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ReACTion: Theater professors’ departure

Among the staffing changes within the university over the summer, one change in particular was noteworthy. Transylvania’s theater program experienced the loss of not one, not two, but three of its theater professors: Professor Sully White, Professor Michael Dixon, and Lecturer Michael Sanders. The professors’ last day was August 31st, 2017.

Melissa (Missy) Johnston has since taken over the position as Interim Director of Theater Activities. Johnston holds an MFA theater degree and over 30 years of experience as costume designer, set designer, actor, producer, and playwright, and has been working in the theater department at Transy since 2008. The Rambler reached out to former Professors Dixon, White, and Lecturer Sanders for comments, but only received a reply from Professor White, who did not give any clue as to why she or the others left. While the reason behind their sudden departures still remains unclear, The Rambler contacted students who were and currently are involved in some way with Transy’s theater program to ask what their thoughts were on the matter.

Did their decisions to leave come as a shock, or did something suggest their departure?

J.D. Lovell, sophomore. Theater and Accounting major: “It was a complete surprise, I was in disbelief when I found out. I spent a lot of time with those professors towards the end of May Term and they gave me no sign that they had intentions of resigning.”

Joseph Bahena, senior. Theater major: “I wasn’t shocked. I was shook. Like, come on! Have you ever heard of almost an entire department leaving at once!?”

Blake Taylor, senior: “No comment – what’s happened has happened and looking forward is really the only thing we can do to get the theatre education we provide to a respectable level.”

Trevor Kassis, junior. Philosophy major: “Something like this wasn’t outside of the realm of possibility in my mind, but it was a surprise nonetheless, especially so close to the beginning of the school year.”

Aaron Botts, senior. Theater and International Affairs major: “The news came as a shock. We all hated to see them go but whatever their motivations were for leaving we do know they did it for the best reasons. To my knowledge there were no signs showing that they were leaving immediately.”

What do you think this change means for the department itself?

Lovell: “I don’t think that anyone involved in the department are ones to lay down and quit when the going gets tough. I think we are all ready to do what it takes to continue making art.”

Kassis: “I was a theater minor, but this change led me to the decision to drop that minor, because I don’t want to subject myself to an anemic, stopgap program for two years. For majors, especially upperclassmen, this isn’t so much an option. I fear that the department will lose that feeling and become more geared toward simply getting the credits you need and moving on, at least during this transitional period.”

Bahena: “As a current theater major, I think this change means that we get to take what was given to us creatively and run with it.”

Taylor: “As a senior, who has had all of his required classes, and has been doing theatrical work outside of the university, the change doesn’t affect the nature of my goals on campus. For those that have many classes left to take, or had primary mentor-ship with the former professors I’m sure it is a bigger concern and issue considering our former professors were exceptional teachers and now we do not know who is being brought in.”

Ashleigh King, sophomore. History and Political Science major: “Of course the departure of the teachers will be a bit of a blow, but I don’t think that the theater department will go downhill. Especially because we have Missy (the interim director) to lead us. She’s amazing and so creative. Like the costumes she comes up with are just fantastic. We couldn’t have anyone better to lead us through this. But I’m confident that Transy will hire new staff that are just as talented and will bring their own personal flair to the department.”

Ben Wagner, Senior: “In terms of people who may want to pursue the major, do it! Missy Johnston is our interim department head and she’s been an amazing part of this department for almost a decade now. There’s no reason that this should scare anyone away from the theatre.”

Botts: “We aren’t losing the department or program, we are simply losing valuable friends, teachers, and mentors that have helped us better understand the subject. The good thing is we still have a department and I am confident Missy will keep the rigor and prestige Transylvania’s theatre is known for.”

What does this change mean for you, personally?

Bahena: “It means I’ve got to really start thinking of myself as an artist that takes creative leaps without a net to catch me if I fall. I’ve got to learn to be my own loving critic and my own motivator. I won’t be surrounded with a faculty that knows how to help me build upon my own artistic viewpoint by knowing me as well as they did. Ya know?”

