Softball pitcher overcomes surgery, 6B
easter | CM Life’s next edition will release Wednesday. See cm-life.com for breaking news!
Friday, April 2, 2010
baseball takes game-by-game approach, 1B
Central Michigan Life
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
[cm-life.com]
Graduate union rallies supporters Other contracts in bargaining stage at university By Amelia Eramya Senior Reporter
About 60 members of the Graduate Student Union rallied Thursday outside Charles V. Park Library to spread the word about their cause. Supporters from the Faculty Association, The Union of Teaching Faculty and United Auto Workers joined in, advocating for economic proposals including health care, tuition and salary wages. “The point of the rally was to show the administration what matters,” said GSU President and Ferndale graduate student Alyssa Warshay. “We wanted to focus the rally on health care,” said Sarah Lanius, organizer with the American Federation of Teachers of Michigan. “It’s a big issue.”
Expiration dates for union contracts w w w w w w
Broadcasting: June 30 Supervisory/Technical: June 30 Office Professionals: June 30 Police Union: June 30, 2011 Maintenance and Custodial Service: June 30, 2011 Faculty Association: June 30, 2011
Warshay said GSU also wants a tuition waiver for graduate students. She said it is difficult to take classes and work at the same time, especially when it is costing a lot of money. Warshay said graduate students pay $400 to $500 per credit hour and the average salary for graduate students at Central Michigan University is $14,000. CMU waives the tuition for A Union | 2A
Photos by Sean Proctor/Staff photographer
Mount Pleasant resident Maxine Tanner, 81, sits on the porch of her S. Lansing St. house on Wednesday afternoon at the advice of her horoscope, which told her to go outside and enjoy the weather. Tanner retired as the Central Michigan University Football team seamstress four years ago after 25 years. “I have lived life for 80 years.” Tanner said, “We’re all working to be people.”
Backstitching through life
Former CMU football seamstress ponders Mount Pleasant memories By Randi Shaffer| Staff Reporter matthew stephens/senior photographer
Graduate Student Union Vice President Matt Igleski, along with other graduate students and faculty, demonstrate outside Charles V. Park Library on Thursday for health care for graduate assistants. “We compete with other state colleges in football and basketball. You think the university would want to be competitive on the academic side, too,” he said.
Pair seeks medical marijuana collective By Carisa Seltz Staff Reporter
Brandon McQueen filed as a medical marijuana service provider on his tax returns because it is his job. But the Mount Pleasant junior and president of the Mount Pleasant Compassion Club said he is “maybe only one in 10” caregivers who actually claim the revenue made off cultivating their patients’ medical marijuana on their taxes. McQueen is teaming with MPCC Treasurer Matt Taylor to establish a medical marijuana collective in Mount Pleasant. The duo hopes to combat the lost revenue for the state and provide a central location in which member-only patients can obtain medical marijuana. McQueen and Taylor said the collective would be a local organization working out of a designated “storefront” and would
provide medical marijuana to patients who are members. They would not, however, cultivate the medical marijuana on site; rather, they would merely store and distribute it to member-patients. “The way we see it, medical marijuana is not for recreational use,” Taylor said. “We’re here to facilitate patients getting their medicine.” McQueen said there are three ways a patient can obtain medical marijuana: grow it, sign a caregiver up to grow it or buy it off the street. “We would like to make that third option a legitimate option,” McQueen said. He said the collective’s ideal role is to be a place where patients can go to get quality-controlled, regulated medicine at an affordable rate as determined by free-market principles.
M
axine Tanner slid a pair of glasses up the ridge of her nose and over her misty eyes. Glancing at her lap and the contents of a black envelope titled “Portfolio of Important Papers,” she sighed as she struggled to turn back the pages of time. “Life is very interesting,” the 81-year-old Mount Pleasant resident said. “I will have to admit that. Every day was exciting.”
Co. Jane Ward-Sundberg, currently an office clerk for Mount Pleasant City Hall, worked with Tanner at Beard Oil. “She had a great sense of humor. She loved to laugh,” Ward-Sundberg said. Sometime during her employment at Beard Oil Co., Tanner remarried in the early ‘70s.
southern gentleman and was forced to leave the Air Force. “When you were married, you had to get out,” she said. Tanner had three children and was married for 15 years. One of her sons, Andy Williams, said his father left Tanner when he was five or six years old. She returned to school and took a job working at Montgomery Ward for a short time before she transitioned to record-keeping for Beard Oil
Tanner’s life leading up to retirement was filled with multiple jobs, including seamstressing for the Central Michigan University football team. She also served in the U.S. Air Force and was a bookkeeper for Beard Oil Co. A young start After serving a brief two months and 21 days as a radio mechanic for the Air Force at age 21, Tanner married a
What’s on
81-year-old Maxine Tanner reminisces while she looks through old papers on Saturday at her home on S. Lansing St. Tanner worked in the Air Force as a radio technician for a short time, and also as the CMU athletics seamstress until she retired.
the Web
On
Time to sew After losing her position
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with Beard Oil Co., Tanner found herself in a predicament leading to the opening of her sewing business, Stitch and Stuff, formerly at 925 S. Mission. “I lost my job and I was 51 years old, and nobody else would hire me,” she said. “I was too old so, being out of work for a year, I just decided, ‘What can I do to earn a living?’ I had always liked to
A tanner | 2A
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A marijuana | 6A
Student Government candidates upbeat as voting begins Monday By Tony Wittkowski Staff Reporter
Polls open Monday to elect the next Student Government Association president. The new president will be sworn in the day before SGA’s next meeting. “We will know (the winner) by Sunday (April 11) after the polls close,” said Sean Howard, co-chairman of the Elections Committee. The candidates will know
ahead of time after the Elections Committee learns of the results, the Marysville senior said. Troy junior Evan Agnello, Evan Agnello a presidential candidate, said he hopes a lot of voters visit the Web site. “I feel the students know the truth,” Agnello said. “I’m more excited to see how
Brittany Mouzourakis
many students come out to vote.” Garden City senior Brittany Mouzourakis, also a presidental candidate, said she is excited to see
the results. “(VP Candidate) Dave and I have done a great job campaigning,” Mouzourakis said.
cm-life.com See the recap of the candidates’ livestream interviews. “I think we have a really good chance.” Featured on the online ballot will be the presidential and vice presidential candidates, along with the treasurer and 11 senators qualified to run. Howard said students can
vote for every senator. “There are more than 11 seats, but there are not enough people,” Howard said. There will be a computer in the Bovee University Center on the first floor solely for voting, Howard said. He said a press conference will be held at 6 p.m. April 12 announcing the winner. Voting ends at noon April 11. Students will be asked to
Use your voice Student Government Association election w Log in: vote.cmich.edu w Voting ends: Noon April 11 type in their global identification when voting online at vote.cmich.edu. university@cm-life.com
2A || Friday, April 2, 2010 || Central Michigan Life
EVENTS CALENDAR Monday w The Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science fraternity hosts a recruitment event from 8 to 9 p.m. in the Bovee University Center’s Down Under Food Court. Free food will be offered to potential members. w “Talk Sex with Safer Sex Patrol,� takes place from 8 to 9 p.m. in the Bovee University Center Auditorium. The event will feature professionals who will talk to students about sex, sexual aggression and relationships.
Tuesday w The Volunteer Center hosts an Alternative Summer Breaks fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday outside the Bovee University Center. Students will be popping balloons to raise money for Alternative Summer Breaks. w The Alpha Kappa Delta, an international sociology honorary society, hosts a free screening of �In Sickness and In Wealth� from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Anspach Hall 165. The 56-minute film is part of a documentary series produced by California Newsreel.
cm-life.com
Union | continued from 1A
a certain amount of credits depending on the status of enrollment, but GSU wants the university to waive them all. CMU is requesting 10 percent of the tuition waived to be paid for by the graduate student. Warhsay said though CMU waives a certain amount of credits — such as 10 credits for students enrolled half-time — the student is required to pay for additional courses, on top of working as a teaching assistant. Graduate students began to form a union in Fall 2008 and contacted the American Federation of Teachers— Michigan. There are 350 members in the union. GSU has been in contract negotiations with CMU’s administration since August. Lanius said GSU hopes to have the contract settled by the end of this month. Unions There are seven unions on campus. Five of these — Police, Maintenance and Custodial Service, Broadcasting, Supervisory/ Technical and Office Professionals — are staff unions.
tanner | continued from 1A
Wednesday w Students will walk in high heels to raise awareness about sexual violence from 5 to 9 p.m. throughout downtown Mount Pleasant. If it rains, the event will be moved to April 21.
