Design by Lauren Douglas/Student Publications

October 12, 2018• technique HOMECOMING

 HOMECOMING technique • October 12, 2018

POLLY OUELLETTE
LIFE EDITOR

One week a year, Tech undergraduate and graduate students,

alumni, prospective students and families converge on campus
to celebrate traditions that occur decade after decade. This
year’s rendition of the week-long Homecoming event is themed
“ShipWRECKed at Tech.”
Homecoming week usually runs over the course of one week, but
because of the scheduling of the football game against Duke paired
with an early fall break, this year’s events are spread over two weeks.
Festivities kicked off with events on October 1 and continue all the
way through October 13.
One of the Homecoming Committee’s goals was to confront the
challenges that the event has faced in terms of inclusivity. In the
past, Greek organizations traditionally dominated events, proving
to be an organized force that few other groups could compete with.
“We really tried to make it more inclusive because we do know
that there are many misconceptions regarding Homecoming,” said
Gloria Chan, the Chair of the Student Center Programs Council
(SCPC) Homecoming Committee. “Our committee and the whole
SCPC really, really strives to make all of our events accessible to
everybody. They are, they genuinely are.”
In the past few years, Homecoming Committee has made a
concerted effort to reach out to other organizations and get them
involved.
One of the main ways the committee tries to do this is inviting
diverse organizations from across campus, such as the LGBTQIA
Resource Center, dance teams, the Asian American Student
Association and others to sponsor booths at the annual carnival.
Previously, most activities were sponsored by Greek organizations.
This year’s events also include some options for individuals who
did not register with teams but still want to participate. For example,
pedestrians intrigued by the chalking on Skiles Walkway got the
chance to grab some chalk and contribute to a designated spot.
Hurricane Michael threw a wrench in some of the plans, but the
committee stayed on its toes, moving events like the carnival and
chalking indoors.
The Homecoming Committee has also stepped up their marketing
efforts this year, focusing on encouraging people to come out and
watch events even if they are not competing in them.
“[They should come] just to watch and feel the atmosphere, be-
cause being part of Homecoming, with people around you who are
excited about Tech, is part of what Homecoming is. Just to involve
yourself with that community. I really do think everyone, before they
graduate, should at least participate in one Homecoming event,”
Chan said.
Just like every year, the Homecoming Committee sponsors a few
events that perfectly pair with the theme. For example, a game titled
“SOS” was a modified version of the can and string telephone game,
and a treasure hunt led participants running all over campus.
Other changes this year included updating of the system by which
Homecoming teams registered to participate in the activities. In-
stead of lining up in the Student Center in the wee hours of the
morning, groups signed up using an online ticketing system intend-
ed to streamline the process and make sure everyone got their sleep
too.
Despite some challenges and a shorter amount of time to plan
compared to other years, Chan said that she is proud with the way
the event has come together this year.
“I’m really fortunate to have a good committee and have a lot of
good people who are ready to step up to the plate. And they all have.
They really take charge in how they want the event to be structured,”
Chan said.
Lots of work
throughout the year
happens to put on a
show that only lasts
a week. It is the
time Tech has to
celebrate its tra-
ditions and show
off its people and
campus. School
spirit runs high,
and Jackets feel
pride that has
nothing to do with
how our football
. team is doing.

Photos courtesy of Gloria Chan and Shefali Jain Design by Lauren Douglas Student Publications
October 12, 2018• technique
LANE ELDER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
What could be more
emblematic of Tech inge-
nuity than a parade of en-
gineered, self-propelled
contraptions and old-timey
Reck-style vehicles? Many
students know about the
football game as a way to
celebrate school spirit dur-
ing Homecoming week.
Those willing to wake up at
8 a.m. on Saturday morn-
ing before that game can
witness an almost-90-year-
old true Tech tradition, the
Ramblin’ Wreck Parade.
Dating back to before
the existence of the Reck
itself, the Ramblin’ Wreck
parade kicked off in 1929
as a 70 mile long race from
Atlanta to Athens.
Now the course can be
completed in the morning
before kickoff – it will run
on Fowler Street between
Eighth and Fourth streets
HENRY SUN
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Since Tech kicked off
Homecoming on Oct. 1,
there has been an air of
excitement and anticipa-
tion surrounding the an-
nual Tech Fall Concert.
The generated buzz can be
attributed to both the new
and historic aspects this
year’s concert will exhibit
as well as this year’s artist,
hip-hop duo Rae Srem-
murd. The concert will
take place this Saturday,
Oct. 19.
Rae Sremmurd is a hip-
hop duo formed by broth-
ers Slim Jxmmi and Swae
Lee in 2009. They re-
leased their breakthrough
critically acclaimed album
Stremmlife in January of
2015. With hit singles “No
Flex Zone”, “No Type” and
“This Could Be Us”, Strem-
mlife peaked at number 1
on the Billboard US Top
Rap Albums. They are per-
haps best known for their
viral song “Black Beatles.”
Past Tech Fall Concerts,
formerly known as Home-
coming Concerts, have al-
ways been independently
planned by the Student
Center Programs Council
at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct.
13.
Every year, the Ramb-
lin’ Reck Club organizes
the parade. Three classes
of vehicles can enter in the
parade: Classic Cars, Fixed
Bodies and Contraptions.
Classic cars have to be
at least 25 years old and are
judged both on the driver’s
and passenger’s presenta-
tion and the degree of res-
toration of the vehicle. This
category is especially popu-
lar with alumni, who are an
integral part of Homecom-
ing celebrations.
“[They] come back to
campus and restore old
cars to make them look like
the Reck,” said Zoe Siel-
ing, fourth-year AE and
co-chair of the Ramblin’
Wreck Parade.
In the past, Sieling par-
ticipated in the parade with
a 1931 Model A Ford Victo-
ria coupe, a car that is one
year older than the Reck.
It’s a tradition for her and
(SCPC) concert commit-
tee as part of the SCPC
Homecoming celebrations.
However this year, a first in
Tech history, the concert
will be presented by both
the SCPC Concert Com-
mittee and the Tech Ath-
letics Department in a joint
effort.
The collaboration be-
tween the two Tech organi-
zations will result in many
changes in the Fall Con-
cert program. One of these
changes is the event loca-
tion; the 2018 Homecom-
ing concert will take place
inside McCamish Pavilion,
also known as the Thriller-
dome.
Organizers hope that a
concert held in this venue
will draw in a bigger crowd
with its landmark status
and will also accommodate
all the event goers in terms
of seating. In addition, the
risk of inclement weather
delaying or disturbing the
concert will be eliminated.
Furthermore, there will
be an additional segment
in the program lineup —
the unveiling of the Tech
Men and Women Basket-
ball Team Uniforms before
the performances start.
The unveiling of this
season’s Adidas basketball
HOMECOMING
her family. This year, the
car will be in the parade
again.
“It’s really similar [to
the Reck],” Sieling said, “it
looks pretty similar, and
it has a pretty similar en-
gine.”
Fixed Bodies are motor-
operated vehicles that are
decorated to match the
homecoming theme of the
current year. Parade view-
ers will be able to see vehi-
cles attempting to embody
“ShipWRECKED at Tech.”
Lastly, the Contraptions
category includes “any ve-
hicle with an indirect drive
train,” according to the of-
ficial 2018 Homecoming
Handbook. This means
that the transmission and
the wheels are not directly
connected.
Tech students get cre-
ative in this last category,
described as “by far the
most interesting and fa-
vorite among students,” by
the Ramblin’ Reck Club’s
uniforms will occur during
the first half of the event.
Before the dramatic unveil-
ing, attendees will be able
to participate in many ac-
tivities that involve interac-
tion between fans and ath-
letes including giveaways,
competitions and prizes.
The musical performance
will follow the unveiling
of the basketball team uni-
forms.
“This year’s featured art-
ist is probably the biggest
name in the music indus-
try we have ever been able
to feature in Homecoming
concert history,” said Re-
nee Botyrius, head of the
SCPC concert committee.
One challenge faced
by the event planners was
setting up the McCamish
Pavilion for the concert;
its infrastructure was not
originally designed to ac-
commodate the numerous
types of sound equipment
used in live concerts.
Another challenge arose
from the ambitious double
feature planned for this
year’s event. The SCPC
concert committee and the
Athletics Department have
never collaborated in plan-
ning an event before this
one. Therefore, members
from the both organiza-
traditions page. In the
past, entrants have ridden
elaborate bikes, homemade
human-powered vehicles, a
giant hamster wheel and a
Rube-Goldberg style ma-
chine.
“It challenges their en-
gineering ability and tests
their creativity,” writes the
Reck Club on the open-
endedness of the contrap-
tions’ requirements.
“I’m most excited for
the contraptions,” Sieling
said, “and most people in
the Reck Club can attest
to that. It’s so cool to see
the time and energy Greek
organizations put into the
engineering of them.
As with all Georgia
Tech Homecoming-
sponsored events,
members from
student
orga-
niza-
tions
across
campus are wel-
Design by Lauren Douglas & David Le/Student Publications
tions initially had little in-
sight into the capabilities
of their counterparts.
“There has been a very
consistent line of commu-
nication between our two
organizations since the
spring of 2018 to plan this
concert,” Botyrius said.
When asked what she
was most excited about as
the head of the SCPC con-
cert committee, Botyrius
said that this collaboration
was her favorite part.
“Planning this year’s
concert together opened
Last year’s concert featured Lil Dicky. This year’s con-
cert will feature Rae Sremmurd, pictured above.
come to join. Sororities,
fraternities, housing teams
or just groups of friends
can enter a contraption or
decorated float vehicle into
the parade.
The marching band and
members of the Goldrush
Dance Team also join in on
the parade route to add to a
eccentric mix of sights and
sounds.
After brushing up on
your Tech traditions, in-
stead of going back to sleep
in between the Cake Race
and tailgating, all students
will want to check out this
year’s Wreck Parade.
the door to many new and
exciting opportunities for
both the SCPC and the
Athletics Department,”
Botyrius said. “This is the
first time we’ve collabo-
rated with another organi-
zation and there is a good
chance that we can do it
again.”
Tickets can be booked
online. The concert will be
free for Tech students, who
can each bring a guest for
a charge of $10. The event
will follow McCamish Pa-
vilion clear bag policies.
Photo courtesy of Interscope Records
 October 12, 2018•Volume 104, Issue 10•nique.net

SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT

. .

technique Louisville Cardinals p14 Post-Mortem p9

News 2 Opinions 5 Entertainment 8 Sports 16

BETSY DEVOS TOURS TECH, SPEAKS ABOUT APP

NEWS SAURAV GHOSAL
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

On Wednesday, Oct. 3, U.S. Secre-

tary of Education Betsy Devos visited
Tech as the first stop on her second an-
nual “Rethink School” tour. As part of
the “Rethink School” tour,” DeVos vis-
ited schools in Georgia, Alabama, Mis-
sissippi and Louisiana between Oct. 3
and 5 to gather new perspectives on how
to foster student success in education.
DeVos’s visit to Tech was separat-
ed into a morning session, where she
was able to tour the Centergy Build-
ing in Tech Square and learn about
Tech’s various student innovation
programs, and an afternoon luncheon
in the Wardlaw Center, where De-
Vos talked with high school students
and unveiled a mobile application to
ease federal student aid applications.
Called myStudentAid, the app
is an alternative to the desktop Free
Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA), and supplements the finan-
cial aid application through a user-
friendly interface, student or parent
role-playing and skip logic, accord-
ing to Federal Student Aid’s Chief
Strategy and Transformation Officer
Wayne Johnson, who helped to un-
veil the application at the luncheon.
By bringing FAFSA into the mo-
bile age with myStudentAid, DeVos
and Johnson hope that more stu-
dents will apply for financial aid.
In the morning at Centergy, Presi-
dent G.P. “Bud” Peterson and other
Tech officials spoke with DeVos about
how Tech promotes student innova-
tion and makes studies more accessible
for people across the world through
online classes. Among the prwograms
discussed were the startup incubator
Create-X, the Inventure Prize entre-
preneurship competition, and Tech’s
See DEVOS, page 3
Top L: Photo by Tom Hightower Student Publications; Top R: Photo courtesy of DramaTech Theater; Above: Photo by Casey Gomez Student Publications

