August 27, 2013

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Take the bus, the MavCard is your ticket to ride.

MSU students, faculty, and staff can ride the city bus simply by showing the bus driver their MavCard. Check the Saturday schedule online at www.ci.mankato.mn.us.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

MSU Reporter • 3

News

A campus we can be proud of

Web Photo Construction taking place between the CSU and library. The Project should be completed in October.

MOLLY HORNER staff writer Awkward icebreakers and crisp notebooks are a few words to describe the first day of fall semester. Or maybe, the panic when walking in late to class then realizing your class is across campus.

No matter the case, whether big or small, MSU wants to make it a convenient and great experience for the faculty and students as you walk through campus everyday.

For more than 140 years MSU has carried on the tradition of big

ideas and real world thinking.

Every year, current students and faculty are continuing to share their passion and expertise on improving sustainability with construction methods and exploring new techniques to have this campus be more enjoyable each year. This commitment remains important and no matter how fast semesters fly by, there’s always room for renovating and change.

Gage Towers were torn down on June 29, 2013. The two twelve story buildings housed thousands of students during it’s nearly 50year presence on campus. Gage became a symbol of the beginning of a new life for freshman,

starting with being dropped off by their parents, not knowing more than three familiar faces, to gaining lifelong friends. The new residence communities are continuing to grow with a more sustainable living, but the word “Gage” will always be a top-5 conversation starter across campus.

There were some cosmic changes on campus that will be eye opening for any returning student. This summer featured 18 summer construction projects across campus.

Thank you to MSU’s faculty and their passion for continuing to improve the campus. The university is only increasing, and with

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that there is an increasing expectation that is being met, especially for residence community living.

There will be an underground walkway from the CSU to the library soon. The project is scheduled to be completed on October 15. Landscaping and sidewalk work will likely continue into next month, with a goal for final completion by the end of September, according to Project Manager Marty Rost.

“The fountain that we all like to sit by during fall and spring semester or look at during our hours at the CSU and library is currently under construction due to significant infrastructure problems causing an enormous amount of water waste. The restored fountain will have a reflecting pool effect with working lights and automated spray control to accommodate for wind speed,” Rost said.

Morris Hall will be totally remodeled, with a lot of technology access and up-scale finishes that will give it much more of a modern look and feel.

A new circulation desk for the 1st floor library was put in place this summer to accommodate two paths of circulation into the main library entrance, along with new flooring, ceiling, paint and gates.

Whether it’s your first or last year of college, make sure to keep your eyes open as you walk around the MSU campus for the passion and hard work that’s put into the university every single day.

For more than 140 years, MSU has carried on the tradition of big ideas and real world thinking, and we will keep doing so for an enjoyable university experience.

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Tuesday, August 27, 2013 T

Davenport addresses goals, expectations

MSU President insists on increase in graduates, technology to better suit a growing student body.

SAM WILMES News Editor To kick off the 2013-2014 school year at Minnesota State University, President Richard Davenport delivered a convocation. The event, which took place on Monday, August 19th, created a platform where Davenport could share his goals for not only this year, but also years into the future.

Davenport began the speech with some light-hearted moments. After introducing some members of the University’s

administration, Davenport continued with some light banter.

He quipped about Margaret Preska staying in the residence hall named after her, a task that Davenport said he would hold her to.

He described Gage Tower’s demolition, which, according to him, was both exciting and sad, and spoke of how the campus looks from his office now.

“The view outside my window is missing something now,” Davenport said.

Davenport elaborated on the tunnel being built from the

Centennial Student Union to the library.

“We’ve had that dream of connecting the CSU and library for 20 years, now it’s a reality,” Davenport said.

The heart and soul of Davenport’s speech, however, was his

our doors to middle class and underrepresented students is one of the main goals of the University.”

He touched on the issue of jobs- an issue that reaches far into the future.

“By 2020, our nation will

“MSU’s promise is to be able to turn student’s dreams into reality. Opening our doors to middle class and underrepresented students is one of the main goals of the

University.”

- Richard Davenport, MSU President call for the University.

“MSU’s promise is to be able to turn student’s dreams into reality,” Davenport said. According to Davenport, “Opening

Web Photo President Davenport is making graduation a top priority”We need to graduate more than what we do,” Davenport said.

have more than five million more jobs than college graduates,” Davenport said. “The vast majority of them will require higher education.”

Then, referencing for-profit Universities, Davenport insisted that while the private colleges are expensive, they are providing a service that public schools have not been able to providetechnological options.

“We have to step up to the plate,” Davenport continued. He pointed out that 13,000 Minnesota high school graduates leave the state to attend college after High school graduation; a number that Davenport contends is too high. “We (Minnesota state Colleges and Universities), need to graduate more than what we do,” Davenport said.

Alluding to accommodating off-campus students, Davenport insists that a plan needs to be put in place.

“We need a comprehensive plan for a diverse student body,” Davenport continued. “Our student body will grow by more than 7 percent.”

Davenport wants MSU to serve students so they can enter a world that can be unforgiving.

“We must provide an education for our students to enter a world that we can’t predict what will happen,” Davenport concluded.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

News

Diversity brought to life

MSU Reporter • 5

Showcase is a reminder of the unique cultures represented at MSU. SAM WILMES News Editor As the sun beat down on a campus brimming with excited freshman, the Hmong Student Association got together to raise awareness of their presence and contributions to a uniquely diverse student body.

The showcase involved traditional Hmong dancing. The dancing — called “Butterfly Blooming Flower” in English — was moving. HSA president John Xiong was pumped about the dozen or so people who came and went.

“I feel so pumped up, adrenaline is running through me,” Xiong said.

“I’m so excited I feel nervous.” Xiong stressed that the presentation isn’t strictly intended for the Hmong community.

“Our main point is to expose diversity at MSU,” Xiong continued. “We’re open to all nonHmong members. I’m happy to see non-Hmong members, it exposes culture,” Xiong’s words echo the organization’s main themes.

“Our primary purpose is to

preserve the Hmong culture, recruit and unify students at Minnesota State University, Mankato; remain in contact with other multicultural communities; and encourage the students from other schools to come to the university and serve as an emotional and academic support group for all HSA members.”

Sophomore Casey Scheller was impressed.

“I love the dancing and the singing,“ he said. Scheller, an elementary education major, said that she hasn’t had much exposure to the Hmong community.

“I have no idea about the Hmong culture,” Scheller said.

Sophomore Jeffrey Her, a sophomore civil engineering student from St. Paul, was also pleased that the showcase accurately showed off the culture.

“It’s pretty accurate,” Her said.

“The music is Hmong, so of course I like it.”

Secretary Rebecca Xiong, a junior majoring in Sociology, is excited about her opportunities.

She is an executive member of the organization.

“I’m looking forward to meeting new people,” Xiong said.

The Hmong community is well represented in Minnesota, especially in the Twin Cities.

St. Paul is home to the largest Hmong community in the United States with 29,662. Minneapolis is 5th in the nation with 7,512 Hmong.

Minnesota also boasts a Hmong in the House of Representatives. Cy Thao, a Democrat, represents portions

of St. Paul. He had hid from communists in Laos and lived in Thailand in a refugee camp before traveling to the United States in 1980.

