working to make ends meet, 3A
ncaa tournament | Check out this year’s bracket, 3B parking | Price increase ‘under consideration’ for budget, 3A
Senior leadership helps gymnastics beat Ball State, 1B
Central Michigan Life
Monday, March 15, 2010
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
[cm-life.com]
School spirit could reap rewards this week for students $25 gift cards awarded to those wearing CMU colors By Ryan Czachorski Senior Reporter
Thousands of students wear Central Michigan University attire to their classes
everyday. But they could be rewarded for their clothing choices at a random time on a random day this week. The Student Government Association’s Traditions and Spirit Committee is launching School Spirit Days, in which a member of the committee will find a student wearing CMU colors or
clothing and give them a $25 gift card to the CMU Bookstore or Down Under Food Court. “The goal is to promote school spirit,” said Eric Jacovetti, chairman of the Traditions and Spirit Committee. “The premise is to be proud of your school. I think this will help people wear Central gear.”
Jacovetti, a Livonia junior, said he plans to show up on campus later in the week on a random day and preferably between classes to find a larger number of students. The idea stemmed from the committee’s yearly working goal to increase students’ school spirit across campus. The committee will look at the feedback to the initial
Student Spirit Day and decide when the next one will be. “The idea is that every single student on Central’s campus is in a contest,” he said. “But they don’t know it.” Feedback tool The event has other benefits besides fostering student spirit, said SGA vice president and Garden City senior
Brittany Mouzourakis. SGA will use the event to get student opinions on what they can do better from the winners. “If more people know SGA is out there and can win a small gift card, they might put on a CMU shirt on a nice spring day,” Mouzourakis said.
A Spirit | 2A
Major county cuts loom
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During a simulation of the Chile earthquake Friday at Mill Pond Park, South Haven freshman Alisa Whiteford lays wounded after running into a tree and was assessed with a concussion during the week-long RPL 365: Wilderness First Responder class. “I got care. It was good,” Whiteford said. “This is life. This is what happens. We’ll be out there with nobody coming. This is a test but, in life, it will be real blood-gushing.”
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Construction on the new Rose Center will continue until its scheduled completion in Fall 2010. The renovations will include an Event Center, a practice gym and new seating, among other additions. Libby March/ staff photographer
By Jackie Smith | Metro Editor
Troy junior Mary Blumka, left, and Haslett junior Kevin McDonald assess the ailments of Indiana junior Rachel Kauffman during a simulation Friday at Mill Pond Park for RPL 365: Wilderness First Responder. Her leg was impaled on a tree limb during the Chile Earthquake in the simulation.
R
achel Kauffman shrieked at the sight of the small tree branch thrust through her leg. The Indiana junior’s pants were stained red and her face, contorted in pain. She and 12 others laid Friday afternoon in the woods at Mount Pleasant’s Mill Pond Park — their bodily appendages bloody and bruised. Two rescuers came to Kauffman’s side and, after a few minutes, took out a knife to saw through the small branch. “Rachel, look at me. This is going to hurt,” Troy junior Mary Blumka said to Kauffman. “Breathe. Slowly. I know it hurts, but you’re going to be OK.”
Fortunately, the blood on Kauffman’s pants and her cries of pain were not authentic. For an hour and a half, she and 12 others played victim in a simulation of the recent Chilean earthquake. Blumka and fellow responder Kevin McDonald, a Haslett junior, were
two of about 25 other students who came to their rescue. The simulation served as a test for two sections of RPL 365: Wilderness First Responder, a sevenday intensive course open to students from Central Michigan University and elsewhere. The class pro-
vided instruction on how to handle anything from frost bite to compound fractures and gave students life-like situations to work with. Other medical issues in the woods Friday included amputated fingers, severe A Wilderness | 6A
The number of departments in Isabella County could be cut by about 60 percent under a plan proposed last week. County Administrator Tim Dolehanty took “a first stab” at accommodating an expected $750,000 to $1 million budget shortfall in the next fiscal year. His suggestion would cut a total of $500,800 and reduce the number of county departments to five from 13. The five departments would include Equalization, Administration, Commission on Aging, Community Development and Central Dispatch. “We need to prepare ourselves for where we need to go,” Dolehanty said. “This is going to be a moving target for several months.” Under this plan, the departments would see a 12.6 percent budget reduction and roughly a 15 percent reduction in employee positions. Dolehanty reminded the county’s Board of Commissioners on March 8 these are just launching points, and discussion is still necessary with all departments, courts and executives in the county. Some of the positions Dolehanty told the board to examine include the Park Supervisor and the Community Development Director. Both positions could absorb other jobs to eliminate other positions if the proposal is approved.
A county | 7A
Events Center renovations taking shape Lobby, practice facility walls up; project on track By Seth Nietering Staff Reporter
Construction at Rose Arena is beginning to reveal what the expanded $21.5-million CMU Events Center will look like. The structural steel and precast concrete walls now in place are the beginning of the lobby
and practice facilities. Steve Lawrence, associate vice president of Facilities Management, said the construction is on track. “The structural steel is up and they’ve erected the precast concrete walls,” Lawrence said. “They are also installing roof trusses on the practice gym. Things are on schedule.” Rose Arena-based athletics teams closed their home schedule Saturday when the gymnastics team beat Ball State, allowing interior work to get under
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way. The lobby and arena portion of the project is still slated for completion in October 2010. The practice gym will be finished in December, Lawrence said. Richard Yoon, a Troy sophomore, said the construction is looking good. “I think they’re doing a great job trying to get it finished before basketball season,” Yoon said. “It’s starting to look like something now.” The mild winter may have offered a helping hand. Lawrence
said weather did not put construction behind schedule. “The construction workers knew they would be working through the winter, but there were actually only a few bad snowstorms,” he said. “It was a much easier winter for construction than we’ve had in the past.”
Fitness expansion The SAC fitness room expansion is not yet under way.
A Rose| 2A
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2A || Monday, March 15, 2010 || Central Michigan Life
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Judge rules UC must repay professional degree
EVENTS CALENDAR
By Larry Gordon Los Angeles Times (MCT)
Monday w A Faculty and Staff Quilt Show will be on display from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday in the Multicultural Education Center, Bovee University Center 125. w Going Places in Michigan with Leonard Gas will be on display from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Charles V. Park Library’s Clark Historical Library. w An Asian Pacific Heritage Month Kick-Off Celebration will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Bovee UC’s Lower Level Lobby. w Invisible Children Club will meet from 7:30 to 8 p.m. in the Bovee UC Upper Level Lobby.
Tuesday w The 2010 Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the University Main and West Art Galleries. w Faculty Artist Brad DeRoche will perform on the guitar from 8 to 9:30 p.m. in the Music Building’s Chamichian Hall. Admission is $3 for students and $5 for the general public. w A Word Hammer SLAM Poetry Meeting will take place from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m. in Moore Hall 206.
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 2010 Volume 91, Number 65
rose |
LOS ANGELES — The University of California must refund about $38 million to professional degree students who were illegally charged fee increases after they started school in 2003, a Superior Court judge in San Francisco ruled Friday. UC is likely to appeal the decision, officials said. In the ruling, Superior Court Judge John E. Munter said several thousand UC students in
law, medicine, nursing and other programs, in effect, were promised that their professional school fees would not rise during their enrollments and that the university violated that pledge. About 2,900 students, most of whom started in 2003 and are now presumably finished, are entitled to refunds and interest ranging from several hundred dollars to more than $10,000 apiece, depending on their fees, financial aid and time in school, according to Danielle
Leonard, an attorney who represented them. UC catalogues and Web sites had stated that the professional school portion of fees would not rise for continuing students and that constituted a contract, said Leonard, of the Altshuler Berzon law firm in San Francisco. “It’s nice to see the court thinks the same,” she said. However, UC counsel Christopher Patti said university officials disagreed with the court’s decision and “are very seriously
Gaming minds find representation By Ben Fritz and Alex Pham Los Angeles Times (MCT)
LOS ANGELES — Hollywood’s biggest talent agency is being called to duty. Signaling their intention to set up a new deal soon, Vince Zampella and Jason West, the recently fired heads of the studio that produced the blockbuster video game series “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare,” have agreed to be represented by the Creative Artists Agency. West and Zampella, the former president and chief executive, respectively, of San Fernando Valley-based Infinity Ward, were fired March 1 due to an undisclosed dispute with their
spirit| continued from 1A
Students will be asked a few questions on their opinions of the SGA’s effectiveness and what they would like to see out of their student government after they are selected as a gift-card winner. The hope is the program will reach an untapped group of students, said SGA president Jason Nichol. “Obviously, the monetary fund is small. We’re not giving them Cadillacs,” the Mount Pleasant senior said. “The spontaneity will help SGA reach an unreached portion of CMU students.” studentlife@cm-life.com
bosses at Activision Blizzard, Inc. Two days later, they filed a $36-million lawsuit against the Santa Monica-based publisher, led by outspoken chief executive Bobby Kotick, claiming wrongful termination and breach of contract. They allege that Activision fired them to avoid paying royalties on their work. November’s “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” was the bestselling game of 2009 in the U.S. and generated more than $1 billion worldwide. Most video game developers are hired hands for publishers and not represented by talent agents. As such, landing the top game developers behind one of the industry’s biggest franchises
marks a coup for CAA. At least one other top Hollywood agency was looking to sign West and Zampella since they lost their jobs last week, according to a person familiar with the situation. A CAA spokeswoman declined to discuss what West and Zampella may be looking to do next. Given the commercial and creative pedigree of working on the original “Call of Duty” and the “Modern Warfare” spinoffs, however, as well as the attention that their recent fallout with Activision has brought them in the gamer community, they would likely have little trouble setting up shop at another video game publisher.
