Womens basketball moves ahead

By JORDAN BORGESE

Staff Writer

Women’s basketball is doing well this season. Although the team is missing three red shirting top scorers from the previous season and had more time to get the girls together last year, head coach Steve Kaneshiki says that he is “pleased so far”. The team has a great group of girls, who are focused on doing their best. “As of right now the season is going okay, we’ve had a lot of injuries, but we have one of the best programs in the region, said Kaneshiki. With major contributions from top scorers Jocelyn Bluitt and Alayanna Loyle, along with key players Sarah Gibbs and Nicole Conroy, the team currently has a record of 7-4. The team struggled through Conroy’s injury when the record dropped from 7-1 to 7-4 during her absence. “We are just hoping to get better, and cutting down on the mistakes. It’s just the little things that kill us. When times are tough they pull together. The girls are very disciplined”, said Kaneshiki. Last year the girls were 21-9, and they are hoping for a full team in January. During the pre-season poll Cumberland’s women’s basketball was ranked 11th in the country. “We push ourselves to do better every game. We believe in each other’s skills and abilities on the court, said Jocelyn Bluitt. Everyone learns from each other and the girls are a very dedicated bunch. The team has big games coming up such as Brookdale, Bergan and North Hampton, and could use all the support they can get.

 

Region 19 increases penalties!!

By JORDAN BORGESE

Staff Writer

“I think we have two of the

best soccer coaches in the re-

gion. It’s been a tough year for

one. It was the right step by

changing the rules. We have to

work together at all levels”

In October, the Region 19 Executive Committee decided to increase the penalties for all card sanctions. These new sanctions are for all divisions, both men and women. All Region 19 soccer programs received an email stating that the reason for the change was “in order to assist in curtailing the poor behavior and unsportsmanlike behavior in soccer.” All card suspensions were doubled as followed: Five yellow card accumulations is now a two game suspension, a red card (by receiving two yellows) is now a two game suspension, a red card for fighting, violent conduct, serious foul, and direct red is now a four game suspension. As for the Region 19 tournaments, if a team qualified and has less than twenty total team yellow cards and no reds, they will receive three seeding points towards their seed. These three points are equal to a win, so it may advance the seeding. Region 19 also asked that all athletic directors review weekly card reports prior to sending the reports in. Many unsportsmanlike conduct incidents have occurred during this season. One major incident, being the final cause of the rule changes was a fight during a men’s soccer game against Brookdale. Halfway into the season there had been over 100 cards, with 8-9 of them being violent red cards given out throughout Region 19 teams. The rule changes are to put an end to unsportsmanlike conduct and make the players calm down. They seem to have been working. Coaches have seen a change in the players, and a drop in cards. Assistant director Robert Amundson thinks that pre-season meetings for head coaches will help the coaches be more educated with new rules,regulations, and anything new that coaches should be aware of for the upcoming season. Because the officials seem to be more reactive the proactive CCC is thinking about changing the assigners for officials. This way the teams may be able to get better refs. More education for the coaches is needed so that they know more about the rules and regulations which will make the teams and games work out more smoothly. Calming down the game is a group effort from players, coaches, athletic department and the officials, who have a huge impact. CCC is hoping to influence the Region 19 committee, where student athletes will meet with other student athletes from other schools. This way, the students become more educated as well, and maybe get to know each other better and be able to get along more while playing against each other on the field.  The Basketball pre-season meeting was held here at CCC, and they are looking into the same new rules for this season due to two fights that occurred two weeks into the season.“I think we have two of the best soccer coaches in the region. It’s been a tough year for a first year program for everyone. It was the right step by changing the rules. We have to work together at all levels”, said assistant director Robert Amundson.

Winter Track…..Canceled?

By JASON MORRONI

Staff Writer

“Some of the rules in

regards to what makes

a team eligible to go to

district or national cham-

pionships have changed.”

