MAR9

Huskers lose to Purdue in first Friday music festival round of Big Ten Tourney to light up downtown Season ends with another double-digit loss, coach confident in positive future with Nebraska page 10

Lincoln musician Keen organizes night of concerts at diverse venues page 5

friday, march 9, 2012

volume 111, issue 119

DAILY NEBRASKAN dailynebraskan.com

Research funds swell $100 million in 20 years UNL federal research awards outpace national average Frannie Sprouls Daily NEbraskan

Federal research awards at the University of

Nebraska-Lincoln have grown more than $100 million during the past 20 years — from $7.1 million in 1981 to $107.9 million in 2011.

Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development Prem Paul presented these numbers to the University of Nebraska Regents at its March 2 meeting.

Beginning in the early 1990s, research awards grew at a substantial rate.

“Looking back for the last two decades ... that’s pretty impressive progress in research my faculty and colleagues have made,” Paul told the board.

During the past three years, UNL increased its federal research awards at

an average of 14.32 percent per year.

Funds for research come from a variety of sources such as Nebraska and other states, other universities, the industry and foundations, as well as from the federal government. UNL received a total of $132.2 million in total research funding during the 2011

fiscal year, $107.9 million of which came from federal agencies, wrote Vicki Miller, research communications coordinator, in an email.

“We are a small research university when comparing research dollars of most of the Big Ten universities,” Miller wrote. “Increasing UNL’s research stature will make us more competitive

UNIVERSITY

with other Big Ten universities and position us to solve

research: see page 3

NU Regent drops out of senate race dan holtmeyer daily nebraskan

Nebraska University Regent Chuck Hassebrook announced Thursday morning he wouldn’t run for Ben Nelson’s U.S. Senate seat, withdrawing from the race and instead putting his support behind Bob Kerrey, a former Nebraska senator and governor.

Hassebrook’s announcement appears to clear the way for Kerrey to secure the state’s Democratic nomination to run against a Republican this November.

Attorney General Jon Bruning, State Treasurer Don Stenberg and State Sen. Deb Fischer are still competing for the Republican nomination.

“In the last couple days, it became apparent that Nebraska Democrats were coalescing around Kerrey,” Hassebrook said by phone from his home in Lyons, Neb. “I think he’s got a real shot at this ... It’s wide open.”

The Senate seat is one of more than 30 up for election this year. Nelson’s retirement from Congress gave more momentum to the Republican challenge, and with both political parties preparing to fight for a Congressional majority, every seat counts.

“It’ll come down to a

Linda Stephen, an applied origami artist from Lincoln, Neb., shows attendees of the Japan Festival how to make boxes out of sheets of paper Thursday. Origami and calligraphy were two activities offered at the festival, instructed by people well versed in their trades.

cultural

crafts

Students and community members learn calligraphy and origami techniques; celebrate Japanese culture through hands-on activities at festival story by daniel wheaton | photos by nickolai hammar and jon augustine

A

group of eager students and community members took lessons from two different artists Thursday afternoon during the fourth annual Japan Festival at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The event, hosted by UNL’s Japanese program, celebrated Japanese culture. It took place in the Heritage Room of the Nebraska Union and hosted the artists. Afterward, the film “Cherry Blossom” was shown at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center.

The festival was organized

by Chisato Steele, a lecturer of modern languages and literatures at UNL. Having celebrating Japanese music and pop culture in the past, Steele decided on a “handson” theme for the event.

Steele invited Koichi Sato, a graduate student in educational studies, to host a

Smith/Nold page 4

calligraphy workshop, and local Lincoln origami artist Linda Stephen to present at the event. The festival also featured art created by students living in the Fukushima prefecture, the region in Japan devastated by an earthquake and tsunami last March.

Koichi Sato began the event by changing into traditional Japanese clothing and painting characters on a board using the traditional Japanese brush and ink technique. “I teach kaisho, gyosho, kana and shosho,” Sato said.

After showing one of his videos, he drew the same kanji — Japanese characters denoting syllables — in each form. Each form of calligraphy is slightly different, Sato explained. Each kanji has the same lines and number of strokes. Sato likened kaisho

Hideko Nishihara, a UNL professor, assists Lauren Walkling, a sophomore anthropology major, during calligraphy lessons at Thursday’s Japan Festival. to print and shosho to cursive, Kaisho is more defined, while shosho is more freeflowing.

A number of stations were set up along the front of the room. Each seat had a brush, ink stone and paper to paint with.

Meranda Wellman, a senior English major, was one of the first people to paint some kanji.

“I’ve done some Irish calligraphy before,” Wellman said. “It was similar but difficult.”

Sato, along with Hideko Nishihara, modern languages and literatures lecturer

musical page 5

at UNL, assisted in teaching calligraphy. Participants then attempted to paint different symbols. Nishihara made sure they were doing everything correctly — using the ink stone, the proper arm movement and the order in which to draw the kanji.

“I just love the kanji,” Martha Sorensen, a 1960 UNL alumna said. “Especially the old stuff.”

Sorensen has been coming to the Japanese festival every year and said she enjoys the artistic style of Japanese

festival: see page 3

hassebrook: see page 3

Union Board hears appeals of space allocations Maren Westra daily nebraskan

Thursday night in Room 200 of the Nebraska Union, the Union Board officially called its meeting to order.

The clock read 5:04 p.m.

The board was there to hear the appeals of organizations unhappy with the space allocations the Union Board had made for the 2012-2013 school year.

The first group scheduled to speak was Zeta Phi Beta, who had not reapplied for space and had thus not been given any. No ZPB representatives were present, so the board continued without them.

baseball page 10

Stacey Cleveland, a graduate student in teaching, learning and teacher education, and adviser Pat Tetreault came on behalf of the LGBTQA Resource Center to thank the board for accepting their request for more space. Tetreault is the assistant director for the program. According to statistics Cleveland presented at the meeting, the resource center had more than 181 visitors in February and has had more than 50 so far this month.

In addition, although the

union: see page 2

Weather | sunny

Declaring war on Iran

Work in progress

Staying golden

Debating war with a potentially nuclear-armed iran

nYC composer, UNl students team up for musical test run

Huskers hope to build win streak against California

@dailyneb | facebook.com/dailynebraskan

couple seats,” said Michael Wagner, an assistant professor of political science at the University of NebraskaLincoln. “ T h e Republicans really have to win this seat to get a majority in the Senate.”

K e r - hassebrook r e y ’ s nomination could bolster Democrats’ chances of taking the seat, but they’ll kerrey face an uphill battle in the conservative state no matter what, said Wagner’s colleague John Hibbing, a professor of political science at UNL. Other than Nelson, Kerrey is the only Democrat in Nebraska elected to Congress in the past two decades, Hibbing said, and brings an amount of name recognition Hassebrook couldn’t match.

57°33°

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friday, march 9, 2012

Daily Nebraskan

Poll: Nebraska viewed semi-favorably Maren Westra Daily Nebraskan

According to a poll released Feb. 21 by Public Policy Polling, Nebraska is a more popular state than it used to be — but it’s still not winning any awards.

The poll on state popularity was conducted by asking viewers a basic question: Do you have a favorable or unfavorable view of Colorado?

New Mexico? Idaho?

And so on, and so on.

Nebraska was ranked 24th in favorability, just barely scraping its way into the top 50 percent. It beat out states like Texas and New York.

The poll results even said California is the most unfavorable state in the nation.

No criteria other than whether each person had a “favorable” or “unfavorable” opinion of each state was used to measure that states’ favorability.

Iowa also marked an increase in state popularity, slipping in comfortably ahead of Nebraska at 13.

Though scattered up and down the list, most states in the Midwest were at least in the top half. Regionally, it was the South and New England that didn’t fare so well.

Hawaii snagged first place in favorability.

Poll respondents were also asked about their age, sex, political affiliation and race.

Conservatives were more

fond of Nebraska than liberals, and men like the state more than women.

This leaves questions about how state popularity relates to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Kathy McKillip, director of the Nebraska Division of Travel and Tourism, offered a few answers to these questions.

She said tourism has increased greatly in Nebraska during the last few years and that travel into and out of the state often fluctuates according to how well UNL is performing in athletic competitions.

“I think (being in) the Big Ten is a fabulous opportunity for us,” she said, explaining that the state tourism industry has seen more interest since the beginning of this academic year.

According to McKillip, students at other Big Ten universities are impressed by the friendliness of Nebraskans and the experiences they have here when they visit.

“They’re intrigued with us,” she said. “We tend to over-deliver.”

McKillip said Nebraska’s success can be attributed to a variety of factors, including the congeniality of its residents, the beauty of its scenic areas and the fiscal responsibility exhibited by both state departments and the individuals who live here. Though UNL does appeal to people,

stephanie goodman | daily nebraskan

she doesn’t think the university can take all the credit.

Shannon Peterson, the division’s media and public relations coordinator, agreed that being in the Big Ten Conference allows Nebraska to attract new visitors.

She said that Creighton University basketball, the College World Series and the Olympic Swim Trials also bring people into Nebraska, and that the state’s two metro areas — Omaha and Lincoln — are thriving and continuing to grow.

Peterson said that because the poll ranked Nebraska

right in the middle, it would be difficult to use the results to the state’s advantage, but that it also isn’t any cause for concern.

“It doesn’t really hurt us nor does it help us,” she said, adding that there are other ways to bring people to Nebraska.

“I certainly think the Midwest is welcoming,” she said.

“I think people are beginning to realize there’s a lot going on in the middle of the country that they don’t have to travel so far to find.”

Marenwestra@ dailynebraskan.com

Daily Illini to receive student funding UIUC to be funded by students’ fees for first time Maren Westra Daily Nebraskan

It was announced Thursday evening that students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign voted to approve student funding for the Daily Illini, the school’s student newspaper.

Of students who voted, 1,809 voted in favor of student funding for the paper, while 1,212 voted against.

As of late Thursday, the results were still listed online as unofficial, but the numbers indicated that the request passed, and publisher Lil Levant said she was confident they were accurate.

The voting that took place Tuesday and Wednesday was similar to Wednesday’s Association of Students of the University of Nebraska election. Like UNL students, UIUC students

voted their willingness to pay for a number of different student organizations.

For the first time in history, the Daily Illini was on the ballot.

The student newspaper has been around for 141 years, but has never relied on student fees for funding. This year, after it was announced that the paper’s parent company Illini Media was $250,000 in debt, Levant decided it was time to change that.

In addition to the request for student fees — which was initiated by a student petition with 4,000 signatures — the Daily Illini is raising money by asking both university alumni and current students for donations, utilizing a pay system in which most staff reporters are not paid, and leasing out two of the four floors in its Campustown building. Currently, there is a confirmed tenant for one floor and the paper is negotiating to fill the other.

Since the paper published a letter by UIUC alum Roger Ebert on Jan. 19, Illini Media has

now raised upward of $30,000, according to Levant.

