April 1

Page 1

the daily

halfasskan tuesday, april 1, 2014

volume 113, issue 123

The Daily Halfasskan first printed April 1, 1975. The editorial content of the Daily Halfasskan is meant for entertainment purposes only and should by no means be taken seriously. Any use of similarities to real people or events, save for public figures and events, are accidental and purely coincidental.

Print DN finally finds use as bird’s nest, cat litter Damn, I guess the print DN really is important. If I’d known it was so significant to the survival of campus wildlife, I would’ve voted yes for the DN’s fees...”

Miles Rothlisberger daily Halfasskan Print readership of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Daily Nebraskan continues to decline. But some members of the UNL community claim the print DN has only recently found its true value to campus. A March print issue of the DN has provided shelter for a local robin, an anonymous bird watcher told the Daily Halfasskan on Monday. The robin’s DN nest was discovered in a tree on the south side of the Nebraska Union. Many students took notice. “Huh, that’s kinda neat,” said an obviously impressed Leon Styles, a junior business major. “That bird has little bits of newspaper in its nest. Cool.” The robin, who humbly refused to give its name or the reason why it suddenly decided to use the DN for its nest to reporters, has repeatedly used remnants of the DN’s news, arts & life and sports pages to construct a weather-proof and quirky college news-centered home for its brood. At press time, the robin searched for pieces of the opinion section to add support to the nest and to possibly educate its young about rising student fees and racism on campus. Hailey Konnath, the DN’s editor-in-chief and a senior global studies and journalism major, speculated that the newspapers the robin used for its nest may have blown straight out of the DN’s newsroom or were thrown into the union’s lawn by students who didn’t mean to pick up a DN in the first place. “No, I don’t think this is an indication that more actual UNL students are picking up the print paper on purpose,” Konnath said. But the potency of print editions of the DN does not stop at sustaining and informing the developing lives of small birds. During spring

rosie carpenter

sophomore political science major

jake greve | dn

The print edition of the Daily Nebraskan recently found a new, some say more important purpopse: as construction material for campus birds’ nests and cat litter for the UNL feral cat population. The DN plans to tailor its content to appeal to this new demographic. break, pages upon pages of the newspaper were also successfully used as litter for UNL’s feral cat community. Absorbent as well as informing, the DN gives UNL’s fe-

lines hard-hitting journalism while standing strong in the face of defecation. When asked for her thoughts, local tortoiseshell tabby cat, nick-

named “Cuddlethorp” by a number of students, refrained from speaking to reporters. But her purring while lying on a November issue of the DN suggests her satisfaction

with the print newspaper. “Damn, I guess the print DN really is important,” said Rosie Carpenter, a sophomore political science major. “If I’d known it was

so significant to the survival of campus wildlife, I would’ve voted yes for the DN’s fees in the student government election.” DN leadership has taken notice of this newly visible print demographic on campus. Konnath said the newspaper would be tailoring its print content to appeal to those who find a use for the physical newspapers. “It is certainly important to keep in mind the needs of the print readership, whoever that readership may be,” Konnath said. “To relate more with birds, for example, we’ll need to start keeping track of the net growth of earthworms and the decay of discarded Amigos tacos on campus. For cats, we’ll need stories pertaining to innovations in scratching post technology or advocating for compensation after meme publication.” Konnath also said that once the print version of the DN is inevitably discovered to be wonderful kindling for fires to warm the homeless, the DN will need to “up our game even more.” news@ dailyhalfasskan.com

PIES WE’D RATHER EAT THAN SUBWAY PIZZA EXPRESS Subway Pizza Express recently moved into the Nebraska Union. The restaurant offers students a perfectly edible pizza option and features good service. But it seems some may prefer their pies not be made with ingredients eerily similar to ones used in Subway sandwiches. The Daily Halfasskan asked students, which pie do you prefer?

Go Big Red Blood Pie Who is President Milliken? Pie

Blueberry Pie Rhubarb Pie

Goodbye President Milliken We’ll Miss You Pie

Ham Pie Shepherd’s Pie

Harvey Perlman’s State of the University Pie

Gravel Pie

matt masin | dn

UNL to cut all academics, put focus on athletics Hailey Konnath Daily Halfasskan When junior computer science major Colin Johnson first came to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he never expected his program would one day be cut. “I was offered a full-ride scholarship and room and board with the (Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management),” he said. “I assumed an investment in me like that meant the university valued me and my skill set. I was wrong.” Johnson’s area of study, and all areas of study, will be cut at the end of the spring semester, and the university will focus on athletics. The sweeping cuts are a part of a new plan for UNL to balance its budget, which was unveiled by UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman in his latest “Perls of Knowledge” video Monday evening. “With this tough economic climate and a government leery of funding higher education, I truly believe this is the way to go,” Perlman told the Daily Halfasskan in an email Monday evening. “Academics and research are just not bringing in the money we need to keep this institution afloat. Athletics is.” Perlman’s “Perls of Knowledge” video shows the chancellor dancing to Miley Cyrus’ “We Can’t Stop” in different places around campus: the Lied Center for Performing Arts’ main stage, the planetarium in Morrill Hall, a lab in Othmer Hall and on top of a stack of papers on an

annoyed-looking Vice Chancellor for Research & Economic Development Prem Paul’s desk. The music fades, and Perlman is on the roof of Oldfather Hall, pointing to various buildings around campus and saying, “cut.” He then whirls around and points to Memorial Stadium. “Keep,” he whispers. The music starts back up, and Perlman is rolling on the turf in Memorial Stadium. Words flash across the screen. “Hey #UNL! We gonna focus on #sports from now on. Everything else is #canceled #forever. Party on!” Lied Center Executive Director Bill Stephan called the video “appalling.” “It’s one thing to announce major budget cuts that will put most of your faculty and staff out of work,” he said. “It’s another to announce it via a YouTube video involving Miley Cyrus and hashtags.” UNL news director Steve Smith said the video was designed to reach students and potential students who no longer have the attention spans for a press conference or formal address. “I loved the video,” said Stephanie Sanderson, a freshman biology major. “It was so fun.” A Daily Halfasskan survey of 25 percent of UNL undergraduate and graduate students showed a whopping 90 percent of students watched the video but didn’t realize it meant their departments were being eliminated.

perlman: see page 2

Humble Pie

Bugeater Pie

Mother’s Blood Pie Pine Bark Pie

Fingers ‘n’ Toes Pie

What’s-That-Chunk Pie

Cross My Heart and Hope to Pie

Lucy in the Pie With Diamonds

Cream Pie Gasoline Pie

The Number Pi

Ol’ Pumpkin Pie

Windows Vista Pie Dinosaur Fossil Pie Big Sean Pie Cap’n Crunch OOPS! All Berries Pie

Rusty Nail Pie Cherry Pie

Fans can’t wait to pressure Miles Tyler Keown Daily Halfasskan Pointing to an appearance in the NCAA Tournament and multiple wins against top-10 teams this season, Husker fans are reportedly excited to hold Tim Miles and the Nebraska men’s basketball team to an impossible standard for the first time next season and for many years to come. The frenzied Husker fans, notorious for jumping to quick conclu-

sions and demanding perfection, said they’re “pumped” to have something to care about while football is absent. “It’s always felt like we’re hibernating from January to August,” said Mark Stanberg, who graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1987. “It’s always a really uncomfortable time. We can nitpick recruits and whatever, but that’s not the same. “Now we have something we can get angry about almost year-round.”

Dan Kaiser, who attended the university from 1992 to 1995 and has a Husker football blog titled “Cornhub,” said statistics will easily allow fans to expect entirely too much of the basketball team. “Look at who was in the Elite Eight this year,” Kaiser said. “Wisconsin, Michigan and Michigan State, the three teams that finished in front of us in the Big Ten. That technically makes us the ninth best team in the country.” The team, which lost handily to

Baylor in the second round of the tournament 74-60, is projected by Kaiser to pick up at least a share of the regular season Big Ten title, win the Big Ten tournament and make it to the Final Four as a 1-seed next season. “Anything less will be considered a failure and will prove the Pinnacle Bank Arena wasn’t worth building,” he said. “Also, I expect coach (Miles) to hit the gym more

men’s bball: see page 2


2

dailynebraskan.com

tuesday, april 1, 2014

Ancient campus discovered Tyler Keown Daily halfasskan University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers surprised many Monday with an announcement of an ancient campus discovered in Lincoln. The campus, located near 33rd and Holdrege streets, was discovered during the weekend by university explorers. “It was a happy accident,” said lead explorer Xavier Gonzales. “We were passing through territory we thought had previously been mapped out, but to our shock, there was an entire campus there.” The area has been dubbed “the campus of the East” by UNL staff. Researchers said they’ve yet to date how old the campus is, but they said they expect it to go back “at least a hundred years.” “What’s startling are the people that live on the campus,” Gonzales said. “They have no desire to interact with the outside world. They’ve been living this way for a long, long time.” Gonzales pointed to the agricultural focus of the area as a telling mark of age. “They’ve yet to move on past the development of crop-based survival,” he said. “It appears they’ve focused heavily on sustaining a simple lifestyle.” UNL staff said they plan to attempt contact with the residents, but “don’t want to rush anything, to prevent clashing or potential violence.” “We don’t know much about these people yet,” said UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman. “They may be trained in combat forms we’re not aware of. Remember that many years ago, violence was much more prevalent than it is now. We don’t need blood on our hands.” Gonzales also showed concern about disrupting the ecosystem of the campus. “For them to survive this long unnoticed means they have everything they need on their campus,” he said. “If we just stomp in there, it could be disastrous for their population.

cops briefs Milliken caught trying to buy weed

University of Nebraska President J.B. Milliken was arrested by university police about 4:20 p.m. on March 29 for allegedly trying to buy marijuana from his son, UNL freshman James Milliken Jr. “His Honor President Milliken was looking for a little something to ease the stress of his upcoming move, so he went to the residence of his son in Abel Hall,” said UNLPD Assistant Chief Charlotte Evans. “He wasn’t aware that his son is now working to catch people trying to buy marijuana on campus. Milliken Jr. called us, and we ticketed Mr. President Sir.” Milliken Jr. was charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia back in August 2013. He told the DN he has since been working with UNLPD. “Never thought I’d be busting my old man, but such is life,” he said.

Freshman arrested for being exceedingly lame

matt masin | dn

UNL explorers found a campus, seemingly untouched by time, near 33rd and Holdrege streets on Monday. They dubbed the area “the campus of the East.”

We’ve noticed their affinity for more practical clothing. Their focus is on wearability, not vanity. Although they do all seem to have well-cared-for teeth.”

Number of drunk students frightened by mammoth statue on the rise

xavier gonzales unl explorer

It’s not our place to devastate an entire people.” UNL said that with “a delicate hand,” they’ll systematically continue research on the campus. Early observations have proven “fascinating,” according to Gonzales. “We’ve noticed their affinity for more practical clothing,” he said. “Their focus is on wearability, not vanity. Although they do all seem to have well-caredfor teeth.” Gonzales described it as a “culture without prejudice.”

“A sure sign of a simpler society,” Gonzales said. The residents are also fans of cow meat, ice cream and a game researchers are calling “bolling,” in which players take a rounded rock and roll it toward “what appears to be bones placed standing up,” Gozales says, in an attempt to knock them over. “It’s beautiful in its simplicity and savagery,” Gonzales said. “Compared to our sports, it doesn’t seem like much, but these people are taken by it.”

Gonzales said his team is still puzzled by many things on the campus, including a large cement ring that the people drive vehicles in, found on the northern side. “It appears to have been made hundreds of years ago, similar to Stonehenge,” Gonzales said. “Perhaps it is meant to show unity? Or to be a visible tribute to a God? Your guess is as good as mine.” news@ dailyhalfasskan.com

men’s bball: from 1

University police arrested a freshman in Kauffman Academic Residential Center on March 27 who was deemed “not cool enough for school.” Daniel Thompson, 19, a freshman computer science major, was charged with three counts of “being a complete, dweebish lame-o,” after he refused to drink, smoke and “chillax” after being asked to by those with superior coolness, according to Evans. “We got a call from some concerned minors just before midnight,” she said. “We contacted the party in question, and he admitted to wanting to go to bed early even though it was spring break. At that time, we took him into custody.”

UNLPD released numbers on March 31 that show an increase in the number of drunk students who call UNLPD to report a mammoth on the loose. “Usually we get more calls about Archie during football season when out-of-state fans are around,” Evans said. “But this year, something else seems to be driving all these students to fear it. We think it’s all this global warming talk. Or a new drug.” In March, 1,500 students, about the number of students in the Abel and Sandoz residence halls, reported running from a giant mammoth on campus. That’s up from the 1,000 in February and 500 in January. Evans said UNLPD has officers pretend to tranquilize the mammoth statue for the drunken, frightened students. “It calms them, and we also film it and put it on our YouTube channel,” she said with a wink.

news@dailyhalfasskan.com

student

voice

How politically incorrect do you want your ASUN senator to be?

