Daily Kent State | Friday, February 26, 2010 by The Kent Stater

SPORTS: Indoor track and field teams head north for MAC Championships PG A6

DAILY KENT STATER Friday, February 26, 2010 • The independent student newspaper of Kent State University • Weather: Snow HI 28, LO 26

LATEST UPDATES AT KENTWIRED.COM COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

KENT’S PLAZAS

James named dean of public health KSU ‘exactly matches my technique’ Suzi Starheim

Daily Kent Stater

See DEAN, Page A4

“

Mary Woodyard Tires and more employee

Kelly Petryszyn Daily Kent Stater

Since Tops moved out in 2004, businesses have left the plaza at 1600 S. Water St. Currently, only two businesses remain in the plaza.

Plazas left out in cold from lack of big business

‘Plazas have taken a dive’

Kelly Petryszyn | Daily Kent Stater

‘A lost part of town’

Josh Johnston | Daily Kent Stater

hen Marlene Broyles worked at Fashion Bug in University ary Woodyard has watched the stores come and go. Hills, Plaza 20 years ago, business was booming. The businesses Ames, Tops Department and grocery stores build at 1600 S. helped each other out. Water St. and then disappear. The location today is a nearly If someone was shopping for a size that Fashion Bug didn’t carry vacant shopping plaza with a vast, empty parking lot. the employees would recommend that customers check the other cloth“I guess I had thought that perhaps another store would take ing store, 10 Below. The other businesses would return the favor and over,” said Woodyard, who has been at the neighboring Tires and recommend Fashion Bug if it had something their store didn’t carry. More for 18 years. “When it (the building) was open, it was clean, That rarely happens today because many stores have left the plaza it was shiny, it was brand new, it was state of the art. I really didn’t including Giant Eagle, Jo-Ann Fabrics, a hair salon, drugstore and oththink it’d be empty this many years.”   ers. Today six spaces are empty, two of those are office The plaza that stands today was built by Tops Markets spaces, property manager David Weil said. after the New York-based grocery store bought the former Part of the reason for the shift from booming to bare Hills building and demolished it. The Kent store opened state Route 59 is lack of big businesses bringing people to the plaza. on May 22, 2002 — the 50th Tops location in Northeast Broyles, now a part-time sales leader at Fashion Bug, Ohio, according to the Tops Web site. said about 75 percent of the store’s business is affected The new building included a 49,000 square foot groby the flow of people in the plaza. She said the movie cery store and smaller storefronts connected to it.    East Summit Street theater is currently the biggest draw; however, many Kent City Councilman Wayne Wilson, whose ward of the businesses that brought foot traffic into Fashion includes the empty plaza, said businesses from other Bug in the past have left. parts of town picked up and moved into the plaza. “There is really no reason to come to the plaza unless “When Tops went in down there, the hair salon Map Key you’re going to go to a movie or get your taxes done,” (Famous Hair) was (by University Plaza),” he said. “They 1. Kent State she said. moved down there thinking newer building and better University The decline is a low point on a business cycle that traffic and all that. Then Tops moved out on them.”   2. University Plaza plazas encounter, community development director Tops closed in February 2004, not even two years after 3. Plaza at 1600 Gary Locke said. The economy’s sluggish effect on busiopening. In the surrounding area, most of the Tops stores ness makes it challenging to get new tenants. were shutting down as well, said Dan Smith, Kent ecoS. Water St. When Giant Eagle left the University Plaza it was nomic development director. hard to find a new tenant to fill its space, Locke said. “Apparently their expansion plans across the area Businesses weren’t interested in competing with superwere a bit overreaching,” Smith said. “Ravenna, Kent, stores such as Walmart, in which two exist within in a Akron — all of them closed about the same time.”  five-mile radius of the plaza. Stores moving in and out of the location isn’t uncomMichael Cose, assistant manager of Dollar General, mon though. As far back as Wilson can remember, the agreed that superstores have changed the dynamics of site, at the south end of Kent near state Route 261, has plazas. been a revolving door of businesses. state Route 261 See DIVE, Page A4 See LOST, Page A4

et Stre ater th W

selected eight to 10 individuals and had a search committee interview them at the Cleveland airport. “I had an hour-long interview,” James added. “It was then narrowed down to a group of four.” After the last four were chosen, James visited Kent State for a second interview, which took place Nov. 9 through 11. He said there was then “a period of silence” in which the administration must have been making up its mind. James’ last trip to Kent State was Feb. 19. On this day, he gave a presentation to faculty and met with Lefton, Frank and senior associate provost Tim Chandler. “This was just a quick, one day trip,” James said of his most recent visit to Kent State. After James left, faculty discussed his hiring for two to three days, and he received the confirmation call from Frank the afternoon of Feb. 24. “I’m feeling wonderful,” James said. “It helps when somebody has a big interest in you and vice versa.” James signed the official agreement yesterday morning by fax and said it was an easy choice for him partially because of the faculty at Kent State. “I felt very comfortable with the faculty there,” he said. “There is a very strong collegiality.” Frank said he is very “really delighted to have (James) here,” and thinks he will be a big asset to the College of Public Health. “Kent State University’s College of Public Health is poised to prepare students to meet the region’s and nation’s need for trained public health professionals,” Frank said. “Dr. James’s knowledge of what it takes to build an accredited program of public health will guide the college to meet those needs and leverage the educational and research strengths of its faculty.” James’s resignation from Tulane is effective June 30, 2010, and he will begin at Kent State during the first week of July. During the summer, James said he will meet with other important units on campus.

When it (the building) was open, it was clean, it was shiny, it was brand new, it was state of the art. I really didn’t think it’d be empty this many years.

Sou

Kent State named Mark James, professor and vice chair of the Department of Tropical Medicine at Tulane University’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, as its new founding dean of the College of Public Health yesterday. James will begin as dean of the college on July 1, 2010. “The opportunity at Kent State University is ideal in that it allows one to build the college in the vision of a founding dean, together with a committed administration, faculty, staff and students,” James said. Prior to the naming of James as dean, Robert Frank, provost and senior vice president of academic affairs, served as interim dean of the college since its inception in 2009. James has been with Tulane University in New Orleans for 21 years, which he said is “practically my whole professional career.” Prior to becoming president of Kent State, Lester Lefton served as Provost at Tulane University. James said Lefton’s move from Tulane to Kent State was not the reason he was recruited. “We met professionally only, and he probably doesn’t recall me in meeting me personally,” James said. Lefton “was responsible for beginning the undergraduate Public Health program at Tulane in 2004,” James added. James, who specializes in infectious diseases and tropical medicine, said he is very happy to have gotten the position at Kent State. “I came to a school that exactly matches my technique,” James said. “Over the course of 21 years, I have developed the cumulative experience necessary to become a dean of a College of Public Health.” James said the process of obtaining the position started in September 2009 when he saw an advertisement that went out for a new dean of public health at Kent State. James said Kent State then

