March 29, 2012

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Minnesota State University, Mankato

One big idea

Black Intelligent Gentlemen seek to empower and educate

• courtesy of cortez hollis Matnique Williamson (left) and Cortez Hollis (right) are the President and Vice President of Black Intelligent Gentlemen, respectively.

LINDSAY PETERSON

staff writer A new organization emerging this spring has Minnesota State University, Mankato students joining together committing to success.

Matnique Williamson, a senior majoring in corrections, collaborated with Interim Dean of Institutional Diversity Henry Morris to initiate the development of Black Intelligent Gentlemen (B.I.G.).

B.I.G. is an organization of students who have come together for the same purpose – to help black men graduate.

Williamson, president of B.I.G., said he hopes that the group will build a brotherhood on campus.

Since the first meeting, held January 31, the organization has accumulated around 90 interested individuals. The culture of its members is very diverse.

inside: Voices.........................................4 Sports.............................................7 A&E.................................................9 Classifieds...................................11

Everyone has different goals and views, but all share hopeful aspirations.

Vice President Cortez Hollis, a junior Business Management and Psychology double major, said B.I.G. is simply about making changes.

“At the end of the day you can look in the mirror at your reflection and you can’t lie to yourself,” Hollis said.

B.I.G. meetings allow members to bond together and form an alliance with similar beliefs about future prosperity. Topics covered include the education and career goals in the personal lives of its members, planning for the future, and seeing who needs help to achieve their dreams.

The goals of B.I.G. are outlined with the “three E’s model,” which uses the words

B.I.G. / page 2

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MSU’s women honored in Tuesday reception

MEGAN KADLEC

news editor

Women make up roughly half of the population at Minnesota State University, Mankato, however the percentage of women in positions of leadership and power is far less than 50 percent.

In order to encourage leadership among the University’s female population, the President’s Commission on the Status of Women was created in an attempt to improve the lives of the female population at MSU. Appointed representatives host listening panels, mentor faculty and staff, award professional development grants and express concerns to administration.

Perhaps the most important action the PCWS takes is honoring Women of Courage and Vision in an annual ceremony.

The PCWS also recognizes the Research Project of the Year and awards research grants.

The 12th Annual Women of Courage and Vision Reception was held Tuesday in the Centennial Student Union Ballroom.

This year, more than 400 women were nominated, including representatives from the Women’s Center and Department of Gender and Women’s Studies as well as influential women across campus.

When the nominated women walked into the ballroom, they saw photographs and names flashing across the walls recognizing the women who have made a difference at MSU throughout the year. The reception was a gathering place for nominees to discuss the status of women, as well as celebrate their accomplishments over light snacks.

Every year, the PCSW nominates one outstanding female to participate in HERS leadership training. HERS is a program that was founded in 1972 and was designed to for women who are looking to experience professional leadership development at a national level.

“Right here at MSU, we have eight participants who have gone through the various HERS projects and institutes and today we are about to add one more name to that list,” said President

Richard Davenport. “I was very, very excited with the quality and number of applications this year, and so it was a very tough decision to make.”

This year, Davenport announced Marilyn Hart as the recipient for this year’s grant. Hart is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences.

In addition to funding Hart’s HERS experience, individual departments are funding the HERS activities of two other women at MSU: Michelle Alvarez, of Research and Sponsored Programs, and Candace Raskin of Educational Leadership.

Of the eight women who had participated in HERS programs, five of the women were featured in a video shown at the reception about the value of the professional leadership development on their careers.

Topics discussed during HERS programs range from discussion on how to maintain your position as a leader while still being true to yourself to balancing a career and a family.

“I had people say ‘well, women don’t really need this extra opportunity, this extra training.’” said Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events Jessica Guyer-Wood. “But when you do look at the number of administrators and presidents on campuses around the country, when you look at that top level of leadership, you realize that it isn’t equal by any means.”

Other HERS participants

agreed with this sentiment, arguing that Higher Education needs to keep up with the rapidly changing world.

“With the increase in female students and the positions that women are taking within our society, we need to keep up in higher education,” said Anthropology professor Rhonda Dass.

The PCSW also announced the recipients of research and professional development grants for the upcoming academic year.

These grants are offered to student sand employees to conduct research or attend professional conferences relating to the status of women or gender-related issues.

The commission entertained more than $12,000 worth of requests, and ultimately $4,500 will be awarded to 15 women throughout Fall 2012 and Spring 2013.

In addition to research and professional development grants, the PCSW recognizes individuals at MSU for their gender-related research through the Project of the Year awards.

These awards are given to three individuals annually: an undergraduate student, a graduate student and a faculty or staff member. Each winner typically receives a $350 reward.

