offenders to freely choose their residences or jobs makes it almost impossible for them to become productive members of society after their punishments end. He criticized the apparent hypocrisy of forcing sex offenders to register for life while murderers and other criminals, who he said have higher recidivism rates, go unmonitored. Once Colletta took the stage, she began with awkward discussion of the changed morality she sees as causing much of the problem with sex crimes. She claimed there are now 189 offenses which could result in being forced to register, many of which describe formerly commonplace practices. Colletta remarked “how many of our soldiers in World War II left behind 15 or 16 year old brides with children? They would be sex offenders by today’s standards. In the time of Biblical scripture, families married girls off to 20 or 30 year old men as soon as they could bear children, and those men would now be sex offenders. We haven’t changed biologically, just how we think about it.” She even told the crowd that both she and her mother were with their older husbands by the time they were 15. The Florida Action Committee president explained that she became involved after her son was arrested and convicted for possession of child pornography. According to her, her bipolar son was experiencing a manic episode, remembered what someone told him to google, and stumbled onto the images, proceeding to download some. When he awoke in a See Offenders, Page 2
If you were not familiar, in previous years, the Stetson Commencement ceremony has been held in the Edmunds Center, which has a holding capacity of around 5,000. Last May, Stetson University said a proud goodbye to 549 graduates in total, but the students were broken up into three separate sections, whose ceremonies spanned the entire weekend. The graduate school would get things started, followed by the College of Arts and Sciences, and ending with the School of Music and the School of Business Administration. Now, in high school tradition, there will be a singular graduation ceremony, which willl take place at Spec Martin Stadium, located a little over a mile from campus. Beginning around around 8:30 am and ending around 11am, the ceremony this year will include all undergraduate and graduate students together rather than division based on the various schools within the university. The motivation for change, according to Director of University Events Julie Hunter, was safety. During Commencement last year, Edmunds reached full capacity and was at risk of violating fire codes, putting the event was at risk of being shut down. See Graduation, Page 3
Mock Trial team celebrates success at recent tournament News, Page 4 Q& A with Dublin native and tennis player Cóilín MacNamara Sports, Page 7
2 NEWS
Get well soon (next week, in fact) Kaley Fulton Opinion Editor
John B. Well Week’s Semicolon Mascot
February 1-4, Student Health Services and the Department of Wellness and Recreation will be hosting their third annual John B. Well Week. This series of events aims to de-stigmatize mental health and to offer students resources and an opportunity to engage in dialogue about mental health and wellness practices. On Feb. 2, there will be a screening of the film, Happy in the Rinker Auditorium of the LBC at 6 pm. The film discusses the meaning of happiness across the globe and ways in which we can all be happier in our daily lives. The other major event during John B. Well Week is the wellness fair on February 4, 2016. Dr. Rachel Boldman from the Counseling Center says, “There will be several tables for students to visit to learn about how various aspects
of holistic wellness impact mental wellness. To show support for those struggling with mental illness (depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, self-harm for example) we will have temporary semicolon tattoos inspired by "Project Semicolon" (http://www. projectsemicolon.org).” In addition, representatives from Florida Hospital will be there to speak on sleep and behavioral health, and Stetson’s Wellness and Recreation Department will be conducting fitness assessments and speaking on how to relieve stress. A large part of John B. Well week is a focus on mental and spiritual health as well as physical health. “Lindsay Graves, Assistant Director for Interfaith Initiatives will have a table with information about spiritual wellness and how it relates to mental wellness. We will also have mental health screenings for students to take about common mental health concerns like depression
and anxiety,” said Dr. Boldman. Mental health issues like depression and anxiety are quite common among college students. The American College Health Association found in 2014 that more than half of college students had experienced "overwhelming anxiety" sometime over the past year; and more than 30% of them said they have felt so depressed "that it was difficult to function." The high expectations placed on students to perform well in their classes and trying to transition to university life away from home can cause elevated stress for many students. While it may seem difficult or even impossible, Dr. Boldman suggests exercising, eating nutritious foods, sleeping well, and doing activities that bring you joy during times of high stress to help you physically and emotionally manage your obligations. One of the best ways to be supportive of someone experiencing a mental health issue is to
listen to them and “just be there” to show that you are here to support them. A new addition to this year’s incarnation of John B. Well week is an art contest, themed “The Art of Resilience. For more details on the contest, go to http:// www.stetson.edu/administration/counseling-center/ john-b-well.php and click on "Art Contest Flyer." No matter what time of year it is, the Stetson Counseling Center is always available to help students who are experiencing a mental health issue or if they’d like an ally to talk to. Their services are free to all students. You can make an appointment at 386-8228900. As Dr. Boldman explained, there is no reason to be ashamed of asking for help. “Your bravery may inspire others to follow you toward mental wellness,” she said. “You don't have to be perfect or have it ‘all together’ all the time. Because the truth is that no one has it all together!”
