thursday, feb. 11, 2010

THE INdEpENdENT sTudENT NEwspapEr aT THE uNIvErsITy of cINcINNaTI

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The uc junior forward rashad Bishop is the Bearcats’ lockdown defender

page 6

archbishop of cincinnatiManaging editor Kareem Elgazzar is hitting

the old dusty trail.

page 3

godspeed, kareem elgazzar

valentine’s day movies and what makes a good one.

page 3

robert’s rants

vol. cXXvv IssuE 46

1 News3 Entertainment4 ElgazzarBlvd5 Classifieds6 sports

index

weather forecast

THursday

frIday

saTurday

suNday

MoNday

26/14

32/20

31/15

29/11

CARD Act aims to curb young credit debttaylor dungjenTHE NEws rEcord

Students might have to strike the phrase “charge it” from their vocabulary.

Legislation approved by President Barack Obama May 22, 2009, will institute more regulations for credit consumers.

The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 will take effect Monday, Feb. 22. After that, anyone younger than 21 years old and looking to establish a line of credit must have a co-signer or show proof of income.

The act will not allow card issuers to market to anyone under 21 on college campuses using incentives — such as free T-shirts or free food, said Ben Woolsey, director of consumer research at creditcards.com

Without access to credit cards, students might find it more difficult to establish a line of credit and find the new regulations cumbersome.

“Credit allows people to change timing of when they consume goods, particularly durable goods, and this is part of why young people are actually, I think, really disappointed, by being denied access to credit,” said Ben Passty, an assistant professor of economics at the University of Cincinnati.

In four years, from 2004-08, the number of undergraduate students who own at least one credit card increased from 76 percent to 84 percent, according to Sallie Mae’s “How undergraduates use credit cards” study. More than half of college students have four or more credit cards. The average number of cards is 4.6.

Last year, in one of Passty’s economics classes, approximately one

third of the students said they had at least $6,000 in credit card debt. The new regulations present an opportunity for credit card education, Passty said.

The 2008 national average for undergraduate credit card debt is $3,173; 21 percent of undergrads have balances between $3,000 and $7,000.

“A credit card is a very powerful tool, like a car is a very powerful tool. Look at all the resources we devote to training someone to use a car,” Passty said. “It would certainly help if there was a way of formalizing [credit card] training.”

The CARD Act also says credit card companies must have approval from consumers before issuing over-the-limit fees for any transaction above the given credit limit. The act will also allow card companies to offer credit to consumers who have previously had difficulty obtaining credit.

online @ www.newsrecord.org

snow showfARewell mR. elgAzzAR

UC students are not too old to play in the snow together, making snow angels.

Take a look at a slideshow of Kareem Elgazzar’s personal selections of photos he’s taken for The News Record.

TnR fACebook gRoup

The News Record is requesting more fans to join the TNR Facebook group. Let’s get the total number to 2,000.

photo illustration by justin tepe | ThE NEws RECoRd

new credit rules Individuals younger than 21 years old must now have a co-signer when they apply for credit cards.

eamon queeny | ThE NEws RECoRd

notes fall flat A student in Terence Milligan’s Instrumental Conducting course plays the flute while keeping time with a student conductor. Each full-time college-conservatory of Music student faces a $150 increase per quarter fee, while part-time students pay $15 per credit hour.

ashley morgan and evan wallisTHE NEws rEcord

The University of Cincinnati is facing the same problem as other United States universities regarding graduation rates.

National graduation rates for a bachelor’s degree within six years stands at 53 percent, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. UC is only 2 percent above the average, according to university statistics.

At UC, 19.4 percent of students graduate within four years, and 47.7 graduate at the five-year mark.

“The big jump between four- and five-year [graduation rates] can be attributed to the large number of co-op students,” said Caroline Miller, senior associate vice president for enrollment management.

At least one student takes advantage of the five-year graduation rate and co-op program.

“I am not really in that much of a hurry to leave college,” said Lee Groh, a fourth-year digital design student.

The benefits of co-op outweigh the tuition costs of a five-year bachelor’s degree, Groh said. “It’s beneficial because I knew I wanted to be in my major, but I did not know what I wanted to do with my career.”

Within four years, 12 percent more women than men graduate with a bachelor’s degree. The gap decreases as the six-year graduation rate stands at .6 percent.

David Ryder, a fifth-year electronic media student, took fewer credit hours due to personal problems, which has led to one extra year in his program.

“UC’s curriculum is set up to keep students in the system longer,” Ryder said. “Once you are not a freshman, it is a struggle to get into classes pertaining to your major.”

new quarterly fee burdens CCm studentsariel cheung

THE NEws rEcord

For students in the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, a new $150 fee per quarter will be in effect come Spring quarter.

Students were informed of the fee at the beginning of February in an e-mail and a Facebook post.

“Delivery of CCM’s quality education required continued maintenance of performance, rehearsal and practice spaces and equipment, as well as the technology labs,” the e-mail reads.

