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Carnage doesn’t translate to the silver screen

by Chris Liu on

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There are films that I want to like so, so very much, and Carnage is one of them. The fact that all the right ingredients—a Tony-winning play, a famed auteur, A-list talent—resulted in a mediocre exercise in uncontrolled social degeneration proves that cinema cannot be explained via reductionism. Some things simply look better in theory than in practice. 

Directed by Roman Polanski and based on Yasmina Reza’s play God of Carnage, the film revolves around two couples: the Cowans (Christoph Waltz, Kate Winslet), whose son has hit the son of the Longstreets (Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly) with a stick, knocking out two of his teeth. The “action” takes place entirely in the Longstreet’s bourgeois luxury high-rise. The view is prettier than the conversation; the meeting, initiated in the spirit of civilized rapprochement, foreseeably devolves to quips and snips, then full-out verbal warfare.  

These people wear Prada, discuss African art, smoke Cubans, and there is an undeniable sense of pleasure in watching the upper-middle class airs dissolve into something bestial and chaotic. Yet, therein also lies the problem: while such a script would be captivating in a theatrical setting, under the proximity of the camera such villainy demands subterfuge, and Polanski failed in reining back the performances of his actors. Waltz, best known as the sociopathic Nazi Hans Landa in 2009’s Inglourious Basterds, exhibits all the disdain from that role without the discipline, and at moments looks ready to sink fangs in Foster’s neck. For her part, Foster’s overly emotional surface liberal finds that awkward territory of being pathetic without being sympathetic. Perhaps the one who came closest to a refined performance was Winslet—though, as the subordinated wife, she got off easy.  

The screenplay, which was adapted from the script by both Polanski and Reza, was sharp at times and stilted at others; it’s unclear whether that’s a result of translating from the original French, or of translating from stage to screen. Certainly, the characterizations did not benefit from the more obtuse exchanges. Once social convention has been stripped away (with aged whisky as the catalyst), the film moves into philosophical ground in the third act, yet for all the submersion in the darkness of human nature, the closing shot suggests an insidious pointlessness to the exercise.  

The one saving grace is the cinematography. Pawel Edelman, who also worked on Oscar winners The Pianist and The New Tenants, makes the film look great, with immaculate frames that also provide the film’s only forays into subtlety.  

It should shock no one that people sometimes marry the wrong person, that some don’t truly hold the values that they appear to endorse, that the upper-middle class is frequently caricatured as irritatingly shallow. Is this all that the playwright has to articulate? Then I realized that Ms. Reza’s reach exceeded beyond mere storytelling; that, by eliciting the endorsement of the viewer through their laughter and pleasure, she wishes to make the viewer complicit in the characters’ despicability, and is turning a critical eye on our own thin veneer of convention. We’re all gods of carnage, and we ought to celebrate it. You can make of that how you will.  

Arts & Entertainment

Baby, it’s really cold outside

by Rebecca Feigelsohn on

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Entering the final semester of fourth year is a bittersweet feeling. Four magical years of hard work and occasionally excessive partying are coming to a close, and you are confronted with the feeling that you haven’t accomplished anything you had meant to do when you first came to this frosty city a few years ago. What ever happened to that ambitious bucket list you made in rez? Luckily Igloofest, one of the most anticipated events of the winter season, kicked off last week, and you are reminded again why you came to Montreal: to explore one of the most exhilarating cities in the country.  

As an Igloofest newbie, a great deal of build-up and excitement led to the night’s festivities. I was promised ice sculptures galore, told of wild dance parties, and warned about frozen toes. Arriving at the venue, which was located in the Old-Port at Jacques-Cartier Pier, was a surprisingly tame and speedy experience, unlike many lines for Montreal clubs. The outdoor venue was transformed into a winter wonderland, enhanced by the recent snowfall and glowing lights. I was reminded of the retro party scene from Hot Tub Time Machine and nostalgic for ‘90s Night, as many Igloofest participants were clad in neon ski apparel and goggles (I had missed this memo). It was also refreshing to see girls dressed modestly in full piece snowsuits, as opposed to the skimpy dresses and undone coats that are usually donned in line for Tokyo.  

Though Friday the 13th is notoriously known as an unlucky day for the superstitious, I decided to take a chance and give Igloofest a try on this eve. I was not disappointed, but rather blown away by the sheer number and diversity of people gathered in minus fifteen degree weather. People aged 18 to 50 were  gyrating to the music and mingling by the ice-bars and fire pits, which were located far enough from one another so as to not melt away the icy structures. Although I am not a music maven by any degree, I must note that DJ Tiefschwarz, a brother duo from Stuttgart, Germany, turned up the heat with their edgy electro-house sound that attracted both music aficionados and those who are otherwise impartial.  

The only disappointment I felt was that, contrary to its name, there were no actual igloos anywhere to be found. Despite this, my word of advice is to not hibernate this January and sulk in your post-Christmas-break-blues. Go to Igloofest, dress warmly, get some hot pads, and buy a cool Igloofest toque. My night at Igloofest was one to remember, and at a time when graduate school applications and plans for the future are invading my brain, sacrificing my GPA for an evening of fun was worthwhile. There’s no other city where nights like this exist.

