From Concerts to Coronavirus Vaccines

Vol. 121, No. 20 Thursday, March 18, 2021

Photo courtesy of Mark Selders Design by Ben McClary Bryce Jordan Center celebrates 25 year anniversary amid pandemic By Ava Leone everyone together in 2021. built. When Karosas started, the in some of the bigger talent they The Daily Collegian With the onset of the coronavi- venue was still only a giant hole in have or just working with the ex- rus pandemic, the facility had to the ground with huge steel beams ecutive team as they plan out the Nestled between the central change its plans — which it made sticking up toward the sky. year, it’s definitely a highlight for Pennsylvania mountains in Hap- over two years in advance, Bean Karosas started as a market- me.” py Valley is an over 15,000-seat said. ing assistant at the BJC after he Stout also reflected on some of venue hours away from a major Phil Stout, the BJC’s assistant graduated from Penn State in May the live music concerts held at the metropolitan city. The building general manager expects that 1995 with a degree in exercise and BJC, especially the ones he said hosts top-notch sporting events once the pandemic ends, artists sports medicine. most affected him. and concerts with big names like will be clamoring to perform at Excited to combine his love of He witnessed Paul McCartney Bruce Springsteen, Jay Z, the the facility and enchant audienc- sports with his passion for mu- playing hit after hit on the main- Jonas Brothers and more. es once again, bringing a huge sic, Karosas eventually worked stage, Jay-Z rehearsing “Empire The Bryce Jordan Center has amount of traffic to the State his way up to the general man- State of Mind” for 40 minutes been hosting crowds of screaming College area. ager position five years ago — his straight until he perfected his fans for 25 years as of Jan. 6. Bean also said she is constantly dream job. delivery, and the Grateful Dead “It’s more the feeling that you working with agents and clients so One of Karosas’ favorite BJC reunion hosted for President would get — I would get — during the BJC can move memories is Operation Salute, a Obama’s first election. each event. There’s “I have a unique forward immedi- 2006 event that honored soldiers Even in a huge arena, the ener- so much electric- ately whenever it coming home from Iraq. The gy from the fans creates such inti- ity inside the build- perspective where I can host live perfor- celebration became the largest mate moments between perform- ing,” Kate Bean, the get to be backstage mances again. mobilization of the Pennsylva- ers and audience members that BJC’s director of and see a lot of the “Everyone’s fin- nia National Guard in its history, acts like Bruce Springsteen leave marketing and pub- things that go into gers [are] crossed according to Karosas. the stage and tell their entourage, lic relations said. putting that — my toes as well For the event, the BJC secured “This is one of the top five shows “Unlike [a] fan, I electricity into the — that before 2021 The Beach Boys and “Sesame I’ve ever played,” according to have a unique per- building. And it’s is over, we have Street Live” for performances, in- Karosas. spective where I a return to live vited several local hot dog vendors The BJC’s spell kept Stout in get to be backstage contagious — you events,” Bean said. to peddle their wares, and part- State College for much longer and see a lot of the just want more.” than he expected, but working “And by that point, nered with Tastykake to provide things that go into with A-list shows and sporting Kate Bean we’ll be able to cel- food for members of the Pennsyl- putting that elec- BJC director of marketing & events in his backyard was a gift ebrate in person vania National Guard and their tricity into the build- public relations he could not pass up. with what I am families, according to Karosas. ing. And it’s conta- “I thought I’d be able to work, sure will be multiple sold-out Karosas said he still keeps in gious — you just want more.” get some experience, and move shows and screaming fans. That contact with the men and wom- Bean said the BJC was plan- on,” Stout said. “But as a Penn return to normalcy will make the en of the Pennsylvania National ning to celebrate its 25th anni- State grad interning here and celebration that much sweeter.” Guard from the event. versary with a full week of live working here part-time, you fall in Throughout the past 25 years, He said he also cherishes help- concerts and events every single love — obviously with the univer- the BJC has hosted several ing Penn State students host day, but the third-largest building sity — and next thing you know, memorable events. Almost no THON every year. in Pennsylvania decided to extend you’re starting a family, buying one would know better than Al “Seeing what Penn State stu- its celebration from Jan. 6 — the the house and you’re ingrained in Karosas, the general manager of dents do collectively for the good actual anniversary — throughout the community.” the BJC, who has been working is just amazing,” Karosas said. the year with the hope it can host at the facility since before it was “Whether it’s helping them bring See BJC, Page 2. From concerts to coronavirus vaccines By Paul Sabini the vaccine location will first two days at the BJC, The Daily Collegian be able to expand to more with “everything working groups if everyone eligible exactly the way it was de- The Bryce Jordan Cen- is scheduled to receive the signed.” ter at Penn State is once first dose by Mar. 31 Currently, CVIM is again a hub of activity. Wright said CVIM is the staffed daily with any- But instead of host- first local dose provider where from 30-50 volun- ing basketball games or to the general public, and teers — each of whom are THON, the BJC began after initially setting up a either physicians, regis- serving as a major corona- base in nearby Mount Nit- tered nurses or pharma- virus vaccination location tany High School, moved cists, and all are certified for the State College com- to the BJC upon approval to administer the vaccine, munity Monday, March 15. from Penn State officials. according to Wright. Centre Volunteers in The BJC presents a “lo- “Each week we expect to Medicine set up a base in gistically ideal location,” receive one tray of the Pfiz- the BJC that currently pro- according to Wright. It’s er vaccine, which is around vides Pfizer injections to important for the schedul- 1,100 doses,” Wright said. Pennsylvanians who are ing system to be stream- For a company that re- eligible under Gov. Tom Ernesto Estremera Jr./For the Collegian lined, so access to the Dr. Mark Stephens prepares a dose of the coronavirus vaccine on ceives little outside fund- Wolf’s vaccine rollout plan. website and appointments Monday, March 15 at the Bryce Jordan Center. ing and is supported by the Under current Pennsyl- are accessible to anyone work of volunteers, Wright vania vaccination guide- looking to be vaccinated, by email or phone call and system works well. said CVIM has been able to lines, health care person- Wright said. will be scheduled for the Meg Haniver of Lemont