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 2010 Volume 91, Number 73
sew.� Tanner began her business working out of her house, until the fabric and thread took over her home. Tanner first began mending and repairing uniforms for CMU’s football team when she was approached in her popular Mission Street shop by Dan Bookey, former Central Michigan athletics equipment coordinator. “And that’s it,� she said. “From then on, he kept me doing football jerseys, all of the football pads, and I was doing all of the various sundry things that go with college. I know it doesn’t sound like much, but it’s a year-round job.� Williams remembers the sight of her business. “It was pretty cool that she
PHOTO OF THE DAY
The Faculty Association and GSU are handled by Faculty Personnel, said Kevin Smart, director of employee relations and technology. Robert Martin, associate vice provost of Faculty and Personnel Services, did not return calls from Central Michigan Life on Thursday. Smart said there are three contracts in the bargaining stages — Broadcasting, Supervisory/Technical and Office Professionals. Smart said the contract for Supervisory/Technical expires June 30. “We’re currently engaged in negotiations,� said Mark Blackmer, president and negotiations chair of the Supervisory/ Technical union and a maintenance and repair technician for the School of Engineering and Technology. Blacmer said terms of the contract are not open for public discussion, per an agreement between the union and the Michigan Education Association. “When both negotiating teams reach an agreement, then (we) have to take a vote,� Blackmer said. At the minimum, he said, effective dates of the contract may vary. Blackmer said the union on campus is happy with the con-
tract and the working relationship between MEA and CMU that has developed. “Contracts are always subject to change when bargaining comes up,� Smart said. Linda Dielman, president of the Broadcasting Union and programming outreach manager for public broadcasting, works with the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians — Michigan. Dielman said the contract and negotiations can not be discussed until both parties, the union and CMU, come jake may/staff photographer to an agreement. Six-year-old Santana Rogers, left, sways the swing toward her sister Jasmine, 9, on a swing “Until we exchange set Thursday afternoon at Island Park, 331 N. Main St. “It’s fun to go high and then low. The proposals at the table,� best part though is swinging side to side because you can try to and bump into each other,� Dielman said, “It can’t Santana Rogers said. be discussed.� She said negotiation “The union has the oppor- tract. with the university and the union has always been a tunity to respond to that,� Diel“It’s up in the air,� he said. positive experience, and both man said. Blackmer said he is unsure of university@cm-life.com parties are usually content with budget issues within the conthe contracts. Dielman said the university will present the budget cuts in their proposals during negotiation and explain how it impacts CMU. She said it is all part of the bargaining cycle.
did all those uniforms,� he said. “I kept looking at all those football players.� Tanner maintained her business until she became ill and had to close. “I guess I just ran out of steam,� she said. Williams remembers when she had heart bypass surgery three years ago. “The whole football team signed the card,� he said.
Since retiring, Tanner has lost the ability to drive. She relies on Williams and his wife to drive her to the store and to her doctor appointments. But that has not stopped Tanner from enjoying life. “She’s a strong person,� Williams said. “A lot of people might’ve crumbled. She pulled herself up by the bootstraps.�
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inside life Central Michigan Life
Foreign correspondent seeks to inspire grads Engardio slated to speak at May commencement By Sarah Schuch Senior Reporter
Central Michigan University Alumnus Pete Engardio hopes to use his story to inspire spring graduates for future success. Engardio, an experienced journalist and foreign corespondent, was named this week the spring commencement speaker. The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. May 8 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. “I think, mainly, what I would talk Pete Engardio about is that if you set your target really high for what you want to do with your life and career and are determined, you can reach it,” Engardio said.
The stretch of US-127 running south of Ithaca to St. John’s is notorious for the discomfort it creates for many drivers, being a 55-miles-per-hour speed zone. On Monday, that will largely subside when a 16mile portion of the highway changes to a 65-mph speed zone. The Michigan Department of Transportation could start changing the speed limit signs today. MDOT reviews speed limits frequently to make sure they are still the most effective. “Basically, the speed limit along any roadway is determined by the Michigan State Police and MDOT,” said Anita Richardson, communications representative for the Bay Region office of MDOT. “In this case, there was a multiyear review.” After further review Officials arrived at the change using what they called the 85th-percentile rule. Richardson said MDOT surveys multiple factors
Central Michigan University Career Services is offering a three-hour period of “walk-in” mock interviews from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday in the Bovee University Center Maroon and Gold Room. Students must be professionally dressed and bring a resume. The interviews will last about 30 minutes. For more information, contact Jana Lewis at Career Services at career@cmich.edu or at 774-3068.
Scoop Jennings, a reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times played by Six Lakes sophomore Laura Fuller, investigates the simulated murder of Don ‘Big Jim’ Ravioli. The murder mystery dinner was made up of 50 characters from Woldt, Emmons and Fabiano residential halls.
A speaker | 5A
and then rules on a speed limit that would not be exceeded by 85 percent of drivers. Officials also looked at other aspects that could affect efficient traffic flow, such as crash data, traffic volume on the road, environmental concerns and the proximity of homes and businesses to the road. The part of US-127 cited for change does have homes and businesses closer to the road than the average highway. “There’s a lot of residential areas right there, but they can bump it up to 65 with no problem,” said Swartz Creek sophomore Mitchell Billbrough. MDOT hopes the change will make traveling the stretch of road easier for drivers. “(It was made) in order to achieve a smoother ride and achieve an efficient traffic flow in the area,” Richardson said. The road runs from Mount Pleasant through major cities including Jackson and Lansing, making it a road students commonly use to arrive in Mount Pleasant. metro@cm-life.com
EASTER | Business soars for holiday
[Life in brief] Interview Practice “Open House”
It does not matter that students graduate from CMU or a more prestigious school — they can be just as highly trained through the programs at CMU, he said. Engardio graduated in 1980 and worked for Central Michigan Life his first three years at CMU. He has more than 25 years of writing experience and spent time as a senior writer and Asian edition editor of BusinessWeek in New York from 1985 to last December. Currently, Engardio is working on a book about the future of United States manufacturing. He is a writer and an analyst focusing on the revolution of the global economy. “He has gone on and been very, very successful,” said Steve Smith, director of Public Relations. “He’s a home-grown product that has gone on to the top of his field.” Smith said he expects Engardio’s speech will interest
US-127 speed zone bumping to 65 MPH
By Ryan Czachorski Senior Reporter
Whodunit?
Photos by Nathan Kostegian / Staff Photographer
Speakeasy secrets Students spend evening figuring out ‘murder mystery’
A
By David Veselenak Online Editor
Libby march /staff photographer
Mount Pleasant resident Archie MacGillivray examines a chocolate bunny Thursday at Elliott Greenhouse, 800 West Broadway St., while looking for Easter candy for his children. See cm-life.com for the full story.
The Mount Pleasant Planning Commission voted unanimously to deny a special use permit at 121 N. Lansing St. to an OS-1 site for a proposed men’s homeless shelter. The proposal, which would have allowed the Christian Unity Restoration Group to open a homeless shelter for up to about 19 people, was rejected Thursday after about 12 people spoke out against the proposed shelter near downtown. The shelter would have allowed men to stay in the house for up to 30 days, as long as they did not have a criminal background. The men would at-
Les Liaisons Dangereuses
“Les Liaisons Dangereuses,” a play about seduction and revenge, will play at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Moore Hall’s Bush Theatre. The play is directed by Keeley Stanley-Bohn, associate professor of communication and dramatic arts, and written by Christopher Hampton. The story is set in 18th-century France. Tickets are available online at centralboxoffice.cmich.edu or by phone at 774-3000.
A cuisine eating contest takes place at 8 p.m. Monday in the Trout Residence Hall terrace rooms. The event is based on the NBC television show “Fear Factor” and will include a variety of strange dishes. A $50 reward will be offered. The Asian Cultural Organization, Trout Hall and Residence Hall Assembly are sponsoring the event.
Barefoot for a day
Big Jim’s wife, Carrie Crooner Ravioli, played by Augsta junior Veronica Sheppard, and daughter, played by Livonia junior Lauren Anderson, gasp as Don ‘Big Jim’ Ravioli, a Chicago Boss, was murdered in a simulation Thursday evening in the Fresh Food Company.
cara imitating stubble on her face and long hair tucked into a black fedora. Holland said the toughest part of getting into character was figuring out how to tie a tie. She and the other guests gathered and tried to ferret out clues to the identity of Big Jim Ravioli’s killer. Ravioli was played by Flint senior D.J. Palomares. He relished the opportunity to play a boisterous mobster. “I was just walking through the hallway and (Davis) asked ‘Do you want to be Big Jim Ravioli?,’” Palomares said. “You didn’t have to say anything other than ravioli.” Six Lakes sophomore Laura Fuller played Chicago SunTimes reporter Scoop Jennings. Her character, a woman imi-
tating a man to circumvent the glass ceiling, knew that breaking the news of the killer’s identity would make her career. Fuller was not sure of her investigative prowess. “The journalism course I took back in high school isn’t really paying off,” she said. Lauren Anderson, a Livonia junior, played the killer: Big Jim’s daughter Rebecca Ravioli. Her cold-blooded act of homicide was committed to escape an arranged marriage. The evidence was carefully hidden, but the culprit still could not help feeling hunted. “It’s a lot of fun, it’s just scary,” Anderson said. “People really get into their characters and they just grill you!” studentlife@cm-life.com
Homeless shelter rezoning shot down Special use permit rejected by Planning Commision
Robert Melson, a professor of Jewish studies at Purdue University, will speak from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Bovee University Center Auditorium. Mason is the author of “Revolution and Genocide: On the Origins of the Armenian Genocide and the Holocaust.” The event is part of the Dr. Harold Abel Endowed Lecture Series. For more information, call 774-1788.
