Feb. 5, 2010

Special Olympics athletes share experiences, 3A

Florida wrestlers face off today at Rose Arena, 1B

Central Michigan Life

Friday, Feb. 5, 2010

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

[cm-life.com]

Ross to start his first year with $400,000 Perks include house, car and $10,000 for furnishings

By Sarah Schuch Senior Reporter

University President-designate George Ross’ starting salary will be $47,443 more than former president Michael Rao’s ending salary.

Ross, who begins his term March 1, has a base pay of

$350,000 with a signing bonus of $50,000, compared to Rao’s ending salary of $302,557. Rao served from 2001-09 before George Ross leaving for the same position at Virginia Commonwealth University.

The $350,000 salary should extend through Feb. 28, 2013, according to Ross’ contract.

But the Board of Trustees will

review his pay each year with the possibility of being increased, not decreased.

Ross signed the contract Jan. 29, more than one month after the Board formally named him CMU’s next president in December.

By May 1 of each year, the Board and Ross will discuss reasonable performance goals for Ross to meet for the following fiscal year. If Ross achieves the goals by March 30 of the following year, Ross may earn a 20 percent performance bo-

cm-life.com See the Web site for George Ross’ contract in PDF form. nus if approved by the Board that would be paid by June 30.

“If you do a market study on what presidents are making, it falls into that range,” said Steve Smith, director of Public Relations, regarding Ross’ pay.

What CMU pays for w

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20 percent of the base salary each year if performance goals are met.

Packing, moving and up to 60 days of temporary living accom- modations and transportation of Ross and immediate family to Mount Pleasant.

University provided house and up to $10,000 a year for furniture for public areas.

A new full-sized automobile, with gas, insurance and repairs included.

Up to $16,500 each year into a retirement account.

Travel expenses, hotel bills and other expenses when traveling for CMU business.

A ross | 5A

fashion fanatics

Gubernatorial forum coming to CMU in May

Wayside Central show puts CMU students in the modeling spotlight

By Kelli Ameling Staff Reporter

By Carisa Seltz | Staff Reporter

M

odels congregated in a make-shift dressing room Thursday night at Wayside Central.

Some waited for hair and makeup, while others slipped into their couture outfits — their gold stilettos clicking as they walked.

The air pulsed with anticipation as Wayside Central, 2000 S. Mission St., filled with onlookers for the “Komplique Swimwear Fashion Show: A Night of Glitz & Glam,” organized by James Pieron, a Central Michigan University alumnus who owns Komplique, a luxury swimwear company.

When the live band finally started the runway music, it was show time for first-time model Caitlin O’Brien. The Belmont sophomore beat 1,800 hopefuls for the chance to model the Komplique 2010 swimwear collection.

O’Brien said she first heard of roommates Kirstie Hayward and the Komplique modeling contest Alexandra Phillips also made the after she came across an audition final cuts together; Komplique’s show was their first flier. modeling show, “I was skeptitoo. cal at first, but Hayward, a my roommates marketing logistalked me into tics major, and it,” she said.

Phillips, an actuOne of arial science maO’Brien’s roomjor, said modeling mates, Cassie cm-life.com the clothes from Keller, also Visit our site for video footage the six collections made the top and a slideshow from the from Komplique’s 10. O’Brien said Komplique fashion show. line was “very exdoing the fashciting” and the ion show with Keller, who has modeling experi- clothes were “gorgeous.”

The pair of friends said they ence, was helpful.

“It’s a lot easier to go through it would continue modeling if given with someone you know,” O’Brien the opportunity. said. “We both help each other BEHIND THE SCENES out.”

The glitz and glam of the event Keller, a Greenville junior, said she would pursue modeling as a did not just magically happen. At career if opportunities such as the least, not for Wayside’s event coKomplique fashion show present- ordinator Cheryl Hunter. She said her job behind the scenes was to ed themselves.

Keller has modeled in Miami, “keep everyone sane.”

To pull off the grandiose fashion Fla. She said she mostly did runway shows and modeled swimwear but show seamlessly, Hunter recruited has experience with photo shoots, the help of some of CMU assistant as well.

Jackson juniors and future A fashion | 2A

MULTIMEDIA

PHOTOS BY MATTHEW STEPHENS/SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

Rockford sophomore Caitlin O’Brien competes in the Swimwear Fashion Show presented by Komplique on Thursday night at Wayside Central. This was O’Brien’s first time modeling. She was convinced to try out for the show by her roommates.

Alisha Hinderline, 21, of Alma works on Caitlin O’Brien’s makeup backstage at the Komplique Swimwear Fashion show Thursday night. O’Brien beat 1,800 hopefuls for the opportunity to model the Komplique 2010 swimwear collection.

A non-partisan gubernatorial forum is scheduled to take place at Central Michigan University after spring classes finish.

The forum will be held for major candidates to discuss issues facing Michigan from 7 to 9 p.m. May 12 in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium. It is open to the public.

“It’s always a nice opportunity for people to see what we are about,” said Steve Smith, director of public relations. “It’s a plus for us and our students.”

The event is sponsored by ConservAmerica and the Michigan League of Conservation Voters Education Fund.

Seven candidates were sent invitations to the May forum, but the names of the candidates could not be released, said Kerry Duggan, deputy director and development director for Michigan League of Conservation Voters and MLCV education fund.

“The top candidates could change and probably will,” Duggan said.

According to the press release, the filing deadline for the major party candidates is May 11, the day before the forum.

The main three challenges to be discussed are rebuilding the state economy, creating jobs and safeguarding Michigan’s natural resources, Duggan said.

The public also can go to LCV’s Web site, michiganlcvedfund.org/GubernatorialForum, and enter their question for the candidates, Duggan said. The Detroit Free Press and Michigan Public Radio also will supply questions, she said.

CMU was picked to hold the forum because it is centrally located in the state, Duggan said.

“At a critical time in Michigan, candidates who would lead this state must afford the voting public every opportunity to know their views on issues of vital importance to our future,” said Executive Director of MLCV Lisa Wozniak in the press release.

Duggan said she hopes CMU students will turn out for the forum.

“The future relies on the student generation,” Duggan said.

If issues arise with space and demand for the forum, it will be moved further down the road, Duggan said.

“I don’t expect it to be that big of a deal,” Duggan said. university@cm-life.com

Tie Dye Thom raises money for break program Pittsburgh native a Katrina survivor

By Kristina Lefevre Staff Reporter

Tie Dye Thom wants students to get groovy.

Thom, a Pittsburgh native, is visiting Central Michigan University for the third time.

He will sell wool gloves, muklucks, scarves, sandals, shirts and Bob Marley merchandise from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today in

front of the Central Box Office in the Bovee University Center basement. His sale started Monday.

The money is not for himself — 50 percent of the profit goes toward the Alternative Breaks program.

“It’s important to say I’m going to do the best I can do,” Thom said.

Returning the favor In August 2005, Thom lived in the Ninth Ward in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit.

His home was badly damaged and the entire neighborhood was flooded.

But things started to improve when a group of Alternative Breaks students arrived, eager to help.

The volunteers dedicated their entire spring break to disaster relief and made it their mission to clean up the city.

Thom said the students even brought a neighbor — who had a reputation of being hostile — to tears after cleaning her yard.

From that moment, Thom knew he had to someday repay the program. So today, he travels from school to school, raising money for Alternative Breaks by selling his goods.

Thom is making trips to multiple schools, including University of Michigan and Bowling Green State University.

The self-described “hippie” plans on visiting the schools once each fall and spring semester for as long as he can.

A Tie dye | 2A

Sean Proctor/staff photographer

Midland sophomore Brett Sauve and Midland senior Brianna Duncan look through Tie Dye Thom’s table at around 12 p.m. Thursday in the Bovee University Center. Tie Dye Thom has been on campus all week, selling mukluks (slippers), bajas (hoodies), chullos (hats), gloves and other clothing items. “Half of our profits go to Alternative Spring Break,” he said.

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Let that special someone know just how you feel!

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2A || Friday, Feb. 5, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

EVENTS CALENDAR today w Human Resources is sponsoring a seminar on ethical decision-making that takes place at 10 a.m. in Rowe Hall Room 229. w The “Evolution of Fashion� fashion show, presented by the Organization for Black Unity, starts at 7 p.m. at Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door.

Saturday w The SIBS Weekend All-youcan-eat Pancake Breakfast takes place from 8 to 11 a.m. in Finch Fieldhouse. The event is free to all sibs participants with wristbands and $5 for nonparticipants. w The SIBS Weekend Carnival takes place from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Student Activity Center. w The Night of Apollo, a talent show hosted by the Organization for Black Unity, starts at 7 p.m. in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. w Magician/Illusionist Mike Super performs at 8 p.m. in Finch Fieldhouse Room 110. The event is free and open to the public. w Club Bovee, a SIBS Weekend event featuring dancing and other events, takes place from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the Bovee University Center.

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. Š Central Michigan Life 2009 Volume 90, Number xx

cm-life.com

Granholm urges return of Michigan Promise Scholarship among her proposals in State of the State

By Carisa Seltz Staff Reporter

Gov. Jennifer Granholm said in her final State of the State address Wednesday that her executive budget recommendations for the year ahead will include the Michigan Promise Scholarship.

Before a joint session of the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives, she stressed an investment in higher education was a prerequisite to create jobs and reduce the state’s jobless rate — currently at 14.6 percent. “Today’s jobs demand a college degree or technical training, and that’s why it made absolutely no sense to take away the Promise Scholarship,� she said.

