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The 2023 University of Colorado Boulder football team; a year of success or a season of bust? This is yet to be determined…but undoubtedly this is still a story of hype. In the winter of 2022, after Jackson State’s turnaround 12-1 season, the University of Colorado hired the Gamecocks’ coach, eight-time pro-bowler and hall of fame player Deion Sanders as the 28th football coach in program history. Sanders, who by no means shies away from the spotlight, gracefully accepted the position and took on the role of transforming the previously 1-11 Buffaloes who had a net point per game differential of -29.1 to a hopeful Pac-12 powerhouse. Deion Sanders knows how to make a statement. Before even stepping foot on the Colorado campus, Sanders made his winning intentions obvious and established that this season would be a family affair. Fifty-seven players on the 2022 Colorado team, unsure of playing time or unguaranteed a spot on the roster, entered the transfer portal after last season and opened up space for new players, including Deion Sanders’ two sons Shedeur and Shilo, as well as Five-Star cornerback and wide receiver Travis Hunter to join in the fall. Deion Sanders then recruited 51 new players via the transfer portal, with an astonishing 10 athletes coming from Deion’s old team at Jackson State University. The 2023 recruiting class consisted of Travis Hunter, a Five-Star, four Four-Stars, and 43 Three-Stars, transforming Colorado from the 64th best recruiting class in 2021 to the 29th in 2023, according to 247 Sports. Instantaneously, Sanders and his new coaching staff had football critics turning their heads about the capabilities of Colorado football. With a preseason prediction of only 3.5 wins on the season in total, Colorado football has already defied expectations. Through just three games at the beginning of Colorado's season, Shedeur Sanders, Deion’s youngest son, has thrown for well beyond 1000 yards with a crucial upset against #17 TCU in the season opener. To go along with their game 1 upset, Colorado then won 36-14 against Nebraska and again against Colorado State in an overtime comeback victory. With these crucial wins, Colorado football demonstrated to fans that the program was here to compete, earning itself a spot in the top 25 rankings at #18 in the country. Not only has Deion Sanders made improvements on the field for his team, but he has also brought countless new viewers to Colorado sports and unthinkable financial margins. The week three matchup alone against Colorado State accumulated 9.3 million viewers, which is ESPN’s fifth most-viewed college football game of all time. The program then beat its previous record in the next game against Oregon, making it the most viewed college football game in the 2023 season so far. With so much attention, through the first few weeks of the season, Colorado football’s advertisement revenue is now estimated to be $90.55 million, an exponential growth from previous seasons. Similarly, the Colorado team store has increased sales by 2,544% compared to this time last year, while skyrocketing 505% just after Coach Sanders was hired in the winter. The madness doesn’t stop there. In the week two Nebraska game alone, the team directly and indirectly produced $17 million in economic impact to the Boulder area. With the constant focus on Deion Sanders and the uncertainty of what he can do as a coach, Colorado has felt the influence from fans across the world, selling out all the home games this year. The Colorado Boulder football team’s success on and off the field has already put the Buffaloes on the map for future years. Already, celebrities like The Rock, Lil Wayne, and Offset have made appearances in support of Deion and his monumental team. Now the real question still lies ahead. With their week four blowout loss against the University of Oregon 42-6, many people are skeptical of Colorado’s future. Despite their quick success within the first few weeks, Colorado was never considered a playoff caliber team or even a contender for a Pac-12 championship. Instead, they were regarded as a team that could possibly win three games. The media started to label this team with unrealistic expectations, allowing people to forget that Colorado is a team for the future, with a lot of work still needing to be done, especially to their underdeveloped offensive line. Even though Sanders and his team have dropped out of the top 25 rankings, they should feel secure for the future. As long as Colorado retains Deion Sanders as a head coach, the program can bring in high level recruits, make substantial money deals, and generate enough hype to propel Colorado football into a dominant superpower. The next few seasons are bright for Colorado football fans and the team has real possibilities of becoming a powerhouse program like Deion Sanders has set out for. Ryan Wolff

