January 21, 2010

Thursday, January 21, 2010

www.msureporter.com

Minnesota State University, Mankato

Devoted to disaster relief in Haiti MSU students start new RSO to raise money for Haiti

Former senate presidential hopeful returns as off-campus senator

NICOLE SMITH

editor in chief

index

After watching in horror as millions of people continue to suffer from the devastating aftermath of a massive earthquake that occured last week in Haiti, a few Minnesota State students decided to do something about it.

“I was watching CNN and couldn’t believe what was happening to these people right before my eyes,” said MSU senior Josh Wiggins. “I had to do something.” Wiggins, along with Emanuel Asamoa and Wale Agboola worked swiftly to start Haiti Disaster Relief (HDR) last week, a temporary organization that focuses on providing relief to the people of Haiti. Although the group is just getting established, they managed to raise more than $500 just on Tuesday, their first day of tabling in the student union.

These students are joining forces with people across the globe that have prioritized the tragedy of Haiti to provide relief to its victims.

A 5.9 magnitude aftershock occurred Wednesday morning near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, adding to the millions of people injured, hungry and homeless, and jolting the need for relief efforts. The devastating effects of the earthquake have left millions homeless and roughly 70,000 dead, a number that is rapidly increasing. The United Nations estimates that the death toll could reach 200,000 but officials said a final number might not ever be determined.

HDR is the only on-campus organization established to help Haitian survivors.

“I think the [three students who created HDR] are representative of what a lot of people are thinking, that they need to find a way to help and didn’t know what to do,” said Centennial Student Union director Laurie Woodward, also Editorial...................................8 Voices......................................9 Variety....................................17 Sports................................... 23 Classifieds.............................31

Getting back into the game

DANNIE HIGGINBOTHAM

news editor

photo by wale agboola, illustration by dan moen • msu reporter Emanuel Asamoa and Josh Wiggins are two Minnesota State students who, along with Wale Agboola, created and run Haiti Disaster Relief, the new student organization.

the group’s advisor. “But these guys actually did something and they are the kind of students leaders we should really be proud of.”

Woodward said the group came to her office last week to see how they could get students involved in raising money for Haiti. After a little research and some paperwork, the students set up the organization, opened a fundraising bank account and are now working with local businesses and connecting with MSU students and administrators.

HDR will continue to collect money in the CSU through Feb. 15. The group will also host a silent auction at Rounders Sports

Haiti / page 7

How to get involved:

• Join Haiti Disaster Relief or make a donation to the organization — Contact Josh Wiggins at josh.wiggins@mnsu.edu

• Purchase a “Help Haiti” button for $1 — Go to the office of Multicultural Affairs, CSU 243 • Attend the HDR silent auction at Rounders Bar & Grill — Feb. 6 from 12 - 3 p.m.

• Text “Haiti” to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross — donation will be added to cell phone bill

The Minnesota State Student Association elected two senators, one new and one a familiar face, during its meeting Wednesday.

Sophomore Micheal Do, a law enforcement major, took the seat in the college of Social and Behavioral Sciences, saying that the biggest thing he wanted to do in the college was fix the problem many students have with advising.

“It’s lackluster,” Do said.

“There’s not much [in terms of advising] for students unless they go extremely out of their way.”

Do said one way to eliminate this problem, at least in his major, is to increase the amount of faculty, if at all possible.

Do plans to keep up to date with current issues facing students by keeping an open mind and listening to his fellow students.

“I’m really motivated and eager to help out,” he said.

Aviation major, former speaker of the senate and onetime presidential candidate Brett Carpenter returned to the senate after a semester away. Carpenter took a seat as an off-campus senator.

“I think off-campus students still have a lot to hold a grudge about,” Carpenter said, specifically addressing the offcampus alcohol policy that was the subject of heated debate last year.

Parking is also an issue for off-campus students, but Carpenter said there isn’t too much that could be done to fix this issue, since it isn’t possible to build a parking lot in the middle of campus.

The senate approved a revised off-campus alcohol policy it had been working on for a year and a half. Previously, the policy gave

Back / page 14

YMCA mentor program gives students a chance to give back

One writer thinks technology may be going too far

Page 3

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Page 2 • Reporter

News

Thursday, January 21, 2010T

Spreading the message of Dr. King Youth sports camp held Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. ADAM PULCHINSKI

staff writer

The Minnesota State Athletic Department and Office of Institutional Diversity celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by holding a youth sports camp and clinic Monday. The free “Share the Dream” camp was for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Michelle Oman, assistant track coach at MSU, said that the camp was intended to inspire youth to develop positive mental and physical values. One way of doing this was to bring kids from different backgrounds to interact with each other. Oman hopes kids learned that everyone is unique in their own special way and that no matter what ethnic background people are from,

they are all created as one and interaction with each other is healthy.

“Some of these kids do not know who Dr. Martin Luther King was or what he stands for,” Oman said. “This gives us the opportunity to bring awareness to their young lives.”

Sixty kids spent the day at Myers Field House with MSU student athletes and coaches as well as a guest speaker later in the camp. Danielle Jones, a sports management major at MSU, played sports with the children at the camp.

“We did multiple sports such as soccer, basketball, dodgeball, and track,” said Jones, a track and field sprinter at MSU. “We even had a great presentation of African-American history. I thought this was a great way to get kids active and teach them

some history all in one day.”

The presentation was given by MSU adjunct Vang Xiong, who has taught Ethnic Studies for two semesters. The presentation included a talk and powerpoint slides.

“The idea was to teach them about history and the contributions of AfricanAmericans,” Xiong said of his presentation.

The presentation lasted about a half hour and Xiong tried to put Dr. King’s message into a larger context.

“I wanted to give them an idea of the importance of education,” Xiong said.

“You don’t have to be the first to be president; it’s an accomplishment to be the first to finish college.”

Message / page 13

web photo Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday became an official holiday in 1983, after years of campaigning by his wife Coretta Scott King. Dr. King was assasinated in 1963.

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submitted photo Children line up to play basketball during a Youth Sports Camp and clinic held in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. One aim was to teach the children about the importance of education.

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

News

Reporter • Page 3

Giving kids someone to look up to

YMCA program gives students the chance to work with youth ERIN ROHRER

staff writer

As a part of January’s National Mentor Appreciation Month, the Mankato Family YMCA is encouraging Minnesota State students to volunteer as mentors for the YMCA Brother/Sister program. The Brother/Sister program focuses on matching area youth, ages 6-14, with adult volunteer mentors. Mentors must commit to a relationship of approximately two to three hours a week for a minimum of nine months.

The mentorship involves the mentor serving as a consistent role model for the mentee. The program not only helps area youth but also gives college students a great opportunity for volunteer experience. Mentors often spend time with their mentees participating in planned group activities such as game nights, eating pizza, sledding, bowling and socializing.

However, simply spending time with mentees is the key aspect of the program, and any group activity ideas are welcome.

Darcy Kies, director of activities for the program, said often, local businesses or organizations such as the MSU theatre, Minnesota Timberwolves, Mankato Moondogs and MSU athletic department will offer discounted or donated tickets as another way for a mentor to interact with their mentee.

“The relationship between the two is so wonderful, as they get to know each other and network together,” said Kies.

“Through these established relationships, the children get to be a part of the community and experience new things.”

Ryan Meyer, an education major at MSU, often spends time working with his mentee on reading, writing and listening skills.

“It is such a great experience to make a positive influence on a young person’s life,” Meyer said. “Not only do I get to enhance the life of my mentee, but I get good experience in the educational field for my future career.”

The matches are made according to gender, and the program is currently in need of mentors, especially male adults.

A typical boy in the program waits a year or more to get a match.

According to a survey administered by the National Big Brothers Big Sisters program, children who are mentored are more likely to improve in school and in their relationships with family and peers, and less likely to skip school or use illegal drugs or alcohol. Furthermore, students who are successful in school are less likely to drop out, become pregnant, abuse drugs or become involved in criminal activity.

wale agboola • msu reporter Human biology senior Amanda Gustafson is the YMCA mentor of Jordan Hathaway as part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. They appear together at a party held Tuesday evening at the Mankato YMCA.

“

It is such a great experience to make a positive influence on a young person’s life ... Not only do I get to enhance the life of my mentee, but I get good experience in the educational field for my future career.”

— Ryan Meyer, MSU education student and YMCA volunteer

YMCA / page 13

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

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Reporter • Page 5

Campus Kitchen gets new director

Program to table at the Service Learning fair, bring in donations YOON-KI KIM

staff writer

Campus Kitchen, an on-campus organization that aims to support and provide foods to community members who are managing economic stress, has a new director at Minnesota State.

Denise Billington-Just is the new director of the program, which has been on campus for five years.

Billington-Just said the project works with students who assist with cooking and delivering foods. The program is a nice way to contribute to the community as well as to develop their leadership skills, and talents.

“Students come into the program, and they assist with fund raising,” said Billington-Just. “They assist with cooking and delivering foods to community members who are managing economic stress.”

Even though the specific number is not available, many students have participated in Campus Kitchen.

Amanda Haider, who participated in the project in the fall of 2009, said she got

into the program because she believed in what it does “I felt great being able to help others in need,” said Haider. “I enjoy being able to make a difference in others lives, even if it is small. I believe in paying it forward.”

“If everyone was willing to give a helping hand, I believe it would make a big difference. It can be something small like putting a smile on someone’s face,” Haider said.

Billington-Just said the project will improve with donations because, as of now, it is driven mostly by endowments.

“Funding is a huge problem,” Billington-Just said. “We are going to get busy bringing donations to fundraising events to foster the budget of the program.”

Donations can be made in the Community Engagement Office in Centennial Student Union 173. Students can also participate in the project by assisting with cooking and delivering food.

Campus Kitchen will have a booth in the upcoming Service Learning Fair.

The MSU Spring Service

Learning Fair will be held Tuesday from10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the CSU Ballroom and will showcase more than 60 agencies, including Campus Kitchen.

Billington-Just said the fair would be a good chance for students to learn community-based projects they can get involved in.

“It will give students opportunity to learn not only about this project but all, a huge way of community-based projects,” she said. “Students want to come on in, learn about the projects, put their passion and interest into the mix, that’s something we could really benefit from.”

“The program has not been providing meals for a period of time. My responsibility is going to be to get that going again through students, volunteers and by meeting and understanding what’s going on in the community,” she said. “I love the opportunity.

It’s real important mission to build students’ leadership while feeding people who are struggling economically.”

Will the Saints end the game with their 'pants on the ground'?

wale agboola • msu reporter Denise Billington-Just is the new director of Campus Kitchen at Minnesota State. The five-year-old program recruits college students to package and deliver meals to needy families in the Mankato area.

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Page 6 • Reporter

News

Thursday, January 21, 2010T

Swinging their way into the semester

MSU’s Swing Dance Club to hold its first major event MATT SAUER

staff writer

Since its popularization during the “Roaring ’20s”, swing dancing has become one of the most enduring and everevolving staples of popular American dance. But while the traditions surrounding “Swing,” as it’s called, are nearing a century’s age, local organizations like Minnesota State’s Swing Dance Club are keeping the style alive with a free “Swinging into the New Year” event in the CSU Ballroom Friday night.

