Friday, March 21, 2025
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Transylvania Women’s Lacrosse Wins Fifth Straight Conference Title; Advances to NCAA Tournament

On Saturday, May 6th, the Transylvania University Women’s Lacrosse team defeated the Franklin College Grizzlies 21-4 to win their 5th straight Heartland Collegiate Lacrosse Conference Tournament Championship.

The Pioneers finished the regular season 13-4 with a perfect 6-0 record in conference. This included a decisive 27-5 victory at Franklin in the last game of the regular season to clinch the number one seed and home-field advantage in the HCLC tournament. After the number four-seeded Hanover College Panthers had to forfeit the semifinal match, the Pioneers automatically advanced to the championship, where they would face the number two-seeded Franklin College Grizzlies for the second game in a row. The Pioneers would begin to pull away quickly, as Senior Abbey Peterson, the two-time HCLC Offensive Player of the Year, would score the first goal for Transylvania only 46 seconds into the game. This would be the opening of a first-quarter deluge for the Pioneers, as they would score 9 unanswered goals in the first quarter, and would score 12 before the Grizzlies finally answered with their first goal with 6 minutes left in the second quarter. 6 different Pioneers would score in the first half, with Peterson and Sophomore Charlotte Green each leading the way with 4 goals, as Transylvania would take a 13-2 lead into halftime. While Franklin would score 2 goals early in the third quarter, the Pioneers, led by Senior Abi Waldron, the HCLC Defensive Player of the Year, would clamp down midway through the third quarter and not allow a goal for the rest of the game. Transylvania would continue to stretch the lead with 4 goals in each of the last two quarters, as the Pioneers would ultimately win 21-4.

With this win, the Pioneers secured their fifth straight HCLC Tournament Championship and a perfect 7-0 record against conference opponents. In addition to sweeping the regular season honors, several Pioneers would be named to the All-Tournament team, including Senior Attackers Sophia Sparks and Vianne Koshoffer, Sophomore Midfielder Diana Bruder, Junior Midfielder Linley Dawson, and Junior Defender Claire Duck. 

By winning their conference tournament, Transylvania earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Pioneers will begin the NCAA Tournament the same way they did last year; traveling to Lexington, Virginia for the first two rounds. They will face the Capital University Comets in the first round on May 13th. The winner of that match will go on to face the hometown Washington and Lee University Tridents in the second round.

Transylvania Talent Wows Crowd at Local Venue; Exclusive Interview with “Sphynx”

On Saturday, April 29th, two bands composed of Transy students participated in a concert at Girls Girls Girls Burritos, a popular scene for underground music in downtown Lexington. 

The two groups, Sphynx and Sun Shy, joined four other bands as they took turns on stage throughout the night, treating the audience to a variety of sounds from ‘greasy riff punk’ to ‘garage rock’. With it being only an 8-dollar entry fee and a walkable distance from campus, this event was a perfect opportunity for fellow Transy students to support their talented peers.

The night of music began with Sun Shy, a group composed of vocalist Tyler Baker ‘25, drummer Henry Hoffmann ‘25, and bassist Asa Thomas ‘26. They performed all original songs, minus one cover of Radiohead’s “Bodysnatchers”. The group has one title released named “Whispers,” and another coming on May 5th titled “Holocene”. Being their first gig, vocalist Tyler Baker described the experience as “a great opportunity” for the musicians. He stated that “having the chance to play alongside our friends in Sphynx, as well as other incredible local artists, was perfect.” He added, too, that “having the support of the Transylvania community was wonderful, and we’re excited to grow in the Lexington music scene.”

Speaking on Saturday’s turnout, Baker expressed how much it meant to the trio, saying, “We really appreciated all of the support we’ve been given so far. As a three-piece band, it can be a little daunting to try promoting our stuff, so all support is incredibly appreciated.” The band has two shows planned in the near future. “On May 15th, we’ll be performing in Transylvania’s Bat Bash–right here in Back Circle! We’ll also be returning to Girls on May 31st with Campus Rex, a super fun group from Cincinnati,” stated Baker.