Jay Sean rocks the M.A.C. Center Michelle Bair

Daily Kent Stater Despite the heavy snow, Jay Sean and DJ $crilla made their way to the M.A.C. Center last night to perform for students. “We do a lot of shows,” Kent State graduate DJ $crilla said. “But there is nothing like coming home to Kent State.” The second song played was dedicated to Kent, called “I am KSU.” T-shirts promoting the song and CDs were thrown into the crowd, and “I’m Hollywood” was performed as well. The center vibrated from the high energy jumping, dancing, sirens and other $crilla soundeffects. Pink and purple lights beamed from the stage and into

the audience. The girls were all dolled up in their dresses, leggings and highheeled boots. People on the floor in the front row reached for the rappers, who grabbed hands in return. “I want everybody ‘bouncin’,” yelled $crilla. “If you’re ready to party, make some noise!” The crowd was definitely making a lot of noise, especially when Jay Sean came out. He opened his performance with “Down,” and played some of his favorite songs, including covers and his first-ever single called “Eyes on you.” “Just in case you didn’t know,” Jay Sean said. “I’m from London, England, and it’s beautiful to be here in Ohio. Sometimes when I get on stage and start talking

people get confused.” Colleen Habib, a freshman fashion merchandising major, said she heard of Jay Sean when he was still in Europe. “I knew about him before he came here,” she said. “I had all of his songs on my iPod before he was popular.” Jay Sean said he is all about having fun. “I want you guys to leave here feeling like you know me a little bit,” he said. “I want you to sing with me, dance with me and lose your mind.” Contact the on-campus entertainment reporter Michelle Bair at mbair1@kent.edu React to this story and more at KentWired.com

CAITLIN SIRSE | DAILY KENT STATER

Jay Sean performs songs from his album ‘All or Nothing’ in front of an enthusiastic crowd last night at the M.A.C. Center.

Page A2 | Friday, February 26, 2010

Daily Kent Stater

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THE TOP 5 STORIES OF THE WEEK

1. January assault victim dies

A Kent State graduate student died Sunday, one month after suffering head injuries in an assault in downtown Kent. John T. White, 28, of Delaware was assaulted at about 2:30 a.m. Jan. 23 near the intersection of South Water and West Main streets. Two people, John H. Ragin Jr., 21, of Akron and Hallie E. Nuspl, 21, of Akron, were arrested in connection. Ragin pleaded not guilty to felonious assault, a second-degree felony, while Nuspl pleaded not guilty to obstructing official business, a fifth-degree felony, and assault, a first-degree misdemeanor. White is the second Kent State student in three months to die after an off-campus assault. Christopher M. Kernich, 23, died in November.

2. National Register of Historic Places adds May 4 Memorial site The National Register of Historic Places added the May 4 Memorial site to its register Tuesday, about two months before the 40th anniversary of the campus shootings. A group of four Kent State professors began the nomination of the site three years ago, receiving endorsements from Gov. Ted Strickland and the Kent State Board of Trustees, among others. The register waived its usual 50-year waiting period to add the May 4 site. “America knows about (May 4),” said English professor Laura Davis, part of the nominating group. “The world knows about this. This is a story that marks an important turning point in American history.”

Yesterday, Kent State named Mark James, professor of tropical medicine at Tulane University, as its dean for the College of Public Health. James replaces Provost Robert Frank as head of Kent State’s newest college. Frank had served as interim dean of the college. James has taught at Tulane since 1994 and is chair of the Biomedical Institutional Review Board for the Tulane University Health Sciences Center.

4. Ravenna man arrested for heroin trafficking The Portage County Drug Task Force arrested a 28-year-old Ravenna man Friday for allegedly trafficking heroin outside the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. Roderick Wheeler is charged with trafficking heroin, a third-degree felony; possession of heroin, a fourth-degree felony; and possessing criminal tools, a fifth-degree felony. Commander Pat Burns of the task force said Wheeler’s arrest is unrelated to two on-campus heroin busts in November.

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For the 11th time in 12 years, the Kent State men’s basketball team has reached the 20-win plateau. The Flashes took advantage of a late-game comeback to beat Western Carolina 74-72 Saturday at the M.A.C. Center in their ESPN BracketBusters game. Sophomore Justin Greene scored 21 points in the victory. Kent State won at least 20 games in 10 straight seasons, running from 1998-2008. The streak ended last season, when the Flashes ended with 19 victories. The Flashes (21-8, 11-3 Mid-American Conference) followed up Saturday’s triumph by winning 75-69 at Bowling Green Wednesday night.

The theme this semester is about fluctuation of art and art forms. FLUX occurs at the same time as an art show in the School of Art Gallery as well as the Downtown Gallery. Victoria Bocchicchio, senior special assistant to the dean of the Honors College, said this correlation

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Students display their crafty accomplishments at art show Student artwork will be on display in Stopher Hall for the fourth annual student art show tonight hosted by the Honors College and College of the Arts. Nine students contributed pieces to the FLUX show, including pottery, paintings and clothing. Six theater and music students will have portfolios of their work on exhibit during the reception as well.

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5. Basketball team wins 20th game

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between shows offers a great chance for people to experience the work of undergraduate artists. Opening night starts at 5 p.m. All students are welcome to come and view the displayed works. — Bethany English

The Daily Kent Stater recognizes the responsibility to correct errors that occur in the newspaper. When errors occur in the newspaper, corrections will appear in this space as promptly as possible.

OPINION

Page A3 | Friday, February 26, 2010

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FAMOUS QUOTE

SUMMARY: As nice as Acorn Alley is and as great as all the other downtown plans sound, we cannot abandon other parts of the city, because they will be noticed.

VIEW

Downtown isn’t the only part of our town

lthough downtown Kent has been receiving a face-lift, both with the new Acorn Alley and upcoming plans, other parts of Kent have been forgotten. Some students don’t even realize there is more to the city than the strip of piercing parlors, bars and specialty stores that line either side of Main Street. That could be because there isn’t much else. Places where business used to boom have had to move out — and not much has stepped in as a replacement. Outside of downtown Kent, shopping plazas are slowly dying, and a number of them have only held a couple of stores in recent years. Kent Plaza is home to the theater and little else. The local businesses that are still around are suffering because there is nothing to bring traffic — i.e. students — to the area.

