Nov. 7

the dn

volume 112, issue 055

election edition wednesday, november 7, 2012

dailynebraskan.com

BRIAN CASSELLA | Chicago Tribune

President Barack Obama addresses the crowd during his victory rally at McCormick Place in Chicago early Wednesday morning.

‘More work to do’ Obama outlasts Romney in most expensive election ever after crucial Ohio, Iowa and Virginia wins

V

oters have given President Barack Obama another chance amid a slow economic rebound.

After the most expensive presidential campaign in American history, Obama was re-elected as U.S. president on Tuesday, defeating his Republican challenger Mitt Romney with at least 300 projected Electoral College votes in a tighter election than four years ago.

The announcement came late in the evening after it became clear Obama had won narrow victories in Ohio and Virginia and a less-certain win in Florida.

In his victory speech from Chicago, Obama sought to reignite the hope of the 2008 campaign. He focused on the work that still needs to be done in the economy and other areas, saying a generous, compassionate America could be made even with politics that are often messy and noisy.

“Despite all the frustrations of Washington, I’ve never been more hopeful,” he told a roaring crowd.

“Forward – that’s where we need to go.”

In what was perhaps a nationwide call to the political center, the election left the federal government much the same as it has been for the past two years, with a split Congress and Democratic White House.

Both Obama and the former Massachusetts governor had entered the day in a virtual tie, raising fears of an election too close to call for several days. The New York Times poll tracker had given Obama a slight edge in likely votes, but the candidates’ fortunes hinged on just how many of their supporters would show up to vote.

For months – and for much of the evening Tuesday –

the balance appeared ready to tip either way. For most of his campaign, Romney attempted to frame the election as a vote on Obama’s economic record. Romney focused on Obama’s health care reform law and an unemployment rate that only recently dipped below 8 percent for the first time in Obama’s presidency.

Economic and job concerns were on the top of voters’ minds, according to reports from the Associated Press, and Obama couldn’t match 2008’s enthusiasm and optimism among young voters. He lost Indiana and North Carolina from his 2008 run but was still favored by women and nonwhite voters.

Romney struggled with a perceived lack of empathy and his sometimes inconsistent positions on taxes, samesex marriage and other issues. He had moved toward the center during the past several weeks to gain wider appeal.

Both candidates filled Election Day with last-minute rallies and speeches in several battleground states, including New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Even with the 11th-hour push, more than 30 million votes in 32 states – including Obama’s own vote – had already been cast in absentee and early voting, according to the Times. Those votes allowed an early boost in tallies Tuesday evening, as polls closed one by one from the Eastern Seaboard to the West Coast.

Superstorm Sandy, which had left much of the Northeast in flooded ruins, didn’t appear to hurt Obama’s run.

BRIAN CASSELLA | Chicago Tribune

Supporters of President Barack Obama celebrate during his victory rally at McCormick Place in Chicago.

by Dan Holtmeyer

obama: see page 2

Neb. GOP sweeps House contests

Republican Fischer wins Senate seat dan holtmeyer dn Nebraska State Sen. Deb Fischer, a Republican rancher from Valentine, won her bid for Nebraska’s open U.S. Senate seat Tuesday evening in an unexpectedly close race against Democrat Bob Kerrey.

Cheers filled Fischer’s reception in Lincoln’s Cornhusker Hotel when several news organizations called the election at about 10 p.m.

“We’re going to build a better America,” she told an excited crowd. “Nebraska is truly a special place, and Nebraskans are truly special people.”

She will take the place of Democrat Ben Nelson, a former Nebraska governor and two-term senator who announced his retirement late last year. Fischer’s sec-

ond term as state senator will end in January, in time for her to take up her new post.

The contest – one of 33 Senate elections around the country – gained national attention because of the chance that a Democrat would be replaced by a Republican; with Democrats holding the slimmest of margins in the Senate, every seat mattered.

Since her surprise win of the Republican nomination in May, Fischer made cutting spending, shrinking the government and repealing the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, her centerpieces. She never strayed far from that script in three debates with Kerrey or at other events.

Fischer said her election was

senate: see page 2

5

DANIEL WHEATON DN

jon augustine | DN

U.S. Senator-elect Deb Fischer points at supporters as she approaches the lectern where she gave her victory speech in downtown Lincoln Tuesday night.

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Full preview of the team’s outlook

Nebraska will continue to bleed red in the House of Representatives as the GOP held all of Nebraska’s three seats Tuesday night.

In Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, Republican Lee Terry defeated Democrat John Ewing and won reelection. A tighter race than anticipated, Ewing lost by the smallest margin of any of the Democrat-

12

@dailyneb | facebook.com/dailynebraskan

ic candidates for the House in the state, trailing by about 4 percent at press time.

“Thank you for all of your love and support,” said Terry, who has been in the House since 1999.

Ewing conceded by 11:30 p.m.

“We ran the best campaign we could,” Ewing said, “and I congratulate Lee Terry.”

Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, who has represented Nebraska’s 1st Conterry gressional District since

house: see page 3

2

dailynebraskan.com

wednesday, november 7, 2012

3 new faces join Board of Regents Cristina Woodworth and Lis Arneson DN The University of Nebraska Board of Regents will welcome three new members and retain a familiar face on its board of eight unpaid, elected members.

District 3 regents race:

dustry: agriculture,” Pillen said.

“Having spent my life in agriculture, I have had the experience in running a business and understand the difference between investing dollars to get a return and spending dollars that are needed versus nice.”

David Copple could not be reached for comment.

braska for another six years.”

Solomon said during his second term, Whitehouse has plans to focus on ensuring that the university is a leader in early childhood education and to continue to promote the university as a driving factor in the state’s economic growth.

Bradley could not be reached for comment.

District 4 regents race:

Former Omaha mayor and Congressman Hal Daub defeated Ann District 5 regents Ferlic Ashford in the board’s Disrace: trict 8 election Tuesday.

At press time Daub, a RepubNebraska State Sen. Lavon Heide- lican from Omaha, had received 52.43 percent of votes compared mann led Mike Jones in the to Ashford’s 47.57 perboard’s District 5 race cent. on Tuesday.

Daub, 71, could not “It would be a be reached for comgreat privilege and ment. He is a partner at honor to help give Husch Blackwell, LLP. direction to the uniDaub received his versity,” said Heidebachelor’s of science mann, a Republican degree from Washingwho is from Elk ton University in St. Creek.

Louis and his juris docHeidemann gradtor from University of uated from Elk Creek Nebraska College of High School in 1977.

Law. He manages several heidemann Ashford, 52, is difarming operations rector and corporate south of Elk Creek counsel at Private and has three chilPractice Associates dren with his wife LLC. Ashford received Robin. her bachelor’s of arts in He said he initialgovernment and interly decided to run for national studies from the Board of Regents the University of Notre after serving in the Dame in 1982 and her state legislature and juris doctor from the realizing how imporCreighton University tant the university is School of Law in 1985. to the state.

“I’m disappointed, “I’ve become exdaub but that’s what we go tremely aware what through elections for – the university means the voter’s speak,” Ashford said. to the state, and it’s not only education,” Heidemann said. “It’s “I’m proud of the race I ran.” news@ extension and research and what dailynebraskan.com they do in rural Nebraska towns.

Jim Pillen defeated David Copple Bob Whitehouse, a Republican in the NU Board of Regents Disfrom Omaha, was re-elected to trict 3 election on Tuesday. the board on Tuesday, At press time, defeating Larry Bradley Pillen, a Republiof Omaha. can from Columbus, At press time, Neb., received about Whitehouse, 68, had 64 percent of votes received about 55.7 percompared to Copcent of votes compared ple’s 36 percent. to Bradley’s 44.3 per“I’m really excitcent. ed,” said Pillen, 56.

Whitehouse has rep“My family’s excited resented District 4 on about it. It (will) be a the board since 2006. great opportunity to He served as chairman serve, and so we’re of the board in 2011 really excited about pillen and as Academic Afthat opportunity.” fairs chairman from Pillen, a former 2008-2010. He received Husker football a bachelor’s of science player, received his in physical education bachelor’s degree and biology from the from the University University of Nebraska of Nebraska-Lincoln at Kearney, a master of and his doctor of science in secondary veterinary medicine school administration degree from Kansas from the University of State University. He Nebraska at Omaha is currently presiand an educational dent of Pillen Family whitehouse specialist in secondary Farms and a veterieducation from UNO. narian in Columbus.

While Whitehouse Pillen and his wife, could not be reached for comSuzanne, have four children. ment, his campaign manager “I believe a land-grant institution needs a strong voice to have Justin Solomon said, “He’s very humbled to be able to serve the an impact on our state’s No. 1 in4th district and the people of Ne-

It’s something the state should be proud of.”

Jones said it was a good race.

“There were lots of votes,” he said. “There was a really good turnout, which we like to see.”

district 8 regents race:

nebraska legislature races: four to follow District 11 - Northeast Omaha Winner: Ernie Chambers

Ernie Chambers (I) will be returning to the Nebraska State Legislature to represent North Omaha. At press time, Chambers won about 67 percent of the vote to beat out Brenda Council (D).

Council received 33 percent of the vote.

District 21 - Northwest Lincoln

At press time, the race between Ken Haar (D) and Mike Hilgers (R) was too close to call. With 90 percent of the precincts reporting, Haar had 50.4 percent of the vote and Hilgers had 49.6 percent.

District 29 - Southeast Lincoln

At press time, the race between Kate Bolz (D) and Larry Zimmerman (R) was too close to call. With 90 percent of the precincts reporting, Bolz had 50.84 percent of the vote and Zimmerman had 49.16 percent.

District 31 - Southwest Omaha

At press time, the race between Acela Turco (R) and Rick Kolowski (D) was too close to call. With 90 percent of the precincts reporting, Kolowski had about 51 percent of the vote and Turco had about 48 percent.

– Complied by Elias Youngquist and Emily Nitcher News@ DailyNebraskan.Com

senate: from 1

obama: from 1

jon augustine | dn

Florence Strobel (left), mother of U.S. Senator-elect Deb Fischer, congratulates her daughter during the Republican party’s election event at the Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln on Tuesday night.

BRIAN CASSELLA | Chicago Tribune

President Barack Obama walks on stage with his wife and daughters before giving his acceptance speech as the newly re-elected president at McCormick Place in Chicago early Wednesday morning.

Much as expected, every state in an early start.

In his concession speech from the area went to the president, including New Jersey, where Re- Boston, Romney thanked his family and supporters and called for publican Gov. Chris Christie has putting people before party. praised Obama’s response to the “At a time like this, we can’t storm. risk partisan bickIowa votering and politiers stayed with Forward – cal posturing,” he Obama, while that’s where said.

Nebraska went to “This is a time Romney overall, we need to go.” of great challenges who won all but for America, and I one county. Unpray the president like 2008 – when barack obama will be successful Obama won one president in guiding our naelectoral vote from tion.” the Omaha district Obama’s victory comes after – none of Nebraska’s five elecroughly $6 billion – if not more toral votes went to the president.