The program, which provided $4,000 to students attending at least a two-year institution, was cut last fall amid Michigan lawmakers’ efforts to balance the state budget. Granholm will present all her budget recommendations Feb. 11.

Granholm also said, in addition to identifying creative ways to pay for the scholarship, she will “draw the line against additional education cuts in the year ahead� and will identify incentives for college graduates to

tie dye | continued from 1A

“Thom’s great,� said Macomb senior Scott Hillman, a student involved with Alternative Breaks and the Volunteer Center. “He’s a very unique fundraiser.� ‘Not really a job’ Thom said he gets a lot of his merchandise from free trade and fair trade agreements with various people, and most his stuff comes from Tuff Gong International, a company founded by Bob Marley.

stay in Michigan.

However, the Jan. 11 Revenue Estimating Conference indicated the state deficit for the 2011 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, will be $1.725 billion. “There’s less money and less tax dollars for the state to use on spending programs for things like higher education, like where you go to school and that, in turn, can slow our recovery in future years,� said Bill Ballenger, editor of Inside Michigan Politics and former Endowed Griffin Chair at Central Michigan University.

Ballenger said whether the scholarship is restored remains to be seen.

Rep. Bill Caul, R-Mount Pleasant, said the scholarship will not be restored unless the legislature reduces revenues in other areas to create real cost savings that free up real dollars.

He said the goal would be to create discretionary funds by cutting irrelevancies from the budget instead of shifting money between departments.

Freeing up revenue will unite legislators, Caul said, so they may provide for the programs they feel are priorities. “And certainly that means educational, which along with that means the Promise, and being able to fund that for students wanting to get into college and community colleges,� he said.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

nathan kostegian/staff photographer

Saginaw resident Anne Roberts explains her history of wearing hats in church at “Soup and Substance — The History Behind Big Hats in African American Churches.� The event was put on by Minority Student Services as part of its Black History Month Celebration.

fashion | continued from 1A

professor of recreation, parks and leisure services Tim Otteman’s students. Juniors Elizabeth Gray, Courtney Stanley and Meg McNeal took advantage of the opportunity.

The girls’ ultimate task was to make sure the event ran smoothly. “We (were) the right hand of the event coordinator,� said

Stanley of Grand Haven.

Their tasks included passing out appetizers, helping with hair and make-up and making sure the models were on cue when it was their turn to hit the runway.

MODEL INCENTIVES Pieron began his model search in November. As the months dragged on, the original pool of 1,800 applicants shrunk to 100, then 50, then 25 and, finally, to 15 CMU student models comprised

studentlife@cm-life.com

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metro@cm-life.com

Before selling clothing, Thom followed the bands Phish and the Grateful Dead on tours during the 90s, selling grilled cheese sandwiches at different college venues.

Rockford senior Danielle Schmutz is one of the students that benefits Thom’s funds. “It’s not really a job,� she said. “It’s something I really love to do.�

Thom hopes to raise as much as he can. “What’s the point of having money if you have nowhere to spend it?� Thom said.

of 10 finalists and five alternates.

For making the top 50, the models received a month’s worth of free indoor tanning, the top 25 received a free Komplique swimsuit and the top 10 received a $1,000 CMU scholarship.

The models’ performances also were judged during the show. The winner, Cora Rogers, received a $5,000 CMU scholarship.

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inside life Central Michigan Life

3A

Friday, Feb. 5, 2010

County unemployment jumps to 9.1 percent State seeing steady decrease; experts unsure what it means

By Jaimie Cremeans Staff Reporter

An increase in joblessness in December pushed Isabella County from the number one spot in the state for lowest unemployment rate, according to a state news release.

The county’s unemploy-

ment rate jumped to 9.1 percent from November’s 8.5 percent, giving Washtenaw County the lowest unemployment rate in Michigan.

The two counties are the only ones to maintain a rate below 10 percent.

Carolyn Bennett, director of promotions and workforce development for Middle Michigan Development Corporation, said Isabella County’s boost in joblessness is nothing to be too concerned about.

“It’s hard to pinpoint the exact reasons for the increase,” she said. “What is important is that Isabella County continues to have one of the lowest jobless rates in the state.”

Bennett said 2009 is no different from past years because unemployment rates usually rise slightly in December.

In 2007, the jobless rate in Isabella County increased by less than a percent from November to December, and in

2008 it jumped 1.1 percentage points.

State decrease Michigan’s unemployment rate has decreased to 14.6 percent from 15.1 since October, making three consecutive months of decline for the state.

“It’s really too soon to tell if this will continue,” said Bruce Weaver, economic manager for the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth. “Since about

June ... the unemployment rate in Michigan has been hanging right at or around 15 percent.”

Since October, the labor force level in Michigan has decreased by 0.76 percent.

“When the economy is bad and jobs are hard to find, others who would be in the labor force go to school, training or tend not to look for jobs,” Weaver said.

Janet Bloomfield, Central A UNEMPLOYMENT | 6A

[Life in brief] Sibs Movies

Various movies will play this weekend as part of SIBS Weekend. “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” (PG) plays at 5 p.m. today and at 12:30 and 4 p.m. Saturday in Pearce Hall Room 128.

“Hannah Montana” (G) plays at 8 p.m today in Pearce Hall Room 128 and at 9:30 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Saturday in the Bovee University Center Auditorium. “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” (PG) plays at 10 p.m. today and Saturday in Pearce 128.

Student hit in Moore parking lot

Spring Arbor junior Heidi Fenton was struck by a vehicle driven by another student Thursday afternoon in Lot 33. Fenton suffered minor injuries and was taken to Central Michigan Community Hospital, 1221 S. Drive, for further treatment.

Double Take

A theatre double-feature, “The Dumb Waiter and Vortex” will take place at 7:30 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets are $7 for general admission and $5 for students and seniors. They are available in the University Central Box Office at 774-3000 or centralboxoffice. cmich.edu. Seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

3-6-9 Budget plans due Monday

Budget reduction plans are due to all department vice presidents by Monday. The vice presidents will turn the plans into interim University President Kathy Wilbur at a later date. Wilbur asked each cost center last month to submit plans for 3, 6 or 9 percent budget cuts for the next fiscal year.

photos by jake may/staff photographer

Howell resident and Special Olympics Michigan athlete Doug McLaughlin runs past the 100-meter marker of a 200-meter snowshoe race. His coach’s daughter, Laurel McLeod of Brighton rooted him on and came back to tell him his recorded time of 47.46, which gave him a gold medal in his heat. “First place! Yes! I did it! I got first place!” McLaughlin said.

it takes two

Past and Present Luncheon

Special Olympics Winter Games in Traverse City builds relationships among athletes and spectators

By Randi Shaffer Staff Reporter

T

RAVERSE CITY — Rivalry and competition — all in the heat of the moment.

Any participant can describe the fierce emotions that come with an athletic dual.

However, those athletes and volunteers participating in the Special Olympics also can accurately describe the friendship and heartwarming emotion that come from connecting and learning alongside others at the 2010 State Winter Games, held Thursday in Traverse City.

A learning relationship Special Olympics coach Michele McLeod’s eyes filled

cm-life.com See the Web site for another story, a video and slideshow. with tears as she hugged Doug McLaughlan and gripped his new gold medal tightly.

McLaughlan, a 48-year-old Special Olympics Athlete from Howell, won a gold medal in the 200-meter snowshoe race and a silver medal in the 100-meter race.

“I love it,” he said. “It’s nice weather, not cold.”

McLaughlan said he did not know exactly how long McLeod had been working with him, but it was a really long time.

“As long as he wants to be in snowshoes, we’ll be coaching

Shelby Township senior Laura Florkey, left, laughs with Special Olympics Michigan Winter Games athlete Justin Serafini, of Macomb, as she helps him make a Valentine’s Day card for a special female friend. “I don’t care who knows, I really don’t. I want to marry her. That’s why I am writing this card. She’s my girl — well, my friend who’s a girl,” Serafini said laughing.

him,” MeLeod said.

For McLeod, Special Olympics is like vacation. She has been involved with Special Olympics for the past seven or eight years.

Her passion for Special Olympics stems from her autistic son, Scott.

She said Scott has grown into a phenomenal athlete and he has met some of his best friends through Special Olympics.

The entire McLeod family benefits from the year-long Special Olympic events.

“This is how we spend time together,” she said.

In addition to her son competing, McLeod’s husband, Mike, also coaches, and the pair’s daughter, Laurel, volunteers and chaperones several of the athletes around the games.

McLeod said she had no plans of disbanding from the Special Olympics anytime soon.

“It’s a great organization,” the coach from Brighton said.

“Everyone is treated fairly. Here, you’re not different. You’re just the same.”

A love with volunteering Monroe senior Dave Hennicken got his start volunteering with Special Olympics after an encouraging push from his fiancée, Shelby Township senior Laura Florkey.

Though she has spent five years working with her learningdisabled 24-year-old brother at

Bad Axe resident and Special Olympics Michigan Winter Games athlete Jeff Erskine, 31, puts his head down and throws his hands on his hip after his brother and fellow athlete Jason, 34, bumped into them showcasing how they fight Thursday at the Grand Traverse Resort.

Safe Zone Training

Training courses will be offered from 1 to 3 p.m. today on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender terminology and the current campus climate. Contact the Office of Gay and Lesbian Programs at StratOD@cmich. edu or call 774-6447 to register.

The event is free and open to the public.