And with Friday’s dance being the club’s first-ever liveband event — on the horizon, members of the group are beginning to get antsy.

“We’re so excited for this event,” said Ashley McCall, president of the club. “It’s kind of a turning point for the club.

We’re used to having [weekly] meetings and dances, but this is the first big event we’ve been able to put on.”

MSU’s Swing Dance Club (SDC) was started about seven years ago, with the simple idea of having a place where people can come together to

learn about dancing, meet new people, and have fun doing it.

“The [SDC] has evolved a lot since it started,” McCall said. “We used to just put on some music and start dancing, but now we bring in professional instructors and dance students at MSU to help teach. I think everyone likes the fact that it’s free and you can come to learn or just have a good time.”

Normally the SDC meets on Monday nights from 9:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m., which begins with a half-hour of free dance lessons and ends with an hour and a half of free dancing. All meetings are free to the public, and there are no rules for dress or dance style. McCall said the number of people dancing per night can range from 10 to 150, but somewhere around 60 is average for a weekly meeting.

“It’s all pretty laid-back,” McCall, a graduate student in Mathematics at MSU, said.

“People usually come and go as they please, and you don’t have to know anything about [dance] to have a good time. When I started in the swing club I’d never [formally]

danced in my life.”

Although no official mission statement for the SDC has been defined, members and regular attendees of their weekly meetings agree that having fun, learning new things, and meeting people are the most important aspects of their organization.

“It’s just great stress relief I guess,” said Amanda Roub, vice president of the SDC and an art major at MSU. “Since we meet on Monday’s it’s kind of a fun way to start the week, and keep up with your friends.”

The SDC is one of few organizations on campus which cater to students of many backgrounds, with members having majors ranging from biology and chemistry to mathematics and engineering.

“I went to a few of their dances last year,” said Aimee Ahlmann, an MSU Nursing student. “It was fun to get to know some new people and learn some dance moves. I really liked having free lessons.”

Friday’s event will kick off in the early evening, with free lessons to anyone beginning at 6:30pm and

submitted photo Reid Breitenfeldt and Ashley McCall dance at a recent SDC event.

going until 7:30. A live band, The Patina Vintage Swing Band, will entertain for the event, providing the SDC with its first live-music centered performance.

“We don’t have any dress requirements for the dance,” McCall said. “But it would be fun to see people dressed up a little, that’s sort of the [spirit] of swing.”

SDC’s event on Friday will

also be tabled by the Haiti Disaster Relief organization, who will be taking donations intended to help fund relief efforts regarding the recent destruction caused by earthquakes in Haiti. McCall says that stopping by during Friday’s event if only to donate would make the night worthwhile.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

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Reporter • Page 7

HAITI “Someone out there is needing more than we do right now ... We’re talking about being hungry for lunch, but there are people [in Haiti] being hungry for days, without access to water or food.” coordinator Panuolia Vang continued from 1 Bar & Grill Feb. 6 from 12-3 p.m. and will cumulate all donations into one check to the Red Cross, Wiggins said. Students can also make a $10 donation to the Red Cross charged to their cell phone bills by texting “Haiti” to 90999.

“I have always wanted to help people and I feel that this is a big opportunity for us to do something for others,” said Asamoa. “I mean as far as students go, I don’t see that many people taking the initiative [to raise money for Haiti] so we just wanted to do something about it.”

A number of student organizations have collaborated with the office of Multicultural Affairs to create and sell “Help Haiti” buttons, another initiative to raise money for the victims of natural disaster in the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation.

The buttons are available for $1 each at the office of Multicultural Affairs (CSU 243) or through students from involved organizations such as the Hmong Student Association, American Indian Student Association, Chicano Latin-American Student Association and Infinitii.

Although these students will partner with HDR, they have interests in giving a portion of the proceeds to non-profits other than the Red Cross, such as Project 81, an organization that has been working to build hospitals and provide for orphanages in Haiti since 2007.

Multicultural Affairs program

understands that her fellow students are worried about school and their own financial situations, but she urges to do what they can to help.

“Someone out there is needing more than we do right now,” said Vang, a community health science senior. “We’re talking about being hungry for lunch, but there are people [in Haiti] being hungry for days, without access to water or food.”

Maria Baxter-Nuamah said it is important for United States citizens to do whatever they can to contribute.

“America is supposed to be the land of milk and honey and we take a lot of things for granted,” said the assistant director of African American Affairs. “We take for granted food and water and having a place to sleep. These folks, children and families have nothing.”

Although there are no confirmed international students from Haiti attending MSU, Baxter-Nuamah said there are a couple students on campus with relatives in the country.

“We have one young man [at MSU] who has lost six members of his family that he knows of.”

Baxter-Nuamah said she thinks it is unfortunate that it takes a disaster for people to come together as a global community, but hopes that what is happening in Haiti will serve as a wake-up call for action.

Describing a scene from the news, Baxter-Nuamah said she was inspired to see a group

“

photo courtesy of USA Today.com Hundreds of Haitian survivors line up to receive aid in Port-au-Prince following the devastating earthquake that occurred last week.

of Haitian children singing, their voices carrying above the destruction and devastation that has consumed their country.

“They were saying life goes on. Amidst all this rubble and death around them, no water and everything being chaos, they found something good,” she said. “It’s remarkable to see how resilient people can be if just given a chance. We just need to stop waiting for disasters to happen.”

We take a lot of things for granted ... These folks, children and families have nothing.”

— Maria Baxter-Nuamah, assistant director of African American Affairs

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Editorial reporter-editor@mnsu.edu

Thursday, January 21, 2010

(507) 389-5454

Contributing to the cause $1 goes a long way in the effort to help relieve devastation in Haiti

Most college students consider themselves broke.

Taking pride in consuming Karkov and Ramen, many Minnesota State students probably live paycheck to paycheck and penny-pinch throughout college, hoping that eventually their diplomas will pay off.

But privileged American college students have a warped sense of what it means to be poor. We often take for granted life essentials such as food, water and shelter and we probably don’t know what it is like to be without.

Most of us will never

know the level of poverty that many Haitians live in.

The magnitude of devastation that has recently occurred in the already poverty-stricken country is tragic. The homes, hospitals and facilities of the people of Haiti have crumbled and millions are homeless and hungry, in dire need of the very basics we take for granted. Loved ones are lost and their country is a ruin of rubble in need of ressurection.

Although most of us can’t fly down to Haiti and help the relief efforts, all of us have at least a dollar to

contribute to the cause.

Our average standard of living in the United States is far above what many consider wealthy. We might not think it means much, but a buck donated to Haiti relief will stretch much further than the mouth of an MSU student biting into the value burger it could have purchased.

What has happened to Haiti should concern all humans. In Mankato, it may be easy to disconnect ourselves from the global community we are a part of to focus on the self-centered lives we lead, but people

are dying and desperate for our help.

Some MSU students are making a difference through organizations and projects and many more have probably donated, but we all have something to give.

The people of Haiti need millions of hands to help them recover — now is the time to reach out and lend one of your own.

Letter to the Editor Beyond diversity The highly publicized diversity reorganization was the first of many impending decisions that will dramatically alter the fabric of our campus community.

Our state and institution are facing colossal budget shortfalls the likes of which many have never seen. We must eliminate approximately $6-10 million from our budget by July 2012 to have a balanced budget. That is the nature of our reality today at Minnesota State.

Many mark the loss of Dr. Fagin as a retaliatory, racially motivated personnel decision. Regardless of how you feel, we must realize that the move marked an end of an era not only for Institutional Diversity, but

for the entire campus. In the coming weeks and months we all are going to lose talented and influential people at all levels of our community – the campus community. Faculty, staff, co-workers, friends, and administrators who have touched all of our lives will probably not be here next year, and that loss makes me as mad and frustrated as the next person.

Nevertheless, positions need to be cut and unfortunately that means talented, inspiring people.

However, what we need now to succeed, thrive, weather the storm, and to continue to grow are solutions.

Sometimes these solutions come at a price. Two weeks ago it meant losing Dr.

Fagin, and tomorrow it will be someone else.

What we must do to survive — and protect the interest of students — is to come together and forge ahead on finding solutions to the near bottomless budget projection. My call to you and everyone at MSU is to come to the table, be a part of the discussions, and band together and invest our time and resources on making sure that when students come to campus in the fall of 2012 there are as few recognizable differences as possible. I urge us to stop spending time and energy on inflammatory rhetoric that creates division and slows the problem-solving process. The education of 14,000-plus students is too important for wasted time and energy.

In the case of Dr. Fagin, honor his great work at this university by ensuring you are providing solutions that foster development and growth of the Fagin legacy not only within Institutional Diversity but across the entire campus community.

Let’s apply Fagin’s profound compassion and dedication for all students across the board to the grim problems we face together. We can grow stronger and we will survive … But we must work together.

compiled by Wale Agboola

What do you think of the Haiti disaster and what are you doing to help?

Matt Kaltved • So • Education “Sad, everyone should help out. I made a donation.”

Jenna Berkley • So • Business “Go to Lowe’s and donate.”

Kelli McCulloch • So • Bus/ Psych “It’s really sad. I’m glad people are helping out and donating.”

Brett K. Anderson, MSU nursing senior

Will Anyu • Fr • Mass Comm/ Sports Mgmt

Minnesota State University, Mankato

“Very tragic, I am donating canned goods.”

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OUR POLICIES & OTHER INFORMATION • If you have a complaint, suggestion or would like to point out an error made in the Reporter, call Editor in Chief Nicole Smith at (507) 389-5454. The Reporter will correct any errors of fact or misspelled names in this space. Formal grievances against the Reporter are handled by the Newspaper Board, which can be contacted at (507) 389-2611.

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

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High School Heroes

We aren’t sure if it’s good or not, but he’s back. He’s taking on a e new group. If you are wearing a letterman’s jacket, turn the page.

Is it worse that I am writing an article, or that the picture for it is High School Musical? I bet I got a few of you to pick this up because of it. Joke’s on you.

I don’t know what’s getting me to only think of writing this article now.

There are a lot of good things that we’ve all done in high school, but I don’t care if you have a letterman’s jacket with a million things stitched on and Kyle you still wear it on campus even though you graduated in 2004 (if this is the case, I will buy you a new jacket. Seriously, e-mail me.)

Here’s a good scenario. I was playing basketball at Otto a few weeks ago. For those of you that know anything about my basketball skills know that I can’t dribble, pass or shoot. Do you know what kind of basketball player that makes me? You got

it. A shitty one.

Think Corey Brewer, just white and not as skinny. Okay, maybe not that bad.

Ask my intramural teammates.

I throw layups off the backboard like Tiger’s wife throws nine irons at him.

Sorry guys.

Anyways, I get the ball playing in a pickup game and decide to heave up a shot. It might have been an air ball, Ratke who knows, I don’t remember (okay, it was.)

