PROFILE ISSUE: FACES OF FREDONIA

THE LEADER 04.18.18 | Issue 25 | Volume CXXIV

NEWS | 2 LIFE & ARTS | 7 SPORTS| 14 THE SCALLION | 20 PROFILE OF DR. ICLAL ROSLIN SMITH: A LIFE OF 30 YEARS LATER: JEFF A PROFILE OF THE TIN MAN VANWESENBEECK TAKING OPPORTUNITIES MEREDITH’S HOCKEY ON THREE MAN HILL LEGACY 2 The Leader April 18, 2018 The Leader NEWS Advertising: [email protected] S206 Williams Center Twitter @LeaderFredonia ‘I think, more than love, I realized Fredonia, NY 14063 Instagram @leaderfredonia I needed literature’ [email protected] Facebook LeaderFredonia A profile of Dr. Iclal Vanwesenbeeck, English professor

www.fredonialeader.org ALEXANDRIA SMITH “My family and friends are scattered Special to The Leader around the world,” she said. “I do research Editor in Chief Asst. Art Director on things that are abroad, I collaborate with Claire O’Reilly Hannah Orlousky She found the connections between myths people who live in different countries and to Mattea Guldy Managing Editor and reality, traveled the world and has hosted places I am curious about.” Travis LeFevre Photo Editor a number of events. All the while, she was Speaking of traveling, and teaching, Angelina Dohre and remains a literature Vanwesenbeeck takes students News Editor professor here at Fredonia. to Iceland. In fact, there’s a trip Dan Orzechowski Asst. Photo Editor Vacant This adventurous life coming up soon. From these Asst. News Editor belongs to Dr. Iclal two things came incredible Seth Michael Meyer Copy Editors Vanwesenbeeck. and treasured memories it Victor Schmitt-Bush Ben Anderson Life, for her, began seems. Brandon Safe Life & Arts Editor with a fantastical setting, “I think because I am about Vacant Asst. Copy Editor living close to the ancient to teach my Iceland course Victoria Barnes Hellenic ruins. again, I’d say being on a Asst. Life & Arts Editor Kelsea Halloran “My mom worked glacier with my students is a Elyse Grieco Business Manager in a school sandwiched unique experience. Hugging Sports Editors Lauren Finke between the Jewish newly born Icelandic lambs Vacant elementary school and is also up there with glaciers,” Ad. Sales Manager the ruins of a Greek she said with a smile. “One Asst. Sports Editor Taylor Staight Avril King Agora,” she said. “I think time, I got lost in catacombs Quintin James Asst. Ad. Sales Manager imagining the ancient in Malta and saw light of day Aiden Pollard Zachary Roberts world occupied my mind again thanks to a film crew. as a kid, and it still does, I went to Djerba, allegedly The Scallion Editor Sales Representatives Emma Patterson Ryan Shakya and my love for the the island of Lotus Eaters in Tyler Witt Mediterranean world Homer’s Odyssey, and had a Asst. Scallion Editor Alexis Sorbello kindles that scholarly fire.” heat stroke and almost forgot Vacant Joe Sciera Her family also owns everything, too.” Web Editor Social Media Manager a vineyard and an olive Other interests of Jason Cheung Avril King grove, and according to Vanwesenbeeck’s are music Vanwesenbeeck, “Add a Dr. Iclal Vanwesenbeeck fosters a and farming. Asst. Web Editor Asst. Social Media Manager few goats and you have the love for reading. “I don’t own a farm but I Vacant Angelina Dohre Photo courtesy of Roger Coda Sarah Hughston Virgilian pastoral.” think I might some day . . . Of Design Editor At around the age of 13, she began to course in [Western New York] my farming life Jessica Tompkins Adviser read the works of Sartre, Camus, Kafka and is limited to tomatoes and green vegetables, Elmer Ploetz Montaigne. but who knows what the future holds.” Asst. Design Editor Benjamin Rockafellow “They made literature relevant to my life,” The advice she was willing to give she said. “I think, more than love, I realized I demonstrated not only the breadth of life Art Director needed literature.” experience that she has but also the passion Marissa Doing Vanwesenbeeck later achieved a bachelor’s she has for her students. degree in western languages with their “Find a way to be optimistic and happy,” The Leader is funded through advertising revenue and a portion of the respective literatures and a doctoral degree in she said. I think without optimism, it is hard mandatory student activities fee. It is published by the students of SUNY comparative literature. to do the work you need to do in life, or Fredonia. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in Even though traveling seems to be a hobby commit to yourself and to the world around any form or by any means except as may be expressly permitted in writing by for her, Vanwesenbeeck has a variety of you.” the editor in chief. All opinion writings in The Leader reflect the opinion of reasons why she has been all over the world. the writer, with the exception of the editorial, which represents the opinion of the majority of the editorial board. The Leader editorial board holds its staff meetings, during the academic semesters, weekly on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. On the Cover: Correction: In Issue 24, Courtney Gfroerer’s title was incor- Letters to the editor must be 350 words or less and have a deadline of 4 p.m. rect. She is a communications specialist at Elderwood. A bitmap collaged image. on Friday. The Leader is printed by the Buffalo News in Buffalo, New York Correction: In Issue 24, Sylvana Dussan’s name was spelled and is distributed free on campus and in the surrounding community. Press Jessica Tompkins/Design Editor incorrectly. run is 2,500. Spring is never coming. Sorry. Clarification: A revised article regarding Fredonia Art Forum will be printed in Issue 26 Proud member of The Associated Collegiate Press. fredonialeader.org The Leader 3 Connor Aitcheson: international man of student advocacy

JOSH RANNEY second trip was to Antigua, Guatemala,” he said. “I first got involved in student government at Assistant News Editor These trips developed Aitcheson's JCC as a compromise with my advisor who said appreciation for witnessing and taking in diverse just being the mascot (JJ the Jayhawk) shouldn’t The President of the Student Association: cultures first-hand. This perspective is one that be the extent of my campus involvement,” said everyone votes for them, and they represent each is shared by numerous Fredonians who travel Aitcheson. student but not everyone knows who they really all over the world each semester. In his first few semesters of student are. Aside from his work in linguistics, Aitcheson government, Aitcheson became SGA vice President Connor Aitcheson was elected is the chief representative of the students president and eventually president. last semester and began his term on the first of Aitcheson said the rewarding experience this year. Four months into his term, some may he found in student government led him know him from General Assembly meetings or to immediately seek out Fredonia’s Student SA social media. But not many know him as a Association once he transferred here. student like the rest of us. He served as a class representative and Aitcheson grew up down the road assistant speaker of the assembly before from Fredonia, in Dunkirk, where he being elected president. graduated from Dunkirk High School. It’s an opportunity that he welcomes After high school, Aitcheson attended and is honored to have, but explains Jamestown Community College. that things did not unfold the way he “Location, affordability [and] expected. scholarship opportunities,” were “This wasn’t my original plan,” reasons for Aitcheson going to JCC he said. “I was actually planning on out of high school, like many other studying abroad in Costa Rica this Fredonia students. semester, but unfortunately those Aitcheson said that he plans fell through.” transferred to Fredonia because of But when the possibility of the great transfer agreement with becoming SA president came up, JCC. But as far as he is concerned Aitcheson lept on it because of what he now, Fredonia is the place to be. described as the perfect opportunity to “The overall atmosphere on the practice student advocacy. Fredonia campus is welcoming and In all, it’s an experience that has been dynamic,” he said. a rewarding for Aitcheson. “The most Here at Fredonia, Aitcheson is a Spanish rewarding part of being president is watching adolescent education major — a field that he students advocate and educate on matters they found interest and love for thanks to his roots. are passionate about . . . being able to play a “Growing up in a community with a notable minor role in providing that platform is an Spanish speaking population,” said Aitcheson, “I extremely rewarding experience,” he said. befriended many people of diverse backgrounds Connor Aitcheson is the current president of Being the chief representative and who had unique perspectives and interesting the Student Association here at Fredonia. Photo spokesperson for the students of Fredonia does stories that were often overlooked or ignored courtesy of Matthew Anderson not come without its challenges, though. simply because of the language they spoke.” The biggest challenge Aitcheson faces is, After college, Aitcheson said he hopes to be a of Fredonia as president of the Student “ensuring that all student voices have a seat at middle or high school Spanish teacher. Association. the table and that we, as the representative body, Exploring this field not only lets him work This is not a line of work that was new are considering the many diverse perspectives,” with his passion, but has provided some unique to Aitcheson when he came to Fredonia. His he said. opportunities. Aitcheson has studied abroad – involvement in student government goes back to Aitcheson makes sure to acknowledge twice. his time at JCC, and it began in sort of a comical that the progress and success of the Student “My first trip was to Valladolid, Spain . . . my way. Association is owed to his colleagues. 4 The Leader April 18, 2018 ‘Society constantly tells us the that we do not fit its idea of beautiful, so we’re ignoring that and are owning our hair’ Student Sheneca Sharpe starts ‘Under this Bonnet’ club

