(12/10/12 5:00am)
The Judges were in their element this past Friday at the Reggie Poyau Memorial Invitational at Gosman Sports and Convocation Center. Both squads were able to display their mettle in front of a supportive home crowd through several strong finishes. The men's and women's teams finished fifth-44 points for the women and 55 points for the men-out of eight teams, which included Stonehill College, Bentley University, Lasell College, Emmanuel College, Keene State College, Connecticut College, and the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Vincent Asante '14 started off the evening with an impressive win in both the preliminaries and the finals of the 55-meter dash, recording a finish of 6.52 seconds. And Asante was quick to point out that he enjoyed this opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd. "The competition rises as the performance level rises," said Asante. "So at a meet like this where we are just out to compete and not out to win, we just like to make sure that we are happy with ourselves and we have fun. We look for good results and enjoyment, because that's what's important in the end." Kensai Hughes '14, Galen Karlan-Mason '16, Jacob Wilhoite '15 and Jonathan Gilman '15 then rounded out the field in the 55, finishing in 6.78, 6.91, 7.01 and 8.15 seconds respectively. Asante, Hughes and Brittany Bell '13, who sprinted to a third place finish in 7.43 seconds, all qualified for the finals. Asante and Hughes ran in 6.52 and 6.78 seconds for first and fifth places respectively, while Bell ran 7.44 for fourth place. Mik Kern '13, Greg Bray '15 and Grady Ward '16 all headlined a formidable field in the one-mile run. The trio ran in four minutes, 24.22 seconds, 4:33.54 and 4.40.15 for second, sixth, and eighth places respectively. Amelia Lundkvist '14 finished second in the women's mile, finishing in 5:25.78. Maggie Hensel '16 and Molly Paris '16 rounded out the field in 5:35.34 and 5:56.97, good for third and eighth places. "It was an interesting first collegiate race," said Paris. "I came in the middle of the pack and we started out kind of slow, and I think that affected my time." Pace is certainly not a problem for the 400-meter dash. Joshua Hacunda '16 and Trevor Tuplin '16 bolted ahead of the field for seventh and tenth place finishes with times of 53.65 and 54.48 seconds, while the veteran Joshua Hoffman-Senn '13 ran 55.09 for eleventh place. Senior runners Casey McGown '13 and Anifreed Sinjour '13 ran side-by-side in 1:03.54 and 1:03.59 for fourth and fifth place finishes. Newcomer Matthew Becker '16 excelled in his first collegiate 600-meter race, finishing third in 1:36.73. He later joined Hacunda, Hoffman-Senn, and Tuplin in the 1600-meter relay for an overall time of three minutes and 37.24 seconds for fifth place. In the 800-meter run, Carl Lieberman '16 finished fourth in 2:04.22. Nora Owens '16 and Gabriella Guillette '15 ran for fifth and sixth places on the women's side in 2:42.65 and 2:43:82, respectively. Newcomers continued to make their presence known, especially in the 1,000-meter race. Liban Aden '16 took fourth place in 2:47.66, while Kelsey Whitaker '16 and Rachel Keller '16 ran for second and sixth places in 3:09.18 and 3:22.96. Asante reappeared in the 200-meter dash, fresh off his 55-meter win, looking to replicate his success. He came quite close, securing a third place finish in 23.21 seconds. Karlan-Mason and Wilhoite followed Asante with finishes in 24.53 and 25.84 seconds, good for 15th and 32nd place. First-years Adam Berger '16 and Brandon Odze '16 continued to make noise for the bright core of first-years, rounding out the field in 24.71 and 24.78 seconds for 18th and 29th places. Odze later came back to sprint another race, the 55-meter hurdles, in 10.29 seconds for 10th place. Brandeis fielded three standout finishes in the competitive 3000-meter run. Alex Kramer '13 took a noteworthy second place in 8:37.93, while Ed Colvin '14 and Jarret Harrigan '15 ran for 11th and 13th places in commendable times of 9:02.89 and 9:06.89. In the shot put, Kris Stinehart '14 and Jonathan Gilman '15 threw the shot at 12.40 meters and 7.74 meters for eighth and 22nd places. Alyssa Fenenbock '15 and Ashley Klein '16 threw 7.46 meters and 7.21 meters for 12th and 13th places. Hansen Yang '16 participated in the high jump, jumping 1.72 meters for eighth place, while also jumping 11.41 meters for ninth place in the triple jump. Berger joined Yang in the latter event, jumping 12.31 meters for sixth place, as well as Kim Farrington '13 who jumped 10.70 meters for fourth place. Berger returned to jump 5.63 meters for sixth place in the long jump, while Hughes jumped 5.96 meters for fifth place. Bell also landed at 4.91 meters for sixth place. The teams will next compete at the Dartmouth College Relays on Jan. 13, 2013.
(12/04/12 5:00am)
After several months of discussions and proposals, bringing Bob Dylan to campus for an extended SpringFest this spring is no longer on the table. Jesse Manning '13, an organizer of the proposal to bring Bob Dylan back to Brandeis for the 50th anniversary of his initial concert here, said that he could not move forward with the plan because it was not approved by the administration within the necessary time frame. "The time frame that we, the students, set up for ourselves ran out without getting a 'yes,' therefore we weren't comfortable going forward with it. And the administration wasn't comfortable saying yes by the time that our deadline was up," he said. Manning, general manager of WBRS and Student Union chief of staff, said he is now proposing an idea for an indoor one-day concert in Gosman Sports and Convocation Center rather than an outdoors folk festival. Manning was careful to say that the idea is still in the planning stages and hasn't been vetted by all the necessary channels at the University. The event would include a headliner and several other bands from about 2 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, the day prior to SpringFest. He declined to name the headliner, but said that it would be a "big name." Manning also declined to say how much the concert would cost or how much tickets would be sold for to non-Brandeis students, only saying that both would be less than the original plan for a Bob Dylan-centric folk festival. Manning said in a previous interview that the tickets for the folk festival would have cost about $90 for non-Brandeis people. Flagel, in an interview with the Justice last month, had cited the cost of bringing Dylan to Brandeis at about $300,000. The total cost of the festival would have been undoubtedly higher with the additional costs associated with an open outdoor concert. Manning said the concert would ideally be open to 5,000 non-students, which includes staff, alumni and others not within the Brandeis community, as well as 2,000 students, who could receive free tickets. Flagel could not be reached for comment by press time for this article. In an interview last month he expressed concerns about the original plan for a Bob Dylan folk festival. The original plan proposed by the group of students, including Alex Pilger '13 and Michael Zonenashvili '13, was to have a two-day folk festival with the first day headlined by Bob Dylan. The festival would have been free for students and it would have been open to 4,300 people from off campus. That plan then changed into a one-day folk festival headlined by Dylan with a "bigger" and separate SpringFest the following day. Ticket prices for the folk festival would have likely exceeded $90, according to Manning. Flagel expressed skepticism about the viability of the original plan in an interview with the Justice in early November. The risks Flagel cited included the openness of the concert to the external community and the additional challenges that that openness would inevitably bring, such as increased security and traffic. Manning said that the administration should be more "comfortable" with the indoor proposal because it is along the lines of something the University has done before-Commencement, for example, garners a large crowd each year. "They do it for Commencement, they've done it for John Mayer, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton ... So I don't think it's as much of an issue as it was with an outside event," said Manning.