Other prominent Hmong in Minnesota include Mee Moua, the first Hmong- American woman elected to the state Legislature. She chaired the Judiciary Committee, and also obtained the highest office of

any Hmong- American.

Community members endured trials and tribulations to reach their goals.

Foung Hawj, a Democratic lawmaker who represents a Twin Cities district, grew up in refugee camps during the Vietnam War before coming to the United States with his family.

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Tuesday, August 27, 2013

REPORTER STAFF - SUMMER 2013

POLICIES & INFORMATION

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Reece Hemmesch (507) 389-5454

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

NEWS EDITOR: Sam Wilmes.......................... (507) 389-5450

• The Minnesota State University Mankato Reporter is a student-run newspaper published twice a week, coming out on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Reporter generates 78 percent of its own income through advertising and receives approximately 22 percent from Student Activities fees. The Reporter is free to all students and faculty, but to start a subscription, please call us at (507) 389-1776. Subscriptions for the academic school year are $35.00 and subscribers will receive the paper within three to five days after publishing.

SPORTS EDITOR: Joey Denton.........................(507) 389-5227 VARIETY EDITOR: James Houtsma................... (507) 389-5157 ADVERTISING SALES: Natasha Jones.............(507) 389-1063 BUSINESS MANAGER: Jane Tastad................ (507) 389-1926

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Follow the Reporter on Twitter @MSUReporter or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/msureporter

Your dreams of tomorrow start today

Every decision you make, every day you make, it will end up making who you are and what you accomplish SAM WILMES News Editor The next nine months will provide a “living with less” lesson for many Minnesota State-Mankato students.

I know firsthand the importance of living within your means, mostly because last semester left me with no money to spare. It got a little awkward coming to my parents with a request for money in early May — I had to admit my bad habit of going downtown every weekend and spending at least $30 in the process.

Picking up a job on the weekend or at night can provide a little extra cash, but no matter how much or how little you have in the bank, it is important that a corresponding line be drawn on the spending side.

I still haven’t practiced this yet, but I know the reason.

Committing yourself to a plan is about more than just words.

It is a state of mind, and state of minds are hard to obtain.

As my wise uncle John once said, “Life is just a series of

behaviors repeated over and over again.”

He was right. At this point of our lives, it is important to save as much as possible, since it will become more difficult once kids, mortgages and, gulp, children’s education are added to the balance sheet.

I know you may think it seems stress inducing to ponder events so far into the future, but avoidance is a painful trap.

That’s why goals are hard to meet — we don’t commit ourselves on a daily basis to achievement so we don’t see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.

Have a goal 50 years from now? Want to own the big house on the lake? Every second of every day will lead you to that goal, and the journey starts now. The journey starts the second you step foot on this campus.

I will admit to being more talk than action on this advice.

I still haven’t learned the lesson that the money given from the state is not free, but hopefully sometime soon the light will turn on.

Web Photo

We all know that temptations are rampant in Mankato. What better way to spend a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night then with your buddies tipping back a few cold ones at Rounders, or enjoying the 2-for-1s at The Underground?

While there is no harm in having a good time, it is im-

portant to know your financial limits. If your planning on going out to eat, maybe eat a little snack before going and the meal tab will be a little less.

While I can’t commit to avoiding the entertaining bar scene, I can give advice to those of you struggling with the same affliction. These nine

“What are you looking forward to most about coming back to Mankato?”

ALEX VACHINSKI, COMMUNICATION ARTS LITERATURE, SENIOR “Closer to having a career”

KRIS BENSEN, RPLS, SENIOR “Seeing friends again.”

NICOLE MILANDER, SPEECH& LANGUAGE,SENIOR “I’m a freshman.”

JASMILLE COLLIER, ART FRESHMAN “I’m a freshman”

months will be a marathon, not a horse race. A penny saved is a penny earned and as you will surely find out, pennies will be hard to come by at the end of the year.

Compiled by Sammy Terning/ Chris Untiedt

FABRICE LAURANCE, FINANCE/ACCOUNTING “Raising GPA”

T

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

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8 • MSU Reporter

News

Tuesday, August 27, 2013 T

New website helps students adjust to off-campus Life LiveKATO offers legal, ethical, and friendly advice to students adjusting to off-campus living.

SAM WILMES News Editor With classes resuming this week, some students are returning from time spent at home, while others are calling Mankato home for the first time. Whether you have spent one or three years here, there is a resource available at your disposal to make your experience a more fulfilling one.

Livekato, launched by the city of Mankato this summer, stresses topics (some basic) that every first-time apartment or home renter should know.

Some tips may not cross the mind of someone with other thoughts on the mind.

For example, the website cites this important tip: “Mow the lawn unless it’s agreed that the landlord handles these tasks. Grass and weeds more than 12 inches high violate city code, and a $60 administrative fee will be charged to the responsible party if lawns are cited for being unmowed. An additional $60 fee plus the mowing cost is added if the city of Mankato has a contractor mow the property.”

The site also lists one of the most important, but simple concepts of friendliness: simply saying hello. “Introduce yourself and exchange contact information, this helps neighbors see each other as unique individuals and not just another renter,” the site declares.

The site also describes the unique experience of one resident. Tona Gillispie described a Halloween not in the traditional sense. Students went around offering candy, the opposite of the contemporary trick or treat. The site then lists the positive result of the night.

“Gillispie has followed sports news because of knowing one of the players on the softball team who lived in her neighborhood.”

Some tips are self-explanatory, but at the same time can be forgotten rather easily. They point out that while it can be easy to overlook basic aspects of leases, since most of us are just anxious to sign them, it is important to read the basic elements, including: • The amount of rent to paid • The length of rent

• Security deposit amount/ return rate • Who will be held responsible for repairs.

• Responsibilities for utilities, electric and cable.

Tips on transportation, including arrival and prices for the city’s transportation system are listed. The website also lists tips on being a good neighbor- something that can not only lead to a lack of animosity, but can also lead to more people to have a good time with.

On top of the personal tips, LiveKATO also lays down the law on what won’t be allowed by students living in an off-campus residence. Noise ordinances, trash, alcohol violations and other warnings are listed on the website.

The website also lists deals, including one offered by USquare. Laundromat locations are also discussed.

Commander of the Mankato Department of Public Safety Matt DuRose contends that LiveKato will provide a quality resource for students planning on living off-campus.

“LiveKato was built with those students transitioning from on campus to off campus living in mind. The guide is a great way for students to go to a single site to find a great deal of information that will be applicable to their time living in the City of Mankato,” DuRose said.

“The information is presented in a format that many students are used to via smartphones, tablets, and the Internet,” DuRose continued. “The benefits to the student lie in the information that the application contains related to renting, alcohol rules, city ordinances, being a good neighbor, transit, and safety to name some of the topics. Once we can get the students to the information, they should find it beneficial to have all that information conveniently located in 1 place.”

“Much like other projects that we undertake, we will continue to look for ways to improve the guide and add information as needed. This is a starter product that will be modified as time goes and we find more information that will benefit the students. The City of Mankato and it’s residents rec-

ognize that the student population plays a significant role in the vitality of the City and

region and we want to ensure that students become informed about the community they are

residing in.”

