museum director starts new job, 6A
Mainstage | Event will feature local musicians this year, 2A Obituary | Former band director Norman Dietz dies at age 91, 3A
Central Michigan Life
xxxxxday, Mon. xx8, 2007
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
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Bernero, Snyder to battle in governor’s race Both win in Isabella County By Eric Dresden Editor in Chief
Michigan voters are one step closer to deciding the new leader of the state. The Detroit Free Press reported Democrat Virg Bernaro and Republican Rick Snyder will face off over the next few months leading up to the Nov. 2 general election. Bernero, the Mayor of Lansing, beat out Speaker of the House Andy Dillon for the Democratic nod in Tuesday’s
Michigan primary election. “At this point we’re feeling good with what we’ve done to date,” said Bernero cam- Virg Bernero paign spokesman Jamaine Dickens on Tuesday afternoon. Meanwhile for the Republicans it was a bit more of a fight with Ann Arbor businessman Snyder beating out Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, Attorney General Mike Cox, U.S. Representative Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, and State Senator Tom George, R-
Kalamazoo all running for the position. The Snyder campaign did not return calls from CM Life. Polls from Rick Snyder the Free Press just before the election showed Snyder had a slight lead of 26 percent of votes ahead of Cox, who had 24 percent and Hoekstra, who received 23 percent of the votes. Snyder is running on the campaign platform of “reinventing Michigan” while Bernero is running on the idea of “making Michigan work
Michigan Gubernatorial Race in Isabella County Name Republicans Mike Bouchard Mike Cox Tom George Pete Hoekstra Rick Snyder Write-In
Percent
Number of Votes
10.37% 26.7% 1.27% 20.4% 41.21% 0.11%
481 1238 59 946 1911 2
Total ...
100.00%
4637
again.” In Isabella County 44.04 percent of people voted for Snyder, while Cox followed
Name Democrats Virg Bernero Andy Dillon Write-In
Percent
Number of Votes
67.91% 32.09% 0 percent
804 380 0
Total ...
100.00%
1184
by receiving 25.98 percent of votes. For the Democrats in Isabella county Bernero received
67.83 percent of the vote, while Dillon 32.17 percent. metro@cmich.edu
Cotter wins 99th GOP race, defeating Alwood Will face Sessoms in general election By Ryan Taljonick Staff Reporter
Republican Kevin Cotter won the primary election for the 99th district Republican state legislature representative, beating his opponent Chrstine Alwood 56.86 percent to 43.11 percent. Cotter said winning the primary feels good, but is only the first step in his campaign. “I’ve got a great team of supporters,” he said. “It’s just the beginning.” Cotter said he must now prepare for the general election on Nov. 2. “We will extend our reach out to voters who generally vote in the general election,” he said. Cotter said his main focus is turning the economy
Inside w More coverage on the winners, 3A around. “In the past I have not pursued political office,” he said. “I made the decision to run for this seat back in November, motivated out of frustration.” He plans on helping to build and strengthen small businesses in the 99th district. Cotter said he and his wife are planning on starting a family soon and want to help create a stable economy in Michigan. “We’re really concerned about what it might look like 18 to 20 years down the line when our kids are making the decision as to where they’re going to settle down,” Cotter said. “I’d like A Cotter | 2A
Photos by amelia eramya/Staff photographer
Cammie McConnell, 9, leads the prayer for the daily devotions of the Baptist Children’s Home of Mount Pleasant, 1715 E. Bellows St. Monday.
seeking sanctuary Mount Pleasant residents give children hope, guidance
By Amelia Eramya | Staff Reporter Sean proctor/photo editor
Charles Joseph Scicluna, a Chesterfield junior, walks into the Isabella County courtroom prior to being sentenced for the April 11 hit-and-run accident that left 20-year-old Matthew Dominique Green, a Mount Peasant junior, paralyzed from the waist down.
Scicluna sentenced to up to five years in hit-and-run Victim dragged more than 1000 feet, possibly paralyzed By Joe Borlik Senior Reporter
A Chesterfield junior was sentenced to up to five years in prison Monday for the drunken driving accident in April that critically injured a 20-year-old Central Michigan University student.