“How about as racist as the 1850s? I’ve always wanted to immerse myself in pre-Civil War American history.” Sam Grady

sophomore entomology major

“I want them to be like Grandpa Starling. I mean, the guy would be super nice if it weren’t for all the Jewish jokes, but those are too funny to really be taken seriously.”

file photo by jake crandall | dn

After this season’s success, Husker fans say they can’t wait to hold Tim Miles and his men’s basketball team, all of whom are young, impressionable students, to impossible standards in the future. and get LASIK eye surgery to help improve his stamina and focus on the sidelines.” Husker forward Terran Petteway, considered the best player in the NCAA by Kaiser, was quick to warn fans about high expectations. “I mean, we’ll probably be pretty good,” Petteway said. “But I’d hate to see fans get caught up in our past performances. Each season is its own thing with different players involved. Expecting a great season every year from now on, based solely on what’s happened before, is unfair to the coaching staff and the players. It’s not

like we’re not going to try our hardest next year. But fans, there’s a reason we’re Nebraska basketball players and not football players. We like our peace. Leave us the hell alone, please.” While many people are excited for the 2014-2015 season, a select few haven’t enjoyed the Huskers’ success. David Arrent moderates the Lincoln Journal Star’s community comments, on both the LJS website and Facebook. He said he expects comments regarding the basketball team to be “a total hellscape.” “It’s going to be real bad,” Arrent said. “The team could be mediocre for

the next 20 years, and we’ll still get comments about how the Huskers should be winning by double digits every game.” Arrent said he expects hundreds of comments from fans claiming they could better coach the team, and how dumb they find certain players, many of whom are less than 21 years old. “But that’s just human nature, I guess,” Arrent said. “Everyone needs something to be overly hopeful so they can inevitably spiral into depression in the end.” news@ dailyhalfasskan.com

“In this day and age, what is a degree really worth if it’s not accompanied by you playing on an NCAA team?” he said. “We’ve been encouraging Perlman to make this decision for some time. We encourage the other NU campuses to do the same. Well, except UNK and UNMC, I guess. They need to get some winning sports programs first, right?”

Perlman said he intended to destroy the newly discovered campus of the East in a controlled burn and use the land for more athletic fields. He said he will leave City Campus intact. “I’d like to give each team a building to live in and hang out in,” he said. “I bet even the SEC can’t give any of their recruits that.” news@ dailyhalfasskan.com

Karl Klingman

senior exploratory major

“Is this a loaded question? Also, where am I, and why am I tied to this chair?” Bart Jorgensen

freshman criminal justice major

perlman: from 1 “I don’t really like to pay attention to what’s going on around me unless it’s football or pizza day in Selleck,” said Brad Day, a sophomore civil engineering major. “Hey, look over there. It’s Kenny Bell petting a campus cat. Hey, Kenny!” Regent Tim Clare said the NU Board of Regents supports Perlman wholeheartedly.

“I just want them to hate. That’s what matters to my family and me.” Aaron Foster senior history major

—COMPilED BY staff | photos by jake greve

daily nebraskan editor-in-chief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402.472.1766 Hailey Konnath managing editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402.472.1763 Jacy Marmaduke ENGAGEMENT EDITOR. . . . . . . . . . . . 402.472.1763 Nick Teets news. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402.472.1763 associate editor Frannie Sprouls Conor Dunn assignment editor Daniel Wheaton projects editor opinion editor Ruth Boettner Amy Kenyon assistant editor arts & life. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .402.472.1756 co-editor Katie Nelson Nathan Sindelar co-editor Tyler Keown co-editor sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402.472.1765 editor Zach Tegler Natasha Rausch assistant editor Eric Bertrand assistant editor

Design chief Alyssa Brunswick photo chief Matt Masin copy chief Danae Lenz web chief Hayden Gascoigne art director Natalia Kraviec Sean Flattery assistant director general manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . .402.472.1769 Dan Shattil Advertising. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .402.472.2589 manager Penny Billheimer Chris Hansen student manager publications board. . . . . . . . . . . . . 308.520.9447 chairwoman Kelsey Baldridge professional AdvisEr . . . . . . . . . 402.473.7248 Don Walton

Founded in 1901, the Daily Nebraskan is the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s only independent daily newspaper written, edited and produced entirely by UNL students. General Information The Daily Nebraskan is published weekly on Mondays during the summer and Monday through Friday during the nine-month academic year, except during finals week. The Daily Nebraskan is published by the UNL

Publications Board, 20 Nebraska Union, 1400 R St., Lincoln, NE 685880448. The board holds public meetings monthly. Subscriptions are $115 for one year.

job applications The Daily Nebraskan accepts job applications year-round for paid

positions. To apply, visit the Daily Nebraskan offices, located in the basement of the south side of the Nebraska Union.

Check out DailyNebraskan.com for access to special features only available online. ©2014 Daily Nebraskan.


dailynebraskan.com

tuesday, april 1, 2014

3

REGULAR DAILY NEBRASKAN NEWS COVERAGE DN CALENDAR

APR.

1

ON CAMPUS what: Priority Registration Training – 10 minute sessions when: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. where: Love Library South, Room 110

what:

Save the Orphans & Widows of South Sudan when: 6 p.m. where: Nebraska Union, Centennial Room

what: Singing Small Festival Performance when: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. where: Kimball Recital Hall more information: Free admission

IN LINCOLN what: Damon Fowler when: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. where: Zoo Bar, 136 N. 14th St. more information: Admission is $8.

Students, faculty say goodbye to Milliken Layla Younis DN After a decade of serving as University of Nebraska president James B. Milliken said his goodbyes to students, staff and faculty during a farewell reception in the Van Brunt Visitors Center on Monday. Milliken is resigning from the university on May 2 where he will go on to become chancellor of the City University of New York in June. James Linder, Milliken’s senior associate for innovation and economic competitiveness as well as president of the University Technology Development Corp., is filling in as NU’s interim president and will work beside

the university. However, even Milliken throughout April. About 50 people attended though he said he cried in the middle of the night Milliken’s farewell rewhen he came to his ception to hear a speech decision, he knew given by University going to New York of Nebraska-Lincoln was what was best Chancellor Harvey for him. Perlman about his exThough he is perience working with leaving, Milliken Milliken. said he knows that “This has been a the University of really great period of Nebraska is a spetime at the University cial place. of Nebraska,” Perlman “Thank you for said, referencing Milmilliken the way you all and liken’s time at the unieveryone in Nebrasversity. ka welcomed me 10 Milliken said to the years ago.” Milliken said. audience how troubled he was news@ about three months ago when he dailynebraskan.com had to make the decision to leave

Pixar scientist to talk math behind movies mathematics has played a role in making everything from the enviReferring to animated ronment, clothing, hair and clouds in animated films. films, Tony DeRose Judy Walker, an Aaron Douglas will explain how professor and chairwoman of the department of mathematics, said math has changed she hopes to see a wide audience. filmmaking over time “The talk will be mathematicsrelated of course, but really, you’re going to get some level of appreciation out of it, especially if you like staff report movies,” she said. DN DeRose studied physics at the University of California, Davis, A senior scientist from Pixar Anima- and earned his doctorate in comtion Studios will explain the math puter science from the University behind animated films on Tuesday. of California, Berkeley. Soon after Tony DeRose, senior scientist he became a professor of computer and lead of Pixar’s research group, science and engineering at the Uniwill present “Math in the Movies” versity of Washington. at 4:30 p.m. in the Nebraska Union DeRose was a major contribuAuditorium. The lecture, sponsored tor to the Oscar-winning short film by the Howard E. “Geri’s Game” in 1998 Rowlee Jr. Fund and and in 1999, he received the University of Nethe ACM SIGGRAPH braska-Lincoln math Computer Graphics department, is open Achievement Award, to the public, and which recognizes outstudents are encourstanding contributions to aged to come and computer graphics. He listen. also received the ScienWith the adtific and Technical Acadvancement of comemy Award in 2006 for his puter technology, gework on surface represenometry and applied tations, which are a way mathematics, filmof representing objects in derose making has changed computer-aided design dramatically since and manufacturing. the invention of the first motion“What we hope to accomplish picture camera in 1891. With many is to give mathematically inclined examples being drawn from Pixar’s people a better understanding of feature films, DeRose will provide the applications of the things that a behind-the-scenes look at how they know, but also to give non-

if you go what: “Math in the Movies” when: 4:30 p.m. where: Nebraska Union Auditorium

mathematically inclined people an indication that this thing that they think that has nothing to do with mathematics actually relies on it,” Walker said. The lecture was made possible through the Howard Rowlee Lecture Series. Through a donation made by Howard E. Rowlee Jr., the series has included lectures by internationally acclaimed scholars in the mathematical sciences since 1997. The series is an annual event that serves to promote understanding of mathematical research and stimulate the environment for mathematics research at UNL. “Not everyone needs to be mathematician, not everybody needs to be a physicist, not everybody needs to be a journalist,” Walker said. “But one certainly hopes that everybody appreciates the value of a well-written newspaper and one certainly hopes that everybody appreciates the value of mathematics and of physics and of history.” NEWS@ DAILYNEBRASKAN.com

big ten roundup Iowa denies request by ‘Girls’ to film on campus

University of Iowa officials denied a request by HBO to film “Girls” on the public school’s campus. The show was created by and stars Lena Dunham. In the season three finale, Dunhman’s character, Hannah, is accepted to the Iowa Writer’s Workshop at the university. “Girls” staff writer Sarah Heyward is an alumna of the prestigious MFA program. The Iowa plotline was written into the show before university officials knew about it. Workshop director Samantha Chang said it was a complete surprise that Iowa would be part of the season cliffhanger. After reviewing the script, the university’s vice president of strategic communication Joe Brennan told the Iowa City Press-Citizen that he felt the storyline placed the city and university in an unfavorable light. Brennan also considered the potential for disruption. The Iowa Writer’s Workshop is the first creative writing program in the country and boasts several U.S. Poet Laureates and Pulitzer Prize winners as alumni.

Michigan transportation institute studies vehicle communication

The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute and the U.S. Department of Transportation are partnering on the largest study on vehicle to vehicle (V2V) communication. At 10 times per second, test vehicles transmit their location, speed, size and heading. About 3,000 cars, trucks, semis, motorcycles and bicycles are participating in the study. If a V2V equipped vehicle stops 300 years ahead a car, that car will know. If the driver fails to slow down, the vehicle gives a warning within 50 to 100 feet. The transportation department and UMTRI have logged 4 million trips and 25 million miles since the study began 18 months ago. The program will expand to 6,000 more cars and trucks to get a better handle on the effect and benefits V2V will have. The vehicle is also connected to 29 specially equipped intersections. The smart roads alert drivers to speed, ice present and if cross-traffic fails to stop. V2V might be publicly available in three to five years and is estimated to be as little as $100.

Governor’s summer ag program returns after 5-year hiatus

The Governor’s School for the Agricultural Sciences at Penn State University is taking applications after a five-year hiatus. Governor’s Schools in Pennsylvania were closed in 2008 but reinstated by Gov. Tom Corbett in summer 2013. The Governor’s School for the Agricultural Sciences will bring 40 students together for four weeks of classes and research projects to develop an understanding fields of agricultural and natural resources to prepare them for career opportunities. The Governor said he sees the program as a way to develop students for positions that will require them to find solutions to feed a growing world population. The program will be July 13 to Aug. 9 at Penn State’s University Park campus and is open to high school juniors and residents of Pennsylvania.

