September 11, 2014

Thursday, September 11, 2014Thursday, September 11, 2014

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NEVER FORGET

Minnesota: A microcosm of international society International students in Minnesota boost the economy.

YUSEONG JEON Staff Writer

The population of internationals, especially wthin the educational population, is rising up across the United States. According to the statistics of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, during the academic year of 2012 to 2013, international students contributed about $24 billion to the U.S. economy.

In the nation, Minnesota is one of the top states which houses international students, and has grown a reputation for it too. A new Brookings Institution report says that Minnesota universities are effective in attracting international students to their campuses.

By drawing a lot of international students to our schools, Minnesota has acquired substantial economic stability so far. In other words, the foreign students have made a huge impact in increasing the state’s economy.

In fact, compared with local American students, international students spend a lot more money for their school lives. For example, while most of American students take out a loan for their tuition, international students have to pay the tuition and insurance with their own personal money.

If the tuition is applied as an outof-state tuition, their average expenditure in America is going to be much higher than that of Americans.

Despite this huge expenditure, many international students still choose to study in America. The biggest reason for their decision is the high quality of American school’s education

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Yohanes Ashenafi • MSU Reporter Photo of the International Center in the Centennial Student Union.

and the worth of the degree.

“For people from the third world countries, American university degrees are way more worth it than the one of their own country. Also, if I graduate from an American university, it would be much easier to get a job oversees, regardless of the level of university. That is why I chose to study in America,” said Ali Abbas Niitsu, a mathematics major from Pakistan.

In this respect, Minnesota State University, Mankato, one of the most prominent universities in Minnesota, is the perfect choice for the international students. MSU not only provides an opportunity to them to get an in-state tuition scholarship, but also has a high reputation of excellent academics and fantastic degree

programs.

Moreover, with the multicult ural-friendly environment, MSU can help a lot of international students experience new cultures and broaden their horizon in the campus.

“I chose MSU because MSU has an Automotive Engineering Department, which not many universities in America have, along with the reason of the in-state tuition opportunity.

Furthermore, as I look back on my freshman year, I think I could adjust to the new environment and had less hard time to fit in America because I could experience with other internationals. I think that is a huge benefit for us,” said Bethelhem Legesse, MSU engineering major from

Ethiopia.

However, the biggest concern for most of international students is that they have to go back to their countries after finishing their academy. It is very hard for them to get a job with their visa. For that matter, there have been some saying that America should allow graduates to stay and work in the country.

If the U.S. allows the comprehensive job opportunities to the internationals who graduated U.S. schools, it will also give the nation positive impact of its economy. In fact, America is short on its skilled workforce in some fields such as science, technology and engineering.

For international students, it would also be a great chance to

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have a diverse experience and keep contributing to the growth of the U.S. economy.

“In the current situation, it is hard to get a job in America as an international because the job offer is given to Americans first, regardless of the grades and school activity experience in the university. If more opportunities are given to internationals to stay and work in America, it would make a more extensive winwin situation for both America and internationals,” said MSU student Maria Montanez, who is originally from Mexico and majoring in computer science.

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Thursday, September 11, 2014

Obama administration outvoted Changes in the infamous Bergdahl situation.

JOHN WALFOORT Staff Writer Congress has officially chastised the Obama administration 249-163 votes Tuesday.

The Obama administration traded five Taliban leaders, whom were being held in Guantanamo Bay, for one American prisoner.

The house is unbraided with the administration because of its lack of a 30-day warning about the trade in May. “The administration deprived Congress of the opportunity to consider the national security risk or the repercussions of negotiating with terrorists,” said Rep. Howard Mckeon, R-Calif., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

President Barrack Obama and 80-90 members of his administration knew about the trade. They have provided a multitude of excuses for the trade regarding Bergdahl’s health and safety, which needed quick action. They also didn’t trust lawmakers to keep the deal secrete.

“We had a prisoner of war whose health had deteriorated and we were deeply concerned

about, and we saw an opportunity and we seized it,” said Obama in June as he claimed he wouldn’t apologize for the trade.

The G ove r n m e nt Accountability Office claimed two laws were broken. The Defense department, for not notifying key committees in Capitol Hill 30 days before the trade, broke one law. The Pentagon, for using funds that aren’t actually available, broke the other law.

“The White-House played this so close to the vest intentionally and made a determination not to give Congress notice,” Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., said.

A lot was given up for Bergdahl who deserted his post in Afghanistan. He left his weapons on base and walked off with only a compass, a knife, water, diary and a digital diary. Soldiers involved with the operation to find him claimed that at least six soldiers were killed searching for Bergdahl, according to Fox News.

“I was pissed off then, and I am even more so now with everything going on. Bowe Bergdahl deserted during a time of war, and his felloe Americans lost their lives searching for

Web Photo Bergdahl giving a speech after his release.

him,” said former Sgt. Matt Vierkant, who was a part of Bergdahl’s platoon when he went missing.

Bergdahl’s platoon mates claim that attacks seemed to increase against the U.S. in Paktika province after his disappearance. Following up to the day Bergdahl left he sent multiple e-mails to his parents displaying is distaste for war and the effort against Afghanistan.

“And life is way too short to care for the damnation of others, as well as to spend it helping fools with their ideas that are wrong. I have seen their ideas and I am ashamed to even be American. The horror of the self-righteous arrogance that they thrive in. It is all-revolting,” wrote Bergdahl.

Officials are asking people to not jump to conclusions on the issue. They said that Bergdahl

would be able to explain his side of the story once he is better reintegrated into society, according to CNN. Once Bergdahl was released he was sent to a military hospital in Germany. He will now work at a desk as an Army Soldier doing administrative work. He has bee assigned to San Antonio, Texas at the U.S. Army North at Fort Sam Houston, according to abc news.

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CityArt Walking Tour, 2014 ANDREW VANDEN BROEKE Staff Writer A good way to spend a Saturday is going to downtown Mankato and taking the CityArt walking sculpture tour. The tour features 32 sculptures that are spread out around the Mankato City Center. The sculptures are from artists all over the world.

The tour is up from May to late March, and is only taken down to get new sculptures to showcase the next year.

The sculptures were originally placed around Mankato to enhance the vibrancy of the city. It was hoped to build up Mankato’s reputation and attract visitors to the city center.

“The businesses that are along the tour have seen an increase in traffic in their own stores and in the area around the tour. The tour has increased the vibrancy of the Mankato City Center, and make the curb appeal increase” said Eric Harriman, Executive Director of the Mankato City Center.

The goal of this tour is to get people out of their car, or off their bike, walking around the tour, experiencing the art that is in their city, and going into the shops, or restaurants around the tour. If you walk the tour

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Andrew Vanden Broeke • MSU Reporter Some of the many sculptures to be seen at the CityArt Walk.

without stopping at any shops, the tour takes about one and half hours, but if you enjoy the places to visit around, it can take up to a whole day.

“There are countless people that make the tour an entire day trip. They start wherever is closest to where they parked, and then restaurant hop, ordering appetizers at different places. They stop and shop at the boutiques along the tour” said Harriman.

The tour has increased the reputation of Mankato, and has also increased the number of people that have visited the City Center.

“It is hard to give an exact number of people, but we base how many people visit on how many brochures are taken, which is up to ten thousand. Although, not everybody who takes a brochure actually does the tour, and sometimes an entire family will only take one brochure. The tour has been used by retirement homes and as a field trip for the schools around Mankato, as well as different groups and families” said Harriman.

The tour has also had an impact on students at Minnesota State University – Mankato.

Students have gone to the tour and spent from an hour to an

entire day looking at the tour.

“There was a bear sculpture outside the Verizon Center. The bear is guarding two bear cubs.

I like the sculpture because it reminds me of home, and we used to have bears in my yard. It also makes me think of my nana guarding my family, because we all live super close together” said freshman Sam Etienne.

The tour is a great way for students to explore the city of Mankato, without having to go very far from campus. It is only a thirty minute walk from campus, and there shuttles that take you close to the beginning of the tour.