Grand Rapids athlete Phil Zemaitis, 26, reacts on the bench after he found out the judge’s decision was a tie for the gold medal, as he and Royal Oak athlete Clinton Bookmiller, 25, tied in the final heat of the 500-meter speed skating, male 22-and-up division with a final time of one minute, 19 second and 99 milliseconds. “The two of us tied? We tied? I just can’t believe it. It was that close,” Zemaitis said.

Special Olympics, Florkey said this is her first year volunteering through Central Michigan University. She is studying special education.

“I think it has given me experiences you can’t get at classes at CMU,” she said. “It has given me a positive outlook on life.”

The recently engaged pair spent the duration of the Special Olympics Winter Games Thursday working the indoor activi-

ties, including movies, dance workshops, and arts and crafts.

In addition to their dedication to Special Olympics, Hennicken and Florkey share their love for education. Hennicken also is studying elementary education, though he does not plan on going into special education.

“I’m in regular education,” he said. “But I want to be as A PAIRS | 5A

Greeks group up for Haiti, turn to businesses Donating process proceeding through next week

By Alex Washington Staff Reporter

Central Michigan University students are working with local businesses to raise money for the American Red Cross’ Haiti relief efforts.

Phi Sigma Phi president Shawn Herdegen initially started the idea as a philanthropic opportunity for CMU’s Greek

community before deciding to get CMU and Mount Pleasant residents involved.

“I thought about it, and I didn’t want it to be just a specific group of people,” the Grandville senior said. “It’s something that everyone should be involved with, and there are not a lot of other campuses that have really organized a massive effort to help Haiti.”

According to reports by the Associated Press, the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti killed more than 200,000 people.

The week-long fundraising effort begins Monday with a

fundraiser from 6 to 10 p.m. at Coldstone Creamery, 2330 S. Mission St., and will end Saturday with an auction in Finch Fieldhouse. Donors include Ace of Diamonds, Sam’s Club and Domino’s Pizza.

There is no set goal for funds, but Herdegen has high hopes.

“When we were planning everything, we didn’t have a clear idea of what our target goal was,” Herdegen said. “If I had to put a number on it, I’d say $15,000.”

The Student Alumni Association hosts a luncheon for CMU students and alumni from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. today in the Bovee University Center Rotunda. The event is designed to allow students to network with alumni in their respective fields.

It is free and open on a firstcome, first-serve basis. E-mail maroon@cmich.edu for an online registration form.

How to Donate These businesses will donate proceeds from their sales on the following dates and times to Haiti relief efforts. w w

w

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Monday: Coldstone Creamery 6 to 10 p.m.

Tuesday: La Senorita Mexican Restauarant, 1516 S. Mission St., 11 a.m. to midnight.

Wednesday: Wayside Central, 2000 S. Mission St., will donate all the proceeds from the cover charge for that evening.

Friday: Tropical Smoothie Cafe, 2332 S. Mission St., from 4 to 10 p.m.

Buffalo Wild Wings, 1904 S. Mission St., from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Week-long can drive: Empty cans can be placed in boxes found at sorority and fraternity houses, as well as Fazoli’s Restaurant, 2111 S. Mission St.

A GREEKS | 5A

Heidi Fenton, Managing Editor | news@cm-life.com | 989.774.4343

Swing Kids Spring Workshop

The Swing Kids Spring Workshop starts at 6 p.m. today. The workshop is open to all levels of dancers; Adam Vallus will teach.

The cost is $30. To register, contact the CMU Box Office at 989-774-3874. For further information or a prorated cost, call 586-850-6595.

Puppet performance

The puppet play “King Arthur — A Sword In Stone” will take place at 2 p.m. today at the Broadway Theatre, 216 E. Broadway St. Greg Lester’s Puppet Adventures tells the story of how King Arthur learned the power of belief and the value of being just. Tickets are $5. To purchase, contact the Broadway Theatre at 772-2075 or friendsofthebroadway.org.

Music jamboree

The Wheatland Music Festival takes place from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Wheatland Music Organization Cabin, 7251 50th Ave. in Remus. For more information, contact wmo.office@wheatlandmusic.org or 967-8879.

If you have an interesting item for Life in Brief, let us know by e-mailing news@cm-life.com

voices

“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

Central Michigan Life

4A Friday, Feb. 5, 2010

[cm-life.com/category/voices]

Brian Manzullo, Editor

in

Chief | Will Axford, Voices Editor | Heidi Fenton, Managing Editor | Eric Dresden, University Editor | Jackie Smith, Metro Editor

EDITORIAL |Granholm’s State of the State address was an exact replica of years prior

Same old song

G

ov. Jennifer Granholm gave her eighth and final State of the State address Wednesday.

She spoke about Michigan’s failing economy, the need to create jobs and how education will help rebuild the state.

Despite reviewing all of the problems the state is facing, she failed to provide concrete solutions. It sounded just like the speech she gave last year. And the year before that.

Granholm’s speech accomplished nothing, save for reminding citizens of the failing economic climate Michigan can’t seem to get itself out of.

The economy is on the mind of the entire nation, and nowhere else is it more prevalent than in Michigan. The state saw an un-

employment rate of 14.3 percent by the end of 2009, the highest in the nation. According to an article in the Washington Post, 632,000 jobs have been lost in Michigan since Granholm took office back in 2003.

The budget deficit is more than $1 billion. The state experienced

government shutdowns twice in the last four years. Granholm may have inherited a slipping economy, but she has done little to improve it.

The blame doesn’t lay solely on her, though. Republicans and Democrats in Lansing haven’t been able to work together for years now. The government’s partisan politics have ruined the state. If Michigan is ever to return to its glory days, the leaders in Lansing are going to have to start focusing on what’s best for the citizens instead of worrying how they’ll get re-elected.

The failing auto industry may have not been Granholm’s fault, but her efforts in securing new jobs for the state has yielded little in results.

She swears she is committed to education, but has made record cuts in the state’s public schooling system. How does she expect Michigan to return to the state

it was decades ago if the young aren’t given the chance to succeed?

In a world where employees need to have at least a college degree to work even the most menial of jobs, Michigan’s economic state is doing its part to erase any possible future for the youth in this state.

The biggest cut concerning college students has been the Michigan Promise Scholarship, which provided students $4,000 toward attending at least a two-year institution. Granholm claimed that she will bring the scholarship back next year, but it is doubtful that students will hold their breath.

Next January will end Granholm’s tenure. Whoever gets voted in — a Democrat or a Republican — will have their work cut out for them. As for her last year, Granholm should back up her State of the State address with results.

CHRIS TAMLYN [CENTRAL SQUARE]

Jason Gillman Jr. Columnist

Registering at home In last week’s article concerning the upcoming United States census, Mount Pleasant city planner Jeff Gray indicated that people who have been in Mount Pleasant for six months, and are here this spring when the census is conducted, are to state it as the city of their residence.

The piece further says that the city wants students to list Mount Pleasant as their city of residence so that they can get additional funding.

I’m curious why someone would want to increase funding for a city they are only living in temporarily?

For most students it’s four years.

For me, I’ve only got a few months left. In either case, residence in Mount Pleasant for Central Michigan University students is usually transient at best.

I also have issues with Mount Pleasant as well — denial of property rights that would preclude me from ever considering living here after graduation and attempting to start a business, which I plan to do.

I’ll start by mentioning the assault on property rights that the city has participated in when it limited ToDblD’s hours of operations. This whole issue ran from late 2007 to fall 2009, when the lawsuit filed by Todd Gurzick came to an end at the doorstep of the Michigan Supreme Court.

What was really lush (no pun intended) was when Frances Lichtman, then the vice chair of the planning commission, asked Mr. Gurzick if he would relinquish his liquor license during the September 2007 commission meeting.

A party store without liquor? May Lichtman be in support of outlawing work on the Sabbath?

Mr. Gray and any others who want student census participation in order to benefit Mount Pleasant won’t be getting any from me.

I refuse to allow a city that disregards property rights to reap long lasting benefits from my temporary stay.

[our readers’ voice]

A response from Campus Conservatives on Monday’s editorial We were very disappointed to read the editorial in Monday’s edition of the newspaper.

Instead of praising a student organization for becoming engaged in the discussion of Michigan’s future, Central Michigan Life decided to criticize the school’s oldest and most active political organization for something totally out of its control.

Our organization has tried for months to arrange and coordinate the first public gubernatorial debate of this year’s campaign. We lined up a team of moderators, coordinated with local, regional and state-wide media for coverage and went to great lengths to secure the major Republican Party candidates for governor.

Unfortunately, we can’t control the schedules of the candidates.

Your editorial rebuked us for waiting until the last minute to cancel the debate. That criticism is misguided.

Senator Tom George and Oakland County Sheriff Michael

Bouchard committed to attend, Congressman Pete Hoekstra’s campaign said they would come if there were no votes on Capitol Hill, Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder’s handlers said their boss would participate if the debate rules were agreeable and Attorney General Mike Cox said fundraising was more important than debating the issues in front of Michigan’s next generation.

We had strong indications that at least three of the five candidates would participate, giving us no reason to cancel the debate because one candidate felt hobnoising with rich donors was more important and another was afraid to discuss the issues unless the rules favored him.

We worked tirelessly for more than three months to organize the debate and ensure a memorable evening for students, faculty and community members.

Sadly, the debate was ruined by the sabotage of College Republicans chairman Nathan Inks, a

Central Michigan Life columnist, who repeatedly harassed the candidates and media outlets covering our efforts with absurd accusations and threats of protesting the debate.