Charles Joseph Scicluna, 21, was sentenced to no less than 18 months and no more than five years in prison in Isabella County Trial Judge Mark Duthie’s courtroom. “I do find that prison is appropriate in this particular case,” Duthie said. Scicluna was charged with operating while intoxicated causing serious injury and leaving the scene of an accident causing serious injury resulting from an April 11 hitand-run accident. A Scicluna | 2A
O
ne year ago Deborah Richard was kept awake by the sound of gun shots and gangs scuffling in a neighborhood full of violence in Park Hill, New York. “You can’t sleep at night,” said Richard, 12. “All gangs do is shoot people.” In September of 2009, she discovered an escape from her undesirable surroundings. Baptist Children’s Home, a non-profit home for children in troubled circumstances, has housed more than 1000 individuals in Indiana, Michigan, India, Southeast Asia and Liberia. Richard wanted to be a part of BCH to better her life and decisions. “I wasn’t really listening to my mom, so I chose to come to (BCH),” she said. Tori, 36, and Rob, 36, McConnell, of Mount Pleasant, are just two of several house parent ministries that care and guide children in need of assistance. The Baptist Children’s Home of Mount Pleasant, 1715 E. Bellows St., currently houses eight children along
Tori McConnell, right, and Deborah Richard, 12, of Park Hill, New York, take down laundry in the backyard of the Baptist Children’s Home of Mount Pleasant, 1715 E. Bellows St. Monday. Richard said the family rarely uses the dryer because it causes humidity in the home.
with the McConnell’s daughters, Alexis, 11, Bailley, 10, Cammie, 9, and Desiree, 7. The home is run solely on church and individual donations. Although the children choose to leave their household due to troubled circumstances, they still have the desire to return home, Tori said. “Our goal is to reunite the children with their family if at all possible,” she said.
Doing God’s work Before becoming involved with BCH, Rob held a job at a prison. “It was good money,” Tori said. “(But) there was no satisfaction from the job.” About six years ago, Tori and Rob filled in as Youth Leaders at Trinity Baptist Church of Alma. During their time as leaders, a presentation about Baptist Children’s Home was made, and both Tori and Rob instantly knew it was what
90 Years of Serving as Central Michigan University’s Independent Voice
they wanted to do. “That was just what we were looking for,” Rob said. The McConnells sold their home in Stanton and headed to Mount Pleasant in August of 2005 to begin their journey doing God’s work, Tori said. Since then, a total of 23 children have been in the Mount Pleasant home. “(We) try to get the whole broad spectrum of the physical, spiritual, and emotional
A home | 2A
2A || Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2010 || Central Michigan Life
EVENTS CALENDAR Today
w A walk in the park for World Breastfeeding Week takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nelson Park, 714 W. Broadway St. Breastfeeding education and story sharing will be included after the walk. For more information call 772- 3856.
Thursday
w The Ziibiwing Center’s music and comedy night takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. at its 6650 E. Broadway Road location. The event will feature the music of Kevin Chamberlain and the Rockhoppers and comedy by Buddy Big Mountain. Free food and face painting will also be available. For more information call 775-4750. w A farmers market selling locally grown produce takes place in the morning at Island Park, 331 N. Main Street. w A cell phone collection drive will occur at the Sheriff Department’s tent Isabella County Youth and Farm Fair between 4 and 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday. The phones will be refurbished to emergency-useonly-phones and distributed to individuals at risk for abuse.
Aug. 14
w Comedian Jeff Dunham will perform ventriloquism at 9 p.m. at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort, 6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd. Tickets cost $40, $59 and $69. For more information call 800- 585- 3737.
Corrections In last weeks story about Firstbank it should have said Firstbank is one word.
