November 18, 2010

Thursday, November 18, 2010

www.msureporter.com

Minnesota State University, Mankato

Learning outside Rethinking the of the classroom recommendation

After many complaints about the Maverick Software gives recommended COB laptop, students technology students are finding it might not be such a more opportunities bad deal after all

GRACE WEBB

staff writer

Maverick Software Consulting may not be wellknown to most Minnesota State Mankato, students but for those majoring in computer science, information technology or computer engineering it’s a fantastic place to work. The company provides students with real-world experience, networking and good pay, all while encouraging education and allowing flexible hours.

Students employed at Maverick Software have countless real-world experiences available to them, whether it’s software testing, developing new software or debugging work. In class, these students learn the basics of their fields, but when they work at Maverick Software, they put everything

they learned into practice — and more. The company trains them on new technologies and pushes them into more complicated situations than what their professors lectured about. Yet the company also recognizes its employees are students, allowing extremely flexible schedules and viewing education as the No. 1 priority.

Sean Oberg is another student employed at Maverick Software Consulting. A nontraditional student in his last year, Oberg said he wanted to work for Maverick Software ever since he started his schooling.

“I heard a lot of good things about it,” he said.

He is one of the newest employees, working for the company since this summer.

Software / page 6

vs.

YOONKI KIM

staff writer

Despite the College of Business’s changed laptop policy, the recommended laptops are still selling well. This could be because they are not as pricey as

once believed. The COB recommended laptop is actually competitively priced against other Windows and Mac laptops.

The old policy used to require COB students to purchase a specially configured laptop from

Dell. The COB Technology Committee changed the requirement the last summer so laptops only have to meet or exceed the minimum specifications established by the college.

Samia Tariq of the

Laptops / page 7

Dinner, a show and murder?

JENNY POLLOCK

staff writer

index

The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) at Minnesota State Mankato is hosting a murder mystery fundraiser.

The play, “Stay as Dead as You Are,” is opening tonight.

The dinner and play runs from 6 – 9 p.m.

Not your average theatre production, there is audienceinteraction before the show and during.

The play is set at a 20-year high school reunion where someone gets murdered and the audience and cast has to try to find out who did it.

“At one point the audience is allowed to ask us questions and we obviously don’t practice.

It’s improvisation,” said Justine Voices......................................4 World & Nation........................8 Study Break.............................9 Sports....................................11 Arts & Entertainment............15

Stine, a senior acting in the play.

When the audience arrives, each person is handed a card with a character on it. If audience members want, they can stay in character throughout the play.

It is $20 for a ticket, which buys a three-course meal and admission to the show.

“Anyone who loves a good mystery or loves helping a good cause should attend.

It is a family-friendly show and includes something for everyone,” Elise Schwartz, PRSSA fundraising co-chair and murder mystery planning committee chair, said.

All of the proceeds go to the Backpack Food Program, a program in Mankato where students who receive assisted lunches can sign up and get

assistance on weekends and holidays. Volunteers sneak food into the students’ backpacks so their peers don’t have to know.

“I was in it [the event] last semester and the proceeds went to Haiti relief,” Stine said. “This year we decided to switch it and make it a local organization so we can build a relationship with them.

Schwartz said they decided to change the event to the fall semester so they do not have to compete with weddings for the banquet hall.

Since the auditions, the cast has been rehearsing for about a month.

“The auditions were actually really fun,” Renstrom said.

“I love the rehearsal process,” Danielle Renstrom, a freshman who is acting in the

katie erickson • msu reporter “Stay as Dead as You Are” actors do some rehearsal for the play which includes a great deal of improve.

play said. “I can go crabby, and when I come back, I am the most happy person. It fulfills my day.”

In addition to the dinner and play, there will also be a silent auction.

“We have a fantastic amount of silent auction items each night and all proceeds from the silent auction, along with ticket sales, will benefit the Backpack Food Program,” Schwartz said.

MAVERICK Volleyball wants revenge (12)

5 tips to not piss off your bartender (15)

MAVERICK WRESTLING PREVIEW (11)

Review: “Call of Duty: Black ops” (17)

Page 2 • Reporter

News

Thursday, November 18, 2010T

New “Making Waves” launched Wednesday

Check out the A&E section Tuesday, Nov. 22 to learn more about the new feminist magazine. wale agboola• msu reporter

A wide variety of performers filled Jazzman’s cafe with music to celebrate the launch.

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Thursday, November 18, 2010

Changing registration AVERY CROPP

staff writer

The Minnesota State Student Association is looking to pass a motion to begin the process of changing the registration window assignment process.

They are planning to work with the office of the registrar to try to implement a new process called Academic Success Registration.

Currently, students are assigned their registration window times based on the total credits they have and the last two digits of their social security number.

What MSSA wants to do is to change the process so registration windows will be determined by number of credits and overall GPA. Students with better GPAs will have their registration window open before others, rewarding good academic performance at Minnesota State Mankato. The senate said this would not affect the early enrollment process that is afforded to students with disabilities on campus.

College of Business Senator Chris Magione, one of the senators who created the motion, said he believes this change will promote MSU’s vision for students to “go further than they thought possible” by pushing them to be the best they can be in their classes.

“This is a change that the office of academic and student affairs would be in full support of,” said Anne Blackhurst, vice president of student and academic affairs.