Kassis: “For me, personally, it’s a major frustration. Theater is an expressive outlet that I truly love and want to engage with, and the Transy shows I’ve been a part of have been wonderful experiences. There were many courses I was excited to take and roles I wanted to try for that, now, I just won’t. Simply put, it sucks.”

Taylor: “It may have been revealed in the previous answer, but as it stood and still stands I’m not really emotionally tied to the program. With that being said, I think by starting fresh, we as a program, and as a university should look inward, criticize what was working/not working, have real honest conversation, and move forward to build a better future.”

Lovell: “I am very thankful for the opportunity I had to learn from them. I know that changes like this are not uncommon in a university. Therefore, I remain very positive about the department and I’m very excited for the upcoming year. Although I am very disappointed that their personalities and geniuses will not be on campus next year.”

Wagner: “Of course I’m sorry to see these three amazing people leave. I’ve become close with each of them since getting involved in the department and they’ve been something of mentors for me. But I also know that they’re going to continue doing amazing things and that this change is an incredibly hard decision that they’ve put so much time into making. “

Botts: “On a personal note, it is not like we have lost them forever. They are our friends and mentors and that relationship doesn’t stop just because they left the university.”

King: “Sully is an incredible director and mentor. She has such an eye for comedy and makes things funny so easily that it’s just astonishing. Sully just has this way of inspiring people to do better, which you can tell from the way that people talk about her. And that brings me to the wonderful Micheal Dixon. He directed my first play at Transy, Anonymous, which will always be such a special play. During Anonymous, he let us explore our own characters and make our own choices, a luxury that I wasn’t afforded in previous theater departments, and really helped me grow and dig about my acting style. I’ve never had a class with Mike Sanders but he is brilliant. I respect their decisions, but I will definitely miss all of them immensely.”

What do you think this major change in the department means for theater majors and people who want to pursue a major in theater at Transy?

Lovell: “We are obviously losing three great professors, three great professionals who are masters of their craft. The classes that I had the opportunity to take with them were some of the most effective that I took during my first year. Just in my first year at Transy I learned many things about myself as an actor, writer, and designer, thanks to them. So it will be a great loss in the classroom and in the creative process of each production. Ultimately though, with Missy Johnston as our interim director, the dedication of the students involved, and the resources we still have, I think Transy’s theatre department will continue to be very successful.”

Wagner: “It means that we’re losing people that have been core parts of our development and progress through the program. But, as it is in a lot of aspects of life, theatre is in a very constant state of flux, and so this is just a transition that will ultimately help us grow more. In terms of people who may want to pursue the major, do it! Missy Johnston is our interim department head and she’s been an amazing part of this department for almost a decade now. There’s no reason that this should scare anyone away from the theatre.”

Botts: “We will still have people who are interested in theatre and seek to study the subject. We aren’t losing the department or program, we are simply losing valuable friends, teachers, and mentors that have helped us better understand the subject. The good thing is we still have a department and I am confident Missy will keep the rigor and prestige Transylvania’s theatre is known for.”

King: “For anyone who wants to major in theater or even just be in one play in general, there are plenty of ways to be involved in theater without the actual theater department: Theater Guild, ImprompTU, and Bad Mouth Theater Company; all student run organizations that love new people to come and try out. All theater people are super welcoming and can always find a job for someone.”

Bahena: “I think if I were someone considering a theater major I would have to wait and see. When it comes down to how you handle your own educational experience, you should have a pretty good sense of who you are committing time and money into as a faculty. Especially when that faculty is supposed to be giving you a worthwhile advantage by attending Transy…or so the thought is. Only time can determine that.”

