vol. 2 issue 8 - march 2015

INSIDE THE NEST

INSIDE THE

NESTTalk aboutGLobal outreachCampus NEws| pg. 6

Learn Aboutyoga posesLifestyle| pg. 10

Worth ReadingMid’Mester Blueseditorial| pg. 4

Worth DoingBring out your inner foodieLifestyle| pg. 12

march 2015, vol. 2 issue 8

TO GREEK

College of Coastal Georgia is in the exploratory phases of introducing Greek Life to campus. This means sometime in the not so distant future, interested Mariners may have the opportunity of joining a fraternity or sorority, further enhancing their college experience. While the College is still several semesters away from going Greek, students are excited at the prospect of adding fraternal orders.

“I think sororities and fraternities are a great way for students to get involved in reaching out on campus, and are a great way to create connections within the community,” junior Lynetria Sanders said after a recent Greek Life interest meeting hosted by the Division of Student Affairs. “I believe the Greek Life experience gives individuals a better foundation to grow on and gives you an upper hand moving forward in life.”

Sophomore Chris Campbell thinks that the College is ready for the new endeavor, just six years after becoming a four-year institution.

“The student body is mature enough to embrace the concept of Greek Life, and a college is not a college without the institution of Greek Life,” Campbell said.

Of the 280 Mariners that responded to recent campus-wide survey administered by the Division of Student Affairs, 217 highly favored the idea of having Greek Life on CCGA’s campus.

According to the College’s Greek Life Policy, CCGA will hold the Greek community responsible for making a positive contribution to the College. The policy also details the general outlines for properly functioning organizations which includes ethic choices, intellectual and emotional progress, along with a focus on community service.

“Bringing Greek Life to CCGA will provide students with additional opportunities for engagement,” said Jamie Parker Lewis, Director of Student Life. “If it is determined that CCGA will start a Greek Life program, it will not happen today or tomorrow or event in 2015. It will take time to ensure that we do it right…that we build a foundation for a successful Greek Life program,”

Based on a meeting hosted by Dr. Jason Umfress outlining the facets of Greek Life, on page 3 are the key components touched upon in regard to having such institutions on campus.

< < Students Weigh In > >

Yes

OR NOT TO greek?

NO

Drew C. MillerEditor in Chief

Out of 280 CCGA students that responded to the recent Greek Life

survey, 77% are interested in Greek-Life on Campus

@ccga_crowsnest @ccga_crowsnestINSTAGRAM: TWITTER:

.com/ccgacrowsnestFACEBOOK:

Email us: [email protected]

Coastal corner

We ask that you please do Mother Nature a favor and recycle this newspaper when done reading.

Editorial Department:Editor in chief.............................. Drew [email protected] EDITOR ............................. Alvin [email protected] EDITOR ...................................... Kara [email protected] SPOrts EDItor ..................... Garrett Dutton [email protected] Manager ................................. Lexi [email protected] ......................................... Andrew [email protected]

Staff Writers & Contributors:C. Garrett. Dutton Taylor Baldwin Alaric Shearer Zach DismerAshton Rowland Jay LandowTaylor Moody Drew Miller

Statement of Operations: The Crow’s Nest is the official student newspaper of the College of Coastal Georgia, owned and operated by CCGA students using facilities provided by the College.

MISSION: Our mission is to provide the Coastal Georgia community with thruthful and ethical content of interest. Any questions regarding content or anyone wishing to report corrections and errors please call 912.279.5898 or email [email protected].

Publication Information: The newspaper published approximately every three weeks during the academic year and is printed by The Brunswick News Publishing Co. in Brunswick, Ga.

Advertising: The Crow’s Nest allots advertising space each issue for both on-campus and off-campus entities. For more information about rates, payment methods, formatting, and deadlines, please call 912.279.5898 or email [email protected].

