Syracuse Season Ends

In the end, Syracuse could not overcome the loss of star sophomore center Fab Melo.  The Orange was defeated last Saturday 77-70 by Ohio State.  As the final horn sounded and they slowly walked off the court for the last time in this wondrous season they couldn’t bear to look up into the seats.  Syracuse learned real quick that this was a big boys affair meant for players with serious spine; every dribble, pass and shot was going to be challenged.  They fought to the end for a spot in the Final Four with the NCAA Tournament sitting down in Louisiana. Given the circumstances of this great defeat, their hanging heads and teary eyes were understandable.  Despite the loss and the bumpy backdrop that overshadowed the season, this by far was Syracuse’s best season yet! 

Early in the season, Syracuse dismissed their associated head coach Bernie Fine late November after two former ballboys accused him of sexually molesting them in the 1980s.  No formal charges have been filed against Fine.  Jim Boeheim received a lot of criticism for his initial support of Fine and many demanded he be fired too.  And as the buses pulled away for their first two NCAA tournament games, the university announced that Melo would be ineligible to play in the postseason.  Oh yeah, there was also that lingering issue were Secretary of Education Arne Duncan singled out Boeheim about the graduation rates of NCAA tournament teams.  

Through all the drama, the players seem unfazed by the news swirling around and played at their  best.  That’s according to their record, only one loss during the regular season to Norte Dame in January.  That lose can also be blamed on the absence of Melo because of an academic matter.  

It’s a shame that the boys didn’t look up, they had lot of fans that were there standing and applauding. They fought till the final minute.  Why wouldn’t they? They would have loved to be in the Final Four.  The Orange started the year in the Associated Press’ top five and remained there for the entire season, including a 6-week stint at No.  What a tough loss to swallow. Syracuse endured a series of off-court controversies, but never let them impact the team’s play on court. The reason they loss? The loss of Fab Melo prevented them from advancing to the Final Four for the fifth time in school history and the first time since 2003.  What a bad call for Syracuse, hopefully next year they go all the way to the Finals.  

Syracuse in the NCAA Sweet 16

After what was almost an early exit for Syracuse in the NCAA Tournament, redemption.   The Orange preps for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).  The NCAA Tournament went from 68 teams to 16 in just six days and we are moving swiftly to turn what’s left of that number even smaller.  We call it the Final Four. From those four teams a winner will be determined among them and we call that the National Champion.  

As the Orange preps for the NCAA Tournament East Region semifinal in Boston this Thursday, what challenges do they face in the No. 4 Wisconsin Badgers? 

The Badgers, seeded fourth, who improved to 26-9 and advanced to the round of 16 for consecutive years by defeating fifth-seeded Vanderbilt, 60-57 and Montana, 73-49, in the second round. This however, will be Wisconsin’s toughest test. 

Wisconsin leads the nation in points allowed, giving up just 52.9 points per game.  The Badgers also rank in the Top 10 in the country in field goal defense, 3-point field goal defense and defensive points per possession.  Wisconsin has given up more than 70 points just once since New Year’s.  

Boosted by their bench, the Orange (33-2) cruised past eight-seeded Kansas State in the third round and pulled a difficult 72-65 win over North Carolina-Asheville in the second round two days before.  Syracuse is on of the four top seed teams in the NCCA Tournament.  The Orange have now played five games without Fab Melo, this game might be the greatest test the Orange may face.  The advantage for the Orange is Dion Waiters and James Southland with a  33 combined off the bench points.  The way Scoop Jardin performs will also be key against the Badgers.  Moreover, Kris Joseph will always be the player to go to in times of trouble especially if Jardine will be guarded well by the Badgers.  Hopefully, the high percentage shooting of 46.6% will help Syracuse secure the win against the Badgers.  GO ORANGE!

PIC 

Wisconsin averages 64 points a game while Syracuse has 74.5 points a game.  Badgers defense is what matters most giving up 52.9 points only while Syracuse giving up 60.5 points per game.  The Sweet 16  schedule of Wisconsin vs. Syracuse is on March 22, 2012 at 7:15 PM.  Which team do you think will win? My bet is Syracuse! 

UC-Berkeley White Ribbon Week 2012

The Syracuse University's Division of Student Affairs announced that they will raise awareness about domestic and sexual violence and promise to educate the Syracuse community about domestic and sexual violence and resources.  There will be "No Excuse for Abuse," wristbands and white ribbons and will be available for the only $1 at multiple locations on campus.  The monies raised will support awareness programs and services. The official kickoff date is March 23, 2012 and will run until April 1, 2012.