In an informal poll conducted by the senators today, 22 of the 24 students surveyed agreed to the change.

As the numbers reflect, the student senate is still in the beginning processes of making the motion a reality. As it would be simply a departmental change, the motion would avoid the red tape associated with implementing a policy.

“We are just getting the support and bringing this policy to the attention of the Registrar’s Office,” Mangione said.

The senate plans to continue working closely with the Registrar’s office to figure out how to implement this change fairly.

The senate also discussed an update on a recent Minnesota State University Student Association conference. Recent research by MSSA has confirmed that MSU is not getting a great return on what they put into MSUSA. Even though thousands of student dollars go to the program, MSU only sees roughly a 60 percent return. MSUSA educates and informs students about higher education issues.

News

Reporter • Page 3

Doing everything they can In honor of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, students are making efforts to collect donations and provide food for those in need.

Every student is encouraged to donate a quarter to combat hunger.

If every student contributes at least 25 cents, over $4,000 can be raised. photos by wale agboola

Department of Modern Languages 227 Armstrong Hall • 389-2116 • www.mnsu.edu/modernlang

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compiled by Wale Agboola

Have you given up on the Viking season yet?

Thursday, November 18, 2010 www.msureporter.com 14-yr-old openly gay Graeme Taylor defending suspended teacher for punishing antigay remarks

Scientists trapping the power of anti-matter

The Beatles catalog available of iTunes

WITH US

Tom Williams • Sr • Secondary Ed.

Facebook deleted “fake” women accounts

TSA’s new nudie scans and bodypat downs

“It would take a miracle to make the playoffs .”

PBS censoring Tina Fey’s Palin-jabbing Mark Twain Award speech

Willow Palin calling people “faggot” on Facebook

AGAINST US

Crime Victim Services Provides An Outlet For Victims of Sexual Assault Dear Editor, Last year, more than 38,000 donors logged on to GiveMN.org and gave over $14 million to more than 3,000 Minnesota charities and nonprofits in 24 hours during Give to the Max Day. This year, the goal is to beat our own record by engaging 40,000 donors during the second annual Give to the Max Day on November 16.

Crime Victim Services, Inc. (CVS), together with GiveMN.org “a first-of-its-kind giving website for nonprofits in

Minnesota” is working to create a stronger nonprofit community for Minnesota.

CVS provides sexual assault, domestic violence, and general crime services in Brown County. In Blue Earth, Nicollet, and Sibley Counties, CVS provides sexual assault services. CVS also serves Minnesota State University, Mankato. As advocates, we regularly serve adults and youth, males and females, and all of our services are free and confidential.

However, we need your help and generosity to meet our fundraising goals.

GiveMN’s Give to the Max Day amplifies your giving impact in a number of ways. Minnesota nonprofits that attract the most donors during Give to the Max Day will be awarded prize grants and $1,000 will be given to a random donor’s charity every hour. GiveMN will also double your gift when you give to one of the nonprofits offering Give to the Max Day match funds.

By giving online with GiveMN, South Central Minnesota residents have the opportunity to make

a huge difference for nonprofits in our area. We hope you will help support our community by logging on to www.GiveMN.org on Tuesday, November 16 and giving to Crime Victim Services, Inc. Be a part of this historical event and join this “Great Minnesota Give Together!”

If you or someone you know wants to talk, please call our 24-hour Safeline at (800) 630-1425.

Lauren Pilnick Executive Director Crime Victim Services, Inc.

Laura Schuneman• So •Dance

“No, because I have faith they will come back!”

Kevin Ruda • Sr •Mechanical Engin.

“I don’t follow the Vikes ever since the ‘98 season let me down. Damn Gary Anderson.”

Statement by the President on the Paycheck Fairness Act

I am deeply disappointed that a minority of Senators have prevented the Paycheck Fairness Act from finally being brought up for a debate and receiving a vote. This bill passed in the House almost two years ago; today, it had 58 votes to move forward, the support of the majority of Senate, and the support of the majority of Americans. As we emerge from one of the worst recessions in history, this bill would ensure that American women and their families aren’t bringing home smaller paychecks because of discrimination. It also helps businesses that pay equal wages as they struggle to compete against discriminatory competition. But a partisan minority of Senators blocked this commonsense law. Despite today’s vote, my Administration will continue to fight for a woman’s right to equal pay for equal work.

Tim Hufford• Jr • Sports Mgmt.

“It’s over until we get rid of Brad Childress.”

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• If you have a complaint, suggestion or would like to point out an error made in the Reporter, call Editor in Chief Nate Brennan 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.

sports editor: Kyle Ratke (507) 389-5227 Variety Editor: Jacob Bohrod (507) 389-5157 photo editor: Wale Agboola

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Thursday, November 18, 2010

News

Reporter • Page 5

Pledging against bullying Students break plates to rid campus of hurtful words

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Page 6 • Reporter

News

Thursday, November 18, 2010T

SOFTWARE MSU graduate created business in 1999, one client provides 80 student jobs continued from 1 Oberg is a software tester, making sure new programs run smoothly without bugs or errors. He has nothing but praise for his new employer.

“I came from a job I definitely wasn’t happy with,” Oberg said, “so moving here was great. There are always new things to learn, but they understand that we don’t know everything; they’re really patient with us. They want [us] to succeed, They understand you’re a student and that comes first.”