Ohio State research find avatar race affects white video game players

A study conducted by researchers at the Ohio State University found that white video game players who assume a black character in the video game play more aggressively. Once the game is over, the effect continues: The player has stronger explicit negative attitudes toward blacks and shows stronger attitudes that link blacks to weapons. Participants in the study who played the violent version of the game as a black avatar were more likely to associate black faces with negative words on the Implicit Association Test, designed to reveal unconscious bias. A second experiment included 141 white college students (65 percent female) played either WWE Smackdown or Fight Night Round 4, both considered violent games. After the game ended, the participants were tested with an IAT test again. The results showed that the students who played as a black avatar were more likely to associate black faces with weapons. Researchers said the study counters the argument that white people need to take the perspective of a minority. — compiled by mara klecker

news briefs Siblings donate $100,000 to establish Holocaust education fund

Two Nebraska alumni and siblings donated $100,000 to the University of Nebraska Foundation to establish the Lou Sommerhauser Fund for Holocaust Education. The permanently endowed fund will provide annual resources to the Harris Center for Judaic Studies, which evaluates and develops Holocaust teaching methods. Peter Sommerhauser of Milwaukee, Wis., and Eileen Sommerhauser Putter of Seattle donated the money as a lasting honor to their father, Lou Sommerhauser, and their grandparents, Albert and Babette Sommerhauser, who were murdered in a Nazi concentration camp during the Holocaust. Lou Sommerhauser was born in Nuremberg, Germany, in 1909 to Albert and Babette Sommerhauser, and immigrated to the United States in 1938 after marrying Leelo Eichbaum. They raised two children, Peter and Eileen. Lou died in 1972 and Leelo died in 2009. Peter Sommerhauser is a UNL College of Arts and Sciences graduate and earned a master’s from the College of Business Administration before getting a law degree from Northwestern University. Along with his wife, alumna Elizabeth Higgins Sommerhauser, he is a trustee of the NU Foundation. Eileen Sommerhauser Putter is a College of Education and Human Sciences graduate and received a master’s degree in urban education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. With this private support, UNL is among the first leading efforts to evaluate how Holocaust education is taught within higher education and developing verified instructional methods with the goal of empowering students to challenge intolerance. The Holocaust education project is a multidisciplinary effort led by the Harris Center and co-led by Gerald Steinacher, assistant professor of history and the Hymen Rosenberg Professor of Judaic Studies; Ari Kohen, associate professor of political science and the Schlesinger Professor for Social Justice; and Jon Pedersen, associate dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences. The gift also provides support for the University of Nebraska’s Campaign for Nebraska, a comprehensive fundraising initiative that concludes Dec. 31.

National Drought Mitigation Center releases online drought risk atlas

The National Drought Mitigation Center unveiled a new online Drought Risk Atlas, which provides analysis of data on drought frequency and severity for more than 3,000 spots across the United States. The stations chosen for the atlas go back about 40 years with continuous date, while some go back more than 100 years. Users can find the closest climate station to see how often drought has affected an area, how bad it has been and how long it lasted. They can look at the drought through different lenses: U.S. Drought Monitor, the Standardized Precipitation Index (with and without evapotranspiration), the Palmer Drought Index, deciles and more. Users can also look at records for a cluster of stations near each other that exhibit similar historic patterns of drought. Data goes through 2012 and contains both raw and serially complete datasets for the user to choose from and download. Climatologist Mark Svoboda, a leader of the NDMC’s monitoring program area and School of Natural Resources geoscientist, credited the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency, the National Integrated Drought Information System and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Sectoral Applications Research Program with supporting development of the atlas. Though the past is considered a less reliable guide to the future when climate is concerned, the atlas can help researchers better anticipate future climate impacts, Svoboda said in a UNL press release. The National Drought Mitigation Center is based in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s School of Natural Resources.

unl to celebrate morrison center addition

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is celebrating the opening of its new addition to the Ken Morrison Life Sciences Research Center on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. The Morrison Center opened in April 2008 on East Campus and houses the Nebraska Center for Virology. The new wing, which rests on the north side of the building, gives 30,000 square feet to the existing 67,000-square-foot space. The addition includes seven research labs, support facilities and offices and a seminar room with video-conferencing capabilities that can seat up to 150 people. The expansion will allow the center to recruit up to six senior and junior faculty for its research, which will include state-of-the-art equipment for analyzing various cells and tissues. The celebration will begin with opening statements from Charles Wood, the director of the center, Chancellor Harvey Perlman, Prem Paul, UNL’s vice chancellor for research and economic development, and will be followed by tours of the new wing.

››

Big Sean to perform at unl spring concert

Hip-hop artist Big Sean and his special guest XV, a rapper, singer and songwriter from Wichita, Kan., will play a free outdoor concert at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on April 9. The concert, which is UNL’s 2014 spring concert put on by University Program Council, 106.3 KFRX and UNL Greek Affairs, will start at 8 p.m. and is expected to last until 11 p.m. on the Nebraska Union greenspace. Sound checks will begin after 5 p.m. The concert will be relocated to the Nebraska Coliseum if it rains. Big Sean’s career took off from his home in Detroit, Mich., after the release of his album “Finally Famous” in July 2011. Big Sean has been named a “Best New Artist” at the 2012 BET Awards and has also received double Grammy nominations for his work with Kanye West on the hit song, “Mercy.” XV, who will open the show, describes his music style as soulful old-school beats with a futuristic twist. The performer released a new EP titled “Madness Begins” in March. news@ dailynebraskan.com


4

OPINION

tuesday, april 1, 2014 dailynebraskan.com

d n e d i to r i a l b oa r d m e m b e r s HAILEY KONNATH

DANIEL WHEATON

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

PROJECTS editor

RUTH BOETTNER

CONOR DUNN

opinion editor

news assignment EDITOR

AMY KENYON

ZACH TEGLER

assistant opinion editor

sports EDITOR

JACY MARMADUKE

KATIE NELSON

MANAGING EDITOR

assistant arts EDITOR

campus pro-tip

How to write a paper for a book you didn’t read 1. Skim through the book and pull out quotes from the beginning, middle and end. Then it doesn’t look like you only read one section. 2. See if there’s a synopsis or study guide online from sites such as SparkNotes. 3. DO NOT directly copy other essays or sources. Use them for inspiration only. Plagiarism may seem quick, but every syllabus ever should have told you it’s a bad idea. 4. If you need an outside source, use table of contents and headings to find a useful section or two to quote. 5. Take notes in class. Incorporate points you know your professor agrees with. 6. Double check and follow the requirements. If your paper looks pretty and is based on what it’s supposed to be, you’re sure to get a couple points. 7. Have at least one original statement. Build off the back cover description, a random quote from the middle or an observation from your roommate. Show your professor that you at least tried to think about it. 8. Plan ahead and read the book in the first place.

opinion@dailynebraskan.com

editorial policy The editorial above contains the opinion of the fall 2013 Daily Nebraskan Editorial Board. It does not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, its student body or the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. A column is solely the opinion of its author; a cartoon is solely the opinion of its artist. The Board of Regents acts as publisher of the Daily Nebraskan; policy is set by the Daily Nebraskan Editorial Board. The UNL Publications Board, established by the regents, supervises the production of the paper. According to policy set by the regents, responsibility for the editorial content of the newspaper lies solely in the hands of Daily Nebraskan employees.

letters to the editor policy The Daily Nebraskan welcomes brief letters to the editor and guest columns but does not guarantee their publication. The Daily Nebraskan retains the right to edit or reject any material submitted. Submitted material becomes property of the Daily Nebraskan and cannot be returned or removed from online archives. Anonymous submissions will not be published. Those who submit letters must identify themselves by name, year in school, major, and/or group affiliation, if any. Email material to opinion@ dailynebraskan.com or mail to: Daily Nebraskan, 20 Nebraska Union, 1400 R St. Lincoln, NE 68588-0448.

mike rendowski | dn

Tipping system needs to be abolished

W

ait staff, baristas, bartenders and servers of all kinds are the unsung heroes of the food service industry. They deal with every sort of customer all day long. They are the ones who give us our lattes when we can barely function the morning of a big test. They give us greasy delicious diner food when we’re hungover. They keep the wheels of American industry going by serving us food at all hours of the day. Without them, we would be hungry, exhausted and decaffeinated. We should cherish food service workers, but we shouldn’t tip them. Tipping would be great if it was a rare experience. Something you only did when the service was extraordinary. But we’re expected to tip every time we go out, and in an increasing variety of places. We’re supposed to tip our baristas in coffee shops, wait staff in buffets and even the staff in the serve-yourself frozen yogurt joint. How much should you tip the barista who just hands you a mug for you to pour your own coffee into? How much should you tip someone in a serve-yourself restaurant? Should it be the same as in a sitdown place? All this tipping creates a feedback loop where we as consumers are supposed to pay part of wait staffs’ wages. Under federal law, restaurants are only required to pay $2.13 an hour as long as the tips received equal at

Online course options fail to provide adequate discussion

A

quick Internet search reveals free or inexpensive online course options from a number of universities. Some are recognizable institutions; others solely exist online. Last semester, my class on technology for educators discussed this trend. Online units provide a mostly navigable space for students and instructors to share documents, discussions and links to outside resources. They save the university money on faculty and facility costs, so students often get lower tuition. From what I had heard from actual students, When she sent the email, at least I was able to hide though, these classes are boring and easy to forget. my initial emotional response. But I wasn’t sure how When I prepared for two online classes this semester, to word my reply or to try to negotiate with her. I was warned it was hard to remember deadlines or Issues such as this don’t always arise with online to connect with anyone. I waited to see what these classes. Maybe this was just an unfortunate case of classes would teach me. Some lessons miscommunication. But the online have been less pleasant than others. format certainly didn’t help me or Online More than two weeks ago, my ficmy professor. In the daily interaction class turned in workshop pieces. tions of both my online classes I’ve classes After the upload due date, each week noticed other worrisome disconnecwe would read and respond to a few let me sit on tions. of our classmates’ pieces. Otherwise, Except for the few people I knew my couch, but the pieces had no requirements exbefore this semester, I have no idea cept eight to 10 pages, double spaced, they offer a who my classmates are. We made Times New Roman and 12 point font. introduction posts in the first week, The same list we all know and love. meaningless and I’ve started to recognize a bit of With this imagined freedom, I chose to their styles and personalities from point-and-click write mine in the form of a short play. their posts. But discussion boards I thought I made my choices clear process.” don’t tell you much. Is she being when I submitted the piece. I hoped mean, or is this constructive critimy classmates could give me useful cism? Is he being rude, or is that supfeedback on my character, wording and plot choices. posed to be funny? There are no intonations, facial Apparently my professor disagreed. She emailed expressions or personal relationships to taper distant me Friday afternoon of spring break because she impressions. had just looked at my submission and had some If I have a question on the schedule, requireconcerns. According to her email, she and my classments or readings, I have to sort through layers of mates weren’t familiar with or qualified to respond links to find what I need. My instructors have to sort to a play format. She didn’t think it was fair for me through emails from students or post continuous upto submit a play when the whole class hadn’t got- dates. Nothing can be dealt with swiftly or clearly, ten that option. She asked me to rewrite the piece like in a class setting. or turn in something new that was more of a short Class time isn’t always ideal, but at least we’re story. Considering I read this email Saturday aftergiven a designated period to actively interact with noon when I was out of state on vacation and had peers and topics. Online, I often forget until the less than a week to correct it, I was a little concerned. end of the week when I spend a few hours rushing If this class met in person, my professor could through the requirements. These classes are on good have made her expectations more clear. The appartopics and potentially challenging. But they’re too ently open creativity of the project could have been easily lost behind the more immediate aspects of my better outlined. I could have shown her a draft and schedule. Online classes let me sit on my couch, but gotten feedback on my ideas. She would have had they offer a meaningless point-and-click process. my submission in her hands and could have asked Amy Kenyon is a junior secondary me to adjust it much earlier. With no class time for education English and theater major. facial expressions or open conversations, I had no Follow her on Twitter @AmyKenyawn. idea my way of completing the assignment might be Reach her at opinion@ a problem. It didn’t occur to me to email and ask. dailynebraskan.com.

Amy kenyon

walker edwards

least minimum wage. This leaves consumers to make up the rest of the employee’s salary, instead of the restaurant. But tips are volatile. One day you could be making far more than minimum wage, the next you could be barely scrapping by. Tips are dictated by a score of other factors that have nothing to do with service. Michael Lynn, a Cornell University professor, has compiled a number of reports on Tipping Expert. Waitresses who are considered pretty are tipped more regardless of the quality of service. Nothing against beautiful waitresses, but should they make more in tips just because they’re considered conventionally pretty? The demographics of the person tipping also influences tip regardless of service. Atheists and Jews on average tip more than Christians. Would it be OK for wait staff to pay more attention to their atheist customers because they believed this would lead to more

tips and thus more income? In fact, perceived quality of service affects very little of the actual amount we tip. In a review of more than 2,000 dinner parties, service explained only about a 2 percent variation. If the point of tipping is pay for hard work, and tipping isn’t an accurate measure of that work, why should we tip in the first place? Isn’t there a better option? Of course. Tipping is a uniquely American institution. The rest of the world has a much better option. Namely they pay their workers a living and effective wage. Workers are recognized as being a vital part of the service system. And if you look closely, this is how most service industries are paid. You don’t tip doctors or professors because we recognize that they provide a vital service to the economy. If you were to tip a professor it could be construed as a type of bribery. You definitely don’t tip a doctor after an examination. We should extend wait staff the same courtesy and respect their work. We shouldn’t force them to work under the shifty work environment that tipping can create. They deserve to have their work respected and properly compensated. Plus it would save you the horror of having to do math after three cocktails and an appetizer. Walker Edwards is a junior philosophy major. Reach them at opinion@ dailynebraskan.com.