Kassis: “It’s safe to say that this is a huge disappointment to everyone involved in Transy theater. I and many others got involved with the program because of the exceptional team of artists Transy had on staff, and to see them go, especially for those of us who have already seen and experienced what they can do, is quite a blow. Administration has assured theater majors that they will be able to graduate on time, but for a lot of them, that’s not what it was all about. They wanted to experience what theater could really be in an academic environment, to cultivate their own artistry under the instruction of proven professionals. I fear that the department will lose that feeling and become more geared toward simply getting the credits you need and moving on, at least during this transitional period.”

Taylor: “I think there are different responses when looking at current majors vs. perspective students. For current majors, I think that if you really want to pursue the art form, than that is what you must do, continually pursue the art form. It’s kind too late for some of us to quit now. Does that have to be represented by the major you choose, or whether or not you do your work on campus, based on who is teaching the classes, and directing the shows moving forward? That’s a question I can’t answer for anyone, but myself. For those who want to pursue a major in theatre at Transy, I firmly believe that until the university hires a set of professors who are committed to bring optimism and a sense of commitment and growth to the university, that students should seek their education elsewhere. Why ask a student to spend their money and time at university whose program is unstable and unreliable at the moment? You come in expecting something from what you were shown, and the check you are writing to the university. To have that stripped away definitely deserves o conversation and demands from the students.”

Do you think the change in the theater department will cause students interested in theater to leave?

Lovell: “We are actors, designers, and writers. We are adaptable. We are given our instructions and we find a way to make it work. We still have a strong department with a wonderful director. I think we are all ready to do what it takes to continue making art.”

Bahena: “I think it all depends on who is hired. That sorta determines what shows are produced, what opportunities are offered, how inclusive we are, what the culture of the whole program is, etc.”

King: “The good thing about our theater department is that everyone is extremely dedicated. So those who are in multiple plays usually don’t stop, if their schedules allow it. So I doubt that people will leave because theater is just too much fun. I’m not sure if it’ll grow, because you can never tell about these kinda things, but I sure do hope more people will try out theater and see if they like acting on stage. Truthfully, I think it’s an experience everyone needs; the discipline, the people, and the magic. It’s just too special to pass up.”

Kassis: “I hope that those interested in theater will be able to turn that energy toward Transy’s Theater Guild. The Guild has been growing in great ways over the past few years, and, although the mentors that helped it achieve this growth are gone, I hope that it won’t lose the momentum it has accumulated.”

Botts: “Honestly, I’m not sure. I came in as a theatre major and might not have come here if a program or scholarship didn’t exist. If the university decides to cut the program (the theatre major and scholarship) altogether it would be as a detriment to the liberal arts education. I earnestly hope they don’t cut the program because we’ve gotten to work alongside awesome people and make some beautiful art. We still have Missy and she’ll still teach students theatre so all is not lost.”

Wagner:  “I really hope that no one is going to feel pushed out by the change. The people that I get to work with every day via the program are ones that work longer hours than you would imagine doing physically and mentally demanding work, so in my mind no one is apt to lay by the wayside or panic as this new wave comes in. Of course, things will be changing, as they do when such a shift happens, but I don’t believe that’s much of a cause for worry and I hope that the other students in the department will see it the same way. The shift very well may attract new people to join and test the waters, which would be phenomenal! It’s always fun to see new people come out and try their hand.”

Taylor: “There are many universities that have excellent faculty, have administrations, and student bodies that really support the arts. In order for that to happen the university would genuinely need to listen to the wants and needs of the current students, and they would need to have real commitment in supporting and encouraging new committed faculty. Bringing in adjuncts for me isn’t enough to create something sustainable. Our education in our desired major is just as important to us, and the world, as the education and work of someone in a more mainstream major. Until that is understood, and implemented through a real desire to build a positive and growing program by students and admin, seek elsewhere.”

In an email sent to all theater majors and minors, the university assured current students that the university has made suitable arrangements to cover all classes needed to complete their already-undertaken majors. The long-term future of the theater program was not discussed.