Students can vote for their favorite sculpture before October 31, 2014, and have a voice in which sculpture the City Center purchases from the artist to add to the permanent art gallery. Businesses also will group together, or sometimes singly buy a sculpture to keep near there shop to continue to add aesthetic to the City Center.

The City Art walking tour in City Center Mankato, is a great way for students to explore their community while enjoying small restaurants, and enjoying the professional art that is featured in their own city.

KASOTA PRAIRIE OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2014

Save the Kasota Prairie, Prairie Restorations, Inc., and Unimin Corporation are extending a free public invitation to visit Unimin Kasota Prairie site.

The public is invited to tour the prairie, learn the importance of these special grasslands, and view the progress being made in restoring the area. Guided tours by professionals in prairie restoration and wildlife preservation will be available from 8am to Noon.

Directions to the Kasota Prairie: Approximately 1.5 miles south of the City of Kasota on Le Sueur County Highway 21, go west on 480th Street 1.5 miles, turn north on 367th Avenue for approximately 1 mile to Kasota Prairie parking lot.

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Ray Rice: Is there enough punishment?

Minnesota State University, Mankato

STAFF

FALL 2014

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Schuyler Houtsma........ 389-5454 NEWS EDITOR: Hannah Kleinberg....... 389-5450 SPORTS EDITOR: Joey Denton.................389-5227 VARIETY EDITOR: Rae Frame................... 389-5157 ADVERTISING SALES: Mac Boehmer............. 389-5097 Brandon Poliszuk......... 389-5453 Jase Strasburg.............. 389-1079 Sammy Terning.............389-5451 Amber Masloski...........389-1063 Allie Bigbee................ 389-5609

ALEX KERKMAN Staff Writer Every now and then a sports story crosses into every day mainstream living, usually for all of the wrong reasons. Whether it is Aaron Hernandez, Donald Sterling, or Alex Rodriguez, sports often shed light on social issues that have existed for some time yet not as talked about.

In the past, only one league seems to shrug off negative stories time and time again to regain their status as top dog. In the past decade under Commissioner Roger Goodell, the NFL has endured controversies over off the field player misconduct, positive steroid tests, concussions and mental health concerns among former and active players, all the while remaining top dog in terms of attention and ratings.

Though the stories get worse and worse, fans (like myself) continue to ignore the bad news and focus on the action on the field.

That is at least until video surfaced from TMZ of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice beating his then fiancé, nowwife, inside of a hotel elevator on March 27, just before the start of the 2014 NFL season. Rice,

“No.”

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POLICIES & INFORMATION

• If you have a complaint, suggestion or would like to point out an error made in the Reporter, call Editor in Chief Schuyler Houtsma at 507-3895454. 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.

Web Photo Photo of Ray Rice, who was caught on video tape beating his then-fiance.

who was initially suspended by the NFL for just two games after his arrest, was immediately cut by the Baltimore Ravens, and Goodell, who took major backlash for what was thought of as light punishment, reissued an indefinite suspension.

Despite all of the measures, for once the NFL couldn’t shake off the bad press. Fans were more focused on the Rice scandal than the actual play on the field. Major questions were finally asked. How could

the NFL only suspend Rice for two games? Did the league see this video before issuing its judgment? Why does Rice’s wife refuse to press charges?

The story has many different aspects to look at, with almost everyone involved taking major damage to public image.

First and foremost we have to look at the punishment of Rice.

Though he has been indicted by a grand jury on aggravated assault charges, the case was hindered by Janay Palmer, his

wife. Palmer, who in the elevator footage, was punched in the face and knocked out cold by Rice, refuses to press charges. In fact, she is completely supporting her husband and has lashed out at the media. The day Rice was cut, Palmer released a statement via Instagram: “No one knows the pain that the media & unwanted options from the public has caused my family. To make us relive a

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“Should Ray Rice be banned from the league?”

BEE YANG, IT

DANIEL RASMUSON, MANAGEMENT & IT

NATE WIIG, SOCIAL WORK

“He should not be banned from the league because his personal life is not connected with his profession.”

“I believe he should be banned because you don’t treat anyone like that.”

TIFFANY WOELBER, NURSING “I think he should be. The incident is not related to footbal, but people need to realize that men beating women is wrong.”

• The Minnesota State University Mankato Reporter is a studentrun newspaper published twice a week, coming out on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Reporter generates 78 percent of its own income through advertising and receives approximately 22 percent from Student Activities fees. The Reporter is free to all students and faculty, but to start a subscription, please call us at 507-3891776. Subscriptions for the academic school year are $55.00 and subscribers will receive the paper within three to five days after publishing.

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Compiled by Yohanes Ashenafi

PJ PIOTROWSKI. EXERCISE SCIENCE “If it were up to me, I think he should be banned.”

Thursday, September 11, 2014

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Letter to the A statement from the Editor “Gender Dysphoria” language perpetuates stigma To all those responsible for the article, “Gender Dysphoria: A Growing Dysfunction”, My goal in writing is to educate. I trust that the intent of the article was informative, not malicious. However, the reporter clearly lacks research on the topic considering its uncited sources, lack of context when using statistics and use of language like “the hormone stuff” to refer to transitioning.

It is important to correct this mistake as not to further risk misinforming the public.

There is an obvious anti-trans bias from the very beginning, referring to the LGBT community as a group “famed for their questionable morals” and displaying transgender children as its “recent fad”. The piece continues to refer to trans children as having a “bizarre”

and “odd” “condition”. Finally, after priming the reader, the writer closes by offering the issue up to the public to be judged.

The correct definition of gender dysphoria in the DSM 5 (Diagnostic and Statistical manual) is, “Persistent discomfort with his or her sex or sense of inappropriateness in the gender role of that sex.” This takes into account the difference between sex and gender. Sex being based in one’s biology and gender being situated within a culture determining what roles are socially normative.

Just because someone’s gender expression doesn’t conform to their sex does not mean they are mentally ill. They are simply expressing variation outside our imposed gender binary system.

It is important to note that a

diagnosis has to be created in order for the insurance companies of trans individuals to cover the costs of transitioning (Bryant, 2009, pp.365-366).

Finally, we have to realize that this kind of language perpetuates the negative stigma against the LGBT community, which in turn causes members of our school to feel disrespected and unsafe on their own campus.

These are not the values of the university in which I call home. I ask that in the future, that more scrutinization is placed upon these articles before publishing them. Please let the impact of your words be for the good of our students.

Thank you for your time and consideration, Laura Fry

No wiggle room in stadium schedule ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The latest construction schedule for the Minnesota Vikings $1 billion stadium leaves “no more wiggle room,” a team official said Wednesday.

Minnesota Vikings vice president Lester Bagley told The Associated Press that the new “substantial completion” date of July 29 will be cutting it close.

It has slid by a full month since an initial schedule was adopted less than a year ago. The Vikings are set to hold the inaugural preseason in mid-August 2016, but Bagley said the team is banking on having a soft-opening first.

“We want to get an event or events in before the first Vikings game to get the bugs out and run people through there,” Bagley said. “There’s no more wiggle room for sure. But everyone has buckled down to get it done.”

Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority chairwoman Michele Kelm-Helgen apprised a legislative oversight panel of construction progress Wednesday and the revised date was included in her presentation without reference to it being changed. As if to demonstrate the aggressive timeline,

Kelm-Helgen told lawmakers that crews have recently been working around the clock to take advantage of good weather and she said the signature part-glass roof could start taking shape early next year.

“If you drive by you’ll be amazed to see the progress being made,” she said.

Authority spokeswoman Jennifer Hathaway stressed later that the completion date is around the same time as earlier goals.

“We will have access to the building for tours and pre-opening events prior to July 28,” Hathaway said.