MainSTAGE will feature local talent CMU’s MainSTAGE concert is set to be a different show than previous years. Instead of bringing in one big name act, several local musicians will be featured at this year’s event on August 22 by Rose Pond. “Local bands have always contacted Program Board looking for a spot on Main Stage and now they will get their chance,“ said Miranda Endre, music chair of Program Board. The musical acts set to appear are Jetpack On!, Klass Witta K, and Finding Clyde, she said. Endre added another possible musician to play may be guitarist and singer Joe Hertler. “Back when the band was formed last August, we were only playing house parties, and playing MainSTAGE was one of our future goals,” said Ryan Hoger, Jetpack On!’s guitarist. Hoger said he hopes the audience will react positively to their show. “It is awesome to see people dancing to your songs and singing your lyrics,” Hoger said. “It will definitely be interesting to see what the incoming freshman think... especially since, unlike Rubbles, alcohol won’t be involved,” he said. Hoger said fans can expect some new tunes this year. He and his bandmates are extremely excited to play MainSTAGE. A survey and questionnaire was given to students
WEATHER Today High 90/Low 66 T-Storms
Thursday High 85/Low 61 Mostly Sunny
Friday High 79/Low 58 Partly Cloudy
Ryan Hoger, Jetpack On! guitarist
Cotter | continued from 1A
them to have the option of staying in Michigan if they choose to.” On the other side of the ticket, Democrat Toni Sessoms won the primary, receiving 43.79 percent of the Democratic vote, with Peter Gallinat and Carl Hamann receiving 20.91 percent and 35.31 percent respectively. Cotter and Sessoms will face off in the general elections later this year on November 2. “We’re going to stick to our principles and continue to run a very clean campaign,” Cotter said. Road millage fails The proposal for a 2-mill
home | continued from 1A
well being of the child,” Tori said. “(We’re also) teaching them how important physical fitness is.” Rob and Tori are members of the Mount Pleasant Striders and every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, the BCH of Mount Pleasant runs as a family. Every night around 8:30 p.m., the children gather with Tori and Rob to pray, discuss the bible and apply
biblical stories to everyday life situations. “For the most part, the children who come are receptive to hear the plans that God has for them,” Tori said. On Sundays, the family walks to the First Baptist Church of Mount Pleasant, 1802 E. High St. “I feel good about this family because it’s a Christian home,” Richard said. “We play games and eat breakfast, lunch and dinner together.” The children also are expected to sign a statement of good faith to help guide them to their goals.
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tax increase has been squashed by Isabella County voters 63.11 percent to 36.89 percent. The proposed millage would have had a lifespan of 8 years and would have raised about $869,000 in revenue for the city of Mount Pleasant if approved. That money would have been put towards road projects and repair, said Tony Casali, Isabella County Road Commission manager during a presentation to the Mount Pleasant City Commission on July 12. Library millage fails The Chippewa River District Library Millage failed on a vote of 1624 to 1251. metro@cm-life.com
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Amelia Eramya/staff photographer
Fenton senior Meghan Labby falls in the sand after missing the ball on the volleyball courts at the Towers Residence Halls. Every Wednesday, Labby and friends gather at 5 p.m. to play volleyball. “I’m not good at it,” she said, laughing. “It’s just a bunch of friends getting together and having a good time.”
scicluna | continued from 1A
The victim, Matthew Dominque Green, was pushing an out of gas car eastbound on Bellows Street near East Campus Drive with a relative. At about 3:20 a.m., Scicluna’s vehicle sideswiped Green’s car, pinning him underneath the moving vehicle. Green was dragged more than 1,000 feet and through an intersection. Green is currently paralyzed from the waist down and has lost more than 40 percent of his skin along with muscles and bone, said Denise Green, Matthew’s mother and associate vice president of diversity at CMU. Denise Green told the courtroom her son will have scarring from the road burns for the rest of his life. “He has had so many reconstructive and skin graft surgeries that I have lost count,” Denise Green said. She said her son was working on having a successful semester. He had plans to study abroad and also take Japanese in the fall, something he had wanted
to do since his freshman year. Denise Green said her son is currently in rehab trying to get stronger and more independent. She said the next two years will determine if he ever walks again. “When a doctor uses the term ‘nightmare’ to describe what has happened to your son, you know you are experiencing a tragic situation,” she said. She said her son is trying to wrap his mind around the fact that he may be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Denise Green also expressed some of her son’s sentiments. “Why did this happen? Why was I hit? I know I am blessed and grateful to be alive but this is so hard. I can’t feel my legs, I can’t even go to the restroom on my own,” she said, voicing her son’s frustrations. Risa Scully, chief assistant prosecutor attorney, said the accident should have been prevented. Scully said it remains uncertain what Scicluna’s blood alcohol level was at the time of the crime. When drawn about 12
hours after the incident, it came back as .01, she said. She said a passenger told Scicluna to stop but he continued driving at a high speed, dragging the victim. Matthew Green’s flesh, blood and portions of his watch, belt, shoes and other items were embedded underneath the car and on the road, Scully said. “Life as Matt had known it is over, life as his family had known it is over ... There is nothing that any of us can do to change things,” Scully said. “The only just way to hold him accountable is to issue a prison sentence.” Scicluna took a plea agreement in June and had two misdemeanor charges dropped: failure to stop at a property damage accident and reckless driving. Scicluna’s lawyer, James Veldhuis, described his client as a college student well-aware aware of the seriousness of the tragedy. “I’m truly sorry for what happened and the pain and suffering I caused,” Scicluna said to the courtroom. metro@cm-life.com
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“Back when the band was formed last August, we were only playing house parties, and playing MainSTAGE was one of our future goals.”