The fee will primarily be used to maintain facilities, said Frank Weinstock, CCM interim dean.

“Money is short and since tuition hasn’t gone up, we are not able to continue providing the facilities we need to,” Weinstock said.

CCM students will have the additional $150 fee on their bills beginning Spring quarter, while part-time students will pay $15 per credit hour.

The fee will generate approximately $170,000 per quarter, Weinstock said.

One CCM student questioned why the fee was added so suddenly.

“They just bought a new fleet of pianos,” said Kevin DeVries, a second-year vocal performance student. “I don’t understand how it got to this point without anyone noticing.”

CCM decided against adding the fee in the fall as several other colleges did, including the colleges of nursing and business, Weinstock said.

“We really didn’t want to do it,” Weinstock said. “But we had to cave in.”

The response from students has not been as negative as Weinstock expected.

“I know I would be angry if it were me. I expected more anger,” Weinstock said. “But I think students understand that times are tough and our expenses have gone up.”

The e-mail sent to CCM students explains the state budget cuts and declining endowment income were part of the reason for the new fee and the cost of CCM education is much lower than its competitors.

“The competitors they’re talking about are all private schools like Baldwin-Wallace,” DeVries said. “You can’t compare a public school to a private one and say, ‘Oh, look how much cheaper it is.’”

With the possibility of a tuition increase in the upcoming year, there is a possibility the new fee could be retracted, Weinstock said.

“The fee has been approved by the university as an ongoing fee,” Weinstock said. “We would love at some point to get rid of it, but I can’t make any promises.”

But with the late notice and mid-year addition of the fee, students are still feeling left out of the loop.

“I think it’s unfair for the college to expect extra resources from its students when it can’t handle its own funds properly,” DeVries said.

While the e-mail states there was “no other choice” but to implement the new fee, it’s understandable for students to be upset, Weinstock said.

“I know it hurts, particularly in the middle of the year,” Weinstock said. “I’m sure it disappointed a lot of students.”

UC population of fifth-year seniors mounts

anna bentley | ThE NEws RECoRd

what four-year degree? The university of cincinnati is following a national trend in that there are increasingly more and more fifth-year seniors compared to the traditional four-year graduation rate.

PRICE to play

30°8°

did you Know?An official “snow day” comes as a

result of a complicated process. Gene ferrara, the director of

public safety, checks with highway maintenance, weather reports and campus dispatch at 3 a.m. ferrara takes into account the fact that the university is a business and research center — the largest employer in the city — when considering a close.

ferrara calls robert ambach, interim vice president of administration and finance, at 3:30 a.m. and discloses his findings. As Ambach is designated by the president to make the final call, Ambach makes the game plan.

ferrara calls Greg Hand, university spokesperson, by 4 a.m. Hand proceeds to notify students, faculty, staff and media of the closing.

If the university remains open, ferrara encourages everyone to decide what is safest for them.

although the university of cincinnati closed at noon, Tuesday, feb. 9, most students did not receive the emergency closing e-mail until 5 p.m.

when Hand sent the message, it was delivered to the student e-mail system. It sat in the system for hours.

There are alternatives to receiving emergency notifications. One is to register a cell phone number with uc Emergency Text Messaging. students can also log on to Blackboard where a message is clearly posted in the case of a snow emergency.

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3Weekend Edition

Feb. 11, 2009

www.newsrecord.org entertainmentLost in “The Sea” of Corinne Bailey Rae

Editor-in-ChiEf

taylor dungjen

Managing Editor

kareem elgazzar

BusinEss &

advErtising

ManagEr

Sean karduX

dirECtor of

studEnt MEdia

len PeniX

nEWs Editorsgin a. ando

amanda woodruff

spotlight/ CollEgE

living Editorariel cheung

sports EditorsPete marX

garrett SabelhauSSame eliott

opinion EditorJAMIE ROYCE

EntErtainMEnt Editor

Sean PeterS

MultiMEdia EditorBlAkE HAwk

photo Editorcoulter loeb

ChiEf photogrphErjuStin tePe

produCtion dEsignEr

mitul daSguPta

graphiC dEsignErsclaire thomPSon

zack mueller

Copy Editor joy boStick

ClassifiEdsManagEr

kelSey Price

advErtising rEprEsEntativEsthomaS amberg

kryStal danSberryjenaye garver

The News Record, an independent, student-run news organization of the University of Cincinnati’s

Communication Board, is printed during the school year every Monday, wednesday and Thursday,

except holidays and examination periods, from its office located in 509 Swift Hall and is distributed to the UC community. The News Record distributes to more than 80 locations and has a weekly circulation of 22,500. One copy per person is free. Additional

copies can be picked up at The News Record office for $1.