And because the College Republicans had volunteered for Bouchard at past Republican Party events, they were able to convince his campaign to cancel, citing a “scheduling conflict” even though the sheriff had pledged to debate even if it was only him and George on the stage.

Instead of pointing a finger at Campus Conservatives, Central Michigan Life should be criticizing the candidates who decided students weren’t important enough as well as blasting the immature, unprofessional and absurd actions of CMU’s Republican-in-name-only organization.

Campus Conservatives Board of Trustees

C M Y o u | What movie do you think deserves an Oscar this year?

Central Michigan Life Editorial Brian Manzullo, Editor in Chief Heidi Fenton, Managing Editor Joe Borlik, Student Life Editor Jackie Smith, Metro Editor Eric Dresden, University Editor Andrew Stover, Sports Editor Ashley Miller, Photo Editor Will Axford, Voices Editor David Veselenak, Online Editor Chelsea Kleven, Lead Designer Advertising Lindsey Reed, Katie Sidell Advertising Managers Carly Schafer, Shawn Wright Multi-Media Marketing Coordinators Professional staff Rox Ann Petoskey, Production Leader Kathy Simon, Assistant Director of Student Media Neil C. Hopp, Adviser to Central Michigan Life

“Avatar was good, Star Trek was good...

The Hangover was good.”

Anton Lisowski,

Harrison Township freshman

“I liked Star Trek.

It had a lot of action throughout the movie and a subtle love story, too.”

“Well, I’m surprised ‘The Hurt Locker’ did so well. I liked ‘Zombieland’ though.”

Ethan MacWilliams,

Deedra Mckeand,

Marysville junior libby march/staff photographer

Central Michigan Life is the independent voice of Central Michigan University and is edited and published by students of Central Michigan University every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the fall and spring semesters, and every Wednesday during the summer.

The online edition (www.cm-life.com) contains all of the material published in print.

Central Michigan Life is is under the jurisdiction of the independent Student Media Board of Directors. Articles and opinions do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions

of CMU or its employees.

Central Michigan Life is a member of the Michigan Press Association, the Michigan Collegiate Press Association, the Associated Collegiate Press and the College Newspaper Business & Advertising Managers Association.

Central Michigan Life’s operations are totally funded from revenues through advertising sales. Editions are distributed free throughout the community and individuals are entitled

Farmington Hills senior

“The movie ‘Precious’ is really good.

It’s about a girl who grew up abused and later became an actress.”

Shonda Smith,

Detroit freshman

to one copy. Each copy has an implied value of 75 cents.

Non-university subscriptions are $1 per mailed edition. Copies of photographs published in Central Michigan Life or its online edition (www.cm-life.com) are available for purchase at http://reprints.cm-life.com Central Michigan Life’s editorial and business offices are located at 436 Moore Hall, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, telephone 774-3493.

Nathan Inks Columnist

Recycled speech Gov. Granholm says nothing new in State of the State Governor Granholm gave her last State of the State address on Wednesday.

I wasn’t “blown away.” In fact, I felt like I had heard her speech before somewhere. But where was it?

Right — a year ago, a speech given by Granholm herself.

The speech was filled with generic political rhetoric and feelgood statements about bringing jobs to Michigan.

The theme of the speech was transitioning from “Old Michigan” — a Michigan dominated by the auto industry and manufacturing — to “New Michigan” — a Michigan with a diversified economy.

She talked about bringing new industries and jobs to Michigan in the coming years, especially green jobs. And that’s good — I would like to see green technology come to Michigan. Wind turbines, solar panels and nuclear plants would be great for Michigan.

But she was talking about bringing more jobs to Michigan last year.

So where are they?

Most of her speech that talked about new industries did not talk about who was already in Michigan, but who she wanted to bring in (with the exception of the film industry and Hemlock Semiconductor, which are already here). If all we do is talk about new jobs, Michigan will never improve.

Granholm also said Michigan has relied too heavily on the auto industry. I wholeheartedly agree, but I was disappointed that she never mentioned that auto unions played a major role in putting the auto industry in the sad shape it is in. Autoworkers failed to give in to wage and benefit concessions at a time that auto companies could no longer afford high salaries and Cadillac insurance plans.

Granholm also promoted a constitutional amendment requiring the Legislature to have a budget passed by July 1, stressing the need for bipartisanship and a willingness to compromise. I support that amendment, but the governor should be stressing the need for a willingness to compromise to her own party.

It was House Speaker Andy Dillon who decided to wait until the last minute to get his chamber’s budget passed, when the Senate had its budget prepared weeks in advance.

Dillon even allowed for long weekends of vacation after he knew that passing a balanced budget would be difficult. It is the Democrats who really needed the lesson in bipartisanship and compromise.

Finally, one point of the speech that affects us here at CMU was the Michigan Promise. Granholm stated that she wanted to bring it back, appealing to the students.

But before students start thinking Granholm is on our side, remember she was the one who took it away.

I would love to see the Michigan Promise reinstated, but only if the state has the money, and we cannot sacrifice K-12 education to restore the Promise.

Those were the basic points of the Governor’s last speech. It wasn’t anything special, just more of the same.

And that’s not what Michigan needs right now.

[letters to the editor] E-mail | voices@cm-life.com Mail | 436 Moore Hall Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 Fax | 989.774.7805 Central Michigan Life welcomes letters to the editor and commentary submissions. Only correspondence that includes a signature (e-mail excluded), address and phone number will be considered. Do not include attached documents via email. Letters should be no longer than 300 words and commentary should not exceed 500 words. All submissions are subject to editing and may be published in print or on www.cm-life.com in the order they are received.

www.cm-life.com

[News]

ross | continued from 1A

Also, Rao’s contract included a few more benefits now packaged into the base salary in Ross’ contract, Smith said.

For example, Rao had a $100,000 retention bonus added into his contract, he said. “Rao’s contract, in essence, was really worth a lot more,�

Smith said. “(Ross’) is just packaged in a different way.�

Ross also will receive a retirement account that could receive up to $16,500 each year.

In the contract Ross will live in a house provided by CMU with housekeep-

jeff smith/staff photographer

Clarkston senior Lindsay Hultman studies Tuesday in the Moreno Study Area on the second floor of the Education and Human Services Building. “I enjoy studying in the new rooms. It’s easy to learn and focus,� Hultman said.

Students, professors enjoy ‘clean, efficient’ EHS Building

By Tony Wittkowski Staff Reporter

For Lori Cortez, the Education and Human Services Building is changing the way teachers are being made.

Cortez, an adjunct professor of history at Saginaw Valley State University, is working on her doctorate at CMU. A former professor at Mid-Michigan Community College and SVSU, Cortez is taking three classes on qualitative analysis on the weekends in the EHS Building. “It’s very clean and efficient,� Cortez said. “I like how it’s made with green technology.�

The green technology has utilized many different elements, including bigger windows to let in natural light. The four-story, $50 million building opened in 2009 to house the College of Education and Human Services and the Cen-

ter for Charter Schools. “The smart boards are great,� Cortez said. “The technology just takes some getting used to.�

The technology includes RoomWizards and CopyCams, which are meant to help the classroom learning process for students.

After taking a year off, Bay Port graduate student Brenda Gaeth returned to a new building with better accommodations for becoming a counselor. “The openness of it was incredible,� Gaeth said. “I loved how everything was accessible.

Loved the classes, as well.�

A professor’s perspective The building’s resources also won over many professors.

Since the addition of the building, there have been training sessions to help the

professors fully equip their students. “Because we have such high technology, our students are able to get exposure,� said Marguerite Terrill, professor of teacher education and professional development. “Through this, we are able to interact with other universities, which is professionally enriching.�

Terrill said three of the major departments that deal with teacher education are teacher education and professional development, counseling and special education, and human environmental studies.

One thing the EHS Building did was bring all three departments together. Before the move, TEPD was in Ronan Hall, CSE was in Rowe Hall and HEV in Wightman Hall. “It’s wonderful — it’s been a great transition,� Terrill said. university@cm-life.com

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pairs | continued from 3A

informed as possible.â&#x20AC;?

Hennicken and Florkey plan to wed next year after graduation. The two have been together since they first met freshman year. Hennicken and Florkey said they plan to make it to more Special Olympic events in the future.

greeks | continued from 3A

Charlevoix senior and Sigma Kappa President Jenny Lopez hopes people will become more aware of the situation and continue to help after the event is over. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are looking to help promote awareness as well,â&#x20AC;?

Lopez said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are countries out there that need help;

Central Michigan Life || Friday, Feb. 5, 2010 || 5A ing, utilities, telephone and computer service included, according to the contract. Ross is able to spend up to $10,000 per year for new furnishings for public areas without Board approval.

The private section of the residence will be furnished and updated before Ross moves in, at his cost. Catering and special events of a business nature at the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home will be paid for by CMU. The university also will provide a new, full-size automobile for business and personal use, which will be replaced at reasonable intervals, according to the contract. Repairs, all fuel and insurance will be paid by the university.

Ross has the right to ter-

minate the agreements of his contract without cause by giving the Board 120 days of advanced written notice, except for the six months prior to the expiration of the contract.

Also, if Ross is unable to perform the functions of the presidency because of an illness for more than three months, the Board has the right to terminate his contract.

He postponed his arrival to Alcorn State in 2007 because he was diagnosed with acute leukemia while serving as CMUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services. He was treated at University Hospital in Ann Arbor.