 

Igloofest runs Thursday through Saturday this weekend and next weekend from 6:30pm to midnight at Jacques-Cartier Pier.

Arts & Entertainment

Putting the ‘class’ in classical

by Akiva Toren on

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Given standard music etiquette today, classical music is quite peculiar.  Most, if not all people, view music as a natural experience, akin to dance.  It causes us to move, jig, and even flail about. At a classical music concert, those would be the last things you would want to do to avoid the judgmental glares of everyone around you.  Rather, you are ordered to sit still and absorb the music in utter silence.  Even a cough could earn you death stares from the nearest well-dressed connoisseur.

This behavior screams pretentiousness. Why all the fuss?  How can one possibly enjoy music this way? 

Historically, classical music, at least outside the church, was a raucous affair.  People walked around, socialized, cheered, and drank to their heart’s content.  Indeed, the only way 18th-century composer  George Frideric Handel could silence the crowds during his operas was to hire the biggest opera stars of the day.  Even then, it was rare that the audience would lend their ears to the overtures or choruses.

Many of the symphonies that Beethoven composed nearly 100 years later, like his third and fifth, open with loud, sometimes thematically irrelevant material to tell the crowds to listen.  It was not until the Wagnerian age of hero worship after the 1850s that classical music began to transform itself to the institutions we see today. 

How should we treat classical music?  As Handel’s audiences did, or Wagner’s? Before you scream (or cautiously whisper) one way or the other, I want to throw another heavy question your way.  Why does music have etiquette?  Does it facilitate something more important?  I think it does, and this is why I believe, with reservation, many classical music norms should be preserved, and others should be tossed.

It’s clear why one would go to a classical music concert: to listen.  While a dubstep concert at Igloofest may serve a more social function (to say the least), classical music concerts can hardly be called “social” events.  They exist for the music and, secondly, the musicians.  Audiences attend to listen to timeless pieces and great musicians.  Any etiquette that would detract from this purpose would, therefore, be poor etiquette. 

What does that mean?  Well, talking during the piece would not be great.  Dancing would distract even from the most dance-like Brahmsian dance.  Even screaming or cheering during a particularly virtuosic passage to support a soloist would be a crime.  Sexual objectification should, ideally, be kept out of the symphony hall as well.

That said, I must address the features of the classical music world that give it an extra elitist flavour.  Though dressing up is a way of showing respect, in classical music it has become excessive and has deteriorated into a fashion show.  It no longer serves—perhaps never served—as a function for the music itself.  It has become a contest akin to Monty Python’s Upper-Class Twit of the Year, but not nearly as funny.  It’s enjoyable to play dress up, but as I watch others compliment and scoff at clothing over cocktails during intermission, I can’t help but feel, despite my sincere passion for classical music, completely out of place. 

This condescending attitude extends to other parts of the concert as well.  As many first-timers unpleasantly discover amidst the harsh shushing, one is not supposed to clap between movements.  Some may argue that clapping interrupts the piece, even if the movements are broken up by musicians adjusting their stands and audience members coughing. 

That is rubbish.  If anything, the rude shushing is inappropriate.  More importantly however, enthusiasm for the music when it does not disturb it serves to honour the music and the musicians more than the silent, passive experience. 

So, am I condoning the Handel-model?  Not completely.  A Wagnerian one?  In some respects.  Classical music has tremendous cultural value, as do many other musical genres.  However, classical music must stand out as one that exists to serve its own music alone, and not its high-class practitioners. 

 

–Akiva Toren

a, Opinion

An open letter from members of the Political Science Department

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1 December 2011

To the McGill Tribune:

 

On November 14, 2011, seventeen faculty members and one administrative officer of the Department of Political Science sent a letter to Principal Heather Munroe-Blum expressing their concern about the shocking events of Nov. 10 on the McGill campus. The letter urged the Principal to demonstrate her resolve to establish a full accounting of the events, as well as the conditions that led to them, and to implement concrete measures to ensure that McGill University provides an open, tolerant and safe environment for all of its members—students, faculty and staff. The letter from Political Science members was also subsequently supported by other similar letters of concern from faculty and staff members in the departments of History and Classical Studies, Anthropology and English.

The Principal responded to the Political Science letter by inviting those who signed the letter to a meeting. On Nov. 17, six faculty members and one administrative officer from Political Science met with the Principal, Provost Anthony Masi and Dean of Arts Christopher Manfredi.

The following is a summary of recommendations that were discussed at this meeting. We are sharing this list of recommendations with our fellow colleagues, as well as with the wider McGill community, to contribute to the ongoing public discussions about what statements, policies and actions the University Administration could initiate or facilitate in order to deal with the aftermath of the events of Nov. 10, as well as to prevent such events from ever recurring on our campus.

1. Overhaul the operation of Security Services so that its pursuit of its mandate to ensure a safe and secure environment for students, staff, faculty and visitors is consistent with mutual respect and freedom of expression and dissent on campus.

