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News

QPIRG and CKUT survive, voter turnout up 9.5 per cent

by Carolina Millán Ronchetti on

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The fall semester’s referendum questions passed with an overwhelming majority, announced Elections McGill last Thursday. Two of these questions were to determine whether QPIRG McGill and CKUT Radio should continue to receive student funding and if these fees should be opt-outable in person rather than online via Minerva. QPIRG’s existence was approved by a vote of 65.6 per cent of voters for, 28.5 per cent against (with 5.8 per cent abstentious), while CKUT’s existence was extended by 72.3 per cent of voters for, 20.6 per cent against, and 7.1 per cent abstentious.

Despite concerns from some students that quorum would be difficult to achieve, voting turnout was 24.7 per cent of the undergraduate student body, notably higher than the required 15 per cent. SSMU President Maggie Knight noted that this referendum showed an increase in student participation as compared to previous years.

“I’m really happy that we saw voter turnout increase a lot. [Turnout on the fall referendum] last year was 15.2 per cent, so this is 9.5 per cent up from last year,” Knight said. “It’s good to see more students involved in a democratic way. Obviously, I think this was spurred by the issue—I know Elections McGill put a lot of effort into promotion this year but the CKUT and QPIRG ‘Yes’ committees were on the ground every day and pressed really hard.”

Following the vote, the atmosphere was festive, with large numbers of supporters of QPIRG and CKUT celebrating the referenda results. Danji Buck-Moore, a U3 arts student who campaigned for QPIRG, shared his excitement with the Tribune.

“I think it’s a relief to a lot of people who worked really hard on this. It shows that the mandate exists for these organizations to actually be here and work for students,” he said. “Students support student life. At least temporarily, hopefully this will silence the claims that [QPIRG and CKUT] are fringe groups, because they clearly are not.”

Niko Block, co-chair of the CKUT ‘Yes’ committee and board member of CKUT, also noted his happiness with the results.

“It’s wonderful to see such overwhelming student support for the organizations,” Block said. “My hope is that the university will recognize this vote and that negotiations go more smoothly than they have gone with MUNACA and other issues.”

Block was not surprised that quorum was achieved, as his campaign was informed by Elections McGill that quorum had been met on Tuesday morning.

“[Quorum is] really what we wanted. For my part I felt like, ‘You know what, if we get quorum and we lose, then so be it, at least we got quorum, at least it was a good vote,'” he said. “We were a little nervous but mostly excited and we obviously exploded with joy when we found the vote was ‘yes.’ It was awesome.”

For students who did not agree with the phrasing of the question, there is much anticipation about how offline opt-outs will affect them.

“I would like QPIRG and CKUT to clearly indicate their opt-out process and explain how they’re going to do this,” Stephen David, U3 mining engineering, said. “Once all the people who remember that fees are opt-outable have graduated, are QPIRG and CKUT still going to mention that these fees are opt-outable? Or are they going to forget about it?”

Student Life

A chronology of campus protests at McGill

by Noah Caldwell-Rafferty on

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Sam Reynolds

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, or found yourself trapped in a chemistry lab because the person with the key is a MUNACA worker, by now you’ve caught wind of the protests dominating our campus. If you’re looking for an impassioned defence of the protesters, or even an admonishment of their guilt, read no further. The following is, instead, a sweeping runthrough of the history of McGill campus protests within the last 100 years. Now a time-honoured tradition, civil disobedience has deep-seeded roots within the student body—so if you’re itching to get out there and hoist your fist against The Man, pay attention so you know just what tradition you’re keeping alive.

The Student Society of McGill University was brought into existence by unrest.  Students, apparently grumbling about their unfavourable position vis-à-vis the public, demanded representation (or as the first SSMU president John Hackett stated, it was because of their “apparent acquiescence in the charges of vandalism which were periodically brought against them”).  Following suit, SSMU was officially installed to represent students in 1909.

In the 1950s, periodic up-swells in student fervour reflected a poor job market for graduates and a lack of public funding for education (sound familiar?). The similarities continue: a mass publicity campaign was undertaken with its eye on the Quebec premier, and in 1958 a one-day boycott of classes was organized—a Ferris Bueller moment much like the one we saw last Thursday.