She said it’s important to remember that the money raised does not only contribute to the funding of the Daily Illini, but also helps Illini Media run a 24/7 radio station and produce the university yearbook, the Illio.

Daily Illini Editor-in-Chief Jill Disis said the campaign for student approval of the $3 per student per semester fee was largely word-of-mouth.

It was launched, she said, by board members and a “street team.” The editorial department of the paper was not involved, she said.

Levant said the street team consisted of more than 40 volunteers who helped hand out the petition and then spread the word to vote.

She said some of the students have written for the Daily Illini and some were concerned readers who got involved. “(The students) really care about the DI’s future,” Levant said.

Daily Nebraskan manager

Dan Shattil is a UIUC alumnus. Though he didn’t write for the Daily Illini, he said he used to have a subscription to the paper and said it was an esteemed student publication.

In an earlier interview with the DN, Disis explained that the reason the Daily Illini has not relied on student funding in the past has been to maintain its editorial independence from the university.

At that time, she said even if student funding were to be approved, she didn’t believe UIUC would censor the publication.

She’s standing by that belief.

“We have a lot of confidence,” she said. “I think we will still be an editorial voice for the students.”

Levant said she also believes that the Daily Illini will be able to maintain its editorial freedom.

“I know the university understands we are part of the fabric here,” Levant said.

MarenWestra@ DailyNebraskan.com

union: from 1 group has between 13 and 15 volunteers at every volunteer meeting, their current space can hold only five. Cleveland also said that all five staff members will have office space next year, while this year there is only space for two.

After Cleveland and Tetreault finished thanking the Union Board, Stacy Gravning, a senior psychology and Spanish major, appealed the space allocated for Students for Sexual Health.

The group had been moved from an independent office in the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center to a shared office with Eating Disorder Education and Prevention and had been given a storage cabinet for supplies. Gravning expressed

concern on behalf of her organization that the new space would not be sufficient.

She relayed reports that in the past, Students for Sexual Health has struggled with having its supplies vandalized. She said the group’s anatomical models have been vandalized by students who used them inappropriately. Gravning told the board that if the group had to keep their supplies, which include condoms and lubricant, in a shared or unlocked space, the group fears that students who don’t approve of the group’s mission would destroy the products.

The board expressed concern that the office space Students for Sexual Health has in the Gaughan is only

dn flashback

used for storage and that there are groups who could benefit from utilizing it more effectively. Gravning said the office space has been used for storage because the computer there does not work, but that the organization has ordered a new computer and plans to use the office more effectively when that new computer arrives.

The board thanked Gravning for making her case and told her it would review the case, saying the office had already been given to another group.

After Gravning left the room, however, the Union Board discussed her appeal and discovered that the space hadn’t been given to anyone. The members voted in favor of returning the

office space to Students for Sexual Health but said they will remind the group not to use the office for storage.

After making this decision, the Union Board members wanted to find a use for the extra space in the Eating Disorder Education and Prevention office. They voted to give the American Cancer Society the opportunity to claim the space. If the group declines, the space will remain open until a use for it is found.

Union Board Director Charlie Francis said that this is the first time in his six and a half years on the board that there have been fewer requests for space than the actual amount of space available. marenwesta@ dailynebraskan.com

Gold & Co. spring sale ad March 1, 1940 Sophomores and freshmen to settle rival claims tonight March 9, 1904 The basket-ball (sic) season closes tonight with the game between the Freshmen and Sophomores for the interclass championship. The varsity season ended Saturday night with the Wisconsin victory. Negotiations for the western trip and for a game with Iowa have fallen through and the team has ceased practice. The schedule this year was not nearly as complete as last year’s only four outside games being played. The team came out a little better than even on the season and by the victory over the Badgers Saturday added quite a little glory to themselves.

16 women compete for 1937 title of best dressed girl March 9, 1937 Sixteen women will compete for 1937 Best Dressed Girl honors, Betty Cherny, chairman of the Coed Follies revealed today. The winner, to be chosen by A.W.S. Board members will be presented at the climax of this year’s Coed Follies to be given on April 8.

Yell squad tryouts set March 10, 1953 Tryouts for the 1953-54 Yell Squad positions will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Coliseum with 77 freshmen contending for the 8 positions.

To coeds, three men and three male alternates will be selected from the applicants. The contestants will be judged on their ability to lead a yell. Yells will be from the Coliseum stage.

Dean: Watergate conspirators may get pardon March 10, 1975 A soft-spoken John Dean said Friday night that there is a chance President Gerald Ford will pardon those men recently convicted in the Watergate coverup trial.

“You have to remember that these are still very powerful men,” he told an audience of nearly 1,000 at the Omaha Civic Auditorium Music Hall.

As to whether Ford should pardon former Nixon officials H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, John Mitchell and Robert Mardian, Dean said he “does not wish jail on any man, but I don’t think this (the pardon) would be a just solution.”

Students call in the A-Team March 9, 2000 A-Team supporters celebrated a victory for the underdog Wednesday night after finding out A-Team’s candidates would be the next to fill the presidential and vice presidential spots on next year’s student senate.

Newly elected president Joel Schafer and his running mate, Riley Peterson, reacted with shock after hearing their campaign efforts in the past month and a half resulted in a decisive victory over their run-off opponent, Empower.

— Compiled by Mitch Mattern mitchmattern@dailynebraskan.com

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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.

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friday, march 9, 2012

3

research: from 1 2017. Instead of reporting the total amount of research awards, which is what is the current system, the Office of Research and Economic Development will measure funding in terms of expenditures.

Reporting expenditures will more accurately present the amount of research funding received each fiscal year because not all research funds are given at one time.

The plan to expand research funding is titled the Research and Economic Development Growth Initiative.

“The plan has two primary goals. One is to enhance the quality and stature of research, scholarship and creative activity at UNL,” Miller wrote. “Second is to increase the quality and quantity of industry-academia partnerships.”

The road ahead will be difficult, Zeleny said, but steps are in place. Zeleny is working on the first goal, for which Perlman has set the necessary financial targets.

“Another target is increasing our faculty’s prestigious recognition,” he said. “Then they really flow down from there. We’re pursuing more multimillion dollar opportunities, pursuing recruitment of additional research faculty. There’s all kinds of components, but those are kind of the primary targets.”

Zeleny said UNL will have to aggressively pursue these goals in order for all of this to be achieved.

“I think the gain (of research funding) reflects the quality of research that is being conducted at the university,” Paul said. “Competition is very tough, especially with the tight budget.

(Research funding is) one of the ways universities are compared.”

In the past couple years, UNL has earned a variety of research awards from the federal government.

UNL received $25 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to research E. coli in the beef industry. A new nanoscience research building was co-funded by the National Institute of

UNL FEDERAL RESEARCH AWARD GROWTH, 1981-2011 The University of Nebraska— Lincoln’s federal research awards grew from $7.2 million to $107.9 million in just three decades. UNL plans to expand that amount to $150 million by 2017.

120 $107.9

100 Million dollars

more societal and state, national and international challenges.”

Mike Zeleny, UNL assistant vice chancellor for research, agreed.

“In the Big 12, we weren’t the smallest, but the Big Ten is a whole new level of competition,” Zeleny said. “It’s one of the great things, we’ll grow ourselves through better competition.”

Of the Big Ten universities, Zeleny said the University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Michigan and The Ohio State University have the largest amount of research funding.

In his 12th State of the University address last September, UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman listed goals for UNL to achieve by 2017.

One of those goals was to expand research expenditures from $191 million in 2011 to $300 million. The other goal for research is to expand federal expenditures to $150 million from $96 million.

Research funding will be measured differently by

80

$71.1

60 40 20 0

$7.1

$9.3

1981

1986

Standards and Technology.

The Nebraska Center for Virology received $5.5 million from the National Institutes of Health for the Phase III Center of Biomedical Research Excellence grant, as well as $8 million from NIH for an addition to the Ken

hassebrook: from 1

calligraphy. Sorensen’s family visited Japan in the past, and she has many friends within the Japanese department at UNL. Sorensen said she also visits the Japanese library on campus to learn more about the culture.

After a brief intermission, Stephen led the second portion of the event. Stephen’s art is an adaptation of true origami. She takes individual creations and puts them together to make landscapes and collages.

Stephen said the first book of origami was published in 1797. As paper was an expensive commodity, origami reflected the art styles of the Japanese royalty.

“Japan has more handmade paper than the rest of the world combined,” she said.

She brought along different types of paper from her collection and passed them around the room. They varied in texture and some had complex repeating patterns of cranes and flowers.

Stephen’s artistic journey began with folding origami cranes in her childhood. Stephen said that she’d begin a

“There’s a perception that he has a chance, I think nationwide,” Hibbing said.

“Clearly the prospects for Democrats have improved in the last month,” he added, referring to an improving economy and a drawn-out Republican presidential nomination process.

Nebraska’s Democrats have been shuffling for a candidate since Nelson, a moderate and the only Democrat in Nebraska’s Congressional delegation, announced late last year he would not run for re-election.

Hassebrook joined the fray in February after Kerrey had announced he would not seek the state party’s

letters

When the University of Nebraska assistant football coach spoke out in Omaha against our city’s attempt to ban discrimination on the basis sexual orientation, I thought he was speaking for the entire NU Athletic Department.

I thought so because Brown gave his address as “One Memorial Stadium,” the address of the football stadium

1991

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nomination.

By doing so, the NU Regent became the most prominent Democratic choice.

He gave up the chance at re-election for his Regent position for next year, a position he has held for almost 18 years. In a statement last week, Hassebrook said his decision to run had hinged on Kerrey’s word.

Kerrey changed his mind and jumped back in the contest on Feb. 29, taking other Democrats, including Hassebrook, by surprise.

“I came to realize that my previous decision was the easy one, not the right one,” Kerrey said in a statement.

Morrison Life Sciences Research Center.

“That goal is a very ambitious goal and, as I pointed out in the (Board of Regents) presentation, that there are challenges,” Paul said. “The budget is tight and there’s a competition

in Lincoln. Probably Brown wanted to give the impression he was speaking for the entire University.

It’s way past time University officials reign in Coach Brown’s evangelism at the school. When Brown coerces prayer before and after football games on public property he obviously violates the separation of church and state laid out in the U.S. Constitution.

Enough is enough for Coach Ron Brown.

“My commitment to serve Nebraska and America, and to be part of the debate about the challenges we face was too strong to dismiss.”

Without major competition, Kerrey’s path to the nomination is significantly smoothed, Wagner said.

“He’s not going to have to spend resources trying to win the primary,” Wagner said.

“It just means he can go full steam ahead.”

Hassebrook said Thursday he didn’t have hard feelings about Kerrey’s switch.

“I don’t believe in holding grudges,” he said. “I just want to move on and do what’s best.”

franniesprouls@ dailynebraskan.com

In addition to being a NU Regent, Hassebrook is executive director of the Center for Rural Affairs, an organization also based in Lyons that advocates for rural communities and environmental stewardship, according to its website.