Nebraska and Maine are the only – was raised by the campaigns or spent by outside groups. It was two states to split their electoral the first campaign that felt the full votes by district; all of Maine’s force of 2010’s Supreme Court’s four votes went to Obama, acCitizens United decision, which cording to the AP. allowed so-called super PACs to Romney had been seeking the exist. These unprecedented funpresidency for five years, losing the 2008 Republican nomination draising machines hauled in and to Arizona Sen. John McCain. deployed roughly $600 million, Even before he had secured the according to the Center for Responsive Politics. nomination this time around, news@ Romney began launching attacks dailynebraskan.com at Obama, giving the campaign

response to obama as projected winner

With the two terms maybe he’ll be able to do some of his ideas.”

Lorena Carmona

senior news-editorial and broadcast major

a victory for the Republican platform.

“I will not let you down,” she said. “I stand with you here tonight, and I will stand for you and fight for you in Washington.”

Fischer surged to the lead as the first voting precincts reported and stayed there. She carried most of Nebraska’s 93 counties, including her rural home Cherry County, by wide margins. Kerrey secured only a handful of counties, including Lancaster County.

Douglas County was evenly split between the two.

In the past several months, Fischer switched from a doubledigit lead in local polls to neckand-neck with Kerrey.

Fischer portrayed herself as a starkly different choice from Kerrey, a two-time U.S. Nebraska senator and former governor known for breaking with his party.

The two agreed on several issues, including keeping up national defense spending and lowering the tax burden on corporations and businesses. Less than a week before Election Day, Kerrey snagged an endorsement from a Nebraska Republican and former U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel.

Still, the candidates differed strongly on their support of Obamacare and whether they were willing to raise taxes to tackle the $16-trillion national debt – Fischer has signed a pledge

against raising any taxes, while Kerrey supported cuts and tax hikes to fill the debt hole.

Nelson was elected one of Nebraska’s senators after Kerrey retired from Congress. Kerrey returned to give it another go. The word among his supporters: disappointment.

“I know that losing is never easy,” Kerrey said in his concession speech. “I believe in time we will prevail. We must continue.”

It remained unclear Tuesday evening whether Kerrey would continue in politics elsewhere. He needs to think on his own and consult his family, Kerrey press secretary Chris Triebsch said by phone.

“Walk out of here with your head held high,” Kerrey told his supporters. “The people of Nebraska have made their voice heard. Do not hate them for their choices.”

Fischer will join Congress at a time when the legislative body is hugely unpopular, largely thanks to heightened partisan gridlock during the past two years. The balance in Congress appears likely to stay the same, with Republicans in power in the House of Representatives and Democrats holding a majority in the Senate. That could mean the extreme partisanship is here for at least two more years.

The difference this time is President Barack Obama has been reelected. news@ dailynebraskan.com

response to obama as projected winner

I’m an Obama supporter, and it is exciting to see the election went the way it has.”

Meghin Williams senior broadcast major

correction In a story printed in the Nov. 6 Daily Nebraskan titled “Dare to Care collects for Thanksgiving,” an incorrect list of donation locations was given. The locations for the drive are the Nebraska

Union, the Nebraska East Union and Plant Sciences Hall.

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wednesday, november 7, 2012

3

house: from 1 2005, celebrated his defeat of Korey Reiman with U.S. Senator-elect Deb Fischer at the Cornhusker Hotel.

“Thank you to all of you who worked hard for my campaign,” said Fortenberry, a Republican, at the event. “Together we are able to share victory.”

By press time, he had claimed almost 70 percent of the vote.

The Omaha World-Herald called the races for Nebraska’s 1st and 3rd districts early last night. Instead of hosting or attending campaign events

For more coverage, including photo galleries from Nebraska’s U.S. Senate race and the presidential race, visit dailynebraskan.com

the economy.”

He also joined Senator-elect Deb Fischer at her party at the Cornhusker Hotel.

Sullivan, a Democrat, had claimed just less than 26 percent of the vote at press time. He ran a self-described underfunded and all-volunteer campaign against Smith.

“I’m a little disappointed,” Sullivan said, “but I’m pleased and proud of the 3rd District.”

NEWS@ DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM

Tuesday, Reiman, a Democrat, was back at his job as a defense attorney.

Reiman was unavailable for comment.

Republican Adrian Smith will represent Nebraska’s 3rd District for a fourth term. Smith defeated Mark Sullivan, a farmer from Doniphan.

Smith’s campaign held an all-day election party in Scottsbluff.

“I’m grateful for Nebraska’s support,” Smith said. “Coming back to Nebraska (from Washington) allowed me to make decisions on what I consider to be the front lines of

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opinion

4

wednesday, november 7, 2012 dailynebraskan.com @Dailyneb

dn e d i t o r i a l b o a r d m e m b e r s ANDREW DICKINSON editor-in-chief

RYAN DUGGAN opinion editor RHIANNON ROOT assistant opinion editor HAILEY KONNATH ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR JACY MARMADUKE news assignment EDITOR

KATIE NELSON A&E ASSISTANT EDITOR ROBBY KORTH SPORTS EDITOR BEA HUFF ART DIRECTOR KEVIN MOSER WEB CHIEF

our view

Obama must work to bridge gap across party lines The results are in. Barack Obama has been voted our president for a second term. This may result in a sigh of relief or a frustrated groan, a vision of hope or a vision of doom.

Conversely, some of the more moderate individuals might be happy the ads are finally over and they will no longer be pestered to vote.

While this is expected, it’s a core problem in our political system. The hostile divide between parties is a major concern that needs to be fixed.

Republicans, this isn’t the end of the world. We can’t have another four years of stubborn refusal to participate. Democrats, work with the other side as well. It’s a group effort to get things done. Refusal to compromise doesn’t equate to a victory, but is a loss for everyone. Keep in mind, though, compromise isn’t pretty. It’s not one party submitting to the other; it’s both sides giving and taking, creating policies that encompass bits of both views.

Mr. President, follow through on your promises to bridge the gap between parties. More than ever we need to stand together as a nation.

Also, focus on fixing our economic problems. This means coming together with both sides and devising a plan that cuts spending, lowers taxes for some, but not all, and makes sure everyone gives his or her fair share. Most importantly, make sure the government is fiscally responsible with our money.

Continue to invest in our future. More specifically, this means continue investing in students and improving education. We support your decision to continue providing government grants and loans, and we hope you continue to do so in the future. A higher education for more people can only benefit our nation, but rising tuition costs may prohibit that if actions do not continue to be taken.

In regards to the Affordable Health Care Act, keep nurturing it. It’s far from being fully developed and will have some kinks that need to be worked out. Let’s make sure it becomes something everyone can get behind. It won’t be perfect right away, so let’s keep working on it until the plan is at least satisfactory for both Republicans and Democrats. Again, it’s about compromise.

We are one nation. We need to stand together as a nation and work together to solve our problems. Regardless of how you feel about President Obama, about Democrats or Republicans, take pride in being an American. Let’s work together these next four years as a unified nation to set America back on track.

opinion@dailynebraskan.com

editorial policy The editorial above contains the opinion of the fall 2012 Daily Nebraskan Editorial Board. It does not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, its student body or the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. A column is solely the opinion of its author; a cartoon is solely the opinion of its artist. The Board of Regents acts as publisher of the Daily Nebraskan; policy is set by the Daily Nebraskan Editorial Board.

The UNL Publications Board, established by the regents, supervises the production of the paper. According to policy set by the regents, responsibility for the editorial content of the newspaper lies solely in the hands of Daily Nebraskan employees.

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

chris rhodes | dn

Repair friendships post-election

I

n the past few months, you’ve probably offended someone important to you.

Not because of love lost or a changing friendship. No, this was caused by something far more sinister: politics.

Presidential election years can be dangerous for relationships. You might discover the girl you started dating is an abortion-supporting, registered Democrat and decide she isn’t worth dating anymore. The newbie at work who seemed pretty cool is a hardcore Republican – you should have known when he didn’t agree with you about how awesome Obamacare is. Time to show him the cold shoulder.

VAL KUTCHKO Many people are unfriended, blocked or have their status updates ignored on Facebook because they made posts that someone else don’t know what the hell is going on with our found offensive, annoying or simply disagreed foreign policy. To me, politics are something with. Chances are, in the past few months, that should be discussed publicly. We should you’ve alienated someone from your friend have our own little debates – not evasive ones circle, at work or in class because of the way like the presidential and vice presidential deyou presented your political ideologies. Here bates, or angry ones that are really arguments, are some surefire ways to win back those bebut healthy, fact-based debates. Politics, after loved friends, study buddies and co-workers. all, affect every single one of us. So why do we 1. If your candidate won last night, don’t have so much difficulty talking about it? brag. If the election comes up in conversation, Our political views are beliefs – no one do what I do. Just say that you’re happy the likes to have his or her beliefs insulted and campaigning and elections are finally over. torn apart. The way we talk about candidates 2. If their candidate won, and their parties are just as divicongratulate them and move sive as the Congress and Senate Your on. To keep the bitterness out are. Although most of us don’t of your voice, look on the relationships adhere strictly to the Republican bright side: only four years unor Democratic platforms, many til the possibility of them being ... matter far more of us act as though we do. When ousted. than whom you’re someone counters or doubts 3. Bake cookies. Any kind “our” party, we take offense will do, and chocolate chip is voting for.” even if we don’t fully support always a winner. However, if the party ourselves. you include a few non-chocoThe messages we send out late, non-nutty recipes, you’ll be praised as the can cause problems, too. Rather than sendmost thoughtful person in the group. ing positive messages about the candidate 4. Don’t bring up the president, elections we support, we send negative ones about the or politics of any sort unless absolutely neces- other candidates. A lack of respect for other sary. opinions has become a large problem in our More important than winning these people country, and the advent of social media such back is avoiding the creation of such rifts in as Facebook and Twitter hasn’t helped. the first place.

I’m guilty of this. You probably are, too. AlI consider myself quite open to discussing most everyone is guilty of posting anti-Obama politics. I’m not afraid to share my viewpoint. or anti-Romney messages on Facebook, antiI’ll admit if I don’t understand a bill or if I

Democrat or anti-Republican tweets or mocking memes about Big Bird and binders full of women.

I’m probably one of those people who has been blocked or ignored. About a month ago, I went on an anti-Romney rampage. Unfortunately, only about 60 percent of those posts were fact-based, and the others were things like “For Christ’s sake, Mittens, leave religion out of politics!” It’s not exactly the best way to endear myself to people. Not only did I probably come across as another irritating debate-watcher, but also as a bit of an insensitive prick.

I don’t want people to think I’m an insensitive prick! I actually enjoy hearing others’ opinions. For the next round of elections, I’ve decided not to post anything politically oriented. Should the urge become overwhelming, I’ll only post facts and direct, in-context quotes.

I’m sick of everything related to politics being so negative. No wonder no one wants to share his or her opinions.

To avoid offending people that you know and care for, change your tactics next election season.

1. Don’t judge a person based on the candidate or party he or she supports. Most people don’t always agree 100 percent with who they vote for.

2. Don’t toss out insults or stereotypes about Republicans or Democrats. Even if you’re with a group of friends and you think they all agree with you, one of them probably doesn’t.

3. Be respectful. It’s possible to disagree without being rude.

4. Talk about issues, not about politicians.

You’re far more likely to find something you can agree on if you educate one another on the facts, even if your party affiliations differ.