(12/03/12 5:00am)
After three weeks of rest following a tough cross country season, the Brandeis distance squad was joined by sprinters, jumpers and throwers for the winter track and field team.
(12/03/12 5:00am)
Though there are certain potentially volatile instances within every basketball game, some incidents can spark an inferno. During the Boston Celtics' game against the Brooklyn Nets last Wednesday night, Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo shoved Nets forward Kris Humphries after Humphries fouled Celtics forward Kevin Garnett. And though the incident seemed that it would be isolated because it was not that hard of a foul, a brawl ensued between the two teams. As a result of the ensuing fight, various ejections were handed out, including ones to Nets forward Gerald Wallace, Humphries and Rondo. Since the event happened in the second quarter, Rondo's historic 10-game assists streak came to a close; he only passed for three assists prior to the ejection. Indeed, it was an unfortunate way for Rondo's historic achievement to be curtailed. Although the big story of the fight was that Rondo's streak ended, light should be shed on something that was overlooked in the brawl: The Celtics are in trouble and need to get back to the basics. While their offense is decent, Boston's defense has allowed 97.9 points per game. In games in which they score 100 points or more, the Celtics are 5-4. This is a clear indication that the team's defense, which was stellar back when it won the championship in 2007-2008, needs to help its offense. The imbalance between the effectiveness on offense and defense is proving problematic for the Celtics. One way to solve this problem would be by rebounding. Boston does not do a lot of that. In fact, they do less of it than any other team in the NBA. This deficiency is a direct result of the Kendrick Perkins trade to Oklahoma City. Since Garnett does not record as many rebounds as he did earlier in his career, making a move for a big time center would help in the rebounds department. This team is small in terms of height, but it is deep. It has one of the best starting fives in the league-point guard Rondo, forward Garnett, forward/guard Paul Pierce, forward Brandon Bass and guard Jason Terry. After that, they have former sixth man of the year, guard Leandro Barbosa, injured guard Avery Bradley and another former sixth man of the year-Terry. The Celtics should be playing Barbosa more. The two times that he has played 20 minutes or more, he has scored 17 and 16 points. Bradley will deepen the team even more when he returns, but that might not be for another two weeks. Meanwhile, Terry has done everything asked of him. The 35-year-old is averaging 11.7 points per game in 28.4 minutes. Boston's bench actually gets even deeper. It has forward Jeff Green, guard Courtney Lee and forward Chris Wilcox. However, these guys have been underachieving. Green's shooting is not what it used to be, like when he was averaging 15.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game for Oklahoma City. Lee is also not playing up to his potential. He averaged more than 10 points per game twice in his career and is having his worst season in terms of statistics. Wilcox is also not what he used to be, and Boston could definitely use a guy who is what Wilcox was during his stint with the Seattle Sonics during the 2005-08 season, when he was averaging 14.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. The Celtics are barely floating at 9-8, but they have not played well against the most-dominant teams in the league. They do have one win against Oklahoma City, but are 0-2 against the Nets, and they lost by 12 against the San Antonio Spurs. If this team wants to make some noise in the playoffs, it needs to do something.
(11/19/12 5:00am)
Last fall, the men's soccer team experienced a strong base of fan support during its run to the Eastern Conference Athletic Conference title. However, the creators of "Coven's Corner" took this level of spirit to a whole new level this season. "Coven's Corner," named after men's soccer coach Mike Coven, grew in numbers as the season progressed, went on to receive regional acclaim from the Boston Globe and witnessed the Judges' first NCAA Division III Tournament victories since 1984 with wins over Baruch College and Vassar College. The legend began this September at the lobby of the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center. Jesse Link '13, a pitcher on the baseball team, made a habit of talking to Coven on his way to practice, and on this particular day, he shouted out to Coven: "Hey coach, turn around." Coven quickly turned around, only to find that Link had taken his picture. Coven eventually forgot about the incident, but on the night of the Judges' first home game on Sept. 5 versus Colby-Sawyer College, he glanced over at the fans' section with a puzzled look. "I saw this banner with a picture of someone's face on it," he said, "and I thought, 'Who's that funny-looking guy? Then I realized it was me." The banner, bearing the words "Coven's Corner," was a manifestation of the newly-established fan section that supported the team not only at its home games but its away games as well - including the squad's 1-0 victory over New York University and its 1-0 loss this past weekend at Amherst College. The name "Coven's Corner" was the brainchild of Link and fellow baseball pitcher Dylan Britton '13, also an avid soccer fan. "There were a core group of guys, about 10 to 15 of us, that went to every game last year," said Link. "This winter, we were watching March Madness [the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament] and... [Britton] saw the [Duke fan section] "Camden Crazies" and said '"Well, we should be Coven's Crazies.'" "And with the use of the term 'corner' in soccer, we adapted it to be "Coven's Corner." Coven appreciated the gesture and praised the fans. "Those guys are great. ... They definitely make their presence known," he said. The significance of this presence was not lost on the team either. "Our fans have been phenomenal," said goalkeeper Blake Minchoff '13 following the end of the regular season. "They're so important, because even ten seconds after we give up a goal, they're cheering louder than they were before. ... They lift the team." "The support we've had from the fans has been great," said forward Lee Russo '13 after the team's 2-1 double-overtime victory over Babson College on September 19. "They're cheering you the whole way. With the team's run to the Sweet 16 this year, and inception of "Coven's Corner," it should be exciting to see the growth of what has been a vibrant part of the Brandeis soccer culture.