A taller kid on my team, wearing a practice high school jersey (first sign not to play with him), looks at me and goes, “Dude, are you kidding me?

That’s not the shot we were looking for.” After the game he tries to explain himself by giving me this long-winded tale about how much he scored in high

school basketball.

Since he was bigger, faster and stronger than I, and because I have no backbone, I decided to just nod my head and let it slide.

But really? First off, we are playing Otto Rec ball. You take this too serious. Our team consists of you, a smartass writer that’s 5’9 … wait 5’10, a kid that has been in the corner picking his nose the whole game (I am the writer, remember? Not this guy) and two guys that have been staring at a girl running up top. So yeah, I don’t think our chances are too good in the first place, chief.

Go yell at the picking the nose kid. I am actually concerned about him. He just wiped it on his shirt. Wait, we’re skins.

Maybe this guys a nice guy and just got caught up in the moment. Sure, you want me to take a better shot and want to win.

But don’t justify it by talking about how you were in student council your senior year.

I lettered twice in baseball during high school and was a

defensive specialist. You know what that means? Sure, I was a pretty good fielder, but I would have been better off if I tried to hit the ball with a slice of bologna instead of a bat. Meaning, my only real accomplishment was winning Mr. Dugout Award twice in my life (and that’s how to lose a girl in 10 minutes). But still, I did manage to letter twice (the coach was my neighbor.)

For all I know, you could have been an awful basketball player who played on a bad team or something, but it doesn’t matter. We aren’t playing in Eden Prairie’s gym anymore. We are playing on the mean streets of the MSU campus now.

If you are a freshman, I get that the transition might be tough. You go from where being popular and wearing the right clothes means you’re pick of the litter, to a place where most people don’t care where you’re from or what you’ve done.

Think about bringing this high school mentality into the

real world.

“Sir, I understand that I didn’t really do anything but drink and party over the last four years of college, BUT I was homecoming runner-up my senior year. Would you like to reconsider giving me that job?”

That’ll work just about as good as trying to pick up a girl telling her you write for the Reporter. Trust me, it doesn’t work. Nate Brennan has tried and failed many times.

So next time you hear someone talking about how they were prom queen, stop them midsentence.

Hell, nevermind. I am going to a party and telling one girl that I was a kicker for my high school team and another that I write for the Reporter. We’ll see who runs away faster.

Kyle Ratke is the Reporter Sports Editor.

He secretly still has his letter jacket and occassionly talks about how he was a “great” cornerback in high school.

Page 10 • Reporter

News

Thursday, January 21, 2010T

Leaving behind the romance

As technology becomes more advanced and available, the one writer begins to miss a more simple time

I think of myself as a legally or illegally. The little old-fashioned in some portability and convenience ways. Though I’m sure of an MP3 player is what there are people older than kids are growing up with me that will feel now. I prefer slightly annoyed something more with a 28-year-old tactile. There’s calling himself something about old-fashioned. In going into a store comparison with and buying a CD most of the student or even an album body though, I’m on vinyl (I was no spring chicken. almost shocked to An instructor see an entire section recently referenced of records in one the Bill Clinton/ Best Buy not too Monica Lewinsky Adam Pulchinski long ago). There’s scandal from the something about early ’90s and shuffling through asked how old students in the actual product as opposed class were around that time. to scrolling through a list on Most said they were four, or a screen. Something about five, even three. I was 10. physically holding the disc or I’m old enough to record and leafing through remember when getting a the liner notes booklet is a VCR for the first time was far more romantic notion than a big deal and the majority clicking “Buy Now” on a Web of music existed on cassette site. tapes, some of which I still I feel the same way about have. Heck, I think we even how I get my news. It does had records and 8-track sound a little self-serving, I tapes lying around the house. suppose, to endorse reading What’s the point you may newspapers, but I genuinely ask of this rambling old prefer it most times to reading fool? Well, while I don’t a magazine or hopping on find myself resisting digital the Internet. I‘d say I have a technology by any means, I healthy balance of both types can’t help but think that some of media. But I do think older stuff is just … better. that the feel and smell of a I often talk to people newspaper blows the World whose entire music collection Wide Web out of the water. exists on their computer, Same thing goes for books.

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I heard a lot about electronic books this holiday season and many discussions on the radio about if books would disappear. The consensus seemed to be that electronic books are handy but people still like the traditional counterparts. I can’t imagine a world without books, honestly.

Again, there’s such a romantic notion around the touch and smell and physicality of curling up with a good book. It’s not something a person can get from a machine. Of course I’ve been curious about electronic books. I kept thinking how useful one would be as I waited in line to purchase my mountain of textbooks this semester. Just imagine having one compact piece of equipment to haul around in your book bag instead of four or more huge books.

I’m not opposed to technology advancing. In fact, I’m all for it. I just don’t think that some things need or should fall by the wayside.

-Adam Pulchinski is a Reporter Staff writer. He originally wrote this article on a typewriter.

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

News

Reporter • Page 11

A new way to socialize Social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter change the way we live, interact JENNY POLLOCK

staff writer

Erik Thibault is always about something. Right now, he’s all about chicken with A-1 followed by a night of slumber.

Can’t beat it.

Thibault, a junior who double-majors in mass communications and business management at Minnesota State, updates his Facebook status three to four times per day and has 677 friends.

Social networking sites provide a way to connect with people. It makes it easy for college students to stay in touch with high school friends and their family. It’s a great way to share pictures from the weekend and to tell everyone what you’re up to.

“Social media is a way for people to interact with each other in a unique form. It’s another way to communicate,” said Thibault.

Mass communications professor Amy Lauters uses Facebook to connect with family and friends.

“I have family all over the country and it’s easier than e-mail,” Lauters said.

In November 2008, Facebook created status updates so that users had to start off with their name and the word is. For example, “Erik Thibault is …” The user

“

would fill in the blank after. As a way to be unique, Thibault decided to start all of his statuses with “Erik Thibault is all about …”

“No one else does it. I like to be unique and still have proper grammar. It keeps me creative,” Thibault said.

This format was later abolished by Facebook. Now users just have their name and can choose any type of sentence structure.

Thibault is not the only person who updates his status regularly. 35 million users update their Facebook status every day, 2.5 billion photos are uploaded each month, 3.5 billion events are posted each month and the average user has about 130 friends, according to Facebook.

Thibault uses Facebook every morning and frequently during work.

“I can’t count the amount of times I use Facebook in a day, [it’s] probably about 10-15 times,” he said.

Kevin Lee, a sports management junior, uses Facebook every couple of days. He feels that his Facebook use is average in comparison with his peers.

“I get stuck on Facebook chat for three hours sometimes,” said Lee. Not everyone uses social

media this much. Scott Miller, a junior who is double majoring in physical education and health education, only checks his Facebook once a week.

“I check all the notifications I have and I check the home page to see what people are up to. I always check to see who is online,” Miller said.

In addition to Facebook, Thibault also uses Twitter.

“For me Twitter is easier to update via texting. I have to use my 3G to update Facebook,” Thibault said.

On occasion, Thibault will update his Facebook and his Twitter at the same time but typically his tweets are reserved for sports, 10 trend topics (provided by Twitter), and his opinions. In contrast, he uses his Facebook more leisurely.

Twitter is frequently used by businesses and celebrities, which is a contributing factor to its popularity.

“I had LeVar Burton respond to a tweet before and I frequently talk to the beat writer for the Minnesota Wild,” Thibault said.

Not everyone sees the point of Twitter, however.

“I don’t use other social

Socialize / page 13

Social media is a way for people to interact with each other in a unique form.”

— Erik

Thibault, MSU student

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Page 12 • Reporter

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

News

SOCIALIZE “Social networking sites are just another tool for public relations to get their message out” continued from 11

networking sites because I don’t see why you need to do more than one thing,” Miller said.

Lauters agrees.

“I think they are still trying to figure out how Twitter is a useful thing,” said Lauters.

Some businesses have found a use for Twitter. A Los Angeles-based business called Kogi BBQ has four trucks that serve their food. The trucks drive around the L.A. area and park in a different location every night, and the best way customers can find their location is by the tweets on their Twitter page.

Social networking sites have a presence in classrooms at Minnesota State.

Lauters said that it can become a distraction when students bring their Blackberry or laptop to class, they can get distracted and miss the entire lecture.

In bigger classes, many students think the teacher won’t notice if they are on a social networking site instead of taking notes, but some teachers say they are easy to spot. Still, some make a conscious effort to avoid the disctraction during class.

“I don’t use Facebook during class but I see kids in front of me with their laptops on Facebook. It affects me a little bit because it can be distracting,” Miller said.

Thibault also abstains from Facebook during class.

“I’m paying lots of money for class. It’s not worth it.”

Facebook, unlike Twitter, has games that users can play together such as Sorority Life, Farmville and Bejeweled Blitz that can serve as further distractions.

People of all ages are getting involved in these sites.

Facebook is not only popular in the United States, but internationally as well.

Only 20 percent of users are from the U.S. and Facebook can be used in 70 different

“

YMCA “To a lot of these kids, their mentor will make a lifelong impact on their life” continued from 3

I don’t use Facebook during class but I see kids in front of me with their laptops on Facebook.”

— Scott Miller, MSU student languages.

In addition to Facebook and Twitter, there are many more social networking sites, though none as well known. A few of the more popular ones include Blogger, MySpace, Tumblr, Digg and Xanga.

The effect that social networking sites will have on the mass communication industry is still being researched.

“Social networking sites are just another tool for public relations to get their message out,” Lauters said.

No matter what site is being used, it is important to think twice about what is put on the internet. More employers, parents, teachers and even insurance companies are utilizing them to obtain information.

ABC News recently ran a story about 29-year-old Nathalie Blanchard, who lost her insurance benefits when she was on longterm leave from her job because of depression. The insurance company stated that the pictures she posted on Facebook proved that she was no longer depressed and ready to go back to work.

In addition to concerns about employers and parents, it is important to be cautious about online predators. Just because someone says and posts things online that does not mean they are true.

wale agboola • msu reporter Minnesota State elementary education senior Ryan Meyer plays Uno with Brendan Town at the party held Tuesday evening for volunteers and participants of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program at the YMCA.

College students are a target audience for the program because of the skills and experience they gain by volunteering. Mentors enjoy rewards such as exposure to diverse thoughts, personalities and cultures as well as enhancement of leadership skills and the satisfaction of passing on wisdom to others without an extreme time commitment.

“An important aspect of the program is the flexibility of volunteer hours,” said Cheryl Hamond, program coordinator.

“It’s just a few hours a week, which could technically just be a couple of TV shows. To a lot of these kids, their mentor will make a lifelong impact on their life – and that’s powerful.”

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Xiong, who was pleased with how many ethnicities were represented by the kids who attended, was also very pleased by the reaction of some parents who later told him how enlightening his presentation was. In the end, Xiong believes that it is all about being educated about history and how people prepare today for tomorrow.

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday was made a national holiday in Nov. 1983 by President Ronald Reagan after King’s wife Coretta Scott King testified and rallied for its passage since the 1960’s.

