Central Michigan Life 4/30/2010

softball Players gear up for the game with their favorite songs, 1B

Friday, April 30, 2010

Couple faces effects of disease together, 3A

Central Michigan Life

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

[cm-life.com]

Adjunct faculty protest over bargaining

By Amelia Eramya Senior Reporter

nathan kostegian/staff photographer

Members of the Union of Central Michigan University Teaching Faculty march to the president’s office in Warriner Hall.

Philip Patterson drove more than two hours to support the Union of Teaching Faculty of Central Michigan University.

Patterson, an Ypsilanti senior from Eastern Michigan University, is heavily involved with Students for an Ethical and Participatory Education and the Adjunct Lecturers Organizing Committee. The two organizations are expe-

Ponchos ordered for commencement Rain or shine, ceremonies to be outside

By Sarah Schuch Senior Reporter

Plastic — and perhaps ponchos — will be the clothing material of choice during the May 8 graduation.

The caps and gowns this year are made of 100 percent recyclable water bottles, said Director of Public Relations Steve Smith.

If it rains, ponchos will be available for use during the 2 p.m. Commencement Ceremony in Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

“Rain or shine, it will be outside,” said Mary Jane Flanagan, executive assistant to the president. “As a precaution, we have ordered clear plastic ponchos that graduates can wear over their robes.”

Based on past ceremonies, Flanagan said she is expecting about 1,800 to 2,200 graduates for the Saturday ceremony, but will not be certain until that day.

There will be seating

available for about 800 to 1,000 people in the Indoor Athletic Complex with a TV feed to watch the ceremony, Flanagan said. It will be on a first come, first serve basis.

There will also be a live stream of the ceremony available for people to view online.

“I feel like there should be some sort of accommodation. It’s kind of a big day for everybody,” said Nicole Warren. “We are just all crossing our fingers and hoping it doesn’t (rain).”

The Port Huron senior said she will probably walk even in bad weather, because she has many family members who will be in attendance. However, she is displeased Central Michigan University officials did not have a better backup plan, she said.

Sharon Russell, commencement coordinator, said the weather will be monitored for commencement.

“Our team will take in to consideration the weather,” she said.

Russell estimates the

riencing similar bargaining issues at EMU. “It’s important to stand with solidarity with all the struggles in the state,” Patterson said. “The more people who are represented, the more democratic our educational institution is going to be.”

Patterson and members of UTF, the Graduate Student Union, the Faculty Association and several on-campus organizations rallied outside University President George

Ross’ office in Warriner Hall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday. About 50 showed up to protest.

Carol Riddle, adjunct faculty with the English language and literature department at CMU, said UTF was rallying for a meeting with Ross because other attempts had been unsuccessful.

“What we’re hoping to do is get all non-tenure track faculty included in our union,” Riddle said.

Ross agreed to meet with

four members of the UTF at 1:30 p.m Thursday if those in the hallway agreed to move to Plachta Auditorium.

The meeting was kept confidential and will not be publicized.

“We don’t want to talk about bargaining (to the public),” said Dan Kukuk, an organizer from the American Federation of Teachers of Michigan. “We respect the fact that it (was) a confidential meeting.”

A protest | 4A

life after college

Photo illustration by Chris Bacarella /Staff Photographer

DeWitt senior Amanda Smith, left, jumps into the air as she has secured a summer job, while Wheeler senior Tony Rhodes sits draped in cap and gown jobless. With between 1,800 to 2,200 students expected to graduate next week, some students are already employed, but many are worried about finding jobs in a downturned economy. About 8 percent of Central Michigan University graduates are unemployed, said Julia Sherlock, director of career services.

A Storms | 2A

Employment uncertainty Texting ban spurs Graduates ready themselves for the job market mixed emotions

By Emily Pfund | Staff Reporter

Granholm to sign bill today

By Sherri Keaton Senior Reporter

Richland junior Adam Picard was shocked last year when his high school classmate died in a car crash. She was texting while driving.

His classmate’s death is one of many reminders that keeps him from sending texts on the road. He supports the new texting while driving ban, which goes into effect July 1.

“I think it is a good idea,” Picard said. “Driving already is a huge multi-task and you are adding another factor onto it.”

The bill makes writing or reading text messages while driving a primary offense.

This means police officers are allowed to pull over drivers if they spot them typing on their phone while their

vehicle is in use.

Violators can be fined $100 for the first offense and $200 for the second.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm is set to sign the bill today during a safe driving rally in Detroit that will be broadcast on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

Michigan will be the 23rd state to ban texting while driving.

“I don’t think they will be able to enforce it,” Picard said. “How will they? There aren’t enough police to stop everybody.”

State Rep. Bill Caul, RMount Pleasant, did not initially support the bill. He questioned the subjective nature of police searches and how they could be conducted.

Caul supported the modified bill on its second pass.

“I’m concerned about those pieces of legislation

Exam edition |

S

“I’m applying for jobs that high schoolers can get.

That’s fun!”

Amanda Smith, DeWitt senior

ome students have a reason to be nervous about the job market.

This is mainly because they are graduating in about a week. While many Central Michigan University students are just hoping to make it through exam week alive, seniors face commencement and their first steps into the “real world.”

And for some graduating students, an uncertain job market has made that reality just as nerve-racking as finals.

“I’m a little excited and a little scared,” said Wheeler senior Tony Rhodes.

The unemployment rate for 2008-2009 graduates was lower than the overall state average, said Julia Sherlock, director of career services. State unemployment is “in the neighborhood of 12 to 14 percent,” she said, while only about 8 percent of CMU graduates are unemployed.

Rhodes will be graduating May 8 with a degree in Broadcasting and Cinematic Arts and has yet to land a full-time job. He said he has become more interested in computer science and Web design, his minor.

Rhodes may use his broadcasting skills for smaller, short-term freelance jobs.

“I still enjoy broadcast and working with audio, but

A text | 2A

The final edition of Central Michigan Life for the semester will be published Monday. The special edition is focused on finals week.

“It’s kind of scary thinking about moving. I’ve stayed in this 20-mile circle my whole life.”

Tony Rhodes, Wheeler senior

A grad | 2A

What’s on

the Web

On

Facebook

cm-life.com

facebook.com/cmlife

A look at what you can find off the printed pages

TALK WITH US: Seniors: What are your plans after graduating next week?

On

the site Check out cm-life.com for the latest news and updates until summer publication begins May 19.

On

Video Bands, students flock to Broadway Street for Downtown for a Pint II.

2A || Friday, April 30, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

EVENTS CALENDAR Today

w The fourth annual Senior Design Project Presentations, hosted by the School of Engineering and Technology, will take place at 1 p.m. in the ET Building 116. w An Evening South of the Border banquet will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Comfort Inn Conference Center, 2424 S. Mission St. Admission is $35 and tickets can be purchased at the Central Box Office. w The monthly CMU surplus sale will take place from noon to 2 p.m. at the corner of Bellows and Douglas streets.

Items for sale include furniture and office equipment.

Saturday

w A Natural Health Layman’s Course in Muscle Testing will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Naturopathic Community Center, 503 E. Broadway St. The class costs $89. w The Wheatland Music Jamboree will take place at the Wheatland Music Organization cabin, 7251 50th Ave. in Remus.

Sunday

w A Lions chicken barbecue will be hosted by the Mount Pleasant Lions club from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Island Park.

Corrections An error appeared in "Dreams of the Catwalk" on page 1A Wednesday. Camille Jeanay created her dresses for the "Runway on Monroe" competition on April 2.

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 84

grad | continued from 1A

the job market just isn’t as good,” Rhodes said. “Anything with technology I’m pretty passionate about.”

Rhodes hopes to find a job in mid-Michigan because he grew up between Midland and Mount Pleasant, and most of his family lives in the area. He said he is seeking a job in the information technology department at Consumers Energy, where his brother-in-law works.

He has also been applying to various jobs online and sending out resumes — a practice he plans to intensify this summer.

In the meantime, he will continue working for CMU’s Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, where he has been employed for about three years.

“I’m going to miss the structure (of college), knowing assignments are due at a certain time and the familiarity of it,” Rhodes said. “I’m looking forward to being able to make more money and not having to live on Ramen noodles.”

Dewitt senior Amanda Smith is in a similar situation. Smith will be graduating with a nonteaching English degree and she wants to become a librarian.

“I applied at the library here, but they hired internally so I didn’t get that one,” Smith said.

Instead, she will be working this summer at a health club.

Career Services Because librarian jobs are scarce, Smith said she is currently looking at anything in an office — administrative assistants, secretaries and similar positions.

She has been utilizing Michi-

storms | continued from 1A

ceremony will last about three hours and hopes everyone will be respectful and stay the entire time.

Graduates must meet at the turf bay in the IAC by no later than 1 p.m. on May 8 to receive their name cards and line up by degree type.

As of Thursday, weather-

cm-life.com gan Talent Bank and CareerBuilder.com for her job search.

She has also applied for several positions at the Michigan State University Bookstore.

Rhodes said he did not use the career services office at all in his job search and Smith said she used it “very sparingly.”

“Students need to tap into the resources they paid for here,” Sherlock said. “They should meet with an adviser. That’s the best first step you can take.”

Smith said she started to become very unsure of her future career endeavors last fall and visited the office for help with her resume.

