Pitcher Cassady reunited with mentor after rocky debut

By: Leilani Laureano / Staff writer After two years of battling epilepsy at Presbyterian College, junior pitcher Paige Cassady transferred to FIU to play for head coach Beth McClendon, the pitching instructor she met nine years ago. Now, Cassady is back under the tutelage of the only coach who understood her. “She has taught me everything when it comes to pitching,” said Cassady. “I owe her a lot.” McClendon helped Cassady battle health issues for several years. Cassady was diagnosed with epilepsy and had three seizures while at Presbyterian. One of the seizures occurred during a game, while Cassady was pitching. “The doctors gave me medicine for the epilepsies, which made me depressed,” she said….

Presidential contract terms reviewed

By: Julio Menache / Staff Writer The Presidential Search Committee unanimously approved six-figure contract terms for the new University president. The vote was taken during an April 13 teleconference between committee members with various University administrators such as Chief Financial Officer Vivian Sanchez, as well as members of the press. The approval was assigned three days before the official deadline for sending in applications for the presidential post. Committee members approved contract terms for a base salary of $500,000, with $180,000 in perks, bringing the new executive’s salary to $680,000. Before the committee voted on the compensation package terms, members heard remarks from Chairman David Parker, as well as Compensation Chair Betsy Atkins. “We’ve tailored…

Monetary fund donations enabled under revised code

By: David Barrios / Senior Staff Writer Revised versions of the Student Government Financial and Elections Codes were passed during the April 13 meeting of the Student Government Council at University Park Senate. The new version of the Financial Code, passed unanimously, requires all events paid for by Activities and Services fees to be free for the student body unless they are Student Government Association sponsored concerts or events. Robert Chung, SGC-UP comptroller, presented the changes to the bill during the meeting. He also announced the SGC-UP Finance Committee still had $6,000 left from a budget exceeding $25,000 for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. “This is the kind of oversight and accountability we’ve all been looking…

Women fraternity pairs up with Autism Speaks

By: Meena Rupani / Staff Writer Alpha Xi Delta-Theta Xi, one of the oldest women fraternities, announced its new philanthropic partnership with Autism Speaks. This is the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, according to an Alpha Xi Delta press release. The April 2 announcement outlined various events that the women fraternity will hold in conjunction with the organization. In the United States, it is estimated that one in every 150 children will be diagnosed with autism, according to the Autism Speaks Web site. This rate is rising by 10 to 17 percent annually. To prevent the gradual increase of this disease, the organization is dedicated to raising awareness, funding research, prevention and treatment….

Sun Belt foes split first two games

By: Sergio Bonilla/ Asst. Sports Director The Golden Panthers’ strong starting pitching gave their bullpen much needed rest against the No. 2 Sun Belt Conference team-Middle Tenessee State University. Scott Rembisz pitched into the ninth to capture the first win of the series, but Tom Ebert could not overcome 14 hits and three unearned runs. ## FIU 5, MTSU 2 After giving up a combined 24 runs in their last two games, starter Scott Rembisz decided to close the door vs. the Blue Raiders. The Golden Panthers (20-10, 9-4 Sun Belt) came away on top of a tight contest decided in the last two innings 5-2 on April 11 on the road. Rembisz struck out…

Softball allows two runs in three games

By: Leilani Laureano / Contributing Writer The Golden Panthers swept their first opponent since 2007 when they defeated the Sun Belt Conference foe Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders on April 10-11 due to dominant pitching. FIU’s pitching held MTSU to only two runs and eight hits over 23 innings including a Jennifer Gniadek no-hitter in the second game. The Golden Panthers are riding their second five-game winning streak of the season. ## FIU 1, MTSU 0 Junior Lauren Spiers singled in the bottom of the ninth to win the first game of the series 1-0 against Middle Tennessee on April 10. Junior Kasey Barrett stuck out a career-high 13 batters and completed her second…