Impossible Meets Possible: Women’s Semi-Pro Tackle Football

When it comes to women playing sports, the most popular activities that come to mind are basketball, softball, volleyball, field hockey, etc. – the list goes on.

Men? The answers are usually more condensed into a smaller list compared to females.  Football ranks as one of the most popular sports in the entire country; it’s a male dominated sport known to be rugged, require tenacity and a sport that is physically demanding.

Many high schools offer females a chance to play what many call a “male sport” by participating in an all-girls football game known as “Powder Puff.” For most girls, this is the rare opportunity to play  in an organized football game. For others, it can mark the beginning stages of building a female athlete into a semi-professional football player.

That’s right. Women’s tackle football is on the rise and here to stay. When people think of women’s tackle football, some automatically think of the lingerie league. However, the lingerie league is based more on sex appeal rather than football skills.

The Independent Women’s Football League, or the IWFL, is a women’s semi-professional tackle football league in which women wear heavy duty football equipment from head-to-toe, just as men wear.   In fact, there are more 30 IWFL teams across the country including the Philadelphia Firebirds, a team based in this area.

Tawana Grayson, the current owner and former player of the Firebirds, shed some insight on the opportunity women have to play football.

“That first time you go out on the field, and in my case it was make a tackle, you know you had just done something you dreamed all your life of doing,” Grayson said.  “That first time you go out and actually play the game– that experience is like ‘wow.’”

A woman who has bled football since childhood, Grayson has invested many years of her life into playing and managing women’s football (five years as a player and an owner for nine years), so she is familiar with what it takes for female athletes to succeed as football players.

“It requires dedication, commitment and determination,” she said. “You have to want to do it, and to be ready to put the work in.”

In comparing the physical aspect of the game to the mental aspect, Grayson feels both can be equally challenging at times, although she admits the mental portion of football can prove to be more difficult at times for women football players to handle. Considering there are not separate leagues for girls and boys growing up, Grayson explains that learning the game and techniques in football give women a disadvantage.

However, Grayson is convinced that a late start does not exactly hinder a female’s ability to grasp football concepts.  She says having a passion and a mentality to want to get better, any female athlete can become a solid football player.

“For the most part women start (playing) in our league,” she said. “Women traditionally have not have had the opportunities men have had to play the game, so women read more into the coaching than men do… going into a game for the first time, all of that has to be taught. Their preparation to get ready for the season is different (than men) because they’re doing something they’re not used to, so women actually have to prepare harder in the beginning.”

Grayson is optimistic there will one day be a nationalized women’s tackle football league. Despite the fact that hasn’t happened yet, Grayson still feels women football players can have an impact on young male and female athletes.

“ It’s breaking down the barriers that football is just a man’s game,” said Grayson. “For male athletes, it’s one of those things where they think ‘women can do it too,’” she continued. “I always told people that question whether our game is real to come to a game, and if they’re not satisfied to let me know.”

The answer: she hasn’t heard any complaints yet.

Grayson prides herself on women being able to showcase quality football, especially when her Firebirds team is able perform at a high level. With 12 combined years being a part of the Firebirds organization, including two years where she was both a player and owner, Grayson believes it is the relationships players build on the team that makes it worthwhile.

“It’s a family,” she said. “You make great friendships out of this. We argue like a family, but we play like a family too.”

Grayson encourages women athletes who want to try it to explore available opportunities.  As an established Firebird, Grayson’s message to women is simple:

“If you have a passion for the game and always wanted to play, there is no other place than to come out and be a Firebird.”

For more information on the team: www.philadelphiafirebirds.com

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Lion’s Eye Staff Writer

Amanda Congialdi, amc6079@psu.dedu

 

Restaurant Review: Cantina Dos Segundos

Located in the Northern Liberties section in Philadelphia, Cantina Dos Segundos has a lot to offer. If you’re into Mexican food that still stays true to its roots, but likes an American twist on what you’re eating, I highly recommend this establishment.

I have been to this restaurant three times and have nothing bad to say about anything. When you walk in, the staff politely greets you. When they take to you a table, you notice all the Mexican décor, from the lights, the candles and the colors. It’s very dark except for the candles on the table and the lights strung on the walls.   The hostess seats you and then you are greeted with chips and two bowls of salsa, instead of bread and butter. The two bowls of salsa are regular salsa and a salsa verde. Next, the server comes and takes your drink order. They have a wide range of alcoholic beverage from Mexican beers, to a huge list of different kinds of tequila, to margaritas, to mojitos. I recommend the cantina margarita and the mango margarita.