© Central Michigan Life 2010 Volume 91, Number 96
This is the last summer edition of Central Michigan Life. The newspaper resumes publication with its back to school edition on Aug. 19.
via Facebook and e-mail to vote for artists to be featured at MainSTAGE, and 1,000 people voted to showcase local bands, Endre said. “I believe it will be very campus friendly because a lot of these artists are or were CMU students and a lot of CMU students have heard of or know these bands,” she said. Endre also said by having local musicians play at the concert, Program Board will be able to reserve their spending for bigger named artists throughout the year. New Boston senior Danielle Gucciardo said she is excited for the event because it will let incoming freshman know CMU supports local talent. “It will be good for the new freshmen, but less people might not attend because I think that having bigger named artists attracts a larger crowd,” she said. “Hearing some of the local artists previously, I know they are talented.” Endre said the show will be relatively cheap because the artists just want a large venue to spread awareness of their bands. “I think MainSTAGE is an awesome part of campus because it showcases everything the campus has to offer.” she said. “It’s there that I found Program Board and it’s made my time at Central so much better because of it.”
By Maria Leone Staff Reporter
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.
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“Some of the children leave because they don’t follow by what they said they would,” she said. Alexis, one of the McConnell’s daughters does not like the fact that the children come and go in their home. “You get attached to them, and then they have to go away,” she said. But it is worth the opportunity to help the kids, Rob said. “The kids want to be here, they want to change,” he said.
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Former band director dies at 91 By Melissa Torok Staff Reporter
Amelia eramya/Staff photographer
Jacob Foster, a freshman from Grandville High School and Cameron Wark, a senior from Grandville High School practice playing their tubas at Central Michigan University during their band camp’s section rehearsals Friday.
Grand Rapids high school band comes marching in By Kristyn Woll Staff Reporter
This one time, at Central Michigan University... Forest Hill Central High School’s band is one of several schools visiting CMU to practice marches and music. Max Quick, a junior at FHCHS and trombone player in the band, joined band in sixth grade when he was given a choice between band, choir or orchestra as an elective. “Band camp is hard work, but after you work hard enough it is really fun,” Quick said. “There’s pressure involved but you just have to keep playing and have fun doing it.” An average day for the band students starts at 8 a.m. with practice, learning drill routines and 18 pages of new music a day. Rehearsal lasts until 8 p.m. when the hard work is broke up with a fun activity for the students like dances, movie nights and contests. “People don’t realize the effort these students go through to put on a half-time show for the football game, but they have fun doing it, so band camp has
really become their highlight of the year,” said John Destefano, FHCHS’s director of bands. Destefano said this is the 26th summer that Forest Hill Central High School has traveled to CMU to practice their marching band routines. The high school’s band has 320 students which is one-fifth of the student population, he said. Alex Harris, a junior at FHCHS, plays the snare drums. He started his involvement with marching bands in sixth grade as well. “I’ve talked to my friends from other schools and they’ve told me that their band is really unpopular, but not with our school,” Harris said. “We have all different types of kids that want to be in band, everyone wants to give it a try because it’s kind of like the cool thing to do.” Harris decided to play drums as soon as she joined marching band, because she was influenced by her father’s legacy as a drum player. “My parents always yell at me because even when I’m not here practicing, I’m at home tapping on the dinner table,” Harris
said. “It’s become a big part of my life, and I’ll always have it as a hobby and an interest.” Kyle Sherman, a junior at FHCHS a tenor drum player joined band three years ago. At first he didn’t feel as experienced as some of the other players. ”When I first auditioned, it took me 10 hours to learn the piece that they wanted me to play,” he said. “Last summer I practiced for two hours, and this summer I got it down in a half-hour, so camp is definitely helping.” The camp of 250 students and 25 chaperones arrived at CMU Sunday afternoon and will leave Thursday. “My job is to make (student’s) high school experience a four year process of teaching them to learn life through music, grow with music, and use music to help change their life for the better,” Destefano said. “It’s great to watch the students doing something that they really enjoy and bond with each other while doing it.” university@cm-life.com
Mount Pleasant man faces charges in Cosan’s death By Joe Borlik Senior Reporter