Notice: Unauthorized removal of multiple copies from a distribution site constitutes theft under Georgia law, a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine and/or jail time. The advertiser is responsible for all information in a given ad. Students should beware of disclaimers presented in the ads, which are previously screened by our staff before placement in our publication.

Inside the Nest

Reports provided by the CCGA Police Department.

1. Feb 21, 10:12 a.m. - Officer investigated a complaint of harassment and criminal trespass between a former and current student. The Incident was thoroughly investigated and turned over to the Dean of Students for review. 2. Feb 22, 5:05 p.m. - Officer recovered a stolen bicycle on campus. The property which was originally stolen off campus was returned to the owner. 3. Feb 23, 4:50 p.m. - Officers located an injured baby owl behind the SAC. The Department of Natural Resources was contacted and they returned the bird into the wild.4. Feb 23, 10:30 a.m. - Officer responded to Lakeside Village for to a reported smell of marijuana in the building. No evidence was found.5. Feb 25, 12:36 p.m. - Officer responded to a report of a homeless person begging on campus. The unauthorized visitor was issued a verbal warning and escorted off campus. 6. Feb 26, 1:07 p.m. - Officers responded to Coastal Place Apartments for a power outage that lasted several hours. The parking gates were disabled by the outage, and monitored by police until the power was restored.7. Feb 27, 12:54 p.m. - CCGA and Brunswick Officers responded to a traffic accident on Altama Ave. Two injured persons were transported to the Emergency Room. 8. March 4, 9:00 p.m. - Officer responded to a smoke investigation in the Correll Building. No evidence of fire was observed and the building was deemed safe.9. March 4, 10:50 p.m. - Officers responded to Lakeside Village to investigate an intoxicated visitor to campus. EMS was called to the scene, and the visitor was transported to the Emergency Room. The visitor was then arrested and charged with possession of marijuana, and underage consumption of alcohol.10. March 6, 9:30 a.m. - Officer responded to a reported theft of an iPad in the Correll Building. The Officer located the item and it was returned to the owner. No charges were filed. 11. March 9, 8:45 a.m. - Officers assisted the Jesup Police Department in locating a runaway juvenile who had reportedly been staying at Coastal Place Apartments. The juvenile was located a few hours later at a location off campus. 12. March 16 - Officers responded to a traffic accident on Mariner Way. No injuries were reported. An investigation was completed.

2 www.ccga-crowsnest.com

March 2015 3Cover Story

THINKING ABOUT GOING GREEK?

The Good• Camaraderie: Greek Life expands your social circle, creating the opportunity to make lasting friendships, or at least study-buddies• Academic standards will force students to stay on top of their game• Community involvement including service projects and outreach• Leadership Opportunities• Bored in between your studies? Greek Life will definitely find something for you to do

The Bad• Finances: Greek Life isn’t free. Brothers and Sisters must pay dues to stay in the organization• Greek Life will take up all of your free time due to commitments of whichever order you will belong to. • Exclusivity: to be in a club, one must be invited. This can cause tensions between friendships and among students on campus.• ‘Stigma Kappa’: The overall negative image of Greek Life portrayed in media and what that entails

The Ugly• Time to party, right!? Not quite. CCGA is a dry campus. • Will there be one overwhelmingly large clique on campus in such a small community?• Racist undertones still exist. Sigma Alpha Epsilon frat boys at the University of Oklahoma recently sparked furor over their racist epithets chanted on a bus ride. The chapter was closed, and the two students were expelled however, it shed light on the fact that racism is alive and well in frat and sorority houses.

Pages designed by: Alvin Fernando

4 www.ccga-crowsnest.com Editorial

Build a Bridge; Get Over It. You are simply and justly tired. There is

no point in cashing in your chips this early. No matter how far away it seems, the end is getting closer by the second. Maybe you’re not doing as well as you thought. What is someone called who graduated at the bottom of their class? They are called a graduate. Don’t worry, the light at the end of the tunnel is not a train.