court date next month after a judge refused to acknowledge his time stamped note from the DMV showing his attempt to change his registered address. Colletta and Ragsdale are certain the registry does not reduce recidivism rates, and actively lobby the Florida government to loosen
laws on sex offenders. Stetson’s ACLU president Ruth Pierre-Charles hopes to continue hosting controversial conversations on campus throughout the semester. *Grover, as well as some of the other individuals named in this story, withheld their full names.
Offenders, continued from Page 1 more balanced state, he deleted the pictures, but two weeks later a SWAT team arrived with an arrest warrant, and he is now a registered sex offender. Colletta devoted much of her time to people she believes are innocent of any real harm yet punished with full force of the law. According to her, 49 percent of sex crimes against minors are committed by other minors, in what she believes are regretted consensual activities. She described the potential for two underage teenagers to have sex, break up, and accuse one another of rape since neither can provide legal consent. She believes this frequently occurs, resulting in high schoolers registered alongside “a man who murdered and raped a child.” She also noted that what she used to call “petting,” touching someone’s private areas over their clothing while kissing, is now deemed a sexual offense. That claim received angry backlash from an audience member who proclaimed that verbal consent is necessary for each sexual act and that much has changed since Biblical
times. Colletta responded “in 2016 you do.” Most other audience outbursts carried supportive messages of outrage with the political machinations being described. While Colletta described the public desire for tighter restrictions, one local woman proclaimed “Florida is one of the most judgmental states I’ve ever been in.” Others shared the difficulties they experience as parents of registered offenders, including leaving their children away from the event. Stetson’s Public Safety was wary of hosting the event, and had officers in the room to ensure security. Ragsdale repeatedly praised the rigorous measures taken to make the event possible. The three registered sex offenders, none of whom discussed the nature of their crime and all ran or run their own businesses, spoke in tones both furious and sorrowful about how the rules affect them long after their probation periods. Grover*, a US military veteran, was asked to leave his church when they learned he was on the registry. Jason, who committed his crime 18 years ago, fears being ar-
Editor-in-Chief Sarah Dean News Editor Lauren Davids Sports Editor Sean McKnight Opinion Editor Kaley Fulton A & E Editor Sam Votaw Copy & Content Editor Caroline Williams
rested for driving down the wrong street without knowing that a playground or school might be nearby. He drives across counties to find stores he can legally shop in, and called the registry “one of the biggest injustices in America” before later comparing pending laws to those of Nazi Germany.