Extreme cuisine food eating contest
By Connor Sheridan Senior Reporter
man lay dead near the door and 50 people were locked in with him. Those gathered, sporting fedoras and long pearl necklaces, were all suspects in a simulated, tangled web of murder, deception and greed. It was not most people’s idea of a great Thursday night party. But the Murder Mystery Dinner in the Fresh Food Company’s club room Thursday night was certainly a new experience for many. “The only thing they have to find out is who did it,” said Rachelle Kent, a Freeport junior and Woldt Hall residence adviser. Woldt Residence Hall director Dave Davis organized the whodunit, open to residents of Woldt, Emmons and Fabiano halls. The first 50 guests to RSVP were assigned a character and their own role to play at the seedy 1920s Chicago speakeasy, The Four Deuces. Jazz filled the air as Henry Hooch worked the blackjack table. Hooch was played by Okemos freshman Becky Holland, who stood up with a fat wallet — not a bad metaphor for his flourishing career as a bootlegger. “He is an up and coming entrepreneur trying to ‘supply’ during the prohibition,” Holland said. She wore a cream suit, mas-
Holocaust author speaks Tuesday
tend church weekly and remain substance-free throughout their stay. If residents did not comply with the rules, they would be kicked out, said Linda Oates, Christian Unity Restoration Group Board of Directors chairwoman. Alice Gardner, a Mount Pleasant resident, said a homeless shelter is a good move for the city, but not near the residences near downtown. She said she was worried the screening process for alcohol and drugs would be inadequate. “These people who are going to be there ... I feel its going to be very difficult to know if someone is on drugs or if they’ve been drinking,” she said. The property, currently zoned as an office-use property, also could have been zoned as an M-2, a multiple family residence. But Oates requested the prop-
Heidi Fenton, Managing Editor | news@cm-life.com | 989.774.4344
erty remain an OS-1 with a special-use permit for the shelter. Commissioner Minde Lux said if she lived in the area near the proposed site with children, she “would be scared.” “I just don’t think this will be the greatest location for a shelter,” Lux said. Oates said the shelter would have checked with the Michigan State Police Web site for convictions of possible residents and mischief would not be allowed. “We will not be a home for perverts. We are not a home for convicts,” she said. “Christian unity describes who we are.” But Commissioner Tim Brockman was skeptical. “I’m not sure that the plan is really all that well-conceived,” he said. “To ask us to change zoning ordinances with proof that we have a problem ... I think it’s asking an awful lot.” metro@cm-life.com
Students are preparing to walk through campus barefoot from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday for Tom’s Shoes. They will meet at the Bovee University Center Upper Level Lobby. The event is designed to promote understanding of the importance of shoes. Tom’s Shoes is a footwear company that sells and designs shoes and, with every pair purchased, donates a pair to a child in need.
Alpha Sigma Phi Week
Alpha Sigma Phi will host a series of events Monday through Saturday including an ice cream social from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at the fraternity’s 605 S. Main St. house. Tickets are $3 from a member and $4 at the door. The fraternity will support the Humane Animal Treatment Society by bringing dogs on campus from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday outside the Charles V. Park Library. They will collect donations for HATS.
Sufi Islam with Talat Halman
Talat Halman, an associate professor of Philosophy and Religion, will lecture on Rumi, the founder of the Sufi Islam tradition, at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday in Anspach 167. Rumi’s poetry about love will be discussed.
‘Au Revoir les enfants’
A free screening of the 1987 film “Au Revoir les enfants” takes place at 5:30 p.m. Monday in Pearce 327. The movie is based on a true story of three Jewish children harbored at a Roman Catholic boarding school by their headmaster.
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, April 2, 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 | SGA presidential election needs student involvement
Making the vote
S
tudents need to make sure they vote next week in the Student Government Association election. With budget cuts, new Board of Trustees members and George Ross’ first year as university president — student representation on campus policies is needed more than ever.
Students are encouraged to get involved and cast their vote for SGA president. Go to vote.cmich.edu and let the university know which candidate you want to represent you in the next academic year. Voting takes place Monday to April 11. SGA is comprised entirely of students, working for the interests of students. Members meet with administrators and the Board of Trustees to ensure student voices are a
part of policies created on campus. SGA should strive to be an influential organization at CMU. The editorial board brought the candidates in to interview on live stream and, overall, was impressed with both platforms. We feel Brittany Mouzourakis and Evan Agnello, despite differing ideas, are truly concerned with making CMU a better place for students. In the end, our vote goes to Mouzourakis and vice presidential candi-
date Dave Breed. We feel Mouzourakis has the experience in SGA and the track record to show she is capable of bringing change to campus. Last year, she and current SGA president Jason Nichol worked with the administration to change some of the restrictions placed on tailgating during the football season — the increase in attendance from hundreds (Sept. 27, 2009 vs. Akron) to thousands (Oct. 10 at Homecoming) is proof of that. The duo also increased the Campus Programming Fund by $26,000, a significant move given the economic climate in the state. Mouzourakis and Breed have a couple of innovative ideas that, if put into effect, could really help students out for years to come. One such idea is a pro bono clinic where students could get legal advice on everything from MIPs to speeding tickets. The two also pledge to work on tailgating issues next fall and protect the general fund, which contributes to many areas of campus.
That’s not to say Agnello is a weak candidate. He has brought light to interesting issues and thinks differently than most SGA candidates. He pointed out how the SGA election committee coordinates the debate between candidates, creating a conflict of interest between those involved in SGA and those not. The debates should be monitored by a third party. This would eliminate favoritism and encourage all candidates to comfortably participate. One thing working against Agnello was his running mate, Jessica Richard, who has not yet made a single public appearance. Agnello said she had a family emergency to attend to, which is understandable — however, it still hurts his campaign when virtually nobody knows what kind of person the vice presidential candidate is. Whoever is voted the next SGA president, we hope they fight hard to make sure students are heard and have an influence on policy at CMU.
WAYNE STAYSKAL [CARTOON]
Nathan Inks Columnist
Choosing their battles Author and education reform activist Jonathan Kozol once said, “Pick battles big enough to matter, small enough to win.” Some members of the Republican Party would do well to heed Mr. Kozol’s words of wisdom. There is nothing inherently wrong with Republicans opposing some of the policies of President Barack Obama — in fact, “loyal opposition” is a healthy part of our American government. But when the minority party moves from loyal opposition to stubborn opposition simply for the sake of opposing the other party, the political system fails. The political system in America is flirting with that line. While it is currently Republicans in the minority, Republicans and Democrats are guilty of increasing the partisan divide this nation is facing. On Saturday, Obama made 15 recess appointments, meaning the Senate did not have to approve 15 nominees they would normally be required to approve. As expected, Republicans in the Senate criticized Obama’s move and expressed outrage that they were being left out of the process. This is to be expected — it’s partisan politics. It’s the way it always has been and always will be. Even George Washington appointed someone during a Senate recess, and every recent President has appointed at least 100 people during Senate recesses. If Americans are not careful, we will see an exponential explosion of partisanship. We have already seen it happen with the filibuster, something that both parties have used increasingly more since the 1960s and, while the Republicans are using it now, I can guarantee the Democrats will not stop using it when they are in the minority. So I pose these questions to the Senate Republicans: Is this really that big of a deal? Aren’t there bigger fights to fight? Take the high road. If you are going to oppose Obama’s actions, do it based on policy, not insignificant political reasons.
[our readers’ voice]
Hookah smoke dangerous for your health
and more “hip”should talk to some older people in countries like Turkey, Greece and some Middle East countries and they will tell you how their relatives who used hookah, even for less than 10 years, seriously damaged their lung capacities.