A family matter Sometimes, the streak of rivalry between two family members can strengthening the bond between them.

Bad Axe brothers Jason Erskine, 34, and Jeff Erskine, 31, carry a similar aggressive side that shows as they compete.

Both earned a bronze medal in the snowshoeing event at the Special Olympics Winter Games. But the pair competed in different

heats, so they did not get a chance to show their sibling rivalry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fight,â&#x20AC;? Jeff said.

Jason playfully pushed Jeff away and said the two never fought, not even when they were children.

As aggressive as the duo is, Jason said he competes for the thrill of the event. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fun,â&#x20AC;? Jason said.

once the hype subsides and something else comes in the news, we hope people wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to help countries like Haiti.â&#x20AC;?

Dave Weston, the community coordinator of the Central Michigan chapter of the American Red Cross, said he is not surprised with the support and time the CMU community is giving to Haiti relief efforts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We live in a very supporting and giving community

that always helps no matter if the disaster is local, national or international, and CMU has stepped up to the plate once again,â&#x20AC;? Weston said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We can always use more and we will always need more, but people give what they can afford to give and with Haiti we will be helping for years.â&#x20AC;?

university@cm-life.com

metro@cm-life.com

- The Associated Press contributed to this report. studentlife@cm-life.com

6A || Friday, Feb. 5, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

www.cm-life.com

[News]

State lawmakers looking at increased fuel taxes

Businesses believe bill not good for the economy

By Maryellen Tighe Senior Reporter

jake may/staff photographer

Jonathon Jarrard, 5, waits while his friends line up for a car weigh-in for the local chapter of Boy Scouts of Americas’ race on Thursday at the Renaissance Public School Academy for the Pinewood Derby in an attempt to qualify for the district competition. Twelve Boy Scouts competed and only four could move on.

Pinewood Derby excites scouts Children build small wood cars to race downhill

By Heather Hillman Staff Reporter

The competition was fierce Wednesday at the annual Pinewood Derby.

But for Boy Scouts in troop #3656, it was not about winning or losing.

Each boy had to create his own car out of identical blocks of wood for the competition at the Renaissance Public Academy, 2797 S. Isabella Road.

They could be any color, shape or design imaginable — the only rule is they must weigh less than five ounces.

Micki Christiansen, mother of 7-year-old Duncan and 5-yearold Nico, who both participated in the race, knows all about the importance of building a fast car.

“Some of the kids have really put a lot of work into their cars.

Duncan’s been planning his car since last year. He knew what color and what shape he wanted

it,” Christiansen said.

Before the cars were ready for racing, they had to be weighed in to make sure they were all on an equal playing field.

Each boy received a blue ribbon reading “I did my Best!” before the races began.

“It’s not so much a competition to them as wanting each other to do well,” Christiansen said.

Start the races Excitement was heavy among competitors as the races began.

Two cars sped down the sloped wooden track at a time; the first one to cross the finish line at the bottom was the winner.

Each child got to enjoy seeing their car compete several times.

“The cheering, when they’re jumping up and down, it’s like kids at Christmas,” said troop leader and event coordinator Jessica Bowman. “It’s incredible to me; makes all the work worth it.”

After several rounds of tight races, three boys tied for first place and have a guaranteed spot at districts to represent their troop: Skylar Huggard, Jonathon Jarrard and Grey Fox.

cm-life.com See the Web site Friday afternoon for an audio slideshow on the derby.

The troop also awarded Tyler Munoz and Joey Gaines, who both took third in the derby, with sportsmanship awards.

Huggard, a first-time derby racer, said he is confident about how his yellow speed demon will do in the next round.

“At districts, we get to battle other packs. I think I’ll do good,” Huggard said.

Each child earned a trophy for competing in the derby.

Grand Rapids freshman T.J. Feagan still looks back fondly on his derby days.

“I think my best memory was building the car with my dad.

Mine had a 007 sticker on it — it was the coolest thing,” Feagan said.

After an afternoon of races, the boys and their parents enjoyed dinner provided by Bowman.

“It’s something I do because they’re worth it,” she said. studentlife@cm-life.com

Bills introduced to the state House last week may have drivers paying more for their gasoline and diesel fuel purchases.

State Rep. Richard Ball, R-Bennington Township, and State Rep. Pam Byrnes, D-Lyndon Township, have proposed three bills that would raise fuel taxes over the next three years and create a commission to decide how to maintain consistent revenue to repair Michigan roads. They hope the bills will be discussed in the next couple of weeks.

Michigan has 92 percent of its federal gas tax refunded each year, which totals hundreds of millions of dollars, Ball said. Each year, the federal government refunds a portion of gas taxes to be used for improving road conditions, but requires the state to put money into that fund as well.

Unless Michigan is able to come up with $100 million this year to match the federal funding, the state will only receive 50 percent of the refund.

“With just the money that

is available now and the revenue that is coming into the state by the federal fuel tax, we will not have the money to match the federal money,” he said. “They’ll just take that and spread it over other states.”

The proposed tax increase, effective immediately after the bill passes, would raise gasoline taxes to 23 cents a gallon from 19 and diesel fuel to 21 cents a gallon from 15. Then both fuels would see a final tax increase to 27 cents a gallon on Jan. 1, 2013.

Based on the increase, a car that gets 20 miles per gallon and goes 15,000 miles a year would pay an additional $2.50 per month with the 23-cent tax, Ball said. This would bring the amount in taxes up to $14.38 per month on gas taxes.

Another Option The alternative is an increase in vehicle registration fees. But that method will take a year to cycle through all tax payers and will not solve the potential deficit in time, Ball said.

“I’m not sure that tying it to the gas tax is the best solution to the problem,” said state Rep. Bill Caul, RMount Pleasant. “There are going to be more efficiencies, and as prices go up people are going to drive less. And we may earn even

unemployment | continued from 3A

Area Michigan Works Consortium vice president for employment training, said the decline in labor force is a result of people losing faith in Michigan’s economy and giving up on looking for a job.

Bloomfield said she believes the labor force will

start to increase again if unemployment continues to decrease.

“As Michigan’s economy is reinvented, I think that will give people hope,” she said.

Bloomfield said when people begin to enter the labor force again, it could cause a temporary increase in the unemploy-

less.”

One selling point of the bipartisan bill is the proposed clarity. Every dollar is to be reported for, and those reports are going to be available to the public, Ball said.

Ten percent of the bill is designated to go to county bus routes and other public transportation. The other 90 percent is to be divided between Michigan and interstate highway maintenance and also distributed to county, city and village road commissions.

“I’ve heard that it is supposed to be a nonprofit thing,” said Fran Wilson, manager of Next Door Store, 629 S. Mission St. “But, as far as I can tell, it’s just another profit center; I don’t believe in it.”

Wilson’s sales are already down in the Mount Pleasant area over the last year, and she frequently receives complaints her gas prices are higher than those of gas stations in other areas.

Faith Primm, manager of Marathon Next Door Store, 1041 S. Mission St., also would be opposed to raising the gas prices and the negative impact it would have on her store.

“We’ll pay it, but I just don’t think it will be good for the economy,” Primm said. metro@cm-life.com

ment rate, but overall, it will be a good sign for the economy when that happens.

In November, the 8,000 jobs gained were in the business sector, whereas employment losses were recorded in all other sectors. The only sector to add employment in December was health and education, which gained 4,000 jobs. metro@cm-life.com

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Road loss | Women’s basketball team loses to Akron on road, 4B Central Michigan Life

Sports Weekend Friday, February 5, 2010 | Section B

Basketball

Weekend Men’s MAC Standings West Division Team

MAC

Overall

CMU Ball St. NIU WMU EMU Toledo

6-2 6-3 4-5 4-5 3-6 0-9

11-9 12-9 8-13 12-10 11-11 3-20

East Division Team

MAC

Overall

Kent St. Akron Miami Buffalo BGSU Ohio

7-2 6-3 6-3 4-5 4-5 3-5

16-7 16-7 9-13 11-9 11-10 12-10

Thursday’s results

CMU 88, Buffalo 82 Ball St. 64, BGSU 59 Kent St. 75, EMU 68 Ohio 65, Toledo 58 Miami (OH) 56, WMU 54 (OT)

Enos MAC’s seventh-highest paid coach Staff reports

CMU football coach Dan Enos’ salary ranks seventh among 13 coaches in the Mid-American Conference.

But his contract also includes more than $115,500 worth of possible bonuses per year for milestones such as division and conference titles, national rankings and personal awards.

If Enos achieved what the 2009 team did last season, he would have made an additional $37,500 for beating a Bowl Championship Series opponent ($7,500), winning the MAC West Division ($5,000), winning the MAC title game ($10,000), winning a

bowl game ($10,000) and achieving an Academic Progress Rate above 925 ($5,000).

Enos’ base salary is $250,000, plus an annual bonus of $75,000 for working with radio and Dan Enos TV, which gives him an annual intake of $325,000, ranking behind three constitutes hired in the past two years at their respective universities.

By comparison, former coach Butch Jones, now at the University of Cincinnati, made a base salary of

Inside w An in-depth look at Enos’ contract plus signing day, 3B $195,000 with unspecified radio and TV salary when he signed with CMU in January 2007. CMU increased his salary each year to where it was when he left, about $315,000 per year, plus about $30,000 for radio and TV. Athletics Director Dave Heeke could not be reached for comment Thursday evening.