After performances by other local bands such as the Vibrolas & Small Steps, Sphynx took the stage as the closing act. All members of the class of 2024, the band is composed of vocalist Zach Drury, lead guitarist Jacob Ranzau, rhythm guitarist Bruno Sieber, bassist Jacob Young, and drummer Noah Hamblin. This concert was their album release show, celebrating the launch of Whispers, which hit streaming platforms the day prior. They mostly stuck to their album but played a few covers including “Freebird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd as an encore closer, which ended up being a serious crowd-pleaser.

I was able to speak with Jacob Ranzau, Sphynx’s lead guitarist, about the album, concert, and more. The interview can be seen below:

Jack: This was Sphynx’s first album. What kind of work went into the project, and how has the Transy community supported you all along the way?

Ranzau: Writing technically took the most time, only because we got started on it last year. The album itself was finished around February 2023. Recording and mixing took the most actual work, especially on Bruno’s end. He mixed and mastered all the songs. Excluding singles, we recorded and produced everything by the end of March.

Jack: Wow! That had to be a stressful month, especially on top of classes and other obligations.

Ranzau: For sure. As a band, this was a really stressful period. The hardest part was finding times that worked for everyone. It took a lot of delegation and teamwork. Bruno spent his entire Spring Break mixing songs in the DART lab, all day every day until it was done. Many late nights.

Jack: I’m sure. About the DART lab, is it free to use? Was that kind of accessibility helpful to you all?

Ranzau: We made it clear that we weren’t paying for studio time, so having access to the DART lab studio was a blessing. The album was recorded and mixed completely free on Transy’s campus with permission from the music department.

Jack: Let’s talk about the concert. What did this opportunity mean to you guys, and how did it feel to perform for a crowd filled with fellow Transy students?

Ranzau: The show was incredible, and we’re so grateful that the other bands were there to play with us. It felt like the beginning of something awesome. Seeing so many Transy students in the crowd, many of whom I didn’t know personally, meant so much. Hopefully, we can keep this momentum going.

Jack: Before we finish up, I have to ask about that Freebird performance. You guys killed it. What brought that on, and what was your favorite part?

Ranzau: Freebird was unplanned, but it didn’t come as a surprise for us. We play it at the end of most rehearsals because it’s just a fun song to jam on. We knew our friends might want to hear it at the end, so before the show we prepared for it just in case. When the encore came, we knew what to do. My favorite part was the solo, of course. The energy was electric, and Noah was going nuts on the drums so we all sat down for the crowd to watch him.

Jack: That’s incredible, thanks for sharing. Anything else you’d like for the people to know about Sphynx?

Ranzau: Of course. Stream Whispers on Spotify and Apple Music! We’ve also got shirts, buttons, and other merch on the way. Thanks to everyone who came Saturday, the energy was awesome and we’re so grateful for the support. We’ll be back soon, and a second project may already be in the works…

Jack: Right on! Thanks, Jacob.

Ysa Leon and Beau Norton Participate in SGA Presidential Debate

On Tuesday night, the Rambler hosted a debate for the upcoming Student Government Association presidential election, the first contested presidential race in several years. The two candidates, Junior Ysa Leon and Freshman Beau Norton, answered questions about their qualifications and platforms ahead of the election on Wednesday the 18th. 

Leon began their opening statement by going through their many previous and current roles on campus. These include working as an organizer for several statewide and local campaigns, serving as an SGA senator and member of the Committee on Programming and Curriculum for three years as well as serving as the Academic Affairs Chair this year, being a founding member of both OneTeam and the Latin Student Alliance, and serving on the Faculty Appointment Advisory Subcommittee. Leon also helped organize a recent town hall to address student concerns with the cafeteria, and they reaffirmed their commitment to increased transparency on campus. Leon emphasized their mission to make Transy a “more inclusive and connected campus”, stating, “It’s time for the presidency to be held by a Trans-Latino student. I will be the first openly Trans SGA President, and we cannot underestimate the power of representation at a PWI.”

Norton’s opening statement emphasized his main goal of greater connectedness with the student body. Norton stated in his speech, “I just want to make things clear. I have three plans to help the people. I intend to lead the people, help the people, and represent the people. And that includes every single one of you. Thank you.”