OPINIONS

Biased studies weakening Tech’s reputation

JOHN EDWARDS
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
My roommate, a current grad-
uate student at Tech and a Uni-
versity of Florida graduate, has his
phone ringing off the hook every
day — someone from UF is trying
to contact him to convince him to
donate to the school.
Their argument is as follows:
even though students have poured
tens of thousands of dollars into
their school with their tuition and
associated costs of attendance, it is
worthwhile for students to donate
even more money; a larger endow-
ment leads to a higher quality of
education for future students,
which in turn increases the repu-
tation of the school and the value
of their degree. It’s a very compel-
ling argument. But what happens
when a school does something
that decreases the value of their
name?
I was forced to confront this
conflict personally when I found
out about a recent economic study
on SunTrust Park, the newly-
constructed home of the Atlanta
Braves. The Atlanta Business
Chronicle parroted without res-
ervation the study’s conclusions
in an article last month: “The At-
lanta Braves will be an economic
home run for Cobb County and
its school system over at least the
next 20 years, according to a new
study done by Georgia Tech.”
The study, released by the Tech
Center for Economic Develop-
ment Research, claims that Sun-
Trust Park and its associated com-
mercial developments — called,
“The Battery” — would generate
“an average, total, net fiscal im-
pact of approximately $18.9 mil-
lion annually for Cobb County.”
Is this not a positive develop-
ment? Why should I not want
Tech’s name associated with such
work?
Because the study is so grossly
problematic that it lessens the
overall reputation of Tech.
SunTrust Park was funded
after Cobb County’s government
effectively stole $40 million in
taxpayer money that had been
earmarked for public parks —
not baseball stadiums — in order
to throw an incentivizing offer at
the Braves, and further raised tax-
es to fight off their growing debt.
As per a June Atlanta-Journal
Constitution report, Cobb Coun-
ty faces at least a $30 million
deficit in its 2019 budget. Mul-
tiple studies have found the deal
to function at a net loss to Cobb
County, its businesses, and citi-
zens.
The recent GT CEDR report
was commissioned by the Cobb
County Chamber of Commerce
— hardly an unbiased or indepen-
dent source in evaluating the deal.
There is an inherent conflict of
interest with the parties involved
in the study, in that the people
performing the study are being
paid to perform the study by the
very entity who made the decision
See CEDR, page 7
News
NEWS EDITOR:
Jonathan Jeffrey
news@nique.net
ECE-themed Makerspace opens in Van Leer IDC
Several of the Institute’s fac-
JESSICA BARBER ulty spoke alongside Peterson
CONTRIBUTING WRITER and graciously acknowledged the
corporate sponsors that made the
Roughly two years after its nearly $11 million renovation pos-
groundbreaking, the doors of the sible. Special thanks was given to
Van Leer Interdisciplinary Design Harris Corporation, the first com-
Commons (IDC) were finally pany to commit to the renovation,
opened on Sept. 27 for its official and Keysight Technologies, much
ribbon-cutting ceremony. of whose equipment lines the rows
President G.P. “Bud” Pe- of the IDC second floor.
terson welcomed several major “This is going to be a place
donors and personnel into the where our students will be able to
50,600-square-foot makerspace. dream up and create things in ro-
Once an auditorium, the IDC botics, in telecommunications, in
now houses three levels of cutting- analog devices … and truly, truly
edge technology open for use by push the state of the art in terms
students of all majors. It is locat- of what a modern engineering
ed directly north of Tech Green program would look like,” said
and retains the original rotunda’s Magnus Egerstedt, school chair of
iconic circular structure. the department of Electrical and
At the event, corporate donors, Computer Engineering.
such as Texas Instruments, Gen- The IDC will be run by The
eral Motors, Harris Corporation Hive, a student-led organization
and Keysight Technologies, were dedicated to helping other stu-
able to cut opening ribbons for dents in the space.
their respectively dedicated wings “Our vision is to help any
of the makerspace. student, regardless of major and
E
ach week , this sec tion of
News will include coverage
of different aspects of bills
and resolutions that have passed
through Student Government. This
will include the Undergraduate
House of Representatives, Graduate
Student Senate and the Executive
Branch of both government bodies.
SAURAV GHOSAL
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
BILL SUMMARY
BILL AMOUNT GSS UHR
Alpha Phi Omega Service Nationals $1,000.00 30-2-1 28-1-0
VAW Guatemala Trip
$3,250.00 31-0-1 29-0-0
RoboJackets Allocation 2018 $28,761.76 19-0-2 30-0-0
Team Buzz Day of Service $3,441.00 18-0-1 30-0-0
Equestrian Club Expenses $10,100.00 12-3-2 24-3-1
Boxing Club at Georgia Tech $7,830.00 17-0-0 28-0-0
sliver // your thoughts
nique.net
god I keep licking my lips expecting a mustache
Rain is very pretty when you don’t have to go outside.
the whole point of the sliver box is that you can say whatever
depraved shit you want and [they’ll] put it in the paper
THIS JUST IN: GENERIC WHITE BOY PRESIDENT
MAKES GENERIC STATEMENT
I love Nick Spofford etc., etc.
Nazi KKK Isis
TKEs hook up with TKEs hook up with Caroline Taylor
Jay’s parents are fat
hug me i’m scared
said i couldn’t get it but I hit it like the Astros
who the heck named you
please do not post this. Please if you are reading this, do not post
this comment in the sliver section. PLEASE!!!
Belle and Jasmine - I’ll love you forever -R
BRING ON THE GD CAT
Tech football stinks more than Gormies poopy pants
Mr. Richard is gonna beat the sh*t out of Mr. Sam
Wooglin is watching
Moose. AAA can out shotgun you
WOOOOOO POWWWWWW
Don’t anthropomorphize computers--they hate it when you do
that
I get beat up real bad in Tech chats. Fan for 58 years. I started
week 5 last year CPJ has to go. The game has passed by him. Its
early a few young coordinators available.cheap.Avoid rush FIRE
CPJ!!
The Legend On Campus technique
John Legend, campaigning for Democratic
gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams, Friday,
2
discusses politics in exclusive interview43 October 12, 2018
technical background, to come in structors (PIs) and Master Peer tor of finance for The Hive, said
with an idea and leave with a pro- Instructors (MPIs), students can students who wish to apply for
totype that they built. We provide do anything from working on a a PI position for Spring should
them with equipment, assistance major woodwork project to creat- come see the IDC and become
and most importantly, a friendly ing a Harry Potter wand, accord- acquainted with the environment.
community to collaborate and ing to PI Binit Shah. Currently, the IDC is open
create with,” Hive President Ran- Although PI applications are weekdays from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00
dy Deng said. currently closed, they will soon p.m. Students of all majors, even
The Texas Instruments Maker- reopen for the spring semester. those with no experience in mak-
space, located on the second floor William Cuthbertson, direc- ing things, are invited to visit.
of the IDC, is home to equipment
donated by Texas Instruments
and Keysight Technologies. Each
workbench provides students
more access to high-level elec-
tronics technology than any other
place on campus, as well as ample
natural light and open space.
Hiba Murali, director of logis-
tics for The Hive, confidently led
guests downstairs and provided a
tour of the new machinery.
Murali showed that students
have access in the workshop to
sand blasters, laser cutters, 3D
printers, drill presses and a mas- Photo by Taylor Gray Student Publications
sive plasma cutter. Under the A corporate representative, flanked by Magnus Ergestedt
supervision of trained Peer In- (right) and Dean Steve McLaughlin (center), cuts an IDC ribbon.
GEORGIA TECH QURBANI GSS in a vote of 21-8-0 under the has 107 members on OrgSync.
Georgia Tech Qurbani, an condition that the payment would They asked for money to pay for
all-male Bollywood fusion dance be cut by one-third. posters to advertise club events
team ranked fifth in the nation, Other members of the Under- and for initial recruitment activi-
approached Student Government graduate House of Representa- ties.
asking to receive money for this tives (UHR) believed that the Within the UHR, there was a
season’s costumes. The costumes one-third price reduction pro- lot of positive discourse about the
were for a dance competition posed by the Graduate Student Boxing Club. Many representa-
scheduled at the end of October. Senate (GSS) would effectively tives praised the idea as a way to
There was some debate over the cut out the shipping cost from the boost confidence and mood on
bill, as it did not include a cost bill. They pushed for the vote to campus. Representatives stated
breakdown for the Student Gov- be carried out last Tuesday in time they could tell the org reps had
ernment Association (SGA). SGA for the dance team’s performance a real passion for boxing. Other
does not cover shipping expenses later this month. representatives discussed the pos-
for goods, and the costumes were Later, it was revealed that Qur- sibility of using the Boxing Club
to be shipped from India. bani did not show up for the JFC to involve and empower women in
Without a cost breakdown, meeting for the proposed bill. In martial arts.
SGA representatives could not be the end, the bill was postponed a Despite the good feedback, the
certain whether they were paying week for further discussion. UHR had to strike most of their
for shipping. proposal because the organization
Many SGA representatives BOXING CLUB PROPOSED had not been chartered yet.
voiced their concern over the A newly proposed organiza- There was a motion to post-
bill’s shipping costs. Additionally, tion, the Boxing Club, came to pone the bill and allow time for
in the GSS, there were concerns Student Government looking for the org reps to charter the orga-
about the address on the invoice funding to start up their idea. nization, but the bill was unani-
to a generic apartment in Atlanta. The organizational representatives mously passed regardless in a vote
Regardless, the bill passed in the stated the Boxing Club already of 28-0-0.
technique
The South’s Liveliest College Newspaper
NEWS EDITOR
Jonathan Jeffrey
OPINIONS EDITOR
Samira Bandaru EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jon Long
Casey Miles MANAGING EDITOR LIFE EDITOR
Polly Ouellette
ENTERTAINMENT
Founded in 1911, the Technique is the student newspaper of the
Georgia Institute of Technology, and is an official publication of
EDITOR
the Georgia Tech Board of Student Publications. The Technique
Josh Trebuchon
publishes on Fridays, weekly in the fall and spring and biweekly in SPORTS EDITOR
the summer. Harsha Sridhar
ADVERTISING: Information can be found online at nique.net/ PHOTO EDITOR
ads. The deadline for reserving ad space is Friday at 5 p.m. one Casey Gomez
week before publication. To place a reservation, for billing infor- DESIGN EDITOR
mation or for any other questions please e-mail us at ads@nique. Lauren Douglas
net. You may reach us at 404-894-2830, Monday through Friday
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
ONLINE EDITOR
Copyright © 2018, Samira Bandaru, Editor-in-Chief, and the Zoie Konneker
Georgia Tech Board of Student Publications. No part of this pa-
WEB DEVELOPER
per may be reproduced in any manner without written permission
Tristen Allen
from the Editor-in-Chief or from the Board of Student Publica-
tions. The ideas expressed herein are those of the individual au- HEAD COPY EDITOR
thors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Board of Elizabeth Sit
Student Publications, the students, staff or faculty of the Georgia
