Independent Collegian fall 2011 Issue 4 by The Independent Collegian

Arts & Life, B1

Sports, B4

Music Fest 2011

Rockets ready to start the 2011 season

Independent Collegian IC The

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Serving the University of Toledo since 1919

www.IndependentCollegian.com 92nd year Issue 4

Graduate entrance exams require extra preparation Added elements to MCAT, GRE GMAT make tests ‘more rigorous’ By Sura Khuder IC Features Editor

Students planning to attend medical, graduate, or business school may need to prepare longer and more rigorously than ever. Major changes are set to occur for the Medical College Admissions Test Graduate Management Admissions Test and Graduates Records Exam in the next four years. The new tests are reportedly more difficult than previous ones, as test makers intend to create exams that are better assessments of graduate school applicants who will be successful in their respected programs. Changes to the GRE, used by most graduate school for admission, have been in effect as of Aug. 1.

According to Educational Testing Services, who are the makers of the GRE, the new questions asked on this exam are more reflective of the kind of thinking students do in graduate school programs. Some of these changes include questions that emphasize data interpretation and passage analysis. Analogies and vocabulary testing have been eliminated. Lee Weiss, director of graduate programs and a GRE instructor at Kaplan Test Prep, called the changes to the test the biggest in its history. Weiss said these changes were made in direct response to demands from graduate schools on ETS to create a test that was a better indicator of admissions success.

“If you think about the skills people need in graduate school, having memorized vocabulary words or having vocabulary doesn’t make you a great graduate student,” he said. The exam is an hour longer and scored on a narrower scale than the old GRE. Scores for students taking the new GRE will be released in November. The changes to the GMAT, the test used by business school admissions, are set to occur June 2012. This exam will contain an added section called integrative reasoning that analyzes student’s ability to interpret data. Students will still receive a score from 200 to 800

Photo Illustration by Nick Kneer/ IC

— Tests, Page A2

Changes to the MCAT, GMAT and GRE include additional subject matter and extended testing time. The changes will take place in the next four years.

Twirler wins international title By Danielle Gamble IC Copy Editor

Nick Kneer / IC

Pegh under the lights

Will Pegh, lead singer of pop-rock band Cartel perform at Music Fest yesterday.

When you go to bed at night and you have to find your way to the bathroom in the dark, you just have to know where to go. This is how Ashlee Banas, feature baton twirler of the Rocket Marching Band, explains what it takes to be a twirler. “It’s all one huge trick,” Banas said. Banas is this year’s winner of the Twirling Unlimited International Three Baton category. The competition is hosted by Twirling Unlimited, a non-profit organization that exists to support the art of baton twirling. The event lasts for several days and is open to twirlers of all ages across the country. The competition was held this past July in Canton, Ohio. Banas, a Perrysburg native, has competed at the TU International competition for multiple years. She has placed high in

several categories, including first place in Parade March and Duet. However, this was the first time she took first place in the top age category, which included girls 19 and older. “To me, three baton was more than the trophy; I’ve always wanted to win it,” Banas said. Performing in the three baton category involves a two to three minute routine with three or more batons. The performer must be constantly involved with the performance, and the batons must be always moving. Banas has been twirling baton since she was seven and she has been competitively twirling since she was nine. She began performing with the Perrysburg Sophisticates, a baton troupe coached by Andrea Whiting. Banas said her experiences with the Sophisticates and Whiting were instrumental in her development as a performer. “I wouldn’t be anywhere if not

Courtesy Ashlee Banas

Ashlee Banas, twirler of the Rocket Marching Band has been twirling for seven years. for [Whiting]; I wouldn’t be as good as I am,” she said. Banas also enjoys sharing her talents with others. She began teaching while attending Notre — Baton, Page A2

SG brings bike pumps to campus By Brittany Jackson IC Staff Writer

Nick Kneer/ IC

Rocksy Rocks the Pep Rally Larry Burns speaks to the crowd as Rocksy waves during her debut at the Music Fest pep rally yesterday.

In an effort to make Main Campus more “bike-friendly,” UT installed two new air pumps last week. The pumps are located in the bike corrals by the West Parking Ramp and the Ritter Planetarium. “We’ve been campaigning the idea since the spring of 2010,” said Student Government President Matt Rubin.“It will have a positive impact on students that ride their bikes to class. Some of the students that I’ve talked to say that the roads in Toledo are really bad so their tires lose air and they have to stop to pump them back up.” The air compressor pumps give students three minutes of free air. Student Government is hoping to expand the bike pumps to the

Health Science Campus. “We are hoping to make more bike initiatives on campus,” Rubin said. “We are working with Karen Gallagher [Director of the Bike-Friendly Campus Initiative] to create bike trails from Main Campus to the Health Science Campus.” Gallagher said the UT administration has been supportive of the initiative. “I think as the university implements support for alternatives to driving, more students will choose to bike to campus,” Gallagher said. In order to gain access into the bike corrals, students must use their Rocket Card and every entry is recorded into the system. Rubin said he believes the swipe card system diminishes the likelihood of the pumps be— Air, Page A2

UT retracts decision Letter sent out to residents says DNW to stay open for ‘at least’ fall 2011 By IC Staff

UT has decided to leave Dowd, Nash and White Halls open after Director of Residence Life Jo Campbell told the Independent Collegian the halls were set to be closed last week. In a letter sent out to Dowd, Nash White residents yesterday, Campbell explained the situation. “We will continue to assess the occupancy throughout the Fall semester to determine the need and plan for the Spring semester,” the letter reads. “A decision will be made by December 1st about Dowd/Nash/ White Halls for Spring.” The letter also said students who applied for housing by Aug. 1 has the option of moving to another hall. Students who want to take part in the room-change process will be able to by Sept. 6. Dean of Students Michele Martinez said the plan changed due to students wanting to stay in the residence halls and that there was a lack of space on campus. “As of last week, the original plan was to close the three halls,” Martinez said. “But the plan changed. There are about 200 students there now. Most of the students are already there and want to stay.” Campbell could not be reached to comment.

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Thursday, September 1, 2011

Campus Briefly Want to be included in the next campus briefly? Send events for consideration to News@IndependentCollegian .com.

Office of Student Involvement

At noon today is an Ice Cream Day Centennial Mall. The President’s Tailgate Party will take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., lot 25 by Rocket Hall. President Lloyd Jacobs will host this event to psyche up for the start of the Rockets’ football season today.

Greek Life

The air compressor pumps located in the bike corrals on UT’s Main Campus give students three free minutes of air each time the compressor is started.

A Tug-o-War contest will take place Saturday from 1-4 p.m at McComas Village. The event is to encourage participation in sorority recruitment.