The debate then moved into several prepared questions, which were answered in alternating order by each candidate:

What experiences have prepared you for the role of President? How will those experiences impact your leadership? – 

Norton emphasized his lack of experience in any presidential role and how it allowed him to “bring a fresh set of eyes” to the position. Norton argued that his newer perspective would allow for new ideas, specifically ideas that would represent the interests of “the average student of Transylvania.” Leon went the opposite direction, restating the many leadership positions they have held, from being a First Engagements Scholar to the President of OneTeam. Leon specifically stated that serving as the Academic Affairs chair “prepared me as a mini-version of what I would do as President.”

What do you see as the top three/top few issues facing students? – 

In specific regards to SGA, Leon identified inclusivity and transparency as the most important issues to address. Leon reaffirmed their ability to represent every student on campus, especially in the face of human rights issues both on campus and statewide. Leon also recognized the need to pull back the curtain on the inner workings of SGA, stating, “I want to make sure that students know what’s going on with SGA and feel like they can come talk to us about their issues.” Leon’s proposed solutions to these issues included SGA open hours where students could express concerns and ideas, as well as an SGA newsletter. Norton was more specific with his suggestions, which included adding Crimson Card access to more building entrances on the academic side of campus, working with dining staff to add more seafood options, and expanding hours of late-night dining options.

If elected, what do you as a leader bring to this position that will help to promote growth in the students around you? – 

Norton emphasized the importance of transparency with the student body, stating, “I think the number one thing I can offer is transparency, in the sense that you could walk up to me going to class or in the cafeteria, and I will be open to talking about new ideas that I can present to my fellow senators at SGA.” Leon reiterated the importance of representation in the current political climate, stating, “There are a lot of people who don’t see themselves in positions of power…I felt alienated for three years until I found my people, and I want other students to have the chance to find their people too.”

Accountability is defined as taking ownership to ensure priorities are achieved. How can students hold you and other SGA members accountable for your actions in office? – 

Leon once again referred to their plan to hold weekly SGA open hours, citing the recent town hall on cafeteria concerns as an example of how SGA can better interact with the student body. This and their proposed SGA newsletter are steps designed to increase this interaction, with Leon stating, “We are elected to represent the student body, but there are more students that are on SGA, so we need to hear from everyone.” Norton expressed interest in a system that would “set up our SGA senators for success,” making it a requirement that each SGA senator completes an annual/semester project to ensure that “every senator is participating to the fullest extent that they can.”

Experience and engagement with the Transylvania University administration is an integral part of being Student Body President. What experiences do you have working with current or former administrators that would benefit you in this role – 

Norton recounted his specific experience working with Dean of Students Michael Covert and other administrators in installing the new Ale-8-One machine in the Campus Center Game Room. Leon recounted their experience working with faculty and staff on the Committee on Programming and Curriculum. the Commencement Committee, and the Faculty Appointment Advisory Subcommittee. On an informal level, Leon argued that their familiarity with professors and administrators “shows how committed [they are to] being part of the Transy community.”

In what ways does your platform differentiate you from other campaigns, past and present? – 

Leon argued that their platforms of transparency and inclusivity reflected who they were as a person and candidate. Leon acknowledged the importance of transgender representation at Transy, and how their identity is “a driving force of who I am and why I’m so passionate about making campus an inclusive environment.” This inclusivity also applies to Leon’s wish to make SGA more accessible and inviting to the general student body. Norton once again referred to his relative inexperience and “casual demeanor,” and how it enabled him to increase transparency. Norton specifically stated, “I’m just a guy. And I’m here as just a guy for each and every one of the students of Transylvania University.”

How do you plan to utilize SGA’s Budget? Do you have a plan to expand it? – 

Norton acknowledged the limited nature of the SGA budget and how he wished to utilize as much of the budget as possible. Norton was unsure how much power he would reasonably have to expand the budget, but he stated that he was “absolutely an advocate of an expanded budget.” Leon was also unsure of the ability to expound the budget but used the example of an art piece they made for a class final that was partially funded by SGA as an example of how they could use the budget to further interactions with students. Leon also advocated for working with the Student Activities Board to better utilize both budgets and bring events to students. 

SGA Presidential elections will be held on Wednesday, April 18th. In-person voting will be available in the campus center from 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., and online voting will be available via a link in the Daily TNotes. If you wish to watch the presidential debate in full, a recording is available on the Rambler’s Instagram (@turambler).

