going co-ed | sweeney hall welcomes males in 2010, 3A |redemption MAC competition starts this Saturday at Kelly/Shorts, 1B
monster rush| Student enjoys testing, collecting energy drinks, 3A
Friday, Sept. 25, 2009
Central Michigan Life
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
[cm-life.com]
ta i l g at e
armed and ready
March seeks to unite students Saturday for football game Some Greeks say they will attend Lot 63 By Sarah Schuch University Editor
neil blake/staff photographer
North Adams senior Jake Webb trains for strongman competition on Thursday afternoon by flipping an 800-pound tire at JP’s Gym and Fitness Center, 4245 S. Lincoln Rd. Webb will compete in the North American Strongman Inc. national competition next month.
Students prepare for October strongman competition By Joe Borlik | Senior Reporter
T
wo Central Michigan University students are among the strongest men in the country. Harbor Springs sophomore Ron Shock and North Adams senior Jake Webb are training for the North American Strongman Inc. national competition in Lafayette, La., beginning Oct. 10. About 100 participants will square off in the competition and the top competitors in each weight class will become certified professionals, Shock said.
[inside] NEWS w Students celebrate end of summer outside Saxe, Herrig halls, 6A w Medical school update: one year later, 6A w McNair research symposium today in Park Library, 7A
sports w Sports Editor Andrew Stover breaks down Saturday’s game against Akron, 3B
CM-LIFE.com w Go online for a video on the strongman students.
weather w Partly cloudy High 72/ Low 50
The top 15 will go to the Arnold Classic in Columbus, Ohio, in March. “Bring your popcorn — Big Ron will be putting on a show in Louisiana,” Shock said. Shock and Webb qualified for the nationals after placing in the top of their classes during the King of the Mountain Strongman contest in Mount Pleasant over the summer. Shock, who weighs 340 pounds, placed third in the heavyweight class and Webb, at 230 pounds, placed second in the 200- to 231-pound class. Going pro Shock, also a bouncer at
cm-life.com Check the Web site for a video on the strongman students. Wayside Central, 2000 S. Mission St., believes he will go pro. He took second place at the Circle City Strongman contest in Indianapolis last May. “I’m not going to say I’ll go pro this year but, in the next four or five years, I believe I can,” he said. Shock trains at JP’s Gym and Fitness Center, 4245 S. Lincoln Road, and consumes up to 7,000 calories daily.
State flip-flops on Michigan Promise Committee reverses decision to ax scholarship By Sherri Keaton Senior Reporter
A state House committee voted Thursday to add $120 million to the budget to restore the Michigan Promise grants. This reversed a decision by the state Senate and House conference committee to eliminate the grant Wednesday. State Rep. Bill Caul, R-
Inside w Students react to Promise reinstatement, 7A Mount Pleasant, said he supports doing something that can fund the scholarship, but there is no indication where the money is coming from. “It’s like having your checkbook all gone and writing something you don’t have — there is no loose $120 million around,” Caul said. The Michigan Promise grant was given to all high school graduates that passed A promise | 2a
A strongman | 7a
Two students looking to boost the gameday atmosphere at Central Michigan University are starting a “Chippewa March” on Saturday. It is not to be taken as a protest against the tailgating policy, however, said Monroe junior Jordan Maddux and Illinois junior Blake Buzard. “This is about finding a common ground. This is trying to get the students to come together again,” Buzard said. “Just because we can’t be in (Lot 63) doesn’t mean we can’t be together.” The plan is for students to dress in maroon and meet at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in front of the seal at Warriner Mall and walk through the campus to Kelly/Shorts Stadium. A “Chippewa March” Facebook group was created
and has more than 2,000 students as of 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Maddux said. One of the selling points for CMU is the students and the student section, Maddux said. And that is something, he said, he does not want to see lost just because of the tailgating policy, which limits students to six beers or one pint of liquor each and bans external sound systems. But Buzard said his biggest fear is it will turn into a protest. “I don’t want 50 kids to ruin it for everyone else,” he said. CMU Police Chief Bill Yeagley wants to make sure everyone is safe as well. “Anything off campus, the city police would have to take care of it — that’s who has the authority,” he said. “However, the part that goes through campus, I want to know about it, where they’re marching and make some effort to ensure that those group of folks make it from point A to point B safely.”
A unity march | 2a
Vice president surprised, disappointed by turnout By Emily Pfund Staff Reporter
David Burdette had no idea students would react the way they did toward CMU’s new tailgating policy. The vice president of finances and administrative services first approached former University President Michael Rao last academic year with some suggestions to change the way tailgating at Kelly/Shorts Stadium was run. “I was very surprised about Saturday,” Burdette said. “We want students to have fun, but we just want it to be in a safe environment.” Changes to the Lot 63 tailgating arrangement include a limit of six beers or one pint of liquor, food vendors, more water stations, rest-
rooms and garbage cans, a ban on external sound systems and new emergency lanes. “I understand (why they did it), it just sucks,” said Stanton sophomore Tommy Kain. “Maybe they should change it to a 12-pack limit instead of just six.” Burdette said these changes were made solely for the safety of the students. But now, students are going to party on Main Street and drive drunk to the game, Kain said, which will cause more safety problems than the rules are fixing. “I think a lot of people got hung up on the six-beers thing,” Burdette said. “But if you think about it, people are at the tailgating for an hour or two before the
A student turnout | 2A
General bestows award on technician By Connor Sheridan Staff Reporter
Mary Brewer received an award fit to bring a general. And that is exactly what happened. Brewer, a human resources technician at the Central Michigan University ROTC offices in Finch Fieldhouse, received the “Leadership Legacy Award,” and Maj. Gen. Arthur M. Bartell, a two-star general, came to CMU from Fort Monroe, Va., to
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Detroit resident 1st Lt. Tierney Williams hugs to congratulate Mary Brewer, Human Resource Technician in the ROTC department, after Brewer received the Leadership Legacy Award.
bestow the award with Brewer. Bartell is the Commanding General of the United States Army Cadet Command and oversees the operations of 273 ROTC host colleges.
“The Leadership Legacy Award” was given to Brewer for her longtime service and guidance to the ROTC. A leadership award | 2a
2A || Friday, Sept. 25, 2009 || Central Michigan Life
WEATHER FORECAST
unity march |
EVENTS CALENDAR
continued from 1A
Today
What to expect Maddux and Buzard hope to have students chanting and are hoping for a little support from band members. “It can be as big as people want it to be,” Buzard said. Maddux said he feels students should use the negative situation with tailgating as an opportunity to try something new. “You could tell something was missing (at Saturday’s game),” he said. “It’s our job to do something productive about it.” This is a way to bring on-campus students, offcampus students, Greeks and everyone else together, Maddux said. The walk could be a way to ensure that more students will walk to the game and not drive, Buzard said.
w Alpha Kappa Psi will host the grand finalé of Career Day between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Finch Fieldhouse Room 110. w The CMU Surplus Sale will take place from noon to 2 p.m. in Lot 1 on the corner of Bellows and Douglas Streets. w The McNair Scholars Program will host a Fall Research Symposium from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Charles V. Park Library Auditorium. w CMU Public Radio and University Events will host a live performance of The Hot Club of Cowtown at 8 p.m. in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium. w The department of art will begin to showcase the work of Chicago artist Michael Ferris. The exhibit will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the main gallery of the University Art Gallery.
Tailgating attendance Although the march focuses on students tailgating away from Lot 63, some Greeks say they will tailgate in the lot.
w Department of Art is hosting an educational installation between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. in West Gallery of the University Art Gallery.
Saturday
Phi Kappa Tau President and Midland senior Chris Dutot said the fraternity participated in tailgating last Saturday and will continue to do that. “Despite of the rules, we aren’t against tailgating at all, and we’re showing support for football,” he said. Sigma Alpha Epsilon also plans to show up at tailgating Saturday, said President Patrick Fredricks. “We have to all experience new rules before we start protesting them,” the Grand Haven senior said. But Alpha Sigma Phi President and Southgate sophomore Randy Solis said he will be on Main Street. “I’m holding off until either they change the rules or get more students involved,” he said. “I’m not against tailgate. The way that they went about making the rules is what I’m mad about.” Sigma Tau Gamma President and Richmond senior Carl Fraser said the fraternity will not attend tailgate in protest of the new rules. university@cm-life.com
w Tailgate Central is hosting CMU’s alcohol-free tailgate alternative at 1:30 p.m. on Rose Arena’s lawn.
student turnout|
w World’s Largest Truck Convoy will take place all day ending at the Soaring Eagle Casino at 6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd.
game, and are you really going to drink six beers in one or two hours? If you’re going to drink that much, we don’t want you there.”
Sunday w Program Board will show "The Hangover" at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. in Pearce Hall Room 128.
Corrections Central Michigan Life has a long-standing commitment to fair and accurate reporting. It is our policy to correct factual errors. Please e-mail news@cm-life.com. © Central Michigan Life 2009 Volume 91, Number 15
www.cm-life.com
[News]
continued from 1A
Reaction Ann Arbor freshman Corey Charkowske said he does not agree with that statement. “People have different tolerances for alcohol so, as long as you’re not obnoxious, you should be able to drink as much as you want,” Charkowske said. People thought they were going to be inspected, Burdette said. “We’re not going to say, ‘You have five beers, you’re fine’ or ‘Oh no, you can’t have eight beers in here,’” he said. “We’re not going to
be the beer police. We just want people to be safe and have fun.” Burdette said he wanted to emphasize the new regulations are only designed to make tailgating safer, not to limit the amount of fun students can have. “We just don’t want any stupid behavior,” he said. Burdette was a member of Delta Chi at the University of Florida, and said he was disappointed to see CMU’s Delta Chi fraternity spearheading the tailgate boycott last Saturday. “I’d like to see them leading everyone back to tailgating at the stadium,” Burdette said. Delti Chi representatives declined to comment on the issue.
