E H Inside... T Intramural Volleyball pg 8 oncordia Men’s andWomen’s Soccer pg 3 Holiday in Irvine Park pg 5 “A Bleak Midwinter” pg 7 ourierEnvision. Explore. Exceed. Enjoy. Volume 8, Issue 7 Concordia University Irvine Friday, December 6, 2013 Turkish journalist’s Lacrosse-ing into their frst season apologetic for Islam WILLIAM RICHARDSON new a perspective of how we can become one STAFF WRITER unit on the field.” this happening. People were going to mosque The team’s success may have been a surprise The women’s lacrosse team wrapped up their solely to avoid police harassment and not as a to some, but the team members were confident Mustafa Akyol last preseason game on Nov. 9. The last win was legitmate worship of Allah. they would excel. “I wouldn’t say anything sur- their fifth in a row, making their preseason re- Akyol is from Turkey, where there is free- prised me, but I was excited at how well our team cord 6-1. The Eagles will be back in action in gives on-campus dom of religion. However, he critiqued the sys- came together as a family and played together,” the first week of January. This is the first year tem there because rather than allowing religious Nagy said. The team attributes the majority of Concordia has a women’s lacrosse team. symbols to be in public, they were banned com- their success to the type of bond the girls have lecture about This is the first year Concordia has ever had pletely. Security guards forced women going to built with one another. a women’s lacrosse team. The team is predomi- college to take off their head coverings before Nicole West, senior, joined the team with nantly composed of young talent, along with a they entered the gates because the coverings are previous experience on the lacrosse field. She modern Muslims few upperclassmen. Prior to their first preseason a religious symbol. Many Turkish women go came to Concordia with drive and ambition to game, none of the team members had stepped KENDRA SITTON to America to attend college where this is not continue playing the game. “I hated not playing foot on the same field in an official capacity. STAFF WRITER banned. Akyol pointed out the difference be- a sport anymore or being active, so when the Brittani Nagy, senior, played a major part in tween freedom of religion and freedom from opportunity became possible I was extremely establishing the lacrosse team as an official club. On Nov. 18, an eclectic group of professors religion. Though trying to free itself from the excited to join the team,” West said. Her relentless three year effort to get a lacrosse and students gathered to hear a presentation by strict confines of Islamic law, Turkey’s secular West and her teammates feel they can rely on team finally paid off this year. Because Nagy has Mustafa Akyol put on by the Center for Public government can be just as dogmatic in their each other when it comes to game time. “There Policy. Akyol came to Concordia as part of his dedicated so much time to the team, it is not is not one person on the team that does not pull book tour, where he is advertising his recently surprising that the younger players look to her their own weight,” West said. “I have never been released book, “Islam Without Extremes.” Akyol for leadership and support. on a team with so much natural talent and I am visited 18 cities in America in 30 days for this “Faith cannot “I look up to the upperclassmen on our team extremely excited to see how far we can take tour. Nicole [West] and Brittani. They are like the that.” To introduce his book which helps outsid- backbone of the team. They know when to ei- Through their hard work and success, the ers understand the culture in the Middle East be imposed, ther crack a joke or make the team get serious,” Eagles have earned the respect of the teams they and also critiques the political practices in some said Emily Cabuling, freshman. play along with their fellow athletes and peers. countries, Akyol began with an anecdote about The common theme amongst the Eagles “I heard that they are doing really well. For a his first visit to the United States. He ate pan- it can only be seems to be centered on unification and per- team that was just started this year, that’s crazy,” cakes for the first time at McDonald’s and loved sonal growth. “I am really excited to see what is said Mitchell Esser, junior fan. the new food. On his next visit, he immediately in store for our team. We are a young team and The team is anxious and excited to get back wanted to return to McDonald’s for more pan- proposed.” have so much potential,” Nagy said. “It’s a bless- on the field after break. “Our practices start in cakes. When his host took him to a different ing to be part of a team that is united as one, on January and our first game will be Feb. 1. I am restaurant, he realized that pancakes are not and off the field.” most looking forward to playing the sport I love Although the team may be new, they are and continuing to see how our team grows,” an exclusive McDonald’s product and are actu- regulation of thought. already illustrating confidence in one another. Nagy said. ally a much wider phenomenon. He used this The lecture intrigued the audience and many “My experience with the team has been amaz- The lacrosse team will face off against Biola story to illustrate that a foreign culture can be had questions at the end. Often though, Akyol ing. They have truly been a blessing in my life,” at home, on Feb. 1 at 3 p.m. The team encour- confusing at first, but one must look deeper to replied that a better, more thorough answer was said Cabuling. “Being strangers to growing into ages fans to come to the game and show them better understand it. He helped the audience get in his book. Akyol concluded by saying, “Faith a family within a short amount of time gave me your support. a small glimpse of what Middle Eastern culture cannot be imposed, it can only be proposed.” is actually like, rather than just what the media Students were exposed to new viewpoints and portrays. left the presentation with more understanding The purpose of the lecture was to examine of the issues facing the Muslim world. the question, “Is Islam incompatible with free- Christmas Eve service Akyol examined different political practices dom?” Akyol talked about how most Muslims regarding Islam. Through his open-minded who are in the news are there for negative rea- perspective, he helps the western world un- sons. Only 1% of people in Turkey approve of derstand something that many view as foreign. 9/11 but the majority of people that dislike that for students and faculty Akyol said that Islam is going through the worst terrorist act are overshadowed by extremists. section in its history, but that there is hope for a LIANNA JORDAN with leading worship include Spirit Bells, Con- While visiting Saudi Arabia, Akyol saw that better future. In a world that seeks understand- STAFF WRITER cordia Sinfonietta, and Concordia Brass. during prayer times each day, religious police ing rather than quick judgment, this bright fu- Katherine Dubke, senior member of the forced people to go to the mosque. Akyol said, ture is possible. The second annual Concordia Christmas Concordia Choir, will be performing with the “there’s something wrong here” when he saw Eve worship service will be held in the CU Cen- choir for her second Concordia Christmas Eve ter at 7 p.m. on Tues., Dec. 10. service and enjoys leading the worship of classic The all-campus worship service took place carols and hymns. “It’s nice to have a piece of for the first time last winter and was well re- that [Christmas spirit] before coming home for ceived. Dr. Marin Jacobson, Associate Director Christmas break,” Dubke said. of Choral Activities, along with other faculty Courtney Thornton, sophomore RES Care members, valued having an all-campus Christ- Minister for abbey west, is involved in the plan- mas worship service. The idea was born and ning of the service. Even though students will the now-annual Concordia Christmas Eve ser- be busy during finals week, attending the ser- vice was created. “Since we are all scattered at vice will be “a great way to get spiritual fulfill- Christmas time, this is an opportunity for all to ment we all will need during that hectic week,” come together to celebrate Christ’s birth,” Jacob- Thornton said. son said. The event is not just for students. Faculty and Jacobson is in charge of coordinating all mu- staff are invited to attend as well. The Christmas sical elements of the service. All three campus story will be read and a special children’s mes- choirs, The Concordia Choir, Donne di Canto sage will be delivered as part of the service to and the Men’s Chorus, will combine for the eve- the families who attend. Prior to the service, a ning to help lead the congregation in worship. special Christmas dinner will be hosted in the In addition, they will perform the piece “Lo, Student Union. The cafeteria will open earlier How a Rose/The Rose,” featuring soloist Jac- than normal at 4:30 p.m.