Dr. King’s message of racial harmony and judging someone on the content of their character and not the color of their skin, an idea from his most famous speech, has been celebrated on his birthday through various events and prayer vigils since his death.

Dr. King was assassinated in April 1968 standing on the balcony of a hotel room in Memphis, Tenn. Among Dr. King’s accomplishments was receiving the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 35, being awarded 5 honorary degrees, and was named Man of the Year by Time magazine in 1963.

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Page 14 • Reporter

News

Thursday, January 21, 2010T

Seven bodies found in cars in Southern Mexico

MSSA “Sometimes you’re just in the wrong place at the right time”

ACAPULCO, Mexico (AP) — Mexican authorities found seven corpses in two abandoned cars along with written messages referring to drug cartels, state police said Wednesday.

The bullet-riddled bodies of three men were inside a car left beside the highway between the resort communities of Acapulco and Zihuatanejo on Wednesday morning, police in the Pacific coast state of Guerrero said.

Police did not release the message left with the bodies, but said it referred to drug cartels.

Late Tuesday night, state police found the bodies of four young men in an abandoned car near a hotel in Guerrero’s capital, Chilpancingo. A police report said the men appeared to have been asphyxiated by plastic tape covering their faces.

A written message left on the windshield accused them of betraying the brothers who lead the Beltran Leyva cartel, police said Wednesday.

Last month, Mexican authorities killed kingpin Arturo Beltran Leyva and captured his

on-campus sanctions for students who received alcohol related charges off campus, including charges for minor consumption.

The new policy forgives the first minor consumption charge and only deals with major misdemeanors and felonies, such as assault.

MSSA speaker Tom Williams said he was glad about the change.

“Sometimes you’re just in the wrong place at the right time,” Williams said. He added that minors can be given to a student with even a .01 blood alcohol level and, since the university’s reason for the sanction is to prevent binge drinking, they shouldn’t have a right to interfere.

brother, Carlos Beltran Leyva.

Another brother, Hector Beltran Leyva, is believed to be the cartel’s boss now.

In the neighboring west coast state of Michoacan, two gunmen and a police officer died in a clash early Wednesday, state prosecutors said.

Gunmen opened fire when police in Uruapan tried to stop their SUV just after 1 a.m. A grenade thrown by the attackers killed one policeman and wounded another. Hours later investigators found the bodies of two men believed to have been involved in the shootout.

Drug gangs frequently target police in Michoacan, President Felipe Calderon’s home state.

In the northern city of Saltillo, a police officer’s body was found in front of the same hotel where a slain newspaper reporter was dumped nearly two weeks ago.

Police were searching for the officer, Carlos Urbina, after he was reported abducted Tuesday, the Coahuila state attorney general’s office said.

Near midnight, officers found Urbina’s body, his hands and feet bound and his face covered in plastic tape, in the trunk of a vehicle outside the Marbella Motel.

On Jan. 8, the body of reporter Valentin Valdes was left outside the same hotel, along with a threatening message. His regional newspaper, the Zocalo, promptly announced it would stop covering drug violence.

Valdes, 28, had written about the Dec. 29 arrest at the Marbella Motel of five alleged members of the Gulf drug cartel. He also covered the arrest of five others who barged into the same hotel and stole surveillance tapes.

Calderon launched a crackdown on drug cartels in 2006, deploying thousands of soldiers and federal police across Mexico. Since then, drug violence has killed more than 15,000 people throughout the country.

Christians, while the figure was 15 percent toward Jews and 14 percent toward Buddhists.

Asked about knowledge of Islam, 63 percent of Americans say they have “very little” or “none at all.” A large majority of respondents believe most Muslims want peace. Yet, 53 percent of Americans say their opinion of the faith is “not too favorable” or “not favorable at all.” By comparison, 25 percent of Americans say they have unfavorable views of Judaism, while 7 percent say they have “some” or “a great deal” of prejudice toward Jews.

Personally knowing a Muslim is not linked to a lower level of prejudice, although not knowing a Muslim is related to the greatest level of bias. The authors of the report say this finding underscores the need for better education on what Islam teaches.

“What really seems to impact one’s perception of a group much more than knowing an individual is having a positive opinion of that group’s distinguishing characteristic, which in this case is their faith,” said Dalia Mogahed, senior analyst and executive director of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies. “That one person being nice enough could simply be

“Technically if a student’s [blood alcohol level] isn’t over .08, it’s not high risk,” Williams said.

The new policy also puts an MSSA member on the sanctions board so, when a student does receive a punishment, there is at least one student on the board to represent them. Some MSSA members say they believe this is one of the most progressive changes to the policy. “[In the beginning,] we were here and they were there,” said Brett Anderson, senator for the College of Allied Health and Nursing. “I’m amazed that what we envisioned is right in front of us.”

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More bias in U.S. against Muslims than other faiths NEW YORK (AP) — Americans are more than twice as likely to express prejudice against Muslims than they are against Christians, Jews or Buddhists, a new survey found. Nearly two-thirds of Americans say they have little or no knowledge of Islam. Still, a majority dislike the faith.

The analysis, for release Thursday, is from the Gallup World Religion Survey and is part of a project on finding ways to increase understanding between Americans and Muslims.

President Barack Obama and his administration want to improve America’s image in the Muslim world. Many analysts who study extremism also say that U.S. Muslims who feel alienated from broader society resist integrating, potentially becoming more vulnerable to radical ideas.

In the poll, just over half of Americans said they felt no prejudice against Muslims. However, 43 percent acknowledged at least “a little” prejudice against Muslims, a significantly higher percentage than for the other four faiths in the survey.

About 18 percent of respondents said they had some level of prejudice against

continued from 1

explained as that person being an exception.”

Respondents who say they attend religious services more than once a week are significantly more likely to have a favorable view of Muslims.

Mogahed said people who are more religious generally consider prejudice a moral evil and often have respect for the devout of other faiths.

Researchers also found a link between prejudice against Jews and Muslims. Americans who acknowledged “a great deal” of bias toward Jews were much more likely to feel the same about Muslims. The survey results could not explain why the two prejudices are linked.

Mogahed said bias against both groups should be tracked and studied together to understand the dynamic.

“Groups working against the two types of prejudices should perhaps form a closer alliance,” she said.

The report, from the Muslim West Facts Project, a partnership of Gallup and the Coexist Foundation, is based on a random telephone survey of more than 1,000 adults, conducted from Oct. 31 to Nov. 13 of last year. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

News

Reporter • Page 15

Republican Massachusetts senator poses risk to Democratic health care reform bill WASHINGTON (AP) — Wounded in Massachusetts, frustrated Democrats on Wednesday urged the White House to focus on jobs and the economy — not the health care overhaul that’s now at risk — and pressed President Barack Obama to more forcefully make their case against Republicans ahead of potentially disastrous elections this fall.

On the day after the improbable Senate election of Republican Scott Brown in Massachusetts, Obama and his Democratic Party raced to re-evaluate their midterm election strategy, adjust their health care approach and assuage an angry electorate. The embarrassing defeat to the GOP in a Democratic stronghold was a bitter end to the president’s first year in office, and it triggered furious party soulsearching.

“I would like the Democratic Party as a whole including its leader, the president, to speak clearly about the differences and to define those differences,” Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, chairman of the Senate Democrats’ campaign effort, told The Associated Press. And

it’s not just about Republicans and Democrats, he said: “We have to do a much better job of both engaging and delivering to independent voters.”

Obama himself owned up to a failure to communicate.

In a year of hopping from crisis to crisis, he told ABC News, “we lost some of that sense of speaking directly to the American people about what their core values are and why we have to make sure those institutions are matching up with those values.”

Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., put it more simply, assessing the message Massachusetts sent. “Economy, economy, economy,” she said.

“We need a jobs bill. We need short-term, focused strategies to create jobs, real fast,” said Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa. “If the dominant message isn’t about jobs and spending, we’ll be making a difficult challenge exponentially more difficult.”

At the Capitol, Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., declared, “If there’s anybody in this building that doesn’t tell you they are more worried about elections today, you should absolutely

slap them.”

Indeed, there was a grim sense among Democrats that if the GOP could win in a traditionally deeply liberal state, Massachusetts, it could probably win anywhere.

Said Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.: “Every state is now in play.”

Democrats still have majority control of both the House and Senate. But Tuesday’s GOP upset for the seat long held by the Sen. Edward Kennedy —

web photo following Republican Conservative Sen. Scott Brown took over the seat left vacant by the late Sen. Ted victories in Virginia Kennedy. and New Jersey last fall for Democraticexpect big Republican gains, — and his politics in a White held gubernatorial seats — was and fewer Democratic seats House stunned by a shift in the a sign of serious trouble this would make it more difficult for mood of the electorate from fall. Even when the economy Obama to pass his agenda. just a year earlier. Voters were is strong, the party holding the “I’m not under any illusion hopeful and supportive then.

White House historically loses that we can take anything for They are cranky and belligerent seats in midterms. granted.

We have to fight,” said now. Of utmost concern: Despite the loss that Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass. independent voters who have gave Republicans a 41st On the anniversary of his fled to the GOP after a year of vote in the 100-seat Senate, inauguration, Obama faced Wall Street bailouts, enormous neither Democrats nor most a need to reevaluate both his budget deficits and partisan Republicans said they thought policy — specifically his wrangling over health care. control of Congress could be endangered health care plan up for grabs. But both parties

Page 16 • Reporter

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Three Days Fat Kid’s infamous fooling gets him fired Grace to ‘Fat cheerleader’ promo causes backlash

rock Verizon Wireless Center Breaking Benjamin and Flyleaf are opening acts

submitted photo Once the king of rock n’ roll radio in Mankato and its surrounding areas, Jeremy “Fat Kid” Powell is now unemployed after a controversial on-air comment got him fired.

NATE BRENNAN

variety editor

The promo contest that left Fat Kid fired

The irony of a radio Fat Kid: What is the particular trait about that cheerleader I saw personality named “Fat at the Minnesota State hockey game?

Kid” getting fired for Contestant: I think she was bigger, with some nice curves? calling a cheerleader FK: Yeah, she’s kind of fat. fat may be impeccable, Contestant (laughing): Yeah, I didn’t want to say it. but the man behind FK: Yeah, she’s kind of fat, she’s got some curves on her, a little bit the character doesn’t of weight on her, little junk in the trunk, and, uh, just cute as a butbelieve it’s just. ton! And you know that the fat cheerleader’s not gettin’ all the guys.

After local radio station 95.7 The Blaze, “fat,” the station decided it verbal warnings twice. the station to which Powell stated the first was was the final straw and chose Jeremy “Fat Kid” Powell was regarding an online posting to dismiss Powell from its employed, heard his on-air of a risqué picture of a radio staff. promo, in which the answer member of The Blaze’s staff Powell challenges the to what particular trait a in her Halloween costume legitimacy of The Blaze’s Minnesota State hockey — which Powell disputed claim, stating that he had cheerleader featured was that never even been written up she was what Powell deemed Fat Kid / page 18 for anything, only given

‘The Lovely Bones’ reviewed / page 19

web photo

web photo The Canadian alternative rock band will ‘Grace’ Mankato Saturday.

