February 25, 2010 by MSU Reporter

Thursday, February 25, 2010

www.msureporter.com

Minnesota State University, Mankato

Auditing the system

‘Eko’-smart

kid-friendly

MnSCU office spending up .5 percent since 2002 JOHN FRITZ

staff writer

photo courtesy of msu theatre and dance department Alice sat on the mushroom, pondering her fate. “One side will make me grow larger and the other side will make me smaller.”

MSU graduate writes play to teach kids about the importance of recyling, tours Southern Minn. schools ASHLEY JOHANSEN

staff writer

index

A cast of Minnesota State students packs into a van twice a week to give kids a bright and bubbly bite of ecofriendly education at schools in southern Minnesota. MSU graduate student Nikki Swoboda created “Rikkie Recycle and the Eco Kids,” a play about a heroine whose mission is to stop the evil character Carbon Footprint and save the planet by making it more eco-friendly. Children at 38 different schools in the southern Minnesota area will be educated and entertained by the new musical production, Swoboda’s second “kiddy tour” production. “Rikkie Recycle” has already been to 16 different schools and the students have set out to teach children the importance of caring for the environment through a colorful, cartoon-like performance that Swoboda created based on the current curriculum in schools. Editorial...................................4 Voices......................................5 Variety......................................9 Sports....................................11 Classifieds.............................19

“

Schools are really focused on being green and being earthfriendly.”

— Nikki Swoboda, MSU graduate “I discussed with my mother, who is a grade school teacher, asking her what schools are really focused on right now and she brought up that schools are really focused on being green and being earthfriendly and it grew from there,” said Swoboda. The plot surrounds Rikkie and her two friends as they follow around Carbon Footprint, who tries to sabotage their eco-friendly deeds. Ms. Recycle and her friends come to discover that he is merely misunderstood and actually has a crush

on Rikkie. So with a little help, the planetloving bunch help to educate Carbon to live a green life, but Swoboda hopes it is the audience who will really reap the benefits of their lessons. “Rikkie teaches him how to be earth friendly it sends a great message for students everywhere,” Swoboda said. According to Swoboda, this play is different from “Abiyoyo,” her first “kiddie production” based around a monster who didn’t like music. This time around, she wanted to create a play that would be relevant to children and school right now. Instead of being very “rustic and heartfelt,” Swoboda wanted “Rikkie Recycle” to be silly and comical, and she did so hands-on, from the music to the set and just about every aspect in between. The music, created by Robb Krueger a theatre student at MSU, with the help of Swoboda, includes many different styles of music from R&B to pop. “Nikki wanted to bring the

Do students use campus computer labs? Page 2

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system needs stricter oversight of its central office and the contractors it has hired to overhaul the information technology system, according to an audit released earlier this month by the Office of the Legislative Auditor. The MnSCU system office, which employs about 400 people, spent $89 million in the 2009 fiscal year — more than half of that paid for upgrades to IT services that college administrators and students still find lacking. From 2002 to 2009, system office spending grew from 4.1 percent to 4.6 percent of total MnSCU spending (MnSCU revenues were $1.8 billion last year) and added the equivalent of 80 full-time positions. The presidents of the 32 colleges and universities that comprise MnSCU “are split between those who think the MnSCU system office is too large and those who think it is about the right size,” according to the audit. Providing services to campuses, developing policies and ensuring system-wide accountability and fiscal integrity, the system office has steadily increased in size and importance since MnSCU was created in 1995. Yet the audit found that the office still hadn’t fulfilled some of its earliest objectives — such as making it easier to transfer credits among participating schools — while imposing itself onto some areas best left to the separate campuses — such as fundraising. The audit recommended that the MnSCU 15-member board of trustees should

Kid-friendly / page 9

System / page 9

Honors students lobby at the capitol Page 4

Page 2 • Reporter

News

Thursday, February 25, 2010T

Computer labs essential to campus

Many students choose to use library, CSU computers, not laptops cardiovascular machine users. MSU student David Lee said he’s a big fan of those computers. “These computers are really great. Every time I work out, I can watch TV shows, or check my e-mail, ” said Lee. There are also secret places most people don’t know about, like Nelson Hall and Wissink Hall, which have some classrooms equipped with Macs. These are for classes that work on Macs, but are available only during the class period. Students who need to work on Macs might have hard time finding one, but thankfully the ACC can help them out. Four Macs are available for any student who needs

YOONKI KIM

staff writer

When high school seniors graduate, one of the first things on their shopping-forcolleges lists is a laptop. Many students may be surprised, however, to find that they may end up leaving behind their new toys in favor of on-campus computers. The computer labs are nearly everywhere at Minnesota State, with 1,164 computers available for students on campus. The Academic Computer Center Main Lab has the most computers on campus and accounts for 28 percent of the total. ACC has 326 computers fielding around 700,000 log-

“

in the dorms. Students living in dorms might not have to go to the library to print out their reports because Carkoski Commons has a computer lab downstairs. Gage Towers has one, too, equipped with 26 computers. By the way, the convenience that computers labs offer is not just about being everywhere on campus. Kirk Humphrey

dannie higginbotham • msu reporter Senior Mike Hutton uses the computers in the basement of the CSU to do some work.

Every time I work out, I can watch TV shows or check my e-mail.”

ins per year.It’s also the oldest computer lab in MSU with 23 years of history. Fifteen satellite labs all over the campus house the rest of computers. The Memorial Library, containing 256 computers, is the biggest one among them. Otto Recreation Center has 50 computers for the

— David

Lee, MSU student

one. Natalie Stoos, a mass communications major, said Macintosh computers in the ACC get useful when she needs programs that they provide. “I’m in publications layout course using InDesign. They have it here so that I can work on it,” said Stoos. The other secret location is

says he uses computers in the library because they’re fast. “I like using the computers in the library because my laptop is old and runs really slow,” said Humphrey. Computers on campus are in a tiered allocation program that has six stages. The university purchases about 200 computers per

year, the best going to the ACC and Memorial Library. Other new computers that are purchased with cooperation from departments go to the classrooms in Armstrong Hall and Nelson Hall that are in Tier II. Old computers in Tier III and IV go to the Centennial Student Union, biology labs, and student organizations that are not for instructional purpose. The worst computers in use, ones in Tier V, are for academic and administrative office uses. Computers in Tier VI are usually between five to seven years old and no longer considered useful and go to MSU Surplus Sale.

With efforts of MSU to provide competitive environment for students in informative society, the use of computers in ACC has quadrupled since its birth in 1987-1988 academic year. The number of annual log-ins exceeded 800,000 for the first time in 20072008 academic year. With the students following the policies and guidelines for the users, computerized education in MSU will be able to prosper on.