The NewS ReCoRdfounded in 1880

509 and 510 Swift halluniverSity of cincinnati

45221-0135

office Phone 556-5900office faX 556-5922

ROBERT’SrantSrobert kirchgassner russEll shousE

the newS record

Corinne Bailey Rae emerged from the depths of the unknown with her self-titled debut album back in 2006. She was received by the music community with open arms as she received scores of awards from the Grammys for her work with Herbie Hancock on “River: The Joni Letters,” as well as an Outstanding New Artist award from the Image Awards. Her first album was full of bouncy songs that felt right at home in the pop atmosphere with songs such as “Put Your Records On,” and one of the most romantically entangling love songs in recent memory “Like A Star.”

An unfortunate set of circumstances has befallen our star. Her husband Jason Rae was found dead of an accidental methadone and alcohol overdose on March 22, 2008, in a flat in the Hyde Park area of Leeds, U.K. This had devastating effects on Rae as she took several months off to grieve before returning to make music.

“The Sea” has shades of many emotions spiraling throughout the album. The first song on the album intros with a slow electric guitar strum and the line, “He’s a real live wire,” later followed up with “He’ll kiss you make you feel 16,” invoking potential memories of her husband drifting to the surface of her psyche. The song has a major indie rock influence with auto harp and more. The first half of the album feels like a battle between trying to cope with her loss and keeping a level head on her shoulders by attempting to see things with a

little perspective. Her first single off the album, “I’d Do It All Again,” was written shortly before her husband died after an argument the two had engaged in.

One of the many highlights of the album comes early. “Feels Like the First Time,” has a heavy feel to it. You get one of the most inspiring and innocent views into the love she shared with her husband. At the same time, it has the ability to make the listener amazed by love, when thought of in context it can bring a tear to the eye. Rae appeared on the early morning talk show “Ellen” to perform another standout song from the album “Closer.” The song has obvious influence from such early performers as Marvin Gaye and Bill Withers with its funky rhythm and intensely romantic overtones. It is the highest rated song on iTunes and is by far getting the best response from the public.

She makes her best attempt to lighten the ominous feel of the album with songs like this one as well as others such as “Paris Nights/New York Mornings.” “Paris Nights/New York Mornings,” is by far the most reminiscent of her early days as she successfully attempts to go back to her more pop- influenced time period. This is probably the single song on the album where dancing isn’t completely out of the question. After giving this one a listen, it will, in some instances, raise your hopes that even after all of the suffering and pain that can hound a person after such a monumental loss, you can still emerge as someone that has

learned from the loss and finally found happiness, relative or complete.

Corinne Bailey Rae’s “The Sea” is more than an accomplishment in terms of a sophomore album from an artist everyone has been expecting nothing but a bright future for. At its darkest moments there are still hints of her energetic and uplifting beginnings. She blends these two elements together with a mastery over her music that is rarely seen.

We have truly seen her become an artist with the ability to diversify her music, even if that diversity was caused by such a lachrymose instant .

Last year around this time, “He’s Just Not That into You,” a romantic comedy with an ensemble cast, was in theaters. This year we have “Valentine’s Day,” another romantic comedy with an ensemble cast.

The critical buzz on “Valentine’s Day” has not been the best so far, but we’ll wait and see how the public treats it at the box office. Personally, I hope it’s entertaining but not overly predictable.

As this is Valentine’s Day weekend, romantic comedies have always been the ideal viewing choice for many at this time of the year, along with a good scary film and even an action film (preferably one with some romance thrown in).

I like romantic comedies fine, but, more than any other genre, the one thing that can doom such a film for me is if it is predicable. Two of the most overrated comedies are “The Wedding Singer” (1998) and “Wedding Crashers” (2005). I never cared for these two because, very early on, the movies basically telegraph the message that the romantic leads in these flicks should be together and proceed to come up with circumstances (no matter how contrived, such as ‘she has a boyfriend who treats her bad, so she should be with our hero’) to ensure they’ll be locking lips by film’s end. In other words, unless done properly, romantic comedies fail usually because they have the two leads wasting 90 minutes of their time (and the audience’s time) ignoring the obvious.

Just as painful is the tired cliché of a boy falling for a girl, unaware his best friend – who’s a hot girl herself – is already in love with him. If anything was old before it was new, it’s this. Offhand, the only film I can think of with this cliché is “Trojan War” (1997) with Jennifer Love Hewitt, and if you never hear d of that film, you’re better off.

One of my favorite romantic comedies is “Sleepless in Seattle” (1993) because it does something bold by not even allowing the two leads (Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, both of whom are as charming as ever in this film) to meet until the last frame. What makes this payoff great is the fact that when one of them overhears the other on the radio early in the film, the way she begins to think of him more and more until she becomes determined to meet him is done in a very natural (dare I say, believable) way.

Some Valentine-themed films don’t even have to end with a hookup to be good. A great example of this is “Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown” (1975). In it, Charlie is sadly Valentine-free when everyone else he knows gets a valentine, only to have things turn around for him in the show’s unexpectedly hilarious climax (on a side note, I think the only holiday that doesn’t have a “Peanuts” TV special to go with it is St. Patrick’s Day). A more recent (non-Valentine-themed) example is “The Notebook” (2004), which tells a wonderful tale of two lovers (Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams), with an explanation for keeping them apart that isn’t contrived.