(11/19/12 5:00am)
Medical Emergency Nov. 12-University Police received a report of a female in the Mandel Center for the Humanities having a seizure. An ambulance and the Waltham Fire Department responded, and the party was transported to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Nov. 14-The Mailman House reported a Section 12 voluntary and cooperative patient. An ambulance and the Waltham Fire Department were notified, and the patient was transported to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital. The community director coordinator on call was notified. Nov. 15-A party in the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center reported a Brandeis student injured her right shoulder while diving for a ball during a volleyball game. BEMCo was notified, and the patient refused further medical treatment. Nov. 15-A party in the Intercultural Center Lounge reported that a student required medical attention for a laceration to their right middle finger. BEMCo was notified, and the student refused medical treatment. Nov. 17-The mother of a student telephoned University Police to report that her daughter in Ziv was complaining of stomach pains. BEMCo responded and requested an ambulance, which transported the student to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital. The quad director on call was notified, and the mother was updated. Nov. 18-A party in Gordon reported that a female had a small laceration on her back. BEMCo treated the party on-scene with a signed refusal for further care. Nov. 18-University Police on-scene at Sherman Function Hall requested BEMCo for an intoxicated female party attending an event at Sherman. BEMCo assessed the patient and cleared her with a signed refusal for further care. Disturbance Nov. 15-A faculty member in Rosenstiel reported that a student was refusing to leave her office and requested University Police's assistance. The student was removed without incident, and the faculty member provided a written statement. A report will be compiled. Nov. 17-A caller in the Foster Mods reported a female party screaming and crying. Police units were sent to investigate, and they found a female party laying in the middle of the quad. BEMCo was dispatched, and an ambulance for a 20-year-old intoxicated female was notified to transport the party to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Nov. 18-A party in Ridgewood reported that a male party urinated on their door. The subject was described as a six-foot Asian male wearing a navy hoodie. University Police identified an intoxicated party fitting that description and took him into protective custody for intoxication. University Police transported the party to the Waltham Police Station for processing, and a report was compiled on the incident. Miscellaneous Nov. 15-A party in Rosenstiel reported there was an odor of something burning coming from the elevator lobbies on floors three, four, five and six. The party further reported that it smelled electrical. University Police responded and could faintly smell an odor of something burning but observed no signs of fire nor could they pinpoint the source. Nov. 18-A party in Goldsmith reported that six people climbed onto the roof of the Goldsmith building. University Police conducted a check of the area and found nothing. The door to access the roof was locked and secure upon the arrival of the police. -compiled by Marielle Temkin
(11/13/12 5:00am)
Throughout the years, Brandeis has established itself in the higher education sphere with its intensive research qualities, a strong focus on a well-rounded liberal arts education and the small community atmosphere. As of late however, the University has most significantly made a name for itself with the performances of our athletic teams, particularly last weekend. This board congratulates both the men's and women's soccer teams on not only making their respective NCAA tournaments, but making it to the Sweet Sixteen, otherwise known as the third round in which the remaining 16 teams compete for the championship title. In addition, we commend the volleyball team on its valiant effort in the Eastern College Athletic Conference Division III New England Tournament, making it to the championship game. This board is delighted to see the increase in student body support for our athletic teams. The two men's soccer games at home this past weekend had a combined attendance of 1,000 people. While Coven's Corner-a group of extremely vocal students that has garnered regional attention-is present at most games, the additional support from other members of the community only further united the spirited environment. Not only does student involvement reflect well on the University, but it also helps to motivate the athletes. "Our fans give us a little adrenaline rush," men's soccer coach Michael Coven told reporters after last Saturday's game. "What they've done this year and the way that they've come out and supported us, it's great for the school. It shows that Brandeis has school spirit. People come out to the games now, not just to see these guys play, but because it's fun and the atmosphere is fun." We are also glad that the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Student Events actively tried to increase student involvement. The SAAC, a student-athlete group committed to improving awareness of Brandeis athletics, publicized the games and purchased pizzas for last Saturday's game, while Student Events handed out coffee and hot chocolate. Waiving the standard NCAA fee for all Brandeis students bearing a student ID was also an effective way to welcome students to the event. This board asks the administration to continue to support the Athletics Department and, by extension, help increase student-body support for the athletic teams.This is the first time ever that both the men's and women's soccer teams qualified for the NCAA Tournament in the same year. It is a tremendous honor to see our athletic teams succeed. Both the men's and women's soccer teams will be on the road next weekend, with the men playing in Amherst, Mass., and the women in Ithaca, N.Y. We encourage the student body to make every effort to continue to support the teams and, if possible, attend those games. With the fall sports winding down, we hope that this school spirit will carry over to winter sports such as men's and women's basketball, both of which kick off their season this weekend. Show your Judges pride. *
(11/13/12 5:00am)
Wherever I go, I am an oppressor. I had three homes, all of them stolen. My paternal grandparents are Moroccan, and on my mother's side they are from Eastern Europe-Czech, what is now Ukraine. My grandfather's family home was sold by the village council in his absence, and he received much less than his share was worth. As much as Mohammed V of Morocco was fond of his Jewish subjects, second-class citizenship is not something that you choose, and my grandparents immigrated to Israel in 1949. They live today in Baka, Jerusalem, in the same house my father was born in. It had belonged to a Palestinian family just a few years before. My mother's parents survived the Holocaust. There was nothing for them to return to, so they made a new life at the opposite end of the earth in Sydney, Australia. That's where I was born, in a town now called Paddington, on the lands of the Cadigal people of the Eora nation. Through the town now runs Oxford Street, following one of the tribe's major tracks. Now, as a Ph.D. candidate at Brandeis, I live in Somerville, Mass., in the territory of the Massachusett people: my third theft. The fact that human history is one of conquest and defeat is not news to me. As a Jew, it is the story of my nation, and its narrative and myth. We conquered and were defeated. We returned and were exiled. We were destroyed and rebuilt and, in the process, we destroyed. But I also know that what has been is not what ought to have been, but often quite the opposite: practice compassion "for you were strangers in the land of Egypt" (Exodus 23:9). A week from Thursday, American families and friends will come together to