Non-conference schedule The team also has finalized its non-

Depleted Region Not one wrestler on a team in the nation’s top five resides in the state of Florida, home of CMU’s Scotti Sentes and MSU’s Franklin Gomez Scotti Sentes

Franklin Gomez

Wednesday’s results Akron 90, NIU 76

Kent St. 76, NIU 46 BGSU 61, Toledo 47 EMU 62, Akron 59 WMU 85, Buffalo 70

Women’s MAC Standings West Division Team

MAC

Overall

Toledo EMU CMU Ball St. NIU WMU

7-2 6-3 5-4 3-6 2-7 1-8

17-5 16-5 8-13 9-13 8-13 6-16

East Division Team

MAC

Overall

BGSU Kent St. Akron Miami Buffalo Ohio

8-1 7-2 7-2 4-5 2-7 2-7

18-5 14-7 13-9 6-16 6-16 6-16

Thursday’s results Akron 62, CMU 55

Wednesday’s results

Miami (OH) 69, Ball St. 54 EMU 78, Buffalo 65 Kent St. 62, Toledo 59 WMU 51, Ohio 47

Tuesday’s results

Men’s MAC Leaders * As of Wednesday’s games

Rebounds

Player (team)

w w w w w

Brandon Bowdry (EMU) Donald Lawson (WMU) Jarrod Jones (Ball St.) Calvin Betts (Buffalo) Otis Polk (BGSU)

PPG

21.1 19.9 18.6 16.0 14.7 14.0 13.9 13.8 13.4 13.9

RPG

9.8 7.7 7.5 7.5 7.2

Field Goal Percentage Player (team)

w w w w

Malik Perry (Ball St.) Sean Kowal (NIU) Justin Greene (Kent St.) Jimmy Conyers (Akron)

%

56.8 53.8 53.2 53.1

courtesy photo from msu athletic Communications

Senior Franklin Gomez won a national title at 133 pounds last season.

Florida’s Finest Wrestlers from rival high schools meet Friday

By D.J. Palomares | Staff Reporter

w Graduated from Riverdale High School in 2008.

*Home teams in bold

David Kool (WMU) Xavier Silas (NIU) Rodney Pierce (Buffalo) Brandon Bowdry (EMU) Carlos Medlock (EMU) Armon Bassett (Ohio) Kenny Hayes (Miami) Robbie Harman (CMU) D.J. Cooper (Ohio) Justin Green (Kent St.)

file photo by Matthew STephens

Sophomore Scotti Sentes was an All-American at 125 pounds last season.

Sentes

BGSU 85, NIU 67

w w w w w w w w w w

Men’s basketball

Bitzer, Harman lead CMU

By Tim Ottusch Senior Reporter

*Home teams in bold

Player (team)

sports@cm-life.com

Team beats Buffalo to stay on top of West

Monday’s results

Points

conference schedule by adding Hampton as its fifth home game on Thursday, Sept. 2. CMU plays on the road against Northwestern (Sept. 25), Virginia Tech (Oct. 9) and Navy (Nov. 13).

Hampton, of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in the Football Championship Subdivision, finished 5-6 last season. Virginia Tech finished its season ranked No. 10 in the Associated Press Poll at 10-3. Navy finished 10-4 and Northwestern 8-5.

The Mid-American Conference schedule will be released at a later date.

w Won state championships at four different weight classes (103, 112, 119 and 125). w Finished 51-0 as a senior with a 140match win streak. w Named an All-American as a freshman.

C

MU sophomore wrestler Scotti Sentes and MSU senior wrestler Franklin Gomez grew up in a state that does not have Division-I wrestling.

In fact, of the top five wrestling teams in the nation, there are no wrestlers hailing from Florida.

But with the state’s reputation in the dregs of the wrestling world, Sentes, from Fort Myers, Fla., and Gomez, from Brandon, Fla., have dedicated their collegiate careers to boosting the image of Florida wrestlers.

The two are the only wrestlers from the state in the top 20 national rankings at the 133-pound weight class. They face each other when CMU and Michigan State meet at 7:30 p.m. today in Rose Arena.

“I didn’t know anything about college wrestling,” Sentes said. “I had never seen a dual meet until I came up to visit Central. A lot of guys down there want to keep on wrestling, but they don’t know how to do it.”

Adding to the lack of exposure is a chilling effect — not having Division-I wrestling in the state causes students to avoid involvement in the sport.

Only the top wrestlers get the chance to move on to the Division-I level because they are the ones who are awarded scholarships, Sentes said. Going out of state for college is expensive and, without a scholarship, some wrestling careers are ended at the high school level.

“If there was Division-I wrestling in Florida, more kids would

Inside w The wrestling team takes on No. 21 MSU, 2B be motivated to get into the sport,” Gomez said. “At a young age, kids don’t really think about going on and wrestling in college but, as they get older, it starts to affect their decisions.”

Because wrestling is prominent in the Midwest, most of the national tournaments for high school wrestlers are held in

Gomez w Graduated from Brandon High School in 2005. w In ‘05, won national championships at high school, junior free style and junior Greco-Roman levels. w Went 44-0 as a senior. w Won a national championship last year at 133 pounds.

Senior guards Jordan Bitzer and Robbie Harman led the CMU men’s basketball team to its seventh consecutive home win Thursday at Rose Arena.

Bitzer scored 22 and Harman had 19 as the team defeated Buffalo 88-82 in front of 1,029, maintaining its lead in the Mid-American Conference West Division.

“I thought our seniors did a really good job leading the way,” said CMU coach Ernie Zeigler.

Harman had struggled in his past two outings. Harman, who averages 13.8 points per game, scored 16 combined points on 5-for-18 shooting against Bowling Green and Miami.

Zeigler said Harman, who celebrated his 22nd birthday Thursday, did not get down on himself during that stretch because he leads the team in so many ways.

“He knows his imprint is all over what we do,” Zeigler said. “He’s not going to be down for long and it was even probably more gratifying to watch him do it celebrating his 22nd birthday.”

Bitzer said it was nice for the team to keep up with Buffalo’s high-scoring style of play.

“Tonight, we showed we can get up and down with the best of them,” he said.

The win maintains CMU’s (11-9, 6-2 MAC) half-game lead against Ball State (12-9, 6-3 MAC) in the MAC West.

The Cardinals defeated Bowling Green 64-59 Thursday in Muncie, Ind. The Chippewas are 4-0 at home against MAC opponents this season.

In the first half, Buffalo got off to

A victory | 2B

Inside w The men’s basketball shows its swagger in win, 4B

the north, Sentes said. College coaches do not get the opportunity to see wrestlers from the South because it is too expensive for them to travel to the tournaments.

Sentes and Gomez were awarded scholarships to move their careers forward.

In the process, they have begun to debunk the idea of weak wrestling in Florida. Gomez took home a national championship A Florida | 2b

“I went to Riverdale, but I was known for knocking off Brandon guys, so, hopefully, I can add Franklin Gomez to that list.”

Scotti Sentes, sophomore 133-pounder

Jeff Smith/Staff Photographer

Senior guard Jordan Bitzer led CMU with 22 points in its 88-82 win against Buffalo Thursday at Rose Arena. CMU is 6-2 in the MAC.

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2B || Friday, Feb. 5, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

cm-life.com/category/sports

[Sports]

CMU looks to end MSU’s in-state success Spartans, could beat all state teams on schedule

By Matthew Valinski Staff Reporter

file photo by Matthew Stephens

Heavyweight sophomore Jarod Trice is 17-1 this season

The CMU wrestling team can prevent a sweep of Michigan for the Michigan State Spartans at 7:30 tonight at Rose Arena.

The Spartans have already defeated Eastern Michigan on Dec. 3 and Michigan Jan. 29, but will have to break a CMU eight-match winning streak over MSU that dates back to 2001.

Headlining the match will be two bouts between ranked wrestlers at 133 pounds and 149 pounds.

Coming off his first loss of the season against No. 3 Daniel Dennis (Iowa), No. 4 Franklin Gomez — last year’s national champion at 133-pounds — will take on sophomore No. 8 Scotti Sentes.

A win will move Sentes up the rankings, but the focus for him is on improving his own ability for Nationals, said coach Tom Borrelli.

“To us, it is just another match,” he said. “We’re not going to try to hype it up or

anything. We have wrestled ranked guys a lot this year.

He isn’t the number one ranked guy anymore, he Conor Beebe is just another ranked guy.”

Sentes is coming off a weekend where he did not allow a point scored against him against Virginia Tech’s Brock Livorio (13-0) and Old Dominion’s Justin LaValle (12-0). He is riding a fivematch winning streak.

At 149 pounds, senior No. 14 Tony D’Alie will wrestle sophomore No. 12 David Cheza.

Cheza (17-6) is 1-2 in his career against CMU wrestlers, losing twice to Steve Brown last year and beating Ryan Cubberly in a major decision Dec. 30, 2008, at the Midlands Championships. He is 3-4 against MidAmerican Conference opponents in his career.

Sandwiched between the ranked bouts is senior Conor Beebe in his eighth match of the season at 141 pounds after originally competing against fellow senior Matt Steintrager for the spot at 125 pounds.

Gymnasts prepare for State Classic

By Nick Conklin Staff Reporter

The State of Michigan Classic is as close to getting Michigan’s most prominent collegiate gymnastics teams on the same mat as it will get.

Although the University of Michigan is not participating, the CMU gymnastics team will face No. 21 Michigan State, Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan, which the team beat 192.975-191.525 last Saturday, in Kalamazoo.