Rhodes said the broadcasting program had a one-credit senior seminar to help students set up their resumes and cover letters.

Sherlock said new graduates are more appealing to employers because they have a marketable set of skills, especially in technology. They do not cost as much to hire as more experienced employees and can also relocate more easily.

Rhodes said if he could do things differently, he would not have waited to start his job search until his last semester at CMU. “Do as many internships as you can,” he said. “They get you used to the professional environment and help you network.”

Smith stressed the importance of paying off student loans early. She said her $30,000 debt wouldn’t be as bad if she had not waited so long.

In addition, dressing appropriately for interviews is a must, she said.

“Invest in a good pair of shoes,” she said. “If you’re rocking a killer pair of heels, you’ll feel better about yourself.” university@cm-life.com

channel.com’s 10-day forecast indicated a high of 68 degrees and sunny weather for May 8.

Plymouth senior Lisa Yount said she believes some graduates will not want to attend commencement if it is raining, but since she has family coming from all different areas, she will attend unless there is a thunderstorm.

“It’s not going to be fun, but I still have to do it,” she said.

Flanagan wants students to remember they will be walking

PHOTO OF THE DAY

jeff smith/staff photographer

Tecumseh sophomore Danielle Prill, right, Livonia sophomore Alleah Webb and fully clothed Newport sophomore Stuart Eastman scream as they slide down a giant ‘Pure Michigan’ banner at the end of the year barbecue Thursday in the Woldt Hall courtyard. “It was fun and cold” Webb said.

cm-life.com

See all of CM Life’s best photos from April in a photo gallery on the Web site.

Text | continued from 1A

that put another requirement on law enforcement when they are already busy with things to do,” he said. “There are a whole host of reasons why we need to pay attention while driving.”

Brighton junior Heather Kardas feels conflicted about the new bill because it could be effective, but may also be a difficult adjustment for her.

“I think people are very

dangerous when they drive and their attention is not where it should be,” Kardas said. “But I’m kind of upset that it is going to be illegal because I do text.”

She said the fines are not comparable to a potential death on the road.

David Lopez, engineering and technology associate professor, said the bill is a good idea and should

have been drafted years ago.

He and several students were almost struck by a girl on campus who was text messaging at the wheel, Lopez said.

“She was so busy texting she could have hit us,” he said.

“I was thinking at the time she could have killed all of us.”

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inside life Central Michigan Life

3A

Friday, April 30, 2010

Athletics info most requested through FOIA Not just journalists ask for information

By David Veselenak Online Editor

Athletics information is the most requested information through the Freedom of Information Act by outside sources.

Central Michigan Life requested and obtained all FOIA submissions to Central Michigan University from July 1, 2009 to Feb. 2, 2010, excluding those it submitted. Forty percent of FOIA requests had to do with the athletics department.

“I think we’re getting more of those in the last few years,” said Kathy Kelly, legal assistant for CMU’s general counsel of-

fice and person responsible for handling FOIA requests.

“It seems that the football coach’s contract is the most requested, especially with Brian Kelly leaving,” she said. “That might have something to do with it too. They’re moving on to a bigger and better place.”

Out of the 43 responses, 17 involved athletics. Ten of those requests wanted contractual information involving coaches, and three of those wanted the athletics department budget information. Kelly said since football coach Dan Enos was hired, the general counsel’s office has received “a few” requests for his contract.

Among those who requested information were Campus Conservatives, a few lawyers requesting police records, a

cm-life.com Check for a story on redactions from these FOIA requests. reporter from the Associated Press and a reporter from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Among the requests included were documents from a police report involving stolen ceramic tiles from what is now the Education and Human Services Building in February 2009. Another requested e-mails and other documents sent between university officials regarding Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s visit to campus Nov. 19.

The process Kelly said most requests

come from media organizations and companies looking for directory information - that is, lists of class schedules or student listings.

FOIA requests can be made by anyone, not just companies or traditional journalists, for information a public institution holds. That institution then has five business days to respond with a denial or acceptance. The institution can take one 10-business day extension if the records need more time to be gathered.

Kelly said CMU sometimes needs to take the extension if the documents need to be tracked down.

“We try not to take an extension, just because it may be

Types of FOIA requests submitted w

w w w w w w w w

w w

Athletics-employee contracts 10 Athletics-budget 3 Athletics-other 4 Class data/directory info 4 Charter schools 4 Employee listings 3 Police reports 2 Granholm Nov. 19 visit 2 Department of Management situation 3 SOS scores 2 Miscellaneous 6 TOTAL 43 These requests were recieved between July 1, 2009 and Feb. 2, 2010

A FOIA | 5A

Skate shop to open downtown

Central Michigan University earned more than $150,000 last year from vending machine sales.

From June 2008 to May 2009, CMU took in $153,400 from all 163 Coca-Cola, Pepsi and snack machines on campus, said Leigh Bartholomew, manager of auxiliary operations for Auxiliary Services. “(The companies) pay us a commission based on the percent of commission shared,” Bartholomew said.

She said Auxiliary Services will not know this year’s total for sales until June.

About 20 percent of Coke’s

Free comic book day

Celebrate free comic book day Saturday at the Hall of Heroes, 115 Main St., from noon to 9 p.m. Free comic books and popcorn will be given out at the event. There will be sketches and caricatures from artists and other free gifts.

R.A.T. Race 1 and 5K

Photos by Jake May/Staff Photographer

Richard Stillion, left, smiles as he watches his wife Alma play with their dog Hawk’s ears in their living room Wednesday in Lake. The couple has been married for 50 years and currenly are both living for each other through developing diseases. Richard, 71, has Alzheimer’s disease and Alma, 77, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease two year ago.

Still in Love Couple copes with illnesses together

By Randi Shaffer Staff Reporter

“We live for each other,” said Richard Stillion of his responsiibilities he holds for his wife. “She is everything to me. All we have left is one another. Most of our friends have died. We’ve made it 50 years together and we’re going to make it as many more as we can.”

Richard and Alma Stillion vividly remember getting married on March 3, 1960.

They remember the day they met, raising Alma’s five sons and working until retirement.

But Richard’s memories are fading fast.

Richard, 71, was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and Alma, 77, is suffering from Parkinson’s, giving the Stillions new struggles to adapt to every day.

“It’s a challenge,” Richard said.

Richard met Alma while she was living in Ann Arbor, recently divorced and working at a drive-in to save money for beauty school and to support her five sons. Alma came within one exam of her beauty school graduation, when she discovered she was alergic to some professional hair products.

She switched to a job in retail while Richard worked in several different tool and die shops before moving the couple moved to Lake.

vending revenue on campus comes from debit card readers, on 13 of the 56 machines.

Bartholomew said some card readers were removed by the Coke vendor.

“I know they did take some of them off recently,” Bartholomew said. “I guess they weren’t taking in enough money.”

Some students have noticed the disappearing debit readers.

“They took the debit reader off the machine in Powers.

How do they expect me to get through my history class?” said Washington sophomore Abbie Diaz.

Diaz said she routinely buys an energy drink before her class and rarely carries cash.

Bartholomew said Auxiliary

After the move, Alma’s health problems began.

“The doctor retired me in 1990 after I had a ...” she said.

“Massive heart attack,” Richard said finishing her statement.

That was in December 1990, Alma’s last day of work and the start of more problems to come.

She suffered a stroke in 2003, and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2004 after falling and hitting her head. About 2007, Alma underwent surgery to have a pacemaker implanted and will have a heart fibulator placed within the next few months.

Richard underwent a quadruple bypass heart operation in 1999 and began to develop Alzheimer’s disease about two years ago.

Busy to bored After her unexpected retirement, Alma began feeling isolated from her former life of work and church activities.

“It’s been miserable,” she said.

“There’s not much you can do about it. I’m just sitting around, staring at four walls.”

Alma said her Parkinson’s

Services sometimes removes a vending machine if it is not making enough money to pay for the electricity it uses.

“It’s a question of the volume of sales versus the cost of electricity,” she said.

While students have made requests for healthier snacks, Bartholomew does not expect the contents of machines to change anytime soon.

“Some do request healthier snacks, but they need to be refrigerated and we’re not set up to do it without massive spoilage,” she said. “We try to offer a variety of snacks and overall, I think students are pretty satisfied with it.” university@cm-life.com

A couple | 5A

paige calamari/staff photographer

Fremont sophomore Stephanie Claflin purchases a snack and a drink from a vending machine last week in Moore Hall.

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

R.A.T. Race (Run A Trail Race) will take place at 9 a.m. and start at the Center for Applied Research and Technology. The event costs $25 at the event and $20 in advance. Tickets are available at Wellness Central Fitness, 2600 Three Leaves Drive. E-mail Darcy Van Dop at foundation@cmch.org or call 772-6773 for more information.

The 1 and 5K walk/run events will promote fitness and help raise money for new equipment.

Spring Fling Dinner, Dance and Auction

Campus vending brings in about $150,000

By Emily Pfund Staff Reporter

The School of Engineering and Technology will place the Industrial Education Program on hiatus after this semester.

Students planning to major or minor in industrial education must sign up by May 7th. Students are not able to sign majors once they are on hiatus.

Contact Alan Papendick, assistant professor of engineering and technology, or visit Educational and Technology Building 00 to sign the major.