Voter registration laws should be all-inclusive

M

any states including Nebraska have drawn up bills to change voting laws. Many seem to make sense. Some of these bills present a façade of electoral integrity when actually they limit citizens’ access to voter registration. On Monday, Gov. Dave Heineman approved a bill that allows eligible Nebraska residents to register online to vote. Beginning in 2017, Nebraskans can sign up through the Nebraska Secretary of State’s website. This law expands access to voter registration, but isn’t without its flaws. Other states, including Georgia, Colorado and Connecticut, have also chosen to pursue online registration. These states require a valid driver’s license or other form of state-issued identification. Although pragmatic, this method of voter registration should serve as a supplement to current means, not as a replacement. Nor should it promote the trend of implementing voter ID laws that require proof of citizenship. Other laws appear more antidemocratic than online registration laws. In the last several years, we have seen efforts to implement more rigorous standards to verify identities and voter eligibility. Ohio eliminated early voting on Sundays and weekday evenings and limited the state’s ability to send absentee ballots. The Journal Sentinel of Milwaukee reported that Wisconsin voted to end early voting. MSNBC reported that a federal judge said the federal government must allow and help states such as Kansas and Arizona enforce laws that require people to prove their citizenship when registering to vote. Sen. John Nelson of the Nebraska Legislature introduced LB 565 in 2013 that would prohibit voter registration and early voting on the same day. In theory, this would prevent voter fraud where persons could vote before their identity and eligibility were verified. The balance between the integrity of the electoral process and the accessibility to vote served as the main tension during the public hearing on the bill and during debate. Nebraska Secretary of State John Gale said “Ninety-eight percent of our population have a driver’s license or Social Security number, so we can do pretty accurate cross matching unless there’s a name difference,” in regard to his office’s efforts to confirm voter eligibility of approximately 16,000 Nebraskans. How can we account for the other 2 percent? Should we cast them aside as victims of these new laws? Some argue these laws are manifestations of nefarious politics that limit specific groups of people

OLIVER TONKIN

that traditionally vote certain ways. Others assert they’re simply efforts to uphold the integrity of our democracy. Completely eliminating voter and election fraud may be impossible however noble its pursuit. Yet I will concede a few illegitimate votes in order to secure the registration and participation of other Nebraskans. What cost should we endure to ensure the validity of our electorate? Like most millennials, I’m privy to the techno gadgetry of our time. I operate a vehicle and possess a driver’s license. I have access to a computer and the Internet. However, not all Nebraskans share these same privileges, and to construct barriers that interfere with voter registration compromises the democratic process. People without Internet access and a driver’s license are more likely to hail from a poorer socioeconomic status. To affirm the integrity of elections and our democracy, we should do whatever necessary to verify the identity and eligibility of our voters but never at the expense of discouraging or limiting other eligible voters to register. The very foundation of the United States is rooted in democracy; however, our nation has a history of disenfranchising voters. African-Americans, women and other groups of people have experienced various legislation or other barriers restricting access to their inalienable right to participate in this country’s democracy. Nebraska forbids citizens convicted of a felony of the right to vote until two years after their completion of their sentence or probation. Some laws have discriminated against college students. We can vote where we choose, regardless of our permanent residence, despite opposing efforts by some lawmakers. So, remember to register to vote for the upcoming primary on May 13th. Laws such as LB565 aggregate to undermine democracy. The burden is on the government to expand access to voting, not restrict it. Oliver Tonkin is a senior Political Science, Latin American Studies, and Global Studies Major. Reach him @ thebrutalwolf on Twitter or at opinion@ dailynebraskan.com.


5

tuesday, april 1, 2014 dailynebraskan.com @dnartsdesk

aRTS & LIFE fine art

story by Maranda Loughlin

Kiechel Fine Art Gallery moves to new location to expand collection, hold events

A

fter a day of tailgating, Buck Kiechel, his son and a family friend walked downtown to the under-construction, new home for the Kiechel Fine Art gallery. Wading through nails, torn-up plywood and sand-dusted ground, they made their way to the building’s western wall where they promptly picked up hammers and started hacking away at the plaster – uncovering a brick wall from the original 1870 building that gave the spacious spot a hint of color. Now, the former construction site’s white walls are adorned with the artwork of 20th century American regionalist artists, Picasso paintings and bright sunset landscapes painted by local artists. But even with the new, colorful and precise layout of the space, the gallery is still a work in progress. “A lot more changes are coming,” gallery associate Alex Jankowski said. “There are multiple things that are evolving and this is literally just the first layer.” Director Kiechel opened the Kiechel Fine Art Gallery in December on 1208 0 St., expanding from the 2,800-square-foot former building to the now three-story construction. The new building contains more that 4,000 square feet on the first floor alone. “It’s fresh,” Raquel Smith, I do a lot of another gallery assaid. things here, sociate, “We make it our own here.” Both Smith and I get to work and Jankowski have creative license to make on what I have the Kiechel Fine Art Gallery a place of their own. studied, which is Here, the women are able to put their college degrees to use, as so beneficial.” well as explore their interests in various artists raquel smith and conduct research. gallery associate “I’m not just an assistant,” Smith said. “I do a lot of things here, and I get to work on what I have studied, which is so beneficial. I also get to use my art history knowledge and apply it to the art we have here at the gallery.” After working at various art galleries throughout her college career at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Smith was very motivated to continue her work in art but thought she wouldn’t be able to find a position in any gallery. So Smith thought she would take a break from art and teach English or Spanish for a year, until she saw this job posting on Husker Hire Link. “This position halted everything for me,” Smith said. “People want to work at a gallery after they have a graduate degree, which is something I don’t have. If you go to bigger cities, such as Chicago or New York City, it’s almost a requirement to have a graduate degree because of the responsibilities of working in a gallery.” The assistants’ jobs include minor things such as spackling, painting and hanging art. But they also make daily phone calls around the nation, and sometimes world, researching artwork, buying and selling pieces and networking with other galleries and artists. Because of the ample opportunities, both assistants have made connections in the community and have also had the opportunity to handle one-of-a-kind art. courtesy photo

fine art: see page 6

The Kiechel Fine Art Gallery features three stories of gallery space, including 4,000 square feet on the first floor alone.

student voice What is the best April Fool’s joke that has ever been pulled on you or you have ever been a part of?

courtesy photo

Sean Penn plays Cheyenne in ‘This Must Be The Place,” a story of an ex-rocker trying to find peace with his father’s death.

In high school, I had my locker taped shut. Like, completely covered and taped shut with heavy duct tape.”

Trev Havell

sophomore marketing major

I did an April Fool’s joke where every time my phone would go off, I would give my friend a Jolly Rancher. Then my phone finally went off, and he stuck his hand out.”

Kevin McCabe

sophomore nursing major

So my house is just off of a busy road, and my dad convinced me that a car had gone off the road and into our backyard.”

Kayla Nielsen

junior hospitality and restaurant management major

My brother likes crispy meat burritos from Amigos. And so we got them to make a crispy meat burrito with an Amigos wrapper inside, and so he bit into it and ended up slowly pulling the wrapper out.”

Zoie Smetter

senior family science major

Back when I was younger, I tried to convince my mom that I broke my leg on our trampoline, and she was freaking out about that.”

Nate Williamson

sophomore biochemistry major

Well, my brother’s birthday is on April Fool’s, so just over the years we have just gotten him with a lot of gag gifts.”

Angela Hensel

senior journalism and biology major

—compiled by griffith swidler

‘This Must Be the Place’ film engages viewer Jack Forey DN “Home, is where I want to be, but I guess I’m already there. I come home, she lifted up her wings, I guess that this must be the place.” These are lyrics from The Talking Heads’ song “This Must Be the Place.” They have been playing over and over in my head since I watched Paolo Sorrentino’s “This Must Be the Place” during spring break. The film takes its title from the song, which plays several times throughout the movie, in different forms and renditions. This film is so good, I’m surprised I didn’t hear about it sooner. Sean Penn is Cheyenne, an aging rock star who still does his stage makeup every single day. His hair is a ragged paintbrush of black hair – he’s always blowing away that one strand that won’t stay put. Cheyenne speaks everything in a gentle murmur, always barely above a whisper. His walking is more like shuffling. On his bad days, he may be mistaken for an old woman. Simply seeing Sean Penn made up in this way is enough to fuel plenty of silent giggles. He looks like a cross between Ozzy Osbourne and Bono’s grandmother, with just a sprinkling of Robert Smith for some edge. Cheyenne has a mostly quiet life. He lives in Dublin with his wife (Fran-

ces McDormand) and visits with a fan (Eve Hewson) on occasion, but he’s haunted by the memory of two young boys who killed themselves because of his music. He tries to visit their graves but is turned away by the boys’ parents and told he’s not welcome. One day, Cheyenne hears his father is dying. He goes to visit his father at his deathbed but arrives too late. Cheyenne tries to appease his guilt by seeking out a Nazi officer who tormented his father during the Holocaust. What follows is Cheyenne’s journey to the United States to find the Nazi, and he meets many curious characters in his travels. Sorrentino’s most recent film, “The Great Beauty,” won an Academy Award and was praised for its rich visual style. Looking at “This Must Be the Place,” one can see hints of the visual splendor to come in Sorrentino’s work. This cinematography in “This Must Be the Place” is spotless. Dolly shots and long takes are used to great effect. The camera swoops gracefully over an idle neighborhood to reveal several characters. We dolly between two characters and gaze down a huge chasm as their conversation grows more distant. Graceful, engaging shots bloom left and right, highlighting Cheyenne’s struggle and the sheltered

forey: see page 7


6

dailynebraskan.com

tuesday, april 1, 2014

The story of ‘Noah’ benefits from visuals, direction Jack Forey DN “Noah,” starring Russell Crowe, is a mixed bag of tried-and-true storytelling methods and refreshing vision. In recent years, Hollywood has seen a resurgence of epic films in the vein of “The Ten Commandments” and “Spartacus.” It started with 2000’s “Gladiator,” also starring Crowe, all the way to this year’s “Pompeii” and the two Hercules films slated for 2014. The results have varied, but “Noah” is a worthwhile adventure epic told on a mythic level, strengthened by director Darren Aronofsky’s bold style, a solid cast and some tasty visuals. When Aronofsky took on the project, it seemed like an odd choice when compared with the small, personal scale of his last two films, “Black Swan” and “The Wrestler.” In interviews, he said he wanted to tell a more universal story with “Noah” rather than a more traditional Judeo-Christian narrative. As a result, the film is told more like a Greek myth than “The Passion of the Christ.” The movie takes some creative liberties with the source material. God is an ambiguous force called “the Creator,” whose whims manifest in natural disasters and shape the world as our characters know it. There are angels in the film, but they closer resemble monsters from “Clash of the Titans” than seraphims strumming harps. They’re called Watchers, and they

‘Noah’ gets more things right than modern adventure epics usually do, and it makes a good case for the (sometimes tiring) trend of similar films set in ancient times.” help a wicked army conquer the known world. Later, they return to the path of righteousness and help Noah build his ark. These angels, grotesque as they may be, are probably closer to what was actually in the Bible. The story of Noah takes on an interesting metaphysical subtext under Aronofsky’s direction. When Noah tells the story of creation to his family aboard the ark, he follows the story of the Big Bang and evolution, connecting to the biblical canon with the phrase, “And God created Man.” When the Watchers tell their backstory, we see them descend to earth from space, where we can also see stars and nebula in the distance. When a Watcher is killed and ascends to the Creator, it actually ascends into space, and we can see a (very) wide shot of the earth below, neatly covered in spiraling storm clouds. “Noah” opens with a fascinating prologue that details the “story so far” in the canon of biblical tales. The sequence is so interesting, it makes me wonder what other Bible stories would be like

if they were styled like “Noah.” They would probably vary in genre and have a lot of wild, otherworldly characters – that’s a franchise opportunity right there. The introduction tells the story of Adam and Eve and their children Cain, Abel and Seth. Cain murders Abel and takes control of the earth, spreading a diseased civilization across the planet. Noah is the last remaining son in the line of Seth. He has a wife (Jennifer Connelly) and two sons. He also comes to adopt Ila (Emma Watson) when his family finds her injured in a destroyed village. One day, the Creator sends Noah a vision. He sees himself underwater surrounded by thousands of drowning people, as the world is destroyed beneath them. It’s a haunting image, and to Noah the message is clear: the Creator is sending a storm to cleanse the earth of the wicked. Noah and his family set out to build the ark that will carry all the animal species of creation on to the new world. The methods they use to house and sedate the animals are interesting to watch, and

“NOAH”

courtesy photo

STARRING

Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Hopkins

Director Darren Aronofsky took a different direction with ‘Noah,’ which is a much grander story than his previous work, including ‘Black Swan’ and ‘The Wrestler.’