Chuck Sherwood, co-owner of Maverick Software, said that the biggest potential challenge of working with students — scheduling — has actually turned into a benefit. He said students are able to make their own schedules and also move around hours if they need to study for tests or work on class projects. Because every office is built within 10 minutes of where students take their classes, it is easy for the student employees to go back and forth between school and work. They can come in for a few hours between classes and get a lot done. The projects they work on don’t have tight deadlines but instead usually take months to complete, so it doesn’t matter if a student pushes his or her shift back by a few days.

“It’s not a big deal for us, [but] it’s a big benefit for the students,” Sherwood said.

Another challenge was convincing potential clients to trust college students with their expensive and critical programming work. Companies could instead send work overseas, where labor would also be cheap and employee skill would be assured. But the top-notch students working for Maverick Software make a good case as to why student workers are a valuable investment for any company.

“They’re the best,” Sherwood said. “Every semester, I’m always concerned about hiring my new students, and every semester, I’m impressed.”

“It’s a lot of fun,” said Lindsay Mortland, a junior at MSU majoring in information technology.

Mortland started working for the company in March after some friends who worked at Maverick Software encouraged her to apply. Now she is putting what she’s learned in the classroom to use as she writes automated tests to see how well websites function.

Mortland said working for Maverick Software provides her with much more real-world experience than her university classes. She said in class, she may work on small programs with only a few computer codes, but at work, she deals with huge projects and works with teammates from all around Maverick Software’s four

offices.

“I can see [my job] helping me in my classes a lot,” Mortland said. “It’s been a good learning experience.”

Maverick Software Consulting was formed in 1999 by Marty Hebig, an MSU graduate. For some years, he worked as an independent consultant, but then he sold part of the company to Sherwood, a friend and fellow MSU graduate, in 2006.

“I jumped at the chance because it [was] such a great idea and such a benefit for college students,” Sherwood said.

The two of them formed a partnership with MSU that same year, getting the idea from a 1990s IBM-MSU partnership that gave MSU students the opportunity to work for IBM testing its operating system.

While Hebig and Sherwood were forming their partnership with MSU, the university was also working on creating another partnership with Thomson Reuters, one of the top information and productivity solution providers in the U.S. legal system.

Thomson Reuters wanted to increase its visibility on university campuses, hoping to snag smart college students when they graduated. However, the company did not want to deal with managing student employees at campus sites.

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That’s when Hebig and Sherwood stepped in. Hebig told Thomson Reuters that he could make and manage a company to work with it, and soon Maverick Software Consulting had its biggest client.

Maverick Software Consulting has only one client — Thomson Reuters — at the present, though it is looking for another company with

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which to partner. Still, its one client provides enough work for 80 student employees (20 students at the Mankato office) and four offices: MSU, the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

Hebig works with Thomson Reuters at its Eagan campus while Sherwood is in charge of the Mankato office.

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Thursday, November 18, 2010

News

Reporter • Page 7

LAPTOPS Some freshmen still appreciate the change in policy, many purchase laptops before knowing COB has specifications continued from 1 Minnesota State Mankato campus computer store said the sales of the COB recommended laptops are still strong.

“During summer, we actually sold a lot of these [COB recommended latops],” Tariq said.

Tariq has been working in the store for almost a year, and she said many of her customers were satisfied with the three-year warranty on the COB laptops. The warranty is included and covers accidental damages in addition to normal warranty provisions.

“If you buy it from Best Buy or a website, it’s going to be cheaper,” Tariq said. “But if you have any problem with those computers, you have to mail it to them and they’re going to fix it and send it back to you, which takes about more than two weeks.”

Tariq said the campus computer store’s tech service enables the buyers to save

time mostly because they do not have to have the computer shipped as long as they can stop by the Centennial Student Union.

“You’ll get it back within 24 hours. That’s the best part,” Tariq said.

The COB-recommended laptops also provide useful software such as SPSS and Microsoft Office for free.

The prices of the COB laptops range from about $1,000 to $2,000, which is very similar to fully configured laptops that include warrantees.

But the change in the policy is still appreciated by some freshmen who feared they would have to buy an additional laptop. NO all COB students were aware of the laptop policy when they applied to MSU and the COB used to say that applying to MSU meant students must follow the program.

Soo Young Kim is a freshman student in the Pre-

College of Business program.

He said he was surprised and perplexed when a senior told him about the COB laptop requirement. It was before word of new policy was widely spread, and he was told he had to buy another one.

“I had purchased a laptop, which was quite new, like a few months old,” Kim said, “before another friend of mine told me about the changed policy. I was really upset. I think the new policy makes more sense.”

Lucky for Kim, his laptop met the minimum standards, and he didn’t have to buy a new one.

“I think it [the policy] is going to the right direction,” Kim said.

The COB laptop policy was developed by the COB technology committee and it regularly monitors and evaluates the laptop program and makes revisions or updates.

submitted photo

The recommended laptops are offered at the computer store in the basement of the CSU.

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Page 8 • Reporter

News

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Thursday, November 18, 2010 www.msureporter.com

The Boss whips hair on Late Night NEW YORK (AP) — If you needed any more proof that Willow Smith’s “Whip My Hair” is the sensation of the moment, look no further: The Boss has performed his own acoustic version of it.