VICTOR SCHMITT-BUSH According to junior public relations and It was her goal to help as many people Assistant News Editor media management major, Kurefe Ejekpokpo, as possible. Sharpe and her E-board set this who is the publicity chair for Under this Bonnet, in motion in their most recent general body Creating and managing a club is no easy “Society constantly tells us that we do not fit meeting. task. It takes a lot of effort just to get it started. its idea of beautiful, so we’re ignoring that and “Last week, we had a meeting on natural hair The Student Association must approve the owning our hair. Black hairstyles are some of the product ingredients and what’s in your hair idea for the club, and that takes paperwork, only things African Americans have been able to products,” she said. “We discussed what was a presentations and pass down despite slavery.” good product to use versus a bad one. We had all sorts of other Even so, Sharpe feels that it a game going where we determined whether preparations that is important that people of all certain hair products were bad or not. It was are necessary to get different backgrounds and fun.” the club rolling and hair types become aware of It wasn’t always fun and games for Sharpe ready to go. the importance of this club. and her club, though. Prior to the club’s approval Even if the “I want people to know by SA, Sharpe met some adversity along the way. club is approved, that Under this Bonnet “There was slack from building the club up nothing is ever is for everybody who is and trying to bring it to SA for approval,” said set in stone, and curious and wants to Sharpe. “I heard comments through the grape things can quickly learn more about it,” vine where people said things like, ‘Well, let's go downhill. said Sharpe. “We’re start straight hair club.’” But that always accepting Even so, she managed to push those has been far people who want to comments off to the side and persevere. from the case come to GBs.” According to Sharpe, people who said things like for junior She also feels that that just didn’t understand the purpose of the computer and this club could help club. They didn’t understand how important it information reform the way was to have a club like this on campus. sciences that communities It didn’t matter to her what people said major, around SUNY because she was on a mission to get this club Sheneca campuses handle started. Under this Bonnet’s E-board did Sharpe, the presence of everything in their power to make it a success. who is the curly and kinky Sharpe explained, “When we went for rules president of hair. committee, where you get approved to be a club, Fredonia’s Sharpe we basically had this whole powerpoint set up first curly explained, for them. We had all our GB ideas set up for and kinky “There is an them. hair club, issue when “We had everything step-by-step,” she said. “Under it comes “There was no way they would have denied this this Sheneca Sharpe is the current president of Fredonia’s natural hair club Under to natural club because we were that prepared.” Bonnet.” this Bonnet. Photo courtesy of Sheneca Sharpe hair and According to Sharpe, there was absolutely Sharpe being a no contest. They loved it, and it was an easy managed to kick Under this Bonnet off with a part of this community because there is a lack approval for SA. triumphant start. of resources for you here. I don’t know of any The same goes for Sharpe, too. She feels “Obviously from activities night, it showed barbers or hairdressers around Fredonia who that Under this Bonnet has been a huge success, that people really want something like this here,” can cut nappy hair.” and she only sees it expanding to even greater she said. “We’re almost on our fourth general She also noted that the closest natural heights in the near and distant future. body meeting, and we’ve got an attendance from hairdresser to Fredonia is in Buffalo, and that’s “Now our next goal is just having a big event,” 30 to 35 people every week.” at least 45 minutes away, making it especially she said. “Yes, I think I’m happy with the goals According to Sharpe, it isn’t just a club. Under difficult for people who need their hair treated I’ve accomplished now, but I’m also setting goals this Bonnet is a community dedicated to helping who don’t have their own vehicles. for the future to come.” students with curly and kinky hair to learn “That’s what inspired me to start this club,” “Come to UTB,” said Ejekpokpo. “We'll give more about their natural hair. It is dedicated to Sharpe said. “It was my interest in the needs of great tips and provide a comforting community spreading that knowledge to other people on this the students themselves, not for myself. It was to help you go through your [natural hair] campus and even other campuses in the SUNY for people who have nappy hair who wanted to transition.” system. learn more about it but didn’t know who to go to.” fredonialeader.org The Leader 5

POLICE BLOTTERS

VILLAGE OF FREDONIA

Tuesday, April 10, 2018 Stephen Perry, age 19, was charged with unlawful possession of Heather Scinta, age 30, was charged marijuana and underage possession with operating an uninspected vehicle, of alcohol. An appearance ticket was counterfeiting an inspection, illegally given. switching license plates and failure to use a designated lane. Multiple Sunday, April 15, 2018 uniform traffic tickets were given. Ethan McHale, age 20, was charged Lynn Classon, age 53, was charged with seventh degree criminal with driving with an expired vehicle possession of a controlled substance. registration and speeding. A uniform Bail was set to $2,500. traffic ticket was given.

Friday, April 13, 2018

Roberto Castro, age 23, was charged All information printed in The Leader’s police blotter is a matter of open public record. with operating a motor vehicle No retractions or corrections will be made unless a factual error is shown. Anyone who is without an inspection. An arrest was completed. cleared of charges has the right to have so printed. It is the responsibility of the accused to provide notice and proof of the dropped charges.

DWYER PROGRAM ACTIVITIES + MAY 2018 130 COFFEE HOURS: courses -Wednesday, May 2nd-10:00 am, Joe’Z Coffee House, 98 Forest Ave., Jamestown. -Wednesday, May 16th-6:30 pm, Friendly’s, N Main Street., Jamestown. -Thursdays, May 10, 17, 24, 31st, 6:00 pm, Tim Horton’s – Bennett Road. DWYER PROS: (Spouses/partner group): Tuesday, May 8th, Resource Center, Dunham Ave, Celoron. Speaker and dinner. Summer BOWLING NORTH: Thursday, May 3rd, Lucky Lanes 10387 Bennett Road, Fredonia (Rt. 60) 7:00 pm. BOWLING SOUTH: Veterans: May 19th -7:00 pm Jamestown Bowling Company. GAME NIGHT: May 21st, 6:00 pm Warner Place, LSS Campus, Aldren Ave, Jamestown. JUDO: Saturdays in May, reservations required: 9:00 am Shin Gi Tai Studio (Pharmacy Innova- tions building) 2535 John’s Place (left turn off of Foote Ave. Ext, Jamestown). Session VETS CAMP OUT AT ONYAHSA: May 4th– 6th: Reserve your spot for a fun vet-only weekend at the YMCA camp on Chautauqua Lake. Sign in at the main lodge by 7:00 pm on Friday, May • Catch up or get ahead 4th. Icludes fishing, horse-back riding, and boating. Comedy show at 7:30 pm in the main lodge on Saturday night. GOLD STAR MEMORIAL SERVICE: May 26th, 10:00 at Veteran’s Park, 3rd Street, Jamestown. • Online and on-campus courses Join the Blue Star mother’s as they recognize Gold Star families. MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: Monday, May 28th • Three different sessions to PTSD SUPPORT GROUP: Held every Saturday at 1:00, UCAN Mission, 1st Street, Jamestown, all vets welcome. choose from DWYER SUICIDE PREVENTION MOTORCYCLE RUN: May 7th, 12:15, DPF office, 454 N Work Street, Falconer. Planning meeting for all those interested. • Meet Excelsior Scholarship credit requirements JUNE SCHEDULED AND FUTURE TENTATIVE ACTIVITIES: Paintball night, putt putt golf, watercolor paint night, hiking at Panama Rocks, 1st annual • $164* per credit motorcycle run Sept 29th.

Call Cindy Reidy at 661-8447 for more information and reservations for events with limited spots* 518-381-1348 The PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran’s Peer to Peer Program’s goal is to link Veterans together for socialization and friendship. This program utilizes peer support from those who can sunysccc.edu/summer relate to the struggles of transitioning into civilian life. * $164 per credit, New York state residents, Summer 2018 6 The Leader April 18, 2018 Park Place 70 Brigham Road Quality. Affordable. All Inclusive. $2,790 per semester. -24hr maintenance -Secured entry with intercom -Off-campus location One Price Covers Everything -All utilities included -Free high-speed internet -Free cable Call 716.393.2993 www.theparkplaceapts.com fredonialeader.org The Leader 7