operate at an “astounding” nel, persons 65 or older, When scheduling an ap- vaccine based on the date said there was an ease to pace. long-term care facilities pointment for a vaccina- they signed up, according setting up an appointment. The nonprofit will contin- and persons aged 16 or old- tion through CVIM, a per- to Wright. This way the po- “All I did was click a ue to operate in the State er with preexisting condi- son just has to schedule a tential scheduling errors few buttons, and I had College area until further tions are a part of phase 1A date and time that works are removed, leading to a two appointments set up notice and appointments of the vaccine rollout. for them for the day of the “clean and clear system,” [for] three weeks apart,” for vaccines can be made However, according to first and second dosage. Wright said. Haniver said. here. Monica Wright, director Individuals who are Local residents who According to Wright, of development for Centre placed on CVIM’s waiting were vaccinated at the CVIM administered over To email reporter: [email protected]. Volunteers in Medicine, list will be contacted either BJC said the CVIM 1,100 vaccine doses in the Follow him on Twitter at @PaulSabini1. Page 2 | Thursday, March 18, 2021 LOCAL The Daily Collegian Seniors react to in-person graduation

By Olivia Estright said she was “super upset” to The Daily Collegian see the university’s plans for commencement. The day is nearly here for Penn “I actually cried,” Karimushan State’s class of 2021 graduates (senior-communication sciences to receive their diplomas — and and disorders) said. “I wanted to many expressed excitement for have an in-person graduation, but the chance to celebrate in person. this is just not really how I wanted Penn State announced Wednes- to have it.” day its plans to host a series of Karimushan said she has been in-person commencement cer- “dreaming of having that same emonies in Beaver Stadium the experience of [her] own” after at- weekend of May 7-9. tending her brother’s Penn State Each senior will only receive graduation a few years ago. two tickets for guests to encour- “Seeing that we could only age social distancing. have two people go and that they Student D.J. Krausz said when weren’t even going to announce he and his roommate first read our names was kind of just a slap the email from President Eric in the face after all we’ve been Barron, they were both “pretty through,” Karimushan said. excited.” According to the announce- “It’s going to be interesting,” ment, students must remain seat- Krausz (senior-psychology) said. ed during the commencement to “I’d imagine it’ll all look a little mitigate the spread of the coro- Lily LaRegina/Collegian weird.” navirus and names of graduating Although seniors are only giv- seniors will not be called. Seniors had mixed opinions about Penn State’s decision to hold an in-person graduation. en two tickets, Krausz said they Students are allowed to sit in and we should’ve had a little more seemed to be insinuating that Holderman (senior-theatre) said. shouldn’t take the opportunity to pods with their two guests, ac- input in the decision.” you’d be sitting down, watching “ My automatic assumption for have guests for granted. cording to Barron’s email. Kari- Osamu Onizuka said he’s grate- your name flash on the screen graduation was that it would be “I’m glad that my parents are mushan said that aspect is “unful to have some sort of in-person instead of walking.” virtual.” going to be able to be there, so I’ll derstandable,” and she knows ceremony for his graduation. Although Woods said she ap- Holderman said she was look- be able to experience that with the university still has to obey “I was happy in a way — last preciated the university’s strat- ing forward to watching her them,” Krausz said. “I’m glad coronavirus protocols. year’s seniors didn’t even get [an egy, she also questioned what the name “pop up on the screen” that others will be able to share “I know they put a lot of hard in-person commencement op- point of it was. accompanied with a small the experience with their parents work into planning it, and I know tion], but with the health crisis “It just didn’t make any sense celebration. or loved ones, too.” that it’s better than what the class and constant delays, we were at because why would we go if it “I had been telling myself, ‘It However, some students of 2020 got,” Karimushan said. “I risk of not even having a senior would be the same thing as if we is what it is, just accept it,’” Hold- weren’t satisfied with Penn still think there was more they year,” Onizuka (senior-biochem- were just watching it at home?” erman said. “Everyone else is State’s decision. After receiving could’ve done. They just didn’t istry and molecular biology) said. Woods said. probably in the the news, Aneesa Karimushan have our best interests in mind, “We have had a partial senior Woods said “Seeing that we same boat as me.” year, so now at least we can end she hopes that in could only have two For any stu- on a good note.” the future when dent who doesn’t Onizuka said he wasn’t disap- “some sort of nor- people go and that feel comfortable pointed with the amount of tick- malcy returns,” they weren’t even with an in-person ets students were given because the university will event and wishes his family is not very large. He be able to “reeval- going to announce to attend virtual- said this isn’t the end of his Penn uate its approach” our names was kind ly, the university State experience, either. to events like plans to hold the “Just keep in mind that we can commencement. of just a slap in the ceremony on May still come back and visit,” Onizu- “I’m not sure face after all we’ve 9 at 6 p.m. ka said. “For now, though, we’ve if there is a right “I think it’s got to do what we’ve got to do.” answer for what been through.” great that they After initially meeting her close they’re doing, Aneesa Karimushan are offering the group of friends one year ago, but that’s how I Senior-Communication sciences option to do virtu- Erin Woods said she was “re- interpreted it,” and disorders al graduation, es- ally excited at first” when she Woods said. “I pecially for those received Barron’s email. was just a little who are immuno- “We’ve all taken this journey disappointed.” compromised or have underlying together, and now we can finish However, Emma Holder- health problems,” Holderman it,” Woods (senior-genetics and man said she was still “re- said. developmental biology) said. ally excited” to hear about the “It’s just exciting to see that Woods said her initial reaction commencement plan. the world is slowly but surely faded slightly after continuing to “After the horrific year we had, getting better.” Lindsey Toomer/Collegian read the email. I was expecting to have virtual Graduating seniors will be able to bring two guests into Beaver Stadium “The email said more details graduation. [My friends and I] To email reporter: [email protected]. for an in-person commencement the weekend of May 7-9. to come,” Woods said, “but it have even discussed it before,” Follow her on Twitter at @OliviaEstright.