Today
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leadership award| continued from 1A
Brewer, a Pennsylvania native who lives in Bass Lake, has worked at CMU for 15 years and had worked for the Department of the Army for five years before that. “This is a very prestigious award. It recognizes leadership over time,” Bartell said. “She has clearly demonstrated tremendous leadership.” Bartell said Brewer deserved the award. “It’s about taking care of people,” Bartell said. “The odds are, when you treat people with dignity and respect, you’ll get better results.” Her biggest award Brewer was shocked about receiving the award. “I’m speechless, I’m just as-
tounded. I’m grateful to the staff,” Brewer said. “This is the biggest award I’ve received.” The award is granted annually to one member of the Army’s Accessions Command, the division of the Army which focuses on recruitment of officers, warrant officers and enlisted soldiers. Brewer was selected from more than 15,000 other candidates in Accessions Command. Several ROTC cadets who have risen through the “Chippewa Battalion” were enthusiastic about the impact she had upon them. “Mary really takes care of everything and everybody,” said Cadet Cpl. Nick VanDermoere, a Eaton Rapids freshman. VanDermoere said Brewer’s house provided a temporary respite for the cadets during
michigan promise| continued from 1A
the requirements beginning in 2007. The scholarship gives $4,000 to those attending schools for postsecondary education in the form of $1,000 a year or $2,000 for a student’s last two years. Central Michigan University students were not awarded the Promise this year because the school decided to wait until the state budget was completed. The scholarship has been given to 2,792 students on campus. He said the only way to fund the program would be to cut other programs’ budgets to make room for the
scholarship. “In some point in the future, there might be another proposal to reinstate the scholarship but, right now, there is not,” he said. “We’re collecting fewer and fewer dollars each month and, if somebody is going to make a proposal, then we’ll have to identify what program we are cutting and there has been no discussion that this could occur sometime in the future.” Associate Director of Financial Aid Diane Fleming said the scholarship reinstatement is still undecided and she would like it to be available to the students immediately.
@CMLIFE
the Rivalry Run midway between Western Michigan University and CMU one year. “There was a ridiculous amount of food,” he said. When Imlay City Cadet Capt. Alexeis Alexander encountered troubles over the summer resulting from attending two different trainings, Brewer was there to lend a hand. “She saved me from everything,” the senior said. “She was the one to talk to from home. She’s like a mom.” Lt. Col. Aaron Kalloch, director of the ROTC, agreed. “She’s the de facto mom for 150 cadets for years,” he said. Brewer graduated from CMU with a major in entrepreneurship and a minor in business four years ago. “(I plan to) just continue working here,” Brewer said. “I enjoy my job very much so.” studentlife@cm-life.com
“I think this is still a very undecided situation if the legislature votes to eliminate the scholarship to balance the budget,” she said. “I think this situation is in a great deal of flux, and there is a lot to play out until anything is definitely known.” Fleming also said the department was told legislation will be introduced after Oct. 1 to reinstate the scholarship, but there is still a challenge. “Where will they find the money for that scholarship? Because quite a few students at CMU were promised the money and they don’t have it. The state is not keeping its promise to students,” she said.
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inside life Central Michigan Life
3A Friday, Sept. 25, 2009
Sweeney Hall inviting male students next fall Low interest cited in changing allfemale hall to coed By Tony Wittkowski Staff Reporter
All campus residence halls will be co-ed starting next fall when the all-female Sweeney Hall converts. Sweeney Hall, part of south quad containing Beddow, Merrill and Thorpe halls, is the last remaining single-sex
hall at Central Michigan University. All four were same-sex halls several years ago. Merrill and Thorpe were all-male, while Beddow and Sweeney were all-female. Beddow and Thorpe became co-ed in fall 2007, and Merrill made the switch this year. “We have been looking at and evaluating the percentage of students choosing Sweeney Hall as their first or second choice as a housing assignment the last couple of years,” said Michelle Veith, the As-
Larcenies, break-ins common crimes on campus
female hall, Veith said. “It reflects the change and demand of our students.” said Faye Reber, Sweeney’s residence hall director. “There are mixed emotions, but a lot of people are welcoming the change.” Shelby Miller, a White Lake freshman, is one of those students. “I wish it was co-ed right now,” she said. Others are still a bit hesitant on the change. “I’m against it. I feel there should be something that al-
sistant Director of Residence Life. “Each year, the number requesting Sweeney as a top choice has diminished with this year only 12 percent choosing it as their first choice.” Ultimately, the choice to change the hall came from the students. “We look at the trends with sign up and try to adjust what we offer accordingly when possible,” Veith said. Around Michigan, all other colleges are entirely co-ed, with the exception of Michigan State University’s one all-
lows students to live how they live,” said Hudson sophomore Danielle Clark. “There are other girls who don’t want to live in a co-ed area.” Many thought the transition would have been easier if certain floors in Sweeney remained all-female. However, the change within the hall has a positive factor as well. “All fill very quickly, and are a top choice for freshmen choosing their hall,” Veith said. university@cm-life.com
A MONSTER RUSH
Bike thefts, unlocked doors present problems
Off campus Breaking and enterings are prevalent off campus as well. Despite the term, the crime does not necessarily have to mean forced entry, said Dave Sabuda, public information officer for the Mount Pleasant Police Department. It can simply be a matter of a door being left unlocked or open. A campus crime | 6a
By Seth Nietering Staff Reporter
Many college students write about six to 10 pages for class term papers. For Heather Kapusta, that is an introduction. The Clinton Township senior has already published her first book, “Anonymous,” before her
Rapper Day 26 was paid $18,000 by Program Board, On the Fly Productions and Minority Student Services as part of his performance with Fabolous on Sept. 18. Another $2,000 was sent to the International Creative Management Talent and Literary Agency, which represented Day 26.
Special Olympics truck convoy
The World’s Largest Truck Convoy will take place at 9:45 a.m. Saturday at Petticoat Junction on M-46 and US-127 in Alma to raise money for the Special Olympics. It will convoy to the Sagamok Shell Station near the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort, 6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd. “We encourage community members to come out and watch the convoy. In addition to raising funds, it raises awareness for the Special Olympics,” said Special Olympics Public Relations Manager Kimberly Purdy. Following the convoy, there is a postconvoy lunch, meet-and-greet with athletes, auction items and entertainment, and some of our athletes. The annual event raised more than $643,000 in 2008.
United Apartments is warning its tenants about door-to-door solicitation by a company identified as Commerce Energy. According to an e-mail sent to tenants, the company is visiting residents and trying to scam them into signing a gas contract that would commit them for three to five years. This could be a problem for students who are only temporary residents, the e-mail stated. For a full story from Tuesday, visit cm-life.com.
Western swing concert
neil blake/staff photographer
Grand Blanc graduate student Dustin Smith has consumed more than 365 different types of energy drinks since the 2006-07 school year in order to keep up with his busy lifestyle. “I’ll be over 400 by Christmas,” Smith said.
Student makes habit of testing energy drinks By Mara Kieren Staff Reporter
Dustin Smith knows a thing or two about monsters, red bulls and rock stars. Everyone needs an energy boost at some point in their college career. And Smith, a Grand Blanc graduate student, might be able to offer advice on which energy drink works the best to get an energy fix. He has tried more than 365 different energy drinks and shows no sign of stopping. Smith began experimenting with various energy drinks at the end of his sophomore year in 2006. Soon after, he started work on his undergraduate and masters degrees and founding a Registered Student Organization. “I was putting on an extreme juggling act and energy drinks helped me do everything,” Smith said. The next thing he knew, it became hobby and obsession to taste and collect various different energy drinks. Energetic Smith said he keeps trying different energy drinks because it is part of his
“Everything that I am interested in during my life, I pursue until the end. I love energy drinks and the only way for me to pursue them all the way is to keep trying and collecting different kinds.” Dustin Smith, Grand Blanc graduate student persistent personality. “Everything that I am interested in during my life, I pursue until the end,” he said. “I love energy drinks and the only way for me to pursue them all the way is to keep trying and collecting different kinds.” Smith began writing a blog in January to review drinks for energyfiend.com, a popular energy drink Web site. As the energy drink reviewer, he is sent two to three packages of about 20 cans of different energy drinks each week. “At first, I thought it was a little weird but, now, I think it’s cool because he gets a lot of free stuff through his blog and he really enjoys his creative writing with them,” said Smith’s girlfriend and Marine City junior Cheryl Vandenbossche.
The best? Smith said throughout his energy drink taste-testing career, he thinks the best all-around energy drink is Rockstar Punched Citrus and the worst are the Vitamin Water energy drinks. He also is surprised how many students are walking around with Red Bull which, he said, does not even taste good. Though for some the constant sugar rush of an energy drink might be a little overwhelming, Smith said he does not think he will stop and Vandenbossche said she could not see it happening. “I don’t think he will ever stop, because there will always be more energy drinks to try and more to add to his collection,” Vandenbossche said. studentlife@cm-life.com
Student inking her second book Senior commits herself to writing, publishing novels
Day 26 nets $20,000 for show
Door-to-door solicitation
By Jake Bolitho Senior Reporter
College campuses are not usually associated with massive crime waves. But larcenies and breaking and enterings have become increasingly common. The Central Michigan University Police Department reported 615 criminal investigations in 2008, 227 of them including burglaries and larcenies, according to an annual police report. While violent acts such as homicide have been traditionally rare at universities, students often take for granted the possibility of their valuables being stolen. “We ask everybody to lock your doors all the time, whether it’s cars, doors, wherever you’re living,” said CMU Police Chief Bill Yeagley. “The other part is to write down serial numbers and descriptions of your valuables.” Other universities in Michigan are finding similar problems year after year. In the last issued annual report at Michigan State University, 614 felonies were reported in 2007. Of that number, 509 were reported burglaries and larcenies, more than twice as high as CMU’s amount a year later. Sgt. Florene McGlothianTaylor, public information officer for the MSU Police Department, said the population difference is often a factor when it comes to larger crime numbers compared to other universities. “Our housing system on campus is the largest in the nation,” she said. “Despite that, the campus is overall pretty safe.”
[Life in brief]
junior year in college and is working on another one. “I started the book my senior of high school,” Kapusta said, “It took about a year to write.” Kapusta has shared an interest in writing for years with her longtime friend Megan Taylor. “We’ve known each other since seventh grade,” said Taylor, the Clinton Township senior. “We became friends when we met in class and found we shared an interest in writing outside of class.” Kapusta finds her inspiration
to write in many forms. “Stephen King is definitely a great influence for me. He’s one of my favorite authors,” Kapusta said. “Music also helps get me into the mood for writing. I like to pick out certain songs that fit into the setting while I write.”
CMU Public Radio is hosting The Hot Club of Cowtown, a western swing band, as a part of the “Our Front Porch” concert series. It will perform at 8 p.m. Friday in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium. The band is one of the youngest to be inducted into the Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame and has been featured on “The Grand Ol’ Opry” and “A Prairie Home Companion.” Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for students and can be purchased at the CMU Box Office.