Roslin Smith: a life of taking opportunities

AVRIL KING were [interviewing] Nixon,’” Smith said, reflecting Indeed, if her short stature and fiery nature did Social Media Manager and on Frost’s famous series of interviews with the not give away her Scottish background, her thick Assistant Sports Editor former American president. accent is one of her most distinctive features to This was Smith’s life prior to assuming her students. It was 8 a.m. in a town just outside of current position as assistant professor at SUNY Due to her background in media platforms, Edinburgh, Scotland, and Sir David Frost was Fredonia. junior journalism major Victoria Barnes said that nowhere to be found. Originally from a town outside of Glasgow, Smith uses many examples of videos to support Working on one of her big projects at the time, Scotland, she got her start in filmmaking in a her lectures. Roslin Smith had been up since 3 a.m., three-week summer class at Stirling University. “Ros likes using multimedia to show examples of making sure that everything was in After finding out that she could take topics that we’re covering in class,” she said. “When order. film courses at the college, she worked we were learning about code-switching for our She had rented a castle- in Saudi Arabia as a journalist to critical analysis journalism class, she showed us a like estate and a luxury earn money for school. video of a cat barking like a dog as an example.” vehicle in order to match Upon graduating, and Smith has not forgotten about her background the grandeur of Frost with little idea of where in making documentaries. and to set the tone for she was going to go next, Still going strong at 56 years old, in early her program. Smith received a letter of February, she finished up a three-part artist Yet, after hours of recommendation from one documentary. waiting, the famous of her professors and got Working with artists from the North Shore journalist could not a job working at the BBC Artists Alliance, of which Smith is a member, be reached. documentary unit. she wanted to capture the works of three local “I’m calling him From there, she had talents in the Fredonia area: landscape painter and his [personal the opportunity to work Tom Annear; former Fredonia English professor assistant] eventually as a video journalist Carolyn Grady who has a recent interest in comes to the phone, for Sky News Medical painting, sculpture and acrylics; and Marcia and she says, ‘So, Channel. Merrins, pottery artists specializing in footed David doesn’t even “I was kind of the video bowls. get up for the Sultan journalist for all of Scotland The whole project took about two and a half of Brunei. Why did you and Northern England,” she years to put together, and each piece has been think he was going to be said. shown publicly. up at your place for 8?’” said While in the United Kingdom, The last piece recently made its debut at the Smith. she worked as the managing Fredonia Opera House but has yet to be sent on At 2 p.m., Frost finally showed director of Fierce Films, located in the “festival circuit,” as Smith referred to it. up in a silver Rolls Scotland and also co-founded Now she is participating on the project: “Among Royce “drunk as a skunk,” Roslin Smith is currently one of the the Film School of Scotland. the Hemlocks: Fantastic Stories from Fredonia, according to Smith. communication professors at Fredonia and was In 2003, her work brought New York.” managing director of Scottish media company “Every shot that I had to her to Charleston, S.C. The project was made possible by money from Fierce Films, which won a “Best New Business” think about, everything I award in 1998. Photo courtesy of Roger Coda After being drawn north a decentralization grant from New York State. had planned, I was like, ‘I by a potential job in western She will be showing the history of Fredonia can’t do any of them because he’s drunk’,” she said. Michigan, Smith came for an interview at Fredonia. in about 30 minutes, starting with the indigenous “He’s staggering out of the Rolls Royce.” Within two months, she had a job as a professor, people from the area and moving on to topics As Frost continued drinking his wine, Smith and that is where she and her son have stayed for of how Fredonia got its name, the Women’s recalled having to shout at him in order to get almost four years. Temperance Movement and the Marx Brothers. anything done, since Frost had started to go deaf. The impression that she has made on students Despite all of the experiences she has had and His poor eyesight prevented him from being is significant. the success she has seen, Smith admitted that she able to read the auto-cue but did not stop him Angelina Dohre, a sophomore journalism and fell into a lot of the opportunities she has had. from looking down the front of the makeup artist’s public relations major, admires Smith’s spirit in the “I don’t usually actively search, it kind of shirt. classroom. evolves,” she said. “If the opportunity is there, I’ll “And then once we were rolling, he kind of got “What Roslin has that a lot of other professors take it.” into this mode, and I was like, ‘you’ve been drunk lack is a fun, engaging personality,” she said. “She After her project on Fredonia, only time will tell all your life. You probably were drunk when you makes any topic she teaches fun and interesting . . . what she will fall into next. not to mention her accent is wonderful.” 8 The Leader April 18, 2018 ‘ . . . Sometimes I have to take a moment and look around at everyone in the [radio] station and remind myself how lucky I am to be where I am’ A profile of senior Amy Gruttadauria, program director of WCVF-FM

MELISSA FUCHS front of your eyes — nothing beats it.” “It doesn’t feel real — Sometimes I have to Staff Writer Samantha Ticker, a BFA theatrical take a moment and look around at everyone in production and design major, worked alongside the station and remind myself how lucky I am to Amy Gruttadauria is a senior at Fredonia, Gruttadauria on “The Man Who Came To be where I am . . . it is the dedication of everyone and her schedule is anything but empty. She is Dinner.” She credits Gruttadauria with being a around me: every jock, every ops, every archivist, captivating in her ability to seemingly do it all supportive sounding board when she needed and every eboard member (past or present) that without showing evidence of faltering. inspiration for her designs. made this award possible,” Gruttadauria said. When you first meet Gruttadauria, you will “Amy is able to sympathize and relate with the One of her assistants, Sydney Mulkey, hopes notice her lengthy chestnut-brown hair with people around her . . . this level of empathy is to further WCVF’s legacy as Best Station in one side shaved. The next item might be her key for a stage manager,” Ticker said. the Nation once Gruttadauria graduates this thin black framed glasses, or it might be the Ticker reminisced about memories working May. Mulkey, a political science major with an infectious smile that shows off her warmth and on the Performing Arts Company’s production of international relations concentration, attributes caring nature. “Eurydice” together with Gruttadauria. the lessons she has learned to having a great Gruttadauria credits much of her “There was a dance to ‘Don’t Sit mentor. creative spirit to the Rochester, N.Y., Under the Apple Tree’ . . . From “Amy has showed me not only how to handle area. then on we have always tried to the basics like automation and scheduling, but “Originally I didn’t care much find a way to sneak the song how to work with what we’ve got and keep about Rochester, thinking it or renditions of the song into a positive outlook (even when we’re super was just another ‘small town’ other shows,” she said. frustrated with automation) . . . in a way she’s place I couldn’t wait to get out Gruttadauria also also taught me not to be so hard on myself and of,” she said. keeps herself busy as the that it’s OK to have a bad day once in a while,” It wasn’t until she current program director she said. entered high school that she, at WCVF-FM. The station Gruttadauria started off with an assistant alongside her friends, started was recognized for the position in the station’s archives and worked to seek out the music and art second year in a row at the her way up. Her experience with FRS led her venues Rochester had to offer. to adding the audio major her junior Gruttadauria credits her year. own upbringing as a pivotal “I always say that WCVF is like piece of who she has become a child — sometimes it misbehaves today. Her parents are huge but most of the time it doesn’t so you supporters, especially her father. learn to love its bad quirks and good “He always was the one who taught quirks all the same,” she said. me to work for what I wanted, teaching While she may downplay her me that things are worth what you put into ability to be manage such a full them,” Gruttadauria said. schedule and still keep everything Initially, Gruttadauria came to Fredonia as a in pristine shape, she notes the communications disorders and sciences major important role of the support before taking her mother's advice and switching available. to theater. “I think the most important thing As a BFA theatre arts major, Gruttadauria one can do when taking on the world was impressed by the department’s dedication to is recognize what you have available supporting students seeking their own creative to assist you . . . I know personally paths. that I lean on those around me and This is something she has experienced often seek the advice of others,” she firsthand, with her biggest learning said. opportunities working as a stage manager with Knowing that her time at Fredonia the productions “The Illusion” and “Peter and is coming to a speeding close as she the Starcatcher.” prepares for graduation, she ultimately “Being a stage manager isn’t easy, it sacrifices Amy Gruttadauria is the current program director of wants to leave her mark before she your free time and resources . . . that being Fredonia’s radio station WCVF. Photos courtesy of Amy walks on that stage in May. said, as a stage manager you are one of the only Gruttadauria. “Fredonia has given me a lot,” she people involved who is there and involved in 100 Intercollegiate Broadcasting Systems as having said. “So it’s up to me to give the most I can back percent of the process,” said Gruttadauria. “Being the Best College Radio Station for a college with to the school and those I love in it.” able to see the show blossom and transform in under 10,000 students. fredonialeader.org The Leader 9 ‘I was always a reader …’ Professor Eric Schlich shares his journey with writing

ELYSE GRIECO ‘Oh wow’ I can make a story myself and not just One story in his book traces back to one of Assistant Life & Arts Editor do the reading and studying of the literature,” he his favorite childhood movies. said. “That’s when I actually started writing.” “This story is kind of inspired by my life. Every year, the University of North Texas Over the years, Schlich realized that writing When I was a little kid, I was in love with ‘The holds its annual Katherine Anne Porter Prize wasn’t easy. In fact, he has faced many struggles Wizard of Oz.’ I was obsessed with it, I really competition, a writing competition that awards in his career. don’t know why,” he said. one writer with the opportunity to publish one of Out of all his difficulties, Schlich said his While studying for his masters, Schlich found their books. biggest problem was publishing. out that the actress who played the Wicked Writers from all across the country enter “For a long time I didn’t submit my work Witch of the West, Margaret Hamilton, did her this competition, and this year the winner is because it wasn’t ready, and then you get a lot own movie stunts. At one part, she even caught Fredonia’s own professor Eric Schlich. of rejection,” he said. “You have to grow a really on fire and suffered from severe burns. Although he has been a writer for many years, tough skin to be a writer. You write a short story, He was shocked to find that out that since she he did admit that reading was his first love. you work on it in class or you develop it and wasn’t a Hollywood starlet, the producers of the “I was always a reader, I loved reading when work on it for months, and then you send it out movie treated her terribly. I was a kid,” he said. “Some writers write a lot and you get 10, 20, 30 rejections.” He took this news and made it into one of his when they’re kids, but I didn’t. I mostly just read.” Although it can be hard to face, rejection does favorite stories. Schlich took his love for novels and decided not mean you should give up. “It’s a two timeline story. One timeline is me, to study as an undergraduate English major at Olivia Pratt, a junior English major, is one of the little boy, who is in love with the movie. the University of Kentucky. Schlich’s students. The other one is about her story, so I did more It wasn’t until then that he realized his “He is very encouraging and enthusiastic about research on her. It’s one of my favorites because passion and connection to developing his own writing, he makes me want to be a better writer,” it’s so personal,” he said. stories. she said. “He gives us feedback and is very Both of Schlich’s parents are teachers, but “I took both theory and literary study classes, honest about things that do and don’t work in teaching was not something Schlich necessarily but I also took creative writing classes. Those our stories, which can be tough sometimes, but it had in mind as a career. He said it was classes were really great, it made me realize that, also pushes me to do better.” something he just kind of “fell into.” His work has During his time at college for his master’s appeared in several degree, he had to teach to pay for his tuition. magazines such as At first, he found it unamusing. Mississippi Review, “I was teaching English composition, like entry Fairy Tale Review and level English,” he said. many more. When he went on to do his doctorate, he had Schlich’s to teach again. However, he eventually began to competiton-winning climb the ladder and teach things he loved, such CHIAVETTA’S book, “Quantum as fiction and nonfiction. Convention and Other “That’s when it really clicked with me,” he said. Chiavetta’s famous Char-broiled BBQ Chicken Stories,” took three “I admire teachers. It’s a very hard job, and society is available to the public at the years to perfect. It took treats them terribly. They should be appreciated Williams Center (Inside Tim Hortons). another year and a a lot more.” Drive-up service available half for the story to be He now teaches multiple courses at Fredonia, printed. helping students learn and sharing his expertise “It takes time,” he and advice. Friday, April 20th, 2018 said. “It’s exciting to see Julia Costa, a senior psychology major, said that it is finally being that Schlich’s class is one of the best she has ever published.” taken. 4:00pm to 7:00pm Schlich finds “I wanted to take fiction writing to better inspiration everywhere. myself and my skills, but I never thought it Whether it be from life would be this beneficial. I’ve learned to much $10.00 PRE-SALE - $11.00 DAY-OF experiences or other from Professor Schlich already and I’m actually stories he has read, really glad that I took it,” she said. he always finds ways Schlich’s debut book, “Quantum Convention Tickets on sale at the ticket office. to come up with new and Other Stories,” is set to come out this stories. November. “Famous For Taste.” 10 The Leader April 18, 2018 ‘I love the idea of growth mindset over fixed mindset’ A profile of Sarah Green: English professor, poet and musician