Your relationships with the people around you matter far more than whom you’re voting for. Politics is one of the few realms where different opinions are good – they keep a government healthy. Show others you can at least appreciate the benefits of your different views.

Valerie Kutchko is a sophomore journalism major and LGBT/sexuality studies minor. Reach her at Opinion@ Dailynebraskan.com.

Rape is rapist’s fault, no matter the circumstances

D

on’t blame the short black dress, the red Solo cup or the perfume she was wearing. Rape is always the rapist’s fault.

Sexual assault isn’t a default setting in the male (or female) agenda. Rape is a conscious choice made by a perpetrator; it’s not an act provoked by the victim. A few weeks ago, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Police Department sent a mass email reminding us that drinking underage is illegal and to be careful at parties. This email is barely an afterthought to the student body.

The email was also meaningless and superficial. Sure, they “addressed” the problem of an alleged sexual assault. But rather than mentioning outreach programs such as Voices of Hope, the email just states that charges were dropped.

This was a missed opportunity because it doesn’t help end a cycle of sexual violence. The email only suggests avoiding it by avoiding a party atmosphere.

Rape is a very serious issue and has lasting effects on the victims. According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network), women who are raped or sexually assaulted are “three times more likely to suffer from depression, six times more likely to suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder, 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol, 26 times more likely to abuse drugs, and four times more likely to contemplate suicide.”

UNLPD isn’t the only group guilty of perpetuating victim-blame culture. Elected state officials across the United States

also help foster this rhetoric. Wisconsin state Rep. Roger Rivard came under fire recently after making a comment about how “girls rape easy.”

What exactly does that mean? Well, according to Rivard, consenting girls who aren’t happy with the aftermath of sex (which could mean pregnancy or other consequences), will often accuse consenting partners of rape. This is apparently done to take the blame off of the girl and place it entirely on the guy.

The phrase “girls rape easy” means that women will cry rape at their convenience. This isn’t true for the vast majority of women who report acts of rape or sexual violence. Also, I find it problematic that people who say things this far outside of reality are elected into public office and retain their positions.

A lack of action implies complacency with Rivard’s comment. This implied cultural consensus leads to women feeling disenfranchised and unable to seek help.

Why? Because they are met with animosity rather than empathy.

The social stigma attached to rape and victims of other forms of sexual violence is a huge factor in this. They blame themselves rather than the person who victimized them. They believe they “deserved it.”

When a girl is sexually assaulted or raped, what is often the first question asked? “What was she wearing?” This is usually followed by “Has she been drinking?” The real question is if those are relevant factors. Even in your most uninhibited, drunken stupor, forcing another

DAMIEN CROGHAN human being to have sex with you is not acceptable. Ever.

Also, if consent is debatable, why are you having sex with that person? If someone is unable to audibly say “yes,” the answer is no. That doesn’t mean you need to have a conversation before every sexual encounter. My point is that if someone is too intoxicated to be aware of their surroundings, they’re too intoxicated to have sex as well.

If you’re involved in a sexual encounter, and are met with some resistance, stop. If your sex partner says “stop” or “no” at any given point, stop. No means no. It doesn’t mean “convince them to keep going.”

Events such as Lincoln’s recent SlutWalk, among others, highlight just how bad this cultural epidemic has become.

Just because a woman is wearing minimal

clothing doesn’t mean she’s inviting unsome men can’t resist the temptation of a wanted attention. No matter how “slutwoman wearing minimal clothing. ty” someone appears, he or she deserves Another said that women “aren’t necto be treated with some respect. essarily asking for it, but …”

I recently overheard a coworker of The moral of their story is if you want mine describe scantily clad women as to avoid rape, dress as plainly as possiswimmers in shark-infested waters. As if ble. Throw away any clothes that could men are sharks and women are unintelpossibly catch someone’s eye. Minimal ligent for entering a dangerous environclothing, as well as flashy clothing, or ment and encountering danger. anything that doesn’t vaguely resemble a Equating women to slabs of meat also jumpsuit, will result in rape. equates men to being natural predators, This isn’t the case, of course. But it’s which simply isn’t the case. As a man, I the attitude expressed by our culture. believe it’s insulting to assume that we Another problem is we think of women simply cannot control ourselves if an atas being naive for going into certain entractive person is in our presvironments only to be ence. surprised by rape.

No matter This is not only inaccuThe fact is no mathow many rate but a common misconter what you wear, if a ception. The fact is people perpetrator wants to do precautions you dress up for themselves. The harm onto you, he or reason we wear nice clothes, take, there is no she will attempt to. No spray on cologne or perfume matter how many preand do our hair isn’t to invite surefire way to cautions you take, there unwanted sexual contact. It’s prevent rape.” is no surefire way to so we feel like we look good prevent rape. enough to enter the public This doesn’t mean to sphere. disregard your safety. Take precautions.

Yes, maybe some dress up to get at- Be aware of your surroundings. Howevtention. But does any human being dress er, no article of clothing, or avoidance of up to be taken advantage of? No. And it’s partying or club situations, will guaranabsolute bullshit that people think this is tee a life free of sexual violence. possible. A short skirt is not a physical The potential rapist, however, can metaphor for desiring unwanted sexual simply decide not to rape you. contact.

Damien Croghan is a senior news-editorial and international After overhearing the shark water studies major. Reach him at comments, I discussed this with a few opinion@ other people. What they said shocked dailynebraskan.com me as well. One presented the idea that

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wednesday, november 7, 2012 dailynebraskan.com @dnartsdesk

Patrick Thompson adjusts his music while waiting for his turn to spar. Thompson has a career record of 18-18-1 and has fought some of the best competition in the professional welterweight and middleweight ranks in the last 10 years.

the lion in the winter Lincoln boxer Patrick Thompson travels rough road from home for national fights, embodies journeyman persona Story by Chance Solem-Pfeifer | Photos by Andrew Dickinson

F

or the last decade, Patrick Thompson has gone to work a few times a year. And when he does, everyone expects him to fail.

They’re not ideal working conditions, but there’s no human resources department in the boxing business. Now, 39, Lincoln-based fighter Thompson earns his livelihood travelling to the backyards of other professional boxers as an opponent, an intruder and – if things go his way – a spoiler, the proverbial rain on the parade of young fighters more heralded and cared for than himself.

“When you’re a (boxing) prospect, you’re the thoroughbred horse,” Thompson said. “All this money is with you. As a fighter, we always look for weaknesses. If I know a guy will quit, that’s all I keep thinking. That’s what boxing is: a test of wills.”

A journeyman fighter in the truest sense of the word, Thompson’s story is chock full of boxing’s cruel tropes – small purses, dim rooms and scar tissue – but simultaneously laden with the sport’s many inconsistencies, its variables. Thompson is a giving teacher, so much as he is a violent man.

He’s a hometown fighter, so much as he belongs in a room of strangers who want to see him twitching on the mat.

“That’s just how boxing is,” he said.

bio box: patrick thompson

Patrick “One Punch” Thompson record:

18-18-1 height: 5’9” weight class: Middleweight (160 lbs.) age: 39 residence: Lincoln, Neb. notable opponents: Edwin Rodriguez, Alfonso Gomez, Vanes Martirosyan

You get your money, you get out ... they’ll never remember you name.”

Patrick Thompson veteran boxer

Thompson rests his head on a punctured basketball used as a hood for a practice dummy. Thompson, who will turn 40 this February, said his next few fights may well be his last. “I don’t really want to fight any more, but I do want the money,” Thompson said.

part 1:

Road Warrior

The hard road began innocently enough, with a 26-year-old dared by a weightlifting buddy to fight in the 1999 Cornhusker State Games.

With the pact that they would do it together, Thompson agreed.

And when his friend made himself scarce just days later, Thompson wandered the fitness gym he frequented – a gifted athlete and former high school wrestler – aware of his daunting task.

“I’m in it now,” Thompson remembers thinking. “I don’t know shit about boxing. Yeah, I know how to fight, but that’s not the same. I could keep lifting weights, but that shit isn’t going to help.”

With just a week until the amateur contest, for which he’d already paid the $15 entry fee, Thompson started running to get his “wind up.” This search for last minute cardio took him to the Air Park boxing gym in north Lincoln near the airport. In a matter of days, he learned how to throw a jab and right cross and knocked out his first amateur opponent at the Games in the second round.

Thompson, of course, was excited.

Thompson heads down the hallway back to the boxing room of the Air Park West Recreation Center. The facilities are far from typical of what Thompson calls a “button-up” or professional gym. Boxers who practice here must walk past a gymnasium and through a pool room to use the bathroom.

Thompson has trained at the gym in Air Park since 1999.

“Man, I thought I could beat Roy Jones after that,” he said.

He went on to compile a record of 27-5 in a three-year span in the Nebraska amateur ranks.

But the rest is far from history. For most boxers, there is no history.

You put on the gloves and do what you can until the body and

the brain say “no more.”

Thompson’s promoter, Jim “Smitty” Smith summed up for Thompson what it is to be a boxing workman.

“Smitty says about boxing, ‘You get your money, you get out and once you’re done, they’ll never remember your name,’”

Thompson said.

Nicknamed “One Punch,” Thompson turned pro in 2002 in the junior middleweight class (154 pounds) at the relatively advanced age of 29, knocking out two unheralded opponents at Lincoln’s Cornhusker Hotel, and then the second in Colorado.

But it was his third fight against the 7-0 Giovanni Lorenzo that would set the tone for Thompson’s professional career.

Despite being undefeated himself, he traveled to Bushkill, Penn.

It was a fight, the first of many, he was supposed to lose.

“Come to find out this guy (Lorenzo) was the Dominican Olympian,” Thompson said of that night in 2003, when he lost a competitive six-round majority decision. From that moment on – for better or worse – the path of Thompson’s career was laid out before him. “(The) only way to beat a younger guy is to outthink him,” he said. “You have to compensate (for youth) somewhere else.”

Months later, he defeated Canadian Olympian Jason Naugler on the undercard of an Oscar De La Hoya fight in Las Vegas. Patrick Thompson became an opponent, a name synonymous with

road warrior: see page 8

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dailynebraskan.com

wednesday, november 7, 2012

a house

divided Being Here: An Ongoing Series on the UNL International Student Experience Part 2 - Housing

shelby fleig dn ››Editor’s note: The following story is Part 2 in our ongoing series, Being Here, meant to examine the experiences of international students at the University of NebraskaLincoln.

Dorm life means stereotypes for each hall.

You may think Abel is the party hall. Knoll is the athlete hall.

Selleck is the international hall.

In fact, international students at the University of NebraskaLincoln live in almost every residence hall on campus. The vast majority live in one of four buildings: Cather, Courtyards, Knoll or Selleck, which stay open during breaks. The complexities of being an international student lie mostly with cultural differences between American and foreign students, which can be amplified by housing requirements.

“It may be perceived that

some of the buildings, particularly Cather and Selleck, feel like they’re predominately international, but in both of those cases, they are at least less than half of the building, if not closer to a third,” said Rob Andrews, assistant director of residence life at UNL. According to Andrews, of the nearly 500 international students living on campus, one-third live in Selleck, one-third live in Cather and the last third live mostly in Knoll and Courtyards, with a few students taking residence elsewhere on campus.