“Eighty-Sixing” the Rumors; Bon Appétit Responds to Campus Concerns with Transparency

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Since the Rambler initially reported on the concerns surrounding the latest health inspection score of the Transy Cafeteria, many new & reassuring details have come to light. Here is the most up-to-date information that we have on the situation:

Inspired by a discussion between Transy’s Student Government and Bon Appétit representatives, SGA would host a public town hall event on Friday, April 14th. The open discussion featured General Manager Chris Harris and Catering Director Erin Chenault. It was at this event that many questions would be answered, and concerns addressed.

Tuesday, April 11th, was a “perfect storm,” according to Harris and his team. The fire suppression system was triggered at the start of lunch by a still unknown cause in the Rafskeller Cafe, which shut off all the gas in the kitchen and prevented lunch from continuing. Soon after this chaotic situation, a health inspector arrived for an investigation, responding to concerns about potential food-borne illnesses. Harris continually emphasized the difference between a normal inspection and this investigation. The inspector showed up without warning, and the kitchen staff was not allowed to correct minor violations that would otherwise be forgiven. For example, Harris claimed that a violation for improper food dating that was listed on the investigation report was the result of a batch of salsa that had expired the previous day. While the salsa was set out on a table with other items that needed to be thrown away, the health inspector saw it and marked off points. As for the concerns that the inspection report containing the score was covered up on Tuesday and Wednesday, Harris stated that it was “unintentional,” and that “a lot of things got moved around” in the disarray of Tuesday morning.

When discussing the 86 grade from the investigation, the major concern held by students of food poisoning was immediately contested by Harris. He made sure it was clear that the health inspector “found no indicators of food poisoning,” despite the harsh score. Actual violations included decorative plants & books in the kitchen, chipped metal in food storage units, stocks in a cooling room not being covered, chicken that was in the process of being cooked at 5° below the required temperature, and the most severe citation resulting from what Harris described as “10 dish gnats” around a drain. Harris assured those in attendance that all of these issues had been or would be resolved before a follow-up inspection. 

All representatives for Bon Appétit and the Transylvania administration expressed regret over the concern that this inspection had caused, stating that it had “been years” since they received a score less than 99, and that they took pride in the quality of food they serve to students, faculty, and staff. One of the most repeated points of the night was that Bon Appétit had an “open door policy” that they wanted to normalize in the cafeteria. “If there is an issue, come to us,” Harris stated. Harris and others at the town hall suggested ideas such as kitchen tours, student forums on dining, and further cooperation between SGA and the dining staff, all in an effort to be as transparent with the Transylvania community as possible.

Image credits to Transylvania University

Food Poisoning Fiasco: Everything We Know About Transy’s Culinary Calamity

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Yesterday, April 11th, a sequence of events in The Great Hall, known colloquially as ‘The Caf,’ raised many questions and concerns amongst the Transylvania community. It all began when the usual lunch programming from 11:00am-2:00pm was postponed by a fire-related emergency, and would later be canceled altogether due to complications in the kitchen. Dinner and Late-Night service proceeded as usual, but students began to notice something that most individuals would overlook.

Yesterday also happened to be the date of a standard health code inspection. With a previous score of 100 and a mostly consistent history of passing scores, students were shocked at the failing score of 86. While that would count as a “B” on your final exams, this score is similar to a “D” in the eyes of health inspectors, as a score less than 85 would constitute a process that might lead the facility to be shut down. More curious was the fact that the inspection notice was covered up by a miscellaneous sign during dinner hours, a small move that slid past many unsuspecting students. Once revealed, the health code inspection listed violations of the following requirements: Good Hygienic Practice, Protection from Contamination, Temperature Control for Safety, Utensils/Equipment, and Physical Facilities.

Many students took notice of the rather disturbing situation, including SGA President Tate Ohmer ‘23, who took it upon himself to ask questions and get to the bottom of what was going on. While discussing the matter with cafeteria staff, Tate discovered that one of the major reasons for the low score was food contamination issues likely relating to storage units that date back to the days of Bon Appétit’s predecessor, “Sodexo,” who provided Transylvania’s meals until the end of the 2018-2019 academic year. Tate went on to ask the facility manager Chris Harris to weigh in, who stated that a follow-up would occur in 10 days and that the current situation was “not a big deal.”