Air From Page A1

Muslim Student Association

Nick Kneer/ IC

ing vandalized. “I believe that most of the vandalism on campus isn’t done by UT students; it’s done by college-aged students who are not enrolled in a university,” Rubin said. Josh Smith, a senior majoring in psychology who rides his bike to class, said the pumps are convenient for students. “My car was stolen last year and I think that if the university markets the bike

Baton From Page A1 Dame High School and continues to coach summer camps for the Sophisticates, as well as another camp in Saline, Mich. “If I could do it and make a really good living off of [coaching baton], I would. It makes you feel proud like a mom,” Banas said. Banas will be hosting a baton clinic at UT on Oct. 8, the day of the Toledo v. Eastern Michigan football game. Twirlers of all ages will spend the morning

pumps, it could have a very positive effect on people who ride their bikes to class,” Smith said. “It saves me time. I don’t have to go to a gas station to fill up my tires with air; it’s very convenient.” Matt Molek, a senior double majoring in political science and criminal justice, rides his bike for more recreational and athletic reasons. “When I do ride my bike on campus, the bike pumps could save me a trip to sketchy Rocket Fuel and saves quarters that could be used for laundry,” Molek

said.“I usually don’t ride my bike to class because it’s easier to take shortcuts through hills and stairs than finding a bike route to each class.” Rubin said students who bike to campus are helping solve UT’s parking issues. “It saves the hassle of trying to find a parking spot on campus,” he said.“When you break it all down, going to a parking lot, finding an empty lot and driving to find a lot that isn’t full takes the same amount of time as riding a bike. Every student that rides a bike saves a parking spot.”

learning techniques from Banas and afterward, they are invited to twirl at halftime with the Rocket Marching Band. Though Banas is proud of her new title, she admits that her true passion lies with performing with the marching band. “Marching band is my favorite because it’s way more exciting,” she said. “You’re not twirling alone and just for yourself, you’re twirling for the band. I like feeling a part of a group that’s there for entertainment.” Another passion of Banas’ is schoolwork. On top her many

activities involving twirling, Banas is a sophomore pre-med student majoring in biology. “I like to stay busy and all of the activities I do give me the chance to meet new people,” Banas said. Now that Banas has won the title of three baton champion, she is no longer able to compete in that category. She isn’t sure if she will continue competing internationally. “I might keep competing just to promote Toledo and UT,” Banas said. “I’m not sure about Miss TU; I’d rather study or perform with the band.”

The Fast-a-thon, one of MSA’s major events of the year will take place next Thursday from 7-10 p.m. It is a nationwide annual event, established for for 5 years. A respectable speaker, Sheikh AbdulNasir Jangda this year, is invited to this event to talk about the importance of fasting in Islam, and discuss a certain relevant topic.

Tests From Page A1 and an analytical writing assessment from zero to six in addition to a separate integrated reasoning score. Robert Detwiller, advisor and recruiter for the College of Business and Innovation, said changes to the new GMAT are not significant. “From a student’s point of view, not a lot is going to change,” Detwiller said. “That is coming as a direct response to the GRE’s multiple research reports saying they are a more reliable test in predicting business school grades and performance than the GMAT.” According to Detwiller, many business schools are accepting the GRE instead of the GMAT. “They are trying to get more schools to only use the GMAT for business school admissions,” he said. UT uses the GMAT to evaluate graduate business school applicants, but will be considering the GRE instead of the GMAT in the near future, especially with the new format of the test. The Association of American Medical Colleges set preliminary changes to the MCAT exam last April. The recommended changes include revising the science sections to cover advanced topics such as biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, research methods and statistics. The writing section would be eliminated and a new behavioral science section will be added covering topics in psychology and sociology, according to the report released by the AAMC. This new exam will take seven hours to complete. “The new changes are pretty significant in most people’s eyes,” said Owen Farcy, director of prehealth programs for Kaplan Test Prep. If the changes to the MCAT go through, Farcy said this would mean prerequisite work for pre-med students would double in order for students to prepare for the exam. This could mean students may take five years to complete pre-med coursework or bump out non-science courses “The key here is most of these advanced topics in biology and chemistry are courses students can’t take until later on,” Farcy said. “They must go through prerequisite courses to get to that level and so while that may not take a full five years in every curriculum, [advisors] are certainly concerned students are going to be adding a lot more coursework into their preMCAT prep.” Pre-med advisor Sharon Schnarre said while students are encouraged to complete advanced coursework to prepare for the MCAT, nothing will change about the premed curriculum.

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Higher standards, fewer doctors Freshmen with a pre-med concentration may face a heavier course load and a more rigorous Medical College Admission Test in 2015. The changes lined up for the new MCAT are in response to advances in science and the need to better assess medical school applicants who have characteristics important for being a physician. Many changes to the exam will have positive outcomes, such as giving admission boards a better evaluation of students who will succeed in medical school. In addition, some of the weight of medical school will be alleviated by adding it to undergraduate education. But while these changes may create students who are better prepared for success in medical school, the changes come with heavy burdens. In order to take the new test, pre-med students will have to cram in more classes early on to cover the material tested by the MCAT, and they must now prepare even longer for the seven-hour exam. Courses such as biochemistry, molecular biology, statistics, research methods and courses covered in the new behavioral science section will be added on top of the current premed coursework. The U.S. is in need of more practicing physicians. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, there is a national shortage of doctors and that deficit is predicted to

increase by 2025. The new MCAT would create another barrier for those pursuing medicine. Acceptance into medical school is already a grueling process; so why make it even more difficult when the country needs doctors more than ever? What’s more, the new test will make it harder for students majoring in the liberal arts or technologies to be pre-med if they want to graduate on time. Future doctors will have similar education backgrounds, creating less diverse doctors in the clinic. Behavioral science and research methods will be tested on the new MCAT. However, these skills are best learned through experience such as working in a lab, gaining patient exposure and taking on leadership roles. However, students who plan on graduating in four years may have to sacrifice many of these activities in order to manage heavier course load. All of these activities give students real world exposure to medicine and skills they will need as doctors. No added course could ever give them. Medicine may be changing, but the essence of it has always been the same. A physician’s job is to treat the sick and dying as well as interact with people. Learning to deal with people, patience and empathy are skills that are taught only through experience. However, with more rigorous premedical requirements, students will have a harder time achieving them.