There are times in life when you wish someone would have advised you before the damage was done. Your article on “Hookah Smoke Rising” on Monday March 24, 2010 gave the impression that it is a safer, cleaner alternative to other ways to smoke. Indeed, hookah promoters have been using the logic that as smoke passes through water it sheds most of its harmful properties. What the hookah promoters don’t tell you is that the charcoal that is burning on top of the tobacco releases far more carbon monoxide (CO) than if you smoked a dozen cigars one after another. CO does not dissolve in water that easily, but is passed on to the smoker, where it bonds hundreds of times more easily than oxygen to the smoker’s red blood cells, destroying them and reducing oxygen to all vital organs causing more brain cells to die. Those who think hookah is cleaner
Manu Yektafard Weidman Resident
Comments from cm-life.com on Bernero’s visit Travis Faber said:
I should probably add that this was a well written article about an event at Central Michigan University. As far as people not liking that fact that CM Life talked to Eric Baerren, he had every right to be there and every right to talk to the reporter about Bernero. It’s called freedom of speech and it’s a public event in a public area, so anyone could come and say what they wanted to. The reporter spoke to me,
so you really can’t say she was bias. She got viewpoints from both sides and wrote a well rounded news report. Scott said:
It was so great to see Virg Bernero here! He made a very compelling case that he should be governor - more compelling than most politicians would make. In terms of economics, I’m not sure I’ve ever (or at least lately) heard anyone in politics sound so wonk-ish and nerdy as Virg Bernero. Virg is a genius! And yet he comes off like a regular guy. He’s someone smart and easy going enough to relate to people and understand what our state needs. I disagree with Travis Faber of the College Republicans, about the idea of a state bank. It would be a great way to loosen up the credit crunch and pave the way for business growth. North Dakota has a similar program, and you don’t hear people there calling it “extremely stupid.” Bernero is a great candidate. Refreshingly honest, a true liberal, and a humble public servant who goes to bat for ordinary people!
C M Y o u | Who are you going to vote for in the SGA president election?
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
Lonnie Allen Columnist
Renewed spirits Easter a time for new beginnings, warmer weather
Springtime is awesome. The sun warms the earth and triggers an abundance of new life across the landscape. Plus, there is Easter. I know this world is very diverse and not all people believe in what I believe. Some fellow Christians would shun me because of my views of the world. But it’s not about that. It’s about my own personal struggle to understand who I am and where I am going. Easter reminds me of my escape from a deathly past. Back then, if someone was attempting to do what I am doing right now, telling you this story of what Easter means to them personally, I would have laughed at them. Life was a game to me, and I was out to win. I wanted the most, the best, and I wanted it now. I didn’t care who I hurt or what I had to do to get where I was going. It was about me and only me. That was until six years ago. I was about to start college in Grand Rapids, and I had everything I wanted. It is the only way I can say it. I can’t explain it, so don’t ask me to. I can only share what it means to me. My life changed. It wasn’t with some magic wand, where roses bloomed, birds chirped and I had a fairy tale ending living happily ever after. It was something inside of me. I felt different and I felt loved for who I was. It was weird and wonderful at the same time. For the past six years, I have questioned everything, including my faith. I am not perfect, but I am different today. I am not a holy roller and I don’t believe voting for a Democrat or supporting the women’s right to choose will send you to hell. I believe in this message of hope, love, peace, grace and forgiveness. There are consequences for my actions. I am free to do what I want, though not everything I do is good for me. But at my core is repentance. I’m saying sorry for what I have done. It’s something I say daily. I struggle every day. I struggle loving people who call themselves Republicans. I find myself sometimes praying for the destruction of all of them who hate liberals, gays and the new health care reform. I am sorry for that. We Christians have really screwed up the message of Jesus. I want to say sorry to all those who have been hurt by Christians. It isn’t supposed to be this way. God is not like that. God is in the business of redeeming and restoration. This is what Easter and my faith mean to me. It means a struggle with loving myself. I know there is renewal in my life. Whether you believe or don’t believe this Easter, we are still people and we all are the same. I know love will always win.
[letters to the editor]
“I will not be voting.” Michael France,
Woodland senior
Professional staff Rox Ann Petoskey, Production Leader Kathy Simon, Assistant Director of Student Media Neil C. Hopp, Adviser to Central Michigan Life
“Brittany, because she has a vision and I trust that she can move it forward.”
“Brittany, because she got her name out there.”
“I’m too busy trying to graduate to keep up.”
Brooke Pippin,
Bryan White,
Dearborn sophomore
Detroit senior
Sara Kirkland,
Detrioit senior Paige Calamari/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.
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
Central Michigan Life || Friday, April 2, 2010 || 5A
[News]
Colonel speaks highly of ROTC Alumna shares experiences with 100 students By Annie Harrison Staff Reporter
Photos by Matthew Stephens/Senior Photographer
Spring Lake freshman Emily Rosencrants competes in a Slurpee-eating contest Wednesday night in the Saxe/Herring/Celani lobby. Ten teams competed in a game of Fear Factor, which involved eating hot sauce packets, chugging a Slurpee, putting on a frozen shirt and other competitions.
Fear Factor challenges students Competition a test of will, stomachs By Heather Hillman Staff Reporter
Vickie Baldyga wondered what she had gotten herself into entering the first round of Fear Factor Live on Wednesday in the lobby of Saxe/Herrig/Celani Hall. The Dearborn Heights freshman knew for her team to win, she and her three future roommates would have to have strong stomachs and dedication and show no fear. “We saw the flier hanging in the hall and thought we’d try it,” Baldyga said. “I can eat anything, but no bugs!” About 60 people packed the lobby to watch the six teams of four and one team of two endure eight stomach-turning challenges. One person represented each team during a round. Challenges included smelling four-week-old milk for as long as possible, eating a “mystery pie” filled with whipped cream and coleslaw sauce and drinking a not-so-smooth smoothie made with syrup, pineapples, cherries, root beer and tomato juice. Contestants also had to finish as many hot sauce packets as possible, put on a frozen shirt, drink as much of a Slurpee as they could in three minutes and
eat as many marshmallows a dry mouth could handle in 45 seconds. While vomit is usually a surprising and unwelcome occurrence at an event, Traverse City freshman Jay Morse and the rest of SHC’s executive board were well prepared to handle just that. “We wanted to bring people together and just have fun,” said Morse, SGA representative for the board. Care for some mayo? The toughest and, in Morse’s opinion, grossest challenge the contestants faced came during the final round. Spoon in hand, players had to finish a “sundae” which was nothing more than a bowl full of mayonnaise with a little bit of chocolate syrup and a cherry on top. While many people gagged and even threw up in the attempt, Jessica Frick shoveled it down like it was a real ice cream sundae. It was this win that made the Davisburg sophomore and the rest of her team champions at the event. “As soon as I got to the cherry, I knew I could do it,” Frick said. “It didn’t taste horrible until I had finished.” First-, second- and thirdplace teams all received an as-
Wayne freshman Renaldo Powell finished first in eating the mystery pie Wednesday night during the “Fear Factor” competition. “I think it was coleslaw sauce and I don’t know. It was nasty and sour, but I wanted to win,” Powell said.
sortment of prizes, including basketballs, DVDs, beach towels and bubbles. Baldyga and her team lost the third-place spot during a marshmallow-eating tiebreaker. All the girls said they had a great time despite the loss. “We were the only all-girl team, so I thought we pulled our weight,” Baldyga said. “But, man, that mayonnaise was nasty.” studentlife@cm-life.com
Thrift sale benefits Threads By Rachel Mater Staff Reporter
The skirt Jolie Masters purchased did not fit — but the Kentwood sophomore did not show any signs of worry. “I’m just going to sew it or safety-pin it,” she said. Masters said she enjoyed the many purchases she made this week at a thrift sale fundraiser for the Threads Fashion Show, which will take place April 10 in Finch Fieldhouse. The exhibition is at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. “The exhibition is all exhibits and works from classes of peo-
ple who wanted to display what they’ve done,” said Kandis Contos, a Davison senior. The Threads Fashion Show this year is themed “Autobiography” and is about designers expressing themselves and telling their stories. First-time designer Kaitlyn Munro, a Maryland junior, said she is excited for the show. “I’m very nervous because this is my first show — it’s my first real time showing my designing abilities and what it can do,” Munro said. She said she felt it was important to volunteer at the sale, put on by students in AMD 357:
Fashion Production and Promotion. “As a designer, I feel it’s good to help out with the fundraiser and see what it takes to get to the end result,” she said. The thrift sale profits will go to the show to help offset costs. “Last year, I think they made $600; we’ve already hit our goal as far as fundraising. Now we’re just looking to sell what we have and get as much as possible,” Contos said. For more information on the Threads Fashion Show, visit ehs.cmich.edu/amd/ Threads2010_Site/Homepage. html.
