Volume 120 Issue 17 Friday, February 5, 2016
OrbitMediaOnline.com
Muskie volleyball begins new era
Chris Morgan Sports Editor
The Muskingum University Volleyball team is under new direction for the fall 2016 season. Hallie Donathan was named as the new Head Coach of the volleyball program by the University on Friday, Jan. 29. Donathan comes to Muskingum after a three year stint as the assistant coach at Wittenberg University. While there, the Tigers Sports Information/ finished the 2015 season ranked Muskingum University second in the nation including an Hallie Donathan is the newest appearance in the NCAA Division addition to Muskingum University. III National Championship game. Donathan graduated from WitDonathan is the new head coach tenberg in 2013 with a B.A. in of the volleyball program.
biology, but was also a four-year letter winner in volleyball at the school. She is currently ninth in team history in assists as a setter. “I’m very pleased that Hallie is joining us in the athletic department,” said Athletic Director Larry Shank. “She’ll bring a lot to the table.” She was also a member of the 2011 National Championship team for the Tigers and helped to lead the Wittenberg team to four straight North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) championships along with several National NCAA postseason appearances. The Tigers finished their National Championship season with a 29-3 overall record.
Donathan has had some previous head coaching experience at the high school level, as she was the Head Coach at New Carlisle Tecumseh High School in 2013. She led the New Carlisle team to a 14-10 overall record that season, with a 5-5 record in the Central Buckeye Conference in her only season as the head coach. Donathan began her new job on Monday, Feb. 1, and is already looking forward to next season. “I am very excited to start my first head coaching experience at a storied institution like Muskingum,” said Donathan. “I feel honored to take over such a legendary program. I am looking forward to working with this already talented
team, and I know I will learn just as much from them as they will from me.” Though Donathan is just a recent college graduate herself, she has years of experience in the coaching profession. “Her enthusiasm and maturity level will just make us better,” said Shank. According to Shank, the reaction from the returning volleyball players has been good. He said they are very enthusiastic and ready to work with Donathan. The Muskies will look to get back to the OAC Tournament for the second straight season in Donathan’s first year as a collegiate head coach in the fall.
Students elect first Gender and Sexuality Minority representative Chris Morgan Sports Editor
Harold Norsic, sophomore, is the newest addition to Student Senate as the Gender and Sexuality Representative. Norsic was inducted by Student Senate Executive Board President, Maggie Hale, at the meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 26. Norsic is currently the president of Equality Alliance (EA) on campus, and previously served as the Parliamentarian on the Senate Executive Board before deciding to run for the new position when it became available. “We’ve seen a lot of advancements in civil rights across the country, but there are things that we see opportunities for growth here at Muskingum,” said Norsic. Norsic and Equality Alliance believed that in order to help make their goals a reality.
They would need to have representation on Senate. Norsic said that the idea to have a representative on Senate came in Fall 2015, when EA brought the idea to him. He took the proposal to the then Student Senate Executive Board President, Taylor Little, and Coordinator of Student Involvement, Jessica Leigh-Edge, to be brought before Senate. Senate approved the new position and then held elections for the spot Jan. 21-22. Norsic has a few ideas for what he would like to do to help the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) community from his new position, mostly involving cooperation from other campus groups. One of those ideas is to work with Greek Life to allow transgender individuals to join fraternities and sororities based on which gender they identify.
“We believe that they have that right and should have that accessibility,” said Norsic. Another goal for Norsic as the Gender and Sexuality Minority Representative is to have more gender neutral restrooms installed on Muskingum’s campus. According to Norsic, the change would help students who are outside of the binary gender spectrum feel more comfortable using the restrooms on campus. “We [Equality Alliance] want to allow people to use the facilities comfortably and create a more hospitable environment without creating any sort of detriment to the campus or any sort of lack of accessibility,” said Norsic. Norsic hopes to sit down with Student Life soon to see where more gender neutral restrooms could be installed in the future. He said he hopes to have as many new restrooms as possible
Martin Kurtz/ Black & Magenta Gender and Sexuality Minority Representative, Harold Norsic, served in his first meeting in his new Student Senate position on Jan. 26. installed, but that he would like to see at least two in the future. With Norsic becoming the Gender and Sexuality Minority
Representative, the position of Parliamentarian is open. No timetable had been set for the seat being filled as of Feb. 2.