‘Dude, where’s my bus?’ Recent news around campus says the University of Toledo initiated a GPS system for the campus bus loops starting this school year. Several universities adopted this approach in order to track the buses going around campus to make students aware of their location. Sounds pretty ingenious, right? It would be if it didn’t cost $70,000. Didn’t the university just increase tuition for this fall due to a lack of funds? Remember those “General Fees” listed on your tuition bill? You can thank UT’s technological advances in transportation for the increase in your bill. The “Magic Bus” application can be acquired via any Smartphone. However, not everyone is the owner of a Smartphone. Diana Watts, transit service coordinator, believes the GPS system will allow students to monitor the location of buses and keep them “out of the cold in the winter.” What about the convenient bus schedule posted in every bus stop location? Buses generally come to a stop every 12 minutes or so; students won’t be shivering in the cold for hours. Furthermore, we live in the Midwest, not Hawaii. Students are aware that they should bundle up in cold weather. Why not spend $70,000 on something more meaningful to the students’ education? Most of us are not

attending this university for the transit system. We’re coming here to prepare for something bigger. There are more logical things to invest in on campus. So many student academic organizations request money and funds in order to attend a conference or take part in community-wide events. It turns out a bus beat these organizations to the punch. The idea itself is a good one. However, it’s not an economical idea for the University of Toledo, an institution that doesn’t have available funds to play with. Student Government President Matt Rubin said they got the idea from universities such as Stanford and the University of Michigan, institutions with more than enough money for as many GPS systems as they like. Also, the University of Michigan campus stretches over 712 square acres; the University of Toledo is approximately half that size. So now the university has become technologically savy. What’s next? What else will the university think of to improve UT’s image while driving them further into debt? Students can only handle increases in fees for so long. Hopefully, we won’t be seeing a “Starving Provost Fee” any time soon.

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- Letters To the editor Our government touts our military actions in Libya as promoting democracy, but that’s just a sham. What it’s really about is gold. Pre-NATO invasion, the Libyan central bank held 143.8 tons of gold. In troy ounces, that works out to 4,194,166.67 troy ounces of gold bullion held by the Libyan bank. At a time when the U.S. is over $14 trillion dollars in debt, 4.2 billion ounces of gold would be great collateral to pay down that debt. At the current price of $1820 per ounce of gold—that’s about $7.6 billion dollars worth of gold—more than enough to pay down half the total debt. Try and tell me that doesn’t give our military a motivation to fight against Gaddafi’s regime. Let’s face it. History shows us that the United States doesn’t have exactly the most pure intentions when it comes to deciding which countries to militarily aggress against. Does

anyone really still believe we’re in Iraq and Afghanistan to promote democracy? Does anyone still buy into the official story that we went into Iraq because they had weapons of mass destruction? Furthermore, as I recall it was only a few years back, the Department of State was singing the praises of Colonel Gadaddfi as a reformed man, and a shining example of a democratic leader. All of a sudden, we have a change of heart against a leader of a nation who holds a lot of gold, coincidentally at a time when the National Debt becomes a central issue. Besides, if the U.S. genuinely has humanitarian concerns about Africa, I think there are more pertinent issues to involve ourselves in. The genocide in Darfur immediately comes to mind. The brutal dictatorship and slaughter in the Ivory Coast also

comes to mind. I just find it a funny coincidence that of all the problems in Africa we choose to help out, Libya is our top priority. It’s a true fact that the U.S. doesn’t have ground troops involved. However, our Navy provides plenty of support from its aircraft carriers. Furthermore, NATO plays a large role in this, and who is the primary military force within NATO? The United States. Europe also has its interests, but those are more related to Libya’s oil, the majority of which is shipped to Europe. I don’t know about you, but the whole thing reeks of imperialism if you ask me. History shows us that Humanitarian Interventions is just a euphemism for colonialism and imperialism.

There is an array of stereotypes that surround the persona of Midwesterners. Some of these stereotypes include the notion that we are uneducated and uncultured or that we are a bunch of dull simpletons. Maybe it’s the abundance of flat lands, cornfields, and factories that make this part of the country so seemingly boring and unappealing to all those big city folk, or maybe Hollywood is to blame for portraying the Midwest as an unlively place filled with dumb blue-collared conservatives. Here in the little big city of Toledo there are many of us that strive to disprove those rumors by highlighting diversity and by bringing cultural awareness to our community. This past weekend Toledo hosted the second annual Toledo Pride Festival at Promenade Park. The festival was created to celebrate and support the LGBTQA (Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, Questioning and Alliance) community.

The event kicked off with the inaugural Pride Parade featuring city councilman, Steve Steel, and entertainer, Hershae Chocolatae, as the parade grand marshals. For one day, the streets of downtown Toledo filled with rainbow colored flags and people from all walks of life in celebration of diversity. There was an assortment of entertainment throughout the night including a drag show and many performances from local and traveling musicians. There was also food, drinks, games, a kid’s area, informational booths from various organizations including the University of Toledo and plenty of Pride swag being handed out. It was a day of family-friendly fun and great representation of the support and acceptance our city has for the LGBTQA community. What might be surprising to some is the abundance of heterosexual people that attended the festival. Toledo Pride is not just for

those that identify themselves as homosexual or bisexual, it is about showing pride for our city and our community, no matter your sexual orientation. Age, gender, race or religion was not a factor for who was welcomed to participate. Everyone and anyone were welcomed with open arms. One of the many struggles faced by the gay community is their right to just be themselves without fear of judgment or discrimination but this festival allowed people to embrace individuality and diversity. Although we live in an imperfect world, everyday we come closer to achieving equality. Because of this, we fall farther away from bigotry and hatred. John Lennon once said, “A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.”

—Justin Yeary Allen Park, Mich.

—Michelle Marinski UT student majoring in Communications.

A different perspective Have you ever tried to re-read a children’s book with your adult perspective? Have you ever found yourself in awe of the profound realizations it may trigger? One can take countless children’s books and their morals at face value. Yet I am convinced one of my favorite books, “The Little Butheina Prince,” or, Hamdah “Le Petit Prince,” written by Antoine de SaintExupery, is not simply a children’s book. In fact, I read this story regularly. Each time I do, I am more struck by its remarkable depth, and I quote it often. “Le Petit Prince” depicts the tale of a pilot who crashes in the Sahara desert and meets a little prince. The narrator recounts his time spent with the little prince, consisting of a series of discussions on matters such as the differences in perceptions between adults and children. In fact, the focal point of the story is the difference between how adults view objects and situations in comparison to how children do. The narrator introduces the issue when describing a drawing he did as a child. An aspiring artist, he drew an elephant inside the body of a boa constrictor. However, the adults, because of their limited imaginations, merely perceived the image as a hat.