Col. Elaine Edwards believes the ROTC program is “the greatest leadership program in America.” Edwards talked to a group of 100 students Wednesday in the Engineering and Technology Building in a presentation titled “Marketing Army Officership.” She said people who go through the ROTC program experience long-term success because they are given a lot of responsibility. “They have been given opportunities for leadership early in their careers,” she said. The presentation was part of Central Michigan University’s Lead Week and was sponsored by the Col. William B. Nolde Lecture Series. Edwards, the director of marketing of U.S. Army Cadet Command, is a CMU alumna. She graduated in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has since earned a master’s degree in international relations from the University of Southern California and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. Edwards said the ROTC program has grown and im-
proved since she attended CMU, but it adheres to the same fundamental principles. She has visited several campuses and said the program at CMU is “top notch.” She said the skills people learn in the ROTC program are useful in military careers and civilian life. “You’re going to take that set of values with you throughout your life,” she said. “I wanted to reach out to the cadets here and make a positive impression.” The presentation ended with an overview of marketing strategies and the current “Army Strong” advertisement campaign, which promotes the message of officership in the military. Greenville senior Roger Craig said he was interested in seeing the advertising techniques that brought him into the ROTC program. “I’m used to seeing the combat arms side of the military,” he said. “I’m not used to seeing the marketing side.” Zac Nelson, the executive officer of the ROTC Chippewa Battalion, said he thought Edwards’ presentation was one of the best programs they have had in the series. “I liked how she told us about her experiences when she was in our shoes and related it to her career,” the Freeland senior said. “I just found that impressive.” studentlife@cm-life.com
““You’re going to take that set of values with you throughout your life. I wanted to reach out to the cadets here and make a positive impression.” Col. Elaine Edwards, director of marketing of U.S. Army
Cadet Command
6A || Friday, April 2, 2010 || Central Michigan Life
Face full of pancakes Junior wins Delta Zeta eating contest in 47 seconds By Melissa Torok Staff Reporter
Nick Stepaniak managed to scarf down five pancakes in 47 seconds. The Hubbard Lake junior’s quick speed won him first place at the Delta Zeta sorority’s annual pancake eating contest Wednesday night at its 810 S. Main St. house. The contest helped raise more than $500 for Central Michigan University’s Speech and Hearing Clinic, which is part of the sorority’s philanthropy, the Starkey Hearing Foundation. “I broke the pancakes in half, then sipped some water,” Stepaniak said of his technique. “At first, I was kind of nervous, but then I had fun.” Once the contest started, eight contestants anxiously sat at Delta Zeta’s kitchen table. Stepaniak’s plate was cleared before many even finished their first pancake. He will be able to enjoy many more to come — his prize was a gift certificate to the International House of Pancakes. Each participant was given syrup, water and five plain pancakes for the contest. Stepaniak and his Alpha Sigma Phi brothers spent the rest of the evening enjoying the food. Delta Zeta prepared for the contest by purchasing 10 boxes of pancake batter. “We had to make three big bowls of pancake batter,” said Midland freshman Christina Sessoms. “I run pancakes
Jeff smith/staff photographer
Hubbard Lake sophomore Nick Stepaniak raises his hands and opens his mouth to show that he finished his stack of pancakes during an eating contest Wednesday at the Delta Zeta pancake breakfast fundraiser, 810 S. Main St. Stepaniak finished his stack of five pancakes in 47 seconds and was awarded a $10 I-HOP gift card.
back and forth; it is kind of hectic.” Sessoms helped make chocolate chip, cinnamon and plain pancakes for the event. Unlike previous years, sausage and scrambled eggs also were on the menu. “It used to be Sunday mornings but, last semester, we changed it to night, and it was packed,” said New Baltimore junior Samantha Duncan, Delta Zeta president.
More than 250 people attended the event. The sorority hosts a pancake breakfast every semester. Beverly Hills junior Emily Reynolds enjoyed eating chocolate chip pancakes with friends. “It’s eating pancakes for a good cause,” Reynolds said. “It’s good to support each other, it makes us closer.” studentlife@cm-life.com
CM Life a Pacemaker Finalist Newspaper’s Web site one of 50 to earn national award By Maryellen Tighe Senior Reporter
Central Michigan Life was named an Associate Collegiate Press Online Pacemaker Finalist for the first time in its history. Fifty university newspaper Web sites were selected from 242 entrants. Central Michigan Life was one of 22 large-school finalists announced Monday. Other large school finalists (schools with 10,000 or more students) include The Harvard Crimson from Harvard University, Massachusetts; The Daily Targum from Rutgers University, New Jersey; and The Daily Trojan from the University of Southern California. The most successful sites displayed excellence in multimedia storytelling, writing and editing, site design, indepth and complete coverage,
speaker | continued from 3A
students and both inspire and motivate them. ‘Set your sights high’ Sharon Russell, commencement coordinator, said students can relate to someone who attended CMU and was part of the same community. “Mr. Engardio was a good choice to speak because he is a distinguished CMU alumnus, and he has had many life experiences,” Russell said. “We’re hopeful he can share
interactivity, and graphics and photography, according to a release for the Associate Collegiate Press. “Three years ago, we set out to transform cm-life.com into one of the best multimedia platforms in collegiate journalism,” said Director of Student Media Neil Hopp. “The ACP recognition validates our progress.” Central Michigan Life has entered the contest for the last several years, Hopp said. The paper was recognized again last year by the Michigan Press Association as the best online newspaper in Michigan. One of the key changes Central Michigan Life has made is to update online content frequently, said Editor in Chief Brian Manzullo. Previously, an online editor would post a majority of the stories and photos on each production night; now, the entire editing staff works to update the Web site frequently every day of the week, the Saginaw senior said. The site underwent a redesign in August 2009, allowing
Central Michigan Life to have full control of its content. “In this new way of journalism, it’s not about waiting until the next publication,” he said. “We’ve made great strides toward the 24-hour news day.” Central Michigan Life also aims for an increased use of multimedia. One of the projects that involved multimedia, photos and stories was “24 hours in Mount Pleasant,” a collection of stories about something happening each hour of Oct. 10, 2009, in Mount Pleasant, Manzullo said. The newspaper also began airing live streams this year, including interviews with Student Government Association presidential and vice presidential candidates that took place this week. The Web site, cm-life.com, was submitted in February and judged sometime in March, Manzullo said. Winners of the Pacemaker will be named in October.
with the graduates his experiences at CMU and how he succeeded in the highly competitive national and global media industry.” Engardio encourages students to learn as much as they can from talented people. Once students get a job and excel at it, they will find they are able to compete with everybody, Engardio said. Engardio said students and graduates should seek out new challenges. “If you really want to aspire high, set your sights high,” Engardio said. He had the opportunity to intern in South Korea through
his graduate program at the University of Missouri, a main reason why he choose the program. Engardio said he knew he wanted to be a foreign correspondent. “I was able to just shoot over,” Engardio said. “Here’s what I want to do, and I went and did it.”
university@cm-life,com
university@cm-life.com
www.cm-life.com
[News]
marijuana | continued from 1A
“(The collective) should bring down prices and bring up quality,” McQueen said. Taylor and McQueen are trying to find a commercial location in Mount Pleasant or Union Township to set up their collective. They also need to contact caregivers and patients, write a body of procedure and establish themselves as a limited liability company. Taylor said they would halt their plans to establish a collective if local law enforcement and community members voiced concern and requested them to stop. “We turned in a copy of our plan to the sheriff and to the city manager,” Taylor said. “We told the sheriff we would like to work with (him) ... we don’t want (the medical marijuana) to be resold illegally.” Taylor and McQueen said their collective would help police enforce Michigan’s medical marijuana law. The police would know where the medical marijuana is being sold and, because their collective would give member-caregivers a customer base to facilitate trade, they would not be tempted to sell their extra product illegally on the street. Are collectives okay? Celeste Clarkson, compliance section manager with the state Bureau of Health Professions, which oversees the Medical Mari-
juana Registry Program, said the medical marijuana law does not address collectives. But just because they are not in the act does not mean they cannot be established, she said. “We are aware of the fact that they are out there, but it’s up to the local jurisdiction and law enforcement as to how they will accept them or treat them,” Clarkson said. “The act does speak to the fact that a patient or a caregiver can only possess twoand-a-half ounces of usable marijuana for each patient ... so if a caregiver has access to more than their allowable
amount of usable marijuana for their patents, then does that mean they’re in violation of the law? I don’t know. It’s tricky.” McQueen and Taylor said operating the collective is legal under section 4(i) of the Medical Marijuana Act, which defines medical use and a person’s right to administer medical marijuana to help registered patients. Clarkson said a lot of jurisdictions are mute on the point whereas others are setting up strict zoning ordinances. She said the Department of Community Health does not have any enforcement authority on the issue. metro@cm-life.com
www.cm-life.com
[News]
Central Michigan Life || Friday, April 2, 2010 || 7A
Bernero: ‘The American Dream is under siege’ By Carisa Seltz Staff Reporter
Virg Bernero stood waiting for five seconds for an answer to his question, and not a single person obliged. The gubernatorial candidate asked the roughly 75 people that attended the College Democrats’ 2010 Election Kickoff Series on Wednesday if they were confident they would find jobs in their field of study after graduation. Nobody raised a hand. Bernero took a seat in the Charles V. Park Library Auditorium and said he anticipated such a response because the American way of life is eroding, especially in Michigan. “The American Dream is under siege,” said Bernero, currently mayor of Lansing. “I’m running for governor
because we have to put that American Dream back into place.” But he said it will not be easy. Bernero said the U-Haul moving company confirmed Michigan is No. 1 in the country in one-way trips out of the state. “That’s unacceptable to me,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be one way.” He said making Michigan an economic contender in the world market is going to be “the fight of our lives” and is “a real job ahead of us.” “We have to bring production back to Michigan or we’re sunk,” he said. “My plan is to do everything we can in Michigan to restore and rebuild, but I intend to be brutally honest … I don’t have a magic wand.” Among Bernero’s initiatives to get Michigan back
on its feet is to start a state bank modeled after the one in North Dakota. Bernero said people cannot get loans in Michigan because the banks have shut down lending and are demanding the loans they have allocated be repaid in full. He said his state bank proposal is not an initiative to wipe out banks, but to help start the growth of small business through government-loan lending. “This could spur the banking industry into action,” he said, noting that the Bankers Association in North Dakota supports that state’s bank. Bernero also advocated fair trade practices, investing in Michigan’s workers, students and infrastructure, reforming the budget process and protecting Michigan’s environment. He said the Michigan
Promise Scholarship needs to be reinstated. “Education is economic development,” Bernero said. College Democrats President Brad O’Donnell said the CMU College Democrats endorse Bernero. “We’re the first College Democrats organization to do so,” the Clinton Township junior said. Grand Rapids senior Dan Morse said he supports Bernero as Lansing’s mayor. “I think he’s going to be a good advocate for the working people of Michigan,” Morse said. He said Bernero supports workers’ rights over those of big corporations. “I’m afraid Republicans want to cut services, especially education,” he said. Mount Pleasant resident Eric Baerren said Bernero’s strength is his history as a
2010 Michigan gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero answers questions from the audience Wednesday in the Charles V. Park Auditorium. “We have to bring the American dream back (to Michigan)” Bernero said. Jeff Smith/staff photographer
municipal leader. Baerren said Bernero understands the political games in Lansing and knows how policies implemented affect cities outside of Lansing. “The government needs to do things that are beyond just Lansing,” Baerren said. “He’s the only one who’s been talking so far about that.”