Staff: Campus Pastor Wong, Reverend Roger Knepprath, Mark Probst, Vicar Allen Kirschbaum, RA Kody Green

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Tuesday, August 27, 2013

MSU Reporter • 9

News

Wildfire closing in on San Francisco Bay area’s water source

TUOLUMNE CITY, Calif.

(AP) — A raging wildfire in Yosemite National Park rained ash on the reservoir that is the chief source of San Francisco's famously pure drinking water, and utility officials Monday scrambled to send more water toward the metropolitan area before it becomes tainted.

Nearly 3,700 firefighters battled the approximately 230-square-mile blaze, the biggest wildfire on record in California's Sierra Nevada.

They reported modest progress, saying the fire was 15 percent contained.

"We're not there yet, but we're starting to get a little bit of a handle on this thing," said Lee Bentley, fire spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service. "It's been a real tiger. He's been going around trying to bite its own tail, and it won't let go but we'll get there."

Utility officials monitored the clarity of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and used a massive new $4.6 billion gravityoperated pipeline system to move water quickly to reservoirs closer to the big city. The Hetch Hetchy supplies water to 2.6 million people in the San Francisco Bay area, 150 miles away.

"We're taking advantage that the water we're receiving is still of good quality," said Harlan Kelly Jr., general manager of the city's Public Utilities Commission. "We're bringing down as much water as possible and replenishing all of the local reservoirs."

At the same time, utility officials gave assurances that they have a six-month supply of water in reservoirs near the Bay area.

So far the ash that has been raining onto the Hetch Hetchy has not sunk as far as the intake valves, which are about halfway down the 300-foot O'Shaughnessy Dam. Utility officials said that the ash is non-toxic but that the city will begin filtering water for customers if problems are detected. That could cost more.

On Monday the fire was still several miles away from the steep granite canyon where the reservoir is nestled, but several spot fires were burning closer, and firefighters were protecting hydroelectric transmission lines and other utility facilities.

"Obviously we're paying close attention to the city's water supply," said Glen Stratton, an operations chief on the fire suppression team.

Power generation at the reservoir was shut down last week so that firefighters would not be imperiled by live wires.

San Francisco is buying replacement power from other sources to run City Hall and other municipal buildings.

It has been at least 17 years since fire ravaged the northernmost stretch of Yosemite that is under siege.

Park officials cleared brush and set sprinklers on two groves of giant sequoias that were seven to 10 miles away from the fire's front lines, said park spokesman Scott Gediman. While sequoias have a chemical in their bark to help them resist fire, they can be damaged when flames move through slowly.

The fire has swept through steep Sierra Nevada river canyons and stands of thick oak and pine, closing in on Tuolumne City and other mountain communities. It has confounded ground crews with its 300-foot walls of flame and the way it has jumped from treetop to treetop.

Crews bulldozed two huge firebreaks to try to protect Tuolumne City, five miles from the fire's edge.

"We've got hundreds of firefighters staged in town to do structure protection," Stratton said. "If the fire does come to town, we're ready."

Meanwhile, biologists with the Forest Service are studying the effect on wildlife. Much of the area that has burned is part of the state's winter-range deer habitat. Biologist Crispin Holland said most of the large deer herds would still be well above the fire danger.

Biologists discovered stranded Western pond turtles on national forest land near the edge of Yosemite. Their marshy meadow had burned, and the surviving creatures were huddled in the middle of the expanse in what little water remained.

"We're hoping to deliver some water to those turtles," Holland said. "We might also drag some brush in to give them cover."

Wildlife officials were also trying to monitor at least four bald eagle nests in the firestricken area.

While it has put a stop to some backcountry hiking, the fire has not threatened the Yosemite Valley, where such sights as the Half Dome and El Capitan rock formations and Yosemite Falls draw throngs of tourists.

Most of the park remained

open to visitors.

The U.S. Forest Service said the fire was threatening about 4,500 structures and destroyed

at least 23.

Rugged terrain, strong winds and bone-dry conditions have hampered firefighters' efforts

to contain the blaze, which began Aug. 17. The cause has not been determined.

A BIG

THANK YOU to the 2013 stomper Move Crew Volunteers

2013 MOVE CREW VOLUNTEERS: - Admissions Staff - Alpha Chi Omega - Alpha Sigma Alpha - Alumni Association - Campus Recreation Staff - Career Development Staff - Chi Alpha - Circle K - Delta Chi - Gamma Phi Beta

- IMPACT - Intervarsity - Lambda Chi Alpha - Learning Community Coordinators - Learning Community Students - Maverick Mentors - Navigators - PanHellenic Council - Phi Delta Theta - Phi Kappa Psi

- RHA Executive Board - Sigma Chi - Sigma Nu - Sigma Sigma Sigma - Student Activities Staff - Student Health Services Staff - TKE - Women's Rugby

Your involvement created an outstanding minnesota state mankato welcome for new students and their families. residential life wishes you a successful year!

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507-389-2224 csu.mnsu.edu

10 • MSU Reporter

Construction photos from around campus

News

Tuesday, August 27, 2013 T

The end result of the implosion of Gage Towers, a 12-story dormitory that has been the symbol of campus for decades.

Photos taken by David Bassey

A view from the Centennial Student Union, where a crane has loomed over the building the past three months.

MSU’s historic fountain recieved a facelift over the summer as well.

The Home of the Mile Long Buffet

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Tuesday, August 27, 2013

MSU Reporter • 11

News

Kerry: chemical arms use in Syria an obscenity

John Kerry, Secretary of State, claims evidence supports the thought of a chemical weapons attack ordered by the Syrian President.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday outlined the clearest justification yet for U.S. military action in Syria, saying there was “undeniable” evidence of a large-scale chemical weapons attack, with intelligence strongly signaling that Bashar Assad’s regime was responsible.

Kerry, speaking to reporters at the State Department, said last week’s attack “should shock the conscience” of the world.

“The indiscriminate slaughter of civilians, the killing of women and children and innocent bystanders by chemical weapons is a moral obscenity.

By any standard, it is inexcusable and — despite the excuses and equivocations that some have manufactured — it is undeniable,” said Kerry, the highest-ranking U.S. official to confirm the attack in the Damascus suburbs that activists say killed hundreds of people.

“This international norm cannot be violated without consequences,” he added.

Officials said President Barack Obama has not decided how to respond to the use of deadly gases, a move the White House said last year would cross a “red line.” But the U.S., along with allies in Europe, appeared to be laying the groundwork for the most aggressive response since Syria’s civil war began more than two years ago.

Two administration officials said the U.S. was expected to make public a more formal determination of chemical weapons use on Tuesday, with an announcement of Obama’s response likely to follow quickly. The officials insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the internal deliberations.

The international community appeared to be considering

action that would punish Assad for deploying deadly gases, not sweeping measures aimed at ousting the Syrian leader or strengthening rebel forces. The focus of the internal debate underscores the scant international appetite for a large-scale deployment of forces in Syria and the limited number of other options that could significantly change the trajectory of the conflict.