marketing intern at the BJC in 2014 and BJC stayed on with the staff as a marketing FROM Page 1. assistant until she graduated with a degree in public relations in 2016. Since Karosas and Stout both enjoy sharing her supervisors allowed her to be hands- the BJC with student interns interested on with the artists and the tours that in getting a foot in the live events industry. came through the BJC, she made many Past interns like Rachel Inglesino used connections within the live events their experience at the BJC to jumpstart industry. their careers. Inglesino graduated in She actually met her current employer, 2019 with a degree in recreation, park and Vector Management — an artist manage- tourism management. ment industry — backstage at a country While working as a marketing specialist concert in the BJC when she was still a at the BJC, Inglesino received the oppor- college student. tunity to connect with the Jonas Brothers “I think that artists genuinely love to when the band visited Penn State for its perform there, because there’s such a notorious performance at Champs Down- high energy,” Grabowski said. “It’s almost town bar in April 2019. She helped pitch like a magical kind of environment… The the idea — alongside Bean, her supervisor venue is gorgeous and I think all of the peo- — for the band to come back and perform ple that work at the BJC are so passionate. at the BJC. They do a great job with marketing their Flash forward to September 2019, the shows and making sure that it feels like Jonas Brothers not only performed at the home when [people] come through Happy BJC, they came with Inglesino as a part Valley.” of their entourage working as Joe Jonas’ Even though live events at the BJC have personal assistant. come to an end for the time being, Karosas Inglesino now works directly under Kev- said the facility still gives back to the com- in Jonas Sr. as an artist manager for devel- munity by transforming into a classroom oping talent with Jonas Group Entertain- for students during the week, by becoming ment, which she attributes to her position a coronavirus testing area, and by turn- at the BJC when she was a student. ing into an early voting location for State “The whole reason why I decided to take College residents and a polling place for on this career path is because I know how students on Election Day. much going to live concerts and events af- “We’re finding these little ways to give fected my life,” Inglesino said. “I wanted back and be a resource to our community to reciprocate that feeling and give people and to our university,” Karosas said. “And memories lasting a lifetime — so to be then, hopefully, when it’s time to get back able to get my start so early in life, to be a to having 12,000 people or 15,000 people small part of big moments was and always screaming at a last-second three-point will be a treasure that I’m very grateful for. shot by one of our teams or screaming for [It] kind of paved the way for me moving an encore — we’re preparing for that as forward.” well.” The BJC has served as a launchpad for several careers over the years. Em- To email reporter: [email protected]. ily Grabowski started as a sales and Follow her on Twitter at @AvaLeone5. The Daily Collegian local Thursday, March 18, 2021 | Page 3 Comedy clubs foster Puzzles sense of community By Joshua Chu The Daily Collegian

On March 27, 2019, a conglom- eration of comedy groups on campus gathered in the Flex Theater at the HUB-Robeson Center to hold a comical bonanza — Com- edy Late Night, a celebration of the different comedy organizations at Penn State. Present at Comedy Late Night were Derby: A Women’s Comedy Troupe, Full Ammo Improv, Sec- ond Floor-Stand Up, Phroth and The Nittany Wits. While the show was open to the public, the night belonged to the performers themselves, giving them a chance to celebrate comedy and make their comedian peers laugh.g Kaitlyn Gaus, a member of multiple comedy groups on campus, said comedians that night “could do just about anything.” “Me and my friend Ayana did a bit where we were doing a live advertisement for the Catholic church, because we both grew Josie Chen/Collegian file photo up Catholic,” Gaus (senior-tele- Torin Cronin (junior-film) performs her set during Derby and Second communications and political sci- Floor Stand-Up’s comedy show at the HUB-Robeson Center lawn. ence) said. “We both decided to say, ‘Let’s exploit this!’” says. We’re just one big family.” the groups helps creatively in Little did Gaus and other par- All the groups congregate at different ways as well. ticipants know that 2019 would be the comedy house, a residence “You can think of an idea for the last year Comedy Late Night where a collection of comedi- one club and realize it works bet- would be held in person — the ans from every group live un- ter for a different one,” Gaus said. coronavirus would force the next der one roof. Members from all “Sometimes, I can think of a set two years of the event online. five groups live there, including idea for Second Floor but realize © Pappocom The clubs present that night Hobbs and Hatfield. it works better for a Derby show.” are still staples of the Penn State “Actually, Ryan [Hatfield] is Spending so much time with comedy scene, and they range just upstairs,” Hobbs said. “I can each other allows the comedi- widely in terms of style and hear him when he games at night ans to constantly test out new content. and he yells at the screen. It’s material as well. Second Floor, for instance, is very fun.” “Even when we’re not doing a club that focuses primarily on Hobbs described the house as practice or just talking in a group stand-up comedy, while Phroth a “piece of Penn State comedy of people, you’re constantly do- is a satire publication that spoofs history” and said the existence of ing bits, jokes, acting out comedy school newspapers such as The the house was a natural culmina- routines,” Hatfield said. “I think Daily Collegian. tion of the friendships that formed that’s just what’s so thrilling But while these groups differ between the different clubs. about being in the comedy com- wildly and often collaborate with “We spend so much time to- munity for me. I just get to be one another, many members gether, and then we become around so many funny people.” overlap in their friends and room- Hobbs admitted that, while the participation mates,” Hobbs three clubs she’s in often feel like in the various “I think people’s said. “This is “they overlap,” the experience groups. need to laugh and State College, may differ for those who are only Derby Presi- and finding an in one club. dent Rachael express apartment is re- Additionally, Hobbs said clubs Hobbs, for exam- themselves will ally hard, so it just like The Nittany Wits and Full ple, holds more worked out that Ammo Improv have an audition responsibilities always be greater process, which may impede the than just “presi- we offered people than what’s going sense of community as well. dent of Derby.” to live here. And it “I think there’s less room She’s also pro- on in the world.” just became the duction manager comedy house.” for collaboration