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News

Reporter • Page 3

Planning the perfect spring getaway

MSU students plan trips to Florida, Mexico for the week in March ELENA SHUFELT

assistant news editor Spring break is just around the corner, and while a fair amount of students head home to the parents, some lucky ones live the spring break dream. So if vacation funds are lacking this spring break, check out the hotspots this year and start saving. Cole deCathelineau, a senior sports management major, is going to Playa del Carmen, Mexico for seven days with his family this spring break. He’s excited about getting away and going to the beach to spend some time in the sun. “Usually the weather is pretty stable around there this time of year, sometimes if you go to Florida or something it could be rainy or cold, and

this is your guaranteed warm weather,” deCathelineau said. Playa del Carmen is a little more secluded than Cancun, but the two are fairly close. Spring break websites and travel agents agree though, that for the average college student, Cancun is spring break. It is the No. 1 spring break destination with beautiful water, white sand, hot sun and temperatures Minnesota is lucky to see even in the summer. According to Tripadvisor. com, “Cancun’s entire economy is based on partying,” and that’s something most college students can appreciate. For the students that choose not to spend their days and nights as a drunken mess, most trips offer alternative activities. Studentcity.com has side activities available in its packages that include snorkeling

and jungle tours. Lee Kesselring, a travel agent at Travel and Cruise Center Inc. in Mankato, said most of the Mankato spring breakers they work with hit up Mexico for their vacation. Not surprisingly, Cancun is their biggest seller. This year her agency ran a deal that sent folks to Cancun for just under $800. Not bad for an all inclusive ticket and all inclusive does mean just that. The trip included flight, hotel, transportation, food and drinks, both alcoholic and not. Mazatlan is the next-best destination Kesselring sends students. Studentcity.com advises that Mazatlan “has become the destination of choice for Spring Breakers who want to be part of the craziest parties and beach contests in Mexico.” That’s a far cry from the jumbo margaritas students get excited about up on Madison Ave. The bad news for students without a passport is travel agents like Kesselring don’t see many students staying in the states to party. “We don’t see a lot of spring breakers going to those destinations [within the U.S.] because most of the spring breakers are under web photo 25 and it’s difficult

Cancun, Mexico is a popular spring break hotspot, especially for college students.

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web photo Playa del Carmen is more secluded than Cancun, but the two are close.

to get transportation, whereas when you go to Mexico the transportation from the airport to the hotel is included,” Kesselring said. Places like Florida usually require a car to get around, and Kesselring said students can rent a car if they are under 25, but it definitely costs extra. So short of road tripping down there, Florida might be more of a pain to deal with. Another road block in the states: the legal drinking age is 21 while Mexico is a lax 18 for the

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younger crowd. But even though many choose to go to Mexico, really anywhere that is over 70 degrees and has a beach is worthy of a spring break trip. If that’s not going to happen this year, at the very least grab some friends and have some fun outside of Mankato, the beaches will still be down south next year.

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Page 4 • Reporter

Rewind

<<<<<<<<< COMPILED BY BLAINE TAYLOR MARTIN | staff writer

Splashing in the sixties

A familiar face

Feb 23, 1960

Feb 24, 1984

Mankato State College’s social affairs committee sponsors two “Splash Parties.” The parties were held in the Mankato High School indoor swimming pool but students didn’t have to worry about transportation. A single bus provided round trip service to both splashers and splashees alike.

Macalester College history professor Mahmoud El-Kati speaks before an audience at the Intercultural Center and proclaims that “All people are bound by their culture, are prisoners of their history.” The speech was part of the eighth annual Pan African Conference. El-Kati is again speaking at this year’s conference, the 34th.

Hockey program struggles through inaugural season

Hillbillies and Dutchmen

Feb 25, 1970 Still in its infancy, the Mankato State College men’s hockey team looks for an indoor home. For their entire first season, the Indians are forced to play their home games either on the outdoor ice of the Valley Campus Rink or 40 miles away at the Shattuck Academy in Faribault. The team finished the season 5-8-1. The program has since seen changes in its mascot, its coach and its home venue, but with a current record of 8-15-1, how much has really changed?

Feb 22, 1990 This was a big week for music lovers at Mankato State. On Friday, the Charlie Daniels Band packed the Kato Entertainment Center for an old-fashioned hoedown. One day earlier, Dutch a cappella group Quink performed in the performing arts recital hall before what must have been awestruck audiences. “Quink is a very up-and-coming group with a young sound,” said music professor Allan Wortman. Hmm, I wonder if they ever hit it big?

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News

Thursday, February 25, 2010T

Practing core values

MSU honors students to visit capitol GRACE WEBB

staff writer

Leadership. Global citizenship. Research. This Thursday, the honors students of Minnesota State will have a chance to put their program’s core values into practice when they visit St. Paul. While there, the students will meet with state senators and representatives and discuss important political issues such as immigration, diversity in Minnesota, health care, education and more. Honors Director Christopher Corley came up with the idea to have his students visit the capitol back in September. “Considering the theme [of the Honors program],” Corley explained, “I thought it’d be … a great opportunity to get us to link ideas to actual policy development; it brings everything together. We can see theories applied in everyday life.” Corley started working on getting everything ready in early November. Since then, he has been tirelessly calling senators and representatives, setting up meetings, and working out a schedule so that the students can have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to talk to their congressmen and women. “Creating the schedule was difficult,” Corley said, speaking about fitting all the meetings in with the politicians’ tight

“

I feel lucky to have been invited to the program. I feel like it’s helped me succeed as a student.”

— Cameron

Hovey, honors student

schedule, “[but] speaking with senators and representatives was easy; they’re very welcoming of visitors and especially college students. Everyone is so eager to work with our honors students.” There are eight honors students visiting the Capitol, plus the honors LCC, Corley, and David Engen. Students will leave Mankato around 8 a.m. At the Capitol, they will take a Historical Society Tour of the Capitol, lunch at Capitol Rathskeller, and meet with senators Kathy Sharan and Julie Rosen and representatives Carlos Mariani and Kathy Brynaert. They will also meet with legislative directors David Zander, from the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans, and Rosa Tock, from the ChicanoLatino Affairs Council. The students will arrive back in Mankato around 7 p.m. Cameron Hovey, a freshman in the honors program, says he is “pretty excited” about visiting the Capitol. “I want to step

into the day-to-day world of our state lawmakers,” Hovey, who is going into pharmacy, stated. “I’m most looking forward to seeing the [Capitol Building], honestly. The story and history that’s been made in a place like that is really something awesome.” Hovey added that he is “exceedingly pleased” with the honors Program. “It’s always been exactly what we signed up for—a little more of a challenge than the rest of the students, but with some advantages to that… We are pushed to become the kind of professional the world really needs. “I feel lucky to have been invited to the program. I feel like it’s helped me succeed as a student by providing exactly the kind of structure I work best in. The only other thing I want to add is that I encourage any student to look into and think about our honors program here at MSU Mankato.”