“We continue to believe that there’s no military solution here that’s good for the Syrian people, and that the best path forward is a political solution,” State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said. “This is about the violation of an international norm against the use of chemical weapons and how we should respond to that. “ The Obama administration was moving ahead even as a United Nations team already on

the ground in Syria collected evidence from last week’s attack. The U.S. said Syria’s delay in giving the inspectors access rendered their investigation meaningless and officials said the administration had its own intelligence confirming chemical weapons use.

“What is before us today is real and it is compelling,” Kerry said. “Our understanding of what has already happened in Syria is grounded in facts.”

The U.S. assessment is based in part on the number of reported victims, the symptoms of those injured or killed and witness accounts. Administration officials said the U.S. had additional intelligence confirming chemical weapons use and planned to make it public in the coming days.

Officials stopped short of unequivocally stating that Assad’s government was behind

the attack. But they said there was “very little doubt” that it originated with the regime, noting that Syria’s rebel forces do not appear to have access to the country’s chemical weapons stockpile.

Assad has denied launching a chemical attack. The U.N. team came under sniper fire Monday as it traveled to the site of the Aug. 21 attack.

It’s unclear whether Obama would seek authority from the U.N. or Congress before using force. The president has spoken frequently about his preference for taking military action only with international backing, but it is likely Russia and China would block U.S. efforts to authorize action through the U.N. Security Council.

12 • MSU Reporter

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Sports reporter-sports@mnsu.edu | (507) 389-5227

NEXT WEEKEND IN MAVERICK SPORTS: NEXT FRIDAY(9/6/13) 12:30 pm WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL vs. W. Washington @ Western Oregon Tourney 4 pm WOMEN’S SOCCER vs. Truman St.

NEXT FRIDAY (9/6/13) 5 pm WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL vs. Cal State East @ Western Oregon Tourney TBA MEN’S CC @ Oz Memorial Ivitational

NEXT FRIDAY (9/6/13) TBA WOMEN’S CC @ Oz Memorial Invitationl

NEXT SATURDAY (9/7/13) 10 am WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL vs. Holy Names @ Western Oregon Tourney 2:30 pm FOOTBALL vs. University of Mary

NEXT SATURDAY (9/7/13) 7:30 pm WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL vs. W. Oregon @ Western Oregon Tourney AD WOMEN’S GOLF @ Augustana Inv.

NEXT SATURDAY (9/7/13) 12 pm WOMEN’S SOCCER vs. Washburn (exhibition)

FOR MORE COVERAGE OF YOUR FAVORITE MAVERICK TEAMS VISIT: MSUMAVERICKS.COM

Coming back for more After going 13-1 in 2012, the Mavericks are bringing back a lot of talent and experience back offensively for their 2013 campaign.

JOEY DENTON Sports Editor After looking back to last year’s historical 13-1 season in 2012, the Minnesota State University, Mankato football team knows how much hard work and discipline it takes to get that deep into the playoffs. With the experience and talent coming back, the team was thinking about the gold this off-season.

One of the main pieces returning doesn’t even wear a helmet. Interim Head Coach Aaron Keen will once again take head coaching responsibilities for their 2013 campaign.

After former Head Coach Todd Hoffner was put on leave, Keen took over as acting head coach and led the Mavericks to a 13-1 season and became the “Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Coach of the Year” and “American Football Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year.”

A lot of coaches try to find that balance between being a mean grouch who’s on their players all the time and being a player’s best friend. According to junior running back Andy Pfeiffer, he’s found that balance.

“I think he’s the perfect balance. Can’t say I’ve had a better coach or want a different coach, and I think that the team feels

the same way,” Pfeiffer said.

“We are really happy to have him here and excited that he is the permanent coach.”

Even though Coach Keen was named the interim head coach, he will still continue being the play caller on Saturdays. Which is a great deal, considering his style and players got them 3,300 rushing yards, second highest in school history, and 2,370 passing yards.

Senior quarterback Jon Wolf blossomed in to a division II football star last season as he showed great speed and an accurate arm. The only thing he was lacking was experience, but now with three playoff games under his belt, the NSIC defenses are looking for no. 11.

“We still obviously have a stud for a quarterback in Jon being a senior. Not very many teams can say they have a really good senior quarterback, so we have that going for us,” Pfeiffer said.

In the 11 games Wolf played in, he finished the 2012 season with 1,755 passing yards with 13 passing touchdowns and five interceptions. He also finished third on the squad in rushing yards with 695 and tied for first in rushing touchdowns with 10.

If you made your way to the Minnesota Vikings training camp, you would have noticed

that receiver Adam Thielen is still wearing purple and gold, but just not for the Mavericks.

Once the 2012 season was over, the squad lost one of the best receivers in school history, but they don’t believe that will be an issue for their passing attack.

“Everybody is trying to make that a big deal, with Adam leaving. Believe me, there are a lot of guys who are good enough to step up and fill his role. Not necessarily fill his role, but just step up and do what they’re best at,” Wolf said. “We have a solid receiving corps going in to this year.”

The Mavericks came to camp this summer with some young and athletic weapons in the receiving corps. Sophomore receiver Kyle Riggott finished second on the team last year in receiving yards with 540 yards and caught three touchdown passes. Even though junior receiver Keyvan Rudd didn’t get that many receptions, he showed a lot of improvement and man can he jump. Just ask the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship officials as he finished 10th in the high jump event this past spring.

The combination of Pfeiffer, Wolf and sophomore running back Connor Thomas, the trio rushed for 2,423 yards and guess what—they are all back. But

MSU Reporter Archives Last season junior running back Andy Pfeiffer rushed for 816 yards and nine touchdowns on 168 carries.

with Wolf getting more throws in this off-season, he can see the team putting the ball in the air more.

“Our ground game is going to be as good as last year, but we are going to try to put a little more emphasis on the pass and try to balance out the offense a little bit,” Wolf said.

Coming in to camp, the team knew this season was going to be different. Last year the team

had the element of surprise, but now the target is on their back after they were named second in the American Football Coaches Association, with getting three first place votes.

“A lot of teams are going to try to knock off high ranking teams, so we have to be that much more consistent and that much better at everything we do,” Pfeiffer said.

New season with a new coach

With the departure of former women’s soccer head coach Peter McGahey, the Mavericks brought in a new head coach in Brian Bahl. This past weekend his squad took the field and won their first exhibition match 2-1 against Macalester.

LUCAS RYAN Staff Writer The Minnesota State University, Mankato Women’s Soccer team comes into the season with high expectations after a oneloss season in 2012.

After the best season in program history last year, the Mavericks are not going to sneak up on their opponents. The 2012 team had a 17-1-5 record, ending their year losing in a shootout to Grand Valley State in the NCAA Elite Eight.

The team enters this season ranked no. 6 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) preseason

poll; the only team from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference to crack the top-25.

The Team will return 15 letter winners from last year’s roster, including senior midfielder Tori Meinhardt and junior goalkeeper Molly McGough, who were named to the 2013 NSIC Players to Watch list. In 2012, Meinhardt recorded six points in five post-season matches to finish the season with five goals and 10 assists, and McGough broke her own school record with a .861 save percentage while also setting school records for shutouts (14) and wins (17).