The narrator chose to become a pilot instead and gave up art. The little prince, however, shows appreciation of the pilot’s ability to imagine. The pilot draws a box when the prince asks him to draw a sheep, and explains that the sheep is inside the box. The pilot’s conclusion about adults is, “Grown-ups never understand anything by themselves and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to

“

‘Grown-ups never understand anything by themselves and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them.’

”

them.” The author further explains that adults demonstrate an obsession with numbers and anything that can be counted. They are also materialistic. The narrator remarks, “If you were to say to the grown-ups: ‘I saw a beautiful house made of rosy brick, with geraniums in the windows and doves on the roof,’ they would not be able to get any idea of that house at all. You would have to say to them: ‘I saw a house that cost $20,000.’ Then they would exclaim: ‘Oh, what a pretty house!’” The flaws in adult thinking are the core morals behind the story of the Little Prince and the most applicable to

today’s society. This prompts a question: in the process of becoming adults, have we regressed rather than progressed? The world has an ongoing obsession with bank account balances, rampant consumerism, evaluation of worth in financial terms and the failing economy’s widespread impact. These obsessions are all indicative of the adult world Saint-Exupery illustrates. Saint-Exupery published “Le Petit Prince” in 1943, but such conditions are continual. The media explodes with talk of raising the debt ceiling, recovering jobs, ways to save money, the latest gadgets and so on. It overwhelms our thoughts and clouds our judgment of true importance in life. Saint-Exupery advocates simply viewing a house as a beautiful house without inquiring about price. Moral worth exceeds material worth. Of course, talk of money is unavoidable, especially because it sustains our standard of living. However, stories like “Le Petit Prince” offer a novel perspective in reminding us of the significance of innocence and imagination. The most memorable concept from the story is that our eyes are blind, so we must look with the heart. If you have not already done so, I truly recommend you read the rest of the story.

— Butheina Hamdah is an IC columnist majoring in political science at UT.

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Alum creates safe Craigslist for students By Jennifer Ison IC Staff Writer

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Students might have noticed the side walk chalk and advertisements on campus for Classipix.com. This website has been created to serve the students of the University of Toledo as a safe alternative to Craigslist.com. “Classipix is UT’s official market place,” said Dane Theisen, the website’s creator and business network strategist. It is a place for the students to buy and sell in a “safe zone,” located in the visitor center in Rocket Hall. Theisen graduated from UT in 2011 with a double major in international business and marketing. Before graduating he began putting his knowledge into practice when he created Mycollegestuff.net which eventually became Classiphix.com. Theisen came up with the idea for Mycollegestuff.net while comparing bank accounts with friends and finding himself in need of cash. He came up with the idea for a new website, invested $50 and got started. “Most people who dream of being in business don’t know what

type of business they want to start. Once you have an idea, run with it. Don’t give up,” Theisen said. This year, a local investor supplied $15,000 to Theisen to revamp the website from Mycollegestuff.net to Classiphix.com. Theisen also funds the project by charging advertisers a fee to place ads on the site. Classiphix.com is free for student users with a Rockets email address, the only requirement for placing goods for sale on the site. Buyers and sellers must meet in the “safe zone”, and then pay with cash. Theisen was young when his mother passed away and he said she has always been his major source of inspiration. “I wanted to make her proud,” he said. “My mom is the person who got me interested in business. She bought me an investment book when I was a kid and I read a story about Wrigley Gum in it. Anyone who invested in the company got free gum. It made me want to invest.” Theisen said he credits his father for teaching him the value of hard work. After his mother passed away, his father

continued to work hard to support his three sons. Theisen also acknowledged Nick Nykodym, professor of management, and Larry Burns, vice president for external affairs and interim vice president for equity and diversity, have been a great help in his endeavors. “Seeing something in a different way and taking it from a dream to the next level. That is something Dane has the ability to do,” Nykodym said. According to Nykodym, Theisen’s talents come from his ability to work independently, his unique thinking and his entrepreneurial spirit. “He has two ears and one mouth; he’s a great listener,” Nykodym said. Theisen credits Burns for the website’s good relationship with UT. “He wasn’t trying to favor me, but he saw my drive and passion for what I was doing,” Theisen said. Theisen’s future plans include a Classiphix kiosk that will track the users and introduce the safe use of debit cards into the transactions.

Blue Loop and Gold Loop turn magical By Casey Cheap IC News Editor

UT has installed GPS tracking systems on all campus buses. The bus tracking system will show exactly where a particular bus is located and where it is headed. The system works in real time and can only be accessed via Smartphone. Created by Shepherd Intelligent Systems, it is seen as an improvement over relying on bus schedules. It is called “Magic Bus” and is

also being used at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. “It is going to be implemented in a couple of phases,” said Steve Wise, manager of transit services. “We really could not have gotten this done without the effort of Student Government.” Wise said that funding for the system came from the student general fee as a special one-time request, and both phases will cost a total of $70,000. “It was funded through general fees. I look at it as an investment that will pay great

dividends because it will be more convenient for students,” said Student Government President Matt Rubin. Phase one will be installing the software and outfitting the buses. Phase two will be installing kiosks that will house outdoor monitors that will show bus locations. The kiosks will be located at the Student Union Building, the Transportation Building and the Health Education Building on the Health Science Campus. “It is in real time, so students won’t be wondering if they

missed their bus,” Wise said. Vice President of the Student Experience Kaye Patten Patten-Wallace said the system will remove some of the uncertainty for students trying to catch a bus. “Knowing in real time when buses will be coming won’t leave students waiting,” she said. Diana Watts, UT transit services coordinator, said the initial test of the system took place the week before the semester started while campus freshmen were moving in. “We tested it on the Blue and Gold Loops last week, and we’re still trying to work some bugs out of it,” Watts said. Watts said because the system is still in its early stages, it is far too early to tell how many students are taking advantage of it. “I have had some students hand out literature to inform more people about it,” Watts

said. “But as of right now we are not sure how many students are using it.” Watts said the Transit Services has seven or eight buses in operation at any given time. The last of the buses runs until approximately 10:30 p.m. Most students ride the Blue or Gold Loop campus routes. “I think it will help riders plan out their transportation needs instead of relying on a bus schedule, and it will help keep students out of the cold in the winter,” Watts said. Rubin said he is upbeat about the system. “The credit goes out to the people at UT for making it happen,” Rubin said. “I can’t say enough about Chuck Lehnert [vice president of facilities and construction] and Steve Wise [transit services manager] for making this happen.” Rubin said the tracking system was one of the ideas he initially put forth while running

for student government president. The process has been two years in the making. Rubin said that although web-based, he initially wanted to create an iPhone app to track buses through campus in real time. “We got the idea from Stanford University, which has an iPhone app. I hope an iPhone app can be integrated eventually,” he said. Rubin said that bus ridership will most likely get a big boost now that students know exactly where and when they can catch their bus and said the system will pay off over time. All students have to do in order to take advantage of the service is text UToledo and the name of the bus stop to 41411. A reply text will be sent giving an estimated time of arrival for the next bus.