Then followed the sweetness of the 1960s, ripe with the odour of patchouli and counter-culture. Reasons to march abounded—Vietnam, U.S. nuclear bomb tests, and the general angst which accompanies generational upheaval and widespread disillusionment with authority. The administration, bearing the brunt of the bullying, eventually gave ground, and for the first time a student was allowed to sit on the Board of Governors.

In 1967, the McGill Daily published a satirical article defaming John F. Kennedy that sparked outrage and libel charges. Amidst these charges and increasing disobedience, the office of principal Robertson was broken into and triumphantly occupied by students until the police expelled them by force.  

Perhaps these days shouldn’t be glorified. After all, there was no iconic image of police cars surrounded by students, and no Joan Baez singing to a swaying crowd of leftists, as was the case at Berkeley in 1964. Indeed, there was no heroic rhetoric which transcended the movement itself, such as Mario Savio’s plea at the same Berkeley campus: “There’s a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious—makes you so sick at heart—that you can’t take part.” It’s the kind of revolutionary fodder which surely made Lenin smile in his grave.

McGill’s ardour was admirable all the same. And, considering traditional Canadian passivity, the sit-ins and occupations of the 1960s were substantial even compared with those to the South. The McGill flavour of protest was marked by a certain creative spice. Just go to McGill’s online archives and find the picture of a long-haired student occupying a chair of the Board of Governors, picking his nose, and holding a stick with a middle-fingered glove on the end of it.

The fire lit under the student body would linger for decades to come. In April 1997, a first-class sit-in occurred at McGill, as a means to rail against student fee increases. Eighteen students occupied principal Shapiro’s office for three days, capping off a week of creative disobedience. The Arts Building doors were chained shut, and Cheez Wiz was served to drive home the point that with so many fees, “starving artist” would become more than a lifestyle euphemism.

It seems that the spirit of student unrest still lives strong in our current student body. As I write, it is only 24 hours since riot police confronted James Administration Building occupiers. The current protests reflect a trend toward anger over monetary rather than social issues, which has existed since the 1960s. And while I possess no foresight of what will come, I can at least say that if you do choose to protest, you now know the forefathers of your cause.

News

On-campus unions rally for accessible education

by Bianca Van Bavel on

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On Thursday, Nov. 10, the Association of Graduate Students Employed at McGill (AGSEM), and other on-campus unions voiced concerns about educational accessibility. Despite the dreary weather, over 60 graduate and undergraduate students gathered and prepared to march together to the province-wide student protest against proposed tuition hikes. 

“The number of teaching assistants who turned out today shows that we continue to oppose the government’s apparent policy to make education inaccessible,” Sheldon Brandt, AGSEM’s VP External, said.

The rally was organized in conjunction with the Association of McGill Undergraduate Student Employees (AMUSE), the Post-Graduate Student Society (PGSS), and Student’s Society of McGill University in an effort to display solidarity with the different groups currently in negotiations with the McGill administration, such as MUNACA and AGSEM.

“It’s very scary once we begin to put a limit on education,” Adrienne Hurley, a professor of East Asian studies and member of the McGill Faculty Labour Action Group (MFLAG), said. “This shouldn’t be the direction we are heading in.”

At the TA General Assembly this October, the union decided that tuition fees should not be increased without a subsequent increase in monetary wages, and voted in favour of the authorization of pressure tactics, including a public demonstration. For this reason, AGSEM’s rally was timed a few hours before the national protest against tuition hikes.  

 “It is important that the McGill administration and the Quebec government know that students are not the only ones who oppose these tuition increases,” Brandt said. 

“[Public actions] like these let us reach out to other groups on campus and push for the collective support that our position needs,” Jonathan Mooney, bargaining committee representative for AGSEM, said.  

As the largest labour union at McGill, AGSEM represents 3,000 members including teaching assistants, course lecturers, exam invigilators, and instructors. AGSEM is currently engaged in negotiations with the administration. Primary concerns include wage increases, standardized paid academic training, and a commitment from the university to invest in more TA hours and positions. Both Brandt and Mooney said that this rally was an effort by AGSEM to bring the union’s position to students’ attention.