Changes to Campus

As students start the new semester, there is always a sense of confusion for the first couple months as everyone familiarizes themselves with any changes to campus. The Rambler is here to help with that confusion.

Changes in Faculty

Provided by Kim Naujokas, Executive Assistant to the Vice President and the Dean of the University

New Faculty

  • Dr. Rebecca Hochradel, Associate Professor of Business Administration
  • Dr. Stephen Hess, Assistant Professor Political Science
  • Ms. JJ Wallace, Visiting Lecturer for Exercise Science

New Role at Transy

  • Ms. Missy Johnston, Interim Director of Theater Activities

Faculty Promotions

  • Dr. Paul Duffin, tenure and promotion to Associate Professor of Biology
  • Dr. Gregg Bocketti, promotion to Professor of History

Faculty who have left Transy

  • Dr. Jack Furlong, Professor of Philosophy
  • Dr. Nina Barzachka, Assistant Professor of Political Science
  • Dr. Michael Dixon, Associate Professor of Theater
  • Dr. Sully White, Associate Professor in Theater
  • Dr. Saori Hanaki, Assistant Professor of Exercise Science
  • Mr. Michael Sanders, Lecturer in Theater

Changes in Student Life

New Staff

  • Alexa Quiroz, Community Engagement Support Specialist
  • Amanda DeWitt, Education Outreach Coordinator
  • Maddy Frost, Assistant Director of Residence Life

New Role at Transy

  • Hannah Piechowski, Director of Student Transitions, Parent & Family Programs

Changes in Academic Affairs

Provided by Dean Laura Bryan

New Staff

  • Beth Carpenter, Librarian

Staff Promotions

  • Tracy Dunn, Assistant Dean, Center for Academic and Professional Enrichment
  • Ashley Coons, Associate Registrar

Changes in Locations

Old Morrison

  • Registrar: OM 100A
  • Center for Academic and Professional Enrichment: OM 100B
  • Student Transitions, Parent and Family Program: OM 100C
  • Financial Aid: OM 101
  • Student Accounting Services: OM 105
  • Center for Academic and Professional Enrichment: OM 107
  • IT: OM 109
  • Disability Services: OM 111

Hazelrigg Hall

Many members of the faculty have relocated their offices to Hazelrigg Hall due to the construction on the Carpenter Academic Center. Every faculty member’s office number can be found on TNotes.

Rambler Staff Picks September Playlist

Welcome to the Rambler Staff Picks Playlist, a new monthly music feature! The Rambler staff submit their favorite song from the last month, and you get to listen to what The Rambler listens to!

Be sure to follow the playlist, to automatically have it update next month! Archives of the past months’ playlists will also be available on the TransyRambler Spotify page. Happy listening!

The After Party: Injury Report Edition

In the inaugural edition of “The After Party,” hosts Logan Fogle and Collin Rueg break down Sorority Bid Day, make fun of TNotes, and discuss DACA. They also bro it up.


http://soundcloud.com/user-700281148/the-after-party-injury-report-edition


Show Notes:

College & University Presidents Call for U.S. to Uphold and Continue DACA

Kentucky university presidents join nationwide push against DACA rollback

Your 15 Back To School Songs

Welcome to The Playlist. Every Week, Rambler staff will share a playlist of their favorite songs about a particular theme or mood. This week, we’re all headed back to school. 

BadMouth Theatre Company breaks out of the Transy bubble

In the summer of 2015, two undergraduate students with nothing better to do had an idea. Blake Taylor and Joe Bahena wanted to create a theater company. Bahena and Taylor chose to independently produce their own plays due to the lack of opportunities provided by the Transylvania theatre department. The small size of the school and the drama program do not have the capabilities to accommodate what would be a seven to fifteen show season at a larger university.