Winter track will not be held this year. New coach Jason Kilderry, cannot comment on the reason for these changes until after a meeting with the athletic directors. No reason for the cancelation of winter track was provided.When asked, Mr. Kilderry said, “I want to focus on the spring events for now.”  Recently the track club has been prompted to change its structure by the NJCAA. “Some of the rules in regards to what makes a team eligible to go to district or national championships have changed,” said former track coach Jim Marketto. The club must decide if they are going to stay listed as a club or if they will become registered as a team. “If you declare as a team, you must meet all the eligibility requirements established for any team in any sport. If you declare as a club team, the eligibility requirements do not apply. The only requirement for club team participation is that you be enrolled at the school,” said Marketto. As a team, members will be able to participate in all tournaments. Part-time team members will be able to compete at local meets but can’t compete in district or national events. “This decision will be a tough one to make,” said Marketto. Teams have to meet the standards of the NJCAA. Clubs have much more flexibility and less is required of participating students. If the track club decides to remain a club there will be much less regulation on who can participate, but it will also keep them from competing at a district or national level. As a club they will still be able to apply for SAC funding and let the part time runners participate. So far in 2010, the track club set a program best in over all new records. The club ushered in four indoor school records and ten outdoor records while sending seven competitors to the national championships. Jamal Boozer of Vineland placed 3rd in the men’s 400m dash at nationals. Kaitlynn Arena, also of Vineland, placed 4th in the women’s pole vault. If the club wants to continue to compete at this level some changes have to happen. Will our track team continue to compete at a national level or will they keep it simple and let all existing members participate? We’ll have to wait and see what the new coach has in store for them.

Make way for the rebirth of mens basketball

By JOSEPH N. PIERCE JR.

Staff Writer

The men’s basketball team has been reborn this season, with a whole new roster full of freshmen, including captains Jeffrey Byrson and Jimmie Willis.

Six-year head coach Darryl Brown said, “I feel very good about this year’s team. We are a very young team and it may take a while for us to play the way I think we are capable of. However, if we continue to work hard, we should be very competitive in our conference.”

Being very competitive is what the Dukes mens basketball team will need to get them over the hump because last year the team lost more then half of its roster, due to low grades and GPA’s.

Coach Brown said, “This year we have all freshmen and we are not worried about GPA’s right now.”

However, when midterm grades were posted, Coach Brown was not too happy.

Brown said, “We weren’t overly excited about what we saw. However, there were some positive points. We have twelve guys on the team and roughly three quarters of them are doing okay. There is a quarter of them that are struggling and we are working on tutors for them.”

Coach Brown jokingly said, “ It’s a two-part process. We got the help for them, but now they have to help themselves by going to see these tutors so they can get back on track.”

When asked about the teams expectations for the upcoming year, coach Brown said, “If we keep our team together, I think we can be very competitive. I think we can definitely be in the top-half of the conference and make the playoffs. Once you make the playoffs anything can happen.”

Brown also said, “This isn’t a rebuilding season. The community should come out and show support. Its free, good basketball and the team deserves to play in front of supportive fans.”

Tommy Harris, aka Tru, a 2010 Bridgeton High School graduate said, “My goal this year is to contribute the best I can to my team in any way I can.”

The future looks bright for the Dukes mens basketball team, if they follow the formula that the coaching staff has set for them.

Being a good player and having high hopes will not be enough this year, all the players will have to make the grades.

 

Mens soccer succeeds in first season

Dukes midfielder/forward Dominick Crowell

By DIANA MARTINEZ

Staff writer

This fall semester, Cumberland County College brought back the mens soccer team.

The team was placed 19^th in the nation during first season, with coach  Christopher Myrick by their side.

They practiced over the summer and through the fall, while playing games against other college soccer teams.

At the beginning of the semester, players were hesitant about how much progress they would make. Some of the players were unhappy playing side by side with one another because they were actually rivals throughout their high school careers.