CORE: Just Do It. Core is the bane of every major’s

existence. You probably thought you covered all this bologna in high school. You did. Tough cookie little rookie, it’s best you bury this course once and for all. Once you are done with core, it’s dust in the wind. You can start focusing on what you want to focus on. Upper division classes are where it’s at; they pertain to the “the real world” so many professors talk about.

It Could Always Be Worse.Losing motivation? Of course you

are. You’re fatigued from the workload, collegiately and socially. Imagine the worst possible scenario. Your family joined a cult, your car broke down, you lost all your limbs in a freak accident, and your beloved pet ran away. Now juxtapose this to your true, current situation. You are fine, honestly. But of course you have a lot of course work due soon; you are in college.

At this point, you’re floating around the academic muck-ruck of Mid’mester. You are traversing the arid badlands of the weeks following Spring Break. Your vision is muddled with hallucinations of Pre-Calculus and English Literature.

Your studies, coupled with work are having an adulterous affair that carries the weight of fathoms upon your conscious. How can you sleep at night when your mind is arguing with itself? It becomes evident that the maxim of sleep comes naturally in class, but not in your own bed.

You’re paying the troll-toll known as CORE. Upper division essays are due in three days and you haven’t even started. There’s a test tomorrow, but you’re working a double tonight in order to make your flat’s rent. You just got home from campus, only to realize you are too broke for Taco Bell, and that the trip back to the Mariners Galley is too expensive gas-trip-nomically.

Frustration, anxiety, anger, all equate to not giving a flying fig about what the rest of the semester entails. Therefore, your own motivation is the dead cardinal left at your doorstep by the neighborhood cat you keep feeding. I am done. I am dropping out. Peace in the Middle East and everywhere else. I urge you, don’t lose sight. Free your mind and your self will follow.

Teachers Are People Too.Think you have it rough? Imagine what

your professor deals with. Envision yourself teaching to a sea of faces illuminated by the screens of smart phones; students constantly checking their Facebook updates and Snapchat stories. Then these professors have to sit and grade papers of students that have completely missed the point. These instructors are just as fatigued as you are, but have the resilience to show up every day and be passionate about their job. How and why? Perception and perseverance.

The Semester is almost over, remember you are not alone in your stress. We’re all in this boat together. Let us see it through to the end, like we signed up to do. Manage your time, take care of No. 1 (that means you), and don’t let your health slip. You are almost to summer break, hang in there kitty cat.

The Mid’mester BluesDrew C. Miller Editor in Chief

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March 2015 5Campus NEws

P I l l o w S C a l e

It is said that the average college student should get eight hours of sleep nightly to maintain energy levels. With stressful schedules, late night study sessions, and even the occasional all-nighter, it is not always possible to acquire all eight hours at one time. If you are a full-time student at the College of Coastal Georgia and you have walked around campus odds are you’ve seen a fellow student snoozing in

the midst of a bustling environment. To be completely honest, there is no shortage of spots where students take naps on campus, but there are a select few spots that are the most popular among CCGA students.

Based on a 1 to 5 “Pillow Scale” (PS), five being the highest rated area; here are a few of the most acclaimed on-campus spots to snag some Zzz’s.

All aboard the snooze cruise

Any classroom - Due to the inability to fully stretch out and the uncomfortable desks, the average classroom gets 2.5 pillows out of 5 on the PS. Find a better place to snuggle up.

Student Center - With its comfortable couches, the Student Center is popular due to its easy accessibility. The only downside to taking naps here is that the area is often crowded and noisy. That won’t stop you though, right? The Student Center receives 4 out of 5 pillows on the PS.

Upstairs Lounge - Quiet, dark, and equipped with couches long enough to stretch out on, there can usually be at least one student found napping in the Upstairs Lounge of the Campus Center. Because of all of the aforementioned factors, the Upstairs Lounge is the pinnacle of indoor napping spots and receives the full 5 pillows on the PS.

Ashton RowlandStaff Writer



Campus NEws

LIC. # MP204639 GA.

For everyone who is excited to study abroad, you will soon have the option to study in Greece through a college that is partnering up with Georgia universities including Coastal Georgia.

