Volume 120 Issue 5 Friday, October 2, 2015
News
Muskies remember Bryce Skok Christine Holmes Assignment Editor
Student Appreciation Day is Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Businesses on Main Street are offering free samples, snacks, and discounts to Muskingum students.
Arts & Entertainment
John Webb, Elizabeth Files, and James Bohr rehearse Proof. The show dates are Oct. 21 through Oct. 25.
SPORTS
Hailey Dickey scores twice but Muskies fall to Oberlin in home action on Sept. 23.
Silence was all that could be heard on Sept. 23 as grieving students, faculty and staff lined the sidewalks outside Brown Chapel for a prayer service in honor of a Muskingum University student who tragically lost his life. Bryce Skok was the victim of a fatal vehicle accident the afternoon of Sept. 22 on State Route 40, just west of campus. The 18 year old first year student had only been a Muskie since August, but the outpouring of people who filled 488-person capacity of Brown Chapel to honor the young man showed the impact he had made in his short time at Muskingum. Those who knew Skok said they never saw him without a group of friends. Although many in the crowded chapel probably never met Skok, including Muskingum University Chaplain Will Mullins, Mullins said Skok never met a stranger. During his time at Muskingum, Skok was a member of the football team as a long snapper. His teammates and coaches were present at the service, some even leading in prayer and scripture readings. Head football coach Al Logan attributed the turnout at Brown Chapel to Skok’s character. “He was a kid you could like real easy,” said Logan. Mullins began the eulogy by stating he never met Bryce. Mullins never heard the sound of his voice, and never knew what it was like to be in his presence. However, Mullins went on to say that through the tears of Skok’s
Sports Information/ Muskingum University Bryce Skok poses for his 2015 football picture at Muskingum University. Skok tragically died in a car accident on Sept. 22. teammates and through the laughter of those who lived on his floor, everyone who gathered inside Brown Chapel had made Bryce Skok real. “Bryce is so much more than his death,” said Mullins. Two of Skok’s first year friends, Elijah Sims and Maclane Wilder, spent a lot of time with Skok as teammates and floormates in Moore Hall. “He [Skok] was probably my first friend I made here,” said Wilder. Coming in as a freshman without family around and going to football camp is scary at first, Wilder said. But having Skok as a friend made the experience a lot better. Sims said Skok was probably one of the greatest friends he made at Muskingum. He said he and Skok hit it off quickly on the
first day of football camp when Skok visited his room to play video games. “Bryce was not very hard to be friends with at all,” said Sims. Sims and Wilder describe Skok as a fun, funny, energetic, and loy-
al person who always had a smile on his face. “If you never met him [Skok], you missed out,” said Wilder. Following the conclusion of Skok’s service of prayer, the team came together chanting “Bryce” alongside Skok’s mother. A fitting end to the night as Sims said Skok was always one to take part in locker room fun and chanting. “Bryce was always in the middle helping out with the seniors doing it,” said Sims. Sims and Wilder said the death of Skok was like losing a brother for the football team, but they say the team has become a lot closer as a result. They say they played for Skok against Capital and will be playing for Skok in every other game. Logan said Skok probably would be the best teammate anyone could have. Logan said Skok truly exemplifies the Fighting Muskie and what he thinks the football program and Muskingum University represent.
Christine Holmes/ Black & Magenta Trooper Joshua Weaver, who was at the scene of the accident, attends the prayer service in Brown Chapel on Sept. 23.
Editorial: The loss of a Muskie The Black & Magenta Editors In our last issue we ran a story about a proposed task force to tackle an apathy problem at our university. Last Wednesday night, we saw the Muskingum University community come together and support each other in a time when Muskies needed it most. This campus lost a student, people lost their friend, the football team lost a teammate, and parents lost their son. Bryce Skok was a first year at Muskingum, only here for a few short weeks, but no one would have guessed that if they looked around Brown Chapel on Wednesday, Sept. 23. The memorial service held in his honor was attended by hundreds of Muskies. Faculty, staff, and students alike gathered to say goodbye to and remember Bryce. Shortly before the service began the football team filed into the Chapel, united and somber, to remember their teammate. Songs and prayers could be heard from the back row to the upper balcony. The room was alive with compassion and remembrance. That night, apathy didn’t exist. Day to day on campus, we might not show up for fundraisers or don’t stand proud at sporting
Editorial Staff
Editor-in-Chief Brenna Busby Assignment Editor Christine Holmes A&E Editor Lindsey Kreamer Sports Editor Chris Morgan Copy Editor Rachel Schlarb Circulation Manager Aaron Eno Faculty Advisor Lisa Marshall Orbit Media Newsroom (740) 826-8379
events to cheer on our teams. Organizations may have a hard time coming out to support other organizations, but at the prayer service we saw a surplus of support. In times that it really matters, and when it counts the most, we all stand as one university and as one family. The support that we have for each other is the foundation for this campus community. We as a university were shocked by this tragedy, but we stood together to pay respect to one of our own. Muskie after Muskie walked to the Quad that evening to honor Bryce. Empty space was almost impossible to find during the service. On days like that, it makes us stop and think about how grateful we are to be Muskies. That kind of interaction can only be found at a school this size and that was evident on Wednesday night. We were a university that showed that we as students, staff, and faculty not only know each other, but we care for one another. We showed anyone who was there what it really means to be Muskie. We were hurt, we were lost, we were confused and shaken, but we held candles in Brown Chapel. We prayed for our loss. We sang Amazing Grace, and we held each other up in a time of sorrow.