Hassebrook has been on leave during his Senate run, but he said he wouldn’t head back to the center just yet. He instead intends to take several months to research and write on rural issues and the political system’s response to them.

“I just want to step back from all of this,” Hassebrook said. danholtmeyer@ dailynebraskan.com

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staff ed: from 4 Newspaper Readership Program and the Daily Nebraskan came so close to 50 percent approval, sometimes within a few hundred votes. Voting “no” on these questions makes a difference — it carries the possibility of drastically affecting or even defunding these organizations.

The University Health Center provides affordable and convenient services to students on campus and depends on its student funds to run.

The DailyER Nebraskan costs less than $.25 per student and provides both entertainment and a forum to critique the university in a way other organizations, including the Daily Nebraskan, cannot. The Newspaper Readership Program delivers multiple major

newspapers to students each day for the low cost of $4.37. You can even request fees for student-run organizations to be refunded.

We, for our part, will learn from our vote, as we’re sure every organization will. But if you have only minor grievances, the ballot isn’t the time to voice them. All of the above have avenues for contacting representatives and making suggestions. Think carefully about how you’d like to see a fee-user improve before voting “yes” or “no.”

Next March will bring another ASUN election.

Next year, get involved.

Get engaged. Get results more meaningful than the opinions of some 17 percent. opinion@ dailynebraskan.com

2011

for talent. If we make sure to invest and recruit and retain the faculty and invest in the areas where we are very good, then yes ... if we do all that, we can achieve our goals.”

DANIELWHEATON@ DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

from opinion Coach Brown’s comments reach new level of unacceptability

$22.8

SOURCE: UNL OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

festival: from 1 workshop with cranes, but she decided on something different.

“It is crane season in Nebraska, too,” Stephen said.

“In Japan they are symbols of fidelity and longevity.”

She brought “Origamo,” a life-size origami man made out of a 10-foot square of paper. And after her brief discussion, she led the crowd in making a tulip box. Step by step, she explained each fold and made sure that everyone was doing it properly. In half an hour, the crowd turned a 6-inch square of paper into many multicolored boxes.

Aiko Carter, a freshman English major, said that she was excited to learn from the artists.

“I’ve always wanted to try this (calligraphy and origami),” Carter said.

While practicing calligraphy, she painted her own name in kanji.

“Origami is just like education,” Stephen said. “You start off with a square and you end up with something completely different.”

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Opinion DAILY NEBRASKAN

dailynebraskan.com

page 4

friday, march 9, 2012

point | counterpoint

War with Iran

Art by Gabriel Sanchez

International sanctions, not a threat of war from US and Israel, is the only way to keep Iran nuclear weapon-free

I

ran probably can’t be stopped from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Or so the prevailing wisdom goes.

World leaders — from United States President Barack Obama, to British Prime Minister David Cameron, to Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu — have stood in lockstep opposition to Iran’s perceived goal of nuclear weapons.

Their resistance makes sense. Iran’s leaders, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, consistently call for the destruction of one country, Israel.

There’s no better way to obliterate a state, or at least a state’s will, than by using nuclear weapons. See: Japan, 1945.

Thus, I very nearly agree that Iran can’t be stopped from acquiring nuclear weapons. I also believe war with Iran would be disastrous, as would Iran’s acquisition of nuclear armament.

From this point, only two major paths exist to prevent the Iranian regime from getting nuclear weapons.

The first is continuous U.S. or Israeli bombing of Iranian nuclear centers, assassination of their scientists and most likely all-out war on the Iranian regime. Let’s put aside the consequences on the U.S. and the region. The human consequences on the Iranian people would be immense. The vast majority of Iranians are innocent civilians. A significant minority of them (if not a majority) are opposed to the regime, its actions and its interpretation of Islam, as seen in the 2009 Iranian Green Revolution.

Or, the Iranian government could willingly change course. It could give up the goal of nuclear weapons because of self-interest and the pressure of the international community.

There is good news on this front, actually. Iranian leaders have agreed to resume direct talks on nuclear issues with the West.

Israel welcomed this, though cautiously, and it’s possible that such efforts will succeed. On a separate but related note, North Korea also recently agreed to resume six-party talks.

The agreement to sit down with the West, which Iran’s leaders frequently demonize, is encouraging. It means sanctions are biting.

It means the international community’s surprisingly coherent and cohesive effort to keep Iran out of the nuclear club is working. Nobody, with the exception of the Iranians (and perhaps the North Koreans), wants Iran to have nuclear weapons.

Why does the rest of the world stand in such solid opposition to Iran pursuing

zach smith a nuclear path? To be sure, the usual detractors — China and Russia — are oddly with the West on this issue.

China and Russia have been, depending on the account, either strong-armed into opposing Iran by the United States or have opposed Iran out of their own self-interest. Both are probably true, to some extent.

The world doesn’t want Iran to have nuclear weapons for a couple key reasons.

All of these explain Israel’s strong desire to prevent Iran’s nuclear capability by all means necessary.

The first, if you’ll allow the digression into political science, relies on the concept of deterrence. If one state has nuclear weapons, another can acquire them. Neither will attack the other because of the threat of mutually assured destruction, so long as both states act rationally.

The issue with the Iranians specifically revolves around the “rational” part. The international community can’t trust the Iranian regime to act rationally, as it’s so hell-bent on calling for the destruction of Israel. Additionally, the regime manipulates the Arab Middle East through its support of the Syrian regime, Hezbollah and Hamas. This alone is reason enough to deny Iran nuclear weapons.

The second reason is that Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons, to balance Israel’s cache, would set off a nuclear arms race across the Arab Middle East and Turkey.

Turkey, our NATO ally, has thus far refused to acquire nuclear weapons.

Saudi Arabia and Egypt have also refused it, and Egypt has actually led the effort to develop a Middle East-wide nuclear non-proliferation zone.

With a nuclear Iran, Saudi Arabia will understandably feel threatened, and seek to develop its own nuclear program. A nuclear arms race, even if Iran doesn’t attack Israel, would be much more threatening to Israel’s existence.

The last, and most frightening threat, is that an Iranian nuclear weapon, or another because of an arms race, will fall into the hands of a terrorist organization.

Thus, it’s imperative that the United States stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. But let’s

remember the last time we went into war in the Middle East, and the near-decadelong disaster that was.

Iran’s star is fast falling in the region. The government’s support of the Syrian regime has greatly diminished its credibility among the Arab public. Being attacked by the United States and Israel — or just Israel, frankly — will help Iran regain its standing as a major contender for the collective will of Arab peoples. If we attack, we lose the entirety of our credibility as well.

That’s unacceptable, and thus, so is war.

I greatly prefer a strategy of containment, should the Iranian regime not give up nuclear weap-

ons capabilities.

It worked in the Cold War, it can work again. But it may not, as there is no guarantee the U.S., European Union, China and Russia can keep major Arab powers from getting nuclear weapons. It’s the best option in a horrid scenario.

Doubting Obama’s resolve on this, however, isn’t an option. Obama has the most national security credibility of any president since Harry Truman.

He’s ordered the killing of Osama bin Laden, Anwar al-Awlaki and conducted an overwhelmingly successful military intervention in Libya. Calling his bluff is a poor choice for any state, and just as poor of a choice for Netanyahu.

The U.S. shouldn’t allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. Iran has the ultimate choice, though; we can only delay Iran from acquiring weapons, through a combination of sanctions, cyber attacks on their nuclear program and other covert actions.

All of these have been tried. All of these are working and have brought Iran to the table. Give sanctions time; don’t engage in, as Obama put it, “loose talk of war.”

Zach Smith is a senior music and political science major. Follow him on Twitter at @smithzach and reach him at zachsmith@ dailynebraskan.com.

US and UN ambitions to evade confrontation with Iran only prolong impending war over nuclear weapons

I

ran is systematically winning every negotiation that it has with the United Nations and the United States. Multiple sanctions have been placed against the country, but Iran continues to defy the international community.

Iran is enriching uranium up to 20 percent, which is the peak end of the enrichment scale for nuclear energy requirements. It has moved past enriching uranium to the limits used in the most common type of nuclear reactor and is well on its way to enriching uranium to a level of 85 percent or more.

The only reason for this type of enrichment would be for the use of a nuclear bomb.

While the world stands by and babbles about what to do about Iran, Israel

marches forward as the only country that seems determined to do what is needed. If we were serious about the Iranian threat, then we would be at war with Iran. We should have invaded, dismantled the government and been halfway through the rebuilding process by now. Yet, governments around the globe flail about, making a scene of it all. And in the end, only one small nation has the guts to do what must be done.

We need to go to war with Iran.

We had troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan — we should have used our geographical positioning to invade, overthrow and rid the world of a government that has stated its intentions of destroying both Israel and the West. A pincer move would have crushed the regime, but now the United States has made it harder for a military strike to be effectively used. The U.S. continues to concede ground to Iran and its state-sponsored terrorist groups.

Iran has been known to support many terrorist organizations. In Iraq’s case, Iran was viewed as having a hand in terrorism that rocked the country beginning in 2004, which brought Iraq to the

zach nold brink of a civil war. The question shouldn’t be: Should we attack Iran? Instead one should be asking: Why have we not yet overthrown a government charged with being the world’s wild card?

In a recent conference with Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, President Barack Obama said, “We do not want a regime that has been a state sponsor of terrorism being able to feel that it can act even more aggressively or with impunity as a consequence of its nuclear power.”

The last time I checked, we don’t negotiate with terrorists.

If a government sponsors terrorism, that government should be considered a terrorist organization. However, we’re still trying to negotiate with a country that plays a game of chicken with us. Iran constantly says it’s willing to talk about its nuclear program, but every time its leaders talk one can hear the same lies come out of their mouths.

They’re playing a game of chicken, and while we choose cooperation they choose defection. They have no reason to fear us militarily, because our government has a massive complacency issue. We’re not reacting quickly enough to this growing threat because of past wars. We know Iran’s military can’t stand up to ours, and the international community wouldn’t mind the downfall of what can be considered the most volatile country in the Middle East.

Sadly, our country is stuck in a rut. Sick of two 10-year wars on terrorism, we’ve watched the media exploit the wrongs that have happened to our troops overseas, and instead of standing up as a united front to the terrorists, we have conceded ground to them.

Not only is this not how our government should act, but it really should press the “war with Iran” button now more than ever. Iran has repeatedly said it wants to annihilate our closest ally in the Middle East. Its leaders fund terrorism and don’t seem willing to comply with the International Atomic Energy Agency. We need to stand up and say we’ve had enough.

I remember another country that had nuclear ambitions, and no matter how many sanctions were slapped on them, they proceeded forward: North Korea.

North Korea was a lot like Iran. It not only pursued nuclear weapons, but despite

all the sanctions it achieved its goals. It has a starving civilian population and an oppressive government, and until recently it has refused to budge. The sanctions that were long ago imposed have only just now paid off, as the news reported that North Korea has agreed to suspend nuclear activities and missile tests for U.S. food aid.