eat. On the menu will be turkey and pumpkin, in honor of a meal that refugee invaders from England and native Massachusetts never shared. Rather, history tells us the main dish those nights was deer, and potatoes hadn't yet made it that far north. Most revelers won't give a second thought to the Thanksgiving story, unless perhaps there are young children at the table-childhood is when we hear all of the best fiction. Fictional, native people are everywhere. They're in our movies, on our products, in music videos, on sports jerseys, in textbooks, at Halloween parties, standing wooden outside cigar shops and, most of all, in our minds. Native peoples, real actual native peoples, throughout the colonized world are largely invisible. This is partly because native populations are small, so that most non-natives have no native acquaintances. It is partly due to stereotypes and prejudices that drown out realities. It is partly due to systematic campaigns of delegitimization and official erasure, waged by governments in order to dispossess native peoples of their properties and rights; and the collective desire of the colonizing worldview to leave its injustices firmly in the historical past. In the past year, the Navajo nation sued Urban Outfitters for trying to profit from their cultural heritage, which is trademarked. A casino development in Taunton, Mass., was nixed because the United States decided that the state was extracting too big of a cut from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Feathered headdresses became a hipster trend, at once erasing the identities of hundreds of separate native peoples whilst simultaneously blaspheming the sacred importance of such regalia to the nations of the Great Plains. And native communities continued to rank lower than non-native communities in key health, education and wealth indicators. The invisibility of native peoples matters: it matters when a native community tries to get necessary services to tackle issues unique to a history of oppression. It matters when a community tries to have its very existence recognized, its culture respected and a space to practice its beliefs. It matters when your particular unique humanity is not treated seriously, obscured by a mess of caricatures. And that's saying nothing of restitution, of justice. Which is why, this Thanksgiving, we should all stop and think: who are we thanking and what are we thankful for? Are we seriously saying 'Thank you' to the Massachusett for aiding the Plymouth settlers, who would then go on to dispossess them? Or is ours just the na??ve thanks of a child, oblivious to the sacrifices involved? And if we are not na??ve, how should we show our deep gratitude, how should we honor those that came before us, whose victories and losses are now our blessings? By casting them in our fairytales? Perhaps we will return the favors, pay forward the debts and actually give our thanks, not just express them. Perhaps we can start by giving up the imaginary, seeking out the real and perhaps finding power in knowledge. Perhaps we can learn what we can do. Jonathan Hayim Dar is a Ph.D. candidate in Physics. *
(11/13/12 5:00am)
Two seasons ago, the men's basketball team featured a lineup of 10 first-years and anticipated a transition phase. Yet, the youthful team surprised in 2010-11, sporting a 19-9 record and an Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament championship. The Judges expected to take their talents to the next level last season, but the team experienced a sophomore slump en route to a 13-12 mark. Expectations are high again this season. The team lost starting forward Vytas Kriskus '12, the team's leading scorer, and point guard Tyrone Hughes '12, their leading assist man and floor general. However, those former first-years-now a group of eight juniors-represent the new core. "For the first two years, you spend a lot of time learning and understanding the game and the way coach [Brian Meehan] does things," said forward Alex Stoyle '14. "Now that most of us have been together for two seasons, I think everyone has a much better grasp on what we're trying to do, how our offense and defense works." The biggest addition to the team this season is guard Gabe Moton '14. Moton played two seasons as a reserve point guard for Boston College, a Division I program, before transferring to Brandeis this summer. He started at point guard for the Judges in the team's first exhibition game and will fill the void that Hughes left behind. "Gabe has been adjusting well to learning a new system and he fits in well with the rest of the guys," said Meehan. "He gives us another experienced guard which is obviously very helpful. As he gets more and more comfortable, I expect him to be able to do many things." Meehan plans to feature a 13-man squad, 11 of whom are upperclassmen. The combination of versatility, depth and experience will make the team intriguing to watch "Our rotation is up in the air as [guard] Jay Freeman ['13] and [forward] Alex Schmidt ['14], who both started in our first scrimmage, are now injured," said Meehan. "It has been a very competitive preseason and in all honesty even with the two aforementioned injuries we are still juggling 13 guys and trying to give them all looks." "Depth is going to be important, as will versatility," he continued. "Versatility always goes in favor of the upperclassmen, as they are much more comfortable within the system. The young guys are still learning so they tend to be a bit less versatile." Moton and Freeman provide the Judges with a quick starting backcourt that gets in the lane and finish at the rim. Schmidt, guard Ben Bartoldus '14 and center Youri Dascy '14 should round out the starting lineup. Bartoldus and Dascy both averaged a career high 10.7 points per game last season. Freeman averaged 6.8 points in 16.6 minutes off the bench, while Moton scored 2.9 points per game in 15.8 minutes off the bench with the Eagles. Schmidt averaged just 1.6 points per game last season but comes into this year with more experience. He will provide the team with a defensive presence inside the paint to complement Dascy. The starting lineup for the Judges is versatile, but the depth of the bench will be the deciding factor this year. Guard Derek Retos '14 scored 10.2 points per game last year, shooting at 46.4 percent from behind the three-point arc. Guard Ruben Kanya '14 played off the bench during his freshman year but lost playing time last season. If he can build upon the performance from his freshman year, Kanya could contribute valuable minutes off the bench. Stoyle was injured at the outset of last season and played just 15 total games. As a big man off the bench, he should be a more steady scoring option and rebounder. Athletes often use the first two years of their careers as an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the system. Junior year is where it all comes together. The Judges have the potential to compete for the University Athletic Association title and possibly make the NCAA Tournament. However, it remains to be seen whether this potential results in success for the 2012-13 squad. After two years, the squad is more ready than ever to make a run to the national championship.
(11/13/12 5:00am)
Students gathered in the Shapiro Campus Center atrium on Monday evening for a forum to discuss the possibility of Bob Dylan coming to perform at SpringFest. The forum was led by a panel of three WBRS board members and three other student leaders: Jesse Manning '13, the general manager of WBRS; Michael Zonenashvili '13, the music director of WBRS; Alex Pilger '13, the business director of WBRS; Rachel Nelson '13, chair of Student Events; SuWei Chi '13, director of concerts for Student Events; and Todd Kirkland '13, the Student Union president.
(11/07/12 5:00am)
The Justice asked members of the Brandeis community to predict the impact President Barack Obama's victory would have on the following key issues.
(11/05/12 5:00am)
The men's and women's swimming and diving squads each won five individual races in last Saturday's home dual meet against Roger Williams University.