Driving Evaluation, Education and Research’s CarFit program set for Saturday is canceled. Contact the Carl’s Center at 774-3904 for questions or to schedule a private driving safety evaluation with DEER.

By Maryellen Tighe Senior Reporter

A skate | 5A

Industrial Education Program hiatus

CarFit program canceled

Store replacing basement boutique

Taking a semester off of school to focus on skateboarding might seem like a bad career decision for the average college student, especially if they just learned how to skate in the last year.

But that has not stopped Mid Michigan Community College sophomore freshman Daniel Burkacki-Wilson.

“I could never get a hold of skateboarding, I tried and I tried and I tried,” Burkacki-Wilson said. “Then last summer, I jumped on a long board and was like just cruising.”

Burkacki-Wilson is opening Ruins Board Shop May 7. The shop will stock skateboard merchandise, clothes, decks, trucks, bearings, wheels and hardware, he said.

After a few months the store might expand into snowboard equipment as well, BurkackiWilson said. He stumbled into the current location, 120 1/2 E. Broadway St., when Emma’s Basement Boutique decided to move in February.

The boutique, now just Emma’s, is located at 111 S. University St. “I guess we just kind of free balled it to tell you the truth.

The rent wasn’t too much, so I came down here that first day and put the deposit and three or four months rent and I didn’t even think about it,” he said. “I don’t know the future of this store, I just have so many ideas.”

Not all of opening the store was that easy­­— there were a month and a half of delays while Burkacki-Wilson worked to raise funds, through loans from family members and selling decks in Island Park, 331 N. Main St. The park was where he met Steve Phillips, a local skateboarder and Mount Pleasant resident, who will be working in

[Life in brief]

The Spring Fling Dinner, Dance and Auction is 6 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Parish Hall, 302 Kinney Ave. The annual fundraiser is hosted

by St. Henry St. Charles Catholic Parish. It includes a dinner with live auction with various prizes, cash raffle and dancing. All proceeds help pay for building and grounds maintenance and parochial school assistance. Dinner tickets will be $10.00 per person, in advance; and $12.00 per person after April 25th and at the door.

“What I did for Love”

The Musical Theater Program will perform “What I did for Love,” an AIDS benefit performance, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Friday at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 206 W. Maple St. All proceeds will go to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Parking Lots 9 and 10 closed today

Lots 9 and 10, on Franklin Street near Warriner Mall, will be closed for Gentle today.

Elevate Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs can propose their business plan for a chance at $1,000. The Vision 20/20 Economic Development Committee of Isabella County is hosting their first “Elevate Entrepreneurs” contest. Applications are due on May 4 and can be downloaded at http:// mmdc.org/elevate.html.

You can also contact Katherine Methner at kmethner@mmdc. org or 772-2858 for an application. There is a $1,000 prize for 1st place, $500 for 2nd place and $250 for 3rd place.

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

4A || Friday, April 30, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

mount pleasant

City officials consider cutting $966,000 from 2011 budget Police, fire heavily debated at Thursday session

By David Veselenak Online Editor

“It’s certainly going to slow the operation down, but we’ll do the best we can. This is not the Mount Pleasant I worked in 22 years ago.”

Anthony Gomez, director of public safety

protest | continued from 1A

Sue Murphy, adjunct faculty with the English language and literature department, has worked there for ten years as a fulltime adjunct faculty member until she requested to have one course dropped from her workload. She taught four courses and about 90 students total in one semester and will now be teaching three courses instead.

“That’s just too much for one person to do to be able to give one-on-one with students,” Murphy said.

CMU administrators have requested only adjunct faculty who work an undetermined amount of credit hours become eligible for UTF. Murphy said having dropped one course may hinder her from being a part of the union since CMU’s administration is trying to put a credit threshold on membership.

“I’m taking a stand,” she said. “I think we all have a right to have a voice, (and) we’ve been voiceless for too long.”

Full-time adjunct faculty teach 12 credit hours per semester while tenure track faculty teach 15 credit hours per semester, Riddle said.

“The non-tenure track

The Mount Pleasant 2011 operating budget was tentatively cut by $966,000 at a budget work session Thursday.

City Commissioners discussed proposed cuts to combat the budget deficit of nearly $1 million for the upcoming year.

The only issues the commission could not agree on were raising the city’s millage rate by 0.2 mills and the reduction of two members of the Mount Pleasant Police Department.

The proposal would eliminate one patrol officer and a detective, which would reduce costs by about $167,000. The commission seemed to be split on the issues, 3-3. Commissioner Jeffrey Palmer was not in attendance.

“It’s certainly going to slow the operation down, but we’ll do the best we can,” said Director of Public Safety Anthony Gomez.

“This is not the Mount Pleasant I worked in 22 years ago.”

He said he would not be comfortable cutting police forces in

the city.

If both positions were eliminated, one would remove a vacancy left when former director of public safety Bill Yeagley left the agency in July to take over as Central Michigan University’s police chief.

Commissioner Jon Joslin said city residents should determine the level of police force levels.

“That’s where the comfort level is,” he said.

Couple|

ion program. Two different workers come to the Stillion’s house to entertain them and help them out with necessities.

“I don’t know what we would do if we didn’t have these ladies,” Richard said.

Richard expressed great gratitude for Pat Blankenship and his other senior companion assistant, Sue. The enjoyment is mutual for Blankenship.

He said he feels safer running

errands or going outside and leaving Alma alone when one of the two ladies was over, especially since their companionship has saved Alma’s life before.

A few years ago, Sue came to stay with Alma while Richard was downstate. While Richard was gone, she fainted while standing, leaving Sue to catch her and take care of her.

With all of the challenges the couple face, they said their fu-

ture seems slow, with no plans for vacations from every day life in sight.

“It’s not going to get any better, but hopefully it won’t get worse for awhile,” Richard said.

“Sometimes I’ll just have to stop and think about something for a minute, but I think for the condition I’m in, I’m doing pretty good.”

thought that it was neat and I started doing it,” Darnell said.

“If you can think of a trick you can probably do it if you just practice enough. Different styles, just imagination, is pretty much all there is to it.”

Darnell hopes to work for Burkacki-Wilson as the board shop expands. Since BurkackiWilson is going back to school in the fall, Darnell may get the chance.

“I know I’ll be able to handle it,” Burkacki-Wilson said.

“By then I think it’ll be calmed down.”

People have already stopped by the store, he said.

There are lots of skateboarders in Mount Pleasant and the number grows every year, he said.

The nearest boarding stores are in Lansing and Saginaw, Burkacki-Wilson said.

“The population of skaters grows every summer by like 30 percent,” Darnell said.

of the 10-day extension.

Kelly said other members of CMU are informed of requests when they are made. She said Director of Public Relations Steve Smith and David Burdette, vice president of Finance and Administrative Services, are informed of what information is being requested.

“We’re doing it generally most of the time now, just so they know what’s up,” she said. “It’s not necessarily they have to see anything, but just kind of a change we’ve made just to keep them in the loop in case there are any controversial issues.”

continued from 3A

comes with shakes and loss of balance. She cannot walk without a crutch and she needs help from Richard with everyday tasks.

Richard and Alma receive help from Isabella County’s Commission On Aging Senior Compan-

skate| continued from 3A

the board shop.

Twenty-year-old Phillips and his friend Charley Darnell, 25, of Mount Pleasant have experience competing and doing demonstrations across the U.S. “I was just a little kid and I

foia| continued from 3A

more work on our end following up with people and trying to get the records,” she said.

CM Life’s request for FOIA requests was prepared at the end

Firefighter positions Up to two firefighting positions may also be eliminated under the proposed budget.

One part-time position and one full-time position were proposed to be eliminated, a potential budget reduction of $85,000.

The city would also explore the possibility of contracting out fire code enforcement. The city has 17 part-time firefighters.

The commission proposed cutting two part-time firefighters, but compromised on just

one position. The full-time position would get eliminated through attrition, and the parttime firefighters would be laid off.

Fire Chief Greg Walterhouse said currently, about eight firefighters show up on a call.

“It hasn’t compromised us at this point,” he said.

Vice Mayor Bruce Kilmer said he was not comfortable with eliminating code enforcement completely, especially since City Manager Kathie Grinzinger said inspections have resulted in finding violations across Mount Pleasant.

Commissioner David McGuire said contracting it out may result in finding someone else who is qualified to do the inspections at a lower price.

“There’s got to be a retired Detroit firefighter in town,” he said. metro@cm-life.com

university@cm-life.com

Trustee appointments made by Granholm blocked by Senate CMU one of several school boards affected

By Randi Shaffer Staff Reporter

Two of Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s appointees to Central Michigan University’s Board of Trustees were blocked Wednesday by the Michigan Senate.

Kevin Kelley, Wayne County’s director of senior and veterans services, and Ronald Edmonds, vice president and controller of the Dow Chemical Company, were the two appointees.

The call for rejections was led

by Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop.

“The citizens of this state and our state universities are the real losers today,” Granholm spokeswoman Megan Brown said in a statement. “Senator Bishop rejected qualified appointees to serve our state universities, making them nothing more than partisan political pawns.”

Matt Marsden, Bishop’s press secretary, said the decision to block Granholm’s appointments has nothing to do with party affiliations or qualifications of the appointees. He said it is too early to begin replacing current members of various public university boards since it is nine months before there are any vacancies.