With the addition of the yetunnamed hall next to Knoll, international students will find more housing that stay open during breaks.

“I think our goal would always be for them to make connections with both domestic and international students,” Andrews said. “That’s part of the reason for having the requirement to live in the halls. It comes down to what they need and what we’re able provide, and the staff keeping the

building open over breaks costs money, so there has to be a point when we choose how many halls we can keep open during breaks.”

Rory Seonmin Bae, a senior marketing major from Busan, South Korea, lived in Selleck before moving to The Village and said American students were open to discussing their ideas and customs with her and other students.

“I would say Selleck was a better environment to meet new people and learn American culture, as there are many American students who are willing to learn and share culture,” she said.

Bae also said living with other international students allowed them to connect through their shared experience, something American students could not relate to.

“We were new and everything was new, so we kind of went through every single thing together – very understanding to each other in terms of being an international student,” she said.

Jessica Loke, residential international student coordinator and former international student from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, said international students tend to bond more with other international students if they have difficulty understanding American culture.

“I think the biggest challenge for students, if it’s not language, is culture,” Loke said. “International students have this mentality that people will be friendly, and when you encounter a few events that prove you otherwise, you can get intimidated. Then you might hang out more with other international students and people will think you don’t want to branch outside that group.”

Bae agreed that the university could use more opportunities to learn about student life in the States.

“I would recommend they hold many activities or events for us and give us a chance to learn American culture and hang out with American students,” Bae said.

lauren vuchetich | dn Loke’s position as residential international student coordinator is new to UNL. She and Andrews are working together to find more ways to get students comfortable and to integrate them better within the UNL community, including a strong mentorship program in the works.

Andrews said if money were no barrier, he would keep all resi-

dence halls open during breaks so international students could be more spread out within dorms.

“We would love to see it spread out more, but there are some benefits of them being close to each other and finding support and help within friends around them, so it’s not as bad as it could be,” he said. arts@

Costumes provide welcome, Latest ‘Creed’ flaunts massive scope, detail but disingenuous escape A STUDY IN SCARLET

tyler keown I’m washing my hands in a restroom during Anime NebrasKon. I give myself a few extra seconds to wash, given the state of the restroom. I’m drying my hands when I notice a full costume sitting in the trash can.

Briefly, I think about taking it.

It appears to be Native Americanthemed. I picture myself walking around the convention, doing interviews dressed in this discarded costume. I see myself getting perfect quotes and looking good doing it.

Then I realize I’m thinking of taking and wearing a costume I saw in a bathroom trashcan. I dry my hands and leave, digni-

ty intact. I then went to a panel where I was told how to date nerds.

The sense of power that comes with wearing a costume is something that I’ve been noticing over the past week, mainly because of Halloween and the anime convention where I spent a weekend. It’s also because I think about everything at least once a day.

Why did I instantly picture myself with power when I fantasized about wearing that bathroom costume? If I were a Native American, certainly I’d be powerful, looking stoic and embracing all kinds of outdated stereotypes.

But if you were on campus on Halloween, you likely had an experience with someone dressed up who had way more confidence than they did the day before. Maybe you were like

Someone you know uses c-mail.

Save yourself a monthly trip to the health center. Sign up for c-mail to have your birth control mailed to you.

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me and saw a man dressed as a gladiator who pointed a sword at you as you tried to walk into the union. Maybe you were like me again and sat next to a girl dressed as The Joker in class and all you could think was, “It’s 2012.”

Or maybe you were one of the people dressed up. I have no idea what my demographic is. The elderly?

But believe me when I say the comparisons between how the people cosplaying at NebrasKon and University of NebraskaLincoln students acted was uncanny. I watched a friend and fellow journalist try to interview a man dressed as the Phantom of the Opera, only to have the guy make up a song on the spot and walk away. This guy turned down a chance to be in the paper to commit to his character. Students dressing up did the exact same thing, if you replace a quote in the DN with social standings and how other people perceive you.

Does a costume make you invulnerable?

I doubt it. I’ve dressed up nearly every Halloween since birth and my body is still a landfill of pain and misplaced innards.

Then where is this confidence coming from? Is it just a by-product of us escaping who we traditionally are? Are we all so shallow that changing our exteriors directly affects our interiors? Why do I always do that thing where I ask a series of questions each week without fail?

I’m not trying to say it’s a bad thing or a good thing that we can access this weird pool of confidence so long as there’s a piece of plastic covering our faces, I’m just interested by it. If we all wore masks, would we all be happier?

I feel like I just wrote a Linkin Park lyric. The truth is, though, that I don’t know. Go try it and report back to me.

I’m too busy not wearing a mask everywhere I go.

And that’s this week’s column. Check back next week when I explain why the fires won’t stop. tyler keown is a sophomore broadcasting major. reach him at arts@ dailynebraskan.com.

nathan sindelar dn “Assassin’s Creed III” is big.

Its setting, the American Revolution, is big.

The characters, Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Lee – they’re big.

The fifth entry in what has become one of this console cycle’s largest franchises, shines in its immense ambition.

Driven by the trademark fluidity of its assassin protagonists’ parkourlike movement and brought together by the most gripping story delivered in the series yet, Ubisoft’s latest iteration reaches for a new pinnacle in open-world action games.

However, to say “Assassin’s Creed III” completely grabs hold, stretches beyond some of the longest, gravity-defying leaps made by its acrobatic heroes.

As with previous titles, the story takes place in two separate contexts: one, a near future, science-fiction plot that revolves around series mainstay, Desmond Miles, and the other set during the late 18th century. A device known as the “Animus” serves as a conduit for Miles to relive memories of his assassin ancestors through their DNA, bridging the gap to the historic period most of the gameplay takes place in.

Players not only control Miles, but two other, long-dead characters, Haytham Kenway, and later his son, Ratonhnhaké:ton, or, as he becomes known, Connor.

Kenway’s story begins the game, setting up the circumstances that drive both future and past segments.

By the time players control Connor, they’ll have already been initiated to the basic mechanics of the game, leaving the exploration of his character development uninhibited.

This development is treated realistically throughout. A naive boy of mixed heritage battling with obligations to his tribe, a quest for revenge and the skewed lines of right and wrong create a hotbed of determination and passion marred by uncertainty within himself.

Nothing is black and white. The actions of Americans and the British alike are challenged by the game, and each of the characters’ goals meet compromises, leaving them to acknowledge their imperfections.

The virtual landscape in which the plot evolves is excruciatingly detailed. The scope of the frontier, settlements and cities impress to no end, with convincing recreations of architecture, clothing and societal behaviors. Similarities to the lush environ-

this week Institute for Ethnic Studies Colloquium: “Race, Ethnicity and the 2012 Election”

when:

B+

Wednesday, 3:30 p.m. where: Andrews Hall, Bailey Library how much: Free

“ASSASSIN’S CREED III” Ubisoft PS3,Xbox 360, Wii U, Microsoft Windows $59.99

ments of “Skyrim” contrasted with its stiff actions and animations, display the true feat of the “AnvilNext” engine powering “ACIII” in maintaining smooth transitions between varieties of gameplay styles, missions and gorgeous visuals.

Though, by virtue of this magnificent scale, glitches and inconsistencies riddle an otherwise exceptional experience. Citizens walking the city streets disappear and pop back into play on a whim. The “freerunning” feature that allows for the flowing parkour hesitates and stumbles in awkward directions far too frequently, creating extremely frustrating chase sequences and a lack of confidence in where the next leap will take players. Worst of all, entire missions can fall apart due to ambiguous direction, leaving their potential for excitement stifled and their generally stealthy cohesion reduced to trial-and-error.

While I assume these flaws directly relate to the game’s tall ambitions, they’re issues nonetheless and suggest rushed production. Having a character deliver a long and powerful speech without moving his lips deflates tense moments into mere comedy.

On the multiplayer side of things, “Assassin’s Creed III” expands and yet tightens the inventive foundation laid by “Brotherhood.” Player vs. player encounters are crisply executed, utilizing the range of gameplay features from the singleplayer (free-running, blending with crowds of Artificial Intelligence, distraction techniques) to create ever-changing situations between competing assassins. A slew of customizable character options help players make the avatars their own.

The new cooperative “Wolf Pack” game mode, however, tends to trivialize those features that make PVP so enjoyable. Players work together to kill designated non-player characters within a given time, advancing through a series of rounds.

The short time limit creates a rush to assassinate targets, devaluing tactical stealth gameplay. A lack of significant punishment or reward for behaviors dumbs the experience down to running through maps as fast as possible and pressing one button until something dies.

Unfortunately, it just feels tackedon and under-developed.

Overall, “Assassin’s Creed III” rebels against its imperfections, knowing they exist because it shot for the moon. Fans of the series have something relatively fresh to experience and a story of appropriately apocalyptic proportions. While certain elements break down, at times fostering dissonance and frustration, new players have never had a better reason to jump into the revolutionary series. arts@ dailynebraskan.com

Ask an Atheist

when:

p.m.

Wednesday, 7

where:

Nebraska Union Auditorium how much: Free

Film Screening: “Problema”

when:

Thursday, 7 p.m.

Sheldon Museum of Art how much: Free where:

University Theatre: Paragon Springs

when: Thursday-Friday, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, 2 p.m. where: Temple Building, Studio Theatre how much: $16 (public), $10 (students)

“Pearl” – a film based on the poem by Ted Kooser

when:

Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center how much: Free

where:

Criminology Guest Lecture: James Short Jr.

when:

Monday, Noon Nebraska

where:

Union

how much:

Free

Geography Bowl

when:

p.m.

Tuesday, 6:30

where:

Hardin Hall Auditorium how much: Free

dailynebraskan.com

wednesday, november 7, 2012

7

meet a few of the 2012 wet ink! performers by emily kuklinski

shelby wolfe | dn

Yesterday afternoon outside the Nebraska Union, senior composition major Nick Dahlquist made final touches to his compositions that he will perform at this semester’s Wet Ink! concert. He says “Wet Ink!” is a great opportunity for students to showcase their own pieces.

I like things that are singable and are really accessible to the public, but also provide a bit of interest and go places...”

wet ink! student composers night when:

p.m.

Thursday, 7:30

where:

Westbrook Music Building, Room 119 how much: Free

John Kosch

There’s something coming.

When the saxophone begins to shriek and the piano pounds, freshman music education major John Kosch aims to ensnare the Wet Ink! audience with his debut piece “Pandemic.”

Although all music majors are encouraged to be a part of Thursday’s concert, Kosch openly sought involvement. Having never experienced composing and performing his original works before, Kosch said he saw this opportunity as a new challenge to take on.

“The whole idea of performing my compositions has been interesting,” Kosch said. “It was just a private thing for me before college for fun, and now (composing) has been entirely different because of the process of it and it’s been a challenge.”

Because of his inexperience, Kosch solicited help from his professors for “Pandemic.” However, as the process moved along, the piece became a more independent project.

“I feel like I’ve kind of been on my own,” he said. “It’s been exciting just trying to figure out how do I do this and how’s this going to work,” Kosch said. “It

seems like it’s all coming together pretty well.”

The piece itself is dark and the storyline follows an outbreak of a disease and its progressive intensity as it takes over the world.

Kosch said the idea is reflected in the music, starting out with uncertainty, moving into a more dissonant and vexed mood.