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Reporter â&#x20AC;˘ Page 5

Editorial reporter-editor@mnsu.edu

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Creating ‘Eko’ kids

compiled by Wale Agboola

College students should use their influence to teach kids earth-friendly values Eco-friendly education should have a presence in schools today, so it is refreshing to hear that it has been implemented in a number of ways. Recycle, reduce, reuse are the three “R”s we remember learning about in grade school, but many of us were not taught the true importance of conserving at this age. Until recently, green wasn’t really “in” and thus not much of a priority, at least not in this area. States such as New York have been requiring its

citizens to recycle for 20 years or more. When each person creates nearly 5 pounds of waste per day, highly populated areas are probably inclined to care more than more rural locations even if it is just to manage waste. But now more than ever, people are making an effort to care about the environment and every year, the percentage of wasted that is recycle continues to increase. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, more than 50

percent of paper and paperboard was recycled in 2007, while a nearly flawless 99 percent of lead acid batteries were also recycled the same year. What Nikki Swoboda has done is something valuable that can really benefit kids — turning entertainment into something valuable and tangible with her traveling production of “Rikkie Recycle and the Eko Kids.” Although some may view musicals as “fluff,” many people are moved by music and it can often be

(507) 389-5454

the most effective way to reach people. As college students, we can have a big impact on the way kids think and grow up. Kids look up to us and we can use this influence to teach kids how to play their part in the world. We can teach them the things we wish we had known as kids, especially the importance of recycling, and help them learn now how to make a better world in the future.

Do you use the computer labs on campus? Which ones?

Erick Rykhus • Sr • Finance “Yes, at the library.”

Toni Douglas • Sr • Psychology “Yes, in the lower level of the CSU.”

Nick Shafer• Sr •Elem. Ed. “[I use the] ACC computers.”

Alicia Johnson• Sr •Exercise Science “Yes, in the library and HC2010.”

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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. • The Minnesota State University Mankato Reporter is a student-run newspaper published twice a week, coming out on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Reporter generates 78 percent of its own income through advertising and receives approximately 22 percent from Student Activities fees. The Reporter is free to all students and faculty, but to start a subscription, please call us at (507) 389-1776. Subscriptions for the academic school year are $35.00 and subscribers will receive the paper within three to five days after publishing. • Letters exceeding 400 words may not be accepted. The Reporter reserves the right to edit letters to fit space or correct punctuation. The Reporter reserves the right to publish, or not publish, at its discretion. Letters must contain year, major or affiliation with the university, or lack thereof. All letters must contain phone numbers for verification purposes.

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Thursday, February 25, 2010

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Diversity separate but equal?

Staff writer John Fritz discusses his views on diversity and whether society wants different opinions — or races particular race. It’s been 56 years since the U. S. “The [future] glass window [outside Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. the Latino Center] won’t be a barrier, Board of Education began the messy but will welcome all students to process of peeling back the many come inside,” then-Vice President layers of institutionalized racism of Institutional Diversity Michael that segregation had stamped onto Fagin reassured students in American government. November. Before that landmark Sure, just like the case, the premise of bulletproof glass at banks, “separate but equal” pawn shops and gas stations is had been widely used to really just their way of saying circumvent the Fourteenth “Come on back here and help Amendment, which in 1868 yourself.” guaranteed equal rights of Is it possible the citizenship to all persons administration, faced with “born or naturalized in $6-10 million in budget cuts the United States.” Under before 2012, will be forced to the guise of diversity, scale back its blind devotion to and in the impenetrable John Fritz diversity dogma? language of modern racial Don’t hold your breath. politics, the administration President Davenport has of Minnesota State is acknowledged that the Latino Center is resurrecting the ideology of “separate no longer “a question of ‘if,’ but ‘when but equal.” and where,’” despite not knowing the At least that seems like the idea costs involved or where the money behind its plans and strategic priorities will come from. Davenport — perhaps for the future of MSU. One of taking his cue from another current the administration’s pet projects, a President synonymous with diversity proposed Latino Center in the alreadycrowded Centennial Student Union, is a — has not let his budgetary woes interfere with his social vision for the prime example. MSU President Richard Davenport university. hopes the center will serve Latinos in This vision is a peculiar form of southern Minnesota and, among other feel-good racism, an ideology that things, allow them to earn high school states diversity— not of thought or diplomas from the government of opinion, but of race — is what society Mexico. In practice, the center will be should strive for and celebrate at every a place set aside for the benefit of one opportunity.

This philosophy hits dangerously wide of the mark and is out of tune with the goals of early civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King, who famously dreamed his children would “not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” But instead of letting us all join hands on the mountaintop, MSU’s leading lights of political correctness have decided the time has again come to carve the student population into groups based on racial identity. One of these beacons is Tonya Phillips, the confrontational, Black Panther-quoting director of MSU’s College Access Program (CAP) who, ironically, is suing the university for racial discrimination. According to its Web site, CAP is “a structured program that addresses multiple concerns of underrepresented students.” Apparently, for at least one CAP student quoted in the MSU Reporter, these concerns include, “How would a white person feel if I told them ‘My dad was incarcerated?’” Phillips replies, “They would say, ‘I’ve never experienced this. I don’t know how to respond.’” A leader of black collegians implying experience with prison is the exclusive province of black people? It’s just one more stepping stone on the path to segregation in the name of diversity at MSU.