The

Independent Collegian

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Section

www.independentcollegian.com

Around town Sept. 1Sept. 8

thursday Frankies Inner City — The Faux Paus will be playing with The Galt Line, Miracle Vitamins and Drinking Mercury. Tickets are $5. Show starts at 9:00 p.m. Mainstreet Bar and Grill — Foxy Boxing. Compete in the boxing ring for prizes. First fight begins promptly at 9:00.

friday

Mickey Finn’s Pub — Detroit rock n’ roll band Dinosaur Pimp is playing. Show starts at 8:30 Wesley’s Pub — Old School Fridays. Dance to old school hip hop tunes all night long. Starts at 9:00 p.m.

saturday

Arts and Life Thursday, September 1, 2011

Page

Megan Aherne – Editor

Music Fest 2011

By Megan Aherne IC Arts and Life Editor

For the second consecutive year, the University of Toledo organized a free community-wide pep rally to kick off the football season and allow students, faculty and the community to “rock out before the first football game” at Memorial Field. This year, students hope the festivities and support for the football team will bring in a victory against the University of New Hampshire Wildcats Thursday night. “Last year it was really awesome to see so many people come out, especially considering that it was the first year, and I hope to see it continue to grow,” said Stephanie Gurgol, a senior majoring in paralegal studies. “I think it’s really cool how the university is supporting not only the football team, but the community as well by providing this free event and allowing people from around the city to enjoy it. It’s not something you see very often, especially put on by a large public university,” said Alyssa Vogt, a senior majoring in communications. Also making appearances were Head Football Coach Tim Beckman, along with the football team, cheerleaders, the Rocket Marching Band and Rocky. Also making her debut in midnight blue and gold was Rocksy, UT’s newest mascot.

Other acts included opener Abigail Stauffer, followed by country crooner Glen Templeton, flutist Alexander Zonjic, and legendary funk band The Ohio Players. Cartel rocked the stage as the final performers. Following Cartel, there was a fireworks display for those across the area to enjoy. The Independent Collegian was able to catch an interview with Cartel’s lead singer Will Pugh before they played their set. IC: How were your previous experiences in Toledo? What venues did you play? WP: We played at Headliners a couple of years ago and it was a blast. It was probably one of the better club shows we’ve ever played. There was a lot of energy; we were really, really sweaty. We had a lot of fun; we have nothing but good memories from Toledo. IC: What has been your most memorable experience on tour? WP: The very first tour we went on, none of us had really been outside of our state before. The first time going to California, which was the first time any of us had ever been, was a spiritual experience. We went through the desert, we were coming in and catching the sunrise on the Pacific; it was the coolest

experience. We’re in a band, we’re playing music, we’re on the road and that’s the only reason we’re here. I would say that experience was pretty consistent with all the different places we’ve gone like Japan, Australia, the UK, stuff like that and the only reason we’re there is because we’re in a band. It’s always a humbling experience. IC: When was that ineffable moment, when there are no words to describe how you feel? On stage? In studio? When you first heard one of your songs on the radio? WP: The first time “Honestly” got on the radio was late 2005. Actually, we were at home practicing getting ready for a tour and they played it on the local radio station. We were all outside with cigars just like ‘Yeaaaah!’ That was one of the cooler moments. There’s so many, it’s kind of hard to quantify them. They’re always different every time. The only reason this is happening is because I’m in a band and that’s always a cool experience. IC: Was there ever a moment you were nervous onstage? WP: Oh yeah. Really, instinct kind of takes over no matter what. I remember we played Bamboozle in the middle of 2007 and there was like 40,000 people there, so it was just a huge parking lot full of people. We got on stage and it was just like ‘Oh my God, it’s just so many people!’ That was just really nerve-wracking. I don’t really remember much of

Nick Kneer/ IC

Alexander Zonjic plays the jazz flute at Music Fest Wednesday.

Nick Kneer / IC

The Ohio Players perform at the second-annual Music Fest.

Raceway Park — The Chris Brown Band will be playing at Raceway Park’s Party at the Park Summer Concert Series. Live music starts at 5:30 p.m. with Live Harness Racing starting at 7:00 p.m.

sunday Toledo Museum of Art — The 93rd Annual Toledo Area Artists Exhibition will take place from 12 p.m. to 6. Fulton County Fairgrounds — REO Speedwagon will be performing. Show begins at 7:30 p.m. and tickets range from $16 to $20. Diane Woodring / IC

Frankie’s Inner-city — Demolisher will be playing at Frankie’s and feature The Oppressor, Parley, and Anytime, Anyday. Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets are $8 in advance.

monday Library

House

Gallery

(Grand Rapids) — The DC 8, an art exhibition featuring paintings, drawings, collages, sculpture and clothing. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Downtown Tecumseh, MI — Art Trail will be taking place all day.

Georgia-based band Cartel performs at the second-annual Music Fest in front of the Memorial Field House building Wednesday evening. that show, just that I was blank the whole time like ‘Don’t screw up, don’t screw up, don’t screw up.’ IC: The music industry is not easy to succeed in, what steps did you take in the beginning to get the ball rolling? WP: We always made it about being at a grassroots level with our fans and kind of pushing it through the Internet or websites; that’s the most direct connection we’ve always had, other than playing shows. Being on the road and nurturing your fan base on the internet, not only by giving them content, but by communicating with themthat’s the character even until now; it’s a constant mantra for us to make that happen. If you’re good and you write good songs and you can perform well live and you’re fairly likeable amongst your fan base, that’s a huge goal to have to make it. IC: Has YouTube or Myspace changed getting into the industry? WP: It’s made it a lot easier to get your band out there, but it’s also necessitated certain creativity in this arena. There are so many bands now that weren’t around when we first started. There were a lot of bands doing it, but it wasn’t as saturated. The whole industry, the Internet and everything is saturated down to some guy can decide tonight that he’s

going to write a bunch of songs and in a week and a half he has videos up on Youtube. So, you’re competing with everybody and it’s like so much stimulus with the media and it’s hard for people to go out and do it all and stick out. You’ve got to find creative ways to always be on the forefront of people’s minds. It’s a constant task. IC: How has your music evolved from your first album “Chroma” and what or who were your inspirations for evolution? WP: All of our musical evolutions have been natural. We’re always looking at different stuff. We have a bunch of different influences, a bunch of bands; it’s just kind of a brat pack as you get older. We never want to repeat ourselves, so we do something different. We brought something new to the table each time and I think it’s just something we’ve always wanted to do; we just achieved it. It hasn’t really gone all over the place, we’ve definitely made different records each time and that’s something we pride ourselves on. IC: What distinguishes your band from other bands? WP: I would say there’s realism about our band, in that none of us have big egos or rock star personalities or that sort of thing, not