The White Ribbon Campaign (WRC) is the largest effort in the world of men working to end violence against women (VAW).  Campaigns are led by both men and women, even thought the focus is on educating men and boys, in over fifty-five countries.  Syracuse supports this important initiative and works in partnership with local government and community organizations to ensure the message White Ribbon wishes to promote reaches the wider community.  

Syracuse students are urged wear white ribbons to make a personal pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls.  Wearing a white ribbon or wristband during the campaign makes an important statement that you will not support domestic or sexual violence.

Ribbons and wristbands can also be ordered for a department through the Student Affairs Dean’s Office.

Erin Schaal, FIXit, Carriage House, Farm Acre Rd
Linda Flynn, FIXit, Carriage House, Farm Acre Rd
Susan Germain, Office of Special Events, 138 Women’s Building
Patricia Stith, Academic Affairs, 323 Crouse Hinds Hall
Peg Fitzpatrick, Budget & Planning, Skytop Office Building
Ginny Yerdon, Hendricks Chapel, Hendricks Chapel
Shirley Thornton, Auxiliary Services, 206 Steele Hall
Drew Buske, DPS, 005 Sims Hall
Bob Britton, Physical Plant, 037 Schine Student Center
Cyndi Stetson, Physical Plant, 285 Ainsley Drive
Teresa Gilman, University Senate, 103 Steele Hall
Tina O’Mara, ITS, 1-133 Science Tech
Janine Bernard, School of Education, 259 Huntington Hall
Gretchen Goldstein, Chancellor’s Office, 600 Crouse Hinds Hall
Mary Lerner, Arts & Sciences, 308 Hall of Languages
Sue Nemier, iSchool, 343 Hinds Hall
Bev Everding, Community Engagement, The Warehouse
Stephanie Vasta, Engineering & Computer Science, 223 Link Hall
Michelle Pirro, The Falk School, 119 Euclid Ave.
Eileen Jevis, University College, 700 University Ave.
Diana Hahn, Enrollment Management, 222 Bowne Hall
Don Kilts, Newhouse, 164 Newhouse 2
Diane McKinney, SU Abroad, 106 Walnut Ave.

Rolfe discusses his evolution to manhood and explores how the role models in his life helped mold his perceptions on what being a man means. Watch his story.  Get involved and wear the White Ribbon and stand up against violence.   

Save Veronica

Why are we saving Veronica?  Veronica’s rights were ignored in December of 2011, when she was taken from her adopted family.  On New Years Eve, the Capobianco family was forced to hand over custody of their adopted daughter over to her biological father. To a father that was unsupportive to Veronica’s biological mother during her entire pregnancy and a father that signed a legal document that he would not contest the adoption.  How can being removed from a stable home and nurturing environment possible be in the best interest of the child? 

Adoption Custody Battle for Veronica

Matt and Melanie Capobianco were not aware that Veronica was considered an Indian child during the initial stages of the adoption.  Veronica’s biological father brought in the Cherokee Nation to help with his battle to win custody of a daughter he never knew.  I was shocked to hear about this situation. One drop of the Cherokee blood, is all it took for the federal law know as the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) to apply to her adoption case.  It is very rare that the ICWA  has to be used because the adoption agencies were not covering there bases properly.  Anderson Cooper 360 reported, over and over again about the emotional toll this custody battle has taken on the Capobianco family.

Veronica was not removed from an existing Indian home, but adopted by the request of her biological mother and after the birth father stated he would wave his paternal rights and agreed not to contest the adoption.  To read about Veronica's birth mother's decision to give her up for adoption, read the article that ran on Jan. 4, 2012.  

Grand Opening raises money to save Veronica

So why would the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) help him?  That is the question.  Laws are suppose to be intact to protect and I don’t feel like that is what happened in Veronica’s case.  Instead, the lower court ruled that the birth father’s consent to the adoption was not necessary to finalize Mat and Melanie’s adoption under South Carolina law.  State law said that he had no voice to the future of the child and would not be able to obtain custody because he had abandoned the birth mother.  The lower court applied the federal ICWA, which voided a South Carolina adoption law.  

It has been 62 days since Veronica was legally kidnapped from her family.  Veronica deserves and needs to be reunited with the only family she knows.  To help the Capobianco family get their little girl back,  DONATE TODAY.