Curiously, there aren’t very many non-comedic Valentine-themed movies. On the horror front, probably the most famous Valentine film is “My Bloody Valentine” (1981), a routine but harmless Halloween-knockoff, which, naturally, got an unnecessary (and unnecessarily gory) remake last year.

The James Bond series has always been viewed as ideal as far as date movies go. One could call them predictable as far as the romantic scenes go, too, but the love moments are always treated as a side dish (albeit a nice side dish) to the other aspects of a Bond film rather than the main course as in a romantic comedy.

Also fondly regarded are classics such as “Casablanca” (1942) and “North By Northwest” (1959), probably Alfred Hitchcock’s most romantic picture. None of these, though, are Valentine’s Day-themed. Perhaps Hollywood, so often chastised as being the stomping grounds for unoriginality, can shake things up a bit by giving us an actual drama for Valentine’s Day sometime. Just make the leading players engaging enough to not waste our time moping about what should be done.

Fall in love with top films for Feb. 14

niCk grEvErthe newS record

Bioshock 2 can be easily described. It simply is more Bioshock. But to get another chance to enter the underwater dystopia of Rapture, many gamers are just fine with that. But for those who haven’t played the first game, or are on the fence for the sequel, does the sequel provide enough to warrant its $60 price tag? That question is a little harder to answer.

If we start at the beginning, the main character is a bit more interesting. Rather than being an amnesiac named Jack, we’re cast in the suit of one of the original Big Daddies, known as Delta. Being an early iteration of the Big Daddy, Delta is a faster and more agile than his lumbering hulks of predecessors. That isn’t to say Delta is a pushover. Outfitted with the ubiquitous drill and rivet gun can be seen on Big Daddies in the first Bioshock, Delta has more than enough armaments to put the hurt on Splicers. This doesn’t even take into account Delta’s usage of Plasmids (super hero powers in a bottle for the uninitiated). The ability to dual wield Plasmids and Delta’s guns have been touted in many previews of the game. Is it a deal breaker? No. Is it helpful? Yes. Especially since Delta’s enemies are more vicious and numerous than Jack’s.

Combat overall is a bigger emphasis in Bioshock 2. The enemies are stronger, more apt to flank and surround you. The mix of enemies too pushes your skills. In the beginning, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The lack of ammo and resources exacerbates this issue. After every skirmish, you’re forced to search bodies and scour the surroundings for money, food, hypos full of health or EVE or bullets. You often find voice recordings that fill in the story alongside these pickups, but it does make you feel less like a hulking mass of destruction and more like a packrat at times.

Luckily, the story is less of an endurance test. Just like the first, Bioshock 2 is a game fueled by its story and its atmosphere. You still have the ever-present voice in your ear, leading you down the correct path. And yes, you still have the main enemy popping in to tell you exactly why you’re doing things wrong. Instead of Andrew Ryan, we have Sofia Lamb, the yin to Ryan’s individualistic yang. A believer in Socialism, Lamb has transformed Rapture into The Family, a grouping of splicers willing to do whatever she says. This of course makes it difficult for Delta to achieve his mission, saving his personal Little Sister, Eleanor, who also happens to be Lamb’s daughter. The story is engaging and the family and social aspect is a nice counterpoint to Ryan’s dog-eat-dog viewpoint.

Since Lamb’s rise to power, Rapture has fallen to even more decay than the first Bioshock. The environments never fail to impress and terrify, but there is a bit of déjà vu present. It all feels a bit redone. Surely the environments are new, but the first Bioshock was a refreshingly new experience. Bioshock 2 gives us more of the same feelings. Enemies still use shadows to scare the crap out of you and noises are still creepy. The 50’s music still filters through decrepit radios. It’s all appropriately scary, but nothing you haven’t seen before in the first game. For many, this is fine. But those who weren’t impressed with the first won’t be impressed with the second.

Those who followed Bioshock 2 may be wondering about the Big

Sisters. Yes, they are interesting and a challenge to fight (and a different challenge than the Big Daddies) but they didn’t impress like I wanted them to. Surely they shriek and jump around like banshees on crank, but it all comes down to is a shoot em’ up with some strategy and preplanning, just like a Big Daddy fight, just different tactics.

Is Bioshock 2 a good game? Undoubtedly so. If you enjoyed the first entrance to Rapture, the second will be well worth your money. If you didn’t, nothing about this iteration will sway you. But for you on the fence, the game is different enough that I advise you to give it a shot. Bioshock gloried in its ability to terrify and tell a story, Bioshock 2 has a slightly different focus, but a worthwhile one.