The menu may be limited but there are endless options. They always have daily specials as well, putting the modern twist on your average taco in a tortilla. For example, when I was there recently, they had a fried chicken taco. It was to die for. They also had short rib tacos and tilapia tacos. The delicious and flavorful menu offers a lot of vegetarian and vegan options so everyone and anyone can be satisfied.

I ran into Temple University student Nick Crawford and I asked him how he liked it.

“I like how relaxed and casual it is,” Crawford said.  “From the location, to the décor and the ambience, I like how they offer authentic Mexican food and they spin a modern-American twist on the specials. They also have amazing margaritas!”

Take it from him…or me, if you’re into Mexican food and margaritas in the wintertime, I highly recommend you check Cantina Dos Segundos out.

There is also so much to do in the Northern Liberties with the Piazza right there.

 

Eye Staff Writer

Chelsea Ebling-Lion’s, cme5177@psu.edu

Lone Survivor Movie Review

This present day military story takes viewers into the world that most Americans may not see every day.

Based on a true story, on the night of June 27, 2005, an MH-47 Special Operations aircraft dropped a four-man Navy SEAL investigation and surveillance team between a pair of Afghani Mountain peaks of Kunar Province of Afghanistan. This brave, courageous mission was labeled Operation Red Wing.

This is a movie that challenges the viewer to think about the virtues of service to country, self-sacrificial brotherhood, bravery and honor. It glorifies the true ability of some extraordinary men to drive themselves to near-impossible levels of mental and physical toughness.

Team Spartan was made up of Corpsman 1st Class Marcus Luttrell, team leader Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Danny P. Dietz and Sonar Technician 2nd Class Matthew G. Axelson.  These men were all seasoned professionals prepared and ready to do their job and hike the steep, rugged mile and a half which was necessary to reach their destination.

When reaching the particular area of interest, the SEALs followed the protocol, set up mountainside and got into their watch positions.  Soon they had spotted their target, Taliban terrorist leader Ahmed Shahd, who was walking down the dirt streets of a village in their site. There was a major communication problem.  After repeated attempts they could not establish clear radio signal with the United States home base. It was then decided that they should try to get connection after a few hours, as per protocol.

This is when everything fell apart.  Accidentally, Team Spartan was revealed by three local goatherds or a person who herds goats for vocational reasons.  The SEALs immediately had their guard up and were ready to fire.  After determining that the men were civilians, they were faced with an obvious dilemma.  Now that their cover had been blown, what should they do in this situation? If they decide to let all of these men go, there was a good chance that they would run to the Taliban army and inform them that they were there.  This then would leave the SEALs fully exposed and without back-up and no contact with the home base. On the other hand, they knew it would be all over the news if they killed these truly innocent unarmed goatherds, which could be morally wrong and even declared as a war crime.

After going back and forth, leader Lt. Murphy made a decision and ordered the men released, following the code of the rules of civilian engagement. From there, the Navy SEALs began moving to a point where they may regain radio connection.

Two hours later, the Taliban ambush arrived in full force from three sides.  The story goes on to recount the real-life failed U.S. military operation, which has been called the worst tragedy in the history of the Navy SEALs and ultimately claimed the lives of 19 Americans.  The movie will give viewers chills and open one’s eyes to the sacrifices of these Americans.

“The movie made me feel proud of our military,” Granit Valley resident Mary Houtmann said.

“Those women and men who put their lives on the line for us have my utmost respect and I couldn’t be more thankful.  Those four men never gave up, it wasn’t an option.”

Director Peter Berg takes this tragic scenario straight from the “Lone Survivor,” Marcus Luttrell’s memoirs, and creates a realistic depiction of this situation.  It is so gruesome, life-like and disturbingly brutal, it make you think, is this real life? Does this really happen?

As “We can be Heroes, just for one day,” by David Bowie plays in the last scene, not only does this extremely graphic movie leave viewers in awe but it also shows the courageousness of how these men put themselves in harm’s way to fight for freedom and justice.

Survivor Marcus Luttrell set up a non-profit to help veterans who are suffering from Post-Traumatic Syndrome Disorder and Traumatic Brain injuries.  For more information go to:  www.lonesurvivorfoundation.org

Lion’s Eye Editor

Victoria Marotta, VIM5121@psu.edu

 

Inaugural Season About to Begin

Batter up!

Head Coach of the first ever Penn State Brandywine Softball team, Mark Caserta, has very high hopes for the upcoming first softball season here at Brandywine.

“I am looking forward to a very competitive season,” Coach Caserta said.