By Megha Satyanarayana Santa Cruz Sentinel (MCT)
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. —Whether because of the trees, the trails, the ocean views or wildlife, the University of California, Santa Cruz has been named one of the world’s most beautiful colleges by Forbes Magazine. The school joins larger universities such as Princeton, Oxford and Stanford, as well as smaller schools such as Kenyon College and Scripps College. In the list, UCSC was called out by Aaron Schwarz of Perkins Eastman, an architecture and design firm, who said its natural setting helps define its character. The business magazine interviewed a panel of designers
and architects, many of whom have helped build college campuses. Another architect interviewed, Natalie Shivers, said the university blends buildings and the needs of pedestrians and drivers into the landscape. Amber Robles, a 22-year-old UCSC literature major, said she appreciates the views from an area known as East Hill and the trails that wind from building to building through redwood trees. But in her four years, the senior said the beauty has been clouded by construction. “It’s cluttered because of development. It’s kind of in a phase. Other than that, it’s mostly great. I thought it would be nice to live on the coast,” she said.
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“The current wrestling practice room is going to be renovated and connected to the existing SAC fitness room,” Lawrence said. Yoon said he frequently goes to the SAC to work out. “I’m excited they’re expanding the fitness room, too. I can’t wait to see it when it’s finished,” he said. Lawrence said the extra room will provide an additional 4,700 square feet for the fitness room. It is an approximate 45 percent increase in space and should be complete by February 2011.
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2003 may have seen the earlier material, it was not aimed at them and UC should not be forced to uphold an outdated promise, he said. UCLA law school graduate Andrea Luquetta, the lead plaintiff, said in a prepared statement: “This is a great victory for all my classmates who paid more in fees, and took on much higher debt, than what we originally thought we would have to pay to attend the University of California.”
University of California, Santa Cruz one of Forbes’ most beautiful campuses
continued from 1A
(989) 772-7792
considering an appeal.” In 2007, UC lost a similar case when an appellate court ordered it to repay about $40 million to 9,100 students who started in its professional schools around 2002. UC has paid those refunds. However, Patti said there is a crucial difference between the two cases. He said the UC statements about not raising professional school fees were contained in documents intended for students starting in 2002. Although students starting in
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inside life Central Michigan Life
3A
Monday, March 15, 2010
Layered parking suggested to save budget Police chief: No serious discussion to change system By Seth Nietering Staff Reporter
Many freshmen acknowledge the opportunity to park on campus at Central Michigan University as an advantage over other schools across the state. But in a time of financial distress, is it time for officials to re-examine permit costs as a chance for added
revenue? “Layered parking” was one of about 150 recent suggestions to Central Michigan University officials to address the school’s budget woes. The Senior Staff Budget Advisory Group fielded a related question among suggestions sent to the group. The suggestions read: “Create a layered parking price by year at CMU for students. May be a disincentive for freshman to bring their vehicles to campus and keep them on campus on weekends (one suggestion fresh-
heads
man pay $450, sophomores $350, juniors $250, and seniors $150).” The university’s response was: “Under consideration.” CMU Police Chief Bill Yeagley said he does not see changes coming to the parking system just because of the idea. “There is no serious discussion about changing the parking system right now. At the moment, it is just a suggestion,” Yeagley said. “There need to be a lot more details about a new system before talk of throwing out the current system.”
above
Student reaction Chesterfield senior Matt Mihelich said adjusting parking permit fees to a tiered system may cut down on the number of freshmen with cars their first year. “If freshmen have to pay that much, it might discourage them from bringing cars,” Mihelich said. “That might help reduce some of the traffic on campus, too.” Troy freshmen Jake Simmons said he would not necessarily be opposed to the idea. But he expressed concern because of the location of some parking.
“Freshmen being allowed to have cars on campus is a privilege,” Simmons said. “Will freshmen still have to park far away in the freshmen lot if they pay $450 for their pass?” Belding junior Mike Griffioen said tiered parking fees are a good idea if the system generates money for the university. “I’m all for it if they decide to do the layered parking,” Griffioen said. “If it will help bring in revenue, then it’s something that should be looked into.” A parking | 7A
water
Struggling wife, mother of three works to help others
By Libby March Staff Photographer
B
ethany McDonald sat in her trailer one night earlier this month with a cigarette and cup of coffee in hand, gazing at an order form for Pure Romance products. Perhaps, the 29-year-old Mount Pleasant resident thought, this form could be her family’s ticket to pay the bills. She makes 35 percent of the profits gained from adult products sold at in-home parties as a consultant for Pure Romance. But it not might be enough to support herself, her husband, Leroy “Big Lee” McDonald, 33, and their three sons. “I’ve always wanted to give people hope,” Bethany said, “and tell them that it will be better.” Pregnant at 14 and married two years later, Bethany had been the child of divorced parents for more than a decade — knowing full well the extent of the challenges coming her way. A mom from the start Motherhood was something McDonald embraced at a young age, telling her father she was “going to get pregnant.” “I wish you would’ve told me that,” Leroy said with a wry smile in the couple’s home at Lot 105 of the Mount Pleasant Mobile Home Park, 505 S. Bradley Road. “It actually was my choice to do so,” Bethany said. In August 1995, Bethany and Leroy, then her boyfriend, were kicked out of her father’s house two days before the birth of their first child, Leroy, or “Little Lee.” When Little Lee was only eight months old, he was led down the aisle in a wagon as the ring bearer for his parents’ wedding. Because Bethany was 16, the only local church that would wed the two was Immanuel Lutheran Church, 320 S. Bradley Road. “I can say I did something not many 16 year olds who get married can say — that they’re still together and they’re still in
By Connor Sheridan Senior Reporter
They may have been Los Angeles rockers, but Detroit rock is still in their hearts. The Leonards, which manager Rich Robinson described as “straight-ahead rock ‘n’ roll,” includes members John Pozza, Lenny Grassa, Nick Zeigler, and Mark Slocum. All but Zeigler are Central Michigan University alumni. The group is performing at 8
CoCo Joe’s burglary investigation
Isabella County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a break-in at CoCo Joe’s Beach House, 4855 E. Blue Grass Road, that occurred between 2:30 p.m. March 7 and 6 a.m. March 8. Deputies found the glass of the front door was broken and an undisclosed amount of cash was stolen.
2010 Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition
From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the 2010 Annual Juried CMU Student Art Exhibition will be held in the University Main and West art galleries. Jurors Vicki Wright of the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts and Ty Smith, a professional designer from Midland, will select student artwork for the exhibition. For more information, contact the Department of Art and Design at 774-7457. Admission is free.
Comedy show
Comedian Steve Byrne will perform at CMU as part of Asian Pacific Heritage Month at 9 p.m. Tuesday in the Real Food on Campus. Bryne was born to a Korean mother and an Irish father. He is touring the country and was featured on NBC’s The Tonight Show, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live, CBS’s The Late Late Show, and recently the movie “The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard.” Admission is free.
Class survey
photos by libby march/ staff photographer
Bethany McDonald, 29, and her middle son, Daniel, 11, wait in line Nov. 5 at Save-A-Lot on Mission Street. “It’s always really busy the first few days of the month, because everyone’s getting their new food stamps,” she said.
love,” Bethany said. “And we get to grow up with our children. Everything is still new and it’s still a learning experience.” Bethany and Leroy McDonald now have three sons: Leroy, 15; Daniel, 11; and Dallas, 10. Past to present For Bethany, her past fuels her current life. “My kids are the best thing that’s happened to me,” she said. “The reason we are the parents we are is we both decided we didn’t want to be parents like ours were. My mother was a heroin addict and a prostitute for many years, and I love her still but, when she came back into my life, I was a mother myself.” The McDonalds’ income was cut in half five months ago. Bethany and Leroy received about $1,400 each month as community directors in the mobile home park in November. The couple is now receiving $650 per month, performing the same duties. Paying the bills is a source
of constant stress for Bethany, who often foregoes health care in lieu of other expenses, she said. In her early 20s, intense tooth pain led to a medical crossroad: she could choose expensive surgery to fix her teeth, or have them removed. Unable to afford the surgery, she had her teeth removed at age 22. Bethany has held five to six different jobs between the Dollar General and a local Burger King since 2005. Currently, she is attempting to bring in money in a joint venture with her sister Jenn, now 27. The sisters are Pure Romance party coordinators and receive 35 percent of profits on product sales made. “The thing about people around here is we don’t work to get ahead, or to get a break. We work for the purpose of just keeping our heads above water,” Bethany said. Community Role Model Bethany said she and Leroy became community directors for the mobile home park be-
p.m. Friday at Rubbles, 112 W. Michigan St. The four members have other jobs as well, including Pozza, who runs a law practice in the San Diego area, Robinson said. “It’s a lot of fun,” Pozza said. “Somehow, we still have the energy we had back in the 80s.” The Leonards, who are spread across California and the Midwest, get together every year to play in Michigan in memory of their late friend and bassist Tom Payne, who died in 2005 at age 44, Robinson said. Payne was active in the local music scene in Mount Pleasant and started the “Contraband” program on WMHW-FM while at CMU. The program showcased new and original music, which influenced the station’s
current format, Robinson said. He said the station had a significantly more conservative artist selection before Payne came on the scene. “Even the Police were considered a little out there for WMHW,” Robinson said. ‘Solid as a rock’ While the members all traveled to Los Angeles in the mid1980s, mostly independently, there were a ton of people from Central in Los Angeles trying to get into entertainment, Pozza said. The guys met up and performed together for the first time at the Sound Check, a venue in Los Angeles, and began their career as The Leonards, Pozza said.