Bioshock 2 righteously rehashes Rapture

photo CourtEsy of Capitol rECords

rooM sErviCE, plEasE rae takes a break from music making to lounge luxuriously,

says goodbye to colleague, friend

we’ll continue producing one of the top student newspapers

in the country after he’s gone, but it will be obvious

something’s missing.

taylor dungjEnthe newS record

Saying goodbye to a friend, let alone a best friend, someone who is kind of like a brother, is never easy.

But that’s what we’re doing. We’re saying goodbye to one of the

journalists who helped change the way The News Record does business. Our Web site, newsrecord.org, at one point, was a place to post stories already in print.

Now, newsrecord.org is an award-winning collegiate newspaper Web site (We’re going receive the award tomorrow.). We’re proud of the site — it has an enhanced multimedia section and online exclusive content. From Sunday through Wednesday, we’ve had more than 16,000 page views. Not bad considering last year we averaged about 1,700 hits per production.

Building the audience took time, patience and a vision. Every team member has contributed to making it possible, but there’s unanimous consent that much of it wouldn’t be possible without the direction of one team member in particular.

A few weeks ago The News Record family found out that managing editor Kareem Elgazzar was leaving … Forever.

Well, maybe not forever, but that’s kind of what it feels like. Kareem accepted a job as a general assignment reporter, with an emphasis on sports, at The Morning Journal, in Lorain, Ohio. (Lorain is about 30 minutes west of Cleveland.)

He moves to Lorain Friday.For the last three years, Kareem has been an

instrumental part of our daily operations. He’s been the man of many hats, starting as a news reporter moving to opinion editor, photo editor and finally to managing editor and Web editor. As opinion editor, Kareem changed the page’s

perception and presentation, giving it a more international emphasis with poignant articles and columns (including The Fashion Dungjen, of course). At that time, 2008-09, I was on the news desk; Kareem and I became fast friends. How could we not? The guy was reading about chronic wedgies and quadraboob.

I don’t know if Kareem ever heard the word quadraboob before my column.

In March 2009, Kareem became a co-photo editor. He was a natural. His photos, especially sports photos, were unrivaled. As far as I’m concerned, Kareem might be one of the best college sports photographers in the country.

Even beyond my testament, he has the award to back it up. In 2009, Kareem’s photo of a very sweaty, very angry-looking Brian Kelly was named the best sports photo in the Society of Professional Journalists region 4. The photo went on to be judged on a national level.

As TNR’s managing editor, my second in command, we, with our incredible team, have turned the newspaper into a news organization. We’ve recruited, what we think, is one of the best News Record staffs in a long time — something that, undoubtedly, wouldn’t have been possible without the work of editors before us.

Ariel Cheung will step up as managing editor. Jayna Barker will take Ariel’s job as college living and spotlight editor.

I feel comfortable saying Kareem will be missed by everyone on staff. We’ll continue producing one of the top student newspapers in the country after he’s gone, but it will be obvious something’s missing. The lessons Kareem has taught us, all of us, will not be soon forgotten.

Kareem, thank you, for everything you’ve given to The News Record. We miss you already.

Check out the editors’ blog, Off The [News] Record, to watch the team’s farewell/good luck video for Kareem.

sCrEEnshot CourtEsy of MCt CaMpus

sWEEt lil’ angEl treating this woman right requires several dozen bullets delivered directly to her terrifyingly creepy mask.

4Weekend Edit ion

Feb 11, 2010

www.newsrecord.org

Kareem Elgazzar’s favorite photos

This is the best job I’ve ever had. The News Record has provided with so much — I just hope I’ve contributed to it as much as it

has given me.

—karEEm Elgazzar, managing editor

“

”

want to see more? check out www.newsrecord.org for a slideshow of kareem’s photos

FormEr CinCinnati dEFEnsivE back Mike Mickens waits for the next play to start during the 2008 season.

sEnior WidE rECEivEr Dominic Goodman walks off the field with his former high school coach Kerry Coombs after his last game as a Bearcat. Goodman had six catches for 51 yards in UC’s 20-7 loss to Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl, breaking the school record for career receiving yards and finishing tied for receptions.

thE UC Football team and fans celebrate the Bearcats’ win over the Pittsburgh Panthers, Nov. 22, 2008. The win clinched Cincinnati’s first-ever Big East Championship.

karEEm ElgazzarThE NEws rECord

I’m out, on my way to bigger, but not necessarily better, things. Tonight is my last night as managing editor of

The News Record. This is the best job I’ve ever had. The News Record has provided with so much — I just hope I’ve contributed to it as much as it has given me.

During the last 2-plus years working at The News Record, first as a lowly news reporter, I’ve learned so much. I learned how to conduct myself with integrity, compassion and empathy.

When The News Record was in need, I was there. After a few months working as the opinion editor, I was promoted to photo editor — a position with an entirely different skill set, but it was worth it. Between writing stories and taking photos, I managed to contribute to every section desk during the last two years.

When I was promoted to managing editor at the end of the 2008-09 academic year, there were so many things I wanted to do, so many things on which I wanted to leave my mark — my legacy if you will. I did all the things I wanted to do, particularly redesigning the Web site and maintaining its content.