The moment came Tuesday night during a skit on “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” with Fallon doing a spot-on impression of Neil Young singing the dance groove as a folk song.

Moments later, Springsteen came out wearing sunglasses and a fake beard, and chimed in with his own slow growl.

“Whip My Hair” is the debut song from 9-year-old Willow. She’s the daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith.

Catholic school deletes editorials

ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. (AP) — Editorials in a Catholic prep school’s student newspaper about same-sex marriage and gay teenagers are sparking debate about free speech in Minnesota.

Student-written opinion pieces in the newspaper at Benilde-St. Margaret in suburban St. Louis defended gay teenagers and criticized a DVD by Minnesota’s Catholic bishops that denounced same-sex marriage.

The editorials and the nearly 100 comments they generated were deleted from the newspaper’s website over the weekend. The principal says they created confusion about church teaching and an intensity that made an unsafe environment for students.

Some comments praised a gay student’s courage for writing about his experience. Others said the editorials shouldn’t have been published at a Catholic school.

Thursday, November 18, 2010T

Man shoots TV over Palin “Dancing with the Stars” routine leads to all-night stand off with SWAT team

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A rural Wisconsin man apparently enraged by Bristol Palin’s “Dancing with the Stars” routine blasted his television with a shotgun, leading to an all-night standoff with a SWAT team, investigators said.

Steven Cowan, 67, was arrested Tuesday morning after officers coaxed him out of his house in Vermont, a farming community near Madison. Cowan, who is accused of threatening his wife with the gun after destroying the television, appeared in a Madison courtroom Wednesday on a charge of second-degree reckless endangerment. His bail was set at $1,500.

Cowan’s attorney at the hearing, Jonas Bednarek, declined to comment.

Cowan’s wife, Janice Cowan, told investigators that her husband suffers from bipolar disorder and had threatened her life in the past.

According to court documents, Janice Cowan said her husband came home Monday from the bar and had a beer with dinner before they

settled down to watch “Dancing with the Stars.”

When Palin, the 20-year-old daughter of tea party favorite Sarah Palin, began her routine, Cowan jumped up and began swearing, saying something like “The (expletive) politics.” His wife said he was upset that a political figure’s daughter was dancing on TV even though he felt she didn’t have talent.

Janice Cowan told investigators her husband left the living room and reappeared 20 minutes later with his shotgun, “raging” with his face bright red, and blasted the TV. She said he then pointed the gun at her and told her to go fetch his pistols, and threatened to kill himself if she brought anyone back. According to the criminal complaint, Steven Cowan’s daughter recently took away his handguns for safekeeping. It did not elaborate.

“He scared the bejebees out of me,” she told detectives.

Janice Cowan fled the home and went to an attorney’s office, where she phoned police.

She told officers that about 15 years ago her husband had

threatened her with a machete when he couldn’t find some ammunition and has threatened to shoot one of their cows.

She added he was under stress because of financial reasons, saying a doctor helping him with his mental health problems had suggested he temporarily turn over control of properties he rents out to the family’s attorney. Calls on Wednesday to a number listed as the Cowans’ could not be connected.

The Internet has been abuzz in recent days about how Bristol Palin, who has consistently landed at the bottom of the judges’ leaderboard, has been able to remain on the ABC show. Some have suggested that voters — particularly supporters of her mother — have been voting in blocs and manipulating the system.

Both Palins have denied any organized vote-getting tactics. Bristol Palin says voters support her despite lackluster performances because she started the show with no dancing experience.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

News

Reporter • Page 9

Study Break Thursday, November 18, 2010 www.msureporter.com T O D A Y S S T U D Y S P O N S O R E D

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Page 10 • Reporter

Don’t touch his junk Traveler refuses full body scan

CHICAGO (AP) — An airport traveler who famously resisted a full-body scan and groin check with the words “If you touch my junk, I’ll have you arrested” has become an Internet sensation, tapping into rising frustration over increasingly invasive searches.

John Tyner’s online account — complete with cell-phone video of the encounter — has helped fuel a campaign urging travelers to decline the body scans next week during the busiest travel day of the year.

It also raised questions about the complaints: Are Americans standing up to government overreach or simply whining about the inconvenience of air travel while insisting on full protection from terrorists?

“I think Americans, in their hearts, still feel airport security is just a big show — form over substance,” said Joseph Schwieterman, a Chicago-based transportation expert. “So they’re impatient with strategies they feel are just there to placate political demands rather the genuine security threats.”

Many of the people who have little tolerance for airport security are the same ones who want the government to work aggressively to prevent terrorist attacks, Schwieterman said.

Long-simmering annoyance among passengers and even plane crews has recently risen to new heights with wider use of full-body scanners, which show a traveler’s physical contours on a computer in a private room removed from security checkpoints. Faces are never shown, and the person’s identity is supposedly not known to the screener reviewing the images.

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Rastafarians moved to separate facility

Inmates transfered after years in isolation for not cutting hair RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Many Rastafarians and other inmates in Virginia who have spent years in isolation for refusing to cut their hair were moved to a prison where they can live together, the state Corrections Department said Wednesday.

The Associated Press reported in June that 48 inmates were being held in segregation for ignoring the state’s grooming policy, which bans beards and calls for hair to be kept above the shirt collar.