            •           Reduce security presence on campus.

            •           Increase administrative oversight of security and clarify the existing oversight mechanism to the University community.

            •           Distinguish between operating procedures or protocols for dealing with dangerous intruders, and dealing with students or others engaged in civic protest.

            •           Improve training and clarify instructions to security service personnel.

 

2. Make a clear, explicit, public statement of principle concerning:

            •           the presence of police on campus;

            •           the standards of moral accountability of leadership for recent events;

            •           the nature of the university as a place of debate.

 

3. Publicly repudiate previous policies or misapplications that have contributed to a sense of insecurity about the freedom of expression and dissent on campus, including:

            •           one-sided emails to the community concerning the labour strike;

            •           videotaping student protestors and strikers;

            •           removal of pro-MUNACA buttons or posters.

 

4. Call for an independent investigation into the actions of Montreal police on campus to address the complaints of faculty and students about improper police conduct on Nov. 10, and publicly communicate the actions taken on behalf of the arrested students.

5. Hold open public forums to have voices heard and aid in the healing process.

 

Arash Abizadeh, Jacob T. Levy, Catherine Lu, Victor M. Muñiz-Fraticelli, William Clare Roberts, Dietlind Stolle, Andrew Stoten

a, Sports

Why I love Tim Tebow

by Josh Freedman on

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My love for Tim Tebow doesn’t make any sense. I don’t usually care for players whose success is credited to intangible skills; things like grit, toughness, or ability in the clutch. If a player is great, numbers should be able to prove it. I believe players should be brutally efficient when they are out on the field, yet here I am falling for Mr. Intangible, a player way different than the typical NFL quarterback, and a player who silences his critics by saying, “5-1.”

5-1, the Broncos record since Tim Tebow took over as the Denver Broncos starting quarterback, replacing the much more conventional Kyle Orton in the process. 5-1, as Tebow completed two passes against the Kansas City Chiefs and, somehow, the Broncos won the game. How does this quarterback who seemingly can’t throw the ball keep on winning week after week?

Sure there are those who criticize Tim Tebow solely because he doesn’t fit the mold of what a quarterback should look like, and attribute his success to luck.  But the larger controversy surrounding Tim Tebow—and another reason why I love him—is who he is as a person.

Tebow grew up homeschooled in a very religious Christian family. His mother, despite her doctor’s warning that carrying Tebow to full term would harm her health, chose not to get an abortion. Tebow carried his Christian values to the University of Florida, wearing eye black adorned with biblical verses, proclaiming his chastity until marriage, and appearing in a pro-life Super Bowl advertisement. Furthermore, Tebow spends his summers doing missionary work with his family in the Philippines, helping countless people in the process. Tebow also shows exceptional character on the field, winning the loyalty and respect of his team-mates, asking for the ball in pressure-packed situations, and showcasing an ability to take any amount of punishment to gain that extra yard. And as if that wasn’t enough, in all of his interviews, Tebow comes off as a genuinely good and kind person, exhibiting grace in the face of those who mock him for his beliefs and abilities.

Yet these good deeds are exactly the things that have caused the most ire against him. His Christian values and prayer during games cause many to accuse him of being a religious nut, and some claim that he plays up his religious beliefs for media attention. The now widely derided act of ‘Tebowing,’ where one mimics Tebow getting down on one knee to pray, closed fist to forehead, has replaced planking as the newest fad. Coupled with his unusual quarterback play, the critics have an easy time declaring that Tim Tebow just plain sucks. 

But Tebow is exactly the type of role model kids need. He’s a professional athlete who actually has ideals, and seemingly lives up to them. In a day and age where so many of the most popular athletes are insufferable (LeBron James), felons (Michael Vick), whiners (Sidney Crosby), and efficient winning machines (Roy Halladay), why not cheer for the enthusiastic, good Christian boy from Jacksonville? It seems so bizarre that we should hate on Tim Tebow for being a moral person. In past decades, do-gooders such as Dikembe Mutombo, Manute Bol, and Reggie White were praised for their charity work and piety. But maybe Tebow’s goodness intimidates his critics. Maybe since they usually feel so morally superior to troubled athletes, when one comes along challenging us to be better people, they instinctively feel anger towards them.

So to the critics, keep on hating Tim Tebow. He will continue to play hard, play with enthusiasm, play for the sake of his God, play for the sake of inspiring people with his athletic ability. And most importantly, he will keep on ruthlessly playing to win, and I suspect that he will continue to do so.