The completion deadline is part of signed contracts between the Vikings, the main builder and the public authority. It was initially set at July 1 and later amended to July 15 before the latest delay. If the building isn’t ready by the deadline, that could trigger penalties against Mortenson Construction. Cosmetic work or repairs to fix defects can occur after that date, but substantial completion isn’t reached until certificates or licenses for opening to the general public have been issued.

Minnesota taxpayers are footing $477 million of the construction tab, and the Vikings must come up with $526 million in private money. The stadium, which will host the 2018 Super Bowl, is being built where the Metrodome once stood. Crews are six months into construction and more than 570 workers are on site on a daily basis.

Environmental groups have expressed concern about the glass roof being a hazard to birds. They have asked for special glazing techniques to keep birds from smashing into it, but the team and authority have balked for cost and design reasons. What’s more, construction managers have already ordered specially fabricated glass panels contained in the original design; Kelm-Helgen said those will be installed starting in December or January.

Kelm-Helgen told the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Sports Facilities that the stadium authority has committed to lighting changes to minimize bird harm.

Editor

JAMES HOUTSMA Editor in Chief Recently, there has been much discussion around campus about an opinion piece published in last Thursday’s issue of the Reporter, titled “Gender Dysphoria: A Growing Dysfunction.”

The article in question was about children around the world who are going through the process of switching their gender and parents who share the experience.

According to the author, the story was always meant to be supportive of transgender individuals and the LGBT community as a whole.

However, some questionable phrasing throughout and unclear argument effectively turned the piece into something that comes off as insensitive and damaging.

As editor in chief, I would like to sincerely apologize for this article and any offense it has created. This was an example of an “argument of ignorance” – an argument, in

this case, in which the author did not demonstrate that they had sufficient knowledge of their subject.

Transgender individuals should not be referred to as dysfunctional and should not be framed as the latest sideshow attraction -- no matter how unintentional it was.

I deeply believe in freedom of speech, especially of the press, and a writer’s right to publish his or her feelings free of censorship. That said, I accept full responsibility for allowing this article to go out in its current form and the reaction that came with it.

More oversight was needed on my part.

As a student-run publication, the MSU Reporter is dedicated to covering LGBT issues as often and in as accurate a manner as possible. Some of these stories will no doubt require a more refined tone and more thorough investigation.

If that wasn’t clear before, it certainly is now.

Sincerely, James Schuyler Houtsma

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Thursday, September 11, 2014

International What the Student Nontraditional Student Volunteer Center can offer you Program

BROOKE EMMONS Staff Writer

The beginning of the school year has many events aimed towards students who are coming to college straight from high school, which is not the case with many of MSU’s diverse students. This large population of first year students may be veterans or parents, and their experience is very different than the “traditional” student.

That’s why the Nontraditional Student Center is here to help.

The Nontraditional Student Center is a resource for many students including parents, married, partnered, widowed, divorced, 24 years or older, military veterans, those who waited three or more years after high school, PSOE students, and the students who commute from over 15 minutes away.

Mike Huerkamp, a senior officer majoring in art, describes the center as, “a liaison for university students not just out of high school, as a peer group to help direct them” Located in CSU Bullpen, the Nontraditional Student Center offers a study area, tutoring, computers, and a place to have lunch, with a fridge and

microwave, for the students who are considered nontraditional.

Students can find help in many subjects in the center, Huerkamp says, “there are a large number of science and IT majors.” Though tutoring is available for every subject as he also says “Various levels of experience can be found here in any major.”

“We want students to know we are here and are available.”

Hours of the center are the same as the rest of the CSU, and students can be found there during any open time.

“We are here to direct students in the proper direction.”

The Nontraditional Student Center has found much success with the students who find help there. Their peer groups are also popular, as many of the students are looking towards someone who understands their transition back into education. Meetings for peer groups are not set weekly, but organized casually within the center around the peers schedules.

Peer groups can be found for all students, but many are for parents and veterans, as there are many students who are.

With an increase in nontraditional students entering

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universities, either returning from the Middle East or the growing economy allowing them to receive more education, Huerkamp thinks the group will be on the rise in the next coming years.

The center also has information on many scholarships and financial aid opportunities, many of which go unclaimed every year for lack of proper candidates. Information and assistance with these applications is readily available.

Leadership opportunities are also available, as the group has a Student Advisory Board, complied of students who volunteer time and help direct the organization.

More information is available on the MSU website or www. mnsu.edu/nontrad/ With the new school year, the Nontraditional Student Center wants all nontraditional students to know they’re available to help. The transition back into education can be difficult, and the resources available in the center will help ensure students that they succeed in their college experience.

ANDREW VANDEN BROEKE Staff Writer The International Student Volunteer program at Minnesota State University, Mankato is an incredible program that helps students volunteer overseas while still experiencing what the world has to offer. The program has much to offer to any student looking to volunteer within a place they can make a positive change in the world.

“Our service sends students overseas. We believe that college students, especially, are an untapped resource. They can make a great change in the world. We partner with organizations to send students where there is a need for volunteers ” said Julia Gasior.

The International Student Volunteer program partners with organizations that specialize in sending people to other countries to volunteer, while students go on adventures that are in the country that they are living in. Some of these organizations include

the Red Cross, Peace Corps, and Habitat for Humanity.

The goal of the international Student Volunteer program is to support sustainable development initiative around the world through life changing volunteer and responsible adventure travel activities designed to change our world and to inspire more active global citizens.

“We are a really great organization that wants to get students traveling, volunteering and experiencing other cultures at this integral moment in their lives. Not only do they volunteer for two weeks, but then they participate in two weeks of incredible adventure activities” said Gasior.

Students who choose to volunteer will spend four weeks total on their trip.

The first two weeks they are working about eighty hours a week, which is spread out over the course of about two weeks. Also, students who do volunteer and spend time

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Thursday, September 11, 2014

Experiences of snap judgments ANDREW VANDEN BROEKE Staff Writer

When you hear a college student from Colorado you may think “oh he must smoke marijuana” right? Well my name is Andrew, and I am a freshman here at MSU, and guess what? I don’t smoke, I won’t smoke, nor do I have any, so please don’t ask.

People today are very quick to make a judgment about someone without knowing anything about them. They are too fast to label someone in the blink of an eye, and are unwilling to get to know the person, based on their judgment that has no evidence to support it. When you make a quick judgment and label a person how they look in 3 seconds, it is unfair to them, they don’t have a chance to defend themselves, or maybe there is a reason they are dressed the way they are.

That kid isn’t just a nerd; he has an interview for a prestigious internship and has to dress extremely professional for it, and walk through the CSU. He could be the next president of

the United States, or actually be very athletic, but all you know, or care to know is that he is dressed up, making him some weird kid who walks around dressed up for reason.

Next time you see someone that intrigues you, or that may seem different to you, don’t label them as something bad. Again I’m from Colorado, and there we call pop, soda. We don’t wear crocs, or slides. We wear small backpacks, and as high on our backs as possible. We have actual mountains, not those little ant hills called mountains. We don’t have lakes; we have little puddles, and reservoirs. None of those things make me a bad person, or make me weird, so don’t hang out with me. No all these things just make me a little different; it just means that I grew up in a different place, learning different things.

Besides someone being from somewhere different, something could have happened to them in their childhood that makes them deal with something different than you. They could respond to change different. One person could be outgoing, trying to make as many friends as possible, creating a new safety blanket at a brand new environment.

Another person could make a handful of friends be content

with hanging out with those few people. They respond to significant change in completely opposite ways, but that does not mean they are destined to not be friends themselves, or that one automatically has a reason not to like the other. They don’t know anything about “the other,” other than that they adjust differently.

Lastly, everybody looks different. I have brown hair and hazel eyes. I’m really tall, also really skinny, like so skinny that on a really windy day I could blow away. That doesn’t make me more special or any less special than anyone else that I know or see around campus, it just makes me different.

Truthfully, I wish I wasn’t so skinny, and that I had a tad bit more muscle, or fat. I look like a twig, but only I get to call myself a twig, unless you get to know me. If you simply walked past me what do you know about me that allows you to make fun of my appearance?