From March 15 until March 28, students from Moataz Fattah’s section of PSC 280: Introduction to Empirical Methods of Political Research and Mary Senter and Jean Toner’s sections of SOC 350: Social Research Methodologies will conduct a telephone survey to gain knowledge about the experiences of a random sample of CMU undergraduate students. The responses will remain confidential and will focus on a wide range of topics about students’ experiences at CMU. Questions will focus on students’ experiences at CMU and the surveys will take about 15 minutes to complete. For more information, about the survey, call Mary Senter at 774-2572.
Michigan’s Heritage Barns
McDonald sorts a plethora of bills, mail, and various other documents pulled from the desk in her living room Nov. 8. “I usually just stuff things in there until they really pile up and I have to go through them to do bills,” she said. This month the McDonalds are $127 over budget, despite everything she has done to scrimp money.
cause of a sense of community. “My husband and I have this idea, even though it sounds ridiculous, that we can, you know, make everything better. We want to fix everybody and everything. And so the idea was, ‘let’s do something nice for the park,’” Bethany said.
“What has the park ever done for us? The park hasn’t done anything for us,” said her son, Leroy. “You’re right, the park might not do much for us, but we live here,” Bethany answered. A family | 5A
Alumni return to town for rock band reunion The Leonards playing at Rubbles in memory of fallen bassist
[Life in brief]
If you go... w The Leonards, including three CMU alumni w When: 8 p.m. Friday w Where: Rubbles, 112 W. Michigan St. The July 1989 issue of music magazine Alternative Press described them: “Solid as a rock, The Leonards are like a ‘62 convertible Cadillac plowing into an ‘88 Integra, sporting a musical know-how that covers three decades.” Robinson said the group became popular in the Los Angeles area and regularly attracted hundreds of fans to shows, though the guys kept to their
Heidi Fenton, Managing Editor | news@cm-life.com | 989.774.4343
roots and were never signed to a major record label. “They really were essentially a Midwest Detroit rock ‘n’ roll band out in the land of hairspray and spandex,” Robinson said. The band members went their separate ways in 1994 until 2006, when they began to play again, this time each as professionals doing it for the love of the music. Pozza said he is looking forward to playing again in Mount Pleasant, something he has not done since he performed in 1989 with his old band The Strays. “We’re really not rusty at all, it’s very cool, it just kind of came back like riding a bike,” he said. studentlife@cm-life.com
“Michigan’s Heritage Barns: An Artist’s Perspective” by Mary Keithan will display 22 black and white barn photographs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday in Park Library’s Baber Room. Admission is free.
Faculty Artist
Guitarist Brad DeRoche, temporary faculty with the School of Music, will perform from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Music Building’s Chamichian Hall. Tickets are $3 for students and seniors and $5 for the public. For more information, contact John Jacobson at 774-3738.
Ross speaks on allocations
University President George Ross spoke to the Michigan Senate Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee at Ferris State University on March 8. He, as well as university presidents from FSU, Lake Superior State University and the University of MichiganFlint’s interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, also discussed plans they have to deal with the economy. To read a full story about the meeting at FSU, visit cm-life.com.
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 Monday, March 15, 2010
[cm-life.com/category/opinion]
Brian Manzullo, Editor
in
Chief | Will Axford, Voices Editor | Heidi Fenton, Managing Editor | Eric Dresden, University Editor | Jackie Smith, Metro Editor
EDITORIAL | Forcing freshmen to pay more to park won’t help budget problems
A bunk suggestion
A
s the Senior Staff Budget Advisory Group filters through the list of budget cut suggestions, there are bound to be a few ideas they should push to the side. One such suggestion is layered parking, where freshmen would pay more to park at Central Michigan University than upperclassmen. Forcing freshmen to pay more for parking doesn’t make sense. A layered parking system will not help solve CMU’s budget woes and should be abandoned. If the SSBAG were to adopt the layered parking system under the stipulations laid out in one budget cut suggestion, freshmen would pay $450 a year for a parking pass. Sophomores would pay $350, juniors, $250, and seniors $150. That’s right — the initial sug-
gestion targets freshmen for an increase of $300 in parking fees in order to keep a car at CMU. Given that freshmen typically have to park in the worst spots on campus — near Kelly/Shorts Stadium — layered parking could turn some prospective students away
from CMU. Parking here is relatively cheap when compared to other universities around the state. At Michigan State, parking passes range from $89 to $268 depending on the residence hall and lot students choose. Freshmen are not allowed to park their cars on campus until they have completed at least 20 credit hours. Western Michigan University students have to pay $300 an academic year to register their vehicles. Commuters at Eastern Michigan University pay a flat rate of $150.00 per academic year. Here, it is $150 -175, depending on the pass. CMU Police Chief Bill Yeagley believes the university has one of the best parking systems in the state and doesn’t want to see it change. CMU is one of the few universities in the state that allows freshmen to park on campus. It remains a unique perk for perspective students. The adminis-
tration should do its best to make parking on campus for freshmen still attractive. If university officials decide to increase the fee for parking passes, or even develop layered parking fees, the price should be kept as low as possible. Parking passes should not exceed $250 a year for freshmen. Another option the university could look into is charging more money for prime spots around campus. In all honesty, layered parking will probably not earn CMU much of a profit. Fewer students are going to pay more money to park on campus, keeping revenue relatively the same as before the layered parking. At a time when students are having their resources cut from under them, university officials must be careful if they chose to increase costs. Layered parking is a suggestion that won’t throw much into the university’s budget in the long run.
DON WRIGHT [CARTOON]
Jason Gillman Columnist
Privatizing the Board The big push for the medical school and, more recently, the hush-hush stance on budget cuts are not making fans for the Board of Trustees or Central Michigan’s executives. Maybe the state should change things so that the Board of Trustees are elected — like the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University. The idea is there would be more accountability on the part of the Board. The problem, though, is would we really know who’s running? I have to admit I really don’t know the people running for control of other universities. So that wouldn’t help much. How do we ensure accountability to the stakeholders of CMU (as well as other higher education institutions) — students, faculty, and taxpayers — if voting for a Board of Trustees is not really feasible? Privatize. The board of directors for private organizations, profit and nonprofit alike, are forced to analyze the potential consequences of their decisions. If they make a big mistake, they get ousted. Of course, people are going to cry that the state universities would fail if they were privatized. Maybe, but that’s exactly why privatization should happen. In fact, the sooner underperforming institutions fail, the sooner resources are released to better performing ones. Heavy research institutions such as U-M and MSU should have no issue of producing income and staying afloat by research and marketing of intellectual property. On merchandise licensing alone, I’m sure they make millions of dollars. Flip the coin, and universities such as Central Michigan would survive based on the quality and value of their education. Central would be forced to focus on areas it is good at, such as education, business, etc. Privatize higher education so that board members are less likely to engage in their pet projects, leaving taxpayers and other stakeholders on the hook if they fail.
[Our reader’s voice]
Comments from cm-life.com on ways to save Leadership Institute Ryan says:
Steve Lambert says:
Get rid of the Leadership Institute. What good has come from it? The only people who have come out in support of it are super involved in it. It makes sense because, who wants to lose their job or favorite activity? I’ve met some of these ‘leaders,’ and they’re more patronizing than anything. I’d rather see the money be used for something better than inflating egos. I’ve never heard of anyone getting hired by a company with a minor in leadership whereas countless other majors and minors actually go hand in hand. The only places I’ve seen these ‘leaders’ get hired are at CMU and at lower class universities doing just LI stuff. There’s no real contribution to society. What’s gonna be next? iPod as a major?
One thing the Leadership Institute has done is bring in millions of dollars for the univerity. To close it would mean CMU loses millions of dollars. Sure, it will get them closer to leveling the budget this year, but they will be in the hole millions of dollars over the next few years. If you care about CMU, tell them to keep it open. Ashley Pryor says:
Having a leadership minor and being involved within the Leadership Institute has given me a strong competitive advantage in my field. It is because of my involvement in the program that I have been able to make the connections to obtain the internships I have today. Through leadership development and team building skills, I have learned how to work well with groups. I am more comfortable with
public speaking and I know how to analyze problems systematically. I recently interviewed for an internship position with the National Football League. During these two interviews, most of the discussion was spent on my involvement on CMU’s campus, the leadership minor and the experience I have had with the Leadership Institute. After many stages in their interview process, I was given the internship position at the NFL. This single position had over 3,000 applicants, and I was the one chosen for the position. Without a doubt, I can say that it was because of the Leadership Institute that I had the competitive advantage and stood out among the crowd. Reality says:
If the budget committee is really closing down something that brings the university millions, we have bigger problems.