“This is more about procedure than it is about the qualifications of the candidates,” he said. “In fact, I think they’re all

fine candidates.”

Kelley and Edmonds were two of 14 appointments Granholm made to public Michigan universities March 24 that have all been rejected. Eastern Michigan, Ferris State, Grand Valley State, Michigan Technological, Northern Michigan and Western Michigan universities also had board appointments rejected.

“At this point, the governor will continue to perform her duty to appoint qualified individuals to state office through the end of her term of office,”

www.cm-life.com

[News]

Brown said.

Steve Smith, director of public relations for CMU, said the university has nothing to do with the decision.

“We really have no role,” he said. “That’s up to the governor’s discretion.”

Granholm will leave office at noon on Jan. 1. Because of Michigan’s term limits, she cannot run for office again.

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

metro@cm-life.com

metro@cm-life.com

Joseph Tobianski/staff photographer

Natalie Wetzel, left, and Daniel Kukuk put up a sign next to the CMU president’s office. Union of Teaching Faculty of CMU hoped to negotiate with President Ross for better job security.

faculty aren’t expected to do research or write articles,” she said. “That is supposed to be the difference between their course

load and our course load.

Our focus is entirely on teaching.” university@cm-life.com

www.cm-life.com

crisis response

Guide describes emergency, safety procedures at a glance About 3,000 copies distributed across campus

By Amelia Eramya Senior Reporter

Nathan Kostegian/staff photographer

Greg Mackiewicz, of The Drags from Detroit performs at the corner of Main and Broadway streets for downtown for a pint, which benefitted the American Red Cross.

Downtown for a Pint brings music to city streets

By Rachel Mater Staff Reporter

Downtown Mount Pleasant was full of students enjoying live music, raffles and rock climbing Thursday.

Alpha Kappa Psi, a coed professional business fraternity, presented the second Downtown for a Pint 5 p.m. The U.S. Army, a co-host and sponsor of the event, also provided a rock climbing wall and free novelties.

The event’s proceeds benefited the CMU chapter of the American Red Cross Society. The festivities were also carried out in hopes of bringing attention to local businesses.

“Some businesses are legendary and students don’t know about them,” said LeRoy sophomore Wayne Blanchard, member of Alpha Kappa Psi and main coordinator of the event.

Matt Brzezinski, manager of Pisanello’s Pizza, 110 N. Main St., said the best part for everyone was to be downtown with live music and food in a safe environment.

“There’s not that much diversity in entertainment in Mount Pleasant. It’s a great way to support businesses and with also a charitable side to it.”

Wayne Blanchard, Leroy sophomore “It brings in revenue for us and other businesses around here,” he said. “We had to bring in extra workers.”

Bass player of Jetpack On!, Nick D’Agostino, said he was excited to play after seeing the success of the performers last year.

“We had to play in the Battle of the Bands to get the time slot,” the Commerce Township senior said.

The Muggs, Mick Bassett and the Marthas, Lightning Love! and the Satin Peaches were among the other bands that played.

“My favorite part was seeing Jetpack On! while it’s nice out,” said Beal City senior Megan Millard.

Derek Rifenbury, a Florida junior, said he also enjoyed watching Jetpack On! perform.

“I heard about Jetpack

On! on 91.5 (WMHW ) and I wanted to hear them play,” he said.

Rifenbury said this was his first year at the festival and he will definitely come next year.

Last year, about 600 people attended, which Blanchard said was a big accomplishment.

The live music was the main incentive for students, Blanchard said. It also let students take a break from school.

He encouraged students who didn’t come out this year to be there next year.

“There’s not that much diversity in entertainment in Mount Pleasant,” Blanchard said. “It’s a great way to support business and with also a charitable side to it.” studentlife@cm-life.com

Students, musicians to rock out at annual reggae bash Up to 6,000 people expected to attend

By Ryan Taljonick Staff Reporter

Adam Marth has only attended one music festival in his life.

But this year, he gets to perform in one.

Marth will be playing for a crowd during the 21st annual Salt River Acres Rock-NReggae Bash Saturday alongside several rock and reggae bands.

Marth, a Brighton sophomore, is a singer and guitarist for a local rock band called The Deep End. “In terms of what to expect, I really don’t know,” Marth said. “I’m just excited to be playing with a lot of good bands. There are a lot of well-rounded bands in the lineup.”

Kris Carr, owner of Salt River Acres in Shepherd, said she expects between 4,000 and 6,000 people to attend.

The Rock-N-Reggae Bash

Central Michigan Life || Friday, April 30, 2010 || 5A

[News]

music festival begins at 10 a.m. and ends around 9 p.m.

It features several live bands playing on two separate stages, with no breaks between the music.

Tickets can be bought at the gate for $40.

“We have some of the most popular bands in the state come and play for us,” Carr said. “They play rock and reggae.”

This year’s band lineup features The Deep End as well as several others, including Lucky Brown, Crop Circle, Four Finger Five and Covert Ops. Marth said he and his bandmates are ecstatic to be playing for such a large group of people.

“This is probably the most legit show we’ve played,” he said. “I’m pretty sure we’re playing on the main stage the whole time.”

Carr said there will be several vendors throughout the festival grounds.

Food, drinks, clothing and other items will be available for purchase.

Attendees are allowed to bring their own food and

drinks.

Alcohol is allowed on the grounds for those of legal age, but will not be sold at the festival. All drinks must be in cans - no bottles allowed.

Parking is free for any vehicle that comes with 4 or more people; otherwise there is a $5 parking fee.

No glass, household furniture, pets or fires are allowed on the event grounds, Carr said.

“We just want everyone to come and have a good time, have a safe day and enjoy the nice weather,” she said. “It looks like it’s going to be a nice day.”

Elliot Barton, a Mid Michigan Community College student and bassist for The Deep End, said the festival will provide a nice study break for students.

“It’s the last week for potentially a lot of people at CMU,” Barton said. “The weather’s supposed to be nice, it’s supposed to be a good time. People can come out and listen to some good music.” studentlife@cm-life.com

The safety and well being of Central Michigan University’s community is the No. 1 priority for the Crisis Response Team.

That is why about 3,000 copies of an emergency and safety procedures guide were distributed across campus April 23.

“It (is) really intended to be another resource to provide some of the policies and procedures of emergency situations,” said Tony Voisin, director of student life and member of the Crisis Response Team. “What started as a smaller project developed into a campus wide resource guide.”

The idea come from seeing a safety guide from Ferris State University, Voisin said.

He began the planning for the guide in May 2009 and the first copies of the guide were handed out to staff members in the Dean of Students Office and Office of Student Life in August 2009.

When the Crisis Response Team saw the guide they wanted to expand it to the rest of the university, said David Burdette, vice president of Finance and Administrative Services.

“I found it to be a handy reference guide,” said Burdette, who is also team chairman.

“If you want to know what to do at a variety of emergencies, the guide gives you the idea of what to do.”

The emergency and safety procedures guide includes 10 possible events which may occur on campus requiring an emergency response. These events include fires, explosions, bomb threats, medical emergencies, tornadoes and

“It’s all right there at your finger tips. It’s a handy resource to have in front of (you).”

Tony Voisin, director of student life other severe weather.

The guide also provides contact numbers, and steps for preparing and handling such situations. Voisin said the guide is meant to be kept near a telephone so it is handy in times of need.

“It’s all right there at your fingertips,” Voisin said. “It’s a handy resource to have in front of (you).”

The guide was distributed to several offices across campus, including Residence Life, Bovee University Center, Warriner Hall and several other halls.

Burdette said the offices chosen to receive the guide were based on the availability of a telephone. Students living in residence halls did not receive the guide but Burdette said this will be the next step for the safety guide.

Other team members include Jon Kujat, manager of environmental and safety services risk management, Dean of Students Bruce Roscoe, and Steve Lawrence, as-

sociate vice president of Facilities Management.

“We do have a group of caring professionals on this campus,” Burdette said. “It’s a proactive group of professionals that talk about (safety).”

CMU Police Chief Bill Yeagley said the emergency and safety procedures guide also is a reminder for the CMU community to prepare and discuss the possible disasters that may occur on campus.

Yeagley said there are several other ways to access procedures that should be taken if emergencies do occur, including online and evacuation plans located on the walls of each building.

“I’m glad the university has yet another tool out there to keep the university community safe and help us deal with an emergency if it occurs,” he said. “This guide helps to have a plan.” university@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

6A Frida, April 30, 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 | Learning from the school year and readying for the next

Looking forward

A

s the 2009-10 academic year comes to an end, it is important to both look back at the last year and forward to the next.

The leaders at this university need to take stock of the successes they have had and build off of them and examine the mistakes they have made and learn from them.

For one, the approach the university has taken toward its budget has been prudent and effective. By the Feb. 23 budget forum, the Senior Staff Budget Advisory Group announced $2.1 million in planned reductions in just four categories, including deferred maintenance and the CMU 2010 Vision Plan. Unneeded expenditures are being cut,

whereas essential programs are getting off easy.

University President George Ross and the SSBAG need to continue to look intelligently at which areas of the budget are excessive or not essential, while preserving important programs and maintaining and hopefully bolstering CMU’s quality of education.