People take their own music taste too seriously these days. They let other people’s perceptions of themselves govern their musical personality, so they create “auxable” playlists and boast an unoriginal music taste. Snobby music connoisseurs are always so eager to show off their own music taste, and are so quick to criticize others. People forget that music is supposed to be fun. Music is supposed to make you feel alive, whether that feeling be good or bad. Hailing from Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, the Front Bottoms have created somewhat of a cult following. Most often recognized for their rock acoustic sound, seemingly meaningless lyrics, and “bad” vocals, they often fall into the category of Midwest Emo, though they are truly an indie folk rock band with some of the characteristics of Emo. Their most famous albums are “The Front Bottoms” (2011), “Talon of the Hawk” (2013), and “Back on Top” (2015), their most famous song, “Twin Sized Mattress,” coming from their 2013 project. “You Are Who You Hang Out With” (2023) by the Front Bottoms is, to me, an objectively bad album, yet it is one of my all-time favorites. Experimenting with a slightly new sound, this album is notable for its auto-tuned vocals and heavy electric guitar; while the opening track “Emotional” exemplifies this novel sound, the very next song on the album “Outlook” returns to the quintessential Front Bottoms sound, with whiny vocals over beautiful acoustic guitar. Going back and forth between the new and old style, the Front Bottoms create a unique album that feels both familiar and nostalgic, while also demonstrating their musical growth and willingness to take risks and experiment. This boldness culminates in their penultimate song, “Batman,” in which Brian Sella, the lead singer and acoustic guitarist, begins the song with just his singing and playing––a style very reminiscent of the band's early days. The song slowly builds, with Sella repeating the line “Batman raises his hands to cover his face” to represent the band's ever-evolving sound, as “Batman” covers his face so the future can remain unknown: the band, by not committing to a sound, hide their faces so that they can continue to fulfill their future artistic visions. The album ends with a rock ballad entitled “Finding Your Way Home,” in which Sella sings about his desire to settle down and love; yet he nonetheless expresses his understanding that home, to him, is music, and that he will have to sacrifice his relationships to fulfill his love for his craft. One could analyze the Front Bottoms for hours, but it would be pointless. They are objectively bad, and no amount of analysis could convince someone otherwise. What stands out to me about the band is their ability to embrace this title as a bad band. They make one question what truly makes a band bad, for if a band is making you feel alive, isn’t it doing its job? The Front Bottoms have never claimed to be exceptional, but they have always set out to do what they want; unphased by public perception and by their label of “bad band,” they are almost more free to do what they want with their music, as there is no real pressure to create something astonishing: that is precisely why people keep listening to them. They put their heart and soul into imperfect music; they make music so raw and real that one might call it bad, but I believe that if everyone loosened up and stopped worrying about the public consensus in the music industry, people would find that they like the Front Bottoms, and perhaps they might take themselves a little less seriously in the process. Maggie Huse

It comes with no surprise that Drake has, yet again, delayed the release of his album “For All The Dogs,” this being the third time. But fans often remain only temporarily upset, only to forgive their favorite artist the following day, as they excitedly anticipate the next projected release date. For example, Travis Scott tempted his fans with the release of his album “Utopia,” which just released this summer, as far back as 2020, creating hype through an Instagram post from July 8, 2020. This recurring scenario thus raises an important question: is a fanbase’s frustration at the incessant delay of an artist’s album valid, or should fans be willing to wait until the album is ready? To me, the answer is clear. It is the artists’ job to be transparent with their fan base, instead of leaving fans confused, disappointed, and irritated. Understandably, artists such as Drake and Travis Scott are simply trying to make as much money for themselves, their producers, and their team as possible. Intentionally delaying an album’s release is, actually, a genius marketing tactic. Angry fans flood social media to express their disapproval in any way they can. Thus, other media outlets are able to profit off the delay and influence more listeners to get excited about the album. Following through with this cycle of announcement, hype, and delay significantly helps the album grow in popularity. By continuing to create hype, artists are able to regain their previously disappointed fans' approval until they either release the album or delay it again: everything is intentional. Recently, Drake released his latest single “Slime You Out,” a teaser track for his upcoming album which he used as compensation to fans for delaying the album. As evidence of all the publicity Drake has incited, “Slime You Out” debuted at number one on the “Billboard Hot 100,” demonstrating the effectiveness of Drake’s genius marketing strategies. Other artists have proven that these schemes are not necessary for gaining high revenue. For example, Zach Bryan, who has stuck to his announced release date, dropped his self-titled album “Zach Bryan” on August 25, 2023; his project was an instant success, with over 223 million streams and all 16 songs landing a spot in the top 50 on the “Billboard Hot 100,” thus proving that an artist does not have to delay an already-finished album to become successful. I think that it ultimately comes down to an artist's character. It seems that what differentiates a quality artist from a pedestrian musician is if they create for the genuine