DIRECTED BY

so are the scores of animals that flock to the ship. There is even a scene where every snake and reptile in the world slithers up to the ark at once. It’s a marvel to watch, like most of the film. “Noah” gets more things right than modern adventure epics usu-

Artistic style overshadows storyline

ally do, and it makes a good case for the (sometimes tiring) trend of similar films set in ancient times. Aronofsky is still a better director when working with a smaller budget and cast, but it’s comforting to know that he could still do something interesting with a story

Darren Aronofsky as old as time itself. Also, I’m thinking a sequel is in order. Let’s see Aronofsky’s “Tower of Babel” next. arts@ dailynebraskan.com

fine art: from 5

Director Lars von Trier’s thoughtprovoking dialogue dries up what should be interesting plot Sean Stewart DN There’s a particular breed of filmgoer that revels in the strange. They seek out the bizarre or shocking for its own sake. The “Nymphomaniac” series might be for them. I should preface this review by saying I’m not one of those filmgoers. This isn’t to say that I don’t value strange; rather I think it should serve a purpose. Indeed cinema has seen just about everything at this point, so efforts to solely shock typically come across as tiresome and empty. I didn’t find “Nymphomaniac Vol. I” particularly shocking, though it certainly tried to be, and though it was certainly strange at times I’m not convinced its oddity lent it depth. Director Lars von Trier’s new pair of films “Nymphomaniac Vol. I” and “Nymphomaniac Vol. II” was filmed together but ran long and was split into two. As I write this review I’ve only seen the first installment – a review for the second will follow next week. In “Nymphomaniac,” a severely beaten, self-proclaimed sex addict recounts her life leading up to the night of the beating to the man who takes her in afterward. The film purposefully disorients from its beginning, opening with a about a minute of unidentifiable sound against the black screen. Even when video finally cuts in, the sound continues to be malleable to von Trier’s whims. This initial abstraction is an accurate indicator of

“NYMPHOMANIAC VOL. 1” courtesy photo

‘Nymphomaniac Vol. 1’ features an all-star cast, including Uma Thurman, Shia LaBeouf, Christian Slater and many others, though the cast is not enough to save the film. the direction of the entire film. The film boasts an impressive cast, especially with the delicate subject matter in mind. Charlotte Gainsbourg, Stellan Skarsgård, Christian Slater, Uma Thurman and Shia LaBeouf star in the first film. The second film adds Willem Dafoe and Jamie Bell to the mix. Gainsbourg and Skarsgård play Joe, the battered addict and her rescuer, respectively. As they converse before Joe begins telling her story, the inherent strength of both actors is shaken by the words given to them. They come across as anything but natural. Von Trier, who also wrote the screenplay, seems to be infatuated with thought – threading nuggets of tangentially related anecdotes and facts throughout the film, complete with frequent diagrams and even mathematics and schematics displayed in a mix of

clever editing and drawing right over the action of the story. But while the visual displays add character to the film, the verbal showboating sucks it dry of any. The actors often seem unsure of what they should be going for. The two primary characters come across as vessels for von Trier’s own philosophical meandering, awkward poltergeists who aren’t convinced of the grandiose statements they seem to be endorsing. Ironically enough, despite all of its verbal flourish, “Nymphomaniac Vol. I” is at its strongest when it’s simplest. Small moments, such as Joe’s dying father (Slater) awakening disoriented and terrified, carry tremendous weight precisely because of their frightening humanity. The first half of von Trier’s ambitious effort is undoubtedly artful and even at times impressively creative, but it’s

Author’s breezy writing style brings story together Ruth Ozeki’s bestseller weaves together characters, storylines seamlessly to connect cultures Maranda Loughlin DN

The 2014 New York Bestseller “A Tale for the Time Being” has been praised a couple of times. In fact not only has The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, The Seattle Times and The Sunday Times mentioned the novel, but alas, even “O,” The Oprah Magazine, picked up on the book. But, while all of these notorious publications are correct in identifying the emotionally uneasy yet humorous tone of the $16 paperback, the entertaining and intricate way Ruth Ozeki intertwines multiple cultures, eras and story lines is often left on the back burner. Yes, the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover” has been a repeated reading slogan since elementary school, and to break that haloed rule would feel like the upmost sin – ghastly and unforgiveable – but when it comes to “A Tale for the Time Being,” let down your veil of reader superiority and break that law you devil, you. The bright primary-color-filled front canvas of “A Tale for the Time Being” reveals the colorful and vibrant world of 16-year-old Nao Yasutani, great-granddaughter of a

maybe-104-year-old Zen Buddhist nun, prey of the school bullies and transfer student from Sunnyvale, Calif., to Japan. In the novel, Nao’s complexities are stuffed into a corroded “Hello Kitty” lunchbox that washes up on the shore of a Pacific Northwest island and into the hands of Ruth, an isolated writer who lives with a pesky cat and husband who also has a bad case of the ol’ writer’s block. That is, until she starts reading the “sea swollen” and barnacleencrusted pages of Nao’s journal where the reader is swiftly told that Nao is going to “graduate from time” or “exit her existence.” From the kick off of the novel, on exactly page seven of the 422-page story, the reader is left with fingers and toes worth of questions: “Does Nao commit suicide?” “Is Nao still alive?” “Will Ruth seek out Nao?” Although the plot might sound a little too staged and coincidental, Ozeki’s breezy language and conversational tone make the book lighter. The dense 400ish pages turn into a mere 400ish pages. Even for a college student with a bare allowance of time to spend on reading can find time to finish this novel and still feel like they learned something without the grueling type of a fat textbook. Going into “A Tale for the Time Being” I didn’t really have any insight into Japanese culture, and after reading this tale, I now know that I know even less than what I thought I knew at the start. But I still learned a little or at least became more aware. “A Tale for the Time Being” is a modern and creative reimagining of a paper message in a glass

STARRING

Charlotte Gainsbourg, Stellan Skarsgård, Stacy Martin

DIRECTED BY

Lars von Trier

ultimately bogged down by its own attempts at innovation. For a movie about sex addiction “Nymphomaniac Vol. I” is surprisingly dry. Frankly, it fails to build any momentum at all, crawling almost without pace for two hours. Its narrative structure and meta style are similar to “Wolf of Wall Street.” But while the narrator of that Martin Scorsese film hurls the audience through his debauchery at lightning speed with the gusto of the world’s best salesman, Joe passively, even unfeelingly, recounts hers. While this facade is indicative of the general callousness of Joe, it doesn’t lend itself to an easily enjoyable or – so far – rewarding combined four-hour narrative. arts@ dailynebraskan.com

GIMME

FIVE

1. “A TALE FOR THE TIME BEING” Ruth Ozeki Penguin Books Fiction bottle that sails its way from the United States to Europe and finally to Japan, showing the connective tissues between the countries and the cultural contrasts. The stories of Nao and Ruth, although miles and days apart, seem quite close, connected and thoroughly compelling. arts@ dailynebraskan.com

courtesy photo

The Kiechel features art from many artists, including Pablo Picasso, which brings total value into the millions. “I’ve been working with some priceless artwork where there is no possible value on it. This artwork is worth millions of millions of dollars,” Smith said. “I’ve been working with people in Europe and in New York and it’s just so thrilling that even in Lincoln we have so much exposure.” Both Smith and Jankowski work closely with Kiechel every day to bring the art gallery to its upmost potential, replacing paintings to fit the interests of customers, deciding on where to move older paintings to shuffle in new ones and also finishing the third floor of the building, which will possibly become a viewing space for private art events. And then there’s the roof, which will eventually become a sculpture garden. “There were so many things at the former location that we couldn’t really do that now we can take advantage of,” Jankowski said. “So now with the rooftop opening we will hopefully be able to host a couple of tailgates, or rent it out to companies that

want to host something here. It’s will become an event space in Lincoln.” “Anything from weddings, graduation parties and corporate gatherings,” Kiechel added. “It’s a unique space in Lincoln, because not only is it a rooftop balcony, but you kind of go floor by floor. There are great things to get exposed to on your way up.” The projects may never end for Kiechel and his gallery assistants. “There’s always something new going around in [Kiechel’s] mind,” Smith said. “He’s very creative. He’s always got a hundred things going on up there. “He does this thing where he starts his sentences in the middle, and forgets to explain the first part,” Jankowski adds. “His brain moves too fast to speak. We’ve gotten used to Buck’s speech after working with him now. Even when he doesn’t say the first of his sentence we can guess what he was trying to say.” arts@ dailynebraskan.com

Neat April Fool’s jokes Not everyone is a master prankster, which is fine because the world would probably really suck if everyone was constantly messing with each other. If you haven’t thought of any jokes to pull on your friends today, here’s a few ideas to start with.

Tell everyone your name is Steve. They’ll be so confused, unless your name is actually Steve, in which case you should probably think of a different name.

2. 3. 4. 5.

Tell your parents you’re dropping out of school. If you’re cool, you’ll commit to the bit and actually drop out, but I think we both know you’re not on that level.

Act like you care what people are saying to you. Gotcha!

Tell Brad you rethought his offer and that you’ll go on a date with him, then stand him up again. Brad is the worst.

Disappear for a year. Hide behind a bush or something, then leap out next April Fool’s and scare everyone who stopped looking for you 11-and-a-half months ago.

COMPLIED BY TYLER KEOWN | ART BY Michael Johnson


dailynebraskan.com

tuesday, april 1, 2014

7

forey: from 5 slowly moving towards Cheyenne, the only still figure in the crowd, with a forlorn expression on his face. David Byrne’s rendition of “This Must Be the Place” works perfectly with the scene. That shot goes on for three minutes, and it’s just one of many beautiful visions in “This Must Be the Place.” It’s a nuanced visual construction that utilizes all the tools of cinema at once. It’s one of those shots that opens and closes repeatedly in your memory, calling you to watch it again. The whole film and all of its images leave this impres-

self, who starts to sing the song that resonates throughout the rest of the film. Gradually, the living room set behind the performers tilts vertically, hanging above the stage. The camera has stopped moving backwards. The living room set now moves slowly over the performers and towards the camera, now hanging sideways, with the woman still somehow sitting in the chair and reading the magazine. It comes to fill up half the screen, then the camera turns to face the crowd,

world he inhabits. A scene about halfway through the film is shot as one long take. It’s a long, gradual dolly back over a David Byrne concert, and it starts as a shot of a woman sitting in a ’50s style living room, thumbing through a magazine and tapping her foot to the opening strings of “This Must Be the Place.” It’s a bit disconcerting at first, until we realize that this is part of a musical performance. The camera keeps slowly pulling back, revealing the players on the stage and then David Byrne him-

sion on me. It does what many of the best films do, which is capture a state of mind in images and music. Penn is at the core of this film. At the tail end of the aforementioned scene, staring into the camera with eyes that tell us all we need to know, and yet nothing. No easy words came when trying to write about this film. It’s not a film that wears its heart on its sleeve. In this way, “This Must Be the Place” is much like its central character. It’s curious, dryly funny, subtle, puzzling and a delight to watch. Like Cheyenne,

this movie may also be genius. I have only seen it once, but I have no doubt that my appreciation of “This Must Be the Place” will grow with time. When-

ever I see a great film that can surprise, delight and puzzle me, I feel like I’m home. I guess this must be the place. arts@ dailynebraskan.com

EVERYTHING YOU WANT RIGHT WHERE YOU NEED GET THE BEST OF BOTH ON-CAMPUS AND OFF-CAMPUS LIVING RESERVE TODAY!

MOVE-IN AUGUST 2014

402.817.1150 / 1801 R Street, Lincoln, Ne 68503 the50-50@a fpma nagement.com / W W W.T HE5 0 -5 0.C O M

classifieds

dailynebraskan.com

(402) 472-2589

Housing

Roommates

Apts. For Rent

1 roommate for 2 bed,1 bath house (1129 New Hampshire) starting May 1st. $850 ($425 each), 1 cat, 1 year lease, contact for more details Call: 308-627-7159

Help Wanted

Space/Privacy/Close In/Great Rates. What else is there?

Great house in a nice neighborhood. Located just a few minutes north of downtown and easily accessible to the bike trail to campus. I’m looking for someone to rent out a first floor bedroom that is reliable, career focused, and respectful of community space. All utilities are included in rent which is $550/month. Please inquire for more details. Contact via email at charliecharliebronson@gmail.com

Roommates

Spring Openings:

1601 N 24th, 3+ bedrooms, $795 central air, laundry, dishwasher, security system, off-street parking

Fall Opening:

1320 New Hampshire, 2 Bedrooms, $595 A-C, Laundry, security system, off-street parking. Call Today. AmRents.com or 402-423-1535

Roommate ads are FREE in print and online. E-mail yours to dn@unl.edu and include your name, address and phone number.