With Ross in place as president and Provost Gary Shapiro promoted permanently to the position, CMU should continue to look within the university to fill a few of the numer-

Services and Shapiro’s former post in the CHSBS. One hope for both the administration and the Board of Trustees is to maintain a level of openness in their operations. The last few years have seen major decisions for the university, such as the creation of a medical college and the hiring of Ross, made with no prior announcement or public discourse.

Ross and company can be commended for the open forums they have held regarding the university budget. With any hope, these forums will continue as the budget takes form, and hopefully Ross will hold more presidential forums as well — something his predecessor, Michael Rao, ceased doing in later years. Such public discourse is important in keeping this university running with the interest of the students and the public in mind.

ous positions still held by interims.

Ross, the former vice president of Finance and Administrative Services, and Shapiro, former dean of the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences, have been effective and valuable leaders before being hired to their current positions.

They also have the advantage of knowing the university and the community prior to being hired, which lowered the learning curve for their new jobs and provides an increased initial effectiveness versus somebody who would have to be acclimated to both the job and the environment.

Although this is not always advantageous, and bringing new people and ideas into the university also has its value, in-house hiring should be a goal when looking to fill major positions such as the deans of the College of Business and Administration, College of Education and Human

DON WRIGHT [CARTOON]

David Veselenak Online Editor

Get up, stand up It is difficult to rally student support for truly meaningful causes at Central Michigan University.

Take, for instance, a Facebook group that sent out messages last week, stating the group would protest the final United Apartments leasing party last Wednesday at O’Kellys Bar and Grill, 2000 S. Mission St. The group, “United Apartments Accommodating Landlord or Unruly Tyrant?” claims United Apartments does not treat its tenants fairly.

Well, that “protest” didn’t happen. The morning before, a member of the group canceled the protest. His reason? He didn’t want to affect business at O’Kellys.

In other words, alcohol took precedence over an issue that students seemed to care deeply about.

That is just one example of student apathy across campus.

CMU has changed drastically in the four years I’ve been here.

A medical college was started.

Tuition has gone up more than 25 percent since 2006. Buildings are popping up everywhere across campus.

This is a pivotal time at CMU. Things are changing, and changing fast. Students need to step up and defend themselves against unnecessary tuition increases and the stripping of services.

No matter what anyone says, if students revolt, the administration will listen.

Look at the changes to tailgate.

Students refused to attend the CMU-sponsored tailgate in Lot 63 at the beginning of football season because of the changes and the administration listened, or at least they gave students back their external sound systems, which was a start.

Now is the time to stand up and be heard. The recommended budget cuts haven’t been discussed much publicly. There’s still time for students to have their say.

Just ask those involved with the Leadership Institute, which University President George Ross said will retain its funding. Why did that happen? Because students stood up and told CMU “do not cut this.”

Write a letter to Ross and tell him how you feel. His e-mail is president@cmich.edu.

Unless that beer tells you not to.

Editor in Chief’s parting thoughts It seems like I’ve spent an eternity at Central Michigan University.

Yet, even after five years, it is so difficult to believe it’s all about to end.

Next week, I will join a few thousand others at Kelly/Shorts Stadium in donning the black cap and gown as a tired but proud graduate of this university.

Just a few weeks ago, I handed in my application to work at CM Life, then sent an e-mail to then-editor Chad Livengood, now a political reporter at the Springfield News-Leader in Missouri, telling him I am dedicated to making his newspaper better.

And when I say ‘a few weeks,’ I mean four-and-a-half years.

But it sure doesn’t seem that long ago.

A time of change Since fall 2005, two residence halls were built, the football team won three Mid-American Conference championships, a medical college was approved and tuition increased 57.7 percent.

That last item is particularly striking to me.

I was among the first students to receive the CMU Promise’s fixed tuition guarantee for my entire college stay.

But because the state went deeper into recession and the university could

university. It needs to keep its eyes wide and its money closer to the chest. Building a $25-million medical college, to me, is a slap in the face to other prestigious programs on campus that desperately need money to move forward.

Brian Manzullo Editor in Chief only raise tuition for freshmen, CMU turned into one of the most expensive of Michigan’s 15 public universities.

I chose this place mostly for its cheap tuition (at the time). And I’m not the only one.

Now it costs $339 per credit hour, plus the inevitable July increase for 2010-11 students, to take classes here.

Combine that with department cuts and wear and tear of the facilities, and you have what realistically is a devalued college experience.

Central Michigan Life, thankfully, helped pad my résumé in ways a classroom never would have. But most students don’t have the opportunity of gaining work experience across the hall. Most have to maintain Summa Cum Laude grades and cross their fingers to get a call back from an internship coordinator.

This is why I worry greatly for this

goodbye to the community Almost every day, I hear a CMU student criticize Mount Pleasant — not enough places to shop. No big attractions. It’s in the middle of nowhere.

Let’s face it — Mount Pleasant is not an ideal career destination for most, unless you’re good at dealing cards or serving drinks. But to say any of that is looking at the city in the wrong context.

The true beauty of attending college is crashing into people from all walks of life and making connections you never dreamed possible. Besides — it’s easy to call a town of 23,000 boring on an idle Monday night, but there are a ton of well-kept secrets here, if you look for them.

To every professor, student, adviser and colleague I’ve come in contact with the last five years — thank you.

I may be turning to a new page in my life, but I certainly won’t forget this one.

C m Y o u | How do you relieve stress during finals week?

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

Lonnie Allen Staff Reporter

Equal housing options Nontraditional students should not be excluded It is 7 a.m. on a Tuesday morning and I am sitting at my dining room table checking e-mail and browsing the morning news.

Class starts at 8 a.m. and I have 20 minutes left to get ready, but I have nothing to fear.

I don’t have the stress of locating a parking spot or the need to leave early to be on time. I live in the Washington Apartments in the center of campus.

But this convenience is threatened.

The college is expanding and has been slowly removing the apartments on campus for people like me.

Expanding classrooms and new programs on campus are all parts of growth, and new buildings for education are not bad or destructive choices.

In my opinion, it’s good the college is expanding and growing, but I caution officials to not forget student housing in this growth.

This is an issue of lifestyles at its heart and I believe some students want to live on campus and also want to have some of the freedoms that living off campus affords.

Living on campus puts me within walking distance of my classes, labs and the library. I save hours weekly, hours that could be lost by commuting and searching for parking.

Washington Apartments gives many of us this freedom. Just because I am not the traditional student demographic of this university does not mean I do not want to live on campus.

No one bothers to think that some people are leaving past careers and lives and starting fresh.

The transition to head back to college at an older age and making the choice to move changes everything. It can be scary.

Homes are lost and some people need on-campus housing as a replacement for previous living accommodations. The idea of denying someone the opportunity to live on campus because of age is disturbing.

Students of non-traditional ages, 25 and older, have become the white elephants on campus.

It would be strange for some to see older students walking in and out of resident halls they call home.

That is why CMU must keep affordable single student/family housing on campus. Granted, Residence Life does offer two other apartments complexes for students in my shoes, but the decentralized locations of Kewadin Village and Northwest Apartments did not work for me.

All I am asking for is that the CMU administration and Board of Trustees, who want to expand the campus, include Residence Life in your planning.

Give us nontraditional students the same options as traditional students — a place to live on campus.

[letters to the editor]

“Actually, I think finals week might be my easiest week ... but I feel like I eat a lot of junk food.”

“I listen to music, I sing and I dance.”

Sierra Frederick

Detroit senior

“I play a lot of guitar and listen to a lot of music.”

“I try not to do too much ... I relax as much as I can.”

Eric Geiger

Hasfa Salihu

Livonia senior

Nigeria graduate student

Katie Adamic

Silverwood senior Libby March/staff photographer

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

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

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

of CMU or its employees.

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

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

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

[News]

On the Fly hosts Blitz for Buzz; last event for organization About 40 compete in scavenger hunt

By Melissa Torok Staff Reporter

Montague sophomore Dustin King quickly punched the answer into a text message back to OTF. Lowell sophomore Gabrielle MacDonald acted as the team’s runner, dashing ahead to check out potential answers.

Quick, how many rays are on the Central Michigan University seal?

This was one of the questions asked at Tuesday’s “Blitz for Buzz” Scavenger Hunt at the Bovee University Center.

Team Boron 97 learned that the seal has 58 rays.

The team finished in second place with 25 completed tasks.

“I wish I would have brought my bike,” said Cheboygan junior Jessica Spies, a member of the team. “It was a lot of fun.”

About 10 groups and a total of 40 people received questions and clues in the form of text messages from On The Fly. They had to find answers to as many questions as possible within an hour. The top three winning teams received free Celebration Cinema movie passes.

Boron 97’s three members raced to the corner of Bellows and Franklin streets, according to the directions for their first clue, which was to find the name of a Greek organization written on a lamp post.

The finale The scavenger hunt was the final event OTF organized at CMU. “Even though they’re going away, it’s good (On The Fly isn’t) just dropping off,” MacDonald said.

It was Dani Hiar’s 10th year as faculty advisor for OTF. “We’ve put on amazing events,” said Hiar, who is also coordinator of MEDIAgraphix.

“I’m pretty confident that Program Board will continue to do what On The Fly can’t.”

Hiar said the scavenger hunt may be used for other campus events such as Leadership Safari.