These empty buildings also mean fewer jobs and less tax revenue for the city. And they’re just plain ugly. The empty buildings and vacant lots are eyesores. Driving by, they’re more than easy to forget. Sure we are trying to rebuild downtown, and that is an important part of revitalizing the city, but there’s more to Kent than just the downtown area. If folks are driving into Kent by way of state Route 76, they’re going to pass University Plaza before they come to downtown Kent, and that is not the best first impression to give. We’re sure some of students remember a few days when they’ve come back from spring, winter or summer break and drove in almost expecting to see tumble weeds roll through the parking lot of the plaza. It’s important for a town to try to keep its

businesses alive. Although Walmarts are a major reason for other stores such as Ames to close its doors, it’s not an excuse. While the city of Kent is offering to help new businesses get their start, why not offer a space in the University Plaza? We’re sure some deal could be met with the owners of the plaza — and it will really help move traffic throughout the city of Kent, not just from the school to downtown and back. The above editorial is the consensus opinion of the Daily Kent Stater editorial board whose members are listed to the left. React to this story and more at KentWired.com

Chris Sharron’s VIEW

“I am accustomed to sleep, and in my dreams to imagine the same things that lunatics imagine when awake.” — Rene Descartes

DID YOU KNOW? On this day in history, two national parks were established in the United States 10 years apart: the Grand Canyon in 1919 and the Grand Teton in 1929. — History.com

Conan will survive NBC’s betrayal On Monday, Jay Leno will return to “The Tonight Show,” a show he and millions of others know rightly belongs to Conan O’Brien. It is a show Leno began hosting in 1992. In 2004, he made a deal with NBC to give the hallowed late-night talk show to Conan in five years. And in 2009, he stuck to the plan and handed the reins over to the redheaded comedian. Instead of riding off into retirement in one of the 200 vintage cars he owns, Leno decided he wanted to remain on television. In a stroke of poor judgment, NBC scrapped its 10 p.m. scripted drama programming and gave the time slot to ol’ Big Chin, Monday through Friday. And so “The Jay Leno Show” was born. It was a revolutionary idea that was supposed to completely change the game of primetime TV. Sadly, Leno didn’t pull in anywhere near the amount of viewers the network had hoped for. NBC local news affiliates around the country complained of a significant drop in lead-in viewership since the show’s inception. Many said they would stop airing it. The network needed a Plan B. Like many bullies throughout history, they targeted a ginger. Poor Conan O’Brien was only seven months into his run as host of “The Tonight Show” before NBC decided to pull the plug. Well, they weren’t exactly pulling the plug. They were just going to give Leno a half-hour show at 11:35 p.m. and bump Conan’s “Tonight Show” to 12:05 a.m. (which might as well be called “The Tomorrow Show”). Under NBC’s proposed plan, Jimmy Fallon would also be bumped, to 1:05 a.m., and God only knows what would happen to Carson Daly. Feeling slighted, Conan declined NBC’s offer, saying, “I believe that delaying ‘The Tonight Show’ into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting.” Conan left the show Jan. 22 with class, support from fans, and a hefty — but fair — paycheck. He received a reported sum of $32 million to leave NBC, with $12 million for his staff. This may sound like an egregious amount of money, but consider that the staff of more than 200 expected its new job to last longer than seven months. After moving themselves and their families from New York to California when Conan left “Late Night” almost one year ago,

Mike Crissman they suddenly found themselves out of work in an economy that’s rough, to say the least. However, Coco won’t be vacationing on a beach, tanning his pale Irish self, for long. It looks as if he might embark on a theater tour, performing aspects of his past TV show along with new stage-appropriate elements across the country and abroad. He is also rumored to be in negotiations with FOX, which has expressed serious interest in having a late-night talk show of its own. Conan, though, would have to wait until Sept. 1 to appear on television again, as his deal with NBC stipulates. The moral of the story is that good things can come from a disaster. Despite losing a show that he waited his whole life to have, Conan O’Brien has gained a large new fan base that may not have watched his show much in the past. People root for the underdog, and just like a clichéd movie, it looks as if he’ll come out on top — stronger, funnier and better than ever. The whole NBC debacle has cast Conan in a much more favorable light than Leno. Metaphorically speaking, Leno is seen as the evil white man who came to America and raped the native’s land. Conan is Squanto. Leno has tried salvaging his public image since the fiasco began. In a ploy for sympathy, he went on Oprah trying to seem like the victim. He also tried making light of his unpopularity in the recent Super Bowl commercial with David Letterman. It’s all swing and a miss as far as I’m concerned. The bottom line is Leno and the bigwigs at NBC treated Conan like dirt. If and when Coco returns to late-night television this fall, he and his hair will come back in a blaze of glory, getting everything they deserve and then some. Mike Crissman is a freshman journalism major and columnist for the Daily Kent Stater. Contact him at mcrissm2@kent.edu. React to this story and more at

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The hardest-working pickle in cyberspace It’s official. Nickelback is in fact less popular than a pickle. The battle started earlier this month when the Facebook group titled “Can this pickle get more fans than Nickelback?” (Spelled incorrectly intentionally to avoid copyright infringement) was created by user Coral Anne as a joke. Now that the pickle has surpassed Nickelback in fans, I doubt that the Canadian band is laughing. The page was apparently inspired by another page that set up a smackdown between an appetizer and a surprisingly popular celebrity, a growing trend on Facebook. The group called “Can this onion ring get more fans than Justin Bieber?” proved that a fried food was more popular than 15-year-old Canadian pop star Justin Bieber. Apparently a lot of foods are more popular than a lot of Canadian celebrities. After only about two weeks of existence, the pickle triumphantly reached its goal to get more fans than the platinum-selling band. Even though it only took a couple of weeks for a cucumber soaked in vinegar to get more fans, the band shouldn’t take it too hard. I mean, pickles really are a deliciously irresistible snack. Perhaps if the group was “Can this sardine get more fans than Nickelback?” the outcome

their

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Rabab Al-Sharif may have been different. Unlikely, but possible. Although the page attracted plenty of anti-Nickelback traffic, its creator assured in a lengthy note on the group’s page that she meant no harm to Nickelback when she created the group. “I am not using this page to endorse any hate toward the band Nickelback ... I do not wish Nickelback or any other bands any ill will and hope they would see the same humour in making this page as I have,” she wrote. “This pickle page is strictly intended for humour, and anyone else can see this how they wish to, but the whole time I was propickle, more than anti-Nickelback.” You don’t have to apologize to us, Coral Anne; it’s not your fault that Nickelback lost to a pickle. For all those Nickelback fans out there who are sore about this loss, you need to calm

down and stop preaching about the band’s record and ticket sales. First of all, if this pickle hadn’t brought Nickelback into the spotlight, half of the world wouldn’t even remember that the band even existed. The pickle has definitely gotten Nickelback some free press. Secondly, the band has sold millions of records (yeah, I couldn’t believe it either) and it still only took two weeks for a pickle to get more fans. I would definitely not be bragging about that. In the band’s defense, a pickle appeals to a much broader audience than a crappy socalled rock band, so it’s really not all that surprising that the pickle came out on top. Currently the pickle has acquired about 1.5 million fans, with Nickelback trailing at about 1.4 million. The pickle’s overnight success leads me to believe that this is just the beginning for our juicy friend. Maybe when the pickle goes on tour Nickelback can be the opener. Rabab Al-Sharif is a sophomore magazine journalism major and columnist for the Daily Kent Stater. Contact her at ralshari@kent.edu. React to this story and more at KentWired.com