CM You|What did you do over Spring Break?
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
“Ate a lot of home-cooked food, much different than the cafeteria here.” Lilliya Kalyenich,
Lansing senior
“Sleep. I’ve just been busy with school and track. I needed rest. My body was falling apart.”
“I was in Celani all break. Worked every day and my computer broke. So it was kind of boring.”
“Spent time with my mom. It was nice because it’s the first time I hung out with her all year.”
Renaldo Powell,
Liz Weber,
Paul Liewert,
Wayne freshman
St. Clair sophomore
Saline freshman
jake may/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
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.
Mike Hoffman Columnist
An epic challenge President Obama similiar to Skywalker President Barack Obama and Luke Skywalker have more in common than one might think. Though Skywalker lives in “a galaxy far, far away,” Obama too lives in a far-away world. The world of Washington politics, sometimes so mind-bendingly confusing, often seems like a galaxy far, far away. Our 44th president and lightsaber-wielding Jedi are ideologues who tend to bite off more than they can chew. Look at Skywalker circa Empire Strikes Back era. The tasks Luke undertakes in the film are many: defending Hoth from an Imperial assault, escaping a wampa lair, dueling Darth Vader and rescuing his friends from the Imperial-held Cloud City, all of which results in Han Solo being frozen in carbonite and given to Jabba the Hutt while Luke loses his right hand to a blow from Vader’s lightsaber. It may appear that these events have nothing to do with President Obama, but bear with me. In his first 365-plus days in office, Obama has taken on a multitude of challenges: fixing the economy, bailing out the auto industry, health care reform, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and reforming energy policies. It’s hard to tell, but it looks like he may suffer the same results Skywalker did in Episode V – losing Democratic control of Congress (Han Solo frozen in carbonite) to the Republicans (Jabba the Hutt) and possibly losing his influence within the Democratic party (his right hand). First, Obama took on the economy and auto industry, the former staying stagnant at best while the other is surviving, if only on the federal government’s dime. He also has pushed for climate control reform and has altered the strategies for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. But it is not these policies or strategies that could undo him. It is health care reform. The task of reforming health care is to Obama what Darth Vader was to Skywalker: his most complicated, toughest and illconceived battle. Good ol’ Luke was on the right track before his bout with Vader. It appeared as if his friends might escape Cloud City safely; all he had left to do was tackle one more obstacle. But it was too much for him, and proved to be his undoing. I do not want to see Obama suffer the same fate as an immature Jedi Knight. He came into the presidency with enormous potential but, like Skywalker, he took on too much. Now he is paralyzed. He has mentioned reconciliation, but this is not the right way to go about it. Instead of trying to accomplish all his campaign promises within his first year, Obama should have put his eggs in one basket at a time. Come November, I do not expect Obama to have won his battle with Darth Vader, nor will he be able to keep the faith of the American people. I believe he will find this lack of faith disturbing.
[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]
Central Michigan Life || Monday, March 15, 2010 || 5A
‘the best
thing’
Young mother of three works to make ends meet, keep hope in her community
photos by libby march/staff photographer
Bethany McDonald sits between her husband, Leroy McDonald, 32, and son Dallas McDonald, then 9, packing bulk tobacco for cigarettes Nov. 5 in their mobile home in the Mount Pleasant Mobile Home Park, 505 S. Bradley Road. The McDonalds are the community directors of the park and are responsible for its overall upkeep.
Bethany drinks coffee and has a cigarette as her son, Dallas, sits sulking against the wall of their porch Nov. 5 in the Mount Pleasant Mobile Home Park. Dallas is not allowed to go to friends’ houses outside the park without asking and his mother had just denied permission.
family | continued from 3A
“And if we can do something to bring people a little bit of hope, as long as we’re part of this place — your father and I, and you boys, better do something to try and make a difference.” She doesn’t focus just on getting her own children up for school, but also many children from the park. Bethany said she drives some children to school and often picks them up from
school, too. Some days, if there is no word from their parents and kids do not show up to her home for the car ride to school, she knocks on doors to ensure they get up for class. One time, a friend of her son Leroy was living under her roof until he worked things out with his own mother. “But that’s what everybody knows me for, is taking in strays,” Bethany said, laughing. “There’s that saying, ‘in 100 years, it won’t matter the kind of clothes you wore, the kind of car you drive, all that will matter is that you made a difference in the life of a child,’ and I have always be-
lieved that’s true.” “Fourteen and pregnant” may not sound like the pathway for a role model, but Bethany McDonald seeks to prove circumstance does not determine character. “I have always wanted to give people hope, and tell them that it will be better. … I’ve always wanted to tell them that we did it, and if we did it you can do it. And don’t ever let anyone tell you different. It will be hard, but if you want it and you work hard enough, you can do anything,” she said. metro@cm-life.com
Bethany McDonald looks at her husband, Leroy, or “Big Lee,” in the next room over a cup of coffee March 4 at their mobile home in the Mount Pleasant Mobile Home Park.
Dallas hugs Bethany while Daniel has a taco Nov. 5 in their living room. Although she had her children young and unconventionally, Beth has no regrets about being a mother of three at 29. “They’re the best thing that has happened to me,” she said. “I wouldn’t change anything.”
6A || Monday, March 15, 2010 || Central Michigan Life
www.cm-life.com
[News]
Male mentoring program offers guidance, skills for students MSS starts initiative to help build leadership
profession. “Somebody that looks like me is teaching across the room (and) is an inspiration for me that I can make it,” he said.
By Sherri Keaton Senior Reporter
Eric Reed is looking to change the color of his future profession in health administration. The Lathrup Village senior is one of a few black undergraduate students at Central Michigan University and on a national level in Health Administration. Reed was paired with Health Sciences instructor Dale Sanders in a mentoring program at CMU called “Men About Change.” He said Sanders sets an example for future students. “Eric is beating the path on a new beginning (and is) being a leader in the department,” Sanders said. As a mentee, Reed said he learns necessary skills from Sanders to help in his future
Men About Change
To get involved with this intiative, contact Minority Student Services for an application: w Bovee University Center Room 121 w 774-3945 w mss@cmich.edu
The Group MAC was initiated in fall 2007 by Minority Student Services. The program pairs male students in beginning class levels — those of any race or age — with other students, faculty and staff members. The program has about 50 mentors and mentees that meet biweekly to discuss leadership skills, academic growth and personal and professional development through the program. Volunteer opportunities are available for participants. One goal of the group is to increase retention rates and male campus leadership. Jonathan Glenn, MAC director and Minority Student Services graduate assistant, said he wants his guys to be
ready for the future. “We are giving them tools to survive as a man,” Glenn said. Reed first joined MAC in 2007 and said Sanders has helped him grow. Sanders attests to the change in Reed and said his growth through the group is aspiring and a point of pride. “He was definitely an introvert in my early exposure to him,” Sanders said. “I look at him now and see he has become such a leader across the campus.” BETTER OPPORTUNITIES Lester Booker Jr., interim
matthew stephens/senior photographer
Lester Booker Jr., interim assistant director of Minority Student Services, left meets with Detroit senior Henry Hammond on March 3 in Booker’s office. Booker is Hammond’s mentor for the program “Men About Change” which ensures men obtain their undergraduate degree and become resources to their community. The program is available to all male students at CMU.
assistant director of MSS, is a mentor for the group and said it is a good opportunity to excel and connect. “It is about being real with one another,” Booker said. “Bringing down all the walls and allowing each other to better one another.”
wilderness survival |
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dent responders were being tested on how to treat not just bodily trauma, but medical complications as well, in a scenario intended to keep the victims stranded for multiple days. The rescue team hiked from Finch Fieldhouse to the park to gain a sense of walking to an actual natural disaster site. Ann Dunphy, one of three instructors from Wilderness Medical Associates, an organization
rM r o in
PSYCHOLOGY ADVISING NIGHT
Mary Blumka, Troy junior
o wi ou d th a m ny
Learning Experience Rob Schumacker, a Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services instructor, said the course, now offered only during spring break, aims to ready students for outdoor professional careers. Kauffman said she hopes to use the responder certification she acquired in the course to someday tour people through state or national parks on
“A couple of days ago, we gave each other saline injections ... I didn’t have any medical training before this class. They’ve given me enough to feel like I can save people’s lives.”
or
head wounds and even a fatality. “I was expecting something a lot worse,” Blumka said. “A couple of days ago, we gave each other saline injections ... I didn’t have any medical training before this class. They’ve given me enough to feel like I can save people’s lives.”