ADAM PULCHINSKI

staff writer

National recording artists Three Days Grace and Breaking Benjamin are bringing their music to the Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato this Saturday, Jan. 23. The two rock bands are co-headliners in the tour with opening act Flyleaf.

Three Days Grace, who hail from Canada, are in support of their newest album, “Life Starts Now.” “The new album is basically a commentary on the last couple years of our lives,” said drummer Neil Sanderson on the band’s website. “Things have been fairly traumatic for more than one of us. We’ve all had to confront death on a few different levels, and we’ve had family go through some healthrelated things, so, for us, ‘Life

Starts Now’ reflects that feeling of redefining what life is and what it means to be alive after you hit rock bottom.”

The first single, “Break,” is currently the No. 1 rock song in the United States as well as No. 90 on Billboard’s HOT 100.

Breaking Benjamin are touring in support of their latest album, “Dear Agony,” the cover of which features a scan of lead singer Ben Burnley’s own brain. According to Nielsen SoundScan, the album entered the charts at No. 4, selling 134,000 copies in the first week. That is the best single week sales the band has had. The lead single off the CD, “I Will Not Bow,” reached No. 40 on the Billboard Charts and No. 13 for rock songs.

Opening act Flyleaf also

Concert / page 20

Page 18 • Reporter

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The urbane, bespectacled Beatles drummer and prolific solo artist Ringo Starr may be 69, but much like his fabulous four outfit, he knows it’s the voices of youth and nostalgia classic rock lovers want to hear.

Whether he’s contemplating Lennon’s imagining of giving peace a change “Peace Dream” or taking us on a stroll through “The Other Side of Liverpool,” Starr isn’t showing us the voice of a new generation, but sticking to a sound and an imagery he knows how to implement to near perfection, a drab, rainsoaked late ’70s/early ’80s England where youths yearn for more and vow to achieve it.

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“Transference” Merge (1/19/10)

I know who Spoon is. Hopefully you know who Spoon is.

But above all, Spoon knows who Spoon is — the Britt Daniel-led Austin, Texas indie rock band whose tight production is only matched by their ability to create a deep-seeded groove that captivates its listeners. On their seventh LP, “Transference,” a term which relates to the projecting of projecting of feelings on another, the band again does what it does best, follows Daniel’s smooth vocal lead and keyboard lines to swoon with beautiful ballads (“Goodnight Laura”) and stir the listener with a rambling strut. Where love has always been supreme with the band, on “Transference,” it’s a desperation, from the fuzz of “I Saw the Light” to the Whosounding, sax-featured closer “Tear Me Down.”

For Fans Of: Cold War Kids, New Pornographers, Nasally greatness, dancing to indie

“Kaskaskia Island”

self-produced (12/16/2008)

Most college bands unintentionally pigeonhole themselves by being heavily influenced by their college monikers and the hole-in-the-wall venues they play. But the Black Fortys proved not only can they form a grand and complete sound to deviate from other college acts, but one that manages to rank among top indie artists, a feat that won them 2008 College Band of the Year at the New American Music Union. With music that reminds, but does not regurgitate the fine beauty of Arcade Fire and the emotive rasp of the Replacements, the Black Fortys, with their “college band” label and all, have snuck up and surprised concert attendees and critics alike, earning them opening slots for the likes of Nas and the Duke Spirit.

For Fans Of: The Replacements, Walkmen, VU, noncover band college bands

Hot Chip “One Life Stand” EMI (2/8/10)

British disco lovers Hot Chip follow up their highly entertaining preceeding albums with the punny “One Life Stand.” Already out digitally, the physical edition is planned for an early February release.

Fans of the band will notice a moodier, more vocal-heavy approach to their signature indie disco sound. Calming down the onslaught of dance grooves from their previous albums, frontman Alexis Taylor does keeps listeners’ feet moving and heads bobbing, but more often reaches out to bleeding hearts.

For Fans Of: Cut Copy, LCD Soundsystem, Junior Boys, dancing while crying

— Nate Brennan, Variety Editor

Thursday, January 21, 2010T

FAT KID The provocative radio DJ gets fired from 95.7 The Blaze for a promotional contest where he called a Minnesota State cheerleader fat, Powell said the station told him the incident was the final straw. continued from 17 by stating that the station’s web site features nearly nude women every day on their “Hot Chick of the Day” page — and the other an incident where Powell spoke about the Kasota shooting, which Powell stated ended as a simple misunderstanding with the program director over Canadian radio and FCC regulations.

95.7 The Blaze and its program director Jeff Spence declined to comment on the matter, only issuing a press release stating that Three Eagles Communications, the umbrella company which the station is a part of, is “proud to announce that popular local radio personality George (Blaze) Blais is leaving his current position as morning show host at KXLP-FM, to take over the Afternoon Drive Show on 95.7 The Blaze ... Blais takes over the shift previously hosted by Jeremy Powell aka Fat Kid. Powell was fired last week for disparaging remarks concerning an MSU Cheerleader on 95.7 The Blaze, and posted on Facebook. The “Blaze On Blaze” Afternoon Drive Show will air weekdays 2pm to 7pm beginning Monday January 11.”

But with a seemingly clear record, the firing of “Fat Kid” has not only left Powell with a bad taste in his mouth (he remarked “If I had known I would be treated the way I am being treated by my former co-workers, I would have freaked out Jerry Maguire style.”), but his fan base has come out in defense of the deposed DJ. In the rants and raves section of Craigslist.com and on the Facebook fan page “Fat Kid Rocks,” radio listeners have come out in droves with angry comments about the firing, both in opposition (“Maybe next time he will think twice about running his mouth at someone else’s expense.” and “His ego was bigger than his paycheck!”) and in support (“I’m going to do everything I can to get you your job back” and “This country is going to hell in a hand basket! What the hell happened to freedom of speech, humor and the American way?”)

Mankato resident Patti Clayton, a member of the Facebook fan page, is so infuriated by the termination that she plans on staging a protest outside The Blaze’s

offices.

“I was outraged, I thought it was absolutely ridiculous,” said Clayton. “I don’t think it really should have offended anybody, I personally would have been flattered to have been called ‘cute as a button.’”

“I think that ‘Fat Kid’ was the best radio DJ,” Clayton said. “He made a lot of people smile as well as made a big impact on the great Mankato area (such as camping on top of Rooms for Rest to raise money and awareness for the Special Olympics).”

With the outreach and support from his fans, Powell feels it’s a sign that he’s done his job.

“I made myself known,” Powell said. “I made people care.”

Powell stated that he was “blown away” by the tremendous support, adding “I have worked in radio since I was 16 years old and I have never seen anything like this.”

“I am not the first nor will I be the last person to call one of the hockey cheerleaders fat.

I just did it on the radio. We are talking about cheerleaders for Division I hockey.

I wasn’t picking on the fat girl on the local high school squad.

Besides, I think she is cute as a button...”

— Fat Kid

GO VIKINGS!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Variety

Reporter • Page 19

Peter Jackson’s not so ‘Lovely’ film JACOB BOHROD

staff writer

“The Lovely Bones” is not a movie; at least not in the sense you and I think of one. It has no coherence, no idea of what it’s doing, what its purpose is.

It barely has a plot. I’m still not sure if it has any scenes, whatsoever.

What “The Lovely Bones” does offer, however, is a tangled marsh of unfocused emotion, unclear characters and uninspired dreamscapes, all of which add up to make a moving picture, yes, but a movie? No. Adapted from the novel by Alice Sebold, “The Lovely Bones” is about a girl, Susan Salmon (Saoirse Ronan), who is unable to move on in the afterlife following her early slaying at the age of 14. As Susie looks back on the happenings of Earth after her death, we follow the Salmon family in grief, the crush she left behind and her atlarge killer as he avoids police, wallows satisfyingly in the memory of his deed and finds his next victim.

Director Peter Jackson paces this story in an assuming and thoughtless manner. Instead

of giving due time to the more complicated and emotional sequences in Susie’s heaven and her family left behind, he spends a vast amount of effort splicing bits and pieces of repeated images together to the tune of Susie’s narration. This creates a tension not between characters and themes within the movie, but between the viewer and the film, in which the film grinds against the viewer, creating a desperate situation where the viewer is nearly forced into cardiac arrest.

And this is not the mesmerizing and satisfying contention between film and viewer, the kind that one feels compelled to enter and to conquer. “The Lovely Bones” is the film equivalent of a 3-yearold in the toy section of Target.

Dragging its feet the whole way through, it’s all one can do to keep from heaving it forward by its collar until finally, just as the exit is in sight, it sits down.

As if Jackson forgot that motion pictures have any time constraints (and with his track record, it would seem he has), the director lavishly spends a third of the film tiptoeing to Susie’s murder. Here’s a lesson:

When your audience knows what happens at the end, best not crawl your way there. At some point well into the film, anticipation dies abruptly, replaced only with boredom.

The film is also confused as to whom it’s intended for.

While it serves up a heavy dosage of teenage-girl romance, its narrative center (the rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl), heavy in its own right, is accompanied by gruesome and disturbing imagery (although at times it feels like you’re watching a Dateline reenactment).

“The Lovely Bones” feels like it set out to be a soft and delicate art piece, something smaller and more targeted than Jackson’s recent projects, but its attention was diverted and its scale enhanced through a scatter-brained portrayal of Susie’s afterlife, not to mention its genre-bending depiction of Susie’s murderer.

Overwhelmed by how much it wanted to show us, “The Lovely Bones” assumes audiences are as eager to see it as its creators were in making it; the film wants so bad to tell us this story that it ends up an

web photo Out of the scattered narrative of ‘The Lovely Bones,’ 15-year-old Saoirse Ronan still shows the brilliance that earned her an Oscar nomination in 2008.

exasperated juvenile: “And then this happened, and then this, and then this part is my favorite!”

The performances of 15year-old Saoirse Ronan and Stanley Tucci are shamefully wasted by “The Lovely Bones.”

Ronan shows an impressive range throughout the film, and watching her contained terror in a scene opposite her murderer, Tucci, is heartbreaking and powerful. Tucci gives an equally impressive performance, although the role is a straightforward and stereotypical one.

Susan Sarandon and Mark Wahlberg round out the cast, giving the film star power that doesn’t fail to amuse, even if that’s all it does.

“The Lovely Bones,” like its Susie Salmon, is one stuck in the “in between.” In between age groups. In between genres.

In between purposes. So bent on sharing Sebold’s vision with us, Jackson would have been better off if he had simply filmed himself reading the book.

Page 20 • Reporter

Variety

Thursday, January 21, 2010T

Surprise! ‘The Book’ is the Bible DANNIE HIGGINBOTHAM

news editor

There certainly isn’t a shortage of movies depicting depressing, post-apocalyptic worlds following a nuclear war/worldwide freak accident/ zombie attack. There have been so many lately that they all seem to blend together.