(11/05/12 5:00am)
While a University of Michigan All-American quarterback and New York Giants star, Benny Friedman also served as the only football coach that Brandeis has ever known. He signed on to the role in 1950, preparing to build a dynasty. Just nine years later, the program collapsed, and in its wake, the once-resurgent squad was relegated to the history books. Friedman, a son of Jewish immigrants from Cleveland, Ohio, was the 1926 Big Ten Most Valuable Player. He earned the Chicago Tribune Silver Football Award, a tribute whose significance is equivalent to the Heisman Trophy today. The rising quarterback soon made his mark in the National Football League in 1928, heading the league in passing and rushing touchdowns and overall scoring, as well as extra points. He went on to lead a productive career at the helm of the New York Giants' offense for three years. After his playing days, though, Friedman set out on a greater mission. He came to coach the Brandeis football team in 1950. Ed Manganiello '54, a two-time captain for the Judges, described Friedman's desire to promote the game of Brandeis football. "Benny Friedman's hope was to make Brandeis the Jewish Notre Dame of college football," he said. "He wanted to transform the influence that the Judges had on the game." Friedman's role at the University, however, expanded far beyond his head coaching duties. As athletic director, Friedman oversaw the building of the Joseph M. Linsey Sports Center and its pool, a track on Gordon Field and four outdoor tennis courts. He was a man that looked to increase the influence that Brandeis athletics could have on the collegiate sporting world. Friedman also became a prolific fundraiser for Brandeis. He was known for his eloquent speeches, frequently persuading donors to give to Brandeis in the early days of the University's existence. Dick Bergel '57, running back and member of the Brandeis Hall of Fame, stated that Friedman's main goal was to capitalize on his speaking ability and image to promote Brandeis as a renowned sporting institution. "Benny was a great orator," said Bergel. "He used this ability to tack onto the school's popularity in the Jewish community and also cement his image as one of the greatest Jewish athletes of all time." Bergel confirmed that due to Friedman's up-tempo offense and persistent recruitment, the Judges soon became a household name in the Boston area. "In the beginning, no one knew what Brandeis was or even how to spell it," he said. "But we became splashed across the headlines of local newspapers because of who we played and how we did." Brandeis football posted its first winning record in 1952 with a crucial victory against Northeastern University, and from there they continued a sustained run of success until 1955. The Judges earned a 5-3 record during the 1955 season, defeating regional powerhouses such as the University of Massachusetts and University of New Hampshire. Bergel stated that this success led to a constant influx of donations, and, in turn, served as a principal factor in the survival of the football team, "This was publicity the University needed in total, and in particular, the athletic programs really encouraged people to make donations," he said. "That was the most important thing that our team needed." Friedman compiled his best season in 1957, when the Judges went 6-1, shutting out New Hampshire and Northeastern before defeating Massachusetts 47-7. The squad, though, took a turn for the worse after this seminal season, reeling off losing seasons in 1958 and 1959. The donations stopped, and from there, spending cuts crippled Friedman's ability to recruit new players, such as Manganiello and Bergel, which led to poor performances from the team. The Judges then put together a 0-6-1 record in 1959, leading to a protest from students and faculty to cut the program. According to an April 1960 issue of the Justice, Eleanor Roosevelt, a lecturer and Trustee of the University, was concerned about the negative image that these football players presented in light of the school's intellectual reputation. "Take it from me-it is better to have no publicity at all than bad publicity," she said. The public outcry soon overwhelmed the university administration, and it was decided, over the vocal complaints of Friedman, to end the football program. Despite there being few reminders of Friedman's legacy, thehistory that he made was not lost on his team. Bergel reflected that the squad, though, succeeded as long as it did due to Friedman's lasting legacy as a pioneer in thegame of football. "We were a very tight-knit group," he said. "All of the guys hadsuch affection for Benny." While the Judges may never step on the gridiron, Friedman and the football squad have left their footnote in Brandeis history.
(11/05/12 5:00am)
Medical Emergency Oct. 31-An Athletics staff member reported a female with vertigo feeling ill in the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center. University Police and BEMCo responded, and the party was treated on-scene with a signed refusal for further care. Nov. 1-A party in the Usdan Student Center reported that a female party passed out in the Provisions on Demand Market. University Police and BEMCo were dispatched and arrived on the scene. An ambulance transported the party to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital for care. Nov. 3-A party in Rosenthal South reported a severely cut hand, and the community development coordinator notified dispatch that there was a broken window on the scene. The Waltham Fire Department and an ambulance were dispatched and transported the 20-year-old male with severe lacerations on his arm to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. The facilities staff was contacted for cleanup, and University Police compiled a report on the incident. Nov. 3-A caller reported an intoxicated party in their motor vehicle and notified University Police that they were driving to Stoneman. An ambulance was requested to transport a 21-year-old female to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital for further care. Traffic Oct. 31-A supervisor in Hassenfeld Lot reported that a vehicle struck a University-owned sign, causing damage. University Police were sent to investigate, and they compiled a report. Oct. 31-A party reported that their vehicle was damaged while parked on Sachar Road. University Police compiled a report. Disturbance Nov. 4-A party in the Charles River Apartments reported loud music and several parties causing a disturbance. When University Police arrived, several parties ran out the back door of an apartment. The residents were advised that if the parties returned and created a disturbance, further action would be taken. Miscellaneous Nov. 1-A party in Hassenfeld Lot reported a 20- to 30-year-old black male parked in a black-colored sedan in front of the Faculty Club attempted to call her over to his vehicle. University Police responded and searched the area. No vehicle matching that description was located. -compiled by Marielle Temkin
(10/29/12 4:00am)
* Offering a welcome break from the academic tunnel-vision that college students tend to fall prey to during midterm season, Adagio Dance Company proudly presented a phenomenal show last week-ADC Unleashed: Dancefest 2012. The massive performance took place in Levin Ballroom last Wednesday and featured Brandeis dance groups as well as groups from several other colleges in the greater Boston area. The presence of parents and families added a warmth to the densely packed audience of students and faculty, who all sat spellbound for the entire show, voicing personal cheers for the dancers they came to support. A total of 22 groups performed, ranging from belly dancing to ballet, and each with a distinct aesthetic. Groups were set apart by creative spatial use of the stage, clever costumes and coordinated lights and music, with each ensemble quite different from the next. * Adagio is Brandeis' largest student-run dance group, and performs in five different styles of dance: jazz, tap, hip-hop, lyrical, modern and ballet. This spirit of diversity and variety that Adagio is built upon held a capital presence in the Dancefest show, where each dance was very distinct from the others, but in a way that was more cooperative than competitive. * Although every group seemed to be followed by a fury of applause, the audience went the wildest for our very own hip-hop group, Kaos Kids. This group was so high-energy throughout their entire performance that I began to feel tired for them just by watching! Their whole routine was very carefully designed and practiced: from light and music changes to swapping out of dancers on the stage, they were on top of their game. Throbbing, rousing, beloved rap and hip-hop anthems like Nicki Minaj's "Roman's Revenge" blasted from the stage, and grainy audio clips with a themepark-style announcement were used to transition from one song to the next. During each of the transition clips, the group would become still, and one dancer would lip-sync along to the announcement while working his or her feistiest attitude. Within a few seconds, the group would slide into the next song and the audience would lean in a little closer, marveling at the dancers' endurance and how, over the course of their performance, they actually picked up the pace of their movements and seemed to smile a little bigger with each passing moment. * In a show that featured so much variety, it is impossible to say that one group performed better than another; each performance had so many facets unique to it alone. For example, some groups, like the ballet performances, highlighted individual skill as each dancer would perform the same steps in unison with the rest of the group, striving to move as one collective body. Brandeis' Ballet Club and other groups of similar style showcased themselves with commendable grace, and one could only find fault in minor points when dancers fell out of sync with each other. Conversely, more modern and hip hop-oriented groups adhered to a style of choreography that cultivated interaction and a chemistry between dancers-although each individual had a chance to shine, the strength of these groups was in their ability to complement each others' movements. I tended to prefer watching groups whose members interacted with each other onstage-joining hands, falling, catching and lifting each other and smiling at the dancers near them in silent encouragement. * Every act seemed to be a highlight in Dancefest. A group of Adagio alumni returned to Brandeis, shining in a Greek god and goddess-inspired piece in which dancers were painted a pale white and donned delicate togas, looking and moving very much like enchanted sculptures. Hooked on Tap, Brandeis' own Tap Ensemble, happily performed to a chipper swing song. Each member of the group tapped in perfect time with the rest and sported a darling uniform look: a charming ponytail, a white dress with red polka dots, white bobby socks and black tap shoes. The performance of Brandeis' Israeli folk dance group, B'yachad, translated a cultural love and pride into one of the most joyful dances of the night. It was choreographed to an upbeat song and featured dancers with infectious smiles. Even a hip hop group from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, called 'Ridonkulous,' was an obvious crowd pleaser, with a costume evolution from pajamas to green-and-black track suits to white, plastic Halloween masks. * By the end of the show, it was apparent that the assortment of taste and inspiration between each performance featured in Dancefest was not only endlessly enjoyable, but reflected the variety within the Brandeis community. We may not all dance to the same beat, but if we work together, our efforts on-and-off stage are much better than any solo act.