‘Torture memos’ can’t be forgotten

Nearly a year after the 9/11 attacks, a pair of government lawyers produced memos that gave cover to the Bush administration’s subsequent use of waterboarding and interrogation techniques widely considered to be forms of torture. Those documents — and the damage they caused to America’s standing in the world — should never be forgotten. Sadly, there’s a real chance of such a memory lapse following a decision last week by the Obama administration. Late Friday, the U.S. Justice Department closed its books on John Yoo and Jay Bybee, concluding that the two attorneys should not be held legally responsible for writing the “torture memos” in 2002 and 2003. The Justice report reversed the recommendation of its own ethics officials, who had slammed Yoo for purposely violating his duty to provide “objective and candid legal advice” and Bybee for acting in “reckless disregard” of his responsibilities. Before the two slink off scot-free, the relevant disciplinary boards — in Pennsylvania in Yoo’s case, the District of Columbia in Bybee’s — should take a hard look at their transgressions and decide whether to revoke their law licenses. That’s what the ethics officials recom-

mended for these two lawyers. (Yoo since has returned as a law professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Bybee was appointed by then-President George W. Bush to the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.) With the Justice Department taking a pass, senior members of Congress should not let this go quietly. Some are not. Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California occupies a particularly influential position. She sits on the Judiciary Committee and as chairwoman of the Intelligence Committee knows only too well that waterboarding and other harsh interrogation techniques did the country more harm than good. An opportunity comes Friday at a hearing called by Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy of Vermont, who argues that Bybee never would have been confirmed as a federal judge had senators known about his role in the torture memos. The senator says “the right thing to do” would be for Bybee to resign. The House Judiciary Committee, which has nine California members, also plans a hearing, as yet unscheduled. Rather than focusing on Yoo and Bybee, however, Congress can be most constructive in figuring out the right way to comprehen-

sively show to the American people what went astray in the war on terror. Several civil liberties and human rights groups are calling for a special prosecutor or a nonpartisan commission, or both, to look into the use of torture. To his credit, President Barack Obama spoke out forcefully against torture and ended its use almost immediately after taking office. But he is eroding that bold stand by not holding to account those who let it happen. Over and over, he has said he wants to look forward, not backward, including at Bush war-on- terror tactics such as domestic eavesdropping and the treatment of suspected terrorists. Sometimes, however, you have to correct past wrongs before truly moving forward. The lawyer disciplinary boards can — and should — hold Yoo and Bybee accountable for some of the worst disgraces to occur in the aftermath of 9/11. The above editorial was originally published Feb. 24 by the Sacramento Bee. Content was made available by MCTCampus. React to this story and more at KentWired.com

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Page A4 | Friday, February 26, 2010 From Page A1

LOST

‘Plazas have taken a dive “Plazas have taken a dive,” he said. “Now people can go to Walmart once and get all they need, as opposed to stopping at three different stores in a plaza.” When business in the plaza was strong, it actually took away business from downtown, Locke said. Downtown Kent suffered in the 1960s, shortly after the plaza opened with all spaces full. Grocery stores used to be a big draw to the plaza. Acme was the grocery store in the 1980s and when it closed, stores left, diminishing the plaza traffic, said Robert Irr, vice president of retail leasing for J.J. Gumberg Co., owners of the plaza for almost 30 years, in an e-mail. Apples grocery store briefly moved in and then Giant Eagle replaced it. During this time, tenants filled the plaza again. The Giant Eagle was smaller than most and there was a Giant Eagle in Stow, so corporate shut it down in 2007, Irr said. Save-A-Lot has since moved in, only filling a part of the 32,000 square feet space. Save-ALot assistant manager Cory Nume said it took a while to get business going when the store opened and it is still not as busy as expected. He said it is one of the slower

Save-A-Lot locations. Weil is working on filling the empty spaces. The company he works for, Spiegel Properties, wants a national tenant. “Our real goal is to get a big tenant so people will go there,” he said. Soon the plaza will have to compete with a more bustling downtown. Kent is developing a downtown revitalization project that will revamp downtown by adding a hotel, conference center, multipurpose transit facility and more. City officials are optimistic that this will help the plaza. Councilman Wayne Wilson said he predicts this development will have a positive effect on the plaza. A busier downtown could draw people to the outskirts of downtown, including University Plaza, which is located in Wilson’s Ward 3. Also, if many businesses want to move into downtown and there is not enough room, the city will recommend available spaces at the plaza. The plaza is not forgotten. Wilson said the city’s attention is currently focused on downtown, but after that project is developed the city will shift more focus to outlaying areas like the plaza. Contact public affairs reporter Kelly Petryszyn at kpetrysz@kent.edu. React to this story and more at KentWired.com

Daily Kent Stater From Page A1

DIVE

‘A lost part of town’ Tops replaced Hills. Hills replaced Ames, which originally replaced a Hills (Ames bought out Hills Department Stores in 1999). Hills took over when Gold Circle liquidated in the 80s. The first store change Wilson remembers is Gold Circle replacing a Clarkin’s, which originally relocated from University Plaza. “It just never really seemed to click down there,” Wilson said. “I guess it’s possibly because it’s too far from downtown maybe, or they just haven’t had the right thing go down there.”  Hills, Ames, Gold Circle and Clarkin’s have all gone out of business. The only businesses that remain in the building are Famous Hair and Fancy Nails. Smith said one possible reason stores fail to survive at the site could be the number of Walmarts in the area. Four Walmarts exist in a 10-mile radius around Kent.    “Without question, they’re a main competitor,” Smith said. “I think you just need to

see their parking lot on any given weekend. They’re a major force in the industry.”  Because of the low prices Walmart offers, Smith said other stores have difficulty competing. Local stores have to offer better customer service or specialized goods in order to keep up. “I think at some point, too, it’s good to remind people if they don’t patronize local stores, they cease to exist,” Smith said. “It’s a staunch reminder to us all.”   On the other hand, a Walmart in the plaza itself couldn’t hurt, Wilson said.    “Quite honestly, if they put a Walmart down there, we’d probably see the thing packed 24 hours a day,” he said. While the city is currently focused on the development of downtown Kent, Smith said they have been “actively pursuing” businesses for the empty plaza. “When we see other retailers move into Tops properties, we contact them,” he said. “While the downtown does take our time, we still promote other community areas.”  What makes the area more difficult to re-tenant is that there’s a separate building owner and landowner, Smith said.    Tops is still paying the lease on the property. Drew Sulzer, president of Reisenfeld and Company,

which handles the leasing of the building, said Tops has eight to 10 years left on the lease at around $20,000 a month. McGill Property Group, a property developer based in Florida, owns the ground lease and the buildings at 1600 S. Water St. Matt McGill, project manager for McGill Property Group, said in an e-mail, a change of ownership of the land is in process, but he could not release any details. Meanwhile, Mary Woodyard from Tires and More can only look at a vacant lot with disappointment. “All the time, I bet there’s not a day that goes by where a customer goes, ‘Hey Mary, what’s going in the building next door?’ As if we have control over it,” she said. “We have all kinds of great ideas. Between ourselves and our customers we could probably name 20 different things that could go in there or would do well in that location. “We’re sort of in a lost part of town.”