Web Editor Michael Galvez Web Designer Allegra Henderon Staff Writers Jason Cruz Madison Akins Kait Forsythe Staff Photographers Nicole Frechette Maeve Coughlin
Glenn shared the difficult story of being evicted on 48 hours notice because of his status, unable to change his registry information because he did not have mail at his new address, and when he got mail it included a court summons for not changing his information fast enough. He now has a
Faculty Advisor Andy Dehnart Staff Advisor Kat Thomas
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January 28, 2016 3
A&E Public Safety Report Highlight Reel
Case #20160017: On January 13, a Suspicious Incident was reported from the Lynn Business Center. The report states that a faculty member felt uncomfortable with an applicant’s behavior after conducting a job interview. DeLand Police was not notified and no further action was taken after the individual had left campus. Case #20160018: On January 13, a Minor Traffic Accident was reported from Gordis Hall. The report states that a student called Public Safety to inform that they had accidentally backed into a parked vehicle. Public Safety officers contacted the owner of the minimally damaged vehicle and proctored the exchange of insurance information. Case #20160022: On January 15, Public Safety responded to a Noise Complaint from Stetson Cove. The report states that several calls were placed to Res Life complaining of the noise level of conversation in one of the apartments. Public Safety officers arrived at the apartment complex and asked the students to lower their volume. The students complied with the request. Case #20160023: On January 15, Public Safety responded to the display of an inappropriate sign from House C. The report states that a sign depicting a sexually explicit offensive phrase was displayed prominently in a window. Public Safety officers removed the sign, and students housed in the building are subject to discipline from the Office of Community Standards. Case #20160027: On January 17, Public Safety received Information regarding a student being escorted from the Athens Commons apartment complex. The report states that DeLand Police were responding to a call reporting a petty theft from the area when they called Public Safety to inform them of two students’ involvement in the matter. The item stolen was recovered and returned, while the perpetrator was charged for the offense. Case #20160028: On January 19, a Fire Alarm sounded from Stetson Cove. The alarm was reportedly set off by steam from a shower. Case #20160029: On January 19, a Fire Alarm sounded from House 3. The alarm was reportedly set off by a malfunctioning space heater device. Case #20160030: On January 19, a Fire Alarm sounded from Lynn Hall. The alarm was reportedly set off by burned chicken tenders. Case #20160032: On January 20, a Burglary was reported from Smith Hall. The report states that a student called Public Safety to report that money had been taken from their room. Public Safety officers arrived to the scene, where they discovered that the student’s door was not locked at the time of the burglary. No suspects have been found. Case #20160033: On January 21, a Conduct Policy Violation was reported from the Lynn Business Center. The report states that a student had found a handicapped-parking hangtag in the parking lot that did not belong to them. The student then proceeded to use the permit to park in handicap parking spaces for several weeks. Public Safety officers observed the student swiftly exiting their vehicle one day and ran the code on the placard to find it registered to another student. DeLand Police was notified, who cited the offending student with improper use of handicapped permit, and returned the tag to its rightful owner. Case #20160034: On January 21, an Alcohol Policy violation was reported from Carson Hollis Hall. The report states that Public Safety officers were called to the scene to responded to a noise complaint, where they found several under aged students and non-students drinking alcohol and over the building’s occupancy. The alcohol was confiscated, everyone was requested to leave the building and the students are subject to discipline from the Office of Community Standards.
SGA WEEKLY
The Reporter is hiring!
Layout Designer The Reporter is looking for an underclassman print designer! Candidates must have comprehensive knowledge of Adobe InDesign, basic Photoshop skills, and some availability on Sundays, Mondays or Tuesdays. Email Editor-in-chief Sarah Dean (sdean1@stetson.edu) for more information.
Album Review Malibu is a musical journey through Southern California’s greatest influences Anderson .Paak delivers the first AOTY contender for 2016
By Sam Votaw Arts & Entertainment Editor Hip-hop was choc full of compelling narratives in 2015. Compton native Kendrick Lamar furthered his modern auteur status with the masterpiece To Pimp a Butterfly, Drake fended off the late summer ghostwriting accusations from Meek Mill while coasting on the laurels of his surprise February release, and Future bounced back from a series of commercial failure with the menacing, codeine soaked Dirty Sprite 2. Somewhere during the middle of all this, rapper/producer Anderson .Paak found himself crafting his own story after appearing on six different songs within the track list of gangsta rap innovator Dr. Dre’s sprawling victory lap Compton, an endorsement akin to strapping a jetpack to an already rising star. Jumping from one Los Angeles neighborhood to another, Anderson follows up 2014’s Venice with Malibu, released two weeks ago. Whereas the former aimed to push the sonic boundaries of hip-hop into the abstract as means of garnering attention to his new namesake (he dropped dual mixtapes in 2012 under the stage name Breezy Killjoy) Malibu contains a kaleidoscopic collection of tunes that manages to pays homage to preceding sonic foundations without compromising its postmodern vision. An elementary throwback to the 90’s this is not, as the 29-yearold singer-songwriter commands a profound presence on the record that manages to bob and weave through multiple genres all while emphasizing the core spirit of hiphop. Opening cut “The Bird” drops into a neo soul slow burner reminiscent of the MIA crooner Frank Ocean, as a shimmering guitar lick and airy trumpets punctuate Anderson’s deeply personal diatribe outlining his life of struggles.