Next time you see a really tall guy, who wears glasses, and has a green backpack at the top of his back, come say hi, and remember to hesitate before you give someone you have never meet or talked to a chance before you give them a label that could define them for the rest of their college career.

RICE “Did the league see this video before issuing its judgment?” continued from 4 moment in our lives that we regret every day is a horrible thing. To take something away from the man I love that he has worked his ass off for all his life just to gain ratings is horrific.”

On May 1, Rice plead not guilty and applied for a program for first-time offenders that, depending on behavior, could clear him of charges in the following six months.

Though cleared of charges, Goodell has in the past handed down suspensions for off-field conduct, and after speaking with authorities, gave the infamous two game ban. He later would admit to making a mistake in the sentencing and a new agreement policy was installed: 6 games for a first time offender, a lifetime ban for a second offense.

What Ray Rice did was

horrible, and the Baltimore Ravens were completely in the right to cut him and terminate his contract after the TMZ video surfaced. The new suspension sent down by the NFL was more to cover ass than anything else. But doesn’t that mean Goodell has inadvertently set a precedent?

What happens if video surfaces of the assault all-pro Carolina Panther defensive end Greg Hardy was convicted of on his former girlfriend this past summer? Will he be punished as harshly as Rice or would he only get six games? What if someone publishes video of former Minnesota Vikings cornerback A.J. Jefferson, who was convicted this Spring for an assault committed on his ex-girlfriend? Should he be suspended for longer than the original four game suspensions,

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later lifted by league without explanation?

The NFL is the king of professional sports. I’m a diehard Green Bay Packer fan through and through, though I took Adrian Peterson in my fantasy draft. I spent the last four years of school learning how to cover the sport. But honestly, with the league being run by hypocrites who, up until TMZ did their job, considered marijuana violations in line with domestic assault (also four games) how can we continue to support it. At some point, the league will cross a line where the public will no longer be able to overlook its hypocrisies.

It’s troubling wondering what future scandal will be the breaking point.

ISV “Not only do they volunteer for two weeks, but then they participate in two weeks of incredible adventure and activities” continued from 6

on a trip can earn academic credit for their service. This is possible because they are taught about the history, traditions, and cultures of the country that they are living in. The second two weeks are spent going on adventures in the country they are volunteering in. Some of the activities they take part in include canyoning, white water rafting and snorkeling.

“We do projects in both social community development and conservation doing things like building schools and houses, educating children, doing basic healthcare, and premed projects, as well as working with endangered

animals such as sea turtles, elephants, and cheetahs” Gasior stated.

Students wishing to get involved in the International Student Volunteer program can apply online by going to the website. The ISV was on campus last week, and had a great response from students, and encourages students to think about applying and serving in another country.

Their upcoming trips are going to be next summer, and will be traveling to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Thailand.

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8 • MSU Reporter

News

Sex-trafficking study held in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Sex traffickers use violence to a degree that surprised researchers who released a preliminary study Wednesday of the structured business strategy behind the juvenile sex trade in Minneapolis.

The 118-page report, “Mapping the Market for Sex With Trafficked Minor Girls in Minneapolis,” aimed to examine the trade as an industry and found sophisticated systems to recruit, retain and market victims to meet demand.

Researchers examined nearly six years of Minneapolis police and Hennepin County district court records during the study, which was funded by the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota Children, Youth and Family Consortium. They also looked at seven years of media reports and interviewed 89 people who work directly with victims.

“I was surprised by how organized and strategic the use of violence in these trafficking operations really is,” said Lauren Martin, director of research at the university’s Urban Research Outreach/Engagement Center, one of the study’s authors. “It’s strategic and has a purpose in developing girls as a product for sale. . It degrades the girls’ sense of themselves and creates an objectification where girls devalue themselves.”

Although many court documents didn’t necessarily track violence in such cases, researchers still found evidence

of pimps using severe violence and threats against 34 percent of victims, the Star Tribune reported.

The study supports longheld notions about the juvenile sex trade, including: — Police data show the average age of victims was 15 to 16 for all races except Latino victims; for that group, the average age was 13.

— Sex buyers come from all communities, with the largest portion being white.

— Vulnerable juveniles were targeted, sometimes by peers, in places such as schools, parks, malls, bus stops, parties, treatment facilities and juvenile detention centers.

— There was an overrepresentation of communities of color as facilitators and victims.

Poverty-stricken neighborhoods were among the hardest hit.

In a statement Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, DMinn., who has introduced legislation to combat sex trafficking, said the report “is more hard evidence that sex trafficking is not something that only happens half a world away — it’s happening here in our own backyards and we need to take action.”

The study suggest several prevention strategies, including changing social culture among males, raising awareness about peer recruiting and strengthening opportunities for personal and professional development for young people 12 to 17 years old.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

MSSA - Sept. 10 Student senate discusses police presence on campus, tobacco policy and clinical sciences building in latest session.

BROOKE EMMONS Staff Writer

The Minnesota State Student Association met Wednesday, September 10, 2014, discussing many pressing topics of the students of MSU. Firstly, a new Senator was elected to a vacancy position.

Abdul-Hafeez Nakumbe, a 4th year student, was elected to a position representing the student body at large.

“I’m looking to get into MSSA to be a part of the people who make an impact on campus,” said Nakumbe. “I’m looking to join the team.”

Following this opening statement, the senators opened a Q&A session with Nakumbe, asking questions as to his ability to give time to the association, goals to effect the student body, and his personal strengths and weaknesses. After a unanimous vote, Nakumbe was sworn in to the MSSA. At open forum, the web

editor from the Reporter voiced concerns over a previously published article, “Gender Dysphonia”. He felt the article poorly reflected how the university felt about the LGBT community, and the senate agreed. Various resolutions were voted on, passing most, to ensure the Reporter is socially just and considerate in all articles will be implemented.

Afterwards, President Haffield presented different topics at hand. Firstly, the possibility of a full time City of Mankato police officer on campus. The Mankato police are brought on to campus almost daily due to incidents, and this would allow one or two of the same officers to work on campus full time. They would be able to carry a weapon.

This is still in discussion, along with the means of payment for the officers.

Another topic that is in the process of being discussed is the tobacco policy on campus. Some ideas for better enforcement of the Tobacco

Free policy include creating a policy likewise to the Alcohol policy with fines.

Looking towards the new clinical science building, meetings involving the protection of the environment have been underway. The building will be attached to the Ford center. In this space, 19 trees will need to be removed. In the theme of this building, the trees will be moved or replaced in environmental consciousness.

Ground breaking will be September 26 at 1:30 p.m., with major construction beginning this December. Anticipated completion is June 2016 with classes beginning there the following fall.

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MSU Reporter • 9

News

Mavericks after Dark returns with foamy glory PRATAKSHYA BHANDARI Staff Writer First Mavericks after Dark event of the fall semester was held at the Horse Shoe parking lot on Friday, Sept. 5.

The foam party was organized by IMPACT, the Student Programming Board.

It was an outdoor dance party complete with music and lights, and students could dance in foam created by foam machines.

The event was brought back this year as a theme for MAD, after the huge response it received last year.

Along with two foam machines - in addition to one foam machine last year - there was music, food and refreshments provided. Alumni Evan O’Conner was the DJ, playing original dubstep as well as today’s hit music. Concert lighting and a concert like sound system gave the party a great vibe.

“This is a great experience for

students to come and enjoy free food, meet new people and hear good music. It’s not every day you get to go to a foam party,” said Loghin Welch, president of IMPACT. The event was free for all MNSU students with a Mav Card.

Almost 1000 people attended the event, and there was plenty of foam for everyone.

While the weather was challenging, with the chill hitting Minnesota early this year, the spirit and enthusiasm was plenty.

“We were worried that people weren’t going to show up. Foam is mixed with water, and it wasn’t exactly the kind of weather you’d want to get doused in foam. But it turned out great and I am happy that so many people enjoyed the event in spite of the cold weather,” said Mavericks after Dark Chair Rodolfo Correa-Abogado.

