March 16, 2021

Stay safe after spring break page

TODAY

4

35˚

Women’s track takes second place page

29˚

Mostly cloudy.

STUDENT RUN NEWS SINCE 1926

9

MSUREPORTER.COM

TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2021

Where did MNSU students travel during the spring break? All over

By BAILEY BRENDEL Staff Writer Last week, all kinds of students from Minnesota State University, Mankato celebrated as spring break had finally arrived, and they got to have some free time without the stressors of school in the way.

Many students had the opportunity to travel on an airplane, take a road trip, or head back to their home to visit their families.

Many students hopped on a flight to a tropical location to get out of the Minnesota cold and relax. Sophomore Alexis Collins was able to travel to

Campus COVID update, vaccines, and spring break

By JULIA BARTON • Staff Writer Minnesota State University Mankato remains in yellow status as of March 10 as efforts to keep the number of COVID-19 cases as low as possible.

Guided by the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota State Colleges and University System MNSU has maintained yellow status regarding COVID-19 for the majority of the academic year.

Some indicators include having less than 1% of campus students infected within a 14-day period, isolation and quarantine is 5070% full, number of infections are increasing over a 7-day period in the county, more than 5% of campus cases have unknown links to another case over a 7-day period, K-12 indicators show that there are 10-30 cases per 10,000 over a 14day period according to the MNSU website.

If two or more indicators are reached then this will determine yellow status for the University.

Other efforts such as canceling campus events and limiting social gatherings, reinforcing health awareness, and holding classes at partial capacity for social distancing may occur in order to protect the health of all MNSU students and faculty.

Other factors in place is the daily self-screening tool has been implemented this year for students and faculty to use and record their daily health status. The screening tool is part of a system-wide initiative by the Minnesota State System office that helps reduce COVID-19 transmissions.

COVID-19 vaccination sites have now opened as Gov. Tim Walz issued guidance to vaccinate 70% of adults 65 years of age and older before expanding eligibility to others as he aims to reach this goal by the end of March according to the

COVID on page 3

South Padre Texas over the break and explained that while she was able to travel, her and her group were still taking precautions.

“We really just hung out at the beach and then went to eat, so it wasn’t too different from being home in Minnesota. We wore our masks every-

where and tried not to make contact with other people. I was more comfortable taking the flight there because I sat by the people I travelled with and didn’t have contact with anyone else.”

Many students who travelled by plane had a similar experience as Collins. Sopho-

more Jack Wheeler traveled to Miami Beach.

“One of my favorite things was when we went to the Wynwood Walls Area in Miami, which is basically a neighborhood and community with a bunch of street art and vendors

BREAK on page 2

Students weigh in on COVID vaccines

By ASHLEY OPINA Staff Writer

Anyone who has seen the 2007 Will Smith film “I Am Legend” might believe the COVID-19 vaccine could turn humans into zombies, ultimately leading to an apocalypse. Fortunately for all, that has not been the case.

Although a worldwide pandemic fits the end-ofthe-world movie trope, the COVID-19 vaccine has yet to cause the extinction of the human race, and those that have received the vaccine are just as lively — with zero cravings for brains — as they were before.

Two undergraduate students at Minnesota State University, Mankato who have received the vaccine attest to that as they share their experiences with it.

“I feel incredible,” says MNSU senior Grace Mullenbach about being vaccinated.

MNSU sophomore Mallory Steinmetz agrees by saying, “I feel great.”

Mullenbach was offered the vaccine through her internship at a healthcare facility. Staff members were eligible to get the vaccine if they wanted it and, according to Mullenbach, she did.

“I wanted to protect myself and the people around me,” she begins. “I work for an individual who is high risk, and I haven’t been able

FABIO CASTEL GARCIA • The Reporter

to see my family members who are high risk, so I was ready to get it over with.”

Mullenbach received the first dosage of Moderna on Feb. 3 and the second dosage on Feb. 24. A Walgreens pharmacist came to her place of internship and administered both shots.

Upon receiving the first dosage, Mullenbach says she experienced extreme arm soreness on the arm where the shot was given, accompanied by a severe headache and nausea the following day.

The second dosage, according to Mullenbach, was not as bad.

“I only noticed a migraine for the next day and a

half and very little arm soreness,” she says.

Regardless of the symptoms she experienced from the initial shots, Mullenbach says the end result was worth the temporary struggle.

“I’m so excited to have taken a step to end the restrictions and different rules that seem to be changing so often,” she says.

Like Mullenbach, Steinmetz says she believes the vaccine will help reduce the restrictions and she is thankful she was able to get it herself.

“I wanted to help protect those around me and hopefully get a sense of normalcy back in society,” she says.

Steinmetz, a Certified

Nursing Assistant at Laurels Edge Assisted Living, was offered the vaccine through her place of work.

She says she gladly accepted and received the first dosage of Moderna on Jan. 13 and the second dosage on Feb. 10. Like Mullenbach, a Walgreens pharmacist administered both shots for Steinmetz.

The symptoms from the first dosage did not appear until five days later.

“I thought I had a bug bite,” she begins. “I soon realized that it was right where I had gotten my first dose and it was all red, inflamed and itchy around the site.”

VACCINES on page 2

Dryden McKay helped the Mavs win their WCHA Postseason series against the Ferris State Bulldogs with just one goal allowed in two games on page 8 MANSOOR AHMAD • The Reporter

2 • MSU Reporter

News

European nations suspend using AstraZeneca vaccine

ALESSANDRA TARANTINO • Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS A cascading number of European countries — including Germany, France, Italy and Spain — suspended use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine Monday over reports of dangerous blood clots in some recipients, though the company and international regulators say there is no evidence the shot is to blame.

AstraZeneca’s formula is just one of three vaccines in use on the continent. But the escalating concern is another setback for the European Union’s vaccination drive, which has been plagued by shortages and other hurdles and is lagging well behind the campaigns in Britain and the U.S. The EU’s drug regulatory agency called a meeting for Thursday to review experts’ findings on the AstraZeneca shot and decide whether action needs to be taken.

The furor comes as much of Europe is tightening restrictions on schools and businesses amid surging cases of COVID-19.

Germany’s health minister said the decision to suspend AstraZeneca shots was taken on the advice of the country’s vaccine regulator, the Paul Ehrlich Institute, which called for further investigation into seven cases of clots in the brains of people who had been vaccinated.

“Today’s decision is a purely precautionary measure,” Jens Spahn said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said his country will likewise suspend shots until at least Tuesday afternoon. Italy’s drug regulator also announced a temporary ban, as did Spain, Portugal

and Slovenia.