 

—Josh Freedman

a, Sports

Cheap seats travel guide

by Rebecca Babcock, Joshua Freedman, Adam Sadinsky, Adam Taras on

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1. Winter Classic

The NHL will further prove it has a Pennsylvania fetish on Jan. 2 (the NFL gets New Year’s to itself because it’s a Sunday) as the Flyers host the New York Rangers in the league’s showcase event at Citizens’ Bank Park. The Flyers are participating in their second Winter Classic (they last played in 2009) and join their Keystone state rivals, Pittsburgh, as the only teams to play in multiple classics. League-sponsored favouritism aside, the Winter Classic deserves its marquee billing. Hockey was invented outdoors—Stanley Cups were even won outside way back in the day—and seeing it played in its natural setting is a sight that never gets old. Sure, maybe the league has gotten a little too comfortable in keeping the games in cold-weather baseball stadiums. I’d personally love to see a game played on the Strip in Vegas or the Rideau Canal in Ottawa (shameless homer plug, right there), because it’s possible that fans will eventually get bored. Regardless, the league makes tons of money off merchandise and TV ratings, so it looks like the Winter Classic isn’t going anywhere soon. If you’re in Philadelphia, or if you’re watching TV and bowl games aren’t your thing, check out the Winter Classic because with global warming and all, it may not last forever.

2. World Juniors

In a hockey-mad country, it’s no wonder that one of our great holiday traditions is to wake up at ungodly hours to watch 18-20 year old kids play hockey against the best the rest of the world has to offer. Although the first few games of the tournament typically consist of Canada beating up on the countries where hockey isn’t so popular, the tournament’s championship game (which more often than not includes Canada) is must-see TV and always ranks near the top of TSN’s most-watched events of the year. This year the tournament is back in Canada, which means that instead of traveling halfway around the world to create a sea of red and white in a foreign arena, we get to do it in our own back yard. If you’re from out west or are going to be in the neighbourhood to hit the slopes, make your way to Calgary or Edmonton, this year’s co-hosts. The feeling you’ll get when ‘O Canada’ is played after the game is hard to replicate, and having seen Jordan Eberle’s legendary goal to knock out the Russians in the 2009 semifinal in Ottawa, I can certainly attest to that. If you can’t make it to see Team Canada, the other games should be very entertaining as well. That same year I witnessed a matchup between Latvia and Kazakhstan where the stadium was nearly full. Oh, and if you’re from the U.S., please stay home.

3. NCAA Bowls

Jan. 1, 2008. New Orleans. The Allstate Sugar Bowl.

The year was poised to get off to a great start, as my father, my brother, my cousin, and I took in New Year’s Day at the Louisiana Superdome to watch the Georgia Bulldogs take on the Hawaii Warriors.

All four of us were cheering for the scrappy Hawaii team, which was coming off anunbeaten season, quarterbacked by the future Washington Redskins third stringer, Colt Brennan. We were all decked out in Hawaii T-shirts, leis, and hats, and arrived at the stadium in the middle of the Bulldogs cheering section.

Lasting memories from the game include Georgia fans heckling us, the length due to constant injury and TV time-outs, and when my cousin, using a Southern drawl, convinced a junior college coach that he was an all-Ontario Tight End only to receive the coach’s business card. 

This year, fans in New Orleans will be treated to two spectacles: the Sugar Bowl and the BCS Championship. If you’re in the Big Easy (or Glendale, Miami, or Los Angeles, for that matter) take the opportunity to see the stars of tomorrow along with the pageantry that only a bowl game can provide. You won’t be disappointed.

4. Crashed Ice

Along with Moscow, Valkenburg, and Munich, Quebec City is home to one of five Red Bull Crashed Ice races. Swarms of (mostly drunken) fans surround the curving 575 metre track, standing right in the heart of Quebec City, allowing spectators to watch over 100 athletes race. In a combination of speedskating, boardercross, and downhill skiing, fans are likely to see skating of up to 60 kilometres per hour, daring jumps over obstacles, and of course, some major wipe-outs. This is an event everyone has to experience at least once. The ambience is great but it’s outside, so dress accordingly. 

After being outside for an hour, watching the Jumbotron televisions while also trying to find a good place to catch just two seconds of the race live, I opted to go to a bar. Every bar was full to the brim, with all eyes glued to the televisions providing full coverage of the race. The energy of those around me was contagious, and made the experience that much better. This is an exciting event and a sport that makes Canadians proud. Last year, Canadian racers placed second and third at the World Championships, and at least one Canadian placed in the top three at every other competition. Get ready for Red Bull Crashed Ice Quebec City on Mar. 15-17, 2012.

5. Dolphins Football

What do birds, humpback whales, monarch butterflies, and retired grandparents all have in common? They migrate to warmer climates during the winter. So this winter break, if you’re lucky enough to enjoy your own short-term-migration and spend some time with the elderly in Florida, take the opportunity to go to a Miami Dolphins game. While fans in Pittsburgh and Green Bay will tell you that a real football game is fought in the cold hard conditions of winter, going to a Dolphins game in 25° Celsius weather in December beats sitting in -10° Celsius any day.  From experience, the atmosphere at the game is electric, from tailgating outside the stadium to singing the Dolphins fight song along with 75,192 other fans—it’s a great way to enjoy an NFL game in a stadium where there are no bad seats. The fight song claims that Miami is “The greatest football team, we take the ball from goal to goal like no one’s ever seen.” Even if this is unfortunately no longer true (even T-Pain’s version of the song couldn’t revamp the team), despite their 0-7 start, the Dolphins decided not to “suck for Luck” and won three in a row followed by a last second one point loss to the Cowboys on American Thanksgiving. So head to Sun Life Stadium on New Year’s Day and see the Dolphins take on their division rival New York Jets to experience football the way it should be enjoyed.