It took way too long for these sanctions to work, which has hurt the North Korean general population. That isn’t who we should be targeting.

The sanctions against Iran aren’t having a big enough effect. We haven’t seen a coup like some may have hoped, and any type of dissent from the general population is either unseen or suppressed.

The difference is that Iran will be more inclined to use nuclear technology to harm the United States, whether it happens through Iran’s proxies or by its own hand. Either way, this isn’t an acceptable outcome, and I’m appalled that our government and the international community have not stepped in with force.

Israel is determined to stop Iran from achieving its goal, and it won’t wait for the approval of the U.S. Israel took out Iraq’s nuclear ambitions in 1981, and will do the same to Iran. Israel will defend its interests, in this case, the preservation of the Jewish homeland. At the same time, the Israelis will protect our interests, because if Iran can create nuclear weapons they will have more power and be able to kill more innocent Americans through modern means.

Whether through terrorism or conventional forces, Iran will try to hurt the United States, and if Iran has a nuclear weapon I don’t know if our government would be willing to do anything about it.

We need to free Iran of its destructive government and ideology. We have more to fear from Iran than any foe today, and if we don’t do something soon, it will be too late to do anything at all. A war with Iran now can be won, but not without a cost. The question we must ask is this. Will the cost we bear — both financially and, more importantly, in the loss of life — be less than that of a future war with nuclear weapons?

Many compare Iran and the radical Islamist threat to World War II. History has a tendency to repeat itself.

If one wants to understand the threat Iran poses to the U.S., one must learn about what the government pushes to the side.

Great Britain and France tried to make peace with Hitler in World War II, but their failed diplomacy and negotiations resulted in 55 million deaths. How many people do you think we’d lose in a nuclear war with Iran?

Zach Nold is a Junior Journalism and English Major.

Reach him at zachnold@ dailynebraskan.com.

our view

Election displays dismaying level of disengagement Wednesday night, the Impact Party won the executive elections for the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska. To the Impact Party, and to its opponent, Party Party, we say congratulations for a campaign well run and wish the best of luck to changing student government for the better next year.

But to the voting students of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, we’re disappointed.

We’re disappointed only 17 percent of students voted. That’s less than half the students living on UNL’s two campuses, some of the students most involved with and affected by the university. Impact enters office not at the will of a united student body, but at the will of a vocal minority.

We’re disappointed Wade Walters was elected to the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources advisory board after publishing a

Facebook comment deemed homophobic by executives of both parties and being dropped from his ticket.

Impact executives have claimed an administrative error left Walters under the Impact banner on the ballot, and we believe them. The two spots on the board faced competition from only two candidates. We’re disappointed CASNR students chose to ignore his public and offensive comments and allot him one more vote than his

opponent (the ballot allows for the possibility of not using each vote in any given category). We’re disappointed, because this is a public setback for diversity and tolerance at UNL. Finally, while we’re thankful to UNL students for our approval, we’re disappointed votes on student feeusers such as the University Health Center, the DailyER Nebraskan, the

staff ed: see page 3

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friday, march 9, 2012

pagE 5

Readings put music students under pressure cara wilwerding daily nebraskan

NEW DIGS STORY BY JACK SAMPSON | ART BY GABRIEL SANCHEZ Lincoln musician organizes Good Speakers Fest friday at bourbon, introduces two non-traditional venues

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t’s a guarantee that on any given Friday night, O Street will be filled with bar patrons.

But this night won’t be so typical, thanks to Darren Keen and the Good Speakers Fest.

Keen, a Lincoln musician, put his “computer music” aside for a moment in hopes of creating a musical experience unlike any other in Lincoln’s history.

Keen has been making experimental music for about 10 years under a variety of musical identities. He has played at music festivals overseas and toured across the country. He recently signed with Illegal Art Records (the same label as Girl Talk) and is working on a new album as Bad Speler, one of his most well-known musical incarnations.

With Keen’s success as a musician, he felt compelled to give back to the city where his career began.

“I want to get into promotion and booking to give back to the people who are doing what I do,” Keen said. “Also, Lincoln has supported me a ton over the years and been a really great city to me. I just want

to do something that benefits my hometown and combines acts that I think are cool with the city that I think is cool.”

Good Speakers Fest boasts a hefty list of local and national musicians that are set to perform in three neighboring venues downtown. The Bourbon Theatre, The Mix Barcade and Yia Yia’s Pizza and Beer will team up to host the unprecedented event.

For the first time ever, Yia Yia’s will host live music all night with acts from established local artists such as Manny Coon. Normally considered a pizza parlor, Yia Yia’s will showcase acts from the Omaha indie rock label Slumber Party Records. Courtesy of Screen Ink, Yia Yia’s will be offering live screen printing along with Good Speakers T-shirts.

The Mix Barcade will also feature live instruments on stage for the first time in its history, and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. it is setting all its arcade games to free play during a video game music set from Bassthoven. All the sets from The Mix Barcade will focus on dance music and DJs. The national and local headliners for The Good

speakers: see page 6

It’s not every day that University of NebraskaLincoln students are given the opportunity to work with nationally renowned composers, directors and lyricists.

For the UNL theater and music students involved in Sunday’s industry reading of “Big Red Sun,” that will only make the performance more special.

New York composer Georgia Stitt wrote the original musical “Big Red Sun” — a story of a young musician being raised by his single mother in post World War II America.

The goal behind having UNL music and theater students perform this industry reading is to help Stitt make adjustments.

Director Alisa Belflower has organized developmental readings at UNL for the past 12 years. She said this is a good environment, because it is somewhat secluded from the rest of the theater world.

“If you do a developmental project in New York, a lot of people find out and you don’t have as much freedom as a writer to try things because your under a lot of pressure,” Belflower said. “Negative buzz or rumors can kill its opportunity for a full production. Being in Nebraska, we’re a pretty safe haven where composers can try things and experiment and find the best way to tell stories on stage.”

Stitt came to Nebraska earlier this week to make changes to the production’s first act and begin the second act. But as the play is constantly evolving, actors must learn music quickly, sometimes in the span of a couple hours.

Junior vocal music performance major Jaimie Pruden thinks the hectic rehearsal schedule has

georgia STITT

if you go when: Sunday, March 11. 7:30 p.m. where: Kimball Recital Hall how much: Free

been beneficial overall.

“That is a really interesting experience because we’re so used to being able to work on pieces for a whole semester,” Pruden said. “We’re really used to having a lot of leisurely time to practice and learn things. Getting things thrown at you and having to learn them that afternoon is really fun and urgent and terrifying.”

However, actors aren’t expected to memorize all their lines for the performance. Because it is just a reading, students take binders on stage. There is no set and no costumes, which is common for such events.

“It will come to the audience kind of like a radio play, in that they get to imagine the places and costumes and lighting effects,” Belflower said.

“They get to be in part of the story by engaging their imaginations.”

The play bounces back and forth between two eras, the ‘40s and ‘60s, which gives the play two

big red: see page 6

UNL students to premiere shorts at film festival lauren Blunk daily nebraskan

For a senior film major at the University of NebraskaLincoln who has dreamed of becoming a filmmaker since his junior year in high school, experiencing a directorial debut at the seventh annual Omaha Film Festival isn’t too shabby.

Shane Bystrom will premiere his short film, “Fighter’s Block,” to the Omaha community this weekend.

The crux of the film’s narrative is a race between a writer’s approaching deadline and his ever-loosening grip on sanity.

“I wanted to create and portray the inside of a writer’s head as they scramble to write,” Bystrom said.

“So many have tackled it. I wanted to try and take on the theme in a new way.”

This is Bystrom’s first film festival, and he’s eager to see the audience’s reception.

“I’m nervous, excited and anticipating how the

audience will react to it,” he said. “The audience is volunteering their time and they want to step outside their normal comfort zone.

It’s that kind of audience you want when you make a movie.”

According to Bystrom, the self-doubt and anxiety is a part of being a filmmaker.

“I have a bad habit of being overly cynical,” he said.

“To critique your work, you should look at it 10 times as the worst thing and then look at it once as if Martin Scorsese handed it to you.”

Bystrom’s film will be screened in Omaha on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. He is pleased to be featured in Nebraska shorts, a category he considers to boast a high caliber of work.

“It’s an honor to have my film be in the category that it’s in,” said Bystrom, whose film will be screened along with two others produced

by UNL alumni, Alexander Jeffery and Andrew Ehrich.

“I think these two films are

if you go Omaha Film Festival Nebraska Shorts Block 3 when: Saturday, 8:30 p.m. where: Great Escape Theatre, 7440 Crown Point Ave., Omaha how much: $7 (at the door or online) the best of the department,” he added.

The Omaha Film Festival is relatively new to the Nebraska arts scene. First introduced in 2005, the festival shows a wide range of genres including documentary, feature, experimental, horror and short films that range from animated to comedy, as well as a category dedicated to Nebraska filmmakers.

Movie Maker Magazine recently named the Omaha Film Festival among the top

film: see page 6

bethany schmidt | daily nebraskan

(From left) Matthew Miller, Shane Bystrom and Tanner Brandt pose for a portrait in the hallway of the Ross Theatre on March 8. Bystrom, a senior film and new media major will premiere his film, “Fighter’s Block” at the seventh annual Omaha Film Festival Saturday.

upcoming events Bringing International Women’s Rights Home where:

when: Friday, 2 p.m.

Hardin Hall, 33rd and Holdrege streets how much: Free

Cowboys! the Musical when: Friday, 7 where: Haymarket

p.m.

Theatre,

803 Q St. how much: Free

Susan Werner

when: Friday, 7:30 p.m. where: Lied Center for Performing

Arts how much: $18 (public), $9 (students)

Clean Part Reading Series: Justin Marks, Heather Christle, Benjamin Hersey when:

Saturday, 7 p.m. where: Drift Station Gallery, 1746 N St. how much: Free

Second City: Laugh Out Loud

when: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. where: Lied Center for Performing Arts how much: $19-29 (public), $9.50-

14.50 (students)

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friday, march 9, 2012

Daily Nebraskan

speakers: from 5 Speakers Fest will perform at the Bourbon from 6 p.m. to closing time. Inflect, the DJ stage name of Somasphere’s Brett Smith, will play at midnight on the main stage of the Bourbon Theatre. He plans to display his alternative take on club music with hints of dubstep, hip-hop and electro. Mux Mool from the Ghostly International record label will make the trip from Brooklyn to close out the night of entertainment. His appearance in Lincoln marks another first for the local music scene.

Because of the venues and acts involved, Keen’s festival will be different from anything Lincoln has ever experienced. For $7, enthusiasts of live music will have the opportunity to bounce from venue to venue to witness a diverse group of musicians.

Smith, for one, is looking

if you go Good Speakers Fest when: Friday, 6 p.m.

(Bourbon Theatre), 7 p.m. (Yia Yia’s/The Mix Barcade) where: The Bourbon Theatre, 1415 O St., Yia Yia’s Pizza and Beer, 1423 O St., and The Mix Barcade, 1427 O St. how much: $7 (festival pass, at the door) forward to Friday’s festival and his Inflect performance.