One of the biggest changes for the Mavericks in the 2013

season will be the new coaching staff. Entering the 18th season of Mavericks’ women soccer the fourth head coach in Mavericks history, Brian Bahl will take over coaching responsibilities.

The Staff will have high expectations after the success previous head coach, Peter McGahey, had as the coach of the Mavericks. After five seasons McGahey decided to go a new direction, taking a job coaching Division I soccer at Central Michigan University.

Now the torch will be passed to Bahl who left Upper Iowa University after his most successful season as a coach. The team set a new program record

in total wins, finishing the year in third place in the Northeren Sun Intercollegiate Conference with a 15-3-2 record and made it to the Semifinals of the US Bank/NSIC Women’s Soccer Championship.

“I am really looking forward to continuing to build and raise the bar on an already strong and proud tradition. I am very humbled and honored to be the next head women’s soccer coach at Minnesota State,” Bahl said, according to an article on msumavericks.com.

The Mavericks opened camp Aug. 19 and start the year with three exhibition games. The Mavericks won 2-1 in the first

exhibition against Macalester Sunday. The team rallied late getting goals from Korey Kronforst and Danielle Myers in the final 20 minutes. “ I think we saw some good things out of a lot of different players now we just have to keep building as we go through the course of the week,” Bahl said.

The Mavericks started the season with a win, but Bahl did noticed areas the team needs to improve. There are 11 freshmen on roster this year and the final two exhibition games will be Bahl’s chance really evaluate where the team is at going into

SOCCER • Page 15

14 • MSU Reporter

Sports

Tuesday, August 27, 2013 T

Who’s in and who’s out?

With only weeks left in the MLB regular season, there are 13 teams who are in contention to reach the postseason.

Web Photo Sitting in first in two of the three triple crown categories, Detroits Miguel Cabrera could get greedy with not only another triple-crown trophy, but bring his team to the postseason.

ADAM PIERSON Staff Writer Adding an additional wild card spot to each league has changed the way every team has approached making it to October this season.

At the top of the AL is the Detroit Tigers, with the best record in the AL they should have an easy time making the post season. Pitchers Justin Verlander

(12-9) and Max Scherzer (19-1) give the Tigers arguably the best one, two on their starting staff.

Also, you can’t forget about Miguel Cabrera who could be the first player since Ted Williams to win back-to-back Triple Crowns. The Triple Crown is awarded to the player who leads their league in home runs, batting average and RBIs. Cabrera achieved this in the 2012 season for the first time since Carl Yas-

trzemski in 1967.

The Boston Red Sox have a safe path to a wild card berth this year. With only a game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East and if they can play consistent ball they will, at the very least, enter the post season as a wild card. With that being said, September isn’t a favorable schedule to have for the Red Sox. Pitcher Yu Darvish, who is 12-5 this year, has carried the Texas Rangers this season.

When recent PED talks entered the Arlington Ballpark and Nelson Cruz was suspended, they looked to replace Cruz’s power in the outfield. The Rangers got lucky since they acquired Alex Rios from the Chicago White Sox. He has helped fill that void.

Ultimately, if the Rangers stay healthy, they’ll be a contender in this year’s postseason.

The Rays are in a great position with only one game behind the Red Sox from the top spot in the AL East and more than two games of comfort in the wild card race. If the Rays stay healthy they will be headed to the playoffs, one way or another.

The Oakland A’s are also in contention for a playoff berth.

The A’s are only 2.5 games back of the Rangers in the AL West and currently holding the second wild card position. It will be important for them to take care of business against the Tigers, the Rays and the Rangers in the upcoming weeks if they wish to succeed.

The Cleveland Indians have fell through since the start of the season but are still holding on.

I believe their fate will be decided by their next nine games.

The Indian’s play three, three game series against the Atlanta Braves, the Tigers and then the Baltimore Orioles without a day off. With the Orioles only a half a game back from the Indians in the wild card hunt, each game will be crucial for a playoff spot.

The Orioles are two games back from the wild card and being 5.5 games back in the AL East. They better hope Chris Davis gets hot and carries them to a wild card opportunity.

The New York Yankees are 3.5 games back from a wild card birth and have a challenging schedule ahead of them. With Alex Rodriguez’s PED distractions and their team captain Derek Jeter playing in more minor league games this year than big league games, I’d count them out.

The National League is a different story. Four of the top five teams will enter the post season.

The Atlanta Braves won 14 consecutive games earlier this season, the longest streak since the 2002 A’s 20-game winning streak. The Braves have a 13game lead over the Washington Nationals in the NL East and it’s pretty safe to say they’re in, despite recent injury to Jason Heyward, putting him out of action for the regular season. The Braves look to coast over their September schedule and hope

to get Heyward back for the E postseason. t The Pittsburg Pirates and the C St. Louis Cardinals sit at 76-54, e tied for the lead in the NL Cen- T tral. Both teams have similar s schedules ahead so if they can o play consistent baseball they should still be playing in Octo- n ber. The Pirates have the edge in l my opinion. It’s been 20 years o since they have played a playoff g game, and I think that will fuel f the talent in Pittsburhg. r The Cincinnati Reds are only t 2.5 games back from both Pirates and Cardinals for the lead in the NL Central and you can’t count them out but I don’t look towards them doing damage in the post season. o The Los Angeles Dodgers have a 9.5 game lead in the NL a West. With Clayton Kershaw t on the mound and their electric s rookie Yasiel Puig slugging p home runs and throwing people p out from the outfield, they should have no problem making their mark this postseason.

Last year, the MLB and Players Association decided on implementing an additional wild card team for each league.

Resulting in a wild card game from each league to decide who ultimately makes it into the 8-team post season.

I predict Tampa Bay to have a late surge on Boston and take the AL East, Cabrera to hold things down in the AL Central and Texas to edge the A’s for the AL West. Leaving Baltimore

PLAYOFFS • Page 15

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PLAYOFFS continued from 14

and Oakland squaring off in the wild card game.

Atlanta will win the NL East and the Dodgers will take the NL West. As for the NL Central, I’d like to see Pittsburg end their drought and former Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano succeed, but I won’t put money on that.

While there are dominant teams this regular season like the Braves and Tigers, anyone of the top 13 teams could get hot and give any team a run for their money to finish the regular season and throughout the postseason.

SOCCER

MSU REPORTER ARCHIVES Sophomore Koley Kronforst scored one of two Maverick goals on Sunday.

continued from 13

official start of the season.

“We got a lot of new faces and stuff so we just got to I think get a little more on the same page in regards to how we play with each other. We got to pick up the pace, we were play-

ing a little too slow right now.

Then on the flip side, we got to be able to put more pressure on the opponent,” Bahl said.

The Mavericks final two exhibition games will be in Topeka, Kansas where they will

play Fort Hayes State Friday and Washburn on Sunday. The Mavericks will kick off the official regular season at home Sept. 6 in a nonconference match up against Truman State.