Battle Creek senior Travis Faber said he thinks Bernero’s idea to start a government-funded state bank is “extremely stupid” and would be an unneeded state influence. “I don’t particularly like him so far,” Faber said. studentlife@cm-life.com
softball season preview | Seddon leads team in turnaround, 6B Central Michigan Life
Baseball preview Friday, April 2, 2010 | Section B
photos by matthew stephens/senior photographer
Senior starter Jesse Hernandez (left), coach Steve Jaksa and senior center fielder Billy Anderson represent the pitching, braintrust and batting of CMU baseball. Hernandez is the ace, Anderson bats leadoff and Jaksa enters his eighth season at the helm of the program.
One step at a time Team takes game-by-game approach, looks to flourish with lowered expectations By Aaron McMann | Staff Reporter
A
wood plaque hangs next to Steve Jaksa’s desk in his office displaying a quote from former U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy. It reads: “There are those who look at things the way they are and ask why ... I dream of things that never were and ask why not?” The CMU baseball coach, now in his eighth year at the helm of the program, always tries to stay positive when it comes to baseball. He subscribes to the philosophy that you must take one step before proceeding to the next. And for his team this season, that means walking before running. “It’s like anything else in life — you do it a game at a time,” Jaksa said. “And then a game becomes a weekend and, after that weekend, you reflect on that series and where that leaves you. Our goals are similar — at the end of the road, (we) want to win the MAC championship.” After winning its first Mid-American Conference Tournament game in four years last season despite a 28-30 overall record, CMU returns six seniors and nine juniors to the lineup this season. Comparatively, the team
Batting order: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Senior Billy Anderson — CF Junior Brenden Emmett — DH Senior James Teas — 3B Senior Dale Cornstubble — C Sophomore Nate Theunissen — 1B Senior Tyler Kipke — LF Junior Matt Faiman — RF Freshman Jordan Dean — 2B Junior Robbie Harman — SS
Rotation: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Senior Jesse Hernandez Sophomore Rick Dodridge Junior Jake Sabol Junior Matt Faiman
Key bullpen arms: Sophomore Trent Howard (CL) Junior Mike Nixon Junior Bryce Morrow
A steps | 3B
Bobcats at Theunissen this weekend Hernandez starts Game 1 of first MAC home series By Aaron McMann Staff Reporter
The CMU baseball team has emphasized the importance of winning at home. For the first time in more than two weeks, the Chippewas return home to Theunissen Stadium at 3 p.m. today to begin a threegame series against MidAmerican Con- Steve Jaksa ference opponent Ohio. “We think it’s nice that we’re able to come home,” said coach Steve Jaksa. “We’ve tried to emphasize to the guys the importance of protecting our home turf. Everybody loves coming to play in our venue — they under-
stand our tradition and history.” CMU (11-10, 2-1 MAC) will start senior right-hander Jesse Hernandez (3-1, 4.45 ERA) in Game 1. Hernandez allowed two runs, zero earned, in seven innings pitched in CMU’s 5-2 win against Miami (OH) last Friday. Sophomore Rick Dodridge and junior Jake Sabol are slated to start Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Ohio (3-18, 1-2 MAC) comes in having lost 10 of its last 11 games. The Bobcats rank ninth in the conference in team batting average (.267) and ERA (7.08). “They’re going to play well and we have to be ready to go,” Jaksa said. “I look at it as the conference just started and maybe they went through their struggles early. Our job is to make sure that we go out there and get after them early to make sure they don’t gain any confidence or get any traction during the period of time they’re here.” OU took two out of three games in the past two sea-
P i t c h i n g p r e v i e w, 2 B
cm-life.com Lineup begins to take shape as MAC play begins. son series. “(OU coach) Joe Carbone has been there for a long time and has been here a lot of times,” Jaksa said. “He understands and will have his guys ready to go. We have to understand that just because we’re playing at home doesn’t mean they put more runs on the board (for us).” loss at MSU Despite getting 10 runs off 14 hits, CMU allowed Michigan State to score seven runs in the third inning in a 13-10 loss Wednesday at Cooley Stadium in Lansing. A close play at second base, infield errors, a bunt and bloop single down the left-field line allowed the Spartans to prolong the inning and build a lead CMU could not combat. A ohio | 2B
Sophomore Rick Dodridge (left), junior Jake Sabol and senior Jesse Hernandez are CMU’s top three starters. Most weekends, Hernandez will start the first game, followed by Dodridge and Sabol.
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seddon |
Baseball solidifies starters, bullpen
That meant Seddon would not be able to throw a softball until December 2009, ruling out the possibility of playing in the 2009 season.
By John Evans Staff Reporter
ohio | continued from 1B
“Those were four big plays right in a row and all went against us and led to a big inning,� Jaksa said. “Any one of those plays would’ve cut that inning in half, which would’ve been a significant decrease.� Sophomore Sam Russell led the Chippewas offensively, go-
change | continued from 6B
sophomores on the roster. One of the biggest young contributors will be sophomore shortstop Molly Coldren. Coldren leads the team in batting average (.379), runs batted in (21) and home runs (5). “I just want to be a presence out there,� she said. “I want my team to feel comfortable in knowing that I can bring leadership to the team, and they can have confidence in me.�
or the plate. She continued to work with trainers and, although the success rate is not high for players coming back from T o m m y John sur- Kari Seddon gery, coach Margo Jonker said she had confidence in Seddon’s ability to make the comeback. Jonker said it came down to her competitiveness and athletic prowess because she would not let herself stay outside the circle this season. So when Seddon was finally able to take the circle for Central this season, it was a relief.
continued from 6B
Howard starts year in rotation, finds role as closer
The CMU baseball team has the task of replacing two of the Mid-American Conference’s top pitchers this season. Dan Taylor and Steve Teno ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the MAC’s most innings pitched and total strikeouts. Taylor totaled 80 strikeouts, while Teno struck out 79. Both averaged more than eight per game. A year later, senior righthander Jesse Hernandez has become the pitching staff’s ace, leading a relatively experienced starting staff and a first-year closer in Trent Howard. Hernandez (3-1) leads the team with three wins in five starts. Although he has an earned run average of 4.45, Hernandez leads the team in innings pitched and has struck out 28 batters, an average of 5.6 per game. “We are at a very good place right now — guys are really coming into their roles and I think everyone is doing what they have to do taking it pitchby-pitch,� Hernandez said. “I’m just happy with how I’m focused and just taking things one inning at a time.� Many of CMU’s crucial weekend series start with Hernandez, who likely will get the nod on Fridays. The Chippewas hope Hernandez can set the tone for the rest of the weekend. Sophomore left-hander Rick Dodridge (2-1), who leads the team with a 1.64 ERA, and junior right-hander Jake Sabol (2-3) will usually follow Hernandez. “He (Hernandez) is calm and relaxed out there and setting the tone,� Sabol said. “The goal is to
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Sophomore right hander Zach Cooper has a 2.79 earned run average in eight appearances out of the bullpen.