to say that that’s prevalent, obviously. I think that [realism] comes through in our demeanor on stage and I think you typify our band as pop rock, but I think if you put our band against all the other bands you’d consider pop punk, they’re worlds apart. IC: Are you taking a different or similar approach to your music on the new album “Lessons in Love”? WP: It’s just kind of like a return to the natural thing [how our sound has changed]. We’re off the label now, which is something we’ve been contemplating a few years. Now that we’ve finally gotten free, we’re not writing to have some guy in a suit to tell us it’s a right song to have on the radio, [or] it’s a song to get placed on a Kleenex ad or whatever. It’s just that were back to just writing songs because we want to write songs; nothing else. The efficiency in which we came up with these songs and put them together is a testament to that. It was so good and we’re just getting back to what we do- kind of contrive some things to be able to achieve success and not satisfaction amongst the label. IC: How does that change distribution?

WP: With the Internet, there’s so many different outlets to be able to get it up online. We’re releasing the album on iTunes and on vinyl as well. This is the first time we’ve put an album on vinyl and we’re really excited about that. IC: You have said you built your career on nonstop touring, how has that affected your love life? What “Lessons in Love” have you learned, so to speak? WP: My wife is a very understanding person. We’ve been together throughout the entire career of the band, so she’s seen the ups and the downs and the good times and the bad times. I feel like that’s important to be successful, you know, like you just have to make things work. It’s kind of like you have to bring the creativity and you’re always nurturing that creative aspect. It’s a beautiful thing, she gets to experience things a bunch of people in a relationship don’t get to so [traveling] is definitely fun for her too for the most part; you’d have to ask her for an honest answer. IC: As an artist, what is your ultimate goal? How do you wish to affect your audiences? WP: I think we just want them to listen if nothing else. People will decide themselves which songs they like. You can’t expect someone to like every song you’ve ever played, written or put out, so

I think we try to extend a variety in our music that’s still consistent with our sound and just have them sit down and listen to it for themselves. We don’t care if they’re rocking out, moshing or standing there with their arms crossed as long as they’re listening. That’s what’s important to us. IC: What advice would you give for up and coming musicians and bands? WP: The biggest thing you could say is be true to yourself. Establish goals and an ethic to your band as far as what’s crossing the line [and] what’s ok with you. If you don’t define that from the onset, all you’re going to wind up with is a bunch of people telling you what to do. The best thing you can do is have clear goals and planned strategies and everything else is pretty much left up to the audience and whatever you put out there. There’s a lot of great bands that people don’t ever hear of that go by the way side, but that’s just how it goes. You have to take it for what it is, just be glad that you’re able to make music and put it out there for people to listen.” -- Olivia Balazs contributed to the article

The

Independent Collegian

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Honk for Weed downtown to support the cause People gather in front of Lucas County Courthouse to confront medicinal marijuana legislation in Ohio By Thomas Hall For the IC

Anyone driving downtown in front of the Lucas County Courthouse Wednesday afternoons will see a group of

protesters dressed in green. They are members of an organization known as Honk for Weed. They have been on the same street corner every Wednesday

since Matthew Green and others started protesting May 1, 2010. They believe that Ohioans should have the right to grow, purchase and ingest

Courtesy of Honk for Weed

The logo for the “Honk for Weed” campaign which is featured on flyers, t-shirts and other merchandise.

marijuana for the relief of a variety of discomforts, be they mental or physical. “Marijuana is a very good medicine, not to mention the drug war is taking away money from our economy and causing animosity between the people and their government,” said Edward “Wild Bill” Kleppinger, owner of 632 Main hemp shop and an original member of Honk for Weed. Kleppinger said the organization believes that if a medical system was instituted in Ohio, it would be beneficial in many different ways, saying it would make for a wealthier, happier and healthier Ohio. Honk for Weed does not just rally on the street corner; they have been involved with attempts in Ohio to push for a medicinal program. Kleppinger said they helped collect signatures for the Ohio Alternative Treatment Amendment which was delivered to the Attorney General’s office on July 27. According to the Ohio Attorney General’s website, the document was sent in with 2,167 signatures, 1,000 of which needed to be verified before they could review the

‘Colombiana’ fails to entertain By Max Peltier IC Staff Writer

Luc Besson burst into the film scene 22 years ago by writing and directing “La Femme Nikita,” a film that is everything that “Colombiana,” also written by Besson, but directed by Oliver Megaton, wants to be. However, “Colombiana” falls short. “La Femme Nikita” manages to create a strong female action hero that garners sympathy from the audience as she struggles. The basic storyline of “Colombiana” fails to create a good female hero, unless the only qualifiers are that she kills people and flashes her underwear. Cataleya, played by Zoe Saldana, has a father involved in a gang and she witnesses her parents being brutally murdered by a rival gang. In response, she runs away to America at the tender age of nine, outsmarting and outrunning Colombian

Write

gangs and several federal For example, the only charagencies. acters who the viewer have Once there, she settles with any real reason to feel sorry gang-affiliated family for is Cateleya’s mother and members. aunt since At this point, Cataleya decides that she wants to be a killer and her uncle begins to train her to become an assassin. Production The movie then jumps Colombiana ahead 15 years Rating where she is an PG- Grade assassin work13 ing for her uncle. This is Starring Zoe Saldana, Jordi where the plot Molia, Lennie James should take off, but fails to do so. The movie is bland and ac- they do nothing inherently tion scenes are short and wrong in the movie. The unimpressive. main issue with this is that The audience is asked to neither of them says much of sympathize with cold, hard anything. killers who are introduced Also, the camera work with three lines and killed off. throughout the fight scenes It was not possible to build an is choppy and fails to capture emotional connection with all of the action. anyone in the film. I really wanted to like

Much?