Page 8 â&#x20AC;˘ Reporter

Thursday, February 25, 2010T

Thursday, February 25, 2010

News

KID_-FRIENDLY Nikki Swoboda created the traveling production about Rikkie Recycle and friends

continued from 1 play back to ’70s children’s shows with huge productions,” Krueger said. “We created something poppy which is the theme song for Rikkie; a pop tune by Sarah Bareilles. With that route, each song is a little different — we have the big rap numbers and the big closing numbers to wrap it up.” Some of the music, including the opening and closing numbers were written by Swoboda and Krueger added the music underneath. Swoboda also sent the music and lyrics to a popular Minneapolis band, The Route City band, that recorded the entire soundtrack. In congruence with the animated feel, Swoboda said the set was inspired Vincent Van Goh’s “Starry Night” meets Crayola crayons and can be easily transported in the van they travel in. “Every Tuesday and Thursday we send students in a van with a trailer and they go to the schools and do the show twice,” she said. “Everything about the show is designed to travel. The costumes are also very colorful, they include wrist bands made from recycled license plates and incorporate the logo Swoboda created to represent Rikkie and company, a heart with a recycle symbol winding around the world. “I really believe in [children’s theatre],” Swoboda said. “When I came to MSU I helped out with the first tour and I really loved the idea of

it and that it reached so many kids, so I asked to take over for the next year.” Swoboda’s sister attends one of the schools where the play was performed and loved the performance so much she requested the lyrics to the songs because she and her friends couldn’t get the melodies out of their heads. “Rikkie Recycle” will be performed at the Andreas Theater, February 27. For ticket information call the theater and dance box office at 507-3896661.

AUDITING

KSP program seeks advice Students give faculty feedback about program ELENA SHUFELT

assistant news editor The K-12 and secondary programs Undergraduate Program Advisory Council is working hard this semester to make sure their faculty knows what their students need. “We in the KSP faculty— we want your [KSP students] input. We want this program to get better and better, and we have to work at that,” Guynel Reid, KSP professor and advisor to the council,

said. Reid was also one of the professors who created the original concept of the council. KSP faculty and staff created the advisory council in 2005 to get feedback from students about what aspects of the program work well. The council recruits solely by word of mouth and meets three times a year for students to give faculty input on how they are doing. Amanda Larson, a junior

KSP major, said she likes that the council allows students to work and faculty to work together to make changes in the program. “It’s beneficial all the way around. You’re not only getting ideas from your professors and professors aren’t only getting ideas from us, but we’re all forming a good support group to help get through the program,” Larson said.

NOW PRE-LEASING FOR 2010-2011 SCHOOL YEAR

continued from 1 pay closer attention to how and where the office spends its money and improve its ability to evaluate the office’s performance. As the school’s systemwide face huge budget shortfalls, the board of trustees plans to act quickly on the audit’s recommendations for greater accountability in the use of funds. In a joint letter, MnSCU Board of Trustees Chair David Olson and MnSCU Chancellor James McCormick said that, “While the report notes some of the challenges we will encounter in moving to seamless student services and improving the information technology infrastructure, it also reinforces many of our current strategies and initiatives.”

Reporter • Page 9

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Thursday, February 25, 2010

reporter-sports@mnsu.edu

Sports Thursday, February 25, 2010

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Augustana 65 Minnesota State 54

Minnesota State center Laura Weber tries to ward off three Augustana defenders during the Mavericks’ 65-54 loss to the Vikings, Wednesday at the Taylor Center.

dan moen • msu reporter

Poor shooting overshadows stellar defense in loss DEREK WEHRWEIN

staff writer Augustana averages nearly 80 points per game and scored 84 when it defeated the Minnesota State women’s basketball earlier this season. But the Vikings’ high-powered offense wasn’t the problem Wednesday. MSU’s own offense was. The Mavericks put on an impressive defensive performance in the rematch, holding Augustana to its third-lowest point total this season. But MSU’s offensive performance was equally

unimpressive, as a 35 percent shooting Sun Intercollegiate Conference. But night — including 2 of 18 from 3-point Southwest Minnesota State, which range — doomed the Mavericks in their entered the day tied with Northern State 65-54 loss at Bresnan Arena. and MSU for the seventh spot in the “It’s the telltale sign NSIC, also lost. with our team,” MSU coach The top eight teams Pam Gohl said. “When we advance to the NSIC At University of Mary win it’s when our 3s go tournament, with MSU When: 2 p.m. Saturday in, and when we don’t win owning the head to Where: Bismarck, N.D. it’s a lot of times when our head tiebreaker against 3s don’t go in. Our 3s just Southwest Minnesota weren’t there tonight.” State. If the Mustangs lose to Northern The loss drops MSU to 14-12 State on Saturday, MSU qualifies for overall and 9-10 in the Northern the tournament. If the Mustangs defeat

UP NEXT

Northern State, MSU can still qualify if it defeats Mary (10-16, 6-13). But the Mavericks, who narrowly defeated Mary 68-64 on Dec. 11, will likely need to shoot better than they did on Wednesday to win. They missed 21 of their first 30 shots and found themselves trailing 17-4 early. “Offensively we couldn’t get it going,” senior Liz Trauger said. “We didn’t shoot with confidence [even though] we had good looks. We needed

Women’s hoops / page 14

men's basketball

Augie beats Mavericks in thriller; MSU tied with SCSU for NSIC lead

TYLER BUCKENTINE

staff writer All the Minnesota State men’s basketball team had to do was control the ball, get fouled and make free throws to escape the Taylor Center with a win against Augustana, Wednesday. But the Mavericks didn’t control the ball and they didn’t escape with a win. The “little things” doomed fifth-ranked MSU as the No. 19 Vikings pulled out a 72-71 Northern Sun win in front of

a loud Taylor Center crowd, dropping the Mavericks into a first-place tie with St. Cloud State. “It wasn’t just one play, it was little things,” said forward Travis Nelson. “It was missing a free throw, not getting the rebound and bad defense.” The Mavericks held a onepoint lead with 22 seconds left before junior Jefferson Mason let a pass get away in the offensive end. The Vikings stole it and tied the game at 69 on a front-end free

throw by Derrick De Zeeuw. De Zeeuw missed the second attempt and Mason rebounded, but Augustana’s David Foster stole the ball away. Mason fouled to send Foster to the line where he hit the first of two shots to give the Vikings a 70-69 lead. MSU forward Travis Nelson went to the line seconds later and made both shots to take the onepoint lead back. Augustana’s Cameron McCaffrey took the ensuing

Men’s hoops / page 14

shannon raphmanner • msu reporter Minnesota State’s Jefferson Mason (ball in hand) drives to the basket as teammate Travis Nelson watches Wednesday against Augustana.

