Author Glenn Ghirardi

Jacqueline McAvoy remembers her sister, Maureen, as a best friend, someone with whom she'd spend time sleigh riding during the winter months and swimming year-round. Despite a six-year age gap, Jacqueline deems her an exemplary older sister known for her courage.

I was one of those kids who didn't drink much in high school. Needless to say, once I got to college, there was a lot that I did not know about alcohol and my limits. One night, in particular, got a little out of hand and I landed myself a trip to the Health Center, a $50 fine and a date with the dean of students.

With tuition and room and board approaching $45,000 per student, one would think it was more than enough to support the continuing operations of Fairfield University. On the contrary, nearly 7 percent of the current budget for the 2007-2008 academic year comes from another source: the University endowment.

The Stags continue their dominance in the MAAC as they return from a road trip that left upstate New York wondering what hit them. The Stags took a trip up to beat Niagara on Saturday and then demolish Canisius for yet another shutout Sunday. The Stags have been dominating the MAAC since Sept. 16 and have yet to lose a game to a MAAC opponent since then.

It is has been 20 years since the last time the men's rugby team made the playoffs. After last Sunday's come-from-behind 24-17 win over Iona, the team's wait is finally over. "To do it in the final three minutes was unbelievable," said captain Ed Mazzaferro '08, who explained that, according to the alumni present at the game, Iona had always "beat the crap" out of Fairfield.

After dropping a game to non-conference foe Hofstra, the Fairfield volleyball team is picking up right where it left off in MAAC play with its eighth straight MAAC win over Marist on Friday, Oct. 12. The Stags improved to nine wins with only one loss in conference play but still remain in second place behind undefeated Siena.

I recently had the privilege and pleasure of interviewing the phenomenal musician Chad "Stokes" Urmston from State Radio. Urmston started the band State Radio shortly after Dispatch's unfortunate break up. State Radio carries on Dispatch's legacy of political and social activism through its lyrics and work beyond the realm of music such as the recent Dispatch: Zimbabwe benefit concert and Urmston's personally founded Elias Fund for Zimbabwean youth.

Almost a year has passed since an opposing team has scored a goal against Fairfield at Lessing Field. The Stags have not lost at home since Oct. 20 of last year, when Loyola came in and upset them, knocking Fairfield from its No. 15 ranking. The Stags (6-2-2, 1-0-1 MAAC) have shut down every team that has made the trip to Fairfield since then, including two shutout victories in the MAAC Tournament over Loyola and Siena, and boast a 6-0-2 record at home since that loss.

The Stags steamrolled the St. Peter's Peahens en route to their 10th win of the season and their seventh in the MAAC on Saturday, Oct. 6. The Stags won their first set 30-20 and didn't look back on their way towards their sixth straight shutout this season.

With the zip of a credit card, college students seldom realize how much they actually spend. At a school like Fairfield, which appeals to an affluent demographic, competition to keep up with the latest fashion and pop culture trends is nothing new. However, a great amount of a student's (or more likely, their parents') money goes to items that they only think they need.