“We have phenomenal women working on this campus,” Davenport said. “You’re probably thinking that I’m just saying that because you’re here, but it’s true.”

megan kadlec • msu reporter The President’s Commission on the Status of Women held a reception to honor Women of Courage and Vision Tuesday afternoon.

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Page 2 • Reporter

News

Preparing for the MADELINE GREENE | staff writer

d l r o W l a Re

Interview Presentation

You’ve been pacing back and forth waiting for a phone call or email from a potential employer.

All you want is to get an interview for your dream job, or any job for that matter. Finally, your phone is ringing and you have been offered an interview. Before you go crazy celebrating this potential job opportunity, you probably should think about the actual interview process.

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to break down the important parts of the interview process to help you out. This week, I’m going to focus on your interview presentation.

I bet you are thinking; wait, what? I have to give a presentation during my interview? No, you don’t have to give a presentation, but what you look like and how you are dressed will play a major role in whether or not you get the job.

First impressions are important, especially when it comes to job interviews, so you want to put your best foot (or shoe) forward in order to ensure that you make the best impression you can.

Many interviewees struggle when preparing for an interview because they are not sure if they should “dress up” or not. In my experience, it is better to over dress than to under dress. If the interviewer has on a suit and you

are wearing jeans, you are going to feel out of place in that setting. So, to play it safe, always dress up for interviews.

What is dressing up, you ask?

This is different for men and women. But to be safe, for women, you can never go wrong with a pair of slacks and a nice shirt. While you have other options like skirts or dresses, slacks are always a safer choice.

If your skirt or dress is too short, this could be a turn off when it comes to the interviewer.

Gentlemen can go with the same idea, slacks and a button up shirt.

Whether or not you wear a tie is up to you, but I think it looks more professional if you do.

This is going to sound insane, but shoes also play a major role in your outfit. I would say it is never okay to wear flip-flops or sneakers with your interview attire. There are a few jobs, where you may be able to wear those items during your work hours, but for your interview, I suggest you stray away.

Make sure your shoes look just as good as your outfit and that you can comfortably walk in them.

Some interviews are accompanied by a tour of the office and/or complex. Be sure that you can comfortably travel around the premise, just in case.

When it comes to hair and makeup for women, be sure you are going more on the natural side. Remember the saying less is more? Yep, well use that here. You

Find full-text articles online using one of the 200+ library databases Ask how at the Library’s Reference Desk on 1st floor

don’t want to scare your potential employer off with a face full of over-powering makeup.

You do not need to have your hair in an up do, but be sure to make it look as neat as possible.

Men should think the same and add some product into their hair if applicable. This will ensure that you don’t have that “I-just-rolled-out-ofbed-and-came- here” look.

One issue is whether or not you should take out your piercings or cover up tattoos. Some employers may be turned off by the idea of piercings and tattoos, but some employers don’t mind. Here is my suggestion for you: I would say cover up your piercings and tattoos for the first interview. During the interview ask the interviewer if it would be appropriate to wear them/ show them during work hours. This way you have a feel for what the company is like and how you can express yourself without making anyone mad.

See you next week, Mavericks.

Until then, start putting together your interview attire.

WANTED:

A person with a Masters in Psychology to do some administrative and clinical work and must like to lead, for a position in a mental health center in Southern Minnesota.

Please e-mail resumes to: mikki@cedarhouseinc.com

Thursday, March 29, 2012T

B.I.G. “It’s vital to catch them while they’re young and to help motivate them in the right direction.” continued from 1 empowerment, educate, and emulate to describe the goals of the organization.

Williamson approached Morris about creating an organization after struggling with racism and not knowing whom to turn to for mentorship. Williamson says he wanted to start a group to help others who felt the same way.

Board members of B.I.G. have made appearances at Minneapolis middle schools, Minnesota School of Science and Nellistone Johnson, to share their ambition with young students to triumph.

Around second and third grade, many black boys begin to lose interest and deter away from math and science. It’s vital to catch them while they’re young and to help motivate them in the right direction, according to Hollis.

Emmanuel Bayo Ifonlaja, a Community Health and Graphic Design major, said that B.I.G. is influential for black males to excel in every aspect of life, beyond sports, incarcerations and death.

Williamson said he hopes Black Intelligent Gentlemen will continue to expand at MSU after he graduates and hopes to still contribute as an alumni to possibly spread awareness of B.I.G. to other universities and to connect with middle schools and high schools.

B.I.G. is free to join and everyone is welcome with no discrimination.

Williamson says that color is not an issue; if you are for the same cause you are welcome.

“We are all special in some sort of way or fashion, join B.I.G. and be the star that you are,” Hollis said.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

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Reporter • Page 3

Voices

CORRECTION

There was misleading information in the story, “Green transportation fee proposal,” from Tuesday, March 27 written by Megan Kadlec. The first paragraph stated that, “A voting referendum for parking permit and parking ticket fee increases has been set to appear at the MSSA general election this month.”