a, Sports

Fall Sports Report Card

by Rebecca Babcock, Jeffrey Downey, Steven Lampert, Iain Macdonald, Christopher Nardi on

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A-: Redmen Lacrosse

The McGill Redmen lacrosse team had high expectations for this season, considering that they managed to recruit freshman Alex Rohrbach and faceoff wizard J.J. Miller, to strengthen an already good core. The team didn’t disappoint, as they went on to finish the season with a 9-0-1 record while outscoring their opponents 120-64 in the process. The team’s only loss, in overtime, came against their archrivals and eventual CUFLA champions, the Bishop’s Gaiters. Despite their nearly flawless record, the Redmen fell in the semifinals of the Baggataway Cup to Brock, winners of 18 of the last 26 championships, in an extremely closely-fought game.

Though it was a disappointing elimination, the Redmen have a lot to look forward to next season. The team will be fielding a roster very similar to their current one, and although they’re losing a few important players, the Redmen now know what to expect from the CUFLA West’s best teams and will be entering the season hungrier than ever for their first Baggataway cup. 

A-: Martlet Soccer

The Martlets (8-3-3) began the season on a high note, finishing in the CIS Top 10 in each of the first four weeks, before hitting a significant roadblock that saw them disappear from the Top 10 until the last week of the season, when they were ranked number 10. Yet the Martlets’ ticket for the CIS championship was punched before the season began because McGill played host to the annual tournament. Going into the tournament with the lowest seed, the Martlets saw themselves pitted against Canada’s number two-ranked team, the Trinity Western Spartans (12-1-1). An extremely tight game ended with an incredible upset victory by the Martlets. Unfortunately, McGill’s momentum was stopped short, as they lost to the Montreal Carabins (12-0-2) in the semifinal and then the Ottawa Gee-Gees (12-3-1) in the bronze medal match to finish fourth overall in Canada. Though the team staggered in their last two games of the CIS championships, the fact that the Martlets beat one of Canada’s top teams bodes extremely well for the future of this young group.

C+: McGill Rowing

The 2011 season was a transition year for the McGill Rowing Team. McGill was at a disadvantage in terms of experience, whereas most other teams were filled with much more practiced rowers. Despite this inexperience, McGill remained competitive in many races. Both the men’s and women’s teams improved throughout the year, gaining valuable racing experience while becoming a greater threat to the rest of the boats out on the water. Notable finishes at the OUA conference meet were Men’s Heavyweight Double finishing sixth of 15, Women’s Heavyweight Four finishing seventh of 12, and Men’s Heavyweight Four finishing sixth of 12. The Novice teams also placed well throughout the year. At OUAs, one of the Men’s Novice Teams finished first of 12, and another Women’s Novice Team placed second of 12. With a large number of rowers returning and the continued development of their novice teams, next year is sure to be a strong one for McGill’s rowing crew. 

C-: Redmen Football

Another season without a win rightfully put a damper on the Redmen’s campaign. Their winless streak now runs 21 games, and most distressingly, McGill is losing a number of big name players entering the 2012 campaign. Kicker, and winner of the RSEQ Community Involvement Award, Austin Anderson and back-to-back Defensive All-Star Ben Thompson are graduating, in addition to offensive threats Bobby Mikelberg and Michael Chitayat.  

However, despite the losses and graduating leaders, the 2011 season saw three encouraging improvements that could bode well for upcoming years. The Redmen remained fairly competitive in all of their contests, avoiding the 60-point drubbings that plagued them in years past. Secondly, injured star quarterback Jonathan Collin took some snaps this season, which means he may be back to his starting role in 2012. And finally, recently promoted Head Coach Clint Uttley will have his first full year at the helm in 2012, and a new coach may be just what the Redmen need to inject some life into a sputtering program.

B+: Redmen Soccer

McGill came charging back to prominence this season, with an impressive second-place finish in the RSEQ and a thrilling fifth place finish at Nationals, thanks to a pair of goals by George Banks in the consolation finals, after losing to eventual silver medallists, Saint Mary’s, in the quarter-finals. They finished the season with a 10-5-2 record—including post-season play.

Awards abounded this year for McGill with several players earning all-star honours. Fifth-year defenceman and captain Thomas Lucas earned RSEQ first team honours, while midfielder Yohann Capolungo and forward George Banks both secured second team all-star awards. Finally, Head Coach David Simon was named RSEQ Coach of the Year. 

McGill will unquestionably miss the defensive prowess of Lucas next year, but a number of exciting young players give the Redmen a high chance at achieving success in 2012. Look for sophomore Alexander King, who was McGill’s leading scorer, to have another big campaign next year. 