Institute of Technology or the University System of Georgia. First
copy free; for additional copies call 404-894-2830.
// NEWS
DEVOS FROM PAGE 1
various Online Master of Sci-
ence (OMS) programs. So far,
three different OMS programs
exist: the OMS in Computer
Science, the OMS in Analytics,
and the OMS in Cybersecurity.
DeVos praised Tech’s efforts
as “meeting the needs of students
today and tomorrow and really
changing to meet those needs in
very innovative ways,” and was
impressed by Tech “taking risks
and marching into unknown
territory on behalf of students.”
In addition to on-campus
programs, DeVos learned about
Georgia Tech’s outreach efforts to
help high school students in their
pursuit of a higher education,
which includes Project ENGAG-
ES (Engaging New Generations at
Georgia Tech through Engineer-
ing and Science). Through Project
ENGAGES, Tech works with six
high schools to spur involvement
of underrepresented minori-
ties in engineering and science.
High school student partici-
pants from Project ENGAGES
were invited to the luncheon in
Wardlaw to talk with DeVos about
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos (right) sits with
President Peterson at a round table in the Centergy Building.
how the program has impacted
their career choices and interests.
Outside of Wardlaw Center,
where the luncheon was held,
around 50 students protested De-
Vos’s policies around 50 students
expressed their discontent with
Devos’s policies through chants
like “Betsy DeVos go home; Betsy
DeVos resign” and posters stat-
ing “schools for students, not
profits.” Students in the protest,
which was organized by the Tech
chapter of the Young Democratic
Socialists of America, held ban-
ners, posters and megaphones
to make their voice heard. At
the beginning of the luncheon,
DeVos thanked students for
their hard work in Project EN-
GAGES, and asked them about
their experiences in the program.
Students responded that
Project ENGAGES has helped
them both broaden their in-
terests and focus on the topics
they find most interesting, its
side projects allowing for them
to explore new areas of study.
One student praised the
program as helping her real-
ize that she could pursue any-
thing to which she set her mind.
Photo by Casey Gomez Student Publications
Q&A with the Legend: John Legend
Visits Campus in Support of Abrams
JONATHAN JEFFREY
NEWS EDITOR
On Oct. 2, John Legend came
to campus as part of a tour across
metro Atlanta universities to pro-
mote Stacey Abrams’ gubernato-
rial campaign.
The Technique was able to pri-
vately field Legend questions after
his talk concluded.
Technique: Out of the slate of
issues that Abrams’s campaign ad-
dresses, what do you feel are the
most important issues to you, and
what particularly drew you to this
election, to come to Georgia to
help push for Stacey?
Legend: Well, out of the ones
I mentioned today that I think are
important, I think making higher
education affordable and debt-free
for Georgians is going to be a huge
deal for so many people. So many
people are dealing with debt from
college and it’s a really difficult
thing to do because we tell every-
one that you need to go to college
to have upward mobility and be
part of the American dream, but
it’s so unaffordable for so many
people. And they’re saddled with
debt for such a long time that it’s
really difficult for them to thrive.
So I think that’s a big deal.
I think expanding Medicare
for 500,000 Georgians is a mas-
sive thing. Just think what hav-
ing 500,000 more people with
access to healthcare will mean
for this state. I think it will mean
the quality of life will improve
significantly. And I think it’s im-
portant that she’s going to reform
the criminal justice system. All of
those things I think are critical.
She cares so much about investing
in education. She cares so much
about investing in Georgia, and
making sure Georgia is on the
right path. I think she’s going to
do a great job for the state, and
I’m happy to support her.
Technique: As the first Afri-
can American [nominee of a ma-
jor party for governor], what do
you feel that means for the future
of Georgia, and also for like the
country, in terms of having more
diverse people [inside of state gov-
ernment]?
Legend: Well, I think [what]
we’re seeing here in Georgia,
here in Florida and other places
around the country, we’re seeing
more candidates of color elevating
to some of the highest positions
as nominees in the state. I think
that’s another sign of progress for
the country. I think the country
is becoming more inclusive de-
spite, you know, losing charge.
I think the country is becoming
more inclusive and more diverse,
and I think that’s a great thing for
the country.
Technique: What important
John Legend speaks to students in the Bill Moore Student
Success Center, advocating for Abrams and prison reform.
technique • October 12, 2018• 3
issues do you feel like students
have the ability to tackle in the
future, in terms of their personal
activism, just as their role as stu-
dents?
Legend: Well, I think that
each student is going to have to
determine what they’re passion-
ate about. I think there are plenty
of issues to care about: we should
care about environment, we
should care about criminal jus-
tice reform, we should care about
healthcare. There’s all kind of is-
sues people can get excited about.
And I think it’s up to the per-
son to figure out what that is for
them, and then take that passion
and turn it into action. Do some-
thing.
Whether it’s protesting,
whether it’s campaigning, getting
other people out to vote. The min-
imum I think to do is voting. And
then beyond that, getting other
people out to vote, and making
your voice heard in other ways I
think is important too.
Photo by Casey Gomez Student Publications
4 • October 12, 2018• technique
Everyday Georgia Project Highlights
Personal Impacts of Tech Research
SARAH KALLIS,
SAM BASKINS
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
The Institute for People and
Technology (IPaT) at Georgia
Tech recently showcased the Ev-
eryday Georgia project, a collec-
tion of interviews and photos of
people that have been affected by
Georgia Tech research. The proj-
ect focuses on the personal im-
pacts of research, rather than the
facts and figures.
On Sept. 27, IPaT opened a
physical exhibit, featuring pho-
tographs and listening stations
with recordings of interviews. In
addition to the exhibit, all of the
stories and media are hosted on
IPaT’s website. On Oct. 10, the
physical exhibit was moved to
the GVU showcase at the Tech
Square Research building; af-
terwards, it will be moved to the
Clough Commons.
“I think the most important
aspect is that we’re sharing the
stories of people who aren’t direct-
ly affiliated with Georgia Tech but
are still connected to the Institute
through our research and tech-
nology initiatives,” said Alyson
Powell, the creator of the Every-
day Georgia project. “I thought it
was important to understand the
diversity of people engaged with
Georgia Tech and to learn more
about their lives careers, families,
challenges, accomplishments and
the work they’re doing in their
communities.”
One featured person, John
Dickson, a Tech alumnus, became
a research partner with Tech in
2013, when his daughter, Kiersten
was diagnosed with stage four
lung cancer. Dickson was chosen
to participate in a Tech project
to develop a phone application to
improve patient experiences.
“What this project gives kids
being treated with cancer, it gives
them a measure of control over
their treatment,” Dickson said.
“In a time where they really, truly
don’t have any control. Where
their body is actively trying to kill
them. This is a tool that at least
allows them to feel like they have
some control over how their day
goes when they’re being treated.”
Although Kiersten passed away
in 2015, Dickson says her legacy
continues. “Right before Kiersten
passed, she actually asked us —
specifically asked us — to con-
tinue her efforts in whatever way
we could without becoming, you
know, she specifically said, ‘Don’t
become sad sacks. Don’t make
this your only focus in life. I want
you guys to still live your life, but
I want you to continue finding
ways to help kids’,” Dickson said.
Kelly Campell is another per-
son impacted by Tech medical
research. A stroke survivor since
2009, Campell currently runs
one of the state’s largest support
groups. She was soon asked by
Tech researchers to participate in
a wearable technology trial de-
signed to help affected limbs in
brain injury survivors.
Although Campell did not
regain function in her left hand,
where she is paralyzed, her hand
eventually moved from a fist to a
more relaxed position.
Since then, she has kept up
with the progress of the project,
and also advocates for survivors
to ensure the technology remains
accessible.
“One of my biggest concerns
is that once it gets mass marketed
and mass produced, it is going to
be very become difficult for the
very people they developed this
technology for,” Campbell said.
Elizabeth Myatt, one of the
founding members of the Insti-
tute for People and Technology, is
grateful for the impact the Every-
day Georgia project had on her.
“It was really a chance to meet
such inspirational people from all
walks of life,” Myatt said. “I don’t
think I anticipated just how pow-
erful it would feel.”
Everyday Georgia hopes that
the event will occur every three
years, and can incorporate more
students in the selection, photog-
raphy and interviewing processes.
“We hope to make this a living
exhibit, constantly adding new
stories,” Myatt said.
New EVP of Research
Chaouki Abdallah Chats
JONATHAN JEFFREY
NEWS EDITOR
Chaouki Abdallah, who joined
as the new Executive Vice Presi-
dent of Research (EVPR) in Sep-
tember, says Tech has changed a
lot since he completed his Ph.D.
in E.E. here in 1988.
“The campus is so much nic-
er, so much nicer, so much more
beautiful, and friendlier, you
know,” Adballah said, adding that
“the breadth of the things that
we’re doing right here is mind
boggling right now.”
One of the goals Abdallah has
set for his first 100 days in office
is to talk to as many people across
campus as possible.
So far, Abdallah has had dis-
cussions with several deans, school
chairs and faculty members as
well as figures in GTRI and Tech
administration.
“I haven’t yet done it, but I
want to talk to students,” Abdal-
lah added.
Currently, Abdallah’s focus is
to identify how the office of the
EVPR can be optimized in order
to best serve the research mission
and reputation of the Institute.
“Everybody is saying: ‘Look.
We want to be number one. We
want to be on the medal stand,’”
Abdallah said, speaking about
those who spoke with him during
the interview process.
JOIN THE
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“The question is, how do we do
this effectively at a time where re-
sources are tight, and we’re trying
to decide what to do and what to
go into?”
One of the key programs be-
ing developed in his office to help
manage that process is the Grant
Hatchery, which was conceived
before Abdallah, but one that he is
pushing forward and hiring staff
members to implement.
“The Grant Hatchery is the of-
fice, the infrastructure, that will
lead the application for [up to
multi-million dollar grants], that
would coordinate the application
for such a grant,” Abdallah said.
Thus, the primary investigators
can focus on the technical aspects
of proposal process.
Abdallah says that beyond the
first 100 days of becoming ac-
quainted with the office, he plans
to spend a year and half determin-
ing a long term plan to last “10
years, or so on.”
Part of the discussions Abdal-
lah plans to have centers on the
continuing role of the Interdisci-
plinary Research Institutes (IRIs)
that allow Tech to pursue large
grants that cut across disciplines.
“If we want to add a new one,
we have to come up with funds
from someplace or combine some
of the IRIs or eliminate some of
the IRIs,” Abdallah said. “It’s
something that we really need to
make sure that we do it right.”
Opinions
OPINIONS EDITOR: Jon Long technique