Other countries that have taken similar action over the past few days include Denmark, the first to do so, as well as Ireland, Thailand, the Netherlands, Norway, Iceland, Congo and Bulgaria. Canada and Britain are standing by the vaccine for now.

In the coming weeks, AstraZeneca is expected to apply for U.S. authorization of its vaccine. The U.S. now relies on Pfizer’s, Moderna’s and Johnson & Johnson’s vaccines.

AstraZeneca said there have been 37 reports of blood clots out of more than 17 million people vaccinated in the 27-country EU and Britain.

The drugmaker said there is no evidence the vaccine carries an increased risk of clots.

In fact, it said the incidence of clots is much lower than would be expected to occur naturally in a general population of this size and is similar to that of other licensed COVID-19 vaccines.

The World Health Organization and the EU’s European Medicines Agency have also said that the data does not suggest the vaccine caused the clots and that people should continue to be immunized.

“Many thousands of people develop blood clots annually in the EU for different reasons,” the European Medicines Agency said. The incidence in vaccinated people “seems not to be higher than that seen in the general population.”

The agency said that while the investigation is going on, “the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine in preventing COVID-19, with its associated risk of hospitalization and

death, outweigh the risks of side effects.”

Blood clots can travel through the body and cause heart attacks, strokes and deadly blockages in the lungs.

AstraZeneca reported 15 cases of deep vein thrombosis, or a type of clot that often develops in the legs, and 22 instances of pulmonary embolisms, or clots in the lungs.

The AstraZeneca shot has become a key tool in European countries’ efforts to boost their sluggish vaccine rollouts. It is also pillar of a U.N.-backed project known as COVAX that aims to supply COVID-19 vaccines to poorer countries. That program continues unaffected by the European suspension.

Pfizer’s and Moderna’s vaccines are also used on the European continent, and J&J’s one-shot vaccine has been authorized but not yet delivered.

Dr. Michael Head, a senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton in England, said there is no data yet to justify suspending the AstraZeneca vaccine and called the decision “baffling.”

“Halting a vaccine rollout during a pandemic has consequences,” Head said. “This results in delays in protecting people, and the potential for increased vaccine hesitancy, as a result of people who have seen the headlines and understandably become concerned.”

Spahn, the German health minister, said of the decision to stop using the AstraZeneca vaccine: “The most important thing for confidence is transparency.” He said both first and second doses would be suspended.

Tuesday, March 16, 2021 BREAK

continued from page 1 on the side of the street,” Wheeler said. “It was cool to be able to go there and experience this community and take photos.”

In order to protect his family and the people he travelled with Wheeler took many precautions. “I wore two masks while travelling through the airport, washed my hands regularly, stayed away from large crowds, and did not visit anyone when I got home. I went back to my apartment and got my COVID-19 test right away.”

Sophomore Megan Miland had a similar experience in taking multiple precautions to help protect herself and others.

“I traveled to Fort Lauderdale in Florida. On vacation we walked around the town, went to the beach, and went out to eat,” she said. “It was different with COVID-19 in the sense that we wore masks the whole time, except when we were outdoors and not around people.”

She added, “I am not vaccinated, but I was still comfortable because we made sure to not go anywhere that was too busy with other spring breakers.”

While some decided to fly to their destinations, others decided to take a road trip to their locations. Senior Hope Wickert got the opportunity to travel to Mt. Rushmore with two of her friends over the week-long break.

“Since we drove to our locations we were able to visit many different places along the way. We went to Mount

Rushmore, the Black Hills, Glacier Gorge, the Rocky Mountains, and visited my friend’s grandparents on our way back. To take precautions we wore our masks inside, but since we were doing a lot of hiking we didn’t have to worry much about social distancing. All of us are vaccinated, so this made me feel a lot more comfortable with traveling,” Wickert explained.

To keep the travelling to a minimum others did a road trip within Minnesota.

Freshman Saumya Gautam travelled with her friends up to the Twin Cities, explored downtown Mankato, and then ended with a trip to the Marshall area. During their road trip, “We did community service work, scavenger hunting, shopping, went to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, played global trivia, had a cultural dinner with all the international students, and played many games like giant Uno and Jenga,” said Gautam.

Some students took the break to go home and spend time with their families.

Sophomore Natalie Horn said, “I went home to Kasson, where I spent time with my family and updated my childhood bedroom. This was a safe option for me to travel and I still made sure to wear my mask and wash my hands while there.”

As students start traveling back to campus it’s important to remember to continue social distancing and wearing a mask. Getting tested for COVID-19 is also a great way to ensure safety as we transition back into school.

VACCINES continued from page 1 The symptoms from the second dosage took a heavier toll on Steinmetz, who says, “It was the worst I have felt in a long time.”

The symptoms—which consisted of chest tightness, an ongoing fever, chills, and overall muscle weakness— appeared eight hours after she received the second dosage and lasted for about 18 hours total.

Despite the pain she endured from the initial shots, Steinmetz says, “The vaccine is still worth getting and I recommend others to get it too.”

Mullenbach offers the

same encouragement but she says she recognizes why some may be wary about getting the vaccine.

“I understand the critiques and being skeptical of getting vaccinated,” she begins.

“I don’t think it’s a bad idea to weigh the pros and cons, especially since it is such new territory for medical professionals and scientists.”

However, according to Mullenbach, she would still recommend getting the vaccine because she believes that there are more pros than cons regarding it at the end of the day.

NOW HIRING!

We are currently seeking a reliable individual to join our janitorial team. Position available is PT janitorial/cleaning position within a commercial account afternoon and evening time hours. Ideal candidates will have transportation with the ability to get to the account independently, will be reliable, ability to work independently as well as on a team. Must pass a background study and drug screen. Salary based on experience. Positions offer ability to pick up additional hours. Application available online at www. thecaretakersinc.com or call us: Linda at 507-3885384 or Lindsey at 507-995-1138.

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

News

VP Harris, Jill Biden hit the road to promote relief plan

MSU Reporter • 3

Defense in ex-cop’s trial fears impact of $27M settlement

JIM MONE • Associated Press

JACQUELYN MARTIN • Associated Press Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, wave as they board Air Force Two at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Monday, March 15, 2021, en route to Las Vegas.

ASSOCIATED PRESS President Joe Biden kicked off the White House’s effort to highlight the benefits of his huge COVID relief plan Monday, declaring that “hope is here in real and tangible ways” as his administration began fanning out across the country to promote the new spending.

Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and their spouses have begun an ambitious, cross-country tour this week to promote the $1.9 trillion plan as a way to battle the coronavirus and boost the economy. The road show — dubbed the “Help is here” tour by the White House — began Monday with Harris heading to a COVID-19 vaccination site and a culinary academy in Las Vegas and first lady Jill Biden touring a New Jersey elementary school.

The president will hit the road later in the week — Pennsylvania on Tuesday, Georgia with Harris on Friday — but he stayed at the White House on Monday to declare that the bill will help

put “shots in arms and money in pockets. That’s important.”

Hours earlier, Air Force Two lifted off from Joint Base Andrews and headed west to Nevada, and Harris will also make a stop the following day in Denver to meet with small-business owners.

Wednesday sees Jill Biden in Concord, New Hampshire, and Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The stops at vaccination sites, businesses, schools and more are meant to educate the public about different aspects of the giant American Rescue Plan and how the administration says it will help people get to the other side of the coronavirus pandemic.

Biden has said President Barack Obama’s administration, in which Biden was vice president, failed to adequately educate the public about the benefits of its economic recovery plan. The president wants to do a better sales job this time around on the details of his first big legislative victory, and he began last week with high-profile

speeches, one in prime time, the other from the Rose Garden.

Biden has chosen Gene Sperling, a longtime Democratic economic policy expert, to oversee the massive stimulus package, the role he himself had in 2009’s economic rescue package, to lead efforts “to stay on top of every dollar spent.”

“I learned from my experience implementing the Recovery Act just how important it is to have someone who can manage all the moving parts with efficiency, speed and integrity and accountability,” said the president.

Biden declared on Monday that within the next 10 days, his administration will clear two important benchmarks: distributing 100 million stimulus payments and administering 100 million vaccine doses since he took office.

The plan’s key features include direct payments of $1,400 for most single taxpayers, or $2,800 for married couples filing jointly, plus $1,400 per dependent — for a total of $5,600 for a married couple with two children.

COVID continued from page 1 governor’s statement made in February.

About eight vaccination sites are in the city of Mankato according to the Minnesota COVID-19 Response website although the main focus is to vaccinate health care workers, those who work in long-term care facilities, and the elderly.

“I just recently got the COVID-19 vaccine since I work for Pathstone Assisted Living in Mankato. I got my first dose of the Moderna vaccine in January and then the second dose in February,

” freshman Carlie Chabot said.

The Mayo Clinic is distributing vaccines as well as Walmart, Cub, and Hy-Vee which are some of the local grocery stores that have pharmacies within them.

“We are working with the County and MDH to be able to distribute the vaccine on campus to students. Plans are still being built as we get closer to the next phases of the vaccination distribution plan put forth by the Governor,” said David Jones, MNSU’s Vice President for Stu-

dent Affairs and Enrollment Management.

“President Davenport is really proud of the way our campus has responded to this challenge and knows that these efforts will enable us to return to a normal fall semester.”

As students are coming back to campus post spring break there will be a COVID-19 testing event from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the Centennial Student Union Ballroom for students and faculty next Monday.

Protesters march around the Hennepin County Government Center, Monday, March 15, 2021, in Minneapolis where the second week of jury selection continues in the trial for Derek Chauvin.

ASSOCIATED PRESS An attorney for a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death asked the judge Monday to delay the trial, saying the announcement of a $27 million settlement for Floyd’s family could make a fair trial impossible.

Defense attorney Eric Nelson also raised the possibility of renewing his previously unsuccessful motion to move Derek Chauvin’s trial to another city.

“I am gravely concerned with the news that broke on Friday,” Nelson said, adding that the announcement “has incredible potential to taint the jury pool.”

Nelson also noted that Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s son, Jeremiah, sits on the City Council that unanimously approved the settlement, and questioned the timing, though he said he was not making accusations.

Keith Ellison heads the prosecution team and often has been present in the courtroom.

During a break in jury

selection, Keith Ellison stopped at Nelson’s table and said: “Is there anything else anyone would like to not accuse me of?” Nelson looked at Ellison but did not reply.

Mayor Jacob Frey deferred questions about the timing of the settlement to City Attorney Jim Rowader, who declined to comment. Representatives for both said they were following the judge’s guidance to not comment on the criminal proceedings.

Prosecutor Steve Schleicher said the state had no control over Frey and the City Council, who announced Friday that Minneapolis had agreed to the settlement that Floyd family attorney Ben Crump called the largest pretrial settlement ever for a civil rights claim.

Absent a delay or change of venue, Nelson urged Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill to consider giving both sides extra strikes to remove potential jurors for possible bias, and to recall the seven jurors seated last week to ask if the settlement affected their view of the case.

MICROSOFT MARCH WEBINARS Learn about Microsoft Office 365 apps and tools in a special webinar series throughout March hosted by IT Solutions! Explore resources, watch past webinars, and register for upcoming webinars online at mankato.mnsu.edu/microsoftmarch.

• Microsoft Teams, March 25 @ 11:00 AM • Apps You Have, But Haven't Heard Of, March 30 @ 10:00 AM Microsoft and Office 365, OneDrive, OneNote, and Microsoft Teams are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. Microsoft March (and associated training webinars) is an independent seminar and is neither affiliated with, nor authorized, sponsored, or approved by, Microsoft Corporation.

4 • MSU Reporter

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

SPRING 2021 EDITOR IN CHIEF:

MAXWELL MAYLEBEN maxwell.mayleben@mnsu.edu

Spring break is over, still take precautions

MADISON DIEMERT

madison.diemert@mnsu.edu

Editorial Spring break is over and Minnesota State University, Mankato students are heading back to class, whether it be in-person or online. With the Maverick community gathering back together it’s essential to note how to continue to keep everyone COVID-19 safe.

Laying low and staying within your circle is the first step to prevent spreading the virus. Travel to places only if you need to, such as the grocery store and classes, while social distancing and wearing a mask.

Another reason to stay inside includes the recent snow storm from Monday. With all of the snow on the ground, driving isn’t ideal and isn’t worth the hassle. Grab a cup of hot chocolate and snuggle up to do homework, attend class, or watch some television instead.

As students are gathering back together the University wants to help ensure our safety and will be providing COVID-19 testing on campus. On March 22 there will be testing available in the Centennial Student Union Ballroom from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. for anyone to get tested. Be sure to take advantage of this free test, especially if you did any sort of traveling over break.

If this day doesn’t work for you there are other places in Mankato to get tested.