Parking permit fees will not be on the ballot for the April 10 elections. Parking fees will be increasing, regardless. The only initiative on the ballot is the green transportation fee, which would increase student fees by 75 cents per credit and will reduce the school’s carbon footprint.

The Reporter would like to apologize for this error and any confusion it may have caused.

Thursday, March 29, 2012 www.msureporter.com

Butt off: the ban that’s blowing smoke

ELISE KONERZA

| assistant news editor

The ban with no plan has continued to dwindle in its effectiveness at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Spring is upon us, and the increasingly warm weather is increasingly inviting for smokers, but as to where does a smoker find accommodations to smoke?

With a widespread campus it is nearly impossible to walk across campus, smoke somewhere that is off-campus, and return to class on time.

Nonetheless, without any clear distinction in the ban’s nature does it say where the boundaries of smoking begin and end. Is it still a public nuisance to smoke a cigarette

walking through the distant parking lots on my way to campus?

MSU students have begun to confide near Highland Hills Apartments to carry out their smoking. This causes another concern for the students’ studies, spending so much time off campus.

The ban asks that, “All members of the campus community are empowered and encouraged to approach and advise violators, in a nonconfrontational manner, of the campus smoking policy.”

Which working student, faculty or staff member has the time, initiative, will, want or concern to tell someone to

quit their habit?

Let’s face it, if the ban asks other people to enforce what is asked, there will be little to no cooperation and the level of concern greatly decreases. Come on, nobody likes confrontation.

Many students practically live on campus going to school and work all day, like I do. To find the time to walk across campus is impractical to ask of the working student.

Smoker’s stands, used for the disposal of cigarette butts were removed after the ban was put into place. There has been a noticeable increase in littering as smokers who still smoke on campus have nowhere to dispose of cigarette butts.

To rid an object that ultimately keeps our campus clean is a step backwards as ultimately the campus is trying to promote clean air, yet pollution is still a factor.

The smoking ban has done nothing but isolate and stigmatize student smokers, putting shame and pointing fingers on a habit that is legal in the United States. It criminalizes behavior that is common among college students and probably won’t

go away for a very long time.

As long as smoking is legal in the United States, it should be accommodated for.

The ban favors students who do not smoke and their right to breathe clean air.

The co-author of a report about the negative effects of secondhand smoke states, “If you’re at a sidewalk café, and you sit within 18 inches of a person who smokes two cigarettes over the course of an hour, your exposure to secondhand smoke could be the same as if you sat one hour inside a tavern with smokers.”

If smoke is intolerable, you certainly don’t stay in that place. Car fumes are bad for you, too, but most people wouldn’t linger next to a running exhaust pipe.

Our parents, children of the ’50s and ’60s endured secondhand smoke like it was fresh air. Smoking was allowed in cars, busses, trains, theatres, airplanes, houses - practically everywhere.

If secondhand smoke is as dangerous as it is made out to be now, and even after it has moved outdoors, the baby boomer generation should be hospitalized, or even dead, by now.

How has the Tobacco Ban affected MSU? Sponsored by:

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Chaz Miller

Colleges should be an environment that fosters the ability to make personal decisions and resembles the real world where in fact, like it or not, people smoke. The promotion of a smoke-free community is progressive, but an outright ban is regressive.

It is understandable that universities are trying to promote a smoke-free campus, but when it bans chewing tobacco as well, it begins to dictate what students can and cannot do. Chewing tobacco is in no way harmful to others and is impending on the free will of a student’s choice.

Personally, chewing tobacco is disgusting, but spit away – I don’t care; you’re not harming me in anyway.

As for the health information and awareness services to students, faculty and staff promised by Blue Earth County Public Health, it has yet to be seen.

College smoking bans are less about health and more about lifestyle choices, and when we come to realize this, we will also understand that these bans are not appropriate for college administrations to make.

Compiled by Elise Konerza Demarcus Lindsey

Senior, Economics

Junior, Recreation Parks and Leisure

Sophomore, Construction Management

Junior, Communications and French

“The ban has divided smokers and non-smokers on campus.”

“I haven’t seen any changes to be honest.”

“I didn’t even know there was a ban, but I guess it’s a good thing, it cleans up campus.”

“It hasn’t affected it, just makes it an inconvenience. I just volunteered to pick up cigarette butts today.”

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News

Reporter • Page 5

Diversity dinner celebrates Africa

Surviving Tuskegee airman speaks at annual dinner Gomer, a 92-year-old surviving member of the Tuskegee Airmen.

When the discovered that Moret would, in fact, make it to the dinner, they decided that two keynote speakers were better than one.

Moret served in the Army Air Corps 99th Fighter Squadron. He was trained to fly P-40s during the war, but conflict in Europe was resolved merely four days before his squadron was to leave.