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Black & Magenta Archive Numerous businesses along the main stretch in New Concord are participating in Student Appreciation Day on Oct. 3.
Student Appreciation Day hits New Concord’s Main Street Brenna Busby Editor-in-Chief
Student Appreciation Day comes to New Concord on Saturday, Oct. 3 between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Students can grab some free gifts and discounts. The event was planned by New Concord Intersections, a committee that consists of New Concord residents and Muskingum University faculty members and students. University Chaplin Will Mullins is on the committee and thinks that the idea will help connect students with the New Concord community. “We hope that students can take that walk down the hill, meet some local business owners, and make some connections and see what is offered downtown for them,” said Mullins. Businesses that are taking part in the day will have fliers hanging up in their shop windows. Christy’s Main Street Memories, Allure Salon & Spa, Sim-
ha Yoga, and The Crumb and Cup Alley Cafe are among some of the businesses that are offering incentives such as free items, food and discounts. Professor of Biology, Jim Dooley, reached out to businesses this summer and asked WMCO to play music on the Village Green. The focus of this event specifically came from the goal of the New Concord Intersections committee. “This grew out of those conversations as a way to intersect students and the life that is New Concord Downtown,” said Mullins. Mullins said the New Concord community is bigger than it seems. “[The goal is] to recognize that the students are part of a community and that this community is right on Main Street,” said Mullins. Student Appreciation Day is about more than just getting free products at the local shops on Main Street.
“Hopefully it will encourage students to interact with local business owners, and make our community a better place for both the students and the businesses,” said Mullins. Mullins believes that this event is good for New Concord as a whole village. “It benefits New Concord because it encourages the students to see themselves as citizens, as adults, [and] as individuals who can come down and benefit from the merchants that we have downtown,” said Mullins. “[It is beneficial] to see what we offer and also it helps merchants to get more business so that they can stay in business. If they stay in business, that means there are more opportunities for all of us in New Concord to experience some of those local businesses.” The local shops are also an important part of the New Concord community. “We also want students to understand what is downtown, to make this community just a little bigger than what is between those two hills up here in the college,” said Mullins. Student Appreciation Day could become an annual event based on the turnout this year.
Letters to the Editor
The Black & Magenta encourages Letters to the Editor. Letters must include contact information and a name to be considered for publication. Letters will not be published anonymously. Letters must be 150 words or fewer. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit for style, grammar, and space. We will not publish any letter that we consider potentially libelous. If you have questions or would like to see how the paper is published, email bandm@muskingum.edu. This is a student publication. Opinions expressed in editorials and columns are those of their authors and do not represent the opinions of Muskingum University.
Proof is coming to Muskingum campus Aaron Eno Orbit Media Reporter
Aaron Eno/ Black & Magenta Instructor of Theatre, James Bohr worked 30 years in NYC.