An arrangement between the College of Coastal Georgia and the American College of Greece (ACG) has culminated in a formal international exchange agreement; not just for students, but also faculty and staff.

The plan began taking form in the fall of 2013, and continued to blossom as CCGA’s zeal for global awareness and education has become a campus-wide focal point.

Through the efforts of Dr. James Lynch, the College’s Director of Institutional Effectiveness, who had an opportunity to visit Athens, Greece, in May 2015 as part of an international student recruitment initiative, and ACG president David Horner, the two institutions agreed to and signed a Memorandum of Understanding on March 13 in the President’s dining room. The ceremony was attended by students, faculty and staff; photos adjacent.

“The intent of the MOU is to promote cooperation in the exchange of undergraduate students, faculty and staff on both sides, fostering joint research projects and implementing tailored programs such as an intensive, two-week summer study,” Lynch said. “The MOU will be supplemented by details of partnership arrangements negotiated bilaterally between each institution.”

The MOU reiterates the strong commitment to international exchange demonstrated by both institutions; and with the College’s commitment to establish

an international education plan, it helps to embrace student learning outcomes, faculty development, community engagement, and international partnerships. CCGA is striving to create a globalized higher education environment on both the main campus in Brunswick and at the Camden Center.

Over the next few weeks, Adam Johnson, Director of International Initiatives, will be engaging in follow-up conversations with the American College of Greece to develop several student and faculty international exchange initiatives. When these efforts are formalized by June, students and faculty will then have the distinct opportunity to begin partaking in study abroad and joint teaching endeavors as early as fall 2015.

The American College of Greece offers 21 majors, 32 minors, and over 1,000 courses each year, as well as boasting 2,500 undergrads from 50 countries. With a 17-1 student/faculty ratio, it allows for an average of 20 students per class.

ACG is the largest private, American-sponsored College in Europe. It includes three divisions: Pierce (secondary education); Deree (undergraduate and graduate arts & sciences); and the ALBA Graduate Business School. Its partnership with the Open University (U.K.) has allowed students to complete an American degree in British honors award using the U.S. undergraduate degree model.

If you are interested in learning more about an exciting study abroad or teaching exchange opportunity in Greece, please contact Director of International Initiatives Adam Johnson at [email protected].

C CGA

I n k s

Pa r t n e r s h i p

w i t h Ame r i ca n

C o l l e g e

o f G r e e c e

Alaric Shearer Staff Writer

March 2015 7


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From March 12 – 15, a group of Mariners traveled to Tampa, Fla. for the College’s Annual Alternative Spring Break Trip. Organized and chaperoned by Director of Student Activities Andrew Smith, the intention of this alternative break trip was to identify and assist needy populations in the Tampa area.

The primary partner organization for the trip was Metropolitan Ministries, a donor and volunteer-fueled organization based in downtown Tampa. The organization’s mission statement “is to care for the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless in our community through services that alleviate suffering, promote dignity and instill self-sufficiency….”

Students spent two days within MM fulfilling various tasks and duties that are the crux of the operations within the complex. The organization distributes food and clothing, provides housing and employment resources, along with child care, and other supplemental goods to

those who need it most. Each student made a concerted effort to get outside of their comfort zone and face the challenges of working with and for the populations that MM serves.

Aside from the volunteer work, students were able to explore the weirdness of neighboring Ybor City, go to a Yankees-Braves Spring Training game, consume some of the best tacos ever created at Taco Bus, hit the beach, and return to the eccentric and eclectic hostel Gram’s Inn created as an homage to the late and great musician Gram Parsons.

ASB was an opportunity to experience new places, and give back to the greater good while creating lasting bonds with people you probably would never have crossed paths with on campus. If your Spring Break was not what you wanted it to be, I recommend partaking in future alternative break activities. The trip was more than a journey, but an awesome and eye opening experience.