From Page A1

DEAN

James named dean of public health

Overall, James said he will focus on undergraduates in the College of Public Health, and then graduate programs. He said he also expects faculty to establish research programs. “I knew going in that this job was meant for me,” James said. Along with James’ teaching experience are other positions he has held in public health. These positions include chair of the Tulane University Health Sciences Center Biomedical Institutional Review Board, secretary of General Faculty for the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and member of the University Senate at Tulane University. React to this story and more at KentWired.com

Contact public affairs reporter Josh Johnston at jjohns64@kent.edu. React to this story and more at KentWired.com

Classifieds Nominations for the 2010 Student Leadership Awards are due on March 5 to the CSI office. Nomination forms are online at http://dept.kent.edu/csi Awards Ceremony will be held April 19th at 6:30pm in KSC Ballroom. $4 BAGEL SANDWICHES $4 ALL DAY FRIDAY! No Damn Coupons! Franklin Square Deli (330)673-2942 Weekend Deal...Franklin Square Deli $1.00 Off any Whole Sub All Day Saturday—All Day Sunday

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Mike’s Place Monday nights 32 cent wings - $2 margaritas

Mike’s Place Tuesday nights $2.50 gyros - $2 Long Islands - Bar only

Hot Knees on Friday GFF and BRI Z DJ Professors Pub 10PM FREE Saturday At Professors Stiletto, Slow Claw, and Six Gun 9PM 21 and Up - FREE!!!!

PLAY SPORTS! HAVE FUN! SAVE MONEY! Maine camp needs fun-loving counselors to teach All land, adventure & water sports. Great Summer! Call 888-844-8080, apply: campcedar.com

Customer Service Representative needed at in-bound Call center. Hiring Eve Shift FT/PT. Great Commission with hourly base. Located in Downtown Ravenna. Please apply or Send Resume at 110 E. Main St. Ravenna, OH 44266. No phone calls please. Email Tina@weknowdish. com or Joe@weknowdish.com. Fax resume to (330) 298-9366

Free textbooks! Simply Canvas wants your help! We are looking for creative and hardworking individuals to join our production team. Flexible scheduling (4 hour shifts)No weekends Light assembly-No experience necessary email your interests and/or resume to harold@simplycanvas.com

Daily Kent Stater

For information about placing a Display ad please call our offices at 330-672-2586 or visit us at 205 Franklin Hall, Kent State University. Our office hours are from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

CLASSIFIEDS

Friday, February 26, 2010 | Page A5

Classified ads can be placed by FAX at ( 330) 672-4880, over the phone at (330) 672-2586 or by e-mail at ksuads@yahoo.com. If you fax or e-mail an ad, please be sure to include run dates, payment info and a way for us to contact you.

www.KentWired.com

Office assistant needed. Kent area apartment community is looking for an office assistant. Full Time Summer help. General responsibilities include customer service, general office responsibility, phones/computer and some sales. The successful candidate will be organized, selfmotivated, outgoing and possess good communication skills. Fax resume to (330) 677-4651 attention Jeanette. A drug free work place. Mother’s helper needed, 10-15 hour/ week, Angela (330) 425-1615 A & W DRIVE-INS OPENING SOON Now accepting applications for all positions. Apply in person only. M-F between 1 and 5pm at the following locations: 1124 W Main St. Kent OH 769 E Main St. Ravenna OH

Drivers: Great Benefits & hometime! Avg. 200mi/week! .32-.41CPM no touch freight CDL-A, lyr Exp. (888)560-9644.

Wanted: Tutor for 6th grade boy, all subjects in Ravenna home 330-8398716.

EVENING POSITIONS Dependable people for our Monday - Friday 4pm-9pm positions. Flexible hours. Call 330-650-6011 for Joy.

Brimfield Curves looking for part time worker for 3-8pm shift, M-F, just 2 evenings/ week. (330) 968-4966 Campus Company Promotions Coordinator Energetic students needed to create buzz about new college student Web site. Contact: imo@collegiatenation.com Renew Psychological Services. P.C.C. or psychologist to provide counseling in a well-established, Christian, private group practice. Prime locationHudson. Dr. McMorrow, (330) 655-2674 Well-established landscape design/build company in Hudson area seeking hardworking, goal oriented person to fill immediate full-time foreman position. Clean driving record required. Subject to background check. CDL a plus. 3-5 year foreman experience required. Fax resume to 330-656-1944 or email to resumedrop101@aol.com Riverside Wine Bar 911 N. Mantua St., Kent—Food service, retail, server and bar help needed. Non-smokers only, must be 21 for server & bar. Apply in person Monday-Friday 12-4 pm. Apply only if available for employment for 1 year and willing to work a minimum of 3 shifts/week. We schedule around classes.

Free chocolate sample every Friday Empire 135 E. Main St. Kent www.empirekent.com (330) 968-4946

Pregnancy Center of Kent. Here to Help (330) 839-9919

Found money in parking area of Circle K on Main Street in Kent across from Whitehall on Thursday, Feb.4, 2010 at approximately 8:30 am. If you can describe the number of bills, their denominations, how they were folded and the total amount, arrangements will be made to return it to you. Email: vnader@kent.edu Field Jacket found on campus - contact Peggy 330-672-5822.

horoscope By Linda Black Today’s birthday (2/26/10) Expect drama in your life this year. Power plays occur all the time, but you’ll be at the focus. An older associate knows the score and has good ideas for handling strangers who act like friends. Consider first impressions two or three times. Trust your instincts. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is 7. Flavor your activities with some element from a dream. Get creative early and leave adjustments for later in the day. Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is an 8. If you have a big weekend planned, start early and take care of arrangements. Check details as something changes -- in a good way! Gemini (May 21-June 21) Today is a 6. Remain open to all offers that come your way today. Can’t say yes to everything? Ask for rain checks. Adapt wisely when others change their minds. Cancer (June 22-July 22) Today is a 6. Begin a new day with renewed energy. Take an early walk to get the juices flowing. Remain flexible. New ideas tip the scales your way.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 6. Exaggerate if you must just to get it out of your system. Then devise a practical way of achieving the desired result. Planning saves time in the end.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is a 7. If you weren’t so busy today, you’d have more time to hang out with friends. As it is, you need to focus to keep from getting scattered.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is a 7. You tend to take off in all directions at once. Not helpful! Focus on yourself first, then have a private conversation. Share responsibility for a key decision.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is an 8. Busy doesn’t begin to describe it. A few major changes occur early on, and you shift gears to accommodate an associate’s ego. It had to happen sooner or later.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is an 8. Never think that the project is complete. Someone can always make changes. The question is, do these little adjustments really help?