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MSU Reporter • 15

16 • MSU Reporter

REECE HEMMESCH Editor in chief

In collegiate athletics, the goal for individual programs and the athletic department in general is simple: win. As long as you are not using an extra advantage in any way, sports programs need to win at high volumes in order to separate themselves from the rest. The money, the off-the-field incidents and the academics are all important as well, but not as much as their first ambition to win as many games and titles as they possibly can.

Being the sports editor of the Reporter for the last calendar year, I can tell you better than anyone that this school has a long, withstanding tradition of excellence in the world of intercollegiate athletics.

Don’t believe me? Just take a stroll through the athletics hall of fame in the Taylor Center and you will see what I am talking about; awards on awards and at the end of the hall, a few national championships that the Mavericks have produced over the years.

Though the 2012-2013 did not add any more coveted NCAA national championship trophies, the Mavericks were good, in just about every sport, in every season. Combining the fall, winter and spring athletic results of the teams that call MSU home, the Mavericks finished off 2013 undoubtedly as the best year in school history.

The Mavericks yielded not only a high amount of victories in there 18 intercollegiate ath-

Sports

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Is it time for division 1? letic programs, but also added four regular season NSIC championships, combined with four more in conference tournaments to bring in eight total conference championships in one year.

The big stories of the fall: football and soccer, where MSU produced regular season conference championships in both sports, going a combined 25-1 in the two and both finishing top 10 in the country.

It was an all-out effort between the two squads, who both had their seasons ended a little earlier than some had hoped. The football team made it all the way to the national semifinals, where they fell to Valdosta State (Ga.) 35-19 to end there prolific run. After a tough, shootout loss knocked the Mavs out of the NSIC women’s soccer tourney, they put together a run of their own, winning there first two NCAA tournament games; defeating Central Oklahoma 1-0 and Central Missouri 1-1 in a 5-4 shootout win.

The shootout in soccer is a give-and-take method, the Mavericks experienced that firsthand, falling in the national quarterfinals to Grand Valley State 5-4 in penalty kicks, finishing the year ranked sixth in the final NCAA poll.

Though those two made all the noise, the other squads in the fall also played there part, as men’s and women’s cross country both brought in top-five finishes in the conference meet.

The men brought in second place and three top 10 finishers in Josiah Swanson (4th), Josh Mellman (6th) and Garrett Eklof

(9th) while the women finished tied for fourth with Kaelyn Williams receiving the highest Maverick finish in 12th.

MSU relied heavily on transfers Jarvis Williams and Zach Monaghan to lead the men’s basketball team to a 28-5 regular season mark. The squad would make it all the way to the Division II Sweet 16, falling to Winona State 76-73 in heartbreaking fashion at the Taylor Center.

The women of the hardwood also capped off a tremendous effort in 2013, going 26-6 and finishing second in the regular season and the conference tournament. Just five years removed from their national championship team in 2008, the Mavs fell in the second round of the central regional to Emporia State, 69-67.

Wrestling has always been one of the key sports at MSU, triggered by head coach Jim Makovsky and his winning ways.

2013 was no different as MSU finished with a 10-3 record, placing second in the NSIC, third in the Super Region 3 and ended the season ranked no. 8 in the country. The Mavericks sent four individuals to the NCAA tournament and accepted third place finishes from Alphonso Vruno and Cody Quinn.

Though hockey is the only sport that is Division I at the university, the Mavericks have suffered in recent years, until Mike Hastings took over the reigns this time and led the Mavericks to a 24-14-2 record one year after the team was not even close to the .500 mark.

If you have yet to see a pattern developing of strong showings in the athletic season, the spring will definitely have you convinced.

The men’s track and field team brought a plethora of awards back to Mankato in legendary head coach Mark Schuck’s last season at the reigns. Schuck himself would take home an NSIC coach of the year honor while Jerrell Hancock and Tandy Juell swept the athlete of the year awards in both track and field respectively.

The season was capped off as junior Chris Reed threw the shot put 65’-7’’ in the National Championships, breaking his own school record and taking home an individual national championship for the Mavericks.

With just the squads on the diamond remaining, the Mavericks really took it home in their last two sports to finish up as both the baseball and softball teams battered their competition en route to 40-win seasons in both sports. Softball swept the conference championships, before coming up a game short in the regionals as NSIC-foe Winona State advanced on.

The baseball team truly saved the best for last in 2013 as they ended their regular season 42-9 and in second place behind St. Cloud State. It would be the Mavericks with the last laugh however, as MSU took home the conference tournament and ousted St. Cloud State in regional play to advance to their second straight College World Series.

Behind the dominant pitch-

ing of Jason Hoppe and Harvey Martin, the Mavericks made it to their first national championship in the sport of baseball but eventually fell to Tampa to finish runner up in the country.

Though the squad felt their end of the season ranking could have been one spot higher, there work did not go unnoticed.

With the second place finish in baseball, the Mavericks finished in fourth place in the Learfield Sports Directors Cup, a moving trophy awarded to the highest ranking in overall athletics for each division based on 14 intercollegiate sports, seven for each gender.

MSU came in behind Grand Canyon (AZ), Grand Valley State University (MI) and Ashland (OH), meaning in the last year, the Mavericks had the fourth-best athletic program in Division II. Though when the last out of the national championship baseball game was made, the campaign officially ended for the Mavericks, but not to worry.

MSU has been climbing more and more recently in their athletic department and if this season should have any indication on what lies ahead in the near future, our Mavericks could find themselves hoisting the Directors Cup sometime soon, or possibly making the trek to join the University of Minnesota as the only other Minnesota school in Division I athletics.

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Movie news roundup: of superheroes and sequels ANDREW SIMON Staff Writer DC Universe – The biggest news out of San Diego Comic Con in July was the surprise announcement by Man of Steel director Zack Snyder regarding the follow up to Superman’s big cinematic return. With actor Harry Lennix walking onstage and reading an oft-quoted passage from Frank Miller’s polarizing graphic novel The Dark Knight Returns, which pitted an older Batman against America’s patsy Superman. The announcement was thus: the sequel to Man of Steel would be Superman vs.

Batman, with David S. Goyer penning the screenplay, Snyder returning to direct and Henry Cavill once again suiting up as the Last Son of Krypton, targeting a summer 2015 release date.

The identity of the actor playing Batman was not cast at the time, but late last Thursday Warner Bros. announced acclaimed Argo director Ben Affleck will take over the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman from Christian

Bale for the summer sequel, with the option of appearing over multiple DC universe films.

Co-stars Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne, Harry Lennix and Diane Lane will return.

Marvel – While Warner Bros.’ announcement of the long-gestating Batman/Superman movie stole Comic Con, Marvel was not to be one-upped, as Avengers director/writer Joss Whedon took the stage and revealed the title for the sequel, The Avengers: Age of Ultron.

The title refers to a comic book event series in 2013, while the character of Ultron first made its appearance in 1968 as a weapon designed to destroy the Avengers. The principal cast is expected to return, as well as Robert Downey Jr. (who has signed contracts for Avengers 2 and 3, but not for any further standalone Iron Man movies), and is slated for a May 1, 2015 release.