 “Despite the progress we are making through discussions, the concerns being addressed are still very preliminary and missing a lot of the core issues at hand,” Mooney explained.  

Last Wednesday, Nov. 9, AGSEM returned to the negotiation room to further discuss the possibilities of developing a contract that satisfies both parties. Since negotiations began in May, there has been little agreement between the two groups. 

AGSEM is organizing another rally this Wednesday, Nov. 16, at noon at the Roddick Gates.

Student Life

A ’90s comeback through fashion, film, and music

by Jacqui Galbraith on

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For some years now, pop culture seems to have looked to the past for inspiration. As anyone who’s ever attended a “tight ‘n’ bright” themed party can attest, we’ve taken some of the best the ‘80s had to offer and brought it with us into the 21st century. Fashion-wise, clothing like leggings, fluorescent colours, and ripped denim have been brought back into circulation, but thankfully the shoulder pads remain a thing of the past. Even movies like 13 Going On 30 and Hot Tub Time Machine have reminded us of all the great things that decade had to offer. Recently, however, the focus of pop culture has shifted away from the ‘80s, and into the ‘90s. As generation Y (or the Echo Boomers, children of the Baby Boomers), has now grown up and flooded the work force, movies, music, and television are all starting to re-incorporate fads from the ‘90s, leaving us to wonder: are the ‘90s the new ‘80s?

Take McGill Frosh this year as an example. Arts frosh was “Harder, Better, Frosher, Stronger” themed, drawing heavily on Daft Punk, while science frosh was “Night at the Froshbury,” a take on the ‘90s movie A Night at the Roxbury. With McGill at the forefront of this newfound ‘90s movement, hopefully it gains momentum to rival the second wind of the ‘80s. So, without further ado, let’s take a little trip down memory lane to figure out what we want back from our first decade on earth, and what would be better left alone.

Few television shows like The Simpsons, Saturday Night Live, or The Real World enjoy such longevity, but there were a myriad of gems on the air in the ‘90s that could definitely be re-imagined. Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gilmore Girls, Power Rangers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are all surely missed. Teen dramas like Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place have already been (somewhat controversially) remade in a post Luke Perry world. The almost immediate cancellation of Melrose Place serves as a cautionary tale, and suggests that some classics really are meant to be just that. Shows like Friends, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, or Seinfeld were amazing, but can you really imagine Will Smith still living in his uncle’s house? Even with a new, fresh, young cast, 90210 and Melrose have proven that the old stars will want back in, and it just won’t be the same.

Musically speaking, we’ve already seen the comeback of the boy band (the NKOTBSB reunion tour for example). Although to call them boys at this point is really just too ridiculous to comment on; I’ll leave the witty one-liners to the rest of you. Their tour did gross over $10 million dollars, and the Spice Girls reunion tour was estimated to have grossed over $70 million, proving that fans didn’t mind having their idols back, even if a little aged. That doesn’t mean that every group from the ‘90s should get back together. I would hazard a guess that most of us prefer Justin Timberlake the solo artist turned actor to the *NSYNC member, and Mark Wahlberg to Marky Mark.  

As for movies, there’s really not much to say except that the fundamental things still apply. Teens will always want a good high school comedy, be it American Pie, Clueless, Superbad or Mean Girls. And who doesn’t love a good franchise? Cinematic gold was struck with trilogies like Austin Powers and the Wayne’s World movies were simply outstanding. Yet revisiting those can be a very tricky business, forcing studios to walk a fine line between milking a cash cow and beating a dead horse. Disney seems to have gotten it right with their re-release of The Lion King in 3D, with talk of The Little Mermaid receiving the same treatment in the future. Also, their return to ‘90s-esque animation for The Princess and the Frog drew an older audience as well as a younger one.

So maybe the ‘90s were a little bit of a mixed bag. It’s a tall order to make sure the good stuff translates into the next generation properly, let alone to even distinguish it from the bad. So as the millennial generation takes more control of the entertainment industry, hopefully we’ll see more of what we loved about the ‘90s. But please, no more Vanilla Ice.