Some of Transylvania’s students may disagree, however, with a recent spike in cases of what is being identified as food poisoning by those who are experiencing it. The Rambler’s own Madalyn Stump ‘25 began feeling sick on April 5th with a stomachache unlike anything she had felt before. With many other severe symptoms becoming prominent, Stump went to the U.K. Hospital to get checked out, where she was put through many tests and trials that would cost her hundreds of dollars. “All of my tests came back negative but the doctor told me that there’s a chance that the tests aren’t always accurate, that I could have food poisoning,” reports Stump.

Before leaving, her doctor informed her that “A few Transy students came in [to the hospital] with food poisoning and bacteria in their stomachs.” Madalyn decided to share this with her peers, and replies began flooding in with similar cases being reported among individuals and their friends. The common thread? They had all gotten sick after eating food from the cafeteria. This is especially alarming for students like Stump. “The only thing I eat is the food here at Transy because it’s all I can afford,” she admitted, and she is certainly not the only one. While many students can avoid eating in The Great Hall until conditions improve, those like Stump will have no other choice but to eat there with the looming risk of food poisoning. Will students with meal plans be compensated in any way? Will consequences fall on whoever hid the inspection scores? There are many questions still left unanswered, and only time will tell what is to come of this situation.

The Rambler will continue to cover this story as necessary. Tate Ohmer hopes to take action along with the rest of SGA to solve this ongoing issue on our campus. If you want to get involved, contact him at wtohmer23@transy.edu, and if you feel sick after eating at ‘The Caf,’ make sure to report it at https://transylvania.cafebonappetit.com/.

Image Credits to Transylvania University and Tate Ohmer.

Recap: Transylvania Community Celebrates Women’s Basketball Championship with Public Rally

After winning the Division III National Championship in Dallas, Transylvania University’s women’s basketball team received a warm welcome when they returned to Lexington. The stands of the Clive M. Beck Center were packed with supporters on April 5th for the celebration of the team that made school history. 

Dr. Sharon Brown shared what the team’s win meant to her in the fiftieth year of Title IX. She recalled that as a young girl she played baseball on her brother’s team, which her father coached. “I went to every practice and played shortstop at every scrimmage, but when it came to game day I had to sit on the bench… because I was a girl,” said Brown. She explained that as a young woman, she was frustrated about being excluded on the basis of gender. Her frustration led to motivation, and Brown began her town’s first little league softball program. She described how excited she was as she watched the Transylvania women’s basketball team win the national championship in Dallas. She said, “What I experienced in Dallas was unimaginable to my eleven-year-old self sitting on the bench keeping score for my brother’s game.” She expressed to the team that because of Title IX, many women have blazed the trail before them including Vice President of Athletics, Holly Sheilly, and their coach Juli Fulks. “Now you have become mentors for other girls and young women… you have taught us to dream and to dream until our dreams come true.” 

Following Dr. Brown, President Brien Lewis made his own statement. He congratulated the team on their undefeated season and national championship win. “We’re so proud; not just of what you did, but how you did it… You carried yourselves with class, with passion, with outstanding sportsmanship. Your focus was unbelievable” said Lewis. “You are truly the new gold standard in Kentucky basketball.” To shine some light on just how remarkable the team’s accomplishments have been, Lewis shared some eye-opening statistics. “Some of you may know that Division III is the largest division in the NCAA in terms of the number of institutions that participate. Women’s basketball is the largest field of competition in NCAA Division III… So, Pioneers… you are on the very top of the biggest mountain in collegiate sports.” 

Afterward, Lexington mayor Linda Gorton spoke and celebrated the accomplishments of the Transylvania women’s basketball team. She presented head coach Juli Fulks and the entire team with the “Spirit of Lexington Award.” Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman was also in attendance for the event. She first addressed the women’s basketball team with a powerful message that stressed the importance of those that came before them and those who supported them along the way. “Your journey started a long time ago before any of you even knew each other. And that trail was blazed by so many talented players who have played here along the way and built this program.” As a way to honor the team, the Lt. Governor presented each of the coaches and players with the highest honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, being named a Kentucky Colonel. 