ERIKETA COST Green. “It wasn’t until college when I Special to the Leader started to take it seriously. I got really good feedback and praise that was Sarah Green’s love for poetry dates back to encouraging from [a] professor, and I a high school science class assignment to draw thought maybe there was something to the position of the sun every morning. this.” The point was to understand that the sun is Green went forward with a bachelor always moving across the sky, even though it of arts in English with a concentration seems fixed in one place. in creative writing from Oberlin College. To Green, it was poetic. She then went to work for her MFA It was a metaphor for life — we often think in poetry at Purdue University and certain people or situations will always be the her Ph.D. in creative writing at Ohio same, but life is ever-changing, like the position University. of the sun in the sky. Green has also demonstrated Green is not just an English professor at a growth mindset by delving into SUNY Fredonia, she’s also the author of a songwriting. At first, she knew poetry book, “Earth Science,” leader of the starting something new was scary Fredonia literary publishing course and for the and intimidating. “At first I thought literary magazine, The Trident. She is also a songwriting was really intimidating singer/songwriter for the band Heartacre. when I was in college,” she said. “I The metaphor she fell in love with from thought people were just born with it . the high school assignment was a catalyst for . . people always told me I should write Green’s poetry book, “Earth Science.” The title songs since I love poetry and singing. Sarah Green is one of the English professors at Fredonia and When I first started it, I didn’t have a of the poem reflects the has won several awards for writing and music. Photo courtesy idea of how we can view knack for it.” of Peter Campion certain things in life as “‘She is very But with an fixed, but we must accept open mind, Green a grant for a club Iguana Foundation, and they that nothing is here to enthusiastic about attended concerts of singer/ both used the money to publish their very own stay forever. songwriters and immersed record in 2011 called “Climb.” “I revisited the what she is teaching herself in good-songwriting. Green continues to sing and play guitar assignment when my and very interested She felt inspired and today. parents were going motivated to try again. “Singing and playing guitar has always been through a divorce. I in the success of “I started to study a self-care thing,” she added. thought it would be guitar seriously with the Here at Fredonia, Green teaches a few a great metaphor for her students,’ said guitarist for Josh Ritter and poetry and writing courses and works to how you think certain other singer/songwriters. I inspire her students. things will stay in the sophomore Hannah would go to his concerts to “She is very enthusiastic about what she is same place, but they support him, but I would teaching and very interested in the success of are always capable Pegg.” also absorb and take in her students,” said sophomore Hannah Pegg. of changing position,” the lyrics and the good One of her courses is Literary Publishing, Green said. songwriting,” she said. which acts works to create a literary magazine, Green also explained that you can choose Green started growing her songwriting The Trident. Students work and critique each to have a fixed mindset that prevents you from skills without even knowing it. It took a lot other’s writing pieces and poetry. The course starting something new due to intimidation, or of listening, experiencing and spontaneously has been around for many years, but Green was you can have an open mind and take a risk. putting words on a page. happy to run it this year. “I love the idea of growth mindset over fixed “I would soak up what makes a good song Green encourages Fredonia students to head mindset,” Green said. without analyzing it — just experiencing it and out to their latest “Lit Crawl” event, which Green allowed herself to take the risk and letting it wash over me. I started spontaneously features readings from the compilation of open her mind to writing her own poetry in writing songs to join the conversation,” she poems students publish in The Trident. The college. added. event will be held April 22. It will start off at “Poetry was always in the background Green ended up forming a singer/songwriter Tim Horton’s at 3 p.m. and will rotate to two for me. I had a lot of family members who group with her friend, Andy Cambria, who had other locations. were into poetry influencing me,” said some bluegrass background. Together they won fredonialeader.org The Leader 11 From wanting to skip recess to read, to becoming a writer A profile of Dr. George David Clark STEPHEN SACCO Now, as an adult, he has seen this passion Special to the Leader passed down to his four children. “My own kids do this now,” said Clark. “They Dr. George David Clark was born in write stories, as they are learning to write. They Savannah, Ga., but moved from time-to-time are willing to engage into storytelling themselves, while growing up in the southeast of The as they’re reading stories they like.” United States. He was raised by his father, a Clark didn’t gain interest in poetry until after pastor, and his mother, a teacher just like he graduated from high school. himself. “I couldn’t have cared less about poems until Clark talked about his roots in English college,” he said. “I didn’t read much poetry at all literature and poetry in conjunction with his certainly not contemporary poetry.” family. So what was it that sparked Clark’s interest in “[There was] very little poetry in my house poetry? growing up, but lots of fiction . . . reading was He recalls taking a creative writing class always a big part of their lives,” he said. George David Clark is the award winning author of his freshman year. The very first poet that It would take awhile for Clark to develop his Reveille and recently spoke on campus. Photo courtesy Clark gained inspiration from, specifically, was passion for poetry, but he found a natural love of George David Clark’s website georgedavidclark.com Elizabeth Bishop. for stories and writing at a very young age. “I remember we read ‘The Fish,’ ‘The Mothman’ “‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ . . . those were when I think of early powerful experiences from and ‘Crusoe in England’ . . . [they] are highly some important books . . . [ I read] ‘The Hobbit’ books.” narrative and had a story which drove the drama and ‘The Lord of the Rings’ books when I was Clark vividly recalls being out on recess and . . . ” he said. “It wasn’t just the narrative content little and not wanting to go at recess,” he said. wanting to read instead of playing games and driving these poems but the sonic content . . . “Everybody else [was] going out to play and I swinging on monkey bars. they had this sort of physical thrust behind the remember thinking, I really wish I [could] read His love of reading sparked his writing. language.” right now. Like you’re right inside the middle of “When I was little, since I love books some Clark explained many of his inspirations in an exciting part of the book, and you don’t want much, I would write little stories and things like two lectures here at SUNY Fredonia. to stop,” he continued. “So that’s what I think of that,” he said.

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From the Desk of Dan Orzechowski, News Editor

Two and a half years after I was Time passed and we eventually born, my life as an only child was over. saw each other less. Matt decided to I once lived like a king. It was me attend a trade school while living who was the center of attention. I at our mom’s house. I stayed with didn’t have to share a room or wait our dad. Transitioning from in line for the bathroom at my own seeing him everyday to maybe house. seeing him on the weekends My younger brother, Matt, with his was tough. big cheeks and pudgy arms, was the I’ll always be proud of one who put an end to all that. what Matt accomplished This kid was born knowing how to during those years, piss me off. When Matt was younger, though. In a matter he wore around this Hulk costume of months, he had everywhere. The costume, which learned about I’m almost certain was bought for carpentry and Halloween, was worn for months agriculture, while straight. It didn’t matter if my mom also learning how was taking the two of us grocery to weld — things that shopping or if we were on our way to I’ll most likely never school, the Hulk was present. As you know anything about. can imagine, I got very embarrassed Oh, and he’s also a pretty fast. volunteer firefighter. I don’t In the end though, I don’t know know about you, but I flinch where I’d be without Matt. just opening a warm oven. As kids, Matt and I were always Matt is a dork, a friend and a moving. Our parents divorced when brat. But above all, like the Hulk, we were young, and by the time we he’s a hero. reached high school, we had moved He may be younger than me, but too many times to count. This made Matt is someone to look up to. Matt (left) wishes he was as good looking as his making friends difficult for us and, superior brother, Dan (right). Photo courtesy of because of that, we often turned to Dan Orzechowski each other for entertainment. We did everything together. fredonialeader.org The Leader 13 VERBATIM Who do you look up to on campus and why?

Marisah Croakman, freshman childhood inclusive education major “Probably my advisor (Dr. Kathleen Gradel) because she helps me a lot.”