His group was then trained to fly P-47s, though again fighting ceased in the Pacific theater.

Moret became a flight officer in 1994 and later received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007 from former President George W. Bush. Moret is a surviving member of the Tuskegee

Airmen, a group of African American and Haitian pilots during World War II. Before the early 1940s, black men did not serve as pilots; this was common practice because scholars of the time concluded that a black man did not have a large enough brain to make quick decisions in combat.

Moret, who is 85-years-old, thought this idea was preposterous.

“What can you tell about them?” he said, listing obvious answers like age, skin color. “But what can you really tell about [their character]?”

Gomer gave his speech after Moret, discussing his personal experiences with racism while in the war while also joking with

the audience.

The Department of Institutional Diversity encompasses African American Affairs, American Indian Affairs, Asian American Pacific Islander Affairs, Latino Affairs, the LGBT Center, Women’s Center and the College Access Program, according to Interim Dean of Institutional Diversity Henry Morris.

Tickets were available individually or by the table, and included a three-course meal, entertainment and the keynote address. Next year’s Institutional Diversity Dinner is to be sponsored by American Indian Affairs and will focus on the 150th anniversary of the Dakota Conflict.

•web photo Calvin Moret, a surviving member of the Tuskegee airmen, gave one of the keynote addresses at Monday night’s Institutional Diversity Dinner.

MEGAN KADLEC

news editor

Monday night marked Minnesota State University, Mankato’s 41st Annual Institutional Diversity Dinner. Students, faculty, staff and community members came together across many backgrounds in order to celebrate diversity on campus.

The annual dinner was founded by Michael Fagin, a professor in the Department of Ethnic Studies.

“Diversity has always been our number one goal,” said President Richard Davenport. “We’ve tried to diversify this institution with students from all over Minnesota and the United States, but also from 80 countries around the world.”

This year’s event was sponsored by African American Affairs and focused on diversity

within the African American community. The dinner was supported by Black Intelligent Gentlemen, Brothers with a Purpose and the Black Student Union, who all gave presentations on their organizations and what they have been doing during the past year.

The organizations that spoke all placed an emphasis on the importance of maintaining MSU’s high retention rates among underrepresented students, which are the highest in all of MNSCU’s four-year universities.

Due to travel concerns and conflicts, the organizers of the event did not know if their keynote speaker, Calvin Moret, was going to make the event. Thus, they went on a quest to find another speaker who was involved with the Tuskagee Airmen.

Surprisingly, they found Joseph

Minnesota State University, Mankato

Applications now being accepted for the 2012-2013 school year for the following positions:

Reporter – Editor Application deadline is Friday, April 6, 2012, at noon. For more information or to pick up an application, stop in the Reporter Office (CSU 293) or call 389-1776.

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Thursday, March 29, 2012

Sports Thursday, March 29, 2012 www.msureporter.com/sports

THIS WEEKEND IN MAVERICK SPORTS: NO. 13 MSU SOFTBALL VS. MSU-MOORHEAD AND MINNESOTA, CROOKSTON 1 AND 3 P.M. SATURDAY AND SUNDAY MSU SOFTBALL COMPLEX BEHIND THE GAGE TOWERS

Mavericks head to Sioux Falls for nonconference action TIGE HUTCHESON

Conference board of directors voted to accept the Cougars, After a perfect 4-0 start to along with Minot State Univerthe conference season at home sity, as new members beginlast weekend, the Minnesota ning in 2012-13.

State, Mankato baseball team The Cougars spent the has a unique opportunity to remainder of last season as send an early message to members of the NAIA’s Great a team that will become a Plains Conference, but have regular opponent in the league been forced to tread water this season as provisional members of the NCAA Division-II. As of right now, the Cougars are without a conference and are ineligible for postseason play.

But within a matter of months, all of that will change and the University of Sioux Falls will be a regular stop for MSU during the NSIC regular season, and because of that, this weekend’s series is a golden opportunity for both teams to make a statement.

“We don’t know too much about them,” said MSU head coach Matt Magers. “We know they had their Spring Break last week and haven’t played since then, but I know they’re shannon rathmanner • msu reporter anxious to play us because Senior third baseman Pat Dockendorf circled the bases after hitting a they’re coming to our conferthree-run homer in the fifth inning of MSU’s 5-3 win over UMD last ence next year and they’ll be weekend. staff writer

beginning next season.

The Mavericks will square off against the University of Sioux Falls Cougars this weekend with doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday for a chance to claim first bragging rights.

Back in January 2011, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate

motivated to show us what they’ve got.”

Entering the weekend with a 3-17 record, Sioux Falls should have plenty of motivation to compete. Not only could it use a win and some positive momentum, but the Cougars have a chance to announce their arrival by ambushing MSU, one of the NSIC’s titans and perennial teams to beat.