Eleven girls are practicing to get ready for the inaugural season in the auxiliary gym and also at an indoor facility in West Chester. Six girls are currently splitting time between the end of the women’s basketball season and the start of the women’s softball season.

The team is eager to be play a full season at a collegiate level, despite not having had the chance to play outside since the fall.

“We played Neumann University in the fall and probably won’t be able to get outside until we travel to Florida,” assistant coach Bobbi Caprice said.

The auxiliary gym in Commons provides a batting tunnel and room to do fielding, running and batting drills.

Freshman Lindsey Dellavecchio is very excited about this upcoming season.

“I’m excited to meet all new people and get a team going with a good reputation,” said Dellavecchio.

Head Coach Caserta said he has a good group of women on this team who show talent, competitiveness and aggressiveness.  Caserta is also looking forward to going out, having fun and winning.

The team will be traveling to Vero, Florida for spring break to play four games. If you are interested in coming to the team’s first game, it will be held on March 20, against Rosemont at Brandywine’s home field, which is located in Delaware. The address is 2619 Foulk Road Wilmington, DE 19810

Chelsea Ebling

Lion’s Eye Staff Reporter, cme5177@psu.edu

Rent a Book

The expenses of going to college can be overwhelming.

Tuition, textbooks, transportation cost, lunch money and the list goes on. When there is a way to cut cost, it is always helpful.

Buying textbooks is one of those expenses that most college students dread. Textbooks can cost sometimes as much as $300 per semester. At the end of each semester the bookstore allows students to sale their textbooks back.  The only catch is if the professor is not using the book for the upcoming semester.  If that’s the case, one can’t sell it back.

A couple years ago, the campus bookstore, owned by Barnes and Noble, started allowing the textbooks to be rented. Renting is much more affordable than buying textbooks.

“The huge advantage of renting your textbooks is that you save a lot up front,” Brandywine bookstore manager Alan Pine said. “You save up to 50% off of the original price. You can use the extra money that you save by renting your text books on food and other college expenses.”

When you rent textbooks versus buying them, it’s securing one’s savings. By renting, one saves up to 50% automatically; by buying books, there is no guarantee one will be able to sell them back.

There are a few other advantages to renting. The books must be brought back in used condition, which means a student can highlight and write in them. If you drop a class within the add/drop period, the bookstore will refund one’s money back.  A friendly reminder by the bookstore is also sent via email to remind students of their due date.

Buying textbooks versus renting them — a decision that now students at Penn State Brandywine have to make.

Latech Murphy

Lion’s eye staff writer, Lnm107@psu.edu

A New Chief on Campus

Chief Lewis W. Sweigart, Jr. is the new chief of Penn State Brandywine Police and Security.

Chief Sweigart attended Eastern University and graduated in 1995.  After college he went to the Allentown Police Academy where he became a Pennsylvania certified police officer otherwise known as, ACT 120.

He then worked for the Pennsylvania Boat and Fish Commission.  Later, he worked for the Pennsylvania State Parks as a seasonal state park ranger and for the Pennsylvania State Capitol police in Harrisburg.

In 2003, Chief Sweigart began his Penn State career while working as a part-time police officer for Penn State Harrisburg.  He was hired full-time and began working for Penn State Mont Alto Police in 2009.   With ten years of service working for Penn State police departments, he was hired as Chief of Police for Penn State Brandywine Safety and Police Services this year.

His duties as Chief include running the police and security division of Penn State Brandywine.  Although he is the only police officer at this moment at Penn State Brandywine, he is currently looking to hire another full-time police officer.

Chief Sweigart is also looking to hire more Penn State security.

“I want to fade-out the current Allied Barton (the private security contractors that currently work at Penn State Brandywine) and hire Penn State staff for security,” Chief Sweigart said.

A current goal for the new chief is to make the campus safer with access cards on doors for certain areas in preparation for the future residence halls.

“My goal right now is to form and build the police department and bring us into compliance,”  Chief Sweigart said.

Chief Swigart has been a field training officer, firearms instructor and Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) instructor.  His office is located on the top floor of commons if anyone has any problems or concerns.

 

Eric Warner

Lion’s Eye Staff Editor, ehw5023@psu.edu

New Chancellor on Campus

Dr. Kristin Woolever started her first official day in office as the new Chancellor for Penn State Brandywine on Tuesday, February 4.

Dr. Woolever took over the position from Dr. George Franz, who served as interim chancellor after Dr. Sophia Wisniewska left Brandywine to accept a position with the University of South Florida.