Tala Harden, junior video production major “I think I look up to the people who start their own clubs and try to make a change. They start new events or new task forces to actually fight against problems that we have on campus instead of sitting around and just talking about it. You’re cool, I’m going to follow Make sports your career. your footsteps.”

Jordan Kanyike, freshman computer science major “I look up to Melissa from larping club. She’s Break into the competitive business of sport only been larping for about a year or so and she’s with our MS in Sport Administration. In as little # really impressive with her skills so far. She’s very 3 as 12 months, you can be ready for a range of dedicated to becoming a warlord.” BEST ONLINE careers in college or professional sports including SPORT MANAGEMENT facility management, scouting, sales, and sports PROGRAM IN THE U.S. Samuel Lewandowski, sophomore marketing. With connections to more than 500 political science and journalism major Bestcolleges.com sport organizations in the U.S. and abroad, Canisius “I really look up to Dr. Horvath actually, our campus president. I think that she’s a really good students gain top-level internship experience and role model, very well-spoken and cares about the build a network that includes leading professionals students.” in the field.

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Apply today - start this summer. Learn more at canisius.edu/MSA 14 The Leader April 18, 2018 SPORTS ‘Coach is someone who cares about your complete overall success, not just your on-ice success’ 30 years later: Men’s Ice Hockey Coach Jeff Meredith’s legacy