“The Book of Eli” tells the story of a man named Eli — though the movie takes at least 45 minutes to actually reveal this — it’s pretty easy to guess within the first couple minutes.

Eli (Denzel Washington) began walking west when the apocalypse happened for some reason 30 years ago. On his journey, he passes through a ramshackle town run by the corrupt Carnegie (Gary Oldman), who keeps a band of highway robbers on the outskirts to steal from innocent travelers.

Carnegie, an avid reader, is searching for a certain book (hint: The Bible) that supposedly isn’t supposed to exist anymore because all copies were burned after a war that either caused or followed the apocalypse. Carnegie is married to a blind woman named Claudia (Jennifer Beals), whom he abuses, and has a stepdaughter named Solara (Mila Kunis), whom he pimps out. So you know, he’s exactly the kind of guy who would want a Bible.

After Eli kills nearly all the patrons in a bar, Carnegie takes him and tries to bribe him to

CONCERT Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin and Flyleaf play Mankato continued from 17

has a new album in stores called “Memento Mori.” The title is Latin for “be mindful of death”. The band began writing the album in 2006-07 while on the Family Values Tour and on a European tour with the band Korn. Flyleaf has also shared the stage with bands like Stone Sour, Deftones and Evanescence. They released their debut album in 2005 and released three singles from the album. The third single, “All Around Me,” reached No. 40 on the Billboard HOT 100.

All three acts will be touring web photo together through March.

Even with the presence of the great Denzel Washington, ‘The Book of Eli’ fails in its attempt to be meaningful. Mankato is the tour’s second stop in Minnesota Saturday’s be a lackey. When he refuses, points are obvious and the time end all I learned was, though show starts at 7 p.m. with doors Carnegie tells him to think spent hiding them could’ve Chap Stick and shampoo will opening at 5:30 p.m. Tickets about it for a night and offers been better spent explaining not exist after the doomsday are still available at the him lodging, complete with the film’s glaring plot holes. comes, I should still be able to Verizon Wireless Center box food, water and Solara. Instead Washington gives a great use my iPod. office and at all Ticketmaster of sleeping with her, Eli teaches performance as Eli and Kunis locations. The price for general Solara how to pray, which she is a decent Solara, but the other admission is $39.75 plus taxes does with her mother the next characters come off lackluster and fees. morning in front of Carnegie. and uninteresting.

Carnegie realizes Eli has a Bible A credit to the film is a and sends his men out after him, major plot twist that happens but Eli takes off before they can near the end. When viewers first catch him, with Solara in tow. realize it, they think “Oh wow!

It’s easy to pick up on the I was not expecting that!” After Christian overtones in the a couple minutes, however, movie, since God, who grants that initial surprised reaction • Near MSU on the bus route • Off-street parking him the ability to fight and becomes frustration as they • Heat & Water paid • Big backyard! withstand any kind of injury, realize “Holy shit, that doesn’t • Washer, Dryer, A/C • Feels like home! guides Eli. The movie tries to make any sense.” cloud itself in mystery when The movie tries to be deep really, many of the major plot and full of meaning, but in the

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

Variety

Reporter • Page 21

Student and faculty poetry reviewed SAM CAMPBELL

SAM CAMPBELL | staff writer

If there is one thing to be said about Sheka Mansaray, a junior at Minnesota State, it’s that he’s got a whole lot of heart. Nothing proved this more than the enthusiastic support at his book release Wednesday night.

Accompanied by an eclectic collection of talent from family and friends, Mansaray performed and promoted work from his new poetry book “Desert Rose.” This is Mansaray’s second book of poems, his previous one being “The Tears of My Father” (2008).

Written in free verse and absent rhyme, Mansaray focuses his attention strongly on rhythm.

His subject matter, which is more than often abstract, is explored rigorously in thoughtful yet vague language.

There is no doubt that his words attempt “to grasp on to some greater meaning; to mine the depths of what he feels and what he knows and what he believes,” as his cover elaborates.

With titles such as “Scars My Soul,” “Last Wisdom” and “Words for Thoughts,” Mansaray leaves little of the heaviest concepts untouched.

Usually wrestling to find meaning in death, relationships or religion, his words play on ideas but lack grounding in detail, which is no doubt my largest criticism.

Lacking imagery and almost anything specific or tangible, Mansaray’s poems rely so heavily on ideas that the reader is often left drifting in ambiguity. It is for this reason that, apart from his philosophy, his work fails to reach the senses or the imagination.

But these criticisms alone do not do Mansaray’s poetry justice. Speaking through a voice that is overwhelmingly sincere and concerned, his will is determined and a pleasure to watch. So it was no wonder that Wednesday night at the release of “Desert Rose,” Ostrander Auditorium was at a higher capacity than any visitation by The Good Thunder Reading Series’ professional writers — because Mansaray has undeniable heart.

staff writer Having just released his fourth book of poetry “Radioactive City,” English professor Richard Robbins talks shop and even cracks a joke.

His new book, which was published by Bellday Books in 2009, balances sharp imagery with subtle meaning. Robbins’ words glide gracefully through his subject matter in honed detail and playful enjambment.

The title, which is only mentioned once within the text, attempts to suggest rather than to explain.

“I like titles to be evocative,” said Robbins from his bookcrammed office. “[Radioactive City] suggests urban, lights, motion, danger.”

Separated into four sections distinguished by tone, “Radioactive City” is made up of a collection of previously published and unpublished poems spanning from 2001-06.

“Each section has a different tone,” Robbins said. “[The sections] flip back and forth from personal to global.”

And nothing seems to play a larger role in the division of chapters than intuition, an

element which in only a few minutes Robbins has established as crucial to the publication of his book. From the order of the poems to the amount of work needed it has been this inherent

instinct that has served his publication well.

It is no doubt then that it was intuition that led Robbins to start his book with a joke. Being very tongue-in-cheek, Robbins’ first poem entitled “The Odds,” sarcastically pokes fun at the

idea of the pessimist. Against everything from fizzy water to Harry Potter, the character in the poem reveals himself as a parody of a cynic. Robbins’ voice has fun with his subject, seen especially when the character is against “Even the patience of his wife, who really/should have kicked his ass”, which made me wonder where Robbins himself fits into this poem.

“The voice is never really me,” Robbins said.

“The Odds” along with other poems such as “Fall,” a representation to the other extreme of absolute acceptance, attempts to show the far ends of the spectrum.

Robbins finds himself somewhere in the middle.

It was the end of the book, however, where Robbins’ intuition came into question by his publisher.

Strongly recommending a different poem to end his book, Robbins had found his own opposite ends of the spectrum in a showdown of opinion.

“I believe that the first and last poem of the book are really

important. In this case, we just had different opinions and I eventually gave in … but it was a definite standoff.”

Giving in only after slipping in the debated changes on a goldenrod half-sheet, Robbins still prefers his opinion but holds no grudge about the publication.

“We have a great relationship [referring to Bellday Books], and I’m very satisfied with the book,” Robbins said. “I just think it would have been better without the changes.”

Robbins next book, “Other Americas,” is already scheduled to be released by Blueroad Press this year. Focusing more on landscape and the interplay between cultures, “Other Americas” is a selection of work written from the mid-’90s to the present.

He will be featured as one of the faculty writers at the Jan. 28 Good Thunder Reading Series, along with professors Candace Black and Roger Sheffer.

Both “Radioactive City” and “Other Americas” will be available at the reading and then released to the campus Barnes & Noble bookstore.

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Page 22 • Reporter

Variety

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Rockwell soars to DVD in ‘Moon’ Conan JACOB BOHROD

staff writer

New to DVD is one of 2009’s most overlooked films: “Moon.” A sci-fi thriller reminiscent of the genre’s originators, “Moon” is a cold look at the future of corporate Earth, where scientific invention and breakthrough serves as a double-edged sword for humanity.

With an Oscar-worthy performance by Sam Rockwell as Sam Bell, a lonesome astronaut nearing the end of a 3-year contract which had him harvesting energy on the moon, the film is a quiet and eerie portrayal of one man’s solitude. As Sam prepares to return home to his wife and young daughter, he slowly starts to uncover the makings of mystery on his sterile moon base, the likes of which give rise to the ethical and moral implications of technological power in the future.

“Moon” is as powerfully beautiful as it is

philosophically intriguing.

Director Duncan Jones paints a bleached, robotic landscape that perfectly coincides with Sam’s fragile state of mind. If ever there was a movie to relate the unforgiving nature of lifeless space, this is it.

Jones (and Rockwell for that matter) does an outstanding job making the viewer actually care about Sam and the mystery he faces; a driving interest in the character — what his opposition is and what his ultimate fate will be — will keep you guessing the whole way through.

Already the recipient of numerous international awards, “Moon” may be the best movie nobody saw in 2009.

to give farewell

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Conan O’Brien all but posted a farewell banner on this week’s “Tonight” shows as his exit negotiations with NBC neared their conclusion Wednesday.

In the late-night tradition of a star-studded goodbye, O’Brien’s guests Thursday include such big names as Robin Williams and Barry Manilow. Tom Hanks was scheduled for Friday, as was Will Ferrell — the first guest O’Brien welcomed when he started last June as “Tonight” host.

And then there was this joke from his monologue Wednesday: “Hi, I’m Conan O’Brien, and I’m just three days away from the biggest drinking binge in history.”

It was yet another indication that he’s bracing for the bitter end of his brief tenure at “Tonight,” less than eight months after taking over as host from Jay Leno. The show previously had been scheduled for reruns next week.

reporter-sports@mnsu.edu

Sports Thursday, January 21, 2010

(507) 389-5227

MAVERICK SPOTLIGHT JERMAIN DAVIS AND JEFFERSON MASON - MSU BASKETBALL

WITHOUT EVEN MISSING A BEAT

wale agboola • msu reporter

KYLE RATKE

Jefferson Mason has done more for the Minnesota State basketball team than what is just seen on the court. After transferring from Northern Colorado in the winter of last season, Mason knew that he could potentially help add one more weapon to his arsenal.

No, it wasn’t getting faster, strong, or more athletic (all which would be difficult to do.)

It was adding a piece to the Maverick puzzle, that Mason was very familiar with.

It was former Iowa basketball player and high school teammate of Masons, Jermain Davis.

“He told me to basically come here [to MSU],” Davis said. “I know what I am going to get out of him and he started telling me about the guys. He told me they have a big man in the middle and I already knew Marcus Hill from AAU ball, so it made things easier.”

Mason and Davis played at Robinsdale Cooper together

from 2004-2006 and the two turned around the team. They brought a below-average high school team, to a team that made it to the state championship game, finishing the year with a 27-4 record.

Mason averaged 22.2 points per game and seven rebounds, along with being named to second-team-all-state. Davis was named first-team-all conference and was named the team’s MVP his junior and senior season.

It was more than the chemistry on the court that was special though. The two were good friends during high school and seemed to share that friendship on and off of the basketball court.

It seemed like coming out of high school, it would be a given that the two would join each other on the college court.

