Latest news with #OCU
Wall Street Journal
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Wall Street Journal
A Christian College Wanted to Be Great at Ultimate Frisbee—and Made Everyone Mad
Ultimate Frisbee is not a typical sport. The game, which involves passing the disc down a 70-yard field, is officiated by the players and governed by a doctrine that prioritizes 'the basic joy of play' above winning. When things get too heated, teams sometimes call a 'spirit timeout' to defuse the situation. But something happened a few years ago that shook the sport to its hippy core. A tiny Christian college took over. Oklahoma Christian University, a private school north of Oklahoma City advertising a 'world-class education rooted in Christian values,' has built a Frisbee powerhouse by offering scholarships to lure top players, many of whom already had a college degree. OC's dominance—the Eagles have won two Division III national championships since their first full season in 2021 and are competing for another this weekend—has divided the world of competitive Frisbee. 'Are we going to have Russian oil tycoons owning Frisbee teams and world cups in Saudi Arabia for ultimate Frisbee?' said Micah Arenstein, a college junior who competes on Kenyon College's team. 'Or do we want to keep the smaller but really tightknit and beautiful community that we have?' OC's takeover started in 2019 when the school established a scholarship program to persuade top talent from around the world to relocate to Edmond, Okla. The early recruits included four graduating seniors from the Air Force Academy, a member of the Dutch national Frisbee team and a former star at Texas Tech. College ultimate Frisbee is run by an entity called USA Ultimate, not the NCAA, which restricts Division III schools from offering athletic scholarships. USA Ultimate also grants five years of college eligibility, meaning there is a universe of Division I athletes who graduate with an extra year of Frisbee services to dish. OC pounced, scouring the world for athletes who might want to enroll as graduate students to extend their playing careers. The strategy paid immediate dividends. It won a national title in its first season of postpandemic play and added a second the following year. But it didn't win many friends. 'They take it so seriously,' said 21-year-old Isaiah Curtis, who captains a team of Claremont Colleges students called the Braineaters, named for a 1958 movie some alums planned to watch but couldn't because they had taken psychedelic mushrooms. 'They're varsity athletes—and all the rest of us are not.' Still, Curtis said he supports scholarship programs because they expand access to college and improve the quality of play. At last year's 16-team national championship tournament, OC garnered the lowest spirit score, an aggregation of ratings determined by each team's competitors in categories like 'fair-mindedness' and 'attitude.' OC administrators see the Frisbee scholarship program as a cost-effective way to boost the school's enrollment and profile. Athletic director David Lynn said it's a relatively cheap sport to run and most of its players still cover some tuition and room and board, making the program profitable. 'It's not necessarily an unfair advantage,' said Gabe Cabrera, who designed OC's scholarship program to boost school attendance and innovate the sport. 'It's just indicative of your poor game planning and execution as a competitor.' Cabrera dismissed naysayers as hailing from wealthy and well-endowed liberal-arts colleges, and said he has advised three other schools on developing scholarship programs. Players on this year's roster came from places as far as Kenya, Japan and Luxembourg—regions usually far outside the university's footprint. 'People don't like to lose,' said former OC coach Garrett Taylor. 'If I'd have been in their shoes, I might have been saying the same stuff.' This year, OC is headed to nationals for the fourth time in five years—hoping to cement its legacy as a top Frisbee school. It also hopes to shed its reputation as the evil empire of the sport. Inspired partly by the hit Apple TV show 'Ted Lasso,' Sammy Roberts, a former Connecticut recruit who is now OC's captain and coach, turned his attention to team-building. The school has largely stopped recruiting graduate students. 'We were kind of playing for each other, but we were really just playing to win,' said Roberts. 'And I don't think that was as much fun, if I'm being honest.' But winning nationals will be difficult. Davenport University, a small private college in Grand Rapids, Mich., has ascended to the top of the division largely by employing the same strategy pioneered by OC. It offers varying quantities of athletic scholarships to everyone on its 26-player roster. Last year, its first year of competition, Davenport made an unexpected run at a national title but was edged out by OC in the quarterfinals. The team has lost one match all season, against Division I's Michigan State University. They head into Nationals this weekend as the favorite—at least on the field. Last year, Butler University's team circulated a petition calling for teams with scholarships to be forced to play in Division I—currently only required for schools with an enrollment of more than 7,500 students—after one foundational year at the lower level. That, it argued, would level the playing field. NCAA-sanctioned Division III programs 'aren't allowed to give out scholarships to students to come play and then beat the crap out of a bunch of schools that don't have the same levers for talent acquisition,' said Butler coach Arthur Small. The petition fizzled out. 'I understand that people are upset about the fact that scholarships are a 'hack in the system,'' said Collin Hill, widely regarded as one of the division's best players. Hill transferred to Davenport after finishing his Bachelor's degree at Berry College last year. 'But if Frisbee is going to be considered a legitimate sport, I think this is the way to go about it.' Rivals won't have to worry about Davenport for long. Head coach Mike Zaagman, a self-described 'Frisbee apostle,' said the team will compete in Division I next year. 'We want better competition,' he said. Write to Xavier Martinez at