“
”
A rainy night in Georgia. I believe
it’s rainin’ all over the world.
- Brook Benton
October 12, 2018
5
Friday,

OUR VIEWS | Consensus Opinion

Juul and the Resurgence of the ‘Nico-teen’

Decades after the rise and fall of cigarettes, is smoking is becoming cool again?
Some of the most important
advertising case studies in mod-
ern history have come from the
cigarette industry. This is not sur-
prising. For decades, cigarette
companies succeeded in creating
an elaborate facade around their
products. Inhaling hot, toxic gas
was a status symbol. If you weren’t
smoking X brand, you weren’t a
real man. If you were lighting up a
Y brand cigarette you were promot-
ing a healthy respiratory system.
America bought into this whole-
heartedly and smoking became a
staple of American society.
As the years passed and our
understanding of its effects be-
came more robust, smoking slowly
phased out of mainstream Ameri-
can culture. Cigarettes are now
inextricably tied to cancer, yellow
teeth and the inundation of PSAs
warning against their use.
Today, people do not smoke cig-
arettes to show off their lofty status
or immaculate taste. They smoke
cigarettes because of their unique,
addictive buzz.
So what if you could get the same
buzz without the smell, the stigma,
the inconvenience and the danger-
ous mix of chemicals, all wrapped
up in a sleek metal package?
That question was answered in
2007, when the first vape hit U.S.
shelves. Vapes and e-cigs have ex-
ploded in popularity over the past
few years, echoing the rise of ciga-
rettes during the 20th century.
Despite the presence of nicotine
in vapes and the numerous state-
ments against e-cigs by entities
such as the World Health Organi-
zation, there is still a lingering mis-
conception that vaping is a healthy
alternative to smoking cigarettes.
While the vapor itself may not
be as harmful as cigarette smoke
— something that is still debated
— the affordances of vapes, like
the Juul, are contributing to what
could be considered an epidemic.
If you want to smoke a cigarette,
you’re sectioning off a three-min-
ute block of time specifically for
smoking. You have to find a place
where the smell will have a mini-
mal effect. The act takes conscious
effort on the part of the smoker.
With something like the Juul,
all of these constraints are lifted.
“Cigarette breaks” are spread out
into individual hits; No need to
drop what you’re currently doing.
It is much more of a casual, pas-
sive activity that can take place at
a constant rate throughout the day
without a second thought.
These affordances make Juuls
increasingly popular with college
students and, more disturbingly,
high schoolers.
Several studies have shown that
Juuls and other vapes have found
their way into high schools across
the country, despite laws prohibit-
ing the sale of nicotine to people
under 18. With something as ad-
dictive as nicotine, it becomes very
difficult for kids to stop.
The advertising is less overt than
it was decades ago with cigarettes,
but in 2018, traditional advertising
means nothing. A quick glance at
some of the most popular Insta-
gram pages amongst high school-
ers reveals an almost universal
fixation on the Juul. It may not be
a traditional status symbol, but
make no mistake: it is cool to Juul.
The vaping trend is a wolf in
sheep’s clothing, introducing nic-
otine to a population that would
look at cigarettes with disdain.
Despite what these companies will
tell you, they aren’t “disrupting the
tobacco industry” — they’re find-
ing a smarter way to sell it.
With the prevalence of Juuls
and other vapes on campus, Tech
needs to take a hard stance against
the widespread use of e-cigarettes.
Many smokers switch to e-cigs only
to find themselves with an equiva-
lent addiction. While Stamps of-
fers Tobacco Cessation services,
a rebranding may be neccesary in
order to draw attention to nico-
tine addiction that doesn’t involve
burning tobacco. A public health
campaign against the recreation
use of vapes and e-cigs could help
curb nicotine use.
It may not seem like a problem
now, but today’s high schoolers
are tomorrow’s Tech students. As
the years go on, unprecedented
numbers of nicotine users will be
coming onto campus, bringing
with them a habit that was sold to
them by sleek marketing, Insta-
gram memes and an ignorance of
history.

The Consensus Opinion reflects the majority opinion of the Editorial Board of the Technique, but not necessarily the opinions of individual editors.