when you’re a Kaitlyn Gaus for Phroth and Even for people team, because you have to fo- vice president of senior-telecommunications who don’t live in cus [just] on the team,” Hobbs Second Floor. the house, Hat- said, “versus Derby, Phroth and “We had a field said gath- Second Floor which are more meeting yes- erings — prior collaborative in nature.” terday [at Phroth] for people to to the coronavirus pandemic Due to the coronavirus pan- volunteer [for this interview],” — were common, with “comedy demic, collaboration between the Hobbs (senior-psychology) said. parties”every weekend. groups has lowered with the lack “Everybody in every club is in- of live shows, according to Gaus. WORD SEARCH “But no one volunteered, so I was © 2021 PuzzleJunction.com just like, ‘I could be a mouthpiece vited, and we get to mingle and “We’re all still friends, and we for everything!’” meet with other people who are all still collaborate, but it’s a bit This trend of membership in different clubs,” Hatfield said. more separate because we’re overlapping with different groups “I think all of comedy is a very so- filming now,” Gaus said. “We all is not unique to Hobbs. According cial thing. It involves a lot of feed- still feel a sense of community to Ryan Hatfield, vice president ing into each other’s energy.” watching and supporting each of Full Ammo, membership over- Hobbs said she feels as if the other. I know the people in the lap is common. closeness of the comedy groups comedy house will watch the “I don’t know anyone from on campus may be unique to shows together.” Full Ammo who isn’t part of an- Penn State. When visiting com- Even as the pandemic con- other [comedy] club,” Hatfield edy conferences that invite clubs tinues and activity in the group (graduate-creative writing) said. from universities across the Unit- falters somewhat, Gaus said the While this isn’t the case for all ed States, Hobbs noticed that oth- group is confident the community the clubs, most members of each er schools often did not have the will continue to thrive. group maintain contact with one same feeling of community she “Tour guides used to say to me, another. said she experiences here. ‘Once you find your niche in the Jimmy Lu, a member of Sec- “When we go to other schools school, it seems a lot smaller,’” ond Floor, said he still feels a for comedy conferences, the Gaus said. “I would say com- sense of community despite only clubs are so individual from edy is its own little niche. I think participating in one club. one another,” Hobbs said. “And people’s need to laugh and ex- “People will just be like, ‘We I could be wrong, but it always press themselves will always be have this improv night happen- seems they aren’t as close to each greater than what’s going on in ing and we’re gonna stay up til’ 1 other. They’ll live with people the world, so comedy isn’t going a.m.,’” Lu (senior-telecommuni- who aren’t in comedy, and we’re anywhere.” cations) said. “I like the sense of always like, that’s so strange.” community there, where we just Hobbs, Gaus, Lu and Hatfield To email reporter: [email protected]. kind of do whatever anyone else all said the closeness between Follow him on Twitter at @josh_chu74. you can’t sit with us

Lily LaRegina/Collegian Kaylie Withrow (senior-geography) and her dog Lola, Alyssa Lesher (senior-finance), and Leevi Placek (senior-earth sciences) enjoy the warm weather from Old Main lawn Tuesday, March 9. OPINIONMaddie Aiken David Tilli Sarah Andriano Page 4 Editor in Chief Opinion Page Editor Business Manager Thursday, March 18, 2021 PSU fumbles Blue-White

n a bout of ill-conceived and them to pay the bill. ill-considered strategic think- Next time seniors enter Bea- Iing devoid of both strategy OUR VIEW ver Stadium, it will be as either and thought, Penn State alumni or graduate students. declared that only freshmen can You can push back a first attend the famed Blue-White chance, but you can’t push back football scrimmage. Seniors should be given priority over a last chance. Freshmen have Seniors are barred from the rest of their collegiate attending the first display of the careers ahead of them. Seniors, new season while their last freshmen for the Blue-White game in contrast, only have a month semester draws near to official and a half before retirement closure. For sports-minded stu- Perhaps Penn State thought Freshmen deserved a better Maybe you’re more stingy beckons. dents, the decision appears that its allowance of in-person introduction to Penn State than with your hypotheticals and pre- And if Penn State wants to unsportsmanlike and nothing graduation ceremonies this year the one offered by Zoom, and fer not to count the scrimmage please both sides of the street, less than a slap to the face, — after the seniors of yester- they were denied the freshman as an actual Nittany Lions expe- it could open the stadium to leaving them reddish rather year understandably had this experience in all its awkward rience. Even in this case, fresh- freshmen and seniors alike for than blue and white. festivity denied to them — satis- haphazard glory. But the solu- men are still left with three the scrimmage. After all, the Though we imagine a fair fied the obligation owed to the tion to this unfortunate circum- years of Beaver Stadium third-most populous city in number of students were also class of 2021. Maybe it rightfully stance is not the denial of brouhaha. Pennsylvania can surely left simply blue by this concluded that first-year stu- another timeless tradition to the How many years of football accommodate such a crowd. announcement. dents were dealt a Mulligan- departing class. fun can the class of 2021 claim? It’s not too late for Penn State To add insult to injury, the worthy hand after they spent Consider the muddled mathe- Also three. But the key differ- to remove all salt from the university is referring to the thousands of dollars only to matics of the situation and its ence lies here: whereas the wounds torn open by its pro- game not as the Blue-White stare at computer screens. shoddiness becomes ever more freshmen can look forward to nouncement. Seniors already match but as the vaguer “final No matter the reasoning or apparent. If first-year students another three years of Nittany lost so much amid the pandemic practice of the spring” — rationale, however, the decision attend this final practice of the Lion rampage, seniors will soon and are slated to enter an despite the game having all the is neither reasonable nor ratio- spring and are able to attend in- lose the ability to attend football equally sick economy. trappings of the traditional in- nal. Penn State’s obligation to person football games next fall, matches as undergraduates. The university should at least house match-off, and resem- both first-year and final-year they would technically have the Their time is up. grant the visceral pleasure of bling it in everything but name students is not met by this ability to attend Nittany Lion Penn State is showing them football before seniors are only. scrimmage screwup. games all four years. the door, but not before asking tackled by the job market.