horseback. “This is kind of protocol if you want to do that in your life,” she said. “You need to have back country medicine because you never know what’s going to happen.” Friday morning, several students acted out a high-mountain rescue. The day before, some were hit with a tent explosion. To accommodate, they used a list of procedures given to them to act out and determine a person’s injuries. “We try to throw many things at them to get them to think about what we’re teaching,” Schumacker said. “We try to make it that everybody has an opportunity to do all the skills.” Each student was a victim and secondary or primary rescuer. Friday was day six of the course. Schumacker said stu-
on
continued from 1A
that instructs wilderness classes worldwide, led the team off campus to the victims. “For me as a teacher, I like to see a student come in very shy and unsure,” she said. “We try to make it as realistic as possible. Then, you have these light bulb days, where they just nail it.” studentlife@cm-life.com
Okemos junior Jeff Balthazar is a mentee and said group members seek to uplift each other. “Men from all different types of backgrounds can come together to better themselves and learn to better their communities,” Bal-
thazar said. “As a black male, I see myself as a success. “I’ve made it out of my particular situation and have been afforded an opportunity that is irreplaceable.” studentlife@cm-life.com
www.cm-life.com
Central Michigan Life || Momday, March 15, 2010 || 7A
[News]
Downtown offers different culture Former faculty remembered than campus for many students for love of teaching, football “I think the downtown offers a unique obituary
By Edward Schutter Staff Reporter
perspective. It is out of the hustle of Mission Street.�
For Edmond Wu, the best thing about living in downtown Mount Pleasant is the peace and quiet. “It’s not always the same crowd as there is on campus,� the New York senior said. “It’s not that it is not busy, but it is just quieter here because it is not all students. There’s a good mixture.� Wu lives near the corner of University Avenue and Michigan Street. He said living downtown has the added advantage of nearby eateries and shops. “We like to walk to Stan’s for breakfast on the weekends, and we also go to Jimmy John’s a lot, too,� he said. “Both of those places are just down the street.� Gross Point Park senior Justin Sparkman is roommates with Wu and said his favorite part of living downtown is “a given.� “We are really close to all of the bars down here,� he said. “I can walk to the Bird and the Blackstone.� The location of Sparkman and Wu’s apartment still is close to campus, which both said is an added advantage. “It’s only about a 20-minute walk to campus from here, so
Tim Brockman, Owner of Max and Emily’s I try to do that as much as I can, even when it snows,� Wu said. “It’s nice to have all of what the downtown offers around you but, at the same time, you are right next to CMU.� Wu and Sparkman said there is one clear disadvantage to living downtown: Parking. The two have assigned spots, but often they are taken by others. “It seems like there are always people parking in our spots, and it gets annoying,� Sparkman said. A business perspective Tim Brockman, owner of Max and Emily’s, 125 E. Broadway, said being downtown has a lot of advantages as a business owner. “I think the downtown offers a unique perspective,� he said. “It is out of the hustle of Mission Street.� Being close to other businesses also is an advantage, Brockman said. “It makes it really nice be-
county | David Ling, board chairman, said the board also should look at educational programs and memberships the departments are involved in. “Education, meals and lodging could be brought down to a zero budget,� he said. “I don’t think things like this are necessary, especially with the advanced media that is available to us now.�
parking| Students, however, should not expect changes any time soon. Yeagley said there are no active intentions to change the parking system. He said he is pleased with the way things are operating now. Michigan State University charges anywhere from $89 for commuters to $268 for other students, as long
Many at Central Michigan University remember Franklin Anthony Stancato as an instructor who always invested his time in students and faculty. The emeritus faculty member died Feb. 14 in Colorado Springs at the age of 79. Stancato was in the Teacher Education and Professional Development department at CMU and, after completing his doctorate degree at Notre Dame in 1968, taught at CMU in the Secondary Education Department for 38 years. Stancato was a man known for his love of football, especially the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. “I think he had Irish blood, even with a name like Stancato,� said Thomas Kromer,
cato from his involvement in the community. “We talked about everything from playing sports to the kids in college,� Kiel said. Stancato always had a smile on his face, Kiel said, and was a fun-loving type of person. Marguerite Terrill, a Teacher Education and Professional Development professor, said Stancato was very helpful. Terrill knew Stancato for 13 years professionally and would sometimes see him walking his dog in her neighborhood. She said Stancato never failed to greet her. “Frank was always willing to take time to chat with people in professional and personal settings,� Terrill said. “He was a very warm and friendly person who was easy to like.� university@cm-life.com
metro@cm-life.com
Dolehanty said until they know the exact amount the county will receive from state revenue sharing, all the proposed figures are subject to change. The budget does not have to be approved until September. Ling said he knows there are going to be some very unhappy people, but the decisions are not easy to make. “The reality is that we are going to be asked to do a lot more than what we’re used to doing,� Dolehanty said. Despite the administrator’s
continued from 1A
continued from 3a
cause of all the places are so close together which makes it really easy for people to walk from place to place,� he said. Downtown Development Director Michelle Sponseller said downtown offers things no other place in Mount Pleasant can. Sponseller said the downtown caters to CMU students and residents living in the area. But she would like to see more student housing. “We would like to see a high density of students come live here,� she said. “We are a college town. We’re not a town with a college in it.� Although Wu said he likes the quiet of downtown Mount Pleasant, he said he does not know why more students do not move downtown. “I can’t really think of too many things that are bad about living there because it is close to everything, and it is cheap,� he said. “It’s really cheap actually, and that is always a good thing.�
teacher education and professional development professor, who knew Stancato for close to 40 years. Kromer said he remembers Stancato’s enthusiasm for teaching. “The students liked him; he had a lot of energy in the classrooms, he always had time for students, he was really eager to help (them),� Kromer said. Stancato also was an avid researcher who published well into his later years and was academically active, Kromer said. “He was in his 70s doing research (and) he still published, he wrote articles, but he didn’t have a computer. He would hire someone to type it up and make sure it was perfect,� Kromer said. Charlie Kiel, a Lake Isabella resident and Village of Lake Isabella treasurer, knew Stan-
By Sherri Keaton Senior Reporter
suggestion, more suggestions could arise as the board is expected to meet with county employees over the next month. Commissioner Roger Trudell has a philosophy to approach the situation. “I think we have to look at this like there are no sacred cows,� he said. “We have to look at everything because I don’t think we have a two-year problem. We have a severalyear problem.� metro@cm-life.com
“CMU probably has one of the top parking systems I’ve seen. I think it is a good system right now.� Bill Yeagley, CMU Police Chief as they are above freshman standing. At Western Michigan University, it costs $300 for an academic school year to park on campus. At CMU, it costs between $150 and $175 to park for an academic year. Yeagley has been an officer
for 31 years and said he has seen the parking improve drastically over the years. “CMU probably has one of the top parking systems I’ve seen,� he said. “I think it is a good system right now.� university@cm-life.com
s d a e r o h w
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sports
B
Central Michigan Life
Monday, March 15, 2010
[cm-life.com/category/sports]
NC A A t o u r n a m e n t
Ohio lowest seed to win MAC Tourney, make field of 65 Slipped away w Men’s basketball team gives away lead, bow out in quarterfinals, 4B
Early exit w Women’s basketball team loses despite Szunko’s efforts, 5B
MSU, Oakland represent only teams from Michigan Staff Reports
The Ohio men’s basketball team became the lowest seed to win the MidAmerican Conference tournament Saturday after beating No. 3 seed Akron 81-75 in overtime. Seeded No. 14 in the Midwest Region of the NCAA tournament, Ohio now faces No. 3 seed Georgetown, which was ranked No. 22 in the Associated Press Poll and the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll as of March 8.
Playing Thursday in Providence, R.I., the winner of the Ohio-Georgetown game plays the winner of No. 6 Tennesee vs. No. 11 San Diego State. Seeded ninth in the MAC, the Bobcats also beat top-seeded Kent State and No. 4 seed Miami (OH) before their upset win in the finals. Led by the guard duo of junior Armon Bassett (25 points) and freshman D.J. Cooper (23 points), Ohio earned the MAC’s only bid to the NCAA Tournament which starts Thursday. Bassett was named the tournament’s most valuable player. He set MAC tour-
CM U 1 9 4 . 3 2 5
m i d w e s t REg i o n
nament records with 116 points and 49 free throws. Akron (24-10), the defending MAC champion, was led by senior Jimmy Conyers’ 19 points and 12 rebounds.
.3
Around the MAC Former Toledo coach Gene Cross resigned Thursday just two seasons into a five-year deal days after an accusatory letter was hand-delivered to UT Athletics Director Mike O’Brien detailing Cross’ relations with women.
Georgetown
.14
A tourney | 3B
full bracket w See the field of 65, 3B
Ohio
Senior guards exemplify Zeigler
B S U 1 93.725
Bitzer, Harman leave it all on the floor to end careers
C
Matthew STephens/Senior photographer
Senior balance beam specialist Jessica Suder, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring a season-high 9.875 on the balance beam in CMU’s 194.325-193.725 win against Ball State on Saturday at Rose Arena.