McGill Rugby

Men: A+, Women: B

The Redmen rugby team had another incredible season in 2011, culminating in their sixth straight RSEQ championship. McGill achieved an even more impressive accomplishment—dominating AUS champion University of New Brunswick 36-0, to claim the Eastern University Canadian title. For their strong efforts, the team also reined in several individual awards. Six Redmen earned RSEQ all-star honours, including Captain Alexander Sunell and fifth-year wing Gideon Balloch. Balloch was particularly outstanding this season, and won the conference’s scoring title with 41 total points. The individual awards spread to the coaching staff, as Head Coach Craig Beemer was voted RSEQ coach of the year. With only six seniors graduating, the Redmen look poised to continue their rugby dynasty in 2012. On the women’s side, the Martlets once again lost in the Quebec semifinal and will seek redemption next year.

McGill Cross-Country  

Women: A, Men: C+

In CIS cross country, the Martlets capped off a successful season with a fifth place finish at the CIS national meet in Quebec City. The team qualified for the national meet with a first place finish at the RSEQ in Chicoutimi. Veteran Charléne Puel led the team with a 25th place finish, closely followed by rookie Jessica Porfilio in 27th, who was voted RSEQ rookie of the year. Veteran Sarah McCuaig took home RSEQ MVP, despite running with an injured foot all season.

The Redmen weren’t able to mirror the success of the Martlets, as the team was plagued by injury and illness most of the season, only running a full team at two of five meets. Despite this, the team finished third in the RSEQ provincial meet, beating out the Concordia Stingers by eight points. The Redmen experienced a big turnover in the last two years, and has a young squad.

a, Sports

Cubs decide on a fine Shiraz

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A B.Com. from McGill’s management program, an MBA from Columbia, and experience as a commodities trader: not exactly the credentials one would expect from a high-ranking member of one of baseball’s premier front offices. While Shiraz Rehman may not fit our traditional idea of what makes a mover and shaker in the professional sports industry, he is representative of a new generation of baseball executives who base their decisions in finance and academics. Newly hired as the Assistant to the General Manager of the Chicago Cubs, Rehman, 34, is living the dream of every university graduate who figured that the closest they would ever get to trading and signing players was in fantasy.

Shiraz Rehman was born in Montreal, but moved to New York before he entered first grade. He maintained ties with his city of birth and decided to return by attending McGill as a commerce student in the faculty of management. The combination of an Ivy League-level education and the ability to play his favourite sport made McGill the perfect destination for Rehman. “I didn’t want to go to just an academic school that didn’t have a baseball program,” he said, “and I wasn’t interested in going to a smaller institution that didn’t have the academic standards I was looking for just to play ball. McGill checked both boxes.”

His four years at McGill as a student and a varsity athlete significantly helped Rehman in reaching the position he holds today. 

“I loved my time at McGill and in Montreal,” Rehman said, with a hint of nostalgia for his alma mater. “I really enjoyed my experience as a student athlete. Anyone who plays sports at McGill or elsewhere knows that there are personal sacrifices to be made in time, but I think they pay off in spades. Obviously I love the game of baseball and enjoy playing it, but the relationships I was able to build, either with coaches or with teammates are things that I keep to this day and are invaluable to me.” 

Rehman still maintains his relationship with Redmen baseball Head Coach Ernie D’Alessandro, who took the reins of the program when Shiraz was in his second year. “Ernie’s a great guy,” Rehman added, “he sent me a couple of notes after he heard I got hired.” Rehman’s lasting connection to the Redmen was evident in 2010, with the team struggling financially and Rehman working in Arizona, he shipped a dozen bats to McGill, saving the team over a thousand dollars.

Coach D’Alessandro, who has led the Redmen to three national championships, has fond memories of Rehman. “Our coaching staff could see right away that he was a smart and personable young man with a good knowledge of the game,” D’Alessandro said. “More importantly though, he had a great love of baseball. Shiraz was well-liked by his teammates and had a great sense of humour. He was always driven to improve and worked hard, both on and off the field, so it’s not surprising that he is succeeding at the highest level of the game, as a front office employee.” 

Rehman is quick to praise the education that he received at McGill as vital to his success both in the business world and in baseball. “I believe that the McGill commerce education that I had was pretty neat relative to some of the U.S. schools. I think [McGill] is more focused on the type of classes and skills that are more practical out of the chute.” He also couldn’t leave out the friendships and relationships he developed in the program. “I thought the social network created in a B.Com. program was outstanding. I also really enjoyed management carnival,” Rehman joked.

After graduating from McGill in 1999 with a degree in finance and accounting, Rehman moved into the business world and worked as a commodities trader and a financial consultant. Later, he completed an MBA at Columbia University. He decided to transition from the business world to his true love of baseball and got an internship with the Red Sox in 2005 after attending baseball’s winter meetings and memorizing the names and faces of everyone he met. That’s where he met then-Red Sox GM Theo Epstein and his assistant Jed Hoyer, the two men with whom Rehman now shares a front office in Chicago. 

The transition from the business sector to the baseball world was not an easy one. “I was an intern and worked my fingers to the bone a little,” mentioned Rehman of his time with the Red Sox. “Often in sports, you end up having to take a bit of a longer road whereas you may have sexier paycheques or job titles in other industries. You make a lot of sacrifices both financially and personally in order to climb up the chain. And you have to have a willingness to work hard.”