Art exhibition
Chicago Artist Michael Ferris will exhibit his work at the Main Gallery of the University Art Gallery beginning Friday. He is an artist who sculpts wooden bust portraits from found and recycled wood. The exhibit also includes drawings that are studies on the sculpture. The exhibitions is done in cooperation with George Adams Gallery in New York, Hope College in Holland and Edinboro University in Edinboro, Pa.
Memory Walk in Midland
Central Michigan University’s Gerontology Club will walk at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk in Midland’s Chippewa Nature Center, 400 S. Badour Road. The event raises money and awareness for Alzheimer’s disease research, support and care. For more information, call 839-9910.
Another walk at Deerfield Park
The Chippewa Watershed Conservancy, Isabella County Parks and Recreation and Art Reach of Mid-Michigan are hosting art displays, poetry readings, live music and refreshments from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Deerfield Nature Park, 2425 W. Remus Road. The event is supporting county parks and promotes art and nature in Isabella county. Cost is $5 at the gate. For more information, contact Isabella County Parks and Recreation at 989-772-0911, ext. 234.
Voter registration deadline
The final day for people to register to vote in the city and school consolidated election is Oct. 5 at the Mount Pleasant City Clerk’s office, 320 W. Broadway St. The election is Nov. 3.
Dedication to her work Kapusta did much of the research for “Anonymous,” a romance-thriller inspired by real-life events.
libby march/staff photographer
A second book | 6A
Clinton Township senior Heather Kapusta is a self-published student author working on her second book, “Angel on My Doorstep.”
David Veselenak, Managing Editor | news@cm-life.com | 989.774.4343
If you have an interesting item for Life in Brief, let us know by e-mailing news@cm-life.com
voices Central Michigan Life
4A
Friday, Sept. 25, 2009
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” – The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
[cm-life.com/category/voices]
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EDITORIAL | University should have communicated message more effectively
Now you tell us
I
believe the students de-unified themselves.” Those were the exact words of Athletics Director Dave Heeke on Tuesday, three days after thousands of Central Michigan University students rallied against the new tailgating procedures in Lot 63 outside Kelly/Shorts Stadium. “
It was one of several improvident statements Heeke made that day. Saturday was one of the most effective stands by CMU students in protesting CMU policy and how it was developed. Upset mainly with the six-beer limit and the ban on external sound systems, among other excessive procedures, students were certainly unifying in boycotting Lot 63, a parking lot they packed for so many years, and tailgating elsewhere. They flocked to Main Street and other houses and apartment complexes to celebrate instead. That may continue Saturday before CMU kicks off against Akron at 3:30 p.m.
The protest is not necessarily about disagreeing with all of the policy. Interfraternity Council President Brandyn Lawson stated in his letter (on page 5A) that students also were misrepresented in drafting the policy. We couldn’t agree more. Not only did the university draft a flawed policy addressing problems that don’t necessarily exist, it poorly communicated with the people directly affected by it. Miscommunication After Saturday’s boycott of Lot 63, the university is staying firm on its tailgating policy and is now toying with the linguistics.
Now the committee is saying the rules are “expectations” rather than “regulations.” Heeke said students should give “the new tailgating” a chance, and that the new rules they are upset with will not be strictly enforced. Where was this “expectation” message in Heeke’s letter to the editor last week? Where was this message in August, when the 21-person committee finalized the tailgating policy? It was fairly evident students were upset with the policy when it was announced, was it not? The university waited until Lot 63 tailgate dropped by thousands to finally send that message. And instead of accepting responsibility for a failure of miscommunication to the students, Heeke — trying to avoid a classic public relations blunder — shifted the blame on them, the media and Facebook for sensationalizing the policy. Crafty. First of all, no one sensationalized the policy. We reported on it completely, accurately and fairly, and then gauged student reaction, which was overwhelmingly against it. We even
Voice your concerns w w w w
Dave Heeke, Athletics Director heeke1dw@cmich.edu, 774-1711 Derek van der Merwe, Assoc. AD vande1df@cmich.edu, 774-6662 Bill Yeagley, CMU Police Chief yeagl1b@cmich.edu, 774-3081 Kathy Wilbur, Interim Univ. President wilbu1km@cmich.edu, 774-3131
sought input from Derek van der Merwe, associate athletic director who also sits on the committee, immediately following Saturday’s game. And students never gave tailgating a chance? Why didn’t the university give its students a chance when drafting the policy? Inviting just three students to represent thousands to a committee of 21 people is a desultory attempt at working with students and giving them a fair and thorough voice on this issue. Give students more credit than that. It is asinine to assume they would be unreasonable regarding a new tailgating policy that would encourage safety and a great atmosphere.
ASHLEY WEISS [CARTOON]
Lonnie Allen Columnist
An aged sophomore It’s a feeling that cannot be shaken easily. It overwhelms the thought process with big words, “I don’t belong.” I believe it’s easier for a younger freshman to make the adjustment to college. I am a sophomore who is possibly double the age of most students on campus. It is not simple to adjust to, nor is making friends with people half your age. I did not come to Central Michigan University because I need friends or as an outsider begging to be accepted. I came here for an education. I chose this life I lead today because college was not what I wanted back then. I wanted to be in California so much, I escaped Michigan by joining the Marines. I stayed there after the Marine Corps. I lived in the village of Carlsbad. It was a block from the Pacific Ocean. For the next six years of my life, I was living my dream. I cooked, waited tables and partied on the beach. But that was not the dream I wanted. A lot of time passed and I came back to Michigan. I made the uneasy decision to go to college. Today, I am the old dude that sits in class with many of you. Sometimes, I feel out of place and feel like failure is upon me. I just want what other students want at CMU: a college degree and the experience to become the person I dream of. I feel the traditional student landscape is changing. Older learners are on campus. Older learners seek belonging from fellow classmates. Each student is the same, choosing CMU or any other college to better ones self. I’m afraid of failing, but I’ve decided that if I fail, it will be on my own terms.
[our readers’ voice]
Comments from CM-Life.com: 4thlargest says:
I think that the administrators of CMU are trying too hard to be a little school. We’re not a little school, we are the 4th biggest university in this state and 44th in the country. Students are going to tailgate and, if the administration doesn’t want us to in Lot 63, so be it. I’ll see the 20,000 students who do tailgate on Main Street this Saturday where cars are driving and there is a real potential for a “dead student.” Lets be real, Heeke, you’re just causing more problems than you are fixing here. I support you most of the time, but this is just ridiculous.
one that has completely ruined the atmosphere for people at games. The football program is heading to new heights and they come out with these new rules that completely slapped the student body in the face. I have had teachers tell us that the rules are unneccessary and that just shows where everyone is coming from. The student body isn’t dividing to tell you the truth Mr. Athletic Director…. “You have brought us together even more.” Thanks! Publish that for all faculity involved in this decision to see! CMUgrad09 says:
Really? You think because people like to casually drink at tailgate means they are bad students. That’s probably one of the most irrational comments I have ever heard. Maybe you didn’t like tailgate because you had no friends to tailgate with.
kevin says:
I think that the athletic director is missing the whole point. He is the
Alum 82 says:
I am disappointed in Mr. Heeke’s
understanding of why people park in this lot. I have been attending CMU games since before Kelly/Shorts was built. I bring two 8-year-olds with me to the games. Our season tickets are closer to the south end of the stadium. We come to the game at least two hours before the game to park in the handicapped parking closest to that end of the stadium and we tailgate without alcohol. The tailgaters have always been courteous to us, and to the other older people in the handicapped parking area in that lot. The space roped off for tailgaters forced us to park farther from the entrance than it was previously. For older fans that have difficulty walking, that is a huge issue. Once we were in the stadium, we were hearing similar complaints from longtime season ticket holders around us. The current situation is not just alienating students, it is also upsetting long time patrons.
C M Y o u | Who is the next speaker you’d like to see at CMU and why?
Central Michigan Life Editorial Brian Manzullo, Editor in Chief David Veselenak, Managing Editor Matthew Stephens, Presentation Editor Eric Dresden, Student Life Editor Lindsay Knake, Metro Editor Sarah Schuch, University Editor Andrew Stover, Sports Editor Tim Ottusch, Assistant Sports Editor Ashley Miller, Photo Editor Will Axford, Voices Editor Caitlin Wixted, Lead Designer Advertising Lindsey Reed, Katie Sidell Advertising Managers Carly Schafer, Shawn Wright Multimedia Marketing Coordinators Professional staff Rox Ann Petoskey, Production Leader Kathy Simon, Assistant Director of Student Media Neil C. Hopp, Adviser to Central Michigan Life
Nathan Inks Columnist
Give it a chance Students should try out tailgating before criticizing it Over the past couple weeks, the CM Life newspaper and Web site have been filled with coverage and comments about the new tailgating procedures. For the most part, the opinions of the new rules have leaned heavily toward the negative side. But how many people actually know why they are complaining? How many people actually tailgated on campus last weekend? And, most importantly, how many people actually read the new tailgating policies? Personally, I don’t understand how anybody can complain unless they were actually at the tailgate Saturday. Judging by the conversations I’ve heard, this is most of the people complaining boycotted the tailgate. What exactly is so horrible about the new rules? Are most tailgaters going to drink more than six beers or a pint of alcohol? Probably not. Six beers or a pint is plenty for most people. For those who want to drink more, find a friend who only plans on drinking a couple beers and have him take some extra for you. There is no limit on how much people can drink, only how much they can bring in. Is the prohibition of glass containers really going to kill your tailgating experience? No. Is throwing garbage in receptacles going to ruin the fun? No. Are you going to die because your dog can’t accompany you? No. There are misconceptions about the new rules, too. I heard people saying grills, coolers and music have all been banned, but this is just not true. If you really want to listen to music, turn the radio on in your vehicle. The new rules do not ban grills, they only limit them to small grills. So if you want to grill some food, bring a small grill. It’s not that complicated. Instead of going to the tailgate and testing out the new rules, people began blowing things out of proportion. While I stand behind the administration in its decision to implement these new rules, I am not arguing they are perfect. Personally, I would get rid of the prohibition of glass containers, animals and trailers, but these are minor problems with the rules. One problem I have is the requirement that cars stay in the lot until the third quarter. I would encourage the administration to consider eliminating that rule. Either way, instead of boycotting CMU tailgating and continuing to spread misconceptions and falsehoods about the new rules, those wishing to tailgate should calm down and rationally voice their criticisms with the administration. If you skipped last weekend’s tailgate because of the new rules, tailgate at the Akron game Saturday. I am willing to bet that a lot of students will find the new rules are not as bad as people are making them out to be.