Mavericks after Dark is a diversional concept that IMPACT started in order to

Yohanes Ashenafi • MSU Reporter Photo of the IMPACT sign just outside the office, located in the Centennial Student Union.

provide students an alternative to partying late at nights with alcohol during weekends. The idea is to provide a safe and engaging environment where students can have fun while being safe and alcohol free.

Mavericks after Dark events are always held on weekends, each time with a new and engaging concept that will hold a student’s interest long enough to not have to go out seeking fun elsewhere.

The events generally follow a

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theme, and often encourage active participation from the students.

The next MAD event is called Grocery Trivia Night, and it will be held at the Carkoski Dining hall on Sept. 27 from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. It is a trivia night where students can win bags of groceries as well as gift cards and other giveaways. This event will have refreshments and will be free to attend with a Mav Card.

IMPACT is the student activities board for the university.

Along with Mavericks after the Dark, it organizes various events for students, and is funded by the student activities fees. It is run by students and the focus is to organize events that will engage more students. The overall concept is to provide safe, fun events for all students to enjoy on campus.

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10 • MSU Reporter

Advertisement

Thursday, September 11, 2014

On your way to

Pedestrian 101?

Use the crosswalks to get safely to the other side of the street!

Driving through campus?

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MSU Reporter • 11

Thursday, September 11, 2014

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Taste of Mankato on the go Popular Mexican restaurant introduces festive food truck.

RAE FRAME A&E Editor Food trucks are growing in popularity all across America, serving family recipes and hardto-find favorites, and though they are most easily found in large metro areas, El Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant has unveiled a fun, brightly-colored food truck

with “the goal of bringing authentic Mexican flavor directly to the people” during area events. You will find many menu favorites truckside—including tacos, burritos and sincronizadas (Mexican sub sandwiches).

Mankato residents will not be the only ones enjoying Mazatlan’s latest endeavor; as of September 4, the Mazatlan food truck can also be seen through-

Courtesy of Bayard Black

out southern Minnesota as it attends a variety of athletic, artistic, and business events.

“It’s something new and different,” said Jose “Melo” Mendez, the owner of El Mazatlan.

“People’s reactions to the truck

have been energetic and we feed off their energy.”

El Mazatlan has been involved with the Mankato area food scene for 12 years, and brings a passion for authentic Mexican food and culture

to thousands of area residents.

Mendez —who began as a dishwasher living with friends at age 13— worked his way up through virtually every position in the

FOOD • Page 12

(Electro) Swing, baby!

Taking jazz to a new generation, Caravan Palace is using techno influences to revitalize a classic genre.

CHELSEY DIVELY Staff Writer Caravan Palace is an electro swing band that transcends the ages. Baby boomers will shake their hips because it has that old time swing feel while younger listeners will enjoy the one of a kind electric twist. This band is not your run of the mill prepackaged pop found on the radio.

The self-titled first album lures listeners in with instrumentals, followed by the introduction of scatting. Some notable songs from this album include “Suzy”, “Je M’Amuse”, and “La Caravane”. “Je M’Amuse”’s scat section bears vague resemblance to both the rubber ducky song from Sesame Street and the Muppet earworm “Mahna, Mahna”. The

song has a gorgeous blend of classic scat with new age elec-

the first album there’s a build to the closing song. “La Caravane”

namics. The whole album ties together and none of the songs

Web Photos

tronic, plus it evokes beloved childhood images of Bert and Ernie. In a CD, the first five or six songs are usually the best, but in

starts out quietly, increasing in volume and tempo while adding additional harmonies; the lyrics are simple but possess huge dy-

sound the same, expressing a love for music and swing culture as a whole. The only ridiculously obnoxious song in this album

would be “Bambous”. The auto tuned voice in this song sounds like someone is trying to use a cheese grater on a cat--it is physically painful to endure, so skip this song as fast as humanly possible.

The second album, Panic, provides a muted, mellow feeling--sort of like an old 20’s silent film featuring robots. The most notable songs from this album include “Queens”, “Maniac”, “Clash”, “Dramophone”, and “Beatophone”. This album is also darker in lyrical content, with tunes like “Dramophone” with a foggy and mellow feel and twisted content with lines like “dressed in nothing get you’re feeling of despair.” The harshest critique about this album is how the songs run together and

SWING • Page 12

12 • MSU Reporter

A&E

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Plot device, pinup, or person?

Does The Killing Joke make a mockery of a beloved female comic book character?

CHELSEY DIVELY Staff Writer There are thousands of comic book stories, some of them we would call a piece of crap— an example being The Killing Joke by Alan Moore. Don’t get me wrong, I love comics, and I have every issue of The Question by Dennis O’Neil, but The Killing Joke is an insult.

[SPOILERS!]Quick recap on what happens, Batman pays a visit to his old buddy Joker and though he’s considered the “good guy”, it seems our dear Bat-Friend is every bit as crazy as Joker. After this meeting we get to the real meat of the real insult: Joker breaks into the Gordon household and shoots Barbara (aka Batgirl) and takes sexualized pictures of her bleeding out, kidnaps her father, Commissioner Gordon and forces him onto a carnival ride decorated with pictures of his naked, injured daughter.

Now, let’s look deeper at the problem with this piece—the mistreatment of Barbara Gordon. For too long, women have been the decoration and plot tools of comic books, but this is Batgirl we’re talking about, one of the big league comic book heroines! The major concern is that the author used her as a tool to advance the plot, he didn’t look at the effect that being paralyzed had on her. He did the absolute worst thing an author can do, “wouldn’t it be cool if…”. When committing to a choice like paralyzing Batgirl, there has to be a reason for the character development that isn’t just advancing the plot.

Instead of explaining this decision, Alan Moore completely neglected her reaction to this trauma: a brief “I can’t feel my legs” and then back to the narcissistic narrative of Batman.

Everyone, including Barbara’s father neglects the atrocity that just occurred for her. Why? It’s possible that the reason is as simple as “she’s a girl and unimportant, what really matters is big strong Batman with the “Will I murder? Should I murder?” debate for the hundredth

FOOD “El Mazatlan Mexican Restau-

rant has unveiled a fun, brightly-colored food truck with “the goal of bringing authentic Mexican flavor directly to the people”” continued from 11 food industry before opening El Mazatlan. His experience in the business has prepared him for his newest venture--inspired by the Latino tradition of vendors cooking and selling food directly on the streets.

Mazatlan’s mobile eatery is believed to be the first of its kind in Mankato, and has joined a very exclusive group of food trucks in southern Minnesota. With a design by Branch Industries, a design and marketing firm based in Mankato, the truck will hit the road decorated in a modern and eye-catching style that is sure to attract hungry customers.

Despite a bold and beautiful

exterior, the truck still lacks an important character—a name.

El Mazatlan will be hosting a contest to source and select the truck’s name from all online submissions. If you think you’ve got a winning idea, visit their Facebook page and comment on the contest post for a chance to claim the delicious reward!

Businesses, groups or event organizers interested in booking the food truck can do so by emailing truck@elmazatlanfood.com or calling (507) 625-2406.

SWING “Caravan Palace is an elec-

tro swing band that transcends the ages.” continued from 11 how they all start to sound extremely similar. The final song on the album is also lackluster, tired and unmemorable. Overall, Caravan Palace should be a staple in anyone’s music collection to get away from the prepackaged pop formula. Their concerts are a unique spectacle, complete with a light show and swing dancing. Currently the band is back in the studio working on their third album.

Electro swing is a growing genre, but unlike many electro swing bands, Caravan Palace succeeds in blending a variety of sounds to create something that differs from generic electro swing.

Web Photo

time”. Barbara is completely disrespected as a person because she’s a woman. Batman showed more remorse for Jason Todd’s death, and that kid was a prick that readers hated.