After just 90 minutes into her first day on campus, Dr. Woolever spent a half hour sitting down for an interview regarding her new position.

So who is Dr. Woolever? She joins Penn State Brandywine from Arizona, where she acted as President of Prescott College. Before that, she had high leadership roles in multiple colleges and universities in New Hampshire, Washington and elsewhere. However, she grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

“It feels as if I’ve come home,” Woolever said.

When asked why she chose this campus for her next career move, her answer was easy.

“It’s Penn State for heaven’s sake!” Woolever said.

While Dr. Woolever is excited to join the “We Are!” family, she also commented that she likes the fact that Brandywine is “small but not too small,” and that the campus “has the potential to really fly.”

It’s without a doubt that a campus like Brandywine needs strong leadership to help it grow.  Dr. Woolever is excited about new challenges.

“Uniting folks here in a common purpose, building a team, and moving the campus to its fullest potential,” she said are her goals.

What direction is Brandywine headed? When asked about a 5-year plan, Dr. Woolever said that she hopes to grow the enrollment to 2,000 students. She is also eager for  campus housing at Brandywine.

Perhaps just as exciting for the students will be the addition of the Student Union Building that Dr. Woolever plans on adding to the campus. This building, similar to commons, will be a larger scale version containing a new cafeteria, a game room and probably most exciting to the students who participate in the larger clubs and organizations on campus such as THON and Student Government Association (SGA), a lot more large-sized meeting rooms for students to use.

“I want this to be a campus we are really proud of,” Dr. Woolever said.

Further commenting, she said she also wants to attend a lot of the sporting events to further that pride.  Dr. Woolever seems to have the right track mind for Brandywine.

“I really look forward to making this not just a 8:30-6 p.m. campus,” she said. “I want people to be here 24/7, and participate in things and make this a home for people.”

For the vast majority of students who usually don’t know who our campus Chancellor is, you should expect that to change.

“I intend to walk around and eat in the cafeteria as much as I possibly can,” she said.  “I want to meet at least once a month with the SGA. I’m going to force the students to know who I am.”

Dr. Woolever was eager to state her enthusiasm of joining the Brandywine family and she’s focused on teamwork.  She’s already hard at work.

 

Rosemarie Owoc

Lion’s Eye Staff Writer

 

Give Blood – It Saves Lives

The time to give blood is now.
A Red Cross Blood Drive was held at the Rock Run YMCA in October to help provide blood for some
children who may need extra blood to help with cancer, autism, diabetes, pneumonia and other
diseases and infections.
“Rocky Run loves hosting Red Cross Blood Drives,” Meg Sherry, Rocky Run’s Advanced Wellness
Director, said. “We are a community-based organization and we really take pride in making people
feel welcome and helping those around us. Our members know that donating blood saves lives and we
try our best to encour- age everyone to donate or at least spread the word about the benefits about
donating.”
Dozens of Delaware County residents and YMCA faculty members gave blood at this event. By donating
blood through the American Red Cross, Rocky
Run YMCA has helped provide health awareness to the community.
“Donated platelets and blood can play an enormous role in cancer treatments and care, along with
multiple other diseases,” Dr. Angela Sievert, an oncologist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia,
said. “I see over 100 blood transfusions a month here at the children’s hospital. Chances are,
there’s a child or a family waiting for the gift of blood that a healthy person is able to give.”
To qualify to donate, potential donors must be 16-years-old or older, generally healthy and weigh
at least 120 pounds.  Health history is discussed as part of the donation process, and each donor
receives a brief examination which includes temperature, hemoglobin and blood pressure
measurements.
Rocky Run YMCA has helped the Red Cross fulfill its purpose of
ensuring the availability of a safe and reliable blood supply.
Local blood drives can be found online at www.redcrossblood.org. On November 6, for example,
there’s a blood drive at the West Chester
American Red Cross from 1-8 p.m.

Victoria Marotta
Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, vim5121@psu.edu

 

Head of Class: Dr. Timothy Niiler – Jack of All Trades

Dr. Timothy Niiler is an exciting per­son with an impressive life resume.

From the University of Delaware, he earned a Ph.D. in Biomechanics and Move­ment Sciences and a B.S. in Physics. Addi­tionally, he earned an M.A. in Astronomy from Boston University.

Dr. Niiler continues his ties with Del­aware via A.I. duPont Hospital for Children, where his research involves determining the effects of various orthopedic interventions.

Dr. Niiler is a jack of many trades here at Bran­dywine, teaching students in the fields of Physics, As­tronomy and Tai Chi. The last is a course designed to introduce students to a traditional Chinese system of personal cultivation and self-defense. Of the courses Dr. Niiler teaches, the class he enjoys teaching most is the one that is not so common – Tai Chi.