(10/29/12 4:00am)
Although Saturday's defeat against Smith College in this year's New England Wide Collegiate Rugby Conference signified the end of the season for the women's rugby team, there were many positives to take from this season. Initially a thriving team on the Brandeis club sports scene during the 1990s, the team was a perennial powerhouse. However, the club saw a lull in retention rates in the beginning of the 2000s. Yet, LauraBen Moore'14 states that there are brighter days ahead for a team that has just recently found its way back to prominence. "In the last two to three years, there have been massive changes in retention rates, attendance, and membership," said Moore. "In 2010, we had eight veterans. However, when looking at this year, we had 17 returners. You need 15 for a team." "We always say that the result of increased participation is culture, not coincidence," added Moore. We're starting to develop a culture on campus." Most notably, the team was invited to become one of 11 Division III teams in the NEWCRC. According to Moore, the NEWCRC was founded by teams who were tired of playing in non-competitive conferences. Additionally, joining the conference was a significant accomplishment because membership is by invitation only. "We play very competitive teams," said Moore. "We play schools like Smith, the [United States] Coast Guard Academy, Wheaton College and Mount Holyoke College." The club's upward trajectory was key in its invitation to the conference. And, according to Moore, the emergence of the squad has resulted in praise from many of the Conference's more established and experienced clubs. In addition to the athletic accomplishments of the club, Moore also noted the diversity of the team. "We have every major, every body type, every year, every type of person," she said. "We're very inclusive." What makes the accomplishments of the club even more notable is the small size of the team, both in terms of numbers and size. "We have girls on our team who are 110 pounds with bags of sand in their pockets," she joked. "But we have great fight and great determination." The most telling fact about this year's team is that it was able to qualify for the Division III playoffs for the first time in more than a decade. Yet, this season's accomplishments are not the end of the road. Moore said that while the semi-finals were a great success for the squad this year, they will look to win the competition next year. Given its recent resurgence, one might imagine that there are even better days ahead for the women's rugby team. After a surge to the semifinals of the Division III playoffs for the first time in 10 years, the sky is the limit for this young and emergent squad that has returned to the fold of Brandeis club sports.
(10/22/12 4:00am)
* This past Sunday I had the honor and privilege to join hundreds of thousands of people across the country in what has become one of the greatest and most exhilarating moments in any American's life; attend a live National Football League game. * A ticket costs more than I make in a month in my on-campus job and I may no longer be able to look at a potato knish the same way; they were the complimentary gift to the fans in our section. While sitting in traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike, after watching Eli Manning connect with Victor Cruz for the game-winning touchdown to beat the Washington Redskins, I reflected on how football has become an integral part of the American democratic culture. * The 2012 Superbowl featuring the New York Giants and Boston's own New England Patriots set a third consecutive television record, drawing in 111.3 million viewers. To put that number in perspective, that is more viewers then the two presidential and one vice presidential campaign debates combined. * The question must be asked: How did a such a game whose violence may be the cause of severe depression, anxiety and numerous attempted suicides of former players due to repeated undocumented concussions, become such a classic American pastime? What is so attractive to us about giant, yet remarkably athletic men throwing themselves at each other, chasing a leather oval- shaped ball around a field? * Perhaps the answer lies in the structure of a successful football team. A team's compilation is remarkably similar to how a democratic society should ideally function. After all what is more American than democracy. * The sport of football has an inherent cooperative nature. Football is not a sport that can be won by a single player; it is the collective effort of all 53 players, the numerous coaches and athletic trainers. Each player must have the good of the team in mind in order to be successful. * Those players looking for impressive statistics and personal records simply do not succeed in the league. You can have all the talent in the world and fail without the proper mind-set and, more importantly, the proper team around you. A balanced team is almost always more successful then a team of flashy skill players. * Likewise, each football team is like a functional democratic society. Each role-player has the responsibility to follow the lead of, and help, the skill positions; the players in charge. The quarterback must have the proper protection from the offensive line, the offensive line needs the skill positions to play a certain speed and the skill positions need the quarterback to get them the ball. * And, of course, all units are under the discretion of the leaders, the coaches, who decipher exactly which play-call allows each unit to play effectively. * The United States is no different. Every faction of the democracy has a certain responsibility that can only be achieved if, and only if, every other part of the democracy does their respected part. We as citizens have the right and responsibility to vote for our best personal interests. We elect politicians on all levels of government that ideally coincide with our personal agenda. * However, that is dependent on politicians running on platforms that express the views of many, hence the need for multiple political parties. If there were only one candidate, it would be impossible for agenda of the masses to take form. * A single player, no matter how talented, cannot win a game on his own. A politician cannot, and will not, be successful in office without the cooperation of his team, comprised of both his constituents and fellow politicians. * Too often throughout the country, politicians are elected on charisma and rhetoric; on pure talent. For any democratic government to be successful, the agendas of the citizens, individual representatives and Congress as a whole must be in unison. * Only then can the platform chosen by the masses, and by extension in the best interest of all involved, be put in place. * It is impossible for a quarterback to win a game without the rest of his team. Likewise, it is impossible for any politician to succeed without his constituents and fellow politicians working in unison. * Take the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles on paper are arguably the most talented team in the league, yet they failed to make the playoffs last year, let alone the Superbowl. The Eagles players were constantly fixated on the preseason hype, not the task at hand. It was impossible for the team to succeed without all members striving for the same goal. * To quote former President Theodore Roosevelt, an avid sports fan, from his early days in office, "In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is, hit the line hard; don't foul and don't shirk, but hit the line hard." The strategic plan for any football team is predicated on playing a hard-fought, physical and mistake free game. * This holds true for our government. In today's day and age, where we are surrounded by bickering politicians, a financial system standing on thin ice due to excessive personal agendas, unprecedented foreign policy danger in a nuclear Iran and social issues from gay marriage to abortion we must remember those lessons from our favorite sport. * Every single member of a representative democracy needs to "play hard" in order for the government to be successful. We must look past what look like insurmountable issues and remember it is precisely the combination of opinions and issues that makes this country great. * Only with this balance can we assemble that Superbowl team around our star quarterback; the next president.