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is an 8. You’ve passed a milestone. Associates pose a question that you answer easily. Your position in the workplace moves forward.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is a 5. Plan on more sorting and organizing. Another person may need your assistance here. Yes, you are better at it! And helping actually gets you out the door faster.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is a 5. Go there. Do that. Come back. Leave again. Today is all about movement in and out of your space.

All real estate advertised herin is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” State and local laws forbid discrimination based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate that is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. If you feel you have been wrongfully denied housing or discriminated against, call the FHAA at 330-253-2450 for more information. NOW LEASING FOR FALL 5,4,2,1 bedroom Houses. Efficiency. Good Location Near KSU. Call (330) 554-8353 Whitehall East Townhomes - 4 or 5 bedroom leases, with 3 bathrooms, great rent options with all inclusive plans. Some newly rennovated, all units washer/dryer and dishwaher included. Call or text today 330-9904019. www.whitehall-east.com LUXURY 4-BEDROOM UNITS large, clean, all appliances + FREE washer/dryer. (330) 714-0819 Shrewsberry Rentals 3, 4, and 6 bedrooms starting at $900. 4 bedrooms $1475. 6 bedrooms $2,000. Trash, sewer, and recycling paid. 330-221-2881 Spacious 2&3 bdrm apts @ Holly Park. Gas heat paid Sign up now for fall and receive $100 off first 6 months based on a twelve-month lease. (330) 678-0823 Now leasing for fall. 2br apt $699750 a month includes gas, water and trash. Many great amenities. Hurry in now, before you get locked out. (330) 673-8887 Now accepting applications for summer and fall! Studios, 1&2 bedrooms still available-Hurry In! 330-678-0746 **Summer and Fall Specials** Furnished/unfurnished studios, 1&2 bedrooms, Call now 330-678-0123 Apartments for Rent: 3 bedroom apartment Half of a home. Living Room, kitchen,bath. No pets. One bedroom available now $230/ month. 330-673-8505 1 bedroom apartment in a house. Kitchen, living room, bath, . Separate entrance. No pets. One year lease. Available in August. 330-673-8505 Rent in Kent Enjoy spacious 4&5 bedrooms duplexes with 2 full baths. Great condition, great location, A/C, W/D, dishwasher, deck, garage. $1,2001,750. 330-808-4045 GREAT PRICES! GREAT PROPERTIES! 3, 4 & 5 bdrm properties starting at $1000/mo. Call Rich at 330-807-6090 Now Leasing for Summer and Fall. 2 BR Apts. Heat, Trash & Water pd. Pool, Pets welcome, $665-$725. Close to KSU 330-673-5364 Available Fall 2010. Act now! Looking for 5 responsible students for newly renovated university townhome. Call after 8pm (440) 622-3630. Great campus condo. 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath. Available August. Call Dr. Miller at (330) 618-7764 NO WATER BILL! NO GAS BILL! 4&5 Bedroom duplex available for fall starting at $330/mo! Each side has 2 bath, W/D. Dishwasher, deck, garage, etc. Close to campus and on bus route. Last one I have available! Call Sweeney (740)317-7294. Remodeled, University Town Home, 5 BR, W/D, Dishwasher, 2.5 Baths, $275 per room, Will go fast, 330-8084045 3 Bedroom house available for Fall. Great condition, full appliances, $350 bedroom 1, $325 per bedroom 2 and 3. Close to Campus 330-673-1225 $100.00 Reward fill units by 2/15/10. AVAILABLE FALL: UNIVERSITY TOWNHOUSE. SUMMIT ST. 5 BDS, 2.5 BATHS, STOVE REFRIG, DISHWASHER, WASHER/DRYER, A/C. $250.00 PER PERSON; 2BD 1BTH TOWNHOME. LAUNDRY, CARPORT. INTRODUCTORY OFFER 1ST 3 MONTHS $495.00. WWW. JLCASTO.COM CALL 688-7040. Kent - 1,2&3 bedroom. $500, $590 and $750. 330-677-5577

For 2010-11: One Month Free Close to Campus 2 Large apartments, licensed, private parking, large yard, large front porch. 4 bedroom $1300/$325 each. 4/5 bedroom $1400, $280-$350 each. (330) 6263957 University Townhomes 5 bedroom 2.5 bath. $265/month tahaysmanagement.com, 330-612-0767 1, 2 & 3 bedrooms, near KSU, from $500/month + utilities. www. rentkent.com 812- 655-0777 Stow: 2 & 3 bed townhomes with one car garage. Pets welcome, 10 min from KSU. Prices $665-$850 call (330)686-2269. Kent- 3&4 bdrm townhouses for fall, $395 pr rm includes gas & trash 330678-3047 or BuckeyeParksMgmt. com

STUDENT RENTALS FOR THE ‘10’11 YEAR Are you looking for a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment, a studio, a duplex, a house, or a student rooming house with 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 bedrooms? Our staff is ready to help you with all your housing needs. Check out the list of available rentals on our website www.jkohlre.com click on Rental Management, Student Rentals, or you can stop in or call our office. Jack Kohl Realty EHO 237 East Main Street Kent, OH 44240 Phone: 330-677-4722 Fax: 330-677-4730 Spacious 3 bedroom, 2 bath duplex. LR and Family Room, W/D, A/C, $960/ mo, Available July (330)630-9285.

Kent- 1 bdrm & efficiencies for fall, starting at $450 pr mth includes ALL UTILITIES 330-678-3047 or BuckeyeParksMgmt.com

4 Bedroom House, 2 bath, S. Lincoln, $335/person/month +utilities. (330)297-0255

Kent- 2&3 bdrm for fall, starting at $425 pr rm some include ALL UTILITIES 330-678-3047 or BuckeyeParksMgmt.com

Kent—3 bedroom, 1 full bath. 2 levels. Newer carpet+flooring. Paid water w/appliances. $750 a month. 330-815-2869.