“I was blessed to be a part of this organization and be able to interact with all the students at CMU,” Hiar said.

She said she was sad to see the program, which began hosting events in 1996 get cut.

Some of its popular events have included bringing in the Dave Matthews Band and poet Maya Angelou.

“We had a great semester

and this was a good turn out,” said Shelby Township sophomore Sara Frederick. “I learned a lot, especially with the programming aspects.”

Frederick, special events chairwoman at OTF, said the program allowed her to meet a lot of different people. This was her second year in the group.

On The Fly Productions was one of two programming groups at CMU, alongside Program Board.

Hiar made the decision to cut the program, which used about $100,000 year.

The final event was a great success for King, who said he had a great time.

“I wish it would’ve lasted a little longer,” he said. “It was definitely worth the hour.” studentlife@cm-life.com

Central Michigan Life || Friday, April 30, 2010 || 7A

on the hunt

paige calamari/staff photographer

Lowell sophomore Gabrielle MacDonald attempts to get service on her cell phone to text message a picture answer during the Blitz For Buzz Mobile Scavenger Hunt Thursday afternoon on CMU’s campus. Teams received a variety of questions through text messages about CMU’s history and specific areas on campus. The scavenger hunt concludes campus events sponsored by On The Fly Productions.

2010 class finalized | Men’s basketball signs seventh and final recruit; could mean departures, 2B Central Michigan Life

Sports Weekend Friday, April 30, 2010 | Section B

They’re playing my song...

CMU softball players stroll from the on-deck circle to their favorite tunes, each of which holds a meaning. The music results in different kind of...

PLAY AT THE PLATE

KATIE GREENMAN

ASHLEY GILSON

Steps to the plate with "We Will Rock You"

by Queen

Selected "Get Up" by 50 Cent

"I spent about three minutes on mine ... no one else was going to take it."

Third on the team in home runs with five Batting .323 and slugging .646 with 14 RBIs

Batting .252 with one home run and 14 RBIs

Summer Knoop

ChristIna novak

"Party in the USA" by Miley Cirus

Goes to bat with "The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson playing

"I picked mine becaue it makes me happy ... things get tense so I just like to chill."

Second on the team in home runs with six

Batting .329 and slugging .412 with six RBIs in 33 games

Batting .265 with 15 RBIs

Jake May/Staff PHotographer

Every softball player walks into the batters box to a song of their choice, which many say represent their attitudes, personality and demeanor.

Songs represent a different personality on the diamond

W

By Matthew Valinski | Staff Reporter

hile Miley Cyrus hops off the plane at LAX airport, CMU softball freshman Summer Knoop warms up.

As Knoop walks up to the plate, Cyrus can see the Hollywood sign.

Everyone seems so famous.

Maybe the pitcher is wondering when she will get a break in the lineup as everyone seems to be able to hit. And if the Jay-Z song is on, everyone knows Knoop is ready to bat.

Throw your hands up in the air as the walk-up music fades to the background and Knoop, batting .329 on the season, is ready to hit.

Like all CMU softball players, Knoop got to pick her own walk-

up music for each of her at-bats. Her selection is Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA.” “I picked mine because it makes me happy,” she said. “The song is just about relaxing and it puts you in a good mood and when I go to bat, things get tense so I just like to be chill.”

Knoop remembers when the team found out what song she picked. She said it results in smiles and laughter, something she needs when she walks into the batter’s box.

And while Knoop wants to relax as she strolls to the plate, she is not the only one.

Andrew Stover, Sports Editor | sports@cm-life.com | 989.774.3169

A music | 4B

2B || Friday, April 30, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

cm-life.com/category/sports

[Sports]

Basketball acquires final recruit of 2010 class Seventh signing for CMU might result in departure

By Daniel Monson Senior Reporter

File Photo by Matthew Stephens

Senior third baseman James Teas is batting .356 for the Chippewas, including a 3-for-3 game against Oakland Wednesday.

Chippewas look to maintain division lead this weekend Winning critical in series against Northern Illinois

By John Evans Staff Reporter

The CMU baseball team looks to hold on to first place in the Mid-American Conference at 4 p.m. today in DeKalb, Ill., when it starts a weekend series against Northern Illinois.

The Chippewas (23-15 overall, 11-4 MAC) are in a first place tie with Ball State for the West Division lead. NIU is 15-24 overall and 6-9 in the conference.

Sophomore first basemen Nate Theunissen said this is an important weekend for the team to maintain its first place lead. “It is going to be real big.

We need to get back on the winning track in the MAC,�

Theunissen said. “Everyone is really hungry for this MAC win. The team is really ready for this weekend.�

CMU relinquished its solo lead for first place last weekend after losing both games of a doubleheader on Saturday against Ball State.

NIU has won four of its last six games, including a 6-1 win on Sunday over third-place Toledo (24-17, 10-5 MAC).

Senior Dave Reynolds leads the Huskies with a .312 batting average and 19 runs batted in.

He has started in every game this season for NIU. Senior right-hander Jesse Hernandez (6-1, 4.07 ERA)

will get the start for the Chippewas today and is looking for team-leading seventh win of the season. “There is no question we are going to be ready to play,� said coach Steve Jaksa. “We are confident and I like our guys’ attitude. We have to play well on Friday and take it one day at a time.�

Freshman Dietrich Enns (4-0) will make his second start of the season on Saturday for CMU and looks to keep his hot streak going.

He has a 1.14 earned run average with 39 strikeouts and has only allowed Steve Jaksa five earned runs in his last 39.1 innings pitched.

OAKLAND LOSS S u n d a y ’s starter has yet to be d e t e r m i n e d Dale Cornstubble as junior lefthander Jake Sabol pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and striking out four, in Wednesday’s 10-9 loss against Oakland University. “I think our morale is good,�

Jaksa said. “I think our guys are a confident group. You don’t want to let it just roll off of your back, but we think we are a good team and we have to make sure we are ready to play.�

Who’s up next Up next: Northern Illinois, today through Sunday

Who’s hot: Sophomore Nate Theunissen, who is 7-for-8 with six RBIs in the last two games Senior RHP Jesse Hernandez, who holds a 6-1 record and 4.07 ERA

Who’s not: After starting the season strong, sophomore lefthander Rick Dodridge has exited his last two starts early. He is 3-3 with a 6.33 ERA.

CMU let a two-run eighthinning lead slip away as errors allowed the Golden Grizzlies to score three runs and comefrom-behind in Wednesday’s win.

Senior third baseman James Teas had three hits and two RBIs, while walking twice for the Chippewas. Sophomore outfielder Sam Russell added a hit and three RBIs. Sophomore left-hander Rick Dodridge started for CMU, pitching 4 1/3 innings and allowing seven earned runs while striking out four.

The Chippewas are on the road until May 11 when they face Oakland in a rematch at Theunissen Stadium.

The CMU men’s basketball program added its seventh and final 2010 recruit on Wednesday, raising questions about who won’t be on the bench when the season begins in November.

CMU originally was expecting to sign six scholarship players – the result of four departing seniors, freshman Tyler Brown’s departure early last season and a leftover spot from Jacolby Hardiman’s dismissal after the 2008-09 season. “Quite obviously, it doesn’t take a scientist to figure out that the numbers don’t add up,� said CMU coach Ernie Zeigler. “I think in kindness (to) the guys on the current roster, I will refrain from saying who or what will be happening until we finish this semester.�

Adding size Andre Coimbra, a 6-foot9-inch, 222-pound Brazilian forward who spent two seasons at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, signed to play with the Chippewas over MissouriKansas City.

A native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Coimbra averaged 6.5 points, a team-high 9.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks for

NEO last season. “He brings an athleticism and skill to our frontcourt depth,� Zeigler said. “He has the ability to score and he’s a very good passer as well. “I think for us, he could a bigger version of (former center) Marcus Van and (center) Will McClure, but with a better ability to shoot the ball from the outside.�

NEO coach Dustin Grover said Coimbra was a defensive force who still can develop his offensive game. “Although he’s got a bunch of offensive skill, I don’t think he ever really got too comfortable Ernie Zeigler offensively with us,�

Grover said. “But defensively, he dominated some games by just being able to block shots and rebound.�

Andre Coimbra Grover said he heard about Coimbra from a friend in Brazil. Within weeks, Coimbra had signed with NEO. “The only real contact he and I ever had before he got here was through e-mail,�

Grover said. “His English skills were limited when he first got to the United States.

He’s gotten a lot better since he got here. It’s been kind of an interesting ride.�

Coimbra and point guard Paris Paramore, who signed Monday out of Triton College (Ill.), will be the only two scholarship juniors for CMU next season.

Big class Zeigler and assistant coach Darren Kohne, who is CMU’s recruiting coordinator, said this class is the largest they can remember.

ESPN and Scout.com also have ranked it No. 1 in the Mid-American Conference. “This is the largest recruiting class I think I’ve been associated with,� Kohne said. “If this produces a couple of all-conference players and conference player of the years, then I think the hype is justified.