The Mount Pleasant man who drove the Chevrolet Corvette in an accident which killed 18-year-old Carolynn Ashley Cosan in May is facing two felony charges. Cody David Weisenburger, 18, was charged in Isabella County Trial Court with one count each of operating with the presence of drugs causing death and negligent homicide. Weisenburger turned himself into police Thursday, Isabella County Prosecutor Larry Burdick said. Burdick said Weisenburg-
Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2010 || 3A
[News]
er was released after posting 10 percent of a bond totaling $20,000 with $10,000 on each charge. Operating a vehicle with a controlled substance, in this case marijuana, carries up to 15 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. Negligent homicide carries up to two years in prison and/or a $2,000 fine. Burdick would not comment on how much marijuana was in Weisenburger’s system. Weisenburger was driving at a high speed headed north on Vandecar Road when the accident occurred May 14. The vehicle lost control,
crossed over into oncoming traffic, went through a ditch, hit a tree stump and ended up rolling several times, Isabella County Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski said. He said the car went through a resident’s yard before landing in a field, leaving debris along the way. Weisenburger was ejected from the car during the accident, while Cosan had her seatbelt on and kept rolling with the vehicle. Cosan was found dead at the scene. Weisenburger is scheduled for a pre-trial conference at 8:15 Thursday. metro@cm-life.com
Norman Dietz is remembered as someone completely devoted to music at Central Michigan University. Dietz, a retired band director and Central Michigan University graduate, died July 27 at the age of 91. Dietz was the Director of Bands at Central Michigan University for 30 years. “He lived and breathed it,” said Norman’s youngest son Richard Dietz, a Detroit resident. “He was totally devoted to music education.” Norman Dietz was President of the student body, a member of band and performed with student jazz groups during his years at CMU. Norman Dietz graduated from Central State Teaching College, later renamed Central Michigan University, in 1941. He then enlisted as a musician for the US Army during World War
II where he arranged and performed music for radio broadcasts. Norman Dietz returned after the war to complete his Masters degree in brass technique and composition at Michigan State University. “He was always looking for the opportunity to make students a better person and a better performer,” said 1970 CMU alumnus John Dietz. John Dietz, the oldest of Norman’s three sons, said his father had a special way of engaging the students. “He gave them a sense of responsibility to ‘make the music happen,’” John Dietz said. Norman Dietz returned to Mount Pleasant to be the band director at Mount Pleasant High School and Central State Teaching College. He took over as CMU’s band director in 1947 and later founded the symphonic wind ensemble in the 1960s. Both his marching band and symphonic wind ensemble received national recognition.
He retired in 1979 and moved to Sarasota, Fl. with his wife Margaret Bush Dietz. “I received e-mails from people across the U.S.,” John Dietz said. “They said he made them feel important, challenged them and because of him they were a better person.” One of Norman Dietz’s former students John W. Beery wrote a biography titled “On the Edge of Sound: The Life and Career of Norman Dietz” to recognize the professor’s achievements. Norman Dietz continued to actively compose, conduct and perform music after retiring. Many of his works were published and went on to be performed nationwide. A memorial service will be held October 23 at Delta Center Cemetery in Lansing, Mich. Memorial gifts may be made to the Norman C. Dietz Scholarship Fund at Central Michigan University. university@cm-life.com
Physician assistants show support for professor battling cancer By Rachael Woods Staff Reporter
Though Ron L. Nelson is facing one of the hardest fights in his life against cancer, he isn’t going it alone. Friday morning, Health Professions Building room 257 was filled with members of the CMU Physician Assistant program who gathered to show support for Nelson, adjunct professor and president of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. He was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer six weeks ago. “We’re amazed at how much he’s done for the program and the profession, and at how one person can do so much,” said Laura Maxwell, Fenton graduate student. Each of the more than 90 students in the program sported light blue matching T-shirts as a sign of unity and solidarity for Ron’s involvement and presented him with a giant check made out for $548.80, the
amount raised from their Tshirt fundraiser. The money will be donated to a cancer research charity of Nelson’s choice. After the presentation was made, Nelson uttered an emotional “Wow!” as he faced the room full of students and faculty members. “I’m overwhelmed,” Nelson said. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you!” In spite of his ailment, Nelson remains very positive, both with his prognosis and the opportunities this challenge will provide him. “Adversity changes perspective,” he said. “Each day becomes a good day ... I am a better teacher because of this.” Nelson has taught at CMU for 12 years and he serves as adjunct faculty at Western Michigan University and Grand Valley State University as well. In addition to being the president of the AAPA, he is also President/ CEO of Health Services Associates, a medical consulting firm for hospitals and