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this movie, as it’s from the mind of Luc Besson and features Zoe Saldana. However, Luc Besson’s touch is lost in the movie, and Zoe Saldana seems to have been typecast. Where “La Femme Nikita” managed to be a rather empowering movie for females, ”Colombiana” seems to simply parade Zoe Saldana around as a scantily clad sex object with guns. The nail in the coffin is the ending of the movie. Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” plays as the movie fades to the credits. This is ironic because in a four minute song, Johnny Cash manages to evoke more emotion than the entire film. I would recommend watching the fantastic Luc Besson film, “La Femme Nikita” -- however, I really can not recommend ”Colombiana” to anyone unless you are a fan of watching paint dry.

this is

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available for rent. 419-534-2438

language of the referendum. However, only 534 signatures could be verified. According to letfreedomgrow.com, medicinal marijuana has been proven to help with several different illnesses including nausea, chronic pain, asthma, cancer, glaucoma, bipolar disorder, depression and many more. Kleppinger said he would utilize medicinal marijuana for the pain in his torn Achilles tendon and to balance his moods. “All marijuana use is medicinal in some way,” Kleppinger said. According to him, whether it is used to relieve pain or to make life a little more bearable, it has medicinal qualities. According to medical-marijuana-states.com, medicinal marijuana programs have been

instituted in 16 states and the District of Columbia. Michigan is the 13th state to institute a medicinal marijuana program and has already registered approximately 96,000 patients since 2009. In Kleppinger’s eyes, people drive away with a sense of pride, making them more likely to go out and join a group in their community or to vote on upcoming legislation. “When they drive by and honk, not only does it make the protesters feel good and give them energy, but it changes people from someone who can’t do anything, into someone who can,” Kleppinger said, Kleppinger said Honk for Weed has no plans on slowing down, at least not until medicinal marijuana in permitted in Ohio.

Upcoming Releases Albums:

September 6

George Strait, “Here for A Good Time”

Asa, “Beautiful Imperfection

Hugh Laurie, “Let Them Talk”

Movies: September 2

The Debt Apollo 18 Seven Days in Utopia

September 9

Warrior

Creature

Contagion

Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star

The

Independent Collegian

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Cleveland looks to build on positives

IC File Photo by Jason Mack

The Rockets will have to handle New Hampshire before making another trip to Ford Field.

FCS From Page B4 by UT’s front four to find the quarterback. The defensive backfield will need its two senior cornerbacks, Kyle Flemings and Anthony Gorrell to anchor them against the passing attack. New Hampshire plays a 4-2-5 defense and will need all their DB’s on top of their game with Eric Page lurking for a big play. The safety position is a glaring weakness that UT head coach Tim Beckman will challenge early. They

lost four key players last season and will count on a former special teams expert, a former receiver and a sophomore to guard the deep ball. With a shaky backfield, the linebackers and defensive line must step up and provide pressure on both Toledo quarterbacks. Fortunately for The Wildcats, that’s exactly what they do. Led by defensive end Brian McNally and junior linebacker, and FCS All-American, Matt Evans. McNally set a school record last season with 13.5 sacks and 15

tackles for loss. Coupled with Evans who had 79 unassisted tackles with four sacks, two interceptions (including a 26-yard touchdown return) and four sacks, UT’s offensive line better be ready for all they can handle. New Hampshire can make big plays on offense and with guys like McNally and Evans waiting to unleash on the opposing quarterback, Toledo will have to play all four quarters, all 60 minutes, and they are going to have to play really good football to beat this FCS powerhouse.

Write Much? Joe Rimkus Jr./Miami Herald/MCT

Running back Peyton Hillis will play a key part in the Browns offense again this season. By Nate Pentecost Assistant Sports Editor

Since the franchise’s inception in 1946 the Cleveland Browns have compiled an impressive eight league championships. That said, the last time Cleveland brought home the hardware was in 1964, when all-time great Jim Brown could still be found roaming the backfield. This year the Browns will look to make the playoffs for just the third time since 1994, and only the second time since the team was resurrected in 1999. While a postseason run is far-fetched, Cleveland fans’ resounding cries for change will, for better or worse, be answered this season. A pair of 5-11 finishes led to the January dismissal of Head Coach Eric Mangini, and ushered in the era of Pat Shurmur. With eight starts under his belt, second-year quarterback Colt McCoy will take the reigns of Shurmur’s newly installed West Coast offense, while Dick Jauron attempts to fill the shoes of one of the brightest defensive minds in the game in Rob Ryan, as he guides the defense in its transition from the 3-4 to the 4-3 scheme. By all accounts McCoy has

made considerable strides this offseason and under the tutelage of Shurmur, who has over a decade’s experience as a quarterbacks coach, McCoy should continue to develop within the friendly West Coast system as the season progresses, despite his physical limitations. McCoy’s biggest challenge will likely be the lack of depth at wide receiver. Mohamed Massaquoi is solid target but by no means a No. 1 option and Chansi Stuckey is better suited as a slot receiver. While Josh Cribbs has established himself as an explosive special teams threat, he is at most an average receiver. Luckily for McCoy, the Browns boast one of the most underrated offensive lines in the league, which should give the mobile quarterback a little extra time in the pocket. He will also have the added benefit of sharing the backfield with Madden cover boy Peyton Hillis, who emerged as Cleveland’s biggest playmaker last season, rushing 270 times for 1,117 yards and 11 touchdowns. Hillis’ deterioration at the end of last year has many speculating that his bruising, downfield running style will

prevent him from lasting the duration of this season. If the Browns overuse him like Mangini did last year they will seal his plight, but a healthy Montario Hardesty should give Hillis the breathers that will allow him to continue being a workhorse. Defensively, the Browns will feel the absence of Ryan, who managed to get a great deal of production from a suspect unit last season. With the release of talented but troubled defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, virtually every spot in the front seven was up for grabs in spring training, and that certainly was not due to an overabundance of talent. Even though Cleveland has drafted well in terms of defensive prospects under Holmgren, the fruit of that labor is unlikely to be evident for at least a few seasons. The Browns will have their share of ups and downs this season as the team adjusts to a new system and younger players continue to develop. However, if they can take advantage of a schedule that appears to be softer than the previous few, with a little bit of luck they could reach the .500 mark for the first time since 2007.

Call 419-534-2438 for information on how to write for the IC.