Page 12 • Reporter

Sports

Thursday, February 25, 2010T

SPORT SHORTS

Men’s track and field jumps to No. 9 REPORTER STAFF

NSIC BASKETBALL men’s School Conf. OVR (5) MAVERICKS 16-3 23-3 (16) St. Cloud State 16-3 22-4 (19) Augustana 14-5 21-5 Winona State 12-7 18-8 Mary 11-8 15-11 Concordia 10-9 13-13 Northern State 9-10 14-11 SW Minnesota State 9-10 14-11 Wayne State 9-10 12-14 Bemidji State 8-11 12-14 Upper Iowa 8-11 11-15 MSU-Moorhead 6-13 9-17 Minnesota-Duluth 4-15 7-19 Minnesota-Crookston 1-18 5-21 WOMEN’S School Conf. OVR (19) Concordia 16-3 22-4 Wayne State 15-4 22-4 Augustana 15-4 21-5 UMD-Duluth 13-6 18-8 MSU-Moorhead 11-8 17-9 Winona State 11-8 16-10 Northern State 10-9 14-12 MAVERICKS 9-10 14-12 SW-Minnesota State 9-10 15-11 Minnesota-Crookston 7-12 10-16 Bemidji State 6-13 12-14 Mary 6-13 10-16 St. Cloud State 5-14 10-16 Upper Iowa 0-19 2-24 MSU Men and women

Saturday at Mary Women - 2 p.m. • Men - 4 p.m.

MEN’S HOCKEY WCHA PTS 16-4-4 36 (1) Denver (4) St. Cloud State 15-8-3 33 14-7-3 31 (3) Wisconsin (10) Minn.-Duluth 14-9-1 29 (13) Colo. College 11-10-3 25 (8) North Dakota 9-10-3 25 10-12-2 18 Minnesota Alaska-Anchorage 8-16-2 18 8-15-1 17 MAVERICKS 4-20-0 8 Michigan Tech this weekend’s matchups School

Denver at MAVERICKS Wisconsin at Michigan Tech Minnesota at Minnesota-Duluth North Dakota at Colorado College Alaska at Alaska-Anchorage

WOMEN’S HOCKEY School

WCHA PTS

(2) Minn.-Duluth (3) Minnesota St. Cloud State (10) Wisconsin Ohio State Bemidji State MAVERICKS North Dakota

20-6-2-1 18-6-4-3 11-11-6-4 15-12-1

43 43 32 31 12-13-3 28 9-12-7-3 28 5-18-5-3 18 7-19-2 16

The Minnesota State men’s track and field team jumped from No. 13 to No. 9 in the latest NCAA Division II national team-rankings. The men are the only team in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference that is ranked in the top-25. Women’s track and field The women’s team held steady at the No. 14 ranking this week. There are four other teams in the NSIC that are

man Julie O’Neal was ranked nationally — the named NSIC Player list includes includof the Week for her ing St. Cloud State success in the team’s (9), Winona Sate (16), season-opening sweep Wayne State (22) and over Concordia Unithe University of Mary versity. (25). She batted .800, Both the men and women’s team compete had four hits and drew Julie O’Neal in the NSIC Championthree walks. One of her hits was a home run ships this weekend. The and she had two RBI. She also event will take place at Myers scored a run. Field House. MSU plays Concordia on Friday in Rosemount. Softball MSU junior third base-

Tennis After earning a pair of 9-0 victories over MinnesotaCrookston and MSU-Moorhead respectively last weekend, the Mavericks are looking to get back at it this weekend. The Mavericks, ranked No. 5 in the regional polls, will play Upper Iowa Saturday at 9 a.m. and Gustavaus Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Both games will be played at the Swanson Tennis Center in St. Peter. Junior Sarah Madigan is ranked No. 14 in the region.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Sports

Reporter • Page 13

WRESTLING

Wilson has championship on his mind

Senior heavyweight is favorite to win national title PAT DELANEY

staff writer Throw the records out, it’s postseason time for the Minnesota State wrestling team and its looking to win its fourth straight regional title this weekend. It has been an up-and-down season for the Mavericks, but none of that matters now as MSU gears up to get in position to compete in the national tournament. “I want guys to be excited for the postseason,” said head coach Jim Makovsky. “With everything we have seen this season, I think we are going to see strong performances.” The Mavericks finished fourth in the NSIC with a 4-3 record. The Mavericks struggled to beat ranked teams, especially over the last month of the season. Despite an inexperienced roster, the Mavericks still managed to have three wreslters finish ranked in the top-ten. Junior Andy Forstner established himself as one of the best 125-pound

championship. The three time wrestlers in the country and is All-American finished third a undefeated over the last month. season ago and hasn’t lost to a Makovsky credits Forstner’s division II opponent all season, dedication for his rise of success which has kept him ranked No. 1 this season. all season. “Andy is com“My only goal is mitted to everyto win the national thing whether it’s NCAA II Super Region 3 championship,” said his school work, When: All day Sun. Wilson. “There is no his relationships, Where: Aberdeen, S.D. excuse this year.” or the way he The Mavericks are handles himself in looking for good performances practice and his matches,” said from sophomores Aaron Norgren Makovsky. “It’s not just when and Tel Todd, as well as from the sun is shining either. You always know what youa’re going senior Justin Turek. All three finished above .500 this season to get from him.” in duals. Junior Ben Becker also had “The mental part is so impora great season, as he finished tant at this point of the season,” ranked eighth at 174-pounds Makovsky said. “I want all our thanks to an 8-3 dual record. MSU received a strong freshmen guys to focus on their individual goals. You’re supposed to be excampaign from Robby Fisher. cited for the postseason. I want Fisher established himself early guys to remember why they got as a valuable asset to the team at into wrestling in the first place, the 141-pounds and finished the because it’s fun.” season with a 7-4 dual record. Senior Brady Wilson will be the favorite to win the national