New instructor joins faculty Katie Meddings Orbit Media Reporter
Muskingum University hired a new Instructor of Theatre for the Communication, Media, & Theatre Department for the 20152016 school year. New faculty member, James Bohr, jumped into the acting world as a 12 year old auditioning for a part at the Louisville Children’s Theatre. He studied at the Goodman Theatre College in Chicago, then transferred to the Catholic University of America. Bohr got his master’s degree in directing at Florida State University and then worked professionally in theatre and directing for 30 years in New York City. “Theater saved my life in a way,” said Bohr. Bohr said he worked a few odd jobs in his life besides theatre. “I came into academia rather late after spending a lot of years working professionally, directing off-Broadway and regionally,” said Bohr. Professor Bohr has already got the ball rolling for the production
of Proof at Muskingum University. In 2000, when Proof opened on Broadway, it won the Pulitzer Prize for best drama. It also gained three Tony Awards for best play, best actress (MaryLouise Parker), and best director (Daniel Sullivan). The Muskingum University cast for Proof consists of mostly upperclassmen, containing many theatre majors as well as minors. So far, Bohr is pleased with how the show is coming along. “[Proof] is a beautiful play about family, first love and trust and, probably most importantly that question of what is it that we inherit from our parents. [If] that is good and bad,” said Bohr. Bohr is beyond confident when it comes to putting on a show that captivates his audience. The kindness, openness, as well as the students’ generosity and commitment at Muskingum has already impressed Bohr during his first semester. Bohr said he didn’t know what to expect with coming to Muskingum, but that he is currently enjoying being a part of the Muskie Community.
Proof will performed at Muskingum University Oct. 2125 in Thompson Theatre. The play takes place in modern day Chicago on the back porch of a genius math professor, Robert, who passes away leaving his two daughters, Claire and Katherine. Hal, a young graduate student, finds an ingenious mathematical proof in the house. “The authorship of this proof, this mathematical proof, is at the heart of the play and who wrote it,” said Instructor of Theatre, James Bohr. “Was it her father
or was it Katherine who is also a mathematician?” Proof has themes of inheritance woven into it as well. “It’s a multi-leveled, very emotional complex play, but is absolutely beautifully written and I think raises a lot of very interesting questions for everyone in the audience,” said Bohr. The play is being performed by a four member cast consisting mostly of upperclassmen. Senior John Webb will play Robert. Sophomore Elizabeth Files will play Katherine. Junior Adam Livingston won the part of Hal. Junior Mallory Fischer will portray Claire.
Bohr said that the cast’s acting abilities are a great addition to the show. “I am thrilled with the work I am seeing,” said Bohr. “They’re just doing really wonderful work. They’re working very hard and I’m really pleased with their level of commitment, their level of work, their kind of incredible instinct about the play and they’re an incredible group of talented kids.” The original play performed on Broadway in 2000 had high acclaim and won a Pulitzer Prize for best drama as well as three Tony Awards for best play, best lead actress, and best director.
Anyone who works in radio can feel the pressure and scrutiny of audience critics. “Working in media, it’s a hard lesson to learn that your audience doesn’t usually reach out to say you’re doing a great job,” said Marshall. “Your job is to report information to your audience. You hear when there’s scrutiny, you hear when there are complaints, you hear when a DJ did something wrong. College Radio Day is also about celebration of the medium.” WMCO will host live airshows all day Friday starting at 7 a.m., ending at midnight with Marty Kurtz’s specialty Country music show. The John Glenn High School Football game vs. Morgan will also air at 6:30 p.m. “I hope that we would be able to get as many [WMCO] students as possible [on the air],” said Chris Morgan, WMCO Program Director. “A lot of people in the administration and faculty [tell us that they] love to listen to
WMCO.” College Radio Day is also an effort to get new students involved in radio. “You look at the freshmen and the sophomores...it would be really interesting to see their points of view on it, from people who are just now getting used to having the station around,” said Morgan. Some DJs find the most rewarding part of being in radio seeing different artists blossom. “A lot of big name artists got their start with the college radio scene,” said Morgan. “That’s what really helps me reaffirm my belief in college radio...it’s just being able to help those artists get their careers off and running. That really brings a certain satisfaction to me.” WMCO can be heard on 90.7, OrbitMediaOnline.com, or via the TuneIn Radio or WMCO apps. More information is available on Twitter @Orbit907news.
College Radio Day’s fifth year Garrett Knott Orbit Media Reporter
College Radio Day is Oct. 2 and WMCO is celebrating with extra live programming and a broadcast remote on the Quad. College Radio Day’s purpose is to raise awareness and promote advocacy for college radio. A few years ago, numerous universities started going into debt. To relieve the tension, some colleges made the decision to start selling their FCC radio station licenses, equipment, and other entities. That is a reason why College Radio Day was formed. “WMCO is very thankful for the support Muskingum University provides our broadcast program,” said Lisa Marshall, WMCO Station Manager. “We know we are extremely lucky to have a community to who listens to and supports WMCO. College Radio Day is also about saying ‘thank you.’”