get that Friday win because if he wins on Friday, then if one of us gets a win in the next two games, we take the series. For him Bryce Morrow to set the tone on Friday really gives Rick and I an advantage for the rest of the weekend.� At the back end of the rotation is Bryce Morrow, who earned his first win of the season earlier this week against Valparaiso. Also being mixed into the rotation is junior outfielder/lefthander Matt Faiman. Faiman has made two appearances this year and has a 2.57 ERA. Morrow and Faiman will be counted on throughout the season to start mid-week games. Faiman also will take turns at the plate and defensively in the outfield. “We feel pretty good where we are as we speak today,� said coach Steve Jaksa. “When you are playing five games in six days, you have to be ready to go. No matter who you are, it’s going to be a battle out there.� The bullpen The coaching staff recently
moved sophomore Trent Howard into the closer’s role. So far, Howard has two saves and 29 strikeouts in 22 innings pitched. Sophomore Harvey Martin was the closer last year, but is rehabbing his shoulder after surgery last summer. Jaksa said he is not sure if Martin will return by the end of the season. “I think Trent Howard has been really consistent,� Jaksa said. “When you get into the Mid-American Conference and you get those tight games, you have got to make sure you have someone that can finish a game.� Leading the way out of the bullpen are freshman Dietrich Enns and junior Mike Nixon. Enns has a 1.84 ERA and has 16 strikeouts in 14 innings pitched, while Nixon has a 1.93 ERA. Both have allowed a combined six earned runs in 18 total appearances. “When you come out of the bullpen, there’s not much margin for error,� Jaksa said. “You’re coming in with people in scoring position and we have got to have guys that are throwing strikes. They have to throw quality pitches and those guys have to be pretty good every time out.�
On the way back Seddon said she is only at around 90 percent healthwise, and she still feels some pain in her elbow, but it is more the result of not being used to pitching than the injury.
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ing 3-for-5 with three runs batted in and three runs scored. “They did a good job of getting ahead of counts and laying off off-speed pitches and getting fast balls up in the zone that they could drive,� Russell said. “They kept coming at us and never let up.� Junior left-hander Matt Faiman took the loss, allowing four runs in two innings. CMU made a late-game rally, scoring four runs in the last two
innings, but it was not enough to overcome MSU’s early lead. “It’s good to get back into MAC play, coming off last weekend when we took two out of three,� Russell said. “We want to do the same thing — come out strong and play as hard as we can. Every MAC game is crucial, whether it’s at the beginning of the season or the end.�
The team has batted .281 this season, an improvement from last year’s .235, which ranked eighth in the MAC. Coldren leads every hitting category, but several other players have emerged as threats at the plate. Freshman Summer Knoop and juniors Amanda Patrick and Brittini Merchant have batting averages above .300.
“We need to be a litter sharper on defense,� she said. “We need to go back to basics.� She said if her team does the little things right, everything else will work itself out. CMU (13-8) enters MAC play against Bowling Green today in Bowling Green, Ohio. Jonker said she wants to everyone to know this is not the same team as last year. “We want to start out strong,� she said. “We want to send a message to the conference that we’re back.�
Sharper defense Jonker said the defense has been a lot sharper this season, but she is worried that her team sometimes trying to make the big play instead of the easiest.
Relearning softball Having pitched since she was five, staying away from softball until December was not easy on Seddon. “I basically had a new elbow,� she said. “I had to get my motion, extension and just had to teach myself to play the game of softball again.� She went from a first-team All-MAC selection to holding a stat book and helping her teammates from the dugout. Seddon could only do so much as the team went 12-31 and 4-17 in the MAC. She admitted it was tough to accept. Seddon was not used to feeling helpless for her teammates from the circle
Jonker said Seddon has learned to pitch again and, because of that, she is learning how to throw all her pitches again. “Since the surgery, her shoulder and elbow feel different for certain pitches than it did before, so she has to figure out how it is supposed to feel with how the elbow is now,� she said. After Seddon started the year batting as well as pitching, Jonker decided it is more important to have her in the circle after Seddon felt some elbow pain. But Jonker said she knows what MAC competition is like and what having a pitcher such as Seddon in the circle can do to make a difference for the Chippewas this year. “The Mid-American Conference has excellent pitching, and Kari is in that elite group,� she said. “Obviously, after having the year off, it is a challenge to get into the pitching form that she had before.�
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Sophomore shortstop Molly Coldren tries to get the force-out at second base during Wednesday’s doubleheader against Oakland. Coldren switched from third base to shortstop this year.
Infielders adjusting to position switch By Justin Hicks Staff Reporter
The CMU softball team made some defensive changes this season to limit mistakes on the field. And it has already benefited from the moves this season. The two key changes to the defense are junior Brittini Merchant’s move from shortstop to second base and sophomore Molly Coldren’s switch from third base back to shortstop, her preferred position. Before coming to Central, Coldren played shortstop for four years at Notre Dame High School in West Bloomfield. “I’ve played short since I can remember and I feel more confident there,” she said. “At shortstop, your presence is more known and it’s more of a leadership position.” Third basemen only see plays to one side, but have to react faster because they are positioned closer to the plate. Shortstops, on the other hand, have to make plays on both sides, as well as in the gap between the infield and outfield. Merchant’s position switch was a little more difficult as she moved to a position she had not had experience at. She played shortstop the past two years at CMU, and was moved after Kim Cozat finished her
last year of eligibility. “It was hard at the beginning, picking up on the different angles the ball takes, but the coaches and I put in a lot of practice,” Merchant said. CMU coach Margo Jonker said she is impressed by the way Merchant has handled the defensive changes. “Second base is a very difficult mental position that requires players to be at a lot of places at the same time,” Jonker said. “She has the skill set to be a great second baseman.” Said Merchant: “It’s more of a challenge, but I’m getting used to it and, now that I’ve played second, I wish I would have my whole life.” Central’s defensive changes seem to have paid off, and the team has held its opponents to three or fewer runs in 12 of the team’s 13 wins, shutting out its opponents in four games. The team’s 20 errors this season rank third in the MAC, behind Western Michigan (18) and Ball State (19). Coldren has six of those errors and Merchant has four, totaling half of the team’s errors as they work to master their new positions. CMU finished the 2009 season with 60 errors, seventh in the MAC. sports@cm-life.com
had three seniors and seven juniors on the roster in 2009. “Everybody talks about experience. Experience only helps if you learn something from the experience you had,” Jaksa said. “You have got to be able to make that change. Generally, baseball is more of a mental change than anything else because of the ability to put the last at-bat behind you and be fresh the next one.” Batting and fielding Senior center fielder Billy Anderson is one of those returning seniors, poised to lead CMU to its goal of a conference championship. Anderson is batting .356 through 21 games at the leadoff position, with a team-best on-base percentage of .451. “Because of guys being dinged up, the lineup has been in a bit of fluctuation,” Jaksa said. “But we do have some consistency. We think we’re pretty solid with Billy as the leadoff guy — he seems like he’s honed in to that and has done a nice job of getting on base.” Anderson said players have to come into their own — not try to be a type of player they are not. “We have guys kind of figuring out who they are as a player,” Anderson said. “The biggest thing is that we just have got to get everyone to realize what kind of player they are and just become that. As long Dale Cornstubble as everyone knows their own identity, I think we’ll be all right.” While beginning to work his way back, injuries to senior James Teas a few weeks ago resulted in shuffling the infield. Senior catcher James Cornstubble, batting third in the lineup with a .351 average and teamleading 18 runs batted in,
has played third base in recent games. As a result, sophomore William Arnold and freshman Jordan Adams have gotten some work at the catcher position. Jaksa called Arnold valuable and said he can be used at multiple positions on the infield. With the return of ju- William Arnold nior shortstop Robbie Harman, who missed the first 10 games of the season while finishing up the basketball season, senior Ricky Clark and freshman Jordan Dean have shared duties at second base. Said Jaksa: “We think our approach is getting more and more solid. The lineup is kind of solidified (now) ... We got a couple guys who aren’t hitting really well numbers-wise, but we felt they’ve had some good bats lately and hope some of those hits start falling.” In addition to holding down first base, sophomore Nate Theunissen also got off to a good start with the bat, leading the team with a .385 average and three home runs in the clean-up spot. PITCHING Senior Jesse Hernandez (3-1, 4.45 ERA) leads a pitching staff that includes sophomore Rick Dodridge (2-1, 1.64 ERA) and junior Jake Sabol (2-3, 4.91 ERA). Junior Matt Faiman and junior Bryce Morrow have filled in when needed in the spot. “I’m just happy with the way I’ve stayed focus,” Hernandez said. “I’m just taking everything one inning at a time and not letting that one big inning that hurt us get to me. I go out there with the same attitude every inning, knowing that I have to throw strikes, get my ground balls, and things have been working out.” Juniors Mike Nixon and Morrow and freshman Dietrich Enns have stepped up and received
Track teams compete at Western Michigan Invite Schroll, Johnson high-jump in Texas during week By John Manzo Staff Reporter
While most of the CMU men’s and women’s track teams will head to Kalamazoo on Saturday for the Western Michigan Invitational, two big contributors for the women will rest. Seniors Erika Schroll and Tanisha Johnson will miss the first scored outdoor meet of the season as they competed in Austin, Texas, Wednesday and Thursday at the Texas Relays. Coach Willie Randolph said the team has looked strong leading up to the weekend, and he also noted an athlete on the men’s side who caught his eye: senior Kirkston Edwards, a former football player. “Kirkston Edwards has been doing a nice job,” he
said. “This is the first week his body has been fully rested and he ran a good 40-time. He’s looking really good in prac- Greg Pilling tice.” As for the rest of the team, cooperating weather has allowed it to work outdoors and improve on fundamentals. “We’ve been working on some technical things, which is the most important part,” said junior Shanaye Carr. “The technical things will shave off time, especially with the hurdles and with the handoffs.” Pilling Senior thrower Greg Pilling, who was not feeling well at the Raleigh Relays, should be near full health this weekend. Randolph said Pilling performed well last weekend in Raleigh, N.C., but expecta-
tions will rise. “It wasn’t a surprise that he opened up so well,” he said. “On the same note, without the sickness, we know he could have competed even better.” Future With the Sun Angel/Mesa Classic coming up on April 9-10, the coaching staff said it will rest some of its athletes Saturday in Kalamazoo. That includes Schroll and Johnson. Schroll jumped a height of 5-9 3/4, finishing in a three-way tied for second. Johnson jumped a height of 5-6. For precautionary measures, Schroll was removed from competition earlier than usual because of a fall. The staff, along with Schroll, did not want an injury to occur. Randolph said recovery is important because he wants his athletes ready for upcoming meets, and also the Mid-American Conference tournament
What’s on tap Up next:
Saturday: Western Michigan Invitational
Resting: Seniors Erika Schroll and Tanisha Johnson participated in the Texas Relays on Wednesday and Thursday in Austin, Texas. Schroll tied for second (5-9 3/4) and Johnson jumped a height of 5-6.