Local Spain
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- Local Spain
The differences between getting your driving licence in Spain and the US
If you're moving to Spain from the United States it's likely that you will need to resit your driving test in order to get a valid driving licence here. You will only be allowed to drive in Spain for a maximum of six months before you need to get a Spanish licence. The six-month grace period starts from the time you register for residency. As the US has no special agreement you will have to resit both your theory and practical in Spain if you want to continue driving in Spain after the initial six months is up. But there are a number of considerable differences between getting your licence in Spain compared to the US that Americans should know before re-sitting your test. The cost Sitting your driving test in the US costs an average of $10 to $50 depending on what state you live in and then licence fee ranges from around $10 to $89. Across the US, the average cost for a comprehensive driving education is $937, which includes both the lessons and tests. In Spain, the fee for sitting your exam costs between €20 and €60. Then there's a fee to be paid to the General Directorate of Traffic which is €94.05 and on top of that the licence fee is €44.85. According to Spanish consumer watchdog OCU, the total average cost to learn how to drive in Spain is between €670 and €1,500, with almost all of the money going to lessons. Obviously this is a very big price difference, but it's fair to say that anyone who's learning to drive for the first time in Spain will easily spend over €1,000 even if they pass on the first attempt. Therefore, it's fair to say that getting your driving licence in the US can work out to be cheaper than in Spain. In Spain everyone goes for lessons at a driving school In Spain, everyone attends a driving school for lessons from a professional driving instructor, whereas in the US parents or other trusted adults help out with the learning process a lot more (in some US states you will also have to hire the services of a professional). In fact, it's illegal to get behind the wheel of a vehicle in Spain if you don't have a licence, even if you're sat next to someone assisting you who does have a driving licence. This means that learning to drive in the US can be a lot cheaper as you may not have to fork out so much money for lessons. Even if you're a seasoned driver, it's advisable to get lessons because examiners in Spain can be sticklers for details and expect that you carry out certain manoeuvres in 'their' official way. You'll only be able to get such knowledge through the prácticas that driving schools offer. In Spain you may have to learn to drive a manual car In Spain, you'll most likely have to learn how to drive a manual car, or stick shift as it's known in the US. It's very rare to take a test on a stick shift in the States, but in Spain you'll find that the majority of vehicles are like this, particularly at driving schools. If you take your exam in an automatic car in Spain, however, you will only be licenced to drive that particular type of car. The driving test Generally the practical driving test in the US is considered a lot easier than Spain and therefore more straightforward to pass. However, you'll still tested on aspects like driving up to an intersection, reversing, three-point turns, left- and right-hand turns; and changing lanes. Some States may also test your ability to drive on a highway or freeway and you may also be asked to parallel park. In Spain you will be tested on all of this, as well as some more complicated manoeuvres. You will also be tested on the basic mechanics and operation of the vehicle. The theory test in the United States also tends to be more general and based on common sense, while in Spain, there are a lot more technical questions. In Spain you can sit your theory and practical in English In Spain, you can sit your driving theory exam in either Spanish, English, Catalan, Galician, Euskera, French or German. Many driving schools in Spain can help you prepare for your theoretical driving test in English, offering you English instructors and practice exams. Be aware though that many English-speaking foreigners have pointed out that some of the questions in the exam seem to have been poorly translated and can be hard to understand. Unfortunately, the practical part has to be done in Spanish. Even though your practical driving lessons can be in English, the actual practical test is always with a Spanish-speaking examiner sitting behind you. Therefore, you'll need some knowledge of Spanish, least to understand the words and phrases you'll need during your test. As for in the United States, there is conflicting information about whether driving examinations can be carried out in other languages, but the general consensus seems to be that it depends on the state. In Spain you can drive a car from 18 years old, while in the US it can be as young as 16, depending on what state you live in. It is possible to drive a vehicle in Spain without a full licence from the age of 15, but this is for a special type of vehicle called a microcar.