Jobs

Houses For Rent !Great Houses near campus! 2,3,4, &5 bedroom’s available in May or August. Must see! Reserve Now! Call 402-432-0644. For more information and photos go to www.pooley-rentals.com

Account Executive

The Daily Nebraskan is seeking an Account Executive to join their Advertising team. Gain hands-on experience that will give you real world experience in the Advertising field. This is a comission base with added bonuses. Fun team-based enviroment. 10-15 hour work weeks, orgnizational skills, and self-motivating requirement. Experience in Adobe Creative Suites a plus. Training available. All interested can apply online at dailynebraskan.com or in-person at 20 NE Union 1400 R St. Accounting Support - Full or Part Time High degree of accuracy and attention to detail required. Dependability, the ability to multitask and prioritize is very important. Duties include but not limited to: Bookkeeping Telephone support Data Entry Mail Processing Please send or email resume to: Professional Business Services 7700 A Street, Lincoln NE 68510 employment@pbssite.com

Help Wanted

Apts. For Rent

1-2 & 3 Bedrooms Apartments, Townhomes and Duplexes

Find yours here.

Deliver Papers

Graphic Designer/Artist

The Daily Nebraskan Advertising Staff is looking for an experienced Graphic Designer to add to their staff. Must have prior experience, and expertise in the Adobe Creative Suites (Photoshop, InDesign, etc.) Weekly logged hours, orgnization, and creativity a must. Begin on comission and will be promoted to part-time comission beginning Fall 2014. Apply online at dailynebraskan.com or in-person at our office located at 20 NE Union, 1400 R St.

Crossword

Join the CenterPointe Team! Part-time positions available in residential program working with substance abuse/mental health clients in a unique environment. Must be at least 21 years of age and be willing to work a varied schedule including overnights and weekends. Pay differential for overnight hours. For more information visit: www.centerpointe.org.

ACROSS

Old Russian leaders 31 Art movement for Picasso 34 Scrooge player Alastair 36 Stockyard call 37 & 39 Signer of the 23-/51-Across 42 Jetsam locale 43 Rapper with the #1 album “Hip Hop Is Dead” 45 Almost 46 ___-Detoo of “Star Wars” 49 Signs of spring 51 See 23-Across 56 Acquired with little or no effort 59 TV’s Sue ___ Langdon 60 Romance 61 See 18-Across 63 “Holy Toledo!” 64 “It’s f-ffreezing!” 65 Salsa singer Cruz 27

or villa 6 Rock used to make sparks 11 Equine : horse :: vulpine : ___ 14 Unsophisticated sorts 15 Storm tracker 16 Dined 17 End-ofsemester doings 18 With 61-Across, goal of Frederick Douglass and Harriet Beecher Stowe 20 Big book 21 Disclosure to a loan applicant: Abbr. 22 U.S. capital and environs 23 With 51-Across, presidential order signed on January 1, 1863 26 Hit it off with

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE H A I R A L O E G I N G I G E T S A S H G P A A N T S T E C H E E R O A S E A R E R S P S I Y E T

E A S T

E S T E F A N

B O R N E O A T E D I C E

E V E L L I V I S N A P E N O T A S T P C H I A T A L L I M E C U R L S A I E U N G E R T O N E L S O N

S G A R S A S V O V E O I N N T I A M A S G U C E R L F O O D U S T

P O P A R T

S M E L T S

P A I R

S A G S

D S N K A Y

66 67 68

69

Lectern Jazz style Rickover known as the Father of the Nuclear Navy Imbeciles

DOWN 1 Mountain ridge 2 Big-bosomed 3 Time’s Person

of the Year for 2008 and 2012 4 Loss of faculties 5 Beginning of summer? 6 Fruity iced beverage 7 Runners of experiments 8 Nuptial vow 9 Old-time actress Nita 10 Knit fabric in lingerie and swimwear 11 Like a fly ball off the foul pole 12 Tribe encountered by Lewis and Clark 13 Lucy Lawless title role 19 Bronzes 21 Quarterback Troy 24 Legal tender 25 Labor 28 Omnia vincit ___ 29 Move on casters 30 LG Electronics competitor 31 House in Havana 32 Above, in Berlin 33 Misbehaver

Looking for summer Nanny for two Children 3 and 7. Sunday 11-6 Monday 8:30 -5:30 Call for interview 402-202-1672

Edited by Will Shortz 1

2

3

4

5

6

14

7

8

No. 0101 9

24

27 34

37

38 43

46

47

48

51 57

30

54

55

25

33

42

29

22

26 32

13

19

21

23

12

16

18

20

56

11

15

17

31

10

39 44

49

28

35

36 40

41

45 50

52

53

58

59

61

62

60 63

64

65

66

67

68

69

Puzzle by JOHN FARMER

35

38 40 41

44

Role for diminutive Verne Troyer in “Austin Powers” films Artist Chagall “99 Luftballons” singer, 1984 Made a random selection, in a way Sunny rooms

47 48 50 52 53 54 55

German auto make Jerry of stage and screen Canopy tree Comment from a kvetcher Early Great Plains residents Sheeplike Imperatives

56

57

58 62 63

All-time career batting average leader Early Michael Jackson hairstyle Car sticker fig. Tree in many street names When doubled, a Gabor

For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit card, 1-800-814-5554. Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. AT&T users: Text NYTX to 386 to download puzzles, or visit nytimes.com/mobilexword for more information. Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 2,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay. Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/learning/xwords.

Quick Nick’s Technician

Full time position only. Hours open are 7:30-6:00 Monday-Friday. 7:30 - 2:00 Saturday and closed Sunday. Hourly wage plus bonus program. Job Requirements:Perform general maintenance on vehicles including oil changes, filter replacement, fluid replacement and minor repair work. Minor mechanical skills. Interacting with customers and recommending repairs. Attention to detail. Multi-tasker.On-The-Job training will be provided. Benefits: 401K Plan, Dental Insurance, Health Insurance, Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Supplemental Insurance. To apply go to www.walkertirequicknicks.com - Contact Us Employment and fill out questionnaire. Also there is a link to fill out a survey. Takes 5 minutes. Be sure and finish it once you start it.

Ideal candidates would have experience working with the elderly and desire to provide a pleasant dining experience for our residents, and provide “Dignity in Life.” Position available: - Part time, evening shift (430pm-8pm) and every other weekend.

Full-time summer position starting March 31 thru November 30th working with underground sprinklers. Great for CM studies or any Green Industry students. TO APPLY: email resume to info@huntirrigation.com or stop by 2600 West L Street to fill out an application.

The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Pioneers and Holmes Golf Courses are now accepting applications for part time help in the Pro Shop, Snack bar / beverage cart. Apply in person at either clubhouse.

Barrymore’s is now accepting applications for bartending and cocktails shifts. Apply in person 3pm-8pm. Exp. preferred but will train. 124 N. 13th st- in the alley

Do you like to exercise daily and get paid for it? Deliver Daily Nebraskans. You can deliver a route in about an hour. Must have own vehicle, ability to lift and carry 30 lbs, be a UNL student and not have classes before 9:00 a.m. For more information or to apply, contact Dan at 402-472-1769, 20 Nebraska Union. dshattil@unl.edu.

402-465-8911 www.HIPRealty.com

Help Wanted

Sumner Place, a Long Term Care and Rehabilitation Facility, is looking for energetic, caring people to join our Dietary Team!

Holroyd Investment Properties, Inc.

1 Dacha

$9.00/15 words $5/15 words (students) $1.00/line headline $0.15 each additional word Deadline: 4p.m., weekday prior

Morning Greeter Mon-Fri 8:30-12:30, Sat 8:30-12:00. Location at 4638 W St. Basic clerical skills required. Email resumes to msailors@linconefcu.org.

Misc. Services

Apply in person at front desk, 1750 South 20th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska, or print off application on-line at www.sumnerplacecare.com Benefits available. We are currently seeking part-time and full time employees for our remediation crews. Need to have a valid drivers license, be detail oriented, and on time. Construction background helpful. Contact Dave at 402-474-6653.

Help Wanted

DN@unl.edu Summer Jobs Field Marketing Representative - OLE SMOKY TENNESSEE MOONSHINE

JOB DUTIES - Become a credible brand expert, knowing the history, ingredients and brand value. Educate bar owners, managers and bartenders on Ole Smoky Moonshine. SALES DUTIES- Participate in account sales presentations and follow up. Describe product; provide product samples when appropriate. Achieve monthly program goals. Secure advantageous brand positioning and POS/display space. Develop and maintain relationships with customers by visiting accounts. Sets up POS materials in on-premise accounts. QUALIFICATIONS: Must be “in the know” in regards to nightlife (including bars and clubs) in your local market. Must be outgoing and personable. Must be willing to work non-traditional hours including nights and weekends. Basic Knowledge of computers and Microsoft Office Programs. At least 21 years of age. Valid Driver’s License. Part Time - Incentive Based Pay - Bonus Based on Performance nicole@brandactivate.net (818) 303-5898. Full Time summer positions starting May 19-August 14, 2014. Working with school-aged children 6-11 years of age. TO APPLY: Applications available in person at Southeast Community College Child Development Center or by phone (402) 437-2450. See for yourself why over 500 part time employees LOVE working for the Lincoln YMCA! Join us for a Summer Job Fair! Join us at any YMCA location: Tuesday, April 8th 4-7pm We have over 45 open positions including: “ camp counselors “ pool staff “ child watch “ front desk “ custodial staff “ and much more! The Lincoln YMCA offers flexible work schedules, free Y gear, a fun work environment and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of our family! Visit ymcalincoln.org/jobfair today for more information and location addresses.

Help Wanted


8

dailynebraskan.com

tuesday, april 1, 2014

football practice notes

file photo by morgan spiehs | dn

Sophomore quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr., battling to retain his spot as Nebraska’s starter, said the team’s top four running backs can be used in different ways.

Huskers Return from Spring Break

file photo by amber baesler | dn

Junior gymnast Desiré Stephens competed in the all-around for the first time as a Husker against Michigan on Feb. 14, scoring a 38.450. Stephens has set career highs on all four events this season, including two scores of 9.875 on vault.

Junior lends team optimism Desiré Stephens becomes more versatile in competition, brings positivity to Huskers Vanessa Daves DN Everything happens for a reason – at least, that’s what junior Desiré Stephens believes. She’s not sure when she adopted this philosophy, but one thing’s for sure: Nebraska women’s gymnastics coach Dan Kendig has influenced her thinking in that regard. And, Stephens said, taking on that mindset has shaped her as an athlete and as a person. “Things happen, and I’m not sure why at the time,” Stephens said. “I’m not given a reason. I usually face it as an opportunity to get better. If not, then what am I doing it for?” Stephens’ passion for gymnastics started when she was 3 years old. Her babysitter at the time was a gymnast. Wanting to follow in her role model’s footsteps, Stephens decided to give it a try. Stephens started taking gym-

nastics classes at the YMCA in Beatrice. When she was 5, her family moved to Omaha, and she started competing with Nebraska Gold Gymnastics. When she was growing up, her mom signed her up for anything and everything. So during Stephens’ sophomore year of high school, her soccer and gymnastics coaches made her decide which sport she would pursue. For some reason she can’t remember, she went with gymnastics. During her junior year of high school, Stephens went on a college visit to Nebraska. “When I came for my visit, I was essentially putting all my eggs in one basket,” Stephens said. “I knew I wanted to come here, and I fell in love with it. So I ended up committing that weekend.” Though she was injured her freshman year of college and was unable to compete for part of her freshman season, Stephens remained optimistic. In the beginning, she was competing mostly on vault. But, as time passed, she started performing in other areas. She had the opportunity to compete on two events she’s never competed on before – bars and beam. And this year, she competed in the allaround for the first time. The biggest change between high school and college gymnas-

I think being outgoing is her strength. She’s really good with the team. She can keep them loose and light.” dan kendig

women’s gymnastics coach

tics was the team aspect, which Stephens readily became a part of. “(Our team this year) is different than any other year, and it’s awesome,” Stephens said. “There’s this spark that we have; there’s this connection. It’s so easy with this team. There’s no drama. There’s nobody saying, ‘She took my spot in lineup’ – none of that.” Kendig said he would attribute part of the optimism and positivity of the team to Stephens. “I think being outgoing is her strength,” Kendig said. “She’s really good with the team. She can keep them loose and light. She’s very valuable in that aspect.” Not only is her personality something that’s contagious within the women’s gymnastics team, but also within the athletic community. “I’d challenge anyone to know more people in the athletic

community than she does,” Kendig said. For Stephens, it’s just second nature. “I was kind of known as a floater in high school – I didn’t really have a clique,” Stephens said. “Well, the athletic community is like a small high school. There are only 600 of us.” Kendig said he’s seen a lot of growth in Stephens as an athlete. “I think the biggest thing is her confidence,” he said. “I think she’s gone from a ‘I hope I make this’ to ‘Now I expect to make this,’ which is huge.” And going into the last few weeks of their season, that’s exactly what Stephens is expecting of herself and the team. “Here’s the time where we get to show off our stuff, and we get to prove who we are,” Stephens said. “We haven’t even touched the national championship floor yet, and I’m ready to do it.” sports@ dailynebraskan.com

Monday was the first practice since the players returned from spring break. A few players, including freshman safety Drake Martinez, were unable to attend practice because of sickness. Also missing practice was senior safety Corey Cooper, who is still trying to reach 100 percent before returning to practice. Coach Bo Pelini was impressed with how the players handled the long spring break. “I thought coming out of spring break we were looking pretty good,” Pelini said. “I thought the tempo was pretty good, and we got to pick it up and keep working here to finish up spring the right way.” Players such as Tommy Armstrong Jr. and Ameer Abdullah spent the majority of the break relaxing and watching game film. After the break, the players were excited and were ready to continue the progress they’ve made so far this spring, which is all the coaches can ask for. “The enthusiasm was good,” Pelini said. “I think they responded well to the practice.”