The old Gander Mountain location has been offering tests for months, whether you have insurance or not. This

NEWS DIRECTOR: Jenna Peterson jenna.peterson-3@mnsu.edu MEDIA/DESIGN DIRECTOR: Mansoor Ahmad mansoor.ahmad@mnsu.edu SPORTS EDITOR: Daniel McElroy daniel.mcelroy@mnsu.edu ADVERTISING SALES: Anna Lillie 507-389-1063 anna.lillie@mnsu.edu Logan Larock 507-389-5453 logan.larock@mnsu.edu Baylee Sorensen 507-389-5097 baylee.sorensen@mnsu.edu Olivia Haefner 507-389-1079 olivia.haefner@mnsu.edu

location tests through Vault Health and gives back results very quickly, sometimes in less than 24 hours.

Common drugstores in Mankato are also offering COVID-19 testing for those who need it. Both CVS and Walgreens are equipped to give out tests as well as vaccines for those who are eligible and wish to receive it. The pharmacy in Hy-Vee is also giving out tests with appointments.

“...the University wants to help ensure our safety...”

Of course, it is very easy to forget the severity of the pandemic, especially as numbers begin to decline and the vaccine is being rolled out, but we cannot forget that there are still people at serious risk of the virus in our community.

It is our responsibility as members of the Mankato and the campus community to keep said communities safe.

If we want to go back to the normalcy before the pandemic it’s important to protect not only ourselves, but others as well in order to get back to that lifestyle. Lay low, wear your mask, get tested when needed, and get the vaccine if you wish to do so.

“How did you stay safe during spring break?”

Compiled by Fabio Castel Garcia

BOLA OGUNLANA, JUNIOR “I wore a mask and stayed with the same friends that I always stay.”

MAGGIES WIPF, FRESHMAN

ZAWAAD SHAH, GRADUATE STUDENT

ABRAHAM AMARE, JUNIOR

OSCAR ASTOLFO , FRESHMAN

“I traveled to Boston, using “I went to Duluth with my “I stayed home the whole time, “Using masks, social distance two masks and personal hand and following the CDC roommates, but we didn’t go working on a big assignment.” sanitizer.” guidelines.” out much.”

BUSINESS MANAGER: Jane Tastad 507-389-1926 jane.tastad@mnsu.edu ADVERTISING DESIGN/ PRODUCTION MANAGER: Dana Clark 507-389-2793 dana.clark@mnsu.edu

• If you have a complaint, suggestion or would like to point out an error made in the Reporter, contact Editor in Chief Maxwell Mayleben at maxwell.mayleben@mnsu.edu.

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.

• The Minnesota State University Mankato Reporter is a studentrun 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 $55.00 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.

THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THE MSU REPORTER ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OR STUDENT BODY.

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

4 reasons to go on a solo day trip

News

MSU Reporter • 5

‘Mank’ leads Oscar nominations

MAXWELL MAYLEBEN • The Reporter

Opinion

expensive hotel bill can really hurt the bank account, especially when you make your

By MAXWELL MAYLEBEN stay longer.

Editor in Chief Because you won’t be staying overnight, you can forget There are two types of that lodging cost entirely. people that exist during Also, because you won’t spring break: those who go be traveling as far, you can on vacation, and those who count on probably only filllook longingly at their social ing up one tank of gas, maymedia from home all week. be two. Then, the only cost Whether it be for financial you have on top of that is reasons, can’t get off work, for whatever you want to do or for safety during the pan- while you are at your locademic, there are a multitude tion, whether that is coffee, of logistical reasons to not go lunch, or dinner. on a week-long beach excur3. It’s about as safe as can sion. be during the pandemic That being said, there is Obviously, one of the biganother way to scratch that gest topics on people’s minds traveler’s itch while remain- when it comes to travel is the ing safe and not breaking the question of safety. For a solo bank: a solo day trip. day trip, most of your time With the pandemic going will be alone in your car on on, it is sometimes crucial to your way to the destination. get out and escape the nor- Once you get where you are mal day to day life. going, depending on the acWhether you are going on tivities you choose, you can a quick trip up to St. Peter hypothetically remain socialto visit some local shops and ly distant and safe the whole take a walk through their time. park, heading to MinneapoSome activities that keep lis to walk around Minneha- you socially distant and safe ha Falls, or even taking the can be often found in the drive up to Duluth, here are outdoors. Going on a hike four reasons why you should in a beautiful location or just take a solo trip that only lasts walking down the street in one day. a small town, there is a very 1. Time commitment low chance of coming in close Most of the time, travel contact with anyone. usually takes a whole week4. It is important to take end, or even a whole week. some alone time This length of time is often A solo day trip is extremealmost impossible to explain ly beneficial as a time to reto an employer and even flect on everything going on harder to allow to explain in life. Contemplate those the lack of money going into things you haven’t wanted to the bank account. think about. Not too often Making the trip only one in our busy lives do we realday means that you can sim- ly take the time to focus on ply take one day off during ourselves and really work on the work week and not have internal self care. to worry about your boss getA full day of exploring, ting mad, and your paycheck feeling lost, and being trutaking a much less significant ly independent is a godsend hit. when it comes to remember2. It won’t dent the bank ing who we are, and asking account who we want to be.

During travel, the two Solo travel is a great way main costs are transporta- to fill that travel bug without tion and lodging. Obviously, having to stress about the when it comes to any travel, financial, work related, and transportation costs will not social difficulties that come go away. But paying for that with normal travel.

Associated Press ASSOCIATED PRESS After a pandemic year that shuttered movie theaters and upended the movie business, Academy Awards nominations on Monday went to two female filmmakers for the first time, to a historically diverse slate of actors and to David Fincher’s lead-nominee “Mank,” a traditional kind of Oscar contender — an old Hollywood homage — in very untraditional year.

Fincher’s “Mank,” a black-and-white, period drama about “Citizen Kane” screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz, easily topped nominations for the 93rd Academy Awards — delayed two months by the coronavirus pandemic — with 10 nominations, including best picture, best director, acting nods for Gary Oldman and Amanda Seyfried, and a host

of others for its lavish craft.

Nominations were spread among a wide variety of contenders. Six films, all of them also up for best picture, score six nods: “Judas and the Black Messiah,” “Nomadland,” “Minari,” “Sound of Metal,” “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and “The Father.” Also nominated for best picture was Emerald Fennell’s “Promising Young Woman.”

History was made in the best director category. Only five women have ever been nominated before. For the first time, two were this year. Chloé Zhao got a nod for her elegiac road-trip drama “Nomadland” alongside first-time feature filmmaker Fennell for her pitch black #MeToo revenge comedy.

“Never going to stop crying,” Fennell, also nominated for best screenplay, said on

Twitter.