News

AUS GA endorses Nov. 10 national student strike

by Elisa Muyl on

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Ryan Reisert / McGill Tribune

Last Tuesday, the Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS) held its first General Assembly in recent memory. In a crowded Shatner cafeteria, over 200 arts students gathered to debate and vote on motions, including two separate endorsements—one of QPRIG/CKUT and one of MUNACA—and a faculty-wide student strike in protest of tuition hikes. All three motions passed with an overwhelming majority, though not without lively discussion and some confusion regarding the rules of debate regulating the Assembly. 

The Assembly began with a motion by Arts Representative Matthew Crawford to install a portrait of Karl Marx in the Arts Lounge, and another motion by SSMU Councillor Micha Stettin to rearrange the agenda, placing the motion to strike after the QPRIG/CKUT and MUNACA endorsements. 

This action was well-planned, as a mass departure of arts students followed the strike motion’s success. AUS President Jade Calver confirmed the GA was student-initiated, and that the strike motion was likely the Assembly’s draw. 

“I can’t confirm that [the initiation of the GA] was the strike motion, however, I think if we look at what occurred at the GA, we can definitely see the motion as one of the driving forces behind [it],” she wrote in an email to the Tribune. 

The two other motions were discussed prior to the strike motion and fostered lively debate. The motion regarding QPRIG/CKUT endorsement in the fall referenda brought forth concerns about merging the organizations’ existence and a change in opt-out procedure into a single vote (see “Referendum,” Nov. 8, cover). The movers and supporters of the motion defended the organizations’ decision to move opt-outs from online as a move to regain control over their own funding. They saw the  movement of opt-outs online as imposed by the administration. This motion would allow the organizations to regain control of their own funding processes.

Some opposition to the motion regarded the change as a step backwards technologically. Others were more concerned with the lack of anonymity and the marginalization of moderate opposition to QPIRG. 

“There are some people who are not vehemently opposed to QPIRG, but just don’t feel like they want to support them,” said Joe McGrade, U2 arts. “[G]etting rid of the online opt-out system, which is very convenient, will limit these people’s ability to opt out.”

Niko Block, co-chair of the CKUT ‘Yes’ committee and board member of CKUT, assured the Assembly that opt-outs have never been anonymous—the organizations have record of the students who have opted out, which is how they know who can partake in their decision-making bodies and who cannot. Furthermore, he maintained that students had never had an issue with in-person opt-outs before they were moved online.

More debate surrounded the motion to endorse MUNACA in its current negotiations with the administration. After the motion was introduced, Calver questioned if the mover was aware that a similar motion was defeated in AUS Council earlier this semester. The AUS executives found that the issue was largely divisive for students, and were hesitant to support something of which the student body was poorly informed. Sheehan Moore, the motion’s author, questioned the representativeness of this method of decision-making.

“It’s a matter of how you think the democratic process should [proceed]; whether or not you think [the AUS executive] should be representing us or whether by, selecting you, we endorse everything you say.” The AUS executive had a different view of the GA’s representativeness. 

“The GA is meant to be a forum for student consultation and discussion. I think what we saw at the last GA was a very issue-based event, that attracted students that may not have been representative of the overall arts student body,” Calver wrote in an email to the Tribune. “I think the main issue, however, was the fact that minimal debate … took place during the GA, and attendees were quick to move to call the question without having any extensive form of debate.”

The strike motion passed with an overwhelming majority and with much less contention. The motion called for the AUS to support students in a one-day strike against classes and any McGill-related activities in solidarity with the Nov. 10 province-wide demonstration against tuition hikes. The motion’s success joined McGill arts students with the tens of thousands of other students across Quebec who also declared the Nov. 10 a one-day strike. 

“The AUS will defend your decision to strike,” Calver said in response to a question from a student regarding the strike’s implications on a midterm he had on Thursday. 