Byerson Cockrell Shining

Junior college transfer cornerback Byerson Cockrell, from Columbus, Miss., has been making some noise during spring practice. No. 28 is showing the coaches he is ready to step up to Division I college football. Pelini has already seen signs the junior college transfer will contribute in the coming season. “I like everything about Byerson Cockrell,” Pelini said. “I think he’s physical and has really picked up things well. He competes, and he’s fast. He can change direction. He plays with an attitude, and I like what I’ve

seen from him so far. He’s going to help us.” Cockrell, along with junior cornerback Charles Jackson, has had a lot more reps with senior Josh Mitchell. He’s also played nickel, a position held by former cornerback Ciante Evans. Cockrell, who joined the program in January, is one of three scholarship players in the 2014 class to come to Lincoln in January. He has two seasons of eligibility for the team.

Armstrong touts Running back Depth

Sophomore quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. is the favorite for the starting job, and he is raving the most about the options he has when he taking snaps under center. Armstrong said the running backs are all talented, and it’s all about which situation to put them in. He said guys with speed, such as Ameer Abdullah and Terrell Newby, should be put in separate situations from power backs Imani Cross and Adam Taylor. “It’s pretty even to me with the rotation,” Armstrong said. “In games, it’s different. One person may break out for 20 or more yards. It’s all about repetition. “You just got to understand the personnel that you have when you’re out there. You got to know who’s running the ball.” Abdullah is in his final season and has received a lot of buzz in the last year. He said the younger players on the team are showing a lot of potential. “They’re way ahead of where I was,” Abdullah said. “I didn’t even consider myself a running back when I came in. I was so raw.” Compiled by Josh Kelly sports@ dailynebraskan.com

women’s basketball

NU falters at end of good year After nearly tying for conference title in season, Huskers fall short of postseason expectations

ond half as the Huskers mounted their rally. “Jordan’s a leader,” Yori said. “She’s been this kind of person for us all four years. Not one time in four years I had to question her on her work ethic.” Hooper finished her career as the only Husker with more than 2,300 points and 1,100 rebounds. She is the second player in Big Ten history to reach those marks. Zach Tegler Hooper also set school records DN with 102 points and 55 rebounds in six career NCAA Tournament When Jordan Hooper nailed a games. But her impact on the 3-pointer late in the second half of Huskers covers more than the reNebraska’s second-round NCAA cord books and the stat sheets. Tournament game against BYU, “Hoop is like everyone’s best it put an end to an 11-1 run that friend,” junior forward Hailie gave the Cougars a 69-57 lead. Sample said after recording a It wasn’t until 6:11 of game double-double against BYU. “It’s time later that Hooper knew the really sad. I’m going to miss her a points would be the last 3 of her lot. We’re like a family, so it is hard 2,357 career points as a Husker. to see someone go. I’m so glad and Two furious comebacks by thankful and blessed we got to play Nebraska, which together for three at one point trailed years.” I’m so by 17, fell short In the three as BYU ended the years Sample, thankful and Huskers’ season – Hooper and juand Hooper ’s col- blessed we got to nior forward Emlege career – with ily Cady were in play together for an 80-76 win on the starting lineup March 24. three years.” together, the HuskAfter the Huskers qualified for the hailie sample ers defeated 13 NCAA Tournament. junior forward seed Fresno State With Hooper at the in Los Angeles two helm, Nebraska days earlier, they made three consecwere a win away from a Sweet 16 utive NCAA Tournaments for the berth and a game against No. 1 second time in school history. overall seed Connecticut on their “She has perfect character,” home floor. Laudermill said. “She’s just a But BYU took the spot instead; great person, so humble. We’re the Cougars lost to the Huskies going to miss here. We’re like a 70-51 at Pinnacle Bank Arena on family. We do a lot together. We’re Saturday. really going to miss Hooper.” “They deserved to win,” NeAfter the final game of her colbraska coach Connie Yori said af- lege career and before BYU was ter the game. “They hit shots and set to take on Connecticut on her played well. We determined we home floor, Hooper lamented not were going to play off some kids, being able to play another contest and it burned us.” in Lincoln. Junior guard Tear ’a Laud“I’ll be rooting for BYU,” she ermill led the Huskers with 22 said. “But it will definitely hurt points in the loss, but Hooper, a not being out there one last time.” senior forward, stepped up with sports@ 20 – 15 of which came in the secdailynebraskan.com

After 2nd-round loss, forward Jordan Hooper finishes among best players in Nebraska history

Austin Pistulka DN Though the Nebraska wrestling team’s success in the 2013-14 season may not have come in all the ways fans would have liked, coach Mark Manning’s staff and athletes are happy with the year. “We had a great season,” Manning said. “To do what we did in the dual season. We were a hair lash away from being coBig Ten Champs. It was a great season.” In their third year in the Big Ten, the Huskers were able to finish with a 12-2 dual season going 6-2 in the conference. The two losses came against Michigan and co-Big Ten champion Iowa. The Huskers boasted an overall win-loss record of 234-96 from the starters and had success in tournaments. They finished second at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational and won the Reno Tournament of Champions by 56 points. At the end of the year, the wrestling squad finished fifth and 11th at Big Ten Championships and NCAA Championships, respectively. All of this success came with a very young team. At the end of the year, only two seniors were on varsity, and only three were juniors. In a sport where experience is a major key to winning, the youthful success was a pleasant surprise for a team that was not picked to contend the way it did. Being in a conference with wrestling powerhouses such as Penn State, Iowa and Minnesota, Nebraska was believed to be the best of the worst. The team would be better than all of the teams that were not well-known wrestling institutions. But the Huskers contended with the best. Four match points were the difference between being on the outside looking in and being part of the top tier. The Huskers lost at Michigan by a

Hooper rounds out legendary Husker career

file photo by andrew barry | dn

Freshman 184-pound wrestler TJ Dudley (top) went 26-8 in his first season and was the No. 8 seed at the NCAA Championships, where he won his first match before losing two in a row.

You always talk about Jordan Burroughs, how he is the best in the world, but he is still improving. It’s what we have to do as a team and as individuals. We’ve got to get better and better every day.” robert kokesh junior 174-pound wrestler

tiebreaker: The Wolverines had outscored them by 4 technical points in the dual. A win would have given Nebraska a tie for the conference title. With all of this success in the regular season, the end was a bit disappointing. There were no new All-Americans added to the illustrious list of former Huskers who garnered this award. There were no national champions, even though two Huskers were seeded in the top three at nationals. They still finished just outside the top 10 in the nation. It’s not to say the year was a failure by any means, but it could have put a sour taste in the team’s mouth heading into the offseason.

But it hasn’t. “We’ve got all of our guys coming back next year,” Manning said, “and I guarantee you that we will be better.” Even the wrestlers who saw success this year weren’t satisfied with this season. “I always look at it as the season’s over,” said junior Robert Kokesh, who finished fourth in the nation, earning All-American honors for the second straight year. “You’ve got to move on from it. You’ve got to learn from the things that you did right and the things you did wrong. There’s always room for improvement. You always talk about Jordan Burroughs, how he is the best in the world, but he is still improv-

ing. It’s what we have to do as a team and as individuals. We’ve got to get better and better every day. What’s in the past is gone, and you can’t bring that back, so you might as well and move on.” The wrestling season is a long one. No matter how much a team can achieve during the season, it doesn’t mean a lot if it isn’t a champion at the end of it all. That’s what the Husker wrestling team has gotten out of this year. Never being satisfied with mediocre. The Huskers got a taste of what being elite is and that will drive them to be better as next season starts. sports@ dailynebraskan.com


dailynebraskan.com

tuesday, april 1, 2014

9

Huskers set for 2-game series in SEC country If you don’t pitch, we’re not going to go anywhere. We have to get quality starting pitching.”

Josh Kelly DN The competitive games continue for the Nebraska baseball team as it travels to Fayetteville, Ark., for a two-game series with the Arkansas Razorbacks. The Razorbacks are just outside of the Top 25 with a 17-10 record, and Nebraska coach Darin Erstad said every game from now will be crunch time for his team. “It just keeps coming,” Erstad said. “We’re going to keep on playing quality opponents, and we’re going to have to be sharp.” Nebraska is 15-12 at the midway point of the season after avoiding a sweep against UNLV on Sunday and winning at home 5-3. Contributing in the game was senior outfielder Ty Kildow, who gave the Huskers a late insurance run to cement the win. Kildow said the win, even though the team only won 1 of 3 against UNLV, was a confidence booster for the upcoming week. “It’s good momentum going into the week after winning the final game of the weekend,” Kildow said. “It’s preparing us for what’s ahead.” Erstad said pitching is a major point of emphasis that will help the team chalking up more wins. The offense has yet to be shut out this season, and the Huskers hope to get better appearances from the pitchers. The pitching staff also includes a few young guys who have been told to step up their game in the mid-week meetings. “If you don’t pitch, we’re not going to go anywhere,” Erstad said. “We have to get quality starting pitching, and we need to go out there with consistent per-

darin erstad

nebraska baseball coach

file photo by jake crandall | dn

Freshman pitcher Jake Hohensee, who is 0-2 with an ERA of 7.59 in 10.2 innings of action this season, is scheduled to start for Nebraska at Arkansas on Tuesday. He gave up 3 runs in 2 innings in a loss to Northern Colorado in his first start as a Husker on March 12. formances. We’re in a spot where we’re going to have to use those guys.” Last season, Nebraska hosted Arkansas, which was in the top

10 last season, in a doubleheader that turned into one of the highlights of the season. In the first game of the doubleheader, Husker pitchers were able

to combine for a no-hitter against the Razorbacks. The only pitcher from that night who is currently on the team is junior Kyle Kubat, who went five hitless innings in

one of his first appearances of the season in the no-hitter. The 3-0 shutout was followed by a 4-2 win against Arkansas. Kubat is scheduled to start in

Game 2 on Wednesday, and freshman right-hander Jake Hohensee is scheduled to make the start for Nebraska on Tuesday. Arkansas was the highest ranked team Nebraska faced last season. The Huskers expect their opponents will come out wanting revenge at their home field in Fayetteville. “I’m pretty sure they’re going to be in a mood to return the favor,” Erstad said. “We better be on top of our game. We haven’t really played well on the road, and we’re going to need to bring an edge to Fayetteville.” Arkansas is coming off a threegame series with No. 13 Mississippi State, where the Razorbacks won 1 of 3 games against the College World Series team from last season. The Razorbacks only put up 6 runs during the weekend. For the Huskers, they know the Razorbacks have a talented roster, and the pair of matchups will be a battle. “It’s going to be a tough series,” Kildow said. “Obviously we’re going to their house. They’re a very well-coached team with a lot of history. They always have good arms, and we need to put it behind like any other game.” sports@ dailynebraskan.com

sand volleyball

sports briefs

NU rebounds, ends short season on positive note

file photo by andrew barry | dn

Sophomore second baseman Hailey Decker leads Nebraska with 11 doubles and 27 RBI this season. Decker hit the first grand slam of her career Wednesday against Nebraska-Omaha.