(10/22/12 4:00am)
* This past Sunday I had the honor and privilege to join hundreds of thousands of people across the country in what has become one of the greatest and most exhilarating moments in any American's life; attend a live National Football League game. * A ticket costs more than I make in a month in my on-campus job and I may no longer be able to look at a potato knish the same way; they were the complimentary gift to the fans in our section. While sitting in traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike, after watching Eli Manning connect with Victor Cruz for the game-winning touchdown to beat the Washington Redskins, I reflected on how football has become an integral part of the American democratic culture. * The 2012 Superbowl featuring the New York Giants and Boston's own New England Patriots set a third consecutive television record, drawing in 111.3 million viewers. * To put that number in perspective, that is more viewers then the two presidential and one vice presidential campaign debates combined. * The question must be asked: How did a such a game whose violence may be the cause of severe depression, anxiety and numerous attempted suicides of former players due to repeated undocumented concussions, become such a classic American pastime? What is so attractive to us about giant, yet remarkably athletic men throwing themselves at each other, chasing a leather oval- shaped ball around a field? * Perhaps the answer lies in the structure of a successful football team. A team's compilation is remarkably similar to how a democratic society should ideally function. After all what is more American than democracy. * The sport of football has an inherent cooperative nature. Football is not a sport that can be won by a single player; it is the collective effort of all 53 players, the numerous coaches and athletic trainers. Each player must have the good of the team in mind in order to be successful. * Those players looking for impressive statistics and personal records simply do not succeed in the league. You can have all the talent in the world and fail without the proper mind-set and, more importantly, the proper team around you. A balanced team is almost always more successful then a team of flashy skill players. * Likewise, each football team is like a functional democratic society. Each role-player has the responsibility to follow the lead of, and help, the skill positions; the players in charge. * The quarterback must have the proper protection from the offensive line, the offensive line needs the skill positions to play a certain speed and the skill positions need the quarterback to get them the ball. * And, of course, all units are under the discretion of the leaders, the coaches, who decipher exactly which play-call allows each unit to play effectively. * The United States is no different. Every faction of the democracy has a certain responsibility that can only be achieved if, and only if, every other part of the democracy does their respected part. We as citizens have the right and responsibility to vote for our best personal interests. We elect politicians on all levels of government that ideally coincide with our personal agenda. * However, that is dependent on politicians running on platforms that express the views of many, hence the need for multiple political parties. If there were only one candidate, it would be impossible for agenda of the masses to take form. * A single player, no matter how talented, cannot win a game on his own. A politician cannot, and will not, be successful in office without the cooperation of his team, comprised of both his constituents and fellow politicians. * Too often throughout the country, politicians are elected on charisma and rhetoric; on pure talent. For any democratic government to be successful, the agendas of the citizens, individual representatives and Congress as a whole must be in unison. * Only then can the platform chosen by the masses, and by extension in the best interest of all involved, be put in place. * It is impossible for a quarterback to win a game without the rest of his team. Likewise, it is impossible for any politician to succeed without his constituents and fellow politicians working in unison. * Take the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles on paper are arguably the most talented team in the league, yet they failed to make the playoffs last year, let alone the Superbowl. The Eagles players were constantly fixated on the preseason hype, not the task at hand. It was impossible for the team to succeed without all members striving for the same goal. * To quote former President Theodore Roosevelt, an avid sports fan, from his early days in office, "In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is, hit the line hard; don't foul and don't shirk, but hit the line hard." The strategic plan for any football team is predicated on playing a hard-fought, physical and mistake free game. * This holds true for our government. In today's day and age, where we are surrounded by bickering politicians, a financial system standing on thin ice due to excessive personal agendas, unprecedented foreign policy danger in a nuclear Iran and social issues from gay marriage to abortion we must remember those lessons from our favorite sport. * Every single member of a representative democracy needs to "play hard" in order for the government to be successful. We must look past what look like insurmountable issues and remember it is precisely the combination of opinions and issues that makes this country great. * Only with this balance can we assemble that Superbowl team around our star quarterback; the next president.