Cartoons by Kaleigh Quinnan

MY VIEW | Jeremiah Hassel My journey with bisexuality “Faggot.” “Cocksucker.” mirrored the kernels of a I resolved then to hide my “Femboy.” “Abomination.” Gay. neglected ear of corn: delicious feelings and my pubescent The list of names I’ve been when ripe but quick to harden, “I wasn’t attracted curiosity from my family at all called since com- rot and flake off. to or passionate costs, lest I be scolded, ing out as bisex- By my fourth grade year, I shunned or worse: abandoned. ual in June 2020 was teased and bullied nearly about girls like During middle school, I doesn’t stop daily for being too feminine, too the other boys in relentlessly dug deep within there — nor did weird, too annoying to fit into my class were. I myself and attempted to alter Scan the QR code to download it stop when I my school’s social circles. what I thought was but a sim- Spotlight, the official Daily Col- went public with When I told my teachers was obsessed with ple mental barrier to social legian app for smartphones. my sexual identi- about my struggles, their solu- men.” normality. All thoughts of being ty either. tion was to attempt to masculin- with men were forcibly sup- Hassel From a young ize me by placing me in groups Jeremiah Hassel pressed in my mind before age, I knew I was of athletic boys in my class, boys they could even become tangi- different from I had nothing in common with ble, and each of my increasing- my peers. and who certainly had nothing ly urgent bodily needs went Maybe it was the way I in common with me. made me feel the burning ignored and unsatiated. walked. Or the way I talked. Or Even my grandparents — passion of desire — it was men. I even resorted to religion, the way I dressed. I just knew I then and now my caretakers — I quickly realized it was this the only weapon I thought stood out to them like a sore noticed my un-boyish behavior that set me apart from my male strong enough to aid me in the Collegian Inc., 115 Carnegie Building, thumb — or perhaps a rainbow and enrolled me in the local lit- peers and resulted in me being war raging inside myself. University Park, PA. 16802 ©2021 Collegian Inc. of color in a sea of dull gray. tle league baseball team — shunned by the girls. I was a Day and night, I attempted My differences became evi- whether to also attempt to instill boy — soon to be a man — in to “pray the gay away,” but to every physical way, but I wasn’t Board of Editors dent to me when other children in me a sense of masculinity little avail. Much to my cha- Editor in Chief attracted to or passionate about at the preschool I attended in and male toughness or to help grin, I realized that even divine Maddie Aiken girls like the other boys in my suburban San Diego, California, me make new friends I knew intervention could not “help” Editor in Chief Elect would forsake my company in not. class were. I was obsessed with me: My homosexuality seemed men. Jade Campos favor of each other, already I would grudgingly participate to be an immortal, malignant Managing Editor in the sport for six, nigh on But I couldn’t possibly be gay, tumor infecting each and every forming cliques and inciting Lindsey Toomer drama at such an seven grueling years, never could I? one of my thoughts. Digital Managing Editor innocent age. making a single lasting friend Growing up in a household of Thus, the preliminary years Shane Connelly When my family and I moved and crying almost weekly from religious relatives, I was always of my second decade of life to dreary Erie, Pennsylvania, I the torment it caused me. taught that sex before marriage became miserable and unful- News Editor knew my struggles would only Needless to say, I felt like a was a wicked abomination and filling — I was engaged in a Jade Campos, Megan Swift get worse. floundering fish without fins in a that being anything but straight fierce battle with an integral Sports Editor Many of the children in my sea of angry, hungry sharks was a sin comparable to none. aspect of my identity and was Andrew Destin kindergarten class had already during those years. I distinctly remember watch- inadvertently shattering the Andrew Porterfield known each other for several It wasn’t until the final year of ing a news broadcast with my chains that bound a beast Lifestyle Editor years before I entered the my elementary education that I family around the time I was capable of obliterating every Jeremiah Hassel picture. was introduced to the concepts transitioning to my middle fiber of my cognitive being — Becky Marcinko They quickly noticed differ- of puberty, adolescence and sex. school years. The ABC World anxiety. Opinion Editor ences in my mannerisms, I was told that very soon, I News clip showcased LGBT By my high school years, David Tilli speech patterns, thoughts and would start noticing the girls in marriages being performed out men — mean, nasty and indif- Photo Editor ideas. I wasn’t like the other my class and would begin to west and contained affirming ferent but awe-inspiring, mysti- Lily LaRegina boys, but I wasn’t like the girls want to form meaningful rela- remarks from then-President fying and oh-so-gorgeous men Multimedia Editor either. I was an outlier, a for- tionships with them. Eventually, Barack Obama on the — had begun to control my Ben McClary eigner and a stranger consid- I would become sexually attract- matter. deepest, darkest desires and To contact News Division: ered dangerous and unwelcome. ed to them and want to have “The Bible says marriage is fantasies. 