“Now my luck was taking over me, couldn't fake it if I wanted to, I had to wake up just to make it through, I got my patience and I'm making do,” he sings on the first verse, later referencing both parents’ incarcerations growing up. The following “Heart Don’t Stand a Chance” opens with the luxurious image of a party where champagne is disposable, equating it to the thrill of romantic love, a running theme across the album’s 16 tracks. After wallowing around in rap’s lower to middle card for the past few years, Anderson seizes this opportunity like it's his last, crafting a phenomenally produced work of art that is sure to wind up on many critics’ “Best Of” lists come December. Malibu just feels like the party of the year, taking place over a cool summer evening on some block in the beach community it’s titled after. A collaborative aura is present in several cuts, with Schoolboy Q dropping his trademark sludgy flow to drop a rousing call to the dance floor on the disco tinged “Am I Wrong,” wordsmith Rapsody adds some feminine charm to the classic R&B crossover duet “Without You,” while West Coast icon The Game stops by on “Room In Here” to drop hedonistic rhymes like “Face like Mona Lisa, I'm just tryna be the wall to hang on” over a smooth jazz number. The LP’s second half features even grander strokes of genius being made, starring a haunting contribution from The Free Nationals United Fellowship Choir’s harmonies while Anderson’s silky vocals rides a wave to hypnotic effect. But perhaps the most triumphant moment exists on closer “The Dreamer,” another choral backed project where the man of the hour beams “This one's for all the little dreamers, and the ones who never gave a fuck, I'm a product of the tube and the free lunch, living room, watch-
ing old reruns,” making his meager upbringings the origin to his top of the mountain aspirations. Glowing with masterful blending of jazz, funk, soul, and funk with modern rap, Malibu could be considered a close cousin of the aforementioned Pimp a Butterfly. Kendrick’s
album may ambitiously attempt grander philosophical questions regarding modern racism amidst his musical palette, but Anderson’s carries weight as he battles his personal demons briefly while also handling to keep the spirits up.
Whether it’s the not so subtle innuendos of “Water Fall (Interluuube)” and “Silicon Valley” or the doo wop channeling “Put Me Thru,” listeners should expect to have a track or two on repeat well into the summer time.
Summer Innsbruck Program
July 1 — Aug. 10, 2016 Tentative Schedule Period 1 FINA 311 Business Finance EDUC 374J-JS Educational Systems Around the World Period 2 STAT 301Q Business Statistics MKTG 315 The Marketplace & Consumers BADM 360J-JS Social Justice and the Bottom Line Period 3 MGMT 305 Human Relations, Leadership & Teamwork RELS 390 Mary, Max and Mozart MGMT 495 Strategic Management
Apply Now — Limited Enrollment For information contact: Nancy Kernan Room 432 LBC 386-822-7394 nkernan@stetson.edu World.stetson.edu www.stetson.edu/innsbruck
Information Meeting 2/2/16 at 5:30 p.m. LBC 124 The School of Business Summer Innsbruck Program provides you with the opportunity to study in Europe and offers: 8 credits in 6 weeks Use of facilities at the University of Innsbruck with classes taught by Stetson faculty and distinguished visitors Afternoons off and extended weekends for traveling in groups or independently Private housing with different room choices Two meals per class day ● Limited enrollment
Open to All Majors
6 OPINION
Remembering the past, impacting the future:
Race and ethnicity issues at Stetson
Kaley Fulton Opinion Editor
Editorial note: This is the first article in a series about race at Stetson. The next article will offer the perspectives of the administration and discuss the progress that Stetson has made on these issues. If any student or faculty would like to share their input or submit an article, email Kaley Fulton at kfulton@stetson.edu. The theme of this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Breakfast was “remembering the past, impacting the future”. This statement seems to be a powerful way to begin discussing issues of diversity and inclusion, especially as they relate to race and ethnicity at Stetson. While we should celebrate the progress that has been made, we ought to also acknowledge the ways in which we can act now to create a more equitable future at Stetson. When I asked Dr. Patrick Coggins what the term “ diversity and inclusion” meant to him, he said, “Equity. Equity for all people. That’s the way we create a better, kinder, and gentler world.” I agree with Dr. Coggins that to truly advance, one must recognize that not all people start with the same access to resources and opportunities and that efforts to redistribute access and counter the privilege of some groups will help to create a world in which everyone is viewed as having value and where everyone has opportunities to succeed. Walking around campus, there are signs of progress almost everywhere: from biracial couples to course listings focused on multiculturalism. Despite this progress, Dr. Coggins feels that the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is largely “ just on paper”. While he acknowledges that there are great signs of progress and he