The Hindu
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Chennai Police Commissioner passes externment order banning 3 history-sheeters from entering the city
Greater Chennai Police Commissioner A. Arun has passed an externment order banning three history-sheeters — 'Nedunkundram' Surya (BJP State office-bearer), 'Naduveerapattu' Lenin, and 'Rocket' Raja — from entering the city. This is the first time it has been invoked in the past 25 years, a senior police officer said. The City Police have identified individuals repeatedly involved in violent crimes and public disturbances. As an immediate measure to uphold law and order, preventive action is being undertaken. Following the directions of Mr. Arun, several proactive steps were taken. In this regard, the police identified criminals who have been evading legal action and initiated strict legal proceedings against them. Based on this, Mr. Arun passed the order against three history-sheeters under Section 51A of the Chennai City Police Act on Friday. It aims to safeguard public peace and prevent the recurrence of criminal activities. These three were involved in multiple serious criminal cases and posed a significant threat to public safety, said the Commissioner in his order. The police said P. Lenin was involved in a total of 28 criminal cases, including six murder and 12 attempt to murder ones. Surya was involved in a total of 64 criminal cases, including five murder and 11 attempt to murder ones. Raja was Involved in a total of 20 criminal cases, including five murder and six attempt to murder ones. The police emphasised that any attempt by these individuals to re-enter city limits without appropriate legal sanction will result in strict action. Meanwhile, in a press release, the police said its Organised Crime Unit (OCU), which was formed by Mr. Arun, had significantly reduced illegal activities of gangs. A senior police officer of the unit said 4,300 history-sheeters, and 476 major and 223 minor gangs, who are likely to commit crimes, are under surveillance. Altogether, 39 accused have been convicted and sentenced in the criminal cases. As a result of the OCU's formation, major gangs have been destabilised. Thirty-two A+-category accused, 108 A-category accused, 325 B-category accused, and 549 C-category accused were arrested and 417 persons were detained under the Goondas Act.
Business Wire
22-04-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Tetra Tech Awarded Contract for Advanced Wastewater Treatment Services in Florida
PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Tetra Tech, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTEK), a leading provider of high-end consulting and engineering services in water, environment, and sustainable infrastructure, announced today that Orange County Utilities (OCU) in Florida awarded the Company a contract to provide engineering design and technical services to significantly expand the Eastern Water Reclamation Facility (EWRF), which serves a 451-square-mile service area just outside Orlando. Tetra Tech engineers and technical specialists will provide advanced wastewater treatment solutions to help OCU accommodate increasing wastewater flows, while enhancing operations, energy efficiency and resilience. Our teams will conduct advanced modeling to optimize processes and prepare designs and specifications for an increase in treatment capacity at EWRF. 'For almost 20 years, Tetra Tech has provided Orange County Utilities with innovative and efficient water and wastewater infrastructure solutions,' said Dan Batrack, Tetra Tech Chairman and CEO. 'We look forward to continuing to use our Leading with Science ® approach to support the rapid growth in Orange County and provide its customers with high quality and resilient water supplies.' About Tetra Tech Tetra Tech is the leader in water, environment and sustainable infrastructure, providing high-end consulting and engineering services for projects worldwide. With 30,000 employees working together, Tetra Tech provides clear solutions to complex problems by Leading with Science ® to address the entire water cycle, protect and restore the environment, design sustainable and resilient infrastructure, and support the clean energy transition. For more information about Tetra Tech, please visit or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook. Any statements made in this release that are not based on historical fact are forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements made in this release represent management's best judgment as to what may occur in the future. However, Tetra Tech's actual outcome and results are not guaranteed and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions ("Future Factors"), and may differ materially from what is expressed. For a description of Future Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements, see the discussion under the section "Risk Factors" included in the Company's Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Local Spain
21-04-2025
- Health
- Local Spain
How expensive and easy is it to eat organic in Spain?