“It’s just always a struggle to try to be unique and avoid cliches on doing something new that hasn’t been told,” Kosch said.

“You have to start trying new and crazy things, and it’s not the typical melody and harmony. It’s a little out there, but I like it.”

As the performance date draws nearer, anticipation, with a hint of anxiety, stirs.

“I’m really excited because a lot of people just don’t know what sort of stuff I’ve written,” Kosch said. “The opportunity to play, that is going to be cool.

But it’s scary, too, because I’m a freshman and I have to play my piece now. Hopefully, I can do it justice.”

Masayoshi Ishikawa

The soft hum of a lullaby and a memory of youth are the calming inspiration behind first-year graduate student and jazz composition major Masayoshi Ishikawa’s “Komori Uta” (“A Lullaby”).

While thinking of what he should write for his first Wet Ink! recital, his mind drifted back to his mother and the different melodies she hummed to rock him to sleep. “(It made me) believe that I wanted to write music,” Ishikawa said.

His piece differs from the majority of music the audience will hear Thursday night, as it’s not

shelby wolfe | dn

Masayoshi Ishikawa is a graduate student in jazz composition.

Here, Ishikawa sits outside the Westbrook Music Building as he talks about the piano pieces he composed for Wet Ink!

My work is a different genre and it will be interesting to see how the audience feels to listen to a nontraditional approach.”

strictly classical music. With his background in jazz and the meaning behind the piece, Ishikawa only hopes it will be well-received.

“My work is a different genre and it will be interesting to see how the audience feels to listen to a nontraditional approach,” Ishikawa said.

The uncertainty of how others will address his music is something he attempts to avoid thinking about to settle his nerves before the performance.

“I don’t really know how they will react, and I try to not even think about what they’ll think of it,” Ishikawa said. “Once music is played, it goes straight to the listeners’ ears, and once they hear and enjoy it, my work as a composer is done.”

For him, playing live is the root for the enjoyment in not only being a composer or performer, but for the audience as well.

“There’s a great difference to studio-recorded music and live performances, and you just don’t see that until you go to something like Wet Ink!.” Ishikawa said. “There’s more emotion and you’re touched by the live concert and it becomes very personal and worth watching.”

Nick Dahlquist

The first time around performing one’s own composition can be a new and exciting experience.

When it comes to doing it again and again every semester though, sometimes variety is the key ingredient to keeping the enthusiasm flowing. For senior music composition major Nick Dahlquist, variety and practice are driving him into his seventh Wet Ink! performance.

GIMME 5: Election Results Gimme 5: Ways to React If Your Candidate Won

Gimme 5: Ways to React if Your Candidate Lost

1.

Dance as if no one is watching. Four years of what you want, maybe!

1.

Dance the pain away.

Four years of what you don’t want, maybe.

2.

High five everyone who also seems excited. Unite with those who believe what you do.

2.

Apathetically bump shoulders with everyone else who seems upset. The human contact is good for you, believe me.

3.

Call your grandma. She wants to hear from you and it won’t even be that hard to listen to her talk for 20 minutes when you’re distracted by your own excitement.

3.

Call your grandma. She knows how to comfort you, doesn’t she? Who needs some cookies in the mail? You do, sweetheart.

4.

Write down all the reasons you voted for your guy.

Save the list and in four years, see if you were lied to or if promises were fulfilled.

4.

Write down all the reasons why an elephant wearing a hat is funny. It will make you feel better.

5.

Tell social media how excited you are. Everyone cares.

5.

Tell social media how disappointed you are. Everyone cares.

In earlier years, Dahlquist has written compositions ranging from musical theater to performing pop songs on guitar. This time around, he has decided to write a solo piano piece, “a slumber,” accompanied by a soprano vocalist.

“I like things that are singable and are really accessible to the public, but also provide a bit of interest and go places people wouldn’t expect it to go,” Dahlquist said. “It’s compositionally interesting.”

Going into his fourth year as a music major, one thing Dahlquist feels sets his piece apart from the others is the voice that comes through his writing.

“For this, everything that I’ve done with the piece – even if I experimented with it for a bit – I can understand that it came from me,” he said. “I’ve had more opportunity to develop my voice than perhaps some of the freshman, which I think can make it more enjoyable.”

Through composing, he has found that time and dedication have brought him to where he stands as a musician today, and

shelby wolfe | dn

In the basement of Westbrook, John Kosch practices his compositions on the organ. Kosch is a freshman music education major, with a minor in composition. He will perform his own piano pieces at Wet Ink!

(Composition) was just a private thing for me before college for fun, and now (composing) has been entirely different...”

the journey has helped him discover more about who he is.

“It’s just like any artistic work: the more you do it, the easier it gets,” Dahlquist said. “I think you

have to get better by really, really wanting to improve and you get to know yourself better as you do it.” arts@ dailynebraskan.com TM

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Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers ® | 14th & P Compiled by tyler keown - Arts@dailynebraskan.com art by kyle henderson | dn

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8

dailynebraskan.com

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2012

A photo of Thompson is stuck to the wall as part of a collage representing those who have passed through the Lincoln Boxing Club. He is featured multiple times in the collage, a clear indicator of his importance to the group. “If people knew the environment I trained in, I think they’d be surprised,” said Thompson, emphasizing the contrast between the community atmosphere of Air Park and the “blood and guts” places where contenders usually train.

They are using (Pat) as a stepping stone, but ... they get more than they bargain for.”

Aaron quintana professional boxer

road warrior

part 1 continued:

toughness, professionalism and because of his late start in the game: age.

“When I found out I was going to fight Patrick, I couldn’t pick him out of the crowd at the weigh-in,” said Shawn Porter, an undefeated welterweight contender, who stopped Thompson via technical knockout in Atlantic City this past April. “I thought, ‘OK, I’m fighting this guy who looks … a little older than my dad.”

The names on Thompson’s resume – a who’s who of contenders between welterweight and middleweight the last 10 years – may be familiar to boxing fans as those fighters who are close to a title (Porter, Edwin Rodriguez, Vanes Martirosyan), those who came close (Alfonso Gomez of “The Contender” fame, Pawel Wolak, Ishe Smith) and those who burned out along the way (John Duddy, Sechew Powell, Ronald Hearns). But all athletes were athletes built

monday august 18, 2012

into something by a boxing infrastructure of promoters, networks and fans that benefit from undefeated fighters who remain unbeaten long enough to land a big pay day.

It’s a system of competition fueled by a steady dose of journeymen, a system that demands men like Thompson, who boasts a record of 18 wins, 18 losses and 1 draws.

“Journeyman boxers are entirely essential,” said Kieran Mulvaney, a boxing writer for ESPN.com and Reuters. “Starting out, potential prospects and contenders feast on absolute no-hopers, moving up to test themselves against folks with … the ability level of Patrick, before graduating to genuinely potentially competitive matchups. It has always been thus with boxing – and in terms of developing boxers, may always be.”

If the names of Thompson’s opponents are unfamiliar to non-boxing fans, their records may tell a plainer story. When Thompson has fought outside of Kansas,

Thompson punches a dummy with a basketball on its head during a workout. Thompson runs regularly when he’s away from the gym and is an avid pickup basketball player. He makes the trip to the Lincoln Boxing Club several nights a week with sparring at the center of his workout.

FROM 5

Nebraska and Colorado – states with middling boxing reputations – his opponents have a combined record of 262 wins, 17 losses and 2 draws. That’s a victory rate of 94 percent.

Porter, who will fight former champion Julio Diaz on Dec. 15 in his biggest fight to date, made clear that, despite Thompson’s status as a last-minute substitute, he was looking for a passable test from the older fighter. “(Against) guys like (Thompson), you just have to keep your hands up and do what you gotta do,” Porter explained. “Getting in the ring with the guy, he was fast and he was aggressive. I remember being able to land some shots, but having to be perfect on defense.”

The final result for Porter though, was a concussive one.

“When I landed that left hook, I landed it flush and I knew he was going to go down,” he said. “But (Thompson) wanted to keep fighting. That’s all you can say about a guy like Patrick Thompson.”

Despite the stoppage loss (only the second of Thompson’s 38-fight career), the veteran has pushed many young fighters to the final bell, including lauded Irish prospect John Duddy for the first time in 2005.

“They are using him as a stepping stone, but sometimes I think they get a lot more than they bargain for,” said Aaron Quintana, a professional Lincoln boxer who has trained with Thompson for years. “He’s got ring smarts.”

As told by himself, Thompson’s anecdotal career history as a fighter who’s called in as the heavy underdog, is one that suggests boxing’s seedy side, but also one of the

sport’s sustaining self-fulfilling prophecies. The fighter with the backing money, who is expected to win, is in a privileged position. This has never been Thompson.

“I knew as an amateur there was a lot of bullshit in boxing and I knew the pro ranks would be 10 times worse,” Thompson said. To this day, he cries foul about the stoppage on a broken nose in the Alfonso Gomez contest, where he had Gomez hurt on the ropes.

Gomez later went on to challenge for a world title against Miguel Cotto.

When he fought Ronald Hearns (son of the legendary Thomas Hearns) in New York in 2009, Thompson claims the match should have been stopped when he sent Hearns careening to the floor with a right hand and Hearns spit out his mouthpiece.

For Thompson, the perceived injustice comes with the territory.

“That’s kind of how it went, man,” he said.

part 2:

‘It’s Home’

You wouldn’t recognize the Lincoln Boxing Club in the Air Park West Community Center as an adapted racquetball court immediately, though the high ceilings create a kind of echo chamber where the smack, chop or thud of every punch – depending on the hand that delivers it – is audible to everyone else. If one fighter really turns it on against a heavy bag in the far corner of the room, the men and women sparring in the opposite corner will know. The unity that comes out of 20 boxers and would-be boxers milling around reaches a head even in displaced sound.

If ‘wet’ is a smell, the gym smells wet.

On every surface there is moisture: sweat and water and – in some cases – blood.

There are mirrors that never lose their fog and the insides of 10-year-old training gloves never really dry out. And yet it bothers no one, least of all Cruz Quintana, who founded the gym in Air Park in 1996 with Lincoln boxing brothers Ray and Tony Menefee.

Most nights, Quintana stands in the middle of the gym’s chaos, as jovial and grandfatherly and he is cynical – pointing out beloved, adopted sons in the same breath as he outlines their potentially fatal boxing flaws.

The Lincoln Boxing Club is the other side of the coin for Thompson, at home in Lincoln where he lives and trains, working with Aging Partners – a City of Lincoln agency which provides a variety of care services for seniors – and also as a personal trainer. Thompson doesn’t live in a city or state known as a breeding ground for contenders or champions, but it’s something he has long been content with.

“It was a good decision I made not to leave (Lincoln),” he said. “I had my job, my two kids. I shouldn’t have given it all up chasing some boxing dream.”

And it’s true. The close-knit, but inglorious pugilistic landscape of Nebraska is nobody’s “boxing dream.”

Opponents are familiar and purses are relatively small, though for Thompson, the Nebraska and Midwest fight culture and the winds it generates for him are what fuel his alter ego as a boxing Road Warrior, balancing the scales of his .500 record. It’s a benefit he attributes to his promoter Smitty.