The treatment of woman as pin-ups and plot devices in comic books needs to discontinue. There needs to be more respect towards woman in the comic book industry, starting with how they treat their female characters. Luckily, other authors treated the paralyzed Barbara with much more respect after The Killing Joke. Susan Holder, a longtime fan of Batgirl, commented “in birds of prey, they developed Barbara as an awesome character because of her disability which makes her an icon for

paraplegics, which rarely happens in comic books. And then they developed her as a leader within a tight knit community of woman.” Steps are being taken to rectify the poor treatment of female characters, but there is a long road before equality is reached.

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Thursday, September 11, 2014

MSU Reporter • 13

A&E

Homecoming performer announced With music inspired by struggle, Communist Daughter prepares for their Mankato performance this October.

COURTESY OF DALE HAEFNER MANKATO, Minn. – Johnny Solomon and Communist Daughter will perform on Thursday, October 2 at 7:30 pm. The Homecoming Week concert will take place in the Elias J. Halling Recital Hall of the Earley Center for Performing Arts, 320 May-

work has been featured on the TV show “Grey's Anatomy,” was founded in 2009 by singer/ songwriter/guitarist Solomon after the split of his band Friends Like These. Solomon, who took the name Communist Daughter from a Neutral Milk Hotel song, leads a band of area musicians which includes Adam Switlick on bass, guitar and vocals, Al Weiers, guitar, Dillon Marchus,

Photo Courtesy of Dale Haefner

wood Ave. Communist Daughter founding member John Solomon writes about his struggles with addiction and difficult times.

The Twin Cities’ band, whose

keyboard/guitar, Dan DeMuth, drums, and lead vocalist Molly Moore. Moore married Solomon in 2013.

The band is signed to Grain Belt Records where they record-

ed their debut album soundtrack To The End, the limited EP release Something Wicked This Way Comes and the most recent CD Lions & Lambs. Their single “Not The Kid” reached number one on 89.3 The Current's Radio charts.

Rolling Stone Magazine’s Melissa Maerz writes, “ Communist Daughter features fragile, daydreaming harmonies with swirling synths that spin and spin until they fall down dizzy.

Steady-galloping drums coolly pass you by. These Midwestern boys have wrapped it all up into rip-your-heart out ballads about getting older but not necessarily happier – songs that capture the old joy of classic records and do-nothing days, and the ache of knowing they're mostly gone.

Yes, there's a good kind of sadness, and this is what it sounds like."

Communist Daughter has toured nationally with the CMJ Music Festival and has played numerous dates with Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit. In 2013, the band began to record with Kevin Bowe as a co-producer and was featured in Paste Magazine's Best of What's Next issue.

In 2010, the band was voted Best

Web Photo

Band of the Twin Cities in a City Pages reader’s poll. Communist Daughter won the 2014 Independent Music Awards Indie Pop award for their song “Ghosts.”

Concert admission is $15; $13 for students with a valid MavCard. Discount tickets are available online for University students. Advance purchase is

strongly encouraged. Those who wish to purchase tickets online should go to www.mnsu.edu/ music.

For more information, call the Performance Series office, (507) 389-5549.

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14 • MSU Reporter

A&E

Thursday, September 11, 2014

A piece of the performance!

Rehearsal stills offer a sneak peek of MSU’s upcoming drama, A Piece of My Heart, opening September 17.

COURTESY OF MIKE LAGERQUIST

Left to right: Sissy (Alex Blesi, kneeling), LeeAnn (Isabella Barberena, standing) and Martha (Kendra Verhage) comfort a wounded soldier (Zach Bolland) in the ward.

The women, and a G.I., prepare for a rough landing as they fly in to Vietnam. They are (left to right): American Men (Zach Bolland), Martha (Kendra Verhage), MaryJo (Claire Clauson), Steele (Jessica Staples), Sissy (Alex Blesi), LeeAnn (Isabella Barberena) and Whitney (Rachel Howard).

LeeAnn (Isabella Barberena) suffers from a flashback and is consoled by Martha (Kendra Verhage). The other women look on (left to right): Whitney (Rachel Howard), Steele (Jessica Staples), MaryJo (Claire Clauson) and Sissy (Alex Blesi).

MSU Reporter • 15

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Follow the Reporter on Twitter @MSU Reporter or Like Us on Facebook facebook.com/msureporter

Email the Sports Editor: reporter-sports@mnsu.edu

507-389-5227

2014 men’s cross country preview The men’s cross country team has a nice plethora of key veterans returning and youngsters to compete in the NSIC in 2014.

DENZELL CASTRO-OATS Staff Writer

upperclassmen group” Senior co-captain Josiah Swanson is one of the upperclassmen looking to help the

The men’s cross country team is gearing up for the 2014 season.

Coach Loren Ahonen has assembled a team that he is predicting to finish top three in the Northern Sun Conference.

“The group of guys we have this year is an interesting one”, Ahonen said, “On one end of the

Photo Courtesy of Minnesota State Athletics Loren Ahonen

Josiah Swanson

spectrum we have a lot of young guys out of high school that are all very talented, and on the other we have a very strong veteran

Mav team this season.

“We’re young, but we have a lot of potential”, Swanson said.

“We have a great group of returners leading the younger guys who are doing a great job of adapting to Coach Ahonen’s system.”

The 12-man team consists of four freshman, 2 sophomores, 2 juniors and 4 seniors.

Departures from last year were Jacob Ball who finished 26th for the Mavericks at the

NCAA Division II regional meet.

The Mavericks also lost Devin Allbaugh who was a part of the team that finished 3rd at the 2012 NCAA Division II Regional meet where he individually finished 28th.

The Mavs are gaining 4 key freshman this year in Michael Hoff, Austin Pasch, Edoardo Tagliaferri, and Connor Westlake.

Hoff of Mounds View is a 3

time state Cross country qualifier and was a part of the 2013 Mounds View Team that finished 7th in the state. He will also bring his skill in the 800m dash where he runs a 1:55.

Westlake from Johnston Iowa was a 2-time state qualifier both individually and with his team his junior and senior year in high school. He also has experience on the track in the 1600 and 3200

where he was also was a state qualifier in both events.

Pasch from Westby High School in Wisconsin qualified in last year’s Wisconsin State meet for Division 3 finishing in the top 30. He also is a state track and field qualifier, qualifying in the 1600 placing 10th, and in the

CROSS COUNTRY • Page 18

Volleyball squad splits in Colorado LUKE LONIEN Staff Writer

MSU Reporter Archives The Mavericks went 3-1 last season when they traveled to Monmouth, Ore. for the Western Oregon Invitational.

The MSU Volleyball team is coming off of a 4 game tournament in Golden Colorado this past weekend, going 2-2 throughout the tournament. On Friday, MSU beat Dominican (Califorina) 3-1 before sweeping their 2nd match of the day 3-0 to Bentley. On Saturday, MSU battled tough with Colorado Christian before losing the 5th set of the match, losing 2-3. MSU then lost their last match of the weekend against Northwest Zazarene 1-3.

The Mavericks had to battle back after dropping the first set of the match 17-25, then had to battle even harder in the 2nd set.

The Mavericks jumped out to a

quick 6-2 lead, but Dominican fought back and knotted the set up at 8 apiece. Dominican kept the set close through the set, but the Mavericks wanted it more and barely nudged out a tough 29-27 victory, before taking the 3rd set 25-22. The 4th set came just as tough as the 2nd set for the Mavericks, who seemed to have the set won leading 24-20.

But a couple of Maverick errors tied things up at 24. MSU ended up taking the set and the match with a 28-26 victory, winning the match 3-1. Krista Hassing let the Mavericks with 20 kills, followed by Chandra Honebrink with 13 kills. Haley Fogarty led the way on the defensive end, leading the team with 27 digs, followed by Ellie Van De Steeg, who had 10 digs. Van De Steeg also paced the Mavericks with 52

assist. For Dominican, Madeline Powelson and Aimme Steinwand paced their team with 13 and 12 kills, respectively.