CCGA’sHEADS TO TAMPA FOR 2ND ALTERNATIVE BREAKMariners Spend Their Break

Serving Tampa Community

Drew MillerEditor in Chief

The CCGA ASB team posing on the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus with their campus tour guides.



The Nest flys to warmer weather for Spring Break

Campus NEws

Web Editor Kara Neisen, Blogger Kansas Robison cruised the Carribean with their friend, senior Holly Hammer.

A breathtaking Costa Rican sunset captured by Staff Writer Zach Dismer

Design Editor Alvin Fernando notices a familiar label located at Gram’s Place in Tampa, Fla. during the Alternative Spring Break.

Crow’s Nest Photographer Alyssa Keeve and her volleyball teammates take time from their mission trip to Kenya, Africa to pose for a photo!

March 2015 9

Bringing Live Theatre to The Golden Isles for 58 Seasons

Casino Theatre, Pier Village – St. Simons Island

AUDITIONS“Bye Bye Birdie”

Book by Michael StewartMusic by Charles Strouse

Lyrics by Lee Adams

Sunday, Monday and Tuesday

March 15, 16, 17, 2015 at 7:00 pmAt the Casino Theatre, Pier Village

St. Simons Island

Performance Dates:

May 15th - 31st, 2015 (Weekends)

www.TheIslandPlayers.com

DIRECTED BY Greg Santora

Design Editor Alvin Fernando and Evan Gallagher bag groceries for Metropolitan Ministries during the Alternative Spring Break in Tampa.

Staff Writer Zach Dismer takes the plunge into the ocean during his trip to Costa Rica!



what is yoga? tayklR

As the semester creeps closer to the bitter end and the dreaded finals week looms on the calendar, stress levels will undoubtedly be on the rise.

There are lots of ways for college students to de-stress. There are video games and social media to distract us; beach trips and Starbucks to fuel us. But there’s one thing you may be overlooking as you seek to free yourself of the daily grind – the ancient meditative practice of yoga.

“Yoga is a mind, body connection that relaxes you but makes you work your body at the same time and find your inner peace at the same time,” said Dixie Van Valkenburgh, who teaches two of the three free yoga classes offered by Mariner Recreation. “Yoga is everything.”

After a recent class, Van Valkenburgh spoke with The Nest about the de-stressing capabilities of yoga practice. She noted that one of the primary objectives is to learn how to breathe, which leads to body and mind control.

“Nice deep, relaxing breathes that goes along with the movement and with the type of yoga that I do,” she said. “Learning how to breathe and being able to control your life force, your breath, it helps you to slow down, relax and center on your body and feelings.

Van Valkenburgh said there’s no specific time yoga can be performed. Whether it’s morning, noon or the middle of the night, the most beneficial time is when it feels good to you,

“A lot of people like to get up and do yoga at sun salutations, in the early morning in the sunlight,” she said. “Some people aren’t morning people and that doesn’t relax them or energize them. They’re more in tune with themselves after the end of the day. So you should do yoga when ever it suites you, when it means the most to you.”

Located on the following page are some easy poses you can utilize to de-stress in the comfort of your home or dorm room. Special thanks to Freja Zacho for demonstrating.

Interested in learning more?

Mariner Recreation offers three free yoga classes

in the Fitness Center.

Monday @ Noon - Yoga + w/ Dixie

Tuesday @ 7 p.m. - Power Yoga w/ Reed

Wednesday @ Noon - Yoga w/ Dixie

Taylor BaldwinCrow’s Nest Contributor

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Lifestyle

March 2015 11


Pier Village Area311 Mallery Street

Saint Simons Island, GA 31522912.634.8989

Lifestyle

BASIC YOGA POSES

1. Seated Meditation: Sit with your legs crossed and palms facing down. Focus on your breathing, in and out through your nose. This is a great way to start or end your day.