joy of music, or for the money. Zach Bryan establishes his character as a genuine person who is in the music industry to express himself. In contrast, it seems to me that Drake and Travis Scott appear shallower––more in it for the money and clout. Throughout the process of hype and disappointment, fans, including myself, are left in utter disbelief. One fan wrote in the comments of a RAP Instagram post, “September ruined,” another one exclaiming that “Drake just ruined my life.” Drake even silenced fans’ opinions on social media, removing the ability for fans to comment on his Instagram posts to avoid hateful feedback. I believe that it is an integral part of an artist’s job to release their music at their own announced date; and if that means an artist holds off on an announcement for a few years, so be it. They have complete jurisdiction over when they inform the public. But as soon as they create that spark, letting it die and relight, over and over, is unfair to fans. At the end of the day, the fans are the ones who help give an artist wealth and popularity. It is only fair that an artist holds the utmost respect for their fans. Jack Francini

Young Thug, a popular 32 year old rapper from Atlanta, GA, faces trial for RICO charges, and his lyrics, music videos, and posts are being used for evidence. A largely mainstream and influential figure in Hip-Hop, Young Thug has amassed 24 Gold & Platinum RIAA albums, charting in songs such as “Havana,” “This is America,” and “Way 2 Sexy.” In the reading, Judge Ural Glanville recites select lyrics from Young Thug’s single “Slime Sh*t.” In addition to Thug’s trial, this sweeping indictment calls attention to 28 other individuals involved in the gang YSL (Young Slime Life), including popular rapper Gunna. Trending on social media platforms like X, formerly known as Twitter, clips of Glanville reciting lyrics from Yak Gotti and Lil Duke, the featured artists on “Slime Sh*t,” depict Thug and his accomplices as negligent of the consequences of law and violence; Young Thug boasts his possession of firearms and his numerous acts of murder. Just past the hour mark of the case video, Thug brags that he “done put a whole slime on a hunnid licks,” and blatantly exclaims that “I got that pistol on my hip // You prayin’ that you live // I’m praying you get hit.” This is not the only video that was included in the court case; other singles and albums include “Anybody,” “Take It To Trial,” “Slatty,” and “Ski,” featuring Gunna. The motion against using rap lyrics in court in recent years has been consistent throughout the nation. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act (AB 2799), thus preventing the use of rap lyrics as evidence in court in California, the first state to pass such a law. Furthermore, the government of New York has supported such freedom of speech, as senators Jamaal Bailey and Brad Hoylman advocate for the “Rap Music on Trial” bill, legislation that would not ban lyrics from the courtroom altogether, but would limit the use of creative expression as evidence of crime. Young Thug’s attorney responds to allegations by arguing that his lyrics are for the purpose of “enhancing the power and reputation of YSL,” and that his words were used for “entertainment” purposes and to properly articulate his creative expression and storytelling. Many rappers tend to brag or lie about their actions in their lyrics: it is part of the culture in this generation of “mumble rap” to talk about such issues in songs. Young Thug’s art is purely entertainment for rap music. Part of the motive for young, up-and-coming rappers to discuss violence in their lyrics is to simply help them make money and gain popularity in the industry, a large reason why such a large number of those in YSL are affected by this case. Freedom of speech is important for any artist, in order to portray the different sides of villainy and consequences in the industry. Additionally, if the tendency of using rap lyrics as evidence continues, a growing portion of the rap and rock industry will eventually be caught up in a court case, with some of them going behind bars and losing rights to create music. Rappers should not be incriminated for their artistic expression––criminals who are linked to concrete evidence should. Jeff Cheng

In 2021, Atlanta decided to use city-owned land to create a new 85-acre training facility, dubbed “Cop City” by opponents, for police and fire services which replaced the poorly equipped and dilapidated training sites and improved departmental morale and retainment. In the two years since its construction, many protesters have violently attacked law enforcement officers, destroyed building materials and equipment, and intimidated private companies carrying out the construction through threats of violence. A police raid of the construction site uncovered protestors’ gasoline tanks, road flares, and explosive devices. The protesters’ various violent crimes (throwing bricks, fireworks, and Molotov cocktails at law enforcement) earned many of them a domestic terrorism charge in March 2023 and a state Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) charge in September. In response, assorted human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, signed a letter stating that the charges were an “escalatory intimidation tactic and a draconian step that seems intended to chill First Amendment protected activity.” The relevant sections of the First Amendment protect “freedom of speech,” the “right of the people to peaceably assemble,” and