“We were really good friends,” Mason said. “He would stay at my place, I would stay at his. We wanted to play

| sports editor

A FRESH START Jefferson Mason

15. 7 ppg 8.4 rpg 1.8 spg 1 bpg

Jermain Davis

12. 7 ppg 2.9 apg 1.4 spg 80% FT

at the same college, but at the same time we wanted to do our own thing.”

Davis decided to go to Kirkwood College out of high school, while Mason decided to go to Northern Colorado. Davis then transferred to Iowa and played 30 games last season, starting 11.

Mason averaged 9.4 points per game last season, but at the end of the semester decided he wanted to go elsewhere. After talking to Davis, Mason learned that Davis wasn’t all that happy at Iowa (like many others on the team) either. It seemed like the perfect fit.

Mavericks head coach Matt Margenthaler had recruited both players out of high school, and fast forward three years later, Margenthaler was getting his wish.

“Coach [Margenthaler] recruited me out of high school and always had an interest in me,” Davis said. “It was the first time a coach really

believed me. That’s a guy you want to go to battle for.”

Looking back now, it seems as if these three, including Margenthaler, wanted to battle for each other.

At the beginning of this season, Mavericks were facing questions, not about the team’s talent, but the team’s chemistry.

Bringing in Davis, Mason and fellow transfer Cam Hodges, some thought it would be tough for two guys to get along in a team atmosphere coming from DI programs.

Obviously those who thought that, must not have known the connection Mason and Davis had with basketball and with each other.

“It helps a ton that they were best friends in high school,” Margenthaler said. “They were able to keep in touch and to have two transfer guys with the abilities they have is something else. They fit in so well with our team chemistry. They

Davis and Mason / page 24

Page 24 • Reporter

Sports

Thursday, January 21, 2010T

DAVIS AND MASON “Very few will say they’ve been let down so far.” continued from 23

UP NEXT

Wayne State When: 8 p.m. Fri. Where: Wayne State, NE

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL School Conf. OVR (20)Concordia St.P 8-1 14-2 Augustana 7-2 13-3 Minnesota-Duluth 7-3 12-5 MSU-Moorhead 6-3 12-4 Winona State 6-4 11-6 Wayne State 5-4 12-4 SW Minnesota State 5-4 11-5 MAVERICKS 5-4 10-6 Northern State 4-5 8-8 Minnesota-Crookston 4-5 6-9 Bemidji State 4-6 10-7 St. Cloud State 3-6 8-8 Mary 1-8 5-11 Upper Iowa 0-10 1-15

MEN’S BASKETBALL School Conf. OVR (3) MAVERICKS 9-0 16-0 (23) Augustana 7-2 14-2 St. Cloud State 7-2 13-3 Winona State 6-4 12-5 Mary 5-4 9-7 Concordia St. Paul 5-4 8-8 Wayne State 5-4 8-8 SW Minnesota State 4-5 9-6 Minnesota-Duluth 4-6 7-10 Upper Iowa 4-6 7-10 Northern State 3-6 7-9 MSU-Moorhead 3-6 6-10 Bemidji State 3-7 6-10 Minnesota-Crookston 0-9 3-12

wale agboola • msu reporter With their high-flying play, Mason (above) and Davis have brought more fans into Bresnan Arena.

include everyone.”

Both players have statistically helped the Mavericks out, but they are doing one more thing that may be equally important.

“They can do amazing things in the air.”

That’s what Margenthaler said about the two, and that is probably the best way to put it.

A school that is generally hockey school, is slowly seeing more fans wander through the doors of Bresnan Arena on Friday and Saturday nights. And when Davis or Mason are on a fastbreak, it makes sense, as the whole arena rises to their feet, curious on what’s to happen.

Very few will say they’ve been let down so far.

With the Mavericks being 14-0, both players know what’s

happening right now is very special.

The Mavericks are ranked No. 3 in the nation and are in a position that isn’t necessarily unfamiliar, but certainly not a position a team can take for granted.

Davis is a senior, as is Mason, but Mason is still fighting to possibly get a redshirt year back after missing the second half of last year’s season.

If it is both player’s last season, it just gives them one more reason to do the one thing they came here for.

“He will be in my wedding, I will be in his,” Davis said of Mason. “Now we are at a place where we can win an NSIC title and make an NCAA tourney run.”

Mason feels the same way.

“I am so excited for this team. There are no egos. I feel like everyone is in it to win it.

The skies the limit as long as we stay grounded. We want to win it all.”

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

Sports

Reporter • Page 25

Mavericks stay strong, despite losses to Bulldogs MSU men’s hockey won’t be back in action until Jan. 29

“It’s going to be an important weekend at Michigan staff writer Tech to get two wins up there,” Harrison said. “Then we have It wasn’t the kind of start another weekend off so we’ll the Minnesota State men’s get some rest there as well.” hockey team envisioned going MSU’s most glaring struginto the second half of the gles recently have come in the season. attack zone. No player scored “I think we played good more than one goal in the past hockey against two of the four games (the Mavericks better teams in the conferscored seven goals as a team in ence,” said senior forward that stretch).

Jerad Stewart. “We lost by one Geoff Irwin (1-2—3) was goal in three of those games. It the only Maverick to score sucks. What else can you say?” more than two points in those After going 4-1-1 in four games. Instead of a posnonconference action over sible climb back into the thick winter break, the Mavericks of the race for home-ice in the were swept at North Dakota WCHA Playoffs, the drought (4-1 and 3-2) and at home by has held MSU down at ninth Minnesota-Duluth (2-1 and place.

4-3). Now is the perfect time The drought started with a for a breather.

4-1 loss to the Fighting Sioux Senior center Zach Harrison on Jan. 8 in which playsaid “Mentally, we’re ers admitted they came a little worn out from out completely flat. all the one-goal losses MSU played with more we’ve had lately. It’s intensity the next night good to have an offbut only scored twice in weekend and get back a 3-2 loss. after it on Monday.”

The offense was “It helps guys get missing again this past healed up and reHarrison weekend against UMD. cover,” Stewart said.

Austin Lee and the “It gives us time to Mavericks defense limited the recover this weekend, because Bulldogs’ potent top line to we absolutely have to start minimal scoring chances but winning games.” could only answer on the other MSU is off this weekend end with one power play goal before returning to action at

by Kael Mouillierat — which Michigan Tech next Friday. made the score 2-1 in the third Then it’s another bye week period. before heading back on the “Power play we’re OK but road to face Wisconsin on Feb. we haven’t gotten a whole lot 12-13. of 5-on-5 goals lately,” HarThe Mavericks will go more rison said. “That’s huge to get than a month before playing at those even strength goals.” the Verizon Wireless Center — Of the seven goals the Mava series with Alaska Anchorage ericks scored in the past two Feb. 19-20.

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weeks, only three were even strength.

But MSU scored three goals Saturday night before the Bulldogs stole the game with a goal by Mike Connolly with 1:17 left in overtime.

Nick Canzanello scored his second goal of the season to put the Mavericks up by one at the first intermission. Michael Dorr helped the Mavericks

rally back from a 3-1 deficit with a goal near the end of the second period and Stewart sent the game to overtime with 18 seconds left in regulation.

Saturday’s three goals were the most by the Mavericks since they blanked the Rochester Institute of Technology 3-0 Jan. 2.

“Hopefully practices like this will help,” Stewart said

after the team got done playing a 3-on-3 tournament. “We’re working on scoring and having some fun when you’re not so pressured.”

Page 26 • Reporter

Sports

Thursday, January 21, 2010T

Former coach gets the best of Mavericks

MSU defeats Concordia and falls to Huskies over weekend UP NEXT

Wayne State When: 6 p.m. Fri. Where: Wayne State, NE DEREK WEHRWEIN

staff writer

Lori Fish and Pam Gohl once faced opponents from the same side of the court.

But now the two coaches face off against each other, as they did Saturday, when Fish’s St. Cloud State Huskies took on Gohl’s Minnesota State Mavericks in women’s basketball.

And while — or perhaps because — the two remain such good friends, their meetings evoke mixed feelings.

“We talk before the game, we talk after the game, we talk during the week,” said Gohl, who served as an assistant coach when Fish was head coach of the MSU women’s basketball program. “Somebody’s going to have to win that game, somebody’s going to have to lose that game. It’s not necessarily a fun game for either one of us.”

That was especially true for Gohl, who watched her team fall 63-62 to the Huskies after erasing an early 20-point deficit.

“If we would’ve beaten them after they had a 20-point

lead at the half, [Fish] wouldn’t have gotten any sleep,” Gohl said. “Instead I’m the one who went home and was a little sleepless.”

Gohl might have had problems sleeping Friday night, as well, but for a different reason: her Mavericks knocked off the No. 20-ranked team in the nation, Concordia University, 79-76. The upset displayed what MSU is capable of when playing at a high level — a level it struggled to duplicate the next night, however.

“We didn’t show up in the first half [against St. Cloud] and that really hurt us,” senior Liz Trauger said. “We weren’t making shots, we weren’t playing as hard as I think we can and we need to know that we can’t just show up. We need to come out with some urgency every game. We can’t just come out with urgency against big opponents.”

Trauger led the Mavericks (10-6, 5-4) both Friday and Saturday. Against Concordia she recorded a career-high 24 points, while sophomore Laura Weber earned her first career double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Trauger added 21 points and 10 rebounds against St. Cloud State, her first double-double of the season.

Tiffany Moe reached a milestone of her own Friday: her

photo courtesy of Sports Pix The Mavericks are currently 10-6 this season with virtually a whole new rotation of players playing.

19 points against Concordia pushed her past the 1,000-career point total.

MSU plays at Wayne State at 6 p.m. Friday and at Augustana at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Both teams sport better records than the Mavericks, and Gohl called both games “critical.”

“This is probably the toughest two road games that are built into the conference schedule this year,” she said.

“This’ll be a big test for our program.”

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

Sports

Reporter • Page 27

Sport Shorts: Men’s and women’s track and field

MSU Women’s Hockey Gameday

Lee Handel • staff writer

REPORTER STAFF

Men’s Indoor Track and Field The Minnesota State The MSU men’s indoor women’s indoor track and field track and field team had 13 team participated in the 2010 top-five finishes at Saturday’s University of Minnesota Open Saturday and had success, with 2010 University of Minnesota three first place finishes and 17 Open.

In the field events, Chris top fives.

Nowlin jumped 6.64 meters In the 60-meter hurdles, in the long jump, giving him Megan Olson finished first a fourth place finish. Nick place with a time of 9.41. FelYenser and Matt Masloski both low Mavericks Andrea Sellers finished in second place with a competed in the pole vault competition and took fourth time of 9.71 and Katie Hopand fifth respectively. Todd per finished third with a time DeJong finished third of 9.9. in the shot put with Sellers also finished a distance of 15.33 second in the high jump meters. Adedayo with a jump of 1.58 Ologunde closed out meters. the field events with Danielle Jones took a third place finish first in the 60-meter dash in the triple jump with a time of 7.97. competition.