The Cougars are led on offense by junior outfielder Anthony Williams (.353 batting average, team-best 18 hits), sophomore utility player Noah Coleman (.292 average) and senior infielder Jimmy Maxwell (.280 average, team-best nine RBIs).

On the mound, the most likely starters for the University of Sioux Falls are righthanders Derek Fischer (2-1 with a 3.80 ERA), Brady Nolz (0-4, 6.15 ERA), Eric Brothers (1-2, 10.80 ERA) and Coleman (0-3, 2.77 ERA), the lone lefty.

On paper, it’s been a tough season for the Cougars, but Magers still sees plenty to gain

for the Mavericks this weekend.

“For us, we’re excited to go to Sioux Falls and get into the routine of playing on the road,” Magers said. “More than anything, we’re still kind of looking to define some roles, especially our fifth and sixth starters, and we’re looking to give some of our role players off the bench some opportunities.”

Regardless of MSU’s unfamiliarity with the University of Sioux Falls and its roster, Friday and Saturday are the final opportunities for MSU to improve as much as it can before conference play really heats up, and the keys remain the same.

“We haven’t changed anything. We’re still working on the fundamentals of our game—the hitting, pitching and fielding,” Magers said.

“But right now it’s just about maintaining what we’ve been doing, continuing to build up and hopefully be playing some better baseball here in the next couple of weeks.”

MSU Golf

MSU Softball

MSU opens NSIC home action with Moorhead, Crookston Miller and Werner heating up for Mavericks

JOEY DENTON

staff writer

It’s going to be tough to top a weekend like the last one for the Minnesota State, Mankato softball team, as head coach Lori Meyer won her 900th career game to go along with three MSU wins.

But the Mavericks do have MSU-Moorhead and the University of Minnesota, Crookston coming to town, and they want to go 4-0 this weekend.

The Mavericks (23-6) will be coming into this weekend ranked No. 13 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Poll and 3-1 in the NSIC. This past weekend opened up conference play for the Mavericks, and their first series against Minnesota-Duluth featured a 4-5 loss followed by a 6-0 shutout win. The next day, Meyer got her 900th career win in a 12-0 victory over Bemidji State, then led her team to an 8-0 triumph just hours later for her 901st win.

One of the hottest bats for the Mavericks has been freshman second baseman Brittani Robinson.

She is currently on a five-game hitting streak, hitting .300 with six hits in 18 at-bats, good for five RBIs and four runs.

In the 6-0 win over Duluth, she contributed two hits and four RBIs and scored two of the team’s six runs. On the season, Robinson is batting .314 with five

home runs and 20 RBIs. Pitching-wise as a team, the Mavericks are currently leading the NSIC with a 1.41 ERA, and senior Kendra Huettl continues to dominate whomever she faces.

The two-time NSIC Pitcher of the Week has appeared in 18 games with 93.1 innings pitched, only allowing 18 earned runs on 56 hits while striking out 118 batters already this season.

Her teammate, junior pitcher Courtney McKelvogue, has also been an ace for the Mavericks early on, alBrittani Robinson lowing only 16 earned runs in her 85.1 innings pitched. It’s hard to find a duo of pitchers better than these two in college softball at the moment.

The MSU-Moorhead Dragons are coming to Mankato this weekend with a 5-14 record. Last weekend they hosted two series, splitting with Upper Iowa with a 1-0 win and 3-11 loss, and the next day Winona State came and conquered the Dragons, 1-11 and 3-12.

The Dragons have been struggling defensively so far this

season. In their 19 games this season, the Dragons have a 6.84 team ERA, the worst in the NSIC. Offensively, the team is bringing in four runs per game, led by junior outfielder Paige Smith, who is batting .379 in 58 at-bats with five RBIs this season.

On Sunday, the University of Minnesota, Crookston Golden Eagles bring a 7-14 overall record to Mankato, 1-3 in the conference. Last weekend the team had it rough, also hosting Winona State and Upper Iowa with almost the same results as Moorhead, getting swept by Winona State and splitting with Upper Iowa.

What has carried the Golden Eagles so far this season is their offense. Crookston as a team is batting .315, third in the conference. Sophomore outfielder Paige Schaust has been carrying the load for the Eagles, batting .423 in 52 at-bats with one home run and 10 RBIs so far this season.

Their pitching is another story.

As a team, they are giving up 5.1 runs per game, with their number one starter, Stacey Marcum, giving up 5.95 runs per game.

On Saturday, the first game against Moorhead will start at 1 p.m. behind Gage, followed by the second game at 3 p.m., and Sunday’s games against Crookston are set for the same times and place.

RYAN LUND

staff writer

will likely be contested by several conference rivals.