“A lot of guys who fight around here, they don’t have anybody to get them fights,” Thompson said. “The one thing I know in boxing: Anybody can get you a fight, but the people you stick with are the ones that can get you wins. That’s the lifeblood of the sport is winning.”

Others, less physically skilled than Thompson, see the nobility in calling oneself a Nebraska fighter and a member of a small boxing community in the state.

“I didn’t do it for the money because I knew I wasn’t going to make it,” said former pro Timothy Humm, who finished his career with a record of 6-1-1 in all regional fights. “I did it to make the sport better in Nebraska, to show what a local guy could do.”

What a member of the Lincoln community can accomplish as a boxer and responsible citizen is paramount to the story of the Air Park gym and the message Quintana exudes as a coach and mentor.

The club was founded in the wake of the death of Lincoln resident Francisco Renteria at the hands of local police officers. When the officers were acquitted of beating Renteria to death in a case of mistaken identity – where Cruz recalls Renteria’s limited English and mental disabilities were a serious factor – tension between Lincoln youth (especially in Latino communities) and police was reaching a boiling point.

Quintana, along with other community leaders, approached then-mayor Mike Johanns with a proposal for a city-funded

above: A giant mural of a boxer is the dominant fixture of the boxing room at the community center.

The sparring ring where amateurs and professionals meet several nights a week sits just beneath this mural. Cruz Quintana, the head coach at the Lincoln Boxing Club, said the painting is of former lightweight champion Diego “Chico” Corrales. above right: Thompson looks back inside to make sure a friend is coming while leaving the Lincoln Boxing Club after a night of sparring and drills. “One Punch” Thompson has trained at Air Park since 1999 and he routinely gives rides home to younger boxers with no other transportation.

Thompson spars with Omaha professional Seth Hebenstreit, who made the trip to Lincoln for some live rounds. Thompson said he has no problem “carrying” amateurs and less experienced pros as a means of teaching them.

boxing club that would, first and foremost, get angry kids off the street.

Today, as it was 15 years ago, Cruz assigns older kids around the gym to practice mitts and footwork with the younger kids, the ones Quintana calls “the little flies,” who seem to bounce off every wall in the room punching the air and hitting a new heavy bag every 30 seconds.

It’s been this way since Thompson walked in the door in 1999: green, but eager to learn. “(When Pat first came), Grandfather (Cruz) would tell you that for a black guy, (Pat) had no rhythm, no footwork, heavy feet,” said Aaron Quintana, who was 12 at the time. “But Pat picked it up quick and we learned from each other. I thank him every chance I get for kicking my ass and helping me out.”

The elder Quintana is kind and constructive, but perhaps intentionally, there is little

filter on the criticism he levels toward his fighters after a lifetime of coaching.

“This kid has a lot of speed, but he makes so many dumb motions,” Cruz said, pointing to one boxer. And the censures keep coming.

“He never puts his hands up.”

“Someone will beat him if he doesn’t fix that.”

Watching an amateur knocked to the canvas from a body blow from a professional, Quintana winced and then added matter-offactly, “Yeah, that’ll do it.”

Even with Thompson, who is far and away the most seasoned professional around the Air Park gym, Cruz is playfully honest.

“Pat’s mentality is to be the spoiler, to show the guy how to fight,” he said. “Maybe if he listened to the corner more he’d do better, but maybe I only say that because I’m a cornerman.”

Around the gym, Thompson is reserved the way one might expect from a 39-year-old

athlete in a room full of teenagers. The gym, in this sense, is his office and he wouldn’t come to work without a job to do, even when that job includes helping less experienced pros and amateurs with the finer points of their craft – the technical elements that separate fighters across every tier of the sport.

“I’m always teaching, it’s been like that for awhile,” Thompson said, explaining how his instruction through boxing has not only set his own son on the right track, but also steered talented fighters, like undefeated Omaha prospect Terrence Crawford, away from the gang lifestyle.

“It’s been like that since Day One,” Thompson said. “If people knew the environment I trained in, I think they’d be surprised. It’s not a button-up or blood and guts place … really a recreational gym. It’s not the norm for prospects to come out of.”

But that doesn’t mean sparring is a cakewalk by any means. It’s been challenging

enough at times to keep Thompson coming back throughout his career. Quintana wouldn’t have it any other way in his gym.

“Other clubs are just touch, touch, touch, but here we don’t hold back too much,” he said. “In a real fight, they’ll try and knock your head off.”

On the creamy white wall next to the ring is a thirty-foot-tall boxer painted in thin black strokes, his head thrown back in anguish and joy, hands in the air. Despite a resemblance to legendary brawler Arturo Gatti, that identification of the painted fighter is supported by few in the gym. Cruz says it’s former lightweight champion Diego “Chico” Corrales.

Flighty preteen boxers exclaim it’s Rocky and throw their small fists toward the ceiling, seconds from humming “Gonna Fly Now.” Thompson simply refutes the Corrales suggestion, but offers no alternative.

“That’s me,” Aaron joked. “But the nose is too small.” And then he pauses, as though after literally growing up in the gym for the last 15 years, he’s never given it much thought.

“Yeah,” he said again more seriously. “I always thought it was me.”

Everywhere in the gym there are mirrors next to inspirational quotes where young fighters shadow box, examining their own form in the resonance of the boxer proverbs.

Cruz wants his gym to be a place for boxing’s endlessly disciplinary messages to reverberate back at the young fighters.

“We are open to the community,” he said. “To me, if someone gets in (the ring) and gets clocked and keeps coming, well, they’ve already earned my respect.”

Perhaps by design, everything in the gym, wall portrait included, is a reflective surface.

If people knew the environment I trained in, I think they’d be surprised. It’s not a button-up ... place.”

Patrick thompson on the lincoln boxing club

part 3:

Fighters of a Certain Age

Retirement for boxers is a routinely painstaking decision, like the choice to end a long love affair which has yielded sparks, attention and security, but which will always take its undeterrable toll if left to persevere too long.

“I’m fucking 39 years old,” Thompson said. “I’ll be 40 in February and I feel it. I’ve been feeling it ever since that last fight.”

Thompson is 3-5 since 2009, including two losses coming by way of stoppage to Shawn Porter and Edwin Rodriguez, both undefeated prospects chasing a title shot. The physical toll for its part wears on Thompson’s patience.

“Sometime, I’m like ‘Ah, fuck boxing,’” he said. “I don’t really want to fight anymore, but I do want the money.”

This last part comes with a laugh, as Thompson is perhaps aware of the industry cliché – fighters who stick around the sport chasing another payday, ignoring the danger that comes with accumulated punishment. This trend of fighters pressing on past their welcome, according to ESPN’s Kieran Mulvaney – a journalist on the forefront of covering a study on fighter brain injury, coming out of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health – is part of a troubling, but logical connection between career mileage and brain damage.

“While the professional Fighters Brain Health study is in its infancy, nobody would be remotely surprised to learn that the strongest correlation between boxing and brain health is the frequency of punches absorbed,” Mulvaney said.

Even recognized by peers, like Aaron Quintana as a “real good defensive fighter,” for Thompson, the danger is palpable every time a fighter sticks a leg between the ring ropes.

“Any time could be the end,” Thompson said.” “All it takes is one fight, one fight. That’s why I gotta be careful.

These young guys, they’re willing to die. I’m not going to die for this shit.”

Another age-old truism of boxing comes forward with the admission that Thompson can’t react to punches the way he used to.

“I can’t do it like I want to do it,” he said of responding to oncoming punches from prospects like Porter. “So I’ll wait for the next one. When you’re 22, you can do that shit until you’re blue in the face.”

It’s not a trend people around Thompson want to see in big fights.

“I’ve told Pat that I’ve been around him so much, and I love him like a kid, that maybe I shouldn’t be in the corner,” Cruz said. “If I see him getting tagged, I’m more apt to throw the towel.”

Thompson, of course, doesn’t want this, nor is it ever his intention as a veteran to wade in and trade punches with a stronger, fresher fighter.

“I’m not getting hurt doing this,” Thompson remembered promising himself after his 2005 loss to “Irish” John Duddy. “I made that decision early and it’s probably the best decision I ever made. (Me and Duddy) were going toe-to-toe, trying to kill each other. I just remember thinking ‘this guy is trying to kill you. It ain’t worth it.’”

Ironically, it was the known warrior Duddy, who would retire at the age of 30 and with a record of 29-2, five years after his Madison Square Garden war with Thompson.

“The fire has burned out,” Duddy told the press in 2010.

“And I know myself well enough to know that it won’t

return.”

From then on, Thompson said he approached fights as calculated risks, as business decisions, never willfully putting his health in harm’s way as a fighting strategy, solidifying his reputation as a slick journeyman and a commodity for fighters looking to propel themselves forward.

“The talent pool of champions is shallow,” Mulvaney said. “The supply line of opponents is endless.”

And still the journeyman boxer – the travelers and the gate keepers – represent a specific demographic of boxer that Mulvaney calls “disposable.” It’s particularly worrisome as the fighters who routinely take the most punishment may receive the least medical attention for their trouble. Even the very early research coming out of the Ruvo Center is, at this juncture, directed toward higher profile boxers and other athletes.

“The kind of MRIs and other tests that can potentially detect developing brain damage are way beyond the means of those who arguably need it the most,” Mulvaney said. “And all too often, these guys fight in places that do not have the strongest of commissions ... they make their own informed choice to step between the ropes, knowing their lot in life.”

It’s a life’s pursuit toward which Thompson directs only passing regret while still raising questions about what might have been. Financially, Thompson’s career-high payday was $9,000. What’s more, his best body and best mind never quite lined up.

“If I could take my mentality now and put it with that body (of a 30 year old), then that’s a world champion, hands down,” he said. “Back when I was young and training hard, I didn’t have the experience. But as I got older, the fights weren’t there – getting jobbed in this fight, getting jobbed in that fight.”

Still, Thompson said he believes his in-ring smarts are at their absolute peak. In mature boxing circles, Muhammad Ali’s 1974 title fight with George Foreman, “The Rumble in the Jungle,” is a mantra. The fight stands as an 8-round masterpiece cited over and over to demonstrate what a veteran fighter with cunning and experience can do to a young bruiser who relies exclusively on physicality. With regard to this fight, Thompson’s adoration for Ali’s ring mastery is no exception.

“I watch that fight now differently than I did when I was younger,” he said. “I finally see what Ali was doing.”

Fast approaching 40, Thompson is a fighter endlessly comfortable in his skin, now unruffled by living the contrast between hostile arenas and teaching young amateurs in Lincoln.

Home, for Thompson, is home, where he is respected for his courage and willingness to tangle with the stiffest competition.

“Yeah, he loses, but just think of how much he gets from fighting the best of the best,” said Ricky Lacefield, a Lincoln-based professional.

Thompson plans to fight again in March, and however many times after that, 4-figure purses and younger fighters in search of a test call his name – as many times as his body and his conscience will allow.

“That’s the way boxing is.” He seems very fond of the line.

Thompson said he will stay in Lincoln, whenever it’s time to leave the gloves on the shelf for good, here where he’s learned everything he knows about a sport which so aggressively gives and takes way, with whatever parts of himself he hasn’t left on the road. arts@ dailynebraskan.com

9

10

dailynebraskan.com

wednesday, november 7, 2012

Miles kicks off new era of hoops Fresh talent could New Husker coach brings personality, track record of success to program Lanny Holstein DN Ask any member of the Nebraska men’s basketball team about new head coach Tim Miles, and the first thing out of their mouth will be the word “energy.”