Following the success of the strike motion, the Shatner cafeteria emptied and became a consultative forum. Motions regarding coffee procedures at SNAX and frustration with the Deputy Provost of Student Life and Learning’s reappointment were discussed, but as quorum was no longer met, could not mandate Council to make decisions.

Sports

Homewreckers: McGill’s title run spoiled

by Christopher Nardi on

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Sam Reynolds / McGill Tribune

As hosts of the 2011 CIS women’s soccer championship, the Martlets clinched a spot in the championship bracket well before the first kickoff of the season. However, that didn’t prevent the Martlets from exceeding expectations in their quarter-final matchup by defeating second-ranked Trinity Western 1-0  on penalty kicks. McGill bowed out in their semifinal against top-ranked rival Université de Montréal, losing by a 2-1 margin after extra time. Finally, they succumbed to the Ottawa Gee-Gees in the bronze medal match. The Martlets failed to score a regulation goal during the entire tournament.

The quarterfinal match featured a cautious defensive battle between both teams, a strategy that ended up favouring the defence-oriented Martlets. Most of the game was played in the centre of the field, with both teams alternating offensive pressure throughout the 120 minutes played. The Martlets came out strong from the onset with two great scoring chances by captain Alexandra Morin-Boucher in the first 10 minutes, but appeared to lose steam as the half progressed. Fortunately for McGill, goalkeeper Victoria Muccilli was sharp and came up with huge saves throughout.

As the clock hit the 90th minute, and then the 120th minute, signalling the end of overtime and the beginning of the penalty kicks, the score remained tied at 0 largely due to the efforts of both goalies. The Martlets faced a huge challenge going into the penalty kick round, as Trinity Western had yet to lose a PK shootout all season. But, thanks to hours of carefully studied video of Trinity’s team, the Martlets scored on every shot, while Muccilli stopped two to assure their spot in the semi-finals. “They worked hard, and they fought hard as a team,” Head Coach Marc Mounicot said, beaming. “We had a great first half which gave us confidence as a team, then after that [the team] worked and worked and in the end, they deserved it.”

Mounicot was far from beaming following the Martlets’ lacklustre performance against the Université de Montréal Carabins in the semi-finals, though. Despite going up 1-0 on an own-goal by Montreal in the first 10 minutes, Montreal took control of the play after the half-time interval, leading to the tying goal scored in the 80th minute. Then, the Carabins completed the comeback in the 18th minute of overtime with a great top corner goal off a free kick. Despite McGill finally waking up and applying strong offensive pressure in the last 12 minutes of the extra frame, Carabins goalkeeper Justine Martin shut the door on the Martlets, sending Montreal to battle against Queen’s University for the CIS championship title.

“We stopped playing after 45 minutes and we paid the price against a very good team who is very solid, very good,” Mounicot said, disappointed. “I don’t know if it’s the fatigue or if they couldn’t hold the pressure of the game, but it’s really frustrating, because like I say: ‘lose the game, but play!'” Referring specifically to his team’s lack of execution after the first half, Mounicot added, “We missed too many chances in the first half and then stopped playing hard in the second half. We have a young team and had that problem a lot during the regular season.”

The same problem affected the Martlets on Sunday, when they were matched against the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees for the bronze medal. Despite falling behind 1-0 in the first seven minutes of play, the Martlets fought valiantly in the first 45 minutes, but Ottawa’s defenders effectively shut down any possible shooting. Ottawa would then put the icing on the cake, going up 2-0 in the 41st minute. McGill continued to be stymied defensibely in the second half. After playing extra time the night before, fatigue likely caught up to the Martlets on Sunday as they couldn’t find their legs and grew slower as the bronze medal match went on. Despite their impotent offence, the Martlets should be pleased with their surprising fourth place finish. 

Despite the difficulty the McGill squad experienced in their last two matches, The Martlets remains optimistic about their team’s chances next season.  

Assuredly, the young squad has now acquired invaluable experience going into next season, where they expect nothing less than to bring the CIS championship to Quebec for the first time in the CIS tournament’s 25-year history.