The Chippewas will depend on high-scoring performances on the vault and uneven bars to stay in competition with MSU. Last weekend, senior Katie Simon led the bars team (9.8), and freshman Keri Dieffenderfer, junior Cheryl Conlin and freshman Britney Taylor scored a 9.7 on their routines.

The team scored a 48.550 in the event.

“The entire bar squad did a wonderful job,” said CMU coach Jerry Reighard, “We did

victory| continued from 1B

a quick start, going up by as many as seven. At points the Bulls tried to take away CMU’s home court advantage, by making noise and slapping the floor throughout the opening minutes.

But CMU came back. Down 26-19 with 7:32 remaining in the first half, the Chippewas went on a 18-4 run. CMU scored 11 of the 18 from free throws. Central Michigan ended the first half up 41-37.

In the second half, CMU never trailed and maintained its lead throughout, going up by as

Florida | continued from 1B

at 133 pounds last season and Sentes earned All-American honors at 125 pounds as a true freshman.

“I think coaches are starting to understand that wrestlers from Florida are pretty good,” Gomez said. “Before, there wasn’t much respect for a wrestler coming out of Florida but, today, coaches are seeing that they can be as good as from any other state and maybe better.”

First meeting Despite growing up in rival high schools, Sentes and Gomez have never faced each other on the mat. Gomez graduated the year before Sentes began high school.

“He went to Brandon, which is a big-name school in Florida,” Sentes said.

“I went to Riverdale, but I was known for knocking off Brandon guys so, hopefully,

the first meet at Illinois State (38.225).

2010 Classic The Chippewas have had mixed results in the State of Michigan Classic the past three years. They finishing in second place in 2009, fourth in 2008 and third in 2007.

MSU is the highest-scoring team in the meet (194.065 average). Coming off a league win against Ohio State (194.875191.425), the Spartans look to senior Rochelle Robinson (9.85 in Ohio State meet) and freshman Shanthi Teike on vault (9.8).

Western Michigan comes in having lost its last two league meets. The Broncos lost their last meet against Bowling Green despite their highest score of the season (191.850).

Sophomore Meghan Donovan looks to repeat following last week’s record performance (9.825) on the bars.

Eastern Michigan rounds out the four-team format for the meet and looks to rebound following last weekend’s loss.

EMU will look to freshman Kaylyn Millick (9.775 against CMU) and junior Nikole Viltz (9.675) on the balance beam.

many as 13. The Bulls tightened the lead slightly near the end when CMU started taking its regular rotation out.

Junior forwards Marko Spica and Jalin Thomas also scored in double figures for CMU. Spica finished with 12 points while Thomas had 11 and eight rebounds.

The Chippewas outshot Buffalo 50 percent to 42.6.

75-68 Thursday in Ypsilanti. It was the 400th MAC win in the school’s history.

The Golden Flashes are 4-0 against MAC West teams this season, also defeating Toledo on the road and Northern Illinois and Western Michigan at home.

Sophomore forward Justin Green (6-foot-8-inch) leads Kent State in scoring and rebounding this season, averaging 13.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

CMU concludes its threegame home stand against Akron at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Rose Arena.

Saturday The Chippewas continue their three-game home stretch against MAC leading Kent State at 7 p.m. Saturday in Rose Arena.

Kent State (16-7, 7-2 MAC) is on a six-game winning streak, defeating Eastern Michigan I can add Franklin Gomez to that list.”

Gomez came into the season as the top wrestler in the 133-weight class and was the favorite to repeat as a national champion. However, a narrow 3-2 loss to Iowa senior Daniel Dennis last week dropped him to fourth in the nation.

The lost snapped a 29-match win streak, which Gomez will look to jump start with a win in Mount Pleasant.

“I want to be my best, just like in any other match,” Gomez said.

Sentes won his last four matches and has allowed his opponents a total of four combined points. Since bumping up to the 133-pound weight class, Sentes has taken on four opponents in the top 10, but has come away with only one victory.

“I am either going to be the hero or be embarrassed,” Sentes said. “Trying to take on the number one wrestler, I am hoping to be the hero.” sports@cm-life.com

Up next: 7:30 p.m. today: vs. MSU

Who’s hot: Ben Bennett has scored bonus points for the Chippewas in three of the past four matches.

Huskies The Chippewas face a Northern Illinois team Sunday that has dropped its first two MAC matches of the year.

The Huskies are getting healthier with juniors Patrick McLemore and Tristen DeShazer back in the lineup after missing time.

McLemore won the MAC Championship at 141 pounds two years ago and DeShazer broke NIU’s single-season record for pins last year with 17, while placing third in the MAC Tournament last year.

A third junior in reigning 157-pound MAC champion Bryan Deutsch is riding a six-match winning streak and will face CMU’s Donnie Corby.

CMU sophomore No. 3 Jarod Trice comes in with a 14-match winning streak and, although neither of his

Who’s not: Whoever wrestles at 165 pounds. The Chippewas are 2-5 in their last seven matches at this weight. Tyler Grayson dropped out of the top 20 after losing both his matches last weekend.

cm-life.com Check the Web for a look at Jarod Trice’s new focus for 2010.

opponents are ranked this weekend, he said his goal is to try to score bonus points for the team.

“I got my mind now that every match I got into, I want to get bonus points,” he said. “I want to beat them by eight points or better.” sports@cm-life.com

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well in Denver, it’s been going really well in practice, and that has been really good for us.”

The Chippewas scored Cheryl Conlin a 49.200 (Denver and BYU) and a 48.725 against EMU on the vault. The vault has been CMU’s highestscoring event in two of its four meets. In the other two meets, CMU scored its highest on the floor exercises (Illinois State, Utah State).

One event that has caused issues for the team is the balance beam. Reighard said he understands it may take time to develop consistency in the event.

“It kind of fell apart for us (against EMU), we had a couple of falls,” he said, “and it’s an area we need to regroup on.”

There were some improvements on the event ­— Taylor scored a 9.825 against EMU and, returning to the lineup from injury, senior Jessica Suder came in second with a 9.625.

Taylor, who won the EMU meet with a 39.025 all-around, has increased her all-around performance by .80 from

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Borrelli said Beebe is starting to become accustomed to wrestling at the higher weight class and it shows when he gets on the mat.

“I think he is starting to gain some confidence at that weight class,” said Borrelli.

“He wrestled with the 10th ranked guy in the country a pretty tight match.”

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cm-life.com/category/sports

Enos secures 20 commitments Fourteen of 20 recruits from the state of Michigan

By Aaron McMann Staff Reporter

CMU football coach Dan Enos found himself revealing this year’s recruiting class to the media on Wednesday — three weeks after starting his job.

“The first thing I did when I got here was sit down and try and evaluate where we were at,” Enos said. “Some of these guys fit specific needs, and some of these guys were the best player available. Sometimes, you have to recruit the best available guys regardless of where they’re at and get them into the program.”

Enos, coming from a Big Ten background as running backs coach at Michigan State, emphasized size to go along with speed in this year’s class.

“We want to be multiple in offense and be able to run out two 6-foot, 5-inch, 250-pound tight ends if need be,” Enos said. “We (also) want to have some bigger type backs that are physical with pass protection.”

The class is made up of 20 total players – 19 scholarship athletes and one walk-on – compared to 30 last year. Of the 19, 10 were on the offensive side of the ball and eight on the defensive side. Enos said one player can play both, and one is a kicker.

“We’re very excited about this class,” Enos said. “We think we filled a lot of needs of this football team.”

Among the highly-touted players on the defensive side was 6-foot, 210-pound linebacker Nores Fradi (Dearborn H.S./ Dearborn Heights), 6-foot-5, 265-pound defensive end Kevin Henry (Morris, Ill.) and 5-foot10, 185-pound cornerback Anthony Hollis (Detroit Renaissance), a transfer from Grand Rapids Community College. All three were ranked three-star recruits by college recruiting Web sites Scout.com and Rivals.com.

Smith Left-handed quarterback Kyle Smith (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) from Lancaster, Pa., will join the list of other dual-threat quarterbacks on the roster.

Kyle Warber, who covers the Chippewas as a MLive.com blogger and Scout.com contributor, gave the class a ‘B-’ rating and said CMU is putting a lot of faith in Enos’ ability to recruit the state of Michigan.

Central Michigan Life || Friday, Feb. 5, 2010 || 3B

[Sports]

Kyle Smith

“He kept some of the kids they needed (Fradi and Kevin Henry), but missed out on guys like (Cody) Kater and Montrel R o b i n s o n ,”

get out and get this done.” sports@cm-life.com

The Recruits Ben Brown (Mich.) w 6-3, 230-pound RB (Romeo)

Warber said.

Kater and Robinson followed former CMU coach Butch Jones to Cincinnati.

In addition, CMU lost verbal commitment Steve Bell (Cooley H.S.) at the last minute, and 5-foot-9 running back LaSteven McKinney (Nazareth Academy, Ill.) decommitted from the program a few days before.

Warber said he is unsure what happened with Bell.

“It looks like academics,” he said. “He remains a mystery — nobody’s talked to him.”

Deon Butler (Mich.)

Five states CMU continued its in-state tradition of recruiting, nabbing 14 Michigan players. It also landed two from Ohio, two from Illinois, one from Missouri and one from Pennsylvania.

For the first time in several years, however, the program did not court any players from Florida. Jones’ staff recruited two players from Florida in 2009 and nine players in 2008.