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Advertising, circulation, accounting and classifieds Phone: 814-865-2531 | Fax: 814-865-3848 address and phone number for The Daily Collegian’s editorial students, faculty and profession- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays Thursday, March 18, 2021 SPORTS Page 5 THE LEE FAMILY TREE How the bond of Penn State brothers and wrestlers Nick and Joe Lee makes each better By Jake Aferiat just more so than a lot of his life, THE DAILY COLLEGIAN at just being a young kid and still being receptive,” Nick said. “I In brothers Nick and Joe think that having brothers in the Lee, Cael Sanderson has an room is special for anyone, just interesting dichotomy. because it’s your family and I The Hoosier think it does bring the team that WRESTLING State natives much closer.” are just the lat- That closeness that Sander- est pair of broth- son knows so well and the situ- ers to don Nittany Lion singlets, ation of the three Lee brothers something that is simultaneously that closely mimics Sanderson’s a rarity in the college athletics own collegiate experience, is landscape but a relative norm for one the 41-year-old feels will pay Penn State’s program over the dividends down the road. decades. Part of it is because of their The odds of becoming a Divi- innate talent, sure. sion I wrestler hover right around But there’s something more 1%. abstract and less quantifiable — The odds of becoming a Divi- a brother’s bond and relationship sion I wrestler at Penn State are — that Sanderson said gives both even slimmer — this most recent an edge. roster features just 35 wrestlers. Samantha Hendrzak/Collegian “They obviously grew up train- Obviously, not all 35 of those Nick Lee wrestles Iowa’s Jaydin Eierman during the Big Ten Wrestling Championship on March 7. Both he and ing together talking about their wrestlers will start with only 10 plans, their goals and everything collegiate weights in play, and so his brother, Joe, are key members of the Nittany Lions’ program. together,” Sanderson said. “I for two of those spots to be occu- think Nick’s probably a great big pied by brothers only increases the position to give advice to Joe He travels to St. Louis for the biggest deal for them, and it’s the brother just in that he leads by the scarcity of what Nick and Joe and youngest brother Matt. NCAA Tournament seeded No. 23 hardest thing to do as freshmen.” example and, as a result, they Lee have been able to do lately. Whether they choose to at 165 pounds and is set to take on That’s just some of the advice And yet, they’re far from the heed Nick’s advice and listen No. 10 seed All-American Travis Nick is prone to give, and he con- definitely feed off of each other.” first siblings to crack Penn State’s to it or not is ultimately their Wittlake from Oklahoma State. cedes anytime his brothers take For his sake, Sanderson’s as- lineup at the same time and likely prerogative. Though Joe has struggled at his advice it’s “a good day,” and sessment and premonition could won’t be the last members of a list But to Nick, a three-time All- times, one thing Nick has stressed Nick’s advice isn’t lost on Joe. prove correct when the NCAA that includes Big Ten champions, American and two-time Big Ten to him and the other freshmen on And as Joe will quickly admit, Tournament kicks off Thursday. All-Americans, NCAA champions runner-up at 141 pounds, there’s the team is that early struggles it’s not lost on the other members And Sanderson being Sander- and current college coaches. one adage, a cliché if you will, aren’t necessarily predictors or of this Penn State team, either. son and Penn State being Penn It’s a situation that Sanderson, about actions speaking louder indicative of what’s to come in the “I look up to my brother for just State, it’s hard to bet against who has three brothers — includ- than words that resonates more future. about everything. He’s got an an- them. ing two who competed with him than anything he could ever say There is one thread from his swer for just about everything. I But Nick and Joe Lee being at Iowa State — knows well. to his brothers. early days that Nick said is im- think he’s helped me a lot,” Joe brothers and so bonded togeth- It’s also one Sanderson said “I can give as much advice as portant to carry through for the said Feb. 22. “He always has good er makes it hard to bet against presents unique challenges. I can, but, at the end of the day, totality of one’s time competing stuff to say and good advice, so I them as well — Joe in particu- “Anytime you have brothers I think just having the actual ex- for Penn State. think most guys can agree he’s a lar as he looks for an improved on the same team, that’s a chal- perience out there is the best Coincidentally, it’s one of the good guy to turn to for just about performance after the Big Ten lenge for the individuals because way to get better at competing,” things Nick feels is also the hard- anything.” Tournament. they wrestle each match — they Nick said on Feb. 10. “As far as ad- est to grasp as a freshman. Joe’s willingness to heed his “I think Nick’s been important wrestle their brothers’ match,” vice I give those guys, I just tell “Whenever you look back, brother’s words and take them to help Joe bounce back after the Sanderson said. “Personally, I them to relax and keep things in those first matches in your fresh- under advisement also isn’t lost Big Ten Tournament,” Sanderson had two brothers on the team perspective.” man year are helpful, and they on Nick. said. “It’ll help Joe just believe in that wrestled before I did when I Joe is 6-5 so far as a freshman feel like a huge deal at the time. And it’s in that willingness by himself in knowing that he’s ca- was in college and it’s something and is one of nine NCAA quali- Then, looking back on the back Joe to listen, thus signifying the pable of going in there and doing you have to manage. You have to fiers for the Nittany Lions this end of the career, it was fun, it bond and relationship the broth- big things.” manage your emotions because season after finishing eighth wasn’t a huge deal,” Nick said. “It ers have, that perhaps rubs off on you want them to win so bad.” at 165 pounds at the Big Ten was a lot of fun. But telling those the whole team. To email reporter: [email protected]. Nick, the eldest Lee, is often in Tournament. guys to relax and have fun is the “Joe’s been really good, I think Follow him on Twitter at @Jake_Aferiat. Roster remix Transfer portal shakes up program By Evan Patrick off the bench as one of the top THE DAILY COLLEGIAN reserve players in the Big Ten all season long. He appears poised It looks like newly-hired head to take over the starting point coach Micah Shrewsberry will guard role next season if Wheeler have his work cut out for him eventually leaves the program. when he gets Dread was moved into the MEN’S to Happy starting lineup for Lundy midway Valley. through the season, and despite BASKETBALL Six Penn being just 6-foot-4, he played a State players majority of his minutes at the reportedly entered the NCAA four spot. Transfer Portal Tuesday, includ- The junior averaged 7.3 points ing four starters and its leaders per game on the year, and he is in points, assists, rebounds and in a position to start once again Rick Bowmer/AP steals. next season. Micah