to “petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Throwing bricks, burning buildings, and shooting at a police officer, as Manuel Terán did on January 18, 2023, are violent crimes—and definitely not speech, peaceable assembly, or a petition for redress. Human rights groups, the protesters themselves, and even mainstream media coverage make this saga out to be a battle between protesters rallying behind an ideology and a tyrannical state government. NPR reported that “a Georgia State Patrol officer shot and killed Manuel "Tortuguita" Terán,” but “an officer was also shot and injured.” The buried subject here, the one who shot the officer in the passive voice, is the very same protestor who was shot—NPR forgets to mention that the protestor shot at the officers before the protester was shot. Similarly, a statement from the ACLU labeled these charges an example of the government punishing “protesters who express political beliefs.” But these protesters are not even an ideological or political force: ask them what they protest for and you’ll receive a long, multifaceted, nonsensical answer. Some label themselves as “forest defenders,” opposing the facility because it supposedly would hurt the untouched forest. The site, however, already largely cleared for its previous use as a prison farm, sits on a mere 85 acres. Others object to the fact that the facility would be placed on land involved in “historical injustice,” but a bad thing happening on land does not make it unusable. The main objection, however, is a vague cry that anything police-related must hurt Atlanta’s Black community. But no matter what the protestors say, their actions are not a call for social equity, nor are the protestors advocates of racial justice. Delaying the construction of a police training facility for two years, resulting only in a 6 week-long delay, does not protect Atlanta’s Black community, or help Atlanta as a whole. All of the protesters’ violence has yet to yield any benefit. After two years, it seems like the movement is less about results and ideas and more about violence and anger. In fact, violent mobs of angry people masquerading as racial justice advocates hurt racial equity movements far more than they help them. They use social justice as a pretense to flout the law, assault and intimidate officers and businesses, and live above the law—all the while adding to social justice's already tarnished reputation. If protestors try to intimidate and coerce the government through actual and threatened violence, then they deserve the label domestic terrorist, not social justice advocate or environmentalist. Jack Elworth

Mexico is in the early stages of what could be a transformational political event for the country. In the approaching 2024 presidential election, the two leading candidates are Claudia Sheinbaum and Xóchitl Gálvez. In a political landscape long dominated by men, if elected, a woman president would signal a crucial political shift in the country. Recent Mexican history has been challenging, with the country impacted by violence and crime often as a result of drugs flowing into the United States. As the country grapples with this reality, it is unsurprising that the Mexican people are searching and turning to a new perspective. These two women candidates bring that fresh point of view. Both of these candidates are incredibly well prepared: Xóchitl Gálvez is an engineer who worked her way up from poverty, and Claudia Sheinbaum was the mayor of Mexico City and currently works alongside the president of Mexico. With the Mexican population being around 134 million people, of which slightly over 50% are women, it is time for women to be represented and heard. If one of these two women were to win the elections, it would be a historic moment for Mexico, and one that the United States has yet to achieve. A country’s success is determined by its ability to engage and capitalize on its entire population. Latin America has historically underappreciated and limited the way that women can contribute. Fifty years ago, it would have been inconceivable to have a woman occupying the highest political office in Mexico. However, the election reflects a slow but important trend in the region. FromArgentina, with Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, to Brazil with Dilma Vana Roussef, and to Chile with Michelle Bachelet, these elections represent the evolution of established social norms allowing women to come to the forefront. This evolution is more than overdue in Mexico, where (as in other countries) women continue to confront real and difficult challenges. Femicides are endemic in Mexico, and the election of a woman president may bring focus to this very issue. Moreover, as in so many countries, women suffer from a pay gap relative to work done by men. A hope is that Sheinbaum and Gálvez will make these and other challenges important priorities in their government and influence not just Mexico, but the entire Americas region. The symbolic impact of a Mexican woman president cannot be underestimated. One needs to look no further than the United States and the impact its first black president had on its nation. Barack Obama’s legacy continues to make possible the election of individuals who identify beyond white and male. Mexico is the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world and its cultural influence extends far beyondits border, including to the United States. Electing a woman president may help in achieving a similar goal here. With over 37 million Americans of Mexican heritage living in the United States, it is not unreasonable to assume that what they see in Mexico may influence their thoughts, as well as those of others in the United States. Mexico’s path to a woman president and to greater equality between genders is a long one and can be seen in the literature of Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, a Mexican nun considered one of America’s first feminists dating to the 17th century. Hopefully, the path forward to gender equality and impact on women's issues will take less time, if either of the women are elected. Marina Sabater