But right now it’s just prediction and hype and potential.�

Said Zeigler: “When I look at this group in totality, they all come from winning situations and definitely fit our system and our philosophy of ‘Think Tough, Be Tough.’ �

Back-to-back MAC West Division titles and a new Events Center, where CMU hosts its first game Dec. 1 against Temple, has sparked new interest in a program that has only four winning seasons in the past 31 years. “In a program that’s at an all-time low, somebody’s got to step in and change things,� said former CMU guard Jordan Bitzer. “That’s exactly what Coach Zeigler did the first day he came here.� sports@cm-life.com

“When I look at this group in totality, they all come from winning situations and definitely fit our system and our philosophy of ‘Think Tough, Be Tough.’�

Ernie Zeigler, CMU head coach

Team personnel The 2010 recruiting class F Andre Coimbra 6-9, 222 Jr. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M F Jevon Harden 6-8, 218 Fr. Detroit Loyola High School G Derek Jackson 6-0, 170 Fr. Cleveland, Ohio (Benedictine HS) G Paris Paramore 6-0, 175 Jr. Triton College (Ill.) C Nate VanArendonk 6-9, 230 Fr. Grand Haven High School F Colin Voss 6-7, 235 Fr. East Grand Rapids High School G Trey Zeigler 6-5, 195 Fr. Mount Pleasant High School Possible returning scholarship players/averages per game G Finis Craddock, 12.8 minutes, 2.2 points C Will McClure, 20.1 minutes, 3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 39 blocks G Amir Rashid, 21.6 minutes, 5.1 points F Zach Saylor. 4.3 minutes, 0.6 points C Marko Spica, 16.6 minutes, 7.3 points, 3 rebounds F Jalin Thomas, 26 minutes, 7.4 points, 5 rebounds G Antonio Weary, 23.4 minutes, 5.1 points, 3.6 rebounds

sports@cm-life.com

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cm-life.com/category/sports

[Sports]

Men to compete in three different cities this weekend Pilling, Kettlewell, and Rose to sit out; rest of team heads across country

By Nick Conklin Staff Reporter

file photo by Matthew StepheNS

Sophomore Molly Coldren bats against Michigan State on April 22. Coldren leads the team with 10 home runs and 32 runs batted in on the season.

CMU heads to Buffalo in first place

By Josh Berenter Staff Reporter

The CMU softball team has played 30 of its 37 games away from the comfort of Margo Jonker Stadium.

The Chippewas head into its final road trip of the season as it takes on Buffalo in a doubleheader today and Mid-American Conference leader Kent State Saturday and Sunday.

“It’s a lot of wear and tear on the body,” said junior third baseman Amanda Patrick about playing so many road games. “But this is D-1 softball. You have to be ready for whatever is thrown at you.”

Patrick hit a grand slam to take the lead in extra innings against Eastern Michigan on Saturday to help preserve what was a six-game winning streak. CMU won game two of

the double header to extend the streak to seven games.

Despite the winning streak, CMU is still tied atop the MAC West with Ball State (10-4). Coach Margo Jonker said anyone could be beaten on any given day in the conference.

“The conference is very even,” she said. “Our goal every time is to focus on the process and let the outcome take care of itself.”

CMU has only given up seven runs in its last five games.

Junior Kari Seddon threw complete games in three of them.

Seddon who was named MAC pitcher of the week said she is honored for the award but deflected the credit to her team.

“I owe a lot of it to my teammates,” she said. “They make me look better.”

After playing Buffalo, CMU heads into a showdown for first place overall in the MAC against Kent State.

The Golden Flashes are a power hitting team, boasting 42 home runs this season. It also features pitcher Kylie Reynolds, who leads the league in strikeouts and innings, and is third in earnedrun average.

“The bottom line is we have to be aggressive and selective at the same time,” Jonker said about facing Reynolds. “We have to be on our game. I totally believe we can hit their pitching.”

Seddon said no one talks about must-win situations in the tight race for the MAC crown. She said the team needs to play their brand of softball. sports@cm-life.com

Women’s track and field resumes competition in separate meets Most of team headed to Ohio, others to California

By John Manzo Staff Reporter

Most of the CMU women’s track and field program had the past week off from competition, but will resume separately this weekend at a few different meets.

The bulk of the team is heading to the Jessie Owens Invitational in Columbus, Ohio, while the distance runners are off to the Cardinal Invitational in Stanford, Calif.

Also, some of the team’s top throwers are attending the Toledo Invitational in Toledo, Ohio.

How e v e r, the Jessie Owens Classic highlights the trio of meets for the weekend with quality competition.

The meet Willie Randolph will consist of many Big Ten schools such as No. 15 Penn State, Indiana, Purdue, Michigan and Michigan State. Mississippi State, from the Southeastern Conference will be in attendance as well.

The Chippewas will also see familiar faces as Miami (OH), rival Kent State, Akron and Eastern Michigan round out the competition from the Mid-American Conference.

Track and field director Willie Randolph said his team can compete against anybody after seeing the performance that the program put up against No. 22 Louisville two weekends ago.

“Now that we’re competing against names, our program can freely compete,” he said.

“We demand respect and mentally, we’re in the right mentality at this point in the season.”

CMU has various athletes competing this weekend at the Jessie Owens as it hits one of its final meets of the season.

Sophomore Dierra Riley and juniors Brittnee Shreve, Jordan Dunn and Shanaye Carr will be competing in the 400-meter relay and have had

Central Michigan Life || Friday, April 30, 2010 || 3B

file photo by Jake May

Freshman sprinter Raquel Gibbs races in the Jack Skoog on Feb. 19.

quality finishes this season.

The relay team has been one of many bright spots for the team this season. Seniors Tanisha Johnson and Erika Schroll look to tune up before MAC Championships as they compete in the women’s high jump.

Freshman Tamica Harbour and sophomore Katie McColly are set to compete in the women’s long jump this weekend.

“The focus is good and everybody knows were in the final cycle,” Randolph said.

The team has put in a few good weeks of practicing in preparation for this weekend’s meet. Last week, it was scheduled for an off-week, so the team spent that it resting, but also put a lot of time in preparing for that final cycle.

The off-week came at the perfect time for CMU because final exams are approaching and the team had the week to prepare for their academics.

“These kids are studentathletes and classes come first,” Randolph said. “It doesn’t affect us, because we

Where they’re going Most of team to Jessie Owens Classic in Columbus, Ohio Distance runners headed to Cardinal Invitational in California Senior Sarah Squires out due to foot injury

have been prepared for it for a while.”

Senior Sarah Squires, who has been hampered with a nagging left foot injury, will be held out of this weekend’s action. sports@cm-life.com

The CMU men’s track program will send a portion of its team to compete in three different meets this weekend after the successful dispersal of select track and field athletes last weekend.

Most of the athletes will compete today through Sunday in Columbus, Ohio, at the Jesse Owens Classic, while a small group of throwers will travel to Toledo, Ohio, to compete over a two-day period in the Toledo Invitational.

Select distance runners will head to California to compete in the Stanford Invitational.

However, a majority of the competitors have opted out of competition this weekend to rest as the post-season approaches.

Of those not competing are top throwers senior Greg Pilling, freshman Alex Rose as well as sophomore Josh Kettlewell, who placed first in the long jump, pole vault and 110-meter hurdles, and won the decathlon at the Gina Relays last weekend in Hillsdale.

Track and field director Willie Randolph, who was pleased with the progress Kettlewell made up to this point in the season, will sit Kettlewell this weekend to keep him fresh as the season draws to a close. “(Josh) had some good things happen with his throws and his hurdles,” Randolph said. “Some things we expect him to do well within, but at the same time winning is one great thing, but improving is the most important thing.”

Randolph said the reason for resting certain athletes while competing

file photo by Sean Proctor

Senior Riak Mabil looks to break his 5,000-meter personal best record in Stanford, California this weekend.

others is to give them experience and a good luck at the competition they will be facing in the Mid-American Conference Outdoor Championships.

“The focus is to get out athletes to compete against some of the best in the country, and to meet a lot of the conference foes we haven’t seen all year,” he said.

MABIL RACING IN CALIFORNIA On the distance side, senior Riak Mabil is set to compete at the Stanford Invitational.

Mabil will run in the 5,000meter race, where he looks to improve on his previous best time of 14:39.92 recorded at the Raleigh Relays in Raleigh, N.C. on March 26.

With strong competition anticipated this weekend, Randolph has high expectations for Riak and his other distance runners.

“That will be a really high-level meet where they will be able to (race) with some of elite runners in their events,” he said. sports@cm-life.com

4B || Friday, April 30, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

[Sports]

series b reak d o w n

cm-life.com/category/sports

Club lacrosse begins postseason today

By Matt Herrod Staff Reporter

Julian H. gonzalez/detroit free press/mct

Detroit Red Wings’ Drew Miller cannot control the puck against Phoenix Coyotes’ Ed Jovanovski and goalie Ilya Bryzgalov during third-period action in Game 6 of the NHL Western Conference playoffs at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan, Sunday, April 25, 2010. The Coyotes won, 5-2. (Julian H. Gonzalez/Detroit Free Press/MCT)

Red Wings’ depth at blue line, coaching gives them edge vs. Sharks in second round Sports Editor Andrew Stover breaks down the NHL’s Western Conference semifinals matchup between the No. 5 seed Detroit Red Wings and the No. 1 seed San Jose Sharks. Game 1 has already been played, but its result is unavailable at press time.