is happy that a variety of courses exist to help expose students to issues surrounding race, privilege, and multiculturalism, “it’s not enough yet”. Other faculty have echoed his sentiments as well. Last fall, I had the opportunity to take a course entitled “Black Experience II: Reconstruction to the Present” which discussed stereotypes about the African- American community, institutional and social oppression of people of color, as well as the numerous contributions of African-Americans to American society and ways to fight oppression that exists. It was truly one of the most thought-provoking and transformative courses that I have taken at Stetson. By forcing me to examine my own personal biases, prejudices, and privilege, this course has changed the way I look at the world around me and has equipped me with tools to fight injustices that exist. That’s exactly what Stetson aims to do as an institution. Stetson aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge that we need to be successful in our careers and in our communities. Moreover, Stetson aims to create global citizens –per the third core value of “global citizenship”, individuals who understand and appreciate the interconnected nature of the world and its diversity. Classes like Black Experience II help Stetson to achieve those goals and promote an inclusive community by ensuring that content from all groups in included in the curriculum. Unfortunately, I recently found out from my former professor that, “Dr. Campbell and I will never be teaching that course again.” At first, I found this quite surprising. After all, Dr. Peppers- Bates had mentioned that, “ this course was one that students told us in person and in evaluations changed their lives.” How could such a phenomenal course that advances the university’s
Contributors wanted!
Dear readers, I would like to extend a warm welcome to new and returning hatters. I hope that you are enjoying the start of the spring term. As part of our continuing effort to promote dialogue on campus, The Reporter encourages any member of the Stetson community who has an opinion about an issue that affects the Stetson campus or the broader community to submit articles for publication. Contributors to the opinion section are welcome to submit articles on controversial and political issues, provided that they are well versed on the topic. All submissions will be considered. The Reporter is also looking for regular contributors for the opinion section. If you are interested, please submit articles or inquiries to opinion editor kfulton@stetson.edu, or Editor-in-chief Sarah Dean at sdean1@stetson.edu. We hope to continue the momentum we gained last year in using the opinion section as a place for discussion and interaction within the Stetson community. I look forward to reading your submissions and wish you the best in this new academic term. Cheers, Kaley Fulton Opinion Editor
core values articulated in the strategic plan be never taught again? According to Dr. Peppers-Bates, despite the administration's trumpeting of the importance of interdisciplinary and team taught courses, they changed the rules so that teaching such a course only counts for half instead of a whole, so if we wanted to teach the course, we would have to do an overload (which neither of us, as single mothers, can afford to do).” The administration is actually, it would appear, and making is contradicting their mission, perhaps unintentionally. To promote diversity and interdisciplinary courses through making these courses more difficult to offer on a regular basis. Funding also is an obstacle for some professors and programs that teach courses highlighting diversity. Dr. Peppers –Bates is the Assistant Director of the Africana Studies Department says that the department’s budget is less than $1,000, which makes it impossible to hire any full-time faculty with a PhD in Africana Studies. Moreover, the limited number of faculty in the department make it difficult to offer courses regularly, which in turn means that many students cannot earn a minor within four years. This is problematic in my view for diversity at Stetson because the Africana Studies Department highlights the history, achievements and struggles of people of color. Due to such limited funding, many students leave Stetson without “critically examining issues surrounding gender, race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, and disability”, per Dr. Peppers- Bates. With the world that I live in, I need to understand these issues in order to be an educated citizen. It’s a shame that the university doesn’t provide more opportunities for students to gain this critical understanding. The issues of race and ethnicity on campus extend beyond the classroom though. I have heard racial slurs uttered on campus numerous times in my time at Stetson, which is incredibly alarming. Dr. Coggins has heard them uttered too. He explains, “When those things are said, there’s pain that’s inflicted. If nothing is done to remedy the pain, nothing in society improves.” Of course, Stetson University does have a