2. Downward-Facing Dog: Start on your hands and knees, curl your toes under and press against the balls of your feet. Press your chest toward your knees, keep your eyes focused on your toes and press your heels toward the floor. This is one of the most common poses across all forms of yoga.

3. Hanging Ragdoll: Set your fit just outside than shoulder width, allow your knees to bend slightly as your body moves into a relaxed standing forward bend, hands hang loose like a rag doll, allow your head hang heavy and your arms to dangle down or Clasp your elbows with your opposite hand. Feel your neck get long and your hamstrings lengthen and release.

4/5. Cat Pose/Cow Pose: Cat-Cow is a gentle flow between two poses that warms the body and brings flexibility to the spine. It stretches the back torso and neck, and softly stimulates and strengthens the abdominals. It also opens the chest, encouraging the breath to become slow and deep. Coordinating this movement with your breathing relieves stress and calms the mind.

6. Child’s Pose: Get on all fours; slowly sit back with your knees hip width apart as your feet come together. In the fully stretched position, rest your arms in a relaxed position along the floor, rest your stomach comfortably on top of your thighs, and rest your forehead on the mat. Try not to fall asleep.



Lifestyle

local grubaffordable

elegant/casual

Tidal TakeoutLocated off the banks of Clubbs Creek near Highway 17 in Brunswick, Marshside is a great place to go and grab great coastal cuisine. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a full service bar. In the summer, there is live music playing on the deck where you can sit and listen as you eat. Make sure to try the fried spuds while you’re there as a side with your meal.

Pre-Cinema CookingLocated across from the Georgia Theatre Company’s Island Cinemas, Tramici’s is a great place to grab a meal before a movie. As one of the islands best Italian restaurants the fare is always well prepared and well-priced for the quality of the food. With covered outdoor seating and a big awning for dry drop-off, Tramici’s is still a great place to eat on a rainy day. Don’t be afraid to try the calamari with marinara as an anti-pasti or starter.

Near Campus Delight

Local Midday Delicacies

If you’re craving good artisan style pizza for a low price, head over to Arte’s in downtown Brunswick by the Ritz Theatre. The slices are sizable, cooked fast, and it’s cheap. With a large variety of toppings and specialty pies Arte’s is the best bang for your buck. Remember to peep the menu specials and combos they offer. Crave desert? Their cannolis are beyond commendable.

Are you stuck on St. Simons Island and need a cheaper but still good place to eat? If so go and try Hot Dog Alley right outside of the Pier Village next to Moo Cow ice-cream. The food is fast, and staff and customers are excellent. Serving as an outdoor escape from the heat, this is the place to eat.

moderately priced

Always Affordable

Summer Break Snack

At this point in the semester, you’re probably tired of Dockside and The Galley. For some tasty variety this spring, walk across Altama Ave. to try out the legendary Willie’s Weenie Wagon. With indoor and outdoor seating you can take your time or take it with you on the road. Enjoy being close by and not worrying about missing your classes. Make sure to try their world famous pork chop sandwich while you’re there.

If you are in Redfern Village make sure to check out the classic Gnat’s Landing. With both indoor and outdoor seating on the Gnatio you can’t go wrong, and the only thing you need are the Fried Pickles. There is almost always a game on and with their quality service at the bar, Gnat’s is a great place to just go and hangout. This place is especially better on the weekend, when they have live music.

Taylor MoodyCrow’s Nest Contributor

March 2015 13


Lifestyle

spring into

shapeZach Dismer

“Two miles left to run. That’s like 4,500 steps. I can do that. Who am I kidding? I can’t do that. I ate a burrito earlier. I should be dead!” All of these thoughts whiz through my mind as I ascend the stairs to the cardio room of the gym.

I hear quick, pounding footsteps dashing on the treadmills as I turn the corner. It sounds as if Jesse Owens has risen from the grave. Unfortunately, its just a bunch of old geezers in cut off t-shirts who, I assume, are in better shape than me.