Department of Corrections

spokesman Larry Traylor told AP that 31 inmates were transferred to Keen Mountain Correctional Center in southwestern Virginia late last week. The change was made to “better manage and utilize critical bed space” because the offenders will be held two to a cell instead of just one, Traylor said.

“While there remains a need for consequences when offenders choose not to adhere to VADOC policy, it was determined that offenders whose only offense is failure

to comply with the grooming policy should be housed and managed separately from the general population but did not require housing in segregation,” Traylor said.

Inmates will not have all the privileges of the prison’s general population, but they are allowed to move inside their unit, more personal property, and educational and other programs.

Traylor said in June the policy was needed to prevent inmates from hiding weapons and drugs in their long hair or beards, and also to keep them

from quickly changing their appearance if they escape. At least 10 Rastafarian inmates, who view growing their hair unbridled, typically in dreadlocks as a tenet of their religion, have been in isolation since the policy was enacted in 1999.

Traylor said about 300 inmates identified themselves as Rastafarians, and only 13 are out of compliance with the grooming standards. Inmates will continue to have their heads shaved when they enter prison, Traylor said.

The Long Haul Ahead 2010 - 11 MSU W R ESTL ING P RE V I E W

photo by dan moen assisted by wale agboola • msu reporter

Page 12 • Reporter Volleyball

Sports

Thursday, November 18, 2010T

She wants revenge

Concordia St. Paul took down MSU in last year’s NCAA Tournament. Ds The Mavericks are hoping they can turn the tables Thursday M TIGE HUTCHESON

staff writer

We’ve all heard similar stories before. Cinderella stories, bracket-busting upsets or David vs. Goliath matchups.

As the Minnesota State University Mankato volleyball team prepares to put its season on the line against the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears — the three-time defending Central Region champions and widely considered the best team in all of Division II volleyball — Thursday would seem to be the perfect time, if ever, to pull off one of those stories. The only problem is that the Mavericks don’t see the Golden Bears as much better of a team.

“Concordia plays a lot like we do,” said MSU junior setter Brittany Stamer. “We just didn’t play as well as we could’ve last time we played them, so we’re looking forward to another chance.”

Concordia-St. Paul is an impressive adversary. In what many people consider the best volleyball conference in all of Division II, the Golden Bears managed to put a conferencebest five players on the NSIC All-Conference Team, not counting NSIC Coach of the Year Brady Starkey. Among the five players are NSIC

dan moen • msu reporter Outside hitter Amanda Beekman and the rest of the seniors are looking at must-win games from here on out.

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Freshman of the Year setter Amanda Konetchy, who leads the NSIC with 13.07 assists per game, and the three conference leaders in the all-important hitting percentage statistic — Cassie Haag (.379), Kayla Koenecke (.357) and senior leader Emily Palkert (.356) — who many consider one of the biggest offensive threats in the nation.

Not only does ConcordiaSt. Paul have an impressive roster, but history is also on their side. Thursday will mark the third showdown between Concordia-St. Paul and Minnesota State this season, with the Golden Bears winning both matchups in a similar 3-1 fashion.

So if Concordia-St. Paul is such an intimidating opponent, why is it that the Mavericks seems to beaffected by what many would consider a ‘bad draw’?

“You always want to play the best, and you might as well play the best first,” said MSU head coach Dennis Amundson.

“We’re anxious to stick our

b nose in there with the best of 2 them.” f “They’re kind of on a hot t streak right now, but we’re actually the only team that has t taken a game from them in the d second part of the season,” N said senior Kimber Kuhl.

C While Concordia-St. Paul f might be favored, MSU is a playing with nothing to lose — v its backs up against the wall c facing elimination.

But despite being the best m matchup of any team in the c NSIC against Concordia at t this point in the season, MSU m hasn’t even played their best w volleyball yet. s “We’re working on geto ting better at the little things,” t Amundson said. m “We’ve done a good job f cleaning up a lot of differl ent parts of our game. We’ve gotten rid of the little lapses in h play where we let teams get a c few points on us that weren’t t necessary,” Kuhl said. “Now we’re in a good spot to push teams back when they push us.”

Everything comes down to today at noon. Expect to see the hardest fought match of volleyball we’ve seen yet this year, and when the dust clears, the best team will emerge and move on.

FULL SPECTRUM LIGHTS at the Library

Look for the sunshine posters on the 2nd Floor North Wall!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Sports

Reporter • Page 13

Wrestling

Mavericks have some shoes to fill

DREW CLAUSSEN

staff writer

The No. 7 Minnesota State Mankato wrestling team will be looking to improve on its 2009-2010 season in which it fell short of its own expectations.

The Mavericks finished the year with a 9-5 record in dual action — going 3-4 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The team had a fourth place finish in regional action and had seven individuals qualify for the NCAA championship tournament.

“We had some disappointments, but we had some success, too. We were top three in the nation in the national dual meet championships and we were top six in the NCAAs,” said head coach James Makovsky. “Our goal is to always to be at least top-four, with our main goal of winning it. So we fell a little short of our goal last year.”

Makovsky, who is entering his 18th season as the head coach of the Mavericks, said the key to improving lies in

WHO TO WATCH Aaron Norgren - Jr. - 184 lbs - Advanced to first NCAA DII National Championship with a 13-10 overall record

Andy Forstner - Sr. - 125 lbs - Earned All-American status last season with a sixth place finish.