The situation was so bad that some of the players actually fought during the first few practices. After practicing and playing along side one another, the players began to bond and work more closely together as a team.

Team captain Josh DiDonato said, “It all came together through the season. We started out bad and ended well. We’re good friends and everyone hangs out now.”

The more the team worked as a whole, the more successful it became on the field.

The team had several goals at the beginning of the season to fulfill.

Freshman Stevan Austino said, “Our goals were to become a team, beat the best teams, play every game to the best of our ability and win the region 19 title.

Softball warms up for spring

 

2010/11 Dukes softball team

By ANDY RIGGINS

 

For CCC’s softball team, the season ended back on April 23, but that doesn’t mean that the girls haven’t been working hard in the offseason. They know that it isn’t going to be easy and hard work will be a key to their success, when the season begins on March 8 at Del Tech-Stanton.

In order to keep conditioned, the players have to workout frequently throughout the offseason. Sophomore second basemen/ shortstop, Desiree Rivera said, “In the fall we had scrimmages and right now we’re starting to field ground balls in the gym.”

According to Outfielder/ second basemen, Courtney Rafine, to keep conditioned the team is starting to run for 15 to 20 minutes a few days a week, and are doing different workouts in the Physical Fitness Center. As the beginning of the season grows closer, the team’s workouts will gradually become more intense.

One challenge the team will face this year is its lack of experience. This year, 25 freshmen are joining the team with only six returning sophomores.

Having played a full year for CCC, the sophomore girls are now leaders on the team and will have to use their experience to help guide the large amount of freshman players.                                     However, the challenge should be taken well by Bud Blackburn, who was named head coach in the 2004-05 season.

Coach Blackburn is well respected and spoken highly of by his players.

Sophomore catcher Courtney West said, “He knows what our players are capable of and he pushes us to do more.

When players are giving it 100 percent, he wants us to give 115 percent.”

One of the Softball team’s biggest rivals are Gloucester County College because they are so geographically close, being only a short drive up Route 55.

The team was also knocked out of the playoffs by Brookdale County College last year and the girls all agreed that they want another shot at them.

The way that the girls laugh and feed off of each other’s energy make it seem obvious that they have formed a strong bond with each other.

With hard work and determination, the 2010-11 softball team hopes to have another strong season.

CCC, are we prepared for the snow?

 

By JOSEPH N PIERCE JR.

Staff Writer

Did you ever wonder what’s the process that the college takes for severe weather? Like last year with that horrific snowstorm?

According to Brian J. Ewan, assistant superintendent of facilities, grounds & Physical Plant Operations, it’s a process that begins long before winter sets in.

“Preparations are started in late October where all of our equipment is serviced, assembled, and tested.  Materials such as slat and calcium chloride are inventoried and purchased if necessary.” he said.

Ewan indicated that planning before a storm plays a large role in making sure the campus is equipped by the time a storm arrives.  He said the facilities department is usually aware of winter storms about 5 days before they affect our campus.  If the storm is significant, the college will procure more equipment and start snow removal before more than a quarter inch of snow accumulates.

“Once the crew is here and starts plowing, it is a continual effort until the storm is over, “ said Ewan.

At 4:00 am on a day classes are scheduled, Ewan communicates with the Vice President of Finance and Administration to discuss progress with snow removal efforts and the anticipated time that the storm is scheduled to end.  They also discuss the road conditions of various roadways near the college, such as Delsea Drive, Route 55, College Drive, Sherman Avenue, and Orchard Road.

Once the vice president has the information, he places a phone call to the president and they discuss the options.

Ewan said If the storm is scheduled to last throughout the day or the college is having trouble removing the snow before school opens, classes are either delayed or canceled.

“Every day in this department is unique.  There has never been a day in 6 years that has been the same,” said Ewan.