Nearly two months after catastrophic wildfires swept through Lahaina, Maui county, officials finally cleared residents to visit what remained of their community on September 25th. As investigations into the causes of the blaze continue, an unassuming culprit has emerged: dry, invasive alien grasses. Invasive species are a humanity-wide issue. A major UN-backed report published in September found that invasive alien species cost the world $432 billion annually, a price tag expected to continue rising exponentially after quadrupling every decade since the 1970s. The main problem with invasive species, according to the report, is their “contribution to the unparalleled degree of deterioration of the biosphere”, directly causing 16% of global extinctions while indirectly causing another 44%. In the midst of the world’s sixth mass extinction event, the ecosystems thrown into chaos will cause us to face dire consequences. Of invasive species’ $432 billion annual cost, food insecurity accounts for the vast majority–66%. Harm to human health, livelihoods, and water security make up the rest. Beyond the emotionless language of the report, however, is the human suffering these numbers truly show: invasive species cause staggering starvation, disease, and poverty. Once again, the world’s most vulnerable peoples — residents of regions already struggling with food insecurity, for example, or marginalized indigenous communities — bear the brunt of the costs of a global issue. I know this sounds pretty grim. After all, we’re so used to pessimism, this idea of it all being too late, especially when it comes to the climate. But have hope. I was surprised at the optimism in the UN report: scientists think this is a battle we can win. At the local level, the UN report stresses the participation of local communities in both prevention and eradication of invasive species. In our towns around Middlesex, there are plenty of opportunities for both. Just recently, on September 23rd, the Acton Conservation Division’s community volunteer cleanup hand-pulled 16,400 invasive water chestnuts from Ice House Pond, four miles from school. Later in the year, the annual garlic mustard cleanup aims to pull out invasive mustard plants before they flower each spring. Techniques for identifying and removing both species can be found at the concordma.gov page for invasive species. Locally, Middlesex may also be particularly important for the prevention of new invasive species due to our student body from across the US and beyond. My fellow international students should continue to read up on the latest regulations for what we can bring into the US (a particularly good resource is USDA’s dontpackapest.com). While community involvement is beneficial, it’s important to recognize that we’re not the ones facing the brunt of invasive species’ impact: our weekend weed-pulling won’t solve the invasive species crisis overnight. The UN report emphasizes that prevention of further spread will require greater intergovernmental cooperation. A total of 83 percent of countries do not currently have national legislation directed specifically towards invasive species, and lack of border biosecurity in one country weakens the efficacy of such measures in whole regions. The report further stresses the high success rates of historic eradication campaigns, including 88% of eradication attempts on 998 islands in the last century, and the importance of global cooperation in information sharing, especially for programs in developing countries. Never before has humanity’s relationship with our mother planet been as strained as the century of natural catastrophes we seem to be entering. Invasive species are just one of the five factors derailing our biosphere, along with climate change, land and sea use change, direct exploitation of organisms, and pollution. Even as humanity has collectively brought this war upon ourselves, it feels good to know that the battle with invasive species could mark a rare victory on our long road to sustainability. Yang, Zichuan (David)

On the spring break arts and culture trip, everyone had their own goals: whether it was to catch up on the latest fashion trends, to learn about their own heritage, or to indulge in the nightly shows. For me, I reinterpreted the trip’s art mission as the art of Vietnamese cuisine. While I have been to Vietnamese restaurants on other vacations, this trip was the first time that I stepped foot into two countries with significant Vietnamese populations, allowing me to engage in conversations in a way that I couldn’t before. The narrative of overseas Vietnamese in Prague vastly contrasts that of Vietnamese Americans. From a conversation with a massage shop owner in Prague, Vietnamese people here have continually emigrated to Prague since the Vietnam War for vocational reasons compared to Vietnamese-Americans, who for the most part, immigrated to the US as refugees in a single 1975 