“This is the one where I am interacting with students the most,” Niiler said.

Niiler enjoys this particular course because it involves more hands-on teaching, which makes it easier to con­nect and receive feedback from his students.

“I like it the best because you can see imme­diate progress and you are able to see day-to-day im­provements,” Niiler said.

A father of an 8-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter, Dr. Niiler has invested more than a decade in becoming a family man. His wife of 11 years is an in­structor as well at West Chester University. Of the many memories together, taking a trip to Spain and walking the Camino remains one of his fondest. Dr. Niiler’s life on a daily basis is generally busy and chaotic. However, being able to experience living life in another country, in a place where there are no obligations, Dr. Niiler was able to see life differently.

“You’re living day-to-day. You don’t have a calendar. When you are on the Comino…nothing.” Ni­iler said. “You’re carrying all the belongings you need. It sort of makes you wonder about all the other stuff.”

Dr. Niiler knows it is a luxury having been able to walk the Camino once, and being able to one day take another trip there is a future goal he hopes to ac­complish. But above all, having kids is his biggest ac­complishment in life.

“The fact that my kids seem to be mostly all right, I consider myself fortunate,” Niiler said.

Looking forward, Dr. Niiler not only wishes for his two children to be successful, he also hopes to improve his teachings and research.

“I want to communicate the enjoyment I find in a lot of material to students and become more of an accomplished researcher,” Niiler said.

Dr. Niiler expressed his interest in one of the more famous, motivating quotes in recent years.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond mea­sure.”

A quote meant to shed inspiration and light for people to become leaders and help those around them become leaders, Dr. Niiler certainly seems to have closely paid attention to the true meaning.

 

 Amanda Congialdi

Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, amc6079@psu.edu

 

 

American Hero Visits Brandywine

Daniel Hernandez, the intern who has been credited for saving the life of Congress­woman Gabrielle Giffords, stopped by the cam­pus on October 18 to speak to students about leading through adversity.

Hernandez began his conversation with the students by providing background about his life. He grew up in Arizona, and was born to a working class family. His mother was a Mexi­can immigrant who did not speak English well. His father was born in California.

Hernandez described his father as a, “Mexican redneck” because of his hardworking nature.

Hernandez knew from a young age that he wanted to help people; he originally thought he would do this by working in medicine, most likely as a doctor or a nurse.

After completing a high school nurs­ing course, Hernandez thought that to get into a good medical school he would need to diver­sify his resume. This was during the Presiden­tial primary races in 2008, so Hernandez joined the Hillary Clinton campaign, and made calls on the candidate’s behalf.

This was Hernandez’s first time work­ing in politics and he enjoyed working on the campaign, but took the loss hard, swearing to never work in politics again.

Two days later, Hernandez was con­tacted by people who worked for Gabrielle Gif­fords; he was initially reluctant, but accepted an internship on her campaign. This time the cam­paign was a success.

Eventually, Hernandez became an in­tern for Giffords’ office, and that is when Her­nandez’s life would change forever.

On January 8, 2011, Giffords planned to have an event in her Arizona district called Congress on Your Corner. The event was a chance for people who lived in her congressional district to come see their congresswoman in person, and get a chance to speak to her.

“[The event] was important to Gabby,” Hernandez said.

January 8, 20l1, however, would not be a normal Congress on Your Corner. Short­ly after the event started, Jared Lee Loughner opened fire on the crowd. Loughner shot the congresswoman and 18 others before he was detained. Six of those people died.

After the shooting Hernandez ran over to the congresswoman, who had been shot in the head. He tried to get her to communicate, however, she couldn’t. He asked her to squeeze his hand if she understood him. He did every­thing he knew to do to keep her conscious.

Hernandez even looked out for her publicity in this desperate time. When the EMTs got to Giffords, they had to cut away her clothes to properly treat her.

“I covered her up,” Hernandez said. “I didn’t want someone to take a picture of her like that.”

After the shooting Hernandez became somewhat of a celebrity, and honored as a hero.

Hernandez told the students that the shooting did not change his political opinions, but it did change the way he handles certain sit­uations. He said he has less animosity towards people who disagree with him now, and he ap­proaches situations more calmly.

Hernandez’s message to the students at Brandywine was an interesting one. He did not give out any direct advice, but rather, left it up to students to take what he said and apply it to their daily lives.

 

Keith Petersen

Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, rkp5118@psu.edu