But Rehman’s hard work paid off. Later that year, he and two other members of the Red Sox staff would move on to join the Arizona Diamondbacks, Rehman’s first real job in baseball. He spent six years in Arizona, making it all the way to director of player personnel. In November, he got the call from Chicago.

After missing the playoffs for a third straight year and finishing fifth in the NL Central division, the Cubs hired Theo Epstein, famous for breaking the Red Sox’ 86-year World Series “curse,” to work his magic at Wrigley. In building his new front office, Epstein brought in Hoyer, his former assistant and most recently GM of the San Diego Padres, to be his General Manager. Rehman was hired as Assistant to the GM, which means he will be reporting directly to Hoyer.

Joining an organization with as much history and tradition as the Cubs is a challenge Rehman is eager to tackle. 

“I’m really excited. I have a ton of respect for both Theo and Jed, having had a chance to work with both of them. Combining the opportunity to work with them in an organization that has the long, tremendous history that the Chicago Cubs have is a combination that’s tough to beat,” Rehman said. “It’s a dynamic place that’s exciting to come to every day. We’re interested in trying to solve problems, trying to get better, and trying to win a World Series. I’m really excited by the opportunity and it’s something I’m really grateful for.”

Although he’s only been with the club for a few weeks, the serious work is already beginning for Rehman as teams begin to pursue free agents in attempts to improve their teams for the upcoming season. Although Rehman refused to comment on whether his Cubs are in on the Albert Pujols hunt or whether they’re pursuing other top-rated free agents, he will certainly have a great influence over who the team decides to sign, draft, and trade. “My job title means a whole lot of things,” Rehman said. “Baseball jobs in front offices tend to be all hands on deck. First and foremost, I’ll be helping Jed and Theo with building our 40-man roster as well as [collecting and analyzing] scouting information, financial information, and statistical information. We put it all together to feed information to facilitate making quick decisions.”

In the past decade, baseball has changed to the point where both on-field baseball knowledge and analytical skills are the driving forces behind baseball decisions. Statistical analysis got itself back in the news with the release of the film version of Moneyball in September, and Rehman is part of the new generation of baseball executives with roots in the financial field, particularly with degrees from Ivy League universities, who are changing the face of the game. Rehman notes that this phenomenon has been developing for much longer. “I think we’ve seen it a lot over the last 20 years, more of a flow of these types of people into the game,” Rehman said, refuting the notion that it started with Moneyball. “Different skillsets and ideas existed in baseball before then, but it’s certainl
y gotten a little more popularity and coverage recently.”

Coming out of the business world, Rehman believes that no form of knowledge or analysis should be discredited in making decisions. Having been part of three front offices at this point in his career, Rehman notes that the ones that seem to operate the best are those in which problems are attacked from every possible angle. “It’s a standard line but I think it’s true: getting a lot of different skillsets in a room is the best way to solve problems or to get the right answers. When you’ve got as much baseball knowledge and on-field knowledge as you possibly can, using the traditional ways of evaluating a player, along with the more analytical ways—be it statistics or performance—putting those two together is the best way of evaluating players.”

For those looking to be the next Shiraz Rehman, Major League baseball teams look for a unique combination of skills and experiences. For most of us who don’t have those, the possibility of a job like Rehman’s will continue to reside in the realm of fantasy, not reality. 

“You have to make sure that you have a breadth of experience,” Rehman cautioned. “It’s not just about having played college or pro ball, nor is it about being a pure numbers guy. I have overseen entry-level hirings in Arizona and we’re looking for both those who have experience with the on-field game in terms of playing, coaching, and scouting, as well as those that can be analytical. In general we look for people who position themselves on both sides of the fence.”

While very few McGill students can describe themselves as having both of these qualifications, Rehman’s story shows that in a changing world, diverse experiences, a willingness to work, and the ability to think critically go a long way. Whether he can help Epstein and Hoyer break another “curse” remains to be seen, but just by making his way up the MLB ladder, Shiraz Rehman is already a success to those at McGill and will continue to be a source of pride for years to come. 

a, Sports

Single-minded determination

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Ryan Reisert / McGill Tribune
Ryan Reisert / McGill Tribune

Last summer at McGill, a crew of players met regularly to play pickup. Week in and week out, you’d see the same people on the court.

Of the regulars, there was one figure who stood out from the crowd. He didn’t mingle and he didn’t join any of the pickup games (at least the ones I played in). He spent hours either alone or with a partner doing exercises: endless pump-fakes, elbow jumpers and enough drop-steps that, if it were me, I would have been puking all over the court from dizziness. Not only was he notable for his solitude but also for his size—Tristan Renaud-Tremblay, the starting power forward for the McGill Redmen basketball team, spent the past summer honing his game. While I bricked shots all over the far courts, I was soothed by the rhythmic sounds of his dribble, dribble, shot: thud, thud, swish.

Renaud-Tremblay’s goal, his near singular devotion, is to become a professional basketball player. Though he towers over most of us, as a 6’6″ power forward, he’ll probably never be strong enough or even close to big enough to make it to the NBA. With a focus on getting better every day, he plans to make a career for himself in Europe.