formal system for issuing complaints and documenting discrimination. The problem with the current system, according to Dr. Coggins, is, “ it doesn’t act quickly enough. The current system with the judicial representatives or other campus departments can take days or even weeks to reach a conclusion, The longer the pain lies unresolved the more damage it does.” Instead, Dr. Coggins proposes that a new sort of council be created-one with representatives of varying genders, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and from the LGBTQ community as well as representatives with a legal background to meet and resolve issues surrounding discrimination within 24 hours after they are reported to the group. This would reduce the amount of time that hurt inflicted lies unresolved. He has mentioned his proposal to other faculty and administration with no results thus far. I shared the observation that the Cross Cultural Center often will host multicultural programs, and yet, they are under attended. To ensure that students get at least some exposure to diverse curriculum, Dr. Coggins posits that attending Values Day events should be mandatory and should offer more sessions on multicultural communities. As we reflect on the progress and struggles surrounding racial equality in the United States, I can see that we have come a long way, but need to make even more progress. As Dr. Peppers-Bates said, “We (Stetson) have a moral obligation to do better that we are doing in the curriculum, in diversity of professors and administration, and in supporting all of our students, especially our students of color and groups traditionally and historically discriminated against.” I agree with her, and also contend that students have a responsibility to help fulfill this obligation. We have a lot of power in helping to determine the types of courses offered. As soon as the survey on diversity and inclusion is released, I would encourage everyone to take it. We can advocate to have a more diverse set of courses offered. As human beings, we can help provide a more welcoming environment for all Stetson students.
January 28, 2016 7
SPORTS
Q & A with men’s tennis player Cóilín MacNamara Sean McKnight Sports Editor Where are you from and why did you choose Stetson? I’m from Dublin, Ireland. I came to Stetson because I really liked the head coach as well as the business school. I’m very interested in the Roland George program and would love to become a part of it when I’m a senior. Growing up in Dublin I’m sure there were plenty of sports to choose from rugby to soccer and so on. What attracted you to tennis? When I was younger I actually played every sport I could. Rugby, soccer, and tennis you name it and I played it. When I was 12 I actually fractured my spine so for a year I was completely out of commission. I couldn’t play any sports, then after the whole rehab process I was pretty much told I had to choose one sport. Tennis was always a constant in my life, my parents played It and I fell in love with the game so naturally that’s what I chose. Photo courtesy gohatters.com
You had a stellar career as an un-
2016 Softball season preview
Madison Akins Staff Writer
The Lady Hatters were ranked 4th in the coaches’ preseason poll, followed behind Lipscomb, USC Upstate, and Kennesaw State. The team also had four players receive A-Sun preseason honors, including two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Brittany Hawn who commented on the teams overall ranking, “We have no control over where they rank us as a team. But we do have control over our own actions and choices from here on out. We are a great team with so much potential and talent. This team can very much so do great things. This is our time to rise and be able to prove that we are willing to put in the work to make it to the top. Hawn ended last year with impressive statistics such as .965 fielding percentage at 3rd base, only
16 errors in the 156 games where she was in the starting line up, and 36-game errorless streak. Her performance last year brings excitement for Hatter fans as she goes into her senior year. With all of her honors, Hawn does not feel much pressure but says, “For me it's not about the recognition, it's about the journey. The ability to be able to grow and push myself to limits I never thought I could reach and to be able to play the sport I love with a group of amazing women that are on the same mission as me is a reward in itself. My family, teammates, and coaches are my motivation. They make me want to be more than just a better athlete, but a better person.” Jazz Vasquez, Kayla Drury, and Jessie Tenbroeck were the other players to be named to the Preseason A-Sun All-Conference team. Right now these players and the rest of the
team are working on building good team habits and attacking their weaknesses at practice to elevate their game. “We each bring something special to the table, and that’s what makes us so diverse,” explained Hawn. The team will face their first 2016 opponent, Akron, on February 12th at their home field at 4 and 6:30 p.m. Prior to conference play, the Lady Hatters will compete in four preseason tournaments, Dot Richardson Invitational, Diamond 9 Citrus Classis, Stetson Invitational, and the Hatter Classic. Don’t miss the first conference game against UNF on March 19th. “Our big focus is our journey. The journey that brought us here together, the journey that we have been on throughout this past fall, and the journey we are about to take on starting February 12,” commented Hawn.