SENIOR SPECTACLE Suder, Simon lead by example in home finale
Getting better I remember watching Harman develop during his four seasons and thinking he might
By Nick Conklin | Staff Reporter
T
he CMU gymnastics team was slightly disappointed after Saturday’s Rose Arena finale against Ball State. Not because it lost — it won 194.325193.275 — but, after clinching a GymInfo top 25 ranking (No. 23) for the first time during the middle of the season since 2005, it wanted to do better. “We scored a lot lower than we hoped to,” said senior Katie Simon. “We have potential to go much higher, like 196, and that is what we are going for against Bowling Green (next week).” Simon and Jessica Suder, in their final ca-
M A G IC N U M B ER
23
After last weekend’s win against previous-No. 23 Arizona State, CMU took over the No. 23 spot in the GymInfo national rankings. CMU has not been ranked mid-season since 2005, but finished the 2009 season ranked No. 23 as well.
blanked w Baseball team shut out by Indiana, 9-0, 2B
split w Softball team splits Sunday doubleheader before heading home, 2B
Conference cuts ties with International Bowl, looks west By Justin Hicks Staff Reporter
A seniors | 5B
WIN - O - METER
In their four years at CMU, seniors Katie Simon and Jessica Suder have been a part of 57 wins. The Chippewas have won 11 this year to date, 19 in 2009, 11 in 2008 and 16 in 2007.
sending 10 w Wrestling sends all 10 weight classes to NCAAs, but is it enough? 2B
Prestige w Senior Erika Schroll finishes 12th in NCAA in high jump, 4B
The Mid-American Conference is working to create a partnership with the Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho, for the 2010 college football season. Negotiations between the bowl and the MAC have been ongoing for six months, and the two parties are getting closer to an agreement that would secure a MAC team to the bowl for the next four years, according to Humanitarian Bowl officials. “We really liked what we saw last year with Bowling Green,” said Kevin McDonald, the executive director of the Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl. “They represented the conference well and we would be pleased to work with the MAC again.” The Humanitarian Bowl was created in 1997 and has had a partnership with the Atlantic Coast Conference for seven years before cutting ties after the 2008 game. In 2009, the it had an all-time high television rating of its 13-year exis-
COMMUNITY EVENT
not have as much talent as other guards in the conference. But no one else worked as hard to get better. And no one worked as hard Thursday. “When I went out and played, I felt like I played maybe not the best I could have, but I played as hard as I could — I know that,” Harman said Saturday. “I was dead tired after the game. I was upset and sad, I was mad and all those things. “But I look back and there wasn’t really much else personally I felt like I could have done.” The effort paid off with a pair of MAC West Division titles, and Harman and Bitzer earned second-team All-MAC honors this season. Their goal of winning a MAC title and earning an NCAA Tournament berth might have been too tall in the end. This still was a program that went 4-24 a year before they arrived. That sort of failure became unacceptable when Zeigler was hired. Bitzer and Harman
A monson | 4B
tence. The game was between the Western Athletic Conference’s Idaho and the MAC’s Bowling Green. Idaho won 43-42 with a last-minute twopoint conversion to end the game. Many leagues have already made their decisions on bowl games and, if the Humanitarian Bowl and MAC are unable to make an agreement and the bowl cannot fill the other spot in its game, it may be looking at the end of its existence. The bowl also tried to bring teams from the Pac 10 and Mountain West to Boise, but was unsuccessful. “Our focus is on the MAC, and we think it’s a good matchup that you don’t get to see very often,” McDonald said. Replacing the International Bowl In 2009, the MAC had seeds reserved to the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in Detroit, the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala., and the International Bowl in Toronto. The league recently cut ties with the International Bowl and is looking to replace it with the Humanitarian Bowl. Members of the International Bowl were not available for comment. sports@cm-life.com
14th Annual
Zeta Tau Alpha
Crown Classic
6K Run/Walk for Charity April 24, 2010
Dan Monson Senior Reporter
Humanitarian Bowl, MAC in negotiations
reer home meet, combined to win two individual events and the all-around Saturday. But despite reaching 194 for the fifth time in six meets, coach Jerry Reighard was not particularly encouraged by the team’s Katie Simon performance. “Honestly, it’s disappointing,” he said. “The win was important, but we threw away a great opportunity. This won’t help us a great deal.” Simon won the all-around with a 38.625
57
LEVELAND — Like many times in their careers, Jordan Bitzer and Robbie Harman walked off the court Thursday without a win. But like so many other times, there was little doubt they left it all on the floor despite a a 69-60 loss against Western Michigan in the Mid-American Conference quarterfinals. Harman led the team with 20 points, while Bitzer scored 15. But that didn’t matter. So distraught after the game, they were unable to speak to the media. The duo had enough talent to make it on the Division I level. But it was hard work that helped them succeed and prove doubters wrong in their four seasons in Mount Pleasant. And it’s difficult to find any other player coach Ernie Zeigler reveres as much as these two. “They’re two kids that exemplify ‘Think Tough, Be Tough,’” Zeigler said after the game. “They got better in our program because they listened.”
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2B || Monday, March 15, 2010 || Central Michigan Life
ba s e ba l l
Chippewas shut out by Hoosiers to end seven-game Florida trip Team heads home on four-game losing streak By John Evans Staff Reporter
The CMU baseball team was shut out 9-0 Sunday by Indiana to extend its losing streak to four games and end its Florida road trip. The team had won four consecutive games before the skid started, including a three-game sweep of Central Florida last weekend in Orlando, Steve Jaksa Fla. I n d i a n a’s ace, sophomore Drew Leininger, pitched a complete game shutout while allowing eight hits and striking out four. CMU junior Jake Sabol started the game for the Chippewas and pitched six and one-third innings while allowing four earned runs. Sabol (2-1) kept the team in the game early,
but a four-run eighth inning put the game out of reach for the Chippewas. Coach Steve Jaksa said the long road trip early in the year allows coaches to get a feel for their team by being with their players on an extended basis. “It gives you an opportunity to play,” he said. “Without this trip, we wouldn’t be able to play. It gives us a chance to get to know our guys and more chances to work with them.” Despite allowing nine runs Sunday and losing 7-3 to North Dakota State on Saturday, Jaksa said the pitching was not as big of a concern to him. “We had many more positives than negatives with our pitching, and we have some room for improvement within our bullpen,” he said. “Hitting is a work in progress right now. We have some good hitters, but we need to be more consistent.” What’s ahead The Chippewas now head to Michigan for their home opener at 3 p.m. Tuesday
cm-life.com/category/sports
[Sports]
against Davenport at Theunissen Stadium. Davenport (6-9) also returns from a long trip to Florida. It lost two games before the last two were canceled because of weather. The Chippewas have added a home game Wednesday against Concordia University. The pitching rotation has not been finalized for the week. Jaksa said the team is excited for its home opener despite the change in weather. “They will be excited once we get there,” Jaksa said. “There is always excitement for a home opener, and it is a great opportunity to get in front of our home fans.” Howard rewarded After pitching a completegame shutout and striking out 11 batters against Central Florida on March 6, sophomore left-hander Trent Howard was named the MidAmerican Conference West Pitcher of the Week. It was the second weekly MAC award of Howard’s career. sports@cm-life.com
Softball splits doubleheader Team beats James Madison, loses to MTSU By Justin Hicks Staff Reporter
The CMU softball team capped off spring break by splitting a doubleheader Sunday in Clearwater, Fla. Central (7-7) defeated James Madison University 10-3 in the first game, followed by a 3-2 loss to Middle Tennessee State to wrap up the weekend and the University of South Florida Under Armour Showcase. “We hit pretty well obviously, scoring 12 runs in two games,” said coach Margo Jonker. “With the exception of a couple defensive miscues in Kari Seddon the second game, the team played very well overall.” The team’s bats did not come through during the final game against MTSU. CMU scored two runs with RBIs from senior center fielder Christina Novak and sophomore catcher Brogan Darwin. With a tie game, Central’s
defense committed an error and a passed ball in the fourth inning, and MTSU capitalized, scoring the game-winning run. Eight of the nine batters used in the first game against JMU recorded a hit, and more than half recorded an RBI in the victory. The team did not waste any time, scoring three runs in the first inning and continuing to score throughout the game. JMU (9-10) attempted a comeback in the sixth, scoring three runs, but its offensive attack was ended by freshman pitcher Kara Dornbos’ relief effort. Pitching the last one and one-third innings, she did not give up a hit and struck out two, getting her first career collegiate save. The team’s pitching allowed three runs in each game. Senior Kari Seddon (4-3) pitched five and two-thirds innings against JMU, allowing three runs on nine hits, and sophomore Sarah Patterson pitched three and one-third innings against MTSU, giving up three runs on six hits. Dornbos replaced Patterson, allowing one hit and striking out four in two and two-thirds innings. “She did a great job coming in to relieve in both games, including a bases-loaded jam
What’s on tap Up next: IU Classic Sat. March 20 vs. SIU-Edwardsville Sat. March 20 vs. Indiana Sun. March 21 vs. Indiana in the first game. She came in and shut them down,” Jonker said.