Shrewsberry coached for the Boston Celtics prior to his time at Purdue. He was hired to be Penn Seniors Jamari Wheeler, John Those two would have to carry State’s next men’s basketball head coach. Harrar and Trent Buttrick, who the team, as they are the only all have an extra year of eligibility, players not currently in the por- are looking to move elsewhere. tal that averaged over two points Junior guards Izaiah Brocking- per game last year. What will Shrewsberry provide Penn State? ton and Myreon Jones, along with Freshman big man Abdou sophomore forward Seth Lundy, Tsimbila was used situationally By Justin Morganstein noticeable. could not only help the program are the remaining players to as a backup behind Harrar and THE DAILY COLLEGIAN After his stint in the NBA, in the long term, but it also could reportedly be in the transfer Buttrick, and he’ll likely step into the assistant returned to his old set the standard for Pennsylvania portal. an expanded role in his second It appears Penn State has stomping grounds at Purdue for a recruits to seriously consider be- The Nittany Lions’ roster could season with the team. found its head coach of the fu- prominent role as the Boilermak- coming Nittany Lions. Outside of those three, the Nit- look like a shell of its former self ture, and it did so within the ers’ associate head coach. Another slight change up from tany Lions will be reliant on a ton come the start of next season if all Big Ten. With a complex offensive mind- of young, inexperienced talent to the previous regime Shewsberry six players end up transferring, The Nit- set paired with his extensive fill the potential void. MEN’S brings is an offensive mind. but that’s not a certainty. tany Lions background of the game, Shrews- While Ferry was brought in Freshmen Caleb Dorsey, DJ BASKETBALL have re- berry is someone who has been There is still the possibility as the offensive coordinator un- Gordon and Dallion Johnson all portedly sought after by multiple college that the aforementioned players der Chambers when he arrived, saw minutes during Penn State’s hired Purdue assistant coach programs after he was brought return to Penn State despite Shrewsberry was that guy for blowout loss to Purdue, and Micah Shrewsberry to take the back by Matt Painter’s staff last entering the transfer portal. they’ll likely be slotted into the Painter. There will also be plenty of op- permanent head coaching job, season. rotation if a majority of players Ferry didn’t really have a portunities for Shrewsberry and first reported by Stadium’s Jeff Penn State fans can expect in the portal end up taking their chance to see if his offensive his staff to bring in their own Goodman. Shrewsberry to bring with him a talents elsewhere. Shrewsberry, a 44-year-old new identity, one that differs from minded philosophy could work transfers. Redshirt freshman big Patrick from Indianapolis, is set to be- the Pat Chambers/Jim Ferry era in University Park long term, but With the 2020-21 season not Kelly also saw minimal time on come the full-time head man on multiple levels. Shrewsberry will be able to carry counting toward a player’s eli- the floor and could step into a and brings with him a storied First, he is the first head coach over that experiment — provided gibility, there will be an influx of role off the bench, as the Nittany basketball pedigree to State Penn State has hired that had not he can keep most of Penn State’s players available in the transfer Lions will be slim at the forward College. been a head coach at the Division current roster intact. portal in the same situation as spot. Wheeler, Harrar and Buttrick as For the incoming recruiting His Division I coaching days I level since Jerry Dunn in 1995. That will be his first big task, they look to grad transfer. class, there is currently only one began in his hometown, where But with that being said, as key contributors like Myreon But as of now — assuming player committed to the pro- he worked under Brad Stevens his prior knowledge of the Big Jones, Myles Dread and Izaiah all six decide to take their tal- gram, and that’s Elijah Hutchins- as an assistant at Butler. Ten comes with an interesting Brockington are set to be seniors ents elsewhere — this is what Everett, who initially decom- While he worked as a head perspective. next season while Jamari Wheel- the roster could look like for mitted when former coach Pat coach previously at NAIA In- It would be difficult to bring in er and John Harrar are eligible Shrewsberry next season. Chambers resigned prior to the diana University-South Bend, someone completely unfamiliar for one more year as fifth-year Sam Sessoms and Myles start of the season. Shrewsberry’s time at Butler to the conference, as it has been seniors. Dread are the only players that But Hutchins-Everett recently is what was able to advance the most talented in the country Shrewsberry could do some him, as he developed a close over the past two seasons. were consistently in the rota- recommitted, and he would pro- pretty creative things with that relationship with Stevens. Just this season, the Big Ten tion this past season who are not vide a huge boost to Penn State’s group, all of whom have specific currently in the transfer portal. The relationship grew so sent an NCAA-best nine pro- front court. aspects of their game that can be Sessoms played arguably his close that in 2013, Stevens grams to the NCAA Tournament. At 6-foot-10 and 210 pounds, improved with a new perspective best game of his Penn State ca- Hutchins-Everett is rated as a brought Shrewsberry on his Another added benefit of hir- at the helm. reer when the Nittany Lions lost 3-star recruit by the 247Sports staff with the Boston Celtics, ing Shrewsberry is his recruiting to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tour- composite rating. giving him his first whiff of ability, which has been a glaring But keeping those guys in nament, a game that resulted in The Nittany Lions struggled NBA air. issue at Penn State for decades. Happy Valley will be priority No. a one-point loss that ended their with their lack of size on the in- During his time in Boston, Shrewsberry has two verbal 1, as building the foundation of a season. terior all of last season, and the Shrewsberry quickly became 4-star commits ready to go to program can take years for any In that game, Sessoms put up New Jersey native would provide one of the more respected