“It’s a great deal with lots of different styles of music,” Smith said. “I think it’s a really cool lineup with really great local acts, as well as national headliners. It’s a cool thing and its all been put together by the community.” jacksampson@ dailynebraskan.com

big red: from 5 distinctly different styles of music — swinging jazz and rock ‘n’ roll.

Junior vocal performance major Hannah Kurth is part of the sixperson ensemble. She said the musical is unique because it shows history’s importance to modern society.

“It takes the styles of these older things — jazz, rock and folk — and fuses them with contemporary musical theater to make them more relevant to today,” Kurth said.

Kurth has seen her work on this play as an eyeopening experience for a number of reasons. She has learned to accept new things and learn new music in just a few minutes.

She also said it’s interesting to be involved in the creative writing process.

“We’re used to getting a final script and just doing it,” Kurth said. “Working with the composer really gives you insight on how these shows are crafted

and the importance of every detail.”

The reading will be held in Kimball Recital Hall on Sunday and is free to UNL students and staff. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m.

After the show, Stitt and playwright John Jiler will host a question and answer session.

Looking forward, Belflower will continue to plan developmental readings at UNL. She considers them helpful for both students and composers and hopes to continue improving art and entertainment throughout the country.

“I am just possessed by the desire to help composers and perpetuate new musical theater works that I believe in and find to be of a really high quality,” Belflower said. “I encourage people to see this new work. It may be on Broadway one day.” carawilwerding@ dailynebraskan.com

Small-time actor takes on Hulk-size role

tom helberg He may not be tall, but I’d say he’s dark and handsome.

My man-crush aside, Mark Ruffalo frequently plays the scruffy, lovable everyman.

As many screen actors do, he started in the theater.

The actor worked constantly on the stage, but he had difficulties breaking through to television and film. Ruffalo’s career changed when he met Kenneth Lonergan by chance and was cast in his play “This is Our Youth” in the late ‘90s. This led to his breakout film role in Lonergan’s “You Can Count on Me” (2000) opposite Laura Linney.

Ruffalo consistently lands small character roles in really good films. He appeared in Michel Gondry’s “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (2004) as Stan, a computer tech for a company that specializes in erasing people’s memories, and the foil to Elijah Wood’s trouble-making character.

Ruffalo also appeared briefly in Spike Jonze’s “Where the Wild Things Are” (2009).

He plays the boyfriend to Catherine Keener’s mother character, a part that wasn’t in the book.

Ruffalo had a good year in 2010, as he starred in “Shutter Island” and “The Kids Are Alright.” The former is a fatally flawed Martin Scorsese picture in which Ruffalo plays Leo DiCaprio’s partner. The latter is Lisa Cholodenko’s much-praised indie piece that scored Ruffalo an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor. Ruffalo plays Paul, a co-op farmer who meets his sperm-donated children. The kids are in their late teens and being raised by a lesbian couple.

Ruffalo is almost something of a bystander until he becomes a homewrecker. Ruffalo’s Paul is cool, but not effortlessly so. He carefully constructs an identity which is only seen through cracks in his exterior. He is initially awkward in his interactions with his kids, but quickly develops a solid rapport with them.

Ruffalo will make his blockbuster debut this summer in “The Avengers” with nerd favorite Joss Whedon (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Firefly”) directing. After a rotating gallery of Hulks in recent screen history, Ruffalo is next to carry the Bruce Banner banner. Eric Bana and Edward Norton played him

Jobs with an attitude!

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bea huff | daily nebraskan

in “Hulk” (2005) and “The Incredible Hulk” (2008) respectively. Still, little has been revealed of the Hulk in promotional materials for “The Avengers,” which either means that CGI isn’t finished or it sucks. Hopefully, it actually rules and Marvel just doesn’t want to ruin the surprise. There’s no doubt in my mind that Ruffalo has the chops for an action movie and the ability to do well playing Banner. The tricky part will be the Hulk. Ruffalo will be the first actor to have his features and emotions incorporated into a CGI Hulk’s face via motion capture. Whether it’s an Andy Serkis-style success or a creepy “Polar Express” aberration will not make or break the film, but the results will nevertheless

be fascinating.

The way tent-pole pictures are set up, Ruffalo is likely contractually obligated to return as Banner/Hulk in future “Avenger” or “Hulk” films.

I suspect that the “Hulk” standalone franchise may not return anytime soon, but that an “Avengers” sequel is likely if all the principles can be brought back together.

Hopefully, more Hulk films are made and Ruffalo could carry his own franchise.

Another collaboration between Ruffalo and Lonergan, “Margaret” (2011), will hopefully be released on DVD this year. The film has a troubled production history. It was shot in 2005, but distributor Fox Searchlight and Lonergan could not compromise on a suitable cut of the film. It was

THE BIT PLAYERS

barely released to theaters last year. It will be good to see Ruffalo’s work with the director that made him famous.

And next time you’re watching “Shutter Island” (please, don’t ever watch it again), consider for a moment who is more attractive: Ruffalo or DiCaprio. I think you know the answer.

Tom Helberg is a senior film studies major who imagines running his fingers through Ruffalo’s curly hair.

Follow him on Twitter at @tomhelberg. Reach him at tomhelberg@ dailynebraskan.com.

film: from 5 25 festivals worth the entry fee. The festival began as a way for the Omaha community to experience the artistry of independent filmmaking and has rapidly grown since then. It’s an event that offers opportunities to filmmakers and students to learn more about the craft of filmmaking through lectures, panels, and workshops.

Benito Sanchez, a junior film student at UNL, had the privilege of working on a short film (“Latch Key,” directed by Jaime King) that is also slated to show at the festival. “‘Latch Key’ focuses on the story of a young girl after her mother dies and how she copes with pressures of her new life,” Sanchez said.

“It was my first film that I was a part of that had a professional crew. I seized an opportunity and it’s moved me forward.”

Sanchez’s short film, “Field of Plenty,” will premiere at another festival, The National Film Festival for Talented Youth. Like Bystrom, Sanchez maintains a healthy dose of self-criticism, but tries not to let it obstruct his creativity.

“You have to stay true to your voice, because you’ll

bethany schmidt | daily nebraskan

Matthew Miller, a senior film and new media major, points out a clip to Shane Bystrom (seated) and Tanner Brandt in a video editing bay at the Ross Theatre on March 8. Miller produced “Fighter’s Block” and Brandt, a UNL graduate, was the director of photography for the film. never have a film everyone will like,” he said.

Being represented along with a fellow student and alumni on Saturday brings Sanchez satisfaction at the quality of work and motivation of students from the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film.

While the Omaha Film Festival will provide muchneeded exposure for young directors, like Bystrom, the UNL film student is trying

not to look too far beyond Saturday.

“I’ll see how it’s received here and if it does well, maybe I’ll send it to other festivals,” he said.

Bystrom’s plans for the future are uncertain, but he’s not worried; uncertainty comes with the territory.

“I’ve been planting seeds so we’ll see what happens,” he said. “There’s no set path as a filmmaker.” laurenblunk@ dailynebraskan.com

Daily Nebraskan

friday, march 9, 2012

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Nudity in ‘Crazy Horse’ raises questions of taste the nude girls. The dances owe a debt to Bob Fosse as much as CRAZY HORSE Cirque du Soleil.

Director: Frederick Wiseman Perhaps Busby Berkeley might be the most logical pre- Mary Riepma Ross decessor to the choreography.

The dancers’ disembodied body parts and identical figGrade ures make up geometric patterns like the ones in Berkeley’s summed up by one of its em1930s musicals, where beautiful ployees: “When women posgirls were anonymous cogs in sess the key to eroticism and his dance machine. enjoy it, men benefit from it Wiseman, a seasoned docu- ... the key to eroticism is the mentarian, eschews documen- woman.” tary tropes like voice over and Whether these dances are interviews and favors a fly-on- liberating sexual expressions the-wall approach. He tells a or classy trash is left up to the story with the scenes he in- viewer’s personal taste, thanks cludes and how he edits them to Wiseman’s objective filmtogether. Whether the subject making. matter is art is debatable. tomhelberg@ dailynebraskan.com The club’s philosophy is best

tom helberg daily nebraskan

Is this art or just a tasteful striptease?

That question is left up to the viewer in Frederick Wiseman’s documentary “Crazy Horse,” a cinema verite look at the titular Paris cabaret. The club is the self-proclaimed “best nude dancing show in the world,” and it’s at least difficult to discredit their ambition.

The club’s choreographer, Philippe Decoufle, is meticulous in his attention to detail.

Costumes are carefully altered and wigs are trimmed with the utmost care. Some dance routines are sultry, some pretentious and some purposefully silly, yet their commonality is in

B

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E-mail Paige at plembeck@huskers.unl.edu or call (908) 246-7881 if interested.

Apts. For Rent

Roommates

Available March 1 through July 31: furnished bedroom in a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom house 2 blocks from East Campus. One male roommate (electrical engineering master student), One female roommate (senior, journalism). For more details call 307-258-9636 or email kelseymcc17@gmail.com Looking for 1 or 2 Female roommates to share newer 4 bedroom 2 bathroom duplex. Close to city campus and east campus right along bus route. Rent is $287.50a month per person plus affordable electric and internet. Available April 1st. E-mail aschiltmeyer@gmail.com if you are interested.

Need a place to stay this summer? Female student seeks roomie for two bedroom apartment. Gender doesn’t matter. You get the larger bedroom with half bath. Can be used for one person or two. Rent is $295 if we split it two ways plus utilities. Water paid by landlord.

Call or text 804.503.2778 or email tatianah18@gmail.com.

Need to sublease nice 1 bedroom apartment beginning in May -lease lasts though July 31 .

VERY CLOSE within walking distance of UNL. at Claremont Park . Price is $ 560/mo plus $75.00 for cable . Contact Peter at 402-331-6179 or 816-510-9613 or email at kisicki.peter@huskers.unl.edu Roommate ads are FREE in print and online.

E-mail yours to dn@unl.edu and include your name, address and phone number.

The master bedroom I’m subletting is at Chateau Meadow Apartment on 61st and Vine.

This apartment is a 2 bed 2 bathrooms so you will be getting your own bathroom, walk-in closet and a storage to yourself. Washer and dryer in the unit. Electricity only, no gas bill. Internet bill is about $15 per person. The monthly rent is $390. There should be a deposit when we both come across to signing the sublease paperwork. The lease needs to be continue till Feb 2013.

Email to jennafoong@gmail.com Three rooms for rent in 4 bedroom, 2 bath energy-efficient home. Washer/dryer, dishwasher, most furniture, and kitchen appliances included. Deck for grilling, walk-out basement, and fenced-in backyard. Friendly neighborhood five minutes from campus (driving). One spot available now, others open in May. Rent averages to $350 after utilities split amongst renters. Please text/call (308) 379-6537 or e-mail Gary at gsshuda@gmail.com for more information.