THE PURGE BY LAUREN DOUGLAS technique editorial board

Samira Bandaru EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Casey Miles MANAGING EDITOR
Jonathan Jeffrey NEWS EDITOR
Polly Ouellette LIFE EDITOR
Harsha Sridhar SPORTS EDITOR
Zoie Konneker ONLINE EDITOR
Jon Long OPINIONS EDITOR
Josh Trebuchon ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Lauren Douglas DESIGN EDITOR
Casey Gomez PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
Tristen Allen WEB DEVELOPER

Write to us: are responses to or commentaries on

letters@nique.net
Got something to say? Then let
your voice be heard with the Tech-
nique. Sliver at Nique.net, tweet us
@the_nique or check us out on Face-
book at facebook.com/thenique. We
want to hear your opinion and want
to make it known to all of campus.
We also welcome your letters in
response to Technique content as well
as topics relevant to campus. We will
print letters on a timely and space-
available basis.
Each week we look for letters that
content found within the pages of the
Technique. Along with these letters,
we are open to receiving letters that
focus on relevant issues that currently
affect Georgia Tech as a university, in-
cluding its campus and student body.
When submitting letters we ask
that you include your full name, year
(1st, 2nd, etc.) and major. We ask that
letters be thought provoking, well
written and in good taste. We reserve
the right to both reject or edit letters
for length and style.
For questions, comments or con-
cern, contact the Opinions Editor at
opinions@nique.net.
6 • October 12, 2018• technique // OPINIONS

YOUR VIEWS
Letter to the Editor

Dems need to rethink

their ideal candidate
“She’s too old” instinctively
hissed in many democrats minds
today, including mine, as Eliza-
beth Warren told a crowd that she
will “take a hard look at running
for president.” She is 69. Donald
Trump is 72.
Many democrats, scarred by
the disembowelment of Hill-
ary Clinton in 2016, are actively
seeking the perfect presidential
nominee: one with no imperfec-
tions, no scandals, and as a result
no flare. Liberal political analysts
pick apart the pasts of Joe Biden,
Kirsten Gillibrand, and even Ka-
mala Harris. Inevitably no candi-
date is without imperfection, and
as evidenced in 2016, American
voters do not disqualify candi-
dates with large and numerous
scandals. So why should Demo-
crats?
As of recently, Republicans
have nominated the most compel-
ling candidate in the field. The
late John McCain won the nomi-
nation in 2008 despite being one
of the Keating Five, the center of
a major corruption scandal al-
most two decades earlier. Donald
Trump’s speaking and sentiment
that resonated with many republi-
“ Democrats should embrace
strong candidates because of
their present message apart
cans helped him rise above a field
that included Ted Cruz, Marco
Rubio, and John Kasich.
While a Democratic field
would be far less likely to nomi-
nate someone with a history of
racial discrimination or sexual
assault allegations, as they should
not, the point stands that a can-
didate’s imperfections in the eyes
of some does not disqualify them
from the votes of many.
Democrats should embrace
strong candidates because of their
present message apart from a dot-
ted past. Tulsi Gabbard met with
Assad. Tulsi Gabbard is also one
of the most moving speakers the
party has to offer, a veteran, and
a rising star. Joe Biden did not
from a dotted past.”
WILLIAM MARCHANT
FIRST YEAR PUBP
do enough during the Clarence
Thomas hearings. Joe Biden also
helped legalize same-sex mar-
riage and symbolizes a return to
normalcy and respectable lead-
ership. Kamala Harris may not
have prosecuted enough financial
crimes as California attorney gen-
eral. Kamala Harris has also been
an outspoken leader on many is-
sues while in California and in the
Senate. Elizabeth Warren may be
nearing her seventies, but Eliza-
beth Warren also brought us the
Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau and continues to bring
forth innovative ideas.
So Democrats, Liberals and
Progressives, let’s give strong
Democratic candidates a chance.
Condie
Condoleezza Rice, the
former Secretary of State
under President George W.
Bush, will be this year’s fall
commencement speaker. She
is the first African American
woman to hold her position
and was the first female
national security advisor.
Taylor/Kanye 2.0
The feud between musicians
Kanye West and Taylor Swift
has been revived thanks to
their now-public political
stances. No matter which side
you’re on, celebrity drama at
this scale is like a train wreck:
you just can’t look away.
Moist Michael
As Hurricane Michael rips
through the Florida panhandle,
storms have spread upward
through Atlanta. Expect heavy
rains and warnings for floods,
tornadoes and other effects of
inclement weather. But don’t
expect any class cancellations
due to weather.
Climate Denial
After a damning report
by the United Nations on the
state of the Earth’s climate,
President Trump doubled
down on the rhetoric espoused
by his truthphobic base,
implying that the climate
could very well be “fabulous”.

EVER WONDER WHAT ANIMAL

URINATION
HAS TO DO WITH
ENGINEERING?

Listen to The Uncommon

Engineer Podcast
and find out!
podcast.coe.gatech.edu
// OPINIONS
CEDR FROM PAGE 1
that they are studying.
Kennesaw State University Econ-
omist J.C. Bradbury took to Twit-
ter after the report was published
and criticized multiple aspects of
the study, from its generous eco-
nomic-region analyzed — it more
measured economic factors else-
where in Cobb County than the
economic impact of the stadium
— to its use of black box models
that violate traditional economic
wisdom with regards to publicly
subsidized sports stadiums.
A 2008 survey of economists
across the economic spectrum
found a “nearly unanimous con-
clusion that ‘tangible’ economic
benefits generated by professional
sports facilities and franchises are
… smaller than the size of the
subsidies (used to pay for the sta-
diums)”.
In other words, a study commis-
sioned by the very entity that
took this money reflects positively
on that entity after operating in
manners unbecoming of proper
economic studies.
Bradbury spoke for me when
he asked, “Why does Georgia
Tech allow its name to be used to
brand pseudo-science “economic
impact studies” for a fee?”
I cannot in good conscience
donate to my alma mater when I
know that some of the money is
going towards a cause that cheap-
ens and weakens the value and
reputation of my diploma. Tech is
an academic institute, not a busi-
ness, and having an offshoot that
sells off Tech’s name in such a
manner is unacceptable.
Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation (bias)
“ ... women across the nation
are given the message that
their voice and their story
does not mattter ... ”
SAMIRA BANDARU
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
CW: Kavanaugh, sexual as- cision are to both victims of sexual
sault. assault and the assaulters — an
Confirmation bias is the ten- irresponsible and disappointing
dency to seek answers that sup- oversight. These senators acted as
port one’s hypothesis and ignore if the hearing was insignificant or
all other evidence — a factor simply did not want to take the
evident in Kavanaugh’s hearing time to understand the repercus-
and investigation. The FBI inves- sions of the message they would
tigation on Kavanaugh seemed to be sending by voting “yes.”
have been conducted solely to give Furthermore, the fact the sena-
moderate Republican senators tors chose to overlook Kavana-
enough information to vote “yes” ugh’s temperament and his lies
to Kavanaugh’s confirmation to about his drinking demonstrates
the highest court of the land. their lack of concern for his ability
The investigations were not to act rationally as a judge.
conducted with the interest of If the people who voted “yes”
Ford or with the interest of any- can so easily overlook crucial de-
one who has been a victim of sex- tails in order to favor information
ual assault in mind. that confirms their pre-existing
Over forty people with po- beliefs, are they fit to be Senators?
tential information about Ka- The worst part about all of this,
vanaugh’s misconduct were not in my opinion, is the message that
contacted by the FBI. Ford and is sent to victims of sexual assault.
Kavanaugh, the most important If there ever was any incentive for
people in this investigation, were victims of sexual assault to come
not interviewed either. forward and speak their truth,
It also seems like the senators there is less now. Confirming Ka-
voting “yes” did not realize the vanaugh to the Supreme Court
what the consequences of their de- leads survivors to believe that they
have everything to lose. Ford and
her family “have been the target
of constant harassment and death
threats,” according to Ford. She
has been called vile and hateful
names and she and her family
have even been forced to move out
of their home.
The worst that could have hap-
pened to Kavanaugh is him main-
taining his position as a federal
judge — even if he was proven
neither innocent nor guilty and
was simply voted against being
confirmed by the Senate.
In Ford’s case, post-hearing
consequences are continued death
threats, harassment to her and her
family and mockery for coming
forward. However, the effects of
the hearing and confirmation are
not just a message to Ford, but a
message to every person who has
been sexually assaulted. With the
result of this hearing comes the
thought that if someone is sexu-
ally assaulted and has summoned
the courage to come forward, their
voice ultimately does not matter.
Ford represents all these victims.
In addition, we have Presi-
dent Trump’s response. Trump
gaslit victims, sympathized with
assaulters and shamed the most
vulnerable person in this debacle
— the first to gather the strength
to come forward because she be-
lieved it was her civic duty.
By mocking the victim, wom-
en across the nation are given the
message that their voice does not
matter — that despite whatever
technique • October 12, 2018• 7
they say, their words will not have
an impact on their future and the
future of society.
Speaking on Kavanaugh’s
hearing, Trump noted, “it’s a
very scary time for young men in
America when you can be guilty
of something you may not be
guilty of.”
By encouraging the epidemic
of false accusations of men in
America, Trump is using a sly tac-
tic to portray the ones in power
as victims and the victims as the
wrongdoers.
This is the opposite of what we
need to hear in this country right
now and is incredibly harmful to
the progress we are trying to make
in women’s rights.
In the hearing, Ford said the
moment that she recalled most
vividly from the night she was
assaulted was when her assaulters
laughed at her expense. Trump is
known for his childish and insen-
sitive remarks, but to choose to
mock Ford following her recount
of her traumatizing event is an all-
time low.
By appointing Kavanaugh to
the highest court in the land, the
Senate is sending a message to
all women in America that their
voice does not matter.
Even if they risk it all to tell the
truth, their words will have no im-
pact, all because the Senators who
voted “yes” refuse to internalize
the repercussions of their actions
and refuse to see beyond their big
game of politics.