Alongside editor-in-chief Taylor Dungjen, I continued to build a culture of excellence for The News Record — a culture that condemns complacency but rewards energy and the pursuit of perfection.

Now that I found a full-time job as a reporter for The Morning Journal in Lorain, I am prompted to remember those who have helped me get to this point. The following people are listed in no particular order, by the way.

Director of Student Media Len Penix encouraged me to join the News Record staff after taking his newspaper editing and design course. Penix showed and clearly explained what it takes to be a successful journalist, one that provides a voice to the voiceless. His pure child-like enthusiasm for journalism is truly humbling. Knowing that a man who has been in the business for 32 years can still be so energetic and enthusiastic only encourages me to do the same — to be the same.

One of the greatest influences in my journalistic career is Kerry Duke, managing editor at Kypost.com. I interned for Duke during summer 2009, and he gave me the freedom to explore what I can really do out on assignment. I used to write and shoot assignments, which I didn’t think I could do, but the way he put it made it seem like nothing was impossible for me. For that, I am eternally grateful. He was a teacher more than a boss.

Thomas E. Smith — what can I say about this guy. He gave me a chance and was so patient with me when I first started out. He was my first “boss” in journalism, teaching me how to go about my business. When we used to go out on assignment together, we pushed each other through friendly competition, making me better and, consequently, both of us better at what we love to do. Now Smith is an outstanding photographer for The Cincinnati Enquirer. He demonstrated to me how satisfying life can be with a little dedication and drive for what you love to do.

And to all my professors: Thanks for nothing. Nah, I’m just playing. No really, through picking all your brains during the last five years, I have put together a nice little starter kit for the real world.

Almost finished, just continue to bear with me.To my News Record editors, Keith Jenkins,

Kristy Conlin and Taylor Dungjen: Each one of you consistently and patiently raised the stakes, pushing all of us to new heights. I thank you for all of that.

And finally — the best for last right? I know I said earlier that this list was in no particular order, except for this one. My girlfriend and fellow News Record editor, Amanda Woodruff, has been so patient me with. All those nights after production I would spend on the Web site fixing and tweaking and fixing again and tweaking again, she waited patiently for my undivided attention. It’s so great to work next to Amanda and to be in love with her at the same time.

And for you all that have taken the time to read this story and all my other stories, thank you. I hope I have provided you all with as much information as possible during the last 2-plus years. At times, your harsh criticism motivated me, and your gracious compliments inspired me to do more. Thanks again.

Remember editors and contributors to The News Record, this ain’t no weekly and this ain’t amateur hour in here.

Enjoy the photos.

UC hEad CoaCh Mick Cronin receives a techincal foul during the Bearcats’ win over Notre Dame University Feb. 4, 2009. Cronin later proceeds to take the referee to task, ripping off his jacket and vehemently expressing his displeasure.

ALL PHoToS By karEEm Elgazzar | THE NEWS RECoRD

UnivErsity oF CinCinnati head football coach Brian Kelly shouting instructions to backup quarterback Chazz Anderson in the Bearcats’ slim 13-10 victory against rutgers University oct. 11, 2008. society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence region 4 - First place for sports Photography

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Sam Weinbergthe news record

Coming off a sweep on senior day against Wright State, the University of Cincinnati diving team is gearing up for the Big East championships, Friday, Feb. 12, in Pittsburgh.

“The conference is strong; there are a lot of good divers there,” said UC head diving coach Paul Glassman, who will take one male and four female divers to the event.

Out of the four women divers, juniors Lindsey Bakan, Brittany Teneyck and Kirtley Krombholz will be competing in both the one and three-meter diving events.

Going into the Big East championships, Bakan and Teneyck are coming off strong performances against Wright State where they swept the top-two spots in the women’s one-and-three-meter events.

Out of all the three divers, Glassman believes Teneyck has the best chance to reach the finals.

“Brittany has a good chance,” Glassman said.

“Kirtley may make finals, Lindsey may make finals, but right now, Brittany is our strongest, most consistent diver.”

Krombholz has performed just as well as Teneyck all year, Glassman said, but due to illness she missed a lot of practice and will have a hard time competing against other divers in the championships.

“Kirtleys been out for almost three weeks with mono, and hasn’t practiced,” Glassman said. “Kirtley had a real good chance at [the finals] at Big East but because of mono things are not looking real good. You can’t miss three weeks and expect to be consistent.”

The three-meter is the team’s strongest event and he believes that’s where the team has the best chance to compete, according to Glassman.

“We put in the bulk of our time on the high board,” Glassman said. “I hope to get all three [women] to the semi-finals and maybe two of them into the finals.”

All three women currently have scores that are ranked in the Big East’s top diving scores for both the one-and-three-meter competitions.

Krombholz , Teneyck, and Bakan have scores that rank sixth, 14th, and 17th respectively in the three meter.