“

I feel like it’s Christmas and I just can’t wait to open my gifts. I just can’t wait to get on the field and play. Adonis Thomas UT running back

Section B

”

www.IndependentCollegian.com

Ignore the letters FCS The New Hampshire Wildcats are from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), which to some people, m e a n s that they play a lower brand of football than the Division I Rockets. T h o s e same people think that if ToJoe l e d o doesn’t Mehling open 2011 season with a blowout v i c t o r y, Toledo will then UT have to play won’t be as good as all four w e quarters, all thought. I e a n 60 minutes, m come on, and they are its New H a m p going to s h i r e , have to play right? Not really. Alreally good low me to football. introduce that Division II team to you. T h e Wildcats are currently ranked No. 10 in the FCS preseason polls. They have been ranked in the Top 25 for 97, yes, I said 97, consecutive weeks and have the best record of any FCS school against teams from Division I or the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). UNH is 7-4-1 against FBS schools including wins over Northwestern, Rutgers, and Ball State. Okay, okay so they have been good in the past and some mindless poll says they’ll good this year, so what? It’s still New Hampshire. I’ve only just begun. Senior quarterback Kyle Decker will lead the New Hampshire attack against the stingy Rocket defense tonight. This will be Decker’s first season at the helm of the offense but he has had plenty of experience. Decker appeared in 13 games for UNH last season, highlighted by a playoff victory over Bethune-Cookman. Decker completed 23-35 passes for 289 yards and three touchdowns in the second round playoff win. Overall the 6-2 201 pound quarterback had a 68.7 completion percentage in 2010, throwing for 447 yards and five touchdowns. He also added 92 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries last season. Joining Decker in the ground game will be 5-11, 192 pound junior Dontra Peters. Peters rushed for over 700 yards and seven touchdowns in 2010 on just 146 carries and is expected to be one of the top backs in the FCS this season. He averaged five yards a carry but was second best due to his counterpart in sophomore Chris Setian. Now, Setian is two inches shorter than Peters but outweighs him but 34 pounds. New Hampshire will be bringing their version of thunder and lightning to the Glass Bowl tonight. The weapon UT must focus on in passing situations is UNH junior wide out Joey Orlando. The 5-11 197 pound receiver played second fiddle in the passing game last season but still racked up 585 yards receiving and six touchdowns. He is not the biggest guy in the world but his ability to make big plays makes him a threat the Rockets must take seriously. New Hampshire has the weapons to keep this game a lot closer than most think but if the Wildcats want to shock the Rocket faithful then they must win the battle in the trenches. Toledo will have a size advantage but with the experience of guys like senior George Pecoraro (6-3 285lbs), it will take tremoundous play

Sports

Joe Mehling – Editor

Rockets ready to start the 2011 season By Joe Mehling IC Sports Editor

“

”

— FCS, Page B3

Page

Thursday, September 1, 2011

File Photo by Nick Kneer/ IC

Senior running back Adonis Thomas will lead the UT ground attack against New Hampshire.

The wait is over and the Rockets will finally kick-off the season tonight at the Glass Bowl against New Hampshire. Toledo will look to open the season with a victory for the first time since 2005. “We have been ready to go since camp started,” said senior running back Adonis Thomas. “I just feel like camp and all the practices were just a tease. I feel like it’s Christmas and I just can’t wait to open my gifts. I just can’t wait to get on the field and play.” “The Glass Bowl is our home and we need to keep it that way,” said junior quarterback Austin Dantin. “We cannot let people come in here and walk over us. We need to put that fear into the people that come here.” Dantin was named the starting quarterback on Monday but Head Coach Tim Beckman also announced that both Dantin and classmate Terrance Owens will see time behind center against the Wildcats. “We feel comfortable with both quarterbacks,” Beckman said. “The competition that we play early in our football schedule will give both Austin Dantin and TO a chance to get in the football game and play some great opponents.” Owens and Dantin will have an arsenal of weapons surrounding them with Thomas and junior wide out Eric Page

highlighting the offensive crew. Joining Thomas in the backfield will be senior Morgan Williams and sophomore David Fluellen, while junior Bernard Reedy and Illinois transfer Cordale Scott, who was also named a starter on Monday, will hopefully emerge as a complement to Page in the passing game. “I feel like our backfield can be scary,” Thomas said. “We have a room full of versatile players and a lot of depth. It keeps me sharp because I can’t feel comfortable about my position. I know those guys are always breathing down my neck looking for a chance to play.” The Rocket offense will have its time to shine but if UT wants to get back to the Mid-American Conference Championship game, then the defense will have to carry the load. “The mood around here is serious and we are ready to go,” junior defensive end T.J. Fatinikun said. “We accomplished a little bit last year but we didn’t achieve all our goals. We know what is on the line and New Hampshire is first in line.” With Desmond Marrow returning to anchor the defensive backfield, Dan Molls to fill the holes in the middle and guys like Fatinikun and Malcolm Riley Jr. along the defensive line, New Hampshire may be in for a long night at the Glass Bowl.

Lions hope to contend with the rest of NFC North

By Nate Pentecost IC Assistant Sports Editor

A 6-10 campaign generally does not produce this much optimism, but in the Motor City, where Lions fans watched their team win a combined two games the previous two seasons, they cannot help but to be encouraged by the four-game winning streak on which last season ended, not to mention that for first time in 11 years the team ranked in the top 20 in both offensive and defensive scoring. Now in his third year as Lions General Manager, Martin Mayhew has utilized the Lions high draft picks by selecting an impressive crop of youngsters. Spearheaded by third-year quarterback Matt Stafford and 2010 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, Mayhew’s picks also include rising stars such as running back Jahvid Best, tight end Brandon Pettigrew and safety Louis Delmas, all of whom are under 27 years old. The explosive and dynamic Suh will anchor a talented defensive line which also includes three-time pro-bowler Kyle Vanden Bosch, and fourth-year defensive end Cliff Avril, who racked up 8.5 sacks last season. If firstround pick Nick Fairley can return from foot surgery to make a solid contribution, Detroit should have enough firepower in the front four to overcome an inconsistent linebacker core and aid a young, but developing secondary with a furious pass rush. On the other side of the ball, Stafford has shown

flashes of greatness in his brief NFL career, but his first two seasons were abruptly shortened on account of injury. Now more than ever he must prove that he can withstand the grueling NFL slate to become the franchise quarterback Detroit expected when they signed him to a six-year, $41.7 million deal with the first overall pick in 2008. The offensive line will limit offensive coordinator Scott Linehan’s scheme to an extent again this season, but with a running back core that includes Best, Maurice Morris and Jerome Harrison, Detroit should have the speed to turn the corner (where run-blocking is not quite as important) and keep defenses honest. That withstanding, the Lions will be relying on their gunslinging quarterback to carry the load. In his limited time on the NFL stage, Stafford has shown himself to be a great pocket passer with considerable arm strength, and with superstar Calvin Johnson at his disposal, the Detroit has an aerial combination capable of filling a highlight reel all on their own. Add No. 2 wide receiver Nate Burleson, and second-round rookie wide receiver Titus Young, supplemented by one of the games most underrated tight ends in Brandon Pettigrew, and on paper Detroit appears to have a formidable passing attack, capable of putting the Lions in the playoff picture. It will all be for not, though, if No. 9 fails to remain under center for a third consecutive season.

Julian H. Gonzalez/Detroit Free Press/MCT

Quarterback Matt Stafford will need to stay healthy if the Lions hope to contend in the North.