Vice President of Athletics Holly Sheilly also expressed her excitement for the championship win. She recognized the alumni that helped build the program and continue to support it. She said that the national championship trophy also belongs to them as well as everyone who supported the team on their journey to Dallas. She thanked everyone who supported the team, which was now one of only 90 teams in all of NCAA Division III to have won a national championship. 

Senior Madison Kellione, a highly accomplished player on the championship team, spoke next on behalf of herself and the entire team. She thanked Lexington and the Transy community for their continuous support. She shared how her experiences before coming to Transy made her strive to win a national championship, and how basketball has opened many doors for her, including the opportunity to meet Dr. Jill Biden and Billy Jean King while in Dallas. 

To wrap up the event, head coach and HCAC Coach of the Year Juli Fulks spoke to celebrate her undefeated team. She shared how grateful she was for all the support that the team and coaches received during their efforts to reach the goals they set last May. Fulks said, “We collectively went through last season and why we thought it was so amazing, but then were really honest in our vulnerabilities on the court, as people, of what we thought might have held us back… not talking about it really, everybody wrote their dreams for their life, and not just basketball… and everybody wrote ‘win the national championship.’” This full circle moment described by coach Fulks truly captured what the championship meant to her and the team. 

As Transylvania’s first national championship win, the well-deserved title that the women’s basketball team brought home represents years of hard work and dedication from not only the players and coaches, but also alumni, administrators, and the Transy community as a whole.

Thumbnail Image retrieved from T-Notes

Dancing in Dallas: Transy Women’s Basketball Claims National Title

It might have been April 1st, but the Transylvania University women’s basketball team taking the National Championship Title is the furthest thing from a joke. Our women’s basketball team made history on Saturday as not just the first Transylvania sports team to appear in a national championship, but also becoming the first to win a national title. 

The team has been breaking records since last season when they made it to the Elite Eight for the first time in the program’s history. This season, they made history once again when they made it to the Final Four, beating New York University 79-63 and moving on to play Smith College. The team had their eyes on the prize as they secured a 76-65 win over Smith to gain a spot in the National Championship. No. 1 ranked Christopher Newport Captains and No. 2 ranked Transylvania Pioneers would go head to head for the National Title. 

The only way to describe the energy at the American Airlines Center on Saturday morning was electric. Transylvania fans and alumni traveled hundreds of miles to show their support for the team. The Transylvania Volleyball Team was there cheering on their fellow athletes, and President Brien Lewis, too, showed his continued support. Some fans had caught overnight flights and some, like myself, did the twelve-hour road trip from Lexington to Dallas. After an exciting and undefeated season, Transy fans were fired up and ready to watch the team take what was rightfully theirs. 

The first quarter began with Christopher Newport taking an early lead of 12-6, but after a quick timeout from Transy, the Pioneers were able to get the score to 15-12 Captains. The second quarter saw Transy finding their groove and with a well-placed three from Kennedy Harris (‘24) Transy took the lead with 20-18. By the end of the first half the score was 23-21 Transy, and the team had successfully shaken the also undefeated Captains. The excitement in the stadium was palpable. The beginning tastes of victory had Transy fans screaming for more. 

The second half began with Transy building on their lead with the score being 36-29 with two minutes left in the third quarter. The Pioneers continued to push the Captains, ending the quarter 39-32 Transy. The last quarter of the game had every person in the crowd on the edge of their seats if they weren’t already on their feet. With just two minutes left on the clock, the score was 47-47. This was the team’s last chance to leave everything they had on the court. With two sunk free throws from Kellione the crowd watched intensely to see if our defense could hold the Captains at bay. A lay-up from Thornton and free throws from Stacy had the score 55-49 Transy. The Captains saw a brief glimpse of hope after a three put the score at 55-52, but a CNU foul had Laken Ball making two final free throws with two seconds remaining. Transylvania had secured a 33-0 record and the title of National Champions with a final score of 57-52. After the historical season they’ve had, there could not have been a more perfect ending.

Madison Kellione, a senior on the team, made history yet again by receiving the Elite 90 award for maintaining a 3.96 GPA while also having an undefeated season. She also led the game in points, scoring 17 of 57. Senior Daisa Thornton achieved a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Kennedi Stacy finished with 8 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 steals–almost a triple-double! 