Despite his intimidating height, when he’s in motion he reminds me of a whippet. Rangy, long, and with a certain refined elegance to his movements, he makes his living on the basketball court with footwork and agility. Because of his lack of size, even a tiny misstep will result in a humiliating block.

Tremblay says that his only basketball talent as a youngster was his height, but the success he enjoyed because of that height made him love the game more and pushed him to improve.

Soon enough he was dreaming of playing Division I ball. He took steps towards that end by enrolling at Champlain College Saint Lambert, a CEGEP renowned for sending players on to Div. I colleges. Renaud-Tremblay played for three years there under Head Coach John Dangelas, before receiving a scholarship offer from Div. I The Citadel, the military college that was lampooned in Pat Conroy’s The Lords of Discipline.

Personal discipline had never been a problem for Renaud-Tremblay (as his summer training schedule demonstrates), so he didn’t balk at the thought of a highly structured military life. Once at The Citadel, he was asked to redshirt his freshman season, as the team hoped to turn him into a more perimeter-oriented player. He had no objections, as his goal was, and is, to become as good of a player as possible—whatever that entails. However, he soon realized that while he wasn’t an anti-authoritarian, he struggled to subsume his personal goals in order to fall in line with the others around him. Still spending almost all of his free time training, in between classwork and military exercises according to the school’s vigorous schedule, Renaud-Tremblay’s body began to break down. Unwilling to compromise his training, he simply wasn’t recovering properly. The coach who recruited him (Ed Conroy) moved on to a bigger Div. I program (Tulane) and Renaud-Tremblay felt lost. 

After speaking with Dangelas, his former coach and now a Redman assistant coach, he began to think that McGill could offer him the autonomy to better achieve his goals. He believed that even if he failed, he would at least have taken control of his own destiny.

At McGill, Renaud-Tremblay sees himself as part of a changing culture: a renewed commitment to winning signalled by the hiring of Head Coach David DeAveiro and Dangelas. Together with Simone Bibeau, a fellow Saint-Lambert alumn, Renaud-Tremblay saw himself as an important cog in what was becoming a well-oiled offensive system: himself on the inside, Bibeau creating shots from the perimeter, and a bunch of guys who could make big plays when needed (Karim Sy-Morissette, Vincent Dufort, Winn Clark). However, when Bibeau suffered a season-ending injury in a preseason practice, Renaud-Tremblay understood that more of the offensive load would fall on him. Since then, he’s struggled on occassion.  

“That’s where he gets in trouble sometimes, because he knows he’s the go-to-guy, I think he forces the issue too much,” DeAveiro said. That may have been the case in a lacklustre Thursday night performance against UQAM in which he finished with five turnovers, shot 2-7 from the field, and pulled down only five rebounds. The Redmen won anyway, on the strength of a huge night from Sy-Morrisette.

Renaud-Tremblay bounced back on Saturday night in Lennoxville against the Gaiters, leading his team to a 67-54 victory by registering 18 points on 80 per cent shooting.

One of the main things Renaud-Tremblay attributes his improvement to is his greater understanding of the game. He’s learned a lot by constantly watching basketball over the past months and really studying the professional game.

When asked who he watched the most, he said that, in part due to his own lack of athleticism—compared to most NBA players—and in part due to the lockout (which he couldn’t wait to end), he’d been watching the classics—particularly, the 1980s Celtics and their star, Larry Bird.

“What I like about his game is that there are no restrictions in terms of moves or what he can do,” Renaud-Tremblay said. “Like, ‘if he plays me that way, if I do this I’m going to surprise him with a different kind of shot.’ He almost never gives you the same look twice.”

“This is why I’ve been able to step my game up … being able to see the game in [a cerebral] way.”

Opinion

The Tribune holiday wishlist

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Everyone on campus is too busy these days to make holiday wishlists. The Tribune wants to make your exam and shopping season a little easier, so we’ve written your wishlist for you and suggested some ideas for other characters on campus. 

*The McGill football team wants a win in the 2012-13 season. 

*Students want more tears of joy and fewer tears of gas. 

*Todd Plummer wants some plum sauce. 

*Maggie Knight wants students to attend the strategic summits.

*Everyone wants fewer Bieber babies.

*Shyam Patel wants to be re-elected Campus Cutie

*Matt Crawford wants a portrait of Karl Marx.

*Students still want construction to end.

*Students want Steven Saideman to stay. And it wouldn’t hurt if he turned his blog into a book. 

*The Tribune wants more open letters.

*Zach Newburgh wants a list of every student’s name and address.

*Principal Heather Munroe Blum wants better locks on her office door.

*The Tribune Football Club wants a win. 

*Everyone wants Man Men and Community to come back. 

*Rick Perry wants a platform that is easier to remember. 

*Europe wants money.

*Rob Ford wants you to know who the f#*@ he is. 

*SUS execs want iPads to go with their iPhones. 

*The Martlet hockey teams wants their win streak back.  

*Everyone hopes the world won’t end next year. 

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