Photo courtesy of Tom Willis

The concept for the theatre company did not come to fruition until a year or so later when Taylor suggested that they pick a script and start fundraising. Through the crowd sharing site, gofundme.org, Taylor and Bahena were able to raise enough money to cover the costs of production for their first play, Constellations (written by Nick Payne). This year, the theatre company is sponsored by Reynolds Insurance Agency. They chose to rent a space in the Downtown Arts Center that has the technological capabilities they were looking for, and they were able to afford the space through Gofundme. Taylor and Bahena choose a play about a year in advance and fundraise in the meantime.

“We would not be able to do this without our supporters,” says Bahena. There was also a lack of opportunities to direct and produce shows created by students, but the main reason that the two young men founded BadMouth was to serve as a creative outlet for Lexington’s theatre community.

“Honestly I think every theatre major should be producing outside in the community,” says Bahena on his experience at BadMouth. “What we are doing is really subversive. Young people don’t usually have as much fire power in the theater world. Blake and I get to choose the work we do and the people we want to work with. That’s more creative power than many mid career producers have.  We educate, direct, advertise, organize, produce.”

Photo courtesy of Tom Willis

The artistic freedom allows the cofounders to explore new ways of relating to the audience through their work and make changes to their show at the last minute if need be. Bahena says he has aged ten years, artistically since the two produced Constellations during the fall of last year. “Our first show was balls to the walls nuts. Our second show is like: oh, you wanted a twist?” says Bahena.  

According to Taylor, “everyone who sees the show will find something familiar to identify with.”

The new show, Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom requires certain actors, like Dr. Simonetta Cochis, to play more than one character. Cochis takes on several mother archetypes with different wigs. She acts with such dedication to character and development one might forget she is one of Transylvania’s French professors. Cochis has been acting since high school and does story-telling performances, including those of a 12th-century writer named Marie De France, which she performs in the original Old French. Many of the collaborators from last year’s show have returned for this year’s play. Other cast members include seniors Aaron Botts, Griffin Cobb, junior Amberlee Stemmer, alums Maggie Garnett and Nikki Ramos. The two person play, Constellations included Transylvania senior Abigail Hamilton who debuts her stage managing skills in Neighborhood 3. Transylvania students both past and present as well as actors from Lexington’s own theatre community. Local actors include Burley Thomas, Jessika Cummins, Jamarcus Shelton and Brad Ulery.

The BadMouthians (as they call themselves), according to Taylor, “…aim to create and build community, with consistent effort to broaden the audience and ways where other people can be involved.” The closeness between the collaborators and their theatre company has helped the productions run smoothly and provides a place of mutual support in the realm of Lexington theatre.

 


Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom is playing September 8-10 at the Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center.

Rambler Staff Picks: Places in Lexington

New to Lexington? Take a look at the Rambler staff’s suggestions for places to visit!


 

Tristan Reynolds (Editor-in-Chief): The Kentucky Theater is a really excellent place to see independent movies (if you’re a snobby cinéaste like I am). It’s pretty quiet for most showings, so you don’t have to worry about rude interruptions from groups of teenagers who insist that their phones are more interesting than the movie. They also host plenty of local film festivals, and regular screenings of movies like Rocky Horror that encourage audience engagement and a fun atmosphere. It’s pretty cool stuff.

Aaron Martin (Managing Editor): Doodles is one of my favorite local restaurants. Since it’s open every day except Monday, it can be a nice place to go to in the mornings before class to get some extra studying in. During nice weather, they have the option to sit outside and eat which is refreshing and something I especially love. The staff there is so welcoming and kind and if you go there enough (or in my case, too much) they actually remember your face and your order which is kind of rare to find in a city. They now offer discounts to any Transy student on any day so that, of course, is always an added bonus. Overall, the environment is just really nice and soothing and a place I would definitely recommend. (P.S. make sure to order some beignets!)