I climb onto one of the ellipticals (What? I’ve got shin splints?) and flip through Spotify to see what could potentially motivate me to complete, or nearly complete, a workout program. I opt for the cross-country climb, which shifts through different resistance levels that help build strength and make you question your stamina.

I begin questioning my intentions. Why am I doing this... besides the

free cable access? I don’t know who I will be trying to impress on Spring Break.

As I begin to tear up through the work out, I wonder why everyone tries to get in shape for this nine day break. To try and pick up girls and guys on some crappy, overcrowded beach? To not look a washed up orca? That’s stupid. Orcas are awesome.

The fact of the matter is that working out to get ready for your bathing suit escapades isn’t enough. Cramming in extreme, destructive diets and intense workouts is not what you need to be doing. Start planning a lifestyle change that you can continue through spring break. Try to lighten the load on your plate with healthy alternatives and make time for exercise daily. Alternatively, you can do your body a favor and rely on wild-caught red meat and bourbon like God (Allah, Buddha, John Lennon) intended.

“I’m at the gym. I’m just wearing shorts. That’s all I’m

doing here.”- Louis C.K.



Sports

HOMEGAMESSoftball

Thursday, April 2Coastal Georgia vsAbraham Baldwin Agricultural College

1:00 p.m.

Men’s Tennis

Women’s TennisThursday, April 2

Coastal Georgia vsAbraham Baldwin Agricultural College

1:00 p.m.

Friday, April 3Coastal Georgia vsFlorida State College at Jacksonville

1:00 p.m.

Friday, March 27Coastal Georgia vsBelhaven University

1:00 p.m.*Doubleheader

Saturday, March 28Coastal Georgia vsMartin Methodist


Friday, April 10Coastal Georgia vsUniversity of South Carolina - Beaufort


Saturday, April 11Coastal Georgia vsBrewton-Parker


Friday, April 24Coastal Georgia vsFaulkner University


Saturday, April 25Coastal Georgia vsAuburn University MontgomverySenior Day


Every day, students across the globe in some way, shape or form handle the challenging reality known as college. You’ve stretched yourself thin between studying, cranking out papers, sitting through grueling lectures and more.

Even the most successful students have little to no time for extra-curricular activities including a social life. Aside from the typical run of the mill student, there is another breed of college students that coexist with the former; these individuals are known as student-athletes.

The life of a student-athlete, on scholarship or not, includes the same realities as any other student with added requirements: workouts, practices, and games. Student-athletes, especially those on scholarship, also must maintain a certain grade point average or risk being benched or even kicked off the team.

Senior pitcher and out-fielder for College of Coastal Georgia’s softball team, Cali Bartholomew describes what her life is like as a student-athlete.

“It’s somehow liberating, but also a big responsibility,” said Bartholomew. “If you fall below the requirements, you’re out, and sometimes a student may have to pay that money back. Athletes must attend and pass their classes. We are the face of the school and should be role models.”

Bartholomew is in the midst of her fourth year on a scholarship, her first three years were with Sauk Valley Community College and her last spent at Coastal.

The Mariners All-America basketball player, Reggie Burke, is also in his fourth season as a scholarship athlete. Spending all four seasons at Coastal, Burke is now acclimated to his rigorous schedule, which begins with a 6 a.m.

workout some days. Burke claims there were helping hands along the way.

“Most teachers here at Coastal are especially supportive towards student-athletes,” says Burke. “They don’t just give out A’s, but they know who we are, and what is on the line for us if we don’t do well. They are willing to work with us and pay attention to student-athletes that might fall behind.”

No matter how well a student does in the classroom, despite how many A’s, despite attendance checks against their student records, the term “athlete” is highly focused on. The bottom line is that players must play, and play well./ That is why they were recruited and given a scholarship, to perform or get the boot.

“For me, this is my job, which can be hard sometimes,” said Bartholomew. “The big adjustment for me in the beginning was the travelling long hours to play, and still going to school.”