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News & Opinion The Black & Magenta • Orbit Media
New technology brings students together Brenna Busby Editor-in-Chief Group work is often a part of college classes and the Roberta A. Smith Library features eight Collaboration stations to assist with these types of projects. There are five Collaboration stations that are distributed throughout the floors of the building and three stations located inside of the Study Rooms. The stations are all equipped with paper instructions depicting step-by-step directions on how to connect devices with the screens. “It is pretty easy to pick up,” said Reference Instruction Librarian, Nicole Arnold. The stations use a software called Solstice.
The Solstice software must be connected to the same wireless Internet network as the device. To access the software students come into the library, wirelessly connect their device to “MCStudent” and then either type in the URL address or download the App from their devices’ app store. Then, the student will be asked the pick the Solstice station that they want to connect. Each station has a different name. A prompt will appear asking for a key, a four digit code, which is displayed on the television screen next to the web address and the name of the specific station. There are numerous options once a device is connected to the screen. Students can mirror their
device screens and share photos as well as videos. There is also a “webview” option that lists websites to share on the screen. The websites include Dropbox, Facebook, Google, and Instagram. Each time a device is disconnected, a new key is randomly generated. When students are finished Arnold encourages them to disconnect because otherwise they will stay connected until they disconnect from the “MCStudent” Internet or leave its range. “They [Computer and Network Services] told me they had not hit a limit yet [on devices being connected],” said Arnold. However, if too many devices are connected to the same screen the connection may begin to lag.
“Six is ideal in terms of conLetters to the Editor nectivity,” said Arnold. The Black & Magenta encourages At every station there are Letters to the Editor. Letters must plugs built into the table to keep include contact information and a devices charged. The stations are name to be considered for publicaequipped with several chairs to tion. Letters will not be published complete the group atmosphere anonymously. Letters must be 150 words or fewer. experience for students. The editorial staff reserves the The three Study Rooms feature right to edit for style, grammar, larger sized television screens inand space. We will not publish any side of the private area for groups letter that we consider potentially to collaborate. The rooms can be libelous. booked ahead of time on the LiIf you have questions or would brary webpage, but they are also like to see how the paper is pubopen for anyone to just walk in lished, email bandm@muskingum.edu. and use at their convenience. This is a student publication. Arnold encourages students to Opinions expressed in editorials reserve them, to make sure it is available at the time when they and columns are those of their authors and do not represent the opinneed to use them. ions of Muskingum University. Also available for student use in the Library are three laptops study rooms and all of the stations that students can checkout. Two are available during all Library
Arts & Entertainment The Black & Magenta • Orbit Media
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Faculty and staff take over Geyer Studio on Sundays Martin Kurtz Orbit Media Reporter
For 27 years, Muskingum University’s radio station, WMCO, has hosted a special program every weekend on Sunday nights called Eclectic Radio. Each week a faculty or staff member does a two hour radio shift and plays music that they enjoy. Steve McGuire, Professor of Sociology, and Doug Swift, Professor of English, started the program up in 1989. Jeff Harman, WMCO’s Station Manager at the time, taught them basic on-air skills. Originally the show was mostly jazz, but McGuire and Swift developed the name Eclectic Radio after deciding they wanted to play different styles of music too. Eclectic Radio alternated on Sunday night during a three hour slot from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Former Chaplain at Muskingum, Jerry Beavers, got involved shortly after and then it became a rotation of those three initial
members and Dr. Todd Lekan, Professor of Religion and Philosophy. After Swift left the University, McGuire and Harman started opening the slot to more staff and faculty that were wanting to DJ. “I think a lot of people that try it, love it,” said McGuire. Jim Dooley, Professor of Biology, has since taken over responsibility of staffing the Eclectic DJ schedule over the last nine years. Dooley joined in 2000 after talking to McGuire and seeing that it was a great opportunity to do something interesting with his love of music. “It’s kind of something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Dooley. “So when I came here [to Muskingum] and found out that this was an opportunity, I took it. Becoming a college professor is kind of like being able to go back to college, so I took advantage of round two and I’ve been having a good time ever since.” Dooley is now in charge of recruiting. He also has people who are interested shadow a show.