Teneyck leads the Bearcats in the one meter, with her score currently ranked fourth in the Big East, while Bakan and Krombholz have scores currently ranked 13th and ninth, respectively.

The UC men’s diving team will be represented solely by sophomore Drew Ross, who will compete in the men’s one-meter event.

Despite having a score ranked 21st in the Big East for the event, Glassman believes Ross’ youth will lead to his downfall at the championships.

“Drew is going to have a tough time this year because he’s only a second year diver,” Glassman said. “I don’t anticipate drew [in the finals].”

The meet is a day three-day event and will end Sunday, Feb. 14.

The Big East swimming championships will kick off Wednesday, Feb. 17, and will also be held in Pittsburgh.

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covering all uc sports

6Weekend edit ion

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Reds: Could they ever be good again?

Cats face UConn in must-win

UC divers off to championships

michael VeStthe news record

With hopes of an NCAA tournament appearance dwindling, the Bearcats go on the road Saturday, Feb. 13, to face the University of Connecticut.

This is Cincinnati’s second meeting of the season with the Huskies. Cincinnati won the first game Dec. 30 71-69 when the Huskies were ranked No. 10 in the country.

Sunday, Feb. 7, UC lost to No. 3 Syracuse 71-54. The Bearcats (14-9, 5-6 Big East) had a 49-43 lead with 12:26 left in the game, but the Syracuse zone stifled the Bearcats’ offense and kept them on the perimeter. Even with the loss hurting the Cats’ tournament resume, head coach Mick Cronin remained optimistic.

“The final score obviously wasn’t indicative of the game. For a long time we had control of the game, but we struggled to score down the stretch,” Cronin said. “Our effort, our attitude, our focus on what we needed to do to win that game was tremendous.”

Senior Deonta Vaughn is the key

to success against UConn and in a late-season push for March Madness. Vaughn has been the team’s leading scorer in Big East play at 13.5 points per game, but is currently enduring the worst season of his prolific career. He’s shooting less than 40 percent from the field and from 3-point range.

Vaughn isn’t the team’s only option anymore, but he isn’t making shots when he’s open.

The Bearcats continue to struggle from 3-point range. Against Syracuse, they shot 26.3 percent, and against Notre Dame they shot only 25 percent. The Bearcats are last in the Big East in 3-point shooting at 29.7 percent.

Like he has most of the season, Cronin will likely dig deep into his bench against Connecticut. Cincinnati has 10 players that average 12 or more minutes per game. The ability to do that allows Cronin to get younger players like Cashmere Wright and Jaquon Parker much needed experience. Ibrahima Thomas, who is in only in his fourth year of organized basketball, has also benefited from the playing time.

“He’s a definitely a guy getting better with every game. He’s a guy that, the more minutes he plays, you can see the more comfortable he is getting out there,” Cronin said.

As a perennial Big East power, the Huskies are struggling by their own standards. Connecticut has lost three of its last four games, and is watching its tournament hopes slip through its fingers.

The Huskies (14-9, 4-6) are still without head coach Jim Calhoun, who began a medical leave of absence Jan. 20. Assistant coach George Blaney took over the role of head coach in Calhoun’s absence.

Jerome Dyson is the Huskies’ leading scorer at 19 points per game, which ranks the senior guard fourth in the Big East in points per game. Gavin Edwards leads the Big East’s best shot blocking team with 2.3 blocks per game. Sophomore Kemba Walker, who leads the conference in assists with 5.9 per game, also scored more than 13 points per game.

Saturday’s game in UConn’s XL Center tips off at noon and can be seen on the Big East Network.

Sam elliottthe news record

Mick Cronin has called him one of the best defenders in the Big East, but Rashad Bishop wasn’t always the shut-down defender he is now.

During his high school days in Newark, N.J., it wasn’t uncommon for the 6-foot-6 forward to score more than 20 points per game.

This season Bishop is averaging eight points and nearly five rebounds per game, but it’s no secret that his biggest contribution to the University of Cincinnati men’s basketball team has been his defense.

“Rashad’s our best defensive player on the perimeter,” Cronin said. “To have a successful team you’ve got to have somebody that you can rely on to guard somebody else’s best player.”

This season, Bishop’s ability to score, coupled with his defensive intensity, has led to him becoming a regular starter for Cronin.

“This year, in searching for lineups, when you’re struggling to score, you start searching,” Cronin said. “And when you start searching, you may not have your best defensive lineup out there.”

Bishop’s best attribute is his ability to play effectively without the basketball, a trait most players don’t possess, Cronin said.

“There are very few players today that understand how to play the game. They may have talent, but they do things that coaches appreciate,” Cronin said. “Guys that used to play the game, former players, appreciate it because they play smart. It’s nothing fancy; it’s just positioning yourself the right way, cutting

without the basketball and making a smart play.”

Cronin insists Bishop came to Cincinnati with his defensive skills already intact, but the junior says his role reversal from a high school high-scorer to college lock-down defender was a learning process.