USF Under Armour invitational Central finished the USF Under Armour Invitational 4-1 after poor weather conditions canceled the team‘s first two games Friday. Dornbos pitched a complete game, securing the win in a 5-3 victory against Radford to start the doubleheader Saturday. She gave up three runs on seven hits and struck out three. Seddon followed her teammate’s performance with a complete game in a 7-0 wins against Quinnipiac. She allowed four hits and struck out nine. sports@cm-life.com
wrestling
Chippewas need top-four finish Team needs to prove tournament worth outside of duals
T
he CMU wrestling team has talked all year about its goals for the season. As the Chippewas rattled off wins against top-20 teams such as Nebraska, Maryland and Kent State, as well as teams such as Eastern Michigan and Northern Illinois, the talk has pointed toward the end of the season. It is about bringing back a trophy to Mount Pleasant. CMU travels to Omaha, Neb., for the NCAA Wrestling Championships with the goal of finishing in the top four in the nation this weekend. Team-wise, it is one of the few things Central Michigan has not been able to accomplish. Central’s best finish was fifth place in 1998. But it has a plethora of depth in its lineup this year. It is one of the reasons CMU became the first Mid-American Conference school in history to have all ten wrestlers in each weight class qualify for the national tournament. It also has tied the school record with 17 dual wins this season, along with winning its ninth consecutive MAC tournament championship. A different story But there is a difference between being a great dualmatch team — which Central is — and being a great tournament team. Based on seeds, Central should have three AllAmericans which, to some, may sound like a great accomplishment. However, based on those seeds, those All-Americans would finish seventh, seventh and eighth. Not exactly a recipe for a top three finish.
Weight classes 125: Matt Streintrager 133: Scotti Sentes 141: Conor Beebe 149: Tony D’Alie 157: Steve Brown 165: Tyler Grayson 174: Ben Bennett 184: Mike Miller 197: Eric Simaz 285: Jarod Trice
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Matthew Valinski Staff Reporter For Central to reach its goal, it needs individuals to step up to the challenge. It is time for wrestlers such as sophomore heavyweight Jarod Trice to show the same talent it took to win an individual championship at Midlands on Dec. 30, including giving No. 1 seed Iowa State’s David Zabriskie one of his two losses on the season in the championship. The talent has always been there for Trice; he is as quick as almost any heavyweight in the nation. But will his focus be on every match? Will he be able to ride his opponent come overtime? This time of the year, it is all about advancing. Whether you win by one or you pin the opponent, you advance. That is the goal. Senior 125-pounder Matt Steintrager was not really challenged in the MAC, going 8-0 this year with two falls. However, in his three matches against opponents seeded in the NCAA tournament, Steintrager went 0-3. For a senior in his first year starting, he needs to immediately push away the butterflies Thursday, as he will start with a rematch against Maryland’s James Knox, whom he beat 2-0 earlier this year. Six seniors will wrestle their final match in the Central singlet. For Steintrager, along with Conor Beebe, Tony D’Alie, Steve Brown, Tyler Grayson and Eric Simaz, this is their last chance to become an AllAmerican. Some wrestlers, such as Brown and Beebe, have been here before. Brown was injured in the first round last year and still advanced to the round of 12, one win away from All-American status. This is the fourth time Beebe will attend nationals. This is the difference between having a great dual team and a great tournament team. It depends on really good individuals becoming great individuals. Great tournament teams have multiple guys in the top four, not just multiple guys in the top eight. If Central wants to bring back a trophy and show the wrestling community this is a great tournament team, it will be up to the individuals. sports@cm-life.com
www.mt-pleasant.org/2010census
cm-life.com/category/sports
Tourney | continued from 1B
Cross, accused by the author of the letter of dating multiple women at the same time, told the Toledo Blade the letter had nothing to do with his resignation, and he left on his terms. He leaves more than $700,000 on his contract, according to the Blade, after the worst season in Toledo’s history (4-28, 1-15 MAC). Michigan teams in field Michigan State opens Friday as a No. 5 seed against No. 12 seed New Mexico State. The Spartans lost to Minnesota in the Big Ten quarterfinals. MSU and NMSU, part of the Midwest region, play in Spokane, Wash. The winner plays the winner of No. 4 seed Maryland and No. 13 seed Houston. Oakland, a No. 14 seed after winning the Summit League, plays No. 3 seed Pittsburgh on Friday in Milwaukee, Wis. The winner of Oakland-Pitt plays the winner of No. 6 seed Xavier and No. 11 seed Minnesota. Play-in game Officially, the tournament gets under way Tuesday, as Arkansas Pine Bluff plays Winthrop for the right to the No. 16 seed in the South Region. The winner plays No. 1 seed Duke on Friday. No. 1 seeds Kansas was awarded the No. 1 seed in the Midwest region with a 32-2 record. Its only losses came to rival Kansas State and Tennessee. Duke, the South’s No. 1 seed, is 29-5 and last lost on March 3 to Maryland. Syracuse earned the West Region’s No. 1 seed with a 28-4 record. It lost the Big East championship to Georgetown 91-84. Kentucky, led by freshmen John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, finished 32-2, with losses to Tennessee and South Carolina. It won the Southeastern Conference championship 75-74 against Mississippi State. sports@cm-life.com
[Sports]
Central Michigan Life || Monday, March 15, 2010 || 3B
2010 Bracketology
4B || Monday, March 15, 2010 || Central Michigan Life
Chippewas lose lead, fall in quarterfinals to WMU Returners point toward NCAA bid for goal next year By Daniel Monson Senior Reporter
Daniel Monson/senior reporter
CMU coach Ernie Zeigler yells at the officiating near the end of the second half during CMU’s 69-60 quarterfinal loss to Western Michigan on Thursday in Cleveland, Ohio.
CLEVELAND — Jalin Thomas has one distinct goal for his team next season — a berth in the NCAA Tournament. But first, the junior forward and the other returning members of the CMU men’s basketball team must get past the Mid-American Conference Tournament quarterfinals. The Chippewas reached a familiar sticking point Thursday, losing in the tournament’s second round for the third consecutive season to finish 15-15. Western Michigan, which lost a night later against Akron in the semifinals, overcame a 14point second-half deficit to end CMU’s season with a 69-60 win at Quicken Loans Arena. “I think we underachieved at times — I think everyone on our team knows that,” Thomas said Saturday. “It was a successful season in that we won the MAC West. But we felt like we could have done so much more.” No. 9 seed Ohio was crowned
MAC champions Saturday, beating No. 3 Akron 81-75 in overtime to achieve the NCAA Tournament berth CMU realistically had in its sights for the first time in seven years. Like the previous two seasons, the quarterfinals loss stung. But CMU, which had earned the tournament’s No. 2 seed because of its outright West Division title, was knocked out despite earning a first-round bye and a week off to prepare. “It was worse because it was Western and they’re our rival,” said senior guard Robbie Harman on Saturday. “Looking back on our season, it’s kind of been like that. We had high expectations and I don’t think we played to our level of where we could have been all year. That’s why we were a .500 team in the end.” Losing the lead CMU took a 31-22 lead into halftime after a strong first half by Harman, who scored 13 of his 20 points in the first 20 minutes. The Chippewas began the second half strong as well — senior guard Jordan Bitzer opened the half scoring five consecutive points.
Schroll finishes 12th in NCAA for high jump Senior misses All-America status by slim margin
“Any time you get an athlete to perform at that high of a rate, being one of the best in the country, it’s a great achievement,” said track and field director Willie Randolph. “For someone to be at the national meet for the first time as a senior is something that requires a certain level of experience. It speaks volumes to finish 12th and just miss achieving national honors.” In a jump-off to determine top 10 finishes for All-America honors, she placed fifth behind Alabama’s Krystle Schade, St. Johns’ Priscilla Frederick, East Carolina’s Tynita Butts and Southern Mississippi’s Ke’Airra Jones,
just missing national recognition. “I’m not going to lie, I’m a little disappointed,” Schroll Erika Schroll said. “But at the same time, I’m really honored to make it this far. Getting 12th, having that feeling, it’s very humbling.” Schroll won her second consecutive Mid-American Conference title in the high jump at the MAC Indoor Track and Field Championships on Feb. 27, breaking a school record with a height of 6-0 1/2.
immediately embraced his methods, and it didn’t take long until both were contributing on a regular basis. “I think my main focus personally was just trying to get better each and every year,” Bitzer said. “Coming in, people knew me only as a shooter, and each year I tried to develop my game a little bit more — putting it on the floor and getting to the free-throw line.”
said a win Thursday would have been a “defining moment.” But the team’s back-toback MAC West titles alone might be the ticket Zeigler needs to a new contract. “I know he gets a lot of heat from people — that he should do things different,” Harman said. “I go to bat for him every time people ask. I know he’s been a great coach to me and Jordan and the other guys. Me and Jordan really have done what he’s asked the last four years and flourished individually.”