Three undergrads looking for 1-2 females to fill a split level apartment at the Grande Manse.

Would have/share master bedroom with walk-in closet, big enough for 2 full beds plus desks, dressers, etc. Lease Aug.-Aug. Rent $550/month for 1, $409 if split between 2 (plus small utilities and parking). Newly renovated. 2 blocks from UNL campus. Contact Sarah at 605-228-4613 if interested.

Two female, juniors at UNL looking for a roommate to share a 3-bedroom loft, 2-bath apartment in Northeast Lincoln. The name of the apartments are Fountain Glen. You would have your own room and share a bathroom. Rent $267/month plus utilities. Utilities will be split evenly between all three of us. Washer and dryer are on same floor of apartment. Only ten to fifteen minutes from UNL campuses. Apartment complex takes care of snow removal, landscaping, maintenance etc. Needed by beginning of May. Non-smoker and no animals please. E-mail Erika at erikab@cox.net or call (402)490-1932 if interested.

Vehicles For Sale

Second year, female law student looking for female roommate, preferably a law student or other graduate level student. I do not have an apartment yet, as I would like to find a roommate first. Must be ok with living in a “large dog” friendly apartment. Please email anna_m_m@yahoo.com for more information.

Two females, one male looking for someone to move into a 2008 4 bedroom, two bath duplex.

Gender doesn’t matter. Close to campus over in the Turtle Creek area. $300 per person plus electric a month. No internet, cable, water, or trash bills. Can move in ASAP. Cleanliness is preferred. If interested, email malnmeier @gmail.com or text 308-390-0457.

721 N 30th. 6 bedroom, 2 bath, wood floors, Available May/2012. $1350/month. 402-4309618.

Duplexes For Rent 4 BEDROOM/2 BATH TOWNHOMES Available May & August Large units with big bedrooms.

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4 bedroom, each bedroom with private full bath and walk-in closets, double garage, washer/dryer, lawncare, storage space, on-site maintenance, $1395/month. Available May. Dorchester Court. 402-730-5474.

4 blocks from Memorial Stadium

For Release Friday, March 09, 2012 402-474-7275 claremontparkapts.com Edited by Will Shortz

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Daily Nebraskan

Huskers to get 3rd crack at Minnesota

Michelle O’donnell daily Nebraskan

The Husker men’s gymnastics teams is hoping the third time’s a charm this weekend.

Nebraska is back at home for the second week in a row to battle No. 3 Illinois and No. 6 Minnesota.

The No. 10 Huskers have faced off twice with the Minnesota Golden Gophers this season and have come up short both times. This time the Huskers will take on the No. 6 team in its home territory and are looking to prove themselves as the top team.

Along with the drive to beat Minnesota this time around, the Huskers will be taking on the Illinois Illini, who harbor some of the country’s best gymnasts.

“Illinois is extremely deep, well coached and good,” said coach Chuck Chmelka.

“They have two senior national team members on it and those guys are not only competing for their college, but they’re also competing for the London Olympics.”

Facing these two highranked teams is putting pressure on NU, but the Huskers are taking this week to prepare and focus on correcting their mistakes to get a high score.

“For us to win, we’re

going to have to be on fire,” Chmelka said. “We don’t really look at the other teams, we look at our guys and their improvement and try to hit as many routines as we can to score as high as we can.”

One area of concern for the Huskers is pommel horse, which has been earning NU too many deductions in the past few meets. The Huskers are also working on sticking dismounts, something they have been trying to improve.

Sophomore Robbie Kocks added a new routine on rings this week in an attempt to earn more points for the Huskers this weekend.

“I’ve amped my routine up 0.4 of a point, which is a point higher than the routine I was doing three weeks ago,” Kocks said.

Kocks is looking forward to competing against Minnesota again and is confident that NU’s improvement will show this weekend.

“We’ve played Minnesota twice so we know what they’re capable of,” Kocks said. “And we are capable of beating them, but Illinois is a great team and I just hope that we can get nearly as close to the score that they do.”

The Huskers hit two of their season goals in last week’s meet against ASU,

and are looking to improve from there. As long as NU hits above 80 percent and breaks the 340 point mark, Chmelka will be happy no matter what the outcome of the meet is.

“Again the goals are to hit 80 percent and to stick more dismounts,” Chmelka said.

“This week we’ve been really concentrating hitting horse better and if we do that our team score will go up and we’ll be doing just fine for where we’re at.”

After winning last week at their first home meet in six weeks, the Huskers are looking forward to competing at home again this week. NU expects a large home crowd to cheer them on Sunday, and Kocks has two people in the crowd he’ll be trying even harder to impress: his parents.

“We’ve improved so much,” Kocks said, “We definitely are going to do well, especially since it’s our home meet and we’ve already experienced a meet against Minnesota at their home and their crowd was pretty amped up for them, so we’ll just see how they take it being in our house. And my parents are going to be there, so I definitely have to do good.”

The Huskers are ready to

file photo by morgan spiehs | daily nebraskan

Sophomore Robbie Kocks added a new routine on rings this week in hopes to improve Nebraska’s overall team score. prove themselves against Minnesota and Illinois this Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. As long as they stick their dismounts, hit above 80 percent

and score at least a 340, the Huskers can walk away from this meet in good spirits.

“We’re getting to the point now where everyone’s more confident and they know

Women hope NCAAs are on the horizon Angela Hensel Daily Nebraskan

file photo by kyle bruggeman | daily nebraskan

Nebraska coach Dan Kendig and the Huskers will compete in front of a crowd close to 14,000 this weekend in Utah.

NU looks to stay perfect on road Daily Nebraskan

For most teams there is no place like home.

Competing in a familiar scenery throughout the season and the support of a crowd are things athletes feed off of to carry themselves into victory in their home setting.

But by looking at the record of the Nebraska women’s gymnastics team it doesn’t matter where they compete.

Through eight meets this season the Huskers have gone undefeated on the road, holding a 4-0 record while competing against three top-25 teams.

NU vault and floor coach Dan Miller said the team’s focus on themselves has helped them maintain a perfect record on the road.

“We don’t like to focus a lot of on who we’re going up against,” he said. “I’ve told them all year long that they’re competing against themselves.”

And the team’s next meet won’t get any easier.

The Huskers head back on the road today to face-off against yet another top-25 ranked team — No. 7 Utah.

In their last meet, the NU gymnasts performed in their first home meet in four weeks and were beat in a nail biter by No. 1 Florida, 196.95-196.825.

Although the team lost by just .125, the gymnasts entered practice this past Monday in high spirits, according to head coach Dan Kendig.

“I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t disappointment,” he said, “but overall they were encouraged and were in a great mood. They had a good meet against the No. 1 team in the nation and competed well against them the whole day.”

The close meet with the Gators ranks as one of the best Miller has seen in his first year coaching the Huskers.

“Overall, I’d say its about the best they’ve performed,” he said. “We counted no falls on beam or any major mistakes in any event. I think that’s the first time it’s happened all season.”

In the meet, Nebraska was ahead in its first three events.

Through the first two rotations on vault and bars, NU led FU, 98.725-98.550, and still led after its performance on beam, 147.675-147.625. Nebraska was on its way to an upset against the best team in the nation.

However, it was in the last rotation where Florida took off and didn’t look back.

After the Huskers posted a 49.150 on floor, one of the team’s lowest scores in the event this season, the Gators showed poise and tallied a 49.325, tying its best event of

the night along with the vault.

The loss was Nebraska’s first since Missouri defeated them Jan. 28 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

Kendig said since the meet ended his team has shown improvement and motivation to get back on the winning streak.

“Monday we did a light workout and then had a break on Tuesday,” the coach said.

“We had a full blown workout Wednesday and they looked great. Now they should be rested and confident to go (today).”

The meet against Utah on Friday will present a new and unique change for Nebraska, one it hasn’t seen all season.

When the Huskers walk into the Jon M. Huntsman Center Friday night they’ll be greeted by the largest crowd they’ve seen all year. In 2011 the Red Rocks had the highest average home attendance for the 27th time in history with 13,503 fans coming to every meet.

Miller said he’s excited to see his team perform in front of the Utes’ enormous crowd.

“I talked to some of the girls and asked them how it’ll be performing in front of 14,000 people,” he said, “and they told me they loved it.

Our biggest crowd this year was 3,000. I don’t look at it

michelleodonnell@ dailynebraskan.com

swimming and Diving

women’s Gymnastics

Nedu Izu

they’re going to hit, it’s just a matter of how good they hit,” Chmelka said. “I think we’re going to be in pretty good shape.”

as intimidation. Their fans are very knowledgeable of the sport and are very courteous.

“They appreciate good gymnastics, and we’re going to go show them some tomorrow night.”

Kendig said he’s looking forward to seeing his team’s consistency continue in today’s meet.

“As long as they stay focused with the 14,000 plus fans there we’ll be fine,” he said. “It’ll be a test of what we’ve been doing in practice.

They just need to stay in the moment and good things will happen.”

The No. 7 Utes have won 10 national championships and are only one of four teams to ever win a national championship in NCAA women’s gymnastics.

This meet will also be a possible prediction to where Nebraska will end up in the postseason. If the rankings stay the same at the end of the regular season, both teams will meet again on April 7 for the NCAA Regionals.

“In order to be the best you got to beat the best,” Miller said. “I’m excited and this meet will do nothing but prepare us for the end of our season.” neduizu@ dailynebraskan.com

For some members of the Nebraska women’s diving team, this weekend could be their last chance to prove themselves this year.

After competing in the Big Ten Championships at the University of Iowa slightly less than walker a month ago, the divers return to Iowa City to compete in the Zone D Diving competition March 8-10.

The competition kicked off Thursday with the women’s one-meter event. The Huskers’ Kaitlan Walker qualified for finals with an 11th place finish that included a total score of 261.75. Although Walker was in position to qualify for NCAA Championships in the event after preliminaries, she dropped to 18th place in finals with a score of 483.60, missing out on qualification.

Finishing behind Walker in the Huskers’ lineup was Amy Herman, who finished in 26th place with a score of 241.80.

Alyson Ramsey, Payton Michaud, and Kailey Harmon finished out the Huskers’ roster.

This competition is the qualification for divers for the NCAA Championships. The top 18 divers after preliminaries qualify for finals, and the top 12 divers after finals qualify for the NCAA Championships. Joining Nebraska in this zone includes top competitors Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin.

With this lineup, featuring current Big Ten competitors and former Big 12 rivals, the divers have had a good chance to compete against many of these schools to see where their competition stands.

The Huskers are sending five divers to the meet: Sophomores Harmon and Michaud, and juniors Ramsey, Walker, and Herman. All of the divers will be competing in all three events: the one-meter, three-meter and platform diving.

With a month off since their last major competition, the Huskers have had plenty of time to fine-tune their dives to perfection.

“We have been working on

polishing our dives, and having them stay consistent with where they have been,” NU diving coach Natasha Chikina said.