Sophomore nabs 1st career award

Nebraska second baseman Hailey Decker was named Big Ten Softball Player of the Week for the first time Monday. The sophomore was 9 for 15 at the plate in four games last week, including a 10-0 win against Nebraska-Omaha and a series win at No. 23 Northwestern. She hit 3 home runs, including her first career grand slam, and a double en route to driving in 10 runs in the four games. Decker had a career-high 6 RBI against the Mavericks and scored a career-high 4 runs in Saturday’s Game 2 win against the Wildcats. She had at least 2 hits in each of the four games.

sports@dailynebraskan.com

year in review: from 10

Invitational in Waikiki, Hawaii, where the Huskers took on duos After being swept from Hawaii Pacific and Chaminade. in 1st 2 duals of This tournament was the schedule, Huskers win fourth on the schedule for the Huskers, and the team hadn’t had 3 close duals much success in the sand season yet. Nebraska suffered two consecutive 5-0 losses in duals and only gathered two wins in the Jack Staff Report in the Box Rainbow Wahine Spring DN Challenge. In its first competition against The No. 8 Nebraska sand volleyball team played its entire season USC and Hawaii, Nebraska couldn’t gain a set win in any of during spring break. The Huskers finished with a dual record of 3-2 the 10 matches. “It was definitely different and had one team win a tournafor all of us,” Wong-Orantes said. ment. ”From indoor season, we were “It was awesome,” freshman just so used to so much success Justine Wong-Orantes said. “Oband winning. We kind of got taken viously, we’re excited to get back back a little bit. It was a huge learninto the gym and on the court.” ing experience.” Wong-Orantes had the most Wong-Orantes was sand experience on the paired up with freshteam, but she was not man Melanie Keil for accustomed to the colthe Chaminade Hawaii lege-type sand season. Invitational. She said She said she was going into the sand used to the tournament season her partner setting, where she could, and probably would play up to six would, get mixed up matches a day. Instead, during the season. in the dual setting “I just realized Wong-Orantes would that once we started have to wait a couple communicating of hours before the one match she was wong-orantes with each other, we did so well and had scheduled to play. so much success,” Wo n g - O r a n t e s Wong-Orantes said. ”It was a blast said she adjusted quickly to the type of play, and the team did well playing with Mel.” The No. 1 pairing of Wongin the sand season. Orantes and Keil breezed through On March 23, the Huskers took part in the Chaminade Hawaii to the finals at the Chaminade

Hawaii Inviatational, where they competed against fellow Husker freshmen Amber Rolfzen and Kira Larson. This tournament kicked off the success for the squad as they continued the san season. The Huskers were victorious in the next three duals. Nebraska downed Arizona State, Grand Canyon and Arizona by scores of 3-2. Wong-Orantes and Keil went a combined 1-2 in those three duals, with the lone win coming against Arizona State’s Bianca Arellano and Bethany Jorgensen. WongOrantes and Keil took the match 2-1. In the three duals, the pairings of freshman Alexa Ethridge and sophomore Cecilia Hall and freshman Brenna Lyles and sophomore Alicia Ostrander won all three of their matches. Wong-Orantes also said having two teams consistently coming up with wins set up duals for dramatic finishes. “It was a matter of the last team playing had to come in clutch for us and get that win,” she said. The Huskers will now head back into the gym to prepare for the spring season, and WongOrantes said the team is ready. “Everyone is just trying to get back in the gym and take it day by day,” she said. “We’re trying to readjust to the indoor game and just get better.” The spring season begins on April 19, when Nebraska takes on Iowa State in Ames, Iowa. Sports@ dailynebraskan.com

What kind of doctor do you want to be?

file photo by amber baesler | dn

Guard Mike Peltz, 1 of 2 seniors on the team, proposes to Shelby Campbell during senior night festivities before Nebraska’s game against Wisconsin. Peltz played in 11 games this season. pre-game ceremonies. “That was crazy,” Shields said. And shocking instances for Nebraska didn’t end that night. Random surprises, though negative, popped up Nebraska’s last two games of the season, such as when it fumbled an 18-point lead in the first game of the conference tournament to allow the Buckeyes to roll to a 71-67 victory. And then the first-round NCAA Tournament matchup against Baylor when Miles picked up his first two technical fouls of the season,

resulting in an ejection because of a miscommunication. “So I’m like, ‘You know, the shot clock never ran,’” Miles said after the game. “Whatever in my mind I’m thinking that’s a correctible error. That is something we can go correct, and the official came over and T’d me up. I’m like I’m just trying to get the game in line. “I’m like, ‘That’s a correctible error.’ He’s like, ‘It’s too late. You’re gone.’ I mean, what do you do?” The 2014 season had its up and downs, eventually ending on the

latter. But there’s certainty among now-former players, such as Ray Gallegos, for a better conclusion next year. According to the 48th all-time scorer in school history, the future is nothing but sunny for the program. “They are a young talented team, and next year I would expect them to go further than this in the tournament,” Gallegos said. “With those returning and the recruits coming in, they will be good.” sports@ dailynebraskan.com

Adjust Your Thinking™

Adjust Scan to find out Your Thinking™

800-467-2252 www.cleveland.edu


10

sports

tuesday, april 1, 2014 dailynebraskan.com @dnsports

MEN’S BASKETBALL YEAR END REVIEW OFFENSIVE MVP

TERRAN PETTEWAY

file photo by amber baesler | dn

Sophomore guard Terran Petteway, a transfer from Texas Tech, drives through Minnesota defenders. Petteway scored a careerhigh 35 points in the Huskers’ 82-78 win Jan. 26.

Nebraska sophomores Shavon Shields, Terran Petteway and Walter Pitchford battle Wisconsin’s Vitto Brown for a rebound in the Huskers’ 77-68 victory on March 9. The win cemented Nebraska’s first-round bye in the Big Ten Tournament.

on the map Huskers’ unlikely run to NCAA Tournament leaves program well off story

by

Nedu

Izu

A

first-year player led Nebraska in scoring. A senior proposed to his longtime girlfriend on center stage in front of 16,000 spectators. The Huskers danced in March for the first time in 16 years. And their head coach was ejected in arguably the most crucial game of the season. Tim Miles’ basketball team had its trials and tribulations, but there’s no arguing that their 2014 season was one that will be remembered for years to come. “By the end of the year, we were one of the better defenses in the Big Ten,” Miles said. “If you would have told our guys that in November, they would have said you’re nuts.” After beginning conference play 0-4, Nebraska stunned disbelievers by going 11-3 the rest of the way, taking down three ranked opponents down the stretch to finish fourth in the Big Ten Conference. Much of the reason for Nebraska’s berth in its first postseason game since 1998 was because of the team’s newest members:

|

file

photo

by Amber

sophomores Walter Pitchford and Terran Petteway. Did they make a difference to Miles’ success in his second season? “Definitely,” Miles said. “Those are guys who are our best athletes, and I think they have a really good skill level, too.” In his first year on a Big Ten squad, Pitchford led the Huskers with a .410 3-point shooting percentage and led the starters with a .473 field-goal percentage. Petteway led the team with 18.1 points per game, 167 free throws and 24 blocks. His 561 points in his first year as a Husker moved him up to seventh place on the singleseason chart, while his 18.6 points per game against conference foes ranked him first and earned him a spot on the All-District VI team. Miles realized the type of player he was going to be last year when he was on the scout team. “I remember saying to one of my assistants, ‘I can’t imagine he won’t get 16 points a game in the Big Ten,’” the coach said. “He just accelerates so well.”

Baesler

Deciding this award was easy. No Husker affected the offensive end of the floor more this season than Terran Petteway. He led the Big Ten in scoring at 18.1 points a game and was sometimes Nebraska’s only offense. He was especially deadly at the end of the shot clock or lategame situations, when he would often hit a clutch 3 or fade-away jumper. He was also money from the free-throw line, where he shot 82 percent. It wasn’t just about the scoring for Petteway. He averaged almost 5 rebounds a game as well and dished out 1.6 assists. The passing improved steadily through the season as he struggled earlier in the season with turnovers. Nebraska couldn’t find the basket many times this season, but Petteway was the one constant for the Huskers. His offensive improvement and maniacal work ethic drew coach Tim Miles to compare Petteway to former NBA All-Star Latrell Sprewell. “Without the threatening nature, of course,” Miles said earlier

this season, chuckling. “I’ve seen a lot of guys work on their own game and not transfer that into game form, but that’s not Terran. He wants to do well, but he’s always happy when we win.” Miles wasn’t the only to notice Petteway’s hard work, as the 2013-14 season became a decorated one for the sophomore transfer out of Galveston, Texas. He became the first Husker to take home first-team All-Big Ten honors and followed that up with first-team All-District VI accolades. Not bad for a guy who averaged 3 points a game at Texas Tech before coming to Nebraska. Miles also recognizes the massive upside for Petteway, who only played significant minutes on a team for the first time this year. Look for Petteway to make an even bigger impact for the Huskers next season. And don’t be surprised if he earns similar distinctions next year around this time. Compiled by Andrew Ward

DEFENSIVE MVP

There aren’t many things Mike Peltz has been recognized for during his two-year stint as a Husker. His career stats include an average of 10.7 minutes played in 25 total games, and he recorded 17 points – 1 of them coming from this season via a free-throw make. He even was involved in a scuffle with Creighton baller Doug McDermott for a loose ball during a Dec. 6, 2012, in-state matchup at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. What Peltz will always be remembered for, though, is when he dropped to his knees March 9. “(Walter Pitchford) knew, because they are roommates, but the rest of us didn’t know,” Petteway said. “We asked Mike, ‘What are you going to say in your speech?’ and he said, ‘I got something big for you guys,’ and that is all he would say,” Shields said. Although Nebraska upset then-No. 9 Wisconsin, 77-68, Peltz stole the show when he proposed to his now-fiancé Shelby Campbell during

BENNY PARKER

year in review: see page 9

file photo by amber baesler | dn

Sophomore guard Benny Parker chases after the ball in Nebraska’s 80-67 victory against Penn State on Feb. 20. Parker had a team-high 2 steals in only 14 minutes of action in the game.

OUTLOOK There’s a tremendous upside to this team. After being projected to finish 12th in the Big Ten, the Huskers turned a lot of heads this season by finishing fourth in the conference and reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1998. And it looks to be just the start. Nebraska loses only one player who received valuable playing time – Ray Gallegos – and returns all five starters from this season, including All-Big Ten performer Terran Petteway. Sophomores Shavon Shields and Walter Pitchford will most likely receive a lot of attention from defenses as well. That trio will be the core next season, but coach Tim Miles should focus elsewhere if he wants his team to succeed. The Huskers need to find a true point guard if they want to build this program. Sophomore Benny Parker received most of the minutes at this position at the end of the year, but he has his deficiencies on the offensive end. That’s the problem when you have a guy who stands around

file photo by jake crandall | dn

Co-Big Ten Coach of the Year Tim Miles celebrates with players and fans after Nebraska’s selection to the NCAA Tournament was announced on March 16. 5-foot-9. And that’s a generous 5-foot-9. Freshman Tai Webster started

Nedu Izu

at point guard all season but was pretty much nonexistent on both ends of the floor by the end of the

A-

Tim Miles wasn’t supposed to coach a Nebraska basketball team that finished fourth in the Big Ten, at least according to conference beat writers. Nor were the Huskers expected to win 19 games and play in the NCAA Tournament – a dance the program hasn’t appeared in since 1998. Because the Huskers are expected to be better next season and possibly ranked in the top 25, I give them an A-.

year. He has the biggest upside of any of Nebraska’s players but needs to show tons of improvement if the Huskers want to win that first NCAA Tournament game. The role players should continue to be effective. Junior David Rivers is a defensive stopper with his lanky 6-foot-7 frame, while Leslee Smith is a much-needed big body down low at 6-foot-8, 255 pounds. Freshman Nathan Hawkins is the likely candidate to replace Gallegos as the team’s sharpshooter off the bench. Also, look for incoming freshman Jacob Hammond to make an immediate impact for Nebraska next season. The 6-foot-10 center out of Oklahoma could be the big man Nebraska desperately needs. If Hammond can give the Husker starters minutes, that will free up Pitchford to play his more natural position of power forward. If that happens, Nebraska will be extremely dangerous in the Big Ten. Compiled by Andrew ward Ward

After starting 16 contests his freshman year, Benny Parker appeared in the starting lineup just twice for the Huskers this season. The tremendous difference in games started from a year ago may at first glance cause some to think the guard was cursed with a sophomore slump. But if you watched Parker play this season, you know he had anything but a setback season. In 32 games this season, he averaged 2.4 points – ranking him last among Huskers with 20 or more games under their belts. But what he lacked in offensive playmaking abilities, he made up for with physical play on defense. Although he recorded just 1 block and 33 rebounds, Parker recorded a team-high 30 steals – 6 more than his total during his debut season in Lincoln. There was a reason fans gave him the nickname “Energizer Benny” and chanted his name the last month of the season several times at home. The Kansas City, Kan., na-

GRADES

andrew ward

tive’s speed, ability to apply all kinds of pressure to opposing guards and force turnovers anchored Nebraska to an average 6.9 takeaways a game. Teammates Shavon Shield and Walter Pitchford will tell anyone: Don’t let his 5-foot-9 frame fool you. “He might be the shortest kid on the court, but he’s not scared of anybody,” Pitchford said Feb. 23 during a postgame news conference. “He brings a lot of energy to the team.” Parker recorded 3 steals in the 76-57 victory against the Boilermakers on Feb. 23, one shy of his career high. “Benny’s been a huge spark off the bench and huge catalyst in order to get us going on defense,” Shields said in response to Parker ’s late charge in Nebraska’s 5447 win against Northwestern on March 1. “It’s a huge momentum swing when he makes plays like that.” Compiled by Nedu Izu

A

To exceed expectations the way coach Tim Miles and Co. did this season is nothing short of amazing. It’s not just going to be this season either. All five starters return and will be the core this program builds on for at least two more years. Miles has brought Nebraska basketball to relevance, and it can only go up from here.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.