This team has put their all into the game and into each other, and it shows on the court. They move as a unit, playing as five parts of a fantastic whole. Congratulations to Coach Fulks, the entire coaching staff, and the brilliant players for a season that will go down in history! 

There will be a welcome home celebration for the team on Wednesday, April 5th at 3:30pm in the Clive M. Beck Center!

“Reviving” the Concerning Past of Asbury University

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Asbury University, a local college in Wilmore, KY, has garnered an influx of attention due to the revival that has recently happened on its campus. It began on the 8th of February, 2023, and started after the choir and worshipers continued to worship after the service ended. This service reached over 20,000 people during the last weekend of February, congesting the town that normally holds around 6,000 people. There has seemed to be a flocking to this revival and has reached people from Finland, the Netherlands, and all across the nation. There has been a resurgence of revivals all around the US and includes other KY schools such as the University of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, and Kentucky Christian University. This revival hit the 2-week mark on February 22nd and had its closing night on the 23rd due to the effects that it had on academia and professors. 

While this is a great display of faith among students of Asbury and around the world, there have been questions raised about the event. The attitude surrounding the revival has been split. There have been concerns expressed by Wilmore locals about the excess traffic into the area that is causing backup into residential driveways. There have been exclamations made that the Asbury Revival is “what heaven looks like”, and this sentiment excludes a significant chunk of the population. From the videos that have been taken of the revival, there is a lack of representation of BIPOC. There are approximately 1,700 students who attend Asbury and out of those there are 56 international students, 56 Hispanic students, and 55 black or African American students. With the population of students being predominantly white, this lack of diversity from within the college explains those who have experienced the revival; but it also brings up the question of why there is a lack of representation of the revival that is said to be open to all. 

While the revival lacks a representation of non-white students, the institution as a whole also has had a negative past surrounding LGBTQ students, legislation, and support. There have been many concerns for LGBTQ students who have experienced numerous accounts of discrimination from Asbury University. This not only includes students, but faculty. Per Linda Blackford at the Lexington Herald-Leader, “two popular and beloved faculty – Jon Roller [Worship Arts program] and Jill Campbell [music education] – were told their contracts would not be renewed,” the reason being that “they were supportive of Asbury’s LGBTQ students.”  There has been some backlash towards the revival due to the Kentucky State Senate bill that passed during the revival which is a discriminatory bill that targets LGBTQ students. A sophomore from Transylvania University Isa Slaughter has shared some of her opinions on the matter, “The fact that Christians are able to gather to share in their love and devotion to their community and have it garner national attention while a huge portion of our country is fighting for their right to exist is painful. Especially when the community that gets to freely express themselves is historically one that has ostracized anyone who does not conform to their beliefs–especially the LGBTQ+ community.”  Like many students I’ve had to privilege of speaking with, there is no hatred or frustration directed to their free expression, rather it is the community that has a negative past involving LGBTQ+ students that have made many challenges the recent events over at Asbury.

Transylvania Women’s Basketball Advances to National Championship for First Time in Program History

On Saturday, March 18th, the #2 Transylvania Pioneers Women’s Basketball team defeated the #4 Smith College Pioneers in the Final Four in Hartford, Connecticut, advancing to the National Championship game for the first time in program history. The Pioneers improve to a perfect 32-0 on the season and will play for the National Championship against #1 Christopher Newport on April 1st in Dallas, Texas. 

Hosting the Sweet Sixteen in the Beck Center on March 10th, Transylvania faced off against the #16 Ohio Northern University Polar Bears. Unlike the back-and-forth contest against Milikin in the Second Round, this was a game firmly controlled on all levels by the Pioneers throughout. 5 three-pointers in the first quarter led to a 12-point lead after the first quarter that was never relinquished. A 17-0 run in the third quarter, as well as 25 points off of 20 Ohio Northern turnovers, would secure a Pioneer victory long before the final score of 67-43 was set. The Pioneers would play in the Elite Eight the next day, the round where the 2021-2022 team suffered their first and only loss of the season to Trine University. This year, the Pioneers would compete against the #6 New York University Violets for the right to advance to the final four for the first time in program history. The two teams went back and forth throughout the first quarter, with Transylvania taking a one-point lead after ten minutes. That lead was never relinquished, as the Pioneers would outscore the Violets 21-9 in the Second Quarter and have a lead as large as 20 points in the second half. Seniors Kennedi Stacy, Dasia Thornton, and Madison Kellione would each score 20 points en route to a 79-63 Transylvania victory.