Ewan said the college staff is dedicated to providing the students of this college with an atmosphere that is as safe and clean as possible and he believes the school handled last year’s snowfall very well. He also said the facilities staff takes pride in the fact that some days our college is open while the surrounding schools are closed due to the weather conditions.

“I believe the school did an exceptional job last year.  Our snowfall averaged 400% above average last year with three storms producing the yearly snowfall amount in 24 hours,” he said. “I cannot recall how many days we closed last year, but I believe it was minimal compared to other surrounding schools and colleges.”

When you have a headache about the weather, remember Mr. Ewan and his staff and the work they have to do.

Where do you get your news from?

In an effort to decide where people obtain their news, The Voice decided to ask a poll question. We asked a total of 50 people where they got their news from. As the graph to the right shows, T.V., is the main source where people obtain their news. Ironically enough, a newspaper, which is strictly dedicated to delivering the news, is the smallest source where people obtain their news. The data could suggest that people might only obtain their news at a convenience through the T.V. rather than make the extra effort to obtain a newspaper.

“Pants on the Ground” here on campus

 

By MICHELLE ROBINSON

Staff Writer

 

Campus Etiquette

Is it really necessary for college stu-

dents to be reminded of the proper

way to conduct themselves in class

and on campus?    Do we

really need to be reminded of what

appropriate attire for class is?

These are just the tip of

the iceberg when it comes to the

list of complaints from

fellow students and

faculty.

There are some stu-

dents who do not see

anything wrong with

jeans falling off of their

behinds, or wearing clothing that is

too revealing.  College is meant to

prepare students for the workplace;

where good manners and a polished

appearance can go far.

Unfortunately,

student’s appearance is only half

the battle; the way some students

conduct themselves in class is the

other half.

On campus there is a

growing concern about classes

being interrupted by students who

are loud and rude.

CCC has an open door

policy where any student who

needs to take a phone call, or use

the bathroom or whatever it may

be; can excuse themselves in a quiet

manner and exit the class.

Texting while in the class-

room is not allowed.

Many instructors explain in their

syllabus what

is permitted in

their class, and

what is not.

Instructors are

here for the

benefit of the

students and

their rules should be respected.

“One thing that I really hate, is

when the teacher is speaking and

students carry on private conversa-

tions making it hard to hear,” says

Jadira Carlo.

Students who disrupt class is a

problem; but how can it be solved?

“ I just think instructors need to

take control of their class, because

if a student is being disruptive, they

should be asked to leave,” says Chris

McCoy, a fellow student.

Na’asia Pendleton is also a student

here at CCC and her view is that,

”I can wear whatever I want to

wear as long as I am covered.  I love

my individuality, and I express it

through my clothing.”

 

Health Insurance At Cumberland County College is Changing to ONline Registration

By: DIANA MARTINEZ

Staff Writer

Many Cumberland County College students feel that the mandatory insurance policy is unnecessary and a waste of money, while others feel it is an important college requirement.

“Having health insurance should be our choice. It shouldn’t be forced upon us. Most students that are in college don’t have much money to begin with.  This just adds to the lack of funds in college students’ pockets.” says Ryan Bartley, a CCC student.

In colleges all across the state of New Jersey full time students who are enrolled in twelve credit courses or more are required to have health insurance.

Every fall semester CCC students have to sign up for insurance if they do not have their own personal insurance. Cumberland County College uses the Bollinger insurance program. The cost of the insurance is $100.00 for an entire school year from September to August. The insurance covers medical expenses, such as accidental injury and sickness.

As of the 2010 fall semester the college has changed its waiver filling method. The college has gone digital.  If an individual has his or her own personal insurance, he or she has to log on to the college’s website and file a waiver with all of their personal health insurance information. The waivers use to be available in the Bursar’s office but, as of September of 2010 the college changed its waiver filing method.

“I believe our system has improved the filing process from last year. Now we have online confirmation numbers for students, unlike before when students had to write out cards.” says Sherri Welch director of student accounts.