Another Marvel property whose future is secure is the Spider-Man franchise, as Sony has announced – minus any

web photo

other details, such as writers, director, returning actors, etc. – that The Amazing Spider-Man 3 will hit theaters June 10, 2016 and The Amazing Spider-Man 4 will be released on May 4, 2018, indicating the studios faith in the direction of the series as the sequel shapes up for release May 2, 2014.

Also in the far off future, two unrevealed Marvel movies are slated for May 6, 2016 and May

5, 2017, as part of Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase Three films, which kick off with Edgar Wright’s Ant-Man in November 2015.

Sequels – The title for the fifth Pirates of the Caribbean movie has reportedly been revealed, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. Set to open July 10, 2015, scripting duties will be handled

by Jeff Nathanson (Rush Hour

3), taking the reins from previous scribes Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio. On Stranger Tides director Rob Marshal has vacated the seat for the duo of Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg (Bandidas) to direct, the only confirmed returning member of the franchise is, naturally, Johnny Depp, reprising the role of Captain Jack Sparrow.

SUPER SEQUELS • Page 18

Batman fans should take a seat Batfans reactions to Batffleck make Houtsma batty.

JAMES HOUTSMA A&E Editor The worst part of being a fan is being associated with fandom.

Last week’s quiet Thursday night soon combusted to the news that Ben Affleck has been cast as Bruce Wayne/Batman in the Man of Steel sequel, due out in July 2015, as well as in several subsequent films. And true to a giant ball of fire, you’d think everyone was horrifically burned by the sounds that followed.

The reaction to the Oscar winning Argo director’s casting wasn’t so much negative as it was vitriolic. Within 24 hours of the announcement, Twitter erupted in a tidal wave of outraged fans decrying Affleck and several petitions were established to remove Affleck from the role, one of which is addressed to the White House

with the intention to “make it illegal for Ben Affleck to portray Batman (or any superhero) on film for the next 200 years.”

I love Batman; I have since I was a wee tyke. The complexity of that character has remained completely enthralling for years, not to mention he’s just plain cool. With his awesome look, sweet gadgets, legendary rogues gallery and diverse interpretations, he remains one of the most fascinating pop culture figures of all time.

That said, this is just another huge instance that makes me think I’d rather burn half my face off than be associated with Batman fandom. Every kind of fanbase has their die-hards but something about Batman takes it to a whole new level of crazy.

Critics who dared to give The Dark Knight Rises a negative review last summer learned that first hand when several received

web photo

death threats by disgruntled fanatics (most of whom hadn’t even seen the film yet).

One baffling thing about this whole debacle is that this is hardly the first time Batfans have shunned a major cast-

ing decision when it comes to the caped crusader. Moanings of doom were uttered when Michael Keaton took up the cape and cowl for the 1989 Tim Burton movie. Similar feelings of franchise destruction were

leveled on both Heath Ledger as The Joker and Anne Hathaway as Catwoman in the recent Dark Knight movies. Not to generalize, but I think most people would agree that both of those

BATTFLECK • Page 18

18 • MSU Reporter

Variety

“Within 24 hours of the announcement, Twitter erupted in a tidal wave of outraged fans decrying Affleck and several petitions were established to remove Affleck from the role, one of which addressed to the White House with the intention ‘make it illegal for Ben Affleck to portray Batman (or any superhero) on film for the next 200 years”

Tuesday, August 27, 2013 T

“Another Marvel property whose future is secure is the SpiderMan franchise, as Sony has announced that The Amazing SpiderMan 3 will hit theatres June 10, 2016.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

choices turned out pretty well in the end.

I must have missed the boat where being a “true fan” means it’s your way or the highway when it comes to every major decision with that character. I’m sorry, but I have never felt the absolute entitlement to say that just because I support something means that I know better than the people being paid to make the actual medium. I saw it rear it’s ugly head last year when fans screeched “Batman wouldn’t quit” and it returned months ago with “Superman wouldn’t [Spoilers]”.

It’s this kind of stringent attitude that chokes out anything new or daring in our popular interpretations. Look, I have no abundant love for Ben Affleck (even at 11 years old I knew Daredevil was a huge misfire) and nothing can replace the amazing performances Christian Bale gave to the character over three movies, but you know what, I’m open to a new interpretation on Batman and I’m certainly not going to write it off almost two years before I actually have the chance to see it.

Christopher Nolan’s movies were terrific and they will remain terrific because they will remain self-contained and not try to bleed into a universe they didn’t belong in.

The harshest criticism I could level on the choice is that Affleck has only just gotten back on the horse of making great movies. I’m sure he’s aware of his five odd years or so of making nothing but crap and is there really any way he can afford to slough it? Is there any possibility he will even think of slacking off and fail to prove himself against this onslaught? I think not.

This reaction was bound to happen regardless of whom they chose and to freak out over it and write petitions to the President is pointless. It would be much more prudent to buckle down, put Daredevil out of mind and embrace cautious optimism.

Given the alternative, you may just be thankful you did.

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web photo International superstar and Expendables actor Tony Jaa showing off his left hook

Fans of James Cameron’s 2009 blockbuster Avatar are in for a treat. Originally conceived as a trilogy, Cameron has expanded the Avatar universe to now include three sequels, making four movies in total, the first sequel is slated for December 2016 and each sequel subsequently coming out the following year.

For Avatar 2, Cameron enlisted the help of Josh Friedman (War of the Worlds) to assist with the screenplay, while Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) and Shane Salerno (Savages) have been brought onboard for Avatar 3 and 4 writing duties. The sequels will be directed backto-back.

In addition to the movies, Cameron will expand the universe into novel format, enlisting

acclaimed science fiction author Steven Charles (Jumper) to write novels that weaves through the cinematic Avatar universe.

The ever-profitable Fast and Furious franchise is gearing up to film the seventh installment in mid-October, with an eye set on a July 11, 2014 release date.

Tony Jaa (Ong-bak) has recently been added to the list of new recruits, along with Ronda Rousey, in addition to series regulars Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Tyrese Gibson, and Dwayne Johnson.

After being bumped from summer 2012 to March 2013, G.I. Joe: Retaliation’s box office performance was profitable enough for Paramount to greenlight G.I. Joe 3. At this point, all that is known about the sequel is that Jon M. Chu is returning as director, it will likely utilize 3D technology again and actors

Bruce Willis and Dwayne Johnson will reprise their roles.

Sylvester Stallone’s profitable high-testosterone action series The Expendables has begun filming its third installment, minus one noticeable exception. Actor Bruce Willis has not been asked to return for a third time, instead veteran action star Harrison Ford has taken his place. Mel Gibson, who can soon be seen as the evil villain in Machete Kills in October, is onboard, as well as Antonio Banderas, Jackie Chan, Nicolas Cage, Wesley Snipes and Milla Jovovich. The Expendables 3, directed by Patrick Hughes (Red Hill), will kill and bomb August 15, 2014.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

-

MSU Reporter • 19

Variety

TV Line: True Blood finally finds its character ANDREW SIMON Staff Writer

HBO’s True Blood has been one of the most frustrating programs in recent memory.