Sports

Around the Water Cooler

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Ryan Reisert

FOOTBALL — The playoffs have begun on the Canadian gridiron and the CFL will officially crown a new champion at the Grey Cup in Vancouver. In a David-meets-Goliath semi-final, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats slayed the two-time defending Grey Cup champion Montreal Allouettes in a back-and-forth 52-44 victory. In the other semi-final, Edmonton dispatched Calgary in the Battle of Alberta. Next weekend, Hamilton and Winnipeg will lock horns and Edmonton will meet B.C. for the right to play for Canada’s oldest trophy. 

SOCCER — The road to Euro 2012 got clearer for three more teams on Friday as Ireland, Croatia, and the Czech Republic dealt swiftly with Estonia, Turkey, and Montenegro respectively to nudge forward in their qualifying playoff ties. Portugal was stymied by Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Balkan nation, drawing 0-0, and will need to win in Lisbon to qualify for the June tournament in Poland and Ukraine. Closer to home, Canada also managed a meek 0-0 draw against minnows St. Kitts and Nevis, a nation of just 51,300 people, which was enough to secure a ticket to the third round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

BASKETBALL — While each passing day begins with a hope that the NBA owners and players are close to a deal, they all end in disappointment, as there is still no professional basketball to watch. Basketball Prospectus has been simulating each prospective game of the season, and the Toronto Raptors have yet to win. With the Leafs still in the playoff hunt in November, are Toronto fans happy that the dinos are taking a break? The NCAA season finally got underway this week, and the highlight undoubtedly was the Carrier Classic that saw No. 1 North Carolina tip-off against Michigan State on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier in the Pacific Ocean. President Obama was in attendance as college basketball commemorated Veterans’ Day in one of the most unique settings ever for a game of hoops.

BASEBALL — There are three basic things that most baseball fans know about the Florida Marlins: they’re cheap, they occasionally win the World Series unexpectedly, and they wear teal. Times are changing as the Florida Marlins became the Miami Marlins on Friday, in anticipation of their move to a brand new stadium in April. Overshadowing the name change and the move from their distinct teal, fishy look to a decidedly more South Beach-esque motif, the Marlins grabbed headlines by making offers to free-agent superstar Albert Pujols as well as shortstop Jose Reyes and starting pitcher Mark Buehrle. Have the Marlins suddenly worked up the courage to ask out the hottest girl in school, or are they just trying to look a little more like their Miami Heat neighbours? In other news, the Philadelphia Phillies decided that they didn’t have nearly enough high-priced pitching, and signed former Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon to a four-year deal.

HOCKEY — The newest class of Hockey Hall of Fame inductees were immortalized on Monday night as Doug Gilmour, Joe Nieuwendyk, Ed Belfour, and Mark Howe joined hockey’s finest in the building’s hallowed halls. The trip to the Hall in Toronto was a homecoming for Gilmour, Nieuwendyk, and Belfour, since all three spent parts of their careers in the Maple Leafs’ blue and white. Howe and his father Gordie join Bobby and Brett Hull, and Lester, Lynn, and Craig Patrick in the exclusive group of father-son Hall of Fame pairs.

BOXING — Muhammad Ali once said, “I always bring out the best in men I fight, but Joe Frazier, I’ll tell the world right now, brings out the best in me.”

That might as well have been  Manny Pacquiao talking about Juan Manuel Márquez.

The two have fought three times now, at three different weight classes, interspersed over the course of seven years. The two first fought in 2004, battling to a draw at featherweight. Four years later, the two met again, this time at super featherweight. Once again the fight went the distance but Pacquiao prevailed in a controversial split decision.

On Saturday, in what was supposed to be the match where Pacquiao finally proved his superiority beyond all dispute, the two fought yet another classic, with Pacquiao eking out a majority decision that left many fans booing.

