Monthly Archives March 20, 2008

The American Red Cross is an invaluable organization that people throughout the world rely upon for survival. Millions of people donate their blood to aid others. Yet, the need for blood is always at a premium and additional selfless individuals are always in high demand.

Don't be fooled by the rising temperatures and spring-like weather. College students are still susceptible to the flu virus, and U.S. health officials say it's partly because the vaccine doesn't protect against most of this year's spreading flu bugs. Fairfield's Heath Center has reported 75 cases of students with the flu or flu-like symptoms this academic year, which is actually down from last year.

When Jeff Werneke took the Rutgers head volleyball coach position, he left behind a program that is among the best in the MAAC. His former position was filled on Monday, by Pittsburgh assistant coach Alija Pittenger. Pittenger, who graduated from the University of Michigan in 2001, had spent the past five years at Pittsburgh University, serving as the lead assistant coach under Chris Beerman.

In spite of the current blood shortage nationwide, it's easy to be turned down when trying to donate blood. For example, donors with a tattoo or an infection must wait before becoming eligible to give. But, under the 25-year-old rules set by the Food and Drug Administration [FDA], gay male volunteers are banned for life from giving blood.

As Fairfield students, we reside in a tiny bubble. There are 4,000 of us, all living within two miles of one another. It's inevitable that you're going to run into someone you know, no matter where you are - and chances are it'll be your ex at Village Bagel after you've just rolled out of bed wearing part (if not all) of your outfit from the night before.

Everybody can show their face at the bar or a party, but if you want to be seen outside of those obvious social settings, then there are a few places that you need to go. The who's who of Fairfield frequent these hot spots on a regular basis. During the week it's harder to gauge where people are going to be and when they will be there, but trust me when I tell you that this article has been thoroughly researched.

1. Best lacrosse team on campus: men or women? Tom Cleary: The women will have the better season. They are playing really well right now. The men's team could go either way. Keith Connors: The ladies have looked good early, but the men have shown they can play with some of the nation's best.

Last year, positions were not clearly established, resulting in players bouncing all over the field and lineup. The team featured just three seniors and had a lot of newcomers who saw significant playing time. With an entire season of experience under their belts and more defined roles, the Stags should see a continuation of the improvement they saw at the tail end of last year.

Throughout the past four years the softball team has consistently been ranked among the top in the MAAC, but every year has fallen short of a MAAC Championship. This year is no different with the Stags heading into MAAC play ranked fourth in the preseason poll of league head coaches.

Two years ago, Beth Loffredo '06 graduated as the program's all-time leader in points and goals. Now, she has the Stags off to their best start in program history as the women's lacrosse interim head coach. With a win over Mount St. Mary's on Saturday, the Stags improved to 4-1 with their only loss coming by one point at the hands of No. 13 Yale.