Finished the season 30-12.

Pat Mahan - Jr.. - 197 lbs - Qualified for NCAA Division II National Championships and posted an overall record of 22-11 the practice room. He said that there needs to be better competition between teammates in practice and that the team needs to work on its depth.

“Steel sharpens steel. When you’re wrestling someone that’s tough everyday, you morph into that kind of wrestle,” Makovsky said. “It takes a lot to do your best when it

doesn’t take your best to beat somebody.”

According to Makovsky the team is made up of a group of very coachable guys that he thinks should shape into a pretty good team.

The Mavericks will have to replace Brady Wilson and Travis Elg, both of who were All-Americans on last season’s

team.

“On average, we’ve been losing four seniors (each season) and usually three of them have been All-Americans,” Makovsky said. “So we’ve done it over the years and we’re in that situation again.

We have to have some guys step up.”

Senior Andy Forstner at 125 pounds and junior Aaron Norgren (cover) at 184 pounds will lead this year’s Maverick squad. Both were All-Americans last season.

“Andy is a two-time-AllAmerican and one of the hardest working guy’s I’ve seen,” Makovsky said. “Aaron Norgren has really stepped up his game and proved himself at the end of the year showing what he can really do.”

This season will mark the end of Forstner’s college career in which he’s earned everything that he’s received, including a fourth place finish at the NCAA Division II National Championships.

“He’s been through a lot in his career. He didn’t start until his sophomore year and red-

shirted,” Makovsky said. “He was a back-up his freshman year and got the snot kicked out of him, then really broke through his sophomore year.”

Another wrestler to watch is sophomore Robby Fisher, who should improve on a solid freshman season. Pat Mahan will also return to the team after sitting out last year with a shoulder injury.

“Robby had a decent freshman year last year and is definitely capable of taking that next step,” Makovsky said.

The Mavericks opened the season Nov. 10 by shutting out Waldorf 49-0 at the Taylor Center. The team will spend the next couple of weeks competing in open tournaments across the upper-Midwest before opening up conference play on Jan. 14 at home against the University of Mary.

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Hoops for Hunger tourney is set for Dec. 4

The first annual Hoops for Hunger 3-on-3 basketball tournament has been set for Saturday, Dec. 4.

It will be held in Schellberg Gym and start at 11 a.m.

The fee for the tournament will be $5 per person along with five non-perishable goods.

The maximum amount of players is five per team. All proceeds and donations will

go to the Salvation Army.

Payments and forms can be taken to HC 1400 and put in Greg Weis’ mailbox.

Once can donate in front of the Sport Management wall on Nov. 23 and Nov. 30 from 10-2 p.m.

Entry forms can be picked up at the Otto Recreation Center, or can be sent to you by e-mailing Timothy Hufford at timothy.hufford@ mnsu.edu.

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5 tips to not piss off your bartender MARGARET STECK

staff writer

Although an overwhelming majority of students on the Minnesota State Mankato campus frequent the “Bar-muda Triangle” on a regular basis, only a minority know how to behave.

Eatocracy, a daily CNN blog that features chefs, writers, pundits and entertainers from around the world, posted a blog on Nov. 9 entitled “Five Tips on Not Pissing Off Your Bartender.” Alie Ward and Georgia Hardstark, an LA duo who host the vlog series, “Drinks with Alie & Georgia” on Food2.com and invented the McNuggetini, authored the post.

The tips included never saying “When you get a chance…”, always leaving a tip, never hitting on the bartender at 2:01 a.m., never ordering Long Island Ice Teas and never vomiting in the bar.

While some of the advice, such as leaving a tip and not barfing all over the place, is quite obvious, the Long Island suggestion struck a chord. Ward and Hardstark refer to Long Island Iced Teas to being “the Costco of beverages” and “a very unsexy badge of thrift,”

stating that it is telling the bartenders ,“I would like to get as drunk as possible while paying this bar as little of my money as I can.”

What is wrong with thrifty drinking? Maybe in Los Angeles drinking on a budget is seen as tasteless, but in Mankato, in this economy, you have to save money where you can. The more for less mindset isn’t going away any time soon, especially with delicious drinks.

I sat down with Ryan “Rudy” Stroup of Red Sky Lounge to talk about Mankato bar etiquette, including tipping and the Long Island Ice Tea, and he gave five tips on being helpful to bartenders.

Ward and Hardstark wrote that a starting off point for tipping should be a dollar per drink.

“Anything is better than nothing. It definitely pays to tip,” said Stroup.

If one tips well, then the bartender will be more likely to go to you before another customer, especially if that person isn’t tipping,” he said.

It works the opposite way if somebody doesn’t tip.

“I would rather serve a new customer that I haven’t served

yet to see if I can get a tip out of them rather than go straight to the person that didn’t leave me anything,” said Stroup.

However, this bit of etiquette isn’t make-or-break.

“Tipping isn’t everything,” Stroup said. “Money is tough to come by in some people’s pockets, and if you don’t have the money to tip, I’m not going to say ‘stay at home.’ Of course, we still appreciate the business.”

Like in all lines of service, tips are a sign that bartenders are doing a good job. If you have to wait 30 minutes for your drink, or are being ignored by the bartender, your tip should reflect that.

What about those Long Islands?