wave. Vietnamese people in Prague, being the country’s third largest ethnic minority, also speak the northern accent and dominate the "Thai massage" and restaurant industry to the point of the latter being on almost every block and recommended as “local Czech restaurants.” Vietnamese prevalence is also highlighted with the Nguyen surname being Czechia’s 9th most common surname. Elevated Vietnamese cuisine is also executed better than in the US. In two restaurants I went to, I stated my purpose of wanting to see Vietnamese cuisine in other countries and asked if they had Czech-Viet fusion cuisine, kết hợp việt-Séc, and both said that they explicitly only serve authentic Vietnamese food. Younger Vietnamese people I've spoken to additionally prefer to speak in English which is a seemingly universal overseas Vietnamese preference compared to other ethnicities, probably due to the language's association with our parents. People in Vietnam also make elevated Vietnamese cuisine as well, compared to only being made by second-generation Vietnamese in the US. Without a need to conform to the local cuisine, deal with any generational trauma, or have values from almost half a century prior, elevated Vietnamese cuisine flourishes in Prague, while it struggles to find its place in the US. Authentic Vietnamese cuisine is also truer to modern trends in Vietnam. Vietnamese cuisine in the US largely reflects the cuisine of pre-1975, held down by family tradition and conservatism while having more leeway in Vietnam, giving a nostalgic yet antiquated flavor to Vietnamese Americans like me. Elevated cuisine is also not as stigmatized in Europe as it is in the U.S. While fusion cuisine is often looked down upon, I’d like to offer a different perspective: you can find an authentic bowl of pho almost anywhere. A good bowl of pho can come from anywhere, but a bowl of pho made differently reveals the local preferences and interaction with diaspora that the former cannot. A Vietnamese restaurant being a chain in itself shows the prevalence of Vietnamese cuisine in the Berlin psyche. Jax Tran

Is this the price America pays for legalizing guns? Each day, 12 people die from gun violence, while another 32 are hurt by these catastrophes. Each statistic represents a human being who not only had hopes and dreams, but a family that loved them dearly: who would’ve possibly known that death was going to knock on their door on that very day? In late August, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reported that the suspect who fatally shot a faculty member, Zijie Yan, was arrested. The shooting prompted a campus-wide lockdown that lasted for almost three hours and resulted in security alerts that disrupted classes at public schools on the first day of the school year. The question that comes to mind is: did UNC respond correctly when faced with this threat? Although shootings themselves result in physical and mental damage, the extent of that damage is also determined by how efficiently and effectively a school acts–and in this case, UNC failed to do so. As the blaring alarm rang while an eerie, cold voice repeatedly announced that there was an active shooter on campus, vthe students reported that they were “pretty much out in the open ready to be shot.” Despite the head of the school confidently asserting that students had “QR codes to access convenient safety procedures,” the teachers and staff were visibly panicked and unprepared, as faculty led the students out onto the sidewalks. There are a few procedures the school missed while trying to respond to this incident, with one of the most essential ones being a lack of communication. Neglecting the safety precautions they were told to implement, the majority of teachers continued to teach 30 minutes after the alarm rang, ignorantly putting both themselves and the students at risk of being harmed. Additionally, several doors were allegedly “unable to be locked,” causing students (even those who were taking cover) to be completely vulnerable. The teachers’ lack of training was another alarming issue the school faced, resulting in students barely having anyone to rely on. Although UNC managed to arrest the shooter, they lost the life of a valued faculty member, which raises the question - if this were to happen again, would things turn out differently? Serena Park

Mr. Najarian first stepped on the Middlesex campus 18 years ago on a recruiting trip. When he drove onto the circle, he was “completely blown away” and remarked, “God, I’d love to be back at this place someday.” Middlesex now welcomes Mr. Najarian as the new athletic director For Mr. Najarian, sports have always been an important part of his life. Growing up, he watched his father coach at the collegiate level. He was also a dedicated athlete, playing baseball in both high school and college. Following college, he knew he did not want to leave the sports world, a place that had taught and given him so much, so he got a job at Brandeis University, working alongside his old coach. There, he was “working a lot of hours and learning everything about what coaching was, and he fell in love with it.” After coaching for 12 years, he realized that he wanted a job that required less traveling, so he took up an opportunity as athletic director at Foxboro high school. Shifting from coaching to athletic director was a big transition, but he worked with great mentors and amazing people who helped him find his way in this new job. He then took a job as athletic director and freshman baseball coach at