ANGELINA DOHRE think the biggest thing was Photo Editor the opportunity to take over a brand new program at the When walking into Fredonia head hockey time and be able to build it coach Jeff Meredith’s office, two walls into something that I wanted immediately stand out. One is scattered with to build it into.” coaching awards gathered from 30 years at When it came to hockey, Fredonia, and the other is covered with photos Meredith was considered a of families of past hockey players. “late starter” and didn’t start These walls represent Meredith’s two most playing until he was 15. important things to him: family and coaching. “I wasn’t a player that was Growing up in Rochester, N.Y., Meredith going to help anybody,” he stayed there until he went to Monroe said. “Maybe I could be a good Community College for two years as a criminal teammate, maybe I could be justice major. a hard worker, maybe I could “I thought I wanted to be a cop but got into it be a disciplined person, but I and realized that was not for me,” he said. wasn’t going to help anybody He decided to take a year off and spent his win any hockey games with time unloading railroad cars full of 50 pound my limited ability.” bags of dog chow. Being at Fredonia for 30 “I knew I did not want to do that,” he said. years, Meredith has countless “Those train cars came in from a place I never memories to go with his heard of before called Dunkirk, New York.” career. After the year passed, Meredith attended “Waking up in 1995 on a SUNY Brockport as a physical education major. Saturday morning in March “I thought I wanted to be a P.E. teacher but and playing for the national realized I didn’t really want to do that,” he said. championship that night was He first thought of coaching college hockey pretty exciting,” he said. when attending Ohio State for graduate school. Three out of the four “I was very fortunate to meet some really seniors this year started on good people along the way and people that the team as freshmen during helped me get to where I am,” he said. the season with the worst Meredith returned to Brockport as an record in the history of the assistant coach and ice rink manager. program. “I thought at the time that if I really wanted “For those guys to be such to get into college coaching, I needed to get a huge part of turning this Jeff Meredith has been the head coach for the Fredonia men’s ice in with somebody that knew what they were program around and kind hockey team for the last 30 years. Photo courtesy of Minju Kim doing,” he said. of reclaiming the culture he said. “You have a front row seat to four That person was hockey coach Phil Grady is a great moment right there,” Meredith said. years of amazing personal development for at Hamilton College. Meredith spent four years “For them to persevere through that and all those people, and maybe even closer than their with him there before being presented the the hard times and doubters to then get to the parents would see.” opportunity at Fredonia. conference championship their senior year is a Meredith recalls his role model growing up According to Meredith, what made Fredonia great moment.” and how it shaped his own career. stand out was its beauty. Meredith believes that there is a lot more “My college coach, a guy named E.J. McGuire, “It had very nice facilities and very friendly that goes with coaching hockey other than the took a lot of interest in me, and I wasn’t a very people,” he said. “At the time I got offered the actual on-ice coaching. good player,” he said. “He was really good to job here I had a couple of opportunities, but I “You get to work with good quality young me and I saw the impact that kind of role could men who want to work hard and be successful,” fredonialeader.org The Leader 15 JEFF MEREDITH continued have and that’s something I wanted to do.” everyone in the department knows him. hockey at one point. One of the hockey players under Meredith is “I am not sure about everything he does in “Spending time with my family is pretty much senior finance and political science major James the Fredonia sports community, but I know it is it,” he said. “I don’t have a lot of hobbies. This Young. According to Young, Meredith truly cares pretty expansive. Not only is he quite involved hockey program and my family are my passions.” about his players on and off the ice. here on campus, but his efforts to connect According to Fredonia assistant hockey coach “When coaching is your career, your life and with the community, in general, are pretty Mike Lysyj, one word to describe Meredith your players’ lives can sort of get lost in the impressive,” Young said. would be: “legend.” shuffle of wins and losses, which isn't the case “Any time we’re chatting with coach and “People kind of look at him as being at the with Coach Meredith,” he said. “Coach is always mention we need to get an errand done he top of the totem pole,” he said. “I learned in asking players about their families, how their always has a contact for it,” Young continued. college [from] taking sports psychology classes school work is going and doesn't forget that “Coach also treats his players and colleges with and coaching courses that most coaches have there is a lot of life that happens away from the respect, and I think that is why he is so well a shelf life, and that shelf life is at most five rink. Coach is someone who cares about your known around the community.” years. To surpass that six times really says a lot complete overall success, not just your on-ice Outside of coaching, Meredith said the about his character and his ability to relate with success.” only other thing he really focuses on is family. people and see the bigger picture.” Meredith stays involved in the Fredonia He and his wife have been married 26 years sports community and it seems as though and have three boys, all of which have played ‘Seeing students ultimately be successful, that’s what it’s about’ David White: former Buffalo Bills player heads Fredonia’s Educational Development Program JAMAL HYPOLITE work that he does. on the field to his current position. Work ethic is Special to The Leader “Seeing the day-to-day impact … [the] positive one of them. impact that I and this program are able to have [is “I was never the fastest guy on the team, I was Did you know that between the years of 1981- what I enjoy most],” he said. “Assisting a student never the strongest guy on the team, sometimes I 1999, SUNY Fredonia served as the Buffalo Bills’ in being as successful as they want to be, that's think I might have been the smartest … but no one training camp? what I signed up to do.” on any team I ever played on outworked me,” he Not many of today’s students do. Many also It is clear that the students’ success is also said. “Being able to work as a team is something don’t know that one of their Bills returned: David his. He said that he is always looking forward to I brought from football … and being able to White. commencement. problem solve and the value of preparation.” White played 12 years of professional football, “Seeing students ultimately be successful, that's White spoke of his former coach for the Bills, retiring with the Buffalo Bills. He is also the what it’s about,” he said. Marv Levy, and what he taught them about head of the Educational Development Program Each summer, a new EDP class is introduced, preparation. at Fredonia, also known as EDP, and he brings and White spends a few weeks getting to know “If we have a good practice, and we prepare, the same pride and passion from the field to his these students. He said that EDP is a need-based good things are probably going to happen, not workplace. program so, first and foremost, these students guaranteed, but the chances of us winning EDP is a need-based academic support come from a common place of need. certainly increase,” he said. “And that's a life program for incoming freshmen who are “When students get here, everyone wants to do lesson.” financially challenged or students deficient in well, but not everyone wants to put in the work to One of the qualities that Daniel Smith, an academic preparation. As head of EDP, White succeed,” he said. EDP advisor, stated that Mr. White possesses is recruits incoming students from all over who White finds that seeing these students find a determination. match this criteria. balance between capability and accountability is “He is very goal oriented,” said Smith. “EDP is He has background in recruitment from common. He claims that some students find this circled around goals.” working five years in the office of admissions. He balance quicker than others, partly because some White is still involved with football today. He was the coordinator of minority recruitment and fail to take advantage of the school’s resources. is active in the Bills Alumni Association and also also coordinated multicultural weekend. “Everyone in this program is certainly capable, coaches little league. White said when he chose Fredonia he was, it's just a matter of how accountable [they are],” Anthony Hunter is one of the kids that White “taking advantage of an opportunity.” While he said. coached on the Pop Warner Youth Football team. looking for his second career after football, he One of his EPD students, Bradys DelVillar, “He wouldn’t let me quit at all, he kept pushing almost went to the University of Buffalo as an said White taught him that “success is your me,” said Hunter. “He would even run with me to athletics advisor. decision.” help me lose weight.” Instead, with the help of his wife, Monica “The number one thing is that they can be While White takes a new position on the field, White, who was assistant vice president at as successful as they want to be, despite all the he said that the only “playing” of football he does Fredonia at the time, he took his resume to obstacles that are in their way … and the key to is on the Xbox and PlayStation. administrators and, what was supposed to be an that is utilizing the resources at your disposal,” In his free time, he enjoys cooking and eating. emergency hire due to a shortage of employees, said White. “Last but not least, at some point, He keeps up to date with sporting events and does later became a permanent position. turn around and give something back … give community service. White has been EDP director for eight years something back to someone.” White sets a great example for his students and now, with retirement nowhere in sight. After Most EDP students discover that White is a truly shows that hard work and dedication can almost a decade, he still very much enjoys the former Bills player by their second semester. It is take you beyond any goals you set for yourself. quite evident that he brings traits from his time 16 The Leader April 18, 2018 ‘. . . she was pretty much unstoppable’ Jenna Einink, junior basketball player, reaches 1,000 points CHELSEA BARON “She was extremely effective inside in the post are so much higher,” said Einink. Special to The Leader where she plays. She had versatility in her game Even though Einink misses classes due to in that she can step out to three point range traveling during the season, she is still expected 2,000 may not be a high score in a video game, and hit [a] three point shot,” said MacDonald, “I to get her work done. There is specific study time but it is in basketball. like the way she ran the floor and a lot of times for the team to work on homework when they’re Jenna Einink has celebrated reaching 1,000 was the first one down in transition, so she was on the bus. points in both her high school and college careers. willing to work and get down the floor to get the All student-athletes are required to give their Ken Ricker, Einink’s basketball coach from the easy baskets for us.” professors a sheet listing dates that they will be Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), was by her side Einink has both talent and work ethic. absent from class. for both. “Junior year and she’s scored 1,000 points so “You just have to be on top of things and very “[I] was lucky enough to be there for 1,000 high that kind of speaks for the fact that she’s working prepared, and you have to communicate with school points and today again for 1,000 college hard,” said MacDonald. your professors. The professors are really cool points. Congrats to one of the best players I have MacDonald is not the only one who noticed about it if you let them know ahead of time,” said been privileged to coach. So happy for and proud Einink’s work ethic. Ricker did as well. Einink. of you, Jenna Einink,” said Ricker on a Facebook He believes Einink’s success stems from her Einink did not know she was close to her post. hard work. 1,000 points until she read an article. Everyone Ricker and Einink have known each other “Immediately we knew as a staff that Jenna else knew. since she was in eighth grade when her parents would be really good. She was a sponge and During the Blue Devils game against Buffalo brought her to try out for the team. worked very hard,” said Ricker. State on Feb. 17, Einink scored her 1,000th college Unfortunately, Einink couldn’t make it work Not only did Einink work hard for herself, basketball career point. until the following year. Ricker mentioned she was always willing to help The Devils lost that day, 74-60. “The next year she joined what may be the out other teammates if they happened to miss a Einink is the 12th Blue Devil overall to score highest scoring and most accomplished AAU practice. 1,000 points, trailing behind her fellow teammate team in Western New York history. She was one This past year, Einink stepped into similar Jacque Law, who is a senior this year. of 10 1,000-point scorers on our team,” said Ricker. footsteps when she was named captain alongside MacDonald mentioned scoring 1,000 points as Einink’s family is no stranger to sports. Her two other teammates. a junior takes a special type of player. parents, aunts, uncles, as well as her sisters all As a team captain, some of the things she “Most of Jenna’s points are inside the arc, played basketball. was in charge of were the preseason workouts, which makes her accomplishment a little bit “My dad, he was really good. He had broken his relaying messages to the team, making sure more incredible because the majority of her pinky and didn’t end up getting his 1,000 points, everyone is on time to practice and wearing the shots are either from the foul line, which is one but he was really, really close,” said Einink. correct apparel. point, or inside the arc which is two points,” said Officially starting basketball in elementary “Our coach looks to us when things go wrong,” MacDonald. school where she played in a recreational league, said Einink. During MacDonald’s years of coaching at Einink never thought she would play in college. Out of her family, Einink took basketball Fredonia, only five athletes have hit the 1,000 “[Playing in college] was always a goal of mine. more seriously than other sports. She even quit point mark, and two of them were juniors. It’s been an amazing experience,” said Einink. playing softball so she could devote more time to “Everyone knew except me. I just wasn’t even Einink’s career at Chautauqua Lake Central basketball. thinking that I was close at all,” said Einink. School is quite impressive, considering the “I think [my sisters] had loved other sports Scoring isn’t something that’s on Einink’s mind. two trips she made to the New York State the same, and I just fell in love with basketball “I just play . . . I just play I guess, I don’t know. I championships. more than I did volleyball or anything else,” said don’t really think about my points or my stats as In 2014, the Thunderbirds received their first Einink. much as I just want us to win,” she said. ever New York State Championship win, 47-36 Anyone that paid attention to Einink during Ricker mentioned how special it was for him victory over Hoosic Valley. her high school years still sees her name in the to attend both milestones. “It’s probably one of the best feelings I ever papers, considering Fredonia is only a short drive Einink scored her high school 1,000th point had and something I’ll never forget,” says Einink from her alma mater. during a tournament at Jamestown High School, about her State Championship win. Einink mentioned when she goes to eat where Ricker teaches. The following year they returned, ranked as with her teammates, she often comes across With permission from Eric Shuster, No. 1 in class C girls basketball, only to fall to local referees or townspeople referencing her Chautauqua Lake women’s basketball coach, Cooperstown, 50-59 in the New York State semi- appearance in the paper. Ricker was able to award Einink her 1,000 point finals. “I go places all the time with people and ball. Linda MacDonald, the State University of New someone says something like ‘Oh, you’re Jenna Luck was on Ricker’s side when he was also York at Fredonia women’s basketball coach for Einink?’ and they’re like ‘How does everyone able to attend the game that Einink hit 1,000 the past five years, noticed Einink’s talent as a know you?’ and it’s different because I grew up again. high school player. around here,” she said. “It was really special because like in high “In high school, she was pretty much That’s one way her basketball career is school, we want our AAU kids to find a great unstoppable,” said MacDonald. different now. college fit and have success, and Jenna has clearly Coach MacDonald also mentioned a handful The game in college is faster paced, the players done both,” he said. of Einink’s assets that made her want to recruit are stronger and in better shape and you travel, “I would not ever trade playing basketball here her, such as her rebounding, versatility and speed. which includes missing school. for anything,” said Einink. “The basics are the same, but the expectations fredonialeader.org The Leader 17 From the battlefield to the playing field: how a military hero has found solace in a sport TANNER WILLIAMS “I always wanted to go to college; I just wasn’t something that both older and younger players Special to The Leader sure of what I wanted to do. I had a few friends were very receptive to. in the Marine Corps and it seemed like I’d fit “I wrestled against [Jeremy] in high school, so After serving any kind of military tour, well,” Lilga said. I had always known about him and his fire,” said reintegration into the “real world” can be a trying Being unsure of what to do, or what you senior captain Zach Buckley. “I was really happy process. You often hear stories of soldiers who want to be, following high school is not at all to see him come aboard and even happier to see cannot quite get back on their feet, to the point uncommon. But Lilga, a motivated, hard-working him step right up as a leader. We don't really see where many of them choose to re-deploy. person, did not want to fall many rookies willing Passing up the safety and security that comes into a cycle of uncertainty “‘The last thing I wanted to do to come in here and from being home to return to the dangerous and indecision. was get caught up and waste put themselves out uncertainty of war may seem like an inexplicable “The last thing I wanted time. I felt like if I just took a there like that.” decision to those who have never served, but, to do was get caught up and year or two off after high school, Though he had in reality, a change so drastic can be physically, waste time. I felt like if I just never played rugby, mentally and emotionally overwhelming. took a year or two off after that I might have gotten lazy Lilga’s background Jeremy Lilga, a sophomore criminal justice high school, that I might have or lost my drive. Joining the as a football player major here at Fredonia, is currently taking that gotten lazy or lost my drive. Marines was a perfect way to and wrestler made challenge head on. Joining the Marines was a stay focused and disciplined,’ for a smooth As a Lance Corporal in the United States perfect way to stay focused Jeremy Lilga said.” transition. On top of Marine Corps, Lilga served a four-year combat and disciplined,” Lilga said. that, his persistent tour, primarily in Afghanistan, immediately Lilga, a three-sport athlete studying of the game, following high school. throughout his time at Eden whether through While Lilga enjoyed his time that he spent High School, knew that he’d have to find a sport YouTube videos or observing Blackhorse’s more overseas, and looks back upon it fondly, he had to play when he chose to attend Fredonia. His experienced players, allowed him to pick up the always intended to use his time in the military as older brother and Fredonia alumnus, Justin mental side of the game rather quickly as well. a stepping stone, of sorts. Lilga, spent a lot of time persuading him to “Rugby had elements of the sports that I had join the school’s already played, and I think that's what drew rugby team, and he me to it. I wasn't really worried about being eventually succeeded. inexperienced because I know how I am as a “I pushed Jeremy learner and as an athlete,” Lilga said. not just because Lilga, who became a full-time starter early I had played for on in his rookie season, has contributed greatly Blackhorse [the to the team’s recent success. This past fall, with school’s rugby club], Lilga serving as one of three co-captains, the club but because I knew won their first playoff game since 2008. he’d be great at So, how, if at all, do rugby and the Marine it,” the elder Lilga Corps relate? said. “Rugby’s not “Rugby is all about the men beside you,” said for everybody, but Lilga. “You play your heart out for them and [Jeremy] has the hope they'll leave it all out there for you. Things size, the speed and are easy when all 15 guys are at their best. If just the mentality for it. one person isn't giving it their all, the other 14 It made too much will feel it.” sense.” While rugby isn't exactly a matter of life and Ultimately, Jeremy death, the comparison between rugby and the followed his brother’s Marine Corps, based upon the idea that the best advice and showed possible result can only come about when any up to the first day of individual agendas or egos are thrown out of the practice in August of window, makes a whole lot of sense. 2016. Having been a Based upon what Lilga said, it’s clear that the captain for his sports relationship between the two goes far beyond teams in high school, strategy and approach. and also because of “I found brothers overseas. People I went his standing as an through a lot with, people that I still talk to “older” freshman at everyday. I’ll never forget any of them and I the age of 23, Lilga am thankful for that. We wouldn’t have gotten felt like it was right through all of that without each other,” Lilga to try and assert said. “I think I’ve found the same thing here.” himself as a leader — 18 The Leader April 18, 2018 ‘Everything and anything is possible through hard work’ A profile of Phil Seymore, Fredonia’s head coach of men’s basketball DERECK ICE working exactly how I was working and became different point of view and work with a different Special to The Leader pro athletes.” group of athletes,” said Seymore. “Not only in “After seeing this and realizing this,” he basketball but baseball, volleyball etc. For me, I As you step foot inside Coach Phil Seymore’s continued, “I said to myself, ‘okay these two think it’s so important that students have mentors office, something that will immediately grab your athletes were hard working men with a focus and and outlets that constantly encourage them and attention is his large award from Canisius College a good head on their shoulders. So, hell, I can do guide them to pursue their dreams and goals.” that he received for earning all-conference and that too. Why not?’” Seymore recruited top performers at the all-region honors his senior basketball season. Following high school, he attended college level. You will see many basketball trophies and Independence Junior College. This helped him to “My recruiting experience was very interesting awards from his playing career prior to becoming get a scholarship to Canisius College. and fun for me. I got a chance to travel many a coach. You will immediately get a warm feeling Seymore played two seasons at Canisius (1980- places,” said Seymore. “I got a chance to see of basketball love when you are inside of his 81 and 1981-82) and was selected by the New York a lot of great basketball and see what exactly office, as well as seeing some pictures from Knicks in the 1982 NBA Draft. He later joined the distinguishes one player from the next. It really Mohammed Ali on the wall, as he was very Albany Patroons of the Continental Basketball is a joy when seeing the hard work of a group of interested in boxing for a good portion of his life. Association. During this time he played for guys competing for that one scholarship.” Seymore grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., where the legendary Head Coach Phil Jackson. Teaching the game of basketball and working everyday living was rough and rather hard. While Playing under Jackson helped him in with kids is his life passion. Being able to give there was a lot of violence surrounding the Bed understanding coaching and played a big part in back and work with hard-working athletes is Stuy area in which he grew up, Seymore found a helping him start his coaching career following what he loves to do. way to make basketball his way of enjoyment — a his playing career. “I absolutely love the game of basketball and way to not get caught up in any of the trouble “Playing under Phil Jackson helped me see the love teaching it to those who want to learn,” said that was around him. game from a different perspective and not only Seymore. “It helps me to see that at one point Basketball, and the desire to be a great see the court from a player perspective but how in my life that was me, I was that hard-working student-athlete, inspired him to take matters into to also think the game,” said Seymore. “I knew young male athlete, competitive, and had a dream his own hands and become something special. following my career I wanted to get into coaching, I wanted to fulfill. I just love seeing that fire, and “My interest and inspiration for the game especially considering I was good with recruiting sense of urgency, when it comes to someone really started when I was a young boy growing and how to get through to my players.” trying to fulfill their dreams.” up in Brooklyn. I really started taking basketball “I was blessed to coach for so many great Seymore has been working at SUNY Fredonia serious when I was a young, around 9 years programs, and not just head coach, but assist and for the past four years, and he has struggled a old,” he said. “Where I grew up at, it was a lot of get some great learning experience from some great deal while he has been coaching there. competition regarding basketball. Academics not great head coaches who I worked under. Really His win percentage is .255, which is very low so much, but definitely sports. Entering eighth great people,” he continued, “and had a great and inconsistent. His first year head coaching at grade, I really started to get in the gym and work feeling for the game. This was a really influential SUNY Fredonia, the team finished 6-19 and did on my craft and skill.” experience and it helped change and shape my not make the SUNYAC playoffs. His following Basketball was top priority for Seymore in life in a great direction.” year the team went 2-22, and they finished almost high school. He earned a bachelor of science degree in in last place in the entire league. Over his next “Going to high school, there was nothing else sociology with a minor in physical education two years he only made the playoffs one time in on my mind besides becoming a top prospect and from Canisius in 1989 and was inducted into the 2015, when the team finished with a 10-15 record. playing at the highest level possible in college,” he Canisius College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996. Despite the struggles he has faced to win, this said. “During this time, highlight tapes were not He was voted onto the Canisius All-Century up and coming year he has some talented players as big as they are right now, so a lot of recruiting Team in 2004. coming in to play for the program, and he is was done when coaches came to see you play or He coached 12 seasons at Providence College, looking forward to having a great year. at camps that you were invited to so you could get seven as women's head coach, five as men's “He is a great coach and definitely has some more exposure.” assistant coach. He also served as a men's great wisdom and knowledge towards the game,” “Looking back now, this was great for me,” assistant coach for three seasons at Richmond, said Ian Helps, a senior sports management major Seymour continued, “because I got a chance to and for seven seasons at Canisius. and former player under coach Seymour. play against the top prospects and in front of the All three seasons at Richmond, and five at “Coach Seymore is a great person with good highest level coaching. Really [it] was amazing.” Canisius, were spent on the staff of Head Coach feel for the game. His basketball IQ is rather Much of his early inspiration was found in John Beilein, the current head coach at the impressive, but we have had our struggles over basketball and top pro athletes. His high school University of Michigan. the past couple years winning and becoming a coach took a deep interest in him and showed Seymore also coached boys basketball at powerhouse program. I can say only good things him that hard work and focusing on goals can Turner-Carroll High School in Buffalo for four about him … ” said Adam LaQuier, Seymore’s really make a big difference in everything. seasons after spending one season as a graduate assistant coach. “My high school coach, [Terry Jones], was assistant at Canisius under his college coach, Nick As for Seymore, he believes a strong work a perfectionist, and it rubbed off on me,” said Macarchuk. ethic can lead to great things. Seymour. “A lot of experiences that came after He has served as associate director of athletics “Everything and anything is possible through high school, Coach Jones really played a big part at the College of New Rochelle, an NCAA hard work,” said Seymore. “The little things do in making sure I was at the top of my game. Many Division III school in New Rochelle, N.Y. matter, and always remember to pay attention to of the pros I watched, such as Vince Carter and “This was a really good experience for the fact detail.” Magic Johnson, started exactly how I started, that it gave me a chance to see basketball from a fredonialeader.org The Leader 19 ‘Softball became my entire life. It was able to get me through the toughest times in life’ A profile of Eva FitzSimmons, freshman softball player