Isaac Batts (Copy Editor): Sqecial media is a great book store/odds and ends (rocks, gems, incense, etc) store/weird things store! It’s located at 371 S Limestone, next to the McDonald’s, so a fair bit away but walkable. It’s in the upper part of an old home that has a Korean restaurant (HanWooRi, also a great spot!). When you walk in the Korean restaurant is on the left and there’s a set of stairs leading up into Sqecial or down into a record shop (I think, it may have changed, I’m not sure)

Taylor Mahlinger (A&E Editor): Vinaigrette for food and Daily Offerings Coffee Roastery for the best coffee ever!!! (plus it’s organic and very hipster).

 

 

Megan Schandel (Commentary Editor): For those willing to walk a little further from campus, Wild Fig Books & Coffee is an excellent place to grab a cup of coffee or a bite to eat and find a new book to read. Located in a historic house on North Limestone, Wild Fig hosts open mic nights and several reading events throughout the year. This family-owned business is a hidden gem worth visiting. Located on 726 N Limestone.

Golf makes 11th straight NCAA Championship appearance

The NCAA Division III Men’s Golf Championship is anything but a new experience for Transy’s Men’s Golf team. This year marks the 11th consecutive appearance in the championship for the pioneers. This comes after winning the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament for the 11th year.

While the team has made the tournament since 2006, there is only one player on this year’s five man team that has been there before. Sophomore Blake Young finished the season in seventh place at the HCAC tournament and 51st at last year’s NCAA Championship. Joining him on the team will be First-year Spencer McKinney who finished the HCAC tournament in fifth place. Junior Clay Church, who finished tied for 12th place at the HCAC tournament, will also join them. The fourth member of the team, junior Carson Wattenbarger, finished tied for 23rd place in the HCAC tournament. The final member of the team, senior Rob Canady, won the individual HCAC championship and was named the 2017 HCAC Most Valuable Player for Men’s Golf. It would have taken a lot of hard work and dedication for Canady to get to where he is today, in being the prestigious golfer he is known to be in this Championship. Continued work on and off the course, and maybe some help from something like this skytrak simulator, can help him to improve on his game all year round without needing to worry about the weather. If all players were as determined and as devoted to the sport as Canady, then this Championship will be as competitive as ever. Canady, in addition to the 2017 HCAC Most Valuable Player, was named to the 2017 Division III PING All-Region Team, as was as a Srixon/Cleveland All-America Scholar. When asked about his successful final season with the Pioneers, Canady had this to say, “It feels really great to have won the conference championship and conference MVP in not only my senior year but also my first time playing in the conference championship. But more importantly, I was so excited that we were able to come together as a team and win the conference championship and earn a spot in the NCAA championship. We have all put in a lot of hard work and effort this year and it was really awesome to see that pay off this past weekend. It was a big moment for us as a team because we obviously had a lot of pressure on us to win after winning the last 10 in a row and we were able to get through that and win. I think it gives us a lot of momentum going into the NCAA championship to maybe finally win one, especially since we all have a lot of experience on the course at Mission Inn. I’d really like to thank Coach Lane and Coach Latham for being such great coaches and getting us into position to compete like we have, all of the parents for their support all year and all of my teammates for making this such a great final golf season.”

Mission Inn, the site of the NCAA Championship is a familiar venue to the Pioneers. Earlier this season, Transy competed in the NCAA Preview Tournament which was played at the same site. In the 2012 season, which would end in Transy being runner up, Mission Inn was again the site of the Championship. The first round of the championship would find Transy in a four way tie for 14th place. This puts them only 11 strokes behind the current leader of the tournament, Huntingdon College, who finished the first day with 293 shots. Individually McKinney would be in a 14 way tie for 25th place. Church and Young both finished only one stroke behind McKinney. Wattenbarger finished the day at eight over par 80 and Canady with a 84.