“I enjoy making them,” said Stroup. “It’s a $5 drink, and some inexperienced bartenders will fill it up (with too much alcohol), which makes it cost-ineffective from a business owner’s standpoint.”

Stroup, however, is not an inexperienced bartender – he gloated that he can get 20 Long Islands out as fast as 20 beers.

Plus, he can add a little flair by picking up all four bottles at once, giving the crowd a show.

Some bar etiquette is a given, such as not throwing up in the bar, and you should plan on having your ID ready to show at all times (yes, even you Mr. 22 Year-Old who gets offended every time you get asked for your license), but here are some of the lessobvious tips on maintaining a good relationship with your bartender on a busy night.

Always have cash on hand.

1

Paying for one drink with a credit card while the bar is six-people deep is a sure way to annoy your bartender, according to Stroup.

On a busy Friday or Saturday night, bartenders are trying to provide the masses with drinks in the fastest possible manner. Running your card for one drink every time just isn’t efficient and, therefore, not approved of on a busy night.

Decide the group order BEFORE you get the bartender’s attention.

2

If you have a large group of people, don’t yell to get the bartender’s attention and then find out what everyone wants to drink after you have the bartender waiting.

Pay with cash or card, not change.

3

It is common knowledge that paying in change is frowned upon. Unless you are paying for your dollar drink with four quarters, don’t use change.

Finalize the number of multiple-ingredient shots prior to ordering.

4

If you are ordering a round of Scooby Snacks for your friends, make sure you know how many you need before you order.

If you want a Miller Light, just order a Miller Light.

5

Don’t ask the bartender to list off all of the beers they have, either on-tap or off, and then say, “Okay. I’ll have a Miller Light,” as if reading off that list suddenly made you yearn for a generic beer that tastes like water (no offense to any hard-core Miller fans out there). If you know what kind of beer you want, don’t waste the bartender’s time. Just order it.

Page 16 • Reporter

A&E

Thursday, November 18, 2010T

Historical Kato Ballroom faces tough future BRIAN ROSEMEYER

staff writer

Sitting humbly in the upperRiverfront neighborhood at 200 Chestnut St., a dance hall from a forgotten time quietly recounts its rich history in Mankato.

The Kato Ballroom held its official opening dance on Nov. 27, 1946. Local musicians played music of the era late into the night with local couples, young and old, swinging and swirling before them.

In those years entertainment didn’t mean a night on Facebook or sitting in front of your favorite reality TV show. It meant making your way to the local dance hall with your friends, grabbing a partner, and cutting the rug.

Larry Bowers has been the general manager at the Ballroom for 28 years.

“At the time,” Bowers said, “there was nothing else to do but dance.”

Ballrooms had always been a part of American culture, but after World War II, they started springing up all over the country.

If a town had people, it had a ballroom in some form. Mankato was no exception.

The Kato Ballroom hosted dances almost nightly and has been a venue to musicians such as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, The Beach Boys, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and, perhaps the most memorable, Buddy Holly.

Holly was in Mankato for the

Winter Dance Party tour with the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens.

The group played the Ballroom on Jan. 25, 1959. It was the second-to-last venue any of the musicians would play before a historic plane crash took the lives of the three superstars on Feb. 3 of that year, remembered as “the day the music died.”

The Ballroom has had only three owners in its 64-year history: the Weinstein family, the Martinka family and the current owners, the Cordes family.

In 1952, the Ballroom caught fire, and much of it burned to the ground. The owners managed to salvage a few remaining walls and rebuilt from there.

One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is the iconic “Kato” sign

that sits atop the marquee at the front entrance. The sign is pure nostalgia, with flashing incandescent light bulbs flickering the letters KATO. Since its opening, the Ballroom has been marked and identified by the fixture.

Even as a staple in the Mankato community, the Ballroom is threatened by changing times and the youth’s taste in of entertainment.

Bowers fears the Ballroom won’t be able to last the tough economic period. Business started dropping when the Verizon Wireless Center, formerly the Alltel Wireless Center and the Midwest Wireless Center, was built.

The corporately owned venue became the new stage for touring musicians to play in Mankato.

Concerts changed from the Ballroom’s intimate 1,600 capacity and hardwood dance floor to the Verizon Center’s stadium seating and concrete standing room.

Bowers says he has trouble finding bands to book for the Ballroom. He wrestles with the capricious nature of the new generation.

“I wish things would be a little different for us,” he said. “It’s hard to figure out what people

want these days.”

Bowers said music has different methods now.

“Kids download a song they hear on the radio, listen to it for about a week and quickly move on to the next,” he said.

Aside from music, the new generation demands a wide variety of entertainment mediums.

Today, kids battle boredom with TV, video games and the Internet.

“Back when this place was growing up,” Bowers said, “the only thing that made a difference was music.”

Music is no longer the meat and potatoes of the Ballroom’s programming. Currently, 90 percent of business comes from private events such as weddings or birthday parties.

The handful of public events left in the year at the Ballroom include: Echo’s on Nov. 20, City Mouse on Nov. 27, the Whitesidewalls on Dec. 11 and a ‘50s New Years Eve dance party featuring Richie Lee on Dec. 31.

Like so many other small businesses in Mankato, the Kato Ballroom struggles to avoid disappearing against the backdrop of new corporate giants that come to our town each year.