Warber said while there are advantages and disadvantages to recruiting Florida, in-state players are going to fight harder to come to CMU. “Psychologically, more kids are going to be fired up to play for CMU (than those from Florida),” Warber said. “On the flip side, Florida’s a really hot bed for athleticism — you’re going to miss out on the next Antonio Brown.”

Enos said playing time will be determined by their size and physical ability shown over the summer.

“If we could redshirt them all, we’d like to do it,” he said. “Now, we’re talking about guys that will be fifth-year seniors one day.”

Kent King (Mich.)

Staff Enos opened the news conference introducing the coaching staff assembled and praised their work securing players in such a short period of time.

“They did a tremendous job of re-recruiting the young men that stayed committed,” Enos said. “They did an outstanding job of recruiting the young men that tried to get in the fold after. They were very organized — it’s a testament to their experience and their ability as football coaches to

w 6-3, 210-pound WR (Inkster)

Avery Cunningham (Ohio) w 6-0, 195-pound DB (Winton Woods)

Nores Fradi (Mich.) w 6-0, 210-pound LB (Dearborn)

Kevin Henry (Ill.) w 6-5, 265-pound DL (Morris)

Anthony Hollis (Mich.) w 5-10, 185-pound DB (GRCC) w 6-5, 260-pound OL (Gladstone)

Kevin King (Mich.) w 5-11, 205-pound RB (Edsel Ford)

Mike Kinville (Mich.) w 6-3, 215-pound LB (DCC)

Tyler Lombardo (Mich.) w 6-1, 230-pound FB (L’Anse Creuse)

Kenny McClendon (Mo.) w 6-2, 235-pound DE (De Smet Jesuit)

Billy Myer (Mich.) w 5-11, 180-pound WR (Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart)

Paul Mudgett (Mich.) w 5-10, 165-pound K (Rockford)

Andy Phillips (Mich.) w 6-3, 270-pound DL (Waverly)

Joe Sawicki (Ill.) w 6-5, 230-pound TE (Providence Catholic)

Kyle Smith (Pa.) w 6-3, 210-pound QB (Lancaster Catholic)

Caleb Southworth (Ohio) w 6-5, 220-pound TE (Piketon)

Jonathon Taylor (Mich.) w 6-2, 200-pound WR (Inkster)

Leterrius Walton (Mich.) w 6-6, 285-pound OL/DL (Clintondale)

Joe Wirth (Mich.) w 6-4, 227-pound DE (Utica Eisenhower)

Enos contract numbers Base salary:

at season’s end: $10,000

$250,000

Radio/TV annually: $75,000 ($325,000 total; 7th in MAC)

Other bonuses: w Beat a Bowl Championship Series opponent: $7,500 w Win the MAC West Division: $5,000 w Win MAC title game: $10,000 w Win a bowl game: $10,000 w Appear in a BCS game: $60,000 w Achieve BCS Top 25 ranking

w Selected as MAC coach of the year: $10,000 w Football home attendance average exceeds 25,000: $3,000 w Give at least 60 percent of scholarships to Michigan residents: $5,000 w Achieve an Academic Progress Rate above 925: $5,000

MAX BONUS: $115,500 TOTAL+BONUS: $440,500

Contract termination Termination year Terminating

party must pay 2010 $700,000 2011 $500,000 2012 $400,000 2013 $300,000 2014 $200,000

Top MAC coaches: 1. Al Golden, Temple Base salary: $505,000 Total: $505,000 2. Frank Solich, Ohio Base salary: $385,000 Other income: $71,000 Total: $456,000

4B || Friday, Feb. 5, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

cm-life.com/category/sports

[Sports]

Women’s basketball loses to Akron Shooting woes send Chippewas to 5-4 MAC record

Daniel Monson Senior Reporter

By Aaron McMann Staff Reporter

Winning aura returns Men’s basketball team deserves more support

T

here is a certain aura winning teams possess.

For the first time in seven seasons, it has returned to Rose Arena.

The CMU men’s basketball team showed why it was selected as the Mid-American Conference’s West Division favorite on Thursday night in an 88-82 win against Buffalo that exuded this team’s quiet confidence.

CMU very well could have looked ahead to the next two games of its homestand, a 7 p.m. Saturday game against MAC East Division-leader Kent State and a Tuesday matchup against secondplace Akron.

Instead, the Chippewas methodically took care of a Buffalo team that was desperate for a win.

Responding to desperation The Bulls came out like a confident team — not one that had lost four of its past five games.

The Bulls’ high-energy, up-and-down style of play helped them jump to a 2417 lead 12 minutes into the game. They created their own energy through their constant applause before, throughout and after plays, on the floor and from the boisterous bench.

“I thought, initially, we didn’t respond very well,” said CMU coach Ernie Zeigler. “But we called timeout and just talked about it.”

One play later, senior guard Robbie Harman lobbed the ball to the left side of the basket, where junior guard Antonio Weary found it and dunked it through.

It sparked an 8-2 run and CMU never trailed again.

“I think it’s just the whole team chemistry,” said senior guard Jordan Bitzer, who finished with a team-high 22 points. “We’ve got a bunch of guys who know what Coach Zeigler wants, defensively and offensively. It’s kind of a

Paige Calamari/staff photographer

Senior guard Robbie Harman finished with 19 points in CMU’s 88-82 win against Buffalo Thursday night at Rose Arena.

quiet demeanor that we have.

We showed that we can score a lot of points, too.”

Unfamiliar way to win Buffalo coach Reggie Witherspoon’s run-and-gun attack is not often seen in the MidAmerican Conference, where teams are not deep enough to keep it up throughout the game. But Witherspoon, in his 11th season in Buffalo, has recruited in a way that allows it, and has the depth to do it.

He sent 12 players into the game. When players needed a rest, they signaled to the bench for a substitution.

But by the end of the first half, the Bulls’ smiles largely had vanished. Despite playing with a desperate attitude for the first 20 minutes, they still trailed by four.

“We did a really good job of attacking and putting ourselves in a position offensively to win a game a little different than we have been winning,” Zeigler said. “I think that’s the mark of good teams. Once someone tries to do different things, you’re able to respond.”

Central forced Buffalo to work so hard on the offensive end, the Bulls gave up on defense. At one point, CMU scored 11 consecutive points from the free-throw line on its way to an 18-4 run near the end of the first half. Buffalo resorted to fouling instead of working as hard as the Chippewas do on the defensive end.

Some support?

Sure, the Chippewas have a lot more work to do. A 6-2 record in the first half of their conference schedule is a good start, but eight games still remain before they can begin to think about a first-round bye

in the MAC Tournament.

Something that hasn’t been seen since Chris Kaman years is beginning to take place at Rose. But only a meager crowd of 1,029 supported the team Thursday.

Zeigler said it best.

“It’s basketball season,” he said. “Football will come back here in the fall — they’ll start playing spring ball in the spring. But right now, let’s focus our attention on our men’s basketball team that is out here fighting, busting their behinds and doing something really special right now.” sports@cm-life.com

With an opportunity to gain ground in the Mid-American Conference West Division on Thursday, the CMU women’s basketball team lost 62-55 to Akron at Rhodes Arena in Akron, Ohio.

With the loss, CMU remains two games behind MAC West leader Toledo, which lost to Kent State on Wednesday.

CMU (8-13, 5-4 MAC) had difficulty making layups and shooting the ball, going 18-for60 (30 percent) from the field.

“It was just a very, very poor offensive performance tonight,” said coach Sue Guevara.

Junior guard Shonda Long and senior guard Kendra Holman were the only CMU players to score in double figures, with 17 and 10 points respectively.

Guevara said the three players that the team depends on — Long, senior Britni Houghton and junior forward Kaihla Szunko — did not produce.

“Our big three have to come to play,” Guevara said.

“Britni Houghton missed layups; Kaihla Szunko looked like she was afraid today – she wasn’t looking to attack the basket. Those kids have got to make shots.”

Houghton was limited to two points and eight rebounds, while Szunko had six points and five rebounds.

“That’s a given, we should be more consistent,” Houghton said. “But in the same aspect, what’s going to happen next year when I’m gone or when Kaihla’s gone? Yeah, we need to be more consistent, but then there’s going to be days where our shots don’t fall.”

A slow tempo characterized the beginning of the game as Akron got out to an early 9-3 lead after three CMU turnovers and a pair of jumpers by senior guard Ayla Guzzardo (nine points, five assists).

After the Chippewas cut Akron’s lead to two points with 6:11 remaining in the first half, the Zips went on a 10-0 run in a more than 3-minute span to take a 26-16 lead.

CMU shot 26.7 percent in the first half compared to Akron’s 41.4 percent. It trailed 28-25.

Shooting woes and missed layups continued in the second half as CMU opened

0-for-6 from the field, allowing Akron to build a 38-27 lead with 14:44 remaining in the game.

“There were times where we pushed temp but missed layups,” Guevara said. “Those are momentum killers.”

CMU answered with a Skylar Miller layup to cut the deficit to nine points, but the Zips responded with a Jolene Tamboue basket.

Akron maintained a doubledigit lead until a late-game flurry helped CMU pull within seven. It proved to be too late, however.

Akron’s Kara Murphy had 17 points, while senior forward Jolene Tamboue had 11 points and 10 rebounds for Akron (13-9, 7-2 MAC).

CMU will continue its road trip at 2 p.m. Saturday at Buffalo (6-16, 2-7 MAC), which is coming off a 78-65 loss to Eastern Michigan. sports@cm-life.com