Martin Kurtz/ Black & Magenta Jim Dooley, Professor of Biology at Muskingum University, DJs during the 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Eclectic Radio slot on Sunday Jan. 24 in the Geyer Studio. Then, Lisa Marshall, WMCO Station Manager, will train them. Harman continues to be the Direcor of Broadcasting at the staion. “I think that it has been a valuable addition to the WMCO program schedule over the years,” said Harman.
Dooley said on behalf of the group, he sees Eclectic Radio as a privilege to the staff and faculty. “We really appreciate, those of us that [get to] DJ on the show, being a part of this station,” said Dooley. “It’s a wonderful thing to be involved in our students and
activities beyond the classroom. I feel here at WMCO we are all a part of this team, and it gets us out of that bucket of teacher-student kind of thing.” The show currently airs during a two-hour slot from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday nights.
Muskingum Programming Board hosts student weekend events Aaron Eno & Kayla Rausch Orbit Media Reporters
Every weekend this organization hosts a variety of different events in the Walter K. Chess Muskingum Programing Board, Center at 9 p.m. for students. or MPB, is the primary student Adam Brown, President of programing organization on MPB, is an essential contributing Muskingum University’s campus. factor to the creating and hosting of these events. Subscribe to The B&M “It’s kind of a difficult process Receive a copy of The Black & Magenta [planning MPB events for stuin your mailbox each week. To receive this dents],” said Brown. “You have semester’s issues, send a $20.00 check payable to “Muskingum University” to: to think about what other people The Black & Magenta Newspaper like, just not yourself.” c/o Lisa Marshall Some of the more popular 163 Stormont Street New Concord, OH 43762 events that MPB have hosted Include your name, USPS mailing range from comedians, movies, address, and phone number. bingo of all different varieties.
They also host Muskingum University programming specialties year round such as Caketacular, the Cardboard Board Regada, and Bananaextravaganza. Larger acts that are brought to Muskingum, comedians, magicians, and musicians, are booked during the National Association for Campus Activities by members of MPB. Smaller events are planned through the Small Events Committee, a committee within the MPB group. “They start from scratch and brainstorm to create any event that
they think students of Muskingum would like,” said Brown. According to Brown, the events typically have around 100 to 250 students in attendance depending on the event. This Week MPB is co-hosting Valentines Day Bingo with
Editorial Staff
Editor-in-Chief Brenna Busby Assignment Editor Christine Holmes A&E Editor Lindsey Kreamer Sports Editor Chris Morgan Copy Editor Kayla Rausch Circulation Manager Aaron Eno Faculty Advisor Lisa Marshall Orbit Media Newsroom (740) 826-8379
MAS:BSU as part of Black History Month on Friday and a Lip Sync Battle on Saturday. Students can get involved with the Muskingum Programming Board by attending their club meetings on Monday in the Chess Center at 7:30 p.m.