With record spring highs and MSU will compete alongside sunny March days, the Minnesota several of those rivals at the upState, Mankato men’s golf team is coming Wayne State Invitational poised to open their spring season this weekend in Wayne, Nebraska. a little differently this year; with NSIC foes Concordia and Upper a few weeks worth of work under Iowa will be there as well. their belts.

MSU’s top individual finisher Historically the team has to in Springfield, freshman Ross travel south to hit the links at this Miller, put together a strong time of year, a fact that often sees performance, finishing in a tie for the Mavericks unprepared for one fourth with a score of 150 through of the most important stretches of 36 holes. the season.

Miller, who struggled with his “Last year when we went down putting game early on, worked to Upper Iowa we hadn’t even hard during the fall season, a fact played a round of golf yet,” said that hasn’t been lost on his coach. head coach Geoff Klein.

“He’s playing very well With a month’s worth as a freshman,” said Klein. of practice behind them “He’s been a very nice the Mavericks shouldn’t surprise.” have to deal with similar The Mavericks will look issues this year. to junior Greg Werner as The team finished well. Werner finished in a ninth at the University three-way tie for first place of Illinois-Springfield at the Classic Club InvitaSpring Invitational, Greg Werner tional during Spring Break, March 18-19, shooting shooting 160 at the Palm a combined 627 on the Desert, California course.

6,832 yard par-72 course.

MSU returns to action on FriDespite an underwhelming day at the Wayne State Invitationperformance in Springfield, the team has recorded a top-five finish al, where they will likely feel right at home after weeks of outdoor in five of its last eight contests. practice.

“We’d like to be a bit better,” The forecast calls for a high Klein said. of 75 degrees this weekend in The team is currently competWayne, Nebraska. ing for an at-large bid into the NCAA tournament, a spot that

Page 8 • Reporter

Sports

Thursday, March 29, 2012

NFL Free Agency

Hometown ’Queens didn’t make a big splash, but these teams did KYLE RATKE

editor in chief

1.) Peyton Manning to Denver To be honest, I would love this move if Manning signed with just about any team. It’s Peyton effin’ Manning. If he’s healthy, the dude’s a top-3 quarterback.

Side note: Is there any way that John Elway signs Manning to a 5-year contract if he doesn’t think Manning can make a fullrecovery? The answer is no. If Elway thinks he can get back to 100 percent, that’s good enough for me.

He makes any team better.

Why was Denver more appealing than Tennessee, San Francisco and Arizona?

1.) The Broncos have a stud defense already, something he never really had in Indianapolis.

Manning won’t have to throw for 450 yards a game just to give his team a chance. The same can’t be said about Arizona and Tennessee.

2.) This team made the playoffs last season with Tim Tebow.

Tebow-mania, Timpossible, In Tebow You Trust... I don’t care how many names you give him.

He’s not a good quarterback.

If Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas can look above average with the tandem of Kyle Orton and Tebow, imagine what they’ll do with Manning.

3.) He’s playing in the AFC West. Did I mention that Tebow led this team to the playoffs last season? And the season before

that Matt Cassel led the Chiefs to the playoffs? I just threw up in my mouth after typing that. And you’re telling me Tony Romo still can’t get to the playoffs? This is disgusting. I have a feeling Manning will be just fine in this division.

You can make a case for Manning going to San Francisco, and honestly, Manning teamed with Randy Moss and Mario Manningham gets me slightly aroused.

But maybe he didn’t feel comfortable there. Maybe he felt like there could be tension between he and coach (and a former guy he replaced at quarterback) Jim Harbaugh.

Maybe he didn’t want to ruin Alex Smith’s return from hell. I don’t know, but I’m sure he had a pretty good reason for not going to San Francisco.

2.) Vincent Jackson to Tampa Bay I hated this move right away.

Jackson is a moody, 29-year old receiver who has caught more than 60 balls only twice in his career, has gone over 1,000 yards just three times and has never caught more than nine touchdowns. So, why does this guy deserve $55 million over five years?

For most teams, he wouldn’t be worth this kind of green, but for a young team playing in a pass-first division (Drew Brees, Cam Newton and Matt Ryan), the young, (hopefully) up-and-coming (I

MEN’S NIT

CHAMPIONSHIP Tale of the Tape 6 p.m. today

Madison Square Garden (6) Minnesota

23-14 (6-12 Big 10)

Overall Record

(3) Stanford 25-11 (10-8 Pac 12)

Road to the Garden Def. La Salle, Miami (FL), Mid. Tenn. St., Washington

Most Notable Win

at No. 7 Indiana

Def. Cleveland St., Illinois St., Nevada, UMass

home vs. N.C. State

Key Players

Rodney Williams (12.2 PPG) Andre Hollins (8.9 PPG) Austin Hollins (9.1 PPG) Julian Welch (9.6 PPG)

Chasson Randle (13.8 PPG) Josh Owens (11.8 PPG) Aaron Bright (11.6 PPG) Anthony Brown (8.0 PPG)

PREDICTION: Gophers 71

Cardinal 62

thought they were supposed to be up-and-coming two seasons ago, what happened?) Bucs needed more weapons for Josh Freeman.