practices in rural or underserved communities, and the co-founder of the National Association of Rural Health Clinics. He was also named CMU’s Preceptor of the Year in 2007-2008. Dr. Ahmad Hakemi, director of the physician assistant program, said he is impressed with Nelson’s reaction to his diagnosis and “despite the bad news, he never lost an hour of lecture,” even wearing a chemotherapy bag on his hip during class. The students’ responses to the news were likewise optimistic. “I’m very hopeful,” Maxwell said. “It was a shock. He’s very positive and he knows the steps he needs to take.” Nelson will continue teaching throughout his treatment and he said he’s looking forward to the chance to grow in overcoming this adversity. university@cm-life.com
Results from Tuesday’s primary Republicans In yesterday’s primaries, Michael Frederick Trebesh won the republican ticket for state senator of the 33rd district. w Steve J. Jackson and Terry L. Turnwald both won seats as 6-year Isabella County road commissioners, and Dave Livermore was chosen to fill a 2-year term. w George A. Green won County Commissioner District 1, Roger L. Trudell won his party’s nomination for county commissioner district 3 seat with 62.85% of the vote. w Ronald J. Ives and Larry E. Miller won the republican nominations for Chippewa Township precincts 1 and 2, respectively.
DEMOCRATS w Jerry M. Campbell won the primary for 4th district congressional representative, and James A. Hoisington won State Senator for the 33rd district. w Toni Sessoms won the democratic nomination for State Representative with 62.04% of the votes. w John Haupt and Bill Dailey won the nominations for County Commissioner districts 2 and 4, respectively. w Harrie Bleecker won the primary for Chippewa Township Precinct 1 Delegate. Millages w The Chippewa River District Library Millage failed on a vote of 1624 to 1251.
4A || Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2010 || Central Michigan Life
cm-life.com/category/sports
[Sports] M i d - A m e r i c a n C o n f e r e n c e M EDI A D A Y
BCS: No plans for playoff in next 4 years Enos tabs Radcliff starting QB as summer practices begin Friday By Aaron McMann Senior Reporter
DETROIT — Ask anyone who follows college football their opinion on the Bowl Championship Series. It tends to go one way: a better system needs to be devised to determine a true national champion. While debate continues to rage over the BCS and a potential playoff system, BCS Executive Director Bill Hancock met with members of the media Friday at the Mid-American Conference Football Preview at Ford Field to make the case for the BCS and shoot down the idea of a playoff system. “I would ask you to think about not just the postseason but the whole spectrum of college football all together, because that’s what the commissioners have to do,” Hancock said. “They just can’t view the postseason independently.” Hancock, now in his fifth year
By Aaron McMann Senior Reporter
DETROIT — CMU head coach Dan Enos has identified his starting quarterback for the 2010-11 season — for now. Enos revealed Friday during the Mid-American Conference Football Preview at Ford Field that sophomore quarterback Ryan Radcliff is the leader for the starting job heading into summer workouts. Radcliff will take snaps as the No. 1 when the team begins summer camp Friday. Players report back to campus Thursday. “It will ultimately be won in the fall, but Ryan Radcliff is the guy who at the end of spring separated himself,” Enos said. T h e 6-foot-2, 212Dan Enos pound Radcliff began spring camp as the most experienced among CMU’s quarterbacks. He played in seven games last season, going 10-of-21 for 115 yards and two interceptions. Junior Derek Rifenbury made just one appearance last season, getting a few snaps in CMU’s 48-0 win against Alcorn State. A.J. Westendorp was redshirted last season. Radcliff also saw the most playing time of the three quarterbacks in April’s spring game, taking every snap for the White team and going 25-of-41 for 229 yards and an interception. Rifenbury and Westendorp split time for the Maroon team. “We felt that in the spring he was just a little better throwing the ball and understanding what we were doing,” Enos said. “He was just a little further ahead.” But Radcliff is expected to receive some additional competition from 6-foot-1, 206 pound junior Brandon Fricke, who transferred to CMU from Grossmont Community College (El Cajon, Fla.) in May, and freshman Kyle Smith. Fricke, a pocket-passer,
at the BCS and former director of the NCAA Final Four for 13 years, is opposed to a playoff format. He said there would be backlash from teams left out whether the NCAA adopted a four, eight, 12 or 16-team playoff. He cites ‘bracket creep’ – an increased number of teams competing in the postseason – as one of the reasons a plus-one model, essentially a four-team tournament, was shot down a few years ago. With the increased number of teams in the NCAA tournament, the regular season is beginning to lose its importance, Hancock said. “We know we have the best regular season of any sport,” he said. “We think the bowl system is so important top to bottom in college football—at the end of the season, everyone has a chance to play in a bowl. The BCS allows us to match No. 1 and No. 2.” While that isn’t enough for most critics who say the BCS