Ever since he took the reins in March, Miles has exuded energy. He bounces around when he walks and can’t stop smiling.

In front of the media, Miles cracks jokes and answers questions with spirited responses.

With his players, Miles is the same. According to forward Brandon Ubel, the coach brings a lot of passion to the practice court, and it’s appreciated by the players.

“He’s always got energy and he’s always intense, and that’s something that’s really positive,”

Ubel said. “If a coach is coming people excited both inside and outside the Nebraska program. with energy and enthusiasm every On the outside, he’s participated day, which he does, it makes us in a series of promotional videos, practice a little bit harder, makes us go a little bit harder. And the in which his goofy roles have everyone, even his own special thing about players, laughing. coach Miles is that it “I think they are hasn’t faded. Since hilarious,” Ubel said. day one, he’s had the “We get to see him in same energy as he had the office and you’re today.” like, ‘Oh, I think I saw The Nebraska prothem filming that that gram needed a kickday’ or something. start of energy after They are awesome. I last season’s results mean, people are talkand the firing of Doc ing about them, obviSadler. According to ously, and that’s someguard Dylan Talley, thing that coach Miles Miles ability to keep Miles wants to get people exthe players focused cited about, Nebraska and having a good basketball.” time brings just that.

All the fun stuff aside, Miles “Coach Miles, he is real intense, but he’s also a funny coach, knows his eventual success at Netoo,” Talley said. “He always braska comes down to winning games. In order to do that, the keeps us laughing, but he’s got the coach says it all starts from within intensity to get after it and make the team. It all starts with the winsure that we are competing at all ning attitude. times as well.”

“The biggest thing that I see is Miles has done a lot to get

that we need to learn how to win,” Miles said. “We need to learn how to face adversity, so as soon as things start to look bad, we can’t fall apart and lose control of our emotions. We need to learn how to win and deal with some stress and stuff like that because those are some weaknesses we’ve shown, I think, in practice.”

Miles says the Huskers’ problems can only be fixed with game experience. In his previous stops, he’s been tasked with turnaround projects similar to this one, he said, and the best time to turn the tide is in-season.

“It’s in those first six, eight games where it comes,” he said. “It’s not going to happen in any practice.

You can try to manufacture opportunities for your guys in practice. We can try and play mini-games and try to provide competition and put them in position to do things, but eventually, you just have to go out there and earn it. You have to beat the guy across from you.” sports@ dailynebraskan.com

tions than he found them, improving the Bison from a 11-15 record in his first season to a 20-8 record in his last and taking the Rams to their first NCAA tournament since 2003 last year.

Miles is trying to infuse some life into the Nebraska program this year as well, but there are obstacles in his way. The first of those is teaching a new system.

“With a first year head coach, it’s all about just getting out there and learning the system and getting more practice at it,” guard Dylan Talley said. “Hopefully we

get it down pat before we get out there.”

It’s been a slow learning process according to Talley, but the Huskers are beginning to pick it up. Should they fully grasp it, the guard said it could be a lot of fun.

“In this system, you get a lot more freedom with the dribble drive and drive closeouts,” Talley said. “There’s a lot more space to attack off the dribble. We get a lot of open shots. You just have to knock them down.”

History would suggest Miles’ offense doesn’t come to its full

fruition this season, but the coach urged everyone not to give up on his team before they play a game.

“Who knows what can happen,” he said. “A lot of times the team you think you have in October and November is certainly not the team you have in January, February, March. That can work both ways. You can have high expectations and don’t meet them, or you can have low expectations and exceed them. I know what we hope to do.” sports@ dailynebraskan.com

steals might be enough to make me stand out.

Although I came up short on swats and steals, I have to say my performance in the five-on-five full court drill was above average.

I scored a few points and added a rebound in my seven minutes of fame. Tim Miles had to be impressed.

The coach sat high above all the action, watching from the Bob Devaney Sports Center seats as his assistant coaches ran the tryout. He had his phone out for much of the night – I imagined he was tweeting the tryout play-by-play to his 31,000 followers.

“Hopefully he gets a picture of me doing something sick,” I thought.

By the end of the tryout, I realized I really didn’t do anything

sick enough to warrant a picture.

My moves were lame and even my defense was average. As I sat around and discussed the tryout afterward with fellow Daily Nebraskan reporter Andrew Ward and Associate Media Relations Director Shamus McKnight, I realized I was near the bottom of the tryout field.

But what are you going to do?

When somebody offers you a free chance to become a Division I athlete, you jump at that, right? You dive head first at that opportunity and run with it if you can.

That’s what the 24 men at Thursday’s tryout were trying to do. They were trying to make their mark, trying to catch the eye of the head coach. For a shot a making the roster, guys were doing some crazy stuff. One player tried an-around-

the-back pass, which failed miserably. Another tried to call plays during the five-on-five portion of the tryout – how he thought his four random teammates would know his plays is beyond me.

You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do, I guess. When the dream of becoming a Division I athlete is dangled in front of a bunch of 20-year-old college students, they will do what it takes.

I gave it a shot on Thursday just the same as anyone else, and my efforts came up short. Miles apparently doesn’t think I have what it takes to make a dent in the Big Ten. That’s all right. Neither do I. Lanny Holstein is a junior broadcasting and finance major. Reach him at sports@ dailynebraskan.com

preview: from 11 are steps that must be taken before this team can get to that.

“We are trying to build the confidence in our team,” Miles said.

“You don’t just go out and say, ‘Hey, be confident,’ and then go, ‘Oh, I’m confident. See how great that was?’ That’s not the trick. You have to earn confidence, and you have to earn victory, so that’s what I look to hopefully build early this season.”

Miles has a background as a turnaround artist. He’s left his last two schools, North Dakota State and Colorado State, in better posi-

holstein: from 11 a Tim Wakefield knuckleball more than a legitimate basketball shot, so I wanted to keep my attempts to a minimum. The strategy was to play solid defense and impress Miles that way while minimizing the damage on the offensive end.

That did not work out.

After I threw a few passes into the scorer’s table in the opening “five-man weave” drill, we went straight into a shooting exercise.

Lined up from the 3-point line, I took shot after shot at the elusive basket. About 30 percent of my shots went down – a good rate for me – but from the looks on their faces after a few ugly misses, it’s safe to say the coaches were not impressed.

If I wanted to make the team, it was going to be an uphill climb, but a couple of swats or breakaway

ent at all.

I don’t know how many times It’s one of the more basic basHe announced at a Monday ketball drills used to warm up be- Johnson had to stop the drill and press conference that the Huskers fore the more strenuous parts of re-explain something to a player. would not be taking anyone from He’d blow the whistle and start practice. It involves passing the the tryout. He said the team’s the drill again. The same mistakes ball and then following behind needs did not fit the mold of the the guy you pass it to. At the end were made.

Then came the scrimmage guys at the tryout. of the court the last person to re“You have to look at what ceive a pass shoots a layup. Then part of the tryout, which wasn’t any better than a Campus Rec- we have on the team already and someone picks the ball up and what do these guys bring to the starts the weave going in the oth- reation Center pick-up game – a table,” Miles said. “If I don’t think lot of missed layups, ball-hogging er direction. It’s that simple. a guy can come in and play for us and diving on the floor.

For some reason though, this in a short amount of time, then I think the average number of drill turned in to an absolute disaster. Balls flew everywhere. passes per possession was one. I’m not going to keep him.”

With so few players on scholLayups ricocheted off the back- Players attempted to drive into masses players. Trust me, no one arship, if there were a year to board. At times four players ran at this tryout was talented enough make it as a walk-on, this would on the same side of the court. be it. But Nebraska just doesn’t to do make a shot while being triNo one knew what they were have the talent in the state right doing. If I were Miles, I would ple-teamed.

Miles sat midway up the Dev- now. have stopped the tryout and sent The New York Times Syndication Sales aney Center’s seats with his legsCorporationAndrew Ward is a jueveryone home. nior broadcasting major.

Eighthwith Avenue, Newon York, crossed his hand his N.Y. chin 10018 The tryout continued though. 620 Reach him at sports@ For Information 1-800-972-3550 of the time,Call: probably trying Every painstaking drill ran as most dailynebraskan.com Release Monday,had June 04,tal2012 toFor decipher if anyone any smoothly as the five-man weave.

ubel: from 11 can score inside,” the coach said. “I think we need to have that availability to put pressure on teams.

When we test him out he’s one of our more successful 3-pointshooters.”

So how many shots should fans see Ubel attempt this season?

“Any of them that are good,” Miles added. “We’re going to try and teach him what a good one looks like.”

Ubel said he knows that in order to help the team improve its losing record last season, he must take on the load of becoming a leading force on both sides of the court.

“I’ve done it before so it’s not something completely foreign to me,” he said “It’s a lot of fun. You get a little more tired but (Miles) has told me I need to be in great shape and I’m looking forward to doing that all year.”

Becoming the team’s leader may sound like a hefty load for just one of NU’s 16 players, but Ubel said he’s up to the challenge.

“That’s just something I’ve taken upon myself that I have to do this year if we want to be successful and get where we need to be,” Ubel said.

The senior has set his goals highly, despite the team’s low preseason prospect.

“We want to get as far as we can get,” he said. “Obviously the ultimate goal is to get to the NCAA Tournament. We got to do a lot of things right and have a few balls bounce our way.

“That’s going to be something I’m looking forward to do.” sports@ dailynebraskan.com

Chris Heady DN

the whole group is the same that way.”

Though he’s only held the post With a new coach comes fresh new of head coach since March, Miles faces hungry to begin their colle- said he thinks the Huskers work best with a combination of guards giate career at Nebraska.

Though recruited by former and said his team will be more coach Doc Sadler, three freshmen guard-centric. With Shields and Parker behind senior leaders Branwill start their Husker careers under Tim Miles and crew: Shavon don Ubel and Dylan Talley, this guard-heavy offense is Shields, Benny Parker an accurate reflection of and Sergej Vucetic. the personnel available.

“I’m excited with Miles stretched these guys,” Miles said outside the country in a preseason press to lock in 7-foot-1conference. “I think inch, 236-pound Serthey’re a hardworking bian Sergej Vucetic, group. I think we have who comes in as one of to find ourselves and Nebraska’s tallest freshestablish consistent man in school history. scoring and a defensive He posted big numbers discipline.” during his high school Shields, a three-star days in Serbia, and later recruit from Olathe, shields in Michigan, averaging Kan., averaged 21.2 19.5 points and snagpoints, 8.5 rebounds ging 12 boards a game. and 3 assists per game last year as a high school senior. His 6-foot-6- Vucetic is the first 7-foot Husker since Rich King, a 1991 NBA firstinch, 214-pound frame makes him a force down low on the block and round draft pick, and his teammate mid-range, yet allows him to still Kelly Lively. Vucetic will add depth be a threat from outside, shooting to the Husker front line, Miles said.