UP NEXT

MSU Women’s Hockey Gameday Lee Handel • staff writer

Minnesota State (7-20-5, 5-18-5-3 WCHA) at Minnesota (22-7-5, 18-6-4-3) 7:07 p.m., Friday • 4:07 p.m., Saturday Ridder Arena • Minneapolis WCHA Playoffs — best of three RECAP: Everything is on the line for the Minnesota State women’s hockey team when it plays the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers in Minneapolis this weekend. The Mavericks concluded conference play as the seventh seed in the WCHA with 18 points, while the Gophers grabbed the second seed with 43 points. The Mavericks split their final home series of the season last weekend against North Dakota, defeating the Sioux 3-2 on Friday and being blanked 1-0 on Saturday. The Gophers lost control of the number one seed in the WCHA Tournament last Friday when they fell to the Wisconsin Badgers 4-3 for their first home loss of the season. They rebounded on Saturday with a 3-2 win but lost the tie-breaker with Minnesota-Duluth for the top seed in the tournament. HISTORY: The Mavericks have played the Gophers tough this season but have yet to crack the win column against them. They did manage to tie the Gophers 1-1 back in mid-November in Mankato before dropping the shootout. The Mavericks lost the other home game 4-1. The two teams also met more recently in Minneapolis, with the Gophers sweeping the Mavericks 4-2 in the first game and 4-1 in the second. The Mavericks are 3-47-3 all-time against the mighty Gophers, who are responsible for ending the Mavericks’ season last year with a 7-2 triumph in the WCHA semifinals. MSU NOTES: The Mavericks’ struggles on offense are evidenced by the fact that they did not have a player reach double-digits in goals scored in the regular season. Sophomore forward Emmi Leinonen led the team with nine goals scored and senior forward Ashley Young notched eight goals. Senior captain Kala Buganski has been on fire as of late, recording four goals in her last five games played. Young currently leads the team in points and assists, with 21 and 13 respectively. Standout freshman forward Lauren Smith is second on the team in points with 18 and also has 12 assists. Senior forward Christina Lee is tied with Young for the team lead in assists with 13 and is now just one assist shy of tying the team record. Junior forward Nina Tikkinen will be back from Vancouver in time for the series. U of M NOTES: The Gophers are led by a trio of forwards. They are junior Emily West (18-20—38), sophomore Sarah Erickson (14-20—34), and senior Brittany Francis (9-21—30). They also will have freshman phenom Noora Raty (.80 GAA, .967 SV%) back from Vancouver. PREDICTION: If the Mavericks take this series, it would be a monumental step for first-year head coach Eric Means and the program. The Gophers are 16-1-1 at Ridder Arena this season, but 1-1-1 in their last three home games. The Mavericks will need hot goaltending from sophomore Alli Altmann.

dan moen • msu reporter Senior heavyweight Brady Wilson (top) leads the Mavericks into the postseason with a 23-4 overall record.

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Page 14 • Reporter

Sports

MSU Men’s Hockey Gameday

WOMEN’S HOOPS Mavericks closed gap to four points in final minutes; couldn’t get any closer

Tyler Buckentine • staff writer

No. 1 Denver (22-6-4, 16-4-4 WCHA) at Minnesota State (14-16-2, 8-15-1) 7:37 p.m., Friday • 7:07 p.m., Saturday Verizon Wireless Center • Mankato TV: Charter Main Street (Ch. 14) • Radio: 1420 KTOE

continued from 11

RECAP: Minnesota State looks to build on last weekend’s sweep of Alaska-Anchorage when the Mavericks return to the ice Friday against Denver. Of course, that won’t be easy since the Pioneers are the top team in the country. MSU (17 points) could pull ahead of UAA (18 points) in the standings and into seventh place with two weekends left in the regular season. Denver (36 points) will try to hold off second-place St. Cloud State (33) for the McNaughton Cup. HISTORY: Denver leads the all-time series against the Mavericks 16-13-5. The Pioneers beat MSU in the first game of a two-game series back in November at Magness Arena, 4-3. The Mavericks got one point back the next night when the teams tied, 4-4.

Push the pios around: One key to success for the Mavericks this weekend is to shut down Denver’s skill players and they have to be physical. MSU shut down fourth-ranked Denver when the Pioneers rode into Mankato two years ago, mostly because the Mavericks bullied the Pios all over the ice. The Mavericks are smaller and Denver has more skill this time around so gritty play is critical.

“They’re a skill team but if we play phyisical, they’re not going to be able to handle us in the corners,“ said freshman Eriah Hayes.”We really need to bring our physical game to stay with their skill level. That’s a big part of this weekend.”

scouting denver: One of America’s best goalies, Marc Cheverie, stands between the pipes for the Pioneers with a national-best .937 save percentage and six shutouts. His 1.93 goals against average is second best. Rhett Rakhshani leads the Pioneers offense with 40 points (10th best in Division I) with 17 goals and 23 assists.

BACKES UPDATE: Former MSU star David Backes added two assists to his tournament points total (1-2—3) for the United States at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. He assisted on Chris Drury’s goal against Norway, last Thursday. He also assisted on Drury’s go-ahead goal in Sunday night’s 5-3 upset of Canada. The Americans beat Switzerland, 2-0, Wednesday for the right to face Finland in Friday’s semifinals at 2 p.m., on NBC.

MEN’S HOOPS Fourth largest crowd in arena history in-bounds pass and went the length of the floor before he knocked down a runner from the baseline with eight seconds left for the game-winner and his last of his game-high 21 points. After Jermain Davis missed a potential game-winning jumper on MSU’s last trip down the floor. Marcus Hill grabbed the long rebound and fired up a long three but it bricked off the backboard as the buzzer sounded. “We put ourselves in position to win and we couldn’t get the big play at the end,” said MSU coach Matt Margenthaler, whose team gave up 25 points off turnovers. Now the Mavericks are tied with No. 15 SCSU at the top of the NSIC with 16-3 conference records. The Huskies go to fourthplace Winona State, Friday while MSU goes to Bismarck to take on fifth-place Mary, who the Mavericks beat 86-71 Dec. 11 in Mankato. Margenthaler said. “We’re not going to talk about must-win games. We just need our guys to come back mentally and ready to work hard.” Added Nelson, “We have to lift our heads up. We have a tough Mary game coming up and we have to prepare for that. We’ll be ready.” Nelson led MSU with 19 points and nine rebounds and Mason scored 16 points — 10 from the line — with eight rebounds although his six turnovers stood out a little more. Hill (13 points), Davis (10

points) and Jesse Clark (five assists) were also contributors to the Mavericks offense. Augustana grabbed its biggest lead of the game (six points) when Foster hit his first of three 3-pointers at 10:54 of the first half, but MSU responded with a 15-4 run over the next six minutes, highlighted by eight straight points. The Mavericks went into the half with a 34-28 lead and used another 15-4 run in the second half to extend their lead to nine — their biggest of the game.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

continued from 11

Nelson sparked the run with a big fast break dunk that ignited the crowd of 4,021 — the fourthlargest in Taylor Center history. “I just try to make big plays and have a little fun with it and do anything to get the momentum,” Nelson said. “It hurts when a crowd like this comes out and we can’t win.” Added Margenthaler, “The students were unbelievable. The townspeople came out. We would’ve liked to get a win for everybody.”

to score offensively and usually managed to cut the deficit to four three times, the last on we do at home, but it just a Lauren Barber jumper that wasn’t there tonight.” made the score 56-52. Trauger had 11 points and But Augustana’s seven rebounds fifth 3-pointer of the in her final night, with two minutes home game as a Maverick. Point remaining, effectively ended MSU’s rally and guard Tiffany Moe, gave the Vikings their also playing in her 21st win overall and 15th final home game, in the conference. had a team-high “Our team battled 14 points with six Tiffany Moe tonight,” Gohl said. assists. “You can’t say they didn’t Jennie Noreen fight 100 percent, especially in added 13 points, six of which the second half. You just wish came in the final five minutes some shots would have gone as the Mavericks clawed in.” their way back into the game. The Mavericks close the Despite trailing by nearly regular season at 2 p.m. double digits for almost the Saturday at Mary. entire second half, MSU

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Variety Thursday, February 25, 2010

2K franchise bids for best game of 2010

web photo Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio, right) and Chuck Aule (Ruffalo) interrogates criminally-insane patients at the Shutter Island facility in order to find the missing inmate.