CASSIDY HERMAN “Eva is so energetic and encouraging. She and has worked out well for her so far. Special to The Leader always pushes you to do the best that you can. FitzSimmons success comes along with a She’s the first person to tell you that you did a healthy support system. Eva FitzSimmons, a freshman from good job or try to cheer you up,” said Sydney “My dad is the biggest influence I have in Rochester, N.Y., has begun her first softball Merkley, freshman outfielder for Fredonia. my life. He supports me in everything I do, season at SUNY Fredonia. During the fall season, FitzSimmons was especially softball,” she said. “My dad was FitzSimmons came to Fredonia with 15 years successful on the field as a catcher. always proud of me; he made it very obvious of softball experience under her belt. After 15 years of softball, she had found her that he was.” Throughout her 15 years, she played place on the team behind the plate. She shared that her parents’ divorce at a shortstop, third and first base. Never once did She helped her team win by blocking balls young age taught her to keep pushing to achieve she catch in those in the dirt, what you want. 15 years. gunning girls “My parents rekindled their love after all of Her experience out at second those years. They never gave up on each other on the field led and being a key and I couldn’t be more grateful that they were her to believe that “‘[Eva] has a good head on her communicator able to work everything out,” she said. “Their she was capable shoulders and you can really on and off the time apart showed me that you really have to of playing any field. keep fighting to improve yourself as a person position if she tell that she cares about her “I was a but still fight for the people or things you love tried hard enough. teammates. She also really catcher for my and care about.” When she entire life. I Her parents’ decision to split made her arrived at Fredonia, cares about learning the started when slightly scared to invest herself solely in the positions that I was 6, and I another human. She worried about getting into she had played game,’ said Tony Ciccarello, caught until relationships or friendships. for so long had head softball coach.” I graduated “I worry about putting that much trust and been filled by from Fredonia reliability into someone because people could upperclassmen. last year,” said walk out at any moment, and that scares me She realized Madison Stavish, way too much,” FitzSimmons said. that she probably a Fredonia Instead of investing all of her love and wouldn’t win those spots over. softball alumna. “I have never seen a person passion into someone that could leave, she FitzSimmons decided that she would have to catch on to a position as fast as Eva did. She turned to softball. She figured that she could find a position elsewhere on the team. Being the really is a great learning catcher, and she will always turn to softball on a bad day. Softball outgoing person she is, FitzSimmons stepped definitely see a lot of playing time this year.” could never leave her, and that gave her the up and decided to help the team out by learning FitzSimmons recalled a time where she was drive to accomplish all of her goals. the catching position. Since that position playing third base, when a rocket of a grounder “One of my biggest goals in life was to play had been filled by two senior catchers that was hit at her. She said she didn’t know why, softball on a college team,” said FitzSimmons. graduated the year before, the spot had been but for some reason she dropped to her knees “Softball became my entire life. It was able to get left wide open. to the catching position. me through the toughest times in life. Whatever She decided to buy a catchers mitt and Her coach called out to her and said, “Hey, if ups and downs came my way, I always had practice on her off days. She picked up the you want to block a ball like that, I’ll put some softball. So playing softball in college was very techniques and caught on quickly. shin guards on you and put you behind the important to me.” Tony Ciccarello, head softball coach for plate.” Fredonia, said that FitzSimmons is an all- Eva remembered laughing it off and thinking, around great player and an even better person. “Yeah, right, I will never catch.” “She has a good head on her shoulders and Even though FitzSimmons was perfectly you can really tell that she cares about her happy playing her normal positions, being a teammates. She also really cares about learning catcher remained a thought in the back of her the game,” he said. mind. Obviously, that thought came to fruition THE SCALLION