At the meet last year, Ramsey was the lone representative for the Huskers, and posted a strong performance with her 16th place finish in the threemeter at 559.55. Ramsey also competed in the other two diving events: The platform and the one-meter.

Although Ramsey was the only diver that competed, other members of the Huskers’ squad qualified for zones in 2011, but were unable to attend, Chikina said.

Nevertheless, the Husker divers have still managed to improve since last season, and are ready to send a full, competitive squad to zones.

“We definitely have improved compared to last year,” Chikina said. “They have really brought their diving to the next level.”

Chikina’s coaching throughout the season has led to vast improvements and strong performances for the Huskers. But as the season nears its end, it’s all up to how the divers want to perform now.

“Everyone has their own routine,” Chikina said.

And it will be that routine the Huskers will have to rely on in order to have the performances they are looking for as they continue competition throughout the weekend.

“I want them to have a high goal for themselves and their team,” Chikina said.

For some of the Husker divers, the goal is to make it to NCAAs. Even though this may be the last meet of the season for some of the divers, none of the divers traveling to zones are seniors. With all of these divers returning next year, it gives great promise for the Huskers next season.

Chikina will be looking for her divers to carry their strong performances from this season into next.

“It definitely has been a really good season for us,” Chikina said. “It’s really important to finish on a high note with their last performance.”

Although Walker just missed out on qualifying for nationals in the one-meter, she and the rest of the Huskers will get two more chances to qualify. Competition resumes today at 4:30 p.m. with the women’s threemeter, and wraps up on Saturday with the women’s platform at 11 a.m. angelahensel@ dailynebraskan.com

Daily Nebraskan

friday, march 9, 2012

9

softball

More tough competition to greet NU in Oklahoma Sara Hinds Daily Nebraskan

Nebraska junior Courtney Breault said she’s not at 100 percent yet.

After having surgery done on her r i g h t shoulder in August, the second baseman for NU said it’s when she begins to throw breault or stretch when she realizes she hasn’t fully recovered.

“I think I’m back and I’m not noticing too much of a,

‘oh I can’t make that play, I can’t make this play,’” Breault said. “So I think that I’m where I need to be to be playing right now.”

In NU’s final game in the Texas A&M Invitational on Sunday, Breault hit 2-for-3 with one RBI. But it wasn’t enough to beat Texas State, and NU lost 2-1.

This weekend, the Huskers will be in Oklahoma for another five-game weekend at the Mizuno Classic. Play starts today with their first game against Arkansas Pine-Bluff followed by Oklahoma State tonight and Loyola-Chicago Saturday. Bracket play rounds out the weekend.

Five games in three days has been a trend in this part of NU’s schedule. This weekend’s classic will be NU’s fifth

classic or invitational during the spring season. Each weekend NU played five games, except for in the Kajikawa Classic where NU played six.

The first two classics, the Kajikawa and the Troy Cox, NU came out 3-3 and 5-0, respectively. One of the Kajikawa wins was against a higher ranked Arizona.

Lately, NU has struggled, though. Two weekends ago NU played in the Cathedral City Classic in California. Last weekend NU played in the Texas A&M Invitational.

Each weekend, NU came out 1-4.

In California, NU was ranked 22nd in the NCAA Division I Softball rankings, losing to three higher-ranked teams and an unranked Cal Poly. The Huskers’ solo win

was against a then 11thranked Missouri.

In Texas then 24th-ranked NU lost two games against a then 21st-ranked Texas A&M. The other two losses came against an unranked Texas State. NU’s only win came against an unranked Houston.

Breault hopes the team returns to Lincoln after this weekend with more than one win. She said the women have struggled to play “better as a whole,” but have been improving.

“In a lot of the games that we’ve had, one part of our game is better than the other whether it’s offense or defense or pitching,” Breault said. “We all haven’t come together at the same time and, for this weekend, that’s important for us.”

None of the three teams Nebraska will play this weekend are ranked. The previous two weekends, NU played six games against five different teams ranked higher. Playing against ranked teams, though, is not hurting NU and its record, Breault said.

“I know we’ve been playing good teams, we’ve been playing ranked teams, but that’s just something that we have to do in the Big Ten,” Breault said. “Our conference isn’t as tough as the SEC and the other big conferences, Pac-12. I want to play those ranked teams because we all want that challenge, but I think that even though we’re losing it’s making us better and we’re just getting the experience that we’re going to need later in the season.”

Although not ranked, Oklahoma State will be a tough opponent for NU this weekend, coach Rhonda Revelle said.

“Oklahoma State was in the College World Series last year so I would consider them a pretty tough team,” Revelle said. “They just had some issues like we have, they started out ranked and we both fell out of the poll this week.”

Ranked or not, Revelle has reason to believe her team is ready for any team they face this weekend.

“I believe we’ve had a good week of practice, I feel like we’re very focused and very intent on getting things turned around.”

sarahinds@ dailynebraskan.com

baseball: from 10

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file photo by kyle bruggeman | daily nebraskan

Husker captain Mary Weatherholt is 9-4 during the spring season playing primarily in the No. 1 singles position.

Schedule picks up with 2 ranked opponents J.C. Reid daily Nebraskan

When the Nebraska women’s tennis team hosts a pair of ranked opponents this weekend, it could potentially be the team’s most crucial set of matches so far this season.

Today, the Huskers will face off against No. 58 Iowa at 5 p.m. to mark Nebraska’s Big Ten opener. Nebraska will be back in action Sunday when it hosts No. 30 Tulsa at 11:30 a.m. at the Nebraska Tennis Center.

“We’re really excited to open the Big Ten this weekend,” said captain Mary Weatherholt. “Plus, we’re playing two really good teams. It’s exciting.”

No. 32 Nebraska (12-1) hasn’t played a ranked opponent since hosting No. 68 Wyoming on Feb. 4, and the team hasn’t faced two ranked opponents in back-to-back matches since the ITA Kickoff Classic in late January. NU defeated No. 34 Arkansas but fell victim to No. 14 Northwestern in a thrilling match that was decided in the last set.

Two wins this weekend, though, could substantially benefit Nebraska.

Two weeks ago NU was the 27th-ranked team in the country but despite winning 11-straight matches, the team still managed to drop nine spots in the polls. This drop can be attributed to the lack of competition that NU faced during that 11-match win streak.

Which is why Friday’s match with Iowa (5-3) will serve as a statement game.

“Our goal is to win the conference,” said Weatherholt.

“Yeah, it will be tough, but it’s a goal we’re confident we can accomplish.”

So far this season, the Hawkeyes own a 1-3 record against ranked opponents, recording losses to No. 40 Oklahoma, No. 56 Oklahoma State and No. 21 Notre Dame.

However, their most recent victory over No. 46 DePaul suggests that they aren’t a team to be taken lightly. Historically, the Huskers are 3-1 against Iowa, including last season’s 5-2 victory.

While Friday’s match could help serve as a momentum builder for the remainder of the Big Ten schedule, it’s the dual on Sunday that has the attention of the Huskers.

Last year, the 41stranked Huskers were

handily defeated by No. 23 Tulsa. Overall, Nebraska holds a 1-3 record against the Golden Hurricane, which is more than enough incentive for this talented, experienced Husker squad.

“We’re really pumped to go after them,” Weatherholt said.

“The last few years we’ve lost to them, we felt like we could have won. I’m just excited to face that level of talent.”

And it’s a good thing the challenge has been embraced, because talent is one thing Tulsa doesn’t lack. Two weeks ago, Tulsa was the nation’s 19th-ranked team, having recorded losses to No. 8 Tennessee and No. 25 Mississippi.

The key to Nebraska’s success will depend on an aspect they’ve been consistent in all year: doubles play. NU has posted a 38-1 doubles record this season and has swept doubles play in every match they have won so far this season.

“Regarding doubles, this is probably as high of a level that I’ve seen a program at Nebraska play,” coach Scott Jacobson said. “It’s been a real asset to our team.” jcreid@ dailynebraskan.com

track & field: from 10 Championships and has been battling a nagging back injury all season.

“She hasn’t been able to train (in) virtually two weeks,” Pepin said. “Although she may be ready to go, there’s no need to go out there if she’s not ready to do her best or compete at a high level.”

In addition to Griva, sprinter Ricco Hall would have qualified for the meet, but will not compete due to a hamstring tear suffered at the Big Ten

Championships.

The Husker unit with the best chance to score highly at the meet is the distance medley relay team, which qualified fifth. Distance coach David Harris said the team could be the “best DMR team on the track ever” for Nebraska.

“They could line up with anybody right now,” Harris said.

The DMR race, which will be held today, features six teams within four seconds of one

another at the top.

The remaining two Huskers in action at this weekend’s nationals will both compete in the pole vault. Nate Polacek, an All-American in 2011, sits ninth in the standings entering the meet, while Breanna Bussel slipped into the meet at the 19th and final spot.

The meet is set to begin today at 11 a.m. and run through Saturday at approximately 7 p.m.

Chrispeters@ dailynebrasakn.com

Hirsch and Saturday-Monday starters Jon Keller, Tom Lemke and Tyler Niederklein, it’s the bullpen that he’s happiest with. Dylan Vogt has emerged as a strong middle reliever, holding batters to a .172 batting average; Brandon Pierce has two wins and a 2.57 ERA pitching primarily as a setup man; and Travis Huber has three saves and a 1.50 ERA serving as closer.

Pitching coach Ted Silva likes the depth he has in the pen right now.

“We’re pretty comfortable right now giving the ball to Dylan Vogt to bridge it,” Silva said. “Then passing it on to Pierce if we need to, and we’re all comfortable handing the ball to Huber at the end of games. Those two or three guys we feel pretty comfortable with.”

The pitchers will have their hands full with Golden Bear speedster Tony Renda, the Pac-10 Player of the Year last season. Renda is off to another hot start, hitting .420 with an on-base percentage of .519 and six steals in 11 games. The Bears are averaging 6.5 runs per game and have three players (Chad Krist, Andrew Knapp and Chad Bunting)

NO. 21 CALIFORNIA (9-2) VS. NEBRASKA (8-4) HAWKS FIELD FRIDAY (1:35 p.m.)

Cal- Jones, J. (Jr., LHP, 2-1) vs.

NU- Hirsch, Z. (So., LHP, 1-1) SATURDAY (2:05 p.m.)

Cal- Flemer, M. (Jr., RHP, 2-0) vs.

NU- Keller, J. (So., RHP, 1-0) SUNDAY (1:05 p.m.)

Cal- Porter, K. (So., LHP, 1-0) vs.

NU- Lemke, T. (Jr., RHP, 1-0) MONDAY (12:05 p.m.)

Cal- Theofanopoulus, M. (So., LHP, 0-1) vs.

NU- Niederklein, T. (Jr., RHP, 1-1) with double-digit RBI totals.

Nebraska has one in Chad Christensen.

None of the above worries Erstad, who’s hoping for some good competition this week.