[letters to the editor]
“Michael Moore. (I want) to hear his controversial opinions on things.” Justin Coleman
Warren sophomore
“Dane Cook. He’s a funny guy. We need more comedians to come to campus.”
“Ronnie Coleman. We’ve never had a bodybuilder come to campus. It’d be something different.”
Melinda Diedrich
Joe Showerman
Gregory senior
Webberville senior
“Someone from The Office. That show is hilarious.” Sara Kenel
Howell senior
Kaitlin Thorne/staff photographer
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[letters to the editor]
Students should keep up the fight CMU Students, Now is the time to take a stand against the new tailgate policies. The results are clear and unequivocal – the game day atmosphere that was to be maintained has been decimated. Let me be clear. It is not the amount of regulation that we must stand united against; it is the simple fact that the regulations were put into place with only cursory input from the student body. This facade of student involvement has allowed individuals to champion the fact that CMU students were involved in creating these rules, in an attempt to justify and legitimize them. Let me tell you now, we must not having any of it. We must not drink from their tainted well. In a recent CM Life article, our esteemed athletics director was quoted as saying that “We’re [the students and administration] all in this together.” Additionally, in his letter to the editor he said that the “game day environment and experience should reflect the university’s mission and commitment to current and future students.” A bullet point in CMU’s mission statement reads - Shared Governance, supporting the principles of communications, consultation and participatory decisionmaking. The wool has not been pulled over our eyes; these policies have not come about as a result of adhering to CMU’s mission statement or the mentality that we are in this together. Only three students were invited to participate on the committee. There were five representatives from law enforcement present. Even if you would like to believe that all three students were there at every meeting, this still doesn’t account for the complete lack of outside input from the student body. The only time students were actively sought out was once the protesting began. Mr. Heeke has also made several other disconcerting comments recently. In Wednesday’s edition of CM Life, he insinuated that the paper as well as the students who protested tailgating were using sensationalist tactics and de-unifying the student body. He then immediately goes on to say that there was a “very real chance that tailgating would not exist for students at all,” and that he would rather see an empty lot on the front page than a dead student. The only sensationalism being utilized in this conversation is by Mr. Heeke himself. No students have died, the very creation of the committee shows that the removal of tailgate altogether was not an option, and the students have done nothing if not unify – just not in the way he would like. His appeal to fear is a logical fallacy, and is a juvenile tactic at best. Also, CM Life actually encouraged students to go to the game with an open mind. Continuing to shift the blame will not bring students back to tailgate.
In the Detroit News, Mr. Heeke was again quoted as saying, “I’m disappointed in the students. I fault them for not giving it a chance.” Really? It is not the fault of the oppressed that they do not succumb to the demands of the oppressor. CMU, we must fight back against this proverbial lash. There are some who have reached out to the students on this matter. The new CMU police Chief, Bill Yeagley, stands out in my mind as one such individual. His open approach and candor with the student body lends me to believe that there is yet hope for the CMU administration to do the right thing. The problem is that his has only been an individual approach. The hand of the students must remain a closed fist until the administration first extends their own open grip. Students: do not go to tailgating. Have your fun elsewhere and then go support the football team. They deserve our support. I fear, however, that if the administration is unwilling to convene a new committee to change these asinine regulations, then our next move must be to boycott the games themselves. In any conflict there are casualties, and unfortunately for the hard working student-athletes on the football team, they may become one of the first in this struggle. This may be the only way to force the administration’s hand on the issue. Dave Heeke recently encouraged students to “hold the rope.” The situation is quickly reaching a point in which the students will need, instead, to let go of that rope, lest it strangle the tailgating tradition completely. Let us hope it does not come to this. Students, the ball is no longer in our court. In his letter to the editor, Mr. Heeke said that, “Each and every university official and event employee is dedicated to assuring that we continue to provide you with one of the best game day experiences in the nation.” It is clear the game day experience has been destroyed. An unwillingness to convene a new committee now stands in direct opposition to this statement. I say that this statement is a lie. I hope the administration calls my bluff. We have certainly called theirs. I have been told that ours is an unwinnable struggle. I have been told the administration will not budge. I have been told they care not for the will of the students. But, as students, struggle we must. As Reagan said, “Let us be sure that those who come after will say of us in our time, that in our time we did everything that could be done. We finished the race; we kept them free; we kept the faith.” Respectfully, Brandyn Lawson InterFraternity Council President
Congratulations to CMU football fans I want to congratulate the many thousands of CMU student football fans who attended the CMU vs. Alcorn State University football game last Saturday. What a great turnout by the students. Your numbers may well have been the largest student turnout for a season opening football game in many years! As the football team embarks upon a tough MAC football schedule, Coach Jones, his staff, and your fine football team, who beat MSU (wasn’t that FUN!), will need your future
support more than ever. The recent “tailgating” changes certainly did not prevent you from attending and enjoying the ASU game in great numbers! The end zone and the sections next to it on both sides of the field were full of Maroon clad students! It is a shame Central Michigan Life chose to ignore your great numbers inside the stadium! The only Central Michigan Life picture, I saw, inside the stadium was a picture of only a few students in the front row of the end zone. CM Life chose to “con-
centrate” on the lack of great numbers in the former “tailgating“ area rather than the great numbers of dedicated student football fans INSIDE the stadium! Through my many years, I have grown to expect CM Life to provide a more “even handed picture” when reporting on “issues” involving CMU students. I am looking forward to seeing all of you at Saturday’s CMU vs. Akron University football game. FIRE UP CHIPS! Walter R. Schneider, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus
‘Cougars’ story is offensive, for both men and women I’m not sure where to start…. Not only does your article make fantastic generalizations, it insults the emotional intelligence of both parties involved: boys that are so naïve that they may fall “prey” to some lurking older woman waiting to pounce, and women that are so desperate (and old) that
they are hunting for a confidence boost like a vampire seeks blood. You have turned these media created labels into something that sounds more like a sex offender-child encounter, something more suitable for the check-out lane. I now envision CMU boys bar-hopping, shouting to their friends,
“Dude! That woman just tried to pick me up! She’s old enough to be my mom!” and an intervention ensuing, for safety’s sake, of course. P.S. I am 35, not hunting young men, nor do I wear red, acrylic nails, animal print, or dye my hair blonde. Gina Kotenko Mount Pleasant junior
Central Michigan Life || Friday, Sept. 25, 2009 || 5A
Michigan Senate should approve Promise Note: this is an excerpt from a speech given by College Democrats President Brad O’Donnell during the Michigan Promise Rally. When I was younger, my family’s finances weren’t always sound but, at the end if the day, I knew that because my parents worked hard and fulfilled their commitments everything would work out fine. But I’m one of the lucky ones because throughout college, both of my parents have been soundly employed and the Michigan Promise provided that extra bit of much needed help during my first two years of college. For myself and 96,000 of my peers across the state, the Michigan Promise has provided critical assistance during this
time of economic uncertainty. Others have not been as lucky as myself. As Jobs have been and as our economy continues to worsen, the Promise has literally been the difference between attending and not attending college for many. It’s a story that we’ve heard time and time again; a student whose parents have been laid off by our faltering auto industry, the family struggling to make ends meet for multiple children. All the while hoping and praying, that their child’s dream of a college education, of a life more stable and prosperous than their own, is possible. We need to ask our elected representatives to stay fast and stand strong for Michigan’s Promise. This is not a partisan issue, but a political one. Our
voice is an acknowledgment that we, the future leaders of our state, will not stand idly by as opportunity is abandoned. It us a commitment to the idea that the future value if our state is directly related to the value we place on education. Now I have a promise from the students of Michigan to our elected leaders: any legislator that supports cutting the Promise scholarship will hear from the 96,000 whose education they have jeopardized, in their next election. It’s a promise we are making and it’s a promise we will keep. Stephen Johnson College Democrats at CMU: Communications Director National Residence Hall Honorary
6A || Friday, Sept. 25, 2009 || Central Michigan Life
www.cm-life.com
[News] medical school
One year old, making progress By Jake May Senior Reporter
Livonia junior Brittany Smith tiedyes a shirt at the Saxe/Herrig/Celani Last Summer Bash Wednesday night in the Saxe courtyard. T-shirts were sold for $3 and proceeds went to organizing a dance marathon, tentatively in the spring, benefitting Muscular Dystrophy awareness. Sean Proctor/ staff photographer
A colorful celebration to end summer Saxe, Herrig, Celani halls wrap up the season By Lonnie Allen Staff Reporter
The evening weather was perfect as nostalgic music played and set the mood of an early summer beach party from days past. Saxe, Herrig and Celani hall council threw a “Last Summer Splash” in the Saxe/Herrig courtyard Wednesday night. The Hall Council offered students a chance to tie-dye T-shirts or any item they brought, and offered volleyball, popcorn and cotton candy, said Lake City sophomore Craig Johnson. Marine City freshmen Jerrod Black and Woodland sopho-
more Kasey Flessner worked together to put on the event. “We pulled a lot of late nights going to Wal-Mart picking up supplies over the past few weeks,” Flessner said. Black said they pulled several all-nighters. “I am excited to see it happen tonight,” he said. The event cost $275 and offered students the opportunity to raise money for future philanthropy events. Wixom freshman Cameron Gottschall hopes to have a series of events to raise awareness and money for Muscular Dystrophy, including one in April, where people will stand on their feet for 24 hours. “I know that U-M has done this type of event for about 13 years and MSU started it last year,” Gottschall said. “We are hoping it will be a big event.”
second book | continued from 3A
“There was a girl in my high school that was actually stalked on MySpace,” Kapusta said. “The girl in ‘Anonymous’ is in the same situation. It’s about how you don’t know the kind of people you’ll meet on the internet.” While she did most of the revising and research on her own, she used the independent publishing company iUniverse to publicize her book. “I used an independent company because it gave me more control over certain things, like the cover art and
such,” Kapusta said. Serious writing is a long process, and it can be very easy for someone to lose interest in what they are doing. Taylor said she attributes Kapusta’s success to her committed personality. “She is a very disciplined and organized person,” Taylor said. “She’s always got a positive attitude.” Fenton junior Jocelyn Wilson said she helped Kapusta edit her book. “She’s a very imaginative person. She’s very passionate and fun to be around,” she said. “(Her book) is really different compared to a lot of
strongman | continued from 1A
But he doesn’t consider himself a bodybuilder. While bodybuilders focus on toning their bodies, Shock, who can deadlift 700 pounds, considers himself a “strongman.” Unlike bodybuilders, strongmen focus solely on building strength and not just looking good, he said. “Strongmen and power lifters are like Mack trucks, while bodybuilders are like peacocks,” he said. “We’re the black sheep of the muscle world.”