Scorsese scores with insanity-laden thriller NATE BRENNAN

staff writer Much like a Hattori Hanzo sword, when comparing if a Martin Scorsese movie is good or not, you compare it to every movie ever made, that wasn’t made by Martin Scorsese. Which is probably why every Scorsese film is critically acclaimed. More difficult, however, is comparing a new Scorsese release to his past works and coming up with a judgment of success. The film begins with frighteningly eerie and ominous tones, while out of the mist comes a ship carrying U.S. Marshals Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo). Daniels is having what seems to be an anxiety attack about the water. He looks into the mirror and says, “Pull yourself together, Teddy,” before returning to the deck to suspiciously size up his new partner. The viewer is taken along on the entry into the island housing a facility for the criminally insane, unfolding a beautiful landscape created by Oscar-winning cinematographer Robert Richardson (“Inglorious

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Basterds,” “Aviator”). Exiting the ship, a cavalcade of officers and facility guards who are admittedly “on edge,” go over basic protocol, the electrified perimeter and welcome them, and all in the audience, to “Shutter Island.” But whereas this opening sequence was engaging and effective in its slothlike approach to story development, other sequences in the film aren’t so fortunate. These slow moving, almost tortuously long sequences is the only point in which “Shutter Island” fails to achieve a high measure of accomplishment. With such a hands-on director such as Scorsese at the helm, the blame should probably fall on him, but it’s believable it was a result of working the best out of the script he had from screenwriter Laeta Kalogridis. Kalogridis’ previous works (“Pathfinder,” “Alexander”) drag on in the same manner with scenes that exist for no apparent reason other than to be slow-moving. There is no build-up of drama, just life moving along and the pace of a snail for minutes on end. Adapted from a novel

of same name by Dennis Lehane, writer of previously adapted successes “Mystic River” and “Gone Baby Gone,” Shutter Island certainly tries to, but doesn’t have the same grittiness or shock as “Gone Baby Gone,” only promises that grittiness exists and shock will come at some point. Which is an issue the thriller genre faces with every release, the threat that with the plethora of twists, they will tangle and weave and ultimately cloud the exciting “Oh, shit!” moment of the climax. And by the time the grand finale does come in “Shutter Island,” the viewer is nearing exhaustion with the mindfuck routine; making the pièce de résistance of twists, although executed beautifully, not reach its potential. This isn’t to say the film isn’t yet another powerful film or another triumphant collaboration with Leo for Scorsese, because it most certainly is. But is it a “Mean Streets” or “Cape Fear” or “Gangs of New York”? Time will tell.

Kicking off 2010 with arguably the most anticipated game of the year, “Bioshock 2” comes to gamers nearly three years since its predecessor set a new standard in video game storytelling. Set 10 years after crash landing in the waters above the morbidly twisted city of Rapture, “Bioshock 2” takes on a new identity as players assume the role of the once feared Big Daddy icon. Although the sequel may have lost the grandeur of its first entry, “Bioshock 2” stands as a strong follow up that only suffers from overzealous expectations. The foundation laid by the series’ first title was built on a strong narrative that created a cinematic style unmatched by previous games. One of the biggest questions gamers had with the announcement of the sequel was whether or not a story would be able to stay true to the spirit of its predecessor while exploring a relevant arc within the realms of Rapture. “Bioshock 2” carefully answers these questions, intricately utilizing its dense environments as sub-plot while giving clues as to what has happened since players last set foot underwater. Assuming the new role of Subject Delta, players

are given more free reign in exploring the city both inside and out. But one of the drawbacks of playing as a Big Daddy is a lost sense of urgency. Though wielding plasmids along with the Big Daddy drill is fun, it has an adverse effect on the game’s potential to build tension. Game play has shifted with the addition of dual wielding. As Subject Delta, players are able to wield plasmids along with their artillery which has added more of a tactical level to the game’s combat. Plasmid and weapon upgrades have been fully developed and hold some exciting moments for players as they progress through the game. At times these powers may feel a bit too powerful, but make up for the occasional ammo shortages. Visually, “Bioshock 2” is spot on and has only upgraded its graphical overhaul. Environments are cluttered with lost articles, recordings and insights that reward those gamers willing to scavenge. The general atmosphere of the first game is kept intact although the general tone has shifted with the recasting of a Big Daddy. The navigation arrow found on the player’s heads up display is helpful for

Bioshock2 / page 17

web photo ‘Bioshock 2’ builds on its predecessor, but loses some of the magic gamers’ first run through the city of Rapture had.

Page 16 • Reporter

Variety

Thursday, February 25, 2010T

U.K. theater chain boycotts ‘Alice’ LONDON (AP) — British movie theater chain Odeon will not show Tim Burton's fantasy adventure "Alice in Wonderland" in Britain, Ireland and Italy because of a dispute over the timing of the film's DVD release, the company said Tuesday. Odeon objects to Walt Disney Pictures' decision to leave only 12 weeks between the film's theatrical and DVD releases in those countries, rather than the usual 17 weeks. Odeon said it had invested "considerable sums of money" in digital projection equipment to show 3D films, and a shorter window to screen films would undermine its investment. The company said it feared Disney's proposals would "inevitably set a new benchmark" and a 12-week gap would become common. Disney said it wants the shorter window in part to fight piracy, but does not plan to introduce it for every film. "We have to approach this with some sort of flexibility," a spokesman said on condition of anonymity in keeping with British corporate policy. "In a digital world, it is increasingly hard to say 17-week windows work in every case in every market in what is a very delicate commercial ecosystem." Odeon is one of Europe's largest cinema chains, with 110 Odeon and UCI-branded

web photo

theaters in Britain. Its screens in Germany, Austria, Spain and Portugal will show "Alice in Wonderland" because there is a longer gap between theatrical and DVD release. Other cinema chains in Britain have expressed disquiet about Disney's move, but so far none has said it will not show the movie. The Vue chain said Tuesday

it would show the movie in its 69 cinemas in Britain and Ireland. The Cineworld chain said last week it had reached a "satisfactory compromise" with Disney and would show "Alice in Wonderland" on more than 150 screens in Britain. Burton's 3D movie stars Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter. It