The 2nd match of the day went very well for the Mavericks has the took care of business right away, winning the first 3 sets to a match victory. MSU opened up with a convincing 25-15 victory, before taking the last 2 sets 2519 and 25-17 en route to a sweep.

Hassing again did most of the damage for the Mavericks on the attack, leading MSU with 14 kills, followed by Syndey Powell who had 12 kills. Honebrink led the defensive side racking up 13 digs, Fogarty and Haley Doran had 9 digs each as well. Van De Steeg kept her offensive game

VOLLEYBALL • Page 17

16 • MSU Reporter

Sports

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Ball is in your court, Mr. Goodell With multiple off-the-field instances surrounding the NFL, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is now on the hot seat. Is it too hot for him to handle?

JOHN WALFOORT Staff Writer Rice has been indefinitely suspended from the National Football League.

Ray Rice has been suspended after knocking out, now wife, his fiancé in February. Rice was initially given a two game suspension, which the commissioner of the NFL Roger Goodell has come out since then that it should have been more. Since then firstoffense punishment for domestic violence violators will face a sixmonth suspension, second offenders will face a lifetime ban.

Now with recent footage of the incident, which can be found on TMZ sports website, shows Rice punching his wife in the face. Rice told his coaches and fellow teammates that he was working in self-defense, but the video shows a different side of the story. The NFL is sloppy with their rules and how they carry out each violation. It was known that Rice punched his wife in the face and it was serious. The NFL should have kicked him out of the league from the very beginning.

Josh Gordon is suspended from the NFL for a year because he was barely over his second drug test levels. To rule Rice out for two games and Gordon out for one year because he smoked some weed, which is legal in two states, doesn’t sound stable.

Given it was Gordon’s second offense, but still Goodell needs to be replaced and policies need to

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be in clear ink.

The NFL on its policies is more subjective than objective.

Meaning it’s up to the person ruling to tell if it’s bad or wrong especially when this case first arose. The NFL should have had disciplinary action set up before the Rice incident. Instead, now there’s a huge debate on if what the NFL did by going back on it’s ruling good.

The NFL suspending Rice for an indefinite period of time is a tricky situation. It shows that the NFL doesn’t have a stable base and will change its mind at anytime, even after it has ruled on an issue. It has shown media can influence it even though they already knew the specifics of the situation.

Goodell should have never gone back on his decision, and I think that there should have been a much heavier sentence to begin with. Rices’ fiancé then still chose to marry him after the whole incident.

“To make us relive a moment in our lives that we regret every day is a horrible thing. To take something away from a man I love that he has worked his ass off for all his life just to gain ratings is a horrific,” Janay Rice, Rice’s wife, wrote.

If Rice’s wife can forgive him so quick, can the NFL and the people? With the NFL’s lackadaisical policy making and carrying out of punishments, Rice will be back in the league sooner then later; just look at how they handled the Michael Vick case.

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Web Photo Controversies like the Josh Gordon and his year-long NFL ban for weed and Ray Rice’s new developments are reasons why Roger Goodell made more than $44 million last year.

CROSS COUNTRY “The group of guys we have this year is an interesting one,” Ahonen said. “On one end of the spectrum we have a lot of young guys out of high school that are all very talented, and on the other we have a very strong veteran upperclassmen group.” continued from 15 3200 placing 4th.

Tagliaferri, a freshman from Stillwater high school was a part of Stillwater’s dominate state placing cross country team his sophomore and junior year.

Senior co-caption Matt Stocker is impressed with the freshmen’s work ethic and talent.

“They’ve added a lot to our team and heighten our chances of cracking the top 3 in the conference this year.” He said. “We’ve always been a solid team but now that we have more depth, I’m excited to see what we can do with it.”

Ahonen is going into his second year as the Cross Country head coach, but carries a lot of past experience. Aside from his many accomplishments on the track, upon graduating from Western State, he stayed there to start his coaching career. As an assistant for men’s track and field in his two seasons, he worked with 42 All-Americans, including five national champions. He continues to seek to push the men of the Maverick cross country team to their highest potential – on and off the course.

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Thursday, September 11, 2014

MSU Reporter • 17

Sports

American League Awards Watch: Wiita’s picks

VOLLEYBALL “I really liked how our passers controlled the temp of the serve, and I thought we put some really good swings on the ball,” Amundson said. continued from 15

o

Web Photo

TOMMY WIITA Staff Writer With the weather getting frigid and the leaves changing colors, we are entering the homestretch of the 2014 MLB regular season.

The battle is on for not only playoff races, but individual awards as well. Here are my predictions for the American League winners this season.

MVP: Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim This year there is no race for the Triple Crown. Miguel Cabrera is a contender in this spot, but Trout deserves what is due this time around. Miggy has won back-to-back MVP awards, having Mike Trout finish second behind him both times. If the voters actually accounted everything outside of batting for the award, Trout would have already won the award for his defense and base-stealing abilities. Not only has Trout put up outstanding numbers, (.288 AVG, 32 HR, 103 RBI) but also if it weren’t for him the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim would not be leading the AL West going into the last few weeks of the season. He has been the rock of the team all season and continues to make Gold-Glove worthy plays in the outfield. Trout currently leads the American League in RBIs, tied for the league lead in runs scored (99), fifth in doubles (37), fifth in walks (73) and fourth in OPS with a .926 clip (On Base Percentage plus Slugging Percentage).

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Jose Abreu, 1B, Chicago White Sox This category isn’t even close.

When the White Sox signed Abreu out of Cuba this offseason, there was already a huge buzz about this slugger. Abreu

has put up amazing numbers for his first season, (.317 AVG., 33 HR, 99 RBI) and he may get some MVP considerations, as he should. Amongst rookies, he leads the following categories in the American League: At bats, runs scored, hits, doubles, home runs, runs batted in, on base percentage, slugging percentage and OBPS. A thoroughly dominant season by the 27-year-old Cuban descent, next year could be the year he fully establishes himself in Major League Baseball as a superstar.

CY YOUNG: Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners This might be the tightest race in quite some time. Guys like Corey Kluber of the Indians, Max Scherzer of the Tigers, David Price of the Tigers, Chris Sale of the White Sox and even Jon Lester of the Athletics are all worthy for mentioning. “King” Felix gets his second career CY Young for leading the Seattle Mariners to their first winning season since 2009 and has them right in the mix for the last AL Wild Card spot. Hernandez is currently tied for third in wins (14), second in ERA (2.12), second in innings pitched (212), fourth in strikeouts (217), and leads the league in lowest opponent average (.200). The King has turned into one the most dominant pitchers in this era, and now he may make a major impact if his Mariners can make the playoffs this season.

ROLAIDS RELIEF AWARD: Greg Holland, Kansas City Royals This was either coming down to Fernando Rodney of the Seattle Mariners or Holland of Kansas City. The 29-year-old Holland gets the nod because with his stats stacked up against Rodney, the dominance outshines his opponent. Rodney has 44 saves in

60.1 innings pitched with a 2.54 ERA and 66 strikeouts. Holland has 42 saves in 56.1 innings pitched, with a 1.60 ERA and 80 strikeouts. Not only that, but Holland is having opposing batters bat a minuscule .185 against him, while Rodney has opponents batting .240. The Royals are leading the AL Central this season because the pitching has finally been efficient, and Holland has provided excellent relief in filling the void Joakim Soria left.

MANAGER OF THE YEAR: Mike Scioscia, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim It is crazy to think that by this time last year and this offseason, Mike Scioscia was on the hot seat and it appeared to be the end of his coaching tenure with the Angels. After winning the World Series in 2002 over the San Francisco Giants, Scioscia’s teams went on to win five more division titles and losing in the playoffs.

Ever since 2010, the Angels have found themselves in unfamiliar territory, finishing in third place three of the past four years. This season was a make-it-or-break-it for the Angels skipper, and boy has he turned this club around.