“These guys (have) got to play these kinds of teams to get ready for the postseason,” Erstad said. “(I want to see) high tempo, high energy, (us to) show up ready to play. And we will — we’ll be fine.”

In fact, Cal’s talent is the reason the Bears are heading to Lincoln. Erstad talked Wednesday of his desire to

bring tough teams to Lincoln, suggesting NU would face anyone willing to make the trip.

This year, Cal was the only big-name opponent to sign off on facing the Huskers. To Kiser, that makes this series amongst the biggest of the season.

“We’re looking forward to a series like this,” Kiser said.

“This is what we practice day in and day out for. This is a big series for us to kind of prove what we’ve got and what we can do the rest of the season.” seanwhalen@ dailynebraskan.com

basketball: from 10 though. He’s confident that because of his extension and what he’s done for the program, he deserves to keep his job.

“Two years ago I was asked to make a commitment when I had other opportunities and Nebraska made other ones to me and I expect to finish them,” Sadler said. “That’s what I expect to do. I’ve not been told anything different.”

Those commitments were at least three job offers, all of which Sadler agreed to turn down because he felt like Nebraska and Nebraska Athletic Director Tom Osborne were behind him.

Osborne and Sadler were, in fact, so confident in Sadler’s ability to coach the team that Sadler signed his extension

without lawyers present, according to the sixth-year headman.

“I think all of us would assume by the actions of coach (Osborne) that I would be the guy and he hasn’t given me any indication that I’m not,” Sadler said. “I truly expect to fulfill this contract.”

Three Nebraska coaches, including Sadler, will be making recruiting trips this weekend, However, Sadler is realistic about the situation.

After all, his team went 1218 this season and he has yet to take the Huskers dancing in March.

“I understand this business,” Sadler said. “Coach Osborne has to do what he thinks is in the best interest

of Nebraska basketball. And whatever that is, am I going to support him? 100 percent.”

But after a season where Nebraska ranked last in the Big Ten in conference play in scoring offense with 57.3 points per game, scoring margin at minus 10.4 points per game and field goal percentage defense, NU opponents shot 47.7 percent.

Sadler wouldn’t have any regrets, though.

“I wouldn’t do anything different,” Sadler said. “We do have a plan. I am very, very, very at peace with myself and our team’s effort. But I realize we just weren’t good enough.

But I’m at peace with that because I know why.” robbykorth@ dailynebraskan.com

Pro Day: from 10 Jones and Yoshi Hardrick — didn’t participate on the bench press.

Receiver Brandon Kinnie was most impressive in his 40-yard dash time. He posted an official time of 4.41, which was 0.7 seconds faster than when he started training after the season, Kinnie said.

“The goals I set, I surpassed,” he said. “I’m very happy about that. It’s a blessing. It’s just a step, though, so more work to do.”

Kinnie and the rest of the Huskers will continue to work as the waiting games begin, hoping their football careers can continue on Sundays.

“I’d be very grateful,” Kinnie said. “It’s been a dream of mine since I was little. I will be drafted. That’s the goal. You have to speak it to believe it.” dougBurger@ dailyNebraskan.com

file photo by andrew dickinson | daily nebraskan

Former Husker Jared Crick was one of 13 players to work out in front of scouts on Thursday.

Sports DAILY NEBRASKAN

page 10

dailynebraskan.com

friday, march 9, 2012

football

Big Ten Tournament: Purdue 79, Nebraska 61

One done and

Huskers’ frustrating season ends with another double-digit loss, the team’s 11th this year Story by robby korth photo by kyle bruggeman

Crick gets 26 reps on bench at Pro Day Doug Burger Daily Nebraskan

Nebraska senior point guard Bo Spencer walks off the Bankers Life Fieldhouse floor Thursday night after the Huskers’ 79-61 loss to Purdue.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Nebraska men’s basketball fans who made the trip to the Big Ten Tournament might have gotten what they expected.

The Huskers put up a pretty similar showing to their regular season loss to Purdue, this time falling to the Boilers 79-61.

It was another in a string of 11 double-digit losses in Nebraska’s inaugural season in the Big Ten. This time around, though, Nebraska

threw on throwback jerseys to pump up the squad and at least initially, it worked.

But after the Huskers had jumped out to a 12-8 lead in the beginning of the first half, the Boilermakers pulled away with a 15-0 run and never looked back at the Huskers.

“The whole night defensively they kept us completely off balance,” NU coach Doc Sadler said. “We knew going into the game we wanted to take

away the lane and that’s something we definitely didn’t do that.”

But it’s just another disappointing conference loss in a season where the Huskers will end 4-15 against teams from the Big Ten. “It’s been a tough season, especially not playing with (Jorge Brian) Diaz and Andre Almeida due to injuries,” said Nebraska guard Brandon Richardson. “But we didn’t ever use that as an excuse, we went out there and

we gave it all we got and we came up short for the most part. But I’m proud of our guys, we stuck in there and we fought to the end.”

But even though the Huskers exerted all that effort, Richardson’s coach is undeniably on the hot seat.

That doesn’t have Sadler worried,

basketball: see page 9

Nebraska set for 4-game series with Cal Sean Whalen daily Nebraskan

The last time the University of California baseball team came to Nebraska was for 2011’s College World Series.

Coach Darin Erstad and the Huskers hope this trip will end the same way, with the Golden Bears flying back to Berkeley having lost more than they won.

The Golden Bears come into Lincoln ranked No. 21 in the latest ESPN/USA Today Coaches’ poll, and have won their last four, including a 7-5 win over Creighton on Monday. The success of coach David Esquer’s squad came after a tumultuous offseason in 2010, when it appeared the team would be cut. Independent contributors, including alumnus Jeff

Kent, donated enough for the team to stay together, and a void in its schedule allowed NU to host this week’s four-game set.

Cal’s visit comes as the Huskers, two games into a 17-game home stand, hope to stay hot. After being swept by Gonzaga on opening weekend, NU has won eight of nine, outscoring its opponents by an average score of 7-3.

NU’s most recent game wasn’t its most impressive.

While many of the starters were rested, the offense had trouble putting runs on the board against Division II Nebraska Kearney. Senior outfielder Kale Kiser told reporters after the game his team will need to pick up the intensity to beat Cal. “We got caught up in

(going through the motions) a little bit (Wednesday),” Kiser said. “We’ve got to get back to the practice field tomorrow and get our intensity level up. Especially with a team like Cal coming in, a top-25 team, you’ve got to come in and be ready to go.”

Zach Hirsch will take the mound for the Huskers today, looking to build on a solid start to 2012. In his three starts, Hirsch is 1-1 with a 3.57 ERA and a teamleading 14 strikeouts to four walks in 17.2 innings. Cal’s starter, Justin Jones, has similar numbers at 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA and 10 strikeouts to four walks in 15.2 innings.

While Erstad has faith in

baseball: see page 9

file photo by mary-ellen kennedy | daily nebraskan

Senior Kale Kiser has spurred a good start to NU’s 17game homestand with homers Tuesday and Wednesday.

The NFL Draft is still more than a month and a half away, but plenty of former Nebraska players have the weekend circled on their calendar.

Thirteen Huskers worked out in front of a handful of NFL scouts at Nebraska’s Pro Day Thursday afternoon.

The players took part in a variety of drills, hoping to impress and improve their draft day stock or chances of being picked up as a free agent.

The event that had the most attention, though, during the afternoon was Jared Crick’s bench press attempt.

Crick missed out on the second half of his senior season after tearing his pectoral muscle during Nebraska’s comeback victory against Ohio State in October. The Cozad, Neb., native opted to sit out a couple of drills at the NFL Combine in order to continue to recover from the injury.

“In my case, time helps,” Crick said. “Two weeks was a blessing for me.”

On Thursday, Crick went for 26 reps at 225 pounds.

“I think I would have done a little more if I hadn’t of gotten injured, but it’s part of the process,” Crick said. “I’m not as strong as I was before the injury. I’m getting there.

Every day is progression and I’m not too far away from being 100 percent.”

Although Crick is expected to be taken in April’s draft, there were other Huskers whose day was about making one final case at showing they have what it takes to play at the next level.

Fullback Tyler Legate pushed out 22 reps on the bench.

“If you put a lot of pressure on yourself, there’s going to be a lot of pressure,” he said. “I didn’t put any on.

I just went out there and wanted to have fun. I’m not really a big name out there, so I’m just trying to have fun and just go as hard as I can.”

Safety Austin Cassidy notched 14 reps on the bench and said he ran a 4.62 electronically timed 40-yard dash, with some of the handheld timers in the 4.5’s.

“I just wanted to show those guys I was a good athlete, and I could make all the breaks,” Cassidy said.

“I think I did pretty well today. I was happy with the results.”

All three offensive linemen — Mike Caputo, Marcel

pro day: see page 9

track & field

NU heads to NCAAs searching for top-8 finishes Chris Peters Daily Nebraskan

The Husker track and field team heads to Boise, Idaho, for the NCAA Championships this weekend, eyeing a few AllAmerican distinctions.

Nine competitors will compete in seven events for the Huskers, who are ranked in the top 25 for the men’s rankings.

The Huskers have five events on the men’s side in which to accrue points toward a high

national finish.

“The goal always, when you go to the NCAA Championships, is to score points,” said Kris Grimes, combined events and pole vault coach, “which means you’ve got to be in the top eight. We’re going into the NCAA meet trying to get a personal best and score points for the team.”

Senior shot putter Luke Pinkelman and senior heptathlete Bjorn Barrefors, both All-Americans from 2011, are ranked inside the top eight for

the Huskers. Pinkelman threw an NCAA automatic qualifying throw at four different meets this season, while Barrefors scored in the NCAA range at the Big Ten Championships.

Barrefors will face a familiar foe at the NCAA meet in Wisconsin’s Japheth Cato, who outscored Barrefors to claim the Big Ten Championship.

Though Barrefors tied Cato for the best height in the pole vault, an event Barrefors has been focusing his efforts on, his high of 5,792 points still

trails Cato’s by 147, and the NCAA leader by 230.

He will likely need to top his personal-best score of 5,816 to claim another All-American distinction.

Though the Huskers have four men competing in five events, head coach Gary Pepin said the team is unlikely to earn a spot near the top of the national standings.

“I wish we were going in there and battling for a top 10 spot anyway in the meet,” Pepin said. “But we’re not doing

that, so it’s just different.”

With the focus placed mostly on individual merit, the team is geared toward posting the best possible marks this weekend.

For senior Chris Phipps, that means repeating as an AllAmerican in the long jump.

To do that, Phipps will have to approach or beat his personalbest jump of 7.83 meters.

Phipps is also competing in the triple jump, after entering the field in the 17th and final slot. His personal-best jump of 15.97 meters, if he matched it,

would rank him 11th among the list of competitors, good for a second-team All-American distinction.

Nebraska’s top female jumper, junior Mara Griva, qualified for both the long and triple jump, but will not compete this weekend due to injury. Griva sustained a hamstring injury in the first jump of the finals of the triple jump at the Big Ten

track & field: see page 9