3 bedroom, 3 bath, 2 car garage, condo-styled duplex, on two acres, $1100/mo. 330-221-4533 Tired of a roommate? Live in our newly remodeled one bedroom apt for $495, you only pay electric. (330)678-0972. Two bedroom apt near KSU $615 per month all utilities except electric included. Call (330)678-0972. Now Leasing for Fall. Kent 6-8 bedroom houses. 330-626-5910

Kent near downtown and campus 2 bedroom apartment, all utilities paid except electric, $350/bedroom + security deposit. (330)676-9440 Now Leasing for Fall a beautifully newly redecorated 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath duplex. $275/person, (330)6876122. NOW LEASING FOR FALL 1 block from KSU Beautiful newly redecorated 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath townhouse apartments $325/student 330-687-6122

4-5 bedroom University Townhomes for rent August 2010. Starting at $270/month. Water included. 440336-6761 www.kenttownhomes. com

SAVE $$$ Leasing for Fall, beautiful, newly redecorated, 2 bedroom apartments. FREE gas, water and trash. $275/ student. 330-687-6122.

Rooms for Fall 1 block from campus. $350/mo includes ALL utilities, cable and internet. Chris Myers (330) 6786984

1, 2, &3 Bedroom Houses & Duplexes all close to downtown available June and August (330) 678-7901

FALL—Now Renting: 1 bedroom apartment, 7 and 8 person houses. 1 year lease, NO PETS. (330)678-3489. For Fall: 3 bedroom apartments $400/month per room, security deposit required. Heat included, laundry room. No pets. Across from KSU. (330) 554-3024 KENT/BRIMFIELD. Newer 3 & 4 Bdrm duplexes. 1 car garage. $900-$1100 per month. 330-338-5841 or 330329-1118 2 & 5 Bedroom Houses 1 Block from KSU (330)673-0650

Available Fall: Triplex, each unit 3 Bedrooms, 1 bath house, large yard. $800. Also Large Duplex, each unit 2 bedrooms, 1 bath with garage $650; (440)953-8687 info www. yourhomerental.com University Townhomes: 1-2 bedrooms. Available now. $225/ month, Air Conditioning, Washer/ Dryer, clean. On bus route. 330-7600451 University Townhomes: 4-5 bedrooms. Available August. $265/ month, AirConditioning, Washer/ Dryer, clean. On bus route. 330-7600451 www.vargorealty1.com

Kent Condo! Very close to campus! (S. Lincoln St.) Now renting for Fall. 2 bedroom,1.5 baths Assigned parking, water, trash & heat paid! $750/month + electric. Accepting Visa/MC (330) 676-0796 AVALIABLE NOW one large bedroom in house 244 East Main $320 utilities included (330) 333-1531

234 East College Street - 2 bedroom, $700/month includes all utilities. 330-678-4741 528 S. Lincoln Street - 2 bedroom, $650/month plus gas and electric. 330-678-4741.

Hidden Pines Townhouses, 4 lg BR’s, 2 bath, W/D, wood floors, ceramic tile. Spacious, very clean! ALL utilities included option as low as $365/BR. www.hidden-pines.com/ or 440-708-2372

Daily Kent Stater

Page A6 | Friday, February 26, 2010

SPORTS Sports editor: Cody Francis • E-mail: cfranci1@kent.edu

ON THE WEB AT KENTWIRED.COM

“

Our energy’s high because this is the biggest meet of the year for the team as a whole.” — Destin Heasley, junior distance runner

Flashes prep for farewell Six seniors to play final home game Cody Erbacher

Daily Kent Stater

FILE PHOTO BY MATTHEW GRCIC | DAILY KENT STATER

Sophomore Princeton Bryson leads the pack as the gun goes off. Bryson finished first in the 200-meter-dash Saturday, Feb. 20 in the fieldhouse.

Teams geared for MAC title runs Flashes ready for big meet Jody Michael

Daily Kent Stater The accomplishments of Kent State’s indoor track and field teams include five school records, nine athlete-of-the-week honors and six national provisional qualifiers. But all along the athletes have had their eyes on the Mid-American Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships this weekend at Central Michigan. The men’s team won the indoor championship last season and is now out to defend its crown. “With us winning last year, we’re nervous that we’ve got to defend our title,” junior distance runner Destin Heasley said. “Our energy’s high because this is the biggest meet of the year for the team as a whole.” Meanwhile, the women’s

team looks to improve upon last year ’s second-place finish and dethrone Akron, winner of the last Dumitrescu five indoor titles. “I’m excited,” sophomore Diana Dumitrescu said. “I would like to win the MAC Championship with the girls team and make history.” Heasley and Dumitrescu have had the highlight performances of the teams’ season so far. Dumitrescu surpassed the school pentathlon record by 110 points, and Heasley now owns the school’s second-best time in the 800-meter run. Both have provisionally qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships. They are also two of several Kent State athletes aiming to defend individual MAC titles from last season. Both have out-

performed everyone in the conference so far this season and said they understand how important it is to Heasley sustain that high level. “We worked hard all semester to get good results,” Dumitrescu said. “I hope to do the best that I can to help us earn some points.” Heasley said he knows to take his early-season successes lightly coming into the conference meet. “A track meet can go either way,” he said. “One person that’s not expected to rise up can win. Another person that’s expected to win can slip up.” Other Flashes with conference-best marks this season are Dumitrescu in the women’s triple jump, sophomore Princeton Bryson in the men’s 200-meter dash, senior Aiman Scullion in the men’s 3000-meter run, sophomore Dean

Wood in the men’s high jump and the men’s 4x400-meter relay team of Heasley, Matt Moffett, Javon Walker and Curtis Eaton. Head coach Bill Lawson said he felt confident after seeing a lot of personal-best marks in the team’s last three meets. “We need to continue doing the things we have been doing,” he said. “If you put the last three weekends together and add them up, that is basically what we have to do.” Heasley said he credits Lawson for helping to ease some of the tension as the conference meet nears. “He’s been serious about it but encouraging,” he said. “He believes that we can go out and win it.” Contact sports reporter Jody Michael at jmicha10@kent.edu.

React to this story and more at KentWired.com.