Muskies falter against Yeowomen
Mens Soccer battles in loss to #2 Kenyon
Payton Patterson Orbit Media Reporter
Lindsey Kreamer Arts & Entertainment Editor The Muskingum Mens Soccer team took the second ranked Kenyon Lords on Tuesday, Sept. 22, but fell short of the victory. It was the second time the Muskies have faced an NCAA Top 25 team in a span of just seven days. Kenyon defeated the Muskies in the contest 2-0 at McConagha Stadium. Kenyon took the lead 1-0 in the first half of the game, then scored again making the score 2-0 in the 49th minute of the match. Head Mens Soccer Coach Chris Limle noted first years Barrett Fitzgerald and Chase Hilliard for having stepped up in this season thus far. “Being a young team there’s tons of little facets that come into play with experience, chemistry, and tempo,” said Limle. “And the
one thing I’m not impressed with that we don’t do well on a consistent basis is we don’t dictate the tempo from the start.” Though it was a loss, Limle believes that the young Muskies showed a lot of potential. “I felt great [coming out of the game] and that’s not considering that we lost because no one likes to lose,” said Limle. “But looking at it, we’ve been the only team that’s been able to contain them to two goals all year. When you’re looking at most teams they’re
playing they’re getting six goals in the back of the net against them.” The Muskies have been working on training to have better possession of the ball during games. “The one thing we’re really working on as a team, and as a program, is to work on possession and being able to keep the ball and not let the other team have it,” said Limle. The Muskies will open up OAC play on Saturday when they travel to Baldwin Wallace.
The Fighting Muskie Womens Soccer team battled Oberlin College in a loss on Wednesday, Sept. 23. The Yeowomen defeated the Muskies in the contest 4-2 at McConagha Stadium. Oberlin started off the scoring with two goals in just over a minute. The Muskies continued to fight back and cut the lead down to just 3-2 at the half. The two goals came from senior defender Hailey Dickey. “The game went really well even though we lost,” said Dickey. “There was a lot of heart, hustle, and drive. I think we played really well.” Throughout the season the Fighting Muskies have been dealing with injuries from the majority of their team, but are starting to see some players return to the pitch at the right time.
siders end up tweeting out some kind of report or even going live on air about it before they have all the facts. The most recent case came at the expense of fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers. ESPN NBA Insider Chris Broussard thought he got some good news regarding the Cavs and budding young power forward Tristan Thompson. Thompson is a restricted free agent and has yet to sign any kind of deal with the Cavaliers. Broussard got word that
Thompson and the Cavs had finally agreed to a new three year deal late in the day on Sept. 24, but apparently didn’t get his facts right before Tweeting about it twice. Broussard’s initial report was immediately refuted by beat writers for the team in the Cleveland area, most notably Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal. It later turned out that Broussard had either been fed false information or simply overlooked facts. Either way, his initial report was completely wrong.
While Broussard did later go back on Twitter to clarify the subject, there was no real explanation of the false report, just what appeared to simply be Broussard quickly changing his story to make it look like he still broke the news first. It’s still unknown just who exactly is Broussard’s source, but it is plainly obvious that he was fed false information. Maybe it’s time the reporters started calling out their “sources” when they get lied to like this. If you put this incident in the
Payton Patterson/ Black & Magenta Head Coach Chris Limle looks on as the team warms up before their match against Carnegie Mellon on Sept. 1 at McConagha Stadium.
“We are getting more players back,” said Head Coach Mary Beth Caudill. “We are not a full squad yet and I think over the next coming week or so we will be back and ready for conference.” Even with the loss, Caudill looked at the positive side of her team. “You’re never satisfied with a loss, but I think we are picking up a few pieces a little at a time,” said Caudill. After this loss, Caudill pointed out a few areas on the field that the Lady Muskies could practice. “We have been working a lot on defensive clearing, defending really,” said Caudill. “With attacking, we are getting into position to score and we are not finishing.” The Fighting Muskies will try to improve on these areas on their way to conference play. The Muskies will begin OAC play on Oct. 3 when they go on the road for a match against Baldwin Wallace.
same group as other erroneous reports to come out of ESPN lately, it seems pretty clear that the network really should think about investing in some fact checkers specifically assigned to certain Insiders to make sure they don’t make ESPN look foolish again. If the network doesn’t want to continue to be put on a pedestal as a news source that allows it’s reporters to put whatever they want out there before double checking anything, then it would be in their best interest to hire some fact checkers for their reporters.
Captain’s Quarters, Can someone get the ESPN Insiders some fact checkers? It seems these days that fact checking in any kind of journalism has started to take a back seat to making Chris Morgan sure you’re the Sports Editor first one to get a report out there before anyone else can even have a chance. It also seems that one of the networks at the forefront of this trend isn’t even a news network, rather the sports network ESPN. More and more the ESPN In-