“I like his skill level, and I like 43 percent from 3-point his mind for the game, range last year. He acbut he’s got to improve cumulated a total of that strength and con1,068 points over his ditioning, that’s just three-year high school going to take time,” career and is the school’s Miles said. all-time leader in points, With only nine rebounds, free throws, players on scholarship field goals, steals and this season, the coach rebounds. will be looking for Miles said Shields these three freshmen will fit right into his to step up big, maybe system. even taking a starting “I think he gets it, parker role if needed, he said. he knows how to win, Miles said he believes he knows how to make getting an early start is winning plays,” Miles important. said. “We we put him out with a “I think I’ve coached or group (in practice) and his is alrecruit(ed) the all-time leading scorways a higher functioning group, er most of the school’s I’ve been at, it seems like. I think that usually which bodes well for young people bodes well for winning.” playing immediately,” Miles said.

Benny Parker, a freshman from “I would say we’re as Kansas City, Kan., favorable as anybody was named the startfor allowing people to ing guard. The 5-footcome up and play im9-inch guard led his mediately.” high school to an 85-15 At Big Ten media record during his fourday, senior forward year tenure, as well Ubel told reporters he as two Class 4A state thinks the Big Ten might championships. He avbe one of the best coneraged 24.8 points and ferences in the country.

6.2 assists per game his He added that with senior year, and had a new players and a new 3-1 assist-to-turnover coach, he can’t help but vucetic ratio. Parker is an exbe optimistic about the plosive guard who can season. score, especially from “If we can take advantage of the arc, and can control the game home court and sneak a few on the with his dribble, Miles said. road then I think we’ll be in busi“Benny is really quick, he’s imness,” Ubel said. proved decision-making, some of sports@ those things,” Miles said. “He’s a dailynebraskan.com good kid, really a nice kid. Really Wayne S U D O K U P U Z Z L E By Gould

ward: from 11 calmly drilled jumpers from behind the arc. A 6-foot-7-inch player seemed fluent in the paint, making hook shots with both hands. Another guy jumped up and dunked the ball without a running start.

Other than that, the talent in the Devaney Center that night seemed as bare as Nebraska cornfields after this summer’s drought.

The whistle blew. In walked Tim Miles with a Nebraska polo, slacks and his trademark smile.

After a corny speech on how he looked for players who gave effort, the players jogged to the baseline.

The chaos began.

Under the instruction of Nebraska assistant coach Ben Johnson, the players formed five lines on the baseline. Johnson began to explain the concept of a five-man weave.

play immediately

Edited by Will Shortz Across 1 Fret 5 Singer/actress Midler 10 Heading on a list of errands 14 Memo 15 No turn may be allowed then, according to a sign 16 Lab assistant in a horror film 17 Face-to-face exam 18 Group that includes North, South, East and West 20 Actor Thornton of “Sling Blade” 22 Opposite of exits 23 Shower 24 ___ fide 25 Carlsbad feature 28 Chesapeake Bay delicacy 32 Beelike 33 Can of worms, say

34 Singer Yoko 35 Writer Ayn and others 36 Naval rank: Abbr.

37 Bare-bones 39 Frigid 40 Writing tablets 41 Dentist’s directive 42 Activity a puppy loves 45 Talked back to 46 Currier and ___ 47 Bit of bumper damage 48 Golden Delicious and others 51 Service provided at Meineke and Pep Boys 55 Sparring injury, perhaps 57 California wine valley 58 Bygone Italian coins 59 Artless

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE C E N T O

H A U S A

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60 Hawaiian strings, informally 61 Ones giving or receiving alimony 62 Like some preppy jackets 63 Eat like a bird Down 1 High-hatter 2 Spelling of “90210” 3 And others, for short 4 Versed in the classics, say 5 Certain spool 6 Company with a spectacular 2001 bankruptcy 7 Chicago daily, briefly, with “the” 8 Koppel or Kennedy 9 Just beat, as in a competition 10 Something always sold in mint condition?

11 Eye amorously 12 Sullen 13 Heavenly bodies 19 Feminine suffix 21 Tall tales 24 Seventh heaven 25 West Indies native 26 Rapidly 27 Old LPs and 45s 28 Quaint lodging hinted at by the outsides of 18-, 20-, 28-, 42-, 51or 55-Across 29 Reddish/white horses

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No. 0430

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Puzzle by Susan L. Stanislawski

30 Biscotti flavoring 31 Like chicken breast cutlets 33 Boyfriends 37 Shenanigan 38 “Now hear this!”

40 Something brought to a birthday party

43 Easter blooms 44 Designer ___ Saint Laurent 45 Bottom of the ocean 47 The “D” of PRNDL 48 Competent 49 Grand ___ (auto race)

50 Chaste 51 Cheese popular with crackers 52 Actor Gyllenhaal 53 Crude group?

54 Take in some sun 56 Black bird

For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit card, 1-800-814-5554.

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sports

11

wednesday, november 7, 2012 dailynebraskan.com @dnsports

Coach Tim Miles said senior forward Brandon Ubel will be used in a different role this year as more of a shooter and scorer, as opposed to last season’s defensive rebound-driven role.

taking

over Ubel embraces new role as leader, offensive threat story by nedu izu | photo illustration by wyn wiley

B

randon Ubel is tired of being off the court.

The last time the Nebraska basketball player saw live action was March 8 against Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament. It would be the fifth straight loss for Nebraska and would end its 2011-2012 season.

But that was eight months ago.

Ubel and his teammates are ready to hit the court with a brand new outlook.

“It’s going to be a very different team on the court,” he said.

That’s a light way to put the overhaul taking place at Nebraska.

Ubel is Nebraska’s lone returning starter on a team that lost six of its top leading scorers from last season, including the only double-digit scorer, Bo Spencer, who averaged 15.4 points per game.

With a new season, a new coach

and new players, Ubel will be one of the few faces on the 2012-2013 roster, which includes eight newcomers.

NU head coach Tim Miles said he is pleased with how Ubel has stepped up as a leader on this year’s young team.

“Brandon’s looked good and he’s stood out as a strong voice,” he said. “(He is) in broadcast journalism so he’s either going to run the camera or he’s going to get in front of the camera.

“We’re trying to teach him to get in front of the camera.”

During his junior season, Ubel started all 30 of Nebraska’s games, averaging 6.7 points and a teamhigh 5.3 rebounds per game. Despite playing in a different role as a center, the 6-foot-10-inch senior set several career-highs including a high of 17 points and 7-for-7 shooting perfor-

mance against Iowa on Feb. 29.

Though he set personal bests in almost every offensive category last season, Ubel made just five shots from beyond the 3-point line, a figure he wasn’t impressed with.

“Last year I kind of took the role of just get every rebound I could,” Ubel said. “If I had an open shot I’d go for it but I wasn’t really looking for it. That’s something that’s changed for me this year.”

In 30 games, the forward shot .250 (5-for-20) from behind the arc, matching the percentage he set a year prior (7-for-28).

Miles said he’s looking to see 3-point shots become a bigger part of Ubel’s game this season.

“We’re going to try and make him a guy who can shoot threes and

ubel: see page 10

Lack of talent at audition leads to zero adds

Walk-on tryout tougher than expected

Andrew Ward

Lanny Holstein

University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s finest pick-up basketball players warmed up inside the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Thursday night.

I’m talking about 30 6-foot-3inch white guys wearing Jordan shorts past their knees, calf-high Nike socks and the occasional arm sleeve.

They dribbled around their backs and through their legs.

They shot fadeaway jumpers and reverse layups. They hustled after the ball when it bounced off the rim, which happened more times than not.

They tried everything in their power to grab the Nebraska basketball coaches’ attention. These men had a dream. A dream to play Division I basketball for their school. They dreamt to play “Nebrasketball.”

Some players stood out more than others, so I thought they might have a shot at making it.

A kid with a black arm sleeve

Tim Miles crushed my dream.

The Nebraska men’s basketball coach announced on Monday that Lanny Holstein did not make the team’s roster. Actually, he announced that nobody from last Thursday’s open tryout made the team, but the only thing I read was, “You didn’t make it kid. Better luck next time.”

I can’t say I expected to make the team in the first place. I mean, I have never played a game of organized basketball in my life – not even YMCA ball as a 7-year-old – and the most impressive thing on my basketball resume is probably the blind shot I once made from behind a bush on the streetball hoop in my front of my parents’ house. Coming into the tryout, my strategy was to avoid shooting the ball at all costs. It’s safe to say my jump shot is not the pride of all Nebraska. I mean, it’s a rare occurrence when the ball rotates more than 180 degrees on its way to the front iron. My jump shot resembles

ward: see page 10

file photo by matt masin | dn

Dylan Talley and the rest of last season’s team celebrates. This year’s squad, featuring Talley, will be the first in the Tim Miles era.

Overhauled Huskers hope for best Lanny Holstein DN New Nebraska men’s basketball coach Tim Miles is faced with a daunting task in his first season at the school: turning around a team that won only 12 games last season and lost five of its top seven scorers. Miles’ team will play in arguably the best basketball conference in the nation and at a school that

cares first and foremost about football.

At a recent press conference, Miles was asked where he thinks the over-under should be set for how many games his team will win this season. The coach initially chuckled at the question, but he quickly refocused on the reality of his situation.

“You want to put yourself in a position to win them all of course,

but we’ve seen what the expectations are,” Miles said. “I’ve seen where we are picked, and you don’t hide anything from your players. I mean, it’s the Information Age.” Miles’ team starts its season off with an exhibition matchup on Wednesday against Midland Lutheran. The Huskers figure to get the win, but what’s more important for the team is to build a

foundation, Miles said.

This season is expected to be a rebuilding year for the Huskers.

They are picked to finish dead last in the Big Ten by the media poll, and it would be a surprise to most experts if they got another 12 wins at most this season. Miles won’t rule out the possibility of a competitive team, but he realizes there

preview: see page 10

holstein: see page 10

Brandon Ubel

The sophomore former walk-on point guard enters this season as Nebraska’s most experienced player at his position. Look for him to honor his new scholarship and contribute in coach Tim Miles’ first season.

Trevor Menke

Nebraska guard Dylan Talley saw a lot of action last season. If he can avoid injury, the senior shooting guard should be one of the leaders of this young squad.

Dylan Talley

Terran Petteway

The freshman guard, who has been named a starter, could make an instant impact for the Huskers. Watch out for the quick guard as he transitions from high school to college.

Benny Parker

The transfer from Texas Tech will have to sit out this season for the Huskers. However, look out for the wingman to make an impact next season alongside NU’s other transfer Walter Pitchford in Nebraska’s first season at the Pinnacle Bank Arena.

text by Robby Korth | photo illustrations by Wyn Willey

After redshirting last season under former coach Doc Sadler, the junior guard will start and should play at both guard spots, contributing speed and strength after working on those aspects of his game last year.

Ray Gallegos

Senior forward Brandon Ubel is the veteran of this squad. Ubel has made 59 starts for the Huskers, easily a team-high. As the only returning player regularly in the starting lineup last season, look for him to be the glue that holds this team together when things get tough.

Husker men’s basketball gears up for start of the Tim Miles era

season preview

Nebrasketball

After sitting out last season because of a knee injury, look out for the senior forward to make an impact in the front court. A fan favorite, Almeida should give the Huskers some much needed size in the paint.

Andre Almeida