Sports

Penn State scandal bigger than football

by Iain Macdonald on

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Last Wednesday, the Penn State board of trustees fired football coach Joe Paterno and President Graham Spanier in connection with the recently uncovered child abuse scandal. Shortly after the announcement, a few hundred Penn State students took to the streets in support of their beloved ‘JoePa,’ tipping over cars, knocking down lamp posts, and throwing rocks at police. What these protestors failed to realize is that Penn State was right to fire both Paterno and Spanier, and addressing such serious issues should always come before sports.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, former Penn State defensive co-ordinator (who unexpectedly retired from football in 1999) Jerry Sandusky ran the Second Mile program, a charity for youth in State College, Pennsylvania. During his time at the Second Mile, Sandusky allegedly sexually abused eight different boys. Janitor James Calhoun and Penn State graduate assistant Mike McQueary both reported witnessing instances of Sandusky sexually abusing a young boy in the Penn State showers. No police reports were filed for either case.

When the Penn State board of trustees fired Paterno and Spanier, they were taking the necessary measures. Some claim that Paterno did everything in his power, or did things by the book. He didn’t. There is no book for what to do when allegations surface of sexual abuse of children. Even though there is a “chain of command” in most athletic organizations, there’s absolutely no reason not to contact police in such a situation.

When allegations surfaced at McGill in early 2005 of sexual misconduct by members of the football team, McGill wasted no time disciplining those involved. While this move by the university affected the football team dramatically, it was an appropriate and proportionate reaction. While the situation at Penn State is not in any way shape or form like what happened at McGill, the swift reaction isn’t too unfamiliar. Unlike at McGill, it wouldn’t make sense for Penn State to cancel the final home game of the season, as these events were not caused by the members of the team.

The riot response by Penn State students is foolish and misguided. Clearly, these students care very much about their school’s football team. In this case, however, Paterno’s firing is not about football. It’s about serious crimes that allegedly took place while Paterno was in charge, and the lack of response by the leadership at Penn State to investigate these allegations. One more game would have been one too many for Paterno.

Students and athletes alike need to realize that some things can happen in the sports world that overshadow the sports themselves. This is one of those situations. Suggestions that Paterno’s removal was unjust are ridiculous and ignorant of the nature of the crimes of which Sandusky is accused. Accusations of rape of young boys are very serious, and Penn State students should treat them as such. The board of trustees certainly does, and they did the right thing.

—Iain Macdonald

Sports

Lonely Island: Redmen one and done in Victoria

by Steven Lampert on

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Gordon Lee / CIS
Gordon Lee / CIS

The McGill Redmen were looking to build on their RSEQ success this past weekend in Victoria, B.C. as they battled for the CIS National Championship. The Redmen opened their championship bid in a quarterfinal match against the Saint Mary’s Huskies on Thursday. However, disappointment filled the players following the game, as the Redmen were defeated by a score of 2-1. 

The Redmen put together a fantastic season, culminating in their second CIS championship appearance in the past three years. Their last appearance, in 2009, was a major success, as they earned the silver medal in the tournament. While McGill had high expectations for this year’s run as well, they were outmatched by the Huskies, who built an early two-goal lead and never let up. 

There were positives, however, and Head Coach David Simon was proud of his team’s effort.

“The team played rather well … Having said that, we gave up two goals on significant defensive mistakes. At that level, you cannot win games with defensive lapses,” Simon said.

The Huskies opened the scoring in the 15th minute, as striker Elvir Gigolaj beat Redmen goalkeeper Charles Kelly to the ball and headed it into the empty net. The McGill defence tightened from that point on for the rest of the first half. McGill’s own offence had a few chances, most notably in the 40th minute when an offside call wiped away a Redmen goal by Alexander Damianou. 

The two teams came out with more energy and urgency in the second half. The Huskies extended their lead to two in the 64th minute when midfielder Derek Gaudet crossed a beautiful ball to Ian Coke, who finished it with a header past Kelly. Gaudet sparkled all game for Saint Mary’s, creating scoring chances and controlling the middle of the field. He would be named player of the match. 

McGill showed resiliency, cutting the lead back to one just four minutes later, when a Saint Mary’s defender failed to clear a crossing ball in the box, which left forward Sebastian Munroe open in front to strike it right past Huskies goalkeeper Adam Miller. The Redmen continued to press in the last 20 minutes of action, led by substitute forward Alexander King, who was named man of the match for McGill.  Despite generating a couple of quality scoring chances, it was to no avail. The Huskies’ back end held strong and preserved the victory. 