Catholic Memorial where he led a successful program for eight years. Mr. Najarian reflects that he “had a great great run there, a fun chapter. It has been almost a decade, so it was a big transition leaving a lot of friends, but I’m excited about this new chapter [at Middlesex].” At Middlesex, Mr. Najarian is excited for the upcoming year, remarking that there are “a hundred things [he’s] looking forward to, but most importantly, [he’s looking forward to] just being a part of a community, working with really great people, meeting the students, and building those relationships.” He also looks forward to “having his family near [him] when [he is doing] his job,” a new experience for him. In regards to the athletic program, he has worked hard all summer and at “this point in the year, [he] just wants all [the students] to come back.” Mr. Najarian, in directing athletic programs, strongly values culture and community. He is approaching the upcoming year with a commitment to building a culture where all student-athletes and coaches feel supported. He had a “magical time in high school [sports], and he wants to recreate that for [all the students]. He believes that the way to do that is to “build on the already existing culture and enforce a culture with all the coaches departmentally that trickles down to the most important people, the students.” He strongly values all voices in the community, and therefore, before making any decisions about the athletic department, he wants to “get to know the community, listen a lot, learn how things have been done, get perspectives, and then carve a path forward.” Although Mr. Najarian does not want to make big decisions until he knows the whole Middlesex community, he does know that he wants to build an athletic program where “culture is key.” Ella Coffin

Bill O’Brien got his start in coaching in 1993 as the Tight Ends Coach for the Cleveland Browns. He went on to lead various position groups at both the professional and collegiate levels before joining the New England Patriots in 2007 on the offensive staff. He called plays for the team in 2011, and despite a diverse background of coaching positions, his roots remain in the tight end position. He led the best tight end duo of all time in 2011, composed of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, before developing future NFL stalwart Jesse James at Penn State. Bill O’Brien appreciates the Tight End position. And now, this year, it will be a hugely important task to utilize Mike Gesicki and Hunter Henry in the Patriots’ offense. Both players are vital offensive pieces in an offense that simply must look nothing like last year. Yes, the team is reliant on quarterback play, but it seems more reliant on Offensive line play. Their reliance is part of the reason New England will play so many dual-tight-end sets this year- because the offensive line could be a glaring weakness. The Patriots are plenty solid at running back, particularly after the cheap addition of former pro-bowler Ezekiel Elliot, and the wide receivers, with the expectation that 2nd year receiver Tyquan Thorton makes a significant leap, should be plenty serviceable. The slot combo of Kendrick Bourne and Juju Smith-Schuster could be one of the best interior duos in the league. On the offensive side of the football, it simply comes down to whether or not the tackle play is adequate enough to give Mac Jones the opportunity to succeed. Jones is not a quarterback who will extend the play. He is not a quarterback who should be improvising. He is an old-school, “make a read and deliver a pass” type of quarterback. And that’s fine. I absolutely believe he can be successful and can lead a championship caliber football team. But, and this is a huge but, O’Brien and new Offensive Line Coach Adrian Clemm must have the pass protection ready to go. Trent Brown must bounce back after his brutal season, and it’s really hard to count on that to happen. Brown’s penalties and overall mentality seem to be a major concern. The personnel at the other tackle spot, most likely occupied by free-agent signing Riley Reiff or Conor Mcdermott, just don’t feel strong enough to hold up. The interior line is fine- David Andrews with Cole Strange and Michael Onwenu alongside him is plenty solid- but the tackles will require a miracle coaching job by Clemm and O’Brien to give New England a chance. This is a unit that allowed 41 sacks last year, but the pressure numbers were strikingly worse. And, hidden to most, the run blocking statistics identified this unit as a bottom ten group in the league. The brilliance of Rhamondre Stevenson masked most of these problems, but there are miscues that can’t be slipped under the table again this season. The defensive end of this team is simply not an issue. The Front 7 can be a top unit in the league. Pro-bowler Matt Judon and his 15.5 sacks rejoins 11.5 sack man Josh Uche on the outside to form one of the most formidable duos in the league. Lawrence Guy and Christian Barmore remain two of the most underrated interior lineman in the league, especially in run-stop situations. Ja’Whaun Bentley only continues to develop and brings elite leadership at the linebacker position, and the secondary, which struggled last year against the top wideouts in the league, have a true CB1 in first round pick Christian Gonzalaz to elevate themselves even further. In theory, his success should push Jonathan Jones and Jalen Mills into positions where they can find greater success. The point of all of this is, I don’t care what the media is saying. The personnel in New England is plenty good enough to succeed. Mac Jones is capable of winning big games frequently. And, of course, Bill Belichick is still calling the shots, and will continue to pull the best out of his group. And the AFC East, well, feels overrated. The Dolphins defense is worse than last year and Tua Tagovailoa remains a wild card. The Bills are spiraling. And the Jets, even with an aging Aaron Rodgers, are very much still the Jets. They haven’t won against New England in 13 games, and I’ll believe it when I see it. Believe in this group. Believe in Bill. There is no reason not to. George Lenness