KSU women make late-season push Daily Kent Stater With two games left in the season, the Kent State women’s basketball team finds itself in the thick of a race for a first-round bye in the Mid-American Conference Tournament. Even though the tournament has yet to begin, several players can’t help but think of the hardware awaiting the conference’s top team. “Everyone wants a ring so our goal is to get a ring, nothing less,” senior forward Yoshica Spears said. Kent State (18-8, 11-3 MAC) are currently ranked second in the MAC East Division, and have an opportunity to unseat conferenceleading Bowling Green when they face off Saturday at Anderson Arena. If Kent State can win out, defeating Bowling Green and Buffalo (March 2), the Flashes will hold a tie with the Falcons for first in the division. The tiebreaker goes to the team with the better record against the MAC West division’s top team, Toledo, where the Flashes have the advantage. Kent State coach Bob Lindsay

said he is not concerned with where the Flashes are seeded come tournament time, but wants the team to focus on the next two games. “As far as the byes go, I say this every year, the byes to me aren’t necessarily very important. I don’t like having seven of eight days off,” Lindsay said. “I’d rather play on that Saturday, but if we get a bye, we get a bye. We’re trying to win as many games we can.” The Flashes’ dominance against conference opponents has continued to progress throughout the season, as the team has won nine of its last 10 games. The Kent State attack ranks among the top five in the MAC in scoring margin and field goal percentage, but Spears said the team’s defensive effort late in games still needs to improve. “I think we always get to the point in the game when we have a good defensive effort, but towards the end we give up a little bit,” Spears said. “We have to keep the intensity going consistently in the second half, and not just get to the 10-minute mark and let them get whatever shot they want.” Although failure to close out

Chris Singletary When he’s not in the game, the Flashes’ offense struggles with consistency. His underrated ability to spread the ball throughout the offense provides a tough matchup for opponents because he also is one of the team’s leading shooters. Even without the ball, Singletary’s muscular 6-foot 4-inch, 220-pound frame makes it a challenge for defenders to size up to the guard offensively and defensively.

Frank Henry-Ala No matter whom you ask on the team they will tell you that Henry-Ala is Flashes’ best defender. In the crucial minutes of the game when a defensive stop is needed, Henry-Ala will be on the floor. Whenever there is an opponent that just cannot seem to be stopped, Henry-Ala will guard him. He may not post huge numbers on the stat sheet, but he does give the Flashes an

FILE PHOTO BY HANNAH POTES | DAILY KENT STATER

opponents has been the team’s weakness, that was not the problem for Kent State in their last meeting against the Falcons. The Flashes lost 89-61 on Jan. 16, as Lauren Prochaska, the Falcons’ junior guard and reigning MAC Player of the Year, scored 24 points in the route over Kent State. Lindsay said the team has improved greatly as the season has progressed, and believes the team is poised for the upcoming schedule. “I think we have confidence that

we can win games,” Lindsay said. “That’s where we are. We aren’t perfect. There are a lot of things we need to improve, but I think have some confidence that we can win and that we can make plays to win. That’s basically what we have been doing.” Contact sports reporter Lance Lysowski at llysowsk@kent.edu. React to this story and more at KentWired.com

edge on defense.

Mike McKee and Tyree Evans

Both of the guards are placed in the same category because they are the players everyone looks to for a clutch 3-pointer. McKee and Evans spend a majority of their time behind the arc waiting for the time to arise for another outside shot. Whether a defender is playing tight defense or they’re left unguarded, these players know how to score.

Anthony Simpson

In the conversation of college big men, he is an exception. Simpson has the ability to back down any player and post numbers in the paint. But he has a jump shot to complement his post play that makes him difficult to matchup against. With that being said, he has arguably the best ability on the team to get the M.A.C. Center crowd to their feet with a powerful dunk.

Brandon Parks

He’s the big man down low with the sole responsibility of owning the post play on the court. Parks doesn’t have a consistent jump shot or the ability to throw down those high-flying dunks like Simpson, but he does have the size and the ability to defend the bigger post players in the MAC.

Contact sports reporter Cody Erbacher at cerbache@kent.edu. React to this story and more at KentWired.com.

Coaches target team’s improvement on beam Daily Kent Stater

Senior forward Yoshica Spears fights for possession against two Central Michigan defenders Jan. 27. Kent State travels to Mid-American Conference leader Bowling Green on Saturday.

All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates will be among several former Kent State athletes honored during the Centennial Varsity “K” Hall of Fame ceremony at the men’s basketball game Saturday. Gates, who earned honorable mention All-American honors as a senior in 2003, will have his No. 44 jersey retired at the halftime celebration.

GYMNASTICS

Katie Corbut

Team seeks 10th win in last 11 games Lance Lysowski

Senior leadership has gone a long way for the Kent State men’s basketball team this season. The Flashes wouldn’t be near their top position in the MidAmerican Conference without the efforts of the seniors, who will be honored before this Saturday’s game against Miami for Senior Night. The Flashes (21-8, 11-3 MAC), currently tied with rival Akron for first place in the MAC East, feature six seniors on the roster: guard Chris Singletary, forward Frank Henry-Ala, forward Anthony Simpson, guard Mike McKee, guard Tyree Evans and center Brandon Parks. Here’s a list of what each senior has brought to the table in their final year for the Flashes.

Halftime Awards Ceremony

The Kent State gymnastics team aims to regain confidence in their performances on beam, an event that has seen falls that have lowered the team’s overall score. After last Friday’s win, the coaches sat down with the gymnasts to reiterate their confidence in the team as a whole but reinforced the need for more toughness on beam. “We’re not going to have any new people start training beam, so we’re going to have to work with what we have,” assistant coach Sharon Sabin said. “We’ve been setting our goals too high, looking at the whole season was a little much for some of these kids. Sometimes you have to take a couple steps back.” The coaches told the gymnasts the new goal is to make five out of six routines on each event because the team counts the top five scores. The gymnasts were asked to set personal goals practice by practice, day by day. This new mindset, junior Danielle Durbin said, is the result of the added pressure on beam. “It’s obviously hard to see the beam team fall, especially how consistent most of them are in practice,” Durbin said. “Each meet is a new meet and we are all trying to improve the team score.” Last week’s victory against Northern Illinois and Rutgers at the ‘Flip for the Cure’ meet showcased the Flashes’ strength on the bars and floor. Durbin,

along with senior Lydia Barrett and junior Christine Abou-Mitri recorded season-best scores at the meet. Sabin was particularly impressed with Durbin’s routine, and was glad to see her finally get to show what she’s capable of doing. “It was fun to see Danielle finally come through,” Sabin said. “She’s been working really hard and that’s the thing with your depth in the team. You have to have your kids ready because you never know what’s going to happen.” Sabin said the coaches stress that the gymnasts cannot simply be competitors. “You can’t just say, ‘oh I’ll do it on meet day,’” Sabin said. “I wouldn’t be a very good coach if I trusted that. I want to see it every day. I don’t want to go into a meet wondering what’s going to happen.” Sabin said she believes that when a gymnast can make nine out of 10 routines in practice every day, in the meet she will become more comfortable and confident. Sunday, the Flashes will face Ball State in conference action. The Cardinals are not traditionally one of the most competitive teams in the MAC, but, Sabin said, “This year, they’ve been having one of their better years.” Contact sports reporter Katie Corbut at kcorbut@kent.edu. React to this story and more at KentWired.com

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