20 The Leader April 18, 2018

SCALLION THE THE SCALLIONMelissa Neuburger/Special to The Leader

Profile: Tin man of notorious ‘Three Man Hill’ statue speaks out The exclusive sculpture tell all

PATRICK BENNETT internet happened, that kind of disappeared,” Staff Scallywag Conrad recalled. After the release of his autobiography, Conrad One third of the members of the iconic tin instantly became a New York Times bestselling men statue, situated on the incline between author. However, since Conrad is immobile, being the Rockefeller Arts Center and the woodlot permanently situated on the hilltop, he wasn’t near Ring Road, has recently released an able to sign autographs for fans. autobiography recalling prime events and When the sculpture gets a chance, Conrad encounters in his life. The tin man, Warren enjoys a variety of different hobbies including Conrad, delivered the autobiographical prose in staring into the distance for long periods of time, shades of unimaginable emotion. watching students trip and fall on their way to The autobiography entitled “I’ve Been Thompson hall and re-watching episodes of the Standing On Top of This Hill For A While, Could MTV hit show “The Hills.” I Get a Chair?” opens with what it means to be a Fashion statements are made by Conrad on sculpture on a college campus in the 21st century. the daily. Various scarves of assorted colors are Over the course of the book, many feelings are donned by the statue depending on the weather. expressed. Loneliness, in particular, was a feeling For instance, if it’s cold out, Conrad wears Conrad often had to endure. a warm sweater. When the weather is warm, “PeopleSCALLION would sit beneath me and do THE Conrad will wear a cute romper with a floral homework, look at the sunset and as time went design. by, send snapchats to their significant others. I No one knows what the statue will do or wish I could have that. I wish I could photobomb become in the next couple of years. What’s for their pictures even more, though. People used to sure is that the statue will not move because it have a lot of sex underneath me, too. After the cannot walk.

“When the sculpture gets a chance, Conrad enjoys a variety of different hobbies including staring into the distance for long periods of time, watching students trip and fall on their way to Thompson hall and re-watching episodes of the MTV hit show ‘The Hills.’” fredonialeader.org The Leader 21 ‘It hasn’t always been lemon squeezy for this buck’ A profile of that squirrel always seen outside of University Commons

JACLYN SPIEZIA says that he mostly enjoys chilling outside Staff Scallywag University Commons. One day, when he finds a mate, Twitchy does aspire to travel to other Twitchy Squirrel is about 6 in human trees off campus. years, which in squirrel years is equivalent to As for personality, Twitchy is quite the age 30. But unlike 30-year-old homosapeins, character. Amongst other squirrels he is well he isn’t going through a mid-life crisis. known for his quick, agile movements, which Twitchy is totally unique from other is how he earned the nickname, “Twitchy.” squirrels as his fur is chestnut colored and is However, he has also recently began to put mixed with tinges of dark brown, and his tail, on some weight what with all the disgusting which is medium length, is dark brown with leftovers from Cranston that he finds in the tinges of black fur. Even though he is cute dumpster. He hopes that in the summer he and fluffy, he still has not found the one he will work it off. can give his nuts to. He noted that his favorite game is “don’t However, Twitchy is not worried in the become roadkill,” where he and his squirrel slightest, since he says that he is hoping for friends stay in the middle of the road while about four more human years, and currently cars are coming, and then move at the last enjoys being a bachelor. He has previously possible second. been seen with a beautiful doe named Sandy, Twitchy’s only regret is that he used to but there is a rumor that she has moved to assume all humans were out to get him, ever Bikini Bottom, or something like that. since one college kid tried to shoot him with It hasn’t always been lemon squeezy for a BB gun. Now, if a human does see Twitchy, this buck. He has recently admitted to having he doesn’t immediately scurry up a tree, but experienced seasonal depression, especially he has admitted that doesn’t think he will when nuts are hard to find. In fact, when ever be into humans petting him. he was just a kit he once got angry with his parents and scurried away to a spot near LoGrasso. Being at LoGrasso helped him to deal with his depression. Twitchy would’ve “He noted that his favorite stayed there, but another squirrel came along and marked it as his territory, so he decided to go back home to his family. game is ‘don’t become Originally from a tree next to Jewett, Twitchy has just recently branched out away roadkill,’ where he and his from his family, now that he is an adult. He has described his move as instinctual, and he squirrel friends stay in the middle of the road while cars are coming, and then move at the last possible second.” 22 The Leader April 18, 2018

A profile of that one guy panicking in the back of the library

MORGAN HENDERSON “She tells me to get a job all the time, but, brand-new used couch. Staff Scallywag like, is being the best Runescape player of all “Now if my online girlfriend ever comes to time not a job?” Ball asked. visit, she’s not going to be impressed,” Ball Chad Ball sits alone in the back corner He also can’t find a way to focus while a said. of the library. Every day. Hands running professor who cannot be named still works The biggest issue for Ball right now is his through his frizzy curls with a look of at SUNY Fredonia. group project. None of his group members frustration on his face. “He’s just so ugly it keeps me up at will answer his messages. His troubles don’t end in the library, night,” Ball said. “If he would just pluck the “I’m never going to get this project done if though. Right now he’s in the middle of a unibrow, I might be able to stop thinking they don’t start answering me,” Ball said. three-day-long argument with his Runescape about him and stop failing calculus every Group member Alyssa Snow said, “I girlfriend. semester,” he continued. would rather do more work than talk to him “She’s mad I can’t pay for her membership On top of his online girlfriend being and I think the rest of us would agree.” right now,” Ball said. mad at him and Professor Unibrow existing, Next time you see him in the library His girlfriend, Lo0oveKitty22, said, “Every he ruined his brand-new used couch. Ball tearing up a little, before you point and other Runescape girlfriend doesn’t have to reportedly stepped on a Lego and knocked laugh, remember that even his group project pay for their membership.” his hookah over and into the couch. The members are ghosting him. coals burned three holes right through the

“‘. . . if my online girlfriend ever comes to visit, she’s not going to be impressed’” fredonialeader.org The Leader 23

Profile: Your geology professor who dreams of the stage

ALBERTO GONZALEZ not dislike geology more, but still he puts on a Staff Scallywag performance telling students, “Of quartz I love geology. It rocks.” Professor Dreary has now been teaching He increasingly finds himself getting lost in geology at Fredonia for the last 20 years, or how geology, the shimmers of light bouncing off the he remembers it, the number of years since many angles of the calcite he keeps on his desk. he could have had a child with his ex-wife, but He manipulates his in-class example of perfect declined the opportunity. three dimensional cleavage so the sunlight Back then, his wife had really wanted a child, pouring in from the gap between his always- and he was taken aback when she later decided drawn blinds creates spots of lights that dance to divorce him and find a better man. He didn’t across his room in all directions. He imagines really miss her, but rather the opportunity to they are cameras going off as he arrives at the force a child into acting so that he could live premiere of another of his films. vicariously through the child. He feels like all of his lying about how much Dreary had never wanted to be a geology he loves his job has really done some good for teacher, and he still doesn’t. Even so, he makes his students in the long run, though, and he a big spectacle on syllabus day when students hopes to one day be recognized for his great always neglect to ask him about his life story. service to them. Though he always accidentally He responds to this by monologuing the story insults geology, they always think he’s joking. It of his life anyway, starting with the moment his helps foster their love for geology, even when parents conceived him outside of a KFC/Taco he suggests they quit doing it because it’s not a Bell combo in a parked car. practical career, unlike acting. Ever since the age of 6 when Dreary first In fact, it seems that his students really do saw the musical Grease, he knew he wanted to love him, as they call him “airhead,” which he have an onstage presence like John Travolta’s thinks is in reference to the fact that he claims onscreen crush, Olivia Newton-John. Dreary to love the element Oxygen. knows that he was born to be an actor, but How could he ever leave this position? He after he got offered a position to teach at wonders as he waits for his Tinder date to meet Drab, he realized he needed the money and him in a parked car outside Taco Bell. He hopes immediately accepted. He just couldn’t get up of convincing his date to conceive a child with the courage to leave and pursue his real dream him, as he feels that teaching, though it has of acting. However, Dreary sees his job as one obviously done his students a service, has not of his great acting accomplishments. He could really done him one.

“Dreary had never wanted to be a geology teacher, and he still doesn’t. Even so, he makes a big spectacle on syllabus day when students always neglect to ask him about his life story.” 24 The Leader April 18, 2018

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