Zhao, the first woman of color nominated for best director, is the most nominated woman in a single year in Oscar history. She was also tipped for the film’s adapted screenplay, editing and as a producer in the best picture category. The other directing nominees were Lee Isaac Chung for the tender family drama “Minari,” Fincher for “Mank” and Thomas Vinterberg for his heavy-drinking Danish tragicomedy “Another Round.”

For performers, it’s the most diverse group of nominees ever — and a far cry from the all-white acting nods that spawned the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag five years ago. Nine of the 20 acting nominees are people of color, including a posthumous best-actor nomination for Chadwick Boseman.

DEPARTMENT OF

sociology & corrections AOS COURSES: SUMMER 2021 DEPT. AOS AOS

COURSE SECTION CREDITS COURSE TITLE 301 1 3 Intro. to Applied Organizational Studies 488 1 2 Professional Studies Portfolio

1ST, 2ND, FULL SESSION Other Other

FORMAT Online Online

FACULTY DATES Mollenkopf-Pigsley 6/1-7/23 Mollenkopf-Pigsley 6/7-7/30

FORMAT Online Online Online/Synch Online Online Online Arranged Online

FACULTY DATES Thomas Truesdale 5/17-5/28 Vaughan Dennis Dennis Thomas McLaughlin Truesdale

CORRECTIONS COURSES: SUMMER 2021 DEPT. CORR CORR/SOC CORR CORR CORR CORR CORR CORR

COURSE SECTION CREDITS COURSE TITLE 106 1 3 Introduction to CJ Systems 255 1 3 Juvenile Delinquency 310 1 3 Corrections Research Methods 441/541 1 3 Social Deviance 442/542 1 3 Criminology 485/585 1 3 Topics: Community Reentry 496 1 10 Field Practice 497 1 2 Capstone

1ST, 2ND, FULL SESSION 1st Other Full 2nd 1st 1st Full Full

NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP COURSES: SUMMER 2021 DEPT. NPL

COURSE SECTION CREDITS COURSE TITLE 273 1 3 Introduction to NP Sector

DEPT. SOC SOC SOC SOC SOC SOC SOC SOC SOC SOC

COURSE SECTION CREDITS COURSE TITLE 101 1 3 Introduction to Sociology 101 2 3 Introduction to Sociology 150 1 3 Social Problems 202 1 3 Social Statistics 307 1 3 Sex and Gender in Contemporary Society 351 1 3 Social Psychology 409/509 1 3 Family Violence 446/546 1 3 Race, Culture and Ethnicity 466/566 1 3 Program Planning 497/697 1 1-12 Internships, Practicums UG and Grad

1ST, 2ND, FULL SESSION 1st

FORMAT Online

FACULTY Rendahl

DATES

FORMAT Online Online Online Online Online Online Online Online Online Arranged

FACULTY Anwary Hoy Anwary Islam Epplen Boyd Hunter Posas Glasser Islam

DATES

SOCIOLOGY COURSES: SUMMER 2021 1ST, 2ND, FULL SESSION 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 2nd 1st 1st 2nd 2nd Full

6 • MSU Reporter

Advertisement

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Advertisement

MSU Reporter • 7

8 • MSU Reporter

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

MAVS ADVANCE

Mavs win the battle of ‘Kato

The Mavericks took down FSU in the WCHA Quarterfinals; NMU up next

By DANIEL MCELROY Sports Editor

By DANIEL MCELROY Sports Editor

The Minnesota State baseball team took down Bethany Lutheran College on Saturday, improving their record to 3-1 on the season.

The game was played at ISG Field in Mankato, formerly named Franklin Rogers Park, and home of the Mankato MoonDogs.

The Mavericks served as the visiting team to the Vikings.

Mitch Frederick led the Mavericks to victory going 2-for-2 with a walk, scoring two RBI’s, and scoring two runs of his own in the win.

The first inning was quiet for both teams, with the Mavericks getting just one hit, and Bethany striking out twice followed by a ground out.

Things picked up when Ross Indlecoffer hit a solo home run with two outs, immediately followed by Frederick hitting another solo home run.

By the end of the 5th inning, the Mavericks were in the lead 6-3 following a couple of errors from the Bethany defense.

Joey Werner, who went 2-for-5 in the win, tripled off a hit to center field and batted in Adam Schneider, making it 7-3 in favor of MSU. In the top of the 9th, the Mavericks scored four runs, starting with Ty Denzer reaching on a fielder’s choice, and batted in Isaac Nett on an error.

After a pitching change, Carter Elliot hit a double into left field, scoring Denzer and Nick Altermatt to extend the Mavs lead to 10-4.

Nathan Berg recorded the last hit for the Mavericks with a double of his own into left field, batting in Elliot for his second run of the game.

MSU took the win in Mankato 11-4 in their last non-conference game of the season.

Jon Ludwig took the win for the Mavericks in three innings pitched, allowing just one hit and one run and striking out 8. Ludwig’s record improved to 2-0.

The Minnesota State men’s hockey team took on Ferris State in the WCHA Quarterfinals last weekend, sweeping the Bulldogs to advance to the semifinals and face the Northern Michigan Wildcats next weekend.

The postseason began on Friday with the Mavericks and Bulldogs playing in the first series for the WCHA. Going into the weekend series, Minnesota State won the last 13 meetings between the two teams and outscored their opponent 59-18 in that span.

Friday’s game, the Mavs had a much slower start than they were used to, as Ferris State, who is winless in the WCHA, played with much more intensity than what was expected. Ferris State managed to get the first four shots on goal in the first five minutes of play, but that’s all their offense was able to generate for the rest of the period. After that, MSU led shots on goal throughout the entire game, with a 7-4 lead in shots at the end of the first period.

The score remained tied at zero through the second period and halfway through the third. MSU’s leading point scorer, Julian Napravnik, got the Mavericks on the board for the first time of the night with a powerplay goal in the third period. Napravnik received a pass from Nathan Smith at the bottom of the faceoff circle and took a shot over FSU’s Logan Stein’s right shoulder to score his 10th goal of the year. Cade Borchardt also picked up an assist on the play.

Less than a minute later, Riese Zmolek took a pass from Jake Livingstone at the point and fired a shot at the goal. On its way to the net, Jared Spooner deflected the puck and snuck its way past Stein’s left leg pad. The Mavericks went up 2-0 with just over 10 minutes left to play in regulation.

With 4:32 left in the third, Shane McMahan, who was slotted into the fourth line in both games this weekend

Dryden McKay (29, above) secured his ninth shutout of the season in Friday’s win against Ferris State. Walker Duehr (17, below) led the Mavericks with two goals across the weekend.