However it happened, the end result pleases the fourth-year head coach.

“Guys are good defenders because they understand it’s important to be able to position themselves the right way defensively, how to guard a guy without fouling him, how to make a guy take a tough shot, things of that nature,” Cronin said. “And Rashad can do it.”

Bishop’s offensive outputs have come at critical times for Cincinnati this season.

In the six games in which Bishop has reached double digits in points this season, the Bearcats are 6-0, including close, key wins against Notre Dame, South Florida and Providence.

“It’s important that he’s out there for us, but when he is scoring it takes us to another level,” Cronin said. “When Rashad’s playing well offensively, we’re a better team, because when he’s in there we’re a better defensive team and we’re a better rebounding team.”

Cronin, Bishop and Cincinnati fans hope Bishop’s scoring can propel the Bearcats to a level higher than the team has been used to in recent seasons.

“I think me putting the ball into the basket more is going to help this team a lot because we struggle to score sometimes,” Bishop said. “And if we can get an extra scorer, that will help us a lot.”

Kareem elgazzar | the news record

on the ropeS the Bearcats have lost three of their last four Big east games and four-straight road games in league play.

pat Strang | the news record

a cut aboVe Mick cronin calls rashad Bishop one of the top defenders in the Big east, and the Bearcats are undefeated this season when the junior forward scores in double figures.

File art | the news record

maKing a SplaSh Cincinnati divers Lindsey Bakan, Brittany Teneyck and Kirtley Krombholz are three of five divers that will head to Pittsburgh.

Remember when the Reds were good?

Yeah, me either.But it never fails. Every year

the Reds wheel and deal for free agents and the hype builds and builds.

Then, halfway through the season, the Reds lose ground in the NL Central and start breaking down the team to build it up again for next season.

And guess what? I couldn’t care less how good the farm system is doing. I’m ready to see my hometown team compete on the big stage. After all, Cincinnati is the birthplace of professional baseball.

But even I’ll admit, I like a lot of the moves the Reds have made this year.

The Reds had to address the shortstop position and they did with Orlando Cabrera. I’ll take his .284 batting average over the .210 Alex Gonzalez hit in 68 games with the Reds in 2009.

I’d take it over the .210 Paul Janish hit in 90 games, too. Cabrera is dependable, too. He’s played in at least 140 games every year since 2001.

He’s projected to bat in the two spot, which will be nice to complement Drew Stubbs in the leadoff spot and Joey Votto batting third.

The career .275 hitter should be good for at least 30 doubles, too. Overall, Cabrera is a great move for the Reds, who, for 30-plus years, was as solid at shortstop as any team in the league until Barry Larkin retired following the 2004 season.

To back up Cabrera and, if need be, Brandon Phillips, the Reds also signed infielder Aaron Miles. The Reds took more of a chance on the right-handed veteran, but looking at the numbers, Miles could have a big role as a pinch hitter.

Last season was easily his worst at the plate since his first full year in the league in 2004 with the Colorado Rockies.

I usually hate it when the Reds sign a free agent after their worst season (Willy Taveras), but Miles has an upside.

He was put on the 15-day disabled list twice last season while with the Cubs with an elbow injury, but during the three seasons prior to that, Miles hit .317 in 2008, .290 in 2007 and .263 in 2006, all with St. Louis.

Obviously the 33-year-old is a risk, but he is a veteran that, if healthy, can help back up the starting infielders and hopefully be a solid pinch hitter.

The Reds didn’t just go after infielders though. The club signed a pitching prospect in Aroldis Chapman with a huge upside.

I’ve heard people ask if it’s worth it to spend $30 million on a prospect, no matter how hard he throws.

I love the idea of bringing him in, though.

Why wouldn’t I? It’s not my money.

But hopefully he’ll pan out and not take three years and counting like it has been for Homer Bailey. Odds are Chapman won’t be on the opening day roster and we may not see him for the whole season.

But Chapman is supposedly the real deal and was scouted by most of the major teams, including the Boston Red Sox.

Experts say he needs to work on developing a changeup, but when he does, it will work nicely with his fastball that has been clocked as high as 102 mph.

Whether Chapman pans out or not, it doesn’t take away from the progressive offseason this team had.

Last year the Reds lacked offense. Time after time, Aaron Harang never received run support.

I hate to be the one that says this year will be different, but I think it will.

The keys to the season though are Phillips and Joey Votto.

Phillips needs to have a bounce-back year and Joey Votto needs to stay healthy. The outfield has a hole right now in left field, but I’m confident in Jay Bruce in right and Drew Stubbs should be much better offensively, and maybe defensively, than Taveras.

Maybe one more acquisition is needed though to really point this ship in the right direction.

Johnny Damon in left field anyone?

Think the Reds made the right moves? Will they finally be good again? E-mail Garrett at sabelhgt@mail.uc.edu

GArrett sABeLhAUshauSSabel’S