Offense Both teams showcase two of the deepest offensive rosters in the league. But through San Jose’s first-round victory against Colorado and Detroit’s sevengame series win against Phoenix, it is clear each team relied on different means of scoring.

The big guns were counted on from the start for Detroit. Henrik Zetterberg led the team with six goals and five assists, and Pavel Datsyuk was just behind him with five goals and three assists.

Remember, Datsyuk scored just one goal last playoff season as he battled groin and foot injuries.

And best yet, they seem to be scoring when it matters most.

Zetterberg scored a hat trick in Game 2 against Phoenix when the team was down 1-0 in the series. Down 2-1 later in the series, Zetterberg tallied two more and Datsyuk scored one. In the pivotal Game 7, Datsyuk scored the game’s first two goals, while Zetterberg had three helpers along the way.

But what may be missing from playoff runs in year’s past is the secondary scoring. While winger Valtteri Filppula has visibly been one of the best Red Wings thus far, Johan Franzen has not been the force down the middle and in front of the net he has been in prior years, even though he has recorded a point in each of the seven games against the Coyotes. It’s a real possibility he has not gotten his legs back in form completely after having surgery for a torn ACL this season.

For the Sharks, their top line of Joe Thornton, Patrick Mar-

music | continued from 1B

MICHAEL JACKSON Miley Cyrus not in your iTunes? How about a little bit from the King of Pop? No need to wait long, center fielder Christina Novak leads off for the Chippewas and is a Michael Jackson fan.

Howver, it was not a decision that came easy for Novak. She wanted to avoid the hardcore rap, so asked ev-

leau and Dany Heatley have been less than stellar once again. It looks as if Heatley will play on the third line for at least parts of this series and will be replaced by Torrey Mitchell.

While it would be unfair to classify Heatley with Thornton and Marleau, since this is his first year with the team, the teams’ stars not stepping their game to the next level is nothing new for San Jose come playoff time.

Instead, the ones thought of as secondary scorers are becoming the Sharks main men. Joe Pavelski, Devin Setoguchi and Ryan Clowe did what was necessary to beat Craig Anderson and the Avalanche. Pavelski may have had the team’s two biggest goals of the series, and that is including Setoguchi’s overtime winner in Game 2.

Overall, if the Sharks’ top scorers begin to score — history shows this is unlikely to happen — or the Red Wings’ secondary scoring kicks in, that team will hold the significant advantage.

Advantage: EVEN. Player for player, this is as close (and explosive) as it gets.

Defense Nick Lidstrom may still be the game’s best defenseman even if he is not in the Norris Trophy running this season. He and Brian Rafalski, the team’s top tandem, played subpar to begin the Phoenix series. Worse for the Wings, Phoenix punished them — Rafalski the worst — by getting the puck deep in the Wings’ zone and forechecking hard and playing physical.

But by the end of the series, the duo was back to its normal form, making plays and playing sound defense. Nicklas Kronwall was shaky through the duration of the series, but blue-line partner Brad Stuart played his usual solid game, with the exception of a mistake-prone Game 6 in Detroit.

The Sharks are led by offeneryone she could and spent time listening to different songs until finally choosing one.

“The Way You Make Me Feel” was the one Novak decided on, like Knoop, to clear her head.

“I just need to go up there and take a deep breath and clear my head and it just puts me in a good mood,” she said.

And while Novak and Knoop use their walk-up music to relax, others use their musical selections to

CMU softball players’ at-bat songs Player Song/Artist Brogan Darwin “Hard” -Rihanna feat. Jeezy Macy Merchant “Represent” -Lecrae Amber Olejniczak “Shots” -LMFAO Kate Greenman “We Will Rock You” -Queen Kari Seddon “Can’t Be Touched” -Roy Jones Jr. Molly Coldren “Shut it Down” -Pitbull ft. Akon Bryttany Van Vliet “Imma Be” -Black Eyed Peas Amanda Klosterman “Ice Cream Paint Job” -Dorrough Ashley Gilson “She’s Country” -Jason Aldean Sarah Patterson “Alright Now” -Free Alia Brodie “Wait Your Turn” -Rihanna Courtney King “Ooh Ahh” -Grits Christina Novak “The Way You Make Me Feel” - Michael Jackson Amanda Patrick “On to the Next One” -Jay-Z feat. Swizz Beatz Suzie Hall “Respect” -Aretha Franklin Summer Knoop “Party in the USA” -Miley Cyrus Brittni Merchant “Ladies & Gentlemen” -Saliva Rachael Hensel “Our Time is Now” -Story of the Year Kara Dornbos “Headstrong” -Trapt Jill Schulz “My Time” -Fabolous feat. Jeremih

sive defenseman Dan Boyle and veteran Rob Blake. They don’t have the depth that the Red Wings do, and they will have to rely on Swedish-native Douglas Murray and Marc-Edouard Vlasic to step their games up against a team with far more offensive depth than Colorado.

Advantage: DETROIT. The Red Wings hold a huge advantage in this area of the roster.

Goaltending This could turn out to be the most interesting battle of the season. Who wins the battle between the pipes? San Jose’s Evgeni Nabokov has long been rendered one of the NHL’s best goalies. He also has been labeled a goalie that falls flat on his face when facing adversity.

Nabokov has been the easiest person to point the finger at for San Jose’s annual early exit from the playoffs. He did not do anything to shed that label in this year’s Olympics playing for Russia. The Russians, thought of as the best team in the world, even better than the Canadians, lost to Canada 7-3 in the quarterfinals, failing to reach the semifinals.

Detroit’s Jimmy Howard sits on the other side of the spectrum. The rookie, who is up for the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year, had an up-and-down series against Phoenix. He was exposed in Game’s 3 and 6 in Detroit to the tune of four and five goals allowed, respectively.

But he shut the Coyotes out in Game 4 with his team trailing 2-1 in the series. In Game 5 and 7, he let in just one goal.

Advantage: EVEN. If Nabokov could ever play like he does during the regular season, he’d have a clear edge in this category. But with his shaky past, the rookie closes the gap.

Coaching Detroit’s Mike Babcock is regarded by many as the NHL’s get pumped up for their next at-bat.

QUEEN Novak spent considerable time asking others to recommend the perfect song, but right fielder Kate Greenman had her song, Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” from the start.

“I spent about 3 minutes on mine because this was my song and no one else was going to take it,” she said.

Left fielder Ashley Gilson, batting .323 for the season five home runs, needed a song to pump her up as well.

Last year, it was 50 Cent’s “Get Up.” This year, however, she had to follow her heart.

Gilson decided to go a different direction and pick a song from her favorite music genre Jason Aldean’s “She’s Country.”

She said last year’s choice got her excited to bat, but had to follow her heart this year.

“I’ve always been a country fan at heart,” she said. “It just was that one song last year that pumped me up the most.”

And while each player on the team has a different song and different taste, in the end it comes down to one fact.

“It is just a song to put yourself in the moment,” Greenman said. sports@cm-life.com

best coach and, now, he has an Olympic gold medal to add to his resume. But Babcock is facing a familiar face on the opposing bench. San Jose’s Todd McLellan is a Babcock protégé, formerly an assistant coach in Detroit including in 2008, when it won the Stanley Cup. McLellan won his first NHL series when the Sharks beat the Avalanche. It won’t be his last series win either.

Advantage: DETROIT. McLellan apprenticed under the right man in Babcock. But he is not as good as his teacher just yet.

Prediction RED WINGS in 6.

If Thornton and San Jose’s top line can produce, or Nabokov can hold down the fort, this series can go seven games with either team prevailing. It’s hard to imagine San Jose playing to its potential, however. sports@cm-life.com

It was quite the process, but at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday CMU club lacrosse coach Brad Thomas received an email from Ron Hebert, the commissioner of the Central Collegiate Lacrosse Association.

The e-mail informed him the team reached the playoffs as a result of an investigation of ineligible players used by Eastern Michigan during the 2010 CCLA season, including last weekend’s 11-9 win against CMU. As a result, CMU will play Miami (OH) (8-3) at 7 p.m. today in the first round of the CCLA playoffs at Saline High School.

Thomas said the regular season did not end the way we wanted it to, but the team is excited to have a second chance.

This is CMU’s fourth consecutive season in the playoffs. CMU holds a 2-3 record, never making it past the second round. Miami lost in the first round to Michigan State in the 2009 playoffs.

“It is win or go home without a lot more intensity,” said senior defenseman Andrew Tillman. “Were going to play more aggressive to throw off their game. Offensively were

going to try to push the ball in transition more and catch them off guard to hopefully catch some breaks.”

Friday’s matchup will be the first time these two teams have met in the playoffs. CMU beat Miami 11-8 last year during the regular season.

The team is at a slight disadvantage with only one day to prepare for Miami, but Thomas said the team has the opportunity to continue its season today.

CMU is up against one of the better coached teams and players in the conference.

Miami freshman attacker and second-team All-Conference Joe McLaughlin, with 22 goals and 32 points, and all-conference honorable mention senior goalie Daniel Culp, who sits second in the CCLA with 132 saves and a .695 save percentage. Freshman midfielder Alex Manner was the face off player on the second-team all-conference.

“Faceoffs will be huge and time of possession will be a key,” Thomas said. “These are two evenly matched teams and whichever team can posse the ball and finish more possessions will come out on top.” sports@cm-life.com