What you have missed in the Stanley Cup playoffs and what could happen

With the ending of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, we start to get a clearer picture of which team will be the next to hoist the cup this summer. The Nashville Predators ended the regular season in the wildcard spot, setting them up to play the Chicago Blackhawks, ranked first in the Central Division. These rankings meant nothing as Nashville made quick work of Chicago. The best of seven series was over as quickly as it started with the Predators sweeping the series 4-0. Moving on, they faced the St. Louis Blues, fresh off a 4-1 series victory over the Minnesota Wild.

The series would get more interesting when Nashville Mayor Megan Barry and St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson bet city-themed gift baskets on the series. Over the next six game, the two teams would go back and forth with the Predators gaining the upper have after winning both games three and four. The series would end in game six with a Nashville victory, sending them to the Western Conference Final against the Anaheim Ducks.

The Ducks, ranked first in the Pacific Division, started their playoff run much like Nashville, taking the wildcard Calgary Flames out of the postseason after just four games, sweeping the series. They would then move on to face the Edmonton Oilers under new captain Connor McDavid. Anaheim would get off to a slow start, losing the first two games, but would come back to win the next three. Game six was another story though, as the Oilers would dominate the game, winning with a score of 7-1, forcing a game seven. It was unclear as to who would win game seven as the Ducks had come back from a two game deficit but had been beaten so badly in the previous game. The Ducks made it clear that they would fight back, taking the game and the series.

In the Eastern Conference, things would go differently. Before the playoffs even began, the news that the Detroit Red Wings would not make an appearance shook the NHL as their 25 postseason appearance streak would come to an end. In the Atlantic Division, the Ottawa Senators would first face the Boston Bruins. After losing to Boston in game one, Ottawa would take the next three games, that was, until Boston would fight for a game five double overtime victory to save their season. This would prove to not be enough in game six when the Senators took the overtime win to move on. Their opponents were the New York Rangers. The Rangers were also fresh off a game six victory over the Montreal Canadiens. This series would go back and forth with Ottawa winning the first two then New York the next two. With the series tied at 2-2, it was either teams’ to take, but the next two games would go to Ottawa. This would put Ottawa in the Eastern Conference Final against the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In the first round, the Penguins faces the Columbus Blue Jackets who had just finished an impressive regular season. This included a 16 game winning streak, the second longest in league history, during which they beat the Penguins 7-1. In the opening of game one, Matt Murray, the rookie goaltender who led the Penguins to the Stanley Cup, was injured. This put veteran goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury in the net minutes before the game. The Penguins took an early 3-0 lead in the series. Their aggressive taking of the series would be halted by a Blue Jackets win, but this wouldn’t last as Pittsburgh would win the next games to move on. Their second round opponents would have a more difficult time getting there after falling behind 2-1 to the young Toronto Maple Leaf team. Despite this deficit, the veteran team would take the next three games to move on. The next seven games would be a battle as  the two teams have a long history including a personal feud between captains Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin. The Penguins would start off strong, taking the first two games. In game three, Crosby would have to be helped off the ice after suffering his fourth concussion in a controversial play. The loss of their captain would cause Pittsburgh to slip, allowing the Capitals  to take the win. The Penguins team would show their depth in the next game, pushing their lead to 3-1 without their captain. The Capitals would fight back to force a game seven after a 5-2 win in Pittsburgh. In the end, it would be the Penguins moving on to the Eastern Conference Final after a shutout to win game seven.

With only four teams left in the playoffs, there are many experts weighing in on why one team will win over another. My personal predictions is that the Penguins, with their depth and hungry “must win” mentality, will pull through to the Stanley Cup Final. Their opponents are the true wildcard of the postseason, the Nashville Predators. With strong captain Mike Fisher at center, veteran defenceman P. K. Subban and goaltender Pekka Rinne, with a save percentage of .951 and two assists in this postseason, it goes without saying that they will make their first franchise appearance in the Stanley Cup Final. As for who will win the final between the two, both have the rosters, both have the skill, and both have the fire needed to bring home the cup. I believe the Penguins will win the cup again because, despite the amazing performance of the Predators in the playoffs, the Penguins have become a new monster in the playoffs, and their roster boasts veterans and aggressive young players, including Jake Guentzel, a rookie who has the most goals in the postseason, who will bring them to the cup for a second year in a row.