favors the bigger conferences, Hancock points to the overwhelming support for the BCS among the college football community. According to a fact sheet circulated to media members Friday, “93 percent of all head coaches prefer the traditional bowl arrangement to a playoff.” “As long as the coaches and college presidents oppose a playoff, then a playoff won’t happen,” Hancock said. All 11 FCS conferences help manage of the BCS. CMU head coach Dan Enos, who came from the Big Ten, an automatic qulifying conference, declined to give his take on the BCS. “I’ve always felt that my job as a coach is just to coach and do the best I can,” Enos said. “Ultimately, with the BCS and all the decisions they make, I don’t have any say in it anyway.” sports@cm-life.com
Q & A: MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher FILE PHOTO BY SEAN PROCTOR
Sophomore quarterback Ryan Radcliff was named the starter by head coach Dan Enos following spring practices. Radcliff went 25-of-41 for 229 yards in April’s spring game.
“It will ultimately be won in the fall, but Ryan Radcliff is the leader for the starting job heading into summer workouts.” Dan Enos, CMU football head coach threw for 780 yards and eight touchdowns while helping lead Grossmont to an 8-3 record in 2009. Smith holds the Pennsylvania state record for career passing yards (8,544), touchdown passes (118) and single-season touchdown passes (50). He led Lancaster Catholic High School to a state championship in 2009. NOTES CMU was picked by the media Friday to finish the 2010 season second in the Mid-American Conference West Division. Temple was selected to win the East Division title and MAC championship, while Northern Illinois was picked to win the
West. The Holland Sentinel reported last week that A.J. Westendorp could miss up to three weeks after spraining his right ankle during conditioning on Thursday. The contract for CMU Sports Network play-by-play man Ryan Schuiling was not renewed last week. Don Chiodo and Brock Gutierrez will handle duties for football and men’s basketball games. GVSU alum Justin Hoff has joined the staff and will handle sidelines reports and serve as the voice of CMU women’s basketball, baseball and softball. sports@cm-life.com
CM Life Senior Reporter Aaron McMann and Staff Reporter John Evans sat down with MidAmerican Conference Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher for a few minutes Friday during the MAC Football Preview at Ford Field. John Evans: Given the success of certain teams and players in recent years, do you feel that there’s more a respect level for the MAC on national stage? Jon Steinbrecher: I believe so. The things I could point to as part of that is that we gained our new contract with ESPN that started a year ago. It assisted us as we were in our negotiations last fall and winter for new bowl contracts, when we secured five contracts for the first time in league history. Yes, I think those are things that people point to. We have good name recognition. We have to continue to grow on the field and keep pushing so that we’re getting multiple teams in (the) top 25. I think that’s critical as we move forward.
Aaron McMann: While the MAC lost the International Bowl after it decided to cease operations, it gained the Humanitarian Bowl. Do you feel like that ended up being a positive in terms of notoriety? JS: I’ll take it as a positive. The International Bowl was a very good partner – we enjoyed our experiences there. But the Humanitarian Bowl, it was my first time out there last year, boy do they do just a marvelous job. We had a great experience – they had a record TV rating with our game out there. I think our folks, when they go out there, they’re going to have their socks knocked off. The community really embraces the event, it’s a marvelous facility to play in and it’s a good matchup for us. I like playing against the WAC and playing against people that we don’t spend a lot during the regular season getting a chance to match up against. I think those things are very positive for us. AM: In terms of the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, with the
Big Ten adding another team (Nebraksa) next year, do you see that bowl becoming more important in the future in that MAC schools could play Big Ten schools regularly? JS: We would hope so. We’ll see how it plays out. History has shown the last few years that hasn’t occurred a lot, but we hope more and more to have the opportunity. At the same token, the Sun Belt is a very good partner. We’re pleased that they are providing a secondary or back up partner and we’ll forward to matching up with whomever.
Visit cm-life.com to read the rest of the interview, including Steinbrecher’s thoughts on the BCS, the state of the MAC in regards to explansion and more.
cm-life.com CMU softball head coach Margo Jonker inks four-year contract, adds four players to 2011 roster.