All heart Sure, Harman and Bitzer weren’t the most imposing players on the court. But they did have the most heart and unselfishness. Both said they wanted to set up Zeigler — the coach who gave them each a shot — with a better job by winning a few MAC titles. With one year remaining on his contract, Zeigler’s future at CMU is uncertain for now — although Athletics Director Dave Heeke said he was happy with the program’s direction before Thursday’s game. Heeke
The future Harman will continue to play baseball at CMU. A shortstop, he said he looks to begin practicing immediately. But his first love is basketball, and he and Bitzer have plans to play professionally. If that doesn’t work out, they could roam the sidelines as coaches. For now, their final game still stings. But neither have any regrets. “I took it a lot better than I thought I would,” Harman said. “I was happy with my four years here and I would
have liked to have a little more success, but I wouldn’t take it back for anything. I’m sure Jordan feels the same way and some of the other guys who are done now. “I felt like I personally played my best and other guys did, it just didn’t happen for us that day. It wasn’t something I was going to beat myself up over.” Said Bitzer: “People ask me if I’m doing OK, and I don’t think it really has hit me yet that we’re done. It’ll probably hit me next week when I’m sitting around my apartment when we’re usually practicing.” And no matter how Zeigler’s tenure at CMU ends, the two guys who set the first example of his philosophy will always stay with him. “They had great careers and did some things that helped springboard this program in the right direction,” Zeigler said. “Unfortunately, it didn’t end the way each of us wanted. But we’ll always be indebted to Robbie Harman and Jordan Bitzer.”
By Aaron McMann Staff Reporter
Senior Erika Schroll finished in 12th place in the high jump at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships on Friday at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark. Schroll, the only CMU athlete to compete at the national meet, jumped a height of 5 feet, 10 inches to tie seven competitors for eighth place.
monson | continued from 1B
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[Sports]
sports@cm-life.com
She was named Most Outstanding Field Performer for the weekend and led CMU to a second-place team finish. Randolph said he is looking forward to her translating her indoor success to the outdoor season, which starts with the Raleigh Relays on March 2627 in Raleigh, N.C. “I think it’s going to light a fire inside of me for outdoors,” Schroll said. “I’m going to want it even more now because I know how close I got.” CMU’s outdoor season starts March 26-27 at the Raleigh Relays in Raleigh, N.C. sports@cm-life.com
Harman’s quick-release, stepback 3-pointer over WMU’s Flenard Whitfield from the left corner gave CMU a 42-31 lead just more than 4 minutes into the second half and impressed much of the crowd – and WMU coach Steve Hawkins. “Robbie Harman looked like an NBA player on an NBA court,” Hawkins said after the game. “I thought we were in real trouble. I thought it could be one of those days. But our kids just played a consistent and persistent basketball game.” Not long after, CMU extended its lead to 47-33 on Amir Rashid’s layup with 13:42 remaining in the game. One WMU timeout later, the game’s direction entirely flip-flopped. WMU senior guard and MAC Player of the Year David Kool, who scored 24 of his 26 points in the second half, forced the issue. He relentlessly barged his way through seams in the CMU defense, scored 21 of Western’s final 36 points and energized WMU’s contingent of fans. “There was a juncture there where he just strapped them on his back like he always does,” said CMU coach Ernie Zeigler after the game. Kool’s jumper put WMU ahead 56-54 with 4:44 remain-
ing and the Broncos led the rest of the way. “(Kool) obviously drew a couple fouls and got going offensively,” Harman said. “It’s frustrating for us because we feel like he gets the calls every time. But that’s what he does.” It was a slow walk off the court for the CMU players and a somber locker room after WMU ended the game on a 20-6 run. “Everybody was disappointed and some guys took it harder than others did,” said Bitzer, who finished with 15 points. “Jalin was taking it real hard, and you had a bunch of guys come up to us seniors and apologize — they didn’t want to send us out that way. But with us being leaders, we’ve got to take responsibility for not being able to finish that game.” As for next season, Thomas said the team has something to prove and the leadership necessary to get it done. “Antonio (Weary) and Will (McClure) are right there ready to lead,” Thomas said. “Amir (Rashid) is right there with us. We’re all ready to lead and ready to prove that we’re going to be good next year.” sports@cm-life.com
cm-life.com/category/sports
[Sports]
Szunko’s efforts not enough to advance CMU Women’s basketball bounced from MAC quarterfinal round
finished with six points, three steals and two rebounds. Senior guards Heidi Warczinsky and Kendra Holman also played their last games for CMU. Kent State lost to Toledo in the semifinals on Thursday.
By Aaron McMann Staff Reporter
CLEVELAND – The CMU women’s basketball team advanced past the first round of the Mid-American Conference tournament for the second time since 1992. That success, however, was short-lived. The team lost 68-55 despite taking a 28-21 lead into halftime in Wednesday’s quarterfinal game against Kent State at Quicken Loans Arena. Despite getting outrebounded 29-16 and shooting 1-of-6 from 3-point range, CMU’s defense had forced 17 turnovers and held the Golden Flashes to a 21.4 percent shooting in the first half. CMU received a layup from junior forward Kaihla Szunko in the first 15 seconds of the second half, and it looked as though the team was going to carry its momentum. But Kent State responded with a 9-1 run over the next three minutes to pull within one point. “We were excited because we thought we had the momentum for the second half,” said junior forward Kaihla Szunko, who finished with a team-high 16 points and seven rebounds. After CMU tried to combat its dwindling lead, Kent State’s junior guard Jamilah Humes — held to two points at halftime — scored 13 of KSU’s next 16 points, including 10 consecutive that gave the Golden Flashes a 46-40 lead with less
First-round win The Chippewas won their first-round game March 7, defeating Ohio 69-66 in the last basketball game played at Rose Arena in its current state. The arena is part of renovations for the CMU Events Center, debuting next fall. After trailing 36-25 at halftime, CMU applied full-court defense that forced several Ohio contested shots and turnovers that allowed the Chippewas to get back into the game. After missing a pair of free throws prior, Szunko grabbed the rebound from her second miss to score a layup and convert it into a 3-point play with 48 seconds remaining that proved to be the game-winner for CMU.
file photo by matthew stephens
Junior forward Kaihla Szunko led CMU with 16 points and seven rebounds in its quarterfinal loss to Kent State Wednesday at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
than 9 minutes remaining. “Big players make big plays, and she came on in the second half and we had no answer for her,” said coach Sue Guevara after Wednesday’s loss. Humes finished with a game-high 24 points on 9-of14 shooting. CMU was outrebounded 47-30, committed 26 turnovers compared to KSU’s 30 and shot
36.1 percent for the game, including 31 percent in the second half. “We had some players that were just trying to create for others instead of taking the shot themselves,” Guevara said. Senior forward Britni Houghton ended her career at CMU second all-time in scoring with 1,555 points. Despite playing with an injured knee, she
Looking ahead While CMU finished the season with a 12-18 record, a regression from last year’s team that finished 18-14, the program only loses three players. With Houghton, Holman and Warczinsky graduating, Guevara and her staff welcome back 2008-09 MAC Freshman of the Year Brandie Baker (ACL injury) and introduce Marist transfer Sarah Huff (sat out one season per NCAA transfer rules) and three new recruits. In addition, the team returns five seniors, one junior and four freshmen. sports@cm-life.com
Central Michigan Life || Monday, March 15, 2010 || 5B
seniors | continued from 1B
and Suder, a balance beam specialist, scored a season-high 9.875 as the anchor. The team scored a season-high 49.125 on the floor exercise. CMU (11-2, 4-1 MAC) began the competition on the vault, where it recorded a 48.875, .775 points higher than BSU after the first rotation. Leading the event was Simon with a 9.85 and sophomore Kristin Teubner, who finished second with a 9.825. Freshman Darrian Tissenbaum, in the No. 2 spot of the lineup, posted a 9.725. The second rotation put the team on the uneven bars, where it scored a 48.75. The event was led by freshman Emily LaFontaine’s 9.8. The balance beam again was problematic for CMU, and it lost by 1.025 (48.60047.575) with two falls. Suder’s 9.875 controlled some of the damage, however. “It was a great day for Jess,” Reighard said. “She has really shown what she is made of over her entire career. She maintained poise on the balance beam.” Floor exercise Prior to the team’s season-high performance on the floor exercise, the previous high score came in the last meet against then-No. 23 Arizona State (49.075). Teubner won the event with a 9.875. A surprise addition into the lineup was redshirt freshman Samantha Pi-
otrowski. A frequent exhibitionist on the floor exercise, Piotrowski replaced freshman Britney Taylor in the lineup and scored a 9.8. It was her first collegiate competition. “We had to call on someone. (Samantha) has done a great job in exhibition,” Reighard said. “She did come through far beyond our expectations.” Junior Andrea de la Garza finished third in the all-around with a 38.475. Following last week’s win against Arizona State, de la Garza was awarded the MAC Gymnast of the Week award. She scored above a 9.8 in all four events and shared the all-around victory with a personal high of 39.275 in Tempe, Ariz. CMU next faces Bowling Green at 2 p.m. Sunday in Bowling Green, Ohio. It is the team’s final dual meet before the Mid-American Conference Championships on March 27. CMU’s only MAC loss was to Kent State on Feb. 13. However, CMU (No. 23) is ranked higher than Kent State (No. 27) because of its regional qualifying score.
Taylor out with flu Freshman Britney Taylor was scratched from the lineup because of flu symptoms through the last week. However, Reighard said the team is well rested. “We gave them a lot of time off, but I don’t regret that because, right now, everyone is healthy and everyone feels good and that is something we haven’t had in a few years,” he said. sports@cm-life.com