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A&E

Reporter • Page 17

‘Black Ops’ answers the call of duty

DEAN GORDEN

staff writer

Let’s pretend that Activision Blizzard is Brad Childress, head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.

Infinity Ward is Brett Favre, a veteran game studio with a spotless record. Treyarch Studios is Tavaris Jackson, Activision Blizzard’s backup game developer.

Initially, Activision and Infinity Ward had an incredibly successful relationship. Following its smash hit “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare,” Infinity Ward created “Modern Warfare 2,” a Super Bowl-caliber video game that broke sales records and brought both Activision and itself universal acclaim.

Six months after the release of “Modern Warfare 2,” news broke that Activision Blizzard and Infinity Ward were involved in a huge legal dispute because

of internal conflicts, not unlike Brad Childress and Brett Favre’s rocky relationship this season.

Activision Blizzard cut all ties with Infinity Ward and offered Treyarch Studios the follow-up title to “Modern Warfare 2,” one of the largest grossing releases in video game history.

Treyarch, which had been developing lesser “Call of Duty” titles over the years, took over the development of the “Modern Warfare 2” successor, “Call of Duty: Black Ops.” Now pretend that Tavaris Jackson has just brought the Minnesota Vikings back to the playoffs and won a Super Bowl. This best illustrates what Treyarch has accomplished with its latest release.

Treyarch not only met “Modern Warfare 2” standards, but exceeded them.

“Call of Duty: Black Ops”

offers an incredible campaign mode that trims the fat from the previous “Call of Duty” titles.

Gone are the pointless marathon hikes to navigation points and empty scenery that filled the other games.

“Black Ops” puts players directly into the action with each level. The video game is a cinematic work of art. The narrative is violent and uncompromising.

Those who skip the campaign mode are doing themselves a disservice.

Players assume the role of a covert agent of the 1960s who is found being interrogated (tortured) in the very first moments of the campaign. Two men sit behind a glass window, asking players questions in search of clues to answer a time sensitive matter of world-ending proportions. The missions are the character’s memories, providing backstory to explain how players have found themselves strapped to a chair, being electrocuted by unknown culprits.

What made “Modern Warfare 2” an international success was its online multiplayer. Fortunately, “Black Ops” does everything its predecessor did, only better.

Game mechanics, controls and general layout remain the same, but players now have an endless list of customization options at their disposal.

Weapons are no longer unlocked, but bought by earning points. Points are earned by completing in-game tasks, getting kills and winning matches.

Players no longer have to log an insane amount of hours to get the guns they wish to use.

TONIGHT

internet photos

The game’s inventory has been expanded to give gamers even more choices. More than 50 weapons are available, each with nearly a dozen attachment options. “Perks” and “killstreaks” have also been expanded, giving players a near infinite amount of possibilities when setting their character classes.

The game’s visuals remain top-notch. The game takes on a vintage feel because its 1960s setting, which comes as a nice change of scenery for those who have spent too many hours playing “Modern Warfare 2.”

Additional game modes have been added, including “wager”

matches that let players gamble with the points they’ve earned in-game. Also added are online split-screen capabilities, allowing gamers to play with their friends without a second copy of the game.

Treyarch, which endured high amounts of pressure and public scrutiny, has made a game worthy of the $60 price tag.

“Call of Duty: Black Ops” is the most addicting, thoroughly packaged game experience to date.

Treyarch’s story should give Tavaris Jackson hope, but its game needs no sugar-coating: “Black Ops” speaks for itself.

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Reporter • Page 19

Technical Assistant (3 openings)

Primary responsibilities include providing telephone user software support to new and existing Internet and Digital TV subscribers, assisting prospective subscribers with questions concerning HickoryTech’s service offerings and compatibility issues, and assisting in maintaining customer support database and software support material. One full time position available. Two part time positions also available working approximately 25 to 30 hours per week during evening and weekend shifts. Critical job requirements include two years of experience with personal computers, including Internet, experience with Windows 3.x through Windows 7, MAC OS and/or TCP/IP, knowledge of standard Internet services including SMTP, POP3, DNS and FTP, proficient with all versions of Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express, an understanding of all Microsoft and Macintosh operating systems, and excellent verbal and written communication skills. Customer service experience, call center experience and one year advanced education in computer science or related field preferred.

Qualified candidates may apply on-line at www. hickorytech.com or send their cover letter and resume indicating position of interest to:

HickoryTech Corporation Human Resources Department P.O. Box 3248 Mankato, MN 56002-3248 Fax: (507) 386-0700 EOE M/F/D/V

Academic Advantages - Convenience - Connections

Live on campus next year!

Online residence hall room selection is going on now!

All students currently enrolled at Minnesota State Mankato may choose a room or semi-suite online. Just go to mnsu.edu/reslife.

If you don't live on campus now and have questions, call us at 507-389-1011 to get your info to sign up online.

Department of Residential Life

111 Carkoski Commons, Mankato, MN 56001 Voice: 507-389-1011 or 800-722-0544 MRS/TTY: 800-627-3529 or 711 (MRS/TTY) Fax: 507-389-2687 Email: resife@mnsu.edu A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. Minnesota State University, Mankato is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity University. This document is available in alternative format to individuals with disabilities by calling the Department of Residential Life at the above numbers.

Page 20 • Reporter

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