Entertainment
7 Stages takes on Beckett’s ‘Waiting for Godot’
SHOWS
Waiting for Godot
WRITER: Samuel Beckett
DIRECTOR: Heidi S. Howard
PERFORMERS: Del Hamilton,
Don Finney
LOCATION: 7 Stages Theatre
DATE: Sept. 27-Oct. 14
OUR TAKE: «««««
JOSH TREBUCHON
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Samuel Beckett’s classic ab-
surdist play “Waiting for Godot”
has become one of the best known
works of 20th century theatre,
engaging audiences of all sorts in
a multitude of languages since its
premiere at a Paris theatre in 1953.
This fall, the outfit at 7 Stages
Theatre in Little Five Points is
putting on its third production of
Beckett’s play in the acting com-
pany’s 39-year history.
The production opened the
night of Sept. 27 and will con-
tinue to run through Oct. 14, and
though there is not much time left
to catch a show, those who find
the time for the outfit’s produc-
tion of Beckett’s classic will not be
disappointed.
Twenty One Pilots album explores mental illness
MUSIC
Trench
Twenty One Pilots
LABEL: Fueled by Ramen
GENRE: Alternative Rock
TRACK PICK: “Levitate”
OUR TAKE: «««««
PERRINE KEMERAIT
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
After three years of anticipa-
tion, Twenty One Pilots’ long-
awaited fifth album, “Trench”,
was officially released on Friday,
October 5th. Upon first listen,
“Trench” is an amalgamation of
the band’s characteristic honest
vocals, driving percussion, and
catchy synth. However, further
inspection reveals the album to be
an extended allegory about men-
tal illness told through the guise
of a story centered around a char-
acter who must escape a walled
city ruled by nine bishops.
In the musical duo’s previous
albums, lead singer Tyler Joseph
was always candid with his lyr-
ics, and “Trench” is no exception.
With the content of each song
ranging from “a call to action”
for those struggling with depres-
sion to society’s inclination to glo-
rify suicide, “Trench” explores the
tribulations faced by people labor-
ing to overcome mental illness.
Before the official announce-
ment of “Trench” on July 11,
2018, a mysterious website called
“dmaorg” appeared, which re-
technique
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR:
Josh Trebuchon
ASSISTANT ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR:
Eli Hendler Friday,
8
entertainment@nique.net October 12, 2018
The play and one’s reasons for their witty lines essentially carry carry on a lively and amusing dia- Finney and Hamilton are
wanting to sit through it are dif- all of the drama. logue, and one cannot help but be eventually joined on stage by
ficult to describe to one who is not Don Finney and Del Hamil- impressed by Finney and Hamil- Bart Hansard as Pozzo, a trav-
familiar with Beckett or the The- ton play Estragon and his friend ton’s ability to recall and deliver elling gentleman who stops to
atre of the Absurd. Literary critic Vladimir, two tramps who wait complicated lines with speed and eat and converse with Vladimir
Vivian Mercier once called “Wait- by the roadside for a mysterious accuracy; the characters are far and Estragon, and Matt Baum
ing for Godot” “a play in which man named Godot to arrive. They from easy roles. See GODOT, page 10
nothing happens, twice.” In fact,
to describe what happens in the
play is essentially just to name its
title; it is a two-hour production
about two men waiting for the
mysterious Godot.
In the end, Godot does not
even appear. Still, all of this is not
to say that Beckett’s play is by any
means boring. The members of
the audience find themselves inex-
plicably glued to their seats, spell-
bound, confused and, above all,
amused by everything happening
on the stage before them.
Productions of “Godot” are of-
ten described as hilarious, but this
is not quite the right way of say-
ing it. Rather the play is humor-
ous; the writing is witty and fast,
and an excellent cast is required
to perform it correctly. 7 Stages’
production of the play employed
a cast of just five actors, and each
actor did an excellent job of exe-
cuting his role, no small feat when
one considers the sheer difficulty
of the work.
The centerpiece of the play is
undeniably its dialogue; the scen- Photo courtesy of 7 Stages
ery and props help to set the tone, Don Finney (left) and Del Hamilton (right) star as Estragon and Vladimir in 7 Stages’ lat-
but the three main characters and est production of Samuel Beckett’s celebrated absurdist play “Waiting for Godot.”
vealed information about the
upcoming album. The website
alluded to the album’s story sur-
rounding Clancy, who is attempt-
ing to escape the walled city of
Dema. Dema is governed by nine
bishops who control the citizens
through their religion called “Vi-
alism”. Clancy accompanies an
alliance of rebels known as “ban-
ditos” who work to liberate people
from the walls of the Dema and
the clutches of the bishops.
The banditos are symbolized
by the color yellow because of the
bishops’ inability to see yellow,
which allows the banditos to uti-
lize yellow jumpsuits to facilitate
escapes. Despite the danger and
difficulty of the quest, Clancy
overcomes the challenges of Dema
and is eventually able to free him-
self from the hold of the bishops.
The entirety of the city of
Dema is a metaphor for mental
illness, while its high walls exem-
plify the complexity of conquer-
ing depression. Clancy might be
a representation of Tyler because
of his own struggles with mental
illness as well as his desire to save
others from the grip of depression.
The nine bishops symbolize symp-
toms of depression, and their re-
ligion, Vialism, signifies the feel-
ings of hopelessness and isolation
that can accompany depression.
The banditos represent people
who have overcome depression
and are working to help those who
still suffer from it.
Not only do they utilize yellow
as their symbol because the bish- Photo courtesy of Fueled by Ramen
ops are unable to see it, but it also Tyler Joseph, one half of the alternative rock duo Twenty One Pilots during a recent performance.
See TRENCH, page 11 Joseph, along with partner Josh Dun, recently released a studio album titled ‘Trench.’
// ENTERTAINMENT
‘Post Mortem’ combines quality cast with solid writing
SHOWS
Post Mortem
WRITER: Bryce Irvin
DIRECTOR: Jackson Vance
PERFORMERS: Thomas
Glenn, Mikael Bucknavage,
Autumn Siebold and Alex
Boulware
LOCATION: DramaTech
Theatre
DATE: Sept. 28-Oct. 5
OUR TAKE: «««««
JESSICA BARBER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Over the course of Bryce Ir-
vin’s “Post Mortem”, a nineteen-
year-old writer dies, falls in love
with his dead fish, comes to terms
with a childhood tragedy and is
later revived by the powers of a
magical wishing system.
Although this plot may seem a
little absurd even for Dramatech,
it offers much more to its audience
than what is first absorbed during
its performance.
The play opens with Toby Ol-
sen (Mikael Bucknavage) asleep
across his desk, surrounded by a
forest’s worth of crumbled note-
book paper and books scattered
accross the floor. He is soon visit-
ed by a certain Postman (Thomas
Glenn) who wakes him and de-
livers the news that Toby is actu-
technique • October 12, 2018• 9
ally dead. It is later revealed that,
pathetically enough, Toby died of
a simple papercut — or rather, an
infection from a papercut.
After this storm of shocking
information passes, the Postman
attempts to cheer Toby’s spirits
by introducing him to two new
characters that are later learned
to be anthropomorphized versions
of Toby’s childhood pet fish. Ro-
meo (Autumn Siebold) and Juliet
(Alex Boulware) are betta fish,
constantly fighting, and this adds
to the royal confusion and chaotic
humor of the play.
Irvin’s underhanded use of
irony also provides for great en-
tertainment throughout the per-
formance. For example, Toby’s
obsession with promptness and
constant worry that his library
books are overdue is met with
laughable confirmation by the
Postman asserting that yes, Toby
is dead and is of course “late.”
The actors themselves do a
lovely job of fully presenting the Photo courtesy of DramaTech Theater
personalities in Irvin’s writing. Campus’s DramaTech Theater recently put on a production of Bryce Irvin’s play ‘Post Mor-
Each one exhibits a fully devel- tem.’ The play centers on the events which follow the death of its protagonist, Toby Olsen.
oped personality and expresses
thoughts that drive the plot into Glenn plays an underworld- sic and appropriate demon-style show with DramaTech, for she
well-rounded completion. type Postman whose tendency to voiceover of his lines. seems like she has been at home
Bucknavage is a powerful successfully carry out his “job” Siebold demonstrates a highly here for years.
lead, and his assured presence on sometimes wavers during select determined Romeo who finally Similarly, Boulware plays a
stage is evident in the confident points of the play. His relatable forces the truth out of Toby. Her loveable and insightful Juliet
strength that rings in his voice. expressions of innocence and a acting is beautiful in the way that, whose innocence and lack of ex-
He fully embodies the character desire to please others allows him even when her character is not the posure to Toby’s flaws cause the
of Toby, and the audience is able to become an audience favorite as focus of a scene, she can be seen audience to empathize with Ro-
to sympathize for him as he slowly the play progresses. With the help giving integral insight through meo’s desire to protect her. Her
reveals his character’s troubled of the sound team, his stage pres- her body language. It is impres- monologue on the meaning of be-
past and the death of his parents. ence is greatly amplified by a clas- sive that “Post Mortem” is her first See MORTEM, page 11
10 • October 12, 2018• technique
Father John Misty delivers in Athens
MAYA FLORES
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
For two nights only, October
1st and 2nd, Father John Misty
blessed the Georgia Theatre stage
in Athens with his presence.
Misty was initially only going to
play a show on October 1st; a sec-
ond night was added when tickets
sold out within a few weeks.
The shows were stops on the
North American leg of Father
John’s most recent world tour.
The tour features his fourth al-
bum, “God’s Favorite Customer.”
Since his debut in 2012 with “Fear
Fun,” Father John Misty, an alter
ego of artist Josh Tillman, has
been an indie-rock staple. Shorter
and more subdued than his other
albums, Misty’s latest installment
shows the growth of the artist. Its
songs paint a picture of a more
self-aware man, coming to terms
with who he is; still cynical, still
outrageous, still dissatisfied, but
also more hopeful and grounded
than in any of his other works.
As the show began, Father
John stepped onto a dark, silent
stage and without a greeting, im-
mediately opened the show with
“Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Sings.” He played through two
more songs before he finally ad-
dressed the crowd, asking “How is
everybody tonight?” This question
was only answered with raucous,
incoherent cheers.
The overall visual impact of
the performance was nothing spe-
cial. Though the band was visible
behind him, they were never ref-
erenced. This show was all about
Father John. The stage was back-
lit with changing colors, and was
foggy. Misty wore simple black
jeans, a white button-up, and a
black blazer.
The most notable aspect of his
appearance were the Ray-Bans he
wore throughout the entire set.
Even though it was 9 p.m. — and
indoors. These gave him a sort of
aloof, holier-than-thou, rocker
vibe that paired well with his self-
absorbed lyrics.
Throughout the show, Father
John performed a good mix of
new hits and old favorites. As he
went from song to song, a stage-
hand would come out and give
him a new guitar for each piece.
The setlist featured songs from a
combination of Father John’s four
studio albums, all of which have
vastly different themes; some are
odes to his wife, some are come-
dic, substance-fueled rants, oth-
ers are ballads decrying capital-
ism. Central to all, however, is a
paradoxically narcissistic yet self-
loathing tone.
For most songs, his dancing
comprised of just a subtle sway
of his hips and some animated
strumming. For more lively piec-
es, like “Total Entertainment For-
ever,” he would flail around the
stage like a man possessed. De-
spite his moves being disjointed
and awkward, there was a sort of
exuberance that came from the
spectacle, like someone dancing
while nobody’s watching.
The crowd showed huge diver-
sity. From middle aged couples,
to edgy teens, to average Joes,
everyone swayed and sung along.
It was far from the homogenous
group of hipsters that was ex-
pected. The majority of those in
attendance knew even the most
complex lyrics, and weren’t afraid
to belt them out. During Father
John’s performance of “Hangout
at the Gallows” the crowd was in-
credibly animated. Misty listened
on towards the end of the song as
those in attendance chanted the
repeated lyrics “What’s your poli-
tics? What’s your religion?”
During catchy fan favorites like
“Chateau Lobby #4 (in C for Two
Virgins)” and “Real Love Baby”
the energy in the room was palpa-
ble. Every word was met by cheers
from the crowd. Father John
played off of this excitement by
increasing the energy of his flail-
ing and lifting the microphone,
stand and all, from the stage and
waving it around his head. While
erratic, like most of his other
dancing, his actions were comical
and complemented absurd lyrics
like “Emma eats bread and butter
/ like a queen would have ostrich
and cobra wine.”
At one point, in the silence be-
tween two songs a man from the
Indie rock singer and songwriter Father John Misty played two
shows in Athens while on his ‘God’s Favorite Customer’ tour.
back yelled out “We love you Josh
Tillman!” Many hooted and hol-
lered in agreement. When those
finally died down, all that Father
John had to offer was a sarcastic
“Who’s that?”
Overall, the concert lasted a
few hours that felt like mere min-
utes. It was a performance like
none other, with the hyperbolic
personality of Father John Misty
front and center the entire time.
Though Father John eschews and
mocks religion, there is no doubt
his concerts evoke a spiritual,
sermon-like vibe which gives his
shows a unique appeal.
Photo courtesy of Sub Pop
technique
Join the
Technique
Flags Bldg 137 Writers, Designers, Photographers
// ENTERTAINMENT
GODOT FROM PAGE 8
as Lucky, Pozzo’s slave. Hansard
plays his character excellently,
keeping a distance from Vladimir
and Estragon and creating a ten-
sion between himself and the two
lowly tramps which highlights the
themes of class which Beckett ad-
dresses in his play.
One of the jarring features
of Hansard’s performance is the
brutality of Pozzo’s treatment of
Lucky. Hansard makes the cruelty
which Pozzo shows feel real, even
making the audience feel some-
what uncomfortable about what it
is watching.
Though Lucky is silent for the
majority of the play, Baum ex-
hibits his abilities in a brief out-
burst of dialogue when Lucky is
instructed to “think” for Vladi-
mir and Estragon’s entertain-
ment. Lucky lets out a powerful
stream of nonsensical ramblings.
The flow of Baum’s dialogue feels
natural and his delivery is strik-
ing and powerful, imbued with
the desperation which Beckett in-
tends Lucky to display.
Naturally, “Waiting for Go-
dot” is not for everybody. It is a
challenging work, and not every-
one will find its dialogue funny
enough to really enjoy it. The con-
trast between the light-hearted
tone of the play and its serious
themes of existential doubt, lone-
liness and the mundanity of hu-
man life is also difficult for the
audience to handle.
Still, 7 Stages’ production of
the play is excellent, and if ever
one were considering a foray into
the Theatre of the Absurd, this is
an excellent opportunity to try
Beckett’s classic out.
The themes which Beckett ad-
dresses in the play are universal,
and the dry and detached tone
with which he treats dark ideas
will feel familiar to Tech students
who are often used to handling
stress through comedy. “Waiting
for Godot” is a production well
worth checking out.
/thenique
@the_nique
nique.net
// ENTERTAINMENT
TRENCH FROM PAGE 8
connotates sunlight and hope.
Because of the risk attached to
escaping from Dema, not all who
attempt to escape survive, which
symbolizes the severity of depres-
sion as a serious affliction.
The intriguing allegory told
within “Trench” created tremen-
dous hype, and the album did not
disappoint. From the bass-heavy,
angsty opening song “Jumpsuit” to
the gentle piano and pleading vo-
cals of the concluding song “Leave
The City”, the album weaves an
intricate tale about the challenges
of mental illness through melo-
dies and beats that make it perfect
for mainstream consumers. Prior
to the official release of “Trench”
The new album is full of symbolism, forming a central allegory which addresses themes of depression and mental illness.
The duo aims to bring awareness to the serious consequences of mental illness and to lift the stigma surrounding depression.
on October 5th, four singles were
released throughout the months
of July and August: “Jumpsuit”,
“Nico and the Niners”, “Levitate”,
and “My Blood”.
The first two singles, “Jump-
suit” and “Nico and the Niners”
laid an excellent foundation for
the lore of the album. Through
the use of bold bass riffs and mel-
low vocals that grow in intensity
to powerful growls by the song’s
conclusion, “Jumpsuit” describes
how the protagonist, Clancy, at-
tempts to escape from Dema.
In a style reminiscent of the
popular “Lane Boy” from the al-
bum “Blurryface”, the bishops
who rule over Dema are intro-
duced. The subsequent singles
from “Trench”, “Levitate” and
“My Blood”, further tie in to the
album’s allusions to liberating
oneself as well as others from the
confines of mental illness.
With its dreamy synth tones
paired with persistent percus-
sion, “Levitate” breathes life into
the vulture that graces the cover
of the album. In spite of its qua-
si-danceable nature and alluring
use of falsetto, “My Blood” is
wrought with serious and heartfelt
promises and earnest pleas for the
singer’s “blood” — which can be
interpreted in a multitude of ways
— to stay with him.
Despite the growing commer-
cial success of “Trench”, Twenty
One Pilots’ Tyler Joseph and Josh
Dun are still focused on bring-
ing the issue of mental illness into
the public eye. The duo’s music
is exceptional at achieving this
goal because of their utilization
of mainstream techniques such
as lyric repetition and memorable
melodies contrasted by their open-
ness in discussing mental illness.
Because of their presence in the
mainstream radio and the home
pages of music streaming sites,
Twenty One Pilots is able to in-
form a broader platform about the
obstacles of depression and sui-
cide. These are topics that are not
often discussed in mass media,
but the band uses their presence
in the hope that speaking openly
about mental illness will encour-
age those who suffer to seek help
as well as educating those who are
uninformed to break the stigma.
Photo courtesy of Fueled by Ramen
technique • October 12, 2018• 11
MORTEM FROM PAGE 9
ing a fish — with thumbs — pro-
vokes thought into the parallels of
the meaning of all life. The genu-
ineness of her spoken thoughts
reaches the minds of the audience
and allows them to make connec-
tions to life outside of the theater.
It is the calculated mixing of
such strong and contrasting the-
atrical personalities that makes
this four-cast-member play so
superior. Between the fighting,
yelling, cursing, and other various
antics, the audience learns more
about the characters’ dynamics
than is explicitly said. Irvin can
be extremely proud of the manner
in which his script is elevated to a
living commentary on life’s value
and offerings.
As far as the physical aspect of
the play, the set resembles some-
thing that does not stray far from
what can be seen in the dorms
here at the Institute. The sight of
crumpled papers with scribbled
ideas is not unfamiliar to the au-
dience, and it is effectively coaxed
into the realm of the play.
It should be noted that the en-
tirety of the storyline takes place
in Toby’s room. The use of such a
small environment allows for the
audience to feel as if they were
there with the characters. This
forces watchers to engage in the
conversations being presented,
and Irvin’s ideology becomes even
more compelling.
Massive kudos go to the de-
signers and all of the off-stage
members of the crew for this
reason. Such purposeful use of
characters, setting and design ul-
timately leaves no room for disap-
pointment with the audience.
Newly gained perspectives on
life, childhood and mending life’s
wounds make “Post Mortem” go
down as one of the reasons that
DramaTech remains to be such an
appreciated, essential piece of stu-
dent life at Tech.
A huge congratulations to all
who contributed to the successful
making of this play.
12 • October 12, 2018• technique // COMICS