The life of student-athletes is not a cakewalk, and leaves little room for mistakes and errors. A scholarship could also be withdrawn due to a conduct problem on campus, within the team, or with the law.

“I try to make the best decisions possible, because I know what is on the line,” says Burke. “Plus anything can happen, you could be a great kid, but just be in the wrong place at the wrong time. That’s why you have to be careful who you hang around.”

Playing college sports on a scholarship or not, is the dream of millions of high school athletes, but to achieve that dream sacrifices must be made and sweat must be poured, and still if you do everything right, your way of life could be swept from under your feet; that is the life of a student athlete.

What do student athletes deal with?

March 2015 15Sports

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Spring has sprung, as it inevitably does, and has ushered March Madness in along with it. Seeds have been assigned, and blank brackets have been posted in newspapers and online. Office pools have been created, and the anticipating imaginations of all those interested have begun to think; who will win this year’s tournament?

All this hullabaloo weighs heavy on the backs of the unpaid student athletes.

Let’s talk about the money involved in March Madness. In 2014, March Madness earned the National Collegiate Athletic Association over $1 billion in advertising revenue alone. That amount is more than the ad revenue brought in by the Super Bowl, which is supposed to be the mecca of television advertisement.

The NCAA gets that much money for advertisements by finding a sponsor for almost every aspect of the event. From halftime analysis, to postgame shows, to play of the game replays, to the hallmark moment of the victors cutting down the net, it seems that every second of the game has a sponsor.

The student athlete gets nothing monetarily speaking. The NCAA does this by requiring athletes to declare amateur status before they are allowed to play. Of course, the definition of an amateur is one who is not paid for what they do. To further prevent the athletes from benefitting from their hard work, they require the athletes to agree to all terms and conditions in the NCAA student manual. This manual describes, and bans, every way the NCAA could think of that a student athlete would receive compensation for their play. The punishment for breaking these rules is loss of a scholarship, which basically ends a college athlete’s career.

The hypocrisy enacted by the NCAA is astounding; as the institution treats college coaches completely differently than they treat the student athlete. Coaches are paid salaries in the millions of dollars range. On top of that, the NCAA allows college coaches to pursue endorsement or consultation contracts with shoe, apparel, or equipment manufacturers worth thousands (somtimes millions) of dollars. Coaches also run camps outside of the

season, appear on radio shows and hit the public speaking circuit. They are paid for all of this. That is at least four different revenue streams for coaches, while players have zero.

The mentality of the NCAA is that student athletes get paid in something worth more than money; a college education. But it is not fair to say they really receive that education. College athletes at top-tier athletic universities are forced to spend much more time practicing and working out than the average college student. It is safe to assume that because of this, they don’t learn as much as a normal student who can spend all their time studying.

Colleges have repeatedly been caught boosting college athletes grades by enrolling them in so-called “paper classes” where they get an A for practically no work. Take a college athlete with a low grade point average, stick him in three paper classes over the summer, and boom: they have a 3.0 gpa and are eligible to play in the fall. But when the student athlete graduates, they aren’t equipped with the skills they were promised. Student athletes are cheated out of the education that is supposed to be their compensation for earning their respective university billions of dollars.

The idea behind amateurism is actually quite a beautiful idea. Students went to college, first and foremost, to get an education. While they were there, they would also play a sport, because they loved the game. However, sports would not be their main focus.

Colleges started to realize they could make a boat load of money off of these students. It began with with ticket sales. Then colleges started to sell food and merchandise bearing the likeness of the players at such games. Next thing you know, March Madness is earning the NCAA a cool billion. They are doing everything they can to keep that money out of the hands of the students athletes.

That is how March Madness, the college football playoff, and the business that is college sports has killed what college athletics were originally supposed to be about; the love of the game.

HOW MARCH MADNESS KILLED COLLEGE BASKETBALLJay LandowSports Columnist

The Life of a Student Athletec. garrett

duttonPage 14

Photography by Kara Neisen

vol. 2 issue 8 - march 2015

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