Many of us would choose to eat organic if we could. Not only is it healthier, but it's also better for environment, choosing items that aren't grown with toxic pesticides for example. Produce which is orgánico (in Spanish) is easy to get hold of in Spain – most specialised fruit and veg shops have a separate section, although many of the major chain supermarkets don't. Is organic food actually affordable in Spain? According to Spain's Association of Consumers and Users (OCU), buying organic products increases the price of a monthly shop by almost 70 percent. Inflation has already increased the price of many food items over the past few years, but if you choose an eco-labelled product, it could cost up to 68 percent more. They calculated that if you spend €872 a month on a regular shop, you would be spending €1,465 per month if it was all organic. So maybe you can't afford to eat productos ecológicos all the time, but are there certain products that it's worth buying organic, so your monthly bill will only raise slightly? According to the Environmental Working Group, there are a list of 12 fruits and vegetables with the most pesticides — nicknamed the 'Dirty Dozen'. These include strawberries, spinach, kale, grapes, peaches, pears, nectarines, apples, peppers, cherries, blueberries and green beans. So even if you can't afford to buy solely organic products, it might be worthwhile to just switch out these 12 items for organic alternatives. Eating free range and ecological eggs may be worthwhile too, even if you're spending a bit extra, because of the way chickens are kept and the impact they have on the environment. Buying organic meat and dairy products is also better for the environment and your health. According to Agricology, organic meat contains about 50 percent more beneficial omega-3 fatty acids than conventionally produced products. But of course it's up to you which organic products you buy and how many you can afford. As mentioned, unlike places in the UK for example, big chain supermarkets like Mercadona rarely sell organic produce, however some international brands like Lidl and Aldi do have some scattered throughout the store, as well as some fruit and vegetables, the majority belonging to their private label brands. Carrefour, found across most of the country, also has sections for ecological products, as well as same organic fruit and vegetables. Department store El Corte Inglés, found in every big Spanish city also has a range of ecological products in its supermarket. One of the main ecological supermarkets in Spain is Veritas, which has 85 stores across the country located in the Basque Country, Navarre, all over Catalonia, a couple in Madrid, several across the region of Valencia and a couple near Estepona in Andalusia. They also sell healthy alternatives, gluten-free products, lots of vegan items and other products that are hard to find in regular supermarkets like alternative flours. Herbalario Navarro is another good store, which has many shops across the Valencia region, but also in Madrid, Murcia, Mallorca, La Rioja and Barcelona. There are also many companies offering eco and organic fruit and veg delivery boxes across the country. Lots will come up on Google if you search in your town or city. Most of them work on a subscription model where you can get produce delivered every week or every other week. Their offerings depend on the season but you can usually amend them if there are certain products you don't like. Your local market may also have organic sections, so it's worth asking around. There are often weekly farmer's markets in many towns and cities which might sell ecological produce too. Madrid Onesimum Granel Madrid Barcelona Barcelona has so many organic and ecological stores and supermarkets that you're bound to find one in almost every neighbourhood in the city. Even if they're not fully organic many fruit and veg shops like Cal Fruitós have organic sections. Gra de Gràcia Valencia Terra Verda Biosofia Nutriterapia Valencia Alicante A Granel Alicante Seville Red Verde Biotienda La Despensa Ecológica La Cosecha Ecológica Málaga El Cambio La Buenavida Ecotienda Biomilanes Maya Organic Bostar Bio