It was a tough loss for the Redmen, and is especially troubling for those mainstays from that finalist team, such as fifth-year captain Thomas Lucas.

“Guys who had experienced the final two years ago wanted to have another go at it … They were very disappointed but unlike some of their predecessors, they had a chance to go to nationals [twice]. They will be missed,” Simon said. 

With the loss, the Redmen were relegated to the consolation bracket. There, they had more success, beating both the University of Toronto Varsity Blues, and then the McMaster Marauders in the consolation finals to claim a fifth-place finish. The result clearly proves that the Redmen are just a notch behind Canada’s best. Striker George Banks shone in the consolation final, tallying two goals for McGill.

Despite the disappointing finish by the Redmen, it makes the players and coaching staff that much more hungry to improve and build on this championship appearance. Despite a few key departures, the roster expects to feature many returning players, who will all grow with the experience. 

Sports

Ten Questions With Marie-Eve Martin, the Reggie Miller of Martlet basketball

by Sam Hunter on

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The Tribune spoke with Martlet basketball player Marie-Eve Martin. Last year, the 5’7″ shooting guard led the team in made three-point FGs, with 50, and three-point percentage, at .403. She co-holds the team record for made three-pointers in a game with six.

What’s the day-to-day training schedule for a Martlet basketball player?

Usually we have school. Then, once or twice a week we have an individual practice which is pretty much one-on-one with the coach … And then usually we have practice in the evening, at least every day, and sometimes there’s the individual [practices] and weights, so that adds up. 

How long does all that take?

It’s roughly three hours a day, or less, depending.

Your brother played for Concordia, you play for McGill. Which is the stronger source of rivalry? Sibling? Or school?

I would play against Concordia and still go and high-five my brother. I would still cheer for him, [but] I wouldn’t cheer for Concordia. 

What allows you to be so cool under pressure?

It comes so naturally that … I guess it’s the end of the game, you’re focused, you’re in your zone, and you take the ball and you shoot and it’s the technique you’ve been using forever. That’s what it comes down to and if it goes in, it goes in.

Is it a matter of being clutch or just good?

I think it’s partly that you practice and you have a good shot  … and it’s a lot of luck. Like last year I hit a shot with 1.4 seconds left at Laval. Yeah, I practiced, I have a good shot, but the percentage chance that it would go in is very small.

How does it feel that the coaches have such confidence in your ability to score at the end of the game? 

It feels great to know that [Head Coach Ryan Thorne] has confidence that I will have a shot at the end of the game if it’s a close game and we need a three-pointer. It feels great to know that he has confidence in me, for sure.

Do you play or watch any other sports?

When I was younger I used to play soccer and stuff like that but from the age of eight until now all I do is play basketball. Sports-wise I don’t really watch anything else. I’m not a big fan of watching sports. I like doing, more than anything else.

Who would you say is your basketball role model?

I’ve always said it was my brother because he showed me how to play when I was younger. Not that I don’t have—you probably mean NBA players—I don’t really follow and watch much, but they’re all good so I guess they could all be my role models. But, for me, the one who really showed me the direction to go was my brother.

Do you have a specific pre-game meal? An ideal pre-game meal?

Not specific, but I always try to get my protein.

I guess—it’s funny because I’m kind of vegetarian but on the flexitarian side—but I was going to say I’d have a steak, which is very funny. I don’t really eat meat but before games I tend to have meat more than anything else … or a protein shake because I need to get my protein intake.

Does your team play any games like HORSE or 21? And if so, who’s the best?

We don’t really, but if I had to take a guess at who would be the best it would be Natalie Larocque on my team for sure. I would put my money on her. But there are two girls on my team who do a little bet every year. They shoot from [halfcourt] at the end of every practice—actually it’s Nat and Frances [Grout-Brown]—they … take a certain amount of shots and the one that hits it [first], she gets a point for that day. And at the end of the … year or at Christmas, they accumulate the points and whoever has the most wins and the other has to buy a gift for the winner.

1 … 1,173 1,174 1,175 1,176 1,177 … 1,367

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