Purdue, including Jameel Brown coach in college basketball to 18 points on 7-for-11 shooting in just that. young coaches in basketball, of The Haverford School near achieve. just 16 minutes. as his role in developing future Philadelphia. The transfer from Bingham- To email reporter: [email protected]. stars such as Jayson Tatum If Shrewsberry can bring that To email reporter: [email protected]. ton averaged 8.2 points per game Follow him on Twitter at @evan7patrick. and Jaylen Brown became type of talent to Penn State, it Follow him on Twitter at @JmoTweets_. Page 6 | Thursday, March 18, 2021 Local The Daily Collegian Lipscomb looks to diversify council By Phoebe Cykosky When three officers arrived The Daily Collegian at Osagie’s apartment to serve a mental health warrant, Osa- In order to raise awareness gie allegedly ran at the officers for issues that align with the 3/20 with a knife. After an unsuccess- Coalition’s mission, Divine Lip- ful attempt to deploy a Taser on scomb — a 38-year-old formerly Osagie, he was allegedly shot by incarcerated Penn State student Officer M. Jordan Pieniazek. — decided to run for a seat on the Lipscomb said he is running for State College’s Borough Council. a State College Borough Council Throughout his childhood, Lip- seat as a part of the “Our Com- scomb endured abusive step par- munities Can’t Wait” campaign ents, molestation, and substance alongside two other candidates and drug abuse, but after his sec- for local positions. ond release from prison, he made The “Our Communities Can’t changes in his life. Wait” slate includes co-leader of Lipscomb was accepted to 3/20 Coalition Tierra Williams for Penn State in 2017 and is now a Ferguson Township supervisor senior majoring in rehabilitation and Artistic Director for FUSE and human services. His life ex- Productions Richard Biever periences, along with “local is- for the State College Borough sues” of diversity and inclusion, Council. were what led him to run for The campaign is sponsored by council. the PA United PAC, a member-led “The growing issues and levels organization that strives to build of disrespect toward women and a multi-racial, multi-generational police brutality are some of the grassroots movement that can Lindsey Toomer/Collegian main reasons why I was inspired run and win people-powered, Divine Lipscomb speaks at a protest organized by the 3/20 Coalition at the Allen Street Gates Sunday, June 7, to run for council,” Lipscomb people-funded campaigns across 2020. The protest was one of many across the country following the death of George Floyd by a police officer. said. “The unacceptable death of western Pennsylvania, according Osaze Osagie and my work with to its website. currence” for students to be on “vulnerabilities” as well. or a concern should never feel the 3/20 Coalition are a big part of “Since I’m a part of a slate can- the council, but he “wouldn’t be “Having a student’s voice shy to reach out to anyone on why I want to be on the council.” didacy, it may seem like we’re against it.” helps diversify the voices at the council for advice or an ear or ac- The 3/20 Coalition formed after approaching things differently,” “A student on council could table since they are typically tion,” Behring said. “That’s our the death of Osaze Osagie two Lipscomb said. “But, we all have give us a broader perspective on much younger and come from a job to listen and help the people years ago. Osagie was a 29-year- the same ultimate goal of seeing issues that students face,” Bar- range of different backgrounds,” of this community — regardless if old Black State College resident a happy, productive and flourish- low said. “The older members Behring said. “They bring fresh they are students or community who had autism and a history of ing community despite coming of council have our own under- ideas but there’s a vulnerability members.” schizophrenia. He was shot and from a different background.” standing of student issues, but a rather than a weakness because According to Lipscomb, he’s killed by State College Police Jesse Barlow, council student could tell us what is truly students tend to been involved with officers on March 20, 2019. president, said it is a “rare oc- going on.” be transient.” “The growing social justice proj- However, Barlow said students Behring said ects throughout running could face difficulty from she ran along- issues and levels of his time at Penn the community’s perceptions. side Doughtery disrespect toward State and served “The weaknesses of a student in 2019 when she as the coordina- on the council could be how they was first elected women and police tor for the Re- are perceived by the community,” onto the coun- brutality are some storative Justice Barlow said. “The student on cil and saw his Initiative at Penn council might be distrusted by the campaign pro- of the main reasons State. However, community members that have a cess as a student why I was inspired he said he wants different perception of students.” first-hand. to see more of the The borough has not had a stu- The council to run for council,” community dent on the council since 1973. members, who Divine Lipscomb involved. Dean Phillips served three out of are volunteers, senior-rehabilitation and “I think it’s the four years of his term before encourage stu- human services time to reimag- moving from State College to law dents to reach ine, renew and school. In 2019, Tom Dougherty out regardless reinvest into the ran unsuccessfully as a junior at if they are interested in running possibilities within State Col- Penn State for the council. for positions. According to Beh- lege,” Lipscomb said. “We can- Deanna Behring, a council- ring, the council holds graduate, not go wrong if we focus poli- woman and assistant dean of undergraduate and high school tics on people because that’s Agricultural Sciences and In- representative seats to hear of- what’s missing today, but we ternational Programs at Penn ficial student feedback, but coun- typically leave the people out.” Lily LaRegina/Collegian State, said there’s strength in cilmembers are “accessible” Lipscomb participated in social justice projects at Penn State and served diversity of having students on through email and social media. To email reporter: [email protected]. as the coordinator for Penn State’s Restorative Justice Initiative. the council, though there are “Any student who has an idea Follow her on Twitter at @pcykosky.