Men’s Lacrosse makes history with NCAA debut

The Men’s Lacrosse team got off to a slow start this season with a record of 1-3 in their first four games. This would not be a sign of how the rest of the season would continue as these would be the last losses for the team in the regular season. The team would go on to win the next 12 games, ending the season at 13-3 overall with 195 goals. Their last game, against the St. Vincent Bearcats of Latrobe, PA, completed a perfect 8-0 conference record when it ended in a score of 12-1. Senior, Zack Riggs got a hattrick and an assist in the game while the game was also Senior Cooper Fogle’s 13th win of the season in goal. The team went 22 for 25v on clears and beat St. Vincent in groundballs 32-29. This final win, earning the team the Ohio River Men’s Lacrosse Conference Championship, was the third consecutive conference tournament title and the third consecutive regular season title in as many years for the Pioneers. What was different this year was what came along with the ORLC Championship, a bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament, the first in program history.

When asked what it felt like, sophomore Logan Fogle said, “Getting to the tournament for the first time in Transy Lacrosse history is an accomplishment that all the guys are proud of. We’re showing that kids from Kentucky have game, and it’s a tribute to every guy on the squad whether they’re from Kentucky or helping to put Kentucky on the map.”

The team would travel to Hampden-Sydney, Virginia to play the Hampden-Sydney Tigers in the first game of the NCAA tournament. The game would get underway quickly as Hampden-Sydney would score off the initial faceoff. They would score two more goals before First-year Trenton Sneed would score the first goal for Transy. This would not slow down the Tigers as they would go on to score four more goals in the quarter. The second quarter would begin with more aggressive offence from the Tigers as they would push their lead to 10-1 before Transy would score again. This point would come from senior, David Smith, and would fire up the Pioneers who would follow it up with three more goals. These goals came from sophomore Josh Mesmer, First-year Paul Stickel, and senior Zack Roby to make the score 10-5. These four consecutive goals would be answered by two from the Tigers, leaving the score at 12-5 at the half. In the third, Hampden-Sydney would score two more goals before Mesmer would score again. This would be the only point for Transy during the quarter as the next five points would come from the Tigers. With the score 19-6 going into the final quarter, the Pioneers would continue to fight with First-year Jack Stevenson and sophomore Ryan Staley scoring. The game would end in a score of 23-8 in favor of the Hampden-Sydney Tigers, with Transy’s C. Fogle finishing his career with an impressive 12 saves.

The season would finish with an overall record of 13-4. In the ORLC, seniors C. Fogle and Clark Watts would be named the 2017 Defensive and Co-Offensive Most Valuable Players. This would be the second consecutive year for C. Fogle earning this achievement. Watts led the Pioneers in scoring this season. Both have been on the team for all three of the ORLC Championships and all three of the conference tournament titles. C. Fogle would also lead the ORLC with his 62.6 percent save percentage and rank first nationally in goals allowed per game with only 5.45 in the regular season. The Pioneers defence would rank in the top five in the nation, allowing only 4.94 goals per game. Along with Watts and C. Fogle, Sneed, senior Rob Rhea, First-year T.J. Toivonen, and sophomore Joe Shermock were all named to the All-ORLC First Team. Roby, Stickel, Riggs and senior Matthew Parker were named to the All-ORLC Second Team. Mesmer would be named an All-ORLC Honorable Mention. Sophomore Chris Schaefer was named to the ORLC All-Sportsmanship Team. Sneed led the ORLC in assists and was fifth in total points. Rhea was the top scoring defence in the country. Toivonen ranked second in causing turnovers in the ORLC, ranked in the top-ten in groundballs and helped earn Transy the best clearing percentage in the nation alongside C. Fogle and Shermock.

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