Natalie Lyster Henderson In the track events, finished first in the Nicholas Nelson 800-meter dash with a finished fifth in the 60-meter time of 2:19.02. spring with a time of 7.97. In Other Mavericks to place were Lauren Stelten (fifth, pole the 800-meter dash Eric Anenson and Nick Ramberg finished vault), Brita Johnson (third, third and fourth respectively. weight throw), Leah Heimerl (fourth, long jump), Megan Ol- Sam Lance and Todd Reed finished fourth and fifth in the son (fifth, long jump), Kelsey 600-meter dash. Scott Lustig Leonard (third, 400-meter closed out the track events, dash), Becca Schmidt (fifth, finished fifth in the 200-meter 400-meter dash), Melissa dash.

Clark (second, 800-meter The MSU 4X400 team took dash), Jackie Beckett (third, fourth place.

800-meter dash), Lauren The Mavericks will be in Beukelman (fifth, 600-meter action Friday and Saturday at dash) and Brittany Henderson Iowa State (second, 200-meter dash.)

Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs (15-7-2,11-5-2-1 WCHA) at Minnesota State Mavericks (4-13-5, 2-11-5-3 WCHA) Friday - 7:07 p.m., Saturday - 3:07 p.m.

All Seasons Arena — Mankato, Minn.

RECAP: The MSU women’s hockey team will continue their current homestand this weekend when they play host to the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are coming off a huge home sweep of the Wisconsin Badgers that catapulted them into sole possession of second place in the WCHA. UMD won the first game 5-3 and the second game 2-1, giving them 25 points. This trails only Minnesota, with 32 points in conference play. The Mavericks suffered a devastating sweep at home at the hands of the Ohio State Buckeyes, losing the first game 6-0 and the second game 3-2 after leading 2-1 heading into the final period. The second loss was the toughest one to swallow for the Mavericks, who are now nine points out of fourth place for home ice in the WCHA playoffs.

HISTORY: Perhaps the high-point of the Mavericks’ season so far came against the Bulldogs back in late November in Duluth. The Mavericks played one of their best games of the year and defeated the Bulldogs in regulation 3-2. That was the last time the Mavericks won a game in regulation. The triumph was also their first win over the Bulldogs since the 2006-07 season. The Bulldogs bounced back to take the second game of the series 7-1. They lead the all-time series 36-4-3.

MSU NOTES: The Mavericks’ offensive woes continued last weekend against Ohio State, especially on Friday. The Mavericks were blanked 6-0 despite outshooting the Buckeyes 26-21 in the game. They appeared to be in line for their first regulation home victory of the season on Saturday, but blew a slim 2-1 lead in the third period to give the sweep to the Buckeyes. Senior forward Jenna Hewitt did her best to try to spark the Maverick offense, notching her first goal of the season on freshman Lauren Zrust’s first career assist as a Maverick. Sophomore forward Moira O’Connor gave the Mavericks a 2-1 lead with assists from senior Christina Lee and junior Amy Udvig, but the lead did not hold up.

The team’s struggles on the power play continued as the Mavericks went 0-8 with the extra skater on the weekend …

Junior forward Nina Tikkinen has been named to Finland’s 2010 Winter Olympic Women’s Hockey Team.

UMD NOTES: The Bulldogs are led by a trio of forwards: senior Emmanuelle Blais (14-19—33), junior Laura Fridfinnson (10-15—25), and freshman Katherine Wilson (12-12—24). They are 6-5-1 on the road this season.

PREDICTION: Michigan Tech is coming off a split with No. 7 Denver at home. The Huskies, who sit in second to last place in the WCHA standings, are lead by forwards Peter Rouleau (12-14—26), Tyler Shelast (13-9—22), and Jimmy Kerr (8-9—17). Goalie Michael-Lee Teslak is one of the league’s best. He sports a goals-against average of 1.95, and a save percentage of .926.

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Page 28 • Reporter

Sports

Thursday, January 21, 2010T

Bleacher Banter

We were so good last week, we decided that we should come back with another.

It’s either that or that we have space to fill. Round two. Let it begin.

Kyle Ratke: I love how I can just ask you to do this last minute when I have space to fill. I mean, I would obviously do the same for you. So, how about my Vikings Nate Dogg? Your prediction worked out real well.

Nate Brennan: Well, let’s not forget that the Cowboys losing Flozell Adams early in the game allowed Jared Allen free range to calf rope, so to speak. But I have to admit, the Favre to Rice connection looked crazy good. So good that the whole second half looked like a mixture of embarrassing my roommate in Madden ’10 and sixth graders playing fourth graders at recess. Favre may have been the one singing it, but the Cowboys were the ones with their “Pants on the Ground.”

Ratke: Pants on the ground?

Sounds like Tiger Woods. The guy just entered sex rehab. First off, I never knew there was a sex rehab center. Second off, the only way I would enter a sex rehap center is if I had a family at stake. Wait, Tiget qualifies.

Makes sense. This has to be the furthest an athlete has ever

fallen off. The only other close one I can think of in our time is Michael Vick. Talk to me, Brennan.

Kyle ratke

Brennan: C’mon, Vick didn’t murder dogs on purpose. He saw “All Dogs Go To Heaven” on acid and legitimately thought he was doing them a favor by sending them to a better place. But I don’t think either are the athletes that have fallen the furthest. Think of all those high school stud quarterbacks and point guards who were too small to continue their careers and are left to just talk about it at Otto. We get it dude, you ran for 200 yards against that farm town team that one game that only your parents and you still give a shit about. I’m getting paid right now to write an article about how much you suck. Who wins? Wait, this is starting to sound way too much like that shitty aritcle you wrote on page nine.

Ratke: I was halfway through reading that and thinking, “Wow, this really does sound like my article. Maybe Nate’s not so bad

FREE SIMULATOR RIDES

nate brennan

after all.”

Smartass. I bet there are three dudes at a table now going, “Ha, I told you it was shitty. I told you!”

Lets talk Vikings. I am sure you have them losing to the Saints, but you know what Nate?

I don’t think this matchup is really that off-balanced. Two really good offenses. Two pretty good defenses. This sounds kinda weird to say, but could the game be decided by the kicking?

Garrett Hartley kind of sucks.

Just sayin’. He’s probably something like you in high school.

Ryan Longwell is cash money.

My final score is 34-31, with Longwell hitting the winner.

Brennan: If the Vikings embarrassed the Cowboys like you getting pants in front of your middle school crush, then what the Saints did to last year’s NFC champions was the big kid hold-

ing you down after you’d been pantsed and farting bareassed in your face.

That’s how good the Saints are, they actually have time during a play to take off their pants and fart in their opponents faces, and then put their pants back on and finish making some ridiculously talented touchdown play. Not to mention, Sharper will surely be looking to exact his revenge on his former team.

Ratke: I think eight people just puked when they read that.

But yeah, the Saints are good.

They scare the shit out of me.

But if either team makes it to the Super Bowl and has to play the Jets out of the AFC, I will never watch football again.

Mark Sanchez is young, a good-looking guy, and may have a future in this league, but wow, is he bad at this stage in his career.

Anytime there is a stat comparing a running back’s yards and a quarterback’s yards, it’s never a good thing for the QB. I think he is awful. Like Tim

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Couch and Akili Smith awful.

Or like my friend Z-Town, the quarterback of our flag football team, awful. I would rather have Chris Kluwe punting me balls then have Sanchez throwing them.

Brennan: The Jets haven’t really had much of a challenge to get to the AFC Championship.

Revis shuts down one guy and beats the Bengals and then shuts down another guy and the rest guard Gates and they beat the Chargers, much to King Laserface/Phillip Rivers’ displeasure. With all the weapons the Colts have in comparison to the teams the Jets have played thus far, they should be just fine heading into Saturday’s matchup.

Colts 31, Jets 13. Saints 34, Vikings 24. Alcohol 3, Cigarettes 2. Jersey Shore 10, Real World Washington D.C. 4 .

Kyle Ratke is the Reporter Sports Editor.

Nate Brennan is the Variety Editor.

Ratke hates that Brennan got the last word.

He’s the editor, it won’t happen again.

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

Sports

Reporter • Page 29

No. 12 Mavericks set to open NSIC schedule UP NEXT

MSU-Moorhead When: 7 p.m. Fri. Where: Taylor Center, Mankato PAT DELANEY

staff writer

Winning early in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference is always important. The Minnesota State wrestling team knows this very well. After winning the conference title the .last two years, MSU will look to continue that success heading into their first two conference duals against Minnesota State, Moorhead and Augustana this weekend.

“It’s important to have the momentum going early,” said

Wrestling Standings NSIC School (11) Upper Iowa (9) St. Cloud State (8) Augustana Northern State MSU-Moorhead (12) MAVERICKS SW Minnesota State Mary

Conf. OVR 2-0 8-1 1-0 9-4 1-0 5-4 1-1 2-2 1-1 3-6 0-0 5-1 0-2 1-2 0-2 0-3

senior heavyweight Brady Wilson. “We have won the conference the last couple years so it would be nice to go out and win it again.”

The Mavericks are going to need the strong effort they had in their last match when they welcomed in Wisconsin-Eau Claire. MSU dominated the match, winning 41-3 and getting wins in their last six matches.

Wilson had three takedowns in the first minute of his match, leading to a fall in just 1:30.

Junior Andy Forstner also had a quick victory with a fall in 1:11 competing at the 125 pound weight class. Junior John Makabe got his first collegiate victory at the 197 pound weight class. The Mavericks also got convincing victories from junior Matt Nyvold at 133 pounds and freshmen Robby Fisher at 141 pounds.

The No.-12 ranked Mavericks improved their record to 5-1 on the season and hope to see that win total continue to rise in conference play. MSU will face a Moorhead team that has already faced two NSIC opponents, going 1-1. The Dragons are coming off a loss to Northern State and will be looking to bounce back.

“We need to have the same approach every match,” said

dan moen • msu reporter MSU is the only team in the NSIC that hasn’t faced another team in the conference. That will change Friday.

Mavericks head coach Jim Makovsky. “That starts in practice, focusing on yourself there and then bringing it to your next match.”

Augustana will be the second opponent the Mavericks take on this weekend. The Vikings are sure to be a tough opponent after dominating Southwest State last weekend 36-6. While Augustana is young, it is very talented throughout the roster, helping them establish a No. 8 ranking.

They are led by sophomore Nick

Henning who is ranked No. 6 at the 184 pound weight class.

The Mavericks’ last match showed the promise of a roster starting to develop some depth.

After some weight classes struggled early, the Mavericks are starting to have better results throughout the whole team.

“We’re getting there,” Wilson said. “We are nowhere near peaking yet­— that probably won’t happen until February — but the team is really meshing together; it’s fun to be around.”

The team’s continued coalscence will become a big factor moving forward. Moving into conference play, the Mavericks will want to continue their recent dominance over the NSIC and see themselves continue to move up in the rankings.

The Mavericks host their first conference match Friday against Minnesota State, Moorhead followed by Augustana on Saturday. Both matches will take place at 7 p.m. in the Taylor Center.

GO VIK INGS!

from the Official Beer of the

Page 30 • Reporter

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