Going for fun Webb has competed in five shows prior to the nationals and said he hopes to place in the top 10. Since his first show, a 2008 King of the Mountain competition, he said he has fallen in love with strength building. Webb said he will remain calm until the competition. “I’m not really an all-tooexcited person until I get down there,” he said. “Right now, I’m just going for fun.” Two other Mount Pleasant natives are headed to the nationals — state trooper Chris
campus crime | continued from 3A
“It’s been happening a lot over the last few years,” Sabuda said. “These kinds of things can’t be solved by us alone.” He said if such a crime occurs, the victim should immediately contact the police so they have a better chance of detaining the suspect rather than hesitating and waiting until later. The problem with thefts is especially prevalent when it comes to bicycles, said CMU Community Police Officer Mike Sienkiewicz. “Our number one crime continues to be bike larcenies,” he said. “We are really trying to encourage people to take it upon themselves to register their bikes.”
Yeagley said he hopes to eventually do an analysis of how CMU compares to other universities when it comes to campus crimes, particularly ones of similar sizes. “I have not done that yet, that’s part of the assessment,” he said. “But my experience tells me that we’re right on par.” Local attorney Todd Levitt said he has been fortunate to see very few crimes against people’s safety on and off campus during his time in Mount Pleasant. “You don’t see any of the big type of cases that are identifiable with big cities,” he said. “You don’t see the violent crimes on campus.” university@cm-life.com
Tie-dye was the most popular for students who lined up shortly after 7 p.m. and the line continued to grow as students from the halls came out with shirts or other items they wanted dyed. Muskegon sophomore Thomas Holcomb said he found out about the event around 6 p.m. and grabbed his own shirt so he would not miss out. “I used all of the colors,” he said. “I guess I am kind of a hippie.” Black said he was happy the event was a success and was impressed with the amount of people that came out for what they spent on it. “It is not about the money but doing things for the students we just wanted to have a good time with everyone,” he said. “The weather turned out great and so did the night.” university@cm-life.com
books out there now.” A continued passion Kapusta has not taken a break from writing, however. She already began the editing process on her second book, “Angel at My Doorstep.” Taylor does not see her slowing down. “She has already accomplished a lot just by publishing her first book,” Taylor said. “She loves writing and has always wanted to be a great writer.” “One day, I hope to be a well-known author. Maybe have one of my books turned into a movie,” Kapusta said. “Nothing is really going to slow me down.” studentlife@cm-life.com
Pietrantonio of the Mount Pleasant post and Mount Pleasant resident Shawn Allen. Allen said he will represent his religion while at the nationals. “I just want to go out there and represent Christ,” Allen said. studentlife@cm-life.com
One year old and the medical school is like any child in early development. It has support from its parents, the university. It has financial support from other family, the Board of Trustees. The timeline of the school’s accomplishments to date is crawling, just starting to make strides in an effort to gain support — accreditation. Central Michigan University’s Board of Trustees gave the go-ahead to former university president Michael Rao to begin the medical school project in September 2008. His goal: to create a working facility with a 100 students enrolled and attending classes by fall 2012. Since the Board’s approval, the medical school has employed an interim dean, Cam Enarson, to head the accreditation process. Enarson started July 1. “It is necessary to understand the importance of a dialogue, and Dr. Enarson has come through in spades for this project in that matter. He has been meeting with CMU, the Mount Pleasant community and off-site communities explaining the project. He has come through in spades,” said Trustee Chairwoman Gail Torreano. Contributions In February, contributions were up to $302,000. Rao and Sam Kottamasu, vice chairman of the Board of Trustees and medical school committee chairman, each pledged $100,000. Rao has since paid in full, Kottamasu has paid $20,000, and will continue to pay in $20,000 installments over the next four years. Yet after Rao’s resignation, 1977 alumnus Todd Anson, a Mount Pleasant native, rerouted his $100,000 contribution to the renovation of Rose Arena, bringing the total income for the school to $202,000. On Aug. 5, the university sent in an application, along with $25,000, for accreditation to the Liaison Committee on Medical Education in Chicago. Enarson said the medical school cannot be fully accredited until fall 2016, after its first students graduate after a
four-year degree. Recent Developments With the approval of another $22 million for an addition onto the Health Professions Building — a space that will house the medical school — the school marks its largest sum of funding since it was announced. The expansion cannot exceed $24 million, the total combined with the already approved $2 million. “It’s important to note: that’s the maximum,” said Interim University President Kathy Wilbur. “It’s not the beginning. It’s the beginning and the end.” Another step in the process to receive full accreditation was complete in the last few weeks, when the university finalized its first three affiliation agreements with Saginaw medical facilities: St. Mary’s of Michigan, Covenant HealthCare and Synergy Medical Education Alliance. Each have signed contracts, Kottamasu said. MidMichigan Health of Midland and Mount Pleasant’s Central Michigan Community Hospital are also in talks with CMU, but have not yet confirmed any affiliation agreements. Kottamasu said MidMichigan Health is expected to sign on in the next four to six weeks, but CMCH has not made any sign of commitment.
cm-life.com Visit cm-life.com for a full version of this story.
Search for founding dean The university has already opened a search for the founding dean of the medical school. Wilbur said the dean will be chosen by December and, following, four associate deans will be recruited in January. Enarson said four associate deans are required to meet accreditation standards. Enarson said a development officer should be hired by the end of September and that person’s responsibility will be outreach to search for deans, faculty and staff. He will speak at 7:30 p.m. today at Davenport University in Saginaw Township to discuss the procedures the school has planned to continue progression on the medical school. He said it is not something that is born overnight, but people need to see the big picture. “It wasn’t just (last) Thursday’s approval of more money and now we can stop,” Enarson said. “This is more akin to running a marathon than a sprint. We’re in the early part of the race, but we know what we need to do to get across the finish line.” university@cm-life.com
www.cm-life.com
Central Michigan Life || Friday, Sept. 25, 2009 || 7A
[News]
FLAG FOOTBALL | ‘Wolfpack’ practices for game
Promise Day gives students a voice By Amelia Eramya Staff Reporter
Durand freshman Josh Roddy snaps the ball to his quarterback Tuesday evening in the field between Broomfield and West Campus Drive. Roddy and the rest of his team, the ‘Wolfpack,’ were practicing for their flag football league. matthew stephens/ presentation editor
Lottery pays for college tuition? Rep. Durhal seeks to increase education funding By Joe Martinez Staff Reporter
Michigan high school seniors soon could have a new incentive playing the lottery — free college tuition. Under the Michigan College Tuition Act, proposed by State Rep. Fred Durhal Jr., D-Detroit, qualifying high school seniors would receive free college tuition at no cost to state taxpayers. “Here in Michigan, there is a serious need for a college education to be more accessible to all residents,” Durhal said in a statement. “We need to make sure that anyone who wants to continue learning beyond high school can do so.” To qualify for the funding, the student would have to have lived in Michigan the previous five years before graduating high school, have a 2.5 grade point average and be accepted into any of Michigan’s public or private vocational and technical schools, community colleges or universities, according to a press release. The funds would only cover tuition and room and board.
Books and meal plans would not be covered. The student also must contribute one year of community service, including returning to their high school to mentor an “underachieving” senior. Durhal plans to pay for the MCTA by holding three annual “super” lotteries, creating a check-box for contributions on income tax forms, corporate donations and endowments and contribution of 1 percent of all gross receipts from all Michigan casinos. Tribe may not donate The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe is hesitant at the moment to contribute anything to the state. “We used to agree to donate 2 percent of tribal revenue on a provision of a twice-a-year audit,” said Frank Cloutier, interim public relations director for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. Cloutier said the Tribe stopped donating that money when the state violated the exclusivity agreement the Tribe had by not providing any resistance to the casinos in downtown Detroit. “The state keeps on challenging the Indian tuition waiver, so donating our revenue to help out with statewide tuition is not something we’re very ac-
commodating to right now,” he said. The three Detroit casinos generated $1.36 billion in revenue in 2008, according to a Detroit News article, and if they agree to Durhal’s proposal, would contribute $13.6 million to the MCTA. About $13.6 million would cover more than 1,600 freshmen taking 24 credits for an academic year under the university’s current freshman tuition rates. The MCTA calls for creation of a “lock box,” which would keep all funding for the MCTA separate from being able to be allocated to fill state budget gaps or used for any other project. The “lock box” would require amending the Michigan constitution, which requires a ballot initiative before the voters. Lottery Commission spokeswoman Abbey Brewer said the amendment would bypass a state law that sends all lottery revenue to the school-aid fund. Current high school seniors who might qualify should not expect the funds to come anytime soon. The ballot initiative constitutional amendment vote will not happen until at least the November 2010 midterm elections. university@cm-life.com
McNair scholars present research Symposium featuring studies on mental illness By Ariel Black Staff Reporter
Students in the McNair Scholars Program will present research projects in a symposium at 1 p.m. today in the Charles V. Park Library. Many scholars present their personal research at conferences, giving them an advantage over students advancing directly into graduate school. Warren senior Caitlin Demsky said she wanted to improve the setting of the workplace with her research. “What I was trying to figure out was characteristics of the workplace, such as anxiety and depression, that might lead to mental illness,” Demsky said. “I was looking at it from a specifically evolutionary view. I completed a survey for workers to take and sent it to 2,100 CMU alumni.” The McNair program focuses on students demonstrating their research with the help of a faculty member, who works as their mentor. The scholars are taught groundwork for their futures in graduate school and are given the chance to travel and receive financial aid, said Lynn Curry, director of the McNair Scholars Program. According to the program’s Web site, the three main portions of the program are to attend a research writing seminar in the spring, participate in the Summer Research Institute and present research and complete graduate school applications in the fall. “Students gain confidence in themselves,” Curry said. “This program is important to students who fit the criteria because we can help them get a step up and understand that through hard work and motivation, they can achieve a Ph.D.”