Early in the season, it looked like the Oakland Athletics already had the division won, as they had the best record in all of baseball and a strong hold to the AL West. The Angels were always lurking however, and now Scioscia’s team has the best record in baseball and has an eight-game lead on the rest of the division.

Of course the past few years the Angels have experienced a lot of injuries, but it looks like this year may in fact be the year for Mike Scioscia to be awarded his second ring.

rolling, putting up 40 assist in the match.

Saturday did not fare as well for the Mavericks, who after starting 2-0 would have a couple of tough match-ups. The Mavericks first took on Colorado Christian. The Mavericks started slow, down 0-4, but they were able to fight back and tie the set up at 19.

The Mavericks were unable to get control of the match after the tie, losing 23-25. The 2nd set was just as exciting; especially for MSU has they battled evenly all the way to a 26-24 win.

The 3rd set went well for MSU again; they were tied at 19 before taking a 4 point run, boosting them to a 25-21 win. MSU was unable to win either of the next two sets unfortunately, losing the 4th set 20-25. They then lost a hard fought battle in the deciding set.

The Mavericks were unable to gain a lead throughout the entire set, Colorado Christian rode the momentum win from set 4 into set 5 and claimed the match 2-3 with a 13-15 win. Powell led the way for the Mavericks with 23 kills, Hassing added in 19 kills of her own.

Fogarty led the Mavericks with 18 digs followed by Doran who had 13. Van De Steeg led the team with 61 assist.

Match 4 of the weekend was tough for the Mavericks, after a tough defeat earlier in the day, MSU took on Northwest Zazarene.

MSU came out of the gates firing, taking a quick 3-0 lead, but after a NNU timeout NNU got back into the set. After a back and forth battle, with both teams going on little runs. NNU ended up with the last run taking 4 of the last 5 points, earning a 19-25 win. MSU was also unable to gain any traction in set 2. With the set tied up at 9-9, NNU took the lead and never looked back taking the set 20-25. The 3rd set was another though one for the Mavericks as they lost 1725 and the match 0-3. Hassing paced the Mavericks with 10 kills, Honebrink added in 8 of her own. Honebrink led the Mavericks in digs with 10 and Doran chipped in 8 digs of her own. Van De Steeg led the Mavericks with 30 assist.

Coach Dennis Amundson found out a lot about the team this weekend “We can do some things pretty well that can be significant, but we also found that we have a long way to go in some areas. They are team and system related and once we get those little things ironed out we will be okay.” Amundson, also liked what he saw from his passers and hitters. “I really liked how our passers controlled the temp of the serve, and I thought we put some really good swings on the ball.” Amundson said.

The Mavericks play again this weekend, September 12th and 13th, hosting the Maverick invitational. They will kick off the first match against NSIC foe, Upper Iowa in the Taylor Center at 9 a.m. on Friday September 12th.

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18 • MSU Reporter

Sports

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Many questions but lots of hope

Web Photo The Minnesota Wild struggled at times to put the puck in the back of the net last season, finishing 24th in the NHL in goals per game with 2.43.

DEREK LAMBERT Staff Writer The Minnesota Wild have made some serious strides over the past two seasons. After being perennially average, Minnesota signed star forward Zach Parise and defenseman Ryan Suter to matching 13-year contracts in the summer of 2012 to take a step in

the right direction. After leading the team to the playoffs in 2013, where they lost in four games in the first round to eventual Stanley Cup Champion the Chicago Blackhawks, the Wild made even more progress in 2014.

With new faces and some emerging young players, the Wild showed last season that they have the potential to be a cup con-

tender. After finishing seventh in the Western Conference, the Wild faced the Central-Division Champion Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the playoffs.

A back-and-forth series with plenty of excitement, Minnesota pulled off the upset in overtime of game seven at Colorado to advance past the first round for the first time since 2003.

Though Minnesota lost to Chicago in the Western Conference semifinals in six games, the improvement was evident. The Wild now have a core group of veteran players up front, led by Minnesota native Parise, Jason Pomminville and Captain Mikko Koivu all posting nearly pointper-game averages. The offseason acquisition of former Gopher Thomas Vanek is a huge plus as well. Vanek has scored 20 or more goals in each of the nine seasons he has been in the NHL, and has 556 career points. On a three-year deal, Vanek could give the Wild an extra push they need.

The biggest change perhaps was the young nucleus of this Wild team that made them a complete team.

Minnesota’s 2010 first-round pick Mikael Granlund came into his own last season as a playmaking forward for the team and cementing his place as a top six forward with the club.

Nino Neiderreiter came to Minnesota in the summer of 2013 in a trade that sent Cal Clutterbuck to the New York Islanders. Having very little NHL experience prior to joining the Wild, Nino impressed Minnesota fans when he posted 14 goals and 36 points

last season and also played hero in game seven at Colorado when he netted two goals, including the overtime winner.

But Nino and Granlund aren’t the only 22-year-old young guns making noise on the Minnesota roster. A big, strong power forward Charlie Coyle found himself all over the lineup last season, playing alongside Parise on the first line, and even on the third and fourth lines. Coyle is a player similar to a David Backes, who when he gets more NHL experience will put up points on the board, but will play a physical, two-way game.

Add in last year’s rookies Erik Haula and Justin Fontaine and the young group of forwards looks pretty good in St. Paul. But what about the back end?

Suter returns to the blue line and will likely log the most minutes in the league as could be expected. Jared Spurgeon had somewhat of a breakout season last year, seeming to find an offensive touch to his steady defensive play. Jonas Brodin and Marco Scandella are still young and yet to hit their prime playing years, but both looked great last season and will only continue to

WILD PREVIEW • Page 19

Thursday, September 11, 2014

MSU Reporter • 19

Sports

WILD PREVIEW continued from 18 improve the Minnesota defense.

Between the pipes gets tricky for this squad as last season the Wild played five different goaltenders at different points of the season due to injury. However, both Niklas Backstrom and Josh Harding are healthy to begin the season and will battle it out for the starting job, which hopefully adds a little more consistency with the Wild.

So where do the Wild stack

up against the rest of the Western Conference?

The Western Conference got significantly better this offseason, especially the Central Division. Some big moves in the division include Jarome Iginla to Colorado, Paul Statsny to St. Louis, James Neal to Nashville and Jason Spezza to Dallas, to name a few.

With the young players developing and turning into more

consistent everyday players, the scoring will come. Also, having healthy goaltenders gives the skaters one less thing to worry about on the ice.

The Wild may not win the Stanley Cup in 2015, but they are on the right path to giving themselves the best chance. Championship teams are not built overnight, and I think the Wild are showing that sometimes, it takes a couple years.

Web Photo

R EPORTER PICK ‘EM | W EEK #2 STEELERS @ RAVENS

DOLPHINS @ BILLS

JAGUARS @ REDSKINS

COWBOYS @ TITANS

CARDS @ GIANTS

PATRIOTS @ VIKINGS

SAINTS @ BROWNS

FALCONS @ BENGALS

LIONS @ PANTHERS

RAMS @ BUCS

SEAHAWKS @ CHARGERS

TEXANS @ RAIDERS

JETS @ PACKERS

CHIEFS @ BRONCOS

BEARS @ 49ERS

EAGLES @ COLTS

JOEY DENTON Sports Editor DENZELL CASTRO-OATS Staff Writer JOHN WALFOORT Staff Writer LUKE LONIEN Staff Writer TOMMY WIITA Staff Writer DEREK LAMBERT Staff Writer

STA NDINGS After Week #1

1ST PLACE Luke Lonien

2ND PLACE John Walfoort

3RD PLACE (t) Denzell Castro-Oats

3RD PLACE (t) Tommy Wiita

3RD PLACE (t) Derek Lambert

LAST PLACE Joey Denton

Overall (12-4) Last Week (12-4)

Overall (10-6) Last Week (10-6)

Overall (9-7) Last Week (9-7)

Overall (9-7) Last Week (9-7)

Overall (9-7) Last Week (9-7)

Overall (8-8) Last Week (8-8)

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20 • MSU Reporter

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