(10/22/12 4:00am)
* This past Sunday I had the honor and privilege to join hundreds of thousands of people across the country in what has become one of the greatest and most exhilarating moments in any American's life; attend a live National Football League game. * A ticket costs more than I make in a month in my on-campus job and I may no longer be able to look at a potato knish the same way; they were the complimentary gift to the fans in our section. While sitting in traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike, after watching Eli Manning connect with Victor Cruz for the game-winning touchdown to beat the Washington Redskins, I reflected on how football has become an integral part of the American democratic culture. * The 2012 Superbowl featuring the New York Giants and Boston's own New England Patriots set a third consecutive television record, drawing in 111.3 million viewers. To put that number in perspective, that is more viewers then the two presidential and one vice presidential campaign debates combined. * The question must be asked: How did a such a game whose violence may be the cause of severe depression, anxiety and numerous attempted suicides of former players due to repeated undocumented concussions, become such a classic American pastime? What is so attractive to us about giant, yet remarkably athletic men throwing themselves at each other, chasing a leather oval- shaped ball around a field? * Perhaps the answer lies in the structure of a successful football team. A team's compilation is remarkably similar to how a democratic society should ideally function. After all what is more American than democracy. * The sport of football has an inherent cooperative nature. Football is not a sport that can be won by a single player; it is the collective effort of all 53 players, the numerous coaches and athletic trainers. Each player must have the good of the team in mind in order to be successful. * Those players looking for impressive statistics and personal records simply do not succeed in the league. You can have all the talent in the world and fail without the proper mind-set and, more importantly, the proper team around you. A balanced team is almost always more successful then a team of flashy skill players. * Likewise, each football team is like a functional democratic society. Each role-player has the responsibility to follow the lead of, and help, the skill positions; the players in charge. The quarterback must have the proper protection from the offensive line, the offensive line needs the skill positions to play a certain speed and the skill positions need the quarterback to get them the ball. * And, of course, all units are under the discretion of the leaders, the coaches, who decipher exactly which play-call allows each unit to play effectively. * The United States is no different. Every faction of the democracy has a certain responsibility that can only be achieved if, and only if, every other part of the democracy does their respected part. We as citizens have the right and responsibility to vote for our best personal interests. We elect politicians on all levels of government that ideally coincide with our personal agenda. * However, that is dependent on politicians running on platforms that express the views of many, hence the need for multiple political parties. If there were only one candidate, it would be impossible for agenda of the masses to take form. * A single player, no matter how talented, cannot win a game on his own. A politician cannot, and will not, be successful in office without the cooperation of his team, comprised of both his constituents and fellow politicians. * Too often throughout the country, politicians are elected on charisma and rhetoric; on pure talent. For any democratic government to be successful, the agendas of the citizens, individual representatives and Congress as a whole must be in unison. * Only then can the platform chosen by the masses, and by extension in the best interest of all involved, be put in place. * It is impossible for a quarterback to win a game without the rest of his team. Likewise, it is impossible for any politician to succeed without his constituents and fellow politicians working in unison. * Take the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles on paper are arguably the most talented team in the league, yet they failed to make the playoffs last year, let alone the Superbowl. The Eagles players were constantly fixated on the preseason hype, not the task at hand. It was impossible for the team to succeed without all members striving for the same goal. * To quote former President Theodore Roosevelt, an avid sports fan, from his early days in office, "In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is, hit the line hard; don't foul and don't shirk, but hit the line hard." The strategic plan for any football team is predicated on playing a hard-fought, physical and mistake free game. * This holds true for our government. In today's day and age, where we are surrounded by bickering politicians, a financial system standing on thin ice due to excessive personal agendas, unprecedented foreign policy danger in a nuclear Iran and social issues from gay marriage to abortion we must remember those lessons from our favorite sport. * Every single member of a representative democracy needs to "play hard" in order for the government to be successful. We must look past what look like insurmountable issues and remember it is precisely the combination of opinions and issues that makes this country great. * Only with this balance can we assemble that Superbowl team around our star quarterback; the next president.
(10/22/12 4:00am)
* This past Sunday I had the honor and privilege to join hundreds of thousands of people across the country in what has become one of the greatest and most exhilarating moments in any American's life; attend a live National Football League game. * A ticket costs more than I make in a month in my on-campus job and I may no longer be able to look at a potato knish the same way; they were the complimentary gift to the fans in our section. While sitting in traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike, after watching Eli Manning connect with Victor Cruz for the game-winning touchdown to beat the Washington Redskins, I reflected on how football has become an integral part of the American democratic culture. * The 2012 Superbowl featuring the New York Giants and Boston's own New England Patriots set a third consecutive television record, drawing in 111.3 million viewers. To put that number in perspective, that is more viewers then the two presidential and one vice presidential campaign debates combined. * The question must be asked: How did a such a game whose violence may be the cause of severe depression, anxiety and numerous attempted suicides of former players due to repeated undocumented concussions, become such a classic American pastime? What is so attractive to us about giant, yet remarkably athletic men throwing themselves at each other, chasing a leather oval- shaped ball around a field? * Perhaps the answer lies in the structure of a successful football team. A team's compilation is remarkably similar to how a democratic society should ideally function. After all what is more American than democracy. * The sport of football has an inherent cooperative nature. Football is not a sport that can be won by a single player; it is the collective effort of all 53 players, the numerous coaches and athletic trainers. Each player must have the good of the team in mind in order to be successful. * Those players looking for impressive statistics and personal records simply do not succeed in the league. You can have all the talent in the world and fail without the proper mind-set and, more importantly, the proper team around you. A balanced team is almost always more successful then a team of flashy skill players. * Likewise, each football team is like a functional democratic society. Each role-player has the responsibility to follow the lead of, and help, the skill positions; the players in charge. The quarterback must have the proper protection from the offensive line, the offensive line needs the skill positions to play a certain speed and the skill positions need the quarterback to get them the ball. * And, of course, all units are under the discretion of the leaders, the coaches, who decipher exactly which play-call allows each unit to play effectively. * The United States is no different. Every faction of the democracy has a certain responsibility that can only be achieved if, and only if, every other part of the democracy does their respected part. We as citizens have the right and responsibility to vote for our best personal interests. We elect politicians on all levels of government that ideally coincide with our personal agenda. * However, that is dependent on politicians running on platforms that express the views of many, hence the need for multiple political parties. If there were only one candidate, it would be impossible for agenda of the masses to take form. * A single player, no matter how talented, cannot win a game on his own. A politician cannot, and will not, be successful in office without the cooperation of his team, comprised of both his constituents and fellow politicians. * Too often throughout the country, politicians are elected on charisma and rhetoric; on pure talent. For any democratic government to be successful, the agendas of the citizens, individual representatives and Congress as a whole must be in unison. * Only then can the platform chosen by the masses, and by extension in the best interest of all involved, be put in place. * It is impossible for a quarterback to win a game without the rest of his team. Likewise, it is impossible for any politician to succeed without his constituents and fellow politicians working in unison. * Take the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles on paper are arguably the most talented team in the league, yet they failed to make the playoffs last year, let alone the Superbowl. The Eagles players were constantly fixated on the preseason hype, not the task at hand. It was impossible for the team to succeed without all members striving for the same goal. * To quote former President Theodore Roosevelt, an avid sports fan, from his early days in office, "In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is, hit the line hard; don't foul and don't shirk, but hit the line hard." The strategic plan for any football team is predicated on playing a hard-fought, physical and mistake free game. * This holds true for our government. In today's day and age, where we are surrounded by bickering politicians, a financial system standing on thin ice due to excessive personal agendas, unprecedented foreign policy danger in a nuclear Iran and social issues from gay marriage to abortion we must remember those lessons from our favorite sport. * Every single member of a representative democracy needs to "play hard" in order for the government to be successful. We must look past what look like insurmountable issues and remember it is precisely the combination of opinions and issues that makes this country great. * Only with this balance can we assemble that Superbowl team around our star quarterback; the next president.