der-18 in Ireland. You were ranked the number one player in your age group from 2008 to 2014, what has all that success taught you and what unique skills do you bring to this squad? Over in Ireland they have a national academy for tennis, but I never joined it. So, I did a lot of the hard work on my own to really hone my skills and prepare myself to play against some of those guys. I always had to work harder than the rest and stay on top of my game in order to stay ahead of the pack. It taught me valuable lessons about time management, being more independent than other players, and just having the drive to get it all done. So, that’s what I think I’ve really brought to the team just an all-around attitude to work hard on my own in order to gain some of those higher seeds on the court and help us win. You’re a freshman, how’s the transition to a new team in a new country been for you? Have you really started to come into your own? It was a huge change, at first I was pretty home sick. Once training actually started and I began to get closer with my team and my coaches I
honestly didn’t have time to be home sick. I just dove right in and got after my new life here. It’s a huge change but I absolutely love it. Definitely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. What are some of your personal goals for this season? The first goal, truly, for any player on a team is to make a consistent starting lineup. I started my first game of the season against U.F. last week at the No. 6 position, personally I want to get to the No. 3 or No. 4 position by the end of the season, and I know that will only happen if I keep working hard. When it’s all said and done, where do you see this squad at the end of this season? In all honesty, the way we’re progressing at the moment, I could see us winning the conference. There’s plenty of great schools out there but we have such depth and talent on this squad, from the No. 1 seed to the No. 6 seed, there’s just no weak link on this team. There’s seven of us and I truly believe anyone of us could play at any position and still win matches. I just have a really good feeling that we could win the conference this year.
Men’s tennis face tough challenge after loss to 24th ranked Florida Sean McKnightSports Editor
The men’s tennis team opened its 2016 spring season with a road trip to Gainesville as they took on the 24th ranked Florida Gators. Although the Hatters lost the match 7-0 against the sharp-toothed Gators, the entire team has most definitely grown from the experience and will use this loss as fuel to dispatch their A-Sun rivals. Stetson had to face three of the ITA’s Top 100 players last week and although they lost, there was one impressive victory at the No. 1 doubles position. The tandem of Laurynas Antropikas and Loic Blanco earned a 6-4 win over some of Florida’s finest competitors, pairs who are ranked 3rd and 40th nationally by the ITA. This small yet impressive victory by the Stetson tandem shows the quality of this squad even against some of the nation’s top players.
Head coach Christophe Noblet spoke on his squad’s doubles performance “As I have said before doubles is a priority for us. We made steady progress in doubles throughout last semester and we have started seeing the players executing the patterns in a more effective manner. This was seen especially at number one, maintaining their quality of play throughout the match to pull off a nice win.” However, it’s in singles where the University of Florida truly showed their prowess. The Gators were able to dispatch all of Stetson’s singles players but it’s not to say the Hatters didn’t put up quite the fight. From the No. 6 position to the No. 1 position Stetson battled hard and showed that they have the talent and tenacity to battle with the top dogs. It should also be duly noted that the Gator’s top three singles players all rank in the ITA’s Top 100 players. This was quite the growing experience for Stet-
son as it allowed them to play against top talent from outside of their own division, take the lessons learned on the court, and use it as ammunition to dispatch those in their own division. Although you love to see your team win, in any loss there is a silver lining and this loss has one. Noblet commented on his team’s overall performance “Florida was undoubtedly the better team today, but we fought them from the first point to the end. The team has unified under a common goal and this could not have been clearer in their attitudes today.” All signs point to good things coming out of the men’s tennis locker room. They’re determined to take it home this year and it is quite evident in the time they put into their game on and off the court. If the team can focus on their main goals and follow Coach Noblet’s instruction they will be wildly successful in the matches to come.
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Snapshots of Women’s Tennis Photos by Staff Writer Madison Akins
Picture clockwise from the top left are Alexe Vialid, Arijana Korac, Maja Salibasic, and Eveline Lepinay.