and potentially nationals. “The recovery is the most important thing because we have a big meet next weekend in Arizona,” he said. Once the Chippewas attend the Lenny Lyles/Clarkwoods Invitational in Louisville, Ky., the schedule gets grueling all the way until the MAC tournament, Randolph said. sports@cm-life.com
Central Michigan Life || Friday, April 2, 2010 || 3B the most innings as relievers early on. Sophomores Zach Cooper, Matt Looms and Reid Rooney, redshirt freshman Brock Guetzke and freshmen Scott Mariner and Josh Cok round out the bullpen. “The biggest thing is consistency,” Jaksa said. “If they stub their toe, we just got to make sure we have another guy ready to go. If we can throw strikes out the pen, and we think they can and they think we can, then we’ll develop that consistency.” A former starter, sophomore Trent Howard (1-2, 4.76 ERA) has been moved to the closer role after a couple of rough starts early on. Howard is 2-for-2 in save opportunities since being moved, allowing no runs in 3 2/3 innings. HELPING EACH OTHER Without looking too far
ahead, Jaksa said the team’s goal, first and foremost, is working toward a division title. “You have a club that’s been through it a little bit,” he said. “They understand the intensity, they understand how the games are going to be, but they also know that if they can just stay in the moment and have the good at-bat, if they don’t worry about the situation, we have an opportunity to do good things.” Players have bought into Jaksa’s mindset of taking one at-bat, inning and game at a time. In fact, Anderson said the team can thrive as it garners little respect to start the year. “We’re not picked to win anything, so nothing’s expected of us and I love that,” Anderson said. sports@cm-life.com
Softball preview Central Michigan Life
Friday, April 2, 2010 | 6B
Weeekend
Team plays four games in two days Doubleheaders on consecutive days clutter schedule By Matthew Valinski Staff Reporter
photos by matthew stephens/senior photographer
Sophomore Molly Coldren, left, leads the team in every hitting category in 2010. Junior pitcher Kari Seddon is pitching for the first time since 2008 after undergoing Tommy John surgery and missing 2009. Seddon had 24 starts in 2008, going 10-9.
Getting back to
FORM
Seddon stands front and center in turnaround By Matthew Valinski | Staff Reporter
K
ari Seddon dominated Mid-American Conference play two seasons ago, going 8-1 with a 1.60 earned run average. What the statistics do not show is how much time the junior pitcher was spending in the trainer’s room. Seddon started feeling pain in the right elbow during the season, but said she knew she had to finish the season for her team. “My trainer became my best friend that year,” she said. “I did a lot of work just getting ready for the next game because I was in pain, but we were in the middle of the season and I had to go.” After the season came to an end, Seddon was forced into a decision. Her ulnar collateral ligament was torn and she could either elect to get Tommy John surgery or rehab the elbow. Seddon said it came down to what her doctor believed was best for her ability to continue playing afterwards. Surgery was the answer. A seddon | 2B
Seddon struck out 10 and allowed four runs, one earned in Wednesday’s Game 1 loss to Oakland University. Seddon (6-4) leads CMU with 61 strikeouts.
Chippewas look to put ‘09 behind them Team exceeds last season’s win total just 21 games into schedule
2010 season to date:
13-8 12-31
By Josh Berenter Staff Reporter
It took 21 games for the CMU softball team to eclipse last year’s win total. With 2008 first-team All-MidAmerican Conference pitcher Kari Seddon back from injury, a key position switch in the infield and young talent stepping up, CMU has turned the page of a disastrous 2009 season, where it went 12-31. In fact, coach Margo Jonker will not address last year’s struggles. She said she would not address the past even if the team had been successful. Instead, Jonker likes to focus on the present, and the return of her ace is part of it. “Kari Seddon is a gamer,” she said. “She’s just a competitor.” Seddon missed the entire 2009 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. She is joined this season by freshman pitcher Kara Dornbos.
2009 season:
What’s on tap
Junior catcher Amanda Klosterman went 0-1 in Game 1 of Wednesday’s doubleheader. Klosterman is 1-for-8 on the year with three runs.
The two have combined for a 12-5 record with an earned-run average of 2.04 and 104 strikeouts. Jonker said she is excited about the mix of youth and veteran leadership on the team. Last season, Ali Pettit took the brunt of Seddon’s injury, appearing in 35 games. She compiled a 9-22 record, and the team ERA was 3.11. But this season, the pitching will not be left to one person.
Early on CMU began the season losing six of its first eight games in the Tiger Invitational at Auburn and the USF Tournament at South Florida. But the Chippewas rebounded to win 11 of their last 13 games, including a five-game winning streak that was snapped Wednesday. The team has 11 freshmen and
Up next:
Today: doubleheader vs. BGSU
Who’s hot: w The Chippewas are 11-2 in their past 13 games. The team won just 12 all season in 2009. w Pitchers Kari Seddon and Kara Dornbos are a combined 12-5 through 21 games this season. Dornbos has an ERA of 1.81, while Seddon’s is 2.27.
A change | 2B
Andrew Stover, Sports Editor | sports@cm-life.com | 989.774.3169
The CMU softball team opens Mid-American Conference play this weekend with four road games in Ohio. Central (13-8) plays a doubleheader Friday against Bowling Green (4-10) and Saturday against Toledo (6-21). The Chippewas open MAC play as one of two MAC teams with a winning record with Ball State (20-6) the only other school. The Chippewas are led in the pitching circle by junior Kari Seddon and freshman Kara Dornbos. The two have combined to start 18 of the 21 games so far. Coach Margo Jonker said the key for her pitchers this weekend is simply to make the batters “mishit” the ball. She said she is not focused on her pitchers getting Margo Jonker strikeouts, but getting outs any way they can. “None of our pitchers are extremely overpowering, but they all have enough speed to be good,” she said. “There aren’t very many pitchers in the country that can blow the ball by hitters. We have to be smarter than the hitters.” Bowling Green has struggled offensively and in the circle early on. The Falcons rank last in the MAC in team batting average (.198) and earned-run average (7.76), and are tied for last in fielding percentage at .938. Although the team is struggling, freshposition men Paige Berger and change Hannah Fulk w Coldren, are hitting Merchant better than swap infield .300. positions, 3B Toledo has gotten its offense going early in the season, leading the MAC in hits with 188 and is on pace to score more than 200 runs for just the third time since 2000. Freshman Erinn Wright leads the team with a .349 average, and sophomore Brooke Gates leads the team and is tied for second in the MAC with seven doubles on the season. Senior Hannah Rockhold already has 23 appearances for the Rockets with a 3.81 ERA.
Split vs. Oakland CMU split a doubleheader Wednesday against Oakland, losing 4-2 in the opener and winning 6-3 in the second game. Seddon took the loss in the opener and said Brittini Merchant she made too much of the game before she got out to the circle. “I was very tight when I came out,” she said. “I think I put too much pressure on myself coming into the game.” In the second game, junior Brittini Merchant and sophomore Molly Coldren added two RBIs each to help pace the Chippewas offensively. And after being held hitless in four at-bats in the opener, senior Christina Novak went 3-for-4, scoring two runs. Dornbos got the win, bringing her record to 6-1. Jonker said there was a stark contrast from Game 1 to Game 2. “We didn’t do the little things right (in the first game),” she said. “We tried to make the big play when we should have just made the routine play.” sports@cm-life.com