SARAH’S SCRIBBLES BY SARAH ANDERSEN SMBC BY ZACH WEINERSMITH

IN THE BLEACHERS BY STEVE MOORE

XKCD BY RANDALL MUNROE

// COMICS technique • October 12, 2018• 13

LUNARBABOON BY CHRISTOPHER GRADY PEARLS BEFORE SWINE BY STEPHEN PASTIS

LIO BY MARK TATULLI

CUL DE SAC BY RICHARD THOMPSON

CHANNELATE BY RYAN HUDSON

SUDOKU PUZZLE

BY SUDOKUCOLLECTION.COM
14 • October 12, 2018• technique
Women’s basketball shines on recruiting trail
HARSHA SRIDHAR
SPORTS EDITOR
Ask a Tech fan about the
team’s performance in nearly any
sport and they will detail the lat-
est gruesome news — perhaps a
heartbreaking loss or an injury to
the key player, maybe even both
— and then break off, with a fa-
vorite justification.
“You know, it’s really hard to
recruit here.”
Yes, for whatever reason —
academic rigor, dearth of majors,
a student body that by and large
does not care about athletics, the
litany of schools nearby — Tech
does not have it easy on the re-
cruiting trail. The football team,
in particular, has had a difficult
time; an open letter from Todd
Stansbury to Tech season ticket
holders after the team’s poor show-
ing against Clemson (a team with
which Tech could compete closely
with until recently) in essence says
that if fans want a better program,
they had better pay for it.
Yet there is a team at Tech that
does not face such an uphill battle
attracting talent and it plays its
home games at McCamish Pavil-
ion. It is not the men’s basketball
team, which just lost its brightest
star in years, Josh Okogie, to the
NBA after an injury-shortened
sophomore season. Rather, it is
MaChelle Joseph’s women’s bas-
ketball team that, despite fac-
ing similar constraints to Tech’s
other programs, has been quietly
impressive on the recruiting trail
over the past few years.
It is difficult to determine ex-
actly what allows the women’s
basketball team to succeed where
football, men’s basketball and
others fall short. An intuitive
Louisville win delivers revenge to VanGorder
JOHN EDWARDS
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Tech’s 66-31 thrashing of the
Louisville Cardinals last Friday
night represented many things.
For one, it was a turning point
in their season, making the jump
back to being a .500 team. For
another, it was a show of strength
against a genuine opponent But
most importantly, it was re-
venge — bloody, gory vengeance,
claimed by none other than Paul
Johnson himself.
Johnson’s path to Friday’s game
began not last week, but years
ago, before Johnson and his op-
tion-offense had risen to national
prominence thanks to his efforts
at Navy and Tech. As offensive
coordinator, Johnson installed
his famed triple-option offense
for Georgia Southern and ran it
successfully before leaving for Ha-
waii and later Navy in 1987. But
Johnson returned to his first home
in 1997, joining the Eagles as
their head coach, and catapulted
the program to unheralded suc-
cess, bringing home two NCAA
DI-AA national championships
and posting a 62-10 record. As a
result, he was hired back to Navy
to be their program’s head coach,
bringing his signature offense
along to Annapolis, Md.
But when Johnson left States-
boro, his triple option remained
first guess is that the team is just
that much more successful; after
all, UConn attracts many of the
best prospects across the country
despite the school’s unexciting
locale and general mediocrity in
the “money” sport: football. That,
in a nutshell, is the effect that a
coach like Geno Auriemma can
have on a program. But a quick
look through Tech’s recent sea-
son results suggest that the team
is not winning talent thanks to
the Auriemma effect. A typical
Tech season involves a near-.500
record in conference, a slight win-
ning record overall and a bid to
Lorela Cubaj dribbles downcourt with the ball during a home game against Boston College.
Cubaj was ranked as one of the top international prospects when she signed with Tech.
under the care of his former of-
fensive coordinator Mike Sewak.
Sewak stepped in as head coach
in Johnson’s absence, and again
found immediate success. But
when Sewak was fired after the
2005 season, in came new coach
Brian VanGorder.
VanGorder had previously
been a defensive coordinator for
the University of Georgia, and
received rave reviews for his rush
defense. When VanGorder was of-
fered the Georgia Southern head
coaching position in 2006, he
took it and continued his crusade
against all things rushing — not
only did he bring his rush defense
to Statesboro, VanGorder expelled
the triple option that had worked
so well for Georgia Southern in the
past. Worse, VanGorder jeered at
the option on its way out. Georgia
Southern published promotional
clips that included VanGorder
saying to the camera, “There is no
option.” VanGorder claimed that
he was bringing Georgia Southern
into the twenty-first century.
For Johnson, the triple-op-
tion’s greatest champion, this was
sacrilege. Upon hearing about
VanGorder’s comments, Johnson
allegedly called up his athletic di-
rector and demanded that Navy
be scheduled for a game against
Southern. Why? “‘Because I want
to beat the hell out of Brian Van-
Gorder,” he allegedly said. Van-
Gorder had dug his grave.
the Women’s National Invitation
Tournament, considered the con-
solation prize for teams unquali-
fied for the NCAA Tournament.
Yes, the Jackets went to the NIT
Championship Game a few years
ago and lost in a heartbreaker to
Michigan, but surely that moder-
ate success is not enough to give
the team an edge; the men’s bas-
ketball team accomplished the
same thing that year and still
struggles to pitch top recruits.
The next logical though would
be that perhaps Tech’s academic
prestige matters more for women’s
basketball than it does for other
The game never materialized,
as Brian VanGorder led Georgia
Southern to a 3-8 record, at the
time their worst in modern his-
tory, and left after a single season.
Despite his rocky history de-
fending the triple option, Van-
Paul Johnson and Brain VanGorder’s heated personal rivalry came to a head
on Friday, and Johnson came out on top in a heated 66-31 beat-down by Tech.
major sports. After all, the profes-
sional prospects for the women’s
game are not particularly bright;
WNBA players are paid a small
fraction of their male counter-
parts; per Forbes, the average
WNBA salary last season was
$71,635. (For comparison, NBA
player Tristan Thompson was
fined $25,000 for being ejected
during a Finals game and Vladi-
mir Radmanovic was docked
$500,000 for injuring himself
while snowboarding.) Perhaps,
cognizant of that reality, women’s
basketball recruits prize a top-
notch degree?
Photo courtesy of Danny Karnik
Gorder still presented himself as
an expert in preparing for it. After
finding work as Louisville’s defen-
sive coordinator, VanGorder con-
tinued to present himself as such,
even discussing with the press
prior to Friday’s game his secrets
// SPORTS
The evidence seems to confirm
that. Of the teams ranked in the
year-end USA Today Coaches’
Top 25, only four - No. 1 Notre
Dame, No. 7 UCLA, No. 12
Duke and No. 13 Stanford - are
ranked above Tech in the latest
US News and World Report aca-
demic list. It also helps to explain
why Notre Dame and Stanford
have excellent women’s teams de-
spite unspectacular men’s teams;
their academic advantages matter
more.
The other advantage Tech’s
women’s basketball team seems
to utilize to great effect is its abil-
ity to recruit players from abroad.
All of Georgia’s players hail from
American high schools, as do all
of Notre Dame’s, all of Baylor’s
and all but two of Stanford’s.
Tech’s team is a patchwork quilt
of nationalities; Anne Francoise
Diouf is Senegalese, Elizabeth Ba-
logun moved to the United States
from Nigeria for ninth grade,
Lorela Cubaj and Francesca Pan
come from Italy and Lotta-Maj
Lahtinen hails from Finland.
Tech’s advantage may come less
from a unique recruiting pitch
than a willingness to look for tal-
ent where other teams do not.
Whether thanks to its academ-
ic profile, its strong connections
abroad or something else all to-
gether, Tech women’s basketball’s
recruiting prowess is impressive.
The 2018 class ranks No. 9 in ES-
PNW HoopGurlz’s annual list,
thanks in large part to the two
Elizabeths: Balogun and Dixon,
both of whom were five-star re-
cruits. Added to an excellent
team featuring the likes of Kierra
Fletcher and Francesca Pan, they
could vault the women’s basket-
ball team sharply upwards in 2019
and certainly beyond.
and strategies for defending the
triple option.
VanGorder’s credibility is now
shot. With the Jackets up 52-17 in
the fourth quarter, Johnson kept
pressing and kept scoring. Such
are the ways of Paul Johnson.
Photo by Taylor Gray Student Publications
// SPORTS technique • October 12, 2018• 15
Sports
SPORTS EDITOR: The International Plan? technique
Harsha Sridhar
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR:
John Edwards
Tech women’s basketball’s key to
recruiting might be looking
16
Friday,
worldwide for talent.414
sports@nique.net October 12, 2018

tech Key: keep the streak duke Key: rested defense

Coming off two decisive victories, the Jackets are The Blue Devils’ offense is not exactly explosive.
preparing to bring home their second ACC win on They have only 20 plays for 20 yards or over, which
Saturday against the Blue Devils. There is a lot on renders their offense the second least explosive in
the line for the Tech squad as they try to improve the ACC; they are averaging about 33 points per
their ACC record to 2-2 in front of their fans in the game, about eight less points per game than the
annual homecoming game. Jackets. The Jackets also average about 70 more
Offensively, the Jackets are on fire, having scored total yards per game than Duke. As long as the
more than 60 points in each of the team’s past two Jackets can come out with the same intensity that
games — just the fourth team in ACC history to won them their previous two games, they have the
accomplish such a feat. Tech currently boasts the weapons to outpace the Blue Devils and take con-
best rushing offense in the nation with an average trol of the game through time of possession.
of 373 rushing yards per game, and they will look On the other side of the ball, however Duke’s
to rely on the ground game to control the game defense has performed better than Tech’s up until
against Duke. TaQuon Marshall will lead the charge this point. They allow 18.4 points per game as op-
against the Blue Devils defense on a hot streak of posed to Tech’s 28.3. This is a stark difference, and
his own; he has led the team to points on the last it can be attributed to Duke only allowing 123 rush-
14 consecutive offensive drives in which he has ing yards per game. Their front seven is a talented
played. group, and they have experience against one tri-
Tech faces a much tougher opponent in the Blue ple option offense from earlier this year. Against
Devils than they did in Bowling Green State or Lou- Army’s triple option, they only allowed 14 points.
isville, both of which looked absurdly unprepared Given rest and an extra week to study Johnson’s
for the triple option. Keep pressure on the Duke scheme, they must be excellent.
defense, though, and points will flow.
Story by Rohan Kansara
Design by David Le Student Publications

Left: Photo by Samuel D Stewart Student Publications; Right: Photo courtesy of Danny Karnik