6A || Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2010 || Central Michigan Life
business
New liquor store opens on Blue Grass By Ryan Taljonick Staff Reporter
Photos by Sean Procter/Photo editor
Jay Martin, the new director of the Museum of Cultural and Natural History, looks through the Cultural History storage room in search for items to put into a new exhibit this fall. “We have a fantastic collection here,” Martin said. “It’s little things you put into an exhibit that people can connect with.”
Jay Martin new CMU museum director By Connor Sheridan News Editor
Jay Martin belongs in a museum. But that’s no insult to Martin, the newly hired director of the Central Michigan University Museum of Cultural and Natural History and academic museum studies program. His primary aspiration is to lift the museum, which is now quartered in Rowe Hall, to a place of greater prominence and national prestige. “The museum is older, it’s in a facility that was never designed to be a museum in the first place,” Martin said. “I want to have the best teaching facility that one can have, the day I retire I would like to walk out of a state of the art museum.” Martin said the best thing a university museum can provide is a link between the academic programs that are present at the university and the public, a link he hopes to strengthen. “How many of those people who are across Mission from the university every day of their
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lives really get a chance to explore what’s happening here and what’s happening in all the academic disciplines here?” Martin said. Martin was appointed by Pamela Gates, interim dean of the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences. She said he was chosen through a nationwide search for a candidate conducted after former director William Pretzer left to work at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. in 2009. “His credentials as an educator of history and museum director, in conjunction with his vision for the museum and museum studies program here at CMU, provided the search committee with the confidence to offer him the position,” Gates said in an emailed statement. Martin will work with former interim director of museum studies and assistant professor of anthropology Cathy Willermet. She said she is excited to begin working with him. “I think we’re extremely fortunate to have attracted him here, because he’s one of those real
Jay Martin, the new director of the Museum for Cultural and Natural History opens a drawer in the Natural History storage room, revealing several specimens of the Summer and Western Tanager.
people who has the energy to do them both (directing the museum and museum studies program),” she said. Martin, a Jonestown native and former Great Lakes mariner, has worked at several colleges and museums across the nation including Southeastern Louisiana University. His primary inspiration, however, comes from the Children’s
Museum of Indianapolis. “Most of my inspiration comes from children’s museums, ideally I’d like to have a museum that focuses on handson activities for children and families,” he said. “We have to be able to use modern technology to reach out, and to use it as a learning tool.” university@cm-life.com
A new Mount Pleasant liquor store is aiming to have a wide variety of choices. K&S Liquor, 4855 E. Blue Grass Rd., opened last Friday. Owner Norm Shamoun said opening day was a bit quiet, but he was pleased with the number of customers that came into his store. “It was decent for people not knowing it was open,” he said. Shamoun said he will go to great lengths to obtain any beer or liquor requested by his customers. “I like challenges,” he said. “If I don’t have it, I will find a way to get it.” Shamoun currently stocks more than 300 types of liquors and beer. He’s excited to stock a new item — whipped cream that contains alcohol. “It looks like a can of Cool Whip, but it’s liquor — it’s crazy,” he said. “Anything unique or cool, I’m going to have it.” The store includes a make-your-own six-pack section where customers can create a six-pack with craft beers of their choice. The store also stocks hookahs and hookah supplies, a large variety of candy and even silly bands, shaped elastic wrist-bands that are be-
coming increasingly popular, Shamoun said. Shamoun said he eventually hopes to stock a variety of fountain pop and sodas from around the world. “‘If we don’t have it, we will get it,’ that’s my motto — unless it’s illegal of course,” he said, laughing. Shamoun also plans on stocking eggs, bread, sandwiches and other everyday necessities. Shamoun said he wants to keep the locals happy while bringing in new customers. “I want it to be a place where you can come with your kids too,” he said. Alex Hutchinson works next door to K&S Liquor at the census bureau. She’s glad the new party store opened. “I’ve been in there a couple times,” she said. “It’s a convenient location and they’re always very friendly.” Shamoun said he received his liquor license in February and spent about six months putting his business together and stocking its shelves. “I used all local contractors to keep the money in the county,” he said. “Union Township gave me a little bit of problems, but it all worked out in the end.” metro@cm-life.com
“‘If we don’t have it, we will get it,’ that’s my motto — unless it’s illegal of course.” Norm Sharmoun, K&S Liquor owner