Freeman and former No. 1 receiver Mike Williams both regressed in 2011. The Bucs could either sit there and refuse to give in to this pass happy league (and lose), or say ‘eff it and start doing what all the cool kids are doing.

Best-case scenario: The Saints struggle without Sean Payton and finish 10-6. Brees still throws for 3948,408483748503475897 yards. The Falcons find out that Matt Ryan has hit his ceiling and finish 8-8. The Panthers are good, and Newton continues his road to stardom, but there isn’t enough talent around him to compete yet.

They finish 6-10.

This leaves some wiggle-room for the Bucs as Freeman takes a giant step forward and throws 30 TDs, connecting well with both Jackson and Williams. LaGarrette Blount does not punch any coaches.

Worst-case scenario: The Saints are too talented not to win the division, with or without Payton, and finish 12-4. Brees throws for 398023894,4899304,38497 yards. Ryan leads the Falcons back to the playoffs, taking the Wild Card again, forming a deadly connection with Roddy White and Julio Jones.

The Panthers continue to improve, and Newton leads them to a late-season push, missing out on the playoffs with an 8-8 record.

WANTED:

A person with a Business degree who would like to begin training as an administrative leader of a staff of 60, in Southern Minnesota.

Getty Images The Vikings gave former Seahawks tight end and Litchfield native John Carlson a five-year, $25 million contract.

The Bucs finish at the bottom again. Freeman has another horrible year. Jackson freaks out and demands a trade. Blount punches new head coach Greg Schiano, causing Schiano to pull a Bobby Petrino and sprint back to college football.

This is actually starting to sound very realistic… Let’s move on.

3.) Laron Landry to New York Jets The Jets signed Landry to a one-year deal. Besides being a really good safety to play with in Madden, Landry is actually a pretty good real life safety and probably would be recognized a little more during the last six years if he wasn’t playing for the horrible Washington Redskins.

Remember, Washington made it seem alright that starting Rex

Grossman was an alright thing.

Note: Starting Rex Grossman at quarterback is never an alright thing.

In a division in which Tom Brady is leading the way and having Peyton Manning re-join the AFC, having a good defensive backfield is crucial. Darrell Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Kyle Wilson are now joined by Landry.

If they can turn Landry into a Troy Polamalu type safety/linebacker/ “Im going to kill your quarterback” type of player, expect a lot of blitzes coming from Landry.

Side note: The Jets had a press conference for Tim Tebow, a back-up quarterback and didn’t have one for a pro-bowl caliber safety. We will laugh at this in 10 years.

To read the moves Ratke hated, head to mikehagstrom.com/thekidstake. You can follow Ratke on Twitter @Kyle_Ratke.

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Thursday, March 29, 2012

www.msureporter.com/arts-entertainment

Answer: The Letter ‘S’ Congrats to Grace Webb for answering what the answer was. To the riddle. She won candy. New riddle next week!

Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre: It could be you EMRE ERKU | staff writer

C

to settle down to a domesticated life in the States, but she feels the only life she can live is back in the horrors of war.

This conflict between the two characters emphasizes Goodwin’s feelings on changing the world through exposing the violent horrors of war while, on the other hand, it emphasizes Dodd’s commitment into keeping Goodwin home, safe, and in love, and through the means

of solid acting, both actors portrayed these character’s motives and feelings hicago’s Steppenwolf Theater has, immaculately. over the years, been the starting point But what was surprisingly stronger for the careers of many great actors. than the acting was the message of the Such actors like co-founder of Stepplay itself: the after effects that expenwolf Gary Sinise (Forest Gump) posure to war has on a person (other and John Malkovich (Burn After Readthan a soldier) and the entails of life ing) both began their careers acting on afterwards. Not only that, the play stage at Steppenwolf before going on to showed how women, not just men, Broadway and film. And since then, have the immense power to achieve the establishment has been quite the glorified independence, courage, cornerstone in the stage and theater and perseverance in accomplishcommunity, so for all you theater ing something most wouldn’t and major Mavericks out there, make couldn’t do. Great female combat sure take a good look into performphotojournalists such as Lee Miller ing here, it could be the defining (WWII), Catherine Leroy (Vietnam kick-start factor to an above averWar), and Stacy Pearsall (Iraq War), age career. all played their part in influencing In most recent times, the Stepthe premise of Margulies’ show and penwolf stage has been home to have played their part in influenca more newly written playwright ing young female journalists to take

by Tony Award-nominated author lead in changing the world. And in Donald Margulies called Time distraught belief, all these elements Stands Still. It’s a story about the were incorporated into one great play after-shock effects of a photojourat Steppenwolf. nalist Sarah Goodwin (actress Sally So to achieve greatness in the actMurphy) returning back home ing world, or any world for that matfrom covering the war in Iraq. She • web photo ter, Steppenwolf Theater is an ideal faces turmoil with the relationship Steppenwolf production of Time Stands Still includes place for such paths. It gives hope to she has with her freelance-writer talented performers. From left; Randall Newsome (James), struggles, and it conveys many mesboyfriend James Dodd (actor Sally Murphy (Sarah), Kristina Valada-Viars (Mandy), and sages of inspiration. Go there.