Other projects Other projects presented will include Monstrosity in Horror Literature, A Search for Non-invasive Methods: Determining Age At Death and Comparing Intra-racial and Inter-racial Dialogue: A Qualitative Approach, among others. Students also feel they are more confident in entering graduate school after completing the program. “Getting a Ph.D. is a very important educational goal to have,” Demsky said. “McNair is a wonderful, amazing resource to get students to graduate school and gives them a step up on the competition.” The program, established at CMU in 1999, benefits students interested in many different fields of study and promotes educating students on research work and preparing them for graduate school. “The program is an awesome opportunity to gain research experience and meet scholars and students who have the same interests in going to graduate school,” said Detroit senior Kayana Sanders. Sanders, who focused on multicultural environment in the psychology department, agrees. “I have a lot of confidence in what I want to do and who I am as a person,” Sanders said. “I have grown tremendously since last October. Through the McNair program, my confidence has also grown and I am able to say that proudly.” Interested? The program is taking applications for the 2010 cohorts. For more information on the McNair Scholars program, attend the Symposium or visit the Web site, mcnair. cmich.edu. “We work with low income and first generation college students and underrepresented students and prepare them to pursue Ph.D.’s,” Curry said. university@cm-life.com
If you go w What: McNair research symposium w When: 1 p.m. today w Where: Charles V. Park Library
Fort Gratiot junior Megan Fredendall is still waiting to receive her Michigan Promise Scholarship. “I talked to Receivable Accounting and they said they don’t even know if I’m going to get it or not,” she said. The Student Government Association’s Legislative Affairs committee held Promise Day Thursday for students greatly affected by Michigan’s deficit. More than 800 students requested their State Senators contact information during the event. More than 3,000 Central Michigan University incoming and returning students were not awarded their earned scholarship for the fall. The Michigan Promise is a $4,000 scholarship funded by the state of Michigan that started in 2007 and is rewarded to high school graduates who received valid test scores on their Michigan Merit Exam. The decision to eliminate the grant took a turn in the State House and Senate. The State House voted Thursday to add a $120 million to the budget to restore the Michigan Promise, which reversed
Wednesday’s decision from a State House and Senate conference committee to eliminate the grant. “I’m very glad that some students are willing to participate and demand that the scholarship is not eliminated,” said Brighton freshman Colleen McNeely, chairwoman of SGA’s Legislative Affairs Committee. “I’m glad the committee has reversed their decision.” But students still do not know if they will receive their money. Frustrations rising Livonia freshman Kristin Turbiak is frustrated her scholarship was taken away. “We worked hard to take that test (MME) and, now, it’s out the window,” she said. When Turbiak’s mother, an elementary schoolteacher, found out the bad news through an e-mail from Central Michigan University, she immediately wrote a letter to the state. “You make a promise, you keep it,” Turbiak said. Turbiak and her mother awaited a reply, but never received the letter. Turbiak said she called State Sen. Glenn Anderson, D-Westland, but was unable to speak directly with him. However, Turbiak spoke to
Anderson’s secretary and learned she was working hard to keep the Michigan Promise Scholarship. “I voiced my concern and shared some personal experiences relating to the scholarship,” Turbiak said. Romulus freshman James McGlynn chose to attend a university in Michigan partially because he was receiving the scholarship. “It was one of the reasons why I stayed in Michigan,” he said. Allen Park junior Ellen Trudell was concerned when finding out she would no longer receive the scholarship. “I can’t believe the hypocrisy of it,” Trudell said. “I don’t understand how they expect us to stay in Michigan and provide to the economy when they won’t even aid us in going to school.” McNeely also is a recipient of the scholarship, but she is not sure if she will ever see the rewards of it. “It’s great news that the House voted to restore the Promise grants,” McNeely said. “However, we are still awaiting on action to be taken on a tax bill to ensure that the scholarship is awarded.” university@cm-life.com
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CM-life.com | Check the Web site for weekend previews of field hockey, soccer and volleyball Central Michigan Life
Sports Weekend Friday, September 25, 2009 | Section B
mac preview
Road to
Redemption F
or the
Chippewas, it all starts Saturday.
After back-to-back Mid-American Conference Championships
in 2006
and 2007, CMU lost its crown in 2008. This year, the MAC may be better than ever. In the second week of conference play, CMU will visit the defending champions
Buffalo. Senior wide receiver Naaman Roosevelt is
showing it does not matter who
throws him the ball. He is a playmaker.
The next test could be the biggest. CMU heads to Kalamazoo to play Tim Hiller and the Western Michigan
Broncos on Oct. 17. But the
the following week’s game against Bowling Green
in-state rivalry cannot overshadow who fought, but narrowly lost to No.
25 Missouri (27-20). And it will all culminate in the final conference game. By all
accounts, Northern
Illinois is back. After losing to Wisconsin by a touchdown, NIU beat The Huskies
Purdue last week.
are for real.
The eight-game grind is endured for one reason. knows it. The juniors and seniors obtained it before as It’s all about winning the
Senior quarterback Dan LeFevour well.
Mid-American Conference Championship.
Akron Zips (Sept. 26)
Buffalo Bulls (Oct. 3)
Eastern Michigan Eagles (Oct. 10)
2008: 5-7, 3-5 MAC: 4th in MAC East 2009 start: 1-2; Beat Morgan State, lost to No. 9 Penn State and Indiana Key players: WR Deryn Bowser; DL Almondo Sewell Coach: J.D. Brookhart (6th year) Offense: Multi-spread Defense: 3-4 Notes: The Zips recently dismissed prized quarterback Chris Jacquemain, who ranks fourth on Akron’s all-time passing list, after he violated team rules. Dual-threat sophomore quarterback Matt Rodgers is now at the helm. The Zips bring back four senior wide receivers for their fourwide set they use most often. Akron also brings back four starting offensive linemen from last season, all juniors or seniors. Defensively, the Zips rank first in the conference in run defense through three games after changing from a 3-3-5 defense to a 3-4 front.
2008: 8-6, 5-3 MAC: 1st in MAC East 2009 start: 1-2; Beat UTEP, lost to Pittsburgh and Central Florida Key players: WR Naaman Roosevelt; SS Davonte Shannon Coach: Turner Gill (4th year) Offense: Multiple (pro-style and spread sets) Defense: 4-3 Notes: After losing starting quarterback Drew Willy to graduation, the Buffalo offense took another hit. Senior running back James Starks, who ran for 1,333 yards and 16 touchdowns last year, tore his left shoulder and is out for the year. Sophomore quarterback Zach Maynard will team with senior wide receiver Naaman Roosevelt to form one of the most dangerous duos in the conference. Defensively, junior strong safety Davonte Shannon will anchor the unit. Shannon had more than 120 tackles in his first two years, and has a combined four interceptions.
2008: 3-9, 2-6 MAC: 5th in MAC West 2009 start: 0-3; Lost to Army, Northwestern, No. 25 Michigan Key players: WR Jacory Stone; RB Dwayne Priest Coach: Ron English (1st year) Offense: Pro-style Defense: 4-3 Notes: Ron English’s transition to a head coaching position just got more difficult. Now, the Eagles will miss one of its few bright spots after senior quarterback Andy Schmitt tore his ACL this week, leaving the reins of the team to freshman Alex Gillett. The offense has changed from the spread to a pro-style attack. Defensively, English is in the midst of trying to morph a defense which gave up 408 yards per game and more than 35 points per game into a formidable unit.
A more mac previews | 4B
[inside] Different look w Akron runs a different defensive system than most MAC schools, 2B
Game Breakdown w Sports Editor Andrew Stover breaks down Saturday’s game against Akron, 3B
Game Preview w Akron comes into Saturday’s game with a few off-field issues, 3B
fire up chips? w Assistant Sports Editor Tim Ottusch talks about the tailgating issue, 3B
Live Chat! w Go to cm-life.com for the live chat during Saturday’s game against Akron.
2B || Friday, Sept. 25, 2009 || Central Michigan Life
CMU INSIDE
cm-life.com/category/sports
[football]
|||||||||||| game 4 P l ay e r s t o Wat c h Akron Zips
Zips
Offense
Pos. No. Name QB 5 Matt Rodgers RB 10 Alex Allen 3 Dale Martin WR 1 Deryn Bowser 21 Andre Jones 12 Jeremy Bruce 7 Dashan Miller TE 84 Thyne Ladrach LT 75 Corey Woods LG 71 Mike Ward C 51 Elliot Bates RG 78 Zach Anderson RT 73 Jake Anderson
Class So. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. RFr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. So.
Defense
Pos. No. Name DE 97 James Harvey DT 56 Almondo Sewell NT 60 Dan Marcoux MLB 34 Brian Wagner SLB 24 Aaron Williams OLB 20 Mike Thomas Rov 23 Sean Fobbs CB 6 Manley Waller CB 11 Miguel Graham FS 27 Wayne Cobham SS 48 Tyler Campbell
Specialists
Pos. No. Name P 38 John Stec K 45 Igor Iveljic PR 12 Jeremy Bruce KR 7 Dashan Miller
Class So. Jr. So. RFr. So. Jr. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Jr.
Class Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr.
Almondo Sewell- DT
Deryn Bowser- WR
Brian Wagner- MLB
Profile Sewell is the anchor of Akron’s defensive line, which ranks as the MAC’s best rushing defense.
Profile Bowser has nearly triple the yardage of any other Akron receiver (235 yards).
Profile Wagner leads the Zips in tackles despite being new to the starting lineup this year.
Why to watch CMU coach Butch Jones called Bowser one of the best wide receivers in the conference. He has scored at least a touchdown in every game this year, including games against Penn State and Indiana.
Why to watch Offensive guard Allen Ollenburger said Wagner was the key player on Akron’s defense, a unit very good against the run. Against CMU, the Akron linebackers will have to be nearly as good in pass coverage.
Why to watch The Zips run a 3-4 defense, so Sewell’s job will be more about taking on blocks and getting penetration in the backfield than getting pressure on the quarterback.
C e n t r a l M i c h i g a n C h i pp e w a s Bryan Anderson- WR
Josh Gordy- WR
Paris Cotton- RB
Profile Quietly, Anderson leads the Chippewas in receiving yards with 147.
Profile Gordy has been the coverage ace of the secondary. He has the lone CMU interception this year.
Profile Cotton would lead the team in rushing yards if not for Carl Volny’s role in the Alcorn State blowout.
Why to watch Out of the spread, Akron starts four senior wide receivers. Gordy will likely be headto-head with Bowser, but Andre Jones was third-team All-MAC last year as well.
Why to watch With sophomore Bryan Schroeder and freshman Tim Phillips both game-time decisions, Cotton will be leaned on heavily in the backfield against a stingy Akron run defense.
Why to watch Akron’s starting corners, Manley Waller and Miguel Graham, are both 5 feet 9 inches or shorter. Anderson is 6 feet 5 inches. This is a mismatch the Chippewas would be wise to exploit.