Photos by MANSOOR AHMAD • Media Director

due to Reggie Lutz being unavailable, forced a turnover in the Bulldogs zone and made a pass to Walker Duehr, who attempted to make a pass to Nathan Smith on the backdoor, but bounced off a skate and into the net to give the mavericks the 3-0 win.

Dryden McKay picked up his ninth shutout of the season in the win, stopping all 15 shots that came his way.

“Thank goodness we had Dryden McKay, because he needed to make some saves early,” head coach Mike Hastings said after the game, regarding Ferris State’s play early in the game. “ We have to play at a pace that is equal or better than what Ferris [State] does [tomorrow],” Hastings said, knowing that their 8th seed opponent won’t go down

without a fight in game two of the series.

And a fight it was.

The Mavs generated more offense in the first period than they did on Friday, closing the first period with 14 shots on goal, but did not get a puck in the net until the second period.

Duehr connected with Spooner nine minutes into the period where Duehr scored his 5th goal in seven games and 9th goal on the season, giving MSU the 1-0 lead.

The Mavericks wasted no time in the third period, scoring just two minutes in when Sam Morton grabbed a turnover in the neutral zone and took a shot from the high slot that hit the post and ricocheted off FSU goaltender Roni Salmenkangis’s skate and into the net.

FSU got on the board for the first time on the weekend on a powerplay opportunity from Marshall Moise, who led the Bulldogs with four shots.

The Mavs sealed the win with an insurance goal from Livingstone, scoring on the empty net from his own zone.

As the highest seed remaining in the tournament, Minnesota State University, Mankato will be hosting the four-team championship weekend, with both semifinals and the championship games played Friday and Saturday, respectively, at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Downtown Mankato.

“We’re fortunate to have home ice, but I think we earned it,” Sam Morton said, scoring the game-winning goal for the Mavericks.

Earlier in the Week, several Mavericks received awards for their outstanding play in the WCHA throughout the season.

McKay earned three honors, taking home the WCHA Player of the Year, WCHA Goaltender of the Year, and All-WCHA First Team. “I think he earned it,” coach Hastings said. “It’s voted on by the other coaches in the league…And to see him receive that award, I think

SEMIS on page 9

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Sports

Wrestlers fall short at Nationals

MSU Reporter • 9

Mavs secure second at Championships

DAVID PRESTON • Courtesy photo Trevor Turriff took second place at the NCAA Championship, losing 8-2 in the finals against Abner Romero of Lindenwood.

By KOLE BUELOW • Staff Writer The Minnesota State men’s wrestling team sent three wrestlers to the 2021 NCAA Division II wrestling championships held in St. Louis, MO this past weekend.

All three Maverick wrestlers are returning to Mankato as All-American athletes.

Each made it through to the final day of the tournament this past weekend.

Junior Trevor Turriff, who was seeded second overall for the tournament at 174 pounds, was granted a firstround bye to start the weekend. He faced Max Bruss of U-Mary in the second round where he won by a 5-4 decision to advance.

Turriff then went on to face Adam Sams of Indianapolis in the semi-final match where he earned a 9-7 win to advance to the championship match against top-seeded Abner Romero of Lindenwood. Turriff started off slow during the finals match, and ultimately lost taking second place by a score of 8-2.

The championships also featured senior Kyle Rathman at 149 pounds for the Mavericks, who was strongly seeded at second for the tournament. Rathman faced Gabe Johnson of Central Oklahoma in the first round and eventually won his first match by a 10-3 decision.

Rathman then went on to face Garrett Aldrich of St. Cloud State in the second

round where Rathman lost by a 4-6 decision placing him in the consolation round.

The consolation round started off strong for Rathman, beating Logan Bailey of Indianapolis by a 4-0 decision. He then faced Ashland’s Carson Speelman in the consolation semifinals but lost in a 2-4 decision placing him in the seventh place match against Jacob Ealy of Pitt-Johnstown.

Rathman won the seventh place match by a score of 3-0, finishing with a 12-2 record.

Maverick senior Trenton McManus at 125 pounds coming in seeded seventh to start the tournament. McManus picked up a 4-1 first round win against Matt Siszka of Pitt-Johnstown, but went on to lose in the second round by a 3-1 decision to second-seed Cole Laya of West Liberty.

McManus then faced Cole Jones of MSU Moorhead in the consolation round and won that match 7-1 to advance to the consolation semifinals. He eventually lost to UW-Parkside’s Joe Arroyo 1-0, sending him to the seventh place match where he also lost to Isiah De La Cerda of Adams State 2-6 to place eighth overall.

With these results, the Mavericks were able to place 10th overall as a team for the NCAA wrestling championships

SEMIS continued from page 8 it speaks on the respect that other programs and other coaches have for him and we’re going to need him to continue to play that way if we want to make any noise in the playoffs.”

Other award recipients include Napravnik, receiving the award for Offensive Player of the year, Akito Hirose receiving Rookie of the Year, and coach Hastings for

Coach of the Year.

Alongside McKay, MSU had five Mavericks make the All-WCHA teams.

Napravnik was named to the All-WCHA First Team, Smith was named to the All-WCHA Second team, and Hirose and Zmolek were named to the All-WCHA Third Team.

Hirose and Livingstone also earned the honor of the WCHA All-Rookie Team.

Maverick Athletics

By KOLE BUELOW Staff Writer The Minnesota State Men’s track team finished up their indoor season this past weekend,, in Birmingham, Alabama at the NCAA indoor championships. The Mavericks sent four athletes to the championships and took 21st overall with a total team score of 11.5 points.

Kornelius Klah and Deveyonn Brown led the Mavericks in scoring, both finishing third in their respective events.

Klah competed in the 60 meter hurdles for the Mavericks where he finished fifth in the prelims with a time of 7.97 seconds, enough to earn a place in the finals the next day. Klah ended up finishing third overall in the finals for the 60 meter hurdles with a time of 7.95 seconds.

Brown competed in the high jump finals for the Mavericks where he finished tied for third place overall with a height of 2.09 meters.

Nicholas Hudson and Tanner Maier also competed for the men’s track team this past weekend. Hudson competed in the men’s weight throw where he finished 12th with a throw of 18.13 meters.

Maier competed in the men’s

800 meter run with a time of 1:54.44, finishing in 11th place.

The Minnesota State Women’s track team also competed this past weekend in the NCAA indoor championships. The Mavericks took second place overall with a total team score of 40 points, just enough to edge out third place West Texas A&M by 3 points. GVSU dominated the women’s meet, scoring 53 more than the next best team.