Randall Newsome), who wants her Scott Jaeck (not pictured, Richard).

What?

Post-Holiday Extravaganza

When?

The Hunger Games CHRISTIAN HAGEN | web editor

T

March 30 & 31

Where?

Pub 500, The Eagles Club, The What’s Up Lounge, The 410 Project, the merry streets of Mankato

Who?

The Midwest Art Catalyst and a bunch of local bands and artists

Why?

To raise money for in-danger art programs in local school district 77

• web photo

HUNGRY? / page 10

he Hunger Games film had many things going against it before it was finally let loose on multiplexes around the world.

First, the film falls into four categories that are rarely taken seriously as good cinema: Blockbusters, teen films, action flicks, and movies adapted from a popular book series. Add a budget that’s surprisingly small compared to similar films like Twilight or Harry Potter, a violent and emotionally complex source material, and a release in one of the most densely packed summer blockbuster seasons in film history, and The Hunger Games had to climb a mountain to find success,

Page 10 • Reporter

A&E

Thursday, March 29, 2012

HUNGRY? “It perfectly captures the spirit of the novels; there’s an inherent darkness and woe behind every scene, because the world of the film is so bleak.” continued from 9 both critically and commercially.

And yet, somehow, the film has done exactly that. The reasons are many. Writerdirector Gary Ross took a real passion for the material and, working closely with author Suzanne Collins, took all the right steps to bring the acclaimed young adult series to life on the screen.

By far the best choice they made was the casting of Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence as main character Katniss Everdeen, a girl from a poor district in a dystopian future who is forced, along with 23 other children, to fight to the death in a televised bloodsport.

Many fans questioned whether Lawrence was right for the part initially, but anyone who saw her extraordinary turn in Winter’s Bone understood that she’s got the talent to carry Katniss’s very unique balance between adult strength and youthful fear. Lawrence does all that and more, turning out a star-making performance.

But Lawrence is hardly the only bright spot in The Hunger Games. In fact, it’s striking, when watching the film, to realize that the clearest difference between The Hunger Games and other teen action movies is its focus on acting and realism over special effects and wonderment.

It perfectly captures the spirit of the novels; there’s an inherent darkness and woe behind every scene, because the world of the film is so bleak. But when hope and happiness peeks through, it does so with heartfelt

need. These are characters so trapped in oppression that the very idea of defiance is dangerous, but also essential. They cannot survive without it.

The Hunger Games isn’t all heightened drama and dialogue. There are tremendously tense action scenes throughout, and the world of the Arena where the children are forced to fight is perfectly understated even as blood and fire consumes the characters every step of the way.

More surprising is how closely the film follows the books. There are deviations, a few characters left out in favor of a shorter run time and some explanatory asides that take viewers out of the Arena, something that never happens in the novels, to allow for exposition which we simply couldn’t get otherwise. But for the most part, the plot is unchanged, and fans of the stories will be sated

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to see that, as briskly as it’s paced, the story is still emotionally impactful and engrossing.

The film’s main drawback, besides its unrelenting pace, is in its cinematography and effects. If you don’t like action that relies heavily on shaky camera, you might become a bit queasy in many of the action sequences.

And the special effects often fail to convey the awe that they’re supposed to imbue in the viewer. Sadly, Katniss’s fire outfits, elegantly described in the book, are cheap and a little silly on celluloid. But hopefully the film’s massive box office standing will give the next film a bigger budget for the more extravagant effects.

The cast is gold almost from top to bottom.

Beyond Lawrence’s knockout performance, the biggest connections are made with Josh Hutcherson’s amiable take on Peeta Mellark, Woody Harrelson’s pitch-perfect Haymitch, and Stanley Tucci’s scenestealing Caesar Flickerman. There isn’t a performer in the bunch that fails to bring their character to breathing, rich life.

It feels odd to call a film with so much anticipation and money the year’s best surprise, but that’s exactly what it is.

What could easily have been another cash-grabbing young adult action bore is instead an artful and thought-provoking tale of science fiction.

You’ll walk out wanting more, and, if Gary Ross can bring the same care to the next in the series, you can expect to be well satisfied.

•web photo

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Classifieds

Reporter • Page 11

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Thursday, March 29, 2012