Quotable Comment .....
“
The football team will see a different wrinkle it will not see anywhere else when it faces the Akron defense. Against every other team on CMU’s schedule, the defense aligns with four down linemen. Akron only uses three down linemen in most situations. “The difficulty with (Akron) is they do both (alignments),” said coach Butch Jones. “There just not a three-down football team or what some people refer to as an odd front.” Jones said because of different blitz schemes and patterns Akron uses, the pass protection is forced to be mentally sharp. Along the defensive line is junior defensive end Almondo Sewell (6’1”, 280 pounds). Sewell had 62 tackles, two sacks and six tackles for loss last year. “You always have to be conscientious of where he is, but you can’t let one person dictate to you,” Jones said. “That’s why it’s going to be critical that we do some different things offensively in terms of schemes.” Senior offensive guard Allen Ollenburger said Akron tends to blitz more than other defenses. “They bring a little bit more pressure than most teams do with the four linebackers so you just have to be a little bit more technically sound,” he said. The 3-4 front is more prevalent in the National Football League than at the collegiate
level. The standard 3-4 front uses bigger defensive linemen to take on double teams and allow the four l i n e b a c k e r s Allen Ollenburger to make plays freely. The defensive ends are more like defensive tackles in a 4-3, where outside linebackers can be used to rush the passer like a prototypical defensive end or they can drop back into coverage. Senior quarterback Dan LeFevour said he has to recognize the amount of people in coverage. “They have the capacity to drop another guy into coverage more often,” he said. “It makes running the ball a little bit difficult (too).” The key to beating a 3-4 front is shedding the defensive linemen and blocking the linebackers. Ollenburger said CMU will use its athleticism to its advantage. “You have to put a little emphasis on getting to the second level,” he said. “We do pretty well already getting to the second level because we are smaller and faster.” Redshirt freshman Brian Wagner leads the team in tackles through three games with 30. He earned the attention of CMU’s offensive line. “He flies around, he really gets to the ball,” Ollenburger said. “He reminds me a lot of (CMU junior linebacker) Nick Bellore. He has a nose for the football and when he brings his blitzes, he really comes hard.”
Offense
Defense
Specialists
Pos. No. Name QB 13 Dan LeFevour RB 6 Paris Cotton 29 Carl Volny WR 27 Antonio Brown 7 Bryan Anderson 1 Kito Poblah TE 82 David Blackburn LT 73 Jake Olson LG 66 Jeff Maddux C 63 Colin Miller RG 64 Allen Ollenburger RT 78 Rocky Weaver
Pos. No. Name DE 98 Frank Zombo DE 95 Larry Knight DT 54 Sean Murnane DT 94 John Williams MLB 46 Matt Berning OLB 43 Nick Bellore OLB 17 Tim Brazzel CB 19 Josh Gordy CB 31 Kirkston Edwards 14 Tommy Mama S 9 Bobby Seay S 12 Eric Fraser 44 Dannie Bolden 40 John Carr
Pos. No. Name P 96 Brett Hartmann K 36 Andrew Aguila PR 27 Antonio Brown KR 27 Antonio Brown LS 92 Jake Ekkens
Class Sr. So. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. So. Fr. Jr. Jr. Sr. So.
Class Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. So. So.
Class So. Jr. So. So. So.
You always have to be conscientious of where he is, but you can’t let one person dictate to you. ” Head Coach Butch Jones on Akron defensive end Almondo Sewell
Akron uses uncommon 3-4 defense By Andrew Stover Sports Editor
Chippewas
Making the switch Before 2009, Akron implemented an even more unusual defensive front — the 3-3-5. In this scheme, the three down linemen occupied the same roles, but there were only three true linebackers. “There’s a lot of similarities, it’s a little bit different,” Jones said. “I think it’s evolved a little bit more to probably be a little bit more multiple.” Along with the two cornerbacks and two safeties, Akron used a rover, which is a safety/ linebacker hybrid. Junior outside linebacker Mike Thomas filled the role last year. Thomas is an undersized linebacker in the new scheme, at 5’11”, 215 pounds. “(He’s) all over the place,” Jones said. “He’s just a football player. He’s got great instincts. You can tell a player who has great instincts because they’re always around the football.” sports@cm-life.com
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cm-life.com/category/sports
[football]
Game Preview
Central Michigan Life || Friday, Sept. 25, 2009 || 3B
Breakdown
Akron makes change at quarterback Skill positions give Chippewas edge By Dave Jones Senior Reporter
With most of the non-conference schedule behind the football team, sophomore running back Paris Cotton and the rest of the Chippewas are ready for what lies ahead. The next step is their pursuit of a Mid-American Conference Championship and, with the first conference game against Akron at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Kelly/ Shorts Stadium, expectations are high. “If we stick together, no one can beat us. Period,” Cotton said. “We work day in and day out and, as we work harder, we get stronger. (Akron’s) going to come to play us, so we have to come to play — we come hard and they come hard and the best team wins.” The Zips have uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position. Senior Chris Jacquemain was dismissed from the team this week because of a violation of team rules. It leaves sophomore Matt Rodgers as the starter. Akron left with a 38-21 loss to the Hoosiers, but Rodgers ended the day completing 14-of-23 passes for
165 yards, a touchdown and a rushing t o u c h d ow n . He also was i n t e rc e p t e d four times. “Rodgers brings an- Butch Jones other element in that he’s a dual threat,” Jones said. “He’s really dangerous with the ball in his hands in running the football and making his own reads.” The Zips’ offense also features wide receiver Deryn Bowser, who ranks second in the MAC in scoring, catching five touchdowns (of the team’s seven total) in his 14 receptions. “He is as talented as a receiver as there is in our conference,” Jones said. Along with Bowser, the Zips bring back three other senior wide receivers, including 2008 All-MAC wide receiver Andre Jones, who will start in the spread formation. Talent in the trenches Along the offensive line, Akron returns four starters, all juniors and seniors. “(The) offensive line has a lot of experience — they’re big and physical,” Jones said.
Akron only has one starting offensive lineman less than 300 pounds. Akron’s defense, which ranks at the top of the conference in stopping the run, runs a 3-4 front (three down linemen, four linebackers). In three games, freshman Brian Wagner leads the Zips in tackles (18 solo tackles and 12 assists) and has had two pass break-ups. “Considering the two scenarios they’ve been given the first few weeks, to even be where they’re at defensively is pretty shocking because they’ve played a lot of football,” said Akron coach J.D. Brookhart. “They’ve been put in some very unfair positions, so I’m pleased with them.” Injury Update Sophomore running back Bryan Schroeder and freshman Tim Phillips are ruled as game-time decisions for Saturday’s conference opener. Schroeder did not dress for the team’s 48-0 win against Alcorn State last Saturday, while Phillips went down in the first half with an injury after rushing for 40 yards on six carries. sports@cm-life.com
“If we stick together, no one can beat us. Period. We work day in and day out and, as we work harder, we get stronger.” Paris Cotton, sophomore running back
Off the field issues could damper bright season Every football team has its question marks going into a season. This season for CMU, those question marks centered on if the defense would improve, how the offensive line would hold up and if senior quarterback Dan LeFevour would return to the form he showed in 2007. Thus far, those question marks have been answered. An argument could be made that the defense has been the team’s strong point. The team held Arizona to just 19 points, defeated MSU and avoided its hangover game against Alcorn State, containing duel-threat quarterback Tim Buckley. Offensively, CMU has looked sharp, particularly in the past two weeks. And as the team heads into Mid-American Conference play, it has the opportunity to have one of the greatest seasons in team history. With its major question marks already answered, a new question has recently emerged: Will anyone be there to see it? Tailgating controversy Last Saturday, as I headed into Lot 63 to work at the Central Michigan Life tent, I braced myself for a half-hour search through tons of people to find it. Surprisingly, I found it within seconds. Because barely anyone was there. CMU enforced a Lot 63
Tim Ottusch Assistant Sports Editor tailgating policy this year that limits each student to six beers or one pint of liquor and bans external sound systems, among other rules. Most people there held signs protesting the new setup. However, I was surprised so many fans made the trek from their respective apartment complexes and from Main Street to see the game. Now, I wonder, will anyone bother making that trip again? The unity among students, and even now alumni, has grown, and protest groups have formed to not only boycott tailgating, but also the game itself. The problem is both sides have totally different viewpoints and goals. And, really, each side’s differences have set up CMU to fail. Repercussions If students fail to show up, it will make the university look bad on a few ends. Saturday is CMU and You Day. Many perspective students will be on campus checking out what it is like
and if they want to come here. But will perspective students want to come if the student environment is dead? Or will parents want their children to come here if they see the student body walking from Main Street through the campus to the stadium a drunken mess? Another area they are setting themselves up to fail is on Nov. 11, when the team faces Toledo on ESPN2 on a Wednesday night. Everything is about image and athletics is a university’s biggest marketing tool. It does not do well for the university if its football team is in a conference title race and there is no student attendance with the game on national television. And honestly, boycotting the tailgate from the students end really just tells everyone we care more about drinking than the big picture of why exactly there is tailgating in the first place. Perhaps some town hall meetings are in order to work this out between the two sides. Perhaps pride and ego should be put aside for a while and let cooler heads prevail. It would be a shame if this is the year the team cracks the Top 25 and wins the MAC, and the biggest storyline is something that had nothing to do with the play on the field. sports@cm-life.com
Sports Editor Andrew Stover breaks down the football team’s 3:30 p.m. game against Akron at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
defense the Chippewas have yet to see. Instead of more common 4-3 front seven most collegiate teams use, the Zips use a 3-4, with three down linemen and four linebackers. Defensive end Almondo Sewell is the anchor of the defensive line, and freshman linebacker Brian Wagner leads the team in tackles, and has earned the attention of the CMU offensive line. Advantage: Akron. The Zips lead the Mid-American Conference in rush defense through three games. The 3-4 front can be difficult to scheme around, so Akron will hold a slight advantage.
113 yards and one touchdown. Akron’s two starting corners, Manly Waller and Miguel Graham are shorter than Antonio Brown 5 feet 10 inches. Anderson is listed at 6 feet 5 inches. Expect CMU to stretch the field with its vertical passing game. Advantage: CMU. Whether it attacks with a vertical passing game or short and quick passes and screens, the Chippewas are too talented to contain in this area.