This is the first ever second place finish for the women’s track team, and a new team best as their previous best finish was eighth place in the 2003-2004 and 2007-2008 seasons.

The Mavericks sent 12 total athletes to the women’s meet where Denisha Cartwright led the team in total points, scoring in every one of her respective events. Katie Taylor also performed well, taking first place in the weight throw with a length of 21.17 meters and seventh in the shot put with a length of 14.47 meters.

In the finals of the 60 meter dash, Cartwright finished sixth with a time of 7.57 seconds and Mikayla Jackson finished eighth with a time of 7.61 seconds. These times were enough to win both

women All-American honors this season.

Next was the 60 meter dash, where Cartwright took second and MacKenzie Keune took sixth with times of 8.50 seconds and 8.78 seconds respectively. Both these times helped both women earn All-American honors for this event.

Cartwright then competed in the 200 meter dash and finished seventh with a time of 24.67 seconds, enough to earn her third All-American honor this meet. She joins Mikayla Jackson as the only women to earn three All-American honors in a single indoor meet season for the Mavericks track team.

Lastly, the women’s track team competed in the 4x400 meter dash. The Mavericks sat behind before the race had started and had to place significantly higher than Saginaw Valley and Central Missouri to place second. The Mavericks were able to do so as Nyeaee Robins, Keune, Cartwright, and Mackenzie Woodard finished the race with a time of 3:47.55 earning the team 6 points, enough to take third place in the 4x400 and push the Mavericks into second place overall to finish in the meet.

10 • MSU Reporter

Sports

Mavericks win four in Emporia

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Mavs capture COVID Cup

Maverick Athletics

By DANIEL MCELROY • Sports Editor

Maverick Athletics Mackenzie Ward (17) earned two wins on the weekend at the Emporia State Softball Classic.

By DANIEL MCELROY Sports Editor Most college students opt to travel to destinations like Florida or Mexico or some other warm weather location over spring break. The softball team, however, took a trip down to Emporia, Kansas where they went 4-1 in the Emporia State Softball Classic.

They began their weekend with a 7-2 win over the Southwest Baptist Bearcats.

The Bearcats managed to get on the board first with a solo home run from SBU’s Morgan McMullin, but the lead wouldn’t last very long.

Madi Newman was the first to score for the Mavs with a solo home run to center field, her 1st of the year and 2nd career home run.

Newman tied the score at one a piece.

MSU rallied in the 4th inning, scoring five runs, with six different Mavericks recording hits with a walk tagged on.

SBU attempted to make a comeback in the bottom of the 7th, but couldn’t complete it, only scoring one run. The Mavs took the first win of the tournament, with McKayla Armbruster getting the win on the mound.

The second game in their doubleheader, the Mavs took down Washburn by a score of 7-0, scoring all seven runs in the 3rd inning. Newman started the inning off with a

home run, her second on the day. Carly Esselman scored the second run by stealing third, and proceeding home on an error by Washburn’s catcher.

Sydney Nielsen scored another unearned run on an error by Washburn, followed by a three run home run from Hannah McCarville to give the Mavericks a 6-0 lead. Sydney Nelson batted in the final run of the game with a single to right field.

Mackenzie Ward took the win and improved her record to 3-1.

In their first game on Saturday, MSU went up against University of Missouri-St. Louis.

The Mavs wasted no time getting the scoring started, scoring four runs in the 1st inning. Torey Richards batted in Esselman after her lead off double. Hailey Forshee then batted in Richards with a single to right field. McCarville finished off the scoring for the Mavericks with a two run home run, giving the Mavs the 4-0 lead at the end of the first.

In the 2nd inning, McCarville was walked with the bases loaded, leading Esselman to score, followed immediately by Katie Bracken being walked, scoring Nielsen to take the 6-0 lead.

In the 4th inning the Mavericks scored another two runs off a sacrifice fly ball and a sacrifice groundout to take the lead 8-0. Since St. Louis couldn’t manage to score any

runs in their next at bats, the game ended in the 5th inning.

Armbruster picked up the win.

The Mavericks second game of the doubleheader was against Illinois-Springfield, in what would be their closest game of the season so far.

The game remained tied through the first five innings of play, until UIS scored two unearned in the 6th inning, making it a 2-0 game.

In the 7th inning, Nielsen managed to hit a home run with two outs, but the Mavs couldn’t quite catch up and they dropped their first game of the weekend.

In their final game, the Mavericks took on Missouri Southern and got to work right away. Minnesota State took an early lead, ending the first inning leading the game 2-0.

The Mavs scored another From Forshees single up the middle, her second RBI of the game. Missouri Southern got their only run of the game on the board in the fourth inning on an RBI single. The Mavericks made sure to close out the game with no chance of the Lions catching up, scoring five runs in the sixth inning. The Mavs closed out the game by a score of 8-1. Ward took the win in the contest.

The Mavs improved their record to 7-2 on the road trip, and prepare to head to Missouri to participate in the Hyvee Softball Classic.

Over the course of the last two weekends, the Minnesota State soccer team took four straight wins in the Spring Soccer Tournament in the Maverick All-Sports Dome and took home the COVID Cup, and improved their overall record to 6-0..

On Friday, March 5, the Mavericks played against Minot State and took a 3-0 shutout win against the Beavers.

The scoring got started for the Mavericks by Brynn Desens off of a penalty kick at the 29:31 mark in the first half, in what would end up being the game-winning goal for the Mavericks.

The Mavericks got to work right away in the second half, with Jenny Vetter scoring at the 50:42 mark following a pass from Desens. Exactly seven minutes later, Vetter scored her second goal of the game with an assist from Nadia Lowery.

On Sunday, March 7, the Mavericks took on Concordia-St.Paul where MSU took their second straight shutout win by a score of 4-0. Vetter gets things going for the Mavericks, scoring at the 19:05 mark of the first half, assisted by Brynn Desens.

Only 24 seconds later, Vetter struck again and scored unassisted to give the Mavs a quick 2-0 lead.

Another five minutes later, Claire Cater got herself on the board when she scored

her first goal of the season.

Vetter also grabbed her first assist of the year on the play.

The Mavs scored their final goal of the day just under four minutes into the second half, when Brynn Desens scored her second goal of the year, with an assist from Claire Cater.

The tournament continued this past weekend when MSU faced Upper Iowa. The Mavs had a bit more variety in their scoring with Allie Williams and Olivia Thoen scoring alongside Desens and Vetter in their 4-1 win. Upper Iowa got their only goal of the game at the 64:27 mark off a shot from Haley Ramberg. Minnesota State outshot their opponent 35-2 in the contest.