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SPORTS
The Black & Magenta • Orbit Media
Muskingum alum continues to chase dream Chris Morgan Sports Editor
Storied Rivals Sports Media was founded in 2008 by a Muskie with a big dream. Aaron Spragg, Founder and CEO of Storied Rivals Sports Media, is a 2003 graduate of Muskingum University from the Communication, Media, & Theatre Department. He participated in WMCO, Orbit TV, and The Black & Magenta while at Muskingum. As he began his journey into the workforce determined to continue with the television and radio experience he already had, he suddenly felt a pull to go in a different direction with his work. “I always had requests for highlight films and video editing,” said Spragg. “So when I decided
to switch careers I thought ‘well let’s try to do this and see if it can become a business.’” Before creating Storied Rivals, Spragg didn’t have any prior experience in the business world. He began studying and reading up on what it would take to run a successful business. “I really just took a chance, and took it real slow at first, and saw that it had potential,” said Spragg. “Eventually, five years after I started it, I was really confident enough to try to make it my full time job.” Storied Rivals started out as just a highlight film company, working with primarily high school teams in the Zanesville area to put together season films. Spragg said that is still the basis of the company, but he has also seen many changes to what Sto-
ried Rivals does in recent years. In 2015, the company was working with around 40 teams in the Zanesville and Columbus area, according to Spragg, with a similar number coming this year. “We’ve become a little bit more of a media company now,” said Spragg. “We realized that we were filming these games and we were only giving the footage to the teams. We realized that there were more people in the community that would want to watch them more often.” Within the last few years, Storied Rivals has made the jump to social media to gain more of a following and to help reach the community on a weekly basis. Social media has given some of their videos the chance to reach larger audiences online. The most recent video to go vi-
ral was the Sheridan High School student section faking a birth to distract an opposing free throw shooter during one of their games. The video was seen around the world, and was picked up by the “Today Show” and ESPN, even being featured on the front page of the network’s website. The video ranks at the top of Spragg’s favorite moments in the company’s history. “The viral video was pretty cool,” said Spragg. “You can’t predict when a video will go viral, and that was a really funny clip.” The area has noticed the company’s growth, as they recently won the Shark Tub competition hosted by the Muskingum County Business Incubator to honor local companies on Jan. 22. “Being a small business owner, there are probably more bad days
than good days,” said Spragg. “It is nice to be recognized, so it’s almost like if you persevere long enough good things will happen.” The company plans to expand into the apparel market in the future, and is currently experimenting with different slogans to put on T-shirts. Through all of his success, Spragg is grateful to his background, especially for having the Muskie community behind him and his work. “I’m very thankful to be in a community that’s supportive,” said Spragg. “Muskingum sets you up for an opportunity to do what you want, but you’ve got to go out and want to do it.” Spragg is hopeful to work more with Muskingum University and other schools in the area to film highlights going forward.
Fighting Muskie Men continue to grow in loss Payton Patterson Orbit Media Reporter
The Muskie Mens Basketball team fell to the nationally ranked Pioneers of Marietta Jan. 27 despite first-year guard Jarrell Marsh scoring a career high 41 points. Marsh was just four points away from tying the school record for most points in a game. Muskingum started off slow in the first half, including Marsh, but came back fighting in the second. “The first half I came in attacking and in the second half I just came in wanting to get back into the game,” said Marsh. Marsh’s explosive second half pushed the Muskies within six points of the Pioneers. “Jarrell really helped us out to-
night with his energy on the offensive end and it continued to play on both ends of the floor,” said Assistant Coach, Joe Puch. “He was the reason why we were in this game.” Puch said that he would like to see this type of effort from the rest of the team going forward. The Muskies’ comeback fell short as they lost to the Pioneers 108-97. Marietta’s 108 points were the most points scored on the Muskies this season. “I felt like our guys competed extra hard,” said Puch. “We had some minor breakdowns defensively and when you give up 108 points, it’s really hard to win.” Payton Patterson/ Black & Magenta The Muskies are now 5-14 overall on the season and 2-10 in Muskingum guard, Jarrell Marsh, looks for a pass during the game against Marietta on Jan. 27. Marsh ended the game with a career-high 41 points, just four points shy of the school record for most in a game. OAC play.