One week later on March 18th, the Pioneers would play in their first final four game in program history against the #4 Smith College Pioneers, who boasted an impressive 30-1 record and a talented team that included WBCA National D3 Player of the Year Morgan Morrison. The final four was held at the Ray Oosting Gymnasium on the campus of Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. While the venue was chosen as a neutral site, the proximity of the arena to Smith College, with it being a 49-minute drive from the campus, turned the match into a de-facto road game for the Pioneers. The first quarter would be closely contested, with several lead changes and an eventual three-point lead for Smith College after 10 minutes. Transylvania would take the lead and begin to pull away in the latter half of the second quarter due to increased offense as well as foul trouble for Smith, culminating in a 57-42 lead for Transylvania after three quarters. Smith would begin a furious comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to 69-64 with a jumper by Ally Yamada with a little over two minutes remaining. On the subsequent Transylvania possession, Senior and WBCA First Team D3 All-American Madison Kellione would make a three-pointer at the top of the key to bring the lead back up to eight. On their next possession, Transylvania would use most of the shot clock before Kellione would drive to the rim and draw a critical fifth foul on Morrison. Kellione would make both free throws to cement an eventual 76-65 win and national championship berth. 

With this win, the Pioneers have advanced to the Division 3 National Championship game and improved their undefeated record to 32-0, by far the best mark in school history. Transylvania will face the #1 Christopher Newport Captains in the title game. The Captains are one of the few teams who have been ranked ahead of the Pioneers this season, as well as one of the few other teams that went undefeated in the regular season. The National Championship game will be held in the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on April 1st at 12:00 P.M.

Transy Women’s Basketball Advances to Second Straight Sweet Sixteen; Remains Undefeated

On March 4th, the #2 Transylvania Pioneers Women’s Basketball team defeated the #15 Millikin University Big Blue in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Sweet sixteen for the second year in a row. The Pioneers also improved their undefeated record to 29-0, now the most wins in program history. 

The Pioneers opened the NCAA Tournament in the Beck Center on Friday the 3rd with a matchup against the Rhodes College Lynx, the SAA Conference Champion. The Pioneers would lead the low-scoring affair for the entire game, leading by 8 points at the end of the first quarter and more-or-less maintaining or slightly improving on that margin through the entire game. The key difference in this game, a 58-45 Transylvania victory, was the opportunistic Pioneer defense, with seven steals and 12 points off turnovers in the first quarter alone. The Pioneers were led by senior Dasia Thornton, who earned a double-double with a season-high 16 rebounds, and senior Kennedi Stacy, who led the Pioneers with 20 points. 

The Pioneers would be challenged further in the second round on Saturday the 4th, where they would face the #15 Millikin University Big Blue, the champion of the CCIW Conference. The environment in the Beck Center for this game was electric, with droves of students and Transylvania fans, as well as a large contingent of Millikin supporters, cheering on their teams. The Big Blue would come out swinging with impressive three-point shooting, but the Pioneers would recover to take a 36-24 into halftime. Milliken would go on an impressive run during the third quarter to tie the game at the start of the fourth. But after that, the Pioneers would take control with a dominant fourth quarter, outscoring the Big Blue 25 to 13 in the quarter, with many of the Millikin points coming when the game was already out of reach, on route to a 71-59 victory. 

With this win, the Pioneers advance to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row. They also improved their record to a perfect 29-0, undoubtedly the best in program history. The Pioneers also entered last year’s Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight undefeated, a mark they hope to match and surpass with the games this weekend. The Pioneers will face the #16 Ohio Northern University Polar Bears in the Sweet Sixteen on Friday, March 10th at 7:00 P.M. in the Beck Center. If they win that game, the Pioneers would advance to the Elite Eight the following day and face the winner of a match between the New York University Violets and the Trine University Thunder.

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