Episode by episode, it fulfills the HBO requirements of featuring galleons and galleons of blood that would make Quentin Tarantino happy and appeases its audience with equal gender nudity and gratuitous sex scenes, but where True Blood really faltered for over five years – and shows like The CW’s The Vampire Diaries magnificently excels at – is that it’s about character. o From the very beginning, the series has put plot first and character second and as the years rolled on, this created the detrimental effect where the people these actors were portraying weren’t people at all, simply cardboard cutouts of potential characters thrown into this outrageous position and that outrageous position.

And with last season’s polarizing finale, featuring Bill (Stephen Moyer) drinking the blood of vampire god Lilith, bursting into nothingness and being reborn as the bloody, naked Billith (a term coined by the fans and used in the series), it was anyone’s guess where the series was heading and if it had, indeed, “jumped the shark”.

Luckily, under the guidance of new showrunner Mark Hudis, the shenanigans of season five paves the way for a more interesting story that nearly redeems the utterly bizarre

plot of last year. Imbued with the powers of Lilith, Bill has become nearly indestructible, able to withstand a stake to the heart and granted the ability to see visions of the future. Sookie (Anna Paquin) is being hunted by a vampire-faeire hybrid named Warlow while dealing with the demons of her past, notably memories coming to the surface of her parents indiscretions. Sam (Sam Trammell) very quickly gets over the death of his longtime girlfriend and finds a new one and werewolf Alcide (Joe Manganiello) suffers the most pointless arc as he tries to assert himself as pact master.

The government has decided to take action against the vampires, poisoning True Blood shipments and detaining vampires in prisons, where many vampires meet the True Death. Meanwhile, the normal residents of Bon Temps reel from a tragic death that shocks the community.

For the first time in years, True Blood was interesting television, something worth investing a Sunday night in, instead of the forgettable, “I’llget-to-it-eventually” vibe from seasons two to five. Ultimately, the season is still dictated terribly by plot, but its success comes from the very relatable, very human and character-centric aspects. There’s Bill, reborn, trying to find his purpose in life and once that’s fulfilled, figuring out what’s left for him.

Sookie is fed up being the target of supernatural monsters and her quest for independence

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and self-healing is constantly roadblocked by the monsters around her. The simple human characters, the two Bellefleurs, Andy and Terry, are given the best material of all the actors, and it really works in the shows favor. What happens to these two men when one is pushed to the limit and how the community reacts is the best writing True Blood has ever done and that arc alone has made season six truly memorable.

In addition to Billith’s reign, the government’s rounding up of the vampires is the second big plot of the year and although there are times of wandering around, it is the show’s most confident and interesting arc since the witches in season four.

Sookie, Eric, Billith and the gang doing everything in their power to avert a vampire apoca-

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lypse, often sneering at one another while working together, unites these characters in a common goal, something seriously missing since season two. To compliment the writing, Moyer, Paquin, and the cast recognize this opportunity to really chew on their emotions and go for it.

The biggest negative is that the writers still have characters that they don’t know what to do with. Fan favorite Lafayette is, in these ten episodes, given probably twenty minutes of screentime total, same for his cousin Tara, who only does something worthwhile in the finale. The biggest sin is Alcide, a werewolf who hasn’t had one good thing to do since his introduction to the show in season three, and this year is his biggest waste. His scenes could have been cut entirely and no

one would have been the wiser, it boasts that little impact.

With a truncated season of ten episodes, True Blood season six was the show at its most consistent, steering the series away from the rather outrageous and extravagant finale and concentrating on making more character-based stories. While it hasn’t purified the series from all its imperfections, it’s a notable step in the right direction, and if season seven (already commissioned by HBO) is its last, then the series will be heading off on a high note. As it stands, season six was a breath of fresh air from the insanity of last year and is, coupled with season four, one of the few in the series history highly recommended.

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Tuesday, August 27, 2013

You’re Next lines up gruesome fun

Horror flick “You’re Next” provides change of pace in the scary movie department.

ANDREW SIMON Staff Writer The horror movie field is sometimes so littered with garbage productions that when something genuinely refreshing and interesting comes along, one can’t help but pop their head up and take notice. Such is the case with You’re Next, a long-delayed “home intruders” horror flick that made the festival rounds in 2011 but just saw wide release last weekend. The premise is simple – a stereotypical dysfunctional family convenes at their remote vacation house where three men in animal-mask attire watch from outside, ready to kill, and they want in. The general concept of the film is one that isn’t particularly new to the horror field, but it’s the way it went about executing it that’s worth the heaping of praise.

For the first twenty minutes – before the bodies start to seriously drop – the movie shows signs of being really, really bad.

The opening sequence meant to instill foreboding atmosphere instead comes across as the films obvious attempts to include sex and nudity to qualify for “horror movie standards,” and it doesn’t help that director Adam Wingard chooses to shoot everything in this extreme close-up shaky cam reminiscent to Rob Zombie’s Halloween remake,

but minus his, dare it be said, “skill”. Because of this directing style, the film fails to create atmosphere, instead it’s full on walking-heads effect, where viewers get a real sense of the painful acting on display here.

The mother, Aubrey (Barbara Crampton) is the worst offender here, delivering her lines like someone talking for the first time after years being encased in carbonite -- flat and stilted.

Eventually the rather sizable family starts wandering into the house and anyone with any sense of movie experience can immediately peg a characters archetypes, their potential survivability and their inevitable narrative twists. Brought along to the family gathering is Erin (Sharni Vincent), a resourceful Australian who’s dating Aubrey’s son Crispian (A.J. Bowen), the son who enjoys being there the least. Once introductions are made and done with, that’s when the rather disastrous part of the movie concludes and the real magnificence of You’re Next begins.

The Final Girl has been a trope of the horror field for decades -- the Last Survivor who has emerged from the terrible events of the movie, broken and bruised, but alive and reborn.

You’re Next spits in the face of all previous Final Girls, those who run around flagging their arms about and screaming until

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their voice goes hoarse, and instead delivers the bona fide deal: Erin, the girl who’s afraid but doesn’t back down, the girl who thinks her attack through and lays traps, the girl who gets beaten but keeps standing up, and the girl who just refuses to die. In Erin, horror has crafted the perfect Final Girl and it’s she who is the real star of this movie.

That’s not to discount the sheer intensity and brutality of the kills made by the animalmask wearing men, or the surprisingly cleverly written

screenplay, both marvelously appreciated. The kills, arguably what the majority of audiences pay their ticket to see, aren’t wholly original, but they’re effective and gruesome, definitely making peoples ticket price worthwhile. Horror films don’t get a huge reputation for their screenplays, but in this case, You’re Next can proudly boast that its dialogue has some great witticisms and there are moments where, especially the end, there is a sense this is both a homage and a satire of the genre all in one.

You’re Next doesn’t break new ground in its plot, but it’s rare that a horror movie can exhibit such a strong female protagonist whose smarter than its screenplay allows, or deliver a real sense of brutality without heading off into torture-porn Saw territory. Predictable, but fun. Badly acted, but engaging.

If the idea of Erin giving the masked men their comeuppance sounds even remotely interesting, or are a fan of home intrusion flicks like The Strangers, You’re Next is definitely worth surviving.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

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