Sydney Australia- the site where history was made as a young Spanish team narrowly defeated England 1- 0 in the Women’s World Cup Final. Spain undeniably outplayed England throughout the duration of the match despite their lack of veteran experience. However, regardless of Spain’s domination, Olga Carmona’s goal in the 29th minute proved to be the difference maker. England’s keeper, Mary Earp, saved a second half penalty from Jennifer Hermoso giving England a chance, but England still failed to score. When the final whistle blew and confetti rained down, Spain celebrated together as a team. However one can only think of those players whose chance to play for their country was taken from them. Last September, members of the Spanish National Team launched a protest against the Royal Spanish Football Federation and Head Coach Jorge Vilda. A group of 15 players sent individual, but identical, emails saying they didn’t want to be called up to play until certain demands were met. The players wanted changes in preparation for games, travel arrangements, and the limited amount of staff. They also complained about coaches who restricted their freedom during camps. They maintained that Vilda created a toxic environment on the team. As a result of these emails only 3 of the 15 players were called up to the national team. These Spanish players stood up for themselves and it backfired, causing them to miss out on playing for the game’s biggest prize. The disconnect between players and coaches was evident in the celebration after the game. The players and coaches celebrated on opposite sides of the field, completely separate. Eventually some players threw Vilda in the air, but noticeably not all. Fans were well aware of the conflict between players and the organization. Fans contributed to the protest and the crowd of 75,000 booed the head coach before kickoff when his name was announced and again when he received his medal. Despite the players’ complaints, the Spanish Federation continues to back Vilda with President Luis Rubiales saying that Vilda has "forgotten the people … who wanted to destroy him" (CBS Sports). The official account for Spain’s Women’s National team posted a photo of Vilda kissing the World Cup Trophy with the caption “ Vilda in.” This seemingly innocent post sends a direct message to the players telling them that the Federation has made their decision and has chosen Vilda over the players. If the players have a problem with Vilda or the Federation they won’t be selected for the team. Despite this World Cup setback, 7 of the 15 players continue to protest. Defender Mapi Leon claims, "I can't go back if the situation doesn't change … There has to be changes. I'm not saying that they're not doing it, but I don't see them. What saddens me the most is that I really have to miss out on something when I could have earned it and contributed. It's a shame." (CBS Sports). More controversy continues to plague Spain’s National Team due to the actions of Federation President Luis Rubiales immediately after the victory. As players line up to receive their medals from the head of their Federation it is customary to shake hands or hug. However, when it was Jennifer Hermoso’s turn to get her medal, Rubiales grabbed her head and forcibly kissed her on the lips. Rubiales faced immediate backlash from everyone watching the game, including Spain's Acting Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez: "it was an unacceptable gesture and Mr. Rubiales' apologies are not enough; they are not even suitable. Therefore, he must continue taking steps to clarify what we saw" (NPR). Rubliales’ apologies are not, and will not be enough, and many call for his resignation including acting Second Vice President Yolanda Díaz who states, "we continue to ask for the resignation of the man who has harassed and assaulted a woman. His excuses are useless… this person must resign” (NPR). In the locker room following the incident Hermoso stated, "I didn't like it," and after she is seemingly shown a video or photo of the kiss, she said, "What do I do? Look at me, look at me." The Federation released a video of Rubiales’ attempt at an apology where he claimed the kiss was "very spontaneous" and "a moment of maximum effusiveness without any bad intention." He continued to add, "I have to apologize, there is no other option, right?" Despite his apology, Rubiales clearly doesn’t think he was in the wrong as he called those criticizing him “idiots.” NPR reported that Rubiales had tried to convince Hermoso to appear with him in an apology video, but she declined. The misogyny of the Federation has tainted Spain’s win and clearly impacted the wellbeing of their players. Change can only come with a new coach and new Federation leadership. However, the Spanish players remain resilient. This win was not for the Federation or the coaching staff, this win was for them. Grace Bishop