 Grace Fendrick Features and Web Editor Future hall of famer Frank Beamer concluded his legendary college football coaching career on Dec. 26 after leading the Virginia Tech Hokies to a win over Tulsa in the Independence Bowl. Coach Beamer is greatly respected and admired by many: fellow coaches, athletes, and fans. His first collegiate head coaching position was at Murray State; he held that position for six years, and in 1987 he went back to where it all began: his alma mater Virginia Tech. Starting in 1966, Beamer was a part of the Virginia Tech football team and played cornerback until the conclusion of the 1968 season. He has held the position of head coach for the past twenty-nine seasons. Under Beamer’s leadership the Virginia Tech football team has won a total of seven conference championships*, three in the Big East (1995, 1996, 1999) and four in the Atlantic Coast Conference (2004, 2007, 2008, 2010), two ACC Coastal division titles (2005, 2011), and of course one National Championship appearance in 1999. Before ending his tenure at Virginia Tech, Beamer was the winningest active head coach in Division I FBS, and he has lead Virginia Tech to twenty-three consecutive bowl games, holding the all-time NCAA record for consecutive bowl game appearances. Beamer also won over ten coaching awards in his time at Virginia Tech. Through the time of his tenure, over ninety of his players have continued on at the next level, including Antonio Freeman, Michael Vick, DeAngelo Hall, Duane Brown, Brandon Flowers, Kam Chancellor, Tyrod Taylor, and the Fuller brothers: Vincent, Corey, Kyle, and Kendall, who is predicted to be a first or second round pick in this year’s NFL Draft.  Andrew Bulieris Staff Writer The galaxy that once felt so far, far away is, well, not so far away anymore. The new Star Wars movie was an instant classic across the board. It was suited for audiences of all ages, ranging from die-hard Star Wars fans to those that were looking for a fun family outing to the movies. The movie featured the familiar original cast members Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher to name a few and strong performances from the newest generation and soon-to-become icons including John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, and Lupita Nyonogo. The latest Star Wars movie was the perfect sequel to the original trilogy from the 1980s as it incorporated the original cast and introduced a new generation of icons.  Dylan Snyder Staff Writer It is getting to that time of year when many people have applied to or are applying to colleges. It can be a hard and stressful time in life because, at seventeen or eighteen, you are asked to choose the path to a career that you most likely will have until you retire. Changing majors in college is permitted but can be very expensive and time-consuming. College education gives you a “leg up” on high school graduates but does not guarantee the best paying or best working conditions. That is why it is important to do your research and choose your major and job wisely.  Henry McKeand Editor-in-Chief and A&E Editor The always-controversial issue of gun control is in the spotlight yet again as mass shootings in San Bernardino, California and Paris, France have started another dialogue on the right to bear arms. The topic was discussed at the most recent Republican and Democratic national debates, and now President Barack Obama is planning to introduce new gun control laws using executive action this week. The new actions taken by the White House will simultaneously increase enforcement of gun laws and expand background checks. They will also aim to avoid loopholes that allow for dealers to avoid background checks. They will prevent online weapons dealers from selling weapons without obtaining licenses and information from buyers, and they will also force sellers at gun shows to conduct checks. This will end the “gun show loophole,” which has allowed people to buy firearms at large gun shows without undergoing background checks. |
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