Woodbury youths participate in ‘Wizard of Oz’ tour

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Twelve children from a Woodbury dance studio will soon be skipping down the Yellow Brick Road when a national tour of "The Wizard of Oz" reaches Minneapolis. The tour has announced that children from 5 Star Dance Studio were selected to perform the role of Munchkins for all five "Oz" performances next month. The children will learn choreography from the show and get to sing "Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead" as part of the production. "The Wizard of Oz" will be at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Minneapolis from March 26-28. Tickets are on sale now.

web photo Woodbury kids will participate in a national ‘Wizard of Oz’ tour.

has its world premiere in London on Thursday and opens in Britain and the United States on March 5.

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Thursday, February 25, 2010

Variety

Reporter • Page 17

BIOSHOCK2 “There are many wonderful characters in ‘Bioshock 2,’ but none as interesting as Andrew Ryan from the original.” continued from 3 newcomers but may seem too easy for those revisiting. The biggest drawback “Bioshock 2” faces lies in familiarity. The excitement of first setting foot and seeing Rapture in all of its underwater glory from the first game is lost in its revisitation. Gamers need to bear this in mind before playing in order to save themselves from being let down. “Bioshock 2” is played on the established set of ideas and environments that Bioshock got the privilege of introducing. There are many wonderful characters in

“Bioshock 2,” but none as interesting as Andrew Ryan from the original. Twists and turns are found throughout the game, but the sequel lacks the same wow moments found in the original. Overall, “Bioshock 2” builds on the visuals and functionality of the original and offers an engrossing story that by many standards would be considered excellent, but not by the standards of its predecessor.

web photo

Austrian art has sex and sensibility VIENNA (AP) — In the name of art, an Austrian landmark is encouraging visitors to confront their sexual inhibitions by having them walk through a swingers club to reach one of Gustav Klimt's masterpieces. The Secession — a world-renowned venue for contemporary art in downtown Vienna — has temporarily incorporated a sex club named "Element6" as part of a project by Swiss artist Christoph Buechel. The swingers are not there during the day, but their mattresses, erotic pictures, bar and whirlpool are. Secession spokeswoman Urte Schmitt-Ulms said Buechel hoped to spark a stir reminiscent of the scandal Klimt caused when his "Beethoven Frieze" was first exhibited in 1902. Now considered one of the Austrian painter's key pieces, it was once thought of as obscene and pornographic because of the way women's bodies were depicted. One section of the mural shows three mostly naked women, one with very large breasts who looks pregnant and the other two covered only by their long flowing tresses. Another includes naked mythical figures and a zombie-like, seminude female with stringy black hair.

While the club only opens at night long after the art hall closes, daytime visitors aged 18 and older pass through its dimly lit rooms on their way to see the Klimt wall painting located in the basement of the building. The room where the frieze is exhibited is locked at night for security reasons. But it too has its share of mattresses, surrounded by fake tropical plants and a life-size stuffed lion. Just outside the room is a non-working sauna, complete with a towel rack and bathrobes. Buechel declined to comment on his project, but the club, normally

located in another part of town, said its participation "aims to give as many people as possible the opportunity to overcome their inhibitions." "In the framework of this exhibition at the Secession, each individual can test for himself or herself whether this opens up new dimensions for his or her own sexuality," the club said in a statement. There's no question that Buechel has succeeded in igniting a debate. "Group sex in the Secession — has our society completely lost it?" Austria's far-right Freedom Party asked. Yet on the streets of

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Vienna, people appeared more amused than appalled. "I think it's perfectly OK," said Moritz Wagner, a 26-year-old medical student. "It's not my thing but why not?" echoed a laughing Ute Wegscheider as she pushed her young daughter's stroller. "Maybe I should go check it out with

my husband!" Gerald Adler of Britain's Kent School of Architecture, who was taking students to see the Secession, said Buechel should have chosen a different site — such as St. Stephen's Cathedral — if he wanted to make a real splash.

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Page 18 • Reporter

Variety

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Campus to host Jazz Fest this weekend High school, college musicians to be critiqued by professionals

staff writer With its random bursts of improvisation and the unique freedom it gives to its musicians, jazz has inf luenced many forms of music we love today. A showcase of the free-form genre will be held Saturday at Minnesota State’s Jazz Fest. “Jazz is really the only organized activity that includes improv as a part of it,” said Richard MacDonald a professor at Winona State University and a featured clinicians at Jazz Fest. “From a players perspective you are free to express yourself, that’s one of the things I love about jazz. The other aspect that’s really important is a lot of what we do is so formal, jazz speaks to the informalities.” Jazz Fest has been featured at MSU for a few years. This year, students from colleges and high schools were invited to sign up for the event to learn and participate in clinicals with master jazz musicians. “Lots of times what we will do is bring in international names, but this year we decided to go with talent in the region; there is some great talent here,” said Douglas Snapp, a professor of music and the director of jazz studies at MSU. For 20 minutes, these featured clinicians, who include MacDonald, Greg Keel, Jeff Rinear, Brian Grivna and Bob Baca, will listen to each band, write their comments and give a 40-minute clinical. Each

featured guest will focus on a different instrument. Despite Jazz Fest being geared toward students, it’s also for jazz-lovers of all kinds. “It’s very similar to America in general, we have all come from these different places and jazz encompasses that it comes from Latin music all the way to African music,” MacDonald said. “It is an accumulation of all these different kinds of music and even has its connection to classical music.” As clinicals go on through the

day, the night will put a spotlight on the jazz bands that participated in the festival and the feaured artists performing in an evening concert. The band that will open will be chosen by the featured clinicianss. The next performers will be the MSU jazz band. This year is the jazz singers that will be included in the concert. Snapp said the singers will be singing a version of a Michael Buble song that he did with a big band. Snapp took the original version and transcribed it for four singers.

If you go.. Jazz Fest will take place in MSU’s Halling Recital Hall at the Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $15 and $10 for students and festival participants. Tickets for the evening concert can be purchased from events coordinator Dale Haefner at 507-389-5549 or 800-627-3529.

photo courtesy of Jazz Festival Web site Bob Baca, professor of Trumpet and Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire will be one of the guest performers and clinicians to participate in the 2010 Jazz Fest.

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