The Mavericks closed out the weekend and the tournament with another 4-0 win against the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs. The Mavericks wasted no time, getting their first goal just under three minutes into the game from Desens. Tia Martin scored her first of the year for the Mavericks towards the end of the second half.

Vetter scored another goal less than two minutes into the second half, followed by Desens scoring her second of the game at the 59:19 mark.

Vetter leads the Mavericks in scoring, as she scored six goals and one assist over the four game period.

FIND A PLACE TO RENT AT

M A N K AT O ' S R E N TA L L I S T I N G W E B S I T E

Now Hiring Seasonal Employees.

40+/- hours a week.

View website for job openings and fill out an application. www.greencare4u.com

507-344-8314

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Sports

Drew Brees retires at 42

MSU Reporter • 11

With sports paused, athletes make do

CHARLIE RIEDEL • Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS The Drew Brees era with the New Orleans Saints — marked by a Super Bowl celebration, raucous record-setting nights in the rebuilt Superdome and the undersized quarterback’s outsized role in a historic city’s rebirth — has ended.

Brees, the NFL’s leader in career completions and yards passing, has decided to retire after 20 NFL seasons, including his last 15 with New Orleans.

“Til the very end I exhausted myself to give everything to the Saints organization, my team and the great city of New Orleans,” Brees said in social media post on Sunday, 15 years to the day after he signed with the Saints.

“We shared some amazing moments together, many of which are emblazoned in our hearts and minds and will forever be a part of us,” Brees continued. “I am only retiring from football. I am not retiring from New Orleans. This is not goodbye.”

The post also included a short video in which his four young children — the three boys wearing No. 9 Saints jerseys — exclaimed, “Our dad is finally going to retire so he can spend more time with us!”

The decision comes after the 42-year-old quarterback won nine of 12 regular-season starts while completing 70.5% of his passes in 2020, and then won a wild-card round playoff game before New Orleans’ season ended with a divisional-round loss to eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay. Brees missed four games this season with multiple fractured ribs and a collapsed lung. It marked the second straight season Brees had to miss part of a season with an injury after missing just one game because of injury in the previous 13. In 2019, Brees missed five games because of a thumb injury on his throwing hand that required sur-

gery.

Saints coach Sean Payton said Brees had plenty of other injuries or ailments during his Saints tenure, but willed himself to play through them whenever possible.

“Over the years his durability and availability is quite amazing. I can recall so many of these different injuries,” Payton said. “He’s as courageous and as tough a player as I’ve ever been around.”

Brees is the NFL’s alltime leader in yards passing with 80,358, although that mark will be under threat next season by 44-year-old Tom Brady, who has 79,204 career yards passing. Brees’ 571 career touchdown passes rank second behind Brady’s 581.

Brees had dropped hints about his intentions, saying he considered himself to be on “borrowed time.” After his final game, he returned to the Superdome field in street clothes, embraced his wife, Brittany, and played catch with his children for nearly two hours. When Brady saw them on his way to the Tampa Bay bus, he stopped, chatted, threw passes to Brees children and hugged Brees before departing.

Still, Brees declined to confirm his plans until now, even throwing many for a loop when a video of one of his recent workouts appeared on social media.

“Congrats my friend on an incredible career,” Brady said in a social media post Sunday. “Thank you for the inspiration and dedication on and off the field! Look forward to seeing what’s next.”

The Saints currently have one quarterback under contract: Taysom Hill, who went 3-1 as a starter during Brees absence in 2020. New Orleans also is expected to pursue another veteran QB to compete for a starting job, including free agent Jameis Winston, who spent 2020 as a Saints reserve.

ANDY CLAYTON-KING • Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS Parker Tuomie and his Minnesota State hockey team were thriving last season, pursuing the program’s first NCAA Tournament victory with a fervor that suggested a bigger goal than that.

As the winter transpired, news from Tuomie’s father coaching overseas about the virus outbreak portended a major roadblock lurking further down the path.

First, the top-tier league in Tuomie’s native Germany had banned postgame handshake lines. Then, the season was canceled.

“I knew that we weren’t far away from that possibility,” Tuomie said, “but it did happen quicker than I thought it would.”

March 12, 2020, that tipping-point day of dread for so many as the dark clouds of COVID-19 drifted in, was the end of the run for the second-ranked Mavericks and their 31-5-2 record.

The plug was pulled on the rest of the WCHA playoffs, then hours later on the entire NCAA Tournament. Tuomie and his teammates gathered for goodbyes to their national championship chase — and one another.

“A lot of tears were flowing. It was just a very emotional day,” said Tuomie, one of seven seniors on the 2019-20 squad.

“Every year you have a feeling that you can do it, but right from the get-go we had that feeling that this was our year and we were going to be the first to do it.”

Life often strays from the preferred script, as much of the world was reminded by the pandemic.

By summertime, with opportunities to play professionally in the U.S. drying up, Tuomie was back in Germany. He signed with Eis-

bären Berlin in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, where his dad is the head coach of a different team.

This was a goal of his all along, not some last-ditch idea, but the way it unfolded wasn’t ideal.

What a time he had on American ice, though. Three years of junior hockey.

Four seasons at Minnesota State, with a 114-36-9 career record.

Being part of the WCHA, the same storied league his dad once skated in for St. Cloud State and Wisconsin.

Playing in front of relatives of his Minnesota native father, Tray Tuomie, who married a German while playing there and stayed to raise a family.

Marc Michaelis became one of Parker Tuomie’s close pals, a fellow German and fouryear roommate in that class of Mavericks seniors last year who recently made his NHL debut with Vancouver.

Tuomie was returning home around 4 a.m. from a road trip with his team, so he took advantage of the time difference and turned on the Canucks game live.

He fell asleep on the couch after the first period and caught up to the action with his friend in the morning.

Maybe next month Tuomie, Michaelis and the others who used to wear the purple and gold will be able to tune in to the NCAA Frozen Four and cheer for the Mavericks from afar.

They’re currently ranked third, poised again for a postseason run.

Perhaps there’ll be a twinge of envy or regret, but mostly they’ll feel pride in the program they left behind and a sense of identity as the class that got stonewalled by a pandemic.

12 • MSU Reporter

Advertisement

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

remiNders from your campus bookstore:

If you ordered books, PLEASE PICK THEM UP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! BARNES & NOBLE AT MINNESOTA STATE Located on campus in the Centennial Student Union building 620 South Road CSU 144 | Mankato, MN 56001 | Phone 507-389-1649

www.mnsu.edu/bookstore