Running backs: Nothing will help an inexperienced quarterback more than a steady running game. Unfortunately for the Zips, senior running back Alex Allen is averaging just 2.6 yards per carry. CMU was able to get the running game going last week against Alcorn State but, in the previous two games, sophomore running backs Paris Cotton and Bryan Schroeder were held in check. Advantage: CMU. The Chippewas have the slight advantage only because their backs are used in the passing gamewith Schroeder and Cotton excelling as receivers out of the backfield.
Akron offensive line vs. CMU front seven Akron returns four starters along the offensive line from 2008, and they are all juniors and seniors. Every starter but one weighs more than 300 pounds, and the lone lineman who does not reach that plateau is 295. CMU employs a smaller defensive line, but defensive tackles Sean Murnane (Jr.) and John Williams (So.) have played Sean Murnane well, especially in generating an interior pass rush. Senior defensive end Frank Zombo is one of the biggest edge threats in the MAC. Advantage: Akron. CMU’s front seven has made plays at critical times this year — especially against Michigan State. However, Akron has one of the best offensive lines in the MAC, maybe the best. Rodgers will need all the time he can get.
Akron wide receivers vs. CMU secondary Probably the most improved area of the team this year, CMU’s secondary looks night-and-day better than last year. Akron, however, has four senior wide receivers that will start out of the spread offense it uses, including All-MAC receivers Deryn Bowser and Andre Jones. Advantage: Even. It will be depth against depth, and it is tough to distinguish who has the edge.
CMU offensive line vs. Akron front seven CMU’s offensive line has meshed better than expected in the early going. Despite two new offensive tackles to start the year, LeFevour has had adequate time to make the necessary throws (he has been sacked six times, however). Akron will bring a new wrinkle on
CMU wide receivers vs. Akron secondary Senior wide receiver Bryan Anderson had a huge game against Michigan State, and he was taken out before doing damage against Alcorn State. Junior wide receiver Antonio Brown did enough on punt returns to dispose of Alcorn State alone — three punt returns for
Quarterbacks: After the dismissal of senior quarterback Chris Jacquemain, sophomore Matt Rodgers is making just his second start Saturday against CMU. In his first start, he did not fare well — he threw four interceptions in Akron’s 38-21 loss to Indiana. On the flip side, CMU senior quarterback Dan LeFevour completed 10-of-12 passes in his final tune-up game last week against Alcorn State before being taken out in the second quarter. Advantage: CMU. The quarterback position at Akron went from a positive to a relative uncertainty last week. Rodgers was supposed to represent the future, but the dual-threat quarterback was thrust into action. It is a tough draw to face CMU in your first Mid-American Conference game.
Coaching: Both coaches have MAC championships on their resume, but Jones has sustained success since coming to CMU. Akron’s J.D. Brookhart is 15-24 since the MAC championship game in 2005. Advantage: CMU. Akron has experience across the board, but Brookhart will have to outcoach Jones for the Zips to win this game.
Prediction: Usually, the team with the advantage on the offensive and defensive line will win the game. In this case, Akron’s advantage is so slim, it may not even be noteworthy. The true test will be on Akron’s secondary to slow down CMU’s wide receivers. That is highly unlikely.
CMU 31, Akron 16
4B || Friday, Sept. 25, 2009 || Central Michigan Life
MAC Team Previews Western Michigan (Oct. 17) 2008: 9-4, 6-2 MAC; T-2nd MAC West 2009 start: 1-2, 1-0 MAC; Beat Miami (OH), lost to Indiana and Michigan Key players: QB Tim Hiller; LB Austin Pritchard Coach: Bill Cubit (5th year) Offense: Multi-spread Defense: 4-3 Notes: Senior quarterback Tim Hiller, who threw for 3,725 yards and 36 touchdowns last year, leads the offense. Senior running back Brandon West is the most dangerous backfield threat, and junior wide receiver Juan Nunez is Hiller’s go-to target. The Broncos return four of five starting offensive linemen from last year. WMU uses the shotgun formation frequently, but Hiller will line up under center also. Defensively, Western Michigan employs an athletic, but undersized front seven. The Broncos also lose three of four starters in the secondary, including second round draft pick Louis Delmas, who led the team in tackles and interceptions.
Bowling Green (Oct. 24) 2008: 6-6, 4-4 MAC; T-2nd in MAC East 2009 start: 1-2; Beat Troy, lost to No. 25 Missouri and Marshall Key players: QB Tyler Sheehan; WR Freddie Barnes Coach: Dave Clawson (1st year) Offense: Multi-spread Defense: 4-3 Notes: Statistically, Bowling Green had the MAC’s second best defense last year, but the Falcons will undergo some major turnover. The defensive line will have four new starters, and three of them weigh less than 260 pounds. Safety P.J. Mahone is the leader of the defense. Offensively, the Falcons return senior quarterback Tyler Sheehan. Sheehan will look to a healthy Freddie Barnes at the perimeter, and Clawson is expected to implement more of a downfield passing attack. BGSU will still run a spread offense, but it will implement more use of the tight end, full back and under-center snaps as well.
Toledo (Nov. 11) 2008: 3-9, 2-6 MAC; T-5th in MAC West 2009 start: 1-2; Beat Colorado, lost to Purdue and No. 11 Ohio State Key players: S Barry Church, QB Aaron Opelt Coach: Tim Beckman (1st year) Offense: Spread Defense: 4-2-5 Notes: Offensively, senior quarterback Aaron Opelt has the experience and the weapons at his expense to get a lot of production out of Toledo’s fast-attacking spread offense. Defensively, senior safety Barry Church will line up in multiple positions. He will be the best Toledo player in pass coverage, but he also will rush the passer and play the run. In Toledo’s 4-2-5 defense, Church will serve as a rover, asked to make plays across the field.
Ball State (Nov. 18) 2008: 12-2, 8-0 MAC; 1st in MAC West 2009 start: 0-3; Lost to North Texas, New Hampshire and Army Key players: WR Deryn Bowser; DL Almondo Sowell Coach: Stan Parrish (1st year) Offense: Multi-spread Defense: 4-3 Notes: Redshirt freshman Kelly Page has yet to produce like former quarterback Nate Davis. In fact, Page is completing just 45.7 percent of his passes. Because of the inexperience behind center, the Cardinals will lean heavily on senior running back MiQuale Lewis, but defenses accounted for that. Lewis has been held to 3.4 yards per carry through the first three games. Defensively, the most productive part may be the defensive line, which includes two defensive ends who had productive seasons last year. Senior defensive end Brandon Crawford and junior defensive end Robert Eddins combined for eight sacks last season.
Northern Illinois (Nov. 27) 2008: 6-7, 5-3 MAC; 4th in MAC West 2009 start: 2-1; Western Illinois and Purdue, lost to Wisconsin Key players: QB Chandler Harnish; SS Tracy Wilson Coach: Jerry Kill (2nd year) Offense: Pro-style Defense: 4-3 Notes: Sophomore quarterback Chandler Harnish has completed more than 60 percent of his passes in 2009 after showing promise his freshman year. Running backs Me’co Brown and Chad Spann have combined for 481 yards in the first three games. Defensively, the Huskies figure to lean on senior defensive end Brandon Bice, who recorded 6.5 sacks last season. In the early going, sophomore strong safety Tracy Wilson has emerged as the leading tackler, with 11 more tackles than the next closest teammate in three games.
Teams off the schedule ... Ohio 2008: 4-8, 3-5 MAC; T-4th in MAC East 2009 start: 2-1; Lost to Connecticut, beat North Texas and Cal Poly Key Players: MLB Noah Keller, QB Boo Jackson Coach: Frank Solich (5th year)
Kent State 2008: 4-8, 3-5 MAC; T-4th in MAC East 2009 start: 1-2; Beat Coastal Carolina, lost to Boston College and Iowa State Key Players: FS Brian Lainhart, RB Andre Flowers Coach: Doug Martin (6th year)
Temple 2008: 5-7, 4-4 MAC; T-2nd in MAC East 2009 start: 0-2; Lost to Villanova and No. 5 Penn State Key Players: NT Andre Neblett, LB Alex Joseph Coach: Al Golden (4th year)
Miami (Ohio) 2008: 2-10, 1-7 MAC; 7th in MAC East 2009 start: 0-3, 0-1 MAC; Lost to Kentucky, No. 12 Boise State and Western Michigan Key Players: WR Chris Givens, LB Caleb Bostic Coach: Mike Haywood (1st year)
[football]
OUTSIDE THE LINES |
Meet Freshman Kyle Zelinsky By Dave Jones Senior Reporter
After coming off the bench and leading the team in tackles against Alcorn State, true freshman linebacker Kyle Zelinsky spoke to senior reporter Dave Jones about college life, the field and his favorite shirt. Dave Jones: This is your first year up here. What’s the transition been like for you? Kyle Zelinsky: Definitely time management. Just coming in here and doing everything you Kyle Zelinsky have to do for football, while keeping your grades up. Also the practices are a lot more intense, especially compared to high school. DJ: How about transitioning to college-level classes? NZ: It’s not too bad. I took a couple of courses that were kind of challenging in high school, but it’s still hard because the teachers don’t get on a personal level, so it’s all up to you to get your work done. DJ: You come in here and you have guys like Nick Bellore and Matt Berning. How’s it been working and learning from them? KZ: It’s amazing. I’ve been doing everything I could to learn as much as I can, especially from Nick and Matt. They’ve taught me so many things and it’s been really good having them, especially with Nick playing my position and Matt playing it
before that. So they just both teach me everything I’ve got to know. DJ: You say you have a lot of time management stuff. What do you do when you have time? KZ: (laughs) What do I do when I have time? We don’t really have too much time, but I like swimming. We try to fit that in with a few of the guys; we go swimming. And we like watching a few TV shows. That’s what we do; we really don’t have a lot of time. DJ: Does it ever get tedious for you? KZ: It makes for longer days, but no; I like keeping busy. If I had a bunch of time to just sit around, I’d go nuts. So I like it. DJ: How about game day. How do you get yourself prepared? KZ: Definitely taking a lot of ice baths (laughs). I like doing that. But I have a shirt that I have and I listen to pretty much the same songs. DJ: What do you mean you ‘have a shirt?’ KZ: It’s like a compression shirt that we get and I like it. I’ve been wearing it for a while. It’s just a white compression shirt that I’ve wore for the past couple of years. I always have that for every practice and every game. DJ: Is it like a tradition or a superstitious kind of thing? KZ: It could be, but I don’t think it is. It’s just keeping comfortable. That’s what I would say (laughs). sports@cm-life.com
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